Holborn Dining Room

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

The Holborn Dining Room is a beautiful classy and chilled establishment. The interior is splendid but isn’t as impressive as the outside area in when the sun is shining. We headed out for a wander mid afternoon to grab a few drinks and stumbled upon this place. The menu was basic, delicious, and very impressive. We plumped for good old fish finger sandwich and a classic chicken and bacon salad. Washed down with a few Gin cocktails.

With seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine on the menu this place will go down very well when needing to impress a lady or friends. Grab yourself a pint of local lager a burger or a glass of fizz and a pint of prawns. Fine wines are on offer at this renowned restaurant.

Holborn Dining Room is a welcome find for us. London life is so very grand when you find places just like this to share with all of you. It’s possibly one of the nicest bars on the scene in the city.

The first cocktails we tested where the Hendricks and the G Vine. The G Vine was simply amazing flavoured with elderflower tonic and garnished with grapes. I happily sat and sipped while we waited for the food to arrive. This place is where you need to chill and soak up the amazing atmosphere. Their is no rush, just take your time to relax.

Another cocktail before we ate… This one was the Smooth Amber, garnished with cinnamon and orange zest. Pocky and pretty darn good. Ian went for a more simple one. The sipsmith, flavoured with juniper, lemon and orange. Both had us feeling chilled in a matter of moments! Ready for some food by this point and we where not disappointed. Out came our dishes served by a lovely waitress. We chatted for a few moments about how grand it would be to stay in one of the many rooms on offer. You can actually rent an entire floor in the hotel, POA of course! Other rooms start from around £250 per night if you are tempted.

Who would have thought a simple chicken and bacon salad could look this divine and taste so utterly wonderful. A side of chips as thats just how we like to roll! Ian’s fish finger sandwich was severed on sourdough bread. A little fiddly to eat but impressive none the less. It was garnished with horseradish and by all accounts was really rather a good choice. The menu is made up of simple dishes with a twist. All the other dishes being served to various tables looked and smelt divine. This is most certainly one place we need to come back to review the evenings offerings.

Well worth a little trip very soon if your in the area. The prices reflect the area and the quality of the food. Not an everyday treat for some but possibly the nicest of afternoons you could have. We spent the rest of the day wandering back home with full bellies and happy smiles.

Find them at NO 252 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM WC1V 7EN

NSpa Mum To Be Nourishing Stretchmark Oil Review

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Amy Voce

nspa is an exclusive skincare brand available at Asda.com. They have a Mum To Be range which includes a Nourishing Stretch Mark Oil. It retails at £6 and it’s enriched with sweet almond and jojoba to moisturise and nourish. I have had some stretchmarks for a while now and they really annoy me. I used nspa Nourishing Stretch Mark Oil twice a day. In a few months they do fade. The oil absorbs well and I really like the smell. Overall I am impressed and would continue to use it.

I would buy nspa Nourishing Stretch Mark Oil. It is only £6 and works well.

Holiday Style

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

This perfect holiday style maxi dress is the ultimate item for the Summer season. With its V-shaped neckline that helps to flatter all bust sizes It creates curves in all the right places. This is one item to throw in the suitcase for a few weeks in the sun or little mini breaks. It can be dressed up or down with heels to gladiator sandals. Its a rather amazing festival outfit, just grab your favourite leather jacket add tons of bangles and beads. Add a waist belt if your a pear shaped girl to accentuate that tiny waist. This dress is a must if you are fairly straight up and down like myself as it pulls you in at the waist creating those lovely curves. It hides a multitude of sins. Flattering and stylish at the same time. The fabric is delicate and drapes beautifully making it a joy to wear. This dress would also lend itself to weddings or even a balmy evening BBQ. Versatile in so many ways its a real must have item this season ladies.

Holiday Style Outfit Details

I styled this Maxi dress (co) Closet Clothing London with Zara shoes (old) ASOS Linen jacket, Vintage Gucci sunglasses, Jimmy Choo bag, a bright red lip and shellac nails in Salmon Run.

Downley Festival 2015

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Following on from Frost’s articles about this fantastic village of Downley, near High Wycombe, and the piece in the Homes section of The Evening Standard, here is something about the arts festival that has just finished in Downley.

This year, at the start of the festival, strangers appeared in Downley, all vyeing for our attention. Some were perched on walls, another took her place in the front garden, with a glass of wine in her hand. One was up on a garage roof. Others guarded front doors. It was scarecrow time.

Here, there and everywhere, the scarecrows were enjoying the fun.

So, what did the Festival provide?

Those of an athletic disposition, (not me) could run 5 km and pretend to be enjoying it.

Another day we enjoyed the talent show, another time the Ceilidh Band, and talent show.

To begin with, however, there was a family disco in the marquee, and then, as the sun warmed us all, it was Downley Day. All afternoon there were performances and stalls.

The glorious weather continued which was kind to the gardens in Downley, some of which were open for the Festival. So lovely to poke around all those gardens you can’t usually see unless you’re on the top deck of a double decker. Nosey – me? Nah.

Downley School, which is the lovely village school put on a Shakespeare Production and to the relief of all concerned, a Beer and Cheese Festival took place.

I did a workshop on creative writing, and met lovely new people.

All a huge success, and bravo to those who organized and ran it. Downley has done it again. So close to London, but very much in the country.

Yay. Looking forward to next year already.

The Very Thought of You by Mary Fitzgerald Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Frostie

Once again Mary Fitzgerald has woven a story of friendship, love, intrigue and blackmail. Set in 1944 when hopes were high that the war would be over soon; Mary has shown how the friendship and comradeship of a touring variety group brings much needed entertainment to factory workers and troops.

In 1944 Beau Bennett gathers together a touring variety group, the Bennett Players, to perform to factory workers, military hospitals and troops in the UK and France.

Catherine, Della and Frances join the Bennett Players and form a strong friendship as they travel around with the show. The three girls are each searching for something – Catherine seeking news of her husband reported ‘missing in action’, Della is ambitious for fame and Frances needs to keep the impoverished family estate safe for the future.

The shows are a great success and raise moral wherever they go but as they follow the advancing armies through France the girls realise that lies, deceit, betrayal and blackmail are following them and the troupe. Slowly the truth becomes clear and they all will be changed by it. The girls have formed a strong bond which will survive as they return home to their changed futures.

Mary Fitzgerald now lives in the peaceful countryside of Shropshire. After a successful nursing career, marriage and four children, the family eventually settled back in the UK. Mary always loved writing and her characters took on a life of their own as she researches her books. After much rejection a chance email from Random House arrived and Mary was on her way to being a successful published author.

Mary’s characters have warmth and depth to cope with the ups and downs life presents. Read and enjoy.

The Very Thought of You is available here.

Published in Paperback by Arrow on 16^th July 2015 – £5.99

Also available in eBook

Luxurious Lace

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

Heading out for an evenings fun at Somerset House to see Jessie J. When the weather’s this good, all thats needed is a bright colourful number. A real head turner and conversation starter. We have been so lucky with the weather recently and we have been drenched in heady sunshine, the evenings are perfect for little dresses and special one off looking garments.

One of my favourite brands is Closet Clothing London and I was invited along to their London showroom to pick out a few items for events coming up. This stunner leapt out at me for this particular evening. I can’t tell you how many compliments that I received.

Luxurious Lace Outfit Details

Little black dress & shoes from Asos, Jimmy Choo bag, Chanel Necklace, Apple Watch & Lace duster coat (co) Closet Clothing London

Big Mack: Michael Ball leads the cast of Chichester’s big summer musical

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

THEATRE REVIEW

Mack and Mabel
Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 5 September (and then on tour)

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart (revised by Francine Pascal)

www.cft.org.uk
Box Office: 01243 781312

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

From the moment that the blistering overture kicks in you sense that something special is in store. And so it is. In addition to a belting orchestra, there’s a clever set and technical wizardry, glorious frocks and a phenomenally talented cast, led by Michael Ball and Rebecca La Chance in the title roles.

But although billed as a musical comedy, the plot isn’t an endless stream of lighthearted froth by any means. Nor is it a conventional musical theatre romance. The true story of Mack Sennett, the legendary silent movie director famed for his Keystone Cops, and Mabel Normand, a hot dog seller spotted by Sennett and transformed into the darling of the silent screen, in many ways the tale is more reminiscent of Albert Square than Hollywood. Just with more songs.

Told retrospectively, Michael Ball convinces absolutely as the ruthlessly driven Sennett whose sole aim in life is to make ‘em laugh. Broke and alone in his studio before being turned out, he recalls the past; the lies he told, the cast and crew he bullied and the love he treated far too casually. And then there’s the crushing blow that he was wrong about the Talkies which, in spite of his prophecy to the contrary, did actually catch on, diminishing public appetite for his silent pie-in-the-face two-reelers.

Resigned to his rudeness and lack of romance, Mabel continues to love the difficult but charismatic Mack. Reaching a point, however, when the occasional moment of tenderness is no longer enough, and with Mack unwilling – or unable – to make any greater commitment to her, she allows her head to be turned by a rival producer. Having taken drugs before to cope with Mack’s punishing schedule of movie making, she is soon a regular drug taker, slugging down hard liquor in between shoving cocaine up her nose. By the time Mack finally realises that she needs help as much as he needs her it’s all far too late.

Rebecca La Chance is terrific. Vocally enchanting, she pitches Mabel’s initial passion, zest and energy perfectly. As times change, and her fading hope and enthusiasm becomes apparent, it pierces the heart.Fluid, visually stunning and audibly fabulous, all credit to director Jonathan Church and his creative team, whose collective expertise is harnessed to great effect. Choreographer Stephen Mere, at the top of his game, must surely be one of the world’s best. Inventive, stylish and almost poetic in their gracefulness, his routines are simply dazzling.

But ultimately it is Michael Ball’s show. Giving Mack real substance, and following on from his triumphant performance at Chichester a couple of years ago as Sweeney Todd, he cements his status as a supremely talented singer who can really act. Balancing the aggressive bully who is consumed by his work with the man who is also capable of flashes of sweetness, loyalty and at some level self-awareness, Ball manages the emotional and personality gear changes with complete aplomb. It is a remarkable performance and not until the curtain call is there so much of a glimpse of the slightly camp luvvie who willingly sends himself up.

Another Chichester musical with all the hallmarks of success, I Never Promised You a Happy Ending may well be one of the big numbers, but you’re sure as Hell guaranteed joyous entertainment. If you can get a ticket, grab one.

The Energy Bus Book Review

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Aidan

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy By Jon Gordon is a self help book with a difference. Written as a fictional story about a negative businessman who’s life changes when his car breaks down and he is forced to take the bus. The driver, Joy, has 10 rules to a positive mindset. I found the book helpful with fascinating facts about the heart and Abraham Lincoln. Facts, rules and fiction are all woven together into a book that inspires positive energy and gives you the tools to bring that positive energy to your life and work place.

Easy to understand and implement. Recommended for work and home.

The book, which is written in the style of a fable, takes place in a business setting, and includes an Action Plan and 10 simple rules, using the analogy of a bus ride, to build a positive, high performing team. The Energy Bus has proved hugely popular in the US amongst sports teams and their coaches and Gordon, a former College lacrosse player, regularly gets asked to address sports teams teaching them how to maintain a positive mindset throughout gruelling training sessions.

Discover how to stay positive and avoid ‘energy vampires’

According to a global Gallup poll, negativity in the workplace is rife, with only 1 in 8 employees being psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organisations.

Energy coach Jon Gordon wants to change that. In his bestselling self-help book, The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to fuel your life, work and team with positive energy, the author offers lessons on staying positive and avoiding ‘energy vampires’ who will ‘suck the life out of you and your goals and vision’ if you let them. Gordon offers 10 simple rules to achieving positive results which, when applied, have an impact on health, family, team and personal success.

The author draws on his experience of working with thousands of leaders and teams to provide readers with insights and practical strategies to help them achieve a positive team and culture. Written in the style of a fable, the book tells the story of a man, struggling in his job and marriage, whose car gets a flat tyre, forcing him to take a bus to work. The bus driver’s positive attitude helps him to turn his life around.

“While this fable takes place in a business setting, this book was written for everyone. We are all part of a team, and every member of our team – whether it’s our work team, sports team, family team, or school team, can benefit from the 10 simple, powerful rules shared in this book. After all, positive people and positive teams produce positive results, and the essential ingredient is positive energy.” Jon Gordon

About the author:

Jon Gordon’s best selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous sports coaches and teams, organisations, schools, hospitals and charities. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal best seller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish and Soup: A Recipe to Nourish your Team and Culture. Connect with him at www.JonGordon.com

Published by Wiley.

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy is available here.

ISBN: 9781119089148

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