‘Luxe’ on the bright side. Whilst staying grounded might be our only option for now, there’s plenty of ways to spoil yourself in lockdown this week – after all, a little self-care goes a long way.
From rejuvenating face serums to de-stressing sessions and naughty meet nice nibbles, pass the time with one of these therapeutic treats
1 Snack on this: Booja Booja’s Almond Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles
Sin-free snaffles await. Booja Booja is the foreword in dairy-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free and soya-free luxury and they’ve done it again with their organic Almond Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles.
Handcrafted using organic and vegan ingredients, including the finest cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, these multi-award-winning truffles are sweet, rich, chewy and gooey. Be warned – one is never enough.
Cost: £6.95, 92g. Purchase via www.harveynichols.com
2 Apply this: Maxerum facial serum
No spa, no problem. Give your skin a boost with Maxerum™, the vegan-friendly collagen-boosting facial serum formulated by the ‘Queen of Collagen’ herself Maxine Laceby. The serum is made up of a unique combination of natural and active ingredients including the plant-derived retinol alternative bakuchiol, and clinically proven skincare essentials. Dewy, glowing skin is just a few droplets away.
Cost: RRP £26.99, purchase via absolutecollagen.com.
3 Order this: COYA Mayfair’s Taco & Tequilla Tuesday menu
Things are heating up, especially on Tuesdays. COYA Mayfair are adding some Latin American spirit to lockdown 2.0 with the new Taco & Tequilla Tuesday menu, available every Tuesday for the ultimate at home aperitivos for two.
Available for delivery or collection, the menu includes a selection of COYA’s favourite tacos including the Tacos de Atún with tuna, green beans and wasabi; Taco de Salmón, salmon, avocado, aji amarillo; Taco de Remolacia,heritage beetroot, ponzu, wakame, lime and Tacos de Hiramasa Hinojo withkingfish, fennel, tomatoes, jalapeño, horseradish. The Fourth taco filling will change weekly!
Alongside the Tacos will be four ready-to-drink Claro Margarita’s, made with Reposado tequila, agave, jalapeño & vanilla – perfect for a sip of South America.
When: Available every Tuesday from 12pm until 9.30pm, delivery or collection via email reservations team, or Deliveroo, Supper and UberEats.
Cost: £40 which includes eight crispy corn tacos with four delicious fillings and four ready-to-drink Tequilla cocktails.
4 Wear this: Desmond and Dempsey pyjama set
If you’re going to wear pyjamas all day, you might as well do so in style. Although this pyjama set is Desmond and Dempsey’s most-fitted style, the elasticated trousers boast enough space to be worn on the hips or up high on your waist. Plenty of wiggle (or dancing around the living room) room. The gorgeous lion motifs are just the silky icing on top.
Cost: £120, purchase via www.selfridges.com
5 Treat yourself to this: The Gingerbread Doughman
2020 has been a tough one, so Doughnut Time UK have combined two of childhood’s greatest treasures – just in time for the festive season. Toss the diet out of the window and treat yourself to The Gingerbread Doughman, an adorable new product is made using Doughnut Time’s classic flour blend, proved and shaped into gingerbread men, piped with Biscoff Spread and dipped in an festive ginger caramel glaze.
Doughnut Time have partnered with ethically sourced, oil and palm free chocolate brand, With buttons made from Doisy & Dam, it’s entirely void of animal products, making it the very first Vegan Gingerbread Doughman available in the UK.
Choose from the Doughman 6-Pack or a Gingerbread Doughman Do-It-Yourself Home Kit for the home decorators. Plus, for those who can’t get enough of the holiday spirit, the Christmas Collection also features a 6-Pack comprised of festive flavours; toffee shortbread, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Malteser Reindeer and a snowflake doughnut inspired by the hit movie ‘Frozen.’
Cost: Prices from £24. Order via doughnuttime.co.uk/collections/christmas. All shipping free of charge, with next day nationwide delivery to addresses in England, Wales and mainland Scotland.
6 Pull on this: All Saints’ Amphia removable-sleeves cotton-jersey hoody
Slouchy meets stylish with this made-for-lounging hoody. Curl up with a book or your latest Netflix addiction – this marvellously relaxed silhouette has a way of turning the nonchalant levels up to 11. And then there’s the fact that the sleeves are removable for a dose of added comfort.
Cost: £90.00, purchase via www.selfridges.com
7 Drink this: Knoops’ Hot Chocolate Flakes
You can’t pour from an empty cup, after all. Knoops, the artisan chocolate specialists, sell a range of their chocolate flakes online, providing ultimate hot chocolate at home. Select from milk 34%, white 28%, single origin 65% dark and even ruby for a spot of pink-hued comfort. There’s also plenty of vegan options, with all flakes 54% and above completely dairy-free.
Cost: Prices from £8.95. Purchase via knoops.co.uk/collections/chocolate.
8 Dream of this: Coach’s Tabby leather shoulder bag
Give yourself something to look forward to with this beautiful shoulder bag from Coach. Ideal for post-lockdown coffee dates, city strolls and simple adventures, its minimalist look is worth waiting for. The logo steals the show, of course, but the pebbled leather can’t help but make a striking impression.
Cost: £395.00, purchase via uk.coach.com.
9 Workout with this: Core Collective’s CCTV
Get a sweat on with Core Collective’s on-demand fitness video service ‘CCTV’. The luxury fitness studio’s service is available to stream anytime, anywhere and encompasses the entire Core Collective offering including Sweat, Train, Strength, Pilates, Yoga and Bodyweight workouts.
The on-demand workout platform is currently available in six different categories with a range of durations between 5 and 45 minutes. Users can also participate in live- streamed gym classes, from Cycle and Strength to Sculpt and Yoga, helping you work out to an array of fresh and varied workouts live from the comfort of your living room.
Monthly subscriptions allow users unlimited access to both on-demand and daily live classes taught by Core Collective’s expert trainers. All on demand videos include two participants to demonstrate options for beginners through to advanced gym-users and are filmed in Core Collective’s luxurious studios, allowing participants to experience the inspiring aesthetic that is embedded in Core Collective’s DNA.
How: CCTV is available now on Core Collective’s website and will be compatible with all phone and laptop devices.
Cost: The service is available as a pay-as-you-go monthly subscription of £10 p/m which will include unlimited access to on demand and live streamed classes. A rate of £90.00 p/y is available for annual subscriptions and includes unlimited access to on demand and live streamed classes. Purchase via www.core-collective.co.uk.
10 Sip on this: Mother Root Ginger Switchel
With mindful drinking on the rise, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is a sophisticated, award-winning aperitif that’s secretly good for you.
100% all-natural, this non-alcoholic aperitif is made with four key ingredients – a maceration of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, Organic apple cider vinegar and a hint of chilli, making it ideal for those who love revitalising drinks with a kick.
Originally born in a kitchen in Peckham, Mother Root Ginger Switchel was made in small batches with care by founder and drinks specialist Bethan Higson. Since its inception, Mother Root has gone from strength to strength as people discover – and fall in love with – its unique and complex flavour profile. Once you try it, this aperitif-style spritz is set to become your favourite new downtime ritual!
An uplifting and flavourful alternative to alcoholic beverages, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is best enjoyed as a pre-dinner aperitif. Serve over ice with sparkling water or a light tonic, add a slice of orange and a fragrant sprig of rosemary, and you have everything you need for a refreshing drinking experience in lockdown.
Cost; Mother Root is available at www.motheroot.london.com and from quality independent retailers nationwide. Priced from £19.00 (480ml- 20 serves) or £8.90 (120ml – 5 serves).
Compiled by Sophie Ritchie
