Category Archives: Life & Style

Win A Gordon’s Gin Hamper – Just Follow the Links – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Let’s get you into the Christmas spirit with, er … Christmas spirit. Gordon’s gin are giving away 45 festive hampers which each contain things to help your Christmas sparkle at home – rich velvet table runners, baubles and Christmas lights, festive candles, gorgeous coasters and wrapping paper. Of course, there’s also mini bottles of Gordon’s to hang from your tree, assuming they make it that far, AND a full-sized bottle of Gordon’s, plus beautiful glassware – how fabulous.

 

To enter, all you need to do is complete your details on the competition landing page between 12:00 on 23rd November 2020 and 12:00 on 30th November 2020: Instagram: @gordonsginuk ; Facebook: @GordonsGinUK  or : https://competition.gordonsgin.com/

The competition is open to those aged 18 and over nationwide. Terms and conditions apply.

So let’s just contemplate on the gin treats you could be winning in the hamper:

 

Gordon’s London Dry Gin, (70cl, RRP £15.50) – the original London Dry gin it’s triple-distilled with carefully selected botanicals including oodles of juniper.

 

Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon Distilled Gin – 100% natural flavours, it’s perfectly crafted to balance the juniper notes of Gordon’s with the zesty hit of the finest Sicilian lemons.

 

Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin – the perfect drink for someone who loves a colourful, fruity G&T, it balances the refreshing taste of Gordon’s with the natural sweetness of real raspberries and strawberries, and tang of redcurrant.

 

Gordon’s Sloe Gin – made from the finest hand-picked sloe berries from English and Northern European Mountains, creating a dry, yet fruity taste.

Oh, a word of caution – JLS’s Aston Merrigold does not come with the hamper (I already checked).

 

 

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning 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.

INTRODUCING NORTH NORFOLK JEWELLERY DESIGNER, CLAIRE HOWARD

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I make delicate, simple jewellery in a beautiful corner of North Norfolk. I make the kind of jewellery I like to wear, everyday pieces which are elegant and made from quality materials at affordable prices.

​I come from a very crafty background, I dabbled in a variety of crafts until gifted a course at the London Jewellery School and then jewellery making became a hobby which gave me space to create and wind down from a busy teaching job.  I was frustrated that simple jewellery from the high street was made from low quality silver which made me itch and changed colour so I bought a lot of jewellery from a local maker, Richard, who I commissioned to make me some pieces until he said to me – why don’t we make this necklace together? CHJ started to gather steam and momentum, I moved away from beads and on to soldering, stone setting and texturing through sitting beside Richard, attending courses and practising again and again and again.   I have not looked back!

I’m passionate about wearing timeless but well-made jewellery – uncomplicated pieces which are practical enough to be worn during the day but special enough for night!  To me, it doesn’t matter if we are on a school run, working in a school of small children or out for pizza and prosecco for £12 (my local treat), jewellery should be pretty and well crafted – that’s what matters to me.

From my workbench in North Norfolk, I take inspiration from being outside.  We are so lucky in this county to have beautiful beaches, woodlands and a hill or two (Yes we do!) where I flourish being outside with the dog walking and enjoying some space and time.  Being outside lifts my spirits and enables me to focus on the simple things in life – I put these in my jewellery – accents of little delicate bees and daisies, hearts and droplets of gold.

​Texture is really important in my jewellery too.  I love to be able to clasp a piece of jewellery and run my fingers over the stamped lettering or image and feel the dimples in the hammering, or the beads of the beaded wire.  I love that jingle jangle you get when two pieces of silver clink together.

​As for romance – this quote pretty much sums it up for me… Draw a circle, not a heart around the one you love because a heart can break but a circle goes on forever. (Danny Kaye)   Circles feature a lot in my jewellery, small, hand crafted, perfectly round and often interlinked.

My website is found at www.clairehowardjewellery.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send a special memento – a Karrie Barron Card – for Christmas this year and every year says Annie Clarke

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Some years ago I received my first Karrie Barron card, a tableau, a little world,  which my wonderful friend Michael sent. He told me he had explained his requirements to Karrie Barron, a tweak here, one there, my name on a card within the tableau, a message inside. It was so amazing that for someone who never stops talking I was silent for quite 10 seconds, because I was so delighted. I have kept the card down the years, under a glass dome. Following Michael’s example I have sent Karrie Barron cards to others, many of whom have done as I have – under a dome with it, and out for view.
So I am really happy to revisit  Karrie Barron  and take a look at their Christmas cards, and the new range of candles, with such wonderful Christmassy scents.  As I said, I now send to others and not just for the 3 D tableau that this small family concern creates, but also the personalization which makes it so precious. And as this strange year draws to an end, and some will not be seeing close friends and family  these cards, so personal in concept,  will close the distance between you.
 
 So let’s look at a few  Karrie Barron Christmas cards,  where the recipient’s names can be written on the  toy sacks, and messages put on the front on banners, or bouquet tags and also printed  inside. In addition Karrie Barron can send them direct to the recipients, if you wish.    But this personalized approach isn’t confined to Christmas cards, it is available on the whole card range all year round. It really is such a  totally special gift, or so I found. The cards are more robust than they might seem, but nonetheless are safely packed in tissue paper and placed in a white box, complete with ribbon, and then another box for posting. I chose the Nativity scene for the children mine are destined for – (just ordered) all personalized.
                                                                      
There are also gifts this year – let’s check out the Karrie Barron candles.
     

Karrie Barron’s range of hand poured, beautiful bee friendly, Soy wax, environment/Vegan Friendly  candles have had 2 new fragrances added for Christmas.  The fabulous thing about these is you can have your personalised message printed on the back of the candle and for Christmas you can also choose a free Christmas card.    Try the Christmas Frankincense and Myrrh Candle for £25.00  – It has a festive fragrance with top notes of citrus peels, eucalyptus, juniper and lavender leading to a spicy heart of cinnamon and clove, rounded by orris with oriental base notes of warm amber, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, musk and vanilla.  In other words, as Arke described their olive oil, from their own olives  (and quite captured my heart): …to exalt the smells and flavours... Well, let me tell you -this candle does just this, it exalts. (Arke and other artisan produce is sold through Delicario.com whose great hampers  I reviewed a week or so ago)
                  
For a limited time the Christmas Candles comes with a free Christmas card, ideal to send with the candle. Choose your favourite from four card designs. This along with the personalized candle message label makes the ideal gift.  There are also collections of cards to buy to make one’s life easier.

                

Karrie Barron Cards was founded in 1994 and is now a family business: ‘Karrie’s concept was to make 3-Dimensional cards depicting miniature worlds,’ Tilly, her daughter tells us. ‘She began designing and making from a back bedroom in our family home in Fulham, London and would take them, once a week, to her stall in the Apple Market, Covent Garden. From a very early age I helped my mother with her work, and over the years I developed the patience, passion and skills to make and design our ‘little worlds’. In 2007, when my mother retired, I took over our small family run business.’

The cards continue to charm and although they now reach a much wider audience worldwide and online, Karrie Barron Cards  still sell from their stall in Covent Garden. In 2014 they opened a shop in Hampstead where cards can be made to order whilst you wait.   In this world of mass production, each creation is made by hand with love and care in their London Studio and I can vouch for the thrill it gives the recipient. No two are ever the same, and they really are a pleasure to both give and receive.      But finally, let’s not forget birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day, and what about Weddings.

                                                                                            

Do browse the website https://www.karriebarron.com/  for the whole range, but be quick if you are on the hunt for that special Christmas card or gift.

Annie Clarke is the author of Christmas on the Home Front, out now.

She Hot Pepper – Authentic Taste of Trinidad – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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In a year where sun-drenched Caribbean beaches was more of a dream than a reality, She Hot Pepper Sauces make that dream just a little more real.

The business was started by Sheliza Thompson (no relation), who wanted to recreate the Trinidadian and Mauritian household in which she grew up. She remembers as a child waiting for relatives to bring fresh supplies home from trips to Trinidad, and the ‘Chubby bottle’ containing homemade Pepper Sauce. Thankfully sourcing ingredients such as authentic West Indian Scotch Bonnet chillis is a little easier these days.

The three sauces – Trini Pepper, Line Pepper and Tamarind – are made in small batches in the Doubles Kitchen, London, so it’s the nearest thing to home-made and I can confirm they taste amazing. The Lime Pepper is stuffed with finely-chopped fresh chillis and lime and each fabulous flavour hits your taste buds separately. If you prefer something milder, the tamarind sauce is simply delicious and slightly sweet.

Only real ingredients are used, with no artificial additives or stabilisers – also no monosodium glutamate or animal products. You should keep the jar in the fridge once it has been opened, where it will last for a long time.

You can order from the website She Hot Pepper Sauces, and my jars arrived very quickly by Royal Mail and were well-packed. If you live in Enfield you can even request free local delivery, and look out for it at local farmers markets. Just £5.50 per jar, with a deal if you buy two together. And look out for their Festive Bundles which contain lots of other goodies too and make great Christmas presents.

Go on, treat yourself and your family, the sauces are delicious and they actually taste like they’re doing you good too.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning 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.

My Writing Process Terence Gallagher

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My writing routine:

I spend a lot of time working out in my head what I am going to write before I commit anything to my iPad which is my preferred writing tool. Only one to two hours a day is spent typing. I like to work out phrases and dialogue while I’m out walking my two Irish Setters or riding my bike. I also do a fair amount of research while I’m on the go. I use my iPhone in coffee shops to surf the web as I nail down the details of locales I am using, or to check historical facts. 

A bit about me:

I am Irish. I grew up in Dublin in the sixties. I am a proud graduate of  Trinity College Dublin. After College I went into management consultancy and ended up working in a wide variety of cities and countries worldwide. I am married with three grown children and split my time between Naples Florida, and Howth, a small fishing village north of Dublin. In both cases I live by water. I find it therapeutic to look out on a seascape whether it be the Gulf of Mexico or the Irish sea. My hobbies include, biking, working out, and walking. I am a music lover with a particular affinity for classical and Blues. My home in Howth  stands on an acre and this has made me a reluctant gardener.

What I have written, past and present:

So far I have published two novels, Fujita 4, and Analyst Session. Both of these are available as ebooks and in paperback. I also had Fujita 4 professionally narrated and it is in audiobook format. I found it very exciting to have my characters brought to life and given a voice by a skilled actor. I am currently working on my third novel, A Coup in Makati.

What I am promoting now:

 Analyst Session was just recently published and I am busy with promotional activity. It’s quite a juggling act to stay on top of PR for one book while trying to make progress on the next.

My writing process:

I use Scrivener word processing software to structure the outline of a book before I begin writing in earnest. Scrivener is specifically designed for authors. I create a summary of each chapter. I also use it to store sketches of  all the major characters and to keep research notes. I then methodically work my way through from start to finish of the book. This means that each day I know what I have to work on next and I can keep from being overwhelmed by the magnitude of my task.

What about word count?:

As regards word count I go in aiming to create a work of between sixty and seventy thousand words. If I know how many chapters I have outlined, I roughly know how many words a chapter. This helps  me figure out where the plot is light or I need to do more with characterisation. I run work in progress through Grammarly. This is a decent software package that will catch typos and many grammatical errors. 

How do I create my structure:

It starts with the central character. I have to really know and understand him or her. Its as if they stand alone on an empty stage. I then like to create life situations which test my protagonist’s moral belief system. The milieu in which this plays out will be a place where I have lived or spent significant time in my own life. It’s easier to have the settings for the story be realistic. Other characters whose actions will precipitate the moral conflict then come to life. 

What do I find hard about writing:

The most challenging aspect of writing for me is communicating the interior emotional life of my characters, particularly my female characters. The daily word output slows dramatically when I am wrestling with this. 

What I love:

What I love about writing is conceiving a cast of characters, placing them in my fictional world, and seeing how they react and evolve. They tend to take on a life of their own. It wreaks havoc with the plot-line a lot of the time but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Advice for other writers:

Advice I would have is take advantage of some the great software out there to help with the writing process. I have also used a variety of professionals to help edit and polish my work. I have used Reedsy and Fiverr to hire these and by and large it has worked out well for me. 

Georges Simenon, the author of  the Maigret stories was able to crank out a book in eleven days! It took Flaubert five years to write Madame Bovary. Every writer has their own pace. Writing is a solitary activity. It requires self discipline. All sorts of distractions can get in the way if you let them. It is important to have some sort of routine and schedule when setting out to write something.

Analyst Session is available as an ebook or in paperback from Amazon.

A Round Up of Joyous Christmas events to bring cheer to the weary heart by Annie Clarke

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Digital:

Much-loved company Sleeping Trees will bring the magic of panto to your living room with their epic Christmas adventure The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington. Streaming throughout December, this exciting production, filled with original music, will ensure the whole family has a whale of a time. Available from 1st December  – 5th January

Tickets:  here

Polka are giving a free gift to give to their supporters this Christmas with a digital family reimagining of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Created by the team behind the lockdown hit I Want My Hat Back, comes a visually imaginative short film made almost entirely from recycled and recyclable Christmas materials!

Available from 19th December to those who sign up to the Polka newsletter: here

Social Media: @ polkatheatre

 

Constella aim to raise money with their upcoming Christmas Gala to continue their incredible Connecting Stars initiative which provides free one-to-one virtual performances to isolated care home residents. Constella’s Christmas Gala will see the musicians enter a Christmas wonderland. Since their launch earlier this year, they have reached over 50 care homes and over 2,000 residents with 150 virtual performances; the Gala will bring festive joy to even more residents, and raise money to continue this vital programme. Available from 8th December.  Tickets and further information here

London’s Old Red Lion Theatre’s first piece of digital work will be a brand new filmed production inspired by Bob Cratchit. Written and directed by artistic director Alexander Knott, December will be filmed on the theatre’s stage and will be available to watch online this December.

In Person

Throughout December the crème de la crème of London’s Queer cabaret scene, Ginger Johnson, Bitten Peach, Pecs Drag Kings, and the Cocoa Butter Club, are taking over the Pleasance’s transformed auditorium for some festive fun – ‘tis the season to be Queer! The venue will follow up-to-date safety regulations with e-ticketing, enhanced cleaning and table service with drinks and pizzas from their neighbours, The Depot.

More information here.

 

The thrilling adaptation of Joan Aiken’s classic children’s novel, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, brings festive magic south of the river. Injecting some Christmas joy into the local community, the production will see the return of Greenwich’s favourite panto villain Anthony Spargo (Horrible Histories). With unforgettable characters, snowy wastelands and ferocious wolves, this promises to be a winter adventure the family won’t forget! Available from 18th December – 10th January.  Tickets and more information here.

18th December to 10th January 2021

Come along to the Old Royal Naval College this Christmas to celebrate the festive season with pop-up festive theatre performances for children in the beautiful riverside grounds, a local arts and crafts market and live-streamed and in-person carol services. Admire the magnificent Christmas tree with a glass of mulled wine and explore the beautiful Wren architecture illuminated with colourful lights and projections.

 

For unique and special gifts this Christmas season, go straight to Shapero Rare Books – the internationally renowned rare and antique bookshop. Gift buyers can head online to their bookshop for the ultimate gift. Their incredible and wide-ranging collection has beautiful and unusual books on every topic, for everyone including beautiful first editions of Beatrix Potter, Winnie the Pooh and Dr Seuss, as well as favourites like Charles Dickens to Daphne Du Maurier’s thrilling Rebecca, to Ernest Hemingway.

More information here

 

5 Books That Changed Me by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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It is no secret to those that know me that books hold a special place in my heart. I enjoy being able to escape to a different world, a different time, a different place. With the stresses of everyday life I have been reading more and more over the past few years and I thought that now would be the perfect time to look back and reflect on the books that have changed me.

First up is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone by J K Rowling. I have very fond memories of this book, my mum used to read it to me and she would speak in different voices for each of the characters which would always make me chuckle. I was fascinated with the world of magic and imagination that J K Rowling has. This book kickstarted my love of the Harry Potter books, i would insist on having the latest one as soon as i possibly could. I remember when I was 15 and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix had just been released and that summer me and my family went on holiday to the south of France and instead of lounging by the pool all day I would stay inside and read. Yes I did finish it within the two weeks we were away. To this day I am a huge Harry Potter fan and so is my daughter who i now read the Philosophers stone to.

Next up is the Diary of Anne Frank, i read this for the first time when i was in secondary school around the age of 14. It opened my eyes to not only the cruelty and horror that Jews were subjected to just because they were Jews but despite it all Anne Frank remained  positive and extremely brave “I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart”. Anne Frank received her diary as a present for her 13th birthday and i was reading her diary when i was of a similar age and i remember thinking that i would not be that brave and it put things into perspective for me. The diary of Anne Frank is one book that will always remain on my bookshelf and one that i will turn to when i feel that i need to be brave or strong or positive. 

At Long last love by Milly Adams was a book that was given to me as a gift from someone who knows that my favourite genre to read is historical fiction. This book changed me in a different way to the others listed because even though I absolutely adored reading it and I went on to buy two more books written by Milly Adams because i enjoyed it so much, it is the events that followed reading this book that changed me. At the time I was writing my own blog where I would write book reviews and interviews with authors among other things. When I finished At long Last Love, i reached out to Milly Adams and asked if she would be willing to answer a few questions for my blog. She kindly agreed to do so. I went on to learn that Milly Adams is in fact a pen name for Margaret Graham who is a editor for Frost magazine, I must have done something right as to my amazement Margaret asked if i would like to write reviews for the magazine. Fast forward almost 3 years and I am now the West Country Correspondent for Frost Magazine and my confidence in myself and in my writing has improved drastically all thanks to Margaret Graham and the Frost Magazine Team. 

There are very few books that I have read as many times as A Christmas Carol by Charles dickens. This classic book did – as corny as it sounds- teach me the true meaning of christmas, it isn’t about what gifts you get but who you spend the time with, how you treat others, how you value and appreciate them. Over the years i have watched many film adaptations which i enjoy with my children, our personal favourite is ‘A Muppets ‘Christmas Carol’ which again has become a tradition to watch at least once over the festive period. 

Last but by no means least is a book that I read last year, The Lost Girl’s of Paris by Pam Jenoff. Up to that point I was blissfully unaware of women’s involvement in world war two. This taught me a lot about the German occupation of France, the resistance and the missions and sabotage that they carried out which would have absolutely contributed to the allied victory. I knew that back home women  worked in munitions factories risking life and limb.  However I did not know about Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive or SOE, where women would be taught sabotage and survival skills and would be parachuted behind enemy lines where they would face capture, torture and execution. These women were smart, courageous and ruthless. They were heroes. 

 

THE CULTURED COLLECTIVE KIMCHI

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The Cultured Collective kimchi range is expertly crafted in the Cotswolds using the highest quality, 100% natural ingredients in an environment powered by sustainable energy and presented in easily recyclable materials.  Offering unbeatable quality and great taste, it’s the most awarded Kimchi range in the UK!

LIVING WELL BEGINS WITH EATING WELL

The Cultured Collective stays true to the traditional ingredients of Chinese leaf cabbage, mooli radish, spring onion, carrot and an aromatic spice blend which form the basis of the Classic Kimchi. Three further kimchis, have individual, balanced flavour, character and crunch.

kimchi, live, cultured,

IT’S ALIVE!

Unpasteurised with no artificial preservatives, each jar is loaded with healthy, living, good bacteria – or probiotics – responsible for the fermentation process. Alive and thriving, they boost immunity, energize the body and help to keep the digestive system healthy.

Studies have shown that gut flora (the bacteria that live in the digestive system) have a huge impact on the health of our immune system (over 70% of which resides in the gut).   Eating unpasteurised fermented foods such as Kimchi is a natural way of getting probiotics into your diet.

Another bit of good news; over 90% of serotonin – the so-called ‘happy hormone’– is synthesised in the gut and some recent studies have shown that probiotics may have a positive effect on conditions such as depression and anxiety.

THE CULTURED COLLECTION KIMCHI RANGE

Classic Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE 

The best-selling traditional style Classic Kimchi remains true to Korea’s national dish.  Piquant and spicy with moreish umami notes and a satisfying crunch

 Turmeric & Ginger Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE  |  VEGETARIAN  |  VEGAN

Flush with the vibrant golden glow of turmeric and ginger along with a pinch of fiery cayenne and savoury sea greens, this will get your senses singing. Circulation-supporting ginger and cayenne, together with turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory) and wakame (a sea vegetable rich in iodine) are added for unique flavour notes and more wellness benefits.

Zesty White Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE  |  VEGETARIAN  |  VEGAN

White kimchi is a traditional variety of Korean kimchi made without chilli flakes.  Non-spicy and fragrant with warming ginger and subtle savoury notes.

Vegan Classic Kimchi – RRP £5.79 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE  |  VEGETARIAN  |  VEGAN

The Classic Kimchi is reimagined in this plant-based version: piquant with subtle savoury notes and a satisfying crunch.

LIVE, GUT-LOVING ACCOMPANIMENTS FOR EVERY OCCASION

Kimchi is traditionally eaten as a condiment or used an ingredient in cooking, however it’s equally enjoyable forked straight from the jar!   Add to sandwiches, salads and wraps or spice up stir-fries, rice and noodle dishes – kimchi is not impeded by country specific cuisines!

“Gut health is a very simple practice that may help support your immune system. Eating live foods such as kimchi which is packed with good bacteria helps to create a healthy microbiome.  The Cultured Collective kimchis add tang to meals AND come loaded with healthy live bacteria”

 

Jeannette Hyde
Nutritional Therapist & author of The Gut Makeover

 

The Cultured Collective Kimchi range is available from fine food delis, Ocado.com, Planet Organic and WholeFoodsMarket.com

theculturedcollective.co.uk

 

@the_cultured_collective    #theculturedcollective