London Gets Ready For First Ever Men’s Fashion Week(end).

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London is set to host the UK’s first ever Men’s Fashion Week(end). Also known as Men’s Collections, these three days will celebrate the rise in the profile, creativity and commercial success of men’s fashion in the UK. And nowhere is this more apparent than online.

The UK’s leading fashion site ShopStyle.co.uk is used to dealing with over one million users searching for the latest designer womenswear pieces or high street must-haves but the UK online fashion leader has seen a 300% year-on-year increase in sales generated for its top 5 menswear retailers, revealing that it’s not just women who are keen to be seen in the latest looks.

Leading the charge for ShopStyle are men’s brands like Topman and Mr Porter but the fashion shopping hub has also seen a number of new retailers such as Pretty Green entering the online race, as well as unisex brands such as Ted Baker, Next and My-Wardrobe.

The company believes the uplift is driven by the increase in mobile devices and shopping apps which enable men to shop on the go or pick-up an item they may have seen on the street or in a shop window, quickly and easily via their mobile phone. ShopStyle has seen 3x increase in mobile driven searches in the same May to May period and believes that men drive a substantial percentage of these searches.

Shannon Edwards, VP for ShopStyle Europe believes that new technologies are driving men online to shop for fashion. She says: “There’s been a real focus in the UK on improving men’s fashion and that has tempted many style-aware blokes to come out of the woodwork. But for these guys the prospect of spending Saturday afternoon in the changing room leaves them cold. For them, mobile allows them to shop for the big looks without having to spend hours at their computer or in the store.”

Is China Buying The World? | Book Review

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This short book is more than food for the brain, it is fascinating, a snapshot of history. Touching on a popular subject and often asked question by the global media; Is china buying the world?

Peter Nolan’s well researched short book is full of facts and weighty political and financial debate. Nolan certainly knows his stuff, as well he should; he is Professor of Chinese Development at the University of Cambridge and is one of the leading international experts on China and the global economy.

Did you know?: China accounts for 26 percent of the total foreign holding of US debt. However Britain and Japan hold more US public debt than China. China only holds 12 per cent of total US public debt.

Everyone in business should read this book. It also has lots of fun, fascinating graphs and tables. This book gives a stunning insight into business in China, the UK, US and beyond.

Another point I got from the book is a certain racism against China. I know China has a dodgy history of human rights, but it would seem that the western world is finding it hard for anyone else to take over it’s dominance: perceived or otherwise. A point that Nolan point out is not good for peace or international relations. The book also touches on another subject “Who are We?” and are there any business which are British, or American left?

China is the world’s second biggest economy and its largest exporter. It possesses the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves and has 29 firms in the FT 500 list of the world’s largest companies. ‘China’s Rise’ preoccupies the global media, which carry regular articles suggesting that it is using its financial resources to ‘buy the world’.

Is there any truth to this idea? Or is this just scaremongering by Western commentators who have little interest in a balanced presentation of China’s role in the global political economy?

This book is a must-read. A lot of people are worrying about the ‘awakening giant’ of China, let Peter Nolan allay your fears.

You can buy Is China Buying the World? here.

The Soon to be Famous Five make a big Splash in the Great Big Monster Sea Swim

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A FIRST: Five ordinary guys in wetsuits take on a swimming relay race and attempt to cross the English channel from Guernsey in the Channel Islands to South Devon in England in 48 hours = The Great Big Monster Sea Swim.

The FIRST EVER swim relay crossing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands to South Devon in England called the Great Big Monster Sea Swim (GBMSS) is announced today. The five man team; Paul, Karl, John, Bruce and Jon will swim the non-stop relay from 27-29 August 2012 and attempt to make the crossing in only 48 hours whilst raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. The Great Big Monster Sea Swim is the headline event of The Sanofi 1000 Mile Challenge which centres around health and fitness activities and encourages all Sanofi Group employees in the UK and Ireland to challenge themselves to achieve over 1000 miles collectively over the next year thereby raising over £100,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Paul Irwin, GBMSS team member comments, “Training has been underway since January as we have to be seriously prepared for what we will face – anything from tankers in the dark to mental exhaustion. The team are really excited and slightly apprehensive about the challenge as there will be tough decisions to make that may hurt the individual but benefit the team”.

Six time world swimming champion and Teenage Cancer Trust supporter, Mark Foster comments, “The Sanofi 1000 Mile Challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust is a great initiative centred around promoting wellbeing and personal growth. As well as inspiring and encouraging participants to challenge themselves, they will also be raising money for an important cause.”

The GBMSS team is proud to be wearing sailfish wetsuits and Saltrock Surfwear and grateful for the support of both Enigma Charters who are providing a 72ft boat and skipper to carry the support crew and Lifedge for providing equipment.

To sponsor the Great Big Monster Sea Swim and help raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, please go donate by going online at www.justgiving.com/GBMSS or text GBMS 81 to 70070.

To follow the swim team’s journey visit Paul Irwin’s blog here, http://sanofi-inspires.co.uk/blog/12 and also follow the team’s progress on twitter @GBMSS.

When is a bargain not a bargain?

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The AA has revealed the results of a survey warning buyers to beware of vehicles with something to hide

A new survey from AA Car Data Check reveals that nearly 50%* of those asked would be drawn in by a car for sale if was advertised at a considerably lower price than its market value. The AA is warning that buyers should never be tempted by vehicles advertised for less than 70% of their market price, as a suspicious bargain could turn out to be a clone or worse, leaving the buyer severely out of pocket. Always conduct a vehicle history check to avoid the risk of buying a banger and wasting potentially thousands of pounds.

Worryingly, the survey of buyers of an AA Car Data Check found that more than 1 in 10 of them would be interested in a car priced a lot less than its market value. A further 34% would be interested in, but cautious of, a car priced at half the market value. However, a car with a low price could be hiding a dodgy past, as no genuine seller would want to lose out on a good profit from selling their vehicle. The AA urges buyers to always do their research and find out the car’s market value as a benchmark before parting with any cash.

“It’s easy to be tempted by a vehicle with a rock bottom price, but buyers need to think about it from the seller’s perspective – would they sell a car for a third of its value?” says Amanda Moore of the AA. “Most cars masquerading as a bargain have something to hide. We urge buyers to conduct a vehicle history check to protect themselves from the risk of buying a vehicle that could be stolen, cloned, on outstanding finance or an insurance write-off.”

Stolen or cloned?

Many people are unaware that if they unwittingly buy a vehicle that is later revealed as stolen, they stand to lose the car and the money they paid for it when it is returned to the actual owner. A cloned vehicle is one that has been stolen and given a new identity.

The AA advises buyers to: always do a history check and view the vehicle at the registered keeper’s address, as shown on the V5C. Buyers should also check that the VIN/chassis numbers match each other.

Outstanding finance

Buying a vehicle that’s still on outstanding finance could see the unsuspecting buyer lose the vehicle and their cash. In this case, the vehicle actually belongs to the finance company, who could reclaim it at any time.

An AA Car Data Check can confirm whether a vehicle is on outstanding finance. Don’t take the risk; get it checked before you buy.

Insurance Write-off

When a vehicle is in an accident it can be declared an insurance ‘write-off’ or total loss. While some damaged cars can be safely repaired and returned to the road, others will only be fit for scrap.

Using data from the Motor Insurance Anti Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR), the AA Car Data Check can help buyers spot the difference between a bargain and a potential death trap on wheels. Advice from the AA is not to be taken in by shiny paintwork – just because they can’t see damage it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Get an AA Car Data Check before purchase to be sure.

“If a bargain looks too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t take the risk, instead get an AA Car Data Check and walk away if it turns out to have something to hide,” concludes Moore “The AA Car Data Check offers an easy and quick way for customers to discover the facts before they buy. And the AA’s top tips provide used car buyers with the basics to look out for, to help them avoid buying a stolen vehicle and giving their hard-earned cash to car fraudsters.”

Popularity of cashback sites grows as more people shop online

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With the UK back into a double dip recession, many savvy families are looking for ways to boost their household incomes and Cashback sites are on the forefront of the online bargain hunt. They can possibly saving families anything up to £1000 a year. These sites pay members when they buy goods ranging from the supermarket shop to energy and even holidays, through their website.

Online shopping has been growing in popularity, this is shown by the fact that online spending in the first three months of 2012 grew by 13 per cent to £17billion[i]. One of the main reasons that online shopping grew so rapidly is because it can save consumers a vast amount of money. As well as vouchers and discounts codes which can be found online, consumers are frequently signing up to cashback sites. Cashback sites are becoming very attractive for online shoppers, with TopCashBack the most generous cashback site in the UK doubling the amount of members in the last 12 months alone. The site now receives approximately 4.5 million unique visitors per month.

Natasha-Rachel Smith, consumer affairs expert from TopCashBack, said, “The growth of cashback culture is a new phenomenon in the UK – it’s a great way for people to earn money from their spending. As online shopping is becoming an integral part of people’s shopping patterns, cashback sites are inevitably becoming the first port of call for people who want to save money.”

Natasha-Rachel concluded, “Cashback sites are a safe way to get more out of your spending. For people who frequently shop online it makes sense to shop through cashback sites as there are thousands of big name retailers and some niche shops, so there is always something for everyone. Sometimes people can get big cashback sums when switching their utilities or broadband through these sites so it’s recommended that people do their research.”

FucoCai Review

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I don’t really believe in diet pills and have never taken any but I am a big fan of natural remedies. So when I got some FucoCai to review I put my skepticism aside and decided to give it a go.

New Zealand superfoods specialists, Lifestream, have launched FucoCai for weight management. Billed as a ‘new super supplement to help make achieving the perfect, bulge-free bikini body that little bit easier’.

Lifestream call FucoCai ‘a unique blend of two botanicals that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants vital to help protect the body against free radical damage caused by modern living. Additionally, together with a healthy diet and lifestyle, Lifestream FucoCai can help to support weight management’

So I started taking them. After a week I notice a difference to my skin. Many people tell me I am ‘glowing’. The tone of my skin improves, I feel I have more energy and some scars seem less prominent. I exercise while taking the pills by doing the Tracey Anderson method, but only three times a week for an hour (you are supposed to so 2 hours 6 days a week).

I do notice a difference while taking the pills. In fact I lost eight pounds in total. Would I have lost this weight anyway? I actually don’t think so. I put weight on when I was doing a film and found the last stone quite difficult to get rid of. I am also an apple, which means when I put weight on it goes to my stomach, so that is where I could not get rid of the weight, and most of it was gone by the time the pills ran out. And the last was gone thanks to my Zaggora hotpants. So how do they work?

They are packed with the plant carotenoid Fucoxanthin and naturally rich in iodine, a nutrient thought to be effective in normalising thyroid function and energy-yielding metabolism*. Lifestream FucoCai has been specifically formulated to help users achieve a healthy weight, and contains:

Laminaria Japonica (kombu) – a seaweed native to Japan, Kombu contains the active mineral Fucoxanthin which studies suggest could help support weight management** boost the metabolism and may help to support balanced blood sugar levels. In water, kombu also forms a thick gel enabling it to function as a bulking agent to enhance bowel regularity

Acai berries – organically grown in Brazil, the super berry Acai boasts antioxidant capabilities greater than that of other berries such as cranberry, raspberry and blueberry. Naturally rich in flavonoids and polyphenols and bursting with vitamins and minerals, acai is particularly useful for those putting their bodies through the rigours of a new health and fitness regime.

Fucoxanthin is thought to be one of the most exciting natural compounds discovered to date in the fight against obesity. The carotenoid gained notoriety when a group of Japanese marine biologists discovered that it could help white fat cells mimic the thermogenic behaviour of brown fat cells, ultimately resulting in a safe increase in metabolic rate and fat burning in the use ***.

Since then, studies have identified Fucoxanthin as a critical adjunct in enabling a controlled diet and increased level of physical activity to produce meaningful fat loss, even in ageing humans who as a result of reduced metabolic rate can find weight management a challenge.

Formulated without artificial additives, preservatives, colours or flavours, Lifestream FucoCai is vegan, and free from gluten, dairy, yeast, nuts and other allergens.

Lifestream FucoCai is available from all good health food stores, and online at www.grumpygorilla.co.uk, and costs £24.75 (RRP) for 90 vegetarian capsules (one month’s supply). For further information, visit www.healthyfoodbrands.co.uk.

Bailterspace return after 13 years in the wilderness | Music News

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New Zealand/New York City legends Bailterspace have returned with their first new recordings in 13 years. The band were once described by Pitchfork as“simultaneously beautiful, jagged, atonal, and supremely melodic” and their album ‘Strobosphere’ will be released on 20th August via Fire Records.
Have a listen and download their track  ‘No Sense’, for free, below:
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48939030″ iframe=”true” /]
Originally a member of The Gordons, Alister Parker formed Nelsh Bailter Space with former Clean drummer Hamish Kilgour in year 1987. Shortening the name to Bailterspace, they eventually incorporated his former band mates from The Gordons, including Brent MacLachlan who has remained integral to the band since 1989.  They won praise as “the Sonic Youth of the Southern Hemisphere” with several Melody Maker singles of the week. Relocating to New York brought about greater harmonic exploration whilst their Flying Nun and Matador releases established them as a distortion-led tour de force.
After announcing a hiatus, the band never truly stopped working together, occasionally sneaking out to play an unusual show and building a stockpile of ideas, they way they always done. However, finding the urge to record too great, they dove back into the studio and produced a record of power and beauty that could only come from Bailterspace.

Nada Surf unveil video for ‘Waiting For Something’ | Music News

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10oh5Knqixo&w=560&h=315]

 

Alt rock kings Nada Surf have unveiled the video for their single, ‘Waiting For Something,’ off their recently released seventh album The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy. The video was directed by Violetta D’Agata and is described as “a personal journey through interlocking time in the lives of several interconnected characters, all of whom share the mystique and beauty of their Spanish island – Ibiza.”