Not Working by Lisa Owens Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Frostie

Which of us hasn’t dreamed of quitting an unsatisfactory job to find out what we really want to do with our lives and careers? This is just what Claire Flannery decides to do, but despite excellent intentions to get fit, improve her general knowledge, read Moby Dick, get to grips with modern art and the world economy, she soon finds that having too much time on her hands is not entirely a good thing and that without a job to define her and map out her daily routine she is floundering.

The opening pages – a bizarre conversation with a passing stranger about the buddleia growing on the roof of her house – set the tone well for this first novel from author Lisa Owens. It’s a funny, observant and very perceptive view of the mundane ordinariness of daily life. And at the same time a poignant and intelligent discussion of some of the bigger issues we face.

Written almost like a diary and broken up into chunks of various lengths often with amusing headings, it’s easy to read and very easy to enjoy. But there is more to it than that and as you read it you’ll be left pondering questions and answers, and relating the narrative to your own life.

My first impression was that the ending didn’t work as well as it might have done. I’d expected something more definite to happen; for there to be a bit more resolution. But on second thoughts not knowing all the answers is just what real life is like – isn’t it?

Either way, it would be hard not to appreciate this novel. And I’ll look forward to the next from Lisa Owens.

Not Working is published by Picador and will be available in hardback on 21 April 2016.

Not Working by Lisa Owens is available here.

One in Five Brits Have no idea How to Make Pancakes

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Frostie

Happy Pancake Day! Will you be making your own? If so you are ahead of one in five other Brits. Pancakes are Britain’s most ‘faked’ dish, according to new research.

One in five Brits has no idea how to make them and admits to passing off store-bought and ready-made pancakes as their own.

And the humble pancake is the nation’s number one faked food – ahead of gravy, sauces, cakes and soup, according to a survey of 2,000 adults by Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

The main reasons cited for food fraud were lack of skill (20 per cent) and lack of time (12 per cent).

Lyle’s Golden Syrup spokeswoman Sara Harrison said: “We understand people are time-poor and are therefore turning to pre-made pancakes, so let’s celebrate panfakery. Whether you’re faking it or making it, we want to spread Lyle’s smiles this Pancake Day.”

Top of the pancake toppings this Shrove Tuesday are sugar (68 per cent), golden syrup (48 per cent), maple syrup (43 per cent) and ice cream (34 per cent).

The ten most-faked dishes in the UK:

1. Pancakes

2. Gravy

3. Sauces

4. Cakes

5. Soup

6. Mashed Potato

7. Pasta

8. Bread

9. Pie (sweet or savoury)

10. Chocolate Mousse

In a bid to help busy Brits spread smiles this Pancake Day, Lyle’s Golden Syrup has launched the UK’s first ‘PanMail’ delivery service, offering time poor Brits emergency supplies of pancakes and delicious Lyle’s Golden Syrup delivered straight to their door.

Visit @WeLoveBaking on Twitter to find out how you can receive your own PanMail delivery this Pancake Day.

The Boy From Nowhere Gregor Fisher By Mary Higgins

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Frostie

Last Christmas I bought my mother a book.

So what, I hear you say.

Well, she is practically blind and cannot now read.

‘I shall read it to you,’ I promised.

The book is ‘The Boy from Nowhere’; the story of one of Scotland’s best loved comedy actors: Gregor Fisher of Rab C Nesbit fame.

Gregor, along with Telegraph columnist Melanie Reid, researched his past, sifting through the layers of lies and deceit surrounding his life and the reason why he came to live in the village of Neilston, with his aunt Cis, at the age of three.

I chose this book because we live in Neilston and remember Gregor growing up in the village; a likeable boy who always had a story to tell; we would sit on the roundabout in the swing park listening to his soft voice and laughing at his jokes

The book is riveting from the start, with an honesty which is both disturbing and refreshing.

The descriptions of his life back in the 50s and 60s have stirred memories of my own childhood in the village reminding me of how difficult life was back then.

A picture is painted of a very happy childhood – happy, that is, till he finds out that Cis, the woman he calls mum, isn’t his mother at all – But, in true west of Scotland style, he quickly gets over it and doesn’t let it spoil his happiness for long.

Although the family were close and the atmosphere was loving, the people he called mum and dad were, like most inhabitants of the west of Scotland at that time, undemonstrative. This lack of physical contact caused Gregor a few problems when he finally arrived into the touchy feely world of show business. But, like a true Scot, once again he got over it.

He was accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and, after a laugh-out-loud moment when he has to wear tights and a leotard, he settles in but his lack of confidence meant that he never felt that he belonged.

His career really took off when he was offered an acting job and an equity card. This opened up all kinds of possibilities for him. He was off on his journey as an actor, forging lifetime friendships along the way.

I am well into the story now, reading one or two chapters per day, only stopping when my voice becomes hoarse; reading aloud takes a bit more effort than reading to oneself.

I feel an excitement when I reach for the book, The Boy from Nowhere has awakened memories and feelings within me which I haven’t touched on for some time but, each evening, I look forward to switching off the TV and with the face of a young Gregor smiling out at me, I wait till my mother settles back into her chair in anticipation then open at the page we finished on the night before and begin.

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger Only £1.99 Until End of Today

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Frostie

Our editor Catherine Balavage’s new blogging book, The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger, is only £1.99 until the end of today. It has already had a four star review on Good Reads and a five star review on Amazon. Catherine was also interviewed in Best of You Magazine. The print copy of the magazine is out now. You can buy The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger here.

Frost Editor Catherine Balavage In Best Of You Magazine Talking About Blogging

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Frostie

Frost founder and editor Catherine Balavage has been interviewed by Best of You magazine about blogging and her new book, The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger. You can read the interview here or buy the print issue here. It is a great interview with lots of tips on blogging and becoming a successful blogger. Check it out.

Home Idea Hacks

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Frostie

Schlafzimmer : Modern bedroom by Die HausManufaktur GmbH

Schlafzimmer by Die HausManufaktur GmbH

The beginning of the year is usually met with the best of intentions, even if we don’t always stick to them. But there are a few home ideas that can have a lasting impact. The latest obsession with decluttering is a good one, getting rid of unwanted stuff makes things clearer and lets us know what is really needed. Replacing older items with good quality pieces, that will last, is also a great investment.

In the bedroom it is best to not have too much stimulation. Here are some great bedroom ideas

Keep it neutral.

Keeping the bedroom in a neutral colour makes the bedroom a calm environment. You can add touches of colour and personality with furniture, bedding and cushions. A colourful lamp or bedding will add a pop. Some artwork is great but nothing too angry.

by saudade muebles

Keep your work out.

The bedroom should be a place where you sleep or relax. This may not always be possible. Especially in cities where many people live in house shares and rent a room in a house. I know when I lived in a house share I got irritated by all of the ‘the bedroom is only for sleeping’ advice in magazines. And what about weekends in bed? The bedroom should be a place of relaxing, sure, but also for fun and chilling out in general. Try to think of it as a place for recuperation. I often make the mistake of taking work to bed but it always leaves me stressed out. In my opinion the bedroom should be your safe haven from the world.

If the bedroom is all you have.

If you live in a house share then it is even more important that your bedroom is a place that makes you happy. You won’t really be able to separate work from relaxing time but you can still make sure your bedroom is a calm place. There will be a lack of space so invest in storage. Under bed storage is great and you can also invest in shelves and colourful boxes to put your stuff in.

Invest in good quality furniture.

Buying the best you can afford is a worthwhile investment. We still have some furniture that my husband was bought when he was a boy. The furniture still looks amazing today. Maybe we will even pass it down to our son.

Do you have any home hacks to share?

In collaboration with homify

Frost Editor Catherine Balavage Writes Ultimate Guide To Blogging Book

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Frostie

The Ultimate Guide To Blogging is Launched.

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger by Catherine Balavage is now published.

ISBN 978-0-9929639-8-9

It’s all here, just take your time, and let the expert take you by the hand, and save you zillions of hours of stop and start mistakes.

Bravo, a book that needed writing …

Bestselling author Margaret Graham

Catherine Balavage, editor and founder of Frost Magazine, has published a new blogging book based on over ten years worth of blogging experience. Catherine founded Frost Magazine six years ago and in that time has made it into a successful online magazine. She first started blogging eleven years ago when she was a teenager with a LiveJournal blog. She is also one of The Huffington Post’s signature bloggers. Blogging has become huge in recent years and is only becoming more popular. The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger has everything anyone could want to know about being a successful blogger.

From design to advertising, social media and publicity, the book is everything you need to start your blogging career. The book is packed with hundreds of useful tips and invaluable information which will save you hours of time and give you essential information to develop your blog to its full potential. It also covers vlogging and how to market your blog. The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger is an in-depth and thorough book which covers every aspect of being a success in digital publishing. It covers various revenue streams, how to write the best content, how to take the best pictures, social media and SEO. Perfect for beginners or those who already have a blog but are unsure of how to take it to the next level, the book has a chapter on interviews with essential advice from other successful blogger, including beauty blogger Really Ree.

This is Catherine Balavage’s third book. She has also written an Amazon bestseller on Acting, How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur, and a wedding planning book, The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity.

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger is available on amazon.co.uk and is included in Amazon’s Kindle Countdown Deal. It is only £1.99 for another six days.

National Clear Your Clutter Day Launches in March 2016

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Frostie

Thousands more will be booking extra holidays this summer with the riches they acquire thanks to the first national Clear Your Clutter Day on March 19.

Hoarders will be encouraged to dig out their stash of unused items and to sell them at car boot sales, on classified and free local selling sites, and even at auction houses. They will also be urged to bin useless junk and to donate knick-knacks and clothes to charity shops and the homeless. Collectors will even be shown how to upcycle other curios to make free presents for family and friends.

It is hoped that the annual scheme, called ‘Clear Your Clutter Day’, will reduce the UK’s bulging mountain of unwanted stuff and give consumers a huge financial boost so they can afford an extra fun holiday this summer.

Organiser Jasmine Birtles, the consumer finance expert, said it will also help the one-in-five UK households in “bric-a-brac bother”.

She said: “Britain has long been a nation of hoarders, with 20 per cent of households admitting to having enough clutter to fill a whole room. Most people would like to de-clutter but either don’t have the time or are overwhelmed by the task at hand.“Clear Your Clutter Day is the long-awaited catalyst to help people live stress and clutter-free lives. It is a time when hoarders can rid themselves of useless items once and for all.”

Jasmine, the founder of Moneymagpie.com and a regular guest on BBC Breakfast, Sky News and Channel 5 News, added: “The initiative benefits every one – the hoarder, bargain hunters, and UK charities.” which takes place on Saturday, March 19, a selection of how-to articles will be added to Moneymagpie.com.

A free ebook will also be available to anyone taking part in the Clear Your Clutter Challenge. On the day itself Birtles, dubbed the ‘Queen of Cash’, will be joined by a team of experts who will host live webinars on Google+ and Periscope.

To celebrate the inaugural launch of Clear Your Clutter Day,

Jasmine’s Top Five De-Cluttering Tips:

1. Make a bid for freedom. Look on de-cluttering as gaining space and freedom rather than having to get rid of things. If you see it as gaining something you’re much more likely to throw out things you know you don’t love or need.

2. Do it space by space. Don’t try and do your whole home in one go. Do it drawer by drawer and cupboard by cupboard. Start with the easiest room in the house (probably the bathroom) and once you’ve cleared that room, give yourself a quick break and then start on the next easiest room. Once you’ve done two whole rooms you will already have more of a sense of satisfaction and control over your life which should spur you on to do more cluttered parts of the house.

3. Do it with a friend. Get a friend or family member round to help you. It will make it more fun and help you sort more of your home than you would on your own. If you’re a natural hoarder, bring in someone who loves throwing things out, so that you’re not tempted to just keep everything.

4. Use the four box rule. Get four boxes which are marked ‘throw away’, ‘charity shop’, ‘sell’ and ‘recycle’. Everything you decide not to keep should go into one of those boxes. The ‘throw away’ one is easy (although even some broken electronic items could be given away through

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