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PRICELESS
www.affinitymag.co.uk AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
ISSUE 125
BEAUTYEveryone ADVENTS needs at least one!
Fabulous Festive Food WWW.AFFINITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK
Who says Christmas is all about the turkey?
TRIED AND TESTED Wines you'll love this Christmastime
ISSUE 125
Make Your
Coat Edit
Teddy, Belted, Padded or Faux Hood, the choice is yours.
Christmas Magical
GIFT GUIDES GALORE Presents everyone will love
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Affinity’s Traditional Christmas Market
F R E E E N T R Y
At Elstow Abbey, Elstow, Bedford Saturday 27th November 11am - 5pm Sunday 28th November 12pm – 4pm
Luxury and Traditional Christmas Gifts Storytime with Mr & Mrs Claus (Additional Charge, Pre-booking essential)
Festive Food & Drink Authentic Setting
For enquiries email: affinitychristmas@gmail.com MAINTENANCE
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LETTER EDITOR’S
With approximately seven weeks to go until the big day, we feel it’s quite acceptable to mention that word – Christmas and fill this issue with all that glitters and more.
1
I especially love this time of year, it’s lovely to reflect on Christmas past and the traditions you had as a child that you have now brought into adulthood and your own family. I for one get terribly nostalgic with my childhood memories - I swear to this day I heard Santa’s bells on Christmas Eve.
3
The countdown’s well and truly on when you open day 1 of your advent calendar, gone are the days of just a picture or a bit of chocolate, now calendars are full of beauty products, alcohol and food – You literally are spoilt for choice, turn to page 10 for a roundup of our favourite beauty advents - what one will you choose?
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I think there’s something just as magical about giving a gift as there is receiving one. The look on the person’s face as they unwrap it is a joy to watch, but I hear you ask “I don’t know what to buy? “Look no further than our Christmas Gift Guide, (page 23) this year it’s back bigger and better than before and has gifts everyone will love. Remember also, it’s the season of goodwill, a little kindness goes a long way! Until Next Month
5
Jane x
1. Sequin Dress, £49.99, TK Maxx 2. Merrythought Christmas Teddy Bear 2021, £185, www.merrythought.co.uk 3. Michael Kors Watch, £389, www.michaelkors.com 4. ESPA Frankincense & Myrhh Candle, £100, www.espaskincare.com 5. Wanderlust Slippers, £60, Dune London Don’t forget to join us on social media, we love getting to know you!
www.affinitymag.co.uk
affinitymagz
facebook.com/AffinityMag
Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 07507 602401 Advertising: affinitymagstewart@gmail.com 07595 894557 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk
@affinitymagz
All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
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Contents 25 Affinity
55
November 2021
10 14 18 21 23 26 30 36 41 43 52 56 62
Beauty Advents Things to Unlearn Belt Up Aviator Chic Christmas Gift Guide Festive Foodie Small Wonders Foodie News Wines to Impress Deck the Halls Fake It Ho Ho Holiday Panto Time
34
On The Cover M&Co
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Tired all the time? Try these 6 top tips to stave off winter tiredness Hands up if you struggle to get out of bed, feel like you’re constantly tired and rely on sugary treats to power you through the day? Welcome to the club!
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we all know how difficult it can be to drag yourself out of bed on a dark morning and tackle your to-do list.
Tiredness is one of the UK’s top health complaints. In fact, feeling exhausted is so common that it even has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for "Tired All The Time." If you’re struggling to adjust to the seasonal change, don’t worry as this can exacerbate the problem. Here, the experts over at Pro Plus have put together some top tips to help you tackle low energy and boost your mood & productivity. Put them into practice, and it won’t be long before you start seeing an improvement.
Let there be light As the days become shorter, your sleep and waking cycles may become disrupted. The lack of sunlight means your brain produces more of a hormone called melatonin, which makes you sleepy. To help regulate your melatonin levels, spend as much time outdoors in daylight as you can – make sure the blinds are open if you sit near a window whilst working. Eat the right food Once the summer ends, there's a temptation to ditch the salads and fill up on starchy foods such as pasta, potatoes, and bread. However, you'll have more energy if you include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your comfort meals.
It’s also important to get more vitamin D into your diet as our bodies are unable to create enough at this time of year. The NHS recommends eating foods which are rich in the vitamin, including oily fish, red meat and fortified food, such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals. Another good way of introducing more vitamin D into your diet is by taking a daily supplement. Get moving When you’re tired and running low on energy, probably the
last thing you want to do is venture out into the cold. But you might be surprised by how energetic you feel after getting involved in some kind of physical activity every day. If it’s too cold outside, or you don’t fancy running the dark, try to migrate your workouts indoors. Aim for the NHS guideline of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Prioritise sleep Getting enough sleep is vital for fighting off winter tiredness. Whilst it’s tempting to go into hibernation when winter hits, that sleepy feeling you get does not mean you should snooze for longer.
Aim for about 8 hours of shut eye a night and try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Make sure your bedroom helps you feel relaxed and sleepy: clear the clutter, have comfortable and warm bedding, and turn off your phone and TV. If you’re still having trouble sleeping, try taking a valerian root-based sleep aid, such as Kalms Night One-a-Night. Valerian has long been used to promote a refreshing and restful night’s sleep - without causing drowsiness the next day.
Try an energy enhancer Whilst a healthy diet and plenty of rest can help fight fatigue, there are also times when you need an extra boost to get you through the day. Thanks to its caffeine kick, Pro Plus® Caffeine relieves the symptoms of fatigue and tiredness, helping you to feel more energised. Pro Plus® Caffeine contains the same amount of caffeine as a strong cup of coffee, helping to enhance cognitive functions, particularly alertness and concentration. Unwind and destress Are you feeling pressured to get everything done during the shorter daylight hours? If so, it may be contributing to your tiredness.
Whilst there’s no quick fix for stress, there are some simple things you can do to help to reduce it. Many people find adding meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques into their day helps them to calm down and feel more relaxed and recharged. www.proplus.co.uk
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This Year’s Must-Have
Beauty advents Whilst a definite highlight of December used to be waking up to a sweet treat from your advent calendar, now it’s all about unwrapping your favourite makeup product or skincare essential each morning from one of these beauty advent calendars.
Germaine de Capuccini Advent Calendar, £99, www.germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk
Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar, £70, Amazon
L'Occitane Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar, £99, uk.loccitane.com
Jo Malone Advent Calendar, £325, www.jomalone.co.uk
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar, £159, John Lewis
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Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar, £150, www.charlottetilbury.com Elemis Beauty Advent Calendar, £175, www.elemis.com
Jo Loves Advent Calendar, £325, www.joloves.com ESPA Hidden Treasures Advent Calendar, £160, www.espaskincare.com
Skincity The Skincare Calendar, £140, www.skincity.com
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Midlife Madness We had occasion to celebrate a 90th in our family the other week and after the last few years of NOT being able to celebrate much at all, it was something we all looked forward to. But of course, time had meant we had forgotten the joys and stresses of such a day. We travelled to stay with relatives and that was all good – what’s not to love about not being the one doing all the cooking and hosting for about 17 people – thankfully age meant that we even got a proper bed!
The day in question was to involve steam trains, beer and music - all much loved by the 90 year old in question, well actually he’s a cider drinker but that was available too! One difficulty we had faced prior to the event was that as non ‘hosters’ we’d been asked to make a cake – a steam train cake. Making a train cake we were up for, but then birthday gent decided to come and stay with us prior to celebrations so we could take him up North. Constructing a steam train cake in secret was a much tougher task.
Anyway, the day dawned and mini bus had been ordered to take us to the steam train. As we boarded the mini bus with a brief head count I was very relived there was only one child! My mind was full of ‘Home Alone’ film memories! One small child and 17 adults sounded like a recipe for disaster as he went from knee to knee as I was convinced as some point through the day everyone would think someone else ‘had’ him. However, the fact that most were adult -ish didn’t seem to matter as we piled off the mini bus at the station and they all decided to go in the pub to start the day off -with only 15 minutes until train time and a big group ticket! Not good for the blood pressure so it ended up with us oldies wanting to head to the platform fretting about the
fact that youngies were in pub!
Then just as they started to leave said pub and head to the platform with only minutes to spare, a trainload (literally) of away fans arrived for a local football derby – we’d wondered why all the police were around, I mean we aren’t that rowdy. We did all make it to the train breathless but at least we travelled together.
Not so for the rest of the day – keeping 17 folk together in a crowd is not an easy task when they all want to head to different tents for various beverages or music. But the festival took place at 3 different stations each reached by a ride on the steam train, which while always atmospheric was not always punctual. And there was of course a ‘jobsworth’ at one station, who wouldn’t let us on the platform even though the train hadn’t left, in fact others from our party were on the platform waiting, and hadn’t yet boarded the train. But ‘no’ he said as he literally stretched his arms across the platform entrance. Even when we explained we were a party of 16 who didn’t want to be split up, that it was a 90th birthday, this man was not for turning! It was an hour until the next train so unfortunately, we had to drink more beer, eat more local delicacies and listen to another band!
But you’ll be pleased to know we were reunited for the last journey on the steam train where we went thought he station where The Railway Children was filmed – so we all stood and cried ‘My daddy!!’ We all made it back to the minibus and back to the house for curry and train cake. I suppose all is well that ends well but blimey these gatherings are exhausting.
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ESPA Grey Cashmere Socks, £55, www.espaskincare.com
Mug Candle, £39, www.keepcandles.com
AFFINITY HOT PICKS
New York at Christmas Mug, £19.95, www.emmabridgewater.co.uk
Chatham Suede Chelsea Boots, £89, www.chatham.co.uk.
Tamagotchi Pix, £59.99, Smyths
Gloves, £45, Dune London
This month’s must have gifts and accessories
ESPA Wellness Journal, £28, www.espaskincare.com
Stag Cushion, £16, Next
Selfridges Gift Bag Bauble, £16, Selfridges
Peaky Blinders The Card Game, £14.99, Amazon
Silk Floral Cami & French Knickers, £60, Marks & Spencer
Lindt Selection, £15, Tesco
Oui Chunky Cable Knit Sweater, £149, www.claytonsonline.co.uk
Suede Bag, £395, See By Chloe
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Things We Need to Unlearn
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I
often use this piece to talk about learning but this time it’s the opposite. I want us to think about things that we maybe need to ‘unlearn’.
Often, we have learned things that are unhelpful, either from family when younger or friends and experiences later on. And of course, the world is changing, we now recognise the need to take care of ourselves but also recognise that part of that involves not just our physical bodies but our minds and emotions too. How well we are able to do that will depend on some of the beliefs we have acquired – things we may need to ‘unlearn’. Pleasing others ahead of ourselves It’s nice to do things for others, either people we care about or even helping out complete strangers via charity work etc. And doing that can be very good for us. But like all sorts of other things, too much of a good thing can become a problem.
Our needs count too and the danger with feeling that we need to keep pleasing others all the time is that our needs end up being a very low priority! We can pull the stops out for a while but if we are constantly undervaluing the importance of our own needs that can have an impact on our health and wellbeing AND even on the very people that we care about. It would also be nice to think that if we care about them they also care about us and wouldn’t want us doing things that are detrimental to ourselves. So, think about putting in place a few boundaries for yourself, because your needs count too! Feeling you can’t ask for help This can often stem from the same internal belief that somehow you and your needs don’t count as much as others.
We’ve all had times when we’ve been asked how we are and we’ve said ‘fine’ when we know we aren’t. Now I’m not saying that we tell everyone all our problems but we are deserving of support just like anyone else so it is absolutely okay to ask for it.
Avoiding conflict at all costs As a human your beliefs and views are no more or less important than anyone else’s. But I bet that many of us have had times when we’ve not been honest about our
beliefs because we want to avoid conflict.
There is nothing in essence wrong with this, as adults we can choose to avoid conflict if we want but if we always think our views are less important or if we are always afraid of conflict then that can have an impact upon us. Our views count too and we should be able to share them without worrying about conflict or upsetting people.
Seeing productivity as self-worth What we do and achieve will have an impact on how we see ourselves, on our self-worth. But it is important to realise that our selfworth is not just about what we do or produce, or even the roles we play. Our selfworth stems for the fact that as a human being we have an inherent value. If you have any doubts about that then it’s mindset or belief you need to unlearn pretty quickly. Not facing our feelings Feelings can be messy and tough to process. BUT if we don’t process them, and by that I mean express them in ways that don’t harm ourselves or others, then they have a nasty habit of spilling out when we least expect it AND they can do us harm.
Celebrating your wins However small it might appear to others if it’s important for you, you should be able to celebrate it. But I bet many of us have played down successes because we believe others have bigger wins, are somehow more successful. Or maybe we play it down because we find success a bit uncomfortable, maybe we worry people won’t like us as much or that it will change how people relate to us. But the reality is however small the win the chances are you’ve worked for it so step up and acknowledge your success.
Remember it is not your fault that you have ‘learned’ these things but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. It might not have been your choice to learn them, but you certainly can make the choice to unlearn them and, in the process, free yourself to other ways of being and living, possibly living in a happier, more fulfilling way. For tips and hints to help you live a more fulfilling positive life join our face book group: www.facebook.com/groups/AAYGroup
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FASHION
M&Co
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Belt Up
Nipping in at the waist, a belted coat creates the perfect hourglass silhouette
£79.99, M&Co
£50, Primark
£110, River Island
£89, F&F
£120, River Island
Lipsy
£349, Barbour £310, Reiss
£350, Ted Baker
£179, Ted Baker
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Warm Up Raise the temperature with a faux fur hooded coat to keep the chill away this wintertime
£24, F&F
£70, Very
£55, Very
M&Co £229, Barbour
£85, Very
£69.99, M&Co
£44, Monsoon £299, Ralph Lauren
£46.99, New Look
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Teddy Texture Snuggle up and keep the cold at bay in one of our trendy teddy coats, style with chunky boots for a weekend casual vibe.
£45, TU
£39, F&F
£55, Very
£68, John Lewis
£62, Next
Next
£49.99, New Look
£195, UGG
£125, Phase Eight
£179, Hush
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Aviator Chic
This season’s must-have is an aviator jacket, with its fur collar and sleek, leather body, it’s a stylish addition to any outfit
£36, George at Asda
£425, Whistles
£998, Reiss
Lipsy
£75, Next £75, Next
£89, www.sonderstudio.co.uk £88, SilkFred
£69, Marks & Spence
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Coppa Clubs Winter with New Signature Igloos & Laurent Perrier Partnership Coppa Clubs signature igloos are now available to book for the autumn and winter season in partnership with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. The igloos are available at five Coppa locations including Tower Bridge renowned for its panoramic London views, Sonningon-Thames’ with its riverside setting, Cobham Village’s rooftop terrace and Brighton Square’s boutique location in the heart of The Lanes. The seasonal igloos will also be available at Coppa Club’s brand-new location, Putney, which is opening right on Putney’s riverside on 2nd November, featuring three iconic igloos. Offering a unique twist on festive interiors this year, the igloos will feature a new and unseen, pastel design of green and pink florals & lanterns. The design evokes a vintage feel, with a gentle tone and warm, subtle lighting. Coppa Club’s igloos are the ideal destination for a celebratory get together this winter– perfect for friends, family, and work parties alike.
Each Coppa igloo will be serving a special menu – perfect for a bit of ‘igloo indulgence’ and paired with a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier– an exciting new partner for the Coppa brand. Specials include the truffled wagyu burger and a decadent, warm chocolate fondant with caramelised white chocolate and salted caramel ice cream. A special Christmas menu will also be introduced towards the start of festive season where you can expect to find all your favourites – so keep your eyes peeled! As part of Coppa’s home-from-home ethos, it offers the very best elements of a café, bar, restaurant and lounge – all combined into one setting that provides something for everyone. With nine separate locations currently found in the South-East & West of England, the brand has a private members’ club feel, without any members club fees. Each venue reflects its individual location and celebrates Britishness, alongside offering an informal, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere. BOOK IT
CoppaClub igloos can be reserved in two hours slots, Monday to Sunday, 11am until close for a maximum of eight guests. Christmas day igloo bookings at Sonning, Streatley & Cobham will go live on 20th October. Minimum spend applies. For more information, please visit www.coppaclub.co.uk
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Christmas Gift Guide Gorgeous gifts, everyone will love.
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18ct Rose Gold Morganite * Diamond Pendant, £1,095, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
House of Jo Malone Gift Box, £139, www.jomalone.co.uk
Mulberry Mini Alexa Bag, £995, John lewis Barbour Phoebe Pyjamas, £69.95, www.claytonsonline.co.uk
TUDOR Silver Diamond Dial Watch, £2,520, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
Skagen Kariana Gold Tone Bracelet, £49 www.skagen.com
Jo Malone Rose & Magnolia Cologne, £105, www.jomalone.co.uk
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Orange Bitters Deluxe Candle, £130, www.jomalone.co.uk
Coach Dreams Sunset, £69, John Lewis
The Lady Loves
Their Nibs Peacock Satin Pyjamas, £35, John Lewis
Any lady in your life will love to find one of these gifts under the tree this Christmastime.
Beurer Aroma Diffuser, £52.99, www.lakeland.co.uk
ARRAN Sense of Scotland Soft Cinnamon Home Fragrance, £40, www.arran.com Hush Leopard Print Slippers, £55, John Lewis
ESPA Tri-Active Lift & Firm Collection, £110, www.espaskincare.com
Mirabeau Rose Gin & Silk Twilly, £65, Harvey Nichols
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Dukeshill It's a Wonderful Life Hamper, £150, www.dukeshillham.co.uk
Orla Kiely Shortbread Biscuit Selection, £20, John Lewis
Iced Christmas Cake, £18, Cartwright & Butler
Rhubarb & Custard Sweets, £5.95, Cartwright & Butler
Carluccios Clemantine Panettone, £20.95, www.carluccios.com
12 Days of Christmas Luxury Biscuit Tin, £45, Biscuiteers
Pistachio Lover Hamper, £49.90, www.eataly.co.uk
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Hotel Chocolat Merry Christmas Everyone, £55, www.hotelchocolat.com
Hot Chocolate Stacking Tin, £16, www.whittard.co.uk .
Hotel Chocolat Wreath Box, £40, www.hotelchocolat.com
Festive Foodie
Perfect gifts to indulge your inner foodie this Festive season
Iconic Wensleydale Hamper, £45, www.wensleydale.co.uk
Dukeshill Three-Kings Hamper, £375, www.dukeshillham.co.uk
The Christmas Hot Chocolate Gift Box, £31, www.whittard.co.uk
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Montblanc StarWalker Ballpoint Pen, £365, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
TAG Heuer Blue Dial Watch, £2,400, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
Chocolate Coated Liquorice Selection, £33, www.lakridsbybulow
ESPA Timeless Treasures, £54, www.espaskincare.com Fossil Leather Bag, £369 www.fossil.com
Skagen Torben Mens Bracelet, £45 www.skagen.com
Weekend Offender Sweatshirt, £65, Very
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Charbonnel et Walker 007 Dry Martini Truffles, £14.99, www.lakeland.co.uk
Barbour Hipflask, £39.95, www.barbour.com
Mens Room
We’ve found the best gifts for the men in your life this Christmas
Roberts Portable Bluetooth Speaker, £129.99, John Lewis
Barbour Waxed Jacket, £209, www.claytonsonline.co.uk
Dior Sauvage Aftershave, £102.99, www.perfumedirect.com
Raymond Weil The Beatles Watch, £1,750, www.raymond-weil.co.uk
Gant Check Scarf, £59.95, www.claytonsonline.co.uk
Braun Electric Shaver, £130, Very
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CoComelon's Interactive JJ Doll RRP £39.99, Smyths
Harry Potter Brainbox, £14, Amazon
Bike, £219, www.bobbinbikes.com
5 Second Rule RRP £21.99, John Lewis
Schleich Horse Club, £16.99, The Entertainer The Gruffalo 20th Anniversary Book, £9.99, John Lewis
Dinosaur Pom Pom Hat, £7.99, M&Co
Snowy Owl with Turning Head, £19.99, www.uk.livingnatureworld.com
Santa Sweater, £18, John Lewis
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Daisy Chain Destiny Dolls Pram, £89.99, wwwplaylikemum.com
Rainbocorns Fairycorn Surprise, £24.99, Smyths
small wonders Santa’s been busy choosing gifts that your little ones will love to open on Christmas morning
Living Nature French Bulldog, £14.99, www.uk.livingnatureworld.com
Xootz Stunt Skooter, £49.99, Argos
Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex, £15.99, The Entertiner Christmas Dress, £36, Very
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Joma Jewellery Heart Bracelet, £18.99, John Lewis
W7 Hugs and Glosses Lip Gloss Set, £5.96, www.w7makeup.co.uk
Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb Hand Care Trio, £20, www.nobleisle.com
Skin RefreshSkincare Set, £14.95, www.w7makeup.co.uk
Emma Bridgewater Drink Bottle, £26, John Lewis
Bee Jewellery Box, £18, Accessorize
Black Body, £25, Marks & Spencer
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Star Necklace, £25, Hot Diamonds
Stocking Fillers We’ve found the perfect gifts to pop in those stockings, and all for under £25
Elf Christmas Steamcream, £13.95, www.steamcream.com
Personalised Diary, £15.95, Martha Brook
Patterned Faux Fur Hot Water Bottle, £25, John Lewis
Believe Jumper, £19.50, Marks & Spencer
Bag Charm & Mirror, £20, Dune London
Mini Bites Box, £24.99, Lewis & Baker
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food & drink
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FOODIE NEWS A Little Haute Couture
Leave the chocolate to the kids this Christmas and count down to the big day in style with Mariage Frères luxury Christmas calendar (£45, www.mariagefreres.com) featuring 25 unique premium teas from France’s trendiest teahouse, handsomely tied together with satin ribbon. Brighten up every morning leading up to the big day with a cup of one of the finest teas in the world.
Festive Food Treat
Christmas, the perfect time for cheese and wine. A whole 1kg of creamy Baron Bigod Brie shaped into a wreath topped and decorated with the best charcuterie and seasonal edible garnishes to create the most beautiful edible Christmas wreath (£75, www.yumbles.com) that anyone will want on their festive table.
Cake Crumbs
Rachael's Kitchen is a beautiful handmade gift, cupcake company who deliver the most delicious cakes (trust me, we’ve tried them) direct to your door the next day. With over 40 flavours, they’re elegantly boxed and perfect for sending for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or just because, the only problem you’ll have is what flavours to choose! www.rachaelskitchen.co.uk.
12 Tipsy Days of Christmas
Every gin lover needs The 12 Gins of Christmas Bauble and Gin Tasting Set (£59, www.yumbles.com), either use the baubles and hang on the tree like an advent calendar or give as a gift for use AFTER Christmas.
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Braised Chestnut and Grain Wellington
“A delicious Vegan alternative for anyone this Christmastime” Ingredients
1 Leek, chopped roughly 4 Cloves Garlic, peeled 1 Red Pepper, deseeded 10 Shiitake Mushrooms 2 Carrots, peeled & chopped roughly 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper 1 tsp Sea Salt 3 tbs Tomato Puree 1 tbs Dried Sage 1 tbs Dried Rosemary 1 Bay Leaf 2tbs Plain Flour or GF Flour 1/2 cup/125ml Vegan Friendly Red Wine 3/4 cup/195ml Vegetable Stock 2 tbs Soy Sauce 1 tbs Miso Paste 2 x 250g Pouches of Merchant Gourmet Spiced Grains & Chestnut 1 tbs Cranberry sauce Pastry 1 Roll Ready Rolled Puff Pastry 1/4 cup/30g Plain Flour Glaze 1/4 cup/60ml Milk 4 tbs Maple 4 tbs Oil Pinch Sea Salt Red Pepper Dressing 2 cups/350g Roasted Red Peppers, from a jar, drained 2 tbs Olive Oil 1 tbs Tahini 1 tsp Dried Sage 1 tsp Dried Rosemary 1/2 tsp Smoked Sweet Paprika 1 tsp Sea Salt Caramelised Red Onion 2 tbs Rapeseed oil or water 3 Red Onions, peeled, halved & sliced fine 4 tbs Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar 3 tbs Balsamic Vinegar Pinch Sea Salt & Pepper 2 Sprigs Fresh Thyme, chopped, plus extra for garnish
Method
Make the filling (this can be made the day before serving). Add the leek, garlic, red pepper, carrots & mushrooms to a food processor & blitz until they’re chopped small. Pre heat a large saucepan over a medium heat & add the oil. When it’s hot add the leek mix to the pan & sauté for 3 minutes or until golden. Stir in the tomato puree, sage, rosemary, bay leaf, salt & pepper then add the flour. Cook the flour out by stirring constantly for about a minute. Then de-glaze the pan with the red wine & vegetable stock. When the liquid comes to a simmer add the merchant gourmet chestnuts & grains, soy sauce, miso paste & cranberry. Let the mix bubble away for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has really thickened up, then transfer the mixture to a container to cool completely. The day of serving, add all the glaze ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together. Dust your surface with flour & roll out your pastry approximately 30cm x 30cm then cut it in half. Making sure your filling is completely cool (ideally fridge cold) spoon the filling into the centre of one of the pastry rectangles, leaving a 3cm boarder around the filling. Brush the boarder with a little of the glaze then place the other pastry rectangle neatly on top. Seal the boarder together with your finger, then trim the edges
to keep it neat. You can crimp the edges with a fork and use Christmas themed cutters with any off-cuts of pastry to top the wellington. Brush over a little glaze. Then set the wellington aside until you’re ready to cook it. Meanwhile, add the red pepper dressing ingredients to a food processor and blitz until it forms a chunky paste. Set the dressing aside until serving. To make the caramelised onions, in a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat add a touch of oil followed by the onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes stirring often until they start to soften & colour. Add the sugar, vinegar, seasoning & thyme. Stir well and turn the heat down very low. Cover the saucepan & allow the onions to caramelise for 15 minutes, stir/shake the pan every now & then. To cook the wellington, place it on the middle shelf in a pre heated oven set at 180 degrees C for 30 minutes. Apply extra glaze 25 minutes through cooking. Serve your wellington with lots of dressing, caramelised onions, crispy sage, pomegranate seeds, pistachio nuts & vegan feta + all your Christmas garnishes. RECIPE: Gaz Oakley in partnership with Merchant Gourmet
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Potato and Chestnut Boulangere “A perfect side dish for your Festive food, whether you’re a vegan or not”
Ingredients
50g vegan butter 1 tbsp olive oil 2 large white onions, finely sliced 2 x 180g pouches of Merchant Gourmet Whole Chestnuts 5 thyme sprigs 300ml vegetable stock 1 kg desiree potatoes
Method
Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large frying pan with the olive oil and add the onions. Cook on a low heat for 40 minutes, until soft and caramelised, being careful not to burn them. Add the chestnuts, thyme, vegetable stock, a big pinch of salt and pepper and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue simmering on a very low heat while you prep the potatoes. Thinly slice the potatoes using a mandoline (you can leave the skin on if you prefer, or peel) and grease a 20 x 30cm baking dish with some butter. Put a layer of potatoes in the bottom, overlapping them slightly, then scoop out some of the onions and chestnuts with a slotted spoon and spread evenly on top. Repeat this process until everything has been used up, finishing with a layer of potatoes and leaving a few slices of onion and chestnuts to go on top. Pour the remaining stock into the dish, along with any leftover onions, then spread everything out evenly on the top. Cut the butter into little cubes and dot around the dish. Cook uncovered for an hour, or until the top is crisp and a knife easily goes through the potatoes. Cover with tin foil if it starts to burn. Rest for 10 minutes before serving, finishing with some fresh thyme leaves if needed. RECIPE: Merchant Gourmet
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Jamie Oliver’s Winter Bombe
“A cross between a summer pudding and an Arctic roll, that is great to make in advance and freeze until your festive dining begins”
Ingredients
2 x 500 g tubs of quality vanilla ice cream 1 kg panettone 125 ml Vin Santo 3 heaped tablespoons quality raspberry jam 100 g tinned cherries , in juice 75 g glacé clementines (or other glacé fruit) 1 clementine 50 g shelled pistachios 300 g quality dark chocolate (70%) 25 g unsalted butter Method
Get the ice cream out of the freezer so it can soften a little while you get things ready. Line a 2 litre pudding bowl with three layers of clingfilm. Use a serrated knife to slice four 2cm-thick rounds off your panettone, then cut them in half. You’ll have some panettone left over, so keep this for another day. Arrange six of your panettone slices in a single layer around the inside of the bowl, pushing them down if they overlap. Drizzle some of the Vin Santo on to the panettone so it soaks in, then use the back of a spoon to spread the jam all over it. Drain the cherries, and thinly slice the glacé clementines. Finely grate the fresh clementine zest and put aside, then peel and finely slice the clementine into rounds. Spoon one tub of ice cream into the bowl, spreading it around in a thick layer. Sprinkle in the pistachios, cherries and glacé fruit, then layer on the clementine slices. Add the other tub of ice cream. Spread it out, working quickly so
the ice cream doesn’t completely melt. Put the remaining two panettone slices on top of the ice cream. Drizzle over the rest of the Vin Santo, then cover the bowl tightly with clingfilm. Press a plate down on top to push and compact everything down, pop a weight on, then freeze overnight, or until needed. Around 20 minutes before you want to serve it, unwrap your amazing winter bombe, carefully turn it out onto a beautiful serving dish, then leave to thaw slightly. Snap up the chocolate, place in a heatproof bowl with the butter over a pan of gently simmering water on a low heat, and leave to melt. Once nicely melted, stir in the reserved clementine zest, then pour the chocolate over the pudding so it oozes down the sides and looks super-tempting and delicious. Serve up any extra sauce in a little jug. RECIPE: Jamie Oliver
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Time to Impress
“Impress your guests this Christmas with a winning range of bubbles and reds from Tesco this Festive season”
Tesco Finest The Trilogy Malbec Dark violet in colour,ripe plum and chocolate aromas, followed by supple, dark fruit flavours with vanilla and black pepper finish. £12.00
Tesco Finest Margaux Made using exceptional grapes it is a bold but well balanced red that is rich, ripe and vibrant with complex flavours of black fruit, cherries, spices and oak. Enjoy with bold foods such as grilled steak that match the wine’s extraordinary flavour. £22.00
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne Extra maturation of this wine makes for elegant flavours of citrus, green apple and brioche with a fine mousse. Perfect to serve with canapes. care. £21.00
Tesco Finest Valle De Colchagua Merlot Deep in colour, with aromas of plums, cherries and vanilla, followed by a luscious and concentrated palate with a smooth and juicy finish. Ruby red colour, on the nose blackberry, strawberry and black cherry aromas with a touch of cedar, vanilla and spicy notes. The palate is full bodied with smooth tannins and rich fruit characters £8.00
Tesco Finest Prosecco An elegant wine with a lingering finish, full of citrus and pear flavours with peach blossom aromas. Serve chilled as an aperitif or with a salmon starter. £8.00
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Fry’s Footie Corner We are fast approaching my favourite time of the year, and no it is not the transfer window, but the busy Christmas period where there is football pretty much every day. I love it. It is why I am not looking forward to next year’s World Cup in Qatar as both the Premier League and the EFL are set to break to allow these games to take place.
struggling was the final nail in the coffin. I would love to see an up-and-coming English manager get the job, but I expect them to go foreign with Conte.
The games come thick and fast, there are plenty of points to play for and you really get to see how the leagues are shaping up. Of course, some clubs don’t want to wait until the festive period to decide which direction they are heading and on the day of writing this column, three clubs parted company with their manager.
We, like so many other clubs in this division, have been inconsistent and if we can get the right formula, I have no doubt we can have a successful season. Our manager Darren Ferguson surpassed my record earlier in the month for games managed and he reached the milestone of 500 games in charge on Tuesday 2nd November against Huddersfield Town.
Having worked in football for over 60 years, games in December and the early part of January are brilliant, for those that are involved and for the supporters who travel up and down the country to support their team.
Tottenham Hotspur sacked Nuno Espirito Santo after just four months in the job, Barnsley parted company with their boss Markus Schopp after a similar amount of time and League Two strugglers Scunthorpe sacked their gaffer Neil Cox.
It says a lot that I wasn’t surprised to hear of those managerial changes. I think most people recognised that Nuno wasn’t the first choice for Spurs in the summer and the off the field problems around Harry Kane wouldn’t have helped their start to the campaign. A heavy defeat at home to Manchester United who themselves were
Following Christmas, the transfer window does open and we are already having recruitment meetings at Peterborough United about the direction that we want to go in come January. It is a difficult balancing act, you of course want to improve your squad, but that comes at a cost, so some may need to leave before you can get others through the door.
It is a tremendous achievement to manage 500 games for one club. In fact, I don’t think it will be done again. Yes, Darren has had three spells, but everybody knows what a wonderful fit he is for the club and credit to the chairman Darragh MacAnthony for appointing him all those years ago. Here’s to 500 more! Up The POSH!
Barry Fry
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deck the halls
Soho Home
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Blue Star, £3.99, Dobbies
Feather bauble, £2.99, TK Maxx
Midnight Snow Candle, £9.99, Dobbies
Gold Tree, £28, Amara
Mince Pie Decoration, £27, Bombki
Gold Lantern, £60, Michael Murphy
Pearl Bead Decoration, £45, Amara
Large Gold Nutcracker, £16.99, Homesense
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Midnight Blue Baubles, £15.99, Very
MIDNIGHT REFLECTIONS “Deep blue and accents of gold, create a bold and decadent look that fits with any colour scheme”
Gold Snow Globe, £16, Habitat
Dobbies.
Beaded Bauble, £20, Amara
Layered Snowflakes, £3.99, Dobbies
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Set of 6 Greenery, £18, The White Company
Beaded Christmas Tree Bauble, £5, Next
Glass tear drop, £5.99, Dobbies
Gisela Graham Bauble, £4.99, The Contemporary Home
Gems and Sequins Baubles, £4.99, Dobbies
Ribbed Glass Bauble, £2.99, Dobbies
Glass Candle Holder, £14, Talking Tables
Gisela Graham Star, £0.99, The Contemporary Home
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natural green Capture a little Scandi hygge, with pale greens, perfect for cosy festive nights in front of the fire.
Six Rustic Baubles, £22, Marquis & Dawe
Tulle Skirt Fairy, £15, John Lewis
Gemstone Bauble, £6, John Lewis
Habitat
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Gisela Graham Buch of Cherries, £5, Selfridges
Set of 2 Fabric Baubles, £34, Amara
Glass Teardrop, £5.99, Dobbies
YULETIDE TRADITION
Beads and Sequins Bauble, £4.99, Dobbies
Red, a Christmas classic that never loses its appeal, team it with fir green for that traditional look
Swirl Bauble,£6, John Lewis
Red Berry Wreath, £15.99, Homescapes Festive Fairy, £15, John Lewis Locket Bauble, £4, Matalan
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Glitter Snowflake Bauble, £2.99, Dobbies
Set of 2 Tassel Baubles, £18, Amara
Cox & Cox
Dobbies
Set of 2 Beaded Pomegranate Bauble, £40, Amara
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Feather Jewel Bauble, £21, LuxDeco.
Sparkle Bee Decoration, £40, Joanna Buchanan
Glitter Bauble, £1.39. The Range
Glitter Tree, £8.50, Cox & Cox
TIME TO BLUSH
This glamorous colour palette of blush, will add a little luxe to any decor
Geo Bauble, £8, John Lewis
Decorative Bauble, £1.49, The Range
Convertible Car Bauble, £8, John Lewis
Christmas Fairy, £20, John Lewis
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Beaded Glass Bauble, £10, Selfridges
Teardrop Bauble, £4.99, Dobbies
Dunelm
Six Blush Glittered Baubles, £25, Cox & Cox
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Nearly the Real Thing
Vermont White Spruce 7.5ft, £849
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A tree is the centrepiece of your festive decorations, and it isn’t Christmas until it’s up. If you’re a faux tree fan then you need to choose wisely, which is where Balsam Hill comes in.
Silverado Slim 6ft, £599
More than just a fake Christmas tree, a Balsam Hill Christmas tree achieves a stunningly realistic effect in two ways. First and foremost is their method for creating realistic evergreen foliage, True Needle™ technology. Using individually molded bicoloured plastic needles, the True Needle™ method is simply the finest means available for creating realistic artificial Christmas trees.
Canadian Blue Green Spruce 7ft, £299
Second, Balsam Hill's Signature Collection trees are each based on natural evergreen species, providing a gorgeous, true-to-life texture, silhouette and colouring. Your artificial tree becomes the perfect canvas for your favourite Christmas ornaments and Christmas lights. Prices may vary from those shown. All trees available from www.balsamhill.co.uk
Royal Blue Spruce 7ft, £409
Fraser Fir 7.5ft, £649
Frosted Fraser Fir 6.5ft, £399
Candlelit Nordmann Fir 8ft, £659
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TRAVEL
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It's Time for a
Ho-Ho-Holiday Tuck into your Bratwurst, Raise your Glühwein and get that Festive feeling as it is the return of the Christmas Markets! And missing out on the festivities last year is the perfect excuse to upgrade your Christmas Market fix! In just a quick flight away, you can be following the warm scent of mulled wine and gingerbread treats 'round a maze of stalls while picking up enough unique gifts to fill your stockings! Leading Travel Agent, Travel Republic, has curated a selection of the best Christmas Market deals across 16 popular locations.
Vienna, Austria
Christmas in Austria is simply amazing. Markets are generously sprinkled down the narrow streets of the old town and filled with traditional wooden toys, handcrafts and even chestnuts roasted on an open fire! The City Hall's square in is lit with an ice skating and ferries wheel. A three-night stay at the four-star Alma Boutique Hotel Vienna on a B&B basis can cost as little as £190 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with Wizz Air from Luton on December 12th 2021.
Montreux, Switzerland
Time to see Santa in Switzerland! Stretched right across Montreux's lakeside promenade, there's a Christmas market you must visit. Roam the lit stalls and pick up crafts and gifts for everyone back home. Try gourmet delights with a side of animation at legendary Chillon Castle too!
A three-night stay at the three-star Central Residence on a B&B basis can cost as little as £223 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with easyJet from Manchester on December 7th 2021.
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Cologne, Germany
Germany basically invented the Christmas market but that doesn't mean they haven't moved with the times. You'll find around 80 markets here with everything. To name a few, there are super modern gifts, a Winter Wonderland of activities like tobogganing, and even a market for dogs!
A three-night stay at the three-star Centro Hotel Ayun on a Room Only basis can cost as little as £186 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with Eurowings from Heathrow on December 12th 2021.
Brussels, Belgium
Spread between Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons, there's a whole lot to see, do and eat here! Get into the spirit with ice staking, ethereal music, light shows and a mile-long stretch of over 200 snowy chalets, serving delicious treats and more. A three-night stay at the three-star Citadines Toison D'or Hotel on a Room Only basis can cost as little as £187 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with British Airways from Heathrow on December 8th 2021.
Riga, Latvia
Riga Christmas markets look like a Christmas card; snowy and bright. Visit the popular Old Riga Christmas Market in Dome Square for an enchanting maze of stalls. Just a few steps away is a snug market in Līvu Square while Esplanade Park has activities for kids with a rabbit village! A three-night stay at the four-star Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel on a B&B basis can cost as little as £80 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with British Airways from Heathrow on December 7th 2021.
Prague, Czech Republic
The market scene in picturesque Prague is unreal. Think open-air concerts, traditional nativity scenes and hot cups of grog (rum, water, lemon, and sugar). Warm up with grilled fatty sausages, check out the handcrafted glass gifts, and pet friendly farm animals in Old Town Square! A three-night stay at the four-star Augustus et Otto on a Room Only basis can cost as little as £137 per person. Based on two sharing and flying with British Airways from Heathrow on December 11th 2021.
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Discover Karma Golden Camp
arma Group have added a new addition to its rapidly expanding hotel portfolio; Karma Golden Camp in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Spread across 3.5 acres of North Western India’s Thar desert, find 22 luxury safari tents, 10 executive cottages featuring a private pool, along with facilities including a restaurant, spa, children’s area and an outdoor amphitheatre.
K
A number of exciting activities on offer at Karma Golden Camp include dune-safaris, para-sailing, para-motorgliding and quad biking in an incomparable desert setting. Or for less adrenaline and more relaxation, enjoy a laidback camel safari, cocktails at sunset or star gazing in the magnificent desert night sky - sure to impress with zero light pollution. An unforgettable romantic experience, the hotel also offers private dinners among the dunes entertained by Rajasthani folk dancers and singers. Close to the vibrant colours of Jaisalmer, with its famous fort and palaces, the airport is easily accessible from Karma Golden Camp, approximately 45 minutes drive away, or for road trip fans, fly to Jodhpur and enjoy a 4.5 hour adventurous drive.
Other nearby highlights include: Jaisalmer Fort A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest forts in the world, Jaisalmer Fort is also the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD where it stood at the crossroads of important trade routes (including the ancient Silk road). Known as a ‘living fort’, a quarter of the city’s population still live within the fort.
Jain Temples Within Jaisalmer lie seven beautiful Jain Temples, which still retain their original splendour. Considered architectural wonders, the temples boast exquisite designs and intricate carvings in the yellow sandstone. Kuldhara Ghost Village 17km west of Jaisalmer, this once prosperous village is now long abandoned and maintained by The Archaeological Society of India as a heritage site. According to a popularly held notion, the village is inhabited by ghosts.
Sam Sand Dunes Approximately 42 km from Jaisalmer in the midst of the Thar Desert, these sand dunes are amongst the most famous in Rajasthan and a popular spot for desert safaris and camel tours. Desert National Park One of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km², the Desert National Park is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures are spotted here.
Karma Golden Camp joins Karma Group’s expanding portfolio of over 40 properties, with 36 currently operating in 11 countries, six under development and more resorts to be announced soon. For more information please visit www.karmagroup.com
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Six Senses Ibiza the Perfect Retreat for Holidaymakers this Winter Cool season in Ibiza? Six Senses Ibiza is the perfect alternative retreat for holidaymakers this winter
It is said that Ibiza works in the summer and rests in the winter, making the cool season a fabulous time to visit the island. Holiday makers can enjoy the temperate climate with an average daytime temperature of 15°C and up to 25°C once the sun comes out – BA flights from as little as £91 return, stunning nature and cool season activities from November onwards.
For this reason, the just-launched Six Senses Ibiza will be remain open until 10th January 2022, giving guests the chance to experience everything the magical island has to offer, minus the flocks of summer tourists.
Making a splash when it opened in July earlier this year, Six Senses Ibiza is one of the world’s most discerning destinations for today’s generation of creatives and culture
seekers; the light and laid-back, natural way of life during the cool season is set to have travellers coming back for more.
So why should holiday makers book Six Senses Ibiza this winter? Six Senses Ibiza offers an authentic laid-back cool, harking back to the island’s 70’s roots. The resort has one of the best wellness offerings that the Beleric island has to offer, enabling guests retreat into a secluded paradise and truly switch off from the outside world. Ibiza’s Northern beaches are some of the most beautiful in Europe, promising endless possibilities for hiking, sailing and relaxing. Conceived by architect and developer Jonathan Leitersdorf, the year-round destination set in secluded Xarraca bay offers a comprehensive range of amenities and programming, farm-to-table dining led by Master Chef Eyal Shani, art, sustainable fashion, culture, longevity, wellness
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and music programming by recording artist Tomer Biran, and supported by music industry executive Shivas Howard-Brown.
The resort has introduced a ‘Cool Season Detox’ package for the winter months promising to put guests into a state of pure bliss, including 30% reduced rate on accommodation, a special detox programme for the duration of stay promising scheduled daily group wellness and sustainability activities. BOOK IT
Starting rates for Six Senses Ibiza begin at EUR 750 for the hot season and EUR 390 for the cool season. For more information or to book, visit www.sixsenses.com
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Jack and The Beanstalk comes to Milton Keynes Theatre This year’s panto at Milton Keynes Theatre is JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.' With Britain's Got Talent winners and Street Dance sensations Ashley Banjo & Diversity starring as 'Jack and his siblings'. Joining them is comedian and magician Pete Firman as Jack's brother 'Simon', Laura Evans as 'Princess Jill', Daniel Boys as 'Fleshcreep', Jack Land Noble as 'Dame Trot' and returning after her run in 2018’s pantomime, Robin Hood, Gina Murray as 'Mother Nature'. Follow Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in this spectacular family pantomime. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack as he fights to save the beautiful Princess, outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams, and the hand of the girl he loves.
Emma Sullivan, Milton Keynes Theatre Director said, "We are so excited to be announcing our full Jack and The Beanstalk cast! Panto season is such a special time for us all at Milton Keynes Theatre and we've missed it so much. We know this year's panto will be one to remember and we can't wait for audiences to see what we have in store".
Ashley Banjo is a choreographer, creative director, presenter and founder and leader of dance group Diversity who have been a household name since winning 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2009. Ashley is well known for his television roles; he has presented, judged and produced many award-winning programmes including 'Britain's Got Talent', 'Dancing On Ice' and the Emmy and BAFTA award winning 'The Real Full Monty'. On the stage, having starred in the Olivier Award-winning production of 'Dick Whittington', this year will mark Diversity's fifth pantomime. Fellow Diversity members Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, the new Kiss FM Breakfast Show hosts will also be making a return to the stage in this year's production. Expect laughs, music, special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime! Jack and The Beanstalk is appearing at Milton Keynes Theatre from Saturday 11th December 2021 to Saturday 8th January 2022. Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes.
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STARS Manish Kumar Arora (K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals what’s in store for you this month
Scorpio (23 October – 21 November) You have energy for financial opportunities, and you can see more of them presented to you. You have better focus, and can stick with whatever you start. You enjoy getting in touch with your body, with nature, your senses, and stimulating your senses. You would try to take your relationships more seriously and figure some things out, so you need to just go with the flow a little and take things as they come. Favourable Dates: November 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23 Favourable Colours: Green & Blue
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Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December) You should be feeling youthful, energized and happy. Relationships will be magical and fun. You will also find your lover to be much more attentive than you previously imagined. The optimism you feel can help you in almost any venture you want to tackle. You can focus on your home and family life, spending more time with the people you see as family, and making the home you have as comfortable as possible. Favourable Dates: November 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23 Favourable Colours: Green & Blue
Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) You want variety in life, and you can take on lots of little projects and social activities to keep yourself busy and your mind occupied. You can identify strongly with what you say, with your ideas, and your opinions. You can also feel good when your finances are in order, and you focus more on that. You can enter into new relationships and partnerships, and you do better with them than without them. Favourable Dates: November 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: Green & White
Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) You can benefit when you focus on your ideas and use your mind. You can take your ideas and run with them, and come up with great ideas that help get you places. You're more positive and enthusiastic about life and you want to communicate openly and freely with everyone. Your ideas can be met with support and encouragement. This is a good time for you to work on opening up emotionally as well. Favourable Dates: November 2, 4, 11, 13, 21, 29 Favourable Colours: Green & Yellow Pisces (19 February – 20 March) You can focus on your future dreams, and what you hope to do with your life. You want to participate in the world, and feel like you're making a contribution. Reaching inside of yourself and pulling out your strength is necessary now. You can become more serious about your relationships with some loved ones, while you walk away from relationships with others, and become more invested in some hobbies and give up others. Favourable Dates: November 5, 7, 14, 16, 23, 30 Favourable Colours: White & Purple
Aries (21 March – 19 April) This month could bring about a time for you to advance your career or make more money. It is also a time for you to find new ways to build greater financial opportunities and financial connections. You can be excited and enthusiastic about whatever you do, and you can't wait to get going. You feel more daring and focused on what you want, and willing to make it happen now. Favourable Dates: November 2, 7, 11, 16, 20, 25 Favourable Colours: Blue & White Taurus (20 April – 20 May) You can be more ambitious and driven, want to make sure you're going in the right direction, and can experience a high point of sorts in some part of life. You can work hard and smart for what you want, take on responsibility well,
and have a more mature attitude. You can make an impact bigger than you think you can, reaching more people, and you enjoy doing so. Favourable Dates: November 1, 2, 10, 20, 28, 29 Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow
Gemini (21 May – 20 June) This can be a great time for you to focus on a dream that you have and make it happen. You can have opportunities to pursue a dream presented to you, and you can take it and run with it. You will experience love and have amazing relationships throughout the month. This is a new era for you and you couldn't be happier. You keep looking toward the future as the month goes on. Favourable Dates: November 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow
Cancer (21 June – 22 July) You can think more long-term, and you make plans that you know will continue your success. You can benefit from connecting with others emotionally, opening yourself up to have better intimacy in your life, and strengthening the bonds you have with others. You can push back against people who you feel are trying to box you in, and run as fast as you can. You feel great about the success that you have. Favourable Dates: November 1, 2, 10, 20, 28, 29 Favourable Colours: Blue & Yellow Leo (23 July – 22 August) You could advance your career during this period but this is also a good time to make a positive first impression for a job interview or meeting. This can be an amazing time for you relationship-wise, and the people around you are surrounded by amazing opportunities, or you get amazing opportunities through the people around you or with a partner. You find other people to be quite beneficial now, and they want to help you in any way. Favourable Dates: November 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favourable Colours: White & Green
Virgo (23 August – 22 September) You can use this energy to have a new experience that opens your eyes and mind in a profound way, to explore new worlds and realms and pockets of your mind and soul, or to find your inner optimist. You can look at the world with fresh eyes, and you're excited by what you see. You feel you're on your way up right now, and you want to keep your momentum going forward. Favourable Dates: November 2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26 Favourable Colours: White & Blue
Libra (23 September – 22 October) This can be a good time to look for another job or get presented with new work opportunities. It can also be good for focusing on your health and improving your lifestyle. If in a relationship, you can make it fun, and inject some sparks into it. If single, you can have an easier time meeting new people and taking advantage of the social opportunities you have to be seen. Favourable Dates: November 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25 Favourable Colours: Red & Blue
manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com
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Weekend Starts Here.... I Know You by Claire McGowan When Rachel stumbles upon a body in the woods, she knows what she has to do: run. Get away. Do not be found at the scene. Last time, she didn’t know, and she ended up accused of murder. But when this victim is identified as her boyfriend’s estranged wife, Rachel realises she’s already the prime suspect. With mounting evidence against her, Rachel’s only hope is to keep the truth about herself well hidden. Because twenty years ago she was someone else—Casey, a young nanny trying to make it as an actress in Los Angeles. When the family she worked for were brutally murdered, all the evidence pointed to her and she went to prison. Back then, she narrowly escaped the death penalty and managed to free herself on appeal. Now she’s fighting to save the life she’s spent years piecing back together. But with her behaviour raising suspicion and the police closing in, Rachel can’t help wondering: Was her discovery in the woods really just an awful coincidence, or is someone framing her for murder? Someone who knows who she is, and wants revenge…
Last Night in Soho A young girl, passionate about fashion design, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it seems, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences. Release Date: 29th October
Respect
Based on the life and times of Aretha Franklin, the woman who would come to be known all over the world as the undisputed Queen of Soul, this story follows her beginnings back to when she'd first come onto the music scene as a singer in the choir at her father's church when she was a young girl growing up in Detroit. Following many difficulties in her adult life, due to bad marriages and other unwise choices, she still managed to keep contributing her natural talent to the music world, becoming one of the art's most recognizable voices, and producing songs that would be known and enjoyed by many generations. Release Date: 9th November
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PRICELESS
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ISSUE 125
BEAUTYEveryone ADVENTS needs at least one!
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TRIED AND TESTED Wines you'll love this Christmastime
ISSUE 125
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