What gorgeous weather we’ve been lucky to have had in the last few weeks, doesn’t it make your mood just a little brighter and you smile last just a little longer? It’s not just the sunshine that can brighten our mood, what we wear can have a big impact too, we’ve got lots of summer trends to put a smile on your face, page 19 tells you more.
You must have been hiding under a stone if you’re not aware we have a Bank Holiday weekend for The King’s Coronation this month (6th – 8th May). Whether you're hosting a street party or just looking for something to mark the occasion, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite products (page 36) to help you with everything you need to commemorate the Monarch's historic milestone
.
We indulged in a little pampering at Ardencote’s Destination Spa, nestled in the rolling Warwickshire countryside, it is the perfect retreat to recharge and rejuvenate your batteries, read our full review on page 52.
Talking of travel, this month we’ve focused on the Greek Islands, the choice and variety means you’re spoilt for choice, each one sounds just as impressive as the other, which is why we’ve rounded up our favourites (page 43) to help you decide, what one will you choose?
Until Next month
www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
Don’t forget to join us on social media, we love getting to know you!
Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk07507 602401
Advertising: jane@affinitymag.co.uk
Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk
4
3 5
With spring well and truly here our experts have explained that it can be a great time of year to give your mental wellbeing a bit of a refresh.
With this in mind, mental health experts at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere (www.delamere.com) have shared their tips with us:
Practice Yoga
Yoga has many health benefits including mental relaxation and can be easily participated in from the comfort of your own home. If you are a beginner there are lots of entrylevel tutorials available online to get you going.
Yoga is often used as part of addiction recovery, as it helps to regulate stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. The method of relaxation helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for alcohol and provides a healthy outlet to cope with potential triggers and everyday stress.
A walk outside is a great way to fill your lungs and free your mind, as doing so releases the brain chemical, endorphins, that stimulate relaxation and elevate your mood. Your walk doesn’t have to be strenuous either to enjoy the benefits of endorphins, you can simply put on your favourite podcast or audiobook and enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Have a bath
A soothing bath helps you to switch off and unwind, as submerging your body into water can not only reduce inflammation and muscle aches, but it also calms the
nervous system and reduces stress levels. There are also a wide variety of calming bath oils and salts that you can add to your bath for additional relaxation.
Read a good book
Reading allows your mind to escape to a quiet place and switch off from the world for a few hours, but it also has many relaxation benefits on the body too, including slowing down your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles to help you relax.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine not only boasts a variety of health benefits, but it also promotes relaxation too, reducing levels of stress hormones in the body like adrenaline and cortisol. Whether you choose an exercise class, a bike ride or even a run, exercise will not only reduce your body’s stress hormones but it will also benefit from the production of endorphins.
Meditation is another great way to relax and unwind in the evening, as it helps you to silence any noise in the brain and focus. There are lots of apps you can download to get you started on your meditation journey that will help you to relieve stress and improve your focus and self-awareness.
Deep breathing also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is a quick and easy way to relax at the end of a day. Proven to reduce stress, calm nerves and make your body feel more relaxed. You can practise a deep breathing session for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 20 minutes.
It’s time to target fine lines and wrinkles – the first signs of ageing – with award-winning and clinically proven Neal Yards Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying collection (£53, www.nealsyardremedies.com).
Enhanced with a 3-Peptide Complex, the serum delivers a higher concentration of plumping actives, the certified organic eye cream is formulated to smooth fine lines around the delicate eye area and the cream moisturises for up to24 hours, while visibly smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Presented a beautiful and compact, 100% organic cotton bag, this mini collection is ideal for travelling and offers a ready to go skincare ritual, with results you’ll love.
Meet the latest addition to the 24-7collection from TULA, the 24-7 Ultra Hydration
Triple-HydraTM Complex Day & Night Serum (£41, www.tulaskincare.co.uk). This innovative, multitasking serum is clinically proven to lock in moisture for 24 hours. This lightweight serum is clinically proven to improve the look of skin firmness, plus fine lines and wrinkles and provides instant and long-lasting hydration to leave skin looking smoother, plumper and more radiant. Another game changer to add to your TULA 24-7 skincare collection.
Kayali Fragrance’s latest launch is the delicious Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 Eau de Parfum Intense (£107, www.sephora.co.uk) a delicious explosion of irresistible and edible notes including pistachio, voluptuous whipped cream, roasted hazelnut, sweet rum, fluffy marshmallow and fizzy cotton candy. A truly yummy fragrance that charms with an unforgettably intense, gourmand scent trail that will have you smelling good enough to eat!
If you struggle with dry, chapped lips but aren't a fan of lip balms, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is here to help as you slumber. It works gently to slough away dead skin cells from the surface of your lips, and encourages a smooth, 'elastic' and supple feeling.
Available in delicious scents including, 'Original' berry, 'Grapefruit', 'Lemon Sorbet', 'Sweet Candy' and 'Vanilla'. Priced at £19 and available from www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Pump to Plump
Navigating the world of online dating can be tricky which is why it’s important not to lose sight of the potential dangers and scams that you may encounter whilst engaging with other potential matches.
We spoke to security expert Nathan Daniels from VPN Overview (www.vpnoverview.com) who has outlined 7 steps you can take to protect yourself when dating online to ensure you don’t have a negative experience.
Many dating apps require that you turn on location tracking. This means you have to allow these apps to view your location. Dating apps use this information to get you into contact with people who are close to you geographically.
Of course, this is a very useful feature. Nevertheless, it’s understandable you might not want to share your exact
location with a dating app, or with any service for that matter.
It is strongly recommended to turn off geo-tracking once you’re no longer actively using your dating app. That way, at the very least, you prevent the app from tracking you constantly.
Another great safe online dating tip is to filter out fake dating profiles by requesting a video call. In fact, it can be a regular call as well, although video chatting is definitely better. Most people with fake profiles will be very reluctant to have a call, especially if a video is involved.
Obviously, it’s much easier for scammers to deceive their victims through text messages and sending someone else’s pictures. If they were to agree to a call, they would most likely just be discovered as fraudsters. As such, if someone
refuses to have a (video) call, you might just be dealing with a fake profile.
Of course, you might be dealing with someone who is serious about meeting up at some point. In that case, a video call or a regular call is very useful as well. It will help you to gauge the other user’s intentions and character a little bit. This could help you avoid some dangerous scenarios.
Don’t connect your dating profiles to other social media platform
It might be tempting, for convenience reasons, to just log in on a dating app with your Facebook account or your main Google account. However, it is strongly recommend to not do this, as it’s a potential privacy hazard. Just think about it - you’re connecting a profile that’s intended for friends and family to a platform where you’ll be contacting tons of people you don’t know. Instead try using another way to log in, that can’t be traced back to you. One method, for instance, would be to create a Google account with random information that doesn’t contain any of your personal data.
By using a reverse image search, someone can easily use your dating profile pictures against you. They can simply use this Google tool to find other pages where the images appear. This way, they’ll easily find out your personal information, even if you didn’t include it on your dating profile.
As such, it is recommended to only use pictures on your dating profile that you’re not using anywhere else. This also means it’s a bad idea to allow Tinder or other dating apps to simply pull pictures from Facebook or other social media accounts.
Many dating apps have ways to report profiles and/or inappropriate behaviour. This comes in handy when you come across a (potentially) fake profile or behaviour that makes you uncomfortable. By reporting the profile involved, you will make your own and others’ dating experiences safer.
After you report an account, the respective dating app will generally launch an investigation. If someone’s profile is found to be fake or they are found guilty of inappropriate behaviour, their account will be deleted.
Types of suspicious or inappropriate activity you might encounter on dating apps include the following:
• Fake profiles. Always be wary if you see a profile that’s unverified, offers little information, or seems too good to be true.
• Money demands. If someone asks you for money, there’s a good chance they’re a catfish.
• Requests for explicit pictures. The person requesting these pictures might plan on sextorting you.
•. Inappropriate messages, such as messages containing threats or sexual intimidation.
• Unacceptable behaviour during a physical meeting exhibited by the people you meet.
• Messages where people try to sell you something or get you to do something unrelated to dating (spam).
•. Rejection of video calls, even after chatting with someone for a long time. This might indicate you’re dealing with a fake account.
Many dating platforms also offer the possibility of blocking a specific user. This is a great option if someone is bothering you and you don’t want to have them contact you while you’re awaiting the results of the dating app’s investigation after reporting them.
12. Be wary of malicious files and pages
Some catfish operate by infecting their victims' devices with malware. Rather than asking you for money, they might attempt to infect your system with a keylogger, in the hope. of getting their hands on your financial data.
That's why it's recommended to not download or click on any files that a new chat partner might send you. It's best to wait until you know them a bit better and trust the,. The same goes for visiting links they send you - both can contain dangerous malware.
Apart from always being vigilant, we recommend getting a solid antivirus solution to protect yourself from malware.
14. Delete your account when you’re done dating
Have you finally met your soul mater? Or have you had your fill of casual dating fun? Either way, consider another valuable safe online dating tip, and make sure to delete your online dating account once you're done dating.
Deleting your dating profile will erase (most of) your personal information on the dating platform in question. As a result, it will be much more difficult for others to abuse your personal information.
I’ve read a lot lately about the little things in life being important. Of course, I know what they mean its all about being in the moments and staying present. Enjoying a cuppa in the garden or walking in the woods with birds singing. Yes, I do get that but as I get older I can feel I am becoming someone who doesn’t always appreciate the little things, or indeed the complicated things, or even the things that have been ‘improved’ in any way at all.
Many people seem to think things are better if they are smaller. Phones would have been a prime example until recently. The early mobiles were a bit like a brick and from my point of view there was an optimum size reached but beyond a certain point getting smaller isn’t good, makes them much harder to find – and I’m glad that mobile phone manufacturers seemed to realise this and halted, even reversed the trend. I must confess to finding it very amusing that they have now gone back to flip phones.
I remain a fan of things that are large enough to see clearly because they are much harder to lose!
Similarly, big dangly earrings are so much easier to find when dropped than small studs, headphones with wires easier to find than buds and my view of remote controls is that they should be enormous – they are so keen to hide themselves down sofas or in numerous other places that you wouldn’t ever think to look. Would you believe that we once found ours in the salad draw of the fridge!
We all know that keys are always out to get us by hiding themselves from us – but I have found if you have a big bunch of keys it’s generally better than one single key – size again showing it is sometimes of
importance. However, not always, our black cat can present a challenge on our black chairs and has often been almost sat on as he simply can’t be seen and he’s not exactly small.
But it isn’t just size -it’s also the noise of a thing. I like that keys jangle, at least when knocked whereas remote controls are always silent thus much harder to find. I have to confess that I frequently lose my phone within the home but as I always keep it on silent, finding it can be quite a challenge. Our mobile phone reception is crazy so often a call can me missed (not really because there is not an alert of any kind on the phone only a message much later to say I’ve missed a call) So I find the phone then when I forget about having lost it I notice several missed calls from me trying to find it by using house phone or anyone else in the house’s phone.
I know we are hell bent on improvement and I can recognise the many benefits of electric cars – what I don’t appreciate however is the stealth! They can be so quiet.
Honestly walking innocently past a driveway today then leapt in the air as the car on the drive started to move without a sound – and when I am walking in the countryside following the country code of course so I do see cars coming towards me but the ones that literally creep up behind me can darn near cause a heart attack.
I think some things are just better left the way the are – in all their large noisy glory. But I guess improvement means different things to different people! As for me I’m getting larger and noisier!
Rainbow Earrings, £45, www.screampretty.com
Henry Spray Mop, £39.99, www.myhenry.com
Tissot Retro Style Watch, £320, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
Multi Heart Bracelet, £16, www.carameljewellerylondon.co.uk
This month’s must have gifts and accessories
Luna Spring Candle, £22, www.luna-candles.co.uk
Distressed Jug, £32, Marquis & Dawe
One Shoulder Swimsuit, POA, Very
Morning Gold Print, From £30, www.claudeandleighton.com
Free Spirit Necklace, £24.99, www.carameljewellerylondon.co.uk
Cap, £30, Dune
Kurt Geiger Tote Bag, £159, Selfridges
Sandals, £275, www.katespade.co.uk
Open Toe Heels, £575, Jimmy Choo
Biker Jacket, £59, Lipsy
Balance is something I’ve talked a lot about before. We need an overall balance in our lives in terms of work and rest, and in areas of our lives, for example with what we eat.
Google dictionary defines balance in various ways the most apt being “a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions”
Many people adjust their lives to achieve a greater sense of balance between different parts of their lives. It’s something we all need to keep an eye on as we know that when our lives are out of balance it can cause problems for our physical mental and emotional health. Having said that, it’s not always easy to achieve the right balance as there are so many pressures to do certain things, or be a certain way. So, it is something we often have to make conscious choices about and take certain steps to achieve.
Balance can be hard to define accurately as we are all individuals, but we can usually tell when things are out of balance, eventually. The balance we have in our lives comes directly from our choices and in almost every situation there are some choices we can make. There can be a misconception that balance is about everything being perfect, getting everything done but actually balance seems to me to be much more about ‘being’ about ‘feeling’ it’s a state of mind. For example, dealing with the annoyances and worries of life without feeling overwhelmed. It’s also about feeling clear headed and focussed. Being balanced also means being able to be happy in the moment, enjoying individual moments to the maximum without being distracted by the next task or activity. Immersing ourselves fully in the present.
Another important aspect of balance is being aware of the things that might rob you of that balance or at least make it harder to maintain your balance and stay as present as possible. These may be improving your ability to say no to certain things without guilt, not continuing to do things just to be liked or please other people, and being prepared to set your own priorities and goals. It can also aid our balance to be very aware of what we can and can’t control and making conscious decisions not to concern ourselves too much with what we can’t control. Things like the past or the future, what others think of us, what others do or what happens around us. But if we concentrate on what we can control, our own thoughts and actions, how we speak to ourselves or how we handle challenges we are much more likely to be able to achieve balance in our lives.
The google dictionary has the words below to describe alignment “a position of agreement or alliance”.
The general principle is that when we have alignment, or agreement between our body, mind and aspects of our live there is a greater sense of peace and power. In many situations whether machinery or organisations alignment is essential to effective functioning.
As humans most of us live our lives according to a set of values we hold. Things we see as important to us or even morally right or both.
Many of us might have experienced the disconnect or unease that comes from acting in ways which don’t reflect those beliefs or values. Being asked to take part in something we don’t see as right or work in ways that are not aligned to what we see as important.
When we are out of alignment we will often experience greater anxiety and feel unsettled, overwhelmed, tired and restless. If you find yourself feeling some of these then are a few helpful steps you can take.
Listen to the whispers from your body and start to respond to them giving yourself what you need. Rest when you are tired, times to recharge. Sadly, into today’s culture we have all become used to ignoring the subtle but very important whispers from our body – often a sign that our alignment is ‘off’.
When it comes to health, physical and mental or emotional, often it is only when our body screams that what listen.
Asking questions of ourselves is a good way to restore alignment or at least identify what is out of alignment. Giving ourselves time and space to pause and reflect – reconsider what we want to do, what our priorities are and be curious about our feelings. What gives us joy, what we would like to see more of in our lives or indeed less of?
It is up to us to make the changes we may need to make in order to bring back that sense of alignment. That may be a radical change or much more minor ‘tweaks’ but we only have one shot at life so it is a terrible shame to spend it not feeling a sense of peace, which often comes from balance and alignment.
For more about limiting beliefs and manifesting check out my book Make it Magnificent available on Amazon.
to start applying that bronzer, no-one will know whether you really have had a fortnight in the sun
Benefit Hoola Bronzer,. £15.50, Selfridges
Bobbi Brown Highlighter Powder, £39.50, Selfridges
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, £46, Boots
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer, £44, Charlotte Tilbur
Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee, £29, John Lewis
Iconic Rollaway Glow, £25, www.iconiclondoninc.com
NARS Bronzing Powder, £31, John Lewis
Perricone MD No Makeup Bronzer, £30
“Orange is set to be one of the hottest trends this Spring/Summer. Beautiful dresses, jackets, blazers and accessories all in striking orange hues will have you turning heads this season”
Very
Beach Trousers, POA, Monsoon
Beaded Earrings, POA, Monsoon
Blazer, £32, Primark
Blazer, £76, Next
Dress, £59, Dancing Leopard
Dress, £120, TK Maxx
Flower Headband, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
Geo Shirt, £17.50, F&F
Shorts, £10, Primark
Swimsuit, £29.99, TK Maxx
Wedge Sandals, POA, Dune
“Blue hues add vitality and freshness to any look, whether it’s pale or vibrant there’s a shade for everyone”
Blouse, £47.20, John Lewis
Bracelet, £11.20, John Lewis
Jumpsuit. £139, Whistles
Lipsy.
Off Shoulder Playsuit, £50, River Island
Slingback Shoes, £675, Jimmy Choo
Swimsuit, £39, John Lewis
Tie Dye Dress, £79, River island
Tiered Dress, £129, Mint Velvet
Tweed Bag, £199, Kurt Geiger
“Maxi skirts are perfect for dressing up or down. From pleated to flowy, satin to florals everyone needs at least one in their wardrobe”
£60, Next
£80, Aspiga
£89, Mint Velvet
£89, Whistles
£109, Baukjen £110, NRBY
£150, Boden
£195, John Lewis
£198, REISS
River Island
“Who needs sunshine when you wear yellow? It’s the joy-boosting colour trend of the moment and you’ll find it everywhere this season”
Bag, £35, River Island Broderied Dress, £139, Phase Eight
Cardigan, £35, Very
Cut Out Dress, £78, Next
Reiss
Shirt Dress, £38, Next
Skirt, £79, Hush
Top, £18, Next
Trousers, £620, Jacquemus
Tweed Jacket, £359, LK Bennett
Patisserie Valerie
Whether you’re planning a street party or celebrating with family and friends ahead of King Charles III’s Coronation Patisserie Valerie have two regal options to tuck into.
King’s Coronation Cake (£45.95) - Featuring layers of golden sponge filled with fresh cream and decorated with red, white and blue Swiss meringue buttercream, topped with a chocolate crown, coronation logo plague and dainty golden macarons.
Mini Coronation Cake Box (£36.95) - Containing six delicious mini cakes: three Victoria sponges with fresh cream and raspberry jam alongside three blueberry & lemon cakes topped with chocolate crowns. Available online at www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk
Melton Mowbray pork pie purveyors, Dickinson & Morris, have teamed up with ‘The Pie King’, Calum Franklin, to launch the King’s Coronation Pie – a celebration of King Charles III’s Coronation. The new pie continues the brand’s long-standing relationship with the Royal Family, with both King Charles III and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visiting the Ye Olde Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray over the years.
The Dickinson & Morris Coronation pie takes inspiration from the King’s love of British game and includes outdoor-bred British pork with succulent pheasant, warming chestnut and madeira jelly, finished by hand with intricate, royal-themed pastry detailing by the talented team at Dickinson & Morris.
The pie can be ordered from www.porkpie.co.uk for delivery 2nd – 5th May, and is also available online from Fortnum and Mason as part of their ‘Coronation Collection’.
Renowned restaurant group, D&D London, have re-launched their muchloved Kings Cross flagship restaurant, German Gymnasium, with the arrival of new Executive Chef, Alexander Thiel.
The Restaurant will offer a range of authentic German starters including the Krabben Cocktail and Flädlesuppe (clear beef bone broth). There will be a variety of roasted meats for the main showstopper, and to finish, the dessert menu will offer all time, authentic classics such as Kaiserchmarrn, Quark & Apricot Strudel, or the Windbeutel.
The Restaurant will also offer an extensive list of wines around the world, with a large focus specifically on German wine such as Kalmit Spatburgunder 2017, Weingut Kranz. Pfalz, Germany and Spatburgunder, Carl Koch, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2020.
The new direction will offer a full 360 experience of German food, cocktails, and brasserie style food, offering something for everyone for any occasion.
For more information or to book, visit www.germangymnasium.com
German Gymnasium Re-launched4 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs (2 soft boiled and peeled and 2 yolks)
500ml whole milk
3 fresh bay leaves
6 whole black peppercorns
½ onion, peeled
1 whole nutmeg
10g fresh flat leaf parsley, leaves
picked and chopped
250g smoked haddock
150g cherry tomatoes
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons plain flour
50g butter plus extra for greasing
3 large floury potatoes, peeled
A good splash Vermouth (optional)
50g fresh leaf spinach
50g frozen peas
10g fresh chives, chopped
70g grated cheddar cheese
250g salmon fillet, skinned, pin
boned and cut into chunks
100g peeled, raw prawns
Pre-heat the oven to 200c/400f/gas mark 6 Place the milk in a saucepan with the bay leaves, peppercorns, onion, a few gratings of nutmeg and parsley stalks. Place on a low heat and simmer for 5 minutes without boiling the milk then add the smoked haddock and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove the fish with a slotted spoon and place on a plate Whilst the fish is still warm remove the skin
Place the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil
Season with salt and pepper and toss together. Put the tray of tomatoes in the oven and cook for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and starting to pop
Peel and coarsely grate the potatoes, place in a colander and season with a teaspoon of salt. Toss together and squeeze out the water from the potatoes. Repeat with another teaspoon of salt, place the potato in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the remaining moisture
Place the butter and flour in a medium sized saucepan on a low heat. Stir together until the butter has melted, bubbling and all looking golden Strain the milk into the pan through a sieve. Keep stirring on a low heat with a spoon and then mix with a whisk until smooth and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, add a splash of Vermouth if using. Stir in the cheese, whisk in the egg yolks, season to taste and place to one side.
Place a medium sized frying pan on a medium heat. Add the spinach and a splash of water. Stir and allow the spinach to wilt. Turn off the heat, spoon in to the tea towel used for the potato and squeeze out the excess water. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, then chop
Take a 20cm x 30cm baking dish and lightly grease the inside with softened butter. Stir the spinach into the sauce. Gently fold the fish, prawns, peas, chives and parsley in to the sauce too. Spoon the mixture into the baking dish and top with halved soft boiled eggs. Push them down into the sauce a little.
Toss the grated potato in a little olive oil and arrange the rosti on top. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until bubbling and the top is crisp and golden Serve with stir fried savoy cabbage or watercress.
“A great all rounder for any time of year and balanced enough to be served up on its own or with sides.”
“Delicious any time of day, mix it up with your choice of vegetables depending on what’s in season, this versatile frittata is packed with nutritious goodness and full of flavour”
Ingredients
12 Clarence Court hens eggs, lightly beaten
150g asparagus, roughly chopped, woody ends discarded
Sliced florets from half a head of broccoli (150-170g)
150g frozen peas
Two large handfuls of spinach (100g approximately)
125g feta cheese
Two tsps. rapeseed oil or a knob of organic butter
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Grated zest of half a lemon
Preheat a grill to medium. Heat the oil or butter in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the broccoli, asparagus and peas and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Season well with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir in the spinach, season again and grate over the zest of half a lemon. Cook for another minute until the spinach wilts.
Pour in the eggs and give the mixture a stir to evenly distribute the vegetables. Cook on a medium heat until the edges are firm (the centre will still be liquid), approximately 10-15 minutes.
Crumble the feta over the top and transfer the pan to under the grill. Grill for 10 minutes until the egg mixture is firm and the feta turns light golden around the edges.
Remove from the pan and either eat immediately or slice it up, allow it to cool and refrigerate. The frittata keeps well in a fridge for up to 3 days.
“White chocolate and cardamom are a match made in heaven, this luxurious creamy dessert is simply divine.”
200g pecans
200g hazelnuts
175g unsalted butter, melted
2 pinches of sea salt
250g mascarpone
100ml double cream
300g good-quality white chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
250g raspberries
Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Spread both the pecans and hazelnuts out on a baking tray and roast for about 15 minutes until nicely golden. Remove and set aside to cool.
Place half the nuts in a food possessor and blitz to a fine powder, then put into a bowl. Blitz the rest of the nuts to a rough crumb, then mix with the powdered nuts. Add the melted butter and a pinch of sea salt and stir to combine. Tip the mixture into a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin and press firmly up the sides and into the bottom of the tin. You want the base to be crunchy and quite thin, rather than a thick crust. Chill in the fridge while you get on with the filling.
Put the mascarpone, double cream, white chocolate, vanilla and cardamom into a pan and warm over a low heat, stirring all the time to let the chocolate melt, then add a pinch of salt and remove from the heat. Pour the chocolate mixture into the base. Return to the fridge and leave to set for about 1 hour.
Put the raspberries into a sieve suspended over a bowl. Use a spoon to press the raspberries through the sieve, leaving the seeds behind in the sieve. Once done, take the nearly-set tart out of the fridge and use a teaspoon to dot blobs of the raspberry purée over the tart. Turn the teaspoon over and drag the dots a little to create a pretty, swirled effect. Return to the fridge for another 2 hours to set completely.
Barefoot
Full of luscious pineapple and strawberry flavours and tastes deliciously fruity. Great served chilled with appetisers, summer fruits, chicken, seafood and cheeses.
£7.50, Tesco
As the first ‘blush’ of summer brings us warmer days, lighter nights and sunshine vibes it’s time to celebrate with a light, refreshing glass of rosé with family or friends
Crispy, refreshing, and smooth. This dry, classic Rosé is wonderfully balanced and round with a texture that is mouthwatering and savoury. Very light, bright and clear with dominant orchard fruits like peaches, peach ring candies and sweet fruit salad
£19.00, Tesco
Freixenet Italian Sparkling Rosé
Light and effervescent with notes of red berries and underlying hints of white flowers and apples. Perfect with shellfish, desserts or as a sophisticated aperitif.
£12.00, Tesco
Por do Sol Portuguese Rosé
Wine to be enjoyed at sunset with friends. A sweet juicy rosé, full of red fruit flavours, with a slight spritz. Perfect with salmon or spicy chicken.
£4.80, Tesco
Mirabeau
This wine is like sunshine in a glass. Elegant red summer berry aromas give way to zesty, fresh citrus flavours, with a pleasant soft finish. Naturally low in residual sugar, this wine is a great partner to savoury foods, as well as a lovely aperitif.
£9.00, Tesco
White Zinfandel Belle Annee Rosé Maison No.9 Rosé Wine
Ca'Pietra
This wallpaper (£97.10 a roll, www.sandbergwallpaper.com) is inspired by a braided branch that sets a rustic atmosphere in any room. The flower was cultivated as early as the 17th century by the botanist Olof Rudbeck (the elderly), which is the inspiration for the name of the pattern.
Create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere by adding textures and layers in neutrals and rustic hues. Add a few focus points in cosy corners by mixing subtle shades with darker accents to inspire ambience and creativity.
The Tuscan-style finish on this Clayton Grande terracotta pot (£299.99, www.gardenesque.com) creates a timeless and classic look that will elevate any garden space. Ranging from 49-69cm high, these terracotta pots are suitable for planting trees and large plants.
Olive Branch Botanical Print, £23, www.greenlili.com
Frame, £10.99, Homesense
This Marlow Console Table (Layered Lounge) is made from reclaimed elm which has a beautifully organic finish. The modern shape and clean lines, perfectly softened by the natural aged imperfections of the wood and the light wash finish create the perfect aesthetic silhouette which is both timeless and elegant.
A bit of well-considered asymmetry adds the final touch to your any area. This set of 2 planters (£43.60, www.modern-history.co.uk) comes with that extra bit of detail that makes all the difference. Made of cement, they give your home or garden a timeless look while the asymmetrical shapes contrast your lush, green plants.
Leather Chair, £1,175, www.coxandcox.co.uk .
Linen Cushion, £55, Rust N Roses .jpeg
Rustic Terracotta Jar, £64.95, The Wisteria Tree
“Are you ready for the big day? Whether you’re hosting a street party or just looking for something to mark the occasion, this curated collection will have everything you need to commemorate the King’s official coronation on the 6th May!”
Coronation Biscuit Tin, £58, Biscuiteers
Coronation Celebration Lights, £42, Paper Starlights
Coronation Gin In A Tin, £35, Gin In A Tin
Coronation Special Edition Vintage Map Art, £18, Beach House Art
God Save The King Cushion, £125, Jan Constantine
King Charles III Coronation Fine China Teacup and Saucer., £100, Westminster Abbey Shop
King's Coronation Party Sign, £8.99, Crafty Clara
King's Coronation Tray, £22.50, Sophie Allport Truffle Tablescapes
The international, award-winning smash-hit musical
The Bodyguard is back! Starring Pussycat Doll, and multi-platinum Grammy nominated Melody Thornton* as Rachel Marron and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks) as Frank Farmer.
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect singing superstar Rachel Marron. Her life is under threat from a disturbed stalker who will go to any lengths to terrify and kill the singer. However, Rachel is initially unaware of her predicament and she clashes with Frank from the start. They each expect to be in charge, but what they don’t expect is to fall in love. As anger turns to passion, Frank finds his role compromised and he realizes that he must call time on their burgeoning relationship in order to do his job effectively. Despite the star’s heartbreak and anger, Frank puts his own life on the line in order to protect Rachel and her young son, Fletcher. After killing Rachel’s sister in a case of mistaken identity, the stalker takes one final chance to murder Rachel. Frank must rely on all his instincts to save the life of the woman he loves.
A ‘BRILLIANT!’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love Of All, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.
The Bodyguard comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 29 May – Saturday 3 June. Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes
*Melody Thornton will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances only. Cast and performance schedule subject to change without notice.
Whether you’re preparing to hit the hiking trail or taking a trip to the beach, cargo shorts guarantee comfort and effortless style on your adventure .
www.andsons.co.uk
£41.25, Crew Clothing
£42, Joe Browns
£42, Joe Browns
£45, Next
£45, Superdry
£48, Marks & Spencer
£65, John Lewis
I am writing this column a few days after attending the EFL Awards in London and it was great to be in the presence of some wonderful footballers and managers who have achieved great things this season including Vincent Kompany, the manager of Burnley, who secured promotion back to the Premier League following an excellent campaign.
Kompany deserves the opportunity to manage a top club in the Premier League in my opinion. He was a brilliant player for Manchester City, an inspirational captain who won the top prizes and he has steered the Clarets through a really tough division, overhauling their playing style in the process.
Credit also must go to Steven Schumacher, the manager of Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth have been fighting against some top sides in League One, yet they have never wavered in terms of the automatic promotion places and he deserved his award as the top gaffer in that particular division.
Leyton Orient secured promotion from League Two and Ritchie Wellens was the man behind that success, turning around a club that have endured plenty of difficulties in recent years. Hopefully Stevenage and Northampton can follow them because they have both enjoyed consistent campaigns too.
What a fight it was in the National League with Notts County and Wrexham both securing over 100 points, which is a miraculous achievement. It is a travesty that
Notts County will now have to go through the play-offs rather than following Wrexham into League Two automatically and I hope and pray they do because it would be a huge shame if they lost out given what they have achieved.
It is a great story though with Wrexham. The Hollywood owners have demonstrated their incredible commitment to not just the football club, but also the town, and they were clearly emotional when they got themselves over the line. I know that they have spent a lot of money, but they are entitled to do that – money doesn’t guarantee you success, look at Chelsea, they have had to spend it wisely and they have done that.
I think they could get promoted again from League Two I really do. When you have that momentum, it is easy to keep it going. I think Notts County could do similar if they get over the line.
For us at Peterborough United, since the return of Darren Ferguson, we have been averaging pretty much two points every game, which is automatic promotion form, but there has been a lot of consistency at the top end of the division this year. I think the top four will finish with over 90 points, which is tremendous from them.
Enjoy the end of the season!
For anyone who loves natural beauty, rich history, fascinating culture, warm hospitality and delicious food, Greece is an ideal destination to visit any time of the year.
Mediterranean waters, rich history, and exquisite cuisine await on the cosmopolitan island of Corfu.
Ikos Resorts has added a sixth addition to its awardwinning luxury all-inclusive portfolio, with the opening this month (May 2023) of Ikos Odisia in Corfu.
Breathe in the fresh, forest air, stroll velvet sands and enjoy a privileged position on a secluded bay at Ikos Odisia. Settled within 60 acres of lush greenery just across from Ikos Dassia, the terrace restaurants, refined suites and golden sands all make the most of the glittering sea vistas. Enjoy a life of all-inclusive luxury on sparkling shores, where everything is included in your stay.
With 395 bedrooms and an iconic location, protected in a secluded bay across from globally awarded Ikos Dassia, the new resort is elevated for dramatic views and landscaped vistas across the Ionian Sea.
A tantalising world of complimentary fine dining experiences complemented with over 300 wines, awaits at Ikos Odisia. Savour an exquisite selection of menus created by Michelin-starred chefs featuring a variety of cuisines from across the world at six restaurants. Also included as part of your stay is a unique Dine Out experience for you to explore the flavours of Corfu at the finest local restaurants.
Guests at the new Ikos Odisia can look forward to the allinclusive Infinite Lifestyle concept, menus created by Michelin-star chefs, signature spa experiences by Anne Semonin Paris and 24-hour room service.
For more information or to book, visit www.ikosresorts.com/resorts/ikos-odisia
the azure waters just off the coastline, Samos is an island blessed with century-old beauty.
Casa Cook Samos is nestled in the island’s forest-like landscape, gazing towards the boundless beaches of the northeastern Aegean Sea. This 128-room adults-only (+16) retreat, conveniently located 5 minute’s drive from the airport, opened its doors in May 2022 and continues to welcome guests as it heads towards its first anniversary in May. It offers the Casa Cook trademark laid-back luxury in one of the Mediterranean's most historically-rich surroundings within the mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera, Samos is for lovers of legends and that offthe-beaten-track kind of beauty.
Samian villages, the architecture is down-to-earth and inclusive. The historic concept of a Grecian village has been embodied in the modern space, where the hotel’s infinite swimming pools act as the town centre of each small ‘neighbourhood’ within the hotel. An eclectic programme of activities, state-of-the-art facilities and a prime seaside location mean a visit to Casa Cook Samos brings a plethora of opportunities to refresh body, mind and soul.
With a breathtaking panoramic view of the Aegean Sea, the restaurant serves up the flavours of the Greek islands and beyond, fresh ingredients fuse together with culinary flair to create memorable dishes.
For more information or to book, visit www.casacook.com
picture-perfect area of Agia Pelagia, stands Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort.
The property boasts serene panoramic views of the Aegean Sea which will be sure to stir your senses with every turn. Only a short stroll away from a beautiful sandy beach, this lifestyle resort is perfect for an adults-only summer getaway.
Seaside boasts 245 rooms and suites, some with private pools, which offer all the tranquillity and comfort guests could ask for. Each room is elegantly decorated and draws on the island’s natural palette of whites, terracotta, and neutral tones with a boho-chic design. All rooms and suites have contemporary amenities with a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere in each space.
There is a plethora of dining options to experience during your stay at Seaside, with various gourmet dishes and exotic recipes to choose from. The main restaurant “Veranda” offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with spectacular views overlooking the bay. The “Minoan” Cretan tavern introduces guests to natural and local ingredients, “Kullinarium” offers dinner in a romantic candlelit setting and the latest edition on site is “UMI” which is
a new bar which boasts a sleek design for those looking to enjoy a drink in a cosy setting.
There are also four bars situated in the premises so you can order a refreshing cocktail before selecting a prime spot next to the newly renovated “Pelagos” outdoor pool.
If you are looking to unwind, then take a dip in the newly renovated outdoor saltwater outdoor pool. For wellness lovers, the Sea Cave Spa offers a heated indoor pool, massage rooms, a steam room and even an ice fountain all within a unique setting. The retreat has an extensive list of treatments including facials, nail, and hair services so guests can look and feel their best self while making the most of their Cretan holiday. Those looking to stay active will be pleased to know that the property features a fully equipped fitness centre that will feature brand-new Technogym equipment this season. Guests also have access to the hotel’s Asana Yoga Shala, a space dedicated to wellness which offers TRX and aerial yoga classes with an experienced teacher.
For more information or to book, visit www.seaside-hotel.gr.
An island full of contrasts, Rhodes is a Greek Island filled with bohemian charm and classic island vibes.
Launching the Casa Cook brand in May 2016, Casa Cook Rhodes set the tone for these luxury properties. Coloured by centuries and home to the friendliest people, Rhodes is an enchanting island, both alive with ancient and modern culture, so it’s no wonder that this is an epicentre from which tourism has developed over decades.
Inspired by the nomadic way of life, the cosy character of Casa Cook Rhodes comes from natural surfaces
and earthy tones. Comfy pillows and hand-picked accessories add to the warm, bohemian atmosphere. A personal space in which to kick back and slow down. The true highlights are the private verandas which border a pool. With sunbeds or hammocks for deep relaxation, whole days can drift by in your private paradise.
Bites, beats and breezy beach style, the Kitchen Club seamlessly merges the bar, restaurant and pool together. From early morning and well into the night, it’s the central spot to relax and revel together. It’s also the ‘stage’ for frequent happenings –
from daily sunset gatherings to chilled-out evenings filled with the DJ’s beats. Throughout the day they serve fresh and tasty delights that are made with passion and the purest ingredients, sourced from the island’s farms and even grow the herbs right on site.
Ready for the 2023 season, they have also welcomed 8 new villas to the resort, as well as transforming its small poolside restaurant into an a la carte dining area serving Mediterranean cuisine.
For more information or to book, visit www.casacook.com
Sani Resort is a world-class luxury holiday destination, featuring five award-winning hotels - Sani Beach, Sani Club, Porto Sani, Sani Asterias and Sani Dunes. Located on the Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki, 80 km southeast of Thessaloniki international airport, Sani is nestled in a peaceful 1000-acre reserve, surrounded by pine forests and beautiful beaches. For nearly 50 years it has set the benchmark for luxury hospitality in Europe, with world-leading facilities including a private marina, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, the Chelsea FC Foundation and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. Sani also hosts two globally renowned cultural events, Sani Festival and Sani Gourmet.
1,000 acres of Mediterranean charm. Over 35 exquisite bars and restaurants, from fresh local fare to the fine artistry of Michelin Star gastronomy. Endless pools, spas and spaces to relax. Countless and varied experiences to enjoy. A place blessed by the beauty of three natural worlds.
At Sani, guests will find imaginative touches around every corner. A welcome bottle of Sani Land of Grace wine on arrival to toast the adventure, daily boat cruises, free stays for children and so much more. Examples include viewing the unforgettable magic of a Mediterranean sunset aboard a complimentary cruise, departing each morning and evening from Sani Marina.
Enjoy sun-drenched days and star-filled nights at Sani. Tantalise your tastebuds with traditional Greek flavours and sounds.
The resort welcomes Little Guests to experience the magical kingdom of Sani and its surrounding nature, with free stays for little ones at Porto Sani, Sani Beach and Sani Club, and reduced stays at Sani Dunes and Sani Asterias. With a complete range of high-end baby equipment and custom furnishings, guests can travel without the pushchair, cot, bottle steriliser and bedding.
For more information or to book, visit www.casacook.com
enchantment, Mykonos is a Greek island infused with a fun-loving spirit.
Opening its doors in June 2022, this intimate Casa Cook destination is an adults-only (+16) boutique retreat where the signature design character of Casa Cook is carried through to each of the 26 luxury suites and villas. Built according to the traditional Cycladic architecture, the hotel’s seven buildings imitate a traditional Myconian village with whitewashed exteriors and smooth, clean lines — albeit with a dose of the group's modern luxe flair.
Perched on the pristine coastline, the hotel looks out over the island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, offering panoramic Aegean Sea vistas. When it comes to
Mykonos is yours for the taking – practice yoga is available to take part in a sunrise ritual, or why not take a wander down the coastal steps straight into the sea.
Make time for the finer things in life, whether it’s a wine and cigar experience in the hotel’s quaint curated cellar or cocktails and mellow DJ beats as the sun goes down. Round off the day with a meal in the elevated dining room offering unspoiled sea views.
The hotel is also heading into the final stages of its renovations that started last year which include uplifting the reception area and finishing the final three rooms ahead of the 2023 season.
For more information or to book, visit www.casacook.com
Known to travellers as a love letter to the beauty of the island's volcanic landscape, Kivotos Santorini is the epitome of ethereal elegance. Perched atop the crest of Santorini’s caldera in the cliffside village of Imerovigli, this secluded slice of paradise is the perfect spot for couples wishing to share quality time together.
The distinctive hideaway sets itself apart from the island’s allwhite vernacular with its unique jet-black and smoke-grey structure. The hotel’s suffusion of edgy ebony tones and modern cavernous interior provides a cosy ambience for couples wishing to escape and indulge in effortless luxury.
The hotel features impressive minimalist modern interiors accompanied by the same dark colour scheme which blends in harmoniously with the stone and cave-like luxury accommodation.
The suites and villas of Kivotos Santorini are the epitome of luxury and superior craftsmanship. Inspired by the island’s volcanic landscape, the resort offers a complete range of fivestar accommodation, from exquisite rooms and outdoor pools to multi-room villas and cave suites with private heated pools where guests can enjoy spectacular views of the caldera and its world-famous sunsets throughout the season.
The hotel offers a bespoke selection of food and beverage which travellers can enjoy from the comfort of their villa such as the signature Champagne breakfast, or they can also treat their taste buds to traditional Mediterranean dishes using local ingredients at the signature restaurant, Mavro.
The best part is that the hotel offers unobstructed panoramic sunset views throughout the season – a rare find on the popular island!
For a limited time, enjoy a 20% discount on a selection of room types when you book direct, visit www.kivotoshotels.com/santorini
a luxury Victorian manor house that dates back to 1863. Boasting a beautiful setting, delightful dining and an inviting spa, this idyllic retreat was definitely ticking all the boxes for an indulgent spa getaway.
You can visit the Scandi-inspired Destination Spa as a day guest, or upgrade to overnight – We opted for an overnight stay with a spa day added on.
Our day began with an invigorating foot spa, followed by the blissfully relaxing Himalayan Salt Sauna, negatively charged ions in the salt help everything from mental health to aches and pains, I could have spent all day in here!
Step outside and enter the Tyrolean Kilo Sauna where the temperature sooths, unwinds and relaxes your body.
The Ice Fountain provides a stimulating shock to your body, and the tranquillity lounge is the optimal hideaway to enjoy some ‘me’ time, whether it’s reading a book, meditating or just letting your body rest.
Time to hop in the outdoor hot tub, with its all year round constant 38 degrees and seating for up to 24 people, it is the epitome of doing nothing and it seemed rude not to order a cocktail to celebrate the fact I had it all to myself! The ultimate place to just chill, soak up the atmosphere and reset my body and mind.
Doing nothing certainly makes you hungry, so we made our way to the light and airy Brasserie with its relaxed vibe, lime green, and earthy décor and tempting mouth-watering light
served with dressed salad leaves and sweet chilli dip and Japanese-style Karaagi Chicken served with Asian slaw and Siracha mayonnaise.
Suitably nourished it was time to head up to the spa treatment lounge for the ‘Warm Harmony Massage Treatment’ a full body massage where you lay face down with comfy pillows, cosy blankets and warming barley bags. Smooth massage techniques combined with an intoxicating sleep balm completely relaxes the muscles while scents of petitgrain and black pepper enlighten the senses and send you into a serene state of pure indulgence. Dimmed lights, beautiful aromas and soothing music add to the whole ambience of peace and tranquillity.
Treatment finished I floated out of the spa to reception where we checked in and headed to our room. Ardencote has 110 ensuite rooms, and six suites all are spacious and comfortable and, while not identical, are similar in contemporary design and furnishings.
After unwinding in the room for a while it was time to get ready for dinner, which again is served in the Brasserie. The perfectly crafted menu offers plenty of dishes to suit everyone’s tastebuds.
We began with starters of Italian Charcuterie, marinated artichokes, balsamic onions, and truffle honey dressing along with Wild Mushroom Panzerotti in a spinach sauce, complemented effortlessly with a bottle of Zinfandel Rose.
Mains consisted of Roast Cod Loin served with sautéed pak
choi and a crayfish tomato and sherry dressing, along with the Signature Ground Beef Burger dressed with Katsu curry mayonnaise and Asian slaw served with rustic chips, both dishes were fresh and full of flavour, a real treat to the palette.
A sweet dessert was an indulgence too far for me, so I opted for the cheese platter, but hubbie had no such qualms and delved into the Lemon Charlotte, light and refreshing and the perfect way to end the evening.
After a restful night’s sleep, we headed back to the Brasserie for breakfast, where you’ll find a good choice of buffet items including pastries, fresh fruits, juices, breads, cereal and of course all the hot staples for a full English or Vegetarian cooked breakfast.
Ardencote is a blissful retreat where you can relax and recharge your batteries, you can do as much or as little as you want – Perfectly placed to visit the many attractions of Warwickshire.
Destination Spa Packages start from £55 per person for a half-day spa day.
An overnight stay at Ardencote starts from *£72.50 per person.
*Prices may vary than those shown.
For more details on all packages, please visit: www.ardencote.com
Bedford Park Concerts is back this Summer with SIX spectacular shows, over two weekends with concerts to appeal to all musical tastes!
The first weekend of concerts kick off on Friday 23rd June with Soul pop icons The Jacksons, ultimate disco divas Sister Sledge and British soul pioneers The Real Thing who are all ready for the ultimate party night in Bedford Park.
Sting is bringing his ‘My Songs’ World Tour to Bedford Park on Saturday 24th June. Sting’s ‘My Songs’ concerts are an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
On Sunday 25th June West End Proms - A breath-
taking evening of live music from the past seven decades of popular musical theatre, delivered by some of the biggest West End Stars of the moment. These include Danny Mac (Pretty Woman & Wicked) on stage are confirmed as John OwenJones (Phantom of the Opera & Les Misérables), Faye Tozer (Steps & Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Zoe Birkett (The Bodyguard & Moulin Rouge), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin & Hamilton), Louise Dearman (Wicked & Evita) and Georgi Mottram (International & West End Classical Singer).
*Tickets for The Jacksons & Sister Sledge start from £49.50, Tickets for Sting start from £73.10 and Tickets for West End Proms start from £28.60.
For further information or to book tickets visit www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
We’re Giving Away 15 pairs of Tickets for all Three Concerts
6 pairs for Janet Jackson & Sister Sledge
6 Pairs for West End Proms
3 Pairs for Sting
To be in with a chance of winning, tell us which group Sting was originally part of?
A) The Spice Girls
B) The Police
C) The Wanted
Send your answer, along with the concert you would like to attend to: jane@affinitymag.co.uk - GOOD LUCK!
*Competition closes 5th June 2023.
Taurus (20 April – 20 May)
Your actions are governed by your instincts during this period. You may work hard at making yourself feel more secure and you may be called upon to take charge on the home and family front. It’s a time to turn inner restlessness into fruitful contact with others. Heightened awareness of your position in life within the context of the group, rather than through selfcentred focus, is probable. The flowing, expressive, and spontaneous energy surrounding you attracts likehearted people.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21
Favourable Colours: Yellow & White
(K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals what’s in store for you this monthGemini (21 May – 20 June)
It’s a great time to open up conversations with loved ones, as you are more rational when it comes to personal matters now. Your mind often wanders to domestic concerns, and issues surrounding your home, family, and personal past come to the forefront. Your demeanour is light-hearted and curious, and others might turn to you for advice. This is the time when you can most easily use the power of words to attract what you want for yourself.
Favourable Dates: May 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21
Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue
Cancer (21 June – 22 July)
A stronger sense of community is with you during this cycle. A lively agenda is promised, you’re attracting quite a bit of interest, and your energy for making contact with others is strong. This is an especially strong period for personal magnetism and close partnering. You take more pride than usual in your creations, your love affairs, your children, and your hobbies. Pleasure and amusement play an important role in your search for freedom of self-expression now.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 20
Favourable Colours: Blue & Grey
Leo (23 July – 22 August)
You may find yourself in a position in which there is a blending of the financial with social or public affairs. You are more socially ambitious than usual during this cycle. Attention is drawn to your professional manner or your personal relationships become more public. It could also be a time when much of your energy is channelled into private matters. You have presence and you project confidence.
Favourable Dates: May 5, 7, 12, 16, 23, 25
Favourable Colours: Yellow & Grey
Virgo (23 August – 22 September)
You are in the position to make an impression on others, and to assert your personal influence beyond its normal boundaries. Spontaneity of expression is what this transit is about. You are ready to put your past behind you and to start a new personal cycle. Personal courage is with you, but you are also very grounded and realistic. This is a strong period for friendships and group activities, as well as pleasant romantic surprises with a partner.
Favourable Dates: May 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 27
Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue
Libra (23 September – 22 October)
You have much energy for new money-making projects, or for stepping up existing ones. You may be over-identifying with what you have and own, and you could be trying to prove yourself and your worth to others. You may feel renewed by a new perspective on your life, something philosophical or spiritual that you read or learn, or an adventure that takes you away from the mundane routines in your life. It is a time when intimacy and deep levels of sharing are heightened.
Favourable Dates: May 7, 8, 16, 17, 25, 26
Favourable Colours: Yellow & White
Scorpio (23 October – 21 November)
It’s a great time to pick up information from your environment and the people in it. You might play with various ways to increase personal funds, resulting in more than one avenue for monetary gain. Avoid letting undue pressure from others pushing you into signing important papers that may create a serious financial commitment. You
have a taste for the exotic now that can show up in many areas of your life.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21
Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red
Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December)
You might focus on ways to earn money in or from your home. Loyalty and sensitivity in your relationships are more important to you. This is a calming influence–a time when simple pleasures most appeal. You want to have fun, and the demands of your larger goals in life may have been eclipsing your pleasure-seeking activities. Others notice and perhaps admire you for your pleasant and cheerful personality.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22
Favourable Colours: Blue & Red
Capricorn (22 December – 19 January)
You are able to stand your ground and assert yourself more than usual during this transit. You have energy at your disposal to move your plans forward, and you are more enterprising. Your mind is always active with new ideas for an increase of income during this cycle. You have more energy at your disposal to make money. This can be a very resourceful time, when you make the most of what you have.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20
Favourable Colours: White & Purple
Aquarius (20 January – 18 February)
Creative projects can flourish with enlarged focus and redoubled efforts that somehow don’t tire you out. Time flies when you’re having fun and leaves you with more vigour than when you began. Your focus remains in this area of life, but caution and perhaps anxiety or confusion begin to dominate after 21st May. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with colleagues or bosses. Smoothing over differences using your diplomacy skills figures now.
Favourable Dates: May 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25
Favourable Colours: Red & Green
Pisces (19 February – 20 March)
This is the time of year when personal finances and possessions receive maximum attention. Pour your energy into your work and your finances, and you might just be able to take your ideas to the bank. Emotional issues surrounding creative projects, romance, or children captures your attention. If you are feeling good about yourself, and especially if you have taken advantage of the time for re-building of confidence you will fairly radiate during this expressive period.
Favourable Dates: May 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23
Favourable Colours: White & Green
Aries (21 March – 19 April)
A blast of personal energy comes your way showing your leadership skills works for you now. Your mind is especially inquisitive during this cycle, when learning, short trips, and other forms of communication and making connections, appeal strongly. Increased energy and a renewed feeling of confidence is with you now, so take advantage. It’s a great period for doing something entirely new and pioneering to go solo in some area of your life.
Favourable Dates: May 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 27
Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue
manishastroconsultant
manish@manishastrologer.com
Two exes. One pact. Could this holiday change everything? Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couplethey go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Except, now they don't. They broke up six months ago. And they still haven't told anyone.
Which is how they end up sharing a bedroom at the cottage that has been their yearly getaway with their best friends for the past decade. For one glorious week they leave behind their lives, drink far too much wine and soak up the sea air with their favourite people. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth. The cottage is for sale so this is the last time they'll all be together here and they can't bear to break their friends' hearts. So, they'll fake it for one more week. It's a flawless plan (if you look at it through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses).
But how can you pretend to be in love with someoneand get away with it - in front of the people who know you best?
Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, launches the final chapter.
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, outnerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.
Release Date: 19th May
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin star as estranged friends who reunite to seek revenge on the petulant widower of their recently deceased best friend. Along the way, Fonda's character reunites with her great love as each woman learns to make peace with the past and each other.
Release Date: May 16th
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Fast X
