Baking Book Breaks Records. We love Jane’s Patisserie.

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* Jane’s Patisserie becomes fastest-selling baking book of all time

* Début book from blogger and Instagrammer Jane Dunn is instant UK number one bestseller

* Fans rocketed in lockdown

* Sales are ahead of débuts by the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood

Jane’s Patisserie,

Jane’s Patisserie, a début book from baking blogger Jane Dunn, has become the UK’s fastest-selling baking book of all time. I can definitely see why this book is so popular: it is full of delicious and easy-to-make treats. Get a copy now. My mouth was watering as I turned the pages. I will be doing a lot of baking.

28 year-old Jane launched her blog and Instagram whilst training at cookery school, as a creative space for her to share her love of everything sweet, and her fans rocketed in lockdown. Her first book has gone straight to the number one in the UK Nielsen BookScan bestseller chart, selling a record 44,444 copies in just three days on sale. That makes it one of the fastest-selling non-fiction books since records began, ahead of first books by the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood.

As more and more people turned to baking to seek comfort and create joyful food over the last 18 months, Jane’s down-to-earth nature and simple, customisable recipes have hit the spot. Her blog now has over 350,000 subscribers, alongside her 750,000 Instagram and 490,000 Facebook followers. Her mission is to make baking easy for everyone, to share, inspire, and spread a little joy.

Jane’s giant, gooey NYC-style cookie recipe has had over 1.5 million blog views, and her Mini-Egg version went viral over Easter. Her fans, including Stacey Solomon, Mrs Hinch and Zoë Sugg, love to make and share her recipes.

Jane’s Patisserie (Ebury Press, £20) includes 100 cakes, bakes and sweet treats, combining the iconic classics from her blog – NYC Cookies, No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Drip Cake and more – with new and exclusive recipes requested by her followers.

Jane’s Patisserie,

Jane started her blog in 2014 whilst training at Ashburton Chefs Academy, and she now spends all her time developing recipes and sampling sweet treats. Her recipes have been featured in Fabulous, Cosmopolitan and Heat, and she recently made her NYC Cookies on ITV This Morning.

Jane says: “I have always been obsessed with baking and all things sweet, so it’s such a joy to see people sharing and loving my recipes and drawing so much comfort from them.”

Find her at Janespatisserie.com on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter @janespatisserie

 

A Poet For Every Day of the Year By Allie Esiri

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A Poet For Every Day of the Year is an essential buy. The concept of this book is so clever: every day there is a new poet to discover. A biography of the poet and one of their poems is there to discover for every day of the year.

This book is gorgeous on the outside and just as gorgeous on the inside. Perfect for adults and children. I cannot recommend this well-researched and luscious book enough. Get your hands on a copy now.

Award-winning and bestselling poetry anthologist, ALLIE ESIRI has lit an explosion of interest in poetry, through her carefully curated anthologies and exciting live performances.

Allie’s books have sold over 250,000 copies in hardback

 

·       Her three poetry collections, A Poem for Every Day of the Year; A Poem for Every Night of the Year and Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year have been chosen as Books of the Year by The Times, The Observer and New Statesman and they have featured in the top five poetry titles every year since 2016.

 

·       Allie has been announced as the Chair of Judges for the CLiPPA Awards 2021, following in the footsteps of Michael Rosen and Roger McGough. She is also a judge for The Trussell Trust Food for Thought poetry competition 2021.

 

·       A Poem for Every Night of the Year had its best sales year in 2020 – five years after publication.

 

·       In 2020, THREE of the top ten children’s poetry titles were curated by Allie, though her books are enjoyed by all ages

 

Allie is the NUMBER ONE author across children’s poetry in 2021.

 

A Poet for Every Day of the Year, Allie’s newest anthology, is published by Macmillan Children’s Books. It introduces readers to 366 of the world’s greatest poets, juxtaposing diverse, exciting, vibrant new voices alongside the enduring giants of the form, with fascinating mini biographies of each writer.

 

The day-by-day format inspires readers to make poetry as much part of their daily routine as breakfast or bedtime. It encourages them to discover theinspirational, the life affirming, the provocative and the entertaining in each and every day.

 

“Allie Esiri’s books take you by the hand with poems to restore you and make your toes tingle, that will take you away for a little while and home again, with your spirits a little higher than before.”

Helena Bonham Carter

 

Allie Esiri, on her new anthology, A Poet for Every Day of the Year:

 

Poetry at its best has always enabled us to see different worlds, or rather, our own world differently, without ever having to leave our home. It has articulated our muddled thoughts, given a voice to the voiceless and lent an ear to the otherwise unheard. But most of the anthologies we have at our disposal seem to view poetry as an almost exclusively white, western, male craft, almost untouched by women or anyone from another background or ethnicity. I think now is the time to redress this.

In this book, you’ll not only find a great poem for every day of the year, but you’ll also learn about the life, times, and work of each poet, and discover connections between writers that transcend the established canon and chronology.

I hope readers of all ages and backgrounds will be inspired by the poets they find within this anthology. As the mother of mixed-race children, I’m especially and personally proud to present a book that represents them, and countless other diverse readers like them.

A POET FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR , poems, poets, books, Allie Esiri

Poets featured in A Poet for Every Day of the Year include:


Maya Angelou

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Brian Bilston

Eavan Boland

Lord Byron

William Carlos Williams

Lewis Carroll

Wendy Cope

Imtiaz Dharker

Georgia Douglas Johnson

Helen Dunmore

Bob Dylan

Louise Glück

Jackie Kay

Michael Rosen

Christina Rossetti

Stevie Smith

Ocean Vuong

William Wordsworth

 

 

 

ALLIE ESIRI is an accomplished curator and host of live poetry events, featuring some of our best-known actors – from Helena Bonham Carter to Dominic West – at the National Theatre, the Bridge Theatre, and major literary festivals.

 

She lives in London with her husband and three children.

The book is available here.

How I got a Literary Agent.

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In January this year one of the most amazing things happened to me: I got a literary agent. Having an agent was always something beyond my wildest dreams, more than that, my agent is the amazing Susan Yearwood. Champagne popping time indeed.

I spent the months in the run up to Christmas researching agents and sending off submissions. I went through The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook with precision, choosing ten agents to send my book off to. I researched every agent heavily and Susan called to me. There are a few interviews I found in which Susan and her ethos resonated with me. I knew she was The One.  In fact, before her email asking to schedule a call with her, I had a dream she was my agent and we were being interviewed at a literary festival together.

In the end I sent my first novel off to a lot of agents and publishers. I got a lot of good feedback and a few full manuscript requests. I also got a wonderful rejection from Harper Collins, who read the entire thing and sent me four paragraphs of feedback. They even asked me to send them anything else I wrote. In the end Susan passed on my first novel, but she liked my writing enough to ask if I had anything else I could send her. Thankfully I did. I always write a first draft of a book and then get started on another one while I let the other one sit. Then I go back to it with fresh eyes, alternating my drafts. I did not think the other book was ready and had spent hundreds sending it off to a professional editing agency for feedback. By the time the feedback came back Susan had been my agent for three months! It may have been a waste of money, but I have no complaints.

Susan loved the book and took my on as a client after our phone call. I was a true pinch me moment. For anyone who wants an agent and does not have one yet I would say the following things:

  • Write a good book. Send off the first three chapters, along with a synopsis that really grabs.
  • Collate all of the writing you have done and any awards you have won. Write a paragraph about yourself that sells all you have to offer. Covering letters are important.
  • Get a copy of The Write”s and Artists’ Yearbook and research what agents work in your genre.
  • Start submitting.
  • Keep submitting.
  • Take rejection in your stride.
  • Listen to all feedback.
  • Redo your submission to suit various agents.
  • Start writing your new book.

 

Good luck!

 

6 Eyewear Styles That Are Back in Style

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Classic fashion items always make a comeback. Their resurgence is because some pieces are just timeless, classy, fun, and something you can use time and again. The lens styles that have come and gone over the years are perfect for self-expression.

Glasses are a very practical accessory; they protect your eyes from the sun and correct your eyesight. But, they can also do more than just that; they can be the finishing piece to your outfit or project your personality. The evolution of eyewear has left you with a plethora of choices regarding what can work for you. Some glass styles are decades old, but there is a reason they have lasted so long.

1. Aviator 

Aviator glasses were initially made for pilots after goggles became unnecessary in the 1930s. But their commanding look soon had applications beyond the military. Most people look good in aviators, but they can be ideal for those with oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. They are a bold accessory that can fit any gender to give you a cool, rebellious, and classic look.

Aviators have a teardrop shape that narrows towards the cheeks. The lenses are also curvy and wide, which gives the user better protection from UV rays; they provide the most significant area coverage from sunlight. You can wear them in formal or informal attire, and you can pair them with your watch.

2. Wayfarer 

Wayfarer glasses typically come in a horizontal rectangular shape. They were initially sunglasses for men, but women have found value in them too. They generally fit anyone but can be best for those with oblong, oval, and round face shapes. 

When they came onto the market in the 1950s, Wayfarers were originally black but can come in a range of colors, which can match just about any skin tone. They are normally associated with fame, glitz, and glamour. Over the years, they have evolved to have subtle curves, giving them a smart and fashionable look. It’s why they have become a popular nerd accessory. 

3. Round Browline

Browline (sometimes called brown line) glasses are a popular style this year. The frame has a thicker and bolder upper part than the lower part. Naturally, they bring attention to the wearer’s browline and eyebrows. They were invented in the 1940s and were in vogue in the 50s and 60. Round browline glasses have styled some prominent brows, including Malcolm X and President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The heavy brow bar is ideal for professional women who want to project seriousness. The thick frame also makes them resistant to shock, so breaking them is a low risk. Wearers with a round or oval face and prominent forehead have the best features for browline glasses because the broadened brow can make your face a slightly wider and more square look. 

You can look bold and simple in them, and it’s a style that lets people know that you have a well-rounded personality. They have also regained popularity as part of a hipster look.

4. Rimless

Rimless glasses are a minimalist’s dream; they are a sleek, simple eyewear design that works with just about any outfit. The frame either attaches to the bridge or the temple to give you an experience that is light and doesn’t press hard on your face. 

They also work for those who don’t want to make a big statement regarding their eyewear. That is because rimless glasses have the advantage of taking attention away from your glasses. Rimless glasses are for you if you focus on your other accessories like earrings or necklace.

5. Cat Eye 

Cat-eye glasses draw the elegance and sensuality of felines to exude femininity. The frames have the allure of making a woman seem sexy, intelligent, and mysterious. Icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Marylin Monroe have adorned them over the years.

A pair of Prada cat-eye glasses can be a staple for any fashion-conscious lady, especially when they have a colorful wardrobe. You can wear them as part of a summer ensemble, a quirky look, or a vintage outfit; the choice is yours.

Cat-eye glasses work best for those with diamond-shaped faces. The narrow forehead and chin of a diamond face work well with cat-eye glasses, and the glasses also draw your face upwards, making you look younger.

Eye-Catching Styles

Eyes are the windows to the soul. So you can choose the view people to get the proper eyewear. Choose frames that will suit your face shape, skin tone, personality, and fashion. Remember, there is nothing wrong with having more than one pair, so you can be versatile.

 

Collaborative Post with our brand partner.

The Science of Yoga – part 2 by Alex Bannard Frost Magazine’s Wellness and Wellbeing editor

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Last time we talked about how yoga can help manage stress & improve our mental functioning & wellbeing. We also talked about the delicate balance of the autonomic nervous system. Let’s take this a little further.

Relaxation occurs when our body & our mind is in a state of balance. Yoga helps create space in both our body & our mind which encourages balance & relaxation, creating inner peace, contentment, happiness & self awareness. It helps to reduce blood pressure & heart rate, increase oxygen utilization, improve digestion, the immune system, hormone balance & better neuro-muscular coordination.

If you practice yoga, you will know this just from stepping onto your yoga mat: a sense of peace & calm begins before you even start practicing as your body & mind are aware of what is to come.  The physical poses (asanas) in yoga all have different benefits, stimulating different systems in the body: standing poses strengthen leg muscles, open the hips, flex the back & improve circulation; forward bends are calming & restorative; backbends increase flexibility & mobility in the spine, stimulate the central nervous system & may help deal with negative emotions (possibly because we are opening the heart chakra – research into the chakras is still in its infancy so I’ll leave it there for now).

Do you remember at the beginning of the piece last time I was challenged about my claims regarding inversions? Let’s explore the claims behind the benefits of inversions. Dr. Fishman (remember him from part 1?) notes that inversions improve bone density which he attributes to the muscles working against gravity. Reversing the effects of gravity on the body has a profound physiological effect on the body. In 2000 NASA reported that when humans enter zero gravity it causes severe biomedical problems: the sense of balance is destroyed, blood floods upwards speeding up the heart, muscles waste & bone mass drops.

On earth, gravity weighs us down & as the years progress so does the damage: varicose veins & hemorrhoids, the heart falters & more. The ancient yogis called gravity ‘the silent enemy’.  So by inverting ourselves, we reverse the effects of gravity. Our body is made up of 60% water, when we upend ourselves, the tissue fluids of our lower body drain more effectively helping to clear congestion.

David Coulter who taught anatomy at the University of Minnesota said, “If you can remain in an inverted posture for just 3-5 minutes, the blood will not only drain quickly to the heart, but tissue fluids will flow more efficiently into the veins & lymph channels of the lower extremities & of the abdominal & pelvic organs, facilitating a healthier exchange of nutrients & wastes between cells & capillaries” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

There are 4 major systems in the body: cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous & endocrine. Inversions give the heart a break but also challenge it in the opposite way to how it usually works. This means we are benefiting the circulatory system but in a very gentle but very effective way.

We used to think that inversions flooded the brain with freshly oxygenated blood but we now understand that the brain is protected from an influx of blood which would overwhelm its delicate structures. However, we now believe that inversions could affect the movement & production of cerebrospinal fluid which is the juice of the nervous system.  The lymph system, like the heart relies on muscular movement & gravity to facilitate its performance. When you are upside down the lymph system is stimulated which strengthens your immune system & starts to drain more effectively.

The effect of inversions on the endocrine system is the least well documented or understood. Some believe that the shoulder stand helps regulate the thyroid gland but it has not been proven; whilst the benefits to the pineal & pituitary glands from headstands have also not been confirmed…yet.  At the end of the day, a lot can be gained from being upside down, simply because by having a different physical view of the world can change our mental & emotional viewpoint too.

I think the important thing with inversions, whether you believe in their physiological effects or not, is not to rush into them. Take your time & only work with a good teacher who can guide you safely into & out of the poses. There are plenty of other ways you can practice inversions: legs up the wall (viparita karini) is deeply restorative & doesn’t tax the spine or the neck. Same with bridge pose (setu bada), downward dog, standing forward fold.

So there you have it, the science (in very lay-man’s terms!) behind the enormous positive effects practicing yoga can have on your body, brain, nervous system & immune system. Whilst we may not have ‘proved’ that yoga slows the aging process, if you stack up all the positive impact it does have it certainly suggests it could very well do so.

If you would like to put some of these scientific benefits to the test & practice yoga with Alex her YouTube channel offers free short classes for everyone & is available here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

Alternatively all of her classes are streamed on live on Zoom, for more information message her at alex@alexbannard.com   Free resources are also available on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlexBannardYogaMindfulness   And her website is www.alexbannard.com

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.

Check out this Uplift video for more information:   https://uplift.tv/2017/watch-science-behind-yoga/

Or these articles for more science based facts:   https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/everybody-upside-down    https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/the-science-behind-yoga   https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga#section13

ARRAN Sense Of Scotland – Home Fragrance Sets – A Gift For Someone You Really Like – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Do you feel compelled to start Christmas shopping in October, due to a recurring dream that it’s late on Christmas Eve and you’re buying your loved ones ‘gifts’ from the local garage because everything else has shut and Christmas had completely slipped your mind? No? That’ll just be me then, and I’ve probably over-shared.

Whatever the reason, I make no apology for enthusing about ARRAN Sense Of Scotland’s amazing new Home Fragrance Set – which make a perfect Christmas gift for that special someone.

ARRAN Sense Of Scotland products are all made with top-quality ingredients, reflecting the three generations family-run company, based on the Isle of Arran, and Frost has featured them on previous occasions.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating, ARRAN Sense Of Scotland really does bottle the wildness and beauty of the Scottish Isles, and their room fragrances transport you to the mountains, or a cosy log fire in a woodland cottage. They are pure luxury and simply rather special.

The new Home Fragrance Sets are great, because you get a reed diffuser – a blend of oils in a lovely clear glass bottle with natural wood reeds, plus two luxurious 8cl candles in glass holders, each with up to 12 hour burning time. The set comes in a very attractive gift box, featuring a map of Arran. The choice of fragrances reflects the company’s respect for nature – personally I love After The Rain – lime, rose and sandalwood, and also Bergamot and Geranium, but they have some fabulous limited edition fragrances too, such as Mountain Lavender (great for the bedroom) and special Christmas fragrances. They each cost £40 from the website.

If you love this company as much as I do, you may want to look at their full range of candles. Besides the gift sets, they have larger (35cl) candles in a beautiful glass holder, which come in different unique fragrances, and their mixed boxed sets of four 8cl candles make a lovely gift too.

Once you’ve tried ARRAN Sense Of Scotland I fear you won’t want any other make – I know I’ve been spoilt for life.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk


Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

The Crimes of Dr Gramshaw by Rosemary Cook is unputdownable

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From the respected to the disrespected, though perhaps not in his own lifetime. Certainly, though, following Cook’s exemplary research ,respect is not the word that springs to mind.

Dr Gramshaw was a successful familly doctor in Yorkshire for 35 years, which is when his professsional and personal life crashed down around him, and not before time, one can only think.

As Cook explains, it was Easter 1908 when he attended 19 year old Margaret Brown who had been his patient before, and who wanted his advice again.

Oh, oh, Margaret… By the end of the month, Margaret was dead and a Cornoner’s inquest was peeling back the layers of information regarding the young governess and the doctor.

In The Crimes of Dr Gramshaw , Cook explores the crimes, the lies, the success and deceit… Shall I go on? Oh, all right then: the adultery, bigamy, insanity.

These events are reconstructed meticulously, using public records and as the truth emerges one cannot but  ask: could no-one have guessed, suspected, even known the truth?

Should his family have had an inkling? And why, why, why when his behaviour was exposed did 1000 people attend his funeral?

The Crimes of Doctor Gramshaw follows hot on the heels of The Nightingale Shore Murder,  Rosemary Cook’s first venture into  crimes with a nursing or medical connection. There will be more.

The Crimes of Doctor Gramshaw by Rosemary Cook available from Amazon.co.uk

www.rosemarycookauthor.co.uk

 

Frost Loves Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns 130 Piece Construction Set

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Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns 130 Piece Construction Set £34.99 from The Entertainer. Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. Gravity is the innovative evolution of the Geomag Mechanics line. Developed with expert players in mind, the new construction system is based on an innovative "gravity motor": this uses the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the Geomag Mechanics structures. The motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics. Mechanics Gravity is a STEM product that can truly stimulate curiosity and inspire to learn more about science.Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns 130 Piece Construction Set £34.99 from The Entertainer. Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. Gravity is the innovative evolution of the Geomag Mechanics line. Developed with expert players in mind, the new construction system is based on an innovative “gravity motor”: this uses the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the Geomag Mechanics structures. The motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics. Mechanics Gravity is a STEM product that can truly stimulate curiosity and inspire to learn more about science.