Friday, August 31, 2007

The Ultimate Shoe?

How To Be Rich: Ruby Sapphire And Diamond Encrusted Rene Caovilla Sandals

Are these one of the world’s most expensive pair of shoes currently on sale?

Worth £62,000 (for two), this pair of ruby, sapphire and diamond-encrusted Rene Caovilla sandals are on sale at Harrods.

To guard the shoes, a live Egyptian cobra was hired to patrol the shoe counter.
(The cobra is both useful and practical; it too can be turned into a pair of shoes.)

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Gold At An Affordable Price

Finally, something designed by Arik Levy that we can actually afford.

This Gold Bar was made to be a doorstop, but we have a feeling it will find its way onto many a stock broker's desk. Or better yet, gift the female financial whiz in your life with the bar.

It’s inscribed with the date women were allowed into the London Stock Exchange in 1973.

Available from the Conran Shop priced at £44.99

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Cinema Comes Home

The DreamBee features a new concept of the Home Cinema, bringing for the first time a cinema grade picture to the whole family.

The new 3-chip D-ILA system features three Full HD panels (1920x1080 pixels), one per colour channel to obtain vivid colours without any rainbow effect. The amazing ratio contrast of 15,000:1 associated with wire-grid technology can reproduce without artifice the richest and the deepest black level, whichever the movie and scene.

The built-in video processor is enhanced by Visual Excellence Processing (VXP by Gennum) and supports any standard from 480i to 1080p with full processing.

The DreamBee has been specifically conceived to operate almost anywhere from the screen thanks to its unbelievable 2x optical zoom, 1.4:1 to 2.8:1 throw ratio, +/-80% vertical screen offset and +/-34% horizontal screen offset. Its light weight makes the projector easily transportable.

A stunning machine that’s as much a piece of sculpture as it’s a high end projector. Also available in a very cool sunflower yellow finish.

Available from
Absolute Sounds £7,000

James The Bookend

After many request, the award winning doorstop design has finally been adapted into a bookend.

The stainless steel foot that is fixed to his foot, ensures that any number of books can be leant against James outstretched arm without him slipping over.

He can be used individually or as a pair.

James The Bookend £15 by Black+Blum

Made from steel and rubber

Available from Hidden Art Shop

Black+Blum’s philosophy is to show that designed products can be made affordable without compromising their quality. The aim is to create innovative products that will charm and entertain. Their design input does not stop with the product itself. The packaging has also become part of the black+blum trademark. It either has a function beyond packaging or it is ultra minimal. The packaging of their wine rack for example turns into a bottle storage after its primary use. Most of their packing is made from undyed recycled cardboard.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Perfect Coffee Cup

Breakfast Cups

Nina Campbell, the world-renowned interior designer, is known for her beautiful interiors, as well as for her collections of fabrics, wallpapers, accessories, carpets and home fragrance. Luxury, practicality and a sense of wit remain paramount in all of Nina's sought-after collections

These limoges breakfast cups and saucers with a large heart pattern are available in purple, lime, grey, fuscia, aqua, chocolate and light pink.

Available at £80 for each cup and saucer colour combination. Buy
online

Monday, August 27, 2007

Anti Smoking?

For those loved ones in your life who still insist on smoking, why not let them smoke in style with Cartier's backgammon motif lighter in black and platinum £390.00

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Surreal Thing

Don’t take yourself too seriously - use the latest looks to bring humour and wit into your home.

Pendant lights suitable for any aspiring gentleman or conscientious manservant where class and sophistication are the essential components to illumination. Jeeves’s bowler hat is lined with a refined gold interior, whilst Wooster’s top hat has a more distinguished silver lining. Both exude that quintessential British combination of regimented style and eccentricity.

Jeeves pendant lights £450 a pair by Jake Phipps

H14 x W25 x D32cm

60 watt bayonet cap round soft light bulbs – small. No plug fitting.

Delivery 3 - 4 weeks

Made from black wool felt exterior, and VO fore-rated polycarbonate diffuser. Fire-rated brass electrical fittings & cord with standard ceiling fitting

Available from Hidden Art Shop

British designer Jake Phipps graduated from John Makepeace’s furniture design school, Parnham College, in 1999. Since graduating he has been designing and making one-off items to commission but has more recently started designing for the retail market. In April 2007 his patented folding chair, ISIS, was launched by Gebruder Thonet Vienna at the Milan Furniture Fair.

Monday, August 20, 2007

For Shoe Lovers Everywhere

For all of you shoe lovers, here’s a dream come true: your very own bespoke shoes made by Foot Couture by Siergio Rossi in Venice.

Fly there by private plane with Hannington Aviation and stay at the Romantic Hotel Gritti Palace.

You will have a personal appointment with Edmundo Castillo, creative director of Sergio Rossi, where perfect casts of your feet will be made to create your bespoke shoes.

The service costs from £1,500 (excluding flights and hotel).

For further details phone +44 207 811 5950


Sunday, August 19, 2007

Old Gucci Glamour

From the new Signoria collection, Gucci has created a beautiful stainless steel and mother of pearl watch.

quartz movement
case size 25 mm
crown at 6 o'clock
sapphire crystal
12 indexes
jewelry clasp
water-resistant to 3 ATM (100 feet / 30 meters)
swiss made
2 years warranty
stainless steel case and horsebit bracelet with black mother-of-pearl dial

£650 from Gucci

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Snap Factor

Inhibit Tensolift

Relax. Fill. Lift. A luxury serum packed with 71% active ingredients that provides an unprecedented cumulative lifting effect.

RELAX Repetitive facial muscle movement causes expression lines and wrinkles to form. Octamioxyl®, a revolutionary and patented octapeptide, relaxes facial expressions and helps prevent the formation of new expression lines.

FILL The appearance of expression lines, fine lines, and wrinkles is diminished through an augmenting layering process that works from the deepest to the most superficial layers of the skin.

LIFT A revolutionary 3-D Lifting Technology lifts the years off with an unprecedented cumulative lifting effect, when used as part of a daily skin care regime.

Size: 60ml
PRICE £400.00

Available from Harrods

Friday, August 17, 2007

Fornasetti Collectors Plates

Piero Fornasetti was a Milan painter, a sculptor, an interior decorator, an engraver of art books, a creator of more that 11,000 items, a deviser of sceneries and customs, an organiser of international exhibitions and events. 

As far as the variety of decorations is concerned, Fornasetti’s production of objects and furniture is one of the largest of the 20th century.
The lesson deriving from his oeuvre is the rigour with a strong imagination and an elegant and mystical sense of humour. 

Fornasetti’s son, Barnaba, is perpetuating the workshop tradition, continuing the production and reviving the most popular pieces, creating new ones, renewing hand crafted production, in collaboration with industries which manufacture under license. 


A collection of new products was born like this: from fashion accessories such as ties, scarves, waistcoats, umbrellas, to hold house articles such as china, furniture, lamps, fabrics, linen, radiators, tiles and many other items spreading joy into our everyday life so full of minimalist and “expiatory purism”. 

The Julia plates (no longer in production and as such are now considered limited art) £85.00 each can be bought from Liberty Tel +44 2077 341 234

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Inside Story

The ideal change purse for men or women, available in a choice of colours. Available in shiny alligator leather £140.00 from Asprey.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Partying In Pistol Panties



Designer Deborah Fleming's super-sexy swimwear label - frilly bikini bottoms and cutesy, Fifties-style printed babydoll dresses. Deborah has carefully sourced pretty bits and pieces to fill out the shop and perfectly accessorise her designs: vintage jewellery from Rellik, pretty Collard Manson bags, stunning jewelled kaftans and gorgeous shades by Lara Bohinc. But make no mistake - this is not the new Austique. "I only pick individual pieces that go well with the swimwear," who happily spends hours picking out the perfect bikini for each of her customers. So what's next for the Panties? With an ad campaign in the pipeline, Fleming is busy finding the perfect model. "Jayne Mansfield would be my first choice," she went on. "She's part Amazonian, part Fifties starlet, which is what the label is all about. If I can't star in the ads myself – which would of course be much cheaper but I'd have to spend some time in the gym first – then I'd love to use photos of her somehow."

Either visit the website
Pistol Panties or shop 75 Westbourne Park Road, Lonodn W11 +442072295286, or find Deborah's stock at : Figleaves

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Tuaca

We came across this at the Spirit of Christmas show a couple of years ago. The bottle very quickly was drunk, with us making Apple Crumble Cocktails.

Once long ago during the golden age of Renaissance Italy, legend has it that Lorenzo De Medici created an exquisite amber liqueur that became a favourite among 16th century Italian nobility. However, It was not until 1938 that Tuscan Brothers-in-law Geatano Tuoni and Giorgio Canepa re-discovered this centuries old recipe - made it even more desirable - and named it Tuaca.

Based on fine, cask-aged brandy, with an exhilarating blend of vanilla and orange, Tuaca has an intriguingly fruity flavour and a heavenly amber glow. It is smooth, irresistible and uniquely different. Exactly how Tuaca is made remains in the hills of Tuscany with Tuoni and Canepa - it is their 500-year-old secret.

Enjoy Tuaca as a straight shot or a slammer; try it in your coffee or savour it on the rocks as an after dinner drink. It's also the barman's dream, as Tuaca provides a distinct foundation for a comprehensive range of cocktails - Ideal for re-vamping traditional old favourites - -and perfect for creating his own signature drinks.

Apple Crumble:
50ml Tuaca
100ml apple juice
25ml lemon juice
tsp brown sugar
good shake of cinnamon

Shake all the ingredients with ice, and pour over fresh ice. Alternatively heat as an alternative to mulled wine. Delicious.
Tuaca UK

Monday, August 13, 2007

Bespoke Shoes

Would madame like the platfrom wedge in bordeaux snakeskin with the gold lining? Or how about lychee suede stilettos? At Selve, you can pick a design, then add your heels and colour choices.

You'll need to visit the shop at 93 Jermyn Street, London SWI to get a foot scan, then you can browse at your leisure on their website:
Selve

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Morpheus

Lighting company Morpheus has created what is possibly the ultimate in moodlighting.

Its ambient lighting pod is a plug-in LED that produces visual effects that, until now, were seen only on dance floors. The pod, which generates millions of different colours, can alter the ambience of a room by projecting coloured light, either as "spots" or as a "wall wash".

The pod costs £84.99 from
Morpheus

or for stockists call +441252851580

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Best Trainers In The World

I'd first read about these trainers many years ago. I liked the sound of them, but not the price.

Over the years I've had to visit an oesteopath due to postural back pains (too much time sat at my work desk not moving enough), and when I've sat in cramped conditions (theatre, train or plane) knee pains.

So finally I decided it was time to give them a try. And I have to say I've never looked back. I love them, they are just so comfortable. I even rushed out to buy a pair of their sandals before our belated honeymoon, so I could walk in comfort.

We walked for first 10 days of our 3 week holiday, for up to 4 or 5 hours a day, and I had no rubbing, no blisters, just very comfy feet. And amazingly no back or knee problems, even after 6 flights. It's actually quite hard not to walk straight in these, as you simply are suddenly aware you're uncomfortable, so your back staightens and your off again.

Word of warning you need to get measured properly for them, as your shoe size may vary, I'm a UK 6, but a UK 5.5 in MBT land.

I really would give these a
10/10 even if on the expensive side, they're amazing. Also I've had people stop me in the street and ask me about them. They have some new colours/styles : Voi White and Boast Rose

You can find MBT's from £135 through their website:
MBT UK
MBT USA

Friday, August 10, 2007

Eden Rock St Barths'

Again I found this gem in the Evening Standard newspaper.

St Barthelemy is widely regarded as the St Tropez of the Caribbean, with fantastic French food, great beaches and oodles of glamour.

Eden Rock evolved from an imaginatively sited house built fifty years ago by Remy DeHaenen, a celebrated local adventurer

In 1995, the property was bought by an English couple, David & Jane Matthews, who intended, initially, to use it as a holiday home. However, a small bar was operating ... which was kept running ... one thing followed another ... and five years later Eden Rock Hotel was invited to join the prestigeous Relais & Chateaux group of distinguished hotels.


St Barth Eden Rock Hotel


Fly to Antigua, then inter-island with Carib Aviation.
Book Flights through:
Travelbag
Ebookers
Expedia


Best time to visit November - April. However out of season March - August you'll get cheaper deals, with only occassional short, sharp showers.

Buy the best Carribean book through:
Penguin


Thursday, August 09, 2007

Beautiful Gardens

Several years ago we finally after 6 years of ignoring it was there, realised we had a beautiful garden we never used. Why did we never realise? Because it was overgrown with large bushes. We spent a whole weekend clearing some of the worst offenders, a total of 30 bags of garden rubbish later, and it's beauty was finally beginning to shine.

We found a brilliant place to buy our plants online, and they delivered too. A couple of days later our plants arrived, and a full year later our garden is blossoming, and is a beautiful, tranquil place to spend time in. You'd hardly believe we're right in the centre of London.

The website we used was :
Crocus

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Wallpaper

Rachel Kelly does the most amazing bespoke wallpaper and stickers.

Revolutionising contemporary wallpaper design, Rachel Kelly's award winning bespoke products for the interior design trade, including interactive wallpapers and stickers, launches to the general public.

New Shoes, a stunning machine print wallpaper, is a flirtatious and whimsical design based on the designer's bespoke work, originally commissioned by the sponsors of cult TV series, Sex & the City. Bringing fun and sensuality to the forefront of wallpaper design, Rachel's work is both immediate and fashionable, yet retaining a subtlety and femininity throughout.

Featuring Rachel's delicate illustrations of designer high-heeled shoes, which overlay a background pattern of iris flower silhouettes and polka dots, the design comes in three colourways, Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda. To accompany New Shoes wallpaper, Rachel has designed a range of stickers and transfer sets, allowing customers to interact with the wallpaper.


Rachel Kelly

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

A couple more of the baths I love



A couple more cool bath designs.

The first is by William Garvey showing his Helio design.

Helio baths are extraordinary pieces of timber engineering. Always made to individual order, each one is unique, made precisely to your specification. The Helio basin is complementary in shape. It can be used on its own or, if it is incorporated into a wash stand we call it a Fusion basin.



Helio circular teak baths



The second is Boffi's Po bath by Claudio Silvestrin available at:




Po Bath

Monday, August 06, 2007

Wooden Baths



I spotted a lovely dark wooden chocolate brown bath in an Elle Decoration magazine years ago. I promised myself, and my hubby agreed, that when we finally have a house of our own I can have one.

They keep in the heat, are nice and comfortable, and look absolutely amazing.

Led by the international design and fashion community, a growing number of people are adding souls to their bathrooms with driftwood wooden baths. Our small group of talented professionals handcraft a limited number of exclusive baths, sinks and shower enclosures for some of the finest homes around the world.

The patented creations are for life: high tech coatings protect the wood from moisture, heat and uv damage. Best of all, the wipe-clean surfaces require no special maintainance or care. Please browse our site to discover some of the things that make our wooden baths so wonderful.

"You wouldn't accept a clinical white table in your dining room so why accept a clinical white bath in your bathroom. A driftwood wooden bath is both functional and beautiful and forms the natural backdrop for a relaxing bath." (Finbarr Duggan: driftwood designer)

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Acapulco

Web searching for a cool UK country house venue, I managed to stumble across this amazing place in Mexico - Acapulco (yes I know I don't quite know how I ended up finding it either).

I will keep an eye on it as a possible future venue.



Acapulco

Punta Diamante villa for rent - 12,457 square feet, 4 air conditioned bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, Sleeps 12, Fully Staffed with Maid, Cook, Gardener, Pool Service, 24 Hour Secure gated community, access to private beach.

Exclusive villa rental! Breathtaking villa for rent. From the pristine beaches to world class dining, enjoy all that Villa Toscana in Acapulco has to offer.

Strategically located cliffside in it’s exclusive neighborhood of Punta Diamante, this luxurious villa rental receives refreshing ocean breezes and overlooks many of Acapulco’s finer resorts.
The definition of indulgence, this exclusive vacation home lacks nothing in luxurious amenities.

With an elaborate pool and sun deck area, guest will be certain to enjoy a relaxing stay.

A work of architectural excellence, this villa for rent has an abundance of terraces, breezeways and the highest quality of fixtures and extras.

To book your flights go to :
Travelbag
Ebookers
Expedia

Suggest anyone planning a visit to Mexico check out the following book by :
Dorling Kindersley



Saturday, August 04, 2007

Lavendar Salts (San Francisco)

Whilst on our belated honeymoon, we came across the best smelling and tasty addition to any kitchen - lavendar salt. It was down on a Saturday at the SF Farmers Market at the Ferry Building. We ended up buying a jar to take back to London.

It's so yummy, and delicious. Haven't tried it on meat yet, but am looking forward to trying it.

Check out the details from their company website

Lavender and Rosemary Sea Salts

It is easy to wonder what to do with this unique seasoning, but once used you may find it is more useful than unusual, more tasty than tricky, and as versatile as the flower that seasons it. It is made from our dried lavender flowers and French Grey Sea Salt. We also make a salt made from Rosemary and grey sea salt.

A flavor for meat:
Lavender Salt is a delicious accompaniment to most meats. Lamb, chicken, and beef (recently tested at a Farmer's Market event) are well started with a lavender salt rub or finished with a sprinkle. One chef we know likes to use a small pinch of lavender salt on a 1/4 pound salmon steak before cooking.
In any case keep it on your table:
You never know when you are going to need a little salt on your stir fry, in your winter soup, or to help out your morning eggs. Avocado also does well with a little crushed garlic and lavender salt, as do tomatoes. Salad greens love the kiss of this high mineral salt and hearty floral herb.

For cooking with:
If it would taste good with rosemary, it is probably good with lavender salt. Potatoes roast to perfection when lightly coated with olive oil and sprinkled with a layer of lavender salt in a roasting pan. At 375 degrees, I just leave the salt on top until about 30 minutes into the cooking, at which point I stir then roast until they melt in my mouth (about 1 hour total).

Not just for the kitchen:
When you are tired of using it for your cooking, why not make a relaxing, soothing bath to ease any and all stresses. It is a good idea to make sure you have more on hand since a bath may use up a lot of your jar, depending on how strong you make your bath. Try a couple tablespoons to start.

Make the miscellaneous magnificent:
Garlic bread, popcorn, pesto, ratatouille, jambalaya, and putanesco sauce (and maybe even the rim of a margarita glass when ground smaller with mortar and pestle) taste great with lavender salt, while omelet's, casseroles, and sandwiches become provincial treats.
If you ever get tired of Lavender Salt, which is hard to imagine, we also have Rosemary Salt. Both of them are $5 a jar and a great gift

Lavendar Farm

Suggest anyone planning a visit to San Francisco check out the following books by :
Dorling Kindersley

For flights & hotels:
Travelbag
Ebookers
Expedia





Friday, August 03, 2007

Blythe

Whilst on holiday in Vancouver - we came across the cutest little notebook in the world. It's called Hello Blythe. It's a lenticular cover (meaning it moves). Blythe eyes close and also go side to side changing colour from bright blue to bright green.

I've tracked the background to this little cute doll - and she's got a rather large cult following. You can now buy greeting cards showing Blythe in many disguises.



Manufactured by Kenner in 1972, the original Blythe was designed by Marvin Glass & Associates, one of the world's foremost toy design studios. When the Toy Industry Hall of Fame was established in 1984, Marvin Glass was in the first group inducted (which coincidently also included Merrrill L. Hassenfeld of Hasbro, Inc.), ten years after his death. Kenner was bought out by Tonka Toys, which in turn was bought out by Hasbro in the mid-1980s. And that is how Hasbro has come to own the Blythe property.

In 1972, children found the large eyes that changed from green to pink to blue to orange with the pull of the drawstring at the back of Blythe's head a bit on the scary side. Blythe was produced for only one year, but it is now apparent that she was ahead of her time. For many years, Blythe was a curiosity that only doll collectors were interested in. Then in 1997, a friend introduced Gina Garan to Blythe, thinking that Gina looked like the doll. Gina had just been given an old camera and she needed to test it. Her first photos using that camera were of Blythe. Gina, who works as a video and TV producer, started carrying at least one of her Blythes wherever she went on her travels around the world and took many photos.

In December 1999, at the opening of an exhibition for the CWC International artists in Soho, New York, Gina showed her photos to Junko Wong. Junko took these photos to Parco and made a presentation for an exhibition and as a "virtual model" for Parco's innovative sales promotions. In the summer of 2000,
This is Blythe, photos by Gina Garan, was published by Chronicle Books. The Christmas 2000 Parco campaign featured Blythe in a TV commercial and print media and Blythe took off in Japan. On eBay, vintage Blythes jumped in price from $35 to $350. Blythe continued as Parco's "image girl" through the spring and into the summer of 2001. The price for vintage Blythes jumped to thousands of dollars U.S. on eBay. Even the Neo-Blythes are sold for up to four times their retail price on the Yahoo auction site in Japan.

In June 2001, the first of the Neo-Blythes - produced by CWC and manufactured by Takara - went on the market. The launch of the neo-Blythes was in conjunction with a photo exhibition by Gina Garan. Gina made the trip from New York for the launch and exhibition.

The Parco Limited Edition (1000 dolls), sold out in less than an hour, was followed by the Mondrian, and then Rosie Red, Holly Wood, All Gold In One, Kozy Kape Inspired, Aztec Arrival Inspired, Sunday Best, and in conjunction with the first year anniversary of the neo-Blythes in Japan, Miss Anniversary Blythe. The first year anniversary was marked by a series of Blythe events in Tokyo, which included an exhibition and charity fashion show at the Spiral Hall in Aoyama and exhibitions at the Rocket and CWC Galleries, and at IMS in Fukuoka, Kyushu. The exhibition featured photos by Gina Garan and dolls styled by artists, fashion designers, and Blythe fans. The fashion show featured couture for Blythe by such internationally known designers as: Issey Miyake, Chisato Tsumori, and Hysteric Glamour.

Since the June 2002 events, Blythe dolls feature the "excellent body." Bohemian Beat went on sale on July 31. Asian Butterfly and Piccadilly Dolly followed in early autumn, 2002 with Skate Date and Rouge Noir at the end of 2002. Dolls in 2003 include Cinnamon Girl, Excellent Hollywood, Bohemian Beats Again, Tea For Two, Disco Boogie, Cherry Berry, and Love Mission (Kuen Kuen), Courtney Tez by Nike, Fruits Punch.

On December 20, 2003 Superior Skate and Very Inspired by Pow Wow Poncho debuted out at the Blythe Cool Mod exhibition at Printemps Department Store in Ginza. These two dolls were the first "Superior Blythe" dolls made from a new mold which is based on a 3-D laser scan of a vintage Blythe. All the Blythe dolls after Superior Skate are the "superior" dolls. In January 2004, Velvet Minuet and Silver Snow were released, and in March: I Love You, It's True, and Sunday's Very Best. In April , Over the Stripes Happy Everyday, a limited edition of 3000 was sold by lottery. Lounging Lovely came out in May. The 3rd Anniversary Blythe, Art Attack, a limited edition of 2004 dolls, was featured at Spiral Hall sold to lottery winners. Paradis by Mono Comme Ca, another limited edition of 3000, was also sold by lottery in June with French Trench a Blythe Shop exclusive. The dolls for the rest of the summer include: Blue Bird Basics, Mademoiselle Rosebud, and Samedi Marché.
So far, thirty-seven different neo-Blythes and forty-eight petite Blythes produced from June 2001 to the summer of 2004.

this is blythe

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Agent Provocateur Accessory To Thrill

I read about this last year, and thought men what a cool little present for the woman in your life. Or girls for you to buy to surprise your man and add a little something extra........

Beauty Titillation £20




Titillation has been designed to hit all the right spots, creating excitement and enhancing arousal. The duo pack features a rich and fragrant Lip Plumper, alongside partner in crime, the Nipple Refresher. Both products form Titillation, taste, smell and feel irresistible, developed as an essential addition to your seduction ritual.

Available online

Agent Provocateur

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Shobha Hair Removal

When I was on my belated honeymoon and we were on our third stop New York. Before we flew to Antigua, I decided I needed my bikini and legs waxing. A little research on the internet and I came across Shobha. I booked into the Shobha Madison branch. There was a little confusion over my appointment, however I was rescheduled in immediately for the next day.

I wasn't quite prepared for the treatment or the service. There's no room for being shy - it's skirt and panties off. My amazing therapist Manju was brilliant. She explained what she was doing as well as why, as she went along. Why they used sugaring and the benefits. I have to admit sugaring is a hell of a lot less painful that normal waxing.

Bikini line

The electric trimmer came out first, to tidy up what wouldn't be waxed. Manju then waxed everything else, and I mean
everything else! She then used the threading technique to get rid of the smallest hairs. She applied lotion, then a cold cloth to reduce the redness and stop the pain. A cream was applied to help reduce any rash forming. All good so far. Shock horror she then handed me a mirror so I could inspect her handiwork. I have to say it did throw me a little, well actually a lot, as it wasn't really the hairdressers. But hey, in New York do what the New Yorkers do - lay back and go with the flow.

Legs

My legs were less painful and a hell of a lot quicker. The reason sugaring is used is that the sugar mixture only sticks to the hair not the skin, so so much kinder on the skin. No ripping of skin at all. No mirror this time, just lovely smooth legs.

I was so pleased I gave Manju the full 20% tip, and made the suggestion to the receptionist that Shobha looks at moving to London. If you read this Shobha, you'd be huge over here. Thanks for a lovely, if slightly painful treatment, and I've been telling everyone I know to visit you when they're next in New York.

The below is extracted from the Shobha website, which you'll find at the bottom of this page.

Philosophy

Based on the ancient philosophies of South Asian beauty, Shobha Tummala, Founder and Creative Director of Shobha, has created a luxuriously exotic and intimate environment where both women and men can indulge in the centuries-old methods of hair removal practiced in India.

Created to provide the most natural approach to beauty, the menu of services at Shobha SoHo and Shobha Madison include threading, sugaring and henna. Threading is an artistic technique used to painlessly remove facial hair and achieve a precise, defined eyebrow shape. For even the most sensitive of skin, sugaring is a gentler form of waxing for the body, achieved with Shobha’s exclusive gel made from sugar, water and fresh lemon juice.

Shobha continues the Ayurvedic beauty customs of South Asia with a range of signature lifestyle products dedicated to fulfilling a harmony between the body, mind and spirit. This unique line has been designed to incorporate India’s ancient beauty and well-being rituals into today’s modern lifestyle, including luxurious face and body products inspired by the botanical remedies of India, exotically rich aromatic candles, and traditional Masala Indian chais.

Shobha is renowned for its expert cosmetologists and knowledgeable customer service staff, all who have been trained specifically to ensure that clients receive the most impeccable and luxurious service possible.

Founder, Shobha Tummala

Summers in India taught Shobha Tummala, a Michigan-native, the secrets of South Asian beauty, including the centuries-old methods used for hair removal. Today, she is the Founder and Creative Director of Shobha, overseeing two salons where both men and women can indulge in the beauty traditions of her Indian heritage, right in the heart of Manhattan.

Spending summers with her grandmother in the city of Hyderabad, Shobha was immersed in India’s natural and spiritual beauty culture. "My grandmother made all my beauty products herself," says Shobha. "Hair conditioner was created from crushed hibiscus petals picked from a tree in our backyard; soap from a mixture of shaved sandalwood and lentils. Moisturizer was just the cream from fresh milk."

Upon returning to her grandmother’s each summer, she was scolded for not maintaining the traditional personal care she was taught between visits. "My grandmother could tell if I had been using store-bought products from the color and texture of my skin and hair—it was unbelievable!" says Shobha.

It is also in India where Shobha experienced the benefits of threading, the customary way to remove facial hair. The painless efficiency and precise definition that threading afforded made Shobha swear off wax, until she returned to the US and found there was no one in her area that threaded. Thus, the idea of Shobha was inspired.

In March of 2002, Shobha opened her flagship salon, Shobha SoHo. "I wanted to create an environment where both women and men could benefit from the beauty secrets I grew up with, in an exotic yet familiar ambiance that reflects my origins," says Shobha. In addition to threading, the salon also offers sugaring, an all-natural gel made from the fusion of melted sugar and lemon juice, which is used to remove hair from the body.

In October of 2003, Shobha opened Shobha Madison, to cater to her uptown clientele that had been traveling downtown to the SoHo location.

Shobha is dedicated to empowering women through employment and education, and is committed to various philanthropic organizations that support a range of women's causes.

Shobha Tummala is a graduate of Harvard Business School, with a Masters in Business Administration. She has also achieved a Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University.


Shobha Threading

Planning a trip to New York? Book your flights go to :
Travelbag
Ebookers
Expedia

Books from
Penguin or Dorling Kindersley