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Luxury

Fitness

Making Time for the Oceans

Posted on March 27, 2018

We’ve got a long way to go yet, but it’s a fantastic thing to see international renowned companies, such as Swiss watch brand Breitling, taking to the frontline to fight the good fight. The Oceans are in dire need of our help, only last week was it shown that all the fish in our supermarkets had various amounts of plastic actually inside the meat. So it’s great to see partnerships evolving with those who dominate billboards worldwide and on-the-ground eco-warriors.

Breitling and Ocean Conservancy, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to leading the global fight for healthy oceans and clean beaches will work together to set up and run beach cleanups around the world, as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Working closely with experts to recycle the collected trash in the most effective and ecologically responsible ways. Breitling is also taking the educative approach, ensuring it isn’t just the adults who participate. Not only are they getting active, but Breitling are also set to donate part of the proceeds from its limited-edition Superocean Heritage collection.

Polar bear, Arctic Ocean. (PPR/Breitling/Christopher Michel)

Known for their dedication, Ocean Conservancy has organised tens of thousands of coastal-cleanup operations for more than 30 years in 153 countries. Since 1986, more than 12 million people have picked up nearly 230 million pounds of trash as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

“We are excited to be working with Georges and his team at Breitling. Their customers are adventurers who explore every corner of the globe and see the beauty and wonder of the ocean from vantage points that are not easily accessible. Breitling and its customers understand first-hand that a healthy ocean – teeming with life, free of trash and plastic – is critical to life on our incredible, awe-inspiring planet. We look forward to working with them to advance our shared mission of maintaining a healthy ocean.” Ocean Conservancy CEO Janis Searles Jones

I took a little leap of faith last week with Bretiling too, as they launched their newest collection watches in Dubai, I took to the skies to see what all the fuss was about…

Breitling at SkyDive Dubai

So with Breitling covering the land, sea and air now – there’s little space left for them to conquer.

travel

Staycation at The Intercontinental Fujairah

Posted on February 12, 2018

It’s not often a staycation can make you feel like you’ve travelled hundreds of miles away, when really you’ve only gone two hours down the coastline, but Fujeirah has always been one of my favourite getaway’s for a weekend. It’s been our destination of choice for beach side camping, snorkeling and sea life but now there’s a real life of luxury awaiting you at the Intercontinental Resort.

The grand white entrance of the Intercontinental Fujeirah boasts a modern yet authentic welcome, and it takes only seconds to realize the views awaiting you at the other side. Situated right next to Snoopy Island, the water’s warm and inviting and the beach stretches on for miles.

The rooms are enormous! The views from the balcony from sunrise to sunset are beyond picturesque, with the Hajjar Mountain’s framing the background so naturally, as the sun reflects off the Indian Ocean and into your room. It’s a destination to disappear in, offering you a world where you can turn off if you want to and also not feel to guilty if you need to stay connected.

From beach side infinity pools to kid-free zones and a sumptuous spa, you’re not going to be left wanting on this staycation. Obviously I wanted to check out the gym and it didn’t disappoint, with out own personal trainer who organized a circuit set for us on the first morning and a group bootcamp outdoors the next, wellness here is well taken care of.

travel

Dhigali: The Maldives Unfiltered

Posted on October 1, 2017

I just love the Maldives, the blue open waters interspersed with these idyllic little islands that offer seclusion, peace and the ultimate retreat. Dhigali is one of the newest resorts to open in the Raa Atoll, welcoming the world only since May this year.

It’s modern and minimalistic designs attract the younger travellers and families who are looking for a little more luxury and a little less fuss. 5 star’s by all accounts, the newness of this island helps to give an almost untouched appeal to its surrounding crystal reef’s and sands. With only 180 rooms in total, 5 restaurants and 2 bars give you enough places to hideaway and enjoy the sunset from, without lacking atmosphere or losing out on your favourite seat.

An excursion list full of aquatic adventures and island hopping discoveries, there’s plenty to do both on and off Dhigali itself. It’s the perfect place to pick a sport and give it a go, as the pier drops straight onto the reef itself. Looking for a little adventure? Discover more about neighbouring Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays are waiting amidst UV corals and the occasional whale shark too.

The highlight of this gorgeous hotspot is the bird’s nest bar – Haali, from which the sun sets directly in your eyeline, dipping below the horizon in a stunning display of shadows and light that only the Maldives is renowned for. Sitting below is a bar with swing seating that will give even the most travelled, the ‘wish you were here’ feels.

At 18.5 hectors, Dhigali is a large island for the area and the resort’s 8 room categories are all fully equipped, contemporary hideaways that offer seducing views of the Indian Ocean.

Dhigali’s dip away from the norm also extends to its various cuisine options (there’s no Teppanyaki tables here…) from exploring the spices of Asia, to the classic tastes of Europe and traditional Maldivian flavours, with a real focus on fresh Asian dishes at the infamous Battuta.

There’s a real jungle vibe throughout the island, having only relocated 30% of its natural foliage during the build, the Dhigali Spa is a hidden amongst the trees in a lush sanctuary with 12 treatment rooms all offering indigenous therapies and healing traditions. This is the ultimate place to lay back and start paying back your body.

Fitness

Testing Out: The Most Luxurious Gym In Dubai

Posted on May 1, 2017

Now I know what you’re thinking… why would you need a luxury gym? Surely you’re just going to be worried about sweating on all the nice furniture? Well this is what I thought, I worried that i’d be doing burpees on a white fluffy carpet before I got there. Let me assure you, The Gym, Dubai’s newest fitness hotspot is as high-tech and as white walled as the most luxurious hotel gym, without the hospital vibes.

I’m not a gym go-er per se, i’m more of a class/sport fan, but an hour with Maxine, one half of The Gym’s founding fitness PT’s, I was sold on the idea of one-to-one training. Not only did I get a much more concentrated session, but because the focus was all on me, I knew that the results would be tailored to fit also.

We focused on a HIIT workout that started with kettelbell swings, moved on to box jumps, pull up’s and burpees, as well as ladder push up’s and ropes… to name but a few and repeating this circuit twice.

The gym itself is set up into the different muscle group training areas – from arms, to legs and of course mixed fitness.

To top it all off, there’s the ‘Muscle Bar’, where you’ll get served with protein shakes, juices and of course healthy food for your post-session recovery. The bathroom too has got to be one of the most beautiful i’ve ever come across! From gilded shower’s to fully stocked parlours, you could get lost in there for hours!

travel

Kurumba: An Underwater Haven

Posted on March 31, 2017

If it’s the fish you fancy most about the Maldives and its abundant blue ocean, then the underwater world at Kurumba is for you. Named Vihamanaafushi after the word for coconut, this diver’s paradise opened back in 1972 and is one of the longest running resorts in all the atolls. Kurumba began with just 30 rooms that were all constructed using local materials with walls made from coral stone and roofs composed of palm thatch. It’s close to Male airport in the North, which makes it even more appealing for the weekend warrior.

There’s a much more relaxed and casual atmosphere here, as apposed to the other often-intimidating 5* resorts in the area, it’s perfect for families or for the solo traveller looking for a bit of winter sunshine.

Currents and reef at this time of year bring with it an abundance of fish feeding on plankton – the current moves around the island with a strong pull and limits your efforts snorkeling so you wont get exhausted quickly, you can just enjoy the ride and take in the array of aquatic action.

The reef here is less damaged than the rest of the Maldives, with less bleaching affecting the corals as apposed to the more southern atolls. Sky blue lagoons and darker reef drops are visibly different in vibrancy to the deeper turquoise shallows elsewhere.

Expect to get up close and personal with the local black tip sharks, barracuda, eels and a few house reef turtles too. There’s an app in the Maldives that’s used by the marine biologists across the islands to help identify turtles, whale sharks, manta’s and stingrays, with just a couple of close up shots, you can determine if you’ve stumbled across a newbie (which you get to name) or if they’re locals and have been named before!

For those looking to keep their head above water for a bit longer to enjoy the beautiful weather… the spa on Kurumba is a breathe of fresh air. Take in a signature massage for an hour to truly enjoy your time off. If like me you’re looking to stay a little more active in between your snorkeling sessions, sign up for a sunrise yoga with their dedicated island instructor and wake up with a little extra good energy.

travel

Kandolhu Maldives: A Boutique Escape

Posted on March 3, 2017

Hopping around the Maldives has to be on pretty much every traveller’s bucket list, so spending only a day at this lovely boutique resort in the North Ari Atoll was bittersweet. Only 70 kilometres south west of Male, it’s the smallest of all the islands i’ve visited, Kandolhu and has around 30 luxury retreats, including 11 on the water. This lovely little hotspot can be reached by boat or seaplane and is the quintessential, Maldivian slice of island paradise. They say that even in the Maldives, an island as perfectly formed as this one is rare.

The only thing on my mind as we pulled up to their wonderfully turquoise waters was to jump straight it, so wasting no time with luggage, we embarked on a guided snorkel safari in search of house reef turtles, and we weren’t disappointed either…

The house reef here is teaming with tropical fish, but they noted that there’s a bit of a problem keeping it that way. The thorny-crown starfish is apparently become a plague and as it eats the coral that most fish live in and thrive on, it’s starting to wreak havoc on the reef. Its only known predator is few and far between so the resident marine biologist injects vinegar into them one by one to try to kill them off as eco-friendly as possible. Here’s hoping it works long term too!

Kandolhu is a small, quaint resort that is perfect for those who want an active daytime and yet want to feel like they are the only ones on the island too. We barely noticed the other guests and as the seaplanes and boats were kept off shore to reduce noise, we were free to listen to nothing but the waves rolling up on the beach, and the occasional fruit bat in the coconut trees barking at each other.

You won’t be stuck for cuisine either as food wise, with 4 restaurants servicing only 30 villas, there’s plenty of choice, including the Maldivian standard Tepanyaki setup (seriously each resort has a Tepanyaki restaurant… onion volcano and all).

The water villas and beach villas too are exquisite! With a whole host of amenities and modern furnishings having been only recently remodeled, they are incredibly comfortable with all the latest gadgets, perfect for a little working retreat. Go-Pro’s are soon to be available in each room too which is a great idea as more than half of the best scenery is below the surface in the Maldives!

Top Tips:

– Take a guided snorkel safari around the house reef in search of the camouflaged creatures
– Take a tour behind the scenes to see where everyone lives
– Relax on the white sandy beaches with a cocktail and watch the sun set

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Bohemian Chic in Maje SS17

Posted on February 3, 2017

Spring is in the air, not that we really had much of a winter mind you… but the light spots of rain have helped clean up the sandy sunrises and everything is shiny again. I’m now planning my summer’s in Santorini as apposed to skiing in St. Moritz, so when I got a sneak preview at Maje’s chic SS17 collection, I was sold, their explosion of colour and floaty oversized shapes are what drew me in.

From Marakesh with love… the collection really vibes from their Moroccan-French designer, Judith Milgrom.

Here’s my suitcase full of French:

The beautiful chocolate hue and feminine floatiness of this dress has me drooling. Styled with this off-white hassled ‘M’ bag (a signature of the brand) and i’m breathing in the St. Tropez air already.

A classic with a twist… literally! Loving the wrap skirt and lightweight fabric of this dress.

Rich in colour with a playful feel, a kaftan style that’ll help you go from beach to bar in no time.

Bold, bright and brilliantly yellow. This is the dress of the summer for me.

Perfectly hued to go with every one of the above… This handbag is feels as soft as it looks.

Pineapple earrings are a holiday must-have! The tassle helps make them a little more chic, so i’m sold!

Out in Feb 2017… Check out Maje at Citywalk 2!

fashion

The Outnet: Luxe Activewear

Posted on January 17, 2017

For someone who has just cleaned out their activewear drawer, the January sales come as a bittersweet reward. I’ve now currently divided my leggings into sweat-worthy, workout suitable and travel appropriate. So when The Outnet.com (an online designer discount haven) emails me to say HEY, come check out our new luxury activewear, what am I supposed to do… not look?

Styling it as an ‘essential,’ this shiny new workout wear with golden logos has me reaching for my wallet before i’ve even clicked through the emailer. But in all honesty, the clothing that see’s the most usage in my wardrobe is the ones I care the least about sweating in… i.e. older collection/print, slightly too loose (or tight) and would maybe consider painting a house in (the formula for all my clothing that is to either remain hanging or be forever drawer-ed.)

So just where will these new pieces go? My theory is that if I can picture it with a large jumper, boots and a nice wooly scarf, they are ski-suitable and will end up on the travel appropriate pile, just like a plethora of other leggings that I have saved away for those ‘special occasions’ (once every 2 years!). But if you expect me to actually workout in them, then they need to be softer than soft, skin-like and not remotely see-through in a downward dog, so realistically – after the high-calorie holiday – not required right now.

Channel your inner Cara Delevigne and travel luxe in these shiny new pieces:

fashion

Dedicating Time With D1 Milano

Posted on December 7, 2016

There’s elegance in perfect simplicity.

What started as a marketing thesis by Dario, who currently heads the company with sister Alessia and long-time friends Alessandro and Mattia, quickly gained ground as one of the Italy’s fastest growing fashion accessories brands. Born in Milan during the MFW 2013, it’s now present in the world’s leading fashion stores, and here in the U.A.E it’s exclusive to Harvey Nichols!

D1 Milano is actually pronounced ‘The One’ and is known for its rubberised style, which has a huge following in Asia. Launching their first local pop-up at SOLE DXB this year gave them an urban edge, as their affordable luxury collections were in high-demand, having just launched their exclusive and lim.ed. ‘Dubai’ watch too.

Here’s what I was wearing…

Recommended travel

🐢 Where to Spend World Turtle Day 🐢

Posted on May 23, 2016

Did you know it’s World Turtle Day today… I’ve been lucky enough to visit the nesting sites of these magnificent creatures across the world from Oman, to Sri Lanka and the US. Watching (from afar) their incredible journey through the oceans to the beaches where they lay hundreds of eggs at a time. The sad thing is, that a VERY small percentage of them ever make it to adulthood – like under 5%! We’re not allowed to interfere with nature of course (as much as I’d love to!) but there’s some eco-friendly destinations that are helping to give them a fighting chance.

Located in the most luxurious of destinations, and a philosophy rooted in supporting the surrounding natural ecology, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is where we’d want to be spending time this year… and with this many hotspots all supporting World Turtle Day, I’d say we’re a tad spoilt for choice too.

Surrounded by lush, tropical flora overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Banyan Tree Seychelles is a true Sanctuary for the Senses. Here, you can marvel at the turtles nesting on the resort’s beach. Every year from October to December, they return to lay their eggs. The resort works closely with the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles (MCSS) to monitor turtle activity on Intendance Bay as part of the MCSS’ conservation efforts; last season they calculated at least 10,000 new hatchlings made their way into the water. The resort has recently launched a special programme, “Management of Turtle-Human Interactions and Turtle Rehabilitation”, to rehabilitate injured marine turtles before they are released back into the wild!

Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket is an oasis of tranquility. The resort has supported Laguna Phuket’s sea turtle conservation programme for over 20 years, raising funds and awareness for the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, whose ongoing efforts include studies of nesting behaviour and the tracking & analysis of turtle migration via microchips and satellite tracking devices attached to the turtles. On 3rd April this year, Laguna Phuket held its 22nd annual Sea Turtle Release, with 50 turtles released into the waters of the Andaman Sea to begin their lifetime journey across the open waters. Laguna Phuket has raised funds to construct two new nursery ponds dedicated to the rehabilitation of juvenile, injured and disabled sea turtles.

Encircled by beautiful coral reef and turquoise waters, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives is famous for its vibrant marine life. The resort is proud to be at the forefront of protecting the Indian Ocean’s sensitive eco-system; and, under the guidance of renowned Marine Biologist, Dr. Steven Newman, is committed to the conservation of sea turtles, which nest at the resort. The Turtle Head-Start programme has been introduced to ensure turtles continue to nest and breed in the area, with a percentage of the hatchlings reared at the resort for the first year of their life before being released into the wild. To date, more than 400 turtles have graduated from the programme, giving the island’s most famous residents a higher chance of long-term survival.

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