‘FOOTBALL WIDOWERS’ GO IT ALONE AS FEMALE FANS FOLLOW BEAUTIFUL GAME

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  • Over a million men  don’t share their football mad wives’ and girlfriends’ love of the game
  • Nearly one in three women are declared football fans, according to the Capital One Cup

Forget the clichéd images of WAGS following footballers, new research from credit card company Capital One, new sponsors of the Capital One Cup, shows more than a million men are ‘football widowers’ with wives and girlfriends more interested in the game than they are.  The football season kick-off means they are facing a long haul to next May competing for the attention of partners focused on the ups and downs across the football season.

 

The Capital One Cup sponsor’s research shows the changing face of football with nearly one in three women (30%) declaring themselves as fans.  They are not just armchair supporters; more than three million women attend at least one game a season, with seven per cent going to 10 or more matches and four per cent going to 30 or more. Female fans also watch an average of 25 games on TV or online a season.

 

That leaves a lot of time to fill for their husbands and boyfriends and the bad news is that dedicated female fans are less likely than male fans to feel guilty about their love of the game.  Just 29% of female fans whose partners are not football supporters plan to do anything special for their loved ones to make up for their time spent following football, compared with 54% of men.  More than a quarter of men (26%), who do not enjoy the game, still watch matches with their female partners compared to just 12% of females with football-mad partners.

Michael Woodburn, Chief Marketing Officer, Capital One said:  “It’s great to see so many dedicated football supporters out there, with millions of men and women following their team on TV and online. Of course not everyone is a football fan and you have to sympathise with partners who don’t share the dedication. There has to be a degree of compromise but that’s probably best left to couples to sort out!”

 

Men who love football when their partner doesn’t are far more likely to take their loved one out to dinner (19%) than their female counterparts (6%).  Football widows are also far more likely to be treated to presents or holidays than football widowers.

 

WHAT FANS PLAN TO DO MAKE UP FOR TIME SPENT WATCHING FOOTBALL

ACTIVITY MEN       WOMEN
Make an effort to spend more time outside of match times 27% 18%
Cook for them or take them out to dinner 19% 6%
Take them somewhere such as cinema or holiday 14% 5%
Do additional housework 14% 3%
Pay for treats such as shopping, massage or tickets to concert 13% 4%
Buy a present 6% 2%
Nothing 46% 71%

Source:  Capital One Cup

Upgrading your tongue opens the door to the ‘feel good factor’, and better relationships.

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To mark the occasion of the European Day of Languages today, Rosetta Stone, a leading provider of technology-based language-learning solutions, uncovers major drivers for adult language learning today, citing the feel-good factor, meeting new people and an interest in other cultures.

Rosetta Stone’s 2012 survey into motivations for learning languages found that 54% of respondents were motivated by the feel-good factor, stating that learning a language made them feel good about themselves. Increasingly, the mastery of a second language is considered to enhance attractiveness, and to enable cross-cultural relationships to thrive.

  • A recent survey of 30,000 British women found that Italian, Dutch and French were considered  the “sexiest nationality”.
  • A survey run by Rosetta Stone  found 29% of those surveyed stated that the lover of their dreams would speak French.
  • Closely followed by Italian (20%).
  • Only 12.7% preferred English speaking lovers.
  • Language learning can also increase opportunities in love.
  • Rosetta Stone provides e-learning to individuals, schools, universities and public and private organisations in over 20 languages.
  • Other major drivers for language learning which Rosetta Stone has identified are: Career prospects; travel and culture; and ‘heritage learning’, based on languages spoken through generations.
To mark the European Day of Languages, Rosetta Stone has a unique offer available on all e-learning courses which can be redeemed via the official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RosettaStoneUK

Sylke Riester, Managing Director Europe at Rosetta Stone commented:

“Being able to speak a second language – or a commitment to doing so – automatically suggests a curiosity about the world, which we know are attractive traits.”

“ “From day-to-day chit-chat to heartfelt expressions of love, being able to share these moments in your partner’s language reinforce the relationship. It’s another way of demonstrating love and commitment and allows genuine integration into a loved one’s life, family and culture.”.”

Yasmin Müller, Copia : Modern disbelief

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Yasmin Müller

Copia : Modern disbelief

Exhibition dates: 5th October – 10th November, 2012
Opening hours: Tue – Fri 11-6, Sat 11-3 or by appointment

Maria Stenfors is proud to present ‘Copia: Modern disbelief’, Yasmin Müller’s second solo presentation at the gallery. The installation is embodied in the title word copia, meaning a mass, copiousness, and also a wealth of knowledge and ideas.

Like an expanse of open ocean, constantly shifting in shape and unquantifiable, multiple abstract light patterns fill the volume of the room, continuously moving focus from artwork to room. A confusing and disorientating space, that is darkened and unknown, illuminated in passing moments. These light shapes create an endless moving mass, a copious pattern that conducts the perception.

Central in the space are two geometrically shaped sculptures, erected like columns. These columns and piercings of light are Müller’s reconfiguration of razzle dazzle, a pattern created by Norman Wilkinson and utilised by 20th century warfare engineering. Designed not so much to camouflage but to disorientate, it blurs the perception of depth, contour and edge. it doesn’t hide, but is more of a visual disruption, making it impossible to estimate size and shape.

Placed throughout the installation are objects of pictorial chaos plucked from the everyday images of modern life and cultural trends, copies of copies, an evolution of the original, and all framed and constrained by hard minimalist shapes: exquisitely angled diamonds and sharp edged lightboxes. Familiar patterns merge with common place fashion styles confined by geometrically perfect dimensions, as seen in the clothing of the figurative lightbox images, and visual emblems like the parrot, featured on multiple canvases, each copy being an evolution, a mutation of the former, allowing the copy to perhaps stand stronger than the original.

Yasmin Muller was born in 1977, studied at the Staatliche Akademie der bildenden Künste Karlsruhe, and lives and works in Berlin.

Maria Stenfors, Unit 10, 21 Wren Street, London WC1 0HF

I AM IN LOVE Release New Single

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“Ethereal and beautiful”

Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1

“A very talented band, really good”
Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1

“A lot of love for this band”
Greg James, BBC Radio 1

NME: “the ’80s synthpop of Depeche Mode and the dark twang of The Cure”

Breaking More Waves: “With a dark, dirty urgency this is a gritty piece of ear sex’

Burning Ear: “Bust out your best songs of 2012 lists because it’s time to add another jam”

Palm is the third single from Leicester based shoe-gaze electro 4-piece I AM IN LOVE.

Having scored a spot on BBC Radio 1’s playlist with their debut single I Want You, Palm shows the band continuing their fine form, exploring further their unique brand of dark and emotive electro-indie.

Stunning vocals entwine with harmonious synths and spiky guitars, whilst pulsating beats and basses underpin the remarkable melodies. The chants of the chorus radiate an infectious energy.

In the live environment the band are formidable. This summer has seen the band embark upon a hectic run of summer dates across Europe, stopping off in Germany, Spain, France and culminating in a string of UK festivals. Their non-stop touring schedule continues across Europe this Autumn.

Release date: 22nd October 2012 on Velocity Sounds Records

http://www.facebook.com/iaminlovemusic

French modernist residence, Villa Savoy, joins LEGO® Architecture series

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Famous Parisian modernist-style country house, Villa Savoye, is the newest landmark to join the impressive LEGO® Architecture series.

Designed by Le Corbusier in the 1920s, and situated on the outskirts of Paris, Villa Savoye is the first French landmark to be added to the inspirational range. The villa itself is the perfect embodiment of Le Corbusier’s ‘Five Points’ construction principles, featuring a fusion of modern architecture and nature intended to create harmony with the woodland surroundings.

The fifteenth model to join the LEGO Architecture series, this interpretation of Villa Savoye was designed by German architect Michael Hepp in collaboration with the LEGO design team. Just like the real thing, the set features columns, functional roof space, open floor planning, long horizontal windows, and a free façade.

The LEGO Architecture range features ingenious recreations of well-known landmarks and works of important architects from around the world. Full of inspiration for future architects, engineers and designers as well as fans of architecture, the series is stunningly presented. Each set contains a booklet which brings the story behind the building to life, featuring exclusive, archival history, information and photographs about each iconic building, its design origin, its architect and its architectural features, as well as step-by-step instructions on construction. Travel the world of architecture by collecting all the sets in the range.

Become an expert with these Villa Savoye facts:

* Villa Savoye was originally built as a country retreat on behest of the Savoye family (at a cost of 900,000 Francs), but fell into disuse after 1940, entering a state of disrepair during World War II. After being passed on to be property of the French state in 1958, and surviving several plans of demolition, it was added to the French register of historical monuments becoming the first modernist building designated as a historical monument in France, and also the first to be the object of renovation (from 1985 to 1997) while its architect was still living.
* At the time the project started on site no design work had been done on the lodge and the final design was only presented to the client in June 1929. Although construction of the whole house was complete within a year it was not habitable until 1931.
* The house, designed as a second residence and sited as it was outside Paris was designed with the car in mind. The sense of mobility that the car gave translated into a feeling of movement that is integral to the understanding of the building.
* The four columns in the entrance hall seemingly direct the visitor up a ramp. This ramp, that can be seen from almost everywhere in the house continues up to the first floor living area and salon before continuing externally from the first floor roof terrace up to the second floor solarium.
* Throughout his career Corbusier was interested in bringing a feeling of sacredness into the acts of dwelling such as washing and eating. At the Villa Savoye the act of cleansing is represented both by the sink in the entrance hall and the celebration of the health-giving properties of the sun in the solarium on the roof which is given significance by being the culmination of ascending the ramp.

The LEGO 21014 Villa Savoye is available for purchase from 1st August in LEGO brand retail stores, LEGOLAND Stores and online at http://shop.lego.com/. Aimed at ages 12+, the product measures Measures 3.6” (9.2cm) tall, 7.5” (19.2cm) wide and 6.9” (17.5cm) deep, and has a RRP of £59.99.

For more information about LEGO Architecture visit http://architecture.lego.com/

WORLD’S FIRST ‘TWEET’ SHOP OPENS IN LONDON

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– Shoppers told to put money away and pay by social currency –

The world’s first high-street shop where customers pay by Tweet instead of money has opened in central London today.

The Tweet Shop is a standalone retail outlet from Special K and is being used to mark the famous cereal maker’s move into the savoury crisps market.

Customers are encouraged to put away their money and pay for a packet of new Special K Cracker Crisps by simply Tweeting a message about the low calorie snack range and sharing the news with the wider Twittersphere.

As well as the company’s first move into crisps, the shop is also Kellogg’s first venture into the retail arena with its very first dedicated physical space in the UK.

The shop is staffed by a number of iconic Special K girls in red dresses who will check each customer’s Tweet before handing over the crisps.

Kim Murray, 28 from London, was the first person to pay for the product with a Tweet.

Sarah Case from Special K comments: “The value of positive endorsements on social media sites is beyond compare so we’re excited to be the first company to literally use social currency instead of financial currency to launch this new product in our bespoke Special K shop.

“This is big news for Special K and we are hoping the brand’s move into crisps and the high street will create a major buzz on and offline.”

The Tweet Shop on Soho’s Meard Street, London is open from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday 25th September to Friday 28th September. It is lined with hundreds of packs of crisps, a ‘try before you buy’ snacking area and a ‘community noticeboard’ that captures social media reaction to the unique retail space.

London Fashion Week – Exhibition S/S’ 2013

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This was my first time at London Fashion Week, so I was excited when I got the chance between shows to walk around Somerset House, and have a look at the exhibition rooms.

After hearing that Minnie Mouse was this year’s fashion muse, I headed straight to the ‘Inspired by Minnie Mouse’ collection. Growing up most girls love Minnie (I definitely did!) and this collection embraces both the fashionable side and the young girlish persona of the character.

The collection is comprised of bespoke dresses and lots of accessories, made by the few handpicked international designers. I must admit that I absolutely adored Lulu Guinness’s take on creating a ‘must have’ Minnie piece. Lulu designed a purse and handbag and the lipstick detailing on the zipper made it that extra bit special, I think Minnie would approve! Below are my photographs of the collection, my standout dress has to be by Giles Deacon, the prom style silhouette and red polka dot aspects make it a perfect Minnie Mouse dress.

 

 

I also walked into my idea of heaven the Atelier Swarovski Collection exhibiton. The S/S 2013 collection is collaboration with different designers from jewellery and product designer Stefano Poletti to shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood. Each designer took Swarovski’s crystals and used them in very different ways. My favourite collaborations were Vanessa Seward who is an Argentine Fashion designer, she says of her designs that they were inspired by ‘the kind of ethnic necklaces chic Parisian boho women use’. Take a look at her pieces below…

 

Also Nicholas Kirkwood’s collection combines Swarovski with pearls and enamel. His designs are something unique and modern, definitely take a look at the whole collection.

www.atelierswarovski.com

Whilst roaming around Somerset House I came across Topshop’s poster range and some new designers who I found particularly interesting take a look at the photos below. The chance to walk around and look at the exhibitions was a highlight of my LFW experience it unveiled to me some designers I had never heard of before and lots of stunning jewellery!

 

Amy Childs Launches New Perfume | Beauty Review

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I didn’t expect to like Amy Childs Perfume
but I do. It smells absolutely divine. It is one of those perfumes that also smell better the longer you wear it. It is quite fruity and a little bit sweet. Bizarrely, the smell reminded me of a holiday in Switzerland. It has a happy smell that makes me smile.

Encased in an adorable deep purple, multi-faceted bottle embellished with a heart shaped charm, Amy’s perfume is fabulous and feminine.

 

A fan of all things glamorous and girly, Amy is qualified beauty therapist with her own salon, beauty products and clothing range. She has always loved perfume and smelling lovely. In fact, when she was setting up her salon, Amy chose all the lotions and oils herself as she wanted to ensure that all the fragrances were just perfect.

 

  • Top Notes
  • Pomegranate seed, Fresh green leaves, Kum­quat
  • Middle Notes
  • Lotus, Cham­paca, Purple orchid
  • Base Notes
  • Purple violet, Amber, Skin musks, Soft woods, Vanilla