The Queen owns no property outside Britain.- She owns at least 30 furs. They are worth a reported £1 million. There is a refrigerated fur store at Buckingham Palace.
- Her estimated worth is more than £100 million.
- Her investments are held by a company called Bank Of England Nominees. It allows heads of states to buy shares anonymously.
- Under the ancient law of Bona Vacantia, The Queen is entitled to the property of those who die without heirs within the Duchy’s realm, the Country Palatine. The Queen still gets this money but apparently gives it to charity.
- She earns at least £1 million a month minimum.
- The Sovereign Grant, the amount of money the Queen gets from the government, was £31 million in 2012/13.
- The Royal Collection consists of 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawing and 150,000 Old Masters prints.
- The royal cars at Sandringham are worth an estimated £7.1 million
- She doesn’t need a passport and is the only person in the United Kingdom who is not required to have a driving licence in order to drive. She also does not require number plates on any of her cars. The official website of the British monarchy says, “As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one.”
- William and Harry just call her ‘granny’
- No alarm clock: she wakes to the sound of her personal bagpiper every morning.
- Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms.
- She met Prince Phillip when she was just 13.
I Heart Studios Unveil Ben Sherman Collaboration
I Heart Studios unveil their next collaboration for Week Two of their Shoreditch Art Wall Takeover
Kicking off week two of I Heart Studios’ takeover of the Shoreditch Art Wall, is British heritage brand – Ben Sherman.
From January 29th, the 60 square metre space will showcase the Ben Sherman S/S14 Parachute Collection as portrayed by the creative and conceptual photography of I Heart Studios.
The East London street canvas exhibits the experimental use of product photography that enhances the geometric fabrics and prints used throughout the Ben Sherman Parachute Collection. I Heart Studios have showcased the lightweight and transparent style of the fabric to create an abstract quality to the product range.
I Heart Studios Creative Director Martin Winslade comments:- “We’re always inspired by the way product photography can be highly conceptual and experimental so it tells an interesting brand story. We loved the Ben Sherman Parachute collection because of the way it was inspired by fabric and geometric pattern, so we wanted to create images that represented the essence of the product and embodied the contemporary feel of this collection”
Following on from the Spitfire Sunglasses collaboration, which showcased their new S/S 2014 collection, I Heart Studios will continue to display their curated selection of collaborations until February 19th 2014 with Underated London and Fault Magazine.
The collaborations not only illustrate the strong brand relationships held by I Heart Studios, but also the diversity of what the Studios offer. From conceptual and creative product shots to lifestyle and studio based editorial photography, I Heart Studios are pioneers of digital visual content with an instinctive understanding of the market and the rich variety of brands within it.
Celia Birtwell Portraits By David Hockney On Display
Portraits of textile designer Celia Birtwell will be on display during Dulwich Picture Gallery’s major exhibition ‘Hockney, Printmaker’ (5 February- 11 May 2013). The show is timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of David Hockney’s first print, and will provide an instructive and entertaining overview of the artist’s career as printmaker. Grouped by theme and technique in a series of displays, the exhibition featuring over 100 works will include eight portraits of Celia created between 1973 and 1998.
Celia first saw Hockney in 1968 in Portobello Road, and later met him again through Ossie Clark who was friends with Hockney at the Royal College of Art. After this time she became a regular presence in the artist’s work, including his prints; of which she features in approximately 30, constituting about a quarter of his total printed portrait oeuvre. A shared interest in aesthetics and a fascination with each other’s work and style have drawn them together. Hockney said “She’s playful, funny. When I first met her, I was attracted to the fact that she could make me laugh, and that’s a very big appeal to me”
Hockney’s depictions of her show his attitude towards portraiture in general, that it should be based on a psychological insight into his sitters’ lives, hence his aversion to commissioned portraits. Hockney believes that you can only draw someone when you know them and the closer the relationship the better the portrait.
Many of the Celia portraits reference the private, domestic scenes of Matisse and late 19th century artists such as Degas, depicting women engaged in routine activities, dreaming or sunk in thought. The portraits of her included in the show span a quarter of a century, and we can see that as Hockney grew in confidence, they became increasingly vibrant, energetic and bold, such as An Image of Celia, State II (1984-86). He created his larger lithographs, such as Big Celia Print #2, using long-handled brushes and dilute lithographic inks. The drips and splashes attest to the speed with which the prints were executed; a refreshing contrast to traditional lithographic portraits, which often took days to complete.
Celia Birtwell said:
“We have always felt completely comfortable in each other’s company. We amused each other. I found posing for him to be a very intimate, and silent, affair…Before commencing we have a conversation about how he wants me to look. I could look left or right. He may say, ‘Move your arm.’ ‘Sit further back.’ ‘Look out of the window.’ then comes the moment when he suddenly says, ‘I like that.’ whilst he’s drawing me I can see the intensity, struggle and concentration on his face. The intensity is extraordinary. After an hour or so he’ll say, ‘do you want to take a break, luvvie?’ Sometimes I take a peek at the portrait, other times I prefer to wait until it’s finished. He always says he doesn’t appeal to vanity. Whatever my feelings are, they are always amazing.”
‘Hockney, Printmaker’ is curated by Richard Lloyd, International Head of the Print Department at Christie’s. Loans have been secured from key lenders including Salt’s Mill, Saltaire, David Hockney Inc., David Hockney Foundation, National Gallery of Art, Washington, National Gallery of Art, Canberra, Bradford Museums and Galleries, Tate and Private Collections. A fully illustrated colour catalogue published by Scala accompanies the exhibition and features an illuminating text by Celia Birtwell. It will explore the key themes in the exhibition in the context of the artist’s biography, together with texts from contributors such as Marco Livingstone, John Kasmin, Peter Tatchell and Martin Gayford.
Image: Celia Birtwell sitting for Hockney as he draws Celia with Wind and Snow from his Weather series and Chair – ,- The Colony, Malibu pinned to wall. Gemini G.E.L., artist’s studio, Los Angleles, California. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, gift of Kenneth Tyler 2001.
No Space? No Problem.
Now Christmas is done and dusted for another year, it’s time to start thinking about putting all of your new presents away and packing up the decorations ready to go back in the loft, cupboard or shed. The issue is, however, that with more possessions in the house you inevitably have less room to store them all and you have to think about new ways of putting things away before you start tripping over them all.
The obvious solution for many is to take advantage of the New Year to go through your cupboards (like you’ve been promising for months), and throwing away the things you no longer need or use, or giving your old clothes to charity. However, as good – and kind-hearted – a plan as that might be, some people just can’t throw things away and while there may be a pile of things that are good to go, you still might not have made enough room for everything. What then?
One of the most spacious areas of the bedroom – a room in the house that is usually more cluttered than any other – is often somewhere that most people can’t get to and might not even think about. Underneath the bed you can find tons of room that isn’t utilized, mostly because of the sheer size of the bed you have. However, a solution to that problem could be to invest in one of the frames or mattresses that will not only provide you with a really stylish and comfortable bed, but plenty of storage space beneath it too.
Okay, so the space under your bed isn’t always accessible – that’s fine, because an Ottoman bed can be lifted up using the hinge that is located either at one end or on one side, allowing you to raise the mattress and reveal a storage space that can be hidden from view so anyone who comes round won’t see any of the things you’ve got stashed beneath. It makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that equipment or clothing that you only need at certain times of the year can be stored there to create room in your cupboards and wardrobe.
There’s a major benefit of an Ottoman bed that people don’t really appreciate until they give them a go. When you bring in a new form of storage, either a set of drawers or a shelving unit, you take up valuable floor or wall space. This means that you’re actually losing space to save space and quite often it doesn’t make that much of a difference. With a bed that has plenty of storage, however, all you’re doing is swapping a bed that uses the floor space for one that utilizes it and you get something stylish in the process, a win-win situation if ever there was one.
Czech Actress Petra Bryant Interview
How did you get into acting?
Acting is something I did since I was a teenager but I didn’t start seriously until I moved to London. I took many screen acting courses and did workshops with casting directors in order to be sure that is what I wanted to do with my life. I also did a stand-up comedy course but realized it wasn’t my thing at all! Getting parts in short films has been a great experience and I would recommend that every actor tries that route. Not only you learn how real productions work but you will get a demo reel material.
Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor, designer, writer, model and an actor. I have realized I could be all those if I became an actor. Bingo! But deep down I always knew that it was what I wanted to do. It took many years to get where I am today and I still have a long way to go.
What was your big break?
I think landing a role of Empress Faustina in Fallen Eagle has been the biggest break so far. But since the film is in pre-production status, I will say that it is ‘The Last Scout’. ‘The Last Scout’ is a British sci-fi. Playing the ship captain ‘Melissa’ feels like a real acting role at last!
How do you get into character?
It really depends on what kind of character I am playing and whether I can identify with it. I usually like to watch similar movies to the one I am about to make. It helps me get in the mood and I get inspired by other actors. I also think of all the little details from the character’s life and make them my own, slowly building on the character. Eventually I start thinking like the character and merging with them. I also have to get physically into shape for each role.
What is your favourite film that you worked on?
I am sure my answer will be different by the end of 2014 but for now I choose ‘The Disappearance of Lenka Wood’. This is my first film as the female lead. I almost feel like we did two separate films as part of the story is set in New York and another in Turkey. I liked that my character Lenka is very different from me and that I had lots of freedom in creating the character. At times it was also a pretty physical role to play and I had to push my own boundaries. I am scared of heights and water and it took some convincing to get me jump into the swimming pool for a scene! But I am so glad I did it.
Tell us about your upcoming films.
Both ‘The Disappearance of Lenka Wood’ and ‘The Last Scout’ are in post-production but 2014 will be a busy year for me. I start with the film ‘White Collar Hooligan 3’ and a little short film. The next up is a sci-fi ‘Abduct’ where I get to play a Russian UFO Specialist. I am really excited to be a part of another sci-fi! My spring and summer will be spent in Malta and Los Angeles filming ‘Fallen Eagle’ and a rom-com ‘Looking for George Clooney’. There are other projects on the horizon but I can’t talk about them just yet. I am so happy that I am working, doing something I love.
Does being Czech help or hinder your career?
I would say it helps for sure. My accent is not typically Czech so that means I can play other Europeans. At the same time I would love to be able to perfect British or American accent to broaden my role spectrum. But for now I am more than happy to use being Czech into my advantage. I love playing the’ token European’!!
What is your ideal role?
I am a huge comedy fan and playing a goofy clumsy superhero would be amazing. I think I might have to write my own part one day.
What’s next?
Well apart from all the films I have lined up this year, I am also writing my first book. It has taken me a long time already. I have actually ripped the first draft apart and now I am rewriting the story in a different style. I am driving myself crazy with it! Once this is done and dusted, I want to self-publish and turn it into a script. I love writing and would love to produce TV series with my finished product.
I hope people will like my films and I continue to be a working actor! I love making movies but I am very attracted to TV as there are some brilliantly written shows out there!
Cara And Girlfriend ‘Dial-A-Dracula Drip’ In Quest For Vitamin Boost
Also known as The Party Girl Drip, this intravenous vitamin infusion claims to boost energy levels, the immune system and cure hangovers. Adopted by hard partying A-listers from Rhianna, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Simon Cowell, this 40 minute invasive procedure can be ‘delivered’ to private addresses for around £400.
What’s actually is the ‘Dial-A-Dracula Drip’ ?
The IV drip, is a vitamin cocktail containing vitamins B and C, and minerals, magnesium and calcium which claims to boost energy levels and increase immunity.
Not a fan of needles?
Sharon Morey from Quest Vitamins gives us her expert advice ‘We mere mortals can easily gain similar benefit from adding a multi-nutrient or B complex supplement to your regular supplement regime, the B vitamins, including B12, vitamin C and magnesium help to reduce tiredness and fatigue, deficiency of B12 and folic acid in particular can result in tiredness and a lack of energy’
Sharon advises ‘Aim for a good all round Multi B complex with vitamin C to help give you that A-list boost of energy the painless way.’ Try Quest Vitamins new Multi B Complex, £5.60 from questexcellence.com
Want are the down sides of an IV vitamin drip?
Side effects can include fever, dizziness, inflammation of the vein, infection, and in some cases anaphylactic shock. Critics say a lot of the feel-good factor stars claim to experience afterwards is more likely to be from a Placebo affect than the result of the IV itself.
A Man Is Not A Financial Plan – New Book Aims To Help Women Take Control
‘The Wealthy Woman – a man is not a financial plan’ is published January 2014.
Mary Waring has worked with 100s of women helping them take control of their finances.
Far too many women find ‘dealing with the money’ a daunting task and leave it in the hands of their partners. However, this can leave them with little control over their own financial lives and sadly, if they then get divorced or are widowed, they are left floundering with little understanding of how much money they have, or don’t have, and what this means to their lifestyle.
By understanding your finances and taking control you can make your money work for you. That’s the message in Mary Waring’s new book ‘The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Achieving Financial Security’ published January 2014.
“Many women tell me that they simply don’t do maths – and this mental block seems to be an epidemic among women everywhere. However, these are often admirable women with high-level jobs. My message is simple – you are more than able to handle all of your finances,” says Mary Waring.
So, do you want to be more confident about your finances? Do you want to be a wealthy woman?
“Wealthy” will mean different things to different women. It doesn’t necessarily mean “rolling in it” and having so much money that you’ll enter The Times ‘rich list’. It may simply mean you feel confident you will have enough money to do the things that you plan to do in the future, no matter how lavish or frugal a lifestyle you lead.
Mary’s book will guide you on your journey to become a wealthy woman by showing you how taking small steps on a regular basis can lead to a significant increase in your wealth.
If you currently have such a lack of control over your finances that you are too afraid to open your credit card statement at the end of the month, this book will show you how to take control.
“The Wealthy Woman” will encourage you to think about your attitude towards money and your relationship with it.
As Mary says; “It’s easy to be wealthy just as it’s easy to be poor. There’s very little difference in the way you can become either. You are in a position where you can improve your wealth. Whatever your dreams and aspirations around money there is nothing to stop you moving towards those dreams.”
Mary Waring is an independent financial adviser and the founder of Wealth For Women, specialising in financial advice to women going through divorce. She is both a Chartered Financial Planner and a Chartered Accountant, being one of only a handful of advisers in the whole of the UK with this high level of qualification.
Mary is passionate about changing the way women think about finance. Too many women stick their head in the sand and ignore it. Or…rely on a man to sort it for them.
‘The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Achieving Financial Security’ is published in January 2014 and is available from Amazon
Entertainment on the Move: The Best Movie and TV Streaming Apps
If you’re slightly lazy like us, the chances are that you consider the biggest benefit of smartphones to be not the Sat-Nav, the e-books and the ability to work from home but simply the fact that it’s now possible to stream South Park whilst sat in the bath. In a tribute to that level of sloth, we’re going to take a look at what we think are the very best TV and Movie streaming apps currently available on the Android market. These should work on everything from a Windows-based system to a tablet PC by Lenovo.
Netflix
Oh, god bless it. At less than a tenner a month, Netflix offers the ability to stream an unholy (and unlimited) amount of different content right to your phone or tablet (as well as to your Xbox or Laptop). There are literally hundreds of shows and movies available to watch immediately. What is available will depend on whereabouts you are – Netflix is region specific, so the UK area has access to a number of classic British comedies, with the US having exclusive rights to some of their own standout shows. The only thing worth noting is that Netflix doesn’t always update straight away – other streaming devices might get the latest shows more quickly.
Flixter
Originally, Flixter wasn’t actually a streaming app – it was purely based around information, operating in much the same way as IMDB does. However, it now also streams movies purchased through Ultraviolet. Ultraviolet itself is actually a bit fiddly to sign up for (it’s certainly more time-consuming than singing up for Netflix, say), but once that’s sorted it’s a very enjoyable app. It’s worth observing here, though, that there are some devices that it won’t work on – it’s a good idea to double check before handing over any cash, possibly using the free movie that they give you when you sign up.
HBO GO
This app’s popularity will be primarily based around two things. First, whether or not you’re in the good ol’ US of A. Secondly, whether you actually like HBO! This app – as you might have guessed – is based solely around the US channel and can only be used by those that have a cable service that already has HBO included. Those complexities aside, for those that do like HBO (and given that the channel has produced Game of Thrones, the Wire, Boardwalk Empire and the Sopranos amongst others, everyone really should like it) the app is a must-have.
Sky GO
Just as HBO is for the Americans out there, so Sky Go is for the British. Unlike HBO Go, though, Sky’s app can actually be paid for with a separate subscription, meaning that you can sign up for it on a per month basis and end the contract whenever you like. As well as showing a large amount of comedies and dramas (not to mention the standard channels) Sky Go offers two main things: sport and movies. Both genres have four different channels each, all of them filled to the brim with everything from cricket to baseball and from everything from Harry Potter to the Human Centipede (not that anyone would want to watch that). For sports and movie fans, the Brits need look no further.