Charlize Theron Admits To Lying On Her CV

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Actors are known for being a little bit economical when it comes to the truth on their CV. We can all ride horses and snowboard, oh, and speak French. It turns out that not even famous actors are immune. Even Charlize Theron has admitted she has told the odd lie on her CV.

Charlize says she didn’t lie about being able to ride a horse (and I am proud to say I can too). Which is just as well as she had to ride in new comedy western A Million Ways To Die In The West.

You can hear Theron’s interview with the BBC’s Genevieve Hassan here.

Lily Allen Shares Her Love of Spanx

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Frostie

We all need a little bit of help sometimes and Lily Allen is no exception. Lily Allen shared her love for Spanx with the world by posting a video on Instagram of her dancing in her dressing room in a pair of Spanx. Later that evening she stunned the crowd in Brussels in a metallic cut out dress, proving that Spanx is the not-so-secret wardrobe essential for women.

Lily is wearing the Trust Your Thinstincts High Waisted Mid-Thigh Shaper, available from spanx.co.uk for £74.

Beer Butt Chicken

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

This has to be the best and the only way to cook incredible delicious melt in the mouth chicken. Smothered in whatever your heart desires, be it BBQ with a fiery kick or a more delicate rosemary and lemon tang. Beer Butt chicken is a novel way of cooking a bird, but once you have done it you will wonder how you will ever cook chicken any other way in the future. Shoving the beer can up the chickens bottom is somewhat hilarious and a little unglamorous but who cares when it tastes like a Roman feast at the end!

All you need to do is grab a ton of ingredients and marinate the bird about 12 hours before cooking. We chose to use 4 large scoops of brown sugar, a good glug of soya sauce, an ample helping of BBQ sauce, a few chillies chopped up for a real kick and about a tablespoon of smoked paprika. Mix it all up and smother it all over the chicken. Make sure you cut the elastic holing the legs together. Place it in the fridge until you are ready to cook. Then when you are ready just pop it onto a can of dark beer or ale. Empty out about a 1/3 of the can or drink it before hand so their is space for it to let off steam! It takes a bit of patience and its a 2 person job if you get the giggles! Make sure its sturdy and but that beast in the oven and cook as usual.

Rustle up some balsamic potato wedges and a green salad and you are in for a delicious feast.
The juices of the bird make a perfect rich gravy by just adding some flour to thicken over the hob, in the try the bird was cooked in, then thin out the mixture by adding a pint of water and simmer until you are happy with the thickness.

A nice weekend treat that will send your taste buds to heaven! The best way to serve this is with a ton of friends and gallons of wine. A truly fantastic memorable meal thats so simple to create, tons of fun and will leave your guests laughing for weeks on end!

Bounce Ping Pong And Cocktail Club | Restaurant Review

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

It is hard to create something unique and different in London, but it is fair to say that Bounce – Europe’s largest social ping pong and cocktail club based in Holborn, achieves this. In fact, it has everything you could need: cocktails, good food and ping pong.

The venue was designed by lauded interior designer Russell Sage and is visually stunning. It boasts an impressive 95 cover restaurant and cocktail bar and 17 bespoke designed ping-pong tables available for play – one being the Olympic final table. All of this can be enjoyed surrounded by London’s most impressive UV installation rolled out throughout the entire club.

The Frost team went down in force to review. Here is how we got on.

Paloma, Marcin, James and I arrive and head to the restaurant area. The menu has a great selection and it takes us a while to decide what we want. We order our starters and a cocktail each.

Paloma has the H Forman’s Scottish smoked salmon, roasted beetroots & horseradish cream which she says is earthy and smoked. The horseradish was a perfect accompaniment, didn’t have too much of a sting. Marcin has the Bruschetta 3 ways (Parma ham & pesto, Datterini tomatoes, peas, broad beans & pecorino): he says it is fresh and the pea complimented the mint well. James had the Gamberoni – baked king prawns, smoked garlic, chilli, Sicilian lemon butter, rocket & parsley: he says the prawns were huge and juicy and the sauce was amazing. For my starter I had Buffalo Mozzarella, Pixel tomatoes, Sorrento olives, toasted pine nuts, wild rocket & lemon infused olive oil. It was amazing. The ingredients are high quality and the combination really works well together.

For mains Marcin had the Baked salmon, heritage beets, broad beans and horseradish cream which he said was excellent: tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. Paloma had the Spiced Newlyn Bay crab macaroni cheese. She said it was slightly a let down and overshadowed by chilli. James had a Spicy pork & fennel, plum tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil & fresh chilli pizza which was excellent. James thought it was perfectly spicy. I had the Pan fried Label Anglaise free range chicken breast with smoked pancetta, roast squash, Italian beans in a rich tomato ragu: this dish was amazing. The best one I think. It was comfort food but even better. The sauce was amazing and the chicken was perfectly done.

For my dessert I had the Rum & raisin panna cotta with winter berry compote. It was amazing, with real raisins in. A very unique and tasty dessert. Paloma had the Warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream, which she said was possibly the best she had ever had. James had the Spiced plum & amaretto tart with Devonshire clotted cream which he says was superb. Marcin had an expresso which he said was good and we also had some really good English Breakfast tea. The service was also amazing. Everyone is really friendly.

We made a fair dent in the cocktail menu. We had The Tipping Point, which tasted fruity and dangerous. It was far too drinkable for something which had every alcohol under the sun in it including absinthe. Bounce only allow two per person, the clue is in the name but Marcin handled it well, a Hatton Garden Spritz which was delicious and summery, a Wiff Waff which was also amazing and different, The Pink One which was yummy, a Ladies Delight No 2, which, indeed, was a delight, a Ping Pong Show which was brilliant, a Daddy Mac, which says it is not for girls but we’ll show them, it was very tasty and strong. Lastly we had a Gin Lane Spritz which was superb. Phew! All of the cocktails were fruity and easy to drink.

Paloma and Marcin play ping pong.

After all of that alcohol came the ping pong. I was terrible which I won’t blame on the alcohol but just on my general ineptness. I did get a little better towards the end. Annoyingly the boys did very well. Although Paloma held the girl’s side up. The ping pong is lots of fun and comes in thirty-minute slots. Bounce is the home of Ping Pong and you definitely get an amazing vibe from the place. Paloma text me the day before I wrote this review saying Bounce was on Made in Chelsea, so it has reached the peak of trendiness and is showing no signs of letting up. The day before we were going to go, my fiance and I were at his best man and girlfriend’s house and they were also going to Bounce. It is thee place to be seen at the moment.

Bounce has amazing food, brilliant cocktails and excellent ping pong. I cannot praise it enough, we really had a wonderful time. A hen party even come to our ping pong table after we had finished, so Bounce is perfect for many different occasions. We will be going back, numerous times.

Bounce
121 Holborn
London
EC1N 2TD

020 3657 6525

BackBliss Lotion & Cream Applicator Review | Summer Picks

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I am double-jointed and can reach every part of my back. This is a rare skill however and my doctor does tell me off for ‘overstretching’. So to stop annoying him, and for those without freakish joints, we thought we would review the Backbliss Lotion & Cream Applicator. A great beauty pick for summer.

The BackBliss Lotion Applicator is a device to help you apply sun lotion, cream or after sun to that awkward middle part your back to keep your back protected in and out of the sun. When Caroline Wagstaff, 55 the product’s inventor from Windsor, Berkshire, appeared on the BBC2 show Dragons’ Den the Dragons thought BackBliss was ingenious!

‘Sun care has improved enormously over the years but it is still difficult to get all this good stuff in the right places’ says Caroline.

Now anyone planning to enjoy the sun here in the UK or abroad can easily and regularly apply SPF to their backs to protect themselves from the suns harmful UV rays and get a safe and healthy suntan.

Applying stuff to your back is difficult even if you are on holiday with someone else. Your partner, friend or colleague is not always willing to cream your back, they are not always by your side, they often do it begrudgingly or simply not very well. Sometimes you just don’t want to ask them again!

Why BackBliss?

Compact and lightweight, easy to use – take it to the beach, salon, pool or gym

Fun, funky and functional! – Available in blue or charcoal (and pink, purple and clear!)

Hundreds of uses – self tan, sun and after sun creams, body lotions and butters, moisturising cream, medical treatments and ointments.

No wastage! Patented pad material doesn’t absorb lots of lotion – only use the amount you need.

Hygienic Replacement Pads – are washable and long lasting.

Ergonomically tested – BackBliss’s patented design perfectly moulds the contours of your back

RRP Single Pack £11.99, Double pack £19.99.

Some genuine customer reviews

Just what I needed for my holiday. I cannot believe I hadn’t thought to search for this product before. I was able to apply my sun tan lotion (and after sun) easily all holiday.

Gemma Cairns

I wish I had discovered BackBliss ages ago. I’ve had difficulty for a few years due to a stiff shoulder and I hated asking my grumpy husband to rub moisturiser on my back.

This device is a fantastic solution if, like me, you need to regularly apply prescription creams to your back. I shall also use it for sun lotion.

So what did we think?

It really works. It stops you straining or hurting a muscle or having someone you don’t like rub cream into your back. It is also good if you have an itch. It comes with a suction hook which you can attach to the shower and the packaging is handy for traveling. It also comes with a spare pad. This is a very good invention and ideal for people with bad backs too. A highly recommended summer pick. Good stuff.

Fushi Virgin Marula Oil Review

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I fell in love with facial oils last year after being sent some to review. I never thought I would like putting oil on my face; it would be too slick and greasy. But it actually makes a huge difference and is lighter than some moisturisers. Another benefit is that you tend to massage it in rather than just put it on, which also makes a huge difference to skin.

Facial oils tend to be natural too, and Fushi Virgin Marula Oil is so natural that you can actually eat it. Perfect for sensitive skin and for those who are sick of putting chemicals on their face.

Fushi have a large African oil range, all of which are perfect for protecting and reviving skin and hair from the damages caused by the summer sun and the environment.

With a higher antioxidant level than Argan oil, Marula Oil works in two ways to help fight the ageing process; protecting the skin against damaging free radicals and also visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Marula oil is often known in Africa as a “miracle oil,” Marula Oil has been revered among African women for hundreds of years for its powerful moisturising and anti-aging benefits. This prized oil is extracted from the fruit kernels of the Marula tree from Kenya. Marula oil deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin and is quite unique due to its super rich content of fatty acids, vitamins C and E. Marula oil is thought to have a richer content of antioxidants than even Argan oil. It is ideal to use to protect the skin from aging, for fine lines and crows feet. A light non greasy oil, Marula oil is absorbed easily and is the perfect anti aging night oil for the face and neck area. It is most effective at protecting the skin from those damaging free radicals that accelerate aging.

It says it is perfect for mature skin types but I am in my twenties and I still love it. I don’t have any wrinkles yet but I have noticed some enlarged pores and a few fine lines forming. After using the marula oil I have noticed a significant difference. Even my fiance remarks that I am ‘glowing’. It is also great for dry skin as it really hydrates.

The smell isn’t great but it is bearable and doesn’t linger for too long and a little of the oil goes a long way. I don’t use this during the day as it leaves the face shiny and I am just not sure it would work but it is my current night oil of choice. I love it and it is organic, cold-pressed and fairtrade. Sigh, I’m in love.

You can buy it from the Fushi site.

High Costs Putting People Off Higher Education Courses

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Frostie

An educational charity have outlined that the high cost of further education has prevented almost half of UK adults gaining advance qualifications. This comes as figures show that the average graduate debt is now £53,000 after tuition fees rose in September 2012.

The NCFE (Northern Council for Further Education) surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK and found that being too old (36%) and family commitments (24%) were also factor when deciding to undertake a further education course.

Despite there being a demand for degrees over the past 20 years, with a 140% increase in the number of people studying medicine, and 162% increase in degrees in mass communications and media studies between 2000 and 2012, there is currently a lack of graduates in technical disciplines which has led to a significant skills gap.

With an average of 250 people applying for each corporate job, and with 20% of graduates unemployed in their first 6 months after completing their University course, there is an increasing demand for vocational courses.

In the past couple of years, the Government has put more money into apprenticeships than ever before, and with the demand for vocational courses predicted to peak in 2050, there is an ever increasing demand for more practical and vocationally led courses.

UK’s Top 10 driving songs

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Frostie

· 60 per cent of Brits say “golden oldies” and “cheesy classics” make the best driving playlist

· Three quarters of UK drivers indulge in ‘car-eoke’ – belting out tunes behind the wheel

· Holly Willoughby and David Beckham are the UK’s dream road trip companions

· Katie Hopkins is the UK’s nightmare car companion!

Frost is not adverse to singing in the car and it seems we are not the only ones. In an age of digital addiction – where everyone is keen to be connected, informed and upgraded – it seems our music taste hasn’t changed with the times. Despite a thoroughly modern lifestyle, Brits prefer to listen to classic bands like Queen in the car, a survey of 1,000 UK drivers revealed.

While one in three Brits use a smartphone or iPod to listen to music when driving, the majority of people prefer songs that were hits long before these devices were invented. Nine of the ten songs revealed as the best driving songs were released in the 1970s and 1980s. Brit rockers Queen topped the poll, stealing the first and second spots.

To mark the arrival of the New Original MINI, 55 years after the original Mini was launched in 1959, MINI has delved into the past to find the greatest driving tracks of all time.

Long live the Queen

The band Queen is the nation’s favourite artist overall to play in the car (16 per cent of votes), having beaten the likes of Michael Jackson (9 per cent), Fleetwood Mac (8 per cent) and Meatloaf (6 per cent) in the national poll. Their 1978 hit ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ was voted best driving song with a quarter of the votes, and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ claimed number two with 21 per cent of the votes. Londoners favoured Michael Jackson while Scottish respondents voted for Fleetwood Mac and Geordies preferred to play Meatloaf.

UK drivers love ‘car-aoke’

Three quarters of Brits admitted they like to belt out a tune when behind the wheel. In fact, 28 per cent of respondents said they sing “loud and proud” no matter who is listening. However, almost half of the UK (46 per cent) will only sing when they are in the car on their own. ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA is the nation’s favourite guilty pleasure to croon along to.

Fantasy road trip: Holly Willoughby or David Beckham on Route 66

When it comes to choosing the dream trip to accompany a soundtrack, Brits opt for Route 66, with one in three of us saying that would be our fantasy drive. ITV’s Holly Willoughby topped the poll for the person we want most in the passenger seat – chosen over royalty, sporting heroes and film stars including Kate Middleton, David Beckham and Daniel Craig. David Beckham did however top the poll for women. Holly’s TV nemesis, Katie Hopkins, claimed top of the list for the ultimate nightmare car companion. Others on the nightmare list included Bruce Forsyth, Boris Johnson (who topped the poll for Londoners!) and UKIP party leader Nigel Farage.

Robbie helps us to relax

When it comes to tunes that calm us on the road, the song to choose is Angels by Robbie Williams. The hit topped the list of songs that soothe road rage, with a quarter of respondents selecting the popular 90s ballad. Conversely, Angels by indie band The XX had just four per cent of the vote for their 2012 single. Once again the more classic tracks, including Dionne Warwick’s Walk on By and U2’s With or Without You, were chosen over current chart favourites such as Strong by London Grammar (2 per cent) for relaxation.

MINI has recently launched the newest addition to its fleet, The New Original MINI, which combines over half a century of heritage with state-of-the-art technology and design. The stunning new Hatch – packing twin power turbo engines, in-car technology with ‘MINI connected’, and cutting-edge safety features – answers the nation’s need for a car that meets their modern requirements while satisfying their classic tastes.

TOP TEN DRIVING SONGS

1. Don’t stop me now – Queen

2. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

3. Bat out of hell – Meatloaf

4. Don’t stop Believin’ – Journey

5. Dancing Queen – Abba

6. Hotel California – The Eagles

7. Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon

8. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves

9. Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

10. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers

THE TOP TEN GUILTY PLEASURE SONGS TO SING ALONG TO IN THE CAR

1. Dancing Queen – Abba

2. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

3. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

4. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

5. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

6. Baby One More Time – Britney Spears

7. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers

8. Black Velvet – Allanah Myles

9. All Out of Love – Air Supply

10. Relight my Fire – Take That

THE BEST SONGS TO SOOTHE ROAD RAGE

1. Angels – Robbie Williams

2. With or Without You – U2

3. Walk on By – Dionne Warwick

4. Always – Bon Jovi

5. Yellow – Coldplay

OUR IDEAL ROAD TRIPS

1. Route 66, USA

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

3. Land’s End to John O’Groats, UK

4. East Coast, Australia

5. Auckland to Queensland, New Zealand

OUR TOP FANTASY CELEBRITY ROAD TRIP COMPANIONS

1. Holly Willoughby

2. David Beckham

3. Daniel Craig

4. Kate Middleton

5. Boris Johnson

OUR NIGHTMARE PASSENGER SEAT COMPANIONS

1. Katie Hopkins

2. Bruce Forsyth

3. Boris Johnson

4. Nigel Farage

5. Harry Styles

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Charlize Theron Admits To Lying On Her CV

Lily Allen Shares Her Love of Spanx

Beer Butt Chicken

Bounce Ping Pong And Cocktail Club | Restaurant Review

BackBliss Lotion & Cream Applicator Review | Summer Picks

Fushi Virgin Marula Oil Review

High Costs Putting People Off Higher Education Courses

UK’s Top 10 driving songs