Some books are just beautiful and deserve to be endlessly browsed. The Set Table is such a book. It is a beautifully designed and full of endless domestic pleasures.
For those of us who are not domestic (me!) a guide on linen, cutlery and the art of small gatherings is a much needed and much appreciated thing. If you ever wanted to know how to buy or make linen this book tells you how. It also tells you how to get stains out and the different types of linen. Buying second hand crockery and types of crockery are also covered. Along with shapes and sizes. It also goes through different materials and tells you how to clean silver.
Hannah Shuckburgh is features editor of Conde Nast’s Easy Living magazine and you can tell. This is a classy book which will surely turn it’s readers into dinner party gods and goddesses. I loved the illustrations. The one on cutlery shapes will never have you confused about the difference between your bouillon and salt spoon again.
I also love the chapter on food. You can add lots to a meal with bread, water and sauces and this book really lets you know how.
An adorable, educational book. Brilliant illustrations and lots of useful information.
Simple and beautiful ideas for laying the table is the subject of The Set Table. From supper for two on a candlelit urban roof terrace to a picnic lunch for friends on the sitting-room carpet, the look is effortlessly artistic and uncomplicated, celebrating the intimate and unique experience of eating well. With ideas for every aspect of a well-set
table – from napkins to glassware, cutlery to lighting – Hannah Shuckburgh inspires you to make even the smallest of gatherings very special with modest resources.
Genius tips on how to unearth good crockery in junk shops; easy guides for simple but special things to make at home; ideas for styling supermarket flowers and recipes for delicious homemade condiments are accompanied by soulful photography by Charlotte Bland and illustrations by Lydia Starkey. The Set Table is about clearing away the clutter and complications of daily life creating a warm, welcoming setting for unforgettable meals with the people you love.
Hannah Shuckburgh is features editor of Conde Nast’s Easy Living magazine. She also has written for Vogue, The Times, The Independent and The Huffington Post.
Tyler Shields Drives From LA to Oklahoma to Shoot the Stormfor the Red Cross
Tyler Shields said:
“Took a drive from Los Angeles to Moore Oklahoma and met some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Their spirit was so up lifting it really makes you realize the things you own do not own you, life is about living not about possessions I did not meet one person who complained only people happy to be alive. I met this women who told me the story of how her father build a storm shelter for her 30 years ago she never liked it and had never used it until this Tornado came she gathered her whole family into the small shelter and it saved all of their lives it was amazing to hear her tell the story about how she hated this thing and now the small slab of concrete will for ever be remembered at the savior of the family!
I will be auctioning these photos and all the proceeds will be going to the families of Moore Oklahoma if you want to purchase a photo please email info@tylershields.com”
The mobile phone can be our closest ally at times, helping us make our lives easier and our days more efficient, these obvious advantages do not come without their drawbacks – many of which highlight the negative impact they can have on our society.
Recent research has uncovered the surprising truth; that although the majority of the public believe that use of mobile phones in public places is a nuisance, there are still many individuals who cannot differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate use of their mobile phones, when it comes to when and where they should or should not use them.
Research found that funerals topped the list of the most unacceptable events at which to use a phone, ahead of driving, being at the cinema or during a wedding. Studies have brought to light the worrying evidence that 1 in 6 Britons has admitted to making or receiving a call, or texting or using social media when they should have been paying their last respects at a funeral service.
The year 2013 has so far shaped up to be a busy and successful year for Australian Alternative Rock band the Monks of Mellonwah. After 3 EP’s since 2009, the band has recently departed with their 3rd release, ‘Sky And The Dark Night’ and is now celebrating their new partnership with company A&R Worldwide (Muse, Coldplay) with the release of single ‘Ghost Stories’. Ghost Stories features the single ‘Ghost Stories’ and two new tracks fast-tracked from their debut album ‘Turn The People’, which is set for release in late 2013.
The band has been described as the ‘birth child’ of bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, noted as their primary influences. Their music includes hard-hitting Alternative Rock combined with elements of space and electronica, and their forthcoming releases are a testament to this. Their most recent EP, ‘Sky And Dark Night’ explores elements of classism and film music, noting Hans Zimmer as their primary inspiration for it. The three track EP takes the listener on an epic journey of discovery and musically marks the continued evolution of the band into a darker, more intense exploration of their combined talents and influences.
The Sky And The Dark Night Trilogy was released in March and has since been reviewed by over 50 blogs worldwide, being described as “nothing less than symphonic artistry in its purest and rawest form? (Limerence Magazine 2012). The 8-minute long Trilogy has also enjoyed significant airplay in its entirety across a number of radio stations in Australia and NSW, and to celebrate it’s success, the band has just released the Trilogy on limited edition 10” vinyl.
The ‘Ghost Stories’ release coincides with the bands’ recent selection to play at Singapore?s acclaimed Music Matters Festival, as well as their involvement with A&R Worldwide. Having won respective awards for ‘Best International Rock Band’ and ‘Best Indie Rock Band’ at the LA Music Awards and AIM Music Awards in 2012, and following an East & West Coast tour of the US, the recent deal with A&R Worldwide marks the bands continual push at breaking into US and International Markets. The release of a full-length album in late 2013 will also see the band doing further touring both nationally and internationally.
The Monks of Mellonwah are a four-piece alternative/indie rock band based in Sydney, Australia. The band has toured nationally and traveled to the United States twice, winning awards for Best Indie Rock Band (2012 AIM Awards) and Best International Act (2012 LA Music Awards). Their two EP’s and subsequent music videos have gained them worldwide critical acclaim, airplay on MTV’s network and extensive radio play.
Strongly influenced by rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Muse, Pink Floyd and the Chili Peppers, the Monks’s music displays a masterful and unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors. As their sound evolved, so did their love for both classic rock and modern progression/experimentation.
Their first EP, “Stars Are Out” found the Monks receiving significant radio play across Australia on community radio. The band released their first music video “Swamp Groove” in April 2011 and enjoyed airplay on ABC’s music program RAGE. “Swamp Groove” also claimed first prize at a music video night at “Harold’s Shorts” short film festival, receiving great reviews and the award from legendary music historian and personality Glenn A Baker.
The Monks released their second EP “Neurogenesis” in May, 2012, along with a new video for “Neverending Spirit”, to an overwhelming response. In addition to international and national radio play, College Radio in the US and Canada, “Neurogenesis” received hundreds of reviews and features worldwide, including coverage on MTV, Big Takeover Magazine, CMJ, Kings of A&R, Noise 11 and Tonedeaf. The media attention earned them licensing spots through a number of production companies in the US including Discovery Networks and Bunim Murray. The video for “Neverending Spirit” also received high profile exposure in the US including MTV Networks. The College Music Journal (CMJ) featured the track on their MixTape for May along with a feature of the band in their magazine.
The Monks successfully toured for “Neurogenesis” throughout Australia in Summer 2012 working with Tone Deaf, and continued their outreach with a United States tour organized by President Entertainment.
Their debut full-length is currently in production, partly with legendary producer Keith Olsen and partly self-produced. The Monks have also signed a development deal with A&R Worldwide (Adele, Muse, Coldplay). Intensive touring plans are in the works for both Australia and the United States in 2013.
On April 1, 2013, the band released the progressive and experimental EP/single “Sky and the Dark Night”, an emotionally charged, heavy offering showcasing the band’s new direction that was hinted at with “Neurogenesis”. It was released on limited edition vinyl and digital only.
Now the Monks have taken a turn again with “Ghost Stories”, truly showcasing the bold new sound they’ve developed over the past year of touring, writing and studio work. Rock, electronic, and strong pop sensibility infuse this offering, meant as a preview of their forthcoming full-length.
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES (Queensland and other dates will be announced shortly. The tour will be 16 stops.):
29th June – Live @ The Brewhouse, Kings Street Wharf, Sydney, NSW
2nd July – Revolver Upstairs – Prahan, Melbourne, VIC
3rd July – Noise 11 – Live acoustic performance + interview, Melbourne, VIC
3rd July – Grace Darling Melbourne, VIC
4th July – Tote – Melbourne, VIC
12th July – The Fitzroy, Windor, NSW
3rd August -The Annandale, Sydney, NSW
14th August – Yours & Owls – Woolongong, NSW
15th August – The Australian Brewery, Rouse Hill, NSW
Production: Produced, Recorded and Programmed by Joseph de la Hoyde at Aston Villa Studios 2012/13, Track 2 drums recorded at Studio At The Palms, Las Vegas, by Keith Olsen and Rob Katz and Assisted by Kevin Luu 2012
I have to admit, I love cats. I have had four in my life. Two are still alive while the other two sadly passed. So when I got this book to review I was pretty excited.
This is what the dust cover says, “Caroline Paul was recovering from a bad accident and thought things couldn’t get worse. But then her beloved cat Tibia disappeared. She and her partner, illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, mourned his loss. Yet weeks later, Tibia waltzed back into their lives. His owners were overjoyed. But they were also…jealous? Betrayed? Where had their sweet anxious cat disappeared to? Had he become a swashbuckling cat adventurer? Did he lovesomeone else more? His owners were determined to find out.
Using GPS technology, cat cameras, psychics, the web, and animal communicators, the authors of Lost Cat embarked on a quest to discover what their cat did when they weren’t around. Told through writer Caroline Paul’s rich and warmly poignant narrative and illustrator Wendy MacNaughton’s stunning and hilarious 4-color illustrations, Lost Cat is a book for animal lovers, pet owners, and anyone who has ever done anything desperate for love.”
Caroline is a brilliant writer. She is funny, insightful and fresh. The book is an honest and refreshing book on how much a woman loves her cat. Jealousy and slight craziness included. I think every pet owner will recognise themselves in this marvelous book. The book is not just about the cat, it is also about what happens when you are suffering from an injury and are mostly house bound.
The observations about people in cities not talking to their neighbours and only opening the door for the postman is funnily accurate, and as relevant in London as it is where Caroline lives in San Francisco.
The illustrations, drawn by Caroline’s partner Wendy, are excellent. I love the illustrations. They are well done but also capture the spirit of the book.
Lost Cat is a great book. Cat lover or not. It is funny and insightful. As great to read as it is beautiful to look at.
My favourite beach on Ibiza, and probably the most bohemian on the island. Benirras is a gorgeous sheltered sandy cove on the North West coast not far from San Miguel. Loungers are still less than 10 Euros for the day, and if you stop by for sunset on a Thursday you’ll be serenaded by bongo playing locals.
2. Drink at KM5
Moroccan themed outdoor bar and restaurant situated 5km out of Ibiza Town on the San Jose road. This is where you’ll find the islands top dj’s hanging out before their sets. Great music, great cocktails and a seriously stylish crowd.
3. Eat at Sands Playa D’en Bossa
A fantastic place to pitch yourself in you’re staying on Playa D’en Bossa. If you’re lucky you might even catch Carl Cox making an impromptu appearance on the decks, and the food is a fusion of Ibizan and Japanese. As well as guest dj’s, they even have famous guest chefs making an appearance throughout the summer.
4. Visit Santa Gertrudis
This isn’t a normal stop on the tourist trail but it’s a gorgeous little town that if I lived on Ibiza would be my location of choice. There’s a vibrant square, some cool boutiques, a great tapas bar and new little restaurants opening every year.
Party all night at Eden
Eden is my summer residency and the only old school night on the island. Come to Kisstory on a Friday night at Eden San Antonio and you’ll be guaranteed more hands in the air moments than anywhere else on the island. I’ll be joined by DJ EZ, Rui Di Silva, Wideboys, Ratpack and more.
It never surprises me how inhumane one person can be to another. I wish it did. This book by Maureen Lindsay is the most perfect piece of fiction, which comes wrapped up in a history lesson. Albeit one in a very horrendous and scary time. Don’t let the word lesson put you off. The book is unputdownable. I just wanted to drop everything and read it cover to cover.
Ghandi has an amazing quote, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. This book is also a moral tale on what happens when an entire race pays for the sins of a select group, or in this case, their birth country.
The story starts in early 1940s California. Satomi and her parents own a farm and work hard. She is half Japanese, half white, and she doesn’t fit in anywhere before Pearl Harbour. After Pearl Harbour the Japanese are treated as the enemy. They are rounded up by the government and put in concentrations camps. They have their money and property taken away from them, and this all really happened. I have the quotes from the first page below.
These real quotes are shocking. What happened to the Japanese in America, most of whom were born there, is a piece of history that has been largely forgotten, if it was even known at all.
The character of Satomi is one of the greatest literary heroines in modern literature. Feisty, smart and proud. She stands up for herself and becomes a great human being, despite all that she and her mother suffer together. I reckon actresses in Hollywood will soon be fighting over the role.
I hope this book becomes a bestseller, and I also hopes it makes its way into schools. Five stars. A Girl Like You is now one of my favourite books of all time.
After months of royal baby speculation, it appears the nation believes the new royal arrival will be a girl named Elizabeth born on the 7th July.
These predictions came out top in a poll of nearly 4,000 fellow expectant mums who were asked to guess the sex, name and the date the royal baby would arrive on parenting website Bounty.com.
Despite recent rumours of Harry letting it slip that the royal couple are expecting a boy and Kate buying a blue Bugaboo pram, two thirds still believe the new arrival will be a princess.
And when it comes to naming their firstborn, most think the couple will be ‘keeping it in the family’ with Elizabeth the most popular choice, closely followed by Diana, Victoria and Alexandra.
These echo the recent ‘Royal Baby Odds’ released by Ladbrokes, which favour Kate giving birth to a girl at 2-5 with the same names as front-runners at 6-1.
Lisa Penney, spokesmum for Bounty.com, whose ‘Royal Baby Guesser’ competition is asking new mums and pregnant women to cast their predictions for the royal baby. “Everyone loves a royal baby and as speculation reaches fever pitch we thought it would be fun to ask our members for their own predictions,” says Lisa.
“The results show even though Kate and Wills are seen as modern, contemporary royals, people still think they will plump for a traditional royal name.”
When it comes to boys names, George – most widely rumoured to be favoured by the couple for a son – comes out on top, followed by James, Henry and Edward.
Interestingly, it seems new mums are already taking name inspiration from the royals with Bounty Parenting Club’s most recent baby names report revealing both George and James were among the top ten names given to baby boys by new parents in April.
However, the ‘most likely for a princess’ girls names have some catching up to do with Elizabeth the 42nd most popular name given to baby girls in April, Alexandra the 69th, whilst Diana just makes the top 100 at 84th.
And despite recent reports of a ‘family friend’ letting it slip that the baby is due on 13th July, 7th July came out top as the date believed most likely for the baby making its arrival, followed by the 17th and the 14th July.
Lisa continues: “Our records show that year after year parents continue to be influenced by popular culture and celebrity, so it’s highly likely that whatever name the royal couple go for they’ll be setting a baby-naming trend for the future.
“And it does seem that even rumours surrounding the possible name they’ll go for are enough to inspire new parents. Our latest baby data shows sharp increases since the beginning of the year for Diana (up 200%), Elizabeth (up 22%) and George (up 10%), leaping up seven places to become the eighth most popular name for baby boys in the UK.”
There is still time to take part in bounty.com’s ‘royal baby guesser’ competition for your chance to win a ‘Princess for a Day’ experience worth £1,000. Visit http://www.bounty.com/royal-baby/royal-baby-competition to case your own predictions.
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