The Top Alcohol Gifts This Christmas

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Catherine Balavage

Wine Advent Calender

Wine Advent Calendar: Case of 24 – £69.99

This wine advent calendar from Laithwaite’s Wine Christmas range is a brilliant idea. Have fun all December. There is a half bottle for every advent day. It has a great mix of wine. Perfect.

From www.laithwaiteswine.com

Tiki Lovers Pineapple Rum – Infused with Pineapple Extract – a new Rum experience

This is a fantastic rum, perfect for Christmas.

Our Tiki Lover’s Pineapple Rum from The Bitter Truth is a rum blend infused with an all-natural, pineapple extract from South America which is allowed to rest for several weeks. This gives the flavours of sugar cane time to mingle elegantly with fruity layers of juicy pineapple, while maintaining the full and complex aromas of the rum blend. Made using a careful blend of aged and unaged Jamaican pot-still rum, 3-year-old Barbados rum, aged in former Bourbon Whiskey barrels and some young column-still rums from Trinidad and Guyana.

This new rum is bold, vibrant and taste-rich with both the rum and pineapple characteristics being given space to shine.

The Serve: Brilliant in all tropical drinks and tiki cocktails.

Available from masterofmalt.com, thewhiskeyexchange.com

Price £28.95

Brut Zéro from Bouvet Ladubay

We were very impressed with this wine and we are very fussy indeed. It is a delicious and fun bubbly. It’s a limited edition sparkling dry wine from Bouvet Ladubay and the first time it has been available in the UK. It’s currently available at Lay & Wheeler.

As the name suggests, this cuvée has no dosage, and so has not a drop of residual sugar. As a result, the wine expresses abundant freshness and minerality, supported by bright citrus and green fruit.

From www.laywheeler.com

Tomatin Scottish

Fantastic whisky. These are perfect stocking fillers.

El Bandarra Red

This is juts fantastic stuff and perfect for Christmas. Xarel·lo and Macabeo grapes are macerated with 50 herb extracts such as clove, cinnamon and bitter orange. After fortifying the wine, it is given a touch of caramel and balanced in Solera oak barrels for two months.

ABV: 15%

Serve: On the rocks with a slice of orange and an olive. This is ready to go or can be topped with soda/tonic.

Available from winebuyers.com, masterofmalt,com, thewhiskeyexchange.com, drinksupermarket.com

Price £21.95

Dark ‘n Stormy Ready-to-Go Cocktail Can – The Perfect Stocking Filler

Cocktails in a can usually taste artificial or just not nice. Not so this Dark ‘n Stormy. It tastes amazing. Just as good as the same cocktail made in a bar or at home.

When you need a convenient, highly refreshing drink that can quickly hit the spot, wherever the parties at, what better than our brand new Goslings Rum Dark ‘n Stormy ready-to-drink cocktail in a can that has just launched in Waitrose!

The iconic Dark ‘n Stormy is Bermuda’s national drink and a trademarked cocktail, which mandates the use of Goslings Black Seal Rum. The name is said to have originated when an old salt observed that the rum floating on top of the ginger beer was the “colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under.”

A true taste of Bermuda – the Dark ‘n Stormy ready-to-drink can is made using Goslings Black Seal Rum and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer with no mixing and no ice required.

Price £2.20 for a can/ 3 for £5

Available at Waitrose.com

Gin Baubles – £35.00

The perfect gift for: The Christmas tree decorator

We love these. They look great, are a fun idea and the gin is superb. A crowd pleaser and the perfect ornament for your Christmas tree. Pickering’s Gin Baubles, filled with Edinburgh’s Nine Botanical Gin, are a fun take on the classic decoration. If the temptation is too much, the best thing about these baubles is that they’re refillable, no-one will ever have to know!

From www.laithwaiteswine.com

5 Ways to make your office more productive

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Aidan

An office is a space that needs to be as productive as possible. After all, it’s a place where we go to work, not to relax or unwind. There are a lot of things that can be done in order to have a very productive office, so make sure to give a good thought of what you need to do for your own office.

Make the layout functional

No one wants to work in an office maze, where getting from one point to another feels like an unwanted adventure. That goes double when you have clients. The layout of the office should feel natural, and whenever you’re looking for the thing you need, you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time looking for it. Spend extra time reinventing your office’s layout if you have to because it will save you a lot of time and hassle in the future.

Have your collaboration space feel unique

More often than not, colleagues need to work together on a project. They’ll definitely need extra space to work, but a mere conference room is rarely enough. The amount of space is rarely the problem, as to how that space is utilized is much more important. Making sure that the collaboration space has its own décor, and with all the necessary equipment is key to having your employees work as productively as possible.

Have all the desks fully equipped

No employee likes to borrow items from a colleague. While there are items that the employees themselves are solely responsible for, most times, it’s the employers obligation to make sure that the desks are equipped with all of the necessary basics. Stationery supplies should never be overlooked, which is why you’ll want to find a store that has everything you need, like TheWorks.

Use lighting efficiently

You’ll be surprised as to how much lighting affects productivity. Bad lighting is absolutely unproductive, as it can cause headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue, while a severe lack of lighting can even feel entirely depressive. Making sure that the entire office is fully lit with the type of lighting that’s called task lighting is definitely the way to go. However, break rooms should be lit differently, so as to make sure that the employee actually rests once they’re there.

Make sure the air quality is adequate

Air quality has a tremendous effect on office ambience. Making sure that all of the air filters are maintained, and functioning is key, otherwise you risk total unproductivity. Stale air has a severe negative psychological effect, which can be devastating in any kind of office, either big or small. Keep the air fresh and clean at all times, and never skimp out on quality filters.

Maintaining productivity in an office can be difficult. There are so many things to keep track of, and every little detail can mess up the already delicate balance. Make sure you spend more than enough time analysing the situation, because unproductivity can really cripple a business.

Frost’s Top Christmas Pick For Children

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Catherine Balavage

Light Up Talking Bing with Hoppity

My children are obsessed with this Bing. There have been many fights over it. Bing lights up and has a number of phrases. The toy even comes with a Hoppity fo he can whoosh away.

With over 15 fun phrases for little ones to enjoy, Light-up Talking Bing with Hoppity is sure to be a hit with little Bing fans! Bing comes complete with his ‘favourist’ toy, Hoppity Voosh! Hoppity wears a soft red cape and can be detached from Bing. Your little Bingsters will love to make their very own Hoppity ‘voosh’ through the air, just like Bing does in the show. Press Bing’s hand and watch his button softly glow as he talks to Hoppity, giggles or as the music plays and for even more fun Bing has poseable arms. Bing and his best friend Hoppity are made from super-soft textured fabrics and have beautiful embroidered detail. Approx size: 36 cm from top of ears to feet. Suitable for children aged 10 months and over.

From amazon.co.uk

The Ultimate Christmas Gift List For Her

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Catherine Balavage

This gorgeous Abbott Lyon Tote Bag in blush pink is the perfect present. It is beautiful and well made. There is a zip at the top and a lot of compartments: perfect.

www.abbottlyon.com

Weird Fish Scarf and Gloves.

I only heard about Weird Fish recently and now I am obsessed with them. For gorgeous, soft and perfectly made scarves, gloves (and more) look no further. I love the Katy Brushed Scarf as it is so soft, long and luxurious and the Jenny Striped gloves. They have stuff for men too.

www.weirdfish.co.uk

Skull Candy Grind Wireless

These Skull Candy Wireless headphones are amazing. They are easy-to-use and stylish with great sound. They also have a microphone and a backup cable. Highly recommended. I use them to listen to podcasts when I am trying to get my littlest one to bed.

Never miss a beat with these Skullcandy Grind Wireless Headphones that are designed to produce awesome sound quality. They connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and with 12 hours battery life you’ll never have to miss out on your favourite tracks.

From AO.com who also have a lot of other amazing gifts. Their service is great and highly recommended by Frost.

Eve Sleep jersey pyjamas

I love these pyjamas. They are so comfy and stylish.

Taking inspiration from your favourite, comfiest t-shirt, Eve designed a pair of 100% cotton jersey pyjamas to give you snug softness with a lightweight, loose-fit stretch. And with pockets and other trendy little details, these PJs really nail the laidback style, too.

www.evesleep.co.uk

Havaianas Slim Glitter Flip Flops in Pink.

These are perfect for the Christmas season. Glitzy and comfortable, they look great with any outfit. They would fit inside a stocking easily too.

From www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Chi Chi London

Chi Chi London have an array of gorgeous clothes that are perfect for Christmas. I love their Lydia dress which is embroidered with a pink skirt. I also love this jumpsuit. Convenient online shopping and beautiful high-quality clothes. What more could you want?

www.chichiclothing.com

The Butterfly Lion: Review

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Vicky Edwards

The Butterfly Lion
Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Until 15 November
www.cft.org.uk

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

Theatrical storytelling at its finest, the importance of treasuring memories is a central theme in this superb adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s book – a theme that is perfectly reflected in Simon Higlett’s dreamy set. Enhanced by a crack creative team (lighting by Johanna Town, sound by Gregory Clarke and video by Simon Wainright), the play’s journey, which traverses the wilds of South Africa to rural England and the battlefields of France, is a collective design triumph.

Jonathan Dryden Taylor as Michael Morpurgo himself is the story’s guide. Meandering down memory lane, his narration melts seamlessly into the action, sweeping you along for the ride and inspiring a sense of old snapshots coming to life.

All the performances are accomplished. With skill beyond their years the youngsters playing the junior versions of the adult characters don’t miss so much as the subtlest nuance.

The adult cast, many of whom play multiple roles, are equally adept. Effortlessly slipping from character to character, the scenes at the watering hole, in which they take on animal personas, are especially impressive.

Director Dale Rooks has invested such care that not even the smallest detail falls short. Making it feel as if you are watching a labour of love rather than simply an extremely polished production; her Butterfly Lion has palpable heart and soul. It makes the heart sing.

Complemented by Tom Brady’s atmospheric music, Anna Ledwich’s adaption is sensitively and elegantly done. Clearly meeting with the approval of the book’s author, who on Press Night was in the audience, Mr Morpurgo looked proud fit to burst. He deserved to.

Know these 5 Easy Travel Hacks

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Aidan

Travelling can get insanely overwhelming. Just when you get to the airport, you might realize you forgot your air ticket or even your credit cards. The thrill of traveling can quickly get under your skin and cause a lot of confusion.

Whether you are traveling alone or not, how you travel matters. Even though it is just for a few days, some tips can help you travel better and remain happy throughout your trip. Here are five simple and easy travel hacks that should make to your checklist before you leave your house:

1. Pack early enough

Trying to get everything done last minute is the reason you end up forgetting a lot of your stuff. If you know you have to travel, pack your items a day or two in advance. It is a great way to make sure you put some thought into what you are packing for your trip. Besides, if you find that you do not have some of the things you might need for your journey, you will have ample time to go shopping and get everything you need.

Make sure you start by packing the most important items before anything else. This includes tickets, passports, to mention a few. You also want to separate the items you will need to retrieve along the journey and those that can’t wait until you get to your destination.

2. Use See-through packing bags

The one way to make sure you have packed everything before you leave is by checking what you have in your suitcases or bags. However, this can be problematic if you used the typical colored packing bags. It takes way too much time to check through every packing bag to account for all your items.

Instead, see-through packing bags makes it a lot easier for you to see what is in your bags without having to disorganized everything and start from scratch. It may also help to have a list of what you need to pack for your trip way in advance.

3. Pick a Travel Jacket with Lots of Zip-Shut Pockets

A lot of the forgetfulness comes when you have to pack too much but do not have enough space for everything. Every time you have to reopen your bags to add or remove another, you stand the risk of forgetting some of the most important things.

Regardless of how many bags you plan to carry with you, consider a travel jacket with several zip-shut pockets. This will create more storage room for the tiny items that are still important for your journey. It is also the best way to make sure you can easily trace the small stuff, including the best dog shampoo for dry skin, if you are traveling with your dog.

4. Park in the Same Area at the Hotel

The last thing you need is to spend hours finding where you parked your car in a foreign place. At the hotel you stay at, make sure you establish a routine on how and where you park your car. This is very important especially for big hotels that have people coming in and out from different places. It is even more important when you have a rental car. Since you are not used to how the rental car looks like, avoid any mishaps and confusion by parking in the same area all the time.

5. Mark your stuff as fragile

If you are flying to your destination, the way your luggage is handled at the airport can be annoying. Trying to protect your designer clothes, bags and shoes may not sell it at the checkpoints. Instead, mark your items as fragile. This does not mean they will not be checked, only that they will be handled carefully. Airline workers will not want to break any stuff, which means the fragile marking will be worthwhile.

Advertorial

Free Poetry Book To Celebrate National Poetry Day

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Frostie

Today is National Poetry Day and to celebrate you can get a copy of What Do You Think? A collection of poetry from Catherine Balavage, Frost Magazine’s owner and editor-in-chief. One of her poems is below.

Loved person

Broken promises I knew you could not keep
You only ever tried to love me and in gratitude I lay at your feet Because I was in love too, but my love was different

My love was the notion of life, a good one
All I wanted from ear to ear; a smile from my own mouth
It did not work
You loved me so selflessly I could not leave
Although I know now it was only through your love for me that I loved you You lost your own identity
You chose mine but I wanted mine to keep

Still. Here I am
This time only crying at your ever loving feet
I owe you too much to leave
So for the rest of my life. If I never find the courage I will be the living, loved dead
Even though I see
Your love in an otherwise cruel world binds me Forgive me. I doubt for all that I was ever worthy

Get your free copy of What Do You Think? now.

My Writing Process – Ian Wilfred

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Jane Cable

Do men write romance? They certainly do, as Romantic Novelists’ Association member Ian Wilfred proves. Ian’s characters are instantly relatable and he has a knack of choosing gorgeous settings, from Tenerife to Greece to his native Norfolk.

On top of all that, Ian is one of the most supportive authors you could wish to meet. Which was just one of the reasons Jane Cable invited him to share his writing process.

Tell us a bit about you?

I’m 50+ but in my head I will always be 39. I live on the Norfolk coast with my husband and west highland terrier and I’m a member of the Romantic Novelist Association. My first book was published in 2013.

What you have written, past and present?

I’ve written and published five books. In the first four all my leading characters were women over 50 who are starting again and leaving the past behind, but in this year’s summer book, My Perfect Summer in Greece, Cheryl is a much younger heroine and this was lovely change

What you are promoting now?

My new book Time To Move On, which is out on 24th September. It’s the story of Billie coming to terms with her divorce and being made redundant, and moving to Norfolk from London.

What’s the most important thing about your process of writing?

I love to write every day even if it’s just a few hundred words. I have to keep the story fresh in my head.

Do you plan or just write?

I plan a lot more with each book I write and for me this seems to work better each time.

What about word count?

I don’t give myself a daily or weekly word count but I do like to do 40,000 words a month for the first draft. Then I take two months to rewrite and rewrite before I send it off to my editor.

How do you do your structure?

I don’t plan that – it just sort of happens. I have a beginning, a middle and an end in my head and off I go.

What do you find hard about writing?

Everything! Each book is a learning process with many mistakes made over the years, but you just have to move on and know you’re improving.

What do you love about writing?

The characters. I love the first draft when they are in your head and you can’t wait to get them on the page and bring them to life.

Any advice for other writers?

I get asked this a lot and I always give the same two answers; write every day, and read and watch every article Milly Johnson has ever done on writing tips. She is the best for advice.

You can follow Ian on Twitter @IanWilfred39. He’s great at sharing news from a wide range of romantic novelists.

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