What makes a 70 year old granny get up at 03.15 on a frosty Sunday morning, drive to Gatwick airport, park the car, be checked for everything possible and eventually sit with a well earned mug of tea and bacon butty? Simple, its January, the festivities are over and it’s SKI time.
We fly to Chambery, a small airport situated in the French Alps, collect our luggage and boot bags and leave the chaos of a small airport behind to travel to our warm chalet in Courchevel 1650. Though the snow level is disappointing, Josh, our host, has laid on tea and homemade cake and promises us another ‘dump’ over the next few days.
Spirits revived, we rush to the ski hire shop so we can have our first run down the easy slopes before the lifts close. I struggle into those boots, fix on the skies and I am ready, steady go.
Courchevel 1650 is situated at the eastern end of the Three Valleys and offers skiing for everyone on 650km of pistes and over 170 lifts. It’s a small village with friendly bars and lots of ski shops offering the latest ‘must have’ outfits. Sadly our funds won’t run to these show pieces and our faithful warm sensible kit comes out from one year to the next.
The next morning, we are up and at ‘em again, but mustn’t overdo it as we have a lesson with our lovely ski instructor later. Nervously we wait for Jason to appear and put us through our paces. Because of the poor snow conditions in 1650 we take the shuttle bus to the higher resort of Courchevel 1850 and here conditions are much better, but will my skiing pass his beady eye?
We ride up in the bubble lift and catch up on a year’s news, look out of the lift window and think those slopes are looking awfully steep. For the next 2.5 hours we faithfully follow our instructor and slowly the legs respond, our weight is on the correct ski, we complete neat turns and zoom down the piste. Our first day has been completed successfully and we feel pleased and satisfied with our efforts. But will the legs move tomorrow?
Relaxing in the evening and enjoying more great food and wine my friends discover an APP for their smart phones which tells you how far and fast you have travelled when skiing. Next morning the APP is turned on and we happily ski all day and ride down on the bus to our chalet. The results are amazing until Jason explains that our bus ride is included in those results: our bubble bursts. So, not ready for team GB yet.
Our week continues with more fun on the slopes. Waist lines expand from the food, and après ski sessions in a cosy little bar. On Friday it starts to snow seriously and continues for the next 24 hours and all around is white and fluffy. Our week is over, we are all in one piece and we feel exhilarated and energised by our efforts to perfect our skiing – can’t wait for 2016 when we will do it all again.
Wendy Breckon is a writer and occasional story teller, who scribbles near the sea, in the middle of a wood or wherever the fancy takes her. She loves life and the people walking past the window, especially if they wave! One day, she hopes to flog that ‘sitcom’ sitting in the drawer. In the meantime, her love for coffee, almond croissants, comedy, and a good film, keep those words flowing …
A 70’s VALENTINE
RED is the rose you left upon the chair
RED is the hair slide you placed back in my hair
RED the stain of Mateus Rose on the collar of my dress
RED is the colour of flushed cheek bones the evening I said yes
RED is the sunset above a leather seat
RED is for the old Austin and our engineering feat
RED is for nostalgia and the sweet smell of YOUTH DEW
RED is for the moment I said I love you too
X
We love pancake day at Frost. If you are unsure of where to get your fix this Shrove Tuesday then here are some suggestions.
Savoury:
Pizza East Portobello – the renowned Italian-inspired pizzeria will offer delicious savoury crespelle (the Italian equivalent of crepes). Rolled and served warm, fillings include radicchio and gorgonzola or prosciutto and fontina.
Rivea – the glamorous restaurant takes it’s inspiration from Italy with this year’s Lenten offering. Savoury ‘socca’ pancakes- made with chickpea flour – make a delicious light snack, or can be filled to create a ‘socca salad’ for a more substantial, but relatively guilt-free, treat.
aqua shard – head sky-high and indulge with a view. aqua shard will be offering a special pancake pudding at lunch and dinner throughout the week, with £1 from each purchase going to charity.
aqua shard pancake flambéed with cassis, served with maple syrup ice-cream, caramelised pecan nuts, blue berry jam – £7.50, of which £1 goes to London Bubble Youth charity, which supports young people in drama.
Cafe Boheme – nestled in the heart of Soho, this quintessential French cafe will offer traditional crepes served with lemon and sugar, or blueberry and Nutella.
High Road Brasserie – this French-style brasserie will cater for all tastes this Lent with ‘mix and match’ pancakes served with any of their breakfast sides. Choose from eggs any way, a range of fresh fruit, or perhaps take inspiration from the States and order yours doused in maple syrup and bacon…
When I’m asked what it’s like shopping in Italy I realized that it’s quite a tricky question to answer because shopping in Italy isn’t always an easy task. But before you yawn, there is information about this fantastic area that I have to share with you.
Once a month we drive 20 minutes to our nearest Eurospin Supermarket where one can stock up on the basics: beans, sauces and pastes etc. , for 30c to 40c a packet.
However, we still love to visit our local markets and shops to buy fresh produce. It’s not just the food, but the experience. For example our village Force ( for-chay) has local milk from an organic free range farm and also great cheese.
Our house is surrounded by sheep who are farmed for their meat, milk and a great variety of cheeses. Many of these are sold locally at the supermarkets or the local village and town markets. Apart from Mondays you can find a local market in any one of the many villages or towns.
Our village butcher is situated on the farm itself, down a small lane. We don’t eat a great deal of meat in our family but when we do we make sure it’s good quality and here we know for sure it is. We also know that the animals have not travelled in distress.
Best of I have to explain to you the lovely free local seasonal produce we get from our neighbouring friends, anything from fresh plump cherries to carrots, peaches to lettuce, plus zucchini’s and many tomatoes, all of course naturally grown.
So you have to be a little organized but the benefits of this quality of food is worth it. What I look forward to most are the spring vegetable plant markets, so I can get on with planting my own food too. Life here is simple, but good.
Jenny Falcon took a bi-lingual French/English secretarial course with the avowed intention of becoming the first U.K. ambassador to France: sadly, this did not transpire. She loves travelling to places off the tourist wish list, and has long been a member of Ladies Circle, which has expanded her horizons even further. Jenny considers family and friends crucial to her life. Happily married for decades with one married daughter, her single best achievement, Jenny is a poet and writer.
The Journey by Jenny Falcon
The dirty mainline station was functioning with its usual, organised frenzy
People criss-crossing the forecourt, focused on their own trajectories
Announcements – almost incomprehensible – feebly fought against the sound
Of multiple movement, competing noises of man and machine
My feet took me hastily through the barrier and along the platform
I stepped with wearisome tread onto the waiting train which crouched
Like an uncomplaining mammal, gently hissing and clicking
I found a seat, tucked at one end of a carriage, and sank into the corner
At the appointed departure time, the train moved off with a gentle tug
It had a heavy load, it was that time of the evening, so many assorted souls
Making their respective homeward journeys, some pale and exhausted
Others frenetically tapping at their electronic devices, mesmerised, unaware
But the movement of the lumbering train was beguiling, almost soothing
The enforced closeness of fellow travellers did not feel intrusive
But strangely comforting, locked together in a homeward goal
Leaving behind the tangled thoughts and worries of the day
Dusk was approaching, the occasional light drew attention
The suburban gardens pulled over their shrouds of grey
The fields and parks became secretive, waiting for the moon
The grubbiness of the trackside buildings disappeared in the gloom
No longer could one’s gaze rest on the world passing by
Just a jumble of shapes, confused with the reflections from within;
Eyes closed, listening to the sounds of the train as it sped on
Wishing to arrive, to be transported away to a familiar shelter
Finally, the sounds changed, the regular beat slowed, people shuffled,
Roused themselves to face again the world outside the large cocoon
The train gently stopped and at once, the relative calm was broken
As those within, hurried away without a backward glance.
The end of the line, so I paused – waited until all had gone
Viewed the empty cartons, crumpled papers, dirty tissues
Detritus of a daily, uneventful, homeward journey, one of so many
And then, stepped off the train myself and followed the crowd
Hello everyone, its been ages since I last posted an article but I hope this one will keep the ladies happy! Ok so I never thought I’d see the day I rave about an at home gel nail kit. But that day has come and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen me mention this a few times. This Sensationail kit is incredible on so many levels.
I was sent this kit to review and used the product over a few weeks. I have removed it and reapplied the system to really put it through its paces. If you haven’t come across my site before then welcome. I used to be a Celebrity nail artist and an Educator for some of the biggest professional nail brands in the world. I can honestly say that Sensationail is in fact….Sensational!!
I’m going to go out on a limb here and state that I think this kit is possibly better an any professional product I have ever used tested or worn myself. Now I know everything there is to know about gel polish, the way the chemicals react and how different products work together. I also put my nail enhancements through utter hell. I can, as I know someone that will fix them in a blink of an eye if they chip, drop off or lift and that’s me.
Most professional gel applications become a little spongy, soft and lift after about a week on my nails. Not sensationail it’s incredible. I got 2 full weeks out of the first application. Only taking them off to redo as the regrowth was looking a little unsightly. I removed them and reapplied them with ease and I can report that this brand is seriously rocking my world.
You won’t need to worry about applying extra layers as it’s so strong it’s just perfect. It has the best combination of strength and possibly the biggest factor that makes nail enhancements perfect and that’s it’s also flexible. So it will bend a little like real nails should. Too brittle and they can crack. This leads to lifting and all sorts of problems. Not with Sensationail you don’t! Not to mention the shine of the topcoat. It holds as good as new for all 14 days. No scratches, no dulling and certainly the shiniest of top coats I have ever come across. With the added bonus of being a 2 in 1 product. A combined base and top coat. Amazing don’t you think!
Sensationail Home Kit Review Tips
When lightly buffing the surface shine make sure you don’t damage the nails natural thickness, as over buffing will thin your nails drastically.
Cleanse with the product supplied. Don’t use nail polish remover as this is a solvent and could possibly cause lifting.
Don’t touch any of the nails after cleaning as this will transfer natural oils from your fingertips and will result in the product not settling properly.
When applying the primer only add it to 4 nails (leave the thumbs to last) Its a sticky product and fluff will drive you mad!
When applying the base coat to the 4 natural nails make sure not to touch the skin (this will lead to lifting) By laving a tiny margin around the sides and bottom it will increase the length of time that the product will stay looking perfect.
If you get any product on the surrounding skin just remove it with the orange wood stick provided in the Sensationail kit.
Do not wipe off the shiny, tacky residue from any of the layers as this is a very important part. *Sticky sticks to sticky or a rough surface. If you remember this you wont ever go wrong. If you remove it by mistake its OK but you will find the product might not adhere to the next layer. So all you ned to do is lightly buff the surface and recleanse.
Swirl the lid and brush in clockwise, or an anti clockwise motion around the neck of the bottle (whatever one feels easiest) as you take the applicator out. This will prevent dripping of the product and only the amount you need will be on the brush.
Next professional tip is to apply the polish as thin as you can. I found this product self levels and it’s amazing even if you are a little heavy on application. But its a good habit to get into as you could get a few more applications out of one bottle.
This is possibly the best tip I am going to give you now….Start to apply the polish in the middle of the nail. The push the brush towards your Proximal nail fold (cuticle) “I am going to drop in a diagram at the bottom and an explanation all about the cuticle at the end of this article. Make sure you read it as it will be very beneficial for you” As you push the brush back it will do all the work for you and you will see the polish edges are as neat as a pro! Try it a few times and let the product just glide on. *You are in no rush as it wont set until you are happy and place it into the lamp.
Top tip….Don’t leave any products near a lamp that it on. The bright blue light will most certainly cure whats in the bottles or the brush you leave on your desk!!!! Be warned!
Take your time when you first do a set. read the Sensationail instructions, my cuticle advice and the professional routine bellow before you start and Practice makes perfect!
Once you have mastered a few tips all you have to remember is that the Base & Topcoat take 30 seconds to cure and the polish takes 1 minute. Simple as that. If you need 3 coats, then apply 3.
If you have exceptionally weak nails I suggest a double layer of base and a double layer of topcoat cured for 30 seconds at each application.
When you are finished cleanse, wash hands and Oil those stunning nails twice a day with almond oil. There you have it some professional advice.
Sensational has all the right ingredients to create perfect nails at home time and time again. I can’t fault this in any way. Well if I was really going to be picky I’d say that with some of the colours it shrinks back just a little with the first coat of polish….But on applying the second you would have forgiven it in a heartbeat. The coverage is unsurpassed.
Professionals would normally do 3 thin coats, very thin ones when applying any products for a client as they can ripple and not cure right the way through. This leads to lifting and unhappy customers. Now this is where I feel this products comes into it’s own. The ease of application is tremendous, it’s near on impossible to get it wrong. The applicator brush of the combined base and topcoat is brill and the colours glide on almost seamlessly.
I give this a huge 10/10. For anyone that wouldn’t set foot in a salon this is perfect and for those of you needing to save a few pennies this will blow you away. Excuse the pun…This is Hands down the best gel manicure kit I have used in years.
Below is a professional explanation about the real Cuticle and manicures.
To explain what the true cuticle is… in fact it covers the entire nail bed. Yes thats right girls. The cuticle is basically the residue from the proximal nail fold when the nails are growing. Its there to keep infection out. And should NEVER BE CUT, EVER. As the nail plate grows it just travels with it. It can be carefully cleaned away by yourself but you just need a little know how…So I have done a little routine for you to help you apply Sensationail like a professional.
1. Grab a towel and some kitchen paper and place it on a table with a good light above the area. Preferably set up during the day. Sundays are best! Set aside about 1 1/2 hours to do a great job.
2. Gather all you need and plug in the lamp and arrange your desk with everything you need.
3. To remove the true cuticle gently glide the Sensationail remover tool (this is perfect) up and down the ENTIRE nail bed very gently. You can do this on dry nails with the remover and you will see lots of dry powdery debris coming off. Don’t over work it just do tiny moments with a little pressure and you will be amazed at what comes off!
5. Wash those hands and nails, getting rid of the excess debris. Then dry them off with a clean piece of kitchen roll.
6. Using a gentle file, shape nails. Lightly zig zag the file on the ends. This will add a little bit of key so the base coat will be able to nestle into the ends and seal them.
7. Arrange the lamp, bottles and products so they are easily accessed and loosen the lids a little.
8. Grab a cleanser pad provided in the kit and cleanse (not too much as this will saturate the nail and will lead to lifting!) one drop will do all 4 nails. Really cleanse those nails and scrub away at them so they are nice and clean. Try not to get any fluff left behind.
9. Look at the nails and see if you have any fluff or dust. Do not touch the nail plate if you have. Try to remove it by reusing the pad.
10. Apply a very small amount of base coat to 4 nails (do the thumbs last). Remember to add some around the free edge (tip of the nail). Keep it simple and try not to touch the skin. Keeping it just on the nail bed.
11. Place in lamp for 30 seconds.
12. Apply the colour thinly around the free edge. Then over the nail. Gel polish is amazing as it won’t set until it gets near the lamp! If you find its shrinking back a little just flash cure each nail for 5-10 seconds then move on to the next. This normally happens with darker colours and reds. Word of warning….don’t place any gels near the lamp as they will set, as I have mentioned before. Its always good to remind you!
13. Pop your beautifully and carefully painted nails into the lamp for 1 minute.
14. Apply a second coat to just the nail bed, paying attention to making sure it’s as neat as possible.
15. Pop in the lamp for 1 minute.
16. If you need a 3rd coat go ahead and do another.
17. Place in lamp for 1 minute. If you have applied this thickly you will feel it get a little warm. This is very normal it’s just the molecules connecting and being activated to link together until it sets. It sets so fast it’s a little friction and nothing to worry about.
18. Apply a thin coat of top coat and make sure you run a little along the tip to seal the edges. Then place your hand in the lamp for one last 30 second session!
19. Now do this to all 4 fingers on the other hand, followed by the thumbs. All done! I do hope this has helped you along with my professional gel nails tips.
It all sounds like there are loads of stages but trust me once you have done it a couple of times this will save you so much money and you will be able to have stunning nails all year round that look like a professional job.
*Please remember if you are thinking of doing other peoples nails you need proper training a licence/insurance and tell the council you are running a salon, either from home or mobile. It’s not worth running the risk of getting in trouble.
The key to anything is learning to do things properly and this article is intended for the use of Sensationail home gel nail kits.
For more beauty, fashion or styling advice just Tweet me @sarahbacchus and check out my site SLBstyle.com
A deliciously sweet and tangy cocktail that is the perfect entree to a Valentine’s Day dinner
Ingredients:
50ml CÎROC Red Berry
25 Freshly squeezed lemon juice
15ml Raspberry syrup
1 Egg white
Method:
Shake all ingredients hard with cubed ice for 15 seconds/ Strain into a chilled coupe glass and add lemon zest to the top. Garnish with a fresh raspberry
CÎROC VELVET
This champagne topped cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated affair
Ingredients:
35ml CÎROC Vodka
20ml Peach nectar
5ml Vanilla syrup
15ml Apple juice
Top up with Champagne
Method:
Shake all ingredients together and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top with Champagne
Q’S MARTINI
(Created by Lorenzo Manzo at Quaglino’s)
A classic serve that never gets old. Short and strong, this serve is a classic hit
Ingredients:
50ml CÎROC Vodka
10ml manzanilla sherry
5ml Olive brine
Top with Soda water
Method:
Shake all ingredients with cubed ice and strain into a martini class. Top with Soda water and garnish with 3 olives
CÎROC WHITEHALL LADY
(Available at Corinthia)
A delectable cocktail that’s full of flavour and fizz perfect to sip whilst swooning over your date
Ingredients:
50ml CÎROC Vodka
15ml Elderflower cordial
10ml Fresh lemon juice
Top up with Champagne
Method:
Shake all ingredients with cubed ice and strain into a tall glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with a twist of orange or grapefruit
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us; the time where it’s customary to celebrate the love of our lives in ways that truly matter. If there was ever something invented to capture a woman’s heart, then its jewellery and its things that sparkle. In the 21st Century, flowers and chocolate can only ever be the ‘bubble wrap’ to something with bigger, deeper meaning. For the 21st Century woman size doesn’t necessarily matter but quality does. Some of the sharp readers amongst you may have seen the title and thought the spelling of King was some kind of typo, but it is in fact the name of a new and upcoming artist K.ing with her latest jewellery Collection “Diamond K.ing”. A brand with an outspoken mandate in that it promises to treat each and every wearer as a Queen.
Model: Frances Lane Jewellery: K.ing Photography: Active 8 Images
Diamond K.ing is the gemstone of Inga Klabyte, who chose to employ everything that life threw at her to polish and reveal her inner diamond. Now under the artistic name of K.ing she makes a living by helping others to do the same. I find it astonishing to think that out of all the different types of companies one could create, the one she chose was jewellery making. However upon meeting her it is easy to see why; just like a diamond, the brand K.ing embodies and accentuates all her key strengths. For example, the number of hours that Inga puts into each design, the immaculate attention to detail which goes into each and every piece and the importance that she places on having each piece unique to the wearer.
The value of not taking things for granted is reflected in the “Diamond K.ing” logo. What appears to be a playing card of the ‘King of Diamonds’. Possession of this card can mean the difference between winning and losing and is essential in a hand of ‘Royal Flush’. In the same way K.ing jewellery is designed to be truly exclusive to the wearer and that absolute possession of the wearer is essential.
Model: Meriely Araujo Jewellery: K.ing Photography: Active 8 Images
I find myself pondering on why since time began jewellery has held such an elevated position with the sole purpose of making someone feel special. Why, Inga sparkles even talking about it, she truly believes that every woman is a Queen of someone’s heart and should be treated as such. Listening to her I find myself drawn off into a different world that as a man I had never truly appreciated: “Jewellery is the Queen of every woman’s wardrobe, it’s the jewel of Queen’s crown. There is no Queen with no jewels, simple as that. The truth is women love a good fairy tale crowned with dream come true relationships promising a sparkling future. If you manage to wake up the Sleeping Beauty inside her, you are and will always be her Prince Charming. So is she “Her Grace of Lace” like Queen Victoria or irresistible Scheherazade of “One Thousand and One Arabian Nights”? Is she romantic “Queen by Nature” or your personal Muse of “Eternal Inspiration”? Is she “The Conqueror of Your Heart” like Cleopatra or simply “The Fairest of Them All”?
“When I was a child, I saw people treating my mum as someone ordinary, when to me she was Special, a one off, someone who could never be replaced. From that moment K.ing was almost born to say: “You are the Queen of my Heart”.
Hence K.ing started out by making her mum feel special by creating unique pieces hand-made especially for her. Her mum must have been deeply touched as she took K.ing straight to Arts college entrance exams. This was followed by a Degree in Visual Arts and a Masters in Arts and Cultural studies as well as work placements all over the world. While specialists may have thought she was ‘Ace’ Inga knew she was actually a ‘K.ing’ by proving that everyone can be special and should be treated as such. There’s something in that message for everyone out there who questions their own uniqueness.
Today, Diamond K.ing is limited edition, unique wear. It is bespoke in that it is created directly for the wearer with your choice of metals, certified diamond cut Swarovski Element Crystals in all colours. There is also a ready-hand-made collection ready for you to take home or order to be posted to you straight away. The whole Collection is also there for you to rent for specific events so that you too can be feel like a celebrity on night out or even in your own home.
I have to admit I am smitten by the collection, seeing Swarovski Crystals Elements which have a unique sparkle and brilliance magnified by a choice of gold and silver. Looking at the various sets there is almost an endless variation of colours, shapes and sizes that range from earrings, to bracelets and necklaces to headpieces that can only be found at Diamond K.ing.
At a moment like this being a typical man, one’s thoughts turn to cost. I ask the question; expecting to hear rhetoric along the lines of ‘if you have to ask then you can’t afford it’. Instead, her response is much less faint inducing. For individual unique wear her prices are incredible, the smallest pieces start at just £20 and can go up to ten or hundred times more depending on the project in mind.
Why diamond-cut and not diamonds? “Genuine Crystal Jewellery has got more advantages to me as an artist and a woman than the offcuts of diamonds found on the high street. If a man brought me a diamond big enough to being able truly appreciate it though I would feel obliged to call the authorities, the price people paid for diamonds, and not only monetary, is far too high, I am a Queen with a heart and I chose not to work with diamonds who are associated with pain not love. That’s why I love what authentic diamond cut Swarovski Crystal Elements stands for.”
So what was the reaction to Diamond K.ing’s wares? Well, Jewellery was invented to conquer woman’s heart and that is exactly what K.ing does. The reaction of her other customers was evident; each woman’s eyes lighting up, instinctively reacting to the sparkle and wanting to touch and try on the items.
Inga smiles at her customers with real genuine sincerity “I’ve never seen a woman who is not a “jewellery person”, even if some said so at first. She breaths in, her chest and chin rises and her eyes start sparkling more than any man-made jewel; especially when time is taken to match the jewels to her inner character, her dreams and her aspirations for the future.”
When you put it like that I have to agree, even if just for one day where all the other distractions and mandatories of life are put aside, Valentine’s should be like the fairy tale your loved ones deserve. If there is a dream worth chasing then it should be the one where we all live ‘Happy Ever After’ the closer we can get to making that fantasy a reality the brighter the future can only be for us all.
So, have you got a Queen of your Heart?
Are you looking for the ways to keep the sparkle in her eyes?
