Christmas Gift Guide For The One Who Is Hard To Buy For

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Frostie

The best thing to buy for someone who is hard to buy for is to get something edible, different or just plain amazing.

Mr Site Takeaway Website Beginner For PC & MAC

This is a great present for most people. Pretty much everyone needs a website these days and the Takeaway Website Beginner is not only everything you need in a box, but also very easy-to-use.

Maui Jim Sunglasses

Breakwall Glasses – Perfect for tennis fans, these frames come in Gloss Black, Rootbeer and Smoke Grey. Breakwall tames UV and wind to protect your vision beautifully. They are rimless and feather-light for an uncompromised view, all day long. These frames also happen to be popular with brand ambassador, ATP No. 3 tennis player, David Ferrer. We love them, they look great and are the most perfect glasses.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin

Brilliant gin and a great gift. An enduring classic, Tanqueray London Dry Gin is loved by bartenders, cocktail lovers and gin aficionados across the globe. With an extra smooth taste, it has an elegance that sets it apart from the rest and a flavour that shines in sophisticated cocktails and vibrant gin and tonics. Tanqueray is made with the finest botanicals including refreshing juniper, peppery coriander, aromatic angelica and sweet liquorice and its smooth yet bold flavour means it has become one of the world’s most awarded gins, making a luxurious and classic gift.

There’s no better way to enjoy Tanqueray than with tonic, fresh lime and lots of ice in one of the signature green stem and black base copa glasses. This oversize copa glass evokes the golden age of gin cocktails and its shape allows for the aromas of Tanqueray’s key botanicals to circulate for full appreciation of the drink’s flavour.

Taittinger Champagne

The most delicious and classy champagne. Who wouldn’t want a bottle of Taittingers for Christmas?

Taittinger Nocturne Sec NV, RRP £47, John Lewis, Harrods, winedirect.com

Tattinger Brut Réserve NV, RRP £38.99, widely available

Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie NV, RRP £55, Harrods, Handford Wines

Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus NV, RRP £49, Majestic, Oxford Wine Company, Fortnum & Mason

Taittinger Vintage 2005, RRP £53, Majestic Wine, Hedonism drinks

Bloom Gin & Tonic

BLOOM Gin & Fentimans Tonic is a luxury pre-mixed G&T in an attractive old fashioned glass bottle – the perfect little gift in a bottle for grown ups. They are delicious. The perfect cocktail for Christmas and beyond.

BLOOM Gin is a delicate floral premium London Dry Gin, inspired by the natural flora of English country gardens and created by the world’s first female Master Gin Distiller.

Joanne Moore chose botanicals from her own garden including chamomile and honeysuckle, as well as the citrus fruit pomelo, to make up the three key botanicals which create a delicate and subtle gin-drinking experience.

Carefully prepared and ready to serve, these bottles combine the delicate floral tones of BLOOM Gin, balanced with the distinctive herbal and plant-root notes of Fentimans tonic, made with lemon from the Cochin area of India.

Available from Sainsbury’s RRP £3.50 a bottle

The Counsellor By Cormac McCarthy

Cook Like a Man: The Official Movember Cookbook

Cook Like a Man: The Official Movember Cookbook and Cormac McCarthy’s The Counselor Screenplay are both great gifts. Depending on whether your friend is a man who loves cooking, or a person who loves film.

Naked Gift Box & Bite Sized Treats

Great gluten, dairy and wheat-free snacks. Tasty and healthy. We even ate one before we took this picture, we just couldn’t help ourselves. Perfect stocking fillers.

Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery

Great show jewellery. These make sure your shoes are as ready to party as you are. Party, dance, walk & dazzle with Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery. Available in Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins, also online on Amazon and Asos. www.blingbacks.co.uk

Higher Living Tea

Hope And Greenwood Jolly Christmas Sweet Shake and Mince Pie Bon Bons

We love the Higher Living Tea, the ginger one is a particular favourite and the Mince Pie Bon Bons and Sweet Shake are tasty and perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. Higher Living herbal teas are available in ASDA, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Hope And Greenwood are available in their store in Covent Garden.

A Raincoat From The Cambridge Raincoat Company

Great, stylish coats that are also perfect for cyclists.

An iPad. They probably already have one, but if not, go for it or an iTunes voucher. Anything from Apple is a must.

What do you think?

Christmas Gift Guide For The Beauty Junkie

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Frostie

Dynamo House Red Tea Skincare

Red Tea natural skin therapy products have 50 times the anti-oxidant properties than other products. Perfectly suited for any skin type and will improve your skin conditions.

E Body Spa Collection

This great collection lets you care for your body naturally without harmful cleansers. We love the face cleansing mitt, eye cleansing pad, hair turban and luxury hand towel.They also have micro-dry technology. They make you more beautiful and are environmentally friendly.

ZAO Make Up

ZAO Makeup The Bamboo packaging is not only beautiful and sustainable, it is brilliantly designed to be a refillable makeup line. Making it environmentally friendly and economical. We love the pearly eye shadow and mascara. They use 100% natural, organic and fair trade ingredients and all powders are talc free. Available from notonthehighstreet.com

Nip & Fab 10 Years Younger Set From ASOS

Colour Wow 3 Piece Root Cover Up Collection From QVC

We love Colour Wow. Those of us who dye our hair love the root touch up. It really works and saves money. Three-piece root cover-up protection by Colour Wow. Features a root cover-up, a Colour Security shampoo and a Colour Security conditioner. Colour Wow helps your hair colour remain flawless and vibrant between salon colour treatments.

Urban Fudge Hair Colour

This brilliant hair chalk lets you temporarily colour your hair. And you can buy the ice white chalk if you want the colour to look pastel. It makes your hair look funky and is easy to use. Available from Superdrug. Great stocking filler.

Elemis Indulgent Treasure Collection Set From John Lewis

Pamper yourself with this Elemis set of indulgent treats specifically formulated to leave you feeling deeply relaxed, restored and with intensely moisturised skin.

Bourjois Summer Lovin Set From Very.co.uk

Okay it is not summer, it is actually winter, and cold. But who would not want this set in their Christmas stocking?

Glo Minerals Lipstick. Available in lots of colours. Glō minerals use only pure pharmaceutical grade minerals and anti-oxidants chosen by dermatologists. They have a powerful antioxidant blend of Vitamins A,C,E and green tea extract

Benefit’s Confessions of a Concealaholic From Debenhams

Dove Real Women Gift Pack From Boots. A great bag filled with great products.

HD Brows Foxy Eye & Brow Palette. Perfect for eyes and brows.

Stila Convertible Colour Lip and Cheek Palette From Selfridges

Stila Convertible Colour Lip and Cheek Palette is sure to have you blushing this Christmas with a gorgeous mixture of 5 core and limited edition shades. A must have.

Ultradex

Great, handy and practical stocking fillers, the recalcifying & whitening daily oral rinse and toothpaste are great, The oral spray is an essential during Christmas social situations.

For The Boys….

Nspa Men’s Duo Set From ASDA

Scaramouche & Fandango Sh & Cd. Great Shampoo and Conditioner for Men.

Real Gents keep it clean with detoxing shea butter and black quinoa to remove excess oils and dirt from the hair. Keravis protein keeps hair strong and healthy, protecting against day-to-day pollution.

Like milk for your bones, Keravis helps strengthen the hair making it look and feel strong, soft and smooth. Apply straight after shampooing to give hair the boost it needs whilst protecting it from the elements.

What are you going to get for your loved one?

Christmas Gift Ideas For The House Proud

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Frostie

J-Me Shoe Rack This J-me Nest Shoe Rack is both original and stylish. There is a reason it got a glowing review from us.

Umbra Cat Jewellery Holder This Umbra Zoola Cat Ring Holder is so cute and so functional. We love it. There is also a Limited Edition Brass version.

Spineless Classics We are obsessed with Spineless Classics in the Frost office, and this Shakespeare’s Hamlet – Complete Works on a Page is a particular favourite. Sigh.

E-Auto By E-Cloth This e-cloth – Dual Action Mitt is a great stocking filler which makes cleaning the car a breeze, because who says being house proud should stop at the front door?

Taylor’s Eye Witness Slate Cheese Board Set With Knives. Taylor’s Eye Witness is an impressive 175 years old. Congratulations guys. It was founded by John Taylor in the 19th Century. The knives are stainless steel. This Slate Board and Knife Set is stylish and gorgeous. Makes any kitchen just that much more sophisticated. We love it. Also available from Ocado.

H20X5 Steam Cleaner. I love this and was very excited when it came because anything that makes cleaning quick and easy is brilliant. This steam cleaner is a home essential. Traditionally available in green, Thane has now added a beautiful white and red edition to the range. This is one of the bestselling steam cleaners in the UK and worldwide. Since the launch 500,000 have been sold in the UK and almost 8 million worldwide. Designed to clean, the H20 X5 kills up to 99% of salmonella and E-coli without using harmful chemicals, making it safe around children and pets. Available now from thane.tv and Robert Dyas, RRP £99.99

Rewined Candle Pinot Noir Great candles made from recycled wine bottles, natural soy wax and custom blended fragrance. They look great and are environmentally friendly. What more could you ask for?

Yankee Candle Set of 3 Artisan Christmas Large Jars from QVC

What is your favourite?

Over Half of British Adults Put Important Moments in Life Down to Superstition

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Frostie

Over half of all Brits (57%) believe in fate and 44% think it is responsible for one or more of life’s most important moments. According to a poll commissioned to mark the launch of Mystery Case Files: Fate’s Carnival which is released today, 28% of Brits put fate down as the reason why they found their partner or fell in love.

Big Fish commissioned the survey to see if fate really does play a part in people’s lives. The world’s largest producer of casual games found that it is not only love that people put down to fate. One in 10 people in the UK chose “getting a job” as something they’d put down to fate, rather than hard work.

Furthermore, the younger you are, the more likely it is that you will put life moments down to fate. For example 18% of 16-24 year olds put bumping into an old partner down to fate, whereas just 12% of those aged 55+ think the same.

The twists and turns of Mystery Case Files: Fate’s Carnival, in which Madame Fate (a gypsy fortune teller) has returned from the dead to reverse fate before it’s too late, may well appeal to the most superstitious part of the UK. Overwhelmingly, the North East attracts the most believers in fate (69%) and 29% of people from the North East even said that “Having a ‘near miss’ with their own or a loved one’s life” was something they’d put down to fate.

Wales on the other hand is the most rational part of the UK where 54% say that they don’t believe in fate.

It is not just fate that we superstitious Brits believe in. Almost half of us (48%) read our horoscopes, with one in four (24%) checking their horoscopes once a month or more.

Women are the greater stargazers with 58% having looked at their horoscope, whilst men seem to be a little more sceptical. Thirty eight per cent of men are interested to see what the future holds according to the stars.

The British may be superstitious but when it comes to paranormal, we are scathing. Eighty three per cent of those studied have never seen a psychic of any sort and 73% would never go. Of the 27% of adults who would contemplate a visit, 46% would want to communicate with a loved one who had passed away and 19% would want to ask about their own or a loved one’s health and wellbeing. Whilst 19% of men who go to see a psychic do so to remove a curse from a loved one or themselves.

Britain is Lagging Behind Europe in Training Women

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Frostie

Only 7% of professional engineers in the UK are female and companies must take the lead in redressing the balance according to Scott Fletcher – chairman and founder of UK cloud infrastructure specialists ANS Group.

“Private companies are beginning to take the lead in providing skills training and they should seize the opportunity to provide more apprenticeships for women in male dominated sectors. This is particularly true in the IT industry,” said Mr Fletcher.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 2013 skills survey discovered that only 7% of professional engineers in the UK were women and that this figure has only risen by 2% over the last five years.

This compares with 18% in Spain, 20% in Italy and 26% in Sweden.

The Science and Technology Commons Select Committee is currently studying the progress of female students and academics pursuing science, technology, engineering and maths careers and hearing evidence from education providers.

“We need to increase the flow of young talent into tech and engineering industries and attracting more women is an obvious answer. Currently a large proportion of female Stem graduates (science, technical, engineering and mathematics) are choosing careers in other industries,” said Mr Fletcher.

A report published earlier this year by the Institute of Physics (IOP) found that half of all the co-ed schools in the UK did not put forward a single female student to sit an A-level in physics.

“It seems that Britain’s schools have pigeon holed physics as a ‘boys’ subject which is a notion that needs to be eradicated immediately,” said Mr Fletcher.

Scott Fletcher has been a consistent campaigner for reform of the way computing skills are taught to young people.

“Providing on-the-job apprenticeship training is every bit as vital as finding tech and science graduates. We find time and time again that young people aren’t leaving school with the skills they need to begin a career in a tech industry.

“The IT industry is obviously fluid and businesses need to re-invent themselves every few years. There is no sitting back on past glories in our industry and young talent is the essential fuel for that re-invention,” said Mr Fletcher.

ANS Group has designed and created its own ‘Cloud Academy’ that will provide industry led training for approximately 60 apprentices in Cloud technology every year. It is hoped that the academy will see at least five new candidates joining the ANS team each month.

Our ANS Cloud Academy – which is based in Manchester – is part of the government’s ‘Employer Ownership of Skill Pilot’ which invites employers to develop any proposal that teaches skills, creates employment or drives economic growth.

Liz Earle Shares Her Tips For Dry Lips

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Frostie

Are dry lips bothering you right now? As the effects of chilly winds outside and drying central heating inside conspire to whisk moisture from our skin, our lips are often the first to show signs of suffering. Liz Earle, creator of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Co., mother of five, organic farmer and more recently founder of Liz Earle Wellbeing, reveals her top tips with Frost on combating dry lips this winter.

· Drink plenty of water and up your intake of B vitamins as low levels can lead to dry, cracked skin.

· Resist the urge to lick your lips – this only makes them sorer.

· Buff away dead skin cells away using a soft toothbrush to help reduce chapping.

· Read the labels! Not all lip balms are the same. Balms or sticks made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly don’t moisturise as such, they simply sit on the lips’ surface, and may even dry the lips out. Flavoured lip balms may taste nice but they might encourage you to lick your lips even more. More natural ingredients, such as plain plant oils and purified lanolin are by far the best choices for keeping lips soft and comfortable.

· Very sensitive lips respond best to a fragrance-free, natural emollient. Most nipple creams, especially those that contain purified medical grade lanolin, can actually be the best balms for very sore lips.

· You don’t have to forego the glamour! Lip gloss can help protect against the drying wintry elements, or try a tinted lip balm containing vitamin E, shea or cocoa butter.

How To Keep Calm And Carry On Book Review

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Frostie

How to Keep Calm and Carry On: Inspiring Ways to Worry Less and Live a Happier Life by Professor Daniel Freeman and Jason Freeman is certainly a book for our age. With unemployment on the rise and the the effects of the recession still causing trouble it is no wonder anxiety and stress are on the rise.

The book starts with what anxiety actually is, then it goes into tackling your anxiety and how it can be done. Whilst reading about tackling anxious thoughts and reducing worry I learned a lot, mostly that I worry too much! About everything, even things that will probably never happen. The book also has great tables and exercises to do. A section on coping with nightmares is particularly helpful as I find when I am stressed I usually have bad dreams.

The chapter on relaxing body and mind was informative and interesting. I find that I never switch off and it is just not healthy for me. Some of the tips in this book are incredibly useful and I will be adding them to my life.

The chapter on eating and drinking your way to calmness reminded me to drink less caffeine (no wonder I can’t sleep!) and eat more pasta. All in all, an incredibly knowledgeable and fun book to help you keep calm and carry on. Highly recommended.

~ Worry and anxiety affects millions worldwide. How to Keep Calm and Carry On takes the latest scientific research and tested clinical techniques to show readers how to beat it ~

Britain is on the verge of a stress epidemic. One in five adults worry for at least 60 minutes every day. And more than seven million Brits are believed to have a certifiable anxiety disorder.

Even low-level worry can negatively impact work, home and quality of life. It’s a situation that costs the UK economy over £6.5billion each year.

But as new stress management guide How to Keep Calm and Carry On shows, anxiety need not be an issue in people’s lives any longer.

Calling upon the latest cutting-edge clinical research and proven-to-work techniques, leading British clinical psychologist Professor Daniel Freeman and psychology writer Jason Freeman offer a simple, straightforward roadmap to enjoying a happy and worry-free life.

Throughout the 176-page book, the Freeman brothers — dubbed the UK’s “Worry Tzars” — put the ‘How To’ into the world-famous “Keep Calm” mantra, offering friendly guidance, exercises and

motivating ‘quick wins’ to allow readers to build a realistic and highly-practical programme to keep fears in check and anxieties under control.

Refreshingly and reassuringly, Keep Calm and Carry On is science-based without being technical — something which, ironically, could cause reader anxiety in itself. There’s no jargon or scary psychobabble to be found across its 12 guaranteed stuffiness-free chapters.

Instead, the book — which has just been released by leading educational publisher Pearson —provides an effortlessly accessible manual to feeling more calm, composed and centred.

Speaking about the book, Daniel Freeman — Professor of Clinical Psychology at Oxford University — said: “Our aim is to take the very best psychological research and make it accessible so people can effectively deal with stress and anxiety.”

Whatever life throws at you, the Freeman brothers can show how best to keep calm and carry on.

How to Keep Calm and Carry On: Inspiring Ways to Worry Less and Live a Happier Life by Daniel & Jason Freeman (Pearson) is out now, priced £10.99, from Amazon and all good book shops

Richard Spencer: Hair Q & A: How To Relax Black Hair, Make Hair Grow Back & Does Washing Hair Make it Fall Out?

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Frostie

Does washing my hair a lot make it fall out? Male Reader.

Washing hair does not CAUSE hair loss, but people with hair fall problems can experience more hair fall during the washing process, especially if loose hair is captured within the body of the hair.

How do I make my hair grow back? Male Reader

Most male hair loss is associated with genetics. This has a slow, degenerative effect upon the hair follicle. The regrowth of hair largely depends on the condition of a hair follicle. If a follicle is in a weakened state, but not degenerated, the correct and regular amount of blood stimulation can strengthen a hair follicle and encourage regrowth. This would involve trichological therapy and certain stimulants for home use.

If a follicle is degenerated, regrowth cannot occur. A consult with a qualified trichologist should give you the necessary answers and way forward.

What is the best way to relax black hair? Female Reader

Black hair should be relaxed every three months and no sooner. This gives the hair a chance to achieve 3cm of regrowth which will allow less over-lapping of the chemical. One must then make sure the right product is used, the correct strength and the correct time periods strictly adhered to. Please do go to our website for more info. We relax hair in our clinic with the utmost professionalism and care.

My doctor isn’t taking my hair loss seriously, saying it is cosmetic. What can I do? Female Reader

GP’s are not specifically trained to deal with the many types of hair loss that occur with men and women. Therefore, they may not be able to offer the correct diagnosis, advice and treatment.

Trichologists are specialists who are only concerned with hair and scalp disorders and I would advise people to seek their advice when a problem occurs.

How can I cover my hair loss? I never want to leave the house as it looks so thin. Female Reader

I am so sorry. This is such a traumatic position to be in. I completely understand and sympathise with you as we see many women with the same dilemma.

I wonder, have you had any help or advice so far? If not, please do take a step towards seeking help from a consultant trichologist. Make sure they are qualified and registered with the institute of Trichologists.

Depending on the length of time you have suffered with thinning hair, the trichologist should be able to explain what can and can’t be achieved. Don’t delay any further is my advice….and wish you well.

Richard Spencer MIT

The Spencer Clinic Ltd
31 Thurloe Street
South Kensington
London SW7 2LQ

020 7584 4255

info@spencerclinic.co.uk
www.spencerclinic.co.uk

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