Affinity Luxury Lifestyle Magazine July 2019

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PRICELESS

www.affinitymag.co.uk AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Bright Eyes

We bring you some of the best eye creams around

A 60's Revival

with the Mary Quant

WWW.AFFINITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

It's not a myth Afternoon Tea

burnout is now recognised as a chronic disease

Motown the Musical

ISSUE 97

in Conversation with Michael Lovesmith

ISSUE 97

Summer Styling

Beauty, Fashion and Interiors

When life gives you lemons The latest fashion trends

Beauty in Brazil

Coastlines, culture and cuisine

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Welcome...

I’m loving...

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4 Mary Quant, a fashion icon of the sixties, now has an afternoon tea and exhibition at The Victoria & Albert Museum dedicated to her. The afternoon tea is a collaboration between The Pelham, London and luxury event planners La Fete, a great idea for a girlie day out, which is exactly what we did, read our review on page 31.

There’s under a month to go until this year’s music concerts in Bedford Park. There’s music for everyone with Friday 26th July bringing you Café Mambo Ibiza Classics, Saturday 27th July Rita Ora and Sunday 28th July, Proms in the Park, and have we got a treat for you, we’re giving you the chance to win a pair of VIP tickets for you and a plus one for the Sunday night Proms, turn to page 56 to see how to enter.

For those who are regular readers and follow us on Instagram will know we love to explore the world, whether it’s being treated like royalty in the Maldives, or glamping in a tree house, we love it. There are so many places to see, so many things to do, we’re constantly looking for experiences we know will inspire you – The latest is my trip to Brazil, where I explored the lesser known north-eastern part of the country, Ceara. Known for its 600 kilometers of soft sandy coastline, with little palm-fringed bays, tranquil beach resorts, quaint traditional fishing villages and a landscape lined with strikingly beautiful red cliffs, page 45 tells you more.

Burnout is defined as chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed and in today’s working environment it is more common than ever, which is why it’s such good news to hear that it is now recognized as a chronic disease, having recently been added to the WHO International Classification of Diseases, meaning it will become a globally recognized medical condition come 2020, turn to page 16 for more information.

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1. Swarovski Marcolin Sunglasses, £170, www.Swarovski Eyewear 2. Leopard Print Chain Bag, £73, Dune London 3. Multicolour Stripe Swimsuit, £35, Accessorize 4. Palm Tree Dress, £195, www.raefeather.com 5 . Stretch Bracelet Stack, £15, Accessorize

‘THIS IS IT’ Tickets for our Annual Charity Ball on Saturday 9th November are now on sale. The theme this year is ‘The Greatest Showman’ and it promises to be a fabulous evening of Big Top entertainment, live music and lots of fun. For mote information turn to page 4.

Until next month – Have fun in the Sun!

Jane x

Cover River Island

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Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Advertising: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk

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All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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CONTENTS 10

11 14 19 22 28 32 37 40 50 55 58 62

Bright eyes Midlife Madness Summer Fashion Edit Pretty in Playsuits Wavendon Arms Dining Sausage Tortellini Summer RosĂŠ Cute as Candy London Life Summer Scents Magic of Motown Weekend Starts Here

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Jelly Fun

Wax Lyrical

Neom Organics has launched its Intensive Skin Treatment Candle.

Originally designed for Neom's Wellbeing Spa Treatments, the candle is blended for use on skin, and is packed with 100% natural fragrances and blended with nourishing oils including soya bean, cocoa butter, and almond oil.

Formulated with a low melt point it is ready to use on the skin after two minutes of cooling. Available at neomorganics.com and in store, priced at £40.

Retexture your Skin

Marc Jacobs Beauty has announced the launch of its Youthquake hydra-full retexturizing gel crème.

Formulated with enzymatic pineapple water, encapsulated sodium hyaluronate and antioxidant-rich starfruit and dragon fruit extracts, the gel creme retexturizes skin as it moisturises so that new skin cells can be rehydrated.

Youthquake hydra-full retexturizing gel crème is available at Harvey Nichols and online at harveynichols.com priced at £50.

Summer Beauty

Marks & Spencer’s new Summer Beauty Box features a curated selection of products worth over £115. The Summer Beauty Box includes: Formula Skin Solutions Nourishing Mask, Rodial VitC Brightening Sheet Mask, Living proof Perfect Hair Dry Shampoo, Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit C Cream, Shay & Blue English Cherry Blossom EDP, The Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle, Ultrasun Face SPF 30, REN Atlantic Kelp Shower Gel, Rosie for Autograph Radiance Highlighter, Skyn Iceland Eye Ge Available to purchase online at marksandspencer.com or instore for £15 when spending £40 or more on clothing, beauty, or home.

Rimmel London’s new Ultimate Jelly Collection, an array of jelly texture highlighters, blushers and glitter gels with weightless, cooling formulas that flood the skin with moisture. The collection includes: Jelly Blush, (£7.99) the cooling formula contains a unique self-smoothing polymer for a flush of colour. Jelly Highlighter, (£8.99) packed with radiance, iridescent hues and soft glitter highlights. Jelly Glitter Gels, (£8.99) the gel-based formula locks in the vibrant glitter without the need for glue. The Ultimate Jelly Collection is now available from rimmellondon.com and selected retailers.

BEAUTY UPDATES

Simply Skin British skincare brand Temple Spa has released two new products with Life Defence SPF30 and Easy on the Eye. Life Defence SPF30 (£38 for 50ml), is a hydrating moisturiser that offers year-round multi-environmental protection, including broad-spectrum UVA/B, anti-pollution and against red/blue/green light. The formula contains rocket and organic ginseng root extract.

Easy on the Eye (£16 for 150ml), is a gentle eye and brow makeup remover and soothing eye lotion in one. This new lightweight, gentle yet effective, fragrance-free formulation removes eye and brow make-up and refreshes tired, sore, grittyfeeling eyes. Available from templespa.com.

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Bright Eyes Take extra care with the delicate area around your eyes by using an eye cream from our favourites

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, £54, www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Clinique Age Defense Eye Cream, £31.50, Debenhams

Elemis Peptide4 Recovery Eye Cream, £38, www.elemis.com

ESPA Lift and Firm Eye Moisturiser, £45, www.espaskincare.com

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Cream, £12.99, John Lewis

Shiseido Lift Dynamic Eye Cream, £66, John Lewis

Murad Renewing Eye Cream, £65, www.murad.co.uk

L'Occitane Imortelle Divine Eyes, £55, www.loccitane.com

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Making your own

sunshine

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I am writing this in the summer - when it is cold and raining! Well, I know it is the UK I get it. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Hopefully by the time you read this, summer as we know it, as in long, warm, balmy days of blue skies and sun, an excuse for drinking Pimm’s, enjoying picnics and outdoor concerts or films or even just a humble glass of vino in the back garden after a hot day at work, will be in full swing!

Well we can hope can’t we. But as we know the weather can, firstly never be relied upon and secondly never changed. It can of course change at will, usually it seems to catch us unawares, a downpour when we’ve planned the BBQ and beautiful sunshine when we have reluctantly decided to go for food indoors based on the forecast.

But this is about more than the meteorological weather, what I’m referring to by the title is the way in which in life creating sunshine is up to us. It’s a common theme in my articles because I find it is something people struggle with a lot. We seem bound to situations, to what ‘happens’ when, of course, real peace and happiness stem from within.

So, the rainy days serve as a reminder that whether it’s the weather or another aspect of life, what happens - which may not be what we’d wanted - is less important than our reaction to what happens.

In terms of creating our own sunshine the following five steps should pretty much do it for anyone, if the problems they are experiencing are within the range we could call normal!

Be Grateful You might feel you are sick of hearing this but honestly it is a game changer. When we focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have, especially the stuff that is good but that we often take for granted, our whole outlook can change. The basics like our health and faculties, if we are lucky enough to have them, but also our home, food and bed. It is so easy to take such things for granted but we can remind ourselves that not everyone has those things. That doesn’t mean we can’t have aspirations and desires, but it does mean we can focus on the good we already have, in relation to the law of attraction and abundance gratitude is a door opener.

Be Kind More of the same when we lift our heads up to see others and not just our own situation, that too can help us. But the motivation for kindness shouldn’t be our own benefit – clearly the main point of kindness is helping

others BUT when we do that the bonus does seem to have a positive impact on us. Noting others and doing the small things that we can to help has a positive impact on our own attitude. So, bring on those random acts of kindness – it doesn’t have to be big stuff, a smile or kind words can literally change another person’s day.

See the Big Picture It is very easy to get caught up in the minutiae of a day and lose sight of the big stuff. Okay so the train is late, or the motorway Is clogged and yes that can be very irritating but if we arrive safely then it probably isn’t too bad. We all do it but when we stop and think we can realise that possibly for other people the day has been life altering – and we would all rather be the person held up on the road than the person involved in the accident that caused the delay.

Stay in the Moment One of things that can regularly cause black clouds to appear is when we spend time dwelling on either the past or the future.

Obviously, a degree of reflection is useful, and we all need to think and plan a bit for the future but when we start to spend too much time looking back or forward, we can cause ourselves problems. Often that is when we get stuck in overthinking past conversations or regretting past actions, both of which we can do nothing about, but both of which can steal our peace of mind. When it comes to the future most of our anxiety and worry is caused dwelling on what might happen – usually the negative possibilities rather than the positive ones. It is worth learning some techniques like mindfulness to help you stay firmly rooted in the moment.

Be Expectant They say that miracles often happen to those who go looking for them. Whilst it clearly isn’t a guarantee there does seem to be something about a positive attitude bringing about more opportunities and ‘good things’ than a negative one. In terms of our weather analogy I guess it means taking the umbrella if it’s raining but also putting the sunglasses in our pockets expecting change, because you never know!

I hope this summer has lots of sunshine for us all but if not then determine that you will simply make your own.

Just a reminder that you can buy a copy of my book ‘make it magnificent’ from Amazon or the attuned education website. www.amazon.co.uk/ www.attunededucation.com

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Midlife Madness We are often told that size doesn’t matter, that it isn’t important but in fact, I beg to differ. There are certain areas of life where I think size matters - a lot. The first is when it comes to coffee. Now I don’t think this is particularly an age thing, but I find that coffee and visits to the loo go hand in hand. Not literally obviously, I would rarely take coffee to the loo but while I enjoy a coffee increasingly I find I must limit my intake or my output increases exponentially.

Maybe in part this is related to age, but I think coffee ‘portions’ have simply become far too large. In fact, the ‘large’ are so big I am absolutely flabbergasted that anyone could get through them. I have never asked for a large but these days when I ask for a regular, which used to be the small, I am still aghast at how much liquid there is. I am not a fan of espresso, but it might be the only way to get a drink in a size that is manageable.

Then there are parking spaces. Let me state for the record that I do not think the car I have now is any bigger than any of my previous cars and I also don’t believe that my parking abilities, never great, have declined at all.

Neither, in case you dreamed of being so rude as to mention it, has my size increased, but I honestly find if I park in a marked bay with other cars on either side it is a struggle to fit myself through the door without damaging or at least nudging the adjacent car, as my door can only open a fraction and the skills of contortionist are needed to exit the vehicle. I’m not even going to get into the fact that it would be nice to exit the vehicle with some dignity intact and a little decorum that seems wishful thinking given the size of parking bays.

My poor parking skills are only surpassed by my general

lack of any sense of direction and the ability to find my car. It doesn’t matter where I park it I come out and in Dory like fashion and I think ‘car….oh yes now where was it’. This happened the other day in Birmingham.

After what felt like a very long time and with a rising sense of panic as well as sore feet, I suddenly realised that as I’d parked by phone I could phone and get location – which did work, make a note! I was relaying my tales of woe to hubby when I got home, and his helpful advice was why didn’t I ask my phone.

Apparently, you can ask Siri where it is. Keen to demonstrate his ability to fix any problem he demonstrated and sure enough it told us his car was outside the house, which to be honest we’d known anyway. So, I tried it too – my often unruly and mischievous Siri told me it was 1031 miles away in Spain – I kid you not. I’ve tried it again since and it is still in Spain!! What is that all about?

Anyway, I digress, back to the issue of size. Size in my opinion also matters when it comes to televisions! I enjoy TV, I have my ‘go to’ relaxation programmes, and I love a good boxset BUT the point is I like to watch them on a TV, A TV sized TV. what is the point of having a cinema sized TV in the house? It means you’ll never actually go out to the cinema and when I go to the cinema, I like the whole experience. The way we suspend life and concentrate fully on the programme, we can’t rewind, so we turn our phones off and even if dear old aunty Di does ring for a catch up I’m unavailable. Frankly that will never happen at home however big and imposing the TV might be – it is still in a lounge not a cinema. But this battle is one I feel unlikely to win – so I’ll just go and watch TV on my tiny phone screen – just to prove a point!

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Cockatoo Earrings, £15, Accessorize

Crossbody Bag, £27.50, Accessorize

AFFINITY HOT PICKS

Jo Malone London Lily & Ivy Charity Candle, £48, www.jomalone.co.uk

Sleep & Snuggle Bedtime Set, £22.99, www.loveboo.com

Monkey Cushion, £19.95, Gisela Graham

Tarot Magic Eye Phone Case, £45, www.swarovski.com

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Metal Wire Basket Table, £27.95, Melody Maison

Unicorn Notebook, £7.50, Lola Design Ltd

Pina Colada Deckchair, £140, Penelope Hope

Watermelon Statement Necklace, £25, Accessorize

Watch, £45, www.joules.com

Ice Bag, £14, John Lewis

L'Occitane Eau de Parfum, £60, wwww.uk.loccitane.com

Brazil Mix Havaianas, £22, www.havaianas-store.com/en

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Burnout is now Recognised as a Chronic Disease Recently Burnout has been added to the WHO International Classification of Diseases, meaning it will become a globally recognised medical condition come 2020.

While some people may dismiss burnout as a myth – the World Health Organisation added Burnout to the International Classification of Diseases, meaning it will become a globally recognised medical condition as of 2020.

Burnout is defined as chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed and in today’s working environment it is more common than ever. “You can reach ‘burnout’ when your nervous system is in overdrive for too long, often due to stress. A lack of rest, relaxation or general ‘downtime’ from stress is like depriving your body of good food – eventually your energy and mental resources start to run out. The results can include fatigue or exhaustion, so that even the smallest things become an effort. You might feel emotional or short-tempered, find it hard to concentrate or make decisions, and find that even little things upset you,” explains Nutritionist and Fitness Instructor Cassandra Barns. If this sounds familiar our experts are on hand to offer their advice to help you minimise the effects of a burnout.

Practice Mindfulness Psychologist and Psychotherapist Corinne Sweet working in association with ThinkWell LiveWell, the new mindfulness toolkit for practical people (www.thinkwell-livewell.com) explains why we’re struggling to slow down and relax, “We are finding it hard to slow down and relax due to the increased pace of life at work, home, socially. Constant social media updates, 24/7 news feeds, shops open all hours.

Flexible working and zero hour contracts mean old boundaries have melted and we are 'on' continuously. To prevent burnout we need to pace ourselves on a human scale. We need to eat well, sleep adequately, wind down, take exercise, moderate addictive pulls (limit alcohol, caffeine), and learn basic mindfulness techniques to live more in the present.

Top tip: Try ThinkWell-LiveWell - it aims to meet people’s real needs in a practical, accessible way. Its innovations in

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personalisation and multi-disciplinary experiences take people through a complete process of change and development at the emotional, awareness and behavioural levels – in much the same way as face-to-face counselling or coaching would do. The ThinkWellLiveWell ‘Mindfulness and More’ toolkit draws on it’s founder Mick’s own multimodular approach as a therapist to add and combine leading techniques such as cognitive work, NLP, hypnotherapy, guided meditation and dream-work, delivered in both online and offline forms.

Invest in Houseplants London’s Leading Nutritionist Lily Soutter ( w w w. l i lys o u t te r n u t r i t i o n . c o m ) recommends using houseplants for their calming benefits. “Many of us know that being close to greenery and nature brings a sense of calmness and ease to our surroundings. Houseplants are a stylish way of bringing a touch of the outdoors into our home. Not only do they help improve air quality and lift mood, but plants may have specific health properties of their own”.

Lavender could be particularly helpful if you’re worried about burnout as it can help with stress reduction and sleep.

“Lavender is the plant of choice when it comes to getting a more restful night sleep. In fact, research[ii] has shown improvements in sleep quality in those who are struggling with stress and insomnia, with effects[iii] being seen from both oral supplements and aromatherapy.

Whilst lavender tends to be an outdoor plant, growing this beautifully scented plant indoors can be well worth your time.

Ensure that your pot plant has access to bright daylight and fresh air.”

Lily’s Top Tip: “Before bed, simply take a few deep breaths, inhaling the relaxing floral scent of your lavender plant for a calmer more restful nights sleep. You can also try drying some lavender buds to

make potpourris, you can then add to a cotton bag and leave on your pillow for scented sheets.”

Prioritise We all want to be able to do everything on our list but sometimes it’s essential to go through your workload and prioritise. The UK’s leading nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville (www.marilynglenville.com) explains, “If you feel the symptoms of stress coming on, learn to get your priorities right. There is nothing in your life right now more important than your health. Learn to say no if you feel that you have taken on too much. Being assertive is invigorating and empowering. It also helps to make lists of what is or is not a priority and to tackle the priority tasks first. This will help give you a sense of control over your life.”

A Helping Hand from Hemp Cassandra explains, “Phytocannabinoids are natural substances found in the hemp plant, most of which are non-psychoactive – in other words, they don’t have the mind or behaviour-altering effects associated with cannabis as a drug. Research has suggested that some phytocannabinoids can have benefits for our health – including anti-anxiety, calming effects. For this reason, a supplement containing natural phytocannabinoids such as HempCeutix Complete could have benefits for calming our nervous system and helping prevent burnout.” Try Natures Plus brand-new HempCeutix capsules to help harmonise your mind and body (RRP £45.99, www.planetorganic.com) Use Essential Oils As well as prioritising, Marilyn suggests “Make an effort to relax before you get into bed. Consider using some aromatherapy oils, such as bergamot or roman chamomile and marjoram in a warm bath, just before bed. A few drops of aromatherapy oils on your pillow at bedtime, can have the same effect.”

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FASHION

Wallis

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When Life Gives you Lemons

Forget florals or palm prints, fruits are the print to wear this summer with lemons being the pick of the bunch.

Floppy Lemon Straw Hat, £25, Laura Ashley

Lemon Bikini Top, £18, Briefs, £17, Accessorize

Lemon Print Top, £22, M&Co

Love Culture Lemon Midi Dress, £40, M&Co

Lemon Cold Shoulder Top, £22, Roman Originals

Lemon Fringe Earrings, £10, Accessorize

Embroidered Lemon Blouse, £22, Roman Originals Lemon Print Dress, £55, Oasis

Lemon Slogan T- Shirt, £8.99, New Look

Lemon Cross Body Bag, £29, Accessorize

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White Out White is everywhere this summertime, so we thought we’d help you out with some of our favourite pieces

Dress, £35, Dorothy Perkins

Broderie tiered Dress, £28 Very

Trousers, £175, Karen Millen

Top, £35, White Stuff Linen Blouse, £29, M&Co River Island

Ripped Hem Shorts, £25, Very

White Costume, £34, River Island

Crossover Slider, £12.50, F&F

Skirt, £35, River Island

White Bag, £25, Dorothy Perkins

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Pretty in Playsuits Need a look that's effortless? You can never go wrong with a playsuit, dress it up with heels for a night out or flip flops for a stroll on the beach

Ditsy Print Playsuit, £32, Dorothy Perkins Tropical Pom Pom Playsuit, £32, Lipsy

Floral Playsuit, £15, Bonmarche

Dorothy Perkins

Mantaray Playsuit, £16, Debenhams

Cotton Playsuit, £30, Accessorize

Utility Playsuit, £38, Very

Paisley Bardot Playsuit, £35, Lipsy

Tie Dye Playsuit, £10, F&F

Satin Playsuit, £35, Glamorous

L

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Embroidered Shorts, £9.99, Matalan

Camel Shorts, £35, River Island

Tropical Frill Shorts, £14.99 New Look

Short & Sweet Shorts, a holiday essential, we’ve searched and found our favourites, so all you have to do is buy

Stripe Shorts, £19.99, New Look

Red Broidery Shorts, £25, JD Williams

Stripe Shorts, £25, Miss Selfridge Leopard Print Shorts, £39, Sosander

Shorts, £28, River Island

Yellow Shorts, £25, Miss Selfridge River Island

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Denim Look Espadrilles, £25, M&Co

Gold Metalic Espadrilles, £24, M&Co

Flat Espadrilles, £35, White Stuff

flat pack

Leopard Print Espadrilles, £65 Dune London

Natural fabrics and woven textures are the making of espadrilles, perfect to wear when the sun is shining

Mantaray Espadrilles, £32, Debenhams

Open Toe Espadrilles, £29, Miss Selfridge Red Stripe Espadrilles, £35, Glamorous

Slip On Espadrilles, £19.99 Next

Strappy Espadrilles, £45, Faith Yellow Espadrille Sandals, £25, Miss Selfridge

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food & drink

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Decadent Drinking & Dining at The Wavendon Arms he Wavendon Arms in Wavendon (near Milton Keynes) has had a makeover that literally leaves you speechless. Think glamorous jewel tones, cocktail inspired leafy prints, solid oak and plush velvet seating all encased in a jungle setting and you get the idea.

T

This opulent look greets you as soon as you arrive, with palm tree lighting and the large jungle themed wall art entrance, you just want to stop stare and take as many selfies as you can before you step inside. But, don’t worry the opulence continues as you step into the bar area that’s engulfed by a marble topped blue and gold bar that wouldn’t be out of place in a 1920’s whodunnit!

Around the bar are cosy, intimate seating areas just perfect for a cocktail or two. The cocktail menu has classics such as Porn Star Martini, Mojito and Aperol Spritz but it was the ‘Gintonicas’ menu that had me all excited, a menu showcasing the extensive gins on offer. I decided to try the raspberry & peach (Tanqueray gin with mellow peach bitters, raspberry cordial, fever tree Mediterranean tonic) served over ice and garnished with raspberries, so refreshing I didn’t need much arm twisting to have another.

The men in my party had a couple of Peroni beers and my mum had a Cosmo Twist all washed down with some delicious canapes, which were mini versions of some of the dishes on the menu, if the canapes were a taste of things to come I couldn’t wait.

Food is served in the restaurant, a space that has a colour palette of teal and gold, solid wood flooring, foliage hanging from the beams, skylights that add light and space to the whole room, and walls adorned with artwork of animals and plants – simply stunning!

Enough drooling over the décor it’s now time to see if the food makeover is as good as the interior. The menu brings together an exciting new social dining and drinking experience, featuring fresh flavours and ingredients inspired by modern world food trends. Whether you fancy something from the grill or something from the array of small plates to share, the choice is yours and the selection mouth-wateringly tempting.

To start, we opted for a selection of small plates that included panko-crusted fried brie served with a sloe gin chutney, this was utterly delicious, my only complaint I had to share it! Hummus topped with tomato tapenade, crispy

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chickpeas, pine niuts and pomegranate served with toasted ciabatta was another hit, as was the tempura oyster mushrooms with a soy, lime & ginger dipping sauce.

Sashimi tuna tartare with avocado, pickled red onion, chilli, lime, soy & mirin dressing, was so fresh and flavoursome, with the dressing adding just the right kick to the taste buds. Chargrilled octopus & chorizo was served in a pico de garlic salsa and paprika, the octopus was tender and full of flavour, and the spicy chorizo complemented the octopus perfectly and finally the seared Atlantic scallops served with lobster and crab bon bons, if you love shellfish this is definitely the dish for you, buttery scallops, with the intense rich flavours of lobster and crab combined in the bon bons.

These sharing plates were a real hit, we could have just eaten these all night, but as it was a new menu calling out to be reviewed we decided to order from the main course menu, split into different sections – Healthy, Rotisserie & Grill, Iconic Shares and Burgers & Comfort Food Classics.

Hubbie opted for the trio of pork, this was from the ‘Iconic Sharers’ section, the only thing, he didn’t share, he ate it all himself! Quirkily served on a long wooden board held up with two cans and included sticky pork belly, pastrami pork cheeks with roasted chorizo, crispy potatoes, crackling and apple sauce, a delicious combination of pork cuts.

The four-bone lamb rack (Rotisserie & Grill) was another choice, accompanied with buttered green beans, dauphinoise potatoes and a minted jus, proved a good choice, tender and full of flavour as was the seared salmon fillet (Healthy Mains) served with pan-fried samphire, broccoli & baby spinach, confit tomatoes and lemon olive oil, full of textures and tastes to tempt your taste buds.

Finally, the sea bass fillet with charred octopus (Rotisserie & Grill) accompanied with baby potatoes, tomato & lemon aioli, samphire and baby spinach, was full of fresh flavours and went down a treat.

We really didn’t have room for dessert, but our waitress very gently tempted us with the dessert sharing platter.

Three tiers of decadent dessert served in a gold birdcage and included; blood orange sorbet, passionfruit & caramelised fig; honeycomb ice cream, bruléed banana & fresh berries; blackcurrant mousse & mango coulis; home-baked brownie, French almond macaron & pecan praline ice cream, this was not only a work of art visually it also was taste wise. Another quirky idea that has The Wavendon Arms offering something just a little bit different in terms of décor and food, the perfect place for cocktails with friends, a romantic meal with a loved one, a family get together, after dinner drinks or just because!

This really is a stylishly divine drink and dining venue that needs to be visited at least once!

To find out more or to book, visit www.thewavendonarms.co.uk

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Over Ice

Fentimans Secret Spritz Garden

In the middle of bustling Farringdon, hidden behind ivy covered walls and unknown to passers-by, lies the Fentimans Secret Spritz Garden. A hideaway filled with fragrant herbs, aromatic plants and Fentimans spritz cocktails; the Secret Spritz Garden will be unlocking its doors to curious Londoners for three weeks from 7th – 30th August.

Created by the botanical soft drink and mixer makers Fentimans, the Secret Spritz Garden will be an oasis for after-work drinks and savoured weekend cocktails during the parched August days. Filled with medicinal herbs and plants, at the heart of the garden is a 200-year-old olive tree, providing a beautiful shaded spot to sit under, spritz in hand. The Spritz Garden will have a romantic swing seat, trailed with jasmine, while the bar will be hidden through a privet hedge and the garden will feature a babbling lemon-filled fountain. As night falls, garlands of fairy lights will glimmer amid the greenery and mellow acoustic music and live jazz will float across the secret garden. www.fentimans.com

MARTINI, the world’s No.1 Italian sparkling wine brand, has launched MARTINI Asti Ice, a new sparkling wine uniquely created to be served over ice – perfect for any summer occasion. Bursting with flavours of fresh pear and pineapple, with notes of grape, melon and peach, the MARTINI Asti Ice is set to be the musthave sparkling wine this summer.

With its stylish new bottle, the naturally sweet tasting Asti profile is enhanced when poured over ice, enriching the drinking experience and matching it effortlessly with tomato bruschetta, charcuterie and cheese boards.

Toast to lazy days in the sun and pop open the ultimate summer aperitivo today! Available from Ocado and Asda for £8.98

FOODIE NEWS

A Taste of Provence

This year, celebrate the summer with Provence's signature drink, rosé wine, on The Terrace at St Ermin's Hotel, Westminster... We've embraced the fragrant lavender, the relaxed South of France atmosphere and delicious Provençal food in honour of the world-famous Château la Gordonne Rosé Wine all on the very pretty Terrace overlooking the gardened courtyard at St Ermin's. The refreshing selection of Château la Gordonne rosés are available by the glass, the bottle, the flight and even an enlivening selection of Frozen cocktails including the irresistible Frozé featuring Les Gravieres Rosé, strawberry and lemon – perfect for a warm summers evening.

Scream for Ice Cream

Part of Hotel Chocolat’s summer products, these delicious Ice Cream Swirls contain classic ice cream flavours reimagined as chocolate swirls: Raspberry, Vanilla and Chocolate & Hazelnut. Whipped to recreate the light, soft texture of ice cream, each bite is reminiscent of a real scoop, with an irresistible chocolate twist. Priced at £10 and available from www.hotelchocolat.com

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Mary Quant Afternoon Tea o coincide with the V&A’s Mary Quant exhibition, The Pelham (part of the Starhotels Collezione), an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of South Kensington, has partnered with events company La Fête to produce an afternoon tea inspired by the iconic 60s designer.

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Mary Quant not only introduced the mini skirt, she was also a huge influential figure in the London-based Mod and youth fashion movements. The afternoon tea includes a colourful selection of decadent savouries and luxurious treats, as well as drinkable ‘nail varnish’ and edible ‘lipstick’ all carefully prepared by the hotel’s Michelin-starred Chef Alfredo Russo and his team.

From mini-dresses to vibrant prints and makeup, the afternoon tea experience acts as a guide to the British High Street and the life of Dame Mary Quant and we couldn’t wait to try it!

The Pelham is like a country house retreat in the middle of London, with intimate rooms decorated in elegant rich fabrics, wood panelling and quirky touches from days gone by. The afternoon tea is served in either the drawing room or library. We had ours in the drawing room, an intimate, cosy space that we had all to ourselves.

What better way to start our Mary Quant Afternoon Tea experience than with a cocktail, aptly named ‘Forever Mini’ in reference to Quant pioneering the mini skirt and her legacy of fashion innovation and modernity – bright blue in colour, and combining rum, gin, blue curacao, vodka, tequila, and lemonade, a sweet, refreshing combination that went down a treat.

Served on a multicoloured board, savoury and sweet were brought out together, it really did look too good to eat’ After five minutes of instagramming, and admiring we gave in to temptation and indulged. Savoury was aptly named ‘Swinging London’, dainty finger sandwiches of chives, butter & salmon and cooked ham and light mustard on spinach bread, along with ‘Quant’s Crayons’, multicoloured mini buns filled with cherry tomato and mild cheddar; and cucumber and aromatic cheese, all looked amazing and tasted delicious, a combination of fresh flavours and vibrant tastes.

The sweets were decadent delights of tasty treats and imaginative touches, all again taking their names and inspiration from Quant and her designs. ‘The Dame’, a traditional British Victoria Sponge Cake, finished with icing sugar and an almond marzipan flower; ‘Bazaar’, an open macaron topped with whipped cream, a variety of raspberries and dulcey raspberry coulis that has been creatively encompassed in a Quant-inspired nail varnish bottle; ‘Dress of the Year 1963’, banana cake with dried banana, fondant and caramel sauce in a black and white tube (think toothpaste); ‘The Daisy’, a traditional lemon curd tartlet topped with meringue and finished with a fondant daisy and finally another quirky, creative addition ‘Licked’, an edible lipstick made from chocolate! And of course, the quintessential British scones, with a choice of fruit jams and clotted cream.

The creativity and inspiration behind this tea is an explosion of culinary genius, not only did it look exquisite and far too lovely to eat (although we did!), each item was a delectable delight on the taste buds, setting us up nicely for the next part of the experience – a complimentary ticket to the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A, literally a two-minute walk from The Pelham - what a fabulous, fashionable way to spend a day!

The Pelham & La Fête’s Mary Quant Afternoon Tea is £55 per person including a ticket to the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A. Reservations are between 3.00pm and 5.30pm [weekdays and weekends], to book, visit www.starhotelscollezione.com

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Sausage Tortellini with South African Gala Apple

A simple, but refined recipe that’s perfectly balanced in salty, sweet and sharp flavours Method

Ingredients

For the pasta dough: 280g of 00 flour 3 free-range eggs Extra virgin olive oil For the pasta filling: 3 good quality pork and apple sausages 50g of freshly grated parmesan 1 free-range egg For the purée: 1/2 a head of celeriac, peeled and chopped into chunks 1 South African Gala apple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks 50ml of single cream A knob of butter 1/2 a South African Gala apple 100ml of white wine vinegar A few fresh sage leaves A few walnuts, roughly chopped Salt and pepper

To make the pasta dough - tip the flour onto a work surface and crack the eggs into a well in the middle. Using a fork, whisk the eggs, slowly incorporating the flour until it forms a paste, then using your hands, bring the dough together - adding a little water if necessary - into a ball. Drizzle the work surface with a little olive oil and kneed for 15 minutes until smooth. Cover in cling wrap and leave on the side for 2 hours.

After the dough has rested make the filling. Break the sausage meat into a pan. Fry over a medium heat until browned. Allow to cool, then transfer to a food processor with the parmesan and egg. Blend until you have a grainy mixture, then spoon out into a bowl and allow to cool.

For the purée - boil the celeriac for 15 minutes until soft, add the chopped Gala apple and cook for a further 5-10 minutes. Drain and add to a food processor with the single cream and a generous pinch of salt. Blend until smooth then transfer to a small pan to reheat once the pasta is cooked.

To make the tortellini - cut the dough in half (save the other half for another time) and either pass through a pasta machine or roll by hand, scattering with a little flour if necessary. Roll out until thin enough that you can see your hand through it but not so thin it will break. Trim the ends so you have a rectangle, then cut into equal 2x2inch squares. Add a pinch of the sausage filling to each square then bring the opposite corners together to make a triangle, squeezing out the air and sealing. Put your finger in the middle and wrap the two corners around your finger and press down to seal into a tortellini; repeat until all the squares are done.

To pickle the apple, cut 1/2 a Gala into thin matchsticks and pop into a bowl with the white wine vinegar and a pinch of salt. Mix and set aside. Reheat the celeriac purée.

Bring a large pan of salted water up to a hard simmer then gently drop the tortellini in.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until they rise to the surface. Whilst they’re cooking, add the butter, sage leaves and chopped walnuts to a small frying pan and fry until the butter starts to brown and the sage leaves start to turn crispy. Gently drain the pasta.

To serve, spread the celeriac and apple purée onto the plate, top with 5-6 tortellini per person. Drizzle with the sage and walnut butter and top with the picked apple.

Recipe created by author of Milly Cookbook, Nicola Millbank

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South African Pear, Gorgonzola and Prosciutto Tart

Ingredients

This light and tasty tart is perfect to enjoy alfresco this summertime

1 sheet of shortcrust pastry 2 eggs 100ml of double cream 1 South African pear, peeled and diced 50g of gorgonzola, ripped into pieces 4 rashers of prosciutto Salt and Pepper Fresh herbs of your choosing for garnish

Method

Preheat the oven to 190C fan. Lay the shortcrust pastry over a non-stick, 15cm loose bottom quiche tin and gently push the pastry to line the tin. Run a rolling pin over the top of the tin to cut the pastry and peel away the excess. In a bowl mix together two eggs with 100ml of double cream. Season with salt and pepper and pour into the pastry case. Scatter in the diced pear and ripped gorgonzola. Wrap the prosciutto slices gently around your fingers to form a rosebud, and push all four into the mixture. Carefully transfer the tin to the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown Allow to sit for 10 minutes and then gently remove from the tin. Serve warm with fresh herbs.

Recipe created by author of Milly Cookbook, Nicola Millbank

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Blueberry Pavlova These meringue swirls were definitely made for summer dining

Ingredients

7 large egg whites, at room temperature 2 cups sugar 2 1/4 tsp. cornstarch, sifted 1 lemon, zested into long strips, plus 1 tsp. juice 1 cup blueberry jam, strained (about 3/4 cup) 2 cups frozen blueberries 2 cups double cream Icing sugar, for dusting

Method

Preheat the oven to 150°C/Gas 2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, the cornstarch, and lemon juice. Beat on high until a stiff, glossy meringue forms, about 10 minutes. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread the meringue into a 2-inch-high rectangle. Dollop with 1/4 cup jam.

Using a silicone spatula, fold in the jam to create swirls (do not overmix). Bake the meringue until crisp, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and prop open the door. Let the meringue cool in the oven for 30 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

In a large saucepan, cook the blueberries and 1/4 cup jam over medium-high heat, stirring often, until a thick sauce forms, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

In another large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar until slightly firm peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the meringue. Dollop with the remaining jam. Fold in the jam to create swirls. Top with the blueberry sauce and lemon zest. Dust with icing sugar.

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Ben’s Irish Cream & Chocolate Macaroon Whittlebury Park’s Head Pastry Chef, Ben Clark, has shared his recipe for an Irish cream and chocolate macaroon. These delicate and light creations would make a luxurious addition to a summer picnic, accompanied with a glass of fizz!

Ingredients:

Macaroon: 285g ground almonds 285g icing sugar 30g cocoa powder 110g egg whites (first quantity) 300g caster sugar 75g water 110g egg whites (second quantity) Ganache 220ml double cream 250g milk chocolate, melted 125g soft butter 50g Irish cream

Method:

Mix the ground almonds, icing sugar and cocoa powder together and put through a drum sieve. Mix the first quantity of egg whites with the almonds, icing sugar and cocoa powder to make a paste.

Put the sugar and water into a pan and bring to the boil, until it reaches 118˚c When the syrup mixture is at 114˚c, start whisking the second quantity of egg whites. When the sugar syrup has reached 118˚c, pour into the whisked egg whites and whisk until cold. This will become “Italian meringue”.

Scrape the almond paste mixture down from the sides of the bowl then add the whipped Italian meringue in three stages gently to avoid over mixing. Once folded in, pipe onto trays using a round tipped nozzle into 10 pence sized drops and leave to crust over for 10 mins and then cook at 140˚c with no fan for 10-14 mins.

Whilst the macaroons are resting and cooking make the ganache and set in the fridge, this could also be prepared the day before.

For the Granache - Boil the double cream and Irish cream and pour into the melted chocolate. Whisk in the softened butter, chill then beat again until smooth. Pipe a small amount of filling and sandwich between two shells.

Whittlebury, Towcester NN12 8QH www.whittlebury.com

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Mexican Night 5th July

Starter and Main Course and Drink included - £20

Pudding Night 26th July

Main course and all you can eat desserts only - £16

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Days are getting warmer, drinks are getting cooler and life is generally getting rosé-ier! It's the season to come together with friends and family to celebrate life with a delicious glass of rosé.

Domaines des Diables, MiP Classic Rosé, Côtes de Provence, 2018 Blossomy floral notes, citrus and red fruit make this a delicate, refreshing and moreish wine that beautifully compliments Provençal-style cuisine and grilled Mediterranean seafood. On a summer evening it is equally delicious as an apéritif whilst catching up with friends! £14.95, Lea & Sandeman

Jazz & Tapas Night 9th August

Platters of classic tapas partnered with Live Saxophonist Dom Chandler - £25

BBQ Pudding Night 30th August

BBQ Main course and all you can eat desserts only - £16

01234 781 678

info@millhouse-riverside.co.uk www.millhouse-riverside.co.uk millhouse_hotel

Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP

Mirabeau en Provence, Pure, Côtes de Provence, 2018 An ethereal pale-pink colour with silver reflections, this wine has a refreshing and refined character with a pronounced mineral structure enveloped by elegant wild strawberry and citrus flavours. An ideal accompaniment for canapés, fish and shellfish. £11.99, Waitrose

Château de l’Aumérade, Marie-Christine Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence, 2018 A gorgeous pale powder pink colour with aromas of grapefruit, succulent peach and apricot on the palate, this elegant rosé is full and refreshing with a hint of spice. A great accompaniment to sushi, grilled fish and exotic fusion food, but most importantly those long summer evenings spent chatting with old friends. £11.79, Strictly Wine

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INTERIORS

Next

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Cute as Candy Candy colours of pale pink, faded blue, mint green and pale yellow can be used to add a contemporary look to your interiors

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Faux Fur Stool, £199, Baa Stool Lois Sofa, £179, Marks & Spencer Lois Coffee Table, £99, Marks & Spencer Faux Mongolian Cushion, £28, Debenhams Set 2 Wall Hooks, £12, Debenhams Round Vase, £15, Laura Ashley Lounge Chair, £129.99, Homesense Supersoft Rug, £39.99, Very Retro Telephone, £50, Wild & Wolf Ottoman, £219, Very Striped Jug, £24, Next Tea Light Holders, £ Next Suede Trunk, £34.99, Very Round Table, £299, Kinder Raume

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Light up

Illuminate and style your outdoor space with a selection of beautiful outdoor lanterns

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Rattan & Glass Lantern, £75, Flo & Joe Dixie Lantern, £105, Sweetpea & Willow Woodland Lantern, £75, Marks & Spencer Blue Lantern, £95.95, Beaumonde Brushed Metal Lantern, £24, Gisela Graham Glass Lantern, £26, Amara Bamboo Lantern, £45, Debenhams Rope and Wire Lantern, £15, The Contemporary Home

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TRAVEL

Zorah Beach, Brazil

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Coastlines & Caipirinha’s in CearÁ razil, rich in culture and history, a country full of glorious coastlines, vast tropical rainforests, party fuelled metropolises and serene secluded towns.

Stretching roughly 2,700 miles (4,350 km) from north to south and from east to west to form a vast irregular triangle that encompasses a wide range of tropical and subtropical landscapes, including wetlands, savannas, plateaus, and low mountains.

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Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo are some of the country’s most popular cities, but what about beyond these to some of the lesser known areas of Brazil, to the northeastern part of the country and to Ceará, known for its 600 kilometres of soft sandy coastline, with little palm-fringed bays, tranquil beach resorts, quaint traditional fishing villages and a landscape lined with strikingly beautiful red cliffs.

Flying into Fortaleza International Airport courtesy of TAP Air Portugal, the first stop on our little adventure around Ceará brought us to Zorah Beach, a small boutique hotel located on the beach of Guajiru, surrounded by sand dunes and warm waters, a haven of tranquillity, sophistication and privacy in an ambience circled by natural beauty.

Owned by an Indian gentleman, the Asian influence is paramount to the décor, all pieces, sculptures, objects, furniture and fixtures came from Bali, India and the Middle East, some even made to order. The main door of the lobby and the ceiling of the reception table are remnants from mansions known as ‘Haveli' in India.

Balinese-inspired suites, bungalows, and villas, (22 in total) all with the same earthy tones, ornate hand carved design

pieces and large comfy beds. Step outside onto a balcony that’s surrounded by palm trees, and tropical gardens the ideal spot to sit, contemplate and immerse yourself in a bubble, whilst the sound of nature goes on around you.

The Bathrooms feature a large sunken bath, with the luxury of L’Occitane toiletries and a walk-in shower.

The Indian influence translates to the kitchen too, with authentic dishes proving a real treat. The hotel is the only restaurant in Ceará and one of the few in Brazil where it is possible to taste food made in the Indian clay oven, Tandoor.

Offering peace and seclusion, this dreamy hotel hidden in its own oasis is idyllic, grab a hammock, a good book and just laze between the palm trees, if the sun becomes a little too much take shade under the thatched roof of one of the day beds and dip your toes in the sparkling blue pool.

Take a stroll along the beach and visit the small fishing village of Guajiru, here you’ll find fisherman sitting on the cobbled streets around the main square preparing their catches of the day and for a little romance take a private catamaran cruise across the Mundaú River, sailing past tropical forests and tangled mangroves, look carefully and you’ll see the vibrant orangey, red crabs crawling up the roots. Just in time for sunset, disembark on the sandy dunes and savor the moment over a cool glass of champagne.

Further up the coast with constant winds all year round is a kite surfers paradise, Rancho do Peixe on Prea Beach. The rustic wooden bungalows built on stilted decks, covered

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with carnauba straw and surrounded by coconut palms and dunes are designed so you feel completely in touch with nature, a large canopied bed, cushioned window seats, wooden shutters that open onto gorgeous sea views, and bright and bold soft furnishings that add a splash of colour to the dark wood and crisp white sheets. On the front deck a hammock is perfectly positioned for swaying in the wind listening to the sound of the waves in the distance.

Open rustic architecture surrounds the resort, allowing the breeze to sweep through your hair, whether you’re lounging poolside, sipping cocktails at the beachside bar, or enjoying the creativity of the chefs as they prepare mouthwatering fresh dishes in the restaurant.

Most people come here for the kitesurfing, but that’s not to say you have to be an expert, there’s plenty of lessons available and if you’re still not keen there’s always horse riding along the beach and into the dunes.

Thirty minutes from Prea beach is the enchanting beachside town of Jericoacoara, affectionally known as Jeri, attracting hippies, backpackers and dreamers. It still entices the same crowd today, but now with a number of superb luxury hotels, it’s the place for in the know travellers to visit too.

There are no streets in Jeri just sandy paths illuminated by moonlight and the twinkling lights of the many boutiques and street vendors. Live music and entertainment is around every corner, be sure to grab yourself a caipirinha (the famous Brazilian cocktail), sit down in one of the wooden bars and soak up the atmosphere.

Luxury and refinement is what you’ll find at Carmel Charme Resort, situated on the beautiful white sands at Aquiraz, this is the epitome of sophistication and elegance.

Sink your toes into silky sand and wander along the seashore. Stylish interiors, tropical touches and a pool that’s extensive and overlooks the beach and ocean - in one corner of the pool there’s a hot tub, and in the middle a swim up bar, the perfect spot for indulging in even more caipirinha’s (when in Brazil……).

There are just 35 rooms and include suites, duplexes and bungalows. The duplex is two storeys of sleek, stylish, sophistication, a colour palette of browns and neutrals, with the lounge area leading out to a balcony offering

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beautiful views of the pool and sea vistas. Back inside there’s a full complement of luxurious amenities, including large flat-screen TVs with cable channels, plush king-size bedding, L'Occitane toiletries, mini-bar and Nespresso coffee machine. The bedroom is reached via a tiled staircase and is light and airy, accessorised with rattan accents and light wooden furniture.

Carmel Charme’s view is breath-taking from every angle, from the beach to the pool, the artfully arranged cabanas to the colourful hammocks.

Whether it’s the breakfast parlour with its exceptionally good food that includes detox juices and tapioca or the main restaurant that serves Brazilian and international dishes including fresh fish served with pumpkin, the panoramas of the beach scene are the stunning backdrop for both.

Spend a lazy day unwinding in a hammock, before heading to the spa for a bespoke massage or for the more active amongst us enjoy the indoor clay tennis court or the open-air gym.

If you do only one thing during your stay it has to be a dune-buggy ride, the ideal way to experience the sands of Barro Preto beach and its surrounding coastline. The rubber wheels of the buggies slice through the beautiful landscape of sand hills and salt lakes, until you get a smoother ride along the beach and a slower pace through local fishing villages packed with families enjoying the sunshine, whizz past beach bars and surfer shacks before arriving in the traditional town of Aquiraz, famous for its lace-making, traditionally still made by hand by the ladies of the town.

Back on the buggy, this time heading to the golden dunes themselves, be sure to hold on as the driver takes you on a roller coaster ride up and down the dunes, a ride full of adrenaline and not for the faint hearted but oh such fun and how else are you going to see the breath-taking views of this stunning landscape? And just when you think there’s no more surprises (you’re in the middle of the dunes with no one around), you turn a corner and you’ve arrived at a stop point, a place where there are makeshift bars surrounded by tropical palm trees and foliage, ideal for some light refreshment, whether it’s fresh coconut juice or beer, you can just sit under the shade of the trees relax and catch your breath, but if relaxing and taking it easy isn’t for you there’s another adrenalin high here, you can slide down from the dunes on a makeshift water slide into the lake below – the choice is yours, either way the views are stunning.

Ceara is a dream destination, a place where you’ll never tire of the extensive coastline, luxury hotels, tropical landscapes, and diverse cultures, around every corner there’s something new for you to experience or discover, a place that you’ll be planning your return before you’ve even left.

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BOOK IT

TAP Air Portugal has a daily departure to Fortaleza from London City, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester via Lisbon. Prices start at £522 one way including all taxes and surcharges.

For further information, www.flytap.com or call 0345 601 0932

visit

Discover two destinations for price of one with TAP’s Portugal Stopover Programme, where passengers travelling to TAP’s long-haul destinations can stop off for up to five nights in Lisbon or Porto at no extra cost.

Zorah Beach: Room rates per night for the suites start from R$ 810 (approx. £160) in low season, R$ 900 (£178) in half season and R$ 980 (£194) in high season.

For more detail, please visit www.zorahbeach.com.br/en

Rancho do Peixe Room rates per night for a double start from R$510 (£101).

For more details, please visit www.ranchodopeixe.com.br/en

Carmel Charme Room rates start from £270 per night for a Superior Suite.

For more details, please visit www.carmelhoteis.com.br/carmelcharme/en

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A Luxurious Haven in the Heart of London St. James' Court, A Taj Hotel, London is a discreet Victorian masterpiece, typifying the concealed charm of one of Britain's finest luxury hotels. Crisp and elegant, with the signature Taj warmth. Since its debut in 1902, the hotel has been patronised by the highest in the land and, todate it continues to retain the sophistication of bygone days. Perfectly placed for Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park, and conveniently close to Westminster, Victoria Station, the West End and Mayfair.

Housed in an impressive Victorian brick building, this hotel is the epitome of elegance and luxury, a hidden gem in the heart of the capital. The expansive lobby oozes opulence with its marble floor and rich blue plush carpet. Dark wood, gilded mirrors and gold accessories evoke a calming elegance, a place that is luxurious without being pretentious, staff greet you with a smile and go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need, and then there’s the courtyard, a calm oasis with majestic turrets and a cherub-adorned fountain surrounded by a turn-of-the-century red brick frieze, depicting sylvan scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, the perfect place for a glass of champagne, morning coffee or just to sit, relax and contemplate.

The décor and smell in the hallways as we head up to our room is lush, a haze of different fragrances from T London, set against a backdrop of deep blue walls and wooden floors. Our room over looked the courtyard and was directly behind the outdoor clock face, housed between reinforced glass so no ticking to distract us from the beautiful interiors.

A large stylish, contemporary room with a colour palette of light grey and neutral tones. The lounge area houses a light green sofa and chair, dark wooden desk and side tables, accessorised with soft furnishings in soft earthy tones and of course a large

flat screen TV. The ideal place to sit and unwind, read a book, watch a little TV and plan what to do for the rest of the day.

The elegant bathroom has a walk-in shower big enough for two, with plenty of fluffy white towels, twin bath robes, slippers and a hairdryer.

First things first, time to enjoy a glass of champagne and take in the ambience of the tranquil courtyard before making our way to dinner.

There are a number of restaurants and bars across the hotel that range from casual to fine dining, definitely something to suit everyone’s tastes. We were dining in Bistro, where the seasonal menu is full of fresh, locally sourced produce and includes delightful dishes such as a traditional London platter, comforting Indian favourites and desserts to surprise and indulge in.

As a starter we both had tempura prawns served on a spicy bed of baby gem lettuce, the tempura batter was perfectly light, crispy and wonderfully spiced.

Our table was in front of the floor to ceiling windows that lookout onto the bustling London streets, it’s a great place to enjoy delicious food and drink whilst watching the world whizz by.

Scottish Salmon was my choice of mains, served with seasonal vegetables and a white sauce, a delightful balance of textures and tastes. Chicken tikka masala was hubbies’ choice, smooth, warming and utterly delicious.

Suitably full I declined dessert but my refusal fell on deaf ears

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(I’m so glad it did) and the waiter brought me out a refreshing fresh fruit platter, perfect for cleansing the palette. Hubbie never refuses dessert and opted for the moorishly delicious sticky toffee pudding, there really was no space for anything else and so we headed back to our room where neither of us needed any help to drift off into a blissful night’s sleep.

Next morning breakfast is a feast of buffet foods that include pastries, cold meats and fruits, with hot dishes available to order. We were keeping breakfast light as instead of checking out we were spending a few hours in the newly launched Jiva Spa. Situated off the courtyard, the spa is an oasis of soft lighting, calming music and delicious smells. The facilities include a relaxation area with vitality pool (this was pure heaven to use), steam room, sauna and an “emotional’ shower.

The Jiva spa is a tranquil haven, dedicated to wellness and relaxation and centres around luxurious treatments derived from ancient Indian wisdom, culture and royalty. Jiva means ‘inner force’ and has been rooted in India’s rich heritage of wellness for centuries, blending ancient techniques and unique ingredients to calm the mind, body and spirit, it sounded so indulgent that of course we had to have a treatment and opted for the ‘Indian Aromatherapy’ a dreamy massage that began with a soothing footbath, before using essential signature oils (I chose relaxing) generously applied and gently massaged into the skin, creating a dreamlike state for you to relax, rejuvenate and wish you could be pampered like this every day.

St James’s Court – A Taj Hotel, London is a luxurious haven, oozing opulence at every turn. A fabulous combination of modern interiors that are steeped in history at every turn, the perfect place to indulge in some me time, step out on the streets for some sightseeing, business or pleasure, this really is the place to be.

BOOK IT

Rates at St James’s Court – A Taj Hotel, London start from £205 per night on a B&B basis.

For more information please visit www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk

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A Summer Spa Retreat

n indulgent spa retreat at Whittlebury Park in Northamptonshire was just what we needed after 18-hour days planning events, meeting deadlines and running a home. Time to recharge the batteries, relax, reflect, and re focus. Located in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside, not far from the legendary Silverstone Race Track, Whittlebury Park is a beautiful Hotel, Golf and Spa complex.

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You can visit the spa as a day guest, or upgrade to overnight – we opted for overnight and the ‘Summer Spa Retreat’ which includes full use of the spa and leisure club facilities, two course lunch, a ‘Holistic Haven Treatment’ and overnight stay with breakfast.

Our day began by us enjoying the heat and ice experiences which are set around a warm hydrotherapy pool, with jets that gently massage your aching muscles. There’s also a salt steam room, sauna, an ice cave, and sanarium. Heat and Ice has a powerful relaxing effect on the muscles and leaves you feeling amazing.

The hours just whizzed past and all too soon it was time to get our temperatures back up to normal and head into the dining room for lunch.

Lunch is served as a delicious two course hot and cold buffet, with plenty of fresh seasonal choices such as soup, salads in all guises (rice, pasta, couscous, chick pea to name a few) and hot dishes that include chicken, salmon and beef. Suitably stuffed after lunch it was time to lounge around the pool and relax (hadn’t we been doing that all day?) for a while before our treatment.

The Holistic Haven Treatment is a luxurious full body pampering treat, aimed at relaxing and rebalancing mind and body. Elemis frangipani body oil is gently massaged into your body, soothing aching muscles and deeply cleansing and moisturising the skin. Next the therapists skilled hands move to your head for the most blissful scalp massage along with an indulgent hand and foot massage that had me feeling relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated – pure indulgence. Dimmed lights, beautiful aromas and

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soothing music add to the whole ambience of peace and tranquillity.

Treatments finished, we floated out of the spa to reception where we checked in and headed up to our room. A beautiful suite with views over the stunning grounds, a bathroom complete with a free-standing claw foot bath (how am I ever going to get ready for dinner) ESPA toiletries and a selection of goodies including wine, popcorn and pretzels.

But get ready I had to as we were heading down to enjoy dinner in the hotel’s award winning fine dining restaurant Murray’s (this isn’t included in the Summer Spa Retreat).

A table was reserved in the small intimate lounge area where we browsed the menu whilst enjoying pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Murray’s boasts two-AA rosettes and an intimate, relaxing atmosphere. Carefully sourced, seasonal local ingredients are used whenever possible to create a menu that tantalises the taste buds with contemporary twists on classic dishes.

Our dining experience was to be the six course taster menu. An amuse bouche of apple and leeks with a chicken veloute began our culinary journey followed by Loch Duart Salmon with crème fraiche and cucumber, wood pigeon served with artichoke and baby onion, wild halibut with fennel, raisins and squid (my favourite dish), and Cotswold 35day aged beef with asparagus and ox cheek presentation of the dishes was like a work of art and the combination of flavours within each dish was delightful.

Desserts were strawberry and cream along with tiramisu, again, just perfect. The base for all the dishes are basic ingredients to which the chef adds imaginative twists to create an array of divinely flavoursome food.

Dinner was followed with coffee and homemade petit-fours, the perfect end to a faultless evening. The food here is mouthwateringly delicious, service is outstanding, and presentation perfect, a must visit for any foodies out there.

After retiring to our room and a restful night’s sleep, a hearty breakfast was eaten leaving us ready to face the reality of everyday life once again - in the words of Arnie “I’ll be back!”

The Summer Spa Retreat starts from £99 per person and is available to book until the end of August 2019. To book or for more information, visit www.whittlebury.com/spa

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Fry’s Footie Corner June is not a month I particularly enjoy. There is no domestic football. And as a Director of Football, it is a month where I spend more time on my phone than I do talking to my family. It is always a time where transfers are completed and discussions are had with agents, clubs, players. Last summer, it was incredibly busy, we brought into the club near on 20 players in total.

This summer hasn’t been as crazy in terms of numbers, but it has still been extremely busy and at the time of writing, my task is to try and get some of our transfer listed players out of the football club. That gets harder and harder each year, but I am confident by the start of the campaign in August, those players will have moved on to new clubs.

Away from Peterborough United, it was great to see the Lionesses reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in the summer. It is great to see the national side doing well on the international stage whether it be women or men, and we just have to get to that next stage now which is reaching a final.

I often have conversations with my chairman about the transfer window that it tends to come alive in July and the beginning of August and you can see that in the Premier League. Not many clubs do too much business in May and June, mainly because they have to pay out wages to players that aren’t actually in the building.

Manchester United have strengthened (and they will do a lot more), Tottenham Hotspur have bought players (yes I know, amazing isn’t it) and Arsenal have also boosted their squad. Chelsea, of course, have a transfer ban which is going to restrict their ability to challenge at the top end of the Premier League and in Europe, but that will be a positive for me because it means they will have to utilise their thriving Academy.

I hope that continues because Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have demonstrated they can cope with the rigours of the Premier League and have also done it on the international stage. Long may that continue!

Barry Fry

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Summer Scents Summer’s here which means it's time to update your scent. Here’s the best fresh, cool fragrances for men to wear all day long

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy into the Surf, £25, Debenhams

Hugo Boss Infinite, £41.60, John Lewis

Calvin Klein, Eternity Flame, £59, www.theperfumeshop.com

Gucci Guilty Cologne, £67, www.theperfumeshop.com

Lacoste French Panache Pour Lui, £34.99, Debenhams

Diesel Spirit of the Brave, £47, www.theperfumeshop.com

Tom Ford Costa Azzurra Acqua, £82, www.theperfumeshop.com

Hermes Un Jardin Sur La Lagune, £63, www.theperfumeshop.com

**WIN**

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VIP Tickets to Bedford Park Proms edford Park Proms take place on Sunday 28th July in Bedford Park.

This year their very special guest is non-other than Welsh tenor Wynne Evans! The Classic FM / BBC Radio presenter will be joined by second very special guest soprano Sarah Fox. Sarah has appeared several times at the BBC Proms and is a regular guest on BBC Radio 2’s 'Friday Night is Music Night As always, we will have over 120 performers on stage along with a 70piece choir and the London Gala orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell.

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The musical celebration will culminate with rousing favourites for flag-waving and singing along, including Rule Britannia and Land of Hope & Glory, as thousands of lasers and fireworks light up the sky.

Bedford Park Proms is a key part of Bedford’s event calendar, welcoming thousands of concert fans with elaborate picnics – some even featuring formal dining tables with candelabra – chairs and blankets for an unforgettable evening.

A fabulous evening of pomp and patriotism that the whole family can enjoy.

The concert takes place on the grass so customers can bring rugs, chairs and tables.

Private marquees are not permitted. Small gazebos without sides are allowed, but will be restricted to clearly designated areas.

The Bedford Proms is a picnic style concert, you are permitted to bring your own food and drink into the concert. **Tickets are priced at £35.00 (adult), £5.00 (child, 5 – 16yrs)

Why not do it in style and book VIP tickets in the exclusive ‘Park Lounge’ VIP Tickets include:

The Bedford Park Proms VIP experience includes all of the below: Concert Ticket

Fast Track Entry into Bedford Park

Access into ‘The Park Lounge’ hospitality marquee and garden A glass of chilled Prosecco on arrival (soft drinks for children) Includes all house beers, wines and soft drinks

Luxury Summer barbecue and gourmet salad bar Prime Viewing Position

Furniture inside and outside

Access to the Park Lounge Bar Souvenir VIP event lanyard

Signed programme per couple Luxury Toilet Facilities

**VIP tickets are priced at £135 (adult), £75 (child, 5yrs – 16yrs)

For further information or to www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk

book

tickets

**All Tickets subject to booking fees and service charge

visit

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WIN! WIN! WIN! We’re giving away A Pair of VIP tickets to Bedford Park Proms

To be in with a chance of winning, tell us who is conducting the London Gala Orchestra?

Send your answer to: jane@affinitymag.co.uk - GOOD LUCK! Competition closes 20th July 2019.

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Motown The Musical In Conversation with Michael Lovesmith & Charles Randolph Wright t’s been almost 60 years since the iconic record label, Motown was founded in Detroit, Michigan by the now legendary Mr Berry Gordy. Synonymous with launching the careers of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5 to name but a few, Motown Records enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic. Now the story of the record label’s success, and the phenomenal amount of hits it produced, is told in Motown The Musical. Following its recent West End run, the show has embarked on its first ever UK Tour and visits Milton Keynes Theatre this July/August.

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After decades of working with Mr Berry Gordy at Motown Records, during which he has coached the Jackson 5, produced the likes of The Temptations and The Supremes alongside a successful career as a performer, Michael Lovesmith has now turned his talent and knowledge of Motown to Motown The Musical, working as Creative Consultant. We sat down with Michael and the show’s acclaimed director Charles Randolph-Wright to find out more about Motown The Musical from two of the people who know Mr Gordy, and the show, best.

“I was basically born and raised in music.” Michael tells me, “I was on the road as a child, singing in churches as a trio with my brothers. Then at age eleven I was introduced to Holland-DozierHolland, who signed me to a song writing contract, and I wrote my first song for them, to be performed by Dionne Warwick.” Charles Randolph-Wright then interjects, “At age eleven! I just want to

make sure that’s clear, you were eleven!” Modest as ever, Michael continues, “It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and it was a good thing I had a good song! I met Mr Gordy at age seventeen, and by that time I had produced about twelve artists. Motown wanted me to work with the ‘Jackson 5’. I was their age, so I could relate to them in a way that not everybody could. They were so used to working with older people who didn’t quite understand their energy! I ended up becoming Berry Gordy’s protégé, and started producing and vocal coaching Michael and his brothers. Then soon after that I started recording with The Supremes and The Temptations. That’s pretty much how I got started.”

Charles Randolph-Wright joined the Motown family at a later stage, coming on board to direct Motown The Musical which premiered on Broadway in 2013, “For me Motown has always been part of my life. The opportunity to work with Mr Gordy was mind-blowing when this project came up because he was and is a major inspiration to me.” His enthusiasm and warmth for the project is clear as he goes on to explain, “In terms of how I got started in directing, my family says that I was directing from the minute I was walking. Theatre fascinated me from my very first experience in the audience. But even as a performer, I always was intrigued by directing and writing. I was in the original cast of Dreamgirls on Broadway and directed a fellow performer’s nightclub act. That lead to several other acts, and more jobs followed. I knew then that would be my focus.”

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Motown The Musical tells the story of Mr Gordy’s life and the development of Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan which soon became known as Hitsville USA. What was it like for Michael being at the epicentre of the Motown movement at the time? “I was desperate to get to Detroit and get working in music but my parents wanted me to get through school, so I studied and studied so I could graduate from high school early and from there I went straight to Detroit.” Michael explains, “The funny thing about Motown is, I think Motown could have been anywhere, and in a sense it was.” Charles begins nodding enthusiastically and adds, “Absolutely. Every city had a girl group, a guy group, a kids’ group and a lead singer but the unique thing that Detroit had was Berry Gordy.”

“He was this beacon of light,” concurs Michael, “showing you what you can do and what you could be. There were musicians and singers all over the country, but Detroit had Berry Gordy so it became a magnet for them.”

Charles explains how that then informed his direction of Motown The Musical, “Of course, that’s what we are able to explore in the show, how Mr Gordy’s ambition and talent founded Motown. It’s not a Detroit sound, it’s a Motown sound. Although some people think Motown is a real place!”

Michael laughs, “You know what though, it almost was.”

With such an iconic sound that audiences have loved for almost six decades, how do you begin the process of faithfully recreating that on stage? Michael looks to Charles, and smiles, “We searched high and low for someone who understands the need for the show to sound like Motown.” he says, “One person came to meet us, and gave us his idea of how he would find a Stevie Wonder, a Michael Jackson, a Smokey Robinson, which we didn’t think was possible, and that person was Charles Randolph-Wright.”

“Oh, you were talking about me!” exclaims Charles, bashfully, “I didn’t realise, I was listening so intently!”

“Charles walked into the room and knew what Motown is, who Motown is and what Motown looks and feels like. He grew up on this music.”

“Motown is all we ever really listened to growing up!” agrees Charles.

Michael goes on, praising Charles’ vision further, “He understood Motown, and that is what we were looking for. We put the show in his hands.”

Did Charles then feel under pressure when directing? “Oh yes, I felt pressure. It was so important to me because Mr Gordy is one of my idols, so I wanted to create the show that he wanted to see. I

approached it the way that Berry Gordy approached it – I needed to find artists that would evoke a certain thing. What I never wanted to do was find people who would just impersonate those performers, I wanted them to make me feel the way Diana Ross made me feel, an actress that would actually make me put my hands up and sing “Reach Out and Touch”. I had a goldmine to work with because Mr Gordy and Michael were there to help, and they knew these people before they were the icons they became. I wanted to find people who had what these people did before they became stars. What was that spark, what was that tone?”

“What was great about Charles’ casting process is he would find people who were so good, we wanted to sign them as artists in their own right! He had a vision, just like Mr Gordy. Sometimes I even call him ‘Little Berry’. He understood what to look for.” Says Michael.

Charles goes on to explain “It’s finding that energy, sometimes it’s such raw performers and sometimes it’s people who have been in ten shows. It’s an instinctive thing – they’re Motown. Working closely with Mr Gordy and Michael I’ve been able to ask, what is that thing that Stevie Wonder has, what is that specific thing that Smokey has? We find that in someone that is authentic in them, rather than make them pretend to be that.”

After success on Broadway and in the West End, Michael explains why the team really wanted to bring Motown The Musical to the rest of the UK, “We owed it to the UK. The UK is probably 50% responsible for the success of Motown, it is the heart of Motown and the UK has kept Motown alive. The vibe here is fantastic, audiences are screaming and cheering and it’s incredible, it’s like being back in one of the shows from the 70s. The UK has always loved Motown, and we needed to do this tour because we know wherever we take Motown The Musical in the UK, it will be loved.”

Charles chips in, saying, “What has surprised me the most with audiences is that Motown appeals to every age. I love that each audience member finds some aspect of this show that resonates with them. The show is infectious, and the UK truly knows and loves this music.”

Charles concludes, “It’s not just a record label, it’s not just a show, it’s a movement.”

Motown The Musical is appearing at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 23rd July - Saturday 3rd August 2019. Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com

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STARS Manish Kumar Arora (K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals what’s in store for you this month

Cancer (21 June – 22 July) You can make great progress professionally. There will be a good opportunity to come into contact with compatible persons in the course of your official duties/ travels. You will have a friendly nature and feel very comfortable enjoying the group dynamics of different social scenes. The boss and someone special will be admiring your achievements and will help you acclimate to your newly elevated status. You will need to be more responsible in your attitude towards family relationships.

Favourable Dates: July 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20 Favourable Colours: White & Purple

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Leo (23 July – 22 August) This is a highly productive month that will leave you feeling satisfied with what you have achieved There is certain amount of fulfilment which generally means gains in dealings or promotions in the hierarchy of the organization you work for. Money will definitely be coming your way and will greatly influence your personal beliefs, dreams and philosophies. You will enjoy the life with full optimism and vivacity.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 5, 11, 14, 20, 23 Favourable Colours: Blue & Grey Virgo (23 August – 22 September) Your outlook will be confident and you will feel positive. This is a good time for self-expression and the use of your creative abilities in various fields. You will be spending more time and attention to friends and family than normal during the month although you will want to focus on home issues and security instead. There is enough of you to go around.

You will enjoy respect and honour from learned people.

Favourable Dates: July 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Green

Libra (23 September – 22 October) You will radiate great energy which will definitely attract lots of supportive people in your life. You will be heroic in strife. You will be able to balance professional and domestic commitments intelligently and give your best to both these vital aspects of life. Your cherished desires will be fulfilled and bring you prosperity fame and good income. Your financial luck will be excellent provided you avoid dubious speculative activities.

Favourable Dates: July 1, 8, 10, 17, 19, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Red Scorpio (23 October – 21 November) This is a good time to start new ventures. This phase indicates new friendships and relationships and gain through them. Previous work, as well as newly starting works will bring good and desired results and your cherished desires will be fulfilled. Stars are very complimentary for you to enjoy the conjugal bliss and married life. The spiritual world can open its gates before you, but it requires some preparation to make use of the opportunities.

Favourable Dates: July 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favourable Colours: White & Green

Sagittarius (22 November -21 December) The most unexpected changes could be expected in your work area and in professional activities which are outstanding for you. You can be more affectionate in the month if in a relationship and you enjoy the time you spend together being romantic, seeing the sparks again, or making the love a priority. If single, you can have an easier time meeting someone new. All you have to do is be sociable and let yourself be seen.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 5, 11, 14, 20, 23 Favourable Colours: Red & Grey

Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) This is an excellent time for you work-wise, and you can create any sort of work opportunity that you want with a little elbow grease. You can tackle money issues, settling financial problems, completing financial agreements or arrangements. This month gives you some extra pleasant energy, and you can focus on having the kind of work life that

you want. You can be very successful in expressing your higher principles, whether it is work related or community oriented.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21 Favourable Colours: White & Yellow

Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) You can have new work opportunities, improve your work environment, get along better with co-workers, streamline your daily life to become more productive and efficient, or work on improving your lifestyle to live healthier. It's also a good time to work on having healthy outlets for stress so you don't get so stressed out in the future. This is a favourable time for love and romance. You will develop new friendship which will be very rewarding and helpful.

Favourable Dates: July 1, 9, 10, 18, 19, 27 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red Pisces (19 February – 20 March) You want to bring more joy into your life, through spending more time with the people you love. If in a relationship, you can make things fun again, and focus on reconnecting and reigniting the flame. If single, you have great energy to meet someone new and exciting, and you're ready for whatever comes your way. You can experience a positive increase in the level of respect that you enjoy.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 26 Favourable Colours: Purple & Grey

Aries (21 March – 19 April) You will feel very romantic and will take your work as an art and reach out for new ideas. Contacts and communication will bring more opportunities and this adds to the great potential for expansion. Actions of courage and your sheer genius will bring you money and spirituality in equal measure. Your friends and family will just make your personal life so much richer and more fulfilling.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 5, 11, 14, 20, 23 Favourable Colours: Red & Green Taurus (20 April – 20 May) You will come up with new ideas for dealing with your challenges. Dealings and transactions will work out smoothly and effortlessly for you, as you score one over your competitors. The people around you will realize your true worth and this will be gladdening to you and will be a strong motivating factor for you to keep giving your best consistently. Your loved ones will rely on you for providing support to them and comforting them.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 7, 11, 16, 20, 25 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

Gemini (21 May – 20 June) The period will begin with a phase of volatility and pressure in career. New project and risks should be avoided. You need to curb new investments and commitment. There are chances of gain but swings in work environment which will not be entirely comfortable. You are advised to be very calm and balanced in your approach towards different situations in life. Your self-discipline, self-monitoring and control over your daily routine will be beneficial to you.

Favourable Dates: July 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21 Favourable Colours: Red & Blue

manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com

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Weekend Starts Here....

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert It is the summer of 1940.

Nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris arrives in New York with her suitcase and sewing machine, exiled by her despairing parents. Although her quicksilver talents with a needle and commitment to mastering the perfect hair roll have been deemed insufficient for her to pass into her sophomore year of Vassar, she soon finds gainful employment as the self-appointed seamstress at the Lily Playhouse, her unconventional Aunt Peg's charmingly disreputable Manhattan revue theatre. There, Vivian quickly becomes the toast of the showgirls, transforming the trash and tinsel only fit for the cheap seats into creations for goddesses.

Exile in New York is no exile at all: here in this strange wartime city of girls, Vivian and her girlfriends mean to drink the heady highball of life itself to the last drop. And when the legendary English actress Edna Watson comes to the Lily to star in the company's most ambitious show ever, Vivian is entranced by the magic that follows in her wake. But there are hard lessons to be learned, and bitterly regrettable mistakes to be made. Vivian learns that to live the life she wants, she must live many lives, ceaselessly and ingeniously making them new.

'At some point in a woman's life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is,' she confides. And so Vivian sets forth her story, and that of the women around her - women who have lived as they truly are, out of step with a century that could never quite keep up with them.

The Heiresses

Chela and Chiquita are both descended from wealthy families in Asunciรณn and have been together for over 30 years. But recently, their financial situation has worsened and they begin selling off their inherited possessions. But when their debts lead to Chiquita being imprisoned on fraud charges, Chela is forced to face a new reality. Driving for the first time in years, she begins to provide a local taxi service to a group of elderly wealthy ladies. As Chela settles into her new life, she encounters the much younger Angy, forging a fresh and invigorating new connection. Chela finally begins to break out of her shell and engage with the world, embarking on her own personal, intimate revolution.

Release Date: 2nd July

The Current War

The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the great American inventor Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon as his rival, revered entrepreneur, George Westinghouse, will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday 26 July. Fuelled by the intense rivalry between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, THE CURRENT WAR tells the dramatic story of the late 19th century race to light up America and power the world. Rounding out the cast are Nicholas Hoult as the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla, Katherine Waterston as Westinghouse's outspoken wife Marguerite, Tom Holland as Edison's confident young secretary Samuel Insull, Matthew Macfadyen as the famous financier and banker J.P. Morgan, and Tuppence Middleton as Edison's supportive wife Mary.

Release Date: 26th July

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