Chandon Rosé Review & Cocktail Recipes

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Frost loves sparkling wine. But there is sparkling wine and then there is sparkling wine. Chandon Rosé is a particular favourite of ours. A combination of Chardonnay, pinot noir and Malbec have been expertly mixed together in this gorgeously lively dry wine. The aromas of red berries really add to the party and this Rosé has just the right amount of sweetness.This wine is perfect to remind yourself how amazing you are. It is nearly the weekend so go on, treat yourself and buy a bottle. There are two amazing cocktail ideas below if that is more your thing.

Whatever the weather this summer, Chandon is guaranteed to serve you a splash of sunshine with its gorgeous Brut and Rosé Argentinian sparkling wines. Crisp and dry on the palate with a hint of sweetness, Chandon is perfect enjoyed on its own or to add a touch of sparkle to a selection of simple, elegant Chandon cocktails. Chandon Brut and Rosé are available at Ocado.com and Majestic Wines from £14.99

#EnjoyTheSpark

Chandon Patagonia Punch

A fruity, fun cocktail with the fragrant hint of strawberries. The perfect serve for summer!

Ingredients

Chandon Rosé
2 strawberries
5 basil leaves
20ml rhubarb & strawberry cordial 15ml fresh lemon juice 30ml Belvedere
Ice cubes

Method

Muddle the fruit, shake and strain into a coupette glass

Chandon Evita Spritz

A wine spritzer with a twist – this simple, refreshing cocktail is the ideal accompaniment to your summer soiree

Ingredients

15ml Elder ower Cordial Top with Chandon Brut Orange Peel

Method

Pour ingredients into an ice lled cabernet glass and garnish with an orange twist

New Infographic Gives The Grave Facts About Dying

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Frostie

Dying is not something most of us want to think about. Problem is, it is unavoidable and not dealing with your affairs in advance can cause trouble for loved ones. While life insurance isn’t something that most would want to talk about, it’s rather important so those left behind won’t get into debt. Dealing with grief is hard enough, but according to this brilliant infographic which outlines the associated costs of funerals; 44% of people had to take out a credit card to pay for a loved ones funeral. Even worse, 27% had to resort to a payday loan. Having a child was the catalyst for myself getting my affairs in order, but this infographic shows that most of us are still woefully underprepared for the inevitable.

Assumptions don’t help either. Apparently 41% of people think that existing funds will cover their funeral costs, but the truth is that only 22% of people have the proper life insurance in place. Even more shocking is that only 32% of people have a will should something happen to them.

Over 50 life cover is important and helps to alleviate the financial strain that often comes with arranging a funeral, as letting those left behind know how you would like to be buried (or cremated), who you would like to leave your worldly goods to and any other last wishes. This funeral planning infographic from British Seniors Insurance Agency has lots of interesting statistics: average funeral costs are cheaper in Edinburgh and most expensive in Sheffield. Londoners are more likely to take out a credit card or payday loan, and Liverpool had the highest number of respondents wanting a religious ceremony. Different regions had different worries: Londoners were more likely to take out a credit card (40%) or a payday loan (39%) to pay for a funeral, while in Brighton 17% of people worried about future inheritance disputes among family members.

The thing about the costs are that they can catch you unaware. 31% of people said they did not know what costs to expect before they started planning a funeral. If you are lucky enough to have never planned a funeral then you will be blissfully unaware how expensive they are. The average funeral in Edinburgh is £3,947, but the average cost reaches a dizzy £5,469 in Sheffield. Londoners meanwhile pay an average of £4,543. A staggering amount of money, even for the cheapest funeral, and one that relatives might struggle to pay for.

The infographic shows that being prepared is important, but some of the findings are interesting and amusing. When it comes to the send off, 55% wanted to be buried, 22% wished to be cremated and 20% remained uncertain. However, a staggering 70% of respondents over 55 wanted to be buried. A lot of people thought creatively when it came to their final resting place. Some wanted to be buried at their favourite sports ground, some wanted to be buried in a haunte

d house, others wanted to be buried near or in the sea, while some people wanted to be buried with their spouse or their dog. No mention of other pets though.

Check out the infographic by British Seniors Insurance Agency life insurance quote provider out for yourself. Hopefully it will spur you to get your affairs in order.

An interesting concept comes to London in July

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Duncan Graham’s CUT has already taken the 2015 Adelaide Fringe by storm, and the good news is that CUT’s London premiere will take place at The Vaults in July.

Where? Yes, that’s right, The Vaults – under the Waterloo Railway arches. Set against a black backdrop with unsettling moments of complete darkness, a small audience is sealed in an atmospheric Vault under the Waterloo railway arches.

A woman prepares for work. Pursued by a man, she is hunter and hunted. CUT is a total work of art. A Lynchian dream that transports an audience deep into the heart of 21st century fears – the psychological equivalent of extreme turbulence. Part installation, part theatre poem, part noir thriller, prepare to be sealed into this intimate and unforgettable experience.

Part installation, part theatre poem, part noir thriller, this promises to be an interesting experience.

The fragmented storylines, technical wizardry and first class performance manifest into a theatrical trip you will find fascinating.

Writer Duncan Graham, comments: The idea for CUT was conceived in London, as I flew into the city, moved around on its trains, through its parks. Having had a season in Sydney at Belvoir, it’s so great to be presenting the work in what I consider to be its home. Hannah Norris is startling in the role, and she’ll haunt The Vaults with her breed of pure vengeance.

‘Hannah Norris’s ability to flicker from victim to predator in the blink of an eye truly sends shivers down the spine… If you enjoy taking a step into the darkness, then this award winning show certainly delivers the chill factor’ (Edinburgh Evening news).

When: Tuesday 5th – Sunday 31st July 2016 Tuesday-Friday, 7.45pm Weekend, 5pm and 8pm

Where: The Vaults, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD

The Vaults are located underneath Waterloo station (on the Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines). Leave Waterloo Station via Exit 1 and they are a short walk away.

Tickets are available from £12.50 from http://www.thevaults.london/#!cut/c1e1t.

Pizzicotto my New Favourite Italian

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Kesh

Pizzicotto, sister restaurant to the Kensington gem ‘il portico’ has been causing a stir on the London Restaurant scene. Famous for their Charcoal Based Pizza this is not the only showstopper they serve here but they also serve up an unbeatable authentic and traditional Italian fayre. As a food writer, Italian cuisine can be hard to come by and get right. We live in a city which celebrates Pizza and Pasta and in a takeaway generation, there are many much-loved chains that consumer tend to stick to. However, when looking for Italian food at it’s finest we want to have it all and Pizzicotto delivers not only a menu which is true to Italy but an ambience and atmosphere worthy of a true Mediterranean experience.

Nestled at the quieter end of High St. Ken lies this hidden gem set behind a beautiful green frontage, this is not the stereotypical Italian trattoria but something light and airy and instantly welcoming. The restaurant is adorned with huge trees inside the building itself and an open wood fired Pizza oven and I genuinely feel like I’m a thousand miles from London. My guest is late but i’m pleased because this is somewhere I would gladly eat alone and soak up the atmosphere… and the huge Aperol Spritz my server brings over. The aperitif selection is typically Italian and it would be rude not to start my dinner with a glass of Aperol and have some Garlic Focaccia while i’m waiting. Normally i’m not one to fill up on bread but there is something light and more-ish about it.

The menu is ample and true to Italian style, everything you could want is on there. They serve up a wide range of Antipasti and Starters; Bruschetta, Speciality Cheeses and Meats and Primi Pastas, which can also be served as mains, our server helps our decision. She explains to us Culatello Di Zibello is a very fine cured ham like Prosciutto and extremely rare so we jump at the chance to try this out, and we also opt for the classic Pork Belly Tagliatelle. She’s right, the Culatello tastes as precious as it is and I can only describe it as a melt in the mouth, cured meat heaven and very much worth the journey to Pizzicotto just to try the Culatello. Always having tried Tagliatelle with Beef, the difference in flavour when made me with Pork Belly is remarkable. The texture is much more tender, the flavour richer and meatier and the portion size is perfect as a starter plate.

The Charcoal Based Pizza is what we really came here for but with a mammoth selection of toppings we spend a while deciding on this too. As well as this we decide to order one of their grilled dishes and opt for the Tartare Grade Tuna Steak served with Fennel Salad. We share both, but to be perfectly honest, the Pizza was so light that I could have polished off the Pizza as well as the Tuna they were that delicious. Don’t be put off by the burnt look of the Pizza, it’s all charcoal and if that doesn’t turn you on, the taste is no different and the benefits of activated charcoal speak for themselves. Having cut down on Pizza’s recently due to the effects of wheat in my body, activated charcoal base is a real blessing and we can talk about it as much as we like but the proof is in the pudding, or in this case the Pizza, there really is no bloat and the fact I could have easily have eaten the whole thing without undoing my jeans is evidence enough. The Tuna was grilled to absolute perfection and the Fennel Salad accompanied well. I had never thought to try Tuna with Fennel as it’s quite a heavy, meaty fish but the two combined to create the flavour of the sea harmoniously. We paired both dishes with a delicious Sauvignon Bianco which was crispy and fresh and served in a huge glass. Perfecto!

Finally we were treated to the specials on the Dessert menu which included Nutella Pizza!! I bet you can guess what we ordered, and thankfully it wasn’t a full-sized Pizza but one slice which we paired with a raspberry Ice Cream. Both were indulgent, heavenly but still light! How Pizzicotto have managed to balance the huge Italian Flavours with the light as air Pizzas and Pastas is nothing short of remarkable and this is certainly the type of Italian where you can appreciate the quality of the produce and not feel uncomfortably stuffed. The highlight was The Activated Charcoal Pizza so it’s definitely worth the trip here to grab yourself a slice of that but overall the entire menu was divine from start to finish. This is certainly an Italian I will be recommending. Cin Cin.

Another week of back to back diverse but delightful experiences by Alex Bannard – Bangkok correspondent

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Margaret Graham

When we came to Bangkok I really thought I would achieve so much. Nine months in I realize if you achieve one thing a day you are doing well. So when I have a week of back to back opportunities in which to experience the weird and the wonderful of Bangkok, I utterly relish it.

It all started with 2 nights retreat on the river in Amphawa – home of the original authentic floating market and many a temple. It was literally sunset yoga on the river; merit-making with monks in boats at sunrise, a completely beautifully serene and peaceful way to start the day; post-merits yoga on the pontoon on the river; spa treatments including acupuncture, a needle literally inserted in my third eye, hot herbal bath, probably my first and last bath in Thailand because it was SO hot and a Thai massage.

Later, a soaking in fizz, closely followed by a drenching in river water (in my remaining clean outfit so I travelled home smelling like a Thai drain puddle) and some rather spectacular firefly demonstrations on the river bank. The trees were lit up like Christmas trees. And a finale of sunrise om floating on the river and reiki. The whole experience was complete zen.

On returning home it was a back to back birthday extravaganza…first a 5 year old’s birthday welcomed us back to our Moobaan, more fizz, more fun, no soakings. Then my birthday: kids made fabulous cards and Mr P excelled himself on the present front; brunch with my BKK-Bessie’s and another amaze-balls gift; rooftop bar drinks with Mr P and a delish Indian tandoori dinner…lots of time to reflect that getting older is really getting more fun.

The following day my friend, Meghan and I headed off to Chinatown on the hunt for fabric. Despite better and wiser advise, that the last Friday before the Thai schools went back was a bad day to go, off we set. Bts, tuk tuk & taxi with intermittent footwork and we arrived in Little India. We were scouting through the rolls of fabric before 11am in Indian Emporium – a result in itself. Made a purchase: some cool linens for 100bht/m. Next stall…linen 50bht/m…fatal school girl error. Much friendlier proprietors so to compensate I went mad on a colour palette reminiscent of the river: khaki, slate, Air Force blue, ocra…I do love colour but my skin tone suits, well pond water shades.

On Saturday one of my 4 birthday twins invited me to a Grease night to celebrate her 40th. Once I realized the Mr’s weren’t invited it was game on for me. 50’s skirts and fitted tops were sourced. A pink wig was secured. I was good to go.

What a night. Slick smooth and stylish it was not. Fun, raucous and silly it most definitely was. We laughed, sang loudly, danced hysterically and it was fabulous. Never in a million years had I even anticipated the previous, as our look see in Bangkok came to an end, that a year later my birthday week would be ending like this. And I think that unpredictability is what I love most about Bangkok. Anything is possible and anything goes.

Afterwards we went to Titanium. I was totally expecting a mega club, but instead it is a small bar with a live band. We looked rather like a hen do, all dressed same and so unfortunately attracted attention in that vein. I had to keep myself in check as there were more than a few fat ugly Farang with their trophy Thai gals, a side to Thailand that challenges my non-judgemental yoga principles and my face muscles – I am completely transparent and you can tell exactly how I am feeling by the look on my face. The all girl live band were awesome. The bonkers Ozzie and his scary ‘tash, not so much. But we danced some more, drank some more and laughed a lot more. Then I journeyed all the way home, itchy ghastly wig still in situ if not a little wonky, with possibly the jolliest taxi driver ever – a real life happy Buddha.

And that’s how life is sometimes in Bangkok. Back to back experiences, sense overload, a fun-fest. And I love it, I absolutely love that life flits between the sublime and the ridiculous so effortlessly!and so regularly.

The Golden Mount & Baan Bat by Alex Bannard | Bangkok Correspondent

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Margaret Graham

I was delighted, soon after arriving in Bangkok, to meet a fabulous and inspiring neighbour who is a practicing Buddhist. This is a philosophy I have enormous respect for and a fascinated interest in, but she was also planning on starting a meditation course which had been on my Bangkok bucket list from the start.

Being a huge fan of yoga and mindfulness I was intrigued to learn the spiritual art of real life Buddhist meditation. As our guru has the most enchanting French accent, I felt that if it all proved a bit much, her voice would be like a meditation on its own.

She suggested we visit the area where the monks’ alms bowls are made. I am a traveller at heart and have backpacked clutching my Lonely Planet many times. I was all in.

We took the water taxi for Bang Sapi pier near our Moobaan. This is an adventure in itself. For 20bht we went all the way from Bang Sapi up to the temple at the Golden Mount, Wat Saket, changing only once. I love the people watching opportunities this kind of adventure affords.

The boat was packed, yet at every stop as people disembarked, yet more people embarked. The only person wearing a lift jacket, predictably was the girl taking the money and dispensing the tickets – you must protect the assets after all. The sights of local people living their lives alongside the river were extraordinary and the smells were…well it’s Bangkok I don’t need to elaborate. I loved it.

When we got to Wat Saket as it was Loi Krathong week, there was a fun fair and collection of stalls. This happens every year and there is a wonderful carnival energy surrounding the streets. The temple sits on a small man made hill up 300 steps which circle the mount, revealing fabulous views of the city.

The Mount itself during Loi Krathong is shrouded in red cloth and is a popular pilgrimage for local people who write on the cloth. I wrote a message for a friend who badly needed better karma…I hope it worked.

After some time at the top soaking in the atmosphere and appreciating seeing the city from above, we headed off to Baan Bat. Almost all Buddhist monks have alms bowls and begin the day collecting offerings from the local community, a custom that dates back 2,500 years. Nowadays almost all the bowls are manufactured but there remains in the alleys surrounding The Golden Mount, one last soi dedicated to the ancient art of alms bowl making.

The bowls are hand made by battering steel into shape and decorating it and the community remains and functions in exactly the same place, albeit in a slightly different fashion (I did see a surprising number of tablets of the electronic variety keeping the children entertained) and in much smaller numbers.

Over the years a thriving industry has been reduced leaving just one family making the traditional bowls although the surrounding area still functions in some way to support the monks with various temple supply shops. The whole area is worth exploring and like everywhere in Thailand the people are welcoming and friendly.

Before long it was time to return to the water taxi and head home for pick up, alms bowl under arm after some nifty bargaining. I should donate it to the faithful monks but I like it too much.

How To Make Money Blogging Part 1

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

So here it is. Number one in how to make money blogging, or with your website or online magazine. It is possible to make money blogging, but you need the knowledge and you also have to work hard. The nature of making money blogging is that you never know how much money you will earn month-to-month or day-to-day. It is precarious and sometimes scary, but with the right guidance it is possible. As long as you work hard and are prepared to adapt with the times. Here is part one, I hope it helps you on your blogging journey. I will be telling you all you need to know about blogging in a series of articles. You can also check out my book, The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger.

Affiliate Links.

Affiliate links are a great way to make money, even if you have a small blog which doesn’t get a lot of traffic. If you can build your blog up and get loyal readers who trust you and your judgement, then you can earn a lot of money this way.

Working With Brands.

You can earn a lot of money working with brands. Either by sponsored editorial content, featuring their products, or working together to create your own fashion line or perfume. Yes, you CAN do that. You just have to belief in yourself and work hard. (I know I say work hard a lot. I won’t say sorry, a blog is a business and any business requires a lot of work).

Sponsored Posts.

Years ago I earned a reasonable amount from sponsored posts. Then Google changed their policy to penalise sites that paid for links, and those that featured them. The revenue stream dried up overnight and I had to get creative. Now the negative part is out of the way let me tell you that you can still earn from sponsored posts. I know some of the top personal blogs charge about £750, but the sky is the limit. Even sites like the Daily Mail and the Huffington Post feature sponsored posts. Print magazines do a similar thing with their advertorials. Just flick through any magazine and you will see some of these. Oh, and avoid people who want sponsored posts but try to disguise them as ‘guest posts’.

Public Speaking.

I have done public speaking. Sometimes it pays well and other times they will ask you to do it for free, but you can either promote yourself or sell your books.

Advertising.

Banner ads and general advertising doesn’t make that much money. I am sure it can, but it is not the way to get rich, or even wealthy, blogging. It will cover the blogging costs however, and that is worth something.

Freelance writing.

I have been approached by publications and sites to write for them after they have come across my work. It also makes my internet presence more prominent and helps my brand. (And before you roll your eyes, we are all brands now).

Partnering with Brands.

You can make a lot of money doing this. Building relationships with brands and getting your name out there can result in lots of money and will also give a huge boost to your career.

Books and eBooks.

I have written three books and I publicise them through Frost. Our contributing editor Margaret Graham is also a bestselling author. Write about a subject you know, or even write a novel. If people are reading your blog they already love your writing.

Selling Your Blog.

In 2011 Arianna Huffington sold The Huffington Post for $315 million. Yes, $315 million. That may be an extreme example, but you can sell your blog for quite a bit of money. Some small blogs even sell for £20,000.

Vlogging.

Vlogging is huge. There are more YouTube millionaires than ever. You can earn relatively good money from this, but it is a lot of work and an overcrowded market. The good news is that Amazon are taking on YouTube with Amazon Direct Video so you can make money streaming your videos there too. I will write about this more soon.

Consulting.

You can consult by helping businesses and brands to build their blogs. Either by writing, or by giving your creative (and tech, if you are so inclined) opinion.

Subscriptions.

You can put things behind a paywall and charge for it. This does work with certain content.

Donations.

I noticed on The Guardian today that they have a donate button at the bottom with the – very true- comment that the powerful will not investigate themselves. If they can do it, you can.

Classifieds.

Old school, but sites like Gumtree and Craigslist charge for people to list and make a good amount of money.

Merchandise and Selling Products.

Plenty of sites sell T shirts and such. You could also make your own products.

Public Appearances.

If your blog does very well you can do a Paris Hilton and get paid simply to appear at clubs and events. You may have to wave though. Hard life.

Doing Talks or Teaching.

You can do talks, teach and do workshops. Offer people a solution to their problems and you are doing good while making some money. Pass on your knowledge and educate people.

I will be going through all of the different revenue streams in more detail. It is an amazing time to be a content creator. There are so many creative ways to build your brand and make money. Good luck and I will help you on your journey.

You can also read how to make your blog posts go viral here.

How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry Review by Frances Colville

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Veronica Henry’s new novel How to Find Love in a Bookshop is a feel-good, happy-ever-after story, perfect for reading if you’re in need of a bit of escapism or light relief. It’s a quick, undemanding and engaging read and thoroughly enjoyable.

The central character Emilia Nightingale inherits a book shop in the idyllic Cotswold town of Peasebrook and initially struggles both emotionally and financially with the idea of keeping it going. But the local community rallies round, there are plenty of lovely characters ready to pitch in and help out and of course lots of budding relationships and love stories. All centred on a wonderfully atmospheric bookshop and interwoven with lists of book titles relevant to the content of the chapters. Having worked in a small independent bookstore myself, I was hooked the moment I read the title – and I wasn’t disappointed.

But I would like to know more about what happened to everyone. Is there going to be a sequel? I hope so.

How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry is published by Orion Books and available in hardback priced £12.99 from 16^th June 2016. Also available in ebook and audio.

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