Category Archives: Life & Style

Winter Slaw with Grilled Lamb Chops {Recipes}

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Winter Slaw with Grilled Lamb Chops

Serves 4

This is a fresher, lighter version of your usual mayonnaise covered coleslaw that can be made
ahead and stored in the fridge. You can also serve this slaw with steak, grilled salmon or a jacket
potato

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

For the winter slaw:
¼ red cabbage, finely shredded
¼ white cabbage, finely shredded
4 carrots, peeled and grated
1 British red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 green apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp dill, chopped
Handful lightly toasted pine nuts

For the dressing:
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tsp caster sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons walnut oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
For the lamb chops
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2-3 tbsp oil
8 lamb chops
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together in a jar – giving them all a good
shake. The dressing can be made ahead.
2. Place the shredded cabbages, carrots and onion in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Toss
the apple in the lemon juice and add to the vegetables along with the dill. Add the pine
nuts just before serving.
3. Add the dressing and mix well, allowing the flavours to infuse together.
4. For the lamb chops, mix together the cayenne pepper and the oil until well combined. Rub
the lamb chops all over with the mixture, then season, to taste, with salt and freshly
ground black pepper.
5. Heat a griddle pan over a medium heat; add the lamb chops and cook for 2-3 minutes on
each side, or until golden-brown on both sides and cooked, but still pink in the middle.
6. Serve the lamb chops with a serving of the winter slaw.

Onion Tart Tatin {Recipes}

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Onion Tart Tatin

Serves 2

This dish looks impressive but is deceptively easy to make! Serve with a sprinkling of goat’s
cheese and rocket for a starter or light meal to impress. You could also make this in two separate
tart tins for individual portions.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

2 British brown onions
1 British red onion
50g butter
2 tbsp clear honey
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
A few thyme sprigs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
250 g ready rolled puff pastry, defrosted if frozen
Little flour for rolling

1. Preheat the oven, 200°C/fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6
2. Cut the onions into wedges from the roots to the stems. Melt the butter in a 20 cm (8
inch) frying pan with a metal handle. Add the onions and fry over a medium heat for about
5 minutes, turning from time to time until just beginning to brown.
3. Add the honey and vinegar and cook for a further 5 minutes, moving and shaking the pan
occasionally so the onions do not stick to the pan. Arrange the onions so they make a
pretty pattern, remembering you will be inverting the tart. Add the thyme stems and
season well. Leave to cool while you prepare the pastry.
4. Roll out the pastry on to a lightly floured surface and cut into a circle slightly larger than
the diameter of the frying pan. Lift the pastry over the onions and tuck down the sides of
the pan or tin. Make 2 small slits for the steam to escape.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is well risen. Leave to stand for 5 minutes. Turn
the pastry gently to release; you should be able to spin the tart tatin when it is ready to
serve. Cover the pan with a plate, invert then remove the pan leaving the tart now on the
plate.
6. Serve warm or cold, with a scattering of rocket and Parmesan shavings.

Fashions Finest London Fashion Week Shows

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Fashions Finest London Fashion Week Shows take part on 18 & 19 February 2012

Fashions Finest LFW shows continue to grow from strength to strength attracting designers from across the globe from as far afield as India, Nigeria, Poland, Zambia and numerous emerging and established designers from across the UK.

Fashions Finest is not your ordinary London Fashion Week show as it continuously pushes the boundaries and gives opportunities to new, aspiring and emerging designers that would not ordinarily be given the opportunity to showcase during London Fashion Week.

This season Fashions Finest added an extra dimension to its shows by for the first time having solo shows alongside the group shows. John Peter and Yes London showed male and female collections
respectively. These two shows were absolute road blocks with guests being turned away in large numbers,
All of the shows attracted celebrities such as celebrity hair dresser Stuart Phillip and a lot of the top media outlets and buyers from across the world.

FF LFW Catwalk Schedule

Saturday 18th February 2012
Day 1
Venue: Westbury Hotel, London

Designers Showcasing:
3pm Show – Emerging Designers
• Ocansey Bianchi (UK)
• Bukki (UK)
• Gruni (Scotland)
• BZion(UK)
• Rouge by Rachelle (UK)

5pm Show – Established Designers
• Beata Guzinska (Poland/UK)
• Smart Phiri (Zambia)
• Fee Uhssi Designs(UK)
7.30pm – Solo Show
• John Peter (Italy/UK)
9pm – Solo Show (Italy/UK)
• Yes London
Sunday 19th February 2012
Day 2
Venue: Westbury Hotel, London

Designers Showcasing:
3pm Show – Emerging Designers
• Motohiro Tanji (Japan/UK)
• Yola Walaszek (Poland/UK)
• Heart 365 Emporium (UK)
• LinmiR Millinery (UK)
• Chatenya Mittal (India)
• GUZOVAART (Scotland)
6pm Show – Emerging Designers
• Lakot Couture (UK)
• ODF Clothing (UK)
• AGR (UK)
• BZion (UK)
• Thre3e.ten Clothing (UK)
• Eva Cammarata (UK)
8.30pm Show – Established Designers
• Jan Knibbs (UK)
• Mia by Mia Nisbet (Scotland/Malawi)
• House of Silk (Nigeria)
• SVE (UK)

Detailed Information on the designers can be found on Fashions Finest

Summer Bread Salad {Recipes}

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Summer Bread Salad

Serves 4

This is such a versatile salad, make ahead of time and take as a packed lunch or ideal on a picnic.
The longer you leave it the more intense the flavours.

Preparation Time: 1 hour

1 small cucumber, roughly chopped
1 large British red onion, roughly chopped
3 very ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
2 ready roasted peppers, roughly chopped
2 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
1 small stale crusty loaf, ripped into large cubes
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1-2 tsp sugar

Handful fresh basil, freshly torn

1. Place the cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, roasted peppers and capers in a large bowl and
add the bread. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
2. Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, chilli and sugar and some salt and pepper together
and add to the bowl with the basil. Give it a good mix, then cover and leave in the fridge
for at least and hour overnight for the flavours to combine. The bread should feel moist
but not soggy. Serve as a starter or a salad.
3. Tip: if you do not have very stale bread – rip your bread and bake in the oven for 7-10
minutes until beginning to crisp.

For The Mum Who Loves To Read.

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It will be mother’s day soon and we have found the perfect present for mothers who love to read, the Kobo Touch eReader is the perfect gift.

The Kobo Touch is a new kind of eReader that delivers a straight forward, clutter-free reading experience. Diminutive in size, a great travel companion which fits easily in your handbag and a perfect way to keep your ‘new you’ secret weapon just that!

So if mum likes reading the latest biography by Dawn French or get inspired by the recipes of Mary Berry or Lorraine Pascal or even get lost in the novels of the Brontes, the new Kobo Touch eReader is a wonderful present. With the Kobo Touch eReader, she can carry more than one book with her when she’s on the go and not be weighed down.

There are over one million free books and great savings on current printed books. Kobo Touch will allow users to read and store up to 1,000 eBooks, expanding to 32,000 with an SD card.

The Kobo Touch is light and stylish with a signature quilted back for comfort, which comes in four great colours: lilac, silver, blue and black.

It’s the eReader to be seen with – even if you don’t want to break a habit of a lifetime or try something new, use it to hold your classics, indulge in chick lit, or keep-up with the best sellers list.

Available at WHSmith Retail Stores or online at www.whsmith.co.uk, John Lewis and Asda

THE KOBO TOUCH EDITION £89.99 – Ultimate reading experience: lighter, faster, and with touch!

· Simple and intuitive touch screen navigation, that is just like reading a book with Real Touch™ technology

· Weighs just 185g

· Wi Fi connection to shop and browse the Kobo eBook store at home or on the go

· Free Previews – free excerpts of 15 popular books ready to read

· Newest E Ink 6 inch Screen with Pearl Technology and featuring 16 level grey scale for the sharpest reading experience

· A selection of fonts and font sizes, to customise your reading experience

Freedom to shop wherever you like

· Kobo supports ‘open’ books, which means you’re not restricted to buying titles from one site – you can shop around for the latest books from ‘open’ eBook retailers meaning more choice and always a competitive price

Freedom to read wherever you like

· Light and compact the Kobo Touch can go anywhere, but if you want to share your book with any other device you can

· Once you have bought your book, it’s yours to share with free Kobo eReading apps for smartphones, tablets and computers

Freedom to share your thoughts

· For the first time, avid readers can share their thoughts in the world’s biggest international book club, Reading Life

· The Reading Life function allows you to see the books friends have read and ask them for recommendations, see the books you have in common and invite friends to join Kobo via Facebook or email

First mother and daughter to engineer a double act

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Two female family members from Ayrshire in Scotland are believed to be the first ever mother and daughter to both gain a qualification in a profession dominated by male engineers.

Suzanne Flynn became a Chartered Engineer 35 years ago and her daughter Emily has recently gained the same status. Chartered Engineer is one of the most recognisable international engineering qualifications. Of the 191,224 Chartered Engineers in the UK, only 8,154 (four per cent) are female.

An electrical engineer, Suzanne, 64, is Principal Consultant at Cygnet Solutions Ltd, a professional IT services provider. Daughter Emily, 32, is an RAF Squadron Leader Engineering Officer, who has served in Afghanistan.

Suzanne said: “I am delighted that Emily has gained this prestigious professional qualification. Engineering is one of the most rewarding and varied professions and I am pleased that Emily can look forward to many years of career enjoyment.”

Emily said: “I am really pleased to have been awarded my CEng and proud that my mother and I are the first mother-daughter to do so. Mum has been an inspirational role model. The RAF has ensured that I have been given the opportunity to gain the competences required and is a fantastic place to be an engineer. Hopefully, we can also be the first mother-daughter Fellows as well!”

Both Suzanne and Emily are members of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe’s largest engineering professional body which awards Chartered Engineer to more recipients than any other institution.

Michelle Richmond, IET Director of Membership, and herself a Chartered Engineer, said: “Gaining Chartered Engineer status is a massive achievement in its own right. With engineering still a male-dominated industry, Suzanne and Emily join a very select group of females to have successfully achieved the qualification. We believe they are the first mother and daughter in the UK to both achieve this internationally recognised qualification and we are delighted for them.”

Outside of the engineering world, Suzanne’s interests include travel, opera, speaking Italian and beekeeping. Daughter Emily is a keen mountaineer and has been on two expeditions to the Himalayas. She is also Vice Chairman of the RAF Mountaineering Association and has represented the RAF, Combined Services and Scotland Under-18s in hockey.

Get Your Flirt On.

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Office Attraction
Get your office flirt on…

According to new research revealed today, the office is the best environment to flirt in. Bars may be geared up for romance to flourish but the British public prefer to attract the opposite sex over the photocopier rather than over a drink.

Echoing the relationship of Dawn and Tim in The Office, the report, commissioned by Lynx, to mark the launch of Attract ‘For Him’ and ‘For Her’ fragrance, has found 37 percent of Brits use the work place to flirt compared with only 25 percent giving off amorous signals in bars and clubs.

Surprisingly usually reserved Brits were comfortable scouting for love in the supermarket, on the street or even public transport. It seems that attraction can strike us anywhere and the public are more than happy to act on it.

Top 5 Flirting Hotspots

Work – 37%
Bar or Club – 25%
Supermarket – 10%
On the Street – 8%
Public Transport – 4%

Flirting has become a weapon of love throughout the UK with men doing it 348 times a year and women making eyes at the opposite sex on 182 occasions.

Northerners have come out on top as the biggest culprits with 46 percent of people from Northern Ireland admitting to flirting at work, closely followed by North Easterners (45%) and Scots (42%).

On the opposite side of the scale, Londoners are more reserved in the work place (22%) and the majority choose to get amorous in night clubs (38%).

Kieran Danaher, Lynx Brand Manager at Unilever UK, said: “Men and women find it easier to flirt at work as they can read each other’s body language and interact closely with each other. Unlike bars and clubs the office allows us to use all our senses in order to attract the object of our affection. We can clearly see, hear and smell each other in the office”.

The Lynx report found that Brits adventurous nature to flirting in everyday environments extends to their attitude to getting intimate with each other. When the flirting works out and peoples attraction starts heating up Brits our comfortable going alfresco to get sexy.

A whopping 54 per cent have been intimate in their cars and 31 per cent have taken to the garden to take their intimacy to the next level.

The top 5 places men and women get intimate are:

The Car – 54%
The Garden – 31%
In a Club – 20%
Parents Bedroom – 17%
The Pub – 16%

Kieran Danaher, said “There seems to be an attraction epidemic in the UK. Inhibitions around flirting and public displays of affection (PDAs) have dissipated”.

New Lynx Attract For Him and For Her is available now.

BOYS BEWARE – 200,000 WOMEN ARE READY TO POP THE QUESTION!

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Over half (56%) of men who are in a relationship might say yes
A fifth of women (22%) in a relationship would consider proposing on a leap year

The ancient tradition that women can propose to ‘the one’ on the 29th February has historically led to men having sleepless nights as the date approaches. According to Opinium Research, 2012 should be no different.

This year a staggering 200,000 women are swallowing their fears and planning to take the leap! And while an inspiring number of women are gearing up to raise that all-important question, men who are not asked today should not breathe a sigh of relief quite yet. A fifth of women (22%) said they would definitely consider asking those four little words when a leap year comes around in the future.

When men were asked if they would accept their girlfriend’s proposal, only 14% said they would turn it down (believing that they themselves should pop the question), while 56% of men would consider accepting their partner’s proposal.

James Endersby, managing director of Opinium Research, commented: “Those crucial four words “Will you marry me?” are usually uttered by men but this year it seems that brave women across the country will encourage that convention to change and are wearing the trousers in their relationship instead. Hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day this opportunity only rolls around once every four years, so to all those women out there planning to pop the question – good luck!”