STRAWBERRY HILL, JAMAICA

It's that time of year again! Christmas on my paradise island.

After months of being away from home I took two flights and I'm here, and now I don't want to leave. 

The past few days have been a whirlwind of family, parties, reggae music, sun and rum.

Strawberry Hill Hotel is a magical space perched high up the Blue Mountains above Kingston. This hotel has a really interesting history and is currently owned by Chris Blackwell - founder of the Island Records label. 

Blackwell is the music industry icon that released Bob Marley & the Wailers first album "Catch A Fire". According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to which Blackwell was inducted in 2001, he is the single person most responsible for turning the world on to reggae music. 

Strawberry Hill has been a haven for musicians, artists and creatives from Bob Marley and Grace Jones to U2 and The Rolling Stones. 



The roads up the mountain are windy and have pot holes galore. It's a pretty intense drive if you're not used to it. As you climb up from Kingston the air gets very cool and the vegetation changes from tropical palm trees to rainforest firs and bamboo.

We drove up in the afternoon to have Jamaica's world famous Blue Mountain coffee and watch the sunset.

The property was designed by one of Jamaica's most respected architects - Ann Hodges. 

There are several secluded villas, a restaurant and beautiful spa, amongst other luxuries. I have been up here for a yoga class on the pavilion in the photo below, over looking a vast green valley. After yoga the hotel provided brunch and cocktails or coffee. 

First day back on the rock and it was magical. My little piece of heaven, I missed you. 

FEELING FESTIVE IN THE BIG SMOKE

The lead up to Christmas is the best thing about winter.

I'm a summer girl and was not made for the cold. To me winter is just... awful. Long nights, freezing cold mornings, dry skin, self diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder aka drama kween.

But Christmas is the silver lining in the dark sky, and London is so beautiful at this time of year.

Its easy to be cheesy and write about Christmas Markets and Winter Wonderland etc. as the pinnacles of festivity in this city, but to be honest, I don't like fighting through crowds in some park in the dark all while freezing my *** off.

So this is a list of my top 5 things to keep your spirits high and happy in December.

Christmas Lights

London is a visual feast at this time of year. No matter if you're East or West there is always something to see.

Oxford Circus/Soho

If you are visiting London then it's worth facing the crowds to see these streets. 

photo from google.com/images

Duke of York Square

photo from google.com/images

Somerset House

photo from google.com/images

Natural History Museum

photo from google.com/images

A few restaurants transform their interiors into Wintery forests. You can have the experience of stepping through the wardrobe and into Narnia without the need for a big fur coat. Even if you go for just one cocktail or some small snacks its definitely worth taking a peak at these spaces. 

Hot Chocolate

Selfridges roof top

photo from google.com/images

The Dalloway Terrace

Winter Cocktails & Red wine 

Sketch

Claridges

CLardige's photos from last Christmas

Shopping

I don't mean shopping for just yourself, although I would be lying if I said I haven't bought myself a some treats this season - I mean presents for family and friends... Of course...

Comfort Food

I will be going to Jamaica in a few days, and in Jamaica every season is bikini season. So I haven't been able to exploit this one as much as I would like.

For those of you who will be wrapped up in warm, cozy layers until the sun comes out again next year - CARPE DIEM! Eat EAT EAT. (Just bare in mind you will have to burn it off next Spring, but we got plenty time till then)

Dirty Bones - if you're committed to this comfort-food-baggy-jumpers-with-leggings lifestyle you gotta get the Mac N Cheese Burger & truffle with Parmesan cheese loaded fries. You just gotta.

Flesh & Buns - Korean BBQ wings are it. My bf will order 2 plates of this plus a side and then want more wings again. 

Shoryu Ramen - Noodles, soup...chicken... sake...hungry just thinking about it

'Ochi Caribbean' Take away, Netflix, blanket & fluffy socks. Nuff said. 

All in all this post is about indulging! Because when its cold as **** and you're freezing your nuts off that's all you can really do!

ANOTHER_SPACE

Another gym post, but not just another gym. My new favourite!

Another_Space is located right in the heart of Covent Garden, less than 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station. I've recently read that this gym has won prizes for being London's "most beautiful gym".

No memberships or joining fees, just the way we like it. You buy credits and credits = classes. 

They provide everything you need for a hassle free workout - meaning there is an entire section called "Pack Light" on their website. If you work in the area, or want to have a quick workout before brunch and a day of shopping, there's nothing better than not having the carry a heavy ass backpack around London. 

I'm talking Cowshed shampoo and conditioners, body lotions and facial cleaners, deodorants, fresh workout towels waiting in the studio, fluffy white towels for showering and biodegradable towels for your hair, cycling cleats and boxing gloves... the works!

This studio operates as a one-stop-shop for HIIT training, cycling and hot & normal temperature yoga. Their HIIT classes combine boxing and interval training, and the cycling is a similar set up to Psycle London (although I do prefer Psycle classes for how they choreograph with the music). I haven't tried a yoga class yet because yoga is boring

The Trainers are fantastic, they're super organised and the classes and explosive and well timed to the music so you leave the studio feeling like you gave it your all. 

Plus, there are there is a cafe that supplies food from The Natural Kitchen and mix-and-match smoothies for the perfect refuel. (My favourite is this breakfast smoothie with oats, banana, almond milk and almond butter)

photos from www.google.com/images

sweaty but smiling

The facilities combined with the effort and skill of the Trainers make this place my current numero 1 - if you haven't checked it out already get off your ass and get to it! 

Have you tried HIIT boxing, spinning or hot yoga? 

What's your favourite place to work out in London? Any recommendations? 

Let me know in the comments below! 

x o x o 

Monaco Yacht Show 2016

I went to Monaco once with my family when I was about 17. I remember the winding road down the harbour, the same road where the beautiful Princess Grace met a fatal accident. It was sunny, quiet and clean, a sleepy sea side village. We went into the Monte Carlo Casino for a tour and strolled along the Marina admiring the yachts and taking photos next to the super cars like ultimate tourists.   

Fast forward only a few years (because I wasn’t 17 almost 10 years ago…. I swear) you can imagine how thrilled I was when my new job said we would all be going to the Monaco Yacht Show 2016.

Free trip to Monaco to be wined and dined on big ass boats - ummm...  YASSSSS!

Main Event

The Monaco Yacht Show is the biggest event for the world’s yachting industry leaders, crew and clientele. The exhibition displays things you and I wouldn’t even believe need to exist. This is where it all comes together, and where the people who seem to have it all come to find the things they don’t.

And who popped up again?! The yacht from my previous posts *it’s a small world after all* I swear the Chief Stewardess said to me “You’re wearing a lot more clothes than the first time we met!” I nearly died.

The most exquisite yacht we visited was M.Y. 11 11. This yacht belongs to Nick Candy and his wife. Nick Candy is the property designer and architect behind One Hyde Park. A penthouse in this particular building is rumoured to be the most expensive real estate in the world... So you can imagine what this guy's personal yacht is like. The place was UP UP UP - like I nearly cried from how amazing it was and how mind-blowing it is that people can actually live like this. 

Of course, no photos allowed. So photos courtesy of Benetti Yachts

Food Food Food

The best meal I had on the trip was at Beef Bar. It’s apparently one of the best places in Monaco to dine, especially if you’re a meat lover who likes to see and be seen. 

I'm not a huge meat eater so I stuck with sea food. Perfect as we were sat right next to the ocean. It was a superb dinner, good wine and the food was fresh and delicious. I even had truffle and Parmesan cheese mashed potatoes (gasp, indulgent much). I didn’t get any good photos of the food because it just felt SO weird photographing food with my work colleagues around!

Must tries

Lobster & caviar tacos

Classic French fries with truffle, Parmesan cheese & rosemary

Sea bass ceviche, tamarind & passion fruit

Wine - Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 2010 

The photos above are from http://monaco.beefbar.com/

Werk Tingz

The company I work for put on a presentation for about 40 yacht crew and captains that were attending the Yacht Show. 

We did a 4 course dining experience, each course the attendees swapped so everyone got some food. I won't go too much into it, but it involved a big production with a van with thousands of £ worth of product being driven from London to Monaco by two Jamaicans... blind folds...Phantom of the Opera masks... fake cocaine with sterling silver straws.. long list. 

photos from @Harlequinldn Instagram

I can't wait to go back, next time with more beach days and friends.

Maybe I'll see you next summer Monaco.

x o x o