Frost Magazine Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Marc by Marc Jacobs Henry Skeleton Watch

WatchShop.com Price: £185 and free next day delivery within the UK

A beautiful timepiece with a genuine pink leather strap with a shine. The case is rose gold plated whilst the skeleton dial is protected by mineral crystal. The watch is water resistant to 50 metres.

STORM Crystin Watch

Stockist: WatchShop.com

This ladies STORM Crystin watch has a stainless steel case and is fitted with a quartz movement. It is fastened with a silver metal bracelet and has a silver dial.

Karen Millen Watch

WatchShop.com Price: £95 and free next day delivery within the UK

This ladies’ Karen Millen watch has a stainless steel case and is powered by a quartz movement. It fastens a purple leather strap and has a purple dial

Michael Kors Camille Chronograph Watch

WatchShop.com Price: £229 and free next day delivery within the UK

This ladies’ Michael Kors Camille watch has a stainless steel case and is fitted with an analogue chronograph quartz movement. It is fitted with a two tone bracelet and has a blue dial. The watch has a date function.

Springtime Planter gift set

£25 plus delivery

The perfect Mother’s Day idea for a green-fingered recipient, the Springtime Planter is a traditional wooden planter containing colourful hyacinths, primroses, cyclamen and pansies.

Every plant is carefully gift wrapped and boxed by hand in Plants4Presents’ Sussex nursery to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Standard delivery is just £6.50 per address. Delivery is available across the UK and Ireland. For more information visit www.plants4presents.co.uk.

We love this Royal Albert Tea For One Set, £60.00 from The House of Bath

The Kobo Mini is a great present for mother’s. (the 5” eReader easily slips into a handbag or coat pocket making it great for the mum who is either always on the go or just like things a bit more compact) Highly portable Kobo Mini holds up to 1,000 eBooks.

Price £59.99

Stockist: WHSmith and all fine electronic retailers

Fulton this Mother’s Day – from Fab Florals to spectacular Spots and Stripes – there are many new beautiful designs to choose from – many of which are part of Fulton’s soon to be launched SS13 collection.

With ‘Walking’ and ‘Folding’ umbrellas, Rain Macs, Rainboots and Rain Hats from designers such as Cath Kidston and Lulu Guinness, as well as Fulton’s stunning own range, there’s a stylish shelter for every mum out there.

I don’t know about your mother but my mother’s favourite gift is spending time with me. She also loves tea so The UK’s largest afternoon tea gift site, AfternoonTeaForTwo.co.uk is perfect for her. They have a huge range of tea experiences so you can select the perfect memorable experience for your mum. On the site, you will find hundreds of afternoon tea ideas, from glamorous London hotels to relaxing country retreats. If you’re confident you know what she’ll like, you can purchase an individual experience at the click of a button.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at one of Frost’s favourite hotels, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall

Treat your mum this Mothering Sunday with a quintessential Afternoon Tea celebration set in the beautiful library of the 5* London Marriott Hotel County Hall onLondon’s South Bank.

Start with delicious hand crafted sandwiches including roast Angus beef and horseradish, Wiltshire ham with English mustard, Burford brown egg mayonnaise with cress, Forman & Son London Cure smoked salmon with caper butter and the classic cucumber with cream cheese and chive.

Savour a delectable selection of pastries with green tea drizzle cake, passion fruit and coconut crown, blackberry tart and mint surprise, pineapple and vanilla compote with mascarpone cream an Valrhona Chocolate Opera.

Sweet and savoury scones complete the menu. Choose from freshly baked golden raisin scones topped with Tiptree strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream or Montgomery cheddar and Hampshire watercress scones with cream cheese and watercress.

Accompanied by a choice of refreshing teas all laid out to tempt, treat and delight and served with charm and a keen attention to detail.

The Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is available on Sunday 10^th March between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, priced at £36 per person.

Groups are welcome for Afternoon Tea, however, for parties wanting a little extra privacy, a range of private dining rooms are available. Contact us on +44 (0) 207 902 8000 to find out more about private dining.

Emma Bunton reveals her most magical moment with her children for UNICEF UK’s Mother’s Day campaign to end child malnutrition

This Mother’s Day, former Spice Girl, Emma Bunton has joined forces with UNICEF, the global leader in child malnutrition, and is sharing her most magical moment in her children’s first 1,000 days of life.

The first 1,000 days are the critical window of opportunity for children to get the right nutrients they need to develop properly. Around the world a staggering one in four children are not getting the nourishing food they need to grow up healthy and reach their potential in this first critical period.

In the run up to Mother’s Day, UNICEF UK supporter Emma Bunton is asking UK mums to give children around the world the best start in life, by supporting the campaign at www.unicef.org.uk/mothersday.

Sitting in her window seat at home, Emma Bunton said, “It’s so shocking that one in four children around the world are not getting the right nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong in their first 1,000 days of life.

“When my boys were toddlers I’d sit here and sing ‘You are my sunshine’ to them while the light streamed in on us. When they reached the stage where they could start singing along it really was a magical moment and one I’ll always remember in those first important 1,000 days.

“Every mother should be able to enjoy these precious moments in their child’s life and development. So, please, this Mother’s Day join me and go to the UNICEF UK website to help children everywhere.”

Mums visiting the website will learn how, for £3, they can help another child by buying sprinkles to ensure that children get the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow up healthy and reach their potential.

UNICEF UK is part of the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, a great movement of individuals and organisations united to tackle global hunger.

Mums Show Live, the new and only show for parents of 4 – 12 year olds, is offering tickets half price with the code BESTMUM.

Mums Show Live will be taking place from 16 – 19 May at Alexandra Palace, London and will be a great day out for mum, and all the family (dad and kids go free).

Parents will get the chance to enjoy a spot of shopping, with brands including Joules, Fit Flops and Micro Scooters and also join in live conversation and inspiration theatres to get answers to challenging questions. Mums, dads and kids can also get involved in a diverse range of fun games, activities and entertainment.

For more information on the show please visit www.mumshowlive.com.

BRITS LEAVE IT LATE FOR MOTHER’S DAY

30% of Mums Left Disappointed as Last Minute Shoppers Fall Short of the Mark

Research carried out by One4all Gift Card reveals that over half of all Brits leave it late to plan their Mother’s Day treats.

As many as 54% of women and 58% of men admit to failing to plan ahead for Mother’s Day, saying that they regularly forget the date. Younger sons and daughters are the worst culprits with 72% of those aged between 18 and 24 forgetting to put Mother’s Day in their diaries.

As a result we can expect many Mums to be putting on a brave face this weekend, with 30% admitting that they are left disappointed with the thought and effort shown for them on Mother’s Day.

Men are also the biggest offenders at not making an effort to see their mums on Mother’s Day, with just 28% making a special visit compared to 43% of women. For men, it seems this weekend should be renamed Mother-in-Law’s Day.

However, it’s not all bad news with some mums receiving very fancy gifts indeed. The most extravagant gifts lavished on mums for Mother’s Day includes cars, cruises and diamond necklaces!

One solution for people not planning to be quite so generous this weekend, appears to be treating mum to a shopping trip for her to choose her own present.

Managing Director of One4all UK, Declan Byrne said, “We’ve seen our sales up 40% ahead of this weekend which is partly explained by people looking for last minute inspiration and deciding that perhaps mother knows best.

“The One4all gift card enables mum to choose a gift from 17,000 stores nationwide, so it takes the pressure off gift shopping and ensures mum gets a great gift, which she actually wants.”

If you need a last minute gift, you can purchase the One4all Gift Card from any of the 11,500 Post Office branches nationwide and at www.one4all.co.uk.

A gift card can be loaded with any amount from £10 to £400 and can be spent at 17,000 different retailer outlets nationwide including mum-favourites, House of Fraser, Debenhams and Boots.

Other points from the One4all research:

35% of our mothers rarely treat themselves

30% of mums out there still treat their grown-up kids, now full-grown adults, on a regular basis

Mums are best friends to over 30% of us

A quarter of us say our Mum is still the one person who can reduce us to feeling like a child with one look or one word

Say happy Mother’s Day on Sunday 10th March with a limited edition Emma Bridgewater bag for life, designed for this year’s Red Nose Day, available now from TK Maxx stores throughout the UK.

British pottery maker Emma Bridgewater has created the stylish bag to encourage the great British public to ‘Do Something Funny For Money’. The money donated from sales of the products will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives across Africa and here in the UK.

The bag features a specially designed feathered ‘snitch’ nose and costs £9.99 with at least £4.00 going to Comic Relief.

Red Nose Day 2013 is heading your way on Friday 15th March.

Here is a brilliant infographic of the cost of celebrating Mother’s Day from Baines & Ernst.

View full image

Drayton Manor offers the perfect gift for Mother’s Day

Every year the time comes to buy a present for Mother’s Day – but what about the Mum that has got everything? This year, give Mum the perfect gift of a fun day out to remember with the family to Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Family day pass

By purchasing a family pass, it will provide a far more exciting alternative to the usual flowers and chocolates, and instead, will offer a great day out to one of the UK’s most popular family attractions.

With Mother’s Day taking place on Sunday 10^th March, it means there is only a five day wait to celebrate this special day with Mum at the park when it opens on Friday 15^th March.

A family pass for four costs £108. However, tickets for the park are also available online at www.draytonmanor.co.uk for a reduced rate, providing a real value for money treat for the family and a well-deserved day off for Mum!

Liz Earle’s Spring Detox Tips

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Liz Earle’s Detox Tips

When I was first told that fasting on a fruit only diet would give me more energy, or that giving up some of my favourite foods and cups of coffee would leave my skin glowing, I was skeptical. But the principals of detoxification are based on traditional “cures” practiced by European naturopaths for centuries. Giving up certain foods, or existing on fruit alone for twenty-four hours, is not hard, especially when the benefits are so great. I now give my system a regular detox boost, even if it is only over the weekend. A short detox programme is a great way to feel more energised and refreshed. It is the perfect way to revitalise the body, renew energy levels and restore glowing skin and when you have finished you will feel far fitter and healthier and motivated not to return to bad habits.

Better Breakfasts

Starting with a healthy breakfast is not only the best way to boost energy levels for the day ahead, but is an easy, positive and delicious daily start to a new you. Refined sugars, found in most breakfast cereals, are the first thing I give up if I’m embarking on a health spring-clean and cutting them out gives me far more sustained energy throughout the day. On cold winter mornings, I switch to a bowl of porridge made with water and sweetened with honey, complete with a sprinkling of sunflower seeds. Or if I’m craving for something fresh, I opt for chopped fruit and berries with a dollop of natural yoghurt. You also can’t beat a protein-packed organic boiled egg that also contains useful vitamins A, B-complex and E, as well as minerals such as zinc, served up with toasted wholemeal soldiers and a glass of orange juice (vitamin C will help increase your uptake of iron from the egg yolk).

Midday Meals

Not only is eating soup (of any kind) a good way to get various vitamins and vegetable fibre in a simple, healthy way, it’s also been proven to help shed a few pounds. This is because when food and water are finely mixed to make soup, they enter the stomach together and stay held in a homogenised state as they pass through our intestines. The increased volume of water and semi-solid food then stays in our system for longer than if we were eating food and drinking liquid separately, so we feel fuller for longer. According to researchers at Nottingham University, this means we are much less likely to over-eat. This is especially true of whizzed-up blended soups which reduce hunger-pangs the most due to this homogenisation effect. Never more useful than at this time of year, I’m swapping lunchtime sandwiches for a simple home-made soup and even pop mine into a thermos if I’m out and about, so I don’t miss out on the health and beauty benefits.

Winding Down

If a little overindulgence has left you feeling a little ‘liverish’, you might like to try a ‘liver wrap’ – a simple but highly effective way to stimulate the detoxification process in the liver. You will need: A hot water bottle, a flannel and a small fluffy towel. Wearing just a dressing gown, gather everything together and lie down somewhere comfortable. Start by applying the cold damp flannel to the right-hand side of your body just beneath the ribcage to cover the liver area. The coldness felt by the skin briefly lowers the temperature of the tissues beneath and your body’s reflexes respond by increasing circulation in that area. Next, place a really warm hot water bottle on top of the damp flannel to retain moisture and stimulate the autonomic nervous system. This in turn boosts blood flow to the liver and supports its detoxification activity. Cover the hot water bottle with a soft towel and rest on a sofa or go to bed. This is a useful therapeutic treatment to carry out at bedtime and you can even fall asleep with the hot water bottle in place. Otherwise, simply put your feet up and rest for 30 minutes (the longer the better). Three things to love about the liver wrap – it’s inexpensive, simple and it works.

Follow @LizEarleMe on Twitter for more tips on wellbeing. You can buy Liz Earle products at Boots.

SuperFacialist Neroli Firming Daily Brightening Cleanser by Una Brennan | Beauty Review

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

I have been using Una Brennan’s SuperFacialist Neroli Firming Daily Brightening Cleanser for months now and I really love it. It smells divine, feels amazing and really cleanses my skin. It has a refreshing gel texture that I really love. Like most cleansers, a little goes a long way and it lasts for quite a while. Especially as the tub is a generous 150ml.

This was the first product I used from the SuperFacialist range and I am a fan now. It says on the bottle that it melts away make-up and impurities for younger looking skin. Does it live up to this claim? Yes. While most cleansers don’t really take your make-up off, this one does. Although I have heard other beauty writers disagree so maybe if you wear a lot of make-up you might have to double cleanse. I don’t wear a lot and there was no waking up with mascara all over the pillow, looking like a panda.

This cleanser is definitely a keeper. I got it in a London Fashion Week goodie bag but I would definitely continue to use it in the future. It has mango seed oil and hibiscus extract. This cleanser leaves skin feeling soft and is very gentle. Top marks.

SuperFacialist Neroli Firming Daily Brightening Cleanser is only £7.99 from Boots. A complete bargain for something so good.

Nivea Express Hydration Primer Review

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Nivea is a brand I have been using for years. It is a classic brand with some great products in it’s range. Their new product of the moment is their newish primer, Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer.

It comes in a pot, which I love. There is no wastage and it looks great. The texture is jelly like and it smells great. Really fresh. When you apply you feel like you are splashing your face with water. It is super hydrating. It reminds me of the more expensive Lancome Aqua Fusion moisturiser, but it is a primer.

It keeps your face fresh all day long. It does make your make up last and you can even wear it without make up. It is light and makes skin feel silky. It is a really good base. You also only need a small amount as it spreads well and it is not tested on animals. My only gripe is that it comes in a bigger box than the pot needs, which is a little misleading.

I love this primer. It is inexpensive – about £3.99 from Superdrug.com – and it is highly moisturising while keeping make up in place. A Frost favourite.

Beat the Winter Blues With Exercise

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Just because you’re confined to being indoors because the roads are too dangerous for running or cycling in the dark, doesn’t mean you should halt your fitness regime.

At ICON, we know that working out over the winter months can be a challenge but it really doesn’t need to be. Here they share their top five, ultimate workout tips, which are sure to get you motivated.

Follow their simple steps to get the best from your workouts and maintain your fitness routines.

Tip 1: Winter Weight gain

The winter often leads to winter weight gain. The cold can make us develop extra excuses when it comes to our motivation to exercise. Plus, many people suffer from mood changes during the winter months and turn to food for comfort. The bitter truth is that you will only be wearing a big woolly jumper for a few months and soon you will have to face summer clothes again. Try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine during the colder months and getting into shape in the summer will be much easier.

Tip 2: Feeling fit and using an indoor training kit

We suggest investing in functional training equipment that you can use in the comfort of your own home. Then you’ll have no excuse to avoid exercise – you won’t have to go to the gym or step outside into minus temperatures. Plus, the introduction of an exciting new fitness gadget into your life will actually make you want to exercise. We recommend our ICON Health and Fitness range which includes a wide variety of home fitness equipment that will help you through every workout. We especially love their iFit Live™ programme, which is compatible with models from the ProForm and NordicTrack range. This state of the art software allows you to run anywhere in the world all from the comfort of your own home, thanks to Google Maps™ technology.

Tip 3: maintain motivation

If you can imagine attaining your fitness goals, you will soon start to feel more positive, motivated and feel-good endorphins will be released. As you start to see and feel the results then your motivation will be improved.

We suggest setting yourself small realistic goals. By breaking your goals into smaller, more easily achieved steps, you can work towards your larger long-term goals. Start by walking a mile, then try jogging – build up the distance until you can tackle a marathon!

Tip 4: Train like an athlete.

You may not be an athletic hopeful, but adopting the physical and mental approach of an athlete will give you a positive approach to workouts and achieving your goals.

Athletes see direct results from their training and you can too. Try treating training as a task at work i.e. something on your to do list that must be completed by the end of the day.
Be smart with your exercise choices and get the most out of every workout. Mix your training up and keep your weekly programme varied.
Try short sprints, intervals and distance workouts on different days. When you begin to feel the benefits of all your effort then you will become more energised and motivated to continue. Prevent boredom…plan your week with sets, reps, distance and routes to keep your training interesting, challenging and fun.

Tip 5: Don’t freeze to feel fit!

As the days become shorter and the nights draw in, remember you can adapt your workout routine so you don’t have to freeze to get fit. Try circuit training in the comfort of your own home, or invest in a static bike or treadmill so you can maintain your cycling or running routine. We are so impressed by the new ProForm Tour De France Bike. Boasting a 20% motorised incline and decline, Real Road™ resistance technology and iFit Live™ Technology, which is powered by Google Maps™. It has to be the ultimate in cycling workout kit.

You can also try booking a ski holiday, and embrace the fact you burn more calories in the cold. When training outdoors however, make sure you adequately insulate your body and avoid sweat-absorbing material close to the skin and don’t forget a hat!

Argan 5 + Softening Body Polish Review

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

I love exfoliating. Nothing else really makes your skin as super soft. Apparently Elle MacPherson exfoliates every single day, morning and night. Mostly with a soft exfoliator but also with a harder one for a few days. If anyone has seen how amazing the 49-year-old supermodel looks in a bikini they will see that exfoliating is an important part of any beauty regime. Elle says, “It’s the only way to keep skin soft, smooth and glowing,”

So what did I think of Argan 5 + Softening Body Polish? Well, it is possibly my favourite exfoliator ever. It has the perfect ‘grit’. It is hard enough to do the job but does not damage or tear the skin. It has one of the biggest beauty ingredients of the moment: argan oil. It leaves my skin so soft I can forgo moisturiser. A little amount goes a long way so the tube lasts. It also smells great and leaves skin glowing. What more could you ask for?

Would I buy it? Yes, in bulk.

What they say: crushed olive stones and pumice combined with the unique Argan+ Synergy help remove dead skin cells to restore healthy skin radiance and softness. Skin is left refreshed, reinvigorated and glowing with radiance.

Argan oil, sometimes known as ‘liquid gold’ due to its’ amazing transformational properties, is a prized ingredient in skincare. It has been used for centuries by the Berber tribe in Morocco and is highly valued by skin specialists. Rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants, Argan oil helps to protect the skin’s oil barrier, shield against free radicals, improve elasticity and protect against skin ageing.

Argan + Synergy

Argan + Synergy is an all-natural 100% blend of precious Moroccan Argan oil with 4 other amazing oils: Baobab, Kukui, Moringa and Sacha Inci, all selected for their restorative, regenerating and nourishing properties.

Argan Oil – with Vitamin E, Carotene (antioxidants) and Omega 6 and 9

Baobab Oil – with Vitamins A, D, E and F as well as Omega 3, 6, and 9

Kukui Seed Oil – Rich in Linoleic and Linolenic acid (essential fatty acids)

Moringa Oil – Rich in antioxidants plus Vitamins A and C

Sacha Inci Oil – Contains extremely high levels of Omega 3 and 6 plus Vitamin A

300ml costs £12.99

How to put on 60lbs and not get one stretch mark- P!nk reveals all!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Frostie

Pink has NO stretch marks!

P!nk, real name Alecia Moore, gave birth to her first daughter Willow 18 months ago and we know the answer to the question that is on everyone’s lips! What is her pregnancy skin secret? After gaining 60 lbs P!nk explains “ I was huge. But using Bio-Oil means I haven’t got one stretch mark”

Bio-Oil is preservative-free and is not tested on animals. 60ml rep £8.95, available from Superdrug.com, Asda.com, Morrisons.com and boots.com

Love Your Skin Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser Review

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Catherine Balavage

I got this moisturiser in a goodie bag at London Fashion Week and I love it. I have quite good skin with just the occasional breakout, but my skin is sensitive. I also really hate the feeling of a heavy moisturiser on my face and Love Your Skin’s Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser is really lightweight. It smells divine and has a great consistency.

It has nearly finished now and my skin loves it. I feel a change in my skin when I don’t put it on. It doesn’t have an SPF, which I usually insist on in a moisturiser and I tend to use a lot of it, but that is because I love it. It is non-greasy and comes in a convenient pump action bottle. This moisturiser will surely become a cult classic.

It is a reasonably priced 29.99 for 100ml. Would I buy it? Definitely.

What they say:

The Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser is an indulgent hydrating moisturiser, rich in collagen, to attract and bind moisture to the skin, and Vitamin E to maintain a smooth texture. Light and gentle, this non-greasy moisturiser is the perfect way to hydrate and nourish skin.

Love Your Skin – London is a new British skincare company created by skincare expert Lorraine Winslade. You can find their products at www.lys-london.com.

What is your favourite moisturiser? Comment below.

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