This Sunday at Larvotto Beach, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, The Animal Fund (TAF) is hosting a free talk about Plastic Pollution and its effect on the ocean and marine life.
The “Breathe for the Ocean” event, held next to the scuba club, will include the participation of Dr Aleksandra Hristova with an inspiring and informative talk about turtles.
Additionally, Beverley Holt, Wellness Coach and founder of the Holistic Info Directory, will speak about the whale, which symbolises creativity, wellbeing, and emotional depth.
The fun and family-friendly afternoon aims to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy, pollution-free ocean and how we can protect and care for its mammals.
In recent months, the Monaco-registered TAF has held a series of activities, together with local associations such as the Centre de Sauvetage Aquatique de Monaco and the École Bleue, to promote its Plastic Pollution Campaign.
Iryna Pugachova, a classically trained ballerina, opened Ms Fit – Fit for a Princess in 2014. Her ballet-barre classes became an instant success with Monaco’s female fitness-minded. Now the former Moulin Rouge dancer has taken her workouts beyond the walls of her studio at Montee de la Cremaillere in Beausoleil with the launch of MsFit Live!
“I always wanted to franchise my MsFit business,” Iryna told Monaco Life. “Launching MsFit Live! has been the first step towards globalising but without having to worry about logistics – such as workout spaces, instructors and local management – in different locations.”
The online product was client driven, as her Monaco followers were looking for a workout during the holidays. Iryna explained the methodology and flow of the online classes are the same fast-paced, disciplined, cardio-heavy barre workouts you’d find in the studio, and retain the focus on lean muscle and flexibility training.
“I made the online classes somewhat more compact – around 35 minutes compared to 60 minutes in the studio – to fit busy schedules. And also it’s quite different to maintain client motivation in front of a TV or mobile device where they can only see me and I can’t see them, so I wanted something more dynamic.”
For the moment, the online classes are intermediate but MsFit Live! has reached clients in Monaco, London, Melbourne, LA and Norway.
Reasonable space is required as you need to be able to elongate fully, as well as lift your legs with quite wide range of motion so it’s best to move furniture, pets and kids out of the way for those 35 minutes to prevent bumping into things.
A yoga mat is also recommended for the ab exercises, but “a folded-up beach towel can work as a replacement if you’re travelling”.
“In terms of a barre, I personally use the back of a chair, but you can use the back of a sofa, or a high table to hold on to for that part of the class.”
The MsFit Live! technology is flawless: “I am fortunate that my partner being the CEO and founder of an Apple-backed e-health company, so I was able to use the technology they developed for their client education in 102 countries.”
The scheduling and booking system is the same as the studio classes. Once you book your space you’ll receive a private invitation to the class with a link. There is a countdown until the class starts and when it does, simply press Play and you’re good to go.
“Studio space is hard to come by in Monaco and my classes are usually fully-booked. I even had fights break out by the barre because of the lack of space before I made it mandatory to reserve in advance.
“Luckily, with MsFit Live! clients can take the class wherever they are now and the only catfight they might get themselves into is that with an actual cat if she’s competing for your workout space!”
As every year, it’s the end of October and the approach of the All Saints’ school holidays marks the return of the traditional fair – the Foire Attractions – at Port Hercule.
The 4-week amusement fair with 80 stalls, rides and attractions will open on Friday, October 20, at 2 pm and close on Monaco’s National Day, Sunday, November 19, at 11 pm.
Various rides on Quai Albert Ier – Pulsion, AtmosFear, Tagada and Astrojet – should appeal to big and small, and this year, Aviator will be a novelty for adults and teenagers.
As always, gourmet stands will offer the traditional pancakes, waffles, and other snacks.
Public safety checks, introduced last year, will again be in place, providing greater security as the Town Council makes every effort to strike the right balance between security and friendliness.
Access to the fair attractions will be via seven entrances on the upper and lower parts of Quai Albert Ier. Checks will be carried out at each of them, and those attending should carry only small bags to simplify these operations.
The Fair will be open until midnight each Friday and Saturday and on October 31. On November 18, a fireworks show is scheduled at 8 pm as part of the National Holiday celebrations.
When Stars’n’Bars first surrounded its port terrace with a vegetable garden three years ago, it was the first time a restaurant had set up its own organic garden within Monaco.
During the summer season, it harvests more than 120 meters of tomatoes, courgettes, lettuce, peppers, eggplants and a myriad of herbs including basil, mint, thyme and parsley.
The vegetables and herbs are used by its kitchen in various traditional homemade dishes from burgers to chips and salsa but also for new vegan specialities. The mint and basil are used in cocktails.
The restaurant is now in the process of planting a winter garden to include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnips and cauliflower.
Stars’n’Bars manages its own seeding, maintenance and harvesting but, according to Didier Rubiolo, co-founder of the restaurant with Kate Powers, “We wanted also to show our customers how easy it is to grow vegetables for themselves and how much better it is for their health to eat fresh, organic products.
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
Photo: Monaco Life
“So we were delighted when Annabelle Jaeger of My Little Potager offered to give courses on gardening at the restaurant for adults and families with children.”
The third of three 1.5 hour workshops takes place October 21, at 10:30 am, as Annabelle shows how to grow an urban vegetable crop while covering basic gardening skills, including how to use wood chips, hay and soil on a balcony or terrace. Participants should bring a large shopping bag or bin, gardening gloves, and wear clothes and shoes that they don’t mind getting dirty.
Cost: €40 for 1 adult, 1 child or €45 for 1 adult and 2 children; reservations: annabellejaeger@hotmail.com.
So here we are back at Monday. If you’re reading this, congratulations on making it through the weekend in one piece. The sun was shining and so were the style stars around the Principality.
As time goes on, one begins to know exactly who will be wearing what where making it easy to spot a fashion moment. You’ll find Victoria Silvstedt soaking up the sun on a yacht deck, Julien Guirado out and about in Casino Square, and Ms Yana Weiman at her beloved Hotel Metropole.
This past weekend nobody played by any particular rule, comfort was key for some, cool for others and a healthy dose of classic Monaco glam for many. What caught my eye this time around with this bunch was not just what they were wearing but from what places and what they were trying to communicate … other than I’m obviously cooler than you. So enjoy this weekend style recap. Get inspired, get jealous, get DRESSED.
Julien Guirado
@giura22 Clearly someone is a Netflix Narcos fan. Drug Dealer casual was the mood for this TV star and influencer over the weekend … minus the drugs. Maroon makes me swoon as he rocked at Narcos Medellin sweater with colour-coordinated Old Skool Vans sneakers. Also clearly someone was missing the mid 2000s – hello Von Dutch trucker hat. I’m only letting that slide because Kylie Jenner is apparently the reason it’s making a comeback. Let’s see how long before I’m scrolling eBay to cop one. Overall this look is cute, it’s casual, I wouldn’t be mad if I walked up to my boyfriend at Casino Square rocking this look for date night (you’re a lucky girl Martika Caringella).
Yana Weiman
@yanaweiman This Russian beauty queen (actually you’re all probably quite familiar with her by now in this feature) channelled the essence of a Provençal lavender field this weekend in a Nezha fashion dress with a tulip style skirt, a pink Lady Dior bag and matching Montaigne Paris pink pumps at the Hotel Metropole. Side note: her mother Inna is exactly what you would expect the mother of this style driven young model to be … FABULOUS.
Okay, back to Yana. Like I’m trying to understand how whatever she wears and at whatever occasion, she manages to make it look like a high fashion editorial. Peep her Instagram and you’ll see what I mean, like hello, can I look that glam working out or jogging or just driving as she does. With 79,000 followers tracking her every fabulous move it’s no wonder she has strangers sending her boxes of roses.
Victoria Silvstedt
@victoriasilvstedt Classics never go out of style. Since I can’t crown her Princess of Monaco I’ll just refer to her as Princess of Style. The Swedish blonde television personality was white hot in a white La Reveche ruffled sundress on board a yacht in the port. Sunlight glinting off her always perfectly tousled hair she was #WEEKENDGOALS for just about everybody. Sometimes it’s just about the simple things in life to keep us happy you know, just a simple white dress on a simple super yacht … clearly I’ve been doing MY Sundays wrong. –
Cat?
cat98000 Well here’s a new entry to my weekend style club after much consideration (and research). I’m still not sure who she is … well, other than incredibly chic. There’s so many things to note with this look that it’s overwhelming me. BUT PLEASE FIRST let’s note that the dog leash is coordinated with Cat’s blouse!! I’m SCREAMING. Like hello attention to detail. Please tell this woman has a closet of dog leashes to match her daily outfits. Oh Monaco, I love you. The Blue Atoll Hermès Kelly bag, the baby blue Chanel jacket, Hermès belt, silver Chanel flats and Dior So Real sunglasses all for brunch. Like this is how I think I look rolling up to the Meridien for eggs and mimosas when in reality I’m in last night’s outfit still.
Looking blue but feeling good, Cat’s not worried that there’s no lifeguard on duty at the beach. She has more important things on her mind … I can only imagine what the doggie poop bags look like.
Antoine
@monsieurlifestyle Oh, hi Antoine, I was wondering when you would make it into this recap. If you’re not familiar with this instahunk (I mean, fashion influencer) get to scrolling. Yes, we will overlook the fact that he hashtags #MenWithClass with inspirational quotes. That is my edict. Now we can continue.
The lifestyle blogger/entrepreneur trekked up from Cannes this weekend to hangout in Monaco, and by hangout I mean just look generally cooler and more handsome than the rest of us. Maybe he wanted to be incognito (sorry, we spotted you anyways) but he looked super slick in a “The Spy Who Loved Me” sort of way in all black wearing Karl Lagerfeld, Mont Blanc and a Maxwell & Scott bag (to carry my heart away in).
Anyway this look is pure hashtag men’s fashion inspiration. You can’t go wrong with black, it flatters all body types from the general blobby masses to Antoine’s Herculean situation. Ok this is getting out of hand. The end.
Trainer’s background: A professional footballer in France, the UK and Israel, Morgan Biancone trained at AS Cannes where David Bettoni (now assistant to Real Madrid’s head coach Zinedine Zidane) recruited him at age 15.
After Israel, he decided to develop a business based on his “Body & Mind” concept and became a certified personal trainer at the Fédération française de Fitness in Paris and also got his American certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Target area: Everything from head to toe. The exercises changed every day but the focus stays the same: self-myofascial release, balance-proprioception (position, motion, and equilibrium), warm-up, full body workout strength and cardio with elastic weights rope, postural improvement and correction, and to finish, stretching and sophrology.
Who’s the workout for: Everybody, but intensity, reps, weights – the whole workout – are all tailored to the client.
What equipment do you need: Training is outdoors (in season). Could be at the helipad or to work the lower body (and burn the legs) at the Fort Antoine Theatre or a flat surface like Stade Louis II to work on sprint technique. Could also be at a client’s home. Material and equipment provided by Morgan.
Few names of clients: Victoria Secret Model Cindy Bruna before various Fashion Weeks, OCG Nice footballer Mickael Le Bihan, AS Monaco footballer Giulian Biancone, Émil Humbert, Monaco architect (Song-Qi, BeefBar)
Hardcore level: “Depends on my mood.” No, seriously, each session is different and is based on the progression and goals of the client, among other factors.
Cost: For one-on-one training (first session is free) €100/hr, 5 1-hr sessions: €450 or 10 for €900. Group rates range from €42.50 to €50/hr/per person.
Heading off to spend 60 minutes with personal trainer Morgan Biancone, I anticipated an overly-buff macho dude more interested in his own biceps than mine. I mean, when you’re dating a Victoria Secret model who was just named the Sexiest Woman in France, it would be a full-time job to make sure you look good, right?
Wrong.
This trainer who spent the last three years between New York and Paris has an endearing nature and depth of experience that are both welcome in Monaco.
And while English- and French-speaking Morgan admits he’s always felt a special attachment to the Principality – “I have everything here, my family, my friends, the Mediterranean Sea – the 24-year-old has a new reason to call Monaco home.
He’s just signed with AS Monaco Futsal, where not only will he play with the indoor football club, but he’ll be the team’s physical trainer and try to recruit the best players to put Monaco at the highest level of the French League.
Unlike football, indoor football is played on court with boundaries, has five players on a team and uses a size-4 ball, which has 30% less bounce. Also, the game is played in 20-minute halves with a stopped clock.
“AS Monaco Futsal has an exciting project to reach an elite level in four years,” Morgan enthused. “I talked with the team coach, Jean Claude Haddad, and he was so open. I sense great energy and see big potential for the team.”
When he’s not developing indoor football in Monaco, Morgan is training minds and bodies. And he’s good at it. “One hour training is the easiest part of your day,” Morgan explained. “It’s the 23 hours after – the invisible training – that are the hardest. What you eat, what you drink, how much sleep you get, your social life. You are in fact your best personal trainer.”
Morgan divides our session into two workouts. A sprint training for my colleague, which included 45 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of sprinting.
And when I say preparation, I’m not talking limp jumping jacks and burpees. Morgan’s sprint session included a roll-on (7 times each muscle), balance-proprioception exercises (30 sec each leg, 3 times), skipping rope (3x1min) plus a global warm up (head to toes, 7min) and activo-dynamic stretching.
Finally, there were dynamic steps on the rhythmic scale, eccentric and specific exercises for the lower part of the body and ballistic exercises.
Then the main event: sprinting with a parachute. “For the experienced athletes, you can add a light relaxation-stretching plus 15 minutes of sophrology after your session,” Morgan suggested, “and it will help your recovery, and you’ll feel a progression in your performance over time.”
I wasn’t allowed to play with parachutes. After completing the Isles of Scilly swimrun in June and then an alpine swimrun in Engadin three weeks later, I have a stress fracture on my left leg. After discussing the nature of my injury and doctor’s advice, Morgan gave me a series of exercises me to assess my movements (overactive and underactive muscles), my balance and morphology. These involved walkable movements, and repetitions with elastics, balance discs and ankle weights.
It’s clear from the get go that Morgan (who never swears by the way) has an extensive sports background and didn’t wake up one day and decide to be a trainer. After an hour of bending, extending and twisting, I had no pain in my left leg, nor did I feel any niggles on my right side from over-compensation. After working on my iPhone syndrome, I felt taller and lighter in the shoulders and neck.
Morgan demonstrated that even with an injury, you can obtain a full body work out and achieve well-being. I’ve worked out with other trainers and walked away feeling, “yeah, that was good.” But with Morgan, I walked away digesting on what he talked about during our training and wanting to Google some of the principles he bases his programs on.
And although Morgan is fun and funny (and you can tease him about the pressure of being a Victoria Secret model’s boyfriend), he’s a thinker. For him, the strength of the mind is equally as important as the body, and he provided me with a reassuring philosophy: a strong mentality is essential in sports but it’s also okay to admit to yourself an injury sucks.
Victoria Silvstedt
Antoine
Heading off to spend 60 minutes with personal trainer Morgan Biancone, I anticipated an overly-buff macho dude more interested in his own biceps than mine. I mean, when you’re dating a Victoria Secret model who was just named the Sexiest Woman in France, it would be a full-time job to make sure you look good, right?
