Les 100 Ciels Blog

A winter walk at this time of year can be just the thing to invigorate you after a few months hibernating. On a crisp, bright day in the UK, there is nothing quite like the feeling of being bundled up warm while enjoying the beautiful natural landscape. If you’re not sure where to go for a walk, we’ve put together a few options ranging from a short stroll to a more challenging walk in the countryside to suit a range of walkers. Richmond Park, Richmond If you are after a short walk without having to leave London, then Richmond Park is the perfect place for a relaxing walk with lots to see and land to roam. There are many routes to walk, taking in the vast oak and chestnut trees along the way and you will be sure to catch a glimpse of parakeet birds whizzing through the air in a flash of green. Best of all, when you need a rest, relax with a flask of hot cocoa while watching the numerous deer which graze freely around the park.   Holkham Beach, Norfolk With three miles of sandy beach, this is a special walk to take along a beautiful stretch of coastline. ...

During cold, dark January days, an enduring pastime is to snuggle under a blanket with a warm drink and a good book. Luckily there are so many to choose from! If you are looking for some inspiration for what to read that befits this chilly winter, we’re here to help. We did a poll among our staff and here are a selection of our favourites to read perfect for this time of year!   1. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton An epic story that opens on a dark and stormy night when Walter Moody comes to town to find his fortune in New Zealand’s South Island. He comes upon a secret meeting and from there we weave through a series of inexplicable stories including, a wealthy man vanishing and a prostitute attempting suicide. Through these stories, we get a fascinating look into the lives of 19th century folk. Catton’s storytelling transports you into the Gold Rush era with such ease, it could be a storytelling from present day. A long one but worth every page! 2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt You may well have heard of The Goldfinch by this same author, which received the Pulitizer Prize for Fiction in 2014, ...

A new year and a new decade has begun and with it comes new hopes and aspirations for the year ahead! It is a traditional point of reflection and an opportunity to contemplate all that you have held on to and also what you may no longer need. New year’s resolutions are infamous for being short lived and this can often lead to a feeling of disappointment and distress at a lack of progress. This year we encourage you to take a simpler and kinder approach to your new year’s resolutions with some easy tips to help you achieve success!  Keep your resolutions list short and simple By far one of the best ways to keep resolutions is to keep them simple and to not have too many of them. One meaningful resolution can make a much stronger impact than making 10 resolutions that will be harder to stick to. Also when your resolutions are straightforward they are much easier to implement vs a complicated resolution with multiple parts and interpretations.  Make achievable resolutions There is no point in making goals and resolutions that are completely unrealistic. If you have struggled to keep up with your resolutions, perhaps this year is ...

Today’s post is brought to you by our graphic designer, Alicia, also known as the Queen of DIY. If you love buying Christmas presents but hate having to wrap them, her tips on gift wrapping will be just what you need to create gifts that are so beautiful they won’t want to open them!   Hi Everyone, If I had to give one piece of advice when wrapping presents it would be to not get too worried about it. I would say the majority of people are just glad to be receiving a gift and won’t be too critical of your wrapping. Having said that, it is very nice to receive a beautifully presented gift, so I’ve tried to focus on a few ways to approach gift wrapping that will hopefully have a little something for everyone’s tastes and needs. General tips on gift wrapping Choose quality wrapping paper to avoid rips and tears to the paper. Thicker paper tends to be more durable. I recommend using your imagination and go one step further than just wrapping paper. An extra touch like ribbon, twine, string, feathers, or tiny ornaments can add lots of texture and interest to your wrapped gift. The possibilities are ...

When the darkness settles in for much of the cold weather months, food can be a soothing and revitalising source of comfort. It can also be an excellent way to keep the body in tip top shape to fend off the winter bugs that make us all miserable with colds and flus. Below are a few of our favourite recipes to see us through the winter months. We’ve chosen a mixture of recipes that are known for their warming qualities but are also great for nutrition and diet. If you try out any of the recipes, do let us know in the comments section below.     1. Heart warming lentil and sweet potato soup There is nothing quite like a warming soup to have on a cold, winter’s evening. The sweet potato and lentil pairing makes for a filling meal while the spices and chilli will definitely bring the heat into your mid winter’s night. 1 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into small pieces 1/2 cup carrots, chopped 1 cup onions, chopped 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1 red bell pepper, diced 6 cloves garlic, pressed 1 ½ cups green or brown lentils, rinsed 1 ½ teaspoon coriander 1 tbsp cumin powder 2 ...

Cashmere has a long history going back many hundreds of years. The origins of this natural fibre comes from the cold, mountainous regions of China, Mongolia, India, Turkey and Afghanistan. For centuries, local people sought the hircus goats for the fibres of their coats that were long, silky soft and warm to help the animals survive the harsh conditions of winter. The fibres were combed off the goats and made into blankets that were prized for their superb warming ability. Early written accounts in the 15th century, describe the high quality of fibre from the kashmir goats of the Kashmir region. Thus the name Kashmir stuck and for many years Kashmir yarn was traded within the region. Fast forward to the 18th century and the rise of the Imperial powers. Traders brought kashmir items back along the Silk Road from China to Europe and the Americas bringing much excitement. Initially kashmir was available exclusively to royalty and the elite members of society. It was considered the height of luxury and cashmere shawls or ‘pashminas’ particularly were a symbol of status and the pinnacle of a fashionable aristocratic woman. Even Napoleon was reputed to gift his wife Empress Josephine pashminas leading to a large and famous collection of pashminas. The story of cashmere was advanced ...