Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Bon Jovi Announced as First Headliner for Brand New Festival

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AEG Live & The Royal Parks reveal exciting new Summer event for Hyde Park, London:

Barclaycard British Summer Time

28th June – 7th July 2013

Bon Jovi Announced as First Headliner: Friday 5th July*

Frost Magazine will be the first in line for the new music event from AEG Live and The Royal Parks, the Barclaycard British Summer Time, a ground-breaking new event for 2013, to be held at the greatest outdoor venue in the world – Hyde Park.

Barclaycard British Summer Time, a totally unique and world class event for London, will give music fans throughout the capital the chance to see many of their favourite headlining and supporting music artists play over back to back weekends in ticketed events.

Bon Jovi are today named as the first headline music act for Barclaycard British Summer Time. More high profile acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

In what heralds a totally unique event offer for London, each live music-packed weekend will be linked by a midweek programme of diverse entertainment, accessible for all to enjoy. From Monday to Thursday, the entire Barclaycard British Summer Time site, saved for the main stage, will give visitors the chance to get involved with smaller, more intimate events offering film, music, literature, sport and a specific family day that will expand the Barclaycard British Summer Time experience to genuinely appeal to the whole family.

Jim King of AEG Live and Event Director said:

“After a great deal of planning and hard work, we are so proud to announce what will no doubt be an incredible event for London. Barclaycard British Summer Time takes everything we have learned indoors at our other venues – in creating the amazing experiences at The O2 – and shares it within the world’s greatest outdoor venue, Hyde Park. We literally started with a blank canvas and in Barclaycard British Summer Time, we have created what we believe to be the ultimate in Summer events – fantastic music, great food, drinks, farmers markets, theatre, film – and much more incredible entertainment across a full 10 days. The list is endless!”

Across Hyde Park, there will be four themed zones within the Barclaycard British Summer Time site, each with its own specially designed installations and entertainment, high quality restaurants, bespoke salons, pubs, cocktail bars, cafes, bistros and independent food stalls. AEG Live has made a multi-million pound investment and a five year commitment to ensure this is a truly unforgettable experience and the attention to detail in the design of these areas stops at nothing short of excellence. AEG is also committed to working with the natural surroundings of Hyde Park to ensure an environmentally-friendly footprint and has commissioned an internationally respected team of ecologists to advise on the planning and construction of Barclaycard British Summer Time.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Host Girls’ Night Out For Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

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Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity, supported Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20-26 January) in style with the ultimate girl’s night out last night. I went along with Frost writer and fellow actress Paola Berta. I had a great chat with sexpert Tracey Cox and uber glamourous showbiz journalist Zoe Griffin. TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger looked amazing in a studded leather jacket and black leggings.

I had an abnormal smear in 2010 so it is a cause that is very close to my heart. Girls’ Night Out host Zoe Griffin and author, Tracey Cox, shared their experiences of cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities with a celebrity audience to raise awareness of this preventable disease and urge more women to attend their cervical screenings.

Over 60 guests, including Embarrassing Bodies’ Dr Dawn Harper, Made in Chelsea’s Lucy Watson and TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger, joined the party. All guests were treated to goody bags with thanks to Lucky Voice, Vita Coco, Butlers in the Buff, Beverly Hills Formula, Walkers Sunbites, Blue Nun, Lauren’s Way and Ferrero Rocher.

Frost’s editor Catherine Balavage is in the pink, third from left.

Every day nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and three lives are lost to the disease. Cervical screening can help reduce these numbers and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust urges more women to attend as statistics show a worrying downward trend in cervical screening uptake. The cervical screening programme saves 5,000 lives each year in the UK yet 20% of women are not attending their test, and for girls aged between 25 and 29 this figure drops significantly to 1 in 3 – a worrying statistic as cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35.

Robert Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “The focus of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2013 is to raise public awareness by providing information about the causes of the disease and ways to prevent it. With the exception of a dramatic rise in 2009 following Jade Goody’s battle with cervical cancer, since 2002 figures[1] have declined year on year culminating in a 3% drop in screening uptake to 78.6% over the past 10 years. The more we can do to stress the importance of this life saving test the better.

“This year we have also focused on symptoms awareness and early detection as a study[2] we have commissioned shows that women are more likely to seek medical attention with common ailments such as a cough and cold, rather than with symptoms like abnormal bleeding which include bleeding in between periods or after sex.

“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is thrilled to raise awareness of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week with the help of some friends and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their support.”

Paola Berta and Catherine Balavage

Author Tracey Cox added: “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 30 and had two cone biopsies as a result. It was picked up early, so I was lucky. But if I hadn’t been screened, I wouldn’t have made it to 32. It was an incredibly frightening experience and one most women can avoid if they get regular screenings. I’m delighted to be supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust important work in raising awareness and I’m constantly nagging friends to be vigilant about getting screened on a regular basis. It saved my life and it can save yours too.”

Author and celebrity blogger Zoe Griffin of livelikeavip.com said: “I was diagnosed with cervical abnormalities, but early detection meant I could treat the problem. When I opened the envelope giving me the all clear I felt a huge relief. It is essential that people attend their cervical screening test so that, like me, abnormalities can be treated before they turn into cancer.”

Dr Dawn Harper said: “Cervical cancer is a preventable disease thanks to cervical screenings so it’s absolutely vital that women keep up to date with their invitations. There may be nicer ways to spend your time but the test is painless and should only take around five minutes. I would encourage anyone who is overdue their screening to make an appointment now. Don’t put your health at the bottom of your agenda.”

For more information on Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust visit www.jostrust.co.uk

Sort Your Finances Out In 2013

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January is the month that people make resolutions and try to sort their lives out. So, in the true spirit of January why not take the time out to sort your finances? Here are three top tips if you are needing some financial help.

1. Sell Your stuff: Sell unwanted stuff that is cluttering your home on Ebay, Ebid, the Amazon Marketplace or the ASOS marketplace. People generally have a lot of clothes they never wear and books that they have read. You will feel immediately better. I have regular clear outs.

2. Try lower brands at the supermarket. In the past supermarket own brand goods were not very good but the quality has really improved in recent years. Pound stores are also incredibly popular now and their is no stigma attached in shopping in them. The cost of living does not have to be expensive.

3. If you really need to borrow money take out a safe and secure affordable loan from a legitimate regulated lender. Many people are currently borrowing money from pay day lender sites which have annual interest rates in the thousands of percent. You could be wasting a fortune. The same is true of credit cards which often charge very high levels of interest. This interest can compound as the debt increases turn into a nightmare. As long as you are smart, taking out a loan to pay for a new home, car or a big purchase is fine.

Disclaimer: Consult a qualified financial advisor first before you take any action. Everyone’s situation is different and taking out a loan may not be the right decision for you depending on your personal circumstances.

Clydesdale Bank’s instant decision loan offers an APR representative of 5.1% on all loans between £7,500 and £15,000 (subject to conditions). http://www.cbonline.co.uk/personal/loans/personal-loan

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“Les Miserables” sends French town bookings soaring

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The French town which provides the backdrop for the tragic and powerful musical, “Les Miserables” has seen a huge 366% increase year on year in hotel bookings since the release of the film this week. Hotel booking specialist LateRooms.com reports the rise for its hotels in and around Montreuil Sur Mer, the setting for much of the early part of Victor Hugo’s novel. The small French town in northern France is where protagonist, Jean Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman, serves as mayor of the city and is also hometown to the tragic heroine, Fantine, played by Anne Hathaway in the cinematic adaptation.

“It is fantastic to see our hotels in and around Montreuil Sur Mer receiving such a staggering increase in bookings from the success of “Les Miserables.” commented Lynda Matthews, Offline Marketing Director for LateRooms.com. “The film is one of the best loved musicals of all time, and we are pleased people are taking the opportunity to go and see where the famous story started!”

Vanessa Paradis is the face of Conscious For H&M

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Frost Magazine favourite Vanessa Paradis is the face of Conscious, as H&M launches Garment Collecting

Vanessa Paradis is the face of Conscious at H&M this spring, wearing pieces in the campaign that are both on-trend and also more-sustainable. It is all part of H&M’s ongoing commitment to a more sustainable fashion future, showing that the best fashion can be made from Conscious materials.

The actress and singer wear pieces as a ruffle-edged yellow sundress, as well as an embellished zip-up utility jacket worn with botanical print trousers. The pieces are part of a collection full of optimism for spring, with romantic styles like a floor-length dress alongside sporty shapes such as a cropped jumpsuit and a tropical print T-shirt dress. There are accessories too, such as ankle-strap heels, and the entire collection is made from more sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel.

The full women’s collection will be available in H&M stores worldwide as well as online from end of March, alongside Conscious collections for Men – blazers, chinos, Ikat print shirts and shorts – as well as fun prints for kids and babies.

Vanessa Paradis says, “I like being part of something like the Conscious collection at H&M. I try my best to shop consciously, and vintage is very much part of my wardrobe. I love the style and it works in an eco-friendly way because I like to use and reuse old clothes.”

Coinciding with the campaign will be the launch of a Conscious garment collecting action at H&M. Customers will be able to bring any unwanted garments from any label to selected stores, and in return for each bag receive an H&M voucher, to a maximum of two bags per customer per day. H&M is the first store to encourage garment return on this scale, in an effort to prevent clothing from going to landfill.

HMV’s slow digital response to blame for demise – Musicmetric chief

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HMV’s slow digital response was its undoing, says leading digital music expert

HMV confirmed the end of its three-year nose-dive into administration last night with the appointment of accountancy giant Deloitte. But its fate was sealed long ago by its slow response to the digital revolution, according to a leading digital expert.

The firm, which employs more than 4,000 people, ceased trading shares and issued a statement which said: “The board regrets to announce that it has been unable to reach a position where it feels able to continue to trade outside of insolvency protection, and in the circumstances therefore intends to file notice to appoint administrators to the company and certain of its subsidiaries with immediate effect. The directors of the company understand that it is the intention of the administrators, once appointed, to continue to trade whilst they seek a purchaser for the business.”

Gregory Mead, CEO of Musicmetric, the global music analysts, said:

“It’s a sad but inevitable fate for a much-loved stalwart of the music industry. But where retailers like John Lewis have embraced the internet – building customers through its Click and Collect service – HMV simply failed to adapt to the changing tastes of music fans and the seismic shift we’ve seen as everything has gone digital.

“While figures from the 2012 Digital Music Index showed file-sharing to be rife right across the UK, the upshot of this is that there are millions of fans accessing music each day. The challenge for retailers like HMV has been to find ways to tap into this – but you’d be hard pressed to be able to walk into an HMV store and buy songs directly on to your iPod.

“The changing face of music, and that digital technology has overhauled the way we interact with records, means that artists can engage directly with fans, meaning physical retailers have needed to evolve as well. While previously it was all about CD releases and the Sunday chart show, now the most important thing is knowing where your fanbase is and what drives them so you can market to them directly and maximise revenues from a myriad of sources.”

The Wright Wing Part 2

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Disclaimer: Ignore whatever he says. He knows nothing.

 

Warning: This week’s article might get a big heavy so I will punctuate it with jokes

 

This week was meant to be the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground but you know…delays.

 

While it’s not strictly political news BBC this week ran another series of stargazing and asked us all to help explore Mars. I’ve been exploring them for years but I have gallstones now so they’re a bit too fatty to eat now. While we’re on mars right “mars a day helps you work, rest and play” might be the biggest lie in all of advertising history.

 

I like to write my stand up material in the nude…yeah…bare jokes!

 

MP’s in an anonymous survey have stated that they believe they deserve a 32% pay rise. I can almost hear them justifying it by claiming it was less then a 3rd.of a pay rise. In this time of, as we are constantly reminded Mr Chancellor, austerity to suggest a 32% pay rise for yourself is a another blow to the public’s opinion of who you are what you do a MP’s. I don’t have anything funny to about this but it is most certainly a joke. Meanwhile starting salary for people in the police force will be cut £4,000. Wonder if those at the top of the police force will see similar pay cuts. I highly doubt it.

 

A lot of the time new hip hop music gets me annoyed, you know, makes me angry. Thankfully it’s only a Tinnie Tempah.

 

The first portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled. And I have to say that I wasn’t aware Karen Brady was the duchess of Cambridge. Take a look at it again yeah and see I’m right about this.

 

Lord Strathclyde has stood down from his position in the Cabinet. This ends his 25 year run as a part of the Conservative front bench. There are no jokes I can make here. Legally and from a liable point of view there are no jokes to be made here at all. Nothing to do with any sort of criminal investigation currently going on. I have no idea what you think I am a implying here. His friends have said there is no political reason for his departure. And why should I question that. I am sure there isn’t if they say there isn’t. SO obviously there is no joke to be made here. Let’s all move on because clearly, and I want to make this very clear, I am saying nothing about this or anything to do with hotels in north Wales. I do not review hotels in north Wales is what I mean. Clearly there is no connection here at all. Legally I want to make that clear.

 

I don’t know about you but I have an extensive disaster kit prepared at all times now because if even Labrinth is predicting an earthquake then I need to be prepared.

 

And yes that is an old joke but not as old as this one

 

Don’t go chasing waterfalls? Is there any need to chase them? Surely you just find them. Like they don’t move location. Yes they involve moving water but the waterfall itself doesn’t move so there is really no need to warm me no to chase them. Because why would I chase them? Yeah. Current.

 

David Cameron has accused UKIP of containing some pretty odd people. Because The Conservative party is a model or normality Mr Cameron? Pot. Kettle. Kettle. Pot. You get the idea.

 

HMV has gone into administration and I am feeling a little like I’ve lost a friend. I loved HMV and I spent plenty of money in their stores. HMV was like a second home I spent so much time in there. I will miss it. HMV will be a loss and now where do I physically buy DVD’s in the “high street”? Nowhere. Upset is an understatement.

 

Dear David Irvine, get your finger out and start putting an end to these “protests” over the flag. While I don’t agree with Belfast City councils decision to limit the days the flag is flown over Belfast City Council this is not the answer. Mr Irvine, along with other “political leaders” who are linked to organisations like the UVF need to call this off. They need to realise that this will solve nothing and actually makes the case the DUP are trying to make harder.

 

And Finally Nick Clegg has confirmed he will stand as a candidate and seek to be return to parliament at the 2015 General Election. This is apparently news. A man saying that he wishes to continue doing his job is news. A career politician saying he WILL stand for election is news. Surely it would be news if he wasn’t going to stand in 2015. That’s news. And to many Liberal Democrats that would be welcome news.

 

Thanks. Come back next week when I will be taking a look at the evolution of the teapot and how we stored tea before it was invented. (in case you hadn’t figured it out anything I tell you will come up next week never will)

Muhammad Ali’s Birthday – Rarely Before Seen Sonic Editions Images

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Today is Muhammad Ali’s Birthday. To celebrate here is some excellent images of the legendary boxer from Sonic Editions.

 

Available in four sizes, all prints can be purchased from www.soniceditions.com