Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

50 Kisses at BAFTA for Guinness World Records

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I recently attended the 50 Kisses screening event at BAFTA. It was also to celebrate 50 Kisses getting into Guinness Book of Records as the film with the most co-writers. The writers of 50 Kisses gathered at BAFTA to celebrate the news that they had collectively entered the Guinness Book Of Records for the most co-writers on a feature film. The video, from 50 Kisses and director Chris Jones, is below. Congratulations all. It was a great event and we also caught up with British actor Jon Campling and film distributor David Wilkinson.

50 kisses BAFTA _chris jones, living spirit  50 Kisses World Record22 50 Kisses World Record108 Jon Campling
http://www.50kissesfilm.com/

 

 

Beech’s Chocolate Creams Review

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Some things are more fun to review than others. Chocolate is one of those things right at the top of the enjoyable list.

We got sent a box of Beech’s Fine Chocolates Creams, actually, we got sent SIX boxes, and it really made our day. We devoured them in less than five days. Although we are not sure we should admit that.

chocolate

chocolatecreams

chocoate

All of these creams were amazing, although we all had different favourites. They are high quality, classy chocolates. Perfect for presents, if only to yourself.

Beech’s has been making chocolate since 1920 and contain only natural flavourings and colours.

£2.99 for 90g box.

Beech’s Fine Chocolates was opened in Preston in 1920 and has been supplying treats from its original factory in the town centre ever since, all made using only natural ingredients and traditional methods.

Beech’s currently supplies Marks & Spencer for its own brand Chocolate Brazils, After Dinner Mints, and Rose and Violet Creams.

Available from Amazon UK

www.beechsfinechocolates.com

 

He Texted: The Ultimate Guide To Decoding Guys Book Review

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Technology usually makes things easier, but when it comes to dating, things are now more complicated than ever. Sure access is easier: Twitter and Facebook has given all of us the chance to stalk. Not that we would, of course.

But with access comes more problems: we know a lot about people just from their social media, but also nothing at all.

As the He Texted: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding Guys back cover puts it:

He Texted The Ultimate Guide To Decoding Guys Book Review

‘You’re a busy, intelligent, modern woman. You stay on top of work e-mail. You “like” all the baby photos your sister posts on Facebook. You found your dream job through LinkedIn. But when your crush texts you “Sup?” every few days, yet never asks you out, what the hell does that mean?

These days, dating is more confusing than ever. Friending? Following? Liking? Poking? Linking? LOLing? WTF? In an era when FaceTime is no longer the same as face-to-face, it’s no wonder you can’t tell if he’s into you or just really into his iPhone.

This hilarious and essential guide from the founders of HeTexted.com—with totally straightforward guy sight from the HeTexted Bros—will help you autocorrect your digital dating life, from decoding your Facebook friendships, to reading the intentions behind guys’ perplexing texts, to deciding when—if ever—you should text him first. It’s He’s Just Not That Into You for the digital age and What to Expect When You’re Expecting . . . a second date—all in one invaluable package!’

I found this book entertaining, interesting and full of great information and advice. It reminded me of a He’s Just Not That Into You for the modern age. The book comes from the creators of HeTexted.com, which consists of Lisa Winning and Carrie Henderson McDermott. Lisa has worked in start-ups all of her life and Carrie bravely left her job at Glamour magazine. And with great success: He Texted is an indispensable guide to dating in the modern age.

There is a lot of amazing advice for decoding texts and avoiding modern dating pitfalls in this book from different sources, including some men. It is fun to read and will help you through the minefield that is modern dating.

He Texted: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding Guys

 

Heaven Bee Venom Mask Review

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Heaven BEE VENOM face mask reviewWhen I am tired, dehydrated or run down I get these horrible little lines on my forehead. If I drink some water and get some sleep they disappear but I am getting more worried about them becoming permanent. It’s easy to think aging is okay when you are in your early-twenties or teens (Hello 23-year-old Emma Watson) but I am in my late-twenties now and aging is less fun when it is actually happening to you. I have always been told I look younger than my age and I want to keep it that way.

I would never have cosmetic surgery and I promised my other half that I would never have botox (which may turn out to be a regret), so reviewing nature’s alternative to Botulinum Toxin, Deborah Mitchell’s Heaven Bee Venom Mask, was definitely quite exciting. I also met Deborah and had a nice chat with her, she has great skin and is very inspirational.

Heaven Bee Venom Mask is the first product of its kind. This unique product has been specially created using natural and organic ingredients, combined to work in synergy for an instant anti-ageing effect

Containing Manuka Honey, renowned for its soothing and healing properties, it also contains the magic Bee Venom ingredient that works to control the facial muscles for immediate lifting, tightening and firming, whilst getting to work on frown lines and wrinkles

Bee Venom Mask also contains ingredients of softening and calming Shea Butter, Rose and Lavender essential oils.

I reviewed this in two ways: one: I used it as a proper face mask. On for 20 minutes and then rinse off. Two: I put it on top of my moisturiser and leave it on.

After using it as a proper face mask my skin looks great and feels smooth. I also see a difference when putting it on top of my moisturiser. It doesn’t numb the area you put it on or feel weird, it is just like a light moisturiser and smells lovely too.

I have only been using this for a few weeks and will do an update in another few weeks. So far I am impressed. It smooths out the skin and leaves it radiant. It smells great too. So far, I am a fan.

Available from Heaven

 

Eye öf Hörus Goddess Mascara Review

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Eye öf Hörus Goddess Mascara Review

Having ‘goddess’ in the title of a beauty product immediately raises the game. Don’t we all want to look, if not like a goddess, at the very least the best possible version of ourselves.

I was impressed with the before and after photos in the literature I was sent along with the mascara. Did it live up to expectations? Yes, it really does volumise your lashes, giving a very ‘wow’ look. It comes with a volumising hourglass silicon brush with massed bristles and a flexible wand. It strengthens and lengthens and is formulated with ancient Moringa oil for sensitive eyes.

The packaging is great, very classy and the mascara is good and makes it look like you are wearing false lashes. It is almost a little too good as I have naturally long lashes and can’t blink when I put my glasses on! It lasts all day without smudging or flaking. You can also apply more and build it up without your lashes looking like a spider. Always a bonus.

I loved this and would like to try the Eye öf Hörus eye shadows and eyeliners too.

Available from Amazon.

Fattoria La Vialla Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 Wine Review

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For someone who never thought they were a fan of red wine, I sure have been enjoying a lot recently. And right at the top of the list is this stunning Chianti from Fattoria La Vialla, the first-class Tuscan farm that Frost is such a fan of. Their Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 is a ruby-red Chianti with purple flashes and a delicious scent of fresh cherries and irises, combined with woodland and oak. It is fresh with a sweet and persistently fruity aftertaste. The best Chianti I have ever tasted. It is also possibly the best Chianti on the market and only ‘possibly’ because I have not tried them all. It is certainly one of the best red wines in the world. no exaggeration.

Fattoria La Vialla Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 Wine ReviewIn fact, this wine was reviewed at a dinner party I had in my home. My fiancee and I rarely drink red wine, preferring rosé or white, our guests loved red wine and drank it all the time: we all agreed on the absolute brilliance of the Fattoria Chianti. As if to prove our good taste it won the Gold Medal at the 2014 Mundus Vini Biofach.

fattorialaviallawine win award

This is what Fattoria La Vialla said about their win:

“Bandino, Gianni, an extremely enthusiastic Michela, Annamaria and Antonio’s thrilled smiles are “caught on the fly” in this photo, while Mrs Ulrike Hoefken (state environment and agricultural policy minister of the Rheinland-Pfalz region) approaches to give them the awards. She brings the prizes herself, a long pile of them!

Tied first for number of medals received with only one German company, among more than 600 wines….
….to you, dear friends, and from all the Viallini, from the field to the cellar… a toast, cheers!”

Here is to many more awards as their wine is absolutely superb.

Enjoy with: Fried meats, stews, roasted meals and vegetables, steak, sausage and anything barbequed.

 

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan And CC Cream Review

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I am pretty fair of skin and I love it. But just occasionally I give up my paleness for a bit of a tan. Usually when I am traveling, tired or ill. Sometimes you need all of the help you can get.

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan and Karora CC Cream Skin Sensation were all giving to me by the lovely Karora who were not only very proud of their products, but also chose these three to be reviewed specifically for my pale skin.

Karora tanning products review

Karora Golden Girl Gradual Tan – Light/Medium

Is a gradual tanning product, so you can build up the colour. It gives a very good glow along with a deep hydration. This moisture rich lotion conditions skin and leaves it replenished and also gives a natural glow. You use this daily, like most gradual tan products. It can be used on face and body.

I would definitely continue to use this as it is a brilliant moisturiser and it also gives a sun-kissed glow. This is perfect for the kind of light, natural, non-orange tan I love.

Karora CC Cream for Face and Body

I love alphabet creams. I now wear BB creams far more than I wear foundation. I hadn’t tried as many CC Creams though.

This CC cream is less of a tanning product, and more of a skin-perfecting cream with a hint of glowing colour. It certainly made me look like I had just come back from holiday. It certainly gives radiance, reasonably coverage (depending on how your skin is. I would need concealer on top for any hormonal breakouts), and it is also blended with skin tone correcting botanicals of green tea leaf extract and jojoba seed oil, with argan oil and acai berry to rejuvenate the skin. You can use this on your face and body. Good stuff that does diminish every flaw but won’t cover up very bad skin days. Contains no Parabens, Chemicals, Artificial, Fragrances or Synthetic Dyes.

Karora Glow Glamster Instant Tan

I only got a tiny sample of this but I did give it a try: it is a good instant fake tan that is also water-resistant. I would need a bigger sample to do a proper review but I was impressed with my initial test.

Are you a fan of Karora? Do you like to fake tan?

 

 

Astral All Over Moisturiser Review | Beauty

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I hadn’t tried Astral All Over Moisturiser before but I had heard of it. Both through advertising, word-of-mouth and in magazines. It has, after all, been around since the 1950s. It is also multi-purpose and can be used all over.

When I first open it up it looks quite thick and I expect it to be heavy when I put it on. However, it almost feels like a gel when I put it on and it sinks in beautifully with no trace of heaviness. It actually feels light and fresh. My sensitive skin loves this and just soaks it up. Afterwards there is no stickiness and it doesn’t feel like I have a film on my skin. Something that can happen with other ‘intense’ moisturisers. Astral says it is ‘nourishing’ and ‘protective’ on the back and I would definitely agree. It also says it is perfect for mature skin but don’t let that put you off. I am in my twenties and it still benefited me.

astral all over moisturiserI would definitely buy Astral again, it works like an intense, heavy moisturiser but without any of the annoying after-effects. I only use a small amount but it goes really far and after my makeup doesn’t slide off. Always a plus. I also notice how nice and soft my hands are after using this, and it is also brilliant as you can use it as a body lotion, cold cream, day cream and night cream. Perfect for traveling or if you run out of something. It also really works on dry skin. I am very impressed. Recommended.

Astral is dermatologically tested and not tested on animals.

 £3.49 from Boots and Superdrug.