Dluxe Birmingham & Solihull Issue 30 Winter 2018

LU E D X BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL

WINTER ‘18

INSIDE

MEERA SYAL BENTLEY CONTINENTAL 48 hours in AGADIR ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE PARTY WEAR SPECIAL YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS AND A DRINK (OR T WO) IN YOUR HANDS

Celebrate the most stylish night of the week with our mouth-watering menu, delicious drinks and a line-up of live musical talents.

Every Saturday night, 9pm – 12 midnight Ground Floor Bar BOOK NOW +44 121 616 6028 reservations.birmingham@harveynichols.com

The Mailbox 65 Wharfside Street Birmingham B1 1RE

IN THIS ISSUE. Where has 2018 gone? It may be a symptom of getting older or simply that life is just so much busier, but it does seem that this has been one year that has flown by and filled to the brim of good things for Brum! And things are only going to get better for our second city as we look forward to 2019.

Before we sing Auld Lang Syne though, this issue we’re wishing you a colourful Christmas with rainbow bright trees and decorations designed to give your festive antics some added funk! Our ultimate gift guides are full of treats for under the tree with our choice of the perfect present for him, for her and for the little ones too.

If you’re entertaining, we’ve got some super easy canape recipes that are sure to delight your guests including an allimportant vegan option and if you’re looking to eat out, the dluxe team have been out and about sampling the menus at Solihull’s Boston Tea Party and the Hyatt Regency Birmingham’s Aria restaurant.

What’s more you can win dinner there and a day spa too – the perfect way to unwind in the new year – see our dining section starting on page 48.

first panto performance as the Magical Mermaid on page 22.

We’ve got our usual run downs of the seasons key fashion trends too including partywear for him and her, a how to guide for healthy winter hair along with our picks of the latest beauty and grooming products and our choice of the coolest Christmas jumpers in town starting on page 26.

As usual we’ve got the best run down of what’s coming up in the West Midlands in the new year to make sure you don’t miss out on the very best of what the dark nights have to offer and help avoid those January blues.

We’ll see you again in February until then from all of us at Dluxe, have a happy, happy Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year.

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of Panto and the Birmingham Hippodrome have pulled out all the stops for this year’s production of the classic Peter Pan. We’re talk to national and midlands treasure Meera Syal as she prepares for much tail swishing and swash buckling in her

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

EMILY BROWN AND THE THING

Based on the much-loved book by Cressida Cowell (author of How to Train your Dragon) and Neal Layton comes Tall Stories’ highly acclaimed production of Emily Brown and the Thing, the perfect treat for all the family this Christmas at The Patrick Centre, next to the Birmingham Hippodrome from the 17 Dec- 6 Jan. One winter’s evening, Emily Brown and her old grey rabbit Stanley hear a Thing crying outside their window. He just can’t get to sleep. Emily Brown and Stanley set off on incredible adventures to the Dark and Scary Wood, the Whirling Wastes and beyond, to find the Thing’s cuddly, his bedtime milk and his medicine… but nothing seems to help him settle.

What’s really troubling the Thing – and will anyone ever get to sleep? Find out in this magical, musical show.

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Mary Poppins Returns Mary Poppins is back and is sure to capture the hearts of a whole new generation. There’s trouble with the Banks’ children, even if they are all now grown up, so thank heavens for the return of their childhood Nanny, Mary Poppins to get them back on track. And what would a magical nanny be without a chimney sweep sidekick, this time played

by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

MUMFORD & SONS Detective Did you catch them live Pikachu last month? Relive that summer festival feeling with Mumford & Sons fourth album, Delta. First single Guiding Light builds and builds until it explodes to anthemic heights although lead singer Marcus Mumford told Annie Mac to expect a more “tender listen, [that is] introspective and reflective” whilst still marrying with “ecstatic stadium-sized dynamics.”

Where did this come from? Our favourite fluff ball from the land of Pokemon is to star in an all new live action movie and what’s more he’s to be voiced by Ryan Reynolds!

We’re officially hooked after seeing the online trailer and cannot wait for next year’s release!

Gotta catch em all!

TALK TO US MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey York carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF LIPSY

08 AGENDA

Our personal picks of our favourite features, stories and products from around the West Midlands.

22 SPOTLIGHT

We talk to national treasure actress and author Meera Syal as she embarks on a new first for her- panto!

26 FOR HER

It’s time to party! Little black dresses, make up bag essentials, a winter guide to heathy hair and how to shimmer and sparkle this season.

30 FOR HIM

Get naughty in knitwear, how to prep perfectly kissable skin, dress to impress and win personal training sessions.

34 MOTORS

The car that brought back Bentley, the Continental GT is all new and as sportingly sumptuous as ever.

36 LIVING Enjoy a colourful

christmas and dip into our most indulgent guft guide yet for him, for her and for the little ones too.

48 TRAVEL We enjoy a weekend espace in Agadir.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Georgia Wilkinson georgia@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

DLUXE BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL

treats, a bostin breakfast and win a luxury day at the Amara Spa courtesy of Hyatt Regency Birmingham.

LOWER TRINITY STREET, DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM. B9 4AG 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

54 DIARY What’s happening and

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

50 DINING Creative canapes, vegan

what’s happened in and around Brum this Winter.

62 BUSINESS The latest thinking

info@fu-media.co.uk

66 HOROSCOPES National treasure, sensational star gazer Russell Grant on what the future holds for us all.

dluxe.magazine

and topic led business advice from some of the city’s top business brains.

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2018

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From my family to yours.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.

One Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2BJ loveyourpostcode.com 0800 862 0870 R

TM

Property

AGENDA.

NEW DRAMA MEETS CLASSIC

LITERATURE Classic novels by Angela Carter and Malorie Blackman will be brought to life on stage at the Belgrade Theatre next season, along with the world premiere of an original drama produced at home in the Midlands.

The Belgrade’s Spring 2019 season kicks off with Under the Umbrella, a powerful new play following the story of Wei, a 27-year-old Chinese woman studying abroad in the UK. Torn between the vastly differing expectations of her family and her university friends, Wei travels between Coventry and Guangzhou in a sweeping and ambitious narrative by playwright Amy Ng (Acceptance, Shangri-La). Presented by the Belgrade Theatre in association with Yellow Earth and Tamasha, Under the Umbrella is directed by Belgrade Associate Director Justine Themen, and makes its world premiere in Coventry 2-16 March.

Then from 26-30 March, Malorie Blackman’s much-loved YA novel Noughts and Crosses is reimagined in a brand new adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz. Set in a volatile, segregated world, Noughts and Crosses tells the story of star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum, whose lives are torn apart by the divisions in their society. This hotly anticipated show is co-produced by the Belgrade Theatre as part of a new consortium, established to create plays for younger audiences.

Finally, from 2-6 April, Angela Carter’s wild and wonderful Wise Children is vividly realised in an enchanting new adaptation led by Emma Rice, former artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe. Marking the debut production of her new company of the same name, Wise Children sets out a joyous and magical vision for the future of this groundbreaking director, revelling in the thrill of live performance. Join twin chorus girls Nora and Dora Chance on a theatrical adventure packed with music, dancing, startling revelations and a whole cast of colourful characters.

Tickets to all of these shows and more are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or visiting www. belgrade.co.uk where prices are even cheaper. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

AFTERNOON indulgence AT Hotel du Vin accompanied by delicate, charming treats of sandwiches, savouries, cakes and scones, all created and presented to excite the taste buds and gladden the eye. Afternoon tea at Hotel du Vin begins with a selection of mini savouries carefully prepared by our renowned pastry chefs. Their chefs love a twist on traditional favourites so you can enjoy treats including Severn & Wye smoked salmon and cream cheese on dark rye bread, egg and cress mayonnaise brioche sub, ham with Gruyère croissant, heritage tomato and tapenade galette, goat’s cheese and spinach quiche, followed by their selection of cream tea.

The Duchess loved a crumbly scone oozing with jam and cream, as we do. The cream tea took off in the West Country where the jam was always strawberry and the cream always clotted. Cream then jam or jam then cream? (The difference between a Cornish and Devonshire Cream Tea). Whichever the case, you get to layer it how you like it.

It is said that the ceremony of taking tea began once upon a time during the early nineteenth century, when it was more usual to consume only breakfast and an evening meal each day. However the 7th Duchess of Bedford experienced some feelings of weariness during the mid-afternoon and so would partake of a light snack and a pot of tea. She began

inviting friends to join her and usually held in the drawing room, it became a very fashionable and sociable affair. This was the perfect solution to the mid-afternoon slump, and so the trend caught on and is with us to this day.

Hotel Du Vin welcome you to join them in this ritual celebration of tea and its theatre,

To top off your afternoon tea you’ll find a few sweet mini treats all topped off with homemade candy floss, infused with sweet fruit flavours and a choice of teas from Bird & Blend.

Afternoon tea is served every day, from 12pm to 6pm. The perfect time to indulge.

To book your table call 0121 794 3005 or visit hotelduvin.com.

140th Anniversary MARKED with Time Capsule Hallfield School in Edgbaston today launched a year of special anniversary celebrations by planting a time capsule on the school grounds.

The capsule, which will be opened by future pupils on the School’s 150th anniversary in 2029, contains artefacts that will give future pupils a snapshot of life at Hallfield School in 2018. This includes photographs and articles of school events in 2018, a school newsletter, items of school uniform, a school teddy, art work, a chess trophy, children’s letters to future pupils and today’s Birmingham Post and First News. The Head Master even took time out to write a letter to future staff and pupils of 2029 for the capsule.

After filling the time capsule up, the School’s Head Master, Mr Morrow, said a few words before burying the capsule in the ground. Speaking of the event, he said: “We wanted to start a year of celebrations with an event that would capture the imagination of our pupils.

They had obviously put a lot of thought 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

and effort into the contents of the time capsule and it will be fascinating to see how life compares in 10 years’ time.”

Hallfield School will be celebrating their 140th anniversary throughout the academic year with a series of exciting

events for pupils, parents, alumni and the local community.

For more information visit www. hallfieldschool.co.uk/hallfields-140thanniversary

AGENDA.

GOING FOR GOLD 1

PINT SHOP BENNETT’S HILL

All that glitters is most certainly gold when it comes to our festive food and drink edit f rom HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM. From showstopping spirits that’ll shine at parties, to crowdpleasing nibbles that’ll wow the foodies among us, these are the products that have the Midas touch this Christmas 2

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Inspired by the “Beer Houses” of the 1830’s Pint shop opened its doors in Birmingham last month bringing with it an impressive selection of craft beers and freshly prepared food.

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Situated on Bennett’s Hill, the listed building is as impressive as their beer selection with the downstairs serving bar food moving up to a dining room upstairs.

Sourcing produce from the local region their menu offers diners a real treat from Head Chef, Mark Walsh.

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Starters include an Onion Bhaji Scotch Egg with Mango Chutney (that is already proving to be a top seller), Octopus Carpaccio, Confit Shallots, Lime and Crispy Seaweed and Roasted Roots & Beets, Linseed Cracker and Fresh Cheese were all particular favourites at a recent tasting session.

For mains we loved the Overnight Pork Belly, Crackling, Roasted Cauliflower and Piquant Sauce and the Pint Shop Dirty Burger with Bacon Jam, Burger Sauce and Smoked Cheese, was as dirty as it sounds. Moving on to the Coal-Baked Flatbreads we absolutely loved the Tandoori masala Chicken with Toasted Almonds, just the right hint of spice and the almonds add great texture and taste.

The menu has plenty of choice on sides and desserts and some very tasty vegetarian options too, we recommend the Grilled Aubergine, Chickpea Tagine with Dhakka and Chermoula.

If you are looking to book something for the festive season, they have a great menu on offer. No pre-ordering is needed, just book your table, turn up and make your selection there and then! For more on their Christmas and New Year menus visit them at www.pintshop.com.

Pint Shop, 38 Bennetts Hill Birmingham, B2 5SN T: 0121 236 9039 E: Brum@Pintshop.co.uk 12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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Products are available from the Wine Shop and Foodmarket at Harvey Nichols Birmingham or online at www.harveynichols.com.

1: Au Vodka Premium Vodka, £39.95. 2: Saint Aymes Klimt 23ct Gold Salted Caramel and Hazelnut Bar, £9.50. 3: Bertrand Senencourt Brut NV Champagne, £150. 4: Royal Dragon Superior Vodka, £68. 5: Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV Champagne - Gold Limited Edition, £50. 6: SoSo Premium Sea Salt & Smoked Pepper, £9.95. 7: Harvey Nichols Petticoat Tails Handmade Butter Shortbread Biscuits, £7.95.

8: Savor & Sense Très Or Olive Oil With Truffle, £12.95. 9: Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne 2008, £215. 10: Charbonnel et Walker Whisky Truffles, £14.50.

OPEN LATE DUE TO CHRISTMAS MAGIC See bullring.co.uk for more details

AGENDA.

GULPABLE GIFTING

FIRST JEWELLER IN RESIDENCE AT MUSEUM of the Jewellery Quarter Birmingham City University School of Jewellery graduate, Fiona Harris, has been announced as the first Jeweller in Residence at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter as part of a project that aims to support emerging jewellery designers.

As part of the prize, Fiona has the unique opportunity to work from the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter’s perfectly preserved jewellery workshop for the next year and will have her bespoke handcrafted jewellery sold in the museum’s shop.

The initiative by Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, in partnership with Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery, aims to offer opportunities to up-and-coming jewellery designers and asked entrants to design a two-piece jewellery range inspired by the historic Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm at the museum.

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is built around the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing factory. In 1981, when the proprietors of the firm retired, they simply ceased trading and locked the door. Today, this factory is a museum, which tells the unique story of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s renowned jewellery and metalworking heritage.

14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Fiona, who has a strong belief that jewellery shouldn’t be saved for a special occasion but loved, cherished and worn every day, shone through to win the competition with her creative ideas for a pendant necklace and earrings inspired by one of Smith & Pepper’s most iconic designs and the snake-like features in the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter logo.

Alex Nicholson-Evans Commercial Director from Birmingham Museums Trust said: “It has been fantastic to partner with the School of Jewellery on this project. At the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter we celebrate the heritage of the area, but it is also important to support the next generation of jewellery designers too.

“Fiona’s designs stood out as she had carefully considered the history of the Jewellery Quarter to inspire her modern take on the brief. The designs are very wearable and we are looking forward to welcoming Fiona to the museum and to begin selling the stunning pieces.”

The winning designs are available to buy at the Museum’s shop and online at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk just in time for Christmas.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas is just around the corner and the city is ready to stock-up on stocking fillers. But before you brace yourself for queues at the Bullring escalators, battle your way through the German Market and begin the quest for the perfect present, the perfectly gulpable gift might be a Birmingham Wine Weekend wristband, now on sale and sure to have any wine lover weak at the knees!

The three-day festival gives wristband wearers the opportunity to try taster glasses of premium wines for just £4, from the city’s most loved restaurants and bars.

This year wine cocktails and food-pairings will also be on offer, so whether you’re shopping for someone in the know or a total wine-novice, this is one gift that’s sure not to go onto the regifting pile!

Participants will begin their journey at Hotel Du Vin by picking up their wristbands, a copy of the BWW2019 guide-book, and one of HdV’s chosen vins to get them started. From here, some of Brum’s best wine-lists await, as wristbandwearers will have the chance to explore venues, old and new, in search for the finest serve.

As if it couldn’t get better, the BWW2019 wristband offers a selection of handpicked events exclusively for wearers.

Following on from their popularity last year, the events range from tempting tastings through to delicious dinners.

There will also be live entertainment, last year’s festival featured everything from vibrant dance performances through to soothing acoustic sets, tastefully tailored to the venues taking part in the festival.

Wristbands are on sale now at www.birminghamwineweekend.co.uk.

SPECIAL FEATURE.

Have yourself a very dluxe Christmas at Selfridges BIRMINGHAM

If Christmas sparkle means splashing out on luxurious gifts for family and friends, then Selfridges Birmingham is the onestop destination for extraordinary gifts.

From decadent diamonds and exquisite timepieces to sumptuous hampers and exclusive pieces that can’t be found anywhere else, the well-heeled and generous spenders can go to town this festive season on their loved ones.

FOR WOMEN This stunning Antifer 18ct pink gold and diamond ring from Rossi is a modern masterpiece, with eight bands stacked together, each pointing in a slightly different direction. At £13,500, it’s a stunning piece of jewellery that any discerning woman would love.

This special edition Chopard Happy Sport watch (£8,850) - which celebrates its 25th anniversary - is a Selfridges exclusive. The stainless steel case has a contrasting 18ct rose-gold bezel, while mobile diamonds and sapphires float around the blue mother-of-pearl dial. It is finished with a glossy alligator leather strap.

Keep all those credit cards and loyalty cards safe, in one place, with this Stella McCartney Fallabella faux-suede card holder (£255) with signature chain detailing.

It has three pockets, branded lining and logo charm. Who wouldn’t love a designer bag this Christmas? This gorgeous glitter Harlow satchel by Mulberry (£1,195) adds sparkle to any outfit, while we also love this Jimmy Choo Finley patent leather cross-body bag with sparkling stars - an exclusive for Selfridges (£795).

Available in pink, gold or black, this spacious bag also features a silver-toned embossed coin charm, star charm.

FOR MEN Know a sharp dressed man? He’ll thank you for splashing out on this Tom Ford shearling jacket (£5,690).

Warm enough for winter, it is trimmed with a classic collar and will look amazing teamed with fine knit turtlenecks.

Add this gorgeous Mulberry scarf (£135), woven from pure lambswool, in camel, navy or light grey.

Is it time for a new watch?

Vacheron Constantin's 18ct rose gold watch (£22,600) is a classic design, with sub-dial and date feature.

It’s finished with scratchresistant sapphire and a crocodile-embossed leather strap. This Dark Lord eau de parfum by Kilian (£285) is exclusive to Selfridges and comes in a gorgeous box. It has notes of leather, vetiver, jasmine, rum, bergamot, and pepper, creating a unmistakable fragrance. Another exclusive is Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Oud Special Edition 180ml (£259), with notes of orange, bergamot, amyris and Russian coriander, plus hints of agarwood oil, cedar wood, patchouli, leather and sandal musk.

FOR CHILDREN Smartway’s officially licensed Range Rover Sport ride-on electric car (£550) has working lights, a horn at the steering wheel and MP3 player, and can be driven using the pedal and wheel.

Why should mum and dad have the best accessories?

This Monster faux-shearling and vintage check satchel

by Burberry (£450) doubles up as a rucksack and has adjustable shoulder straps, while the classic Burberry check print backpack (£380) has plenty of room for books.

FOR FOODIES Who wouldn’t love a hamper?

They’re packed with indulgent goodies - old favourites and new treats to try. The decadent Selfridges Selection hamper (£5,000) comes in two filled baskets, each with dozens of mouthwatering goodies, including caviar, truffle oil, Dom Perignon vintage Champagne, chocolates, cheese, Champagne bucket and Tank glass decanter.

Selfridges is the exclusive destination for personalised Veuve Clicquot Champagne gifts (£56.99). Bearing the famous ‘Clicquot Yellow’ label, it comes in a signature arrow gift tin, which can be personalised with the recipient’s hometown, a special city or a name. And for the chocoholics in your life, the Extraordinary GODIVA Carrés box (£250) is a must - containing 128 if the finest hazelnut pralines coated in creamy milk chocolate, legendary carrés and bitter ganache. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 15

AGENDA.

Canine

Countdown

inspirational women CELEBRATEd A new book celebrating 30 inspirational Birmingham women has been brought to life by a stunning collection of portraits created by an all-female team of illustrators.

Once Upon A Time In Birmingham: Women Who Dared To Dream is published as part of Birmingham City Council’s campaign to mark the centenary of women’s right to vote. Aimed at pupils aged 11 to 16, the hardback book recounts the compelling stories of female pioneers from all walks of life and is designed to inspire the next generation of children and young people to fulfil their ambitions.

The story of each of the women who “dared to dream” is accompanied by a specially commissioned portrait, created by a team of seven female artists with strong links to Birmingham, either through work, education or living in the city. The illustrators have taken distinct approaches to their subjects and they include a quartet of visual communications graduates from Birmingham City University (BCU).

The team behind Once Upon A Time In Birmingham… are keen for the book to stand apart from traditional local history publications with an engaging, storybook approach, including a vibrant package of artwork to make the personalities and their achievements leap from the page. Women featured within the book include the world’s first female computer programmer Mary Lee Berners-Lee, women’s rights activist Jessie Eden, girls’ education and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and the Birmingham-based structural engineer who contributed to the rebuild of the World Trade Centre post-9/11, Asha Devi.

Once Upon A Time In Birmingham…is available from book shops across Birmingham.

Any devoted dog parent has probably already thought about what presents will be waiting under the tree for their furry-friend, but thanks to, Lily’s Kitchen, the dluxe office dogs are joining other pampered pups in the festivities even more with this advent calendar.

Priced at £10, each door opens to reveal one of three yummy treats including ‘rise and shine’, ‘training treats’ and ‘bedtime biscuits.

Available at www.lilyskitchen.co.uk Wooflerly!

TAKE A STYLISH RETRO coffee BREAK WITH SMEG With its stylish curved edges and space-age design, Smeg’s DCF01 drip filter coffee machine is the perfect addition to the luxury Italian brand’s iconic range of 50’s retro style appliances.

The DCF01 boasts the same popular, iconic design as Smeg’s existing small appliance range, ensuring you can mix-andmatch models for a colourful chic kitchen set-up.

Available in six colour options to complement every kitchen, Smeg’s new coffee machine offers a user-friendly control panel with options for auto-start and multiple cup options.

There’s a ten-cup glass carafe and a 1.2 litre water tank – so regardless of how much coffee you need to get going in the morning, Smeg has you covered.

The Smeg DCF01 Drip Coffee Machine is £179.95. www.smeguk.com 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

MEat. Bread. Beer. @pintshopbrum 38 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5SN 0121 236 9039

E AT . L OV E . S TAY DINNER, BED AND BREAKFAST AND AN OVERNIGHT STAY

At Hotel du Vin Birmingham Get away and enjoy a night of indulgence. Dine on three delicious courses at dinner. Stay in an extra-comfy room for the night with pillows as soft as clouds.

And wake up refreshed the following morning and enjoy a full breakfast - with eggs just as you like them.

FROM £140 PER COUPLE

To book today call 0121 7943 005 or visit HOTELDUVIN.com HOTEL DU VIN& BISTRO BIRMINGHAM Terms and conditions apply, full prepayment required at time of booking.

AGENDA.

VENUES CONFIRMED FOR 2022 Commonwealth Games Alexander Stadium, located close to the Commonwealth Games Village; Arena Birmingham will host Gymnastics; whilst the NEC campus will host six sports– Badminton, Boxing, Judo, Table Tennis, Weightlifting (and Para Powerlifting) and Wrestling. Birmingham University’s facilities will be home to Hockey and Squash; and Aston Villa’s footballground Villa Park will be the stadium for the Rugby Sevens action. A city-centre location for the 3x3 Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball events is still being finalised.

The Sport and Venue Programme for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was confirmed as five Team England medallists joined Birmingham 2022 Chairman John Crabtree and pupils from Mapledene Primary School for a sporting showcase at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre – one of the key venue clusters for the Games, which take place from 27 July to 7 August 2022.

17 thrilling sports will take place over 11 days of action-packed competition, at venues across the host city and throughout the West Midlands and beyond. Over one million tickets will be

available– and go on sale closer to the event. All of the venues are already open – with the exception of the new Aquatics Centre planned to be built in Sandwell – and well-established and experienced hosts of world-class sport. This was a key benefit of the original bid, supporting the Games Partners and Commonwealth Sports Movement’s ambitions to increase the efficiency and affordability of hosting the Games.

12 of the 17 sports take place in existing venues across the host city: Athletics and Para-Athletics will take place at a significantly-upgraded

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP We love the range of Christmas wrapping papers, cards and tags from design partnership Cambridge Imprint.

Made using traditional methods of block printing and handstenciled screen-printing to create designs which are then transferred to paper by modern digital processes to produce beautiful quality papers and cards with a hand-crafted feel.

Inspiration for designs come from the joyful, slightly earnest aesthetic of the nineteenth century Arts and Crafts movement and all products are made in England.

Each sheet of wrapping paper is printed in one or two handmixed inks on uncoated 90 gsm paper to create a high quality matte paper with a hand-printed feel to it. Available in a wide range of original designs. A sheet of paper measures 50 cm x 70 cm and costs £2.50 or ten sheets can be yours for £20. A card costs £2.50. A ball of 45 m of paper ribbon costs £4.00. www.cambridgeimprint.co.uk 18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Venues across the West Midlands will also help maximise and spread the involvement and benefits to regional communities close to Birmingham, with Swimming and Diving at a brand-new Aquatics Facility in Sandwell (6 miles from Birmingham City Centre); Triathlon taking place at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield (6 miles); Mountain Biking at Cannock Chase (16 miles); Netball at the Coventry Arena (17 miles) and Lawn Bowls in Royal Leamington Spa (21 miles). Finally, the velodrome at Lee Valley VeloPark will host Track Cycling on the tenth anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Games (102 miles).

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This was always a regional bid, with many of the regional partners supporting financially.

“It’s therefore particularly pleasing that some of the events and competition will take place around the region, giving us the opportunity to showcase places like Cannock Chase and Leamington Spa to the world and ensure the benefits of what I am confident will be a fantastic event are shared out.”

An independent co-educational day school from 3 months - 11 years

TUESDAY OPEN MORNINGS CALL 0121 454 1496 for more information

MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL

LIGHTs UP BOTANICAL GARDENS Magical Lantern Festival is returning to Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens later this year to light up the ponds, woodland, gardens and pathwaysat the stunning venue. Set to bring another visual spectacular to the city, the illuminating family show will reopen to the public until 1 January.

A celebration of art, heritage and culture, Magical Lantern Festival debuted in the city back in 2016, welcoming 80,000 visitors to the gardens. The display will not only illuminate the gardens but also boast a spectacular display of artistic sculptures featuring both traditional Chinese and festive-themed Christmas designs.

Guests will enter through a giant lantern entrance, before continuing their journey through the mesmerising festival of light and illumination. There will be life size and larger-than-life lanterns in all shapes and forms; from reindeers and Chinese pandas, to a magnificent recreation of a gingerbread house.

Event Director, Naz Kabir from the team behind Magical Lantern Festival, said: “We are so pleased to bring yet another year of the Magical Lantern Festival to Birmingham. Its reception for the past two years has been incredible, as we see families, friends and work colleagues join us and enjoy something that hasn’t been seen before in the city. Of course, this year we are planning to present even more incredible creations, with our mixture of traditional and festive lanterns… it’s one not to be missed!”

Tickets for Magical Lantern Festival are on sale now priced at £12.50 for adults, £8.50 for children and £38 for a family of four. For more information about the festival and to book tickets, visit www.magicallantern.co.uk

Outstanding Academic Results: 82% Pass rate to Select Entry LA Grammar Schools 19 Scholarships to Independent Schools

www.hallfieldschool.co.uk 0121 454 1496 admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk Church Road, Edgbaston Birmingham, B153SJ

AGENDA.

HARVEY NICHOLS LAUNCHES ITS OWN SLICE OF HEAVEN salons and spas now located in Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, Dubai and America.

But despite her success she remains firmly committed to being close to her Midlands home and her flagship spa in Shifnal. She will also be taking regular appointments at her new Harvey Nichols salon, working closely with her hand-picked team. “As a big fan of the Birmingham store I couldn’t be more excited to have launched right in the heart of the city. Our new salon is an oasis of calm where clients can sit and relax after a treatment and look over the store’s bustle down below and totally unwind. Before enjoying some retail therapy of course.”

Deborah Mitchell has long been recognised as the region’s leading skincare brand. With a range of high-tech salon treatments alongside innovative antiageing products, famous fans include Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Simon Cowell.

Now Birmingham beauty lovers will get the chance to experience these much-loved celebrity treatments as Heaven by Deborah Mitchell launches exclusively at Harvey Nichols.. The new salon offers a host of results-driven therapies as well as Deborah’s iconic bee venom products.

ago. Driven by her personal struggle with acne as a teenager she began developing in her own kitchen, working on different formulas and testing them on herself until she got it right. “I got the inspiration to start my own range when I was studying beauty therapy. I didn’t like the way the products we used affected the skin.” She explains.

“We would always leave feeling oily and the skin would be red and irritated. I had acne when I was younger so I started mixing and blending essential oils into various creams and using them on myself and clients. The reaction and results were fantastic and I built the range from there.”

As one of the country’s most in-demand facialists, Deborah created her own organic, natural skincare range more than 25 years

The multi award-winning businesswoman has seen Heaven go from strength to strength globally over the past decade with

Deborah’s extensive range of products for face, body and hair include cleansers, toners, moisturisers, and face and body oils. Suitable for all skin types, they are packed with the best ingredients nature and technology has to offer. “I have designed the products to not only leave clients with a radiant, flawless complexion but also to work as healers, helping with a whole range of skin conditions from blemishes to eczema.”

At the very forefront of Deborah’s skincare is her famous bee venom ABEETOXIN®, an ultra-anti-aging formula that works to strengthen collagen, tissue and elastin.

The new Harvey Nichols salon offers her 60-minute Bee Sting Facial as well as the 90 minute Bee Slim Ritual. Other treatments include Lia Therapy, the first non-surgical spiritual facial to improve skin and wellbeing; a range of LED and laser procedures, and a full massage menu with prices start from £16.

Heaven by Deborah Mitchell at Harvey Nichols is open now. For one-to-one consultations and appointments please call 0121 616 6019.

Deliciously Dark Comedy Sightseers at MAC December at Midlands Arts Centre as part of the nationwide BFI Comedy Genius season.

Where does comedy genius come from? It’s a tough question, one that you might need a whole university thesis to even begin to dissect, but there’s a much simpler answer – the Midlands. Oh sure, Midlanders don’t like to brag, but from Edgbaston to Solihull, Warwickshire to Wolverhampton, the middle of this green and pleasant land has produced a wealth of comedy talent that stretches across both film and television, exposed in all its glory this November and 20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Take Coventry born performer Alice Lowe.

Debuting on screen in cult Channel 4 comedy Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace – a show that’s steadily built a devoted following since its 2004 debut - Lowe has since gone on to cameo in Edgar Wright films, co-write and star in the twisted Ben Wheatley comedy Sightseers, appear in dark BBC comedy Inside No. 9 and direct, write and star in the beautifully weird horror comedy Prevenge.

Seemingly, a childhood spent in Coventry gives you a uniquely twisted outlook on life.

Lowe has never been one to shy away from her Midlands roots. That’s never more apparent than in Sightseers. Set in the Midlands, the 2012 film tells the story of Chris and Tina, two lovebirds whose caravan holiday takes a turn for the obscene when

Chris runs over a man who refuses to pick up his rubbish – an event that soon sends the pair on a killing spree tinged with deliciously dark comedy.

Lowe will be visiting MAC on Sun 16 Dec for a screening of Sightseers and to chat about her extensive comedy career. That’s just one of the highlights of the season, which includes a screening of hit 90s comedy drama Beautiful Thing, Erdington comedian Jo Enright introducing French comedy Amélie and a TED talk style intro from comedian Ian Boldsworth to the 2011 reboot of The Muppets.

So come and join us for a month of laughs sure to split some sides* (*MAC cannot be held responsible for any medical treatment needed as a result of actual split sides.) www.macbirmingham.co.uk/bfi-comedygenius

MIDLAND’S MEERA

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SPOTLIGHT.

W

est Midlands-born comedian, writer and actress Meera Syal needs little introduction. From her television comedy work writing and performing in the iconic BBC comedy Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 pathing the way for today’s mainstream comedy heavyweights Romesh Ranganathan and Nish Kumar. An award-winning author, she’s also a prolific stage actress and recently completed a stint as the evil orphan owner Miss Hannigan in the West End production of Annie.

We caught up with Meera as she prepares to return to the West Midlands and puts on her panto pants for the first time as the Magical Mermaid in the Birmingham Hippodrome’s production of Peter Pan How’s your day going?

Very well! I’m just previewing a Pinter play actually at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End. There’s a big Pinter season going on because it’s the tenth anniversary of his death and so there is a sort of festival of his short plays and sketches. I’m in one of those with Tamsin Greig, Lee Evans and Keith Allen so it’s a nice cast.

Yes it sounds it! Your career seems so varied and deep rooted in the cultural world of the last twenty or so years. From your comedy to your writing, stage acting and screen writing – I’ve heard of actors being a triple threat but you’re lethal!

Oh my God! That’s very kind of you!

You really are multifaceted, aren’t you?

Aww! Well do you know what mate, it’s just about getting a job at the end of the day!

You know I think if you’re a creative, you just want to keep being creative. I think I realised quite early on that if I wanted to do interesting roles, particularly as an Asian woman, I was going to have to write them, create them or help create them, so it forces you to be multifaceted I suppose.

You look at people like Michaela Coel or Phoebe Waller-Bridge or Emma Thompson, French and Saunders even- there’s a load of women that have been doing that over the years. There’s lots of young women coming up that absolutely don’t think that it’s l unusual to write and produce and act.

I recently did a box set binge on the series The Split where you play the character Goldie and one of the things that struck me was that there was no reference made at all to you being an Asian woman. There was none of the usual stereotypical dramatic baggage that TV can heap on. You we’re just a woman and I found that really refreshing.

Absolutely. I think that’s where we all want to head to really. I mean, Goldie wasn’t written for an Asian woman, neither did they change the script at all to reflect that, why should you? It’s just that we’re there,

like we are in real life, just getting on with our lives and we laugh and cry and have dreams and have failures and are complex like anybody else, we don’t necessarily have to be on screen with an issue and I think that’s the thing.

Of course, you know, I’ve also done stuff that is absolutely about being Asian; there’s Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars. In those cases, I was in control of the material and it was still in the end universal, I think, all the stuff we were doing about all the stuff we have in common, not the stuff that makes us different.

Well, she’s basically the Good Fairy but because of course as this is Peter Pan, she’s a mermaid which I’m thrilled about because I’ve always had a thing for mermaids and I get to wear a rather lovely, beautiful, shiny tail which looks good, not great for dancing, very bad for going to the toilet but I’m sure we’ll work that out.

Exactly. So, back to the West Midlands for Christmas then?

She basically helps Peter out of a few fixes with his arch enemy Captain Hook, played by the inimitable Jimmy Osmond. She’s really good fun, a good egg, although she has got a terrible memory because she’s half fish! She is generally there to sprinkle a bit of magic and help Peter defeat the villain. I won’t spoil it for you, guess what happens at the end, it’s a panto!

Yeah, a Brummy Christmas! I’m really looking forward to it!

Is this the first pantomime you’ve done, or have you done a few?

“Everyone is just a kid at the panto aren’t they? All the joining in and the throwing sweets and the singalongs.”

Do you still have family and friends in the Midlands?

Lots of friends yes. Family are all now down in London because you know, parents getting older and my brother’s in London anyway so we’re all there looking after each other. But yes, lots of friends including my best friend from school who I’ve known since I was eleven. She still lives in Bloxwich and I see her quite often but she’ll be coming so yeah. I’m hoping there will be charabancs of friends coming to see it!

Is there going to be a queue outside the dressing room door? Lots of late-night dinners!

I’m really looking forward to that, it’ll be actually a superb way to catch up with people I haven’t seen properly for a long time, but you know, twelve shows a week, two shows a day, six days a week, I’m going to be taking my vitamins, that’s for sure!

You’re playing the part of the Magical Mermaid.

What can you tell us about her?

No! This is my absolute first and I’ve been asked before, but it was never the right time, or the kids were too little or whatever but Michael Harrison, the Kudos producer has done the Hippodrome pantos for years. He was the producer on Annie, which I did in the West End last year and so I worked for him and know they were a lovely team. And then with it being in the West Midlands it just felt like the right combination really, so yeah, I’m a panto virgin!

Matt Slack is obviously, you know, brilliant and incredibly well loved for his work at the Hippodrome and so is Jimmy so I’m sure they’ll look after me.

The reputation of the Hippodrome pantomime, they put on a good show with some big song and dance numbers. Dancing with that mermaid’s tail will be interesting!

That is going to be very interesting, there is definitely dance numbers and there are some songs, yes! We’ll see how it works out with the tail, I’m sure they’ve thought of something really clever, I don’t what it is, but I’m sure they have.

I’m sure you’ll find a way to wriggle round somehow! Is the singing something that comes quite naturally to you?

I do love singing, I’ve sung for years actually, just not that much on stage. But, many years ago I used to sing a band and I’ve done sort of little fringey musicals. Miss Hannagan in Annie was the first time I actually got to use my singing chops and its joyful, it really is.

What is it about Peter that has made it last so long because it’s quite a sinister tale isn’t it really?

Creeping into bedrooms and taking away young children to fantasy lands?

You’re right actually! Do you know what, I think if you analyse fairy tales too much, it all looks a bit sinister doesn’t it. I think there’s all sorts of mythic things that we’ve all grown up with and the best fairy tales are quite dark, there’s danger in them and kids dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23

SPOTLIGHT. Year. We’ll make sure that, you know, there’s not too long between seeing each other because I’m sure I’ll get a bit homesick.

Once we get the festive period out the way, what’s next for you? What have you got lined up? Are we going to see you more on TV or is there more stage work coming through?

I’m in negotiations for various things so can’t say anything yet. I’m juggling writing at the moment I’m doing the Pinter play in the evenings. I’ve got to do a first draft of something for a production so I’ll be writing in the days. That can stretch you a bit sometimes but it’s worth it because the variety of it keeps it interesting. I like the solitude of writing sometimes, especially when you’ve done a long theatre run, it’s very lovely for it to just be you and the inside of your head and your screen, I quite like that.

How much do you borrow from your life for your books now?

Oh, I think all writers do. We all steal, such terrible magpies! I’m always earwigging on conversations on the tube and on buses.

Also, there’s always a bit of you even when you’re going through the most awful thing, you could be in the middle of grief and there’s still a bit of you that’s standing outside going “No I must remember how this felt when I write a scene about grief”.

You’re always borrowing and picking and especially now we have access to so much of the world through the internet, it’s very easy to dip in and out of a million different stories, so I’m never short of inspiration that’s for sure.

Are there stories out there that you’d love to be telling or you think should be told?

like that. I think kids like being frightened and as long as they know there’s resolution and justice at the end, I think you can get away with it. I mean, I think Peter Pan is one of the great childhood stories; that whole idea of not wanting to grow up, I think we’ve all been there, then realising you have to, sadly.

Do you feel like a grown up?

Most of the time no, I think I’m still somewhere stuck around fourteen in my head, I get a shock when I look in a mirror.

It’s like “who’s the old bird? oh it’s me!”

I think most actors don’t ever get rid of the child-like part themselves but that’s a good thing. I think that’s sort of really what Peter Pan’s about; we all have to grow old but if you can hang on to your inner child that’s actually a good thing.

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And you can let it out at the panto as everyone is just a kid at the panto aren’t they? All the joining in and the throwing sweets and the singalongs. I mean you can just go back to that joy of being a kid again and go with your kids and share that kid time with them. It’s all, yeah, magical is the right word actually- I think that’s the point of panto- it’s joy, that’s what we’re there to do. Pure joy.

Obviously the problem with working at Christmas is very little family time. Will you be rushing back down to London on Christmas Eve matinee and have a big family celebration?

I will, I will. But we’re working all those schedules out now, obviously the fam will come and see me at weekends and they’re all going to be around in various combinations for Christmas and the New

Oh gosh, there are so many. I can think of so many hidden stories, Nora Inayat-Khan for example, was a British heroine of World War II, a spy, I think the first female spy to be executed. She was half Pakistani and was an amazing woman. You dig into history and you come up with the most amazing stuff that still hasn’t seen the light of day. I think we’re just scratching the surface.

I think it’s very good to remind people that all of our histories have been braided for many centuries and that different people have been here for many centuries and different people have contributed to British history for many centuries. So, the way that we teach history in schools needs to be looked at. It opens up a whole world of understanding and possibilities to know that we’re so connected and have been for many, many years.

Meera Syall stars in Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 19 Dec - 27 Jan. Tickets start from £16 and are available at www.birminghamhippodrome. com or by calling the box office on 0844 338 5000

Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 6% transaction charge may apply excluding cash sales in person, postage from £1.50

Birmingham Royal Ballet

Mon 17 Dec - Sun 6 Jan £12.50

Fri 23 Nov Thu 13 Dec From £20

Wed 19 Dec Sun 27 Jan From £16

Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball) Verdi Sandi Toksvig Live!

National Trevor Fri 1 & Sat 2 Feb £27.50

Tue 5 Sat 16 Feb From £21

Wed 6 Mar From £20

Foil, Arms and Hog: Craicling

Mon 11 Sat 23 Mar From £26

Tue 2 Apr Sat 11 May From £31

Pepperland Mark Morris Dance Group

Rosie Kay Dance Company

Tue 26 & Wed 27 Mar From £20

Thu 28 Mar £19

Tue 21 May From £15

Wed 22 Sun 26 May From £16

HER STYLE. 1

ANIMAL INSTINCT Time to change your spots; we’ve always loved Leopard...

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GIVE THE GIFT OF BEAUTY

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Put the oooh in to thank you with these Christmas beauty gift ideas from HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM. Whether it’s makeup miniatures, cult skincare, or high-end fragrances these gift sets are sure to delight all devotees of luxury.

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Espa Recover And Revive Collection, £50: Harnessing the potent power of essential oils in a specialist blend, including warming West Indian bay and clove bud oils as well as gentle lavender oil to soothe and calm.

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Estée Lauder Colour Portfolio, £65: Inspired by the hottest trends, this limited edition Colour Portfolio boasts 30 best-selling Pure Color Envy Eyeshadows, 12 Pure Color Envy Lip Colors and 6 Pure Color Envy Blushes.

Gucci Bloom Nettare di Fiori Eau de Parfum Intense Gift Set, £81: Intensely sensual and feminine, Gucci Bloom Nettare di Fiori blends rose and osmanthus flower together with the notes of the original Gucci Bloom. The set contains a 50ml EDP and a rollerball fragrance.

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11 Marc Jacobs Beauty Anything Go-Gos Gift Set, £18: From the new Holiday Collection, this limited-edition, travel-size gift set features the bestselling volumising mascara and longwear lipstick in a festive cracker.

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1. Outfit By Skiim, 2. Leopard Print Silk Scarf £45. Mint Velvet, 3.

Altuzarra Shadow Print Tote £2105 Selfridges, 4. Boden Aria Shearling Leopard Print Loafer £120 John-Lewis, 5. Abstract Animal Print Dress £169 Whistles, 6. Derss By Preen £199, Debenhams, 7. Faux Fur Animal Print Scarf £69, Hobbs, 8. Gloves £19.50, M&S Collection, 9. J

By Jasper Conran £85, 10.Forever-Unique Green Velvet-Dress £165, Selfridges, 11. Alice And Olivia Kylie Leopard-Print Faux Fur Coat £815 Harvey Nichols, 12. Wrap Dress £36, Next.

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Palette, £42: A limitededition palette of seven all-new hyper-metallic Killawatt Foil highlighters in a range of frost-inspired shades designed to make all skin tones pop.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiance Gift Set, £25.50: Create your perfect radiant look with the iconic Touche Éclat; it helps to disguise dark circles whilst highlighting your best features without shimmer or glitter, giving a natural, luminous finish.

7: GHD Dry And Style Gift Set, £199: The perfect double act for the Christmas party season; featuring the professional Gold® Styler with dual-zone technology and the Air® Hairdryer, plus a protective heat mat.

With these two tools, every look will be styled to perfection.

GIFTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BEAUTY HALL AT HARVEY NICHOLS, THE MAILBOX dluxe-magazine.co.uk 27

HER STYLE.

SHIMMER SHINE & SPARKLE With the party season firmly upon us, what better time is there to reveal your inner glistening goddess with shine, shimmer and bit of sparkle? One of this season’s biggest trends and with a little help from your Fairy Clothes Mother, you’ll look like you’ve just stepped out of a magazine! Release your inner magpie and embrace all that glistens!

Embellishment is always a winter trend as its perfect for this time of the year. The high street is full of it so there’ll be no searching high and low, just make sure you pick out pieces that flatter your individual body shape, personality and of course budget. Remember what it’s all about girls… Accentuating the positives which naturally detract from the negatives…

ANY APPLES OUT THERE?…

So your problem areas are your bust and tummy, however you’ve got legs to die for, so what are we going to do? Show them off of course! The perfect party outfit for you would be a little sequin short dress with a pair of fantastic heels. Make sure though it does have some shape to it as we need to create you a waist wherever possible. This is the only time you can truly light up night-time dressing without feeling like your something out of Dallas! But if the shimmer, shine and sparkle is too much then grab that trusty LBD (Little Black Dress) out your wardrobe.

This will also be the perfect antidote for office to party dressing. Wear to work with a pair of little flat pumps and then change into some fabulous jewel encrusted shoes, throw on a cocktail ring and some beautiful chandelier earrings. Go from work to wow!

PERFECTLY PEAR SHAPED?...

If it’s your legs you like to hide then go for a full length and fabulous frock or why not opt for a beautiful pair of evening trousers? If you are like most of the female population

and are pear shaped, then these are your saviour! Ultra flattering leg-lengthening, bum minimising trousers are a cause for celebration. Think wide leg or flare, high-waisted beautifully tailored trousers with skyscraper heels. Just be warned if you are doing a wide leg trouser then you must balance the volume out on the top and team them with a more fitted top half.

A sequin or jewel encrusted top would be the perfect companion. Bang on trend and you can wear it afterwards to dress up a pair of jeans and a blazer.

HOURGLASS WITH CURVES IN ABUNDANCE?...

A dress really is the ticket to showcase an hourglass figure, make sure it is form fitting and doesn’t just hang, it needs to embrace those curves. If you want to get into the true festive spirit what better than a little red number? For a full on tonal look match your heels to your dress, this will also elongate your figure. If a dress isn’t really your thing then opt for some ladylike tailoring in the form of a pencil skirt. It is a must-have key wardrobe staple that will never date. Ensure it is strict form fitting and super sexy. Team with a beautiful silk blouse tucked in and some fabulous jewels.

STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN WITH NO LUMPS AND BUMPS?...

You will either love or hate your athletic shape. Although you may find dressing hard you can get anyway with virtually anything and always

Outfit By Julian McDonald at Debenhams

look good in the latest looks and trends. With your boyish outline we need to create shape and interest with the use of clothing and accessories. You can get away with the biggest trends of extravagantly opulent over the top baroque, prints, embroidered, laden down with jewels, crystals and stones. You should also try shapes that give you a waist and hips. Don’t be afraid to mix up fabrics and finishes to add texture such as leather, lace or velvet to give it another dimension of depth and interest to your figure.

Mix in sharp tailoring and a bit of swagger for an after-hours wardrobe with an edge. If you feel the need to add even more with the use of jewellery make sure it’s not dainty, as bold gems

are the way to accessorise this luxurious trend. Hair is the one thing that needs to remain sleek and unadorned. Think smooth, glossy and uncomplicated locks.

DO IT WITH ACCESSORIES!

It’s all about Bejewelling. Choose accessories with lashings of gold and coloured stones for maximum impact. Opulent sparkle and sumptuous glitz will always be a winter trend!

WANT TO INVEST IN SOME PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE? Remember we all need help because looking good doesn’t just happen, and it’s the stylish ones that ask for it!

Working as a Buyer and Image Consultant for high street fashion chains as well as high end designers, including Amanda Wakeley, Cleo now runs her own personal styling and shopping service, helping real men and women to take control of their wardrobe.

E: cleolacey@demi-couture.co.uk W: www.demi-couture.co.uk Facebook: Demi Couture Twitter: @cleolacey Instagram: DemiCoutureStylist 28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

THE STATEMENT L B D ITTLE

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Forget the plain and understated classic, for AW18 everyone’s favourite Little Black Dress is brought bang up to date. From lace detailing and sophisticated embellishments to full length zips and chiffon polka dots, fashion’s most iconic staple certainly makes a statement for the festive season.

LISA PIDDINGTON, from Harvey Nichols, reveals the dresses guaranteed to create a wow at any Christmas party.

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HEALTHY WINTER HAIR Winter is on us and it can be almost as damaging for your hair as the summer months.

Protection is key! Damp British cold weather can take its toll on your tresses and there are a few essential things that can be done to combat this tough season.

Your hair and skin can get as dehydrated in the winter as the summer so it’s essential to drink plenty of water and use products that will add moisture to both scalp and hair to replace what the extremes of our climate can throw at us. Scalp care is one of the most overlooked things in your top to toe beauty regime, however it’s where your hair comes from so it really does pay to look after it. The correct balance of nutrients and PH Levels are so important for healthy hair growth and is so easy to achieve, just build it into your routine before bed and within months you will see the transformation to thicker, fuller, more enriched hair.

Think about visiting the salon more regularly to trim the ends of your hair, making sure that split ends are dusted off before given a chance to creep up the hair lengths and put your dreams of long luscious hair further out of reach. Long hair is still a key trend and hair as healthy looking at the ends as the roots is the goal.

This is where moisturising and protecting products come in to their own, and there are plenty of good ones in the Umberto Giannini range for all hair types. The new Grow Long Hair Mask has it all, intense moisturising creams with UG’s unique Coffee-Gro Complex.

As ever protection from heat and humidity is essential and always try to avoid unnecessary heat styling. Think about styling your hair differently the day after a wash rather than wash and style again. Ask your hairdresser to show you some second day styles that you can master and you instantly halve the damage caused by styling.

Using slightly cooler water should be enough to smooth the cuticle out. When you do style, make sure you always include styling products with a heat protective barrier in your regime.

If keeping hair smooth and frizz free is a big issue, a semipermanent blow dry could be the revelation you have been looking for.

Book in for this hour long treatment that seals the hair cuticle with keratin (naturally found in hair which when depleted results in a dry, damaged appearance) and allows you to wash and go with minimal heat styling for up to 3 months. It’s the beauty secret of every perfectly presented power woman!

Umberto Giannini products are available at all Umberto Giannini salons, Boots stores nationwide and online at www.umbertogiannini.com

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Dresses are available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, in store or via Style Concierge, or online at harveynichols. com.

1: Alice + Olivia Adelaide metallic-weave bouclé dress, £340. 2: Free People Kira lace-trimmed stretch-jersey mini dress, £80. 3: Isabel Marant Étoile Oria ruched dress, £415. 4: Self-Portrait lace dress, £310. 5: Zimmerman polka-dot chiffon dress, £495. 6: Three Floor Pitch Black lace mini dress, £330. 7: Versace studded midi dress, £820. 8: Victoria, Victoria Beckham embellished one-shoulder dress, £650. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

HIS STYLE. 1

DRESS IT UP It’s time to stop dusting off that old DJ. Invest instead in something with a little sparkle for the party season.

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PERFECTLY

KISSABLE SKIN A flawless complexion isn’t just ‘for the girls’ ... especially if you’re expecting one of those mistletoe moments! Polish up your act and get the most kissable skin in time for the festive party season with our pick of the best moisturising products from HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM

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7 A true British skincare icon, Elemis Time For Men ProCollagen Marine Cream, £58, combines ground-breaking marine actives with cuttingedge science. It delivers positive, visible results, and is specifically formulated for men’s needs.

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1. Outfits

By Burtons. 2.

Cherub Print Shirt £32, River Island. 3. Cherub Print Trousers £35, River Island. 4. Velvet Suit Jacket £90, Next. 5.

Versus Versace Watch £220 Harvey Nichols. 6. Versace Black Medusa Leather Belt £290 Harvey Nichols.

7. Steel Shirt Armbands £10. John Lewis. 8 .Jaquard Bomber Jacket £279, Ted Baker. 9.Floating Star Emblem Cufflinks £325 Montblanc. 10. Tom Ford Metallic Jacket £2495 Selfridges. 11. Gold Embroidered Blazer £90, River Island. 12. Kin Velvet Dress Jacket Emerald £119, John Lewis. 13. Eton Metallic Pocket Square £45 Selfridges 14. Glitter Party Loafer £40 Next. 15. Patent Oxford-Shoes Metallic-Grey £120 Ted Baker. 16.Paisley Pocket Square £10, Next. 17. Burgundy Floral Blazer £75 Burton.

Long-lasting, highly nourishing and ultraconditioning, Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturiser, £11, is a moisture-rich gel that deeply hydrates and actively heals dry, chapped or cracked lips. The clear, non-sticky finish leaves lips soft, soothed and comforted.

Pucker up boys!

Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Solutions Moisturiser, £36, uses a gentle, timerelease form of glycolic acid for a fresh, youthfullooking complexion.

The advanced deep skinrenewing action increases cell turnover to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

For a lightweight moisturiser that deeply hydrates, ESPA’s Balancing Hydrator, £40, is the ideal addition to your daily routine.

White thyme, sage and Irish moss help clarify, hydrate and regulate oil production while vitamin C-rich lemon tones and protects for a smooth, supple finish.

House 99 Greater Look Face Moisturiser, £22, helps reduce shine and enhance your skin’s natural radiance.

Its multieffect formula also hydrates and protects the skin from pollution.

Simply apply a penny-sized amount morning and night to clean skin.

All the products featured are available from the beauty hall at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, The Mailbox or online at harveynichols.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

HIS STYLE.

TREND EDIT: GET KNITTED!

Time was when the Christmas jumper was little more than a seasonal joke, hastily relegated to the useless present/fashion disaster pile. Now men’s knitwear is fashion’s biggest story for AW18 ... and it’s a trend that will last a lot longer than the mince pies and turkey sandwiches! Comfy knits are the perfect antidote to all the black tie glamour of the party season and are the perfect choice for cosy lunches and afternoon strolls. From Fair Isle and embroidery to chunky intarsia and logo-heavy, here’s our pick of this season’s jumpers from HARVEY NICHOLS.

Alexander McQueen Argyle wool-blend jumper, £850

Givenchy logo-intarsia wool jumper, £505

McQ Alexander McQueen embroidered jumper, £350.

Moncler Genius 1952 logointarsia wool jumper, £350

Kenzo dragon-embroidered wool jumper, £325.

Norse Projects Birnir Fair Isleknit wool jumper, £180

Maison Margiela Fair Isle Argyleknit wool jumper, £455.

Polo Ralph Lauren crest logointarsia wool jumper, £345.

Jumpers featured are available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham or online at harveynichols.com.

WIN A COURSE OF 12 PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS Dynamic new fitness studio, Anarchy45, has just opened in Birmingham city centre following a £1.8 million investment and we’re offering one reader the chance to win a course of 12 personal training sessions at the Temple Street Club.

With its high-profile client list including footballers and TV personalities, along with its rebellious attitude, Anarchy45 is set to put Birmingham on the fitness map and is quickly becoming the place to work out in the city.

Founder and Director, Trey Lawrence with client, former Real Housewife of Cheshire, Leanne Brown 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Anarchy45 offers personal training and a range of classes such as Pilates, Barre, Spin, Rumble, 9 Rounds, Hot Yoga and Tread & Shed. One winner will receive a course of 12 personal training sessions spread over 12 weeks. For more information please call 0121 389 3858 or visit www.anarchy45.co.uk

For your chance to win 12 personal training sessions simply visit www. dluxe-magazine.co.uk and click on competitions. For Terms and Conditions, visit the website.

And those who don’t win can take an advantage of an introductory membership offer of £69 per month for a limited time only by quoting “Prepared30”.

An exclusive collection of 8 contemporary townhouses located in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, currently under construction and ready for completion in early 2019.

These beautiful three storey homes enjoy private gardens and parking.

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MOTORS.

It’s quite the fashion, The Con Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, the new third-generation Bentley Continental GT combines spirited, focused performance with handcrafted luxury and cutting-edge technology.

Credited as the pinnacle of Bentley’s design and engineering achievements, at the heart of the new Continental GT sits an all-new, enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, mated, for the first time, to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission, for faster, more efficient gear changes.

A new, technically advanced, adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s intelligent 48-volt Dynamic Ride System to ensure a responsive ride and exceptional handling and refinement in all road conditions making the car feel effortlessly precise.

The muscular exterior design envelopes 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

four seats and improved luggage capacity for genuine real-world usability.

While the Continental GT retains the classic elegance that made its forebear so popular, the form of the new car is more sculptural and sharply defined and takes much of its inspiration from the critically acclaimed EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car. It’s a bold new vision that is unmistakably Bentley.

The profile is longer and lower, due in part to the positioning of the front wheels 135 mm further forward, which in turn allows the bonnet to be extended and the nose to be lowered. This styling process allows for the to be positioned further back which in turn improves weight distribution, resulting in driver-focused, dynamic performance.

The key signature lines of the original Continental still dominate, with the ‘power line’ travelling from the headlights to the muscular rear haunch where jewel like, cut

glass effect ellipse shaped taillights now reflect the silhouette of the exhaust tail pipes below them.

The jewel like lighting is continued upfront with head lamps featuring sharply defined edges that catch the light like a diamond resulting in the look of an illuminated gem – an effect which is magnified when the optional welcome sequence gradually illuminates the headlights as you approach the car.

The new Continental GT has 21” wheels as standard and a class-leading portfolio of 17 exterior paint colours to choose from – carefully selected to complement the character and lines of the car. In addition, a limited extended range of colours will be offered at launch, as well as the option of full bespoke colour-matching for Bentley customers.

The third side on the Bentley Rotating Display reveals three elegant analogue dials displaying outside temperature, a compass and chronometer- it’s all very James Bond!

Luckily though the 20-way adjustable seats in the new Continental GT do not feature an ejector option but do set new industry standards in comfort and refinement.

Smooth centre panels allow maximum efficiency for the cooling, heating and massage functions, while the bolsters retain the signature Bentley quilting.

ntinental Inside the luxurious cabin is packed with exquisite details and showcases major technology evolutions for the brand including an advanced, fully digital, driver-focused instrument panel and a 12.3” touchscreen housed in a three-sided revolving unit. At first glance there appears to be no screen in the centre of the dashboard; the veneer flows uninterrupted across the dashboard, while a thin chrome bezel behind the steering wheel surrounds a digital instrument display.

When the engine start button is pressed, however, the veneer in the middle of the dashboard glides silently forward and rotates to reveal Bentley’s largest-ever touchscreen, a 12.3” retina-quality digital MMI display, elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen with three windows able to display the driver’s preferred functions, for example, navigation, media and telephone.

A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Continental GT ranging from the standard 10 speakers and 650 Watts, a middle offering Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles and BeoSonic system all the way to a Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes for the true audiophile.

In order to ensure optimal audio enjoyment, laminated acoustic glass is used for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise ingress versus the outgoing model.

Under the bonnet the enhanced 6.0-litre, W12 TSI engine that sets a new benchmark in performance with the unique ‘W’ configuration meaning that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting weight distribution and maximising usable cabin space.

The new powertrain uses the very latest engine management technology, with 300 million software calculations per second.

It produces 635 PS (626 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft.) of torque, and accelerates the new Continental GT to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds), and on to a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph)*.

A dedicated Sport Launch mode delivers maximum acceleration through careful clutch pressure sensing and pre-loading when a race-style start is required by the driver whilst a new dual-mass flywheel replaces the torque converter, to dampen out the oscillations of the driveline and provide a fittingly smooth power delivery for luxury touring.

The dual-clutch eight-speed transmission provides smooth acceleration, and

impressively quick gearshifts, as well as improved combined fuel economy (23.2 mpg versus the previous model’s 19.9 mpg) and a new Active All-Wheel-Drive System replaces the traditional 40:60 power delivery split between front and rear wheels respectively, instead varying the front-to-rear torque split dependent upon the driving situation.

A lack of compromise between handling and ride is ensured by Bentley Dynamic Ride system that controls and adjusts the electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle and so improves handling and ride comfort, making the car feel lighter and more precise.

This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre-to-road contact to deliver class-leading ride comfort and exceptional handling. Different pre set modes can be selected: Comfort, Bentley or Sport mode; the suspension, engine, gearbox and other chassis systems will modify to match the selected drive mode. Alternatively, the driver can personalise his or her own dynamic settings.

The air suspension system offers the scope to vary from sporting spring stiffness to luxury limousine refinement depending upon which mode the driver has selected whilst the Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) improves feedback to the driver, while providing isolation from unwanted road disturbances ensuring the Continental GT remains a true driver’s car.

Pricing for the new Continental GT starts at £156,700. Visit www.bentley.co.uk to build your perfect Bentley; we’ve chosen ours! dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

LIVING.

DEBENHAMS 36 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

NEXT HOME

PAPERCHASE

JOHN LEWIS

MARKS & SPENCER

GEORGE AT ASDA

COLOURFUL CHRISTMAS

This Christmases’ interior schemes have gone colour crazy with Rainbow Brights, Retro Americana and Day of the Dead inspired decorations to adorn your tree.

Whether you’re replacing your old bashed baubles or if you’re wanting to add a little more shine to the star at the top of the tree, it’s time to go for bold and brighten up your home with some colourful holiday cheer!

WILKOS dluxe-magazine.co.uk 37

LIVING: GIFT GUIDE 5

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GIFTS FOR HER 20

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1. Wonder Woman Door Stop, £16,shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk 2. Lictchenstein Whaam! Cushion Cover, £20 from shop.tate.org.uk 3. Chatty Feet Socks £7.95 chattyfeet.com 4.Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous Eau De Parfum 50ml £218 Selfridges 5. Sequin Pom Pom Hat, £12, Next 6. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium, £99.99, aftershokz.co.uk 7. Christmas Flocking (Sheepskin Stocking), £65, Baastool.co.uk 8. Brick Vase Flower, £33.95. Design World LTD 9. Ted Baker HARA Heart Pendant £29 10. Classic Service Bell-£4.95 Rex London. 11. VogueXMusic Coffee Table Book £50 12.

Iris Set of 3 Ring Cones, White Marble £16. MADE 13. Port & Cranberry Truffles £15, Heal’s 14.

Legendary Ladies Book £14.99 15. Kenza Marble Printed Leather Purse £85, LK Bennett.

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28 26 16. All I Want for Christmas cotton jersey sweatshirt £35 Selfridges. 17. Real Flower iPhone case, £19.99, shopflavr.com 18. Unicorn Cup, £4 Flying Tiger 19. Chain drop earrings, £8.50, Next 20. LOccitane Cherry Blossom Bauble £12 Debenhams 21. Olivia Burton Celestial Demi Dial gold-plated watch £105 Harvey Nichols 22. Sonos One Hay Ltd Colour Edition £229 23. Loewe Mouse pink leather coin purse £295 Harvey Nichols 24.

Bullseye Carnival Light, £52.00, shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk 25. Roku Japanese Gin £25, Waitrose. 26. Jingle Berry Scented Candle 27. Pure Evoke DAB CD Radio 28. Marrons Glaces Montemarano Chestnuts £22.50 29.Arbonne Pampermint Sock Gift Set £19.99

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 39

LIVING: GIFT GUIDE

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1. Tommy Jumper £90 Harvey Nichols, 2. Ted Baker ‘M’ Empor, £15, Available From The Perfume Shop At The Fort Shopping Park 3. Playstation Coasters, £10, Debenham 4. Jam Sound Wood Turntable £59.99, Hmv 5.

Buckle-And-Seam Cali Business Brief £229 6. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless Headphones £199, Sevenoaks Sound And Vision 7. Jingle Christmas Jumper, £30, Available From River Island At The Fort Shopping Park 8. Barbour Paisley Handkerchiefs £19.95 English Brands 9. 12-Inch-Black-Record-Cover-Frame-£9.95, Rex

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London 10. Alexander Mcqueen Skull-Print Modal And Silk-Blend Scarf £265 Harvey Nichols 11. Action Camera, £40, Available From Debenhams At The Fort Shopping Park 12. Fifty Beer Games 13. Gentlemans-Back-Scratcher-And-Shoehorn-£4.95 Dotcom Gift Shop 14. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi Tool £56.99 15. Star Wars R2d2 Travel Mug £12 16.Mens Society Damn Handsome Beard Grooming Gift Kit 26.99 Burrows & Hare 17. Vivienne Westwood Vw Orb Silver £49.99 Daniel Footwear 18. Gentleman’s-Chest-Expander-£14.95. Rex London. 19. Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur £30 20. Langley’s England Old Tom Gin. £25 Ocado 21. David Bowie Door Stop £16, Shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk 22. Metal Led Light Up Star, £12, Wilko 23.Moustache Doormat £15.95, Design My World

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 41

LIVING: GIFT GUIDE

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GIFTS FOR kids 11 12

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1. Toy Grabber With Led And Sound, £25 Flying Tiger 2. Sphero Mini- App Enabled Robotic Ball £49.99.3. Roald Dahl Chocolate Library £48 Rococo Chocolates. 4 .Gummy Bear Night Light - £25 - National Theatre Bookshop - Shop.nationaltheare.org.uk 5. Bag Of Riddim 2 Bluetooth Speaker £149.99. Hmv 6. Lumie- Bed Bug Children’s Sleep Aid Night Light £49.99 7. Animal Toy Wooden Blocks - £35 - Tate Shop - Shop.tate.org.uk 8. Tech-Will-Save-Us-Electro-Machines-Kit-34.99 9. Anki-Cozmo-Robot-179.99. 10. Houseoffraser - John Adams Rubik’s 3X3 £16 11. Peacock Led Light, £4 Flying Tiger 12. Pack Of Gold Playing Cards £4.95 Waddingtons. 13. Portable Bluetooth Speaker Jbl Go2, £29.99, Uk.jbl.com 14. Tabletop-10-Pin-Bowling-Game-£6.95 REx London. 15. Multi 3D Unicorn Slippers (Older), £13, Available From Next At The Fort Shopping Park 16. Alarm Clock,£20, Available From Debenhams At The Fort Shopping Park 17. Dickie Toys Action-Series Mountain Rescue £15. 18. Paddington-Bear-Bean-Soft-Toy £9.99 John Lewis 19. Christmas Pudding Ballerina Socks, £4.99, Available From New Look At The Fort Shopping Park.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 43

LIVING.

Caring throughout the cold months you’ll get high quality leaf litter that can be used as soil conditioner in just 12 months or so.

Now that summer greenhouse crops are over, it’s a good idea to give the greenhouse a thorough clean because this will prevent pests from hibernating and rearing their ugly heads next spring. It’s important to hose down the glass really well to allow for maximum light to be let in throughout the winter months.

Once you’ve given the greenhouse a good scrub, line the greenhouse with bubble wrap (available at DIY shops on a large roll) to conserve solar heat during the winter and to reduce heating bills if heated. Put any tender plants you have in there before the frosts hit.

You can reduce watering and keep any plants that lose their stems to the ground, such as dahlias, dry until April.

In addition to the above, remember that any plants that are outside may need to be brought in at a moment’s notice due to sudden drops in temperature at this time of year. Not doing this could result in damage to your plants.

You can also carry out some work now on hedges and borders - this will pay dividends next spring, so trim hedges and tidy borders so they are neat. Remember to cut back any herbaceous perennials and burn any diseased material (don’t add it to your compost heaps).

Moreover, summer displays should have been replanted with winter bedding. Autumn brought the ideal planting conditions, as the soil is damp and still warm. If you have space for new trees and shrubs, plant them now, and put in bulbs ready for a spring display.

Although you can reduce watering, it’s wise to keep an eye on pots and containers and check for wilting, because plants with leaves should not be allowed to dry out completely.

If you’re looking for other jobs to keep your busy over the coming weekends, why not:

Birmingham Botanical Gardens has been aglow with the rich autumn colours of orange, yellow and red as the leaves still fall from the trees.

Although the sight of fallen leaves on the ground is beautiful to behold, it’s important that they are removed from borders and lawns on a regular basis to prevent the spread 44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

of overwintering pests. In addition to this, falling leaves that get caught in ponds can cause problems for the wildlife in there and looks unsightly. We would recommend placing netting over your pond to catch stray leaves.

Don’t waste the leaves though, if you collect them and place them in a compost container,

•

Cut back perennials that have died down

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Divide herbaceous perennials

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Prune climbing roses

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Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year

To find out more and for more tips, follow Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Twitter @ BhamBotanicalGd or visit www. birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

WINTER B R EAKS

AT THE BE LF RY ESCAPE TO A LUXURY RESORT WHERE UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES ARE MADE FROM £79 PER PERSON

01675 238 600 | www.TheBelfry.com ENGLAND’S LEADING RESORT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2018

Magical Lantern Festival Birmingham 2018

23rd Nov 2018 - 1st Jan 2019 For 20% discount use code NEWS20

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR

Book tickets on www.magicallanterns.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 45

TRAVEL.

48 hours in Ag

Agadir, a new destination available from Birmingham Airport, is a beautiful city resort on the southern coast of Morocco, with temperatures averaging around 24 degrees. This destination not only offers warm sunny days but also boasts a busy port and stunning beach resorts sprawling beneath its Kasbah. Having been rebuilt after a major earthquake in the 1960s, Agadir is a modern resort with contemporary architecture and colourful and vibrant Moroccan street life. Offering boutique shops, an array of restaurants offering both authentic and modern cuisines, and scenic golf courses, it is perfect for those seeking a mix of sun and culture.

AGADIR BEACH… SURFS UP! Agadir is well known for its six-mile crescent shaped beach where you can hit the waves at Devil’s Rock, Imsouane Bay or Anchor Point. Why not book a lesson at one of the many schools and camps to get you started? Devil’s Rock is best suited to 46dluxe-magazine.co.uk

intermediate-level surfers whilst Anchor Point is more of a challenge and should only be frequented by experienced surfers. If you’re not into water sports then take advantage of the warm climate, soak up the sun and relax on one of Agadir’s beautiful beach resorts.

HISTORY KASBAH Immerse yourself in true Agadir culture and visit the Kasbah, built in 1540.

Referred to by locals as Agadir Oufella, it was once home to over 300 people.

All that remains now of the old Kasbah are the fortified walls. However, the trip up the hill to this historic site is worth it for the view alone. Take in views of the city, its mosques, the crescent bay and the mountains. Engraved into the hill in Arabic are the words God, King and Country. If you are interested in history, you can easily find a professional guide here to take you on a tour and explain the significance of these three words to the Moroccan people.

SHOPPING SOUK AL-HAD If you’re ready to barter, visit Agadir’s walled souk to pick up some traditional Moroccan souvenirs including spices, soaps, jewellery and textiles. You’ll be sure

SPECIAL FEATURE

adir

CULTURE & ARCHITECTURE Start your day at the Mohammed V mosque. Although closed to non-Muslims, the exterior of the building alone is worth a look with its striking appearance.

From here, make your way to La Médina d’Agadir, an interesting reconstruction of a typical Moroccan Berber village.

Constructed using traditional building techniques and local materials, stroll the alleys and browse the small boutiques, amongst the bustling and colourful market.

Grab lunch on the move from one of the fish stalls beside the port.

It is a great place to stop for some freshly caught sea food, cooked in front of you as you wait and served with warm, freshly baked bread. In the afternoon, pop by the Valley of the Birds, a small park home to aviaries housing a variety of exotic birds and then head down to the beautiful marina, located south of the main port. Built in 2008, it is made up of fresh produce markets and is perfect for a stroll in the afternoon sun.

The city is compact so is easy to get around on foot. That said, there are ‘petit taxis’ in abundance at very cheap rates if you do fancy giving your feet a rest after a day of walking around the sites.

GOLF

to find locals stocking up on fresh produce from the souk including the ripest tomatoes and freshest of herbs. If you take a taxi to the Souk al-Had you should ask for it by name, since some taxi drivers take you to their own personal souk.

Agadir boasts three different golf clubs, so for those keen golfers it is definitely worth paying a visit to at least one of the popular clubs. The Agadir Royal Golf Club, with 9 holes is the oldest one, founded in 1951, while the other two, Les Duned Golf Club and Le Soleil Golf Club, opened in the 1990’s. The climate in Agadir is perfect for golfing year-round.

GETTING THERE Get there with Air Arabia… flying twice a week to Agadir, in Southern Morocco.

Just 4 hours away from shopping in the Souk, teeing off on scenic golf courses, relaxing on the crescent beach or embarking on a desert adventure with a caravan of camels, you will not be short of things to do and places to see! Fly from Birmingham Airport from just £37 one way including taxes. Book now at www.airarabia.com.

TRAVEL NEWS. AIR ARABIA MAROC CELEBRATES FIRST EVER DIRECT SERVICE FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

SSP’s Bottega Prosecco Bar at Birmingham wins Airport Bar of the Year award at Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2018 SSP’s Bottega Prosecco Bar at Birmingham Airport wins Airport Bar of the Year award at Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2018.

Bottega Prosecco Bar, which launched at Birmingham Airport in March, saw food and beverage operator SSP Group PLC partner with premium Italian drinks

brand Bottega to bring the atmosphere and ambience of a Venetian Bacaro bar to international travellers. The bar offers a broad selection of fine wine and food that can be enjoyed all day in a relaxed environment, and includes a breakfast menu, specialities and popular dishes with an Italian twist.

Air Arabia Maroc operated its first direct service from Birmingham Airport to the Moroccan city of Agadir back in October. To celebrate, there was an inaugural ceremony, held at the airport with multiple VIPs in attendance. The Air Arabia Maroc service is scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving into Birmingham at 19:50 on Tuesday and 11.20 on Friday, departing for Agadir at 20:40 on Tuesday and 21:10 on Friday.

Agadir is a major touristic city in Morocco known for its pleasant climate and a 10-kilometer long seafront offering visitors an unforgettable experience.

FLYBE CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BIRMINGHAM TO HAMBURG ROUTE

Award Winning Hotel Opens at Birmingham Airport guestrooms, along with the Odyssey Bar & Bistro – a restaurant which brings a modern English adaptation to the traditionally known bistro. In addition, the hotel offers amenities and services including; complimentary WiFi, a 24-hour business centre, two meeting rooms over 800 square feet and a fitness room.

Birmingham Airport has just welcomed Hilton Garden Inn as an additional hotel to its existing selection of four onsite hotels. Providing customers with convenience and ease of travel, Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Airport is located approximately 100 metres away from the airport passenger terminal. Rooms start in the region of £89 with the hotel boasting 178 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Passengers and holiday seekers looking for a short or long stay accommodation have a range of hotels to choose from. Seven hotels are available, all within proximity to Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), and Resorts Worldproviding visitors with a range of restaurants, bars and shopping options. The city centre is also a short 10-minute train journey away for those wanting to explore what the area has to offer further.

Birmingham Airport joined Flybe in celebrating the oneyear anniversary of the popular year-round service between Birmingham and Hamburg. The route increased its frequency from four to six flights a week remaining the only direct service connecting the two cities from Birmingham Airport.

NEW FLIGHT UPDATE SERVICE FOR DEPARTING PASSENGERS VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER LAUNCHES. Birmingham Airport has further improved its customer service for passengers by adding Flight Smart to Facebook messenger.

Due to the success of Flight Smart, the flight up-date service via twitter which was launched back in Summer 2017, Birmingham Airport has invested in extending this service to the Facebook platform and passengers can now use Facebook messenger to access flight updates too.

Passengers can send their flight number to the Flight Smart messenger page and instantly receive live flight updates direct to their mobile & tablet devices.

Facebook messenger also allows access to more rich content, so passengers can access maps and directions, information about restaurants and bars on site and contact details, enabling passengers to plan ahead of their trip.

EMIRATES CELEBRATES ITS 1 MILLIONTH A380 PASSENGER FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT.

(Milestone reached following launch of iconic Airbus A380 daily service in March 2016) Emirates has recently celebrated its one millionth A380 passenger at Birmingham Airport. The milestone has been achieved just over two years after the inaugural flight of the iconic Airbus A380 in March 2016, and less than a year since the second daily A380 service launched in October 2017.

From Birmingham, passengers connecting through Dubai have travelled around the world with Emirates. Popular destinations on Emirates’ ever-expanding global network include Dubai, Bali, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Delhi and Sydney.

DINING.

PERFECT PARTY CANAPES ‘Tis the season and all that so if, like us, you’re planning a seasonal soiree or two these bitesize treats should go down a treat!

VEGAN MINI SHALLOT BHAJIS WITH MINTED YOGURT Makes: about 16 mini bhajis FOR THE BHAJIS: 400g shallots, thinly sliced 1 tsp salt 175g gram flour (chickpea flour) 1 long red chilli, finely sliced 1 tbsp nigella (black onion seeds) 1/2 tsp turmeric about 200ml cold water vegetable oil, for deep frying FOR THE MINTED YOGHURT: 200g coconut yoghurt or dairy-free yoghurt 4 sprigs mint, leaves picked and chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed salt and freshly ground black pepper

CRANBERRY TURKEY BURGER WITH CRANBERRY AND PECAN SAUCE Makes: 4 large burgers or 10 canapé size burgers FOR THE BURGERS 500g turkey mince 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 75g fresh cranberries, roughly chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 100g rolled oats 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped oil

FOR THE CRANBERRY AND PECAN SAUCE 250g fresh cranberries 100ml maple syrup juice and grated zest of 1 orange 25g pecans TO SERVE 4 large baps or 10 mini rolls mayonnaise lettuce

METHOD: Place all the ingredients for the burgers into a large bowl, mix together and press into either 4 large patties or 10 small ones. Place on a tray and refrigerate for at least half an hour.

Place the cranberries, maple syrup and orange juice and zest into a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until softened and syrupy, then add the pecans.

Cook the burgers either in a griddle or frying pan in a little oil, over a medium heat for approximately 10-12 minutes on each side for the large ones and 5-7 minutes for the small ones.

Make sure to check they are cooked through and piping hot.

Serve in warm baps or mini rolls spread with mayonnaise, topped with a little lettuce and a good spoonful of the cranberry and pecan sauce.

Cooks Tip: To make a version from left-over turkey simply chop or mince left over dark and white cooked turkey meat, add some breadcrumbs and a beaten egg or a little mayonnaise to bind, form into patties and fry until golden and piping hot. Serve as above with the cranberry and pecan sauce.

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METHOD: Add the shallots to a mixing bowl and sprinkle over the salt, stirring well to mix. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the salt to slightly soften the shallots.

Mix up the dip by adding the yogurt, mint, garlic and salt and pepper to a small bowl, stirring well to mix. Set aside.

Add the flour, chilli, nigella seeds and turmeric to the shallots, stirring well to combine. Stir through just enough water to bring the mixture together so a thick batter forms around the shallots, about 200ml. Set aside to rest whilst you heat up the oil.

Set your deep fat fryer for 180°C or pour enough vegetable oil into a large deep saucepan so that it forms a 4-5cm layer. Turn on the heat and bring the oil up to 180°C, using a meat or jam thermometer to measure the temperature.

When the oil is hot enough, use a heaped teaspoon to scoop up the bhaji mix, then use another teaspoon to slide the mixture directly into the oil, working with care so the oil doesn’t splash. Repeat until you have added about 4-6 bhajis and fry for about 3-4 minutes until crisp and golden, carefully flipping over with a palate knife halfway through cooking.

Scoop out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper whilst you repeat with the rest of the mixture.

As soon as all the bhajis are cooked, serve with the bowl of minted yogurt.

REVIEWED: BostIN BREAKFAST AT BOSTON

We warn you now: this review of Boston Tea Party may be one of the most boring reviews you’ve ever read. Why? They’re just so darn good. So, let us apologise now as we digest, cogitate and generally tell you about our love-affair with BTP Solihull.

As soon as you walk through the doors of BTP Solihull you feel at home. It’s that 5 second rule that can make you buy a house.

Or, on this occasion, a coffee. A converted old coach house, BTP Solihull has plenty of original features to draw you in and there was a welcoming smile at the counter as soon as we arrived.

My first cup of the black-stuff (which was voted best in the suburb on TripAdvisor) was just what I needed to kickstart my Wednesday morning meeting – which we’d decided to take over brunch for a change. This caffeine hit was smooth, hot and satisfying - in a way that no boyfriend has ever been - and helped perk me up and power me into the day ahead.

I remember going into my first Boston Tea Party in the early 2000s at their Exeter store, and being blown away by the freshness of ingredients and indy approach to the coffee shop - and wishing there was one closer to where I used to live in Worcester. When that store opened, I was over the moon and made sure I was a regular visitor until my work brought me to Birmingham a few years later.

The Birmingham city centre store is always one I make a bee-line to whenever I’m near Corporation Street - so when I was asked to review the Solihull branch, which opened in March, I must admit I was more than a little excited.

Perfect for meetings, tete-a-tetes or social gatherings, we were shown to our private booth and left to peruse the ample brunch menu.

One of my friends was mid health-kick, so opted for The Green One, which is a raw vegetable smoothie (£3.35) jampacked with green goodness. She remarked on how fresh it tasted. We also sampled the Carrot and Tumeric smoothie (£3.35) which was also very refreshing and felt like we most certainly had our vitamin boost for the day. Both were filling and suitable for vegans.

Breakfast and Brunch are the main-stays for Boston Tea Party – so it was in the spirit of good journalism rather than greed that we decided to put the menu to the test; choosing a selection of dishes covering all options – from carnivore to vegan with a side of gluten free.

Myself and a friend decided we would share a plate of the Sweetcorn Hash and Halloumi (£8.75) with poached eggs, avocado and tomato salsa, and coriander with Tabasco maple syrup. I must admit it was delicious and we diligently polished it off together. I do think this dish could warrant being served as a side order, rather than just a main, as it’d give a chance to try multiple dishes at the same time. That said, it was more’ish, delicious and incredibly tasty.

My other dining companion is gluten intolerant and so opted for the lemon and ricotta pancakes with smoked bacon and maple syrup (£7.25). She said it was delicious and bursting with flavour, but she felt an extra rasher of bacon would have made it the perfect ratio of pancakes to bacon.

Another dish devoured was smoked salmon, avocado and scrambled eggs on sourdough toast (£8.75). There was a good mixture of the ingredients, it was a great portion size and value of money, but we did feel it could have been served slightly warmer, however this could have been because the smoked salmon is served at room temperature

And no visit for any self-respecting breakfast fan to Boston Tea Party should go without trying to conquer The Boss. A plate bursting with bacon, sausage, hog’s pudding, mushrooms, homemade hash, roasted tomatoes, baked beans, scrambled egg and two rounds of toast (£10.95) – and one of Boston Tea Party’s signature dishes. You can see why it’s so popular: hearty, flavoursome, beautifully presented and big enough to set you up for the day. Easily one of the best Full English breakfasts around, or so my Boss tells me – and it’s on the menu, like the rest of the brunch menu, throughout the day.

My love affair with BTP doesn’t just extend to the food; it’s also their ethical stance. Ahead of the curve, they’re determined – and committed - to make sure they are pioneers of the anti-plastic revolution. A case in point: a few months ago, they decided to ban plastic straws and also (single use) takeaway cups entirely. Instead, you can buy, or borrow, a reusable cup on-site (with prices from £4.25 which are really great value), or else bring your own cup. For every sale of a takeaway hot drink they donate 10p to a local community cause. Whilst sales dropped – as you can imagine – their position did not. We salute them for this and would urge you to not only support BTP in their quest, but also put pressure on other coffee chains to follow suit.

The cafe is just a short walk from Solihull train station and the town centre on Herbert Road (behind John Lewis carpark), is spacious and also has plenty of activities for families to enjoy throughout the week with lots of community groups using the upstairs space.

See their noticeboard for details.

For more details visit www.bostonteaparty. co.uk or call on 0121 7091552.

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DINING.

dINING DIGEST It’s all going on in Birming-yum writes DLUXE Dining correspondent Anita Champaneri. Read more food news at dluxe-magazine co.uk and msdelicious. blogspot.co.uk

SIMPSONS are celebrating a huge milestone this year: 25 years in business.

The restaurant’s combination of elegant and relaxed surroundings coupled with exquisite food with professional service has made it the city’s number one fine dining experience.

Their journey began in 1993, when a young chef named Andreas Antona decided to open his first restaurant in a former chemist in Kenilworth. The restaurant, offering West End standard food in Warwickshire, struck a chord with diners and gained a first Bib Gourmand from Michelin followed by a coveted Michelin star in 1999.

In 2004, Andreas took the major step of moving into its current premises in a grade II listed building in Edgbaston where it retained its Michelin star.

The heart of Simpsons’ success is the partnership of Andreas and Luke Tipping.

Luke has always prided himself on the quality of ingredients, which makes his dishes a wonderful culinary experience.

Andreas has a striking ability to nurture talent and his influence can be seen across the Midlands. The Simpsons’ alumni include include Glynn Purnell, Andy Waters, Adam Bennett, Matt Cheal and Jerry Toth.

We dined on a sunny autumnal day, with the dining room full of light and elegance.

We were greeted by new restaurant manager, Gianluca Austin-Rizzo, who 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

was an absolute delight. He suggested the October offer of a 3 Course Lunch Menu with 1/2 bottle of house wine for £39.50 per person. We perused the wine menu as we enjoyed their famous original tapenade rolls freshly baked everyday.

Starter was the roscoff onion broth, onion mayonnaise, croutons, chickweed, with Colston Bassett stilton. Its bold flavours will make your heart flutter. My main was the Confit of Loomswood duck, lovingly nestled on top of grilled chicory, lentils, and an oriental sauce; a Simpsons classic. Our dessert was a joyful serving of Smoked chocolate cremeux with malted peanut butter ice cream. The proof is in the pudding, and its clear to see why Simpsons has retained it special place at the heart of the Birmingham’s fine dining scene, From classy to funk, The Wilderness have finally launch their brand-new concept, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS and it looks amazing!

Located at 20 Bennetts Hill, in the City Centre, Chef Patron Alex Claridge has created a fun and inventive experience.

The site, inspired by 80’s pop culture, will provide a culinary journey with ingenious drinks, bold flavours and afternoon tea unlike ever seen before.

Downstairs is home to a 42-cover fine dining restaurant, where the food draws heavily on the kitchen’s Konro charcoal grills, as well as eclectic influences from

both modern Japanese and Chinese cooking. The restaurant will offer an ambitious and accessible taster menu for both lunch and dinner – as well as an à la carte bar menu across all floors.

Upstairs, the décor is bold and adventurous, offering ample room for up to 60 people whilst two-time world class finalist James Bowker has developed a revolutionary cocktail menu inspired by colour and flavour.

ALUNA’S new food menu is on fire after some magic touches by London consultancy Kinkou. The team are also renowned for creating visual statements with their dishes, using unusual ingredients and ornaments to create real impact – the perfect partner for Aluna’s highly stylised cocktails.

The new menu features small plates, sharing dishes, bigger plates and salads with signature dishes such as Pan Roasted Scallops with Wasabi Aioli, Crushed Pea and Purple Shiso, Tempura Fish and Sweet Potato Chips and Soft Shell Crab Burger and Fries.

Aluna’s loyal clientele had fallen in love with the venue for its sumptuously styled interiors full of plush velvets in hues of orange, its glowing copper surfaces, show stopping lighting and decadent wall art.

Now that it has garnered an enviable reputation for its great cocktail list the time was right to raise their game with their food offering too.

REVIEWED: REGENCY SPLENDOUR AT HYATT jus while my dining partner went for the Dingley Dell pork belly, Dauphinoise potato, dried apple, roast cauliflower puree and asparagus with red wine jus. The duck was cooked perfectly. The skin was crispy, full of flavour and the meat still pink and tender. I loved the addition of the cherries adding a touch of sourness to balance the richness of the jus.

Again, the belly pork was beautifully cooked and the skin almost like a thin bit of crackling. The cauliflower purée and dried apples were a real hit too both adding quite intense flavours. Both dishes we well executed complementing each part of the plate.

Bellies groaning, we both asked for a breather before ordering desserts.

This pause allowed us to take in our surroundings. The right side of the exclusive restaurant was filling up with a mix of business people and families out to enjoy some quality time together. A couple of lone diners who (presumably) were guests at the hotel happily ate in the gorgeous surrounds before heading up to their rooms or out into the night.

Dluxe’s Lilith Holsey Sheppard samples the menu at Hyatt Regency Birmingham’s signature restaurant, Aria.

Arriving for our meal, it’s hard not to be impressed by the majesty of the beautiful lobby to this luxury hotel. Expertly designed to bring nature in from the outside, we are guided through a beautiful leaf archway to the Aria Restaurant.

They run two evening menus; the “pretheatre” menu and an a la carte alongside an extensive wine menu too, from which I order a glass of Malbec for myself and Cotes Du Rhône for my dining partner.

We ordered from the a la carte menu at the same time, as we’re decisive like that.

After a few minutes our wine arrived at the table, followed a few short minutes later by our starters: Pan seared scallops, cauliflower puree, chorizo crumb with crispy greens; and a Lobster bisque with salted croute and gruyère cheese. The scallops were beautifully cooked with a lovely sear and almost melted in the mouth, whilst the Lobster Bisque was bursting with flavour thanks to the tasty pieces of lobster hidden in the bowl. The gruyère cheese added a layer of texture and the salted croute was perfect for dipping.

Dishes cleared, we didn’t have to wait long before our main were presented. I went for the Goosnargh duck breast served with creamed potatoes, cherries, and duck

Appetite restored, it was time for something sweet. I have always been more a fan of traditional desserts, so I went for the hot apple pie with ice cream, biscuit crumb and salted caramel sauce while my dinner partner had the cheese board. Both again beautifully presented with a great selection on the cheese board. The hot apple pie was tasty, and I loved the salted caramel sauce.

The pie was full of spice and as the ice cream melted, each mouthful took me back to one of my favourite childhood desserts.

Aria definitely delivered for us and have some great two and three course deals as well as the a la carte options too. As we left, feeling incredibly full, we both wouldn’t hesitate to come back and try more from their delicious menu. Watch out for the festive twists they are adding through December too.

Hyatt Regency Birmingham is at 2 Bridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2JZ www.hyatt.com

WIN A LUXURY SPA DAY FOR TWO AT HYATT REGENCY BIRMINGHAM What better than enjoying a luxurious break in your home city? Hyatt Regency Birmingham’s sumptuous Amala urban day spa offers a serene escape from the stress of city life.

The luxury spa offers five private treatment rooms in which to enjoy an indulgent selection of ESPA or Comfort Zone treatments and is home to a private Hammam treatment room where traditional Turkish therapies are applied in a warm steam environment. Guests can also relax and rejuvenate in the 52 sq ft heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and cold-water plunge pool before building up an appetite in the well-equipped gym and cardiovascular training room.

Hyatt Regency Birmingham is offering one lucky reader a wonderfully relaxing spa experience with lunch in Aria.

THE LUCKY WINNER AND A GUEST WILL RECEIVE: · · · ·

90 minute ESPA Back, Face and Scalp Treatment with hot stones Use of pool and gym facilities Robes, slippers and towels Two course light lunch or dinner in Aria restaurant

For your chance to win, visit www.dluxemagazine.co.uk and click on competitions.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 53

THE DIARY. The Sound of Madness

15th December @ Arena Birmingham The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Madness! Iconic British pop band Madness are heading to the Arena Birmingham and will be joined by special guests The Fratellis.

One of the top 20 selling UK groups of all time, with seven top ten albums, 22 top 20 hits and over six million album sales to their name, The Sound of Madness is a combination of people from North London that got together in the mid to late ‘70s and came up with a cacophony of music, noise, clothes, dressing up and having fun. Madness will be playing all the hits and fan favourites plus some brand new tracks. The hills will well and truly be alive.

54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

DECEMBER Women Power Protest

the most popular show of its type, its worldwide cult status has seen it perform for the Queen and play some of the most prestigious venues in the world.

Until 31st March at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Marking a century since the first women won the right to vote, ‘Women Power Protest’ brings together modern and contemporary artworks from the Arts Council Collection and Birmingham’s to celebrate female artists who have explored protest, social commentary and identity in their work.

Frankie Valli & The Four Season

1st December @ Genting Arena A true music icon - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons announce ‘The Farewell Tour’, including a night at Birmingham’s Genting Arena in December 2018.

The Wizard of Oz

Until 13th January at Birmingham Rep The Wizard Of Oz is one of the most popular tales of all time and has delighted generations. This spectacular production features your favourite songs and characters from the classic film with an added sprinkle of REP magic. So join us somewhere over the rainbow for a fantastic festive treat for all the family.

Bjorn Again

1st December at o2 Academy Birmingham To celebrate the huge 30th Anniversary of BJÖRN AGAIN, director Rod Stephen will be taking the internationally acclaimed show on tour across the UK throughout December. Hailed as

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra 5th December at Symphony Hall Musical master of ceremonies Jools Holland and his acclaimed Rhythm

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 55

THE DIARY.

SPRING INTO THE REP

& Blues Orchestra will be entertaining Birmingham with special guests including Marc Almond, Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall as well as original Squeeze member Gilson Lavis on drums with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Hozier

9th December at o2 academy Birmingham Award-winning singersongwriter Hozier has announced his first tour since releasing celebrated new EP Nina Cried Power. The EP follows 2014’s number one, self titled debut album, which features the multi-Platinum, Ivor Novello winning anthem ‘Take Me To Church’.

As The REP concludes its autumn 2018 season with a bold new version of the enduring classic, The Wizard Of Oz (24 November – 13 January) they announce a spectacular spring season of theatre.

Speaking of the forthcoming programme, The REP’s Artistic Director ,Roxana Silbert said “Revolution is something Birmingham was founded upon and, over the years, it has become more diverse, adaptable and robust as a result. The city is currently experiencing a significant and exciting renaissance and has a gritty determination to improve the living and working environment for future generations.”

“I wanted this season to reflect that determined spirit; bold, varied and new but with a sense of continuity.”

Across its three stages, The REP presents stories from far-flung cultures such as The Half God Of Rainfall, a contemporary saga that weaves poetry with storytelling across mythologies, and From Shore To Shore which takes place at Chung Ying Cantonese and Birmingham’s Chinese Community Centre and tells the stories of migrant Chinese communities living in the UK.

David O’Doherty

6th December at Town Hall Unhook your mindbras. David O’Doherty is back on tour with a brand-new show made up of talking and songs played on a crappy keyboard from 1986.

Andre Rieu

13th December @ Arena Birmingham André Rieu ends his annual world tour traditionally in the UK and Ireland including a stop in Birmingham and to bring romance and magic to every fan during the cozy pre-Christmas season, of course, he will play wonderful Christmas carols besides his entertaining and fantastic program.

We share stories borne out of the hopelessness of war, such as the UK première of Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel A Thousand Splendid Suns and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, an unforgettable love story, set against the backdrop of World War II. Plus bold theatrical responses to injustice with Good Dog, Nanjing, inspired by the Massacre of 1937 and Concubine which returns to The REP after a sellout run at the theatre.

We also explore our instinct to fight passionately for what we believe in with UK Premiere Edmond De Bergerac, winner of five Molière Awards and featuring actor, Freddie Fox in this incredible story behind Cyrano de Bergerac and the Olivier Award-winning Rotterdam, bittersweet comedy about gender and sexuality.

Theatrical treats for all the family include feline frivolity with The Cat In The Hat based on Dr. Seuss’s famous book; a completely new theatre production of In The Night Garden… Live; adrenaline fuelled circus spectacular Cirque Berserk! and the ever-popular First Stages series of smaller, introductory plays for young children: Uncle’s Story Shop and Little Gift.

Roxana continues ‘ There is such an abundance of quality and variety in the programme -so, I’d really like people to challenge themselves to try something new!’

Book Online: birmingham-rep.co.uk or Box Office: 0121 236 4455 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds

8th December @ Genting Arena Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds – Alive on Stage returns to Birmingham in December to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.

The show will again feature a stellar cast with Jeff Wayne returning to the podium to conduct the 9-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings, while Liam Neeson retains his role in 3D holography as The Journalist.

Nile Rodgers & Chic

16th December @ Arena Birmingham Nile Rodgers and Chic have announced that they will round off 2018 with a massive UK arena tour. The disco icons will head back to the UK for a string of five shows in support of new album It’s About Time.

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THE DIARY.

HARVEY NICHOLS A/W18 TRUNK SHOW

Def Leppard

Harvey Nichols invited special guests to discover the latest new season trends at its Trunk Show with key looks styled by the ELLE Senior Fashion team.

17th December at Arena Birmingham 2018 will see Def Leppard back in Birmingham for The Hysteria Tour, performing the album in full, plus other Def Leppard hits. This will be the first UK and Eire tour since the sold-out arena run in late 2015. 2018 also marks the 35th anniversary of “Hysteria’s” predecessor “Pyromania”.

swashbuckling Pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.The allstar line-up is led by singing sensation Jimmy Osmond, comedy-actress and TV star Meera Syal, Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Sascha Williams and amazing acrobatic-troupe The Timbuktu Tumblers.

Elf – A Christmas Spectacular

20th-24th December @ Genting Arena

Guests were able to see firsthand the most lust-worthy brands thanks to a stunning catwalk show before shopping for the latest looks across womenswear, accessories and jewellery with a glass of fizz in hand.

Tall Stories: Emily Brown and The Thing

17th December – 6th January at Birmingham Hippodrome One evening, Emily Brown and her old grey rabbit Stanley hear a Thing crying outside their window. He just can’t get to sleep. Emily Brown and Stanley set off on incredible adventures to the Dark and Scary Wood, the Whirling Wastes and beyond, to find the Thing’s cuddly, his bedtime milk and his medicine… but nothing seems to help him settle.

ELF, the hit West End and Broadway musical based on the Hollywood blockbuster movie, is to be supersized into a Christmas spectacular this December. Starring pop legend David Essex as Buddy the Elf’s father; Love Actually star and singer Martine McCutcheon as Buddy’s girlfriend, Jovie; plus, comedy actor Tam Ryan as Buddy, this will be a festive treat like no other.

Peter Pan

19th December – 27th January at Birmingham Hippodrome This Christmas set sail to Neverland with the 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

UB40

21st December at Arena Birmingham Birmingham’s world-

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THE DIARY.

THE BIRMINGHAM AWARDS 2018

Neither cold weather, Black Friday weekend traffic nor the construction projects that stress test the roads in Brum prevented 450 guests arriving at Edgbaston for the Birmingham Awards 2018, partnered by Dluxe Magazine.

Gemma Hill and Dan Kelly welcomed guests to a sparkly night celebrating all that is fab about our part of the world.

Organisers Ifraz Ahmed and Anita Chumber produced the best event yet in the Award’s four year history. This year’s winners included Independent Retailer of the Year – Spectacle, Arts & Culture Award – Birmingham Hippodrome, Venue of the Year – Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Excellence in Media Award – Ed James, Bar of the Year – Malmaison Birmingham, Restaurant of the Year – Laghi’s Deli @LaghisDeli, Brummie of the Year – Tim Andrews & PJ Ellis and the Lifetime Achievement Award – Rustie Lee

famous reggae stars UB40 have announced a massive hometown show in Birmingham this December!

Featuring UB40’s five founding members Robin Campbell, Brian Travers, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan, and long-time members Duncan Campbell, Martin Meredith, Lawrence Parry and Tony Mullings, the band return home to Arena Birmingham on December 21st!

Three of the UK’s national treasures – musical theatre star Maria Friedman, soprano Lesley Garrett CBE and actor Bonnie Langford – have joined forces for the very first time to record a brand new album and hit the road for a UK Headline Tour entitled ‘Golden Girls’.

The Snowman 2019

16th – 26th January at Birmingham Rep Based on Raymond Brigg’s much-loved book and featuring Howard Blake’s classic song Walking In The Air, this enchanting live show has thrilled audiences throughout the world since first appearing on stage twenty-five years ago. Be a part of the magic.

Strictly Come Dancing Live The Tiger Who Came to Tea Live!

18th – 21st January at Arena Birmingham The 2019 tour will be directed once again by the FAB-U-

26th December-13th January at Town Hall Direct from a smash hit West End seasonThe doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

JANUARY Golden Girls

14th January at Symphony Hall LOUS Strictly TV Judge Craig Revel Horwood and feature many of the celebrities and professional dancers from the highly anticipated 16th series of the award-winning BBC One show.

60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

24 NOVEMBER - 13 JANUARY Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company presents

By L. Frank Baum With music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg

Follow the yellow brick road for the ultimate family adventure this Christmas BOOK NOW 0121 236 4455 BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

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dluxe-magazine.co.uk 61

BUSINESS.

B C

What other companies like yours are being sold for.

How much of your business is based on you and not on your systems, if you have to be there all the time then you business is worth much less.

P number 2 is Pension. In the world of pension deficits, and large retiring work forces you need to be aware that if you have a big pension or even a small one that the new owner would have to manage, top up or service that is non contributory it can kill the deal.

P number 3 is Property. Depending on where you do your business from and how necessary it is to the business will determine if this breaks the deal. Normally the current retiring generation wants to use the property as part of their pension income. The new owners don’t always want the previous owner as a landlord.

Oppositely the property might not be part of the business plan of the new business owners and they don’t want it. So don’t let those bricks and mortar build a wall between you and your retirement dreams.

P number 4 is People. This is the most important. If you are the main person and you want out and don’t like to have a boss because you were the boss then be like a Boy Scout and “Be Prepared.” Otherwise your Tenderfeet will have a a hard Life. (Sorry got stuck in an Eagle Scout bad pun set.) If you are the rain maker or there are people that you need and they would leave then you may have a problem.

The 4.5 p’s that will fill your bank vault… or not It’s winter and unless you sell snow shovels, parkas or wood stoves you are thinking about how Spring is going to look. Will Brexit or any other outside factors drag your business into a hole that you can’t get back from?

Is it time to sell the business? Over the past 20 years of helping people retire better, my clients have benefitted from having a plan and some secrets. How long does it take from start to finish of selling a business?

Did you know that one statistic says that 80% of all business sales fail to complete. I have created a 4.5 part list of items that create problems in the sales process. If you work on these early and are focused on making 62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

them consistent and founded in reality it will help you kick back on that beach listening to Margaritaville.

P number 1 is Price. There are a number of factors that you are looking for when it comes to the price you set for your business.

Most people start off with a bond villain laugh and say my business in worth a bazillion pounds. Then they come to a reality and say I would need £1 million to walk away.

The bad thing is that what you need and what you are going to get are two different things. The factors that create your price are three fold.

A

Profit + Growth + Sustainability= The base of your price. This is all about how the new owners will be able to profit and build on your business.

Make sure you have engaged or disengaged your team members that are needed or needs to go. Get the people right in the business before you hand people your business for cash, and this is even more essential if you are going to be paid on an earn-out (one up front payment and the rest of the payment based on business performance over the next couple of years.)

The .5 P is the one that kills more deals than all the others combined. This is the one that kills all sales, not just the sales of your business. This is the Procrastination!

The longer that deals last the more people have deal fatigue. Just get it over with… This make the price drop and drop faster than a dog juggler on Britain’s got talent. If you can plan all the Ps and get a clear message in your head as to your position on the 4 Ps the .5 P will not be a problem.

Make sure you the Professionals in place and understand what a realistic price is and that is where you should set your lines in the sand.

Good luck and looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings for your transition. There is so much to look forward to in the Midlands with the Common Wealth Games, 5G networks and our thriving tech community.

Remember it is always best to sell your business as it is growing.

OLD I.T. COSTing Birmingham charity wins Patient GDPR PENALTIES Information Award A Birmingham-based charity has won an award at this year’s BMA Patient Information Awards.

The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation was chosen as the winner of the children’s special prize for their resource – ‘Joes Liver Transplant Story’ at the awards hosted by the British Medical Association at BMA House in Tavistock Square, London.

In the two months following the introduction of GDPR, 84% of companies in Birmingham failed to wipe the memory off redundant IT equipment prior to disposal, risking penalties by failing to adhere to some of the rules.

According to a survey of 1,002 UK workers in full or part-time employment, carried out by probrand.co.uk, the majority (84%) of businesses in Birmingham failed to wipe the data from IT equipment they disposed of in the two months following the introduction of GDPR. This news is perhaps less surprising given the research also found that 61% of all Birmingham based businesses do not have an official process or protocol for disposing of obsolete IT equipment.

Worryingly, according to the data, businesses in Birmingham – many of which will have customer addresses and contact information on their systems – are collectively one of worst offenders of this nationally.

Matt Royle, marketing director at probrand.co.uk commented: “Given the amount of publicity around GDPR it is arguably impossible to be unaware or misunderstand the basics of what is required for compliance. So, it is startling to discover just how many businesses are failing to both implement and follow some of the simplest data protection practices.”

“It is especially startling to see this high percentage for businesses based in Birmingham, considering the sheer number of companies the city has in close concentration. The fines involved in a GDPR breach can potentially run into the millions – and what appear to be less tangible impactors, like reputational damage, customer trust and loyalty, will ultimately become financially significant.”

Probrand is the UK’s first marketplace for business IT, providing IT Products, managed IT services and IT solutions.

Find out more at www.probrand.co.uk.

The story was written by the mother of a transplant recipient who is also a palliative care consultant so was uniquely placed to present this from the view of the child but with clinical accuracy. It is aimed at children who may need a transplant in the future, or who are on the waiting list, and children who have undergone a liver transplant in the past but were too young to understand what was happening at the time.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is one of three specialist centres where paediatric liver transplants take place and they were involved in the production of the story.

The Patient Information Awards were established in 1997 to demonstrate the

BMA’s commitment to supporting the excellent educational practice of patients, allowing them to understand their relationship with doctors, the health conditions they’re living with, and the treatment they’re receiving.

Accepting the award, Mairead Ritchie from the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, said “We’re absolutely thrilled to win this award and the thanks really go to Saskie Dorman who wrote the story based on her own son’s experience and all the medical specialists and parents of children with liver disease who reviewed it to make sure it was correct and what the

children in this situation needed.”

BMA President, Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, said “The BMA are privileged to be able to host the Patient Information Awards 2018 with this year’s recipients showcasing the very highest standard of innovative, well-designed and carefully balanced patient information. This is a great opportunity to recognise the importance and value of the resources available to patients, which as highlighted by the winners and runners up today, can be a great source of support, comfort and practical guidance for patients throughout challenging times.”

DEVELOPMENT IN DESIGN Innovative creations from Birmingham furnituremakers Declan and Tully Gallagher are helping to boost the development of youngsters at a West Midlands nursery.

The Gallagher brothers, otherwise known as Twin Design, have been working with Reginald Road Day Nursery in Bearwood to

produce items of furniture to encourage the development of toddlers’ motor skills, such as crawling, climbing and jumping. including the ‘Brunel’ bench, which was custom-made to encourage motor skills development and aid children’s colour recognition.

“To the untrained eye, the piece of furniture appears to be a large colourful sofa, but the brilliantly designed bench has been a great success with multiples uses”, said Yvonne Kerr, Manager at Reginald Road Day Nursery.

“As soon as it arrived the

children turned it into a ‘secret den’, a ‘big snake’ and a ‘choo choo train’!”

“Designing and creating furniture that not only looks appealing but also has benefits for learning is what we love doing most”, said Declan, co-founder of Twin Design.

Upcoming projects from the designers include furniture for education institutions, combining comfort and practicality with Bluetooth audio technology and wireless phone charging.

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BUSINESS.

GIVE THE GIFT OF VIP AND AMPLIFY YOUR CHRISTMAS

Amplify is the NEC Group’s premium hospitality business and the official hospitality provider for Resorts World Arena (formerly Genting Arena) and Arena Birmingham. Amplify delivers outstanding hospitality experiences for a range of world class events, through a variety of hospitality levels and membership packages.

Solomon ‘Sol’ Smith is Amplify’s Sales Manager and has been a member of the team for 10 years.

Looking after a whole host of clients from the property, legal, trade and banking sectors, plus private members, Sol’s enthusiastic and friendly approach has made him one of the go-to hospitality experience managers in Birmingham.

As we move into Christmas season, we’re all turning our thoughts to those all-important presents, so we got Sol to take us through his top picks for festive gifting. Whether it be a fussy mother, an awkward father-in-law or a funloving niece, Amplify has something for everyone in 2019. Gifting an Amplify package provides the ultimate live event experience, and memories that will last far longer than just Christmas Day itself!

STRICTLY COME DANCING – 18-21 JANUARY 2019 – ARENA BIRMINGHAM Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing back to Brum in January for six supersized sequin-filled shows and for the first time all four TV Judges will join the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing UK 64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Arena Tour. Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli will star alongside Head TV Judge Shirley Ballas - who makes her debut on the live extravaganza. Strictly favourite and 2017 TV show winner Ore Oduba will also be hosting the tour for a second time. This is the perfect opportunity to get the family together for some post-festive fun and get their dancing shoes on!

PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 25 APRIL 2019 – ARENA BIRMINGHAM Get your loved one in on the action of the Premier League Darts. An event that requires no dancing but is as equally enjoyable with their arena floor ticket – right in the heart of it. The ten-player tournament will hit Arena Birmingham for the 13th league night of the season, where you’ll be able to catch the likes of world number one Michael van Gerwen and current World Champion doing battle on the oche.

TAKE THAT- 12-14 & 16, 19 MAY 2019 – ARENA BIRMINGHAM Undeniably one of the greatest boybands of all time, with tour productions having previously included everything from giant elephants, flying machines to a 70ft man and balls of fire, this is one of the hottest tickets of 2019. To celebrate the band’s 30th Anniversary this tour will run off the back of their re-imagined greatest hits album ‘Odyssey’. If you’re stuck for a present for the loved one who has everything, why not treat them to a couple of glasses of bubbly, private dining and exclusive facilities, plus some of the best seats in the house and spend some quality time together in style.

MRS BROWN’S BOYS D’MUSICAL – 22-23 JUNE 2019 – RESORTS WORLD ARENA The award-winning Brendan O’Carroll and Mrs. Brown’s Boys are bringing their brand-new production “Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Musical?” to Resorts World Arena.

It promises to take audiences on an exhilarating, side splitting and musical adventure, so if you haven’t experienced Mrs. Brown’s Boys live show, it’s worth checking out.

LITTLE MIX – 7-9 NOVEMBER 2019 – RESORTS WORLD ARENA 'Touch', ‘Shout Out to My Ex', ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings' are just some of the band’s greatest hits, and you’ll be able to hear them all live at Resorts World Arena (formerly Genting Arena). The LM5 Tour will also include tracks from the band’s latest album, so it’s sure to be a fantastic show.

If you are interested in an Amplify gift package this Christmas, take a look at the full list of what’s available at www. amplify.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call Solomon and the team direct by calling 0844 338 0333.

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HOROSCOPES.

Written in the Stars with CELEBRITY Astrologer Russell Grant To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) A power struggle will erupt in early December, putting you in line for a big promotion. The Solar Eclipse on the 6th exposes a corrupt official. A Solar Eclipse on the 6th January gives you an extraordinary opportunity to exercise your leadership ability.

Taking the helm of a company, launching your own business or assuming political office are among the possibilities. The New Moon on the 4th February invites you to expand your social network. Make it your mission to attend as many parties, casual get togethers and professional conferences as possible during the first two weeks of February. Who you know is just as important as what you know in February.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th changes your world view. Take this opportunity to go on an overseas trip, work with refugees or learn about a foreign culture. You'll gain a newfound respect for a group whose beliefs resonate with your own. A Solar Eclipse on the 6th January could prompt you to travel for business, pleasure or both. Your destination will uplift and inspire you. The Full Moon on the 19th February is ideal for romance. If you're looking for love, you'll find it with an ardent admirer. It will be good for your ego to be pursued by someone determined to win your heart. Are you already in a relationship? Take this opportunity to enjoy a relaxing vacation with your amour.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st) An unexpected windfall will arrive on or around the 6th, courtesy of an enriching Solar Eclipse. An inheritance, legal settlement or insurance refund will transform your lifestyle. At long last, you'll have the money to buy a home, car or both. On the 21st January, a Lunar Eclipse will mark the end of an educational programme. Getting a certificate or passing a test will cause your confidence to soar.

The opportunity to expand your horizons will arrive on or around the 4th Febraury, courtesy of an adventurous New Moon. This is an ideal time to visit a country that has fascinated you since childhood. At times, you will feel like a fish out of water. Don't worry about looking foolish.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th paves the way for a powerful partnership. Getting engaged or exchanging wedding vows will improve your chances for success. With a supportive partner at your side, you will be able to move mountains. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January brings the end to a labour of love.

Although you enjoyed this line of work, you're ready to try something new. The Full Moon on the 19th February brings fantastic news about work. It's possible a new branch of your company will open close to your home, significantly reducing your commute. Alternatively, you might be able to work from home several days a week, helping you to save money.

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LEO (July 24th-Aug 23rd) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th is the best time of the entire year to begin a health regime. Overhauling your diet and exercise routines will result in a happier, healthier you. If you've been looking for a job, you'll be offered one that transforms your lifestyle. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January puts an end to a role you've performed for a long time. Although you'll be sad to leave your old life behind, it will be exciting to make a fresh start. The New Moon on the 4th February injects life into a close relationship. Things will be looking up for you and your best friend, romantic partner or even someone you work with.

VIRGO (Aug 24th-Sept 23rd) A love affair will give you an attractive glow on the 6th, courtesy of the romantic Solar Eclipse. If you're looking for a partner, you will find one at a professional gathering or political organisation. It will be difficult to resist the charm of an accomplished person. On the 21st January, a Lunar Eclipse brings an end to a prolonged period of seclusion.

At long last, you'll be able to take your place in the spotlight. The New Moon on the 4th February is excellent for beginning a health regimen. It's important to attend to your mental and spiritual wellbeing as well as your physical fitness. If you're prone to anxiety, learn some relaxation techniques.

LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th marks a big change in your home life. Moving to another place, welcoming a baby or elderly relative to your household and changing your citizenship are all possibilities. On the 6th January, a Solar Eclipse will create changes to your home life. There's a chance you'll be welcoming a youngster or elderly relative to your household.

On the 19th February, the Full Moon will invite you to rest, relax and recharge your batteries.

Colleagues will pressure you to do more than your fair share of work. Issue firm but polite refusals.

The days of your doing more than one job are over.

SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd) The 6th would be a propitious time for launching a blog, website or podcast, as a Solar Eclipse will attract favourable and encouraging attention. You could get a rave review from a celebrity you've never met. Terrific news about your career could arrive on the 6th January, thanks to a transformative A Lunar Eclipse on the 21st Janaury brings the end to a public position you've held. Handing your responsibilities to someone else will cause you to breathe a sigh of relief. At long last, you'll have the time to lead a healthier lifestyle. If you've been thinking of moving, the beginning of February presents an ideal opportunity to do so.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st) An impressive moneymaking opportunity will arrive on or around

the 6th, thanks to an enriching Solar Eclipse. This is a great time to change industries. Working on a commission basis will also be more lucrative than taking a flat salary. On the 21st January, a Lunar Eclipse could mark the return from a trip.

Coming home to someone who loves you will give you a new lease on life. Alternatively, you might collect a diploma or publish an article, book or short story. On the 4th February, the New Moon presents an intriguing opportunity to communicate on a worldwide scale. Launching a blog, taping a podcast or sharing videos on social media can attract a loyal following.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd-Jan 20th) You'll undergo an impressive transformation in the days surrounding the 6th, thanks to a powerful Solar Eclipse. This is the best time of the entire year to get a makeover. On the 6th Janaury, a Solar Eclipse will catapult you into the spotlight. Take this opportunity to go on an audition, interview for a job or enjoy a first date. You're sure to make a fantastic impression. The New Moon on the 4th February attracts an unusual moneymaking venture. Moving into a cutting-edge field will be highly profitable. You may decide to join an investment group that specialises in research and development. Any opportunities involving air travel, broadcasting or medical supplies.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th find you embarking on a spiritual crusade.

You'll have an opportunity to devote more time and energy to activities that make life meaningful. The opening days of January invite you to rest, relax and recharge your batteries.

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th is perfect for taking a solitary vacation. Visiting a secluded mountain retreat, going on a spiritual pilgrimage or spending a few days at your favourite hideaway is strongly advised. On the 4th February, the New Moon will inspire you to adopt a new look or assume another role. Making a fresh start will put a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eyes.

PISCES (Feb 20th-Mar 20th) The Solar Eclipse on the 6th poses an excellent opportunity to join a political group, professional organisation or creative society. The people you meet through this organisation will cause your star to rise. Your social circle will undergo dramatic changes at the beginning of January, thanks to a Solar Eclipse on the 6th. If you get an opportunity to join an exclusive club or professional organisation, do it.

Solitary pleasures and pastimes are best for you at the beginning of February. The New Moon on the 4th will prompt you to read, write or commune with nature. Don't let demanding loved ones invade your privacy.

To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com

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To arrange a design consultation call on 021 661 4980 or Email birmingham.mailbox@boconcept.co.uk Or simply drop in to our showroom in the Mailbox and we'd be delighted to meet you!

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