Getting Glacial with Sam Barker

Photographer Sam Barker and his team travelled to the southern shores of Iceland to the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull  Meeting Sam through a good friend of mine, here in New York and getting to hear about this spectacular scenery and dream like trip, I couldn't wait to see the photos and of course do a little feature on the ol'blog. The shoot in conjunction with Harrods and Men’s Health took place in the natural ice caves that form within the glacier. Now these caves come and go in a matter of days and are pretty volatile - making finding the perfect location to shoot, somewhat tricky to say they least. 

Nonetheless, this shoot is something that even Elsa would be proud of yes that’s a Frozen reference. With lights clamped to the sides of the ice rocks and just a dingy to manoeuvre along the river which slowly precipitated as the cave melted, not a moment was spared to capture the perfect moment in this exceptional shoot. Crystallised luminous blue hues in one of the most naturally beautiful settings. Over a day and a half locations were set up both inside the caves as well as on top of the glacier, resulting in a pretty spectacular spread.

Be sure to check out the rest of Sam's amazing work on his website (click here) and stay up to date with all his exciting shoot adventures around the world on his blog (click here). 

Yeti In The Snow

When it snows in London, it instantly reduces us all to children. Gigantic grins appear on all our faces with the knowledge that a sprinkling of snowflakes will postpone all forms of of transport in and around the city. Trains stop, cars come to a halt and stiletto's and chelsea boot's are swapped for moonboots and hunters. This huge coat arrived from ASOS yesterday and it certainly is the perfect costume to embrace my inner yeti, especially in beautiful dusting of snow. Oversized and ridiculously warm, the perfect way to stay warm over the next few chilly weeks (click here to get you're very own yeti coat).

Christmas in Cornwall: Day Three

Waking up bright and early to the sound of waves crashing on the rocks. Oh I wish I could wake up to that sound every morning.

With aching limbs and coffees in hand we headed off to the idyllic beach of Porthcurno.

Home to the very first telephone cable stretching all the way from teenie tiny England all the way to the America. It is strange to think that there is this one cable stretching thousands of miles under the Atlantic. The very first form of telecommunication between two great nations. Seeing as there is absolutely no cell service down in Cornwall, I am certainly thankful for this little cable.

Rachael was avoiding the rather huge puddle by tight roping across the cable.

Circus skills to the maximum!

The beach had all sorts carved into the cliff side. Stairs leading somewhere, nowhere and even up the most treacherous cliff path.

Some of the puddles we met along the route were rather unpassable. 

You really needed a wetsuit and snorkel to swim though them.

Harry decided to put his 6'2'' frame to good use and straddle across the bank.

We were all just waiting for him to slip and fall as the puddle got bigger and bigger, but much to our dismay he stayed dry as a bone.

We were rather startled by this pyramid/igloo shaped rock, but soon discovered that it was a rather large marking to show the exact spot where the cable was first laid (click here to find out more about it).

Next door to Porthcurno beach is the beautiful Minack Theatre.

Most people who visit the theatre for the first time imagine it was built by invading Romans, and its beguiling to think that one women and her gardener created the whole thing. An intricately and beautifully theatre carved into the cliff by a little lady called Rowena Cade. From 1931 until she died in 1983 the Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed single-handedly.

Naturally Rachael, Jesse & I took to the stage to put on our very own show.

The theatre is still in full working order and schools of actors travel from far and wide to perform in the iconic theatre with a more than breathtaking backdrop, you can see everything from Shakespeare to story telling (click here to book).

Of course we had to stop for a quick coffee break at the cafe over looking the theatre.

After a busy day of walking, we returned home and got all dolled up and ready to head over to Seagrass in St Ives for dinner.

I was dying to try out this place. With a head chef who was on MasterChef the Professionals (which I am totally obsessed with) I knew we were up for a winner with this one.

A cute little upstairs restaurant right on the seafront with a gorgeous relaxed ambience and a perfect festive meets seaside interior decor.

Jesse and I had to try out the specialities of the house. 

The Seagrass Mohito and Seagrass Serendipity were simply wonderful. 

Keep 'em coming.

(check out my 'gather round the christmas tree' post for outfit details)

River Exe Mussels with chorizo, leeks, Cornish cider & tomato

Root vegetable soup

Home Made Terrine, with chutney & melba toast

Cornish Rump Steak

Fritto Misto

Seafood Tagliatelle

Catch of the day: Gunard

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Chocolate Brownie with Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Lime Posset with Berry Compote

A gorgeous meal and cannot wait to go back. The seafood tagliatelle was on a whole new level of amazing. I hate having food envy but thankfully Jesse got full quickly so if course I managed to help her finish it off. 

Absolutely full to bursting, we went for a little stroll around the harbour, to attempt to cancel out some of the vast amounts of consumed over the holidays. Well, when else can you eat like a pig and not be judged for it. Roll on new years resolutions.

Another wonderful day in Cornwall. Let's see what tomorrow brings!