HARRIET – For Agua-ired taste

As mornings generally do, this one started with good intentions. I had intended to arrive on time to The Sanderson Hotel; I hadn’t intended to fall madly in love with my 84 year old cab driver (one of those proper East-End old boys who tell you their misses is the most important woman after their mum and raucous stories given in high doses). I get side-tracked easily, as I am now, and so did the cabbie.  Running straight to the lift, simultaneously Swarovski crystals off the floor that were raining from my shoes, I heard the PING! and walked in.

Fell in.

I fell through the lift doors like one would if the lift had no bottom to it. You know when you miss a step running down the stairs and for a split second you see your whole life in front of you, have a minor heart attack all the while thinking;  “how the fuck am I going to make this look like I did it on purpose”? All of those emotions and more sped through me when greeted by the holographic galaxy lift.

 I know it sounds like I’m over-reacting; Of course I am! It’s a lift! But that momentary feeling of elated madness followed me till the moment I lay down on the heated waterbed. Awe, I think one is supposed to call it.

SO the lift doors open, I’m greeted by blinding white. White silk and whispering voices. A labyrinth of 50 foot ivory silk curtains hang from the ceilings, creating a purified version of a clear mind. Heaven? No thanks.  Far more exciting, more like divine intervention. The interiors were of the “ I can definitely cross my legs and have my feet on the sofa” vibe, all the while you know your being submerged in sumptuousness by The Sanderson. The aesthetic, I’m told, has not been changed in 13 years since it’s opening, merely touched up and restored.

Introducing…

The Agua Spa At The Sanderson. “Brainchild of Norona Schrager and Leila Fazel” , both former dancers. It’s described by the hotel as an “urban spa” designed by long term collaborator of Ian Schrager, Mr Phillipe Starck. Phillipe being the  orchestrator of the marble mosaic floors and luminescent maze.

           

There was even a point, after being shown where my dressing room was (art deco mirrored lockers, powder table , large armchair) , that my hat, yes my hat was offered it own room and taken away.

 Hats off to that.

 My facial begins with a consultation, after which hot paraffin liquid was brushed onto my skin, forming a kind of warm, waxy peel mask. After which, and I swear I slightly envied my therapist at this point, I was “extracted”. In crude terms that be spot picking. Can you imagine how satisfying that was?

 My skin was, and a week later, still is reflecting light (almost).  Tranquillity in the bustle of my darling, grey London does not come better than this…(and I haven’t even touched on the food!)

Harriet visited agua Spa at Sanderson for The Eve Lom Ultimate Cleanse.

agua Spa at Sanderson
1st Floor, 50 Berners Street
London W1T 3NG
PHONE: +44 0 20 7300 1417
http://www.sandersonlondon.com

SAMI – Matilda the Musical!

Last week, I has the pleasure of having family stay from abroad. I took them to see the new(ish) musical ‘Matilda’, with Music and Lyrics by Antipodean stand up comic Tim Minchin, and book by Dennis Kelly, based on the book by Roald Dahl of the same name.I’ve read so many wonderful things written about the show, and I had been looking forward to seeing it for some time, and it was truly wonderful. The whole of the Cambridge theatre has the air of the children’s section at your local library, even the ushers seem to be extra specially friendly for this production. The set was gloriously framed in blues, and giant scrabble letters spelling out some of the words one assumes Miss. Honey was teaching at school that day. 

If you’ve seen the film, don’t expect a copycat. This production is much more loyal to the original Roald Dahl book. Produced by the RSC, I don’t think i’d have expected anything less. The cast were all magnificent, with special mention going to all the children, I found myself many times thinking, “Where on earth did they find these wonderful kids!” they really brought the whole show to life. Another special mention must go to David Leonard, who made every second on stage count in his portrayal of meanie Miss Trunchbull. Having to follow in the rather large, (and now broadway treading) footsteps of Bertie Carvel he really takes this role, and makes it his own, Or should I say her own. 

                  

The score for the show is astoundingly good, I’m an on/off fan of Tim Minchin’s standup, and really think a lot of his ‘ditties’ are hit or miss, but for this he’s really pulled out all the stops, and each song gets an A+ from me. So good in fact, as soon as I got home, I downloaded the soundtrack, to add to my burgeoning collection!I would recommend seeing this at any age, the jokes are appropriate and funny for old and young alike, and without sounding too cliché it really is a feel good show. Take your Mum, take your kids, or take your hard to please boyfriend, but please, take someone and go!

SAMI – Amelia Lily, Shut Up (and give me…) ‘How to’

With the release of the lovely Amelia Lily’s second single ‘Shut Up (and give me whatever you’ve got)’ I’ve decided to give you a special ‘How to’ treat for the hair in the music video.

For this video we had two looks, one that was a bit more wet look, and the second a little softer…also you may notice pinker!

So first the wet look;

I gave Amelia’s hair a really good wash and condition with the Urban Antidotes ‘Resurrection’ range, (the ones in the red bottles!) it’s really perfect if you colour your hair, or like to style it a lot, as it’s very nourishing.

I half dried her hair, and applied some Bedhead Sculpting Liquid from the mid lengths to the tips, and then added on top of this some Bedhead Foxy Curls mousse from the roots all the way through.

Using a wide toothed comb, I combed the products through and positioned her parting to one side. Next using my hairdryer, and diffuser I dried the hair, paying attention to the shape I was making. It’s quite a slow way to dry hair, as the air should be quite cool, but this means you’ve got plenty of time to shape your hair to exactly how you want it to look. Smooth the hair in your fingers as you go, and don’t worry that your hair separates into strands, that’s the wet look you’re after! I find swishing the hair about while drying, getting some air, and volume into it is a good tip also.

 

For the second look, I wanted to take advantage of the product i’d already worked into Amelia’s hair, so I simply brushed it out with a soft bristle brush, starting at  the ends and working my way up. We added a small amount of colour here too using a spray in, wash out pink hair powder. You can find a similar pink (or any colour) hairspray at Boots, I find the best way to use it, is to spray it onto the bristles of your brush, and brush it onto the dry hair, instant colour flash, or allover mini colourchange!

I finished the look off using a wide barrelled tong, grabbing sections, and twisting them round to make it a bit more glam. Try and make all the sections go in different directions to create Amelia’s signature tousled look. Finish off with Bedhead Masterpiece hairspray to hold the style, and add a little shine…and don’t forget to buy a copy of Amelia’s new single!!!

STEVIE:”Sagra” – Italian inspired restaurant and bar ‘pops up’ in Hackney

Often in January people suffer with blues and wade through doldrums of solitude, mourning the celebration and company offered prior to and over Christmas.

Sagra, in Italian means a joyful local feast, one which has seasonal ingredients at its heart. What better name then to give a Italian inspired pop-up restaurant and bar in Hackney Central which promises to bring joy and company during the bleak month of January.

Sagra, which opens for three nights from this Thursday (24th January) through to Saturday, is the brainchild of Rebecca Oliver (ex Moro), Tom Trubshaw (St John) and Nat Boon (ex Zucca), all of whom first met six years ago at Italian restaurant Acorn House in Kings Cross.

In the restaurant, an Italian inspired 4 course menu is also accompanied by a collaboration with Rebel Rebel florists from nearby Broadway Market who set the seasonal scene on candlelit feasting tables. Next door the bar is stocked by Johnson & Bell as well as a full bar menu on offer for those unable to obtain a table in the main restaurant. Booking is not required for the bar so arriving early is recommended. The bar is open to all from 6pm to midnight serving antipasti, bar food and a wide array of aperitivos, digestivos and classic cocktails.

Hosted by new food events company ’86’, SAGRA can be found at 18 Belsham Street, E9 6NG from 24th-26th January 2013. The restaurant menu will be announced on the day.

For more details, follow @SagraLondon on Twitter or visit hosts 86 website at http://www.eightysix.info/

Written by Stephen Kelly

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Stevie_Style”