Spiritual guidance used to reside in temples, texts, and the wisdom of sages. The once-esoteric rituals of astrology, tarot, and divination now unfold in pixels and code. Consider the paradigm shift: where seekers once journeyed to consult oracles, they now engage with digital platforms looking for insights.
It is perhaps one of the great tragedies of my life that I don’t spend every weekend in a beautifully crafted replica of a Kyoto bathhouse, surrounded on all sides by thirty or more totally naked Norwegians, each glistening with perspiration and a curated array of essential oils. However, my trip to the spectacular Oslo wellness resort The Well ensured – within an hour of arrival, in fact – that my existence would no longer be completely lacking this experience.
We all know what it feels like when life starts to speed by. The days rapidly turn into weeks, meetings follow meetings, working late leads to rushed dinners out and a few too many drinks, then it’s hazy starts and your third coffee of the morning at nine am… and the cycle starts again. Before you know it, you’re going faster than you think and your stomach hasn’t caught up with the lurch of acceleration. To extend this metaphor further, it’s a miracle the car is still going straight, and you missed the sign to turn off at the next exit. Regardless of whether you manage to slow down enough…
Escapism. Goodness knows we all need some after the last couple of years. Crossing the Masai Mara at sunrise by hot air balloon to watch the migration or boarding the Glacier Express across the alps is arguably bucket list-worthy. However, for me, the instant gratification of short-haul travel is equally satisfying, waking up to the mundane breakfast at home, yet taking lunch somewhere completely out of the ordinary. With French Alpine resorts open, this can only mean taking that midday intermission mountainside.
Sparkling lights, a plethora of exciting cafes, new restaurants, stylish bars, and the scopious stores we can only dream of out in the sticks. But most importantly for this beauty-obsessed creature, central holds the homes of a thousand beauty brands, each more exciting and alluring than the last.
The turn of a new year brings with it the promise of a fresh start, big plans and personal reinvention. Making new habits stick, ridding ourselves of any negativity… We all know that small changes can be some of the easiest to stick to, but grand plans are always more eye-catching.
It’s been a time of change, adjustment, and uncertainty, but I turn towards the future with hope, amongst a little trepidation. Some may have snuck in some travel in the late summer months. Personally, with three European trips canceled by quarantine changes or airline cancellations, it will be a little while longer before I take my Beauty Passport internationally. As the winter months draw in and hygge vibes heighten as the days shorten, let’s take another trip around the UK for inspiration to shake up your skincare routine, add new colour to your space, or surprise someone you may be missing whilst distance may be separating us. For those of…
With so many extraordinary places still on the bucket list, my general rule is never to return to a destination. But for every rule, there’s always an exception. And for me, the exception is Mauritius. As Mark Twain said, “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven was copied after Mauritius.” 20 years on, and I thought it my duty to check that heaven is still in great shape. Situated in the Indian Ocean and part of the Mascarene islands, Mauritius (once a haunt for pirates) is a magnet for the world’s most luxurious hotel brands and experiences. A manageable 12-hour flight and a wonderful year round temperate climate, it’s an…