Category Archives: Life & Style

Prize Palettes – Award-winning mineral makeup from Live in the Light

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Add some award-winning colour to your beauty kit with PureAnada‘s all-natural mineral makeup Compact Palettes.
Each of the four palettes features a carefully curated collection of a Pressed Blush and four Eye Colours in Pure Anada‘s most popular shades.
Both the Pressed Blush and Eye Colour scooped awards in the prestigious Beauty Bible Awards 2020 – great recognition for this independent natural brand.

Re-fillable…
A cost-effective purchase, the Pressed Blush & Eye Colours included in the Compact Collection are available individually as refills so if you run out of one of the colours, you can restock by purchasing the refill in that colour and just pop it into your compact.  Alternatively, you can take your pick from the other Pure Anada mineral colours to change your look as and when you wish.
Pure Anada is handcrafted in the Canadian prairies from fresh, wholesome ingredients where they incorporate the goodness of nature into each of their products.  Using ingredients derived from nature, luxurious plant oils, nourishing butters and ethically mined minerals are combined to create a comprehensive range of nurturing bodycare, skincare, haircare and colour cosmetics with clean, natural formulations which are free from common allergens and not tested on animals.

Pure Anada is available in the UK exclusively from

Live in the Light – the online natural and organic lifestyle store www.liveinthelight.co.uk

Demure Compact Palette
£29.95

Pure Anada, mineral make up, palette, natural, demure. Pure Anada, mineral make up, palette, natural, demure. Pure Anada, mineral make up, palette, natural, demure.

I tried this gorgeous palette. All of the colours are fab and the quality is brilliant. The colours go well together and the make up stays all day. I will be refilling when I use this up. 

The Demure Palette is a warm blend of shades that creates a glowing makeup look. Dusty rose blush is complemented by four eye colours including matte creamy white, peachy rose gold, ash medium brown, and a satin, warm beige that shifts to iridescent peach.

The Demure Compact Collection Includes:
Tender Twig Pressed Blush
Ivory Tower Pressed Eye Shadow
Peachy Pie Pressed Eye Shadow
Autumn Rain Pressed Eye Shadow
Harvest Moon Pressed Eye Shadow

My favourite places in the West Country by Natalie Jayne Peeke – West Country Correspondent

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I am lucky enough to live in the beautiful West Country which is full of history, beauty and culture so let me tell you of  some favourite places that I love to visit time and time again.

First is Wells which is famous for being, not only historic with its wonderful Cathedral, but also  the picturesque location for one of my favourite films,  Hot Fuzz. So, as well as walking around Wells admiring its history, I like matching places to scenes from the film. I also love the incredible outdoor market which is held every Wednesday and Saturday. The market has a diverse range of stalls from books, jewelry and clothes to delicious cheeses, meats and ciders. I can not even mention Wells without talking about the fascinating  cathedral with its tranquil greens which make for an exquisite picnic spot.

Then there is Glastonbury which is renowned for its Tor which legend states was the site of hundreds of witches executions. Despite this Glastonbury has a very magical feel to it with lots of spiritual shops dotted along the high street one can’t help but feel as though they have been transported to another world.

Cheddar also makes my ‘favourites’ list –  it is a great place for tourists and locals alike. There is the incredible Cheddar caves and gorge which is a must for anyone visiting the area. I personally love Cheddar for it’s cheese and cider shops which always have samples on hand for you to try. Just like Glastonbury and Wells, Cheddar is steeped in history and is incredibly scenic.

Last by no means least is Bristol. I have been to Bristol hundreds of times and  never bore of it, I even support the Bristol rugby team and love to watch them play at Ashton Gate stadium. A visit to the docks is an must. It   showcases ships new and old including the SS Great Britain which was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic in 1845. Bristol is also home to the sensational street artist Banksy and his artwork is dotted all over the city adding to the multicultural vibe.

So if you ever find yourself in the West Country I highly recommend that you visit at least one of these incredible destinations.

The Importance of a Good Pension

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Whether you are just starting out in your working life, or just about to stop working permanently, you should still be thinking about your pension. 

A pension doesn’t simply sit there until you are ready to use it. Depending on the part of the world you live in, and your job role, you may be entitled to a state pension, company pension, or both. 

Many people have an array of questions about their pension and how versatile the system is. 

Can I transfer my pension? The answer is simple: yes, you can. Transferring pensions can be a great idea if the provider you are currently with does not offer a pension plan that suits you. You may also have more than one pension plan in place, from multiple or previous jobs, that you wish to bring together into one lump sum. This can be done by instructing the current providers of your change – you click the above link for more info.

There are a wide variety of pension plans available in the United States that give you a wide range of choice dependent on your current and future situations, as well as familial responsibilities. 

Can I pay more if I have the spare money? Again, the answer is yes. You can pay in more than the minimum amount if you so choose, to increase the payments you will receive later in life. You may find it beneficial to use some form of pension calculator to figure out just how much you should be putting in now so that you can afford the lifestyle you want in the future or essentials at the very minimum.

A good pension plan is vital to your later life. When you no longer have a stable, monthly income from your current place of employment, it is the pension that will make sure you can pay your bills and buy food. 

Some pensions can also be used by your spouse. This means that, if you die, your money won’t entirely be wasted. Your spouse can then receive some of this money up until their own death.

Once you reach the age of entitlement, your pension is yours to do with as you see fit. Unlike food stamps or other government-provided means of assistance, the pension comes from years of input from either yourself or your employer, meaning that it is actually, in part, your money trickling back to you. There are no limitations on what this money is used for, but once you have used that payment, you would not receive another until your next scheduled date. Due to this, it is increasingly important that your pension does what you want, and that you spend wisely. 

Having a good pension plan in place now can make life that bit easier for you when you retire. Enjoying your golden years can be a very real possibility when you have put the work into place in your youth. 

Brand collaboration with Wealthify.

Fox News Boss Lachlan Murdoch Is New Owner Of Cheryl Tiegs’ Home

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Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corporation, co-chair of the Wall Street Journal and son of Rupert Murdoch, has purchased his supermodel-neighbor Cheryl Tiegs’ Balinese-style home for $14.1 million. The home was listed at $18.5 million.

Lachlan Murdoch, Cheryl Tieg, home, house, real estate, photos

Although Murdoch has not explained why he bought his neighbor’s home, it was likely for more privacy as Tiegs’ 1.5 acres adjoins his 10-acre estate, Chartwell Mansion, that he bought last year for $150 million. When it was the most expensive home on the market in the United States. Chartwell, seen as the TV home of the oil-rich Clampett family in the 1960’s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, was originally priced at an eye-watering $350 million. Murdoch now owns a massive statement property and added Cheryl’s home with its tropical touches.

The Tiegs home, both inside and out, has the look and feel of an island in the tropics with its own koi pond and lily pads at the entrance behind gates that open to a long drive adding more privacy. Palms, huge Monstera vines and tropical flowers abound in the landscape and along paths. The house itself is a study in bold natural elements, textures and colors from fabrics, floors, glass walls opening to vegetation and stunning hilltop views.

Visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for more real estate news, spectacular homes and Celebrity Home Video Tours.

Lachlan Murdoch, Cheryl Tieg, home, house, real estate, photos

West End Musical Drive In (Sunday 4th October) preview by author Annie Clarke

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Following the success of the acclaimed Godspell 50th anniversary online concert, some of the biggest West End talent will reunite to recreate their performances live on-stage, as part of an exciting one-off concert screening at the West End Musical Drive In (Sunday 4th October). The event will see cast members, Jodie Steele (SIX; Heathers), Danyl Johnson (The X Factor finalist), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Tina, The Musical; Our House), John Barr (The Story of Bart; Tommy), Sally Ann Triplett (Mamma Mia!; Viva Forever), Matthew Croke (Aladdin), and Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer: The Opera), all taking to the stage.

Alongside the live spectacular will be a streaming of the recorded concert, featuring incredible performances from Darren Day (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago; Billy Elliot), Jenna Russell (The Bridges of Madison County; Fun Home), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen) and more, all filmed in their homes and edited together with striking visual animations.

 

Title West End Musical Drive-In Dates Sunday 4 th October, 2.30pm

Location The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London, N18 3QQ

How to get there Situated just off the North Circular (A406). Conveniently located and easily accessible for those traveling from London and those travelling from a little further afield.

Website www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk

Tickets  priced from £65. Tickets are available here for cars and car-free options: www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk

Social Media #WestEndMusicalDriveIn, @westendmusicalbrunch, @Gingerqmedia @hopemilltheatr1, @ActingforOthers, @NAT_AIDS_Trust

Producers Neighbourhood Events Ltd Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media

Annie Clarke is the author of the Home Front Girls saga series. 

A box of stories reviewed by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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I came across A Box Of Stories on social media, and was interested in their advert so proceeded to check out their website. I knew instantly I had to get in touch with them to talk about their incredible business.

As a massive bookworm I was shocked to hear that 177 Million books get destroyed every year in the UK alone and only 17% of books are lucky enough to receive a decent marketing budget to make it to the ‘Bestsellers’ list, meaning some of the best books published do not make it to the shelves and go unread. I could not help but think of all the books I could be missing out on.

As we communicated, I learned the very clever way in which they pick their books – bu using an algorithm which combines reviews from forums, blogs, rankings on websites, and sales figures. So, you are guaranteed to get a book that has been well received by other bookworms. All the boxes are hand picked so you will never receive the same book or box twice.

There is a great selection of boxes to choose from;

YA Box

Crime, Mystery and thriller box

Historical fiction box

Mixed box

Non fiction box

Light reads box

Each box contains 4 brand new books. Boxes start from £14.99 which is a absolute bargain in my opinion. Not only does A Box Of Stories save books from destruction but they also donate a percentage of their profits to charities working for literacy.

I was lucky enough to receive a box from them (I chose a mixed box) and I couldn’t wait to get it, I felt like a child at Christmas I was so excited to see what I would be reading. I was not disappointed, the books in my box were

It started with a tweet by Anna Bell

To keep you safe by Kate Bradley

Buried by Lynda La Plante (Hardback)

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

I love all of the books selected, I wouldn’t have normally pick them for myself but I love the sound of them and can not wait to read them, especially The Beekeeper of Aleppo which has been on my wish list for so long.

The boxes will make a fantastic gift for someone else or a treat to yourself and with every box you buy you would have saved 4 books from being destroyed and that is extremely rewarding. You can select how often you would like to receive a box; you can choose from every 1,2, 3 or 4 months or as a one off.

www.aboxofstories.com

Moonlight Campervan by VTech – review by Miss Cali

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V-tech-moonlight campervan

I was able to call on the expertise of Miss Cali to help with my review of the Moonlight Campervan by VTech. It’s aimed at ages 18 months to 5 and as she told me, she is 3 and therefore well qualified to assist. The only help needed was taking it from the box and applying the sheet of stickers that create a campfire, a bed, a fridge and a flip table that changes from barbecue to a table set for dinner. Once that was done she was off!

The door was opened, the two small chairs taken out and the exploring began. She allowed her brother, Huxley to play with the mum and dad figures but she had her hands firmly on baby. And she was the driver, no doubt about it.

She gave it a thorough testing inside and out – after all it is a camper van and she wanted to go travelling.

The three Toot Toot friends  included – Mum, Dad and Baby – are compatible with other Magic Point characters. When they are  in position on the Magic Point they sing and talk. There are four colour buttons on the side with small icons of the four seasons. It’s a learn as you play toy and VTech is a world leader in age-appropriate electronic learning products for children. They seem to have covered everything with the Moonlight Campervan.

Moonlight campervan interior

Best of all there’s a glitterball in the bus and when the lights are activated it sends rainbows inside the bus and onto the floor. Cali loved that and so did I. If it had played Cliff Richard singing Summer Holiday it would have stayed at my house!

v-tech moonlight campervan

There are small holes on the roof so that at bedtime lights are projected onto the ceiling. A really lovely effect. And there’s a volume switch so you can turn the sound down – the parents liked that part.

Day or night, inside or outside this is a fabulous toy for little ones. I was very impressed with it.

And the feature Cali liked the best ? The ladder on the back of the campervan! This kid knows what she likes and I’m not brave enough to argue with her.

RRP: £36.99

Available from Argos/Smyths Toys Superstores

 

 

Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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There has been a considerable fall in doctor visits for potential cancer symptoms, plus other serious illnesses during the pandemic. Fear of attending hospital during Covid is understandable, in fact even I resisted going until long after I should have done during lockdown. However Covid-safe measures are in place in medical establishments and there’s a real risk that a treatable cancer could become incurable just through delay, so please, please see your doctor if you’re worried.

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and Intimina, makers of women’s health products, have asked Dr Shree Datta, consultant at Kings College Hospital, London, to answer commonly asked questions about gynaecological cancers, and Frost is keen to share her answers:

Dr Datta’s Advice:                                 

The main women’s health cancers affect cervix, womb and ovaries. Your overall risk of developing cancer increases with age, but menopause alone doesn’t cause cancer and young women can be affected too. 

How can I minimise the risk of gynaecological cancer?

  1. Whilst you cannot change some risk factors (eg family history or genetics), smoking or being overweight can affect risk of gynaecological cancers, so it’s important to watch your diet and exercise regularly. This can also strengthen your immune system. 
  2. If womb, ovarian, cervical or breast cancer is prominent in your family, speak to your doctor. 
  3. Keep a diary of abnormal symptoms such as heavy periods or bleeding between periods and make sure you attend your smear tests. Cervical smears and mammography help detect whether there is cancer and find it early. Bring a friend if needed, or take some pain relief beforehand. 
  4. Safe sex and the HPV vaccination (if eligible) can protect from high risk HPV types which are commonly associated with cervical cancer. 

What things should I watch out for?

Consult your doctor early for abnormal bleeding (between your periods, after sex or after the menopause) or repeated bouts of abdominal pain.  Also for unexplained bloating, a change in appetite or bowel habits or if you are losing weight without trying.

If symptoms persist or get worse go back to your doctor. We may explore things with an ultrasound or blood test.

Further tips from Dr Datta?

Self examine your breasts regularly and attend your mammography, as well as smear tests, as some gynaecological cancers can also occur if you have breast changes or breast cancer. 

Speaking to your doctor early may mean that if you have cancer, it’s diagnosed early and may be curable. Don’t wait until your next smear test if you find symptoms in between tests, speak to your doctor.

It’s great to hear this advice from an expert such as Dr Datta and if you need more information or want to speak with her, you can contact Intimina@cowpr.com

Many thanks to Intimina for providing this important resource. For more advice and resources please visit Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month – Foundation for Women’s Cancer

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.