Category Archives: Life & Style

Organic Energy Drink | Scheckter’s Organic Energy Lite Review

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I don’t like some energy drinks. They also rarely work on me. I once drank two cans of a well-known brand and then feel asleep.

So what do I have to say about Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite? Well, it actually tastes really good. Unlike the sugary bubblegum taste some energy drinks have, Organic Energy has a lovely, fresh taste without any awful aftertaste. It has a blend of organic fruit juices – lemon, pomegranate and elderberry. Yummy.

Did it actually give me energy? Yes. All-in-all, I really like this drink. It is healthy, organic and not just full of empty calories. Full marks.

Get a lighter natural lift with NEW Scheckter’s Organic Energy Lite

The makers of the worlds first 100% Natural, Organic and FairTrade approved energy drink, Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy, have just made energy boosting a little lighter with the introduction of NEW Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite!

Like the original, this delicious, natural, organic drink harnesses the power of nature to give a real energy lift whilst also boosting mental performance – but with the added bonus of using Organic Agave instead of cane sugar which means 33% fewer calories.

Each can of Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite contains the perfect combination of organic and natural ingredients to provide sustained energy. The blend of 100% natural ingredients releases energy over a longer period of time, creating a sustainable energy lift that avoids the short lift and sudden ‘crash’ of other energy drinks.

Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite drink is 100% natural and made from a blend of organic fruit juices – lemon, pomegranate and elderberry which give it the same great taste as the Original variety and uses organic Agave instead of raw cane sugar which means 33% fewer calories. Agave has a low glycemic index and so not only helps to slash the calorie count but also helps prevent the usual ‘sugar crash’ associated with high sugar drinks. The other active ingredients remain the same as in the Original – extracts from organic raw green coffee beans and organic Guarana give the physical and mental boost from caffeine, Ginseng helps relieve stress and Green tea helps boost mental focus. As an added bonus all the ingredients are 100% natural and organic.

Toby Scheckter, founder of Scheckter’s Organic Beverages and former racing driver, was raised on Laverstoke Farm, an organic farm in Hampshire. Involvement in the day-to-day activities of running the farm gave Toby a deep understanding and appreciation for the processes involved in producing quality organic products. Recognising that there was a significant gap in the energy drinks market for a healthier alternative, Toby spent two years developing the worlds first 100% Natural, Organic and FairTrade approved energy drink with a simple goal – creating the best tasting energy drink using only the best quality ingredients.

Following the success of the original drink, and due to unprecedented customer demand, Toby has spent the last 12 months developing Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite and has managed to remove sugar and cut calories whilst maintaining the delicious flavor. Commenting on the new launch Toby commented; ‘We have had such a great response from everyone on the launch of Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy and are thrilled the have had such demand for a Lite version. Fewer calories doesn’t mean we loose out on taste though! ’

Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite is available from Sainsbury’s and at health food stores nationwide and costs £1.35 for a 250ml can.

Damsels In Distress – Get Violet’s Vintage-Inspired Look + Win The DVD

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Greta Gerwig stars in Whit Stillman’s charming and witty comedy DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, a quirky film following leader Violet and her group of beautiful, female college students and their mission to cure depressed classmates through good hygiene and musical dance numbers. It follows the girls as they become romantically involved with different types of men, who threaten both their friendships and sanity. Gerwig plays the group’s outspoken leader Violet, epitomising the film’s wonderful individual and nostalgic style.

To celebrate its release on Blu-ray and DVD, we’re showing you Violet’s fashion rules and how to re-create her vintage themed look!

Violet’s style is definitely retro inspired, it’s feminine yet edgy and easy to wear day-to-day.

Hair and Make-Up:

Violet keeps her hair and make-up simple, to let the clothes do the talking!

Natural Waves – whether you have a similar short sassy bob or longer locks, the key to this look is simple and natural waves. Start by blow-drying your hair upside-down to boost volume, brush through and use light tongs or straighteners to curl the ends. Leave the roots straightener and product-free.

Neutral Palette – keep make-up looking natural too, with a light foundation or tinted moisturiser such as Benefit’s You Rebel SPF 15 Tinted Moisturiser. Add a rose blusher to the apples of your cheeks and a dusting of light brown eyeshadow over lids. A coat of volumising black-brown mascara will give a soft and fuller look for lashes, and finish off with pinky-tone lipstick or gloss, oh so pretty!

The Wardrobe:

Violet follows some timeless fashion rules to maximise her outfit potential. It’s all about quirky print dresses, coloured cardigans and vintage-inspired accessories.

Define your waist, sit on the knee – following the classic style of the 1950s/60s, a cinched waist and full skirt make the most of your curves. Wearing skirts that sit on the knee keeps the outfit classy and shows off shapely pins. Topshop do some great retro style dresses such as the Pastel Pinafore Dress, £48, or the Block Colour Dress by Wal G at £35.

Prints and colour – Use bright-coloured cardigans, cool prints or colour pop dresses to lift your mood. Cardigans make chic cover-ups and can be found in no end of designs, just make sure you keep them plain a la Violet if you’re teaming with a print dress. Or try a cute printed shirt and team with this season’s midi skirt.

Vintage Accessories – To complete Violet’s vintage-style look pick up some classic accessories from a vintage store or online. Peekaboo Vintage has an amazing range of silk scarves that will make your outfit, such as this one for £30.

They also stock some gorgeous leather satchels, to hold all of your day-to-day essentials, and fit in perfectly with your outfit! All that’s left is a spritz of your favourite classic scent and you’re officially Violet-worthy, a true Damsel style-icon!

For your chance to win a copy of Damsels In Distress on DVD, just answer the following question….

In the film, one of Violet’s love interests, Charlie a.k.a Fred is played by

1. Adam Brody
2. Channing Tatum
3. Liam Hemsworth

Follow @Frostmag and tweet us your answer, or comment below.

Damsels in Distress is out on DVD from Monday 20th August.

Keep Calm and Marry On: Dos and Don’ts of The Wedding Video

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Avoiding Disaster: Dos and Don’ts of The Wedding Video

With the release of The Wedding Video across our cinema screens this weekend, professional wedding and events planner Ailish McDonnell, from Keep Calm and Marry On, advises on how to avoid a wedding day video disaster.

Ailish says: “Couples want to relive their wedding day exactly as it happened, preserving on film one of the most memorable occasions of their lives. The last thing you want on such a precious day is to dread watching the video back in case it doesn’t live up to expectations.

“In my experience, if a couple are debating whether or not to have their wedding filmed, if they can afford it, I would always advise on having a professional videographer film it. The day passes so quickly and with having all those special moments captured, it’s better to be able to see your ceremony, your first kiss and dance as a married couple, than regret not having recorded any of it.”

Award-winning Cheshire wedding videographers, Unforgettable Memories, know only too well the importance of capturing a wedding day on film.

Craig at Unforgettable Memories says: “A lot of wedding video suppliers have a bad reputation, but that’s because they haven’t moved with the times. They are still in the age of the large shoulder mounted camera which they point at people and expect them to “perform”, having a video doesn’t have to be like this nowadays.

“Don’t have a relative or member of the wedding party shoot your video, as they do in The Wedding Video, unless of course, they are a professional videographer. Remember these people are guests at your wedding and may well be busy with being a guest as opposed to capturing your big day.”

Wedding Planner Ailish from Keep Calm and Marry On and Craig from Unforgettable Memories suggest the following tips to bear in mind when choosing your wedding videographer:

Decide on what elements of the wedding you would like to capture: Bride getting ready; Groom getting ready; guests arriving; bridal party and bride arriving to the ceremony; the ceremony; drinks reception; bride and groom entrance to dinner; dinner and speeches; cutting the cake; first dance; party with guest dancing.

When choosing a professional videographer make sure you know what style you would like – standard static or fly-on-the-wall documentary.

Always meet and discuss your ideas with your videographer well in advance. You need to make sure your personalities don’t clash and that they are sensitive and respectful of your needs on the day.

You should also try to secure your videographer as far in advance as possible. The more popular your chosen professional, the greater chance you’ll be disappointed if you leave it too late to book him or her.

Be clear about what your ‘package’ includes and what, if any, add-ons are required to meet your final film requirements and that it matches your budget so you don’t have a hefty surprise bill.

There is a rising trend in couples having a pre-wedding shoot in the build-up to their big day. This may involve having a pre-wedding party filmed. Likewise, some also have a post-wedding shoot, such as a family gathering the day after the wedding and this might be something to consider.

Prices will vary depending on the type of equipment the videographer uses, whether they’re a part-time or full-time business, if they use broadcast quality, the number of people in their crew and so on.

Always ask to see previous examples, speak to past clients and if it seems too cheap and too good to be true – it probably is.

Remember, a golden rule is that ultimately you get what you pay for.

For advice on any aspect of planning your wedding or event please contact Ailish McDonnell on 07732531910 or email info@keepcalmmarryon.com. For more information visit www.keepcalmmarryon.com.

Londoner’s Life Overheard 36 by Phil Ryan

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It’s funny how you slip into a new routine. Since my light bulb moment in Covent Garden when I created this new column I am now so much more attuned when I’m out on my travels. My ears are set to scan especially in cafes. You learn to filter in a way. And then if you’re lucky a phrase or a voice reaction somewhere behind you or off to the side catches you. I have a Samsung S2 phone which means I can quickly tap away on my qwerty keypad during and once the conversation is over. So just a quick snatch from one such encounter. Hampstead. A cinema foyer. Outside a girl is on the phone.
Girl: No you’re not listening. I only slept with him because he asked (she listens for quite a long while) Yeah but he did ask nicely…

But to this week’s offering. A tea room in Cambridge.

Middle aged man in very sensible clothing. “Well I still don’t see what’s wrong with Turkey again. Your brother loved it last year” Sullen girl ”Dad it’s full of weird hairy guys staring at me on the beach you ask mum” Middle aged man “You’re imagining it. Anyway perhaps they don’t see blonde haired people much you know they’ve all got dark hair haven’t they?” Sullen girl “It’s not about my hair dad. I’m fourteen now” she pauses “And I’m (whispers very loudly) “Getting much bigger you know up there” Middle aged man “What do you mean?” Sullen girl in exasperation “Breasts Dad big ones” Middle aged man sounds shocked “Really does your mother know” Sullen girl “Yes of course she knows she keeps buying me loose tee shirts but I’m not swimming in tee shirts. Can’t we go to an apartment in Portugal like Auntie Gwynn and her lot. It had its own pool and everything and she said it cost as much as the hotel we stay in less even” Middle aged dad “Really it costs the same for an apartment. I’ll talk to your mother. I’m sorry about your chest issues” Sullen girl suddenly brightening “Don’t sweat it Dad I’m not. They look great.”

At this point a lady I presumed was the mother appeared.

Middle aged man “Hello love. Jasmine and I have had a brainwave. D’you fancy Portugal for a holiday this year just for a change?” Lady “Isn’t it a bit fish orientated dear?”

They then agreed on going back to Turkey and talked about nothing but the sales in Marks and Spencer. The daughter went back to texting.

It’s tricky as some of these London Overheard’s of mine sometimes don’t always work out. So I’m keeping my ears open on your behalf. Keep listening!

Professor Green says ‘Stop listening to my music’

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Music artist Professor Green is encouraging people to stop listening to his music. He’s teamed up with us for our new safety campaign asking people to remove their headphones at level crossings so they aren’t distracted from warnings about approaching trains.

Two people have tragically died this year at footpath crossings and it is thought they were wearing headphones, in the past five years there have been 19 incidents involving headphones at level crossings.

Two people have died this year at footpath crossings where it is thought they were wearing headphones. In the past five years, train drivers or railway staff have reported 19 incidents where pedestrians, joggers or cyclists wearing headphones have crossed the railway, seemingly oblivious to the approaching train.

 

“I never imagined asking people to stop listening to my music but this is about staying safe, so just for a minute, I want them to stop. I know it’s very easy to get caught up in a track when you have your headphones on and get distracted from where you are and what’s around you but I’m asking, please, lose your headphones when at a level crossing and pay attention to all the safety warnings. I don’t want anyone to end up on the tracks listening to one of mine.”

Professor Green, rapper 

Win Sonos music speakers

Our digital campaign ‘Lose Your Headphones’ features the popular rapper in a video which appears on the music streaming service Spotify as well as being promoted via social media sites such as Twitter. We’re offering a prize of Sonos music speakers to five lucky winners who re-tweet our campaign message.

Don’t get distracted

Trains can travel up to 125mph on the main British rail network and even with safety warnings such as lights and signs at footpaths across the tracks, it’s easy to get distracted if you’re caught up with your favourite tune.

Stay safe

Dr Bruno Fazenda, from the Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford said: “Hearing is the only sense that can warn us of dangers we can’t see and when listening to music with headphones we become isolated and are less likely to hear sounds that might tell us of approaching dangers. It’s not just the volume of the music but also because the headphone itself blocks out ambient noise.

There is also plenty of evidence which shows that when you are doing two activities at the same time, such as listening to music or texting and crossing a railway track, your attention gets divided in such a way that you might not notice an approaching train even if all the warning signals are there.”

Read more about level crossings and how to use them safely.

For videos, content on rail safety for 11-17 year olds, facts and advice go to www.rail-life.co.uk.

Olympic revelry makes the Capital 2.7m stone heavier

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The average Londoner gained a staggering 4.5lbs in the two weeks of the Olympics, as the capital shunned exercise regimes and instead indulged in the fun of the Olympics with extra snacks and booze.

LighterLife, the innovative weight management company, surveyed 1,032 Londoners on Friday (10.08.12) to see how their eating habits and weight had changed during the period, as we celebrated watching triumphant Team GB going for Gold!

The survey highlighted that people consumed nearly 700 calories more each day, as they treated themselves to a few glasses of wine and extra snacks on top of their regular meals, resulting in an average weight gain of 4.5lbs.

This equated to 12,000 extra calories being consumed by the average Londoner during the Olympics – that’s more than 960m calories over the two-week period!

The main reason for the over-indulgence and weight gain however was down to people seeing the Olympics as a time to celebrate and indulge in snacks in front of the telly, as they watched The Games with friends and family.

Mandy Cassidy, Director of Psychology at LighterLife comments: “The Olympics are a fantastic sporting occasion for Great Britain and we typically justify over-eating and associate over indulgence with celebratory occasions. Mindless eating occurs often in front of the TV and emotional eating is a well know reason for over eating when not hungry. Let’s hope Londoners are inspired by the sporting triumphs and introduce a regular exercise regime into their day!”

Boy’s Best Friend Jessi-Cat named National Cat of the Year 2012

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A family puss who has transformed the life of a boy with a severe anxiety disorder has been crowned National Cat of the Year at Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2012.

Two-year-old Jessi-Cat was honoured for helping seven-year-old Lorcan Dillon cope with Selective Mutism, a condition which affects his ability to speak and express himself.

Thanks to his pet cat, Lorcan has finally been able to say “I love you” and learnt ways to share his emotions when he finds it difficult to speak to people.

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, sponsored by www.verdocatlitter.co.uk, is the UK’s largest celebration of real-life stories of companionship, bravery and survival in the cat world.

At a star-studded awards ceremony at London’s Savoy hotel yesterday (16th of August) winners were chosen in five categories – Best Friends, Hero Cat, Most Incredible Story, Outstanding Rescue Cat and Celebrity Cat.

Jessi-Cat was crowned overall winner after first winning the Best Friends category, chosen by celebrity judge, ex-YES keyboardist and star of Grumpy Old Men Rick Wakeman.

Cat lover Rick said: “All three cats have been a huge support to their owners, but Jessi-Cat is my winner. The bond between Jessi-Cat and Lorcan is incredible and it has clearly had a hugely positive impact on Lorcan’s home and school life. Jessi-Cat helps Lorcan to communicate and express emotions that ordinarily Lorcan wouldn’t be able to do.”

Other celebrity judges attending the ceremony – hosted by ‘Voice of the Balls’ on BBC1’s National Lottery TV programmes Alan Dedicoat – were comedian Ed Byrne, model Lucy Pinder and ex-BBC newsreader Jan Leeming.

Lorcan and his mum Jayne Dillon, 44, of Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, were at the awards ceremony to accept Jessi-Cat’s prizes – a star shaped trophy, three months’ supply of cat food, a year’s supply of Verdo Cat Litter and a framed photograph of Jessi-Cat.

She said the family decided to get a cat to help Lorcan communicate and cope with Selective Mutism, which makes it hard for him to speak to people and leaves him feeling isolated and lonely.

She said: “Lorcan is able to connect love to Jessi-Cat, something he can’t do with people and she’s been a great support to him when things have been really hard.

“He does not express his emotions, he would not say ‘I love you Mummy’, he just doesn’t do it. But with the cat he can cuddle her, he can stroke her, he can talk to her and he can say ‘I love you Jessi-Cat.’

“She is without a doubt the best friend a boy could have and has had a huge positive impact on his life. We’ve had her for a couple of years and in the last year alone he seems to be making excellent progress at school. In the past two weeks he’s started communicating with people he doesn’t know very well and even reads to one of the teachers now – something he’s never done before.”

Other category winners were:

Charley: Charley, of Haltwhistle, Northumberland, won the Hero Cat category after saving the day when owner Susan Marsh-Armstrong, 47, collapsed during a diabetic attack in the middle of the night. As Susan’s life hung in the balance, quick-thinking Charley repeatedly patted her husband Kevin on the face until he woke and then led him to the bathroom where he discovered Susan unconscious on the floor and administered a glucose injection to bring her round.

William: William, of Chorley, Lancashire, won the Most Incredible Story category after making a gruelling half-a-mile journey home on two legs after his back legs were horrifically injured in a dog attack. Despite having one leg amputated the brave puss has since made a full recovery.

Phoenix: Phoenix, of Ballymoney, County Antrim, won the Outstanding Rescue Cat category after she made an extraordinary recovery from horrific burns. She was just a few weeks old when she was found in a coal bunker with hideous injuries but survived against the odds.

Simon’s Cat: Scooping the award for the nation’s favourite Celebrity Cat – chosen in a public vote on Cats Protection’s Facebook page – was Simon’s Cat, the animated moggy made famous worldwide in Simon Tofield’s books and online cartoons.

According to Kate Bunting, the Awards organiser at Cats Protection, Jessi-Cat’s story was an inspiring one.

She said: “The bond between Lorcan and Jessi-Cat is exceptional and it is truly moving to see what an incredible impact a cat can have on the whole family, particularly children.

“We hear many amazing stories of how cats have transformed people’s lives, from elderly people living alone to children like Lorcan.

“There is no doubt that cats can have an incredible calming effect and their intuition, sensitivity and unconditional love can have an incredible impact on their owners.”

Jessi-Cat follows in the paw prints of a long line of feline heroes honoured by Cats Protection. Previous winners have included “moggy midwife” Marmite who loyally stuck by his owner’s side during a difficult pregnancy and labour, and Tee Cee who became a lifeline to his epileptic owner with his ability to detect when he was about to have a seizure.

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, has around 6,200 cats and kittens in its care at any one time and rehomes and reunites over 48,000 every year. To find out more about the charity, or to adopt a cat, please visit www.cats.org.uk or call the charity’s national helpline on 03000 12 12 12.

Thanks to Philippa Gedge Photography