Mitchell and Peach

We Meet… Jo Fairley, the Queen of green beauty

2 February 2012

What do you love about the English countryside? I go completely tonto when that ‘spring green’ shade starts to appear on the trees, as the leaves unfurl; it always looks to me like a reverse-striptease in lime-green Agent Provocateur undies! It’s the trees that I love, probably because I used to spend a lot of time in one, with a book, as a child.

Any favourite country bolt holes? There’s a marvellous country pub called The Queen’s Head in Icklesham that’s a hearty yomp from our house – far enough to build a great appetite (and not feel guilty eating pudding).

How would you spend the perfect weekend? In the summerhouse I built last summer (well, my brother did) at the top of my garden, with a sea view (photo below).

It’s far enough away that I can’t hear the phone. I’d break off only to hit the beach for a dip, and pick up lunch at Judges Bakery, my artisan organic bakery and one-stop organic store. Why go away when you have that on your doorstep? ‘Jo’s Shed’ is the perfect weekend retreat for someone who works at home. We never, ever go away in summer – that’s why we live in Hastings!

Where did you last go on holiday? To Dubai. Not very green, but warm and sunny in January, and when my normally holiday-phobic husband actually suggests a plan, I just go with it.

What’s you favourite city worldwide, and why? Gotta be New York. It never ceases to excite me: the retail, the restaurants, the go-for-it vibe. My grown-up adopted daughter lives there which is a great excuse to visit; she lives in Greenpoint in Brooklyn so I am now officially hip by association.

From where does your passion for natural and organic beauty products stem? I’ve eaten natural and organic foods since I met my husband Craig Sams (founder of Whole Earth Foods and for many years chairman of the Soil Association), in 1988, and it always seemed to me that if you cared about what you put in your mouth, the next logical step is to think about what you put on your body. And I would always rather that ingredients – whether we eat or slather them – are grown with respect for the earth.

What will be the next ‘big thing’ in the beauty world? I think we’re going to see a real ‘less-is-more’ trend. The market has become so overcrowded, everyone’s shelves are like those games at the funfair where you roll in a penny and cash falls off… I see a return to simplicity and values, in all sorts of things. Less, but better.

Which item of clothing or accessory could you not do without? My spotty Boden halter-neck swimming cossie (below). Hilariously three of my friends have the same ones, in different colours, and we are thinking of setting up the Hastings Synchronised Swimming Team, as we already have the kit.

What’s your simple pleasure? Warm Hanro pants on a radiator, on a cold day. Er, if that won’t do, then a new cake of soap.  I’m like an old miser with soap – getting every last bubble out of a doll-sized sliver – so a new one is a real joy.

And your ultimate luxury? Vintage linen sheets, which (without wanting to sound like Debo Devonshire) I have professionally laundered.

What are you reading? Just finished Rules of Civility by Amor Towles – like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing put through a Sodastream.  Just brilliant.

Sleep and water aside, what’s your beauty secret? A large hat. Far better to avoid sun damage than seek to repair it.

Finally, what’s your favourite Mitchell and Peach product? Mitchell and Peach Bath Oil, which is seriously luxurious and skin-silkifying, and smells just divine.

Jo is a respected Beauty editor and champion of environmentally conscious consumerism. To visit Jo’s Beauty Bible website, click here.

Mitchell and Peach meets… Cherry Menlove, the quintessential ‘homebody’

12 December 2011

What’s your favourite thing about the English countryside? I live in West Sussex and my favourite thing is the open scenery around us. You can see for miles and miles and although it makes you feel quite insignificant I think that can be a good thing sometimes.

When you need to escape busy life, where do you head to? I go to any number of villages or small towns in my area, Petwoth. I love pottering along local High Streets with my twins, popping in to bakeries, butchers and antique shops seeking out new bits and pieces.

Any favourite country bolt holes? My house on any given weekend. I just never want to leave it!

How would you spend the perfect weekend? At home with my husband and the twins. We’re very lucky; we have a great garden, with its own vegetable garden, fruit trees and fields surrounding it. We don’t have to travel for the perfect view.

What’s your simple pleasure? An uninterrupted bath. I don’t mind my husband coming in for a chat as long as he brings me a cup of tea or a glass of champagne, depending on the time of day!

And your ultimate luxury? A day off.

What’s your favourite way to relax? Getting in to bed with my book and reading until I fall asleep.

Any good books you’ve read lately? I’m going to re-visit my favourite work of fiction again but this time on my Kindle. The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Sleep and water aside, what’s your beauty secret? Not worrying about things I can’t do anything about.

Finally, what’s your favourite Mitchell and Peach product? That’s easy, the Bath Oil!

To learn more about Cherry, please visit www.cherrymenlove.com

Mitchell and Peach meets… Sasha Wilkins (aka Liberty London Girl), award-winning style blogger

23 November 2011

What’s your favourite thing about the English countryside? Being able to take a lungful of air without choking. Looking up and seeing the stars. Fields covered in frost and snow in the winter.

When you need to escape London for the countryside, where do you head to? To my mother’s exquisite cottage in rural Northamptonshire. She has immaculate taste, a wonderful kitchen and a whippet that burrows down my duvet, making hot water bottles obsolete.

Any favourite country bolt holes? I spent a night with my sister and Posetta Baddog, our naughty dachshund, in a country-chic suite at The Feversham Arms (right) by the Yorkshire Moors this summer, and I dream of being able to return. Delicious food, cloud-like beds, a lovely spa, and just the most delightful staff.

How would you spend the perfect weekend? Holed up in a hotel somewhere very calming, with a pile of books, my dog, and no incoming email

What’s your simple pleasure? A good hairbrush – Mason & Pearson, for preference

And your ultimate luxury? Time.

What’s your favourite way to relax? Going somewhere where I can’t take meetings

Any good books you’ve read lately? I’m just in the middle of The Night Circus, which is wonderful. I really enjoyed Ruth Rendell’s latest Wexford, The Vault, and Kate Atkinson’s Started Early, Took my Dog.

Sleep and water aside, what’s your beauty secret? Buckets of moisturiser, everywhere! I have hand cream (Mitchell and Peach!) in every handbag, and huge bottles of the stuff in my bathroom.

Finally, what’s your favourite Mitchell and Peach product? Really? You’re making me choose?! Hmm… I do love the hand wash but, on balance, I think it’s the Bath Oil. Not only does it look incredibly 1930s-chic on my bathroom windowsill, but it leaves my skin soft and scented. Blissful.

Sasha Wilkins is the founder and writer for the multi-award-winning lifestyle blog Liberty London Girl. Visit www.libertylondongirl.com

Mitchell and Peach meets… Georgie Coleridge Cole, Founder and Editor of Sheerluxe.com

18 October 2011

What’s your favourite thing about the English countryside? The fact that there is limited mobile reception and friends never know they’re own WiFi code, which means you don’t have a choice; you simply have to switch off.

When you need to escape London for the countryside, where do you head to? I have lots of family in Berkshire so it tends to be there. My husband and I also love the Cotswolds and quite often go racing at Cheltenham – when we do we try and combine it with a night away.

Any favourite country bolt holes? In the Cotswolds it has to be Barnsley House and The Village Pub just down the road from it. They’re owned by the same family that owns Calcott Manor and they are just absolute heaven.

We recently drove down to The Olde Bell at Hurley near Henley. We had a delicious lunch and then wandered along the river. The Swan at West Malling in Kent is also a really buzzy brasserie and bar, and West Malling is a sweet village.

How would you spend the perfect weekend? Friday night would be going out for a dinner date with my husband in London then in the car on Saturday afternoon for a night catching up with friends and family.

What’s your simple pleasure? Spag bol.

What’s your favourite way to relax? A G&T in the bath. (Run with Mitchell and Peach bath oil, of course).

Any good books you’ve read lately? I’m reading A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby. She was quite a remarkable woman in her day. It’s a fascinating account of a very colourful life.

Sleep and water aside, what’s your beauty secret? Mani’d nails always make you feel good.

Finally, what’s your favourite Mitchell and Peach product? Their new hand wash. I’m slightly obsessed about having nice hand wash and the lavender in this is the best.

Georgie is the Founder and Editor of the definitive luxury shopping guide, www.sheerluxe.com

Mitchell and Peach meets… Mireia Llusia-Lindh, Founder & Director at Milli Millu

4 October 2011

What’s your favourite thing about the English countryside? Its unique combination of the luscious landscape and the beautiful period houses. I have a passion for period country houses and tranquil scenery, so nothing compares to the English country side, really!

When you need to escape London for the countryside, where do you head to? Our favourite spot is the Cotswolds, when you walk through the small villages you get transported to another time. There are a lot of beautiful historic sites to visit and the landscape is just stunning.

Any favourite country bolt holes? We recently had a fantastic Sunday lunch at the Lords of the Manor restaurant – great modern British food in a beautiful and tranquil setting. We also love visiting different historic sites. The gardens of Sudeley Castle are among our favourites. Some of these historic buildings also have the best tea cakes and scones, which is always a plus!

What’s your simple pleasure? Picking up my daughter from nursery, nothing beats seeing her eyes light up and getting a big hug from her!

What’s your favourite way to relax? With my husband and daughter in a peaceful setting whether it’s by a nice beach or in the country side. At a small cosy boutique hotel or a homely house, with great outdoors and excellent food. In addition to the Cotswolds in the UK, we love some spots in Mallorca like Deia or some of the more remote villages in the Eastern part of the island. The small villages along the south coast of Sweden such Falsterbo and Ljunghusen are also among our favourites.

And your ultimate luxury? It has to be spending a week at a stylish boutique hotel by an amazing unspoiled beach. We tried a few spots before we had children, and our favourite is the Maldives, small tasteful hotels in Robinson Crusoe type islands, with great food and fantastic service. If Paradise exists it must be close to this!

What’s your favourite way to relax? I don’t have a free minute during the week, all my time is either spent with my daughter or with Milli Millu. So my favourite way to relax is to not have a set schedule, being able to sleep in in the morning and decide what to do on the spot depending on how we feel. Lying down reading a book or a magazine, is a luxury I rarely have!

Any good books you’ve read lately? I loved The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Kite Runner. When I feel like reading something less emotionally draining, I like Henrik Mankell’s Wallander detective novels, ideally to get you hooked during the summer holidays.

Sleep and water aside, what’s your beauty secret? A healthy Mediterranean diet (home made with lots of fresh vegetables, fish, lean meats and olive oil), a good haircut and great conditioning hair balm, and a cover-all yet natural looking concealer – I can’t recommend Kanebo’s brush concealer enough!

Finally, what’s your favourite Mitchell and Peach product? It has to be the hand cream. I love its lavender smell and how it dries up quickly (I hate having sticky hands!) leaving you with the most sensuous, soft hands. The packaging is great too, you feel like you are treating yourself every time you use their products…

Milli Millu is the luxury handbag brand that combines contemporary designs with incredibly practical interiors. Visit www.millimillu.com