Location Spotlight – British Country Houses

Cliff Barn

If you’re looking for a location house with a rustic outdoorsy feel or a grand country manor, take a look at some of these properties.

Whether it be within the London boundaries or a little journey away, we will have what you need.

Cliff Barn

Cliff Barn has a real ranch look (above), whereas the Cotswold House below, with its grand swimming pool, could be easily confused with somewhere a little more Mediterranean!

Cotswold House

For something in a traditional British country style, take a look at The Old Farm, complete with period furniture and stunning gardens.

Old Farm

To find out more about any of our locations, give us a call on 020 7482 1555.

Cotswold House

Cook the perfect fried rice with Gok Wan

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out Gok Wan’s new cookery programme ‘Gok Cooks Chinese’ on Channel 4.

Today we’re featuring a tasty recipe from the show – Gok’s Perfect Fried Rice.

Get your wok out and follow these easy steps:

Serves 2-4

• Neutral oil such as groundnut, for frying
• 2 Chinese sausages, thinly sliced diagonally
• 2-3 medium eggs, beaten
• 300g cooked long grain rice, chilled
• 75g frozen peas
• 7 water chestnuts, sliced
• 50g tin of anchovy fillets in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 2 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
• ½ – 1½ tbsp light soy sauce, to taste
• Salt and ground white pepper

To serve

• Chinese chilli oil
• ½ iceberg lettuce, leaves separated

Gok’s Perfect Fried Rice

Method

1. Heat a wok until medium-hot and add a dash of oil. Fry the sausage quickly on either side until coloured all over, with the white parts turning pink. Remove and set aside.
2. Season the beaten eggs with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the hot wok and pour in the beaten egg. Scramble the eggs, scraping the bits that are sticking to the wok. Aim for a well cooked through scrambled egg, separating into pieces.
3. Once cooked through add the rice, scraping the bottom of the pan and tossing the rice as you heat it through. Once the rice is hot add in the remaining ingredients, except for the sausage.
4. Continue to cook over a medium heat, tossing and mixing. Once the anchovies are beginning to melt into the hot rice, taste and season with pepper and a pinch of salt. Continue to stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more soy if necessary.
5. Serve the fried rice with the Chinese sausage on the side to scatter over. Drizzle with a little chilli oil, serving extra on the side, and wrap spoonfuls of the rice in lettuce leaves to eat.

‘Gok Cooks Chinese’ is on Channel 4, Mondays at 8.30pm

Pearl Lowe launches new design and lifestyle blog

Pearl Lowe

Pearl Lowe has launched a brand new magazine style blog www.pearllowesvintagehome.com

Sharing her inspiration and style advice on everything from decorating your lounge to whipping up divine chocolate cakes; Pearl is giving us a teaser into what we might expect from her upcoming book.

www.pearllowesvintagehome.com

Now established firmly as a style icon and businesswoman, Pearl designs a number of ranges including dresses, stationery, and home interior products. Her style and vision are unique, which makes her brand sought after.

Check out Pearl’s new blog here www.pearllowesvintagehome.com

Pearl is asking readers to submit their photos to her new blog

You can purchase Pearl’s boutique dresses by request by visiting her website www.pearllowe.co.uk

The stationery range is available at www.notonthehighstreet.com/pearllowe

Chase Aston embarks on global Body Shop tour

Chase Aston

Chase Aston, make up artist, Body Shop Ambassador, and spokesperson for The Body Shop Cruelty Free Make Up, is currently on a global media tour to promote The Body Shop ‘Beauty with a Heart’ campaign.

Travelling across Sweden, Belgium, The Netherlands, Australia, U.S.A and Canada – Chase is to undertake numerous interviews, TV slots and in store demonstrations.

Hosting media events and various masterclasses, Chase will impart his essential make up advice, demonstrating how to create real life show stopping looks with the new collection.

Alongside his spokesperson duties, Chase works regularly across editorial, advertising and TV work, and has a stunning portfolio which can be viewed here.

Sam Duffy hits NY with Boden

Styling by Sam Duffy for Boden USA

As clothing and interiors store Boden launches the Modern British range in its USA stores, Stylist Sam Duffy was flown to New York to create an eye catching window and interiors display to wow the US press and customers.

Sam Duffy regularly works with UK created brand Boden – and its US base is keen to showcase the authentic Britishness of its product.

Stylist Sam Duffy’s interior display for Boden USA

Sam Duffy works across interiors, still life, propping, and kids.

You can take a look at more from Sam by checking her portfolio here or giving us a call on 020 7482 1555.

Megumi Matsuno for Qatar Airways Magazine

Fashion editorial featured in the latest Qatar Airways Oryx Premium Magazine, with make-up by Megumi Matsuno.

Qatar Airways Oryx Premium Magazine – Photography by Toufic Araman /make-up by Megumi Matsuno

Megumi’s work has featured in the likes of ELLE, Vanity Fair, Grazia and Dazed and Confused and has worked for brands such as L’oreal, Shu Uemura and VO 5.

Her artistry can be seen by checking her portfolio here: www.carolhayesmanagement.co.uk/makeup/megumimatsuno.htm

Ready for Summer – ZEST Magazine with Lisa Valencia

This month’s Zest Magazine cover features the make-up work of Lisa Valencia.

Lisa Valencia is highly in demand as an international hair and make-up artist, and regularly works with magazines such as Elle, Red, Instyle and Vogue. Clients have included Marks and Spencer, Monsoon and Hobbs.

Wherever she works, Lisa quickly becomes part of the regular team. Check out her talent by looking at her portfolio here.

Stylist profile – Gemma Rose Breger

Stylist – Gemma Rose Breger

Fashion stylist, Gemma Rose Breger  is sharing her style and creative inspiration via style blog www.wearisitfrom.blogspot.co.uk. (see below)

Following her studies in Fashion, Gemma Rose started off her career by working in Fashion PR in New York.

Since becoming a freelance stylist, Gemma has gained an abundance of contacts and created her very own unique sense of style.

www.wearisitfrom.blogspot.co.uk

Check out Gemma’s portfolio here http://www.carolhayesmanagement.co.uk/fashion/gemmarosebreger.htm

Craig Marsden for luxury magazine – JFW

JFW was launched in 1992 and is the world’s only publication dedicated to the luxury world of Jewellery, Fashion & Watches.

JFW Magazine – Photography, Gael Roussel /Hair, Craig Marsden

Regular contributor - hairstylist, Craig Marsden, works across titles including Harpers Bazaar, Red, Elle, Madame, Volt Cafe and Sunday Times Style, and with clients such as Diesel, Max Factor, Rimmel and Net a Porter.

JFW Magazine – Photography, Gael Roussel /Hair, Craig Marsden

His work has been featured in the photography of Ben Riggot, Ram Shergill, Kai z feng, Rankin, and David Yeo.

Check out more from Craig Marsden by checking his portfolio here, or give us a call on 020 7482 1555.

Jonothon Malone and Ginni Bogado for Rankin’s Hunger Magazine

Following the launch party for Rankin’s Hunger Magazine last night, Issue 2 will be hitting the shelves 10th May!

This shoot with Kelly Brook, features the work of hairstylist Jonothon Malone and make-up by Ginni Bogado.

Issue 2 Hunger Magazine – Kelly Brook – Hair by Jonothon Malone – Make-up by Ginni Bogado – Photography by Rankin

Hairstylist Jonothon Malone’s portfolio includes Cosmopolitan, Elle, Vogue and Instyle magazine, and he has been the hair expert for commercials for the likes of L’Oreal, Schwarzkopf, and Topshop to name a few.

Make-up artist Ginni Bogado, who often works with Jonothon, works on high profile jobs around the world and has worked for magazines such as Glamour, Vogue and Marie Claire, as well as brands including Nina Ricci, Burberry and Marks and Spencer.

Issue 2 Hunger Magazine – Kelly Brook – Hair by Jonothon Malone – Make-up by Ginni Bogado – Photography by Rankin

To find out more about either, give us a shout on 020 7482 1555.