Tag Archives: Life & Style

Patrick Dempsey to Race Lola in the American Le Mans Series 2012

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Dr Dreamy, Grey’s Anatomy’ star Patrick Dempsey is to race a Lola LMP2 car in the American Le Mans Series 2012. The multi-talented actor is branching out.

Dempsey Racing has confirmed plans to race in the American Le Mans Series 2012 with a Lola B12/80 LMP2 coupe chassis. Team Principal Patrick Dempsey – star of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and a number of Hollywood titles, will race the Huntingdon designed and built LMP2 coupe.

The team is gearing up for a possible debut at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May before competing in more races in this year’s American Le Mans Series. Dempsey and his team partners Joe Foster (team principal/driver) and Henri Richard (Silicon Tech Racing) have stated it is also their intention to race at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours. The Lola B12/80 LMP2 coupe will be powered by Judd.

Dempsey, who established the Dempsey Racing team in 2003 has a real passion for the sport and has participated in many racing series, including ALMS and Grand-Am. The partnership between Dempsey Racing and Lola is an exciting time for the British company, who have achieved a number of accolades in recent years including taking the 2011 ALMS manufacturers title and finishing as the highest placed petrol powered car at Le Mans last year.

On the partnership with Lola, Patrick Dempsey said, “It is no secret that I really enjoyed my experience at Le Mans in 2009. Lola is a famous name throughout the world of racing. I kind of knew what they did at Indy and in sports cars from when I was a kid. I am relishing driving this brand new LMP2 design”.

Lola Executive Chairman, Martin Birrane said, “We welcome Dempsey Racing in to the Lola LMP family. Patrick, Joe and the team have shown in recent years that they are a professional and ambitious team but also one that recognises they need expertise and cutting edge technology and so have chosen to partner with Lola who will provide the very latest LMP2 design and engineering know-how for their programme. It has been a pleasure to work with the Dempsey team to make this announcement possible and we appreciate and recognise their methodical approach to racing”.

COWLEY MANOR & COUTTS TO CREATE SCULPTURE AWARD WITH THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

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COWLEY MANOR & COUTTS PARTNER TO CREATE SCULPTURE AWARD WITH THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

Sculpture exhibition open to public: 3 May to 30 September 2012

London: Cheltenham’s infamous Cowley Manor and Private Bank Coutts have partnered to create a unique and inspiring sculpture competition for post graduates from the Royal College of Art. Of the 27 submitted concepts, eight have been awarded funding to bring their designs to life. The sculptures will then go on to be displayed at Cowley Manor from 3rd May through to 30 September, with the winning sculpture taking up permanent residence in the 55 acre grounds of the manors grade II listed gardens.

With an alumni boasting Tracey Emin, James Dyson, Philip Treacy and Erdem as well as David Hockney and Aston Martin designer Marek Reichman, the world-famous Royal College of Art’s post graduates are tipped for success. The winner of the award is being announced at an event to launch the exhibition in the grounds of Cowley Manor on 2nd May.

The sculptures, based on the brief: ‘Cowley Manor and its rich history, grounds and reputed contemporary design’ in the exhibition include:

o Ben Fowlers – 8ft tall wire ‘Tornado’;
o Claire Poulter – Underwater Mirrored balls;
o Cradeaux Alexander – garden plaques with a twist;
o Emma Alonze – Carrot trousers cast in brass;
o Lauren Kelly – brightly coloured geometric sculptures;
o Lucy Tomlins – Concrete Country in Blue – 2.5 metre concrete stile;
o Wonwoo Lee – 3 metre steel sign interpretation titled ‘Hey’; and
o Zoe Paul – 2.4m wide Palace of Aegae sculpted rock.

The judging panel includes many art collectors, artists and entrepreneurs hand-selected by Cowley Manor and Coutts from across Gloucestershire. With many millions of people expected to descend on the UK over the summer for the Jubilee and Olympics, and many of these expected to visit the world-known beautiful British Cotswolds, the unique exhibition is the perfect day out or mini-break hotspot just 70 minutes out of London.

Christine Wadley, Client Partner for Coutts in Cheltenham commented: “Coutts has a long-standing history of championing the creative industries, and have looked after many clients from within the art and design world for many decades. Today we recognise and support British design excellent in order to aid growth and foster future British talent. This partnership with Cowley and the RCA is further evidence of that.”

Peter Frankopan, owner and founder of ‘A Curious Group of Hotels’ including Cowley Manor commented: “In its 10th year, Cowley Manor has long been in support of emerging British talent with many original works of art, textiles and bespoke furniture created by British artists, artisans and craftsman displayed throughout the manor and its 30 bedrooms. By partnering with Coutts, the future support and awareness of young artists trained at the Royal College of Art has been made possible.”

Steve Bunn, RCA Sculpture Tutor said: “Having the opportunity to work with Coutts and Cowley Manor on this exhibition has been a fantastic experience for our students. Site specific art like this is a great way to showcase the work of some very talented young artists.”

Hotel residents, restaurant guests and picnic-goers will be able to enjoy the exhibition at Cowley Manor, Cowley, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NL. Many of the pieces will be available for private sale with the proceeds going towards the young artists.

The exhibition, featuring all of the post graduate first and second year student submissions, will open on

Thursday 3 May and run through to 30 September.

#couttscowley

BAG A FUTURE MASTERPIECE FOR A BARGAIN!

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An incredible opportunity to buy affordable art specially chosen by experienced art critics
and be on TV

This is your chance to see and buy the work of some of the country’s best amateur and professional artists.  From thousands of applicants, the judges from the BBC2 TV series ‘Show Me the Monet’ have selected the very best artworks to appear in a one-off exhibition and sale that takes place in the capital next month (12-14 April 2012).

Hosted at the Mall Galleries, in London’s West End, the exhibition will showcase work from 36 specifically selected artists. The work includes photography, sculpture, ceramics and paintings and were chosen by the BBC2 Show me the Monet judges Charlotte Mullins, David Lee and Roy Bolton. These experienced art critics and connoisseurs have selected the very best artworks from thousands of entries to the popular TV series and amongst them could be a future masterpiece!

The exhibition will take place on Thursday 12th April from 10am – 6pm, Friday 13th April from 10am to 5pm and Saturday 14th April from 10am – 6pm. With the huge increase in the interest in affordable art, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved and with guide prices starting at around £300, you could bag yourself a bargain.

On Thursday 12th and Friday 13th April you can buy any of the work on show by sealed bid. This means that no-one will know what anyone has bid until the big reveal to the artists on Saturday 14th. Buyers may offer more or less than the guide price and the highest offer above the guide will automatically win the work. If no offers come in above the guide price then the artist will decide whether they still wish to sell their work to the highest bidder.

Be on TV! On Saturday 14th April from 10am-6pm, Show Me the Monet presenter, Chris Hollins (BBC Breakfast, Cash in the Attic, Watchdog), will reveal to artists whether or not their art has sold and if so, for how much.   This will be filmed for inclusion in the series so come along and be part of the action as Chris reveals the news (whether it is good or bad!) to the artists.  Please note that it will not be possible to bid to buy any artwork on the Saturday.

Numbers are limited for the filming on Saturday 14th so two hour entry slots must be pre-booked.  Please email us with your preferred entry time: 10am, 12 noon, 2pm or 4pm and include your name and telephone number. 

Email: exhibition@luckydaytv.co.uk (maximum 4 tickets per person).
Venue:  The Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1 (near Admiralty Arch)
When:
Thursday 12th April 2012, 10am – 6pm, NO TICKET REQUIRED
Friday 13th April 2012, 10am – 5pm, NO TICKET REQUIRED
Saturday 14th April 2012, 10am – 6pm, PRE-BOOK BY EMAIL

ADMISSION IS FREE ON ALL DAYS

Worldwide Easter traditions

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Worldwide Easter traditions

Brought to you by Frost Magazine and Vyke

Users of Vyke – the UK-based provider of low-cost international calls over the internet (VoIP) – have shared their Easter traditions on its blog and Frost magazine. From food to religion, bells to bunnies, paragliding to water fighting, each country’s custom shows why this holiday is truly an international one:

· Ukraine – a traditional dish of egg and yam is served each year

· UK – hot cross buns, filled with dried fruits and spices with a cross on top (symbolizing the crucifixion) have come to mean as much as the traditional chocolate Easter egg

· France – tradition states the ringing of the Easter Bells on Sunday morning is what makes chocolate eggs magically appear in children’s baskets

· Nigeria – it’s a traditional family pursuit to decorate the simple every day breakfast egg between parents and their children

· Poland – ‘lany poniedziałek’ or ‘śmigus-dyngus’ – Poland has the Easter Monday custom of water fights! This began innocently by sprinkling young ladies with a bit of perfumed water, and developed into regular water fights in the streets

· Ghana – Every family gathers for a feast known as ‘the picnic’. The holiday is also quickly becoming renowned for the Annual Ghana Paragliding Festival, the sixth of which is this year

· Ireland – all of the public houses shut (!) and the country observes a no meat eating policy on Holy Friday, enjoying fish in its place

· Austria – between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday morning mass, there are no church bells ringing. According to religious lore, they all fly to Rome so altar boys use ‘Ratschen’ (wooden rattles)

· Philippines – Easter involves little girls dressed as angels and a procession that usually starts very early in the morning, before dawn

· Romania – Children take part in Government organised contests such as ‘The Easter bunny gives you a gift’

· Brazil – Locals construct straw renditions of Jesus’s betrayer – Judas, beat them up, and then set each ablaze

· Australia – No Easter bunny for our antipodean friends. In pest conscious Australia it’s the Easter bilby instead. The bilby is an endangered Australian animal with long soft ears

· Sweden – it’s the Easter hare and not the bunny that delivers Swiss chocolate delight

· U.S – although now widespread, its believed the egg-hunt originated in the US

Commenting on the response: Vyke Chief Executive, Tore Hellebo said:

“Our user base is right across the world, so we thought a nice way to bring everyone together, whilst celebrating differences, was through a universal holiday like Easter.

“We were right, as everyone celebrates it, but in much localised ways.”

The First Ever Toxin Free Nail Polishes.

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I am a huge fan of anything that doesn’t have toxins in and is environmentally friendly. I had eczema and asthma as a child. It made me very aware of ingredients and conscious of what I put on my skin, or nails for that matter. Which is why I think the following is a brilliant idea. Why did no-one do this before?

Safe Nails Launches ‘Snails’: First Ever Toxin Free, Water Based, Water Removable Polishes.

Safe Nails ‘Snails’ ‘Simply the Safest’ range of water-based, hypoallergenic child-friendly polishes in the market make international debut at Professional Beauty 2012 Trade Show

Safe & Beautiful Ltd, founded by entrepreneur and mother of two Jeanette Sklivanou, has announced the launch of Snails (Safe Nails), a range of nail polishes suitable for kids and expectant mothers. Hypoallergenic, water-based and solvent-free, Snails polishes are formulated from just three basic ingredients: water, acrylic polymer and non-toxic colourants. Snails polishes do not require any smelly harsh chemical removers – you simply wash with soap and water and the polish will come off without drying or damaging the nail bed.

Snails Collection Formally launching at Professional Beauty 2012, the UK’s largest beauty trade show, on the 4th and 5th March at London’s ExCel, stand Q69, Snails come in a range of 12 fashionable and vibrant colours and give a high gloss, salon quality finish. The products have a light, fresh natural fragrance that smells baby like. The Snails range also includes a topcoat called “breathe easy”. This optional top coat uses oxygen Technology which respects the natural physiology of the nail and adds protection against UV light.

Rated safest polish by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, Snails are free of artificial preservatives, solvents and the ‘toxic trio’ of DPB, toluene and formaldehyde; additives commonly found in many traditional polish formulations. Hypoallergenic and removable without the need for harsh solvent-based removers, Snails polishes provides a solution for parents everywhere who are concerned about the potential health implications of chemical based polishes and removers.

Commenting on the motivation for developing Snails, Jeanette Sklivanou said: “As a mother my biggest concern is protecting my children and I was shocked to discover the number of toxins present in many cosmetics. The debate around whether we allow children to grow up too quickly is often discussed in the media but the potential physical danger of close contact with the harsh chemicals used in many of these products is rarely mentioned. For me that is a big issue. I think children should be allowed to express themselves through age appropriate dress up and role play but we have a responsibility as parents to keep them safe.”

Snails has also launched a range for health and environmentally conscious women and which are safe for budding mums-to-be. Available in a range of 3 colours entitled Meditation, Relaxation and Yoga Nidra, the range provides all that is needed for a completely nontoxic manicure and pedicure. Like all the Snails range, the products have a light, fresh natural fragrance that smells baby like.

Snails is a truly pan European product. The range is manufactured in France, packaged in lead free Italian glass bottles and distributed by Jeanette’s company, Safe & Beautiful, which is based in Greece with operations in the UK. Snails meets all regulations set out by the EU protective laws for cosmetics.

Snails are currently available for purchase online at www.safe-nails.com Individual bottles are priced at €7 or £5.95 each, with gift sets starting at €9 or £7.60. International shipping is available. Safe & Beautiful is partnering with department stores, beauty salons and professionals and retailers in the UK and European markets and is actively seeking distributors in those markets to fulfil demand.

Following Professional Beauty 2012 at London’s ExCel, Jeanette will exhibit Snails at Beautyworld Middle East 2012, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE, May 29-31.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/snails4kids | Twitter: @Snails4Kids

The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

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The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

LONDON WINS 21 PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Tea Guild has bestowed 21 Awards of Excellence in this year’s Top London Afternoon Tea Awards 2012 to leading establishments in the capital. The venues achieving this coveted Tea Guild award for recognition of their consistently exceptional standards of quality and tea service are: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

Now in their 27th year, the acclaimed Tea Guild Awards of Excellence are seen as the ‘Michelin star’ of all tea awards, with leading tea rooms and world class hotels throughout London competing for the fashionable and renowned honour. Taking afternoon tea is a cherished experience steeped in British tradition and will be particularly popular in the capital this year as the British public and many of this year’s overseas visitors celebrate British traditions with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Tea Guild’s secret inspectors have assiduously been searching the capital to seek out the finest tea experiences to see who is deserving of an “Award of Excellence” and who should win the Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Award. As well as judging London’s top tea rooms and hotels, The Tea Guild’s judges have travelled across Britain to find the annual winners of the Top City and Country Hotel Tea Award 2012 and the Top Tea Place 2012 Award. All visits have been anonymous to ensure the results are completely fair and accurate. The anonymous judges awarded points for the variety, flavour and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation. With 125 points to be lost or gained on the judge’s scorecard, only those establishments achieving the very highest standards across a number of categories can make it to the top.

The judges were so impressed with the quality of the afternoon tea served at the following London Establishments that they awarded them high marks in every category: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

The Tea Guild has now also presented the 2012 award for the Top London Afternoon Tea, which was received by The Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair. The rest of the Awards are yet to be announced.

Commenting on the 21 ‘Awards of Excellence’ received in the capital, Irene Gorman, Head of The Tea Guild, notes: “Each year the judges’ task of choosing those who receive an ‘Award Of Excellence’ gets more challenging, as standards within The Tea Guild continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception.”

“The Awards of Excellence to these leading establishments were presented in recognition of their admirable and consistently high standards of tea making, evident in the care and attentiveness with which they prepare and serve afternoon tea.”

She added: “In the Capital afternoon tea is now the most fashionable way to catch up with friends. It has become increasing popular be it after a busy morning’s shopping, a business meeting, for that special family occasion, a romantic date or a truly memorable experience for the bride to be and her girlfriends. More and more people are taking time out to enjoy that ‘very special afternoon tea moment’.”

Shoes for Summer: SS’12: Cushe Footwear

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SS’12: Cushe Footwear

Cushe Footwear has launched its SS12 range of unconventional footwear choices for everyday life and showcased this in a beautiful behind the scenes videos and advertising campaign. I like their shoes and the feel of their campaign. The shoes look comfy and are well designed.

The SS’12 shoot chronicles ‘the road trip’ in videos which follow one man’s travels to Mozambique. This reflects Cushe’s laidback lifestyle and travel message, demonstrating how the brand create lines to cater for all aspects of a Summer adventure. This story is reflected through the behind the scenes video.

The overall theme for this season’s range of shoes was based around ‘The Wonder Year’, which translates across all forms of creative associated with the season.

Check out the behind the scenes videos.

Innocent fruit sports day | Events

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Innocent fruit sports day, Regents Park, London 22nd July 2012

Dig out your shorts, dust off your running shoes and start warming up.

After three whole years, innocent’s summer festival makes a welcome return this July. As the official smoothie and juice of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, innocent will be hosting their very own fruit sports day themed festival in Regent’s Park on Sunday 22nd July 2012.

It will be a great day out for all the family, and it’s the perfect way to get you into the spirit of the Olympic Games a week before the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off.

Over the course of the day, you’ll be able to take part in a host of fruity sports day pursuits. Enter track and field events like the 100m kiwi and spoon, squash-put or marrow-thon, pop along for a spot of peach volleyball or have a go at our take on curling with a potato and broom. You’ll be able to make and break records, be in with the chance to win tickets to London 2012 events or even race against an Olympian.

And when all that running around gets a bit much, there will be plenty of tasty, natural, healthy food to eat, a big farmers’ market to explore, as well as live folk, jazz and swing music from our acoustic stage and an eclectic mix of pop up performances from roving bands, musicians and entertainers. There will also be loads of stuff for kids to do, a warm up and work out tent, open air dance floors, poetry corner, and a chill out area with yoga and massages to soothe those weary limbs. And, of course, there’ll be plenty of smoothies to taste.

It all starts at 11am and runs until 7pm. So, pencil it in your diary, scribble it on your hand and tell all your friends.

To find out more and book tickets visit www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/fruitsportsday. Tickets will be available from May priced at £10 for adults and £5.50 for kids/concessions.