With recipes from Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and The Bakers

The big book of amazing cakes brings the magic of the great British bake off to your kitchen with easy to follow recipes for every shape, size and delicious flavour of cake you can imagine. Featuring the very best cakes from inside the bake-off tent, alongside much loved family favourites, stunning showstoppers and classic bakes, the book is packed with expert advice and helpful tips for decorating. From simple sponges to spectacular celebration cakes, aspiring bakers will have everything they need to create the perfect bake for any occasion.

I was so excited to try some recipes from this book; I love baking and the great British bake off so this book was a must for me. What struck me about this book was the expert advice and professional hints and tips throughout the book alongside pictures of what the finished products should look like and beautiful scenic photos.

The instructions were easy to follow, and the ingredients were very easy to source. Each recipe had a ‘hands on’ duration as well as a baking time and serving size. At the back of the book is a conversion chart which is very useful for those who cook using cup sizes or ounces.

I chose to bake the Gingerbread loaf, the maple, apple and walnut streusel and not forgetting the ultimate chocolate cake. Each recipe was divided into easy to follow steps and had a picture of what I should expect the finished product to look like. I had great fun baking away with my daughter, niece and mother. We all love baking so naturally I had to get the family involved. After lots of weighing, measuring, baking and cooling our creations were finally ready to sample. We were not disappointed each cake was delicious and I am eager to bake some more yummy cakes.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in baking as there are recipes for beginners and experts alike.

Publisher- Sphere  Hardcover  eBook

Thanks to Bake Off and similar programmes, people are upping their game on the baking front. I remember making theme cakes for my children’s birthdays – Optimus Prime from the Transformers, My Little Pony – every year a different, almost recognisable masterpiece – a triumph of love and enthusiasm over skill. But my kids were always delighted, or if they weren’t they learned from an early age to fake it.

Nowadays things are different. Master baking skills seem to be part of the modern mum’s job description – my daughter-in-law is an astounding example. She regularly produces cakes worthy of any self-respecting patisserie for family events, in between looking after two children and working – and she makes it look easy.

But how do you store and transport these lovely creations? An old cardboard box, like in my day? I don’t think so.

Thankfully Tala have got this covered.  Their set of three cake tins are a work of art in themselves. Part of the new Indigo and Ivory range, they are sophisticated and stylish.

The two smaller cake tins fit inside the bigger one, for easy storage.  The largest measures 25cm in diameter and is 15cm deep, and the smallest is 20cm by 11cm. The bigger one is particularly useful for celebration cakes, and the three of them could even be used for a small wedding cake.

They each have the same classical design (see image), but are in coordinating colours – indigo, silver and ivory – they look lovely, stand alone or together, and of course they also match other items in this new Tala range.

At £20.25 from Amazon they would make a perfect gift – and Christmas is just around the corner …

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

It must be boring being a baby sometimes – unable to move where you want, and relying on a much larger person to guess your needs and attend to them.

So thank goodness for Hape’s Garden Friends Play Arch.  The strong orange and turquoise fabric-covered arch attaches easily and securely to the sides of most babies’ cribs, leaving the brightly-coloured soft toys to dangle down for Baby to see, and when old enough, he can play with them too.

All the toys are made of different shapes and colours. In the centre of the arch flies a large brightly-coloured bumblebee, whose blue, geometrically-embossed wings, make pretty designs in the sunlight.  Below the bumblebee, a teether-ring rattle hangs low enough for an older baby to grab and put in his mouth to sooth his gums.

On one side of the arch is a chunky red apple rattle, with two little dangly wooden toys hanging below, and on the other side, a dangling  leaf and a star.

Lots to stimulate Baby’s vision, hearing and touch, and so attractive. This lovely crib toy is available from Amazon at £34.38 – it makes a fabulous present.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

I’m a sucker for cute baby toys, and Bonnie the Octopus Teether (which comes with its own suckers) is irresistible.  It’s very light, and shaped to make it easy for small babies to grab and, importantly, to keep hold.  The eight tentacles, are covered in firm suckers (see, I told you) and have soft spikes underneath, which provide an interesting texture for Baby to chew, and to help with teething and sore gums – the tentacles reach the back teeth too which is a bonus. The sweet little face is topped by a hat in a colour of your choice – pink, yellow, blue, orange or lilac. And the hat isn’t just ornamental either – it has soft ridges for Baby to chew on too.

It’s made of silicone so can be used as a bath toy. It can also be popped in the dishwasher for a good clean, and it’s freezer safe, which is handy if baby is really suffering with their teeth. What a lovely and novel toy.

At £13.95 from BabyToLove I know my little grandson will love it (unless I can’t bear to part with it of course).

Talking of my grandson, if your little one’s teeth are causing them to dribble too, you may be interested in the Bclip. Like many of the cleverest designs, simplicity is the key. It’s a moulded strip of food-grade rubber, with a large attractive clip on each end, which fits around the back of your child’s neck – that’s it. You can clip any piece of fabric or even paper to the clips, creating an instant bib or apron. Select the size and shape – a tea towel, a large piece of drawing paper, a paper serviette, the choice is all yours.

So if you’re out and realize you’ve forgotten a bib, or Baby has just spat mashed potato all over your only one, the Bclip is a lifesaver. It looks attractive, takes up almost no room in your baby bag and you can grab a paper serviette or anything else to hand and make an instant bib.

And if your older child heads for some paints or felt-tips whilst wearing his best jumper, fear not – grab a large piece of drawing paper and clip it around his neck with the Bclip, and the instant apron will help protect his jumper from a Van Gogh-style rework.

Then when he’s finished – you chuck the paper away – my favourite type of washing up.

Easy to wipe clean and flexible – for comfort or stuffing in a bag, it’s a useful buy at  £9.95 from BabyToLove once again.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Encouraging Baby’s love of bees and the environment from the earliest age, Hape have created this charming Bumblebee Pram Rattle. It clips easily onto a pram, pushchair or cot  and dangles for Baby to watch or, as he gets older, grab and shake. The red sunflower at the top contains a sweet tinkly rattle. Underneath it flies a large brightly-coloured bee, whose blue wings are geometrically-embossed, creating pretty designs when the sunlight shines through them.

The bumblebee and flower are made of soft stuffed fabric. Below them hangs a bright green leaf and below that a second, teether ring rattle.

Oodles of visual stimulation for the youngest babies, and once they reach the grab and chew age, a whole new set of activities – they could be occupied for hours.

You can get your very own one from Wicked Uncle (what a great name for a children’s gift company)  at £10.95

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Terra Terra in Finchley Road has just opened its doors and it calls itself a neighbourhood Italian all day Restaurant & Café. I went to the opening party to see whether it was a jack of all trades or a restaurant that genuinely offers it all. The tables and chairs had temporarily been removed to make way for the DJ booth and the array of people that had come to celebrate the night, and make the most of the prosecco on offer.

D Js Ben Bridgewater and Dan Lywood

                  D J Lady Mary Charteris

The head chef Massimo Miolo has shaped the menu by seeking inspiration from his childhood in Italy. Inspired by Florence and Bologna’s food markets, the menu infuses new and old recipes along with traditional and modern cooking techniques. The result being exciting yet simple Italian dishes.

Set over two floors, it has the space to cater for most occasions. Diners can expect to be seated at street level whilst those looking to sample the thoughtfully chosen Italian wines and uniquely tweaked classic cocktails will descend to the lower ground wine bar. When summer returns, visitors can also enjoy the tucked away terrace hidden from the bustle of Finchley Road – a perfect place for a drink or two.

On opening night the bubbles flowed whilst a number of DJs kept the stylish “Insta” crowd swaying from one side of the room to the other. I on the other hand had my eyes on the platters of exquisitely filled fresh pasta shells decorated with an artistic scattering of edible flowers and swirls of fragrant dressings. I chatted with the chefs as they prepared fresh pizza style breads topped with wild mushrooms and watched as they baked them in their impressive stone oven. It was worth the wait.

image courtesy of Joshua Edwards

On a normal day you can expect a small but well-balanced menu with fresh pastas, pizzas and small plates on offer. And for the commuters there is a breakfast menu you would expect to see in any stylish London café, a variety of egg dishes, granola and freshly made smoothies.

Like the menu, the interior mixes new with old. The walls and the colours instantly remind you of a Tuscan kitchen but the overall effect is a modern and sophisticated space with soft lighting and square hanging ceiling panels.

Finchley Road is not graced with an abundance of bars and restaurants that offer something different. Terra Terra certainly is a great addition that looks like it can offer it all.

Photography: Richard Young

To book a table at Terra Terra, Reservations: terraterra.co.uk, opentable.co.uk

Phone: 020 8912 6320

The address is: 120 Finchley Road, London NW3 5JB

The social media handles and hashtags are: @terraterrauk and #terraterratime

What is Trend Tonic?

In 2018 whilst cooped up in hospital Kerry started a truly unique earring business. As of February, this year she started to handmake each pair using beautiful lightweight cork. Kerry offers a wide range of shapes and colours so that the buyer can customise a pair to their own taste. Finding inspiration for shapes and colours all around her from seasonal colours to a pattern on her bed sheet.  A lot of thought does go into producing a shape that will suit most face types as well as researching colour and shape anatomy. But it’s not only the shape – who else uses cork?

When asked why she uses cork Kerry explained that she did not want to use leather and products such as faux leather which contain plastics that can take up to 500 years to degrade. With this information a conscious and ethical decision was made to use cork.

Trend Tonic is rapidly growing in popularity, and its easy to see why. Stunning handmade, fully customisable, lightweight, eco-friendly earrings, which stand out in the crowd

Why do I love them?

Whilst scrolling through Facebook I saw a picture that a friend had posted of some beautiful statement earrings. I read the caption about how beautiful and lightweight they are. Up to this point I only wore earrings at special occasions as I find the weight uncomfortable. It was at this point that my editor on Frost Magazine suggested I checked out the Trend Tonic products.

First I selected what shape of earring I wanted, I chose teardrop, then I got to choose what colour I wanted, I chose a very neutral colour which was called ‘crocodile’, then I even got to chose what colour hook so I chose silver.

The cost? An appetising £10.

The earrings arrived promptly. The weight was perfect, and the look. But they aren’t just for the younger generation. My mum also loved them and went on to order two pairs herself – each pair was as unique and creative as my own.

What’s more they’re eco-friendly.

To find out more – go to:

www.trendtonic.co.uk

at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadlers Wells Theatre, London

“Utterly, utterly magnificent.”

The director of this ‘cheeky’ dance/sketch/comedy show is Alfred Taylor-Gaunt. He thinks people have a fixed idea of what dance is and that it can put them off going to see it.

So – collect half a dozen dancers, let them co-create sketches with classical music as a background and anything can unfold. The result is 100% a clowning show – they just happen to be dancing beautifully.

The sketches come thick and fast, with over a dozen in the first half alone, all choreographed to music. Covering so many topics: losing a ticket at the airport (Flight Of The Bumblebee) to putting a duvet cover onto a duvet (Dance Of The Hours), getting mugged by charity collectors (Dambusters March) to queuing at a bus stop (Sailor’s Hornpipe). There is an operating theatre scene and a football match, there is romance and there is laughter. Plus the running gags – never forget the brilliant running gags!

I am a massive fan of Slava’s Snowshow – the Russian clown spectacular that keeps reappearing because of its popularity. I saw it in its first incarnation in the UK and have watched it blossom. Derrière On A G-String has that potential. It is a pure joy to watch. Still a little rough and ready at the edges – nothing a few clown workshops couldn’t smooth out – but Taylor-Gaunt’s creation will make you laugh. It is rude, risque and naughty all at once, but it is pure, honest and magical. Funny sketches – tick. Classical music – tick. Excellent contemporary dancing – tick. A standing ovation to the whole company and, especially, the performers: Jonathan Mewett, Sammy Moore, Alex Murray, Ruth Emily Plaxton, Joshua Sinclair-Evans and Aisling Tara.

If this show manages to tour – I can only but cheer and fist-pump the air. We may be living in dark and scary times, full of doubt and fear. But this show is a perfect antidote. 90 minutes of escapist theatre. Utterly, utterly magnificent. Bravo. Bravo.

Photography                             Jamie Scott

Director and Choroegrapher       Alfred Taylor-Gaunt

Producer                                   The VERY Top Secret Dance Company

Designer                                   Libby Todd

Sound Design                           Thomas Cheeseman

Twitter                                      #derriereonagstring, #putyourcheeksontheseats

@taylorgaunt_uk, @verytopsecretdc

Age 14+