W1 june 2011 by Catalin Daniel Ciolca

m a g a z i n e Edition 7 Issue 56

Bachchan Bol

A Revolutionary New Service to Stay Connected with Film Icon Amitabh Bachchan

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What issues do you face as a parent in business?

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Events Guide

Index

Perfection to a tea at the ‘Home of Cricket’ Lord’s opens Pavilion to non-Members after overwhelming afternoon tea success

Gift Ideas

Blog

The New Harrods iPhone App

What issues do you face as a parent in business?

Twitter Girls Charity Calendar

Unprecedented International Interest in the Wedding of the Year 12 Know your online rights

Children lose out on trust fund

PocketCurrency, a brilliant option for holiday-makers and frequent travellers

Aston Martin launches in India

Planning for life in your 20s

Slow services lose online shoppers

Get out of debt and on with your life 19 20

Elmsleigh Can Help You Get Barbeque-Tastic This Summer

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The best of Malaysia as London 2012 approaches

Movie & DVD Reviews Thor

Water For Elephants

Direct Contact

Technology

Apple announces New iMac

Health & Beauty

Beautiful hair whatever your age

Designer gner gardens to suit you

Kanika Chandok Sets the Stage Ablaze with Sensational Performance at Asian Women of Achievement Awards

9 Bentinck Street London W1 U 2EL Tel: 0207 788 7547 enquiries@w1magazine.co.uk www.w1magazine.co.uk

Shake It Up With Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives

Garden & Deco

Fashion Feature

Miss Catherine Middleton Wears Earrings Designed and Made By Robinson Pelham Jewellers

Food & Drink

Business

Taboo money talk

Surprise your love ones with style 10

8 11 11

Interview

Bachchan Bol, A Revolutionary New Service to Stay Connected with Film Icon Amitabh Bachchan

Publisher Jaz Walia Editor Jason Goodritch Sub-editor Caroline Spencer Writer Arthur Brown Advertising manager Peter Wyatt Advertising executives Kerry Smith, Laura Wood & Jen MacKaye Graphic Designer Catalin Daniel Ciolca ciolca@mac.com

Whilst every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the publishers do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for loss or damage incurred. No responsibility can be taken for advertisemtnts or editorials printed in this magazine; this include incorrect spelling of names in the celebrity news section or other part,s of the magazine. No part of the contents of this publication may be reporudced electronically or in print, without the written prior permission of the publisher.

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The New Harrods iPhone App Be sure to check out the new Harrods App to really experience shopping on the go!!

Find out whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in store with latest events, promotions and even whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the menu in one of the many restaurants.

Harrods are set to become the first luxury store to launch a GPS assisted interactive iPhone App, Which is available today 19th May.

The app will be available for free download from the Apple App Store, making the iconic Knightsbridge store easier to explore than ever before.

The Harrods iPhone App introducing a new lifestyle in the palm of your hand....

Posted by 4

Leroy

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Blog Pages

What issues do you face as a parent in business? Just to introduce myself I am a mum to two wonderful children, 6 year old Mia and 2 year old Charlie.

also am wife to Paul Wilson and I own and run my own successful network cabling business, Precision Cabling Services, and in my spare time… hey who am I kidding?!?! Recently it has been the Easter holidays at school followed by the Royal Wedding and then May Day which has proved to be very costly to small business in a tough economic climate you can argue the benefit of the wedding; however I am not going to talk about that. During the school holidays my 6yo became sick and the doctors just said it was a bug and to wait it out and oh by the way the 2yo is likely to get it as well. Gee thanks Doctor. Well she wasn’t wrong but it has bounced around the house now since 20th April and still it lingers on. Now I got to thinking how difficult it is for an employer for a member of staff to be off sick with a child as there is no childcare available when one or all of your children are sick. As an employer I would find it hard to cope for someone to be in and out like a yoyo for a long period of

time, but I’m the one who has done it. We all know that school/nursery won’t take sick children but I found grandparents run for the hills as well. So back to mum or dad. If you work in a large business the employee is not missed as much as they would be in a SME. But when there are only a 3-4 people in an office for 25-33% of the workforce to be out has a significant impact. I firmly believe that children are priority number 1; however, in my case the roof over our heads is paid for by the business which is still only young and building nicely. With all the bank holidays recently we have seen lots of projects put on hold until May. A small bonus of having my own business is that I get on really well with the boss, but I have members of my team who rely on me. The impact is not only felt in the office, but with the workload. With 25-33% less people working the workload is still the same, everyone feels the pressure. There are the deadlines to meet and usually that’s when the children need you most, appointments cancelled whilst I try to work remotely as and when possible and then be up during the night with children. There is no balance or routine as it can change in seconds when they are poorly. Then as a parent I felt that you should be caring for the children rather than working, but then I needed

to get the work done. It was so different as an employee in a financial institution rather than business owner. When I was employee when you go home that’s it, but as a business owner you tend to be always thinking of the business, work to be done, projects and so on. But at the end of the day it’s the balance and routine that keeps you sane. Once you have the balance right you feel as if you are actually getting somewhere, but when the children are ill the balance goes. I have found the last few weeks a real struggle but as we seem to head towards health again (lots of wood touching here) I know the balance will return but this is one of the many challenges that face businesses and parents of today. Thankfully I have had the support of a good husband who has helped out too so that we can try and make the best of a bad situation. The support structure around a family is always important but around a business owner’s family it is even more vital to be on hand as it could be that without the business there is no family home.

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Blog Pages

he idea of the calendar all started as a bit of a joke one night on Twitter with a few people discussing how to make their millions. Someone mentioned the Calendar Girls movie and the story of the WI ladies who produced a calendar. Within 10 minutes it was clear that people were interested in the idea and the hash tag Twitter Girls Charity Calendar was soon trending fairly heavily and it was clear that the amount of interested people would mean that the idea could become a reality. It was originally Phoebe Irvine’s idea to make a charity calendar and I (By Gina Events) quickly turned the idea into what is fast becoming a very popular reality that stands to make a lot of money for the chosen charities. Jo Pickup from Sprae PR took charge of the PR and Media. There were 4 photo shoots planned. Walworth Castle in Darlington on Thursday 24th February, Woodhall Manor in Suffolk on Sunday 27th February, Langley Priory in Derbyshire on Wednesday 2nd March and Charlton House in Somerset on Thursday 3rd March. There were 4 photographers, 1 at each venue. Amethyst Photography, Sara Thomas Photography, Chris Lynn Photography and TP Photography. We even had FX Films on hand at Charlton House to film the day! How to start to tell you about 4 absolutely amazing days... on arrival

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at each venue there was a flurry of activity. Hair and makeup began and the girls were all getting to know each other. All our girls looked amazing with thanks to Makeup By Katie, Princess Wedding Hair & Makeup, Bernice Beaumont, Warren Lee, Branston Spa and Makeup By Trish. All of the girls were a bit apprehensive at each shoot, but there was never any need to be! They all took to modelling like ducks to water and from the comments they all loved it! Just like that…they days were done, all 12 months were shot and it was time for me to go home! 5 months of planning had resulted in 4 of the best days of my life! It must be said what an absolute pleasure it has been to meet all these amazing people who have given up their time and skills for free! Without every single one of them this calendar would not be happening and I am greatly indebted to you all. Please remember that all of this is to raise money for Help for Heroes and PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation. Funds are still needed to print the calendar and every penny counts. If you can spare even just £1, it would be greatly appreciated and you can donate throughout the website www.tweetgirls.co.uk. We are launching the Calendar at Woodhall Manor in Suffolk on Sunday 11th September 2011 and tickets will be going on sale on the website very soon.

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COURTHOUSE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

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Interview

his launch marks the first in UK but plans to expand globally to other celebrities from film, TV, sport and fashion are in motion. A unique service live on your mobile phone, allowing you to hear India’s most revered and loved actor Amitabh Bachchan, tell you directly about his thoughts, anytime & anywhere at the push of a button. Beyond Twitter. Beyond Facebook. Bachchan Bol is the new frontier in social networking and for stars to stay connected to their fans and vice versa. With Indian celebrities embracing the social networking revolution and claiming fans and followers in their hundreds of thousands, this service has the potential to turn thousands into millions with a simple shortcode dial-in number. The trademark deep baritone voice, the tall, brooding persona, and intense eyes, made Amitabh Bachchan the ideal „Angry Young Man“ in the 1970s, thereby changing the face of Hindi cinema. Today he is still one of the hardest working and most loved personalities of Indian Cinema. “Bachchan Bol empowers me with a personal platform on which I can connect & ‘speak’ directly with my fans across the

A Revolutionary New Service to Stay Connected with Film Icon Amitabh Bachchan

On May 18th Inside India brings its celebrity voice blogging service to the UK with the launch of a revolutionary new product called “Bachchan Bol”.

About Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan is the most famous and revered Indian film actor and producer. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the „angry young man“ of Hindi cinema, and has since become one of the most prominent figures in the history of Indian cinema. Bachchan has won numerous major awards in his career, including four National Film Awards, three of which are in the Best Actor category, and fourteen Filmfare Awards. In ad-

country anywhere and anytime. This is my bol/diary… my way… From my films to my family, from my country to my city, you will be able to hear about it all, in my own voice, in my own diary, direct to you on your mobile phone,” Mr. Amitabh Bachchan said. 8

dition to acting, Bachchan has worked as a playback singer, film producer and television presenter, and hosts the Indian version of ‘who wants to be a millionaire’ He was awarded the star of the millennium by BBC in 2000 and was the first Indian film star to occupy a place at Madame Toussauds. Loved by all from ages 8 – 80, he transcends any other celebrity in his popularity and longevity. To hear all the latest goings on with India’s most premier star Dial BBOL 85525 from your mobile & landline phone and stay connected. Mr Bachchan will share his day-to-day personal and professional experiences with regular updates, available to mobile

users at a monthly subscription or payper-minute pricing model. This is an easy to do and empowering service for both Mr. Bachchan and fan and not only gives Mr. Bachchan complete control over what he wishes to share but allows the fans to access him in an unrivalled way. A spokesperson for Inside India said, “We are honoured and excited to launch this project with such a fantastic icon of Indian cinema. We know the power of Indian entertainment and we are firmly embedded in the innovation of technology and the digital world. Combining these two elements we are paving a new way for social networking, starting it in the world’s most exciting country and taking it across the globe.”

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Five distinctive hotels, each with it’s own unique personality and style. Elegant Hotels are situated on some of the most stunning beach locations of BARBADOS.

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Gift Ideas Whether he’s into sport, cars, travelling, business or the great outdoors – there’s a Christopher Ward watch that will appeal to every dad. For the car enthusiast... ...

Father’s Day, 19th June 2011

Editor’s Notes

For the businessman...

C70 Grand Prix DBR1

C5 SWK Quartz

...there is the C70 Grand Prix Series – a collection of watches hes that celebrates the original six Grand Prix that eventually turned into today’s F 1 Champipionship. You’ll have to be quick, ck, as only a small number are being made – with the year of victory, the race track and thee name of the winning driver £350 engraved on the reverse.

For the aviator...

C8 Pilot For the aviator or dads who are interested in history, Christopher Ward have a range of watches inspired by the iconic B-Uhr watches used by the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s and then the RAF. The famous ETA 2824-2 automatic movement can be seen through an exhibition window.

Father Time

For the businessman, Christopher Ward has several classic and quietly impressive for the boardroom or a black tie dinner.

£150 For the adventurer...

£335

C60 Kingfisher Diver-Pro Automatic ... the stunning new dive watch – the C60 Kingfisher Automatic in Sunray Yellow – is limited to only 200 pieces worldwide. The iridescent yellow face not only aids visibility at depths of up to 300m (1,000ft), it also makes an unmissable statement about whoever is wearing it.

£370

Treasured and Timeless Yard-O-Led’s enduring ing pens, pe pencils and craftsmanship

hile most companies believe their success depends on continually increasing productivity, analysing the latest trends and never stand-ing still, there is one English company which prides itself on chang-ing nothing. The tools and levels of craftsmanship that are needed er to make Yard-O-Led’s timeless silver pens and pencils have remained unchanged for generations. It’s a little known fact that the world’s most distinctive pens and pencils are made by just eight highly skilled craftsmen working in a ’s Dickensian workshop in Birmingham’s atmospheric Jewellery Quarter. The Yard-O-Led workshops are full of old but beautifully maintained machines and tools that are every bit as em. durable as the craftsmen who use them. 10

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o No other pens in the world are made using such traditional skills at every stage th creation. With so few people now of their havin the skills the company needs, Yardhaving O-Led is helping to keep English craftsmans alive. manship Be Because each pen is made by hand, tw are exactly the same. For examno two e ple, each craftsman creates the handchas chased ‘Victorian’ finish in his own way and so although each one is perfect, a traine eye can still identify a particular trained ‘signa ‘signature’. Ma of the handcrafted designs that Many YardYard-O-Led creates, epitomise the fashions that shaped British style from the h of the nineteenth century right first half up to the present day. Y A Yard-O-Led pen, pencil or founp is the perfect way to make tain pen m with a piece of handcrafted your mark Englis luxury. English

■ Christopher Ward was founded in 2004 with the mission to make luxury watches affordable by slashing both margins and overheads ■ The small British based watch company is the first luxury watchmaker to sell directly to its customers online ■ Christopher Ward has no shops and no expensive marketing campaigns ■ Sales growth of more than 60% is continuing to accelerate ■ The brand is becoming increasingly confident and determined to challenge established brands at a higher and higher level – by introducing a host of other features normally reserved for watches sold in high-end retailers (with alarming overheads) ■ All watches come with a 60-day no quibble return policy and a 60-month warranty

Corinthian Fluted Rollerbal £370

Viceroy Grand Victorian Finish £750

Corinthian Fountain Pen £440

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Fashion Feature

Miss Catherine Middleton Wears Earrings Designed and Made By Robinson Pelham Jewellers Robinson Pelham Jewellers are greatly honoured and delighted elighted to announce that Miss Catherine Middleton is wearing a pair air of hand made diamond earrings which they have designed especially ecially for her marriage to His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales. les.

he earrings were commismmissetonn’s sioned by Miss Middleton’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and havee er been given to their daughter as a wedding present. yliseed They are diamond set stylised pedd oak leaves with a pear shaped av sset et diamond set drop and a pav t diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design w comes from the family’s new coat of arms which includess acorns and oak leaves and thee he tiara. earrings were made to echoo th the Robinson Pelham have also designedd or and made a pair of diamond earrings fo for smaid to Miss Philippa Middleton, bridesmaid her sister. These earrings are more florall in nature to compliment her headpiece worn during the wedding ceremony. A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings have been designed and made for the Mother of the bride, Carole Middleton. Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head

andd the other with an oak leaf,f, are also wor rn by the FFather of the bride, e, Michael worn Mid ddleton, an her, James Middleton, and the bride’s brother, Mid ddleton. Middleton. Robin nso Pelham is a well estabRobinson lishedd je jeweller based in Pimlico, Londo on, who make privately tely comLondon, miss m missioned pieces as well as ppro ollections. produce seasonal collections. TThe company was set et up over 15 yea ars ago by Kate Pelham am Burn, years Vaness enyon. Vanessaa CChilton and Zoe Benyon. All thee jjewellery was madee by hand by British craftsmen.

Robinson Pelham Jewellers Ltd Diamond oak leaf and acorn earrings worn by Miss Miss Catherine Middleton

Robbins Pelham Jewellers Ltdd diamond Robinson earrings earr ring worn by Miss Philippa pa Middlet Middleton ton

R bi Robinson Pelham is a very discreet Pe screet but well establish established d London-based jewellers, created 15 years ago by three women: Kate Pelham Burn, Vanessa Chilton and Zoe Benyon. As a partnership they are trained as goldsmiths, gemologists and jewellery designers; each with over 20 years of experience. Robinson Pelham specialises in private commissions by appointment, as well as beautiful pieces and collections working with the finest stones and precious met

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Unprecedented International Interest in the

Wedding of the Year T

esco International Calling Card reports peak in international calls as Brits share ‘bridal gossip’ with friends and family overseas ‘Royal Wedding Fever’ appeared to have spread across the globe on Friday as Kate walked down the aisle, with Tesco International Calling Card reporting a 60 per

The 10 most popular countries that Brits called to share their ‘bridal gossip’ were: 1. Mauritius 2. India 3. Sri Lanka 4. Australia 5. South Africa

6. USA 7. Canada 8. Bangladesh 9. China 10. Poland

cent rise in international calls in comparison to a normal Friday lunchtime. Data from the low cost calls provider showed that between the hours of 11am and 1pm on Friday, people went phone call crazy as the country called overseas destinations to share their accounts of the Royal Wedding with absent friends and families. The most popular countries that Brits called to share their ‘Bridal gossip’ included Mauritius, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. However the data also showed an unusual peak in calls to more unexpected destinations including South Korea and Kenya - the country where Prince William first proposed to Kate. There was a bias of calls to member states of the Commonwealth, where historically, the Royal family has a strong relationship.

However, it seems that people in the China and the USA can’t get enough of the Royal Wedding either, with a massive 177 per cent and 92 per cent rise in calls to these nations respectively. Graham Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Tesco Telecoms comments, “We suspected that the popularity of the Royal family overseas would drive a peak in international calls, but this exceeded even our expectations. It seems that the whole world is united in sharing their joy for the newly wedded couple”.

About Tesco Intl. Calling Card Tesco International Calling Card is a business division of Tesco Telecoms. The Tesco International Calling Card allows customers to make low cost international calls to destinations all across the world from any UK phone including landlines, mobiles or pay phones. Calls to international destinations are available from just 1p per minute. Tesco International Calling Cards are available for purchase from any Tesco store in the UK and Northern Ireland, subject to availability. Further information about this can be found online at www.tescocallingcard.com

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Business

Know your online rights With no queues, no crowds and no closing time, its easy to see whey so many of us choose to shop online, but while most of us know the high street procedure for faulty goods, refunds and other customer issues, knowing where you legally stand online can be confusing at best.

f you have ever felt that twinge of anxiety as you hit the OK tab to complete your online transaction, then this guide is for you. Consumer watchdog Which? has come up with the following guide to help you navigate and negotiate your way round the legal parameters of the internet high street. Changing your mind - once an order is placed online, there is a cooling-off period starting the minute you place the order and ending seven working days from the day after receiving the goods, during which time you are legally free to cancel. If you are buying a service, the seven working days starts the day after you place the order and if you agree that a service will start straight away you give up your right to cancel. Items which can’t be returned include: CDs, DVDs or software if the seal on the wrapping is

broken; perishable items; and tailor-made or personable goods. Online protection - the retailer must give both a geographical and an email contact address. If you receive an email confirming your order, you have a legally binding contract, but if it’s just an acknowledgment, then you don’t. Faulty goods - whether purchased online or on the high street, the seller is still responsible for the condition of the goods on delivery and its also worth noting that the seller must also bear the cost of returning them if they are problematic. Special offers – always check the terms and conditions, as some companies only accept the order when the goods are removed from the shelves and this may be after the offer expires. If you are charged full price, you don’t have to pay – you can

simply send the goods back with the delivery driver. Auction sites – when buying goods privately there is little legal protection. The law on auction sites is unclear, but there is an argument that if you buy the goods from a trader it’s not a true auction, so you have protection under the Sale of Goods Act. To date, the law has not been tested enough for any hard and fast rules to have been set. Senior lawyer at Which? Legal Service, Peter McCarthy, says: “It’s a great time to buy online, especially with the new ruling on protection for credit card purchases abroad. But it’s also important to know exactly what your rights are before surfing the net for bargains.” According to McCarthy, shopping from home can be extremely problematic if you are not familiar with internet etiquette. “Online shopping isn’t always a case of ‘what you see is what you get’. It can be difficult when all you have to go on is a photo. As well as your statutory rights, it’s worth checking returns policies, as these do vary. For example, online electronics supplier Dabs gives 10 days to return unwanted goods, whereas Amazon is much more generous, with 30 days,” he says..

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The Child Trust Fund (CTF) celebrated its second birthday this year, but government figures show that nearly a quarter of CTF vouchers issued are not being invested by parents within the 12-month timeframe. Collectively, this means that children are losing out on a potential £7.5 million worth of investment growth.

Children

lose out on

trust fund

ationwide Building Society is calling on the government to do more to encourage parents to invest their child’s voucher sooner so they won’t miss out on interest or investment growth. As of December 2005, about 2.2 million vouchers were issued, yet only 1.66 million of these were invested. Of these, 25 per cent of vouchers had expired, leaving them to be automatically invested on the child’s behalf. These children missed out on 12 months of interest or investment growth, averaging £14 each. However, over the years this figure rises to £35.30 as their investment will have been reduced to 17 rather than 18 years. Collectively, £19 million will have been lost by the time these children reach 18 years of age. By December 2006, almost 2.95 million vouchers had been issued, but only some Cash giveaway 2.1 million have so - parents are far been invested losing their kids a by parents, leaving potential £7m of Child Trust Fund around 850,000 chilmoney. dren a year short in their CTF investment potential. 14

Nationwide published the findings of research on the attitudes of MPs to the trust fund scheme. It found that 92 per cent of Labour MPs felt the government should take measures to increase early take-up of CTF vouchers to ensure children do not miss out on interest on, or growth of, their voucher. Matthew Carter, Nationwide’s divisional director for mortgages and savings, says, „The government needs to do more to encourage parents to invest their child’s voucher as soon as possible and certainly before the 12 month expiry period. Otherwise, through no fault of their own, it is the children who are losing out on interest or investment growth. „The government has said its aim is to entrench a culture of saving for people of all ages. However, they still need to get a quarter of parents on side and in doing so could make a real difference to so many young people, giving them a nest egg to start their adult lives.“

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Business

Naturally a brilliant option for holiday-makers and frequent travellers PocketCurrency For Individuals and Small Businesses PocketCurrency is naturally a brilliant option for holidaymakers and frequent travellers who need to take currency abroad, but is infiltrating into many other areas.

he pre-paid card is a simple way for UK families to pay their nannies and house keepers in Sterling as well as being very popular with businesses in the areas of procurement, employee expenses and staff payroll – with or without any foreign exchange involved.

Who are Currency Solutions? Currency Solutions are one of the UK’s leading foreign exchange brokers with 30,000 registered clients. Since 2003, Currency Solutions have been offering clients bank beating exchange rates and protection from currency volatility on their bank to bank transfers. Currency Solutions are now launching their PocketCurrency card as consumers increasingly hunt for the best exchange rates beyond large-scale bank to bank transfers, right down to their pocket-sized personal money. Unlike its competitor cards, PocketCurrency is a free card with a much smaller minimal load of the equivalent of 10 GBP. The pre-paid Mastercard offers excellent exchange rates and reduced card fees, an easy way to top up online, by SMS text or in cash – all with the added safety of carrying funds on a card. The global card is becoming increasingly popular for those in the UK to simply spend and carry cash in Sterling.

How Can An Individual Use A Card?

Individuals can request a PocketCurrency card in either US Dollars, Euros or can request the global card if they want to carry their funds in Sterling and be able to transfer into any other currency wherever they travel – or simply use the funds in Sterling in the UK.

The card is popular with: Holiday makers and frequent travellers Short-term workers in the UK such as au pairs, farm workers and consultants who are paid in cash and do not have a UK bank account to store the funds. The individual can top-up their balance either online, by SMS text or simply in cash at a payzone. The card can then be used like a normal debit card at all Mastercard locations or to withdraw cash from an ATM. It is also very easy for individuals to check their balance either online or by SMS text. Many international individuals need to send money to their families back home. PocketCurrency is ideal for money sharing as funds can be instantly transferred between cards. By ensuring that their friends and family back home also have a PocketCurrency card, the money can be transferred over at the click of a button.

How Can A Business or Employer Use The Card? The PocketCurrency corporate program allows each employee to be issued with an individual pre-paid Mastercard. All cards are managed internally by a central portal issued to whoever is responsible for paying employees and issuing expense

payments. The central portal allows cards to be topped up instantly at the click of a button. Families employing au-pairs, housekeepers and gardeners can use the PocketCurrency programme to pay their staff as a safer and more convenient way than paying in cash. This system is also used by businesses such as hotels and restaurants who have a large amount of often international staff working shifts and for whom calculating payroll is time consuming and expensive. Staff issued with a global card will receive their wages instantly – with the added benefit of not requiring a UK bank account and being able to receive the best rates of exchange from this card when they travel abroad. These businesses can also use the cards for procurement. Hotels and restaurants for example typically have to purchase supplies from many different sources on a daily and weekly basis. With PocketCurrency cards issued to those responsible for making purchases, the budget can be pre-planned with all payments possible to view in real time via the central portal.

How do I find out more? To order an individual card visit www. pocketcurrency.com To discuss queries or find out more about how the corporate PocketCurrency programme can help your business speak to the PocketCurrency team on 0207 740 0000 or to request a demonstration of the technology involved.

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Aston Martin

Lalit Choudary, Director Performance Cars, Bill Donnelly, Director, Sales & After Sales, Marek Reichman, Director Design at the launch announcement Aston Martin in India

launches in India

Aston Martin has officially opened the doors to its first dealership in India today, bringing the British marquee’s luxury sports cars to the city of Mumbai.

his important move in the luxury manufacturer’s expansion plans further strengthens the company’s representation in this growing region, bringing the Aston Martin brand to India for the first time. Aston Martin will commence its presence in India with a new dedicated facility in Mumbai in partnership with Performance Cars (a division of Infinity Cars Pvt. Ltd.), who have enjoyed a strong reputation in the Indian luxury car market for several years. Aston Martin’s Chief Commercial Officer, Michael van der Sande said, “India represents a new opportunity for us and as part of our programme of growing the reach of the global Aston Martin dealership network this expansion brings our brand to a different audience in a new market. “Our decision to bring the Aston Martin brand to India is driven by a strong level of interest and enthusiasm from potential i l

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customers in an emerging luxury market. We have taken our time to find the right advocates for Aston Martin and I am confident that we have selected strong partners with whom we look forward to starting a successful relationship.” On his part Performance Cars, Managing Director, Mr. Lalit Choudary said, “Partnering Aston Martin offers us an unique opportunity to bring one of the world’s iconic brands to one of the world’s most discerning and fast growing markets. We are confident about the brand’s success in India given the range of models, the comfortable ride quality the cars offer on our roads and the exclusivity they accord.” The Aston Martin dealership in Mumbai is located at Kemp’s Corner at the junction of the ultra-premium Peddar and Altamount Roads and will offer customers a premium boutique environment wherein they can custom specify the cars to their exacting needs. The after-sales facility in nearby Worli is a first of its kind dedicated, air conditioned workshop in the high luxury segment. The showroom and after-sales facilities have been specially designed to follow the international design elements that have timelessly identified the elegance of the Aston Martin brand worldwide. Aston Martin customers and enthusiaasts will be able to view and test-drive s selected models from the entire range of V8 Vantage Coupe, V8 Vantage Roadster, V12 Vantage, DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante, D Coupe, DBS Volante and the four-door DBS

sports car; Rapide. These models will also be joined by the recently launched V8 Vantage S and the new Virage. The opening of the Aston Martin Mumbai showroom strengthens the company’s global dealership network to a total of 134 dealers in 42 countries. As part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans Aston Martin has recently entered into Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Taiwan and Turkey whilst seeking continued growth in new markets as well as emerging markets including China and the Middle East.

About Aston Martin Founded in 1914, Aston Martin sports cars were always intended from the outset to have a distinctive and very individual character. The brand has stayed true to these values since, creating some of the world’s most iconic sports cars, such as the DB5 famously associated with James Bond to modern classics such as the Vantage, DB9, DBS and four-door Rapide. These cars will be joined in 2011 by Vantage S and the new Virage, plus Aston Martin’s definitive sports car - the One-77; a piece of sculptural automotive art that is the ultimate representation of the company’s technical ability, ambitions and values.

Aston Martin AM One 77

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Business There’s no time like the twenties to start investing your money.

Planning for life in your Whether you have been working since leaving college or are fresh out of university, there’s no time like the present to get your wallet or purse in order. Being in your 20s is one of the best and most exciting times of your life, but it is also the least financially secure and the time when you are most likely to catch the dastardly spending bug.

etting your education out of the way and paying a big price for the pleasure should have given you your first step on your career ladder. Now you are earning money, hopefully you will be wise to learn how to spend it. Yes, shoes and gadgets are great but will they put a roof over your head or fly you to Ibiza for two weeks?

Surely it’s too early to worry about finances? Wrong. There’s no time like your 20s to start getting your money to work for you. Developing good spending and saving habits and making investments during your 20s can help you prevent needless debt and put away money towards your future.

20 s

Immediate concerns for cash might be your old banger that keeps veering towards the scrap yard when you take it for a spin, a new wardrobe or a holiday with your friends. Not so far down the line you might want to start climbing that expensive property ladder. You might meet the love of your life, plan a wedding and honeymoon, buy a dog and make a baby - all before you can scream, „I can’t afford all that.“ When you are young and cash-strapped, life can be unpredictable and expensive. Just to add to your financial burden, if you plan on enjoying a long retirement with plenty of dough, you should start investing small, regular sums in a pension early on in your career.

What are your goals? The first step in financial planning is to identify your different goals. Your short-term goals of five years or less might include a few holidays, a wedding and honeymoon or a new car. Next, think about mediumterm goals, such as owning your own home and raising a family. Retiring somewhere hot, for example, might be your long-term goal.

Meeting your goals

Estimating how much money you will need to meet each of your goals and calculating how much you need to put aside each month will give you a fair idea of how realistic your dreams are. When budgeting, set aside money to go towards your short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. This will get easier as your salary increases.

Investing Short-term goals are best served in a savings account where money can be easily accessed. Speak to your bank about linking a savings account to your current account. For medium and long-term goals you should select an investment that will grow steadily and securely over a long period. Your choices are huge, including tax-free ISAs, low to high-risk stocks and shares, premium bonds or the government-backed, tax-free National Savings & Investments. To learn about your investment options, visit the money, tax and benefits section on the government’s comprehensive advice website www.direct.gov.uk. www.w1magazine.co.uk 17

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Waiting for a response from an online retailer can be frustrating

Slow services lose

online shoppers T

eIf you’re a retail surfer proves. Online leads, whether When you’re out shopping and need to ask a there will probably gathered from your website member of staff for help how long would you come a time where or captured externally, have a consider too long to wait for the response? Most real prospect behind them and you need to ask the retailer a question to help you of us don’t like to be kept waiting at all and the need treating as such. In fact come to a decision about same applies when we’re shopping online as well. we encourage and facilitate your purchase. But just like real-time responses to all online shopping offline, if you don’t 24 hours to retain their customers. requests.“ get a relatively swift response you will Those of us who enjoy shopping from Online retailers should take heed, as probably look elsewhere. the comfort of our living room sofa expect many of us will look to a competitor if we In fact most of us have a 24 hour time an even prompter response if making an don’t receive snappy service. The research limit for online responses from retailers after online enquiry about a specific product or shows that 42 per cent of us will start which point we switch off, according to request. As many as 84 per cent said they shopping elsewhere, normally a competing research by data capture agency Lifestyles would like a reply within at least 24 hours, business, after just one hour, while 19 per Online. The study asked 7637 consumers while only 16 per cent felt that a response cent of us will expect a reply within just 15 about their expectations on response rates after 24 hours was satisfactory. minutes. to online enquiries and revealed that most However, online retailers should underWhile most of us would be frustrated of us won’t be kept waiting. stand that getting back to customers within at being kept longer than a day, the fatal While most high street shops would 24 hours is only a minimum requirement, mistake any online retailer can make is to never keep customers waiting for more as 36 per cent of us consider an answer not reply at all. Not surprisingly the survey than a few minutes, its fairly common within the hour timelier. reveals that if online queries are ignored, practice among online retailers to leave Co-founder and director of Lifestyles that normally signals the end of any further their customers hanging on for days some- Online Craig Carr says: „A business business from that customer. Internet retailtimes. Many of us find this unacceptable wouldn’t survive very long if it ignored cus- ers should take note, as 85 per cent of us and the results suggest businesses need to tomers’ questions on the shop floor. The say we would never return to a company respond to online enquiries within at least same is now true online, as this research that ignored our query.

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5/30/11 10:13 PM

debt Get out of

and on with your life

Shopping is a constant temptation to some - but it’s also a leading cause of debt.

Business Almost everyone has some sort of debt, whether it’s the mortgage, credit cards, an overdraft or loans. And whether it’s hundreds or thousands of pounds, finding yourself in debt is both frightening and overwhelming.

etting into debt is always easier than getting out. Credit card companies and retailers encourage shoppers to take out cards with attractive sign-up benefits, and banks continually offer their customers loans - all involving repayment at a healthy annual percentage rate. Lenders have made it far too easy to get into trouble. Depending on how deep in debt you are, you may feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel but rest assured there is. People find themselves in financial difficulty for any number of reasons, such as unemployment, illness, marital breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances. Although you cannot do anything about these or past mistakes, there are things you can do to improve your current situation. Many people ignore debts when they experience financial difficulty. Some fear contacting their creditors. They do not understand the consequences of not paying bills. Ignoring debts will affect your credit rating. In addition, creditors may take action against you in an effort to get payment. Or your bill can be turned over to a debt collector, your property can be repossessed or you may be forced into bankruptcy. If trying to get out of debt seems like trying to run a race while being tied to the starting line, and no matter how much energy you put into it you never seem to get anywhere, it’s time to get some serious help. The key to solving the financial difficulty is communication.

If you follow these golden rules from the national debt line, you shouldn’t go far wrong. Don’t ignore the problem: it won’t go away and the longer you leave it the worse it gets. Don’t borrow money to pay off your debts without thinking carefully: get advice first as this kind of borrowing could lead to you losing your home. If you have lost your job, or are off work because of illness, check whether your payments are covered by payment protection insurance. Check you are claiming all the benefits and tax credits you can. Get in touch with your creditors straight away and explain your difficulties. Make sure you tackle your priority debts first - for example, debts that could mean losing your home or having the gas or electricity cut off. Contact everyone you owe money to. If you make arrangements to pay some creditors but not others, you could run into difficulties again. If the first person you speak to is unhelpful, ask to speak to someone more senior who may be able to agree to what you want. Always attend court hearings and take a copy of your personal budget with you. Don’t think that going to the County Court makes you a criminal; it isn’t that type of court. You won’t go to prison and there’s no jury. Always keep copies of any letters or court forms you send or receive. National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Scotland and Wales. The service is free, confidential and independent. Phone 0808 8084000 for advice. www.w1magazine.co.uk 19

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Business

Taboo money talk

Most of us enjoy a good chat with a close friend or family member from time to time. Usually most subjects are fair game, including our love lives, health problems and careers. However there is one subject that few of us feel comfortable mentioning even to our most cherished confidante-and that’s money.

espite the fact that half of us are happy to discuss the more intimate details of our life with no apparent problems, it seems money is still the last social taboo. If you wouldn’t dream of divulging your personal finances with a close friend or even a loved one, you’re not alone. One in four of us will not discuss any money issues with close friends or family, according to research from financial services provider First Direct. You may feel that you can tell your best friend anything, but less than a quarter of adults feel comfortable talking to their best friends about debt or worries about 20

meeting bills. That’s despite the fact that the intently personal matter of relationships seems to be fair game for most, as more than half of us are happy to discuss our love life, while 40 per cent of people will happily talk about concerns with their health or career. Bottling up your concerns over money problems can be bad news for your bank balance as keeping your money worries to yourself could make them escalate further. The research also reveals big differences across Britain. In Wales, just half of people were happy talking about money problems

with partners, while 87 per cent of people in East Anglia have no problem discussing them. Furthermore, just nine per cent of people in Yorkshire and Humberside confide in friends about money issues while a third of those in the North West regularly discuss money worries. Despite this, the study reveals that, overall, people from the north of England are least comfortable discussing money with family and friends but are the most comfortable talking about their love lives and career. In contrast, Londoners are comfortable talking money but not so happy to discuss any of their other problems, particularly those concerning their families. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 18 per cent of men are much less likely to discuss their money concerns among friends than women. Men between 16 and 34 were three times more likely to open up than the over 55s. The findings are the result of a First Direct investigation into the nation’s changing attitude towards money, conducted by Future Foundation. Chief executive of First Direct Chris Pilling says: „At First Direct we make a point of understanding that most people may suffer financial difficulties at some point in their lives and it’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, with us a problem shared can be a problem halved and we want to encourage customers to speak to us before things get out of hand.“ Equating your personal success to your financial success can also be a common reason why people prefer to keep silent about money trouble according to relationship psychologist Mo Shapiro. „Some people feel that they are defined by their financial situation - it decides their social status,“ says Shapiro. „Admitting to money problems can feel like an admission of failure to run your life properly and not being in control. But it also takes a lot of energy to hide problems and often just discussing them can make them seem less frightening. „Concerns can be managed positively once they are out in the open, but the first step is admitting to the problem. Then it’s possible to look for support and take action.“

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Food & Drink

Shake It Up With ® Tabasco Hot & Spicy Olives

The Perfect Bloody Mary

And this summer you can really ‘shake them up’ with the new Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives (available in ‘whole’ and ‘stuffed red pepper’) - the ideal garnish for these classic cocktails, serve skewered on a stick or simply place in the bottom of the glass, for the perfect summertime drink with spice. Generously marinated in the very peppers that are used to make Tabasco® Pepper Sauce, these olives add real zing to cocktails. Those wanting a subtle kick can choose Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Whole Olives, or alternatively, for a fiery bite choose the Tabasco® Hot & Spicy ‘Stuffed Red Pepper’ Olives - they’re the perfect way to ‘shake up’ your cocktails this summer. Try these recipes, but look out for the fiery twist!

Ingredients: ■ 250ml tomato juice ■ 25ml vodka ■ 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ■ Lime juice to taste ■ A dash of Tabasco® Pepper Sauce ■ 4 Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives ■ Lime slices

Summer Martini

Method: ■ Shake together all liquids and serve in a highball glass packed with ice. ■ Garnish with lime slices and 4 Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives on a cocktail stick

We all love a cocktail (or two), particularly in the summer, they’re refreshing, sophisticated and always a crowd pleaser. If you’re entertaining this summer, serve the classics - you can’t beat a good Martini or the ever popular Bloody Mary.

Ingredients: ■ 26tbsp plain or pepper flavoured vodka ■ A large dash of Tabasco® Original Pepper Sauce ■ Handful of Ice ■ 2 Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives Method: ■ Pour 6 tbsp plain or pepper flavoured vodka into a cocktail shaker ■ Add a large dash of Tabascoâ Original Pepper Sauce and a handful ice ■ Shake well until very cold, strain into 2 chilled martini glasses ■ Place Tabasco® Hot & Spicy Olives in to the glass

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Food & Drink

The best of Malaysia as London 2012 approaches Friendships were forged and cultural understanding was enhanced on a beautiful spring day in London on Sloane Avenue in April.

he purpose was to highlight the best Malaysia has to offer for when the Olympiad come to the UK in 2012 and beyond, as well as the strength of the UK as a destination for business. VIPs from both countries were in attendance, and an address from the Malaysian High Commissioner His Excellency Datak Zakaria Sulong to guests at tables named after exotic fruits, together with a traditional Malay dance and a dazzling array of Malaysian cuisine, demonstrated he represents a nation which knows how to put on a show. Those present also found out more about the work of MA Trade and the annual Malaysia Kitchen, as awareness in Britain of Malaysian produce continues on an upward curve. It was also Britain’s moment in the spotlight thanks to a ‘breaking news’ announcement by the CEO of the London Business Network, Brett Taylor, of the London Business Club - the perfect way to maximise business opportunities during the Olympic Games. What a day! 22

I’ve never been to Malaysia before but now I know about how many of that nation’s finest dishes are available a stone’s throw from Sloane Square, I may hold off on booking those plane tickets just a little bit longer. I got a truly friendly welcome the moment I stepped through the door and there was a strong feeling that the owner and staff of the restaurant are proud to be a showcase for Malaysian cuisine. So what was it about the food? I may be a stickler but

in my view good squid is notoriously hard to do. With that in mind Awana got off to a flying start with its delightful Sotong Garam Lada Hitam. That translates as a “salt and pepper squid” dusted in cornflour and deep fried. The batter was light and crispy and the squid itself was meltingly munchable. I particularly liked the way it was rubbed with sea salt and cracked black pepper and topped off with a tangy but not overpowering chilli sauce. As for the chicken satay, what a way to showcase a national dish. The chicken slid off its skewers with ease and the peanut sauce was divine. I also helped myself to some excellent Roti Canai, the Malaysian take on garlic bread. It was fabulously fluffy and given a kick by its accompanying curry sauce. Two mains in particular deserve mention: the juiciness of the Rendang Daging Awana, or slow cooked tender beef, and the splendid mixture of lobster tail, prawn and flat noodles in the Udang Galah Cha Kuew Teow. Other treats in store included a monkfish with onion in chilli and a pandan pancake roll filled with coconut tapioca cake. I’ve run out of room to discuss all the dishes which caught my eye so you’ll just have to get down there and pick a few favourites of your own. Written by Arthur Brown

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5/30/11 10:13 PM

Thor

Kenneth Branagh directs an entertaining adventure based on the Marvel comic book superhero, in which Chris Hemsworth (ex Home and Away) takes on the mantle of norse god Thor, about to be crowned king by his father Odin (Hopkins).

ut as always, it’s never that simple, as Thor’s jealous brother Loki (Hiddleston) manages to talk him into a war with the Frost Giants, resulting in punishment of epic proportions by their father and banishment to Earth. Stripped of all his superpowers, Thor lands in New Mexico and befriends a pair of scientists - Jane (Portman) and Erik (Skarsgard) and their assistant Darcy, while Loki schemes to become king in his absence. But not content with that, he also sends a robot to battle Thor while he’s

powerless - talk about kicking a man when he’s down. The danger with comic fantasy is always the chance of the characters becoming parodies of themselves but that’s not evident here: a top-notch performance from Hemsworth turns Thor into a likeable bloke for whom you can’t help but root, not to mention his chemistry with co-star Portman. The ever-brilliant Hopkins is excellent as Odin, while Hiddleston manages to inject a touch of humanity into Loki, turning him from

the panto villian he could so easily have been into a complex and almost tragic character. But there are two real stars here: firstly, Branagh, who hits exactly the right notes with his direction, successfully combining action, drama, romance, fantasy and humour, and secondly, the excellent script, which gives each character the chance to come into their own - there are no bitparts here. Thor could well be the best comic book movie since Iron Man . Absorbing, witty, and well-told, it could even impress the non-comic fans. Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddlestone, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard Director: Kenneth Brannagh Rating: 12A

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5/30/11 10:13 PM

Movie Review

Water For Elephants Robert Pattinson stars as Jacob Jankowski, a 1930s veterinary student whose dream of success is thwarted by the death of his parents and loss of his home when the bank forecloses to recover the debt they incurred sending him to college

rief-stricken and destitute, Jacob does what all interesting film characters should do when faced with tragedy in tough economic times - he quite literally runs away to join the circus, where volatile boss August Rosenbluth (Waltz) gives him a job as a vet. But all is not well at Benzini Brothers, and so August buys an elephant called Rosie in an attempt to revive the show’s fortunes, singling out Jacob to become her trainer . Morale is low too, as August exploits his staff, mistreats his animals and abuses his beautiful wife, bareback rider Marlena (Witherspoon), who, just to throw a spanner in the works, Jacob falls in love with. Put simply, Water For Elephants is a melodramatic romance, in which Marlena and Jacob try to hide their blossoming love for fear of reprisals from the bad-tempered August. Unfortunately, there’s little in the way of chemistry between the central characters to back up the story; for two people who are supposedly discovering the loves of their lives, they seem strangely disinterested in each other. That said, there are some excellent performances here: a good supporting effort from Mark Povinelli as Jacob’s bunk-mate Walter, and Waltz plays August with energy and conviction, somehow managing to stop him from becoming a stereotypical

pantomime baddie. Witherspoon could have been brilliant were she not so underused, and Pattinson is suitably handsome and brooding, but suffers from having to deliver some truly corny lines throughout (’You’re a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life’, for example). The real star of the movie - apart from Tai, the elephant, who manages to upstage both leads at every opportunity - is Rodrigo Pieto’s wonderful cinematography; the film looks beautiful from start to finish. Impressive set design and costume work also lend plenty of charm and a feeling of careful crafstmanship. Comparisons with Titanic are inevitable, as the whole thing is framed in a story told by ’Old Jacob’, in the way of Gloria Stuart’s ’Old Rose’ and Waltz’s character August being more than reminiscent of Billy Zane’s overbearing Cal. But it lacks the emotional punch of Cameron’s epic. While watchable and a perfectly nice way to spend a couple of hours, ultimately, Water For Elephants is a triumph of style over substance as director Lawrence ( Constantine, I Am Legend ) shows his flair for pretty visuals at the cost of good storytelling; it’s not quite the romantic epic it’s trying so hard to be. This article was downloaded from http://www.freefeatures.com.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Mark Povinelli, Jim Norton, Christoph Waltz Director: Francis Lawrence Rating: 12A

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CUPERTINO, California—May 3, 2011—Apple® today updated its signature all-in-one iMac® with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 % faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation.*

ur customers love the iMac’s aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, Thunderbolt technology and a FaceTime HD camera, we’ve made the world’s best desktop even better.” The new iMac features quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz. These next generation processors feature an integrated memory controller for an amazingly responsive experience and a powerful new media engine for high-performance video encoding and decoding. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop. iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. The 21.5-inch iMac has a single Thunderbolt port while the 27-inch model features two ports for even greater expansion. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on an all-in-one computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly 26

Photo: Apple

Technology nology

New iMac Apple announces

With Next Generation Quad-Core Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology

to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire® and USB consumer devices, and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O. iMac includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera and Apple’s innovative FaceTime software for crisp, widescreen video calling the whole family can enjoy. The new camera supports high definition video calls between all FaceTime HD-enabled Macs and standard resolution calls with iPad®

2, iPhone® 4, the current generation iPod touch® and other Intel-based Macs. The iMac continues to feature its signature aluminum and glass design, gorgeous IPS LED-backlit high resolution display, SD card slot and comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad. Continuing Apple’s commitment to the environment, Apple’s desktop line is a leader in green design. The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold rating.** iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs.

Software side

Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes the Mac App Store™ for finding great new apps for your Mac. iLife ’11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

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5/30/11 10:13 PM

DVD Review

Direct Contact Action superstar DOLPH LUNDGREN (The Expendables) stars as an imprisoned ex US Special Forces soldier trying to earn his freedom by taking on a dangerous mission. The explosive, hard-hitting DIRECT CONTACT will be available to buy on DVD from the 13th June.

ike Riggins (Lundgren) is offered his freedom and a lot of money if he can rescue an American woman kidnapped by a ruthless warlord in Eastern Europe. But, after the daring operation is over, Riggins realises that she is not actually who he thinks she is and the rescue was a set-up. Now being pursued on all sides, by those who want to bring the mysterious woman under their control, Riggins has to uncover the truth and get them both to safety. Lundgren doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint as the embittered soldier trying to win his life back amidst the bullets and car chases in this explosive smack-down!

DVD technical details Number of discs: RRP: Certificate: Sound: Running time: Copyright:

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Could you foster? Â&#x2039; >L HYL SVVRPUN MVY MVZ[LY JHYLYZ MVY JOPSKYLU VM HSS HNLZ HUK IHJRNYV\UKZ Â&#x2039; @V\ ULLK JOPSKJHYL L_WLYPLUJL WH[PLUJL H ZWHYL YVVT PU `V\Y OVTL HUK TV[P]H[PVU [V OLSW H JOPSK HJOPL]L Â&#x2039; >L WYV]PKL [YHPUPUN OV\Y Z\WWVY[ HUK \W [V Â&#x2030; WLY ^LLR HSSV^HUJL Come to our information evening to find out more: +H[L! =LU\L!

Thursday 19 May 2011 Room G18, Isaac Newton Centre, 108A Lancaster Road, London W11 1QS (Nearest tube Ladbroke Grove)

;PTLZ! 6pm (prompt) to 8pm -YLLWOVUL! 0800 1832400 =PZP[! www.rbkc.gov.uk/fosterus

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Health & Beauty

Beautiful whatever hair your age Women have always known that hair becomes more difficult to style and maintain with age, but experts now confirm that it does indeed age along with our skin and bodies.

Hair starts to age after the age of 25.

10anti-ageing tips for hair by Pelusi

1. Use products specifically designed to rejuvenate ageing hair. Dove Pro-Age shampoo and conditioner is specifically made for ageing hair, but your hairdresser can tailor-make a hair care regime for you. Follow the regime consistently for best results. 2. Supply nutrients to your hair through a healthy diet and supple-

ments of essential fatty acids. Hair is definitely a reflection of inner health. 3. Treat your hair to regular salon hair and scalp treatments for deep, intense conditioning. 4. Drink plenty of water to keep skin and hair hydrated. 5. Maintain a relaxation programme to keep stress at bay. Stress can take its

henever hair is neglected or abused its strength starts to decline, no matter what your age. However, ageing hair is far more delicate and needs a little extra tender loving care. Hair actually starts to age after the age of 25. Each strand shrinks 10 per cent in diameter and may become duller due to loss of the colour pigment melanin. Just like prematurely aged skin, hair can also be prematurely aged by abuse and misuse of chemicals and heat styling tools. Signs include weakness or brittleness, dryness, flaking scalp, split ends and an extra fine and frizzy texture. Ageing hair needs to be strengthened and moisturised by the right combination of products. This can be easily achieved with a daily care regime as well as the right haircut.Ă˘â&#x201A;ŹÂ¨Celebrity New York hair designer Philip Pelusi recommends that ageing hair be cut and styled a little differently. He says softer, loose curls or waves make anyone appear younger, whereas sharp angles and severe shapes will have the opposite effect. Pelusi also suggests that ageing hair looks at its best when treated to softer, slightly lighter hair colour with varying tones. Dark, solid shades must be avoided. Hair colour also needs to complement skin and eye colour, so a consultation with a skilled salon colourist is advisable.

toll on the health of your hair and skin. 6. Exercise helps maintain a healthy blood flow to the scalp. This will help encourage healthy hair growth. 7. Get plenty of rest. Proper sleep is very important to maintain the health of the entire body, including the hair. 8. Treat wet hair with tender loving care. Apply a detangling product

before combing it and use a wide toothed comb only. Never brush wet hair as it will break. 9. Keep the scalp in its optimum healthy state. A healthy scalp means healthy hair. 10. Sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce friction on the hair, which can cause breakage.

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Lund Osler is one of the UK’s first temples to beautiful teeth - Vogue The list of treatments: • Dental Health & well -being • Smile Makeover • Dental Implants Lund Osler Dental Health Care London 56 Knightsbridge London +44 (0)20 7838 8969 enquiries@lundoslerdental.com www.lundoslerdental.com

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• Specialist Services • Tooth Whitening • Hygiene

• Invisalign & Braces • Beauty Treatments Including Permanent Make up

Face by Lund Osler Smile and Skin Spa London 38 Knightsbridge London +44 (0)20 7245 6979 enquiries@facebylundosler38.com www.lundoslerdental.com

• Anti - Ageing Skin Treatments • Non Surgical & Surgical

Face by Lund Osler Smile and Skin Spa Manchester Harvey Nichols Manchester +44 (0)161 828 8851 enquiries@facebylundosler.com

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Kanika Chandok Sets the Stage Ablaze with Sensational Performance at Asian Women of Achievement Awards Artistic All-Rounder, Fashion Icon, and Mother-ofThree wows guests with breathtaking performance from Debut Album

lue – eyed Indian beauty, singing sensation and artistic all – rounder, Kanika Chandok, delivered a breathtaking performance to the delight of the distinguished guest list that attended the coveted Asian Women of Achievement Awards. Amid the elegant surround of London Hilton, Park Lane the award ceremony celebrated the often unsung Asian heroines of British life, recognizing formidable Asian women who are making outstanding contributions in the fields as diverse as business, entrepreneurship and social and humanitarian work. Singing from her soon to be launched and widely anticipated debut album, KANIKA, Kanika Chandok’s performance was hailed as a highlight of the exciting evening, which welcomed a host of celebrities, Members of Parliament, dignitaries and VIP’s. Seamlessly fusing contemporary mainstream with classic and modern Asian beats and influences, Kanika Chandok has collaborated with acclaimed Bhangra artist, Dr. Zeus, on the forthcoming album, presenting one of the most original and refreshing sounds to emerge from the burgeoning Anglo-Asian music scene. Recognised for her passion and achievements in the fields of the arts, music and fashion, Kanika was also shortlisted among

the nominees for the Arts & Culture Award. Other nominees for the respected awards included Cabinet Minister, Baroness Warsi; first female Bangladeshi MP, Rushanara Ali; and Managing Editor of V&A Publishing, Angali Bulley. Kanika, who arrived in UK from Lucknow, India at age of 18, is set to take the international music scene by storm upon the release of her superb debut album. Harnessing her multi-layered talents, the 29-year-old socialite, fashion designer and icon and mother-of-three has crafted an impeccable album that is sure to win the praise of audiences and critics alike, having won the adulation of the esteemed guests in attendance at the award ceremony. Kanika Chandok is an inspiring allrounder – in addition to her talents as a musician, she holds a great passion for fashion, running her own label, KANIKA, which specializes in haute couture embroidery. Kanika also shares a close relationship with the globally respected fashion house, Emilio Pucci, and she is currently working on exclusive collaborations with the brand. IT is for all of those reasons that Kanika was specially selected to perform at this year’s award ceremony, in addition to being honoured along the list of this year’s nominees.

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The summer is a great excuse to have plenty of traditional British food and plent drink, so make sure your strawberries drink and cream are presented in these colourful sundae glasses, £9.50 for colo a set of four from M&S at Elmsleigh.

The key to brightening up any garden for th those all-important summer barb barbeques is decoration and attention to de detail. These Union Jack inspired cush cushions, £12 from Matalan at Elms Elmsleigh will keep your guests comfy in th their seats and add a little retro chic to an any furniture.

If the Great British weather means the party inside, check out these snug has to come inside sofa cushions £15 from M&S at Elmsleigh, they will make sure your party is the most stylish around!

Fashion Feature

With so much planning in order, don’t forget to make yourself look fabulous too. Try this ‘Kate Middleton blue’ playsuit £26.99 from New Look at Elmsleigh and make sure you stand out from the crowd.

Elmsleigh Can Help You Get et Barbeque-Tasticc This Summer

From fashion to decorations and table settings, Elmsleigh has everything you need to pull off the perfect British barbeque. Elmsleigh Shopping Centre boasts stores such as Marks & Spencer, BHS, H&M, Matalan, Clarks, River Island, Early Learning Centre, Mothercare, New Look and Monsoon Accessorize. For more information see the website at www.elmsleigh.co.uk

After the Royal Wedding fever er thiss spring, patriotic prints and bold accessories are key to this Great British B Summer. Try out these stylish sh idea ideas as from Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, ntre, Staines to make any barbeque party que pa arty a success and keep you bright ght and d cheerful all through the season! son!

If the sun is shining, make sure you keep cool and glamorous with this floppy hat, £29.99 from River Island at Elmsleigh. It will keep you looking lovely all day and into the night.

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