Once Upon a Christmas By Sarah Morgan | Book Review

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Once Upon a Christmas By Sarah Morgan

Bryony’s daughter, Lizzie, wants a dad for Christmas and she’s determined to fulfil this Christmas wish. But when every date ends in disaster, Bryony fears she’ll need a Christmas miracle. Lizzie is trying to find love but her friend Helen is doing the opposite, trying to forget the white dress hanging in her wardrobe and her faithless rat of a fiancee. These are the two different stories in this enjoyable book.

Two of the characters in this book, Bryony and Jack, work as doctors and Sarah Morgan obviously knows what she is talking about. I found the medical facts in this book incredibly interesting. I also loved the character of Lizzie. Bryony’s daughter.

This book is split into two stories but with some of the same characters in each. Each one is a fun read. This is a very enjoyable book. A good way to spend a relaxing Sunday.

Once Upon a Christmas (Mills & Boon Special Releases)

Hiras Fashion’s Bespoke Tailoring: Individually Fitted and Personalized to Perfection

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Individually fitted and personalized to perfection is a mantra that Hiras Fashion has taken seriously.

For almost 60 years, the art of bespoke tailoring has been perfected and celebrated by the masters themselves. And to this day, Hiras continues to thrive and reinvent itself in the age of technology-driven economies and fast fashion.

You will get a chance to meet one of the master tailors, Chand Hira, in Hiras Fashion’s London trunk show from November 26th to December 12th, 2012 at the Waterloo Studio, Park Plaza Hotel, 200 Westminster Bridge Road.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hiras aims to maintain its global reach with its bimonthly visits to over 100 cities worldwide including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxemburg, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

The finest bespoke suits, shirts, sports jackets, trousers, waistcoats, blazers, tuxedos, and topcoats are individually hand cut and stitched by hand for almost 40 hours in its Hong Kong workshop.

For its collection, Hiras only uses the best fabrics from Dormeuil, Wain Sheill, Scabal, Loro Piana, Holland and Sherry and Ermenegildo Zegna. It should be noted that the shirt fabrics are imported from Italy while the suit fabrics are mostly imported from Italy and the UK.

With its own style guide and over 3,000 fabrics to choose from, you will never run out of ideas for your custom made suit – and your inputs matter.

Hiras prides itself in fostering long-term relationships with its clients and ensures their active participation when creating their preferred bespoke garment. From the style, design, color, and fabric in the selection process – your preferences are welcome and necessary to complete your bespoke experience.

The launch of its online shop makes purchasing custom made clothing even easier in the comfort of your own home, office, or wherever you happen to be. Customizing your page and viewing thousands of fabrics in detail are just a few perks entitled to you once you register your account online. In addition, Hiras will reward you with a special discount upon checkout.

Whatever the occasion calls for, Hiras delivers great form and style with impeccably fitted custom made clothing for everyone.

They say suits make the man.

Hiras creates the suits and transforms the man into a stylish gentleman of sartorial fashion.

Shop online now or book an appointment at info@hiras.com

For more information, visit Hiras Fashion at www.hiras.com or call (+852) 2366 9700

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe By Fiona Harper | Book Review

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Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe is a well written and fun book. Single mum Louise Thornton divorces her philandering movie star husband and buys an old movie stars house. Louise wants to escape the paparazzi and her vacuous former life as a trophy celebrities wife.

Louise is a great character. She has become hardened thanks to her life as a movie stars wife, believing that everyone wants something from her. She has built a barrier around herself but will she manage to grow and let love in?

I read this book at quite a fast pace. It is very readable and flows well. A fun way to spend an afternoon.

Is a second chance at love the best Christmas gift of all? Single Mum Louise Thornton’s waved goodbye to the red carpet and escaped for Christmas in the country. But she can’t avoid the mistletoe…

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe (Mills & Boon Special Releases)

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs | Book Review

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Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs is more than just a typical romance book. Sophie, the main character, is an international lawyer who works at The Hague. She puts bad people away but her personal life has suffered. She is now divorced and her children live with their father. On the day her ex-husband remarries something horrific happens and she decided to be more present in her childrens lives.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written and interesting. Sophie is a high achieving women. She is smart and has lived her life. She may have been absent from her childrens lives but if she was a man she would not have to defend the fact that she has a high powered job.

Although I really loved this book, It is a good read with characters that are likable, Then the other side of me hates that a women has to atone for having a job which means that maybe she did not see her children everyday or had a nanny. Women beat themselves up a lot, but no more so than other women do. This book brings up these issues and it is a good thing. At one sport event the character has to put up with the bitchiness of the other mothers, who attack her for living her own life, probably out of jealousy or regret.

I really liked this book. It is a triumph to its genre. Recommended.

Snowfall at Willow Lake is the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness.

Snowfall at Willow Lake (The Lakeshore Chronicles)

The Best Craft Books For Christmas

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Christmas is fast approaching and our wallets are bracing themselves for the onslaught. There is a more thoughtful and cost effective way to let people know how much they mean to you, and it is fun too: Craft. So Frost Magazine has gathered up some excellent craft books for hours of fun and brilliant, original gifts for the people in your life.

Clangers

An excellent knitting book on the incredibly popular and historical British Television show, Clangers. The Clangers have been around since the 1960s. You can make the Clangers and their entire universe in 15 fun step-by-step projects. The book has original Clanger knitting patterns. Clangers is a very well illustrated book full of imaginative ways to make the Clangers universe. A must buy for fans and interesting for those who are not acquainted.

This fantastic new book will allow you to knit your own Clanger. Choose from Major, Mother, Granny, Small and Tiny. Includes instructions on the Soup Dragon, Iron Chicken and of course the Froglets. There are insider tips and tricks to create your very own Clanger planet with step-by-step instructions for Tiny’s boat and Major’s rocket as well as sets and trees. Learn how to make scenery, backdrops and props, and perfect that distinctive Clanger whistle!

Clangers: Make the Clangers and Their Planet with 15 Easy Step-by-step Projects (Knitting)

Best in Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

I love this book. It shows you how to knit dogs, actual dogs. Whether it is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shar Pei, Lurcher or Greyhound, your favourite breed of dog will probably be in here. And what an awesome present. Your sibling might get your mother something from Boots but imagine telling her you knitted her a DOG. It is an ace in sibling trump cards.

The book is separated into sections such as Toy, Utility, Working, Terriers, Gun Dogs. I think this is an excellent present. Full marks for coolness and imagination.

www.knityourowndog.com

The leading knitting books of 2010 and 2011, Best in Show Dogs & Cats have been outstanding global successes. Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne are back with 25 even more fabulous dog designs. You can knit your own precious pet, reproduce your favourite breed, or even knit the dog you have always desperately wanted.

Best In Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

Mollie Makes Christmas

This book has over 20 projects to keep you entertained in the run up to Christmas and beyond. Buy this book and learn how to make Heirloom Stockings, Crochet a reindeer, make some festive stationary, knit an iPad cosy and make a Christmas Tree

You can make finger puppets to keep children entertained and cushions to pass out on when exhausted or when you have had too much wine. Fun for you and all the family. A great fun book.

If you’re hooked on crochet, hanker for handmade and would rather create your own unique Christmas than buy from a superstore, then this little book is for you. It perfectly captures the ‘living and loving handmade’ spirit of Mollie Makes magazine, celebrating the world of ‘granny chic’. Featuring over 20 new projects from Mollie Makes magazine’s favourite designers, Christmas showcases a passion for handmade. All the projects are easy to follow with clear step-by-step photographs and instructions, plus handy tips along the way. Many are suitable for beginners, but the Mollie Makes ethos is to give it a go and be proud of the end result. We positively embrace imperfection. Here’s to living and loving a handmade Christmas!

Mollie Makes Christmas: Living and Loving a Handmade Holiday

We Knit You a Merry Christmas

This book is as excellent as it’s name. This adorable book has 20 patterns for festive handmade gifts. A cool Turkey, ‘Let It Snow’ which is adorable snowballs on a sledge. Gingerbread men that look happy, Baa Humbug – cute sheep wearing Christmas hats. The most adorable deer. Santa and a polar bear. A Penguin, Three Wise Men, an Angel… It has everything to make your Christmas fun.

This book also has excellent and easy to follow knitting basics, sewing basics and conversions at the back which are really handy.

Christmas is a time for sharing, and hand-knitted gifts for friends and family are the perfect way to spread a little festive joy. We Knit You a Merry Christmas has something for everyone.

Traditional Christmas characters such as angels, choir boys, Father Christmas and the three kings make great decorations. Or add some fun and laughter to your Christmas celebrations this year with knitted animals such as sheep (‘Baa Humbug’), crocodiles (‘Snappy Christmas’) and Three French Hens, as well as quirkier items like chillies, sledging snowballs and of course the famous pea (‘Ha Pea Christmas’).

So forget gold, frankincense and myrrh and give the gift of knitting this Christmas.

We Knit You a Merry Christmas: 20 Patterns for Festive Handmade Gifts

Londoners Life – Overheard 46 by Phil Ryan

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It’s been a busy old week and I’ve had some great opportunities to grab some great material. I attended an event at The British Library this week and got two pieces that made my toes curl in delight. First up however is my overheard telephone snatch of conversation from an uber trendy character. There’s an upstairs seating area at The British Library that seems like Apple Mac land. Everywhere you look there are various skinny jeaned skinny guys in cardigans with those faux big 50’s glasses and silver macs. This particular specimen was lounging in a fancy looking chair nattering into his iphone. “Yah I get the project Simeon it’s just as an app is there a market for finding the nearest depressed looking emo girl”. Wow! I think the jury is still out personally.
Anyway onto this week’s overheard. I was waiting by a bar in a side room that was the reception area for a business networking event. And behind me there were two guys in suits. 1st Suit: It’s the recession. Pure and simple. I mean the punters are not out there waving cash are they?” 2nd Suit: “Well I do think there’s a lot of crap being talked about no-one having any money” 1st Suit: “Yeah you may be right but I tell the market just isn’t there for bouncy castles. Trust me. It’s flat” (seriously he said that and didn’t laugh!) 2nd Suit “Um but surely you just need to diversify (thinks) Couldn’t you offer them to adults. You know at clubs and stuff. I bet everyone would love to have a go (laughs) I know I would. I’m always watching kids thinking I’d like to have a go” 1st Suit: “Yeah we have tried but it’s the insurance angle you see. We did an event three months back and some woman fell face first into this fat guys lap. Apparently he clamped his legs together and trapped her on his crutch and she had to kick and bite him to let her go. Mind you they were both really drunk. But it’s caused a real stink at the company who hired us. They said we were acting irresponsibly (snorts) we weren’t the ones handing out oxygen bottles and vodka shots to all and sundry when they came in! Bastards. Advertising bunch you know the type” 2nd Suit: “Oh getting legal is it?” 1st Suit (glumly) ”Yes the woman and the fat guy are having a go at us” 2nd Suit: “Tricky. I’ll just stick to renting out Elephants. You know what you’re getting when you rent an Elephant. Simple. In and out. Coupla bales of straw and bobs your uncle!”
I was really dying to hear the next bit but someone called out that the event was starting and they stopped talking. Things you learn eh? Elephant rental! I’m calling them next week.

Calling Aspiring Bloggers! Win a year’s contract with Mira Ink, the home of teen fiction

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Do you have a passion for writing?  Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your talent and get paid for it? Look no further.  Mira Ink, the home of popular teen fiction books and ebooks has launched blogINK, a search for the next British blogger extraordinaire.

 

Write about the latest from The Glass Trilogy or follow Kayleigh Kavanagh in the Soul Screamers Series. Tell the world about Iron Fey or Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. This once in a lifetime contract starting in January as MIRA Ink’s blogger, will not only see you writing about the most exciting teen stories but also creating your blogs on a top of the range laptop, courtesy of MIRA Ink.

 

If you have blogging ambition, then start right now. Enter a 500 word blog of your choice via the blogINK App by midnight on 25th November.  Then ten finalists will be shortlisted by MIRA Ink’s judging panel on 29th November and then asked to create a 60 second YouTube video and use social media sites to show how enterprising they are at generating buzz around their video.  Finally, the winner will be announced on 14th December.

Claudia Symons, MIRA Ink Brand Manager says:  “This is an exciting campaign for us; we’ve never done anything like this before.  We know there’s a wealth of teen talent out there waiting to be unlocked.   We are looking for someone who would love the chance to write about the wonderful world of teen fiction and who’s not too shy to shout about it.”

 

Stages & Deadlines:

  • Stage One:  9th – 25th November – Participants to enter a 500 word blog of their choice via the blogink App.
  • Stage Two:  29th November – Ten competitors will be shortlisted by Harlequin’s judging panel and asked to create a 60 second YouTube video and use social media sites to show how enterprising they are at generating likes.
  • Stage Three:  14th December – The winner will be announced and win a yearlong paid contract at Mira Ink and a top of the range laptop.

Follow the action on twitter using hashtag #blogINK

Twitter.com/MiraInk

Facebook.com/MiraInk

Miraink.tumblr.com


Robert Pattinson Confirms 50 Shades Of Grey Role?

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Robert Pattinson confirms 50 Shades role to MSN?

Could Robert Pattinson’s next role indeed be that of Christian Grey? In an exclusive live web chat with MSN.co.uk, he playfully alluded that he will take on the role in the film adaptation of the book, Fifty Shades of Grey. When asked if he would consider the role he said: “I’m playing that part!” He also said he would like to experience one day as a woman.

To read the full web chat click here