Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

Adam Garcia shows off his new look

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First it was milk, putting a creamy smear on the top lip of stars like Pixie Lott, Gordon Ramsay and Usher.

Now West End dancing star Adam Garcia (also a judge on Sky 1’s popular Got To Dance show) has been snapped modelling a purple moustache in honour of new daily health shot Mune.

Adam says: ‘I drink Mune to help keep me functioning at my very best. I need a strong immune system to give me the strength and endurance to do something very physical like tap dancing.

‘It’s a great daily boost which I like to drink in that funny time of day between breakfast and lunch when you feel a bit peckish and want something healthy to top you up. It’s a good kick start to your immunity each day.’

Mune is now available to buy online at www.muneboost.co.uk and through leading wholesalers Marigold Health Foods and The Health Store (www.thehealthstore.co.uk). Retail stockists also include: Planet Organic, As Nature Intended, Revital, Nutri Centre, Food For Thought, Natural Health in Welwyn Garden City and Hertford and Healthy & Wise in Harpenden.
www.muneboost.co.uk

The shots
Mune Original contains: black elderberry, active manuka honey 10+, lemon, ginger, Montmorency cherry, aloe vera, elderflower, beta glucan, inulin fibre, vitamin D.

Mune Revive contains: black elderberry, active manuka honey 10+, lemongrass, coconut, pineapple juice, aloe vera, nettle extract, elderflower, inulin fibre, vitamin D.

There are currently two products in the range: Mune Original and Mune Revive which share core immune-boosting ingredients. The 55ml shots contain a special recipe including black elderberry, active manuka honey 10+, inulin fibre and vitamin D.

Each product is then enhanced with additional high-quality ingredients to meet specific seasonal challenges such as beta glucan to help protect against colds and flu in Original, and nettle extract to help prevent allergies and hayfever in Revive.
There are 3 pack sizes of each variant: Individual boosts cost £2.30, a weekly pack of 7 individual boosts costs £11.50 and a family size 500ml bottle of 9 boosts costs £11.50.

SUPERSTAR ARTISTS AND WRITERS SUPPORT SECOND PHASE OF CHARITY AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPAN

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Personal items donated by global stars to aid the Japanese Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts, via charity auction at www.ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan

Artists and songwriters including Katy Perry, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Iron Maiden, Gorillaz, Sting, David Gilmour and Tinie Tempah have donated exclusive personal items and memorabilia to the second phase of the EMI family’s charity auction to raise funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The latest round of the charity auction, which is one of the biggest in eBay’s history, kicks off today and closes on April 21. There are still four days to go until the end of the first phase of the auction, featuring items from artists and writers including Coldplay, Beastie Boys, Jane Birkin, Depeche Mode, 30 Seconds To Mars, Simple Minds, Alice In Chains, and The Chemical Brothers.

Items added to the auction today include the 1987 Ferrari 412 as featured in Daft Punk’s film ‘Electroma’, a cupcake trampoline used on stage in Katy Perry’s current California Dreams world tour, access to private concert rehearsal by Sting, a one-off diamante head used onstage by Deadmau5, a limited edition ‘Yellow Submarine’ bicycle issued to mark the re-release of The Beatles’ famous movie, three framed and signed prints of David Gilmour taken in Gdansk, and more than 30 albums individually signed by David Bowie.

Also included in the auction is the MacBook used by David Guetta to create the demos for his hit album ‘One Love’, the hand written lyrics to ‘God Only Knows’ from the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Tinie Tempah’s pink blazer from the ‘Frisky’ video, and one of the four original handmade “Zero” shirts worn by the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan for the release and tour of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’.

All funds raised from the charity auction will be used towards the Japanese Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Funds will be used for the on-going provision of immediate relief to support the affected population during their recovery. EMI Group has committed to match all funds raised from the auction up to a maximum of one million euros.

The first phase of the charity auction ends on April 15th, with the second phase ending on April 21st. All the items can be viewed at ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan.

Beastie Boys said: “Japan has always been a special and important place for us as a band. We’ve made so many friendships there in our personal and professional lives. We hope in some way that our donation can help the people of Japan rebuild after the devastating earthquakes and tsunami.”

Billy Corgan, the vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins, commented: “The people of Japan are an incredibly strong and proud people, and their love of life and culture has had a profound and positive affect on the way I view my own life. There are a million things I wish I could do right now to help soothe the pain and sorrow that so many of our fans and their families are experiencing, and my heart hurts when I think of the losses they have suffered, and are still suffering. I wanted to contribute to this auction to show my gratitude to the Japanese people and offer something that was particularly meaningful to me. I’m also proud of all the other artists who have pitched in to help, as well as my old label EMI for stepping in to organize and also match donations.”

The list of items for sale in the second phase of the charity auction from April 11th – 21st includes the following:

Anne Murray – 18 holes of golf with Anne Murray at the prestigious Angus Glen Golf Club course
Arcade Fire – four VIP tickets to their Hyde Park show on 30th June 2011
B-52s – signed guitar
Beach Boys – signed limited edition Pet Sounds plaque, plus hand-written, autographed & framed lyrics to The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” from Brian Wilson
The Beatles – the last of an extremely limited edition Schwinn bicycle featuring the ‘Yellow Submarine’ artwork
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) – one of the four original handmade “Zero” shirts worn by Billy Corgan for the release and tour of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’, with a letter of authenticity signed by Billy
Billy Idol – limited edition portrait print by Shepard Fairey, signed by Billy Idol and Shepard Fairey
Bret Michaels – signed cowboy hat
Chris Tomlin – handwritten and signed lyrics
Coldplay – a framed guitar signed by all members of the band and a triple platinum sales award from Canada for ‘Viva La Vida’
Corinne Bailey Rae – a personal favourite Prada dress worn by Corinne on her first album tours, along with a note from Corinne
Daft Punk – 1987 Ferrari 412, used in the Daft Punk film Electroma
David Bowie – 35 albums signed by the artist
David Crowder Band – signed Yamaha keytar
David Gilmour – three framed and signed prints of David Gilmour in Gdansk, photographed by Anna Wloch, including David, Polly and Lech Walesa, David on stage at soundcheck and a selection of David’s guitars.
David Guetta – his Apple MacBook, used to create the demos for his album ‘One Love’.
Deadmau5 – his famous diamante mau5head stage costume, autographed, plus VIP tickets to Deadmau5’s live concert in London’s Victoria Park later this year
Dean Martin – the opportunity to record a duet with Dino at the world-famous Capitol Studios
Duffy – the bicycle used by Duffy in the making of her 2009 Diet Coke commercial
Duran Duran – a painting by the band signed by Simon Le Bon
A Fine Frenzy – the outfit worn by Alison to the 2011 Grammys, plus the handwritten lyrics to a song of the winning bidder’s choice
Gorillaz – limited edition lithograph, with certificate of authenticity, signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn
Helene Fischer – a dress worn by Helene on stage
Huey Lewis & The News – hand-written, autographed & framed lyrics, plus a personalized gold album award for Greatest Hits, and a VIP concert experience & personal phone call from Huey to the winner
Iron Maiden – exclusive limited edition ‘Ed Force One’ A2 print signed by Iron Maiden, two pieces of original Iron Maiden Japan 2011 event artwork signed by artist Herve Monjeaud, plus signed Nicko McBrain drumsticks as used on The Final Frontier World Tour
Jeff Bridges – signed guitar including a drawing of a symbol that is meaningful to him, “The Seed”
JLS – Aston and Ortise’s bowling shirts from the filming of ‘Stars & Strikes’, plus two signed albums
Jonas Brothers – signed record bag
Juan Luis Guerra – the hat worn on the cover of ‘La Llave De Mi Corazon’, signed by the artist
Katy Perry – a cupcake trampoline featured on stage on her current California Dreams tour
Kylie Minogue – signed ‘Kylie’ large lettering in white wood, from the ‘Fever’ album promotional campaign
Lykke Li – waistcoat worn by Lykke at the Way Out West festival last year
Marisa Monte – signed limited edition CD kit
Megadeth – a guitar signed by Dave Mustaine
Norah Jones – a signed guitar
Pat Benatar – Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo autographed B.C. Rich Eagle 1 electric guitar
Pet Shop Boys – the Rubik’s Cube jacket worn by Chris Lowe on the US leg of the Pandemonium tour in 2009
Philippe Jaroussky – signed and framed gold disc
Priscilla Ahn – a watercolor painting created by Priscilla following the Japanese earthquake, entitled ‘Falling, Tumbling, Raindrop Hearts’
The Prodigy – Signed Roland tr707 drum machine used by Liam Howlett on ‘Invaders Must Die’, along with a signed 7” limited edition of the single
Professor Green – large signed poster of the album art to ‘Alive Till I’m Dead’
Rosanne Cash – the blouse designed by Catherine Malandrino that Rosanne wore on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ in 2006, autographed copies of her “Black Cadillac” and “The List” albums, autographed copy of her memoir “Composed,” and two tickets to any concert of the winning bidder’s choice with a meet and greet backstage
Scouting For Girls – signed Brits memorabilia
Selena – framed commemorative Selena stamp, signed by the Quintanilla family and Chris Perez
Simply Red – signed and framed setlist from their last ever gig in Japan
Slash – signed Gibson Slash ‘Appetite For Destruction’ Les Paul electric guitar
Sting – attend the private rehearsal for Sting’s forthcoming exclusive fanclub-only show at the Apollo Theater in New York featuring the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as VIP tickets to the show itself on the 28th April
Tinie Tempah – his pink blazer worn in the video for ‘Frisky’
VV Brown – signed megaphone as used on stage
Willie Nelson – signed guitar

New York World's Top Destination; New York Stats

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Britain’s ‘crucial’ New York link is world’s most popular route – meaning you could wait longer for a pizza than a flight to the Big Apple

More than 3.6 million passengers have flown from Heathrow to New York over the last year as it continues to be the world’s most popular transcontinental route, figures out today show.

Flights between the two cities are so frequent that you would often wait longer for a pizza, a train or maybe even a cab. March saw an average of one departure an hour during the day and one every 15 minutes during peak evening hours.

Waiting times across the airport are also down. Heathrow passengers get through security in under five minutes 99 percent of the time and last month’s average time for returning bags fell to just 30 minutes from the last one being unloaded off the plane.

Heathrow’s most popular route is essential for international business and tourism, linking the world’s two financial capitals. But as the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow is the premier stop-off point for Americans flying on to Europe, India and the Middle East just as it is for Brits living across the UK.

The key distinction between a hub airport like Heathrow and point-to-point airports like Stansted is that long haul flights are sustained through ‘feeder’ planes that bring in passengers from around the globe. This makes Heathrow’s 180 destinations economically viable, since seats would not be full if used just by Londoners.

While travellers come to Heathrow from across the UK, domestic flights from Heathrow have declined due to capacity constraints, with carriers choosing more profitable routes.

But as one of the most competitive and profitable around, six major airlines operate flights to New York every day from London – American Airlines, British Airways, Continental and United Airlines (now merged), Delta, Kuwait Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Improving business confidence is reflected in business travel between the two financial centres. A total of 758,000 business passengers travelled the route during 2010. The latest figures from MergerMarket suggest that a total of 4,107 cross border M&A deals were announced in 2010, up approximately 34% on 2009

But whether it’s a shopping trip to Macy’s or Bloomingdales or a stroll through Central Park (which is bigger than Monaco), New York is also popular with leisure travellers. Around 9.7 million of the 48.7 million people who visited New York last year were international visitors and of a good proportion of those are British. Around 80 percent of flyers between London and New York are leisure travellers.

With the upcoming royal wedding, however, the tables are set to turn as London gets ready for an American invasion with thousands of US tourists expected to fly into London.

Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, said:

“The London to New York route is a very special one for Virgin Atlantic, as the airline was launched with our very first commercial flight to Newark back in 1984. As a business route it has been crucial in connecting two of the world’s most important business hubs, and as a leisure route it has enabled British and American holidaymakers alike to enjoy the culture and excitement of the respective cities.

“Twenty-seven years on this remains our strongest route, with five flights to ‘the Big Apple’ a day operating out of Heathrow. We look forward to welcoming many thousands more passengers onboard in the coming years and to helping business and tourism flourish.”

Andrew Crawley, British Airways’ commercial director, said:

“New York has long been a vital destination for us and it’s no surprise that it has become the most popular long-haul route in the world from our home hub of Heathrow. From a BA perspective, it’s benefiting from our joint business with American Airlines and Iberia. Customers now have more options to suit their schedule or budget and the ability to mix and match prices and flights. With fourteen flights a day we effectively offer a transatlantic shuttle service on the route. It’s a winning combination and proving extremely popular with our customers.”

Frank Jahangir, Delta’s vice president of sales, said:

“The London Heathrow and New York route is the leading business route on the transatlantic and was actually the first flight that Delta operated from Heathrow following the EU-US Open Skies agreement in 2008. Access to Heathrow is a key priority for Delta and the popularity of the route means that after just three years we now fly three times daily with lie flat beds in our business cabin between the two great financial centres of the world.”

Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, Heathrow’s owners, said:

“New York is Heathrow’s top route. Family ties and friendship, trade and tourism link our two great cities. London is also a staging post for many Americans travelling to Europe and the Far East and it’s our goal to ensure Heathrow is the preferred hub against stiff competition from Europe and the Middle East. Passenger surveys show that investment in Heathrow is paying off in improved service and we look forward to welcoming visitors over Easter and the royal wedding.”

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said:

“The importance to the UK of trade with the United States cannot be underestimated. They are our largest global trading partners and we are their biggest investors. LCCI issued ATA Carnets – passports for goods – for use in America with a total document value of over £800m between April 2010 and March 2011. Trade with the United States is a vital facet of the UK economy.”

Danny Lopez, Interim CEO, London & Partners said’:

‘The London – New York connection is extremely important to the capital as the USA remains the largest investor and inbound visitor market for the city. London is already the world’s most visited international destination, and as we look forward to the exciting events of the next two years, including the Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Games in 2012, we expect to see even more visitors coming from the USA whether it be for work, study or pleasure.’

NEW YORK TRIVIA

New York City was the U.S. capital from 1789 to 1790

More than 47 percent of New York City’s residents over the age of 5 speak a language other than English at home

According to Crain’s New York Business, the average sale price of an apartment in Manhattan during the Q4 of 2007 was a $1.49 million.

The Federal Reserve Bank on New York’s Wall Street contains vaults that are located 80 feet beneath the bank and hold about 25 percent of the world’s gold bullion.

Some Yellow Cab stats (source: Time Out New York)
Yellow Cabs are yellow because John Hertz, the company’s founder, learned from a study that yellow was the easiest color for the eye to spot. This is also why signs at Heathrow have black text on a yellow background.

Average trip: 2.74 miles
Number of trips per hour: 2.69
Average net income per hour: $20
Number of licensed drivers: 48,220
Total trips per day citywide: 503,969
Total fare-box yield per day citywide: $5,555,741.00

WOMEN’S TENNIS NO.1 CAROLINE WOZNIACKI REVEALS HER SECRET TO BEING UPSTOPPABLE

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The ‘Princess of Tennis’ announces partnership with COMPEED® to maintain ultimate performance on and off the court

12th April 2011, Monte Carlo: Caroline Wozniacki showcased her unstoppable skills in an exhibition match at the ATP Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters yesterday, before a whirlwind wardrobe change into her favourite heels to announce her role as ambassador for COMPEED®, leaders in innovative blister remedy products.

One of the most common athletic injuries, a blister can have a significant impact on the performance of an athlete. With two WTA titles to her name already this year, and a growing profile as a global fashion icon, Caroline has made blister prevention and foot care a priority for the 2011 season in order to ensure she can continue to be unstoppable both on and off the court.

“As a professional athlete I’ll always be prone to blisters, particularly during the hot summer weather. But I don’t let blisters hold me back,” Caroline explained in Monte Carlo. “I’m dedicated to my career and this season, am focused on working hard to hold onto my number 1 position. But that hard work shouldn’t stop me having fun too. I’m going to be working with COMPEED® to show women around the world that with the right foot care, blisters don’t need to stop you doing what you love.”

Through her partnership with COMPEED® Wozniacki will be launching the new Extreme Blister Patch. Designed to support busy, active lifestyles and fit seamlessly into sport, professional and fashion footwear, the new COMPEED® Extreme Blister Patch provides 20% more cushioning* thanks to the unique quilted design in the central zone of the patch. This new product, alongside with the rest of the COMPEED® blister range stays in place whilst doing intense sports activities and is resistant to water to help ensure that Caroline and active young women stay unstoppable at the moment of truth.

Neil Dickenson, Franchise Director, Compeed said: We’re excited to introduce the World’s best female tennis player Caroline Wozniacki as our new COMPEED® ambassador. Caroline has established herself at the top of the game of tennis by achieving excellence, whatever the circumstances. We like to think that in its own way, COMPEED® strives to achieve excellence in product performance, enabling people to ignore blisters and go on to achieve their goals both on and off the playing field – be it in the gym, the boardroom or even the dance floor! We feel that Caroline is the perfect person for us to work with to showcase this.”

For more information on COMPEED® Blister Patch, Blister Extreme, the partnership with Caroline Wozniacki and find out how you can be unstoppable visit www.compeed.com

King Of….. Coming To C4 in Summer 2011

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Head of Entertainment, Justin Gorman confirmed today that Claudia Winkleman’s King Of…. will be on Channel 4 this summer. The new 6x30minute series is commissioned by C4’s Commissioning Editor for Entertainment, Darren Smith and produced by Big Talk/Salt Beef Productions.

King of… is a fresh and feisty Channel 4 comedy talk show hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

From musicals to newsreaders, from supermodels to household pets, from artists to takeaways, King of… will take a witty, informative and passionate look at our favourite things, and Claudia will be shining a unique light on the passions and peculiarities of her celebrity guests.

The aim is that each week, Claudia, her celebrity guests and a studio audience will deliberate and debate to find the definitive, the top, the crème de la crème – in short, the king of just about everything.

Claudia Winkleman said: “I have been playing King Of with friends and family forever. I am completely over the moon I’m now being allowed to do it on the telly. What’s the king of condiments? No. It’s not ketchup”

C4’s Commissioning Editor for Entertainment, Darren Smith said: “Seeing Claudia in a comedy entertainment context is a real treat. Everyone knows how charming and brainy she is, and now you can see how incredibly funny she can be. We’re hugely excited.”

King Of…is executive produced by Kenton Allen for Big Talk and Jeremy Salsby for Salt Beef. The series producer is Ruth Wallace (Mock The Week) and the Producers are Chris Little (League of Their Own) and Kate Staples (Would I Lie To You.)

Royal Bouquet Predictions from Celebrity Florist Nick Priestly

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Kate Middleton will be guided by royal traditions in most areas of her wedding but she will want her flowers to say something personal about herself and her relationship with William but what will they say?

 

“Kate’s relationship with her florist will not be unlike the one she has with her dressmaker” says celebrity florist, Nick Priestly. “They will obviously discuss her preferences, but will also look for flowers that symbolise something of her life. Increasingly brides don’t make decisions purely on colour schemes but want their choice of flowers to mean something personal to them.”

 

Apparently Royal brides are ahead of the times in this respect as they have been saying something with their choice of flowers for generations. All since Queen Victoria have had trailing style bouquets with combinations of flowers often representing key references in their lives.

 

Nick says “Thoughout history, royal brides appear to have a duty to follow tradition, however it is clear that each had their own preferences considered when choosing their wedding bouquet. HM The Queen chose mainly whole sprays of orchids signifying her role as leader of the Commonwealth, while Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, included white heather symbolising her native Scotland.

 

Nick’ Predictions

 

Nick, who has designed flowers for many stars including: Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Keira Knightley, believes that Kate’s flowers will reflect her elegant, understated style. “It is unlikely that Kate will choose anything too far from the royal norm. As a contemporary princess she would suit a spring themed, hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus and lily of the valley but will she and her florist be brave enough to make such a floral statement on the day?

 

“An alternative twist would to be to add a touch of sapphire blue colour to match her stunning engagement ring in the form of muscari, hyacinths or delphihiums. This would of course draw attention to the late Princess Diana’s ring and evoke her memory.”

“My prediction is that Kate will have a traditional shaped bouquet of trailing wired flowers to include calla lilies (her favourite flower), white daffodils to signify the fact William is one of the Princes of Wales and Fair Trade Kenyan roses to signify William’s charity work in Africa and the place of their engagement. Her bouquet is also likely to include royal staples such as jasmine, lily of the valley and a sprig of myrtle which has been included in all royal bouquets since Queen Alexandra’s back in 1863.”

 

“The other key factor to look out for will be the size of the bouquet. Personally, I think it would be good if the bouquet is relatively petite and elegant compared to some royal bouquets in the past, which would reflect Kate’s understated stle. I also think it’s unlikely that in times of a recession, Kate’s bouquet will be too ostentatious.  However it is a royal wedding and her flowers are sure to make a statement. “

 

Getting the Royal Look:

 

Whatever Kate chooses, her floral preferences will filter down to the wedding flowers of “commoners” over the coming months and years.

 

“Kate’s flowers will be as hotly coveted by future brides as much as the style of her wedding dress. Brides will be looking to their florists to get the royal feel without the royal budget.

 

The Royal Wedding flowers are likely to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some “royal” favourites, such as lily of the valley, are already expensive blooms, however we can expect demand for Kate’s choice of flowers to soar at the Dutch auction houses in the coming months.”

 

“In the same way that royal brides do, brides will continue to choose flowers which have significant meaning in their lives.  A Scottish bride marrying an English groom will often choose a combination of roses and thistles, a couple who met in Australian will include elements of Australian flora such as eucalyptus into their wedding flowers, and a couple whose loved one has passed away may use flower symbolism to include them in their special day, for example including their loved one’s favourite flower in their bridal bouquet.

 

Nick’s experience:

 

Nick Priestly has been a wedding florist since 2003, managing a business that looks after over 200 weddings a year. From classic white weddings using peonies and roses to dreamlike winter wonderlands using iced flowers and exotic weddings using hundreds of stems of vibrant pink phalenopis orchids, Nick know that every bride has her own preferences and style.

 

“A good florist’s role is to work within any given budget and translate a bride’s ideas and wishes into beautiful wedding flowers. Brides have become much more knowledgeable about flowers in the past few years and often know exactly what they want and there are many brides who follow the tastes of brides in the public eye.

 

Over the years, brides have asked me to recreate the bridal bouquets of celebrities such as Hollywood actress Eva Longoria and style icon Colleen Rooney as well as Sarah Jessica Parker’s ficticious character Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. I look forward to recreating Kate Middleton’s bouquet in the months and years to come.”

Kate Middleton Gets Her Own Doll.

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A host of leading British designers have come together to fly the flag for British fashion with the creation of an exclusive and highly collectible toy, the Princess Catherine Doll.

Launching in Hamleys on Thursday April 7, 2011, from 4pm to 7pm, the Limited Edition Princess Catherine Engagement Doll uniquely celebrates Champions of British Style™ – and showcases the very best of authentic British fashion and design.

Fashioned to resemble Catherine “Kate”  Middleton, right down to the Eaton clutch bag, fascinator and shoes, the Princess Catherine Doll oozes British style and highlights a nation’s  intrinsic attention to detail.

And upholding a true British custom, a donation from sales of the toy will go to the charity, Help for heroes. For every Princess Catherine Doll sold, Champions of British Style™ will donate £1 to Help for Heroes.

Of course, some might say that the Princess Catherine Doll is a touch eccentric or even kitsch, but such quirkiness are also a great British tradition!

With only 10,000 dolls being produced, it’s predicted that the Princess Catherine Engagement Doll will be a must-buy for Royal Wedding collectors.

There is also little doubt that children will clamour for a toy doll that can be dressed up to look like a real-life princess.

The Princess Catherine Engagement Doll, which has won the respect of Hamleys, will be sold in leading toy stores after the launch on Thursday April 7, 2011, as well as online at www.arklu.com

Kate Middleton herself will be invited to the launch but it’s expected that she will be a little too busy with her wedding plans!

Lucie Follett, a spokesperson for Champions of British Style™, said: “Since being catapulted into the limelight and following the announcement of her engagement to Prince William, Kate’s every outfit have come under scrutiny in the fashion world.

“The catwalks this season show a feminine and elegant trend that is very much in keeping with that of Kate Middleton.

“Some commentators think we are seeing the beginnings of “The Kate Effect”, which could prove a huge bonus in promoting the best of British fashion and style to a global market.”

She added: “We have been thrilled by the enthusiasm and support of our designers and each in their own way has embodied the ethos of great British style in the creation of the Princess Catherine Doll.

“Now we also have the full support of Hamleys, which will offer the perfect showcase for the launch of the highly attractive collectors’ item and toy.”

Princess Catherine Doll: Attention to detail and a truly luxurious British style

Seven British fashion and design leaders have dressed and accessorised the Princess Catherine Doll, which will retail at £34.95, and sell at Hamleys, Harrods, The Entertainer, Amazon, Play.com and all major toy stores as well as online at www.arklu.com

For every Princess Catherine Doll sold, Champions of British Style™ will donate £1 to Help for Heroes.

Designers Pussy Willow, of London, have created The Catherine Dress in keeping with their design philosophy of simple and elegant cuts that are sculpted to the body.

The blue, dress has a cinched waist, ruched pleating at the shoulders, and a deep “V” at the front and back. The dress also boasts a bespoke Pussy Willow couture label in vivid pink.

The Bucklebury Fascinator is exclusively designed by award-winning Katherine Elizabeth Millinery and is named after the Berkshire village and home of Catherine “Kate” Middleton. With its bright fuchsia colour and intricate lattice-work effect, it reflects Kate’s well-documented passion for wearing fascinators at Society events.

The dazzling and fabulously blingy Princess Catherine Doll ring pays homage to Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was originally Princess Diana’s. The doll’s Io Ring boasts a purple Amethyst central stone and is made from sterling silver, plated with rose gold and set amongst 24 brilliant-cut diamante cubic zirconias. It has been created by award-winning British jewellery designer Babette Wasserman.

Catherine Middleton’s love of the Eaton Clutch Bag is clear and she has been spotted many times with this delightfully artisan accessory, which is produced by the emerging new British luxury goods brand Aspinal of London. The Eaton Clutch Bag is an exact replica and with its distinctive gold mock snake leather effect, curvy, horseshoe clasp and gold chain adds to the Princess Catherine Doll’s authentic styling.

The intricate detailing, including the buckle, pale gold colour and glitter effect – on the Princess Catherine Doll high-heeled slingback shoes is evocative of leading British shoe designer Beatrix Ong’s signature style. Beatrix Ong shoes are recognised worldwide for being innovative yet elegant, versatile yet classic and always very wearable. The doll’s shoes boast a miniature Beatrix Ong label on the insole.

Louise Constad is the make-up artist of choice for many of the world’s most beautiful women and high-profile celebrities, so who better to add the finishing touches to the beautiful Princess Catherine Doll?

It was in Scotland that Prince William met his Princess. In recognition of this occasion, the inner print on the Princess Catherine Doll box is of Harris Tweed, a luxury Scottish cloth that boasts of a rich tradition of craftsmanship and has long been loved by royalty. Indeed, Kate Middleton has often been seen wearing Harris Tweed jackets, so it’s clearly a favourite of hers too.

Fair Game Review

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As a Vanity Fair subscriber I came across this story a long time before the movie came out. When Valerie Plame was outed as a CIA officer by the White House in retaliation for her husband Joe Wilson stating that, actually he DIDN’T find any yellow cake urainium in Niger, despite what the president was saying. It’s a shocking true story, and also quite depressing that the White House went to such great lengths to find reason for their ilegal war in Iraq.

Naomi Watts play Plame and Sean Penn plays Wilson. They are both excellent. Totally on form. The film is that rare thing, something that educates and entertains. Even rarer, it is a film that shows the CIA in a (semi) good light. You get the feeling that Plame really wanted to help change the world for the better and so much was taken from her. Scooter Libby getting his comeuppance it worth the price of admission.

This is a film that is definitely worth seeing.