Nov2014

nov2014 Cover .qxp_Layout 1 copy 16/10/2014 14:25 Page 1

Bracelets

various materials & colours from £59

Beads and charms

silver with various finishes from £39

Watches

steel with various finishes from £59.00

AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE 42

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

November 2014

Having a Ball

Checkout the images from our glitzy Charity Ball

Hot picks

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

BEAUTY - FOOD - DRINK - HEALTH - FITNESS - STYLE - INTERIORS - MOTORS - WHAT’S ON

nov2014 Cover .qxp_Layout 1 copy 16/10/2014 14:26 Page 2

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 1

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 2

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 3

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 4

Welcome...

H Everyone WOW what a night! What can I say it’s over for another year, but what an absolutely fabulous time was had by all.

You may well be wondering what I’m talking about – Our Annual Affinity Charity Ball of course! The ladies looked absolutely stunning and the men just as handsome – We had great fun whilst raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer a cause many of you will know is greatly supported by us.

A massive Thank You to everyone that came along and supported us, making this year’s event a sell out. I just want to say a special Thank You to Stardust Events, Greycourt Florists, Love of Cupcakes, Pro Photo Booths, Regal Litho, Murad and Y Spa, all highly recommended suppliers.

If you did miss this great evening don’t worry we will be doing it all again next year and in the meantime you can check out a selection of the photos on page 39. Official

photos can still be ordered at www.photocall-events.co.uk The days and nights are feeling colder so what better way than to snuggle up in PJ’s, check out page 32 for the latest nightwear fashion.

With two completely different dining experiences this month, a wonderfully warming body treatment, a fabulous competition and so much more this is an issue not to be missed.

And next month……………………..Well I’ve kept the word hidden away for too long it’s all about CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Have a great month, snuggle up and keep warm

Jane x

Cover Image: New Look

Editor: Jane Fry affinitymagjanef@gmail.com 01234 215523 - 07507 602401 Advertising Manager: Julia Crofts Beds / Northants affinitymagjuliac@gmail.com 07966 696784 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk facebook.com/AffinityMag @affinitymagz linkedin.com/pub/jane-zita-fry 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.Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 5

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 6

CONTENTS 10 Bedford on ice 14 Time to glow 16 Latest hair tips

18 Red hot 20 Kettlercise craze 24 Midlife madness

26 Treatment of the month 36 Fear of failure 48 Bombay meets B Town

51 65 68 72 76

Wine wonders All about....

A new spider in town Magical Lapland What’s on

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 7

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 8

Bedford on Ice

T

Bookings can be made on-line now and it is worth signing up to keep up to date with any special "flash" offers which come up each week. As well as party bookings there are packages such as lunch or dinner at the hotel combined with a skate session.

he Bedford Swan Hotel is making the most of its riverside location - all year round.

The new Terrace Bar was the hit of the summer season, especially with the 100,000’s who visited the Bedford River Festival.

The Christmas season at the Bedford Swan offers a wide range of options for family or office events. From Festive Afternoon Tea at £15.95 per person, to Christmas lunches and party nights from £25 per person and New Year Celebrations. Attending any of these regular Christmas offers can be combined with the ice-rink attraction provided you book early enough.

Now that terrace area is to be turned into a real ice rink for adults and children to enjoy from November 21st through to January 2015.

The sparkling ice attraction will bring in people from far and wide to take an inside look, perhaps for the first time, at the historical hotel.

"The ice rink adds such a fun element to the season, we look forward to welcoming everyone," added Natasha.

"Seasonal ice rinks are becoming increasingly popular but this is the first in Bedford town centre and of course is attached to all the other great hospitality facilities here at the hotel," said Sales and Marketing Manager Natasha Trudgill, "To be able to skate outdoors, alongside Bedford's beautiful river will be the best festive attraction the town could wish for."

10

Book your tickets now at www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk The Bedford Swan Hotel The Embankment Bedford MK40 1RW 01234 346565 info@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

www. bedf or ds wanhot el . co. uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 10

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 11

What does your kitchen mean to you?

New German HACKER kitchens now fitted at our Huntingdon showroom

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 12

Time to Glow

Just because the winter month’s are here doesn’t mean you can’t still look like a sun kissed Godess – Try our pick of the best self tans

Tan Organic Self Tan £19.99 feelunique.com

Clinique Facial Self Tan £19 Debenhams

St Moriz Self Tan £2.99 Boots

Loreal Self Tan Gel £12.99 Boots

Clarins Liquid Bronze £19 Debenhams

Fake Bake Faux Glo £13.50 John Lewis

Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner £19.99 skinnytan.co.uk

St Tropez Tanning Foam £17.35 Debenhams

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 13

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 14

Celebrity Colourist Jack Howard's Winter’s Hot Hair Shade Guide Jack Howard, International Colour Director at Neville Hair & Beauty and the man at the forefront of bringing Balayage to the UK has created the covetable colours of Gillian Anderson and Vanessa Kirby, currently treading the boards in the sold out run of A Streetcar Named Desire at the Old Vic. Jack is colourist to Poppy Delevingne, Donna Air, Clara Paget, Ola Rudnicka, Chloe Hayward, Ana Beatriz Barros, Georgia Salpa, Hofit Golan, Next Model Management and more and he is sharing his Hot Shades for Winter guide with us here at Affinity; Swedish White Blonde This is the runway shade that will continue to storm the catwalks this season - look at the beautiful Ola Rudnicka as your inspiration for this colour. A shade this dramatic isn't for everyone but it looks incredible on super pale skin tones, for that cool, fresh Scandinavian vibe – so perfect for an English winter.

An all over blonde like Ola's is a high maintenance look as you need to get the roots coloured every 3-4 weeks, and protection is key for a shade like this; use Kerastase Fibre Architecte and Bain De Force. These products are an absolute must if you want to keep that icy shade, as a colour at this level is incredibly delicate and needs lots of care.

The Caramel The Bronde is still the IT Girl's hottest shade as we move into Winter. The fusion of blonde and brunette is perfect for brunettes struggling with orange-toned highlights or blondes looking to give their colour a fresh spin (think Olivia Palermo, Jessica Alba and Victoria's Secret models), the secret is to stay within three shades of your natural colour.

If hair jargon confuses you and you can't tell the difference between your dip-dye and your bronde, here's a handy guide: Dip Dye gives you a straight line between shades, Ombre creates a shadow between your chosen colours, giving you a subtle finish, Balayage is a natural looking highlight (Poppy Delevingne' s natural looking colour).

Bronde is the hybrid of Ombre and Balayage which looks incredible on anyone whose colour falls between a dark blonde to a dark brunette. As the colour is not applied at the root, it's perfect for those who like a low maintenance colour, as there's minimal regrowth to deal with. To keep your colour looking gorgeous I suggest having a quick glaze treatment when you pop into the salon for a trim as this will help keep your colour looking A-list.

16

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 15

Super Dark, Glossy Brunette This colour is super sultry, giving that old school Hollywood siren feel to your look (think Kim Kardashian's luxe locks) and its popularity goes to show that not everybody wants to be blonde! A shade this dark looks incredible on olive complexions or those with a deep tan – just pair with a bright red lipstick or a smokey eye for that seductive finish. If you're naturally pale, steer clear of a colour this dark as it can wash you out completely… With darker hair, you'll naturally get that maximum shine but to keep it in optimum condition use Shu Uemura Art of Hair Full Shimmer Shampoo and Conditioner.

Copper Red I'm seeing copper tones everywhere at the moment; look at stars like Bonnie Wright, Christina Hendricks and Emma Stone as your poster girls for the look. Although the copper tones can vary from a stonewashed shade to a bright copper, this colour is all about a natural shiny looking finish rather than an artificial red. If you're not sure if you'd suit a cool or a warm tone, a great tip is hiding in your jewellery box; simply look at whether you lean towards silver (cool) or gold (warm) accessories as this will give you a great indication of the sort of shade you should be rocking.

To keep your colour looking vibrant, I'd suggest investing in Kerastase Masque Chroma Riche – a godsend for coloured hair and it even includes UV and UVA protection. If you want healthy looking colour, you have to have healthy hair so always protect your hair when out in the sun or heat styling.

17

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 16

Red Hot

Red is without doubt this season's most fashionable colour, and I don’t just mean the clothes we are wearing – it extends way beyond that to make-up and I don’t just mean lipstick!

LDNSKINS Gradual Tan £24 ldnskins.com John Frieda Radiant Red Colour Shampoo £5.59 Boots

Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream £30 Debenhams

Clinique Chubby Stick Mightiest Maraschino £17 Debenhams

Benefit Benebalm £14.50 Debenhams

Illamasqua Eyeshadow £15.50 Daemon

Christian Dior Trafalgar Lipstrick £26 John Lewis

Nina by Nina Ricci 30ml

Essie Russian Roulette £7.99 Boots

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 17

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 18

The Kettlercise

Craze

Are you physically active but not seeing weight loss results or maybe you’re wanting to begin training and see results quickly but don’t know where to start?

Then try Kettlercise…a fun but challenging workout that gets results fast!

T

he biggest mistake most people make when trying to lose weight is sticking to one form of exercise which is usually cardiovascular training. It has been proven that weight training burns fat faster than cardio alone, meaning results are seen quicker. It can sometimes be very difficult to find an effective way of incorporating weight training into your exercise programme - especially if you don’t know if you are doing the exercises correctly and effectively - unless you go to the expense of a personal trainer (not something everyone can afford!)

Kettlercise is a great form of exercise for anyone, at any stage of their fitness journey, with choices of weight used in the class depending on your fitness level.

Kettlercise is a full body workout that uses kettle bells to achieve great body toning results fast! Classes normally contain about 37 different exercises which aim to work all major and minor muscles. Kettlercise aims to portray a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere with upbeat music and a fun lead by an engaging instructor to motivate everyone.

If you’re looking for a fitness programme that delivers fast results, is different and will challenge your body to push you to new limits, then give Kettlercise a go!

The programme uses a training method called B.S.M which shifts blood around the body quickly to achieve calorie burning at a high level. On average you can burn 1000 calories a session and results are guaranteed, if used alongside a healthy diet.

Whether you want to lose weight, tone up or improve your cardiovascular fitness levels, Kettlercise offers a new way of working to develop your training programme. It is also great fun as it challenges your body and pushes you to new limits!

Strong is the new skinny and Kettlercise guarantees to get you there!

Fitness Classes by Georgia £5 a class or 6 for £25! georgiatesta@hotmail.co.uk

20

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 19

Veda Therapeutics Carolyn wood Herbal Medicine - Ayuverda Naturopathy - Therapeutic Massage - Ear Acupuncture

Herbalist (Dip Herb) Naturopath (Dip ND) MAMH, MANP, ITEC

As a herbalist and naturopath I can help you with

• Immunity • Skin Conditions • Digestive Complaints • Hormonal imbalances • Heart health & Circulation • Energy & Wellbeing • Insomnia • Depression • Other chronic health conditions • Acute coughs & colds

07944 886502 carolyn612@btinternet.com www.vedatherapeutics.co.uk

PART TIME CLEANERS REQUIRED

01234 302408 07701 086394

www.brightnclean.co.uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 20

WIN! WIN! WIN! A Premium, Luxurious Radiance-Boosting Skincare Collection from Amway

I

nspired by women worldwide, the ARTISTRY™ IDEAL RADIANCE™ Power System, worth more than £150, has been developed exclusively for Amway UK. We have one luxury collection of Ideal Radiance skincare products to give away to one lucky Affinity reader!

Proven to deliver rapid results, the Power System range consists of three unique products that target all three layers of the skin’s surface to improve luminosity, translucency, and skin tone. The collection is powered by an elite blend of brightening botanicals and cutting-edge 3D technology, and includes Illuminating Essence (30ml), Spot Corrector (15ml) and Illuminating Moisture Cream (50ml).

Seven days is enough to see the results of ARTISTRY™ IDEAL RADIANCE™.

To win this fabulous skincare collection tell us "How many products in this range will you win?" and send to affinitymagjanef@gmail.com - Good Luck!

The new ARTISTRY™ IDEAL RADIANCE™ Power System range is available exclusively at the Amway UK Flagship Experience Centre in Southampton Row, Holborn, London. T: 020 7400 1107.

For nationwide availability, call T: 01908 629400 or visit www.amway.co.uk

22

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 21

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 22

Midlife

Madness

Cartastrophes!

With each passing year I find I am becoming less inclined to put myself out for parties. I always enjoy them when I get there but if they involve significant travel, or effort of any kind really, I find that I am ready to jump in with any of a number of reasons (excuses!) why I can’t make it.

He looked at me with his rolled up jeans, docs and braces and, of course, hat – did I mention the hat, and said how on earth had I been driving with one tyre so threadbare you could see the cords poking out (?????) – oops! was my sheepish school girl reply. So it was back to garages because my car has no spare tyre because I had a run of flats!!!! - I know this because that was the definitely unimpressed answer from Bovver Boy when I suggested just using the spare!

So it was a surprise to myself as much as anyone else that I agreed to go to a mates 50th birthday bash, over 100 miles away AND in fancy dress – always an effort. In keeping with my general party philosophy the effort was kept to a minimum, the theme was 70’s or 80’s dress OR school uniform. Sadly I opted for school uniform, simply based on the fact it was little effort – black skirt, knee high socks, white shirt from ‘his’ wardrobe and a tie. It’s really not a flattering look at my age. He opted for a kind of ‘Bovver Boy’ look wearing docs and rolling up jeans.

So we went back to the garage to cause further amusement with the happy Friday gang of mechanics. One of them asked me where my wheel nut was? I think he suspected I wouldn’t know because they’d all had a good laugh about the fact that I’d suggested using the spare (thanks Bovver Boy). I wish I had been dressed smartly wearing heels and I could have given one of those withering – how would a sophisticated lady with manicured nails know such a thing – but it was, I felt, a hard look to pull off as an old aged school girl, so I opted for the moody shoulder shrug, and indignant eyebrow raise - perfected by so many teenage school girls - which I hope conveyed the why on earth would you imagine that I would know the answer to that – like when you ask a teenager why they don’t put their washing in the laundry basket.

The party was a surprise for birthday boy and as we were travelling quite a long way we left plenty of time for holdups because, of course, we all had to be in position for when he arrived home.

Anyway no sooner had we set off, thankfully not even out of Bedford, when we had a puncture. So my Bovver Boy partner changed the tyre but then said we ought to get a new one as we couldn’t really drive that far without a spare.

Friday afternoon – none of the right tyres in stock at any of the first 3 places we tried, though they all said that actually we needed several of the tyres replacing (bang goes the new coat I was planning) but, in any case, we couldn’t get them till the next day.

Anyway, way behind schedule, we set off and somehow despite Friday evening traffic we made it on time to be closetted in the dining room ready to shout Happy Birthday as we raised our champagne glasses. I felt a bit sad that I hadn’t made more of an effort with our dress when his parents, and his wife’s parents, were dressed fabulously as a Vivienne Westwood and a platformed-shoed psychedelic weirdo and a Mary Quant with platformed-shoed…… weirdo).

Of course time was ticking by so the idea of using my car was entirely sensible. So, ageing school girl and ‘bovver boy’ (yes it was embarrassing being in various garages/tyre places in such a get up) collected the other car and left his motor to be re-tyred.

Starting to fret a bit about time, I was a little dismayed when he said that we ought to just check the pressure in my tyres before we set off but I could understand his caution.

Anyway birthday boy beat them all, surprise party though it was, as a keen cyclist he was arriving form a ride – all sweaty and lycra clad – a hard look for any 50 year old to pull off.

24

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 23

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:45 Page 24

Treatment of the Month

Lotus Pouring Candle Massage into my body starting with my legs and feet and ending with my scalp before I was turned over so she could work her magic all over again on my front. The oil was lovely and warm and the massage technique was so relaxing I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

The Lotus Spa situated within The Swan Hotel in Bedford is the perfect sanctuary to unwind, relax and escape the stresses of modern life and it was here that I went along to try out their new Pouring Candle Massage.

This is a new treatment and before you conjour up images of HOT candle wax being poured over your body and burning you, remove that thought - the truth is far more sophisticated. This treatment is exclusive to The Lotus Spa just in time for the colder, darker days and evenings and is designed to warm your body, relax your mind and hydrate your skin

This is a treatment that I would recommend to anyone who wants a little pampering allowing time for themselves to completely unwind and leaving them feeling completely rejuvenated before stepping back into everyday life.

The added bonus of this massage is the oil penetrates deeply into your skin leaving it hydrated, and silky smooth, with your body feeling warm inside and out, just perfect for those chilly winter days.

The candle is made from soya and coconut oils and infused with the natural fragrance of honey – the wick melts these oils ready to be used for your massage.

My lovely therapist took me into her treatment room that was a haven of calm and tranquillity, and started the massage by pouring the warm melted oil onto my skin, the effect was a complete calming experience that melted away any tension I was feeling. The oil was then massaged

26

Lotus Pouring Candle Massage ÂŁ50 for 55 minutes The Lotus Spa, Bedford 01234 369910 www.lotus-spa.co.uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 25

Bliss Buttah Bling £42 blissworld.com

Radley Lambeth Pom Pom Hat & Scarf £29 - £39 radley.co.uk

Stainless Steel & Diamonds Ladies Watch Ebel Wave

Pure & Light Essential Face Cream £49 pureandlightorganic.eu

The Pixie Espresso Kit £34 nespresso.com

MOU Eskimo Boots £180 mou-online.com

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Sequin Party Dress £45 madeinpreston.com

Bentley Blue Crystal LE Fragrance £3,500 Bentley

Jo Malone Advent Calendar £250 Harrods

Spicepots Gift Box £12.95 spicepots.com

AFFINITY HOT PICKS

Limited Edition Magic Dust Gold Leather £180 neonfootwear.com

Ted Baker Faux Fur Ear Muffs £39 House of Fraser

Floral Jewels £37.50 Published by Prestel

Love Moschino Illustrated Bag £143 House of Fraser

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 26

Is Journaling the New Counselling?

We’ve all kept a diary/journal at some point in our lives writing down our hopes and fears, who our latest crush is, in fact everything we are afraid of expressing out loud. You can tell your journal things you wouldn’t dare tell anyone else without fear of being judged. A journal is not only a way of helping you understand how you’re feeling it can also be a sacred space to dream beyond your means and share your truest desires with no one but yourself.

Reasons to Keep a Journal

To get Clarity - If you're not sure about an issue, write it down. When you can’t see what path to take in either your personal or business life, and reoccurring thoughts are whirring around in your head don’t ignore them. Write out the issue. Research shows that writing about an issue versus talking about it brings higher levels of self-esteem and happiness.

To Keep your Dreams Alive -. Your journal is an ideal place to write down all of your dreams and desires. If there were no limits ask yourself – Who/What would you

want to be? Where would you go? Who would you want to meet? What would you do? Write it all down, describing in detail what your success looks like. With everything in place you can begin to make even your biggest dreams possible, you can begin to put the laws of success attraction into motion. So when an idea comes to you, grab your journal and write it down.

28

To Help Problems Solve – A journal is a great way to problem-solve whether it be for your personal or professional life. Writing things down gives you the

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 27

perspective necessary to attract the right solutions. Write down questions and answer them yourself you WILL ask the right questions and you WILL get the right answers.

your story, your life. You have no limitations you can write what you want. It is your own private outlet to express yourself and get to know what you truly desire

To See What Works - Getting your ideas, successes and even failures on paper allows you to see what's working and what's not. Consistently collating your life's events gives you the insight to see what works and what doesn’t so you can make the adjustments needed to live the life you desire..

For Self-Improvement - A journal is a safe place where you can be truly honest with yourself. This is your book,

29

Ten Minutes is all You Need Now’s the time to start the keeping of a daily journal. All you need is ten minutes of your time to write an entry every day. Even if you don’t think you have anything to say just write something it can just be a positive quote or simply pick a topic (work, family, goals etc). Everyone of us can find ten minutes in the day – even if you set your alarm earlier - It’s worth the effort to write and watch the positive results come into your life!

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 28

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 29

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 30

Lounge Around Butterfly PJ's £19.99 New Look

£35 Boux Avenue

Rosie for Autograph £35 Marks & Spencer

BHS

Iris & Edie £26.50 Debenhams J by Jasper £30 Debenhams

Penguin PJ's £30 Boux Avenue Fern PJ's £25 Next

PJ's £25 Debenhams

PJ's £19.99 New Look

Nestor PJ's £150 Princesstamtam.co.uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 31

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 32

Silky & Sexy

Chemise £19.50 F&F

0

Satin PJ's £29.5 F&F

J by Jasper £25 Debenhams

£35 Boux Avenue

£45 Boux Avenue Presence £20 Debenhams

Rosie for Autograph £29.50 Marks & Spencer

Ted Baker £18.50 Debenhams

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 33

Snug as a Bug

£28.50 Debenhams Fleece Onsie £24 Bonmarche Cashmere Onesie £225 Marks & Spencer

Onsie £28.50 Debenhams

Onesie £24 Bonmarche

Sheep Fleece Onsie £18 Bonmarche

Galaxy Onesie £39.95 White Stuff

Houseofbath

Onesie Marks & Spencer

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 34

Using and Losing the

Fear of Failure 36

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 35

A

s a therapist I come across a lot of people whose lives have been strangled, not by failure, but by the FEAR of failure. A fear of failure will stop us stepping out of our comfort zone, trying new ventures- in case they don’t work, embarking on a relationship – in case we get hurt, applying for a new job – in case we don’t get it. There isn’t one area of life that is unaffected for a person who is afraid of failure. Of course, we don’t go around saying that we aren’t doing something because we are afraid of failing, we tell others, and sometimes ourselves, that we don’t really want whatever it is and that we are happy as we are, but even as the words come out of our mouth, part of us knows that is simply not the case. I have never been a dare devil, in fact as a child I rarely did things that seemed physically risky, telling myself that it just wasn’t fun to launch myself down a vertical slide or hang upside down on a fairground ride. I would be the proverbial coat holder, and looking back now I can see where the fear came from, it wasn’t a fear of failure rather a fear of being hurt, physically but it had a similar impact. What I realised later was that while protecting myself from the ‘hurt’, I missed out on the excitement and exhilaration of all sorts of experiences.

Only those who dare to fail greatly, achieve greatly.

Robert F Kennedy

As a tutor I work with many young people who may themselves be afraid of failure, but whose parents are determined not to allow them to fail. This is understandable, we all want the best for our children but there must be a limit to the lengths we can or should go to in order to prevent our children failing. Some parents want the tutor to do the homework for the student, but if they don’t understand the concepts, their teacher in school needs to know that, if they get wonderful homework they will assume the student understands. As parents we also need to be careful NOT to pass on to them the fear of failure that may have impacted our own lives.

But don’t be mistaken, educators want children to be successful, parents want children to be successful and success is brilliant. But most people experience some type of failure in their life. It may be distressing, crushing even, BUT as humans we are resilient and actually we do survive.

Responding to failure Sometimes failure is a message – but not always. Thinking back on some occasions when I have experienced failure has made me re-think certain actions, behaviours or plans.

But on other occasions the experience of failure has made me more determined, when I failed my driving test for example, I waited a while had some more lessons and passed.

In terms of young people and education sometimes they have to be allowed to fail in order to get the help they need or even to realise themselves that certain aspects of behaviour need to change.

I’ve not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

Thomas A Edison

The important thing is not to see failure as central to yourself. Not passing an exam, not getting a job, the break-

up of the relationship, these are all aspects of your life they are not YOU. They may have an impact, sometimes profound, but they are not you. The experience of failure can act as a springboard to success. What is important is how we ‘frame’ the failure and what we do next.

There’s only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.

Paulo Coelho

Fear of failure Fear can be a useful emotion, but for many people fear of failure effectively stops them trying things, stepping out of their comfort zone or putting any aspect of their life on the line. But what we read about many successful people is that their pathway to success has often involved risking or even experiencing failure.

So what is the root of your fear of failure? Sometimes it stems from a previous experience of failure – maybe you felt ashamed that you couldn’t somehow come up to the mark, or measure up in some way. But whose ‘standard’ were you trying to achieve and who exactly was measuring.

Often if you look back, you may have failed because you were being pushed into a position that you didn’t want anyway. Trying to achieve something that you had not invested in yourself. One student I worked with was convinced anything below an A grade was a failure because his older brother always got A grades.

But if you delve below that you usually find the bottom line, in terms of the fear of failure, is rooted in a concern about what others think. Obviously we want the people we care about to care about us, but the likelihood is that whether we fail or succeed they will still care about us. As for the rest of the world, you need to ask yourself is their opinion really very important.

Fear of failure is like any other fear generated by our subconscious minds.

Getting rid of the fear of failure To get rid of the fear of failure you need to change your belief system about failure, increase your confidence and begin to take risks. Sometimes it is necessary to revisit instances of failure and reframe our memories, and accept ourselves as we are.

If we can truly do this then in many ways the opinion of others become far less important. Of course, this in itself, can be a problem for some people but in terms of lasting happiness it is really the only solid foundation and it can free us from the tyranny of worrying about what others think of us, which is so often at the root of a fear of failure.

It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.

Ellen DeGeneres

If you need help dealing with fears of any sort contact Attuned Education 07921193479 01234 349067 info@attunededucation.com www.attunededucation.com

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:46 Page 36

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:47 Page 37

Affinity 50 Shades of Pink Charity Ball 2014

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:47 Page 38

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:48 Page 39

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:49 Page 40

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:55 Page 41

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 42

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 43

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 44

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 45

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 46

I

Bombay meets B Town

theme to the murals on the back wall and the outside space just perfect for sipping cocktails. Cocktails? Well it would have been rude not to! With an impressive cocktail menu and cocktail Happy Hours Sunday – Thursday 12 noon-11 pm and Friday – Saturday 12 noon-7 pm, 10 pmclose what’s not to like!

To be honest though for once it was the food I was most interested in, so whilst mulling over the extensive menu we enjoyed the poppadums and chutneys that certainly teased our taste buds for what was to come.

Garlic Chicken Tikka (chicken breast pieces marinated overnight in cheese, spices and garlic) and Crispy Chilli Calamari (crisp fried spiced coated calamari with vindaloo mayo) were our choice of starters. The chicken

nspired by the bustling aroma-filled streets of Bombay (now Mumbai), B-Town brings a refreshingly authentic taste of India’s street foods to Milton Keynes.

From light flavoursome lunch bites to spicy Indian favourites, their casual dining menu promises something new and exciting.

B Town is the brainchild of Mo Abdul (proprietor of Calcutta Brassiere in Stony Stratford), the hype around the food and atmosphere at B Town is buzzing so we decided to pop along and see for ourselves what all the fuss was about.

The interior was trendy and casual with a Bollywood 48

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 47

was tender and delicious and only mildly spicy (I am a wimp when it comes to spice!) with the calamari being fresh and crispy and the vindaloo mayo leaving a big kick at the back of the throat. Both these dishes were impressive and I could see why on a Tuesday night B Town was full of diners.

Main courses were just as tasty.

Tandoori salmon (succulently spiced salmon fillet) with vegetable fried rice, the salmon was fresh, cooked perfectly, slightly spiced and full of flavour, another hit for me, this is definitely a dish I would have again it was delicious and the vegetable fried rice was a perfect accompaniment with it’s chunky vegetables it could have been a meal in itself. Our other choice was the South Indian Thaali (chicken chettinaad, lamb Malabar, coconut cabbage, vegetable sambhar, Lemon rice, naan, spiced poppadum, raitha, salad and pickle) The balance of spice and flavours was perfect. It’s an ideal way to experience the interesting and authentic dishes from different Indian regions, a pure taste bud delight..

Not only are the dishes truly appetizing, presentation is also perfect as is the service.

The menu has a lot of exciting choices, many things you are likely to have never tried unless you’ve visited India, Most dishes can be enjoyed as sides or a main. In proper Indian street food style you can mix and match the different dishes allowing you to sample many of the authentic flavours of India.

Impressed was not the word, B Town has something for everyone and offers something different to the traditional Indian restaurants we all know and love.

Make sure you try B Town for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

B-Town 151 Grafton Gate East Milton Keynes Bucks MK9 1AE 01908 200 522 www.btownmiltonkeynes.co.uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 48

Butternut Squash Parmigiana 50

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 49

Ingredients 50g butter 900g Butternut squash 3 fat garlic cloves, thinly sliced 4 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tsp caster sugar 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano 2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes 200g carton passata 75g Parmesan, finely grated 300ml double cream

“

“

This is ideal as a warming side dish served with chicken, or on it’s own served with green vegetables

Method Preheat oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Melt 25g of the butter. Cut the squash into small, chunky, 1cm thick slices and put into a shallow baking dish. Pour over the melted butter, plus a pinch of salt and toss together. Arrange the slices in an even layer over the base of the dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the squash is just tender.

Melt the remaining butter in a large frying pan, add the garlic and as soon as it starts to sizzle, add the tinned tomatoes, passata and oregano. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring regularly and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is thick but still slightly moist. Put the vinegar and sugar into a small pan and boil until reduced to 2 teaspoons’ worth. Stir into the tomato sauce and season well with salt and black pepper.

Remove the squash from the oven, uncover and pour away any excess liquid.

Spoon over the tomato sauce. Put the cream into a small pan and simmer (watch it so it doesn’t boil over) for approx 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it has reduced a little and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Take off the heat, stir in 50g of the grated Parmesan, then season to taste.

Pour the Parmesan cream in an even layer over the top of the tomato sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until richly golden and bubbling. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nicolas Feuillatte Rose Non Vintage Champagne Silver- tinged salmon-pink with a steady ribbon of fine bubbles. Red fruit aromas. Intense, developing notes of blueberry, blackcurrant and raspberry. Delicate on the palate, fluid, underpinned by an extremely fine bead. Fruity finish. £28.49 Tesco

Marca Oro Prosecco It is an all-meal sparkling wine that is ideal with the most sophisticated cuisine. Its taste on the palate is decidedly fruity with a bright and zesty finish. Straw yellow colour with golden hues. £5 Sainsburys

Gosset Grand Rosé NV Strong, bright pink in hue, embellished by ruby red reflections, this wine brings forth aromas of wild berries, sweet spices and freshly-baked brioche, followed by roasted almond and warmed mandarin peel. this remarkable rosé is delicate and refined from entry to finish. £59.95 Harrods

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:56 Page 50

Banana fritters with Oreo ice cream Ingredients

For the ice cream 300ml double cream 2 egg whites 75g sugar 1 pack of Oreos For the Fritters 1 bunch of bananas 1 litre lemonade 500g flour

Method

First, to make your ice cream, whip your double cream to soft peaks.

In a separate, clean bowl, whisk your egg whites and sugar to stiff peaks.

Next, blend the Oreos to a powdery consistency.

Start by folding your egg whites into your cream, being careful to retain as much air as possible.

Once this is fully combined, fold in the Oreo powder.

Pour this into a container and set in the freezer overnight.

For the fritters, start by heating a pan of oil to 180â °c or turn on your deep fat fryer to the same temperature.

Next, bring together your lemonade and flour to make a thick, smooth batter. It is often worth saving some lemonade back which can be added later if the batter is too thick.

Coat your fritters in the batter and lower into the hot oil. Use a metal spoon to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan/basket.

Once they are golden brown, remove from the oil and gently roll in sugar.

Serve immediately

This sweet is brought to you by the Chef The Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant, Sharnbrook, Beds 52

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 17/10/2014 11:33 Page 51

3 Courses including champagne and canapes on arrival ÂŁ70.00 per person

Fizz on arrival, Hot Winter Buffet and Live Music from The VIPeas, ÂŁ27.50 per person

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:58 Page 52

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:58 Page 53

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:58 Page 54

Delectable Dining at Murray’s A

visit to Murray’s Restaurant set within Whittlebury Hall Hotel was our choice of dining this month. With its 2AA Rosettes and intimate relaxing atmosphere this is a fabulous place for a special occasion, a romantic evening or just to sample the finer things in life!

special too and it is exactly that at Murray’s. We arrive to be shown to the lounge where we are served aperitifs and delicious homemade canapés, whilst deliberating over the menu. The whole atmosphere is one of relaxation and the service is attentive without being overbearing.

It is not only the food that needs to be divine when experiencing fine dining, the service needs to be extra

Choices were made and we were left to finish our pre dinner drinks before being led into the private, intimate

56

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 55

dining room with soft music playing in the background, low lighting and candles on the tables, making it the perfect setting for a romantic meal for two.

Freshly baked homemade bread rolls in a variety of flavours including soda, walnut and cheese & onion were served along with a quirky amuse bouche described as “Tea & Biscuits!”

Starters of Barbary Duck (smoked duck, blackcurrant, pistachio) and Cornish Crab (apple, avocado and parmesan) were served, the presentation and attention to detail was like a piece of art! The duck was succulent and was complimented perfectly with the pistachio and blackcurrant, the crab was delicious, the crunchiness of the apple with the smooth avocado mousse was a delight to the palette.

Banham Chicken Breast (Jersey Royals, garlic, asparagus and pancetta) and Pork followed our amazing starters. The chicken was full of flavour, with the asparagus and pancetta combined with the Jersey Royals, producing an amalgamation of flavours that I loved. The different pieces of pork, including cheeks and belly, were all superbly cooked each piece with its own unique flavour.

Dessert was too much for me, so of course I had to have a little taste of my husband’s lemon meringue, which was a heavenly treat. Dessert was followed by tea and coffee, which was served with just the most amazing homemade petit fois including mini macaroons and a peanut butter white chocolate delight – I knew there was a reason I refused dessert!

Dining at Murray’s is a truly magical dining experience, something that everyone should try at least once!

Murray’s Restaurant Whittlebury Hall www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 56

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 57

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 58

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 59

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 60

Fry’s Footie Corner

Four Nations Doing Well

F

as well as physical demands of football take’s its toll. He hasn’t had a breather this season with the World Cup during the summer and everything that goes with it.

or the first time in nearly 50 years, Northern Ireland have won three games on the trot and they lead their European qualifying group. Wales also top their group, which is a miraculous achievement for those two countries. They are normally the whipping boys.

You tend to forget that at 19-years-old he has growth spurts to contend with. Young players have to be nursed along because of the demands of football nowadays. This is not like my day when we all looked forward to playing Christmas Day and Boxing Day as well as playing New Years Day.

Scotland are improving rapidly under Gordon Strachan while Martin O’Neil’s Republic of Ireland side are also pleased with their results so far. As for England, we top our group after three wins from three games, but what happened in the last game against Estonia led to negative opinions. Roy Hodgson has been heavily criticised about the Raheem Sterling episode where the player revealed he was too tired to play the 90 minutes.

The Easter was even more demanding with games on Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday. I never had any players complain that they were tired and the crowd came out in their droves over the festive fixtures.

Some people forget that Sterling came on for the final 20 minutes and won the free-kick that Wayne Rooney scored from so he still made a big impact. The big question is should Roy have been so honest to tell the press his conversation with Raheem about being tired. He answered honestly. The player was also being very honest. Let us not forget he is only 19-years-old!

However, times have changed and the demands of the game have changed. The pace has come on leaps and bounds. I can understand both parties point of view in this debate. I think the player needs to be applauded for his honesty and I think the manager needs to take some credit too, he could have ducked the question, but he told the truth and both people are being hammered. That is the state of our game these days.

He rapidly came onto the scene in Liverpool’s very successful campaign and jumped into the international stage very quickly. Good judges anticipate him to be the first £100 million player. However, sometimes the mental

Barry Fry 62

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 61

Warm front

J by Jasper £50 Debenhams

Howick £150 House of Fraser

Sainsburys

Brosnan Jacket £199 Dubarry

Criminal Khaki Parker £150 House of Fraser

Puffa Jacket £99 Marks & Spencer

Crosshatch Mens Jacket £29.99 Get The Label

Jack Wolfskin Mens Svalbard Jacket £79.99 Get The Label

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 62

All About...

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 63

Phil Fanning

“We caught up with Phil Fanning the face behind the Michelin starred fine Dining Paris House”

Age: 32

Occupation: Executive Chef Owner

Describe yourself in three words?

Stubborn, Passionate, Loyal

You can’t leave the house without?

Door keys!

Your top three movies?

Pulp Fiction, Shrek and Lord of the Rings Triology

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

Thomas Keller - What is The secret?

If I take a look in your fridge what would I find?

Beer, Gin, Limes and Tonic!

What makes you stand out in a crowd?

My ears!

What do you do to relax?

Aikido (A form of Martial Arts)

If you were a biscuit what would you be and why?

Jacobs Cream Crunch, perfect in everyway!

Your most extravagant purchase and why?

Paris House, because it's never going to make any money, it's a passion!

Who is your inspiration/role model?

Thomas Keller

If you could be anyone or anything what would it be?

The inventor of the paper clip!

What is the one gadget you couldn't live without?

Thermamix!

What actor would you have play you in a film?

Rowan Atkinson

Describe your ideal woman?

I already have a pre-marital agreement with my wife that if Cameron Diaz turned up at my door...............

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

On the sofa with my feet up with a glass of gin!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?

A knife, bottle of gin and a fishing rod!

What would your last meal be?

Freshly cooked cock crab, brown bread and butter

What would you do if you had a time machine?

Go back to my childhood, give myself a good slap and tell myself to concentrate more at school.

65

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 64

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 65

20 Years of

McGirls McGirls Money Management is celebrating 20 years of business.

Established in 1994 by the late Patrick McGirl. Pat's legacy was to advise, counsel and help individuals achieve their own personal financial objectives and to this day the practice strives to continue this legacy.

Due to their continuous growth the company have recently moved to new premises in Goldington Road, Bedford.

McGirls pride themselves on being one of the most successful practices within the Openwork network, with a team of 8 advisors. The combined experience in investment and financial management ensures they provide their clients with a comprehensive range of financial services including mortgages, investments, pensions, life cover and lots more, each financial solution is tailored made to suit each individuals financial needs, whether it is on a personal or corporate level.

So whether it’s a Pension, Life Insurance, Mortgage, Mortgage Protection, or Investment you’re looking for McGirls can help you decide on the best product for you, make sure you give them a call today.

McGirls Money Management 7 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3JY 01234 344111

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 66

A New Record Breaking Spider Ferrari 458 Speciale A

L

aspirated road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari. It punches out a massive 605 cv (135 cv/l specific power output) and 540 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm yet only generates 275 g/km of CO2 emissions. The three international Best Performance Engine awards the V8 has won are acknowledged on a special plaque in the cockpit.

The new car sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and has a Fiorano lap time of 1’23”5. These superb results are thanks in great part to its front and rear active aerodynamics, the rigidity of a chassis that incorporates 10 aluminium alloys, and Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) which guarantees unparalleled sporty driving in all conditions, underscored by the seductively exhilarating signature Ferrari soundtrack.

ast month’s Paris Motor Show saw the world debut of the Ferrari 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta). The new limited edition special series is a celebration of the dazzling success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has collected an array of international motoring media awards and track victories, not least a double WEC title and category wins in classic endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A is the most powerful spider in Prancing Horse history, effortlessly marrying extreme performance with the sublime pleasure of drop-top driving. Its aluminium retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to just 50 kg.

The 458 Speciale A sports the most powerful naturally-

68

As is the case with all Prancing Horse cars, the 458 Speciale A’s sculpted forms are absolutely performanceoriented. In fact, a series of innovative and original bodywork solutions has made the 458 Speciale A the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 67

The 458 Speciale A is being premiered in a unique triplelayer yellow livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco Avus central stripe as well as five-spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa. The cockpit has a distinctive racing-inspired look: lightweight yet exclusive materials have been adopted throughout and, of course, crafted with Ferrari’s signature artisanal sophistication. This is particularly true of the finish of the dash, the moulded door panels and central tunnel in an exclusive blue carbon-fibre (also used for the treadplates) as well as the newlydesigned seats in AlcantaraŠ with contrasting stitching and 3D technical fabric.

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 68

Welcome to the musings of Yummy Mummy. Living in Bedford she is married to ‘The Husband’ and together they have 4 children - Rafferty 9, Violet 7, Roman 6 and Clementine 2 All my views are my own and are not intended to offend anyone but alas I may frustrate you as I certainly do myself and no doubt those around me at times. I would love to hear from you, your views, questions or indeed just to share your experiences of trying to be a Yummy Mummy. Email me at info@affinitymag.co.uk

Let them be Children!

I know I have written before about ‘Pushy Parenting’ and have protested my innocence at not being one, however on reflection I think that sometimes I have expected too much from my children with either achievements and also the activities they do. I am confident though that I have never been a full on Pushy Parent/Tiger Mum.

disappointment after all the hard work they’ve put in, but they were absolutely sure of their decision so I soon got over it!

I also avidly avoid the competitive parents Facebook status updates, especially around parents evening! I am sure teachers will find something positive to stay about every child....well it would be quite amusing to see updates saying ‘very proud of my boy as he managed to get through the whole day without attempting to hit his teacher’!! Of course I am proud of my children but don’t feel the need to constantly post this fact! I do sometimes post pictures of them getting, for instance ‘player/superstar of the week’ etc but these accolades usually work their way around the entire team/class!

Of course I do want the best for my children, for them to have opportunities and for them to achieve their full potential. But it would seem these days that ‘full potential’ to a lot of people is to have the best academic grades rather than celebrating the other wonderful qualities our children have. I did go through a stage where I was consumed with the desire for the children to be ‘above their age’ with the core academic subjects, so additional Maths and English tuition was introduced.

Luckily they wanted to do this so I wasn’t a complete ‘pushy parent’, however there came a time when their desire to go waned and we stopped it.

After my recent special birthday and my changing outlook on life, I am realising that there is so much more to life then top grades and a diary full of activities. The competitive edge is lessening on being a proper ‘Yummy Mummy’ and I am quickly beginning to allow my children to be just that......children! That doesn’t mean to say it will all be play and relaxing as we will still encourage them to do their best at school and motivate them with their homework. They will also continue with extra-curricular activities of their choosing and we will continue to be ‘Mum and Dad’s Taxi’ with pleasure; however, if they are adamant they’ve had enough of one then they can stop.....well unless it is school they are fed up with, as I don’t fancy the consequences of that!

As with a lot of things with children, their enthusiasm seesaws between them not being able to get enough to never ever wanting to do the activity again. However, the trick is to know when it is time to give up as sometimes they just don’t fancy it one week. After a break over the summer holidays the boys were adamant they didn’t want to go to Karate, however we put this down to being out of routine, so we did a deal that they would try for a month and then see how they felt. When October came around I mentioned it was Karate and immediately they knew the month was obviously up, so they said they had done their side of the bargain and still didn’t want to go. Of course, I would be fibbing if I didn’t say I felt a little 70

Yummy Mummy

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 69

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 70

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 71

Memories to

Last a Lifetime Magical Lapland

L

apland offers experiences like no other destination and a visit in December will certainly leave you with unforgettable memories.

A place of fascinating beauty with hundreds of magical winter activities and the opportunity to see the awe-inspiring "Northern lights" and even catch a glimpse of Santa if he’s not too busy!.

For those with little time it is possible to visit Santa in a day, which includes snowmobile adventures, husky dog experiences, tobogganing and snowman making. The undoubted highlight is a sleigh ride through the forest on a secret track lit by twinkling lights to the hut where Father Christmas himself lives and is waiting to greet each child personally.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the temperatures can fall as low as -35 degrees Celsius, which is chilly! Expect -7 to -20 degrees Celsius as a rule. There is approximately three hours of ‘blue light’ during the day with some activities taking place beneath the light of fires or candles that add to the atmosphere. The abundance of snow provides a magical setting and the flat landscape is perfect for leisurely Reindeer sleigh rides, exciting Husky adventures or turbo charged Snowmobile safaris. If you’re the adventurous type then a seven night stay is a must, there are plenty of things to do and experience, and activities for all ages. World class cross country skiing, Snow shoe walking, a stay in the famous Lainio Snow Hotel or even a night in a private glass Igloo where there’s the chance to witness the mysterious spectacle that is the Northern lights. NASA have predicted that the 2014/2015 season will produce the best display of the Aurora Borealis in over a decade.

You’ll have a private meeting with Santa on some three and four night trips and have dinner with ‘the big man’ himself on your last night. There are trips where you have the opportunity to meet Santa and his Elves and help bake gingerbread in his workshop deep in the magical forest.

All trips include flights and transfers, accommodation and hot meals & drinks as specified, warm and cosy thermal suits and boots. It is also advisable to take lots of layers, gloves & hats.

There are usually optional activities available to tailor-make your experience. It’s the most magical moments that are sure to make a child’s dream come true and leave a smile on every adults face.

Family memories to last a lifetime.

For the young, or young at heart, Lapland offers the perfect opportunity to meet Father Christmas- After all Lapland is the home of Santa Claus!

73

Sue Alexander Eagle Travel 11 Goldington Road, Bedford 01234 348882

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 14:59 Page 72

Hook your Tickets Now!

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 15:00 Page 73

A

“Bring it on!”

s I write this it’s just 74 sleeps until Christmas.

Now that may seem like a lot of sleeps but it won’t be long until the lights come down from the loft, the chocolate pops out of the advent calendars and Milton Keynes Theatre launch their panto – Peter Pan!

Joining Bradley on the decks of the Jolly Roger after soaring to fame in Britain’s Got Talent will be Street Dance sensations Flawless, as a group of pop-locking, hiphopping pirates as you have never seen them before!

Expect to see some ‘moon-walking’ the plank with this motley crew.

After seven years Milton Keynes’ most popular panto star Bradley Walsh is back to lead an all-star cast in Peter Pan. Taking a break from our TV screens in hit series’ such as Law & Order UK and The Chase, funny man Bradley is set for a spectacular return to Milton Keynes Theatre after smashing Box Office records in Cinderella (2006) and Aladdin (2007).

Bradley who will be playing Smee, Captain Hook’s hapless mate told us “I can’t wait to be back at Milton Keynes Theatre - my happiest memories of panto were during my time spent there and I have been dying to get back, but my schedule over the last seven years hasn’t allowed me.

However this year I’m back with a show that will be fun for everyone - especially me!”

So it’s time to get ready with your loudest boo and hiss, as no panto is complete without its dastardly villain, and there is no bigger baddie in all of Neverland than this year’s Captain Hook, David Bedella.

Don’t miss out - Hook your tickets now!

75

Fri 5th December – Sun 11th January Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7652 www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 15:00 Page 74

What’s

ON!

November 2014

Sat 1st November Turvey Village Fireworks and Bonfire BBQ, food and refreshments available Gates open 5.30pm, display starts at 6.30pm Adults £3.50, Children £1.50

Sat 8th November Poppy Prom – 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Eaton Bray, Beds A concert celebrating the best music from the Festival of Rememberance and The Last Night of The Proms.

Licensed bar Tickets £10 and £12

Sat 1st November The United House Group Fireworks Raceday Ascot Racecourse For any parents looking for ways to keep their children entertained look no further with one of the region’s largest firework spectaculars, as well as fairground rides throughout the afternoon and an evening fireworks display from 6pm. Fairground rides include the Sizzler Twist, Superstar, The Superbowl, Oxygen and Dodgems. Plus a few gentler rides and pony riding for the under-10’s. Rides are free of charge until 4pm and cost £1 per ride thereafter. All profits are donated to local charities Kids under the age of 18 can enter free of charge. www.ascot.co.uk

Fri 7th November Tunes and Booms 6pm – 1am Wyboston Lakes Hotel ‘Fireworks’ themed 2 course menu Fireworks display across the lake at 9.00 pm Party the night away with a ‘Disco Inferno’ £16 per person www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Fri 7th November Tina Turner Tribute Night & Fireworks 7.30pm – 1am Wyboston Lakes Hotel Entertainment from tribute act Kinisha as Tina Turner, Fireworks display over a lakeside setting. Live entertainment and disco £44.50 per person (includes event ticket, three course dinner, fireworks display and ½bottle of wine) Inclusive overnight package also includes double ensuite room and breakfast at £79.50 per person (based on two sharing) www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Sat 1st November Blunham Firework Display Blunham Playing Field BBQ – Hot Drinks – Bar Gates open 6pm, bonfire lit 6.30pm – Fireworks 7pm Adults £5 (U16’s FREE but must be accompanied by an adult)

Sun 2nd November Olney Fireworks Display Recreation Ground, Olney The fireworks are synchronized to music. At the end of the event there is a small fair as well as food and drink stalls including a bar. Everyone attending is given a free glow stick Gates open at 5pm, Fireworks starts at 6.30pm Sun 2nd November Gamlingay Fireworks Spectacular display to music. Bring the whole family to enjoy a professional display by Fantastic Fireworks.

BBQ, soup, jacket potatoes, cake, treats and lots more Gates open 4.30pm, Fireworks 5.30pm Tickets £4 in advance (£5 on the gate) Children under 3 free

Thurs 13th November Port and Cheese Night The Embankment, Bedford Held in the impressive Private Dining Room. A light main course followed by lots of vintage port and cheese. £45 per person - Booking is essential as places are limited 01234 261332 / email jonathan.taylor@peachpubs.com www.embankmentbedford.co.uk

76

Fri 14th November 7.30pm – 12.30am Parisian Cabaret Show Whittlebury Hall Hotel At the heart of Paris’s Bohemian movement is the exciting world of music and dance, glamour and romance...

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 15:00 Page 75

Fri 28th November Pure Heart Fashion Show – 7pm Oakley Village Hall on Friday Featuring Ladies Italian designer clothing & collections from Amari & Hollister. Stunning jewellery, scarves & accessories- plus an array of exciting stalls selling perfect gifts for Christmas.

Fashion show starts 8pm.

Tickets are £5 includes goodie bag. Grand Raffle being held for The Macmillan Primrose Oncology Unit Bedford If you would like a ticket or stall contact Tabitha on 07957 580331 or tabitha_h_walker@yahoo.co.uk

Join us as we transport you to another world with this energetic tribute show full of lavish costumes, intoxicating showgirls and high-kicking choreography.

With the best of both male and female professional vocalists along with dancers, they offer you their tribute to Baz Luhrmann's iconic film. Full of the same spirit and stunning style, this colourful show will be sure to excite and delight you; bringing to the stage the essence of the film, and some Parisian sparkle to your evening. £49 per person including a three-course dinner, half a bottle of house wine and entertainment www.whittleburyhall.co.uk Fri 14th – Sat 15th November Bedford Art Society and Bedford Camera Club Exhibition Harpur Suite, Bedford Exciting event displaying range of affordable art and variety of prints by local artists and photographers.

All for sale unless otherwise stated Homemade refreshments and a raffle.

Members Free Visitors £2 Tues 18th November Kimbolton Flower Club – 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton A Christmas demonstration with Linda Stamp giving us “CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION”.

Sales Table and raffle of arrangements. Mince Pies and Wine £8 including refreshments

Fri 21st November Ladies Night 7.30pm – 12.30am Whittlebury Hall Hotel Join us on our ladies night with drinks on arrival, threecourse dinner and a full evening of entertainment.

You’ll be greeted by pre dinner drinks and have your photo taken by our paparazzi as you start your evening.

Enjoy great food and wine alongside a show with a lively performance by a flamboyant drag queen and male entertainers, pampering spa products and salon services, and a disco to dance the night away. £49 per person for three-course dinner, half bottle of house wine and an evening of entertainment. www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

Fri 21st – Sat 22nd November Ascot’s November Racing Weekend For anyone who wants to combine a festive day out with a bit of Christmas shopping, then this Racing Weekend has everything you need. Alongside an afternoon of exciting racing, is more than 30 boutique stands where you can buy some lovely Christmas presents for family and friends. www.ascot.co.uk Fri 21st November – January 2015 The Ice Rink The Bedford Swan Hotel It’s finally here, ice skating at this fantastic venue, why not skate and dine, have a family skate session lots of different options check out the website for details and how to book (booking essential) from £5 per person www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

77

november2014.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 16/10/2014 15:00 Page 76

A quiet night in...

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

Kelley Quinn is the owner of Nantucket's Winter Street Inn and the proud father of four, all of them grown and living in varying states of disarray. Patrick, the eldest, is a hedge fund manager with a guilty conscience. Kevin, a bartender, is secretly sleeping with a French housekeeper named Isabelle. Ava, a school teacher, is finally dating the perfect guy but can't get him to commit. And Bart, the youngest and only child of Kelley's second marriage to Mitzi, has recently shocked everyone by joining the Marines.

As Christmas approaches, Kelley is looking forward to getting the family together for some quality time at the inn. But when he walks in on Mitzi kissing Santa Claus (or the guy who's playing Santa at the inn's annual party), utter chaos descends. With the three older children each reeling in their own dramas and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley's ex-wife, nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn, to save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn. Before the mulled cider is gone, the delightfully dysfunctional Quinn family will survive a love triangle, an unplanned pregnancy, a federal crime, a small house fire, many shots of whiskey, and endless rounds of Christmas caroling, in this heart-warming novel about coming home for the holidays.

Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey The kids of St. Bernadette's embark on their craziest adventure yet in this fabulous festive family comedy!

Christmas is coming, and the boisterous pupils of St. Bernadette's are suitably excited. They now have a stern new headmistress (Celia Imrie). Mr. Shepherd (Martin Clunes) has also joined the school but unfortunately, he's just lost his memory in a bizarre mishap. This has made him forget the promise he made his daughter - he had vowed to give her a new mum by marrying his fiancee, Sophie (Catherine Tate), in New York on Christmas Eve. Just as importantly, he can't remember the whereabouts of beloved Archie the donkey! Now it's up to the rambunctious kids and zany Mr. Poppy (Marc Wootton) to save the day. And to do that, they'll need to enter a flashmob contest! Jason Watkins returns as the ultracompetitive Gordon Shakespeare in writer/director Debbie Issit's third riotous feast of colourful Christmas family fun.

Release Date: 14th November

Begin Again

Seduced by dreams of making it big, Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) move to New York to pursue their passion for music.

However, when Dave rejects her for the fame and fortune of a big solo contract, Gretta find herself alone and far from home.

Just when she's decided to move back to London, life begins to look up when struggling record producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo) stumbles upon her singing during an open mic night. Captivated by her raw talent and inspiring authenticity Dan persuades Gretta to take a fresh approach to making music and together they transform the streets of New York in to their recording studio, giving their careers one final shot Release Date: 10th November

78

weddingadvertnew2014.qxp_wedding advert new 2014 16/08/2014 17:31 Page 1

Affinity

Wedding Showcase Sunday 2nd November 2014

THE CORN EXCHANGE

St. Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1LE

Exclusive Fashion Show by Estilo Moda Doors Open: 11am - 3pm FREE entry, bubbles, canapés and goodie bag plus a free copy of Affinity Weddings Magazine for all Brides!

Everything you need for the perfect wedding all under one roof www.affinitymag.co.uk

affinityweddingmag@gmail.com

nov2014 Cover .qxp_Layout 1 copy 13/10/2014 11:22 Page 1

Bracelets

various materials & colours from £59

Beads and charms

silver with various finishes from £39

Watches

steel with various finishes from £59.00

AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE 42

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

October 2014

Calling all Beauty Fans!

A FREE Murad Skincare gift for every reader

Concours of Elegance Fashion Edit Cars to take your breath away

This season's outerwear edit

BEAUTY - FOOD - DRINK - HEALTH - FITNESS - STYLE - INTERIORS - MOTORS - WHAT’S ON