Estée Lalonde’s Winter Beauty Essentials!

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Claris Hand Cream
I don’t know about you but my paws are the first things to notice the change in seasons…winter weather does not bode well with my hands! Dryness is something that I suffer with on my hands in particular and this can lead to cracked, sore skin. To keep my hands looking and feeling nourished, I make sure that a tube of my favourite Clarins Hand & Nail Cream is never far from arms reach. I religiously apply a squeeze of this stuff throughout the day to keep my hands supple and soft. The formula is super lightweight but super moisturising and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. This is my holy grail.

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By Terry Baume De Rose
Chapped lips are my nemesis. To me there’s nothing I hate more than the feeling of sore, scaly lips; it’s something that I really battle with as soon as the leaves in London start to fall. Growing up in Canada I was always on the hunt for the perfect balm to keep my dry lips at bay, you name a lip product and I can bet you I’ve tried it. The By Terry Baume De Rose is the lip balm I swear by these days, you’ll never find me without one of these babies in my hand bag. The rose flower essential wax and pastel oil makes this stuff a treat to apply and means it tastes almost good enough to eat…It’s also packed with Vitamin E which leaves my lips looking and feeling as smooth as can be. I love this stuff!

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Pai Face Serum
Anyone who watches my channel or reads my blog will know that I’m obsessed with all things Pai right now. A slathering of the Pai Face Serum leaves my face feeling super nourished and also helps to calm any blemishes that I may have. I like to massage a pump of this serum onto clean, damp skin as part of my night time routine. Add this stuff to your shopping basket, you won’t be disappointed.

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Essie Russian Roulette Nail Varnish
This stuff is Christmas in a bottle. The perfect winter red, this nail polish makes me feel like the definition of festive. Team a slick of this underneath a layer of glittery gold varnish and you’ll be guaranteed to turn heads at the Christmas party. Love it.

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Diptyque EAU Duelle Fragrance
It’s warm, it’s spicy, it’s sexy, and let’s not forget that this bottle is goals. What’s not to love!?

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Charlotte Tilbury First Love Blush
A swoosh of this blush over my cheeks gives my skin a subtle but sexy glow. I love wearing this with an everyday minimal makeup look, it’s super natural and gives my face a radiance that I just can’t get enough of.

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Lancome Juicy Shakers
The Lancome Juicy Shakers are my favourite lip product at the moment. These shakers are so much fun, the colours are GORGEOUS and the formula is packed with nourishing oils so it’s really hydrating on my lips. Wear alone or on top of your favourite lipstick, make sure you have one of these in your handbag at all times for an easy application with maximum impact. Love these babies!

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La Mer The Treatment
The La Mer Treatment is definitely on the pricier end of the spectrum, but in my eyes it’s definitely worth the extra few pounds. The seaweed within this formula creates a barrier on the skin to prevent dehydration and maximise hydration, not only that but it also has a skin lightening complex to improve your skin tone and get rid of any blemishes or red patches.

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Mio Liquid Yoga
It’s no secret that I don’t feel human if I haven’t had my weekly at home ‘spa night’. It’s the only night of the week where I get to lock the bathroom door behind me and spend a couple of hours indulging in some serious ‘me time’. A nice hot bath is arguably my favourite part of the whole experience and I like to pour a generous glug of the Mio Liquid Yoga into running water whenever I’ve had a stressful week and am in need of some ultimate rest and relaxation. The Liquid Yoga formula helps to ease any tension or tiredness in my muscles and its moisturising blend of essential oils means that this stuff calms and soothes my busy brain. My spa night isn’t complete without a bottle of this magical potion to hand.

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Soap and Glory Body Wash
This Body Wash smells like the most delicious thing you’ll ever slather onto your body. Who doesn’t want to step out of the shower smelling like dessert? I know I do.

 

Get your copy of Bloom by Estée Lalonde. (Ebury Press, £16.99) here!

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Photography by George Muncey

Estée Lalonde On “Finding You”

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The following is an extract from an article I wrote for Darling magazine back in 2015, about working out who you are and being kinder to yourself.

‘Stop living in your head so much,’ my mom told me on my 25th birthday. How could I stop living in my head when I’ve always been someone who overthinks things, replays events in my mind over and over again, and won’t rest until I’ve thought of every possible outcome? I suppose it’s not the worst thing in the world, but over time this relentless stream of consciousness can become draining.

Growing up and understanding the person you are is difficult at best and completely incomprehensible at worst. No doubt my decision to do a lot of that growing up on other people’s computer screens has made the process that little bit more complex for me. For a long time I considered succumbing to fears telling me to stay inside my comfort zone and opt for a more conventional career, but Mean Girls taught me that the sky is not the limit because the limit does not exist. I did a lot of reflecting before making the decision to push myself, and I’m so very glad I did.

Looking back, I wish 17-year-old me knew to let go of the minor things, to embrace myself without hypercriticism: when I was a teenager, sometimes I would look at my outfit in the mirror for an hour just to make sure I looked OK. I would redo my make-up, fiddle with my hair, suck in my stomach and feel emotionally deflated. Usually I felt like I didn’t look OK, so I would change my clothes, repeat the process, and sometimes get so flustered I would cancel my plans and get back into comfortable loungewear. Thinking back on this now makes me so sad because I didn’t even give myself a chance to feel good. Why are we so hard on ourselves? When I looked into the mirror I would think, ‘How bad do I look right now?’ rather than, ‘I look great today!’ and have a quick teeth-check and move on.

The 17-year-old me was wise in some ways. She let me reinvent myself as many times as I needed, for example. As an attempt to find ways to feel happy in my own skin, I experimented a lot with new clothing styles and tried out different social groups to explore certain parts of my personality in a more magnified way. Each time I went through one of these transformations I learned something new about myself, and so I now look back at all of these phases fondly. I always thought meeting new people was terrifying, but all of these past interests and hobbies of mine are coming back to me and make for some great conversation starters! And even though my experiences have meant I am able to give you a more coherent answer to the question ‘Who am I?’ at 25 than I would have been able to at 17, I still have a long way to go and it’s a quest I am obsessed with.

 

Extracted from Bloom by Estée Lalonde. (Ebury Press, £16.99) – Get your copy here!

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Photography by George Muncey

10 Things No One Tells You About Writing A Book – Estée Lalonde

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Thinking of trying to pave your way in the publishing world or want to fulfil your childhood dream of writing a novel? Estée Lalonde (Author of Bloom – Navigating Life And Style) reveals 10 things no one tells you about writing a book!!

 

  1. You spend your life surrounded by a mountain of half-full cups of tea

 

  1. You will experience every emotion possible

 

  1. When inspiration hits, drop everything and start writing

 

  1. You become nocturnal

 

  1. Human interaction becomes almost non existent

 

  1. You’ll live in your pyjamas

 

  1. Snacks are your lifeline

 

  1. You’ll be reminded of things you thought you’d forgotten

 

  1. The outside world is a far away land

 

  1. It takes way longer than you ever imagined possible

 

We’re totally hooked on Estée’s new book, Bloom – Navigating Life And Style! Get a copy here!

(Isn’t Reggie her dog the cutest thing ever?!)

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Travel Packing Tips From Estée Lalonde!

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If we had to trust one person to pack our suitcase in a time of crisis, it would 100% be beauty blogger, author and seasoned traveller, Estée Lalonde! In celebration of her new book, Bloom – Navigating Life And Style, she shares some of her top packing tips to getting holiday organised!

 

I’ve had some decent experience packing for all different types of trips and I’ve learned a lot about it along the way.

I’ve experienced forgetting my underwear and passport way too many times for my liking, so I’ve devised a few tips that help me pack as efficiently as possible.

1. Pack to mix and match your wardrobe. When it comes to choosing which clothes to bring I always try to make sure that most things go together. For example, I usually wear the same jeans but with a few different tops to give it a different look. It saves space in my suitcase and I don’t have to pack as many outfits

2. Roll your clothes. This is such a simple and easy thing to do but it will save you so much space in your suitcase as well as reduce the amount of wrinkles in your clothes

3. Use packing cubes! These are a relatively new find for me but they are really useful little items because it keeps everything organized. Think of them like drawers for your suitcase. I usually have one for undergarments, one for tops, one for bottoms and one for miscellaneous items

4. I always bring an empty bag for dirty clothes and undies. There is nothing worse than putting a pair of dirty underwear on top of a clean top. Put all of the things that need to be washed in the bag so it’s all together in your suitcase. It also makes it a lot easier when it comes to unpacking because you can just chuck it straight in the laundry hamper instead of sorting through your whole suitcase

5. Leave a bit of extra space in your suitcase in case you do some shopping. I know sometimes we say we won’t do too much shopping on vacation, but there’s always that mug or pair of shoes we can’t resist. It’s best to pack a bit lighter in case of a shopping emergency

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Extracted from Bloom by Estée Lalonde. (Ebury Press, £16.99) – Get your copy here!

Guest Edit – Interview With Estée Lalonde

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We couldn’t be more excited to announce our Guest Edit with beauty/lifestyle vlogger sensation, Estée Lalonde! As long term fans of her blog and youtube channel, you can only imagine how thrilled we were to hear she had written a book called Bloom, Navigating Life And Style. We sat down with her to discuss all things beauty and travel with some career wisdom thrown in too!

 

If you had to summarise yourself in one sentence (or two), how would you do it?
I’d say I’m a loyal person with a desire to learn about new things. I’m quite curious and chatty and I love the little things!

What’s been the biggest life lesson you’ve had?
Always trust your gut.

How did you get into vlogging?
My boyfriend Aslan was the one who really encouraged me to get into vlogging. Of course as a blogger I regularly watched YouTubers, but for a long time I was too scared to start making my own. I remember the first time I sat down in front of a camera I just froze! It was hard to get used to, but once I got past that initial hurdle and published my first video I decided I didn’t have anything to lose.

What’s been your biggest career highlight (‘pinch me’ moment) so far?
It sounds cliche but I think everyday is a ‘pinch me’ moment for me. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I love everyday and call it my job so I try to make a conscious effort to make sure that I never take that for granted. But if I had to choose one moment, I would probably say that the launch of my book, Bloom is my biggest ‘pinch me’ moment in my career so far. Ever since I can remember it’s always been a dream of mine to write a book, so the fact that there is a physical object out there with all my words and pictures in it just absolutely BLOWS MY MIND.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing right now, what would be your dream job?
I think if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing right now I would probably be doing something in interior design, saying that I have my own taste in design so I don’t think I would be very good at listening to a client’s preferences, so I’m not entirely sure which route I would take. To be honest I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than what I do right now, I just love my job so much and I’m eternally grateful to be able to say that.

What is that one item in your wardrobe that you cannot seem to throw away?
My friends and family will know that I’m a self-confessed hoarder, so there were a couple of items in my wardrobe that sprung to mind when I read this question. I keep telling myself that if I’ve had something for a year and haven’t worn it, then chances are I never will and I should probably throw it away…but that’s not an easy thing to do for someone like me. Lots of things in my wardrobe have sentimental value, so there’s probably no chance that I’ll ever be getting rid of those. Something I probably should get rid of is my favourite comfy sweater. Unless it’s in the wash, I put this baby on every.single.evening. It’s loose fitting, super soft and without a doubt the comfiest thing I own, I’ll probably still be wearing this when I’m 80 years old.

Your favourite city in the world is London – what are you top 5 must dos?
I’ve lived in London for almost 7 years now, so I like to think of myself as somewhat of a local. Having been born and raised in snowy Canada, I never would have imagined that somewhere else on the globe could feel as homely to me as London does. Despite my self proclaimed Londoner status, I still stop and stare in awe whenever I see Big Ben. Sometimes the best place to be a tourist is your own town, that way you really force yourself to notice things that you might never have noticed before. If you’re stopping by London on a visit one weekend, I would for sure recommend that you go and see all the famous landmarks, there’s something about mingling with all the other tourists from around the globe that make you appreciate just how beautiful this city really is.

Make sure you stop by Notting Hill on a Saturday to check out the Portabello market for some super cute vintage finds. Head to Liberty of London for a spot of shopping and a well deserved afternoon tea pit stop, stop by the Barbican Conservatory for some much needed escapism, then finish off your day with a trip to Bone Daddies in Soho for the most delicious ramen that will ever pass your lips.

What are the next travel destinations on your bucket list and why?
I don’t really have a bucket list, but I do like to keep a list of places that I’m really keen to visit and explore. Aslan and I have been interested in hiking for a while now, so we’re hoping to plan a visit to somewhere in the UK that we’ve never been before, maybe somewhere in Scotland or Cornwall, who knows? Although I’ve lived in London for 7 years now, I’m still yet to explore the length and breadth of the UK and I know that there are so many beautiful places to see and things to do, so that’s something I’m really keen to explore in the coming year. We’re also going to Japan in the Spring!

What does your beauty routine consist of?
My viewers will know that I’m not one of those people who likes to spend hours in front of the mirror in the mornings, ain’t nobody got time for that! I’m all about simple, easy, stress-free makeup and I always feel like the best version of myself when I have a minimal face, so I try to choose products that don’t mask my skin or cover up my imperfections, but instead accentuate the bits about myself that I like the most. I hate using heavy, full coverage foundations, so I usually start my base by using my favourite Garnier BB cream, it’s super lightweight and easy to apply and just helps to even out my skin tone. If it’s a weekend I’ll just add a dusting of blush to my cheeks, curl my lashes and brush through my brows, then I’ll finish with a dab of highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones and the top of my nose for a subtle glow.

How do you deal with the negative side of being a public figure?
I’ve always believed that the best way to deal with negative energy is to simply ignore it. When someone says something or writes something with the sole intention of hurting your feelings, the worst thing you can do is to acknowledge it. Negative people will always feed off of your reaction, so I try to just let it slide and move on with my day.

What is your favourite recipe to cook at the moment?
It’s a known fact that I’m not the best at cooking, it’s just something that has never come naturally and never will. It’s no secret that this trait has most definitely been passed down to me by my Mom, who is equally as bad as I am at throwing together a good meal. If there’s one thing I can do well though, it’s make banana bread. I don’t know why out of all the recipes in the world, banana bread is the one that I’ve got down to a tee, but if there was any recipe I am glad to be able to finesse, it’s this one. Aslan and I can’t get enough of this stuff, it’s just SO.DAMN.GOOD. We often find ourselves racing each other to the oven to get the first slice of that warm, cakey goodness. I’m not saying I’m going to drop everything and give up my career to enter myself into the Great British Bake Off, but my recipe is pretty much the definition of delicious!

 

Get your copy of Bloom, Navigating Life And Style here!

Morning Smoothie recipe – The Perfect Wake Up Call!

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Recipe extracted from Deliciously Ella: Smoothies & Juices: Bite-Sized Collection by Ella Mills, published 22nd September by Yellow Kite, £9.99

 

CASHEW & COFFEE

This cashew and coffee blend is so delicious. I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but when it tastes this good I really love it. It’s a great breakfast option if you need a bit of help waking up, and you can even skip the banana and use the rest of the mix like a milk on your granola alongside the drink. It makes a fantastic afternoon pick-me-up, too.

SERVES 1

INGREDIENTS

½ glass of chilled cashew milk (200ml)
½–1 ripe banana, peeled and frozen
(50–100g; I use ½ for a snack, 1 for breakfast)
1 teaspoon cashew butter
1 teaspoon tahini
1 shot of espresso coffee
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
tiny pinch of salt
1 medjool date, pitted and chopped (optional)

METHOD

Simply add everything to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Recipe extracted from Deliciously Ella: Smoothies & Juices: Bite-Sized Collection by Ella Mills, published 22nd September by Yellow Kite, £9.99

For more nutritious recipes like this morning smoothie and to learn more about Ella’s healthy eating philosophy, head over to her blog here!

Best Of Barre – The Hottest Ballerina Workouts!

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There is nothing we love than feeling lengthened, strong, and toned after a good workout and barre classes do just that. However, with so many options to choose from, it is often difficult to decide which ones are the best. We selected a few of our favourite studios to get you feeling long and lean!

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Paola’s Body Barre

We love that Paola includes different variations of her signature class including Hot Barre, PBB Burn, PBB Burn: 45, and Cardio Barre. We love that a signature PBB class will make our core quiver and our calves quake, but kicking it up one extra notch with Hot Barre is one thing your muscles will thank you for! The room is kept at a warm (but not too warm) 28 degrees, increasing circulation and allowing your muscles to work deeper into each movement. Just be sure to bring a towel with you!

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Heartcore

With nine different locations in London, Heartcore is one studio that keeps us in check not only with pilates and yoga, but also their barre classes! High tempo and upbeat music is the perfect complement to Heartcore’s barre rou tine and you’re sure to leave class feeling like you grew at least a couple of centimeters.

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Xtend Barre

Hailing all the way from the United States, XTend Barre has truly upped the ante with their 55 minute classes. Whether you want to whittle your waist for your wedding day, stay moving with baby on board, or just challenge your core and lift your bum, XTend Barre will have a class tailored to your every need. Their Marylebone based studio offers a slew of different class times so you have no excuse not to go!

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Barrecore

A true London original, Barrecore promises to keep your core tight, arms toned, and your bum lifted through a series of movements targeting smaller, stabilizing muscles. One of our favourite classes is BarreSculpt! The addition of the resistance bands makes sure that you are not cheating or slacking off during class – keeping you on the ultimate path to a lean and toned bod. Be warned, the instructors may look harmless, but as soon as the music turns on, they’re all about the business that burns!!

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Barretoned

Based in Notting Hill, Barretoned is one workout that leaves us feeling strong and lean for days to come. By the end of each session, our thighs hate us, but we know that in the end, it’s all worth it for that ballerina physique!

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Sleek Technique

Too cold to venture out for a class? Guess what? You can still achieve a ballerina body to be proud of from the comfort of your own living room! Set up by two ex professional dancers, Victoria and Flik, Sleek Technique not only offer online workouts but you can also book a live class that is delivered straight to your laptop or tablet via their unique Sleek Conference Line! You can see the instructor and they can see you! This allows for the most personal workout where corrections to technique and posture can be made throughout the session ensuring you make the most out of the class and steer clear of injuries!

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Ballet Blast with Sassy

One of our all time favourite ballerinas and foodies is hosting a Ballet Blast class at The Detox Kitchen on November 21. Ballet Blast by Sassy. Ballet Blast is a fast, ballet inspired cardio workout that fuses high intensity training with classical dance principles. A technique in which you put 100% of your energy into performing a series of short, intense exercises that will both get your heart rate up and lengthen and strengthen your beautiful muscles! Sign up at The Detox Kitchen here!

 

words by Nadia Liu

Christmas In London – 5 Activities To Get You In The Spirit!

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The smell of cinnamon, the sound of a crackling fire, and the warming feeling of a stove-top hot chocolate in our bellies gives us the signal the Christmas season is upon us. London is a city where Christmas traditions and celebration fall far from short. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite Christmas activities in our city that are sure to leave your eyes twinkling like fairy lights!

 

Ice Skating
We would be remiss if we failed to mention ice skating! While there are so many locations to choose from, a Hip & Healthy favourite is at Somerset House, where the venue is completely transformed and cannot be described in any other way that magical. Ticket prices start from £7.50. Book in advance here.

 

Christmas Lights
From November 23 to January 2, Kew Gardens will light up it’s beautiful grounds with Christmas cheer! Explore the gardens and get lost in the magic of the combination of botanical gardens and Christmas lights with a Tunnel of Lights, Scented Fire Garden among other Christmas activities including a North Pole Village and vintage rides. Tickets start from £16. Book in advance here.

 

Christmas Shopping
Chelsea physic gardens Christmas fair
The annual Christmas Fair at Chelsea Physic Gardens is one of our favourites to shop and get in the Christmas season! We love that each vendor is unique so that we can give our loved ones gifts that are truly special! Tickets are £6.00 and the proceeds go to maintain the garden.

 

Carol Services
What would Christmas be without caroling? This is one of our favourite activities that leave us feeling happy and jolly! Check your local neighborhood to see what times and where you can get in the Christmas Spirit!

 

Christmas Nibbles
For those who are gluten, dairy-free, and sugar free, the holidays can be like navigating a minefield. We love Christmas Markets but are often thoroughly disappointed when we can find only one Christmas treat sans allergens. Luckily, our friends at Free From have heard our prayers and from December 17th to December 18th, you can find yourself indulging in the UK’s 1st GF/DF/SF Christmas Festival! Tickets start at £6.50 and it is one event you won’t want to miss if you love Christmas treats but have a few limitations! Buy your tickets here!

 

Words by Nadia Liu

Is Hygge all we need to get through the winter months?

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(Image: Shop LNDR here!)

The Danish concept is taking 2016 by storm and here at Hip and Healthy we are embracing ‘Hygee’ for the cooler days and evenings ahead.

 

Hygge, pronounced as ‘Hoo-guh’ translates into English as ‘cosiness’, doesn’t sound so bad does it? The Danes have coined Hygge as a lifestyle concept that can happen anywhere at anytime with few rules other than achieving emotional wellbeing. It’s all about enjoying the simple things in life; forget designer goods, Hygge prefers handcrafted and handmade. Its time to grab your cosy blankets, put on your slippers, light some candles and enjoy some homemade meals. Don’t worry this really isn’t as dull as it sounds!

What’s really interesting is the ethos behind the way the Danish people live. Its not about how you look or what you have, which is very refreshing in today’s culture where we all want is what we can’t have. Instead it’s about creating togetherness and comfort for yourself and those around you. That’s the best thing about Hygge, it encourages you to spend as much time with friends and family in the most simple way. The Danes tend to ditch nights out at overcrowded and loud trendy bars and prefer to grab a bottle of wine and dine in with friends, which is all part of Hygee. As if Hygge wasn’t enough to convert us to the Danish way of life, they have this thing called Fika. This essentially means a coffee break with something sweet and occurs at least once a day for the average Danish person. What more could you want?

Taking the time to check out of your day to make time for yourself and others is something we can definitely get on board with. It’s true that cynics will say its all just another fad and that many of us already include Hygee into our lives we just don’t know it. But so what, if the Danes keep coming out on top as the happiest nation in the world then there’s got to be some benefits behind all of this Hygge business and we want a piece of it. If it’s a lifestyle full of happiness and contentment then Hygge sounds pretty good to us.

So how do you get a taste of Hygge we hear you say? Well put your phone away, turn your laptop off (only once you’ve finished reading this) and light a candle and sip your favourite herbal tea. Check out our top tips to get a bit of Hygge in your daily routine.

 

 

Start lighting some Candles
Yes invest in your favourite scented candles and no matter what your mood might be get lighting them all night long. This atmospheric candle light is a major part of Hygge. Its time to get cosy and with a candle lit you’ve got some Hygee in your life. Why not try Neom candles which are made from 100% vegetable wax, 100% natural pure essential oils and 100% organic? Shop them here!

 

Get on your bike
We love this one, and sure you will too. The Danes love to cycle and you can often see men, women and children all of all ages navigating their way around the city lanes. There’s no denying that exercising releases endorphins and leaves you feeling happier, so why not get peddling. Cycling to and from work is a great way to have a little Hygge.

 

Work life balance
Sounds easier than it is, we know. Danish women typically do an average of 35 hours a week and always take a lunch break. I know, we’ve booked our ticket to Denmark too! The key is not to stay late after work and to get in the habit of clocking off on time. If anyone questions you, just mention Hygge!

 

Dress for comfort not for style
With chilling temperatures the Danish have mastered the art of wearing comfortable and practical clothing for the weather. We love oversized comfy jumpers and exercise leggings to take you from the office to home in comfort (Plenty of that here!). We have to admit its ok to be stylish and comfy…that does exist!

 

Opt for cosy nights in rather than nights out
Hygee encourages long drawn out dinners with friends and family over a delicious homemade meal. This is all to do with appreciating the simple things in life, which is making memories with loved ones rather than being seen at the latest bar or hipster place.

 

Words by Lisa Evans

 

Hip & Healthy Guide To Byron Bay

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If you’re after a perfect slice of beach paradise, few places do it better than beautiful Byron Bay. A coastal town in northern New South Wales, while once known as a backpackers’ mecca with hostels a-plenty, recent years has seen Byron establish itself as the go-to place for a relaxing beach break. And with brunch-spots and boutiques galore, it’s all-too-easy to see why. Lucy Pearson gives us the low down on what we should all be ticking off our Byron Bay bucket list…

 

SLEEP

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Elements of Byron
Beachside bliss doesn’t get much better than recently-opened Elements of Byron. A short drive or leisurely beach walk away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre, this sumptuous hotel boasts four different types of villa, all of which offer coastal interiors, indulgent stand-alone baths and beautiful views of either the resort or the nearby beach. Breakfast is a leisurely affair; with diners being treated to views of the infinity pool and a menu to rival any of the town-centre eateries. With a fire-pit, morning yoga and in-house spa also on offer, Elements of Byron is the ultimate indulgent stay, perfect for some serious R&R.

 

Arcadia House
For a more budget-friendly stay, colonial-style Arcadia House is another brilliant option. With six stylish rooms offering the best in beach chic, a leafy veranda and the greenest of gardens, it’s the perfect home away from home. Free bikes are available for guest use, and the location is second to none when it comes to strolling home from an afternoon spent on the beach. With friendly hosts with a wealth of knowledge on Byron’s hidden gems, Arcadia House is a must-stay for anyone wanting to live life the Byron way.

 

 

DO

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Surf
A trip to Byron wouldn’t be complete without sampling the beach town’s famous surf. And if you’re looking to catch some waves with the best in the business, try Mojo Surf. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you’ll be sure to be up on your board in no time, riding some of the country’s best waves.

 

Cape Byron Walk
Offering some of the best views in Byron – and indeed, all of Australia – is the Cape Byron lighthouse. The perfect place to watch the sun rise – or set – Byron’s famous lighthouse is certainly a thing of beauty and well worth a visit. Accessible by foot, car or bike, it’s the first place in Australia to see the sun rise and despite the early start, setting your alarm for a pre-dawn awakening is a must-do while in Byron.

 

Horse Riding
For a memory-making experience, little will come close to horse riding across Byron’s beaches or through the hinterland at sunset. Zephyr Horses offer tailor made rides through Byron and visitors can choose whether to explore Byron’s surrounding forest, or venture out on a beautiful beach ride. Indulgent and unforgettable, this is an experience not to be missed.

 

 

EAT

 02-byronfresh

Byron Fresh
For the finest in fresh food, try the aptly named Byron Fresh. Whether you’re after a leisurely brunch or a candlelit dinner, their mouthwatering menu in one of the best in Byron. With live music, and a relaxed vibe, Byron Fresh’s offerings range from buckwheat and chia pancakes or a market fruit board for breakfast to quinoa and zucchini hotcakes for lunch. For the creme de la crème of all things hip and healthy, Byron Fresh is where it’s at.

 

Foam
For food with a view, Foam Lennox is a must-do. Located in nearby Lennox Head, Foam offers its guests an unbeatable ocean view and a seasonal breakfast menu that comprises of coconut bread, quinoa toast and a mouth-watering roasted pumpkin with poached eggs – perfect for a post-surf treat.

 

Balcony
One of Byron’s hottest spots – for a leisurely brunch, sunset cocktails and everything in between – is Balcony, a beach-chic eaterie whose blue and white interiors and denim-clad staff give it a retro feel. Offering the best smashed avocado in town and cocktails served in coconuts, it’s the perfect spot for a healthy hit or indulgent treat alike.

 

Relax

 osprey-spa

Osprey Spa
For the ultimate in relaxation after a day in the surf, Osprey Spa is the place to go. Offering an array of indulgent treatments, from massages to facials and everything in between, there’s no better way to soothe sun drenched skin than with a trip to this haven of complete relaxation.

words by Lucy Pearson

Deliciously Ella Smoothie – Raspberry, Peach & Orange

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Recipe extracted from Deliciously Ella: Smoothies & Juices: Bite-Sized Collection by Ella Mills, published 22nd September by Yellow Kite, £9.99

 

FROZEN RASPBERRY, PEACH & ORANGE

“This smoothie reminds me of English summers. I tend only to make it when peaches are in season, as they’re much easier to find then and – most importantly – taste so much better, so I look forward to making it every winter! This is a lovely drink to make and share with friends on a warm day, or to enjoy as an afternoon snack to sate your sweet tooth and keep you going until dinner.”

 

NUT FREE

SERVES 1

 

INGREDIENTS

2 oranges (300g)

1 ripe peach (140g)

handful of frozen raspberries (70g)

½ ripe banana, peeled and frozen (50g), or a second peach, if you prefer

1 tablespoon oats

 

METHOD

Squeeze the juice out of the oranges using a citrus press (you should get about 200ml), and pour it into a blender. Cut the peach into the blender around the stone, discarding the stone (you can keep the skin on, as it’s so thin it blends well). Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

 

Recipe extracted from Deliciously Ella: Smoothies & Juices: Bite-Sized Collection by Ella Mills, published 22nd September by Yellow Kite, £9.99

Head over to Ella’s blog to discover more about her healthy eating philosophy!