Why not Chukka ball?

When polo springs to mind, I generally think of mega bucks. But how wrong I am.

A few years ago I’d loyally follow my then boyfriend down to Wiltshire to watch him play ‘low-goal’ (beginner’s polo to you and I) with the Navy.  I have to admit being secretly rather jealous of his fun day out and slightly annoyed as I knew that my equestrian skills were leaps and bounds ahead of his.

Recently, I was chatting with our lovely client, the luxury beachwear designer Louise Sandberg who is also an international polo player representing England.  She made me realise that polo is an accessible sport not just a male bastion – as I originally thought.  It has also become very popular for SME luxury brands like Chateau de Sours to sponsor polo events and a great way to quickly raise their visibility within the luxury media (see photo above).

After a little bit of research I came across Polonetworks, who are based in Ascot and offer exclusive 'Corporate Days’ all year round. What a brilliant way to have a memorable company Christmas party! For a minimum of 4 to 6 people at a cost of £200 per head, you get a fantastic day out : It starts with a yummy breakfast, theory of polo, playing polo on foot, the art of the swing, learning to ride (yes you really can be a complete beginner!). A buffet lunch, followed by being split into two teams and actually playing your first couple of ‘chukkas’ on horse- back; and finally there is tea, a champagne prize giving (to the winning team) and a DVD for you to take home of your adventure.

But best of all, Polonetworks are offering the The Amazing Blog readers a very special offer, a ‘Special Discover Polo’ course is being held for individuals on select Saturday and Sunday mornings. This intensive 3 hours course will teach you the basics and give you the opportunity to dip in and decide whether to develop your new found polo skills. Please call +44 (0) 01276 489 501 and quote: PN/TheAmazingBlog. Perhaps we’ll see you at Guards Polo next year?

Mohdoh Away Madness

 

I am a huge fan of aromatherapy, but when I heard that there is a company that has combined aromatherapy with an actual handheld product that is completely natural, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Now if you ever get wheezy while travelling or can’t seem to think clearly, mohdoh can help get you through the task easily.

Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy consists of small balls of dough that are kneaded containing certain essential oils in it. As you knead the dough, the oils are vaporized, inhaled, and absorbed through the skin.

In addition to the specific combinations of smells, the colour is carefully selected to help by aiming to balance and enhance our body’s energy centres as well as stimulating the body’s own healing process.

Here are the different remedies they have: Unwind, Slim, Quit, Breathe, Calm, Think, Travel, Sleep, and Headeez. Coming from a background with restlessness issues before going to sleep, the lavender Sleep mohdoh has become my favorite. Before bed, I just put on some light music and grab my mohdoh sleep for about five minutes and I am always shocked the next morning by how quickly I fell asleep.

By using the combination of smell, touch, and sight, you are increasing the ability to pick up these reactions to help soothe the problem at hand. So next time you want to ease a headache or unwind after a day at work, grab some modhoh and begin to mould your way to an improved state of life.

Mohdoh is available at Boots and Holland & Barrett.

Tailor-made art

As much as I get pride in finding the perfect piece of art for my house, it is a tedious job that takes an endless amount of browsing. And often, the piece of art is pretty, but has no true meaning to your life. Unless of course, you can find an artist to personally paint your childhood home or create a sculpture of your beloved pet. But then you need to go through process of finding the perfect artist at the perfect price... sounds like a lot of work? It’s not with CreateMyArt.com. CreateMyArt.com is a website that allows you to create the perfect piece of bespoke art for your home.  Whether it’s an abstract canvas, a textile piece or a sculpture for your hallway, Create My Art enables you to create both unique finishing touches to your home and wonderful, personalised presents.

How it works. Go online and create a ‘Wish List’ of what you want your finished piece to look like including the size, colours, style, time frame, budget, and any other specifications. Then artists contact you with their response to your request on how it can be done for what prices. You can be in contact every step of the way to make sure your piece is looking just how you imagined!

With over 100 artists participating, you are sure to find that stand out piece that means the world to you.

Chocs Away!

With the sudden drop in temperature, dark nights approaching and the arrival of October, it’s fair to say that our alleged Indian Summer has swiftly departed. Thus winter awaits; and while I’m not thrilled at the prospect of frost-bitten hands, stone-cold feet and dark mornings, I’m certainly excited about digging out my chunky knits, fur lined gillets and wrap dresses. My favourite thing about my winter wardrobe? The fact that unlike my summer attire, it’s far more forgiving. So by way of celebrating, I am planning on fully indulging in Chocolate Week – beginning on Monday.

Kindly funded by the lovely people at The Ecuador Tourist Office, Divine Chocolate, Thorntons and Hotel Chocolat, a whole host of exciting events will be taking place over the week – guaranteed to provide chocolate-lovers nationwide with a little something to tantalise their taste-buds!

And the highlight of the week is the fabulously decadent celebration of chocolate - Chocolate Unwrapped – a show taking place over the 15th and 16th of October. With a range of chocolate sculptures on display, including Paul Wayne Gregory’s three-foot high chocolate doll’s house, cooking demonstrations and a whole host of tastings, there really is something for everyone, whether you want to admire from afar or really get to grips with all the culinary delights on offer. In particular the Great Chocolate Cake Off promises to provide even the most glutenous of participants with a serious chocolate treat. With each cake entry being judged on texture, appearance and most importantly taste, and 30 contenders vying for first prize, it’s certainly a job I wouldn’t turn down.

With the opportunity to see chocolate being made in a minature chocolate factory, top chocolatier William Curley demonstrating recipes from his new book, Couture Chocolate, and Thorntons Master Chocolatier hosting tastings of the Centenary Collection, it really is a celebration of all things indulgent.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit the National Chocolate Week website for tickets and give in to the ever deadly sin of temptation...

Chocolate Unwrapped takes place at Vinopolis (Stoney Street, London, SE1 9BU)

Whatever It Takes

Here at Amazing PR we love fashion with a cause as not only is it often a great way to snap up a designer piece on a budget but we can feel good about ourselves while we spend!

Whatever It Takes is a unique artwork campaign launched by the 21st Century Leaders Foundation. Whatever It Takes supports the 21st Century Leaders Foundation in its work for key global development causes including poverty alleviation, environmental conservation and the protection of children. 21st Century Leaders Foundation’s mission is to assist and encourage a generation of influencers – including royalty, Nobel peace prize laureates, and well-known figures in the fields of film, music, fashion, art and literature - to raise awareness and funds for international development causes and lead the way in promoting positive environmental and sustainable human development solutions.

Over 660 leaders in the worlds of fashion, film, television, art, music and sport, have donated personal artwork and signed messages of hope for the future. The artwork has been used to design and create a variety of products including t-shirts, mugs, plates, watches, computer accessories, clocks and bags. Celebrities and designers including George Clooney, Donna Karen, Paul Smith, Heidi Klum, Charlize Theron and Lily Allen are just some of the names that have offered to show off their creative flair for the good cause.

Not surprisingly I was immediately drawn to the range of bags which have been designed by the likes of Stella McCartney and Diane von Furstenberg amongst others and are all available for under £25. Here at Amazing PR we also love the iPhone and iPod cases designed by the likes of Katy Perry, George Clooney, Eminem, Vivienne Westwood and Kanye West. Each one has a quirky illustration and inspirational message to personalise your phone and support the very worthy cause.

Check out www.whateverittakes.org to find out more.