Tag Archives: Life & Style

Once Upon a Christmas By Sarah Morgan | Book Review

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Once Upon a Christmas By Sarah Morgan

Bryony’s daughter, Lizzie, wants a dad for Christmas and she’s determined to fulfil this Christmas wish. But when every date ends in disaster, Bryony fears she’ll need a Christmas miracle. Lizzie is trying to find love but her friend Helen is doing the opposite, trying to forget the white dress hanging in her wardrobe and her faithless rat of a fiancee. These are the two different stories in this enjoyable book.

Two of the characters in this book, Bryony and Jack, work as doctors and Sarah Morgan obviously knows what she is talking about. I found the medical facts in this book incredibly interesting. I also loved the character of Lizzie. Bryony’s daughter.

This book is split into two stories but with some of the same characters in each. Each one is a fun read. This is a very enjoyable book. A good way to spend a relaxing Sunday.

Once Upon a Christmas (Mills & Boon Special Releases)

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe By Fiona Harper | Book Review

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Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe is a well written and fun book. Single mum Louise Thornton divorces her philandering movie star husband and buys an old movie stars house. Louise wants to escape the paparazzi and her vacuous former life as a trophy celebrities wife.

Louise is a great character. She has become hardened thanks to her life as a movie stars wife, believing that everyone wants something from her. She has built a barrier around herself but will she manage to grow and let love in?

I read this book at quite a fast pace. It is very readable and flows well. A fun way to spend an afternoon.

Is a second chance at love the best Christmas gift of all? Single Mum Louise Thornton’s waved goodbye to the red carpet and escaped for Christmas in the country. But she can’t avoid the mistletoe…

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe (Mills & Boon Special Releases)

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs | Book Review

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Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs is more than just a typical romance book. Sophie, the main character, is an international lawyer who works at The Hague. She puts bad people away but her personal life has suffered. She is now divorced and her children live with their father. On the day her ex-husband remarries something horrific happens and she decided to be more present in her childrens lives.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written and interesting. Sophie is a high achieving women. She is smart and has lived her life. She may have been absent from her childrens lives but if she was a man she would not have to defend the fact that she has a high powered job.

Although I really loved this book, It is a good read with characters that are likable, Then the other side of me hates that a women has to atone for having a job which means that maybe she did not see her children everyday or had a nanny. Women beat themselves up a lot, but no more so than other women do. This book brings up these issues and it is a good thing. At one sport event the character has to put up with the bitchiness of the other mothers, who attack her for living her own life, probably out of jealousy or regret.

I really liked this book. It is a triumph to its genre. Recommended.

Snowfall at Willow Lake is the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness.

Snowfall at Willow Lake (The Lakeshore Chronicles)

The Best Craft Books For Christmas

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Christmas is fast approaching and our wallets are bracing themselves for the onslaught. There is a more thoughtful and cost effective way to let people know how much they mean to you, and it is fun too: Craft. So Frost Magazine has gathered up some excellent craft books for hours of fun and brilliant, original gifts for the people in your life.

Clangers

An excellent knitting book on the incredibly popular and historical British Television show, Clangers. The Clangers have been around since the 1960s. You can make the Clangers and their entire universe in 15 fun step-by-step projects. The book has original Clanger knitting patterns. Clangers is a very well illustrated book full of imaginative ways to make the Clangers universe. A must buy for fans and interesting for those who are not acquainted.

This fantastic new book will allow you to knit your own Clanger. Choose from Major, Mother, Granny, Small and Tiny. Includes instructions on the Soup Dragon, Iron Chicken and of course the Froglets. There are insider tips and tricks to create your very own Clanger planet with step-by-step instructions for Tiny’s boat and Major’s rocket as well as sets and trees. Learn how to make scenery, backdrops and props, and perfect that distinctive Clanger whistle!

Clangers: Make the Clangers and Their Planet with 15 Easy Step-by-step Projects (Knitting)

Best in Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

I love this book. It shows you how to knit dogs, actual dogs. Whether it is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shar Pei, Lurcher or Greyhound, your favourite breed of dog will probably be in here. And what an awesome present. Your sibling might get your mother something from Boots but imagine telling her you knitted her a DOG. It is an ace in sibling trump cards.

The book is separated into sections such as Toy, Utility, Working, Terriers, Gun Dogs. I think this is an excellent present. Full marks for coolness and imagination.

www.knityourowndog.com

The leading knitting books of 2010 and 2011, Best in Show Dogs & Cats have been outstanding global successes. Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne are back with 25 even more fabulous dog designs. You can knit your own precious pet, reproduce your favourite breed, or even knit the dog you have always desperately wanted.

Best In Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

Mollie Makes Christmas

This book has over 20 projects to keep you entertained in the run up to Christmas and beyond. Buy this book and learn how to make Heirloom Stockings, Crochet a reindeer, make some festive stationary, knit an iPad cosy and make a Christmas Tree

You can make finger puppets to keep children entertained and cushions to pass out on when exhausted or when you have had too much wine. Fun for you and all the family. A great fun book.

If you’re hooked on crochet, hanker for handmade and would rather create your own unique Christmas than buy from a superstore, then this little book is for you. It perfectly captures the ‘living and loving handmade’ spirit of Mollie Makes magazine, celebrating the world of ‘granny chic’. Featuring over 20 new projects from Mollie Makes magazine’s favourite designers, Christmas showcases a passion for handmade. All the projects are easy to follow with clear step-by-step photographs and instructions, plus handy tips along the way. Many are suitable for beginners, but the Mollie Makes ethos is to give it a go and be proud of the end result. We positively embrace imperfection. Here’s to living and loving a handmade Christmas!

Mollie Makes Christmas: Living and Loving a Handmade Holiday

We Knit You a Merry Christmas

This book is as excellent as it’s name. This adorable book has 20 patterns for festive handmade gifts. A cool Turkey, ‘Let It Snow’ which is adorable snowballs on a sledge. Gingerbread men that look happy, Baa Humbug – cute sheep wearing Christmas hats. The most adorable deer. Santa and a polar bear. A Penguin, Three Wise Men, an Angel… It has everything to make your Christmas fun.

This book also has excellent and easy to follow knitting basics, sewing basics and conversions at the back which are really handy.

Christmas is a time for sharing, and hand-knitted gifts for friends and family are the perfect way to spread a little festive joy. We Knit You a Merry Christmas has something for everyone.

Traditional Christmas characters such as angels, choir boys, Father Christmas and the three kings make great decorations. Or add some fun and laughter to your Christmas celebrations this year with knitted animals such as sheep (‘Baa Humbug’), crocodiles (‘Snappy Christmas’) and Three French Hens, as well as quirkier items like chillies, sledging snowballs and of course the famous pea (‘Ha Pea Christmas’).

So forget gold, frankincense and myrrh and give the gift of knitting this Christmas.

We Knit You a Merry Christmas: 20 Patterns for Festive Handmade Gifts

Calling Aspiring Bloggers! Win a year’s contract with Mira Ink, the home of teen fiction

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Do you have a passion for writing?  Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your talent and get paid for it? Look no further.  Mira Ink, the home of popular teen fiction books and ebooks has launched blogINK, a search for the next British blogger extraordinaire.

 

Write about the latest from The Glass Trilogy or follow Kayleigh Kavanagh in the Soul Screamers Series. Tell the world about Iron Fey or Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. This once in a lifetime contract starting in January as MIRA Ink’s blogger, will not only see you writing about the most exciting teen stories but also creating your blogs on a top of the range laptop, courtesy of MIRA Ink.

 

If you have blogging ambition, then start right now. Enter a 500 word blog of your choice via the blogINK App by midnight on 25th November.  Then ten finalists will be shortlisted by MIRA Ink’s judging panel on 29th November and then asked to create a 60 second YouTube video and use social media sites to show how enterprising they are at generating buzz around their video.  Finally, the winner will be announced on 14th December.

Claudia Symons, MIRA Ink Brand Manager says:  “This is an exciting campaign for us; we’ve never done anything like this before.  We know there’s a wealth of teen talent out there waiting to be unlocked.   We are looking for someone who would love the chance to write about the wonderful world of teen fiction and who’s not too shy to shout about it.”

 

Stages & Deadlines:

  • Stage One:  9th – 25th November – Participants to enter a 500 word blog of their choice via the blogink App.
  • Stage Two:  29th November – Ten competitors will be shortlisted by Harlequin’s judging panel and asked to create a 60 second YouTube video and use social media sites to show how enterprising they are at generating likes.
  • Stage Three:  14th December – The winner will be announced and win a yearlong paid contract at Mira Ink and a top of the range laptop.

Follow the action on twitter using hashtag #blogINK

Twitter.com/MiraInk

Facebook.com/MiraInk

Miraink.tumblr.com


Vichy and La Roche-Posay Skincare

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In late October I went to check out skincare by Vichy and La Roche-Posay at B.Hive in Covent Garden. I have always been a fan of Vichy but this was my first experience of La Roche-Posay.

Vichy started in 1931 with the birth in France of Vichy Dermatological Health Society.

When we arrived we were offered some prosecco and some canapes. The lovely Julia greeted us and talked us through the range. I was hugely impressed by Julia. Not only is she a great advert for the brand as she has the most amazing skin, but she also knows everything there is to know about Vichy and La Roche-Posay.

Vichy and La Roche-Posay has a product for every type of skin. I was impressed at the size of the range. There is also a good amount of products for sensitive skin like mine.

In the coming month I will be reviewing Vichy Idealia, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra, Vichy Normaderm Total Mat and La Roche-Posay Anthelios AC Matt Extreme Fluid SPF 30. So watch this space.

Louie Spence to take on ‘Saving The Nation’ in new Gocompare.com TV campaign.

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Louie Spence is the latest star to take on ‘Saving The Nation’ in the new Gocompare.com TV campaign. 

Following in the footsteps of Ray Mears, Stuart Pearce and Sue Barker, the Dancing on Ice judge is on a quest to Save The Nation from notorious tenor, Gio Compario. 

Launching on Monday, 12th November, the Christmas themed ad sees Gio adorned in Christmas tinsel and forced to dance along to a video of Louie flamboyantly prancing around. Viewers may also be surprised (and relieved!) that there’s something obviously missing from this ad.

Kevin Hughes, chief finance and marketing officer, Gocompare.com, commented, “We have had a great reaction to our Saving The Nation campaign so far and hope to see this continue with our latest ad starring the insatiable Louie Spence. This instalment is a lot of fun and Louie manages to silence our moustachioed tenor in a completely different way to previous celebrities. This is also the only instalment that will not feature the famous “Go Compare!” song – we know that some people find the song annoying so this is our gift to the nation at Christmas.”

New luxury lifestyle emporium – Cuckooland launches in the UK

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– Another dreary luxury Gifting Site? Not on your nelly…. an exceptional site for extraordinary women launches in the UK-

Women deserve to be spoilt…check. Women love surprises…check. Women love unique…check. Well now comes a website that will spoil and surprise in equal measure with its unique and inspirational products for you, for your friend, for your family, heck – even your pooch!

Now if you are stressed out and have no time to pop down to John Lewis you just have to fire up your computer and go to Luxury lifestyle emporium Cuckooland is a website catering for the needs of the modern day woman and all her interests, impulses and indulgences. It features a range of luxurious and lavish products handily divided into useful categories including Mrs Smith, Mr Smith, Lifestyle Cool, Little Smiths, Pet Accessories, Travel and After Dark.

Each category showcases a cherry-picked selection of some of the most original and opulent brands on the planet including: luxury leather goods from across the pond with GI New York, the chicest jewellery from Sence Copenhagen, audiophile heaven from Ruark Audio, the sartorialist’s choice in travel accessories with TravelTeq and where else could you buy a white shirt for your dog? Only the most exclusive, original and desirable “non-mass produced” products reside in Cuckooland!

Even better, as a member you can earn site credits for sharing products you love with Cuckooland’s

“Share the Trends” incentive. Just share the products you love via Facebook or Twitter buttons on the product pages or you can create a Wishlist and then share your Wishlist by email, Facebook or Twitter and when the recipient buys the product via these links you receive credits:

• By sharing products up to the value of £75 you receive £2.50 credit on your

account.
• By sharing products over the value of £75 you receive £5.00 credit on your
account.

Unlike most luxury online gifting stores, the vast majority of Cuckooland’s stock is bought outright and kept at its warehouse for speedy delivery. All product deliveries are tracked and if you’re not happy with your delivery or order there is a “no questions asked 30 day returns policy”. And of course there is also a gift-wrapping service and a free gift tag available at checkout. In fact, the team at Cuckooland likes to think it has the best check out service in the business – quick, simple and secure. And, if you’re lucky you might even fall prey to a “Random Act of Cuckooness” – little surprises released by these slightly cuckoo people to brighten up your day.

Lastly, watch out for Zebarella, the awfully clever zebra centaur with a fabulously large bottom who you can thank for Cuckooland. It is Zebarella who had the idea of selecting the incredible array of original, desirable and non-mass produced products found in the hills, valleys, streams and estuaries of her native Cuckooland to share with you all online. If you want to see some of Zebarella’s favourite products take a peak at, “Zebarella’s Picks” a fantastic place to get you inspired before you flex your card.