Category Archives: Life & Style

A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales for a Nordic Noël reviewed by Kate Hutchinson

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When I was growing up, my mother had a number of ways of doing things that would doubtless nowadays be called ‘hacks’ but to her were common sense. For example the tooth fairy: in our house the tooth fairy collected her spoils from under the easily accessed front door mat, rather than having to ferret around under a sleeping child’s pillow.
Another was tree presents at Christmas. Not an original idea in itself, but we always had a present from the tree on Christmas Eve after tea: it took the edge off the desperate urge forhristmas Day presents  and, in order to keep us occupied when sent to bed early with over-excitement, it was pretty well always a book.
This would be a perfect book for that occasion. Prettily presented, with all the beautiful festive Scandinavian designs enlivened with a little sprinkling of gold, this is a chocolate box of treasures just right for working through next to a pine scented tree, a warm hearth and some Glögg or other warming beverage of choice.
A mixture of classic well known tales from the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf, and modern day stories from Karl Ove Knausgaard and Vigdis Hjorth, this collection spans all the positive and not so positive experiences of the Christmas season. From stars, fir trees, births, deaths and gardens springing up on mystical Christmas nights, to imbibing Santas and a longing to get away from the family and be alone, this is fully packed with Christmas tales encompassing every side of the festive season.

 

A winter wonderland smorgasboard, if you’ll forgive me.

A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales for a Nordic Noël  Vintage Classics
Published 21st October 2021   £12.99 Hardback /eBook
ISBN 978-1-784-87767-5

Brunch at The Biltmore – a review

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Start your Weekend off in the most fabulous of ways with the newly launched Brunch Menu at The Biltmore Mayfair. 

Headed up by the esteemed Jason Atherton, The Biltmore Brunch is certainly an elegant affair. This is a brunch worthy of getting your glad rags on and treating yourself or someone special and you’ll be guaranteed excellent service, ambiance and of course a brunch worth bragging about. 

When it comes to decent brunch in London, it’s like navigating a minefield. There is just so much on offer but when you really investigate what you’ll end up finding is there’s just heaps of bottomless and not enough brunch if you know what I mean. So if like me you’re thinking, what sets The Biltmore apart from all the other brunches in the City? Well, let me tell you… their ‘USP’ is for sure the food. They also had an incredible setting and a stunning band but I don’t ever recall raving about the food after a brunch especially not a boozy one. Café Biltmore certainly dazzles with their dishes making this a foodies brunch heaven. Offering up a number of different brunch and lunch plates, they of course have the classics, eggs, pancakes, etc… but the menu also featured a number non typical brunch dishes but this is what made it so brilliant. I would say, you could even convince the biggest anti-bruncher to brunch along with you after you show them the menu because who could turn down Porthilly Oysters, Wood fired pizza and Fish and Chips to name a few? In fact Paul Walsh, Executive Chef, commented, “Weekends are made for brunch and our menu is guaranteed to have a dish everyone will want to eat on it…” If you’re doing 2 courses or more there is the option to add the free-flowing bubbles package for an extra £25. Rarely are you left thinking I just had a ruddy good meal after a bottomless brunch but Café Biltmore can certainly win this accolade. 

So, what’s included;

So on offer you have the choice of 2 courses for £32 or 3 courses for £38 and of course the free-flowing bubbles upgrade. What you will quickly realise is that this is an absolute steal when you realise the quality and the service which are second to none. We recommend doing the whole sh’bang so make sure you go light on your breakfast that morning. To start there are a number of different Egg dishes, we tried the Confit duck leg with Kimchi and Fried Egg and Calamari to start. For our mains I tried one of the veggie options Sweetcorn and Saffron risotto, Scottish girolles and Parmesan and we also tried the Buttermilk chicken sandwich and I can honestly say, that was the best damned risotto I have ever tasted. Both utterly luxurious and more-ish so much so, that I got distracted writing this thinking about how delicious it was. Of course, if you opt for 3 courses the dessert choice covers all bases with a cheese plate for those who aren’t much of a sweet tooth. The bubbles were certainly flowing thanks to the attentiveness of the waiters who’s service went above and beyond. The setting was just gorgeous, we dined on a cold autumn day but so kitted out with heaters and blankets, the outdoor terrace more than adequately catered to its guests comfortably making it the perfect little secret brunch oasis. Notable mention must go to the talented jazz band who provided the afternoons entertainment with their mellow muzak and dulcet tones. 

 

What’s more is those wishing to dine with their furry friends, Cafe Biltmore’s terrace is dog friendly and pets will be treated to their own treats while you dine. The Biltmore Brunch will really make you wish the weekend couldn’t come fast enough.

The Biltmore Brunch will be available every Saturday from 11:00 – 17:00

For more info or reservations visit;

www.cafebiltmore.com

Michael Rowan seeks to impress his wife as he polishes his green credentials by trying out two of the new Seep Range of compostable household essentials

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My wife eyes my role as Frost Magazine’s wines and spirits reviewer with deep suspicion,  no matter how often I explain how tough it is to have to taste each and every drop of wine before I can express an opinion – ho hum. She maintains crisply that tough isn’t the word she would use. So imagine her delight on hearing that my latest task was to review  – wait for it – wait … cleaning materials.

She was even quicker to point out that to be able to review them properly, I really had to test each and every article thoroughly in our kitchen and bathroom.

The new Seep range consists of plastic free and compostable sponges, that not only look good but  can be machine washed for longevity. You see  as they don’t contain plastic,they won’t release microplastics when washed – how excellent is that.

Now to be honest the aesthetics of kitchen or bathroom cleaning items has never been at the forefront of my mind, but I do believe that to change to something else, it would need to do the job at least as well as my usual brands.  The Seep range, I  learned was  carbon positive, offsetting their carbon footprint by 3 times each year by supporting reforestation projects around the world. So Seep and I were off to a great start. 

Carrying out everyday chores in the Rowan household is both tiresome and unrewarding. Whilst we have made many positive changes to be more in line with the environment, the tools that we use, remain laden with plastic – mainly because there was no other option available. But now, with Seep, small, greener choices can add up to a bigger change.

First, I tried the Seep all Purpose Dogbone Sponge – RRP £6.50 for a pack of 2

The shape of the sponge ‘feels right’ if you know what I mean. Sturdy and durable and due to its size, versatile. I can attest to this, as my wife insisted that I reviewed the sponge thoroughly, on kitchen surfaces, both horizontal and vertical; awkward corners where apparently, I do not reach properly with a mop.

It was excellent for the bigger washing tasks too, The Seep All-Purpose Dogbone Sponge is made from cellulose wood pulp, its larger size and seriously soft and absorbing 100% renewable material is ideal for most washing tasks, especially those of heavier duty both in and out of the house. At the end of its useful life this sponge can be placed in a garden compost bin where it will naturally break down.

The Seep bin liners are the brand’s latest addition to the range. Coming in a handy 50L, 30L or 10L roll, the compostable, biodegradable liners are a high quality, gentle on the planet option. The bases of the liners have also been reinforced to prevent annoying leaks. Which I confess is something of a bug bear of mine, as I transport it from the kitchen caddy to the compost bin at the end of the garden.

Speaking of bin liners, these are made from one of the best bio polymers on the market – taking less than 8 weeks to break down in a composting facility. If they are used for normal household waste and disposed of in landfill or an incinerator, they are still better than their traditional plastic counterparts since they don’t release microplastics or toxins. And they don’t stick to the tines of your garden fork when you are trying to dig in the compost (I speak from bitter experience.)

There are also bin liner bundles to choose from

Small Compostable Bin Liners 10L – RPP £17.50 for 5 x rolls / 25 bags (125 bags in total)

Medium Compostable Bin Liners 30L – RRP £25.00 for 3 x rolls / 25 bags (75 bags in total)

All Seep products are available here: www.theseepcompany.com or via Amazon.

 

 

WELSH WRITING WEDNESDAYS: JESSIE CAHALIN AND THE NO SIGN BAR

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Nobody followed me to the No Sign Bar, Swansea – a regular haunt of Dylan Thomas.  Seated next to the window, I searched inside my handbag for Collected Stories by Dylan Thomas. I found The Followers, a ghost story, hidden inside the anthology.

A ping from my phone confirmed a signal, but I ignored the emails. I sat in the bar Thomas renamed the Wine Vaults.  I read the opening lines of the story, but there was no sign of the beer I had just ordered.  Without anything to quench my thirst, there was nothing I could do apart from read on.  Between words, I felt compelled to search for two pairs of eyes outside of the window, but there was no sign of anyone.

Outside the window, ‘the rain spat and drizzled past the street lamps’. No one wore ‘squeaking galoshes, with mackintosh collars up and bowlers and trilbies’. Alas, the ‘rattle of bony trams’ was silenced long ago. Only the swish of car tyres, hum of engines and slamming of car doors filled the silence on the streets.  Gazing at the decaying red window frames, I did not see ‘a young man with his arm around a girl’. Instead, I glimpsed a young couple hand in hand dashing across the road while there was a break in the traffic.  Outside, there was a mass of coloured jackets and everyone wore jeans, leggings or trousers.  No one looked inside the tatty building. They didn’t seem to care that Dylan Thomas once frequented this watering hole.

Reading the short story, I pursued the followers, as they scurried through the alley.  Inside, No Sign Bar, I could smell the old musty wine cellar.  No one was responsible for the spontaneous spark of colour in the open fire. The pitted floorboards had been battered by tired and drunken feet for centuries. Words echoed around cavernous room. Perhaps, these were the words that inspired Dylan Thomas’s story The Followers: his only ghost story.  And I heard the rise and fall of the Welsh accent that probably escaped into the pages of Thomas’s mind, as he imagined the story.   I read the final sentence, ‘And we went our separate ways.’ I departed.

Near to Paradise Alley, I heard a voice echo.  ‘Spare some change, madam?’ The homeless soul was clutching a fleece blanket.  His watery, bloodshot eyes regarded me as he rolled himself a cigarette.  I spared him fifty pence, but this wouldn’t even buy him a beer. He caught the meagre offering with a grateful nod that punched my conscience.

‘Have you seen Leslie?’ mumbled the man. He looked at my handbag as I retrieved more change.I nodded.  ‘Only bread and jam in my handbag,’ I declared.

I ran to the car park. The rain drizzled until diluted my memory of the bar. I heard the distance tapping of footsteps and turned around. Thankfully, there was no sign of anyone following me. Checking Twitter, I did note I had two more followers.

 

No Sign Bar and The Followers

No Sign Bar is believed to be Swansea’s oldest pub and dates to 1690.  The wine cellars date back to the 15th century.  The name ‘No Sign’ originates from legislation of licencing when public bars had to have a recognisable sign.  This building was not public house and did not require a sign, hence was later given the name ‘No Sign’ to announce its presence!

Dylan Thomas frequented No Sign Bar, as a young man. No Sign Bar is featured as the Wine Vaults in Dylan Thomas’s story, The Followers.   Salubrious Passage, next to the bar, is referred to as Paradise Alley in the short story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joffe authors are in the running for The People’s Book Prize again, and there are some great books out this week.

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Such a great collection of novels out this week. What about reading them all?

FEAR ON THE FENS by Joy Ellis is out now. Twenty years ago: A family is destroyed by tragic secrets.
A father who’s a killer. A brother who’s disappeared.
That is . . . until now? Detective Nikki Galena must find a man who’s been missing for two decades and unravel the painful past of a broken family before anyone else dies.   99p / 99c.

         

Murder at the Folly Roy Lewis.    OUT NOW — ONLY £1.99 / $2.99

A ruthless new boss shakes up Arnold’s quiet life at the council.  Now, he is saddled with a project he never wanted: the Ridgeway Viking Trust.   But is there more to the Trust than meets the eye?
Muck-raking journalist Alan Crickley seems to think so. He’s got the scent of corruption and he’s on the trail.

The Money Race by Paul Bennett.   OUT NOW — ONLY 99P / 99C

Follow the money, find the girl.
A local councillor’s daughter is missing, as well as several hundred thousand pounds of council funds.
But who’s responsible?    It’s up to Nick Shannon to find out.

Sister Joan Mysteries by Veronica Black . 6-8 Box Set excellent value at only 99p/99c

Sister Joan is a sharp and modern-minded heroine. Outstanding!” Publishers Weekly

 

Joffe  has told Frost Magazine  that The People’s Book Prize voting has begun and it’s great to  see so many Joffe Books authors represented in this year’s nominations.

Not one, but three Joffe Books authors are in this year’s collection and are hoping  to snatch that award. Last year’s winner, Victoria Dowd, is in the running again this year with the second novel in The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder series, Body on the Island.

Joining Victoria are debut novelists Kerry Buchanan with Knife Edge and Lyn Yeowart with The Silent Listener.

Grab your copies of these amazing novels today and vote for your favourite here

Body on the Island by Victoria Dowd
Knife Edge by Kerry Buchanan
The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart

 

 

Poetry for Hopefulness | Bright Poems for Dark Days

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bright poems for dark days, poems, hope, poets, hopefulA fitting release for this years National Poetry Day theme of choice, Dr Sutherland’s curated collection features poetry from across globes and generations to find the perfect words of affirmation, positivity or hopefulness to aid you in moments of need or stress.

🌸 Choose from 8 themes to fit your needs, from hope to nature & escape or joy to gratitude & comfort and more

🌸 Choose words and poems from literary greats, such as William Blake and Alfred, Lord Tennyson, to modern greats like Maya Angelou and Carol Ann Duffy to name just a few

🌸 With stunning full-colour, original illustrations from artist Carolyn Gavin (@carolynj)

bright poems for dark days

An anthology for hopefulness from William Blake to Warsan Shire

Dr Julie Sutherland
Illustrated by Carolyn Gavin

Bright Poems For Dark Days Published by Frances Lincoln | £12.99 | 19thth October 2021

We all have days when we find ourselves in need of some positivity and a few hopeful words of affirmation. This collection of poetry was carefully curated and compiled by bibliotherapist Dr Julie Sutherland, an expert in the healing power of words, along with original illustrations from Carolyn Gavin, make this beautifully-bound book a worthy aid to your mental wellbeing:

  • The collection is split into 8 themes: hope, resilience & courage, joy, nature & escape, love, tranquility, gratitude & comfort
  • A diverse range of writers and words are featured; from Oscar Wilde to Emily Dickinson, Robert Louis Stevenson to Maya Angelou, William Blake to Warsan Shire
  • The selections are accompanied by explanations and illuminating context that reinforces the positive mental health message
  • Combining uplifting lines of verse with joyful illustrations means this unique book can provide a much-needed dose of hopefulness and happiness in turbulent moments
  • Perfect as a thoughtful gift for someone in need or a resource of solace that can turned to whenever needed
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In difficult times, the words of others can lift us up.

 

 

 

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Bright, joyful art to inspire hopefulness is combined with a curated collection of poems, chosen to lift the spirits through the healing power of words.

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Dr Julie Sutherland is a writer and editor based in Ontario, Canada. She is a bibliotherapist for the ReLit Foundation, facilitating and presenting a wide variety of reading for well-being events in Canada, the US, the UK and online. She is passionate about the capacity of literature to effect change in the human spirit.

Carolyn Gavin is a painter, illustrator and designer based in Toronto, Canada. Vibrant, playful and happy are perfect words to describe her style. She is principal designer for Ecojot, a family-run eco-friendly paper business and also licenses her work for fabric, homewares and packaging. Find her on IG @carolynj (460k followers).

Baking Book Breaks Records. We love Jane’s Patisserie.

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* Jane’s Patisserie becomes fastest-selling baking book of all time

* Début book from blogger and Instagrammer Jane Dunn is instant UK number one bestseller

* Fans rocketed in lockdown

* Sales are ahead of débuts by the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood

Jane’s Patisserie,

Jane’s Patisserie, a début book from baking blogger Jane Dunn, has become the UK’s fastest-selling baking book of all time. I can definitely see why this book is so popular: it is full of delicious and easy-to-make treats. Get a copy now. My mouth was watering as I turned the pages. I will be doing a lot of baking.

28 year-old Jane launched her blog and Instagram whilst training at cookery school, as a creative space for her to share her love of everything sweet, and her fans rocketed in lockdown. Her first book has gone straight to the number one in the UK Nielsen BookScan bestseller chart, selling a record 44,444 copies in just three days on sale. That makes it one of the fastest-selling non-fiction books since records began, ahead of first books by the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood.

As more and more people turned to baking to seek comfort and create joyful food over the last 18 months, Jane’s down-to-earth nature and simple, customisable recipes have hit the spot. Her blog now has over 350,000 subscribers, alongside her 750,000 Instagram and 490,000 Facebook followers. Her mission is to make baking easy for everyone, to share, inspire, and spread a little joy.

Jane’s giant, gooey NYC-style cookie recipe has had over 1.5 million blog views, and her Mini-Egg version went viral over Easter. Her fans, including Stacey Solomon, Mrs Hinch and Zoë Sugg, love to make and share her recipes.

Jane’s Patisserie (Ebury Press, £20) includes 100 cakes, bakes and sweet treats, combining the iconic classics from her blog – NYC Cookies, No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Drip Cake and more – with new and exclusive recipes requested by her followers.

Jane’s Patisserie,

Jane started her blog in 2014 whilst training at Ashburton Chefs Academy, and she now spends all her time developing recipes and sampling sweet treats. Her recipes have been featured in Fabulous, Cosmopolitan and Heat, and she recently made her NYC Cookies on ITV This Morning.

Jane says: “I have always been obsessed with baking and all things sweet, so it’s such a joy to see people sharing and loving my recipes and drawing so much comfort from them.”

Find her at Janespatisserie.com on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter @janespatisserie

 

How I got a Literary Agent.

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In January this year one of the most amazing things happened to me: I got a literary agent. Having an agent was always something beyond my wildest dreams, more than that, my agent is the amazing Susan Yearwood. Champagne popping time indeed.

I spent the months in the run up to Christmas researching agents and sending off submissions. I went through The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook with precision, choosing ten agents to send my book off to. I researched every agent heavily and Susan called to me. There are a few interviews I found in which Susan and her ethos resonated with me. I knew she was The One.  In fact, before her email asking to schedule a call with her, I had a dream she was my agent and we were being interviewed at a literary festival together.

In the end I sent my first novel off to a lot of agents and publishers. I got a lot of good feedback and a few full manuscript requests. I also got a wonderful rejection from Harper Collins, who read the entire thing and sent me four paragraphs of feedback. They even asked me to send them anything else I wrote. In the end Susan passed on my first novel, but she liked my writing enough to ask if I had anything else I could send her. Thankfully I did. I always write a first draft of a book and then get started on another one while I let the other one sit. Then I go back to it with fresh eyes, alternating my drafts. I did not think the other book was ready and had spent hundreds sending it off to a professional editing agency for feedback. By the time the feedback came back Susan had been my agent for three months! It may have been a waste of money, but I have no complaints.

Susan loved the book and took my on as a client after our phone call. I was a true pinch me moment. For anyone who wants an agent and does not have one yet I would say the following things:

  • Write a good book. Send off the first three chapters, along with a synopsis that really grabs.
  • Collate all of the writing you have done and any awards you have won. Write a paragraph about yourself that sells all you have to offer. Covering letters are important.
  • Get a copy of The Write”s and Artists’ Yearbook and research what agents work in your genre.
  • Start submitting.
  • Keep submitting.
  • Take rejection in your stride.
  • Listen to all feedback.
  • Redo your submission to suit various agents.
  • Start writing your new book.

 

Good luck!