‘Hot Brands, Cool Places’ is a vibrant lifestyle magazine and definitive collection of the hottest brands and the coolest places, constantly changing and updating its content to ensure visitors keep returning. In today's busy lives people don't want to trawl all over the internet looking for sources of great gifts, fashion, accessories for their home and the latest news, so we have created a dynamic online environment where our members can find everything that they need to achieve the lifestyle that they desire.

We are like a stylish Sunday supplement everyday without the weight of the papers !! As well as showcasing established brands, Hot Brands, Cool Places has become a launch pad for new brands and their creators. We also take care not to overfill the Directory, we have grown organically selecting companies that we think are different and interesting.

We are also committed to recognising the development of ethical brands; organisations working with integrity on behalf of their employees and consumers, and for the greater good. Each week in our newsletter as well as interesting news and reviews we introduce you to an eclectic mix of boutique hotels, superb restaurants, specialist shops, and inspiring places to visit.

What are Hot Brands?

Hot brands become objects of desire; we are passionate in our search for them and once found we often build long-term relationships with them. It may be because of their iconic design, or the emotional attachment that we form with them. We are passionate in our loyalty to them, we feel lost without them. They become an essential part of who we are; they are something we love to own.

What are Cool Places?

In this world there are special places where the quality of the service, the welcome we receive and the standard of what is offered surpasses our every expectation. These are not just places to visit, these become experiences, memorable, intimate, enjoyable, indulgent, engaging our senses with aromas, sounds and visions. These are our cool places, somewhere you just have to visit.

Hot brands can also be cool, just as cool places can become hot brands.

Who runs it? - Turning a passion into a business

Hot Brands, Cool Places was founded by mother and daughter team Kaye Thorne and Louise Sinclair. They are passionate about brands and bring wide experience to this concept, having worked successfully in both the online environment and in the corporate world.

Louise is co-owner of gagagoogoo.co.uk an internationally recognized online brand within the children's wear and gift marketplace supplying retailers in the UK, Europe, US and New Zealand. Their most recent project has been the development of Blankie World - a collection of adorable comforters that transform from a pram blanket into a cuddly toy (www.blankieworld.com).Louise is also a successful website designer and owner of Ocean Blue Media

Kaye is a well known business writer, brand strategist and founder of the Employer Branding Forum www.employerbrandingforum.co.uk. She has worked with a number of leading organisations in developing their employer brand and becoming an employer of choice. She was the judge for the Personnel Today Employer Branding Awards 2008 and 09. She is also a mentor to a number of young entrepreneurs, and to support this founded the www.entrepreneurbrand.com Among her best selling books are The Essential Guide to Managing Talent, Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Training, Coaching for Change, and Managing the Mavericks . She is a past winner of a National Training Award, and was shortlisted by WOLCE for An Outstanding Contribution to Learning.

Now that their other businesses are more established they have decided to launch Hot Brands, Cool Places. Together they bring imagination, energy and commitment to the success of this exciting new venture, which has developed from a little dream into a full time living adventure !