Urban Fox - February 2015 issue

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February 2015

Mood

WIN

Lifters

Luxurious Lingerie Warm Candle Ritual Exclusive Fitness Sessions

SS15 loudest bags

GOLDEN

GIRLS

And the award goes to‌

Money Makeover Making dreams a reality

Are you GETTING ENOUGH?

...sleep that is!

ROSAMUND

PIKE

BOND GIRL TO GONE GIRL

Romantic Retreats Cosy valentine hideaways

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Knighton Drive, Stoneygate Price £364,950 Victorian villa located in highly desirable area Abundance of Original Features Four Double Bedrooms Breakfast Room & Kitchen Two Large Reception Rooms Three Storey Landscaped Gardens Close to Renowned Schooling & Local Amenities

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Letchworth Road, Western Park Price £319,950 A superbly located spacious detached Three Large Double Bedrooms Modern Fitted Kitchen Spacious Through Lounge/Dining Room Detached Property Integral Garage Landscaped Gardens Off Road Parking No Upward Chain

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Westminster Road, Stoneygate Price £349,950 Semi detached home on sought after tree lined road Four Bedrooms Extended Living Room Dining Room Breakfast Kitchen Opening into Conservatory Bathroom with Separate WC Landscaped Gardens Integral Garage Close to Stoneygate Shops

Hello Hello

COVER SHOT: COVER SHOT:

LONG TALL SALLY Knitted Pocket Tunic, £48 & Lola Rosa Elena Necklace, £89 LA REDOUTE Leopard Print T-Shirt, £29

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As the new season looks hit the high street, local boutiques andwe’re online stores; there’s nowe’re better We’re rested, re-energised and time toBut celebrate things fashion and style back! if you’reallstill feeling the New Year than in our- Retail Therapy edition. overdrawn hangover exhausted, unmotivated, -We then we’ve perfect antidote with bring yougot thethe must-have items from thethis month’s Time to Shine edition. new season collections, updates on key trends in Join the Dots Pleats plus spring’s 10 Instaglam yourand look with Please; classic metallics, best clutch bags in Clutch Control.

I also share mood lifting bags and hair that’s healthy my favourite buys for from SS14 this in year’s and shines; ortries takeand inspiration Wish List (p15).nominees and make an impact Golden Globe with SS15’s hottest makeup trends.ofFrom golden Gonebuying Girl, wethe catch up with As consumers we waste hundreds pounds over girl our to lifetime wrong actress Rosamund Pike to chat herDirector rising career juggling baby duty – her products for our hair, so Jon Levy,about Artistic at Toniand & Guy comes to our rescue son bornto in Perfect December frequent on the red carpet. withwas 4 Steps Hair.- with We also checkappearances out this season’s catwalk makeup trends, to youfeeling transform your new season Ifhelp you’re more ‘blue you’ thanlook. ‘new you’, it might just be that you’re not getting enough…sleep is! Check our to achieve a better night’s sleep; If fashion is yourthat passion, don’tout miss outtips onon ourways interview with revolutionary designer and learn how you can make your dreams a reality with some simpleand changes to your Zandra Rhodes who talks to us about breaking down design barriers why the spending habits in Money Makeover. government should show more support to the UK fashion industry. And ever wondered it takes to become a personal stylist? with Tina Lock reveals all in this Yellow, month’sor Mytake Way. Ifwhat it’s your home that’s tired, add sunshine this season’s Mellow time out to yourself discoverone 2015’s interior design predictions in ‘Trend of Watch’.

Finally bag of our exclusive reader offers courtesy Lands’Looking End, to step on property ladder or downsize year, then don’t excuse miss our finding T.M.the Lewin, Clarins and more.

There’s this never been a better toguide shop, to shop, shop!the perfect pied-á-terre.

Until next time, Finally there’s nothing like being in love to bring a little sparkle to our lives, so make February a month for romance. From cosy hideaways and luxurious lingerie to red hot fashion and fabulous fragrances, we’ve got it covered. Or whip up one of our delectable chocolate desserts, guaranteed to win anyone’s heart! Can’t cook, then cheat, we’re all for Faking It (page 33)…in the kitchen!

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URBANFOX URBANFOX MARTINA LENAGHAN Editor editor@theurban-fox.co.uk MARTINA LENAGHAN Editor LENAGHAN STEVE editor@theurban-fox.co.uk Head of Sales & Marketing 07738 STEVE614245 LENAGHAN steve@theurban-fox.co.uk Head of Sales & Marketing 07738 614245 LISA ROTH steve@theurban-fox.co.uk Head of New Business Development LISA ROTH 07843 Head of851132 New Business lisa@theurban-fox.co.uk Development 07843 851132 LAURA WILLIAMS lisa@theurban-fox.co.uk Designer laura@theurban-fox.co.uk PAUL BANKS Designer WALKER STEPHEN paul@theurban-fox.co.uk Designer creative@theurban-fox.co.uk

Disclaimer: Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, the editor can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in to either Disclaimer: Although every effort is made editorial oraccuracy advertising content. in this publication, ensure the of material the editor can accept no responsibility for the Copyright: All text, images and design in this veracity of claims madeto bycopyright. contributors publication are subject Anyin either editorial or advertising content. unauthorised duplication is strictly prohibited.

All artworkAll is accepted on the condition Copyright: text, images andstrict design in this that permission has been given to use it in this publication are subject to copyright.

Any publication. duplication is strictly prohibited. unauthorised All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given to use it in this publication.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Revolution DESIGN

16

12

34

approach to Famed for her wonderfully colourful Rhodes design, English queen of textiles Zandra discusses her involvement in the industry

15

W

hen asked to picture a figurehead of the British fashion design world, the vivacious fuchsia-haired Zandra Rhodes promptly comes to mind. So it’s a privilege to meet the ‘Princess of Punk’ in her bright, quirky and altogether penthouse. Awarded London fabulous a Commander of the British Empire for her efforts in the fashion industry, the designer has permanently printed of her mark on the international world textiles.

her garments procured by buyers Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus and Saks, Zandra has since become the enigmatic textile designer of her age.

At 73, Rhodes has never been one to shy away from bold prints and iconic patterns. Rewind half a century to the late 1960s and a youthful Zandra’s vibrant designs were considered a little left-field.

Unperturbed, the designer made dresses from her own fabrics, embedding printed textiles within her craft.

“One of my first struggles was the fact that I was a textile designer,” she explains if with a laugh. “People would say that you’re a textile designer then you can’t a make dresses. So I suppose that was revolution.” an This revolution, in bringing together eye for both design and production, secured Rhodes’ assimilation into the fashion world. In 1967 she opened The Fulham Road Clothes Shop, in London.

Just two years on she’d taken her designs Vreeland Diana where to New York featured them in American Vogue. With

41

easy That isn’t to say that fashion was an industry to crack. Did being a woman have anything to do with it?

“Oh yes. I think women have a harder go road all round, in whatever field they into. The only thing I would say is not to make it any harder for yourself by pointing it out.”

Introduced to the colourful world of at textiles by her mother, Zandra studied Medway College of Art in Kent, before securing a place at London’s The Royal College of Art.

“I do think that being in London at the time that I started, when everyone was But looking toward the UK, was helpful.

I don’t think that there’s such an equal that opportunity at present. I don’t think our current government spends enough on promoting fashion when compared to the French government, for example.

So therefore, unfortunately, you don’t necessarily reap the benefits.”

“I think women have a harder road all round, in whatever field they go into.”

8

Image: Gene Nocon schedule. But – and then endured a “relentless” filming lips at the Pike’s taken a turn The name ‘Rosamund Pike’ is on everybody’s it’s hardly her first casting of note; is no newcomer to and low budget moment, but the 35-year-old actress genres, in an array of blockbusters art ofindustry, heracross advice to up and Pride and fashion The only child of two opera stars, the the scene. features, from Die Another Day to independent museum has made.” in her first lead merges the An Founded by Rhodes in 2003 the museum performance is in her blood. Pike appeared coming British designers Keira Knightley to the award-winning Prejudice of work prestigious the sage. alongside the the with with showcasing Juliet to entrepreneurial is dedicated Romeo and label a fair one? “I think Shakespeare’s role inHaving also expanded into designing Education. So is the ‘breakthrough’ at school, from there still Diego fashion and textile designers from the National Youth while Theatrefor the San terms, it is just an easy way of defining of sort costumes and those all sets with her Because “Work as hard as you can.

1950s onwards. Does she believe an agent. herself says Pike. “I’m certainly not thinking has staked its claim on securing America Opera, things for Andother people,” work gets wasted. hard museum has made ripples in the fashion not onlyPike no boasts school Sheleaving that.” turned called designer. was be to the English trying like that, that on to work harder It’s surprising then, unfortunately you have industry? her museum and deeds to her flagship applied to. Unperturbed, right at the career now well underway, Pike is contending drama school she harder to get there and down from every the soaring also a but it, With above penthouse home reading English Felicity Jones and Oxford University, beginning.”

“I definitely think the Fashion and Textileshe took a place at the cities of Miami, with Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, transatlantic keys toshe’s to inspired by acting royalty – Museum has had an impact in regards Literature. Pike admits the big Oscar win. This may be a deal Marion Cotillard for she Beverly Hills and New Orleans. us the only reason,” Debuting years before the majority of making the textiles industry more visible,” namely Daniel Day Lewis. “He wasn’t breaker award, but Pike hasn’t always Sir him after seeing were old enough to pronounce ‘haute she deliberates. “The museum curator protests, “butveteran been a strategist when it comes to designer won’t But this of The Father With couture’, it’s safe to say she’s arrived.

Nicholas Serota recently opened one in In The Name of taking parts. be claimed from us so easily. was just so our exhibitions, and he’s been amazinglyas Gerry Conlon, I of half a century service to the UK the She reflects on her film career to date. complimentary about the difference moved, in every way a human 17 2014 funny APRIL FOX URBAN “Early on, I chose roles that I found can be. It was an utterly human and and interested me. I didn’t realise, experience and I was sobbing I was very naïve, that things have an uncontrollably. I was maybe 15 be impact beyond what you think might or 14 and I didn’t know why I a good next adventure. It’s completely was so moved. It was exciting, and volumes speaks and different to be made to feel something by by everyone is working out who you are a shared experience with other what roles you choose,” she says. people. And that’s what I wanted attention, in increase recent to do for people. Which sounds the Despite incredibly pious, but it’s true!”

Pike won’t let her time in the spotlight go to her head. “I’ve been in it long Judging from her captivating enough, I’ve had my fair share of exciting ‘pious’ performance, Girl Gone in roles I haven’t got, moments, and lots of disappointments is not a word audiences would career, they see what the wife who too. Whenever people look at your associate with Pike. Playing Amy Dunne, haven’t got,” she says, her husband for murder, you’ve got, they don’t see what you deliberately goes ‘missing’ to frame for a level headed by storm. Many fans ever modest. It seems Pike is opting the calculating Amy took the world choices will be the talk were thrilled by Pike’s attitude. And while her red carpet of the original novel by Gillian Flynn to be Pike’s defining “That’s always lovely of the season, we don’t envision 2015 casting, seeing it as the perfect match.

– at it’s all down to desire of many successful years to come guess one “I but Pike. moment, modest a says hear,” to “If I get my fifteen I understood her and as least, if she has any say in the matter. and preference but I really liked her. and people like it, I won’t it could have been a far minutes of fame through Gone Girl, far as casting, I felt it was right but Your hope is that you for the studio. I’m glad be thinking, ‘that’s me made forever.’ different story for [director] Fincher, necessary. Not over the fans.” ride the tide and then disappear when there’s that attitude out there from completely different expose yourself. Go and do something the for ladies leading Pike vied with some of Hollywood’s for a while, then come back even stronger.” she insists part – “but it didn’t feel like a competition,”

GONE GIRL

Rhodes shows no signs of slowing down. this The fashionista passed up her seat at of year’s London Fashion Week in favour advocating a women’s health awareness campaign in San Diego. Known for dividing her time between bases in

California and London, Rhodes has also spent time researching materials further large afield. The designer cites travel as a creative inspiration.

“When travelling you see things, one just thing leads to another thing and it’s fabulous.”

That isn’t to say that Zandra has forgone her design industry efforts closer to home. The London Fashion and Textile Museum holds testament to her commitment to British fashion.

13

In December, Pike gave birth to her second son with partner Robie Uniacke. Basking in the joys of new motherhood, Pike has been doubly busy – juggling baby duty with frequent appearances on the red carpet

“

If I get my fifteen minutes of fame through Gone Girl, and people like it, I won’t be thinking, ‘that’s me made forever.

8

”

15

URBAN FOX DECEMBER 2014 35

CONTRIBUTORS: Jeremy Cahill, John Cawrey, Mark Goddard, Jake Harvey, Julie

Howard, Ali Jahan, Allison Jones, James Lonergan, Lino Poli, Phillip Sharpe 8 47 Sheelagh Powell Jon Levy Julie Langton

Guiding you on Bringing you helping you cosmetic looks, the latest in hair make the most 18 trends and style, colour and out of your application product trends money CONTRIBUTORS: Mark Goddard, Gillian Proctor, Jake Harvey, Mary Stephenson, URBAN FOX APRIL 2014 5 Sarah Vallance, Rebecca Watts

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 5

February 11

HEALTH & WELLBEING

23 Are you getting enough? …sleep that is!

64

25 Happier fitter you

New year, new goals

WINING & DINING 27 Winter warmers

Seasonal soup recipes 30 A chocolate affair

Delectable V-day desserts 33 Faking it

Can’t cook…then cheat

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FASHION & BEAUTY

34 Gone girl

Rosamund Pike exclusive

8 Passion for fashion Stand out from the crowd

37 Reviews

February’s recommendations

11 Instaglam your look

Add magic with sparkle

38 What’s on

Activities for the whole family

53 Bedroom to Boudoir

Parisian inspired luxury 59 Tips from the potting shed

A little gardening know how

PEOPLE & PLACES

18 Golden girls

And the award goes to…

from Browns

48 Trend watch

The next big thing

63 Money makeover

Making dreams a reality

17 Full beam ahead

Get your glow on

LUXURIOUS LINGERIE

47 Mellow yellow

Bring me sunshine

61 Bags of confidence

Boost your chance of success

15 Mood lifters

SS15 loudest bags

WIN £100

42 City living

Finding your pied-á-terre

LIFE & WORK

12 Perfect pairs

Lingerie you’ll love

21 Scent of a woman The perfect pick me up

HOMES & GARDENS

64 Romantic retreats

Cosy valentine hideaways

33 10 WIN A WARM CANDLE RITUAL

at The Retreat

66 My way

Local spotlight on Gillian Proctor

20

WIN EXCLUSIVE FITNESS SESSIONS with Nutrafit

24

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Alexander McQueen Peplum Wool Jumper, £800, Selfridges

Signature Leather Jacket, £425, Karen Millen

Colour Pop Blouse, £119, Boden

Diorific Vernis Nail Polish, £20, Dior

Passion for FASHION Twisted Leather Clutch, £1,240, J.W. Anderson

Prior Ballerina Pumps, £79, Hobbs

Standout from the crowd this Valentine’s Day in vibrant red! Pair with shades of pink for a contemporary colour collision. Trust us, it really works!

Gucci Sterling Red Britt Bracelet, £180, Steffans

Elenna Embellished Midi Dress, £169, Ted Baker

Manhattan Clutch, £350, Aspinal of London

Pure Color Lipstick, £21, Estēe Lauder

Ava Miracle Dress, £150, Winser London

Osman Athena Top, £640, Matches Fashion

John Richmon d

The Kara Top, £28, Oasis

Anthea Suede Sandal, £225, L.K. Bennett

Diamond Quilted Brit Jacket, £395, Burberry

Hunter Trench Coat, £400, Net-A-Porter

Love Me Shoes, £990, Charlotte Olympia

n Donna Kara

Crepe A-line Skirt, £515, Miu Miu

Nolita Crepe Coat, £125, Coast

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 9

Give Exquisite Lingerie from Browns Lingerie this Valentine’s Day Free Gift Wrapping Gift Vouchers Luxurious Designer Brands

Browns Lingerie & Beachwear Boutique

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T: 0116 270 7188 www.brownslingerie.com

WIN!

£100 LUXURIOUS LINGERIE

Courtesy of Browns Lingerie & Beachwear Boutique, we’re offering one Urban Fox reader the chance to win £100 worth of luxurious lingerie.

Browns is a dedicated lingerie boutique, situated in the designer shopping district of Stoneygate. They offer a stunning and stylish range of designer lingerie from brands such as Stella McCartney; Pleasure State, Elle Macpherson, Lise Charmel, Marie Jo, Lejaby and as well as larger cup size lingerie from glamorous and fabulous fitting brands such as Fantasie, Freya, Elomi and Empreinte. With such an extensive range and sizes from 28-46 A-H Cup, there really is something to fit everyone’s shape and style. Don’t know your size, they provide an exceptional bra fitting service too.

Visit their boutique at 35 Francis Street, Stoneygate, Leicester, LE2 2BE to see this season’s lingerie and swimwear collections or view some of their most popular ranges online at www.brownslingerie.com

TO ENTER:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Browns Lingerie’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2015.

Terms & Conditions: The prize is for a £100 gift voucher for Browns Lingerie. The winner will be drawn on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. The voucher is valid for 6 months from date of notification and can be used against non-sale items only.

Boden

FASHION & BEAUTY

Instaglam r Look You

Add sparkle to your trans-seasonal wardrobe with sequins and metallics!

Think classic cuts and simple accessorises for a touch of instant glamour

GET THE LOOK

Collection Dress, £69, Marks & Spencer Sparkle Ray Trousers, £110, French Connection Slouchy Leather Bag, £149, Boden Sequin Detail Tee, £55, Mint Velvet Skinny Waisted Belt, £35, Whistles NO. 21 Glenda Skirt, £272, Net-A-Porter Metallic Cream Eyeshadow, £19, Bobbi Brown Luda Tassel Loafers, £79, Dune URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 11

Perfect

PAIRS New romance, jump-starting your relationship or simply an underwear spruce-up, there’s no better time to invest in new lingerie

Autograph Embroidered Balcony Bra & Brief, £22.50/£9.50, M&S

Ivana Balcony Bra & Brief, £43/£21, Fantasie

Debenhams

Lucila Balcony Bra & Mini Brief, £50/£28, L’Agent by Agent Provocateur

Stella McCartney Julia Stargazing Bra & Brief, £65/£35, Browns Lingerie, Stoneygate

FASHION & BEAUTY

Tea Rose Underwire Bra & Brief, £312/£301, La Perla

Arietta High-Apex Bra & Thong, £90/£60, Myla

Nouvel Emoi Poppy Half Cup Bra & Short, £47/£31, Huit

Tamara Satin Balconette Bra & Short, £30/£16, Boux Avenue

Pleasure State Layla Belle Bra & Short, £45/£25, Browns Lingerie, Stoneygate

Reine Du Carnaval Bra & Brief, £95/£74, Aubade

Somerset by Alice Temperley Gatsby Strapless Bra & Brief, £45/£25, John Lewis

Gilded Floral-Lace Triangle Bra & Brief, £50/£35, Hanky Panky

Fifi Padded Longline Bra & Short, £36/£14.50, Freya

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Vivienne Westwood, Chloe, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Armani, Marc Jacobs, Hobbs, Jigsaw, Whistles

Award winning bridal boutique here in the heart of the Midlands!

A wonderful selection of wedding dresses from UK designers plus a fantastic selection of bridal shoes & accessories!

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Labels, 157 Clarendon Park Road, Leicester, LE2 3AJ. tel 01162701627 www.labelsda.com Find us on Facebook

Mood Lifters Take inspiration from Ralph Lauren SS15 collection and add a pop of colour to your life with these must-have designer bags

FASHION & BEAUTY

Jackie Hobo Bag, £1,980, Gucci

Bayswater Tote, £995, Mulberry

Roland Mouret, Three Panel Clutch, £450

Traviata Handbag, £1,450, Launer

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Moon Tote Bag, £890, J.W. Anderson Passage Mini Calf, £1,165, Louboutin

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Full Beam

AHEAD Want your head lights on full beam? No matter what your hair colour or texture, we reveal our tips and tricks for healthy, shiny looking hair

1 2

Start with a good cleansing shampoo and massage into your scalp. Choose a lightweight formula that doesn’t strip your scalp or hair.

Before applying a good moisturising conditioner, gently towel dry the hair. Excess water means the conditioner can’t penetrate the hair shaft and deliver the moisture needed.

503

If you have the time to pamper yourself, then a deep treatment will also help you on your way to tip top shiny hair. Use once a week for 15 minutes or longer.

4 5

Treat your hair like your skin during the cold weather and increase the moisture content by using an extra pump of your favourite hair oil.

Before styling your hair, apply a sleek blow-dry cream or smoothing balm as this will help you style your hair and combat the static, which comes hand-in-hand with the cold weather.

6 7 8 9 10

Swap your plastic brush for one with a natural bristle. It will help to redistribute your hair’s oils, instantly boosting shine.

Always use a nozzle on your hairdryer and keep it facing down the hair shaft, as this will ensure the cuticles are all going in the same direction and increase shine.

After styling, add a shine spray.

To ensure an even coverage, apply by spraying into the air and walking through it.

For a more intense shine, blast the hair with the hairdryer in one hand, as you apply the shine spray with other hand.

Hair shine is all about the surface of the hair reflecting the light, which is why curly hair can look dull. Give it a helping hand with a shine spray or curl cream with high oil content.

11

If you dye your hair, typically the higher the lift (e.g. peroxide blonde) the less shine. Again one or two more pumps of your favourite hair oil will help get those tresses shining.

12

Finally consider a glossing treatment at your hair salon. This is a gentle colour that both enriches your natural shade, while adding extra shine.

GET THE LOOK

To get super sleek, healthy hair we recommend: ghd® Final Shine Spray, £9.95 Label.m Sleek Blow Out Cream, £14.50

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 17

girls GOLDEN

With Awards season in full flow we take a look at which SS15 beauty trends, this year’s Golden Globe nominees are wearing

Red Alert

Be bolder and braver with 2015’s biggest hair trend. From strawberry blond and copper to cinnamon and auburn, RED is the colour of choice. We love the richness of Golden Globe winner Julianne Moore’s hair; a perfect contrast to her porcelain skin.

GET THE LOOK

Red can fade fast, so help lock in the colour pigments with Pureology’s Reviving Red Oil. It’s great for use on damp hair before blow-drying to provide control and shine.

And for an effective conditioning treatment between salon visits, try the Red Reflect Enhancer designed to keep your hair and its colour in optimum condition.

Dare to Bear The ‘barely there’ look dominated SS15 shows. ‘Gone Girl’ Rosamund Pike lets her natural beauty shine through on the red carpet, with a combination of subtle colours and rejuvenating products. Her ultra-groomed eyebrows plus a few coats of mascara, add definition to her face.

GET THE LOOK

Preparation is key to this flawless look. Primers are like big pants, everything you put on top of them looks instantly better. Try Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer for a soft-focus finish and silky texture. Lights, camera, action!

For a ‘barely there’ finish, Clarins’ Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation, contains a formula that smooths, evens and enhances the complexion, creating a natural radiant look.

From B Gone G ond Girl to irl our in , check out terview on pages 34 & 3 5

Colour Pop Vivid red lips and strokes of brilliant colour were one of the biggest surprises on the SS15 catwalks. Get the right shade and it’ll not only lift your mood but instantly brighten your complexion too. Reese Witherspoon nails the sassy red lip.

GET THE LOOK

The new Pret–à–Porter lipstick, Lancôme’s Rouge in Love has a light texture that is formulated to blur the line between lipstick and gloss.

For the not so brave, try Clinique’s Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Freesia. This product offers a hint of colour with a hefty helping of moisture.

Eye Impact Bang on trend, ‘The Theory of Everything’ star Felicity Jones adds drama to an otherwise soft and feminine make-up with a seriously smoky eye. Here she uses a dark navy blue shadow both on the lid and along the lower lash line, blending the colour outward to extend the corner of her eyes.

GET THE LOOK

To emulate Felicity’s look opt for Dior’s 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in Carre Blue. This bestselling eye palette offers endless possibilities.

For beauty on the run, check out Benefit’s Smokin’ Eyes.

This complete eye and brow kit even includes emergency tweezers and a step-by-step guide on how to create the perfect smoky eye.

In the Pink Radiant pink cheeks are the fastest way to look fresh and youthful, a trick that hasn’t escaped the attention of ‘Cake’ star Jennifer Aniston. Always prep your skin first with a long-wear foundation and apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend up and out into the hairline at the temples.

GET THE LOOK

For a light-as-air, velvety powder blush that sweeps on silky sheer colour easily and evenly try Laura Mercier’s Second Skin Cheek Colour in Heather Pink.

Prefer a cream blush? Look no further than YSL’s Crème De Blush in Rose Quartz. Its exceptionally smooth texture blends perfectly and the colour adapts like a second skin.

WIN!

I Segreti

PRITI BODIES health and beauty

A WARM CANDLE RITUAL

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1

21/10/2014

03:27

In need of some hands-on ‘me time’? The Retreat is offering one reader the opportunity to win a Warm Candle Ritual.

This massage is a delightful experience. Almond oil, Coconut oil and Shea butter are enclosed within a candle.

The candle’s flames melt these splendid and selected substances which, through the massage, have nourishing, toning and intensely hydrating effects on the skin.

Following your 90 minute ritual, unwind in their relaxation room and watch your cares float away.

The Retreat offers a haven of relaxation, to help revive the senses and restore wellbeing. A Decléor Aroma Gold Award Winning Salon for 2013 and 2014, they offer a range of luxurious treatments and rituals. For more details about The Retreat and the services available, visit www. theretreatbeautysalon.com or call 0116 271 7183.

TO ENTER Simply email your name address and contact telephone number to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘The Retreat’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2015.

Terms & Conditions: The winners will be chosen on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. Appointment day and time subject to availability.

The bottle can be engraved too!

FASHION & BEAUTY

VANILLA

Vanilla is a psychogenic aphrodisiac that enhances positive feelings Warming Jo Malone, Vanilla & Anise Cologne, £82.00 for 100ml.

Seductive Trish McEvoy, Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk, £105 for 100ml.

Vanilla orchid combined with oaky caramel-rich vanilla bourbon and spiced with star anise.

A spicy-sweet scent that combines juicy blackberry buds, rich vanilla and sensuous velvet musk.

Scent of a

WOMAN

Fragrance is one of the best things you can buy to make you feel happy and confident. A perfect gift for Valentines too… hint, hint!

FLORAL

Floral notes can be both delicate and vivacious. Choose blooms that best reflect your personality Delicate Byredo Parfums, Mojave Ghost Eau De Parfum, £88 50ml.

CITRUS

Mainly used in top notes of fragrance, citrus helps to revive and boost vitality

Inspired by the ghost flower that blooms in the extreme conditions of the Mojave Desert.

Contemporary Burberry, My Burberry Eau De Parfum, £65 50ml.

These quintessentially British floral notes, capture the fragrance of a London garden after the rain.

Fresh Dior, Escale Portofino Eau De Toilette, £81 for 125ml.

A true escapade across Italy, containing 16 natural essences including Calabrian Bergamot, Italian Citron and Sicilian Petitgrain.

Comforting Miller Harris, Tangerine Vert Eau De Parfum, £65 for 50ml.

Combining Sicilian green tangerines, grapefruit and lemon, evocative of happy childhood memories.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 21

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Are you

Getting Enough?

Are you easily distracted, find it hard to handle stress, or make simple decisions? Chances are you’re having less than the recommended 7 hours a night. Here’s 14 ways to make sure you’re getting enough…sleep!

1

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will help train your body to use the time it has available to get the best night’s sleep it can.

2

Try to keep the same sleep schedule at weekends. Limit the difference to no more than an hour, as staying up late and laying in on weekends can disrupt your body clock’s natural rhythm.

3

Electronic devices and energyefficient light bulbs emit blue light waves, which tell the brain that it’s still daytime. Use the hour before bed to switch-off, physically – TVs, phones etc. – as well as mentally.

4

A small bedtime snack can work to promote sleep. Try porridge, almonds, wholegrain bread, bananas and small amounts of protein rich food.

5

Although alcohol may make you fall asleep faster, it reduces REM sleep resulting in a more restless night. Try to stay away from alcoholic drinks up to three hours before bedtime.

6

Did you know the effects of caffeine can last as long as 8 hours, so a coffee (tea, cola etc.) in the late afternoon can make it hard for you to fall asleep at night?

7

As long as you wind down afterwards, exercising before bedtime can help you sleep. Not a fan of vigorous exercise? Consider introducing yoga moves into your prebedtime routine.

8

Take a bath. It temporarily spikes your body temperature, which drops again when you lay down, as your muscles relax and produce less heat. Sleep tends to follow a sudden drop in body temperature.

9

Take 10 minutes before getting into bed to write a personal diary, or simply note down tomorrow’s ‘things to do’. It’s a great way to clear the mind of worries and distractions.

10

Try the ‘sleep pillow’ app which features 70 naturally recorded sounds including white noise and animal sounds. An effective relaxation technique, it’s a snip at £1.49 on iTunes.

11

If you can’t fall asleep within 30-45 mins, chances are you won’t for at least another hour. Leave the bedroom and try reading or some other relaxing activity until you feel tired enough to go back to bed.

12

Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and dark. This will help your body realise it’s time for bed, and will help you stay asleep longer.

13

If you do wake in the night and can’t get back to sleep, think of it as a positive thing; time to chill out in your cosy bed.

Make relaxation and not sleep your goal, and you’ll be more likely to drop back off.

14

If you still find you need to nap in the daytime, limit yourself to no more than 20 minutes and don’t nap after 3pm, as this will interrupt your night-time sleep.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 23

WIN! EXCLUSIVE FITNESS SESSIONS

E -E

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In collaboration with Nutrafit we’re offering 3 Urban Fox readers the chance to win 10 x metabolic training sessions, plus a 12 week nutrition plan worth £100 each.

At Nutrafit they understand that everyone is unique and the ‘one size fits all’ approach to weight loss rarely works.

As a winner you’ll join the ‘ladies only’ Metabolic Fitness Sessions to aid weight loss alongside a comprehensive nutrition plan. The sessions are tailored to your ability, with a friendly mix of all levels. As well as assist weight loss, the sessions will tone and help improve your metabolic rate. Throughout your time at Nutrafit you will receive all the support and advice required to help achieve your goals with healthy eating and exercise without yo-yoing from one diet to the next.

For more details about Nutrafit, their services and access to their online resources visit www.nutrafit.co.uk or call on 0116 3190778.

TO ENTER

18 SILVER STREET LEICESTER, LE1 5ET

TEL: 0116 2539097

Simply email your name address and contact telephone number to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Nutrafit’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2015.

Terms & Conditions: This competition is valid for women only. The winners will be chosen on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. First session to be taken before April 2015.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Happier Fitter

YOU

Feeling unmotivated, New Year resolutions been and gone, fed up with the cold and dark…sound familiar? Nutrafit’s Rebecca Watts gets us reinvigorated!

Routine & Planning The reason many resolutions fail is that we’re out of routine when we start them. Most people struggle to focus and motivate themselves without routine, so make sure you’re in a routine before changing habits, and plan for it. Look at when you have commitments and how you can work your new changes around them or alternatively schedule a day off / treat day.

Small Realistic Goals Only set yourself a couple of small realistic goals for the next couple of weeks. Once you start seeing results, it’ll give you a confidence boost and keep you going. Then set yourself short, medium, and long term goals, taking you up to summer.

Don’t forget to include some easily achievable ones as the ticks on your progress chart keep you motivated.

Exercise & Activity Don’t go mad and be unrealistic. It’s still dark and cold out there! Small amounts of exercise every day however will get you feeling more confident and happy with yourself. If you’re not already active, a great way to get you started is a 15 minute brisk walk each day and some form of resistance exercise. Try our 15 day squat challenge, it’s easy to do at home and doesn’t cost a penny!

Caffeine Detox

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30 squats

60 squats

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Day 15

Rest

Rest

Rest

Too much caffeine, particularly if you’re stressed, can effect mental alertness, sleep and make us even more stressed. If this sounds familiar, a week off caffeine will help clear your head and keep you more focussed. Double your intake of water and you’ll double the results too. You may experience headaches, but this usually lasts no more than 48 hours and if you want to revert to your coffee fix at the end of the week, then limit to one a day.

Posture & Poise For a quick fix to get you feeling self-assured and motivated, posture is a clear winner. By maintaining proper posture, we automatically feel taller, slimmer and more confident, all of which keeps you motivated to work towards your goals. Practice standing tall, keeping shoulders back and always try to sit up straight. Correct resistance exercises can often help with posture too.

And remember...

Success is often dependant on your frame of mind and spring is the perfect time to start new things. It only takes a few small steps to get you feeling clear-headed, focused, confident and ready to take on the world!

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 25

Indulge in romance VA L E N T I N E ’ S D I N N E R Friday 13 February and Saturday 14 February 2015

Arrive in style with a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne, canapés and a red rose, then be seated for an exquisite 7 course Valentine’s Day dinner for two followed by coffee and petit fours.

Priced at £180 per couple per night.

R O M A N T I C S TAY Friday 13 February and Saturday 14 February 2015

An unforgettable overnight stay for two. A bottle of Champagne and dipped chocolate strawberries in your room.

This is accompanied by an indulgent 7 course Valentine’s Day dinner which includes canapés and a red rose on arrival followed by coffee and petit fours.

Priced at £390 per couple per night.

T O M A K E A R E S E RVAT I O N : TEL

01572 787 019

EMAIL

reservations@stapleford.co.uk

www.staplefordpark.com Stapleford Park Country House Hotel & Sporting Estate, Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 2EF.

Why not treat mum...

...to a memorable afternoon tea this Mother’s Day in our historic Manor House. Set in beautiful countryside with stunning views, it will be a memory to cherish all year.

Only £20pp & £10 per child £24pp with a glass of bubbly

01858 881500 hothorpe.co.uk/specialevents Hothorpe Hall & The Woodlands, Theddingworth, LE17 6QX

WINING & DINING

Winter Warmers Come in from the cold this month, to a warming bowlful of our winter vegetable soups

Ingredients: 1 kg pumpkin (or squash), peeled and deseeded 2 tbsps olive oil

Spicy Pumpkin Soup Method:

ÎÎ

Preheat oven to 200˚C (180˚C fan assisted ovens).

ÎÎ

Cut the pumpkin into large cubes approx.

4cm².

ÎÎ

Place the pumpkin in a roasting tin and toss in half the olive oil.

ÎÎ ÎÎ

Roast for 30 mins until golden and soft.

1 tbsp butter 2 onions, diced 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 2 mild red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped 850ml hot vegetable stock

In the meantime melt butter and remaining oil in a large saucepan.

ÎÎ ÎÎ

Add the onions, garlic and chilli.

ÎÎ

Tip the pumpkin into the pan, add the stock and crème fraiche.

ÎÎ

Whizz with a stick or jug blender until a smooth consistency.

ÎÎ

Return to the pan to gently reheat and season to taste.

Cover and cook on low heat for approx. 15 mins until onions are soft.

4 tbsp crème fraiche

Carrot & Coriander Soup Ingredients:

Method:

ÎÎ

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and cook on low heat until soft.

1 potato, chopped

ÎÎ

450g carrots, peeled and chopped

Add the potato and cook for 1 min before adding the carrots and stock.

ÎÎ

Bring to the boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 20 mins until carrots are tender.

ÎÎ

Add the coriander, then whizz with a stick or jug blender until a smooth consistency.

ÎÎ

Return to the pan to gently reheat and season to taste.

1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped

1l vegetable or chicken stock Handful fresh coriander

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 27

BA R & E AT E R I E

OPEN AT 6PM for the Best Early Doors this side of The Seafaring News

One of Leicester Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest Eateries The Boot Room is one of a handful of truly independent establishments in Leicester city centre where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy the finest freshest ingredients cooked and delivered in a modern British style.

The restaurant clinched a coveted recommendation in The Michelin Guide every year since 2011. Trip advisor has recognized The Boot Room Restaurant with a 2014 Certificate of Excellence.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE As well as calling or emailing us you can now book online.

You can also check it for all our upcoming events and menus.

www.thebootroomeaterie.co.uk Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN

0116 262 2555

No. 9 Station Street Kibworth Beauchamp Leicestershire LE8 0LN Telephone 0116 2796260 lighthousekibworth.co.uk Open for Dinner from 6pm Tuesday to Saturday

A Chocolate

AFFAIR Wow your loved one this Valentine’s Day with these delectable desserts, guaranteed to win anyone’s heart!

Frullato di Cioccolato

Boozy Fondue for Two

Creamy and chocolaty. Delicious on its oawn or on the side Ingredients: 300g of ice-cream ½ bar of milk chocolate ½ tsp ground cinnamon 250ml whole milk

ÎÎ

Using a bain-marie, melt chocolate in a bowl.

ÎÎ

Melt ice-cream in a microwave for 20 seconds.

The perfect choice for chocoholics, fun and easy to make too Ingredients:

ÎÎ

350g dark, milk or white chocolate

Chop the chocolate you’ve chosen into small pieces.

ÎÎ

Warm the cream over a moderate heat until tiny bubbles begin to show.

ÎÎ

Add the chocolate and the Bailey’s Irish Cream and whisk until smooth.

ÎÎ

Transfer to a fondue pot, on a low flame.

ÎÎ

Serve immediately, using a fondue skewer to dip the strawberries into the fondue.

225g double cream

ÎÎ

Place ice cream into a cold bowl and stir in melted chocolate.

2 tbsps Bailey’s Irish Cream

ÎÎ

Add the cinnamon and milk and blend.

Fresh strawberries (or fruit of choice)

ÎÎ

Serve in a glass with a sprinkle of grated milk chocolate.

White Chocolate Gelato You’ll be all-white on the night with this simple yet indulgent ice-cream

ÎÎ

Chop the white chocolate into small pieces, divide into 2 equal portions.

ÎÎ

Stir in vanilla extract and 1 portion of the chocolate pieces.

ÎÎ

Pour milk into a saucepan and bring pan slowly to the boil, take off heat.

ÎÎ

Keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted and then leave to cool.

ÎÎ

In a bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar until thick.

ÎÎ

250g white chocolate

ÎÎ

Milk or dark chocolate to decorate

Pour the hot milk into the mixture of egg yolks and sugar whilst stirring.

Once cooled, stir in the cream before transferring the mixture to an ice cream maker.

ÎÎ

ÎÎ

Pour the mixture back into the pan and heat gently, stirring until the custard thickens.

Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

ÎÎ

Approx. 5 mins before the end of the freezing cycle, add the remaining chocolate.

ÎÎ

When you see a film form over the back of your spoon, remove from the heat.

ÎÎ

Serve in a bowl and decorate with chocolate (milk or dark) of your choice.

ÎÎ

Preheat the oven to 180˚C (160˚C for fan assisted ovens).

Fold in the remaining chocolate mixture.

ÎÎ ÎÎ

Lightly butter 6 individual ramekins.

ÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎ ÎÎ

Spoon the mixture evenly into the ramekins.

ÎÎ

Serve with our ‘White Chocolate Gelato’ or an ice cream of your choice.

Ingredients: 4 egg yolks 250ml whole milk 250ml double cream 75g caster sugar 2 tsps vanilla extract

Gooey Chocolate Fondant Treat yourself to a meltingly good, gooey-on-the-inside pudding

Ingredients: 125g dark chocolate 125g unsalted butter 4 eggs 75g caster sugar 50g self-raising flour 1 tbsp cocoa Icing sugar for dusting

In a bain-marie, melt the chocolate and butter, remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

ÎÎ

Beat the eggs with the caster sugar until fluffy.

ÎÎ

Add a few spoons of the cooled chocolate mixture, and gently fold in.

Sift in the flour and cocoa, and gently fold together.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 6 to 7 mins.

Turn out onto serving plates and dust with icing sugar.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 31

Thoughtfully created menus, Beautifully cooked & Exquisitely presented just for you

Treat Someone Special Cookery courses for all levels Bridge 67 Cookery School is one of the finest cookery schools in the East Midlands. We give you the opportunity to escape from the typical daily routine and throw yourself whole heartedly into the wonderful world of Cookery.

Thomas specialises in bespoke catering in your home or venue of choice, perfect for making those special celebrations extra special – Milestone Birthdays - Christenings - Family Celebrations - Weddings

OUR COURSES Our one day cookery courses are designed to suit beginners as well as experienced cooks.

To find out more about our wide range of courses please visit our website

Call Thomas to discuss making your special event one to remember 01163 260529

www.bridge67cookeryschool.co.uk or call

www.thomasthecaterer.co.uk

More than just a quality hotel!

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SUNDAY 22ND MARCH

Wedding Fayre

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Whether you are planning a lavish affair or an intimate for celebration, come and Valentines experience our perfect setting.

Day Meet our preferred suppliers who can personally provide you with Hurry both filling up quick!! lots of ideas and inspiration to ensure you can tailor your for the play “United we stand” day to your dream TICKETS NOW requirements.

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WINING & DINING

FAKING IT! There comes a time in every bad cook’s life when you’re cornered into throwing a dinner party. But if you can’t make it, just follow these 14 steps to faking it!

1

ry to learn the basic cooking and prepping techniques.

T Learning how to cut and sauté an onion is more important than knowing how to make a beef wellington.

8

ut everything you need – prepped ingredients, tools, P devices – in place before you start cooking. It saves time, and avoids interruptions which can impair the result.

9

ood presentation does wonders for a mediocre meal.

G Serving your food on white plates will show it off to its best. Why do you think all the best restaurants do it?!

10

I nvest in some pastry cutters and use as moulds for rice, roasted vegetable stacks etc. They create height and keep the plate neat and clean.

11

auce (and we don’t mean the HP kind) is another S great way to disguise an average meal. Put your sauce - bought or made - into a plastic squeeze bottle and drizzle on the plate.

2

I nvest in a few tools of the trade. Forget the expensive gadgets; its quality pans and knives that make the difference between great and mediocre dishes.

3

I f there’s time, sign up for a beginner cookery class. You’ll learn new techniques, have hands-on support and it’s a great way to have fun with like-minded people.

12

ix a little olive oil with warm water and lightly brush M any food that has been sitting for a while and has lost its shine, it’ll restore the food to its just-cooked glory.

4

ou can learn almost any cooking technique from Y YouTube; or check out the ‘SideChef’ app which makes cooking easy, with step-by-step photos and voice commands.

13

5

I t’s all about the quality of the ingredients; so buy local, in season and organic. Ensure fresh products really are fresh, and that meat and fish are bought from a butcher or market.

ood always F looks better with a little garnish.

Keep it simple and ensure your garnish matches the flavours and colours of the food.

6

hink of cooking like training for a marathon; start off easy T and build up. Stick to recipes that are suited to your skills level. If you want to make something new, try it out first.

14

7

I f alcohol is to be served, keep it flowing and you might just find your guests think your culinary efforts are more attractive and appetizing than either you, or they were expecting!

amiliarise yourself with the recipe before you start F cooking; that way you are less likely to make mistakes or come up against some nasty surprises mid recipe.

Finally if all else fails, there’s always Waitrose.

Heston does a mean Confit Duck with teriyaki glaze and lentils in a ginger, galangal and seaweed sauce.

Sssh…we won’t tell!

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 33

GONE GIRL

In December, Rosamund Pike gave birth to her second son with partner Robie Uniacke.

Basking in the joys of new motherhood, she has been doubly busy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; juggling baby duty with frequent appearances on the red carpet

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The name ‘Rosamund Pike’ is on everybody’s lips at the moment, but the 35-year-old actress is no newcomer to the scene. The only child of two opera stars, the art of performance is in her blood. Pike appeared in her first lead role in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with the prestigious National Youth Theatre while still at school, from there securing herself an agent.

It’s surprising then, that on leaving school Pike was turned down from every drama school she applied to. Unperturbed, she took a place at Oxford University, reading English Literature. Pike admits she’s inspired by acting royalty – namely Daniel Day Lewis. “He wasn’t the only reason,” she protests, “but after seeing him in In The Name of The Father as Gerry Conlon, I was just so moved, in every way a human can be. It was an utterly human experience and I was sobbing uncontrollably. I was maybe 15 or 14 and I didn’t know why I was so moved. It was exciting, to be made to feel something by a shared experience with other people. And that’s what I wanted to do for people. Which sounds incredibly pious, but it’s true!”

“

– and then endured a “relentless” filming schedule. But it’s hardly her first casting of note; Pike’s taken a turn across genres, in an array of blockbusters and low budget independent features, from Die Another Day to Pride and Prejudice alongside Keira Knightley to the award-winning An Education. So is the ‘breakthrough’ label a fair one? “I think with all those sort of terms, it is just an easy way of defining things for other people,” says Pike. “I’m certainly not thinking like that, trying to be called that.”

With a soaring career now well underway, Pike is contending with Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Felicity Jones and Marion Cotillard for the big Oscar win. This may be a deal breaker award, but Pike hasn’t always been a strategist when it comes to taking parts.

If I get my fifteen minutes of fame through Gone Girl, and people like it, I won’t be thinking, ‘that’s me made forever.

”

Judging from her captivating Gone Girl performance, ‘pious’ is not a word audiences would associate with Pike. Playing Amy Dunne, the wife who deliberately goes ‘missing’ to frame her husband for murder, the calculating Amy took the world by storm. Many fans of the original novel by Gillian Flynn were thrilled by Pike’s casting, seeing it as the perfect match. “That’s always lovely to hear,” says a modest Pike. “I guess it’s all down to desire and preference but I really liked her. I understood her and as far as casting, I felt it was right but it could have been a far different story for [director] Fincher, for the studio. I’m glad there’s that attitude out there from the fans.”

Pike vied with some of Hollywood’s leading ladies for the part – “but it didn’t feel like a competition,” she insists

She reflects on her film career to date.

“Early on, I chose roles that I found funny and interested me. I didn’t realise, and I was very naïve, that things have an impact beyond what you think might be a good next adventure. It’s completely different and speaks volumes and everyone is working out who you are by what roles you choose,” she says.

Despite the recent increase in attention, Pike won’t let her time in the spotlight go to her head. “I’ve been in it long enough, I’ve had my fair share of exciting moments, and lots of disappointments in roles I haven’t got, too. Whenever people look at your career, they see what you’ve got, they don’t see what you haven’t got,” she says, ever modest. It seems Pike is opting for a level headed attitude. And while her red carpet choices will be the talk of the season, we don’t envision 2015 to be Pike’s defining moment, but one of many successful years to come – at least, if she has any say in the matter. “If I get my fifteen minutes of fame through Gone Girl, and people like it, I won’t be thinking, ‘that’s me made forever.’ Your hope is that you ride the tide and then disappear when necessary. Not over expose yourself. Go and do something completely different for a while, then come back even stronger.”

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 35

The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia comes to De Montfort Hall Raymond Gubbay presents...

La Fille Mal Gardée Thursday 26 February 7.30pm

The Nutcracker Friday 27 February 7.30pm

Swan Lake Saturday 28 February 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets

£19.50 £29.50 £36 Concessions

£17.50 £27.50 £34 Children half price £3 transaction fee payable per booking

Box office 0116 233 3111

www.visitleicester.info

Web demontforthall.co.uk // Twitter @demontforthall // De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU

film REVIEW

Selma (12A)

2hrs 8mins Fri 13 - Thu 26 Feb at The Phoenix 0116 242 2800 | phoenix.org.uk Set in 1965, Selma chronicles the tumultuous period when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led three mass protest marches along a 54-mile stretch of highway from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Refusing to back down in the face of violent opposition, King and his supporters fought to secure equal voting rights for AfricanAmericans. Powerful and gripping, it features stunning performances from a top-notch cast including the UK’s own David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Wendell Pierce (The Wire) Oprah Winfrey and Martin Sheen.

l and gripping. of filmmaking. Powerfu Selma: A superb piece

Selma arrives at a time when anger over racial prejudice in America is high with recent events in Ferguson and Staten Island seeing simmering tensions within communities boil over into protest marches, riots, and looting. In every way Selma is a timely film, but it is also a superb piece of filmmaking made with the same rage and frustration that has brought poor communities out onto the street of America - but

now channelled through a masterfully controlled performance from Oyelowo as Dr. King. Criminally overlooked at the Oscars where it was nominated for best film but no acting, writing or directing nods (Ava DuVernay would have been the first black female director in history to be nominated) with each passing year that decision will seem more ridiculous. It is essential, visceral cinema.

book REVIEW

Having trouble finding your inner sparkle? It’s ‘Time to Shine’ with this month’s selection of self-help books

Secrets of Confident People: 50 Techniques to Shine

Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work

What do confident people know that the rest of us don’t? Do they have a secret recipe for success and visibly high selfesteem? Secrets of Confident People reveals the 50 things you need to know to develop innate confidence and improved self-esteem, maintaining your poise and control whatever the circumstances. Some will surprise you, and all will inspire you.

Put these 50 simple strategies together and you have a recipe for success, a proven formula that will unlock the secrets and uncover your potential.

We all have good days and bad days at work. Some days you feel bullet proof; people listen to you, your meetings run like clockwork, and you keep having new ideas. Other days are like wading through quick sand; you can’t get anything done, and when the printer jams…again, you want to quit. Wouldn’t it be great if every day went your way? Barez-Brown says it can and the only barrier is you. Learn how you can stand out, break the rules and make things happen, whilst loving every minute!

by Richard Nugent Published by Teach Yourself Books, £9.99

by Chris Barez-Brown Published by Penguin Books Ltd, £6.99

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 37

Park Gorkogo, 6-8 February, Curve Theatre

WHAT’S ON

FEBRUARY 2015

Park Gorkogo

Fri 6 – Sun 8 Feb Curve Theatre, Leicester Tickets from £14.50 curveonline.co.uk

The Moscow State Circus returns to the UK with its latest and greatest production to date. Set in the mystical centre of Moscow’s cultural and artistic quarter, Park Gorkogo is the perfect backdrop for what is undoubtedly the most famous circus on earth. The show features amazing feats including award-winning trapeze flying, pole jugglers and graceful aerial skills, plus the revolving Russian swing,

catapulting its 10-strong troupe high into the apex of the auditorium at breakneck speed.

Love’s Labours Lost Wed 11 Feb Cinema De Lux, Leicester Tickets £12.50/£10 showcasecinemas.co.uk

Live from Stratford-uponAvon, this production forms part of the RSC Live programme bringing Shakespeare to cinema audiences. Set in summer 1914, the King and his friends take an oath to avoid the company of women for three

Love’s Labours Lost, 11 February, Cinema De Lux

years – but then the Princess of France and her ladies-inwaiting arrive. Shakespeare’s sparkling comedy mischievously suggests that the highest of all academic endeavours is the study of the opposite sex. Only at the end of the play is the merriment curtailed as the lovers agree to spend time apart, unaware that the world around them is about to be transformed by war.

Lights! Camera!

Improvise!

Fri 13 Feb Upp the Arts, Uppingham Tickets £12 uppthearts.co.uk

Ever dreamed of creating your very own Hollywood motion picture? Awesome action sequences, heartwarming romances and ingenious plot twists. In this production, you choose the genre, the location and the title and the movie is brought to life before your very eyes while ‘Oscar’, the resident film buff can pause, rewind and fast forward scenes... with hilarious results! The cast

Swan Lake, 28 February, De Montfort Hall

of the West End smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong show off their award-winning improv skills.

Love Is Irregular

Fri 13 Feb Phoenix Art Centre, Leicester Tickets £10/£8 phoenix.org.uk

Discussion of the romance film is often relegated to the confines of rom-coms and slushy melodrama. From King Kong to Warm Bodies via Harold and Maude and Secretary, ‘Love Is Irregular’ provides a sharper take on the wealth of alternative choices for romantic viewing, and introduces some key areas for further thought and discussion. This course also includes a ticket to the screening of Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive after the session.

WinterWalker: Three Keepers Sat 14 Feb Embrace Arts, Leicester Tickets £7 www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ embracearts

Welcome to Flounder Rock Lighthouse, where three men live and work, battling the elements with only each other and the seagulls for company. Wise Old Tom and uptight middleman Dick are trying to teach Young ‘Arry the ropes on his first tour of service. An inventive blend of physical theatre, dance and comedy, inspired by the silent film clowning of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.

Performance time 1 hour at 14.00 and 19.00. For 8+ years.

The Woman in Black Mon 16 – Sat 21 Feb Curve Theatre, Leicester Tickets from £13 curveonline.co.uk

Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes to dramatic life in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation, a successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him by the spectre of a ‘woman in black’, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story. It all begins innocently enough, but then, as they reach further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT evolutionary journey of this most fascinating and ancient creature. A beautiful story about following your dreams, told with shadows, tabletop puppets and traditional storytelling. Inspirational for anyone over 5 years old this is a great half-term treat.

Performance time 11.00, duration 50 minutes.

Pride & Prejudice Mon 23 - Sat 28 Feb The Little Theatre, Leicester Tickets £14 thelittletheatre.net

The garrulous and emptyheaded Mrs Bennet has only one aim – that of finding a good match for each of her five daughters. Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr Darcy. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice? Adapted from Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice remains one of the most enduringly popular love stories in the English language.

Literature at Lunchtime

Thu 26 Feb De Montfort Hall, Leicester Tickets £6 demontforthall.co.uk

Join Dr Jane MacKay for a lunchtime lecture exploring D H Lawrence’s Women in Love. Written as a followup to his banned novel The Rainbow, Lawrence walks us through the Eastwood of his childhood and takes the heroine of the previous novel through a journey of love and marriage, while her artistic sister destroys her wealthy lover. A favourite of many, this is the novel where Lawrence best explores adult love and female expectations.

Lectures start at 12.30 for approx. an hour.

Leicester Jazz House Fri 27 Feb Embrace Arts, Leicester Tickets £10 www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ embracearts

Leicester Jazz House presents Evan Parker and Alexander Hawkins. Parker has been one of the most important figures on the European improvised music scene for nearly 50 years, well

known as one of the world’s foremost exponents of solo saxophone music. He’s joined by young composerimproviser Alexander Hawkins whose music explores the boundaries between improvised and composed music. Performance time 2 hours 30 minutes from 20.00.

Swan Lake

Sat 28 Feb De Montfort Hall, Leicester Tickets from £19.50 demontforthall.co.uk

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom and the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. Witness Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision and the spellbound purity of the Swan Queen, Odette, as she flutters with emotional intensity.

The dual role of Odette and Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

WinterWalker: Three Keepers, 14 February, Embrace Arts

Journey of Turtle Tue 17 Feb Loughborough Town Hall Tickets £8/£6 loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

In the beginning turtle was shiny and fast, always impatient, always in a hurry, but then one day he had a terrible accident… Journey of Turtle is an imaginative, URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 39

A CURVE PRODUCTION

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the novel by Susan Hill

THE MOST TERRIFYING LIVE THEATRE EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD!

Partner

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HIDDEN

Stories You may be familiar with Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, home to venues like Curve, Athena and Phoenix, but how much do you know about its history over the last 40 years? We caught up with Sarah Vallance at Phoenix to find out how technology is bringing Leicester’s history back to life.

Iain Jacques

Leicester’s Cultural Quarter is located in the area formerly known as St George’s, a bustling commercial district that housed numerous warehouses, and hosiery and footwear manufacturers. Industrial decline began in the 1960s and by the late 1990s the area was largely abandoned, with premises falling into decay.

Regeneration has since transformed the area into a hub for creative industries with purpose-built arts venues, and former

warehouses and factories now converted into trendy urban apartments. But the real stories of the people who worked and socialised in the area before its regeneration are largely untold … until now.

“Hidden Stories and Sounds of the Cultural Quarter are two exciting new apps”, says Sarah. “They reveal some of the untold stories of the Cultural Quarter, using the latest locative technology to bring the past to life.”

Hidden Stories is based on awardwinning, original writing inspired by the Cultural Quarter from writers including Carol Leeming and Irfan Master, author of the novel A Beautiful Lie. The app connects each of the texts with the location and history they’re exploring, unlocking content as the user moves around the area. Each text features artwork and animations by Leicester artist Mateus Domingos, creating a fascinating literary exploration of the area.

Sounds of the Cultural Quarter delivers a unique and immersive experience,

incorporating sounds from the past and present that can be heard individually or as a multi-layered soundscape. Specially recorded sounds – from birdsong to industrial machinery - are activated as the user explores the Cultural Quarter, re-imagining the urban history of the area and bringing it to life in a new and innovative way.

So who was the inspiration behind these apps? “Hidden Stories and Sounds of the Cultural Quarter was a collaborative approach” says Sarah. “The apps were commissioned by Phoenix and developed

by Loughborough-based technology firm Cuttlefish Multimedia as part of Affective Digital Histories, a joint research project with the University of Leicester investigating how communities change with urban decline and regeneration.”

Both apps are available now for Android and Apple devices, and can be downloaded free from Google Play or the App Store – just search for ‘Hidden Stories Leicester’ and ‘Sounds of the Cultural Quarter’.

For more information about the project visit affectivedigitalhistories.org.uk.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 41

CITY

Living With property trends showing an increase in demand for luxury apartments from both young professionals, and the over 50s looking to downsize, we asked Mary Stephenson of Fothergill Wyatt what to look for when buying your pied-á-terre Style and Substance

Out of Sight

The biggest demand in the market has come from those looking for sympathetic period and industrial conversions. But before you get carried away by a stunning cornice or exposed brick wall, ensure that the builder has installed modern, quality fixtures and fittings. You don’t want to have to contend with rotting windows and leaking pipework.

Downsizing your home can mean downsizing your storage, so check out what solutions are in place especially in bedrooms and bathrooms. In the kitchen, ensure that unsightly appliances are stylishly stored behind utility doors. If you love the apartment but storage is minimal, look for inventive ideas which will complement the architectural style.

Light and Space

Sustainable Living

Natural lighting is important, so choose where possible an apartment with an open plan layout and large windows.

Alternatively look for use of skylights and/or other architectural light enhancers, such as internal glass block walls. If these aren’t an option, look for ways to compensate; place mirrors on walls opposite windows and use light reflecting paint.

Developers have become more switched-on in terms of the attractiveness of low-energy buildings to buyers. Choose an apartment which incorporates features such as energy-efficient windows, solar panels and hot water heat recycling technologies and you’ll save money as well as the planet. Check the EPC rating on the property details.

Sound of Silence

Outside Focus

If you previously lived in a detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac, noise may be a factor in your decision. Ask to see the design specification to ensure there’s good acoustic insulation between apartments and from outdoor noise. Ensure high-traffic communal areas, utility areas, bathrooms or living rooms, aren’t located next to, above or below your bedrooms.

There are a number of factors to consider outside the apartment.

If you’re a woman living alone, secure parking and video intercom access might be a requirement. Or if you’re a couple with two cars, check whether there are sufficient parking spaces. It’s also worth finding out who is responsible for maintenance of outside communal areas and any associated fees.

Moving On Although it can be more difficult to increase value on an apartment – unless you are able to extend, up or down – to ensure you retain the value of your property, consider only quality developments, in great locations, close to restaurants, boutiques, theatres, art galleries etc. Finally outside space is a premium in the city, so garden flats and penthouses with roof terraces, will always hold their price.

Images: John Lewis

Whatever the question, we’re here to help From installing your new washing machine to finding the right TV, our expert Partners are on hand to help It’s all part of our commitment to being Never Knowingly Undersold

Our commitment to value means that we match the prices of high street competitors (this excludes online-only or mail order businesses). Service conditions must be comparable. See our ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ leaflet in our shops or online for details.

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HOMES & GARDENS

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Michael Kors

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Mellow YELLOW Bring sunshine into your home with furniture and accessories in this season’s freshest colour

1 Stockholm Rug, £160, Ikea 2 House Dominoes Cushion, £20, John Lewis 3 Headsprung Ribbon Coat Rack, £69.99, Design 55 Interiors 4 Muuto Around Small Coffee Table, £279, Occa-Home 5 Wild & Wolf Retro Telephone, £35, Cuckooland 6 Original BTC London Desk Lamp, £402, Heals 7 Christiane Lemieux Chevron Boxes, £40, House of Fraser 8 Flocktail Chair in Aldgate Mustard, £595, Luku Home 9 Over The Knee Stripey Gold Socks £26, Catherine Tough

3

Orla Kiely

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8 7 URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 47

Luku Hom e

1

TREND WATCH 2

This month we take a look at 10 home interior trends predicted to be BIG in 2015!

3

1 Old Meets New Couple contemporary tables with rustic chairs. By pairing two things that don’t seem to go together, you’re actually emphasising the best features of both.

Mix and match your chairs for additional impact.

Berry Red

2 Deep Blue

Loaf

4

Called Wobbler due to its characterful ‘wobbles’.

No two are the same.

If you’re bored of black and charcoal, here’s a new way to add richness and drama to your home décor. We love this shade which enhances the beautiful hand blocked cotton tablecloth, £85 at berryred.co.uk.

3 Perfectly Imperfect Handmade dinnerware is everywhere.

We love this collection from Loaf which includes three designs - Wobbler, Ambrosia and Floris.

4 Mid-Century Modern

Hamilton ConteInga Chair, £2,809, LuxDeco

Elements of mid-century modern will continue to weave their way into home décor. However be careful, this trend is great for inspiration, but shouldn’t take over the whole house.

Reeve Mid Century Con sole, £499, West Elm

John Lewis

5

6

7

Arcadia Cluster Ceiling Pendant, £99, Atkin and Thyme

Hexagon Oak Table Lamp, £85, Hunkydory

The Winchester Tile Co.

9

Futura Zirconia Mo saics, £194.95, Original Style

10 8 Cianna Candlesticks, £85, Out There Interiors

Farrow & Ball

John Lewis

5 Frame Work

7 Busy Bee

9 No Talking Please

When you draw a dark line around something, you draw attention to it. No we’re not talking about eyeliner but window frames. Deep grey shades look great on the inside and draw your focus to the view beyond.

Geometric hexagons and honeycomb shapes whether in the form of a tile, fabric pattern or accessory are expected to be hot this year. Keep it simple and tasteful.

Despite the proliferation of e-readers, libraries are making a comeback; filling our home with memories of where we’ve been, what we’ve done and who we want to be. If you don’t have a whole room to spare, utilise one large wall instead.

6 Statement Light

Marsala has been announced as Pantone’s colour of 2015. “Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – making it ideal for table top, small appliances and linens throughout the home.” Leatrice Eiseman,

Make a statement with your lighting.

Cage fixtures are very popular, as when switched off they look like an art instalment and when on, they cast stunning patterns around the room.

8 Pass the Wine

10 Four-Poster Beds This classic design has had a makeover.

The more contemporary cubic form, emulates four walls, creating a feeling of privacy and sanctuary.

Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 49

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Curtain Makers

Harveys Windows are proud to announce that we are one of the first local traders to have been accepted onto the Which Trusted Trader scheme please come and see us to find out why

For more information, call Harveys on 0116 233 4441 Showroom: Empire Road, Leicester LE3 5HE Open Weekdays 9-5, Saturday 10-1 info@harveyswindows.co.uk www.harveyswindows.co.uk

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The introduction of S.O.U.L. Fenwick Leicester are proud to introduce the Scandinavian furniture brand S.O.U.L to the newly renovated lifestyle floor. Instead of offering individual products S.O.U.L (Spirit of Ultimate Lifestyle) share their passion for interior design and fashion by offering whole living concepts with cultural inspirations from all over the world. Offering products that create unity within a home and create a home within each style.

If you are looking to create a unique living space, then look no further than Fenwick Leicester. From reclaimed timber dining and coffee tables, to Nordic inspired white furniture and accessories, we are sure you will find inspiration.

Realise Realise your your dreams... dreams...

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Kitchens & Bedrooms

ToTo relaunch the recently refitted relaunch the recently refitted showroom, Dewhirsts Dewhirsts are holding an showroom, are holding an open day onday Saturday June 2011 open on11th Saturday 11th June 2011 from 11 am. 11 am. from

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Over 55 years of years award winning kitchens inwinning Leicester Over 55 of award kitchens in Leicester NoNo two kitchens are the same. Yours be same. unique. A one off thatwill we create two kitchens are will the Yours be for unique. A one of you.

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Dewhirst Kitchens Kitchens are now into their second yearinto of designing andsecond fitting Davalyear of designin Dewhirst are now their bedrooms.

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HOMES & GARDENS

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HOMES & GARDENS

Tips from the

POTTING SHED A little gardening know-how from Mark Goddard at Coles Plant Centre

There’s a spot in my garden where I’d love to have an ornamental tree; is this a good time of year to install and, if so, what is the best method of planting?

The period between November and March, known as ‘Bare Root Season’, is the ideal time for planting trees, assuming of course the ground is not frozen over. During

between the two. Drive the stake into the ground until it feels firm, taking care not to damage the trunk or roots of the tree.

It’s a good idea to add a small amount of Michorrhizal Fungi, in either gel or granular form, around the roots to encourage initial growth, before backfilling the hole with a mix of the original soil and two or three spadesful of compost. Then using a buckle tie and spacer, secure your tree to the top of the stake to avoid chaffing, and add a spiral rabbit guard if necessary.

Tibetan Cherry Tree bare root season, most deciduous (not evergreen) trees become dormant, allowing them to be lifted without the need for compost and containers, reducing the cost of the tree.

A few of my favourite ornamental trees are the Prunus serrula (Tibetan Cherry), a lovely tree with shiny, peeling, mahogany bark, attractive white flowers in the spring and superb autumn colour; and the Sorbus vilmorinii (Vilmorin’s Rowan), perfect for the small garden with fragrant flowers in the spring, attractive pink berries and striking bright red autumn foliage. Other varieties worth considering are Betula jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch) for its bright white bark, or Malus tschonoskii for its stunning autumn colour and bright orange fruits.

To plant your tree, dig out a square hole roughly 30% wider than the width of the roots, and deep enough so that when the tree is placed in the hole, the nursery soil mark on the stem is at ground level. Place your tree in the hole, ensuring that it fits comfortably and none of the roots are being forced upwards by the sides of the pit. Then secure your tree, by placing a stake in the hole so that it is parallel to the trunk, with two or three inches

The above technique is one that I’ve found works well for most planting schemes, and is relatively simple in practice. However, it may sometimes not be practical to have single stake parallel to the tree, for instance with a larger bare root or container tree. If this is the case, there are two other methods commonly used, the first being

Vilmorin’s Rowan ‘double staking’; where a pair of stakes are placed either side of the planting pit, with the tree secured between the two using a rubber strap. The other is to drive the stake into the ground at a 45° angle, avoiding the root mass, and securing the tree about 60cm above ground level.

Whichever method you choose, finish by watering the base of the tree to settle the soil around the roots.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 59

“Commitment Time”

“Dependents Time”

“Creation Time”

“Me Time”

MORTGAGES

PROTECTION

INVESTMENTS & SAVINGS

RETIREMENT PLANNING

It’s about time you called Tudor Court Financial Planning All our advice is expertly tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring you receive the right advice at the right time.

Call Tudor Court today on 01509

643388 or email via our contact page on our website www.tudor-court.com

Tudor Court Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of Everyday Financial Advice Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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LIFE & WORK

BAGS OF

Confidence Did you resolve to land a new job or promotion this year? Need a little encouragement? Try these tips to boost your chance of success.

Boden

Promote yourself

Claim due credit

We’re conditioned not to blow our own trumpets but while you self-deprecate for England, people with half the knowledge or skills are getting promoted and you’re going to end up working for them. Being good at your job is not enough, people need to know you’re good.

Hate it when someone takes personal credit for a team effort? If you were part of a team success, say so. If the team would not have succeeded without your leadership, vision, expertise or organisational skills, it’s ok to say that too.

Take a compliment So when someone goes out of their way to express their appreciation, instead of mumbling your shortcomings, simply try saying “thank you for noticing”. You’ll have acknowledged, without blowing your trumpet, that you know or do something particularly well. It gets easier.

Learn to ask You don’t need to know everything.

Successful people surround themselves with others who know more than they do. And they ask. A lot! So ask for advice, ask for help, ask your boss how s/he got to where s/he is.

Stop apologising There are definitely times when a sorry is necessary, but not just because you have something to say. And definitely not at the start of every sentence.

Remember, you’re not the only one suffering imposter syndrome. So feel the fear and ...

Take centre stage If you’re invited to a big meeting, someone believes you have a valuable contribution to make. Reward their faith and behave like you believe it too. Sit at the centre of the table where you’ll be taken seriously or risk watching a junior colleague steal your limelight and your promotion.

You’re not the only one quaking on the inside so feel the fear and fake it til you make it!

Know your worth When you’re offered your dream role, think about that unbelievably cheap “Marc Jacobs” bag on eBay. The one you’re not convinced could be the real deal. Because that’s exactly how an employer might feel about you if you set your price too low. So do your homework and negotiate a fair salary.

Finally, if at first you don’t succeed, ask what you need to do next time and add that to the list.

Good luck!

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 61

Pet

Care

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PEOPLE & PLACES

LIFE & WORK

Do you dream of setting up your own business, travelling the world or retiring early but don’t have the funds? Great news! Just a few simple changes to your money habits, can help make your dreams a reality

r e v o e mak 5

Some current accounts offer monthly cashback on selected household bills and pay interest on balances over a certain level. Find out if you can make savings by switching your account.

6

The same principle applies to insurances, utilities, mobiles. Use internet comparison sites to assess current market rates and if you discover you’re paying more for a like-for-like service, then switch.

1

Start with the obvious, calculate your outgoings, so you know what’s left each month for the non-essentials and to fund your long term goals.

10

R eady for a career move or promotion? Don’t hold back! The increase in salary will boost your immediate savings potential and for the longer term, your contributions to the workplace pension.

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If you don’t have a pension, it’s never too late to get started. A financial advisor can guide you on what products are available and how much you’ll need to pay to get the retirement pot you desire.

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On the home front, moving can be expensive. Instead stay put and expand your property. A loft conversion for example can add on average 20% to the value of your house.

2

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Think of non-essential purchases in terms of hours of pay. Are these shoes really worth a day’s pay? It’s a great way to change your attitude to money.

Give just one thing up – we don’t want to go overboard - e.g. your morning cappuccino on the way to work, or downsize your manicure from every week to once a fortnight.

Every time you save money, write it down. Put a slip of paper in a jar or record it on your laptop. Add it up after 3, 6, 12 months and you’ll find the motivation to carry on!

Ditch your credit card, thus avoiding temptation to overspend. If you must have one for genuine emergencies, ensure that the balance is paid off in full each month.

Think about investing. If this seems like a scary concept, you could start with a stocks and shares ISA. You can save up to £15,000 this tax year and all interest is tax free.

If you’re not saving enough, increase what you’re saving by 5%, 10%, whatever you can afford. You’ll soon get use to it and if you stick to it for six months, you’ll be happy with the results.

Moving on? Overpay on your existing mortgage. You’ll have a bigger deposit, which may qualify you for a lower interest rate on your next mortgage, helping you to clear the balance more quickly.

Finally if you have debts, yes it might take longer to reach your goal, but don’t be paralysed into doing nothing. Chip away at your debts and make 2015 the year you take control of your finances!

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 63

Romantic

RETREATS Our favourite cosy retreats for when only something special will do!

LE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS Created by celebrated chef Raymond Blanc, Le Manoir is situated in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Great Milton. Surrounded by lawns, flower borders and orchards, the luxury hotel enjoys an idyllic, typically English setting.

Va va voom rooms Le Manoir offers 32 individually designed guest rooms and suites, each beautifully and imaginatively furnished. The Blanc De Blanc suite with its myriad shades of white, creates an unforgettable haven of tranquillity.

Fabbest feature The impressive gardens of Le Manoir add another dimension to your stay. Be inspired by the two-acre kitchen garden which produces 90 types of vegetable and 70 varieties of herb.

Out and about Explore the famous colleges and historic city centre or marvel at the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Chic eats With its 2 Michelin stars, dining here is something that will stay with you forever. Indulge in ‘The Dining Experience’, seven exciting courses, with unexpected flavour combinations, which make this menu a real culinary adventure.

Disco ver m ore belm o nd.co le-m m/ an saiso oir-aux-q ns-ox u fords athire/

PEOPLE & PLACES

Disco ver m ore staple fordp ark.c om

STAPLEFORD PARK Stapleford Park country estate, nr Melton Mowbray is the perfect location for an idyllic romantic escape. Royalty were entertained here and their tradition of country house hospitality and English sporting pursuits continues right up to the present day.

Va va voom rooms Each of Stapleford’s 48 individually designed bedrooms and suites has its very own personality, with a unique feel.

We love the room designed by David Hicks. This dramatic room with barrel shaped ceiling, has been hand painted to match the natural stone of the windows.

Fabbest feature Situated in the converted Victorian stable block are the Clarins Gold Salon and fitness studio. The perfect setting to unwind and be pampered or work up a sweat.

Out and about Browse local antique stores in Melton; cycle around Rutland Water and explore the historical Belvoir Castle.

Chic eats If you enjoy delicious food in delightful surroundings then dining at Stapleford’s elegant Grinling Gibbons 2 AA Rosette Restaurant, is perfect for you. With regional and seasonal inspirations, Chef Martin’s menus are designed to satisfy the most discerning of palates.

ore er m v o c o.uk Dis el.c t o h rlet sca

THE SCARLET Luxurious but laid-back, The Scarlet is a ‘grown-ups only’ hotel and your chance to recharge your batteries.

The hotel fully embraces its stunning cliff top location, reflecting its natural environment through the sensuous use of materials and design.

Va va voom rooms The 37 superbly appointed bedrooms and suites feature free standing baths and walk-in showers and each boasts its own individual outside space. The ‘Just Right’ rooms are exactly that: restful and calm, with unobstructed sea views.

Fabbest feature The Scarlet Spa is a quiet, contemplative, almost spiritual place. Both the clifftop hot tubs and natural pool, invite you to immerse yourself into the water and the views beyond.

Out and about In a perfect position half-way between Padstow and Newquay, The Scarlet is close enough to enjoy the delights of both without being disturbed by either.

Chic Eats Experience fresh, contemporary Cornish food accompanied by one of the most spectacular sea views. Presentation, attention to detail and little homemade flourishes make the dining experience exquisite.

URBAN FOX FEBRUARY 2015 65

Only buy red linger if it’s scarlet and ie very expensive!

Last book you read

The Shadowy Horses’ Susannah Kea rsley

MY WAY

Last film you saw

Mr Turner

Gillian Proctor Designer, author and head of Contour Fashion at Leicester’s DMU, Gillian Proctor talks to us about her love of lingerie, rugby and fast cars!

Born and raised in Durham my interest in fashion emerged at an early age. My only interest in dolls was making them outfits, other than that, I was more interested in cricket bats!

When I was a little older I announced – to the amusement of my family - I wanted to be Coco Chanel and began collecting vintage clothes. I experimented with ‘upcycling’ long before it was a trend. Coming from a long line of embroiderers, lace makers and knitters, I had a requisite collection of lace, beads etc. and made my own clothes throughout Uni. After graduating from Loughborough College of Art & Design and the Royal College of Art, I worked initially in Paris in the racing car industry - could explain my passion for fast cars! Whilst jetting to and from Paris three times a week, I broke my neck in a car crash and began part time lecturing at Nottingham Trent and De Montfort Universities. I also worked as a freelance designer for design houses including Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Muir, as well as with the embroidery industry in St. Gallen, Switzerland. A lot of my work related to fashion trend predictions for most of the top European trend forecast companies.

Over the years I wrote many articles and covered extensive TV and radio programmes on the subject of the changing silhouette and the dictates of fashion styling. I had also become something of an expert on the history of lingerie and corsetry and was approached by a woman called Karoline Newman to be interviewed. I agreed on the basis that we could go to the pub afterwards to watch the rugby. From there grew the concept of co-writing a book A Century of Lingerie, which was published in 1998.

Favourite fashion design er

Michael Kors

Your fashion icon

Catherine Deneuve

Last place you went on holiday

Sicily

Favourite Leicestershire landmark

The Guildhall

Eight years ago, I was headhunted to Most inspirational woma n come and run the Duchess of Cambridge Contour Fashion programme What relaxes you at DMU. I had Music, gardening, rugby & champagn e! been part of the teaching team on the course through the 90’s and always loved it. For someone with a passion for fashion, historical garments, fabrics and lace, it was the ideal outlet. The course is sixty-eight years old and was set up by the local corset industry based in Leicester in 1947. We have a fabulous relationship with the industry still, which we nurture very carefully, and I now chair The International Institute of Intimate Apparel, which represents all the elements of the intimates industry globally, who act as mentors to the course.

I love it! I have the best job in the world! I work with a fantastic team of people, we’re all very passionate about what we do and we attract the greatest students. I’ve also been fortunate to be recognised both by the industry and DMU for the work I do. I was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Lingerie Industry at the UK Lingerie Awards in 2013 and last year, I was lucky enough to win the Vice Chancellor’s Award, although I think that’s probably because my attendance is very good! This week I’m off to Paris with seventy first year students. Wish me luck!

Your A mazing.

It could be anything, or anywhere.

A person, a place, a feeling.

It might be found on a beach in the Maldives, on safari in Sri Lanka or a sunset over Chiang Rai.

Whatever it is, your amazing starts with a glass of Champagne and a conversation with us.

From the biggest adventure to the smallest detail, we’ll do everything we can to create a holiday you’ll always remember.

One that’s different from any other, designed for you.

Because no two holidays should be the same.

Visit us Kuoni at John Lewis Leicester, 2 Bath House Lane, Highcross Call us 01163 552 602 0132

LANES FINE J EW E LLE R Y

Visit our boutique on Loseby Lane (2 minutes from John Lewis & the Highcross Shopping Centre )

Diamond Specialist & Luxury Watch Sourcing 25 L OSEBY L ANE , L EICESTER , LE1 5DR | L ANES J EWELLERS . COM | INFO @ LANESJEWELLERS . COM | 0116 251 2529