Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Looking for the Perfect Proposal? Date for Two Years then Pop the Question on Valentine’s Day

Posted on by

Looking for the Perfect Proposal? Date for Two Years then Pop the Question on Valentine’s Day on a Deserted Beach (with a Ring You Chose Together)

  • Two years into relationship best time to pop the question
  • Perfect proposal combines element of surprise, deserted beach and expensive ring
  • Women start losing patience after two years – half would dump a man who hadn’t proposed after five
  • One in four say they’re ‘Proposal Pushers’ who’ll coerce their man into doing the deed, one in ten are POPOs – ‘Propose or Push Offs’
  • Another quarter say marriage is still the ultimate commitment – ahead of having a child

As Valentine’s Day approaches, they’re the questions plaguing many a nervous boyfriend.

You want to ask her to marry you but how do you create the perfect proposal? And when is the right time to do it?

According to a major new courtship survey the ideal way combines old and new traditions and comes after you’ve spent exactly two happy years together.

The research, commissioned by leading drinks brand Lambrini found that one in four women  think a man should be popping the question 24 months into the relationship, with just 15 per cent happy to wait three years.

If you haven’t got round to proposing after five years then don’t bother – almost half (49 per cent) of all those quizzed said if they had to wait that long they’d dump their other half and move on.

Another one in four women (27 per cent) think if you haven’t got engaged by that stage you’re probably never going to, while another one in four (26 per cent) think a man who hasn’t asked is a commitment-phobe.

When it came to popping the question, a deserted beach was the perfect place for proposal – named by almost one in four women (22 per cent) and although it might be considered corny by some, Valentine’s Day is still seen as the most appropriate time to ask for someone’s hand, along with a woman’s birthday (both chosen by nine per cent of women).

An element of surprise (32 per cent), a romantic setting (21 per cent) and getting down on one knee (20 per cent) were also considered crucial, while one in ten women wanted their partner to get their father’s permission.

Just one in ten said having an expensive ring was the important thing and only 30 per cent expected the man to have chosen it for them, with 62 per cent opting to select one together.

People had strong opinions about what makes for a happy engagement too.

Most people – 21 per cent – thought it was important to have had three previous partners before you settle down, while eight per cent said more than ten was more realistic.

Sharing three dates a week and at least two holidays were also essential according to a third of those quizzed, along with surviving a couple of family Christmases (37 per cent) and at least two romantic surprises a year (23 per cent).

But for those who are still waiting, taking a pro-active approach in the run up to Valentine’s Day could pay dividends.

According to the Lambrini Romance Report one in four women identified themselves as ‘Proposal Pushers’ – women who’ll actively engineer a proposal.

As well as dropping heavy hints, they admitted taking their other half to look at rings in the hope of prompting a declaration of love.

One in ten (11 per cent) were less accepting. Calling themselves the POPOs – Propose or Push Offs – they said they’d issue an ultimatum if a partner didn’t seem ready to commit, while one in twenty would end the relationship for good.

Another, more stoical one in ten (11 per cent) said they didn’t care either way.

And despite constant debates about the value of marriage, it seems that British women are still romantics at heart, seeing a proposal it as the ultimate statement of love.

One in four say it is the biggest commitment you can make – on a par with having a child together.

And although co-habiting is popular, it is still seen as less binding, with only 24 per cent saying it was the most important way to validate their relationship.

Even fewer people (5 per cent) thought renting together constituted any kind of commitment.

The research also identified potential problem areas that couples must discuss before deciding to get married.

Topping the list was the desire – or not – to have children, cited by 78 per cent of those quizzed as an essential discussion point.

Where to live (56 per cent), career plans (41 per cent), health issues (40 per cent) and joint bank accounts (38 per cent) were also significant, while almost a third (30 per cent) said ironing out any issues around pets was important too.

Reflecting the changing face of marriage, an overwhelming majority said the most important preparation for getting hitched was living together first.

Almost half of those asked (46 per cent) said a couple needed to co-habit before they tied the knot, followed by enjoying a loved-up ‘honeymoon period’ (46 per cent) and winning over the in-laws (41 per cent).

At the same time people had strong reasons for not marrying – one in five wouldn’t walk down the aisle with someone their family hated and one in eight wouldn’t tie the knot with someone their mates didn’t like.

Speaking about the Lambrini Romance Report findings, brand manager, Lorna Tweed, said: “As we get ready to embrace Valentine’s Day it seems that romance is very much alive and well in the UK.

“At the same time it’s clear that British women know what they want when it comes to relationships, proposals and marriage.

“They want love, surprises and a wedding – and they want it sooner rather than later.

“Women are looking for commitment and loyalty, partnerships that can stand the trials and tribulations of modern life; if a man can provide those then he’s in with a chance.”

Win World Without End DVD or Blu Ray

Posted on by

Frost have copies of World Without End to giveaway on DVD or Blu-Ray. The excellent sequel to The Pillars Of The Earth is out on Monday. To win follow @Frostmag on Twitter or Frost’s editor, @Balavage. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter.

 

From Tandem Communications & Scott Free, Creators of The Pillars of the Earth,
Comes the 8-Hour, Mini-Series Adaptation of Ken Follett’s Global Bestseller

WORLD WITHOUT END

Conspiracies Will Be Exposed, Secrets Will Be Revealed

On Blu-ray™ and DVD February 18

Includes In-Depth Featurette: The Making of Ken Follett’s World Without End

Ken Follett takes viewers back to his fictitious town of Kingsbridge, but 200 years later and with all new characters for fans to fall in love with. Experience the romance, tragedy and victory in the $46 million, eight-hour epic miniseries WORLD WITHOUT END, which will air on Channel 4 January 2013 and debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 18 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Best-selling Welsh author Ken Follett has sold more than 130 million copies of his books worldwide. Eye of the Needle, Key To Rebecca, On Wings of Eagles and The Pillars of the Earth are among his numerous, critically acclaimed suspense and historical novels that have been adapted into films and TV mini-series, capturing top ratings, as well as Emmy Awards® and Golden Globe® nominations.

 

The hit miniseries from Tandem Communications and Ridley & Tony Scott’s Scott Free Films stars an internationally acclaimed cast including two-time Emmy Award® winner Cynthia Nixon (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, “Sex in the City,” 2004; Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 2008), two-time Academy Award® nominee Miranda Richardson  (Best Supporting Actress, Damage, 1992; Best Actress, Tom & Viv, 1994), Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line, Murder by Numbers), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster, Going the Distance), Academy Award® nominee          Peter Firth (Best Supporting Actor, Equus, 1977), Charlotte Riley (Easy Virtue), Rupert Evans (Hellboy),  and Sarah Gadon (Cosmopolis).

 

In WORLD WITHOUT END, times are tougher than ever in England as the country is on the brink of war with France and the citizens are facing The Plague that will eventually decimate one-third of its population.  A feisty young woman (Riley) inspires her medieval town to confront the most powerful forces of her time — namely the Church and the Crown — as they fight to save their town from ruin, and ultimately usher in a new era of freedom, innovation and enlightenment.

 

The DVD also includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, “The Making of Ken Follett’s World Without End,” providing a look at the making of the film.

 

© 2012 Tandem Productions GmbH, World Without End (T5) Productions Inc. and World Without End (Quebec) Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Astounding Gig World Records Revealed by StubHub UK

Posted on by

These are record-breaking times for live music, with the world’s biggest artists regularly selling more tickets faster than ever for their smash global tours and concerts. Here at StubHub, we love nothing more than a record-breaker – which is why we’ve compiled the ten most impressive records ever set in the live music industry on one handy infographic. Ever wondered whose tours sell out the fastest? Or who pulls in the biggest crowds? What about the deepest ever concert – or highest in the sky? It’s all in here, along with a clutch of facts guarantee you’ll never have heard before, all courtesy of the good people at Guinness World Records.

Many of the artists you know and love are featured on this ingenious infographic, from pop legends like Robbie Williams to rock goliaths the Stone Roses and 30 Seconds to Mars. With 2013 set to be a huge year for live music, we’re looking forward to seeing these records and more broken by today’s top artists – be sure to share, like and retweet our infographic with your fellow gig-going friends!

Don’t forget to keep checking StubHub UK for all the latest concert listings and tickets for your favourite artists. As all tickets bought and sold with us are covered by our FanProtect Guarantee, you can always be sure that your ticket purchases are fully protected.

Tuppence Middleton interview for Black Mirror

Posted on by

You’re in the new series of Black Mirror and you’re in an episode called ‘White Bear’ which is shrouded in secrecy. What can you reveal about it?

It mainly focuses on a young woman who wakes and she doesn’t remember who she is, in a world that she doesn’t recognise anymore. Everyone she meets is either incredibly hostile towards her, or they just film her. My character bumps into her helps her. I’ve been living in this world and I’m very used to it, and I become her guide.

 

Your character is called Jem. What’s her story, what do you know about her?

In the story you know that she’s become hardened by this world and she knows the ins and outs of. She is very independent and initially would rather travel on her own, but she just happens to come by Victoria and is forced to take her under her wing. Her main goal is to stay alive. When we were talking about the character we almost wanted her to come across as a bit like a computer game character, like a bit of a Tank Girl – she’s very tough.

 

Presumably there’s not an awful lot of back story or detail about her. Does that make it difficult to play a role like that? Or does it give you a blank canvas which is quite fun to fill out?

Yeah I liked the fact she was quite mysterious, she doesn’t give away too much. She gives away enough about the world for Victoria to understand but she doesn’t give away too much about herself and I think she’s quite a guarded and lone figure. I think the more mysterious she is to Victoria the better.

 

Lenora Crichlow [who plays Victoria] said the shoot was pretty intense in terms of it being very long days and not quite knowing what was going to be around the next corner. Did you find that as well?

Yes I mean it was kind of tough in a great way. I don’t think I’ve ever run so much in my life. I was doing ADR [voiceover work] for it today and it was, I’d say, 90% doing breaths for running. We were very active and it’s kind of fun doing things like that because I’m not like that at all – I hate even going to the gym, so being an active action girl is quite fun for me. I mean it was tough, it was long days and we were filming mostly outside for two weeks and almost every day it would pour down with rain. We were usually quite cold and wet and running for hours but it was quite fun.

 

Presumably with the plot being what it is, it quite added to the atmosphere it being rainy and dark?

Yes it really helped. I’ve just watched a little bit of it back and there’s that really weird sky when it’s like winter and it’s raining and it’s so cold, it’s almost like a completely white-grey sky. It really looks like the end of the world has come.

 

What was it that attracted you to the part?

A million things. I am a huge fan of Charlie Brooker and I thought the last series of Black Mirror was one of the best things I’d seen on TV for ages. As soon as the audition came up I was like ‘oh god I have to get that.’ I just love Black Mirror, and Carl the director. I was just really confident he could do a good job and he seemed to have a really good vision. And like I said it’s a part totally unlike myself, apart from being tall, which I think is why I mostly get cast as these sort of parts, I’m not at all like that. I’m not this kind of action girl. It was something really different for me.

 

When you’re going up for an audition like that, something that you really want to get, does that make you a lot more nervous, and how do you deal with that?

Yeah it makes you more nervous, but then you turn that into determination. You can’t let it get the better of you. Ultimately when you’ve got something you really want, it’s more about showing how passionate you really are about it and when you get to actually meet the director and meet the producers and stuff and talk about the role and talk about the script then it’s great because you can input your ideas in the initial audition. So you get carried away with how enthusiastic you are about it as opposed to how nervous, and you come back and think ‘I have no idea how that just went’. I’m terrible at judging it, and then you get the call and it’s amazing, so I was really pleased, it’s a brilliant job.

 

In your relatively short career so far you’ve worked with some amazing names – just picking a few David Tenant, James McAvoy, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Danny Boyle, Sean Bean. How have you managed to squeeze that all in into such a short time?

I have no idea, to be honest, because when I first started, there would often be periods where I wasn’t working for a few months. I think the gaps just gradually get smaller and the roles you do become bigger, either in the sense that you’re taking more of the lead role or it’s a small role in a more prominent thing, a kind of step up in terms of who you’re working with. The more people I work with like that the more I learn from them. Emma Thompson, I was working with her for a day or two, but you learn so much even in that short amount of time. It’s great, I mean it’s kind of strange because you think about all those names after you’ve done it but when you’re doing it, they’re just people who are also doing a job. You just have to think like that and, yes, it’s such an amazing learning opportunity and I think I’ve been lucky to work at all since I left drama school because so many people don’t. I am thankful that it’s been with some amazing talent.

 

There’s been a huge variety in your work – you’ve done everything from comedy to horror to more arthouse stuff. Is that an intentional thing to keep moving genres, to stretch yourself like that?

Yes completely. I mean I’ve been sort of lucky with the genres actually but I guess it’s more for me about finding parts that interest me and scripts that interest me. I think I always want to do something different to the thing I’ve just done and I always want to play a part different to one I’ve played before. It’s just about finding variety and I get an instinct very quickly about a script whether I like it or not. Over the four-and-a-half years I’ve been working, although it’s not long, I think you start to build up your own taste. I think it’s just constantly about keeping me on my toes and having a challenge rather than playing something which is second nature to me.

 

Who are the people working in your industry who you most admire?

That’s such a hard question. I was really lucky working with Danny Boyle because he was definitely on the list. There are definitely lots of directors I’d love to work with, I mean in a crazy world I’d love to work with Tarantino. Obviously there’s too many actors to mention that I’d want to work with but I think you really get drawn towards certain directors as well and I say there’s definitely certain directors I’d want to work with. David Fincher I think is great, David Lynch.

 

Most people when they leave drama school maybe do an apprenticeship in theatre but you’ve slightly bypassed that. Do you want to do theatre as well?

Funnily enough I’m starting to rehearse for a play on Monday. It’s just a short run – it’s on throughout March at the Jermyn Street Theatre, a Graham Greene. You spend most of the time at drama school training for theatre and then I just happened to come out and do film and TV because my first job was a film and it paved the way for the rest of my work. I absolutely can’t wait for rehearsals to start for the play. I think it is going to be a really different discipline and a different experience for me. Yes I’d definitely like to do more of it but I think you tend to get more work in one area and maybe that will change in a few years’ time when I’m a bit older. At the moment I’m happy with the way it’s going and I’m looking forward to trying my hand at a play.

 

What ambitions do you have left? What do you really want to do with your career?

I guess primarily it’s always about making work that I like, being in films from scripts that I love and not compromising on that, and just to make it into a career and not working for three years and then I stop working. I want to be working into my eighties. If I live that long!

 

Black Mirror: Whiter Bear is on Channel 4 at 10pm on Monday 18th February. Interview thanks to Channel 4.

Betting on The BAFTAs or Grammys? Here’s The Latest Odds.

Posted on by

If you are having a flutter on the BAFTAs or Grammys read the latest odds from Frost and Paddy Power first.

BAFTA:

Best Film

Argo is still the film to catch and is a massive 1/4 odds on to scoop best film at Sunday’s BAFTAs. Paddy Power is also offering 1/2 that it does the double and wins Best Picture at the Oscars as well. As for the others:

– Lincoln – 9/2

– Les Miserables – 6/1

– Life Of Pi – 25/1

– Zero Dark Thirty – 40/1


Leading Actress

Leading Actress category is dominated by three main contenders – 8/11 Jennifer Lawrence, 9/4 Jessica Chastain and 11/4 Emmanuella Riva. The also rans include 33/1 Marion Cotillard and 40/1 Dame Helen Mirren

Leading Actor

And the winner goes to ‘Daniel Day-Lewis’ – never before have the bookmakers been so sure about the outcome of best actor setting unbackable odds of 1/40 – meaning for every £40 staked, you will win £1. For what it’s worth, Hugh Jackman is 10/1, Joaquin Phoenix 25/1 Bradley Cooper 50/1 and Ben Affleck 50/1

Best Director

Another category that’s all but said and done – Ben Affleck is miles ahead in the betting at 1/7, while second favourite Kathryn Bigelow is 7/1 and Ang Lee 15/2.

*GRAMMY:

Bring on the bling, but no buttocks of boobs please. Grammy performers have been warned to avoid ‘see through’ clothes and ensure all wobbly bits are ‘adequately’ covered. Yeah right.

Paddy Power is offering 4/1 for at least one pair of female nipples to be visible during the ceremony and have installed Rihanna at 13/8 as the most likely culprit to ‘to have missed the memo’.

Meanwhile ‘Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the even money favourite to win record of the year, ahead of 3/1 We Are Young by Fun, featuring Janelle Monae.

Mumford & Sons are the odds on favourites to scoop album of the year for Babel, while Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess look to have one hand each on the song of the year category for We Are Young.

Last but not least, The Black Keys are tipped to land Rock Album of the year:

Record of the Year

11/10 Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye Featuring Kimbra

3/1 We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe

4/1 Lonely Boy – The Black Keys

8/1 Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

15/1 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

20/1 Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean

Album of the Year

4/9 Babel – Mumford & Sons

3/1 El Camino – The Black Keys

5/1 Channel Orange – Frank Ocean

10/1 Some Nights – Fun

12/1 Blunderbuss – Jack White

Song of the Year

8/15 We Are Young – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe)

5/2 Call Me Maybe – Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)

5/1 Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi, songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)

10/1 The A Team – Ed Sheeran, songwriter (Ed Sheeran)

12/1 Adorn – Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)

Best New Artist

6/4 FuN

13/8 Frank Ocean

11/4 Hunter Hayes

8/1 The Lumineers

18/1 Alabama Shakes

Best Rock Album

1/2 El Camino – The Black Keys

3/1 Blunderbuss – Jack White

5/1 Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen

8/1 Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay

12/1 The 2nd Law – Muse

CBS Wardrobe ‘Obscenity’ Specials

4/1 Any onstage performer or award winner to wear see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples

6/1 Any onstage performer or award winner to have an organized cause visibly spelled out his T-Shirt

12/1 Any Foreign language to appear on performer or award winners outfits

First to Break the CBS Wardrobe Advise onstage

13/8 Rihanna

2/1 Beyonce

4/1 Katy Perry

5/1 Taylor Swift

10/1 Jennifer Lopez

15/1 Alicia Keys

33/1 Kelly Clarkson

New Film From The Makers of Prose & Con

Posted on by

Filmmakers Catherine Balavage and Steve McAleavy.

The filmmakers behind Prose & Cons, a black comedy about poetry, alcoholism and plagiarism, have started an ambitious new project: The Descending of Fate.

The script is written by Catherine Balavage who also co-wrote Prose & Cons. It will be produced, directed and edited by Catherine and filmmaking partner Steve McAleavy.

The film is about a 10-year-old boy who kills his best friend. Was it an accident? Can people be rehabilitated? Can forgiveness every be given, to yourself and others? And is it right that someone should be blamed for the worst thing they have done for the rest of their life?

A dark drama about criminal responsibility and healing. Will life ever be the same again?

[disclaimer: Catherine Balavage writes for this magazine]

Frost’s Valentine’s Day Special

Posted on by

So it is that time of year again, where the lovers of the world show each other how they feel. Gift buying can be a nightmare so Frost has put together a guide.

You cannot go wrong with The Body Shop. They do not test on animals and always have great products. They do excellent gift sets and underwear may be a cliche but most women love something from La Senza.

Perfume is something that pretty much all women love. Get some at halfpriceperfumes.co.uk and then take your other half out for a meal with the money you save.

Shoes are the way to a women’s heart, and men are partial to them too. There are some beautiful shoes at zalando.co.uk

Get some excellent grooming products for the man in your life from mankind.co.uk

uk.loccitane.com products are classy and smell divine. I buy their hand creams for the people I love in my life.

Fifty Shades of Grey is still selling like hotcakes and it might get your women in the mood. No, not that one, the good one. You can get her the book on Christian Grey or some other erotic books from Amazon.co.uk.

Benefit Cosmetics are sassy, cool and well packaged, and that is before you even use the product. Perfect for the wow factor.

Forget the Valentine’s Day clichés, if you’re looking to ignite your lover’s imagination this year, then the Kobo Mini eReader is the perfect gift, at just £59.99 from WH Smith.

Proving that great gifts come in small packages, the Kobo Mini is the world’s smallest and most stylish eReader currently on the market. Preload your lover’s Kobo Mini with romantic poetry and love stories to truly get hearts racing – and with over 3 million ebooks to choose from and one million that are absolutely FREE, the Kobo Mini is a thoughtful gift that’s sure to seal the deal.

Coming with a 5” screen and device that holds over 1,000 ebooks, the Kobo Mini perfectly slips into a clutch bag or jacket pocket. Available in either black or white, you can customise your eReader by choosing from Kobo’s selection of signature quilted back interchangeable back covers that come in a selection of colours, designed for comfort.

Other great gifts include the Kobo Glo eReader – which comes with front-light, and Kobo Arc – Kobo’s new tablet which comes with tapestries to hold all your favourites so you can easily find them on the interface.

The Kobo Mini is available from WH Smith at £59.99 and all good retailers.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, award winning online marketplace notonthehighstreet.com is helping people make a truly meaningful romantic gesture this February with their innovative #Tweetheart campaign.

 

From today, anyone can tweet a romantic message (or comment on the notonthehighstreet.com Facebook page) using the #Tweetheart tag, along with their declaration of love, and notonthehighstreet.com will select five messages to bring to life with teams of musicians and artists in London.

• Five winners will receive a bespoke ‘live gift’ sent wherever in London the lucky recipient is to be found, whether in their office, at a restaurant or walking in the park.
• Specially selected acts will work with notonthehighstreet.com to create a surprise tailored to the content of the selected tweet or Facebook entry.
• notonthehighstreet.com will record the ‘live gift’ to create a lasting, romantic memento for the winers.
• #tweetheart follows on from 2012’s successful campaign with popular duo The Coopers.

The Itchy Feet Dance Academy: Thursday 14th February, Valentine’s event at Concrete, Shoreditch

WHAT: An evening of vintage dance lessons, pizza and cocktails to the sound of rock n roll, rhythm and blues and swing. Sure to get your feet moving, Itchy Feet dance instructors will be on site to teach you toe-tapping moves to dance the night away without the pressure of bright lights and the dreaded dance studio. Professional cocktail makers will be on hand to help you pluck up the courage to take what you’ve learnt to the floor and let your moves do the talking. You can also win prizes through a series of dance competitions during the night and raid a giant dressing up box to get you into the spirit.

WHERE: Concrete (under Pizza East), 56 Shoreditch High Street, East London, E1 6JJ

WHEN: Thursday 14th February 2013, 7.30pm till 1am

WHO: Itchy Feet’s resident DJ, Leo Bedford, will be playing a mix of rock n roll, blues and swing throughout the night. Itchy Feet dance instructors will be hosting a 90-minute dance lesson in a laidback venue to get hips swinging and souls beating.

TICKETS: Tickets are priced at £14 each or £25 per couple, which includes buffet pizza and dance lesson. For those wanting to just join the after party, post dance lessons and food, tickets cost £5. Buy tickets at http://buytickets.at/itchyfeet/7104.



Set Hearts Racing this Valentine’s with Sumptuous Sharing Steaks and Flirty Cocktails at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar

This Valentine’s Day satisfy your and your loved one’s heart’s desires with a unique Sharing Steaks menu and selection of bespoke, amorous ~Ish Gin cocktails available at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar. Located on the banks of the river Thames it is the perfect spot for romance.

Gillray’s own Executive Chef Gareth Bowen will be lovingly preparing a trio of 1kg, hand selected sharing steaks for you and your loved one to choose from and devour, all served with roasted cherry vine tomatoes, Portobello mushrooms and a choice of sauces.

Choose from the Chateaubriand 35 day dry aged Angus Beef Fillet steak, priced at £90 for two, Skirt Steak servedsliced from 35 day dry aged Angus Beef Plate steak, renowned for its flavour and priced at £40, or Gillray’s own signature Bull’s Head double rib chop, priced at £55. A selection of sides sourced from the finest producers in England including truffle and Old Winchester chips, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Hazelnuts and Yorkshire Blue and Chili Roasted Local Squash.

The team at Gillray’s Bar has partnered with the London Dry ~Ish Gin to create an exclusive collection of cocktails – the prefect libations to inspire an evening of flirty romance, either as an aperitif or nightcap.

The selection includes:

Provocative – £10

~Ish Gin lusciously combined with velvet falernum and elderflower cordial, served with a scoop of champagne and elderflower sorbet

Stiletto – £10

~Ish Gin in a naughty combination with apple liqueur, fresh lemon juice a scoop of bramley apple sorbet

Chocolat~Ish £20 (to share)

A spicy combination of ~Ish Gin, red chilli tincture, dark & milk chocolate liqueurs and a touch of cayenne pepper, served in a tall martini glass

The Sharing Steaks Menu is available from Monday 11 – Sunday 17 February.

The ~Ish Gin collection of cocktails is available throughout February.

An English steakhouse of the finest design, Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar pays homage to top quality beef. The menu features nine cuts of steak, with the Bull’s Head – weighing in at an incredible 1000g – at its helm, whilst the bar offers a selection of no less than 39 English gins.

Also available are a range of in-house gin infusions and tinctures including blood orange, cardamom and mandarin and fennel seed. Non-gin drinkers can choose from ten English beers, six English vodkas and a selection of the finest English wines.

Offering a sophisticated and stylish Thames-side destination, with stunning views over the illuminated Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, there is simply no better place to enjoy English gin with a touch of vintage glamour.

Want a testosterone boost without an expensive injection?

Nature’s Plus T MALE puts the ‘super’ back into man

It’s all over the news – an increasing number of men are looking to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) to boost their flagging sex drives and inject some energy into their day.

Stressful careers, overindulgence and poor nutrition are all contributing to burnt out men, leading many to go to the extreme of having expensive testosterone injections. If you are looking for a injection of testosterone without a needle then why not try Nature’s Plus T MALE? The unique formula can be taken in tablet form and the all-natural ingredients mean you don’t have to worry about any of the unwanted side effects that can be associated with TRT.

High potency zinc found in Nature’s Plus T MALE aids maintenance of healthy, natural testosterone concentrations in men. Zinc supports fertility, while vitamin B6 reduces tiredness and fatigue and assists the regulation of hormonal activity. T MALE also provides the body with selenium, which offers nutritional support for normal sperm production (spermatogenesis) and calcium, another key mineral for the production of testosterone.

 

“GO ON, BREAK UP THIS VALENTINE’S DAY” – IT’S THE ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY!

One in ten (15%) people have broken up with a loved one around Valentine’s Day, according to new research by Nationwide Building Society*. But the Society says “breaking up is not always a bad thing.”

“It all depends on the relationship and what you want to get out of it. If your relationship is not working, then change is not always a bad thing. For example, this Valentine’s Day we are encouraging those who have been let down by their bank or have a bad financial services relationship, to make the split and switch their current account to us, as we are a building society we do not have shareholders to satisfy we can focus on our customers.

 

 

Løv Organic loose leaf Rose tea, packaged in an eye-catching pink reusable tin, is the ideal blend of luxury, fun and romance this Valentine’s Day. The black China tea is lightly scented with organic rose blossoms for a wonderfully delicate flavour. The perfect present, it is available at John Lewis and Selfridges priced from £8.99.
www.lov-organic.com

Celebrate the 14th by indulging in a selection of Cocomaya’s exquisite chocolates and artisan cakes and biscuits. Heart-shaped all-butter shortbread biscuits (from £2.50-£3.00 apiece) come wrapped in beautiful packaging to make for the perfect present. For an intimate gift, create a bespoke Name Bar with white, milk or dark chocolate and finish it off with a sprinkle of glitter or personalised decoration, a quirky way to spell out your love. www.cocomaya.co.uk.

Give Your Man Morning Glory this Valentine’s Day

Make Your Valentine’s Day Go With a Bang with Rude Health’s Naughty Breakfast Range

Recent health studies show that when it comes to getting your man in the mood this Valentine’s Day it really is all about having your oats, and leading cereal maker Rude Health has the perfect recipe to put the passion into your Valentine’s Day breakfast.

The most common cause for not having sex is because people are too tired, with one in three married Brits even saying sex has become a chore. Well, top independent food producer Rude Health, which is stocked in Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, has come up with the perfect solution to keep Britain in the mood this Valentine’s Day with its energy boosting Morning Glory porridge.

Porridge oats are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals that are known to affect how we feel. These include: zinc, vitamin B6, iron, folic acid, calcium and magnesium to name a few. It is reported that a single serving of porridge oats contains 17% of the required daily intake of zinc, therefore making porridge the perfect answer for sustaining you for longer in bed.

So forget the champagne, oysters and chocolate, make sure you feed your man a hearty bowl of Rude Health’s porridge to make your Valentine’s Day go with a bang.

Rude Health founder, Nick Barnard said: “At Rude Health we produce food that gives you enough energy to stay in rude health all day.

“We’ve always maintained that you should breakfast like a king and it’s interesting to see that most Britons now cite being too tired to have sex. Start your day with a bowl of porridge and you’ll get all the energy you need for morning activities of any kind.”

Pixengo: New iPhone App helps men deliver on Valentine’s Day

Looking for the perfect way to say “I love you” to your girlfriend or wife this Valentine’s Day? Are you too skint to buy a card or just too lazy to drive to the shop and buy one? Perhaps you’re inept enough to forget the date completely and spend the day frantically trying to arrange that ‘surprise’ gift or trip.

Fortunately, there is now a new way to send your loved one a Valentine’s Day message. It takes just a few minutes and doesn’t cost a penny.

Pixengo, an innovative new App for the iPhone available to download from iTunes, is FREE and allows you to add thoughts and emotions to still images by fusing them with 30 second sound bites. Record a funny message, whisper sweet nothings or even propose if you are brave. Let your photos do the talking!

Pixengo means you can send personalised Valentine’s Day greetings to your partner. Capture a photo using the App or select an existing one from your camera roll – perhaps one of you, a screenshot of the flowers you forgot to buy or the necklace you ‘definitely’ ordered that hasn’t turned up yet. If you want to enhance the image Pixengo comes complete with special creative tools and filters.

Add a recording and share privately (or publicly!) via your Pixengo stream, email, Facebook or Twitter with the one you love. If you mess up you can rerecord, simple.

Lucky recipients see the photo, click on a play button to listen to the sound clip and have the option to like or comment. They can view ‘Pixengos’ in a web browser on their mobile or a computer; they do not need the App.

Although some might see Pixengo as a get out of jail free card it actually complements traditional gifts brilliantly, earning brownie points for gentlemen who remember and prepare for Valentine’s Day in advance.

For instance, if you’ve arranged a surprise trip why not send your partner a Pixengo clue? Or a picture of the intimate dinner you’ve laid out for when they return from work, complete with a seductive message? Pixengo allows you to add the finishing touch to what will hopefully be a perfect Valentine’s Day.

Check out our examples (click on the play icon in the top left hand corner to hear the clip):

The mankini (it’s exactly how it sounds): http://new.pixengo.com/p/18GD7CM
A romantic dinner (not a brilliant effort!): http://new.pixengo.com/p/18GD5PA

Sealed with a kiss this Valentines at Flavour No5 Cavendish Sq

London’s hottest new restaurant offering

Wine, dine and impress your Valentine at the exclusive restaurant, Flavour at the beautiful and opulent No5 Cavendish Sq overlooking the picturesque views of Cavendish Square – the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.

Exclusively for Valentine’s Day, Flavour at No5 Cavendish Sq are offering an exceptional Valentine’s dining package which includes a six course tasting menu lovingly prepared by Jamie Oliver trained chefs and a complimentary glass of prosecco complete with romantic background music to get you in the mood for love!

Pre-booking is recommended – for reservations please call Flavour at No5 Cavendish Sq on 0207 079 5003. Price per person is £35. For more information visit www.no5cavendishsq.com

Valentine’s Day Set 6 Course Dinner Menu 2013

Starters

Bruschetta of buffalo Mozzarella with smashed peas and broad beans in fused with lemon and mint dressing

Warm salad of wood pigeon with frisée, mâché, cranberries and raspberry and thyme dressing

Mains

Six hour porchetta with roast onion purée confit baby carrots, grilled baby leeks and fennel with calvados jus

Gnocchi with shiitake, oyster and portobello mushrooms in thyme cream sauce

Deserts

Wild strawberry fool

Chocolate, orange and pistachio semifreddo with candied orange

No5 Cavendish Sq are also offering diners who wish to continue the romance into the night a special room rate of £208 including breakfast and complimentary upgrade subject to availability.

On 14th, 15th and 16th February No5 Cavendish Sq are including a bottle of prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries with any hotel room bookings.

YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A…. NATURAL APHRODISIAC

ONE of the last remaining tea producers in Britain, Higher Living is described as ‘the Rolls-Royce of tea’ and has firmly established itself as a leading expert in the world of herbal tea.

So much so in fact, that not only are the 23 blends 100% organic and extremely tasty, but three of them possess the natural ingredients needed to light up your Valentine’s night.

While some turn to alcohol to accompany a romantic evening, the health conscious and tee-total may have been lacking in assistance with sensual gusto… Well not anymore.

One for the ladies, Fennel is notably high in phytoestrogens, natural estrogen-like chemicals found in plants. In fact, in the 1930’s, fennel was considered to be used as a source for synthetic estrogen*. Ladies’, slip into something more comfortable and get the kettle on!

Chillies can fire you up in more ways than one. They contain the chemical capsaicin that can induce the release of endorphins to create a temporary high. Capsaicin also speeds up the metabolism and increases circulation, responses that are similar to those experienced when being intimate*.

One for the guys, Licorice has been used in ancient China for its love and lust provoking properties*. Research has revealed that the secret to Licorice could be the smell itself as it has shown to stimulate the male libido in a number of scientific studies**.

Higher Living Tea is priced from £1.99 RRP and available to buy from Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic and Whole Foods.

Cornish Red mugs for Valentine’s Day

A pair of personalised Cornishware striped mugs make an unusual gift to say ‘I love you’ on Valentine’s Day. The two mugs come in a handsome striped gift box for £30 including p&p (+ £1.00 per letter for up to 12 characters on each mug) from Cornishware makers T.G.Green’s online shop. www.tggreen.co.uk Last orders for bespoke mugs is 10th February.

Sexy, Fun and Outright Awesome Valentines Day Gift ideas from Desire and Pleasure

Valentines Day is a time to show the one you love just how much you love them and what better way than getting up close and personal and taking things into the bedroom for some after hours fun!

This Valentines Day, unleash your inner sexual desires with the help of Desire and Pleasure and this range of sexy, fun products to try…

Dim the lights, start the fire and keep warm this winter whilst making signature Belvedere cocktails in the comfort of your own home.

Cosy up with your loved one and induce your creative juices this Valentine’s Day by making and drinking your very own Belvedere Cupid’s Bow. Served in a classic Martini glass, the easy to make cocktail is made with delightful splashes of simple syrup, lemon juice and half a dozen fresh raspberries – a real boost of sweet ingredient’s that can be enjoyed in true Belvedere style.


Belvedere Cupid’s Bow Recipe

50ml / 2 oz Belvedere Pure Vodka
15ml / ¼ oz Simple Syrup
20ml / ½ oz Lemon Juice
6 Raspberries
Dash Egg White

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a raspberry.

To push your mixology skills even further, try your luck at also making the Belvedere Skinny Swizzle and Belvedere Grapefruit Caipiroska. Please find images and recipes attached for your use (further Belvedere bottle imagery available on request).

For the full range of signature Belvedere cocktail recipes, please visit http://www.belvederevodka.com/browse-drinks.

What’s more, all profits made from sales on Desire and Pleasure are used to support the invaluable sexual health charity work of the FPA (Family Planning Association).

Check out these amazing umbrellas from Fulton. My favourite are the ones from Cath Kidston and Lulu Guinness

Palmes d’Or Rosé 2005 vintage, £120

Champagne Palmes d’Or Rosé 2005 was created more than 25 years ago by Mr Nicolas Feuillatte, as a tribute to an opera diva he once met in New York, where he was living at the time. With its sensual shape and honeycombed sides that capture the light to magnificent effect, Palmes d’Or Rosé 2005 Vintage makes the perfect drink to celebrate Valentine’s Day with extravagance and lavishness.

Available at John Lewis online.

Champagne Brut Rosé, £30

Salmon pink with silver tints, this sublime Champagne works from starter to dessert. Thanks to the large proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in the blend it offers up aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant and raspberry. Refreshingly dry, but with enough flavour to pair it with food, a chilled bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé will be the ideal Champagne offer or to simply enjoy with friends on 14th February 2013.

Available at John Lewis Stores and John Lewis online.

The historical shopping store Selfridges has some excellent gifts. Clothes, make up and perfume all under one roof. There is nothing they do not sell, even fridges. (boom, boom)

Handmade from QVC this Valentine’s Day

“Spread a little bit of love on Valentine’s day and send all of your favourite people a Valentines card to let them know how much they mean to you. Happy Crafting!” – Stephanie Weightman, QVC’s Craft Expert

Fed up with the usual roses and shop-bought cards on Valentine’s Day? Why not get crafty to show your loved one just how special they are? Decorate the house, a card or simply create individual jewellery with love. Be thoughtful and creative this Valentine’s Day with QVC.

Martha Stewart Enchanted Heart Large Double Punch

Item number,  501115, QVC price £17.75

This upright punch creates crisp, perfectly shaped cut-outs. Great for decorating Valentine’s Day cards, scrapbook pages, party favours, or custom gift tags.

Martha Stewart Set of 12 Glitter Paints

Item number,  590909, QVC price £23.25

 

Features a collection of glitter paints in a variety of vibrant colours. Perfect for all craft painting techniques, including brush painting and detailing, sponging, stencilling, stamping and lots more.

Set of 5 Hearts & Sentiments Stencils

Item number, 590488. QVC price, £13.00

These stainless steel stencils are ideal for use as dry embossing templates for embossing on paper, scrapbook embossing and embossing with paste, as well as using for tracing and stencilling. Add another dimension to your paper crafts with this set.

Set of 60 Mini Rose Buds

Item number, 502148. QVC price, £9.50

 

Features bunches of mini rose buds in beige, peach, red, dusky pink and raspberry shades. Add a beautiful dimension to your Valentine’s Card making with these stunning fabric rosebuds, wire stemmed to allow perfect positioning.

Nivea Express Hydration Primer Review

Posted on by

Nivea is a brand I have been using for years. It is a classic brand with some great products in it’s range. Their new product of the moment is their newish primer, Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer.

It comes in a pot, which I love. There is no wastage and it looks great. The texture is jelly like and it smells great. Really fresh. When you apply you feel like you are splashing your face with water. It is super hydrating. It reminds me of the more expensive Lancome Aqua Fusion moisturiser, but it is a primer.

It keeps your face fresh all day long. It does make your make up last and you can even wear it without make up. It is light and makes skin feel silky. It is a really good base. You also only need a small amount as it spreads well and it is not tested on animals. My only gripe is that it comes in a bigger box than the pot needs, which is a little misleading.

I love this primer. It is inexpensive – about £3.99 from Superdrug.com – and it is highly moisturising while keeping make up in place. A Frost favourite.