Urban Fox - March 2018 Issue

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March 2018

WIN

Olivia Burton Watch Ragdale Hall Spa Day Skandinavisk Candles

GRAIN POWER

IT'S A NO BRAINER

Life swaps Change for good

Lighten up!

50 SHADES OF BLONDE?

RECLAIM THE

WEEKEND

Making the most of it

Pastel pop

Pale and interesting

SOLID AS A ROCK SHARON STONE INTERVIEW

T: 0116 270 5900 F: 0116 274 5732

info@fothergillwyatt.com www.fothergillwyatt.com

Hello

Home, work, family relationships: it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves in the noise of everyday living. So this month we’re dedicated to helping you REBOOT your life for a happier, healthier spring.

REVAMP your look with SS18 latest trends.

From slogan tees and Spring Greens, to business black and luscious lilac, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re feeling more old hen than spring chicken, Lighten Up and inject some fun with the latest shades of blonde. Whether bleach, buttery or bronde, bring out that inner bombshell.

COVER SHOT: Oceanfront Tunic, £69.95, Seasalt

Interact with us

Be REFRESHED on the inside too. Say goodbye to food fasts, juice cleanses and wacky workouts; and hello Life Swaps and Mind Detox. And with whole grains linked to lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and other diseases; we ask, isn't it time you added more Grain Power to your diet? It’s a no brainer!

theurbanfoxmediagroup

Like us for regular features, competitions and more great stuff about Leicestershire

From one tired interior to another, check out our quick and easy ideas to REVIVE your home. Pastel hues and decluttering cues; flora and fauna, and cleaning those corners, we’ve got the answer to all your décor dilemmas.

urbanfoxmag

Follow our boards for what’s influencing the creation of our magazine each month

Finally take a breath and RECHARGE with a Spring Break. Whether Paris and Rome or closer to home, enjoy the best the season has to offer. And from holidays, to Smondays (it’s a real thing), we reveal how to maximise your free time in Reclaim the Weekend. And there’s no better time to start than now, so feet up, open the pages, sip hot beverage…and relax…

@TheUrban_Fox Advertisers: be first to hear about forward features and promotional opportunities

URBANFOX

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MARTINA LENAGHAN Editor editor@theurban-fox.co.uk STEVE LENAGHAN Head of Sales & Marketing 07738 614245 steve@theurban-fox.co.uk

21 46-47

PASTEL

13

Breathe life into neutral interiors pop of pastel. These with a sense of calm and muted tones bring a simp while adding a gentl licity to a space, e splash of colou r.

LISA ROTH Head of New Business Development 07843 851132 lisa@theurban-fox.co.uk

POP

Bell Alarm Clock, £22, Laura Ashley

Guava Green & Fallen Emulsion, from £12, Petal B&Q

Task Table Lamp, £59, Cuckooland

Tweedmill Beehive Throw, £49.99, Black By Design

Skandinavisk Fjord Candle, £16, John Lewis

Roberts Revival Radio, £199.99, John Lewis Serena Bedside Table, £1,188, Oficina Inglesa

KATIE TURNBULL Designer katie@theurban-fox.co.uk

Gracie Armchair, £499, Made

Marks & Spencer

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 either editorial or advertising content.

Copyright: All text, images and design in this publication are subject to copyright. Any unauthorised duplication is strictly prohibited.

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

Ladybird Embroide red Cushion, £15, M&S

URBAN FOX MARCH

2018 47

15

10

CONTRIBUTORS: Kirsty France, Jake Harvey, Sam McDonald, Sarah Mettrick, Jo Robinson, Rebecca Watts, Matthew Wilson.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 5

The Martini Racing Collection from Porsche Driver’s Selection.

The legend lives on.

Celebrating the era that produced countless racing victories, the updated Martini Racing Collection from Porsche Driver’s Selection captures the spirit of the Martini racing teams, with their legendary blue stripes, through a range of high-quality clothing and accessories. Visit your nearest Porsche Centre or www.porsche.co.uk for more information.

Porsche Centre Leicester Fletton Close Thurmaston Lane Leicester LE4 9LP 01162 764488 info@porscheleicester.co.uk www.porscheleicester.co.uk URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 7

March 10

HEALTH & WELLBEING

23 Life swaps Change for good

46

48

25 Mind detox Reboot your mental health

WINING & DINING 27 Let them eat cake

Sugar & spice and all things…

31 Grain power

It’s a no brainer

LIFE & WORK 33 Reclaim the weekend

Making the most of it 34 Solid as a rock Sharon Stone interview 37 Art of decluttering

6 degrees of separation

FASHION & BEAUTY

HOMES & GARDENS

10 Black to work Working it 9-to-5

39 Natural element

A touch of the artisan

13 More than words

Make a style statement 15 Lilac love

Purple reigns

27

43 Go bold, go home

Plants, patterns & paint 46 P astel pop Pale and interesting 50 R efresh for success Get your house market ready 55 G round work Perk up your patch

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 57 What’s on

Entertaining the whole family 61 Reviews

March’s recommendations

17 Spring greens

Gifts for mum

PEOPLE & PLACES

19 Lighten up!

50 shades of blonde?

65 Spring break

Home or away?

21 Skin clean

Spring’s best beauty buys

66 My way

Local spotlight on Rachel Burditt

WIN BIG DIAL WATCH

WIN MUM & ME DAY

WIN NATUR COLLECTION

16

22

44

by Olivia Burton

at Ragdale Hall

by Skandinavisk

Textured Trousers, £20, JD Williams

Sasha Top, £39, Hobbs

Clara Dress, £129, Hobbs

BLACK

Amigos Heel, £100, Dune London

TO WORK Tom Ford

Transform your workweek wardrobe with monochrome. Both bold and classic, standout from the crowd with this attention-grabbing combo.

Crane Print Shirt Dress, £149, Whistles

Kaley Coat, £190, Boden

Melonie Dress & Jacket, £149/£159, Hobbs

Like Top Handle Onyx Bag, £375, Furla

Tom Ford

Layla Open Court Shoes, £195, L.K Bennett

Theory Striped Placed Jumper, £55, Oliver Bonas

Lockett Shoulder Bag, £895, Jimmy Choo

Studio by Preen Skirt, £49, Debenhams

Gessie Flat, £70, Dune London

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 11

20% Off + Free Delivery & Returns* Code: UFSS18

*Terms and conditions apply. Not in conjunction with any other offer.

See website for details. Valid until 31/05/18

FASHION & BEAUTY

MORE THAN

WORDS

Make a style statement this season in a slogan sweater or tee.

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 Donna Ida Arthurs Jumper, £280, Harvey Nichols 2 Editor’s Pick: Perfect for the weekend on denim, and during the week with cigarette pants Jayde Intarsia Knit, £119, Baukjen 3 Hallhuber Appliquã Slogan Shirt, £49, House of Fraser 4 Ille De Cocos Jumper, £135, Wolf & Badger 5 Valentino Wool & Cashmere Jumper, £795, Harvey Nichols 6 Chinti & Parker Sunday Sweater, £275, Cavells 7 Lucy Top, £55, Baukjen 8 Close To My Heart Jumper, £395, Bella Freud 9 Cocktail Dream Cashmere Sweater, £295, Chiniti & Parker URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 13

Clothes for the individual lady

OURRANGES RANGESINCLUDE INCLUDE OUR AnnBalon Balon Ann Anvrdie Anvrdie BettyBarclay Barclay Betty Bianca Bianca Capollini Capollini Condici Condici Dents Dents DorisStreich Streich Doris Dynasty Dynasty Emreco Emreco EugenKlein Klein Eugen Faber Faber FrankLyman Lyman Frank FrankWalder Walder Frank Georgede Georgede Godske Godske Gollehaug Gollehaug Habella Habella Just JustWhite White Lebek Lebek Maria MariaBellentani Bellentani Michaela MichaelaLouisa Louisa Naya Naya NYDJ NYDJJeans Jeans Olsen Olsen Passioni Passioni Rabe Rabe Sommermann Sommermann Turnover Turnover Van VanDal Dal

Handbags Accessories, Shoes, Handbags much more. more.

Lingerie, Dresses, and much friendly We offer individual style, in aa friendly environment and professional environment

Chapel Street, Street, 4-6 Chapel Leicester, LE2 LE2 5AD 5AD Oadby, Leicester, 0116 271 271 4430 4430 Tel: 0116 www.jeanneofoadby.com www.jeanneofoadby.com HOURS OF BUSINESS Monday - Friday: 9:30am to to 5:30pm 5:30pm Saturday: 9:30am to 4:00pm 4:00pm

MICHAEL GRUNDY Jeweller • Designer • Goldsmith

Jewellery restoration & repairs Remodelling of jewellery A full design service All work carried out in our in house workshop

A beautiful selection of hand crafted and bespoke jewellery designs.

Email: Mick@MichaelGrundyJewellers.com Phone: (0116) 2745968 | 64 Queens Road, Leicester, LE2 1TU

www.MichaelGrundyJewellers.com

FASHION & BEAUTY Pleated Blouse, £29.99, H&M

Celeste Suede Evening Clutch Bag, £850, Jimmy Choo

Lilac

Square Toe Flatform Loafer Shoe, £99, Dune

From Victoria Beckham to Tibi, we’re loving the lilac look.

Go head-to-toe, or dip into one of our sugar-coated accessories. Sweet.

Tibi

Lilac Trousers, £39, Principles by Ben De Lisi

LOVE Lilac Linen Marl Batwing Tee, £49, Mint Velvet

Polly Want A Lacquer Nail Colour, £12.50, OPI

Dorateymur Harput II Leather Loafers, £350, Brownsfashion.com

Amouage Lilac Love Eau De Parfum, £275, Selfridges

Flatter Me Fierce Lipstick, £17.50, MAC

WIN! A independent boutique in Market Harborough selling a stylish collection of womenswear. Established for 17 years, we have sought out the most exceptional international women’s clothing brands.

BIG DIAL WATCH

by Olivia Burton

I SAY PENNY BLACK CREENSTONE YERSE DES PETIT HAUTS BEATRICE B SAVE THE QUEEN JUMPER 1234 SANDWICH YAYA VILAGALLO COCOA CASHMERE MARELLA SHOES BY UNISA, ALPE, ELIA B & VIDORETTA & MANY MORE FABULOUS BRANDS FROM AROUND EUROPE!

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 5pm Saturday: 9.30am - 5.30pm Sunday: Closed

Win this Big Dial Mint & Rose Gold Watch (worth £82) by Olivia Burton as featured in our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

Pastel hues are the injection of colour you need this season. This 38mm-wide ‘Big Dial’ features a White dial with Rose Gold case, and is combined with a pastel Mint leather strap for a cool and contemporary look.

Olivia Burton debuted its first collection in September 2012. Its covetable, collectable styles, which now include a striking jewellery line-up, are inspired by vintage finds and the latest catwalk trends. Think intricate hand-illustrations, beautiful references to nature and must-have colour palettes.

View the latest collection at www.oliviaburton.com

TO ENTER Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Olivia Burton’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Saturday 31 March 2018.

16 Church Street Market Harborough LE16 7AA T: 01858 431396 • www.jacksforwomen.co.uk

Terms & Conditions: The winner will be drawn after the specified closing date.

The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. Watch available in ‘Mint’ colourway only. The competition may be withdrawn at any time.

Joules

Big Dial Watch, £82, Olivia Burton

Dot Candle Bowl, £17.50, White Stuff

Kreafunk aHead Headphones, £85, Amara

Prairie Organic Gin, £35, John Lewis

Spring Greens Revive her senses this Mother’s Day with these spring green gift ideas

Magic Smoky Powder Shadow Stick, £19, Estée Lauder Nail Lacquer Bitter Buddhist, £19, Smith & Cult

Almost Powder Foundation, £28, Clinique

Vallcon Shopper Bag, £40, Ted Baker

Ô de l'Orangerie Eau de Toilette, £40, Lancôme

Balcony Bra & Rae Lace Briefs, £10/£5, F&F

LA FEMME BELLE

BOOK ONLINE

Spa packages • Decleor Salon • Hair & Beauty Botox & Filler • HD Brows • Shellac Nails • LVL Lashes LOREAL COLOUR TROPHY FINALISTS 3RD YEAR RUNNING

56 Rosemead Drive Oadby Leicester LE2 5SF

T: 0116 271 5056 M: 0780 110 1022

www.lafemmebelle.co.uk

FASHION & BEAUTY

Lighten Think blondes have more fun?

Then it’s time to lighten up! And with so many shades to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one!

Noon by Noor

UP! COPPER

BRONDE

Zadig Voltaire

If you’re not ready to commit then ‘bronde’ is the perfect solution, with the darker tones of brunette playing off the lighter blonde hues. Best achieved using balayage rather than traditional foils, to create graduated highlights melting from brown to blonde.

While ‘blorange’ (as the name suggests a mash up of blonde and orange hues) is still on trend, a light copper blonde offers a pretty alternative for those looking for more subtle, even coverage. A warm blend of red and golden blonde creates this summery marmalade hue.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford Pamella Roland

In the words of Goldilocks this shade is not too dark, not too light, but just right! These honey and caramel hues are perfect for those with a paler complexion, brightening up the face and helping to avoid that washed out look.

ICE Platinum blonde, ice blonde, bleached blonde, whatever you call it, it’s not going anywhere for SS18. Designed to look more white than yellow, be warned, this shade requires a lot of upkeep. Combat wear and tear with a weekly deep conditioning treatment.

HONEY

Cindy Monteir o

BUTTERY With so many platinum blondes trying to keep their hair shade cool, it's refreshing to see a yellowy blonde that looks so fabulous. The key to this shade is that it's buttery, not brassy. Team with deliberate roots for a casual growing-out vibe.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 19

Retreat To R Retreat This Winter

We have the pleasure of indulging you in handpicked experiences, welcoming you to a haven of sensory well-being!

Elemis ¦ Facials ¦ Massages ¦ Body Wraps & Scrubs ¦ Brows by Mii Manicures ¦ Pedicures ¦ Spray Tanning ¦ Waxing R Retreat Beauty. 54 London Road, Oadby LE2 5DH 011 6 2 717 183 ¦ www.theretreatbeautysalon.com Supporting British brands that are natural & ethical towards animals.

Microblading Semi-Permanent Make-up £200 Book Online or Call Us! Offering the latest non-invasive skincare treatments to target specific skin concerns

0116 271 1551 www.dermacaresalon.co.uk

• Advanced Facials

Peels • Chemical Advanced Facials | Chemical Peels | Botox | Fillers | Skin Analysis | Cryotherapy • Skin Analysis| Mineral Make-up | St.Tropez Tan | Blemish Removal Genuine Dermaroller | eDermastamp

• eDermastamp Microb laOadby Stoughton • Grange | Gartree Road ding | LE2 2FB Dermaroller • Botox • Fillers • Cryotherapy

Availa ble Now

FASHION & BEAUTY

New season, new beauty. Prep and perfect your spring look with our latest product picks.

SKIN

CLEAN BUTTER LONDON PATENT SHINE NAIL LACQUER, £15 A 10-in-1 formula. It's Lacquer Brilliance. Sophisticated, longwearing shades loaded with ingredients proven to promote brighter, stronger, healthier nails.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM, £82 The powerful anti-ageing ingredients of this cream have been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles, improve skin firmness, tone and hydrate in 15 days. Apply to cleansed skin daily.

DIOR ADDICT LIP GLOW, £25 A must-have from ‘Dior Backstage’ to enhance the lips and bring out their natural colour. Apply alone as a lip balm or primer, or team with a lipstick or lip maximiser for even more radiant results.

CLINIQUE SCULPTING HIGHLIGHT, £20 This luminous cream highlighting stick with light-reflecting optics brings your best features forward. Use on the cheekbones, down the nose, in the middle of the forehead and in the centre of the chin.

CLINIQUE COLOUR CORRECT SUPERPRIMER, £23 This lightweight, oil-free primer creates an ideal makeup canvas.

Colour corrects a range of concerns, preps for makeup application and wear. Colour glides on evenly and stays true.

CLARINS GENTLE EXFOLIATOR, £26 A gentle and refreshing exfoliating lotion formulated with ultra–gentle Tamarind fruit acids. Easily applied, it eliminates the impurities that dull skin, leaving it smooth, soft and bright.

LANCOME PASTEL EYESHADOW PENCIL, £18 For SS18 Lancôme takes its beauty prowess into the world of sugarysweet tones. In a range of delicious shades this creamy formula applies easily leaving rich and long-lasting pigmentation.

DIOR HYDRA LIFE WATER BB CREAM, £40 Provides the protective powers of a skincare cream with the complexion-perfecting properties of a foundation. This water-based, SPF 30 formula is kind to sensitive skin, with a barely-there feel.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 21

IN! W MUM & ME DAY at Ragdale Hall Spa

Nestled in the Leicestershire countryside near Melton Mowbray and combining state-of-the-art facilities with Mother and Daughter Break, so you can relax in a luxurious bed the charm of traditional Victorian architecture, Ragdale Hall is perfect for a pampering spa day or evening - and it at the end of a hard day in the spa! For more information visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk or call 01664 434831. Follow Ragdale was recently voted the UK’s Best Destination Spa* Hall on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or download the free So what better way to treat your mum this Mother’s Ragdale Hall App for exclusive offers.

Day than with a luxurious spa experience, from just £60, We’re offering one lucky winner and their Mum a “Clarins Mum or present her with a Ragdale Hall voucher to use how & Me Time Day” at Ragdale Hall Spa. she chooses. Or why not join mum on an unforgettable Ragdale Hall Clarins Mum & Me Time Day? Priced from TO ENTER: £269 for two people, you’ll both enjoy a 40-minute Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number Clarins Radiant Skin Facial, use of all Ragdale Hall’s to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Mum & Me’ in the facilities, including the NEW Rooftop Infinity Pool, subject bar. Closing date for entries is Saturday 31 March 2018.

Thermal Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, gym, exercise Terms & Conditions: The winner will be drawn on or after the closing date. The Editor’s and relaxation classes, a three-course buffet lunch and decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. The prize is valid Monday - Thursday, subject to availability. Travel take home a Clarins gift worth over £24. Ragdale Hall to and from Ragdale Hall is not included. The prize is valid for persons of 16 years and over. The also offers a range of spa breaks, including the two-night prize must be redeemed before 30th September 2018. *The Good Spa Guide Awards 2017

EGG-TASTIC OFFER

At USSC This March No joining fee for any membership this March.

Just donate one medium sized Easter Egg instead.

All Eggs will be given to Anna’s Hope Charity. ussc@uppingham.co.uk www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

LIFE

Swaps Spring has sprung but getting through the working day is still a struggle? Revive your energy and mood with these simple lifestyle swaps, says Rebecca Watts from TheStudios40.

Joules

Stand rather than sit Switch to a morning workout Quit hitting the snooze button and you can free up time for a morning workout. Whether a jog around the park or a yoga routine in your lounge, it’ll set you up for the day.

You’ll be surprised how much better you feel, plus you won’t have the chance to talk yourself out of it, unlike your evening exercise class.

Swap coffee for hot water

Coffee on an empty stomach kick starts your acid production and can cause indigestion and heartburn, as well as causing damage to your stomach lining. Swap your first coffee for a glass of hot water and lemon to hydrate you and flush your digestive system. You can still have your coffee, just later.

Ditch sugary cereals

A bowl of cereal to start the day is an age old habit, but many of the boxed cereals we buy aren’t the best choice for sustained energy. If you want to keep your energy up and avoid dips and cravings, switch your sugary cereal for oats, or better still eggs and feel fuller for longer.

For many, as much as 9-10 hours a day is spent sitting. As well as causing posture related aches and pains it’s also linked with obesity and early mortality. Try a standing desk and increase your daily calorie burn. If that’s not possible, make sure you get up and move around every 30 minutes.

Own deal over meal deal

Swap the usual meal deal of carbs (sandwiches) and more carbs (crisps) swilled down with a dose of fizzy stuff, with a pre-prepped healthy lunch. As well as improving energy levels and mood you will also find some benefits to your pocket too.

Swap negativity for positivity

Positivity and mindfulness is known to improve mental wellbeing and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. If you don’t enjoy work, moaning about it will only make you feel worse. Try instead to be more mindful of the positives, laugh, smile and you’ll find you get more done, the day goes quicker and you feel happier.

Walking lunch not working lunch

everything done? Research shows that a brisk walk, getting the heart pumping, a dose of sunshine and fresh air can in fact increase productivity. Take a 20 minute walk tomorrow lunchtime and see your work rate surge.

Switch TV time for prep time

After a long day it’s normal to want to relax in front of the TV. But why not spend an hour preparing for the next day instead - prepping your lunch, getting you gym or work clothes ready, making a ‘to do’ list. Being prepared will destress you and help the next day go more smoothly.

Ditch Facebook for a good book

Technology especially mobile phone use can interfere with sleep patterns. Swap your bedtime technology dose with a relaxing routine. Practise yoga, meditation, read, take a bath, or have a routine of stretches. All will help you relax, encourage better sleep and set you up to conquer the next day!

How often do you work through lunch as you’ve not got enough time to get URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 23

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For more offers visit www.exclusivehearing.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Mind

DETOX Forget the food fasts, juice cleanses and wacky workouts.

Boost your health with a mental detox.

using a planner (diary or digital calendar) fill in your schedule.

It’s also worth making a note of any deviations to the plan too, that way you won't need to think “What happened to my day?”, you will know. Repeat the process and you’ll start to feel less stressed and more confident about what each day will bring.

Here’s 5 ways to improve your wellbeing.

1

Look around you. We’re all influenced by environmental factors whether it’s the news, advertising or Facebook. It’s important to be aware of these external influences, so that we can understand what effect they have on our wellbeing.

Take some time at the end of the day to think about what has happened and how you felt - anxious, revitalised, overwhelmed. Over time think of ways to eradicate or at least reduce the activities that negatively affect you and focus on the positive ones.

2

Fail to plan… When we aren’t focussed and in control, we can start to feel powerless. The key is to know what we should be doing, when, and then actually doing it. Start by mentally organising your day, then

3

Let it go! We’re all busy people and planning is important, but if you increasingly find yourself overawed by your ‘To Do’ list, then it might be time to let some things go. Write down all of the tasks you need to complete, then allocate priorities from A (urgent) to E (unimportant).

If too many tasks have an ‘A’ priority, run through the list again and demote the less important ones. Then focus your energy on those tasks that are most important and drop the rest. Reducing the list should reduce your anxiety, leaving your productivity levels to rise.

4

Think positively. It’s all too easy to focus on things that aren’t going right and forget about the good things. So start to recognise what you’re grateful for. If you’re struggling to know where to begin, try looking at the photos

on your phone and feel that inner happiness glow. Now you’re in the zone, commit to keeping a gratitude journal, to using only upbeat language or to repeating daily affirmations. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you acknowledge the good things in your life every day.

5

Fast-forward. One of the most damaging things our minds do, is to replay painful events (something someone has said, or done) on a loop. To avoid getting stuck in a destructive cycle it’s important to learn how to fastforward. When you recognise you’re in a negative thought pattern, imagine seeing a big red STOP sign. Say “STOP!” and move your focus to something calming near you – the view from a window, a picture on the wall or even objects in front of you. The act of refocussing will interrupt the loop and enable you to mentally move forward.

Like most things worth doing, it might take a bit of practice before you perfect these good habits.

Make them a part of your daily routine, and eventually you won't even realise you’re doing them.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 25

SPOIL YOUR MUM Mothering Sunday lunch

March 11 12-6pm

warmers

C&C advert_40_urban fox_150x109_outlines.indd 1

&

07/02/2018 14:08

Let them

EAT CAKE A twist on the classic simnel cake, take a break from the chocolate fest and celebrate Easter with one of these light and fluffy lemon cake recipes from Waitrose.

LEMON CURD LAYER CAKE Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20-25 minutes Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour 2 tsp baking powder 225g Stork with butter 225g golden caster sugar 4 large free range eggs 1 lemon, juice and grated zest 200g soft cheese 2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dusting 1 tbsp milk 100g lemon curd

1

Grease and line the bases of 2 x 20cm cake tins. Preheat the oven to 180ËšC, gas mark 4.

2

Place the flour, baking powder, Stork, sugar, eggs and lemon juice and zest in a large bowl, and whisk for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

3

Divide the mixture equally between the tins, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and just firm. Leave to cool in the

tins for a few minutes, then turn out and allow to cool completely.

4

Meanwhile, in a bowl beat together the soft cheese, icing sugar and milk until soft enough to spread. Gently ripple this mixture through the lemon curd.

5

Using a breadknife, cut the cake in half horizontally to give 4 layers.

Use the lemon curd mixture to sandwich the cakes together into a tall stack. Dust lightly with icing sugar to serve.

FROSTED LEMON CAKE Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Ingredients: 75ml sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing 250g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 175g caster sugar 250ml Alpro soya original Juice and grated zest 1 lemon 50g Pure dairy free sunflower spread 50g icing sugar

1

reheat the oven to 180ËšC, gas mark P 4. Grease a 12.5cm x 23cm (900g) loaf tin with a little oil and line the base with parchment paper.

2

Sift the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar.

3

Whisk the oil, Alpro soya, lemon juice and half the lemon zest together, then fold the mixture into the dry ingredients to make a smooth batter.

Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes then turn out onto a wire rack, remove the paper and leave to cool completely.

4

To make the frosting, beat the Pure spread and icing sugar together until smooth. Reserve a pinch of lemon zest, then fold the remainder into the frosting and spread over the top of the cake. Finish with a sprinkling of lemon zest on top and serve.

Images and recipes: Waitrose

WINING & DINING

COCONUT & LEMON CUPCAKES Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12-15 minutes Ingredients: 125g Stork, at room temperature 225g golden caster sugar Finely grated zest 1 lemon 4 medium free range eggs 225g self-raising flour 160ml coconut cream, stirred until smooth 100g soft cheese 2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dusting 2 tbsp lemon curd 1 tsp Cooks’ Ingredients rose petal

1

reheat the oven to 190ËšC, gas P mark 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

2

Place the Stork, sugar, lemon zest, eggs, flour and 100ml of the coconut cream in a large bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until pale and fluffy.

3

Divide the mixture between the paper cases and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until golden and set. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

4

Meanwhile, mix together the remaining coconut cream, soft cheese and icing sugar.

4

Without removing or cutting through the paper cases, cut each cake vertically through the middle then spoon in the soft cheese mixture followed by the lemon curd. Sprinkle over the rose petals and dust each cupcake with a pinch of icing sugar.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 29

0116 255 5745 WWW.DEWHIRSTKITCHENS.CO.UK OUR LEICESTERSHOWROOM IS LOCATED AT 98 GRANBY STREET, LEICESTER LE1 1DU

Recipes & Images: Waitrose

Grain POWER

More whole grains means less risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and other diseases, while keeping you fuller for longer. Isn't it time you added more grain power to your diet?

Chunky Butternut, Quinoa & Ham Hock Broth Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped 2 x 350g packs diced butternut & sweet potato 1.2 litres chicken stock, hot ½ tsp dried chilli flakes (optional) 150g Duchy organic quinoa 90g Cooks’ Ingredients pulled ham hock 25g pack flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method: Heat the oil in a large saucepan.

Cook the onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until pulpy.

Add the butternut and sweet potato, stock and chilli, if using. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and ham hock and cook gently for 15 minutes until the vegetables and quinoa are tender.

Ladle into bowls, scatter over the parsley and serve.

Herbed Chicken & Houmous Grain Salad Serves: 2 Ingredients: 25g pack flat leaf parsley, finely chopped ½ tsp ground turmeric Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 chicken breast fillet 1 tsp olive oil 400g can chick peas, drained and rinsed 1 small clove garlic 1 tbsp tahini paste 220g pack Tilda super grains with cranberries & pumpkin seeds ¼ cucumber, diced ½ red onion, thinly sliced Method: Place the parsley in a small food processor and whizz until finely chopped.

Transfer half the parsley to a shallow dish and stir in the turmeric, lemon zest and half the lemon juice. Cut the chicken breast in half horizontally and add to the marinade, turning to coat well.

Brush a non-stick griddle or heavy-based frying pan with oil. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until completely cooked through with no pink meat.

Meanwhile, add the chick peas and the garlic to the parsley in the food processor, whizz until finely chopped. Add the tahini, remaining lemon juice and 2-3 tbsp cold water and whizz again until smooth.

Microwave the grains as per pack instructions then divide between 2 bowls.

Slice the chicken and place on top with the cucumber and parsley houmous.

Scatter over the red onion and serve.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 31

• Contracts of Employment • Employee Handbooks and associated Policies • Assistance with all day to day HR issues • Learning and Development for all levels of management • Recruitment programmes • Appraisals and Performance Management • Redundancy and Reorganisation E emma.wood@mainstreethr.co.uk M 07713012295 W mainstreethr.co.uk

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Joules

LIFE & WORK

RECLAIM

THE WEEKEND How often have you thought to yourself, “Where did the weekend go?” or feel as exhausted on Monday morning as you did on Friday afternoon? If you’re finding it hard to make the most of your free time, check out these 13 ways to reclaim the weekend.

mood) and use the extra time for personal pursuits – go to the gym, bake, be creative.

5

Don’t leave all your chores until the weekend. Instead spend half an hour a day cleaning one room in your house and by Saturday you’ll have free time to do something more exciting than housework.

2

Prepare for Monday, on Friday.

Sounds crazy? Think how much better you’ll feel when you arrive at work Monday morning. So clean out your inbox, make any urgent calls, and tie up any loose ends.

3

If you implement #2, you should avoid pulling a ‘workend’. If you really do have to work, try to limit it to two hours a weekend or one weekend a month. Otherwise it can quickly spiral out of control.

4

Enjoy the hours you have. Get up at the usual time (too much sleep can have a negative impact on your

Spend time with the people you love. It’ll make you healthier and happier. Invite friends over for brunch or even a game night. It’s a great way to reconnect and have a laugh too.

Strike a balance between planning ahead and going with the flow. Look forward to activities and have plans in place, but be flexible and don’t pack the weekend too tightly.

11

Plan to do nothing for an hour or two. Knowing that you don’t have anywhere to be is a great way to hit the reset button. So carve out an hour for yourself and be entirely self-indulgent.

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Plan something to look forward to.

It may seem like a contradiction to create a schedule out of your downtime but a few prearranged events will help give your weekend purpose.

8

Take a break with a mini digital detox. You’ll be surprised at the impact switching your phone off even for 24 hours has on your ability to wind down. And trust us nothing will have changed.

9

Do something new. Research has linked learning to contentment, so it's no surprise that learning new skills and experiencing something different leads to a greater sense of fulfilment.

Do fun/relaxing/interesting things you don’t have time to do in the week. Read a novel, listen to a TED Talk, watch a film you've been dying to see, or plan your summer holiday.

Volunteer your time. It’s amazing how focusing your mind on issues like health, poverty and conservation can help to re-energise you.

So get involved in local and community events.

13

Finally, stop thinking about Monday. Have something special planned on Sunday afternoon/evening so you have no choice but to have fun - Sunday lunch with your besties, film night, a safari supper. Whatever it takes!

Got it sussed? Tell us how you maximise your weekends.

Head over to Facebook and #JointheConversation.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 33

Solid AS A ROCK The inimitable Sharon Stone is back, and if you think her latest TV show Mosaic is riveting, wait until you hear her incredible tale of redemption, overcoming a deadly brain injury to reclaim her rightful place at the top.

LIFE & WORK

Sharon Stone is an inspiration. Charging into 2018 with a stellar comeback in Steven Soderbergh's hot new series, Mosaic, she'll soon begin working on a new movie with Martin Scorsese who landed her an Oscar nod for Casino in the late 90s. It's a stunning return for an A-lister who was once terrifyingly close to death after suffering a shocking brain haemorrhage and stroke in 2001. The actress was given a five per cent chance of survival.

But having pulled through, the feisty mum of three is a firm believer in the old adage of what doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger. “It's so true. I do feel stronger and reinforced. I have a source I never had before,” she declares defiantly.

After initially taking Hollywood by storm with unforgettable performances in Total Recall, Casino and Basic Instinct, Stone is now a superstar reborn and ready to reclaim her crown.

The first step is a critically lauded turn in Mosaic, a new six-part thriller focusing on the murder of Olivia Lake, who Stone plays. The character is an enigmatic author who casts a spell on the men in her life. Eric [Frederick Weller], a con man, is convicted and sentenced, but his sister Petra [Jennifer Ferrin] is convinced of his innocence and sets out to find the real killer.

All dreamily lit and expertly acted, with Stone dominating the screen, the real catch of this new show is the alternative way viewers can sample the drama, on the Mosaic app. In a technological first, audiences can watch the series interactively. And while they can't change the plot, they can interpret events from a series of character perspectives, effectively playing detective themselves.

“This is new. So new. I've definitely not seen anything like it. Up until a week before we started shooting, none of us had a script, which was a little nervewracking. I kind of thought, 'What have I got myself into?'” says the exuberant star, throwing her head back to let out that trademark throaty chuckle.

Stone was absolutely right to wonder, as the process was a huge undertaking

for the cast who had to work off a 500page script, often not getting their lines until the night before, and ploughing through 30 pages a day. Considering Stone is an actress who, post-trauma, had to relearn the basic skills of reading, writing and walking, her achievement is all the more incredible. “When I listened to Steven describe this very new way of telling the story, I was so intrigued and fascinated and exhilarated to be at the forefront of something so innovative with him. But I was not used to that kind of pace in my career and during that first week I genuinely felt I could not do it,” reveals Stone.

But ever the grafter, she admits it didn’t take long for her to catch up, referring to the experience as a brilliant education.

“And this is only a couple of years since learning lines for a small role was a problem... I did a guest on Law and Order and I struggled to get through a scene.

Now I'm working on a 500-page script!” she exclaims.

Mosaic may be a feat of modern television, allowing viewers to explore a story like never before, but the real miracle is Stone, who waited until she was fully recovered to reveal the full extent of her injuries. “I never wanted the world to know how serious it was, or, specifically the industry. I would have become unhireable, so I hid it as best I could,” she says, before detailing the brain bleed and stroke which lasted for nine days.

Remarkably, Stone pulled through, though she soon discovered the enormous task ahead of her. “When I got home from the hospital, it had affected my left ear, I couldn't hear anything, I couldn't feel anything in my left leg,” she recalls. “I was blind in one eye and the vision was spotty in the other. And then I went completely blind, temporarily.

Completely black. It was like my senses were shutting down. I couldn't write my name for three years. I had to learn how to live again, which is an overwhelming challenge but I'm back to my old self, more or less.”

To look at Stone now, you would never believe she had lived through something so traumatic. A picture of health, she

exudes vitality, and with her golden blonde hair, strong physique and dewy skin, she certainly appears healthier than your average middle-aged woman. She also has a surprisingly positive mental attitude, with no trace of bitterness over her ordeal. She is simply happy to be back doing the job she loves.

I was so intrigued and fascinated and exhilarated to be at the forefront of something so innovative “I couldn't be more grateful. I couldn't be more grateful to Steven. He picked me for this extraordinary project and injected drive back into my career. I couldn't be more grateful to Martin Scorsese for a new project we're working on together,” she says graciously.

Having shown acumen for keeping secrets, it is impossible to get even a hint of what the upcoming Scorsese project might entail, and after a little gentle prodding, Stone replies with a wry smile: “It's a secret, I can't say anything right now, but I will tell you all about it when I can.”

Of course, the last film the pair collaborated on, Casino, resulted in the actress’s only Oscar nomination, so there is every chance that their latest project may do one better and win her a gong. And while Stone won’t be playing the scheming sex kitten, as she did in that decadent gangster thriller, she still lights up every screen she is on, with her considerable talent diminishing not one bit... not that Stone bothers herself with trivialities such as ageing, and the vagaries of commencing her seventh decade in March.

“I never guessed I'd be happy turning 60.

Let’s be real, it's old. But it's the greatest achievement for me because there was a time in my life when I wasn't sure if I would get there. I wasn't sure if I'd make 50. A brain bleed changes everything, it changes how you look at the world and your existence,” she says, adding: “and the fact that I'm acting again, that I'm working again and not just in small roles, is a huge win for me.”

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 35

THINKING ABOUT

ADOPTION? There’s a lot to think about.

To help you get started and sort the facts from the myths, we have events coming up on: 13th March and 17th April.

We’d love to see you there.

“Thank you so much for all your help and support over the last few months. We are now one big happy family!”

Full details at

www.leicester.gov.uk/ adoption Call us on 0116 454 4540

ALL THE HELP YOU NEED Wilson Browne Solicitors understand that seeing a lawyer can sometimes be daunting.

We are friendly and down-to-earth, so we can understand you and you can understand us.

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Great Little Trading Company

The art of DECLUTTERING Is your loft space crammed with your little Picasso’s etchings (aka blob on paper) and your wardrobe haunted by clothes from another era?

Well enough’s enough, says Sarah Mettrick. It’s time for the mother of all clear outs!

Decluttering, Life Laundry, call it what you will. Making space in your home and your mind has a huge positive impact so it’s time to recycle, give to charity and chuck out all that unnecessary crap. But where do we start? Right, well you can take it steady and just do ten minutes a day; focus on one small area, a drawer, shelf or cupboard or you can go all out for the super purge and get fully cleansed in one go. Just don’t take too much on, get fed up and abandon the cause!

Next hang all your coat hangers the same way in the wardrobe, when you wear something put it back with the hanger facing the other way. This way you can easily see what you never wear and there’s no excuse! And if you’re really stuck, now stay with me this is very serious; hold up the garment, take a good look at it and ask yourself “Does this represent the woman I am today?”

Not only did I laugh, a lot, I got rid of half my wardrobe!

Either way the main objective is to be brave and ruthless. If you don't love it, need it or use it, it’s gotta go. So let’s start with the hard stuff; clothes. I know!

It may come into fashion again and you’ll get back down to a size 6! I hear you girlfriend, but look, if you haven't worn it for a year, it’s in the charity or Ebay bag.

As you work through your devices, contraptions and bits of tat, ask yourself – “Does this item have a useful function?” or “Is this just sentimental clutter?” If the latter, it’s of no value or use; take a photo of it to appease your sentimental side and then get rid.

I kept every scribble my first child ever

made, scraps of paper in folders covered in illegible crayon scrawl, an extreme case of smitten firsttime mum syndrome. Well I’m fully recovered now and only keep their more brilliant works of art.

How many ‘just in case’ items do you hoard that you never use? If you feel yourself twitching at the mere thought of parting with your banana slicer or novelty shower cap, place them into a box, put somewhere far away like the attic or shed and if you don't delve in within 6 months, chuck it all away. You will feel empowered and liberated as you reduce your load!

If you don't love it, need it or use it, it’s gotta go Now don't forget to clear out your digital space too. Delete old files, documents and apps you haven’t used for six months. Unsubscribe to emails and newsletters you don't need anymore. You finished breast feeding years ago yet still receive newsletters on cracked nipples?

You’re following Justin Beiber on Twitter and are those social media sites all necessary? Snap Chat. Hello!

Just like you did for that red satin boob tube and those fluorescent leg warmers, it’s time to be the woman you are now and move on. Less clutter, more you - happy days!

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 37

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NATURAL

Element

John Lewis

3

Furniture has an artisan feel for SS18, with natural handmade materials adding texture and richness to any room.

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1 Endless Pure Natural Light, £280, Escapology 2 Klevering Bamboo Mirror Round, £43.50, Printer & Tailor 3 Braided Natural Pouffe, £241, Dash & Albert 4 Gone Rural Placemat, £10, Heal’s 5 Natural Rattan Side Table, £209, Amara 6 Lamp with Wicker Shade, £255, Out There Interiors 7 Baolgi St Tropez Tray, £162, Amara 8 Samira Rattan Armchair, £295, Cuckooland 9 Silver Palm Basket, £45, Oh What's This

WIN!

NATUR CANDLE COLLECTION

by Skandinavisk

You could be the winner of this SKANDINAVISK NATUR Mini Candle Gift Set, a triptych of home fragrances (Fjord, Ö and Hav) reflecting Scandinavia’s vast landscapes, raw seasons and abundance of water.

Think bracing seas, secluded islands, spectacular vistas and the seductive embrace of pure silence. Handpoured into painted glass votives, with beechwood lids, each candle will burn for 16 hours and is designed to be re-usable for tealights.

Scandinavians get through more candles than any other nation in the world, using them at morning, noon and night. SKANDINAVISK’s beautiful range of home fragrance celebrates this tradition and the ease at which a lit candle can enhance our environment to create a softer, more informal and cosier atmosphere.

SKANDINAVISK can be found in some of the best design, fashion and fragrance stores worldwide or shop online at www.skandinavisk.com/collections.

TO ENTER:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to competitions@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Skandinavisk’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Saturday 31 March 2018.

Terms & Conditions: The winner will be drawn after the specified closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. The competition may be withdrawn at any time.

The Light House

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URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 41

HOME PANTONE 446 U

Elizabeth Scarlett Luxury Bedding at Cavells Home 16 Mill Street | Oakham | Rutland | LE15 6EA | 01572 352966 | cavells.co.uk

HOMES & GARDENS

Go Bold

GO HOME

This year’s décor is expected to be bolder than ever, says Jo Robinson at Cavells Home.

From metallic lamps, to potted plants, add a stylish update to your home interior.

COLOUR CONFIDENCE

POTTY ABOUT PLANTS

Grey has been our best friend for what seems like forever, and this year is no exception, as it’s fast becoming a popular backdrop for much bolder colours…think emerald, ochre, magenta.

We love this blue and plum combo, the ultimate in sophisticated dining.

House plants are making a big comeback. Think plants with attitude. Cheese plants, cactus, ferns, you name it. Pot them, group them and hang them, and they’ll add some bang on green lush texture to your home. Just don’t forget to water them!

IN THE JUNGLE

Obsessed with flora and fauna? Stick with the exotic for SS18. Go all out with bold jungle prints or play safe and accessorise. Breathe new life into your bedroom with this luxury embroidered quilt and gold motif candle, a style statement for the home.

BOLD AS BRASS

Massive for 2018, expect to see metallic anywhere and everywhere.

From furniture handles to home accessories, it’s brass that’s leading the way in the trend stakes. This Danish brass and white glass lampshade looks great on its own or clustered with other decorative pieces.

DARK & INTERESTING

Glamorous, rich woods are making a return to the interior scene with gusto. The textured dark oak of this coffee table pared with tapered legs, creates a striking balance between rustic and contemporary design. Match with metallic and marble accessories, you’re bang on!

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 43

Harborough Lights Lighting Design Consultancy

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE IN STYLE.

Displaying the very best in British and European decorative lighting and the latest in LED technology. Thousands of options and bespoke manufacture offering an unlimited choice.

Thousands of pendants to enhance your new kitchen Open 9am until 5pm Tuesday to Saturday

13 Manor Walk, Market Harborough, LE16 9BP www.harboroughlights.co.uk

01858 467716

CLEARANCE SALE UP TO 50% OFF

The difference is in the detail

Discover more than just a kitchen Where memories are made and living begins‌ We love creating kitchen designs that are perfectly suited to each unique home, as well as your budget, tastes and lifestyle. Meet your local designer at our Leicester Studio and start making your dream kitchen a reality today.

Visit our Showroom 33 London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire LE2 5DL For more information or to book a free design appointment call: 0116 272 0272 or visit www.intoto.co.uk #myintoto to share yours on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

PASTEL Breathe life into neutral interiors with a pop of pastel. These muted tones bring a sense of calm and simplicity to a space, while adding a gentle splash of colour.

Marks & Spencer

POP

Bell Alarm Clock, £22, Laura Ashley

Guava Green & Fallen Petal Emulsion, from £12, B&Q

Task Table Lamp, £59, Cuckooland Tweedmill Beehive Throw, £49.99, Black By Design

Fjord Candle, £29, Skandinavisk

Roberts Revival Radio, £199.99, John Lewis

Serena Bedside Table, £1,188, Oficina Inglesa

Gracie Armchair, £499, Made

Ladybird Embroidered Cushion, £15, M&S

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 47

30% off all kitchen cabinets* Visit our new studio or please contact us to book your free design consultation

Kitchen & Home Design Limited Stoughton Grange, Gartree Road, Leicester LE2 2FB

0116 271 4003 | www.kitchenhomedesign.co.uk | DDDD *Terms & Conditions Apply

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REFRESH

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FOR SUCCESS Planning on selling your property this spring? Sam McDonald of Fothergill Wyatt reveals his top 5 tips on how to get your house ‘market ready’.

1 Freshen Up

First impressions are important so if your walls show chips and scuffs get out the brushes and freshen everything up. Remember to stay neutral and save the bold shades for your next home. You can always add colour and interest with cushions, curtains and accessories.

2 Deep Clean

…not spring clean. Consider getting a professional cleaning company in to remove the cobwebs, clean those corners and shampoo the carpets.

Kitchens sell houses, so give it extra attention. Ensure the oven and white goods sparkle, and the surfaces and floor are spotless.

3 Spring Reboot

Pack away the logs from the fire and blankets on the sofa, you don’t want people thinking your house is cold.

Flowers over candles, cushions over throws and a well-placed magazine

about interior design and spring gardening always helps give the right impression.

4 Glorious Garden

Spring is the best time of year for gardens, so plant some bulbs and watch nature bloom into colour.

Stay on top of hedges and bushes, a neatly pruned garden reflects a loved home. If the weather’s dry, dress your outdoor table so viewers can envisage dining there when summer arrives.

5

5 Declutter

Make rooms feel bigger and allow people to see everything they need to, by clearing away some of the clutter. There’s a wide range of inexpensive storage solutions available. Slide stylish boxes under furniture and use open shelving to showcase your more attractive pieces in a striking and creative way.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 49

Broughtons

Lifestyle, Homeware, Vintage

Traditional Lighting & Architectural Ironmongery

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HARDWOOD FLOORING

Over 100 real wood floors on display in our showroom open to all

0116 274 1050 or visit our Showroom at: Unit 5 Euston St, Freemens Common, Leicester LE2 7ST Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm

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Adhesives, oils, lacquers, cleaning products, skirting & door trims etc available from stock

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Joules

GROUND

WORK Looking to revive your gloomy garden this spring?

Landscape and garden designer and Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, Mathew Wilson, reveals how to perk up your post-winter patch.

When all the statistics are in and the numbers crunched, winter 2017/18 will probably rank as one of the coldest of recent years. Certainly since the turn of the New Year there have been periods of prolonged cold, during which our gardens have been frozen solid.

Cold winters aren’t necessarily a bad thing for gardens; woody plants like trees and shrubs, along with herbaceous perennials and even bulbs all benefit from the period of rest they get during winter. Mild, short winters can be detrimental to that rest period, and have the potential to weaken plants or reduce their lifespan. And if, like me, you still had a box full of bulbs to plant after the traditional Christmas cut-off date, the cold weather provided a get out of jail card and the chance to plant for a couple more weeks. It’s worth remembering that late planted bulbs will usually flower later in the first year, but then regulate to normal thereafter.

Hard winters can be tough on lawns though, my own is blackened from being walked on when frozen, and our two dogs and various wildlife have scraped and dug and clawed away at it. And, of course, there will be some plants that have, inevitably, succumbed to the tough conditions and turned their toes up.

Fortunately there are some quick and easy wins to perk up your garden ready for spring, and in a few weeks’ time nature will have done the rest for you.

"If you've missed the bulb planting season completely there are plenty of potted bulbs available to buy in garden centres."

Cutting a nice, new, clean edge to your lawn immediately sharpens it up, re-defines borders and somehow makes everything looked loved again. My dad use to liken an uncut lawn with a raggedy edge to an unmade bed – no matter how fabulous the bedroom decor your eye is immediately drawn to the mess in the middle. If you want to really go for it you can deploy the full spring lawn renovation treatment; scarifying (raking out all the dead grass stems and moss), aerating to improve drainage and feeding with

fertiliser. There are a number of lawn specialists locally if you don’t have the time to do this yourself, although I can recommend lawn raking as an upper body workout.

If you’ve missed the bulb planting season completely there are plenty of potted bulbs available to buy in garden centres. These are, inevitably, more expensive than dry bulbs cost to buy in autumn but I find them invaluable for filling in gaps in borders where plants have failed to make it through winter. Ornamental onions such as the big flowered, metallic purple Allium christophii and darker, taller Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ are great value in flower. The dried seed heads have amazing architecture and can either be left in the garden or used to make cool, understated flower arrangements.

Other go-to quick colour plants include the perennial wallflowers.

Erysimum ‘Constant Cheer’ (well named, if your day isn’t brightened by its zingy orange then nothing will) and Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ will flower almost ceaselessly, so much so they can flower themselves to death.

By the time they’ve run out of steam it will be autumn again, and time – this time – to remember to plant spring bulbs!

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 55

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Friday 20 April

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Thursday 8 March

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT’S ON

Lady Windermere's Fan, 20 Mar, Cinema De Lux

MARCH 2018

Great Expectations Thu 15 Mar Upstairs at the Western Tickets from £8 upstairsatthewestern.com

Christmas Eve, 1803. Pip, a seven year-old orphan boy, visits his mother’s grave. A frightening encounter with an escaped convict begins a series of events that will change his life forever. Written by one of England’s greatest authors, Charles Dickens, Great Expectations is the profound and complex story of Pip’s journey through life. Using Dickens’ original text (well, mostly!) David Mynne takes you on a journey that brings you a cast of thousands including the eccentric Miss Havisham, the cold and beautiful Estella, Mr Jaggers the pompous lawyer and Pip’s wise friend Herbert Pocket in a skilful, one-man adaptation of this epic story. Be prepared to be scared, and amazed, and cry and laugh …a lot!

Our Day Out Fri 16 – Sat 17 Mar The Little Theatre Tickets £8 thelittletheatre.net

“You go to the Progress class if you cant do sums or writing. If y’backward like”.

When Mrs Kay’s Progress class set out on a coach trip to Conway Castle in Wales, it

is a celebration of the joys and pains of being fourteen and away from school.

It also highlights the depressing empty future of these comprehensive no-hopers from the back streets of Liverpool, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect. This amateur production by LDS Senior Youth Theatre, of Willy Russell’s Our Day Out is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Lady Windermere’s Fan Tue 20 Mar Cinema De Lux Tickets from £13.25 showcasecinemas.co.uk

The day of Lady Windermere's birthday party, and all is perfectly in order. Until her friend Lord Darlington plants a seed of suspicion. Is her husband having an affair? And will the other woman really attend the party? First performed in 1892, Lady Windermere's Fan explores the ambiguity of upper class morality and the fragile position of women in society in the late Victorian era in one of Wilde's most popular and witty plays. Brought live by satellite from the Vaudeville Theatre, London, and starring Jennifer Saunders as the Duchess of Berwick.

Vincent Van Gogh, 20 Mar, Phoenix Arts

Vincent Van Gogh Tue 20 Mar Phoenix Arts Tickets £10 phoenix.org.uk

Perhaps more than any other artist, Van Gogh’s life has long captured the imagination of storytellers.

Delving deep into his fascinating and sometimes deeply troubled world comes this definitive, awardwinning documentary A New Way of Seeing, directed by David Bickerstaff.

Showcasing Van Gogh’s iconic works like never before and featuring exclusive interviews with the curatorial team at the Van Gogh Museum, this Exhibition on Screen favourite from Season 2 makes a welcome return to the big screen.

Bernstein Centenary, 27 Mar, Cinema De Lux

Julius Caesar, 22 Mar, Phoenix Arts

The Audience Wed 21 – Thu 22 Mar Uppingham Theatre Tickets £6 uppthearts.co.uk

For 60 years Elizabeth II has met each of her 13 Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace - a meeting like no other in British public life - it is private.

Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. Not even to their spouses. The Audience breaks this contract of silence - and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to May, each Prime Minister has used these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive.

Presented by West Deyne House raising money for The Mango Tree and The Restart Centre in Kenya.

Julius Caesar Thu 22 Mar Phoenix Arts Tickets from £14 phoenix.org.uk

Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate. Alarmed by the autocrat’s popularity, the educated élite conspire to bring him down. After his assassination,

civil war erupts on the streets of the capital. Nicholas Hytner’s production will thrust the audience into the street party that greets Caesar’s return, the congress that witnesses his murder, the rally that assembles for his funeral and the chaos that explodes in its wake. Ben Whishaw (The Danish Girl, Skyfall) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) play Brutus and Cassius, David Calder (The Hatton Garden Job) plays Caesar and David Morrissey (The Missing, The Walking Dead) is Mark Antony. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre, London. Contains strobe lighting.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Fri 23 Mar The Y Theatre Tickets from £10 leicesterymca.co.uk

Join Ballet Theatre UK as we enter the enchanting and magical realm of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Be transported to a fantastical world of dazzling dance, music and enchantment.

Lovers, fairies, mischief and moonlight conspire in Shakespeare’s classic tale.

Through the vision of Artistic Director, Christopher Moore, this innovative production gives the old tale a new life.

With stunning original choreography set to the iconic Mendelssohn score and breath-taking costume you will be transported to the magical woodland of old where you will rediscovery the magical charm of this classic tale.

unforgettable story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer.

When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream. Flashdance is an inspiring musical about the power of holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds. Prepare to be blown away with an astonishing spectacle and phenomenal choreography to this iconic score including the smash hit Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the sensational title track Flashdance…

What a Feeling.

ROH: Bernstein Centenary Tue 27 Mar Cinema De Lux Tickets from £13.25 showcasecinemas.co.uk

The Royal Ballet celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein's birth with an all-Bernstein programme from choreographers Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon.

The programme includes two world premieres by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, marking each artist's first foray into Bernstein. At the heart of the programme is the first revival of Artist in Residence Liam Scarlett's The Age of Anxiety, created in 2014 to Bernstein's soul-searching Second Symphony.

Flashdance

Mon 26 – Sat 31 Mar De Montfort Hall Tickets from £23.50 demontforthall.co.uk Starring Strictly Come Dancing Champion, Joanne Clifton, Flashdance - The Musical is the inspiring and

Flashdance, 26 - 31 Mar, De Montfort Hall

Welcome to Wingates Gallery in Market Harborough

Our friendly gallery provides you with a warm welcome and an amazing range of art including: • Originals • Limited Editions • Sculptures • Bespoke Framing So, whether it’s floral, landscapes, seascapes, abstract, glassware or ceramics that you prefer – we have something just for you.

Come in and see us - the coffee pot is always on and we would be delighted to show you around the newly refurbished gallery with plenty of new artists’ collections to see.

A warm welcome awaits you.

Wingates Walk, 44a St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU shop@wingatesgallery.co.uk 01858 465455 www.wingatesgallery.co.uk Open: Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm

gildings auctioneers

Spring Program of special auction sales

Entries Invited If you have an item that you would like to have appraised for sale at auction, we would be delighted to provide you with a complimentary auction estimate To discuss your requirements, please contact us by telephone on 01858 410414, email: sales@gildings.co.uk or vist www.gildings.co.uk

Tuesday 27th March Fine Art and Antiques Viewing times and catalogue: gildings.co.uk

Tuesday 22nd May 20th Century Decorative Arts Entries invited. Contact: Will Gilding

Jewellery Fine, Antique & Contemporary Reveal what your unworn gems or excess heirlooms can generate at auction with a free valuation Contact Denise Cowling to discuss an appraisal

A Chinese hexagonal vase, Hu, mark and period of Qianlong.

SOLD £54,280 including fees To view dates for all upcoming auctions visit gildings.co.uk

Telephone : 01858 410414 | Email: sales@gildings.co.uk | www.gildings.co.uk Gildings Auctioneers, The Mill, Great Bowden Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DE

 GILDINGS.CO.UK

film REVIEW

A Fantastic Woman (15)

a still has the Proof that great cinem

1 hr 44 mins Opens nationwide Fri 2 Mar 0116 242 2800 | phoenix.org.uk

With a 2018 Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film, Sebastián Lelio’s new drama is riding high on a wave of rave reviews. Marina, a young transwoman, has her life thrown into turmoil by the sudden death of her much older lover, Orlando. Before she has time to grieve, she is accused of being responsible for Orlando’s death and treated with suspicion and shunned by his family.

Forbidden to attend Orlando’s funeral and evicted from her home, Marina struggles

book REVIEW

It’s time for a spring detox!

to fight for the right to be herself.

An absorbing study of study of grief and loss that is by turns funny, confrontational and utterly heart-breaking, A Fantastic Woman revolves around the stunning central performance from Daniela Vega.

An engrossing tour-de-force that has seen her pick up a handful of nominations on the festival circuit - but should really be winning her every acting award going Daniela masterfully handles the film’s cruel

tive power to be transforma

realities and counter-point exuberant flights of fancy. You are always rooting for Marina, and by firmly planting you in her shoes, the film forces you to experience her struggles.

Her pain is ours, her humiliations shared, her brief intermittent joys warm us all. A Fantastic Woman is proof that great cinema still has the power to be transformative, that it can open a window to other ways of life and function as what Roger Ebert termed an “empathy-machine”; surely anyone who has loved and been loved cannot fail to be moved by Marina’s story.

Eating from the Ground Up

by Alana Chernila With more than 100 versatile recipes, Eating from the Ground Up teaches you how to showcase the unique flavour and texture of each vegetable, truly bringing out the best in every root and leaf. The answers lie in smart techniques and a light touch. Here are dishes so simple and quick that they feel more intuitive than following a typical recipe; ideas for maximizing summer produce; impressive dishes fit for a party; and tips like knowing there’s not one vegetable that doesn’t perk up with a sprinkle of salt. No matter the vegetable, the central lesson is: don’t mess with a good thing.

The Modern Organic Home

by Natalie Wise Home is a haven, a place of refuge. But did you know it might be making you sick? If your home is cluttered, overwhelming, and full of chemicals, it’s time to detox. The Modern Organic Home helps you de-clutter and clean with natural, homemade products that are healthy for you and your family. There are recipes for cleaning everything from the carpet to stuffed animals. You’ll also learn storage and organisation secrets to keep your home clutter-free, how to manage your time and budget, and why some old-fashioned remedies are still the modern organic way to keep home.

Run for Your Life

byWilliam Pullen We all know a long walk or a brisk run can free our minds to wander, and give us a powerful uplifting feeling. But what if we could channel that energy and use it to make positive change in our lives? William Pullen helps people to work through their issues using his revolutionary method, ‘Dynamic Running Therapy’. Whether you're looking for strategies to cope with anxiety, change or decision-making, or simply want to focus your mind while pounding the streets, Run for Your Life offers a series of simple mental routines that unleash the meditative, restorative powers of exercise.

Easter Extravaganza at Uppingham

Art, creative writing and sports; lots of fun and activity for children at Uppingham this Easter 3 - 6 April 9 - 13 April 9 - 13 April 9 - 13 April

Cricket Coaching Art Week Write Away Tennis Coaching

Ages 8-14 Ages 10-15 Ages 9-12 Ages 8-14

£192 £280 £245 £240

For further information and to book:www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk 01572 820800

` Like us on Facebook t Follow us on Twitter

Join us for our annual

Easter Egg Hunt

STONEYGATE SCHOOL

Saturday 17th March 10am – 12.30pm (last entry 12 noon) Are you aged between 2 and 7 years old? Bring your family (and wellies) and join us in our lovelygrounds for the Easter Egg Hunt and refreshments.

Complete the course to receive an Easter egg and certificate. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome to join in the fun! For more information contact Sarah or Julia on 0116 259 2282 www.stoneygateschool.co.uk | 6 London Road, Great Glen LE8 9DJ @stoneygateschl @stoneygateschool

The

nursery

Curious minds in caring hands

today I chaired a board meeting

Every day we encourage curious minds to explore and engage with their surroundings, enabling children to grow into confident and happy young people.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality professional care for children aged from 6 weeks to 4 years old. We are conveniently located in central Loughborough with staff that are well trained and highly knowledgeable. Fees are fully inclusive and eligible parents can utilise the 30 hours funding for 3 to 4 year olds.

Drop in to our open morning on Saturday 21 April 9.30am – 1.30pm

Limited places for 2019 entry

Call Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, for more information.

01509 276820 www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk

Garton Road, Loughborough

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Fuel consumption figures for Fiat Range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 32.5 (8.7) - 61.4 (4.6); Extra Urban 49.6 (5.7) - 74.3 (3.8); Combined 42.2 (6.7) - 68.9 (4.1). CO2 emissions 157 - 107 g/km Images displayed are for illustration purposes only. Vehicles must be registered before 31st March 2018.

Barbour

PEOPLE & PLACES

Spring

BREAK

The sun only needs to be out for ten minutes and I’m ditching my tights and planning my first spring getaway, says Kirsty France.

Spring always finds me wanting to get out and explore, it gives me a real shot in the arm. But even if you’re not going away over the Easter holidays or have limited time, there are loads of things that you can do on your doorstep…

(food and drink is an essential part of any outing). Remember to take a tent for somewhere to retreat during those inevitable spring showers.

Phone a friend

I’m never in the mood to make resolutions at New Year and when I do they usually have very little to do with the great outdoors. However, once spring arrives, things get easier.

I can actually go for a morning run without fear of treading in dog poo in the dark! If you’ve been thinking about trying a new experience, learning a skill, or setting yourself a goal, now’s the time. Whether it’s sailing or stone-walling, hiking or hand-gliding, you’ve got more energy and motivation to go and look for the right course or group to join. So, think about what you’d most like to try and use your Easter break to find out how to get started.

During January and February I’m much more likely to be found huddled under a blanket in front of Netflix, than enjoying the company of friends. In fact the only times I’ve actually spent with my bestie this year is when we’ve been on the terrace watching rugby, grumbling about the cold. But as the weather gets warmer everyone’s mood (including my own) improves, so there’s no better time to get together and have some fun. Pick up the phone and arrange an Easter outing at your local Country Park. Have your spirits lifted by daffodils in bloom, great company and sausages on the BBQ

Try something new

Have an adventure

If you fancy a break from it all, there are some fabulous places to visit in the springtime. Paris (of course), but also the Greek islands and pretty much anywhere in the Mediterranean.

But if you’d rather save your air miles there are still loads of ways to have an adventure close to home. Try being a tourist in your own city. I spent the week of my 40th birthday exploring within 10 miles of home. I walked in the woods, visited museums and ate and drank my way around the city. I went to new places with old friends and rediscovered my favourite restaurant.

If that all sounds a bit sedate, it doesn’t have to be. You could use your adventure time to drive sports cars or take a walk high above the forest floor.

there are still loads of ways to have an adventure close to home.

Are you ready to spring into action?

If the warmer weather is spurring you on to greater things, I’d love to hear about it! Head over to Facebook and #JointheConversation.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2018 65

Fav for fashion

Zara, Cos, Reiss Personal style

Minimal with a splash of leopard print or colour Best for beauty

Clarins Blue Orchid Facial Oil

MY WAY

Most extravagant purchase

Rachel Burditt “I love nothing more than creating a clear and positive atmosphere within a home”, says Rachel Burditt, The Declutter Darling I was born and brought up in Berkshire.

My childhood was idyllic, long hot summers, family bike rides, lots of outdoor fun. We were a very tight knit family and still are.

I attended a local comprehensive in Berkshire and following my A’ Levels, moved to London to study Fashion Merchandise Management at the University of Westminster. I’d always had a strong interest in fashion and this course focused on the business side of the fashion industry, which suited me as I didn’t have the fully creative side that a fashion design course required.

I really loved the course and even had the opportunity to study in New York for 6 months, living and breathing the fashion scene.

After my degree, I knew I wanted to stay in fashion/retail, but was unsure which path to choose. I joined the graduate programme at Gap and became a trainee manager in one of their high profile London stores. I was later approached to join a newly created fashion recruitment agency and my career took a new focus. I continued in recruitment, working initially for

agencies and then in house for retailers, including New Look and Mothercare.

Now married, in 2010 my husband James and I decide to move from London to Leicestershire, which is where he’s originally from. After having my first daughter Macy in 2013, I realised that I wanted to be able to work for myself and build a business around my family commitments and lifestyle. I’ve always had a passion for interior design and the home, but knew this wasn’t where I wanted to take my career. I had been following a number of professional organisers from Australia on Instagram, as well as Marie Kondo, and I felt this was my calling. In spring 2015, while pregnant with my second daughter, Indiana, I set up The Declutter Darling.

My business concept is very simple, I visit clients’ homes and businesses and help them to declutter and maintain their reclaimed space. I love nothing more than tackling clutter and creating a clear and positive atmosphere within a home. There can be a lot of hand-holding involved but I’m also quite ruthless about what they need to keep. I enjoy each job as they’re so different. From helping older clients downsize their home, to a complete wardrobe detox. Organising someone’s wardrobe is a great way to get my fashion fix. Creating a capsule collection with amazing clothing and accessories all with matching hangers, colour coded hanging and perfectly folded clothes is very cathartic!

I’m in the process of refurbing my kitchen!

Must have gadget

Nutribullet

Guilty pleasure

Trolls soundtrack… it’s addictive!

To relax I…

…cook and watch Netflix Advice to younger self

Do what you love and you will love what you do.

It’s not always been easy. I had to develop my business and clients from absolutely nothing. In the early days it was just me, my laptop, social media and word of mouth. As I’ve gained more clients I have been able to design my own website and push my business further, even taking on clients from further afield (across the Midlands, Berkshire, London and the South) and engaging a number of home consultants to deliver the same high standard of service when my own schedule is full.

Above all I’ve been able to maintain a great life-work balance. Doing a job I love and still being around to go to school assemblies and playdates. It’s the perfect balance. I’m also lucky to have a great family network that support me with childcare when needed. My Mum is my saviour!

What’s next? There are so many opportunities for The Declutter Darling.

I’m looking at taking on more consultants, running workshops and eventually growing the business UK wide. To discover more about The Declutter Darling visit www.thedeclutterdarling.com

Andrew Granger & Co. Your sales & lettings agents across Leicestershire

LEICESTER • LOUGHBOROUGH • MARKET HARBOROUGH • LONDON

LEICESTER • LOUGHBOROUGH • MARKET HARBOROUGH • LONDON

Andrew Granger & Co. Your sales & lettings agents across Leicestershire

RURAL • •COMMERCIAL SURVEYS VALUATIONS RURAL COMMERCIAL•• PLANNING PLANNING & & DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT ••SURVEYS && VALUATIONS For expert expert advice advice call: For call: 0116 2429922 // 01858 01858 431315 235534 0116 2429922 431315 // 01509 01509 235534 www.andrewgranger.co.uk www.andrewgranger.co.uk

The new Cayenne.

Extreme sports for team players.

Discover more at porsche.co.uk/Cayenne

Porsche Centre Leicester Fletton Close Thurmaston Lane Leicester LE4 9LP 01162 764488 info@porscheleicester.co.uk www.porscheleicester.co.uk

Fuel economy figures for the Cayenne Turbo in l/100km (mpg): Urban 16.4-16.2 (17.2-17.4); Extra Urban 9.5-9.2 (29.7-30.4); Combined 11.9-11.7 (23.7-24.1) CO2 emissions in g/km 272 - 267 g/km. The fuel economy and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results, are provided for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your actual driving experience.