Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Titan Poker Remains Safe and Secure for Online Poker

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Titan Poker Remains Safe and Secure for Online Poker

– The Leading Poker Room in Europe Continues to Offer a Secure Gaming Environment Despite Legal Actions Taken Against Major Online Poker Room, Full Tilt Poker.

Titanpoker.com , the leading online poker room in Europe, continues to offer its poker players a secure gaming environment in a rapidly changing industry.

While legal actions have been taken in recent months against some of the major online poker rooms, players at Titan Poker continue to play their favorite game at cash tables and tournaments, make deposits and unrestricted withdrawals, and enjoy the full functionality of a safe, secure, and graphically pleasing online poker room.

Titan Poker offers its new players an improved First Deposit Bonus [http://www.titanpoker.com/promotions/first-deposit-bonus.html ] up to a maximum level of 200% up to $1,000. This bonus is released to players automatically as they play at Titan Poker and the redemption rate is set to enable players to enjoy the full benefits of this bonus as quickly as possible.

Titan Poker and the iPoker Network withdrew from the United States market following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. The room continues to stage regularly scheduled guaranteed prize tournaments [http://www.titanpoker.com/tournaments/schedules.html ] with discounted entries, and has increased its standard tournament offering as an additional way of demonstrating its stability and its user-friendly software.

In response to the AGCC’s announcement regarding the suspension of Full Tilt Poker’s license and operations, Marc Kenigsberg, VP of Marketing for Euro Partners, the affiliate program behind the Titan Poker brand, released a statement saying “Online poker lost one of its major players today, and has left both poker affiliates and poker players questioning the future of our industry. As the exclusive promoters of Europe’s leading, legally-operated online poker rooms, Euro Partners is confident that the online poker industry as a whole, and our poker affiliate partners in particular, will continue to flourish. To help in jumpstarting their activity, we’re also staging a lottery during the month of July to give away a brand new Porsche Carrera to affiliates who place our brands in top position and increase their poker traffic.”

New players are invited to try out the free poker download [http://www.titanpoker.com/download.html ] and experience the exciting poker action at Titan Poker.

Titanpoker.com is the number one online poker room in Europe and part of the iPoker

Frost Wine Reviews: Kumala Cabernet Shiraz

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I rarely drink red wine, and when I do it is normally mulled. This means I set the barometer very high. However, I liked Kumala Cabernet Shiraz. It has a lingering aftertaste of chocolate. If that doesn’t win me over, nothing will.

It is a very beautiful bright red colour, with ripe tannins and a fruity flavour. I like its smoothness and it also has some spicy notes. I can also taste red berry and a hint of nuttiness.

The wine will make a perfect partner to fillet steaks, lamb chops and hearty stews. RRP£6.79

Bridesmaids Review: Is The Tide Turning For Women In Film?

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Women in films used to be sassy, brilliant, full of quips, But somewhere along the way, we lost it all. Rosalind Russell was replaced with Shannon Elizabeth (The actress in American Pie, who was there to be a sex object and show her breasts), and Katherine Hepburn, replaced by, oh, all those actresses in those dire 1980’s films, too many to name, who were there solely to take their clothes off.

Some people think the film Bridesmaids is ‘ground-breaking’. It is, because Bridesmaids just became a Box Office hit, taking a smidge below $150 million – so far. It was a mainstream comedy written by women, starring women, about women, which won in the only way Hollywood recognises, by making money.

Helen Mirren once said that Hollywood wasn’t sexist, it just made films that people wanted to see. Young men go to the cinema more often and go to see films they liked. Women will only see more films with women if they go out and see them. Vote with your purses!

Bridesmaids is funny, it has wowed critics and audiences alike and it breaks even more boundaries, the actresses are (shock, horror!) not all 21 and a size zero. Some of them are in their 30s and are beautifully curvy. There is nothing wrong with being thin (I have been discriminated against for being thin, so I know it works both ways), I am just sick of my friends thinking they are fat when they are not.

Zoe Williams said this film was more feminist that Thelma and Louise and urged everyone to go and see it.  I am doing the same. Salon’s Mary Elizabeth Williams went even further, saying the film is ‘your first black president of female-driven comedies’.

It is ironic that as women have progressed, on screen we’ve only gone backwards. As an actress, I know more than most about what people cast and what they want. Women have to be between a size 8-12. Size 12 being a grey area, it hurts an actress to be more than a size 10. I was told by one casting director than anything above a size 10 meant ‘character actor’.

Some people have attacked Bridesmaids for not being ‘feminine’. Do they ever attack men for not being ‘gentlemen’?  I think not. Women have to be celebrated, we have to have our stories told and not just as naked, skinny, 21-year-olds. I will soon be making my own movie about women and their lives, and I thank Bridesmaids for clearing the way.

1.Bridesmaids
2.Production year: 2011
3.Country: USA
4.Cert (UK): 15
5.Runtime: 125 mins
6.Directors: Paul Feig
7.Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Ellie Kemper, Jill Clayburgh, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Matt Lucas, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Terry Crews, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Frost Wine Reviews: Banrock Moscato

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I have a sweet tooth and I really loved this wine. It was fruity and fresh, the perfect summer wine. It’s light and sweet, only 5.5% Vol. Perhaps not a wine for men though, considering the guys who tried it said it wasn’t their thing.

This pretty, pink-coloured Moscato is a dessert wine, though I recommend drinking it whenever you want! With a hint of peach, it’s fruity and perfect for people who don’t like dry, acidic wine. I reckon it will also be popular with people who don’t usually like wine at all!

I highly recommend it for girly afternoons in the sun and BBQ’s.

Tesco RRP £5.49

Can The Biological Clock Cloud Your Relationship Judgement?

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Bombarded by fertility facts and figures, women are increasingly obsessed with the ‘tick-tock’ of their biological clock, with the desire to find ‘Mr Happy Ever After ‘feeling all-consuming.

“Trying to find the perfect partner, who meets all of your ideas, can lead you to missing out on prospects who would make a very good partner,” says Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship scientist at eHarmony.co.uk. “Conversely, settling for someone who doesn’t even have all the things you need in a partner, just to start a family, can lead to a very unhappy marriage.”

According to Dr Gonzaga, who studies thousands of singles and couples at the eHarmony Labs in California, much of the energy going in to finding ‘Mr or Mrs Happy Ever After’ is being channelled in the wrong direction, leading those who crave to settle down and build a family never managing to meet the right person to share their life.

Dr Gonzaga’s research has resulted in five key learnings that singles can apply to ensure that they meet the right person to build a life and family:

· Be careful who you look for. A serious partner needs to share your values, and life plans. It’s important for both men and women to avoid the types of people who seem to have a roving eye, who prioritise a lot else in their life before you, or who seem to be heading in a totally different direction to you. It’s best to avoid even dating people who aren’t remotely ready or able to commit if you’re thinking seriously about marriage and babies in the near future.

· As well as a ticking clock, chemistry can also cloud your judgement. There’s no denying chemistry is an important factor in deciding on a potential mate. After all we have to be attracted to someone to want to have their children, but try to look beyond that initial ‘zing’ and ascertain whether you share the same long term values in life. Looks don’t last – but shared interest and values make for a solid potential partnership.

· If you’re single and already on the dating scene, it helps to become a savvy dater and learn how to recognise the signs of a relationship that is casual, or not likely to lead to anything serious. You need to be in a relationship where both parties are investing equal amounts of time and energy, as this is when it could be time to commit to a relationship that could be the start of something serious.

· When dating a new person, or considering dating them, think carefully about your compatibility and make sure you know whether they share the same ‘must-haves ‘ when it comes to children as you. For example, does this person really want children in the future? Do you have a similar outlook on how a child will fit into your lives? Having a similar attitude to child-rearing is one of the most fundamental areas of compatibility.

· Finally, take a step back and relax. Young people, particularly women, often put pressure on themselves to meet certain deadlines in life – for example, marriage at 30, or babies by 32. These timelines are often only imposed by society, or peer pressure, and are not worth being restricted by, as it’s impossible to control every factor in life and the best things can happen at the most unexpected times.

This Month's Magazines; Kate Middleton and Getting in Shape Lead.

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This is the first of Frost magazine’s new monthly magazine round-up. Here at Frost we are addicted to magazines and our guess is that you like them too, so, here goes….

Vanity Fair has the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the cover. The world has gone crazy for Kate Middleton and there is 16 pages on the new couple, including the interesting fact that Kate has never been to America before and is ‘beyond excited’.

Horrible fact of the month comes from Christopher Hitchen’s column, which is on Pakistan: in Pakistan not only is rape not illegal, it’s a punishment. Mark Shand tells Nick Haslam about the Elephant Family, Stieg Larsson’s girlfriend tells of their life together and there is good articles on Justin Timberlake, Silvio Berlusconi and the Falcons.

Marie Claire (who are in my bad books, as they do not send the subscribers the free gifts that come with the magazine. This month it’s a choice of eyeliner or eye-shadow, last month a Body Shop moisturiser, not nice way to treat those who are most loyal) Jennifer Lawrence is on the cover, and has a very good interview inside where she says that she tells director she won’t lose more weight and was initially scared of fame.

Emily Eavis, daughter of Michael, talks about growing up as part of the world’s greatest music festival, there is lots of fashion and a summer’s sandals piece that I enjoyed, there is a low down on the Russian invasion of Chelsea; lead by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova, Writer Natasha Green writes about choosing between her husband and her lover and 5 friends, who all went to university and did a performing arts degree, meet up to discuss where they are 10 years later. Marie Claire also have an exclusive interview with Aung San Suu Kyi. Other good article are dating advice you don’t need from your friends, a good piece on Jean Paul Gaultier and a brilliant article on the life of Princess Diana, very apt.

It’s Elle’s body issue, Elle always give there subscribers the free gift, as do RED and Glamour, Rosie Huntington-Whitley is on the cover and interviewed inside, and there is a free vest top my Kate Middleton fav Reiss.

Celia Walden ponders over why we fawn over the famous, the impossibly stylish Ines De La Fressange is in Elle edits, my personal style crush tells us about her philosophy on life, House of Holland are this month’s Style Spy, make up artist Lisa Eldridge gives a peak inside her closet and Debbie Harry tells is what books changed her life. Rob Lowe is interviewed and there are a lot of great articles on how to get in shape and be happy with how you look. Of course, there is also lots of great fashion. Lorraine Candy is temporarily stepping down from the Elle editorship to have her fourth baby.

Tatler has Romola Garai on the cover, she is interviewed inside and talks about her “ordinary body” and her desire for people to find her sexy. Kate Reardon has been the new editor for a few months now and is doing a good job, though I couldn’t find an editor’s letter.

Royal Wedding photographer Hugo Burnand talks about photographing the biggest wedding in decades, there are other articles on the top 10 poshest ghosts, Clive Anderson writes about losing his cool, there is lots of gossip, A very good guide to the Murdoch dynasty, an article on how the rich buy life (a very good read), some property porn as Belvoir Castle is featured by it’s owners the Duke and Duchess of Rutland.

There is also an article on (the last taboo!) woman’s facial hair and how to get rid of it, Alice Temperley also spills on all of her beauty secrets. If you buy it form the news-stand you get a free pair of sunglasses, but Tatler doesn’t give free gifts to it’s subscribers.

Vogue has Vanessa Paradis on the cover, she talks about staying on the move and being comfortable with your body, Stella Tennant models (can you believe she is in her 40’s!)

I really like the article by Carol Woolton on the lost world of legendary balls, including the jewellery that Elizabeth Taylor wore to the 1971 Rothschild Proust Ball, lots on the Royal wedding and who wore what, editor Alexandra Shulman was one of the guests and gives a good account. The rise of folk (as in music) gets a good spread and supermodel Arizona Muse keeps a diary for Vogue.

I also love the inspirational women who feature in Vogue’s Wonder Women piece, scientists and theatre directors alike. There is also an editorial on fashion dynasties, if you love glamour the way I do you will love reading about the Guinnesses, Dellals, Agnellis/Brandolinis and the Jaggers.

Donna Karen also does a wonderful interview and writer Vicky Ward talks about her divorce; “the equivalent of undergoing heart surgery without anesthetic.” There is also a brilliant free beauty supplement with lots of celebrities and models giving their beauty and health routines, tips and hints.

Glamour has a free Benefit beauty product (I got the Benetint) Karl Lagerfield on fashion do’s, celebrity couples you forgot about, how to find a man anywhere, the rise of gold and fame digging men, why is friendship so hard?, how the Glamour staff got their job, a very good, and slightly depressing article on female war reporters; read about the same time I saw Channel 4’s Killing Fields of Sri Lanka, you think women are equal and safe….

There is interviews with the Glamour women of the year awards, including the brilliant Adele, who is on the cover. There is lots of brilliant fashion and beauty, a very good article on why we should all see Bridesmaids by Zoe Williams, there is a number of articles on how to fake tan well and I really enjoyed the piece on Get a Blockbuster body, what Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence and Rosie Huntington-Whitley did to get in shape for their films. There is also a good article on the secret to good health in 100 words or less.

So, until next month!

Tennis Players and Celebrities celebrate the start of the 125th Wimbledon Championship

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Tennis Players and Celebrities celebrate the start of the 125th Wimbledon Championship at the WTA Pre Wimbledon party in association with Range Rover

Last night saw the best of women’s tennis come out to celebrate the start of Wimbledon Championships for 2011.

Celebrities including Eliza Doolittle, Holly Branson, Kimberly Wyatt, Naomi Harris, Holly Valance, Patsy Kensit, Lord Sugar and Tinie Tempah joined the players at the exclusive bash held at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. The venue was decorated with a Turkish theme to acknowledge Istanbul as the host of this year’s Championship.

The event, sponsored by Range Rover, in conjunction with the launch of the all new Evoque, saw fashion take centre stage with a historical collaboration between the British Fashion Council and the Women’s Tennis Association. To celebrate the rise of fashion within the sport, top designers including Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney created dresses for some of the top female players.

Rising British stars Heather Watson and Laura Robson were also dressed to impress ahead of their run in the tournament, wearing stunning dresses by Mulberry and Temperley respectively.

Elen Rivas graced the red carpet and showed no signs of upset over this week’s announcement of Lampard’s engagement. She did however manage to avoid answering any questions on the subject and instead was telling everyone about her plans to become a fashion stylist.

Sinitta turned up looking glamorous and refusing to comment on whether the rumours about her and Steve Jones were true.

Jared from Kings of Leon turned up towards the end of the evening without his fellow band mates to enjoy a much needed night off from their current hectic schedule.

George Lamb was a hit with the ladies, with a swarm following him around all night.

Range Rover added music and colour to the party with an interactive Evoque inspired wireframe art installation named ‘Sounds of the City’. Guests were able to create their own sound and light show by engaging with the installation throughout the evening.

England’s top tennis tournament, set to kick of on Monday 20th June, is celebrating its 125th year

MADE IN CHELSEA'S CAGGIE DUNLOP APPOINTS RUSHDIE MEDIA FOR PR REPRESENTATION

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Caggie Dunlop, 22, star of E4’s hit docu-soap series Made In Chelsea, has appointed PR agency Rushdie Media for UK representation.

Educated at the Harrodian School in Barnes and then at Wellington College she went on to study philosophy at Leeds University. Her love of performing and acting took her to New York where she spent a year studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. There she performed in a number of productions including Rabbit Hole by Mauricio Bustamente, Barefoot in the Park by Lola Cohen, Proof by David Auburn, and Picnic by Mauricio Bustamante. She is also developing a music career as a singer, and is currently writing songs for an album. She lives in West London.

Rushdie Media is located in Central London and other clients include Sir Salman Rushdie and classical group Blake.