Category Archives: Life & Style

The First Ever Toxin Free Nail Polishes.

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I am a huge fan of anything that doesn’t have toxins in and is environmentally friendly. I had eczema and asthma as a child. It made me very aware of ingredients and conscious of what I put on my skin, or nails for that matter. Which is why I think the following is a brilliant idea. Why did no-one do this before?

Safe Nails Launches ‘Snails’: First Ever Toxin Free, Water Based, Water Removable Polishes.

Safe Nails ‘Snails’ ‘Simply the Safest’ range of water-based, hypoallergenic child-friendly polishes in the market make international debut at Professional Beauty 2012 Trade Show

Safe & Beautiful Ltd, founded by entrepreneur and mother of two Jeanette Sklivanou, has announced the launch of Snails (Safe Nails), a range of nail polishes suitable for kids and expectant mothers. Hypoallergenic, water-based and solvent-free, Snails polishes are formulated from just three basic ingredients: water, acrylic polymer and non-toxic colourants. Snails polishes do not require any smelly harsh chemical removers – you simply wash with soap and water and the polish will come off without drying or damaging the nail bed.

Snails Collection Formally launching at Professional Beauty 2012, the UK’s largest beauty trade show, on the 4th and 5th March at London’s ExCel, stand Q69, Snails come in a range of 12 fashionable and vibrant colours and give a high gloss, salon quality finish. The products have a light, fresh natural fragrance that smells baby like. The Snails range also includes a topcoat called “breathe easy”. This optional top coat uses oxygen Technology which respects the natural physiology of the nail and adds protection against UV light.

Rated safest polish by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, Snails are free of artificial preservatives, solvents and the ‘toxic trio’ of DPB, toluene and formaldehyde; additives commonly found in many traditional polish formulations. Hypoallergenic and removable without the need for harsh solvent-based removers, Snails polishes provides a solution for parents everywhere who are concerned about the potential health implications of chemical based polishes and removers.

Commenting on the motivation for developing Snails, Jeanette Sklivanou said: “As a mother my biggest concern is protecting my children and I was shocked to discover the number of toxins present in many cosmetics. The debate around whether we allow children to grow up too quickly is often discussed in the media but the potential physical danger of close contact with the harsh chemicals used in many of these products is rarely mentioned. For me that is a big issue. I think children should be allowed to express themselves through age appropriate dress up and role play but we have a responsibility as parents to keep them safe.”

Snails has also launched a range for health and environmentally conscious women and which are safe for budding mums-to-be. Available in a range of 3 colours entitled Meditation, Relaxation and Yoga Nidra, the range provides all that is needed for a completely nontoxic manicure and pedicure. Like all the Snails range, the products have a light, fresh natural fragrance that smells baby like.

Snails is a truly pan European product. The range is manufactured in France, packaged in lead free Italian glass bottles and distributed by Jeanette’s company, Safe & Beautiful, which is based in Greece with operations in the UK. Snails meets all regulations set out by the EU protective laws for cosmetics.

Snails are currently available for purchase online at www.safe-nails.com Individual bottles are priced at €7 or £5.95 each, with gift sets starting at €9 or £7.60. International shipping is available. Safe & Beautiful is partnering with department stores, beauty salons and professionals and retailers in the UK and European markets and is actively seeking distributors in those markets to fulfil demand.

Following Professional Beauty 2012 at London’s ExCel, Jeanette will exhibit Snails at Beautyworld Middle East 2012, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE, May 29-31.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/snails4kids | Twitter: @Snails4Kids

The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

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The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

LONDON WINS 21 PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Tea Guild has bestowed 21 Awards of Excellence in this year’s Top London Afternoon Tea Awards 2012 to leading establishments in the capital. The venues achieving this coveted Tea Guild award for recognition of their consistently exceptional standards of quality and tea service are: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

Now in their 27th year, the acclaimed Tea Guild Awards of Excellence are seen as the ‘Michelin star’ of all tea awards, with leading tea rooms and world class hotels throughout London competing for the fashionable and renowned honour. Taking afternoon tea is a cherished experience steeped in British tradition and will be particularly popular in the capital this year as the British public and many of this year’s overseas visitors celebrate British traditions with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Tea Guild’s secret inspectors have assiduously been searching the capital to seek out the finest tea experiences to see who is deserving of an “Award of Excellence” and who should win the Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Award. As well as judging London’s top tea rooms and hotels, The Tea Guild’s judges have travelled across Britain to find the annual winners of the Top City and Country Hotel Tea Award 2012 and the Top Tea Place 2012 Award. All visits have been anonymous to ensure the results are completely fair and accurate. The anonymous judges awarded points for the variety, flavour and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation. With 125 points to be lost or gained on the judge’s scorecard, only those establishments achieving the very highest standards across a number of categories can make it to the top.

The judges were so impressed with the quality of the afternoon tea served at the following London Establishments that they awarded them high marks in every category: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

The Tea Guild has now also presented the 2012 award for the Top London Afternoon Tea, which was received by The Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair. The rest of the Awards are yet to be announced.

Commenting on the 21 ‘Awards of Excellence’ received in the capital, Irene Gorman, Head of The Tea Guild, notes: “Each year the judges’ task of choosing those who receive an ‘Award Of Excellence’ gets more challenging, as standards within The Tea Guild continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception.”

“The Awards of Excellence to these leading establishments were presented in recognition of their admirable and consistently high standards of tea making, evident in the care and attentiveness with which they prepare and serve afternoon tea.”

She added: “In the Capital afternoon tea is now the most fashionable way to catch up with friends. It has become increasing popular be it after a busy morning’s shopping, a business meeting, for that special family occasion, a romantic date or a truly memorable experience for the bride to be and her girlfriends. More and more people are taking time out to enjoy that ‘very special afternoon tea moment’.”

Tree Brands Branch Together.

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The world definitely needs more trees, so, good news!

DoubleTree by Hilton is proud to announce that they have officially become a Silver Sponsor of the Woodland Trust Jubilee Woods campaign. The celebration of the longstanding relationship between the two prominent tree brands will see 20,000 trees planted in the UK during 2012, as well as additional support of the Visit Woods initiative, an online woodland search solution which encourages nature lovers to explore the tranquillity of woodland sites across the country.

DoubleTree by Hilton, one of the most dynamic, fast-growing brands in the hotel industry, has worked with the Woodland Trust since its UK debut in 2008, by funding the planting of tens of thousands of trees, hosting Woodland Trust awareness events and connecting children with nature through Woodland Discovery Days.

The Jubilee Woods Project, which has Her Majesty The Queen’s support and HRH The Princess Royal as Patron, aims to plant 6 million trees across the UK and involve millions of people in a year of tree planting Jubilee celebrations. The Jubilee Woods project aims to create hundreds of Jubilee Woods and 60 special Diamond Woods, transforming the UK’s landscape in a generation and providing a lasting and meaningful tribute for many years to come. More than one million trees were officially planted across the UK in February during the first month of the Jubilee Woods call-to-action.

Rob Palleschi, Global Head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton believes that small actions can collectively make a world of difference, both in our hotels and the environment. This has led to the planting of more than 350,000 trees by our brand in a variety of reforestation projects worldwide. We are honored to enter our fifth year of partnership with the Woodland Trust by celebrating such an auspicious occasion as the Queen’s Jubilee, through the planting of 20,000 trees across the UK. Along with support of the Visit Woods programme, DoubleTree by Hilton looks forward to continued work with the Woodland Trust on a series of nature education initiatives that encourage and inspire people across the UK to connect with and appreciate the great outdoors.”

The first of the 20,000 trees to be planted between DoubleTree by Hilton and the Woodland Trust for the Jubilee Woods project included the ceremonial planting of 16 Royal Oak saplings during the first full week of spring, one sapling to represent each of the brand’s 16 UK hotels. Each Royal Oak sapling has been grown from an acorn gathered from a royal estate around the country. Once strong enough, the Royal Oak saplings will be permanently planted in Merry Hill Woods, located between Harrow and Watford on the outskirts of London. The Royal Oak saplings, along with the thousands more trees planted with support from DoubleTree by Hilton, will significantly help the Woodland Trust reach their target of planting 6 million trees in the UK in 2012.

DoubleTree by Hilton first partnered with the Woodland Trust in 2008 to raise awareness of the Visit Woods campaign. As well as funding the planting of thousands of trees, DoubleTree by Hilton has also hosted Woodland Trust awareness events, connected children with nature through Woodland Discovery Days and encouraged nature lovers to explore the tranquillity of woodland sites across the country.

VisitWoods.org.uk maps nearly 14,000 woodlands across the UK giving easy access to information on nearly all publicly accessible woods. Guests at each of the 16 UK DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, whether they are in a city or rural location, can find out more about native and ancient woodlands to create a Woodland Weekend mini-break within easy reach of any DoubleTree by Hilton destination. The hotel brand already has worked with the Woodland Trust to sponsor this spring’s Visit Woods Woodland Photography Competition, currently running through June 30, 2012.

Penny Pulfrey, partnership manager at the Woodland Trust, said: “The UK lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to tree cover. Only 13% of the UK is covered by woodland, compared to a European average of 44%. We strive to ensure woodland is high on the environmental agenda and are delighted to continue working with a brand such as DoubleTree by Hilton, which has demonstrated genuine commitment to the environment.”

For more information about the Woodland Trust, please visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk. For more information about DoubleTree by Hilton, visit www.doubletree.com, call 00800 2222 8733 or contact your travel agent.

Shoes for Summer: SS’12: Cushe Footwear

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SS’12: Cushe Footwear

Cushe Footwear has launched its SS12 range of unconventional footwear choices for everyday life and showcased this in a beautiful behind the scenes videos and advertising campaign. I like their shoes and the feel of their campaign. The shoes look comfy and are well designed.

The SS’12 shoot chronicles ‘the road trip’ in videos which follow one man’s travels to Mozambique. This reflects Cushe’s laidback lifestyle and travel message, demonstrating how the brand create lines to cater for all aspects of a Summer adventure. This story is reflected through the behind the scenes video.

The overall theme for this season’s range of shoes was based around ‘The Wonder Year’, which translates across all forms of creative associated with the season.

Check out the behind the scenes videos.

Innocent fruit sports day | Events

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Innocent fruit sports day, Regents Park, London 22nd July 2012

Dig out your shorts, dust off your running shoes and start warming up.

After three whole years, innocent’s summer festival makes a welcome return this July. As the official smoothie and juice of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, innocent will be hosting their very own fruit sports day themed festival in Regent’s Park on Sunday 22nd July 2012.

It will be a great day out for all the family, and it’s the perfect way to get you into the spirit of the Olympic Games a week before the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off.

Over the course of the day, you’ll be able to take part in a host of fruity sports day pursuits. Enter track and field events like the 100m kiwi and spoon, squash-put or marrow-thon, pop along for a spot of peach volleyball or have a go at our take on curling with a potato and broom. You’ll be able to make and break records, be in with the chance to win tickets to London 2012 events or even race against an Olympian.

And when all that running around gets a bit much, there will be plenty of tasty, natural, healthy food to eat, a big farmers’ market to explore, as well as live folk, jazz and swing music from our acoustic stage and an eclectic mix of pop up performances from roving bands, musicians and entertainers. There will also be loads of stuff for kids to do, a warm up and work out tent, open air dance floors, poetry corner, and a chill out area with yoga and massages to soothe those weary limbs. And, of course, there’ll be plenty of smoothies to taste.

It all starts at 11am and runs until 7pm. So, pencil it in your diary, scribble it on your hand and tell all your friends.

To find out more and book tickets visit www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/fruitsportsday. Tickets will be available from May priced at £10 for adults and £5.50 for kids/concessions.

RETIRED NATION IS SITTING ON £96.41 BILLION OF PERSONAL DEBTS

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Everyone thinks it is just the young who are in debt and struggling, but new research has shown that the retired are having a tough time too. Here are some stats, and a checklist to improve your living standards and boost your income.

· Average retired person has £8,180 of personal debt

· 178,000 retired people have personal debts of £100,000 or more

New research from retirement income specialist MGM Advantage reveals that the average retired person has £8,180 of personal debt, collectively equating to a staggering £96.41billion. The average level of personal debt for a retired man is £9,007, compared to £7,350 for a retired woman.

Around 178,000 retired people each owe £100,000 or more, and just over 729,000 owe between £25,000 and £100,000. Only 57% of the retired population has no personal debt.

Amount of personal debt

Number of retired people

Between £1 and £5,000

2.486 million

Between £5,001 and £25,000

1.094 million

Between £25,001 and £100,000

729,000

Over £100,000

178,000

None

6.776 million

Don’t know

523,000

Aston Goodey, Director, MGM Advantage said: “These figures are alarming. As the cost of living continues to put pressure on household finances, many retired people will feel under growing pressure to take on debt to fund everyday living.

“There are things you can do to minimise the chances of funding your retirement through debt. It is vital that people shop around for the best annuity rate to maximise the income they receive. The difference between the best and worst rates can be as much as 50%2. People should also make sure they are claiming all of the State benefits to which they are entitled and also ensure that they have accounted for all old savings accounts and pension plans.”

On a regional basis, the average retired person in Wales has personal debt of £13,857, which is the highest in Britain. This is followed by £11,758 in the South West, and £11,255 in London.

Region

Average amount of personal debt per retired person

Wales

£13,857

South West

£11,758

London

£11,255

West Midlands

£9,417

Scotland

£8,890

North West

£8,094

South East

£7,390

Yorkshire and Humberside

£7,353

North East

£6,511

Eastern

£4,759

East Midlands

£4,164

Northern Ireland

*Sample size too small to report

MGM Advantage has published a checklist of things for people to consider when making important decisions at retirement:

1. Claim all state benefits to which you are entitled, to check, go to www.direct.gov.uk

Data suggests that pensioners are missing out on up to £5 billion a year in unclaimed pension credit, housing and council tax benefits, as well as attendance and disability living allowances.

2. Keep a track on any old personal or occupational pension arrangements, if you think you might have lost track of an old pension arrangement, you can check via the Department for Work and Pensions tracing service here http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/

3. You can check if you have any old savings accounts which you might have lost touch with over the years by going to http://www.unclaimedassets.co.uk/

4. Don’t just accept the annuity rate offered by your pension provider. You should shop around for the best rate and you might qualify for an enhanced rate for pre-existing medical conditions

5. Seek professional financial advice as this will help you get the best product and rate for your individual circumstances, to find an independent adviser go to http://www.unbiased.co.uk/

6. You may have old National Savings accounts or Premium Bonds, to check for unclaimed prizes please go to http://www.nsandi.com/files/asset/pdf/Tracing_brochure_v03.pdf


For further information please go to www.retirementnation.co.uk

Seb Morgan’s Fitness Column: What’s your excuse?

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WHAT’S YOU’RE EXCUSE?

I’m too weak, too slow, too big. I ate too much for breakfast, I got a headache, its raining, my dog is sick I can’t right now. I’m not inspired, it makes me sweat, it makes me smell bad, I’m allergic to stuff, I’m fat, I’m thin, its too hot, I’m not right I got shin splints, I’m distracted, I’m exerting myself too much, I’d love too really but I can’t, I just can’t my favorite show is on, I’ve got a case of the Monday, the Tuesdays, the Wednesdays; I don’t want to do this, I want to do something else after new years, next week I might make a mistake.

I’ve got homework, I feel bloated, I got gas, I got a hot date, my coach hates me, my mam won’t let me, I bruise easily, its too dark, its too cold, its too hot, this is dangerous, sorry I don’t have a bike, I don’t have trainers, I didn’t get enough sleep, its not in my DNA,Ii don’t want to look all tired out, I need a better coach, I don’t like getting tackled, I’m not the athletic type, I don’t want to get sweaty, I have better things to do, I don’t want to slow you down, do I have to do this?, as soon as I get a promotion, as soon as I get some money I have no money I might sit this one out…what you’re excuse….pick one, I bet you have heard it before or maybe even said it yourself.

Go on, be honest. be savagely honest with yourself. no one else needs to know. what is you’re excuse and is it real? Really think about it. Is it something that acutely holds you back?, that really stops you going out and doing something, some form of health and fitness activity. has it taken you’re leg or even legs? an arm even? is you’re day so full that you don’t have time to make a cuppa and sit down? Do you have so little money you cant go to the park for a run, jog, WALK.

Let me ask you….really? Is that really the truth….or an excuse.

Last year we saw a great feat of human courage in the rugby world cup and recently the six nations, soon we will all be watching the triumph that is the Olympics and even more so the Para-Olympics and let me ask you when you watch that event and its amazing human beings. Do you think they made an excuse when it was cold, raining, hot, not enough time to do school work, normal work, we’re tired at waking at dumb o’clock, the training was too hard, they failed, they lost that race, they got bitten, they had personal issues, had lost an arm, leg, both legs…….do you think they made an excuse.

And don’t give me the…oh yeah, but they had support, they’ve trained for year etc…as I tell people I train or fellow Brazilian jujitsu players….everyone has to start somewhere.

At this current moment I’m watching Frank Skinner on sport-aid swim for the very first time and seeing a smile appearing on his face as he realizes he overcome one hurdle of the biggest fear of his life is incredible….I’m also smiling at his personal achievement.

He did so again….why cant you?, whats you’re excuse.

My personal excuses are, I’m smaller than everyone else, I’m not as strong, I’m getting older, there’re too far head of me in the game, there’re just so much better and these are the excuses i use to push me that little bit harder….but that’s me, you have to find you’re own.

Now i do understand that if you think you need a little push or guidance but a little to intimidated to go to the gym and see all these muscle men (who in all honestly are probably training wrong…HA) it can be scary and then you’re let of on you’re own and then PT’s coming up saying “can i help you, yeah i’ll show you for 5 mins, you want more it will cost”.

So if you find yourself in this position I’m going to advice the original and leading park fitness group, British Military Fitness. they train in over 100 park across Britain with over 400 instructors who are either ex or current serving servicemen and ladies but don’t be fooled by the Military bit…….its a very fun, engaging session lasting only an hour where you are guided, instructed and supported by you’re instructor and the other members of you’re group and whats more than a gym…the members communicate, talk, share, support and even get together after the sessions or weekends.

Its a great environment and is basically a personal training session with someone who is not just out to get you’re money to pay there gym-rent, they are there to really help you.
Yes,I am being bias as I am an instructor but what i have seen really has taken my by surprise and for anyone who feels a bit nervy of taken that first step, we are there all the way with you…plus you’re first session is free.

To find out more and a park near you search ‘British Military Fitness’ or ‘BritMilFit’ into a search engine.

If you have a goal, we’ll get you there. Remember; I’m with you all the way.

Seb is a free-lance personal trainer, you can follow him on twitter at @sebmorganpt

Free Interior Guide Book to Transform your Home

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It is very rare to get anything free in life, but Frost has come across a free interior guide booklet.

1-2-3 Transform Your Home a FREE step-by-step interior guide showing how to bring the joy of spring/summer indoors in 2012

The Flower Council of Holland (FCH) has created a beautiful FREE online booklet demonstrating how to bring the joy of spring indoors with flowering bulbs in pots and cut bulb flowers.

Available exclusively from www.funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk, design and gardening enthusiasts can use the booklet to gather ideas on how to create attractive indoor displays with spring bulb flowers using a variety of vintage and contemporary containers and vases. As easy as 1-2-3, bulb flower displays around the home are guaranteed to bring happiness and brighten up any dark corner.

The 1-2-3 Transform Your Home booklet is a step-by-step guide focusing on five of the nation’s favourite flower bulbs: Tulip, Hyacinth, Iris, Narcissi and Calla Lily and explains how they can be used to transform different rooms in the home with diverse styles and scents.

Jacqueline Doornekamp from the Flower Council of Holland, says:

“Flower bulbs in pots and cut flower bulbs in vases are a simple yet stylish solution to refreshing tired interiors. This free step-by-step guide shows the easy and affordable way to lift your mood and transform your home.”