New Year, New You

14 New Year - New Home

DIRECT BLINDS

 Shutters now available

 Vertical, Venetian, Wood, Roller, Pleated

 Specialists in Conservatory Blinds, Awnings and Canopies  Home Visits Available

 Manufacturer & Installer of Perfect Fit and Intu Blind Systems (pictured right)

Unit 2 Northbrook Business Park, Northbrook Road, Worthing, BN14 8PN 01903 823 803

Once the Christmas and New Year celebrations have ended you may be planning to move house or to update or extend your present home. You may not be aware that there is a huge range of specialist blinds which can provide an attractive finishing touch to your project. Blinds will give a light and spacious feel to a living room. They offer a practical solution in kitchens and bathrooms with special “perfect fit” or “intu blinds” for doors. Bedrooms can suit stylish string vertical blinds or blackout blinds for the light sensitive on bright summer mornings. Roman blinds offer an alternative soft fabric style of blind and are available in a full range of curtain fabrics to co-ordinate with any colour scheme. They are operated on a Vantage Plus track system which provides an accurate and trouble free raise and lower system without the need to tie off cords. Conservatories can add another room to your property but can be too hot in Summer and too cold in Winter. Specialist conservatory blinds can solve these temperature problems, provide privacy and will make your conservatory useable all the year round. Shutters offer a stylish alternative window covering, providing solar control, privacy and security. Canopies and awnings can enhance the exterior look of a property as well as providing excellent solar protection. At the same time they provide a pleasant shaded area for sitting or eating outside. Direct Blinds provide a full range of vertical, metal and wooden venetian, roller, pleated and Roman blinds as well as wooden shutters, canopies and awnings throughout the areas covered by Sussex Local. For further assistance please telephone 01903 823803 or visit the website at www.directblindsworthing.com. Blinds - add the perfect finishing touch

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15 New Year - New Home

Your Complete Family House Furnishers Can Provide An Entire Service For:

www.funnellsfurnishings.co.uk

16 New Year - New Home

IRON WORK HOME & GARDEN

• Gates & Railings • Rose Arches & Obelisks • Curtain Poles • Firebaskets & Screens • Balustrades & Handrails • Pergolas & Gazebos • Plant Supports • Repairs & Shotblasting • Gate Automation • Weather Vanes

CHARLTON IRONWORKS

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17 New Year - New Health

Do you sometimes look at yourself in photographs and wish your teeth were whiter? I used to and so was very interested in trying the one hour ‘Diamond Whitening’ treatment offered by One Stop Medi Spa based in Littlehampton. There are many different teeth whitening products on the market ranging from gum and toothpaste to home kits. One Stop Medi Spa owner Sandra explained that stains on teeth are caused by everyday activities such as drinking coffee, red wine, smoking or consuming any products that permeate the pores of your teeth and cause discolouration. Older stains are found deep within the enamel and most of the home products and 15 minute treatments will not be able to effectively remove years of staining. The diamond whitening treatment uses a specially formulated peroxide gel which is accelerated by use of a cold-light whitening lamp. Three 20 minute treatments are carried out and improvements of between 6 and 10 shades on the ‘Whitening Shade Guide’ can be expected. The treatment is painless and Sandra put on some music to relieve the boredom as I lay still so that the special blue light remained pointing at my teeth. At the end of the treatment I was genuinely delighted. My teeth were 8 shades lighter which was a noticeable improvement but they didn’t look odd or strangely “dazzling”, just the look I was hoping for. There is also an aftercare kit to use at home for just 10-15 minutes a day which will help keep your smile white and prevent new stains forming. Sandra also advised me to stay off the red wine which I managed for at least two days! Diamond Whitening opening offer just £199 including aftercare kit. Contact One Stop Medi Spa, 43 Pier Road, Littlehampton on 01903 723514 or visit www.onestopmedispa.co.uk or www.diamondteethwhitening.co.uk A brighter, whiter smile in just one hour

Complementary Therapy Systematic Kinesiology Reflexology & Crystal Therapy Indian Head Massage in the heart of Arundel

Yvonne Diment –Natural Therapist BSc(Hons), DipASK, RawDips, Dip VCCT, ITEC, VTCT, PGCE 0774 0429 774 www.sussexenergytherapy.co.uk

contact Sandra for details

wayintohealth@googlemail.com

18 New Year - New Money

The New Year is always a great time to take stock of things with a view to making a fresh start. After the outlay of Christmas, financial matters will be high on the list for many people and following the economic difficulties of the last couple of years, revisiting and assessing your financial priorities is perhaps even more important than ever. Top Tips 1. Spend a little time working out your likely budget for the next 12 months. Will your income exceed likely expenses? 2. What does your personal balance sheet look like? What assets/debts do you have? 3. Review any investments you have. Are they working hard for you? 4. Review your personal insurance arrangements? If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family be able to cope financially? 5. What are your plans for retirement? Have you reviewed your pension plans recently? Will you have enough income in retirement? 6. Review your Will and any Powers of Attorney to ensure they still satisfy your needs. 7. Ensure you are using all available tax reliefs Shed some light on your finances in 2011

and allowances. 8. If any of the above points give cause for concern, consider talking them through with an independent expert. Everybody’s financial priorities are different but all can benefit from an impartial assessment showing which parts of your finances are strong and which require development. See our special offer for Sussex Local readers and save £50. Andy McQueen, APFS is the Principal of Personal Financial Designs, an independent financial adviser based in Worthing, tel: 01903 233205 authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

“Spotlight” Finance Review SAVE £50 Shed some light on your finances and save money at the same time! Save £50 on all financial review meetings booked before 31 st January 2011. Normal cost £170, reduced to just £120 for Sussex Local readers. Call Andy McQueen to book your review 01903 233205 Personal Financial Designs www.personalfinancialdesigns.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

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19 Reader Offer

Connoisseurs Club

for those who enjoy the finer things in life

The Connoisseurs Club focuses on enjoying the best of wine, food and music. We have been pleased with the increase in membership during 2010 and are looking forward to some interesting and enjoyable events in 2011. Our events vary throughout the year from wine dinners at local restaurants in East and West Sussex, to wine tastings at historic and picturesque locations as well as unique music events. With the Connoisseurs Club there is always something different to look forward to. Our 2011 Connoisseurs Club Programme of events will be available shortly online

www.travplan.co.uk/connoisseurs-club/ connoisseurs-club.asp And don’t forget Connoisseurs Club members enjoy discounts at selected Sussex restaurants and are automatically members of the European Travelplan Connoisseurs Club with benefits of luxury travel. There are many good reasons to join and we look forward to welcoming new members.

Membership Benefits include 5% discount on selected travel booked through European Travelplan Ltd 5% discount on selected restaurants including -The Old Forge, Storrington - Thirteen Church Street, Storrington - Bryces –The Old Schoolhouse, Ockley - Bryces Seafood Brasserie, Worthing - Sylvan Oak, Findon Village - The Star Inn, Alfriston 5% discount on wine purchases from The Old Forge Wine Cellar 5% discount on purchases from The Old Forge delicatessen Regular Wine Offers

MEMBERSHIP of our CONNOISSEURS CLUB costs just £10 per person for two years Please call 01903 745 451 for more details or email connoisseurs@sussexlocal.net