Category Archives: Life & Style

Ratedpeople.com Launches Find a Tradesman App

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The Ratedpeople.com app connects homeowners with quality, local tradesmen on the go

The UK’s number one tradesman recommendation service RatedPeople.com has today announced its new tradesman comparison app. Available both on Android and iPhone platforms, RatedPeople.com’s Find a Tradesman app enables users to easily locate job-specific tradesmen instantly through their mobile phones.

Predominantly functioning as the fastest and easiest way to connect homeowners with quality tradesmen, the RatedPeople.com app gives homeowners the opportunity to upload descriptions and photos of the work they would like to be done, whenever and wherever. The user is matched with up to three tradesmen in their local area, who are interested in the submitted job. Each tradesman will provide a quote for the work. The homeowner has access to ratings and reviews from the tradesmen’s previous customers, to help when selecting which tradesman to hire.

When the job has been completed, the user can add their own review and recommend the tradesman to their friends. The app also automatically builds a list of all the tradesmen the homeowner has used, creating their own ‘little black book’ of tradesmen.

Key App Features:

·         Upload up to 5 photos to the posted job

·         View each tradesman’s profile: ratings, photos of previous work and qualifications

·         View the RatedPeople.com checklist, with advice for hiring a tradesman

·         Rate their tradesman

·         View all their tradesmen in an address book

·         Share the app and tradesmen details with friends

 

Tariq Dag Khan, CMO of RatedPeople.com, commented: “The mobile industry is booming in the UK at the moment, with 75% of Brits now projected to own a smartphone by 2013. Our tradesmen are well ahead of the curve, 70% already own a smartphone, which is why our business is taking off. With both homeowners and tradesmen able to react with immediate response, finding a tradesman has never been quicker or easier.

“We understand how busy homeowners are during the day and we wanted to come up with a solution that enabled them to more speedily and efficiently manage their home improvement needs. The RatedPeople.com app now gives our customers the chance to instantly connect with tradesmen whilst on the move, providing a service that we believe will help generate more and better quality leads for tradesmen.”

Ninetails Release New EP ‘Slept and Did Not Sleep’

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“A propulsive display of robust slickness” – 8/10 This is Fake DIY

 

“A satisfying, organised chaos” – VICE

 

“New cats Ninetails specialise in precision guitar-pop” – NME

 

After a spring which saw them tipped by Vice, NME, Clash and This is Fake DIY, Ninetails return with ‘Slept and Did Not Sleep’, the much anticipated follow up to their ‘Ghost Ride the Whip’ EP. Combining hyperrealistic pop with sleek maximalist production, the Liverpool four piece explore euphoria, lamentation and lucidity on this song cycle melodrama. Throughout, moody minimalism and loop-based composition provide an Eno-like back drop for vocals inspired by sunshine pop, r’n’b and dramatic choral harmony.

 

Earlier in the year Ninetails were included in NME’s scene report of their home city and a performance at Sound City in May prompted Clash Magazine to tag them as an “Up Coming Hype Band” whilst Vice highlighted them in their ‘Ones to Watch’ list. Prior to these accolades, they’d shared stages with Alt-J, Errors and Tall Ships. The band have also been included in Simon Raymonde’s list of favourites in 2012.

 

The band will release ‘Slept and Did Not Sleep’ through Superstar Destroyer Records on the 26th of November as a pay-what-you-feel download. A visually cohesive CD package and very limited number of ‘uniquely chopped and screwed’ cassette tapes of the EP will also be available. Two videos will accompany the release, as well as an EP launch in Liverpool and the band’s first London Show on the 29th of November at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town.

 

Undoubtedly, this is an exciting time for Ninetails who have already made plans to release again early into the new year.

 

The Ghost of Relationships Past

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The old phrase ‘lesson learnt’ is never truer than after the end of a relationship. With each heart break we experience we take something different from it. But do we ever truly move on if we keep repeating the mistakes of our past relationships?

Relationship expert for online match maker eHarmony.co.uk, Dr Gian Gonzaga says “sometimes people lose faith in finding love because they seem to be continually attracted to the ‘wrong’ type of people”.  According to Gonzaga, at times it can seem as though no matter how hard we try we end up with the same problems but with different people, like magnets that attract the same situation over and over again.  It’s time we examine where we are going wrong and eradicate the real issue, to really be able to move on and find lasting love.

So excavate the past to create a different future for yourself:

The common denominator

Look at all your past relationships, write them down if it helps, and ask yourself these questions about each one. What attracted you to the person in the first place? What caused the relationship to end? Were there signs early on in the relationship that there were problems but you ignored them?

Old relationships are never wasted, they are a rich source of information which you can go back over to discover what you could do differently in the future. Be really honest with yourself and try to look at the relationship from an outsider’s point of view. What you are looking for is the similarities between them to see if there is a pattern.

Is the thing that attracts the thing that destroys?

Are you attracted to creative, emotionally unavailable men and then the relationship ends because you don’t get enough attention? Or are you drawn to bright, bubbly women but then fail to get very far because you feel threatened when she flirts with your mates?

Look at the people who have qualities that you find attractive – not just the ones you have had relationships with but also people in the media, friends etc. What is it in them that you find attractive? Then look at yourself and develop those qualities in yourself rather than waiting for someone else to come and make you feel that way.

Don’t fall for someone’s potential

This is the most common mistake that people make in relationships. They meet someone and they fall in love with what they ‘could be’ rather than what they ‘are’ today. They believe that if they love this person enough; give them lots of encouragement, support and everything they need in order to blossom that they will have a wonderful relationship together. Although this often comes from a loving place it is starting a relationship from the basis of wanting to change the other person rather than accepting and loving them as they are. It is a great feeling to be the hero or heroine in another person’s life but it is rarely going to lead to a healthy relationship because the basis of the relationship isn’t equal.

Look in the mirror

When a relationship ends it can be comforting to think it was all the other person’s fault but that attitude is depriving you of the opportunity of finding out what you could do differently next time. Look back through the story of your time together and look at your own behaviour. At what points could you have done something differently? Are you angry with all men/women because of things that have happened in your past? If so now might be the time to get some help if you really want things to change.

Change your mind

Just like any other area of life, relationship choices can become habitual and instinctive. We often dismiss potential matches simply because they don’t conform to an image we have in our head of ‘our type’. Open your mind and heart and start saying ‘yes’ to communication or dates with matches that you would normally dismiss out of hand, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Noone’s fate is fixed in stone, we can all change and grow and even if you have never had a healthy relationship in the past it is no reason that you never will in the future.

http://www.eharmony.co.uk/relationship-advice/start-with-you/2011/11/how-to-make-your-future-love-life-different-from-your-past

 

New app shows women how to man up in time for EU gender directive

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On 21st December the EU gender directive comes into force which means car insurance companies will no longer be able to differentiate between men and women. So does this mean the European Union now believes women are no different to men?

Now women can see for themselves what it would be like to live life as a man with the Manify Me smart phone app. Women’s car insurance specialist, Diamond has worked with Rantmedia to develop the app which takes a headshot of a woman and ‘manifies’ her into a man. So Katy Perry could become Keith, Cheryl Cole could become Charles and Holly Willoughby could become Harry.

Dave Halliday, Diamond managing director, said, “Despite evidence to the contrary, the EU insists that men and women are the same, so we thought we’d take the idea one step further and allow women to see what they would look like if they were a man.

“Unfortunately for young women, the EU’s change to the law is likely to mean higher insurance premiums because from a risk point of view, women will have to be treated the same as men, and young men in particular have the worst driving record and are the highest risk.”

Diamond’s own statistics clearly show that young women have a safer driving record than young men. Men under 21 are four times more likely to have a dangerous driving conviction than women under 21. While on average accidents involving men under 21 cost 48% more than those involving women of the same age.

Despite the EU’s assertion that men and women are the same, most women clearly don’t feel the same. Diamond surveyed 1,000 women aged under 30 on the issue, 72% said they believe men and women drive differently, while a massive 83% believe men and women think differently.

The Manify Me app is available for Android phones and can be downloaded from Google Play.

 

Top tips to make kid’s bath time FUN without breaking the bank

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As research from Megaflo, the hot water expert has shown, more than 93% of parents believe that bath-time is one of the most important parts of a child’s day to help them relax, learn and have fun.  With the cold weather now upon us, bath time will be more important than ever.  We all remember there being nothing better than splashing about in the bath tub when we were little; so from bubbles to shampoo mohawks and bath crayons – here are a few top tips to bring the old favourites back and make your child’s bath time as fun and memorable as yours, without breaking the bank.

 

1.         Sail away!

Bath time just isn’t the same without a boat to play with.  Keep all of your clean, empty cartons and bottles as these make great play time accomplices for all of those budding pirates!  You can even create some pre-bath fun, by using use crayons and felt pens to help them make their dream vessel a masterpiece!  Remember – no holes… otherwise the boat will become a submarine! (Follow these instructions to make your creation. http://www.ehow.com/how_8161908_make-boats-out-plastic-bottles.html)

 

2.         Paint by bubbles!

A new era of children’s toys is upon us with bath crayons and bath paint pallets galore!  For the same effect and to save a few pounds, why not get a plastic egg carton and mix some shaving foam with food colouring… you have your very own clean-easy bath colour palette fit for any little artist.  Just be on hand to check that inquisitive little fingers don’t decide to try to swallow their creations..!

 

3.         Bath time Punk-Rockers!

One of the best ways to avoid the hair-washing tears is to get your little ones to design their own shampoo mohawk.  Create different soapy styles and faces – no doubt you’ll be creating one for yourself too!  Everyone’s a winner.  Remember to try and find a mild but soapy shampoo, for extra volume but minimal tears…

 

4.         Deep sea aquarium!

All children love aquariums and creatures of the deep sea.  Why not create your own right at home in your bath tub?  It will also make some good pre-bath entertainment.  Simply draw and decorate your fish, mermaids, crabs and other sea-side goodies, laminate them with sticky-back plastic and throw them in.  The kids will have hours of fun searching for them in amongst all the bubbles.  Why not create some treasure to go with your pirate ship as well?

 

5.         Trusty Rubber Duck never fails!

We all remember using a lovely rubber duck to play with in the tub and with the latest trend for bright and colourful Hippie, Pirate, Union Jack, Princess and Alien ducks, there is sure to be one to please every child!  What’s more – these ducks last a lifetime and look great as an ornament in your bathroom.  Why not build up a family of ducks and let their imaginations run wild!

 

Megaflo has teamed up with Pump Aid, the charity dedicated to providing clean water and good sanitation to sub-Saharan Africa, to support a phenomenal Malawi Schools project.  The £62k project, co-funded by Megaflo, will provide pupils and staff across 21 schools in the Mchinji District, Central Region of Malawi, with access to clean water and basic sanitation through the installation of 80 toilets and 10 pumps.

 

For more information, please visit www.megaflo.com.

BUNAKEN – WHERE WATER IS AIR by JONATHAN BROWN

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In Bunaken, water is air – literally and metaphorically. Literally, as the word for water in Indonesian is
Air. Metaphorically, because this is one of the world’s greatest diving sites. They live and breath water.
It is their life – their food source, play ground, and office. In the warm waters in this protected Marine
Park, there are more species of fish than in the entire Caribbean sea.

So, what was I doing there? I’m scared of deep water.

The sea deep. Very deep. Teenage-Emo-kid deep. You know how high mountains are? Well, the sea is
deeper. When people say they are scared of heights, that’s fine, understandable. You could trip and fall
after all. But deep water – that’s kid’s stuff. You grow out of it like you grow out of socialism. You realise
that Jaws was just a film.

But let me paint you a picture. Imagine you’re on, say, the edge of a tall building – the world’s tallest.
Like Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible. Perched precariously, the wind and sense of vertigo let you know
that you’re high. You can see the edge of the building dropping straight down.

Now imagine that 30metres below are clouds. And the clouds are all around you. A 30m zone where
you can see. Add to this picture flocks of birds, flying around. But they’re not scared of you – they come
close, explore, nibble. Then, you see something else, just in the clouds – flying snakes, flying spiders,
and, maybe, why not, an 18ft flying tiger. All swirling around you, above your head, almost out of view –
ominous shadows. Everywhere. For miles around you. Species in the sky that have yet to be discovered.
Aliens, essentially.

This is how I feel about deep water. Floating in space surrounded by nothing – emptiness filled with
dangerous animals.

So why then am I on a plane heading to this small island? Because my girlfriend suggested it? Yes, a bit.
To overcome my fears? Maybe. Because I haven’t really thought this through? More than likely.

Snorkeling

To warm up we decide that some light snorkeling would be a good idea. How this is different from diving
I do not know. I was, literally, in deep water. Some of my fears are allayed by the dive masters. Bunaken,
he boldly claims, is perfect for snorkeling. The reef, and thus fish, is just five metres below the surface.
And visibility is remarkably high. Perfect.

So, after two hours hunting for dolphins (two spotted though I’m informed there are hundreds of them
around the islands), we picked a spot and readied ourselves for some serious snorkeling action.

Now, another reasons that Bunaken is so good for diving and snorkeling is that, although the reef is
shallow and close to the coast, it has a ‘wall’. Not a barrier stopping me being swept out to sea as I
hoped but a sheer drop to, in some parts, 1,500metres. This is the kind of drop Wile E Coyote would

hover over comically for a few seconds,feet still running, before dropping to his death (what,he survives
– but how?)

I’m told that the currents of cold water from the deep, and warm water on the surface, are perfect for
fishes. We cautiously (well, I was cautious, the rest of the boat were excited – and a bit disappointed
by the lack of dolphins) approached our drop off point. I looked down over the edge of the boat. It was
dark – the kind that swallows you up.

The boat slowed to one engine -still we hovered over the dark abyss. I turned back to the boat – brave
face only skin deep. This was it – there was no going back. Not in a boat full of people who’d brought
their own snorkeling gear. So, I turned back to see my final resting place, and there it was – a Huge
Shark! Not really- it was the reef, just there below the surface.

It looked mere feet away -touching distance and in sparkling HD. I could see everything and, combined
with the unbearable heat in the boat, this stunning view seemed to draw me in. My legs were over the
edge of the boat and I was getting prepared to leap in. I’d be first in as well. Well, maybe but not quite.
My bravado failed me for a moment allowing my girlfriend to overtake me and jump in. But I followed
soon after.

And, moments later my head was below the surface. It was like swimming with an aquarium strapped to
my face. Every colour, shape, size and species of fish was there. But snorkeling was just a small step. The
Frito Misto starter to my Tuna Steak main.

The Dive

Organizsd by the Bunaken Beach Resort , I was to go on a Discovering Scuba dive, which teaches you the
basics (clearing your mask, how to go up and down, a few hand signals), and has a dive master drag you
around the reefs. There was no secret tricks on how to beat a shark in hand to fin combat but, after my
snorkeling success, I felt confident.

But, this wasn’t snorkeling. I wouldn’t be floating happily on the surface, boat in sight. We were going
over the top, off the cliff and into the abyss.

The funny thing is, it didn’t scare me and I can’t explain why (sorry for anyone looking for answers).
Just as I found it hard to explain why I was (and still am) scared of deep water (see rambling opening
paragraphs), it’s just as hard to explain why I didn’t panic. Even stranger is that, if I think about deep
chasms of water now, I’ll still get that tightness and panic in my chest. I think it’s like a big old house in
the middle of nowhere. When you imagine it dark, creaky and full of ghosts it’s scary. But when you see
it during the day, you can’t remember why you were scared.

And so, I was able to enjoy my first ever dive. More than enjoy, I feel Bunaken has spoiled me for future
dives, as it was one of the most beautiful sights that not only I, but they aforementioned experienced
divers, had seen. Thousands of fish seemed to fall from above like multi-coloured snowflakes. Huge sea
turtles floated along without a care for my awe and, fortunately not seen by me, a white tipped reef
shark did not suddenly turn and devour the divers, but ignored than, probably realising that we weren’t
worth the hastle.

But it wasn’t just fish – there were coral, anemones, sea slugs, sea cucumbers, sea scorpions, lion fish,
parrot fish (people need to come up with some better ways of naming aquatic life forms other than
the ‘land animal plus sea/fish technique). The Marine Park has around seven times more genera of coral
than Hawaii, and has more than 70% of all the known fish species of the Indo-Western Pacific. That’s a
lot of fish.

Bunaken opened a whole new world for me, and while I’ve not been back diving yet (for reasons of cost
and the fact the snorkeling in Bunaken is as good as diving), I can now go into any trendy East London
pub and join in with chats about ‘diving with sea turtles off the coast of Indonesia.’ I’m now one of those
people. And for that, I apologise.

By JONATHAN BROWN

Montezuma’s Christmas Chocolate

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Montezuma’s Christmas chocolate range just tastes like heaven. The little chocolate balls are amazing. Montezuma Orange & Geranium Christmas Chocolate Balls are as original and delicious as I have come to expect Montezuma’s chocolate to be.

Montezuma’s advent calender has organic milk and white chocolate for every day in the run up to Christmas. I was sadly lacking the willpower to keep it for that long and I have ate all mine. It is possible that you will love someone enough to give them some of this chocolate for Christmas – I have a few family members in mind-  but the willpower to hand it over may be lacking.

Full marks. Chocolate heaven.

Montezuma’s Christmas Mini me Bars

The Mayfair Hotel Spa | Spa Review

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Did you know that The Mayfair Hotel is the official hotel partner of the BFI Film Festival in London? In association with it, Frost Magazine got invited down to enjoy a massage and some cocktails in the bar.

I had a Traditional Swedish Massage. It was a 90 minute massage. My full body massage was a calming experience. You are given a locker key and change into a dressing gown. You have an option of wearing disposable underwear – which I took- and then you are taken to the room and lie face down. My masseuse, Meera, made sure I was completely relaxed. This was my first full body massage, and it was quite weird. It marks the first time I have disrobed in front of a women! I am not that comfortable with nudity, other people’s or my own, so the fact that Meera made me relax was quite an achievement. My entire body, from my toes to my head was massaged. After the massage I was taken to the relaxation room and given some water. I really enjoyed the massage. Meera even gave me some advice about my back, which has a habit of playing up some time. Definitely worth it.

The experience helped my back. I think I may be converted.

Traditional Swedish Massage – 60 mins £99 or 90 mins £135

Afterward I had a drink in the bar with a colleague. I had a good Margarita.

I love the Mayfair Hotel. It even smells great.

Swedish massage combines a universal collection of techniques designed primarily to relax specific muscles and help relieve tension. This technique is ideal for reducing both physical and emotional stress, and is suggested as a regular program for stress management. The pressure can be varied to suit your taste.

Located at London’s iconic May Fair Hotel, in the heart of Mayfair, the May Fair Spa epitomises pure indulgence and tranquillity. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover a hidden retreat of relaxation and wellbeing.

Exclusive yet friendly, laid-back and sumptuous the May Fair Spa lists an impressive menu of treatments for men and women, including a range of facials, micro-dermabrasions, scrubs, massages using Booster guns, body wraps and mud-baths inspired by beauty rituals from all over the world.

Using the most exclusive treatments, the May Fair ensures guests experience maximum relaxation and
invigoration with the best results from every visit. Specialist treatments include the Crystal Clear Oxygen

Therapy and a number of signature treatments including the Algotherm Soap Massage, designed to leave skin moisturised and glowing, and the Jetlag Reviver package, which combines an energising facial, a full body aroma massage with a May Fair mud bath and a remineralising wrap.

The spa also features the luxurious May Fair mud bath – an unparalleled indulgence – which involves applying toning muds and natural salts to the body in a private steam chamber as cleansing steam is jetted out of a crystal ball.

The ceiling of the steam chamber, lit by tiny optic fibre lights, has been designed to give the feeling of a warm summer night – a perfect escape for those fed up with the hubbub of the capital. Guests can choose to treat themselves to a Cleopatra mud bath alone or better still, with a partner to have fun covering each other in mud.

The stylish spa has been carefully designed for optimum indulgence and features the best of understated luxury in its seven treatment rooms, traditional sauna and herbal steam room. To help cleanse the body and mind, the herbal steam room has a gentle aroma of essential oils and the sauna is filled with the sweet smell of fruits and fresh herbs roasting on a cast iron plate.

Therapists at the May Fair Spa also place strong emphasis on the pre and post treatment stages. Guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before their treatments to allow enough time to unwind in the steam room and sauna.

Once treatments have taken place, it is recommended that guests chill-out in the Spa’s tranquil relaxation room, which features scented candles, gently warmed marble loungers and heated floors. In the relaxation room, guests are served herbal teas, freshly squeezed juices and fruit sorbets, to reflect their treatments. A jasmine tea for instance is recommended to complement jasmine oil based treatments.

The May Fair Spa also features an exclusive members’ Health Club, with the very latest exercise equipment.

May Fair Spa offers members a complimentary laundry service – just leave the workout kit behind and it will be fresh and ready to wear again on return for the next gym session.

For bookings and further details on the May Fair Spa and Health Club, please contact 020 7915 2826 or log onto www.mayfairspa.com

* The May Fair Hotel is one of the best 5 star hotels in London, and it the official hotel partner of the 56th BFI London Film Festival.