CREATE YOUR OWN THEATRE AT HOME

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Catherine Balavage

We love this adorable gift. So cute and great for development.

Create your own theatre productions and performances using the beautiful craft set from Royal Opera House shop – the perfect project for budding performers and theatre lovers!

Little ones will be sure to have creative fun, learn about how the theatre works, and get lost in their imagination, whilst writing and putting on a dazzling show for all the family to enjoy.

All kits include scenery, characters and props, and come packed with interesting facts and activities.

Made with the environment in mind, paper elements are created from recycled materials, and even better… no glue or scissors are needed, making it the perfect safe activity for all children to love.

Create Your Own Theatre – £12.50

Royal Opera House shop – shop.roh.org.uk

IS COLLAGEN THE SECRET TO YOUR BEST HAIR EVER? A-LIST HAIRSTYLIST JASON COLLIER SAYS YES, AND HERE’S WHY…

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Frostie

Jason Collier knows a thing or two about what great hair looks like, having styled the likes of Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Laura Whitmore and countless more. One thing he always tells his clients, is that great hair begins on the INSIDE! In fact, VB herself said she swears by liquid collagen just this week.

We know that collagen is excellent for our skin, but did you also know it has a plethora of benefits for your hair too?

If you’re conscious about thinning locks, greys, and lacklustre ends, the following advice could come in handy.

Here, Jason shares the golden reasons why collagen can benefit your hair…

‘Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and plays an important role in strengthening connective tissues. Collagen is naturally produced but, as we age, our ability to produce collagen diminishes – one of the reasons our skin starts to develop wrinkles and our hair can feel more lacklustre.

‘Post-summer I always see clients with hair in desperate need of a re-style and treatment; as well as recommending a good trim and/or re-style with a nourishing hair treatment, collagen will build hair from the inside out.

Put simply, hair is primarily made up of the protein keratin.Your body uses several amino acids to build keratin, some of which can be found in collagen, so this could help keep hair healthy long after your cut.’

He adds: ‘Collagen makes up 70% of your skin and your scalp is an extension of that, a healthy scalp could mean less hair thinning.’

1. Collagen may keep early greys at bay

So many people have ditched the at-home hair dye so they’re not only looking for ways to disguise greys by opting for lowlights instead of all over dyes or balayage with a toner at the roots, but they also want to keep them at bay. Collagencan act as an antioxidant to fight cell damage as studies suggest free radical damage to the cells that produce hair colour may be one of the reasons for early-greying. Other reasons could include stress, poor diet which may damage melanin producing cells, too.

2. Collagen could help rebuild hair from the inside out

‘Post-lockdown has meant many clients have come in with locks in desperate need of a restyle and treatment, as well as recommending a good trim and/or restyle with a nourishing hair treatment, collagen will build hair from the inside out. Put simply, hair is primarily made up of the protein keratin. Your body uses several amino acids to build keratin, some of which can be found in collagen, so this could help keep hair healthy long after your cut.

3. Collagen could be the key to prevent hair-thinning

More and more clients, due to the stress of lockdown, have complained about hair thinning. As well as treatment shampoos, thickening sprays for a faux volume boost, regular trims to stop hair loss through splitting and a cleverly layered haircut – a collagen supplement could help. It makes up 70% of your skin and your scalp is an extension of that, a healthy scalp could mean less hair thinning. I love the LQ Skin Hair and Nails, which contains 7000mg of Hydrolysed Marine Collagen – there are studies which show evidence that marine collagen in particular is most effective. This one is an ingestible liquid shot. Liquids absorb into the body far more effectively than pills and one 50ml shot contains the same amount of active ingredients as up to 15 pills!.

JASONS TOP PICK

LQ COLLAGEN SKIN HAIR NAILS MAX, £29.99

Each daily bottle contains multiple key active ingredients and includes marine collagen (7000mg), hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, silicon, glucosamine, selenium and vitamins. Each bottle contains 7000mg of high bioavailability Peptan™ marine collagen.
LQ Collagen® | Developed for a Healthier and Happier You

Give the gift of clear skin this Christmas with skin:genius

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Frostie

This Christmas, give the gift of clear skin with the multi-award-winning 100% natural skin:genius range.

Its special-price festive pack is beautifully presented in a cotton s:g bag and includes: a 100ml Cleansing Face Wash (Best Cleanse Forever); 30ml Leave-on Purifying Gel (All’s Well That Gels Well); 50ml Calming Moisturiser (Soothe Operator) and 10ml Spot Zapper (Hits The Spot) alongside a cotton flannel and lavender bag. Worth £75.00, this festive bundle costs £60.00.

Specifically formulated to prevent and reduce acne, breakouts and spot-prone skin in teens and adults, skin:genius is packed with anti-bacterial ingredients that tackle the bacteria which commonly cause these problems. The synergistic behaviour of its natural ingredients – including Red Clover, Nettle, Roman Chamomile, Oregon Grape, Witch Hazel, Marsh Mallow and Calendula – reduces inflammation and redness while hydrating, calming and smoothing irritated skin.

Rich in anti-oxidants, skin:genius products bring positive results from using high-quality, proven, natural and organic ingredients that work with the skin. Unlike many other products, skin:genius® uses a high number of quality active ingredients in lower concentrations, reducing any risk of sensitivity to the products while multiplying the benefits. This means you can attack one issue from many angles, achieving excellent results in a powerful yet gentle way.

Its Cleansing Face Wash, Leave-on Purifying Gel, Soothing Moisturiser and Hits The Spot all help to keep the skin clear by tackling the causes – not just the symptoms – of troublesome skin. They smell and feel wonderful and would make a super gift for anyone with problem skin.

Cleansing Face Wash – ‘best cleanse forever’

Bursting with Calendula, Red Clover and Lemongrass, this gentle daily face wash effectively removes impurities and excess oil, cleanses and cleans the face without over-drying the skin. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action reduces rashes, redness and irritation leaving a more even skin tone.

Leave-On Purifying Gel – ‘all’s well that gels well’

This maximum strength, fast-acting gel tackles inflamed spots and reduces redness immediately, to quickly bring relief and results. Easily absorbed, it’s loaded with Oregon Grape, Nettle and Roman Chamomile to help tackle breakouts while preventing the bacteria that cause acne and spots. Its antioxidant and antibacterial ingredients help improve the skin’s immune function while reducing redness and irritation. It works best when used at bedtime and left to work its magic overnight.

Soothing Moisturiser – ‘soothe operator’

Calming and light, this balancing moisturiser provides skin with long-lasting hydration while minimising the appearance of pores and scarring. Babassu, Macadamia and Hazelnut nourish the skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. It is rich in vitamin E to aid skinrecovery and naturally collagen-boosting. Importantly, it contains ingredients that behave similarly to sebum which signal to your skinto stop producing this substance which, when produced excessively, leads to oily skin and blocked pores.

Spot Zapper – ‘Hits The Spot’

Designed to stop a spot in its tracks. You simply apply one dot of this maximum-strength, fast-acting gel as a direct hit to help restore calm. Loaded with Oregon Grape, Nettle, Roman Chamomile and Yarrow, Hits The Spot helps fight and prevent the bacteria that cause spots and breakouts. It’s also high in antioxidants to protect and soothe inflamed skin and reduce redness.

Farringdon’s Fate by Linda Finlay reviewed by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Margaret Graham

Nettlecombe Manor, nestled in the rolling hills of Devon, is home to Lord Farringdon and his second wife, Lady Charlotte. As if running the vast estate wasn’t enough, Lord Farringdon has five daughters to keep him busy. Lady Charlotte is determined that the betrothal of the eldest, Louisa, should be celebrated with a ball, one that will be the envy of Devon society. A corsetiere is summoned from Exeter to measure them up for new corsets.

Apprentice Jane Haydon arrives at Nettlecombe to do the fittings. Having never set foot in such a grand home, Jane is disturbed to hear tell of a gypsy’s curse which has haunted the family for generations, and a local wise woman’s vision that there will never be a wedding at Nettlecombe.

I found myself reading this novel without stopping for anything, or that’s what I would have liked as it was just so hard to put down, but I expected this, as I had enjoyed her previous ones so much.

Farringdon’s Fate transports the reader back to 1854 and the world of balls, corsets grand estates and grandiose ambition. I simply could not pry myself away from the tremendous characters and their lives set in my home territory of the west country, an area which Finlay captures and portrays so exquisitely.

If you enjoyed TV shows such as Bridgerton then you will no doubt enjoy Farringdon’s Fate.

Published 9th December2021 available in Paperback, ebook and audio

7.99 from Amazon

Natalie Jayne Peeke interviewed Linda Finlay the author of, amongst others, Farringdon’s Fate

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Margaret Graham

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Linda Finlay for Frost Magazine recently. Linda is one of my favourite authors and it was fascinating to go ‘behind the scenes’ and learn more about the way she works to create such evocative novels. Farringdon’s Fate is her latest, and I loved it. So here we go:

1. Who are your favourite and least favourite characters from Farringdon’s Fate and why ?I

I love most of the characters I created in Farringdon’s Fate, but my favourite has to be Jane because despite her unfortunate start in life, through sheer hard work and determination she becomes a successful corsetiere. My least favourite would have to be Parson Preetcher who was out to make money by exploiting young, vulnerable women. A total cad.

2. What was the hardest scene to write and why ?

The hardest scene to write was where the young girls go missing – and when people read the book, they will see why I needed a box of tissues beside me.

3. How did you develop the plot and the characters? Where did you draw inspiration from ?

For each book I have to find my craft first and a visit to the most beautiful lingerie shop in Exeter provided the initial inspiration. Learning how corsets were made in Victorian times was the next task and proved most enlightening. I wanted to set a young businesswoman in 1850’s up against ladies of privilege and a local manor house proved my next light bulb moment.

4. What significant changes were made to Farringdon’s Fate since the first draft ?

Luckily there weren’t any significant changes to the actual plot although my wonderful editor and copy editor had their input, adding sparkle and ironing out the creases.

5. Farringdon’s Fate is set in Devon and Exeter, did you visit these places for research?

I always visit the locations my novels are set in so that I can actually feel and soak up the atmosphere. Although the manor house is sadly now empty, my niece’s wedding reception was held there so I have memories and photos of the inside which proved most helpful.

6. When you create your characters do you base them on film characters/ people you have met ? For example when I first met Charlotte I could not help but picture her as the evil step -other from Cinderella.

I actually dream up my characters, who sometimes surprise me with the way they develop. However, I can see what you mean about Charlotte. In her defence, she was an unhappy and unfulfilled woman who did try to help her stepdaughters although she wanted to shine herself.

7. Was Farringdon’s Fate written during lockdown? If so how did the experience differ from when you wrote your previous books ?

Most of Farringdon was written during lockdown, which was fine at first, but I did begin to miss outside stimulus! I am an avid people watcher!

8. Was there ever a different ending in store ?

No, the ending was always going to be this way. Hopeful rather than sentimental and with an eye to the Farringdon’s future.

9. What does 2022 have in store for you and your fans ?

Well, Farringdon 2 is with my editor at the moment, so the saga continues. I also have many ideas for future development – so here’s hoping.

Farringdon’s Fate by Linda Finleyis available here

Brits need 78 sponsored posts on Instagram to make their average annual salary

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Frostie

With the ability to earn millions, even as a nano influencer, it’s no wonder that many people are now turning to Instagram for a potential side hustle.

Interested in social media earnings, money.co.uk collected the average annual salary for each European country from Eurostat and used social salary calculator Lickd.co to find out how many sponsored posts* an average European worker would need a year to match their country’s average salary.

The European workers that would take the longest to make their average salary through sponsored posts

Money.co.uk can reveal that in the UK, aspiring influencers would need a minimum of 78 sponsored posts on Instagram to meet the average annual salary of £18,338.

	European Countries	Average annual income (GBP – £)	Required number of sponsored posts
1.	Switzerland	35,250	151
2.	Norway	34,380	147
3.	Iceland	34,096	146
4.	Luxembourg	32,320	138
5.	Denmark	26,221	112
6.	Austria	22,673	97
= 7.	Belgium	21,940	94
= 7.	Netherlands	21,921	94
= 9.	Finland	21,770	93
= 9.	Ireland	21,805	93
11.	Sweden	21,098	90

*= symbol means joint in ranking

Source: money.co.uk

In first place is Switzerland. Residents would require a minimum of 151 sponsored posts on Instagram a year to earn their respective countries annual salary of £35,250 – the most of all countries analysed.

Following in second place is Norway, where an estimated 147 sponsored posts a year would earn aspiring influencers the country’s average annual income of £34,380.

Placing third is Iceland. Uploading a total of 146 sponsored posts per year on Instagram would earn the same as the average annual income of £34,096.

Table 2: Workers in these countries could make their average salary the quickest through sponsored posts

	European Countries	Average annual income (GBP – £)	Required number of sponsored posts
= 1.	Albania	1,906	8
= 1.	Kosovo	1,759	8
3.	North Macedonia	2,330	10
4.	Turkey	2,581	11
5.	Serbia	2,799	12

*= symbol means joint in ranking

Source: money.co.uk

Requiring the fewest sponsored posts in Europe are Albania and Kosovo in joint first place. The residents in these countries would only need eight sponsored Instagram posts a year to earn their respective countries’ annual salaries (£1,906 in Albania and £1,759 in Kosovo).

James Andrews, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, commented on the findings:

“Social media platforms such as Instagram have continued to grow as a potential earning source for those looking for more flexibility over their creativity. Since you don’t need millions of followers to start earning, this has definitely sparked some interest, encouraging people of all ages and hobbies to look to see if they could join in.”

Money.co.uk’s tips on managing earnings and saving for the future:

1. Maintain a steady income – Earnings as an influencer may not always be consistent. Ensure that you have a main stable income to support not only your daily expenses but also emergencies
2. Tracking expenses – Keeping track of your daily expenses can help control your spending as well as cut down the need for any unnecessary outgoings. There are a number of apps available to download to assist your money tracking needs. Make sure to have a look around to find the best one that caters to you
3. Budget for savings – Tracking your daily expenses can motivate you to organise your monthly income into a specific budget that works for you, encouraging a way to store any extra earnings into savings straight away
4. Contribute to a pension pot – If you are thinking about saving for retirement, you will probably be enrolled in a workplace pension if you have a traditional job – which you can frequently top up, or ask to join if you’ve opted out or don’t meet the qualification criteria. But making the move to full time influencer or becoming self-employed will mean you need to take action yourself. Private pensions are simple to open and contribute to, but make sure you do your research or speak to a professional to help you get the most of the money you put away in the safest way possible.

Methodology:

Money.co.uk wanted to find out how many sponsored posts European workers would need on Instagram to earn the same amount as their country’s average annual income.
To do so, Eurostat data was utilised to collect the average annual income for European countries, accumulating the most recent data from 2020. Data for Ireland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Turkey are from 2019, whereas Iceland, the United Kingdom and Kosovo are from 2018. The figures reflect the NET earnings across each European country.
To input the average annual income into a social salary calculator Lickd.co, the currency was converted from EUR – € to GBP – £ using XE.com.
Once converted, the average salaries were then input into Lickd.co to give the estimated number of sponsored posts per year on Instagram to earn the same as each European country’s average annual salary**. The social salary calculator takes a general assumption of earning as a whole and is not specific to a particular location***.
A final ranking for each country was determined based on the number of sponsored posts.
Data and conversion rates were collected on 8th November 2021 and are correct as of then but subject to change.

*Lickd.co’s estimated required sponsored posts are based on a minimum of 5,000 followers for users to be able to start earning around $350/£250 per sponsored post, where the estimated earning value can increase as the following grows.

**Potential earnings from sponsored posts may also vary depending on the estimated values of the influencer’s brand sponsor deals.

***SevenSix’s influencer pricing report conducted in November and December 2020 illustrates a comprehensive study on influencer pricing standard as well as an insight into the industry based on survey responses from influencers, brands and agencies across the UK.

How Honeymoon Packages Help You Save Money?

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Catherine Balavage

Mexico is a popular holiday destination that attracts people from all over the world. The country saw 37,95,000 international visitors in a single month of January 2020. Of these, more than 1.8 million travelers were from the U.S. If you are planning your honeymoon and have zeroed in on Mexico as your honeymoon destination but are wondering if you should pick a pre-packaged deal or plan your itinerary, this article will help you make an informed decision.

Honeymoon packages can be quite economical if you know how to use them correctly. Some of the best honeymoon destinations in Mexico offer great packages for couples, right from economy rooms to luxurious suites. Here’s how honeymoon packages help you save.

Food and Beverages Included

Food can be the second biggest expense on your honeymoon, especially when in a foreign country. You would want to try all the local delicacies, but they can burn a hole in your wallet.

When you pick a honeymoon package, it usually includes all meals complementary or at least breakfast. Beverages are also included to a certain extent. By using these complimentary meals, you can save significantly and spend on creating remarkable memories.

Complimentary Activities

Most pre-packaged holidays will include a few activities in and around the resort at no extra cost. When it comes to honeymoon packages, it is the same; only the type of activities will vary. Couples can expect a free spa day, guided tours, access to private swimming pools and Jacuzzis, or adventure activities such as hiking, biking, etc.

You can check with the resort about the activities you get with the package and pick the package that includes activities that interest you. This way, you will end up saving significantly as these items and activities can cost a lot otherwise.

On-The-House Goodies

Honeymoon couples have the benefit of getting goodies from the hotel at no additional cost. These can be a bottle of champagne, chocolates, flowers, or wine. Once the hotel staff knows that you are on your honeymoon, they will give you extra special treatment, and you can take advantage of this to pamper your better half while saving a good amount of money.

Best honeymoon destinations in Mexico offer all-inclusive packages that don’t require you to spend anything extra while in the resort. It means that you can have an experience of a lifetime without having to step out of the resort.

Upgrades

Usually, honeymooners can expect a free upgrade, subject to the availability of rooms. This works mainly during off-seasons when the resort is not overbooked. Therefore, you pay less and get more. A better room means a better view, more pampering, and complimentary goodies and activities. You can talk to the resort about upgrades before booking your honeymoon package and amaze your spouse with the upgrade.

Airport Transfers

Most honeymoon packages will include pick and drop at the airport. Resorts usually use luxury cars for honeymoon package guests, and it means that your royal treatment begins the moment you land in Mexico. It also saves you a significant amount as resorts are mostly away from the heart of the city.

Some alternatives may also provide you with a personal car and driver during your stay, making it the perfect icing on your honeymoon cake.

No Stress, Just Fun

When you book a honeymoon package, you save money and save on a lot of stress of planning activities, booking cabs and hotels, wondering about check-ins and check-outs, printing itineraries, etc. A package will ensure that everything is taken care of and all you have to do is call the front desk if you need something.

Honeymoon packages are a great way to enjoy your honeymoon without having to worry about going over budget. Best honeymoon destinations in Mexico can customize the package to your needs so that you and your loved one only focus on kindling romance and leave the rest to the hotel staff.

Collaborative post with our partner.

Frost Loves DeFacto. Perfect For Gorgeous Christmas Clothes

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Catherine Balavage

I have discovered a gorgeous new clothing brand: DeFacto is a new fashion brand that has just launched into the UK market, offering an expansive range of stylish and affordable fashion for women, men and children.

DeFacto make gorgeous clothes that are stylish, good-quality and affordable. I love them and know where I will be buying my Christmas clothes, along with some 2022 buys.