TheSloaney

The Season: Royals, famous faces and sport stars pictured at Cheltenham Festival 2024

The Season: Royals, famous faces and sport stars pictured at Cheltenham Festival 2024

Despite the wet and windy weather at times, it has been a fantastic week so far at Cheltenham and the damp spell certainly hasn’t put off the crowds. The atmosphere has been eclectic throughout, with people queuing from 10 o’clock in the morning to enjoy a piece of the action at Prestbury Park. Style Wednesday […]

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Personalised luxury gifts from Inkerman London

Personalised luxury gifts from Inkerman London

As regular readers of The Sloaney will know, our Editor Dr Laura Toogood was among the jockeys in this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup. You can read The Gallop to Goodwood in full here. As part of the big event, Laura received some wonderful gifts to mark the fantastic occasion, including a beautiful, personalised champagne flute […]

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The final chapter of The Gallop to Goodwood is now available

The final chapter of The Gallop to Goodwood is now available

It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s uncensored. Read Laura Toogood’s race day experience here.

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The Gallop to Goodwood: Penultimate chapter released

The Gallop to Goodwood: Penultimate chapter released

Following the announcement in The Times that our Founder and Editor, Dr Laura Toogood, is among the line-up of jockeys for this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup, we are delighted to bring you the brand new editorial series, The Gallop to Goodwood.   Billed as the most prestigious all female charity race in the UK, Laura will […]

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Alice Temperley unveiled as the designer of the jockey silks for the Markel Magnolia Cup

Alice Temperley unveiled as the designer of the jockey silks for the Markel Magnolia Cup

Those who have been following our editorial series, The Gallop to Goodwood, will know all about our Founder, Dr Laura Toogood’s journey to this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup. The big race takes place next Friday and the stunning silks have just been unveiled, ahead of the grand occasion. Alice Temperley, renowned British fashion designer and […]

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Butterfly Twists: The foldup flats are an essential accessory

Butterfly Twists: The foldup flats are an essential accessory

By LAURA TOOGOOD I recently attended a wedding and the easiest and quickest way to get to the church was to walk about a mile from the hotel where I was staying. However, having decided on my outfit several months ago, I had already chosen some towering cream heels for the day. It was a […]

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The Grand National is ‘electric’ – Laura Toogood talks to racing’s wonder woman Katie Walsh

The Grand National is ‘electric’ – Laura Toogood talks to racing’s wonder woman Katie Walsh

By LAURA TOOGOOD I first met Katie Walsh at the Junior European Eventing Championships in Belgium back in 2002. Although our teams were competing against each other, there was plenty of friendly banter between the Irish and British riders. Not only was Katie among the most approachable and affable competitors, but you could instantly tell […]

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An incredible Chinese New Year feast at Hakkasan

An incredible Chinese New Year feast at Hakkasan

By LAURA TOOGOOD Despite being based in Mayfair for the last four years and passing the venue at least once a week, I had never dined at Hakkasan until last night. I had, however, heard numerous rave reviews from all who have visited this famous London restaurant. For some reason, I always imagined a dramatic […]

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Only the best for Bond: We test drive the Aston Martin fleet

Only the best for Bond: We test drive the Aston Martin fleet

With the announcement of the new James Bond film came the announcement of a new Aston Martin model with Spectre heralding the launch of the DB10. The company has not only become synonymous with 007 but it is also representative of the best of British luxury. The Sloaney team was recently invited to test drive a […]

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Borgo Egnazia: The Italian hideaway for superstars

Borgo Egnazia: The Italian hideaway for superstars

By LAURA TOOGOOD I never need much persuading to visit Italy; it is one of my favourite holiday destinations. In my opinion, this country ticks every box. There is delicious food, fine wine, welcoming people, rich history and a culture that instantly encourages you to relax and switch off from hectic everyday life. While I […]

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A roaring start to Autumn with Aston Martin

A roaring start to Autumn with Aston Martin

By LAURA TOOGOOD A few weeks ago I was given the chance to step into the heels of a Bond girl for the day. In fact, I left the heels at home and opted for some suitably sparkly flats in order to test drive the latest fleet of Aston Martin supercars. While I fell in […]

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A regal stay at Hartwell House

A regal stay at Hartwell House

By LAURA TOOGOOD Hartwell House is a breathtaking Grade I listed building in Buckinghamshire that is owned by the Historic House Hotels and part of the National Trust. It is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year and the 200th Anniversary of King Louis XVIII departing Hartwell to claim the throne of France. Although the property is only […]

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Fashion Illustration Gallery: Richard Bernstein’s Cover Art

Fashion Illustration Gallery: Richard Bernstein’s Cover Art

The Sloaney recently attended the Private Viewing of the Fashion Illustration Gallery’s Summer Show that features Richard Bernstein’s Cover Art for Interview Magazine. We were joined by the likes of Henry Holland and Bip Ling to admire a collection of works created by the artist for the cover of Andy Warhol’s Interview. Bernstein made the […]

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Celebrating the best luxury fragrances

Celebrating the best luxury fragrances

Aspects Beauty recently celebrated 25 years of being beautiful and they are renowned in the fragrance industry for looking after a vast array of luxury fragrances. Their global portfolio includes the likes of Versace, DSquared2, Moschino, Trussardi and they also have an exciting collection of emerging and established niche brands. We have featured many of […]

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‘Live at The Ritz’: A magnificent dinner dance experience

‘Live at The Ritz’: A magnificent dinner dance experience

By LAURA TOOGOOD, supported by ANTONY NEWTON Dining at The Ritz London has been on my bucket list for a while. The Ritz always reminds me of when I first moved to London and set about exploring the city. I was strolling down Piccadilly one sunny afternoon and passed the grand building that hosts the […]

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Goffs London Sale: Frankel’s foal sells for over £1million

Goffs London Sale: Frankel’s foal sells for over £1million

By LAURA TOOGOOD This afternoon I attended the inaugural Goffs London Sale that was held at The Orangery, Kensington Palace. On the eve of Royal Ascot, the exclusive event attracted many greats of the racing world looking to bid on some of the world’s best up-and-coming and established horses. The Air Partner marquee was the […]

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A day with Dame Emma Jane Brown at Trooping the Colour

By LAURA TOOGOOD I was fortunate enough to attend ‘Trooping the Colour’ recently as a guest of Dame Emma Jane Brown. Those familiar with British traditions will know that ‘Trooping the Colour’ is a beautiful and intricate display of pageantry, which marks the Queen’s Birthday. The event takes place on Horse Guards Parade in London […]

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Sloaney TV: The Fashion Collections Show

Sloaney TV: The Fashion Collections Show

By LAURA TOOGOOD Last Thursday, I was invited to sit FROW at the Fashion Collections Show that was hosted by Regent’s University at The Boiler House. Graduate shows have gained a reputation for being top industry events in recent years and they are a great place to catch a first glimpse of the latest emerging talent. Guests […]

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Intercontinental Spa: The SUNDÃRI facial that focuses your mind

Intercontinental Spa: The SUNDÃRI facial that focuses your mind

By LAURA TOOGOOD Regular readers of The Sloaney’s beauty pages will know that I love discovering new facials. They are my favourite type of spa treatment and I eagerly await those precious minutes when I can step away from the rat race and indulge in the ultimate skincare treat. When I heard that the InterContinental […]

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The Noodle House: Jumeirah’s bustling new London restaurant

The Noodle House: Jumeirah’s bustling new London restaurant

By LAURA TOOGOOD   After a very busy evening filming the London Fashion Collections show for Sloaney TV, Sarah Bacon and I had certainly worked up an appetite. Seeing as we both love pan-Asian cuisine and also like to the make the most of a menu, it was the perfect opportunity to sample some of the […]

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Aston Martin and Air Partner host exclusive preview of the Aston Martin Vanquish

Aston Martin and Air Partner host exclusive preview of the Aston Martin Vanquish

By LAURA TOOGOOD Last week The Sloaney team attended a preview of the new Aston Martin Vanquish. The event was hosted by the private aviation company Air Partner, which is the leading provider of aviation charter services. The joint venture of these two impressive global luxury brands was further enhanced by the presence of the […]

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Sloaney TV: A day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Sloaney TV: A day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is in full swing for 2014. This year’s event started with beautiful sunny skies and warm temperatures, which certainly brought a smile to the faces of guests arriving on Monday. A host of VIPs, familiar faces and press gathered with great excitement for a first glimpse at the various exhibits […]

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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Social Diary

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Social Diary

By LAURA TOOGOOD, with additional reporting by SARAH BACON Yesterday, The Sloaney team attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. We were fortunate enough to experience the event during a glorious spell of sunshine, which made admiring the vibrant blooms and striking gardens all the more enjoyable. Those following The Sloaney on Twitter were […]

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Sloaney TV: Capturing the delights of Deia and La Residencia

Sloaney TV: Capturing the delights of Deia and La Residencia

The Sloaney travel team recently visited Majorca to explore the beautiful village of Deia and the luxurious hideaway, La Residencia. You can read all about the visit in our Travel Pages but for those who would like a sneak peek at the beautiful surroundings, we also filmed on location for Sloaney TV. Much of the […]

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The alluring charm of La Residencia and Deia

The alluring charm of La Residencia and Deia

By LAURA TOOGOOD | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & TRAVEL EDITOR | Tucked away in the hills of Majorca is an enchanting village that is completely unspoilt. It is so beautiful that I almost don’t want to reveal this hidden gem to others. Although Deia is one of Southern Europe’s best kept secrets, it is certainly not an unknown […]

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Sloaney TV: Rhug Organic Farm partners with The Magazine Restaurant

Sloaney TV: Rhug Organic Farm partners with The Magazine Restaurant

This week The Sloaney was invited to attend a sophisticated soiree at The Magazine Restaurant in London’s Hyde Park. The event was hosted by Lord Newborough and celebrated a new relationship between Rhug Estate and the popular dining destination. The Magazine Restaurant was designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid and is part of The Serpentine […]

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Sloaney TV: A preview of Val d’Isere ski resort

Sloaney TV: A preview of Val d’Isere ski resort

Laura Toogood’s latest travel feature for The Sloaney involved visiting the chic French ski resort of Val d’Isere. Aside from offering extensive and spectacular skiing in the Alps, this mountain village also boasts luxury shops, delicious restaurants and some of the best alpine accommodation in Europe. Our travel team explored the resort thoroughly and among […]

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Sloaney TV: Inside the Private Viewing of Parallax Art Fair

Sloaney TV: Inside the Private Viewing of Parallax Art Fair

The Sloaney team recently attended the Private Viewing of Parallax Art Fair, which took place at Chelsea Town Hall in London. The annual event welcomes a host of international artists and is designed to showcase the work of those established in the field, while also helping to discover the next generation of talent. The Private […]

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Skiing in the French resort of Val d’Isere

Skiing in the French resort of Val d’Isere

After trying several ski destinations in America, LAURA TOOGOOD returns to the Alps to explore Val d’Isere… In recent years I have ventured to America for my annual skiing trip. My first experience of taking to the slopes stateside was at Killington in Vermont, before heading to Vail in Colorado and finally Lake Tahoe in California. […]

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The magic of the German Christmas Market in Dusseldorf

The magic of the German Christmas Market in Dusseldorf

By LAURA TOOGOOD Christmas Markets have become increasingly popular in England and Winter Wonderland seems to be growing bigger and bigger every year. However, if you want to experience the real deal then a trip to a German Christmas Market is a must and there is still time for a flying visit this year! Last […]

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Enjoy the ultimate country spa weekend at Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow

Enjoy the ultimate country spa weekend at Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow

By LAURA TOOGOOD As part of my role as a travel journalist, I am fortunate enough to explore some beautiful holiday destinations. They are often nestled in remote areas around the world and many of the best require a lengthy flight. However, this was not the case for a recent assignment. With a door-to-door journey […]

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John Rocha celebrates 15 years of design with Waterford at the London Edition Hotel

John Rocha celebrates 15 years of design with Waterford at the London Edition Hotel

By LAURA TOOGOOD As mentioned in my latest Editor’s Comment, I was recently invited to attend an intimate party held at the Edition London to celebrate John Rocha’s 15 year partnership with Waterford. I am particularly fond of Waterford’s premium quality crystal so it was an honour to attend such a special occasion for the […]

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Watch the Red Arrows dazzle the crowds as we visit the Monaco Yacht Show

The Sloaney team was recently invited to the Monaco Yacht Show to cover this luxury event for Sloaney TV. Superyacht UK, which focuses on championing British design within the industry, was celebrating its 10 anniversary. They pulled out all the stops by arranging for the Red Arrows to perform a breathtaking display that brought Monte Carlo to a […]

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Villa San Michele: A dream venue for a fairy tale wedding

By LAURA TOOGOOD Natasha Eddery’s Bride-To-Be Diary has proven to be one of our most popular feature series. As she documented the build up to her big day, Natasha took us on a fantastic journey and allowed us to share all the excitement. Readers joined her on the search for the perfect wedding dress and […]

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Florence: A luxurious stay at Hotel Helvetia & Bristol in the birthplace of the Renaissance

By LAURA TOOGOOD I have only visited Italy twice previously, but it is one of my favourite European destinations. With fascinating culture, beautiful countryside, delicious food, fine wine and welcoming people, this country has so much to offer. Several years ago I spent a week in Rome and visited some of the most famous historical […]

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Karine Jackson celebrates the 10th Birthday of her Hair and Beauty Salon

Last week The Sloaney TV crew attended the 10th Birthday party for Karine Jackson‘s Hair and Beauty Salon. Originally from Australia, Karine prides herself on using organic colour treatments and her flagship salon in Covent Garden is popular with a number of celebrities. To mark her long success, Karine invited guests to enjoy an evening […]

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Royal Ascot 2013: Watch our highlights from the Royal Enclosure

By LAURA TOOGOOD On Friday, I attended Royal Ascot with The Sloaney’s Social Correspondent Katie Ann Lamb and a group of friends. We found a lovely spot under an old tree in the Owners and Trainers Car Park for our pre-racing picnic. Canapes, sandwiches and fresh salad were accompanied by Pommery champagne as we soaked […]

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Top tips to help you achieve the ultimate beach body this summer

By LAURA TOOGOOD With the temperamental British summer showing its true colours, many of us are looking to nip away and enjoy a brief escape to a warmer climate. I will be exploring some of the delights on offer in the South of France for a travel feature next week but it won’t be all […]

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Editor’s Comment: A busy month for The Sloaney team in the run up to Royal Ascot

By LAURA TOOGOOD Another hectic month has passed at The Sloaney HQ. When I wrote in May, the summer season had kicked off with a bang and it seems the bang is lasting. Highlights during the last month have included the worldwide press launch of the Global Party, which is a tremendous charity initiative that […]

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The Sloaney launches video channel with highlights from Badminton Horse Trials

The Sloaney team is very excited (and perhaps a little nervous!) to introduce our brand spanking new Vimeo channel. Sarah Bacon and Kerinne Bunting have been busy capturing images from the first few days of this year’s Badminton Horse Trials. Last night Sarah work around the clock with our Editor, Laura Toogood, to transform the photo […]