Close Up Christmas 2018 by Online Magazine

BIG AMBITION, HUGE FUTURE

Interview WITH

Emma Stone

FESTIVE

Fancies

WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS

PLUS: SNOW, SPARKLES & SOME SERIOUS STYLE SAVVY

Christmas CRACKED! taking tips

SANTA’S FROM US…

CHRISTMAS 2018 closeupuk.com

Archway Sheet Metal Work Ltd 13 Brunswick Industrial Park Brunswick Way, New Southgate London N11 1JL

tradecounter@archwaysm.com www.archwaysm.com Tel: 020 8365 0760 Fax: 020 8365 9670

OFF

Expires 31/12/2018 T&Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apply

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

EDITOR’S LETTER Advertise Your Business With Style... Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Southgate, Palmers Green, Oakwood, Cockfosters, Hadley Wood, Barnet, Whetstone, Totteridge, Finchley, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Brentwood, Loughton, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill, Chingford, Romford, Woodford, Epping, Barkingside, Ilford, Abridge, Highams Park and Wanstead. If you would like your area covered contact us on 020 8886 8472. Publisher & Editor Andrea Georgiou andrea@closeupuk.com

Accounts Director accounts@closeupuk.com What’s Hot Editorial Lauren Lunn Farrow

Head of Marketing and Sales Leah Shakallis leah@closeupuk.com

Dental Column Dr Richard Marques

Field Sales Advisor Kat Stylianou kat@closeupuk.com

Hair Column Jason Collier

Film Editor James Luxford

Photographer Debbi Clark Photography

Editorial Leah Shakallis

Images LM5

If you would like to contribute, contact sayhello@closeupuk.com If you want to advertise your business with style, contact 020 8886 8472 sayhello@closeupuk.com

Head Office Suite 1, 72 Chase Side, First Floor Offices, Southgate, N14 5PH Tel 020 8886 8472 Email sayhello@closeupuk.com Web www.closeupuk.com

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Let’s

@closeupmag

Celebrate T

he build-up to the big day seems to start earlier every year. I begin thinking about our Christmas Edition as early as March! So much effort from everyone in the team goes into this fabulous festive issue, as well as the contributors. For me, it captures all that’s beautiful about the festivities sparkling on the horizon. In the spirit of working to this deadline we have created some gorgeous last minute decorating schemes to instantly fill your home with Christmas cheer. In the midst of all the crush and rush it is an oasis of rainbows, sparkle and other worldliness. If ever I hoped for a white Christmas, I certainly do now! We’ll let you into a little secret: WE LOVE CHRISTMAS! From choosing the colour schemes for the tree decorations, wrapping paper and ribbon, to baking biscuits, planning the feast and setting the table – which happens about a week before… You’ll find everything you need in this magazine to celebrate your best-ever Christmas with family and friends.

@closeup_uk

34 Gifts

38 Living

16 Fashion

48 Food

Have fun!

x a e r d n A

RECYCLE

PLEASE NOTE: Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Although we make every effort to quote correct prices of items featured, it is possible that these may have changed on going to press. Although we endeavour to ensure any organisations or firms mentioned are reputable, the editor cannot guarantee they will fulfil obligations in all circumstances. Neither the editor nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any materials submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. The editor reserves the right to edit any materials supplied as she sees fit.

46 20 Emma Stone

Beauty

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COVER INTERVIEW

EMPOWERING WOMEN Words by Andrea Georgiou

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about body confidence and making women feel empowered, and in their latest campaign the Little Mix girls are doing just that as they prepare for Christmas.

COVER INTERVIEW

WE’RE

NOT SCARED TO HOLD BACK ”

Anymore

COVER INTERVIEW

he talented foursome, consisting of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall were recently defended by Ariana Grande after Piers Morgan said the group were using their bodies to sell records. Hitting back at the Good Morning presenter, Ariana wrote on Twitter “Women can be sexual and talented, naked and dignified. It’s our choice”. The girls then retweeted her support. As of late, the group have been enjoying huge success with the release of their fifth album LM5 but with Christmas fast approaching they are looking forward to spending some downtime with their loved ones. It’s your seven year anniversary! What have been your most memorable moments? Winning a BRIT was one of the best nights of our lives and then we literally jumped straight on a jet to New York to play at Madison Square Garden - it was amazing! What do you think the key is to your success? Friendship! Leigh-Anne: Also, the fact we all want the same thing, and good songs! There’s not one person who’s trying to be the stand-out. What inspires you to make music after seven years? The fans - definitely. People listen to our music and that feels amazing. And our family and friends too. Even when we are exhausted and just having a bad time, we just think of them. What valuable lessons have you learnt along the way? We’ve learnt that not everyone is going to love you and understand you and you have to be yourself at all times. Be happy with who you are instead of feeling like you’ve got to change. How does it feel to be part of this new ‘honest, strong girl’ movement? Jesy: It feels amazing. We’ve always stood for girl power and doing what you want and being how you want to be. Leigh-Anne: It feels liberating! This whole campaign we’ve been really open about all the different things we’ve been feeling passionate about, we’re not scared to hold back anymore. It’s just about saying how you feel. What’s on your Christmas list? Perrie: Being able to get all of my family together and spend it with my boyfriend and lots of presents, food and nice movies and lots of cute decorations. Jesy: To spend as much time with my family as possible. I don’t really ask for much at Christmas. I just love eating Christmas food. It’s the only day you can eat, actually wake up and eat whatever you want and not feel bad. Jade: Some time off with my family and friends. Also, I love getting smellies from my nana, pyjamas and all the bits I don’t really have time to go and buy. I genuinely love opening socks on Christmas Day. Leigh-Anne: Well it will be the first Christmas at my new house, so I think I will just have all my family together. Everyone having fun is what I want. What are your top tips for staying in shape over the festive period? I mean good luck to you all. It’s hard to say. I think you’ve just got to embrace Christmas then go for it in January when everyone flurries to the gym! Any New Year’s resolutions? Jesy: For us as a group, even more global domination! I want us to perform at the AMA’s Leigh-Anne: Or Billboard, we’re not picky [laughs] Perrie: I’m going to say another BRIT award!

LM5 is the fifth studio album Little Mix and is out now

COVER INTERVIEW

WE’VE ALWAYS STOOD FOR AND DOING WHAT YOU WANT AND BEING HOW YOU WANT TO BE.”

girl power

FASHION New Look Sequin Bag £12.99

Miss Selfridge Cricket Knitted Jumper £35

WINTER

Pink

Lights up flagging complexions better than the Kardashian’s entire highlighter collection. Your No1 buy? The smart coat. What’s the best way to add street-style edge to a colour palette that matches Barbie’s Dreamhouse? Pop on a pair of this season’s dad trainers (Puma has some beauties).

Karen Millen Glass Double Drop Earrings in Fuchsia JOHN LEWIS £50

Zara Handbag £29.99

Topshop Pink Biker Jacket £185

F&F Foil Midi Skirt £22

Miss Selfridge Iridescent Sequin Shorts £39

Pretty Little Thing Flare Sleeve Lace Tiered Dress £45

New Look Suedette Stiletto Heel Pointed Courts £19.99

H&M Bardot Jumper £12

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FASHION

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All The

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Reds

Zara Boots £119

You can call it ruby or scarlet, cardinal or crimson, cherry or tomato. We call it the temperature – raising, firecracking, spotlighting-grabber of the season. Which is less catchy. A better way to nail top-to-toe red is by mixing up your shades and textures. Try a faux-fur coat over a simple knit.

Miss Selfridge Circle Jeans Belt £10

Zara Sequin Mini Dress £69.99

New Look Fluffy Gold Ring Handle Bag £15.99

New Look Stripe Velvet Wide Leg Jumpsuit £29.99

Dorothy Perkins Cruise Collection Red Denim Skirt £25

Miss Selfridge Frilled Edge Jumper £22

V by Very Ruffle Front Dress £38

Oliver Bonas Admire Coat Mesh Loop Drop Necklace £24

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Laura Ashley Chunky Brushed Scarf £30

River Island Pom Pom Cardigan £46

The LE Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sRooM S N A OW

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London N21

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FASHION

Oliver Bonas Tigerlilly Rubber Bead Necklace £26

Miss Selfridge Tie Heeled Boots £45

Oliver Bonas Fringe Bag £38

TK Maxx Bottle Patterned Skirt £69.99

F&F Cable Knit Jumper £22

Cath Kidston Green Glitter Oval Coin Purse £8

Deep

Green As versatile and full of promise as a naked Christmas tree; as flattering as any neutral (new navy, anyone?). We’ll take some relaxed side-stripe trousers and a chunky sweater. Darker colours like navy and black are a safe wear-with option, but pink and leopardprint are surprisingly suitable partners for any shade of green.

Lipsy V Neck Midi Dress £40

New Look Dark Green Faux Fur Collar £14.99

Matalan Emerald Green Drapey Mac £25

Topshop Striped Jumpsuit £69 Asos Christmas Collection POA

Accessorize Polka Dot Disc Statement Earrings £8

Pretty Little Thing Disco Sequin Harness Bodysuit £25

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1999

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BEAUTY NOTES Brandon Maxwell 1

6 5

Pucker UP

Christmas has seen many classic beauty trends come to the fore once again but perhaps the most impactful of them all is the return of the red lip. The equivalent to slipping on a LBD, women have long declared a scarlet pout their bold and beautiful go-to.

12 10 11

1. John Lewis YSL Red Lipstick £28 2. Erborian Hot Cherry Colour Pen £18 3. Clinique NEW Dramatically Different Lipstick £20.50 4. Bobbi Brown Art Stick in ‘Harlow Red’ £22.50 5. Illamasqua Limited Edition Antimatter Lipstick in Midnight £20 6. Topshop Matte Lipstick in ‘Rio Rio’ £10 7. Estée Lauder Pure Color Desire Rouge Excess £34.00 8. BAREPRO® Longwear Lipstick in Cherry £23 9. BUXOM Vava Plump in Boldly Go £15 10. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick in Red Velvet £28 11. Laritzy Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in ‘Power’ £20 12. CHANEL Exclusive Creation Rouge Allure Velvet No 5 £32 13. Benefit Benetint £25.50

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EDITORIAL

REVIEW: Clarins Facial - Winchmores Hair & Beauty By Andrea Georgiou

hen an email popped into my inbox inviting me to try out one of Clarins Signature Facial’s at Winchmores, I jumped at the chance! A pamper day was definitely in order. The Signature Facial is one of quite a few treatments offered at Winchmores. I arrived at the salon and I was greeted by the lovely therapists. I was led off towards a little seating area set upstairs from the main store floor that I’d never even noticed before! After going through a few of the usual spa health and safety questions which was filled in for me, I was whisked away to a gorgeous, sound proofed, air conditioned treatment room. The facial starts with a mini consultation to discuss any skin concerns and what you’d like to get out of the treatment.

every single product felt incredible. My face was cleansed, toned, exfoliated and moisturised using a multitude of different serums, creams and face masks. My shoulders and chest were massaged, exfoliated and moisturised, I left feeling like a new woman. After the treatment, I was given a list of all the products used during the facial as well as any other recommendations for my skin type so I could continue to treat my skin at home. I fell in love with the Multi Active range used during my treatment. I’ve been using the Multi Active jour day cream and Multi Active Nuit religiously since my facial and my skin has never looked better. Both creams are soothing and hydrating and work so well with my skin. I’m always anxious that moisturisers will cause my skin to breakout but I’ve had no reaction whatsoever.

I’m so grateful I got to try out this facial, it was such a great introduction to Clarins and I’m completely converted!”

The treatment was an hour and 25 minutes of pure bliss! It absolutely flew by, I was so relaxed. I was anxious that my skin would react to having so many new products on my face but

I was also advised to try out the Tonic body range and I am so glad I did! The range consists of a super luxurious shower gel, a body balm, body exfoliate and a body oil. All the products have firming properties and the most luxurious, spa worthy scent.

Winchmores Hair & Beauty 0208 882 7909 3-5 Wades Hill, London N21 1BD

WINCHMORES HAIR & BEAUTY 2019 BEAUTY LAUNCHES World Health Organisation have researched that 80% of illness is linked to stress. 9 out of 10 women in the UK are stressed, with almost half (49%) of women feeling that they do not take enough time to look after their health and wellbeing. Sleep is key and a good night’s rest is seen as the path to productivity and happiness in an era when taking a break is often seen as a luxury.

Introducing Clarins New Wellness Treatments Launching Monday 7th January at Winchmores Beauty. 1 hour 20 minute treatment – Usually £90.00 Introductory offer £50.00 during January & February 2019 and leave with either a Rise & Shine or Beauty Sleep complimentary take home kit. Limited availability, early booking is advisable.

Wellness Beauty Sleep Face & Body Treatment This calming journey for the skin mind and senses induces a deep state of total relaxation. A head to toe treatment combines the best comforting skincare, deep tissue muscle easing massage techniques with calming breathing methods. Leaving you looking and feeling totally rested like you have had the best nights sleep.

Wellness Rise & Shine Face & Body Treatment This face and body treatment is designed to boost the mood, rejuvenate mind and body and help you feel more recharged. A reviving facial leaves skin radiant and dewy and the tension releasing massage sets you up for the day ahead.

For more information or to book call:

Winchmores Hair & Beauty on 020 8882 7909 3-5 Wades Hill, London N21 1BD

WINCHMORES HAIR & BEAUTY

HEALTH

Be proud of

Introducing

Dr Richard Marques

YOUR SMILE For more information on Dr Marques and his London based dental practice please see: www.wimpolestreetdental.com 0207 637 1672 Follow @ask_the_dentist @ask_the_dentist

THE celebrity’s C

HOICE

We’ve been incredibly busy at the clinic this month with everyone getting their pre-Christmas checks done. It was great to catch up with the lovely Tom Daley who popped in with his wonderful smile and energy for his check-up this week.

TOP TEN

MY TIPS FOR PERFECT TEETH THIS PARTY SEASON

We’re all guilty of indulging in sweet treats at Christmas, but sugar produces acids that harmful bacteria feed on creating plaque, so wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth to give the enamel a chance to recover.

2 3

If you enjoy a glass of bubbly or two, drink through a biodegradable straw so that the liquid bypasses the teeth. This will help reduce the build-up of harmful acids.

Chew on some sugar-free gum for a quick-fix to freshen breath. Just be careful not to use this in place of brushing or rinsing as it won’t eliminate odour causing bacteria.

Give teeth a polish with some charcoal toothpaste or powder for extra sparkle. It doesn’t absorb into the teeth so they will always look whiter after use, and despite being black in colour, will leave no dark stains.

Many of us enjoy a festive cheese board, but be careful not to eat too much dairy. Calcium (found in milk) is great for teeth but can also create an unpleasant smell which can escape through the mouth.

If you’d rather not use a straw, a little hack is to rub some petroleum jelly on the surface of your teeth that will act as a barrier and help protect the enamel!

who is one of the UK’s leading celebrity dentists and is known as ‘The King of Smiles’.

THIS MONTH’S

product recommendation Give your teeth a pre-party polish before heading out with my Dr Richard London Natural Whitening Toothpaste with Peppermint and Charcoal. The charcoal polishes and the natural peppermint oil is great for freshening breath and reducing surface stains.

Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth and take sips when drinking alcohol or eating coloured foods to help wash away stains before they start to set.

Make sure you’ve seen your dentist for a check-up so that any underlying problems are detected early and you’re not faced with a dental emergency over the holidays that might have been preventable.

9 10

Swish some coconut oil around your mouth for 15 minutes. It will help to remove toxins in the body (very helpful in party season!) and is a natural brightener for your teeth. Don’t forget to carry dental floss with you to remove any debris trapped between the teeth from Christmas dinner and canapes!

Fed up waiting? Our private GPs can see you now. 7.30am to 8.00pm weekdays and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturdays. Choose from male or female GPs. Fast access to longer appointments, private prescriptions, onsite diagnostics and over 200 specialists.

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BEAUTY NOTES

JASON COLLIER: Your Hair Hero

Stylist to the stars Jason Collier shares his expert advice with Close Up readers HAIRCARE TIP OF THE MONTH

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; something you’ll surely have heard plenty in the past few weeks, but I really believe it. There’s something about the festive season that sets it apart from the rest of the year, and I just love it. Christmas lights, decorations, parties, catch-ups with friends, Christmas shopping and plenty of food and drink – what’s not to love? As well as being a twinkly, gorgeous few weeks, December is also a time of reflection for me. It’s a great time to take stock of the adventures and achievements of the year gone by and think about where you were this time last year, and where you want to be this time next. In my job, it’s very easy for the weeks and months to slip by in a blur and before you know it, a year has elapsed – so for me, it’s really important to take a step back and consider the achievements made. In 2018, I decided to step away from full-time salon life and take more of a creative role in education and art directing, meaning that alongside my sessions in-salon with my favourite clients, I’ve been jetting all over the world to teach techniques in many far-flung destinations, from Florence and Tokyo to the Philippines, Vietnam and Russia, meeting some inspirational people along the way. I’ve worked with some incredible brands in ambassadorial roles, such as natural haircare brand Shea Moisture and styling brand Design. Me Hair, and celebrated my win as Marie Claire’s Hair Stylist of the Year 2018. It’s been a great year, but already there’s plans afoot for 2019 which means it could just be my best year yet – watch this space… @jasoncollierjc

Invest in some silk! And by that, I mean some silk hair accessories to care for and maintain the condition of your hair. Scrunchies and bobbles can damage the hair’s surface, particularly if you wear your hair up for long periods of time, so I really recommend Slip’s silk scrunchies. These super-soft pure silk hairbands fasten hair securely without leaving marks or indentations in the hair’s surface, making them perfect for scraping hair back whether you’re going for a messy topknot, a sleek updo, a heavy workout or even just piling hair up for bedtime. If you really want to go for it, Slip’s silk pillowcases are also amazing at protecting hair and keeping it in super-luxe condition whilst you sleep – perfect for during winter when hair is getting whipped out by the winds during the day.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH The festive season is the time to go all out and source some super-luxe products for your hair – and I can’t think of anything more luxe than hair perfume! Gorgeous haircare brand OUAI has launched a range of perfumes, and I adore their Parisian-inspired Rue St Honore fragrance, £46. Enriched with notes of violet, gardenia, ylang ylang and white musk, this is a perfectly sensual fragrance that smells unashamedly feminine but also still very sexy. Simply spray the mist into the air and walk into it, to ensure your hair smells unbelievably good this party season.

LOOK OF THE MONTH There’s nothing I love more than a dramatic hair transformation – when it’s wellconsidered and well-cut, of course. And this month, I am head-over-heels for Ariana Grande’s gorgeous new look: a choppy lob. She’s scrapped her signature high and tight ponytail, swapping it out for a chic little collarbone-length cut that looks effortlessly stylish. If you’re thinking about a new look for the new season, I really recommend a choppy lob a la Ms Grande. It’s a great way to really freshen up your style and get rid of any dead ends too. Hair looks so much healthier when the dry and split ends get lopped off, helping it to look thicker and more expensive too. I wouldn’t usually advocate a dramatic change post-breakup like Ariana’s done, but in this instance I feel like it really suits her, and was a long time coming. Not sure about committing to the chop yourself? Chat with your hairdresser about your regime, your preferred styles and the time you have to maintain your new look – they can also talk you through the right length and cut for your hair type and face shape.

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EDITORIAL

Lily Alice Clark L

ily Alice Clark is a 16 year old from London. At first glance she may seem a pretty ordinary teenager until you meet her. Following her love of Shakespeare, she has taken on the challenging role of Hamlet and performed at the Shaw Theatre and then representing the Shakespeare School Foundation for the prestigious Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists award, she performed at the Royal Academy. ‘Playing such a role was an honour, but to be in the mindset of Hamlet for so long was demanding’ she explains, ‘I like to try and keep character as often as I can and really reaching into the depths of Hamlet’s mind was dark but I related to Hamlet in a multitude of ways and it was probably my favourite role I’ve played.’ She is also quickly accumulating a number of followers on her social media which in turn has led her to receive a warm and encouraging audience for her music which she posts often to her Instagram account. Music has always been a large part of life for Lily Alice, she started playing the piano at 5 and hasn’t stopped playing since. She began song writing at the beginning of the year, using it purely as a creative outlet following a rough breakup and a hard few months battling mental health. Once then spotting her potential Blue Doors studio offered her time in their music studios in Notting Hill, Lily was ecstatic! ‘It all happened quite fast, the biggest thing that made my decision for me was playing one of my first songs to my closest friend, when I had finished the song I looked over and she was crying. She told me to take it as a compliment, not everyone can move people with their music. It was then that I realised if anyone could relate to any of my songs and what I’m singing about then I wanted to get this music out to help people like it’s helped me, even if it’s just one person, it will be worth it.’ She is looking forward to releasing her album, ‘Broken Love’, on iTunes in January (see picture top right) to start the new year and launch herself into her music which has helped her through some of her worst times. Lily Alice often works with her mother, renowned photographer Debbi Clark, on photoshoots and has recently become the main focus of them with support from her mother she has begun to model and has been featured in the famous Dadiani gallery on Cork St, supporting the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts exhibition. Speaking on all that has happened to get her to where she is now, Lily Alice says ‘This year has been one of the hardest of my life but through the pain you can make beautiful things. You can be creative and unleash things you didn’t know were there. That’s what music has been for me and I’m proud of what I’ve created, when I sing them now I can remember the pain and how I was feeling when I wrote and composed them but it’s the comparison in how I’m feeling now and then and how far I’ve come which makes me grateful for all that’s happened.’

To follow and keep up with Lily Alice’s work you can see all her updates here: @lilyaliceclark @Lily Alice

https://www.instagram.com/lilyaliceclark/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGTOJhfJkLiLbhGCojIYuiw

@debbiclarkphotography Photos by www.debbiclark.com

It all happened quite fast, the biggest thing that made my decision for me was playing one of my first songs to my closest friend, when I had finished the song I looked over and she was crying.â&#x20AC;?

EDITORIAL

TOP DISCOUNT ELECTRICAL STORES We like to say ‘We are the store everyone’s talking about’

wealth of eye catching products on display, from all the major manufacturers: wonderful washing machines, to fantastic fridges, toasters to TV’s, beautiful built in, to delightful dishwashers. It’s all here from a family run business, dedicated to customer satisfaction. The company was born in 1980, and since then we have developed into a local community one stop shop for all things Electrical, and Gas Appliances too! Before we knew it, people talked to people, and we found ourselves serving customers from all over the London area. Our motto is to treat customers, to the kind of service, we ourselves would expect. We add the personal attention to detail, that others seem to forget. Our fully trained staff are all dedicated to making sure, that you, our customer, have a satisfying shopping experience. We are proud members of RETRA and with our membership of Euronics, we ensure the best possible back up, for all our customers, when purchasing or having an appliance repaired. Our showroom has dedicated displays for all the major Brands, making selection easy and informative.

How to find us We are situated in the pleasant North London town of Palmers Green. Easy transport routes, with Buses, W6 and 121 passing our door. Palmers Green Overground Station right next to us, and Arnos Grove and Southgate Underground Stations a mile away.

Delivery info We can deliver with a full installation service to London, and bordering home counties, north of London or just deliver to you if you live anywhere else in the UK. So if you need a washer, in Windsor, A Fridge in Frinton, A Dishwasher in Dorking A Cooker in Croydon An Oven in Oswestry, A Hob in Hainault, We will get it there…

We provide a full delivery and installation service. We will even dispose of your old appliance.

Your Local Independent Electrical Retailer Top Electrical Stores Ltd 32-36 Aldermans Hill Palmers Green N13 4PN Tel: 020 8886 6290 or 0800 4583339 www.topdiscount.co.uk chris@topdiscount.co.uk

CHRISTMAS 2018

Seasonal Style

020 8886 8472 www.closeupuk.com

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, it’s also one of the busiest. Between gift buying, food preparing and party attending we still need to find the time to transform our homes into a wintry wonderland. Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle over the festive decorations this year, instead take inspiration from our interior experts and style the perfect dining table, accessorize a beautiful festive lounge or put the finishing touches on your tree or wreath. Explore our fabulously on-trend Christmas decorating ideas right here…

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Super Service

Built In Single Electric Oven

1 Year Warranty A+++ Energy Rating

74 Litres Main Fan Oven 37 Litres Top Oven & Grill 4 Zone Ceramic Hob with Hot Hob Indicator Dimensions: H90xW60xD60cm 1 Year Warranty AA Energy Rating

£199.

£349.

55cm Double Oven Electric Cooker

ZCI66278XA

77 Litres Capacity Main Oven 39 Litres Capacity Top Oven 4 Zone Induction Hob Dimensions: H89.4xW60xdD60.9cm

Now Only

£629.99

Was £679.99

2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

£459.

Save

ZCV66370WA

77 Litres Capacity Main Oven 30 Litres Capacity Top Oven 4 Zone Ceramic Hob Dimensions: H89.4xW60xD60.9cm

Now Only

£50

60cm Double Oven Electric Cooker

ZCV66078WA

77 Litres Capacity Main Oven 39 Litres Capacity Top Oven 4 Zone Ceramic Hob Dimensions: H89.4xW55xD60.9cm

£429.

60cm Double Oven Electric Cooker

ZCV46050WA

Professional Installation

2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

Only

1 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

ZCV668MW

60 Litres Capacity Multifunction Oven Stainless Steel with Antifingerprint Dimensions: H59.3xW59.4xD56cm

Only

Competitive Prices 60cm Electric Cooker Double Oven

ZZB30401XK

Only

77 Litre Main Fan Oven 39 Litres Top Conventional Oven With Grill 4 Zone Ceramic Hob Dimensions: H89.4XW60xD60.9cm 2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

Was £479.99

£ 20 Save

Now Only

£549.99 Was £579.99

£30 Save

Your Local Independent Electrical Retailer Top Electrical Stores Ltd 32-3632-36 AldeAldermans rmans HiHill ll, Palmers Green, London, N13 4PN 0800Palmers 4583Green 339 N13 ww w.topdiscount.co.uk 4PN Tel: 020 8886 6290 or 0800 4583339 www.topdiscount.co.uk chris@topdiscount.co.uk

Top Discount Electrical Stores Ltd

*Terms and Conditions apply. Sold as an agent of Euronics Limited. All rights reserved. All offers are subject to availability while stocks last. Delivery & Installation charges may apply. Exclusions and Radius Apply. See in store for full details. Images for illustration purposes only. Copyright Euronics 2018. E&OE 24 December 2018.

Let’s Make Life Easy

GET CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP with offers throughout December Expert Knowledge

Super Service

Competitive Prices

Built In Induction Hob

2 Year Warranty

£299.

Electronic Touch Controls 9 Power Levels - Auto Safety Switch Off Residual Heat Indicator, Black Glass Dimensions: H5xW59xD52cm

Only

£159.

Only

£329.

Only

£279.99 Built In 13 Place Settings Dishwasher

ZWF81443W

14 Programmes Inc: 20 Minute Refresh AquaFall Wash System Delay Start Dimensions: H85xW60xD55.9cm

Only

£289.

ZDT24003FA

5 Programmes Inc: Delay Start for 3/6/9 Hours Height Adjustable Upper Basket Lower Basket with 2 Foldable Plate Racks Dimensions: H81.8xW59.6xD55.5cm 1 Year Warranty A+ Energy Rating

2 Year Warranty A+++ Energy Rating

14 Programmes Inc: Baby & Jeans Sensor Drying Easy Iron Programme Dimensions: H85xW60xD60cm

1400 8kg Washing Machine

ZDP7202PZ

1 Year Warranty B Energy Rating

ZTE7101PZ

1 Year Warranty C Energy Rating

7kg Condenser Tumble Dryer

8 Programmes, Sensor Drying Freshen Up and Duvet Programme Reverse Action, Delay Start Dimensions: H85xW60xD54cm

7kg Vented Tumble Dryer

ZEV6240FBV

1 Year Warranty

Only

Professional Installation

Built In Electric Hob

IKB64401XB

4 Zones with Touch Controls Adjustable Timer and Minute Minder Black with Stainless Steel Trim Dimensions: 11.8xW57.6xD51.6cm

Only

£359.99

Your Local Independent Electrical Retailer Top Electrical Stores Ltd 32-36 A lderm ans Hill,Hill Palmers Green, London, N13 4PN 32-36 Aldermans 0800 4 5833Green 39 N13 www .euronics.co.uk Palmers 4PN Tel: 020 8886 6290 or 0800 4583339 www.topdiscount.co.uk chris@topdiscount.co.uk

Top Discount Electrical Stores Ltd

CHRISTMAS Charbonnel et Walker Handbag and Heels Chocolate £8.99 John Lewis Stand Tall Mug £6

Paperchase A5 Kraft 2019 Diary £10

Topman Socks £3

TK Maxx Hello Handsome Notebook £4.99

FatFace Duo Set £8.50

Christmas Cracked

15 Secret Santa gifts under £10 Zara Hat £9.99 Deichmann Cerulean Purse £6.99 Zara Shawl £7.99

Rex London Fan-tasche-tic Mug £3.95 Very Gold Finish Floating Photo Frame £7.99

M&S Cocktail Kisses Fizz & Bubbles Scented Lip Balm £3.50 White Stuff Chocolate Hip Flask £5.50

Sainsbury’s Champagne Glass £6

Home Sense The Rose Collection £6.99

The Book Shop previously in Enfield Town Post Office has now opened at

MANY ITEMS

£1

613 Green Lanes Palmers Green London N13 4EP

Many books just £1 including Letts Education Books plus many other items at competitive prices: Packaging Materials

Household Goods

✶ All Tapes ✶ Bubble Wrap ✶ Cartons ✶ Pallet Wrap ✶ Jiffy Bags

✶ Gifts & Toys ✶ Gloves ✶ Disposable Gloves ✶ Refuse Sacks ✶ Jewellery

PACKAGING OF ALL KINDS

Fill up your stockings and party bags with new items every week, including branded products!

LIVING John Lewis

We’ve seen it break the internet this summer, and now the Rainbow theme is set to filter right through to Christmas! Capture imaginations by creating something truly different.

Oliver Bonas Hana Teaspoon set £20

B&Q Glittered Reindeer Decoration Blue £3

Wyevale Garden Centre Snowflake Decoration £4.50

Amara Dotted Storage Jar £17

The Homemade Christmas Co Wentworth Christmas Sack £17

A by Amara Rainbow Effect Tray £75

OPULENT

Jewels

Dobbies Glass Cocktail Shaker £19.99

Oliver Bonas Rainboe Tumbler Set £26

Debenhams Nutcracker Decoration £15

New Look Embellished Sphere Bag £17.99

Warm your home space with rich blue and gold this Christmas. The mix of matte, shiny and shimmering decorations create a beautiful effect.

Paperchase Mini Rainbow Crackers (Box of 6) £6

Red Candy Slick Iridescent Stainless Steel Cutlery £41

Primark Hanging Decoration £1.50

John Lewis Rainbow Indented Bauble £8

Wyevale Garden Centre

A N D

S O N S

ARCHITECTURAL I RO N M O N G E RY

G Johns Dear Customers, As of the 1st January 2019, we shall no longer be open on Saturdays. This is not a decision taken lightly but one that we feel has now become necessary.

In addition to this, orders can still be placed over the phone during our office hours, by email or via our website www.gjohns.co.uk at any time.

Due to the continued expansion and growth of our business both online and particularly within the large contract and project side (along with the way retail shopping habits are changing) we have made the decision to utilise Saturdays in order to focus on our project work which is busier than ever. This includes writing door by door ironmongery schedules for hotels, schools, hospitals and large housing developments both within the UK and overseas.

We also offer free delivery on all orders over £50.

Whilst we realise this may cause inconvenience for some customers, please be assured that the retail side of our business remains unchanged and our showroom will still be open Monday – Friday from 8am – 5.30pm as usual.

Thank you in advance for your understanding. G Johns & Sons Ltd 719 – 721 Green Lanes Winchmore Hill London N21 3RX 020 8360 7771 sales@gjohns.co.uk www.gjohns.co.uk

LIVING M&S Natural Blue Berry Half Wreath £19.50

A Christmas classic, give your home a welcoming glow with warm golden tones, boasting glitz and glam.

Cuckooland Dutchbone Art Nouveau Flower Tub Chair £489

The Contemporary Home Forest Tea Light Holder £10.50

Oliver Bonas Doki Cheese Knives Set £24

M&Co Ombre Sequin Star Tree Topper £8

Domu Brands VonShef 9pc Green & Brushed Gold Cocktail Set £29.99

John Lewis Emerald Glitter Deco Bauble £4.50

Just add

River Island Bling Sausage Dog Ornament £8

Sparkle

As the Christmas tree is brought inside, the scent of pine fills the house. Emeraldgreen becomes the colour of Christmas with no doubt.

Laura Ashley Champagne Metal Leaf Wreath £200

Debenhams Set of Cutlery £35

Debenhams Hanging Decoration £5

Next Set of 4 Gold Effect Shot Glasses £10

Dobbies Selection of Enchanted Garden Baubles from £1.99

Ginger Ray Gold Foiled Christmas Tree Shaped Plate £4.49

Zara Golden Cylindrical Candle £11.99

ISTORIA PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF BESPOKE HARDWOOD FLOORING MADE IN ENGLAND BY JORDAN ANDREWS With over 250 custom colours to choose from and an option to match your own existing floor or a custom sample, Istoria offers an extensive range with a choice of looks from sleek and modern to rough and rustic that comes in plank, herringbone, chevron and other patterns. Buckhurst Hill Studio | 176B Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5BD | 020 3745 2705 Crouch End Showroom | 80â&#x20AC;&#x201C;82 Park Road, Crouch End, London, N8 8JQ | 020 8341 9222

www.jordanandrews.com

CHRISTMAS River Island Gold Tone Mesh Strap Round Face Watch £32

Cuckooland aGROOVE Bluetooth Speaker £49.95

Primark Stripe Socks £1.50

M&S Collection Polo Top £19.50

Getting Personal Personalised Mug £8.99

Office Incline £84.99

BOY

Zone

These unique treats are sure to be popular additions for underneath the tree, whether you’re buying for your husband or your uncle!

FatFace Canvas iPhone 8 Case in Khaki £25

Oliver Bonas Globe Table Light £100

Bvlgari Man Wood Essence £59

Not on the High Street Tooletries Koby Silicone Travel Bag £24.99

Topman Tie £18

Zara Outside Garment £69.99

Vision Express In Style Glasses £99

Dune Mens Nikko £65

V ED ELS I GLN O S S

40% OF

F ALL GE RMAN FURNI TU IF ORD RE ERED BEFOR CHRIST E MAS

Established 1990

PLAN, DESIGN & BUILD KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • BEDROOMS STUDIES • SOFT FURNISHINGS • REFURBISHMENTS 35 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4LL

020 7937 8008 www.vellosdesigns.com

UT CALL O E SERVIC 7 DAYS A WEEK

Family Business • Professional Home and Auto Locksmiths • All types of keys cut • Replacement Locks and Upgrades • Emergency Call Out Service We are your local car key and vehicle security specialists. Replacement car keys • lost • stolen • broken • Spare Van security locks • Slamlocks • Deadlocks • Alarms. Ghost Immobiliser Installation Centre to protect your car from key cloning and theft. Visit our website for more info. www.themasterlocksmith.com

Car Key replacements • Fraction of the Price from Main Dealers Same Day Service • Professional and Reliable We repair and refurb all worn and non-working car remotes Car Key Repairs • Same Day Service • Vehicle Alarm Systems supplied and fitted • Highly Skilled Technicians 132 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London N13 5UN

T: 020 8886 6546 M: 07810 781247 info@themasterlocksmith.com www.themasterlocksmith.com

Let’s Make Life Easy

GET CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP with offers throughout December |

Expert Knowledge

Super Service

Competitive Prices

60cm No Frost VitaFresh Fridge Freezer

2 Year Warranty A++ Energy Rating

4 Programmes With 3 Temperatures EcoSilence Drive Motor, only 50db Aquastop Anti-Flood Device Dimensions: H81.5xW59.8xD55cm

Only

WTE84106GB

2 Year Warranty A+++ Energy Rating

Rapid 40 Min Drying Program Anti-Crease Cycle LED Programmes Progress Dimensions: H84.2xW59.8xD63.9cm 2 Year Warranty B Energy Rating

Was £699.00

800 Watt Combination Microwave Oven

7kg Condenser Tumble Dryer

15 Programmes EcoSilence Drive with 10yr Motor Warranty Reload Function Dimensions: H81.8xW59.6xD57.4cm

£679.

£219.00

WIW28300GB

Only

£369.

4 Zone Quick Therm Hob Variable 9 Stage Power Settings for Each Zone Residual Heat Indicator Dimensions: H4.6xW59.2xD52.2cm 2 Year Warranty

2 Year Warranty A+ Energy Rating

1400 Spin 8kg Washing Machine

Now Only

Built In Ceramic Hob

PKE611CA1E

SMV40C40GB

247 / 110 Litres, 8.72 / 3.88 CuFt Capacity 2 VitaFresh Chiller Boxes VitaFresh Box with Humidity Control Dimensions: H186xW60xD66cm

£599.

Professional Installation

Built In 12 Place Setting Dishwasher

KGN36VW35G

Only

£20 Save

Only

£289.

HMT75G451B

1000 Watt Grill, 17Litres, Electronic Control, 5 Power Levels Side Opening Door, 24.5cm Glass Turntable 4 Defrost, 3 Cooking & 8 Combi Programmes Dimensions: H29xW46.1xD35.1cm 2 Year Warranty

Only

£139.00

Your Local Independent Electrical Retailer Top Electrical Stores Ltd 32-3632-36 AldeAldermans rmans HiHill ll, Palmers Green, London, N13 4PN 0800Palmers 4583Green 339 N13 ww w.euronics.co.uk 4PN Tel: 020 8886 6290 or 0800 4583339 www.topdiscount.co.uk chris@topdiscount.co.uk

Top Discount Electrical Stores Ltd

Let’s Make Life Easy

GET CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP with offers throughout December Expert Knowledge

Super Service

Competitive Prices

2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

Automatic Pan Recognition Sensor 17 Power Levels Front Touch Controls Dimensions: H0.51xW80.2xD52.2cm 2 Year Warranty

Only

£869.

£239.99

Built In Single Electric Oven

71 Litres Capacity, 6 Functions LED Digital Display Fixed Integral Grill Dimensions: H59.5xW59.4xD54.8cm

2 Year Warranty A++ Energy Rating

2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

Was £549.99

Built In Electric Double Oven

B1HCC0AN0B

6 Programmes Varioflex Basket System Electronic Control, Stainless Steel Dimensions: H81.5xW59.8xD55cm

£479.

4 Gas Burners with Cast Iron Supports Flame Select System, Front Controls Stainless Steel Dimensions: H0.45xW58.2xD52cm

Only

S513M60X2G

T26DS49N0

2 Year Warranty

Built In 14 Place Settings Dishwasher

Now Only

Built In Gas Hob

T48FD23X0KIT

71 Litres Multi Function Oven with Slide & Hide Door Pyrolytic Cleaning turns dirt into ash Circotherm Cooking System Dimensions: H59.5xW59.5xD54.8cm

£829.

Professional Installation

5 Zone Induction Hob & Pan Set

Built In Single Oven

B57CR23N0B

Only

£70

Save

Now Only

£380.

U1DCC1BN0B

71 Litres Capacity Main Oven 34 Litres Capacity Top Oven EcoClean Direct Liners Dimensions: H88.7xW59.4xD55cm 2 Year Warranty A Energy Rating

Was £399.00

£19

Save

Now Only

£679.99 Was £979.99

£300 Save

Your Local Independent Electrical Retailer Top Electrical Stores Ltd 32-36 A lderm ans Hill,Hill Palmers Green, London, N13 4PN 32-36 Aldermans 0800 4 5833Green 39 N13 www .topdiscount.co.uk Palmers 4PN Tel: 020 8886 6290 or 0800 4583339 www.topdiscount.co.uk chris@topdiscount.co.uk

Top Discount Electrical Stores Ltd

FILM INTERVIEW

Emma Stone The La La Land star talks rivalries, accents, and corsets!

scar winner Emma Stone has stunned film festival audiences in the past, in particular one of the most beloved films in the past few years in Damien Chazelle’s musical La La Land, for which she won several awards including an Oscar. The success of the film has made her one of the interesting and in-demand actresses in the world. However, despite having achieved success beyond any actor’s wildest dreams, Stone isn’t interested in coasting, and continues to bring intense, complicated performances to the big screen. Her latest is The Favourite, a hilariously dark period comedy from director Yorgos Lanthimos, who directed The Lobster and The Killing of A Sacred Deer. She plays a destitute young woman who schemes her way to the top of Queen Anne’s (Olivia Colman) court, overthrowing The Queen’s current favourite (Rachel Weisz). The film looks to be one of the favourites (no pun intended) to sweep the Academy Awards next year. It’s a very different pace for the star, who addition to her work on La La Land, starred in films such as Easy A and The Amazing Spiderman films opposite former partner Andrew Garfield. “I loved it” she said at a press conference for the film. “A lot of it I maybe didn’t fully understand, in the beginning, when we were shooting it. Then I started to understand more because of the way Yorgos was shooting, that there would be more silence and more watching and observing than I had previously expected.”

Her character, Abigail Masham, made quite an impression on the actor. “She’s overcome a lot, I loved every element of getting to play her” she says, although the performance wasn’t all plain sailing in a cast full of British legends such as Colman, Weisz and Nicholas Hoult. “In terms of the challenges for me, I was the only American in the cast, so that was a little bit daunting in terms of trying to make sure that the accent made sense. The corsets were a challenge too, because you can’t breathe all day!” She also didn’t have access to the kind of research normally associated with this kind of film. “I was the only American in the cast, so I didn’t really know the extent of British history, but (the British cast) didn’t know either! So I did a bit of research, I read about Sarah (Weisz’s character) and Queen Anne, and the little you can find about Abigail, but the nature of their relationship wasn’t completely understood. So I just sort of went with whatever they said!” In the film, it emerges that one of the many ways Weisz and Stone’s characters win favour with The Queen is to sleep with her. While this may be awkward for many casts, Stone reveals they all have the chance to get eliminate a lot of the discomfort prior to filming. “We had this three week rehearsal process before we started shooting and that wasn’t a traditional rehearsal experience, but Yorgos was there and the whole cast was together for three weeks, and we did a whole bunch of crazy stuff together!” she says. “We all learned to be embarrassed in front of each other and rely on each other, and I think by the time we started shooting we were all very close and very comfortable with each other. So when I had to have sex with Olivia, it was very comfortable, because we are very good friends! “

I don’t know about rivalry. I think there’s a competitive spirit but I think that exists in most industries”

Most actors wouldn’t be happy having to say less, but Stone was quite taken with relying on other aspects to tell a story. “(It) was fantastic” she enthused. “If I could do a whole film and never say a word and just get to do that, I would be very happy!” She then joked that “I’m sure lots of people would be very happy with that too!” Yorgos Lanthimos is notorious for unusual methods that create the unique and interesting stories that have made his name. It also involves a very different kind of approach to auditions, which Stone herself was witness to when she read for the film maker. “I auditioned for Yorgos and he had me breathe, pant, like I was giving birth while reading the lines, or take weird pauses during the lines. I think he just does this to everyone!”

The film centres on the idea of rivalries, with Stone’s character doing anything she can to get ahead. Many critics have compared the tone of the film to stories of Hollywood ruthlessness. Does the rivalry in The Favourite echo her Hollywood experience? “Oh yeah, hell yeah!” she jokes, before adding “I don’t know about rivalry. I think there’s a competitive spirit but I think that exists in most industries”.

The Favourite is in cinemas from New Year’s Day.

FOOD

Set for a

Celebration Treat your guests to the best this year, with a table they’ll want to clean for sure.

Pot-roast spiced beef with red cabbage Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours Total time: 2 hours 45 minutes - 3 hours 15 minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients Knob of essential Waitrose Unsalted Dairy Butter 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 small red cabbage, shredded 75g raisins 150ml balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp light muscovado sugar 1kg essential Waitrose British Beef Toprump or Topside joint 2 tsp Bart Berbere Blend

Cook’s tip A spoonful of cranberry sauce on the side makes a lovely accompaniment to this roast beef.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC, gas mark 3. Heat the butter in a flameproof casserole and cook the onion for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the red cabbage, raisins, vinegar and sugar. 2. Rub the beef joint all over with the spice blend and sit on top of the red cabbage. Cover with the lid and roast for 2½-3 hours until the beef is very tender. 3. Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then slice the beef and serve with the braised cabbage and some mashed potatoes.

Recipes and images courtesy of Waitrose. Find over 5000 recipes at www.waitrose.com

FOOD

Spiced Black Forest Crumbles Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25 - 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes - 45 minutes Serves: 4–6 Ingredients 450g bag essential Waitrose Frozen Black Forest Fruits, defrosted Grated zest and juice 1 orange 1 tsp clear honey 1 tsp ground cinnamon 50g low-fat spread, such as Bertolli Light 125g Waitrose Spelt Flour 40g caster sugar 40g LOVE Life Fruit, Seed & Nut Muesli

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC, gas mark 5. Tip the fruit with any juices into individual pudding bowls or a 1-litre baking dish. Whisk the orange zest and juice, honey and cinnamon together and pour over the fruit. 2. In a bowl, rub the low-fat spread into the spelt flour to form fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and muesli and scatter the mixture over the fruit to cover it. 3. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp.

FOOD

Simple passion fruit cheesecakes Vegetarian Preparation time: 10 minutes Serves: 4

Cookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tip Try the soft cheese mixture and add more or less icing sugar to suit your taste and balance the tart flavour of the passion fruit.

Ingredients 4 stem ginger biscuits 20g butter, melted 4 Waitrose Large Passion Fruit 250g pack essential Waitrose Creamy Soft Cheese 150g Greek-style coconut yogurt 3 tbsp icing sugar Method 1. Break the biscuits into coarse crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Divide between 4 glasses and place in the fridge for 5 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, halve the passion fruit and scoop out the pulp and seeds and set this aside. 3. Beat together the soft cheese, yogurt and icing sugar until smooth then stir in half the passion fruit. 4. Divide between the glasses and spoon over the remaining passion fruit. Chill until ready to serve.

Recipes and images courtesy of Waitrose. Find over 5000 recipes at www.waitrose.com

Serving the finest coffee London has to offer, sourced with the best possible ingredients the UK has to offer. Nothing artificial, nothing processed, nothing refined. Only organic, ethical and compostable.

32 High Street, London N14 6EE

FILM INTERVIEW

Jason Momoa The Hawaiian heartthrob on becoming a superhero, and the perils of wet denim!

fter achieving much success on the small screen in series Game of Thrones, Jason Momoa went to a new level of success in 2016, when he joined the ranks of DC’s superhero universe to become Aquaman, appearing briefly in Batman V Superman and then 2017’s Justice League. Now, Momoa gets a chance to shine on his own in a solo blockbuster.

film’s release, he promoted the trailer by jumping off of a cliff in Hawaii. “Yeah, it was a silly idea I had” he says at a comic con panel for the film. “I was going to Hawaii, and I thought ‘why don’t we try and release something to our fans, I’ll be with my family, it’ll be fun’. I used to jump off that cliff as a kid.”

Aquaman stars Momoa in the title role of an underwater prince who must unite his people against his evil brother (Patrick Wilson). Momoa was so enthusiastic about the

It was a bad choice, looking back, to wear denim! So in the film, they may look like leather pants – they’re not, they’re wet, twenty ounce denim. It’s hard to move!” While Momoa has won legions of fans thanks to his screen presence and rugged good looks, the actor admits the release of the film is a new experience for him. “I’m getting ‘the giggle effect!’” he says, smiling. “It’s been five or six years in the making… my heart’s big and open, I’m so proud of it. The cast is amazing, the director is amazing, it’s just a beautiful origin story that I love. I’m really happy.” It hasn’t all been a joyous experience, however. While Aquaman may have few weaknesses, the man who plays him was hampered by wet jeans. “One of the things about this film was that you were either in armour or you’re half naked with tattoos” he reveals. “It was a bad choice, looking back, to wear denim! So in the film, they may look like leather pants – they’re not, they’re wet, twenty ounce denim. It’s hard to move! For this one scene, James (Wan, director) was like ‘get lower, do this cool stance’. I was like (crouching awkwardly) ‘James, I’m bottoming out here! This is wet denim bro!’” Finally, in a film about a man who can talk to fish we have to ask – which underwater creature would he like to be? “I’d be a shark!” he replies quickly. “That’s one of my tattoos here (points to wrist), it’s kind of my guardian, so I’ll say a Great White Shark!” Aquaman is in cinemas 12th December.

Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Food At Its Very Best For Everyone To Enjoy 932-934 High Road London N12 9RT (Easy parking nearby)

020 8445 3355

Email: sangiorgiorestaurant@hotmail.com - www.sangiorgiorestaurant.london

The Newest & Best Italian Restaurant In North London. Giorgio & Son Gianni Formerly Of Alfresco & Cocorico Now Welcome Everybody At The New Venture To Celebrate Christmas Festivities & Family Gatherings With Us At

No More No Less Simply the Best Ciao Giorgio & Gianni Our Christmas Menu - Please Remember to Book Early for your preferred time & date CHRISTMAS MENU 1 £19.80

CHRISTMAS MENU 2 £25.80

TRICOLORE V

Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

AVOCADO E GAMBERETTI

Food At Its Very Best For Everyone To Enjoy

MOZZARELLA DORATA V

Christmas Season Festivity is fast approaching. It’s that time when people get together to enjoy themselves & spend some quality time with family & friends. If you are organising a party for your Christmas festivity why not choose something different this year, San Giorgio?

A salad of avocado, mozzarella, tomatoes, rocket, basil leaves & olive oil Avocado pear & prawns drizzled with cocktail sauce Deep fried mozzarella, baby spinach & chilli tomato chutney

PROSCIUTTO E MELONE Parma ham & chilled melon

ALETTE DI POLLO

Spicy & sticky chicken wings

CALAMARI FRITTI

Deep fried calamari served with lemon & tartare sauce

FUNGHI ALL’AGLIO V

Mixed mushrooms pan fried with garlic & a hint of chilli

PESCIOLINI FRITTI

We at San Giorgio have the perfect expertise & experience for your party to be a perfect occasion.

BUFALA CAPRESE V

Bufala mozzarella with cherry tomatoes & basil

PEPERONI ARROSTO V

Peppers filled with goats cheese, garlic & herby crumbs

ASPARAGI ALL’UOVO V

Fresh asparagus, topped with a fried egg & parmesan

SALMONE AFFUMICATO

Smoked salmon, prawns, avocado, rocket & cocktail sauce

ANTIPASTO DI SALUMI

Selection of ham’s, salamis, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes & parmesan

TARTARE DI TONNO

Tuna tartare, freshly made & garnished

INSALATA DI MARE

Marinated & garnished seafood & shellfish salad

GAMBERONI SAN GIORGIO

Parma ham, mozzarella, rocket & spinach leaves with basil pesto

Pâté of chicken livers with crostini

We have prices to suit everyone with plenty of choices. Provided for you are two competitive set menus. Once you have decided which menu you have chosen, we require a deposit to confirm your booking of £10 per person for a table of 8 and more.

Vegetable soup

Please forward your choices in the provided form or via email

Grilled mixed vegetables with burrata & basil

Deep fried whitebaits served with lemon & tartare sauce

SCOTTADITO SAN GIORGIO Spicy & sticky spare ribs

PATE DI POLLO

MINESTRONE V

TACCHINO ARROSTO

Roast turkey dinner with all it’s traditional trimmings

POLLO MILANESE

Chicken escalope served with spaghetti bolognese or tomato sauce

SPAGHETTI E BROCCOLI V

Broccoli, cherry & sun dried tomatoes, chilli, garlic & herby crumbs

RISOTTO PRIMAVERA V

With courgettes, beans, asparagus, spinach, peas & parmesan

MERLUZZO AL FORNO

Cod fillet oven cooked with cherry tomatoes, olives & capers

ORATE ALL’AGRODOLCE

Sea bream fillets pan fried with red peppers & onions, glazed with balsamic reduction

VITELLO CON FUNGHI

sangiorgiorestaurant@hotmail.com

Calves’ liver pan fried with butter & sage

POLLO ALLA GRIGLIA

Grilled chicken fillets with grilled mixed vegetables

PIZZA PARMIGIANA V

Pizza with mozzarella & tomato base, aubergines, sun dried, cherry tomatoes, rocket leaves & parmesan

FEGATELLI ALLA SALVIA

Chicken livers pan fried with butter & sage on toast

VERDURE & BURRATA V

TACCHINO ARROSTO

Salmon fillet, baby spinach in a light asparagus & mustard sauce

If you have any enquiries please do not hesitate to speak to the Manager.

Lamb shank slow cooked with mixed beans, herbs & tomato sauce

WHY NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS DAY WITH US AT SPECIAL LUNCH WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS OPEN ALL DAY ON BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH OUR NORMAL MENU

TAGLIATELLE AL VITELLO

Menu available on request

CHOICE OF DESSERT

For all menus on this page Christmas novelties are included. This does not include any drinks, wines, minerals & coffee. Gratuities & tips at customers discretion, VAT included. A gratuity is added of 10% to parties of 5 or more people.

With chunky veal ragu, cherry tomatoes & mushroom sauce

PROSCIUTTO E MOZZARELLA

Please note all deposits are non-refundable unless we are given 48 hours prior notice for not attending. Each person not attending without prior notice will lose the deposit paid and will not be put against the final bill on the day.

Veal escalope with mushrooms & cream sauce

FEGATO BURRO E SALVIA

King prawns, garlic, ginger, a hint of chilli & lemon

Roast turkey dinner with all it’s traditional trimmings

SALMONE CON ASPARAGI VITELLO MILANESE

Breaded veal escalope served with spaghetti bolognese or tomato sauce

STINCO D’AGNELLO RANA PESCATRICE

Monkfish cooked with clams & mussels in tomato & herb sauce

SPAGHETTI ALLO SCOGLIO

With mixed seafood & shellfish, garlic, herbs & tomatoes

TONNO GRIGLIA

Grilled tuna with rocket, a salsa of tomatoes & mixed beans FILETTO A PIACERE 280g ADD £6p.p. Fillet steak plain grilled

RISOTTO ZUCCA E SALSICCIA

With pumpkin, sausage, sage, saffron & parmesan

PIZZA BIANCA & VERDE V

Basil pesto, courgettes, tendersterm broccoli, baby spinach & bufala mozzarella

GAMBERONI DIAVOLA

King prawns in spicy tomato sauce served with parmesan risotto

CHOICE OF DESSERT

INTERVIEW

Lauren Pope After Rapunzel hair ruled in 2017, a swishy long length is still #hairgoals for many. Now, thanks to reality TV star Lauren Pope, getting hip-grazing locks like a Kardashian just got easier.

he TOWIE beauty, who is one of the longest-serving cast members of the show, recently launched the longest and thickest hair extensions from her brand Hair Rehab London earlier this year. Measuring in at 24 inches, the Ultimate Volume Clipins fall around hip-length to create a princess-worthy style – and look super realistic. Speaking of the product, Lauren Pope said: “The latest hair trend that we’ve been witness to is ultra-long, glamorous hair and there’s no better way to achieve this than with 24” Clip-ins. “Still in keeping with our premium quality, this new length product is set to be a real hit -

after sharing a preview of the launch online, we’ve been inundated with customers wanting to get their hands on it.” These gamechanging extensions don’t only boast a dreamy length, but are much thicker compared to other Hair Rehab London products. Tell us a bit about yourself… I ventured into the world of business 11 years ago when I launched my own hair extension brand, Hair Rehab London. The company supplies a range of hair extensions and hair products to salons and consumers all over the world and has a loyal following with over 115k Instagram followers. I’m also known for being one of the only original cast members remaining on The Only Way Is Essex, which started back in 2010. How do you keep your hair extensions in tip-top condition? I always use a sulphate free shampoo and conditioner and use an intensive mask at least once a week. Your actually better avoiding washing your hair extensions every day, so I’d suggest that you do it around 2/3 times a week instead. Who is your ultimate hair stylist? I have two; Aaron Carlo and Mikey Kardashian and I’m lucky enough to have watched their careers grow from the start as they are both now close friends of mine. They have a signature sale that makes their work so distinctive, that’s a real skill! From a friend point of view I’m extremely proud of them, Mikey is working regularly with Amanda Holden and Ayda from X factor and Aaron now counts Little Mix and Maya Jama as regular clients. What hair trends are definite for 2019? In terms of colour I think smoky/ash shades will be huge. We saw it a bit this year but I think will even more so for 2019. I’ve also noticed more and more Bardot-esque bangs/fringes so I have a feeling this will be a big trend as it’s a style that works on everyone. Would you consider any other television shows? My business is really important to me and something I’m incredibly passionate about, so I would definitely consider going on a show like Celebrity Apprentice to demonstrate the skills I’ve gained from running an award winning company and it would be great if I could inspire other young entrepreneurs to get motivated in the world of business. I’ve experienced more than my fair share of tough pitches over the past 11 years, so I’m sure facing Lord Sugar wouldn’t be a problem! What’s next? My business is my main priority at the moment, so that’s my focus going forward. We’ve got new products launching from Hair Rehab in 2019, one of which is a brand new area for us so it’s both exciting and scary at the same time. With the type of products I work with, launching one new product usually takes around 12 months as it needs continual testing to make sure it’s the best possible quality. The next series of TOWIE is also starting in March, and who knows what will happening by then! TV star, influencer and entrepreneur Lauren Pope: www.hairrehablondon.com

BRASSERIE Book Your Christmas Parties Now! From 3rd-24th December 2018 Enjoy in-house London’s renowned top DJ Andreas Michaelides Set menu available

PRIVATE BOOKINGS ALSO AVAILABLE

I HATE TO SPREAD RUMOURS, BUT WHAT ELSE CAN ONE DO WITH THEM? Amanda Lear, Musician

I LIKE RUMOURS! I FIND OUT AMAZING THINGS ABOUT MYSELF THAT I DIDN’T KNOW CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:

020 8886 4070 RUMOURSUK.COM

INFO@RUMOURSUK.COM

6 ASHFIELD PARADE, SOUTHGATE, LONDON N14 5AB

CHRISTMAS

‘Tis the season

to be merry From fizz to Chablis and claret to pinot noir, the right wine goes a long way towards setting the festive mood

ll over the world, year in, year out, families and friends come together at Christmas to ask the same age-old questions. Does anyone actually like turkey? Who’s got the remote control? And, most importantly of all, what shall we have to drink? It’s worth finding the right wine for the right occasion. That means picking suitable matches not only for the food, but also for the moment – everything from casual soirées with friends to Christmas lunch with your nearest and dearest. While the wrong match may not ruin the moment, the right match can enhance it immeasurably. So let’s start with fizz – as all good parties should. An ideal scenario is to have a sparkling wine that’s good enough to impress the neighbours on New Year’s Eve, but affordable enough to mix with orange juice for Christmas morning Buck’s Fizz. Forget Prosecco – its ubiquity makes it too workaday for special occasions. It must be Champagne, then, and Tarlant Tradition Brut does the job very nicely. With more than 50 per cent pinot noir, and almost five years of bottle maturation before release, this is a full-bodied style of Champagne with delicious citrus fruit and classic biscuit aromas. It’s more than a match for the big brands. On to whites. Christmas is a time of tradition, so it makes sense to go for familiar names. Burgundy’s fame precedes it, and its whites offer plentiful diversity. They’re all made from chardonnay, the blank canvas of the wine world – capable of making great works of art in the right hands, in all manner of styles. Firstly, there’s perennial favourite Chablis, from the cool north of the region. Modest in alcohol, high in acid and vivid in flavour, this is the kind of wine to satisfy those who might usually choose sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, but with enough complexity and prestige to assuage the snootiest wine drinker. Domaine Samuel Billaud, Chablis Grand Cru Les Bougros 2015 pulls off this feat admirably, with delicate yet intense fruit flavours and a mouthwateringly crisp finish. For something even more special, try Etienne Sauzet’s 2014 Puligny-Montrachet. Hailing from one of the top producers in one of the top villages, this is white Burgundy in all its finery. The fruit character is riper than Chablis, like baked apple and peach, with a spicy scent from oak barrel ageing. As such, it is a versatile food match – not just with turkey, but pork, as well as any creamy dishes, or particularly as an accompaniment to good strong Cheddar. It makes sense to have a variety of reds to hand when days are shorter and darker – ideally, bottles that would be great with Christmas lunch, but equally splendid enjoyed by themselves in front of the fire. Pinot noir – Burgundy’s signature red grape – is the quintessential match for roast turkey, and one of its most exciting contemporary origins is the Mornington Peninsula, just south

of Melbourne. The fantastic Ten Minutes by Tractor, Coolart Road Pinot Noir 2015 delivers the variety’s requisite red fruit, soft tannin and light body. The ripe-fruit intensity is far more impressive than that of most Old World examples at a comparable price. For something with similar fruit flavours but a more savoury twist – as well as fuller body and much firmer grip – look to Piedmont in Italy. Here, the Nebbiolo variety makes wine of great perfume and heft. Giuseppe Cortese, Barbaresco Rabajà is a case in point, benefiting from nearly 15 years of bottle age, which gives it a mellow, persistent palate and wonderful flavours of truffle, earth and cocoa. Further down the Italian coast is Bolgheri, home of the so-called Super-Tuscans. King among them is Sassicaia, a cabernet sauvignon-based red that regularly beats Bordeaux at its own game. The 2014 is one of the best – a relatively light vintage, making it good for drinking now thanks to the youthful cassis fruit, or perfect to give as a gift to a discerning (and patient) friend to cellar for up to 20 years. Finally, there is that stalwart of the Christmas wine rack: claret. Selecting which to open is the adult equivalent of choosing which new toy to play with first. The main decision is whether to pick a blend dominated by cabernet sauvignon or by merlot. The latter should be softer and more plummy, while the former tends to be more grainy, with darker fruit character. Château Rauzan-Ségla 2008, from the prestigious Margaux appellation, is 62 per cent cabernet sauvignon and offers all the traditional claret characteristics you could hope for – blackcurrants, sandalwood and smoke. From the opposite side of the river, Château Perron 2012 from Lalande-de-Pomerol is 80 per cent merlot, made in a plush, ripe-fruited, more modern style. Either one would make a fine accompaniment to your festive season, leaving only one ageold question unanswered – where did I put the corkscrew?

Babinondas Christmas Party

s a m t s i Chr Party Menu

Christmas Mid Week Special

Famous Babinondas Special Meze

Mini Meze: 7 Cold Starters + 1 Main Course

Meat: Chicken, Lamb or Pork Sauvlaki Fresh Fish, Vegetarian or Turkey

+ Fresh Fruit Plater

JUST

£15

New Year's Eve Party

Selection of: Hot & Cold Dishes Fish & Meat Fresh Fruit (Ideal for Sharing)

Christmas Day Menu Famous Babinondas Special Meze OR

Meze & Fruit Glass of Champers

Us n i o J nd Come a

£50 per person

£25

per person

Soup

£40

per person

Chicken Avgolemoni or Vegetable

Starters

Prawn Cocktail or Portobello Mushroom stuffed with Spinach top with feta cheese

Main

Also open Christmas Eve Full Menu Available

Traditional Roast Turkey or Salmon or Roast Beef or Vegetarian Dish (Served with fresh veg and potatoes)

Desserts:

Xmas Pudding

(Served with custard or Brandy Sauce) or Ice Cream or Black Forest Cake

Free bottle of Wine for 4 people 598 GREEN LANES, LONDON N13 5RY • 020 8886 1010 Email: reservations@babinondas.net • Web: www.babinondas.net

What’s

HOT! KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE GOSSIP RIGHT HERE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA @CLOSEUP_UK

/CLOSE-UP

@CLOSEUPMAG

of Opportunity Containing this year’s most hyped beauty brands, ASOS’ advent calendar gifts you the likes of J.One’s Jelly Pack, MAC Strobe Cream and Sandy & Sky Pink Clay mask, amongst many others. ASOS The Face + Body Advent Calendar £55 www.asos.com

MUST READ Erica is frequently called upon by national media to give her comments and thoughts on a variety of subject matters and has been dubbed by Forbes as the ‘Delia of the Business World.’ Her book ‘Simple Tips Smart Ideas’ is aimed at the 5 Million micro-businesses in the UK as well as freelancers. Drawing on her experience from working with hundreds of founders - creative head and financial Director Erica offers readers a rich array of ideas, tips and contemporary case studies to kick start growth, build commercial resilience and outsmart your competitors. This book is aimed at consumers from all walks of life - from the solo plumber wanting to expand his work and business to the freelance graphic designer who wants to expand but doesn’t know where or how to start. Erica’s practical and no nonsense approach has helped companies and individuals double turnover, secure new IP, pivot and fall back in love with what they do. Over the last 6 years alone Erica has worked with over 200 small companies. @ericawolfemurray See page 78 for a chance to win Erica’s book ‘Simple Tips Smart Ideas’

THE PERFECT

gift

Ted Baker’s must-have button jewellery now comes as a handy set. EMILLIA makes the perfect gift for you or a loved one this season, showing off dainty enamel button earrings and a pendant, perfect for adding a quirky finishing touch to any look.

£55 www.tedbaker.com

Q&A WITH

Dan Whiston What can we expect from the new series? This series I’m in my new role as assistant creative director, so each week I’ll be working with different creative talents to put together performances we hope the audience will love. As you know, each series Dancing on Ice strives to be inventive and exciting, so in the new series expect lots of entertaining performances from the professional skaters and from guest acts that visit the show. How are rehearsals going? Rehearsals have been going really well and I’m loving being back and part of the Dancing on Ice family again. We’re working on exciting new concepts and big ideas that will push the celebrities to the max and are sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Everyone is training really hard and working full out to put together performances they hope will thrill viewers. There’s still a lot more hard work to do but the new series is shaping up to hopefully be a stunner. What has been one of your most challenging routines to teach and why? I would say Jai Ho was the most complex routine I’ve ever had to learn and then teach someone. Hayley Tamaddon and I were fortunate enough to have someone from the movie Slumdog Millionaire come into the studio and help us stylistically refine some of the intricate arm and hand positions. It was a physically demanding routine to do but also really good fun to perform. Another big challenge I’ve faced a few times over the years was coming up with a new Bolero for the series finals. Creating a Bolero which encapsulated the essence of Jayne and Chris’s original routine but at the same time was unique really tested me choreographically. But the honour of being in a Dancing on Ice series final, always made it a challenge I loved being faced with. @thedanwhiston Dancing on Ice returns on ITV January 2019

HOT Tickets The much-loved ballet Swan Lake is back in a revitalised rendition for a 21st-century audience. Choreographer Matthew Bourne offers a powerful take on Tchaikovsky’s beloved tale, replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing ensemble of male swans. Working with award-winning set and costume designer Lez Brotherson, the pair create a boldly beautiful and unmissable experience. The show also features Matthew Ball, the Royal Ballet’s newest principal dancer, alongside favourite such as Will Bozier and Liam Mower. 4th December 2018 – 27th January 2019 For tickets and information visit www.new-adventures.net/swan-lake

Les Artisans Chocolatiers ultimate decadence

Open your palette to ULTIMATE DECADENCE We are: Lovingly HANDMADE, FRESH and NATURALLY ORGANIC where possible, Luxuriously ORIGINAL, creative and innovative, ETHICALLY sourced, without any artificial additives or preservatives. Book an Ultimate Decadent Party, a special event, birthday or wedding. We cater for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sweet side of lifeâ&#x20AC;?. Our Show Stopper Large Cakes are available to order. We also specialise in Eggless, Vegan, Gluten-free cakes, and special flavours are available to order.

Find us at Brent Cross Shopping Centre

Telephone 07448 887565 Email meetal2000@hotmail.com www.lesartisanschocolatiers.com We are rebranding, and soon to be called Ultimate Decadence by Meetal in early 2019.

FOOD

Orange, cardamom & almond cake This dairy-free orange drizzle cake contains a hint of spice, fudgy dates and ground almonds, which make it deliciously moist â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect with a cuppa or to round off a meal.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 140ÂşC, gas mark 1. Line the base of a 21cm loose bottomed cake tin with baking paper.

Vegetarian

2. Set aside 2 tsp orange juice and a little of the zest then place the rest in a small saucepan with the dates and heat together for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes + cooling Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes + cooling Serves: 12 Ingredients Grated zest and juice of 1 large orange 250g chopped dried pitted dates 250g Flora Freedom Dairy Free 175g light muscovado sugar 4 large Waitrose British Blacktail Free Range Eggs 250g spelt flour 1 tsp bicarbonate soda 10 cardamom pods, crushed to remove the seeds 100g ground almonds 2 tbsp icing sugar

3. Using an electric hand whisk, beat together the Flora and light muscovado sugar in a bowl for 3-4 minutes until pale and creamy, then beat in the eggs, one at a time (add a tablespoon of flour if the mixture looks like it may curdle). Fold in the remaining flour, bicarbonate soda, cardamom seeds (discard the pods), ground almonds and a pinch of salt. 4. Stir in the cooled dates and juice and spoon the mixture into the prepared tin. Level the surface and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 30 minutes, then take out and cool on a wire rack. 5. When the cake has cooled completely, mix the reserved orange juice and zest into the icing sugar. Drizzle over the cake and serve.

Recipes and images courtesy of Waitrose. Find over 5000 recipes at www.waitrose.com

Now newly refurbished Open Christmas Day New Year’s Eve Live Music All occasions catered • Birthdays, Christenings, Communions and more Call to enquire within

764 Green Lanes Winchmore Hill London N21 3RE

Tel: 020 8364 1116 or 020 8360 1478 www.pizzeriagiovanni.co.uk pizzeriagiovanni_n21

FILM INTERVIEW

Hugh Jackman The Aussie superstar on playing a politician on screen, and if he would want to be one in real life!

aving put down the claws as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman is back on our screens in Oscar hopeful The Front Runner, the story of Presidential favourite Gary Hart and the infamous scandal that derailed his 1987 campaign. The film is directed by Jason Reitman, the man who brought us Juno and last year’s Tully. “As an actor you read things with a certain framework, when you get to page one, and my framework the entire time was ‘please love this, please love this’!” The actor says about reading the script. “Because I’m a massive fan of Jason’s”.

There was no particular aspiration to run for politics, and after looking into the world it makes me want to run even further!” As it turns out he did love it, despite his own (blurry) memory of the events at the time. “It just so happened I was on a gap year in 1987 when this all happened” he reveals at a press conference for the film. “I was turning 19 and probably drunk for most of the year! I remember very little of it, if anything. So as an outsider, as an Aussie, I took to the story very fresh, I found it somehow very relevant. Weirdly, as someone who loves puzzles, here was a piece of the puzzle I never knew about, but somehow (that piece) made a little sense of what is happening today. I’m also a journalism major, so I was very interested in that (side of the story).” Playing any real life person is a challenge, but luckily Jackman had the real life Gary Hart to call upon. “I spent some time with Gary and his family before filming, out of respect because I’ve never played someone who is alive… apart from Wolverine obviously” he jokes. “Everyone I had spoken to about him used this word, ‘enigma’. So I wanted to sit there and be with him, and understand what it is like to be around that mysterious enigmatic quality.”

Finally, with his sincere nature and natural charm, many have been wondering if he has ever harboured any ambitions to become a politician? “That’s a good question” he says with a grin. “There was no particular aspiration to run for politics, and after looking into the world it makes me want to run even further!” The Front Runner is in cinemas from 11th January.

Italian Restaurant Italian Food at its Best & More to Enjoy We welcome you to experience the very well established and probably the best Italian restaurant in north London like no other – Cocorico, bringing you traditional and modern Italian dinning for everyone, combined with the flavours you love to enjoy from Italy.

So, whether you are after a truly good meal and a good time or a venue for that special celebration, think Cocorico. We cater for all occasions, for all the family.

Open 7 days a week Book now for Christmas Parties! Open Christmas Day 3 courses £45.90 Open New Year’s Eve 4 courses £54.90 Serving all popular cocktails Check out our full menu online www.cocoricorestaurante.co.uk 1314-1316 High Road, Whetstone N20 9HJ

020 8445 1188

CHRISTMAS Folli Follie Red Strap Watch £160

Dune London Iviee Gloves £40 Next Red Cable Knitted Bed Socks £15

New Look Red Mug with Polar Bear Detail £5.99

Net-a-Porter Gucci Leather Belt £405

Here come

the girls

Oliver Bonas Wine Check Scarf £35

Buying something for your BFF, sister or mum? We have just what you’re looking for…

Debenhams Lounge & Sleep 2 Piece Set £25

Figleaves Heidi Klum Morning Lola Red Underwired Bra and Bodyleg £56

Christian Louboutin Tornade Blonde Parfum £215

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Gift Set £40

Lulu Guinness Lips Vanity Case £125

Welcome to Buckle & Vaughan THE ULTIMATE SOCIAL AND DINING OUT DESTINATION IN WINCHMORE HILL, N21

Buckle and Vaughan is open throughout the festive period (pre-booked tables only on Christmas Day). Boxing Day sees us open with a special three course set menu of £30 per head, as well as on New Year’s Day, between 12pm and 5pm. New Year’s Eve Party with a three course set menu – £90 per head – with live music from The Chart Toppers and dancing till late. Last few tables remaining. For the full details of all our Christmas menus along with our Christmas Party options, please visit our website on

www.buckleandvaughan.com

10-12 The Green, London N21 1AY

020 8886 2981

buckleandvaughan

@buckleandvaughan

@BandVN21

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Open 7 days a week 12pm to 2.30pm and 6.00pm to 11.45pm

020 8441 2131

27 Station Parade, Cockfosters Road, Herts EN4 0DW

www.tandoorinights.net

FILM REVIEW It’s the last film review of the year, and what better way to go out than with two ‘Five Star’ movies, and a preview of the latest DC Blockbuster. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tulip Fever 7th December

★★★★★

Oscar winner Alicia Vikander plays an unhappily married woman in 17th Century Amsterdam who uses the city’s Tulip trade to find a way to escape her situation. A beautiful looking film is let down by a drab script that drains every scene of its emotions, and makes the performances feel flat. The film was delayed a whopping four years due to problems in production, and judging by the result it could have done with more time to get things right.

The Old Man and The Gun 7th December

★★★★★

After decades in the spotlight and numerous classics, Robert Redford is retiring from acting. His last role is the true story of a career bank robber who escapes from prison aged seventy, and embarking on a series of bank robberies while romancing a local woman, played by Sissy Spacek. Shot in a retro style with fine performances from all involved, this is a nostalgic movie that moves at a leisurely pace but never stops entertaining. It’s a fitting farewell to one of the genuine all time greats of American cinema.

Sorry To Bother You 7th December

★★★★★

Rapper Boots Riley announces himself as a film maker to watch in this remarkable debut, telling the story of a young African American office worker (Lakeith Stanfield) who finds unexpected success thanks to his ability to change his voice on calls. A searing satire of race relations in America, the film follows the lead of film such as Get Out in using fictional scenarios to convey a more pertinent message. Add to this a terrific cast that includes Tessa Thompson and Armie Hammer, and you have a cult classic on your hands.

Preview: Aquaman 14th December The latest instalment in the DC Superhero Universe is Aquaman, an underwater prince played by Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) who comes to the surface world to stop a war between his people and ours. The DC superhero films have been a poor relation to rivals Marvel thus far, but Aquaman was well received in last year’s Justice League, and hopefully the charisma of Momoa will be enough to launch a new franchise. The film also stars the excellent Amber Heard, and action hero Dolph Lundgren.

FILM REVIEW

January Preview…

The Favourite 1st January

★★★★★

RBG 4th January

★★★★★

The director of The Lobster and The Killing of A Sacred Deer, Yorgos Lanthimos, brings us his new work starring the great Olivia Colman – soon to play The Queen in the series The Crown. In this film she plays another queen, 17th Century Monarch Queen Anne, who is poorly and emotionally reliant on her manipulative best friend/lover Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz). The arrangement becomes complicated, however, when a young woman (Emma Stone) looks to overthrow Churchill as the favourite. A funny and delightfully bizarre film, The Favourite is a stunning piece of work from a unique film maker featuring amazing performances from all three leads.

A lovely documentary about the life of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a Supreme Court Judge who throughout her career has strived for equality in the way women are treated in the United States, and is credited with many of the changes in work benefits and wage parity over the years. This incredibly affectionate portrait looks at what drives the 84 year old to keep going, and the people she has inspired – featuring contributions from friends, enemies and even former President Bill Clinton. It’s a little fawning at times but given the subject that seems understandable.

Colette

The Front Runner

11th January

★★★★★

Kiera Knightley gives yet another entrancing performance, playing the real life author Colette, whose autobiographical stories were a hit in the first half of the Twentieth Century, despite her husband (Dominic West) taking all the credit. While a little cliché in places, Knightley nails it as an icon of creativity, gender liberation and LGBT representation. Combined with a great performance from West as her loving but jealous husband, it’s a polished portrait of a hero from the past that should introduce her to a new generation.

11th January

★★★★★

Hugh Jackman plays real life Presidential hopeful Gary Hart in the true story of his run for the White House, which was derailed by allegations of an affair. The director of the excellent Tully, Jason Reitman, explores our relationship with politics in a fascinating and well acted drama. While the story takes place in the 80’s, the question of how much we need to know about our leaders is even more relevant today. Jackman himself always feels a little inaccessible, which is probably the film’s only fault but one that prevents it being a bona fide Oscar contender. Agree? Disagree? Tweet us @closeupmag #CloseUpFilm

CHRISTMAS Primark

Paperchase Glass Unicorn Head £6

Paperchase Pink Unicorn Vinyl Diary £10

Next Unicorn Bag £13

Born a

F&F Pink Unicorn Jumper £10

Unicorn

Accessorize Sparkle Unicorn Scarf £12 Tiger Unicorn Backpack With Office Accessories £7

Unicorns are everyone’s favourite fantasy creature. Surround yourself with these majestic, mythical, mystical beasts with our favourite Unicorn Gifts! Harness the power of the rainbow with the Unicorn!

Squeezamals Large Unicorn £17

River Island Unicorn T-Shirt £12

M&Co Unicorn PJ Set £15

Fingerlings WowWee Unicorn £16.99 Debenhams Unicorn Mug £10

BLOG

Katerina Mum to Rico and blogger to all! This no-filter, first time mum writes on finding her feet with motherhood, the ups and downs & everything in between. Keep up with Katerina on her ever-growing blog, as she takes you through her own journey of motherhood, while connecting with mums alike.

www.keepingupwithkaterina.com @keepingupwithkaterina

hristmas. A time of festive fun, films on repeat, meeting up with every human being you ever exchanged a word with, eating everything in sight (without ANY guilt because January 1st is when we start to care again right?), quality time with your family and putting effort into buying thoughtful, and very overpriced presents. In other words – the busiest and most expensive time of the year. If you’re not being pulled from pillar to post by nearly everyone you know to meet up for a Christmas drink, Christmas lunch or a Christmas dinner, you'll certainly have a Christmas workdo to attend or playing ‘hostess with the mostess’ in your home. However, if your social calendar isn't quite that full of adult interaction chances are - like me - you’re a mum who's schedule consists of 3 things: 1) Buying presents (for your child and all the 100 other babies you now have in your life), 2) Finding activities and days out for your child to do and 3) Keeping sane (the last one’s always so challenging). Your social life revolves around your child, which, does not mean it’s any cheaper or less time consuming than if it didn't. (A trip to Santa's grotto – 4 hours and £35 , Gin & tonic – 15 mins & £5.50 - see where I’m going with this?). But irrespective of what your bank balance may believe - it really is the most wonderful time of year.

There comes a point when you need to take all the stuff out of your basket, close the catalogue and think – ‘what is the real reason for the season?’ ‘what is the best gift?’ ‘what should Rico associate with Christmas growing up?’ Well first of all - how blessed he is to have everything he does, his health, clothes, a home, food and being surrounded with so much love from family and extended family and teaching him that these things don’t come so easily for everyone in the world. It’s important to me for him to grow up learning about charitable things and how important they are. That even in this big wide world with all its troubles, that he, as one little person, can make a difference - even if it is just to one person’s life. When I think about how much money I spend on Rico's gifts and outings, it puts into perspective of how far it could stretch for others as well as making sure he isn't missing out. So what is my gift to my son? The gift of gratitude, compassion, understanding and giving. My hope is, even if it’s once a year, at a time of giving, he can learn to buy, wrap and gift presents to children who need them more than him. Before cooking dinner, making some food for those who aren't as fortunate as us to be in a warm home with their family. Going to church to learn about why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place.

I have a lot to thank my son for; he’s made me appreciate life, family and everything we have in a whole different light. "

I find at times like this, it’s so easy to become wrapped up (no pun intended) in everything going on that sometimes the true meaning of this time can be lost. Since having Rico, I feel as though my priorities have changed and so has my outlook on life and especially Christmas. As parents it’s so easy to feel the pressures to stretch yourself to go above and beyond for your child, you end up spending so much money on things they don’t actually need, will get bored of in no time or break before New Year.

I have a lot to thank my son for; he’s made me appreciate life, family and everything we have in a whole different light. Mother Theresa once said, “In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours

Katerina x

EDUCATION

YOUR FAMILY

Christmas Diary BY SOPHIA’S DIARY

By Andrea Krase, owner and founder of www.sophias-diary.com

Wow, has the build up to Christmas started already? Parents want to make it as magical as possible for their little ones. So what’s on over the festive period for families? What do we need? We have been researching to find the best things to do for the next few weeks!

TOP THEATRE CHOICES

PLACES TO GO

Beauty and the Beast at Millfield Theatre

London at Christmas

Watch beauty and the Beast in the enchanted forest where curses need to be broken, true love must save the day and the Princes aren’t always so handsome. All the ingredients for another fun filled Millfield pantomime! Unmissable entertainment is guaranteed in a show packed with special effects, stunning costumes, beautiful scenery, and of course lots of comedy that will have the whole family laughing along. 29th November – 6th January Millfield Theatre, N18 1PJ www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk A Christmas Carol at Chickenshed Join the Chickenshed for a magical and brilliantly uplifting retelling of the unforgettable story of Ebenezer Scrooge, that “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner” 21st November – 5th January Rayne Theatre, Chickenshed, N14 4PE www.chickenshed.org.uk

How lucky are we that we are just minutes away from Central London, one of the best cities in the world? Family favourites include, Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, Winterville on Clapham Common, The Christmas Lights on Regents Street, Harrods and Hamleys. There are some fantastic shows such as The Snowman, A Christmas Carol and Dick Whittington to book too. Meeting Santa

Christmas Tales at The Dugdale Centre The fun and festive show, Christmas Tales, is back for another year! Based on the well known Tales from the Shed shows – but with an added sprinkling of magical snowflakes – these colourful and vibrant shows will be showcased in the cosy Dugdale Theatre. With plenty of puppets, singing and dancing, Christmas Tales is guaranteed to entertain the very youngest of audiences (and grown-ups too!), leaving everyone happy and joyful at the most wonderful time of the year! 6th – 30th December Dugdale Centre, EN2 6DS www.chickenshed.org.uk

Book your Christmas Grotto early, the queues can be crazy. Many popular ones may be full already, so be organised. We are lucky to have one of the best, Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries of Crews Hill, on our doorstep. Pearsons, Van Hage and Santa Spectacular at Willows Farm are brilliant too. For a more personal experience, why not try breakfast or dinner with Santa? Wyevale Garden Centre and The Harvester are taking bookings.

EDUCATION

OUR RECOMMENDED EVENTS N21 Winter Festival & Fireworks JTT Events presents another spectacular event. Filled with fun, laughter and surprises for all, this time at Bush Hill Park Golf Club. Bring your family and friends along for a fun-filled day of activities, entertainment, rides, performances, Christmas market, music, food and more. They also have Santa’s grotto for a meet and greet with a gift. Saturday 15th December, 12-8pm Bush Hill Park Golf Club, N21 2BU Crafty Chefs Christmas Toddler Classes

TIME OUT FOR PARENTS Thymari Special Christmas menu, live music on some evenings, delicious food and a great atmosphere. Trent Park Country Club Special Christmas menu and nights out over the festive period. The Winchmore Fabulous venue for Christmas food and drink. The Plough Great family friendly venue with lovely food. The Farmhouse Amazing food and is a beautiful venue.

Get the little one cooking up some festive fun at Crafts Chefs this Christmas. As well as baking goodies, included in the class is a snack, drink, story reading and a taste and talk about the ingredients used. Catering for all dietary requirements and food allergies. Limited spaces available. Wednesdays 10-11am, Fridays 1-2pm Irkdale Avenue, EN1 4BD ailsa@craftychefs.co.uk Gift Wrapping Service – Lexia’s Plastics & Packaging Formerly known as Enfield Town Book Shop (inside Post Office), Lexia’s Plastics & Packaging will be offering a luxury gift wrapping service throughout the month of December. Any gifts welcome! Make sure you book in advance and get your slots in to avoid disappointment. Call for more information. 07956 174494 613 Green Lanes, N13 4EP Christmas at Salisbury House There are a number of fantastic Christmas Events at Salisbury house this year. Sophia’s Diary’s favourite is the Winter Fayre and Green Grotto. This will be a very traditional winter experience where you can make a tree decoration in the special workshop and visit Mother Christmas (the Big Man will be very busy), where you can leave your letter for Father Christmas and receive a gift bag. (£5 for each activity). Hang a message on the Winter Wishing Tree and enjoy some very traditional seasonal entertainment. Dress for outdoors as we will have snow!! 14th – 16th December Salisbury House, Bury Street West, N9 9LA

ELF ON THE SHELF How are you going to introduce this little guy that will make your kids giggle so much? Lasting memories will be made. There are plenty of accessories in The Range, Poundland and The Works. Elianna Event Décor has received many balloon orders for when he arrives too!

Enjoy the festive period

Merry Christmas everyone WWW.SOPHIAS-DIARY.COM/EVENT-DIRECTORY Local Business Directory: WWW.SOPHIAS-DIARY.COM/DIRECTORY Event Ideas:

CHRISTMAS F&F

Home Sense Felt Green Dinosaur Bauble £2.99

Sainbury’s Dinosaur Hand Puppet £7

M&Co Dinosaur Wellies £16

Debenhams Here Comes The Dinosaurs Book £6.99

LEGO Jurassic World Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate £99.99

Little

MONSTERS Rex London Dinosaur Wooden Wall Clock £24.95

Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? They’re big, prehistoric and just flat out cool. While dinosaurs are nothing “new”, this year they seem to be everywhere, including children’s clothing, toys and on the big screens. Now is the time to give a dinosaur gift to any budding paleontologist you know or just anyone on your list.

F&F Dino Jumper £7

Paperchase Dinosaur Pom Pom Pen £3.50

Tiger Dinosaur Moneyback £3

Next Multi Christmas Dinosaur Jumper £14

M&Co Bobble Dinosaur Knitted Hat £10

Wrapping up warm

at winter wonderland

From Robbie and Ayda Williams to ‘Love Island’ favourites, the stars came out for the VIP launch of Hyde Park’s Festive Fair

he stars were wrapped up against the cold for the VIP launch night of this year’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Robbie and Ayda Williams were two of the first guests to grace the red carpet, with the actress looking super sophisticated in a long Céline coat. The pair were later spotted in high spirits as they took a spin on the dodgems at the festive fairground in the heart of London. Robbie had just come back from his three-week tour of South America ahead of his return to the X Factor panel alongside his wife. The evening of thrills and spills – without their three children Teddy, Charlton and Colette in tow – came as speculation mounted that the former Take That star won’t return to the ITV show next year due to his touring commitments. Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews were there too, enjoying a night off from parenting duties. The couple, who welcomed son Theo in September, are currently filming a ‘light-hearted and completely unscripted’ reality show. Titled Spencer And Vogue: Adult(ish), the three-part E4 series will document their experience as first-time parents. The annual festive theme park certainly kicked off the run-up to Christmas in style with fairground rides, an ice rink, ice sculptures, food stalls and bars to keep guests entertained.

CHRISTMAS

Love Island star Georgia Steel, who looked stylish in a trench coat, is currently filming for the latest series of Celebs Go Dating, due to be aired in January 2019. Insiders revealed to The Sun that the controversial star reportedly met with E4 bosses just a day after her split from Sam Bird, as she is said to be ‘the type of character they look to have on the show; she’s flirty, cheeky and doesn’t hold back’. Michelle Heaton made it a family outing as she joined in the fun with husband Hugh Hanley and their two children, Faith, six and AJ, four. What made it even more special was that it was Hugh’s birthday! Love Island’s Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson proved that their threemonth romance is still going strong as they cosied up on the red carpet, while the show’s 2016 runners-up Olivia and Alex Bowen were also there, looking loved up. Olivia’s friend, TV presenter Vicky Pattison, cut a somewhat lonely figure at the glittering event following her split from fiancé John Noble, who was rumoured to have cheated on her during a trip to Dubai. However, Vicky refused to let the break-up ruin her night out and even revealed in an Instagram post that she got asked for ID for her glass of mulled wine, joking: ‘LIFE MADE’! Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will remain open until 9th January 2019.

TRAVEL

Nordic NOËL Despite the dark of the Scandinavian winter, at Christmas, Stockholm shines all the brighter

t’s minus 1°C on a bright December morning in Stockholm’s harbour. At this time of year, the sun never rises before 8am – and then, just over six hours later, it heads back to bed. Yet the mood is enchanting and uplifting. That famous Nordic light is varnishing the city’s stately buildings and Verdigris spires, and the cobbled streets are already busy with fur-hatted shoppers striding purposefully forth to do their Christmas shopping. It seems a good day to take a cruise out to Fjäderholmarna, where the 24,000 islands of the Stockholm archipelago begin. On board the good shop Anganty; a handsome wooden steamer built in 1909, there is a festive mood. Its upper deck has benches strewn with reindeer skins, while the bar below does a brisk trade in warming cups of yellow pea soup and fortifying glögg (mulled wine served with raisins and almonds). Our guide, speaking better English than the English, gives a commentary full of interesting facts about the Swedish capital. A third of Stockholm is parks and green spaces; the 155m Kaknäs Tower, which you can go up, is one of the few tall buildings in this determinedly low-rise city; and on Christmas Eve, perplexingly, everyone gathers together to watch Donald Duck cartoons. This is a very walkable city, particularly if you stay at its most famous address, The Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Set on the Strömkajen waterfront, from where the cruise departs, it opened in 1874 and is where the celebrated Nobel Prize banquets were held between 1901 and 1929, and again from 1931 to 1933. Numerous dignitaries and

celebrities have stayed here – and still do – including each year’s Nobel laureates. Ask to see the Spegelsalen (Hall of Mirrors), a glittering ballroom inaugurated in 1899, and the Vinterträdgården (Winter Garden). From here, a short stroll takes you to the smart shops of Östermalm to the northeast, the museums of Skeppsholmen to the east, and the pretty old town of Gamla Stan to the south. Every winter, an ice rink is set up in the nearby Kungsträdgården park, while families flock to see the elaborate window displays in the nearby Nordiska Kompaniet department store. The Swedes take Christmas seriously, and for us it’s the best Scandinavian capital to visit if you appreciate a little decorum when it comes to festivities. Copenhagen is too wild, Helsinki too gloomy, Oslo too pricey. Here the celebrations are conservative and conformist – almost every window has an advents stake, an electric version of the traditional Advent candles, and the abundant decorations in streets and shops tend to be muted and tasteful. The one exception is the dazzling 38m Christmas tree (said to be the largest in the world), set up every year on the Skeppsbron waterfront, which has 5,000 coloured lights. There’s a similar wholesomeness when it comes to shopping. While much of Europe has come out in a rash of Santa-hatted Christmas markets that are often tacky and repetitive, here the Swedish love of crafts and design means you’ll not only find things you might actually want to buy, but you can also have a memorable time shopping for them. The pedestrian-friendly old town, with its gabled houses and pretty medieval streets, is the obvious place to start as it brims with traditional handicrafts, wooden toys and colourful stationary.

TRAVEL

Nearby SoFo (South of Folkungagatan), to the south of the old town, is the place to check out the hottest Swedish labels, hunt for vintage clothes, and marvel at trendy shops filled with accessories we never knew we needed, from funky coat hooks to a special brush for cleaning mushrooms. It is also worth heading to glamorous Östermalm to seek out Östermalm’s Saluhall, a historic food hall with spectacular displays. There are plenty of other classic specialist businesses in the area, such as bespoke glovemaker Hestra, where they will tailor you a pair from elk, peccary leather or even reindeer suede.

It’s the best Scandinavian capital to visit if you appreciate a little decorum when it comes to festivities”

Boots, hats, scarves, coats – a short break like this is sartorial heaven for those of us who believe toasty, textured winter garments are much more interesting than summer’s more lightweight pieces. Stomping through icy puddles, peeling off your layers in grandiose cloakrooms, cuddling cups of hot chocolate in steamy-windowed café, such is the romance of Stockholm at Christmas. There are plenty of treats to keep you going, including cinnamon rolls, saffron buns, potent Christmas beers – and dammsugare, a chocolate-dipped green-marzipan sweet, affectionately known as a “vacuum cleaner”. Spare some

time for a little culture too – Stockholm has dozens of museums covering everything from Abba to Strindberg, via vodka and silk weaving. First on the list has to be Vasa Museum, where the massive wooden warship, Vasa, which sank in the harbour in 1628 on its maiden voyage, is now displayed in all its painted glory, complete with bristling cannons. For something utterly contemporary, head for Fotografiska (the Swedish Museum of Photography) where the top-floor café has panoramic views over the city.

Back at The Grand Hôtel Stockholm, where there’s the Michelin-starred restaurants of Mathias Dahlgren and a sublime Nordic Spa, it is interesting to see how an aristocratic institution like this has found a place in the Swedes’ egalitarian society. There’s none of the hauteur you may encounter in some venerable hotels, and Stockholmers have a fondness for this august grande dame. They like to sip Pol Roger in its elegant Cadier bar and visit the Veranda restaurant, which is renowned for its themed smörgåsbords, including a legendary julbod – a special Christmas spread. In December, double rooms at The Grand Hôtel Stockholm (grandhotel.se) cost from £180 with breakfast. For further information, see visitstockholm.com and visitsweden.com.

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EDITORIAL

Long-Term Partner Wins Right to Stay in House

- Family Law expert Mark Heselton explains

hose who doubt the legal advantages of getting married should take note of a case in which an elderly man was left facing homelessness after his partner’s unexpected death and had to go to court to seek reasonable provision from her estate. The unmarried couple were of similar age and the man expected that, in the natural course of things, he would probably die first. They lived in a house that was in her sole name and, after she died suddenly, her son – to whom she had left almost all her estate – took steps to make him leave the property. After he took legal advice, proceedings on his behalf were launched under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The claim was hotly resisted by the son, who argued that the relationship between his mother and the man had become more akin to that of a landlady and a lodger by the time she died. In upholding the man’s claim, however, a judge noted that the circumstances of the case provided an example of the vulnerable position in which cohabitants can find themselves if they unexpectedly survive their partner. The couple’s relationship had endured for about 20 years and they had lived openly as husband and wife for more than a decade. The judge noted that the woman died on board an aircraft as the couple were going on holiday together. She had complained to friends about his lifestyle and that she had to do everything for him, but it was unfair to characterise him as a mere lodger. She had made it clear that she had no wish to live alone and the relationship contained an element of mutual support. Although they had not married, their commitment to each other was equivalent to engagement. Believing that he would be the first to die, the man had made a will leaving her half of his estate.

He had, in the circumstances, established that he was dependent on the woman for accommodation and was entitled to reasonable provision from her estate. The judge ordered a sale of the home that they once shared and that half the proceeds should be invested in purchasing a new home for the man. That sum would revert to the woman’s estate on his death.

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. For expert advice on all Family and Matrimonial matters contact Mark on 020 8370 2876 or by email at markheselton@vanderpumps.co.uk.

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