Are you on a bit of a health kick and getting grounded or itching to plan your next getaway? Whichever camp you currently sit in, we’ve got you covered.
This week, we’re spotlighting the Floating City’s chicest hotel, our favourite wellness products, and more. For the full rundown, scroll on.
BOOK THIS Aman Venice
Plotted in the historic district of San Polo, right on the edge of the Grand Canal, Aman Venice elegantly expresses the opulence of a bygone era. Formerly the Palazzo Papadopoli, the 16th-century grandiose building is bedecked with ‘Rococo works of art, offset by the contemporary restraint of Jean-Michel Gathy interiors’; in short, Aman Venice is the ultimate in fanciful stays. Sumptuous and sensuous, romantic and intimate, Aman Venice comprises of just 24 rooms – those looking to splurge for the weekend should book out the Alcova Tiepolo Suite. Complete with Murano glass chandeliers, theatrical frescoes, and gilded ceilings, it’s a real showstopper.
Venice is a city that keeps you on your toes, so taking a languid hour to enjoy breakfast in the palazzo’s wowing former ballroom, which overlooks the Grand Canal, is a wise choice. Plan your day’s route – the hotel is a stone’s throw from the Rialto Bridge, and approximately a 15-minute walk from St Mark’s Square – with a cappuccino and an almond croissant in hand. For adventures closer to home, indulge in some R&R at the invitingly intimate Aman Spa, which is tucked away on a third-floor mezzanine of the palazzo. Other hotel highlights include: private gardens (a rarity in Venice); The Bar at Aman Venice – a homage to Lord Byron, its cocktail menu echoes ‘the Lord’s eccentric character’ and also boasts the largest selection of gins in Venice; and a hidden jetty entrance for ease and privacy.
DRY BRUSH WITH THIS Body Brush Soft, Dr. Barbara Sturm
This January, we’ve made a pledge to be kinder to, and more conscious of, our bodies. With that in mind, we’ve decided to take up dry brushing as a recreational activity. Yep. Armed with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Body Brush, which is sized to fit in your hand, we’re ready to reinvigorate our skin. Note: we’ve opted for No. 1 Soft, which is gentler and more suitable for pressure-sensitive skin than No. 2 Medium – we are beginners after all. Exfoliating dead skin cells, boosting circulation, and stimulating the lymphatic system, body brushing is an easy and effective way to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Working it into your daily routine takes very little effort – five minutes is all you need. To get started, simply slip your hand through the strap of your Dr. Sturm brush and move in slow upwards strokes, ensuring movement is always directed towards the heart.
WATCH THIS The Tragedy of Macbeth, Apple TV+
Directed by Joel Coen, this ‘bold and fierce adaptation’ of Shakespeare’s Macbeth stars Hollywood A-listers Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Shot beautifully in black and white, this ‘tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning’ traces a Scottish lord’s rise to become the next king of Scotland (a happening he is convinced of by a trio of witches) and his ambitious wife’s unflinching support in his endeavours. The Tragedy of Macbeth is currently screening in cinemas and comes to Apple TV+ this Friday.
TRY THIS cyKO
cyKO is a brand new spinning concept launching 12 January 2022 at Chelsea’s iconic nightclub, Raffles. Transforming the nightclub space into a spin studio, fitness-goers will be offered the ultimate spinning experience – a high-intensity, 45-minute class fortified by Raffles’ famous strobe lighting and intense laser beams. Elevate your ride with cyKO’s high-tech Keiser M3i bikes, which are designed to feel more like the real deal than other studio bikes. The sessions will provide a heart-pumping, adrenaline-inducing ride; leave class with a serious endorphin hit, feeling motivated, empowered, and strong.
WEAR THESE Black Velvet Leggings, Spanx
A great alternative to a more structured trouser, consider these your new go-to black pants. Whilst not exactly workout appropriate, they can be worn just about anywhere else. We like them best for evening looks, but these natty leggings can be dressed up or down. Their contoured Power Waistband, which offers tummy shaping and general sculpting/smoothing, makes them a must-have wardrobe item – after road testing a pair ourselves, we can confirm feeling lifted and all together limby. If these weren’t already on your radar, all we can say is: you’re welcome!
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