Berlin Offers Best Value For Fashionistas On A Budget

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Berlin is Best Value

German capital is most affordable whilst New York’s cut-price clothing couldn’t offset its pricey hotels

 

Berlin was the most affordable shopping destination of the top ten fashion cities in the world, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®). The iconic style capital, New York was ranked as the most expensive despite its popularity amongst retail tourists for securing brands on a budget.

 

The Index, now in itseighth year, chronicles the actual prices paid by travellers in 2011 in more than 142,000 hotels around the world.

 

As the pound continued to strengthen against the Euro, the German capital provided the best value forboth the cost of its hotels and its fashion. The average cost of a hotel room was only £73, allowing British shoppers to make the most of their budget in the popular Berlin style scene.

 

Tokyo (£102) and Barcelona (£104) were the second and third lowest priced cities providing spendthrift style alternatives for savvy shopping tourists. The retail tourist’s staple destination, New York, was undeniably the most expensive at an average of £173 per night, despite providing some of the most affordable shopping.

 

City Country

Average room rate in 2011

Average room rate in 2010

 % Rise or fall
New York United States of America

£173

£166

4%
Singapore Singapore

£136

£123

11%
Paris France

£125

£122

3%
Hong Kong China

£119

£101

18%
Rome Italy

£116

£114

2%
London United Kingdom

£115

£114

1%
Los Angeles United States of America

£111

£104

7%
Barcelona Spain & Canary Islands

£104

£96

8%
Tokyo Japan

£102

£103

-2%
Berlin Germany

£73

£75

-3%

 

Payday lender Fined

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A payday lender has had to pay a fine of more than half a million pounds and has had it’s licence revoked. The Lender fell victim to fraudsters impersonating thousands of people to take out loans.

MCO Capital, under the name Help Loan and Balance Loan, had failed to carry out adequate identity checks, found the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The OFT said that Its failures made it vulnerable to fraudsters, who used the personal details of more than 7,000 people to successfully apply for loans worth millions of pounds.

And that MCO Capital then caused “unnecessary distress and inconvenience” by writing to people to collect the debts, even though it knew they might not have actually borrowed the money.

The OFT has imposed a £544,505 financial penalty on MCO Capital and revoked its consumer credit licence, which it needs in order to trade.

The lender said in a statement: “MCO Capital is disappointed at the decision of the Office of Fair Trading and is studying the adjudication that it takes very seriously.

“When we have had time to fully consider the decision of the OFT will we be in a position to decide our next steps, which could include lodging an appeal. MCO continues to trade as it is fully entitled to do so whilst a decision regarding a possible appeal is being made.”

Lenders must carry out appropriate identity checks under the Money Laundering Regulations, to make sure they don’t accidentally help money laundering and terrorist financing.

Plump & Shine Lip Gloss | Beauty Review

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I am very fussy about lip gloss. I don’t like it to be too sticky. I like it to stay in place. So did Plump & Shine Lip Gloss live up to my exacting standards. Let’s find out….

I tried the nude colour. It is a good colour with a really nice tone. Plump & Shine also plumps your lips up (the clue is in the name) so if you want some more volume on your pout this is the lip gloss to try. It won’t make you look like Jackie Stallone (thank god!) but it gives a nice little boost.

This is before the lip gloss.

After I put it on it stays put. It is long lasting, not too sticky (my bug bear with other lip glosses) and it looks great on. It did seem to plump my lips up too. I felt a tingly sensation.

And this is after:

This is after.

Wearing the lip gloss.

I really like this lip gloss. It is not drying and it makes the most of your lips. A little goes a long way and it stays put for quite a while. It is subtle and makes your lips look gorgeous.

‘Candy’ Plump & Shine is a very light pink similar to the shades seen on the catwalk at Louis Vuitton, whilst ‘Seduce’, a hot pink gloss but not too dark, is similar to the colours we saw at DKNY.

Plump & Shine does not contain alcohol so is non-drying

Cost: £19.95

Shades: Candy (light pink) / Seduce (hot pink)

www.beautyproductsdirect.com

Organic Energy Drink | Scheckter’s Organic Energy Lite Review

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I don’t like some energy drinks. They also rarely work on me. I once drank two cans of a well-known brand and then feel asleep.

So what do I have to say about Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite? Well, it actually tastes really good. Unlike the sugary bubblegum taste some energy drinks have, Organic Energy has a lovely, fresh taste without any awful aftertaste. It has a blend of organic fruit juices – lemon, pomegranate and elderberry. Yummy.

Did it actually give me energy? Yes. All-in-all, I really like this drink. It is healthy, organic and not just full of empty calories. Full marks.

Get a lighter natural lift with NEW Scheckter’s Organic Energy Lite

The makers of the worlds first 100% Natural, Organic and FairTrade approved energy drink, Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy, have just made energy boosting a little lighter with the introduction of NEW Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite!

Like the original, this delicious, natural, organic drink harnesses the power of nature to give a real energy lift whilst also boosting mental performance – but with the added bonus of using Organic Agave instead of cane sugar which means 33% fewer calories.

Each can of Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite contains the perfect combination of organic and natural ingredients to provide sustained energy. The blend of 100% natural ingredients releases energy over a longer period of time, creating a sustainable energy lift that avoids the short lift and sudden ‘crash’ of other energy drinks.

Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite drink is 100% natural and made from a blend of organic fruit juices – lemon, pomegranate and elderberry which give it the same great taste as the Original variety and uses organic Agave instead of raw cane sugar which means 33% fewer calories. Agave has a low glycemic index and so not only helps to slash the calorie count but also helps prevent the usual ‘sugar crash’ associated with high sugar drinks. The other active ingredients remain the same as in the Original – extracts from organic raw green coffee beans and organic Guarana give the physical and mental boost from caffeine, Ginseng helps relieve stress and Green tea helps boost mental focus. As an added bonus all the ingredients are 100% natural and organic.

Toby Scheckter, founder of Scheckter’s Organic Beverages and former racing driver, was raised on Laverstoke Farm, an organic farm in Hampshire. Involvement in the day-to-day activities of running the farm gave Toby a deep understanding and appreciation for the processes involved in producing quality organic products. Recognising that there was a significant gap in the energy drinks market for a healthier alternative, Toby spent two years developing the worlds first 100% Natural, Organic and FairTrade approved energy drink with a simple goal – creating the best tasting energy drink using only the best quality ingredients.

Following the success of the original drink, and due to unprecedented customer demand, Toby has spent the last 12 months developing Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite and has managed to remove sugar and cut calories whilst maintaining the delicious flavor. Commenting on the new launch Toby commented; ‘We have had such a great response from everyone on the launch of Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy and are thrilled the have had such demand for a Lite version. Fewer calories doesn’t mean we loose out on taste though! ’

Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy Lite is available from Sainsbury’s and at health food stores nationwide and costs £1.35 for a 250ml can.

Theatre Collection Presents The Three Sisters

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The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov

Like many of Chekhov’s works, it is about the decay of the privileged class in Russia and the search for meaning in the modern world. In the play, Olga, Masha, and Irina are refined and cultured young women in their twenties who were raised in urban Moscow but have been living in a small, colorless provincial town for eleven years. With their father dead, their anticipated return to Moscow comes to represent their hopes for living a good life, while the ordinariness of da
y-to-day living tightens its hold.

Directed by Victor Sobchak

Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 5pm

Tickets: £12/10

Booking:

www.theatrecollection.net

Phone: 07966597190

THEATRE COLLECTION was founded in 2009 by Victor Sobchak (Artistic Director) and Shaban Arifi (Producer,Director and Actor)

TC is the sequel of the highly acclaimed ‘ART-VIC’(Anglo-Russian Theatre) and ‘Act Provocateur Int.’ With a history spanning for 15 years.

During this period they have have produced over 100 productions which gained great interest and awards from both audiences and Press all over the world.

They performed at 11 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and in various National and International festivals in USA, Africa, Europe and Russia.

TC will continue to justify its name presenting to the audience a collection of very different styles: from medieval farce to experimental theatre, from classic to modern International drama and new writing.

Damsels In Distress – Get Violet’s Vintage-Inspired Look + Win The DVD

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Greta Gerwig stars in Whit Stillman’s charming and witty comedy DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, a quirky film following leader Violet and her group of beautiful, female college students and their mission to cure depressed classmates through good hygiene and musical dance numbers. It follows the girls as they become romantically involved with different types of men, who threaten both their friendships and sanity. Gerwig plays the group’s outspoken leader Violet, epitomising the film’s wonderful individual and nostalgic style.

To celebrate its release on Blu-ray and DVD, we’re showing you Violet’s fashion rules and how to re-create her vintage themed look!

Violet’s style is definitely retro inspired, it’s feminine yet edgy and easy to wear day-to-day.

Hair and Make-Up:

Violet keeps her hair and make-up simple, to let the clothes do the talking!

Natural Waves – whether you have a similar short sassy bob or longer locks, the key to this look is simple and natural waves. Start by blow-drying your hair upside-down to boost volume, brush through and use light tongs or straighteners to curl the ends. Leave the roots straightener and product-free.

Neutral Palette – keep make-up looking natural too, with a light foundation or tinted moisturiser such as Benefit’s You Rebel SPF 15 Tinted Moisturiser. Add a rose blusher to the apples of your cheeks and a dusting of light brown eyeshadow over lids. A coat of volumising black-brown mascara will give a soft and fuller look for lashes, and finish off with pinky-tone lipstick or gloss, oh so pretty!

The Wardrobe:

Violet follows some timeless fashion rules to maximise her outfit potential. It’s all about quirky print dresses, coloured cardigans and vintage-inspired accessories.

Define your waist, sit on the knee – following the classic style of the 1950s/60s, a cinched waist and full skirt make the most of your curves. Wearing skirts that sit on the knee keeps the outfit classy and shows off shapely pins. Topshop do some great retro style dresses such as the Pastel Pinafore Dress, £48, or the Block Colour Dress by Wal G at £35.

Prints and colour – Use bright-coloured cardigans, cool prints or colour pop dresses to lift your mood. Cardigans make chic cover-ups and can be found in no end of designs, just make sure you keep them plain a la Violet if you’re teaming with a print dress. Or try a cute printed shirt and team with this season’s midi skirt.

Vintage Accessories – To complete Violet’s vintage-style look pick up some classic accessories from a vintage store or online. Peekaboo Vintage has an amazing range of silk scarves that will make your outfit, such as this one for £30.

They also stock some gorgeous leather satchels, to hold all of your day-to-day essentials, and fit in perfectly with your outfit! All that’s left is a spritz of your favourite classic scent and you’re officially Violet-worthy, a true Damsel style-icon!

For your chance to win a copy of Damsels In Distress on DVD, just answer the following question….

In the film, one of Violet’s love interests, Charlie a.k.a Fred is played by

1. Adam Brody
2. Channing Tatum
3. Liam Hemsworth

Follow @Frostmag and tweet us your answer, or comment below.

Damsels in Distress is out on DVD from Monday 20th August.

Tony Scott ‘Had Cancer’

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After the incredibly sad news that Tony Scott killed himself, his friend have revealed that he
had inoperable brain cancer and only killed himself so his family were spared watching him die slowly and painfully.

ABC News revealed why the 68-year-old director jumped to his death on Sunday, by leaping from the Vincent Thomas Bridge. He left a suicide note.

A friend told the New York Post:

‘He has been suffering from cancer and he had a relapse. He wasn’t depressed, he was a lovely guy. On Sundays everyone went to his house, there would be the guy who worked in his local restaurant sitting by the pool by Michael Caine.’

Another source added: ‘He did have cancer, and for a while he was cancer free. He didn’t have any money problems or marriage problems.’

Scott directed such classics as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II and Enemy Of The State and was the younger brother of director Ridley Scott. He fell within feet of a cruise boat around 12.30 p.m in front of horrified tourists.

‘He landed right next to our tour boat, and many of us saw the whole thing,’ a witness, who had been on the cruise told TMZ.

The Contra Costa Times reported that Scott climbed a fence on the south side of the bridge, which spans San Pedro and Terminal Island, at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday and leaped off ‘without hesitation’.

Simon Halls, a publicist for the Scott brothers, said. ‘The family asks for privacy during this time,’

Ridley Scott is flying from London to Los Angeles to be with his brother’s family.

He leaves behind two twin sons and his wife Donna. Hollywood is poorer today at the loss of such an amazing talent.

Keep Calm and Marry On: Dos and Don’ts of The Wedding Video

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Avoiding Disaster: Dos and Don’ts of The Wedding Video

With the release of The Wedding Video across our cinema screens this weekend, professional wedding and events planner Ailish McDonnell, from Keep Calm and Marry On, advises on how to avoid a wedding day video disaster.

Ailish says: “Couples want to relive their wedding day exactly as it happened, preserving on film one of the most memorable occasions of their lives. The last thing you want on such a precious day is to dread watching the video back in case it doesn’t live up to expectations.

“In my experience, if a couple are debating whether or not to have their wedding filmed, if they can afford it, I would always advise on having a professional videographer film it. The day passes so quickly and with having all those special moments captured, it’s better to be able to see your ceremony, your first kiss and dance as a married couple, than regret not having recorded any of it.”

Award-winning Cheshire wedding videographers, Unforgettable Memories, know only too well the importance of capturing a wedding day on film.

Craig at Unforgettable Memories says: “A lot of wedding video suppliers have a bad reputation, but that’s because they haven’t moved with the times. They are still in the age of the large shoulder mounted camera which they point at people and expect them to “perform”, having a video doesn’t have to be like this nowadays.

“Don’t have a relative or member of the wedding party shoot your video, as they do in The Wedding Video, unless of course, they are a professional videographer. Remember these people are guests at your wedding and may well be busy with being a guest as opposed to capturing your big day.”

Wedding Planner Ailish from Keep Calm and Marry On and Craig from Unforgettable Memories suggest the following tips to bear in mind when choosing your wedding videographer:

Decide on what elements of the wedding you would like to capture: Bride getting ready; Groom getting ready; guests arriving; bridal party and bride arriving to the ceremony; the ceremony; drinks reception; bride and groom entrance to dinner; dinner and speeches; cutting the cake; first dance; party with guest dancing.

When choosing a professional videographer make sure you know what style you would like – standard static or fly-on-the-wall documentary.

Always meet and discuss your ideas with your videographer well in advance. You need to make sure your personalities don’t clash and that they are sensitive and respectful of your needs on the day.

You should also try to secure your videographer as far in advance as possible. The more popular your chosen professional, the greater chance you’ll be disappointed if you leave it too late to book him or her.

Be clear about what your ‘package’ includes and what, if any, add-ons are required to meet your final film requirements and that it matches your budget so you don’t have a hefty surprise bill.

There is a rising trend in couples having a pre-wedding shoot in the build-up to their big day. This may involve having a pre-wedding party filmed. Likewise, some also have a post-wedding shoot, such as a family gathering the day after the wedding and this might be something to consider.

Prices will vary depending on the type of equipment the videographer uses, whether they’re a part-time or full-time business, if they use broadcast quality, the number of people in their crew and so on.

Always ask to see previous examples, speak to past clients and if it seems too cheap and too good to be true – it probably is.

Remember, a golden rule is that ultimately you get what you pay for.

For advice on any aspect of planning your wedding or event please contact Ailish McDonnell on 07732531910 or email info@keepcalmmarryon.com. For more information visit www.keepcalmmarryon.com.