Squalene and our skin

Dr Mariano Spiezia, founder of Inlight Organic Skincare enthralled My Tea Party audience with his talk on How to Live a Beautiful Life, Inside and Out.  Picture Jo Monck

One of the recent hot topics in the beauty world is the use of Squalene often found in face creams, serums and masks. Squalene keeps skin in beautiful, plump, forever young condition, fighting wrinkles and other signs of aging, and encouraging the growth of healthy cells.

Letâ€s have a close look at what squalene is and why it is the Holy Grail of Beauty.

For instant radiance & aromas of Chocolate and vanilla – Inlight’s Daily Face Oil will impart a Helen of Troy Glow. www.inlight-online.co.uk  Quote EH at the checkout for a 10% discount across the range.

In Italian “squalo” means shark and “squalene” is a compound found in the liver of this wonderful marine creature. At the beginning of the last century, a Japanese scientist was studying the amazing immune resistance of sharks and found the answer in this special molecule found in their livers: “squalene”.

It was discovered that squalene, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, releases oxygen when mixed with water. Squalene is lighter than water itself – with a specific gravity of 0.855 – and this helps the shark (which has no swim bladder) to reduce its body density underwater and improve  its flotation.

A high percentage of squalene was subsequently also found in human sebum, the fat produced by our sebaceous glands to protect our skin.

This natural organic compound, occurring naturally in the body, plays a vital role in the synthesis and production of sterols, both in humans and plants. In our body for example it is the starting point for the production of cholesterol, steroid hormones and Vitamin D during a complex chemical reaction in the liver.

Inlight Organic Beauty is lovingly handmade in Cornwall by Dr Spiezia.

Amazingly enough, during pregnancy, squalene is also one of the main components of the layer of fat that envelops the baby in the womb, called the vernix caseosa. This coat, a bit similar to soft cheese, protects the babyâ€s skin and could play an important role in some of the phases of the development of the embryo.

What exactly does squalene do for the skin?

• Protects: reducing the loss of internal water (moisturising effect)
• Powerful antioxidant: similar in its composition to Vitamin A
• Shields ultra violet rays: helping to prevent the skin from ageing.

Furthermore squalene, when exposed to water or other fluids, produces oxygen which helps skin cell regeneration. Lack of squalene production in the body can result in premature ageing and dry skin.

So, squalene is used in many cosmetics to enhance their moisturising, antioxidant, soothing and anti-ageing performance.

Squalene can also be used internally as a supplement to support the immune system and keep it healthy. It is thought that the Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetable oils, and therefore rich in squalene, could be effective at helping to prevent cancer.

Did You Know Squalane from Olive Oil is Just as Effective as Marine Squalane from Shark’s Liver?

Although many cosmetic companies use squalene from deep sea shark liver oil, olive oil has been proven to be one of the richest sources of vegetable squalene (200mg-12,000mg/kg) and just as effective as the shark-derived version!

Extra virgin olive oil is just one of the range of cold-pressed, organic oils which form the highly nourishing base of Inlight skincare products. As with our other ingredients, we use oils only in their complete and natural form, in preference to extracts, in order to maintain their chemical integrity, wholeness and life force and to create a better quality and more effective product.

Special Offer to EH Readers

Editor’s Note – To get your daily dose of the finest Organic Squalane, I use the near miraculous Daily Face Oil,  The Line Softener and the gorgeous new Chocolate Food of the Gods Mask – www.inlight-online.co.uk – I have tried just about every organic beauty range there is, and Inlight is the creme de la creme. The balms smell of the flowers, verdant herbs and Italian sunshine and they never fail to make my skin glow, or lift my heart and senses. Alison Jane

*** Add the code EH  at the checkout for a special Ethical Hedonist discount – and enjoy your new pristine, aromatic beauty regime.

So there is no excuse for killing sharks to keep our skin young and hydrated. Once again Nature has the answer.

Dr Mariano Spiezia, www.inlight-online.co.uk

Dr Spiezia’s lab is situated minutes away from the Roskilly Farm in Cornwall, where the famous organic icecream is made.

My thought-provoking, inspiring interview with the actor Colin Morgan touched people around the world.

Iâ€ve been a bit quiet lately, and I wanted to explain why. These are very exciting times for me and The Ethical Hedonist.

As most of you will know, Iâ€ve had an illustrious career as a writer, working for The Times Magazine for a decade alongside writing for: You Magazine, The Sunday Times, The Independent and more recently The Lady Magazine, Red and Country Life.

A cover story interview for SagaMagazine with Sir David Attenborough to celebrate Frozen Planet for BBC1

Iâ€ve interviewed some of the most exciting and incredible people on the planet from Sir David Attenborough (three times) to: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Brian May, Karl Largerfeld, The Girls from Sex and The City, Clive Owen, Elizabeth McGovern, Iman, Marianne Faithfull, Kate Moss, Naomi Watts, Helena Christiansen, Colin Morgan and Anna Friel, to name just a few of my fascinating interview subjects.

Interview with Sam West for The Lady Magazine

Now, journalism and the media is changing dramatically, and very fast. Many people no longer buy newspapers or magazines to read intelligent, life-changing interviews, or to know what is going on the world. We all go online instead.

In August last year, I won a scholarship for Ethical Hedonist and my journalism to learn how to turn the magazine into a viable, online business, so that I could continue in the profession I love. Since September last year, I have gone back to school to learn how to be an entrepreneur as well as a feature writer and editor.

The Actor Sam West, Star of Hyde Park On Hudson, Any Human Heart & Eternal Law.

I am being mentored by the US former Dragon, from Dragonâ€s Den, Doug Richard at School for Creative Startups www.schoolforcreativestartups.com –  Doug and his team of business titans are teaching me and 98 other talented, creative people the vital skills to develop a head for business, not just journalism. My aim is simple. To transform Ethical Hedonist in a magazine that can reach the world. Then, I can afford to work on the magazine full-time and bring you more of the in-depth, well-crafted interviews and fashion stories you all love.

A fashion feature tocCelebrate The Queen’s Jubilee, 2012 for The Lady Magazine.

This is where I need your help. As money from advertising and affiliates is still quite modest at this stage, I need to raise money to secure the future of the magazine, and to carry out my exciting interviews, YouTube channel broadcast interviews across: the arts, fashion, music, health, travel and reviews and comment pieces.

A Cover Story for The Times Magazine, with Karl Lagerfeld & His Muse, Anna Mouglalis.

What You Can Do To Help

Firstly, you can help by becoming a friend to me and  The Ethical Hedonist on Facebook – this will help me to become more attractive to advertisers and sponsors and to reach people for the quirky, inspiring, Ethical Hedonist Magazine events I have just launched. Please search for Alison Jane Reid/Ethical Hedonist.

A Cover story on La Perla, to mark the 50th year of the Lingerie & Fashion House which Launched Underwear as Outerwear.

I am going to start crowd-funding interviews using the platform  – www.pleasefundus – take a look.

I will be announcing some new interview projects and film interviews from the end of next week. I will be offering some exciting rewards, and I do hope that you will support me. People power is amazing. Together, in numbers, we can achieve anything.   Please also feel free to suggest people you would love me to interview and create a fashion story with, or film short.

Secondly – Please sign up to the newsletter, so I can let you know about events and find out more about your interests and the things you care passionately about. I hope to have a short questionnaire soon, so you tell me what you would like to see more of on EH.

A travelogue based on an unforgettable trip to see the tea houses of China, and pandas too!

Interns

I am also looking for talented interns to help across the following areas: journalism, filmmaking, social media, marketing and finance – and I also looking for someone who would make an amazing trainee pa to get in touch – please email me at the magazine – ethicalhedonistmagazine@gmail.com – a love of the arts, and an unflappable, calm and super-organised personality are absolute prerequisites!

Thatâ€s all for now. Look forward to your feedback on twitter and Facebook and on email.

With love, friendship and excitement for making Ethical Hedonist into a magazine that reaches the world with inspiring, beautifully crafted interviews and first class storytelling…..

An interview with Sir David Attenborough for Country Life Magazine.

Alison Jane Reid – Journalist Extraordinaire

John Simm Stars in the final series of Mad Dogs for Sky 1, alongside his good friends – Phil Glenister, Max Beesley and Marc Warren.

In the second part of my interview with John Simm, the actor discusses his passions in life and what drives him to take the roles he so thoroughly inhabits on film, stage and small screen. John talks with wit, modesty and candour about working with his friends, Phil Glenister, Max Beesley and Marc Warren on the final series of Mad Dogs for Sky 1 . He also discusses his passion for music  from the Beatles to Beethhoven – and why if he had to choose between Dickens and Dostoyevsky, he would choose to inhabit the rich, multi-layered world of the great Russian writer.

I hope you enjoy this fascinating, relaxed and thought-provoking interview, as much as I enjoyed making it.

Alison Jane – Editor-in-Chief, The Ethical Hedonist

Mad Dogs, Episode 1 of the FInal Series is on Sky 1 Tonight, Tuesday 4th June at 9pm .

John Simm at Monwabisi Beach, South Africa, in Episode Two, Series Three, Mad Dogs on Sky 1

Look 1. Natalie wears a a strapless midnight marrocain gown with contrast Schiaparelli pink lining. Proudly Made in England By Stamo at Ecoluxe London –  www.stamo.co.uk   Photography Jo Monck.

Once Upon a Time…  A writer lived in her imagination, and dreamt of the perfect, Alison-in-Wonderland afternoon Tea Party of Beautiful Ideas – an artisan British fashion show and a talk by the organic beauty doctor, Dr Mariano Spiezia, who would offer spellbinding ways to be beautiful inside and out.

Look 2.Tess wears a black and white fishtail skirt and matching bustier in Leicester wool by Makepiece. www.makepiece.co.uk

How It All Began

By the time I reached the very formative age of twelve and three quarters, I already had three highly developed passions in life:  Firstly, devouring novels, especially Jane Eyre over and over again with my bedroom door locked, so that I could safely bask in the feverish, girlish fantasy of imagining myself married to the bewildering yet impossibly magnetic Mr Rochester!

To that you can add an extraordinary love of beauty and dressing up not down – I even had my own little museum of costume in my Wendy House – and last but not least, eating food that tasted thoroughly real and delicious, as opposed to plastic, artificial and fake.

Look 3. Erin wears a raincoat by Supported by Rain; created from umbrellas lost on the London Underground and end of roll fabrics, including iconic London scenes. www.stamo.co.uk

Not surprisingly, when I grew up I became a journalist and fashion director, and for the next fifteen years – I dreamt up Flights of Fantasy interviews and fashion stories for The Times Magazine, You and Mirror Group. My subjects were the cultural icons of the day – up and coming actresses, female adventurers, super models and film icons such as: Kiera Knightley, Sienna Miller, Iman, Helena Christiansen, Naomi Watts and Clive Owen.  I loved storytelling and carried out each assignment with a quiet determination and dash of make believe and English Eccentric whimsy.

Look 4.Behind the Scenes… Erin and Tess trying on fairy tale British couture. Erin’s romantic, blush pink and ivory gown is by Atelier Tammam

At the same time, driven by my taste buds, I learnt to cook, discovered real food, as opposed to food that tasted of glue and sawdust and increasingly, I began to seek out ways to live an authentic life, shopping in farmers†markets and signing up to a local box scheme.

All these passions are intertwined in the fabric of my everyday life, and they form the inspiration for the First Ethical Hedonist Tea Party, which took place in Englandâ€s hottest garden, The Ventnor Botanic Garden. This lush, sub tropical exclamation mark of a garden, nestles in the Victorian Undercliff, perched on the edge of England, as it falls away to The English Channel.

Look 5. A Brace of Beautiful Island Girls in British Fashion fit for a Duchess. From left to right – Natalie wears The Veronica dress inspired by Princess Grace’s 1956 wedding gown, by Atelier Tammam; Erin wears peacocks and roses couture gown, by Atelier Tammam; Tess wears a fishtail skirt and bodice by Makepiece

;

The Tea Party idea is beautifully simple. I wanted to take my world, the world of Ethical Hedonist, out into the wider world, invite some lovely women to tea (and men too) and share my vision for The Ethical Hedonist Magazine. My magazine is a startup magazine about culture and sustainability – with all the fun, inspiration and pleasure left in – because I am not a hair shirt sort of girl!

The Art of Afternoon Tea, Ethical Hedonist Style – with reinvented walnut cake, lavender and lovage shorbread and cranberry, orange and pumpkinseed scones with homemade raspberry jam and clotted cream.

The afternoon began with an exquisite afternoon tea experience, fit for a modern Alice. Martyn Cutler, the chef at the Ventnor Botanic Garden learnt the craft of artisan baking in western France, and he shares my passion for championing, organic, local and wild-crafted ingredients at the gardenâ€s new restaurant Edulis, which rather promisingly means fruitful in Latin.  I asked Martyn to come up with an afternoon tea party where deliciousness and healthy decadence would rule the roost and enchant my guests.

The results were so amazing, even I felt like my seven-year-old self, as if handed the keys to the most magnificent cake shop. Martyn had stayed up most of the night  before the party, giving free reign to his imagination with cakes, savories and luscious gateaux that were as colourful curious and inventive, as they were delicious. Anyone for edamame cake with roasted carrot miso, re-invented walnut cake with walnut oil and island yoghurt? Or the most heavenly macaroons jam packed with rhubarb vanilla cream – which would make a dreamy shade for a summer dress!

Chef Martyn Cutler created the perfect, gooey in the middle, reinvented, coffee and walnut cake! Just the ticket with Pukka Herbs extraordinary, aromatic tea selection including two perfect teas to start your day – Gorgeous Grey and Perfect day.

I love cake and making time for the civilized ritual of afternoon tea. It is positively life enhancing. I also like my cakes to be as guilt- free as possible!

Beautiful inside and out – The extraordinary fragrant and delicious tea selection by Pukka Herbs. Naturally, they are reassuringly organic!

As tea was served, the room became perfumed with the fragrant, aromatic aromas of Pukkaâ€s magnificent tea selection, and everyone wanted to try their latest star on the tea galaxy – ‘Gorgeous Grey†with a hint of lavender. This extraordinary new tea was formulated by Pukkaâ€s tea maestro, Sebastian Pole – as a homage to Earl Grey, reinvented for a 21^st Century audience. The tea is so smooth, and well balanced without a trace of bitterness. This exquisite new tea is destined to become the nation’s favourite afternoon tipple!

So, the stage was set, for The First Ethical Hedonist, Artisan Stars of London Fashion Week Catwalk Show – featuring Natalie, Erin and Tessa – all, just turned seventeen, pale, luminous-skinned island girls; and Becca, a stunning 6ft Amazonian beauty, from Liphook, in Hampshire.

Look 6. Seventeen year old Tess Attrill wears the one of a kind Million Dollar raincoat by Supported by Rain; over a Hunting Camouflage gown with Elizabethan ruff detail by Stamo; all from Ecoluxe London. www.stamo.co.uk

With Rosemin, my brilliant trainee journalist and show production whiz at the helm – out came each girl wearing fluttering, artisan couture confections – all walnut wisp swirls and clouds of organza, tulle, satin and reinvented army camouflage. Then came the only rainwear you will want to be seen in this season and forever, made from umbrellas lost or found on The London Underground. How thoroughly ingenious is that?

Look 7. Becca wears Lu Flux’s coat of many colours; www.luflux.com

The featured fashion houses are all small, British ateliers and include: Ecoluxe – a couture collective of incendiary London Fashion Week stars including – By Stamo, a twinkling magpieâ€s soul of a designer. Stamo dreams up gowns inspired by classical couture techniques and then cleverly reworks them with a sustainable twist that would make a forties housewife sigh with admiration.

Look 8. A full length view of the Millionaire raincoat worn over the Camouflage Green Carpet gown by Stamo; all from Ecoluxe London. www.stamo.co.uk

The highlights included:  A sheer camouflage gown that hugged the contours of the body, and boasted a wonderful Elizabethan ruff and puddle train. I couldnâ€t help thinking that this was a dress made for a curvaceous goddess, such as Beyonce or Angelina Jolie. The next moment, everyone was lost in admiration for the paint box red, patchwork mac, with iconic scenes of London. While a few sighs were heard, when Becca stepped out in the mini mouse bow, bubble LBD, which was just ridiculously cute and full of ladylike charm.

Look 9. Natalie wears a gossamer, form-fitting shift dress with contrast white piping in sheer Leicester wool by Makepiece – from The field to the hanger. www.makepiece.co.uk

I knew too, that my audience would love the story behind Makepiece, an artisan knitwear label, based in Hebden Bridge. Beate Kubitz and ?Nicola Sherlock have their own flock of sheep and conjure up the most alluring, sensuous, gossamer dresses, capes and the piece de resistance – a paneled black and white fishtail, form-fitting skirt, which was straight out of Cecil Beatonâ€s wonderfully theatrical wardrobe for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady – and divinely flattering and wearable.

Look 10. John models a bamboo and organic cotton T-shirt by Rapanui. The motif is based on alternative forms of energy, including wind power – fashion to make you think; www.rapanui.co.uk

To add an element of surprise, I also chose to feature some eye-catching sustainable T-shirts in organic cotton and bamboo by the Princes of Eco Surf chic – Rapanui.  John, who should soon be modeling on the catwalks of London, Milan and New York – looked extraordinary, and was beautiful man, inside and out. He was aided and abetted by his good friend, the extraordinary Alex. It was Alex who gallantly stepped in at the last minute to help with social media, the music for the show, and kept our spirits up when we were tired, and soon revealed a great, natural gift for stand up. No doubt, we will soon be watching him entertain us.

Look 11. The amazing Alex, master of ceremonies, model and brilliant stand up comic. Now is going to be impossible with all the praise! Organic T-shirt from a selection at Rapanui

The show closed with the peerless, ravishing wedding gowns of Atelier Tammam – one of the hottest, up and coming bridal fashion houses in London, based in literary Bloomsbury. My favourite gown was the Veronica. This was a haute couture work of art, with its crisp, defined tulip shape skirt, side panels and demure, hand embellished lace bodice. The designer, Lucy Tammam tells me that this fairytale dress was inspired by the timeless elegance of the celebrated wedding gown worn by Grace Kelly to wed her prince in 1956.

Look 12. Natalie wears The Veronica wedding gown, with heart shaped skirt, train and bodice by Atelier Tammam. This couture work of art is inspired by the wedding gown Grace Kelly wore to marry her prince in 1956. To order, from Atelier Tammam

After a short interval, it was time for the finale. This was a talk by Dr Mariano Spiezia MD, the charismatic founder of Inlight Organic Skincare in Cornwall. This remarkable A&E doctor from Sorrento, in Italy, came to Cornwall on holiday with his family, fell in love, with its wild, natural beauty and never left. Instead he stayed on, and the native wild flowers, herbs and plants inspired him to make his remarkable artisan, active beauty elixirs, certified 100% organic by the Soil Association. At last the organic beauty revolution had begun.

Dr Mariano Spiezia, founder of Inlight Organic Skincare enthralled the Tea Party audience with his talk on How to Live a Beautiful Life, Inside and Out :  www.inlight-online.co.uk Quote EH for a 10% Discount on your order.

Dr Spiezia kept us utterly spellbound as he wove a magic carpet ride journey through Culpepper, the kingdom of plants, quantum mechanics and finally some wonderful tips on how you cannot divorce beauty or happiness from health and wellbeing, what your eat, or how you feel inside. When the afternoon came to and end, the audience rose to their feet and gave me a standing ovation and it was then that I knew that all the daydreaming, the planning, the hard work and ideals had found an audience – and that is what makes it all worthwhile. This is just the beginning of a very magnificent adventure.

Look 13. Becca in an adorable, overszied bow,bubble LBD with cheer chiffon detailing; by Stamo for Ecoluxe London – www.stamo.co.uk

Now, I hope you enjoy the experience online, and I will have exciting news of more Ethical Hedonist events in London and elsewhere very soon.

Look 14. Alison Jane and The talented, hardworking Team Behind The First Ethical Hedonist Green Carpet Glam Fashion Tea Party – Tess, Alison Jane, Rosemin, Natalie, Alex and Rebecca. Alison Jane wears the Million Dollar Raincoat by Supported by Rain at Ecoluxe London. www.stamo.co.uk Rosemin wears a cowl-necked dress by Makepiece

Alison Jane – Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Ethical Hedonist.

Look 15.Becca wears a frock coat with ruffle tail By Stamo at Ecoluxe London. www.stamo.co.uk

Look 16. Erin wears a grey marl dress with skeleton rope detailing in Leicester wool by Makepiece.

Tea Party Fashion and Beauty Credits, Stockists & SPECIAL OFFERS for EH Readers.

Conceived and Created By Alison Jane Reid – Feature Writer and Editor-in-Chief – The Ethical Hedonist Magazine. Alison Janeâ€s Journalist trainee and show production assistant, Rosemin Anderson.  Fashion Reportage Photography:

By Jo Monck www.jo-monck-phototography.co.uk All rights reserved. Copyright Jo Monck/Alison Jane Reid.  Hair and makeup designed by Vicki Ellis: email vellismakeup@hotmail.co.uk, assisted by Fern, using organic beauty elixirs By Inlight-online.co.uk and Faerie Organic Makeup from www.faerieorganic.co.uk  –  SPECIAL OFFER – Quote Ethical 13 for a  10% discount on this pristine, gorgeous range of organic, vegan makeup.

Thanks to models: Becca, Erin, Tess, Natalie, (also known as Isabelle Lâ€Amour www. and to Natalieâ€s mum Carol for helping out backstage ) Plus John and Alex our male models.  Music, social media and general problem solver: Alex Watts. Thanks to London interns: Maria Roisin. Location: The Ventnor Botanic Garden, Isle of Wight, www.botanic.co.uk

Delicious life-enhancing organic teas by www.pukkaherbs.com

Thanks also to Red Funnel: www.redfunnel.co.uk for supporting the first Ethical Hedonist Magazine Fashion Tea Party.

Look One

Natalie wears -Strapless silk marrocain Octopus gown, with contrast hot pink silk satin tail, £2,100, Made in England, to order, By Stamo at Ecoluxe London. Please call – 07765 292990 or email: stamo@ecoluxe.org  Quote EH Allure for a 5% discount. Website and boutique coming soon.

Shot Two

Tessa wears a form-fitting, full length black and white, intricately constructed fishtail skirt, £449.00 and matching bustier top, £249.00; both by Makepiece. www.makepiece.co.uk

Look Three

Erin wears – One of a kind raincoat, £380.00, by Supported by Rain, at Ecoluxe London, featuring iconic London Scenes. For more details or to buy – Tel 07765 292990, www.stamo.co.uk   email info@ecoluxelondon.org  please quote EH Allure for a special 5% discount.  This exquisite mac is made from recycled umbrellas collected from the London Underground by the Salvation Army. A donation is made to the charity to support their youth club activities. Once it is gone, it is gone! There is only one.

Look Four

Tessa wears – 1Million Dollar Raincoat by Supported By Rain, at Ecoluxe, £380.00, featuring recycled umbrellas as before. Underneath she is wearing a full-length, sheer gown with ruff detail in hunting UK mainland camouflage, £820.00, By Stamo for Ecoluxe London. Tel 07765 292990, www.stamo.co.uk  email info@ecoluxelondon.org   Quote EH Allure for a 5% discount. Shoes

modelâ€s own.

Look Five

Natalie wears – The Veronica wedding gown, from £2,800, from Atelier Tammam, Erin wears a couture, hand-embellished peacocks and roses gown, £5,000.00; to order from Atelier Tammam: www.ateliertammam.co.uk Tessa wears fishtail skirt and bodice, as before by Makepiece : www.makepiece.co.uk

Look Six.

Tessa  wears the one of a kind Million Dollar raincoat by Supported by Rain; over a Hunting Camouflage gown with Elizabethan ruff detail by Stamo; all from Ecoluxe London. www.stamo.co.uk

Look Seven

Becca wears – a handmade, one of a kind duster coat, POA, by Lu Flux, www.luxflux.com; shoes modelâ€s own.

Becca wears – a cocktail dress to break hearts in wool crepe with an organza bubble, lined in silk, £850.00, Made in England, By Stamo at Ecoluxe, as before  stamo@ecoluxelondon.org   email info@ecoluxelondon.org Quote EH Allure for 5% discount.

Look 8.

Tessa wears – 1Million Dollar Raincoat by Supported By Rain, at Ecoluxe, £380.00, featuring recycled umbrellas as before. Underneath she is wearing a full-length, sheer gown with ruff detail in hunting UK mainland camouflage, £820.00, By Stamo for Ecoluxe London. Tel 07765 292990, email stamo@ecoluxelondon.org Quote EH Allure for a 5% discount. Shoes

Look 9.

Natalie wears a gossamer, form-fitting shift dress with contrast white piping in sheer Leicester wool by Makepiece – from The field to the hanger. www.makepiece.co.uk

Look 10.  John wears a bamboo and organic cotton T-shirt  featuring alternative forms of energy symbols, £24.95, by Rapanui ; www.rapanuiclothing.co.uk

Look 11. Alex wears an organic, Save Our Seas T-shirt, £24.95, by Rapanui : www.rapanuiclothing.co.uk

Look 12. Natalie wears – The Veronica wedding gown, from £2,800, ready to wear or to order, at Atelier Tammam, London, www.ateliertammam.co.uk; This exquisite, fashion work of art is inspired by her Serene Highness, Prince Grace of Monacoâ€s 1956 wedding dress. The gown features a central heart shaped- skirt, train and form-fitting lace bodice. The gown is made in peace silk and features English lace. *****  Special offer to EH readers. Please quote Ethical Hedonist when ordering your gown to receive an exquisite peace silk peacock, heirloom scarf to keep, wear and treasure, worth £150.00. Please note all couture gowns require a fitting at the atelier.

Look 13.

Becca wears – a cocktail dress to break hearts in wool crepe with an organza bubble, lined in silk, £850.00, Made in England, By Stamo at Ecoluxe, as before: www.stamo.org  Quote EH Allure for 5% discount.

Look 14.

Team Picture – Alison Jane wears a vintage Aquascutum ‘New Look dress with the Million Dollar raincoat, By Supported By Rain, at Ecoluxe London, for details, email stamo@ecoluxe.org; quote EH Allure for 5% discount. Rosemin wears a cowl-necked sweater dress, £336.00, by Makepiece, www.makepiece.co.uk ; Quote EH4ewe for a 5% discount.

Look 15.

Becca wears –  Black wool tuxedo jacket with silk ruffle tail, £820, By Stamo at Ecoluxe London; www.stamo.co.uk

Look 16.

Erin wears – form-fitting marl grey and black braided cocktail dress in Leicester wool; £449.00, by Makepiece.   Please quote EH4ewe for an exclusive 5% discount across the featured range: www.makepiece.co.uk, Tel 01706 815888 for more info or to order by phone.

ends.

Review of 3Some By Alison Jane Reid

Have you ever left the theatre after seeing a brilliant play, where the protagonists crawl ruthlessly under your skin, and then you begin to wonder, what might happen, if their lives and loves continued, long after the curtain has fallen?

3Some – A Play by Lisa Gifford about the Chaotic, Messy Lives of Three, Thirty Somethings.

3Some is a play that can do that.  Three thirty somethings – Jenny, Paul and Rob meet at university and become inseparable. Jenny gets engaged to Paul and looks forward to a rose-tinted life of happy every after. Then, six months of living together go by, and her fiancee hasnâ€t come near her. They donâ€t have sex.  Itâ€s at this point she discovers the shocking truth. That her relationship is a sham of lies, sexual deceit, jealousy and longing, but not for her – her soulmate is gay and in love with their mutual best friend. He asked  Jenny to marry him so that Rob couldn’t have her – a twisted act of revenge.

The moment Jenny Discovers that her husband-to-be – Paul is gay and in love with their best friend, Rob.

Gifford came to acting relatively late. At 28, the former hospital administrator from Brighton, was turned down by just about every major drama school in London for being ‘too oldâ€, to study drama, despite being told she could definitely act. Being a force of nature sort of girl, she didnâ€t give up. Eventually, Gifford won a place at Middlesex University and four years on,  3Some is her first play.

Over coffee and Danish pastries at Le Pain Quotidien, she hints that the storyline isnâ€t fiction; it is based on real life. If Gifford is the real Jenny, she isnâ€t telling; but it does add an extra frisson to the unfolding chaos. The play hurtles to a cliffhanger after Paul lays bare his true sexuality. In a moment of insecurity, despair and abandon, Jenny entices the friends into a three-some, and then she runs off with Rob when, in a faux act of gallantry he declares ‘ if you were my girl – I wouldnâ€t leave you alone for five minutesâ€.  Yes! Itâ€s naughty, fun and deliciously messy, and the twists and turns make Eastenders look like a fairytale. It also leaves you wanting more.

Rising Star – Actress Lisa Gifford, the writer and co-star in the play 3Some.

And thatâ€s what Gifford and Carbrera deliver.  In a first for a play, 3Some doesnâ€t stop when the curtain comes down.  The action simply moves onto the web for a thoroughly addictive, will they or wonâ€t, web-based soap, for people who donâ€t watch soaps. It is a brilliant idea.  The misunderstandings, the regrets, the discarded g-strings, the naval gazing down the pub with mates and the tragic-comedy just keep coming. Gifford is a fizzing, fresh, audacious talent – and I canâ€t wait for the next instalment. It’s bound to be messy and sour-sweet.

Alison Jane Reid

Reminiscent of Cecil Beaton’s Ravishingly Beautiful Designs for Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, The Hannah Dress By  – Makepiece –  Just one of The British Fashion Houses Starring In Our Glam and Green Carpet Fashion Tea Party.

The Scarlet Letter – A Couture cascade of ruffles, silk and satin to set the heart on fire By Stamo for Ecoluxe, London.

I never tire of that moment each afternoon, when time seem to pause for the sublime, civilised ritual of drinking tea. Suddenly, and rather magically, calm descends, and all seems right with the world, once again.

An exquisite, Flight of Fantasy Wedding Gown by Luxe and British Artisan Fashion House – Atelier Tammam.

In that spirit, I would like to invite you to a very special Tea Party to celebrate British excellence in fashion, organic skincare and the making of sublime cakes – with an exquisite, delicious, sustainable twist!

The Ventnor Botanic Garden is one of my favourite places on earth, and where I often go to write and find creative inspiration and peace away from the hustle and bustle. Now, I would like to invite you to share the experience and come to my very special Local, Organic and Sustainable Fashion Tea Party.

Nestling in the Mediterranean Undercliff, beloved of the Victorian glitterati who flocked to the Isle of Wight in Queen Victoria’s reign to use it as their winter resort and social playground. Now, at the beginning of May,The garden will provide the perfect, inspiring backdrop for a showcase of Flight of Fantasy Fashion Talent and extraordinary Beauty Elixirs of great purity, formulated by my good friend, Dr Mariano Spiezia MD, an organic shooting star!

Superfood Chocolate Cake inspired by Alison Jane and created By The Botanic Garden Chef, Martyn Cutler.

There will be an exquisite afternoon tea experience created by The Botanic Garden chef, Martyn Cutler. You can look forward to delicious, scrumptious, real food cakes, curious, superfood chocolate and artisan delights inspired by the curious, fruitful larder in England’s hottest botanic garden.

Dress up not down, for a sublimely elegant, luxe and alluring couture, catwalk presentation showcasing up and coming British fashion stars, all with artisan and bespoke ideals – including: Makepiece, Atelier Tammam, Beautiful Soul and Izzy Lane. This will be followed by a talk by the beauty guru Doctor – Dr Mariano Spiezia MD, founder of the cult beauty marque – Inlight Organic Skincare – on botanical plants and their uses in beauty, health and skincare.

Our Star Speaker, Dr Mariano Spiezia MD, Organic Beauty Guru and Skin Expert &  Founder of Inlight Organic Skincare.

If you would like to learn more about Dr Spiezia and his inspiring, gentle approach to beauty inspired by a great love and passion for nature, take a look at the Inlight website – www.inlight-online.co.uk In addition to being a medical doctor, Mariano is a qualified medical herbalist and homeopath.

My good friends from Pukka Herbs – www.pukkaherbs.com  are coming too! They have just won a major sustainability award, and they will be introducing you to their exciting new tea, including Gorgeous Grey – Earl Grey, reinvented for the 21st Century, with a hint of lavender. I can tell you that is is something special, and wonderfully smooth, zingy and refreshing.

Love Tea, one of my favourite tea blends created by my friend Sebastian Pole, Herbalist and Co- Founder of Pukka Herbs www.pukkaherbs.com

Following the tea party,show and talk, you will have the opportunity to browse and order from the fashion designers taking part in the catwalk show and to purchase Inlight Organic Beauty elixirs. Each guest will receive a goody bag of beauty treats, samples and or vouchers.

Alison Jane has worked for and contributed to many leading magazines and newspapers including: : Country Life Magazine, Red, The Times Magazine, Sunday Times, The Lady, You, Coast, The Daily Mail and Illustrated London News Group. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of www.ethical-hedonist.com A handmade British Magazine about culture and sustainability with a decadent, luxurious sensibility.

Film Actress Eleanor Tomlinson Models a Wedding Gown By Atelier Tammam, one of are Featured Fashion Stars. Picture  MikeOwenPhotography.Com

The Featured Fashion Houses are:
Beautiful Soul – Timeless, exquisite day dresses destined to become modern heirlooms in heritage silks.
Makepiece – from sheep to the hanger – a glorious, perfectly formed British fashion brand based on heirloom knitwear from body conscious day dresses with exquisite detailing – to wedding gowns, shrugs to corsages.
Atelier Tammam – a rising star of London Fashion Week – Tammam uses exquisite peace silk and organic cotton satin to create flight of fantasy wedding gowns, tailored daywear and exquisite accessories, including a range of must have, gossamer peacock scarves.

There will be a few one of a kind vintage treasures sourced locally by Alison Jane and from The Sisters Grimm.

Dress Code – The Great Gatsby to Audrey Hepburn, and Katharine too!

I look forward to welcoming you to this very exciting afternoon.

You can buy tickets from our official event organiser www.eventbrite.co.uk and then search events in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Or in person from the Botanic Cafe at The Plantation Room, Ventnor Botanic Garden, Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight – www.botanic.co.uk  Tel – 01983  855397

Best Wishes, Alison Jane

A delicious Ethical Hedonist Feast Created By Botanic Chef Martyn Cutler for The First Ethical Hedonist Soiree Christmas 2012

Click to See the Official Invitation Here  306417-26

Links To The Tea Party with Booking Details

The Botanic Garden’s green-fingered chef, Martyn, hard at work at the open day for Edulis, the new Botanic Restaurant.

Your Organiser URL: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/org/3773364945?s=13316041 [change]

Share this event on Twitter: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/5887245911/?ref=estw

 

Portrait of John Simm By Jason Joyce

The Ethical Hedonist is very excited and proud to announce the launch of Ethical Hedonist TV on YouTube  – with a candid, intimate and thought-provoking, three-part interview with one of Britainâ€s most compelling and chameleon of actors, John Simm, currently starring in The Village on BBC1. JS is an actor who makes bold, daring choices and utterly inhabits the characters he chooses to play. Hot topics during the interview include: his passion for The Beatles, John Lennon and an enduring love of music in all its forms, including playing guitar and listening to classical music while he ‘potters’. He talks about playing Hamlet, about working with his ‘on-screen husband ‘Philip Glenister and how if he had to choose between Dickens and Dostoyevsky, he would prefer to inhabit the rich,multi-layered world of the great Russian writer..

As a journalist, I have been interviewing fascinating icons and national treasures since I began my career in journalism at the age of 23. I once thought that being a foreign correspondent in the freewheeling spirit of Lee Miller would be thrilling, romantic and exciting. I soon realised that I wouldnâ€t be very good a living on tasteless rations and dodging bullets in a war zone, with only the perfect shade of Schiaparelli pink lipstick to maintain a little feminine allure amongst certain danger and chaos; so I decided to become a feature writer and fashion editor instead.

Over the years Iâ€ve had some great interviews from Sir David Attenborough to Sir Roger Moore, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Kim Cattrall, Kate Moss, Helen Christiansen, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Colin Morgan, Elizabeth McGovern…. and now John Simm – an actor who makes fascinating, daring choices and is never, ever anything less than remarkable on screen.

Enjoy, this is just the first of many  exciting,‘chat show†style interviews, and please tell your friends†and subscribe to Ethical Hedonist TV.

Alison Jane – April 2013

Copyright Alison Jane Reid February 2013. All Rights Reserved. Portrait of John Simm By Jason Joyce. Copyright Jason Joyce/Alison Jane Reid.

Actor John Simm, Photographed in the library at The Charlotte Street Hotel, London  – Picture By Jason Joyce

How do you begin to define an actor like John Simm?  How do you define anyone who has played a succession of the juiciest, most coruscating roles on television and independent film over the past fifteen years, from a Roman emperor to a post punk, rock legend, a time-travelling policeman to The Prince of Denmark?  The latter, a part he declares that if there was “a gun at my head, I would say that was the best role I ever had.”

Along the way he also became the thinking womanâ€s pinup without the slightest idea that it is so. A man whose sulky, rebel insouciance still glitters, long after he first ruthlessly crawled under our skin in Jimmy McGovernâ€s dark tale of social mayhem and dysfunction, in The Lakes.

The truth is there is just something ineffably cool about John Simm. He is a classically trained actor who also happens to be mad about The Beatles, learnt how to play guitar at eleven, and was in the cult band, Magic Alex.

Let me tell you that he has lovely manners too, and restless, mercurial eyes, that you could easily get lost in. With a cheeky, almost wistful, faraway look, JS talks about the buzz of playing the New Order frontman, Bernard Sumner in Michael Winterbottomâ€s raw, atmospheric film, Twenty Four Hour Party People. “I was part of that scene, and I would have been gutted if he hadnâ€t asked me.”

Of course, now he is married to the raven-haired actress, Kate Magowan; they have two kids, Ryan and Molly, and life has changed. These days he picks roles that satisfy his intellectual curiosity, just so long as they donâ€t interfere too much with the precious rhythm of family life, which he clearly relishes. “Of course itâ€s difficult,” he says. “I donâ€t like being away from my children, and my family. Who would? I am always trying to fit back into their lives, without them making me suffer too much,” he says smiling

What you really should know about Simm is that it everything revolves around the work and the pursuit of great writing. As if you didnâ€t know that already. Certainly, that slightly anal, single-minded pursuit of literary stardust has paid off. And just when you might be tempted to say, oh well, he always plays edgy characters, murderers, hedonistic party animals, jailbirds and misfits – he did play a kind of saint in Sex Traffic, an imperfectly lovely Lancelot if you will.  The man canâ€t be pigeon holed!  But in The Village – perhaps he inhabits his most uncomfortable character yet – John Middleton, a salt of the earth farmer, and a deeply flawed, wreck of a human being who makes his family pay for a terrible secret in his past. “ The good thing is that he does have a moment of redemption,” he says dangling the carrot. “He was a challenge to play. But I wonâ€t spoil it for you – you have to see it.”

John Simm in his own words…..

“Iâ€ve never wanted a role so badly, as I did The Lakes. I was very cheeky and very young. I remember walking out of the final recall, and then walking straight back in again, and then going straight up to the director, and saying, ‘ please, just give me this role, just trust me, please trust me, I wonâ€t let you down… and looking him straight in the eyes†– then thinking, ‘what have I done?†It was an impulsive thing.

“People might be surprised to hear that I am shy. When I was in the band, Magic Alex, I hated being on stage. Itâ€s why I decided to become an actor. Acting allows you to wear a mask, and become someone else; Iâ€m comfortable with that.”

“Iâ€d played a killer in Cracker, and that put me on Jimmy McGovernâ€s radar, but it was The Lakes that ignited my career.  That was the beginning of everything for me. It was all about great writing, and an absolute highlight for me. It is very rare in television that they will take a chance on an unknown actor, and give you the main part.  That was when I first go to know Max (Beesley) a bit. We both had these big leads. He was in Tom Jones, and I was playing Danny Kavanagh in The Lakes.”

“Human Traffic – now thereâ€s a time capsule. I played Jip, who was paranoid about sex. From what I can remember, and yes, it is a bit hazy! – Me, Danny, Sean and the girls had a great time, a great time – it was a blast!”

“ The chunk of time between Human Traffic and Life on Mars was a very exciting time.   This is when I played Cal McCaffrey in State of Play and Daniel Appleton in Sex Traffic. They were both exceptional pieces of writing, and both wonderful to do. I also played Caligula, which was fantastic. I had to learn to ride a horse in a week, and ride it up the Senate steps. It helped me a lot to prepare for the part of The Master, in Doctor Who. It was like a trial run.”

“ Life On Mars was just the most fantastic double act with Phil (Glenister) – heâ€s like my screen husband! We felt like we were in Starsky and Hutch or The Professionals. Whatâ€s not to like bursting round a corner in a Cortina? Or jumping out, and kicking doors in. It was fantastic fun, and I am so proud of what we did.”

“Playing Raskolnikov In Crime and Punishment was a gift. When I overheard the director Julian Jarrold and the writer Tony Marchant talking about doing it, I was on it like a limpet. I wanted that role.  If I had to choose between Dickens and Dostoyevsky, I would probably choose the Russian. Heâ€s one of my favourite writers. In Russia, Raskolnikov is treated like a folk hero; heâ€s a bit like Sherlock Holmes.  You donâ€t know whether he is real or imaginary. In St Petersburg, you can go and see his flat. Itâ€s just as it is described in the book. People go there on pilgrimage; itâ€s like Abbey Road.”

“I fought for the part of Edward Sexby, In the Devilâ€s Whore.  Heâ€s a soldier of fortune, falls in love, discovers he has a heart, changes allegiance; heâ€s a brilliant swordsman and ends up with a metal hand. What a part! It was a boyâ€s own adventure come to life. I was offered a different role, and I understand that they wouldnâ€t have immediately thought of me; but I wanted to prove I could do it. I was salivating when I read the script by Peter Flannery, and I would have been so pissed off, if I had to watch someone else play it.”

“My priorities have changed now that I am married. Itâ€s not just about me. Iâ€ve got a mortgage, a family, kids at school, and we live in London. Next week I go out to South Africa to film the fourth series of Mad Dogs. This is a once in a lifetime job. I am working with my best mates, in a beautiful location. The scripts are great, the characters all have terrible problems; I wouldnâ€t trust any of them. All the more fun for us!”

“I donâ€t cook. Or perhaps I should say I donâ€t cook as frequently as I used to. But since my wife really got into cooking, and she is such a brilliant cook, itâ€s pointless, so I stay out of the kitchen. I try and help the kids with their homework, if I can, especially if itâ€s English or history; but I am not so great at maths!”

“Iâ€ve got seven guitars at home. When Iâ€ve got time, I still play. Iâ€ve discovered that garage band thing on the Ipad, which is great, you just plug it in, and you can record. The other thing I am totally obsessed by is classical music. Ever since I was eighteen, and I played Mozart in Amadeus. I love Beethoven. Itâ€s the only thing I can have on, and do other things. With the human voice – you have to listen to it.”

“ Phil (Glenister) wants me to take up golf. But I canâ€t do that! I wouldnâ€t get away with it… we would be gone for hours! It would be ‘where have you been? Golf!!†I would be divorced. So when Iâ€m not working, Iâ€m a fantastic, professional potterer. You have to be, when you spend so much time away, living in hotels and apartments. I read and catch up on DVDâ€s. Iâ€ve done the box set of The Killing. Now itâ€s The Bridge and Richard Burtonâ€s diaries. When my wife goes away to work, thereâ€s always the double school run, which I can assure you is no mean feat! I used to say, ‘what do you do all day?†And she gave me such a look. Then I did it, and the day just goes like that.”

Favourite Things

Iâ€m currently reading East of Eden, which I canâ€t put down. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it. Then I have to get up and read for an hour, so I can go back to sleep again.

Favourite Music

Beethovenâ€s Piano Concerto Number 5 – one of the greatest pieces of music ever written.

Favourite Activity

Reading and sleeping. I always like to have a few books on the go. At the moment itâ€s John Lennonâ€s Diaries.

The Best thing in life – The best thing in life – is life itself, and spending time with my family and working on a really good character.

The Village is a six part series on Sundays, BBC1 starting in April 2013.

Alison Jane Reid Copyright February 2013, All Rights Reserved. Portrait of John Simm By Jason Joyce. Copyright Jason Joyce/Alison Jane Reid. All Rights Reserved.  www.jasonjoyce.com

A version of this interview appeared in The April Issue of Red Magazine  www.redonline.co.uk

Download the pdf version of the  interview in this month’s Red Magazine - John Simm in Red

*****A broadcast interview and in-depth profile  will appear on Ethical Hedonist in April to celebrate John’s Simm leading role in The Village.

Some of the resident bees on the rooftop of The Lancaster Hotel, London. Picture By Richard Twilton.

The Lancaster Hotel Review By Alison Jane Reid

Glamour and Green Credentials

Iâ€ve stayed in some extraordinary hotels from the discreet, old money splendour of the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Kenya, to the ritzy glamour of The Carlisle in New York, where a girlâ€s vintage Ferragamoâ€s sink into the clotted cream coloured shag pile, so deep, I was tempted to ask if it has its own gardener. Thus, on a Siberian night in London, I was very excited to be checking into the Lancaster Hotel, as it is officially, the AAâ€s most sustainable hotel in London. The roof of this lofty London landmark is home to more than half a million bees, which produce a wonderful light, golden, aromatic honey. The Lancaster recently underwent an eleven million pound sustainable refurbishment, to create state of the art, energy efficient kitchens and banqueting facilities. The award-winning Island restaurant goes out its way to feature tasty, sustainable, British produce, and the hotel sends absolutely no waste to landfill, a remarkable achievement.

The enticing views over the rooftops of London from the 17th Floor.

First Impressions

I can always tell if I am going to be happy in a hotel within the first minute of walking into my fleeting home from home. First impressions are absolutely everything. The Lancaster gets this just right. The lobby is vast, but still manages to feel welcoming and cosy on such a cold winterâ€s night. The charming girl from a small village in Spain who checks me doesnâ€t treat me like a number, and she seems genuinely interested in my wellbeing. She finds me a quiet room with a view, asks me if I want a dinner reservation and kindly offers to help with my luggage. By the time we reach the lift, I even know a bit about her, and she tells me she can’t wait to go on a diving holiday with her boyfriend in the summer.

Rooms at The Lancaster will make you feel like cocooning – and  a hot water bottle,  bijou chocolates and real milk make it feel like the perfect home from home.

The Room

My room is on the 17^th floor and is comfortably big enough for me to get excited about doing some yoga practice while I admire the hypnotic views over the rooftops towards Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. I have half an hour to get ready for dinner with a girlfriend, so there is just time to quickly unpack, and savour my new surroundings. Iâ€m going to drink tea and watch transfixed, as the thick snowdrops, flutter down on Hyde Park, transforming it into the Snowqueenâ€s winter playground, while I feel cocooned and toasty in my tranquil eyrie. Alongside the usual tea making facilities, I am very impressed to see a note that says just call room service for fresh milk – hooray! One of my pet hates when staying in four and five star hotels is to be given tasteless packets of UHT milk in sachets. This will not do. The milk arrives in less than five minutes, so the service is good too.

The Roof of Lancaster London is home to one of the largest bee colonies in London. Picture Richard Twilton.

A big, comfortable bed, hot water bottle and real milk for tea

I have a little game I play when I am staying in a good hotel, or even a budget one. I call up room service and say that I donâ€t feel well or that I have stomach ache, and ask if they have a hot water bottle. In all the hotelâ€s, in all the world; I have never encountered one that could provide a comforting hot water bottle! On this occasion I donâ€t need to. Holy mackerel!  There is a hot water bottle in the wardrobe. Wow! The Lancaster has seriously impressed me. Iâ€m smitten. I will be back. All these little touches make a hotel really feel like home. Then you can concentrate on the fun part of staying in a gorgeous room, where you get to play house without the chores and washing up.  Unlike many generic, so-called luxury hotel rooms, with characterless faux antique furniture, my room has a gorgeous big double bed, crisp, proper cotton bed linen, just waiting to be lived in, and the fastest way to my heart – a bijou selection of mini truffles crying out to be appreciated, whilst luxuriating on the bed, and all the while, leafing through a pile of London-centric magazines with alluring headlines like -  ‘Indulge in a winter of wonders with lavish gifts, sumptuous cuisine and fashion fit for any occasionâ€. Then I might daydream about ‘The Geek Prince†coming to take me out to dinner and play house together.  Alas, he is at a geeks†science conference deep in the English Countryside. Later we compare hotel rooms. Somehow, the Hilton Swindon just doesnâ€t sound so sexy! But he seems really pleased with his large executive room, so I donâ€t make him jealous!

The Bathroom

The bathroom is perhaps the only part of my room that is ever so slightly  disappointing. It is perfectly adequate, rather than luxurious. It has quite a small bath, with funny state of the art taps, that I have to summon help to operate, and green toiletries by LLK Toiletries that are a cut above the usual cheap, skin-irritating, hotel smelly stuff, but still not quite good enough to entice me to use them instead of my own, organic skin and body elixirs.

A starter of duck, toasts, egg and mixed leaves.

Dinner

Dinner – The atmosphere in the restaurant is fun, relaxed and unpretentious. Dishes are very well priced for London, and I was impressed with the choice and emphasis on quality and provenance of the food. My starter of home-cured salmon and house sourdough bread was absolutely delicious. The salmon cure was just on the right side of smokiness, with melt-in-mouth, buttery textures.

I was less impressed with my fillet steak, which was tough, and lacked tenderness, but the dish was redeemed by the salad, which was nicely tangy, and crisp, and the perfect foil to the richness of red meat.

I adore puddings. Especially when they are executed with imagination, flair and prettiness.  My pudding of jewel-coloured raspberry sorbet with granola and parfait was a delight to look at and tasted equally as good. I finished my meal with the most delicious organic chocolate – which sent me off to bed reading to hit the pillow in a state of sleepy, sweet contentment.

I must have pudding – raspberry sorbet with granola parfait is surprising and looks too pretty to eat.

Dinner for Two People with a glass of Prosecco with Kir – £70.00 – £80.00 for three courses.

Breakfast

Breakfast – So few four and five star hotelâ€s get breakfast right, and The Lancaster is no exception. For an award-winning green hotel, I feel more thought and care could be taken into producing a really delicious and healthy start to the day.  I found a quiet table with a view, looking out over the park, and after careful consideration, assembled a reasonably pleasant, if not very exciting breakfast of – Bircher muesli, fruit salad, plain, rather bland yogurt and Earl Grey tea. It would be great to have some healthy homemade sourdough bread, such as the bread on offer in the hotelâ€s Island Restaurant. All I could see was the usual tasteless, bought in sugarcoated pastries and generic, industrial looking bread, which is guaranteed to induce an eleven oâ€clock slump. I am sure discerning, health-conscious guests would be prepared to pay a little more for carefully chosen breakfast ingredients with the focus on delivering a great energy boost to the day, with a more artisan, homemade approach to the most important meal of the day. Given the high standards in the hotelâ€s Island Restaurant, I am surprised that breakfast doesnâ€t quite live up to the same, thoughtful standards.

Afternoon Tea at The Lancaster will please any town or country princess

Overall Impression

I really enjoyed my stay at The Lancaster. The genuine friendliness of the staff, exciting green innovations, amazing views and the comfort levels of my stay would make me feel very happy to return. Oh and five gold stars for the hot water bottle, yummy chcolates and fresh milk in the room!

Lancaster London

Lancaster Terrace

London

W2 2TY

0207 262 6737 
www.lancasterlondon.com

Iâ€ve just spent a fascinating afternoon at the Science Museum, where I sat spellbound as we are treated to an edge of the seat magic carpet ride screening of the film To The Arctic, in 3D. Itâ€s quite something to have snowflakes falling into your lap as Meryl Streepâ€s beguiling narration offers a spellbinding, Grimmâ€s fairytale portrait for the future of the polar bear and its disappearing, summer ice habitat. ‘We donâ€t belong there, she warns, as we watch a mother polar bear and her cub pirouette tenderly around each other, like a slow, perfect ballet.  We then hear scientists from the WWF talk about the latest strategy to conserve what is left of the summer ice. As I walk through decades of history, and go back out into the streets of London, it is really snowing – perhaps I will encounter a polar bear on the way to the Tube! Then I dash across town to check into the Lancaster Hotel – just a skip across the road from Hyde Park – and officially the AAâ€s greenest hotel in the UK.

Daylesford Farmshop and Cafe Puts the Chic into Organic

Review of Daylesford Organic Farmshop & Café, Pimlico By Rosemin Anderson

What & Where – Daylesford Organic Farmshop & Café, Pimlico

On a blustery Sunday I arrive solo for lunch at Daylesford Organic, a foodie haven in Pimlico, heralded by cute shrubbery and a “dog parking” sign out front.  Once inside, I am greeted by the mouth-watering vegetables and sleek marble worktops that line the farmshop. A quick wander towards the back of the shop and I am torn between gazing at the lovely-looking cheeses and the wines and meats on display. The atmosphere is upmarket rustic, and thoroughly enticing, reflecting Daylesfordâ€s commitment to “a simple passion for real food”, offering culinary delights that are better for the environment, for humans and for animals.

What’s On the Specials Board at Daylesford Today

Dining Room Style

Eager to taste the delectable goods on offer from the farm, I make my way upstairs to the quaint café. Daylesfordâ€s Pimlico outlet was the first London branch of the renowned sustainable Daylesford Farm in Gloucestershire, founded by Lady Carole Bamford. Itâ€s not difficult to see why the brand has done so well; the place is packed, with the queue winding its way down the stairs. Luckily for me, solo diners are seated at the neat trestle tables to fill in the gaps between parties.

Though I have to wait, the café has much to look at. The sweet windows have space enough for two to dine, providing couples with an adorable nook in which to eat. The pale wood décor and whitewashed walls are in keeping with the simple outlook of the brand. In one corner, cooking utensils for sale are artfully displayed, whilst in another Daylesfordâ€s bath and home products are proudly on show.

A Delicious Lunch – Ham, Apple and Mustard Croquettes

The Lunch: Main course

Itâ€s not long before Iâ€m seated, and I have the perfect view of the specials board. I opt for the special main of the day: a ham, apple & mustard croquette, with roast shallot purée and savoy cabbage. As for drinks, I decide on the apple and elderflower organic juice, freshly squeezed at the juice bar. The staff are prompt and efficient, deftly placing people in vacant spots whilst attending to every customer. I note Iâ€m not the only solo diner; there are several people tucking into the all-day breakfast option (which looks divine).

With fair speed, my dish arrives, and Iâ€m pleased to see that the croquettes look fantastic. The exterior is crunchy, crisped to perfection, whilst the ham inside is wonderfully tender. The flavours meld easily, although there only seems to be a hint of mustard. The accompanying savoy cabbage and roast shallot purée is pleasant, though perhaps there isnâ€t enough to enjoy with the large croquettes.

The juice is tangy, sweet, and delicious alongside the savoury dish. I vow never to have juice from concentrate again.

 

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Icecream

The Lunch: Dessert

Now for what is perhaps the most important part of the meal: dessert. Itâ€s difficult to choose as the options all sounds amazing, but I finally settle on the sticky toffee pudding with pear, with a dollop of vanilla icecream on the side. A short wait, and a large portion is placed in front of me. Daylesford Organic has clearly grasped my personal concept of dessert and decided that a significant portion is definitely the way forward. I can see from other diners†plates that other desserts are also large in size, and I heartily approve. The pudding is spongy and sticky – in short, lovely – and the vanilla icecream complements the flavours nicely.

Overall verdict:

I couldnâ€t praise the café enough. Daylesford Organic has brought sustainable produce to London, and with it, introduced fairly priced, delicious food that is highly popular. The simplicity of the concept is one of its strengths; the dishes arenâ€t the complex, miniscule portions of some organic restaurants. Instead, the food is hearty, and the café is a warm, thriving place where anyone can find something to their liking for breakfast and lunch.

Useful information:

Mains average price: £12

Desserts average price: £6

Average cost of two course lunch with soft drink: £24

Address: Daylesford Organic Farmshop & Café Pimlico, 44B Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8LP

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

Telephone number: 020 7881 8060

Website address:  www.daylesfordorganic.com

Extras: The shop offers meat, baked goods, grocery goods, fruit, vegetables, dairy, wine, a cooking shop, homeware and bath & body products. You can order food online, and take-away options are available for lunch.

 

Review by Rosemin Anderson for Ethical Hedonist Magazine. Edited By Alison Jane Reid. Copyright Alison Jane Reid/Rosemin Anderson. All rights reserved.