Category Archives: Life & Style

The Ultimate Christmas Gift List

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Christmas is almost here and if you are anything like me you hate shopping. Don’t panic, Frost is here to help. We will have the perfect gift in our pages. You just sit back and scroll.

Anything from L’Occitane. L’OCCITANE Christmas Gift Guide 2024

Advent Calendar.

The Best of L’Occitane. An absolute gorgeous set of the best L’Occitane has to offer.

Le Grand Voyage. A perfect gift with the best skincare. Wow-worthy.

Shea Butter Body Care Collection. I love shea butter and this gift set from L’Occitane is one of the best.

For stuffing stockings. This luxury, independent, cosmetics brand, Doll Smash is gorgeous and such high quality. I love the stylish packaging and the palette leaves you spoiled for choice.

Then luxury, independent, cosmetics brand, Doll Smash have a huge range of giftable goodies. The Expressionism Eyeshadow Palette £42, that features twelve carefully curated and highly pigmented colours with 6 matte and 6 metallic shades is an essential. Secondly is the luxurious and ultra-glossy Crystal Glow Lip Oil £22- enriched with jojoba oil and vitamins to keep lips smooth and moisturized throughout the day, this non-sticky, fragrance free, lightweight, vegan oil is available in four delicious shades and is ideal for stuffing stockings. Frost Loves.

The Perfect Bra: Bravado Designs | Everyday collection | From RRP: £28.00 | Stockist: Bravado Designs

These are so comfortable and I usually hate bras. I actually bought another one after reviewing them.

Give the gift of comfort this Christmas, thanks to Bravado Designs Everyday lingerie collection. With an extensive range of sustainable options made from the softest eco-conscious quality fabrics, Bravado continues to offer comfort with a conscience. Known for their maternity & nursing bras, the lingerie experts support women from pregnancy, through to breastfeeding and beyond. The latest launches include the Balconette bra, offering a feminine and flattering sweetheart neckline, designed to lift from below the breast to accentuate a shapely silhouette. And the Sculpt, a best-selling design for a good reason, the bra will truly elevate the wearers day in more ways than one – seamless, wire-free and engineered beautifully.  

Smart Toys & Games | IQ Gears | RRP: £12.99 | Stockist: SmartToys&Games

This is a brilliant gift for kids and adults. We have already had hours of fun with it and there is a lot of levels you can do. Love it.

Get those brains geared-up this Christmas with the award-winning compact IQ Gears! With up to 120 challenges, players 7+ must fit all the gears on the gameboard to make the cogs rotate! 

The Puppet Company | ECO Sockettes | RRP: £19.99 | Stockist: The Puppet Company

These hand puppets are beautifully made and children love them. A great way to entertain.

For the big kids of the family, these fabulous, fun, knitted Sockette puppets with a squeaker in the tongue, are sure to get the conversation started around the Christmas dinner table! Designed to be both eye-catching and highly functional, these easy-to-use creations work well alone and look even more striking when used with some of their other Sockette friends! With larger than life characters, they are full of mischief with friendly faces and big mouths. Making a really unique gift, they are now made from recycled materials and embroidered eyes, with no plastic in sight.

Advent Calendar From Sockshop. Finding matching socks in the morning is always a pain. This advent calendar is joy encapsulated. Brilliant, comfortable socks which are high quality, along with a little fun everyday.

SOCKSHOP Advent Calendars
Available for men & women

Priced at £59.99 with 10% of sales going to their partner charity Emmaus

Perfect Books For Children

The Story Orchestra. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A sound book which is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Classic. As fun as it is entertaining. I love this series and I have a few others in the collection now. Everything about this is perfect, from the illustration to the story.

Spin To Survive Deep Space Danger. A game-in-a-book where you survive on a space ship heading for disaster. It’s thrilling and perfect for family fun this Christmas.

Enter The World of Dinosaurs. Immersive 3D Viewer. See dinosaurs in 3D with this immersive 3D viewer. It has 30 dinosaur cards with facts and observational dinosaur games.

12 Days of SkinCycles Advent Calendar

Another gorgeous beauty advent calendar. The products are premium and full-size. This exclusive 12 Days of SkinCycles Advent Calendar – a curated selection of best-selling products in full sizes, is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the full range of clinical-grade skincare. It’s a luxurious way to count down to Christmas while treating the skin to scientifically backed, rejuvenating skincare. The advent calendar will be available for pre-order by November 1st.

With sustainability and ethics at the core of SkinCycles. Products are  PETA-approved and coral reef-safe. They were also awarded the Butterfly Mark for r dedication to ethical beauty practices.

SkinCycles, a cosmeceutical skincare brand that merges advanced dermatology treatments with the luxury of at-home skincare – perfect for Christmas gifting!

The Perfect Gift for Film Fans. The official DC Cinematic book has landed, DC Cinematic Universe, published by DK books. Comprehensive and a great read.

See how DC’s characters, locations, costumes, and weapons have been adapted from page to screen and evolved over the decades. Witness some of the world’s finest actors, such as Academy-Award winners Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Christian Bale, Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, Viola Davis, and others transform into the Super Heroes, Super-Villains, and supporting cast for their times.

ShelterBox Book Club

A charity book subscription service with a difference. Every six weeks our 2,000+ members receive a physical book in the post and access to exclusive online events like live Q&As with the authors and discussions with the other members. 

It’s no ordinary book club. It’s a community of book worms, passionate about books and ShelterBox’s vision: No one left without shelter after disaster.  

A UK based international disaster relief charity that supports people with emergency shelter, and basic items like solar lights, blankets and mosquito nets, when disaster or conflict has torn them from their homes.  

The ShelterBox Book Club has been running for 6 years and since then over 90,000 books have been read and nearly £1.5 million has been raised.  

It’s a perfect Christmas gift for a book lover. Every 6 weeks members vote their favourite choice from a specially selected shortlist reflecting the countries and cultures ShelterBox has worked in. The book with the most votes is the one that’s posted out to everyone to read. 

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 Noughty’s 2024 Christmas Gift Shop – Perfect Haircare Gifts for Everyone. Haircare is so mood-boosting and these products are brilliant.

Noughty’s 2024 Christmas Gift Shop, a festive selection of natural, sulphate-free, and vegan-friendly haircare bundles perfect for gifting this season. With products designed for every hair type and concern, cruelty-free gift sets are ideal for Christmas. I loved the Sensitive Scalp Starter Bundle: £22.49 – Instant relief from itching and dryness, fragrance-free and ideal for eczema-prone scalps. 

Biovene Barcleona – Great Products and Clean Beauty.

Biovene Barcelona has now launched at Morissons. These make great gifts, and stocking stuffers or add-ons for Christmas! 

Biovène Barcelona is a multi-award-winning, socially conscious, brand, which promotes ‘Clean’ Beauty; and where transparency is found in the formulations of products without Sulfates, SLS, SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, microplastics, oxybenzone, hydroquinone, Triclosan, Triclocarban and less than 1% of synthetic fragrances. The brand does not test on animals and strives to provide product options that are either vegetarian or vegan.

Born in Barcelona, Spain, the brand embraces diversity in gender identity and culture, as it does in its world-renowned inclusive city. Spanning all over the globe, from Europe to the Middle East & America,  Biovène Barcelona innovates prestigious products defined as ‘premium’ but accessible and believes beauty should be fair it of religion, ethnicity, or any part of life- it should not be limited the access to life and beauty. 

The brand instils confidence and establishes itself as a trusted name by assuring consumers that products are made with integrity and free from harmful ingredients. Available from Morrisons.

Michael Rowan has Christmas all wrapped up, thanks to Somrus Coffee Cream Liqueur, a premium rum-based cream. ABV: 15% for a 70cl bottle | RRP from £19.99. Available to purchase from Amazon and Master of Malt.

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We’re hurtling towards Christmas at a rate of knots, and I for one cannot wait. That said, there is much to do before I can relax, which is why I was so delighted to discover Somrus Coffee, a rum based cream liqueur.

Perfect as a gift, the bottle is covered in a stylish Christmassy, indented gold jacket which will not only stand out in the drinks’ cabinet, but as the standout present beneath the Christmas tree.

Certain scents and tastes immediately bring Christmas to mind, and in this respect Somrus Coffee does not disappoint, I will certainly be using it in some Christmas cocktails such as the one’s below, and poured over vanilla ice cream for a no effort Christmas dessert, Looking for words to describe the taste, I found myself instinctively smacking my lips (it helps me think – at least that is what I tell my wife.) Served over ice Somrus coffee is a smooth well balanced well gentle hit of alcohol and yes, lip smacking, with a subtle taste of coffee coming through.

SOMRUS Coffee Cream is part of the SOMRUS range of creams inspired by India and made for the world.’ SOMRUS has three flavours in the range; Mango, Coffee and Chai and has become the world’s most awarded cream since its launch in 2014. SOMRUS is new to the UK, having been a best-selling cream in the US and Global Travel Retail for many years and is marketed as a next-generation rum cream. SOMRUS Creams have a premium rum base, low viscosity, low alcohol by volume (ABV), no preservatives, no artificial flavours and are gluten free. SOMRUS Creams are made in the US with fresh Dairy Cream and 5 x distilled rum. 

Somrus Irish Coffee: 1 part Irish Whiskey | 2 parts SOMRUS coffee | 4 parts freshly brewed coffee | Whipped cream – Combine the ingredients in a mug. Garnish with whipped cream. 

Somrus Peppermint Mocha: 3 parts SOMRUS Coffee Cream | 2 parts Creme De Cacao | 1 part Peppermint Schnapps  | Crushed candy cane | Syrup

Dip the rim of your glass in syrup and roll in crushed candy canes. Combine in a shaker with ice, shake then strain into your prepared cocktail glass and enjoy!

SOMRUS Cream Café Mocha: 1 part SOMRUS Coffee Cream | 3 parts hot chocolate 

Combine the ingredients in a mug. Garnish with whipped cream and grated chocolate. 

Somrus Coffee Cream Liqueur is definitely at the top of my Christmas list this year.

ABV: 15% for a 70cl bottle | RRP from £19.99.  Available to purchase from Amazon and Master of Malt.

 Invest to Save: Ten Home Upgrades That Lower Your Bills

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In a world where the cost of living continues to climb, finding ways to save money has become more important than ever. In cities like Portland, where expenses are 19% higher than the national average, people might hesitate to spend a large amount of money. But when it comes to your home, the right investments can lead to long-term savings and increased value. These upgrades reduce monthly bills and, at the same time, make your home more sustainable and comfortable. 

Let’s explore how spending smartly now can pay off significantly in the future.

1. Upgrade Your Insulation

Proper insulation is the backbone of an energy-efficient home. Poorly insulated walls and attics allow heat and cold to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime. Investing in high-quality insulation ensures that your home stays comfortable year-round while lowering energy bills. Consider eco-friendly options like spray foam or cellulose insulation for maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

A trusted HVAC Lakeland specialist can evaluate your insulation needs and recommend soulutions that boost enrey efficiency and reduce utility costs. High-performance insulation reduces heat transfer, creating a more consistent indoor temperature no matter the season. It also lessens your dependency on heating and cooling systems, ultimately decreasing wear and tear on these appliances. 

2. Focus on Your Home’s Siding

Upgrading your siding is a game changer for both energy efficiency and curb appeal. Modern siding materials, such as fiber cement or insulated vinyl, provide better thermal performance, helping to maintain indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs. Moreover, high-quality siding gives your home a refreshed appearance, complementing Portland’s charming aesthetics. Consulting a professional Portland siding contractor is essential to ensure the job is done correctly and efficiently.

Upgraded siding also protects your home from weather damage, reducing maintenance costs over time. Professionals can recommend materials best suited for your area and ensure proper installation, preventing future issues like moisture intrusion or drafts. Though it’s a substantial investment, the combined benefits of energy savings and enhanced curb appeal make it an excellent long-term decision.

3. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Old or single-pane windows are often ignored culprits of heat loss. Replacing them with double or triple-pane energy-efficient windows prevents drafts and improves insulation. Look for windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and tight seals. Though the initial investment may seem steep, the reduction in heating and cooling costs will quickly balance the expense.

Energy-efficient windows also offer noise reduction and increased UV protection for your interiors, preserving furniture and flooring. These windows add to your home’s value and can greatly enhance comfort levels by eliminating cold drafts in winter or excessive heat in summer.

4. Switch to LED Lighting

Lighting accounts for a substantial portion of a home’s energy use. By replacing incandescent bulbs with LED alternatives, you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 75%. LEDs also last much longer, meaning fewer replacements and less waste. This simple upgrade has one of the fastest returns on investment.

Modern LED bulbs come in various designs and brightness levels, making it easy to find an option that suits your home’s aesthetic. Moreover, smart LED bulbs can be controlled remotely or programmed for schedules, providing extra convenience and energy efficiency.

5. Add a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats, such as Nest or Ecobee, let you control your home’s temperature remotely and adapt to your routine over time. These devices optimize heating and cooling schedules, ensuring you only use energy when needed. The result is not only lower energy bills but also a more comfortable living space tailored to your preferences.

With advanced features like motion sensors, these thermostats can adjust temperatures automatically when rooms are unoccupied. They also provide detailed energy reports, helping you identify areas for further savings. The initial cost is quickly recouped through the reduced energy usage they facilitate.

6. Opt for Solar Panels

Solar energy is one of the most sustainable ways to power your home. While it’s true that solar panels require a major chunk of your budget, many states offer tax incentives and rebates to make it more affordable. Over time, generating your own electricity reduces your dependence on the grid and can even earn you credits for excess energy.

Solar panels also contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. Advances in solar technology have improved efficiency and durability, ensuring your system delivers value for decades. 

7. Upgrade Your Water Heater

Traditional water heaters often waste energy by constantly heating water. Switching to a tankless water heater or a high-efficiency model ensures you use only what you need when you need it. These systems also take up less space and have a longer lifespan, adding to their overall value.

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, eliminating standby energy losses. High-efficiency models are often eligible for rebates, further offsetting initial costs. The result is reduced water heating bills and an endless supply of hot water tailored to your household’s needs.

8. Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks around windows, doors, and ductwork can lead to significant energy loss. Simple solutions like weatherstripping, caulking, or adding door sweeps can drastically improve your home’s energy efficiency. These small fixes are inexpensive and easy to implement but offer noticeable savings over time.

Sealing air leaks also improves indoor air quality by keeping out pollutants and allergens. When paired with proper ventilation, this upgrade ensures a healthier living environment while reducing energy consumption. 

9. Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Reducing water usage is just as important as cutting down energy consumption. Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets reduces water bills without sacrificing performance. Many modern fixtures are designed to maintain high pressure while using less water, making them a practical and cost-effective upgrade.

Low-flow fixtures also help conserve water resources, a critical consideration in areas facing water shortages. With sleek and modern designs available, these fixtures blend functionality with style, enhancing both savings and aesthetics.

10. Improve Your Landscaping

Strategic landscaping can help lower energy bills by providing natural insulation. Planting shade trees around your home reduces heat in the summer, while evergreen shrubs act as windbreaks in the winter. Native plants also require less water and maintenance, saving money on irrigation and gardening.

Thoughtful landscaping doesn’t just reduce energy costs; it also boosts property value. Incorporating permeable paving and rain gardens can manage stormwater effectively, further enhancing environmental benefits. Investing in professional landscaping ensures a design that complements your home while maximizing energy savings.

Saving money doesn’t always mean cutting corners; sometimes, it means making smart investments. Each of these home upgrades not only reduces your monthly bills but also increases the value and comfort of your home. While the initial costs may feel overwhelming, the long-term benefits far outweigh the expenses. By thinking ahead and taking proactive steps, you can achieve a home that’s both economical and sustainable. 

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

Playmobil Launch Amazing New Advent Calendars For Festive Fun

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A joyful and fun advent calendar to get kids excited for Christmas. Yes, chocolate advent calendars are great, but they can’t compare to this swashbuckling advent calendar from Playmobil. It’s the perfect way to kick off festive fun. Hours of fun lay ahead for little ones.

Are you ready for a fun-filled Christmas countdown? Playmobil has just launched four exciting new advent calendars that are sure to bring joy and excitement to your festive season! Get ready to embark on a magical journey with the PLAYMOBIL 71472 Advent Calendar: Christmas Market, where you can explore a winter wonderland filled with festive cheer. Or, set sail on a swashbuckling adventure with the PLAYMOBIL 71636 Advent Calendar: Pirates, and uncover hidden treasures behind each door! For our littlest fans, the PLAYMOBIL 70297 Advent Calendar: 1.2.3 Snowy Christmas is perfect for toddlers to enjoy the festive season. And for all the Miraculous fans out there, the PLAYMOBIL 71344 Advent Calendar: Miraculous: Picnic is a must-have for a miraculous Christmas! Each calendar is filled with surprises that will help you build a set ready for Christmas, making it the perfect way to count down the days until the big day. The best part? There’s no sugar involved, so you can enjoy the excitement without the sugar rush! These festive advent calendars are available online and in toy stores, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out. Get ready for a Christmas full of fun, surprises, and joy with Playmobil’s new advent calendars. Happy adventuring!

Efficient Household Management: How to Save Time and Money

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Effective household management, often referred to as housekeeping, is about more than just cleaning and organizing your home. It also involves ensuring that household finances are well-managed to save your family valuable time and money. Whether it’s budgeting for groceries or reducing energy consumption, efficient household management allows you to successfully manage your family’s resources to meet your daily needs. 

Ensuring proper maintenance to avoid costly repairs, negotiating insurance costs, or shopping prudently, household management requires strategy, planning, and discipline. Here are some helpful tips on how to manage your household efficiently to save time and money.

Establish a Budget 

Setting up a household budget is the cornerstone of efficient household management, and it can do wonders for saving both time and money in the long run. A well-planned budget gives you a clear picture of where your money is going, allowing you to make informed decisions about expenditures. 

For instance, opting for a higher mileage, affordable car could lead to savings not only in terms of fuel efficiency but also in terms of insurance costs. Many families have saved a substantial amount of money by choosing Toyota insurance for their vehicles due to its reasonable rates. It is important to note that every dollar saved through wise decision-making can add up to significant annual savings.

Reduce Energy Consumption

Energy-saving practices are not only beneficial to the environment but also result in significant reduction in household expenses. By implementing measures such as using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water consumption, using LED lights, and insulating your home, you can save a substantial amount of money over time. Turning off unused electrical appliances, utilizing natural light during the day, and maintaining an energy-conscious mindset can also greatly contribute to reduced energy bills. 

Plan and Cook Meals at Home 

Eating out frequently or getting takeout can quickly add to your expenditures. A more cost-effective solution is planning and cooking meals at home. Meal planning allows you to use your grocery shopping time more efficiently and prevents wastage of food. Additionally, home-cooked meals are usually healthier and more nutritious compared to fast foods. When possible, buying groceries in bulk could deliver significant savings.

Embrace DIY and Maintenance

Adopting a do-it-yourself attitude toward home repairs and maintenance can save you a lot of money usually paid to professionals for minor repairs. Moreover, regular home maintenance can prevent future headaches and expensive repairs. For example, regularly servicing your car, checking for leaks, maintaining your home appliances, and cleaning your home regularly can extend the life of these items, saving you both time and money. 

Automate Bill Payments 

Automating your bills reduces the risk of late payments and the exorbitant fees that come with them. Most banks offer free online bill pay services. You can set up automatic withdrawals to cover your mortgage, utilities, car payments, and other regular expenses. This not only guarantees timely payments but it also saves you the time and effort of keeping track and writing out checks.

Negotiate

Never shy away from negotiating prices or contracts. This includes everything from your cable bill to your gym membership. Large corporations have some flexibility in their pricing structures and would rather give a discount than lose a customer. It’s definitely worth a call to ask if any discounts or promotions are available. 

In conclusion, efficient household management entails a well-planned budget, energy-saving practices, meal planning, DIY maintenance, automated bill payments, and the ability to negotiate. By applying these principles you can save a lot of time, while also preserving your family’s financial health. Essentially, managing a home effectively is similar to running a business, requiring both strategic planning and the discipline to follow through.

Perfect For Christmas: M&S Exclusive Collection with Fearne Cotton – ‘Happy Place’

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Fearne Cotton’s new range has dropped at M&S and we are in love. Our favourite is the marshmallows on the fire scented candle. It’s stylish and smells great. Perfect for Autumn. They also make great gifts.

M&S introduces an Exclusive Home Fragrance and Beauty Collection with Fearne Cotton: the ‘Happy Place’ Range.

The launch of Happy Place, a new and exclusive collection with Fearne Cotton, has landed at M&S Home Fragrance & Beauty.

The collection focuses on creating refreshing spaces, influenced by those experiences which create light and happiness in our lives. Celebrating those simple joys, the Happy Place range is designed to encourage serene unwinding and wellbeing.

Exclusively available at M&S, the range features 18 beautifully created, perfectly giftable pieces. These include home fragrances, such as 60g votive candles, 100ml diffusers with natural rattan reeds, 180g single wick, and 500g three wick scented candles.

Across beauty, products include a selection of soft eye masks, bath salts, pillow sprays, hand creams and body washes.

Find your Happy Place with M&S and Fearne Cotton exclusively at M&S now.

Michael Rowan witnesses an orchestral mutiny at the Royal Festival Hall, and finds himself cheering from the rafters, as he hears Karina Canellakis conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Truls Mork in a concert featuring the works of Schumann and Bruckner.

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Karina Canellakis strode to the stage, a woman in complete control of a full orchestra, with a no-nonsense approach, her actions brisk and to the point, we were in safe hands.

Born and raised in New York City, she has been Principal guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra since 2021. Karina is also a virtuoso violinist, but as a conductor she is one of the greats, as we were about to discover. The concert began with the Overture, Manfred by Robert Schuman which washed over the audience, at times soothing and soporific, at other times, muscular and rousing, a piece with real heft. A short pause, as some musicians left the stage and a small podium was placed beside the conductor. Canellakis returned to the stage followed by a graceful self-effacing man carrying his Cello. This we discover is Truls Mork, born in Bergen, Norway, a compelling Cellist.

Initially taught by his father and is one of the most preeminent cellists of our time, and goodness didn’t he demonstrate it this evening. A champion of contemporary music and he has given over 30 premieres and recorded many of the great cello concertos. This evening, playing Schumann’s Cello Concerto, Mork went on to demonstrate the versatility of his instrument; haunting notes filled the space, mournful then lifted by the strings, transforming into… the beautifully soothing.

I became transfixed when he played without accompaniment, and without sheet music and to see Karina Canellakis’ face… expressive, stern, joyful, alert, at times jumping as though the music could make her defy gravity. Both Canellakis and Mork left the stage and returned as the applause refused to abate. Mork proceeded to take his place as silence fell on the auditorium to be replaced with the haunting notes of the cello. The audience sat, transfixed in pin drop silence, and not just the audience, the orchestra too. We were in the presence of a master, and we knew it.

After the interval we were treated to Bruckner’s Symphony No 4, his ‘Romantic Symphony, with an orchestra so crammed full that I feared for some of the musicians. I think that this would be a good point to heap praise on the playing of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, who never gave less than their all (although there is the question of the mutiny to discuss, which I will come to later). The fourth symphony is in four movements, with clear instructions on how each is to be performed, 1) lively, not too fast, 2) At fairly brisk speed, 3) Not too fast but not dragging 4) Lively but not too fast

The first movement saw the Orchestra in full flow, a tidal wave of sound before once again rising and falling, swelling and exhilarating, revelling in the perfect acoustics of the Royal Festival Hall.

The second movement was gently sweeping pierced by the pizzicato (plucking of strings) and once again, the sweet shrill notes of the flute soared above the sound of the strings followed by the muscularity of the brass section’’ The third movement was cinematic in scale, and could easily have accompanied a blockbuster film. Brass tympany and double base all came into their own sweeping us away, filling the auditorium with sound, only to fall back to gentle lilting soft notes. The fourth movement built to a crescendo, every instrument at full throttle before the melodious strings calmed us and then the music beating like a heart. My notes read, ‘Just beautiful’

Throughout, Canellakis conducted with the control and precision of an Olympic Dressage gold medallist, ably demonstrating her absolute authority over the orchestra. At the end of the concert the audience erupted in rightful applause. This had been a superb concert, and the applause reached a crescendo after coming back to the podium twice, the applause showed no sign of abating and Canellakis bid her orchestra to stand and take their well earned bow. She looked taken aback to see the orchestra resolutely remain seated and once more bid her orchestra to stand, but no, rebellion was in the air, and they had decided that this was her moment. This sharp, taut conductor burst into laughter and then the orchestra stood, and we applauded all the louder.

The current London Philharmonic Orchestra season has been exceptional, (based on the two performances that I have seen, so far.) I list the rest of the season below so that you too can enjoy music at its very best.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth – 2 Nov 2024. https://lpo.org.uk/event/tchaikovskys-sixth/

Víkingur Ólafsson plays Brahms – 6 Nov 2024.https://lpo.org.uk/event/vikingur-olafsson-plays-brahms/

A Dark Century – 27 Nov 2024.

A Dark Century

Swan Lake – 29 Nov 2024, 7.30pm https://lpo.org.uk/event/swan-lake/

Images: London Philharmonic Orchestra

… And Breathe – Ground Yourself With Temple Of Incense – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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I’ve had a stressful few months, with difficult people – sometimes it’s a struggle to protect one’s boundaries, isn’t it? I admit to a desperate need for self-care and a longing for the healing found only in nature.

Temple Of Incense is truly an answer to that prayer. Created by two sisters, Simi and Sam Aydee, Temple Of Incense products are hand-made with love and positive intention, using quality oils and resins sourced from around the world. Their large range of incense products reflects this diversity, with names such as Himalayan Spikenard, Ganesha and Bulgarian Rose And Oudh.

But I’m excited to test their newest Incense sticks, called simply ‘Earth’. As the name suggests, they’re recommended for grounding and renewal, blending amber woods, earthy musk, tonka bean and mitti (clay). Frankly just what I need.

Packaged with care in vibrant saffron-coloured tissue with a hand-written note, I’m feeling the love even as the powerful aromas of authentic natural perfumes fill the air. The incense sticks are plump and rich and I’m very aware of the layers of scent even before I light one.

But such beautiful incense sticks need a rather special holder, and I absolutely love the 7 Chakra wide wooden incense holder. Extra wide to catch all the ash, this is exquisitely carved with the seven chakra symbols in heavy wood using Indian craftmanship mixed with minimal design. It’s so simple and beautiful, I feel the calming aura just gazing at it.

Just half an hour burning the incense and relaxing, and I’m already feeling peaceful and strong, and my shattered boundaries are mending. In fact the incense stick will continue to burn for some time longer, but sadly I need to press on (I know, self-care etc etc but sometimes life gets in the way).

These luxury Incense Sticks are £22 for a pack of 20. Perfect for meditation, yoga or simply relaxing. The 7 Chakra wide wooden incense holder is £20.

If you need a massive dose of self-love check out this website.

By Dr K Thompson, 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.