Category Archives: Life & Style

Stand Up to Cancer – C4 and Cancer Research UK

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Hi my name is Alex, I (along with many others) am currently volunteering to work on Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C)- the most exciting campaign Cancer Research UK has ever done, resulting in Channel 4’s first  live fundraising event on 19th October. Our aim is to raise millions of pounds and get the nation to Stand Up To Cancer.

Stand Up To Cancer – Live
Bringing together a unique mix of entertainment and fundraising, a super-sized group of celebrities will come together to show their support for Stand Up To Cancer. Alan Carr will front a very special chat show with the green room from heaven whilst Davina hosts a high stakes version of The Million Pound Drop, aiming to raise big for Stand Up To Cancer. And throughout the night, Dr. Christian will be on hand to explain the science behind incredible new cancer trials and meet those whose lives depend on breakthroughs in cancer research.

I’m sure you’ve seen the ads! If not it’s worth a look (see below)

http://www.youtube.com/user/standuptocanceruk?feature=results_main

Stand Up To Cancer began in the USA in 2008, and has since raised millions of dollars for cancer research, with the money focused on bringing more effective treatments with fewer side effects to patients quickly. Now Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK are bringing Stand Up To Cancer to the UK, and we want you to join us now, get involved and donate!

If would like to get involved or donate please take 1 minute of your time to look at the online shop: http://shop.standuptocancer.org.uk/
to see if you would be interested in purchasing one of the many items on sale -ranging from £1-£30
The proceeds go towards boosting the number of cancer trials and accelerating new cancer treatments for UK patients.

If you do decide to make a purchase and support the cause please could you send me 1) your name,2) along with the item/s you bought and 3) your customer REFERENCE number to this email: alexandra.yardley@cancer.org.uk These details are purely to track the number of sales that take place, you will not receive any direct mail etc…

Thank you again for your time : ) every little helps us!

Brigid Hains On The Launch of Aeon | Interview

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Why did you set up Aeon?

Paul and I set up Aeon because we believed that we live at a point in history when people are questioning their own and their society’s values and beliefs, and in our view the only way to work through this is by having open conversation and debate about questions that matter deeply to people.

 

What is the main aim of Aeon?

To foster conversations about significant questions that go to the heart of contemporary dilemmas and interests: whether that be understanding the latest news about the Higgs Boson, wondering how we mark important moments in our lives, or thinking deeply about the meaning of work and leisure. Our topics range very widely, but our interests are unified by a particular ethos, or tone. We want Aeon to be a place that people visit, and spend time online, where they feel confident that each essay will be stimulating, and some will have the capacity to shift their perspectives altogether.

 

You have some brilliant essays coming up. Can you tell us about some of the highlights?

We have a wonderful lyrical essay on Bristlecone Pines – the world’s oldest living beings – and their prospects under climate change, by young science writer Ross Andersen. A searing memoir of life as a fostered adolescent and how a wild raccoon saved her sense of self by Lauren Slater, an award-winning essayist. A spirited defence of metaphor and inspiration by Jay Griffiths, author of the Wild; and a searching, deeply personal account of what it is like for Arab women facing the post-revolution world today by Amal Ghandour. A highly varied collection!

 

What do you think the most important news story this year has been?

In the spirit of our commitment to many perspectives, and the many qualities that make us human beings, I couldn’t say there has been one dominating story. Our desire is to get beyond the news and into the questions that lie behind the daily news cycle: from the lives of Arab women living through revolutions  to the consequences of climate change; questions of sexuality and gay rights in Uganda or the culture wars that are part of the US election.

 

How do you get your writers?

We do a huge amount of research and discussion within the editorial team. The initial point of contact varies: sometimes one of our editors will approach a writer they have worked with before; sometimes we cold-call somebody we’d love to have writing for us, and sometimes we are approached by writers who have something for us.

 

Describe a typical day.

Right now we are in the middle of launch so we have a great deal going on. The longer rhythms of commissioning essays and working with our writers to get the essays right goes on all the time. So every day we are in correspondence with writers, working on drafts, researching possible stories and researching pictures (which are very important to our highly visual site).

At the same time as this we meet every day to discuss the day to day management of the website, and the kinds of responses we have had to each essay. Every day we also connect to our social media communities, as well. If we are serious about conversation, we need to be agile and responsive to our readers as well as commissioning work that we believe in ourselves.

 

Tell us a bit about you

I’m originally trained as an environmental historian, and also have an academic background in anthropology. I’ve always had wide intellectual interests, especially in science, environment and historical topics. For a very long time Paul and I have both been interested in how ideas work in the world – both through people’s personal experiences and also through social action and wider discussion – so Aeon is very much an expression of that mutual interest. On a personal note, I’m Australian, I’ve been living in London for most of the past 6 years (I’ve also lived briefly in New York) and Paul and I have a daughter who is 11.

 

Aeon is an online magazine. Do you think print is dead?

Not at all! I love print, both in magazine and book form. However the digital space offers a fluidity and reach that cannot be matched in print for a new magazine like ours. As new devices come on the market, digital will be able to offer something closer and closer to the immersive reading of print. There are things that print still does very well – the ultimate balance between the two is hard to predict.

 

What is Aeon’s business model? How do you think you will make money?

Our business model is to spend the first year or so investing significantly in the magazine in order to build up a strong following or community of interested people – readers, writers, artists and photographers. Once we have established that reach we will start to build opportunities for generating revenue. We are not sure what forms these will take and are watching closely how other publications are doing so – from micro-payments for articles, to higher levels of service for subscribers, live events, and online fora.

 

What advice do you have for people who want to get into publishing?

I’m not sure that I have any particular advice for people who want to get into publishing – but for those who are interested in writing for a magazine like Aeon I can say: know you subject very well, and read deeply into it if that’s appropriate. Authentic personal experience married with significant technical or empirical knowledge is a powerful combination. Write often, but with discipline and seek advice and help with your writing. And approach us with a pitch if you think you have something that’s right for us!

Dark Hearts World Premiere | Raindance 2012

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At the beginning of the Raindance Film Festival Frost went along to the world premiere of Dark Hearts. I had a good chat with lead actor Kyle Schmid and director Rudolf Buitendach. Rudolf is very friendly and I will be interviewing him shortly.

Dark Hearts is an oxymoron: a modern film which is also an old fashioned film noir. Made on a low budget, Dark Hearts is a technical achievement of the highest order. Rudolf Buitendach’s directorial debut looks beautiful and is very well done. It also has a famous cast including Goran Visnjic (Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, E.R., Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Beginners),  Lucas Till (X-Men, Wolves, Stoker, Paranoia), Sonja Kinski (daughter of Nastassja Kinski), Kyle Schmid (Lead Star of Copper – BBC America) and Juliet Landau (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Ed Wood). Rudolf Buitendach is obviously well connected and Dark Hearts has some talented people working on it.
Dark Hearts was nominated for BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM at the 2012 Raindance Film Festival and is in the running for possible BIFA nominations as well. The acting is strong and it is a very enjoyable film. I loved Dark Hearts. Go see it if you can. An impressive debut from director Rudolf Buitendach.

 
Supporting star Rachel Blanchard (Snakes on a Plane, Clueless)
Director Rudolf Buitendach (Cannes-Venice Shorts Alum, Trailer for Bronson)
DP Kees Van Oostrum (2x Emmy-Nominated DP of Gods & Generals, Gettysberg)
Screenwriter Christian Piers Betley (13 Eerie, Stranded)
Executive Producer Jack Bowyer (Private Peaceful, Gallowwalker)
Gabrial McNair of No Doubt (Original Score Composer)
Paul Oakenfold (Original Score Composer)
Richard Strange (Original Score Composer)

 

Colson is an artist struggling to make it in the frenetically paced downtown LA art scene. When his brother Sam lands on his doorstep, Colson finds himself drawn back to the fractured family set-up that he felt lucky to have left behind. Out for a night on the town, the brothers run into sultry singer Fran. They both fall in love but Colson becomes obsessed and a passionate affair ensues.


Prodded by an influential gallery owner to push his work that much further, Colson stumbles across the perfect red and the power of painting in blood. Soon it seems like he’s made a deal with the devil as he immerses himself in an affair with Fran that has deception and betrayal looming in the background.

Sonja Kinski, daughter of Natassja, is stunning as Fran, having inherited not only her mother’s dark beauty but her acting skills and too, and she proves a powerfully magnetic muse. A real bonus is the film’s score which features some of the hippest artists around; tracks are provided by Einstuerzende Neubauten, Shirley Manson from Garbage, Fairuza Balk and Daniel J from Bauhaus and Love and Rockets. A debut feature from South African born director Rudolf Buitendach, this is a stylish odyssey that proves as alluring as LA itself.

Canterbury Shoes | Fashion

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Here at Frost we love comfort. We think these shoes are cool and comfy.

Canterbury, are a traditionally a rugby brand but also offers a wide range of high performance men’s and women’s sports clothing alongside more recreational sportswear. Canterbury have just released a new Lifestyle collection- which include their new casual footwear range.

 

Staying true to Canterbury’s brand heritage, each style is named after towns in New Zealand and have touches of the unique ‘Uglies’ tradition with each shoe having different coloured heel, tongue or inside. Each style is designed for comfort, with the Canterbury logo clearly displayed on either the side panel or heel and are available in three different colours- ensuring Canterbury’s renowned quality and style continues off the field. 

Londoner’s Life 43 – Overheard by Phil Ryan

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.Had a crazy week with lots of calls and arrangements for projects. Had around three chances to get an overheard as I bustled around London. But finally grabbed one in the back end of Holborn. Feeling faint after an incredibly early start I dived into a great café and had a very late breakfast. I sat on a long table and two builders with cropped hair and hi vis jackets sat around three seats away. I seem to be getting a sixth sense as to when I’m going to find a perfect conversation for this column. I wrote the following on my free Metro (on an advert for luxury flats which was conveniently white) But just before I start here’s my brief phone overheard – Outside Baker Street standing next to the Sherlock Holmes statue. Young Tourist taking picture “Hey Jorge move closer to the Bruce Wayne statue its cool eh?” Education is a wonderful thing.

However my breakfast café conversation – the two builders. After having some banter with the waitress the first guy turns back to his colleague – Builder 1: “Yeah the jobs going alright but Debs at the office thinks it’ll run into February at this rate and they’re screaming to get it finished so we can start the Cross rail stuff” (Suddenly his phone rang and he answers in a very friendly way ) “Hang on mate. Yeah. Oh yeah hi Stewart. No the gear under the black tarpaulin is the control switches. For the beam ends. Yeah mate. Put em back in our stores will you. Yeah our stores. Great mate. Really appreciate it. Nice one mate. Thanks a lot. Right bye”. Sharply turns phone off and turns to Builder 2: (His smile instantly vanished and his face was scowling) “I fucking hate him” Builder 2: “Who?” Builder 1: “That Stewart. I fucking hate him the c***. He’s not right I tell you. There’s something wrong about him. Weird. Creepy you know?” Builder 2: (sipping and blowing on his tea) ” Seems alright to me. Good worker” Builder 1: (vehemently) “No mate check him out he’s got a damp mouth and the way he stands sometimes gives me the willies” Builder 2: “Stewart? He’s got a damp mouth? What d’you mean wet? Builder 1: “No not wet worse, damp. Like he’s not alive or sommat. Alien. He could be a serial killer or a kiddy fiddler or something. Trust me” Builder 2: “Nah. He goes to church and that” Builder 1: “Exactly. See. Church. Exactly. Something satanic about him. Church my arse it’s a cover I tell you he is not normal take my word for it. Builder 2: (Laughing) ”He’s always been alright with me. He gave me a mars bar yesterday. Builder1: “Fuck me. You didn’t eat it did you?” Builder 2: (now laughing) “Course I did you silly c***I was fucking starving. Builder 1: “ Well you were lucky there. God knows what could have happened to you. You just be careful. And don’t hang around him on night jobs. I’m telling you. It wouldn’t surprise me if he bit you in the neck. He gets that funny look sometimes. Urgh gives me the fucking willies” Builder 2: “You need help you know that dontcha” Then the other builders phone rang again and then they started talking about Jimmy Saville.
I didn’t learn much but if I ever meet him I’m staying away from that Stewart.

The Economics of Happiness | Film Review

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One of my favourite books is Ancient Futures: Learning From Ladakh, a riveting book by Helena Norberg-Hodge. The Economics of Happiness follows on from this book. It describes how consumerism and globalisation damages the lives of, not only villagers in Ladakh, but also the wider world in general. Making them less happy and affecting their livelihoods.

Helena Norberg-Hodge talks about the happiness index and gives a strong argument for localisation while exploding the myths that surround it. Did you know that most countries export as much food as they import? Critics say that it is not possible to feed the world without importing but this brilliant documentary sets the record straight on many environmental and economical issues. The Economics of Happiness lays waste with the idea that the relocalisation of food production in the West would cause starvation in the developing world.

People are sick of companies putting chemicals in our food. One of the problems of today is how far away we are from the reality of our food. Our food has become big business and it does harm to our health. It is depressing that we live in a world where a meal from McDonalds costs less than some vegetables. No wonder diabetes and other health problems are on the rise.

The Economics of Happiness has important people from six continents asking for economic change, including environmentalist and conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten, Michael Shuman, Andrew Simms and Clive Hamilton amongst others. The documentary runs for 65 minutes. It is well paced with high production value.

The documentary goes on to make 8 arguments against globalisation. It makes its point well and makes no apology, Norberg-Hodge thinks globalisation makes us unhappy and less socially connected. The documentary is well researched and it rightly points out that globalisation exists thanks to huge subsidies from governments. This documentary argues it’s case well and gives a strong argument for localisation.

I saw this film shortly after seeing the brilliant, Oscar-nominated, Foods Inc. As customers we have the power to vote with our wallets, even if that vote means we spend nothing at all.

I saw this documentary after Zac Goldsmith MP brought it to Richmond and afterward I met Helena Norberg-Hodge who has graciously said she would give Frost an interview. Something I am very excited about. Watch this space!

To find out more or to contribute; http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/

SUDA Thai Birthday Party

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I love Asian food so I was very happy to receive an invite to SUDA Thai’s first Birthday Party. This brilliant Thai restaurant is in the heart of Convent Garden. The restaurant has two floors and the decor is no expense spared. The food is brilliant as are the cocktails and champagne.

We were even given recipes to take home and shown how to cook See Krong Gae Yang Takrai – lemongrass- marinated rack of lamb with papaya salad.

Happy birthday SUDA, and thanks for the invite.

SUDA, St Martin’s Courtyard, WC2E 9AB. 020 7240 8010.

Potter’s Herbal Elixir of Echinacea Plus & Kwai Heart + Immune Supplements | Health Review

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miranda kerrAs winter comes in colds are inevitable. Echinacea is well known to ward of colds and boost the immune system, but does it really work?

The first thing I have to say about Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea is how nice it tastes, rare for something that is good for you. I am more used to taking pills but taking the elixir is no problem. I take it three times a day and I don’t get a cold, and feel that I have been given a health boost. In fact when I get more busy and forgot to take it for a while I ended up getting a cold. I start taking the Echinacea again and I immediately feel better. I think it works and I am impressed. It even makes my skin clearer.

I also start taking Kwai Heart+Immune with vitamins A, C and E; 30 tablets RRP £6.12; 100 tablets £16.33; Available from Boots. When I first take it I worry that I will smell of garlic but a friend says I don’t. After I start taking the supplement I feel much more energetic and healthier. The Pills are also easy to swallow.  My skin tone also improves when I am taking the pills. With the Kwai Heart+Immune and Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea I am all set for winter.

Commenting on Kwai Heart+Immune, independent dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton says: “It is now well accepted that vitamins A and C and garlic have a vital role in supporting a normal immune function, while vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress which leads to cell damage. Human research on garlic shows that it is antimicrobial and can reduce levels of harmful bacteria and viruses which cause disease.”

The immune system as you know is crucial to help prevent colds/flu/virues and potentillay fatal illnesses. New research by the Henry Potter Advisory Committee also reveals that nearly half of 2,000 respondents in survey (46.4%) believe that they appear physically less attractive when their immune system is lower, with nearly one quarter (23.9%) stating that you could tell how good someone’s immune system is from their skin tone.

 

New stats also revealed that:

  • Worryingly almost three quarter’s (73.9%) of those researched (out of 2,000 respondents) did not know that our immune system is capable of distinguishing foreign bacteria, fungi or viruses, thereby preventing cellular damage.
  • Nearly one third (30.9%), incorrectly believe that vitamin C will ward off a cold, with more women believing this than men (35.3% vs 26%).
  • When it comes to symptoms of a poorly functioning immune system, the most commonly cited symptom was tiredness (61.2%). Over one third of people (38%) commented that they thought their immune system was lowered when they felt physically weak, or when they caught a cold (37.9%) or a virus (37.1%).

Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea Plus – contains a unique formula of the highest quality Echinacea angustifolia, wild indigo and fumitory. RRP £10.16, available in Boots nationwide. Potter’s Herbal remedies also include cold and flu relief products, as well as sleep aids, and stress releif aids. The whole range are licensed herbal medicines – celebrating 200 years this year.

World class immunologist and medical herbalist Dr Serene Foster says “It is encouraging to see effective herbals available over the counter. The cold and Flu season costs the nation a lot in terms of lost days at school, work, and while on holiday. Now we can all benefit from good mixtures which address all aspects of colds. When Potters Herbal Elixir of Echinacea Plus is taken at the first sign of a cold, it will support and balance your immune system to reduce the symptoms and shorten the time you suffer a cold and make you feel better faster.”