Monthly Archives: February 2012

90% of Brits saying being "Friends with Benefits" ruined Friendship.

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90% OF BRITONS IN THEIR EARLY TWENTIES WHO’VE HAD A ‘FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS’ RELATIONSHIP SAID IT RUINED THEIR FRIENDSHIP

The results of a recent survey, asking single people about their views on ‘friends with benefits’ relationships, have revealed that 90% of Britons in their early twenties who have had a relationship with a friend said it ended up ruining their friendship.

The poll of over 15,000 men and women was carried out by mysinglefriend in association with the DVD release of FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (out now on Blu-ray and DVD).

Overall results show that of those UK singletons who had embarked on a relationship with a friend, 58% now think it was never a good idea as it always ends in tears. Only 1 in 20 of those surveyed think a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement can work for men but not for women.

“It’s fascinating to find that so many people have at some point dated a friend, and in the vast majority of cases this hasn’t worked out. I’d say we’ve found that it’s best to avoid practising on your friends – most friendships won’t survive!” Said Sarah Beeney, founder of mysinglefriend.

75% of 31-40 year olds won’t admit to ever having had a relationship with a friend
Of the 38% of over 40’s who have had a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship, 73% managed to remain friends after the relationship fizzled out

Despite 90% of those in their early twenties admitting they ruined their friendships, 60% still believe the arrangement can still work in some circumstances

Only 7% of resilient 20-30 year olds ended up getting hurt by having a relationship with a friend

In FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis star as two friends who decide to add the simple act of sex to their friendship, soon discovering that getting physical really does always lead to complications…

Directed by Will Gluck and starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, out now on Blu-ray and DVD, also boasts hilarious performances by Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone.

How to Make Perfect Pancakes

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With Shrove Tuesday (21st February 2012) fast approaching, our thoughts are turning to creating that perfect pancake to help celebrate Pancake Day the traditional way.

So to help you make this year’s batch the tastiest yet, here are a few tips to see you through:

1. For the creamiest of consistencies, always measure your ingredients precisely and mix them with a large whisk to add air to the batter

2. Heat your frying pan for two or three minutes before adding butter to the pan to avoid burning and impairing the flavour of your pancakes

3. For a thin, crepe-style pancake, add two tbsp. of batter to the hot pan and spread evenly around the pan with the back of your spoon or ladle

4. Cook for 30 seconds on each side, flipping or turning in between, dependent on how energetic you’re feeling!

5. Add the topping of your choice – a drizzle of PLj Lemon Juice and a sprinkling of sugar is a traditional favourite – and enjoy!

Ingredients for the perfect pancake (makes 6-8 pancakes in an 18cm pan)

110g sifted flour

1 egg

100ml milk and 50ml water

50g butter, for frying

To serve: PLj Lemon Juice and a sprinkling of sugar

Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the mixture and break the egg into it. Whisk the egg together with the flour, and while continuing to whisk gradually add the milk and water until you have created a smooth batter. Add 2tbsp of the batter to your hot pan, evenly spread and cook for 30 seconds on each side. For a traditional taste, add a splash of PLj Lemon Juice, a sprinkle of sugar and enjoy!

An invigorating support to calorie-controlled diets, PLj is a blend of lemon juice and is rich in vitamin C – a 25ml serving contains at least 75% of the recommended daily intake and just 9 kcals – yet is free from all artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners.

With approximately 20 servings per bottle, PLj is the easy way to enjoy real lemon juice, but without the mess or hassle of chopping and squeezing. PLj is available from Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Morrisons, Holland & Barrett and all good health food stores priced £2.29 (RRP) for 500ml.

A few facts about Pancake Day

· Pancake Day is known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’ in the UK, and falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, or the first day of Lent

· The day is known as Pancake Day because pancake recipes were traditionally made to use up stocks of flour, milk and eggs, which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent

· The word ‘Shrove’ is derived from the Old English ‘shrive’, meaning to ‘confess all sins’. On Shrove Tuesday, people would go to church and be ‘shriven’ ahead of the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday

· In the UK, the term ‘shroving’ was a custom in which children sang or recited poetry in exchange for food or money

· Meanwhile, ‘Lent Crocking’ was a term used to describe a custom whereby children would knock on doors asking for pancakes – and throw broken crockery at the doors of those who declined their requests!

· Pancake races are held around the UK on Pancake Day. One of the most famous takes place in Olney, where according to local folklore, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell while she was making pancakes and rushed to the church, frying pan in hand. Participants of the now world-famous Olney Pancake Race must be local housewives and wear an apron and hat or scarf when taking part!

· Pancake Day is celebrated differently around the world. In Brazil, Pancake Day is known as Terca-feira gorda and is the final day of the carnival in Rio De Janeiro while in New Orleans the day is marked by the Mardi Gras carnival

Sir Ian McKellen to guide adventurers on journey to Tolkien’s homeland

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Sir Ian McKellen to guide adventurers on journey to Tolkien’s homeland

Registration has opened for Crisis Mission: A Journey to the Midlands (and back again) – a high-tech quest from London to Tolkien’s homeland in the Midlands. The event is in aid of Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people.

One does not simply walk into Birmingham, so Sir Ian McKellen has signed up to guide intrepid teams along the way, peppering the route with a series of fiendish video questions, tough challenges and cryptic clues to unravel.

Teams will use interactive tablet PCs with GPS technology to provide location-based clues and live results. They will then be challenged to locate the GPS ‘hotspots’ on the way to the Midlands and crack the clues and complete challenges to earn as many points as possible.

The quest takes place on Saturday 12 May and sets off from London and Birmingham. Teams of up to six people can sign up at www.crisis.org.uk/mission.

Ian McKellen said: “It is a scandal that homelessness still exists in 21st century Britain, so I’m happy to support Crisis by guiding our adventurers on their journey. Best of luck to those intrepid teams as they explore Tolkien’s world.”

Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “It is incredibly exciting to have Sir Ian McKellan on board for Crisis Mission: A Journey to the Midlands. All the proceeds will go towards our work to end homelessness across the country.”

This is the third Crisis: Mission event. In 2010 teams raced from Thames to Tyne, and in 2011 Anneka Rice and Jeremy Paxman led contestants on a high-tech treasure hunt in Crisis Mission: Oxford.

Birmingham was chosen as the destination for the event as Crisis runs an outreach education and training programme for homeless and vulnerably housed people across the city.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar to launch in March

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(ARTIST IMPRESSION)

– The English steakhouse is a cut above the rest –

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar to launch in March

A quintessentially English dining experience, Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar will celebrate the best of English when it launches at the end of March 2012.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar will be the most English of English dining destinations, from the interior design to each cut of beef. Set in the County Hall, built 100 years ago to house London’s government, with views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, few can claim a more inherently English location or vista.

The choice of namesake, James Gillray, a famed caricaturist of the late eighteenth century, reflects the political history of the County Hall’s past, and the intelligence, style and humour of the English personality. James Gillray’s work punctuates the menu and will be exhibited on the walls of the steakhouse restaurant and bar.

An English steakhouse of the finest design, Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is a homage to top quality beef -35-day dry aged Hereford Cattle from the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate in Yorkshire. The menu features nine cuts of steak – bone-out and bone-in – 300g Fillet on the bone, 450g Porthouse and 600g T-Bone steaks. Gillray’s Steakhouse signature dish, the 1000g ‘Bulls Head’ steak, will steal the show – a 1000g-butterfly cut, double rib steak served with the bone in.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is all about indulging in great English produce. Every inch of the menu reflects this, displaying English food at its best – Brixham Diver Clams & Mussel Broth, Foreman’s London Cured Smoked Salmon and hand chopped Steak Tartare.

The design is sophisticated but unpretentious, playing on the eccentric but charming details of classic lighting and furniture pieces, such as Chesterfield sofa and Waterford chandeliers, all bespoke designs by designers Blacksheep.


The bar offers a sophisticated and stylish Thames-side destination, featuring one of the finest selections of gin in London and an impressive cocktail collection designed by head bartender, Carlos Santos. The newly created cocktail menu is ordered by historical era, from the Georgian era – cocktails such as National Debt, Wife & No Wife and Very Slippy-Weather each taking their name from popular James Gillray sketches – through to contemporary and modern English concoctions. The cocktail collection doesn’t stop there, but gives a nod to the next generation of cocktails – molecular mixology. >>

(ARTIST IMPRESSION)

>> The Englishness of Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is evident throughout the bar menu, populated by 10 English beers (and two Scottish beers from Innis & Gunn), 33 English gins (including a few British favourites such as Hendrick’s) and five English vodkas. The bar snacks menu brings Englishness to life in bite-sized morsels – Pigs in Blankets, English Crumpet & Soft Boiled Egg and Venison Sausage Rolls with HP Sauce – England on a plate.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar opens at London’s County Hall at the end of March 2012.

www.gillrays.com

FASHION & FUN LEAD THE PARADE ON LADIES DAY AT THE FESTIVAL

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Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, on Wednesday March 14, is gearing up to be a top day out. This is racing’s special day for the Ladies, where all eyes will be on the most elegantly attired females bidding to win prizes in the Best Dressed Fashion Awards.

Entry into the hotly contested Fashion Awards is open to all ladies who come racing on the second day of the four-day Festival. Fashion scouts will be on hand at the racecourse assisting contestants who wish to take part in any of the three fashion categories; ‘The Best Dressed lady’, ‘The lady with the Best Hat’ or ‘The lady with the Best Accessories’. Entry is free and fabulous prizes will reward the lucky winners.

Prizes for this year’s Fashion Awards include a short break holiday to the unique destination of Clowance Golf and Country Club Estate in Cornwall, provided by Seasons Holidays, £1000 worth of gift vouchers to spend at boutique British ladieswear shop Moloh, £1000 worth of gift vouchers from award winning Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa, £500 worth of gift vouchers to spend at contemporary British women’s clothing specialists Hobbs, a bespoke Hat from celebrity milliner Denise Innes and an overnight stay at the Hotel du Vin, located in the chic Montpellier district of Cheltenham, including dinner for two in the Bistro, a night stay in a romantic junior suite, breakfast and two 30 minute treatments in the spa.

The judging panel for the 2012 Fashion Awards includes: Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen who, with her husband Laurence, successfully runs design company Llewelyn-Bowen Limited and The Rt. Hon. The Countess Bathurst, the National Vice President of The Royal British Legion. Celebrity hair stylist Stuart Holmes from the Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa will judge the Best Hat and the Best Accessories prize will be judged by personal stylist Kate Parker.

Ladies can enter the Fashion Awards competition from 10:30am to 1.30pm by simply filling out an entry form and having their picture taken. Following the live judging of the selected finalists, presentations to the winners will be made in the Winner’s Enclosure before the last race. To be fast-tracked through the entry process on the day, Ladies can pre-enter for the Fashion Awards by visiting the Ladies Day page at www.cheltenham.co.uk

The racing action and the atmosphere on Ladies Day will be magical. There are seven top class races, including the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the highlights of the Jump racing season. Between races there is the opportunity to browse in the many fabulous shops in the Festival Shopping Village or grab a drink in one of the various racecourse bars.

Now in its sixth year Ladies Day is an important part of the Cotswolds’ favourite four days. This year the emphasis is going to be on fashion more than ever, so put on your best racing outfits and attend one of the great social events of the sporting calendar.

The Festival takes place from 13th to 16th March 2012. For more information or to enter the Fashion Awards please visit the Ladies Day page at www.cheltenham.co.uk

The MayFair Hotel fronts fashion with Felder Felder + Sunday Girl.

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photo: Talented twins Annette (left) and Daniela (right) Felder of fashion house Felder Felder unveil their designer windows at The May Fair Hotel ahead of London Fashion Week

The May Fair Hotel kicked off London Fashion Week in style this week with the unveiling of their designer windows, exclusively created by talented twins Felder Felder and there is lots going on, including the chance to catch the amazing Sunday Girl.

The official hotel to London Fashion Week for the fifth consecutive year, The May Fair transformed its famous façade to reveal bold, vibrant scenes from the twins’ own collection.

On seeing their rock and roll aesthetic and signature feminine twist translated on to screens, Daniela Felder said “It makes us really proud to have our designs exhibited at the top hotel of London Fashion Week”.

Annette added she was “blown away – I’ve never seen our sketches on such a big scale before – they look so stunning and vibrant”.

Felder Felder have wowed the fashion world since the launch of the label in 2007, gathering a huge celebrity following including Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alison Mosshart and Florence and the Machine. Winners of the respected New Gen Award for three consecutive seasons, they have also had features in Vogue, Elle, i-D Magazine and The Sunday Times Style.

Felder Felder will be launching their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection at London Fashion Week.

This is the second season The May Fair has transformed its façade for fashion. Other May Fair London Fashion Week celebrations include:

* The Eat, Sleep Fashion Package
* A brand new Sunday night DJ residency, “Sunday Girl @ The May Fair”, starting 19 from 6.30pm-8pm every Sunday night
* The May Fair Bar’s exclusive £100 Show Stopper cocktail
* Complimentary pink candyflossin The May Fair lobby between 5-7pm each day

Also at the Mayfair Hotel….

THE SOUND OF FASHION:
SUNDAY GIRL SETS UP @ THE MAY FAIR BAR FOR
LONDON FASHION WEEK

The May Fair Bar; the official hub of London Fashion Week and London’s young, glamorous and well-connected, has announced the launch of a new venture with one of the capital’s hottest fashion and music rising stars – Sunday Girl.

Described by The Observer as “The One To Watch” and fresh from collaborating with Martin Solveig and Firetrap; DJ, model and talented singer-songwriter, Sunday Girl (aka Jade Williams) will be celebrating LFW and setting Mayfair up for the week ahead, with the launch of her Sunday night DJ residency “Sunday Girl @ The May Fair” from 19 February.

Celebrated for being the “Best Hotel Bar”1 in the “Coolest Hotel”2, the May Fair Bar, in the heart of Mayfair, has an established position as the must-visit venue for London’s fashionable jet-set. This latest partnership with Sunday Girl is one of many which celebrates it’s fashionable and creative roots including sponsorship of the British Fashion Council’s London Fashion Week and the BFI’s Film Festival.
MF.

Sunday Girl @ The May Fair will be mixing the coolest tunes, with old-school tracks and eclectic beats from 8pm-9.30pm every Sunday night. Support will be from the May Fair Collective; a set of
music stars from 6.30pm-8pm.

Said Sunday Girl “I’m really excited to be hosting my own Sunday night residency at the May Fair Bar. It’ll be a great mix of fashion, music, friends and cocktails. Come along – i’ll either be on the decks or on the dance floor!”

Said Bar Manager Marios Elias “We’ve long been associated with the top names in the music industry – Lennon, Jagger, Dylan, Madonna and Lady Gaga have all partied here over the years – but we’re really looking forward to supporting and providing a showcase for the next big name. It’ll be the first time we’ve ever had a resident DJ and I can’t wait to see the public’s reaction.”
Sunday Girl at the May Fair will launch on Sunday 19 February from 6.30pm-9.30pm. Entrance is free. For more information visit www.themayfairhotel.co.uk

Chinese creativity hits London Fashion Week

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The “Mountain, Water” themed show brings original Chinese fashion brands, EVE CINA and EXCEPTION de MIXMIND, to the London catwalk.

Eve Group is regarded as China’s leading high-end men’s wear groups. With more than 300 stores in China the group has five brands: EVE CINA, NOTTING HILL, KEVIN KELLY, JAQUES PRITT, and EVE CINA. EVE gains creative inspiration from Chinese culture with a Western style and confidence. The brand’s design signature is delicate traditional culture in modern city life.

Ladies wear brand EXCEPTION is one of China’s longest-established, most successful art and fashion labels. With over 90 outlets across China, its design is original and contemporary. Its popular sister brand, WUYONG (“Useless”), is a leading creative label.

“China is a huge focus for us right now and an increasingly important market for our designers. I hope that China’s creativity will be a highlight of this Fashion Week. London is a creative powerhouse and China has a burgeoning creative industry. If we combine these two I believe great things can happen. This is the goal of the China Britain Fashion Alliance which I launched last August”, says Harold Tillman CBE, Chairman of the British Fashion Council.

“EXCEPTION and EVE are examples of well established Chinese brands that have real potential to build international followings. Let’s hope London will be a platform for them to build on in the future”, said John Walford, director of the shows”.

Celebs gather in Hollywood to celebrate the launch of Marni at H&M

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Celebrities gather in Hollywood to celebrate the launch of Marni at H&M

Last night in Los Angeles the great and the good of film and fashion including; Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder and Milla Jovovich were among the guests who attended a party to celebrate the launch of Marni at H&M. The event was held in a beautiful Hollywood residence and the event was hosted by Marni’s Founder and Creative Director, Consuelo Castiglioni, the Director of the Marni at H&M campaign, Sofia Coppola and Margareta van den Bosch, H&M´s Creative Advisor. As well as Drew, Winona and Milla, other guests arriving at the party dressed in Marni at H&M included Jessica Chastain, Freida Pinto and Andrea Riseborough. The collection will be available from March 8 in around 260 stores worldwide, as well as on-line.

“It has been an inspiring night, surrounded by a perfect setting and a great crowd. LA encapsulated the dream! It is not long before Marni at H&M is in the stores, and I am happy to share these magic moments with everybody.” Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director, Marni.

“It’s nice to see again the people I worked with on the project for Marni and H&M. With the film I just tried to do something that fitted with the mood of the collection, the fantasy and the fun of fashion.” Sofia Coppola

In a classic Hollywood house in Los Angeles, around 200 guests gathered to celebrate Marni´s collaboration for H&M, a collection full of Marni’s signature print and colour arriving just in time for spring. Guests were given the chance to enjoy an evening in an atmosphere captured by Sofia Coppola’s campaign for the collection, as well as an exclusive performance by Bryan Ferry.

Marni’s collection for H&M is all about freedom and experimentation, Marni prints and colours intended to mix and match together in a playful way. Everything goes with everything, making African prints the perfect companion to Bauhaus modernity, and sporty silhouettes sitting with more feminine shapes. The collection also includes a full range of shoes, bags and charming accessories to create a total Marni look at H&M. Meanwhile for men, Marni offers a fresh take on menswear staples, with a subtle use of print and a softened use of colour.


“I love H&M and I love Marni. I love how H&M are bringing the regal, chic clothes of Marni to everyone.” Drew Barrymore

“I’m a huge fan of Marni, I have been for years. I love the whole idea of taking high fashion and making it affordable and accessible with H&M.” Winona Ryder

“Tonight has been magical. It is as if Sofia Coppola’s campaign for Marni at H&M has come to life with this party in Hollywood. It’s been amazing to see so many personalities wearing the Marni at H&M collection. I can’t wait for these looks to go into stores so everyone can wear them for themselves.” Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s creative advisor.