These  arrived on my desk, and having seen my two year old grandchild running full pelt, before tripping, I thought it a great idea.

Pic

Take a look at Elastoplast’s,  the UK’s leading plaster brand,  new range of ‘PAW Patrol’ plasters which feature all famous characters from the hit animated pre-school series – Chase, Skye, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Everest. Elastoplast children’s plasters are especially developed for the sensitive skin of children. The plasters are dirt and water resistant. They are very skin friendly and easy to remove..

But don’t forget to put Elastoplast Wound Spray into your rescue pack. This cleans and prepares the wound. Apart from anything else,  the tot will be so fascinated tears will be forgotten.

Then the plaster, best not to stretch, and heavens – no creases.

Then Elastoplast also have healing cream which you might consider applying.

Almost worth coming a cropper.

Nickelodeon PAW Patrol Plasters: RRSP: £2.90*

Barbara Matheson; a journalist, a critic of the Mayor of New York.

Richard Headley; the mayor, with a past he is ashamed of.

Jerry Bourque,; a NYPD detective is at the scene of a gruesome homicide

One freak elevator accident =  tragedy, two = problem, three = chaos.

So let’s recap: Monday morning in a Manhattan office tower, four people enter an elevator, press the buttons and watch in confusion as the elevator passes their floors, rising, rising without stopping. proceeding straight to the top and then – the lift falls right to the bottom.

An awful tragedy but then it happens again and then again. One of the most vertical cities in the world is plunged into chaos.

People refuse to leave their homes. Many men and women working in offices are left fearing for their lives.

Why is this happening? Who is terrorizing the people of New York? In a race to find the answers the lives of Barbara, Richard and Jerry are changed forever

Just as the film “Jaws” left us not wanting to dip a toe in the ocean, Elevator Pitch will leave you wanting to take the stairs from now on. Fast moving and packed full of suspense I could not read quickly enough. I was shocked at many points throughout the book and just when I knew who the culprit was, and why they did it and how, the genius that is Linwood Barclay delivered one more surprising revelation.

I enjoyed the many different characters, and easily followed the various threads. In particular I enjoyed the fact that there are chapters that are  written from the future witness’s point of view. Each character is unique and as a reader you can relate to at least one of them.

You will be left guessing until the very end but will relish every moment of it.

Elevator Pitch Harper Collins Hardback – £20 eBook – £9.99 Audio download – £12.99

Natalie Jayne Peeke: http://www.thebookwormmother.co.uk

Life is super busy and the pace is increasing. Stresses don’t space themselves out, do they? They prefer to hunt in packs.

Realistically we can only do so much to slow things down, give ourselves a breather. So we need smart solutions. We don’t always have time, or money, for a spa weekend, or an ayurvedic retreat, least of all when we most need one, but we can incorporate things into our daily life, which don’t steal time, but do calm our minds.

Fortunately, Lara Morgan, the founder of Scentered is one step ahead.  During her busy international job, she recognized the need for portable aromatherapy products to support mindful transitions from home to office, to travel, to “me time”. Aromatherapy is widely believed, in many cultures, to have powerful effects on our emotions and the mental state, and by using everyday products, which heal, even as we rush, we can make a significant difference to our stress levels and enjoyment, without really trying.

But you should source high quality. Scentered products only use the finest natural ingredients and therapeutic grade essential oils. There are no parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, colours, or other nasties, and I do think this is important. There’s simply no substitute for quality natural ingredients. And, by the way, they really do smell amazing.

I have used their scented balms for a while, and I believe that they help me when I’m stressed. The Sleep balm is great when one is too overtired to even get to sleep, and the Escape balm helps before meditating or other mindfulness activities.  The Focus balm is great before writing an article like this one.

I’m testing their De-Stress wash and lotion duo at the moment –a 300ml each set of hand and body wash and lotion.  As I use it to shower, or even to wash my hands, I feel my troubles melt away and I’m more equipped to deal with the world. The beautiful smells of Chamomile, Neroli and Mandarin essential oils just seem to seep into my psyche and do their jobs. The wash contains organic Aloe and the lotion has Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Sunflower Oil to condition and moisturise the skin.

At around £30.00, this duo set will provide pleasure and calmness for a long time, and, if it isn’t too soon to think if Christmas presents, then consider buy the set for someone special, beautifully boxed in Scentered’s Christmas wrap.

Visit the Scentered website for a list of their essential oils, and their great blogs on how to use them to  best effect in your life. Their beautiful products can be purchased there too.

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

OLD EL PASO OPENS POP UP RESTAURANT to be  POWERED BY DINERS’ CONVERSATION

 Old El Paso FajitaFriday Pop-Up at 4 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AN

 Friday 20^th September, 7pm start  Cost: Free. On a first come, first serve basis

Old El Paso is opening a pop up restaurant in which the diners’ conversation, chat and laughter will generate small amounts of measurable electricity that, once channelled through converters, will actually power certain elements of the restaurant – including the warming of your fajita!

The whole restaurant has been designed and created to fuel conversation on what Old El Paso is naming National Fajita Friday –  a day they want to encourage the nation to sit and eat with their friends and family. And to keep the banter alive within the restaurant there will be a push button at each table which will dispense a card with a conversation starter on it. Even the fajitas will have thought provoking questions ‘toasted’ onto them and the restaurant will also be styled with neon signs and Mexican street art featuring fun questions to help keep the conversation flowing.

Using piezoelectric technology and specialist microphones positioned at each individual table, the more conversation the table engages in, the more electrical volts they produce. These volts are then connected to a virtual battery.

And as the battery fills up and reaches certain voltage levels, it will unlock elements and rewards for the table such as a margherita tap and even the ambiance of the table lighting.

But if conversation runs out then the battery will start to discharge. So get talking else you might not get your food!

Lionel Morgado, spokesperson for Old El Paso says, “There are many benefits for family and friends connecting over a meal. But we undertook research which revealed that a shocking 22% of British families sit and eat dinner together less than twice a week, with 8% admitting that they never sit and share dinner together. And even when they do make the effort, there are distractions from things like mobile phones and the TV.”

“So we wanted to create a fun space where friends and family are encouraged, and rewarded for really connecting in a meaningful way with one another over a delicious meal. And when people sit together over Mexican it creates happy noise and genuine connections. Everyone has to roll up their sleeves, catch the drips, dive in with their hands and pass the guac around. It fills your heart as well as your belly! he concludes.”

They’ll be a prize for the table which generates the most amount of electricity during the evening.

Open to the public for one night on a first come, first serve basis, the restaurant will serve a starter of loaded nachos, a choice of meat and vegetarian fajitas for main, followed by a dessert, all accompanied by a limited number of alcoholic and soft drinks for free. 

Tables for 6 will be available. Evening starts at 7pm.

Lady Penelope Campion is beautiful, kind and compassionate. She takes pity on lost or wounded animals from abandoned kittens to goats and parrots. Her home is full of animals that she loves to dote on. By society’s standards Lady Penelope is strange and thus she has the reputation of a spinster despite her young age and decent standing.

Gabriel Duke clawed his way from the horrors of a workhouse to become a handsome, wealthy young man with the reputation of being the Duke of Ruin. He despises high society and he wants to get even. When he stumbles across his new and utterly gorgeous neighbour, Gabriel is bewitched by her beauty. He also sees an opportunity to make an immense profit on his new property, after all, people would pay a pretty penny to live next door to a Lady.

An unannounced visit from Penelope’s aunt, however, turns not only her life upside down but threatens to ruin Gabriel’s plan because such are the concerns of the older woman at Penelope’s way of life, she sets certain conditions for improvement, or , Penelope’s older brother will collect her, and return her to the  family home in Cumberland. Penelope has just 3 weeks to introduce her aunt’s conditions: a new wardrobe, attend social events such as the opera and –  to be rid of all her animals.

Penelope ropes in the help of unenthusiastic Gabriel, but if she has to leave, he realises his potential for making money based on the fact that Lady Penelope Campion is a neighbour will be over.

What will happen? Will they truly fall for one another, will the truth of Gabriel’s plan be revealed or will he change his mind? Will she be dragged off home as the family spinster, strange in her ways? Is there a solution to it all?

A beautiful and sexy read, as an animal lover I could completely relate to Lady Penelope and her devotion to animals. I enjoyed the writing style of Tessa Dare I was absolutely absorbed in the lives of both Lady Penelope and Gabriel.

A must read for fans of Jodi Picoult and those that have enjoyed previous books by Tessa Dare

Published 5^th September 2019

Paperback £7.99

www.thebookwormmother.co.uk

Every so often the Frost Magazine review team get a real belter of a toy to review and fortunately we have several testers of a certain age. This time Miss Delilah drew the lucky straw. And this reviewer is a very popular Grandma.

Once it was all up and running (not a difficult job) in she pitched, loving it from the first get-go. Everything was accessible, and designed to fit hands from two to five years of age. It’s vibrant colours and replication of the sounds of BBQ cooking made her feel it was familiar, and at the same time, grown up.

LeapFrog’s Smart Sizzling BBQ Grill comes with eight pieces of food, from an aubergine and steak through to prawns, mushrooms and even peppers. The colourful and friendly toy features accessories for cooking and a light-up grill. Great for playtime and learning, because LeapFrog Smart Sizzling BBQ Grill will teach children from 2-5 years food names, numbers & colours.

Children can set different grilling temperatures, hear fun cooking sounds or jam along to the music and sing-along songs.

Delilah placed a piece of food on the interactive pretend skewer and the BBQ told her what the food was and the  colour. 

As luck would have it over this Bank Holiday, the weather has been splendid so both the LeapFrog BBQ and daddy’s have been busy out on the decking, preparing feasts so she felt really important.

The grill even knows if the heat is too high and asks to have the dial turned to a lower number, whilst also saying safety phrases. Delilah pressed the fun ‘ignition’ button for grilling suggestions,  melodies, phrases and sound effects.

If the Smart Sizzling BBQ Grill is making you hungry for more, then take a look at the recipe inspiration from best-selling family food and nutrition author, Annabel Karmel. These  inviting recipes all use ingredients that feature in the LeapFrog Smart Sizzling BBQ Grill.

With three to choose from; BBQ Beef Fajitas, Super Sizzling BBQ Salmon and Zingy Pineapple Salad Boats,  (the last was one Delilah’s dad tried, successfully) you can be sure that the whole family will be eating well this late  summer.

The LeapFrog Smart Sizzling BBQ Grill will be one sure way to fire up kids’ imaginations as they ‘cook’ alongside mum or dad during a fun weekend BBQ or family celebration.

This would be great even for a Christmas present, because it’s small but robust enough to have in the house, as you can see from the photos, and very much a pro-active toy. Good stuff.

RRP £49.99
Available from: Argos, Amazon, Smyths and more

Recipes available here:

‘Cuppa anyone?’ Considering we English claim tea as an integral part of our culture, we frequently sell ourselves short. ‘Builder’s tea’ really doesn’t count.  There are so many different varieties, which can be blended in many different ways.  Even the time of year when the leaves are plucked matters, with first flush tea, consisting of the youngest, most tender part of the plants, has a special flavour, reflected in the cost.

Like a good wine, a great tea can command a very high price and the taste and numerous health benefit claims of different teas are appreciated in tea-growing countries such as India and China, where tea-houses will offer you an incredible number of varieties and blends depending on your taste and needs.

In the UK we have been palmed off with cheap tea bags for too long. A good friend, who grew up on a Tea Plantation in Assam told me that these are often filled with tea dust, left over after processing the decent stuff. Is that all you’re worth?

You can get a very nice quality tea without paying the earth – just as you don’t necessarily have to splash out on a Château Lafitte to enjoy a good red.

So why not pop that supermarket special offer back on the shelf where it belongs, and head to the Newby website?

They have a large range of teas – green, black, flowering and many others, including caffeine-free such as rooibos.

Newby have just announced a collaboration with Matthew Williamson who has designed some beautiful tea caddies, available on the website. Each caddy design containing a different, quality tea and they make a really special gift.

Williamson comments, “Newby is such a wonderful heritage brand. They epitomise luxury in every sense of the word and do things with passion and flair. I’ve loved the process from start to finish of creating this collection, including learning so much more about the history of tea and visiting their amazing Chitra Collection for inspiration.”

Newby is a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, committed to improving the lives and environment of tea workers and making tea production better, fairer and more environmentally sustainable. It’s substantially owned by the N Sethia Foundation, a UK registered charity which has supported medical research, youth activities and disaster relief management.

So not only will you give your body and mind a treat, but you will be helping many people, and even the future of tea itself with every cup of Newby’s.

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

‘The lighting’s good, isn’t it?’

I couldn’t wait to see this production. Two years ago I sat in the same church and was riveted by the same company’s Richard III. My fault – it could only be a let down in comparison. The same atmosphere welcomes us, though. It is exciting and different to be inside a church which is a theatrical venue. The same promenade stage, with audience down the two sides. To be so close to the action, to be part of it.

Sadly not. I spent the evening feeling I was being performed at.

Antic Disposition’s directors – Ben Horslen and John Riseboro – have set the play in Victorian times. The costumes give an air of patriarchal control and a squeezed sense of formality and restriction. Then Macbeth enters – completely the opposite – promising so much more. He prowls the stage, looking for answers, mumbling and growling like a caged bear.

Harry Anton plays the part. All rugged, macho and looking like he’s just stepped off the set of Poldark. Well, hello, Macbeth!! Ding Dong! But he’s dour and lacklustre. [Blast.] Lady Macbeth, however, played by Helen Millar, has a shining presence – a brilliant beacon of light in a dark production, even when dressed completely in black for the first half. Once she is Queen, she then dresses in the brightest of blood red. This is in itself a shock to the eyes, as all costumes are black or the darkest of greys and browns.

The use of the witches is clever. Throughout, they are also the house servants of the Macbeths – always on hand to assist or hinder as the play requires. Louise Templeton, Bryony Tebbutt and Robyn Holdaway excel by their underplaying and choreography, subtly manipulating the characters around them. The rest of the cast – Chris Courtenay, Nathan Hamilton, Robert Bradley, Peter Collis and Andrew Hislop – come across as ‘actors in a Shakespeare play’ – there is the usual shouting and finger pointing, seemingly placing emotion before meaning.

Overall, I found too many of the actors annoyingly hard to hear as they fought the acoustics. Much of the staging was, surprisingly, quite unimaginative and dull. Static and filmic. Monologues were done to no one in particular, even though the eager audience was sitting there, right in front of them. Macbeth’s solo musings were slow and monotone. Two-dimensional. But I want action, power and a crispness of performance – I want my Macbeth to be enigmatic, not contemplative.

I want the actors to take a risk and use the environment they find themselves in. Instead, they play this version inwardly and safe. I want danger, all I got was contemplation. No doubt, as the run settles into the space, the pace will pick up, the actors will relax and the drama will increase. I realise I come across as grumpy and, excepting Max Bialystock, no one ever sets out to do a bad stage production, but Shakespeare is so often performed and comparisons abound. And everyone has an opinion. One gent in the queue for the interval toilets could genuinely only muster, ‘The lighting’s good, isn’t it?’

Ouch.

Photographer    Scott Rylander

Directors           Ben Horslen and John Risebero

Producer           Antic Disposition

Designer           John Risebero

Composer         James Burrows

Performances   Until 7th September – Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm

Matinees: Saturday at 3pm

Venue               Temple Church, London EC4Y 7BB

Nearest Tubes  Temple or Blackfriars (Circle and District lines)

Tickets              Box Office 0333 666 3366 or online at www.anticdisposition.co.uk

Price                 £25 – £40

Running Time   2 hours 15 (including an interval)

Twitter              @anticdispo