Just for Her Issue 14 by Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd

ust Her J

ISSUE 14

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JustHer

ISSUE 14

for

Directory for the Wives, Girlfr iends and Families of Milita ry Personnel

MODERN

Book

Everything you ever wanted to know about boudoir photography…

Just for Her is looking for interesting and relevant articles about the Service community… If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles in to justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk.

JustHer for

BEAUTY

Then &Now

Liv e

Directory for the Wives, Girlfriends and Families of Military Personnel

Club

Homemade

for

MODERN

Upcycling

like there’s

no midnight! Daf fodil Girls “Me moirs of the force behi nd the

force”

to kn ow Everythin g you ever wa nt ed hy… about boud oir ph ot og rap

Directory for the Wives, Girlfriends and Families of Military Personnel

Check us out online…

Homemade

BEAUTY

Like our Facebook page…

Then &Now

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Subscribe to Just for Her…

www.justforhermilitarymag.co.uk

Book Club

Live

Upcycling

like there’s

no midnight! Daffodil Girls “M em oirs of the force be hin d the

force”

Heather Cottage

Llanmadoc, Gower, SA3 1DE

01792 386668

Newly renovated, dog friendly, one bedroom holiday cottage (single story - no stairs) in Village of Llanmadoc. Walk to pub with food, village shop and beach. WIFI Broadband, SKY Sports and BT Sports, washer, dryer, dishwasher, enclosed garden & off road parking. Idyllic rural coast village location.

9 to 5 office job not for you?

www.gowerholidaycottage.com

GET in touch to find out how you can create your own business in your own time Wherever you are!

Ty Capten Farm

Luxury sustainable family holidays in Pembrokeshire Renew yourself and the planet at these delightful 5-star cottages. Enjoy Pembrokeshire at its best, only 3 miles from Newgale!

www.eco-barns.co.uk stay@eco-barns.co.uk 01348 831781/07786 266248

Relax and Unwind in our 4* self catering cottage on a working sheep farm in the Welsh border county of Monmouthshire The spacious and comfortable former stable, is a perfect base for a holiday with family or friends, sleeping upto 6.

Anna Teuma Copperstone Independent Forever Business Owner My Forever ID: 390 400 002 631 E-mail: anna.teuma3@gmail.com www.aloeveraannateuma.flp.com

Just a 20minute drive from the M4, severn bridge and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve escaped to the country, lots to see and do in the area or just relax in beautiful surroundings.

www.tycaptenfarm.co.uk | susan@tycaptenfarm.co.uk | 01633 450632

This is totally possible for you by having the right information and products. Go to Facebook: join the group Take Control of the way you look. Get personal assistance to start your journey to fall in love with your reflection again. Personal consultations contact: fiona.mowlem@gmail.com For all ages and skin types.

Sassi Gifts has thousands of beautiful gift items, from some of the leading UK suppliers, which is why we can always bring new items in each time we visit. Our prices are below the R.R.P keeping our visits ethical and beneficial. Our concept has proved so popular that we are now looking to expand our growing team of franchises across the UK. We are looking for people with a good sales background who love making a difference, meeting people of all ages, and of course drinking tea and having a good chat. We offer three tiers of joining, the first tier is free. There are no hidden charges, and full support and training is offered. Only one area per person, so no competition! If you would like to start your own business, plan your own diary, and make real part time or full time money then please contact us.

www.sassigifts.co.uk sandrasamra@sassigifts.co.uk

Would you like to see your article published? Just for Her is looking for interesting and relevant articles about the Service communityâ&#x20AC;Ś If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles in to justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk.

JustHer for

We have created d a stunning i range of dog colognes and perfumes to smell similar to the most popular perfumes and aftershaves on the High Street. The big difference is our dog cologne and perfume range is natural, kind to the skin and long lasting.

0800 061 4161 | Sales@PetPerfume.co.uk

www.petperfume.co.uk

NORTHERN IRELAND MILITARY CATCHMENT

Sassi Gifts is a mobile gift shop service which visits care homes and sheltered housing across the UK. Our service is designed to help people who are unable to get out to the shops, and for busy staff!

Make everyday a confident and beautiful skin day.

NATIONAL

WALES MILITARY CATCHMENT

Have you always been the independent type?

JustHer for

Afternoon Tea

Welcome to issue 14 of Just for Her… As I am writing this, most of the UK is melting in the current high temperatures! If you’re looking to while away an afternoon in the sun, what better way than with a spot of Afternoon Tea and a good book? Make sure you check out our Book Club for recommendations as well as following our delicious recipes! Whilst you’re spending more time in the garden, try one of our Random Acts of Wildness to ensure that we can all enjoy the natural surroundings for many years to come. As ever, thank you for your contributions and please keep them coming. This issue we welcome Gemma Keylock who tells us to Live Like There’s No Midnight as well as Viktoria Kuti who gives us the low down on boudoir photography in Just for Him? We look at Then and Now and the differences between being a military wife both in the past and in the present and also discuss whether Modern Trends are all they’re cracked up to be! If, like many of us, you’ve got an old piece of furniture that you don’t know what to do with, then take inspiration from our Upcycling feature and be sure to send us photos of your master creation! If it’s something new that you’re after, how about some beautiful jewellery from Ginger Jewellery? Enter our competition on page 45 to be in with a chance of winning one of their beautiful bracelets for all to admire. And if, when the holidays are over, you’re feeling the pinch... don’t panic, just read our A to Z guide to Money Saving. For anyone that would like to contribute to the next issue, the closing date for contributions is 24th August.

Shop The Highstreet

Book Club

Live Like There’s No Midnight

Fairies In The City

Upcycling

Daffodil Girls

Then and Now

Ginger Jewellery Competition

Fashion Lookbook

Just for Him

Homemade Beauty

A to Z Money Saving

Modern Trends

Down To Earth Support

Random Acts of Wildness

Cities A to Z - Jaipur

Many thanks to Kate Saines and Rebecca Smith for their editorial contribution

Until next time…

Enjoy! Articles and photographs reproduced by kind permission of the contributors © No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith. The MOD or any Service Establishment is not responsible for the advertiser or its advertised product or service.

Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994 www.forcespublishing.co.uk justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk @justforhermag Editorial: Joanna Barnes Design: Amy Leverton

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NATIONAL Science is a fundamental part of what we do and by providing an understanding into the daily functioning of the unseen segments within humans is crucial. Our commitment is to improve the health and wellbeing of all those who require specialist involvement of dietary health and diet related diseases. Our primary pursuit is to deliver personal, bespoke and tailored dietary interventions in a modern world without exemption, when seeking provision, guidance or intervention of the services provided by Nutrix Nutrition CIC.

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Areas covered include: • Sports (All sectors) • Dementia communities • Brain injury rehabilitation • Seizures • Clinical and dietary support • Behavioural management with children suffering ADHD and Autism • Post-Traumatic Stress • Learning disabilities • Mental health communities • Sensory communities • Cancer recovery • Post-surgical interventions • Nutrition training tailored programmes

Crystal Star Enterprises Ltd crystalstarltd@gmail.com

Tel: 01234 742991

www.nutrixnutrition.com

rebecca@nutrixnutrition.com Twitter @nutrixnutrition

07590 322999

Would you like to see your article published? Just for Her are looking for interesting and relevant articles about the Service community… If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles into justforher@forcespublishing.co.uk.

JustHer for

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NATIONAL

Start A Business Doing Something You Love! strong understanding of food

a programme that our loyal

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eating well.

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fternoon Tea is the on-trend way to enjoy an afternoon bite out with friends and family. There are a whole host of quirky Afternoon Tea hot spots from the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych in London, the High Tea Cruise where you indulge on traditional fresh baked scones, clotted cream and tea on Sailing Barge Victor on the River Orwell, and the Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea (although us ladies would happily tuck in too!) which includes sliders and even a miniature Yorkshire pudding stuffed with roast sirloin of Welsh beef and horseradish.. delish! If you fancy hosting your own Afternoon Tea here are our favourite recipes, all guaranteed to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds!

fternoon tea A RECIPES

PLOUGHMANS SCONES

Ingredients Juice from 1/2 Lemon 1 medium eating apple (such as Braeburn) About 12 tsps of your favourite chutney or pickle Cress

Savoury cheese scones stuffed with apple and chutney, they make an excellent addition to any afternoon tea and a nice change from finger sandwiches…

For the Scones 225g Self raising flour, plus a little for dusting 1 tsp baking powder 50g butter, diced 85g extra mature cheddar, grated The leaves off 6 sprigs of Thyme 150ml milk, and 1 tbsp 1 egg yolk

Method Heat up your oven to 220C/gas 7and dust a baking tray with flour. Tip the rest of the flour, the baking powder, a pinch of salt, and the butter and rub all together with your fingertips until it resembles damp breadcrumbs.

Add the cheese and thyme leaves, mix in and pour in the milk. Use a butter knife to work all the mixture together but don’t overwork or else the scones will become heavy. Tip it all onto your work surface and pat into a disc about 1.5 cm thick. Use 5cm cookie cutters to stamp out around 12 scones and place them on a baking tray.

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HOMEMADE ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Simple and refreshing, this can be added to water, sparkling water or even wine to give it a fragrant splash. Ingredients 2 1/2 kg white sugar, either granulated or caster 2 unwaxed lemons 20 fresh elderflower heads, stalks trimmed 85g citric acid Method Put the sugar and 1.5 litres/23/4 pints water into the largest saucepan you have. Gently heat, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Pare the zest from the lemons using a potato peeler, then slice the lemons into rounds. Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the pan of syrup to the boil, then turn off the heat. Fill a clean washing up bowl with cold water and give the flowers a gentle swish around to loosen any dirt or bugs. Lift flowers out, gently shake and transfer to the syrup along with the lemons, zest

and citric acid, then stir well. Cover the pan and leave to infuse for 24 hrs. Line a colander with a clean tea towel or muslin, then sit it over a large bowl or pan. Ladle in the syrup – let it drip slowly through. Discard the bits left in the towel. Use a funnel and a ladle to fill sterilised bottles (run glass bottles through the dishwasher, or wash well with soapy water. Rinse, then leave to dry in a low oven). The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Or freeze it in plastic containers or ice cube trays and defrost as needed.

These herbed muffins are light, moist and extremely decadent - definitely one to impress!

Mix your remaining 1 tbsp milk with the egg yolk and brush over the top of each scone. Bake for 10-12 minutes until risen and golden brown and then place on a rack to cool completely. Just before serving, put the lemon juice in a bowl, cut the apple into thin wedges and toss in the lemon juice to prevent them going brown quickly. Split your scones in half and fill with a teaspoon of chutney or pickle, a couple of apple wedges and a sprinkling of cress.

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SALMON AND CREAM CHEESE HERB MUFFINS Ingredients 850g self-raising flour 1 tbsp caster sugar 175ml milk 1 egg, lightly beaten 120ml vegetable oil 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 3 onions, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 170g cup spreadable cream cheese 150g smoked salmon, sliced

Method Preheat oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Grease two 12 hole muffin trays. Combine the flour, sugar, dill, parsley and onion in a bowl. Make a well in centre and add the milk, egg, oil and garlic. Mix until it’s all just combined. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture evenly between the muffin holes. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and just firm to touch. Stand in trays for about 5 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool. Serve muffins topped with cream cheese, salmon and extra dill. 7

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FRUITY FLAPJACK BISCUITS Delicious dipped in all manner of hot beverages! Ingredients 100g plain white flour 1 tsp mixed spice 75g unrefined light muscovado sugar 150g porridge oats 100g butter 2 tbsp golden syrup 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tbsp water boiling 100g dried mixed fruits Method Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Grease and line two baking sheets. Place the flour, sugar, oats and spice into a mixing bowl and combine well. In a pan over a gentle heat, melt the butter and stir in the golden syrup. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the boiling water and then tip this in with the butter and golden syrup and stir well. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the butter and golden syrup mixture in. Stir together until well mixed and then add and stir in the dried fruit. Place balls of the mixture approx. 3cm apart on the baking trays and bake for 10 minutes until golden. Leave to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Ingredients 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped into small chunks small bunch mint leaves 500ml vodka Juice of 6 limes, plus wedges to serve 200g white caster sugar 1-2 small melons (you could use 1/2 honeydew, 1/2 cantaloupe and 1/2 watermelon) 1l sparkling water, chilled

CUCUMBER, MINT & MELON PUNCH Afternoon Tea doesn’t have to mean you’re confined to sipping tea out of china cups, try this refreshing tipple instead!

Method Put the cucumber and half the mint in a large bowl or jug, and pour over the vodka. Cover and leave to steep for at least 24 hrs and up to one week, stirring occasionally. Strain through a fine sieve. Pour the vodka, lime juice and sugar into a larger jug. Stir well. Using a melon baller, scoop out as many melon balls as you can. Add them to the jug and leave to steep for 30 mins-1 hr in the fridge. Top up with sparkling water and add the remaining mint leaves just before serving with extra lime wedges.

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SCOTLAND MILITARY CATCHMENT

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RASPBERRY & ROSEWATER MADELEINES These delicate biscuits make the perfect sweet treat for afternoon tea. For the Madeleines 50g butter, softened 50g unrefined golden caster sugar 2 tsp Rose water Zest of 1 orange 1 large egg, lightly beaten 50g self-raising white flour 1 tbsp milk 12 fresh raspberries

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For the cream 400ml double cream 1tsp Rose water Zest of 1 orange 1tsp unrefined golden icing sugar Method Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4. Lightly grease and dust with flour a 1x2 shell Madeleine tin. Using an electric mixer or hand held whisk cream together the butter, sugar, rose water and orange zest for a few minutes until pale and fluffy. Slowly add in the milk and egg. Once all combined, fold in the flour until well mixed. When ready to bake, place a heaped tablespoon of batter into each shell and press a raspberry into each one. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are a pale golden brown. Leave them to cool in the tray for a little while before transferring them to a wire rack. Before serving, whip up the rose water cream. Whisk the double cream, icing sugar, orange zest and rose water until thickened and store in the fridge until needed. Once the madeleines are completely cool, dust with icing sugar and serve with a big dollop of rose water cream. 9

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SCOTLAND MILITARY CATCHMENT

Hollie Jack’s Colour Therapy Bring colour into your life to aid in personal wellness Crystal Therapy Crystals transform and amplify various energies that rebalance and re-energise our sustem on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level. Meditation and psychic development classes

01698 760476

104 Quarry Street ML3 7AX Hamilton, South Lanarkshire

FRESH START YOUR LIFE IN 2017 YOU CAN BECOME DEBT FREE! At the Debt Drop-in Centre, all information you give us is treated in confidence and we can deal with all the aspects of personal and business debts. Our aim is to keep people’s homes and businesses and stop evictions. We can also help if you have already been made bankrupt.

Our advice is FREE! If you would like to deal with your debt and ease the stress, contact us today. Drop in Advice, 330 Duke Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow G31 1QZ

w www.facebook.com/Hollie17Jack3/

T: 0141 550 4041 | M: 07931 588554 | E: advice.centre@mail.com

JOHN R PETTIGREW EMAIL READING

5 Question email reading. Get specific questions asked.

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Hands free guidance from those that are supporting you from my guides in a loving and caring manner

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Will set to your desired intention, let the universal life force healing energy help you

Call me on 07565048761 visit jrptarot.weebly.com or email me on jrptarot@gmail.com for further info.

Contemporary designs for Cross stitch, Blackwork and Needlepoint supplied as Chart only or Full Kits. Our functional range includes Games Boards, Clocks, Cards and much more together with our range of ‘Painting by Stitching’. The DoodleCraft Games boards can be customised to make a truly personal gift and we can create bespoke designs from your own photos.

www.doodlecraftdesign.co.uk

Doodlecraft Designs

www.3bagswool.com We are a yarn based shop selling everything wool related from, quality yarns to sheepskins.

JEWELLERY | ACCESSORIES | CRAFT KITS YARN | CRAFT SUPPLIES

Running regular woolly workshops teaching all wool crafts from crochet & weaving to felting & rug making.

3 Bags Wool The Square Aberlour AB38 9PX

www.lovesomecrafts.com 01340 881749

Re-learn to RELAX with Hypnosis & Bowen Therapy When things are getting on top of you it’s easy to feel that you are carrying a massive weight on your shoulders. Imagine making gradual changes which could make a world of difference to your situation. Hypnotherapy and the Bowen Technique both offer the means to re-learn the art of relaxation. In addition, hypnosis can help to reduce stress, anxiety and fears, help manage phobias, even symptoms of IBS, whilst Bowen therapy can help with physical injuries, from frozen shoulder to sprained ankles, sinus problems to backache. I am based in Midlothian. Home visits can be arranged where appropriate.

Kate Herriot, (mob) 07803 607 466

Now Supplying T-Shirt Yarn, Great For Crocheting and Knitting!

Join a well known and loved ethical brand, earn extra cash parttime or start a new career with the Body Shop at Home. Vacancies for Consultants and Area Managers.

To enquire or apply contact Dennise: pamperwithd@gmail.com / 07964 285222

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Culmore Bridge Cottages • Spacious 3 Bedroom cottages set in nine acres of woodlands.

• Close to the sea and beautiful

Sandhead beach in the lovely Rhins of Galloway. The cottages are 4 star Visit Scotland Accredited and all have been accepted to the Welcome Walkers and Cyclists schemes. Each Cottage Sleeps 6 people therefore these three cottages provide an ideal base for groups or individuals . Stoneykirk , Stranraer DG9 9DX Tel 01776 830539 Mobile 07884457755

www.culmorebridge.co.uk mail@culmorebridge.co.uk

HAZEL’S

FABRIC CRAFT

10A Main Street, West Calder EH55 8DA

07899 033943 01506 872662

SCOTLAND MILITARY CATCHMENT

Wheelchair Friendly Holiday accommodation in South West Scotland

Birch and Oak Cottages Two identical luxurious self catering holiday cottages, rated at five stars, that sleep six people each. Based on the shoreline of Loch Sunart, at Glenborrodale on the Ardnamurchan peninsular. Great views, wildlife, scenery, peace and tranquility, complete with private boat slipway and beach. Help arranging adventure sports and exploration provided. All three bedrooms in each cottage with ensuite bathrooms. Open plan sitting/ dining room. Full WiFi and most digital TV channels included.

www.hazelsfabriccraft.co.uk

Hazel’s Fabric Craft have a range of fabrics, kits, tools, wadding, notions and haberdashery. We have products for quilters, patchworkers, general sewers and crafters of all ages.

Dan Klein, Shoreline Cottages, Glenborrodale, Acharacle, Argyll PH36 4JP T: 01416 287625 M: 0771 218 4390

www.sunartadventures.com enquiries@sunartadventures.com £590 - £995 Per Week

Earn extra cash around your family life. • Have fun earning • Part time or full time • Hours to suit • No experience needed • Full training given • Will suit individuals, couples or families • Earn £50-£500+ per week • Your life begins here…

Peter Macdonald, Kleeneze Distributor. Since 1923 Kleeneze, famed for our home, health and beauty, cookery and seasonal ranges, has been changing lives.

www.yourfortune.co.uk

Noddsdale House Tel: 01475 673757 Luxury Self-Catering Holidays in Ayrshire holiday@noddsdale.co.uk

Two charming upmarket self catering holiday apartments in a beautiful B Listed Country House influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, in Brisbane Glen near Largs, Ayrshire, on the Beautiful West Coast of Scotland.Listed Country House influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, in Brisbane Glen near Largs, Ayrshire, on the Beautiful West Coast of Scotland. Sleeps 4 - 5. Children 10 and over. Available to rent from mid June. A semi detached cottage in a beautiful enclosed garden. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with a ramp and a ground floor bedroom and bathroom. There is a small 3rd bedroom suitable for a young child or baby.

Escape to this special sanctuary! www.ayrshirecountryholiday.co.uk

Mention ‘Forces’ for a free bottle of wine (2017)

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SAINSBURYS Bloomville Tray £6

Double Oven Glove £5

Cake Stand £15 Egg Cups, 4pk £6

Dinner Plate £3.50

Cake Tin £6

Ceramic Coasters, 4pk £6 Tea Spoons, 4pk £10

Ceramic Cake Slice £4 Cake Plates, 4pk £10

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Large Multi Floral Printed Bed Linen Double £21

Metal Hanging Plaque £5 White Peonies in Jar £15

SHOP THE

Highstreet Tea Towels, 3pk £6

Mug £3.50

Pasta Bowl £3.50

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Set of 4 Safari Melamine Dinner Plates £17.50

Set of 4 Safari Cereal Bowl £15

16 Piece Astoria Brushed Cutlery Set £49.50

M&S Dining on the Wild Side Acacia Salad Bowl £35

2 Pack Snake Handle Salad Servers £19.50 Elephant and Rhino Salt and Pepper Set £15

Safari Melamine Tray £12.50

2 Pack Giraffe Place Card Holder £15

Zebra Crewel Work Cushion £25

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Solar Metal Orb Lights £17.99 Butterfly Sail Gazebo £129.99

Blue Glass Moroccan Lantern £29.99

Capri Mesh Planter £29.99 B&O Play by Bang & Olufsen A1 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker £199.99 22.5 Inch Kettle Grill BBQ £99.99

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Outdoor Living Coral Bay 4-Piece Pebble Sofa Set £699.99 Forest 8x6ft Overlap Pressure treated Oakly Summerhouse £599.99

Adelaide 3-Piece Rocker Bistro Set £199.99

Ornate High Back Bench £129.99

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H&M Au Naturel

Wooden Plate £9.99

Salad Servers £9.99

Wooden Platter £19.99

Rug £29.99

Hessian Bag £9.99

Log Basket £24.99

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Lantern £24.99

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Jug £14.99 Cushion £7.99

Glasses £5.99

Rug £39.99

Waste Paper Bin £19.99

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SCOTLAND MILITARY CATCHMENT

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www.glamshooter.co.uk Glamshooters policy is to help bring out the glamour model in you. A great opportunity for all female’s of any age over 18 to build and boost confidence.

Watch the video presentation online to find out how to save and make money. Or email for a free DVD. Call now to get started!

To help with your character building and make you feel more confident in yourself. To try out a style in your life you’ve always wanted to and a chance to see your selfconfidence grow and turn into a new you. email: info@glamshooter.co.uk

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Glamshooter is now part of Majestikangels.co.uk

Prue Keigwin Authorised Distributor Freephone: 0800 840 2463 Mobile: 07942 816343 Email: p.keigwin@uwclub.net

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07971 447242 E: kay.ejackson@yahoo.co.uk

Is it time for a new direction? Kids Bee Happy Sand Art need consultants to sell their amazing children’s products to family and friends.

NORTH MILITARY CATCHMENT

Kay Jackson Independent Consultant

To earn extra income or to build a business contact me!

Audrey Yeardley Audrey Yeardley is a Consultant Member of the British Astrological & Psychic Society, with a broad experience of life in many different fields, and with a deep interest in everything ‘metaphysical.’

Taking to Tarot, like a duck to water, she sees it as a symbolic map, guiding and navigating through both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ times, to make the ‘best’ of them. Life is a learning curve; and we owe it to our Selves to discover who we, truly, are.

Our future is a Myriad of Possibility.

Contact for Readings: tinkerbellcalling@tiscali.co.uk

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Book Are you in need of a bit of reading inspiration? Look no further! We’ve asked around the Just for Her HQ and these are our top picks… some old, some new, all great to get stuck into! If you give any of them a go let us know what you think on our Facebook page!

Club I See You by Clare Mackintosh You do the same thing every day. You know exactly where you’re going. You’re not alone. When Zoe Walker sees her photo in the classifieds section of a London newspaper, she is determined to find out why it’s there. There’s no explanation: just a website, a grainy image and a phone number. She takes it home to her family, who are convinced it’s just someone who looks like Zoe. But the next day the advert shows a photo of a different woman, and another the day after that.

Is it a mistake? A coincidence? Or is someone keeping track of every move they make… I See You is an edge-of-your-seat, pageturning psychological thriller from one of the most exciting and successful British debut talents of 2015. Corinne says “A great second novel from Clare Mackintosh that has you gripped from the start and keeps you guessing until the end. A convincing psychological thriller, I didn’t want to put this down!”

The Keeper Of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us. Lime green plastic ﬂower-shaped hair bobbles - Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September. Bone china cup and saucer-Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October. Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects - the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidentally left behind - and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s

mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost. Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbour’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realise Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners. Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious - a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made. As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest? Jo says “Quirky and romantic, this gentle story is beautifully written and has you falling in love with all of its characters. A charming read, perfect to take on holiday.”

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A Boy Made Of Blocks by Keith Stuart In the tradition of Nick Hornby and David Nicholls comes a warm and tender novel in which a father and his autistic son connect over the game of Minecraft. Alex loves his family, and yet he struggles to connect with his eight-year-old autistic son, Sam. The strain has pushed his marriage to the breaking point. So Alex moves in with his merrily irresponsible best friend on the world’s most uncomfortable blow-up bed. As Alex navigates single life, long-buried family secrets, and part-time fatherhood, his son begins playing Minecraft. Sam’s imagination blossoms and the game opens up a whole new world for father and son to share. Together, they discover that sometimes life must fall apart before you can build a better one.

Life for Linda Caine should hold no fears. As a contented wife and mother, she should have everything to live for.Yet a blackness has started to leak into her thoughts. Images flash through her head leaving her stunned and breathless. On the face of it there is no rational explanation for the way she feels.

Inspired by the author’s own relationship with his autistic son, A Boy Made of Blocks is a tear-jerking, funny and most of all true-to-life novel about the power of difference and one very special little boy. Natalie says “The touching story of a father’s relationship with his autistic son. Interesting, sad, funny and heart warming, it had me rooting for them from the beginning.”

Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when

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Linda believes there is something malign inside her. But in the back of her mind a voice tells her over and over again that everything will be OK. When it finally gets too much, she can always simply die. ‘How shall I die if that time comes? I need to know these things. They have to be planned.’ It must look like an accident. She will deliberately drive off the road on her way home from her weekly shopping trip. After all, who commits suicide with a load of groceries in their car? The raw and powerful journey Linda takes with her psychotherapist Robin Royston to discover what lies at the heart of her depression will leave you shocked. The secrets in her African childhood and adolescence are buried so deep that to reveal them may destroy her completely. Together Linda and Robin race to unravel the clues, before it is too late. Out Of The Dark is Linda Caine’s remarkable and uplifting story from the agonies of mental breakdown to the painful piecing together of the past that was vital for her survival. Both her courage and Robin’s persistence during the process show the power of the human spirit at its most indomitable and inspiring.

A Handmaids Tale by Margaret Attwood Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable.

Out Of The Dark by Linda Caine and Dr Robin Royston

Karen says “This story had a profound effect on me. It is dark and emotionally draining, yet inspirational. It gives a real insight into one person’s mental illness and their road to recovery.”

she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now... Rebecca says “A timeless classic, I’ve read this book many times and it never fails to grip me. Margaret Attwood is a fearless deliverer of unpleasant news, this book is a powerful read and certain to move you.”

“You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”

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Book Club The Prefect by Alistair Reynolds Tom Dreyfus is a Prefect, a policeman of sorts, and one of the best. His force is Panoply, and his beat is the multi-faceted utopian society of the Glitter Band, that vast swirl of space habitats orbiting the planet Yellowstone. These days, his job is his life. A murderous attack against a Glitter Band habitat is nasty, but it looks to be an openand-shut case - until Dreyfus starts looking

under some stones that some very powerful people would really rather stayed unturned. What he uncovers is far more serious than mere gruesome murder... Richard says “The scope of the story is immense, it’s a brilliant space opera and easy to follow and get into even if you aren’t usually into sci-fi.”

Book Challenge Do you fancy broadening your reading scope? Why not try to complete our book challenge! The aim is to tick off each type of book off the list. You could aim to do it within a year, two years, whatever will work best for you! * A book that became a movie that you loved * A poetry book * A book by a comedian * A memoir or biography * A book that was translated from a different language * A classic book you’ve never read * A book that was banned in this country at some point * A self-help book * A book recommended by your best friend or spouse * A favourite book from your childhood * A book you can finish in a day * A graphic novel * A book from a genre you wouldn’t normally choose * A book with over 500 pages

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I am also a psychic medium, and I use my abilities with my tarot and oracle card readings. Certified Advanced Angel Tarot card reader.

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Reiki master in three types of reiki: • Usui Reiki • Angelic Reiki • Kundalini Reiki • Angel Intuitive Healer using Angelic energy as a healing modality. • Flower Therapy Healing, using energy of flowers as a healing modality too.

Lynne Wilson

Metaphysical Practitioner A different kind of counselling Looking within for insights and life affirming solutions

One to one by phone or in person

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Serenity Peace and Light Angelic Reiki £38 for 1 hour Distant Reiki £20 for 30 minutes Angelic Reiki is a deep and powerful, yet gentle and simple healing which can be done with hands placed lightly on the body or as a ‘distant healing’. The benefits can include: • Help with stress, anxiety, depression & tiredness.

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Beech Hill House B & B CLOSE TO THE LAKES, AWAY FROM THE CROWDS

‘Truly Dog Friendly’ High Quality Bed and Breakfast Guest Accommodation in Cumbria - the English Lake District

Your life is not in someone else’s hands, it is in your own. You have the power to transform within yourself. Take the first step and reach out for change.

Counselling, Healing & Homeopathy • Set in the beautiful Lake District • 7 en-suite bedrooms

Lane Head Farm Country Guest House Troutbeck, Nr. Keswick Cumbria CA11 OSY PHONE 017687 79220. E-MAIL info@laneheadfarm.co.uk

• Dog friendly B& B with ﬁve of our seven rooms accepting dogs • 2 standard doubles, 1 twin and 2 four-poster rooms. • We have a cozy lounge area and a licenced bar. • The dining room has a welcoming log burner for the colder and damper months.

• 2 dogs per room allowed. • Secure bike store with a small drying room. • Online booking

www.laneheadfarm.co.uk

8 minutes from the M6 J36 and just off the A590. Ideal for stop-overs, short breaks, business use and touring the English Lake District and South Lakes Furness Peninsulas.

Witherslack, Near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6RH Tel: 015395 52394 Email: jenny@jandsstott.com www.bedandbreakfastlakedistrict.com

Rosedale Cottages Rosedale Cottages have 4 wonderful properties to let throughout the year, making an ideal base from which to discover and explore the Yorkshire heritage coast, the North York Moors and our wonderful coastal and countryside villages and towns at any time of the year.

Our Properties: The Coachman’s Rest sleeps 2 The Old Stable sleeps 4 (+1) The Apple House sleeps 2 Palmer’s sleeps 8 (+2)

www.rosedalecottages.co.uk tel: 01947 840263 • mob: 07989 140464

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Need Direction? Need Inspiration? Need Action?

Contemporary fabric and quirky bits and bobs

20% off your first order with code J4H20 www.oakapplehaberdashery.co.uk

By focusing on your unique talents & skills, personal coaching can help turn your dreams into reality. Sessions by phone, Skype or in person Please contact Louise Mosley NB Coaching for a no obligation discussion 07811779349

louise@nb-coaching.com

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Love a home that smells devine? Want to try flameless candles, safe for children and pets. Or maybe you Want to work part time, How and where you like? Full training provided and all the tools you need to start your own business with Scentsy.

Take a look at www.beccie.scentsy.co.uk/join for more info. Beccie Davey 07856365470 becciesallydavey@gmail.com

Trees stand mute yet inspire the mind to heady heights of imagination which once open can lead us to wherever we wish to go in life. Just like a tree, in life, we need a strong foundation, as we grow we branch out, growing deeper roots, sprouting new branches to build a strong foundation for our lives. Arbonne is a company that offers such choices in life, the pure joy in helping others is one of the things that drew me to this company. Our skincare and nutrition are developed with botanicals and cutting edge sciencethey are World Class products. Branches of new consultants have sprouted all over the UK, with many earning significant income from their Arbonne business. If your mind has been opened to what possibilities there could be for you by taking the first step then please contact me and I would be happy to give you more information. Let your imagination help you to take action today and march forward with confidence in your abilities and the life that you can create for yourself Betty.arbonne@gmail.com and your family.

Cottage Catering Here at Cottage Catering we provide quality and locally sourced food for events and private parties. Our mobile catering vans available to hire for events, private parties and functions. We are located at Jet Park (Newport, Brough) Monday to Friday. For any information or to request more details please contact us.

07951 738254

rachaeljefferson123@btinternet.com www.facebook.com/mobilecatering

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w w w. d o u b l e b d i s c o s . c o . u k Double B Discos plays music for any occasion and caters for all walks of life. We also specialize in Children’s Parties supplying a smoke machine, where allowed. Games and music are played and if it’s a Birthday Party the Birthday Boy or Girl will get one of our special Double B Disco’s Badges (whilst stocks last). All our Discos have flashing lights unless you request otherwise. To find out more please call John on 01422

• Pubs • Clubs • Hotels • School Events • Childrens Parties

320 997 or 07836 376 991

Events Glamour Booth Memorable New, trendy events hire business that provides all the glamorous finishing touches any occasion needs!

• magic selfie mirrors • vintage tea par es • floor standing candelabras • cast iron post boxes • prosecco and ice-cream • tricycles • arcade games • fairground/ giant lawn games • photo booths • casino tables and many more stunning accessories and equipment.

01244 749057 | 07825 925319 : @eventsglamour : @glamour_booth : @glamourbooth www.glamourbooth.co.uk

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apolli Jewellery Bespoke and handmade jewellery using the finest sterling silver, semi prescious stones, freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals. Jewellery for all occaisions, tailor made for you. M: 07841 164976 E: kapollijewellery@yahoo.com F: facebook/kapollijewellery I: @kapolli_jewellery

Katie Mitchell kmitchell5692@gmail.com

Tel: 07514 704328

Nicola J Pet Portraits Pet Portrait and Wildlife Ar st Totally hand-made in Yorkshire Registered with The Vegan Society Premium quality skincare products Plant-based organic top quality ingredients

Specialising in highly detailed coloured pencil portraits Tel: 07875 698570 Email: ngillion@ngillion.karoo.co.uk

Free postage Award winning

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No deposits necessary to book a place

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CONTRIBUTION

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Live

like there’s

no midnight!

By Gemma Keylock

s women of the twentieth century, we were brought up on a diet of Disney films and fairy tales. We all know the beginning, girl meets boy, and the inevitable ending: girl marries boy. And they all live happily ever after! Is it difficult to believe then that we expect, even if we know better, our own sanitised, stress-free happy ending? After all, we earnt it right? Having finally found the love of our lives, after wading through the oh so seemingly un-fishy waters to find our own prize catch of the sea, after putting up with cheats and men who don’t believe in the existence of grammar, after all the game playing? It’s love Jim, but not as we know it. A relationship with a man in uniform can sometimes seem like a big-brother type pressure-cooker experiment: a relationship on speed. Firstly there’s pressure to make the most of your times together, to be a ‘maid in the living room, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom’: to have argument-free spells, serenaded by Snow White-esque birds and fettered by a confetti of falling hearts and flowers. Time apart on the other hand becomes a battle to maintain the proud supportive girlfriend/wife role: to preserve the hardwon love and closeness through texts and phone calls,

without seeming, too much at least, like a clingy, GlennClose type bunny boiler.You didn’t see Sleeping Beauty shaving every surface known to man pre-princely meeting (and she was asleep for a century: hairy legs much?). Princess Ariel unquestioningly gave up her own life to marry Prince Eric. In reality leaving your job, friends, family, everything you’ve ever known, for your own prince isn’t so easy. Sometimes, even in the happiest of marriages, it’s all too easy to feel like a resentful mussel, clinging onto the rock by it tenuous, sticky Byssal threads, trying to avoid being swept into the very murky ‘I’ve given up my life for you’ waters. Paradoxically to the Disney-diet we are the generation of women who want it all, and there’s nothing wrong with that, why shouldn’t we?. Reoccurring themes on any ‘how to make a relationship work’ list include good communication, respect, making time to spend as both a couple and an individual, honesty and accepting your partner as they come: learning to grow together, arguments and all, rather than apart. There’s no doubt that living within the military life makes these ‘success’ criteria harder to fulfil, however ultimately, as the much more ass-kicking Princess Mulan said ‘the flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all’. I wouldn’t change my husband, my life, for anything even though at times things are difficult, testing and wearisome (on exercise? Again?). The best love story really is, always, your own.Yes, we’re no Cinderella’s given a fairy tale life by her Prince, but we didn’t need rescuing to start with.

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CONTRIBUTION

Fairies

IN THE CITY

ehold! Fairies and Elves are coming to town. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a powerful and enchanting experience for the kids this summer, Nicola Bald Photography, an established portrait and fashion photographer based in Edinburgh, has been magically transforming their studio, to offer Fairy & Elf photo shoots for kids during school holiday times. From the moment your child enters the studio, and during this 1 hour experience, Nicola and her team capture and ignite their imaginations. With a range of outfits to choose from and hand crafted wings, little girls get a little sparkle to their complexions, tussled curls, and a head garland. Meanwhile our little Elves can practice their bow and arrow skills before entering the enchanted garden. Complete with magic toadstools and lots of hidden surprises to rouse their imaginations. At Nicola Bald Photography we aim to bring a little magic into your lives, even if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just for a little while. Away from modern life and technology, a chance for your little ones to express themselves and react to the story telling.

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www.nbphotos.co.uk T: 0131 510 1105 E: studio@nbphotos.co.uk FB#nicolabaldphotogrphy 11 Clifton Terrace|Haymarket|Edinburgh|EH12 5DR

Summer Sessionsâ&#x20AC;Ś Bring along your little ones to our 3D enchanted garden. Relish in the 1hour experience as we capture and ignite their imagination. Choose from an array of costumes, props and follow the enchanted birds, guided by the mythical lantern to search for the legendary butterflies, whom hold the secrets of the fairies. Hunt for the magical keys to unlock the hidden secrets and discover friends along the way. A magical experience for all to enjoy! Summer Sessions in July: Monday 10th - Sunday 23rd July 2017. ÂŁ20.00 (studio booking deposit required) To book call 0131 510 1105 studio@nbphotos.co.uk

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Rhonda Jackson

How Fine Designs creates contemporary Silver Jewellery. Beautiful Jewellery lovingly crafted for you in the spa town of Harrogate by designer Sally How, including personalised hand stamped designs.

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Your loved one captured in a stunning original oil pain ng www.ruthfi onportraits.co.uk

Tel: 07845 997127

helping you to be healthier Founded in 1978, and operating in over 150 countries, Forever and its affiliates have become the largest grower, manufacturer and distributor of aloe vera and bee products in the world. We start with 100% inner gel, adding just enough other ingredients to produce outstanding products. The versatility of this product means that aloe vera can be taken as a drink or applied to the skin. Not tested on animals, the Forever collection is a testament to natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to help us look and feel our best. Drinks and Gels Our variety of delicious revitalising drinks allow you to stay hydrated and refreshed on the go. Combining the best quality aloe vera with other nutritious ingredients, including pomegranate, mangosteen and herbs. Flawless by Sonya Infused with the goodness of aloe and the latest innovations that nature and science offer, Flawless by Sonya products empower women from around the world to explore and express their individual perception of beauty.

Bee Products Busy honey bees are a golden treasure of nature. Not only do they supply us with a sweet, amber elixir, but they also give us an array of valuable compounds. Nutritional Supplements Our supplements incorporate natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beneficial vitamins and minerals to help you support a healthy and balanced diet. Weight Management Weight management and fitness are key aspects of modern-day life, as people become increasingly conscious about the importance of healthy living.

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Personal Care Gently complementing the skin on both face and body, Foreverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal care products work in harmony to create a natural and glowing complexion. Essential Oils Forever Essential Oils are selected, harvested and produced with the highest quality in mind. Promotional Packs Want to try a range of Foreverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bestselling products? Our Promotional Packs contain a selection of our most popular products and all conveniently packaged.

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❁ Tarot Reading ❁ Angelic Reiki Healing

Distinctively Me was inspired by the frustration of never finding clothes that truly fit. It is amazing how comfortable smart clothes can feel when they fit you perfectly.

❁ Spiritual Painting ❁ NLP Counselling ❁ Crystal Therapy healing Each woman’s body is unique we don’t fit ‘blocks’, and at Distinctively Me we make clothes that help us all feel that our bodies are fine - just the way they are!

❁ Chakra Healing

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To find out more please visit us at www.distinctivelyme. com or call us on 07375 942409

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FEATURE

Upcycling Upcycling isn’t just transforming old materials into useable objects, it’s breathing new life into well used and loved items to give them a new personality and purpose. Upcycling has really taken off over the last few years. Helped along by one of the biggest trends being shabby-chic, the Pinterest revolution inspiring everyone to get creative, people being more conscious of saving money and saving the planet by recycling, and not to mention how satisfying it is when you create something beautiful for your home by yourself.

It’s amazing what you can create with a bit of effort, patience and chalk paint sometimes! We asked our fabulously creative followers on Facebook to share any upcycling projects they had completed with us and boy, did they deliver…!

Before

After

Jenny Anne’s washing basket

Samantha Bruce Nursery Furniture and Accessories “I’ve upcycled many things, this is my son’s nursery, we made and upcycled almost everything in the room. I even made the chalk paint myself for the draws.“

“My mum is a great weekend market spotter and has found some absolute gems. She came home with a Lloyd Loom basket box which had been painted gold long ago. Perfect for a small washing basket, I decided to give upcycling a go. Painting basket weave is a nightmare so we watered down some normal dulex paint called White Linen and used my dad’s compressor spray gun which covered it evenly in a flash. A couple of coats did the trick. I then found some beautiful floral thick paper from Paperchase I had left over, cut out a template to fit on the inside of the lid to get the shape right and just used double sided sticky tape to secure it.”

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Jenny Anne’s Military Trunk “My Nan has held onto my Great Grandfather’s military travelling trunk which we think has been in the attic for about 100 years after it would have gone all over the world with him during the war. The key to the lock and the internal shelf were lost long ago and it had also been wallpapered in the 70s by the looks of it! I wanted to restore it to use as a big memory box. I started with the exterior, polishing the brass lock with brasso and lots of elbow grease (a military boyfriend comes in handy for this). The case is covered in leather so I used saddlesoap to buff it back to colour and nourish it. The wooden rails were then treated with wood wax. The interior was a labour of love. The wallpaper was really glued on and I couldn’t find a way of peeling it off without damaging the original striped paper lining. I would wet my finger and ‘roll’ the paper off, stopping when I was through the glue. This took a few weeks! Once all off I used a sealant found in craft stores for treating oil paintings. Just to protect the colour and very fine paper. It’s now one of the most treasured items in our home!”

After Before

After

Before

Louise McQuaid “I started upcycling wooden furniture using chalk paint as I wanted a country kitchen but on a budget. I then progressed on to buying antique dark wood furniture to completely replace everything modern that we had and restored it by waxing and polishing. These are my favourite and probably craziest pieces!”

Wingback Chair “The first is an old wingback chair. I went on an evening upholstery course for 6 weeks which meant that I could learn as I was completely restoring it and use all of the proper tools. On day 1 the entire chair was in bits and could fit into an Ikea bag which was worrying! After hours of unpicking tacks I could start reupholstering. I mixed up clashing patterns so when it all came together it worked with my room. The arms are velvet paisley, the hard wood panels are a heavy twill tartan and the cushions are plush chenille with hand-made buttons in the same velvet paisley. I wouldn’t say it was too difficult but took time and precision and was well worth taking a course.”

Retro Telephone Table & Childs Desk “This is a retro telephone table. It had a brown Formica style top and was pretty ugly but I saw it and went on a 60 mile trip to collect it as I had the idea as soon as I saw it. The frame is metal so I painted it in black gate paint. The upholstery was in good condition and I loved the orange vinyl so gave it a clean. For the table top I used flamingo paper to stick on and then varnished over it in high gloss so it was durable and washable. I love this one as it’s a little crazy! I have used a similar technique for children’s furniture using comic paper and varnishing over the entire piece to make it durable.”

You can see more of Louise’s brilliant creations on her Facebook page, ‘Mrs Mac Miscellania’. >>

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Mariya Kat Childrens Outdoor Den “My husband is really good at making things. In fact he’s awesome. From broken down pallets, discarded decking and an old headboard from a skip, he made our boys a fantastic den with an upstairs! The windows are from recycled fridge shelves.”

Rebecca’s Table & Chairs “I bought a cheap children’s table and chairs for my boys from Ikea. I think it was about £20. I got a tin of black chalkboard paint and painted the top of the table and for the chairs I used some padding which I double sided sticky taped onto the seat and then covered with some scraps of material. I used a staple gun underneath to secure the excess fabric. My boys love it, they sit for hours drawing on the chalkboard! There are loads of tutorials and different design ideas on Pinterest.”

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Jenny Anne’s Wardrobe “I was gifted an Edwardian wardrobe and dressing table from a friend as we’d just bought our first house. Getting it into the van was when disaster struck and the original glass mirror cracked. Old glass is incredibly thick! To get new glass made to measure was just not an option financially, so we took a hammer to the glass and cleared it all away. I sourced some fabric from Warwick Fabrics (a fellow Royal Marine wife worked there) with a Tree of Life theme and cut it roughly to the size of the gap, leaving a few centimetres overlap. The wood beneath was so thin that stapling was out of the question so I opted to glue it in place with a fabric glue and once fully dried I rehung the door. It’s still in place today!”

tips and tricks... * When upcycling wooden pieces using paint, always sand down using wire wool or sandpaper beforehand. This will give it a smooth surface and will help the new colour last for longer. * Chalk paint is great for painting over a dark stain or veneer as they don’t need to be primed and give a smooth all over coverage. Always apply 2-3 thin coats and finish with a layer of varnish or wax. Have a look at our recipe for chalk paint * Look on eBay, Gumtree, car boot sales, charity shops and Freecycle for pieces of furniture. Pinterest and upcycling Facebook groups are great places to find inspiration. * Don’t worry if you don’t get it right all the time, mistakes are all part of the process! Learn from them and keep trying! * Take risks – if you think something might look good give it a go, even if it might not be to everyone’s taste, as long as you like it - it doesn’t matter! * When you’ve scoured the internet for inspiration it can be easy to want to start ten projects at once. Take your time and concentrate on one thing at a time, you’ll be less likely to make mistakes and there will always be time to start something new when you’ve finished the first piece. * Keep it simple – unless you are already an experienced DIY-er or upcycling guru, keep your first pieces simple. A touch of paint, sanding, waxing, staining or decoupaging are all relatively easy for beginners to build their confidence and skills with and will give good results fast. * It doesn’t have to be furniture.You can upcycle heaps of things, from old photo frames, coasters, lampshades, even old cutlery can be turned into something new, or old clothes and fabric into patchwork blankets or soft toys!

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Easy-Peasy DIY Chalk Paint Recipe To get you started, why not try this super easy recipe to make you own chalk paint! There are loads of brands available but they can sometimes be pricey, and if you make it yourself you will have heaps of colours to choose from and get exactly what you want. You will need: A clean container with a lid 1 /4 cup of water 3 tbsp cornstarch 1 3/4 cups of latex paint in your choice of colour Method Place the water and cornstarch into the container and mix thoroughly so there are no lumps. Add in the paint and stir up well. That’s it! Seal the container until you are ready to use. This paint will keep for ages!

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Daffodil Girls The life of a military spouse is nothing if not eventful. There are moments of joy, times of despair, long periods of just waiting and seemingly endless days of worrying. And then there are situations that are just plain bizarre. Many who have lived through it may have felt, at times, they could write a book about their lives…

ne former army wife did just this - inspired by life as a cavalry officer’s wife and eager to relay to the world the experiences of the spouses in her battalion, she set about penning a memoir as a tribute to the force behind the force. Kitty Dimbleby’s Daffodil Girls tells the stories of a group of women, whose partners and husbands serve in various ranks within the 2 Royal Welsh regiment based in Tidworth in Wiltshire. Each woman has a different story to tell. We meet their partners and children, find out how they met their future husbands and then learn how they felt about becoming ‘army WAGs’ before following them through the battalion’s deployment to war in Afghanistan. We then discover how they coped with the aftermath.

having to be home when I was pregnant while Ed was in Afghanistan. Then, my imagination was just left to run free whereas when I went to Iraq I was seeing it.”

When Kitty went to Iraq, her husband Ed (he was then her boyfriend), was posted nearby. She said: “I only went to Iraq for three days and Ed was there and we saw each other briefly. But when I came back, I found it easier to cope because I’d been there. I thought, if I’d been there and survived, then he would. It was my kind of illogical logic.” In a strange sort of way, knowing first-hand what her husband was going through made it easier to endure the anxiety of deployment. “I am one of these people who always wanted to know everything,” she said. “I wanted to know what was going on, what everything felt like and tasted like and for me that helped. I am not sure it would for other people.”

It’s a moving read. Indeed, in her introduction to the book, Emma Parry, OBE, co-founder of Help for Heroes, said: “[Kitty] has produced a story that often had me reaching for the Kleenex and reinforces what a tough job it is to be left behind.” Talking to Just for Her magazine, Kitty vouches for the fact that the one ‘left behind’ is most certainly the partner who is suffering the most. She knows this all too well having, through her career as a national newspaper journalist, been posted to Iraq and Afghanistan to report on the varied work of soldiers in these conflicts: “It was stressful being out there,” she admits. “But, I think the hardest was doing the book and 38

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In a complete reversal of roles, Kitty later when to Afghanistan to report on the work of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). Ed was not there this time. So, while Ed stayed at home, Kitty was reporting from a warzone: “I only went for two weeks, but we had literally just got engaged and my husband said he found it really hard - me being the one who was away.” In fact, it was her stint in Afghanistan, and her time with MERT, which proved influential in writing Daffodil Girls. Seeing men writing home to their loved ones, and noticing how crucial having the support of wives and partners was for the soldiers, drove her to explore the experiences of a tour from the point of view of those at home.

“It was my main aim to tell their story, do it justice and give them a voice…” Like many WAGs, Kitty was, initially, reluctant. She fell in love with someone who happened to be a soldier. However, this did not prevent her from taking an active role in army life. One of ways she did this was by working for Help for Heroes. In fact she worked for the organisation when it launched, writing for the magazine, and then set up the communications team in 2010. It was through the charity she met Amanda, one of the women she writes about in the book, who put her in touch with other army wives and girlfriends whose stories are told in Daffodil Girls. Kitty admits: “There was a bit of a divide to cross to speak to them because, to them, I was a cavalry officer’s wife. But I just got everyone round, I got loads of drink in and we got a bit tipsy - that really helped!” We wanted to know if Kitty was still in touch with her friends from patch and with the Daffodil girls and she said that some she meets at reunions and others she is in contact with thanks to the wonders of social media. Unfortunately, it’s trickier these days for Kitty to keep up with them all as Ed left the army when her daughter turned a year old. She said: “He had been in Afghanistan and got back two weeks before her birth and I had been very ill - I had had a very traumatic birth and we just wanted to have control of one aspect of our lives.” Does she miss the old life she once had

on patch? “No” she said decisively. “I miss some of the relationships that I formed, the camaraderie of it. And I miss the fun parties. And I had a real sense of pride in saying that my husband was a serving soldier. I felt very proud to tell people that.” What she doesn’t miss is having a husband who is so regularly away from home. “I am a bit rubbish when I am on my own,” said Kitty. “And now, with two children, Chloe, 4 and Max, 1, I genuinely don’t know how the women I know, whose husbands are still in, do it! “My husband goes away for a week now for work and I live near my mum, I live near my sister-in-law, I’ve got a childminder that helps me out and I am still on my knees by Friday night. I don’t know how people do it! And adding in the stress of a conflict zone, no I don’t think I can do it.” “There is a running joke, because Ed is a fifth generation solider about my son or daughter joining the army and how it will be over my dead body. But Ed says it’s a family tradition!” Kitty admits she would be extremely proud of them if either joined the armed forces but she would also find it difficult. Army life is not completely behind Kitty because Ed is now a reservist. She also remains close to many of her Help for Heroes friends. And then, of course, there is the book which still attracts interest several years after

it was written. Feedback from Daffodil Girls has been positive with many military wives - especially the new - describing it as a ‘bible’. Even friends of Kitty’s who are not involved with the armed forces have found it helpful, including one whose husband regularly goes abroad for months on end for work. Most importantly for Kitty, however, the people whose stories she has so powerfully captured have given it their seal of approval. “They loved it,” she said, “which was great because it was my main aim to tell their story, do it justice and give them a voice and I think I have succeeded in that one.” 39

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Then &Now Being a military spouse in the 21st Century comes with its fair share of ups, downs and challenges. But how do our lives compare to those of the women who kept the home fires burning 40 years ago? We speak to two generations of armed forces wives to find out how things have changed… and also what things will always remain the same.

Then… Ann, 59, lives in Lincolnshire. She has three daughters and five grandchildren and is married to Nigel, 59, who served in the RAF.

How did you and your husband meet?

I was 14 when I met my husband – he babysat for my neighbours. We lived in Worksop, Nottinghamshire and he wasn’t in the RAF, but joined up when we were both 17, after three years of going out. I found a long distance relationship hard, but we got married in June 1977, at 19, and I moved to Ipswich to a married quarter the day after the wedding.

How did you find being an armed forces wife?

I was 19 and had never been away from home till then so it wasn’t easy. I was shy and not very confident. I found an admin job and settled in. Our neighbours were really good to us, as were Nige’s work colleagues. We lived about 15 miles from Ipswich and 30 miles from camp so Nige left every day at 7am and was back at 6am. I became pregnant after four months and our daughter, Gemma, was born in April 1978. The other wives were really good to me, called in to see if I was okay and invited me round. They would have been older and more experienced.

How did you juggle your career with military life?

My background is in finance and administration. In the early days I stayed at home with my family and would get part-time jobs where we were – office and bar work. I worked in schools when we were in Germany. My part-time job helped to support us but came secondary to looking after the family in case my husband was away.

How did you manage deployment?

We were lucky. Nige had quite a few detachments, but usually they were short. Except his three tours – four months each time – of the Falklands when the girls were little, which were hard. Good family support was essential and fellow RAF wives and serviceman living near were very supportive.

We bought our house when posted in Lincolnshire in 1994, when our daughters were 16, 14 and 11 as we wanted to settle for their education. Nigel was posted away and I had three teenagers living at home, which wasn’t easy. He would come home at weekends. This lasted eight years until he got a posting commutable to home and by this time the girls had moved to university and into the RAF too.

What were the pros and cons of being a military wife in the 1980s and 90s?

I have spent 37 years as a military wife. I feel this life has made me very capable of being independent and having to manage everything for the family as sometimes you are the only parent. We moved six times and had to adjust to different environments, but had great experiences as a family of living abroad. Our girls are very adaptable at adjusting to different places and making friends and have open minds to gaining new experiences. Sometimes rank, worn by wives, could be a problem – I found this very negative. It was frowned upon if you were friends with a wife whose husband was a different rank. It could also be quite claustrophobic when living in a small community. But I think less so today – my daughters are judged on their own merit, not just as a wife.

Do you notice any difference for military wives today compared to your experiences?

When we first married everybody lived in married quarters and there was more of a community – everybody looking out for each other. There didn’t seem to be many wives who had careers, we were “wife of ” to the military – even when I went into RAF hospital to have my daughter in 1982, I didn’t have a name. I tried to avoid dealing with the housing people, doctors etc at different camps because they could make you feel quite inadequate. As time went on, things did get a bit better – or perhaps I got stronger. From my observation of life on camp today, I think it is a bit fragmented as families live in their own houses, or husbands live away from their family at other camps, so the community feel has gone. But on the upside I think the RAF are more empathetic and flexible to a military man’s family situation and will support, if they can, much more than they used to.

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Now… Ann’s daughter Amy, 37, is married to an RAF serviceman, Gareth. She has two children aged 8 and 5 and works as an occupational therapist.

How did you and your husband meet?

I met my husband nearly 19 years ago, when he had been in the RAF for less than two years. I worked in a pub close to one of the local military bases, where a lot of the guys were regulars, coming in before nights out. The pub sponsored the Sunday football team, which my husband played for. We had met here originally, started going out and he went away on detachment about a year later. I then left the area for university while he moved to Wales and since then we have had 12 new jobs and eight house/accommodation moves between us plus a wedding and two children.

How do you manage deployment?

The absence of my husband at times has an obvious impact, however this is something I am used to and for the children it has also become the norm. We are lucky that he does not go away for particularly long periods regularly, although long working hours can mean they do not see him at times.

What are the pros and cons of being a military wife in 2017?

There is the obvious ‘moving’ issue which I really do see as a pro and a con. For some people outside of the military who may think about moving, the sheer amount of organising, co-ordination and finances required to relocate both people’s jobs, house and everything involved in life can prevent people from doing it. And while, at times, it can feel that you have little control when the RAF dictate the move you are making, it does give you the opportunity How did you find being to experience different an armed forces wife? things that you may Coming from a military otherwise not have done. family the lifestyle did not One of the downsides seem unfamiliar to me, and is you will always be on reflection I don’t think I leaving people behind really considered too much when you move again, what that might mean as a and this is more obvious wife. It was quite a while for me than my husband, after my husband and I were whose social networks are together that we got married predominately military (nine years) so we had had friends. With working a lot of time to experience “Our girls are very adaptable at adjusting to outside of the military being together within the community my social different places and making friends military environment before supports don’t move with we married - a chance to ‘try and have open minds to gaining new experiences.” us and there is not enough it out’. In some ways this was time in any of our lives more challenging as there are to be able to keep these many allowances and services that can be accessed when married relationships as active as you would like, so there is a loss involved that were not available to us, so when we made the decision to get with every change, but I would rather have met all these people and married it made things easier. ‘lost’ that than not had the opportunity in the first place. I think a positive element of military life is the benefits and How do you juggle your career with military life? supports that can be available if needed, and the job security. There is certainly no doubt that having a partner in the military has impacted on my career, but I see this as both positive and negative. There has been an occasion where I opted to leave my job to relocate with my husband before we were married, and more recently since having children where there was no question whether I would also move, again requiring me to give up a job I loved. I am sure that in some of the job roles I have had, remaining in them for longer periods would have led to other career opportunities, however this has also meant that I have been ‘given’ the opportunity to move and try out other roles and areas of work, which I feel within my profession has given me the chance to gain a wider experience base. Whether my husband was in the RAF or not, I still would have reduced my working role to have my children, which would have had the same impact that it has had, regardless of moving. On the positive side, needing to find new jobs, applying and interviewing for them - perhaps more frequently than I may have done if not relocating - has given me more confidence in these processes. However I am not sure interviews ever become ‘easy’ just ‘easier’!

How do you think your life as a military wife differs to your mu m’s?

Due to my husband’s postings and job role we have not always been in the position to engage in a large military community and we have opted to live in our own home as opposed to base on a couple of occasions now. I think, for my mum, and the postings my parents had, there was a much stronger emphasis on the military community, particularly on overseas postings. I think that there are a lot more situations where partners are travelling further distances to work/living separately in the week than there would have been when my dad was in the RAF, whether this is for lifestyle, employment or family decisions or a combination. We always moved as a family up until we were all teenagers, and I am sure the decision at that point not to move was as difficult as it is for us now. Seeing the military community and support available on the units around here I would say a lot of that is still the same, just more modern activities available.

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Ann’s oldest daughter, Gemma, 39, is married to John, a Weapons System Operator and has a son who is nearly one. She also serves in the RAF.

How did you and your husband meet?

We met in language school, training for our jobs in the military.

How do you find life as an armed forces wife?

I guess growing up in the military and not knowing any different, it didn’t bother me either way that my husband was in the military. It was just normal for me.

How do you juggle your career with military life?

What are the pros and cons of being a military wife in 2017?

I enjoy the variety – for example living in the USA. I like the different jobs that we get to try and also meeting new people who understand military life. I like the fact I can give my son the chance to see different cities, countries, cultures and to meet new people so that he doesn’t grow up in one place only knowing that town or city. However, I think more people buying houses, as opposed to living in quarters, means families don’t socialise as much as they used to when I was younger.

How do you think your life as a military wife differs to your mu m’s? When my mum was a military wife, I feel they tended to stay at home more with the children and move every time the service person was posted. Nowadays I think more families buy houses and the service person will go unaccompanied and commute further so their families can stay in one place for the children’s schooling. This also means military wives can build their own careers. I feel the military is trying to help by making postings longer than three years.

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I am also in the military. I originally took a three-year career break to accompany my husband on an overseas tour, effectively pausing my career. I don’t know many jobs that would allow you to do this and hold your job after that long, so I don’t feel like the military has affected my career in a positive or negative way. Having two service personnel in one family, I believe all effort would be made to ensure we both didn’t have to deploy at the same time and that my career wouldn’t be affected by this. My husband and I always discussed how both of us being in the military would work so we agreed that we might have to travel and spend some time apart for our jobs, but we weren’t going to turn

down opportunities or promotion and we really appreciated the time we had together.

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>> FASHION LOOKBOOK Dorothy Perkins Embroidered Denim Shorts £22

TK Maxx Black Mesh Embroidered Dress £29.99 Blue Inc Embroidered Boxy Cropped Shirt £14.99

Bon Prix Denim Embroidered Jacket £39.99

TK Maxx White Embroidered Bardot Top £16.99

Miss Selfridge Mom Mid Blue Embroidered Jeans £45 Miss Selfridge Grey Embellished Keyhole Maxi Dress £99

Miss Pap Vicky Pink Embroidered Metallic Trainers £15

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Simply Be Embroidered Biker Jacket £60

Miss Selfridge Floral Embroidered Maxi Dress £120

George at ASDA Embroidered Off-the-Shoulder Striped Tunic £14

MISS PAP Sofia Floral Embroidered Denim Skirt £22

Embroidery Summer is here and it is announcing itself in brightly embroidered colours and vibrant floral designs. Embroidered bags, embroidered shirts, embroidered dresses and embroidered jackets. And one of our favourite trends this year, embroidered shoes. This year this artful trend is making a fierce comeback!

Miss Selfridge Chapter Embroidered Sandals £45

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>> FASHION LOOKBOOK

BEACH

Cath Kidston Lobster Beach Bag £35

BAGS

Beach bags are an essential part of our holiday wardrobe, something of a hero accessory, so choosing said beach bag shouldn’t be left to the last minute. From bold colours to nautical stripes, tassels or sequins - on holiday, anything goes!

Oasis Beach Bag £30

TK Maxx Vacay Beach Bag £9.99

Bon Prix Stripe Beach bag £19.99 V by Very Metallic Stripe Beach Bag £15

Monsoon Tanya Tassel Beach Bag £45 Primark UK I Am A Mermaid Beach Bag £3

Dorothy Perkins Blue and White Striped Beach Bag £18

V by Very Tassled Beach Bag £25 Cath Kidston Tropical Garden Beachbag £25

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Oliver Bonas Scarlett Marble Wayfarer Sunglasses £35

Sunglasses may be a seasonless essential, but now that the warmer weather has well and truly arrived, there’s even more reason to get a slick new pair of shades in your armoury. With thick frames, tinted lenses, patterns and funky shapes, sunglasses are bolder than ever this year.

SUNGLASSES V By Very Marble Effect Brow Bar Sunglasses £12

Dune London Grace £30

Accessorize Olivia Ombre Cateye £12

Accessorize Julie Heart Frame £12

Dorothy Perkins Lilac Sunglasses £8

Accessorize Mia Metal Arm Catmaster £15

Oliver Bonas Skye Pearlescent Sunglasses £45 Topshop £20

Accessorize Abi Basic Colour Preppy £12 Accessorize Augusta Round £12

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Oliver Bonas Sian Contrast Sunglasses £39

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>> FASHION LOOKBOOK Figleaves Frida Bikini £42

y l l a Tot Flamboyant trends of tropical prints and fruits are proving popular this season. If you’re committing to a tropical print, go all out and try it with a jumpsuit. Tone it down with neutral accessories, like a black belt, flat sandals, and a shoulder bag. If you want to embrace the island vibes but in a slightly more subtle way, pair your leafy top with a pair of denim shorts or maybe just choose some tropical accessories to brighten up your outfit. 50

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Monsoon Sandy Tropical Jumpsuit £69

Figleaves Pour Moi Jungle Fever Kaftan £35

Accessorize Velvet Tropical Flower Hair Clips £8

George at ASDA Printed Bardot Playsuit £12

Dune Luau £50

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Dorothy Perkins Tropical Print Cami £18 George at ASDA Pineapple Embroidered Shorts £10

Bon Prix Watermelon Bag £24.99

Figleaves Antalia Mala High Neck Shaping Swimsuit £40 Figleaves Palm Springs Underwired Strapping Tummy Control Swimsuit £48

George at ASDA Tropical Off-Shoulder Top £8

Dorothy Perkins Yellow Floral Ruffle Wrap Top £25

Accessorize Tropical Cactus Washbag £12

George at ASDA Tropical Pom-Pom Top £8 Wallis Tropical Jumpsuit Price TBC

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Bon Prix Tropical Crop Top £19.99

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MIDLANDS MILITARY CATCHMENT

Does your dog need a new bed? What you need to consider How much thought do you put into buying a bed for a family member?

then put it back on the shelf and look for something else.

Hopefully, quite a lot, given that they will typically spend 8 hours a day in it, and if it is for a teenager, then even more time (if they are allowed!). Your dog is a member of the family too and the same consideration should be given to your dog’s bed and how it impacts on them.

My dog sleeps on the sofa - does he still need a bed?

Why is a good nights sleep important? Sleep is important to our own health and it has affects on our ability to function, including our sociability concentration, attention span, and so on. If your sleep has been disturbed, it can leave you feeling crotchety in the morning and ‘out of sorts’. Well, all this applies to your dog too! A dog that sleeps well will often be better behaved because they are in a better mood - just like you! Your dog will easily spend 16 hours a day on his/her bed, so it gets the same use as your sofa and bed put together. This means it needs to be comfortable and support your dog’s frame properly. Elbow calluses can be avoided by getting your dog a decent quality bed. How do I choose a good bed? Check your dog’s current bed by sitting or kneeling on it. If you can feel the floor through your dog’s bed, it is not thick enough to ensure that they are comfortable and it may exacerbate joint problems. You can also use this test to assess a shop bed too. Kneel on the bed for at least a slow count of five and if your knees begin to feel the floor -

Even if you allow your dogs on the sofa, they must also have their own bed, as there are always circumstances when they will need their own space. Dogs without beds can become protective of their sofa space, which you certainly want to avoid. A dog will use a bed if it is comfortable and in a position that keeps them involved in family life. What to look for in a dog bed Your dog’s bed should: • Be big enough for them to stretch out or curl up on, as the mood takes them. • Be sufficiently large enough so they do not dangle off the edge. • Allow them to lie in various positions and not be forced to curl up due to the shape and size of the bed. If you want the bed to have sides so that your dog can snuggle into it, just make sure the flat centre of the bed is large enough for them also to be able to lie completely flat. If your dog overheats easily, avoid a soft bed that they will sink into. Memory foam retains heat, so this is better avoided for dogs that feel the heat. Often, a dog that overheats will gets off their bed and lie on the floor. This can promote elbow callus development. Have at least two beds in the space they regularly occupy so they can move to a cool bed. Long legged dogs tend to like a firm surface as a soft one can make them feel unstable. Likewise, heavier dogs need something that gives back when they go to stand up. Something very squashy is both difficult for them to move about on and cause them to overheat. A waterproof dog bed will help reduce or eliminate dog bed odours as it is the inner cushion rather than the cover that holds onto doggy aromas and no amount of cover washing will eliminate that.

What’s the best bed if your dog has joint problems? • For dogs with arthritis or joint issues you may want to consider an orthopaedic bed. However, no dog beds have ever undergone any research to establish whether they have orthopaedic beneﬁts. So, take all orthopaedic claims with a large pinch of salt. • Remember, memory foam is not an orthopaedic product in itself and there are a wide range of foam qualities. • If you are looking for a bed for a dog suffering with arthritis or similar issues, it’s a good idea to talk to the company making the bed you are considering to discuss your dogs particular issues. When you invest in your dog’s bed you are investing in their health. You wouldn’t expect to change your own mattress every couple of years and the same applies to your dog’s bed. The Big Dog Bed Company specialises in making beds for larger dogs in the UK.

Making better dog beds in the UK

www.bigdogbedcompany.co.uk

01491 641788

info@bigdogbedcompany.co.uk

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CONTRIBUTION

Just

for

Him

Everything you ever wanted to know about boudoir photographyâ&#x20AC;Ś

by Viktoria Kuti www.viktoriakuti.com

lthough I truly believe that boudoir is for every woman, most of my customers do come to me looking for a present for a significant other, husband or groom. And the images are a great gift! They are not something your other half would suspect most of the time, so they are definitely a great surprise. At the same time I also always encourage women I know to just do the boudoir shoot for themselves. It is an experience, and all my customers go home with more than just images. During the session they start to feel more relaxed and comfortable about their body and get a huge confidence boost, not to mention the pampering of having their hair and make-up done professionally for the shoot. Boudoir can be anything you want it to be. It can be sexy and sultry and seductive, but it can also be totally cute and playful. And similarly, we can show as much or as little skin as you want. I personally love shooting nudes (or implied nudes) as I find the human form fascinatingly beautiful, but I have also shot an entire session of someone wearing an oversized jumper. For me, boudoir is more about the experience and transformation you go through. Boudoir can be anything that makes YOU feel sexy and sensual, or just generally good in your skin. As they say - often less is more. Showing only legs or shoulders can be just enoughâ&#x20AC;Ś

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“Boudoir is for everybody and for every body, regardless of size or shape (or even age for that matter!) … the experience will change the way you see and feel about yourself.”

So, what does the process involve? After booking, we go through an extensive planning of your shoot together - we discuss hair, make-up, location and lingerie… pretty much all aspects of the styling. My clients usually already have ideas of what they want their session to look like, but I guide them too with what I think would look best for their body shape and what I know works best on the camera. One thing I hear again and again from my customers before the shoot is their worry about not knowing how to pose / what to do in front of the camera… and the good news is, you don’t need to! It’s my job to guide you and pose you and make sure you look your best on the images. I am very specific and very detail oriented. I know what beautiful looks like, so I make

sure every little part of you down to your fingertips and facial expressions is just right. It might seem a little controlling, but I find most people actually find it relaxing that all they need to do is follow instructions and they can trust me that the results are going to be stunning. Hair and make-up usually takes about an hour and a session is generally about two hours long. I don’t restrict my sessions by time, if I feel we haven’t got enough killer images yet, I’m more than happy to keep the shoot going. Boudoir sessions are tiring though (it’s not just lying around in lingerie, it’s more like a workout!) so they rarely go over three hours. The final selection of images is presented a couple of weeks after the photoshoot for you to pick your favourites and also decide on how you want to display them. I find the most popular options are boxes of matted prints, albums and wall art. One of my main missions with my photography is to promote body positivity and to empower women to own their beauty and femininity. Not when all the stars align and you have a good day. Not when you lose the pounds you think you need to lose. NOW. I want you to know

that boudoir is for everybody and for every body, regardless of size or shape (or even age for that matter!).Your images might not get onto a magazine cover, but I can promise the experience will change the way you see and feel about yourself. I know what you’re thinking - shouldn’t you have the confidence already to have yourself photographed with no clothes on…? Please, just come as you are, the confidence will come with the experience. The most important thing that I want you to know: all my customers are just like you. They are not models. They are mothers. They are daughters. They are sisters. They are wives. They were all nervous and self-conscious before their photoshoots.Yes, they went through a huge transformation. But that transformation doesn’t just mean the hairand makeup, it is mostly the transformation that happened within them. They embraced who they are. They embraced their own body and beauty. And they walked away feeling more confident and empowered in their femininity. And I believe all women should experience that. 55

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Homemade

BEAUTY These home-made beauty products will leave you feeling pampered and relaxed, and they are easily whipped up at home using natural ingredients that you might already have lying around! They make great gifts for friends and family and are great for sensitive skin or allergies as you know exactly what’s going in them and what you’re putting on your skin. Why not give them a try?

Make Up Remover Great for: A cleansing morning pick-me-up, or a finish to the day

Lavender and Rosemary Body Scrub Great for: Moisturising, exfoliating, calming Ingredients: 2 cups Epsom Salt 1 cup coconut oil 10-15 drops lavender essential oil Sprig of fresh rosemary In a large bowl add the Epsom salt, coconut oil, lavender oil and chopped rosemary leaves. Mix up really well and simply transfer to jars (pint size mason jars work well!). It’s that simple! To use, simply rub into skin in the shower or tub and gently wash off to leave your skin fragrant, smooth and beautifully moisturised. You can omit the rosemary, or swap for a vanilla pod for a different fragrance.

Ingredients A medium sized jar Small stack of round cotton wool pads Hot water 1 tbsp coconut oil Unscented baby soap 1 /2 tsp witch hazel Fill your jar with slightly cooled boiled water. Stir in the coconut oil, baby soap and witch hazel until you have a milky mixture. When the water is cool enough to touch, take your cotton wool pads, still in a stack, and push them into the mixture slowly letting them soak it all up. Pop the lid on and let the mixture saturate the wipes, ready for you to pick one out when you need it to remove your make up or cleanse and freshen your skin.

Simple Banana Face Mask Great for: Brightening skin, clearing pores Ingredients: 1 Banana 1 /2 tsp lemon juice 1 tbsp honey

Mash your banana really well, then mix in the lemon juice and honey and mash some more. That’s it! Use this straight away, by smoothing over your skin and leaving for 20-30 minutes (we suggest whilst relaxing in the bath!) Rinse off and enjoy your brighter, softer and clearer skin. Bananas are well known for containing potassium which is great for your skin but they also contain vitamins E and C which have anti-aging effects. This recipe will not keep for long but it’s so quick and easy to make up you can make it on demand!

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Soothing Strawberry Lip Balm Great for: Moisturising, soothing Ingredients 1 tbsp beeswax 1 /2 tbsp coconut oil 1 /2 tbsp almond oil 1 /8 tsp vitamin E oil 1 /8 - 1/4 cup freezedried strawberries

Coconut Milk Shampoo

Great for: Dry hair in need of a pick-me-up Ingredients: 1 /4 cup coconut milk 1 /3 cup baby shampoo 1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil 10 - 20 drops of your choice of essential oil (if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure what to go for, we recommend apple, it goes great with the coconut scent!) First add the coconut milk and the baby shampoo to your bottle of choice. Add in the two oils and shake well to combine everything together. Leave to settle, jump in the shower and try it out! Lather up and rinse thoroughly, repeat as many times as you like.

Grind your freeze dried strawberries into a fine powder. You can use a blender or food processor to do this if you have one, otherwise a pestle and mortar works great! Place all ingredients into a heat proof bowl, and then place that inside a bowl of slowly boiling water so it comes up to about halfway up the side of the container. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get any water in the mixture. Keep the water simmering and stir the mix occasionally with a metal spoon. Remove the mixture from the water carefully and strain straight into your final container where you will keep the lip balm. After ten minutes of cooling at room temperature, give the mixture one last stir to make sure the flavour and colour is evenly distributed. Let you lip balm cool completely and voila! An all-natural, soothing strawberry sensation for your lips.

Bath Bombs Great for: Gifts, relaxing, aromatherapy Ingredients Bath bomb molds Bowl Whisk 1 /2 cup baking soda 1 /4 cup corn starch 1 /4 cup Epsom salt 1 /4 cup citric acid 3 - 4 tsp coconut oil 1 - 2 tsp water 1 tsp essential oil of your choice Few drops of food colouring (optional)

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Slowly wet your ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Be sure to add in the liquid ingredients slowly. Start with the essential oil, then food colouring if you are using it and if the mixture is still too dry to be sticking together then start to add the water a drop at a time. If you get this mixture too wet too quickly it will fizz and ruin the finished product. When your mixture sticks together firmly in clumps and holds its shape, press it into molds and remove the excess from the sides. Let your mixture sit in the molds for a few hours before removing, then leave to dry completely for 24 hours. This recipe makes enough for two 2.5 inch round bath bombs. Experiment with fragrances, colours and shapes for your bath bombs. These make wonderful gifts for adults and children alike. You could even add in dried petals and flowers, edible glitter or stick cake decorations on the top to make them more personal!

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Homemade BEAUTY

Be your own kind of beaufitul Darceys with Nicole offers luxury soy wax candles, wax melts, flameless scent range, body products and much more #shopdarceyswithnicoletoday

Honey-Whipped Hand Cream

Do you love candles? Why not earn 25% commission on all sales with no minimum order by selling candles you love to your family & friends. Contact me to join my team today #joindarceyswithnicoleteam

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Great for: Dry skin, hard-working hands, soothing Ingredients 4oz coconut oil 4oz shea butter 3 tbsp honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 20-30 drops essential oil of your choice (we recommend vanilla!)

DRE

Be Your Own Boss Sheila Grant 07949099163 and Ann Orwin 07572690569 arbonne.com/HireYourself

Measure out your ingredients and place everything into a glass bowl. Over a saucepan of boiling water melt your ingredients slowly, stirring occasionally. Leave to cool completely in the fridge for 1-2 hours until the mixture solidifies. Using a spoon, scrape the mixture from the sides. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry if some of it has separated it will mix back in! Add in the essential oils and whip with an electric hand mixer. Transfer to a container (such as a mason jar) and use when needed! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for use all over, not just hands. Anywhere that needs a bit of moisturising or TLC will benefit from this recipe! In the warmer months this can tend to melt a bit, so keep in the fridge for a cooling treat.

email: the.allotment@icloud.com

We are an organic tea and coffee unit but can also adapt to a gin or prosecco bar, smoothie and juice bar. We provide hot and cold food and organic and fairtrade bakery items. Everything is organic and locally sourced where possible. Available to hire for any occasion! Bookings welcome.

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The Little Oven of Joy provides premium quality Wood Fired Artisan Pizzas • Pizzas cook in 90 seconds • High quality outside catering • Fast and Fresh • Local and organic ingredients • Bespoke service Mobile: 07789 547 206 E-mail: thelittleovenofjoy@gmail.com facebook.com/thelittleovenofjoy @littleovenofjoy

Tapestry kits, patterns and workshops. tinafrancis.co.uk 07979 854 649 tina@tinafrancis.co.uk

Dreamlits are bracelets specically designed with a combination of 8 crystals, to be worn at sleep time. Research has shown: • Removes sleep problems and nightmares Email us • Stops insomnia, mentioning this advert reduced price of • Removes restlessness during sleep for a£25+£5 p&p I can do fairs and shows if required.

www.dreamlits.co.uk

07535 275 353 01933 461 244

Modern LED lighting, modern sound system, smoke/ haze and bubbles.

Committed to the success of your event we will work with you in the lead up to the day ensuring you are comfortable in what we will offer. Visit our website to see pictures of what we have to offer! Fully insured & PAT Tested equipment.

Friendly, reliable service, guaranteed to keep your party going all night long!

Suzanne Lisa

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Tina Francis Tapestry

Wedding, Birthday, Prom, Party or any special occasion!

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Professional Mobile DJ’s

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Psychic Astrologer

Excellent Reviews Phone and Email Readings includes: Birth Chart Interperetation Compatability Charts for your relationships e theamazinglisa@yahoo.co.uk m 07770 915198 “very accurate and helpful insight into my life and future” “Amazing, strongly recommended.”

Knights Holiday Homes

Dog and family friendly. 2-3 bedroom self-catering cottage. Accommodation on Kessingland cliff and within a one minute walk to the beach.

facebook.com/Knightsholidayhomes 07788287075

Antioch Farm, New Road

BJ Crafts Tilney St Lawrence, Kings Lynn PE34 4QF

We are a family run business specialising in Imagination crafts products as seen on Hochanda TV. We run workshops all around the UK and could run a workshop for you on base if space is available.

www.bjcrafts.co.uk 01945 881382

A dog friendly self catering retreat in beautiful Norfolk. Perfect for a getaway for

solo adventurers or couples with or without your

four-legged friend. Explore the amazing beaches,

historic towns or just kick back and relax.

sarah@thelittlestables.co.uk

www.thelittlestables.co.uk 59

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Matty Baby Crafts & Precious & Personalised

Ribbons-n-Bows

baby blankets, Cubbies, sleepsuits, ribbons and sashes for all occasions

Massage is one of the most powerful and ancient natural therapies on the planet. There are many different reasons why people book a Massage treatment and they range

Embroidered, appliqued, or printed to your specific requirements for a precious keepsake or memento of a special occasion. Whether it’s the birth of a new baby, Christening, Wedding, Valentine, Engagement or just a ’thank you’, every item will be unique to your specific requirements. The Cubbies have removable body and head pods for easier washing, which also means they can be used as a nightwear case for bigger people.

from the need to unwind and release muscular tension, to recharging our depleted energy levels and to needing a simple physical ‘de-tox’. t: 07540 610 475 | e: david@focusedmassage.co.uk facebook.com/focusedmassage

www.mattybabycrafts.co.uk and www.ribbons-n-bows.com

Email: info@mattybabycrafts.co.uk

Our Skincare, Haircare, Health Supplements and Home Cleaning Products are designed from the very outset to be safe from harmful chemicals, not tested on animals, and free from PEGS, SLS, MicroBeads, Phthalates, Parabens, and around 3000 other nasty ingredients.

I can help with... • Depression • Stress and Anxiety • Panic Attacks • Low Conﬁdence / Self Esteem • Stop Smoking • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder • Insomnia and Sleeping Disorders • Chronic Pain Management • Fear of Flying • Stuttering, Stammering, Blushing, Twitches, Tics, Nail Biting • Child Hypnotherapy • Pregnancy and Childbirth • Weight Loss and Eating Disorders • Sport and Fitness Aid • Tinnitus • Driving Test, Exam Nerves, Public Speaking • Relationship and Marital Issues • Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Every client must be comfortable and relaxed in order to gain the best from each session, and for that reason I am happy to hold sessions at your premises. I cover the whole of Peterborough and its surrounding towns and villages.

Jason Greeves

To find out more about our amazing products or the business side, and join a growing number of people who chose these products for themselves, their families, and their home:

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Visit: https://ipswich-waterfront.co.uk/shopping-in-ipswich/health-and-beauty/live-clean

Barrie St John A fascinating entertainer, combining mindblowing psychology and fast paced comedy to produce an evening that everyone will remember... Barrie St John has appeared all over the UK as well as Spain, Ibiza and South Africa.

Email: enquiries@ribbons-n-bows.com

Bernadette South bernadettesouth@yahoo.co.uk

His polished and skillfull presentation is the best in the business - the result of more than 20 years experience of working with exclusive audiences.

07708 749643

Stage Hypnotist Show can now be booked direct 07949 140 226 barrie@ukhypnotist.co.uk | www.ukhypnotist.co.uk

Foodmaster Catering Frank’s Ices serve delicious whippy ice cream, ice lollies, refreshing cold drinks, sweets and snacks. Perfect for a hot day! We have over 60 years’ experience serving our traditional ices to delighted customers, young and old, throughout Cambridgeshire. Hand made, fresh crepes with a variety of sweet & savoury fillings. Perfect for any outside event, all year round. Warm, easy & delicious to eat, Crepic is a great addi on to any party, fes val or display.

Please contact us on

07792742216

Frank’s Food Bar specialises in providing freshly cooked fish and chips for your event. We also offer burgers, scampi, sausage and fried chicken. All our products are locally sourced and we are proud of our strong relationship with the local community. M:

07850 295 375 T: 01733 844 890

E: foodmaster@hotmail.co.uk

Franks Ices

www.foodmastercatering.co.uk

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EAST MILITARY CATCHMENT

What you get...

The opportunity to order exclusive product packs in your first three campaigns, along with samples and support materials. Plus in your fourth campaign, order a luxury handbag by designer Tabitha Webb, with £80*! To find our more about starting your own exciting self-employed Avon business, or to see a brochure, contact me:

Brenda Roberts 01603 661263 or 07756 481036 basalesleader@aol.com

Fun & Rewarding Home Business in Personal Development • Simple Set Up • NOT MLM • No Cold Calling • No Chasing Friends & Family • Simple Yet Sophisticated Online Business • Big Thinkers Only • BOOMING DIRECT SALES • Make up to $5,000 per sale APPLY NOW: http://www.richesandfortunegroup.co.uk 61

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Z A a to

MONEY SAVING

With prices rising all over the place, there aren’t many of us that couldn’t do with saving a bit here and there and it can be hard to keep track of the best frugal spending tactics! Have a look at our A-Z guide of money saving tips and see how much you could save…!

c bd APPS

Cashback apps are a brilliant way to get something back from your weekly shop. All apps work slightly differently but they all require you to select the offers you want and upload a picture of your receipt. If this is all done correctly you will build up a bit of extra cash which you can then transfer to your bank or PayPal account.

COMPARE & CHANGE

Set aside an hour or two one Saturday afternoon, pour yourself a cuppa and log on to a comparison site. Are you really getting the best deal on your insurance, phone and energy costs? If not ring your providers and switch everything over! You’ll be surprised at how much you might save.

BUDGET

It seems obvious but sitting down and setting yourself a weekly budget, and sticking to it, is really important when it comes to saving cash! There are lots of money saving websites that can help with this, or you could come up with a spreadsheet on excel to monitor your spending habits.

DISCOUNT SITES

Groupon, Wowcher, DealZippy.. there are many of them out there and there really are some hidden gems within them! From meals out at super low costs, great deals on goods and even hundreds off holidays you could save a fortune.

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ENERGY COSTS

f i g FREEBIES

A few small changes can make a big difference to your energy expenditure. Putting electrical appliances and your thermostat on a timer, switching to energy efficient lightbulbs, buying some draft excluders and fixing that leaky tap will all add up to saving more than a few pounds a year.

Everyone loves a freebie! And one man’s trash is another man’s treasure as the saying goes. If you’re looking for a new piece of furniture, garden equipment or even firewood, searching on websites such as Freecyle where people upload their unwanted items to give away for free is a good way to get something for nothing.

INTEREST FREE

If you have credit cards and loans then transferring the balance to a 0% interest credit card can help you knock hundreds off your debt. Keep an eye out for offers or search online.

j h

GROW YOUR OWN

Growing your own veg in the garden is fun, therapeutic and money saving! It’s a great way to get the kids out in the fresh air and understanding where food comes from and if space is an issue you don’t need an allotment to do it.You can grow potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, beans and strawberries easily in pots.

JUMBLE SALES

Jumble sales, charity shops and car boots are all brilliant for finding hidden bargains or to make a bit of money yourself!

HOLIDAYS

You don’t need to forgo your annual family holiday to save some money, especially if you are savvy when planning and booking it.You could look into a house swap if you are in a holiday area, or as mentioned above, keep an eye on deals from Groupon or save up newspaper tokens to get a bargain getaway.

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k mn lo pq r KEEP A SPENDING DIARY

Sometimes, especially with internet shopping, eBay and debit cards being used so much more than cash these days, it can be hard to keep track of just how much you’re spending day - to - day. Keep a log, even if it’s just on your phone, of what you spend and when.You might be surprised how much you get through without realising it and see where you can and can’t cut back.

LETTERS

It might sound silly but writing a letter or an email to your favourite brands can sometimes pay off with them responding to your compliments and praise with money off vouchers. On the other hand, if you feel like you have been let down by a company or restaurant let them know how you feel. Not only will it help them improve their services but they will often apologise with some freebies!

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Joining up for storecards such as Tesco Clubcard, Superdrug, Boots etc is a great way to save money in the long run.You’ll be surprised at how fast your points add up and it’s always nice to have some cash knocked off bigger purchases, especially if you save up all year and use them at Christmas!

Say it! It can be easy to feel pressured into going out with friends maybe more often than we should and ending up spending more than we intended to. Say no more often and think about your bank balance, or suggest going for coffee instead of lunch or having a night in rather than an expensive night out.

ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING

Aside from the convenience and flexibility of online food shopping, another great benefit is you are less tempted to spend money on things you probably don’t really need when you aren’t wandering around a shop being distracted by advertising and offers on the shop floor.

PACK-UP

Take a pack up lunch to work instead of buying one every day. Those meal deals might seem like a bargain but they soon add up!

RECEIPTS

Keep and check your receipts. Many supermarkets will offer you a voucher if your shopping could have been cheaper elsewhere, even if it’s only by pence it all helps.You also don’t want to lose a receipt you might need in the future if you need to take a faulty product back.

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QUIT

If you smoke or drink a lot, taking steps to cut down or quit altogether will not only improve your health but also improve your wealth! Other things to think about quitting are things you’ve signed up for but don’t really use. Netflix/ Amazon Prime/Now TV membership still running but you haven’t logged in in weeks? Gym membership still going but you’ve not been in 4 months? Cancel them!

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t s

VOUCHERS

TRANSPORT

Not only better for the environment, using buses, trains or car sharing can also help you save money on petrol.

u wx yz

Picking up supermarket magazines and keeping an eye online and email for vouchers to use either online or in store can shave a few pounds off the things you buy most often.

STOCKPILE

Stockpiling on goods that are on offer will help you save money in the long term. If you see your favourite washing powder for half price buy 2 or 3, it will save you pounds in the next month or so.

UPCYCLE

Upcycling your old stuff can give it a new lease of life and save you heaps instead of buying something new. Check out our Upcycling article in this issue for some inspiration!

WRITE A WILL

Not something we like to think about and it won’t save you money but it will save your kid’s money in solicitor’s fees, tax and all sorts of other expenses if you write a will and keep it updated.

XMAS SPENDING

Always a big drain on the bank balance, get organised early and start buying a few bits here and there now to make it less of a blow to the bank balance in December!

YELLOW STICKERS

Keep your eye out for those discount yellow stickers when in supermarkets! Often on products due to go out of date shortly, there are lots of things you will be able to freeze and it will make meal times cheaper for the weeks ahead!

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ZERO SPEND DAYS

For many of us not a day goes by without us spending something, even if it’s just a few quid. Try to have one or two Zero Spend Days a week where you don’t spend a penny, it will make a difference!

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MODERN

It seems every day a new concept or fad is being unveiled, tipped as being the solution to help us achieve fulfilment, cope with the pressures of our hectic lifestyles and enable us to become better parents, wives, daughters and friends. The problem is keeping up with these trends and trying to incorporate them into our lives can often increase our stress levels, not reduce them! Here we look at five trends and how to master them without breaking into a sweat or having to buy the book…

What’s it all about? Who remembers the good old days when a spoonful of sugar was prescribed, literally, to help the medicine go down? When children used to get excited about queueing up at the nurse’s office for an immunisation because they also got a sugar cube…? These days, this would amount to child cruelty! For, it turns out, sugar is the devil. And giving your child a lump of it to take away the pain would be akin to offering them a Marlborough Light if they had a bad day at school. As for us adults, the dangers of sugar are – in some quarters - now feared to such an extent that an entire industry has been built out of ‘going sugar-free’. Books, apps, social media pages, vlogs and blogs are devoted to cutting this ingredient out of our diets. And don’t get any ideas about drowning your sorrows in a glass of wine or switching to savoury items to get your quick junk food fix, because literally anything vaguely enjoyable or tasty

contains sugar. So get used to eating a lot ‘energy bites’ and quinoa. The pros: Glowing skin, more energy, better moods, less stress and weight loss are the headline-grabbing benefits of this new health fad. On a more serious note, sugar has been blamed for the high rates of obesity, which in turn can lead to diabetes and heart disease. So cutting it out of your diet has obvious health benefits. The cons: Cakes, chocolate, wine… we all need something with which to treat ourselves. Take sugar out of our lives and where’s the pleasure? Okay, a Google Image search for “Johnny Depp” can keep us going for a few minutes… But a shot of the gorgeous mug of Mr Depp simply will not cut it at the end of a meal when everyone else is tucking into their Tiramisu and you or staring forlornly at a mint tea. Besides, with no Jaffa cakes in our lives, what on earth would we have for tea when our bloke is on deployment? How to embrace it: Moderation. Seriously, we all know that the moment something is banned…we simply want it even more! So, have your cake, eat it, but maybe just have a slightly smaller portion. Bon appetit!

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What’s it all about? As if advent calendars, trips to Santa’s Grotto and sprinkling reindeer food around the garden were not enough to fuel our children’s festive excitement, some kind soul has added another chore to the festivities. Enter Elf On The Shelf - a naughty little sprite who causes mayhem in our homes in the run up to 25th December. In some families he is limited to making a mess with Cheerios and leaving floury footprints on the carpet. But in others his pranks are epic – decorating walls of entire rooms with wrapping paper and building giant snowmen out of toilet paper. The pros: Seeing the joy on our children’s faces when they emerge from their bedrooms to discover their Elf has trapped them in their bedrooms with duct tape. Elves can also be used for behaviour

management purposes – “there will be no elf activities today as Tarquin and Philippa did not tidy their rooms yesterday”. Get an Elf and you are well on the road to Perfect Parenting Paradise. The cons: The effort of not only executing Elf antics each night but coming up with ideas for the pranks is just exhausting. Not only that, but once all this preparation has been done (which pretty much takes up half the evening) we then have to post it on social media. That’s not the end – the following morning it’s our job to tidy it up! Which, to be honest, doesn’t teach the children a very good lesson in taking responsibility – elf makes a mess, we hoover it up. Where’s the logic? This is on top of all the other fifty squillion things we have to do in the run up to Christmas is pretty much enough to make us wonder if Ebenezer Scrooge was onto something before those ghosts got to him. How to embrace it: If you haven’t launched the tradition of Elf On The Shelf at Christmas – don’t. If your children succumb to peer pressure and demand one, then explain yours is a very well behaved elf who has been handpicked by Santa to assist him in Very Important Toy Making Activities in Lapland. Bah humbug!

What’s it all about? If you are feeling stressed out, overwhelmed with the chaos of life and having to invent yet another scrape for that bloody elf, fear not. For mindfulness could be the answer. It’s about being in the moment. It’s about sitting down for ten minutes, quietening our mind, listening to our breath. It’s about just… being. Except, it’s not. Because, it turns out, it takes time and a lot of practice to train our brains to be ‘mindful’. And, of course, we are far too busy for that! Plus it only really works when your children are not there bellowing: “why you have locked the bathroom door”. Or your husband isn’t in the next room listening to ACDC’s Highway to Hell. Or the neighbours are not having a big public bust up in the street outside. The pros: Who doesn’t need headspace? Mindfulness is recommended as a way of treating stress, encouraging better sleep and reducing chronic pain. It is also used as part of the treatment for depression and anxiety.

actually doesn’t quite make it into the busy schedule in the same way as a nice cup of tea and a good old laugh with our mates.

The cons: Most people who practice mindfulness are those who actually have time in the first place.You know the ones? They inherited a fortune, bought a plot of land, turned it into a yoga retreat and float around for most of the day in a Kaftan drinking flaxseed shakes and posting pictures of their mug of herbal tea next to a sprig of lavender in a rustic jug on Instagram. For the rest of us, mindfulness is something which sounds very nice indeed, but

How to embrace it: You don’t have the time or patience for mindfulness? Then just try to occasionally ‘be mindful’ and wallow in a moment. Obviously not when your child is having a tantrum, or you are bleaching the toilet. But next time you are with the kids and they are being sweet or you are out with friends and in an uncontrollable fit of giggles, note how it feels. That, in itself, is mindfulness. Sort of.

continues over page >> 69

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What’s it all about? No one really knows, exactly. It’s got something to do with pretending to be Danish by getting cosy, lighting some candles and eating lots of pastries with friends whilst wrapped in a snuggly cable knit fisherman’s jumper.

there’s the magnolia paint issue – we are not sure the Danish have come across this shade of Dulux yet, but we can almost certain it is not Hygge. Horrible, yes. Heinous, most certainly … but Hygge? No.

Despite the vagueness of it all – this concept has made lots of people lots of money. Books about ‘being Hygge’ have flown off the shelf and merchandisers are cashing in on the trend by simply adding the word ‘Hygge’ to the title. Even the most unappealing things can become aspirational simply by using this prefix… A boring old pair of socks can become an indulgent treat by calling them Hygge Foot Warmers. Having an evening in is no longer dull and boring… no, light a candle, eat a sweet pastry and you are instantly having a Hygge Experience.

How to embrace it: Using the word Hygge is a great way to be a lazy host. Got some friends coming over but only have a packet of sausage rolls in the fridge? Never fear… Lay said meat rolls artfully on a plate, call them “pastries”, dim the lighting, arrange some tealights and Bob’s your uncle: Hygge Dinner Party.You will be the talk of your patch.

The Pros: Throwing yourself into Hygge (pronounced hue-guh, apparently) will make you more relaxed, happy and fulfilled. It will transform your home into a haven of indulgent tranquillity and bring about a sense of general well-being. The Cons: As military spouses, you are probably already noticing the flaws in this concept. Firstly, there’s the health and safety aspect of candles, which obviously provide a greater risk of damage and therefore more work at March Out time. Then

What’s it all about? They might just be 22 miles over the channel from us, but these few kilometres make a world of difference. For French women, or so a barrage of books tell us, are skinnier, healthier, happier and generally more sorted than us British Birds. So, in order to reach fulfilment, we all need to discover our inner …erm… madame. This involves making several little tweaks to our day-to-day lives. Apparently, we need to walk more – French women walk everywhere, and generally do more exercise. We need to eat lots of fresh, organic food. We need to dress better – a Breton top (yes, really) is a good start. Oh, and we need to wear expensive perfume. Preferably a French brand. And, er, that’s about it. The Pros: Prepare yourself for this. The pro here is just brilliant… Okay…. If you

want to be ‘more French’ you need to eat everything.Yes! Never deny yourself any food, even sugary treats, because French women indulge in all food groups, even naughty ones. The cons: Unfortunately, you can only eat these tasty foods – cheese, cakes, croissants, chocolate - in very small quantities. And, if you overindulge one day, you have to spend the next day eating nothing but broth. Binge drinking is banned. If you go for a night out it must involve one glass of wine with dinner and lots of passionate conversation about politics and current affairs. No gossip. French women do not gossip. And definitely no shots. Or kebabs. (The latter stifles the aroma of Chanel No 5, apparently). How to embrace it: Being in the fortunate position of having French buddies we can confirm that these books are very interesting and engaging but – gasp – utter nonsense. Turns out these images of les femmes are stereotypes! So, you don’t need to worry. Carry on. As you were.

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DOWN TO

earth

SUPPORT

onna Rowe-Green describes herself as a ‘plant and people’ person. But as the wife of a veteran and the pioneer of a project which supports serving and former military members facing challenges, she knows a thing or two about the highs and lows of armed forces life too. The 48-year-old who lives just outside Preston is currently celebrating five years since she launched Dig In North West, a venture which she developed after being made redundant from her job as a horticultural therapist. In this role, which she carried out for 17 years, Donna worked with people who had a variety of mental and physical health problems and disabilities. She helped everyone from those with dementia, through to young people on the edge of the judicial system. “I worked

with all sorts of vulnerable groups,” she said, “using gardening as a way of improving their day or improving their prospects.”

Nigel, who is also 48, had been a tank driver in the army based in Catterick, amongst other places. He was also stationed in Kosovo before leaving the armed forces in 1994. Donna, who met Nigel 28 After being made “I kicked myself that I had years ago and became friends redundant Donna became selfnever thought of that because, with her future husband before they dated, said he employed and it for as long as I have been had been through “some was during this time that she a horticultural therapist, I horribly dark times” in his struggle with PTSD. “We discovered a project have had a husband who were very blessed he spent in Scotland called Gardening Leave has PTSD and a range of six weeks with Combat Stress [the veterans’ mental health - a horticultural challenges as a result of his charity] and got a lot of help therapy venture for there that helped to turn him military veterans.“I service in the army.” around,” she said. But we kicked myself that have lived with this for many years it’s one of I had never thought of that,” said Donna, those things - it becomes normal. It’s only if “because, for as long as I have been a you say certain things and you see a look on horticultural therapist, I have had a husband people’s faces you think it’s not actually that who has PTSD and a range of challenges as normal, is it?” a result of his service in the army.”

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and, at Christmas, through a pop-up shop at the bowling pavilion next door. Much of what is created gets exhibited at events and shows. At the time of writing, the team were working on a structure to be displayed at the Tatton Flower Show. Along with the Dementia Day Centre and two local schools, teams were busy recreating, using the craft of willow weaving, the World War One Buffet, which ran But, while it felt as if a magic “By working in the out of Preston Station. The buffet was set up in 1915 wand had been waved, Donna community they by female volunteers to admitted this gift ended up being a ‘double edged sword’. get used to working offer food and drink to the millions of troops heading “It was fabulous,” she said, alongside civilians, off to the battlefields of war. “that we had this new garden which would have taken us a which helps to break The women worked around the clock, in 12-hour shifts, good 12 months to achieve. down those barriers to provide the service for And, given my tendency for procrastination would of understanding on soldiers and sailors, who were passing through the station have been building now! both sides.” on their way to postings. But it also thrust us out into It seems highly apt, not to the limelight when I’d not mention deeply poignant, that a charity got anything set up - no money, no bank supporting servicemen and women and run account, no veterans! “We weren’t even set by veteran’s wives should create a memorial up as a charity at that point.Yet suddenly to what was such an invaluable venture to there was a big fuss in the local press about troops 100 years ago. The military theme something which didn’t exist yet.” But, as runs through much of what Dig In does. In a veteran’s wife, Donna was nothing if not fact, Nigel is heading a team which is - in determined and resourceful and, despite the charity’s “man cave” - transforming a nearly closing in the Christmas following 6ft by 4ft shed into an army tank for Tatton the launch in 2013, the project eventually got off the ground thanks to a few tweaks. So it is quite understandable how Donna’s interest was piqued by something as close to her heart as the Scottish horticultural therapy project. Once she realised there were no immediate plans to bring the venture further south, she decided to set up her own version. And this is when Dig In North West was born. It all began swimmingly. Donna approached the local council who found her a plot which had not been tended in 20 years. She then managed to get Channel Five’s Construction Squad involved and, in a televised challenge, the garden was created.

Instead of just focusing on horticulture, Dig In began introducing other activities such as woodwork and photography. And, today, it also offers stonemasonry, and sends members on courses to learn skills such as first aid, carpentry and heritage building. Open five days a week, there are seven members of staff, five of whom are veterans and have gone through recovery with Dig In. The newest team member is Donna’s husband, Nigel. Donna, along with another veteran’s wife, run the admin and business side of the project. They work in local schools, recently building a World War One trench in one and a reflective garden for another. Dig In charges for some of those services because it is a social enterprise and to ensure the veterans feel their work has a value at every level. Donna explained, by working in the community they get used to working alongside civilians, which helps to break down those barriers of understanding on both sides. Goods made are sold at farmers’ markets, at open days

The exhibit at Tatton Flower Show

too! “Apparently,” revealed Donna, “a piece of the roof will open so people can go and look out of the top.” Dig In also offers veterans the chance to regain the sense that they are part of a team of people who understand them something many miss when they leave the camaraderie of the forces. “They feel like they belong again,” said Donna. “When they leave the armed forces, whether they like everybody in their unit or not, they know that everybody’s got their back. They know they can trust everybody around them and they belong to something that is very clearly defined.” Veterans who have benefited from Dig In have described it as a “safe place” that helped them keep calm and enabled them to grow. Another said it provided them with stability, no matter how rough their mind got, digging kept them grounded. Others described it as a sanctuary and one credited it with saving both their sanity and “quite probably my life”. These words proved very moving to Donna who admits that she’s so busy with the project, she rarely takes time to sit down and take stock of all that she has achieved. Her overwhelming emotion towards the project is pride. Not necessarily in Dig In itself, but in all the people who have come through its welcoming gates. “I am so proud of how they have turned themselves around - that takes a lot of courage and lot energy.” Donna describes Dig In as a “very jolly place” full of banter and jokes. But, crucially, it’s a place where everyone ‘gets’ each other. “There will be a look passed between a couple of them,” said Donna, “one’s not feeling good, the other one understood that and knows without asking what’s wrong or why they feel like this. They understand each other in such a unique way. It’s quite beautiful.”

For more information go to www.diginnorthwest.org 75

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dom Acts n a

Wildness

As we head into the throws of summer and spend more time in the garden, why not do some Random Acts of Wildness for the creatures in your garden? Read on to see how to attract and help more wildlife in your very own back yard… You can easily buy and plant wildflower seeds in your garden to attract insects, even if you have a patio and no grass or flowerbeds. Garden centres will sell packs of wildflower seeds which you simply need to sprinkle over dirt, or pat gently into tubs. If you’d prefer to buy an already established plant the best ones for attracting helpful garden insects such as butterflies, bees and ladybirds are Cosmos, Buddleia, Honeysuckle, Fuchsia, Lavender and Evening Primrose. Having these plants grow in your garden attracts the good bugs which keep pests that will eat plants and vegetables at bay. Hedges provide additional nesting areas for birds and small animals. They also help to shelter the garden. Suitable hedge plants include Blackthorn, Buckthorn, Cherry Plum, Elder, Hawthorn, Hazel and Privet. Climbers and Creepers provide further foliage to boost the insect population and draw birds. Clematis, Dog Rose and Honeysuckle are traditional favourites.

Grow Wildflowers

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Another fantastic way to attract insects is to create a ‘Bug Hotel’. If you’re good with your hands these are relatively easy to put together yourself, if you have the tools to do so. Otherwise you can pick one up for around £20. They look a little like a birdhouse that you place on a wall, and are usually filled with bamboo, drilled pieces of wood, straw or bark; all lovely places for our little bug pals to hide and breed in. Solitary bees and wasps benefit greatly from these as they don’t have a hive to nest in and they also benefit hibernating insects such as ladybirds and butterflies, giving them a safe place to hide and sleep in.

Bug Hotels

www.notonthehighstreet.com Set Of Two Wooden Insect Houses by Dibor £19

Hedgehog House

Extend your invitation to your garden to hedgehogs by creating a hedgehog house! These little shelters are greatly appreciated by our spiky friends as they use them to breed and hibernate and they also attract insects which are a hedgehog’s favourite food! For more natural hedgehog hibernation spots, you could start an open compost heap. These not only attract food for the hedgehogs but they also love to tunnel themselves into the middle to keep cosy. Be careful when turning your compost heap with a fork as you wouldn’t want to injure one of them! Hedgehogs also love piles of leaves in the autumn, log piles, and unknown to most, hedgehogs also love ponds. They are excellent swimmers and will enjoy feasting on pond insects and will be grateful for the year-round water supply. If you have a pond in your garden it’s a nice idea to create a gentle hedgehog sized slope in and out to avoid any drowning.

It’s no secret that our bee population is in crisis. Mainly due to loss of natural habitat; they’ve lost a huge 97% of their grassland habitats over the last 60 years and numbers have declined to the point of extinction for some species. Bees are important because they pollinate the flowers, plants and crops that we, and other species, rely on for food. Bees pollinate 75% of our main food crops worldwide including some of our favourite varieties such as tomatoes, strawberries and apples.

Save the Bees

There are many things you can do to help bees thrive, things that really will make a difference. Aside from setting wild flowers and creating your very own bug hotels, a great way to help bees thrive is to put some thought into the honey you buy. Buying local honey means you are supporting local beekeepers who in turn look after and breed more bees. Honey is the one case where organic is not necessarily better, as local beekeepers cannot certify that their foraging bees are visiting only organic plants. Buying organic honey usually means it’s been imported, which normally means high food-miles, which is bad for the environment all round. Studies have shown that regular honey consumption can contribute to the declining population of bees due to over farming and bad bee welfare practices from large companies, so the best way to enjoy

this sticky treat is on an occasional basis and from local bee hives where the honey is only taken from the bees when it is plentiful and appropriate. Another small way to help the bees is to step in if you see a tired or struggling bee. A bee that is crawling on the floor and doesn’t fly away when you go near it could be running low on energy, and you can help by making up a simple solution to revive it and give it a boost to get back to the hive. Simply mix two table spoons of white granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water, place the mixture in front of the bee in a blob on the floor or on a spoon and let it drink. Be careful to not add any more water in case the bee drowns.You could make up this mixture and leave in egg cups within your wild flowers, any bees will appreciate being able to take a time out to have a quick slurp for a much needed energy kick before carrying on with their busy work! Lastly, if you can avoid using pesticides and lawn treatments on your garden then do so. These chemicals affect many insect populations and can actually collapse entire bee colonies in some cases. continues over page >>

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If you have space for a pond it will greatly diversify your garden ecosystem. Even having a small water feature will help to attract different creatures. Ponds attract wonderful creatures like frogs and enable you to keep fish, and will entice beautiful insects like dragonflies. Water lilies and broad leaf pond weed will develop your underwater habitat and create a great place for frogs and newts to set up home and breed. Ponds also provide a watering hole for all animals from insects and birds to foxes and badgers.

Ponds

Feed the Birds

SOUTH MILITARY CATCHMENT

It’s lovely to see birds flocking regularly to your garden to feed, and there are ways to get them to do so aside from filling up your bird feeder with a bag of seeds. Try to take note of what birds you see around the local area and cater to them. Small seeds, such as millet, attract mostly House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Finches, Reed Buntings and Collared Doves, while flaked maize is taken readily by Blackbirds. Tits and Greenfinches favour peanuts and sunflower seeds. Avoid seed mixtures that have split peas, beans, dried rice or lentils as again only the large species can eat them dry. These are added to some cheaper seed mixes to bulk them up. Any mixture containing green or pink lumps should also be avoided as these are dog biscuits, which can only be eaten when soaked. Meaty tinned dog and cat food forms an acceptable substitute to earthworms during the warm, dry part of the summer when worms are beyond the birds’ reach. Blackbirds readily take dog food, and even feed it to their chicks. During the colder winter months, bird feed bars and fat balls are great for most birds to peck at, you can make your own by pouring melted fat (suet or lard) into a mix of nuts, seeds, oats and dried fruit (but not dried coconut – this can swell inside a birds stomach and cause them harm). Mix and pour into a mould, or even a coconut shell, then place out for the birds. These are great to make with kids and get them involved in looking after wildlife. Birds also thrive from having fresh fruit available and planting fruit trees (as long as you’re willing to share!) will attract birds. Placing plants that seed late into the autumn will keep a good natural food supply going and erecting structures such as bird tables and bird baths make a brilliant place for birds to bathe, feed and drink away from predators. If you own a cat, consider putting a bell on their collar to warn the birds that they are coming!

The best plants for attracting helpful garden insects such as butterﬂies, bees and ladybirds are Cosmos, Buddleia, Honeysuckle, Fuchsia, Lavender and Evening Primrose.

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Check out our Sister Magazineâ&#x20AC;Ś

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Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

Would you like to see your article published? Just for Families is looking for interesting and relevant articles about Service family lifeâ&#x20AC;Ś If you have something you have written, ideally with pictures too, then please send your articles in to jff@forcespublishing.co.uk

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CITIES A TO Z

Kansas You may not find Toto, Dorothy, and her red shoes in Kansas City but you will find skies so large they seem to go on forever, sweeping prairies and heaps of American historyâ&#x20AC;Ś

et in the heart of America, the spirit of the Old West still hangs in the air and with the many fascinating history museums and monuments available to visit in Kansas you can really immerse yourself in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past. Kansas has a wide variety of things to see

and do, and accommodation to suit all budgets. Here are our top ten things to do when visiting Kansas.

1. Visit The National World War I Museum and Memorial This museum is renowned throughout the country for being the best of its kind, dedicated to remembering and

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ÂŠJosh Weinstock Sunset over the National World War 1 Museum at Liberty Memorial.

understanding the Great War and its impact on the global community. Housed inside a modern building are vast informative displays and cabinets full of weapons and uniforms, with an iconic glass walkway over a field of red poppies as a powerful reminder of the combat in the trenches of the First World War.

2. Thrill-Out at Worlds of Fun Theme Park Perfect for families and couples alike, this action-packed theme park covers a whopping 235 acres of land and has rides and events for all ages. Open from 10am to 10pm during the Summer itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an unforgettable day out, be amazed by the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit, and do you dare ride the Black Mamba coaster, one of the fastest and scariest in the world?!

continued over page >>

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3. Get in Touch With Your Wild Side at Kansas City Zoo Another family favourite, Kansas City Zoo is set over 200 acres and is home to an impressive variety of animals! The zoo is so large and the animal exhibits are spaced out, so be prepared to make a day of the visit and expect lots of walking, although trams are available if your legs get too tired! There are lots of interactive activities for little ones to get involved with and attending feeding times is a must.

4. Enjoy Some Retail Therapy at The Country Club Plaza The Country Club Plaza is Kansas’ premier shopping destination, and will sooth the itch of any shopaholic with its vast array of stores to visit. Another great reason to visit this part of Kansas is its beautiful Spanish architecture. Built in the 1920’s, it is host to many beautiful fountains and sculptures.

Walking tour brochures are easy to pick up and follow if you want to learn more about its history.

5. Get Funky at the American Jazz Museum We couldn’t write a guide on Kansas without mentioning Jazz! Whether you’re already an avid jazz fan or not, a visit to the

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American Jazz Museum is a must when visiting the city. Learn about the many musicians that once resided in the area, get interactive with the displays and instruments or stick around in the evening to hear some live jazz.

6. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Close to the Country Club Plaza, this is a great place to relax after a hard few hours shopping. The exhibits in this museum consist of some of the worlds up and coming artwork and are regularly changing to keep things fresh. Free guided tours are available and Café Sebastian, located within, was voted one of the best restaurants in the country and is well worth eating at!

7. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures You might not be able to play with them but the toys in this museum are some of the oldest and rarest. Back in 1982 two collectors, Mary Francis and Barbara Marshall, came together with their private collections and opened the museum. Since then the museum has grown hugely and now houses over 72,000 objects.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

8. Visit Kansas City’s Crown Jewel Reffered to as Kansas City’s Crown Jewel, the Kauffman Stadium is home to Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball team. Since opening in 1973, it has been host to over 77, 000, 000 fans. Tours of the stadium include access to the Royals hall of fame, a close up look at the largest HD screen at any baseball stadium and an interactive kids area.

9. Catch a Play at The Kauffman Centre for the Performing Arts Kansas City’s Kauffman Centre for the Performing Arts looks a lot like The Sydney Opera House, and is just as iconic within the city! The unusual building is 285, 000 square feet and the venue is one of the best places in the city to catch a musical or play. The restaurant here describes itself as ModernAmerican cuisine and is top-notch.

10. Wander Around Loose Park There are many parks to choose from in Kansas City but Loose Park is arguably the most popular. Located on 51st Street, the park is home to a lake, water park, picnic area and a rose garden which is home to an incredible 4000 roses. Its location within the city makes it perfect to get some fresh air and relax in nature. 87

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WALES MILITARY CATCHMENT

The Story Annie Wealleans, AKA The Black Dragon Herself, was born in Sussex in 1951. After several extraordinary adventures, she moved to Wales in 1974 to establish a business and raise a family. She produced leather goods and beaded jewellery, then an odd commission for an unusual handbag introduced her to the delights of Celtic designs…and the rest is history. She was inspired to design her first Celtic bead in 1990, after a long and fruitless search for something authentic to incorporate into her beading work. Within 12 months she had won a Best New Product Award for her first range of Celtic beaded jewellery. It’s a hot, dusty, dirty, complicated and time consuming process but she casts, files, cleans, tumbles and hand finishes all of the beads herself, in her “Beadoir” on a remote green Carmarthenshire hillside. She uses lead free pewter, which she melts and pours into her moulds in an ancient centrifugal casting machine at 350°C. Last year she made over 60000 items – she burnt herself several times and made quite a few holes in her clothes and fingers too! But there are no holes

in her dreams, she is very passionate about what she does and you can see it in her smile. She now has over 30 solid lead-free pewter bead, button and charm designs. Each one is unique and has its own name…and all are engraved with her very own Celtic knot patterns. Annie sells them on their own and worldwide for other people to use, trade and enjoy. There are beads with small holes and beads with large holes – so you can thread them into many different projects. She also features them in several different ranges of totally timeless jewellery, made in the “clean” part of her workshop. With one lovely part-time lady called Chris, she threads them into several ageless collections of necklaces, bracelets, pendants and earrings, all of which are realistically priced and beautifully packaged. She incorporates a colourful selection of genuine gemstones in her jewellery, each of which has its own story or power. The story of your chosen gemstone is included in every purchase and there are plenty to choose from. There is Celtic Chakra jewellery to keep you energised and balanced and jewellery with hearts to make you feel loved; there is jewellery with Big Beads because Big is Beautiful and there is delicate jewellery because Small is Beautiful too. Everything has a Celtic flavour and is made to order, with love. This is individually handmade jewellery, for individuals. Beware of imitations!

You can connect with annie@blackdragon.co.uk or visit her at www.blackdragon.co.uk or www.celticbeadshop.com. You’ll find her products are very affordable. 88

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Spiritual Medium | Clairsentience Clairvoyant | Angel Card Reader Level 3 Reiki Healer

pewter beads, buttons & charms

“Hi had a reading from Linda today and was really pleased with it. She knew many accurate things about my life and significant people. The events going forward were connected to current things in my life and it brought comfort. Would highly recommend and I look forward to meeting her again. Thank you!”

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Art in Enamels Original, unique and innovative jewellery and gifts made using kiln fired vitreous enamels onto copper and sterling silver. Contact: Maggie Jones maggiepaint@hotmail.com 01639 883924 folksy.com/shops/maggiejonesenamels

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WALES MILITARY CATCHMENT

YOUR FUTURE

HEALTH Happy Tummy® natural charcoal capsules ca can help relieve stomach problems quickly and effectively. They do this by adsorbing the toxins that built up in your system caused by preservatives and acid-forming sugars in our diet. These toxins, which build up over time, are acidic or acid-forming by their nature. They create an over-acidic environment in your gut which reduces the efficiency of your digestive system. This over acidity knocks on into your entire system where it can play havoc with your complexion, cause bad breath and cause you to put on weight. This weight gain happens because your body naturally stores toxins in the ‘backwaters’ of your body (i.e. areas which are not subject to much movement, like your outer thighs, buttocks or upper arms). Fat ‘pools’ here and is difficult to shift.

and alkalinity). The big gain here is that a better balanced pH means that your blood can absorb and carry a lot more oxygen. This helps more oxygen to reach your cells which ‘burn’ it with glucose to generate energy. This extra oxygen slows the build-up of lactic acid which means that you tire more slowly and have much more energy. To be really fit and healthy the body needs a good supply of oxygen to the cells. Research by Professor Linda Frassetto at the University of San Diego has shown conclusively that after about the age of 40, our bodies produce less bicarbonate, the alkaline substance which keeps our blood pH in balance.

Happy Tummy® charcoal capsules really help by removing toxins naturally, and so begin the cleaning up of your system which leads to a leaner, fitter you.

This bicarbonate reduction accounts for the onset of middle age with its attendant health problems and the best, possibly the only effective, way to counter these effects is to regularly take Happy Tummy® natural charcoal capsules which restore the balance. These can help slow down premature ageing and give you a healthier life.

Another major benefit of reducing the overall acidity of your system is that this helps to beneficially rebalance the pH of your blood supply. (This is the balance between acidity

Happy Tummy® capsules are available from www.finefettlefeedcom and come in easy to swallow veggie capsules - full instructions are on the label.

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