Bright Stars by Sophie Duffy Book Review

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

I have read all of Sophie Duffy’s books and it is fair to say that I am a fan. Duffy is an exceptionally talented writer and Bright Stars is another jewel in her crown. The story of a group of university friends and the night that tore them apart, Bright Sparks is a well written novel on the bonds of friendship and love. How one little mistake in life can have devastating effects for decades after. Duffy captures the different periods, switching between the past and the present brilliantly. Bright Stars is another great novel from Duffy. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Hugely enjoyable.

Cameron Spark’s life is falling apart. He is separated from his wife, and awaiting a disciplinary following an incident in the underground vaults of Edinburgh where he works as a Ghost Tour guide. On the day he moves back home to live with his widowed dad, he receives a letter from Canada. It is from Christie.

Twenty-five years earlier, Cameron attends Lancaster University and despite his crippling shyness, makes three unlikely friends: Christie, the rich Canadian, Tommo, the wannabe rock star and Bex, the Feminist activist who has his heart. In a whirlwind of alcohol, music and late night fox raids, Cameron feels as though he’s finally living.

Until a horrific accident shatters their friendship and alters their futures forever.

Christie’s letter offers them a reunion after all these years. But has enough time passed to recover from the lies, the guilt and the mistakes made on that tragic night? Or is this one ghost too many for Cameron?

Bright Stars is available here.

A Travel Guide To Southampton, Hampshire.

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Frostie

Credit:www.geograph.org.uk

Great Britain is not called great for nothing. It has a lot going for it. There is an abundance of places to have a great staycation and none more so than Southampton. Located on the south coast of England, Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire, it is only 75 miles from London and has its own airport, so you can

Museums.

The Seacity Museum is situated in the heart of Southampton, in the Cultural Quarter. It is an interactive experience about Southampton and its connection with the sea. It also covers the city’s Titanic Heritage.

The Tudor House Museum covers 900 years of history all on one site. It is Southampton’s most important historic building. It has recently been restored and has a lovely garden too. Tudor Lord Chief Justice Sir Richard Lyster and Victorian milliner Eliza Simmons are just two of the many people who have lived there.

The Posted in Life & Style | Tagged A Travel Guide, A Travel Guide To Southampton, Hampshire, Southampton, travel, what to do

Top 5 Money Saving Pregnancy Tricks

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Frostie

By Layla Anna-Lee, English TV Presenter and soon to be mum.

Don’t buy a baby changing unit! A baby changing unit is literally a chest of drawers with a baby changing section on top and an extra zero added to the price. Proper padded anti-roll baby changing mats add the same amount of height to the sides of a mat that any changing unit would have. You must never leave your child alone on a changing unit or mat regardless. So don’t feel obliged to purchase overpriced units when your current chest of draws with a safety mat could be just fine! (Just make sure the chest of drawers is the right width for the mat and is strong enough to take the weight of a baby.) I bought mine from www.safetots.co.uk

Eco nappies. In two years of a child’s life the average spend on disposable nappies is £1,800. The same stretch of time in reusable nappies is around £350 and if you are planning on having another child you can use them again saving yourself much, much more. Modern day Eco nappies are incredibly well designed, there’s no need for old fashioned soaking and can be washed at 30 degrees. Of course washing adds some expenditure but even then it’s less than all the bin liners and nappy sacs you’ll be needing for those disposables. Not to mention the cost on your conscience that disposable nappies are the largest single household contributor to landfill sites. I bought mine from www.totsbots.com

The Baby Show! Get your ticket, get there early and don’t leave! This was my favourite shopping spot of all. So easy to compare a huge range of baby products all under one roof and so many incredible discounts. I had purchased my buggy before attending the show then saw the exact same one at the show with over £200 off – That’s a pretty impressive discount and at The Baby Show discounts like that are everywhere. There are a variety of invaluable talks to attend, such as first aid and breast feeding talks are included in the ticket price. If you’re a savvy haggler stay right until the end and you might get even more taken off the price tag as exhibitors don’t want to pack up all the stock to travel home. The next show is taking place at Kensington, Olympia from the 23^rd-25^th October: www.thebabyshow.co.uk

You don’t need a cot straight away. When looking to save money sometimes timing is the answer and when choosing your cot you have time to get it right. A baby can sleep in a Moses basket up until around 3 months or until the baby can sit up or roll. This means there’s no rush, you can wait for a sale, a hand me down from a close friend or indeed simply take your time to make sure you’re making an educated purchase. Mine is from www.mobauk.com

Don’t be afraid to ask for things you actually need. Everyone loves buying presents for a new baby. Whether it be an excited mother in law or if you’re throwing a baby shower. It’s important to be honest because your friends really do want to get you something you will actually use. If you don’t need 45 hats and another plush bunny rabbit then just say so! Make a little list of what you need and let your loved ones help you, it truly makes the world of difference.

An unmissable treat for Chinese food lovers

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Aidan

Forget rushed dim sum – for £49 each, you and a companion can spend a leisurely Saturday afternoon sampling divine cocktails, wine and the very best Chinese London has to offer.

Chinatown in London’s West End is good, yes, but fans of Chinese food know that Yauatcha is better. The food is full of all the flavours you expect of Chinese food, only here it’s more refined. This, combined with its stunning cocktails and exquisite desserts, mean it’s not hard to understand why Yauatcha has a core following of die-hard foodie fans. And now there’s a new and wonderful way to experience Yauatcha at Yauatcha City in Broadgate Circle – the Supreme Saturdays menu.

Sitting on the first floor of the ultra-tendy Broadgate Circus complex, you will begin with pre-lunch cocktails – and be warned, you have to pace yourself: there is a lot of drink to come. I chose the Thea martini and it was beautifully refreshing. Thereafter, you just have to choose a main course – the rest is brought to you as a fait accompli. First of all, there’s a selection of four fried dim sum each – we’re talking the best ever sesame prawn toast (this is not made with value white bread), lobster roll, mushroom spring roll and a venison puff. The sizes are slightly bigger than your average dim sum pieces, and these are followed by six more dim sum pieces each, steamed this time. There is the classic pork and prawn shui mai (although this is an outstanding version of this traditional version) – and then there’s the crystal dumpling wrap with pumpkin with pine nut, which I doubt you will ever see on a menu in any Chinatown. The vegetable and truffle wrap is a real wow, as is the black pepper and wagyu beef dumpling

Now that your cocktail may have run dry, you will be sipping on the half bottle of wine that comes as part of your meal – it”s really very good. And at this point, feeling a little drenched by alcohol, I ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail that I strongly recommend: cucumber, lime and jasmin tea. Light and breezy, I will now have trouble drinking jasmin tea any other way.

For the main courses we chose truffle pork belly rib and lobster vermicelli pot. The belly rib, pictured above, is the softest, most succulent belly rib I’ve tasted yet, and is beautifully flavoured. Feeling very full now, I was only able to sample a little of the lobster but I can tell you that it was superbly fresh and very, very good.

It was necessary to take a break before dessert, but when we finally mustered the strength to order (you can choose any dessert you like from the main menu), we found ourselves quite excited and, strange to relate, ready to eat on. I chose the pomegranate yoghurt which was gorgeous – a fabulous combination of flavours and textures. My partner went for the passion fruit mango dome – a work of art with an edible Yauatcha label, it was velvety and supremely fruity.

We finished up with post lunch cocktails – you can choose from a Manhattan, an amaretto sour or an expresso martini. I went for the martini and it was a perfect finale to a perfect meal.

Find out more or book at www.yauatcha.com/city/supreme-saturdays

GOING PUBLIC: Organising a Charity Litfest

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Jane Cable

Author and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the third in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest in aid of Words for the Wounded. This month has been all about publicity. And an unscheduled auction.

I’m scared. I shouldn’t be, but I am. Chief Chindi Christopher Joyce is on holiday and I don’t dare contact our venues to see how ticket sales are going. With Chris’s extensive publicity campaign in full swing they should be selling like hotcakes – but you never can tell.

But first I’d like to bend your ears about a way that anyone wishing to support Words for the Wounded can help – even if you’re nowhere near Chichester. It started when celeb chef Simon Rogan donated a set lunch for two at Fera at Claridges – far too good for a raffle prize – so I thought ‘let’s have an online auction’. Alongside this we put Claire Dyer’s Fresh Eyes editorial review (a must for any budding writer and worth £150) and a hair cut from Benjamin James in Chichester. Here’s the link: http://www.chindi-authors.co.uk/words-for-the-wounded-auction/ so bid away and keep an eye on Chindi’s social media for updates.

Unfortunately our leaflet went to press before we’d decided to do this, but following on from last month’s blog local accountancy firm Carpenter Box stepped forward to sponsor the printing and the printers, Artyzan, provided us with double the number we paid for. The leaflet looks stunning and Chindi members have been out and about on the streets of East Hampshire and West Sussex, leaving them in libraries, book shops, gift shops, museums… and anywhere else we think people will read them.

Booklovers can hear all about the events too on our local radio station, Spirit FM. Chindi member Jill King twisted a few arms and recorded a commercial which they are airing for us free of charge. For the first time ever Jill had to do a second take – because during the first one there were spitfires flying overhead as part of the Battle of Britain commemorations at nearby Goodwood. It just served to remind us all the reason we’re doing this.

*********

If you are in the Chichester area and would like to join us, the events are:

Saturday 17^th October: 11.30 – 14.00
Literary lunch with Elizabeth Buchan and Margaret Graham at Woodies Brasserie, St Pancras.
Call 01243 779895 to book – tickets are £25 including a glass of wine or soft drink.

Saturday 17^th October: 19.30 – 23.00
Authors’ party at the Park Tavern, Priory Road with live music and raffle.
No booking, no entry fee, but come ready to be parted with your money.

Sunday 18^th October: 9.30 – 11.30
Bookswap breakfast at Carluccios, Eastgate Square.
Call 01243 527412 to book – tickets are £15 including full breakfast.

Learn more about…
Words for the Wounded: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
Chindi Authors: www.chindi-authors.co.uk
Carpenter Box chartered accountants: www.carpenterbox.com
Artyzan Print: www.artyzanprint.co.uk
Christopher Joyce: www.creaturesofchichester.com
Jane Cable: www.janecable.com

Women ‘Three Times More Likely to die of Heart Disease than Breast Cancer’

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Frostie

Cardiovascular disease kills as many women in the UK as it does men, accounting for a combined total of 155,000 deaths each year or one death every three minutes.

More than 30,000 women die from coronary heart disease in the UK every year with over 700,000 women living with the consequences of heart disease and stroke, according to research published by The British Heart Foundation ahead of World Heart Day on 29^th September.

World Heart Day is organised by the World Heart Federation and aims to raise awareness of heart disease through education, advocacy and research. The aim of World Heart Day is to create healthy heart environments and encourage individuals to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play.

This year, World Heart Day will be focusing on women’s heart health, as despite the shocking statistics above, The British Heart Foundation claim that women often wait longer then men before calling 999 after experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. Often, this is due to women being less likely to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack or being reluctant to cause a fuss. As Dr Cliff Bucknall, Consultant Cardiologist at London Bridge Hospital, notes,

“Many women believe that heart disease is a condition that only affects men. This is simply not true and as a result, women are less likely to be aware of the associated risks, particularly, around heart disease and contraception.”

Dr Bucknall states that for most women taking oral contraception, or Evorel HRT patches, there is a very low risk of experiencing a heart attack. However, this does rise with age as the risk of having a heart attack rises significantly following the menopause. Dr Bucknall comments:

“There are different types of hormonal contraception which can have different effects on the formation of blood clots and potential heart attacks. Consequently, it is extremely important to discuss with your healthcare provider the birth control options that carry the least risk for you.”

Also, Dr Bucknall dispels the myth that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medication protects women against heart disease. He states,

“HRT will help to relieve menopausal hot flushes and night sweats but don’t expect it to help your heart. Recent research now suggests that HRT isn’t heart protective and, as with all drug treatments there are potential side effects.”

For women who are worried about their heart health, Dr Bucknall shares the following advice:

“There are a number of simple self-help actions that women can take to reduce their risk of heart disease. These include, giving up smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and undertaking more physical activity.”

Master your Asian cookery skills with Jeremy Pang’s 15 minute Noodle Kit.

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Kesh

Much like Jamie’s 30 minutes meals, TV Chef and School of Wok founder Jeremy Pang has come up with a quick and tasty way to create your favourite Asian dishes at home. Unlike 30 minute meals, Pang’s 15 minute Noodle Kit’s actually do take 15 minutes and not a minute longer!

The kits, which include Singapore Noodles, Chow Mein and Pad Thai, each feature an authentic blend of herbs and spices that bring the real taste of Asian street food into your own kitchen. The convenience and quality of the kits are not their only appeal, Pang has set out to create a learning experience too and the kits encourage you to hone in your Asian cookery skills by including a link to YouTube video tutorials on how to make the most of your dinner kit.

One of the best features for me is the handy Wok Clock which shows an ingredient clock showing your what order they go in without having to keep looking at a recipe. Another brilliant time saver are the numbered sachets. Personally, these little touches make the world of difference especially if you have very little time to cook but would love to be able to make something delicious.

Frost were lucky enough to pay a visit to School of Wok, Pang’s Covent Garden cookery school, and managed to get a live demonstration from Jeremy Pang himself so we thought we’d share with you our Top Wok Tips;

Make sure the oil is boiling hot, enough to hear your ingredients sizzling.

Swivel the pan in a circular motion whilst folding the ingredients with your spoon to make sure everything gets cooked through evenly.

Slice your ingredients thinner for an even and shorter cooking time;
For me this was an important one as many people tend to overcook their chicken. The trick is to slice it thinly and trust that it only does take a few minutes to cook through. If in doubt cut it with your spoon to check for pinkness.

And finally…

Your ingredients need as much love as we do so make sure to massage all of your marinade into your chosen protein to make sure every bit of it has absorbed.

Our verdict;

In terms of instant dinner kits this has to be top for convenience and quality. The Wok Clock has won me over and the range of skills you can pick up will help you become a Wokstar in no time.

Jeremy Pang’s 15 Minute Noodle Kits are currently available in selected Tesco’s Stores and are currently on offer priced at £2.00

School of Wok is open to visitors Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and offer a wide range of courses and classes suitable for any levels. Follow School of Wok for more details on @SchoolofWok

F-Secure SAFE and F-Secure Buddy Review & Competition

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Frostie

Security is important, especially online. It is important to keep safe, so we reviewed two products from F-Secure that keep you safer. We are also giving away a free F-Secure Buddy. Details below. F-Secure SAFE (1 year, 5 devices) £59.99

F-Secure SAFE is F-Secure’s multi-device internet security service – covering PC, Mac, smartphones and tablets on up to five devices.

It offers ideal protection for the whole family with parental control, allowing parents to safely secure the devices before giving it to their children.

The key benefits of F-Secure SAFE are:
· Parental controls: The parental control functions enables parents to keep their children safe by allowing them to control what type of online content is accessible. They can also set ‘homework time’ which restricts internet access to educational sites during set times.
· Anti-virus: Detect and remove any malicious software that may have reached the device, including trojans, viruses and spyware.
· Banking protection: Gives added security for online banking in a more visible and tangible way.
· Safe browser: Blocks any known malicious websites, such as phishing websites. It also helps with online banking and parental control.
· Safe contacts: Call and text message filtering to block unwanted or nuisance calls and texts. Simply add numbers to the block list.
· Anti- theft: Remotely lock or wipe data from the phone in the event of loss or theft. It allows the user to locate the phone through an easy-to-use personal portal.

F-Secure SAFE anti-virus technology has won the Best Protection award from the independent test house AV-Test.org in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. It was also given the Best Security Award at the UK Internet Industry Awards 2015.

We were very impressed with F-Secure SAFE. It’s protection is outstanding. It is a diverse product that protects your computer, tablet or phone (or all of them). The list of stuff it does is above, and we are just incredibly impressed. Highly recommended.

F-Secure Buddy (£34.99)

F-Secure Buddy is a small, durable mobile phone accessory that helps people track items they need to keep on hand. The device’s small size and award-winning design makes it easy to attach to items like keys, bags and mobile phones. People activate F-Secure Buddy simply by pushing a button and pairing it with a Bluetooth capable iOS or Android device. Once the devices are paired, both will emit a loud signal if they move out of range of one another. This prevents people from leaving objects lying around, or thieves from grabbing these items and running off with them.

People can also use the free F-Secure Buddy app to request Buddy’s location, create circles of contacts to share locations and send messages. This gives Buddy “panic button” capabilities that allow the sharing of alarms and location information with other people. In addition, the Android app can also monitor physical activity, such as the number of steps taken or distance travelled.

Another great product from F-Secure: this is just brilliant. Small and durable, it is easy to attach and works via bluetooth. We think it is a brilliant invention. Smart and accessible, both F-Secure products are great Christmas presents. Only 98 days to go!

We are giving one away. To be in with the chance of winning this fantastic prize, follow @Frostmag on Twitter or Instagram, or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.Then comment below saying what you did. Competition finishes in one month.