After an exciting day at Smashbox studios last week, I've been taking it easy.
This week I caught up with a few Belfast ladies in LA. Charlotte Hughes and her friend Sarah popped down to LA after travelling around America for 3 weeks. I took them to a couple of tourist spots and then to Rodeo Drive, a real must in LA.
We could only afford to go window shopping but it kept us amused for a few hours. We were drooling over Chanel coats and lot of extravagant jewellery.
Looking for something more affordable we went to Abercrombie, to stock up on winter hoodies, on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, which is more popular than ever with the newly refurbished Santa Monica Place Mall.
It has a new Bloomingdales custom designed for Santa Monica Place and a locally inspired Nordstorm. We also found a Tiffany's, True Religion, Ed Hardy and even a lovely All Saints, which is really popular. Even if you are not in the mood to shop its worth having a look atall the visual arts that add to the fresh texture of Santa Monica Place.
I went to the opening evening of the action film 'Salt' and rocked up to the 14 screen Grove theatre which is also a stunning outdoor, 575,000 sq ft shopping mall with everything from Abercrombie and Fitch to Jimmy Choo - total girly heaven.
The first showing was sold out, so we had an hour to spend in the shops and walking around was great as it is a hot bed for the stereotypical LA types, great fun people watching.
In Nordstorm i met a man walking his CAT on a leash. Everyone dresses their dogs in LA and thats fine, in LA that's normal but walking a cat in a crowded area is a little nuts for me! They got so much attention from the public, maybe that's why. My cat Bella would hate it.
We then went to get a good seat in the cinema, to find out there was a queue outside as it was first come first served. When we walked outside and saw the back of the queue was about 100meters away, thankfully the theatre was massive and our seats were still pretty good.
Salt premiered at number 2 in the box office taking over $43.5 million. I have to admit, I loved the film and enjoyed Angelina Jolie playing a tough Russian spy with lots of action and a good twist that kept me on the edge of my seat. I'd defintely recommend it.
My biggest achievement this week has been learning to swim. I made 4 lengths on my own, Yeah!
When I younger I avoided the school's swimming lessons when possible. I hated everything about it from the smell of the chlorine to the wet changing rooms but as I grew older, this became my regret. So, my aim for the rest of my weeks here is to swim as many lengths as possible on my own - without the help of a lie-lo!
In Olympic Boulevard they have "Boot Camp H20". This 8 week training regime of intensive swimming water aerobics, water polo, cardio and modified plyrometrics apparently deliver results worth celebrating (thankfully, I'm not at this stage).
Each hour long group class starts on dry land with rigorous core strengthening and stretching. Followed by 40 nonstop minutes of group swims and individual drills, like multiple laps and rapid power kicks while you clench the pools edge. For all you swimmers out there, why don't you go to a pool near you and give this a try. www.bootcamph20.com
It's only rock 'n' roll, but we like it. Sugahfix has a new celebrity crush, and it's not a person - it's a hotel.
Cutting-edge design hotel K West, nestled in Shepherd's Bush, is our new shopping/cocktails/celeb-spotting home-from-home in London.
And we're not the only ones who love it - Cheryl Cole, Dizzee Rascal, Pixie Lott and The Saturdays have chosen to stay there too.
The chichi hotel is just a few minutes walk from the massive Westfield shopping centre, filled with high street names from All Saints to Zara, as well as designer brands including Prada and Sienna Miller's gorgeous Twenty 8 Twelve label.
And the Shepherd's Bush tube station (just a skip across the road from the hotel) brings you in a direct line to Oxford Circus, home of Topshop's flagship store, as well as Oxford Street, Regent Street and nearby Carnaby Street and Soho.
After a day's shopping, a girl needs pampering in the hotel spa. Fresh from a £2million spend, it features a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, dry flotation tank, experience showers, foot baths, an aromatic herbal steam room, plus seven beautifully-designed treatments rooms, offering holistic Ytsara, E'SPA and luxurious Germaine de Capuccini treatments.
The spa also boasts London's first 'Snow Paradise' - a Finnish-style experience in which you can freeze your way to good health in winter-white powder snow. For full health benefits, try a 'hot-cold' therapy by alternating between steamy and icy environments.
Come evening, when the lights go down in the ground floor K Lounge, it fills up with both locals from the neighbourhood (there's a BBC studio and indie TV production companies nearby) and hotel residents.
Sexy and super-chic (just like the guests) you can sit there with your bff or boyf and sip cocktails - Sugahfix loved the divine Apple Martini (vodka, apple schnapps, Midori and lime juice); the kick-ass Cosmopolitan and the scrummy Kahlua, Bailey's, vodka and Frangelico-filled Funky Bitch (we all know one!)
And make sure you pop in for a bite at the Kanteen restaurant, under Head Chef Sylvan Chevereau, whose menu features innovative modern British dishes for a cosmopolitan clientele.
Close to recording studios, record company offices and the Shepherd's Bush Empire, media and rock 'n' roll types (think edgy haircuts, cool jazz musicians and hot guys wandering around with guitars) are a permanent fixture at reception.
Take That cutie Mark Owen is another former guest, as is Moby, Kelly Osbourne and Pete Doherty.
Sugahfix loved the huge, comfy oversized double bed in our Executive guestroom, with its mod-cons (think DVD player, high-fi and flat screen TV), original artwork, iPod connection - for creating your own party playlist - and trendy bathroom with Philippe Starck fittings.
So cool (or should that be kool) is the hotel, guests can even book a 'Rock ‘n' Roll Package' and lay down their own track.
Courtesy of Wendyhouse Productions, which is just around the corner, you can work with the producers responsible for some of Kylie and Robbie's hits, take a tour of the studio then belt out a song, which, after some demo listening and tweaking, is burnt onto a CD for you to take home. You don't get that at the Holiday Inn!
*Prices start from £129 per room per night, and the K Suites are from £350 per night, excluding VAT. K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London W14 0AX. For reservations, call 020 8008 6600 or visit www.k-west.co.uk
*Spa packages include overnight accommodation and treatments. Spa day membership costs £25 for hotel guests.
*The Rock ‘n' Roll package costs £529 for two people and includes a 3-hour recording session, an overnight stay in an Executive room and a 'full English' breakfast (chucking a TV out of the window is NOT part of the package).
*Until the end of August the hotel is also running a Seriously Cool Shopping Break package for £79 per person (based on two sharing) - see website for details of all offers and packages.
Lucy in La La Land - week 5
Features
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 20:35
By Lucy Evangelista-McCullough.
Firstly, well done to Derry-Londonderry for winning the title of UK City of Culture 2013. I was glued to my laptop to find out. It's very exciting news.
Like most Sugah gals I love a sugar fix and Jelly Belly Beans are my favourite. Browsing through a gift shop to get out of the mid-day sun, I noticed a colourful wall display. On closer inspection it was 50 tubes full of every flavour of Jelly Beans. Heaven! The birth of the worlds most famous Jelly bean was born in Los Angeles, just next door to Hollywood. A Los Angeles candy distributor had an idea for a jelly bean made with natural flavourings. Creating "true-to-life" flavours with natural ingredients for flavouring whenever possible. In 1976 the first eight Jelly Belly flavours were born: Very Cherry, Cream Soda, Tangerine, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Liquorice. Today, Jelly Belly is the worlds number 1 gourmet jelly bean and now made in 50 amazing and tasty flavours. Just another reason to love LA.
This week has been very relaxing. For the 4th of July Celebrations, we spent two days at Oxnard Shores and watched an amazing firework display over the harbour.
It's a stunning community with beautiful beach homes on the ocean front. If you are a keen surfer or just a beach bunny, this is the place to be. Being a coastal town, Oxnard enjoys year round excellent weather. It really is the cutest town, from wooden shacks to stunning glass fronted homes.
It was great to see everyone bbqing on their front deck and having all the neighbours around while kids play on the beach. Such a great way to spend the 4th of July.
Also this week, I caught up with 22 year old Zach Winnington from Ballymena who is working at Camp Stevens in Julian, San Diego. Zach has taken a summer University break where he is studying Retail Management in Edinburgh.
Week three of life in LA and Matt and I are really enjoying observing all the quirky goings on in the Hollywood Hills.
If you are ever in Los Angeles, you should take a trip down to Santa Monica. It is an unforgettable seaside city. Also know as the Bayside District, this neighbourhood hosts some of the city's biggest stores and has two weekly farmers markets.
Santa Monica is home to the very cute and very popular Vanilla Bake shop and Yes, I did pop in to get some cupcakes called "4th of July Babies".
Lucy here reporting back on life in La La Land. My first 10 days of being in LA have been great, the weather has really inspired me to get out and walk, unfortunately we are surrounded by hills and I've no routes that avoid a couple of grueling climbs. The houses in Bel Air are incredible and I have to admit I've been caught on peering through lots of gates trying to get a better look at everything from Tuscan-style villas to minimalist modern pads.
Today I spent some time with an Energy Healer in Bel Air. It may sound a little airy-fairy but it was the most relaxing thing I've ever done. I did a 90-minute session, focusing the use of the human energy field and its healing powers. It wasn't physical; she had a very light touch and talked me through my breathing to help me relax. Energy healing is based on balancing and/or manipulating the bodies energy and is commonly found in many alternative practices. I absolutely loved it and if anyone is thinking of something like this, I'd say, if your mind is open to alternative healing then give it a try.
This has been a very busy week in Los Angeles. I went to see the Lakers with Matt and although I can't say I'm a sports 'fan' - basketball is great to watch and very entertaining. The atmosphere was amazing and we certainly picked a great match to see as the Lakers won the NBA Championship Finals that night!
Celebrity spotting is a daily pastime in LA but for the last three days over 1000 fans have been camping outside the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood, to catch a glimpse of Kristen Stewart and Robert Patterson. "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" premiere is tonight, so I'm going to pass on the premiere and will look forward to seeing it in cinema at the start of next week. It's a little bit crazy camping out for 3 nights but then again, it is the hottest ticket in town.
More importantly I found the cutest underwear and swimwear ever! I was on the Robertson Blvd, which is the young and slightly cheaper version of Rodeo drive. "Undrest" was launched in 2007 by founder and Designer Maria Paz. Her inspiration comes from her travels to Rio de Janeiro and various elements, such as 1940's Austrian Bodysuit.
The main Undrest collection specialises in using only certified American grown Supima Cotton and is touched with the finest trims, sourced from France, Italy and Japan. Consisting of delicate pure silk ribbon, hand knitted cashmere, and genuine mother of pearl buttons. The swim collection "Undrest by the sea" is made from the finest swimwear fabric sourced from Brazil. I adore this Undrest Zig Zag Swimsuit $198 (pictured below) but on sale at $49 in Urban Outfitters.
There are some great fashion bargains to be had in LA - I'm amazed at the price of True Religion Jeans. $99! Los Angeles has a number of good outlets and the best True Religion store in at Cabazon. The jeans may be last season but I really don't mind and will be stocking up before I go home.
Guilty secret time! I really like Jessica Simpson. If you ever watched 'The Newly Weds' with Nick and Jessica, you would know she isn't the brightest cookie (or least pretends not to be!!) but when it comes to running her own fashion empire, she knows what she wants.
I found her newly released "Sweet Kisses" Range in a number of major stores in LA and I was very impressed with her clothing, shoes and jewellery. She describes her range as "sexy yet sweet, flirtatious and whimsical, vintage at times, but always of the moment." You will find her range online at www.jessicasimpsoncollection.com and it is also available at www.asos.com
ATTENTION all the cupcake lovers! Martha Stewart is a legend in the US and this is the best cupcake book I can find - Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. 175 inspired ideas for everyone's favourite treat. $17 or £11(free shipping worldwide)
If you are a fan of baking cakes 'All cakes considered' by Melissa Gray ($24) is a great book for you for all those family get togethers.
Till next week!
Lucy xx
Lucy Evangelista McCullough is one of Northern Ireland's most familiar faces on the modelling scene. A former Miss NI and Miss UK Lucy now juggles her own modeling career with her Voodoo International Modelling School in Belfast. Click here to become a fan on facebook.
Lucy in La La Land
Features
Friday, 18 June 2010 13:22
Hey Sugah gals,
Over the next three months I will be reporting back from LA letting you know what's hot and what's not on this side of the pond.
While i'm in Los Angeles, I hope to get fit and toned, so when I get tips on how to become a California beach babe - you will be the first to know.
Being new in town - I thought I'd make myself familiar with the shops! My first stop was Rodeo Drive - home to the rich and famous in LA and the shop that caught my attention was Judith Leiber.
This luxury band is renowned by elegance, style and sophistication. The founder of the company is from Budapest and studied the craft of handbag making durning World War II. These artful handbags are part of the permanent design collections at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
This handcrafted Clam shell (pictured below) is priced at $4395.00 (only small change!!) Prices for the handbags range from $950 - $16,000.
Next stop on my stroll of Rodeo drive, I popped into Tiffany, having a few pieces of jewellery at home which I adore, I thought i'd find out what the latest hot accessories are this summer. The Tiffany Key is a magical pendant and has the stamp of approval from one of the Gossip Girl's main characters, Blair Waldorf. Prices start from $225.
Do you love cupcakes and the cupcake frenzy that's been going on in Belfast? So do I!!! The Sugahfix Cupcake Challenge proved what spectaclar cupcakes we have in Belfast and all over Northern Ireland but being in the home of the cupcake - the USA - I was keeping an eye out for some tasting opportunites!!!
When I drove past Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills, I had to have one or maybe two.
Sprinkles is the world's first cupcake bakery according to the 'Food Network.' I have to admit although the Madagascar bourbon vanilla cake with coconut cream cheese frosting were outstanding.
They were good, but J-Bird Bakery in Belfast are just as good, and although I really enjoyed Sprinkles, I have to say we are really fortunate to have people in Belfast producing cupcakes as good as anywhere else in the World.
'till next week!
Lucy xxx
Don't miss the beat this summer, baby!
Features
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 13:04
The festival season is here and while it's too late to buy tickets to Glastonbury, tickets are still available at some of the UK's smaller but most spectacular, quirky, outdoor music events - at much more affordable prices too!
To help inspire you and to take you there! Sugahfix.com has teamed up with bmibaby, the fun, low-cost airline to bring you a guide to some of the best live music events in the East Midlands.
Yes that's right, the East Midlands! Home to folklore legend Robin Hood, this area of England is also home to a variety of exciting live music events that are set to revolutionise your festival experience this summer.
So gals, spread your festival wings and get ready for the music, mud and mayhem in Leicester and Nottingham with bmibaby.
We've also got lots of prizes up for grabs so read on for your chance to WIN with the award-winning airline.
The Big Session Festival will play host to an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists, not to mention a vast range of real ale! This award-winning festival tries just that bit harder: right from its deeply green credentials with the most impressive recycling initiatives, through to the Kids Zone keeping younger festival goers entertained, to making sure everyone enjoys the music whatever the weather, with all sets being undercover on indoor and outdoor marquee stages.
Dates: 18th June 2010 - 20th June 2010
Line Up: Oysterband plus 40 other acts over the weekend
Location: De Montfort Hall & Gardens, Leicester, UK
Splendour Music Festival, a sell out last year, brings some of the best of rock and pop, acoustic, Indie and World music to the city. Alongside four music stages is the Comedy Stage and there will be a host of children's activities throughout the festival, making for one of the best family events of the summer.
Dates: 24 July 2010 - 25 July 2010
Location: Wollaton Hall, Wollaton, Nottingham
Line Up: Pet Shop Boys, Calvin Harris plus comedy acts and lots more
Summer Sundae Weekender A three day family friendly music festival with full camping facilities offering festival goers over 100 acts with an eclectic mix of live bands of all styles and genres over six stages, and high calibre comedy in the festival's Comedy Tent.
So now you know what's on offer, it's your chance to bag yourself and a friend a festival trip to remember.
Our sign up incentive for June is for one lucky new subscriber to win
a pair of tickets to Spendour Music Festival, accommodation at Holiday
Inn Express in Nottingham and flights for two with BMI Baby.
The
Holiday Inn Express (pictured left) Nottingham City Centre hotel is built on
Nottingham's medieval city walls. The hotel boasts an eye-catching,
glass-front that curves round the pedestrianised Chapel Bar area, home
to trendy al fresco dining and vibrant nightlife. For more info click here.
New subscribers
will automatically be entered into the draw.
For current
subscribers we also have a pair of tickets to Spendour or Summer Sundae
Music Festival, flights for two with bmibaby as well as a bmibaby
festival survival pack, complete with:
• The quintessential festival
wellies
• Kitsch flower print two person tent
• Check sunhat
•
Flower print honcho
• And a très cute Cath Kidston paisley travel
pillow and eye mask set
Two runners up will also win a pair of
tickets to Spendour or Summer Sundae Music Festival, flights for two
with bmibaby.
Whenever the Sugahfix gals think of Finland, we can't help but thinking of vodka! After all, it's where Finlandiahails from.
So when I was whisked away to Finnish Lapland, in the chilly Arctic Circle, for a vodka tasting and some snow sports, I was there faster than you could say "mine's a Cosmopolitan."
Before my instruction in the art of vodka tasting, I'd always assumed it all tasted more or less the same.
Not so - there's actually a huge difference in terms of flavour, viscosity, aroma and characteristics, depending on which brand you go for.
One of the secrets to Finlandia's success, I found out, is in the water - the pure glacial spring water that's used to make the vodka.
Make Your Weekend Truly Free at The National Trust
Must see, Must do
Thursday, 18 March 2010 22:24
The National Trust is running a free weekend on 20th- 21st March 2010 to encourage us all to breathe in some springtime fresh air, get out and about and investigate and explore the Trust's stunning properties.
Within Northern Ireland there are Trust properties on your door step or even further a field but no more than a drive down the motorway before you're met with breathtaking views and gorgeous gardens. With over 120 miles of coastline and 40 square miles of scenic countryside from Ardress House to Castle Ward, Mount Stewart (pictured left) to Wellbrook Beetling Mill you're spoilt for choice with what's on offer.
If you're after a heart-stopping adventure then make the trip to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on the North Coast. It's sure to get the heart rate going as you traverse the exhilarating coastal path bridge before crossing to the rocky island. Awe-inspiring views to Rathlin Island and bird-watching opportunities await your safe arrival across the swinging bridge to Carrick Island. Or why not pack up the kids and the dog and drive to Springhill. The children can explore the new activity trails while parents relax in the herb garden, with camomile lawn, before a picnic in the garden.
For something of a tranquil nature make a visit to Florence Court and preamble around the grand gardens and 18th Century house before enjoying a delectable delight in the Stables Restaurant.
All you have to do to take advantage of this generous offer is visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bonus and download a voucher. Visitors will also benefit from free parking so don't forget to display your Bonus Time voucher in your vehicle. Don't worry if you forget your voucher, you'll still get in free!
City Guide to Leeds
Features
Monday, 01 March 2010 17:21
by Andrea McVeigh
Here at Sugahfix HQ we are never knowingly underfed. So we're loving the thought of the upcoming Leeds Loves Food festival in the city this July.
We're already big fans of Leeds thanks to its amazing shopping opportunities, from the ultra lush Harvey Nichols to the upmarket shops in the Victoria Quarter and The Arcades, which boast everything from Agent Provocateur to Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry.
Then there's the historic Corn Exchange with its independent boutiques and restaurant Piazza and food emporium, as well as the high street chains in and around Leeds Shopping Plaza.
We've also bagged several quirky retro bargains in Best Vintage, opposite the Corn Exchange, and Blue Rinse at Call Lane, and picked up arty prints in On The Wall.
And we've tried our luck in the Alea Casino down by Clarence Dock, which has two restaurants, The Bird by Michelin starred Indian chef Vineet Bhatia, and the Mediterrean-themed, The Fig.
The city centre is compact enough that you can walk around, without breaks, in half an hour - although with our frequent shopping stop-offs and coffee breaks, we could easily spend the whole day shopping for treats.
Leeds is a great weekend break destination, but we'd also recommend nipping over for a wee overnight stay if you get the chance - the Jet2.com flight takes a mere 45 minutes to get there from Belfast International Airport.
And we're certain to take a trip there during the second annual Leeds Loves Foods festival (www.leedslovesfood.com ) from 1-4th July - the city's annual celebration of all things culinary.
There'll be cookery demonstrations and masterclasses, food sampling and celebrity chefs, plus special offers and promotions. We hear that Harvey Nichols and restaurant Casa Mia will really be pulling out the stops this year.
If you want to stay near the centre of the action, check into The Queens hotel (pictured left) www.qhotels.co.uk, with its Art Deco theme and amazing in-room dining menu which includes home-from-home treats such as baked beans on toast.
*Jet2.com flies from Belfast International Airport to Leeds Bradford daily. The airline also serves more than 40 European city and sun destinations from its northern UK bases at Belfast, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Blackpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and East Midlands. Visit www.jet2.com for full timetable and flight information.
Win £300 Aer Lingus New Gift Vouchers!
Must see, Must do
Thursday, 03 December 2009 15:57
Aer Lingus have just launched a perfect gift idea just in time for Christmas - Aer Lingus gift vouchers and are now available to buy online!
It's a great gift for family and friends who have everything! The vouchers can be purchased online in Euro, Sterling or Dollars and can be redeemed on aerlingus.com
Whether you want to arrange a trip to visit a loved one, fly someone home for Christmas, or help towards a dream holiday or honeymoon - Aer Lingus gift vouchers make the ideal purchase.
Vouchers are available in the following denominations 25, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500.
For full list of Aer Lingus Gift Voucher terms & conditions, visit www.aerlingus.com . Gift vouchers are available to buy online.
Aer Lingus have teamed up with Sugahfix.com to give one lucky ready the chance to win an Aer Lingus voucher worth £300!
Every new subscriber who signs up for our weekly e-zine updates in December will automatically be entered into the draw.
Current subscribers can also get their name in the hat by recommending a friend. When that friend signs up - they simply add their pals name in the ‘where did you hear about us?' box and it's win win!
Subscriber benefits:
You will receive your weekly life & style update 'Hey Sugah!' directly into your inbox with details of all the new content on the site.
You will receive details of exclusive VIP events.
You can post on the forums, enter competitions and prize draws, access exclusive offers and hidden content - which can only be viewed when you log in.
Ts&Cs voucher to the value of £300 to be used on any Aer Lingus service from Belfast. Flights are subject to availability and exclude travel at bank-holidays. There is no cash alternative. The draw will take place on 5th Jan and the winner will be notified by email.
The Westin Hotel, Dublin.
Must see, Must do
Sunday, 22 November 2009 16:24
By Helen Carson.
You'll be quids in at the five-star Westin Hotel in Dublin this Christmas. The historic former bank building is offering luxury breaks for budget-conscious shoppers keen to bag a bargain in the run up to the festive season.
The historic 19th century facade of the Westin Hotel in the heart of Dublin reflects a bygone era of elegance, but recessionistas have discovered this is the perfect spot for Christmas shopping... and it won't put you into the red.
The five-star hotel, which is opposite Trinity College, has one of Dublin's most enviable addresses just minutes walk from Henry Street and the shopping mecca that is Grafton Street.
And Christmas has come early for those in need of some retail therapy, and perhaps a spot of pampering too. Now the Westin is offering pre or post-Christmas shopping breaks priced from 220 euros per room per night (single person supplement). And the good news for those who may dread the seasonal drudge of shopping is there are a few extras here to make your stay really enjoyable.
Lindsay Lohan, Naomi Campbell, Liev Shreiber and his wife Naomi Watts plus a glitzy collection of other mega-celebs recently turned out for the launch of the Mazagan Beach Resort at El Jadida - a one hour drive south of Casablanca.
Our very own Trends Editor and jet-setter, Andrea McVeigh, got an invite too and, when she wasn't ogling Liev at breakfast (he's impressively tall and tanned, she reports, and totally adoring of his wife and super-cute kids) she was raving about the resort...
The Man From Atlantis has done it again. This time, the world's hottest hotelier - Sol Kerzner, who owns the uber-luxurious Atlantis resorts in Dubai and The Bahamas as well as the One & Only brand - has put a previously little-know area of Morocco on the map.
Located on the coast overlooking the Atlantic, with its own beautiful 7km stretch of white sandy beach and a fab 18-hole links golf course, it's totally A-list worthy - but with its emphasis on 'affordable luxury' it's accessible to everyone.
Designed like a traditional Moroccan riad (a house with an interior garden), with seven smaller riads - each one different to the last - within, the 500 room, 5-star resort features eight restaurants, sumptuous boutiques, a classy casino and a high-end, NYC-worthy, nightclub.
Then there's the central outdoor pool and sun lounger area, around which we could happily laze away the day, reading magazines and going for extended dips, when not working on our freckle count.
A separate spa, (pictured above) with its Espa products and divine signature treatments, has got the Sugahfix stamp of approval too, not least for its authentic hamman, sumptuous views of the beach and its super-romantic couples rooms.
The weather is bliss all year round; an inexpensive ten-minute taxi ride will bring you to the fascinating, Portuguese-influenced port town (and UNESCO World Heritage site) of El Jadida and at just three hours away from London we reckon we reckon this is easily our new fave weekend getaway.
It's also discreet and private, with a high staff/guest ratio (so you don't have to go to the bother of pouring your own wine or pulling out your own chair to sit down in the restaurant) yet that affordability factor means it's not just the Hermes clad who are welcome - it's certainly not beyond the reach of us H&M gals either!
Sunset Faraway Holidays ( www.Sunset.co.uk - 0208 774 7100 or email
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> ) is offering four nights from £655 per person. This includes five star accommodation in a king room with a free upgrade to half board basis, return economy flights with Royal Air Maroc from London Heathrow to Casablanca and private airport transfers in Morocco. Offer is valid for travel between 1 October and 19 December 2009. Terms and conditions apply and flight fares may vary.
Elegant Resorts (www.elegantresorts.co.uk / 01244 897517) is offering seven nights from £842 per person for five star accommodation in a king room including breakfast, return economy flights with Royal Air Maroc from London Heathrow to Casablanca and return private airport transfers in Morocco. Offer is valid for travel from 12 February 2010 onwards.
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>
Find your journey this Autumn... in Northern Ireland.
Must see, Must do
Wednesday, 21 October 2009 12:56
Soak up the zest and charm that makes Northern Ireland so unique. With stunning coastal drives, cool attractions and even cooler shopping, it's the perfect place to get away from it all this autumn.
Belfast is home to every shop imaginable - including the biggest House of Fraser in the UK and a magical Christmas Market in December. Treat the kids to a trip to W5 - an incredible interactive science discovery centre. See 140 different species at Belfast Zoo.
Want to feel the crisp autumn wind in your hair? Then look no further than the Giant's Causeway, the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coastal Route. Drop by the Old Bushmill's Distillery for a taste of the famous tipple before boarding the miniature railway at Carnfunnock Country Park. Or see medieval Dunluce Castle clinging precariously to the cliff edge.
Go golfing and fishing at Loughall Country Park. Learn about the local wildlife at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Oxford Island Nature Reserve or follow the story of Ireland's patron saint at Saint Patrick's Trian Centre.
Enjoy a boat trip, water sports or step into the hidden underworld of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Tour Belleek Pottery or head for the historic Enniskillen Castle Museums and Devenish Island Monastic site.
County Tyrone is full of natural wonder. Visit the An Creaghan Visitor Centre at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains which is home to a number of local archaeological sites. Of course Tyrone is also home to the world famous Tyrone Crystal. And no trip is complete without a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park.
The capital of culture in Northern Ireland has to be Londonderry. Take a trip to the Tower Museum to catch up on the city's history before visiting Roe Valley Country Parkwhere you can go fishing, canoeing or rock climbing. And of course, Derry has restaurants, nightlife and entertainment galore.
Wherever you rest you head in Northern Ireland, you can be sure of an excellent range of accommodation. From quaint guesthouses to luxury boutique hotels, you'll be glad to spend a night or two, or three or four...
We can try to ignore it but the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on - 12 weeks to go! If you fancy doing your Christmas shopping somewhere different this year, want to find that all-important festive gift that that no-one else will have bought or just fancy a trip to help chase away the winter blues, then look no further!
Sugahfix has teamed up with Aer Lingus to give one lucky reader a trip for two to Munich for four nights this winter.
The Bavarian city of Munich has a rich culture, and countless tourist attractions, most famous among them are the Deutsches Museums, beautiful galleries and other historical buildings. It is a culturally vibrant city, with opera houses, orchestras, ensembles, and theatre houses.
Munich's Christmas Markets are world renowned, the most famous of which is the Christkindl market. This is traditional Christmas at its very best and you'll find all manner of stalls selling crafts, sweets, cakes, food, mulled wine and other delights. In recent years there hasn't been much snow at market time but the atmosphere is always very special.
We are offering one Sugahfix reader the chance to win a fabulous trip to Munich for two people, staying for four nights in the luxury Hotel Maximilian(pictured left) (www.maximilian-munich.com ) and flying direct from Belfast International Airport to Munich with Aer Lingus.
THIS PRIZE DRAW IS NOW CLOSED.
For more details on all Aer Lingus services please visit www.aerlingus.com
Terms and conditions:
Prize is valid from 27 November 2009 to 17 December 2009 inclusive.
Travel is from Tuesday to Saturday only.
Flights are direct from Belfast International Airport to Munich and are subject to availability. One double room at Hotel Maximilian for two people.
Click on any of the images below to bring up the slideshow.
Must See, Must Do...Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry
Must see, Must do
Sunday, 16 August 2009 12:23
by Andrea McVeigh
This summer we've been all about the staycation - albeit with a nip over the border to enjoy pampering, yummy food, amazing scenery and luscious decor in Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry.
A quick flight with Aer Arann got us to Cork - so cheap and convenient we wondered why we hadn't done it before. After that, we picked up the keys to our spacious Nissan Qashqai at the Avis desk in the airport and we were on our way, driving from Cork to Kerry - singing Whiskey In The Jar as we drove, natch (and practically shouting our heads off at the "Cork and Kerry mountains" lines).
Just off the Ring of Kerry is the village of Kenmare, surrounded by mountains covered in rich purple heather (a very 'this-season' colour doncha know!) and just ten minutes away from the village is Sheen Falls, a magnificent five-star, privately-owned country house hotel overlooking Kenmare Bay.
The festival season is in full swing and it is good news for all you festival lovers as this year, thanks to Jet2.com's direct flights from Belfast International Airport to Newquay so you can now attend The Relentless Boardmasters Festival, in Newquay, Cornwall with just one short flight.
The Festival kicks off from 5-9 August and boasts an eclectic mix of music and sport with 45 bands across 4 stages performing on Fistral Beach, the 5 Star Pro Men's World Qualifying Surfing Competition, skateboarding and BMX competitions and for the ‘beautiful people' a bikini competition! Headline acts performing at the festival this year include The Streets, Cypress Hill, Calvin Harris and Super Furry Animals, as well as beach club night parties.
The Carn Marth Hotel is the perfect location to stay as it commands a magnificent location overlooking the famous Fistral beach and Newquay Golf Links. Yet, it is just a short walk to the live gigs, shops and bars in the heart of the town. This hotel also has its own on site surf school if you wish to learn how to become a surf dude (www.englishsurfschool.com ) or if you just want to relax and unwind the Carn Marth hotel has panoramic views on their terrace (pictured).
There are adequate camping facilities too, if you really want to be immersed in the festival atmosphere and have a budget holiday. Recommended camp-sites are listed on the relentless Boardmasters website.
By Lucy Evangelista-McCullough.
By Lucy Evangelista McCullough.
By Lucy Evangelista McCullough.
By Andrea McVeigh.
Come evening, when the lights go down in the ground floor K Lounge, it fills up with both locals from the neighbourhood (there's a BBC studio and indie TV production companies nearby) and hotel residents.
By Lucy Evangelista-McCullough.
By Lucy Evanglista.
Hey Sugah Gals,
Celebrity spotting is a daily pastime in LA but for the last three days over 1000 fans have been camping outside the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood, to catch a glimpse of Kristen Stewart and Robert Patterson. "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" premiere is tonight, so I'm going to pass on the premiere and will look forward to seeing it in cinema at the start of next week. It's a little bit crazy camping out for 3 nights but then again, it is the hottest ticket in town.
The main Undrest collection specialises in using only certified American grown Supima Cotton and is touched with the finest trims, sourced from France, Italy and Japan. Consisting of delicate pure silk ribbon, hand knitted cashmere, and genuine mother of pearl buttons. The swim collection "Undrest by the sea" is made from the finest swimwear fabric sourced from Brazil. I adore this Undrest Zig Zag Swimsuit $198 (pictured below) but on sale at $49 in Urban Outfitters.
Guilty secret time! I really like Jessica Simpson. If you ever watched 'The Newly Weds' with Nick and Jessica, you would know she isn't the brightest cookie (or least pretends not to be!!) but when it comes to running her own fashion empire, she knows what she wants.
Hey Sugah gals,
The festival season is here and while it's too late to buy tickets to Glastonbury, tickets are still available at some of the UK's smaller but most spectacular, quirky, outdoor music events - at much more affordable prices too!
The Big Session Festival will play host to an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists, not to mention a vast range of real ale! This award-winning festival tries just that bit harder: right from its deeply green credentials with the most impressive recycling initiatives, through to the Kids Zone keeping younger festival goers entertained, to making sure everyone enjoys the music whatever the weather, with all sets being undercover on indoor and outdoor marquee stages.
Splendour Music Festival, a sell out last year, brings some of the best of rock and pop, acoustic, Indie and World music to the city. Alongside four music stages is the Comedy Stage and there will be a host of children's activities throughout the festival, making for one of the best family events of the summer.
Summer Sundae Weekender A three day family friendly music festival with full camping facilities offering festival goers over 100 acts with an eclectic mix of live bands of all styles and genres over six stages, and high calibre comedy in the festival's Comedy Tent.
WIN WIN WIN
For current
subscribers we also have a pair of tickets to Spendour or Summer Sundae
Music Festival, flights for two with bmibaby as well as a bmibaby
festival survival pack, complete with:
By Andrea McVeigh
The National Trust is running a free weekend on 20th- 21st March 2010 to encourage us all to breathe in some springtime fresh air, get out and about and investigate and explore the Trust's stunning properties.
by Andrea McVeigh
Leeds is a great weekend break destination, but we'd also recommend nipping over for a wee overnight stay if you get the chance - the Jet2.com flight takes a mere 45 minutes to get there from Belfast International Airport.
If you want to stay near the centre of the action, check into The Queens hotel (pictured left) 
Aer Lingus have just launched a perfect gift idea just in time for Christmas - Aer Lingus gift vouchers and are now available to buy online! 
By Helen Carson.
The Man From Atlantis has done it again. This time, the world's hottest hotelier - Sol Kerzner, who owns the uber-luxurious Atlantis resorts in Dubai and The Bahamas as well as the One & Only brand - has put a previously little-know area of Morocco on the map.
The weather is bliss all year round; an inexpensive ten-minute taxi ride will bring you to the fascinating, Portuguese-influenced port town (and UNESCO World Heritage site) of El Jadida and at just three hours away from London we reckon we reckon this is easily our new fave weekend getaway.
Belfast is home to every shop imaginable - including the biggest House of Fraser in the UK and a magical Christmas Market in December. Treat the kids to a trip to W5 - an incredible interactive science discovery centre. See 140 different species at Belfast Zoo.
Go golfing and fishing at Loughall Country Park. Learn about the local wildlife at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Oxford Island Nature Reserve or follow the story of Ireland's patron saint at Saint Patrick's Trian Centre.
The capital of culture in Northern Ireland has to be Londonderry. Take a trip to the Tower Museum to catch up on the city's history before visiting Roe Valley Country Parkwhere you can go fishing, canoeing or rock climbing. And of course, Derry has restaurants, nightlife and entertainment galore.
We can try to ignore it but the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on - 12 weeks to go! If you fancy doing your Christmas shopping somewhere different this year, want to find that all-important festive gift that that no-one else will have bought or just fancy a trip to help chase away the winter blues, then look no further!
Munich's Christmas Markets are world renowned, the most famous of which is the Christkindl market. This is traditional Christmas at its very best and you'll find all manner of stalls selling crafts, sweets, cakes, food, mulled wine and other delights. In recent years there hasn't been much snow at market time but the atmosphere is always very special.
by Andrea McVeigh
The festival season is in full swing and it is good news for all you festival lovers as this year, thanks to Jet2.com's direct flights from Belfast International Airport to Newquay so you can now attend The Relentless Boardmasters Festival, in Newquay, Cornwall with just one short flight.