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Nikki Tibbles, the founder and head of Wild at Heart , is a much loved and celebrated floral designer in London with endless imagination. Known for her work with events and weddings, her creations will literally stop you in your tracks. Ms. Tibbles has worked with everyone from Kate Spade to L’Objet, creating small and large scale floral installations for important events around town. On a recent trip to London, She conceptualized a few arrangements for our team in a beautiful rented flat in Belgravia secured through Sotheby’s International Realty. The flat was a stone’s throw from her office near the Saatchi Gallery. We spoke to her about her inspiration and how flowers became her life’s passion. IC: When did you first realize flowers were your passion, and why did you fall in love with designing floral arrangements? NT: I have always been creative, I love art; however, I can’t draw, paint or write music. Whilst working in advertising a friend asked me to help with her wedding flowers. I soon came to realize that I really loved working with flowers and that flowers were the outlet for my creativity. IC: What is your favorite flower to work with and why? NT: Peonies and roses are wonderfully diverse and old fashioned. They are beautifully blousy, generous flowers and will forever be a favorite. IC: Where does your greatest design inspiration come from? NT: I am heavily influenced by nature and the color and texture that comes from the different seasons. Equally, I love art and fashion also and refer to it for points of reference when creating ideas and concepts. IC: What has been your greatest career achievement to date? NT: There have been so many but I would say above all else, being in a position where I have achieved something that enables me to give back to the world. Honestly, that’s what makes me the happiest.   IC: What is the best advice you can give people who might be designing their own floral arrangements at home? Any tips? NT: The best advice to give would be to always keep it simple. Consider the room of the arrangement’s display, its vase and the aesthetics. Don’t try and make anything too big to start with and above all else, enjoy it!

New York has a large array of holiday teas to choose from, but none quite hold a candle to the tea served inside the stunning Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel. Inside this legendary hotel, the Palm Court waits for visitors during this very magical time of year. The Plaza, of course, spares no expense when decorating its interior for the season, and the spirit of the holiday can be felt in every petal of every flower gracing the tables here. I recently experienced the tea service, which comes with varied options. A traditional tea is served with a huge selection of varieties from around the world. Do you prefer Japanese Sencha? They’ve got it. Indian Darjeeling? It’s here. Golden Yunnan from China, it’s on the menu. You can also choose to pair your tea with a glass of Brut or Rose – to add a little more glitz to the moment. I chose a glass of champagne as well. Tiers and tiers of delectable savory and sweet morsels pour out of the kitchen. Scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, small tarts, tiny bits of chocolate ganache cake – all divine. Cucumber and salmon crustless sandwiches up your alley? You won’t have trouble finding them. Each bite is better than the next. It’s important to remember that The Plaza is refined and the Palm Court is beautiful. Dress for the occasion and make your reservations well in advance. I can promise you that it will be your favorite activity this or next holiday season in New York City.

Airtots is London’s leading service to call-upon when traveling to the city with your baby and family in tow. Oftentimes, when families travel and decide to rent a flat, apartment or home – the biggest challenge is locating the same objects and, really, necessities that exist in the comfort of your own home. And, let’s face it, comfort is a luxury and something everyone seeks when traveling. When traveling with baby, especially overseas, it’s essential to keep their environment as stable and similar to the routine they have at home – to keep both baby and parents happy. The equipment rental service takes care of supplying you with everything you and your baby needs for a comfortable stay – and one where you can truly live like a local. Airtots will deliver, for free, new cribs, brand new strollers, car seats, sheets, electronic monitors, sound machines, high chairs and more. They will set them up, organize and break them down – all for a reasonable rental price. On a recent trip to London, we rented through them to experience their service and to keep a baby who was traveling with us, as happy as could be. The team at Airtots pointed us to their website to order our desired equipment, and, on the day of our arrival, the equipment was delivered promptly – minutes after we unpacked – and was set up for use within 30 minutes. We rented a crib, a gorgeous stroller with shocks so good the baby didn’t feel one bump on London’s cobbled streets, a highchair, car seat and bath toys. Airtots is a unique, niche and amazing service that every traveling family has to experience while in London. Whether you’re arriving to the city from the United States, other parts of Europe or elsewhere, you’ll be happy you contacted them.

Dr. Sobel (known fully as Dr. Howard Sobel) is Manhattan’s top medical and cosmetic dermatologist. Dr. Sobel is the perfect hybrid between a doctor and artist, someone who takes the time to listen to each patient he encounters, analyze their skin and face and recommend the appropriate treatment to enhance their appearance and, indirectly, their confidence. An esteemed doctor who graduated from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Dr. Sobel is not only a dermatologist who specializes in the latest treatments like filler, lasers and fat removal, but he is also a surgeon. He tackles everything from varicose veins to the removal of skin cancer. Inside his beautiful office, just off Park Avenue in New York City, patients gain access to the latest toys and gadgets in the world of dermatology. And, the amount of gadgets Dr. Sobel has on offer is astounding. I am a patient of Dr. Sobel’s and he and his team showed me around his office, highlighting his latest treatments like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) for hair restoration (a treatment where your blood is spun and protein-rich cells are injected into your scalp, stimulating natural hair growth). Dr. Sobel is an expert at fillers, using everything from Radiesse to Belotero. He can sculpt your cheek bones, lift your sagging facial skin and give you a jawline that would make superman jealous. The sky’s the limit. But, what I love most about Dr. Sobel and what makes him so great, is his kind bedside manner, willingness to listen and commitment to helping his patients achieve their beauty’s fullest potential. For anyone looking to improve their appearance, and rely on only the best, go see Dr. Sobel.

Hidden in Manhattan’s NoMad district, Sundays , a beautiful vegan and cruelty-free nail studio, shines bright amongst the competition for best manicures and pedicures in the city. Founded by Amy Ling Lin, the foundation of the salon is built on the idea that clients should be surrounded by beauty, service and nothing toxic, which could harm them. Walking into the space, you immediately feel a sense of calm and serenity, which is not easy to find in New York’s slew of busy nail salons. But, then again, Sundays is different. I was a recent guest here and indulged in the Rose Extract Anti-Aging Hand and Foot treatments. Essentially, these are a manicure and pedicure which are over-the-top in their execution and form. Soaking your hands and feet in a bath of coconut milk, rose petals and organic rose essential oil is heavenly. Therapists work on your nails with sterilized instruments and rub your extremities with handmade jojoba bead scrub. The experience is truly mind blowing. After an hour at Sundays, my hands and feet looked like new. I didn’t indulge in any of their polish or nail art, but, if you’re into that, they have quite the bevy of artists on their team. For anyone looking for perfect hands and feet this season, don’t miss Sundays.

On East 71st Street, in Manhattan, sits a haven for cosmetic dentistry, where one can come and make their dream smile a reality. Dr. Emanuel Layliev , one of New York’s preeminent cosmetic dentists, is at the helm of a practice that offers everything under the sun, including the latest technology, for helping turn your okay smile into a work of art. I am a client of Dr. Layliev and can vouch for his professionalism, skill and expertise in the world of teeth. His staff members are attentive, careful and smart – all which help make your dental experience that much better. Whether you’re making an appointment for a routine check-up, a zoom whitening session or a consultation for veneers – Dr. Layliev’s Center for Cosmetic Dentistry is a treasure trove of dental fun. I interviewed the doctor on his ethos and practice, to help gain insight into how he operates. IC: What is your ethos or mantra as a dentist? DL: To provide exceptional care using an artistic touch in a non-threatening, soothing, state-of-the-art atmosphere, gleaming with passion in what I produce! IC: Why did you decide to become a dentist? DL: I Always loved working with my hands assembling, and grew up always drawing and building auto models. I Envisioned providing medical care and achieving immediate gratifying results. I Wished for a profession with boundless autonomy and control over each step of the journey. IC: What is your favorite cosmetic dental procedure and why? DL: Recreating what nature intended with materials that emulate a beautiful smile, achieved with either porcelain veneers or composite bondings. Doing this in an individualized and in a customized fashion, unique to ones hopes and personality. Both methods demand a precise hand with a sharp eye in a very meticulous, systematic fashion. Each smile makeover case is different and I love the challenges inherent in personalized attention. IC: What procedure do you offer that will make the most drastic difference in someone’s smile? DL: A makeover in anti-aging, whereby a smile is transformed to reverse the many years of aging that resulted in the disappearance of one’s smile due to wear, chipping, darkening, shifting and spacing. By lengthening teeth and building out to thicken and widen a smile, brightening the teeth, and help support wrinkled facial skin and thinning lips. IC: What is your favorite dental technology currently on the market? DL: By far a new laser that is able to loosen out porcelain veneers that are worthy of replacement in a quick and atraumatic way, replacing the need of using a high speed drill to file off. IC: What is your favorite type of dental patient in terms of personality or case? DL: He or she appreciates the aftermath most and what it took to arrive there, from the smallest subtle nuance to the most involved transformation.

Karine Kazarian is the go-to skin guru for the winter season, especially during hectic holiday travel time. A true artist in her approach to skincare through the famed French product line, Biologique Recherche, Karine will literally have you glowing brighter than a twinkle light on a Christmas tree. Enter her downtown New York City sanctuary and be transformed into the best version of yourself. Located on West 8th Street in Manhattan, Karine will invite you inside for a warm cup of tea and a chance to kick your feet up and relax for a bit. But, it’s not all about relaxing here, as Karine is very serious about your skin. After a thorough analysis of your epidermis – including pinpointing your problem areas (i.e. tiredness, dehydration, wrinkles, etc.), she will write you a skin prescription and get to work. Inside one of the treatment rooms, your face will be cleansed and treated with Biologique Recherche’s award-winning Lotion P50, which exfoliates and tones your skin to perfection. She will them use various masks, serums and treatments to work the skin into tight, dewy perfection. She specializes in the manual lift technique, which consists of pinching and molding your muscles around your facial bones, enhancing firmness and elasticity. At the end of your treatment, Karine will use a machine that sends currents through your facial muscles, causing them to tighten and contract – making sure you leave the room looking 10-years younger. The word “facial” doesn’t do this treatment justice, and Karine is so much more than an aesthetician. She really has the power to help you realize your skin’s best potential.

The iconic French kitchenware maker, de Buyer , has done it again with their Mineral B Element pans. These iron beauties are our absolute favorite pans due to their quality, performance and perfect Lyonnaise style, which allows for easy transfer of food to plate – in a slide and snap. But, the most exciting feature here is the organic non-stick coating that keeps your food from getting stuck at high temperatures, yet keeps your body safe from harmful chemicals found in other non-stick coatings of competing brands. Cooking with de Buyer products is a dream, but cooking with the Mineral B Element iron pans takes it to an entirely different level. Using these in the kitchen for any professional or novice, is easy and fun. The pans themselves are solid, heavy and durable – not usual in today’s world. But, de Buyer sticks to tradition and only enhances what has already worked for them for decades. The beauty of the beeswax here is that they protect the pan from rust during transport, but it must be removed before first use. The pan is then seasoned with vegetable oil, prepping it for use.  When the pan is heated evenly from below, your food – whether something delicate like a filet of salmon, or something quick cooking, like eggs, is protected. Cooking is even and the food doesn’t lose any body or weight by sticking to its surface. The pan itself operates as a tool and doesn’t interfere with the final product that is served. The varied pan shapes, whether a simple fry pan, wok-style pan or small fry pan maintains a purpose and does its job well. In experimentation, we cooked everything from fish to crepes on the de Buyer Mineral B Element pans. Each dish turned-out flawlessly. And, like a good friend in the kitchen, your relationship with these pans will be tested over time. The pans will grow with you, darken, blacken and become treasures of memories of the love and energy you put into the food you cook to serve yourself or your loved ones. The blacker they get, the less they stick. The de Buyer Mineral B Element pans are the only pans worth having for not just the quality of your food, but for your health and wellness.

I think Gdansk and the surrounding region is my favorite area of Poland. A Baltic-facing sea town with beautiful architecture and character for days, Gdansk is a “must visit” destination for any traveler in 2018. Further afield, for those who love the sun, sea and sand – you can venture within 30-minutes to the nearby Hel Peninsula with resort towns like Sopot. Spring and Summer are calling you to Gdansk, and it would be a mistake not to listen. I visited Gdansk and the Baltic region of Poland recently, spending a few nights in Gdansk and taking day trips to Hel (yes, many funny puns associated with the name), as well as Gdynia and Sopot. What I realized after being here is that there is a calming, relaxing energy that permeates the region. Spas and wellness-focused hotels abound, as well as charming urban inns and boutique properties that dot the city of Gdansk. Beaches in the Baltic region are beautiful, clean and the water is cold. Pine trees fill the landscape and many of the local spas use pine and amber-infused products to attract clients. Northern Poland is known for its natural amber, which is found in the Baltic. You can source stunning chunks of amber that have small insects trapped in it from millions of years ago. You can also find it fashioned into stunning works of art and jewelry in various shops throughout the region. My favorite is the beautiful Amber Gallery. Gdansk is lively and a good place to base yourself while in the area. There are incredible restaurants, museums and historic squares to explore. The shopping is also an attraction, where you’ll find everything from antique shops to jewelry stores. For me, the ideal itinerary includes spending two nights in Gdansk and then heading to Sopot for another two nights. This way, you’ll get a little city and a little sea on your journey. In fact, if you stay longer, the area is known for their cosmetic surgery centers, where services are good and prices are far less than nearby Germany. Gdansk from outside the city on the nearby hills is a beautiful sight. Buildings are often painted with gold and pastel colors. Even the bronze statues around town tell stories about the city and the region. Lovers of maritime culture will love Gdansk. Architecture buffs will be in heaven. Exploring each square holds a new adventure around every corner. And, the harbor has a life of its own. Stumble into a local restaurant and take a seat for a beer or cup of coffee, watch boats drift in and out of the waterways. There’s not a better way to spend an afternoon. Northern Poland is unforgettable.

Toruń, Poland isn’t a city on many travelers’ radars, and that is a big mistake. Situated in North-Central Poland, about two hours via train from Warsaw, the city is small, charming, quaint and offers something new and interesting for visitors who look for something different in their journey. Wrapping around the quiet Vistula river, Toruń welcomes visitors with beautiful architecture, booming restaurants and cute hotels. I visited Toruń for the first time recently and was impressed immediately with the energy. For such a small town, it has a buzz and feel all its own, and welcomed me with open arms. Spared by the chaos of World War II, Toruń offers an impressive array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, red brick buildings a walled city within the city and deep traditions, like making gingerbread – some of the best I’ve ever tasted. You can easily spend two days here and not be bored, but I would suggest three days to be safe. While in Toruń, I visited the old town hall, Cathedral of John the Baptist, the Gingerbread Museum (my favorite) and the House of Copernicus – the mathematician and astronomer who realized it was the sun, not Earth, that was at the center of the universe. All these sites were interesting and fun to explore, but I loved the Gingerbread Museum – because, as a visitor, you are able to make your very own gingerbread with masters of the trade. My favorite hotel in the city is Hotel Nicolaus , a new-ish property in a very old building that has been refinished, flawlessly, and offers modern, spacious rooms, a fantastic restaurant and bar. All the rooms here feature large flatscreen televisions, luxurious bedding and views of old town. It’s my favorite hotel in the city. The best way, in my opinion, to arrive to Toruń is via train from Warsaw or Gdansk. Book your room at Hotel Nicolaus and be sure to visit all the sites I mentioned here. Allocate two to three days here and then head to the seafront town of Gdansk, and that will make a perfect visit to Northern Poland and the Baltic region. I can’t wait to return.

Poland is loaded with culinary destinations worth visiting, but Northern Poland – namely cities like Gdansk, Sopot and Toruń feature a slew of restaurants that every traveler to the region must visit. If you like to travel, you most likely enjoy trying new foods and experimenting with regional favorites that make an impact on your tastebuds. I know I do. And, Northern Poland definitely offers dining establishments that will fill you with everything from fresh seafood to local, carbohydrate-loaded goodness you’ll remember forever. My list of favorite restaurants in the region include the following: Chleb I Wino Restaurant , in Toruń. This fantastic local place serves international cuisine with an impressive wine list, focusing on homemade pizzas. Jan Olbracht Brewery , also in Toruń, serves regional specialties and fish – as well as an extensive list of locally made beers as there is a brewery on-site. In Gdansk, you must dine at Gdański Bowke Restaurant , an atmospheric place with homemade breads baked on-site and famous Polish peirogi. For lunch, on the Hel Peninsula, with stunning Baltic Sea views, you must enter the Bryza Resort and Spa and dine at Biała Restaurant – which is outfitted in all white and delivers some of the most incredible fish in the region. Also on the coast, in the resort town of Sopot, visitors should indulge in a true modern-Polish dinner at Polskie Smaki Restaurant , inside the beautiful Sheraton Hotel. A day trip from Gdansk to Malbork Castle will allow for an incredibly unique lunch at Gothic Restaurant . Chef Bogdan Gałązk graduated from the Culinary Academy of New York and now lives inside the stunning castle, inviting visitors to experience his unique, one-of-a-kind dishes that are made with produce and herbs grown on-site. Any of these food-related experiences you might have in Northern Poland will undoubtedly leave you satisfied. The food is diverse and delicious.

Located in central Gdansk, the Amber Gallery is the only must-see shop for amber creations and artifacts in a city littered with options. Walking through the beautiful and pristine streets of Gdansk, you’ll notice that there is a wide array of shopping options for those looking to purchase Baltic amber. You can find low-end, inexpensive items and high-end, expensive chunks of amber with plant matter and bugs that have been trapped inside for millions of years. The Amber Gallery is the best because of two reasons, quality and curation. The owner, a local man who also owns several delicious restaurants in the area, has done an incredible job of brining-in pieces that range from hand-carved figurines, to jewelry and raw amber pieces. The store itself is setup like a museum, with works of amber art displayed behind dimly lit cases. Glass doors slide open to reveal unique finds that you won’t see anywhere else in the city. My favorite pieces are the raw chunks of amber. Why? Because this is the beauty of the material as nature intended. I love looking through magnifying glasses to spot plant matter and insects trapped inside. It fascinates me that you can literally own a beautiful object that comes from the depths of the Earth, washed-up by the Baltic Sea and see an insect that is millions of years old trapped in time. This region of Europe is known for its amber, and the Amber Gallery is the only place to go.