The perfect travel shoes with a fashionable flair
The perfect travel shoes with a fashionable flair
Shoes are perhaps the utmost essential gear to contemplate when packing for vacation or a business trip. A decent pair of shoes might not be the most exciting consideration whilst packing, but they can make or devastate one’s day.
I have been looking for ages for travel shoes that are designed to maximise comfort without compromising style. Versatility is another important element that makes for a good pair of travel shoes. If the same shoes can effortlessly slip from shopping, to a 6-hour walking tour and on to dinner, sans blisters, then that search for the perfect travel shoes is finally over.
Ticking all the boxes, the 3.ZERØGRAND Bow Skimmer Flats from Cole Haan are the best travel shoes for refusing to sacrifice comfort or style. Super-comfy, lightweight, (i.e. packable) and versatile, the flats are stylishly designed to transition from the workplace to a night out, from well-deserved holidays to important business trips.
Flats are great multipurpose travel shoes but often the soles are too thin to support hours of walking or sightseeing. Ergonomically engineered with a highly functional design, the shoes from Cole Haan are made with their latest 3.ZERØGRAND comfort technology for a fit that moulds to the foot and cushions every step.
Grand is Cole Haan’s name for innovation, and the innovative approach that comes from marrying craft, style and engineering.
Astonishingly lightweight, there is a strong emphasis on comfort by embedding energy foam and padding into the shoes at the pressure points to both propel and ease the foot. The full rubber outsole comes with concealed Grand.ØS technology.
Timelessly elegant, the crisply pointed-toe shoes are available in a selection of styles, such as front bow detailing, and colours that include black, sand, burgundy and metallic. Ultra-flattering and smart looking, the shoes’ sleek, minimal silhouette offers incredible versatility for a range of occasions.
Supremely comfortable and expertly crafted, they are made from smooth leather and are fully lined.
Founded in 1928, Cole Haan has been long known for its quality, craftsmanship and style. By often teaming up with prominent designers, athletes and style-setters, Cole Haan has commanded a position as a leader in terms of innovation and excellence. CFDA-nominated menswear designer Todd Snyder and a trio of ballerinas from the New York City Ballet have collaborated with Cole Haan on contemporary collections.
For a polished and effortlessly stylish look, there is no going wrong with the Skimmer Flats from Cole Haan. This is a shoe that is actually made for fashionable walking as it delivers extraordinary all-day comfort with immense flair and finesse.
Garnishing, plating and decorating to perfection
Garnishing, plating and decorating to perfection
Looking to add that extra finesse to garnishing, plating or decorating work?
Whether for the home cook or home baker, or for the professional culinary chef or pastry chef, the Confectionery Funnel by RÖSLE will achieve spectacular results.
Providing ease of control and extreme precision, this universal kitchen and bakery tool is not only ideal for garnishing, plating and decorating, but also for accurate portioning.
Be assured of exact portioning and dispensing of chocolate, thin batters, sauces, jellies, creams, dressings, and so much more. One can use it to put that final icing on a cake, prepare desserts, fill pastries, garnish dishes, plate food … the list goes on and on. In addition to portioning out ingredients to specific requirements, the funnel enables the decorating of culinary creations with detailed, intricate designs.
Cleverly designed, this Red Dot Design winner comes with unique and useful features. For example, most other funnels are built with a bar across the top that makes them hard to fill. The RÖSLE funnel has a laterally positioned portioning mechanism that facilitates easier filling and re-filling.
Designed for optimum performance, the funnel controls the outflow of filling, icing or garnish, thanks to the dial knob on the handle.
For added versatility and precision, the funnel comes with two interchangeable nozzles – four millimetres and six millimetres. It allows for all sorts of uses, from filling confectionary to drawing delicate designs. The second nozzle is stored on the funnel.
In order to keep the kitchen mess-free, the 1.2-litre funnel includes a stand for a safe rest during work and easy refill, and for clean storage with integrated drip protection.
For peace of mind, the funnel comes with a 20-year warranty. It is dishwasher-safe, making cleaning quick and easy.
The sturdy funnel is expertly engineered and manufactured from high-quality durable 18/10 stainless steel.
Looking to treat guests to a special dinner party? The RÖSLE funnel adds a new dimension to decorating and plating culinary masterpieces, and is a useful tool to have in the kitchen.
Ancient wisdom joins modern science
Ancient wisdom joins modern science
Finding a good skincare brand can be life-changing. As one’s skin starts to look plumper, clearer, and more vibrant, one feels better on the inside, too.
We are inundated with slick marketing and celebrities urging us to use certain products, and it is difficult to separate the good from the useless. We must do our homework. I test many skincare lines at work, and the Ayur-Medic brand is one that I rely on time and time again.
A highly effective cosmeceutical product line, Ayur-Medic strikes a potent balance between ancient holistic principles of Ayurveda and state-of-the-art medical research to provide maximum results. It was created 24 years ago by two highly accomplished physicians – Dr. Raj Kanodia, a world-renowned Board Certified Surgeon, and Dr. Ezra Kest, a cosmetic dermatologist – plus a team of research professionals. Today, over 2,000 salons worldwide use Ayur-Medic.
Blending Ayurvedic herbs and anti-ageing compounds with advanced Western dermatologic research, each product is uniquely formulated to effectively penetrate the skin, delivering all active ingredients directly to the dermal layer where collagen synthesis takes place. Stimulating collagen production can work to fill in wrinkles, prevent further oxidative damage caused by free radicals and give one’s skin a healthier, more youthful appearance.
Over the years, I have used many of Ayur-Medic’s products – including Retinol Cream, Neck & Chest Cream, Eye & Lip Line Corrector and Lemongrass Cleansing Gel – and I have never had any issues, only great results.
Collagen loss is a primary factor in facial ageing and gradual disappearance of glowing skin. As a supportive and structural protein, collagen strengthens the skin and gives the face the firmness and volume of youth. It is key to healthy and youthful-looking skin.
The fact is that when we reach our 20s, collagen production begins to taper off, and the quality of the collagen diminishes. So when I learnt about Ayur-Medic’s Collagen III Serum, which promises to kick collagen production into high gear, I could not wait to get my hands on it.
I have loved everything I have tried from Ayur-Medic and I just knew this serum was going to be as high quality and effective as everything else in their stellar collection.
Designed to have collagen-boosting and skin-firming properties, it features an arsenal of ingredients scientifically proven to encourage the production of restructuring collagen. Key ingredients include:
- Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline (ASC 111): A collagen enhancer, helps to increase firmness and hydration in mature skin. Also helps soften acne scarring.
- D Panthenol: A skin conditioner.
- Linoleic Acid: Critical in the development and maintenance of a healthy skin barrier.
- Yeast Polysaccharides: Hydrates and retains water in the skin, helping to delay the ageing process. ul>
Developed and produced in the United States, it is formulated with no parabens, no fragrance, and no artificial colour.
The powerful Collagen III Serum helps to increase firmness and hydration in mature skin. It stimulates the production of restructuring collagen and firms and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles. It is also an excellent treatment for acne scarring, repairing damaged membranes.
After a couple of months of using the Collagen III Serum, I have found it helpful in improving hydration, firmness and skin elasticity. It has a light-weight and fast-absorbing texture, which makes it pleasant to use.
There is no going wrong with Ayur-Medic – makers of well-formulated and effective products for beautiful skin.
The magic of linen
The magic of linen
I was tired of that accumulation of mismatched kitchen towels stuffed into a drawer – some of which didn’t even dry and some of which left behind an unsightly trail of lint. Some did what they were supposed to do, but, frankly, they were not that good-looking. Yes, I am definitively a towel snob.
The best kitchen towels are those with both style and substance. My search finally ended when I came across these beautiful linen towels from a company aptly named Magic Linen.
I love natural linen for everything, but I especially like it for its hard-working properties in the kitchen. Magic Linen has a range of gorgeous kitchen linen to help make cooking and cleaning up a joy rather than a chore.
Created to enjoy the exceptional benefits of 100% natural linen, these kitchen towels are lightweight, super-absorbent, quick-drying and long-lasting.
A must-have kitchen essential, they are made from beautiful 100% European flax linen. The towels are stonewashed, which is the modern way of softening the fabric without any harmful chemicals and making it extremely soft.
Magic Linen’s collection is entirely handmade in a small family-run studio in Lithuania operated by highly skilled tailors who use only pure, OEKO-TEX-certified, quality linen.
Designed with a loop, the linen tea towels will look gorgeous hanging from a hook to add some timeless flair to the home.
They are available in three sizes (56x56 centimetres, 50x70 centimetres and 70x70 centimetres) and 13 gorgeous colours. Stylish and practical, they will look fab in any kitchen.
It is clear why I love these linen towels. Not only do they look stunning, they are also machine washable, tumble dryable and do not require any ironing if hung up or laid flat when still damp. In fact, I would love to have only these towels in my house.
Elevate the everyday by adding a lovely touch of elegance and simplicity to the kitchen with these practical yet stylish linen towels from Magic Linen.
The ultimate choice for the ultimate frying results
The ultimate choice for the ultimate frying results
For many home chefs, the best frying pan is going to be non-stick, oven-safe and able to withstand wear and tear.
It is just as important, however, to avoid harmful chemicals often used in non-stick cookware and as a result, a new generation of safe cookware has been launched.
Founded in 1731, ZWILLING can always be relied upon for superior quality cookware. Its Prime non-stick frying pan is a standout performer, with an attractive look and eco-friendly credentials.
With its high quality, versatility and energy-efficiency, the non-stick frying pan delivers great frying results. Amateur cooks and professionals alike are impressed by its advanced technology and functional, aesthetic design.
Food simply does not stick to it. It fries quickly and evenly across the surface of the pan and lets the food slip onto the plate once ready. The coated frying pan is especially suited for the gentle cooking of foods such as omelettes, pancakes, scrambled and other egg dishes. It also is well suited for the gentle frying of fish and vegetables, and for preparing rice dishes such as Nasi Goreng.
The Prime non-stick frying pan is engineered with the highest precision to ensure the user enjoys the durability, safety and performance they demand.
The frying pan uses the special SIGMA Clad 5-ply material, allowing the surface to heat up evenly whilst guaranteeing long heat retention. The three middle layers are made of different aluminium alloys that form a particularly strong core, allowing for even and fast heat distribution right to the very edge of the frying pan whilst retaining the base’s stability. The core is encased in induction-compatible 18/10 stainless steel to make the pan hygienic, scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
High heat is unnecessary as the pan’s aluminium core is very effective in retaining heat, helping to save energy whilst cooking.
Also boasting eco-friendly qualities, the Prime frying pan uses Ceraforce Ultra coating that is free from both PFOA and PTFE.
If accidentally overheated, the innovative non-stick technology can withstand temperatures as high as 450C without emitting toxic gases, blistering or peeling.
The quality non-stick properties deliver exceptionally good scratch and wear resistance.
The safe non-stick cookware range of frying pans can be used on all heat sources, including induction, and is oven-safe up to 200C.
With a clean design, the frying pan looks stylish on the hob with its shiny stainless steel exterior.
The pan’s broad rim ensures easy pouring. The ergonomic handle, designed for comfort and balance, guarantees safe handling and stays cool during cooking.
A further practical feature is the loop at the end of the handle, allowing the pans to be hung up to save space and ensuring that one always has access to these most important and decorative cooking utensils.
The popular Prime range now has non-stick frying pans in three sizes: 20, 24 and 28 centimetres.
As an option, there are separate glass lids available that allow one to monitor the food easily. The lids can also be used in the oven up to a temperature of 200C.
The non-stick surface makes cleaning extremely easy – a few wipes with a soapy sponge and it is ready to use again.
Looking for a premium non-stick frying pan? One cannot go wrong with Zwilling Prime. These quality frying pans prove their worth time and time again.
