Dashing Through The Snow by Debbie Macomber Reviewed: Tracy Baines

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Ashley Davidson is desperate to spend the holidays with her mother in Seattle. Dash Sutherland has an interview for the job of a lifetime in Seattle and must arrive by 23 December. Both frantic to book a last minute flight out of California, Ashley and Dash collide at the airport to learn that there are no flights and only one rental car available.

After a rocky start, the two reluctantly agree to drive to Washington tighter. But their journey isn’t without obstacles, and a misunderstanding with the law threatens to ruin their holiday plans altogether.

Settle down to be entertained and ride in the back seat of the car that Ashley and Dash are sharing. It moves at a swift pace and the dialogue is sparky. A light and frothy romance with a happy ending. If you’re looking for a little escapism you’ll find it here. Many of Debbie Macomber’s books are made into TV movies and as I was reading I could see it fitting very well into the 3.00pm slot on Channel 5.

To be published 19^th November 2015 by Arrow

Luxury Irish Chocolatier Lily O’Brien’s Christmas Range Review

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Frostie

We reviewed some amazing chocolate from Lily O’Brien’s. The Milk Chocolate Truffles were utterly divine and so chocolatey we were in heaven. The Creamy Caramels were delicious and perfect, the Creamy Caramels with Sea Salt are unique, with a perfect dash of sea salt that really works. The Ultimate Chocolate Collection already looked like a present and was exciting to unwrap, but not as exciting as what was inside: an amazing collection of chocolates that were the encapsulation of luxury. We can’t think of a better present for a loved one. Give in bulk to those you love and remain popular for the rest of the year.

Spread some luxurious festive cheer with the brand new Christmas collection from Lily O’Brien’s – the premium Irish chocolatier.

With deliciously decadent chocolates that create that “wow” factor for dinner party guests, and gorgeous gifting solutions for that special someone, there’s a Lily O’Brien’s product for every Christmas occasion.

Lily O’Brien’s chocolates are crafted with care and passion, to ensure that each and every chocolate is of the finest quality.

Especially for the festive season, Lily O’Brien’s has created some extra special gifts in stunning seasonal packaging. Customers will love the Petit Indulgence Keepsake Star – a beautiful selection of milk, dark and white classic Lily O’Brien’s favourites, presented in a star-shaped keepsake box.

Dinner party hosts can add a touch of seasonal sparkle to the table with Lily O’Brien’s Milk Chocolate Truffle Cracker. A fabulous cracker-shaped box crammed full of luxurious milk chocolate truffles.

And, the Ultimate Chocolate Collection has been given a fantastic festive twist, with several gifting sizes available in Christmas packaging. This scrumptiously amazing assortment contains eight unique Lily O’Brien’s recipes including Le Crunch Chocolat, Lemon Meringue Pie, Zesty Orange Chocolate, Sticky Toffee, Praline Perfection, Double Chocolate Truffle, Simply Chocolate and Great Taste Award winner Death by Chocolate.

Lily O’Brien’s chocolates are available in major supermarkets including Waitrose.com, Asda.com, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and online at www.lilyobriens.com. The Christmas range will be available to purchase from the end of Autumn.

Lily O’Brien’s Christmas Collection:

Lily O’Brien’s Petit Indulgence Keepsake Star 96g
Lily O’Brien’s Creamy Caramels Christmas Gift Pouch 110g Lily O’Brien’s Milk Chocolate Truffles Christmas Cracker 195g Lily O’Brien’s Chocolate Indulgence Collection 250g Lily O’Brien’s Chocolate Treasures Collection 240g
Lily O’Brien’s Ultimate Chocolate Collection 190g
Lily O’Brien’s Ultimate Chocolate Collection 160g

www.lilyobriens.com

Piccini 1882 Spumante & Piccini Orange Label Chianti Review

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Frostie

We have some awful news: apparently the supply of prosecco is running low. We are just drinking too much of the stuff. Fear not though, Piccini have brought out an alternative: Piccini‘s 1882 Spumante. 1882 has been innovatively produced with a blend of 75% prosecco (glera) grapes and 25% Chardonnay grapes to offer an equally delicious taste profile to the popular Italian sparkling variety. It is fresh, crisp and delicious. A fruity wine that is just as good as ‘normal’ prosecco. Zesty citrus and tropical fruit flavours make this a truly wonderful fizzy wine. We can highly recommend it.

Also perfect for Christmas is the Piccini Orange Label Chianti Review. This red blend from Tuscany is smooth and delicious. This is a very popular red wine and it is very easy to see why. Instantly recognisable, this wine is at the heart of what Piccini does: a classic Chianti made to a very traditional recipe. What’s the secret to this wine’s juicy, easy-drinking style? A traditional Tuscan technique called Governo all’uso which sees a small amount of the Sangiovese grape – which is used for all Chianti – added as withered fruit. The effect of this is to induce a very slight secondary fermentation which in turn gives delicious, bright, red fruit flavours to the final wine.

Piccini Orange Label is fabulous on its own or with practically any food you can think of – from pasta and tomato sauce whipped up after a busy day at work, to mature cheeses eaten by the fire with friends. You can find the Piccini Orange Label Chianti in Sainsbury’s at an RRP of £6.20. Sainsburys.co.uk

Renowned Italian wine brand Piccini have the perfect drinks for this season including their much-loved Orange Label Chianti. A red blend from Tuscany that is talked about more than any other wine in Italian history, it’s the perfect wintery red wine to be enjoyed at home with classics such as pizza, lasagne and lamb.

As well as the perfect wintery red, Piccini have also got the perfect party season drink – Piccini‘s 1882 Spumante. This sparkling wine is a great alternative to prosecco and is on offer at Sainsbury’s at two bottles for £14.00. A deal not to be missed ahead of the winter party season. Much-loved Italian wine brand, Piccini, launches its new 1882 Spumante sparkling wine to offer the UK an affordable alternative to Prosecco.
As demand for Prosecco continues to soar and rumors of a potential ‘Prosecco shortage’ continue, 1882 has been innovatively produced with a blend of 75% prosecco (glera) grapes and 25% Chardonnay grapes to offer an equally delicious taste profile to the popular Italian sparkling variety.

Cultivated in the cool climate and sea-fossil soils of Triveneto, including the traditional prosecco regions of Veneto and Fruili, Piccini retains its authentic Italian roots in winemaking by using the traditional Charmat production method to give 1882 its uniquely delicate fizz.

Undeniably fruity, with zesty citrus and tropical fruit flavors, 1882 is the perfect accompaniment for dishes such as succulent seared scallops, grilled fish and chicken salads.

Named after the year the Piccini family first began wine production, the launch of 1882 continues to establish Piccini as an innovative, exciting Italian brand that combines authenticity and heritage with industry innovation.

Available from Sainsburys.co.uk with an ongoing RRP of £9.00.

1882 OFFERS (available exclusively at Sainsbury’s):

From the 28th of October for 3 weeks, 1882 will be on offer, 2 bottles for £14.00.

From the 9th of December for another 3 weeks, 1882 will be on offer, 2 bottles for £14.00.

Wartski – The First 150 Years by Geoffrey Munn Review by Tracy Baines

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Margaret Graham

The book is available by ACC, but also at the V&A, where Wartski are sponsoring the jewellery exhibition opening at the end of November.

Whether you have a passion for jewellery or not this book is a fascinating insight into one of the most famous jewellers in the world today. It was the Wartski goldsmith’s who made Catherine Middleton’s wedding ring for her marriage to the Duke of Cambridge.

Finely researched and containing immense detail this book is written by Wartski Managing Director and Antiques Roadshow expert Geoffrey Munn, who started at the firm in 1972 after answering an advert for an assistant in The Daily Telegraph.

This unique family business, centring on a small shop in the West End of London, is famous for its association with masterpieces of goldsmith’s work, antique jewellery and most especially those of Carl Fabergé.

The book is full of beautiful photographs and illustrations not just of jewellery and objets d’art but of the great and the good who visited the store over the years. Every page has something to delight the eye whether that be necklaces, Fabergé eggs or movie stars from a bygone age.

Morris Wartski, a Polish émigré and multilingual extrovert, came to North Wales and due to a chance meeting with the Marquess of Anglesey was able to open his first retail shop in Bangnor in 1895

What follows is a testament to hard work, ingenuity and salesmanship. It’s a story of chance meetings, philanthropy and business acumen that has set firmly in place the foundations for Wartski’s longevity. The book is worth reading for this chapter alone – I found it absolutely riveting. A true tale of rags to riches.

What follows is not just about the jewels but the people who bought and collected them. There is everything a good blockbuster needs – tenacity, intrigue, the fabulously rich and the weirdly eccentric. I found it hugely enjoyable and interesting but winced a bit at the hefty price tag. However, a fabulous book for the coffee table and a delight for those interested in the finer things in life.
“Wartski – The First 150 years” is not only the history of a firm but also the biography of a
scintillating society. It gives the reader new insight into the jewellery trade, the fascination of
collecting and the lives of the rich and famous. The lavishly illustrated text opens a window on to
an otherwise private world.

Christmas Gift List For Baby

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Frostie

Not much is more adorable than a baby. Okay, they can’t talk properly, or do much of anything, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get a cute present. It may be more for mummy and daddy, but here are some great ideas.

Reindeer Hooded Towel From www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

An adorable towel, ideal for post-bath cuddles this Christmas. A supersoft Christmas hooded towel with fun antlers and a reindeer face, perfect for wrapping up after a bath. 100% Cotton, £14.00. We absolutely love this. It feels super soft and is so cute. Top marks.

Illustries Baby Books

We absolutely adore these baby books from Illustries are an innovative company that creates a unique collection of luxury and bespoke coffee table books and artwork to capture every important detail of milestone life moments through interviews, photography, story-telling and design-led creativity. Reflecting the Illustries’ ethos of designing and delivering beautifully collated individualised keepsakes with a style-savvy twist, the ‘Hey Baby!’ journals offer a contemporary take on traditional baby books to capture the early years of parenthood. In addition and destined to become a stylish must-have accessory for proud parents and grandparents alike, the soon to be launched ‘Hey Baby Brag Book’ is equally as charming and cute as its baby journal sibling.

Small enough to fit snugly into a handbag, man-bag or pocket, the brag book is a cute and convenient baby album to share baby snaps on the go. Designed in the iconic Illustries contemporary style and matching it’s bigger brothers and sisters, the Baby Books, the perfectly petite albums hold up to seven classic 4×6” photographs (or additional smaller photos) alongside beautifully-designed pages dedicated to the all-important little person details, including birthdate. The Baby Brag Book is available as a portrait, hardcover album with accordion-style pages printed on heavy matt uncoated paper and finished with an elegant ribbon tie. In a choice of two on-trend colours; coral pink for girls and duck-egg blue for boys.The Baby Book by Illustries is available here.and Mini Baby Photo Album and Brag Book.

Little Butterfly Dewdrops at Dawn Body Lotion.

This body lotion for baby smells amazing and is 100% certified organic ingredients. Suitable for newborns and those with sensitive and eczema prone skin. With cucumber seed oil, cocoa butter and oat kernel extract, it is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. Free of mineral oil, paraffin, paragons, silicones, SLS, DEA, TEA, PEGs or artificial fragrance. Great for baby and for mum to borrow. From notonthehighstreet.com

Reindeer Onesie From www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

This is so cute and adorable we can barely take it. A great alternative to a dressing gown, this adorable reindeer onesie has a fleecy outer and is lined in soft cotton jersey. Sizes up to and including 18-24 months have popper leg opening for easy nappy changing. Sizes over 18-24 months have zip opening. It is machine washable and is super cosy. http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+reindeer-onesie-in-pyjamas-robes-and-slippers+d2626

Blade & Rose Leggings.

We love these Blade & Rose Robot leggings.So cute. Britain’s iconic children’s clothing brand, Blade & Rose has a new Autumn/Winter collection of adorable trendsetting leggings and accessories for babies and toddlers. Made from top quality fabric that is durable, these precious leggings are perfect for mini fashionistas whilst kind to their delicate skin. All leggings can be paired with matching socks, bibs and hats. Available in sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, RRP £10.00 http://www.bladeandrose.co.uk/ and here.

Comotomo Baby Bottle

This is hugely popular with our babies and mums. It makes a great gift. The award winning and revolutionary Comotomo baby bottle is the ultimate practical gift for new parents this Christmas. Specifically designed to provide the closest thing to breastfeeding in a bottle, the unique design features two essential antic-colic vents. The ‘mummy inspired and baby approved’ Comotomo bottle range is dishwasher, microwave, boiling water and steriliser safe making it easy use. Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle is available here.

Wishbone Baby Thermometer

Smart and easy-to-use, this is a brilliant little gadget. The brand new Wishbone Baby Thermometer makes a great gift stocking filler for new parents. It is the first non-contact thermometer that works with smart phones;. Wishbone Baby Thermometer’s has a unique Y-shape which provides the perfect angle for digital temperature reading, and it’s compact design is the ideal size for travelling or keeping on you at all times. It’s the only smart thermometer that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. RRP £34.99 available on Mothercare.co.uk

Babybjorn Baby Carrier WE

A great gift for any parent, giving them freedom to carry baby around without hassle. No new parent’s kit is complete without a BabyBjörn Baby Carrier We, and this new baby carrier it is perfect ‘treat gift’ for a new mum or dad this Christmas.The BabyBjörn Baby Carrier We is one of a “new generation of baby carriers” and is suitable from birth all the way to three years old; carry your baby on your front close to your heart, and when they are one year old you can carry them on your back , turning the carrier with one simple movement. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier WE is available here.

Reindeer Mittens From Jojo Maman Bébé

These reindeer mittens are just adorable. Perfect for the festive season. Machine washable with a flexible fit, there is also a matching hat. From jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Comotomo Teether

This teether was a huge hit with Frostie babies. Easy for them to hold and chew on. It has a smart, unique design that babies love. Mimics baby fingers perfectly, and we know how babies love to chew on fingers. Just long enough to reach the back molars, but short enough to prevent choking. They are easy to grab and hold. Made them with a medical grade silicone and heat resistant, so when it comes to cleaning time, just sterilising them in boiling water and you’re good to go!

Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether is available here.

Elf the Musical – Review

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

Elf the Musical
The Dominion Theatre, until 2 January
Box office: 0845 200 7982
www.elfthemusical.co.uk

Photo credit: Alastair Muir

Even strolling beneath the over-sized illuminated baubles of Oxford Street, on a mild November evening it still felt far too soon to embrace Christmas. Fast-forward three hours and I was positively exuding seasonal cheer – this is a show that would transform even Scrooge from selfish to elfish.

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, the plot is fairy tale daft. A baby crawls into Santa’s sack one Christmas Eve and is raised by Elves in the North Pole. Being a fairy tale nobody mentions the fact that Buddy can place the star on top of the Christmas tree without the aid of a cherry picker, but eventually Santa ‘fesses up: Buddy is actually human and has a father in New York. As it turns out, a father who isn’t too keen on welcoming an oversized elf to the family.

At the risk of spoiling the story for those who haven’t seen the movie, suffice to say that chaos, comedy, romance and high drama follow, each element taking the narrative towards Happily Ever After as smoothly as champion skier heading down a nursery slope.

Ben Forster as Buddy is a joy. Bouncing around like a particularly nimble and enthusiastic Labrador, he has a terrific rapport with the audience and manages to be both charming and sweetly innocent. He also sings like a dream (Forster was the winner of the TV search for Jesus Christ Superstar), and makes an exceptionally good fist of songs that, while entertaining in the moment, aren’t especially memorable.

Kimberley Walsh as Jovie, the object of Buddy’s affections, is also in fabulous voice, while Joe McGann as Buddy’s dad Walter convinces as the tetchy publisher of children’s books who has been putting work ahead of family for too long.

Offering up plenty of warm and fuzzy feelings from the off, excellent teamwork sees a supporting cast singing, dancing and acting their Christmas socks off, while the design team’s clever set (‘wow’ factors come thick and fast) deserves a curtain call of its own.

Directed and choreographed by Morgan Young, if panto isn’t your cup of eggnog then there are plenty of seasonal sensations to be had here, without all the ‘behind you’ capers. And if you don’t leave the theatre wanting to spread tidings of comfort and joy, frankly you’re a lost cause.

Fenjal Christmas Classics Range Review

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Amy Voce

We reviewed some of the fennel’s classic Christmas range, starting with their Crème Bath Oil. This bath oil smells amazing, it is very high quality. It is relaxing and leaves your skin as soft as a baby’s skin. Their body lotion smells just as great and is very hydrating, it leaves skin looking fab. The body spray is an easy way to pick yourself up, hydrates skin and smells great. This trio of products are true decadence. They would make a brilliant present.

This festive season, fenjal’s classic skincare range allows you to bring the rejuvenating qualities of the spa to your friends and family.

With a selection of luxurious bodycare products, developed with over 40 years of Swiss beauty expertise, the fenjal classic range provides pure indulgence making it the perfect pamper gift.

Products from the fenjal Classic range evoke the soul-soothing experience of a luxury Swiss spa, transforming the bath and bedroom into a pleasurable pampering haven for a much-needed dose of escapism during the captivating chaos of Christmas.

fenjal Classic Crème Bath Oil – Nourish and Relax

fenjal’s Classic Crème Bath Oil contains natural plant extracts and soothing soy oil, which absorb deep into your skin to lock away essential moisture. Pour this iconic product into a running hot bath for a truly opulent way to relax and revitalise weary bodies after strenuous shopping expeditions or even just a hectic day.

fenjal Classic Body Lotion – Hydrate and Replenish

For optimum skin softness, fenjal’s Classic Body Lotion is a deeply moisturising blend of body-beautifying vitamins E, C and B to help repair and replenish parched winter skin. The ideal Christmas stocking filler for those with a love for that silky-smooth, spa-like feel.

fenjal Classic Sensuous Body Spray – Fragrance and Moisturise

Spritz yourself with the lightly moisturising mist of fenjal’s Classic Sensuous Body Spray and envelop yourself in a delicate cloud of floral fragrance. Perfect before that long-awaited festive soiree where smooth, scented skin is a necessity.

Fenjal products are available here.

Hampstead Tea Review & New Cocoa Green To Revitalised Organic Range

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Amy Voce

We are quite obsessed with tea at Frost so we jumped at the chance to review this Hampstead Tea range. We reviewed:

Velvety Cocoa Green – a velvety smooth blend of equatorially sourced cocoa and premium whole leaf Darjeeling Green Tea that will satisfy even the most passionate of chocoholics with its deliciously rich taste. This is amazing and unique. As smooth as it says and just chocolate enough.

Pure Darjeeling– Hampstead’s signature award-winning tea is an easy drinking aromatic tea with gentle, floral, muscatel tones. An exquisitely rounded and mellow tea, the Darjeeling autumnal flush is delicious with a slice of lemon or on its own. A delicious tea and a superior Darjeeling.

Strong English Breakfast– a full strength tea combining both Assam and East African tea leaves, this bold blend is rich and rousing with malty tones. A favourite of our editor. This English Breakfast will be a huge hit with tea fans. Full strength for a proper brew, rich and satisfying.

Dreamy Jasmine Green – young jasmine flowers harvested in Asia are blended with special bergamot from the Reggio Calabria region of Italy, renowned for its bergamot fruit, to scent this seductive floral tea. Perfect for fans of green tea. Fruity and floral as it is yummy.

All the teas are organic, bio-dynamic and fairtrade. Celebrity fans include Deliciously Ella and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Pioneering tea brand, Hampstead Tea, is at the forefront of a tea revolution. Bio-Dynamic, organic and Fairtrade, its range of premium teas have been revitalised to deliver exceptional taste and style for every cup.

Staying true to the purity of the source, Hampstead Tea’s stylish and modern new look is as crisp and clean as the new tea range itself. Single-estate sourced from The Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, the world’s first Bio-Dynamic Demeter certified tea estate, Hampstead Tea use only tea leaves grown in total harmony with nature and in an environment free of chemical pesticides. Delivering delicious flavour with peace of mind, the new range of refreshed and trend-setting blends is set to inspire tea drinkers to join the Bio-Dynamic movement.

Leading the pack is velvety Cocoa Green, a UK-first whose unique and innovative taste profile is perfect for those looking to indulge. This decadent smooth blend of equatorially sourced cocoa and premium whole leaf Darjeeling Green Tea will satisfy even the most passionate of chocoholics with its deliciously rich taste.

Championed by legions of celebrity fans from Gwyneth Paltrow to Deliciously Ella, Green Tea is known for its detoxifying properties and antioxidants which deliver that extra boost to the immune system. With dark chocolate and Green Tea proven to be the most effective combination for an energy boost^[1], Hampstead Tea are setting trends by taking the well-known cleansing properties of Green Tea to a new level of taste.

Tapping into the growing popularity of more powerful teas, Hampstead Tea’s black tea range now includes Strong English Breakfast for those who prefer a more robust drink. A full strength tea combining both Assam and East African tea leaves, this bold blend is rich and rousing with malty tones and the perfect wake me up on a cold winter morning.

Hampstead Tea maintain the fine quality of its award winning whole leaf Bio-Dynamic teas, whether they be white, green, oolong or black, by sourcing them from one single estate – a rarity amongst tea brands – making no compromise on quality at any stage in their production. The company works in partnership with The Makaibari Tea Estate, India, to grow all the teas according to Demeter standards and in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem. Hampstead Tea pay a premium for their tea direct to the estate, directly contributing to the quality of life of the workers living on the plantation.

All ingredients blended with Hampstead Tea’s Demeter certified Teas have a clearly defined origin and are sourced from Bio-Dynamic farms. It is this attention to purity which ensures Great Taste Peace With Peace of Mind across the Hampstead Tea range.

Hampstead Tea have upgraded the taste profile and packaging across the whole range of their Black and Green Teas so as to continue to deliver premium quality and inspire a new generation of discerning organic tea drinkers to select Hampstead Tea as their brand of choice.

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