Tag Archives: christmas

Party Tips.

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Christmas equals party season. So Frost mag has gathered up some party tips for you.

Invite lots of different people and over invite by 20%. People always drop out at the last minute.

Allow one drink per half hour per person. It sounds like a lot but you don’t want to run out. Ask guests to bring a bottle too.

Hire a marquee. Like this one found here on erento When it comes to having an excellent party it helps to not rely on the weather. A marquee is a great addition for a party and is not too expensive.

Keep the lights down low. Candles are great, You don’t want it to be too bright.

Make an iPod play list. Don’t just shuffle your iPod. God knows what horrors or guilty pleasures might play. Include Beyonce and Lady Gaga to get people dancing.

Let people know how to dress. When you send out the invite let guests know if they should dress up or if the party is smart casual. Otherwise you will cause social anxiety.

Let guests know when to leave and make sure you have the number of a taxi company handy. Another good idea is to give guests coffee at the end of the night. This will sober them up so they can get home safe.

If you are feeling flush a good way to end an evening is with port and cheese. I went to a Vintage Seekers party which did this and I have always remembered it.

What are your party tips?

How To Make Your Own Top Notch Desserts This Christmas

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With only 19 sleeps to go until Santa comes shooting down the chimney, everyone’s now fully getting into the festive spirit; more and more gifts are getting ticked off wish-lists, many of us have already had our first mince pie of the festive season, and we’re all finding ourselves singing along to the Christmas classics being played on our favourite radios stations in the morning.

But, it’s normally around this time when we also have to turn our thoughts to buying something else other than the presents; the food. Yes, that’s right, it’s time to grab the best turkey, all the trimmings, and hunt out all of the supermarkets for the best Christmas trifle. After all, it’s not always the turkey that’s the star of the feast on Christmas Day – because, for some, it’s the dessert.

But, rather than turning to the supermarkets for help, why don’t you try something different this year? Get all the family involved and make your own Christmas desserts!

So, if you’re playing host on Christmas Day this year, why not wow your guests with some of these quick and easy festive dessert creations:

 

 

Banoffee Pie (Serves 4-6):

Ingredients:

250g digestive biscuits
100g butter, melted, plus a little extra for greasing
400g dulce de leche (sometimes sold as caramel)
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
300ml double cream
2 tbsp grated dark chocolate

Method:

1. Place the biscuits into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the melted butter, mixing well to combine.

2. Place the mixture into a lightly greased 20cm/8in loose-bottomed cake tin and press down into the base and up along the sides. Place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

3. Spoon the dulce de leche over the biscuit base, and then cover with a layer of sliced bananas.

4. Put the cream through a cream whipper with the help of a nitrous oxide charger, and decorate the pie on top with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

5. Slice into wedges and serve.

Raspberry and Cherry Trifle (Serves 10):

Ingredients:

10 boudoir (sponge) biscuits
2 x 250g punnets of cherries, stoned
5 tbsp cherry brandy or crème de cassis
2 x 125g raspberries, washed
4 meringue nests, crushed
1 litre/1 ¾ pint ready-made custard
400 ml double cream
110g dark chocolate, grated
55g toasted flaked almonds

Method:

1. Choose either a large glass bowl or small individual glasses. Break the boudoir biscuits into pieces and sprinkle at the bottom of the bowl(s).

2. Pile the cherries on top and spoon over the cherry brandy.

3. Sprinkle the meringue nests on top of the cherries and then sprinkle the raspberries on top.

4. Pour the custard over the entire ingredients and chill for 10 minutes.

5. Whip the cream either by hand or with the help of whipping cream dispenser, and carefully decorate on top of the custard. 

6. Sprinkle generously with the chocolate and flaked almonds, and serve.

 

But, don’t just stop at making your own desserts this year! If you’re looking for an alternative drink to serve on the table rather than the standard Bucks Fizz this year, then why not try making this (adults only) festive drink suggestion – just remember to make enough of it for when everyone asks for more!

The Granny Apple Cocktail (Alcoholic – Serves 1):

Ingredients:

1 oz apple schnapps
½ oz brands
½ oz irish cream
2 scoops ice cream
½ oz double cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Method:

1. Simply combine all the ingredients (excluding the cream and cinnamon) into a blender and blend well until fully mixed together.

2. Pour into a cocktail glass over ice.

3. Whip the cream and decorate on top with cream and dusted cinnamon. Serve, enjoy and remember to drink responsibly!

James Read On Launching His Own Self Tanning Range and Self Tan Tips

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James Read has launched a brilliant and stylish self tanning range. The range is beloved by celebrities and beauty writers alike. Read on to find out how he launched his brand to success and to learn his top tanning tips.

Tell us about the brand.

The brand has been out for eight months now. It launched in Vogue, since it has been out it has been in Vogue four times already this year alone. For a brand to get in Vogue four times in one year is pretty amazing. It has been in The Sunday Times five times this year, it has been in every monthly, It is the most written about self tanning brand. It has had the most press.

I have worked with a lot of celebrities around the world. They all use it. Mariah (Carey), Lady Gaga, Lara Stone. Jessie J used it for the Olympics. Ellie Golding and Rita Ora use it.

It has been a real labour of love, it took two years to develop. The packaging is all based on the 1970s. I was born in 1976. It is quite retro. The 1970s was all about gold.

I wanted something iconic that stood out on the shelf. We wanted something that people would be proud to have on their bathroom shelf. I wanted people to look at it and think, ‘That is amazing’ rather than just hiding it away. We wanted it to look nice and stylish.

We came up with a new concept, we have the liquid, the gradual tan, we have the BB cream which is a bestseller, It comes in a pen tube. It gives a really nice natural colour, and it has a BB foundation in it as well.

The liquid tan is really nice and natural. We have new products coming out and new products being made all the time. The thing with the BB is that we wanted to do something that had never been done. We don’t want to just bring out the same things every year. We are coming up with ideas and evolving it and stepping outside of the box.

We are bringing out things that actually had never been done before. We think of what we want, I speak to my friends and I do research. We love to incorporate skincare and tanning into one.

We are launching in America in January and then Australia in March.

Top tips for tanning.

If you want to layer on tan then apply it the same day. Don’t do it the next day. If you apply it the next day you get build up on your skin and it can get too dark.

This is a good trick: before you put tan on your face get a moisturiser and then put the moisturiser on your face and neck. The moisturiser will stop the face getting too dark. If you are applying tan on certain areas, like you hands and feet, always use excess tan from the arms. These areas go too dark.

One thing that people do is they wash their hands after a couple of hours. Don’t wash your hands for at least eight hours or you will get that tanned body, white hands look. You want it to all match.

A good one that I always tell people is to rub an ice cube all over your face to seal your pours and then you put the tan on. It stops your pours from blocking. It seals the pours.

James Read Self-tanning range is available from QVC

Blemish Balm Gradual Tan for Face Medium 25ml

Liquid Tan Medium 250ml

Gradual Tan for Face Medium 50ml

 

500 Shakespearean Sonnets | Book Review

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I am a fan of poetry. So much so that I have made a film about poetry this year. So when I got a chance to review a book called 500 Shakespearean Sonnets I was quite excited. The book is already critically acclaimed. The Herald Scotland said about it, “Shakespeare managed to write 154 – Smith has penned more than three times that number. …splendidly contemporary… a tour de force”

High praise indeed. This book of sonnets is a diary in verse form from a man seeking to understand his own conflicted nature in this highly-praised new book of self-discovery from award-winning author, Ryan J-W Smith.

Ryan obviously has talent. The sonnets are incredibly well written. I have my own personal favourites, as I am sure you will have too. He has managed to be prolific but not skimp on quality. After an introduction Ryan goes into the sonnets. This book can be read in a few ways. It can be read through cover to cover, or you can just dip in and out when the mood takes you. Either way it is a poetic achievement. A great gift for any poetry lover in your life. Stunning stuff.

How many has he written now!? Check out Smith’s ‘Sonnet Blog’: www.sonnetblog.com

500 Shakespearean Sonnets: the Diary of a Poetic Quest for Truth

Manuka Doctor Bee Venom Rejuvenating Mask | Beauty Review

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My mother got me started on face masks. The ritual of using a weekly face mask and relaxing was something we did before I grew up and moved out. It is something I really miss and is one of the reasons I think I get compliments about my skin.

I still use face masks, but finding the time has become a bit harder. Recently I have been making sure I fit it in and have been using Manuka Doctor Bee Venom Rejuvenating Mask. Bee Venom? Yes, it is one of the the hot new ingredients now. Kate Middleton and Millie Mackintosh are fans. Did I like it? Read on….

I like the texture of the mask, it is quite thick and goes on well. It is like a thick moisturiser. Then when it comes off it flakes a little. It is also white so you don’t have a bright green face.

It really gives a boost to the skin. After I had used it only once I was asked by a friend if I had had a facial. She said I looked ‘rested’ and that my skin was glowing. Manuka claim it reduce wrinkles and scarring and it is not just a modest boost. It really, really works. It may cost £49.99 for 50ml, but it is completely worth it. One of the best face masks I have ever used, and I have been using them for years now.

Manuka Doctor Bee Venom Rejuvenating Mask is definitely something to but on your Christmas wish list.

Natasha Hamilton has been very busy of late with an extreme juice detox, training for a charity cycle through India for cancer and the greatly anticipated ‘big reunion’ with Atomic Kitten in 2013 so it is no surprise she needs some time to relax beforehand. We can reveal that Natasha likes to unwind with Manuka Doctor’s ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask, in fact she took to twitter to let us all know… “just chilling at home with my Manuka Doctor Face Mask”

Manuka Doctor’s ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask (£49.99 50ml), harnesses the power of Purified Bee Venom to help stimulate collagen growth, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and renew damaged skin cells, leaving skin looking visibly younger.

Suitable for all skin types, apply the mask to thoroughly cleansed skin and leave on for between 15 and 30 minutes depending on your skin type. Remove any excess with water to reveal a glowing and youthful complexion.

Purified Bee Venom is a potent combination of minerals, peptides and amino acids that help to encourage cell regeneration and boost collagen formation. This, combined with moisturising UMF™18+ Manuka Honey, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, deeply nourishes the skin and helps to reduce the appearance of scars and renew damaged skin cells.

Dr Sang Mi Han, who is the world’s most eminent bee venom expert, has been researching the subject for over 12 years, proving that this potent combination of minerals, peptides and amino acids works on all levels of the skin, to encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration and boost collagen formation.

Manuka Doctor Bee Venom Rejuvenating Mask is available from Holland & Barrett or Superdrug.

Dana Wilkey – The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Exclusive Interview

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Frost Magazine have got an exclusive interview with the gorgeous Dana Wilkey, star of hit American TV show, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Dana has recently bought a home in London’s Chelsea and is filming her own reality TV show, Rich and Ditched. The show is about Dana and her Irish millionaire businessman boyfriend, Philip Marley, setting up home in Central London and being ‘fish out of water’.

 

Dana has a huge profile in America and when she isn’t starring in  TV shows, she is a party planner for the Hollywood A List.  Her clients include Pierce Brosnan, Anthony Hopkins and  Bruce Willis.

 

What made you move to London?

I moved to London because I was looking for a fresh start from my Beverly Hills, CA saga.  It’s been a rough 6 months.  I have always loved London, have businesses there  and my new boyfriend and have good friends live there so it seemed like a natural progression of things.

 

What is your favourite thing about London?

My favourite thing about London is the currency!  To make money in the pound is the best possible situation to be in for the current global economy… oh! And I love the shopping and the level of your private clubs like Arts Club.
Why Chelsea?

Currently Chelsea seems like the hot spot to be in so I would of course want to live there and join the fun! Also I love the convenience of Kings Road and the fact that most of the brownstones have been redone with lots of modern touches that you don’t find in other more posh areas.


What is the premise of the show, Rich and Ditched?

I have been ditched by my friends in Beverly Hills and my ex fiancé.  I am moving to London to start over and hopefully FINALLY fine my prince charming.  I have 5 people that are both married and single that are all living in London but pretty much all came from some other country that I hang out with and well let’s say the sparks fly on a bunch of fronts…cultural conflict, relationship issues, American fish out of water in London syndrome and the usual cattiness you see on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!

 

How much has The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills changed your life?

It has changed my life for the positive and I continue to support the show and fans whenever possible.   If you try to shoot and be honest without a filter it can be a fun experience even if you look like an idiot in the final edit.  You must get over all your fears to be on a reality show so it can be an experience that can help you grow as a person also you meet so many amazing people through the opportunities it can provide.
Why did you leave?

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shot some of this so I don’t want to disclose this until I know for sure what will air, but let’s just say my life over the last 6 months has been like the worst movie of the week you can imagine and now I want to have a chance at the Disney ending.

 

How do you feel London will differ from Beverly Hills?

On the down side, the differences are the weather obviously, the systems are more cumbersome and SOME of the people can be really judgemental and reserved compared to what I’m used to.  On the upside, London at the wealthiest levels make Beverly Hills look like the poo so that should make for some good parties, shopping is similar and the average person is so much more global which is so important!

 

What party planning tips can you give us?

I need more info on this question…for what type of party and what budget?

 

What is the best party you have been to?

Monaco Grand Prix ball with Wycliffe and U2.
What is the best party you have planned?

I rented the RM Elegant, which at the time, was the 17th largest yacht in the world during the Cannes Film festival. I then outfitted the yacht rooms with different vibes of décor and lighting.  You had to have a credit card to get on the yacht even if you were invited to the events so it was super exclusive and the talk of Cannes that year. I had Bruce Willis, Bret Ratnor and Petra Nemcova, etc on the yacht that year.

 

What are your plans for Christmas?

I am doing a winter wonderland theme with complete lighting and build out at my house.  I am famous for my Christmas decorations and lights in America. I will host a dinner for about 14 people in my movie theatre in London that will be especially decorated for the Holiday.

 

 

Morrisons Christmas Showcase Event: What Food to Buy for Christmas?

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The perfect Christmas scene

Last week Frost was lucky enough to attend the Morrisons Christmas showcase event. We tried out all the delicious treats Morrisons is offering for this year. You may have already seen our Morrisons Christmas range article

Morrisons does an exceptionally good job of transcending the image of the corporate behemoth. Whilst other supermarkets were hosting investor days, Morrisons was focused on getting its message out to its customers. The event was hosted in a magical house which had apparently been featured on Grand Designs. It felt like it was Christmas day already! What struck me was the genuine passion and honesty of all the Morrisons team.

After being warmly greeted we were offered a glass of Morrisons award winning champagne. I don’t pretend to be much of a wine expert but my partner and I have been sold on Morrisons champagne ever since we first had some a few months ago. Honestly some of the best champagne I’ve ever had.

Moving on we were invited to try some of Morrisons bakery products. Graham, one of the bakers responsible for Morrisons new products, proudly encouraged us to try some of their new work. Morrisons employs more bakers than any other supermarket. All of the products we tried are made directly in the store.

mmmmm

White Christmas Pudding

Morrisons has brought in Claire Clark, world-famous pattissiere, to make this delicious alternative to the original Christmas pudding. It’s moist lighter and dare I say in many ways better. For those who aren’t fans of more traditional Christmas puddings this is well worth trying. Good value at just £3 as well.

Snow Capped Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska with cassis liquer, blackcurrant cream and sauce.

Christmas Tree Bread

Delicious and easy. Eleven mini buns locked together in the shape of a Christmas tree. Ideal for breaking and sharing.

Candy Cane

My absolute favorite of the new range. These look and taste wonderful. It is essentially a chocolate brioche wrapped around a currant bun. Definitely worth getting a couple for Christmas breakfast.

Panettone Cheesecake

This was a wonderful creation. I love cheesecake so it was great for me to try a Christmas version for once. It tasted superb the Morrisons team can be rightly proud of this one.

We next meet baking specialist Martin. Martin is very friendly and passionate like everyone else. He encourages us to try Morrisons old favourites, the award winning Panettone and Stollen, both have been updated slightly with extra fruit. Both are exceptionally good. I don’t think I’ve had better. I love Panettone.

I have barely finished stuffing my face when I am greeted by Roy, Morrisons meat specialist. He brings me a huge plate of Morrisons Christmas meats.

The quality of the ingredients really shines through, everything was excellent.

I really enjoyed the Crusted Turkey joint

The Morrisons team has worked with Michelin-starred chef Nigel Haworth to develop this.

You definitely won’t go wrong with Morrisons pigs in blankets. They were delicious. The cranberry sauce, stuffing and lamb were all excellent.

Everything is washed down with a delicious glass of Chilean wine. Morrisons is doing a lot to help their customers choose the right wine. Wine can be pretty confusing and often I get overwhelmed by all the different choices. Try out their new online taste test to see what wine is right for you.

The items above are just a small sample of Morrisons huge Christmas range.

Morrisons is a fantastic supermarket. An example of a great British business which provides food and livelihoods for a huge number of people.

I was really impressed by the genuine passion of the Morrisons team. There was no fake interest or pretence, just satisified people with a passion for their work.

Morrisons often doesn’t get the credit it deserves when it comes to the quality of its food. They’ve put together a fantastic Christmas range make sure to check it out.

 

Encouraging Imaginative Play is the Best Gift you can give this Christmas

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When children play, it looks and sounds incredibly random. They seem to shift from one imaginary game to another with each game having no relation whatsoever to the previous. One minute they are quite happy creating mud pies with a delightful concoction of grass, worms and dirt while leaving horrifying holes in the grass, and the next minute they are hiding from dangerous jungle creatures in their exciting safari shelter / garden bush. No matter where they are, who they are with or what they’re supposed to be doing, children will find extraordinary ways to create some fun imaginary
playtime.

With Christmas on its way, mummies and daddies all over the land are trying to find the perfect gifts for their little ones, and with the latest flashy gadgets arising from the tech-toys market, it’s easy to become distracted by their bright lights and impressive noises, and we forget why traditional imaginative play is so important. With technological advances in children’s toys, playtime appears to become more and more complex with lots of working buzzers, buttons and mechanical devices;
however the very nature of these modern toys actually encourages play to become simpler. The
more complex the toy, quite often the play becomes less thoughtful and the style of play is already
decided by the gadget itself.

Whilst the recurring holes in the grass and injured garden foliage may become increasingly annoying,
it’s this sort of play that can be the most beneficial for our youngsters’ development. Don’t despair,
though, these benefits don’t just apply to garden antics; it’s the imaginative factor that’s so crucial.
Imaginative play is encouraged the most if children’s toys leave some things to the imagination.
Wooden dolls houses, for example, are one of the best sources of imaginative play; a wooden dolls
house creates a whole world of possibilities. Playing with dolls and furniture inside a dolls house
gives children chance to create any type of story they wish; the dolls can become lots of different
characters that talk and play with each other, and these conversations help to develop important
communication and language skills.

Although dolls house dolls and furniture have a gorgeous amount of detail and special features
these days, the style of play is still left to the imagination. Children’s dolls houses are designed to
encourage imaginative play, and it is this freedom that helps children to learn so many valuable
skills. The very nature of a children’s dolls house encourages children to share with each other and
enjoy making plans together; whether that’s making the dolls pop to the local shop for some milk,
or having fun making lunch in the kitchen. When children take part in role play with the characters,
they are involving their own feelings about the world around them, and making decisions about
how the characters behave and talk is a lovely opportunity for them to explore behaviours and conversations that they’ve seen and heard in the real world. This involves important decision making and helps to develop logical thought processes in preparation for real social experiences.

While wooden toys are perfect for imaginary play, they are also wonderfully eco-friendly and
economical; they don’t include any chemicals or harsh substances which makes them perfectly safe – particularly when little ones have a habit of putting anything they can find in their mouth! The durability of high quality wood means that the toys have a very long life and are perfect gifts to pass down to future generations, making them timeless and extra special for those loved ones.

Written by Hannah Davey, a consultant for The Play Experts at the Big Game Hunters Dolls Houses
team.