Sept2015 by jane fry

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AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 52

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

September 2015

Nothing to wear?

A round up of the latest AW trends

The Great British Tradition

Want to be the new face of HD?

Some of our favourite teas

We tell you how

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

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Welcome... Hi Everyone Want to look 20 years younger? Then you need to try the Glamtastic Facial at Y Spa, apparently it’s what most stars have before they step out at red carpet events! It would have been rude of me not to try it and does it work? Turn to page 20 for my verdict!

WOW I can’t believe I’m writing this and it’s September already, I think I blinked and the year just shot by! This month sees us swapping our bikinis and shorts (unless we’re going on holiday) to Autumn fashion which I must admit I am in love with - Berry Reds, Cool Greys and Soft Suede are just some of the AW trends - take a look at page 27 to see some of our favourites.

Until next month

Last month we paid a visit to our Nations Capital for, dare I say, Christmas Press Shows, so it seemed only right for us to rest our weary legs in a little luxury - we chose the London EDITION Hotel for this and are we glad we did; we even jumped the queue to eat in their restaurant, the must have eatery in London Berners Tavern (page 65) lets you see for yourself!

Jane x

Disney on Ice is touring from this month right through to January 2016, highly recommended for everyone, after all we’re all Disney kids at heart! (page 71).

Cover Image: Just White Claytons, Bedford

Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Advertising: jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk facebook.com/AffinityMag @affinitymagz

linkedin.com/pub/jane-zita-fry

All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400.

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CONTENTS

12 Beat the Baby Blues 16 Tone Teasers 19 Hot Picks

30 Good as Grey 33 Lingerie Luxe 36 Socialite

39 Great British Tradition 42 Foodie News 45 Wines of the Month

46 49 57 68 72

Dessert Dreams Candle Light Close Shave Calm at Champneys Out and About

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What does your kitchen mean to you?

Ltd GERMAN handleless kitchens NOW installed

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

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Are You The New Face of HD?

elfie sticks at the ready – One of the leading names in hair extensions, Hair Development is looking for its HD Girl for 2016. The competition is open to British women from all walks of life aged 18-45 with entry being open until 31st October 2015. Janis Levy, Creative Director of Hair Development told us, “We didn’t want a classic model, if we did we would have hired one; this competition is about the everyday woman channelling her inner beauty and finding confidence. We want to see entries from a variety of ages from all walks of life – our HD Girl 2016 could be a student, a lawyer, an engineer or a full time mum. It’s going to be so exciting choosing our poster girl and giving her a hair makeover – the hunt is on!” The winner of the HD Girl competition will take part in a photoshoot, once she has had her. 11

professional hair extensions fitted. These images will then be used for all promotional materials and on the Hair Development website, meaning the woman will be the face of the brand for the entire year. In addition, she will have the opportunity to make personal appearances at industry events to represent the brand. Entry is fast and easy via social media across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, all you need to do is snap a selfie and upload it, using the hashtag #HDGirlCompetition and tag Hair Development in it, it’s as simple as that! Janis added “A lot of people post selfies regularly on social media – just tag us in it and you could end up being the face of HD!” To find out more about Hair Development and its range of natural looking extensions, visit: www.hair-development.com

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Naturally Beat the baby Blues

Take a break Make sure you find time to rest. Permanent sleep deprivation is the biggest cause of anxiety and low mood. Instead of catching up on all those chores that have piled up, try to co-ordinate your rest periods with your baby. ‘You may need to ask for help with the housework and other chores so that you can have time to rest, sleep, eat properly and also spend time getting to know your baby. It is a good idea to get out the house on your own; it can feel quite overwhelming to suddenly have someone depending on you twenty-four hours a day. Giving birth may bring up unresolved emotional issues from the past that need to be dealt with. Counselling may be very helpful if this has happened’, Dr Glenville suggests.

It comes from nowhere and catches you off guard. Those feelings of being vulnerable, emotional, sad, tearful and sensitive may make it difficult to believe that it is supposed to be the happiest time of every woman’s life.

Don’t worry, you are not alone!

Postnatal anxiety, also known as ‘baby blues’, affects 85% of women and may occur on the day of the birth, the day after or not at all. Despite those overwhelming feelings, remember it is a normal reaction after having a baby. ‘Crying and confusion are experienced by most women and are partly due to the hormone changes experienced during the labour and can also be connected to when the milk comes through. But for some 15% of women, this despair and tearfulness continues and develops into postnatal depression’, explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading nutritionist and an author of Nutritional Health Handbook for Women (www.marilynglenville.com).

Keep your sugar levels at bay It is important that you make sure that you are eating little and often. Keeping your blood sugar in balance is crucial for helping you through this time, as it directly affects mood and energy. ‘Aim to eat complex and unrefined carbohydrates as part of your main meals – this means choosing brown instead of white (wholewheat bread, brown rice and wholemeal flour). Don’t forget about breakfast, porridge and oatmeal is a good choice.

Before you start worrying, follow these five simple steps to beat baby blues naturally and start enjoying motherhood! 12

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(recommended daily intake is 50mg of zinc a day), advises Dr Glenville. Try Nature’s Plus Zinc (www.nutricentre.com, £8.59).

Do reduce and preferably avoid stimulants including tea, coffee, chocolate, smoking and canned drinks with caffeine’, explains Dr Glenville.

Too much copper is not good news Mineral imbalances or deficiencies can also contribute to ‘baby blues’. One of the most important nutrients during this difficult time is zinc. Zinc and copper are antagonists, which means that high levels of copper reduce zinc and vitamin B6. Once you are pregnant, copper levels in the blood tend to rise dramatically and remain high for up to a month after giving birth, as it stimulates the uterus. This can cause what feels like depression: extreme fears, anxiety, sleep problems, paranoia and even hallucinations. ‘High levels of copper that decrease zinc can be dangerous, especially for a new mum, as she may already be low in this mineral after giving birth. Zinc deficiency can cause stretch marks, white spots on fingernails, decreased wound healing, loss of appetite and low mood. Make sure you are taking good multivitamins and minerals, the ones you took during pregnancy are fine but add some extra zinc’

Fatty acids During pregnancy, women are constantly being deprived of fatty acids because of the physical demands of a growing fetus. ‘Omega 3 fatty acids are proved to increase levels of serotonin so they are essential in fighting depression and anxiety. Try to include salmon, avocado and nuts in your daily diet. If you don’t like fish, choose a good quality omega-3 supplement such as Omega 3 by Quest Vitamins (www.revital.co.uk, £6.19).

Balance your hormones ‘Try to take milk thistle every day to support the liver and gall bladder. This powerful herb can help the liver to deal with toxins and process excess hormones from the body. In addition, it is an excellent promoter of milk production, so will help with breast-feeding as well’ 13

If symptoms persist do seek medical advice.

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Fresh as Figs

The White Company London have just introduced the evocative scent of fresh figs. It is like sitting beneath a sun-warmed fig tree in Provence. Notes of fresh fig, succulent cassis, citrus and tomato-leaf give way to bracing vetivert and a touch of sweet lilac to create this year-round welcoming and elegant scent. With prices starting from £6 and available from thewhitecompany.com, Fresh Fig will be available in a Signature Candle, Large Candle, Diffuser, Home Spray, Hand Wash, Hand Cream, Soap, Bath & Shower Gel and Body Lotion, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

BEAUTY UPDATES

Organic Hands

NailKale NailBright polishes add a flush of peach or pink to help you nail the naked nail trend. Both shades are lightly tinted in the base and reflective glass pearls ensure nails radiate just a touch of colour. Powered by bee pollen, one of nature’s purist products, NailBright helps you take care of your nails. Bee-gathered pollen is rich in protein, vitamins and folic acid for nails that glow inside and out. Priced at £14 each and available from nailsinc.com

Lip Colour from Christian Louboutin

We are so excited, this month sees the launch of a debut Lip Colour collection from Christian Louboutin Beauté. The collection is available in 38 shades, with three shades in the brand’s signature Rouge, across three finishes, Velvet Matte, Sheer Voile, and Silky Satin. Christian Louboutin Lip Colour is priced at £60. We just need the shoes to match now!

GHOST Girl

Cleanse and Polish Liz Earle has revealed her new Limited Edition Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Jasmine & Osmanthus. Reinvented in a specially-designed canister, and scented with jasmine blossoms and osmanthus petals, it features a floral design, accompanied by two limitededition pure cotton muslin cloths, trimmed in a special silver thread. The rich cream instantly removes daily grime and make-up, as well as mascara, to leave skin smooth and clean. Used with the pure muslin cloth it lifts away dead skin cells, providing a fresh, radiant complexion. This limited edition beauty must have is priced at £20.75 for 100ml.

GHOST Girl is the new fragrance that breaks the rules: it’s feminine but with a feisty edge. Fresh pomegranate, crunchy pear and orange blossom are boldly undercut with cedarwood and musky amber to create a scent that’s born of contradictions and bursting with attitude. Starting from £25 for 30ml GHOST Girl is a perfume that inspires you to be fearless and fun-loving - to express yourself, your way. So unleash your inner GHOST Girl and Dare to be You. 14

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Tone Teasers

Toners are an essential step in any beauty routine, we take a look at our choice of the best around

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner £22.50 Debenhams

Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile £24.50 Debenhams Murad Hydrating Toner £25 Essential-C Toner £25 John Lewis Milton Keynes & Cambridge

A La Carte Rose Water Toner £25 alacartelondon.com

Total Lift Off Toner £18 alacartelondon.com

Better Off Toner £23 alacartelondon.com

Yours Truly Balancing Toner £19 yourstrulyorganics.com

Active Re-Juvenating Skin Toner £20.79 ayurvedapura.com

Ayurveda Pura Organic Radiance Rose Water £14.13 ayurvedapura.com

Skin Blossom Facial Toner £5.95 beautynaturals

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Midlife Madness

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Colleagues!!!!!

any of us will have the experience of working in offices or other collective environments with colleagues. Yes, I know that some of them might have gone on to become friends but let’s be honest, I bet collectively they are a pretty mixed bunch.

until everyone leaves. I’m not adverse to the smell of coffee mid-morning but fish curry? Really? Whatever happened to the humble sandwich, easily transportable, and unless it’s egg it doesn’t smell much, even fish pates or tuna and sweetcorn don’t really assault the olfactory nerves much, but it seems downright unfashionable these days to have a sandwich for lunch when you could have sweet potato and lamb tagine with lime and mint couscous!!!! Which might not smell so bad if that was the only thing that was heated up in the microwave that day, but when mingled with the smells of twenty seven other lunches, well quite frankly it’s enough to put me off my cheese and pickle sandwich.

Well it’ll be no surprise to learn that I’m no exception – looking back on my working life I have to acknowledge I have come across some wonderful people who it has been a privilege to know and work with, some of whom have gone on to become great friends. But I have also faced some pretty great challenges in the colleagues department. Being challenging doesn’t mean they aren’t nice people – some of them are, but boy do they have some really irritating habits.

Of course, food is not the only office irritation. I ‘get’ ear phones – a good sensible invention that means you can enjoy music or whatever as you tap away at your computer. Providing of course that they are not set so loudly that they will not only be deafening the wearer but definitely distracting everyone else. But even that is preferable to the headphone wearing individual who is oblivious to the world and loves to SING! Okay so they don’t usually belt it out but it is audible, never in tune and when combined with foot tapping and head nodding makes me, a usually mild mannered soul, want to spring up and rip said earphones out of ears, throw them on the floor (earphones not wearer –though that is a thought) and crush them, grind them to a pulp under my sensible, not too high but still stylish, wear for work heels!!!!! –It’s alright I’ll take a deep breath now!

One of the one’s I hate the most is the food habits of my collective colleagues!! At the moment, staggeringly I work in an eleven-story building which has no cafeteria – actually not even a vending machine. On each floor there is a kitchen, well that’s overstating it a bit but there is an alcove with a water heater, sink and fridge. Trust me it will never feature in ideal homes (or workplaces) despite its recent ‘upgrade’. But trust me what comes out of that ‘kitchen’ would gladden the heart of Master Chef Judges. Sadly, it doesn’t gladden mine. The clever hot pack-ups (largely I guess the dinner of the night before) actually cause much irritation. It may be nutritious and colourful and it may have even looked and smelled appetizing the night before, but the smoked haddock, sardine, kale and coriander fishcakes give off an aroma that is quite simply not conducive to work. I need only to mention the squash and coconut curry or the liver and bacon pitta for you to get the picture (and smell) of the office at lunchtime.

Then last, but by no means least, are the telephone talkers, yes it’s part of the job to answer the phone but we don’t all need to hear it? And as for the personal calls, well mobiles are in fact quite mobile so if you are going to break up with your boyfriend, do us all a favour and leave the office to do it! Must confess though the other night my fella said I was talking a bit loudly on my mobile but I soon set him straight, I was talking to my daughter and she IS IN AUSTRALIA!! Obvioulsy I had to shout!!!

But I am not unreasonable, I could put up with it at lunch time, by going out for lunch obviously, but as most people on the floor where I work are folk who have to go ‘offsite’ a lot, lunchtime seems to start at 10 am and can go on 18

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Terenzo Striped Lambswool Throw £95, www.thefinecottoncompany.com

Aurelia Garza 'The Daily Brief' Bag POA , www.aurelia-garza.myshopify.com

Lalique Vesta Pendant £6,200, www.lalique.com

AFFINITY Hummingbird Lingerie Gift Set £42.50 www.tallulahlove.com

Ginger, Caramel Salt,Meringue Choc £2.99 www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk

Munchy Seeds From £0.69, Sainsbury’s

HOT PICKS

Floozie by Frost French PJ's £28 Debenhams

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

MaskerAide Beauty Restore Mask £5.00, www.maskeraide.co.uk

All Glass Dressing Table Mirror £204 www.decorativemirrorsonline.co.uk

Scrabble Cushion £16.95, Melody Maison

Turquoise and CrystalBracelet £25, www.roseandaster.com

Travel Eye Mask £50, www.otisbatterbee.com

Mua Mua Leather Instragram Bag £225, www.brownsfashion.com

Carboncans Earphones £99, www.angleandcurve.com

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Treatment of the Month

GLAMTASTIC Facial I could feel my face tingling so I knew the MUD must be working its magic to firm and lift my skin and make me look 20 years younger (I can but dream!) Whilst it was performing miracles, my therapist gave me a relaxing head massage which had me drifting off into relaxation heaven - after approximately 10 minutes the mud mask was removed with hot mitts.

Ever wondered why celebrities always look so fresh and glowing at award ceromonies? The secret is because they are privy to GLAMGLOW an exceptional performance driven mud treatment that leaves your skin instantly “Glowing!” Now you can experience the celebrity treatment yourself with a GLAMTASTIC bespoke facial at Y Spa. The facial combines the brand’s award-winning mud masks with its GLAMTASTIC diagnosis matrix, allowing your treatment to be customized just for you. Deciding I wanted to glow like a celebrity I went along to experience a bit of GLAMGLOW for myself. Just the name ouses glamour and I couldn’t wait to see the results. Relaxing on the treatment bed with the tranquil music playing softly in the background, my therapist Jennie began by thoroughly cleansing my face with the POWERMUD which is specially designed for deep cleansing, following this the YOUTHMUD was applied all over my face, this is perfect for exfoliating with antiageing effects and some BRIGHTMUD was dotted around my eyes.

Lastly THIRSTYMUD is massaged into the face, this helps replenish dehydrated skin. The result – My skin looked glowing, my eyes shone and I radiated and still radiated 5 days later. This is a highly recommended facial treatment with a serious WOW factor – Make sure you book yours today!

GLAMTASTIC Facial £65 for 50 minutes Y Spa 0333 7007667 www.yspa.co.uk

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Learning to Shine W

e’ve probably all heard about a fear of failure, we may even know people who, rather than take a risk and perhaps fail, prefer to stay where they know they are safe. Reaching outside of their comfort zone can bring them face to face with their fear of failure, so often it is something they choose not to do.

and keeps them stuck exactly where they are much like a fear of failure. So why is it that people fear success? If you talk to people not many would say that they don’t want to be successful. Externally they may be doing all sorts of things to ensure that they are successful, studying, working hard in their job or business and, from the outside they are definitely chasing success. Fear of success is something that is often subconscious, so people don’t even know they are afraid

What is often talked about much less, is a fear of success. Many of you might be thinking that’s completely silly but in fact it operates in a powerful way in many people’s lives 22

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of it, but they might actually be doing all sorts of things that sabotage any chance they actually have of being successful.

Where does this fear come from? For many people the fear of success may stem from the past, from beliefs that were prevalent either when they were growing up or earlier in life, which have lodged in their subconscious without them actually being aware. So for some they might have grown up being surrounded by people who weren’t successful, or perhaps people who had experienced some success then things had gone wrong. Others may even have heard people saying that success changes people, or that it is always other people who are successful. All of these thoughts will stick with us in our subconscious and what happens is that they make us believe deep down that we cannot be successful.

What are the fears? As a coach working with people who are afraid of success often there are specific issues which can be categorized as follows: Fear of change - Suddenly having a successful business would bring change and this is very scary for some people. Some people are afraid that it will change them, others are afraid that it will change their life and while part of them may welcome that change, there is also a fear of the unknown. Fear of what people may think - Let’s be honest some friends and family would be very glad, but of course others may actually be resentful and that worries a lot of people. How would friends react if some how you got that top job and had a lot more money than them, or how would a partner feel if you actually enjoyed a measure of success that they didn’t.

Lack of belief that they actually deserve to be successful - This has to be the big one. No end of people I work with in coaching actually have a deep seated belief that success is for others and not actually for them. It may be that people have said things to them like, ‘you’ll never make it’ ‘things never work out for our family’, ‘we just don’t have any luck in life’ or any one of a thousand other things and these can somehow hit home, and we take them in and sort of absorb them without even realising that it is happening. The result is that we end up believing it is true and whatever we may be 23

doing on the outside that subconscious belief will mean a lot of our efforts are sabotaged. If you’d like to read more about mind-sets follow this link http://sheilamulvenney.hubpages.com/h ub/6-mindsets-you-need-right-now

What can be done? In many ways it really doesn’t matter what the specific fear is, the fact is that your mindset needs to change. The first step is to start believing that you are deserving. Why ever would you not be? But if you find it hard to say ‘I deserve to be successful’ then the chances are that you find it hard to believe that you deserve success. Often this comes from a low self-esteem but the good news is, this can change. The first step is simply to decide that you want to change and if you think you need help with that then make a decision to get help. How to Shine When you are successful, however you as an individual would define ‘success’, people will notice you. People at work, your family and friends they will notice you, so you have to be comfortable with people saying well done and maybe even looking up to you. In fact when you shine you are exposed. In many ways it is much easier, and for many people safer, to stay a bit invisible. Let’s face it, in our particular society we have a lot of things to say about people shining and not many of them are positive – we say ‘don’t get above yourself’, ‘who do you think you are’ or ‘I remember when they were just a….’ not very positive at all. But the other side is that every individual has a unique set of skills and abilities and attributes and if you are not allowing these to be seen, then it’s not only you that might suffer as a result but you are actually robbing others and the world of that talent. To shine and be successful at whatever you want, you have to have self-belief, and you have to feel that it’s ok to be successful. So maybe now is the time for you to step into the limelight, go on take that risk, you have hidden your light for far too long. Now might just be the time for you to shine. For more information about any aspect of this article or help with low self-esteem or other emotional issues contact Attuned Education 07921193479 or info@attunededucation.com www.attunededucation.com

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Purple Power

This Autumn sees purple back on trend in the form of fashion, lipstick, eyeshadow and nail colour. We take a look at a few of our favourites.

NYX Eyeshadow ES139 £5

Bare Minerals Passionate Plum £15 Selfridges

Jessica Midnight Aﬀair £10.50

OPI Nail Polish in O Suzi Mio, £12.50

MAC Heroine Lipstick £15.50

Rimmel Kate Lasting Lipstick 30 £5.49

Laura Mercier Black Plum Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Viper Nail Polish £27

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FASHION Affinity

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Kool in Khaki

Angel Sleeve Dress £59 Very

Shirt Dress £38 Next

Rochelle Humes Lace Dress £49 Very

High Neck Top Next

Skirt £24 Next

Blouse £39.50 Marks & Spencer

Suede Pinafore Missy Empire

Tassel Necklace £14.50 Dorothy Perkins

Stella Fitted Dress £70 People Tree

Shoes £35 Dorothy Perkins Top £34.99 JD Williams

Fringed Poncho £19.99 New Look

Khaki Jumper £79 EAST

Therapy Bag £35 House of Fraser

Pussy Bow Blouse £28 Next

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Good as Grey

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DBracelet £12 Debenhams

Blouse £45 M&S

Betty Jackson Ring £10 Debenhams

Fedora £14.99 New Look Jumpsuit £89 Marks & Spencer H! by Henry Holland £35 Debenhams

Collection Dress Marks & Spencer

Daviner Shoes £79 Dune

Jumper £69 Marks & Spencer

Skirt £35 M&S

Top £35 Principles

Limited Edition Wrap £45 M&S

Betty Jackson Trousers £45 Debenhams

Tweed Skirt £40 Next

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Walk this way

Snakeskin Boots £65 Faith

Tan Boots £ New Look Boots £39.50 M&S

Red Herring £45 Debenhams

Boots £75 Faith Prestonn Boots £115 Dune

Alberto Zago at Zalando £165 www.zalando.co.uk

Ben de Lisi Boots £49 Debenhams

Layla Ankle Boot £150 Phase Eight

Boots New Look Parker Boots £129 Dune

Chocolate Schubar £120 www.zalando.co.uk

Padston Boots £99 Dune

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Bardot Dress £25 Miss Selfridge

Berry Beautiful Betty Jackson £39.50 Debenhams

Leather Look Dress £45 Simply Be

Dress £22.99 New Look

Biba Shirt £79 House of Fraser

Jasper Conran Necklace £25 Debenhams

Red Herring Shift Dress £25 Debenhams Kacie Dress £89 Phase Eight

Skirt £19.99 Red Herring Hat £30 Debenhams

Tilia Dress £109 Monsoon

Daﬃe Bag £85 Dune Poncho £25 Very

Shoes £45 Wallis Matthew Williamson £12 Debenhams

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Lysa Bra £22 Briefs £24 Houseoﬀraser.co.uk

Janet Reger £26 Debenhams

Floozie by Frost French From £20 Debenhams

Daisy Bra £24 Briefs £10 Houseoﬀraser.co.uk

J by Jasper Conran From £22 Debenhams

Sarina Bra £24 Briefs £10 houseoﬀraser.co.uk

Opulent Lace Peacock Blue Bra £55, Knickers £30 tallulahlove.com

Lingerie Luxe Aliza Satin Bra £25 Briefs £14 JD Williams

Chantilly Blush Bra £45 Knickers £25 tallulahlove.com

marksandspencer

Gangsters Moll Bra £55 Knickers £30 tallulahlove.com

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Stylish in Suede Skirt £35 Next

Dress £35 Very

Suede Tassell Dress Miss Selfridge

Principles Dress £45 Debenhams

Sam Faiers Fringe Dress £99 Very

Burgundy Skirt £65 Miss Selfridge

Culottes £80 F&F

Slouch Shoulder Bag £36 Very

Tasseled Waistcoat £80 Simply Be

Knee High Suede Boots £120 Next Suede Popper Skirt £39.99 New Look

Waistcoat £44.99 New Look

Suede Shorts £49 Very

Suede Skirt £70 Next

Tan Suede Dress Wallis

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Did You Know? 214 Million 365 thousand and 469 Tweets are sent each day!

Only 12% of Small Businesses Are Confident Using Social Media Effectively

I often meet people who have tried to market their business online but for some reason it just hasn’t worked for them. There are 4 main reasons for being unsuccessful with business marketing. • Not understanding it. • Not knowing how to use it effectively. • Being time poor. • Having tried things before and they haven’t worked.

A few years ago we had limited options to spread the word about our business. Thankfully, these days there are tons of ways to get your brand out there. Websites, email, direct mail and social media - the list goes on. The great thing about social media is that the numbers of people using it are massive! The bad thing about social media is that the numbers of people using it are massive! It's fantastic that your customers are out there, but so are your competitors and everyone else too! That's a lot of noise to stand out from! On the plus side you have a global audience waiting to hear what you have to say, offer or take the advice you can give them as the expert in your field. To keep up with your competition and to stand out it’s vital that you’re using social media for your business. Not using it or using it badly can be equally as damaging to customer or client relationships. Whether you love it or hate it, in this day and age you NEED to be using Social Media: • It’s one of the most effective ways of increasing 36

traffic and generating new business. • It creates brand awareness, builds a community and allows you to interact with clients or customers.

• Smaller Businesses have an advantage to compete with larger rivals by giving customers the attention through social media platforms. Larger rivals will struggle to replicate such a bond. • It should only be a part of your marketing strategy, an effective website, Google Adwords, web video and direct mail all go hand in hand when creating your strategy. A Final Thought:

• Set Objectives and Measure Results. As with any strategy setting objectives is the first place to start. Setting Objectives is the easy part – achieving them is the real challenge. • Who is your online tribe? Your target market? Who are your customers? What is their typical age, location, interests and habits? Get this ironed out and you’ll know who to create content for. • Time Commitment You MUST dedicate time to Social Media to make it a successful strategy. You really need a minimum of 1-2 hours a day. Social Media is exactly that, it’s social so you need to be social. It’s an amazing tool for creating bonds then building credibility and trust will follow. For more information speak to Carys www.speckyandginge.com. There are over One Billion One Hundred Thousand Facebook users, and half of those users log on every day.

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FOOD & DRINK Affinity

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A Great British Tradition

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea, that most quintessential of English customs is something we all adore with many places now adding a slight twist on the original tea - we bring you a round-up of some of our favourites:

Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London This year the Lewis Carroll classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is 150 years old, the perfectly placed hotel, St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London has drawn on this and created a Mad Hatter inspired Afternoon Tea that will certainly have you disappearing down the rabbit hole! The table with its china teapots, a larger than life pocket watch and extra large playing cards, set the scene perfectly. The food is just as delightful, from the fresh finger sandwiches on a selection of beetroot, carrot and white bread, to the Queen of Hearts Mango Tart, Chocolate Tea Cup, Pocket Watch Macaroons, and Drink Me Strawberry Potion all of which are expertly created by pastry chef Nikhil Vyas, who has worked his magic to create a foodies delight, with a taste just as divine - add to this your very own limited edition copy of this classic (which has been given a new lease of life with a cover created by East London artist Ethan McClean) and you will be hoping it’s always tea time! £30 per person (An extra £12 for a hardback copy of the limited edition book) www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk

Laurent Perrier Afternoon Tea – Burnham Beeches Hotel Dating back to 1727 Burnham Beeches Hotel is a beautiful Georgian Mansion with Afternoon Tea being taken in the Georgian Lounge overlooking the extensive grounds. Finger sandwiches range from very English ham and mustard to fresh smoked salmon and cream cheese. Scones come with delicious clotted cream and strawberry jam, with the addition of vanilla cheesecake, fruit meringue, banana cake and chocolate brownies all executed perfectly – Let’s not forget the tea with a choice of Assam, Earl Grey, Gunpowder Green, Jasmine, White Pearls, Milk Oolong and Rooibos, while the Laurent Perrier Brut or Cuvee Rose makes this a delicious decadent treat. £25 - £29 Per Person www.corushotels.com/burnham

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Knight’s Gentleman’s Tea – Coombe Abbey

Coombe is as the name suggests an actual Abbey which was built in the 12th Century, thus the Knight’s Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea fits perfectly with the surroundings. Delicate finger sandwiches, are replaced with a Cotswold sausage scotch duck egg, mature cheddar and sticky pickle sandwich, mini English Wagyu Burger, and pork pie from the Brinklow based Malt Kiln Farm shop. All freshly made savouries are full of flavour and accompanied with the most delicious homemade real ale chutney. Tasty Sparkling Wine & Pimms Jelly, Ruby Peach Puree and a Summer Fruit Tartlet and of course freshly baked scones finish this manly tea off with of course a choice of Newby loose leaf tea - and the icing on the cake - a half pint of Ale of Coombe – Perfect for any Knight getting ready to go into battle! £22.95 per person www.coombeabbey.com

The Crown Jewels Afternoon Tea The Skylounge, Doubletree by Hilton Tower of London Visit the Skylounge on the twelfth floor of the Doubletree Hilton and experience the delights of their Crown Jewels Afternoon Tea whilst enjoying the panoramic views over London. Next to The Tower of London so there should of course, be some crown jewels somewhere around; starting with a mini sage and onion sausage roll followed by quintessential sandwiches of coronation chicken, egg and watercress and poached salmon and horseradish – it then gets all regal with a Sovereign’s Orb chocolate pop cake, a Sceptre Cross lemon and poppy seed macaroon and there’s even a chocolate and orange Anointing Spoon, all served on a purple and gold velvet cushion, an expertly designed foodie work of art almost too royal to eat! £30 per person www.doubletree3.hilton.com

Chocolate Afternoon Tea – Whittlebury Hall Hotel Love chocolate? Then this is the afternoon tea for you! Made up of finger sandwiches of cucumber, ham and mustard and smoked salmon followed by a real chocolate indulgence of a white chocolate & pistachio cone which just melted in the mouth, a dark chocolate & salted caramel brownie, milk chocolate & raspberry tart and a chocolate & orange Madeleine, even the scones have a chocolate fix with chocolate chips -absolute heaven to eat and highly recommended to chocoholics everywhere. £19.95 per person www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

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Dinner Parties at Dewsall

The Wow Factor!

We have found the perfect accompaniments to stop every dish being bland and boring - Tracklements, the artisanal condiments brand that offers over 55 products in their range of delicious jams, chutneys, relish and marmalades including Fresh Chili Jam and Sticky Fig Relish. Now you can transform every ordinary dish into an extraordinary one. With a RRP of £2.05 - £3.70 and available nationwide you'll have your friends vying for your secret.

FOODIE NEWS

Good to Go Delivered straight to your door Graze boxes have been around for a few years but now you can get Graze without getting the box! Graze have releases their ‘Good to Go’ range which can now be found in shops such as Boots and Sainsbury’s, (99p - £1.49), clearly labeled with calories and how many of your 5 a day it contains you won’t need to waste time reading the label. Ideal for snacking, traveling or just because……… .With 12 delicious snacks to chose from you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Dewsall Court, the definitive ten bedroom countryside celebration house in Herefordshire is this month launching their new 'Dinner Parties at Dewsall' series which will run from September through to March 2016. The series of events will build on the existing concept of the very successful Dewsall Supper Club. Rather than just hosting chefs, the events will now also feature other famous names from the world of gastronomy, such as cookbook writers and broadcasters who often don't have their own restaurants, in a rare and exclusive opportunity to sample their coveted dishes. The dinner parties are set to draw foodies from far and wide, with expert cooks taking over the Dewsall kitchen to each produce a bespoke four course menu accompanied by specially selected wines. The relaxed evenings will be full of fun and conversation and will take place in the opulent surroundings of Dewsall's Orangery style conservatory. Prices start from £62 per person, www.dewsall.com

A Tuck-Box of Treats

Looking for a really delicious treat for yourself or a brilliant gift that works for every kind of occasion? We have found it in the form of Great Bakes, they have it covered with wonderfully indulgent artisan goodies, cleverly packaged in a refillable retro style tin. It's the new take on bakes - sexy, chocolatey, grown up, and moreish – we guarantee you'll earn major brownie points when you send them! Ordering is simple. Just choose your bake and they’ll hand make it, carefully package the treat in its slick little tin and deliver it anywhere in the UK. Each 198mm x 140mm tin contains 12 generously sized Stickyjacks or Brownies. Prices are £19.95. Refills are priced at £17.50. To order go to www.greatbakes.co.uk

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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

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Caramelised Lambs Liver with Bacon and Onion Gravy 44

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“

A nostalgic comforting dish, that's rich and nutritious - Just perfect for supper as the evenings get longer

Ingredients 6oz liver per person 4 rashers of bacon 1 onion Half glass of red wine Fresh beef stock Mashed potato to serve Vegetables to serve

Method In a pan heat a little oil until very hot, season the liver and place in the pan with a knob of butter, fry for 20-30 seconds a side until coloured but still pink in the middle. Remove the liver from the pan and set aside. Now slice the onions and bacon and fry in the liver pan until the onion starts to soften down, add the red wine and reduce by half, then add the beef stock and bring to the boil. Once your mashed potatoes and vegetables are ready to serve return the liver with the juices to the pan of red wine gravy, bringing it back to the boil. Then simmer for 3-5 minutes until the liver is cooked through stirring occasionally. Serve with liver atop the mash with the vegetables and the gravy.

Brought to you by the Chef The Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant, Sharnbrook, Beds Bella Perla Pinot Grigio 2014 It’s not very often that we get revved up about the wines we like to drink every day, but this hot little number is a bit stirring. It is not your run-of-themill brasserie special, but a proper rolling-hills, cooler climate classic, with more intensity of flavour than most. It's a cracking little drop for an aperitif, whether you be soaking up the sunshine or waiting for your risotto to be limpid. Enjoy with seafood, seafood risotto even! £8.99, Virgin Wines

Ess & See McLaren Vale Vermentino 2014 Vermentino is a wonderfully expressive variety native to Italy, but plantings elsewhere are on the rise.The vineyard sits on a prize piece of land to the east of the sea, cooled by the gentle breezes, where the Vermentino grapes develop their intense citrus-like characters. That zingy punch makes this a magnificent aperitif and a great match with anything you love from the sea. £13.99, Virgin Wines

The Big Mo’ Viognier 2014 A graceful wine with wonderful apricot and peach flavours, plus a good old backbone of acidity to keep it all vital. A great aperitif, with enough grunt to meet a Thai curry too. £9.99 Virgin Wines

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Elderflower jelly with fresh berry compote

Ingredients

For the jelly 300 ml elderflower cordial 400 ml cold water 6 leaves gelatine 1 tsp fresh lemon juice For the compote 500g mixed berries (blackcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries) 50-85g/2-3oz golden caster sugar Flavourings to choose from 1 vanilla pod 1 cinnamon stick 2-3 sprigs of fresh mint or lemon balm

Method

For the jelly

Mix the cordial with the cold water in a jug. Soak the gelatine for 5 minutes in just enough cold water to cover. Meanwhile, warm 100 ml (3 fl oz) of the cordial mix in a medium pan until hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat. Squeeze out any excess water from the gelatine. Stir the gelatine into the warm cordial until fully dissolved. Add the remaining cordial mix and the lemon juice, and stir well. You must add the remaining cordial to the dissolved gelatine and not vice versa, or it can cause the gelatine to go stringy.

For the compote

If using strawberries, hull, halve or quarter to make them a similar size to the other berries. Tip all the fruits into a large pan with 2-3 tbsp water, sugar to taste and your choice of flavourings. Bring to the boil then simmer for 3-5 mins. Don't overcook, or the fruits will not hold their shape. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days, in the freezer for up to 3 months.

This sweet is brought to you by the Chef The Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant, Sharnbrook, Beds 46

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Man v Food Challenge Friday 25th September

3 course dinner, including a Monstrous Mixed Grill £100 prize money for the person to finish first £25 per person

Gourmet Night

Friday 2nd October 5 course dinner £35 per person, also available with accompanying wines

Tapas Night

Friday 2nd October

Tapas main course followed by Spanish desserts £20 per person including a jug of Sangria on the table

Our New Look Sunday Lunch

£11.95 Sunday Roast (including all the trimmings!) Children under 10 eat free from the Children's Menu

Pudding Night

Friday 18th September Join us for our next pudding night! Only £16 for a main course and as many desserts as you can squeeze in

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

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FURNISHERS

FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE CHOICE, QUAILTY & VALUE...

Furniture made to your specifications in Oak and Pine and also a choice of Waxed Finishes. Also available painted finishes from FARROW and BALL. You supply a drawing to Carlo and he will ensure your piece of furniture is created with care and attention. www.carlofurnishers.com 127 Barkers Lane Bedford MK41 9RT Like us on Facebook 01234 355525

Visit our showroom at Google Maps

Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Sunday: 11am - 4pm

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INTERIORS Affinity

tescodirect

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Candle Light Tuberose Triple Wick Candle £22 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Alteeneh Fig Candle £38 ancienneambiance.com

Wick and Tallow Patchouli and Grapefruit £35 wickandtallow.com

Woo Candle (Made using recycled Wine & Vodka bottles) £15 esensualliving.com

Rathbornes 4 Wick Candle

Scented Spiced Orange Candle £26 okadirect.com

Lace Candle Pot £15 Pastel Lane

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Woodlot Recharge Eco Candle £23 suitehazen.com Green Fig & Cedar Candle £18 Iconic Candle OKA Spiced Orange Scented Candle, £26.00 okadirect.com

Fresh Balm Scented Candle £20 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Jardins D'Ecrivains Candles £28 suitehazen.com

Eliixir Signature Candle £30 charlesfarris.co.uk Flamingo Candle Lotus Blossom & Water Lily £22 flamingocandles.co.uk

Tom Dixon Scented Candles (set 3) £80 Amara

Alexander Designs Earl Grey Candle £29.50 makethemostof.co.uk

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Lac Du Bourget Diﬀuser £35 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Earth Secrets Reed Diﬀuser £5.25 beautynaturala.com

Dream Diffusers

These diffusers will not only look good in any home they will also make it smell just as wonderful.

Ted Baker Miami Diﬀuser £35 Amara

Natuzzi Onice Diﬀuser £60 natuzzi.co.uk

Spring Garden Diﬀuser £38 okadirect.com

Winter Berries Reed Diﬀuser £13.95 Annabel James

Natuzzi Ambra Diﬀuser £60 natuzzi.co.uk

Garden of Eden Signature Reed Diﬀuser £32 charlesfarris.co.uk

Luxury Silver Top Diﬀuser £29 Skandihome

Alexander Designs Diﬀuser £22.50 makethemostof.co.uk

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Close Shave Cowshed Bullocks Smooth Shaving Cream £14 Lookfantastic.com

Tabac Shaving Soap £6.10 Boots.co.uk Elemis Men Ice Cool Foam Shave Gel £22.50 Debenhams

Bull Dog Sensitive Shave Cream £3.50 Bull Dog Shave Gel £3.50 meetthebulldog.com Soothing Shave Cream £16 Portlandandengland.com

The Bluebeards revenge Shaving Cream £9.99

Clinique Mens Aloe Shave Gel £15 John Lewis

Spanish Fig & Nutmeg Shave Balm £14.99 thepresentfinder.co.uk

Wet Gun Dog After Shave Cream or Balm £8.50 thepresentfinder.co.uk

Shiseido Mens Shaving Cream £20.50 Boots

Molton Brown Razorglide Shaving Gel £22 moltonbrown.co.uk

Fry’s Footie Corner

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In football these days, there are not too many fairytale stories around, but the addition of AFC Bournemouth to the Premier League this season does bring a little more of romance to the biggest league in the world.

has taken the club to the unprecedented high of competing in the Premier League. They have played some excellent football along the way and Howe is one of the brightest young managers in the game.

They may be financed by a multimillion pound owner these days, but it was not so long ago that the Cherries were on the brink of extinction. Money worries and worries on the pitch led to the club being a few minutes away from exiting the Football League and current manager Eddie Howe has seen it all.

They may have been beaten by Liverpool in their first away fixture in the Premier League, but they demonstrated that their philosophy won’t change and why should it – it is attractive on the eye and more than that, they have good players.

As a player, he helped steer the Cherries to promotion through the leagues and now, as the manager, he

I personally believe it is great to see a club like Bournemouth competing in the Premier League and I would not be surprised if they avoid relegation as well – and that really would be an achievement that far 58

outweighs what has gone before. They, like others in the Premier League will be in a mad scramble to add to their squads ahead of the transfer deadline at the beginning of September. This year that concludes at 5pm which will be a blow for Sky Sports News who like to bring a bit of drama to proceedings. There has been plenty of rumours about multi-million pound deals being done before the deadline and I am sure, like years before, there will be a record number of deals completed.

Barry Fry

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21 Years of Progress

The Limited Edition Audi A8

little over two decades have passed since the groundbreaking Audi A8 was first introduced, and Audi UK is celebrating the enduring appeal of its luxury saloon with a bespoke model – the Edition 21. Incorporating a choice blend of the latest developments in design, technology and luxury from the recently revised A8 range, many of which are fitted as

standard exclusively to this version, the A8 Edition 21 will be available in standard and Long Wheelbase formats priced at £72,525 OTR and £76,490 OTR. A limited run of just 121 cars is now available to order, and customers can expect first deliveries to begin in November. A tailored selection of interior and exterior styling enhancements sets 60

this special model apart, starting with the recently introduced Sport styling package. Creating a look that references the flagship S8 model, it comprises redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as pronounced side sills, and is normally reserved for standard wheelbase A8 models. Adaptive Audi Matrix LED headlights – which debuted as an option for the new generation A8 and were the first

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ever fully digital LED headlights on a series production car – are also fitted as standard in conjunction with LED rear lights and dynamic indicators fore and aft. Also unique to this model are 20-inch double spoke alloy wheels with a titanium-look finish that complement the four exterior colour options, which include the Daytona grey pearl effect shade that is only normally available for the 520 PS S8. Privacy glass from the B-pillar rearwards is also standard. Sumptuous Surroundings. Building on the already extensive SE Executive specification which was recently further enhanced for A8 models, the Edition 21 creates an even more rarefied atmosphere through a special interior design package from the Audi exclusive selection. Uniquely fitted as standard

to this version, the package is available in two striking colour combinations; cognac brown with black contrasting stitching or black leather with red contrasting stitching. Comfort front sports seats with memory function, 22-way adjustability and integrated pneumatic lumbar and side bolster support are fitted as standard. A black cloth headlining and threespoke multi-function steering wheel complete the interior enhancements. Illuminated door sill plates bearing the ‘Edition 21’ emblem add another degree of exclusivity. Propelling the A8 Edition 21 is an EU6-compliant 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine which produces 262PS and 580Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Power is channelled to the road via an 8-speed tiptronic transmission linked to quattro permanent all-wheel drive, and 61

acceleration to 62 mph takes a mere 5.9 seconds. For long-wheelbase models, this increases slightly to 6.1 seconds, and both are capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Combined fuel consumption and emissions stand at up to 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 155 g/km in the standard wheelbase, rising to 159g/km and 47.1mpg for long wheelbase models. The made to measure Audi A8 Edition 21 features a unique, generously appointed specification based largely on the personalised Audi exclusive design selection. The Audi A8 has consistently been at the forefront of the brand’s technological progression since its introduction, and was the platform for the revolutionary Audi Space Frame, making it the world’s first series production car with a unitary aluminium body.

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Days Get Shorter, Nights Get More Entertaining! It’s Autumn the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – and a fantastic line-up of amazing shows at Milton Keynes Theatre!

you’ve got The Glenn Miller Story, a new show to get you In The Mood, coming to Milton Keynes at the end of October.

When they are rehearsing a show, The Bunbury Players are very much in earnest. In this case, it’s The Importance of Being Earnest that they are presenting. A starry cast of some of our best known actors, including Nigel Havers, Martin Jarvis and Sian Phillips, kick off the autumn season at MKT with an original take on Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy.

Book your tickets now for this one. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, coming to Milton Keynes Theatre in November, picked up seven Olivier awards in London and five Tonys on Broadway – rightly so. This National Theatre production, based on the awardwinning novel by Mark Haddon, is one of those shows that make live theatre such a very special experience.

They may be Dirty Rotten Scoundrels but the two swindlers who try and fleece the well-heeled tourists on the French Riviera may well find that making a living as con-men is tougher than they thought.

No-one can survive alone. Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility accused of a double murder, former accountant Andy Dufresne finds that out to his cost. The Shawshank Redemption is regularly voted the nation’s number one movie of all time. Now you can see the classic story on stage in a new production.

Snuggling into an ermine trimmed cape in October and direct from a sold-out run in London that earned five star reviews, King Charles lll suggests one possible scenario for the future with Robert Powell as the newly-crowned monarch on the British throne.

Almost single-handedly – or should that be footedly Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have elevated ballroom dancing to a new art form. They are back in November with a thrilling new live performance. But The Last Tango is what it says on the tin; it’s their final ever theatre tour… Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the best panto in the region. Following on from last year’s recordbreaking show, Peter Pan, the star cast will be flying the magic carpet off to the Far East in Aladdin, with all your favourite panto characters on board. Get into the festive spirit right here at Milton Keynes Theatre!

Theatre at its best comes in many forms. While it’s true that English National Ballet is one of the great dance companies performing today, and Glyndebourne is a world famous festival opera company, both organisations have a reputation for being far more than the sum of their parts. ENB’s Romeo and Juliet, inventive and passionately choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev, and Lest We Forget, a poignant reflection on World War l, are both unforgettable theatrical experiences. Milton Keynes Theatre is one of only three venues in the UK lucky enough to host Glyndebourne Tour 2015. And this year, the company is proud to present the next generation of opera stars in three diverse works by Mozart, Donizetti and Handel.

With an amazing line-up of one night shows including comedy from Dara O Briain, Milton Jones and Paddy McGuiness, live music from The Hollies, Squeeze and UB40, anecdotes and reflections from that multi-talented actor, globe-trotter and former Python nutter, Michael Palin and the very best from tribute bands performing music by Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll the autumn season at Milton Keynes Theatre is more than enough to keep the winter chill at bay!

Tommy Steele has been a household name for more than fifty years. As a song and dance man, no-one else comes anywhere near his talent and the affection in which he’s held. Glenn Miller was the great star of the big band sound. Combine the two and immerse them in the true story of Miller’s mysterious disappearance in 1944 and 62

Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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TRAVEL

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Affinity

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Imposing The lap of luxury

nique, luxurious and wonderfully invigorating are not usually the words used to describe a couple of days in London in the middle of the school summer holidays, but that was exactly what we found at The London EDITION Hotel which blends groundbreaking innovation, great design, outstanding dining with a personal, friendly, modern service. Located in Fitzrovia on the edge of London’s Soho neighborhood, it’s no wonder the likes of Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and Cara Delevingne like to pay this exqusite boutique hotel a visit. soft white linens, warm walnut tones that are echoed in the wood panelled walls, oak floors and fur throws to find a delightful fresh Gin Cocktail made by the Lobby Bar’s Mixologist waiting for us, a lovely touch after a hectic day. Refuelled and refreshed we headed down to Berner’s Tavern, one of the hottest places to eat in London, an elegant work of art from floor to ceiling. The lighting is gentle and subdued, walls are filled with numerous paintings, the icing on the cake being two huge chandeliers, hanging overhead modelled on those found in NYC’s Grand Central Station, in fact the décor takes

Doormen usher you in through a doorway that is lit from above by rows of lightbulbs into a magnificent lobby that mixes old and new effortlessly. With it’s huge mirrored egg hanging from the high ceiling to the snooker table and roaring fire all blending together to create a public space that wouldn’t look out of place in a combined country manor and classic London private gentleman's club. After traipsing from one press show to another on overcrowded tube trains and fighting our way through Oxford Street shoppers we returned to our room with its 66

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your breath away, as does the food with Michelins t a r r e d Executive Chef Jason Atherton putting a twist on traditional British cuisine with a restaurant menu that is e n t i r e l y sourced in the UK, prawn cocktail with lobster jelly, avocado and crispy shallot, roasted loin of rabbit, Alsace bacon, carrot and rabbit Bolognese, BBQ turbot T-bone, summer vegetables, Escabeche broth and tarragon, flaming Alaska and strawberry éclair, mascarpone cream and chocolate sorbet, are just a few of the enticing dishes on offer. A meal here is a real occasion, food is impressive, service is second to none, décor elegant and delightful and the ambience is just perfect.

include hazlenut waffles, berries and cream, Severn & Wye cured smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and smoked ham omlette plus a vast selection of juices and smoothies to accompany the many tasty breakfast choices – you can see why this place is a hit with celebrities and the London Elite, proving what everyone says that once you’re here you won’t want to leave, it

After dinner The Lobby Bar proved too tempting for us to not try one of the iconic cocktails which included ‘Room with a View’, ‘Vintage Vesper’ and ‘Sloe Long Sweet-Tart’ – Cocktails drunk we retired to our room for a restful nights sleep. Back in Berners Tavern for breakfast was just as enjoyable a dining experience as the night before, buzzing with residents, corporate meetings, family breakfasts - the restaurant caters for everyone, though this doesn’t mean the service or taste is compromised, with the freshest most delicious breakfast choices, mine being a banana, granola, honey and milk smoothie and a full English breakfast that was mouthwateringly delicious (in fact, my mouth still waters thinking about it). Other menu choices

is a pure escapisim, with its luxurious décor, absolutely outstanding dining, warm friendly service, personal and modern touches we can see why.

Rates from £335 per night www.editionhotels.com

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Spring into Springs

est and Relaxation are two words we all love to dream about, so instead of dreaming I decided to drag (well it didn’t take a lot of dragging), my husband along to experience some for ourselves at Champneys Springs in Leicestershire.

scalp massage following this – a truly invigorating pampering experience with aromatherapy techniques using rose oil, frankincense and inner strength oil. I left feeling relaxed physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Having been to the other Champneys around the country I thought I would pay a visit to the only one I hadn’t managed to get to yet. As you walk across the water walkway with a fountain splashing gently and fish swimming beneath you, you can feel your worries disappear and the peace and tranquility engulf you. Greeted at the modern airy reception with a glass of the “juice of the day” and a choice of tea or coffee was that extra touch that went down perfectly. The staff are all warm and friendly and nothing is too much trouble, after a show round of the vast facilities we went to our room (Superior) with modern décor and a balcony with views across the grounds – stunning Exploring wasn’t an option for me as I was off to be pampered with an Inner Strength Body Treatment, which has been devised to celebrate Champneys 90th Birthday – Beginning with a frankincense steam inhalation, heated mitts are then used to apply the most amazing foot cleanse. A rich, deeply nourishing oil was then applied to the palms of my hands and feet, followed by paraffin wax, which is renowned for its comforting properties. The sensation of the hot paraffin wax on these points was amazing. My back was then treated to a deeply nurturing massage with Inner Strength Body Oil, with a facial and

Surrounded by wide-open parklands you’re never short of things to do inside and out. For the more energetic amongst us there’s cycling, tennis, walking, hiking, boot camp and an assortment of different classes – then for the less energetic amongst us (me) you can just laze around on one of the many loungers whether it’s by the pool, outside on the terrace or on the grassland around the property, this was my choice of activity whilst my husband was feeling ,more energetic and headed to the gym. 68

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All this relaxing had made me hungry so we headed to Dinner, which is the only formal meal that isn’t buffet style where smart casual is the dress code, (breakfast and lunch can be attended in your gown and slippers). The Food was delicious, fresh and creative a delight to the taste buds – all served in elegant surroundings. Dinner eaten we headed to the big comfy sofas in the surrounding lounge area to enjoy our coffee (well as you know tea for me) as we watched the world go by without a care in the world. After a wonderful night’s sleep and after breakfast I headed to the pool area for a little dip, before spending a little time in the sauna whilst hubbie who likes to explore took part in a couple of the classes (Foam Roller & Cardio Tennis). A walk in the glorious sunshine around the spectacular grounds after lunch left me feeling the need for a little retail therapy – with a large selection of spa products, fashion, jewellery and accessories the in house shops have you spoilt for choice even allowing you the luxury of borrowing tester products to enjoy in your room and return the next morning. Champneys Springs have created an envelope of relaxation and warmth that wraps you in a blanket of calm and tranquility allowing you to unwind completely. With an array of treatments and activities this is the ideal place to spend a couple of days recharging your batteries and enjoying some much needed time out in an amazing hideaway in beautiful surroundings www.champneys.com

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Disney on Ice

Worlds of Enchantment presents

As of the 25th of this month right through to January 2016 Mickey and Minnie Mouse will take families on a captivating adventure to four magical locations from Disney’s much loved Toy Story, Cars, The Little Mermaid and of course the number one animated feature film of all time ‘Frozen’. Audiences will enter the fantastical wintery world of Arendelle with royal sisters Anna and Elsa from the Award winning and number one animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen. With cars performing high-speed stunts like you’ve never seen before Worlds of Enchantment connects classic and new Disney stories, Audiences will be blown away in Radiator Springs when they encounter the unforgettable crew of animated cars, built to scale and live on ice. They will also see their all time favourites like The Little Mermaid and Toy Story 3. This magical world is non stop fun for the whole family. From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, this is not a show you want to miss! Starting at Glasgow and then visiting Newcastle., Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and finally London’s 02. For more details or to purchase tickets visit: www.disneyonice.co.uk

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Out and About This month saw us at:

Bedford Concert Series Three fabulous days of music brought to us by LPH Concerts saw us at Bedford Park watching Happy Mondays, UB40 and the traditional Proms in the Park. A great range of concerts with music to suit everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste and an amazing atmosphere, Bedford was buzzing. So, with a great range of concerts with stunning firework and laser shows to some of the top musical acts in the country, LPH Concerts have something for all tastes and all the family. With picnics, prosecco and patriotic flag waving the evening of The Proms ended in a spectacular fashion with the most amazing laser and firework display. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until next year!

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Social Paint at Brownes Coffee House

Being not much of an artist, the invitation to participate in social paint at Brownes Coffee House, I have to admit left me a little nervous, but I needn’t have worried, I had great fun. The idea is a ‘pop up paint party’ with no experience required, a glass or two of wine and step-by-step instructions means you can end up creating the perfect masterpiece, no matter what your level of drawing skills are! Go along with friends, or make new ones when you’re there - the choice is yours, but I can guarantee one thing you’ll have a blast and will be amazed at your skills as an artist. The next one is on 17th September at Brownes, get booking as spaces are limited – you won’t be disappointed!

Shrek The Musical Milton Keynes Theatre was where we found ourselves watching a big green giant, a donkey, a dragon and a princess as they set off on an adventure full of fun, laughter and fairytale misfits – you guessed it we went along for Shrek The Musical, this is the must see musical comedy of the year for old and young alike! It had us laughing from start to finish, with maybe a little lump in the throat on occasion!

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A quiet night in...

Summer Secrets by Jane Green A gripping tale of recovery and redemption. June,1998. At twenty-seven, Cat Coombs is struggling. She lives in London, works as a journalist, and parties hard. When she discovers the identity of the father she never knew she had, it sends her into a spiral. She makes mistakes that cost her the budding friendship of the only women who have ever welcomed her. And nothing is ever the same after that. June, 2014. Cat's life has come full circle. She wants to make amends to those she has hurt. Her quest takes her to Nantucket, the gorgeous New England island where the women she once called family still live. What Cat doesn't realise is that these women, her real father's daughters, have secrets of their own. As the past collides with the present, Cat must confront the darkest things in her own life and uncover the depths of someone's need for revenge.

The Martian Astronaut Matt Damon is stranded on Mars in Ridley Scott's nail-biting return to sci fi! A dust storm on the surface of the Red Planet leaves astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) to fend for himself. Now NASA tries desperately to get him home safely. Ridley Scott's thrilling follow-up to 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' boasts an amazing supporting cast, including Jessica Chastain and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Release Date: 2nd October

Mad Max: Fury Road The fourth installment in George Miller's apocalyptic Mad Max saga returns viewers to a familiar world of bleak desert landscapes, postsocietal chaos and the plight of desperate survivors and maniacal marauders. The ever stoic Max Rockatansky â&#x20AC;&#x201D; widower, survivor, nomad â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tries to merely exist on the fringes of a dangerous world, but manages to again be captured and tortured by its denizens. The catalyst to Max's survival may be a woman called Furiosa who gets sidetracked while on an endless trek to find her childhood home. However, the obstacles that stand in both Max's and Furiosa's way are enemies new and old. Release Date: 1st September 74