Category Archives: Life & Style

Restaurant News: VIVO – An All Day Italian Dining Experience in Islington

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If you are anything like us you love Italian food and are always looking for somewhere new to go. So we are pretty excited that a new Italian bakery, Vivo, is open on Upper Street in Islington.

restaurant new, new Italian restaurant open in Islington, Vivo

Vivo, a vibrant Italian bakery, is now open in the heart of bustling Upper Street in Islington, North London. Inspired by the traditional gastronomia and pasticceria of Italy, Vivo is an all day casual dining affair serving authentic and regional cuisine. The neighbourhood restaurant is an informal venue for both locals and visitors to the area. Vivo is the first venture from brothers Will and Ben Thompson who have drawn upon their travel experiences and passion for Italian food and culture for this exciting project.

 

The focal point of Vivo is a striking, 14 metre granite counter with a separate drinks bar, from which orders are taken and the food and drink served.  Dishes include freshly baked ciabattas and focaccias; torte rustica (Italian savoury pies), authentic Roman pizza ‘al taglio’ (rectangular slices); speciality cheese and meat boards. Guests looking for heartier dishes can opt for hot signature favourites such as beef or vegetarian lasagne and pork cannelloni. A selection of Italian desserts, pastries and sweets are also available such as Gianduja, hazelnut and raspberry tart and Strawberries and prosecco tiramisu. The varied menu makes Vivo the perfect destination for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

In keeping with continental cafe culture, coffee supplied by renowned Neapolitan roaster Kimbo is a key staple at Vivo. Guests can also choose from a selection of wines from various Italian regions as well as Prosecco on tap and a range of Italian beers, spirits and cocktails. Customers visiting during the early evening can enjoy aperitivo hour: complimentary snacks served to accompany drinks.

 

Vivo’s interiors balance modern, monolithic features with rustic earthy tones. Design features include the use of split face timber panels, dark granite surfaces, Portland stone walls and a combination of oak and York stone flooring. The ground floor caters for up to 50 covers with a mix of communal and individual tables whilst the open air roof terrace (seating 35) offers the perfect setting for al fresco dining in the warmer months.

Co-owner Will Thompson says, “The Vivo concept has developed from a love and study of Italian cuisine. We have travelled extensively throughout Italy, discovering unique regional dishes served in traditional ‘gastronomia’, high-end bakeries and Pasticcerie in the cosmopolitan, style conscious cities of Milan, Turin and Rome”.

 

Offering a delicious slice of Italy in the heart of North London, local restaurant Vivo is a colourful addition to the London foodie map, now open on Upper Street, Islington.

 

www.vivotaste.com

Nicole Scherzinger Hits The Headlines in BasharatyanV

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The gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger looked fierce and super toned as she appeared on DayBreak TV and later at Café de Paris in the sexy look from young brand BasharatyanV. The white silk combo is from the brand’s new SS14 collection Frida, which was recently shown on the catwalk at Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week.

Nicole Scherzinger, fashion, picture, BasharatyanV

Nicole Scherzinger looking hot as ever.

 

What do you think?

 

Why do women cheat? Not enough sex, say 79.2% of survey

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•             25-34 year old women most likely to seek an affair outside marriage

•             1-3 months is the typical life cycle of an affair for 60.3% of AshleyMadison.com membersCitiz Hotel

•             76.9% of unfaithful women still love their husband or long term partner

A new survey of unfaithful British women from AshleyMadison.com, the world’s leading site for extramarital affairs, shows that for 79.2% the over-riding reason for cheating on husbands or partners is an unfulfilled sex life.

The survey of 10,245 UK women members of the website provides a snapshot of the changing face of infidelity in this country. Globally, female infidelity is on the rise and the UK is no exception.

Noel Biderman, founder and CEO of AshleyMadison.com says: “While women are gaining power in the work-place they’re no longer prepared to accept a disappointing performance from their man in the bedroom. Many work long hours, they juggle family and professional responsibilities and find that a busy lifestyle can be both an excuse and a cover for cyber affairs and physical affairs.”

The most common age group amongst unfaithful women is 25-34 year olds (35.1%), but the 35-44 year old age bracket is not far behind at 30.4%.

“Attitudes to infidelity amongst women are changing fast,’ adds Biderman. “The taboo is disappearing, it’s no longer a male preserve. With smartphones and access to the Internet 24/7, women have the tools to seek out and conduct discreet affairs that leave no ‘digital lipstick’ in the way that Facebook does. It’s as safe and easy as ordering a take-away!”

Unfaithful women seem to mirror cheating men who traditionally claim they still love their wives: 76.9% of Ashley Madison’s cheating women say they still love their husband or long term partner and an overwhelming 95.1% say they are not in love with their affair partner. In line with this, only 11.6% say they would like to leave their husband or partner

However, it seems that the one nightstand is still male territory, as an affair of one-three months is typical for 60.3% of the women surveyed and only 19.6% say they are looking for a one-night stand.

Noel Biderman comments: “Women tend to like a degree of stability; genetically they’re not wired for one-night stands. But women are good at multi-tasking so there’s no problem having an affair partner as well as a husband. 69% of the women we surveyed have only had one or two affairs.”

 

Do you agree?

iGeneration Facing Lifetime Of Back Pain: Jodie Kidd Talks About Her Experience.

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Megan Fox had her tattoo of Marilyn Monroe removed because it had 'negative energy'. We have become a nation obsessed with technology and social media. Much to the detriment of our health. We’re a nation on the brink of a potential back pain epidemic. Experts say the ‘iPosture generation’ spend more time in front of a PC or laptop than they do asleep in bed.

Simplyhealth surveyed more than 3000 adults and found more than 8 out of ten of us have suffered with back pain in the last year (86%) and that we suffer with it on average three times a week.

A combination of work and home screen time (excluding traditional TV) means that over 55s spend an average of 6.64 hours a day in front of a screen compared to 8.83 hour for a typical 18-24 year old.

However, key differences seem to emerge when it comes to the different generations’ use of technology. Two thirds (67 per cent) of 18-24 year olds agree they either slouch or hunch in front of their PC or other devices at work. Their parents on the other hand (45-54 year olds) are more than twice as likely to sit up straight at home, on a chair, with their PC or laptop in front of them.

And parents today are much less likely to tell their children to sit up and stand up straight – 59 per cent of those questioned said they never gave their children this advice.

What do you think? Is the iGeneration destroying their back?

Wildlife Sculptures bring London to Life

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From 7th October there is a treat for lovers of art and animals in London, Britain’s foremost wildlife sculptor Hamish Mackie will stage a major solo exhibition at The Cork Street Gallery in Mayfair. He makes the most beautiful wildlife sculptures.

Mackie has previously completed bespoke commissions for organisations including Barclays Private Bank and Merrill Lynch as well as individuals such as Dame Vivien Duffield and Charles Saatchi. Art historian and critic Edward Lucie-Smith has praised Mackie as “master of a virtuoso technique, in a technical tradition that dates back to Rodin. What Rodin did with the human body, Mackie applies to animal forms.” The lifelike quality he captures in his sculptures is attained through careful observation, often involving the artist working from life.

wildlife sculptures in London

His work has taken him to a variety of destinations to see animals in their natural habitats, including stalking deer in the Highlands, tracking cheetahs in Namibia and watching penguins in Antarctica. Whilst there he creates studies or even originals in clay or wax, having to work with deft and spontaneous gestures in sometimes inhospitable conditions. This impressionistic quality is translated into the finished bronze works, in which the motions of his hands and even fingerprints are still visible, lending the works vitality and dynamism.

This October, a selection of almost fifty new works by the artist will be the subject of a major solo exhibition. Through the show, Mackie will help to raise funds and awareness for charities including The Tusk Trust and The Countryside Alliance.

Ben Goldacre joins the line-up for the ‘School Dinners’

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SCHOOL DINNERS

Saturday 26th October 2013
Central Foundation Boys’ School, Cowper Street, London EC2A 4SH
6:30pm-10:30pm
Tickets: £60 + bf per head
www.schooldinners.info

The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education – Albert Einstein

SCHOOL DINNERS is a groundbreaking fine dining experience, introducing provocative cultural engagement in a distinctly ‘old school’ environment.

Today we can reveal that best-selling author, broadcaster, campaigner, medical doctor and academic Ben Goldacre has joined the impressive selection of guests speakers. Ben specialises in unpicking the misuse of science and statistics by journalists, politicians, quacks, drug companies, and more. His first book ‘Bad Science’ sold over 500,000 copies and reached #1 in the UK non-fiction charts.

The first event will also feature teacher turned performance poet Mark Grist, DJ, teacher, wordsmith and leader of London’s Run Dem Crew, Charlie Dark, and exquisite visionary vocalist ESKA. The full line-up, featuring other incredible teachers, speakers and raconteurs will be announced in the coming weeks.

Brought to you by cutting edge promoters Jack Arts (Red Bull Music Academy, Book Slam) and maestros of the pop-up menu, Cult Events (Pisco Fuego, The Candlestick Maker), SCHOOL DINNERS takes our students back to school for a slap up meal that nods playfully to those unlamented lunches of childhood, before an hour’s wit and wisdom from some of the nation’s finest and funniest minds.

Fuelled by our belief (sadly from personal experience) that education can be wasted on the young, SCHOOL DINNERS will be a unique night of gastronomy and enlightenment, while also providing much-needed funds for the Central Foundation Boys’ School.

Tickets are onsale now priced £60 + bf per person, which includes a four course meal and canapés. To buy tickets and for more info on School Dinners visit www.schooldinners.info

19-year-old Explorer to set World Record on Antarctica Adventure

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Earlier this week, 19-year-old explorer, Parker Liautaud made the announcement that he will attempt to set the record for the fastest journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole on skis. Parker will begin his journey in December and will be spending Christmas Day in freezing conditions.

On his journey to the South Pole, Parker will be undertaking three distinct scientific research programmes to contribute to a better understanding of how climate is changing; including testing a lightweight weather station, the ColdFacts 3000BX for the first time in Antarctica.

9-year-old Explorer to set World Record on an Antarctic Adventure

 

On Monday, The Willis Resilience Expedition brought a taste of Antarctica to London as Parker Liautaud tested his camp and equipment for his world record attempt in front of the iconic Tower Bridge. The ambitious teen froze London with 500 square meters of snow; a full polar camp with a true expedition breakfast on offer so passersby can understand what a day in the life of a polar explorer would be like, giving the public the ultimate survival experience. In preparation for his expedition, Parker set up camp in his expedition tent inside the Antarctic Chamber: a large glass box filled with snow, set beneath the iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge.

 

At the young age of 19, Parker has already debated climate change with Al Gore at the UN’s Social Good Summit, as well as studying at Yale University and has already completed three trips to the North Pole. We’re impressed.