LIVE FROM THE LAWN Things are heating up at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate this summer with the return of Live From The Lawn – a series of free live music events. Celebrate long, balmy summer evenings with up-beat, toe-tapping tunes from a roster of local talent, including Christie Prentice, Gary Winter, Lovelight DJ, Greg the Sax, and Fox Wiggle and Sass. Pull up a chair on Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate’s impressive terrace, sip on Down Hall’s very own Garden Gin with tonic, and feast on the freshest seasonal plates while enjoying an evening of live music as the sun goes down. Delight in the likes of crispy buffalo cauliflower, cream chive dressing; spiced cod tacos, pickled red cabbage, slaw, avocado, lime; pesto linguine with cherry tomatoes, as well as a selection of homemade, stone-baked pizzas. With views of the stunning manicured gardens and the sun setting over the 19th century Italianate mansion, Down Hall offers an idyllic setting to unwind and savour the joys of summer. Running from 7th June – 27th September. Free entry, pre-booking essential. Music starts at 7pm and finishes at 9:30pm. Tables of six or more require a £10 per head deposit (this can be redeemed on food and drink on the night). The full line-up can be viewed online here: https://www.downhall.co.uk/upcoming-events/live-from-the-lawn SAY ‘I DO’ TO STYLE AND SUSTAINABILITY If you’re scouting for a standout wedding gown that won’t break your budget, you’ve got to check out Art of Couture. It’s spearheaded by the super talented Ukrainian designer, Kateryna Orlovska, who brings a touch of magic to the bridal scene in the UK. You get to design a custom gown that’s uniquely yours, and yes, you can rent it! Art of Couture is riding the wave of the wedding dress rental trend that’s gaining momentum in the UK. It’s perfect for those of you who want to look absolutely stunning without the hefty price tag or the worry of what to do with the dress post-wedding. It’s a savvy choice in today’s eco-conscious world because, let’s be honest, more brides are looking for sustainable and budget-friendly options. By opting to rent, you help reduce waste and keep your wedding green. The process is a breeze and totally bride-friendly. Imagine this: you walk down the aisle in a bespoke dress tailored to flaunt your style and fit you perfectly. After your epic day, you simply return the dress and get half of your money back, provided it’s returned clean and damage-free. This service is perfect if you want that dream dress experience without the commitment or closet space issues afterward. Dive into this fresh take on wedding fashion with Art of Couture, where your dream dress awaits, just a rental away. Visit the website: https://artofcouture.co.uk ESSEX BUSINESSES TAKE TOP SPOTS IN MUDDY STILETTOS AWARDS! Now in their 11th year, the hotly contested 2024 Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards have been announced with 21 brilliant local indie businesses winning the coveted lifestyle crowns across Essex. Sponsored nationally by Tide Banking, readers of the award-winning lifestyle website have been nominating and voting in their hundreds of thousands for their favourite independent businesses across 21 different lifestyle categories, from Best Destination Pub to Yoga/Pilates Studio, Boutique Stay and more, and shining a light on the most unique businesses across the counties. Reaching over 10 million people nationally in eight weeks, over 515,000 votes and nominations were cast, making it the most popular Muddy Awards to date. Free to enter, the winners of the Essex Awards can be found below: Best Arts, Culture & Theatre: Thameside Theatre (Thurrock) Best Bar: Frankie’s Wine Bar (Hornchurch) Best Beauty Salon/Clinic: Aesthetics of Essex (Upminster, Rayleigh & Maldon) Best Boutique Stay: Downham Hall (Downham) Best Café: Market West (Rochford) Best Casual Dining: Smoke Truck (Halstead) Best Children’s Business: The Little Dining Club (Southend) Best Destination Pub: The Three Horseshoes (Fordham) Best Event Venue: East Mersea Hall (Mersea) Best Family Attraction: Clacton Pier (Clacton) Best Farmshop/Deli: Nanny Kay’s Farm Shop (Wickford) Best Fitness Instructor: Alexandra Underwood, Elixir Fitness (Brentwood) Best Florist: Evelyn Rose Floristry (Sible Hedingham) Best Hair Salon: Chopp Hair (Chalkwell) Best Hotel: Roslin Beach Hotel (Southend on Sea) Best Lifestyle Store: Maison de Clements (Colchester) Best Local Food/Drink Producer: TEMPRD Chocolate (Maldon) Best Restaurant: Layalina (Billericay) Best Wine & Beer Specialist: Liquorice Wine & Deli (Shenfield) Best Women’s Fashion/Accessories: Neon Leo (Saffron Walden) Best Yoga/Pilates Studio: The Yoga Club Billericay (Billericay) All regional winners in Essex, along with winners from the other counties, automatically go through to the 2024 National Awards and five businesses in each category will be picked by the Muddy Stilettos Editors to go through to the National Finals, with the ‘Best of the Best’ Winners crowned in July 2024. The full list of Muddy Awards 2024 Winners across all 28 counties is available at: https://muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/counties/ 10
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