Tag Archives: mother’s day

Mum Knows Best For Beauty

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Cheryl Cole and Duchess of Cambridge topped the poll of Brits with best skin – both women are famously close to their mums

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MUM KNOWS BEST FOR BEAUTY

– a third of women admit to just copying their mum when it comes to beauty products –

 

While the beauty industry spends millions each year advertising its products, new research proves that when it comes to beauty, British women believe mum knows best.

 

New Superdrug research shows a third of women admit to just using the same beauty products that their mums use, even though this means they may be using the wrong products for their skin.

 

The research of 2,000 women, was commissioned to celebrate the launch of beauty brand B. which aims to help women discover premium beauty, made easy.

 

The new study shows daughters start to borrow their mum’s beauty products at the tender age of just 13 years old.

 

And 40 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds continue to use the same products as their mum, and as a result are wearing products that may be too heavy and rich for them, with ingredients that may not be effective on their younger skin.

 

Products for older women contain higher concentrations of key ingredients addressing anti-ageing, skin elasticity and skin cell turnover which are not required for younger women whose skin needs ingredients focused on skin radiance and smoothness.

 

Over half (52 per cent) said they would take the advice of their mum and best friend above everyone else when it comes to beauty, when everyone will have different skincare needs.

 

Simon Comins, Superdrug Buying Director comments: “Buying skincare products can be confusing so it’s no surprise that some women rely on their mum for advice, but sometimes mum may not actually know best.

 

“The B. brand has a simple approach to skincare with distinct Skin Phases that make it easier than ever for women to find the products that will work for them. Simply answering a few questions on the skin diagnostic tool online or in-store will help them choose the right products.”

 

Customers can discover their skin age by using the simple self-diagnostic tool at bisforbeautiful.co.uk/skindiagnostic, or in selected stores.

 

Five per cent of those questioned said they looked to celebrities for their beauty tips.  When asked which celebrity has the best looking skin, Cheryl Cole topped the poll.

 

Cole is famously close to her mum Joan Callaghan, second on the list was the Duchess of Cambridge whose mum Carole Middleton often steals the limelight.

 

Comins continues: “Not all women are lucky enough to inherit fabulous skin from their mother. But, we believe every woman deserves fabulous skincare products which is why we launched B.”

 

Top ten tips from mums

1.     Use tissue to blot lipstick

2.     Only pluck below the eyebrow

3.     Moisturise your hands

4.     Use moisturiser every day

5.     Drink tons of water

6.     Always wash and moisturise in the morning to feel fresh

7.     Don’t squeeze spots

8.     File your nails in one direction, don’t saw at them

9.     Don’t over pluck eyebrows

10.  Blend in make-up down to the neck

Liz Earle’s Mother’s Day tips

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Mother’s Day Tips

Liz EarleFor Mum with Love from Liz Earle

 

Liz Earle, co-founder of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Company, is passionate about beauty, natural health and wellbeing. She juggles her professional life with bringing up a family of five children, with her husband Patrick, living on a thriving organic farm in the West Country.

 

Here, Liz shares her top tips to make your mum feel extra special this Mothers Day, ensuring she is taken care of from the inside and out.

 

Liz Earle’s Mothers Day Tips

 

Treat your mum to some simple, pampering beauty treats with these deliciously good-for-you snacks, the best pick-me-up tonics and a little bit of bathtime bliss. Mix and match the ideas here – or create the perfect health and beauty hamper by adding all together for the ultimate wellbeing treat. I would love my children to give me this!

 

Beauty-Boost Truffles

 

These choc-free truffles are the packed with omega-goodness from nuts and seeds as well as healthy oils to help make skin strong and clear. Best of all, they are very easy to make and taste delicious!

 

You will need:

50g each of dates, dried apricots and sunflower seeds

100g raisins

100g porridge oats

50g wheatgerm or oatmeal

20g linseeds

Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons cold-pressed rapeseed or sunflower oil

 

Simply whizz all of the ingredients in a food processor until they form a firm dough ball.  Roll into individual truffle-sized balls and put into the fridge to ‘set’. Place in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or pretty tissue-lined boxes for the perfect Mother’s Day treat. Keep cool and they’ll stay fresh for several weeks.

 

Pick-me-up Tonics

 

Putting together a small basket of pick-me-up vitamins, teas and tonics is a thoughtful way of reviving a busy mum with lasting benefits. B-Complex vitamins are some of the best stress-busters as they support the central nervous system and can help reduce tension and irritability. Choose a formula that contains all the B’s, including B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12.

 

Floradix tonic is one of my all-time favourites as it is rich in absorbable organic iron to reduce tiredness. It’s ideal deal for anyone feeling run-down or in need of an

energy boost. Choose the yeast and gluten-free version and keep in the fridge once opened.

 

Ginseng tea is a traditional energy tonic and recommended by herbalists to increase alertness and mental agility. Some studies suggest it may also boost the immune system and improve digestion. Red (Panax) ginseng is thought to have more health benefits than the white variety.

 

Message in a bottle

 

Tiny bottles of pure essential oil are very versatile beautifiers that improve mood and wellbeing. Look for the words “pure essential oil” on the label as some aromatherapy blends are cheaper dilutions of the real thing. Treat your mum to my all-time top three essential oils and print out this handy guide on how to use them for year-long benefits.

 

Lavender – the classic fragrant mood-restorer to relax and de-stress. Proven to help ‘switch-off’ a busy mind and calm the senses. Has a mildly sedative effect.

 

Neroli – a gorgeously delicate scent from orange blossom flowers, its beautifully fragrant aroma is guaranteed to uplift and cheer.

 

Rose-scented geranium – a fabulously feminine oil extracted from scented pelargonium leaves. So-called as it smells of real roses – without the hefty price tag.

 

Top Tips:

 

Sprinkle a few drops of pure lavender oil onto a pillow to encourage a good night’s sleep.

Add a drop each of neroli and rose-scented geranium to a basin of water to scent the hands after washing.

 

Make a reviving massage oil blend by mixing 10 drops lavender, 6 drops neroli and 4 drops rose-scented geranium to 50ml cold-pressed grapeseed or almond oil.

 

Add 3 drops of each to a pre-run warm bath (don’t sprinkle under the hot tap as this destroys the scents), lie back and soak all stresses away.

 

All the above ingredients and products are available from good chemists and health food shops or on-line suppliers such as Revital and Victoria Health.

 

Follow @LizEarleMe on Twitter for more tips on wellbeing

Frost Magazine Mother’s Day Gift Guide

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marc jabobs watch

Marc by Marc Jacobs Henry Skeleton Watch

WatchShop.com Price:  £185 and free next day delivery within the UK

 

A beautiful timepiece with a genuine pink leather strap with a shine.  The case is rose gold plated whilst the skeleton dial is protected by mineral crystal.  The watch is water resistant to 50 metres.

 

 

 

STORM Cimage011rystin Watch

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

This ladies STORM Crystin watch has a stainless steel case and is fitted with a quartz movement. It is fastened with a silver metal bracelet and has a silver dial.

 

 

 

 

 

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Karen Millen Watch

 

WatchShop.com Price:  £95 and free next day delivery within the UK

 

This ladies’ Karen Millen watch has a stainless steel case and is powered by a quartz movement. It fastens a purple leather strap and has a purple dial

 

 

 

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Michael Kors Camille Chronograph Watch

 

WatchShop.com Price:  £229 and free next day delivery within the UK

This ladies’ Michael Kors Camille watch has a stainless steel case and is fitted with an analogue chronograph quartz movement. It is fitted with a two tone bracelet and has a blue dial. The watch has a date function.

 

Springtime Planter gift set

P4P Springtime Planter (300 dpi)

£25 plus delivery

The perfect Mother’s Day idea for a green-fingered recipient, the Springtime Planter is a traditional wooden planter containing colourful hyacinths, primroses, cyclamen and pansies.

Every plant is carefully gift wrapped and boxed by hand in Plants4Presents’ Sussex nursery to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Standard delivery is just £6.50 per address. Delivery is available across the UK and Ireland. For more information visit www.plants4presents.co.uk.

 

 

We love this Royal Albert Tea For One Set, £60.00 from The House of Bath

houseofbath

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kobo Mini is a great present for mother’s. (the 5” eReader easily slips into a handbag or coat pocket making it great for the mum who is either always on the go or just like things a bit more compact) Highly portable Kobo Mini holds up to 1,000 koboeBooks.

Price £59.99

Stockist:  WHSmith and all fine electronic retailers

 

 

Fulton this Mother’s Day – from Fab Florals to spectacular Spots and Stripes – there are many new beautiful designs to choose from – many of which are part of Fulton’s soon to be launched SS13 collection.

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With ‘Walking’ and ‘Folding’ umbrellas, Rain Macs, Rainboots and Rain Hats from designers such as Cath Kidston and Lulu Guinness, as well as Fulton’s stunning own range, there’s a stylish shelter for every mum out there.

 

teafortwo

I don’t know about your mother but my mother’s favourite gift is spending time with me. She also loves tea so The UK’s largest afternoon tea gift site, AfternoonTeaForTwo.co.uk is perfect for her. They have a huge range of tea experiences so you can select the perfect memorable experience for your mum. On the site, you will find hundreds of afternoon tea ideas, from glamorous London hotels to relaxing country retreats.  If you’re confident you know what she’ll like, you can purchase an individual experience at the click of a button.

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day at one of Frost’s favourite hotels, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall

 

Treat your mum this Mothering Sunday with a quintessential Afternoon Tea celebration set in the beautiful library of the 5* London Marriott Hotel County Hall onLondon’s South Bank.

Start with delicious hand crafted sandwiches including roast Angus beef and horseradish, Wiltshire ham with English mustard, Burford brown egg mayonnaise with cress, Forman & Son London Cure smoked salmon with caper butter and the classic cucumber with cream cheese and chive.

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Savour a delectable selection of pastries with green tea drizzle cake, passion fruit and coconut crown, blackberry tart and mint surprise, pineapple and vanilla compote with mascarpone cream an Valrhona Chocolate Opera.

Sweet and savoury scones complete the menu. Choose from freshly baked golden raisin scones topped with Tiptree strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream or Montgomery cheddar and Hampshire watercress scones with cream cheese and watercress.

Accompanied by a choice of refreshing teas all laid out to tempt, treat and delight and served with charm and a keen attention to detail.

The Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is available on Sunday 10th March between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, priced at £36 per person.

Groups are welcome for Afternoon Tea, however, for parties wanting a little extra privacy, a range of private dining rooms are available. Contact us on +44 (0) 207 902 8000 to find out more about private dining.

 

Emma Bunton reveals her most magical moment with her children for UNICEF UK’s Mother’s Day campaign to end child malnutrition

 

 This Mother’s Day, former Spice Girl, Emma Bunton has joined forces with UNICEF, the global leader in child malnutrition, and is sharing her most magical moment in her children’s first 1,000 days of life.

 

The first 1,000 days are the critical window of opportunity for children to get the right nutrients they need to develop properly. Around the world a staggering one in four children are not getting the nourishing food they need to grow up healthy and reach their potential in this first critical period.

 

In the run up to Mother’s Day, UNICEF UK supporter Emma Bunton is asking UK mums to give children around the world the best start in life, by supporting the campaign at www.unicef.org.uk/mothersday.

 

Sitting in her window seat at home, Emma Bunton said, “It’s so shocking that one in four children around the world are not getting the right nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong in their first 1,000 days of life.

 

“When my boys were toddlers I’d sit here and sing ‘You are my sunshine’ to them while the light streamed in on us. When they reached the stage where they could start singing along it really was a magical moment and one I’ll always remember in those first important 1,000 days.

 

“Every mother should be able to enjoy these precious moments in their child’s life and development. So, please, this Mother’s Day join me and go to the UNICEF UK website to help children everywhere.”

 

Mums visiting the website will learn how, for £3, they can help another child by buying sprinkles to ensure that children get the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow up healthy and reach their potential.

 

UNICEF UK is part of the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, a great movement of individuals and organisations united to tackle global hunger.

Mums Show Live, the new and only show for parents of 4 – 12 year olds, is offering tickets half price with the code BESTMUM. 

Mums Show Live will be taking place from 16 – 19 May at Alexandra Palace, London and will be a great day out for mum, and all the family (dad and kids go free).

Parents will get the chance to enjoy a spot of shopping, with brands including Joules, Fit Flops and Micro Scooters and also join in live conversation and inspiration theatres to get answers to challenging questions. Mums, dads and kids can also get involved in a diverse range of fun games, activities and entertainment.

For more information on the show please visit www.mumshowlive.com.

 

BRITS LEAVE IT LATE FOR MOTHER’S DAY

30% of Mums Left Disappointed as Last Minute Shoppers Fall Short of the Mark

Research carried out by One4all Gift Card reveals that over half of all Brits leave it late to plan their Mother’s Day treats.

As many as 54% of women and 58% of men admit to failing to plan ahead for Mother’s Day, saying that they regularly forget the date. Younger sons and daughters are the worst culprits with 72% of those aged between 18 and 24 forgetting to put Mother’s Day in their diaries.

As a result we can expect many Mums to be putting on a brave face this weekend, with 30% admitting that they are left disappointed with the thought and effort shown for them on Mother’s Day.

Men are also the biggest offenders at not making an effort to see their mums on Mother’s Day, with just 28% making a special visit compared to 43% of women. For men, it seems this weekend should be renamed Mother-in-Law’s Day.

However, it’s not all bad news with some mums receiving very fancy gifts indeed. The most extravagant gifts lavished on mums for Mother’s Day includes cars, cruises and diamond necklaces!

One solution for people not planning to be quite so generous this weekend, appears to be treating mum to a shopping trip for her to choose her own present.

Managing Director of One4all UK, Declan Byrne said, “We’ve seen our sales up 40% ahead of this weekend which is partly explained by people looking for last minute inspiration and deciding that perhaps mother knows best.

“The One4all gift card enables mum to choose a gift from 17,000 stores nationwide, so it takes the pressure off gift shopping and ensures mum gets a great gift, which she actually wants.”

If you need a last minute gift, you can purchase the One4all Gift Card from any of the 11,500 Post Office branches nationwide and at www.one4all.co.uk.

A gift card can be loaded with any amount from £10 to £400 and can be spent at 17,000 different retailer outlets nationwide including mum-favourites, House of Fraser, Debenhams and Boots.

Other points from the One4all research:

35% of our mothers rarely treat themselves

30% of mums out there still treat their grown-up kids, now full-grown adults, on a regular basis

Mums are best friends to over 30% of us

A quarter of us say our Mum is still the one person who can reduce us to feeling like a child with one look or one word

 

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Say happy Mother’s Day on Sunday 10th March with a limited edition Emma Bridgewater bag for life, designed for this year’s Red Nose Day, available now from TK Maxx stores throughout the UK.

 

British pottery maker Emma Bridgewater has created the stylish bag to encourage the great British public to ‘Do Something Funny For Money’. The money donated from sales of the products will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives across Africa and here in the UK.

The bag features a specially designed feathered ‘snitch’ nose and costs £9.99 with at least £4.00 going to Comic Relief.

Red Nose Day 2013 is heading your way on Friday 15th March.

 

Here is a brilliant infographic of the cost of celebrating Mother’s Day from Baines & Ernst.

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Drayton Manor offers the perfect gift for Mother’s Day

Every year the time comes to buy a present for Mother’s Day – but what about the Mum that has got everything? This year, give Mum the perfect gift of a fun day out to remember with the family to Drayton Manor Theme Park.

 

Family day pass

 

By purchasing a family pass, it will provide a far more exciting alternative to the usual flowers and chocolates, and instead, will offer a great day out to one of the UK’s most popular family attractions.

 

With Mother’s Day taking place on Sunday 10th March, it means there is only a five day wait to celebrate this special day with Mum at the park when it opens on Friday 15th March.

 

A family pass for four costs £108. However, tickets for the park are also available online at www.draytonmanor.co.uk for a reduced rate, providing a real value for money treat for the family and a well-deserved day off for Mum!

 

Mother's Day Ideas

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It is mothering Sunday on the 18th and Frost has sourced some gift ideas and treats for the special women in your life.

This Mother’s Day, treat your mum to exclusive and stylish gifts from Isabella Oliver 365. Select from luxurious and timeless pieces such as the Everyday Scarf, the Essential Skinny Belt or the Leopard Skinny Belt, perfect for any chic mum’s wardrobe. Spoil your mum this Mother’s Day and treat her
to a gift that she will always love. To view the collections visit IsabellaOliver.com . I love all of the collection, it is just effortlessly stylish.

FROM INDIA WITH LOVE ON MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day is celebrated the world over, and this year British Airways will be flying in a special selection of Mother’s Day cards made with love from the Sreepuer village in Bangladesh.

The beautifully handcrafted cards have a deeper meaning than the words on the cover – as all profits are returned to Sreepur Village, a home for destitute women and children in rural Bangladesh.

Rob Jenkinson, who distributes Sreepur cards in the UK, said: “This Mother’s Day you can make two Mum’s happy as well as making a world of difference to the women of Sreepur. They do an incredible job to create these cards all year round, while bringing up their families below the poverty line. Every single penny makes a difference and goes straight back to the project.”

British Airways has supported the Sreepur project since it was established, helping with vital distribution flying a range of greetings cards into the UK, as well as retailing them internally in their Head Office.

The cards are made from jute, also known as Hessian, which grows in abundance in the area around Sreepur, helped by the ideal wet and warm conditions of the monsoon area. The cards are decorated with a combination of wheat straw and paper, with the finished product made from locally sourced natural products to a high standard.

Mary Barry, British Airways community relations manager said: “We’re so proud to be part of this project. I have seen first hand how the village has been transformed, thanks to the generosity of all the people who buy these cards and I would like to thank them for their contribution.”
There’s still time to buy a card before Mother’s Day on Sunday 18 March, please visit – www.thesreepurvillage.org

If you really cannot think of what to get her, try a gift card.

As demands of the modern day can make it increasingly difficult to dedicate time to the family, we need to make that extra effort to show our appreciation on important dates such as Mother’s Day. ‘Children’, both young and old, should be thinking of ways to thank their mums for those long years of suffering, even if they are not able to spend the day with them. To help with this, the UK Gift Card & Voucher Association (UK GCVA) has surveyed 100 modern day mums and found out what they would really appreciate this Mother’s Day. The top results included:

1. A day out with all the family;

2. To be excused from cooking and cleaning over the Mother’s Day weekend;

3. For a beauty or pampering session;

4. Peace and quiet for the whole 24 hours of Mother’s Day;

5. A voucher for her favourite clothing or make-up brand

The top entry of ‘a day out with all the family’ will not come as a surprise to many, however meeting this request by getting everyone together may be difficult for some families.

Andrew Johnson, director-general of the UK GCVA suggests using gift cards and vouchers to compensate for not being with your mum on Mother’s Day:

“An experience voucher (such as for a family day out at the zoo or a weekend away) is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a fun day out together, and mum can make the most of some quality time with the kids. A bonus of these gifts is that they can be redeemed at any time meaning that, if you’re unable to see your mum on Mother’s Day, the gift can be enjoyed at a later date.

Similarly, if you’re not able to spend the day with her, and she wants peace and quiet, why not send your mum away for a spa day by herself so she can unwind. There is a large selection of gift cards on offer that your mum can choose from for a spa retreat.”

Johnson continues:

“As mums are not generally that demanding of their children, many of you will need to think ‘outside the box’ for ideas to show your true appreciation on Mother’s Day. Gift cards and vouchers are an easy and effective way of doing this. To make up for not being around on the day, a further idea may be to give your mum a voucher for her favourite clothing store so she can treat herself.”

There are so many options available to show our mothers how grateful we are to them and all it takes is a little imagination to ensure that mum has a smile on her face on 18th March.

Love Your Mum with New Zealand Lamb

This Mother’s Day, let Mum put her feet up, and cook a meal that comes straight from the heart. This simple roast recipe is easy enough even for kitchen novices to try their hand at, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon with the family. For those who are looking for further inspiration, check out www.loveourlamb.co.uk to see New Zealand chef Peter Gordon teaching England rugby star Will Greenwood how to make this meal – live from 1st March 2012. You can view the video on Frost Magazine


Serves: 4-6

Preparation Time: 20 mins

Cooking Time: 2h 20


1 x 2 – 2.5kg leg of lamb

1 large red onion, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (optional)

The leaves from 2 x 10cm stalks of rosemary

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 medium parsnips peeled, topped and tailed, cut into chunks

1 bunch baby carrots, scrubbed

800g mashing potatoes, peeled and cut in half

100ml double cream

60g butter

1 medium head broccoli, cut into large florets

150g frozen peas

A small handful mint leaves, torn

1½ tablespoons flour

Preheat the oven to 180?C. Place the lamb in a roasting dish and poke a thin, small knife into it in about 20 places. In a bowl, mix the onion, garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil with some salt and pepper and rub this all over the lamb. Leave for 20 minutes, then rub it in again and place in the centre of the oven and roast for an hour.

Turn the lamb over and add the parsnips to the roasting dish along with half a tea cup of hot water. Roast for 45 minutes, basting the lamb with the pan juices a couple of times. Turn the lamb over again and add the baby carrots. It will be cooked medium (which is lovely for a leg of lamb) in another 20-40 minutes.

Boil the potatoes in lightly salted water.

Remove the lamb from the roasting dish and place in a dish loosely covered with foil. Rest in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes into a colander. Using the pot they were cooked in, bring the cream and all but 1 tablespoon of the butter to the boil. Return the potatoes to the pot and mash them with salt and pepper. Keep a lid on the pot to keep it warm.

Bring another pot of lightly salted water to the boil and add the broccoli. Bring back to the boil and add the peas. Bring back to the boil and cook for 2 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid, then toss with the reserved butter and mint and keep warm.

If you can place the vegetable roasting dish on the hob, then remove the vegetables. If not, pour the roasting juices into a saucepan. Place over a moderate heat, add the flour and stir to make a paste, then slowly add the juices from the leg of lamb and as much liquid from the vegetables as possible to make gravy. Taste for seasoning.

To serve: simply carve the lamb and arrange on warmed plates with vegetables, mash and gravy.


It’s the thought that counts Now for some stats and facts!

Standard Life’s ‘Your Commitments, Your Future’ report reveals the nation’s true time and money spent on their parents – a clue to what mums might have in store this Mother’s Day.

Treating your parents:

* Adults in the UK spend just £13 a month on average on their parents, that’s just over £150 a year
* In comparison, parents in the UK are spend over three times as much, £456 a year on average, spoiling their children

Thinking about parents:

* Adults in the UK spend on average nearly half an hour (27 minutes) each day thinking about their parents
* However, women think about their parents significantly more than men, with women devoting 10 minutes more each day – that’s nearly 70 hours more each year!
* Women aged 18-24 spend almost three quarters of an hour (44 minutes) each day thinking about their parents, the most of any age group
* In comparison, men in the same age group devote half the time to their parents, just 22 minutes each day
* On the other hand, parents in the UK on average spend 41 minutes a day thinking about their children, with women aged 45-54 devoting almost an hour a day (58 minutes)

Who/what else do we spend time thinking about?

· Partner/Spouse – 50 minutes a day on average

· Work colleagues – 18 minutes a day on average

· Credit card payments – 11 minutes a day on average

· Investments – 6 minutes a day on average

· Current accounts – almost 4 minutes a day on average

· Pensions – 3 minutes a day on average

Julie Russell, Personal Finance Expert at Standard Life, said:

“We spend a lot of time thinking about our families and like to treat the people we love. So it’s worth remembering that planning our future finances can play a key role in our relationships with our loved ones. Whether we’re spoiling our mums with a well-deserved treat this Mother’s Day or planning a fun family break this summer, budgeting and looking ahead is essential. And with the end of the tax year looming, it’s a great time for us all to sit down with our families and think about how we can improve our finances to help us enjoy our family life even more.”

To help people better understand their financial and emotional commitments, Standard Life has published knowyourcommitments.co.uk with an interactive tool and thoughts on financially preparing for the future. Further help with financial planning is also available at yourfuturemoney.co.uk

Now for something a bit different, but an excellent idea.

Newcastle-based Shared Interest is an ethical investment co-operative that aims to reduce poverty in the world by providing fair and just financial services. The Society, which was started in 1990, is the world’s only 100% fair trade lender. Shared Interest accepts investments from UK based individuals as well as from businesses, schools, community and faith groups. Account values range
from £100-£20,000. All invested funds are then pooled and used to make low interest loans to fair trade businesses in the developing world. With the support of over 8,000 members the organisation
was able to lend £40 million over the last 12 months. The organisation has expanded its international
presence in the past three years opening offices in Kenya, Peru and Costa Rica. This regional presence
– and the vital local knowledge that the staff are equipped with – means that they are able to help
even the most remote communities by enabling them to access the credit needed to take goods to market.

www.shared-interest.com

Peter Gordon shows ex-England star Will Greenwood how to make a roast leg of lamb

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Peter Gordon shows ex-England star Will Greenwood how to make a roast leg of lamb treat,

Watch our video where they show you how to prepare the perfect Mother’s Day treat for the special women in your life this Mothering Sunday

Mother’s Day is the time where we‘re even more grateful for the women in our lives. Whether it’s our mothers, grandmothers or mother in laws, why not try something different this year than the usual chocolates with a card?

Peter Gordon was joined by ex-England international rugby star Will Greenwood, to show him how to prepare a delicious roast leg of lamb meal with all the trimmings on behalf of Will and his children, to allow his wife to enjoy a relaxing Mother’s Day.

Peter Gordon’s delicious leg of lamb with roasted parsnips, baby carrots, buttered peas, broccoli and creamy mashed potato is the perfect recipe to impress this Mother’s Day. Peter talks Will through the recipe showing him how easy it is to try something different.

Peter Gordon is renowned for his culinary philosophy and is famous for his unique fusion cooking style which focuses on the best quality and tastiest ingredients, no matter where they originate from. Peter happily mixes flavours from Asia through to the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Europe, along with his native New Zealand. He owns restaurants in London and New Zealand.

Watch our video and learn how you can give your mum or wife a break this Mothering Sunday with this great lunch.

Mother’s Day Roast Leg of Lamb

For 4-6

Preparation Time:20mins

Cooking Time: 2h 20

1 x 2 – 2.5kg leg of lamb

1 large red onion, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (optional)

the leaves from 2 x 10cm stalks of rosemary

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

4 medium parsnips peeled, topped and tailed, cut into chunks

1 bunch baby carrots, scrubbed

800g mashing potatoes, peeled and cut in half

100ml double cream

60g butter

1 medium head broccoli, cut into large florets

150g frozen peas

a small handful mint leaves, torn

1 ½ Tablespoons flour

Oven at 180 ?C 2 – 2 ½ hours

Place the lamb in a roasting dish and poke a thin small knife into it in about 20 places.

In a bowl, mix the onion, garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil with some salt and pepper and rub this all over the lamb.

Leave for 20 minutes, then rub it in again and place in the centre of the oven and roast for an hour.

Turn the lamb over and add the parsnips to the roasting dish along with half a tea cup of hot water.

Roast for 45 minutes, basting the lamb with the pan juices a couple of times.

Turn the lamb over again and add the baby carrots.

It will be cooked medium (which is lovely for leg of lamb) in another 20-40 minutes.

Boil the potatoes in lightly salted water.

Remove the lamb from the roasting dish and place in a dish loosely covered with foil and rest in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes into a colander, then using the pot they were cooked in bring the cream and all but 1 Tablespoon of the butter to the boil. Return the potatoes to the pot and mash them with salt and pepper, keep a lid on the pot to keep warm.

Bring another pot of lightly salted water to the boil and add the broccoli. Bring back to the boil and add the peas. Bring back to the boil and cook 2 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid, then toss with the reserved butter and mint and keep warm.

If you can place the vegetable roasting dish on the hob then remove the vegetables. If not, pour the roasting juices into a saucepan. Place over a moderate heat, add the flour and stir to make a paste, then slowly add the juices from the leg of lamb and as much liquid from the vegetables to make a gravy. Taste for seasoning.

To serve: simply carve the lamb and arrange on warmed plates with vegetables, mash and gravy.

Go Fairtrade This Mothering Sunday.

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Buy Fairtrade bouquets this Mothering Sunday and ‘Take a Step for Fairtrade’ to help mothers in developing countries

 

Mothers up and down the country will receive up to seven million stems of Fairtrade flowers from their loved ones this Mothering Sunday, the Fairtrade Foundation can reveal.

Mothering Sunday is a celebration honouring all mothers and is a day to give thanks for all the things they have done over the years.    And with Fairtrade bouquets available from Asda, Interflora, J&E Page, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next, Ocado, Postal Bouquets, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco, The Co-operative, Waitrose and Whole Foods Market, there’s plenty to choose from.

 

New for Mothering Sunday 2012, treat your mum to a beautiful Mother’s Day Fairtrade Pink Rose Bouquet from Marks & Spencer or their Fairtrade Rose and Fresia Gift Bag. And Interflora is selling a vibrant Fairtrade Mini Sunflower Hand Tied Bouquet which will add a cheerful note of colour to any room.

 

Estimated UK retail sales of Fairtrade flowers in 2011 reached £26 million, or 75 million stems. It’s expected that sales of Fairtrade flowers for Mothering Sunday alone will provide £100,000 in additional Fairtrade Premiums for workers on flower farms to invest in community projects.

 

Flower farms have long been a key employer in Kenya, providing jobs in areas where there are few alternatives and ensuring a valuable source of export revenue for the country. With more than half of Kenya’s population of 37 million living in poverty, the cut flower industry plays an important role in providing employment and alleviating poverty. Around 55,000, many of them women and mothers themselves, are directly employed in the industry, while a further 2 million people, indirectly depend on jobs in the flower industry.

Fairtrade certification provides an independent verification that workers on these large-scale flower farms have decent wages and working conditions in line with the core International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions. This includes the right to join a trade union, the right to negotiate collectively with the employer on terms and conditions of employment, freedom from discrimination, a safe and healthy working environment and no child labour.

As with conventional sales, the farms negotiate a price with the exporters who buy their flowers for the Fairtrade market. This price includes an additional payment called the Fairtrade Premium, set at 10% of the negotiated price. This premium money is reserved specifically for investment in projects which benefit the workers and their wider communities. Decisions about how the premium is used are made by a Joint Body of elected workers and management representatives, in consultation with the workforce.

Dan Morey, Business Development Manager for flowers at the Fairtrade Foundation said:

 

‘If you haven’t had time yet to buy your gift, why not treat your mother to some Fairtrade flowers or Fairtrade chocolate for Mother’s Day?  Throughout the year we want everyone to take as many ‘steps’ for Fairtrade as possible and buying a thoughtful and considered present is the perfect way to take your step for the women who grow your flowers.  We have over a million steps still to take this year to reach our target of 1.5 million.  So, please make your Mothering Sunday gift a memorable one.  And, don’t forget to register your step online at step.fairtrade.org.uk.’

And it’s not just the flower producers who benefit when you buy a Fairtrade bouquet. Tropiflora in Sri Lanka, which employs about 100 workers, now exports mini pot plants and Fairtrade foliage – the green leaves that give the backing to bunches of flowers. Currently just 16 percent of their sales are on Fairtrade terms so they are justly proud of their achievements this year. In particular, they have invested much of their Premium in a revolving loan fund for workers so that the same pot of money can be used in multiple schemes. Projects have included providing small loans for individuals, running English classes, buying books for children, setting up sports teams and funding hospital equipment.

For more information, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/flowers

For The Mum Who Loves To Read.

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It will be mother’s day soon and we have found the perfect present for mothers who love to read, the Kobo Touch eReader is the perfect gift.

The Kobo Touch is a new kind of eReader that delivers a straight forward, clutter-free reading experience. Diminutive in size, a great travel companion which fits easily in your handbag and a perfect way to keep your ‘new you’ secret weapon just that!

So if mum likes reading the latest biography by Dawn French or get inspired by the recipes of Mary Berry or Lorraine Pascal or even get lost in the novels of the Brontes, the new Kobo Touch eReader is a wonderful present. With the Kobo Touch eReader, she can carry more than one book with her when she’s on the go and not be weighed down.

There are over one million free books and great savings on current printed books. Kobo Touch will allow users to read and store up to 1,000 eBooks, expanding to 32,000 with an SD card.

The Kobo Touch is light and stylish with a signature quilted back for comfort, which comes in four great colours: lilac, silver, blue and black.

It’s the eReader to be seen with – even if you don’t want to break a habit of a lifetime or try something new, use it to hold your classics, indulge in chick lit, or keep-up with the best sellers list.

Available at WHSmith Retail Stores or online at www.whsmith.co.uk, John Lewis and Asda

THE KOBO TOUCH EDITION £89.99 – Ultimate reading experience: lighter, faster, and with touch!

· Simple and intuitive touch screen navigation, that is just like reading a book with Real Touch™ technology

· Weighs just 185g

· Wi Fi connection to shop and browse the Kobo eBook store at home or on the go

· Free Previews – free excerpts of 15 popular books ready to read

· Newest E Ink 6 inch Screen with Pearl Technology and featuring 16 level grey scale for the sharpest reading experience

· A selection of fonts and font sizes, to customise your reading experience

Freedom to shop wherever you like

· Kobo supports ‘open’ books, which means you’re not restricted to buying titles from one site – you can shop around for the latest books from ‘open’ eBook retailers meaning more choice and always a competitive price

Freedom to read wherever you like

· Light and compact the Kobo Touch can go anywhere, but if you want to share your book with any other device you can

· Once you have bought your book, it’s yours to share with free Kobo eReading apps for smartphones, tablets and computers

Freedom to share your thoughts

· For the first time, avid readers can share their thoughts in the world’s biggest international book club, Reading Life

· The Reading Life function allows you to see the books friends have read and ask them for recommendations, see the books you have in common and invite friends to join Kobo via Facebook or email

WHITTARD OF CHELSEA RELEASES PERFECT ‘CUPPA’ GUIDE

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WHITTARD OF CHELSEA RELEASES PERFECT ‘CUPPA’ GUIDE, AHEAD OF BUMPER TEA-MAKING DAY – MOTHERING SUNDAY

The UK Tea Council expects more than 165 million cups of tea to be drunk in the UK this Mothering Sunday. As the annual homage to Mothers approaches, millions of sons and daughters around the country are planning to serve breakfast in bed including the ultimate ‘cuppa’ for the celebrated women in their lives. Tea and coffee specialists Whittard of Chelsea, who have already identified a pre-Mother’s Day tea selling surge, have today released their expert guide to making the perfect cuppa.

Every year, Whittard of Chelsea monitors the Mother’s Day effect, estimated to be one of the biggest tea-making days of the year. Selling over 130 varieties of tea, Whittard last year saw a +32% surge in sales of tea gifts in the run up to Mothering Sunday. So far this year, the firm tea favourites are – unsurprisingly – English Breakfast and Earl Grey. However, sales of speciality flavours such as English Rose and Orange Blossom are also creeping up.

Says Fiona Robinson, of Whittard of Chelsea’s head office in Oxfordshire:

“A cup of tea in bed is one of life’s simple pleasures, and one that children can help

prepare at any age to spoil the lady of the house. Whittard starts to see a real peak in sales about two weeks before Mother’s Day as people come in to buy their favourite teas, along with pretty bone china to make a celebration out of the perfect cuppa. Tea gifts also sell very well for Mother’s Day with year’s best sellers including tea caddies, leaf tea with silver-plated infusers and tea selection boxes.”

Whittard of Chelsea’s Expert Guide to Making the Perfect Cuppa

1. Choose the right blend to suit your mood – Deciding on the right blend – whether loose leaf or a teabag – to suit your mood and individual taste is key. Many people have on average three blends in their cupboard for exactly this reason. Great wake-up teas for Mother’s Day include classic English Breakfast or Assam.
2. Delicate cup and saucer or comforting chunky mug? Many swear that tea tastes better from fine bone china. Fine bone china cups are lighter and more delicate than ceramic mugs and keep the tea hotter for longer. However, nothing will do sometimes but a great big comforting mug of strong tea.
3. Is it a full tea tray moment? Mother’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to produce a proper ‘tea moment’ complete with laden tray, sugar lumps, strainer, tea pot and milk jug.
4. Always use freshly drawn water either from the cold tap or even better, filtered. Pre-heated water loses oxygen and dulls the flavour of the tea.
5. Are you in a Milk Mood? Some teas are considered best without milk but it’s all a matter of taste. For example, Earl Grey has a very delicate flavour so only requires a dash of milk, whilst some prefer it without milk and just a slice of lemon.
6. Boiling is best – Pour the boiling water straight into the cup as soon as it’s boiled. Boiling water brings the tea to life

TEAPOTS & TEALEAVES

7. Warm the pot with a dash of water. It creates a better brewing temperature
8. Measure your tea leaves carefully
* Very strong dark type of teas; 3 or 4 teaspoons per 6 cup pot
* Medium strength teas, possibly drunk black. 2 teaspoons
* Lighter teas, enjoyed without milk. Use 1 teaspoon of leaves
9. Optimum brewing time for tea leaves is 3 to 5 minutes – Less does not extract the full flavour, more and it can become bitter.
10. Stop what you’re doing, pour and enjoy!