‘Silver Sliders’ encouraged to celebrate National Grandparents Day

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Move over Mother’s Day, we’ve heard about a new national day that’s deserving of a card, cake and right ol’ celebration – Nationals Grandparents Day!

Unlike most gatherings you’ll this Sunday, London’s iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit will be drawing in the ‘Silver Sliders’ and offering free (yes, FREE) opportunities for grandparents to Ride The Slide.

ArcelorMittal Orbit gives riders an exhilarating 40 seconds, as they speed through its 12 hair-raising twists and turns. Beats a roast at the local pub, right?

In case you were under a rock in 2012, the ArcelorMittal Orbit was built to be an ‘extra’ for the Olympic Games which were hosted in London but has since been transformed into the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide in the world.

So, if you’re looking for a way to celebrate your grandparents this Sunday – do it with the slide!

Daring grandparents can have a go for free on Sunday 7th October between 10am and 5pm when they bring along a family member. All they need to do is book online and enter the code GrandSlide.

Book Review: One Journey by award winning author Michael Forester – reviewed by Milly Adams

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One Journey, A Travelogue of Awakening.

A new book from an interesting author, this time a travelogue, by the winner of the non-fiction category of the Words for the Wounded Georgina Hawtrey-Woore Award.

Yes, a travelogue, but much more. Forester discusses his thoughts on ‘life, the universe, and everything’ really. He reflects that there is only One Journey, and as we travel through life that journey can lead to self-discovery if we have the will to see and listen. However our lives go beyond personal reflection, and as we explore ourselves we cannot ignore the wider world and the journeys we travel within it.

Forester writes of four cases in point, undertaken over a period of fourteen years: In the Amazon Rain Forest, a confrontation the unceasing exploitation of its resources and people. In South Africa, an encounter with the power of forgiveness, fifteen years after the ending of apartheid. In Nepal and the Himalayas, a pilgrimage of self exploration. In the Philippines, an exploration the impact of economic modernisation upon the people and the land.

Forester not only relates his journeys, but reflects on the fact that our voyages into the world are, in reality, a reflection of our Journey into ourselves.

Fluently written, One Journey leaves the reader reflecting not just on Forester’s travels, but their own lives and experiences. Never a bad thing. This is my measure of a good book, one that doesn’t quite leave you. Bravo.

 

One Journey by Michael Forester   £9.99 Amazon.co.uk

Friday Focus: GREEN TEA, INFUSE ME!

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What better way to kick off a Friday than with a splash of tea…?

Green tea is the elixir of skincare in our opinion. To name just a few, it has the benefits of fighting UV damage, contains anti-ageing properties, reduces inflammation and is perfect for sensitive skin which is why we’re seeing it pop up more and more in the cosmetic and beauty industries. We’re giving the rundown below of our favourite green tea infused products.

 

L.A.B 2 BRUSH KITS

A UK first, this range is infused with calming Green Tea powder. With super high quality synthetic fibres and ultra plush bristles, this range provides beauty junkies with a completely flawless finish without any added guilt. Each brush is anti-microbial, meaning they can stay fresher for longer and is permanently infused with ‘good for you’ ingredients and a unique cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants including vitamin C and E.

GLO SKIN BEAUTY – CONDITIONING MIST

This conditioning mist is a refreshing and hydrating toner that soothes the skin.  Hyaluronic Acid (a new big contender on the beauty scene) is used to attract and maintain moisture in dehydrated skin and there’s chamomile which will support the skin’s natural barrier.

The chamomile also provides antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties making this ideal to help clear skin. This skin toner calms, smoothes and balances the complexion.

 

BEAUTYPRO REJUVENATING COLLAGEN MASK WITH GREEN TEA EXTRACT

Facemask. One of our favourite words. Whether it’s a sheet mask, bubble mask or mud mask, few things beat that refreshed and relaxed feeling that comes post face mask rinse.

The BeautyPro collagen mask is a dual-function mask which rebalances oily t-zones, hydrates dry areas and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

It’s a 15 minute treatment that’s suitable for all skin types. What more could you need!

ELIZABETH ARDEN GREEN TEA HONEY DROPS BODY CREAM

Drench your skin in lustrous moisture with Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream. It’s a super hydrating, all-over body cream, ideal for dry skin.

Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream from Elizabeth Arden is infused with a blend of real honey and fragrant green tea extract, to help calm and condition your skin. It helps lock in moisture, leaving your skin silky smooth and beautifully scented.

We feel refreshed already!

 

FUJI GREEN TEA HAND CREAM

Perfect for on-the-go hydration, don’t leave home without this hand cream. Infused with the refreshing scent of Fuji Green Tea, the light, gel-cream formula absorbs quickly, helping to soften and protect your hands. Dreamy.

BUSINESS OF BOOKS: FIRST, LAST, EVERYTHING – KICKSTARTER QUEEN YASMIN THORNBER

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Yasmin has recently reached her Kickstarter goal to crowdfund and create her very first children’s book ‘A Brolly-iant Adventure’.

What was the first piece of writing advice you received?

My English teacher, Mr Clouting, once said – a piece doesn’t always need to start from the beginning and finish with an end… It didn’t make sense to me at the time, but it did eventually. It helped me create short fun stories and imaginative illustrations that spoke for themselves, and allowed the audience to put themselves into the piece…. I guess what he taught me, without ever really knowing he taught me, was that less is more…

What was the most recent piece of writing advice you gave or received?

I haven’t really received or provided any advice on writing. I’ve witnessed more fun facts and inspiration around illustrating. My first love is to draw, the writing / words came from the drawings, like a little whisper in my ear.

The most recent “words of wisdom” I’ve fallen across all come from the inspiring and simple messages hidden in other children’s books… like Mini Grey’s message of the importance of patience in “Egg Drop” or Catherine Rayner’s beautiful reminder on how to find your own happiness in “Augustus and his Smile” or the nudge from Julia Donaldson “The Snail and the Whale” that it’s okay to leave your comfort zone for a bit of adventure …or David Litchfield’s sincere message in “The Bear and the Piano” about being supported and supporting those you love in reaching their dreams…

These are all words of wisdom that stick to me and my way of life and thinking, and that’s the biggest impact anyone could have…

What advice would you most like to pass on?

Have fun, notice the little things, do things for you, not for the money or because someone wants you to. Be kind and gentle on yourself. Life can be hard, but the journey alone is worth it.

 

 

Drawing is something that has always given me comfort and happiness. I think this is why it’s one of few things I actively pursue on a daily basis. I take great inspiration in the little things in life – seeing faces and characters in inanimate objects like bins, cars, shadows and cutlery. I enjoy observing the mundane and breathing a bit of life into them – these things make the wildest stories in my mind – they seem to escape my brain and out through the tips of my fingers.

From an early age I had always journaled and doodled – this slowly began to evolve into whole, final pieces and eventually into commissioned work. Artwork is my strongest link to my childhood and that feeling of pure, innocent happiness. In the famous words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it” With the help of a pencil and a piece of paper, I hope to be one of those grown-ups that never let the world fade to a dull grey.

2018 has been the hardest but most rewarding year so far – with books, pin badges, prints and stickers being create and fetes and exhibitions being attended. My ultimate goal though is to continuing seeing the world with the heart and not just the eyes…

 

DAYTOX – THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

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Detoxing. Reminds you of hard work, right? It includes sacrifice, deprivation and most importantly, dedication.

Enter, Daytox.

We’re all for a new skincare range which makes life easier and Daytox claims to do just that. The products gradually help to detoxify the skin and restore its youthful, fresh appearance while promoting the skin’s natural detox process too.It also protects the cells against free radicals, which accelerate the ageing process.

The skincare range includes:

  • DAYTOX Peel- Off Mask, £20
  • DAYTOX Volcanic Mud, £20
  • DAYTOX Facial Tonic, £10
  • DAYTOX Vitamin C Serum, £29
  • DAYTOX Rich Cream, £26
  • DAYTOX Eye Wonder Serum, £24

The DAYTOX skincare range is available from Waitrose and Ocado

 

HEAD TO HAKKASAN FOR CHINESE GOLDEN WEEK

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Yesterday saw the start of the Chinese National Holiday, Golden Week. The seven day festival celebrates travelling at a prime time in the country but for those in London, there are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Top of our list? Taking a trip to Hakkasan, two of Central London’s Michelin star Chinese restaurant.

Hakkasan is embracing the holiday and has launched a limited edition, exclusive eight course golden menu. Guests will walk through a ‘river of gold’ as they enter and the menu incorporates gold dim sum and a gold dessert. Scrummy.

A highlight of the exclusive menu is the Golden dim sum trio which begins the eight courses, featuring a crispy lamb puff, chilli crab dumpling and har gau covered in gold leaf.

Also gracing the golden menu is Crispy suckling pig with spiced soy sauce and steamed black kingfish fillet with saffron sauce in addition to Salted egg yolk fried rice. The Golden Week menu finishes off with a Touch of Gold, an exclusive black and gold dessert featuring poached kumquat, sesame crumble, black sesame tuile and a Venezuelan chocolate foam. YUM.

Fancy some liquid gold? Try the Golden Week cocktail, featuring Diplomático Planas white rum, pomelo, lemon and five spice, topped off with Louis Roederer Champagne and sprayed with gold mist.

Whilst Hakasan’s golden menu isn’t something to try on a budget break, it’s definitely worth splashing out for at £88 per person. (Keeping in tradition with China’s lucky number eight) for parties of two or more.

It’s available at both Hakkasan Hanway Place and Hakkasan Mayfair until 7th October.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT… PERIOD PANTS

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No, you didn’t read the title wrong. We want to talk about your minis and your menstrual cycle. Obvs.

Four out of five women have had to throw away underwear because of their periods and quite frankly, we all invest too much in our underwear to let that happen.

Apparently, according to Figleaves, there is a way to ease the discomfort by matching your knickers to your time of the month meaning less binning of the Brazilians and less discomfort down below.

Check out Figleaves’ Knicker Guide. If anything, it might give you a great excuse to plan a shopping trip to stock up on a full month’s lingerie drawer… every cloud, eh!

READY… STEADY… RESTORA!

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Now that summer is officially behind us (*hearts break everywhere*), it’s time to regroup and prepare for winter. That doesn’t mean just heading out and purchasing a few chunky knits, scarfs and Chelsea boots. It means giving our skin, hair and nails the nourishment they all need after the marvellous months of sunshine.

 

Focusing on our lovely locks, we’ve found the Restora range and are pretty pleased with the results.

 

The Protein Treatment, which is a three step process taking just 45 minutes, rebuilds damaged hair instantly and uses scientific research to figure out exactly what our sun-kissed strands need.

 

The treatment is proven to transform the internal structure of hair, reversing the damage caused by chemical processing, excessive heat styling and sunlight to give you envy-worthy locks which apparently last six weeks.

 

If you just want to test one product in the range, we’d recommend going for the Protein Treatment tube itsslf as this elixir is definitely the hero and will give you noticeable results immediately.

 

It’s available exclusively online at restora.co.uk. Prices start from £8.99 for the Restora Protein Shampoo and Conditioner, and £24.99 for the Restora Protein Treatment.

*We were gifted with the Restora range to experience