GET FIT FOR 2012: THE BEST MASSAGE EVER FROM L’EQUATEUR!!

As I’ve been focusing on this whole ‘Get Fit for 2012’ thing I thought it only right to incorporate a massage here and there as in the beginning I had said I wanted to de-stress and relax more to release some tension. I got in touch with London based massage therapist L’Equateur aka Remi to discuss the many causes and effects of stress; and how the benefits of Holistic Massage can help to relieve these.

“In this day in age we as modern humans are exposed to many factors which become the direct source of stress! This could be a combination of mental and physical stress, either way they can result in harmful consequences to the body some of which are tiredness, fatigue, disease, illness, depression, insomnia, ache/pain and many more. Massage aims and has a proven track record to alleviate these effects and restore balance and wellbeing, this practice and philosophy goes back to our ancient ancestors who were more in tune with nature and earth! We always remember and find time to do things that are bad for our bodies (drinking every weekend, cigarette breaks) why not remember and find time to do the things that are good us!!!”

I wanted to experience the massage for myself, to see if the proof was in the pudding. I had a holistic massage, ‘Holistic’ meaning ‘whole’ the masseur looks at you as a whole not just to treat
symptoms but look at the cause of them, your lifestyle, physical and mental state and try to prevent them long term. The massage consisted of Swedish massage strokes developed by Per Henrik Ling designed to relax the muscles and restore natural flow of the body system, guaranteed to leave you feeling in total bliss! And I was in fact left in total bliss, I didn’t want to leave the couch! Ive had massages before, all by women though, this was the best by far; was it because the pressure from a man’s hands is far more effective than that of a woman’s, or was it that he’s just that damn good at his job? I think it was a combination of both, see for yourself! I’d recommend L’Equateur to anybody I talk to and so far I have!!! Try it at least once and you’ll be hooked!

For a limited time only L’Equateur is offering a special promotion of a 60 minute full body massage for just ÂŁ40!!! Contact L’Equateur via email at reminajair@hotmail.com

GUEST POST: HOW SWISHING SAVES OUR PENNIES AND THE PLANET!

Put away your credit card and stand back from the cash machine – are you ready for the latest free fashion craze? It’s time to start swishing!

What is swishing?

Started by Lucy Shea, “swishing” is the must-do eco fashion trend that’s going global. And the reason it’s so popular is because it brings together two of our favourite words: free; and fashion.

Put simply, swishing is all about exchanging clothes and all manner of fashion accessories from shoes to hats to belts and bags. Not exactly a new concept, but the idea has been given a twenty-first century makeover thanks to Lucy and her business, the Sustainability Communication Agency, Futerra. The London-based business set about building and banding the concept of Swishing in 2007, creating a website and organising events around the UK. At its heart, swishing is about giving women the chance to indulge their love of shopping with an environmental love. And since its launch, thousands of British women have taken part, exchanging their clothes for new ones, new in a swishing sense. In fact, Lucy estimates that in the UK, around seven thousand women swap some 25, 000 items each year and Futerra’s Swishing website each month receives around 10,000 visitors from around the world.

Swishing events and parties are taking part all over Britain, with local swishing groups being set up. But this isn’t just a British phenomenon, because Swishing is going global. Futerra boss Lucy reports that she’s receiving party pack requests from around the world including Sydney and Mexico City. There’s even a Global Swishing week, which, in 2012, ran between 15th and 21st February. So how does it work? Well, swishing etiquette, as it’s been dubbed, means that you’re allowed to take away the same number of items that you bring to a part. Another rule is you should bring clothes you’d be proud to give to someone.

But is it even possible to live in a world where swishing replaces shopping; or is it all a bit idealistic? Who knows, but consider this: each year in Britain, we buy around two million tonnes of clothes, and we throw away between one and two million tonnes of shoes and clothes. That’s almost four per cent of the total waste sent to landfill sites each year in Britain. Now, times it by every other country, perhaps not exactly, but this gives some indication of the amount of clothing waste our way of life, and specifically our love of shopping, is creating. And then consider the health implications for those working in the clothing manufacturing industry? For example, some 20,000 farmers reportedly due each year as a result of pesticide poisoning, many of whom are cotton farmers, producing the material used in the manufacturing of cheap clothing.

Considering how we’ve managed to retrain and re-educate some of our other shopping habits, eco fashion and swapping has potential. Not convinced? Just remember our love of plastic bags and how things have changed since then.

BYLINE:

This article was written on behalf of The Splash, an eco-friendly online magazine with a passion for ethical fashion!

PHOTO CREDIT: THESWAPTEAM

CHRISTMAS TREATS FROM RIVER ISLAND!

Stepping into the River Island Christmas in July press day was such a breath of fresh air; it’s going to be a black Christmas people!!! Well black and gold to be exact, this was the palette that dominated the Baroque trend for the fashion forward high st store. Intricate embellishment, jacquards, and whimsical prints are used to cement this look and are found on tailored trouser suits, full skirted prom dresses and flamboyant accessories. Brocade bomber jackets, decorative body jewellery and matt gold sequin hot pants were added to make the look more modern.

Stand out pieces: gold foil faux fur coat, black textured coat, bouclĂ© jacket with neon and crystal trimming, black studded belt, sequin skirt, metallic biker style waistcoat…the list goes on and on and Ariston! Sparkly meringues and black and gold macaroons were the sweet treats of choice, while we were given Christmas inspired elixir’s to drink! Look out for Christmas pieces dropping from October.

HARVEY NICHOLS CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

 

Last week we visited Harvey Nichols winter wonderland on the Fifth Floor to check out their Christmas in July press day. As we entered a room full of luxury food and drink we were greeted with a glass of Perrier JouĂ©t, I noticed a bottle of elderflower cordial next to the champagne bucket so asked for a drop in my champagne – delicious! Anyone who loves elderflower should try it; in fact even if you don’t love it give it a try if you get a chance.

Our first stop was Timmy’s Pies, West London pie company that started out on a Chelsea market stall; only free range British meat goes into their pies – tasty! Their fan fave is roasted pork and rhubarb, newbies for this Christmas will be the Boxing Day pie, and Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry pie. I would definitely recommend giving these guys a try!

Bubbleology who are already a firm fave in Harvey Nicks have developed a few lovely Poptails; just like the original bubble tea but with different flavoured bubbles inside!

The Regimental Condiment Company is an award winning Australian food company that has created a selection of condiments with a %

MULBERRY’S EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION FOR DOVER STREET MARKET

Mulberry has designed an exclusive boutique collection of the ‘Masie’ bag for iconic concept store Dover Street Market and is launching in the new store in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan this Friday 20 July. DSM Ginza is the first international version of the iconic London-based cult fashion emporium; to coincide with the launch in Ginza, Mulberry has also moved into the original London Dover Street Market, the only other location that customers will be able to purchase the exclusive Maisie collection.

The new bag family features a signature trompe l’oeil front panel created using heat-moulded technology to give a ‘shadow’ impression of heritage Mulberry hardware details. The Pouch (ÂŁ395 / „59,850), East West (ÂŁ995 / „147,000) and North South (ÂŁ995 / „147,000) totes are all available in Flame, Black, and Oak. The Tokyo store will also have an exclusive in-store launch of the Maisie Clipper (ÂŁ995 / „152,250) and Oversized Maisie Clipper (ÂŁ1,200 / „168,000), which are not available anywhere else until September.

Ginza store: Dover Street Market, 107-0062 Tokyo Chuo-ku Ginza 6-9-5, Ginza Komatsu West Building. (Tel: +81 3 6228 5080)

London store: Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT.  (Tel: +4420 7518 0680)