Aga, Author at Aspiring Snob

Cool as a Cucumber – why Cucumber Clothing is ideal for travelling

When travelling long distances, there are a number of aspects that travel providers (such as airlines or bus companies) do to help us become more comfortable, and therefore more likely to travel with them again. These comforts range from improved seating, lower cabin pressure (for aircraft) and entertainment units.

However, there’s also a number of things that we, as travellers, can do, too. You’ve probably seen people with travel pillows or others in their pyjamas. Yet another thing that we can do to make our travelling lives easier and more comfortable is simply choosing the right material to wear.

Less is More – Pintxos in San Sebastián, Spain

Experiences, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Tips Aga

If you are a foodie like I am, there is a little town in northern Spain, on the Bay of Biscay, that you will thoroughly enjoy: San Sebastián. Nestled in the mountainous Basque country close to the French border, San Sebastian enjoys a beautiful coastline as well as the picturesque Aralar Range. Apart from the beauty and charm of the region, there is also something very special about the place: its approach to food. The abundance of local produce means there is a variety of great ingredients to play with and play they do! This enables creative cooks in the region to offer a unique experience when it comes to utilising these ingredients. The food excellence of the region is encapsulated in one word: “pintxo” (pronounced [pintʃo]).

How to Create a Luxury Spa in Your Home

Home, Lifestyle, Rituals, Spa, Tips, Women's Aga

The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of a spa is “a bath containing hot aerated water”, I guess you could say that “spa” is a fancy word for a “hot bath”. By this definition you could very well have a private spa in your home already! However I think when most of us think of the word “spa”, we think of a luxuriously appointed space oozing tranquillity and calm, nourishing refreshments with meditative music in the background where your mind, body and soul are pampered and recharged. Now wouldn’t you prefer that in your home, rather than just a hot bath?

A professional spa session can set you back quite a lot, sometimes even up to hundreds of pounds. However if you were to create a spa environment in your own home, then you can use it literally whenever you want. Planning, reservations and logistics are yours to command. And of course it will be way cheaper, all you need are a few accessories in your home.

Afternoon Tea Week – an Expert Insight

Experiences, Fine Dining, Food & Drink, Rituals, Tea Aga

Given it’s Afternoon Tea Week in London this week – starting from the 12th of August – Aspiring Snob set out to learn more about this endearing and most English of traditions. After our own experience with Afternoon Tea at the amazing Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, we got hooked and have enjoyed many a sandwich and scone since then, while gaining a greater appreciation for good tea.

To help us on our journey of exploring afternoon tea, its etiquette and its history, we reached out to Eileen Donaghey, the Afternoon Tea Expert. “Afternoon tea is a distinctly British phenomenon that is currently enjoying a resurgence amongst those who appreciate fine food and drink. I’ve been passionate about afternoon tea and everything around it for a number of years and now have the opportunity to share my passion with like-minded enthusiasts from all over the world”, says Eileen.

The Power of Welcome

Experiences, Hotels, Lifestyle, Loyalty Schemes, Perks, Rituals, Tips Aga

There is nothing that makes you feel more at home than a good welcome after a journey, no matter how long or short. During my travels, I learned to appreciate a good welcome and it has since become a symbol of how the venue will treat me that I pay particular attention to. A welcome means a lot and has many important functions that carry importance throughout your stay.

The gift that keeps on giving – Bobbi Brown’s ‘How To’

Accessories, Fashion, Lifestyle, Tips, Women's Aga

Doing the usual window shopping at Elys, which is a rather nice shopping centre in Wimbledon, London, I noticed that the Bobbi Brown counter had a professional make-up artist who was applying make-up and discussing with their client about what was being applied. Enquiring more about this, it turns out that Bobbi Brown offer a free make-up lesson. Without any hesitation I signed myself up to see what all the fuss was about.

Not only did I receive some brilliant tips and tricks that I still use in my daily routine, but I’ve also learned how best to utilise the lessons not only for my own everyday use, but also for when a special occasion requires it.