Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Other Parents by Sarah Stovell Book Review

Posted on by

Some books make you think not only while you are reading them, but also long after you have finished. Other Parents is such a book. Other Parents is a multi-layered book that delves deep into people and their motives. I felt every emotion while reading Other Parents. It is a book that opens your mind to how other people live and what might make them act the way they do.

I found myself both respecting Rachel, while being infuriated with her. I was equally infuriated with Laura, but also felt for her. We live in an unequal society and Sarah Stovell is an outstanding talent who has captured the class disparates in our society and laid them bare. Other Parents is a fascinating novel that I did not want to put down for a moment. It is clever and entertaining. With characters who are vivid and real, and a plot that doesn’t let you go. Loved it.

other parents, sarah stovell,

In a small town like West Burntridge, it should be impossible to keep a secret.

Rachel Saunders knows gossip is the price you pay for a rural lifestyle and outstanding schools. The latest town scandal is her divorce – and the fact that her new girlfriend has moved into the family home.

Laura Spence lives in a poky bedsit on the wrong side of town. She and her son Max don’t really belong, and his violent tantrums are threatening to expose the very thing she’s trying to hide.

When the local school introduces a new inclusive curriculum, Rachel and Laura find themselves on opposite sides of a fearsome debate.

But the problem with having your nose in everyone else’s business is that you often miss what is happening in your own home.

Other Parents is available here.

 

 

The 5 Books That Changed Me by Jane Lambert

Posted on by

‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier: My mum gave me this book when I was about 15.

As a shy, gauche teenager I identified with the second Mrs de Winter. Her story taught me to not always take situations or people at face value, that being shy is not a sign of weakness, not to compare myself to others and to be true to myself.  

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ by Helen Fielding: Like Bridget, I used to want to be in a meaningful relationship, but would fall for the wrong guys. I eventually learned that I deserved better, to have self-respect and to stop putting up with bad behaviour – just as Bridget did. I too can be clumsy and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Bridget taught me to laugh at myself and that I’m okay just as I am. 

‘The Understudy’ by David Nicholls: I was drawn to this book as I have been an understudy many (too many!) times. Though fiction, the authenticity of the narrative made me wonder if the writer was, or had been an actor. I was right, and it is his personal story which inspired me to take my writing more seriously and to aim high. As an actor you’re dependent on someone hiring you. You have no control. As a writer you produce your own work. It’s rewarding to be part of something you have created. I have ‘The Understudy’ to thank for leading me to David Nicholls, who set me on an alternative and more enriching creative path. 

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ by Mark Haddon: This book had a huge effect on me. The story is told through the eyes of 15-year-old Christopher, whose inability to tell lies, social awkwardness and logical take on the world give you an insight into being on the autistic spectrum and the effect it has on those around you. I could identify with some of Christopher’s thoughts, such as: “I find people confusing” and “I want my name to mean me.” Christopher’s story gave me an appreciation of how being “different” brings its own special gifts and should be celebrated. I was lucky enough to be involved in the London stage production.  I was lucky enough to be involved in the London stage production.

‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert: “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” When I was writing my first novel there was an annoying voice whispering in my ear that it was a waste of time. Who did I think I was? JK Rowling? ‘Big Magic’ taught me to believe in myself and not let fear stand in my way. Thanks to this book, I have learned to live alongside fear so I may strive to be better, but not let it control my mind. This has helped me in my acting career too. I still suffer occasionally from ‘Imposter Syndrome’, but dipping into this book gives me a dose of self-belief and puts me back on the right track. 

♥

JUBILEE BEAUTY. Rounding Up Our Regal, British Picks

Posted on by

beauty, jubilee,

Mylee polish in Purple Reign / Queen of Hearts / Street Party, £7.50, Mylee.co.uk
Create the perfect royal gel polish at home with Mylee in these regal shades, “purple reign”, “queen of hearts” and “street party”. Mylee’s innovative MyGel is expertly formulated to meet the needs of professionals and beauty enthusiasts alike, curing under UV or LED Lamp. Achieve durable gel nails for up to three weeks wear time without the price tag; no chipping, smudging, nicks or dents.
 
Invisibobble British Royal – BOWTIQUE Take A Bow, £6.39, Thefragranceshop.co.uk
Take a BOW(TIQUE): The hair bow is back! The new invisibobble® BOWTIQUE transforms classic ponytails and voluminous buns into trendy looks with little to no effort – every hairstyle is revamped into a glamorous mane. 
 
Elie Saab Le Parfum Royal EDP, £36, Thefragranceshop.co.uk
Bold, influential and ultra-feminine, this fragrance is fit for a modern-day queen. An ambery floral chypre which opens with Mandarin essence, shedding its light on a radiant accord. This is followed by two types of rose, a Turkish Rose and Bulgarian Rose, accompanied by Lebanese Neroli. Her Regal trail of Patchouli and Sandalwood Essence blends with Amber and Vanilla for a majestic, lingering dry down.
 
Metal & Glitter Liner in BeautyQueen, £10, OPVBeauty.com
London-based, black owned beauty brand bring the Queen vibes with their water-based Metal & Liquid Glitter. Contains super-fine glitter in a clear base that dries down quickly and really stays put.
 
Embyolisse Lait Creme Concentre London Edition, £17.99, LookFantastic.co.uk
To Celebrate the worldwide famous Lait-crème concentre, Embryolisse is now taking you to the first stage of its world tour journey with LONDON Edition. A tribute from the brand to Paris, the city of light, capital of fashion where the whole story began. Introducing Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre the 24-Hour Miracle Cream in a 50ml size.

SOS Serum H20 Day Cream 200ml, £35, Sosserum.co.uk
UK-made sensitive skincare brand, SOS Serum Skincare has had a long-standing connection to the monarchy, attending garden parties alike! This multi-tasking day cream offers a unique encapsulated blend that leaves no white streaks on the face and offers evenly distributed broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection (SPF 30). This cream can also be used on the skin at night.
 
Rosehip Oil Moisturising Gel, £23.50, Sbcskincare.co.uk
British-made, the SBC logo even connotes British heritage with the Union Jack flag. This powerful moisturising gel stemming from British rose bushes, will help hydrate, brighten and replenish skin on the face and body. For a smooth, youthful-looking and even complexion.
 
Jerome Russell Bblonde Maximum Blonde Toner Platinum, £4.99 Tesco, Superdrug, Boots 
Have hair fit for a queen thanks to the UK’s Number 1 blonding brand Jerome Russell. Go platinum for the Platinum Jubilee with the Maximum Blonde Toner that refreshes and improves shade and condition of blonde hair whilst neutralising yellow and brassy tones. Platinum blonde adds subtle cool blonde shades that last up to 8 washes, with no ammonia or peroxide.

Breast cancer survivor shares her “life-saving” 5 stone, 10-pound weight loss

Posted on by

Sandra Dalton-Goldspink, 49, from Hull had a series of health problems, including breast cancer and fibromyalgia. Her health issues kick started Sandra’s determination to change her life, inspired by her dream wedding vow renewal. Sandra lost 5 stone 10 pounds following the Fast 800 programme, transforming her health.

“I used to eat mindlessly”, explains Sandra. “I loved takeaways on a Friday night, and I ate a lot of processed foods. I would have a slice of pizza or a pasty, snack on my son’s leftovers, followed by dinner and then crisps or a toastie in the evening. I didn’t realise how much food I was eating. You think you’re doing no harm, but realistically you are. I was a size 24, and weighed 18 stone 12 pounds at my heaviest.”

Sandra’s weight impacted her overall health. “I had no energy, I couldn’t walk very far without getting out of breath. My joints were so painful from carrying the excess weight that my husband had to rub cream on them in the evenings. I have fibromyalgia, and the doctor said I was severely obese and needed to lose weight to improve my health. I also have IBS, which of course was connected to what I was eating. I didn’t realise that the processed foods I was eating were amongst the worst things I could eat for my IBS until a nutritionist told me. Even a family member said I should lose weight. But I didn’t listen to anyone until I got breast cancer.”

In late December 2020, Sandra started to experience pain in her chest, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I have had a full mastectomy, and I wear my scar with pride. I am now cancer free, but this was the wakeup call I needed. My breast cancer was caused by exposure to oestrogen, and the doctor said I needed to eat more healthily to improve my recovery. I am vegetarian and liked to eat soya and tofu. I didn’t know that these two foods were connected to oestrogen production. I became terrified to eat anything, I thought with every mouthful I was putting oestrogen in my body. Then I discovered the Fast 800 – a science based programmewhich was developed Dr Michael Mosley – and my life changed.”

 

Sandra followed TV presenter and Fast 800 ambassador Saira Khan on Instagram, and started to join in with her daily exercise sessions on social media. When Saira talked about the Fast 800, which follows the ethos of the Mediterranean diet, Sandra thought the diet could help her.

 

“I was already trying to be a bit healthier”, says Sandra. “But I was still having takeaways every week – I thought that because it was a vegetarian meal it would be fine. When Saira shared the plan, I felt that as it’s only a 12-week programme, it was achievable. I started the Fast 800 in July 2021, and lost nearly two stone in the first two weeks. At first, I felt a bit hungry as I was getting used to the quantities of food. But after a few days, I felt full! I was so used to eating so much food, it was a shock to the system, but this new plan showed me the amount of food my body actually needed.”

 

A new way of life

“I had never eaten half of the stuff I eat now, but it’s so tasty”, says Sandra. “This is my lifestyle for the rest of my life now. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Sandra’s health, and confidence, has transformed following her new lifestyle. “I can walk a lot more easily now and can bend my body properly. I don’t get out of breath in the way I used to. And I am so much more confident. People used to make cruel remarks to me in the street, which only made me comfort eat more. Now, I feel like the person I used to be years ago, before the weight crept on – which was about 15 years ago.”

Sandra and her husband Andrew’s families were friends, and the pair have known each other since childhood. Andrew has wanted to renew their wedding vows for years, but Sandra has resisted due to her weight. Now, it is intended to happen next year. “I had a crush on my husband since I was eight. We wanted renew our vows as we didn’t get married in a church. Andrew always wanted to do it, but I wouldn’t agree as I felt too big. Now I want to celebrate our marriage, and I’m going to treat myself to a new dress to wear on the day. I never liked having my photo taken, but I’m excited to see photos from my big day.”

 

As Sandra invested in her health, she started exercising more too. “I follow Saira’s exercise sessions on Instagram, and the Fast 800 have a brilliant exercise portion of their programme too. I never dreamed I would be able to wear leggings like other women, but now I do. It’s the little things that help me understand how much my life has changed.”

Sandra realised how much weight she had lost when her extended family got together for her dad’s birthday. “Due to Covid-19, I hadn’t seen everyone i n a while, and no-one could believe it was me! My cousin said I looked like a whole new person. My mum said I looked really nice in my outfit. It used to be so rare to get a comment like that, it was lovely to receive that compliment.”

 

Sandra’s experience following the Fast 800

“The Fast 800, and Saira, have saved my life, I really do believe that”, says Sandra. “If I can transform my health, anyone can. It is the best thing I have done in my life. I am so much happier and healthier now. I didn’t think I would have the willpower, and I feel so much better. I would tell anyone in my position to be positive, and try it for themselves.”

 

Sandra shares her favourite elements of the Fast 800:

“The food is lovely. The plan has such a variety of food to choose from, it cut the shopping time in half and stopped me worrying about what to eat”, Sandra says “And the exercise tips help. I like the meditation section, it’s a nice, soothing way to start and end my day. I also like thespecial shakes you can eat as part of the plan– the chocolate is my favourite.”

“The community is amazing. People share their stories and motivate each other. Someone said I was a true inspiration, and that meant so much to me. I’d love to help other people going through what I did.”

  • A 12-week programme on www.thefast800.com costs £99 and includes:
    • Meal plans for The Very Fast 800, The New 5:2 and Med-style diets, with vegetarian options
    • Three calorie-counted meals per day based on healthy, gut-friendly Mediterranean-style food
    • Over 400 tasty and easy-to-make recipes unique to the online programme
    • Shopping lists – just print and go, or use the list to help with your online grocery shop
    • Guided exercise plans – all suited to the home, no equipment necessary
    • Lots of tips and support on how to adapt your routine
    • Health Coaches on hand for advice, support and motivation
    • A lively and inspirational cohort of members, united by a common goal to improve health
    • Weekly motivational articles and videos, so you can make these changes for life!

 

The World’s Smallest Publisher Fair Is Coming to London This June

Posted on by

The Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair

Peckham Pelican | Saturday 11 June, 11am-6pm | Free admission

Tangerine Press is delighted to announce the return of The Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair (TUIPF), the world’s smallest publisher fair, showcasing a selected number of independent presses from across the UK. The fifth Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair will take place on 11 June 2022 at Peckham Pelican, as part of the Camberwell Arts Festival.

Featuring seven of the most exciting and innovative indie publishers operating in the UK, the line-up features the following presses: flipped eye publishing (powerful poetry, fiction and prose in affordable volumes), Les Fugitives(contemporary literary fiction & non-fiction translated from the French), Prototype (fiction, poetry and interdisciplinary projects), Repeater Books (radical books for a wide readership), Rough Trade Books (sister to the pioneering independent record label), Strange Attractor (celebrating unpopular culture) and Tangerine Press.

 

Taking place at the café and art space the Peckham Pelican – an open, friendly bar serving good quality beers, ciders, wine, coffee and food available all day – TUIPF is free to attend and open to all. This unique literary feast caters for all genres and needs: prose, poetry, fiction and photography books will all be on sale, with special event prices on paperbacks, hardback limited editions, artist books, broadsides, screen-prints and letterpress gems.

 

 

 

In addition to book sales and general merriment, TUIPF is proud to present a line-up of indie entertainment: live readings by authors published by the seven indie publishers will start from 2pm, including Erica Van Horn (Les Fugitives), Astrid Alben (Prototype) and Arianna Reiche (Tangerine Press). From 4pm, the special guest Unexplained Podcast, the popular story-based podcast in which host and creator Richard MacLean Smith explores a different unexplained mystery each week, will perform a live reading of their episode “Hexham Heads”, examining strange events in 1970s Northumberland. From 4.30pm, there will be an acoustic set by the alternative indie UK-based band Lilies in by Brain.

 

Michael Curran, Founder of Tangerine Press, said: “It’s wonderful to be back at the Peckham Pelican with The Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair for the first time since 2019. We have seven of the best indie presses in the country all under one roof in relaxed surroundings. It isn’t a stuffy hall! You can order a beer, chill out and listen the readings from authors and poets representing each of the publishers. Then perhaps sit up and be drawn into a rare live performance of the Unexplained podcast. Finally round it off with an acoustic set by promising indie newcomers Lilies in my Brain. All the while you can browse at your leisure through the stunning selection of books on sale, at special event prices. And it’s a free event!”

 

Find out more about The Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair here, and for the latest updates follow #TUIPF22 and @TangerinePress

 

 

Event details:

 

The Uncorrected Independent Publishers’ Fair

 

Date:               Saturday 11 June, 11am – 6pm

Venue:             Peckham Pelican, 92 Peckham Rd SE15

Tickets:           Free

Social:             #TUIPF  |  TW: @TangerinePress  |  IG: @Tangerine_Press

Website:         https://thetangerinepress.com/TUIPF/

 

Major new book – Weight Loss for Life, from Johns Hopkins University

Posted on by

I have had three children and my weight has fluctuated after every one of them. My third is almost one and now I want to lose the weight so I was interested in reading this book. I am glad I did. It is a comprehensive and non-judgemental plan backed by the latest, and best, science. I found it easy to read and follow. I highly recommend it.

Major new book – Weight Loss for Life, from Johns Hopkins University’s Healthful Eating, Activity & Weight Programme

Weight Loss for Life

The Proven Plan for Success

By Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD, And Kimberly A. Gudzune, MD, MPH

This is not a fad diet book. This is the most comprehensive, scientifically based-programme to lose weight and keep it off, with practical details about diet and nutrition, movement and motivation, medications, supplements, surgery, and more.

In Weight Loss for Life, two experts from the Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating, Activity & Weight Programme provide you with all of the information you need on your weight lossjourney. They bring together leading experts in behavioural health, nutrition, exercise, and nursing to help you develop a plan that works best for you—and one that’s not just focused on just restricting calories or certain foods. Anyone struggling with unwanted weight gain or obesity will find this programme to be helpful, compassionate, and clear.

A central feature of the programme is a Personal Plan of Action to help you set up reachable goals, plan your meals, and make time for movement. All the recommendations are customisable based on your personal health and needs. You’ll find interactive features too, with surveys throughout asking you to reflect on your own eating habits as well as barriers to success. And unlike other books Weight Loss for Life covers it all: supplements, prescription medications, med spas, and surgical options. If you struggle, it can help you get back on track. Throughout, testimonials from others who have followed the programme along with hundreds of photographs and drawings will help educate and keep you motivated along your weight loss journey.

Weight Loss for Life is the guide to the science and art of achieving and maintaining a healthful weight.

“This evidence-based, easy-to-understand approach to weight loss provides readers with the appropriate tools they need to be successful long term in reaching their own individualized goals. More comprehensive than other weight loss books on the market, this book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to lose weight safely and effectively.” – Virginia Quick, PhD, RDN, Rutgers University

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD, is Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Professor and Chair of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University. Kimberly Anne Gudzune, MD, MPH, is Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she is the director of Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating, Activity & WeightProgramme.

Hardback, 400 pages, 131 colour photos, 10 colour illus., 9781421441948, £22.00

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12203/weight-loss-life

 

Exclusive Skincare Launch for the Next Generation of Peptides

Posted on by
  • Dermoi are killing it in skincare, including cell communication technologies.
    Cells within the skin are constantly communicating with each other. They have to sense their environment and work collectively to respond in the right way.Cells have their own means of sending and receiving signals and are always on the look out. Advanced skincare understands these signalling mechanisms and uses them to provide anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and re-building messages to skin cells.

    Most of us have heard of peptides, but newer technology is taking peptides signalling a step further and producing outstanding scientific results.

    EVENSWISS – interleukin signaling experts

    EVENSWISS is the creator of a groundbreaking and patented signalling technology called Dermatopoietin.

    Dermatopoietin, which is equivalent to a polypeptide naturally found in human skin called ​ interleukin-1-alpha, starts a cascade of signals from the surface of the skin and into the dermis.

    These signals generate a strong increase in collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – by up to 90% in 2 weeks.

    The technology is backed by 6 clinical trials that show statistically significant improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, skin density, under eye bags, cellulite, and hair loss.  

    Story image

    Conventional antiaging products are limited by the poor penetration of the skin barrier and therefore have minor effects in the dermis. ​ They include chemical penetration enhancers which can facilitate the penetration of pollutants and microorganisms into the skin.

    Dermatopoietin is a first-of-its-kind technology that does not need to penetrate the skin in order to work. ​ The technolopgy gives a message to outer skin cells which allows them to generate signals within the skin for regeneration.

    Story image

    Story image

    I tried the following products:

    https://shop.dermoi.com/product/evenswiss–rejuvenating-serum/

Packed with natural antioxidants, the EVENSWISS Rejuvenating Serum is formulated to firm the dermis, and repair minor skin defects. An intensely hydrating, anti-aging serum with patented Dermatopoietin technology. Dermatopoietin transmits a signal from the skin’s surface to the dermis. This provides a rapid increase of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production by skin fibroblasts.
  1.  https://shop.dermoi.com/product/evenswiss–rejuvenating-eye-complex/
Using a plethora of natural ingredients rich in vitamins, the Evenswiss Rejuvenating Eye Complex works to prevent under-eye bags and puffiness.clinically proven to reduce crow’s feet and dark under eye circles. Furthermore, this under-eye complex contains Dermatopoietin¹ technology that transmits a signal from the skin’s surface to the dermis. This provides a rapid increase of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production.
These products are superb and really work. I love them and can’t wait to try the rest of the range. There is a noticeable improvement in my skin.

5 Books that Changed Me KM Kelly

Posted on by
  1. 1.Nightfall 1 by Isaac Asimov

 

This volume of short stories by Isaac Asimov opens with perhaps his most famous, Nightfall, the story that started his career. My father had bought it and left it lying around and I picked it up and started to read. I was perhaps eleven at the time. Up until that point I had read only children’s books, but the stories in those pages introduced me, quite literally, to two new worlds – the world of adult literature and the world of science fiction. This marked a transition for me as a reader, from children’s fiction to adult fiction and I don’t think I ever looked back.

 

  1. 1.The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

 

This is a pivotal book for me because it steered the way for my future career in oceanography. Reading science fiction had already instilled in me a fascination for science, but this story led me to the sea. In many ways it is a book ahead of its time. An alien intelligence is melting Earth’s icecaps and the descriptions of the impact on our drowning world are both powerful and, in many ways, prophetic. Only we don’t need any alien influences to melt the icecaps. We’re managing that all on our own.

 

  1. 1.Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household

 

This is the novel that first introduced me to the thriller genre, but the added fascination for me was the Dorset setting. An area I know all too well. I still get a thrill when I’m out exploring and I walk along one of the Holloways and I think of the un-named character hiding out in such a place. It’s an exciting story of pursuit and survival, one man against the odds.

 

  1. 1.The Last Days of Pompeii by Lord Lytton

 

Whenever people saw me reading this they would say “Ah, I know how it ends.” But it is this knowledge that adds to the brooding sense of foreboding. I read this before I actually visited Pompeii, saw it for myself, walked the streets, visited the villas and saw the bodies described in the novel. I loved the way the people of that ill-fated city had been brought to life by this book. I visited Pompeii during my honeymoon which was a turning point in my life and Lytton’s novel will always be part of that.

 

  1. 1.Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

 

This is a book that I should have read a long time ago, but somehow it slipped through the cracks. Then I started researching my family history and came to my Antiguan Great Grandfather, Ernest. I had always suspected that his story was an interesting one and when my DNA showed up a cluster of West African countries – something I suspected but never knew for sure – I realised I had to know more about this part of my heritage. Research is slow because records are sparse and to try to learn more about where Ernest came from I sought out literature. That was when I realised I had never read this book. I soon put that right. It’s a powerful story of passion and not truly belonging, feminism and post-colonialism, written as a backstory for Mr Rochester’s first wife. I can see why people say it is such an important book.

 

Buy The Sleepers by K M Kelly here