Monthly Archives: June 2011

Sir Richard Branson and friends party at The Roof Gardens to celebrate 30 years on top in London

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Last night Sir Richard Branson hosted an 80’s extravaganza at The Roof Gardens to celebrate 30 years as one of the top clubs and venues in London.

Famous faces including Princess Beatrice, Jimmy Carr, Alexandra Burke, Sarah Harding and friends were treated to a fun packed evening including a variety of live music – which included a fantastic performance from The Overtones and an amazing DJ set from 80’s legend Boy George. Guests also enjoyed a roller disco and to round off the evening, a spectacular fireworks display with views across London

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As part of the celebrations a live charity auction was held helping to raise money for Trekstock – a charity which aims to raise awareness of cancer in young people. Some of the brilliant auction items included a fabulous trip for two to Necker Island and a studio session with Mark Ronson and Daniel Merriweather.

It was an evening of double celebration as Babylon, the award-winning restaurant at The Roof Gardens; also celebrated its 10th birthday and regular guests were invited to a delicious dinner before joining the party downstairs.

For the past three decades, the venue which is also part of the Virgin Limited Edition luxury portfolio, has entertained and enchanted Londoners and visitors from around the world with its 1.5 acres beautiful gardens, its exclusive private members nightclub and the award-winning Babylon Restaurant.

Sir Richard Branson commented: “I am thrilled that we are celebrating owning The Roof Gardens for 30 years, I can’t believe how time flies! This evening has really celebrated everything the venue has to offer and was a fantastic way to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.”

Nancy Dell'Olio Turns 50

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IT’S TIME TO PUT SAGA IN THE OLD FOLKS’ HOME

Nancy Dell’Olio leads launch of high50 – targeting new generation of fiftysomethings

London, 7th June 2011: high50 (say ‘five-oh’), an online community with cutting edge editorial for people who believe life really begins at 50 – launches with a lead column by Nancy Dell’olio on what turning 50 means to her.

The mortgage is coming to an end, the kids are leaving home, the anxieties and insecurities that bedevil the earlier years are beginning to slip away. It’s like being a teenager again, but with experience.

Reflecting this ideal, high50 will offer quality editorial that is relevant, cool and interesting. With a stellar line-up of journalists readers can expect everything from sex, shopping and sport to music, money and mischief, as well as thought-provoking pieces from the likes of Dominic Sandbrook on 50 years of British history.

High50 will be both inspirational and aspirational, and will source the best promotions and discounts for the discerning – partner brands include erotica boutique Coco de Mer, Champneys spa resorts and luxury travel operator Kuoni.
In what will be the first of many guest columnists Nancy Dell’Olio writes exclusively about what turning 50 means to her:
“This August I want to celebrate my 50th birthday with two days of partying in Puglia, in Italy, where I spent many of my childhood summers. Yes, my 50th: Barack Obama turns 50 this year too. I have something in common with him: everyone’s always asking to see our birth certificates!

50 – what’s not to like? I feel wiser, wittier and happier; I’m in the prime of my joy. It is, as I’ve said, a magical time, and magic has no age – just like my spirit. My spirit is the thing that will keep me vibrant forever. There’s an old saying that goes, “If the young only knew, if the old only could.” Well, huh. I do know, now, and I certainly can, still. Here’s to my fifties: you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

The 50-plus market will soon be the biggest, richest and most influential in the UK, by 2020 accounting for half the population. It is the fastest growing demographic using Facebook and Twitter, accounting for 31% of online users.

In the real world, the over 50s increasingly share interests – music, art, cinema, theatre, television, sport, technology, rock festivals – with people of all ages. Yet advertising, branding and editorial largely ignore them or assume their interests amount to buying end of life insurance policies and stair lifts. High50 looks to change this, and celebrate all that turning 50 has to offer.

Former Sunday Times Style editor and acclaimed author Tim Willis was appointed editor of high50 earlier in the year and has assembled a team of regular columnists which include some of the most respected journalists and writers in the UK, including: Sally Brampton, Linda Kelsey, Elaine Lemm, Julie Welch, Daniela Soave, Peter York and more.

In a year that will see the likes of George Clooney, Julianne Moore, Ricky Gervais, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, the Mini Cooper, the World Wildlife Fund, the lava lamp and the President of the United States of America all turn 50, it’s time to change our opinions of ageing.

WELCOME TO HIGH 50 | www.high50.com Anyone can access the high50 site – though registration will bring extra benefits.

Revealed: the Brits are a Nation of Hoarders

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There is more than £2.5 billion worth of unwanted goods cluttering homes across the UK, confirming that the Brits are a nation of hoarders.

The recent survey by Cash Converters identified that more than 75% of UK households have redundant items taking up valuable living space, when they could be earning the owners money.

Finances are still tight for many families across the country, so with the potential to unlock hundreds of pounds worth of cash by getting rid of unused items, we would be foolish not to. DVDs, Mobile Phones and obsolete games consoles topped the list of most unwanted items that are lying dormant in people’s homes.

The UK’s number one retailer of buying and selling pre-owned goods, Cash Converters has more than 190 stores across the UK that offer to buy and sell a wide variety of items, including musical instruments, HiFis, TVs, CDs and DVDs and DIY tools.

David Patrick, chief executive of Cash Converters is staggered at the value that is currently not being unlocked in people’s superfluous belongings. He said: “Almost 13 million homes have admitted to keeping hold of unused items. Often people come into our stores surprised at what we will buy from them not realising that the unwanted items in their homes could be making them money.

“At Cash Converters we’re keen to highlight how you can make money from items you already own, as we all continue to feel the pinch and look for ways to raise some extra cash. It may be you only need some money to tide you over, in which case we offer the option to get your item back, known as a Buyback.

“Buyback is a really straightforward and quick service to use. Customers bring in an item along with some up to date identification; a price is agreed and the customer gets the cash and up to 28 days option to buy back the goods. Of course, if you realise you can live without that old Playstation 3 or the guitar you meant to learn to play but never did, you can simply leave it with Cash Converters.”

For more information visit www.cashconverters.co.uk

Catherine Zeta-Jones Set To Star As Viking

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Catherine Zeta-Jones has been tipped to play a 6ft 3in blonde VIKING in a new £10million Hollywood movie, it emerged yesterday.

The Bafta Award-winning actress, known for her long brunette locks, will have to cut and bleach her hair for the lead role in romantic flick, Ragged Cliffs.

Executives at Welsh publishing house Dinefwr Press have already started work on the book’s Big Screen adaptation, and are keen to cast the Chicago star, 41, as the leading lady.

The movie tells the story of heroine Lise Jacobson, a “staggering tall and beautiful” Danish woman who starts a troubled new life on Wales’ Gower Peninsula.

She must rely on the “passion of her Celtic mother” and the “warrior spirit” of her Viking forefathers to overcome deceit, betrayal and revenge.

Secrecy surrounds the movie, and there is still “some way” to go before the picture is given the official go-ahead, but bosses at Dinefwr, which published the novel of the same name, revealed they have contacted Swansea-born Zeta-Jones for the starring role.

It will be the publisher’s first major motion picture, but follows the publication of a string of critically-acclaimed fiction titles.

A spokesman for Dinefwr said: “We can confirm that Mrs Zeta-Jones has been contacted, via her agent, for a potential leading part in the movie.

“We are unable to discuss any more of the details, but believe Mrs Zeta-Jones would be the perfect person for the role.”

Ragged Cliffs was penned by Welsh author Julian Ruck in 2006. It was first published by Dinefwr in 2010 but was earmarked for screen adaptation “from the outset”.

Ruck, who lives near Swansea, South Wales, said: “I am thrilled at the idea of Catherine Zeta-Jones taking the lead role in a £10million film adaptation of Ragged Cliffs.

“She is one of Wales’ greatest exports and being from the Gower Peninsula herself, she seems the ideal candidate to play the strong, passionate Lise.”

Blue Sky Scrubs Makes Medical Community Look Chic

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Just because they are busy saving lives doesn’t mean doctors and nurses don’t need to look chic – a maxim that Blue Sky Scrubs have taken to heart.

The company offer a large variety of medical apparel, from a variety of lab coats, hats, jackets, shirts and scrub – including burnt orange scrubs -.and are determined to make sure that medical professionals look their best.

Blue Sky Scrubs even has jewellery that looks fabulous and can double as lanyards – and perhaps with one eye on the surgeon of the future, they even have scrubs for children. Of course, we at Frost love companies that let people do their job while looking their best and mightily approves of the design and price. Blue Sky Scrubs have a sterling silver toggle clasp that has four uses, a long necklace, a short necklace, a lanyard and a bracelet. It even has matching earrings. Getting lanyards for students is also a great idea as they can stay with their groups.

If you are in the medical profession (and even if you aren’t, anyone who has seen the amazing TV show Scrubs might have a thing for someone in the uniform) go to their website http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/Original-Scrubs/

We give them the Frost stamp of approval for their brilliant design and low cost functionality. Playing doctors and nurses was never so much fun!

Bird of the Week: Blue Tit

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If I turn my head and look out of the window, I can see a lot of young birds getting to know my feeding station. They are now old enough to fend for themselves, although they’re still trying to get their parents to feed them.

There are young sparrows, starlings, greenfinches, great tits and blue tits. The young ‘blueys’ are the most vocal, constantly calling their scruffy-looking parents. This is a very stressful time for the adults. It is hard work rearing up to 14 (!) babies that are hungry all of the time! Sometimes the adults return to the nest with insect food every 90 seconds! Once the little ones have fledged, they follow their parents around.

FEED ME!!

Now that the young ones are old enough to eat seeds, bits of peanut and fat balls (although insects will still be their main diet), the adult birds have brought them back to my garden where they spent much of the winter. They know there’s always some food available – which is very important.

Blue tit in winter

Once you start feeding wild birds, especially when natural food is hard to come by, don’t stop. Blue tits in particular will come to rely on this food source. In winter, they might not have enough energy to find food elsewhere, so if you decide to help these little balls of fluff, make sure they don’t visit your garden in vain and waste valuable energy.

If you’d like to be part of the family, blue tits will happily accept a nest box in your garden.

Blue tit

The blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is among the nation’s favourite garden birds. They’re tiny, fluffy, colourful, cute and bold as brass. When I first set up my feeding station, the first bird to explore it was a blue tit – and I hadn’t actually finished. And yet, it was only a couple of metres away! This little bird didn’t take any food, but hopped from feeder to feeder, checking everything out and then flew off. Five minutes later it returned with all of  its mates for a snack.

Watching you..

Blue tits are great fun to watch – they are little acrobats and will entertain you for hours, hanging from your feeders upside down.

Juvenile blue tit: it has a dull cap and yellow cheeks

Blue tits are also very clever birds. Two examples: blue tits have been familiar with the concept of aromatherapy much longer than humans. They use herbs such as mint or lavender to line and disinfect the nest or feed the leaves to their young in order to help them fend off parasites. And in the 60s, blue tits learned how to peck through foil milk bottle tops to get to the cream. This behaviour was passed on to other members of their flock and more and more birds learned how to do it. Clever or what?

Clever blue tit

A worthy bird of the week indeed!

For more blue tit  photos please have a look here:
http://www.finepetportraits.co.uk/blue-tit-bird-photos.html

Sandra Palme
www.finepetportraits.co.uk

Brigitte Bardot Voted Most Stylish Woman Ever

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– ALMOST A THIRD OF BRITS VOTED BRIGITTE BARDOT MOST STYLISH WOMAN OF ALL TIME – BEATING VICTORIA BECKHAM & CHERYL COLE TO TOP SPOT
– 62% POLLED ADMIT FRENCH WOMEN ARE MOST STYLISH OF ALL TIME
– PARIS VOTED WORLD’S MOST STYLISH CITY, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY MILAN

French actress Brigitte Bardot has been voted the most stylish woman of all time in a new UK-wide poll.

The 1960’s film star outscored a bevy of beauties, including a number of dazzling British female style icons, to land the crown as the world’s most stylish woman.

She polled almost three out of every 10 votes cast (29.5%) in the nationwide poll of 3,000 Brits across the UK by iconic orange soft drink Orangina.

Legendary English rose and Hollywood icon, Elizabeth Taylor, who sadly died this year, came a very close second, with just a few percentage points between her and Bardot.

Bardot, the former fashion model, actress and singer, is now aged 76 and is a world-renowned animal rights activist. But in her 1960’s heyday she was lauded across the world as the epitome of glamorous French style, with her dress sense and iconic hairstyle copied in shops, fashion houses and hair salons in across the globe.

The poll results also illustrate that the English can’t help but admire the French for their cutting-edge style.

A massive 62% of those polled said that France was quite rightly renowned as the home of the most stylish women throughout history.

Famous French women such as fashion queen Coco Chanel, actresses such as Juliette Binoche, Catherine Deneuve and Emmanuelle Béart, and former model now president’s wife Carla Bruni, have helped establish French femmes as the leading lights in the global style stakes, according to those polled in the national study.

Paris also won the vote for the world’s most stylish city too, beating Milan into second place, New York into third and London into fourth.

Orangina spokesman, Steven Simpson, said: “The British and the French may have had their differences historically, but it is clear the French sense of style hasn’t been lost on the British.

“Brigitte Bardot is the epitome of classic French styling and despite being out of the limelight for all these years, she is still held up as a style icon.

“She was the pin-up girl for a golden age and has never been forgotten in France and, it seems, in Britain. The fact that she still ranks higher in style terms than some of Britain’s won modern style queens says it all.”

The top ten most stylish women of all time are-

Brigitte Bardot
Elizabeth Taylor
Victoria Beckham
Cheryl Cole
Joan Collins
Audrey Hepburn
Grace Kelly
Sophia Loren
Marilyn Monroe
Princess Diana

Who you gonna call?…APL

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The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) are looking to promote the good name of landscape gardeners after a clean sweep at the recent Chelsea Flower Show.

Every single member of the APL who entered the prestigious and iconic show last week came away with coveted medals, including three golds and the Best in Show, Urban Garden award.

With some 76% of garden owners believing it’s important for their garden to look good, professional assistance is in demand, but a number of gardeners have learned the hard way that not all landscape gardeners are qualified to do the job.

APL say their exceptional record at Chelsea is testament to the extremely high standards required of and adhered to by all APL members and are urging those gardeners who lack green fingers to call a quality assured member of the APL to get their garden in perfect shape for summer.

For the first time, garden owners can view behind the scenes footage of the rigorous inspection process all APL members undergo each year to ensure APL Customer Charter criteria are being met. The ‘APL Inspection Video’, created by SweetPotatoPictures can be found on the APL website, www.landscaper.org.uk and shows independent inspector Neville Stein carrying out an assessment of a Holland Landscapes project in Essex.

Stein, along with other independent assessors visit members each year while they are working on a landscape project to evaluate everything from paperwork to technical processes – including assessing everything from the quality of hard and soft landscaping and technical competencies through to insurance policies and risk assessments. Over and above these stringent inspections, the APL is also the only landscaping scheme operator of TrustMark, a Government-endorsed initiative promoting professional trades people to consumers.

Stein said: “The whole process is extremely thorough. We scrutinise the fundamental elements of landscaping such as examining the health of plants, checking if trees have been planted correctly and even ensure that all correspondence between the landscaper and client is clear and detailed. I am confident that every customer who deals with an APL certified landscaper will receive the highest quality landscaping in Britain.”

Mark Gregory, Chairman of the APL and Gold Medal Winner at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show added: “ Rogue Traders get lots of publicity which proves a big problem for the landscape trade. Luckily, we’re able to reassure customers that as an APL member, we’ve been thoroughly vetted by independent inspectors.

“I would encourage anyone out there who has been freshly inspired by Chelsea, to get creative in their gardens and contact their local APL landscape contractor in the knowledge that they will be dealing with true professionals.”