Urban Fox - March 2014

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March 2014

LOVING

LIFE

WIN a spa day at

Ragdale Hall

7 Ways to

FENG SHUI

your home

Maximum

UMA THURMAN EXCLUSIVE

Made with

LOVE Mother’s Day recipes

COMING UP

ROSES

Florals go graphic for SS14 WITH

INSTANT

RETAIL

THERAPY

IMPACT

Great hair - minimum effort

Alexandra Road, Stoneygate Price £399,950 Elegant and stone detailed facade Victorian Townhouse Three Storeys Five Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Basement Conversion Conservatory Walled Garden Close to Universities and Hospitals

Knighton Church Road, South Knighton Price £229,950 A Beautifully Presented and Extended Terraced Property Double Bay Fronted Terraced Property Two Bedrooms Sought After Address Contemporary Extended Kitchen Open Plan Accommodation Walled Rear Courtyard Close to Local Shops

Higher Green, Great Glen Price £339,950 A fully refurbished three bedroom village home Chalet Style Detached Close to A6 Fully Refurbished Large Plot Spacious Living Kitchen Three Bedrooms Double Garage Scope for Further Extension Close to Village Centre

T: 0116 270 5900 F: 0116 274 5732

info@fothergillwyatt.com www.fothergillwyatt.com

Central Avenue, Clarendon Park Price £424,950 Large Victorian family home in highly sought-after location Six Bedroom Lounge / Dining Room Three Storey Semi Detached Off Road Parking Single Garage Two Bathrooms Breakfast Kitchen Master Bedroom with Ensuite and Dressing Room Array of Original Features

Knighton Drive, Stoneygate Guide Price £595,000 A magnificent three storey Victorian home Victorian Semi Detached Three Storey Extensively Refurbished Six Bedrooms Four Bathrooms Character Features Spacious Rooms Close to Renowned Schooling Off Road Parking

Howard Road, Clarendon Park Price £214,950 Bay fronted terrace in sought after location Spacious Terrace Three Bedrooms Extended Dining Kitchen Close to Queens Road Shopping Parade Original Features Double Glazing Additional Ground Floor WC Close to University

Hello

‘Mum’ might be the word this month but we’re definitely not keeping quiet about it!

Time or lack of it, is a big factor for all Mums and so we’re looking at ways to save, optimise and create time in your daily routine, for ‘you’. From maximum impact, minimum effort hairstyling and ideas to get fitter and healthier in just 10 minutes a day, to our personal shopping service – spring fashion trends, fabulous footwear and glamorous baby-hand-bags – we’ve got it covered.

COVER SHOT:

White Stuff Ella Flora Top, £42.50

Interact with us

In My Way this month, we talk to local psychotherapist and Mum of two, Vicky Bailey about how she maintains a happy work-life balance and if you thought these issues didn’t extend to Hollywood, think again! Check out our interview with Uma Thurman who shares her thoughts on motherhood, relationships and fighting for recognition.

Download the free layar app to buy featured products, watch videos and more through your smartphone or tablet!

It’s Mothering Sunday on March 30th so whether you’re a Mum, daughter, or both, we’ve saved you even more time with our inspiring gift ideas, MUMday Lunch and sweet treats recipes.

Think your Mum deserves an extra special treat, then enter our Spa Experience Day and Mother’s Day Lunch competitions and spend some quality time together.

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Finally if the arrival of spring has unleashed a desire to overhaul the family home, revitalise your living space with 7 ways to feng shui, hotel inspired bedrooms and wow factor bathrooms.

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

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

U

ma Thurman, 43, stars in recent controversial drama, Nymphomaniac, alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard, a Shia LeBeouf and Jamie Bell, about self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who recounts her erotic experiences.

Thurman replaced Nicole Kidman when scheduling conflicts didn’t allow for Kidman to take on the role of Mrs. H, a jilted wife whose husband finds himself entangled in an affair. Thurman’s performance as a woman who doesn’t take kindly to infidelity is widely considered to be her best role yet.

MARTINA LENAGHAN Editor editor@theurban-fox.co.uk

Thurman was born in Boston and began her career as a fashion model at age 15, gracing the covers of Glamour and British Vogue. She went on to become an actress and garnered rave reviews in Dangerous Liaisons which led to a successful career as a movie star. Her most notable films include the Kill Bill franchise, Pulp Fiction, Be Cool, and

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

26

Ceremony.

In her own life, Thurman has been in a relationship since 2007 with

revived, refreshed and set to impress

French financier, Arpad Busson (Elle Macpherson’s ex) and they have a daughter Luna, who was born last year. This is Thurman’s third significant relationship following marriages to Gary Oldman and Ethan Hawke.

She and Hawke have two children: Maya, in 15 and Levon, 12. The couple divorced their 2005 with Hawke going on to marry former nanny with whom he has two children.

How is it being a new mother again?

When I was younger and became a mother, I didn’t think I could do anything else and I was completely overwhelmed.

I’d feel guilty and afraid if I worked, and It’s guilty and afraid about not working. very overwhelming for a younger person to become a mother so it’s awesome to have another baby when you’re a grownup.

What does motherhood mean to you?

It’s It’s the greatest love I’ve ever known. costly, it’s challenging, it’s wonderful!

When you’re going through your difficult

times you wonder did the kids realise how hard it was for you. But then you don’t want them to, they need some security.

What kind of things would you do more of if you had more time?

I love, love, love to travel, to explore the to world. I'd like to see more theatre, go as more shows, my list is literally as long my leg.

As a busy Mum and actresses do you make time for a regular exercise regime?

I I just try to work-out whenever I can. get don’t have a consistent regime. I just hour out there and take a walk. Do half an on the treadmill. Just put on your shoes and go.

You’ve described your private life as ‘intense and interesting’. Do you believe that love is enough? we Yeah, certainly love is enough. I think all think it’s enough, but we all struggle with what we want from it. Do we want and love AND a house? Do we want love a house AND a child? Do we want love and a house and a child AND a motherin-law? It’s what you get with the love I sometimes that is the debatable issue. think it’s love, in general, that everybody wants.

Do you see this role in Nymphomaniac as somewhat of a comeback?

Well, I had a baby last year and I’ve been a on maternity leave for a while but I did movie called Playing for Keeps a couple the of years ago. But I do feel that I’ve hit refresh button on my career.

LISA ROTH Head of New Business Development 07843 851132 lisa@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 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.

Life

Loving Uma Thurman returns to the big screen

URBANFOX

PAUL BANKS Designer paul@theurban-fox.co.uk

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Uma with Nymphomaniac co-stars

Has your time away meant that you’ve had to fight to get recognition?

Hugo Speer and Stacy Martin

Don’t we all? I’ve been fighting for to recognition for years but if I’m allowed stay at the table and keep playing, what more can you ask for?

Are you the sort of person who’s good at going after things that you want?

In life, I’ve never been particularly efficient at it but despite my lack of efficiency, I’ve managed to have a years. relatively successful career over the I actually think that part of the reason

that that I did have a successful career is I never did have ruthless ambition. I’ve my always managed to struggle through private life while having a career. People who are in film all year round; I don’t be know how they have families. It must incredibly hard.

What type of movies do you want to do in the future?

genre movie and make it over and over It and over again. Why would I want that? would be too limiting.

This seems like a good time in your life.

Yes. I’m happier with it now than I’ve been in many, many years. I’m trying to have as peaceful a personal life as than possible and yes I’m less jaded now I’ve ever been.

The biggest thing for me is to keep changing. I don’t want to make a one

8

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 27

41 8 11 13

CONTRIBUTORS: Jake Harvey, Frances James, Phillip Sharpe, Lucy Turner Zoe Hubbard

Interior designer helping to transform your home

Debbie James

Literary recommendations from our resident bookworm

Jon Levy

Bringing you the latest in hair style, colour and product trends

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 5

March 11

26

HEALTH & WELLBEING 21 The busy mum’s guide to

exercise

Fitter in just 10 minutes a day

23 17 ways to create ‘me time’

You can’t afford not to

LIFE & WORK 25 Friends with benefits

Why you might need a pet

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 26 Loving life

Uma Thurman exclusive 28 What’s on

Activities for the whole family

35 Made with love

Easy and delicious sweet treats

29 Reviews

March’s recommendations

HOMES & GARDENS

FASHION & BEAUTY

WINING & DINING

8 Coming up roses Florals go graphic

37 7 ways to feng shui

Revitalise your home and life

33 Mumday lunch

Roasted gressingham duck

35

11 Bright & shade

Fabulous footwear SS14 13 Because you love her

Gifts for mum

41 Bedroom boutique

Create the look 42 Shower power

Bathroom trends to wow 47 Tips from the potting shed

A little gardening know how

15 Along came baby

Glam baby hand-bags

PEOPLE & PLACES

17 Maximum impact

Great hair, minimum effort

49 Parent friendly holidays

Keep the kids happy and mum too

19 Nature’s finest

Child friendly products

50 My way Local spotlight on Vicky Bailey

12 WIN 18 WIN 20 WIN A HANDA SPA A CHILDS TIED BOUQUET

from Flowers

by Bibi

FARM GIFT BOX

from Linden Aromatics

EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR MUM at Ragdale Hall

29 WIN

TICKETS TO SEE WATER BABIES at Curve

34 WIN

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH FOR 4 at Quorn Grange Hotel

Kitchens | Bathrooms | Construction SUPPLY ONLY OR FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT | Bathrooms | Construction Kitchens SUPPLY ONLY OR FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED CRAFTEDKITCHENS KITCHENS Kitchens

by Mereway Bathrooms

by Utopia BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED|AND AND CRAFTED FROM TO COMPLETION Expert Design & Installation

by Oaklands FROM CONCEPT CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

EST 1911 EST 1911

7-11 welford road | blaby | leicester | le8 4ft 7-11 welford road | blaby | leicester | le8 4ft ShowrooM ShowrooM www.oakland-leicester.co.uk Mon-Fri 10-5 www.oakland-leicester.co.uk Mon-Fri 10-5 info@oakland-leicester.co.uk Sat2014 9-47 info@oakland-leicester.co.uk URBAN FOX MARCH Sat 9-4 Tel: 0116 2772252 Tel: 0116 2772252

FASHION & BEAUTY 2

1

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1 Shelley Print Dress (due April 14) £55, Oliver Bonas 2 Myleene Floral Print Dress £74, Littlewoods.com 3 Marlenee Sandal £69, Steve Madden

5

4 Printed Trousers £20, Sainsbury’s TU 5 Arboretum Floral Print Trousers £49.95, Landsend 6 Camille Print Trousers £59, John Lewis Collection 7 Floral Court Shoe £12, Primark

7

6

10

9

roses Coming up

Less is no longer more with vivid prints and graphic motifs breathing life into this season’s floral collections

11 11

8 Floral Jacket £199, Kilian Kerner Senses 9 Richmond Blazer £79, Boden 10 Juno Print Victoire Jacket £150, East

12

11 Lauren Print Floral Tunic £55, TM Lewin 12 Red Herring Top £30, Debenhams 13 Floral Autograph Top £35, M&S 14 Floral Print Sweater £35, Simply Be

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HATS | FASCINATORS | JEWELLERY | HANDBAGS MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS 28 Church Street, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 7AA.

01858 466 849 | www.happy-hats.co.uk acebook Order now on

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Bright &

Shade

Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014, pairing soft pastels with flamboyant brights. Here’s some of the shoes and sandals that have caught our attention this season

Burberry Prorsum

Anja Leather Court Shoes

On Top Patent Shoes

£195, Kurt Geiger

£65, Office

Limited Edition Ankle Strap Shoes

Hydro Sandal

Lottie Sandal

£29.50, M&S

£65, Dune

£575, Jimmy Choo

Orla Milly Shoes

Mitzi Spotted Suede Flat Shoes

Jax Sandal

£90, Clarks

£160, LK Bennett

£55, Dune

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 11

+ ,,"'" &! 3()/.7%! 2

DESIGNER WEAR

Main stockists of: Condici, + ,Ian,Stuart, "'" ! 3 ( ) /Linea . 7 Raff % ! aelli 2 John&Charles, - to name but a few.

Sizes 8 to 24.

Over + ,2,000 ,"'" &!3() / .

7 % !ts 2 stunning outfi for mums and guests.

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WIN

A HAND-TIED BOUQUET Bring spring into your home with a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet courtesy of Flowers

by Bibi. Your personalised bouquet will be fashioned with only the freshest Dutch blooms and contain a lavish 20 to 30 stems. This beautiful creation will surely be the envy of all your friends.

&!3()/.7% !2

and

swimwear Treat someone special, or yourself, to our personal bra fitting experience.

The Little Big Bra Shop is an award nominated boutique that provides a unique service to women of all ages, shapes and sizes, and we are committed to ensuring all customers’ lingerie needs are found in one place.

TO ENTER: Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Bibi’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Mon 31 March 2014.

Flowers by Bibi is a bespoke florist offering stunning flowers for weddings and events. Based in Leicester they offer anything from romantic and vintage inspired arrangements to sophisticated and contemporary. To find out more visit www.flowersbybibi.co.uk Terms and conditions: Image for illustration purposes only. The type of flowers used is subject to availability and at the discretion of Flowers by Bibi. Please note the number of stems will depend on the size of flower heads selected. No cash alternative is available. The Editor’s decision is final.

4 Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT. Tel: 01858 465592 orders@thelittlebigbrashop.co.uk www.thelittlebigbrashop.co.uk

Because you

LOVE HER

1

Say thank you this Mother’s Day with one of these beautiful handpicked gifts. Chosen for their style, colour and desirability, they’re sure to be a hit 3

2

4

5

6

1 Luna by Prima Donna £95, The Little Big Bra Shop, Mkt Harborough 2 Cute Jute £4, Seasalt 3 Pip Studio Journal £14.99, notonthehighstreet.com 4 Steamcream Natural Moisturiser £12.95, Linden Aromatics, Stoneygate

8 7

5 Personalised Family Poster £25, apieceof.co.uk 6 Emma Bridgewater Candle £18, M&S 7 Acorn Cup Minilite Umbrella £28, Orla Kiely 8 Women’s Brooch £9.95, Joules

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 13

RJ

ROBINSONS CERTIFIED DIAMOND SPECIALIST

t Rings n e m e g a g Diamond En e Beaten on Quality and Price

Call Now - We Will Not B

Email: adam@robinsonsjewellers.co.uk 16 Granby Street Leicester Tel: 0116 262 8714

The Arcade Leicester Rd, Wigston Tel: 0116 262 8714

Also at 16 Church Street, Lutterworth LE17 4FP

Elizabeth Quilted Bag £250, Storksak

Along came

baby Worried your fashion sense will evaporate with the arrival of junior? Then accessorise with one of these glamorous baby ‘hand’ bags 1 Hobo Nappy Bag £200, oioibaby.co.uk 2 The BabyBag £125, linandleo.com

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3 The Whitehall Changing Bag £189, pitterpac.com 4 Elegance Changing Bag £75, Silver Cross 5 Gabi Leather Changing Bag £309, babeswithbabies.com 6 Moab Changing Bag £175, pacapod.com 7 Elizabeth Changing Bag £198, Storksak 8 Grace Tote Nappy Bag £175, pinklining.com

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URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 15

50 1963/2013

5

1963/2013

1963/2013

using label.m Professional Haircare

For 50 years, TONI&GUY have pioneered strong, beautiful haircuts tailored to suit the individual and reflective of seasonal fashion trends. Your image is safe in our hands – Join the 1.5 million people that choose TONI&GUY each year.

For a Free style advisory session or to book and appointment call 0116 249 5790 TONI&GUY 15 MarkeT STreeT LeIceSTer Le1 6DN www.TONIaNDGUY.cOM

/toniandguyUk

@ toniandguyUk

MAXI-

FASHION & BEAUTY

MUM STYLE

Every mum deserves to look fabulous but time is often a factor. We asked Jon Levy, Artistic Director at Toni & Guy, Leicester for his advice on achieving great hair with minimum effort e honest with your stylist about how B much time you have every morning to spend on your hair. If you only have minutes to spare, a good stylist can still give you a million dollar hair cut that won’t take hours of blow-drying.

Think of your hair as you do your skin – cleanse, tone and moisturise. The same applies to your hair. With just 4 products to cleanse, condition, create and complete your style, you can have a great hair day, every day. Ask your stylist for a free product consultation for the right products for you.

For younger mums, you only have to look at the Duchess of Cambridge to see that long hair can look great. The secret to longer hair with little time is the good old-fashioned heated roller or velcro roller. Sleep in velcro rollers, pull out in the morning, give your hair a good shake and a spritz of hairspray and you’re good to go.

If shorter is better for your life style, look no further than celebrity mums Michelle Williams, Halle Berry and Dannii Minogue, who have amazing short crops without hours of styling.

Starting to notice a few stray greys but don’t have hours to sit in the salon? Go for a simple natural glossing option. It’s an express service and great for blending the greys and adding tonal depth to your natural colour. Check out Angelina’s colour.

For the more mature mum it might be time to embrace the grey. It can look fantastic and a simple toner can remove any yellow tone to give it incredible glow and shine. For inspiration think Helen Mirren and Glenn Close.

Whatever your look, just remember you are all truly magnificent. Happy Mother’s Day! URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 17

I Segreti

PRITI BODIES health and beauty

Speciality Waxing by a True Professional

natural skincare specialists

Priti Coles is possibly the UK’s top hair removal expert leaving you with beautiful healthy skin without redness, soreness, stinging or ingrowing hairs.

Brazilian, playboy and hollywood waxing without embarrassment. discreet and confidential.

Waxing for the soul not just the body Tel: 0116 2841944 / 07795 361 288 to book an appointment

Email: pritibodies1@gmail.com www.pritibodies.co.uk

WIN

A CHILDS FARM GIFT BOX Courtesy of Linden Aromatics in Stoneygate, we’re offering 2 readers the opportunity to win a Childs Farm gift box. The winner will have the choice of a Boy or Girl gift set containing 2 x 250ml toiletry products. Childs Farm products are natural containing no parabens, SLS’s, mineral oils or artificial colours. They are kind to all skin types and non-irritant.

TO ENTER:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Childs Farm’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Mon 31 March 2014.

For more details about Childs Farm and other award winning organic and natural products stocked by Linden Aromatics go to www.lindenaromatics.co.uk or visit the store at 59 Francis Street, Stoneygate, LE2 2BE. Terms and Conditions available on request from editor@theurban-fox.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Nature’s Finest

Worried about what you’re putting on your child’s skin? We’ve carefully selected a range of organic and natural products designed with your little one in mind

Childs Farm products available from Linden Aromatics

2

1

3

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1 Organic Baby Oil £5.95, thelittlegreensheep.co.uk 2 Earth Friendly Baby Calming Lavender Body Lotion £5.35, Boots 3 Baby Bee Dusting Powder £6.99, burtsbees.co.uk 4 Organic Children Berry Smoothie Shampoo £8.50, greenpeople.co.uk 5 Weleda Baby Weather Protect Cream £7.95, Healthy Route, Leicester 6 Little Twig Sunscreen £26.19, amazon.co.uk 7 Dolphin Organics Baby Bubble Bath £7.90, healthmonthly.co.uk

5 7 6

8

8 Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste £4.99, uk.jackandjillkids.com

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 19

Get fit for Summer PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS

ONLY £11.25

WIN

1-2-3

a Ragdale experience for your Mum

D

oes your Mum deserve a special treat? One lucky reader will be whisking their Mum off for a day of relaxation at award-winning Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa in Leicestershire on an Experience Day (worth £174). The perfect escape from it all!

THE PRIZE INCLUDES:

Light lunch in the Verandah Bar, plus use of all of Ragdale’s facilities including the multi-million pound Thermal Spa featuring candle pool, indoor/outdoor waterfall and a series of heat and water experiences, plus two further pools, including whirlpool bath and cascade, gym, exercise classes and outdoor facilities.

TO ENTER:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number, along with no more than 20 words explaining why your Mum deserves this special day, to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Ragdale’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Mon 31 March 2014.

@Nutrafit Training Studios Exclusive Private Gym Based on 1-2-3 training service - buy one month (4 sessions), get one month free offer. Valid until the end of March 2014.

Other offers available. Full details on website.

1-2-3

Need Help with your New Years Resolution?

Personal Trainingt.co.uk Sessions www.nutrafi t.co.uk • info@nutrafi • 0116 319 0778

Only £11.25

@Nutrafit Training Studios - Exclusive Private Gym

Based on 123 training service - buy one month (4 sessions), get one month free offer - Valid until end March 2014.

Other Offers Available. Full Details on website www.nutrafit.co.uk - info@nutrafit.co.uk - 0116 3190778

Watch the stones tumble

Terms and conditions: Prize is valid Mon-Fri; arrival time 10.30; departure time 18.30.

No cash alternative is available and the prize is non transferrable. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Full T&Cs are available on request.

Minimum age 16 years.

Whether you have a few stones to lose or a few pounds, your Cambridge Consultant will cover you every step of the way.

Contact your local Cambridge Consultants, Dana and Ian to get started.

TripAdvisor - Awarded Certificate of Excellence 2012 & 2013 Candis Magazine - Best Spa 2013 New! Magazine Spa Awards 2012 - Best for Fitness Fans Spa Traveller Awards 2012 - Best UK Spa Retreat for solo spa travellers Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2012 - Listed in Top 25 Relaxation/Spa Hotels in UK Mumsnet Best Spa in the UK 2012 - Great for a girls’ day out

Flexible one-to-one apointments in Knighton, Stoneygate and Wigston area.

Mobile visits by arrangement.

If you are not the lucky winner, then maybe a Ragdale Hall gift voucher would be the perfect Mother’s Day present. Available in monetary amounts from £25 or for days or overnight breaks, they are the ideal gift.

All vouchers are valid for a year from the day of purchase and are dispatched upon receipt of full payment.

£5 off

To make a purchase or for further information contact Voucher Sales on 01664 433030 or visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk to view a video brochure.

with this advert

your first order

E: iansimons5@hotmail.co.uk T: 01162 884 887 M: 07881 922 922

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The

BUSY MUM’S guide to exercise

Long Tall Sally

Want to become fitter, healthier and set a good example to your kids too?

Nutrafit’s Rebecca Watts, tells us how to become more active without having to spend hours in the gym 1. WALK

Try to do as much walking as you can either as part of your daily routine or a planned 15-20 minute walk every other day. If you come across a park bench try bench stepups, press-ups and tricep-dips to get more out of your workout. If you have a dog or small children take them with you, pushing a pram or holding a lead adds resistance to your walk workout.

The fresh air will do you good too!

2. PLAY

You don’t have to think of exercise as something you need to do on your own or in a gym, there are lots of activities you can do with your children such as biking, tag games, obstacle courses in the garden or even swimming. If you go swimming with younger children every few minutes jog on the spot to get your heart rate up, also bounce them up out of the water to help strengthen your arms. If your child has a swimming lesson take the time to get a few lengths in yourself.

3. HIIT

High Intensity Interval Training is spurts of exercise that get your heart rate up quickly followed by rest. This type of training is great for fat burning, health and those with limited time.

Try running on the spot, skipping or stepping on and off a step as safely and as quickly as you can for 30 seconds then rest for 30 seconds.

Repeat 5 times, 3 times a week. As your fitness improves increase to 10 times, then 15 times and remember to keep the intensity up!

4. RESIST

Any exercise that adds resistance to your movement (through use of weights, bands etc.) is one of the best types of exercise for fat burning and the best use of time for those with little to spare. Meet with friends and other mums and take it in turns to look after the children whilst you exercise, alternatively find a gym with a crèche facility and join in some classes. If you’re tied to the home, get a workout video and try to do a 10 minute workout every day.

5. ADVERTS

It’s all very easy when you’ve put the children to bed to slump in a chair and watch TV. No-one would blame you, but if you haven't managed to get any exercise in that day, it’s a great opportunity to use the advert breaks to exercise. Step up and down on a stair, use a chair for squats and dips or do press ups.

6. REWARD

Finally set yourself some targets e.g. body weight, size or 2 hours per week exercise. Then every month reward yourself with a massage, facial or new nails.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 21

EXPERTISE YOU CAN

TRUST

Carisbrooke is a specialist dental practice situated in Leicester, offering a wide range of dental services. We are leaders in the field of dental implants, orthodontics and specialist dentistry. We also provide general dental services and oral hygiene services. Our dentists are world renowned for their pioneering work in the area of dental implants and orthodontics. So whether you are looking for a dental practice to help care for your family’s oral healthcare, or you have a complex dental problem, the Carisbrooke Dental Practice is able to help.

TREATMENTS: Improving your smile Prosthodontics

Dental implants

solutions for missing teeth

Endodontics

root canal treatment

Orthodontics

the treatment of misaligned teeth

Periodontics

treatment of gum disease

Sedation

for anxious patients or patients who have a sensitive gag reflex

The Carisbrooke Specialist Dental Centre 238 London Rd, Leicester LE2 1RL. Tel: 0116 270 7030 Email: appointments@carisbrookedental.co.uk Web: www.carisbrookedental.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

17 Ways to create

ME TIME

Once you become a Mum, it’s easy to deprioritise yourself. So this month be inspired by our simple but effective ideas on how to create more time for you

1 2 9 10 3 4 11 12 15 5 6 13 16 7 8 14 17 Set your alarm a little earlier so you have time for coffee, reading the paper, etc. before the kids get up.

Officially block out ‘me time’ in your calendar. Believe us, it’s as important as all the other things that are on there.

Turn off your mobile phone, even if it's just for 30 minutes a day.

a child-safe room and let them play by themselves for a while.

Grocery shop online. After the first few times, it’s quicker and you can even have a nice cup of tea whilst you’re doing it.

Outsource some of the chores that are eating into your time - ironing, cleaning etc. You may need to cut costs elsewhere but it’ll be worth it.

Meet a gal-pal before work for an exercise class and a catch up. You may even have time for breakfast together before you rush off.

Keep your home shopping catalogues in the living / play room and browse whilst the kids are watching TV.

If you work in an office, don't eat at your desk. Try not to run errands either, lunch with colleagues, read a book or listen to some music instead.

Volunteer to take the family dog for a walk. The perfect opportunity to be alone with your thoughts and great exercise too.

Trade daytime babysitting hours with another Mum friend. Even if for 2 hours, once a month.

Cut down on social media. Delete ‘friends’ that aren’t, well, friends and pages that you’re not interested in anymore. This will reduce your online time which you can use for other things instead.

Keep a book in the glove compartment that way you can relax when your toddler falls asleep in the car.

If your child is too old for a nap, you can still set aside quiet time. Put them

Learn how to say ‘No’. Give yourself permission to decline things once in a while, especially if it creates more time for you.

Make sure the kids go to bed on time.

Even that extra half an hour eats into your ‘me time’.

Take a night off. Instead of doing chores, choose an activity you like to do instead.

Finally take a long hot bath. Wait until the kids are in bed. Lock the door, light the candles, pour a glass of wine and indulge in your favourite lifestyle magazine…

Urban Fox of course!

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 23

Pooch Pampered

We love these luxury doggie accessories. Give your best friend the lavish lifestyle they deserve

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9am - 7pm Weekdays 9am - 3pm Saturdays

Puppy Vaccine Course £39.99 Dog Vaccine Booster £23.99 Kennel Cough Vaccine £12.99 Dog Castrate £79.99 - £89.99 Dog Spay £94.99 - £129.99 Kitten Vaccine Course from £34.99 Cat Vaccine Booster from £19.99 Cat Castrate £34.99 Cat Spay £48.99

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Wilmot Yellow Dog Sweater £45, lovemydog.co.uk Spot Dog Lead £12, Cath Kidston Petite Amande Dog Fragrance £44, mungoandmaud.com Dachshund Linen Squeaky Bone Toy from £16.50, muttsandhounds.co.uk Snugglebed Pet Bed £24.95, Joules

LIFE & WORK

Friends with

Benefits

Do your children keep pestering you for a dog?

Before you say ‘No’ again, research shows that animals can offer numerous benefits in addition to companionship. This month we explore how a child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development can be encouraged by interaction with the family hound PHYSICAL Walking a dog, or running in the park and throwing a ball, are great ways to exercise a dog as well as encourage your children away from their sedentary indoor activities. Most kids truly enjoy playing with their dogs and will end up staying outside for a long time without really noticing – benefits for you too! Motor skills can also be developed in smaller children by allowing them to scoop food and pour water into dishes, and a little later by helping with grooming the dog.

SOCIAL Because animals accept us for who we are, dogs provide good practice in developing social relationships. This friendship can be relaxed, enjoyable and without pressure, which are all important elements of childhood relationships.

For children especially, pets can also be great social enablers.

Your child is more likely to approach and speak with another child who is playing with an animal than a child on its own.

In this way, a dog can be the bridge between a less socially outgoing child and new potential playmates.

EMOTIONAL Pets can facilitate various aspects of emotional development such as self-esteem and a sense of responsibility. As your children grow up and are able to take on more of dog’s care, it helps to build self-confidence too.

The responsibility a child has for his or her pet needs to be age appropriate. At the age of three, your child can help to fill food bowls and by five, they can begin to take on some basic grooming tasks as well as to help clean their pet's living area. As they get older they can begin to walk the dog independently, and most likely be able to take on the bulk of the responsibility for its care.

COGNITIVE As children grow, they may develop an interest in a specific type or breed of dog. Encouraging them to research their favourite breed, or take part in obedience classes with you and their dog, can encourage your child’s cognitive development as it stimulates their desire for learning. Bringing them along to a vet’s appointment will also give him or her the opportunity to ask questions about appropriate canine care and health issues.

Tempted to change that ‘No’ to a ‘Yes’? Before you do, bringing a dog into the family is not a decision that should be made lightly. It first must be a commitment by you - and not your child - as you will ultimately be responsible for the animal's welfare.

Once that commitment has been made, however, and an appropriate pet has been found for the family, the pleasures and benefits of the relationship will last for years to come.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 25

Lif

Loving

Uma Thurman returns to the big screen revived, refreshed and set to impress

U

ma Thurman, 43, stars in forthcoming controversial drama, Nymphomaniac, alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard, Shia LeBeouf and Jamie Bell, about a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who recounts her erotic experiences.

Thurman replaced Nicole Kidman when scheduling conflicts didn’t allow for Kidman to take on the role of Mrs. H, a jilted wife whose husband finds himself entangled in an affair. Thurman’s performance as a woman who doesn’t take kindly to infidelity is widely considered to be her best role yet.

Thurman was born in Boston and began her career as a fashion model at age 15, gracing the covers of Glamour and British Vogue. She went on to become an actress and garnered rave reviews in Dangerous Liaisons which led to a successful career as a movie star. Her most notable films include the Kill Bill franchise, Pulp Fiction, Be Cool and Ceremony.

In her own life, Thurman has been in a relationship since 2007 with

French financier, Arpad Busson (Elle Macpherson’s ex) and they have a daughter Luna, who was born last year. This is Thurman’s third significant relationship following marriages to Gary Oldman and Ethan Hawke.

She and Hawke have two children: Maya, 15 and Levon, 12. The couple divorced in 2005 with Hawke going on to marry their former nanny with whom he has two children.

How is it being a new mother again?

When I was younger and became a mother, I didn’t think I could do anything else and I was completely overwhelmed.

I’d feel guilty and afraid if I worked, and guilty and afraid about not working. It’s very overwhelming for a younger person to become a mother so it’s awesome to have another baby when you’re a grownup.

What does motherhood mean to you?

It’s the greatest love I’ve ever known. It’s costly, it’s challenging, it’s wonderful!

When you’re going through your difficult

times you wonder did the kids realise how hard it was for you. But then you don’t want them to, they need some security.

What kind of things would you do more of if you had time?

I love, love, love to travel, to explore the world. I'd like to see more theatre, go to more shows, my list is literally as long as my leg.

As a busy Mum and actresses do you make time for a regular exercise regime?

I just try to work-out whenever I can. I don’t have a consistent regime. I just get out there and take a walk. Do half an hour on the treadmill. Just put on my shoes and go.

You’ve described your private life as ‘intense and interesting’. Do you believe that love is enough?

Yeah, certainly love is enough. I think we all think it’s enough, but we all struggle with what we want from it. Do we want love AND a house? Do we want love and a house AND a child? Do we want love and a house and a child AND a motherin-law? It’s what you get with the love sometimes that is the debatable issue. I think it’s love, in general, that everybody wants.

Do you see this role in Nymphomaniac as somewhat of a comeback?

Well, I had a baby last year and I’ve been on maternity leave for a while but I did a movie called Playing for Keeps a couple of years ago. But I do feel that I’ve hit the refresh button on my career.

Uma with Nymphomaniac co-stars Hugo Speer and Stacy Martin

Has your time away meant that you’ve had to fight to get recognition?

fe Don’t we all? I’ve been fighting for recognition for years but if I’m allowed to stay at the table and keep playing, what more can you ask for?

Are you the sort of person who’s good at going after things that you want?

In life, I’ve never been particularly efficient at it but despite my lack of efficiency, I’ve managed to have a relatively successful career over the years.

I actually think that part of the reason

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

that I did have a successful career is that I never did have ruthless ambition. I’ve always managed to struggle through my private life while having a career. People who are in film all year round; I don’t know how they have families. It must be incredibly hard.

What type of movies do you want to do in the future?

genre movie and make it over and over and over again. Why would I want that? It would be too limiting.

This seems like a good time in your life.

Yes. I’m happier with it now than I’ve been in many, many years. I’m trying to have as peaceful a personal life as possible and yes I’m less jaded now than I’ve ever been.

The biggest thing for me is to keep changing. I don’t want to make a one URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 27

WHAT’S ON

MARCH 2014

Family Are Key Exhibition 1 Mar – 31 May LCB Depot, Leicester Free entrance lcbdepot.co.uk

Zoe Potter was Leicester Print Workshop’s Textile Resident for 2013, and her ‘Family Are Key’ exhibition brings together work produced during the year. Potter’s work combines hand drawn and photographic imagery and pattern. The collection embraces her thoughts and feelings of motherhood, and incorporates images of her two little girls as ‘Cameos’.

AIDA

Tue 11 - Sat 15 Mar Loughborough Town Hall Tickets from £12 loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

Presented by Loughborough Amateur Operatic Society, AIDA is a contemporary musical take on the the classic tale of a Nubian princess and Egyptian soldier. As a forbidden love blossoms between them, the lovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they demonstrate true devotion transcending their cultural differences. With a score

written by Elton John and Tim Rice, that features stirring ballads and rousing chorus numbers, AIDA is a story in which true love prevails.

Pygmalion

Mon 17 – Sat 27 Mar The Little Theatre, Leicester Tickets from £12 thelittletheatre.net

The arrogant Henry Higgins, professor of phonetics, wagers that he can make Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle, acceptable in high society. In this well-loved comedy, George Bernard Shaw gives an entertaining study of social manipulation as he comments on the class-ridden society of the Edwardian era with a wit and wisdom which transcends time.

The Believers Tue 18 – Sat 29 Mar Curve, Leicester Tickets from £14 curveonline.co.uk

Two families are flung together on a night of cataclysmic weather. Bruised, tired and seduced by the flow of alcohol, they wrestle with their differences until, suddenly, the unthinkable

The Believers, 18-29 Mar, Curve

happens. Something unbelievable. As their versions of what happened begin to fall apart and their perspectives become clouded by suspicion, they turn on each other in a desperate fight to understand the truth.

Frantic Assembly and Bryony Lavery follow the success of their previous collaborations (Stockholm and Beautiful Burnout) with this thrilling and highly visceral exploration of love and loss.

Brian Humpherson Quintet

Fri 21 Mar Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester Tickets from £6 embracearts.co.uk

This popular group of local musicians brings swinging sophistication with lively instrumentals contrasting with gentle love songs in a celebration of the Great American Songbook.

Showcasing the talents of Don Blakeson (Trumpet), Mike Read (Saxophone), Martin Slipp (Bass), the legendary Dougie Wright (Drums), Brian Humpherson (Piano), with Nicole van de Kuinder on Vocals.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Sat 22 Mar De Montfort Hall, Leicester Tickets from £8.50 demontforthall.co.uk

Presented by the team behind There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly and written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, this fun filled farmyard tale brings to life all the best loved characters from the original nursery rhyme along with a magical medley of games, giggles and sing along songs including Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes, She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain and of course Old MacDonald had a Farm. So come and relive the delights of this most charming of tales told with a captivating combination of live action, puppetry and animation by one of the UK’s leading theatre companies.

Macbeth

Sat 22 Mar The Guildhall, Leicester Tickets from £8 museums@leicester.gov.uk

The Blue Orange Theatre presents ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare’s murderous tale of greed, witchcraft and

madness. Three witches foretell great things for Macbeth. Realising King Duncan is the only person in his way; he murders him, setting off a chain of events that leads to war amongst the clans and his eventual downfall. A schools resource pack, produced

by Blue Orange Theatre is also available to support the production.

The Giant Bike Ride

task of committing 100 Acts of Minor Dissent in the space of a year and, on the stroke of midnight 13 May 2014, the task will end. The show is his catalogue of those acts so far from the smallest action to the grandest confrontations.

The results are hilarious, subversive, mainly legal and occasionally inspiring. Suitable for 16+ years.

Sun 23 Mar Edith Weston, Rutland

Sat 29 Mar The Newarke Museum, Leicester

Entrance free rutlandcycling.com

Prices vary leicester.gov.uk/museums

Covering the full 23 miles of practically traffic-free trail, the Giant Bike Ride is the ideal opportunity to get the whole family active and get that first breath of fresh spring air. The ride will take 3-4 hours and no rider will be left behind.

Book your place by calling the Giant Rutland Water team on 01780720 888 or emailing info@giant-rutland.co.uk.

Children can create their own paper flower posies, Mother’s day cards, and have fun with a garden trail. In the meantime Mums (and Dads) can join the florist workshop, creating a unique hand tied posy, using quality flowers, foliage, and accessories. Materials and expert tuition provided, and no previous experience is needed. Prices for children’s activities from £2.50, and £15 for the 2 hour florist workshop. Booking essential.

The SelfPublishing Conference

Sun 30 Mar University of Leicester Tickets £55 selfpublishingconference.org.uk

Mark Thomas: 100 Acts of Minor Dissent Thu 27 Mar The Y Theatre, Leicester Tickets from £13 leicesterymca.co.uk

Following his critically acclaimed, award-winning and deeply personal theatre show Bravo Figaro, Mark is back to doing what he does best; mischief. On the 13th May 2013, Mark set himself the

WIN TICKETS TO SEE

Fabulous Flowers for Mother’s Day

This conference is aimed at any author wishing to self-publish. It offers multiple sessions designed to bring new insights into self-publishing, while giving authors the chance to meet with other self-publishers and specialists in the field. It is the perfect day out for authors thinking about, or already involved in, self-publishing their work. The fee includes a delegate’s pack, lunch and refreshments and a choice from more than nine sessions on different aspects of selfpublishing. Booking essential.

We’ve teamed up with Curve to offer the chance for one lucky reader to win a pair of tickets to see the World Premiere production of the brand new musical adventure Water Babies on Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm.

Tom, our orphaned teenage hero, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. In a desperate attempt to escape capture he is trapped on the edge of a waterfall. His only choice is to jump. Awakening in the depths of the ocean, he encounters a whole new world of enchantment, danger and adventure.

Desperate to get back to the girl he loves, Tom must brave underwater terrors in a world beyond his wildest imagination. He embarks on a quest back to land with the unlikeliest of friends, including the mysterious and elusive gang of Water Babies.

Inspired by Charles Kingsley’s much-loved novel, this spellbinding new production uses some of the most sophisticated special effects ever seen on stage and stars West End leading ladies Louise Dearman and Lauren Samuels.

TO ENTER: Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Water Babies’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Mon 31 March 2014.

If you don’t win, you can still book tickets for this fantastic show by calling 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk

Terms and Conditions: No cash alternative is available and the prize is nontransferable. Tickets can only be collected in person from the Ticket Office on the day of the performance. They must be collected at least 30 minutes prior to the performance, after this time tickets will be released for general sale. If you are unable to attend the performance for any unforeseen circumstances you must contact the Ticket Office by 6pm on the day of the performance. Failure to do so may result in you being unable to enter future competitions. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 29

STONEYGATE FESTIVAL Saturday 5 April • 10am - 4pm Stoneygate Baptist Church, 315 London Road

The DecoraTive arTs FroM 1860

Come along to the Stoneygate Festival and enjoy:

LIVE MUSIC • LOCAL CRAFT STALLS LUNCHES • COFFEE HERITAGE TALKS

Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co. A Silver and Enamel Commemorative Spoon £300-£400

by Richard Buckley OBE (leader of the dig for Richard III), Peter Barratt (great-grandson of Leicester suffragette Alice Hawkins) and the Stoneygate Area Conservation Society

...and much more!

www.stoneygatebaptist.org.uk Tel: 0116 270 0807 Twitter: @stoneygateBC Facebook: stoneygatebaptist

Summer 2014 adult courses at Rawlins Academy

COURSES START WEEK COMMENCING 28 APRIL ARTS & CRAFTS Guitar Making Wood Metal Workshop Mixed Media Painting Soft Furnishing & Dressmaking Watercolours Jewellery Making Photography Pottery Flower Arranging Calligraphy Life Drawing Embroidery Bookbinding

GENERAL INTEREST Get Cooking Cakes, Bakes & Puddings Garden Design Creative Writng Novelty Cake Decorating Computing for Beginners Improve your Computing Skills

SPORTS & EXERCISE Aerobics Pilates Exercise 55+ Yoga/Hatha Yoga Badminton Tai Chi Contemporary Dance for Adults

EASTER & HALF TERM ACTIVITIES Rawlins runs a full programme of sports, art & performing arts activities in the school holidays.

For ages 5 to 14 years, from 10am to 4pm

enTries inviTeD

We are currently consigning items from the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Post-War Design movements for our inaugural Decorative Arts auction in April. artists and names of interest include: William Moorcroft ･ royal Doulton ･ clarice cliff pottery ･ Lalique and Gallé glass ･ Furniture from the cotswold craftsmen such as Gimson, and Gordon russell ･ objects from Liberty & co ･ art Deco sculpture ･ 20th century art works and studio pottery and glass will also be included.

Sale date: Tuesday 29th April closing date for entries 21st March enquiries: will.gilding@gildings.co.uk 01858 410414

Sports Camp: £16/day • Art Camp: £18/day

For full information about all of the courses, evening classes, activities and online enrolment, please visit www.rawlinsacademy.org.uk, call 01509 622827 or email communityed@rawlinsacademy.org.uk

gildings auctioneers

MarkeT harborouGh saLerooM The MiLL GreaT boWDen roaD Le16 7De

film REVIEW The Book Thief (12A)

2hrs 11mins Fri 21 Mar - Thu 3 Apr at The Phoenix 0116 242 2800 | phoenix.org.uk A delicate and moving adaptation of Markus Zuzak’s internationally best-selling novel, The Book Thief follows Liesel, a young German refugee girl who arrives at her new home just before the start of World War II. Attending the local school and making a new best friend in local boy Rudy, Liesel’s life is forever changed when her foster parents take in Max, a Jewish man and shelter him in their basement. Sharing

book REVIEW 3 perfect ‘Mum’ books that you don’t even need children to enjoy

stories with Max and stealing books for him from the library or a local dignitary, their friendship is threatened by the ever watchful Nazi Party and encroaching war.

stick to the book’s use of “Death” as the narrator of the action. Portrayed as quite a jovial character his narration can be quite jarring, and maybe was not needed at all.

The biggest challenge that the film faced was adapting what is essentially a book aimed at young-adults into a film that will appeal to a wider audience. Does it work?

Almost, but it’s not a complete success.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling block being director Brian Percival’s decision to

Where the film excels however is the tender scenes between Liesel and her bickering foster parents - superbly played by a twinkling Geoffrey Rush and scowling Emily Watson. These moments act as a powerful reminder of how far the ripples of warfare spread.

Pedigree Mum

By Fiona Gibson. Published by Avon

When Kerry Tambini upped sticks with her family to a new home on the coast, she couldn’t have been happier. Then husband Rob made the biggest mistake of his life. Stranded with her children in snooty Shorling, Kerry has plenty on her plate. So how can she say no to the kids’ pleas for a dog when they’re missing their father dreadfully? As she steps back into the dating world Kerry must juggle her family, her neurotic dog and try to fit in with the local pedigree mums.

Laugh-out-loud funny from the author that bought you Mum on the Run.

The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club

by Helen McGinn. Published by Macmillan

Do you a) frequently panic in the wine aisle and end up reaching for the same old thing? b) simply pick the bottle with the nicest-looking label? c) automatically pick the second-cheapest wine on the wine list? If you feel it’s time to extend your wine horizons beyond Pinot Grigio, this book will help you make the right wine choice every single time.

How Not to Murder Your Mother

By Stephanie Calman. Published by Pan

A witty, humorous and poignant take on the mother-daughter relationship by bestselling author Stephanie Calman. On her fractious relationship with her mother, she remarks: “We have some things in common. For example we both make our scrambled eggs without stirring them and we’ve both dated heroin addicts. But it’s not really enough to get us through a weekend.”

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 31

Family events | Weddings & Engagement parties Masterclass experiences | Canapé parties

Your event to a T

Please visit www.thomasthecaterer.co.uk to download your free copy of ‘The 111/2 things you can’t forget for an awesome event’.

Tel: 01163 260529 Email: whatscooking@thomasthecaterer.co.uk

WEDDING

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day at The White Peacock Sunday March 30 It’s the one day of the year to spoil your mother, so do it in style at The White Peacock!

Enjoy Mothering Sunday in a charming Grade 2 listed building at the foot of New Walk, in the heart of Leicester.

We’ll treat you and your mother to Afternoon Tea, we have two menus to suit you, so book a table now to guarantee a special day for your mother.

Open for Sunday Lunch as of 2nd March

BRIDGE 67

b i r t h d a y

FATHER’S DAY

r e t i r e m e n t

E A S T E R

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS Please visit our website or call us to purchase a Bridge 67 Gift Voucher or book a course:

www.bridge67cookeryschool.co.uk or call 0116 279 6155

THE WHITE PEACOCK

14-16 King Street, Leicester LE1 6RJ

0116 254 7663 For information and general enquiries please email: enquiries@the-white-peacock.co.uk www.the-white-peacock.co.uk

WINING & DINING

MUMday lunch

Nothing says “I love you Mum” more than cooking her a delightful meal, so this Mother’s Day spoil her with this tasty alternative to the traditional Sunday lunch

ROASTED GRESSINGHAM DUCK BREAST WITH PLUMS AND BEETROOT

by Phillip Sharpe, Chef Patron at The White Peacock Ingredients (Serves 4):

Method:

4 Gressingham duck breast 2 sweet potatoes 2 red peppers 2 yellow peppers 4 small cooked beetroot 2 plums 150 ml balsamic vinegar 150ml port wine 8 spring onions 2 carrots Watercress

•P eel the sweet potato and slice into 4 discs. Roast with a little olive oil in the oven for about 15 minutes on 160°C. •R oast the peppers until soft, then peel.

•C ut the plums and beetroot into wedges and season.

•P eel the carrots and cut into sticks. Cut the spring onions the same size as the carrots.

Blanch the carrots in boiling water for 1 minute and then add the spring onions.

Continue until cooked.

•H eat a pan and add the duck breast fat side down and cook on a medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until you have a nice colour on the breast. Turn over and cook for another 5 minutes. Then transfer the duck to the oven for a further 6 minutes on 160°C. •R emove the duck from the pan and allow to rest.

•P ut the pan back onto the heat and add plums and beetroot wedges with the port wine and balsamic vinegar and reduce by half.

•A dd the carrots and spring onions and remove from the heat.

To Serve: •P ut the red pepper under the sweet potatoes and place carrot and spring onions on top of potato.

•T hen place the beetroot and plum mix in the middle of the plate, slice the duck and put on top.

•F inally add the port and balsamic reduction around the plate and garnish with watercress.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 33

WIN

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH FOR 4

Mums are all very special and for one Mum, this Mother’s Day will be full of wonderful surprises. Courtesy of Quorn Grange Hotel we’re offering a family of four, a three course Sunday lunch in their beautiful restaurant which offers panoramic views of the surrounding gardens. Your Mum will also win a 12"x8" framed family portrait as a keepsake of her special day.

TO ENTER:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Quorn Grange’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Fri 21 March 2014.

Conveniently located in the centre of Leicestershire and set in 8 acres of stunning manicured gardens, Quorn Grange Hotel is the perfect setting for business and leisure. For details on dining, events, weddings and more, visit www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk Terms & Conditions: This prize is valid for lunch on Sunday 30 March 2014 only. The family portrait will be supplied after the event. No cash alternative is available. The winner will be drawn on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is finaland no correspondence will be entered into. For a copy of the full terms and conditions contact editor@theurban-fox.co.uk

Wedding Fayre at Quorn Grange Hotel

Spring is in the air... at

Sunday 23rd February, 11am-3pm

Set in eight acres of stunning gardens, Quorn Grange Hotel is the perfect venue for your perfect wedding day.

Come along and enjoy a selection of exhibitors stalls, ranging from cakes to photographers, all in the beautiful surroundings of our Hotel.

- Outdoor civil ceremony licence.

- Dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator.

- Accommodating wedding breakfast for up to 100 guests.

A lovely Mother’s Day treat

- Two licenced indoor civil Need perking up ceremony a bit? rooms, choose from

the Oak Room or our‘Comedy larger suite, the out for you, your family, Let’s face it, Mums are very special. We want this year’s WePanelled have arranged a unique Club’ night Mother’s Day to be a little different, so you are invited friends and French colleagues, in recognition Goodacre, with doors leading of to the theInternational gardens. Day of Happiness, to come along for a special lunch with your family and so why not come and have supper and some fun. Call now to book a table we have arranged for a photographer to capture the to avoid disappointment.

- 38 bedrooms, comprising of double rooms, executive moment with a portrait. Call now to book a table torooms,Thursday 20thground March: £32.50 per person including suites and floor rooms leading ontosupper the + avoid disappointment – if you are lucky enough to win accommodation for £40.00 double room, B&B.Suite, gardens.

Plus our brand new William Morris the competition in this issue of the Urban Fox we will nally… perfectand for fiyour Wedding night. simply not charge you!!

Sunday 30th March: £18.50 per person and £25 for the To keep up to date with things why not pick up one of our ‘What’s On’ ets oroflike us on Facebook Brochure and Twitter. We portrait and Kids under 10 eat free.

For aleafl copy our Wedding calllook usforward on to welcoming you to the Hotel over the next few weeks to see our recent improvements and understand we are at or theemail. heart of the local community.

01509why412167 88 Wood Lane 88 Wood Lane Quorn Quorn Leicestershire LE12 8DB Leicestershire LE12 8DB

T: 01509 412167 T: 01509 412167 www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk mail@quorngrangehotel.co.uk mail@quorngrangehotel.co.uk

WINING & DINING

Made with

LOVE

Want to add a personal touch to your Mother’s Day gift this year?

Put a smile on her face with these beautiful cupcakes and cookies.

They’re easy to make and delicious too SHORTBREAD HEARTS

INGREDIENTS: Makes approx. 12 cookies 225g salted butter, softened 100g caster sugar 225g plain flour Pink & white readymade decorating icing METHOD: •P reheat the oven to 150°C. •P lace the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat together until pale and fluffy.

•A dd the flour and bring the mixture together until a soft dough is formed.

•T ip the dough onto a floured surface and using a floured hand gently roll out to ½ cm thickness.

•U sing a heart shaped cutter, cut out the dough and place on a lightly greased baking tray.

•B ake for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown.

•C ool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.

•O nce the cookies are cool use your readymade icing to decorate the hearts. It’s so easy to use.

MOTHER’S DAY CUPCAKES INGREDIENTS: Makes approx. 12 cupcakes 110g butter, softened 110g caster sugar 110g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 2 medium eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract Easy swirl cupcake icing METHOD: •P reheat the oven to 180°C. •L ine a muffin tin with paper cases.

•P ut the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.

•S ift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl.

•B eat the eggs and vanilla and add to the bowl. Beat until combined.

•S poon the mixture into the paper cases.

•B ake for 18-20 minutes until risen, golden and firm to the touch.

•C ool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.

•O nce cooled, using your Easy swirl cupcake icing (or make your own) to decorate your cupcakes. It’s great fun for the kids.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 35

Urban Fox Maison Feb Advert Half Page .pdf

Shake o those winter blues with our fantastic composite door oers 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

1

18/02/2014

09:25

HOMES & GARDENS

7 ways to

Images: John Lewis

feng shui Has spring sprung but you’re still suffering from the winter blues? The problem might not be you but your home. Zoe Hubbard at Maison Interiors gives us her insights into how a little Feng Shui can revitalise your home and life

1 Invite

3 Romance

2 Empower

4

To design an entrance to your home that’s inviting and attracts all the good of the Universe to come your way, use beautiful lighting, flowers, paintings and delightful aromas in your hallway.

Arrange your key pieces of furniture where you can see the entrance from where you are sitting or lying. If not you will be spending most of your time feeling disempowered, as you will never feel truly comfortable if you can’t see what is going on in the room.

If you'd like a happier, healthier love life, clear the space under your bed. By doing this it’s believed that you'll resolve any deceptions and hidden resentments that have affected your romantic relationships.

Family

If you're struggling with family squabbles, display framed photographs that are full of good memories. The best places to showcase them are in the living room, kitchen or hallway where family members typically gather.

5 Wellbeing

Do you feel tired, unhealthy or simply fed up? Then clean out your cupboards, fridge and freezer. It appears that throwing away anything that is past its sell by date will help bring health and happiness to your life.

6 Joy

Do you make time for doing the things you love? If not, scrub your bathroom from top to bottom.

Bathrooms represent self-care and when yours is sparkling, you'll find more time for the people and things that give you joy. Splurge on new towels, bath mats and shower curtains while you're at it.

7 Inspiration

If you feel uninspired or lack motivation, wash your windows.

Windows represent your outlook on life.

If yours are clean and shiny, it will be easier to find your heart's desire. This is a great cure for people who are in deadend jobs too.

Finally, if this all sounds great but you still can’t motivate yourself to get started, simply empty out one drawer and leave it empty for a week. Amazingly you'll find the energy to launch a full-on spring clean!

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 37

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Visit us on stand C207 at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC Birmingham 27 – 30 March 2014

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 39

Realise your dreams...

Realise your dreams..

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

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Over 55 years of award winning kitchens in Leicester No two kitchens are the same. Yours will be unique. A one off that we create for you. Simple forms, new materials, new designs to accommodate your living style, whilst still providing uncompromising quality, precision manufacturing with outstanding craftsmanship and design.

Complete Kitchens fitted from £5,999 With kitchens ranging from £5,999 - £60,000, our extensive range includes the German Classic kitchen package. Priced at a competitive £5,999 it offers hundreds of style and colour combinations - choose from shiny, matt, country and shaker styles. FREE Neff Dishwasher Offer! Ask in-store for details.

Dewhirst Kitchens are now into their second year of designing and fitting Daval bedrooms. It is now even easier to realise your dreams with a genuine 25% discount. We are the region’s exclusive supplier and have transformed many rooms into organised and peaceful retreats with a wide range of storage systems.

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HOMES & GARDENS

Bedroom

BOUTIQUE

Create the relaxing ambiance and stylish feel of a boutique hotel, in your home. We chose The Soho Hotel in London as our inspiration

1

3 2 5

4

6

1 3 Drawer Chest £349, Very

8

2 Samarakand Sap Scatter Cushion £50, Sofa.com 3 Table Lamp £97, Chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk 4 Maisie Armchair £1099, M&S 5 Green Bud Vase £13.95, Annabeljames.co.uk 6 Alethea Stool Pavillion Pink £540, Debenhams

7

7 Golden Solstice Scented Candle £36, Molton Brown 8 Xian Fresh Rug £89, Kelaty.com

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 41

HOMES & GARDENS

SHOWER POWER

At Urban Fox we love to bring you the latest home trends and one of the biggest for 2014 is the move toward open, spa style showers. We spoke with bathroom designer Frances James at Plug Interiors for her thoughts on why people are opting out of their bathtubs

O

ver time the design and style of a bathroom has slowly evolved.

People are now considering removing the bathtub completely to allow for a larger, more pleasurable showering experience and where space allows; standard enclosures are being replaced with grander walk-in wet room areas.

With so many people admitting they prefer to shower rather than bathe, inevitably the range of showers, functions and features now available on the market is considerable.

When it comes to designing your bathroom, ascertaining how you wish to shower is just as important as agreeing the budget for the space. The look, feel and experience are three incredibly important elements designers need to assess in order to ensure the perfect design is created.

Discussing the ins and outs of one’s bathroom routine may be a little daunting for us British, but once we open up and push through this barrier then the opportunities, no matter the size of the bathroom, become greater than perhaps originally perceived.

Many of these new design solutions and functions focus on all of the bodies’

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senses, allowing the user to enjoy a new sense of well-being. The focus on a person’s well-being and ability to unwind has led to an assortment of products, in a vast range of styles that offer a new concept to the showering experience.

Waterfall showers, massage features and atomizers that create a warm or cool mist to fill the shower all bring a ‘spa like’ feature into the home.

Along with the functions we need to consider in the showering area, we must also consider the design and aesthetics of the products themselves. Product designers are now blurring the lines between the living space and bathrooms, taking open plan living to a whole new level, creating spaces which transition seamlessly from one area to another.

As modern living becomes much more hectic and fast paced, creating a place to unwind and relax in the home has never been so important.

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Helping you build your dream garden consultancy | design | planting schemes | re-style | makeovers | specialist pruning Contact Lucy on 07772 074402 or email info@greenspaceleicester.co.uk

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Tips from the

POTTING SHED

This month’s tips are courtesy of Lucy Turner of Greenspace Garden Design I’d like to add colour to my ‘green’ garden but don’t know where to start. What would you advise?

First of all I would consider adding plants that offer a good strong contrast in leaf, flower, colour and shape. Try adding some bold textured plants with big leaves and planting finer textured plants to break up the greenness of the garden.

Add splashes of colour with flowering perennials and bulbs for the warmer months of the year; these are great at breaking up the backbone of the ‘green’ garden.

Shrubs come in amazing hues, not just a green – yellow, orange, reddish purple – offering both contrast and colour variation. Gold-leafed plants are also

good for lightening up a mass of green.

Varieties to consider include cotinus coggygria, spiraea japonica, nandian domestica and phormiums.

Winter is a perfect time to spot the gaps and consider filling for spring. We tend to notice the evergreen shrubs in the winter but don’t take full advantage of all the deciduous shrubs that offer an abundance of flowers in the summer and the bareness of their brown structure in the winter.

Whatever elements you decide to introduce, it’s really a matter of creating seasonal interest and achieving balance.

Spiraea Japonica

Someone mentioned to me the other day they were doing ‘companion planting’. What exactly is that?

Tomato and marigold

Companion planting is considering how the plants can benefit and enhance each other in growth.

companion planting with a variety of bold, fine, coloured & textured plants; all working well together.

A plant may serve as a protective shelter, as a wind break or provide shade for another. Companion planting aids soil nutrition and pollination. Other benefits are nature’s natural pest control in prevention & attraction.

Companions can also use garden space efficiently; climbing plants cover the wall, the upright plants grow up and out, so you have two plants in one patch.

Add that with a third or fourth layer at the front or side and you start creating different shapes, sizes and behaviours that all complement each other.

On an aesthetic point of view, it’s the idea of choosing plants that draws your eye in comparison to its neighbour plant.

For example the bold statuesque leaved shrub planted closely to a group of fine leaved plants, together with a backdrop of tall flowering perennials, produces

I love to feel that in the background of all these shapes, colours and sizes, planting companions are spreading, growing and protecting themselves in the most natural order possible.

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 47

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PEOPLE & PLACES

PARENT

friendly holidays

BEST FOR BEACH PARADISE

Katathani, Thailand The Shore Hotel (over 12s only)

We all make sacrifices when we become parents, but your holiday doesn’t need to be one of them. Here are some of our favourite destinations, selected for their stylishness as well as their family-friendly credentials BEST FOR FARM HOUSE CHIC

Nr Tetbury, The Cotswolds Calcot Manor Hotel

BEST FOR COASTAL RETREAT

BEST FOR CITY BREAK

Watergate Bay, Cornwall Watergate Bay Hotel

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BEST FOR ISLAND HOPPING Tresco, Isles of Scilly Sea Garden Cottages

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 49

PEOPLE & PLACES

My Way

Vicky Bailey Psychotherapist, businesswoman and Mum of two talks to us about her love of sport, helping others and baking I grew up on the family farm in Nanpantan, Loughborough. At school I was always a little rebellious and enjoyed pushing the boundaries. My Mum jokes that she was in school more often than me! I successfully gained 8 O-levels and was unsuccessful with my A-levels. I think too much enjoying myself and not enough work!

Most inspirational woman: Claire Balding

On leaving school I joined WH Smith’s management training scheme for a couple of years and then decided to re-sit my A-levels and go to University.

I studied at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth and gained a BA (Hons) in Recreation and Community Studies (2:1). These three years were some of the best of my life!

My true passion has always been sport. I was a county and national age groups swimmer and also went to English Schools for athletics. It seemed the obvious choice on leaving university to follow a career in sport and I accepted my first role as Schools Liaison Officer for Plymouth City Council, working with the secondary schools to provide after school sport for young people.

Throughout my career, I have always been drawn to people development and the therapeutic arena so I decided to retrain and qualified as a Psychotherapist.

I currently run my company Delphinus tmc, which works with companies individuals and teams - to enhance their performance through training and coaching and we also operate a psychotherapy clinic where I work with teenagers and adults.

Last book you read: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

I absolutely love what I do! I think when you are younger everyone asks what you want to do when you grow up. Well I’ve grown up! I can honestly say there are very few days I am not motivated or not wanting to work. When that happens I tend to go for a run and regroup.

The Exaireo Trust is a local homeless charity who take in street homeless and provide support and accommodation for them, whilst working to re-establish them into housing and employment. I provide therapeutic sessions for the residents.

Work-life balance can be a challenge. I have two beautiful girls aged 8 and 6.

We all have busy schedules and spend time together at weekends and have now set up our activity wish list. We choose 5 activities, then we pick one and do it!

This can be staying in our PJs watching a movie, walking, going to the cinema or baking - this last one I find traumatic as I am not a natural cake maker as pointed out frequently by my girls!

Favourite high street store: GAP

Favourite place in the world: Plymouth

If you’re buying or selling this spring,

URBAN FOX MARCH 2014 51

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