Nov2016 by jane fry

nov2016Cover .qxp_Layout 1 copy 23/10/2016 12:59 Page 1

AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

November 2016

Coat Edit

Heavenly Hands Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be spoilt for choice

NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE 66

Purple Opulence

pamper your hands this winter

accessories to add style to your home

Beauty Updates

Mindfulness the latest products for you to own

just 10 minutes will transform your life

nov2016Cover .qxp_Layout 1 copy 23/10/2016 12:59 Page 2

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:25 Page 1

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 2

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 3

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 4

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 5

What does your kitchen mean for you!

Ltd Very affordable true HANDLELESS GERMAN kitchens now in store

Forget the sales hype just give us a try, you WILL be pleasantly surprised

Telephone: 01480 398017/8

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 6

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 7

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 8

Welcome...

I’m loving...

3 November, what a great month for us this is going to be. The 5th sees us hosting our 5th Annual Charity Ball for Cancer Research UK, not only will it be a fantastic evening of glitz and glamour, this year we are also giving our guests an extra special treat with a spectacular firework display (well it is bonfire night!) We always sell out early for this event and I just want to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone that comes year after year to support us and help us raise as much as we can, so that one day we can hopefully say P**s Off to CANCER! November also sees many of us starting to get ready for Christmas. There is a growing trend in the beauty industry to produce their own advent calendars, so instead of opening a window to find chocolate each day, you open the door to a miniature of one of your favourite beauty products turn to page 30 for a round up of our favourites. Now the weather is getting colder, we all look in our wardrobes (men as well) and decide we need a new winter coat to add to our ever growing collection (a girl can never have enough coats, shoes, bags... shall I go on!) Page 35 brings you our coat edit; I defy you not to find at least one you like!

1. Hotel Chocolat Cocoa Gin & Morello Cherry Jam £5, hotelchocolat.com 2. Jo Malone Orange Bitters Cologne £90, jomalone.co.uk 3. Heat On The Go Cordless Heat Pod £39.99, dreamlanduk.co.uk 4. L’Or des Pharons Anti Aging Skin Mist 40, healthrange.co.uk

Fancy a few days away? Then why not turn to page 72 to find out about the latest cultural trip on offer at Corinthia Hotel, St Petersburg, Russia. Or if it’s a warmer climate you’re looking to escape to the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ (page 74) in Dubai is just perfect for you. Until next month

Cover Miss Selfridge

Keep Warm!

Jane x www.affinitymag.co.uk

Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Advertising: Gwen D’Souza affinitymaggwen@gmail.com 07506 770554 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@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.

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 9

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 10

CONTENTS 41

18 22 24 32 38 41 44 48 52 60 66 76 78 80

Mindfulness Midlife Madness Here and Now Warm this Winter Gorgeous Gilets Tailored to Perfection Real Taste of India Foodie News Delightful Dessert Online Art Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cold Outside Ancient Treasures Panto Time Your Stars

16 57

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 11

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 12

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

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 13

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 14

Orange Bitters Luxury From this month Jo Malone London Christmas Collections launch nationwide. This year, the scent of the season is the delectable Orange Bitters - Bright sweet orange, crisp mandarin and the bite of bitter orange open to reveal rich prune and a sensual base of sandalwood. Included in the new scent is the limited edition ceramic deluxe candle (£120) and the cologne (£90), available from Jo Malone Stores nationwide and online at www.jomalone.co.uk

Winne the Pooh Inspiration Cosmetics brand MAD Beauty have launched a new collection of beauty and gift products inspired by Winniethe-Pooh. The new range has been created to celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s 90th anniversary. This English-made bath and body product collection has been designed with a strong nostalgic and vintage appeal, which brings together honey and a touch of orange blossom for a sweet fragrance starting from £3.99 and available from www.madbeauty.com

3 Minutes to Matte Murad have launched their new Instamatte Oil Control Mask, A quick three minute deep cleansing mask which instantly dissolves and controls oil and contains an Oilcontrol Complex, which instantly absorbs excess oil, as well as Salicylic Acid to keep blemishes at bay whilst refreshing Grapefruit tightens and refines the appearance of pores. Priced at £35 and available from www.murad.co.uk

BEAUTY UPDATES

Hidden Teasures

Fret Frenzy

Tory Burch has launched her new limited edition fragrance Fret Frenzy. The goldtones fretwork bottle houses Tony’s signature fragrance with notes of floral peony and tuberose blended with grapefruit and neroli. Available from Harrods and online at harrods.com, RRP £95 (100ml).

Luxury jewellery candle brand Etta French have launched its new limited edition fragrance; nutmeg, cinnamon and orange. The new seasonal scented candles each hide a silver parcel containing a piece of jewellery which reveals itself as the candle burns down. The handmade jewellery hidden in candles ranges from necklaces, bracelets and rings. Designed and sourced by sister company, cult jewellers, Pearl & Queenie, the jewellery is made from silver and gold plate with some designs featuring semiprecious stones. Clean burning and long lasting, the luxury candle is packaged in a dusky plum and gold. Available from www.ettafrench.com for a RRP £38.50 – We LOVE them!

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 15

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 16

Practical Mindfulness Five Life Hacks by Using just 10 Minutes of

It is easy to think of meditation as a waste of time or something to be done only if you had spare time on your hands. But according to Tom Evans, author of The Authority Guide to Practical Mindfulness, when you get into the habit of meditating each day, even if just for 10 minutes, you will discover a whole range of real world, tangible benefits.

Here are Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top five life hacks as a result of bringing mindfulness into your life: Hack 1: Being Luckier After just a few days spent meditating each morning, you will increase your ability to spot opportunities in your life.

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 17

Hack 4: Becoming an Ideas Generator Light bulb, or aha, moments are examples of thoughts that we pull out of the ether. They come from what is known as the collective consciousness.

Such serendipities happen all the time but we often fail to spot them when our mind is busy and overactive. The calmness we get from meditating leaks into our day and helps us zone in on the happenstances that can make our day.

We are only capable of having one thought at a time, so if our mind is consumed by internal dialogue and commentary, these external thoughts don’t get much of a look in.

The world around us mirrors our internal thought processes. If we think the world is out to get us, it has the tendency to do just that. If we harbor kind thoughts, the world and the people in our world reflect benevolence back to us.

If you are short of an idea and ask for some inspiration before you meditate, you will quickly find that by stilling your mind, it just shows up. Your next bright idea is just one meditation away.

Hack 2: Being More Creative We’re blessed with two minds in our head that operate in slightly different ways: The right brain tends to concern itself with the whole vision and learning new things. The left brain focuses on the detail and processing learned responses.

Hack 5: Becoming More Attractive When we maintain a calm demeanor, it helps reduce tension around us. Worry lines drop away from your face. You become more attractive - in all senses of the word.

Regular meditation reduces the tendency for the two hemispheres to conflict with each other i.e. being in two minds about something; quite literally. When we enter the Whole Brain Thinking state, we become able to hold the whole vision and detail at the same time.

At the same time our attractiveness increases, we hone our ability to spot coincidences, as in Hack 1. People like working with creative people, so Hack 2 kicks in. With more time on our hands, from Hack 3, we have more time to be kind to ourselves and others which makes us even more attractive to be around. When we exercise Hack 4, we become the ‘go to’ person for people who are short of ideas. The whole thing is cyclical and what goes around comes around.

Hack 3: Creating More Time The normal human mind is only capable of experiencing one thought at a time. So take a typical task; if you start to worry about what people will think before you’ve completed it your attention will drift from the task in hand. If your thoughts wander to a conversation you had wished you hadn’t had yesterday, your efficiency will drop too.

When all of this potential is available to us by investing 10 minutes of ‘me time’ each day, you can see why it’s a kind of madness not to meditate.

After a few weeks of practicing meditation, you will find you can stay in the meditative state with your eyes open, while working and creating. Meditation will help you gain a new level of control over thoughts that would previously have distracted you. Hence you become more productive.

Tom Evans is the author of 12 books including The Authority Guide to Practical Mindfulness £9.99 published by SRABooks and is available to buy here: www.suerichardson.co.uk/produ ct/the-authority-guide-topractical-mindfulness/

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 18

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 19

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 20

Midlife Madness Buzzers, Bleeps, and Animal Noises

ometimes I feel like my entire life is controlled by noises. It starts at whatever unearthly time my alarm goes off and I must confess to being a fan of the gentle tones - you know the wind chime sound or the sound of distant birds tweeting - there is even one with the sound of cicada’s which is both nice and not - all at the same time - it’s a gentle familiar sound but then when I wake fully and realise I am not on holiday in some sunny cicada ridden clime but in chilly autumnal England famed for grey skies, fog and endless drizzle - well then it is NOT good.

But why I ask myself - I may be getting older, my memory might not be what it once was BUT if I have decided to put the washer on I do usually remember that I have done so - if I am in the house and if I am not, well what is the point of the beep - I’m not there!!! My car is very quick to let me know that I haven’t put my seat belt on - which I always do but AFTER I have reversed out of my parking spot. Until then it can beep all it likes and trust me it does - but I will put it on when I am ready. I do however love the fact that it beeps if I get out and leave my lights on - because while I can remember I have put the washer on somehow lights on the car are a whole different story.

Sadly he with whom I share a room seems not only to favour loud intrusive noises that mean I wake feeling that I have just suffered a cardiac arrest - but he also seems often not to remember to have the phone and hence alarm and nasty siren like sound actually near his bed - or indeed even in the same room! So it is not a quick burst of sound speedily switched off but long lasting mayhem as noise is identified then there is much searching for phone, which involves lights on, a lot of movement, (none of it like a ninja) and a far bit of cussing. Not the way to be eased gently into the day.

As the day goes on of course there are more and more noises to attend to - the phone being an obvious one even though I know what my tone sounds like if someone next to me gets a bing that is the same as mine I simply have to look to check it’s not me and somehow whenever I listen to the radio in the car there seems to be no end of beeps that make me think it’s my phone - even in songs for goodness sake! But what really irritates me is when my phone makes some random noise implying that something has been received - you know some alert or text or email or whatsapp or anything else but then I can’t find what it is - infuriating. But not quite as infuriating as the people who have an array of animal noises for their ring tones. Honestly in the last office I worked there was a regular bark, quack, neigh and meow - it took me quite some time not to jump and look around for random office based wildlife but it also happens on trains, in shops even in restaurants which I find most disconcerting, especially if someone is just being served duck!

But whatever the original entry into a wakeful life might be - on any given day I can guarantee there will be plenty more noises to attend to. The microwave beep in the morning is one I like as it signals that my porridge is ready, and the ‘bing’ of a completed oven timer, while not always used first thing in the morning is clearly useful as it means not every dish is burnt to cinder, but there are a lot of noises that I think we’d really be better off without. My new washing machine for example beeps intermittently for what feels like ages when it’s finished. 22

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 21

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 22

Live in the Here and Now Learning to

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 23

have discussed in previous article how important it is to live in the present but I came across a quote recently that really got me thinking again about how vital this really is and perhaps more importantly the problems that can be caused when we don’t.

The problem comes when we start to live in either the future or the past Most of us would have a working definition of where we live as our base, the place we go back to ‘I live in Bedford’, it’s also rooted in time ‘they lived in the Victorian era’ and there are also elements of inclination and desire ‘I live for my work’ for example. It’s similar to the word dwell and also implies spending time in a place - not only physically but also in our thoughts - where we may dwell on all sorts of things that are unhelpful.

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. Lao Tzu For those of you wondering who on earth Lao Tzu is, he was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer and founder of Taoism. I have included some of his other quotes and you will see that while he may have lived hundreds of years ago he has an uncanny knack of addressing very current problems.

Be content with what you have rejoice in the way things are, when you realise there is nothing lacking the whole world belongs to you. Lao Tzu The key issue about the past is that however much we may dwell there or live in it we can’t actually change it. Maybe we are sad because we have lost a loved one, we can celebrate the fact they lived that we knew them but no amount of dwelling in the past can ever bring them back. We may worry about the future and there are clearly some things we can plan for and aim towards but often there is little we can do to control things - I have many experiences of careful planning that has gone awry because of disruption to travel caused by the weather, which we would probably all acknowledge we have no control over.

But to get back to the quote above - I started to have a few discussions with people about it because it seemed to be such a bold statement - surely there are all sorts of causes for depression and anxiety? That is correct however there are a lot that can be linked to the practice we all have of not living in the present. Clearly the past is important. Firstly most of us will have some lovely memories of happy times we have had, times with family and friends, previous lovers or partners, our children growing up, holidays and experiences and generally, while some of those may be bitter sweet it would be a stretch for many to say that thinking of such things causes depressions. So too for some of the things in the past that may not have been so good - mistakes we may have made things we regret but they too are an important part of life and looking back and reflecting on such times means we can learn from our mistakes and do things differently - in essence it’s our past that often allows us to grow and develop.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. Lao Tzu So the problem lies not in thinking about the past or the future but in ‘living’ there. When I think about many of the clients I have worked with who have experienced depression it often stems from or started at a particular point or event in the past. Indeed post-traumatic stress disorder is well recognised as a problem stemming from traumatic past events that impact us in the present. People who suffer from severe anxiety, panic attacks or conditions like agoraphobia, are beset by fears essentially about what might or could happen in the future.

Then if we turn to thinking about the future surely it is good to plan ahead, to have goals and ambitions? It definitely is and I have written the very same myself in previous articles. In fact I would reinforce as often as possible the need to have a clear idea of success and visualise this in order to get to where you want to go and live the life of your dreams. I could even argue that a little bit of anxiety can be a good thing as it often helps us to perform well. And from things I have written about the subconscious what we really want at a subconscious level we will work to create. So thinking about the future is also important.

To the mind that is still the whole universe surrenders. Lao Tzu In our society we live busy lives and it is worth taking a moment to ask yourself how present you have been in the last hour in the here and now. Even doing things you enjoy you may be worrying about the future or going over things you are unhappy about in the past. The only true peace we can experience is when we are actually living in the present - but that is often a lot harder than it seems.

The soul has no secret that the behaviour does not reveal. Lao Tzu What some of you might have noticed is that I didn’t use the word ‘live’ in the paragraph above and therein lies the key. Thinking about the past, reflecting on what has happened IS important. Considering and planning for the future, even visualising the future we desire IS important.

To learn how to live in the present or for help with any of the issues raised contact Sheila at Attuned Education 01234 349067 07921193479 info@attunededucation.com or visit www.attunededucation.com 25

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 24

Vivienne Westwood Bloomsbury Watch £260, www.watchshop.com

Hotel Chocolat Bois Nef Body Cream £20, www.hotelchocolat.com

AFFINITY HOT PICKS

Cath Kidston Ardingley Rose Umbrella £24, www.fultonumbrellas.com

Arabica Orange Turkish Delight £4.50, Marks & Spencer

Lola Rose Charm Necklace £60, www.watchshop.com

Here Comes the Girls Mug £9.50, www.saraqhboddy.com

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Travel Mug and Earmuffs Set £14.95, www.prezzybox.com

Jo Malone Minatures Candle Collection £66, www.jomalone.co.uk

Pizza Express Gluten Free Pizza £4, Sainsbury’s

Biba Star Jumper £65, House of Fraser

ESPA Sleep Therapy Collection £58, John Lewis

Calvin Clein Overbody Bag £150, House of Fraser

Pom Pom Gloves £40, www.helenmoore.com

Patron Reposado Tequila £44.85, The Whisky Exchange

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 25

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 26

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 27

Christmas

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 28

Countdown to

Who needs chocolate when you’ve got your choice of these gorgeous Beauty Advent Calendars

L’Occitane (£42)

Featuring a selection of best sellers, this calendar is filled with 24 irresistible beauty products. www.uk.loccitane.com

Clarins ((£95)

Packed full of minature beauty treats from this well loved skincare range including serums, moisturisers, blush, nail polish, and much more. www.boots.com

Tanya Burr (£25)

This 12 Days of Christmas Beauty Calendar is the countdown to the party season. Behind every door there’s an extra special limited edition treat so you can shimmer and sparkle on every occasion. Treasured Glitter Liner www.superdrug.com

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 29

Charlotte Tilbury (£150)

Charlotte’s World of Legendary Parties revolves around parties, with the glamorous beauty draws all opening to reveal a range of Charlotte's best-loved products. www.charlottetilbury.com

BABOR (£69)

This beauty advent calendar contains 24 effective ampoules, all perfectly coordinated to provide an intensive skincare experience during the festive season. www.babor.co.uk

lookfantastic (£70)

Beauty Secrets Volume II is a mix of deluxe sample size and full size products from all your beauty essentials including: haircare, skincare, bodycare and makeup treats. www.lookfantastic.com

Benefit Girl O'Clock Rock (£34.50)

Tick tock, Christmas party rock…with 12 bestsellers around the clock! Open each of the 12 doors to reveal goodies galore. www.benefitcosmetics.com

Jo Malone (£280)

With 24 drawers, this is an Advent Calendar of dreams. It includes a mixture of products from scrubs, scents, creams and candles. www.jomalone.co.uk

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 30

Dr. Hilary Jones’ Secrets to a

Healthy & Happy Winter

apples and berries or a smoked salmon omelette packed with protein, vitamin D and omega 3 essential fatty acids! Researchers from Harvard University have also confirmed that eating a healthy breakfast regularly can help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol – factors which can give rise to heart disease.

s the temperature drops and the days become darker, it can be easy to eat more, do less and go into ‘hibernation’ mode. But being proactive about our health is key to feeling great as well as looking great too. Winterised Workout: It can be hard to find the motivation to make it to the gym when it’s cold outside, but it’s important to remember that keeping active during the winter is essential. Any activity that contributes to overall fitness can boost wellbeing and mood. If you really can’t find the incentive to brave the elements and have access to an indoor pool, then swimming is a great exercise for boosting mental as well as our physical health, with research showing that swimmers tend to live longer and have better moods than people who don’t exercise. Everything Starts With Breakfast: When we wake up in the morning our muscles and brain need fuel to face the day ahead. I love eating bircher muesli with oats, nuts,

Get Checked: Socialising and spending quality time with friends and family is a central part of the festive season, so having a hearing check is key to ensuring you or a family member doesn’t miss out this Christmas. People with mild to significant hearing loss are between two and five3 times more likely to develop dementia so there’s ever more reason to seek help sooner. Take advantage of a free hearing test at one of Hidden Hearing’s high street hearing centres. Visit www.HiddenHearing.co.uk for more information or to book a free hearing test. 32

Drink Up! The cold weather and drying radiator heat can

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 31

Wrap Up Warm: Did you know that staying warm is a surprising secret to feeling merry? Being cold can make us feel sluggish because our bodily functions slow down in an attempt to retain heat. So bundle up to feel recharged! Hot drinks help to raise our core temperature but try to avoid adding your favourite tipple as this actually drops our body temperature so skip the ‘hot toddy’ and opt for your favourite herbal tea instead.

lead to dehydration and fatigue. Aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day. This will help to boost your energy levels, improve blood circulation and flush out toxins from the body. Regular teas and coffee count towards your fluid intake, but caffeinated versions shouldn't make up your full quota so try a hot water with a squeeze of lemon or fresh mint as a hydrating alternative. Avoid The Festive Food Coma: Gobbling down a large meal diverts blood from the rest of our body to our digestive system in order to break down food. This can leave us feeling sluggish, so try sticking to normal-sized plate portions and chewing slowly. Not only will this ensure that you digest your food properly, but also give your brain the chance to tell your belly that it’s full. Sensible snacking throughout the day can also help you to avoid over-eating at dinner times. Try a handful of unsalted nuts or a small bowl of plain yogurt with sliced banana as these provide a great source of protein to help slow stomach emptying.

Catch Some Z’s: A good night’s sleep is vital for refreshing and repairing our mind and body. Next to washing our hands, getting enough sleep might be one of the most effective ways to avoid a cold or the flu. Getting a good 8 hours of sleep each night keeps your immune system strong, so you’re less likely to catch whatever it is that’s making its way round your office or home! To download a FREE copy of Dr. Hilary’s 50 Tips to a Healthier You, visit www.HearstoHealth.co.uk 33

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 32

FASHION

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:26 Page 33

River Island

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 34

Belt Up

Belted Coat £115 Next

Belted Coat £140 Littlewoods.com Belted Coat £54.99 New Look laredoute

Coat POA La Redoute

Quilted Jacket £49.99 New Look Jasper Conran Coat £70 Debenhams

RochelleHumes Checked Coat £100 Very

Suede Trench £199 Next

Louis Gabriel Nouchi Coat £165 La Redoute

Camel Coat £39.99 New Look

PU Trim Coat £100 Very

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 35

Gorgeous Gilet

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 36

Biba Ombre Textured Gilet £99 House of Fraser

Armani Jeans Cream Gilet £300 House of Fraser

River Island Patchwork Gilet £65 Very Faux Fur Gilet £49 Cotton Traders

Black Gilet POA Pure Collection

Navy Faux Shearling Gilet £130 Pure Ciollection

Maison De Nimes Faux Fur Gilet £69 House of Fraser

Guess Feyza Gilet £140 Littlewoods.com

Striped Faux Fur Gilet £49.99 Very

Knitted Faux Fur Gilet £35 Jd Williams

Grey Gilet £24.99 New Look

Fake it

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 37

Animal Patchwork Coat £80 Very

Miss Selfridge Animal Print Coat £80 Wallis

Brown Faux Fur Coat £54.99 New Look

Animal Print Faux Fur Coat £54.99 New Look

Hooded Faux Shearling Coat £55 Cotton Traders

Naomi Jacket £149 Monsoon

Zebra Print Coat £69 Dorothy Perkins

Mink Faux Fur Coat £80 Wallis Julien MacDonald £75 Debenhams

Shaggy Fur Coat £99.99 TK Maxx

Faux Fur Jacket £39.99 TK Maxx

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 38

Padded

Pretty in

Calandra Puﬀa Coat £179 Phase Eight

Jacket £90 River Island Barbour Jacket £199 House of Fraser

Miss Selfridge

Puﬀa Coat £75 Next

White Jacket £59.99 TK Maxx Khaki Parker £49.99 New Look

Paula Fur Trim Puﬀer £189 Phase Eight

Pip Parka Coat £109 Monsoon Padded Coat £140 Very

Red Parka £100 River Island

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 39

Tailored to Perfection Embroidered Tailored Coat £95 River Island

Check Coat £249 Pure Collection

Coat £125 Topshop

Gerry Weber

Deep Sapphire Wool Coat £249 Pure Collection

Drape Front Coat £160 Laura Ashley

Red Coat £90 Very

Green Coat £60 Next

Felted Wool Coat £139 East

Pink Coat £89 Topshop Jigsaw Wool Mix Coat £495

Grey Check Coat £79 Marks & Spencer

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 40

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 41

FOOD & DRINK

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:27 Page 42

A Real Taste of India T

he Thali & Tandoor experience is a return to the domestic culinary tradition, where you partake in time honoured bonafide home and street foods from the subcontinent. Flavours and tastes that are not palliated for the Western pre-conception and known as "ghar ka khana", meaning food from the home. We decided to pay a visit to Thali & Tandoor Restaurant in the Castle Quay area of Bedford to experience for ourselves the culinary offerings.

Light, bright and airy with high-ceilings adorned with industrial steel lights that cast shadows against white brick walls themselves full of framed pictures of traditional Indian scenes and its culture. The food promises to be authentic and exceptional in taste, a statement that we found to be true.

Customary papadoms and chutney were followed by Pan Puri, a classic street food - Crisp puffs filled with spiced

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 43

chickpea and potato with tamarind water – these seemed to melt in the mouth and had a sweetness to them that complimented the slight spice on the palette perfectly. Lamb Samosas that are made from gujarati filo and not Punjabi crust - The shell was wonderfully light and delicate, with the filling having a real spicy kick to it. The spiced lamb chops were not only tender, the marinade had been allowed to really soak into the meat and the spicing was just right, meaning each mouthful was a delight on the taste buds. Masala Maas (salmon) is marinated in mild spices and yoghurt (perfect for me who never ventures further than a Korma!) that is then coated in hand crushed aromatic seeds and green herbs before being grilled – the freshness of this dish and the fact the chef is able to use spices without masking any of the flavour of the fish means it’s a real hit with me. Thali and Tandoor’s mantra of ‘We serve the food we treasure, created by our forefathers and that which we have grown old with’ is certainly true and is even evident in the dessert of warm sticky rose syrup soaked dough balls known as Galub Jamun, bursting with flavour and accompanied perfectly with vanilla ice cream. The keynote of Indian street food is its vibrancy and just made freshness, something Thali and Tandoor have certainly managed to achieve. Thali and Tandoor 28 Castle Lane, Bedford 01234 341414 www.thaliandtandoor.com

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 44

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 45

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 46

A New Lease of Life

NEWS

Following its transformative refurbishment fom Fitzrovia Pub Company and Epic Managers The Knife and Cleaver set in the beautiful Bedfordshire Village of Houghton Conquest. is set to be at the cutting edge of the local food and drink scene following its transformative refurbishment which reflects the best in British design blending the traditional with the contemporary offering an epic dining experience featuring fantastic British food, a selection of wines and cocktails, beers and real ales. Along with nine individually designed comfortable bedrooms. www.theknifeandcleaver.com

FOODIE

Eat Now, Repent Later! It is written that the Devil was once God’s greatest Angel sent to earth to grant our innermost desires. Well, the devil may cry, for this bar of pure vice was made by the sinfully talented experts at NomNom, using the most desirable ingredients money can buy. NomNom have combined Chase Smoked Vodka with award-winning Black Mountain Roast Espresso, and mixed it through a dark, creamy ganache before wrapping it in single-region chocolate – Welcome to the world’s first Espresso Martini Chocolate Bar. Priced at £4.95 and available from Independent retailers nationwide, www.espressomartinibar.com

A Eureka Moment!

The Chase Eureka Lemon Marmalade Vodka is here! A blending of award winning handmade potato vodka with thick cut lemon marmalade. The two are infused together in the Chase ‘Marmaliser’ then marinated for 72 hours with eureka lemon peel, giving a natural lemon colour and depth of flavour. The result is wonderfully smooth vodka, with a distinct citrus pithiness and lingering lemon zest. Available from Harvey Nichols priced at £47.

Red, White or Rose Christmas

One of our favourite’s for this Festive Season is the Wine Advent Calendar by First4Hampers. Featuring a bottle of wine behind each door which includes a combination of 24 mini bottles of white, red, rose, mulled and even chocolate wine, this calendar is the ideal way to guarantee a very merry countdown to Christmas. Available exclusively at wwwFirst4Hampers.com for £69.95. It’s the perfect ‘wine’ 48 down to Christmas.

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 47

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 48

Spiced Kedgeree Gratin Ingredients 2 undyed smoked haddock fillets 200 ml of milk A knob of butter A pinch of pepper 1 tbsp. of olive oil 1 white onion, finely chopped 1 tsp. of ground turmeric 1 tsp. of curry powder 1 tsp of chili flakes 1 mug of brown rice, rinsed under cold water 2 mugs of chicken stock 4 hardboiled eggs, quartered Panko breadcrumbs Fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley and lemon wedges for serving Method Preheat the oven to 190C. Place the haddock, milk, butter and pepper into a shallow pan and cook, covered on a medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the haddock is poached and flakes away. In a saucepan, fry the onion in the olive oil for 5-7 minutes until soft then add the turmeric, curry powder and chili flakes. Tip in the brown rice and stir until fully coated with the spices. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to the boil then turn down to a simmer and cover with a lid, cooking for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes take the lid off and continue to cook for

a further 10 minutes until cooked. Take off the heat, add the flaked haddock and quartered hard boiled eggs and stir gently. Transfer to an oven proof tin and cover with panko breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil and cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. Serve immediately out of the oven with some fresh herbs and a wedges of lemon. Recipe by Nicola Millbank AKA Milly Cookbook. Milly’s debut book, Milly’s Real Food will be published BY Harper Collins in hardback, priced at £20 and released on 4th May 2017. For more information and additional recipes see: www.millycookbook.com/

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 49

Creamy Leek and Gorgonzola Risotto with Prosciutto Pangratatto Method Pop a heavy based pan onto a medium heat. Fry the leek and garlic in the olive oil for a few minutes until softened. Add the pearl barley and stir for a couple of minutes until fully coated in the oil. Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble away, then add all of the stock. Cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes. To make the pangratatto, in a mini blender blend the bread, prosciutto and olive oil until it forms chunky breadcrumbs. Remove from the blender and add to a frying pan with the thyme. Fry until golden and remove from the pan to cool and crisp up After 20 minutes remove the lid from the pearl barley and

Ingredients 1 tbsp. of olive oil 1 large leek, finely sliced into half moons 1 garlic glove, minced 300g of pearl barley 200ml of white wine 1 litre of chicken stock A large handful of freshly grated parmesan 1 tbsp. of butter 3 rashers of prosciutto 2 pieces of stale bread 2 sprigs of fresh thyme Olive oil

turn the heat up, stirring until all of the stock has evaporated but it’s still loose in consistency. Add the parmesan and knob of butter and stir, remove from the heat pop the lid back on and allow to sit for 2 minutes before serving. To serve sprinkle the pangratatto over the risotto, scatter with fresh thyme and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Recipe by Nicola Millbank AKA Milly Cookbook. Milly’s debut book, Milly’s Real Food will be published BY Harper Collins in hardback, priced at £20 and released on 4th May 2017. For more information and additional recipes see: www.millycookbook.com/

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 50

Bonkers Bread & Butter Panettone Pudding Tart Ingredients 125 g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 4 tbsp demerara sugar 750g plain panettone 1 vanilla pod 300 ml double cream 300 ml whole milk 5 large free-range eggs 100g golden caster sugar 60g quality dark chocolate (70%) 60g bitter orange marmalade

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Lightly grease a 28cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Bash 2 tablespoons of demerara sugar in a pestle and mortar until fine, then mix with the remaining demerara so you have a range of textures. Tip into the tart tin and shake around to coat. Tap gently, then tip any excess back into the mortar for later. Slice the edges off the panettone in strips and use them to line the base and sides of the tart tin, pressing down hard to compact and create a pastry-like shell. Halve the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape out the seeds, then put both the seeds and pod into a pan on a medium heat along with the cream, milk and butter, and simmer for 5 minutes or until the butter has melted. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs and golden caster sugar for 2 minutes, or until smooth. Whisking constantly, add the hot cream mixture to the bowl until combined, then discard the vanilla pod.

Pour one-third of the custard into the base of the tart and leave to soak in for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, tear up all the remaining panettone into rough chunks, soak them in the bowl of creamy custard for a minute or two (the more it sucks up, the better!), then layer up in the shell you’ve created, snapping up and adding little chunks of chocolate and dollops of marmalade between the layers – there’s no need to be neat about it, you want a range of heights, saturation and textures. Pour over any leftover custard, leaving it to soak in if necessary, then sprinkle with the remaining demerara sugar. Bake for around 25 minutes, or until set. Allow the pudding to rest for 10 minutes, then serve with cream, custard or ice cream – it’s delicious cold, too, if you’ve got any leftovers! www.jamieoliver.com

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 51

You can't beat a winter's evening curled up in front of the fire with a delicious glass of full bodied red wine

Mexican Night 11th November £20 per person

Pudding Nights

18th November £16 for a main course and as many desserts as you can squeeze in

Piccini Orange Label ChiantiPiccini Chianti is a deep, ruby red with an intense and persistent fragrance of mature red fruit. It is a well-structured and smooth wine with soft tannins. £6, Sainsbury's

Christmas Day

4 course meal £75 per person/ £35 children

New Years Eve Party

£5 per person Ticket price includes complimentary arrival drink DJ playing till 1am Bar snacks available

01234 781678

info@millhouse-riverside.co.uk www.millhouse-riverside.co.uk millhouse_hotel Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP

McGuigan Classic Merlot Delightful ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours are features of this smooth and generous Merlot, fantastic with a hearty beef stew or sausages £5.50, Sainsbury's

Black Label Malbec Harvested from grapes grown in South East Australia, McGuigan Black Label Malbec shows spiced plum and blueberry character, with hints of chocolate and a sweet soft oak finish. This delicious red wine is to be enjoyed at dinner parties with friends and at home to accompany meaty dishes, such as grilled steak with peppercorn sauce and beef wellington with roasted vegetables. £7, Morrisons

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 52

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 53

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 54

INTERIORS

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 55

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 56

Power Purple

Chesterfield Sofa £599 Very

Add style and sophistication to your interiors with the colour purple Decorative Candle £12.99 Marks & Spencer

Bambola Vase £84 Amara

Tripod Lamp £45 Next

Console Table £295 Furnish.co.uk

Butterfly Bowlo £10 Matalan

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 57

Designers Guild Phipps Rug £1,144 TheRugSeller.co.uk

Tori Modern Dining Chair £59 Danetti

Chair £229 Very

St James Purple Stool £125 One World Trading Co

Cushion £35 Marks & Spencer

Butterfly Cushion £14.99 Debenhams

Gilded Butterfly Lampshade £100 in-spaces.com

Esme Corner Sofa £1,499 Living It Up

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 58

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 59

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 60

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 61

Fry’s Footie Corner

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 62

Newcastle United would be promoted from the Championship because of the goals of Dwight Gayle and he is already the leading goalscorer in the division.

It has certainly been an eventful few weeks in the football world. Leicester City, struggling somewhat in the Premier League, have made a perfect start to the Champions League and those odds at the start of the campaign for the Foxes to lift that particular piece of silverware have been tumbling in recent weeks.

We had Dwight at Peterborough for a very short period before we sold him to Crystal Palace for a club record fee. Dwight didn’t really get the opportunities at Selhurst Park, but the thousands of Geordies at St. James Park are very much idolising their new hero after a wonderful start to life on Tyneside.

Of course, it would be highly unlikely for Claudio Ranieri ‘s men to win the Champions League but if you would have told me 12 months ago that Leicester would win the Premier League I would have suspected you were very much intoxicated.

I genuinely believe Dwight will be idolised in the manner that Alan Shearer was at the club. He just loves to score goals. All types of goals too, he is decent in the air for a little guy, he is strong with both feet and his movement is second to none. I think that was up there with the best bit of business done in the summer.

Southampton continue to amaze me. They have had a whole host of manager’s in their Premier League era, yet whoever is appointed, they continue to play with an identity and they are a joy to watch both in the Premier League and in the Europa League where they played Inter Milan off the park in a recent clash at the San Siro. I, along with my chairman, Darragh MacAnthony both went on record at the start of the season that we felt

See you next month

Barry Fry 64

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 63

It’s Cold Outside

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 64

Keep warm with one of these padded jackets guaranteed to keep the elements at bay

Barbour Chain Quilted Baﬄe Jacket £159 John Lewis

Black Hooded Parker £75 River Island

riverisland

Blue Puﬀa Jacket £39.99 TK Maxx Bolton Jacket £95 White Stuﬀ The North Face Mens Jacket £190 John Lewis

Superdry Parker Coat £124.99

Navy Jacket £34.99 Blue Inc Red Herring Parker £99 Debenhams

Superdry Jacket £164.99

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 65

The Champion Edition

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 66

To celebrate the success of Marco Wittmann securing yet another DTM driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title at the season finale at the Hockenheimring, BMW is launching the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition. The new edition model consists of topclass motor racing technology for drive and suspension as well as a specific design that mimics the DTM racing cars built by BMW Motorsport and delivers a power output of 500hp and a maximum torque of 600Nm. The BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition completes the sprint from zero to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds and has a top speed is limited to 190mph* thanks to the innovative

water injection technology featured in the straight sixcylinder power unit, previously seen on the BMW M4 GTS. This innovative technology enables cooling of the combustion chambers, significantly raising the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thermally-related performance limits by 16 per cent in power output compared to the production model. Exclusively available in Alpine White. Design and shaping of the additional foiling is reminiscent of the look of DTM racing cars produced by BMW Motorsport. Various aerodynamics components finished in visible carbon also give the car that distinctive racing car look. These include

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 67

the front splitter, the aero flicks positioned in front of the front wheel arches, exterior mirror caps, side skirt attachments, and a rear diffuser as well as the large rear wing firmly mounted on the boot lid. Inside the two-seater BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition 2016, both driver and co-driver sit in M Carbon bucket seats covered in exclusive Alcantara/Leather Merino. The entire interior is lined with exceptionally high-quality covering material Alcantara, also used on the M Sports steering wheel featuring a grey “12 o’clock” marker. Behind the front bucket seats of the BMW M4 DTM

Champion Edition, a white rollover bar replaces the rear seat system. In terms of comfort and safety, the new edition is by no means sparsely equipped. Features include the BMW Professional Navigation system, air conditioning, adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam (glare-free high beam assistant), OLED taillights, Park Distance Control (PDC) at the front and rear as well as automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors. Full UK specification will be announced in due course.

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 68

TRAVEL

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 69

Art Ă la Carte

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 70

An Asian River Cruise Cultural Package at Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 71

The luxury Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, located in the cultural heart of the city on Nevsky Prospect, has launched a brand-new 'Art à la Carte' package, sure to satiate the appetite of its guests. This custom-designed package allows guests a choice of appetiser, main course and dessert. St Petersburg, the historic centre of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is affectionately described by locals as the "Gorod Muzei" - the museum city - and not without good reason. The former capital of a vast empire is brimming with the culture and history, and offers its guests a variety of cultural treats resembling a sumptuous fine dining menu. Guests can satiate their appetite for exceptional experiences and indulge in the best of culture in Russia's Venice of the North, with an appetiser, main course, and dessert. Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg has picked the best of the “must see” places for an unforgettable experience: from the renowned breath-taking ballet or opera to the world's biggest collection of masterpieces in the Hermitage Museum and RussianMuseum. The 'Art à la Carte' menu includes: Appetiser -The Hermitage Museum: Start with the historic and royal masterpieces in the former home of the Tsar Main course - Mariinsky Theatre: Continue with classical or contemporary opera or ballet in a theatre open since 1860 OR Mikhailovsky Theatre: Continue with unequalled classics of ballet and opera in a theatre founded in 1833 Dessert - Russian Museum: Round off your meal surrounded by delicacies of Russian Culture in the largest collection of Russian fine art in Saint Petersburg Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg lets you Indulge your appetite for exceptional experiences with this perfect culture stay BOOK IT! The 'Art à la Carte' package, starts from 28,195 Rubles per night (£329) – visit: www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/stpetersburg /offers/art-la-carte. www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/stpetersburg

City Lights and Desert Sunsets

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 72

The best of both worlds in Dubai

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 73

Looking for the best of both worlds from Dubai? Armani Hotel Dubai and Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa have collaborated to offer guests the finest of the city and the desert when booking one night or more at each property. Stay in the world’s tallest tower and enjoy the bright lights of Downtown Dubai, including the newly opened Dubai Opera, before hot footing it deep into the desert for some Bedouin-inspired escapism, within the region’s only wildlife conservation reserve. Guests staying two nights at each property will receive lunch or dinner for two at Armani/Mediterraneo, two tickets for At The Top experience on Level 124 of the Burj Khalifa, credit at Armani/SPA, a 25% discount at Al Maha Spa, dinner under the stars for two and two desert activities included. If staying less nights at one or more of the hotels, the added extras will be a selection of the above. BOOK IT!

Azure Collection offers the City Lights and Desert Sunsets package from £1,495 per person, based on one night at both Armani Hotel Dubai and Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, including economy flights and private transfers. azurecollection.com

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 74

Ancient Treasures, Glittering Temples and Unforgettable Safaris An Asian River Cruise

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 75

Serenely floating along picturesque waterways, surrounded by expansive countryside dotted with historic towns, and only having to unpack once as you explore deeper into the heart of countries, it’s no surprise that river cruising is becoming increasingly popular. The Danube, Rhine, and Seine may be some of the most popular rivers to cruise along closer to home, but further afield, there are some exciting and enchanting rivers to cruise in Asia, offering rare insights into remote rural communities, ancient treasures and glittering temples, and even unforgettable safaris. Here’s our top three rivers to cruise in Asia Mekong Indochina’s longest river, the mighty Mekong, is the beating heart of Southeast Asia, winding 3,000 miles from China, through Burma and into Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. There are two routes to choose: the more adventurous, less frequently travelled Upper Mekong, where northern Thailand converges with Burma and Laos, characterised by lush jungle, mountains shrouded by mist, hill tribes and rice paddies, and the alluring cultural treasure troves of Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos; and the more popular Lower Mekong, where travellers discover the delights of Vietnam and Cambodia, particularly Ho Chi Minh City and, of course, the iconic Angkor Wat. Brahmaputra Flowing through Tibet, India and Bangladesh, on a course just shy of 2,000 miles, the stretch of the river in Assam – known for its tea - makes for a memorable river cruise experience, way off the beaten track. This is an unique adventure river cruise on the world’s fastest-moving waterway, where the landscape changes

by the hour: sandbanks come and go, water levels visibly rise and fall, and the river is not navigable at night. Highlights of a Brahmaputra river cruise include visiting rural villages seemingly untouched by time, many of which have never met tourists, vast tea plantations, and Kaziranga National Park, best known for its population of Great One Horned Rhinoceros. During the monsoon months of June to September, the river becomes unnavigable as the river swells from 6.2miles wide to over 18! Irrawaddy The Irrawaddy is becoming increasingly popular as Burma (or Myanmar), the new hot spot, opens up more to tourism. Flowing relatively straight north to south through Burma, the Irrawaddy is sometimes referred to as ‘The Road to Mandalay’, after Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem. River life is vibrant, from rare Irrawaddy dolphins to locals producing candy from the sap of toddy palm trees, and the landscape along the riverbanks is dotted with charming villages and thousands of pagodas and stupas, particularly across the plains of Bagan. Popular cruises sail between Mandalay and Yangon (Rangoon), and the best time of year would be between November and March. BOOK IT! Select Travel Holidays are leading river cruise specialists, with a team of experts who will be able to help you find the right river cruise on the right river for you. www.selecttravelholidays.co.uk

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 76

It’s Panto Time!

ack up your knapsacks, lace up your boots and pop along to Milton Keynes Theatre this festive season for another spectacular, traditional family pantomime in the tale of ‘Dick Whittington’.

really paved with gold. After meeting Alice Fitzwarren a merchant’s daughter, and taking a job for her father, things are looking up for Dick. But unfortunately for Dick the evil Queen Rat has other ideas!

Leading the cast is Samantha Womak, Eastenders’ feisty Ronnie Mitchell, who’ll be swarming the streets of London with her rodent friends as the evil Queen Rat! Whilst Loose Women panellist, X Factor finalist and winner of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Stacey Solomon will be picking up her magic wand as Fairy Bowbells, whilst back to tickle your funny bones is MK favourite Kev Orkian

Will Dick Whittington find his fortune? Will good conquer evil or will Queen Rat succeed in stopping the course of true love? Do paws beat claws?

Dick Whittington and his trusty cat Tommy arrive in London seeking their fortune, but find the streets aren’t 68 78

Get yourself along to this fun packed show and find out! Thurs 8th December – Sun 15th January Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 77

WIN! WIN! WIN!

We have a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to giveaway for this year’s fun filled panto. To be in with a chance of winning tell us “Who’ll be playing The Evil Queen Rat?” and send your answers to jane@affinitymag.co.uk – Winners will be drawn on 30th November – GOOD LUCK! 79

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 78

STARS

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

Scorpio (23 October – 21 November)

It’s time for an inner and outer makeover, to boost your confidence and build some strength. This is also a very fiery and intense time, making relationships, and love affairs a real focus. You may be craving a boost in self esteem. A new hair colour, style, wardrobe colour, or statement accessory can drastically impact your vibrations and how others see you. This month’s energy is also about abundance, job opportunities, attracting new clients and customers, and healing Favourable Dates: November 3, 9, 12, 18, 21, 27 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:28 Page 79

Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December) You find it easier to be closer to people and can dig deep into people and subjects. You enjoy researching and finding out if there’s more out there. You can also find pleasure in transforming some aspect of your life for the better. You enjoy exploring the world and expanding your life in some way. Try learning something new, taking a class, trying out exotic cuisine, or exposing yourself to a culture foreign to your own. Favourable Dates: November 1, 6, 10, 15, 19, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red

group. If attached, you want to connect more intellectually. Favourable Dates: November 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Grey Gemini (21 May – 20 June) You’ve been trying to get used to the changes you’ve been making mentally. You’ve been transforming the way you think, communicate, the ideas you come up with, and the way you connect with others. You could also be seeing some money coming in this month from the realm of others. Something lucrative is heading your way to help you clear up some debt and loans, or help fund a home business you’ve been dreaming up. Favourable Dates: November 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 27 Favourable Colours : Grey & Green

Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) You could begin a new work project, move to a new office, be offered a new work opportunity, or start a new job. You would show excellence at researching and getting to the root of situations, people, and problems. You can do something to improve your health or lifestyle, and strive to be a healthier person. You may be more concerned about your future and worry about what could come to pass. Favourable Dates: November 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Red

Cancer (21 June – 22 July ) This is a great time to set your boundaries in place, and revaluate some current relationships. You seem to come up with your best ideas when you’re with a partner. You’re good at negotiating right now, making deals, and coming up with compromises to situations. If single, this is a good time to meet someone as you seem more attractive to others. If attached, you can bring new life into the relationship. Favourable Dates: November 2, 9, 11, 18, 21, 27 Favourable Colours : Grey & Yellow

Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) This would be a great time to create your dream plan for success. Maybe start taking some new workshops, or attending some events that will help you expand your career goals. The stars are really working in your favour to shower you with abundance. Now is a great time to do something new together, like short distance traveling, moving to a new city or having a date or romantic dinner. Favourable Dates: November 7, 8, 16, 17, 25, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Brown

Leo (23 July – 22 August) You are taking the time to edit your goals, and fine tune your strategy to set out and accomplish them. You are driven by passion and purpose this month, and ready to go after what you want. Now is the time to grasp that promotion, as you are backed by fiery energy and so much fuel from your determination to achieve what you want. You’re rewarded for hard work and smart decisions, and punished for laziness and recklessness. Favourable Dates: November 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24 Favourable Colours: Green & Blue

Pisces (19 February – 20 March) You are really focused on your self worth, respect and love this month. You’ve been trying to adjust to the transformations being made in regards to your dreams, your future, your causes, and your friendships. You feel good with a partner, and having someone by your side can bring you the most opportunities. If you own your own business, now is the time to get out there to network, and find new ways to market yourself. Favourable Dates: November 7, 8, 16, 17, 25, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Brown

Virgo (23 August – 22 September) You can have an easier time getting your hands on the money that you need, but you can also spend money much more easily. You might splurge on a lot of things that you don’t need and even if they’re not expensive, it adds up. You want to indulge, relax, and enjoy yourself and get some time off to lounge. You prefer spending time with romantic partners in a one-on-one setting, and can be more charming. Favourable Dates: November 4, 6, 13, 15, 22, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red

Aries (21 March – 19 April) You could be presented with a new opportunity to increase your income, start a second job, or make money off of a hobby. You feel more confident and secure, and could make a big purchase. You also feel more calm and relaxed. You’re open to committing yourself to another person, project, or idea. You also crave more balance and peace in your life, and can feel off when you don’t have that. Favourable Dates: November 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 27 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

Libra (23 September – 22 October) You feel most like yourself when you’re dedicating yourself to a goal and accomplishing something. You can start a new career project, get news or information you need for your career, or make plans for how you want the next steps in your career to proceed. This is a good time to make plans to achieve a goal. If you work in technology, communications, or writing, this is a good period for you. Favourable Dates: November 3, 9, 12, 18, 21, 27 Favourable Colors: Blue & Red

Taurus (20 April – 20 May) You can find pleasure in working toward a cause and doing something good for the Earth or humanity. You will enjoy spending time in groups, with your friends, and with people who you feel are of the same mind as you. You can make a new friend, though it will likely be casual, and can make a good impression on people, especially when you’re in a

manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com

nov2016.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 24/10/2016 15:29 Page 80

A quiet night in... Exposure by Helen Dunmore London, November, 1960: the Cold War is at its height. Spy fever fills the newspapers and the political establishment knows how and where to bury its secrets. When a highly sensitive file goes missing, Simon Callington is accused of passing information to the Soviets, and arrested. His wife, Lily, suspects that his imprisonment is part of a cover-up, and that more powerful men than Simon will do anything to prevent their own downfall. She knows that she too is in danger, and must fight to protect her children. But what she does not realise is that Simon has hidden vital truths about his past, and may be found guilty of another crime that carries with it an even greater penalty!

Shut In A heart-pounding thriller starring Naomi Watts as a widowed child psychologist who lives an isolated existence in rural New England. Caught in a deadly winter storm, she must find a way to rescue a young boy before he disappears forever. Release Date: 11th November

Jason Bourne It's been 10 years since Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walked away from the agency that trained him to become a deadly weapon. Hoping to draw him out of the shadows, CIA director Robert Dewey assigns hacker and counterinsurgency expert Heather Lee to find him. Lee suspects that former operative Nicky Parsons is also looking for him. As she begins tracking the duo, Bourne finds himself back in action battling a sinister network that utilizes terror and technology to maintain unchecked power Release Date: 28th November 82