Swansea Life July 2017.

WINNER! UK REG IONAL MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

mumbles 16-page special

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WHY YOU FELL IN LOVE

Discover Oldwalls.

A collection of exclusive wedding venues.

Luxury guaranteed.

Wedding Showcase at Fairyhill and Oldwalls, Sunday 16th July from 12pm – 5pm Gower

oldwallscollection.co.uk | T: 01792 391468

Contents...

J U L Y

2 0 1 7

FASHION 14. SWIMWEAR EDIT Our guide to the hottest swimsuits and bikinis 19. DRESS UP Glam up with seasonal dresses 34. GAME, SET, MATCH! Wimbledon Whites

SWA NSE A

HAIR & BEAUTY

LIFE

44. JET SET Tips for holiday beauty 47. SUN SCREEN What SPF is best for you!

EDITOR Laura Davies | 01792 545523 @LawsDx | laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

54

PUBLISHER Lisa Cameron | lisa.cameron@trinitymirror.com PHOTOGRAPHY Adrian White, Jonathan Myers, Gayle Marsh, Hoosh Arabi, Steve Phillips, Robert Melen

HEALTH & WELLBEING

CONTRIBUTORS Lara Johnson & Dom Capel, Lesley Taylor, Richard Hammond, Sian Day, Victoria Wade, Joseph Atkin, Andrew Morgan, Emma Jenkins, Dr. Charlotte Jones, Chris Howells, James Richards, Marc White, and Chris Peregrine

14

59. GOLDEN GODDESS Bronzing products to fake that glow

78

78. FOOD BENEFITS Why strawberries are so good for us 80. BEACH BODY READY Tips to look fab, without the expense

Swansea Life, Urban Village, High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW @swansealife Email: laura.davies@trinitymirror.com www.swansealife.co.uk If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the editor on 01792 545533, at postnews@mediawales.co.uk or at Evening Post, Urban Village, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW and once verified we will correct it here as soon as possible.

Swansea Life is part of Local World, which is owned by Trinity Mirror PLC, which is a member of IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors’ Code Of Practice as enforced

by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at Independent Press Standards Organisation, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London.

EC4M 7LG. Website: http://www,ipso.co.ukTelephone: 0300 123 2220; email advice@ipso.co.uk If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or IPSO can refer your complaint to us. Please go to http://www.trinitymirror. com/howtocomplain where you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A “How To Complain” pack is also available by writing to the Legal and Compliance Department, Trinity Mirror PLC, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP.

Average net distribution 7,500 copies sold and distributed in Swansea, Gower and the surrounding South West Wales areas.

Opinions expressed in Swansea Life magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or designer and the magazine is in no way liable for such opinions. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents are fully accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies and late changes. No article, advertisement or graphic, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers.

4 swansealife.co.uk

207 DISCOVER MUMBLES 207. MUMBLES SUMMER FESTIVAL Everything you need to know to enjoy your day in the Mumbles

82. PEDAL POWER Cycling gadgets in time for the Gower Bike Ride

156

HOUSE & HOME 108. DREAM HOME Stunning Gower property 149. MARBLE EFFECT The on-trend look that we all want 156. GEO HOMES The best geometric patterns for your home

BRIDE

WHAT’S ON

64. REAL LIFE WEDDING Katrina and Scott share their dream day

186. DIARY DATES What’s on in July 188. MUST HAVES The best events and movies to see this month

66. FOR THE NEWLYWEDS Wedding gifts for the new couple 68. PICKING THE RIGHT DRESS Expert tips on how to choose your wedding gown

170

190. INTERVIEW With former Eastender Shaun Williamson

68 GREAT ESCAPES

198

168. CITY BREAK London luxury hotel

198. GIDDY UP Ladies Day at Ffos Las Races

170. SIZE MATTERS What cabin luggage does your airline allow

234 174

174. SNAP SHOTS OF SWANSEA BAY This month Richie heads to Llangennith

204. WHITTINGTON ARMS The launch of the “Whitt” in Neath

MOTORING SOCIAL 182.

TEST DRIVE We try out the Toyota Yaris DIARY

182 234

214. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp 221. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp phphphphphphp

176. BEST FOOT FORWARD Columnist Andrew Morgan walks Clyne Common

90 121

SOCIAL DIARY 194. LLANELLI STAR AWARDS Unsung community heroes are recognised

169. TRAVEL GADGETS Your holiday must haves

OUT & ABOUT

190

226. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp phphphphphphp

FOOD & DRINK 90. NO. 6 We test out the city centre eatery 93. ICE, ICE BABY! The lollies to cool you down in the heat 104. FOOD FEAST The festivals all foodies must attend

229

TIME FOR YOU 227. PIN UP PETS All your pet pics 229. OH BABY What you need to know 229. BABY PICS This month’s baby and toddler photographs

swansealife.co.uk 5

E D I TO R’ S L E T TE R

Welcome...

Summer has officially arrived!

And as you can probably tell from our super-sunny cover, we are getting very excited here at Swansea Life. It’s almost like that “school’s out for summer” feeling, when as kids we looked forward to the end of term in anticipation of an action-packed holiday ahead, full of fun-filled activities with friends, trips aways and long sunny days and evenings spent down the beach.

MARK REES

WHAT’S ON EDITOR 01792 545529 mark.rees@trinitymirror.com

Apart from the six week summer holiday, I guess not much has changed. Every July, I still get that “school’s out” feeling! Living in Swansea Bay we are fortunate to be able to take advantage of everything the area has to offer - from picnics in the park, to sunbathing or swimming at Gower’s glorious beaches, as well as being spoilt for choice with all the fantastic restaurants and drinking venues the city has to offer.

Our Holiday Edition magazine is packed with everything you need to get into the holiday spirit.

If you are not lying supine on the beach, or planning your next break, we hope you can find some well-deserved “me time” on a patio chair/lounger and enjoy the warm weather. But don’t forget the SPF! Inside, we feature sunscreens to suit all skin types as well as providing advice about staying safe in the sun and summer beauty tips.

If you are lucky enough to be jetting away somewhere nice, we have a cut-out-and-keep guide on your airline’s cabin luggage restrictions as well as some fashionable suitcases and gadgets to take on your travels.

We also have a bumper swimwear guide, packed with pages of bikinis and swimsuits, sandals, beach bags and cover ups. And as sun sets we have dresses to take you from pool to party. Yes, summer, ALWAYS calls for a new wardrobe!

DEBBIE ROBERTS

ADVERTISING MANAGER 01792 545626 debbie.roberts@trinitymirror.com

In food and drink, we give you the lowdown on the best foodie festivals to go to as well as some amazing ice lolly recipes to cool you down. We also have a 16-page Mumbles special which is packed full of all the things we love about the picture postcard seaside village. Can you love Swansea any more?

As well as all our usual features and contributors, how can we forget about one of the biggest social events in Swansea - yes, our very own Swansea Life Awards on July 7. The tickets have been flying like hot cakes and we simply can’t wait! Good luck to all our finalists and don’t forget to pick up our August magazine to see all the pictures from the night.

Keep topping up the tan and enjoy the read!

WINNER! UK REG IONAL MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

MUMBLES 16-PAGE SPECIAL

LAURA DAVIES 01792 545523 laura.davies@trinitymirror.com @LawsDx

EDITOR

JESSICA HAMMETT

SOCIAL MEDIA/FEATURES swansealifemag@swwmedia.co.uk

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COVER IMAGE: Top £6, Sunglasses £2, Primark, Swansea www.primark.co.uk

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Swansea lives OUR PICK OF THE MONTH’S BEST PARTY GET-TOGETHERS (FROM PAGE 193)

STRADEY PARK HOTEL & SPA 

194 LLANELLI STAR COMMUNITY AWARDS

196 SWANSEA JAZZ FESTIVAL

198 FFOS LAS LADIES NIGHT

Tickets £20pp

200 TAKE THAT CONCERT

202 FUNDRAISERS

FRIDAY 21ST JULY 2017 FROM 7PM Join Stradey Park Hotel & Spa and Me & Luce for an evening of delicious food, cocktails and an exciting fashion catwalk hosted by Me & Luce Fashions from Carmarthen.

Dress code - dress to impress

Tickets available from Stradey Park Hotel & Spa and Me & Luce, Carmarthen

203 WOMEN IN WALES

To book please contact Stradey Park Hotel & Spa, Llanelli SA15 4HA Telephone: 01554 758171 Email: reservations@stradeyparkhotel.com

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Fashionably different

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Fashion

FASHION FLASH (page 13) THE SWIMWEAR EDIT (page 14) HIGH STREET HOTTEST (page 22) KIDS FASHION (page 36)

PREMIER MENSWEAR SPECIALISTS

Solid Gold, is the premier menswear fashion store found within the Llanelli area.

A privately owned business with a 33 year history in delivering excellent service with contemporary fashion labels.

“Definitely worth a visit”

Tel: 01554 758895 • 5 Stepney Precinct, Llanelli, SA15 1YN info@solidgoldmenswear.com • solidgoldmenswear.com

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

FLAMINGO FUN Glamour, £80, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

F&F Flamingo Top, £10, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

M&S Per Una Floral Print Ruffle Long Sleeve Maxi Dress, £49.50; M&S Collection Suede Block Heel Ruffle Sandals, £45, M&S, Swansea

Copy

Comino Couture Green Multi Print Flamingo Maxi Dress, £162, Littlewoods.com

Flamingo Shopper Bag, £30, Oasis at Debenhams, Swansea

RAINBOW BRIGHT

GET THE LOOK...

GIDDY UP

Make some noise with pattern pic’n’mix – it’s all about clashing not matching! There’s something catchy about the 2017 wave of eclecticism. Brasillia, £85, Dune, Cardiff

Looking for the finishing touches to your Ladies Day outfit or fancy a new lucky charm? Links of London have teamed up with Royal Ascot to create a mini collection of trinkets. This pinky ring has our name on it.. Race you to it! Prices from £50. Pictured: Ascot Diamond Essentials 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Horseshoe Ring, Links of London , Cardiff

RED HOT

FA S H I O N F L A S H

Take inspiration from hot Havana nights with the season’s most glamorous look. An evolution of last year’s flamenco flavour, the Cuban trend takes all those ra-ra ruffles and gives them a sexy, sunset-hued makeover.

John Lewis Flamingo Print Leather Zip Around Purse, £39, John Lewis, Cardiff

HAVANA NIGHTS

FASHION

Angelica Drape Detail Dress, £95, Coast at Debenhams, Swansea Red Lace Up Plunge Swimsuit, £24.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park “When in doubt, wear red!”, said American fashion designer Bill Blass: And there is plenty to chose from in the shops this summer. And of course it is just happens to be the colour of Welshness!

Anya Hindmarch Red bag £1,395 and Lisa Kay Red Mule, £179.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge

Dame Joan Collins was spotted (in more ways than one) looking as fabulous as ever in an on-trend coldshoulder dress. Cinched in with a wide belt and teamed with cute silver sandals, this is a glam but relaxed summer look that works at any age.

Topshop Spot Frill Bardot Dress, £36; Single Buckle PU Corset Belt, £20; Morgan 2 Part Sandals, £39, TopShop, Swansea

WIMBLEDON Create the perfect Wimbledon charm bracelet using Jewlr’s Love Game tennis charm, all you need now is a bowl of strawberries and cream! Prices from £39, charms are available in a variety of birthstones and metals. www.jewlr.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 13

14 swansealife.co.uk

Pink Floral Wrap Front Bikini Top, £12.99, Bottoms, £8.99, New Look, Swansea

Blue Floral Swimsuit, £38, Evans, Swansea

Floral top, £22, Bottoms, £18, River Island, Swansea

Tropical Top £8, Bottoms, £4, Primark, Swansea

Floozie by Frost French Bikini, Top, £28; Floozie by Frost French Bikini, Top, £28; Bottoms, £18, Debenhams, Swansea Bottoms, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

Geo Print Swimsuit, £35, Next, Morfa Retal Park

Embroidered Bikini Set, £13, George at Asda, Parc Trostre

Floral Swimsuit, £40, River Island, Parc Fforestfach

Floral Bikini, £40, Topshop, Swansea

Blurred Floral Multiway Bikini Top, £16, Bottoms, £12, M&Co, Cardiff

Blue Tropical Floral Swimsuit, £28, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Butterfly by Matthew Willaimson Bikini Top, £24, Bottoms, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

Debi Black 90’s Neck Applique Swimsuit, £25, Prettylittlethings.com

Polynesia Floral Frill Bandeau £26, Bottoms, £16, Boux Avenue, Cardiff

Olivia Crochet Bikini Top, £24, Bikini Briefs, £20, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Swimsuit, £38, Oasis at Debenhams, Swansea

Figleaves Frida High Neck Bikini Top, £24, Bottoms, £20, Figleaves.com

Purple Floral Bikini Top, £22, Bottoms, £16, Evans, Swansea

FLORAL

SLOGANS

Red Herring Swimsuit, £32, Debenhams, Swansea

Blue Tile Print Bikini, £12.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Swimsuit, £32, River Island, Swansea

M&S Collection Bikini Top £10, Bottoms £10, M&S, Parc Trostre and Swansea

M&S Collection Tankini Top £25, Bikini Bottom £14, Hat, £15, M&S Swansea

Strappy Back Paradise Swimsuit, £10, George at Asda, Gorseinon

Monochrome Geometric Bikini with Tassels, £25, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Tanya Orange Ibiza Print Swimsuit, £18, Prettylittlething.com

Printed Bralet Bikini Top £20, Printed bikini briefs £14, Next, Swansea

M&S Collection Swimsuit, £29.50, M&S, Swansea

West Side Bodysuit in 90’s Black, £22.99, Superdry, Swansea

Maui Underwired Bandeau Tummy Control Swimsuit, £48, Figleaves.com

Tropical Moulded Bikini Top, £22.50, Bottoms, £12.50, Fat Face, Mumbles

Miami Swimsuit, £4 , Primark, Swansea

Print Wrap Front Bikini Top & Pant, £19, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Thelma Motif Swimsuit, £39, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

PRINTS FASHION

Sizzle on the beach or poolside with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of bikinis, swimsuits and cover ups. Whether its a fancy floral print, a quirky slogan swim costume or a classical stripe, we have something for you.

swansealife.co.uk 15

Bandeau Mono Stripe Bikini Top, £8, High Waist Bottoms, £5, Primark, Swansea

Monochrome Asymmetric Cut Out Swimsuit £22.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

Figleaves Bermuda Stripe Swimsuit, £48,

Womens chevron panel swimsui, £30, M&Co, Cardiff

Swimsuit, £35, River Island, Parc Trostre

@LawsDx

Swimsuit, £42 Debenhams, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

CK SWIM at House of Fraser, £99, House of Fraser, Cardiff

MONO

J by Jasper Conran Bikini Top, £28, Bottoms, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

THE SWIMWEAR EDIT

HOLIDAY READY!

M&S Collection Top £19.50, Bottoms, £14, M&S, Swanea

Black Cage Lace Up Swimsuit, £24.99, New Look, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach

Dickins & Jones Red triangle bikini, £18, brief, £12, House of Fraser, Cardiff

16 swansealife.co.uk

Frill Swimsuit, £10, Primark, Swansea

Ted Baker Parasol Stripe Bandeau Bikini Top, £35, Bottoms, £35, at House of Fraser, Cardiff

J by Jasper Conran Swimsuit, £40, Debenhams, Parc Trostre

Stripe Padded Top, £14, High Waist Control Brief, £12, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Swimsuit £10, Primark

Stripe Moulded Bikini Top, £22.50,Briefs, £19.50, Fat Face, Mumbles

Bandeau, £78, Bottoms, £54, Seafolly at Figleaves.com

Nautical Stripe Bandeau Bikini Top, £8, Briefs, £6, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

Double Frill Balcony Bikini Set, £16, George at Asda, Parc Trostre

Label Lab Chevron Cut Out Swimsuit, £45, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Lauderdale Stripe Bikini £30, Midi Brief £18, Boux Avenue, Cardiff

One shoulder bikini top £18, Bikini Briefs £14, Next, Morfa Retail Park

High Neck Swimsuit, £32, Accessorize, Swansea

Bonaire Crochet Swimsuit, £35, Boux Avenue, Cardiff

Blue Metallic Wrap Bikini Top, £14.99, Bottoms, £9.99, New Look, Parc Trostre

V by Very Strap Detail Bikini, £30, Very.co.uk

Aruba Bikini Top, £28, Brief, £15, Boux Avenue, Cardiff

Biba Chilli Keyhole Detail Swimsuit, £55, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Navy Striped Bikini Set, £14, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

STRIPE

F&F Luxury Eyelet Detail Swimsuit, £18, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet

Orange Ruffle Orange Ruffle Bikini Top, £8 Bikini Bottoms, £8, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Red Bkini, £35, River Island, Swansea

Sequin Swimsuit, £29.99, New Look , Swansea

F&F Stripe Embroidered Bikini Top, £10, Floozie by Frost French Swimsuit, £40, Debenhams, Swansea Bottoms, £6, Tesco, Parc Trostre

Stripe Me Lucy Swimsuit, £35, White Stuff, Cardiff

Embroidered Trim Swimsuit, £12, George at Asda, Llanelli

Reger by Janet Reger Bikini, £28, Bottoms, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

Khaki Halterneck Swimsuit, £18, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Top, £18, Bottoms, £16, Oasis at Debenhams, Swansea

PLAIN FASHION

Feather Print Maxi Kimono, £14, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

M&S Collection Kaftan, £22.50, M&S, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach Siesta Spot Stripe Sarong, £25, White Stuff, Cardiff

M&S Collection Kaftan £22.50, M&S, Swansea

Womens pink beach coverup with pom poms, £22, M&Co, Cardiff

@LawsDx

Ted Baker Entangled Enchantment Cover Up, £75, House of Fraser, Cardiff

J by Jasper Conran Sarong, £22, Debenhams, Swansea

V by Very Multicoloured Crochet Kaftan, £32, Very.co.uk

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Lola Dot Sarong, £22, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

M&S Collection, Kaftan, £45, M&S, Parc Trostre

Maxi Waistcoat, £16, Matalan, Llansamlet

Go from pool to beach bar with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of kaftans, sarongs and beach dresses

Sarong, £12, SimplyBe.co.uk

V by Very Monochrome Beach Dress, £32, Very.co.uk

COVER UP

swansealife.co.uk 17

Maxi Waistcoat, £16, Matalan, Llansamlet

Tribal Cold Shoulder Neon Kaftan, £18, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc Fforestfach

Sandie Cold Shoulder Kaftan, £45, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Womens Black and White Cover Up, £24, M&Co, Cardiff

Reger by Janet Reger Kaftan, £38, Debenhams, Swansea

FASHION

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month

CO-ORDS For a smart summer combo… we love F&F floral cullotte shorts with a matching blazer. Add a crisp white cami or shirt and heels, for a smart look or play it down with a pair of flats. F&F Floral Jacket, £29, Shorts, £16, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet

WE LOVE Want a standout outfit that is a bit different, then this is it! Art deco print meets a cool pastel palette on this edgy but elegant dress from Skeena S. Wear it with silver mules and a bold pink lip to your next wedding. Skeena S Long Sleeved Abstract Print Mini Dress, £140, OwntheLook.com

METALLIC! Gold stilettos are perfect in the sun! Shine in the summer heat with these strappy sandals from Office. Don’t forget your pedi! Hollie Knot Strap Rose Gold Sandals, £64, Office, Swansea

18 swansealife.co.uk

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

FLORAL FANCY When it comes to print-tastic collaborations, nobody does it better than Oasis. This summer, the retailer has teamed up with the Museum of Royal Worcester on a gorgeous range of floralcovered pieces inspired by the iconic porcelain.

The collection features tees, dresses, jumpsuits and shoes, with prices starting from £22.

Oasis Royal Worcester Jumpsuit, £60, Oasis at Debenhams, Swansea

The festival season has started and a waterproof jacket is an absolute essential if you’re heading to Glastonbury, Reading or T in the Park - or any other British festival for that matter - for obvious reasons. Thankfully this summer, the humble mac has had a makeover. This yellow rain mac will have you praying for rain! (Well almost!)

Yellow Matte Anorak, £34.99, New Look, Swansea

CLASSIC

THIS MONTH

PACK A MACK

Stripes never go out of fashion and these cropped trousers are cool, classic and so versitile!

Roz Stripe Cropped Trousers, £39, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

ORCHID CHARM Bring a touch of the exotic to your Pandora bracelet with this handfinished pendant charm in sterling silver, with white enamel and cubic zirconi. £40, You can even get the earrings to match, £35, Pandora, Swansea

SUNSHINE YELLOW Not only does this bardot top look great in the summer sun.

But you can wear it without worrying about straplines.

Yellow Lace Frill Bardot Top, £28, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

One Shoulder Dress, £85, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Nine by Savannah Miller, £65, Debenhams, Swansea

Biba Star Embroidered Midi Dress Blue, £89, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Gingham Dress, £56, Warehouse at Outfit, Parc Trostre

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Little Mistress Floral Print Bodycon, £58, little-mistress.com

Royal Worcester Placement Midi, £85, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Ted Baker Marina Mosaic Bardot Dress, £229, John Lewis, Cardiff

Dress, £70, River Island, Swansea

Floral One Shoulder Midi Dress, £38, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Dress, £45, M&S, Swansea

Halter Neck Tassel Dress, £69, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Dress, £160, Jigsaw at John Lewis, Cardiff

Hallhuber A-Line Dress with Cap Sleeves, £89, House of Fraser, Zaccy’s Nude Wedge, £239.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff & Cowbridge

Palm Asymmetric Jacquard Dress, £169, Coast at Debenhams, Swansea

Pink Ring Strap Bodycon Dress, £24.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

Embroidered Lace Pencil Dress, £225, Karen Millen, Cardiff

V by Very Crochet Floral Peplum Hem Dress, £65, Very.co.uk

FASHION

DRESS UP Summer is here! So glam up and go from pool to party with LAURA DAVIES’ dress edit @LawsDx

One Shoulder Fuchsia Dress, £45, Wallis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

swansealife.co.uk 19

FASHION

£14, George at Asda, Llansamlet and Parc Trostre

£19.99, New Look, Swansea

£22, Very.co.uk

BEACH BAGS Beach bound? Then tap into summer with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of a brightly coloured bag or a simple straw design £35, Accessorize, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

£19.50, M&S, Swansea

£35, Oasis at Debenhams, Swansea

£27.99, New Look, Swansea

£45, Monsoon, Parc Trostre 20 swansealife.co.uk

£9, Primark, Swansea

£9.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

£35, River Island, Parc Fforestfach and Swansea

£22, Accessorize, Swansea

FASHION

Coral and Blue Aztec Patterned Sandals, £19.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre and Morfa Retail Park | Silver Double Platform Sandal, £16, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu | Manic, £58, Office, Swansea | Faith Sandal, £49, Debenhams, Swansea

Syrup, £48, Office, Swansea

SUMMER FLATS

Floral Mules, £22.99, New Look, Swansea

It’s time to get the pedi’s booked and give your feet some breathing space with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of open toe, strappy sandals Kassius, £80, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Golden Flatforms, £35, River Island, Swansea

V by Very Pom Pom Strappy Flat Sandal, £30, Very.co.uk | Emilia Pom Pom Sandals, £45, Monsoon, Parc Trostre Sole Diva Pom Pom And Charm Trim Sandals Wide E Fit, £28, simplybe.co.uk

M&S Collection Buckle Slide Cobalt, £25, M&S, Swansea | Lilley, £75, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea Sliders, £35, River Island, Swansea and Parc Trostre

Embellished Sandals, £14, George, Parc Trostre | Purple Velvet Knotted Mules, £18, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea Elsa Jewelled Sandal, £35, Accessorize, Parc Trostre

Nude Embellished Flatforms, £32, Miss Selfridge, Swansea | Sole Diva Ghillie Tie Wedge Extra Wide EEE Fit, £28, Simplybe.co.uk V by Very Kristy Strappy Cross Over Sandal, £18, Very.co.uk swansealife.co.uk 21

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8 1. Debut Dress, £130 2. Bag, £30 3. Floozie by Frost French Bag, £25 4. Brow Aviators Sunglasses, £16 5. Butterfly

by Matthew Williamson Swimsuit, £42 6. Floozie by Frost French Hat, £18 7. Studio by Preen Top, £59 8. Red Herring, £35 9. Matthew Williamson, £150 10. Faith Wedge, £55

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LAURA DAVIES shops this season’s High Street styles laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

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1.Cami Top £5, Skirt £26, Necklace £10, Sandals, £18 2. Petite Floral Print Maxi Dress, £35 3. Floral Print Satin Shift Dress, £42 4. Bardot Top, £29 5. Green Palm Print Jumpsuit, £45 6. Tile Print Bardot Cami Top, £26 7. Petite Popcorn Shrug, £20 8.Purple Bead Necklace, £14 slingback, £65 9. White and Navy Tassel Scarf, £12

@LawsDx

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HIGH STREET HOTTEST

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1. Light Pink Floral Print Skater Dress, £44.99 2. Blue Wrap Front Cropped Jumpsuit, £24.99 3. Yellow Suedette Biker Jacket, £39.99 4. Pink Metallic Backpack, £19.99 5. Yellow Frill Trim Bardot Neck Dress, £19.99 6. Mint Green Premium Suit Jacket, £44.99 7. Orange Floral Print Culottes, £19.99 8. Sandals, £34.99 8

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1. Jeans £45, Top £29 2. Pencil Dress, £68 3. Top, £24 4. Blazer, £65 5.Skirt ,£45 Jacket, £99 6. Skirt, £35 7. Suit Blazer, £65 8. Bikini, £18 9. Clutch, £25 10. Royal Worcester Clutch, £25 11. Trainer, £45

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1. Swimsuit, £40 2. Denim Dress, £32 3. Swim suit, £38 4. Beach Dress, £30 5. Top, £30 6. Shorts, £32 7. Skirt, £32 8. Bag, £75 9. Heels, £45

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swansealife.co.uk 23

FASHION

White Pom Pom Dress, £24.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park and Parc Trostre

Tassel necklace, £22, Next, Swansea

Blue Embroidered Bardot Dress, £30, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

V by Very Tassel Beach Dress, £35, Very.co.uk

SHAKE YOUR

Silver Choker Pom Pom Details, £14.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

POM POMS AND TASSELS Tanya Tassel Beach Bag, £45, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Colourful, fun and cheerful, pom poms and tassels are ideal for summer and festivals.

LAURA DAVIES picks out her favourites laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Capri Filigree Tassel Earring, Accessorize, £8, Parc Trostre and Swansea

Playsuit with Embellishment and Pom Pom Detail, £65, Asos.com

Shorts, £35, River Island, Parc Trostre

Faith Sandal, £42, Debenhams, Swansea 24 swansealife.co.uk

V by Very Tassled Colour Flash Clutch Bag, £22, Very.co.uk

Pitusa Pom Pom Dress, £140, John Lewis, Cardiff

Bright Pom Pom Tassel Heels, £36, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

ADVERTISING FEATURE

A HIDDEN GEM AT THE HEART OF SWANSEA‌ One of its most popular ranges, Nomination, is now housed in an upgraded section of the shop where it will benefit from its higher profile. Although Owned by brother and sister celebrating its 30th year of Beth and Jonathan Jenkins, successful international trading, it takes its welcome place in the Nomination story started Plymouth Street and is regarded in 1987; marked by the creation with affection by its loyal band of the original personalisable of regular customers who bracelet in stainless steel. Steel, have supported the family run being very strong, does not business for over 35 years. tarnish and is hypoallergenic.

It dares to be different, stocking Nomination, still a family brands not normally found business is conveniently in the locality, and those who situated in the renaissance city head for its doors - as well as of Florence, which is an endless those yet to find their way source of inspiration for their there - have some good news. jewellery collections.

Tyler Jenkins Jewellery is tucked away in an area of Swansea where independent traders have made their mark.

4 + 5 Plymouth Street | Swansea | SA1 3QQ | T: 01792 475805

Tyler Jenkins has been selling Nomination since early 2000 and has seen the product grow year on year, with thousands of links to choose from, all detailed in 18ct yellow gold, 9ct rose gold or sterling silver.

ADVERTISIN They use a wide variety of semi precious gemstones and Swarovski elements making it possible to create a bracelet as individual as you are. The charm bracelets can be started from as little as £25 to £30 with additional detailed links starting at £15 per link.

Nomination also do a composable watch collection and a very extensive range of sterling silver jewellery, some of it coated in 24ct yellow gold and 22ct rose gold plate.

“We have a lot to offer”, says Beth.

Usually you can find something to suit all age groups. Our latest collection is by Qudo from Germany, stainless steel rings with interchangeable Swarovski tops in various sizes and colours. Tyler Jenkins also stocks an impressive collection of other brands including Collette Waudby, Aurum by Gudbjorg from Iceland, Gulldia from Norway and Les Georgettes from Paris: a new concept bangle with interchangeable leather pieces.

There are also Tianguis Jackson, Coeur de Lion, Kit Heath, Troll Beads, Ti2 Titanium, Danish Design Watches, Avive, and McMaster and Tingley’s daisy and sunflower

4+

NG FEATURE

jewellery amongst others.

The new Nomination display marks the latest stage in the history of the business that began whilst Beth was studying contemporary dance at Goldsmiths College in London in the late 1970s. She got a job at a bead and component shop called Hobby Horse at the bottom of King Road; it was there that she started making beaded and wire jewellery. In the summer months, Beth and a friend would travel around the Greek Islands selling their jewellery on the beaches and harbour fronts to supplement their travelling.

On returning to Wales, Beth applied for a grant to set up a jewellery business, but this was denied as they said it would

+5 Plymouth Street, Swansea SA1 3QQ T: 01792 475805

not be a viable business.

So with ÂŁ40 to her name she started selling hand made earrings from a barrow outside the old Carmarthen Market.

Things progressed to craft fairs and festivals Such as Glastonbury, and in 1982 Beth and Jonathan, who are grateful to the support shown from their parents, opened a small unit called Wicked Wire Jewellery in Swansea Market.

Together with the anticipated upgrading of the City Centre and the enhancement around the independent quarter, we can only feel positive for the future of Swansea.

Hopefully this will draw more, much needed independent traders to offer a more diverse shopping experience for the people of Swansea.

Poolside Glamour

Dive into summer with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of sizzling swimwear. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

28 swansealife.co.uk

@LawsDx

Lidea Kaftan, £80.99, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge, Lisa Kay Turquoise Wedges, £129.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge, www.jonian.co.uk

Liz Hurley Silver Bikini, £120.99, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge Hallhuber Necklaces, £29, House of Fraser, Cardiff Kanna Wedges, £109.95, Jon Ian; Cardiff and Cowbridge, www.jonian.co.uk Sunglasses, from a selection at Robert E Lloyd Optometrists, Cowbridge

30 swansealife.co.uk

Liz Hurley Yellow Bikini, £150.99, Necklace, £89.99 and Earrings, £35.95, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge Stefanel Navy Scarf, £60, House of Fraser, Cardiff Kanna wedge, £109.95; Large Blue Uzurii Shoulder Bag, £169.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge, www.jonian.co.uk

Lidea Swimsuit, £90.99 and Kaftan, £80.99, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge

32 swansealife.co.uk

Profile White Bikini, £99.90, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge Tommy Hilfiger White Blazer £190 and Hallhuber Beaded Choker, £29, both House of Fraser, Cardiff Kylie White Mule, £159.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge, www.jonian.co.uk

Art direction Brian Brown 01792 301901 www.briandbrown.co.uk Photography Justin Harris 01792 898544 Justinharrisphotography.co.uk Stylist Jasmin 07970 013468 Hair Vanilla Rooms, Cardiff, 029 2076 4344 029 2076 4344 Make-up Shevan McKenna @shevanmakeup email info@makeupbyvaun.com Model Kate Thomas, Mustard Model Agency Shot on location at exclusive wedding venue Hensol Castle, The Vale Resort.

To discuss wedding packages call 01443 665803

swansealife.co.uk 33

FASHION Bardot Lace Dress, £28, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Broderie Jacket, £55, SimplyBe.co.uk

White Cold Shoulder Jacket, £45, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

Bag, £35, SimplyBe.co.uk

F&F White Fedora, £10, Tesco, Parc Trostre and Llansamlet

V by Very Lace Trim Crinkle Bardot Top, £26, Very.co.uk

Devoure Top, £60, Wide Leg Ankle Jeans, £30, Next, Morfa Retail Park and Swansea

Falmer Festival Lace Hem Embroidered Cami, £16, Matalan, Morriston and Parc Cwmdu 34 swansealife.co.uk

Dress For The Occasion Maxi, £250, River Island, Swansea

V by Very Wide Leg Button Detail Trouser, £30, Very.co.uk

Broderie Jacket, £60, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre Jazmina Embroidered Midi Dress, £49, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

L E B DO M I

Jumpsuit, £120, River Island, Swansea

WH

Linen Frill Front Blouse, £65, East at John Lewis, Cardiff

Twiggy Collection White Paisley Dress, £32, M&S, Swansea

One Shoulder Dress, £85, Next, Morfa Retail Park

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White Floral Lace High Necked Dress, £99, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

S E IT

Premium Soft Tailored Jacket, £36, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Be inspired by the tennis and pick out some crisp, fresh whites perfect for Wimbledon and summer. LAURA DAVIES rounds up her top high street picks.

White Cold Shoulder Top, £22, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Top, £29, SimplyBe.co.uk

Bairo Clutch, £60, Dune, Cardiff Sunglasses, £14, River Island, Swansea

M&S Collection Hat, £12.50, M&S, Swansea

Elana, £110, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

BIBA Gisela White Casuals, £65, House of Fraser, Cardiff

White Lace Trainer, £12, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc

Espadrilles, £45, Next, Parc Trostre swansealife.co.uk 35

36 swansealife.co.uk

Caption

Embroidered Short Set, £14, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc Trostre

Baby ParadisoSwimsuit, £12, Monsoon, Parc Troste

Blue Tie Dye Bardot Outfit, £20; Pom Pom Clips, £2; Aviators, £7, River Island, £?, Swansea

J by Jasper Conran Textured Stripe Woven Dress From, £30 Debenhams, Swansea and Parc Trostre

Girls Yellow and Pink Pom Pom Shorts, £8, M&Co, Cardiff Dress, £24, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre

Flamingo Jacket and Shorts Set, from £13, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Bluezoo Swimsuit, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

Caption

Hat, £12, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Peplum Top, £16, M&S, Swansea

BEACH BABES

FASHION

Girls Swim Vest and Bottom, £14, M&Co, Cardiff

Caption

Make sure your kids are all kitted out ready for the summer holidays with LAURA DAVIES’ top picks laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Blue Patterned Sunglasses, £6, M&S, Swansea

T-shirt, £8; Shorts £10; (Both Ages 3-12) River Island, Swansea

Blue Pool Slider, £5, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

Boys Swim Shorts, from £10, M&Co, Cardiff

Top, £6.50 - £8.50; Bottoms, £6.50 - £8.50, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Boys Multi Stripe Short, £12, M&S, Swansea

J by Jasper Conran Birdseye Multi Stripe Polo, from £12, Debenhams, Swansea Tropical Palm Swim Shorts, £10, George at Asda, Llansamlet

Boys T-Shirt, from £7, Swim Shorts, from £10, Trilby £8, M&Co, Cardiff

Baker by Ted Baker Under Water World Swim Short, From £16, Debenhams, Swansea

Palms 88 T-Shirt, £5, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

Chino Shorts from £16, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Caption

swansealife.co.uk 37

��� �������������� ����������������� Made to measure curtains and blinds, occasional furniture and a fantastic homeoccasional Made to measure curtainsrange and of blinds, accessories and gifts, all under one roof and furniture and a fantastic range ofGarden home Village. found, conveniently, within Pyle Leaf Interiors was started in October 2013 by Sally and Karen; two friends who shared a love for home decor and began making customised curtains for their friends.

accessories and gifts, all under one roof and found, conveniently, within Pyle Garden Village.

Their hobby quickly evolved into the Leaf Interiors wasand started in October business we know love today after they began taking orders for their 2013 by Sally and Karen; two friends creations, quickly adding other home who sharedand a love for home decor accessories furnishings to their inventory.

and began making customised Offering andfriends. premium products curtainsquality for their

that are different and unique. Every single one of their bespoke items are made with love, care,evolved and attention Their hobby quickly into the to detail so you know you’re getting business we know andtalented love today after the very best from the Leaf Interiors team. The beautiful work they they began taking orders for their produce is not available on the high street and quickly that’s just how other they like it. creations, adding home Instead focusing on delivering the best accessories furnishings to customers their services andand products to their in an inspiring, design-led environment. inventory.

PYLE GARDEN VILLAGE PYLE CF33 6BJ

BOUTIQUE 01656 749841

“We love what we have created and what ourquality customers helped us Offering and have premium products become. We invite you to join us at Leaf loulouwoman Interiors as we continue in what has that are different and unique.

Every already been a great adventure.”

single one of their bespoke items are made with love, care, and attention to detail so you know you’re getting the very best from the talented Leaf Interiors team. The beautiful work they produce is not available on the high street and that’s just how they like it.

Instead focusing on delivering the best services and products to their customers in an inspiring, design-led environment.

“We love what we have created and what our customers have helped us become. We invite you to join us at Leaf Interiors as we continue in what has already been a great adventure.”

Pyle Garden Village Pyle CF33 6BJ 01656 745021 www.leafinteriors.co.uk Like on Facebook

loulouboutiquepyle

l

SALON 01656 741653 salonlouloupyle

salon.loulou

v

s

Hair &

beauty

BEAUTY NEWS (from page 41) SUNCARE FOR ALL SUNSEEKERS (page 47) WE LOVE IT! (page 57) LARA JOHNSON (page 60)

Natural beauty that looks untouched.....

Defy Time With Dr Alan Jones

30 years experience as a GP 15 years as a Cosmetic Doctor Member of: British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) British Association of Body Sculpting (BABS) British Association of Sclerotherapy (BAS) GMC registered HIW registered Clinic FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION WHAT SOME OF OUR CLIENTS HAD TO SAY ‘Thank you a thousand times over. A brilliant Doctor. total trust in any treatment Dr Alan suggests’ ‘What a fantastic place to come to ...always pleased with the results.

Dr Jones you’re friendly and funny, but know exactly what you’re doing’ ‘Absolutely fabulous! The end result is wonderful, and so natural.

I have been coming here for years. I love it here’ ‘I am one of Dr Jones’ male patients who has been seeing him for around two years. Always welcoming and professional. Have had Sculptra and Botox, and always delighted with the results’ ‘This is Harley Street services on our doorstep, but not their prices’

466 Gower Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7DZ

01792 208466 Private Car Park

www.defy-time.co.uk GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

TURN YOUR BACK ON AGEING

BEAUT Y NEWS

Let’s face it, sometimes we can neglect the delicate areas around our eyes. This empowering gel-cream essence fortifies the skin, and the light yet it’s deeply hydrating formula is fuelled by mineral-rich Long Life Herb extract to help protect against visible signs of ageing and reinforce skin’s resilience in this fragile area. Diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst promoting a more youthful vibrancy? Yes please!

Skinlongevity Vital Power Eye Gel Cream, £23, BareMinerals, Debenhams, Swansea

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

PART ONE

CITRUS PUNCH We love the new limited edition Citrus Collection by Clarins. The collection includes summery hand and nail treatment creams which are available in three subtle fragrances - Mandarin Leaf, Lime Leaf and Grapefruit Leaf. The trio of handy 30ml tubes are presented in a beautiful leaf print pouch so you can carry them on the go. Perfect for your cabin bag!

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Creams, £25, Boots, Swansea

The SEABOURN Collection

POWER IT!

HAIR & BEAUTY

OUD LA LA

If you’re looking for an unusual and luring scent, try Tom Ford’s newest fragrance: Oud Minérale. Packaged in a dark grey Private Blend bottle, the fragrance merges the mystifying grip of rare and precious Oud with the fresh exuberance of the ocean, capturing the refreshing play of surf and sea against the burning flame of smoked wood.

Tom Ford’s reinvention of Oud pairs two of the world’s most intriguing elements to reveal tonalities both exhilarating and powerfully transcendent.

Simply beautiful!

SUMMER SHINE

Oud Minérale 50ml, £155, Tom Ford at John Lewis, Cardiff

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, £18, Boots and Debenhams, Swansea Also new for July are two limited edition shades of Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, available in Pink Grapefruit and Juicy Mandarin. These must-have lippys have extracts of shea butter and wild mango butter which restore the lips’ hydrolipidic film to leave them comfortable and protected, boasting 4 hour hydration. They’ll leave your lips appearing fresh and luminous whilst the irresistible scents will leave you wanting more!

METALIC LIPS! For those who dare to go experiment with lip colour we love MAC’s new collection Metallic Lips. Offering full on lip shimmer in 18 shades, whether it is a muted neutral pink, bright fuschia or a more daring deep royal purple with blue pearl. £16.50, MAC, Debenhams, Swansea

Liz Earle launches a limited edition fragranced version of their bestselling and sulphate-free Botanical Shine Shampoo and silicone-free Botanical Shine Conditioner. We love the scent, which blends geranium, citrus oils and vanilla extract. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types and is formulated with naturally derived coconut cleansers for a gently foaming cleansing experience that leaves hair smooth, soft and silky. Meanwhile, the conditioner features smoothing meadowfoam, strengthening blue seakale and nourishing Kalahari melon oil, leaving hair feeling tangle-free and looking healthy and revitalised.

Botanical Shine Limited Edition Collection, £13 (200ml), John Lewis, Cardiff

Luxurious. Immersive.

Inspiring.

Molton Brown launch their summer limited edition, The Seabourn Collection this month, in collaboration with awardwinning luxury cruise line, Seabourn.

Usually available exclusively for on-board guests, the two completely bespoke fragrances will be offered in Molton Brown stores for a limited time. The beautiful collection is composed of ingredients inspired by Seabourn’s very own signature cruise destinations and the fragrance’s botanical ingredients on the bottles have been hand drawn by coastbased illustrator Angela McKay, adding a tailored, elegant touch.

The collection includes Basil & Vetiver Hair Care Collection, shampoo and conditioner 300ml, both £18, and Immersive Samphire & Eucalyptus Bath & Body Collection, Bath and Shower Gel 300ml, £20 and Body Lotion, £25.

Molton Brown, Cardiff

CHARITY CANDLE This month Jo Malone launches its charity candle to celebrate the opening of its new charity garden, The Quiet Garden in Notting Hill. Flowers in restful colours – lavender, jasmine and rose – evoke wellbeing and tranquillity. And, of course, there is basil aplenty.

Iris and Lady Moore Charity Home Candle, £46, Jo Malone, Cardiff (75 per cent of the proceeds will go to the brand’s charity partners.)

ADVANCED CERAMIDE CAPSULES DAILY YOUTH RESTORING EYE SERUM Earlier this year, Elizabeth Arden revealed the next generation of their iconic Ceramide Capsules with the launch of Advanced Ceramide Daily Youth Restoring Serum. Now, this new and improved Ceramide technology has been reimagined for the most delicate part of the face – the eyes. Twist to unlock the secret to youthful-looking skin with NEW Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Eye Serum. £52, 60 capsules, Elizabeth Arden at Debenhams, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 41

Photo: www.justinharrisphotography.co.uk

BRIAN BROWN SALON MODELLING & MANAGEMENT AGENCY

01792 301901

1 BELLEVUE WAY • SWANSEA • SA1 5BZ

www.briandbrown.co.uk

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUT Y NEWS laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

PART TWO

FLORAL REDUX NARS introduces the limited edition Floral Redux Collection. In season. Out of focus. Lips and cheeks go full bloom with a coveted wardrobe of universally flattering shades. Four gift sets, multiple dimensions. Tribulation Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set, Mustang Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set, Angel Pride Cheek Palette, all £45 and Fox Dancer Mini Multiples Coffret, £25; which is perfect to take on holidays, as it features four shades of the iconic original multi-purpose stick which can be used as an instant afterglow for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Its uniquely creamy formula and sheer colour blends effortlessly, perfect for contouring with colour. Nars available from House of Fraser, Cardiff

BROW PERFECT

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S Achieving the perfect brow can sometimes be a difficult task, but when you get them right, they can completely transform your look. Brow Master Brow Gel Brush Duo’s smooth gel formula shapes and defines beautiful brows for a natural to bold look. The universal taupe shade works for all hair colours taking the guess work out of choosing a shade. What’s even better? It’s long-wearing, waterproof and smudge-proof!

Brow Master Brow Gel and brush Duo, £22, BareMinerals, Debenhams, Swansea

SKIN PEEL Dr Murad’s extra-strength at-home peel helps reverse signs of ageing and detoxifies the skin. Not only does it contain a powerful blend of 10 per cent Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C, which instantly re-texturises the skin, it enhances radiance and evens tones without irritation or downtime. Textured towelettes allow for targeted application of active ingredients and removal of surface cells exposed to pollutants that have accumulated throughout the day.

Rapid Resurfacing Peels, £35 for a pack of 16 wipes, www.murad.co.uk

INTRODUCING ELIZABETH ARDEN GELATO CRUSH COLOUR COLLECTION We love the new Elizabeth Arden Gelato Crush Colour Collection. Pick a shade for any mood or occasion with the Plush Up Lip Gelato, £22, for lips that feel instantly cooled and moisturised.

Contour and define lips while getting a full pout with the Plump Up Lip Liner, £17. Get a natural blush with the Cool Glow Cheek Tint, £28, to complete the look. Debenhams, Swansea

BOLDNESS THAT STAYS ON Make a bold lip statement! Rimmel London introduces Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour this month, a new waterproof liquid lipstick with high-intensity colour, a velvety matte finish and a 12 hour long-lasting, comfortable wear.

There are 15 intense shades to choose from, for a multitude of bold lip-looks. £5.99, Superdrug, Swansea

HIGH GLOSS For a clear gloss that adds a subtle summer shine, we love MAC’s new cremesheen with multi pearl, Dua Lipa Cremesheen Glass, which is part of its Future Forward collection. £18, MAC, Debenhams, Swansea (Available July 27)

FIVE-IN-ONE There’s a new kind of eyeshadow that’s transforming mornings. One genius stroke of 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow will have you out the door with 5 skin-loving benefits all packed into one luxurious formula. Infused with light reflective pigments, wear it alone for a brightening “barely there” look, or for optimal wear, layer with your favourite bareMinerals Eyecolour.

SUMMER SALE

5-IN-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow, £19, BareMinerals, Debenhams, Swansea Adventure into new styles and new hair possibilities with Ghd’s summer sale.

Until the end of July it is offering £20 off selected products from the whole ghd electricals range, excluding ghd fliught and all IV Gold Stylers.

The offers includes ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand, original £120, now £100; ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand, was £120, now £100 and ghd Curve Classic Curl Tong, was £120, now £100. At ghdhair.com or participating salons.

swansealife.co.uk 43

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY TIPS FOR

A LONG HAUL FLIGHT Avoiding plane food, drinking half a litre of water every hour and spritzing a dewy skin mist over your face are just some of the best beauty tips for surviving a long-haul flight. LAURA DAVIES looks at the top ways you can keep your skin hydrated, dewy and glowing even whilst being up in the air. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

PACK SOME FACE AND EYE MASKS

Your skin will get very little oxygen during flight time. To keep your skin hydrated, moisturised and brightened, wear a face or eye mask. Make yourself comfy and apply it whilst on-board to help keep your skin looking and feeling refreshed.

KEEP SKIN HYDRATED

Long-haul flights are the ultimate skin dehydrators, so it’s important to keep drinking plenty of water. Aim to drink at least half a litre every hour of the flight. Coconut water is also great to drink on-board, as it’s rich in vitamins and contains electrolytes, which are very hydrating.

SPRITZ A DEWY SKIN MIST OVER YOUR FACE

The plane can get very stuffy at times, so bring a refreshing facial mist to spritz yourself with. This will keep your skin feeling hydrated and will maintain the moisture balance.

AVOID WATERPROOF MAKEUP

If you are going to wear makeup on the plane, always avoid using waterproof products. These can be really drying when you’re in the air. Waterproof mascara will leave your lashes feeling extra dry.

GET SOME SLEEP

The best way to survive that long-haul flight and feel fresh when you land, is to get plenty of beauty sleep. Make sure you pack the essentials to help you feel comfortable, such as a pillow, comfy flight socks, a blanket and a sleeping mask.

TAME THE STATIC HAIR

Two good tricks to tame humid and static hair whilst flying is to either add hair oil or serum to the tips of your hair or rub a drop of water through the roots.

44 swansealife.co.uk

@LawsDx

DON’T WEAR MAKEUP

Always try to avoid wearing makeup on flights. But if you want to look gorgeous when you take off and land, remove your makeup during take-off and re-apply 40 minutes before you land.

WEAR A FACE CREAM

If you have dry skin already, chances are that the aeroplane will dry out your skin even more. This can end up making your skin extra flaky or can cause spots. To avoid this, make sure you apply a lot of face cream. Face cream is a better choice to use over moisturiser, as it’s thicker and more hydrating when applied to the skin.

AVOID THE PLANE FOOD

Processed foods, microwaved airline food and things like crisps and pretzels should always be avoided on aeroplanes. These contain high amounts of sodium which can cause bloating. Try and eat some water based fruits and vegetables (like carrot sticks, cucumber or celery).

These will help maintain hydration.

PACK THE ESSENTIALS

It’s always important to pack the essentials like a travel-sized hand sanitizer, some facial wipes and a mini bottle of toner. Clean hands are a must so make sure you are regularly sanitizing. Facial wipes are also great if you’re planning on removing your makeup just after take-off, or if you just want to give your face a little refresh. After taking off your makeup with a wipe, always apply the toner. A mini toner is great to apply to your skin with a cotton pad to keep spots at bay whilst on the flight. Toner helps to take off any chemical irritants like fragrance which have been left over from the face wipe.

IS YOUR CHILD INELIGIBLE FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, OR ARE YOU TIRED OF WAITING? WE CAN HELP, WITH CHILDREN'S PRIVATE SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FROM UNDER £10 PER MONTH*.

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HAIR & BEAUTY

EMMA’S BEAUTY CHATTER Former Miss Wales Emma Jenkins is a TV make-up artist and presenter from Llanelli. She talks about how to achieve that streak-free, even glow.

Follow her on Instagram/Twitter: @emmavjenx All too often I receive messages from ladies, besides themselves, asking for quick fixes to their tan mishaps! With cold shoulder tops and mini skirts everywhere in stores, we are all looking for a way to spruce up our skin. Make sure you follow my foolproof plan to ensure a streak-free, even glow!

1. Exfoliation is key - My ultimate favourite scrub is the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, £37, Monks Spa, Machynys, Llanelli

I wear a glove under mine for extra protection.

Choose a good mitt, Vita Liberata Tanning Mitt, £4, John Lewis, Cardiff, is the best!

2. Shave at least 24 hours before, and wax at least 48 hours before - Any type of hair removal will leave pores open, this can cause unsightly black dots and cause irritation. To avoid this problem, rub a bag of frozen peas over the shaved area to close the pores!

5. Use circular buffing motions when applying, and don’t apply too much product to your hands and feet. Create a claw with your hand to ensure each finger is tanned in the right places.

You don’t want tide marks between each finger!

3. Follow the instructions - Each product comes with a specific regime, it’s important to follow these steps to the letter for the best outcome!

4. Mitts are the way forward - Using a tanning mitt is the best way to apply, as it ensures an even application and won’t cause orange hands!

6. Use a different tan for your face - All tans are tailor-made for their purpose, and so I never apply the same tan on both face and body. For the face, I love the ease of the James Read H2O Tan Mist, £20, M&S, Swansea, and for the body I love the Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse in Medium, £24.95, Superdrug, Swansea

FRAGRANCE THERAPY LAURA DAVIES picks a selection of perfumes to help boost your mood this summer

Styled on Venetian Murano glass... Jimmy Choo L’Eau, Eau de Toilette, £32.40 (40ml), Debenhams, Parc Trostre A dazzling new interpretation of Alien...

Mugler Alien Eau Sublime, Eau de Toilette, £50 (60ml), House of Fraser, Cardiff

A plum choice adorned with a fluffy pom pom...

Annick Goutal Tenue De Soiree, Eau de Parfum, £76.50 (50ml), Escentual, www.escentual.com

46 swansealife.co.uk

A reinterpretation of the apple-shaped bottle designed by Lalique in the early Fifties...

Nina Ricci Luna, Eau de Toilette, £27.90 (30ml), Debenhams, Swansea

A gourmand collection aiming to capture the ancient art of the tea master...

Midnight Black Tea Cologne, from the Jo Malone Rare Teas Collection, £160 (75ml), Jo Malone, Cardiff

HAIR & BEAUTY

SUN CARE FOR ALL

SUN SEEKERS Stay protected this summer with the latest sunscreens for all occasions.

LAURA DAVIES shows you how to up your SPF game laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

1. FOR SKINCARE ADDICTS n TRY: Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream SPF30, £18, Boots and Debenhams, Swansea Trust skincare giant Clinique to come up with a sunscreen that simultaneously protects and de-ages. Its new AntiWrinkle Face Cream SPF30 includes a blend of antioxidant and repair ingredients to help strengthen and rebuild your skin’s moisture barrier as you bask in the sun.

2. FOR TAN SEEKERS n TRY: Ultrasun Body Tan Activator SPF30, £28, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre Boost your bronze with Ultrasun’s new Tan Activator range. You still get a high SPF hit but the natural tan enhancer (Bronzy) activates your production of melanin and accelerates the tanning process by about 40 per cent in 10 days, so you can spend less time chasing a tan.

oil-prone skin shine-free so you can spritz over or under make-up.

4. FOR SPORTY TYPES n TRY: Shiseido WetForce Sports BB Cream SPF50, £32, escentual.com Outdoor workouts have never looked so chic, thanks to Shiseido’s sweat-proof tint. Enhance your sporty look with the high-protection BB Cream that’s light, dewy and won’t rub off when you’re putting in a Wimbledon-worthy performance on the court.

7. FOR SKIN ZEN n TRY: Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Solaire SPF50+, £16, Boots, Swansea When sunscreen and skincare combine... Step forward Avene’s forward-thinking lotion that actively fights blemishes. Cleanance Solaire contains an ingredient that inhibits the excess sebum common in acne-prone skin and protects existing blemishes from sun side effects.

8. FOR GLOW-GETTERS 5. FOR SENSITIVE BITS n TRY: Tropic Skincare Sun Balm SPF50, £16 (tropicskincare.com) Avoid lobster-red zones in awkward spots with Tropic Skincare’s transportable Sun Balm. The high-protection balm comes in solid form, so you can smooth over tricky areas like the nose, ears and feet to be that bit more thorough.

n TRY: Piz Buin Instant Glow Skin Illuminating Sun Lotion SPF30, £8, Superdrug, Swansea Sunscreen meets skin finishing with Piz Buin’s glowy new potion. Infused with light-reflecting particles, the non-greasy lotion instantly peps up skin with an oh-so subtle shimmer, so your walk to the pool is worthy of a red-carpet saunter.

3. FOR SPEED DEMONS

6. FOR BEACH BABES

9. FOR CITY SLICKERS

n TRY: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Invisible Fresh Mist SPF50, £14, Boots, Parc Fforestfach and Swansea Go hands-free with La Roche-Posay’s new anti-shine wonder. The super-fine, invisible mist gives you an even protection that’s easily absorbed, so there’s no need to rub in. Its patented molecule Airlicium leaves

n TRY: Vichy Ideal Soleil Anti-Sand SPF50, £18, vichy.co.uk No need to camp around the pool if you’re sand-averse with Vichy’s clever lotion. The lightweight formulation is easily absorbed with an ultra-dry finish that allows sand to be brushed off easily, so you can make sandcastles to your heart’s content.

n TRY: Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50, £45, murad.co.uk You don’t have to be beach-bound to protect your face. Whether it’s city break or daily grind, Murad’s high-tech mineral sunscreen ticks off protection against pollution, infrared radiation and blue light, as well as UVA and UVB rays.

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HAIR & BEAUTY

TRANSITIONING YOUR MAKEUP Summer is here and and that means it’s time to start transitioning your makeup routine. LAURA DAVIES looks at ways you can swap your products, how to apply it and simple tips to get a sunshine glow. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

As the seasons change, so should your makeup routine. The way you apply your makeup and the products you use should change depending on the season you’re in. Altering your makeup routine in summer will not only compliment your holiday glow, but will also prevent you from sweating off your makeup when the warmer sunshine is out. By making small change, like wearing a primer under a sheer foundation and a translucent powder, it should ensure that your makeup stays flawless, even when you’re on a night out.

SWAP FOUNDATION FOR BB CREAM - In the strong heat, foundation

is the worst product to use on your skin, as you will only sweat it off. Instead of wearing it during summer, swap it for a BB cream, or if you want to go even lighter, use a tinted moisturiser.

WEAR A TRANSLUCENT POWDER - If you’re heading out and want a fuller coverage than a BB cream offers, try using a sheer foundation with a translucent powder over the top. This will stop your face from looking too matte, and the translucent powder will set your foundation without adding too much colour.

HIGHLIGHT - Purchase a highlighter before going on your summer holiday. They work perfectly with a tan and keep your bronzed look glowing from noon till night. Simply sweep a touch of it on the cheekbones, on the tip of your nose, on the cupids bow and just below the eyebrows. Use either a liquid highlighter or a powder-based formula (although we recommend a liquid formula for summer, as it’ll last much longer through any sweat or moisture from the face).

GO FOR A CLEAR MASCARA - Nothing’s worse than smudging your

mascara. It’s also a pain to use on holiday if you’re spending a lot of time by the beach or the pool. So instead, use clear mascara instead of a black or brown one. This will make your eyelashes stand out without the worry of water or sweat smudging them. If you’re heading out and want a more dramatic look, use a waterproof black.

SWAP MOISTURISER FOR SERUM - Whilst it’s important to use

plenty of moisturiser in winter, thick formulas will only cause makeup caking and creasing under harsh heat. Instead of using moisturiser, try switching to a serum. A serum will hydrate the pores without it being too heavy. Use a serum after toning and cleansing.

MAKE SURE YOUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN SPF - Make sure all of your tinted moisturiser/ BB creams/ foundations contain SPF in them (the higher SPF factor the better). If they don’t, always remember to add sun cream before applying the product over the top.

SWAP BLUSH FOR BRONZER - Adding blush to make your cheeks a little rosy in winter is great.

But in summer, it’s best to swap it for a shimmering bronzer. Add a touch to your cheekbones, across the top of your forehead and lightly on the chin.

WEAR A TOP COAT OF NAIL POLISH - Light nail varnish colours like sheer pastel, pink and beige tones tend to turn yellow after being exposed to the sun for too long. To avoid this happening, always remember to use a clear gel topcoat that has built in UV protection.

INVEST IN A GOOD PRIMER - During the summer months, we all have those days where we get a little flustered. Sweating off your makeup is especially frustrating, as it means you have to keep re-applying. To solve this, invest in a good primer that contains glycerine, which will help keep your foundation on for much longer. It’ll be an even better primer if it contains SPF. SWAP ALL POWDER MAKEUP FOR GEL - If your skin tends to get a little sweaty, using powder-based products is a no go, as they won’t melt into the skin and will sit awkwardly on the face. In summer, it is best to go for gel and liquid based products.

48 swansealife.co.uk

Cutting it...

WiTH MuLTipLe AWArdS under iTS beLT, THe HAir LounGe’S SuCCeSS HAS been reCoGniSed WiTH A nuMber of AWArdS And ACCoLAdeS, reCenTLy inCLudinG: ‘beST HAir SALon in SWAnSeA’ AT THe WeLSH HAir And beAuTy AWArdS. ‘eMpLoyer of THe yeAr’, ‘ApprenTiCe of THe yeAr’, ‘2nd pLACe CoLour TeCHniCiAn of THe yeAr’ And 2nd pLACe for SALon of THe yeAr AT THe briTiSH beAuTy AWArdS, THe HAir LounGe HAS GroWn SiGnifiCAnTLy in over THe yeArS WiTH TWo SuCCeSSfuL buSineSSeS in SWAnSeA And SkeWen. MAnAGinG direCTor MArC iSSAC iS ConSTAnTLy LookinG To THe fuTure, CreATinG THe MoST CoMforTAbLe environMenT for THe CLienTS And offerinG THe very LATeST STyLinG And CoLour TeCHniqueS.

True to its name, the award winning Hair Lounge offers a very special hairdressing environment and while customer care is a key part of the Salons success, Marc also ensures that his staff are up to date with the latest trends and style techniques.

All Stylists are the absolute best at what they do, with each member placed on a

minimum of 5 courses per year - this helps straighten and broaden their skills. The training is evident in the copious amount of awards that the salon has won.

With the businesses still growing and new ideas being developed all the time, Marc and his team are excited about what will come next.

Marc himself has 16 years’ hairdressing experience under his belt and works as an assessor for Gower College, which gives him a unique insight into the hairdressing trade and what works best in hairdressing salons.

“We are really looking forward to what the future holds for us all as we are always striving and pushing the standards higher within the salon, “he says”

PROUD TO BE SHORT LISTED FOR FIFTH YEAR RUNNING IN THE BEST HAIR CATEGORY AT THE

SWANSEA

LIFE awards

Join us on

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HAIR & BEAUTY THE SOAKING METHOD Whichever method you use, the most important thing you 7/10 need to know when taking off gel nail polish is that the remover has to contain acetone, at least 98 per cent, so that it’s strong enough to dissolve the polymers in the polish.

Fill a small glass bowl (large enough to fit your fingertips in) with acetone and place that bowl into a larger bowl filled with hot (but not boiling) water.

While the acetone 3/5 is warming up, use a nail file to buff the top layer of polish off and file the top of the nail to break the ‘seal’ of Cutex polish on the edge.

Ultra-Powerful Soak your nails, one Nail Polish hand at a time, in the Remover, £1.59, acetone, for about Swansea 15 minutes, during which time you should see the polish start to lift.

Use a cuticle stick to gently scrape the polish off, soaking for longer if you need to. Finish by rinsing your hands in water and applying cuticle oil (your skin will probably be wrinkly and dry from the acetone).Does it work? Yes, but it takes a lot of scraping and soaking, and the acetone feels very harsh on your skin

TRIED & TESTED

SensatioNail Gel Polish Removal Tool, £5, and Wraps, £10, Boots, Swansea and Parc Trostre

LAURA DAVIES puts a range of beauty products to the test... laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE GEL NAIL POLISH? You can’t beat a gel manicure for a long-lasting finish, but getting the polish off is seriously tricky. LAURA DAVIES looks at the lazy (but pricey) salon option to DIY home techniques and ready-made kits.

THE FOIL METHOD

Cut out 10 squares of kitchen foil and buff your nails as with the bowl 6/10 method above. Soak a ball of cotton wool in acetone, place it over the nail and hold it in place by wrapping the foil around the nail.

Repeat for each nail, then wait 15 minutes for the acetone to work, then use a cuticle remover to scrape off the polish, putting the foils back on if you need to.

Finish with a generous application of cuticle oil. Does it work? Yes, and it’s not as harsh on your skin as the bowl method, but it’s hard to keep the foils in place while using enough remover to soak off every last scrap.

Sally Hansen Polish Remover, £2.45, Superdrug, Swansea

Superdrug Foil Wrap Gel Nail Polish Remover 24 Pack, £2.49, Superdrug, Swansea

9/10

GEL POLISH REMOVAL KITS There are a variety of kits you can buy that promise to make gel removal easier, from foils with cotton pads attached to plastic clips that hold cotton balls in place.

New to the market is Elliona Gel Off, a thick acetone gel that sits on top of the varnish and gets to work in just two minutes and doesn’t require any foils, so you can scrape off the polish once it’s lifted.

Does it work? Most of the kits are only marginally better than the at-home method, but the Elliona gel is really effective, stops acetone from getting on your skin and is the fastest of all.

Stylefile Gel Polish Remover Kit, £14.99, and Elliona Gel Polish Remover Kit, £19.99, both from QVC, www.qvcuk.com

Elegant Touch Professional Cuticle Nail Cleaner, £9.50, Boots, Swansea

AT THE SALON Even if you’re not going back for another manicure, you can pop into any nail salon and, for £5-£10, have a 8/10 manicurist do the hard work for you (and if you’re going in for a reapplication, they’ll usually do it for free). The nail technician will use a file to take off the top layer of the polish before using the foil method to loosen the polish and scrape off the remains, finishing with a file and application of cuticle oil. Does it work? This is, of course, the easiest method, as you just sit back and relax, but at up to £10 a pop, it’s also by far the most expensive.

Can a serum really revolutionise your skincare regime?

We test No7’s new multitasker to find out…“When a new Boots No7 serum is released, the beauty world goes into overdrive. With so much research, experience and an array of tried and tested products in the range, you can rest assured the results are going to be good. After using their Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum for just two weeks, results are definitely visible. I had a tricky start because annoyingly, my skin is prone to spots, so when I change anything in my skincare regime, a breakout happens.

But after persevering, the change in my skin tone is really noticeable. It’s much more even and the skin on my face and neck feels firmer and smoother. It’s a definite point-scorer on the neck front as well, as there are so few products aimed at ‘crepey’ necks, yet it’s such a bugbear of ageing women. It’s definitely a keeper!”

No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum, £28, Boots, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach

50 swansealife.co.uk

Can a lip plumper and liner combined create the pillowy lips you’ve always wanted?...

Code Lip Intense Plumper, £20 SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner, £18, www.codebeautiful.com

“When it comes to lip plumpers, I’ve been stung in the past - quite literally - by innocent-looking liquids that within seconds cause a fiery burning sensation that lasts for what feels like hours. There’s no such agony with Code’s pink gloss, just a minty tingle, and thankfully, it’s not as neon pink as it looks in the tube. The intense shine makes my lips appear fuller straight away, but the real revelation for me is the lip liner. A lovely neutral brownish-pink, it glides on like a dream and is the perfect base for my favourite matte liquid lipstick, meaning no feathering at the edges and plumper-looking lips. Plus, it never goes blunt (just twist the lid tight to sharpen) and it really stays put. This wonder-liner is going straight in my make-up bag and staying there.”

Can a face mask really give you a speed facial and tan?

“Each and every towel in my house is purposefully black, thanks to my self-tan habit, and I’m rarely without some sort of glow (real or fake). So when tan gurus St.Tropez launched the revolutionary Self Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask this month, I was eager to see if I could achieve speed bronzing with skin benefits before an event. Once you open the sachet, it feels just like a normal sheet mask that’s soaked in serum. The only difference is that once you’ve placed it over your face, you need to wash your hands to avoid tell-tale palms. It’s advised you leave the mask on for five minutes for a light glow, 10 minutes for medium, and 15 minutes to go dark. I resist my dark urges and play it safe with 10 minutes. Afterwards, any excess serum (and there is a lot) needs to be rubbed around the eyes, hairline and neck for even results, followed by another all-important hand wash. It takes another 20 minutes or so for the product to absorb but I’m left with a light, instant glow. Also of note: no smell whatsoever. The tan continues to develop over eight hours so the real surprise is in the morning... I wake up with an even, natural colour but my face is glowing as if I’ve just stepped out of a spa. At the equivalent of £7.50 per mask, this isn’t cheap, but it’s tanning with skincare benefits. Just don’t forget that double hand wash.”

St.Tropez Self Tan Express Face, £15 for pack of two, Debenhams Swansea

Defining beauty year after year...

! p o h s y t u a e b p o t s e n o r ...with you

10% off

when you first book online, facebook or our new app!

Beauty Opening Time Mon - 9am - 9pm Tue - 9am - 9pm Wed - 9am - 9pm Thu - 9am - 9pm Fri - 9am - 9pm Sat - 9am - 5pm Sunbed Opening Times Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm Saturday - 9am - 5pm

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Good Salon Guide Lip Filler - Facial Treatments - Non Surgical Facelifts - Massage - Hydrafacial - Eye Treatments - LVL Lashes - Manicure - Pedicure - Shellac - Gel Nails - Poly Gel Nail Extensions - Waxing Sunbeds - Spray Tanning - Body Piercing - Permanent Make Up - Muscle Relaxant Injections Restylane Fillers - Skin Peels - Microdermabrasion - Laser Hair Removal - Teeth Whitening

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www.swanseasunlounge.co.uk facebook.com/MorristonSunLounge Family run business. Est. 2000

52 Woodfield Street, Morriston, Swansea SA6 8BW

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Rhydian Maher Situated on Castle Street in Swansea City Centre, Rhydian Maher Salon has just passed its first birthday in May. The team have a working history of over ten years together which has created a solid foundation in delivering the highest quality hair cutting and colouring which caters for the needs of all ages and personal styles within a relaxed and contemporary environment.

A recent addition to our team this month is Lisa who has previously worked alongside Rhydian and Marc in SA1 from 2007 to 2014 and brings with her extensive experience in hair colouring and cutting.

Rhydian Maher salon uses only L’Oreal colour which is recognised as one of the leading brands due to the wide range

of high quality colours with lasting results, predominantly using INOA colour which is amonia free so kinder to the hair and scalp. SMARTBOND is L’Oreal’s new ingredient which clients are now opting to add to their colour services in the salon. This additive minimises any potential damage and protects the hair. It protects the bonds deep within the hair fibre and strengthens them during colouring and lightening processes, resulting in hair that is stronger, softer and shinier. As well as delivering beautiful looking and feeling hair in the salon it is important that clients can achieve the salon quality look at home with minimum effort whilst maintaining optimum condition. This is why at Rhydian Maher the team use premium luxury aftercare products which include Kerastase and Shu Uemura, fully stocking both brands to suit all hair needs and scalp conditions. Recognising the harm that heat styling from irons and curling wands can do to the hair, at Rhydian Maher the team only use GHD heat styling equipment to minimise the effects of heat damage. On the theme of aftercare at home the GHD heat styling range are available for purchase.

Hair extensions are a popular service amongst clients in the salon and is a trend that keeps growing. The salon solely uses Great Lengths hair extensions which were established over 25 years ago and guarantees premium quality 100% human hair.

The finished product is of the highest quality and comes in a vast selection of glossy tones and lengths, and suitable for all hair types.

30 Castle Street | Swansea | Tel: 01792 470274 |

@RhydianMaherHairSalon

HAIR & BEAUTY

REAL WOMEN, WINNING LOOKS W ITH

C H R I S

H O W E L LS

Swansea based International Make Up Artist and recent winner of the National Federation of Hairdressing’s Welsh Make Up Artist of the Year award, Chris Howells, gives gives a new mum a summer makeover.

WHO IS CHRIS HOWELLS? Chris is an International make-up artist who lives in Swansea. He has worked as a make-up artist for more than 15 years, working with a number of prestigious beauty brands including Laura Mercier. He was trained by and worked for the iconic Laura Mercier herself, which has led to him travelling to some of the most prestigious beauty cathedrals and fashion shows around the globe. Just recently, Chris won Welsh Make Up Artist of the Year 2016 in the National Federation of Hairdressing’s (NFH) annual and prestigious Welsh Hairdressing and Beauty Awards. Chris plans to use his experience and award winning tips to give Swansea Life readers expert advice and new looks.

WIN

MEET LAURA...

Laura has recently become a mum for the second time and was thrilled to model for her first photo shoot. I also was able to show her some behind the scenes tips on how to perfect her beautiful darker skin.

I prepped Laura’s flawless skin with some Tribe 517. It is is an amazing skincare find as it is a 5-in-1 - serum, day and night-time moisturiser, cleanser, eye makeup remover and throat balm. A tiny bit goes a very long way. It’s water free, ultra-nourishing, cellrepairing, anti-inflammatory, purifying as well as clarifying.

I smoothed Lancôme Le Base Primer over

Before...

54 swansealife.co.uk

Laura’s face and neck to help create the perfect canvas. Cover FX Total Cover Crème Foundation was applied with a dense buffing brush to perfect the skin flawlessly, without it looking heavy or cakey. Under Laura’s eyes I applied a colour corrector from Cover FX in an orange tone to combat any dark circles and finished the base with Nars Soft Matte Concealer under the eyes and on blemishes, especially around the nose and lips.

I love Cover FX Perfect Light Highlighting Palette in Medium Deep, it is exquisite, a collection of crème and powder bronzer and highlighter. I used the bronzer to shape Laura’s cheekbones, and used it around her forehead for a little soft contouring. I applied Vincent Longo Water Colour Crème to Powder Blush in Terra Dew, to the “apples” of Laura’s cheeks, ensuring to blend in well and not have any harsh lines. Crème Highlight was applied just to the high points of the face, brow bone, top of the cheek bones, bridge and tip of the nose and cupids bow. I then set it using a press and roll motion with a velour puff and translucent powder, making sure to bolt everything down and keep it in place all night. Then I applied Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight to the high points just to ensure

Your very own summer make over with Chris!

All you need to do is send your details, along with a picture of yourself, to laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

extra glow.

Laura’s eyes were dressed with Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Plum and Amethyst. I used amethyst to the whole moveable lid, under the lower lash and blended it out, and then the Plum shade just to the outer corner and eye socket. I then used a baked eye colour in Violet and blended it over the entire lid for extra drama. Lashings of mascara was applied, top and bottom. I love Dior Blackout Waterproof. A Black Kohl pencil was then used around the eye rim for a cat like look, and Lash Unlimited Lashes No8 were applied for extra lash volume. Laura’s brows were shaped and filled where needed with Kevin Aucoin Brow pencil in Brunette. I completed Laura’s look by applying a lick of Jouer Cosmetics Crème Liquid Lipstick in Fruit de la Passion on her lips.

How incredible does she look!

After...

swansealife.co.uk 55

PERFECT FOR DULL SKIN With moisturising cocoa butter, purifying eucalyptus and fine jojoba beads, this gentle yet effective exfoliator buffs away dead skin cells and impurities to reveal smoother, more radiant-looking skin. Perfect for dull, congested or flaky skin. Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator, £16.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

BUFF. POLISH. GLOW This luxurious scrub, with mineral-rich salt crystals, gently smooths and exfoliates for sensual, luminous skin.

Decadent oils help soften and nourish with the seductive, sun-kissed Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche fragrance. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Body Salt Scrub, 440g, £34, Debenhams, Swansea

BEST SUN BUY!

SHOWER POWER This summer, Institut Estherderm launch their innovative Micellar After Sun Shower Gel. It works to gently cleanse and remove all traces of sunscreen, salt, sand and chlorine while moisturising, sublimating and prolonging your tan. Roll on sunshine!

Micellar After Sun Shower Gel, £18, Institut Esthederm, spacenk.com

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE

Lancaster is my go-to sun lotion when going on holiday. Not only does does it smell fantastic it is the one SPF that protects my skin and doesn’t make it irritated.

Lancaster Sun Beauty Velvet Milk, £24, FeelUnique.com

EYE-LINE With its ultra-thin tip, Couture Eyeliner offers the perfect line from the very first stroke. A collection of eight shades available in matte, iridescent and satin finishes that guarantee a flawless hold with no smudging. Yves Saint Laurent Couture Eyeliner, £25, Debenhams, Swansea

WE LOVE VALENTINO The newest addition to the Valentina collection, Valentina Blush is the perfect floral fragrance for summer with orange blossom wrapped in indulgent notes of praline. Valentino Valentina Blush Eau de Parfum 50ml, £63, John Lewis, Cardiff

COCONUT BREEZE

HAIR & BEAUTY

I love using coconut oil in my hair as a mask.

And it doesn’t get better than The Body Shop Rainforest Coconut Oil which is really nourishing and leaves my hair silky especially in summer when the heat dries it out. It can be used pre-wash, as a leave in conditioner, or as a soothing scalp treatment. £7, The Body Shop, Swansea

LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

SWIM HAIR Philip Kingsley Swimcap is the holiday hair essential.

Not only does it protect the hair from UV rays and salt and chlorinated water damage, it gives an intensive hydrating treatment at the same time.

Philip Kingsley Swimcap, £15, M&S, Swansea

NATURAL SUNSCREEN The first ever natural sunscreen to be organically and Fairtrade certified, the Odylique natural sunscreen is a godsend when protecting against the sun’s rays. Ideal for people with sensitive skin or vegans, With protective Fairtrade raw shea butter, plus skin-conditioning zinc.

Odylique Natural Sunscreen SPF 30, £25, www.odylique.co.uk swansealife.co.uk 57

Local, Friendly & Professional foot treatment in the comfort of your home Do you suffer or need treatment for the following problems:• • • • • • •

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HAIR & BEAUTY

GOLDEN GLOW Whether you’re a fake-tan fanatic or a newbie to the DIY game, these are the products that will have you glowing in no time. LAURA DAVIES selects summer’s best bronzing buys

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

THE SUPER SHEET MASK

Love a weekly sheet mask? Switch your regular treatment for St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask, £15 for a pack of two, Boots, Swansea, for a powerful dose of hyaluronic hydration and light tan in five minutes, or a darker glow in 10, Boots, Mumbles.

THE CLEAR WINNER

Not only is Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse, £33, QVC, packed with nourishing raspberry oil and vitamins, it’s also the first ever completely clear tanning mousse, meaning no more stained clothes or bedsheets. Genius, www.qvcuk.com

THE PHOTOSHOP FAKER

Like an Instagram filter you spray on, ModelCo Tan Airbrush In A Can, £15, is a glow-giving spray-on self-tan. The beloved Aussie brand has just landed here in the UK, bringing that Gold Coast glow to our shores. Hurrah!

LookFantastic.com

THE COCONUT COOLER

A lightweight spritz that works as a makeup primer and setter, UTan & Tone Coconut Tanning Water, £18, delivers an even, sun-kissed glow in four to six hours, Superdrug, Swansea

@LawsDx

THE OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

Solait Overnight Tan Mask, currently reduced to £3.29 from £4.99, Superdrug, imparts a gradual golden glow while you sleep. Use it nightly until you’ve achieved your desired colour. Superdrug, Swansea

THE POWER POWDER

Previously only available as a loose powder, Vita Liberata Trystal Pressed Self Tanning Bronzing Minerals in Sunkissed, £25, now come in a handy compact. Swirl on with a kabuki brush (short make-up brush with big, dense bristles) for instant bronzing plus a natural-looking tan that gradually develops over time, even when you’ve taken your make-up off, House of Fraser, Cardiff

THE DOUBLE WHAMMY

Smooth on Skinny Tan 7 Day Tanner, Superdrug, and you’ll get an instant rose gold shimmer, while a deeper tan develops overnight. The cream tanner comes in Dark and Ultimate Dark shades as well, was £19.99 now £13.19, Superdrug, Swansea

THE DARK DELIGHT

For a rich two-weeks-in-theCaribbean level tan, you need Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter 1Hr Instant Tan Extra Dark Tan Mousse, £7.99.

The new shade from the best-selling brand develops rapidly and lasts up to seven days. Feelunique.com

swansealife.co.uk 59

HAIR & BEAUTY

Makeover!

W ITH

L ARA

JOHNSO N

Mumbles stylist & salon owner Lara Johnson shares her tips in her monthly column.

Make over...

Model: Nia Heledd Occupation: Model based in Swansea

NIA SAYS...

I have been wearing my hair short for a few years and I really fancied a change. Long term I am thinking of growing it into a long bob but I want it to stay looking trendy and edgy. I really like the shape that Lindsey has put into the haircut, it is really easy to style. I love the colour! I have never really gone as directional as this but it just feels fun!

LARA JOHNSON LIFESTYLE SAYS: One of the most important aspects of creating a look for a client is that they feel confident with it. We discussed the options and Nia seemed a little fed up of being blonde. Nia wanted more direction so we looked at playing with colours that wash out straight away.

Using the Wella colours we could achieve pretty much anything! We went out of the box and talked about Nia’s favourite colours, not just with hair but in anything. After playing with ideas we decided on the beautiful blue grey tones, that can be seen when the sun sets. What a fantastic challenge and so much fun!

When it came to the haircut Nia wanted to grow it, but we need to keep the shape looking styled and not just grown out. To help emphasise length below the ear we came short in at the nape of the neck. It helps give the shape direction but will grow out evenly. We took out the bulky weight which will make Nia’s hair easier to style. We smoothed down with a Denman brush and dressed with some Sebastian Professional Zero Gravity.

60 swansealife.co.uk

er Aft

Before...

Step by step...

The Braided Chignon

1

Several strands weave together to form one big beautiful braided chignon. Subtle from the front, but this intricate style will impress from the back. Perfect for all sorts of occasions or just to keep your hair away.

Difficulty Medium

2

You Need A brush, three small clear elastic, pins or grips, hair spray Tip To thicken the braids use clip in hair extensions.

For a soft look the day after shake out the braids which will give you a soft wavy texture through the ends.

1

Brush your hair into three sections, divided from just behind the ear to the crown. Braid the right section starting from the temple and secure with a small elastic. Continue onto the left side and mirror the braid.

2

Braid the remaining centre section and secure with elastic.

Wrap the central braid over itself into a bun.

3

Secure with grips or pins (whichever you find easiest).

4

Criss cross the two side braids underneath the central bun, wrap around and secure with grips.

5

Tuck the ends away with pins and finish with some hairspray.

3

4

5

swansealife.co.uk 61

Llangoed Hall

Bespoke Weddings for 2018 & 2019

Llyswen, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0YP

t: 01874 754525 | e: eventsmanager@llangoedhall.com twitter: @TheLlangoedHall | w: www.llangoedhall.com

Bride

REAL LIFE WEDDINGS (pages 64 & 65, 72 & 73) WEDDING GIFTS (page 66) PICKING THE RIGHT DRESS (page 68) WE LOVE (page 71)

BRIDE

real life wedding Katrina Stevenson and Scott Merrell Katrina Stevenson, 27, a Production Journalist from Morriston, married Scott Merrell, 28, a Deputy Manager Care Officer. They tied the knot at The Oxwich Bay Hotel. JESS HAMMETT speaks with the bride…

How did the proposal happen?

We got engaged on our second anniversary.

We went on holiday to Snowdonia, and stayed in a log cabin in Trawsfynydd Holiday Village.

Scott proposed at sunset on the cabin’s deck.

He was so nervous, but it was lush! It was our first night there, and we were staying for a week. Scott was going to propose on our actual anniversary date, but he couldn’t wait!

Where did you get married, was it difficult to choose a venue?

We got married in The Oxwich Bay Hotel. We had a couple of venues in mind. It was quite difficult to choose, but when we got to Oxwich we felt so relaxed in the environment. We knew it was where we wanted to get married.

I had never been before, but the views were

64 swansealife.co.uk

stunning, and everything was amazing!

rose with blue thistle. They were stunning.

How would you describe your wedding theme?

It was a rustic beach theme, and we had a royal blue colour scheme.

My cake was made by A Taste of Wonderland, and it was amazing! It was three tiers of different flavoured sponge. The first was strawberry and vanilla, the middle was chocolate and peanut butter, and there was lemon curd on the bottom. Rachel – our cake maker - had dyed it blue on the inside, to compliment the theme. Each tier was decorated differently. The top was incredible, finished with edible beautiful shells!

My flowers were a wedding gift from a family friend, Jonathan Lloyd-Davies. He used peach

Tell us about your wedding dress…

I started off not knowing what I wanted at all.

I eventually chose the fourth dress I tried on, but I didn’t realise until I tried on more! It was an A-line dress, and although I originally tried it on in champagne colour, I took a gamble and tried it in ivory. It was beautiful! Samantha K’s Bridal and Occasion Wear in Pontarddulais were fantastic. They were beyond helpful, and the lady who served me was so friendly - she was part of the reason I bought my dress from there. She made me feel like it was my day – she was fab!

Tell us about your beauty prep for the day…

I had Jessica Meyrick to do my makeup. She was lovely. We had three trials to get it right. I

don’t wear makeup every day, so it was difficult to know what I wanted. On the day she was so relaxed and chilled out. She did makeup for about nine of us! She was amazing.

Zoe Williams did my hair - she was really good. I didn’t know what I wanted, I just knew I wanted to wear my hair up. I gave her my headpiece and told her to experiment! It was beautiful.

What was your favourite moment?

Having our Sprocker Spaniel, Buddy, as our ring bearer. He had a tie on with rings attached – it was really special. Having photographs on the beach was also fantastic, and not something you can do every day. We had a magician, MagicAsh, and he was incredible. He stopped us to have a normal conversation, popped a

balloon and a champagne bottle came out of it! It was amazing. The best part was spending the day with my family, who had travelled from Newcastle to be with us on our wedding day. It meant the world to me, but overall the day as a whole was unforgettable!

How important was photography to your wedding day?

We had Pippa Carvell as our photographer.

We hate having photographs taken, but she made us feel really relaxed.

We wanted her to capture special candid moments, as well as some posed portraits and family shots. She was more a guest than a photographer – she was fantastic.

Have you got a honeymoon booked?

We went to New York and Mexico. We wanted a relaxing holiday and one that we would remember. I have wanted to go to New York for years, so we decided that we would visit for a short trip, and then go to Mexico to relax.

Do you have any advice for brides to be?

Probably listen to what you want, and you can’t make everybody happy. It is about you and your partner on the day. Do what will make you happy. Also, take time to take it in, as it goes so fast!

PICTURES: Pippa Carvell Photography: www.pippacarvellphotography.com

swansealife.co.uk 65

BRIDE

Anemone Wool Picnic Blanket, £50, A by Amara, Amara.com | Denby Pavilion Cast Iron Round Casserole Dish, £129, very.co.uk Floral Print Cube, £40, Next, Morfa Retail Park | Frame, £12, Debenhams, Swansea Biba Marla Wire Frame Mirror, £110, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Ceramic Cut Out Lantern, £8, Next, Morfa Retail Park | Grafton Natural Cushion, £50, Laura Ashley, Fforestfach Retail Park | Happily Ever After Frame, £100, thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk | Bowl, £25, Pontarddulais Retail Park and Swansea Tall Afia Vase, £39.50, M&S, Swansea

Hometime Metal Heart Shape Wall Clock, £25, JD Williams.co.uk | Yellow Tartan Throw, £20, M&Co, Cardiff | Wooden Picture Frame, £17.50, M&S, Swansea | Library Large Mantel Wall Clock, £55, Laura Ashley, Parc Fforestfach

Living Wall Sharing Platter, £35, Laura Ashley, Parc Fforestfach | Waterford True Love Flute, Set of 2, £95, John Lewis, Cardiff | Moroccan Luxe Lanter, £22, Sainsbury’s, Swansea | Mr and Mrs Established in 2017 Mugs, £4, Next, Morfa Retail Park

66 swansealife.co.uk

Serving Board, £20, Debenhams, Swansea | Personalised Welcome You Outdoor Doormat, £26.99, GettingPersonal.co.uk Shell Bowl, £49.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park | Wooden Chopping Board, £19.99, HomeSense, Parc Fforestfach, Pomegranate Noir Scent Surround Diffuser, £62, Jo Malone, Cardiff | Table Light, £95, Debenhams, Swansea

Set of 4 Twig Teaspoons, £20, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Retail Park

to the happy couple...

Sweetheart Padlock Black, £24.95, dotcomgiftshop

JESS HAMMETT rounds up a selection of wedding gifts from personal to practical

Premium Metal Clock, £65, Next, Morfa Retail Park | Vintage Mirrors (Set of 3), £49, very.co.uk

Personalised Champagne, £39.99, prezzybox.com | Personalised Mr & Mrs Sharing The Love Since Cushion, £14.99, thegiftexperience.co.uk | Personalised Print - Tree Carving, £29.99, GettingPersonal.co.uk Personalised Wedding Slate, £24.95, John Lewis, Cardiff

swansealife.co.uk 67

BRIDE

how to pick the right wedding dress!

Picking a wedding dress is not always as easy as it seems. GEORGIA DAVIES speaks to owner of Swansea’s Cariad Bridal, Vanessa Phillips, about how to ensure you buy the dress of your dreams Cariad Bridal, in Swansea’s Picton Arcade, is a charming bridal boutique brimming with luxurious designer dresses. Its brands include Mori Lee, Sottero & Midgley, Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero ,Mark Lesley, White Rose, Cariad Couture and Curvy Collection. It also stocks gorgeous accessories to compliment the gown of your choice, and has a bridesmaid department with over 100 bridesmaid dresses for your maids to choose from. Owned by Vanessa Phillips, Cariad Bridal was voted the Best Bridal Wear Store in the South Wales and Central Region at the Welsh National Wedding Awards three years in a row. Plus, last year, it won the Best Wedding Retailer at Swansea Life Awards 2016 and scooped the most prestigious award of the night-the Big Heart of Swansea

every single day. Dressing thousands of brides over the years in all different shapes and sizes, we know exactly what will suit you best.

TIMINGS: You don’t necessarily need to know the location of your wedding before you pick a dress. Knowing the date is fairly important for guidelines on the delivery of gowns. You have to consider both the delivery process and the time it will take to make any alterations.

BRING A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER: It is natural for a bride to want to bring a friend or family member along to see her in a wedding dress. It often works best if the you bring one or two people who will give you an honest answer rather than bringing the whole wedding party. Many people will judge the dress depending on whether they would like to wear it themselves. you need to bring along a trusted person who knows what dress will suit YOU. Tell us what you don’t like. Be open and vocal. It’s your wedding after all.

SET A BUDGET: It is important to know how much you are willing to spend before you start looking. Ring up the bridal shop before your appointment, let them know your budget and find out how many dresses they have in stock that are within your price range. Keep alteration costs in mind, the initial price of the dress may not be the total you end up spending.

PLAN AHEAD: You should start to look for your dress at least a year before your chosen date. We are usually able to get the dresses in earlier if needed but if you have got the time, use it wisely. For short date weddings we do carry a wide range of off the peg gowns.

BE OPEN-MINDED: Don’t over research. The style and colour of the dress you may think you want may be the complete opposite to the one you end up deciding on. Come in with a completely open mind and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

TRUST US: We are the professionals and our job is to help people like you 68 swansealife.co.uk

SIZE: Do not focus too much on the size that is on the label. Wedding dresses do not follow the traditional size conformities. Go by how comfortable the dress is and how you look and feel in the mirror.

No one will ask you the size of your dress on your wedding day. Keep an open mind, you may be really surprised after trying something on that you wouldn’t usually be comfortable with. Also, many brides wish to lose weight but sometimes they do not receive their goal. Do not set unrealistic targets. It is much easier to take a dress in than out.

WEAR CORRECT CLOTHING: Wear appropriate underwear - a strapless bra can be very helpful if you are wearing one. This will enable you to get a better idea of what the dress will look like on your wedding day. Also seam free nude underwear is advisable for the sleeker look gowns.

ENJOY!: Choosing a wedding gown is one of the most important parts of your wedding preparation. Enjoy the experience but don’t over shop and turn your dreams into a nightmare.

Cariad Bridal 222a Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BQ 01792 461108 www.cariadbridal.co.uk

Your Wedding IMAGINE

BY THE BEACH

Celebrate your wedding on the beautiful Gower Peninsula, just a few metres from our exquisite location by the beach.

01792 390 329

info@oxwichbayhotel.co.uk

www.oxwichbayhotel.co.uk

The Great Hall, Swansea University, The Bay Campus, Fabian Way, Crymlyn Burrows, Skewen, Swansea SA1 8EN 01792 295665

weddings@swansea.ac.uk

/GreatHallSwansea

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/GreatHallSwansea

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BRIDE

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Ivory Bride Sleep Set, £16, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Countdown Chalkboard, £2, Primark, Swansea

FEET UP!

Put your feet up after the big day with these fun wedding socks! They can be personalised with a message and read ‘Just Married’ on the sole.

A unique wedding gift to treat your new husband or wife!

Personalised Just Married Socks, £13, www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

Wedding Organiser, £8, Next, Morfa Retail Park

SNAP HAPPY

Decorate your wedding venue with your favourite couple snaps. These LED Peg are perfect! 15 LED Peg Lights, £6, Primark, Swansea

Just Married Bunting, £2, Primark, Swansea

Wedding Date Plaque Days Until The Big Day, £14.99, Gettingpersonal.co.uk

Mr and Mrs Established in 2017 Cushion, £12, Next, Swansea

OCCASIONWEAR FOR THE LITTLE ONES HAPPY HONEYMOON

A super cute gift for newlyweds and perfect for their honeymoon.

Wedding Luggage Tags (set of Two) £18.50, Paperchase, Cardiff

Emma Bridgewater Mr & Mrs Guest Book, £12, John Lewis, Cardiff

The invitations are out, the date’s in place… it’s official, the big day’s nearly here! Not quite got your little lady’s wedding outfit sorted? Then head to River Island as their bridesmaid collection is here. It’s essential to make sure the little ones look the part at the wedding and you’ll find everything from flower girl dresses for little princesses to girls bridesmaid dresses that ensure she looks special on the big day.

Mini Girls Cream Floral Sleeveless Dress, £50, River Island, Swansea

StompStamps Thank You Calligraphy Stamp, £25. John Lewis, Cardiff swansealife.co.uk 71

BRIDE

real life wedding Emma Davies and Kingsley Thomas Emma Davies, aged 42, married Kingsley Thomas, 40 at Craig Y Nos Castle in the Swansea Valley. They both are event planners and live in Sketty. GEORGIA DAVIES speaks to them about their dream day.

When did you get married? Was the date special to you?

We got married on Thursday, May 25. It wasn’t a particularly significant date, it fitted in with a very busy forthcoming event season and we hoped for nice weather. It was also just before a bank holiday weekend so we thought it would make a great start to a long weekend off.

Where did you get married? Was it difficult to choose the venue?

We married at Craig Y Nos Castle. We researched a number of venues but liked the way it had a unique wedding ceremony location (Adelina Patti’s theatre) and the conservatory, where the wedding meal was served, had superb views. We also liked the fact that it all took place in one place and had accommodation for lots of guests. We had perfect weather; it was a really warm day which allowed everyone to spill out into the beautiful castle grounds.

Who was responsible for making the majority of the decisions? Did the planning cause any arguments?

Groomzilla definitely! Actually we both really enjoyed organising the wedding; we are event organisers after all!

Did you have a particular theme/colour and how did you find the inspiration for your choice?

We chose a navy and yellow theme. Navy, because it was the colour our bridesmaids chose (I was quite a laid-back bride) and yellow because Kingsley likes the colour and I love freesias. We made a lot of the decorations ourselves, such as centre pieces, favour labels and invites. I became a regular at Hobbycraft!

Kingsley’s sister made the wedding cake and our best friend made personalised goody bags for all the kids and organised a sweet station.

How did you find the preparation and how long did it take you?

We booked the wedding in October so we only really had six months to prepare. We had lots of help from our amazing family and friends to put the whole day together.

Did you face any problems/unexpected disasters on the day?

Everything went smoothly. Craig Y Nos is in such a beautiful setting and the wedding coordinators couldn’t do enough for us on the day.

Tell us about your wedding dress…

My wedding dress was from Chic and Elegant on Mansel Street in Swansea. Linda was

amazing! She made me try on all sorts of dresses so I could see what shape suited me.

I found the dress on my first visit. I loved the lace detail and I felt the style complimented my shape.

Did you have any bridesmaids?

I had two bridesmaids, my daughter Georgia and best friend Hannah. We both have big families and it was very difficult to choose who to have, so we kept it to two.

Did your husband have any best men?

He had two best men, both childhood best friends. Both had excellent and unique speeches which had everyone laughing.

Tell us about your beauty prep for the big day…

I had my make-up done by Emily Porter and hair by Amy Adamson, both lovely ladies; I requested a natural look as false eyelashes make me look scary!

What was your favourite moment of the wedding?

The wedding ceremony, (which I was previously nervous about tripping up the aisle) was conducted by a lovely gentleman registrar from Powys, he made everyone feel at ease and it was

the most important part of the day. We smiled and laughed all throughout our wedding day.

How important was photography to your wedding?

We booked photographers to capture people arriving, the ceremony, official group pictures and the ones of us in the grounds of Craig y Nos Country Park. I am a little camera shy (Kingsley not so much!) but the photographers Gary and Geraint from Safelight Weddings made us feel really at ease. We hired a Taxi photo booth (Cabtured Photo Booth) for the evening which was great fun and produced some really funny photos.

Did you have a honeymoon?

We went away for the weekend for short break but hopefully we will go away for a week’s honeymoon later on in the year.

In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently? Any advice for brides to be?

Don’t worry so much about music choices! I wouldn’t have done anything differently. It was such a great day. The day flies by so enjoy every moment.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Safelight Images www.safelightweddings.com

CALLING BRIDES AND GROOMS! Would you like your wedding featured in Swansea Life?

Email laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

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Health & wellbeing

FOOD BENEFITS (page 78) GET BEACH BODY READY (page 80) DR CHARLOTTE (page 84)

DefyTime

Cosmetic Clinic & Medical Spa

466 Gower Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7DZ Tel: 01792 208466

FO O D B E N E F I TS

strawberries Whether you eat them fresh or frozen there is no denying strawberries are the Queen of summer fruits. As well as being delicious they also pack a healthy punch. And with Wimbledon just around the corner and pick-your-own season not far away, LAURA DAVIES looks at why strawberries have so much more to offer than sweetness and flavour laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Boosts Immunity

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. One serving contains about half your daily requirement of vitamin C which is a well-known immunity booster, as well as a powerful, fast-working antioxidant

Keep Wrinkles at Bay!

Strawberries contain Vitamin C which helps the the production of collagen, which helps to improve skin’s elasticity and resilience. Since we lose collagen as we age, eating foods rich in vitamin C may result in healthier and younger looking skin.

Promotes Eye Health

The antioxidant properties in strawberries may also help to prevent cataracts (the clouding over of the eye lens) which can lead to blindness in older age. Our eyes require vitamin C to protect them from exposure to free-radicals from the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can damage the protein in the lens.

Vitamin C also plays an important role in strengthening the eye’s cornea and retina.

@LawsDx

Strawberries help fight cancer

Vitamin C is one of the antioxidants that can help with cancer prevention, since a healthy immune system is the body’s best defense. A phytochemical called ellagic acidalso found in strawberries-is another. Ellagic acid has been shown to yield anti-cancer properties like suppressing cancer cell growth.

Fights Cholesterol

Strawberries contain powerful heart-health boosters.

Ellagic acid and flavonoids (or phytochemicals) can provide an antioxidant effect that can benefit heart health in a number of ways. One way includes counteracting the bad cholesterol in the blood which causes a build up in the arteries. Also it provides an anti-inflammatory effect, which is also good for the heart.

Reduces Inflammation

The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in strawberries may also help to reduce inflammation of the joints. This can often lead to arthritis and heart disease. A study found out women who eat 16 or more strawberries per week are 14 per cent less likely to have elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) which is an indication of inflammation in the body.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Strawberries contain Potassium, another heart healthy nutrient, that helps regulate blood pressure. It can also help lower high blood pressure by acting as a buffer against the negative effects of sodium. With their impact on the reduction of LDL, inflammation and high blood pressure, strawberries have earned the title of one of the most heart-healthy fruits you can eat.

Boosts Fibre

Strawberries naturally contain about 2g of fibre per serving which is important for healthy digestion.

Problems that can arise from lack of fibre

78 swansealife.co.uk

include constipation and diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of the intestines. Fibre is also important in fighting type 2 diabetes and helps slow the absorption of sugars (i.e. glucose) in the blood.

Aids Weight Management

Strawberries are naturally low in calories, fat-free and low in both sodium and sugar. They contain natural sugars and their total carbohydrate content is equivalent to less than a half slice of bread. Triple your serving to 1.5 cups and you’ll have a snack that’s less than 100 calories which is much healthier and keep you fuller for longer than a prepackaged calorie equivalent snack.

Promotes Pre-Natal Health Folate is a B-vitamin recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, and strawberries are a good source. Folate is necessary in the early stages of pregnancy to help in the development of the baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord. The folic acid contained in strawberries may help to prevent certain birth defects, such as spina bifida.

swansealife.co.uk 79

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y

THE GROVE CLINIC The Grove Skin Clinic is the creation of Jodie Grove Advanced Aesthetic Nurse prescriber. We are experts in our field of Skin Health, Aesthetics and Advanced beauty based in Gowerton, Swansea offering a variety of treatments.

Some of the treatments available are: Blackhead Removal Facial The facial uses Hydro-dermabrasion and physical extraction with special tools designed for safe blackhead removal.

Anti-ageing Grove Facial Suitable for: Anti-ageing but suitable for those with problematic skin (those suffering from rosacea, eczema and psoriasis and acne).

CACI Non Surgical Face Lift Facial Suitable for: Lifting and toning facial muscles and reducing appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.

THE HEALTH DISPENSARY Pharmacy and Welness Clinic WHO ARE WE? We’re a Total Health Brand providing NHS, Pharmacy, Holistic and Complementary Health Services to promote “Feel Good Living”.

Services at the Clinic are provided by fully trained and insured practitioners in air-conditioned treatment or consultation rooms.

The range of services we offer are

Hotpod Yoga classes offer a “reallife” approach to hot yoga in a completely otherworldly setting.

Refreshing and impactful, the classes have roots in vinyasa flow and are grounded firmly in reality - whether you’re there to work off a hangover, clear an over-stimulated mind or open-up an office-bound body, Hotpod Yoga delivers - guaranteeing to leave you with a (slightly sweaty) smile on your face as you emerge from the pod.

• Health Checks • Therapies • Weight management • Gift Vouchers

Suitable for: Resurfacing the skin, restoring radiance, reducing fine lines and leaving a smooth finish.

Check out our range of health and wellness services and discounts on new appointment on www.thehealthdispensary.co.uk

The Grove Clinic 91 Sterry Rd, Gowerton, Swansea SA4 3BN Tel: 01792 447630 www.thegroveskinclinic.co.uk

The Health Dispensary 153-155 Windsor Rd, Neath SA11 1NU Pharmacy: 01639 500 000 Clinic: 01639 630 000

Clinical Fire & Ice Facial

HOTPOD YOGA

Over 32 classes a week to choose from spreading all the way across from Port Talbot to Haverfordwest, check out the schedule at www.hotpodyoga.com or get in touch with Ana on 07401999134 to chat over how you start your Yoga Journey.

HEALTH & WELLBEING HOT SHOT

SAFE BET

MIO MiVue M510 Rider Dash Cam in Black, £129.99, Currys, Morfa Retail Park and Parc Pemberton Whether it’s action shots or surveillance you’re after, this camera, which can be mounted to helmets, should deliver. Waterproof and offering up to 150 minutes’ record time - you’ll need to buy a memory card and charge via the enclosed USB cable - the camera will capture journeys and has a special night vision mode to shoot in the dark. It can also be used on scooters and motorbikes.

ImmobiTag Electronic Cycle Protection, currently £10 (was £15), Halfords, Parc Pemberton Even the most scrupulous cyclist can fall foul of thieves, but a few precautions can make it easier to find your bike if it’s stolen. Costing just £10, this tiny electronic tag fits into the bike frame beneath the seat. Register the tag online and if taken, you can change the status of the cycle to ‘stolen’ and the details will be updated on the Police National Mobile Property Register. Upload pictures of the bike, relevant receipts, frame numbers and descriptions on the site when you register to help identify your bike.

OK COMPUTER

LIGHT UP

Garmin Edge 520 Cycle Computer, £219.99, Halfords, Llansamlet For those who thrive off health data, this bike gizmo, attached to the handlebars, serves up stats as pedal power is detected. It will reveal speed, distance, lap speed, ascent, descent and calories burned. Once connected to a smartphone, it will also send weather updates and live tracking and stats to share or gloat - about on social platforms.

Rechargeable Bike Light Set, £25, Halfords, Llansamlet Lights are key for cyclists. Many are battery powered but there’s now a good corner of the market offering lights that can be charged via a USB port, making at-desk charging a reality. This set by Halfords has three different modes; high, low and flashing light, and a run time of eight hours for the front light on flashing mode and five on the rear on the same sequence.

I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE...

The Gower Cycle Ride takes place this month.

LAURA DAVIES picks out six tech-savvy gadgets that might help power your pedals

USE YOUR HEAD

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Lumos Helmet, £130.44, lumoshelmet.co.uk Launched with the help of crowdfunding platform Kickstarter last year - and a recipient of the Beazley Designs Of The Year award by the London Design Museum, the Lumos is a smart helmet with lights integrated in the front and rear. Coming with a whopping 60+ built-in lights, the helmet reacts to the speed of the cyclist, displaying a braking light as the speed tails off to alert other road users of the cyclist’s intentions. One really great feature is the illuminated left and right signal. You’ll need to attach the remote control (included in the pack) to your handlebars and then press either left or right before turning to trigger a flashing white light on the designated side. Each charge - via the micro USB port - should give you 30 minutes’ worth of light every day for a week.

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LOCKED UP

Linka Unisex Bluetooth Bicycle Lock, Black, £149.99, amazon.co.uk There’s locking your bike up, then there’s securing a Linka lock to your bike. Once hooked up to your smartphone, Linka senses your approach and auto unlocks as you come close. If the bike is tampered with, the bike alarm is activated - reaching an ear-splitting 100db - and notifications will be sent to you immediately.

The lock is hard mounted above the rear wheel to the frame so you’ll still need to use a D-lock or similar, but if thieves do take off with it, the bike will be immobilised. Niftily enough, the app also reminds you where you’ve parked the bike. Charge via USB and the battery should last around nine months.

APP OF THE WEEK Strava, free, iTunes Download this sporting app to compare your cycling performance and share the results with fellow bike enthusiasts. You can also see other cyclists’ routes and compete on the leader board.

Walk for Maggie's Saturday 2 September 2017, 1:30pm Maggie's Swansea 7 mile walk - Maggie's to Verdi’s, Mumbles & back. Open to all, even the dog! Registration: £10 per person 16 years & over. Fundraising target £75. Register: www.maggiescentres.org/how-you-can-help/take-part/all-events/walk-maggies-swansea/ Maggie's Swansea provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends.

For further information contact Swansea Fundraising on 01792200001

www.maggiescentres.org facebook.com/maggiesswansea @maggiesswwales Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie’s) is a registered charity, No. SC024414

HEALTH & WELLBEING

ASK

DR. CHARLOTTE

SUNSHINE AND HAPPY DAYS Summer is here! The sun has certainly been shining, so this month’s article is about the sun.

Sunshine often boosts our mood, eases aches and pains in joints and is a good source of vitamin D (which not only strengthens our bones, but some studies say, it can also give us some protection against heart disease and diabetes).

STAYING SAFE IN THE SUN:

This month Sketty GP and Swansea Life doctor Charlotte Jones, looks at staying safe in the summer sun

• Always use an appropriate sun factor and remember to re-apply every few hours to avoid sun burn – I use SPF 30 and my children use SPF 50.

• Protect your skin further by thinking about covering up – kaftans, wide brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV protection etc.

• Drink plenty of fluids - by that I mean soft drinks.

• Remember that sunshine can make alcohol more potent so make sure you drink plenty of water too.

• Many ask if there is a safe level of sun exposure? There are no hard or fast rules on safe sun exposure – it is vitally important to prevent skin from burning and I don’t advocate sun bed use.

• If you burn your skin badly.

SHOULD I TAKE A VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT?

• Due to our weather we don’t always get the opportunity to boost our natural vitamin D levels from the sun and it can be difficult to get enough from your diet.

• Food rich in vitamin D include oily fish, liver, red meat, egg yolks and you can get foods with added vitamin D (e.g. some cereals) • Guidance on whether or not to take vitamin supplements is evolving all the time. Blood test levels of vitamin D are not usually needed – your GP will recommend it if necessary.

Current guidance from Dept of Health is: 1. Breastfed babies from birth – age 1 should have a supplement of 8.5-10mcg of vitamin D 2. Formula fed babies shouldn’t have a supplement unless they are having 500mls of formula as the formula has vitamin D in it 3. Children aged 1-4 should have a daily supplement of 10mcg 4. Children over age of 5 and adults should have a daily supplement of 10mcg daily – this does not need to be taken from April to end September due to natural sunlight hours etc but it won’t harm you to keep taking it.

Patients with dark skin OR aren’t often outdoors OR usually wear clothes that cover up most of your skin when outdoors should take a supplement all year round.

ASK THE DOCTOR Q. I am worried about a freckle that seems to have changed A. It is always very good to keep a close eye on your moles – indeed, many people now take photos to use as a reference in case they think the freckle has changed. If you have any moles that have changed shape / size /colour (especially uneven pigmentation) or bleed then see your GP. Also, if you have any spots that don’t seem to heal over – also see your GP to check it is not a small rodent ulcer

D O YO U WA N T STRAIGHTER TEETH? LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS, WITH SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FROM £27.30 PER MONTH*

DENTAL IMPLANTS • ORTHODONTICS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY Contact us today to arrange your first consultation: COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL & IMPLANT CLINIC

Woods Dental, 65 Walter Rd, Uplands, Swansea, SA1 4PT E: info@woodsdental.co.uk T: 01792 476 714 www.woodsdental.co.uk *Finance 9.9% APR over 5 yrs subject to approval, terms and conditions.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

GET BEACH BODY READY FOR FREE Brits can ditch the gym this summer and save hundreds, by using these handy frugal hacks to getting beach body ready. LAURA DAVIES lists ten top tips to get fit for free. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

FOLLOW FITNESS PROFESSIONALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA There are so many incredible fitness professionals that share their tips and tricks online for free. Make sure you follow them for handy workout inspiration and healthy recipes to get you fit for the beach in no time.

MAKE A HOME GYM If you’re looking for a quick-fix to get beach body ready, don’t purchase a one year gym membership.

Instead, try doing small but effective workouts at home. Sprint up the stairs, use the kitchen worktop to do incline push ups, the wall to do wall squats and the sofa to do tricep dips.

WALK TO WORK Instead of getting in the car or hopping on the bus, why not wake up a little earlier and walk to work? The exercise will leave you feeling fresh and ready for the day whilst also giving you a free workout. If you live a little too far from your work to walk, try getting off the bus a stop early, or park your car a little further away than usual.

PLAN YOUR MEALS Planning some healthy work lunches and meals is actually a great way you get beach body ready frugally. If you regularly purchase food for your lunch then this will certainly help you save some cash. Choose some healthy, high protein recipes that will keep you full up until dinner time. This will stop you snacking at your office desk as well.

GET A SKIPPING ROPE Skipping ropes are relatively cheap yet they provide you with lots of different exercises. By simply skipping and jumping, you can get in a great cardio session, plus it can be wrapped

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around sturdy objects and used for resistance training and stretching.

PUT YOUR GOALS ON T HE FRIDGE Don’t rely on personal trainers to keep track of your progress for you. Instead, do it the frugal way and track your beach body progress by sticking it up on the fridge. You can also put your exercise plan and your meal prep up there as well.

SQUAT WHILST BRUSHING YOUR TEETH Try doing deep lunge squats during your morning and evening tooth brushing. This is a great mini-exercise that you can do as part of your daily routine. Don’t get sucked into buying fitness DVD’s. We’ve all been sucked into buying a fitness DVD after seeing our favourite celebrity’s dramatic weight loss, but half the workouts they are doing you could do for free by using internet videos to help. Try googling a quick and easy workout that targets the area you are trying to lose weight on.

EXERCISE ON THE BEACH If you live near the seaside, or if you want to maintain your fitness regime whilst you are on your holiday, try jogging or doing a workout on the beach. The sand will give you a more high-intensity workout.

DO THE HOUSEWORK You can burn anything from 100-300 calories per hour just by doing the housework. Chores such as hoovering, washing dishes, ironing and mowing the lawn are all great calorie burning workouts that cost nothing and will contribute to getting you beach body ready in no time.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

SUPER SEASON Mint

Summer is the ideal time to “eat the rainbow” and pack your plate with colourful, nutrition-packed ingredients, from seasonal fruit and berries to home-grown salad and vegetables.

LAURA DAVIES rounds up healthy foods to suit the seasons laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Reishi Mushrooms

@LawsDx

SUMMER Raspberries and mint: Raspberries are an antioxidant powerhouse. They have a low glycaemic index (low in sugar). For a refreshing flavour, add a dash of mint. It may not sound like anything new, but mint can be used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach aches, chest pains and even IBS. It can also be used as an essential oil for headaches or nausea during the summer heat.

Swiss chard: A leafy green Mediterranean vegetable, it tastes a bit sweet and is very easy to include in your diet. Rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins C, E, A, manganese and zinc.

AUTUMN

Raspberry

Turmeric: Turmeric is a root that doesn’t look too dissimilar to its cousin, ginger root and contains chemicals that both prevent inflammation, and fight it once inflammation takes hold.

Wheat Grass

Holy basil: A plant that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine (one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems) for thousands of years and it’s now making its way into the world of superfoods. It helps the body counteract the effects of stress, resists and fatigue and exhaustion by supporting the adrenal glands and the immune system, helping to eliminate toxicity. It also contains many anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can be mixed with green tea for extra flavour.

WINTER Reishi mushrooms: Highly regarded in Chinese medicine, they’re said to nourish and support adrenal function. Best known for promoting health immunity, resistance to colds and infections, and reducing inflammation, it also helps support the body’s natural abilities to detoxify. They can also calm the nervous system and promote deeper, more relaxing and restorative sleep.

Basil

Wheat grass: During winter (aka the cold and flu season), it’s important to keep a strong and balanced immune system. Wheat grass, an amazing nutrient-dense superfood, helps detox and reduce inflammation, whilst offloading toxins - helping to avoid infections. It also acts as a great source of vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. The benefits help increase energy, improve blood sugar levels and detox the liver, whilst even helping to calm eczema, psoriasis and sores.

Bee Pollen

SPRING Bee Pollen: An extraordinary superfood, it acts as a great source of protein and contains more amino acids than beef. In appearance, it comes as a little orange ball made by honeybees and takes them about eight hours a day for one month to make a teaspoon dose, and each pellet contains more than two million flower pollen grains. Pick the organic version to avoid pesticides.

It’s also a great ingredient to include in smoothies for an extra boost.

Swiss Chard

Cordycep Mushroom: Used by professional endurance athletes, cordycep streamlines your body’s energy use by increasing blood flow to your liver and other organs, improving overall oxygen use. Additionally, cordyceps is thought to minimise fatigue and maximise stamina. Dried cordyceps can be added to soups or tea.

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Discover

a world of flavour Enjoy 100s of exciting dishes from all over the globe, prepared as you watch at our live cooking stations.

15 - 16 Castle St, Swansea SA1 1JF swansea@ninesrestaurant.co.uk, 01792 456666

www.ninesrestaurant.co.uk NinesBuffetSwansea

Nines_Swansea

Nines_global_Buffet

Food & drink

NO 6 (page 90) BISTROT PIERRE (page 92) COCKTAILS ON A STICK (page 93) FOOD FESTIVALS (page 104)

Norton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 5TQ 01792 404 891 www.nortonhousehotel.co.uk

enquiries@nortonhousehotel.co.uk Nortonhousemumbles @nortonhousemumb

FOOD & DRINK

Where can you go in Swansea that not only offers up great cocktails and coffee, but top notch food too? PETER SLEE has been to find out..... peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

@PeterSlee56

Just in case we should ever forget, a good burger is a thing of beauty: a satisfying, messy manifestation of all things good to eat: fine beef, sticky cheese, tomatoes: both fresh and in ketchup, all ready to be loaded up with your heart’s content of bacon, relish, salad, pickles, chilli.

thoroughfare of Princess Way.

There are few things culinary that can be relied on to do their job as effectively. But hey, even a bad burger, isn’t going to disappoint its legion of fans. They know what they want and they can get it, cheap and filling and – crucially – consistent, time after time. It is a perfect package, a pop art idol, an unimprovable piece of design.

Its ‘Gourmet Burgers’ come topped with everything from chorizo and avacado to mozzarella or Swiss cheese, Tom’s home made chili or a sweet chili sauce. With them all, some decadently salty fries which have to be up there with some of the best chips in Swansea.

But if I were pressed to choose a favourite venue for this fine dish right now, I’d opt for No.6 in Swansea’s Princess Way. Yes, it’s ultimately a place of exquisite cocktails, craft beers, a cornucopia of spirits and some pretty fine coffee, all served in a relaxed and elegant environment. But hey, it serves up some damned good burgers too.

Its appeal is wide, as the deep queues you regulartly see outside here at weekends testify to.

Turnover is fast, though, with an aggressively succinct menu and a really pleasant - and soon to be bigger - seating area outside in the

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And No.6’s raison d’être makes it worth the wait.

Because it focuses laser-like on the quality of its headline products. Ingredients sourced by Michelin-trained chef Tom French who clearly knows what he is doing in the open kitchen that sites to just one side of the bar.

For my money my choice of beef burger with Moroccan shredded lamb was especially luscious and a meat feast of jaw-stretching proportions, although at least two people on a table next to us declared other variants the best burgers they’d ever had. Whatever, the burgers are good. Indeed, I’d mark them VERY Good, with a gold star and a tick notably because the beef isn’t overly minced and they come with a pliable bun that holds the show together right to the end.

Elsewhere, my lunchtime dining partner opted for tapas at a bargain £3.50-a-pop going for individual dishes of Moroccan shredded lamb, sweet chilli duck, home made baked beans and toasted sweet potato. They were generous in

VERDICT Great food from sandwiches and wraps to burgers with not too many fancy frills or gimmicks, just great-quality ingredients and skilled (and quietly sustainable and mindful) chefs behind the pass. An honourable addition to Swansea’s eating out scene. A business trying to make a difference to the life of the area it serves in and with a serious commitment to doing the seemingly simple as well as it can be done.

While current business development work continues at a brisk pace, these guys aredefinitely on a winning mission to share the No.6 love! size and not a dud amongst them!

With it, a summery tangle of coleslaw with pencil-thin cabbage topped with a fiery pepper bage which was refreshing, light and well seasoned all at the same time.

So what other secrets does this place hold?

Well, I heard talk while we were there of a soon-to-be opened VIP area in its plush basement, a chef who will very happily conjure up both vegetarian and vegan variants of the menu dishes if you tell him what it is you fancy.

And decent drinks offers including Prosecco at ÂŁ10 a bottle on Thursdays as well as that huge outdoor area getting an upgrade of mega proportions sometime soon.

Boss Mat Benjamin has got this place spot on, I reckon.

No.6 is big but cosy, done out in lots of bare wood, red velvet and leather, scattered with vintage- style ornaments and with huge, panoramic windows looking out on Princess Way. In short, a perfect weekend stop-off point that ain’t half bad mid week either!

No. 6, Princess Way, Swansea. SA1 3LW 01792 712666 www.no6bar.com

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FOOD & DRINK

TRES BIEN!

BISTROT PIERRE REVIEW Until recently, the seafront prom around the old bus station site has had been a bit of a surprisingly barren corner of Mumbles when it came to restaurants. But times are changing. Now there’s the glossy new Oyster Wharf development where you’ll find the likes of Croeso, Prezzo and now, Le Bistrot Pierre.

PETER SLEE has been to give it the once over.... peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

@PeterSlee56

IN A SENTENCE OR TWO

veer towards more unusual provincial French dishes.

Le Bistrot Pierre serves seasonal, modern French food in a relaxed, pared-back setting with natural woods, high ceilings, amazing views, plenty of greenery and knick-nacks that gave us serious interiors envy. Tuck into a freshly-baked appetiser of a whole garlic bulb, roasted and served with warm rosemary bread and oil and vinegar, while you contemplate the menu or sweet, fat king prawns, rolled in brandy, garlic butter and lemon and served with a peppy shaved fennel salad and a paprika-laced aioli.

Yum!

WHAT DID WE HAVE? Oh my! A whole baked Normandy Camembert, with sourdough and plum chutney kicked off proceedings.

Then Poulet printanier (£13.75), a pan-fried chicken breast with asparagus, fricassée of wild mushrooms, peas, truffle oil and tarrago for me and boeuf bourguignon maison (£13.95) for my dining companion, a much-loved recipe of braised beef with shallots, red wine, mushrooms and bacon.

Both were everything you could have hoped for with the latter rich, meaty, earthy from onions and mushrooms and meat that yielded with ease.

WHAT ARE THEY SERVING? This is comfort food for Francophile Brits.

It’s a place that likes to combine French bistrot classics such as steak-frites, boeuf bourguignon and crème brûlée with its own take on regional favourites like tarte flambée, confit de canard and pâté de campagne.

Though open for breakfast (crepes, omelettes, pastries), as well as lunch and dinner, it’s the classics that regulars come for: steak-frites, sole meunière, boeuf bourguignon and tarte au citron. More recent additions stretch to appetisers of chorizo roasted in honey, Alsace-style flatbreads and slow-cooked pork with a Calvados and apple jus but, true to the comfort dining philosophy, there are no big surprises; the menu here is the same as its other dozen or so branches.

Price is a big draw, too; steak frites start at £9.95, on Sunday and Monday evenings you can order two courses and a carafe of wine for £21.95, and regular special events promise other deals. For a break with the Anglo-Gallic norm, book in for one of the restaurant’s twice-monthly Soirée Gastronomique evenings when the menus

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We moved on to a side bowl of delicate roasted field mushrooms with garlic (£3.25) and French beans with toasted almond flakes. Oh and yes, some caramelised onions and smoked bacon lardons.

WHAT WE LOVED The attention to detail, from the gloriously friendly, swift and knowledgable staff to the stylish feel of the place, great views of the bay to the front and Mumbles to the side topped off with brilliant food and drink, not just for Mrs S and I but also a vegan in our group who was helped negotiate a path through the menu to options the chef could tweak to match her needs. The Mumbles prom, regardless of how time, trends or bulldozers alter it, will always instill in me a tiny, exhilarating judder when I walk along it. The attractions of Oyster Wharf only adds to that feeling.

FOOD & DRINK

LOLLY HEAVEN COCKTAILS ON A STICK

Exchange your cocktail shaker for a mould, your jigger for a jug, and your bar spoon for a wooden stick.

LAURA DAVIES preps ice lollies with alcohol for grown-up frozen fun laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

NAPOLEON’S RETREAT

TANGO BRAVO WHISKY

(makes 8-10) Champagne, strawberries, cream

(makes 12-15) Whisky, tangerine, basil, lemon

Ingredients: 450g strawberries, hulled and chopped, 100g caster or granulated sugar, plus 3tbsp, 200ml champagne, 120ml double (heavy) cream

Ingredients: 160ml water, 140g granulated sugar, 1tsp finely grated tangerine zest, 15g fresh, torn basil leaves, 700ml freshly squeezed tangerine juice (from about 15 tangerines), 3tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3tbsp whisky, plus extra for dipping. For the garnish (optional), sliver of tangerine and a basil leaf for each.

Method: Put the strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle them with sugar and stir, then pour in the champagne. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes so the flavours develop, then blend to a puree in a food processor. Stir the 3 tablespoons of sugar into the cream. Pour the strawberry mixture into the moulds, leaving enough space to drizzle a little cream on top of each. Freeze until slushy, 60-90 minutes, then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, at least five hours or overnight.

BLOODY RUSSIAN MARTINI

(makes 8-10) Vodka, beetroot, apple, lime, ginger Ingredients: 475ml freshly juiced or store-bought beetroot juice, 1tsp freshly grated ginger, 250ml pressed apple juice, 2tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 60ml vodka, 2tbsp sugar, or to taste. For the garnish (optional), a sliver of apple for each.

Method: Put all the ingredients into a bowl and stir until blended. Pour the mixture into the moulds, leaving a little space at the top. If you like, drop a sliver of apple into the top of each. Freeze until slushy, 60-90 minutes, then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, at least five hours or overnight.

ROASTED BANANA RUMSICLES

(makes 8-10) Rum, banana, cream, lime

Ingredients: 3 large, ripe bananas, 90g muscovado sugar, 175ml whole milk, 175ml double (heavy) cream, 1tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 1tsp vanilla extract, 90ml rum Method: Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas 6. Place the bananas whole on a baking sheet (do not peel them) and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, until soft and their skins turn black. Remove and allow them to cool, then peel.

Put the banana flesh in a food processor with all the other ingredients and whizz until smooth. Pour the mixture into the moulds, leaving a little space at the top. Freeze until slushy, 60-90 minutes, then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, at least five hours or overnight.

Method: Put the water, sugar, tangerine zest and basil leaves in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain the syrup through a sieve, squeezing the leaves with your fingers to extract all the precious basil juice. Mix the syrup with the tangerine and lemon juices, and the whisky. Pour the mixture into the moulds, leaving a little space at the top. If you like, drop in a sliver of tangerine and a basil leaf.

Freeze until slushy, 60-90 minutes, then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, at least 5 hours or overnight.

PIMM’S ON A STICK

(makes 8-10) Pimm’s No. 1, mint, apple, orange, strawberries, cucumber, lemon Ingredients: 250ml water, 100g granulated sugar, 15g torn mint leaves, 150g sliced strawberries, 60g thinly sliced apple, 60g orange, peeled and thinly sliced, 60g thinly sliced cucumber, 60ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons), 120ml Pimm’s. For the garnish (optional), mint leaf for each.

Method: Put the water and half the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Take off the heat, drop in the mint leaves and steep for an hour, or longer.

Meanwhile, put the strawberries, and apple, orange and cucumber slices in a bowl and stir in the rest of the sugar, the lemon juice and Pimm’s.

Leave to macerate for 30 minutes or more. Strain the syrup into the fruit and Pimm’s mixture, squeezing the mint leaves with your hands to extract their juices. Pour the mixture into the moulds, making sure you divide the fruit pieces evenly and leave a little space at the top. If you like, drop in a mint leaf.

Freeze until slushy, 60-90 minutes, then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, at least five hours or overnight.

• Extracted from Ice Kitchen Poptails: 50 Sensationally Intoxicating Cocktail Lollies by Cesar & Nadia Roden, Photography: Louise Hagger, Published by Quadrille, £12.99, Amazon.

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Best places to Eat

Restaurant Guide Seven great places to eat and drink

A B E R AVO N

BEACH

Spring has sprung!

Summer is here!

Remo’s has a simple goal – we want to make your day better and brighter. On those beautiful Spring mornings, start the day well with a hearty cooked breakfast together with the wake-me-up aroma of freshly ground Remo’s coffee.

You could visit us at lunchtime, meet up with friends and enjoy one of Remo’s classics such as a delicious Chinese Crispy Beef Wrap, one of our juicy handshaped burgers or a gorgeous stonebaked pizza.

Why not join us in the evening for a chill-out dinner overlooking the sea?

Enjoy one of our hand selected wines, a frosty beer, or a local cider, then finish off with the sumptuous flavour of one our homemade desserts or Remo’s own ice cream.

Make Remo’s part of your day!

The Heart of The Seafront We listen to our customers.

You’ve told us what you want and that’s what we’ll deliver superb food and drink in a fantastic setting with the warmest of welcomes.

Come visit us, and enjoy overlooking the magnificent Aberavon Beachfront.

Coffee

All of our coffee is freshly ground and crafted in the proper Italian barista style for impeccable quality always

Pasta

Our pasta sauces are all made fresh to order to our own family recipes. If you want something a little different, just ask and we’ll work to make it happen

Pizza

Our pizzas are hand-stretched and stone-baked to perfection. We use only fresh dough, and always the finest ingredients and toppings

Burgers

The Remo burger is the ultimate for taste.

Hand-shaped from the best quality beef and flame-grilled to lock in the mouthpopping flavour

01639 882121

www.caferemos.com

Best places to Eat PONTARDULAIS

Papi’s Pizzeria 7a St.Teilo Street, Pontardulais, Swansea SA4 8TH Tel: 01792 928442 • www.papis-pizzeria.co.uk

Papi’s Pizzeria is a traditional Italian take away with a selection of freshly prepared pizzas cooked in our wood fire oven. We also have a selection of homemade pasta with freshly cooked sauces.

Now serving Tiramisu.

Catering service now available for any occasion with a delivery service. Ask for details.

Open Tues-Sat 11am-10pm and Sun 5pm-10pm.

Delivery service available. View our menus online.

PONTARDAWE

The Butchers Arms Alltwen Hill, Alltwen, Pontardawe, Neath, SA8 3BP 01792 863100 • www.thebutchersarmsalltwen.co.uk

The Butchers Arms is a family run pub in Pontardawe, owned by Steve and Suzette Bartram; a couple with a long history in the hospitality business and a serious passion for food.

A cosy, casual dining experience is matched with great service, fine wines and gastro-style eating.

2 course lunch menu available Mon - Fri 12-5pm Steak deal 2 for £25 Mon & Tue night.

• Food is now served all day (12-9) Monday – Saturday.

• A traditional roast on Sunday (12-3) followed by a pub classics and tapas evening (4:30-8)

Best places to Eat YNYSTAWE

No 6 Hundred 600 Clydach Road, Ynystawe SA6 5AY Tel: 07789 075488 • Facebook: No6hundred

Independent Coffee Shop and Gift Boutique offering a vast collection of cakes and savouries NEW MENU serving breakfasts and light lunches, available daily.

Jewellery, clothing, accessories and homeware.

Afternoon teas served Monday to Saturday.

Private party hire available.

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm • Sat 9.30am-5pm

MUMBLES

The Kitchen Table Mumbles 626 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA Tel: 01792 367616 • www.thekitchentablemumblesblog.wordpress.com

We are a cosy and independently run cafe style restaurant offering wholesome, home cooked and locally sourced food.

The only Gluten-free dining restaurant mentioned on the Gluten-free Facebook in Swansea & Mumbles. We cater for Vegan and vegetarians.

FREE Americano Coffee or Welsh Brew Tea with every breakfast ordered before 12 Mon - Thurs.

SWANSEA

The Smiths Arms 51-52 Neath Road, Hafod, SA1 2HR Tel: 01792 466776

Family friendly pub serving food daily.

Serving for food Monday-Wednesday 12-3pm & 5-8pm, Thursday & Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 11.30-6pm Sunday carvery 12-4pm. Choice of 3 meats £6.45.

Curry & Pint night every Thursday 5-8pm.

Free newly refurbished function room for parties.

Car park at rear of building.

Advertising Feature

MARGAM CHEF WINS ASIAN FOOD AWARD From left: Rassel Miah, Ferdous Miah, Abdul Kadir (chef), Samsoo Miah and Sunny Rahman

Curry addicts searching for their next spice fix might want to think about visiting Neath Port Talbot.

There is an Indian restaurant there which many are beginning to talk about in glowing terms.

And a chef at the Port Talbot attraction has recently been named one of the best Asian and Oriental chefs in the UK at an awards ceremony in London.

Abdul Kadir, chef at The Grand Sultan, on Water Street in Margam, picked up the award at a special ceremony hosted by the Asian Catering Federation, which honoured the country’s best Asian and Oriental chefs in the House of Commons on May 15.

The federation, which represents the nation’s 35,000 curry restaurants and takeaways, invited the public to vote for their favourite curry chefs.

Abdul was named in a shortlist of 30, and now a panel of judges, led by the Cobra Good Curry Guide editor Pat Chapman, will taste each chef’s cooking before deciding on two overall winners at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Mayfair on November 12.

The evening was attended by an impressive array of VIPs and dignitaries, including the High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Nepal, Lord and Lady Sheikh.

Recognition by the Asian Catering Federation is a good calling card to produce, so it has been quite a start for The Grand Sultan, which opened at Lakeside golf course in November 2015.

Great reviews have followed as enthusiastic support has continued from locals, and from people who make special journeys to eat there.

“We have had a very positive reaction,” said partner Sunny Rahman.“We see new faces every week and we get a lot of regulars as well. We have got a lot of dishes and we hope there is something there for everyone.”

For some, the appeal is the kitchen’s assured renditions of familiar dishes such as korma or madras, but other customers come for chef’s specials, which would be hard, if not impossible, to find anywhere else in the area.

With many Indian restaurants it is a case of where do you start when the menu is put in front of you and The Grand Sultan certainly does not buck this trend.

There are 13 main sections, so

lack of choice is not going to be an issue. Each one has a number of options and the trick will be to whittle them down.

So there are starters, a connoisseur’s collection, the chef’s recommendation, grill, traditional balti, biryani dishes, old favourites, vegetable dishes, rice and bread, Indian dishes, nonIndian dishes, children’s meals and a thali section. In short, you are unlikely to be disappointed by the range of dishes.

Indian beers and wines are complemented by wines from Chile, France and Spain. Another feature is the popular Sunday buffet, £9.50 for adults and £4.95 for children.

There is ample parking and a children’s playground is now open.

“You won’t have to worry about traffic. Children can have their food and play afterwards. It is part of the family experience,” said Mr Rahman.

It is always nice to sit down for a relaxing meal, but sometimes a takeaway is the order of the

We cater for WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES and any other SPECIAL OCCASION Marquee available

evening and staff are on hand to take your phone call ahead of collection.

But if time is not an issue, you can always book a table there, sit back and enjoy.

The restaurant is now looking forward to cooking up some truly unique food for guests over the summer period in what is an eyecatching setting.

Atmospheric lighting and decor add to the many plus points acquired by the food on offer, and then there is the unique location itself.

The Grand Sultan is set in 25 acres of plush green scenery at the nine hole course, overlooking the Eglwys-y-Nunydd lake.

“We have 70 covers in the restaurant and there is scope for another 20 to dine in the lounge area,” said Mr Rahman.

“The Grand Sultan is the perfect restaurant for couples, families and friends. Whether for business or socialising or just getting together, our beautiful restaurant is an oasis to relax and enjoy the best food and drinks and dine like a Sultan!”

And you can do that on Mondays to Saturdays from 6 to 11pm and on Sundays from 12.30 to 10pm.

Collection orders or table bookings can be made on 01639 892223.

Majestic Indian Dining The Lakeside, Water Street, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2PA Tel: 01639 892223 • www.thegrandsultan.co.uk • • FREE CAR PARKING

FOOD & DRINK

Nathan Lloyd’s

KITCHEN LIBRARY Swansea Life columnist and food blogger Nathan has been checking out the latest foodie developments in the city and likes what he finds! What to do in July?

Swansea Vegfest 2017 On Saturday, July 15,Swansea Vegfest is returning to the Brangwyn Hall from 10.30am to 5pm. Over the last few years it has become a highlight of the culinary calendar in Swansea, bringing the Vegan lifestyle sharply into focus. Far from being a simple fad or diet, Veganism is seen as a ground up alternative because of its wholesale rejection of anything to do with animals. From food to clothes to cosmetics to alcohol, there is a stall for practically everything at Swansea Vegfest.

The event itself is always massive, easily over-spilling from the main hall into the corridors around, drawing in producers and makers from far and wide. If you’re familiar with the markets in Uplands, the Marina and Morriston you’ll recognise some faces and

brands. Expect to see Brontosaurus Vegan, Mr Nice Pie and Be Wilder Photography there in amongst some newer faces. At the time of writing the finalised list of stalls and contributors wasn’t available, but in the past there have been contributions from Meat Free Muscle (meat free health supplements), Besos De Oro (who make a wicked dairy free Bailey’s alternative) and Manmane (purveyors of fine male grooming products!) The organisers are promising an “epic” showing this year and given the success of previous years I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the most popular year yet.

Entry fee is £2 (under 12s are free) and more details can be found on the Swansea Vegan Festival 2017 Facebook page.

Bistrot Pierre Swansea’s culinary landscape is changing rapidly at the moment with new restaurants opening regularly across the city. Mumbles is no stranger to great food and the recently opened Bistrot Pierre is yet another string to an already formidable foodie bow. The Bistrot Pierre franchise is an Anglo-French enterprise that began in 1994 in the Midlands but has since grown outwards across the country. Each restaurant aims to bring something new and unique, reflecting its natural environment rather than imposing alien qualities on the local area.

With this in mind the restaurant in Mumbles is situated in the new Oyster Wharf development along the front, overlooks the bay over two storeys. Light floods in, filling the high ceilings and spacious restaurant, making Mumbles itself the unspoken extra guest in your party.

Bistrot Pierre boast an impressive track record in customer service so expect that to be top

notch. Along with the regular a la carte menu they offer set menus of two and three courses, regularly theming their fare around a specific calendar event. The food is predominantly classic French with an Anglo twist here and there.

As you can imagine the wine list is fantastic but there’s also plenty to offer the beer lover too, with a good selection of local and continental ales and lagers.

Keeping Cool We may well have had our fill of sunshine for the year already, but on the off chance that there is more sunny days to come here’s a quick and easy recipe for a dairy free alternative ice lolly for keeping cool in the sun.

YOU WILL NEED...

couple of hours or overnight if possible.

• Lolly moulds • 1 carton of chocolate Oatly, • 1 banana

One carton can easily make between 6 - 8 lollies, depending on the amount of banana you use and the size of your moulds. I used the small ones from Lidl. The creaminess of the chocolate drink combined with the fudginess of the banana are a fantastic (and cheap) alternative to sugary lollies.

This way you can control the sugar intake with natural ingredients!

Chop the banana into slices and fill the lolly moulds. Don’t pack them in too tight, you need to leave enough space for the chocolate drink.

Pour in the drink to the brim. Stick the lids/handles firmly in place and leave in the freezer for a good 98 swansealife.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

SWANSEA GOES GLOBAL PETER SLEE stops off at Nines Global Buffet and likes what he finds... peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

HOW weird is this? I am sitting, eating a very nice chicken tikka masala in the very place the cash tills used to be in the menswear department in Swansea’s old David Evans department store.

You know the spot: just up from the ramp and the corridor that linked the main building to its basement level. Over to one side used to be a little cafe, packaged shirts behind a big pillar, designer-labels over to the other.

Remember it now? of course you do. Move forward a dozen years or so and it’s all change.

Which is how I come to be sitting in what is now Nines.

On a wet Tuesday lunchtime, we popped by without a reservation to find the place mobbed, and it’s not hard to understand why.

For an all-in price of £7.99, you’ll find a menu filled with everything from curries to sweet and sour, lemon chicken to deep fried seaweed, chicken chow mein to fish fingers and chips that wouldn’t alarm even the most woefully nonadventurous, but with a deft attention to detail to please the fussy.

It’s there in the neat pile of scampi or spagehetti and the vivid, just-wobbly-enough lemon tart and profiteroles. It’s there in the bustling staff who make crowd control look enjoyable, and in the dozens of different drinks and cocktails on offer.

There may be 250,000 or so of us crammed snugly into this city, speaking three hundred languages, all of us with different dreams and

@PeterSlee56

struggles, yet one rather delicious thing unites us. We all love to eat. We are a people propped up by a hot, fresh curry, tempting tacos and restorative plates of pizza. We like our eggs done 18 ways, our dim sum authentic and we want our chicken with spice, crunch and extra va-va-voom.

are a little more hidden away to nominally meet the description of ‘global buffet’. In the dessert section, the global touch seems to be lost altogether, with brownies, ice cream, and creamy cakes forming the core of the sweet treats on offer.

It’s what you get here!

But if it’s comfort food you are after, this is the place to go.

While some of us get in a tizzy about molecular gastronomy, others dream all week about some dim sum or a cooked-just-right bit of steak late at night after the shift from hell.

A first-time visit here may be a little daunting at first, such is the vastness of the place and the gastronomic journey spanning nine countries it will take you on. It’s a mix of Indian tandoori and curry bar, Thai, Dim Sum, Sushi, teppanyaki and grill. Throw in to the mix authentic flavours, an eat-as-much-as-you-like offer, live cooking stations, a fantastic buffet display and a team of staff so large other restaurants must surely look on with some envy and you have some idea of what it is all about.

Its modest prices encourage experimentation.

And from the assemble-your-own areas, the crispy duck and pancake wrap, with a lovely set of fresh garnishes stood out. Texturally it is a delight that keeps on giving and the meat bounces with flavour.

Billed as ‘global’ the focus is largely on SouthEast Asia: Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines are featured heavily, while the paella, pizza, and pasta, supposedly representing Spain and Italy,

I suspect many of its diners will stop off early in the evening, fill up on food before continuing their evening elsewhere.

But it is none the worse for that. I was totally won over both by its hugely appetising food and its remarkable value for money, Monday to Friday lunchtimes £7.99, add another £1 at weekends.

Dinner prives are a budget-busting £13.99 during the week and £14.99 at weekends.

Pay up, eat away and be happy. And oh, wear some loose trousers to allow for your stomach to grow during the night.

In fact, if they are still lurking in the back of the wardrobe, why not those elasticated waist ones you bought in David Evans all those years ago!

Nines Global Buffet, 15-16 Castle Street, Swansea Tel: 01792 456666 www.ninerestaurant.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Perfect Picnicware Celebrate summer with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of colourful picnicware

Home cooking with Sian Day

A deliciously simple recipe for July...

TASTE OF THE TROPICS...

Linea Villa Vista Dinnerware Range, from £2.40 to £14, House of Fraser (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)

DON’T FEED THE BIRDS...

Blue Tit Picnic Bag, £6.95, Dotcomgiftshop.com

Asparagus Rocket and Feta Salad Ok so let’s talk asparagus, the ancient Egyptians first grew this interesting vegetable 4,000, years ago then the Romans distributed it around Europe it comes into season at Spring and now due to creative farming methods can last till autumn, but it’s in season now and at it’s very best!

CATCH OF THE DAY...

Lobster and Friends Picnic Blanket, currently £28 from £35, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

So here is a tasty fast and easy way to prepare it.

Best to buy thin tender stalks and make sure they are firm and fresh. The thicker stalks can tend to be a bit woody and bitter so for that lovely sweet fresh tender taste use them up no more than a couple of days after purchase.

Asparagus has a distinct flavour with earthy undertones they are beautiful steamed, grilled or pan fried.

YOU WILL NEED...

(Serves 4) 1 bunch asparagus 1 packet of rocket 100g feta cheese Juice of half a lemon 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp honey Knob of butter 1 clove garlic Handful chopped fresh parsley & mint 6 walnuts chopped (optional) Salt & pepper

FRAGRANT FIND...

Orla Kiely Multi Shadow Flower Beaker, £4, Amara, www.amara.com

METHOD

POP THE CORKS...

Pop Up Wine Glass, £1, Flying Tiger, Swansea

First of all trim the ends off the asparagus In a small bowl mix the lemon juice honey and half the olive oil together to form the dressing

Then heat a heavy based pan to medium heat and gently heat the rest of the olive oil and butter add in chopped garlic then toss in the asparagus coating around each stalk the lovely garlicky butter. Grind in some black pepper and season to taste with salt.

Pan fry for 5 minutes until tender and golden brown on edges.

Then scatter rocket onto a large serving platter assemble the asparagus over it scatter crumbled feta cheese over, then sprinkle over the chopped herbs then drizzle over the dressing and scatter the chopped walnuts to finish the dish.

Serve with some fresh crusty bread perfect on its own or as a side with grilled fish or chicken.

Enjoy!

FOLLOW SIAN’S DELICIOUS RECIPES on her blog page, siandaydream.wordpress.com, Facebook or Tweet her @SianDay 100 swansealife.co.uk

understated luxury, intimate dining and perfect romance

Good Hotel Guide ‘Welsh Hotel of the Year 2016’

AA Inspectors Choice Award 2012 – 2017

The Telegraph ‘Top 30 Country House Hotels in Britain’ 2016

Good Food Guide Recommended Cooking Score 6

TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award 2016 ‘Top 25 UK Romantic Hotel’

3 AA Rosettes 2014 – 2017

info@thegrove-narberth.co.uk

www.thegrove-narberth.co.uk

90 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 4QF 01792 644688 www.ndjohn.co.uk

SPANISH WINES This summer you may be setting off on holiday to the beautiful landscapes and beaches of Spain, where you’ll enjoy the scorching weather, tantalising and scrumptious tapas and exquisite wine. Spain, after all, is the third biggest producer of wine in the World, behind France and Italy.

Spanish wine is often associated with the popular region Rioja, famous for using Tempranillo.

Despite many great wines coming from this region, there are also others producing fantastic wine and luckily we stock some!

Below we have picked out three that are certainly worth trying out.

Rias Baixas (“rhee-yus by-shus”) In the north-west of Spain, you will find Rias-Baixas, a small area where the close vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean has created a cool pocket of the country. This has created an environment where Albariño grapes can thrive. The subsequent fruit is small, sweet and high in glycerol, producing wines high in alcohol and acidity. This region creates the finest Albariño, producing wine smells of tart-sweet citrus (limes and mandarins) and under-ripe stone fruits (peaches and nectarines), contrasted with a briny, refreshing sea-spray savouriness.

Jumilla Jumilla lies in the Altiplano of the Murcia Region, where the coastal terrains give way to the plains of La Mancha. Due to the quality of the wines being produced here, the region has become steadily more and more famous, attracting tourists solely for the wine. Monastrell is the most significant for Jumilla and it represents over 85% of the vines planted. Wines are intensely bold with high tannin, black fruit and black pepper flavours and when aged in oak, chocolate and vanilla notes intensify.

Utiel-Requena This wine-growing area is located in the north-west of the province of Valencia, on the boundary with the Castile-La Mancha region, and has been producing exceptional wines for hundreds of years. Here the grape is Bobal, known for being juicy, fruity, soft and easy to drink. Comparisons would point to somewhere between a Syrah/Shiraz and a Merlot but with softer tannins and Spain’s unique minerality.

Pazo Barrantes Albarino £14.95 “Very pale with green-gold lights. The aroma is scented with wild flowers, white fruits and a touch of spice.

A textured palate with plenty of palate weight followed by a fine stony finish.”

Juan Gil 4 Meses Monastrell £8.95 “The nose has rich plum and blackcurrant pastille characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate is ripe, smooth and opulent with layers of pure blackcurrant, juicy blackberry, lush spicy plum and cherry fruit, minerality and complex fine tannins on the finish.”

Pasion de Bobal £9.50 “An open, warm and spicy, nose with blackberry, raspberry and plum notes.

The palate has lots of sour cherry, strawberry and creamy oak characters.

A generous and appealing wine with supple tannins for structure - all balanced by juicy acidity and spice.”

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD FEAST Calling all foodies and drink lovers! LAURA DAVIES and JESSICA HAMMETT give you the lowdown on some of the top food and drink festivals and local produce markets you simply HAVE to go to!

CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

Where? Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

Where? Cardiff Bay

When? July 15

When? July 14-16

Swansea Vegan Festival is back with plenty of Vegan food stalls and cooking demos, health and beauty products and ethical fashion and gifts as well as guest speakers, a kids area and discussion groups. This is your chance to find out about Vegan life, all under one roof.

One of the biggest summer events in the Welsh capital, it features a glorious spread of more than100 local, national and international produce. Visitors can tempt their tastebuds in the farmer’s market, street food piazza and producers’ fair. With numerous bars, including the champagne bar on the water’s edge, craft stalls and live music, it’s easy to see why the free foodie event remains one of Cardiff’s favourite summer dishes For more information, visit: www.cardiff-events.com

SWANSEA VEG FEST

For more information, visit: www.swanseavegfest.wordpress.com

UPLANDS MARKET Where? Gwydr Square, Uplands, Swansea When? The Uplands Market takes place 9am-1pm on the last Saturday of the month (with the odd exception. July 29, August 26.

Uplands Market has been a huge success from its beginning, attracting thousands of shoppers and with a long waiting list of potential traders. The market brings quality Welsh produce to the community and provides opportunities for small, independent artisan Welsh producers.

Uplands was ranked in the top 10 street markets in the UK by the Daily Telegraph, has twice been runner up in the Observer Food Monthly best markets category, and been the Welsh nominee in the BBC’s Food and Farming Awards.

For more information, visit: www.uplandsmarket.com

e

GERMAN BIERFEST SWANSEA Where? Swansea Museum Park When?

August 3 – 6 A 1200-seater Biergarten is being brought to Swansea this summer. People will be able to enjoy a huge selection of German beers and foods at the biggest beer garden ever built in Swansea. Visitors will find vintage wooden huts selling delicious tidbits and exotic drinks. On the menu are Aperol Spritz, Hugo, Sekt, bratwurst, bockwurst and more.

For more information, visit: www.swansea.bierfest.co.uk

CARDIFF RUM FESTIVAL Where? Swalec Stadium, Cardiff When? 5 August The Cardiff Rum Festival gives rum fans a chance to taste a variety of rums from all over the Caribbean. As well as tastings, there will be seminars, live music, food and experts on hand to answer your questions.

For more information, visit: www. fatsoma.com / UKRUMFESTIVALS/ 1rmpdwks/cardiff-rum-festival

CARDIGAN RIVER AND FOOD FESTIVAL PROSECCO FESTIVAL

When? August 12

When? August 18 and August 19

The festival celebrates the quality and diversity of the superb local independent food producers and has grown over the years to now attract thousands of foodies.

The Ultimate Festival for Prosecco lovers! JR Events & Catering present Wales’ first and only dedicated Prosecco Festival. There are over 40 types of prosecco and fizz as well as a bottled lager area. There will be Italian street food and live music and entertainment. There are also VIP packages available, For more information, visit: www.proseccofestival.co.uk

104 swansealife.co.uk

Where? Quay Street car park, Cardigan

Where? Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

For more information, visit: www.cardigan-food-festival.co.uk

the premiere events in Neath Town centre’s calendar. The event highlights the variety of Welsh produce that is available locally, with a focus on the range of products available from award-winning suppliers in the town’s Victorian market and surrounding area. It also includes a Street Food Zone in Angel Square, a Champagne Tent in the grounds of St Thomas’ Church and a Real Ale Hall in Neath Town Hall. There will be a packed entertainment programme in local pubs and cafes including live music, street entertainers and much more.

For more information, visit: www.npt. gov.uk

SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

craft brewery festival and a night market.

Expect big foodie names and chefs.

For more information, visit: www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Where? Swansea Marina, Lockside, Swansea When? August 18-20 With a host of local, national and regional street food traders, the free festival will offer tasty treats including burgers, seafood, handmade confectionary and brownies. A fully licensed bar offer lagers, craft beers and fresh and fruity cocktails. For those driving, low ABV lagers and mocktails will be available.

NARBERTH FOOD FESTIVAL Where? Narberth When? September 23 and 24 There will be food stalls, live music, street theatre, chef demonstrations, a licensed bar and free children’s activities.

Last year companies including Caws Cenarth Cheese, Celtic Country Wines, Little Welsh Deli, Pembrokeshire WoodFired Pizza, Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company and Urban Jungle Coffee attended.

For more information, visit: www.fatsoma. com/street-food-warehouse/4p1l5q5e/ swansea-street-food-festival

ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

For more information, visit: www.narberthfoodfestival.com

Where? Abergavenny town centre When? September 16 and 17 It is one of the highlights in every selfrespecting foodie’s calender, and is one of the largest, longest running food festivals in Wales, attracting more than 30,000 visitors to the small town. The Abergavenny event features a market with exhibitors, chef demonstrations, a meat market,

NEATH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Where? Neath town centre When? September 29 - October 1 Neath Food and Drink Festival was born in 2009 and has established itself as one of

GOWER CHILLI FESTIVAL Where? July 22 and 23 Where? South Gower Sports Club If you are a chilli fan, then your will love this. Two full days of red hot attractions with live music, chilli companies, cooking competitions, kids events, gourmet food, local crafts, street food and much more.The event raises money for nominated charities like the RNLI and Swansea Community Farm For more information, visit: www.gowerchillis.com

CARDIGAN BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Where? Aberaeron Harbour When? July 9 This festival was established by a group of local fishermen in 1997 to show what fish was available locally and how fish can be prepared. Visitors get a chance to watch chefs prepare local fish and sample dishes that they can then attempt at home. Local lobster, crab, mackerel, mullet, seabass and much more, get cooked in all different styles.

For more information, visit: www.aberaeronfishfest.com

swansealife.co.uk 105

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House & home

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (page 108) GO GREEN (page 112) LESLEY TAYLOR (page 129) GOLDEN GLOW (page 137)

LBS Home & Garden, 22 Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, SA19 6NL • 01558 823900 LBS Neath, Neath Abbey Road, Neath SA10 7BR • 01639 646511 LBS Port Talbot, Unit 5, Cramic Way, Port Talbot SA13 1RU • 01639 884433

HOUSE & HOME

Magical mix It is a sought after Gower property with a fair bit of history. But this 18th century house has been brought up to date to provide an intriguing combination of old and new, as CHRIS PEREGRINE found out. chris.peregrine@trinitymirror.com

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

t has, say its owners, been a truly magical home, and one which is steeped in history.

Widegate Cottage originally belonged to the Penrice Estate, later becoming a part of the Kilvrough Estate. It was then owned and occupied by the Third Lord Swansea during the 1920s where he was able to take full advantage of the nine acres of expansive and ancient woodland that accompanies the Gower property, which dates back to the 1700s.

It benefits from magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, with a woodland vista stretching out towards the bay at Pwll Du. On entry you will find a study, hobby room, utility room and WC. There is a spacious walk-in larder, a kitchen/breakfast room with an Aga and a dining room leading on to the sun terrace and stunning gardens. Leading on from there is a door to another hallway and into the lounge. To the first floor there are five generous bedrooms with a family bathroom and

I

108 swansealife.co.uk

en-suite to the master bedroom. There is ample parking and a summerhouse with a lounge/dining room, kitchen and shower room with a mezzanine bedroom.

It has been enhanced by Mark and Pam Vernon-Roberts since they purchased it 28 years ago.

“We lived in a village nearby, and were seeking a larger family home, also one with easy access into Swansea, and this historic cottage ticked all the boxes for us,” says Mark. “The property has an interesting history and, at one time, had been an estate worker’s home but we loved its convenient location, together with its unique layout. Over the years the cottage had been extended lengthways, as in the traditional Longhouse style, to become the sizeable family home that it is today.

“All the rooms benefit from being south facing and capture brightness and sunshine, each room commanding stunning views onto the garden and down into the valley below. It has been an excellent family home, especially as our children have grown up here. There was always plenty of space for them to pursue hobbies and pastimes, whilst Pam and I each have our own private areas.

“There are lots of intriguing historical touches, including four working fireplaces; luckily we have ample supplies of logs from our own adjoining woodland.

We enjoy sharing our home with friends and family. As the seasons change, there is a gentle shift of gear from bracing country walks in the winter, ending up in front of roaring fires, to summer trips down to a choice of nearby beaches and returning for friendly barbecues.

“In addition we have a self contained cottage adjacent to the house, originally the stables, which is ideal for visiting guests, or for independent living for a family member.”

Pam admits it will be hard to leave.

“Our sunny garden is full of colour and interest throughout the year and such an idyllic place in which to relax,” she says.“In addition, it is immensely private; the only sounds being from visiting wildlife, or the occasional tractor passing by. We are moving to be closer to our family and it will be a heart wrenching day when we say goodbye to what has been a truly magical home for us over the years.”

PROPERTY: Widegate Cottage, Widegate, Southgate, Gower PRICE: £850,000 BEDROOMS: 5 AGENT: Fine & Country, Mumbles, 01792 367301 swansealife.co.uk 109

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GLEBE FARM RHOSSILI GOWER

MILLWOOD LODGE PENRICE GOWER

An incredible location overlooking the famous Rhossili beach on the Gower Penninsula. Glebe Farm is beautifully finished & briefly comprises a lovely country kitchen, utility/walk in shower, lounge, dining room & 4 beds. With generous grounds including large lawn area, decking, patio, freestanding gazebo/bar & hot tub.There are spectacular views of Rhossili bay and endless coastal adventures on your doorstep. EPC C

Millwood Lodge is surrounded with heavenly Gower countryside & is in close proximity to the stunning local beaches such as Oxwich, Horton and Port Enynon. With substantial accommodation housing a mix of rustic charm and modern interior design, including generous reception rooms, open plan kitchen/breakfast room and 5 bedrooms. Beautiful expanse of gardens and hot tub. EPC F

Contact: 01792 367301

Contact: 01792 367301

Asking Price £895,000

Offers Over £1,000,000

SURF SOUND OXWICH GOWER

SHIRECOMBE HOUSE SOUTHGATE GOWER

Only a 10 minute stroll to the fabulous Oxwich beach, where you can simply enjoy the beach or take advantage of the lovely bars/eateries. Comprising very generous accommodation of open plan kitchen/ diner, lounge & sitting room. 6 bedrooms, 5 en-suites and lovely gardens. The layout of the house could be developed to be utilised as a self contained annex (holiday let or additional accommodation). EPC E

A hidden gem at the end of a long, private, wooded driveway with the most spectacular panoramas of Three Cliffs and Oxwich Bay. This unique spot has the most perfect position to enjoy Pobbles beach, village pubs, restaurants, stores and Pennard golf club, all of which are within a five minute walk! Also included is a detached 4 bed Coach House - used presently as a holiday let. EPC D&D

Contact: 01792 367301

Contact: 01792 367301

Asking Price £695,000

Fine & Country Swansea 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BN Tel: +44 (0)1792 367301 | Email: swansea@fineandcountry.com

Asking Price £2,650,000

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

Regionally 18 offices throughout the region Nationally 225 offices across Great Britain

MUMBLES ROAD MUMBLES

22 LANGLAND BAY MANOR LANGLAND GOWER

A lovely semi-detached characterful home is in a magical, sought after setting overlooking Mumbles Bay, with access onto the promenade direct from the private garden. This generous plot presents a potential opportunity for a building plot (subject to planning consent). The current owners hold architectural drawings for an additional 4 bedroom detached house. EPC E

Superbly located with spectacular views over Langland Bay, this impeccably finished, top floor apartment is presented beautifully with much character and attention to detail. The apartment boasts generous living room/diner which showcase the fabulous views, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 double bedrooms, 2 en-suite shower rooms & family bathroom. EPC n/a

Contact: 01792 367301

Contact: 01792 367301

Offers Over £620,000

Offers Over £525,000

SOLD STC

The agent selling Fine & Country homes Contact us to discuss how we make a difference...

GREAT HOUSE COTTAGE HORTON GOWER Great House Cottage is a charmingly quaint home which sits nobly in an elevated position commanding glistening sea views. It is in the very pretty, coastal village of Horton which is nestled in between Oxwich Bay and Port Eynon Bay along the South coast of the Gower Peninsula. Comprising lounge, kitchen/diner, 2 bedrooms and family bathroom. EPC F

Contact: 01792 367301

Asking Price £249,950

Fine & Country Swansea 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BN Tel: +44 (0)1792 367301 | Email: swansea@fineandcountry.com

Book your valuation today

Internationally Plus 75 offices globally 5000 professional associates all around the world

HOUSE & HOME Mini Faux Succulent, £2.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Silver Pot Faux Plants, £5, Primark, Swansea

Jane Packer Succulent in White Geo Pot, £8, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Terrarium, £8, George Home, Parc Trostre

Frames and hanging baskets Matalan, Parc Cwmdu and Llansamlet

Go Green Whether it is a cactus, a succulent or a faux palm tree, LAURA DAVIES picks out the the plants you should be buying to transform your home into a tropical rainforest laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Faux Potted Plant, £2.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

@LawsDx

Hanging Tear Glass, £5, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

Faux Potted Plant, £12.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

112 swansealife.co.uk

Large Leaf Plant, £8, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu and Llansamlet

Green Shell Hanging Basket, £12.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Bamboo Plant, £16.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Faux Grass in Pot, £6, Wilko, Llanelli

Grass in Vase, £12, George at Asda, Gorseinon and Llanelli

swansealife.co.uk 113

www.pablack.co.uk

E

N

W

Gower Road Swansea

St James Gardens Ffynone

• A period detached residence with sea views to the front • Five/seven bedrooms on three floors • Three/four reception rooms • Fitted kitchen/breakfast room • Long front and rear garden • Viewing highly recommended

• Detached Five Bedroom House • Two En-Suite Bedrooms • Offers Plenty Of Character • Sauna • Four Reception Rooms • Basement Providing Ample Storage

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

£550,000

SO

LD

£625,000

Marina Villas Maritime Quarter

Millwood Gardens Swansea

St Stephens Court Swansea Marina

• Very well presented versatile family home • 32' first floor living space: kitchen/dining/sitting • Principal bedroom with vaulted ceiling & en suite shower room • Three further bedrooms • Parking for at least four cars • Adjacent to Marina and beach

• Impeccably well presented 4/5 bedroom detached house.

• Bespoke kitchen/dining room.

• Versatile living space.

• 3 bath/shower rooms.

• Sun room/outbuilding.

• Lawn and patio to rear garden

• Very well presented versatile family home • 37' first floor living space: kitchen/dining/lounge • Upgraded kitchen • Master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, en suite and sit out balcony • 3/4 further bedrooms • Walking distance of the Marina and beach

For sale with pa black Swansea Marina 01792 463780

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

For sale with pa black Swansea Marina 01792 463780

£325,000

£350,000

£335,0000

www.pablack.co.uk

E

N

W

Lletty Dafydd Neath

Clos Bryngwyn Gorseinon

• Large house of local historic merit • 5 bedrooms • 4 reception rooms plus cellar • Large gardens and paddock • Outstanding views • Spacious family home

• Spacious detached family house • Four double bedrooms • Two reception rooms plus conservatory • Kitchen/breakfast Room • Three bath/shower rooms • Double garage with room above

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

£450,000

E

N

Taillwyd Road Neath

For sale with pa black Gorseinon 01792 894422

£415,000

W

Cwmavon Port Talbot

Penywaunfach Cottages Swansea

• Architect designed house • Striking bespoke living space • Elevated hillside views • Four Bedrooms • Living Room with panoramic views • Viewing highly recommended

• Immaculate family house with a self containced annexe and building plot • 4 bedrooms, two en suites and bathroom • 2 reception rooms and conservatory • Open plan kitchen/dining room • Self contained two bed annexe • Residential building plot

• Idylllic country location close to M4 (J46) • Four Bedrooms • Three reception rooms • Fitted kitchen and prep room • Two conservatories • Potential attic conversion

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

For sale with pa black Morriston 01792 798201

OIRO £350,000

£500,000

£425,000

HOUSE & HOME COMPACT AND CLEAN What’s not to love about a portable BBQ that’s simple to use and easy to clean? With a storage tray for food, preparation board and heat protection shield, it’s a no-brainer. Everdure by Heston Blumenthal CUBE Portable Charcoal BBQ in Graphite, £149, John Lewis, Cardiff

SMOKING GUN If you’re planning to go overboard with food, the Landmann Tennessee has a side box smoker with cooking grills, a linked cooking chamber with thermometer, large warming rack and can be fired up with charcoal briquettes or lump wood charcoal. Landmann Tennessee Charcoal 200 Smoker - Black, £229, and House

by John Lewis 50cm Salsa Table Saffron, £99, both John Lewis, Cardiff

CHEF’S TABLE Secure a front row seat with this striking triangular picnic bench that can seat up to six guests comfortably. A key feature is the perforated stainless steel insert that provides an attractive table surface, along with an efficient water drainage system for when it rains. Surely not!

Extremis Anker Triangular Picnic Bench, £3,235, Houseology, www.houseology. com

DRAW THE LINE Whether you’re heading to a busy beauty spot or a concert in the park, a picnic rug will mark your territory and save you from wet grass stains. Light, washable and easy to carry, you can’t go wrong with soft fleece and a waterproof backing. Stripe Picnic Rug, £12, Wilko, Swansea and Parc Trostre 116 swansealife.co.uk

PALM FRINGED If dining under the shade of a real leafy palm tree isn’t happening, you can still use a palm tree print to landscape your outdoor table, and greenery blended with a glimmer of gold always looks great. 12 Piece Palm Leaf Dinner Set, £28; 16 Piece Brass Effect Cutlery Set, £38; Set of 4 Metallic Wine Glasses, £24; Set of 4 Metallic Tumblers, £18, Next, Morfa Retail Park

POWER OF PLANTS

Greenery is Pantone’s Colour of the Year and you don’t need to be a wine lover to appreciate the grape leaf print on these melamine side plates. Best of all, they’ll make anything you serve up look worthy of an Instagram post. Aragonez Side Plate, £69 for set of four, Oka,www.oka.com

AL FRESCO LAURA DAVIES celebrates the picnic and BBQ season with some must-haves for summer socials laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

GET YOUR GRILL ON A good looking grill that can double up as a piece of terrace furniture, this cast iron model has a ‘bowl’ grilling grid and frying plate capable of catering to different types of barbecuing at various levels. Charcoal, briquettes or ordinary wood will get the fires burning.

Morso Grill 17, £999, www.morsoe.com

SNAP IT UP You don’t need a menu of surf ‘n’ turf (although it would be a delicious choice) to flaunt this fun tea towel. It’ll come in handy for passing plates, wiping cups or simply catching condensation and drops from that well-chilled bottle of wine. Lobster Tea Towel, £12, Thornback & Peel,www.thornbackandpeel.co.uk

BUCKETS OF STYLE

Chilling drinks for alfresco dining on warm, sunny days is quite task. Along with keeping your Pimm’s topped up with plenty of ice, this stylish ice bucket is spot on with its gold trim. Kate Spade New York ‘Raise A Glass’ Ice Bucket in Gold, £48, Amara, www.amara.com

CACHE AND CARRY

Stuffed with all our favourite things, hampers certainly look the part (and make perfect gifts). And what could be lovelier than packing a wicker basket for a jaunt to the countryside? With ceramic plates, plastic wine glasses, cutlery, napkins, salt and pepper shakers and a bottle opener, M&S have done all the hard work for you with this one - all that’s left is to pack your favourite sarnies and fresh produce. Dovecote Floral 4 Person Flap Top Hamper, £59, M&S, Swansea

COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS

3 Penybryn Close, Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly SA17 4PJ

£284,995

4 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE • Individually designed new build ‘A lifetime service under one roof’ • Picturesque views over the countryside 4/8 John Street • Expected completion Llanelli date Sept 2017 Tel 01554 779412 • Family bathroom, www.daviescraddock.co.uk kitchen & dining area

• 4 double bedrooms (two with ensuite) • Lounge, study, utility room, integral garage • Enclosed garden with attractive views over the countryside • No chain

HOUSE & HOME

10 Home Improvement and DIY Myths That Are Completely False 1. SOLAR PANELS DON’T WORK ON A CLOUDY DAY

your health if left alone, it’s always important to check them on a regular basis for wear and tear as this is when damage can be done.

With summer literally here, it may seem like the perfect time to invest and install solar panels, because everyone knows that solar panels need sunlight to work, right?

Wrong! Although solar panels do work best on a sunny day, they are still functional on cloudy days. This is due to their ability to absorb UV and infrared light on cloudy days so that they can continue generating energy.

2. LEAVING THE HEATING ON LOW ALL DAY IS MORE EFFICIENT Many people believe that leaving the heating on low all day is more efficient than turning it on as and when you need it. This topic is widely debated on various heating and energy platforms, with the general consensus being that because no home is completely airtight there will always be a small degree of heat escaping from your home throughout the day. Therefore, you will always waste heat, even if your system is on low. Only having the heating on when you need it would mean that there is no heat to be wasted when you’re not around, saving you money.

3. BLEACH ELIMINATES MOULD SPORES This is a common misconception due to the fact that bleach will kill and remove the visible mould in question. However, bleach will not be able to get rid of the mould spores altogether. This can be done with a scrubbing brush, water, and an appropriate cleaning product such as detergent. Once the cleanup has been done, it’s worth also investigating the cause of the problem and then treating it effectively to prevent the mould from returning. Remember, mould can be as bad for your health as asbestos!

4. PAINTING A RADIATOR WILL MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT While it is a scientific fact that darker colours are better at absorbing and transmitting heat than lighter colours, covering a radiator in dark paint will not improve its efficiency. The main way that radiators work is with ‘convective heating’, which 120 swansealife.co.uk

LAURA DAVIES looks at common household myths that are have no truth to them at all laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

essentially means that the radiator heats up the air around it. This is why some radiators have grooves or wings, as they increase the surface area and expose more air to the heat. Painting over a radiator can actually insulate this heat, which will in fact make the radiator LESS efficient!

5. THE BEST TIME TO WATER THE GRASS IS THE EVENING Another scientific fact is that heat evaporates water, so you would be forgiven for thinking that the best time to water your garden is in the evening once the sun goes down.

Watering in the evening does have some benefits for soil, in that it is able to soak up and retain the water more efficiently.

However, this also creates an ideal breeding ground for mould, fungi and other potential problems for your garden. The best time to water your grassis, in fact, during the morning when the sun is first rising. This will ensure that the grass has time to absorb as much water as it needs to before the sun evaporates the excess throughout the day, preventing diseases and keeping your garden looking fresh for longer.

@LawsDx

6. YOU CAN KILL TREES USING COPPER NAILS It’s an age old myth that copper nails can kill trees, but in an ordinary healthy tree a copper nail will not have much of an effect. In fact, it’s thought that some plants use copper as a source of proteins that are essential for photosynthesis.

There have even been cases of trees being chopped down to reveal rings of copper nails that the tree has actually grown around! The only way it seems this myth can be proved true, is by attaching a copper nail to the end of an axe when chopping it down!

7. ASBESTOS ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FOR HEALTH PURPOSES Although in some cases this is true, there are exceptions where there is no need to remove asbestos within your home. Contrary to common belief, asbestos isn’t actually harmful to your health unless the fibers become exposed or disturbed due to home renovations ordecorating. Still, although materials containing asbestos won’t necessarily affect

8. PUT CONKERS IN YOUR WINDOW SILL AND IN THE CORNERS OF YOUR BATHROOM KEEPS SPIDERS AT BAY Many people will remember visiting their grandparents and finding little piles of conkers on the window sills and in the corners of the bathroom.

The myth is that conkers contain a harmful chemical that wards off and can even kill spiders, making them ideal as a natural repellent. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that this works. Instead of leaving conkers in your room to repel spiders, why not pop a couple in your wardrobe to keep moths away, as this is one myth that is proven to get results.

9. COFFEE GROUNDS UNCLOG SINKS This myth could be doing your sink more harm than good. In fact, coffee grounds are among some of the top causes of blocked drains. Emptying coffee grounds down a sink will create a build up of thick slushy material that may require a plumber to unblock. Some plumbers even compare it to pouring cement down the sink!

10. TURNING YOUR ELECTRONICS ON AND OFF AT THE PLUG USES MORE ENERGY THAN LEAVING THEM ON STANDBY Switching appliances to standby mode instead of turning them off is a fairly common habit that many people have. Unfortunately, many electronic devices on standby mode will continue to use energy if the power is not cut at the source or the wall socket.

While some people believe turning devices on and off at the wallplug generates a surge in energy greater than leaving appliances on standby, this is often not the case. Having said that, the belief that turning off appliances at the switch stops the use of energy is also, in fact, false.

Summer Savings Superb

for your home and garden

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 – 2017

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

RELAX & DINE IN STYLE

Investing in new furniture will instantly update the look of your home. Whether you’re looking for a sumptuous sofa to relax and unwind or a divine dining set for enjoying family feasts you’ll discover the perfect piece for every room at Leekes.

With a variety of styles and designs, choose from a wide selection of leading brands including G Plan, Ercol, Halo and Stressless.

Choose from a wide range of leading brand furniture including:

ercol ENGLAND SINCE 1920

Style Tip Co-ordinating glassware to add a pop of colour

Shop with confidence with our LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE† on Leading Brands

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 – 2017

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk †

Terms and conditions apply

BLISSFUL BEDS & BEDDING

Style Tip Co-ordinate your look with matching furniture

Enjoy a restful night’s sleep and create a heavenly sanctuary to help you relax and unwind with our superb selection of divans, bed frames and mattresses plus co-ordinating furniture from leading brands including Sealy, Hypnos and Gainsborough at Leekes.

Finally, add a little indulgence to your bedroom with accessories and textiles – you’ll be spoilt for choice with our huge range of bedding, cushions and throws from leading brands.

Shop with confidence with our LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE† on Leading Brands including:

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 – 2017

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk †

Terms and conditions apply

UNDER OFFER

NEW

REDUCED

Lamberts Road

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

£75,000

£89,950

£107,500

2 Bedrooms Mariners Court

1 Bedrooms Weavers House

1 Bedrooms Ferrara Square

■ Top floor apartment

■ Compact one bedroom apartment

■ One bedroom apartment

■ Two double-sized bedrooms

■ Third floor with lift

■ Ground floor. Views over Marina

■ Age restriction, age 55 and over

■ Partial Marina view

■ Gas central heating

■ Asking price reflects 44.5% share

■ Underground parking. EPC - B83

■ EPC - C69

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

£114,950

£119,950

£137,000

1 Bedrooms Ferrara Quay

2 Bedrooms Monmouth House

1 Bedrooms Meridian Bay

■ Elevated ground floor

■ Two bedroom apartment

■ Fantastic one bed apartment

■ One bedroom apartment

■ Ground floor

■ Sea views

■ Modern fitted kitchen. Gas CH

■ Economy 7 central heating

■ Allocated underground parking

■ Allocated parking. EPC - C75

■ Underground parking space

■ Furniture package available. EPC - 64

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

£140,000

£155,000

£155,000

2 Bedrooms Ambassador House

1 Bedrooms Meridian Bay

2 Bedrooms St Catherines Court

■ Super one bedroom apartment

■ One bedroom apartment

■ Spacious two bedroom apartment

■ Elevated ground floor

■ Fourth floor. Views over Swansea Bay

■ First floor

■ Corner position. EPC - E-51

■ Allocated parking space

■ Corner position

■ Sweeping Marina views

■ 24 hour concierge service

■ Juliet balconies in bedroom and living room

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

Maritime Quarter

£159,950

£169,950

£175,000

1 Bedrooms Aurora

2 Bedrooms Cypher House

2 Bedrooms St Catherines Court

■ Unique one bedroom apartment

■ Ground floor apartment

■ Executive quality. Ground floor

■ Living room balcony. Rear sun terrace

■ Two double bedrooms

■ Open-plan & light-filled living room.

■ Multi-aspect views

■ Enclosed rear garden. EPC - D61

■ Two double bedrooms. EPC - C71

■ Allocated parking. EPC - D55

■ Near seafront location

■ Two en-suite shower rooms

Maritime Quarter

NEW

UNDER OFFER

Maritime Quarter

Langland

Rotherslade

£219,949

£269,950

£310,000

2 Bedrooms Pocketts Wharf

2 Bedrooms Highcliffe Court

2 Bedrooms The Osborne

■ Super two bedroom apartment

■ Two bedroom first floor apartment

■ Superb two bedroom apartment

■ Sixth floor. EPC - D66

■ Overlooking Langland Bay.

■ First floor

■ Renovated to excellent standard

■ Open-plan living room to balcony

■ Two en-suite shower rooms.

■ Marina and city views. Secure parking

■ Master bedroom with balcony access

■ Underground parking. EPC - 68.

Newton

NEW

Langland

UNDER OFFER

Port Eynon

£339,500

£370,000

£425,000

3 Bedrooms Slade Road

2 Bedrooms Rotherslade Road

5 Bedrooms Overton Lane

■ Three bedrooms

■ Two bedroom, first floor apartment

■ 5/6 bedroom cottage

■ Semi-detached. EPC - F35

■ Outstanding coastal setting with sea views

■ Three reception rooms

■ Extended family home

■ Parking allocated via underground car park

■ Farmhouse kitchen

■ Garden and rear parking

■ EPC - C83

■ Views over Port Eynon Bay

Swansea City Centre Showroom St David’s Sq. 01792 448433 Also Marina 645566 & Mumbles 365960

Call 01792 448433 Book a Free Valuation Today

Here’s a selection of what’s on offer. Check out the full portfolio at BayEstateAgents.com

HOUSE & HOME

National Trust Rug in Multicolour Fishbone, £35, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

Abigail Ahern-Edition Octopus Hook, £20, Debenhams, Swansea

Outdoor Watermelon Pouffe, £39.95, Graham and Green, www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Blue Hanging Basket, £9.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Mose Set of Three Cheese Knives, £24, oliverbonas.com.jpg

THIS MONTH

Beach Houses Cushion, £10, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

WE LOVE

Monochrome Pouffe, £79.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

La Hacienda Windermere Magnesia Firepit, £119, www.jdwilliams.co.uk

Flamingo Bay Vacuum Flask, £12.95, www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Lulu Round Beach Towel, £55, Amara.com

Digital Scales, £16, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Dinnerwear, £16, Next, Parc Trostre and Morfa Retail Park

Pineapple Dispenser, £24.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Ceramic Candle Pot Blue, £23, oliverbonas.com

Floral Ceramic Vase, £25 M&S, Swansea

Gray & Willow Woven Laundry Basket, £35, Woven Laundry Bin, £12, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Purple Glass Moroccan Lantern, £29.99, Very.co.uk swansealife.co.uk 127

LEATHER & FABRIC SOFAS OVER 3 FLOORS HUGE SELECTIONI

FANTASTIC OFFERS IN STORE 3Years INTEREST FREE CREDIT

£700

DOUBLE PART

EXCHANGE

ON YOUR OLD SUITE

Leather & Fabric Sofas 995 Carmarthen Road, Fforesftfach, Swansea, SA5 4AE I Tel: 01792 586611 ALSO AT: 4 Beaufort Rd, Plasmarl, Swansea, SAG 8JG | Tel: 01792 771759

www.leathersofacompanyuk.com

HOUSE & HOME

1.

L E S L E Y

TA Y LO R

SUMMER LIVING With summer in full swing, interior designer Lesley Taylor is making the most of her outdoor space

2.

“

“

3.

ENJOY A LATE-NIGHT BARBECUE

4.

5.

WITH THE FAMILY IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN BALCONY

OR TERRACE

IN THE GARDEN

swansealife.co.uk 129

HOUSE & HOME

6.

With the summer solstice taking place this month the days are at their longest. Which means plenty of time to enjoy a late-night barbecue, an outdoor soiree or a fun-packed day with the family in the comfort of your own balcony or terrace.

Wales in the summer, is there any finer place?

Not for me. And any chance I get to make the most of the Welsh sunshine I take it.

During the summer months I live and breathe outdoor living, forgoing the living room for the garden when it comes to unwinding.

Even the kitchen and dining room are off-limits when the sun makes an appearance.

But if you want to move your living space outside this summer, it does take some prep. So grab a deckchair and relax as I share my top tips for taking the inside out.

Put in the groundwork It would be difficult to relax in a room with no flooring, so don’t make the same mistake in the garden.

Grass is all well and good but a patio area, no matter how small, is an ideal base for furnishings.

Decking and paved flags are popular options, but if you truly want to create a show-stopping garden, consider using tiles instead.

Baked porcelain tiles are perfect for the garden. Not only are they available in a plethora of patterns to create stunning flooring, they are hardwearing so you don’t have to worry about cracks, scratches, stains or frost.

For a seamless transition between home and garden use the same tiles inside and out; elongating the living room and uniting the two areas.

Eating out Not so long ago, if you wanted to cook outside a barbecue was your only real option. Which is great – but not every night.

Now, the number of outdoor ovens on the market is mammoth.

My personal favourites are the Netherlands-designed OFYR and the Danishinspired Morso Forno.

The OFYR is a cone-shaped firebowl surrounded by a wide rim, ideal for cooking everything from steak to fried eggs. It requires no maintenance and can be left outside all year.

7.

Its Scandi-counterpart, the Morso Forno outdoor oven is both a grill and a pizza oven and is much more versatile than a traditional barbecue.

Aside from cooking up sumptuous dishes, the best thing about both the OFYR and Morso Forno is just how great they look in the garden. Functional and fabulous – what’s not to love?

TABLE TALK And finally, to really make the most of your outdoor space a table and some chairs are a must.

When it comes to outdoor furniture the market is swamped, but my advice would be go for the best your budget allows.

Who wants flimsy seats that are impossible to relax in or a table that wobbles every time someone puts down their glass?

If you already have an existing dining set, one that has perhaps seen better summers, spruce it up with some new accessories. Outdoor cushions, a throw or even a lick of paint will bring new life to an old chair, and use carefully placed lanterns and candles to highlight your favourite part of an well-worn table. If it really can’t be salvaged, a waterproof tablecloth will hide a multitude of sins.

1. Invest in the best furtniture you can afford 2. Use mood lighting to highlight your favourite parts of your garden 3. A well-placed lantern will illuminate your furniture’s best features 4. The OFYR is a grill with a difference. Available from the Taylors Etc showroom or ofyr.co.uk 5. Forget sausages and burgers, whip up a freshly made pizza with the Morso Forno outdoor oven. Buy online at morsoe.com or head to taylorsetc.co.uk 6. Give existing furniture a really good clean to bring it back to life 7. Use the same tiles inside and out to create a flow between your indoor and outside living areas

Interior Designer and member of the BID, Lesley Taylor is the Design Director of Taylor’s Etc based in Cardiff.

02920 358 400 www.taylors etc.co.uk

130 swansealife.co.uk

Kaelo- Innovative wine cooler, set inside your kitchen worktop, it uses cryo cooling technology to keep your wine at optimum temperature

Mogg- Wine Bowl- Feature wine storage made from solid cedar wood, it holds up to 10 bottles of wine, each one is unique due to the pattern in the natural wood grain

For the sleep you’ve always dreamed of....

WHY NOT COME AND VIEW OUR HUGE RANGE OF BEDS...

Most available with immediate delivery

SUMMER SALE, PLUS 0% INTEREST FREE CREDIT

NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STORE 8 A4

MORRISTON

01792 771 012

SWANSEA CITY CENTRE

67 A40 RIVER TAWE

LIBERTY STADIUM

DAYS MOTOR GROUP

8 A4

Unit 11, Beaufort Court, Beaufort Rd Plasmarl, Swansea, SA6 8JG

ASDA

WE ARE HERE

A4 06 7

View our full range & buy from the comfort of your home

www.dreamtimebeds.co.uk

LOOK FOR SIGN AT THE ROUNDABOUT

HOUSE & HOME Lantern, £16, Debenhams, Llanelli

Gold Shell Vase, £24.99, HomeSense, Parc Fforestfach

Multi Tea Light Holder, £49.50, M&S, Swansea

Round Gold Metal Mirror, £20, Wilko, Swansea and Llanelli

Moroccan Luxe Metal Nibble Bowl, £3.50, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Golden Glow

Sunflower Mirror, £59, M&S, Swansea

Glam up your home space this summer with a touch of gold. JESS HAMMETT picks her favourites...

Table Light, £95, Debenhams, Swansea

Star Burst Embellished Cushion, £30, Biba, House of Fraser, Cardiff

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Short Hammered Vase, £19.50, M&S, Swansea

Gold Glass Jar Amber Vanilla Candle, £3.99, New Look, Swansea

Gold Low Seating Table, £32, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Metallic Ombre Cushion, £32, House of Fraser, Cardiff

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Scallop Metal Tray, £35, M&S, Swansea

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Conran Inlay Frame, £19.50, M&S, Swansea and Llanelli

Barclay Drinks Trolley, £299, M&S, Swansea swansealife.co.uk 137

VICTORIA WADE’S GARDEN Join Victoria Wade, an RHS Gold winning garden designer from Killay, with her seasonal growing tips.... www.victoriawade.co.uk

@WadeLandscapes

Growing Roses I absolutely love roses, but I think they sometimes have a bit of an unfair reputation of being fussy and difficult to grow. I find that often when I suggest planting a rose to a client. They panic and think that they are going to be a nightmare to look after!

It is true that roses do need a bit of TLC and love to keep them thriving, but I am a firm believer that there is a rose for every garden- and for every gardener!

The different varieties and styles of roses available is enormous- dainty little tea roses grown in pots, big blousy blooms in the borders, wild looking ramblers in an old apple tree and everything in between.

Whatever you choose, a beautiful rose in bloom in your garden is guaranteed to raise a smile.

Chose a hardy, disease resistant variety that is suitable for your growing conditions.

Typically roses will need at least 4-5 hours of sun a day to thrive, but there are some that will be happy in a shady spot- the David Austin website has a fantastic search option which allows you to find the right rose for your garden.

Roses can be bought ‘bare root’ in the winter or in pots all year round. I would recommend bare root stock – it is much cheaper than pot grown so you can buy even more roses!

Whatever you choose, make sure you plant your rose into a large hole with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure incorporated in. Firm the soil down well and mulch thickly around the base with bark chippings and water well. Keep an eye on the weather and if it’s dry, give your newly planted rose a really good soak every few days.

If you look after it while it establishes and you will be rewarded with a much happier and healthier plant in the long run and the most beautiful blooms.

Roses are hungry plants, and will appreciate a feed a couple of times a year to keep their blooms at their best. You can buy specialist rose food from garden centres- follow the packet instructions for the one you choose- and don’t be tempted to overdo it- it is not good to over feed your plants!

Deadheading will encourage repeat

138 swansealife.co.uk

flowing, so snip off any fading blooms.

Once your roses are established you can cut the flowers to bring in the house- I currently have a very beautiful David Austin ‘Desdemona’ rose sitting on my desk which I picked this morning, and it is filling my office with the most beautiful scent! I am completely obsessed with cutting flowers from the garden- I really should stop being so snip happy though…

I’m trying to adopt a ‘one for me, one for the garden’ rule!!

Pruning will keep your roses strong and stop them from getting leggy. It is very easy to do- don’t be scared! A good, sharp pair of secateurs are a must for pruning and thick gloves. Pruning should be carried out in late winter/early spring, when you start to see the first signs of new growth.

For a shrub rose, cut back all stems by about a third to create a neat shape and then remove any dead, diseased or damaged looking stems. Don’t panic if you’ve got a bit carried away- they will come back even if you cut them to the base! Climbing roses can be cut back as much as is needed and then tied into their supporting structure. Cut any stems that are growing in the wrong direction down to the base and remove any dead or diseased looking stems completely.

Get rid of any rose prunings from your garden to reduce the risk of disease- burn them if you can.

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5 STEPS TO PLANTING LAST-MINUTE PATIO POTS THIS SUMMER So, summer’s here and you’ve adding water-retaining crystals to left it late to get your summer the mix.

Perk up your patio with some last-minute patio plants in their pots, ready 3. Structure your display pots of colour to add some colour to your Put your main plant in first, which outdoor space. should be taller than the trailers laura.davies@trinitymirror.com @LawsDx Don’t despair, because leaving it which go around it and will spill late can have its advantages. over the side of the pot. The tall You’re likely to get bedding plant will form the framework for bargains in garden centres keen the rest of the display. Firm it in to sell off their summer annuals with more compost. Fill around and you’ll still be able to enjoy the edges with smaller plants pots of colour throughout such as trailing lobelia, bacopa July and August and even into and verbena, adding compost as September if you look after you go. Often people will use a them and choose wisely. miniature conifer as the tall aspect Late-summer blooms such of the display, but you can just as as dahlias and lilies can help easily use upright geraniums or make summer containers osteospermums in smaller last into autumn, so consider containers or more exotic plants putting a few of them in to like spiky cordylines or exoticprolong your season. looking cannas if you have bigger Here’s our step-by-step guide pots and want a more tropicalto planting up some summer looking display. colour for your patio, even if 4. Feed your plants it’s late in the season...

Add granular feed to the compost mix which should keep it going 1. Check that annuals aren’t pot-bound through summer and beyond - there are many formulas on the When choosing bedding, try to avoid plants which have market, which help reduce the need for feeding the plant with liquid loads of roots sticking out of the bottom of the pot, which feed throughout the summer. Many composts also contain indicate the plants have been in there for far too long and water-retaining and feeding elements. can make it tricky to remove the plants from their containers. 5. Keep them well watered 2. Make sure plants have good drainage Water newly-planted plants in well. If it’s dry, you will need to water Line the base of pots with drainage holes with crocks (bits of the plants every day and in prolonged dry spells, twice a day. Do broken pot) or some other material, which will allow free it early morning or at dusk to reduce evaporation. Remember that drainage because most patio plants won’t enjoy sitting in the smaller the pot you use, the more watering the plants will need water and wet roots. I usually use the polystyrene I bought because there will be limited compost to retain moisture. Go for the the bedding plants in because it’s lighter than crocks if you largest pots you have to help avoid being a slave to the watering can are going to be moving the pots around. Then fill the pot or hosepipe. with multi-purpose compost to around three-quarters full, You’re not too late for colour - but don’t delay any longer.

144 swansealife.co.uk

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HOUSE & HOME

Design Project by John Lewis No.118 Marble Effect Three Wick Candle, £16, John Lewis, Cardiff

Marble Topped Side Table, £19.99 Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Marble Coffee Table, £299, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Marble Print Wall Clock, £39.50, M&S, Swansea

MARVEL WITH MARBLE Be inspired by opulent marble decor from faraway climes, LAURA DAVIES picks out stunning marble interiors, because some things are just better in stone Marble Pear, £12.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

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Montego Dining Table, £225, Stools, £60, Next, Morfa Retail Park J by Jasper Lamp, £45, Debenhams, Swansea

Marble Letter Holder, £19.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Swirl Marble by Blisshome Salad Bowl, £23, amara.com

Marble Effect Table Lamp, £40, Next, Parc Trostre and Swansea

Vera Wang for Wedgwood Vera Venato Four Piece Marble Effect Place Setting, £75, John Lewis, Cardiff

swansealife.co.uk 149

HOUSE & HOME

THE JOYS OF JULY With JOSEPH ATKIN, Head Gardener at Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire.

Hydrangea aspera

Midsummer is always a wonderful time at Aberglasney, the herbaceous borders are coming into their best, the annual displays are starting to establish and there is a wealth of colour and interest in the rest of the Gardens. However, the typical herbaceous plants you usually see in July are not the only thing to get excited about. There are many specialist plants that have that offer that ‘little something extra’. Here are a few ideas which are particularly useful in a tricky spot.

Romneya coulteri

Hydrangea serrata ‘Kiyosumi’

The Californian Tree Poppy is not something you see very often but it is an excellent garden plant.

The grey-green, finely textured foliage, is a feature in itself as well as making an excellent foil for the delicate white poppy flowers which appear in July.

The flowers are quite short lived but keep coming all month, they’re also much bigger than most poppy flowers. The plant is tough and long lived despite its delicate features and is happy in very sunny dry positions in poor soil and are tolerant of maritime conditions. So, although specialist, it can be exactly the right solution for a tricky seaside garden or one with poor soil.

• Height = 1.5m • Spread = 1.5m • Position/Aspect = Sunny, exposed, maritime gravel/sand • Soil = Happy in most soils especially poor or dry • Pest and diseases = No real problems • Style = Rock garden, gravel garden, seaside garden, dry garden or Mediterranean

Hydrangea get a great deal of press as they flower in mid to late summer which makes them very useful. The serrata types like ‘Kiyosumi’ flower are much earlier, starting in late June and flowering well into August. The flowers are similar to lace-cap hydrangea, a little smaller but there are many more of them. Generally, the serrata types are also smaller shrubs making them better for a small garden. ‘Kiyosumi’ has wonderful red tints to the flowers and burnished leaves at certain times of the year. Being happy in sun or shade and not being particularly fussy about soil makes this an excellent garden plant.

• Height = 1.5m • Spread = 1.5m • Position/Aspect = Any • Soil = Any except waterlogged • Pest and diseases = no real problems • Style = Asian, exotic, woodland, mixed border or as a specimen

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ Over the last few years we have tried many Echinacea with varied success. Many of the new varieties seem to struggle in our rich heavy and wet soil. However, ‘Magnus’ always does well and seems to be hardy in several different situations.

The purple flowers are held on stiff stems and contrast well with other plants like roses, delphinium and geranium. They also work well in a variety of colour schemes. Like most Echinacea ‘Mangnus’ has real poise and a most striking flower that seems to last for ever. Happy in most typical herbaceous borders it is one of the must have daisies.

• Height = 1.5m • Spread = 1m • Position/Aspect = any sunny • Soil = any fertile • Pest and diseases = no real problems • Style = cottage garden, herbaceous border, prairie planting, mixed border.

150 swansealife.co.uk

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CONSERVATORY TIPS 1. Conservatories can be used as sitting rooms, playrooms, dining rooms, dens or multifunctional spaces, and can be cheaper than building an extension. The problem is that conservatories are often boiling when it’s hot, and freezing when it’s cold, but it is possible to make them suitable for all seasons. Some conservatories have low brick walls with glazing above, but if you’d prefer a garden room to a conservatory, you can have more brick walls and perhaps a tiled or semi-tiled roof, which makes it easier to insulate.

2. Conservatories are usually located at the back of the house, but if there’s a sunny spot at the side, you may prefer to put yours there. Its position can make a big difference to how usable it is, so consider how the sun moves across the garden during the day.

An east-facing conservatory will only get morning sun, while a west-facing one will be cooler in the morning and hotter in the afternoon and evening.

Conservatories that face north may get angled sun first and last thing and so won’t overheat on hot days, but they can be really cold. A south-facing conservatory makes the best sun trap and will get extremely hot when it’s warm.

3. It is, of course, a shame to spend all that money on a conservatory and only be able to use it when the weather allows, 154 swansealife.co.uk

As long as they’re useable in all weathers, conservatories are a good way to increase your living space and bring the outside in laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

so efficient heating and cooling systems are a must. Extending the central heating system into the conservatory may not be cheap, but powerful radiators are a good way to counter all that glass when it’s cold.

Underfloor heating can be an even better

solution, as it provides a nice warm floor and an even warmth that radiates upwards. It’s also ideal if there’s little or no space for radiators. Blinds help to insulate a conservatory in winter, as well as keeping it cool in summer. They also provide privacy, reduce glare and should stop soft furnishings fading in the sun. Wall-to-ceiling conservatory blinds tend to be expensive, but can make a big difference to the usability of the room.

4. Like anything, there are different styles of conservatory, from more ornate period-style ones to plainer, more contemporary ones. UPVC conservatories are typically white or wood effect - they’re relatively affordable and require little maintenance. Conservatories made of aluminium are really strong, durable and versatile, but expensive.

Wooden conservatories are also expensive and require more maintenance than UPVC and aluminium, but they are natural and environmentally friendly (as long as the wood is sustainably sourced).

The best conservatory is one that matches the period and style of your home so it doesn’t look out of place.

5. You often don’t require planning permission to put up a conservatory adding one to a house is usually considered permitted development (PD), providing you comply with the PD rules and regulations.

Visittiny.cc/planning conservatory for what’s allowed.

HOUSE & HOME Arthouse Quartz Yellow, £12, Wilko, Parc Trostre and Swansea

Bright Woven Geo Cushion, £14, Next, Morfa Retail Park Tangier Outdoor Rug in Red and Orange, £49.95, Cuckooland.com

Geo Bath Towel, £6, George Home, Parc Trostre 12 Piece Geo Dinner Set, £12, Next, Swansea

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GO GEOMETRIC See why geometric shapes and patterns are enjoying a moment in home decor and find ways to embrace the trend with LAURA DAVIES’ picks Geometric Jug, £4.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

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Geometric Armchair, £129.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach Sainsbury’s Home Orange Geo Woven Cushion, £16, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Large Geo Hurricane Lamp, £50, John Lewis, Cardiff

Loft Geo Placemat (set of 4), £19.50, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre

Geometric Plant Pot, £7.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

156 swansealife.co.uk

J by Jasper Conran Geo Feather Filled Cushion, £28, Debenhams, Swansea

Jane Packer Succulent in White Geo Pot, £5, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

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Garden Furniture Visit our indoor display area, hardwood tables and chairs, Rattan and tea for two sets.

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Landscaping Products Visit Woodworks for all your material needs.

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Great escapes

THE GORING (page 168) TRAVEL GADGETS (page 169) JET SET (page 170) WEEKEND GETAWAY (page 171)

251 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BL Tel: 0844 800 3855

GREAT ESCAPES

LONDON LUXURY...THE GORING A two-minute carriage ride from Buckingham Palace, The Goring in Belgravia is a haven of tranquility in the very heart of Central London. A favourite of dowager duchesses, lords, ladies and assorted gentlefolk; the Middleton family and the Duchess of Cambridge stayed here the night before the Royal Wedding.

The Goring was opened by Otto Richard Goring in 1910 and remains in the family to this day.

PETER SLEE paid it a visit. peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

@PeterSlee56

His bedrooms are glamorous yet homely, decorated with Gainsborough silks on the walls. It is the very comfortable marble bathrooms that will likely wow the most however.

STYLE & CHARACTER Shamelessly opulent. This is a hotel that wants to impress – and it succeeds. Get ready for fabulous art, palatial public rooms, a dazzlingly indulgent outdoor garden that offers a great sense of space and privacy and stunning decorations that will really wow - oh, and when it comes to people watching, this is about as good as it gets.

The Bar & Lounge, by Tim Gosling, is richly decorated in reds, yellows and gold, and the Dining Room, by David Linley, is notable for its love-them-or-loathe-them (I wasn’t keen!) Swarovski ‘blossom’ chandeliers.

Today, The Goring remains a favourite address and hidden gem for anyone seeking out that quintessentially English luxury hotel in the centre of London.

FOOD & DRINK There is much to admire about this restaurant, but its most luminous quality is the service.

Here, without being stuffy or pompous, they treat everyone like a monarch.

Everything about our breakfast was a welcome, high-end affair from the top notch waiting staff who glide from table to table right through to the delicious food on our plates. 11/10!

FAMILY FRIENDLY? Yes, The hotel has a good number of family rooms – pairs of interconnecting bedrooms each with its own bathroom. The beauty of these rooms is allowing you to be close to your children, yet also get away from them…

Guests get the ultimate five star experience and this does not stop at the parents. All children staying at The Goring are given their exclusive V.I. (little) P. status to make sure their stay is as unforgettable for them as it is for mum and dad.

SERVICE AND STAFF Immaculately-dressed staff are sublimely courteous. The service? Well, Five Star and then some!

The comfort and happiness of the guests is what drives this place and you feel it the moment you are ushered in from the street by doormen. Staff here are clearly motivated by working in a hotel that buzzes and everything was effficient and charming at reception, particularly the smartly-attired young woman who greeted us on arrival, but things became a little flustered when busy. I had to wait the best part of 40 minutes for a promised ironing service which wouldn’t have been quite so bad had staff not been aware we were in a hurry! And we were charged an eye-watering £14 for the privilege too!

But that really was the only downside, with staff constantly on hand to deal with just about anything we needed.

The residing feel remains that of a small, warmly-welcoming hotel, with personal service geared to individual guests. Just as we like it.

ROOMS Looks and comfort wise, impossible to fault.

With only 69 luxurious suites and rooms, The Goring is affectionately known as a “Baby Grand”. Each room has been given personalised attention with all the predictable creature comforts of a five-star hotel: good-quality furniture and high-end fabrics.

The interiors are as far removed from the corporate side of things as you could possibly 168 swansealife.co.uk

VALUE FOR MONEY Dine and stay offers from £520 per night, including breakfast. International travellers used to paying top-dollar for luxury hotels won’t balk at these prices and, while its rates are comparable to other London hotels of similar stature, the hotel does have a heritage and charm that puts a level above most of the competition. The character and individuality of the hotel, and the enveloping experience of staying here, make it worth the bill particularly if you are in London for a one-off special occasion and travelling to the Big Smoke from Swansea too.

hope for.

The bedrooms have been redesigned over the past few years, many by Russell Sage, who was responsible for the Royal Suite that stretches the length of the building.

*Peter Slee was hosted by The Goring, a member of Pride of Britain Hotels collection (never more than 50 hotels, to guarantee quality and exclusivity). The five-star hotel is the oldest privately-owned luxury hotel in London, and is situated near Buckingham Palace and Knightsbridge. A night’s stay costs from £505 per room. To book call Pride of Britain Hotels (0800 089 3929, www.prideofbritainhotels.com).

GREAT ESCAPES KEY FINDINGS

POLISHED PERFORMER

Long journeys home can be made bearable by the thought of a comforting cuppa and a sit-down at the end. But after being surplus to requirements on holiday, keys are often chucked to the bottom of bags, buried somewhere under a pile of damp beachwear. To save the doorstep scramble, attach the fob from the Tile Mate onto a keyring before jetting off, download the Tile Mate app and then ring the app to locate the keys via Bluetooth.

The gizmo can also be attached to luggage, wallets or stuck inside passport holders.

Travel toothbrushes often fall into two categories: ones with bristles as hard as nails that shed at an alarming rate, or ones as soft as a pet toothbrush that seem to melt at the sight of toothpaste. This is where the Colgate Pro toothbrush comes into its own. Scheduled to polish each side of your gnashers for 30 seconds, it offers a satisfyingly thorough clean. Best of all, the brush is neatly packed down into its USB case - a travel-friendly 18cm long - which can be charged on the go.

Colgate Pro Clinical Pocket-Pro Electric Toothbrush, £32.48, Superdrug, Swansea

Tile Mate, £22.95, Currys, Parc Pemberton and Llansamlet

HAIR WE GO

6 BEST

If your holiday rental doesn’t come with a hairdryer, this compact Beurer model could be a good investment.

Unlike the one-size-fits-all minihairdryers of yore, this one has an ionic function - which helps reduce static - to smooth holiday hair, as well as two heat settings and two speeds. The device doesn’t come in a pouch but can be folded down to ensure a neat pack.

LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

iPad mini 4, from £419, Apple store, Cardiff Weighing just 299g, the iPad mini 4 makes for a dainty travel companion. Watch films and TV programmes offline and load it up with podcasts, and any long journeys as a passenger will fly by. Handheld and intuitive, the device can be used as a camera and also stores eBooks, newspapers and magazines.

OF THE

Beurer Style Pro HC25UK Premium Travel Hair Dryer, £19.99, www.amazon.co.uk

gadgets for travel

CHARGING AHEAD

Knomo World Travel Adaptor USB Charger, £65, www.knomobags.co.uk Given that they store boarding passes, emergency numbers and maps, as well as offering entertainment - and the chance to instantly capture the moment and gloat about it to friends back home - many of us value our smartphones almost as much as our passports when travelling. But bringing chargers and adaptors often takes up precious space. At just 8.8cm wide this lithe model from Knomo is highly practical for light packs. Compatible in 220 countries for UK/ EU/US/ASIA/AUS sockets, it can charge any device that uses a USB cable. Best of all, the AC pin folds down to save on even more space.

LAURA DAVIES picks out the best travel gadgets can to help you get into the holiday mood laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

SNAP HAPPY Canon EOS M10 with 15-45mm IS STM Lens, £319.99, www.canon.co.uk

APP OF THE MONTH Duolingo, free, iTunes

If your grasp of foreign languages is wafer thin, Duolingo will sow the seeds for further learning and aid you in mastering the basics. Using pictures and word associations, the app provides common words for 23 languages, offering encouragement along the way.

While it’s tempting to forgo cameras and rely on smartphones to capture holiday memories, many compact cameras can also provide Instagramworthy shots these days. The flip-top screen on this Canon EOS M10 camera offers an olive branch to the Insta-generation by enabling professional-looking selfies, as well as filters to adjust the tone and smoothness of skin. Link the camera to a smartphone or tablet before travelling to share photos. Meanwhile, for those looking to improve their holiday snaps, the wide-angle lens included in this package makes capturing cityscapes and buildings a doddle, and the option to shoot in raw means you can tinker with the results at home, though you might want something more specialised for safaris and creative shots.

swansealife.co.uk 169

170 swansealife.co.uk Revelation Santorini Small 4 Wheel Hard Suitcase, £44.99, Argos, Swansea

Ultimate Lite Chartreuse, £62, Debenhams, Swansea

Scattered Anemone 55cm 4-Wheel Cabin Case, £130, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

Samonsite Flux Lite, £195,www.samsonite.co.uk

Tesco Valencia 2 Wheel Diamond Print Small Case, £18, Tesco, Parc Trostre

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Zurich 55cm 4-Wheel Cabin Case, £129, John Lewis, Cardiff

Miami 4-Wheel 55cm Cabin Suitcase, £89, John Lewis, Cardiff

Tesco Majorca 4 Wheel Lightweight Lime Cabin Case, £20, Tesco, Llansamlet

Absolute Lite Bronze, £105, Debenhams, Swansea

Make sure you look first class with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of cabin friendly suitcases and holiday luggage.

JET SET!

Blue Floral Softshell Suitcase, £69.99, TK Maxx, Llansamlet

Antler Revelation Jude Cabin, £48.75, www.BagsDirect.com

American Tourister MWM Summer Fun, £145, www.americantourister.co.uk

GREAT ESCAPES

@LawsDx

IT Luggage Rollit Lightweight -Two Wheel Cabin Case, £40, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

IT Luggage Lightweight Small Nautical Four Wheel Suitcase, £49.99, Argos, Parc Pemberton and Swansea

GREAT ESCAPES

WEEKEND GETAWAY WHITE ISLE WEEKENDER

It’s almost party time on the White Isle. From rooftop extravaganzas to daybed chilling, SWANSEA LIFE checks in to Sol House Ibiza, which boasts a curated day-to-night soundtrack

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

Suitcase, £80, River Island, Swansea

Ted Baker Hanging Gardens Suitcase, £245, Amara.com

This new(ish) island hotspot was fully renovated in 2016 to make it Instagram-worthy, wherever you look. The lobby even has a resident white rhino statue to pose with for some super striking shots.

Outside, the property is all bleached wood decking and white Bali beds, while inside there are inviting chill-out zones to nurse a hangover. As a flagship Mixed By hotel, your ears are treated to a curated soundtrack by Ibiza Rocks DJs that matches the mood of the day. With its infinity pool and giant beanbags ‘Sol Sets’ at Rooftop Nine is the ultimate hangout to enjoy cocktails and DJspun tunes as you watch that Balearic sunset.

SLEEPING MATTERS The hotel has 275 uber-modern rooms, from standard ‘House Room’ to ‘House Party Room’, with extras like a Bluetooth speaker tower so you can blast out your own tunes. Junior Suites are spacious with sea views, but prudes be warned: the glass shower is positioned in the middle of the room.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The hot and cold breakfast buffet, served until the night-owl appropriate 11am, is vast. There’s no skimping on Beachside Pool portions, either, with house salads so huge they’ll fill you up until post-party pizza.

Aer Lingus Air France British Airways Delta EasyJet Emirates Etihad Airways Flybe 1 Jet2 KLM Lufthansa Monarch Norwegian Qatar Airways Ryanair Thomas Cook Thomson Airways Turkish Airlines Virgin Atlantic Vueling Airlines

55cm x 40cm x 24cm 55cm x 35cm x 25cm 56cm x 45cm x 25cm 56cm x 35cm x 23cm 56cm x 45cm x 25cm 55cm x 38cm x 20cm 40cm x 50cm x 25cm 55cm x 35cm x 23cm 56cm x 45cm x 25cm 55cm x 25cm x 35cm 55cm x 40cm x 23cm 56cm x 40cm x 25cm 55cm x 40cm x 23cm 50cm x 37cm x 25cm 55cm x 40cm x 20cm 55cm x 40cm x 20cm 55cm x 40cm x 20cm 55cm x 40cm x 23cm 56cm x 36cm x 23cm 55cm x 40cm x 20cm

*Correct as of June 13, 2017 *Please check suitcase dimensions before you fly

SPA NOTES There’s no spa, but you’ll find a swish, air-conditioned gym that faces out to the Beachside Pool - all the inspiration you need for an Ibiza beach body.

NICE TOUCH

!

SIZE MATTERS

!

If you’ve heard of Ibiza Rocks, this hotel collaboration is the tamer, scenic version. It’s more of a chilled crowd at Sol House Ibiza, but you can crank up the party vibes at its sister property, Ibiza Rocks (in the heart of San Antonio), where you get exclusive privileges.

‘Mixologists’, the in-the-know concierge team, will keep you up to speed with the island’s pool parties and nightclub guest DJs during your stay.

ABOUT THE AREA Sol House Ibiza is in prime (party) position overlooking San Antonio Bay’s Playa Pinet beach. While the location is chilled and relaxing by day, you’re in walking distance of all the action by night.

• Doubles from £200 with breakfast. Visit www.melia. com

s s e l for

• Professional, knowledgable staff • Experience over 50 years • Great Deals across the showroom • Part exchange welcome • Tailored deals to suit your needs

Elba Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows, Fabian Way, Swansea SA1 8QQ (J42 2½ miles)

01792 643326

Gorseinon Road, Penllergaer, Swansea SA4 9GE (J47, M4 opposite 3M’s)

01792 892884

www.baileywales.com

Out

& about

RICHIE HAMMOND (page 174) WALK OF THE MONTH (page 176)

OUT & ABOUT

S N A P S H OTS O F

SWA N S E A B AY

Horse riding on the beach

Tranquil beaches. Hidden corners. Unexpected views.

Join photographer RICHARD HAMMOND as he explores Llangennith Beach EAR after year this wonderful beach receives accolade after accolade for its beauty.

Approximately three miles of sun kissed sand, pounded by crashing Atlantic waves and framed by the dramatic Worm’s Head in the East and Historic Burry Holmes in the West makes this beach almost impossible to surpass. Throw in a shipwreck, the raised beach at the rear with a remote atmosphere and the cliffs of Rhossili down sternly watching over it all and you have photography utopia.

Y

Catch the 116 Bus from Swansea which goes to Llangennith, from where it’s a mile’s walk to the beach or follow the B4295 westwards in Gower and continue all the way until it hits the sea. You’ll find good parking at Hillend with a short walk through the dunes to the beach.

So, let’s start with what you’ll see there. At the eastern end high on the cliffs is the village of Rhossili and at its end the iconic Limestone headland Worm’s Head. Walk down the path from the Worm’s Head Hotel down from the cliffs to the beach and you’ll come to a shipwreck which is the Helvetia. Along with Three Cliffs this wreck with Worm’s Head in the background must be

The Atlantic Surf

174 swansealife.co.uk

the most photographed site in Gower. Summer evenings will see photographers of all capabilities striving for the “perfect” shot.

Many of them come away with incredible photographs. My tip would be to get the sea straight in the shot, as a sloping horizon can take the eye away from the main feature and sharpen the contrast to get that dramatic effect.

The Helvetia got into trouble in a gale around Gower in November 1887. It had a large cargo of timber bound for Swansea but couldn’t dock due to the conditions. It was blown down the Bristol Channel and hit the Helwick sand bank. With the next turbulent swell, the ship gained its freedom but was swept precariously around Worm’s Head into the shallow waters of Rhossili Bay. The captain dropped anchor but a change in the wind and no letup of the storm meant that the crew abandon ship and the ship wrecked onto Llangennith beach surrounded by her cargo of wood. Today the Helvetia is an oak carcass landmark but with the Atlantic waves taking their toll we can only guess how long it will remain.

At the other end of the beach is Burry Holmes - this tidal Island which is accessible for approximately two hours either side of low tide was home to a Monastic settlement and religious ceremonies are held there. The ruins can still be found, but make sure you

Burry Holmes Island at high tide

Walk from the campsite to beach

Strong winds hit the Helvetia and beach

find the tide times so you don’t get cut off. There is also a very moving memorial stone to a person who was obviously very loved and must have had a special bond with the Island.

Flint tools have also been found on the Island from nomadic Mesolithic hunters when Iron age people built a 5-acre hillfort on the Island. During spring and summer, Burry Holmes is covered by flowers such as thrift and sea campion. The island is also popular among collectors of shells.

“

IF YOU ENJOY

“

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY LIKE ME, THIS PLACE IS

UTOPIA

Photographer’s Utopia

What’s left is the amazing beach with the stream in the middle and the water sports. Whether you take part, photograph or just watch, the conditions here are perfect so many different types of water activities. On calm evening its serenely perfect for paddle boarders and canoeists to glide across the still sea in total harmony with nature while on a big swell the surfers risk life and limb battling to get out into the surf then riding them back to shore. Beginners and intermediate surfers will find the conditions at Rhossili Bay perfect, with a combination of the full Atlantic swell and a gently sloping beach producing long waves that can be ridden (with a bit of practice) for more than 100 meters. The Welsh Surfing Federation (01792 386426; www. wsfsurfschool. co.uk) runs two-hour surfing lessons from £25. On the beach is a wealth of bird life and also sea life in the form of barrel jellyfish which regularly get washed up.

If you want to stay a few days why not try Hillend Camp site. It’s a big site, with 275 pitches on 14 acres of level meadowland.

It’s £15–20 per pitch, per night, the ‘no advance booking’ policy can be difficult so get there early, there is a No Dogs Policy.

Eddy’s Bistro (usually 8am–8pm, but hours vary) is a café/coffee shop serving inexpensive meals and a shop sells camping essentials, groceries and beach paraphernalia.

Finally, there’s the sunsets and how good are they? My favourite sunset shots there are in late autumn and early winter. If you enjoy landscape photography like me, this place is utopia.

Get there at least an hour before sunset and with a little cloud to help you can take some amazing shots. So whatever reason you have to visit Llangennith beach I hope you enjoy it as much as me Next Time: We’ll be just behind the beach on Rhossili Down I will see you then swansealife.co.uk 175

OUT & ABOUT

A N D R E W

M O R G A N ’ S

SWANSEA BAY WALK Join ANDREW MORGAN as he leads us on a Swansea Bay walk.

Start/Finish location .............. Clyne/Woodman Car Park Distance ...................................... 4 miles (2 hours) Level .............................................Moderate Parking ......................................... As Above

176 swansealife.co.uk

Clyne Common Evening Walk I’ll be leading another walk this month. In the summer, Swansea Ramblers have a series of occasional midweek evening walks and this will be one of them. We’ll pass through Clyne Gardens but our destination is the Common, from where there are wonderful views over Swansea and Gower. After that, we’ll descend alongside a little known but historic brook to the seafront and return along the promenade. Feel free to come along and join me, just have good footwear and rainproof clothing. Otherwise, here is the route: The walk starts from outside the Woodman Inn and heads inland into Clyne Gardens. Follow the broad tarmacadam path and bear left just below Clyne Castle and cross the folly bridge. Continuing uphill (yes, there is a bit of a climb to the common – but it’s worth it!), turn left when you reach the level path at the top. At a fork in the path by the wooden signpost, turn right and ascend to the dogs’ graves then exit the gardens. Turn right on this road and at its end is a walkway to the top of Mill Lane.

Turn left and uphill along a sunken lane that eventually brings you to Clyne Farm. Make sure you turn around and look at the view over Swansea Bay. Continue past the house and through a gate onto the common. Pass along a gorse-lined path, ignoring the first path left and instead taking a second left that almost doubles back on itself. Take care as you are passing over a golf course on a public footpath. Watch for the signs and the view of Mumbles Lighthouse. Head along the path (with the Golf Club in the distance on the left) to the busy Mayals Road near the houses. (An alternative route would have been to take that first path left and walk past the golf club then parallel with the houses - but that can be muddy).

Cross carefully to the houses on the other side of Mayals Road then follow the lane which quickly becomes a footpath. Reaching Mulberry Avenue, the path crosses the road by a house and emerges on Cedar Crescent. Turn right then left on Elmgrove Road. You come to a wooden sign for Washinghouse Brook and descend on a woodland path by the brook. The last bit of the brook is built over by Westcross Lane so enter the housing estate and bear right to reach Ilston Way and drop down to Westcross Lane. Turn right and cross over to rediscover Washinghouse Brook emerging from its culverted route then descend to the promenade by The West Cross Inn. Turn left and return to the start along the Below: Andrew sea front.

A lovely walk and one you are more than welcome to do with me on Thursday, 20 July at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Transport: Traveline: www.traveline-cymru.info 0871 200 22 33 or BayTrans: www.baytrans.org.uk/ Visit our website: www.swansearamblers.org.uk

Upcoming walks JULY...

SAT 01 Oxwich (6 miles) • Moderate meet 11am Oxwich: Beach car park (charge) WED 05 Strumble Head And Pembs Coast (10 miles) • Strenuous, meet 9am Cross Hands (CO-OP CP) THU 06 Mumbles & Langland area (4 miles) • Moderate meet 7pm Mumbles: Plunch Lane: Forte’s Café SAT 08 Gowerton (6 miles) • Easy, meet 11am Gowerton car park off B4295 SUN 09 Cwm Blaenpelenna (10 miles) • Moderate meet 10am, Neath: Mosshouse MON 10 Margam Park Pulpit Walk (3 miles) • Easy/Moderate, meet 10am Margam Park: Fishing Lake car park WED 12 Kilvey Hill from Bonymaen (4 miles) • Moderate, meet 7pm Bonymaen: Rugby Club Car Park.

SAT 15 Lliw Reservoir & Cwm Ysgiach (6 miles) • Moderate meet 11am Lower Lliw Reservoir Car Park SUN 16 Llanmadoc (4 miles) • Easy, meet 10am, Cwm Ivy Car park WED 19 Afan Argoed (7 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Pontrhydyfen: Rhyslyn Car Park THU 20 Clyne (4 miles) • Moderate meet 7pm, Blackpill: Woodman SAT 22 Ystradfellte & Sarn Helen (6 miles) • Easy, meet 10am, Francis St. SUN 23 Fan Hir (10 miles) • Strenuous, meet 9am, Francis St. WED 26 Ogmore Vale East (6 miles) • Moderate meet 10.30am Blackmill: – Cattle Market car park THU 27 Oxwich National Nature Reserve (4 miles) • Easy, meet 7pm Oxwich: Oxwich Bay Hotel Car Park

swansealife.co.uk 177

Lunch Menu £15pp Award Winning 3 Course Lunch Monday - Friday

From 1st July 2017 to 30th November 2017 Head chef Nick Brodie, as seen on the BBC’s

Great British Menu 2017 Llyswen, Brecon, Powys LD3 0YP

Telephone 01874 754525

Email: reception@llangoedhall.com Twitter: @TheLlangoedHall

www.llangoedhall.com

Motoring

DRIVE TIME: THE TOYOTA YARIS (page 182)

TRAINER SWANSEA

375 Carmarthen Road, Swansea 01792 651474

NEW CITROËN C3 AT BASSETTS SWANSEA

Share what you see with ConnectedCAM Citroën™* It’s the world’s first built-in camera. Capture and share amazing moments in a click.

Only in the New Citroën C3. It’s AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE. bassettsgroup.co.uk Official Government fuel consumption figures (Range): Urban cycle, Extra urban, Combined (litres per 100km/mpg) & CO2 emissions (g/km); Highest: New Citroën C3 PureTech 68 manual Feel 5.7/49.6, 4.1/68.9, 4.7/60.1, 109. Lowest: New Citroën C3 BlueHDi 75 S&S manual Touch 4.2/67.3, 3.1/91.1, 3.5/80.7, 92. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-theroad driving conditions.

BASSETTS SWANSEA 01792 310900

ATLANTIC CLOSE, SWANSEA ENTERPRISE PARK, SWANSEA SA7 9JF www.bassettsgroup.co.uk

MOTORING

With its latest update, Toyota has given the Yaris a fresh look, a new engine and a range of standard safety equipment. We put it to the test.

WHAT’S NEW? The third generation Yaris has been around for some time now - long enough in fact to have been subjected to no less than two facelifts since it was first introduced in 2011. With this latest refresh, Toyota has dropped its 1.33-litre engine in favour of a new 1.5-litre power plant that is both more powerful and more efficient than its predecessor.

Toyota has also really stepped up its game as far as standard safety equipment is concerned - a factor that will no doubt appeal to family buyers.

Even the entry-level Active models come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense system, which includes a plethora of alerts and warning

drive TIME:

systems, including lane departure alert and autonomous emergency braking.

LOOKS AND IMAGE To the untrained eye, the changes to the Yaris’ appearance might go unnoticed. The new front end has been styled to imitate a catamaran ship with a wide, angular grille dominating proceedings and giving the Yaris a slightly more aggressive demeanour.

Round the back of the car is where the most noticeable changes have been implemented.

Toyota has completely redesigned the shape of the tail-lights, which supposedly echo those found on larger, more premium models.

Toyota Yaris

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Toyota Yaris 1.5 VVT-I 6MT Engine tested: 1.5-litre Dual VVT-I petrol Price as tested: £15,845 Power: 110bhp Torque: 136Nm Max speed: 109mph 0-60mph: 11.0s MPG: 58.9 (combined cycle) Emissions: 109g/km

Customers also have the choice of opting for the new Bi-tone specification, which adds a contrasting roof and pillars for an even more striking appearance - particularly when paired with the bold new Tokyo Red and Nebula Blue exterior colours.

be able to travel reasonable distances without getting too uncomfortable.

Squeezing a third adult passenger in the middle seat would certainly make things unpleasant, although a trio of small children should fit just fine.

While Toyota seems to have done a good job of freshening up the little Yaris’ exterior, the cabin unfortunately lets the side down somewhat.

The dark plastics used on the mid-range models make the interior feel rather gloomy indeed, and feel rough and scratchy to the touch.

That said though, while the materials used in the cabin might not win any awards for their aesthetic appeal, in true Toyota fashion they feel as though they will certainly stand the test of time.

As far as boot space is concerned, the Yaris offers up 286 litres of storage capacity. While this figure might not be class-leading by any means, it should meet the requirements of most family buyers.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY Having sat in the back seat of a three-door, first-generation Yaris recently, we were rather surprised to find the new five-door only model felt as though it had less headroom and less legroom in the rear.

Sat behind a six-foot driver and front passengers, taller adults in the back of the new Yaris will find their knees brush against the seats in front of them, while their heads might narrowly avoid touching the roof.

There’s certainly not an abundance of room in the back of the car, but two adults should

BEHIND THE WHEEL Our experience of the Yaris was mostly limited to low-speed, urban driving, which it handled amicably. The controls were light and easy to operate, meaning the little Toyota was incredibly easy to place exactly where you wanted it - a factor that will no doubt appeal to those who will buy one of these for almost exclusive city use.

Motorways didn’t really cause it to flinch, either, with the Yaris remaining planted and confident throughout. Where it did fall down, however, was in the engine refinement department, with the 1.0-litre engine in particular making itself heard at cruising speed. There was a good deal of wind noise whipped up by the Yaris’ door mirrors, too.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to put the Yaris’ handling abilities to the test, as the Dutch roads that made up our test route were all arrow straight and silky smooth and didn’t cause

the supermini to break a sweat. Final judgement on its dynamic capabilities can’t really be passed until we’ve had a go back on British soil.

VALUE FOR MONEY We got behind the wheel of the mid-range Icon Tech model, which costs from £15,045.

Standard equipment is generous, with features such as satellite navigation, rear parking camera and a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system all included as standard.

One of the key selling points, however, is the large emphasis that Toyota has placed on safety across the entire Yaris range.

All cars - from the entry-level Active model all the way up to the Excel and Bi-tone models - come with Toyota Safety Sense as standard. This includes Pre-Collision System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High-beam.

Road Sign Assist is also included on cars in Icon specification and above.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Toyota is primarily targeting young families with the latest Yaris - and its strong focus on safety equipment should help strengthen its appeal with buyers in this demographic. That said, families aren’t the only people who will look to the Yaris as a means of getting on the road - the 1.0-litre versions should hold some sway with younger buyers as they won’t cost an arm and a leg to insure. swansealife.co.uk 183

DRIVE aWaY 17 PLaTE VaUXHaLL’s

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Finance Example: Vauxhall Viva 1.0 sE 5dr

48 monthly payments of

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Customer Deposit

£850

Cash Price

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Amount of credit

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Optional final payment

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Total amount payable

£8,433.20

Annual mileage

6,000

Representative APR

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Neath Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 8JR

swansea: 01792 342600

This promotion is available on the above delivery mileage models and is only available on FRF Vauxhall stock. Images displayed intended for demonstration purposes only – product supplied may differ. Excess mileage will be charged if the contracted mileage is exceeded at the end of the contract. Other annual mileage options are available. Finance is subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Applicant must be 18 years or over. Finance

by Santander Consumer (UK) plc 3 Princess Way, Redhill, Surrey. RH1 1SR. Offer can be withdrawn at anytime. Brilliant and Metallic Paint available at extra cost. For further details, please contact your local FRF branch.

what’s on

CALENDAR OF EVENTS (page 186) WHAT’S COMING UP (page 188) BIG INTERVIEW (page 190)

Got something to tell us about, for inclusion in the What’s On section?

Please contact Mark Rees...

THIS JULY...

mark.rees@trinitymirror.com 01792 545529 @reviewwales

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

NEATH COMEDY FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT, GWYN HALL,

WALES AIRSHOW

RAY COONEY’S OUT OF ORDER

GWYN HALL, NEATH, 7.30PM

SWANSEA BAY, FROM 10AM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 8

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

WOMEN’S FILM CLUB: WADJDA

FUNNY GIRL

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY, 10AM - 1PM

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL JULY 8

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

DANCE DAYS 2017 - SWANSEA’S INTERNATIONAL DANCE

PARC WILLIAM FAMILY FUN DAY

MESSY PLAY FOR CHILDREN

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

SWANSEA CITY CENTRE, UNTIL JULY 9

LOUGHOR, NOON - 5PM

OSTREME CENTRE, MUMBLES, 11.30AM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 13

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SWANSEA’S BIG SCREEN: TURANDOT

SWANSEA VEGAN FESTIVAL

SWANSEA CITY OPERA EXHIBITION

CASTLE SQUARE, FROM 7PM

BRANGWYN HALL, 10.30AM - 5PM

SWANSEA MUSEUM, UNTIL AUGUST 20

THURDAY

2

1 SUNDAY

5

4

SWANSEA’S BIG SCREEN: LA TRAVIATA CASTLE SQUARE, FROM 6.30PM

THURSDAY

8

MONDAY

6

3

7

SWANSEA LIFE AWARDS BRANGWYN HALL, 7PM

9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16

SWANSEA SPECIAL FESTIVAL 2017, ATHLETICS COMPETITION

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION: ‘I MIGHT WANT TO SMILE’

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE

DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE, UNTIL DECEMBER 22

186 swansealife.co.uk

WHAT’S ON Grease

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

17 18 TUESDAY

MONDAY

GREASE

BODY DOUBLE

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL SATURDAY 29

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 22

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

20 21 22

19

BEAUTY & THE BEAST AFTERNOON TEA

MATT PRICE - THE WEED FACTORY

FILM FRIDAYS: VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED

ARCHAEOLOGY FUN DAY

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 28

GWYN HALL, NEATH, 9PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE (ARTS WING), 2PM & 6.30PM

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11AM - 4.30PM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

HARP WEEKEND

WONDERLAND

NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES, LLANARTHNE, 10AM - 6PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 29

23 24 SUNDAY

MONDAY

FAMILY FILM CLUB

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY, 10.30AM - 12.30PM

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 7.30PM

TUESDAY

25 26

27 THE REVLON GIRL

PONTARDAWE ARTS CENTRE, UNTIL JULY 29

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

CANOE SAFARI AND BIKE TRAIL

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DAY

LOST TREASURES OF SWANSEA BAY

SPECIAL DISPLAY IN THE WW1 EXHIBITION

WWT LLANELLI WETLANDS CENTRE, UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11AM - 4.30PM

SWANSEA MUSEUM, UNTIL AUGUST 13

SWANSEA MUSEUM, UNTIL APRIL 2018

WEDNESDAY

28

29 30 31

swansealife.co.uk 187

WHAT’S ON

1

FUNNY GIRL

WHERE: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff WHEN: Tuesday, July 4 - Saturday, July 8 Hot on the heels of a record breaking West End run, the new production of Funny Girl is heading to Wales. Starring Olivier Award-winning Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice and Darius Campbell who reprises his role as Nick Arnstein, the musical tells the story of Fanny Brice whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star.

2

NEATH CARNIVAL

WHERE: Cwrt Herbert Sports Centre, Neath WHEN: Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8 Mulit-million selling boyband 5ive and Welsh hip-hop stars Goldie Lookin Chain will be headlining this year’s Neath Carnival. The chart-topping group, who starred in ITV’s The Big Reunion, will be the stars of the carnival’s Saturday Night Live on July 8, and there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be playing their major hits Everybody Get Up and Keep On Movin. Goldie Lookin Chain will kick-start the opening night of the carnival with some greatest hits on the friday night.

3

SWANSEA VEGAN FESTIVAL 2017

WHERE: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 10.30am - 5pm Swansea’s Vegan Festival continues to grow in scale year on year, and this time out there’ll be even more fresh foodie goodies on offer, including: Cooking demos, sweet treats, health and beauty products, guest speakers, a kids area, discussion groups, gifts, animal charities and ethical fashion.

Entry costs £2, and is free for anyone under 12.

188 swansealife.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

WHY NOT...

MUST HAVE MOVIESTO SEE THIS MONTH LAURA DAVIES picks the must-see movies hitting the big screen this summer Spider-Man: Homecoming Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton Released: July 7 Plot: Peter Parker (Holland) is coming to terms with his web-slinging powers, but even with Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey Jr.) as a mentor, balancing school with saving the world is tough, especially when there’s a serious villain (Keaton) to battle.

Hype: The pressure’s on to bring something fresh, after all, this is the sixth Spider-Man movie in 15 years, and the second reboot (following Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s turns). But if Holland and Downey Jr’s winning interaction in Captain America: Civil War’s anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.

Dunkirk Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead

...enjoy Jane Austen outdoors?

WHAT: Pride and Prejudice WHERE: Oystermouth Castle WHEN: Wednesday, August 2, 6.30pm In a social whirlwind of balls, dinners and very eligible officers, Lizzy Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy stand alone as the only sane people – and they hate each other! Or do they? Can she see beyond his pride, and can he overcome her prejudice, in order to achieve their mutual happiness?

If your idea of Jane Austen is costume-drama, empire-lines and tea-parties, then this adaptation, based entirely on the original novel, is something to make you change your mind. Bring a picnic and have a ball as Illyria sharpen their claws to bring you Jane Austen at her vibrant, pacy, forthright, bitchy best.

Recommended for adults and children aged 5+.

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes including 20 minute interval.

Released: July 21 Plot: The events of Dunkirk are relived in this World War II drama, which depicts what happened when Allied forces, surrounded by Nazi troops, were evacuated from the French harbour.

Hype: Christopher Nolan, the man responsible for Insomnia, Interstellar and The Dark Knight franchise, is helming this gargantuan war movie, so no expense will have been spared to bring the full horrors of war to the big screen.

War For The Planet Of The Apes Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis Released: July 14 Plot: Following on from the events in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, the primates and humans are at war with each other. When the apes suffer huge losses, Caesar (Serkis) takes it upon himself to avenge their deaths and hones in on the callous Colonel (Harrelson).

Hype: Word is this movie marks the end of Caesar’s journey, so fans will want to see how things pan out for the conflicted ape - and for the humans pushed to the verge of extinction.

swansealife.co.uk 189

WHAT’S ON

interview

“It’s a fantastic belly laugh” Shaun Williamson leads a star-studded cast in Westminster comedy Out of Order.

e’s starred alongside Ricky Gervais in Extras, and spent ten years in Walford as an EastEnder, but now Shaun Williamson is coming to Swansea for a week as part of a star-studded cast assembled to celebrate Ray Cooney’s 70th year in the business.

The playwright has been described as “the king of comedy and farce”, and his timely Westminster comedy Out of Order will also feature the likes of Sue Holderness (Only Fools & Horses), Arthur Bostrom (Officer Crabtree’ in ‘Allo ‘Allo) and Susie May (Footballers’ Wives).

When Richard Willey, a Government Junior Minister, plans to spend the evening with Jane Worthington, one of the Opposition’s typists, things go disastrously wrong, beginning with the discovery of a ‘body’ trapped in the hotel’s only unreliable sash window.

Desperately trying to get out of an extremely sticky situation, Richard calls for his PPS, George Pigden, who, through Richard’s lies, sinks further and further into trouble with everybody and ends up going through an identity crisis. Things go from bad to worse with the arrival of Ronnie, Jane’s distraught young husband and with the addition of an unscrupulous waiter, Mrs Willey and Nurse Forster, things really come to a head.

H

We caught up with Shaun ahead of his visit...

Q. The tour is a celebration of Ray Cooney’s 70th year in the business.

How has it been working with the “Master of Farce” himself?

A. He is an incredible man. I’ve never met a fitter 84 year old – mentally or physically. He’s no teddy bear though – he knows exactly what he wants and rehearsals are quite tough. Lovely man though!

Q. How did you come to be involved? Had you ever

appeared in any of Ray’s works before?

A. I have never appeared in one but I have seen a couple. I basically wanted to do it because Ray was directing.

Q. Tell us a bit about your character – what attracted you to the role…

A. George is an innocent who lives at home with his mum and is plunged in to a nightmare scenario.

Q. The show is full-on in terms of physicality. How did you prepare?

A. I keep reasonably fit by power walking, but it was still a shock. I’ve dropped a belt notch which is great!

Q. What do you think make’s Out of Order such an enduring piece of theatre?

A. Funny is funny. It never goes out of fashion, particularly physical comedy. Ray has updated it to include Mrs May, Mr Corbyn, the election and President Trump.

Q. Out of Order features a cast of familiar faces. Are you all having as much fun off stage together as on?

A.Yes it’s great to work with people like Sue Holderness and Arthur Bostrom who I’ve enjoyed so much on TV. The whole cast are great fun.

Q. What’s been the funniest thing that’s happened on tour so far?

A. In Guildford, the whole of the curtain frame, complete with heavy curtains came crashing to the floor.

We made a joke about woodworm but had to stop the show.

Q. With so many weeks on the road, what home comforts do you make sure you always have with you?

A. All cooking utensils, sauces, cleaning products, etc. I self cater.

Q. What can audiences expect from a night at Out of Order?

A. A fantastic belly laugh!

Out of Order will be at Swansea Grand Theatre from Monday, July 3, until Saturday, July 8, 7.30pm with a Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

190 swansealife.co.uk

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Social diary

LLANELLI STAR AWARDS CEREMONY (page 194) SWANSEA JAZZ FESTIVAL (page 196) TAKE THAT (page 200) WOMEN IN WALES (page 203)

SOCIAL DIARY • AWARDS CEREMONY

LLANELLI STAR COMMUNITY AWARDS 2017 WHERE: Stradey Park Hotel TELL ME MORE: The annual Llanelli Star Community Awards gives credit and thanks to the unsung heroes in our communities.

Across 13 different categories, the awards celebrate the efforts of individuals across all sections of the town

194 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 195

SOCIAL DIARY • FESTIVAL LAUNCH

SWANSEA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL LAUNCH WHERE: Dylan Thomas Theatre TELL ME MORE: The fourth annual festival, organised by Swansea Jazzland at St James Club in Uplands, saw 56 gigs over four days in the Maritime Quarter, with workshops also in the mix. Top artists from the UK and abroad headed for the marina and SA1 in an event supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Swansea Council, with Swansea-based Prescott Jones Insurance Solutions sponsor for the fourth year running.

196 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 197

SOCIAL DIARY • LADIES NIGHT

LADIES NIGHT AT FFOS LAS WHERE: Ffos Las Racecourse, Trimsaran TELL ME MORE: Dressed to the nines, ladies in colourful posh frocks and wellies decended on Ffos Las Racecourse in West Wales for Ladies Night.

Pictures: Andrew Jeffery

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swansealife.co.uk 199

SOCIAL DIARY • CONCERT

TAKE THAT CONCERT WHERE: Liberty Stadium, Swansea TELL ME MORE: More than 30,000 people descended on the Liberty Stadium for pop group Take That’s Wonderland tour.

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swansealife.co.uk 201

SOCIAL DIARY • FUNDRAISER

LADIES FUNDRAISING LUNCH WHERE: Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc, Gower TELL ME MORE: A ladies fundraising lunch took place at the Britannia Inn, which raised more than £3,700 for Maggie’s and Loughor Inshore Rescue.

202 swansealife.co.uk

SOCIAL DIARY • WOMEN IN WALES

WOMEN IN WALES SAVE THE CHILDREN FUNDRAISER WHERE: Swalec Stadium, Cardiff TELL ME MORE: The Princess Royal was the guest of honour at the Women in Wales reception to mark a quarter of a century of raising money for Save the Children in Wales. During a three-course lunch guests were entertained by string quartet Aderyn, the Gershwin Gang and a fashion showcase. Entrepreneur Cath Kidston also gave a talk.Proceeds from the day went towards the Eat, Sleep, Learn, Play programme in Wales.

Pictures: Andrew Jeffery and Peter Bolter

swansealife.co.uk 203

SOCIAL DIARY • NEW OPENING

WHITTINGTON ARMS OPENING WHERE: The Whittington Arms, Tonna, Neath TELL ME MORE: Locals in Tonna can now say that they have got their pub back. They are talking about The Whittington Arms, affectionately known as The Whitt. It closed in early May ahead of a seven week refurbishment and now the doors are open for business under the ownership of Simon Griffiths, who also has the Tafarn Morlais in Llangennech.

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DISCOVER MUMBLES

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208 swansealife.co.uk

DISCOVER MUMBLES

‘MUMBLES, a rather nice village, despite its name, right on the edge of the sea’ DYLAN THOMAS

Even if you live in Mumbles, every time you walk down Newton Road and see the sea, you get the feeling that you’re on holiday.

Mumbles stand out although they have given us copious amounts of pleasure and calories for many years.

It’s not just the seaside location that makes this a very special place.

It’s not the gift shops and boutiques that still entice us every time we pop to the shops to buy a pint of milk or a newspaper. What makes Mumbles is the people.

It has a history, It has its own identity.

The pretty fishermen’s cottages that cling to the limestone cliffs might look like they were put there simply to impress the tourists but they were there long before people arrived with buckets and spades.

It’s not the restaurants and cafes that make

It might be a small village but this Summer Festival shows it has ambition, an ambition to throw a big party to which you and all of your friends are invited.

Wish you were here? You can be.

swansealife.co.uk 209

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Looking for a hairstylist specialised in taking expert care of your hair in Mumbles? Then No. 64, welcomes you for what will be a unique and unforgettable salon experience.

Sian Waters and Joanne Blake are extremely excited about celebrating the first anniversary of their professional hair salon No.64 on Newton Road in Mumbles. Having seen a huge surge in its client base and number of staff during its first 365 days, both Sian and Joanne, who pride themselves in the best hair care, are

delighted their professional hair salon offering a full range of luxury hair services all under one roof, has had such a positive and bright start.

The two highly-skilled professionals are fortunate enough to have realised their dream of owning their own salon, after many long days and

late nights perfecting the art of haircutting, colouring and styling.

Sian and Joanne have worked together in Mumbles for more than 20 years and collectively have over 30 years’ hairdressing experience behind them.

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DISCOVER MUMBLES

MUMBLES SUMMER F E S T I V A L 2 017 www.mumb le sfe stiva l .co.uk Thursday 27th July MUMBLES – HERE COMES SUMMER The start of summer and a late night shopping extravaganza.

There will be a pop-up market and lots of stalls selling wonderful gifts and treats.

Newton Road closure and shopping extravaganza.

The Wave stage - all evening top Newton Road

Setting up and road close 5pm

PLUS: Lots of kids fairground rides. FREE Parking in selected car parks. Please come into Mumbles for the day

Event starts from 5.30pm to 6pm Event winds down from 9pm Road opens again at 10pm

You can also look forward to live music, a parade, street entertainment, face painting, a carousel and music from The Wave. Road opens again at 10pm.

FREE event.

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Copperfish at Mumbles Pier is dedicated to offering a relaxed menu of traditional Fish and Chips as well as some delicious extras.

Copperfish Bar boasts an array of local beers and ciders as well as a selection of signature cocktails and carefully selected wines.

The traditional Fish and Chip Shop Takeaway also open daily!

At Copperfish we believe in serving the best quality ingredients in all our dishes offering a traditional seaside dining experience.

We care about the food we serve from the fish we batter, to the potatoes we fry; Copperfish does is batter!

Fancy a Tipple? Enjoy our Happy Hour from 5pm with offers on our House Prosecco, Craft Beers and Ales and Signature Cocktails Bookings and Reservations: 01792 365208 bookings@mumbles-pier.co.uk.

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Wonderful care

FOR YOUR ELDERLY RELATIVES With two care homes owned by the same family, we can provide a continuity of care and support. A key worker is assigned to each resident which enables clients and their families to build a relationship with their carer.

All our care is personalised and individual with a focus on being a home from home. With discreet support from the staff team we aim to encourage our residents to remain as independent as possible. Whatever level of care you or your loved one needs, we can provide it at Ocean Living and Hawthorn Court.

HAWTHORN COURT ENJOYING WONDERFUL VIEWS OVER SWANSEA BAY AND SPECIALISING IN DEMENTIA CARE, TYCOCH BASED HAWTHORN COURT IS ONE OF THE ONLY RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE AREA THAT IS DEMENTIA REGISTERED. We work in collaboration with Age Cymru, the Alzehimer’s society and other specialist, professional organisations to enhance the everyday well-being of our residents. Hawthorn Court is registered for 25 residents.

Having worked with us for over 10 years, home manager Liz Watkins has a huge array of experience in delivering high quality care.

Together with her dedicated staff, the team ensure our resident’s needs are their number one priority. Our members of staff are continually developing their training and skills, so that they are qualified and confident both physically and mentally.

OCEAN LIVING LOCATED ON THE SEA FRONT IN MUMBLES, OVERLOOKING SWANSEA BAY (OPPOSITE VERDI’S), OCEAN LIVING HAS ALL THE HALLMARKS OF SOPHISTICATION AND STYLE BUT WITH A UNIQUE HOMELY FEEL THAT IS ENJOYED BY RESIDENTS, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Ocean Living has been developed and designed specifically for luxury senior care living, with generous room sizes, opulent interior design, magnificent en suites and comfort all round. Ocean Living is registered for 15 residents.

Freshly cooked to order meals are made by our resident chef, including breakfast, three course lunch, supper and of course home-baked cakes and desserts and are all serviced in our restaurant quality dining room. In-room dining facilities are also available if preferred - our aim is to make our residents feel at home.

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DISCOVER MUMBLES

DOTTY THE DRAGON 3 August 2017 Oystermouth Castle 2.00pm.

Outdoor Theatre at Oystermouth Castle

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 2 August 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 2 August 2017 Oystermouth Castle 7.30pm. Running time: 2 hours including 20 minute interval Outdoor Theatre at Oystermouth Castle

JUNIOR JESTERS FUN DAY 5 August 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.00pm. Ends 4.30pm Family Fun Day

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 16 Aug 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

MUMBLES RAFT RACE – 5PM SWANSEA BAY Sunday 20th August Swansea Bay RNLI https://www.facebook.com/ MumblesRaftRace/

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 9 August 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

swansealife.co.uk 217

DISCOVER MUMBLES

PRINCE AND PRINCESSES DAY 28 Aug 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.00am. Ends 4.30pm Family Fun Day

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 23 Aug 2017

AUTUMN CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 30 Aug 2017

Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

CAPPUCCINO GIRLS – 7 SHOWS OVER 6 DAYS Tuesday 22nd August to Saturday 26th August

CRACKER 7S RUGBY ALL WEEKEND Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th August Bank holiday

Ostreme Centre Tickets and info: www.mumblesfestival.com

Underhill Park RUGBY CLUB Live music THE CONTENDERS

MUMBLES TRADERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MUMBLES SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM Thurs 31st August Throughout Newton Road, road closes at 6pm End of summer party and late night shopping extravaganza.

There will be a pop-up market and lots of stalls selling wonderful gifts and treats.

You can also look forward to live music, a parade, street entertainment, face painting, a carousel and music from The Wave. Road opens again at 10pm.

FREE event.

An independent shop so we can stock what our customers want including many different top brands for Men, Women and Children of all ages.

Known for our friendly service call in and spoil yourself for the summer.

Pier39 153 Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA3 4DN

www.pier39mumbles.co.uk • Tel 01792 368323 218 swansealife.co.uk

New addition to Mumbles We offer a beautiful unique range of furniture, home decor and interiors for your home.

If you are looking for a specific piece of furniture we will endeavour to source it for you from our trusted high end suppliers.

We can also update your tired furniture with our bespoke upholstery service, bringing back to life your sentimental and loved pieces.

If you love your home, you'll love Reborn Furniture Designer Inspired Furniture Mirrors • Lamps • Textiles • Gifts

Reborn Furniture

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COME VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM 69 Newton Road | Mumbles | Tel: 01792 363564

Crumbs Kitchen now @

Café Valance is under new Management, and is now being run by Sean and his Father Ron Cobley.

They both have a background in catering having run Crumbs Kitchen in the Uplands for the first 2 years, so they have a wide knowledge of healthy options.

Café Valance has its own identity as a café/bar which has been a popular venue for food and drink for the last 15 years, with the previous owner Nicky having retired.

So we don’t plan to change the formula there. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

The aim is to tweak a few things like the menus. We have dramatically increased the breakfast choices, adding plenty of healthy options as well as the Valance Breakfast (Full English), as well as healthy cereals served with fresh fruit and yogurt. The Eggs Florentine and garlic hash browns with fried egg are a firm favourite.

We have also added some healthy vegetarian/vegan options

to our day menu, such as Mediterranean Falafels, sweet potato pakora, home made quiches, lasagnes and pies.

There are gluten free options, such our home made soups, curries and 3 bean chilli, as well as our selection of vegan cakes and gluten free chocolate brownies.

We have added quite a few options to our evening menu, including a number of pasta options, with a number of additions to the house favourites and Tapas options.

This evening menu now provides our dinners with a reasonable choice of meals you would expect for an evening meal.

Cafe’s can live or die by their coffee, so we have not changed from Segofredo mild Coffee blend, that has been sold here for the last 15 years, with our staff having been trained by the Barista staff from Crumbs Kitchen. You can also get a fine selection of teas and soft drinks.

Café Valance has been a popular wine bar in the evening for many years, with good options on beers and an extensive choice of red and white wines suit most people, with live music being provided on a regular occasions to suit most peoples choice.

For bookings on Tapas Thursday or Friday and Saturday Night call 01792 367711

50 Newton Rd, The Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BQ • Phone: 01792 367711 www.cafevalance.com

Advertising Feature

Mumbles based wine bar, serving a large selection exclusive wines and highly sought after champagnes from all over the globe.

We are a family run business, with a warm and friendly atmosphere with occasional live music and weekly drink deals.

Situated in a bustling part of the town, we have great views of the bay.

Come and join us for a drink.

42 Newton Road, Mumbles • 07867 528420

Tme for you

EDDIE’S DIARY (page 224) YOUR BABY PICS! (page 229) PIN UP PETS (page 227)

Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 4HA (01554) 758171 • myddfaispa@stradeyparkhotel.com

TIME FOR YOU

BY INVITATION W I T H

E D D I E

W H I T N E Y

Swansea businessman Eddie Whitney keeps us up to date with his charity work and social diary...

224 swansealife.co.uk

“

YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AROUND

THE ROOM AT THE

“

FACES OF THESE

O

n the night of the general election, I was invited as patron to the World premier of this year’s must see movie.

“We art not Amused”was having its premier at Cinema and Co in Castle Street.

All the stars of the movie arrived in stretch limousines and walked the red carpet in front of their greatest fans.

This was the Rising Stars theatre company watching themselves perform on the silver screen for the first time.

After two live performances earlier this year filmed by the amazing Hoosh Arabi, this was the moment they had all been waiting for.

WONDERFUL

ACTORS TO RESTORE

YOUR FAITH IN

HUMANITY

Every member of the company was dressed to kill in tuxedos and ball gowns, on arrival, a champagne or orange juice reception awaited them.

The red carpet was surrounded by fans and family, photographs and autographs for everyone and then on in to the big event itself, the screening.

A buzz of anticipation went around the room as the lights dimmed and the movie began.

While the politicians fought their battles tasting victory or defeat, the members of the Rising Stars enjoyed a magical evening reliving the moments they had enjoyed on stage earlier this year.

You only have to look around the room at the faces of these wonderful actors to restore your faith in humanity.

They are kind, gentle, and humble and above all they care for each other like a family.

Their achievements cannot be measured in normal terms because they face challenges every day that you or I can have no understanding, and still they remain positive and loving.

Eddie x

They are a remarkable group of people first and an outstanding group of actors.

Well-deserved awards given to all members brought the evening to a close, but you know that when tired heads hit the pillows, the dreams will have been about movie stars and red carpet magic.

What a wonderful world to live in.

swansealife.co.uk 225

Advertising Feature

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

Shari Wood and Emma Germon both think of they’ve got a little bit of Doctor Dolittle about themselves and for a good reason.

There is a wide variety of branded pet food for all different types of animals. Also on the shelves are pet toys and accessories.

They spend their working days talking to the animals at Petstop in Pyle Garden Centre.

Petstop has been on site for about four years and was taken over by the garden centre just over two years ago.

Their experts in dispensing advice to customers who flock to the animal emporium.

And Shari relishes her role there.

There you will find around 50 animals, including birds, rabbits, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and turtles.

“I have to keep all the animals clean and fed,” she says.”We get different animals in every week. There is a quite a quick turnover.”

Perhaps surprisingly, one of the most popular pets are rats.

“They are a really good pet to have,” says Shari. “They are inquisitive and it is good to watch them play in their cage.

“Rabbits really sell well. They don’t hang around.”

Shari and Emma are on hand to give customers advice on the suitability of certain pets for them and what they require.

“We also sell all types of pet food like chicken food, wild bird food and dog food, along with pet accessories,” Emma adds.

And of the times when it is just her and the animals, she says: “I feel a bit like Doctor Dolittle, talking to the animals.”

Village Farm, Pyle, Bridgend, CF33 6BJ | Open 7 Days Tel: 01656 741443 | thepylegardencentre.co.uk

TIME FOR YOU

Your pet pics!

Who‘s the fur-est of them all? They’re part of the family, we wouldn’t be without them, and now we want to see just how gorgeous the furrier members of your household are...

Email us your pet pics: laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Name: Walter Christian Age: 3 Breed: Greyhound (ex-racer) Likes: Peanut butter, cuddles and running really fast Dislikes: Cats, rain, and loud noises on TV Owners: Allison, Ian and Jessica Hammett From: Originally from Ireland, now enjoying his retirement in Pontardawe

Name: Honey Age: 9, Breed: Golden female Labrador Likes: Catches, swimming and food Dislikes: Flies and is terrified of all flying insects Owner: Linzi and Mark Fisher From: Cwmllynfell

Name: Mason Age: 6 Breed: Long haired German shepherd Likes: Joe’s ice cream (vanilla) and walking on the cliff from Caswell to Langland Dislikes: Spiders and not riding in the front seat of the car Owners: Sian, Leigh, Elin and Adam Vaughan From: Caswell

Name: Claude Age: 5 Likes: Cat Nip, Norris my other cat, Human hands Dislikes: Having his back stroked, bbeing ignored Owner: Diane Carpenter From: Grovesend

Name: Simba Age: 15 Breed: Ragdoll Likes: Icecream Dislikes: Undivided Attention Owners: Julie Williams and Konrad Lewis From: Gowerton

Name: Juno Age: 2 Breed: Tabby Likes: Food, playing with cats toys Dislikes: Being left alone Owners: Gemma Parry and Chris Flynn From: Clydach

Name: Molly (Brown) and Luna Age: 7 and 3 Breed: Spanish podengos Likes: Chicken, everyone, they both like sunbathing Dislikes: Both distrust other dogs and the cold wind and rain Owner: Lisa and Andrew Richards From: Cwmllynfell, now living in Spain

Name: Tigger Age: 13 Breed: Short hair Likes: Lying in the sun, food and cuddles Dislikes: Being woken , Owner: Linzi and Lisa Thornton From: Swansea

Name: Winston Age: 6 months old Breed: British Bulldog Likes: Scrambled egg and tuna Dislikes: Sleeping Owners: Rebecca and Craig Dickinson From: Glynneath

Find Pets, pet food, pet toys and pet acessories in store!

Village Farm, Pyle, Bridgend, CF33 6BJ

Open 7 Days

01656 741443

thepylegardencentre.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 227

FREEFALL THIS SUMMER OVER GOWER! ADRENALINE RUSH GUARANTEED!

CHARITY TANDEMS GIFT VOUCHERS PHOTO & FILMING OPTIONS BASED AT SWANSEA AIRPORT Swansea Airport, Fairwood, Swansea SA2 7JU Tel: 01792 207035 / 07779019655 info@skydiveswansea.co.uk / www.skydiveswansea.co.uk Open Weekends, Bank Holidays and some Friday afternoons. Weight and health restrictions do apply.

Please contact us for further details.

TIME FOR YOU

FEEDING TODDLERS WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

Most parents know what healthy foods they should give their toddler, but many don’t know how much of that food to give him/her, and how often. LAURA DAVIES looks at what, how much and how often you should feed preschool children? laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Hello gorgeous!

Meet Swansea Life’s new arrivals and toddlers...

Name: Lewi Don James Born: June 17, 2016 Parents: Amelia and Dean James From: Grovesend

Name: Adelise Harper Davies Born: January 5, 2016 Parents: Tyne Evans and Luke Davies From: Fforest

So what should we be feeding kids?

Offer foods from all five food groups each day, in three meals and two to three snacks.

There should be two courses at each meal, and only nutritious snacks.

The five food groups are: 1. Bread, cereal and potatoes: serve at each meal and offer some as snacks.

2. Fruit and vegetables: serve at each meal, and aim for about five servings a day.

3. Milk, cheese and yoghurt: serve three times a day.

4. Meat, fish and vegetarian alternatives: serve once or twice a day for non-. vegetarians and two or three times a day for vegetarians.

5. Foods high in fat and sugar: allow some each day with, but not instead of, the other food groups.

How to get the right balance: Only half of parents are aware they should offer their toddler meat, fish, eggs, nuts and pulses two or three times a day. This is the most important food group for iron, which one in eight toddlers don’t get enough of, even though iron deficiency anaemia can affect development and

growth. While 22 per cent of parents think children shouldn’t ever be given cakes, biscuits and sweet puddings, official guidelines state it’s acceptable for them to have these foods once a day.

But sweets and sweet drinks, including fruit juices, should be limited to once a week.

How to get portion sizes right: The correct serving sizes, offered two to three times a day, include 1/2-1 medium slice of bread, 3-6 heaped tablespoons of dry cereal (eg. cornflakes), 1/2-1 boiled, poached or fried egg, 1/4-1 medium sausage, 125ml pot of yoghurt, 3-10 small grapes/berries (they can eat more fruit and vegetables if they want to).

Infant and Toddler Forum paediatric dietitian Judy More says: “A lot of parents overestimate how much food their toddler needs, and put a lot of pressure on them to eat more. “The vast majority of toddlers are very good at regulating how much they need to eat, and when they say they’ve had enough, it’s important parents respect that.

It’s about offering them a good balance of foods and not pressuring them to eat more than they want.”

Name: Bella Rose Seager Born: March 8, 2016 Parents: Laura Kowalik and Lee Seager From: Waunarlwydd

Name: Pippa Vanstone Born: April 2, 2016 Parents: Leanne and Nick Vanstone From: Grovesend

Name: Brodie James Davies Born: February 2, 2017 Parents: Aimee and Michael Davies From: Loughor

Name: Emilia Rose Ace Born: July 17, 2016 Parents: Julie and Christian Ace From: Swansea

We’d love to see your new arrivals.

Send your pictures along with details to laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Excellent Estyn Inspection 2017 ‘Pupils work enthusiastically’ ‘Extended writing is of an exceptionally high standard’ ‘Care, support and guidance make an exceptional contribution to pupils high standards and all round development’ ‘Outstanding Leadership and Management’ Being part of an international schools' group brings many advantages and opportunities to our whole community. The children experience a broad range of extra-curricular activities throughout their time in Oakleigh House culminating in the Year 6 visit to Barcelona and the British School of Barcelona, part of the Cognita group.

Whether your child is about to start in Nursery, in junior school or preparing for secondary school come and see what Oakleigh House has to offer.

To reserve your place contact Vikki Napier on: 01792 298537 or visit: www.oakleighhouseschool.co.uk admissions@oakleighhouseschool.co.uk Oakleigh House School, 38 Penlan Crescent, Swansea SA2 0RL

Best for your child - best from your child

Oakleigh House School is part of the Cognita Schools Group www.cognitaschools.com

NEXT MONTH IN SWANSEA LIFE

Bumper picture special from the Swansea Life Awards 2017 Festival Fever: All your must haves Your real life wedding stories August bank holiday fun Summer holiday fashion OUT August 1

swansealife.co.uk 231

Blinds VERTICAL BLINDS

VENETIAN BLINDS

ROLLER BLINDS

SKYLIGHT BLINDS

0% A REPRESEPR NTATIVE

FINA AVAILANBCE LE

Spread the Cost. Ask for more information Spread the costs of all Blinds and Shutters across 6, 9 or 12months at 0% Interest when you spend £600 or more with a minimum 25% deposit.

Representative Example for: Window Blinds Purchase Price £1000 Minimum Deposit (25%) £250 Amount of Credit £750 12 Monthly Payments £62.50

Total Payable Duration of Agreement Rate of Interest (Fixed) APR Representative

£1000 12 months 0% 0% APR

Payment plans are offered by Close Brothers Retail Finance. Close Brothers Retail Finance is a trading name of Close Brothers Limited. Close Brothers Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Finance is only available to permanent UK residents aged between 18-75, subject to status, terms and conditions apply.

CHILD SAFETY NEW 2017 FREE HOME FABRIC CONTROLS TO SELECTION FREE design advice and an RANGE ALL BLINDS obligation FREE quotation.

Tel: 01792 896531

Chic are members of the British Blinds and Shutters Association. Your assurance of quality standards.

Unit A2 & A3 Kingsbridge Business Park, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4HJ

A family business celebrating 27 years in business with over 60,000 customer orders completed ELECTRIC CONTROL

ÂŁ85 FROM AS LITTLE AS

EXTRA PER BLIND

Control at the touch of a button. Ideal for all large or out of reach windows, and for multiple blinds (up to 16 blinds controlled from 1 remote). Operation by battery, Rechargable lithium motor or hard wired.

CHOICE OF MANUAL OR ELECTRIC

The latest addition to our range. A combination of opaque and transparent material gives an outstanding visual eect and the control of light and privacy.

For more information visit our website www.chicblinds.co.uk Email: sales@chicblinds.co.uk or visit our showroom

Conservatory Roof & Side Blinds

• Up to 70% heat reflection with our solar control roof blinds • Stay cooler in summer • Stay warmer in winter • Control the glare and prevent furniture fading

Electric Awnings FREE

AUTOMATIC WIND CONTROL

Tel: 01792 896531

Unit A2 & A3 Kingsbridge Business Park, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4HJ

Shutters

0% APR REPR

ESENTATIV

FINAN AVAILABCE LE

FREE HOME ADVICE & QUOTATION

Chic Blinds Ltd acts as a credit intermediary and only offers credit Products for Close Brothers Retail Finance. Close Brothers Retail Finance is a trading name of Close Brothers Limited.

Finance is only available to permanent UK residents aged between 18-75, subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Spread the costs of Blinds and Shutters across 6, 9 and 12 months at 0% Interest.

For more information visit our website www.chicblinds.co.uk Email: sales@chicblinds.co.uk or visit 3our showroom

E

U P

T O

*

*T & C s

A P P LY

Visit Stephen Hughes Fine Diamonds this summer to view our latest promotions and offers

5 Queens Arcade, Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea, SA1 3QW | 01792 462999

stephenhughesfinediamonds.com