The Arch London strikes again!  Not content with single-handedly positioning grandma’s favourite treat, the éclair, on a similar footing with every fashionista’s favourite, the cupcake, Austrian Pastry Chef, Thomas Fueher has gone one step further and embarked on a rather timely collaboration with fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. 

Yup, the new diffusion line available til the end of March features said patisserie items bedecked with images of Rhodes herself and of pieces from her new collection.

The mini bespoke éclairs are created using an intricate process of moulds from the fashion capital of Paris and state-of-the-art magnetic technology from Germany and Switzerland which transfers decorative prints and images onto the treats with edible ink.

At £2.50 a pop in the hotel’s decadent Martini Library, they’re a damn sight cheaper than anything else designed by their namesake and after one bite, are also pleasingly ephemeral.

For anyone who has ever claimed that they don’t understand the point of fashion as they can’t eat it – well we expect them to eat their words.  Or better still, eat cake…

www.thearchlondon.com

WHAT

ABSOLUT are giving consumers the chance to attend exclusive preview screenings of their 30 minute film ‘I’m Here’. Consumers will be invited to enjoy ABSOLUT drinks during the preview screening and afterwards at participating neighbouring bars.

ABSOLUT have collaborated with one of today’s most original filmmakers Spike Jonze, to illustrate the epithet of their new campaign, ‘In An ABSOLUT World, Ordinary Is No Place To Be’. The film will be launched nationwide this month, with a series of exclusive screenings in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

WHEN

The exciting week long programme of activity commencing on Monday 22nd February, will give consumers the chance to attend intimate screenings in ‘ordinary’ and ‘everyday’ locations ahead of the global online launch.

WHERE

These events will take place in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, building momentum over the course of the week to a bigger yet still unconventional screening. Seemingly ordinary venues and locations that consumers pass by on their daily commute, that also feature in some of the key moments of the film, such as libraries, car parks and cafés, will be turned into unconventional cinemas and bars.”

FILM’S STORY

Whilst honouring the creative history of ABSOLUT, the film embarks on a new and innovative alliance with Jonze. The result is a robot love story ‘In An ABSOLUT World’, set in LA and celebrates a life enriched by creativity.

As the epithet suggests, the film aims to challenge people’s ‘ordinary’, everyday perceptions by making ordinary life more interesting. It stars British actor Andrew Garfield (Boy A, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) and Sienna Guillory, (Love Actually).

SUCCESS SO FAR

The film has already proved to be a huge success after being selected to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 21st January this year, and will be screened at the influential Berlinale in mid-February.

THE CHANCE TO ATTEND

Access to the preview screenings is limited. For further information on screening locations, listings information and for the chance to attend please visit: http://www.absolut.co.uk/imhere

For those looking for skiing with a bit more glamour or more rest and recovery than physical exhaustion, the Gstaad Palace spa in Switzerland’s Gstaad is where you should be planting your ski poles.  The downstairs spa has not only eight treatment rooms but a private spa suite, relaxations areas, saunas, steam baths as well as both indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi pools and all overlooking long, stretching Swiss Alpine views.

While the saunas and steam rooms ease aching muscles, there are plenty of alternative hideaways simply for absolute quiet and relaxation, or the cozy lounge for reading with roaring fires, magazines, and refreshments.

There is a long list of classic treatments available, from facials to massages, but the treatment that entices everyone is the unique Hammam Experience which takes around two hours with seven different stages: be warned, book well in advance.

The ritual calming and soothing experience becomes addictive and there’s nothing beautiful than a private relaxation room or steam bath opposite the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps.

To book an appointment at the Gstaad Palace spa call +41 / (0)33 748 58 90

www.palace.ch/

My dry, dull, sensitive skin was crying out for an SOS.  I needed to act fast – no one gets very far with a face like that.

So where to start? I looked under the ultimate umbrella of luxury treatments at Urban Retreat Harrods, confident that something there could save my skin.

I wasn’t disappointed. After discussing my concerns with the extremely knowledgeable staff, it seemed that I really was in need of a ‘miracle’, in the form of the famous ‘Crème de la Mer’ facial.
My therapist, Nancy, came to my rescue and the facial was a truly luxurious experience. Urban Retreat Harrods has the only Crème de la Mer treatment room in the entire world and I felt incredibly privileged to be in it. The room has a state of the art fish tank and chakra balancing lights; a recipe for relaxation.

Now for ‘the science’ part. The crème de la crème of facials visibly acts to transform the appearance of the face and décolletage. Skin is massaged, softened and refined with a combination of sea quartz and pure diamond dust, preparing it to receive a pure concentration of the legendary Miracle BrothTM providing smoothing and anti-inflammatory properties. A generous application of Crème de la Mer seals in the facial’s vital benefits. Finally, a therapeutic hand massage takes you to the ultimate stage of relaxation, which focus’s on pressure points to encourage a sense of well-being. The end of the treatment is signalled by the sound of synchronised tuning forks, which rather reluctantly bring you back into the land of the living.

I left the magical room feeling relaxed but most importantly, my face looked and felt renewed. No longer dry and dull, my skin glowed and felt fantastically hydrated. It’s true what they say. Crème de la mer does work miracles but it also saves lives.

The Crème de la Mer facial includes after a thorough consultation:
Cleanse
Tone
Skin Analysis
Exfoliation
Mask
Face Massage
Miracle Broth Application
Hand and Arm Massage

www.urbanretreat.co.uk

From Casablanca to Slumdog Millionaire, there’s nowhere like a good old fashioned train station for romantic trysts and assignations – not to mention the odd wedding!

Yes, St Pancras Station has just applied for its own wedding license which is expected to be granted at the end of April.

So we reckon the timing of St Pancras Grand’s fabulously revamped Whisky and Oyster Bars is impeccable if not actually serendipitous.

Now boasting luxuriously soft sofas and a stunning whisky cabinet housing an impressive selection of drams, the Grand has also introduced a heavenly new cocktail list and the chic Oyster Bar is graced by a large and stylish poseur table, ideal for informal dining and large groups alike.

The venue can be booked for post wedding receptions before bride and groom hop aboard the Eurostar.

But those left behind can call upon the services of the Grand’s resident tour guide, Royden Stock who is available for guided tours of the station packaged with events or dining experiences.

St Pancras Grand Restaurant, Oyster &Champagne Bar, Upper  Concourse, 0207 870 9900