Tag Archives: Review

Get Your Sh!t Together Book Review

Posted on by

thegritdoctorLet’s be honest. We all have areas of our life that are just not together. Life is tough and time is short. Add in human nature such as laziness and anxiety, common things most people have to some degree, and then it is clear why many people are not achieving their destiny.  Enter this book from the author of Run Fat Bitch Run, Ruth Field AKA The Grit Doctor. She calls it your prescription for life.

There are grit commandments. Do’s and don’ts, great quotes and advice on just how to locate your inner bitch and use her to your advantage.

The book is a bit sweary and that might bother some people. If so, just overlook it. This is a great motivating book. It takes big things and makes them smaller. The idea of cleaning a shelf in your house one at a time and then using the analogy for every part of your life is effective. We all have things that we want to do but make excuses instead of achieving it. This book kicks you into shape. It makes you put your thinking into shape.

The Grit Doctor wants you to throw out to do lists and instead do The GYST Facilitator. Which is not just to do lists but breakdowns of where you want to go to and how to get there. You then take things step by step.

In fact it starts by making sure that you have the basics of life together: Home, job and family. You master these basics through actions. The book is about action and overcoming fears. If you ever wanted a friend in your life who was harsh but fair then buy this book. It is a great prescription to sort out your life. It is smart and witty and brutal. Just what you need in your life. It is a new type of self help, not the kind where you just read something vaguely motivating and forget about it, but the kind that actually makes you want to connect with your inner bitch and become the best version of yourself. Courtney Love has this great quote, “I found my inner bitch and I ran with her”. This book will help you do the same.

THE GRIT DOCTOR TAUGHT YOU HOW TO RUN

NOW SHE’S GOING TO TEACH YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR LIFE

 

Has becoming a capable, poised grown-up turned out to be more complicated than you imagined? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, and if you’re tired of the crappy stuff in life grinding you down, then it’s time to stop whining and GET YOUR SH!T TOGETHER. With this funny, frank and tough-talking guide, Ruth Fields’s alter ego, The Grit Doctor will help you:

 

  • Tackle daunting problems like a fearless superwoman
  • Figure out what you want from life and find the courage to GO FOR IT
  • Learn how to get more sh!t done in less time
  • Stop feeling bad about your less-than-perfect-life (because perfection’s overrated anyway)

 

 

The Grit Doctor does for self-help what she did for running: RIPS UP THE RULE BOOK.

 

Ruth Field is the author of RUN FAT B!TCH RUN and THE RUN FAT B!TCH RUN MARATHON PLAN. She is a former criminal barrister and lives in North London with her husband and twin sons. She blogs regularly at www.gritdoctor.wordpress.com and you can also find her on Twitter (@gritdoctor) and Facebook at  www.facebook.com/thegritdoctor.

 

Available from Amazon UK and WH Smith.

 

 

Disaronno Cocktail Recipes and Drink Review

Posted on by

392781_10151288429292093_768028658_nDisaronno is an incredibly unique drink. Sweet and warm. It smells and tastes like marzipan. So if you like marzipan, you will love Disaronno. The packaging is also great. Iconic and sophisticated.

Disaronno Amaretto liqueur has a long history dating back to 1525. The Italian liqueur was discovered in the Renaissance. The artist Bernardino Luini, a brilliant pupil of Leonardo da Vinci – was commissioned to paint a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles in Saronno (Madonna dei Miracoli in Saronno, where the Fresco is still displayed today). To portray the Madonna, he chose as his muse a beautiful local innkeeper. As a thank you she gave him a flask full of the now famous amber liquid.

The recipe was rediscovered by Giovanni Reina. Since then the Reina family has closely guarded the secret formula, passing it from one generation to the next.

Disaronno tastes great with apple juice or lemonade. It is also a great cocktail ingredient. Check out the recipes below.

DISARONNO CRANBERRY CHILLER

 

  • ¾ part DISARONNO
  • ½ part Vodka
  • ¾ part Triple sec
  • 3 parts Cranberry juice
  • Orange juice

Method
Shake all ingredients and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Taste: Bitter | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Do use freshly-squeezed oranges! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

DISARONNO Sour

Disaronno Sour - LOW
Recipe: 1 part DISARONNO, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ lemon squeezed, Crushed ice

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.

DISARONNO JAZZY HOUR

A fine fusion of flavours

Create a sensation of top notes with this fruity favourite. Fusing DISARONNO, vodka, tangerine liqueur, pineapple juice and a splash of fresh lemon, it’s a mouth-watering mix perfect for any occasion.

  • ½ part DISARONNO
  • 1 part Vodka
  • ½ part Tangerine liqueur
  • 1 part Pineapple juice
  • Splash lemon juice

 

Method

  • Shake with ice and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
    Do use freshly-squeezed lemons! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

DISARONNO COLADA

 

Simply mix DISARONNO with colada mix for a truly tropical assault.

1½ parts DISARONNO
4 parts Colada mix

Method
Mix all ingredients in a blender with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with slice of pineapple and a cherry.
Taste: Sour | Strength: Mild

 

DISARITA FRESH VERSION

DISARONNO with tequila blanco, tropical guava juice and a generous squeeze of lime. Just add a sunset.

¾ part DISARONNO
1¼ parts Tequila blanco
1¼ parts Guava juice
½ part Lime juice

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime slice. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Do use freshly-squeezed limes! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

 

DISARONNO ITALIAN KISSES

 

DISARONNO Italian Kisses, a seductive blend of DISARONNO, pomegranate juice and crisp prosecco.

1 part DISARONNO
½ part Pomegranate juice
Top prosecco

Method
Pour DISARONNO and pomegranate juice into each flûte, then top each with prosecco. Garnish with an orange peel. Taste: Bitter | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Cocktails with champagne and sparkling wine go well with food. Drier wines work well with seafood and sushi, while sweeter wines go better with fruit.

 

DISARONNO SPARKLING

 

DISARONNO and crisp sparkling wine. Smooth, sweet and offering a refreshing hit of bubbles, it’s a great way to get the party started.

¾ part DISARONNO
Top with sparkling wine

Method
Pour DISARONNO into a flûte glass, top with sparkling wine.
Taste: Bitter | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Did you know – a sparkling wine only needs around 45 minutes in the fridge before serving. In fact, if it is served too cold, the taste and smell will be lost.

 

DISARONNO BED OF ROSES

 

DISARONNO, zesty orange, a drizzle of triple sec and a dash of crisp champagne.

1 part DISARONNO
1 part Orange juice
drizzle Triple sec
Champagne

Method
Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain into flûte glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with an orange peel. Taste: Sour | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Cocktails with champagne and sparkling wine go well with food. Drier wines work well with seafood and sushi, while sweeter wines go better with fruit.

 

DISARONNO MIMOSA

DISARONNO, orange juice and a splash of crisp prosecco.

¾ part DISARONNO
1 part Orange juice
Top prosecco

Method
Pour all ingrendients into a flûte glass, top with prosecco. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Pop the flute glasses into the freezer for a few minutes before you pour the cocktail into them, to ensure your mimosas are deliciously cold.

 

DISARONNO ROMAN CHOCOLATE

Blend DISARONNO, dark crème de cacao and half & half mix.

1 part DISARONNO
1 part Dark creme de cacao
1 part Half & Half mix

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a shot glass. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong

 

RASPBERRY DISARITA

DISARONNO, tequila blanco, raspberry juice and margarita mix.

¾ part DISARONNO
1¼ parts Tequila blanco
1½ parts Raspberry juice
1½ parts Margarita mix

Method
Mix all ingredients in a blender with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime slice. Taste: Sour | Strength: Strong

 

DISARONNO & TEA

Combine piping hot tea with the smooth sweetness of DISARONNO, for a treat that’s bound to ward off the winter blues. Top with whipped cream.

1½ parts DISARONNO
6 parts Hot tea
Whipped cream

Method
Pour all ingredients into a mazagran glass, top with whipped cream. Taste: Sour | Strength: Mild

 

DISARONNO MACBETH

 

Serve up a fearsome fusion of Tennessee whisky, DISARONNO, blue curacao and sweet & sour.

½ part DISARONNO
1 part Tennessee whiskey
½ part Blue curaçao
1 part Sweet & Sour mix

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Garnish with lime slice.
Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Make your own ‘Sweet & Sour’ mix by mixing 2 parts spirit to 1 part sour (e.g. lemons) and 1 part sweet (e.g. triple sec, fruit juice).

Do you have a cocktail recipe? Let us know or comment below.

You can buy Disaronno here or at Tesco.com

 

Manuka Doctor ApiClear Blemish Cream Review

Posted on by

Mille Mackintosh

Everyone has the occasional break out no matter how good their skin is. I am no exception. The last spot cream I used seemed to take the occasional spot I got and multiply it so my usually clear skin had a bit of a freak out. Enter Manuka Doctor ApiClear Blemish Cream. I had high hopes for this as I have previously reviewed their face mask. It also has Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh as a fan.

Millie Says, I won’t be going to anywhere this year without Manuka Doctor’s ApiClear Blemish Cream. Breakouts often occur during festivals and holidays and so having this to instantly soothe my skin is a lifesaver! It is so easy to use – I just pop it in my bag and know that my skin will stay blemish free.

The cream has UMF 18+ Manuka Honey, witch hazel, vitamin E and Propolis. It is calm and cooling and non greasy. It doesn’t have any nasty parabens or SLS.

I use it on the occasional pimple and it does speed up the healing process. My skin looks a lot better. Considering how inexpensive it is (£5.99 from Holland & Barrett) I will be buying this when it runs out. A great little cream that helps clear up spots quickly.

Top marks.

The Anthologist | Restaurant Review

Posted on by

photo (48)

The Anthologist is set on Gresham Street in the heart of the city of London. First impressions were great. Both the restaurant and bar were packed. One immediately gets the impression this a fun and trendy place. The atmosphere was buzzing. We were warmly greeted and led to a two seater table on a raised ledge with a window seat and our own sectioned area. We had a great view of the rest of the restaurant.

 

The tables are candlelit and our chairs were very comfortable. There is great attention to detail and no expense has been spared on the decor. The kitchen is open and visible. In fact you can sit on a counter right next to and looking into the kitchen. Everything is high tech. Chefs have monitors to view orders and some staff seem to be connected by Bluetooth head sets.
Raspberry Daiquiri and Porn Star cocktails

Raspberry Daiquiri and Porn Star cocktails

We start with some cocktails. A raspberry daiquiris and a ‘Porn Star’ made from passion fruit. Both were delicious. The raspberry daiquiris was wonderfully sweet which cut through the alcohol. The ‘porn star’ was amazing and both our favourite cocktail of the night. It had a wonderful smooth velvety texture. It came with a shot of champagne that you can down or mix into the drink. I chose the first option.

The service was first class. Our waiters were knowledgeable, friendly and very happy to make suggestions. Everything seemed extremely well organised and ran like clock work despite the packed restaurant. A waiter was always around when we wanted one and the cocktails and food arrived in excellent time. The monitors and Bluetooth gadgets were working.

 

The menu is large and there is a big selection. I started with tempura squid served on a bed of crunchy bean sprouts and peppers and firecracker sauce. The firecracker sauce was the real star here. Made with tomato, onion, ginger and hint of chilli it goes very extremely with the squid. I enjoyed the sauce so much I mopped up what was left with

Tempura Squid

Tempura Squid

some delicious Foccacia bread we’d been given earlier.

 

Our next drinks were a Skinny Mango Mojito. Which is only 115 calories. This mix of rum, mango, lime juice and nectar is a great take on a classic: just sumptuous. We also had a Princess Sparkle. Blackberries, elderflower, peach bitters, vanilla sugar and prosecco. To be honest the cocktails are out of this world. Just really good and definitely some of the best I have ever had. So if you don’t want to have a meal then at least check out the cocktails at The Anthologist.

 

Our other starter was excellent, old spot pork sausages with roast apples and prunes. A great classic combination. The acidity of the apple works perfectly against the delicious meatiness of the sausages and the sweet earthy prunes adds another dimension in terms of texture and flavor. It’s a dish which you can’t help but smile at and be very happy to eat.
Seabass

Seabass

For our main dishes we tried out two of the specials. The first was the pan fried Sea bass fillet with cracked wheat, marinated artichoke heart, olives, butternut squash, baby spinach and lush pesto which was recommended by the waiter and I could see why. For me this was the highlight of the evening. The whole dish had a Mediterranean/Moroccan feel.The fish was beautifully soft with crispy skin and was beautifully presented on black slate. The wheat was perfectly cooked. The olives were wonderful and full of tremendous flavor. The pesto sauce was delicious and when combined with the fish, earthy squash and spinach and wheat together the result was heavenly. One of the best Sea basses I have ever had without a doubt. Simply superb.

King Scallop Flambe!

King Scallop Flambe!

Next was the Flambe – seared King Scallops with wild rocket, crispy chick peas, grilled courgette, cognac, shallots and butter. This was prepared at our table which is always exciting and fun to watch. It was another stunning dish. The buttery sauce was a delight and it tasted amazing against the beautiful Scallops. They melt in your mouth. The thinly grilled courgettes and crispy chick peas were great accompaniments.

 

For dessert we have the mini pudding shots. They are amazing. You get three shots (although shots is a poor description because they’re were actually a lot bigger than that) of chocolate brownie, white chocolate & raspberry, Crème brûlée and salted caramel and roasted plum Knickerbocker glory. It was all good. It is even hard to choose a favourite. Although at the time I was most in the mood for the chocolate brownie. The Crème brûlée makes that satisfying cracking sound when you put your spoon in. Delicious.
Knickerbocker glory

Knickerbocker glory

We also ordered another knickerbocker glory. It looked amazing, was soft and very tasty. Despite being stuffed already it was easy to eat because it was light and not too rich, a perfect finish to the meal. It was delicious but personally I’m not a fan of the salted caramel craze.

 

The Anthologist is a great restaurant with a menu that has everything you could possibly want to eat in one place. From Asian food to steaks from a butchers in Mayfair. The cocktails are amazing, the scene is buzzing and the service is top notch. The food was truly excellent and the specials were particularly exciting. The chefs clearly have tremendous talent. I doubt you’ll find better food anywhere else in the city. The prices are also very reasonable for this part of London.

 

The atmosphere is amazing but it is loud and it won’t be for everyone’s taste. This probably isn’t the best restaurant for families but it is the perfect place to go after work. I would highly recommend you book in advance because there weren’t many empty seats for the whole night.
Highly recommended. We had a ball.

 

Address: 58 Gresham St, City of London, EC2V 7BB
Phone: 0845 468 0101
Nearest tube: Bank

Cointreau Cocktail Recipes And Drink Review

Posted on by

221635_10151288432442093_217936919_nI have had many cocktails with Cointreau as an ingredient. In fact Cointreau is at the heart of many famous cocktails including the Cosmopolitan and the Margarita. I knew it tasted good but was not quite sure what it was. Turns out it is an orange Liqueur. It smells great, it tastes great and everyone should have a bottle handy.

To top of the glamour factor gorgeous burlesque star Dita Von Teese is their spokeswomen. Here are some excellent cocktail recipes. We have been testing them all at Frost Mag central. The Sidecar was a particular favourite. Let us know your favourite.

COINTREAUPOLITAN:

Pour into a shaker with ice:

1.5 fl oz Cointreau

1 fl oz Cranberry juice

3/4 oz. Lemon juice

Shake and strain into a martini glass. Enjoy! The bartender’s tip: add the orange zest to your drink.

Cointreau Fizz

Cointreau Fizz Classic cucumber

Recipe: 50ml Cointreau, 100ml soda water and ½ fresh lime

Method: Squeeze wedges of lime into glass, fill glass with ice. Add the Cointreau and top up with soda water

Cucumber garnish is optional.

 

COINTREAU MARGADITA:

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz Silver Tequila

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 oz Monin Rose Syrup

1 pinch Chipotle Spice

Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled coup glass. Garnish with floating rose petals. For an added kick, add a chipotle and salt rim.

Margarita

 

20 ml (1 oz) Cointreau
20 ml (¾ oz) lime juice
40 ml (2 oz) tequila 100% agave

Pour into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, shake well, then pour into a chilled margarita or martini glass.

 

Don’t forget to rim the glass with salt. Garnish with a piece of lime.

Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

1 1/2 ounces bourbon

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 ounce Bénédictine D.O.M.

1/4 ounce Cointreau

Ice

Angostura bitters

Lemon twist, for garnish

 

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Place a cocktail glass in the freezer to chill.
  2. Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, Bénédictine, and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass, top with a dash of bitters, and garnish with the lemon twist.

 

Fluffy Dog recipe

 

1 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
1 oz Bailey’s Irish cream

Mix both ingredients and serve over ice.

Fluffy Duck

1 part/shot (30ml) advocaat 1 part/shot (30ml) cointreau 1 part/shot (30ml) cream 10 parts/shots (10x30ml) lemonade

Build and stir.

Jumping Jack Flash

25 ml Jack Daniels 25 ml cointreau 25 ml grand marnier 1 Can red bull

Shake the Jack Daniels, Cointreau and Grand Marnier with ice. Pour into a long glass and then add Red Bull.

 

What is your favourite cocktail? Share any recipes below.

Rimmel Lash Maxxx Mascara | Beauty Review

Posted on by

Catherine BalavageEvery woman knows that all mascara is not created equal. Those in the beauty know will also be aware that the shape of the brush is just as important, if not more important, than the actual mascara.

Catherine Balavage

Rimmel’s Lash Maxxx mascara (in Black Noir 001) has a few things going for it. One: it’s waterproof. Actually waterproof. In my opinion this is the best thing a mascara can be. Two, it has a great brush that can make your lashes really pop. The brush is just a row of bristles. They have the ability to make your lashes really big for a night out, or to make them more subtle but still great for day use. Another thing the brush has going for it is the lack of clumps it creates. it is like an eyelash brush but better.

The packaging says it has a 3X multiplying lash effect. After testing the mascara I would say this is completely true. If not an understatement. Another thing the packaging says is that the micro fine bristles capture and maximize every lash. I agree with this. The brush does justice to lashes and doesn’t look unnatural. I really like it. It get’s the Frost stamp of approval.

You can buy it for a measly £1.99 here.

The ingredients

photo

Calvin Klein Intense Mono Eyeshadow Artic Beauty Review

Posted on by

Catherine BalavageWe all know that Calvin Klein makes great clothes and ubiquitous underwear. But what about their make up? I try their eyeshadow to find out.

Calvin Klein’s Tempting Glance Intense Mono Eyeshadow in Artic is a lot lighter than my usual eyeshadow. In fact it looks more like a highlighter. A nice colour, but a highlighter.

I put it on and decide to pair it with some lilac eyeshadow on the crease on my eyelid for definition. The eyeshadow feels great. As expensive and high quality as I expect a product from Calvin Klein to be.

I really like the look and to top it of, when I bump into Krista Madden, owner of excellent blog Beauty And The Dirt and founder of Handpicked Media, at the launch of Superdry and Timothy Everest’s new clothing collaboration she compliments me on my make up. High praise indeed. In fact, I look very bright and fresh. My make up looks like spring. I feel so inspired that I have decided to experiment more with my make up.

The eyeshadow is both matte and shimmery. It blends on easily and you can also build it up. It doesn’t crease or fade. It is long wearing and lasts the day. It is also allergy tested & fragrance free. A Frost thumbs up.

Tempting Glance Intense Eyeshadow #101 Artic

What do you think of the look? Do you like light eyeshadow?

 

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream | Beauty Review

Posted on by

31IEYvjSZiL._SY300_This multitasking cream is big in Japan and has been around for 50 years. Yu-Be is one of the most trusted skincare brands in Japan. The cream is a bit like the Japanese Eight Hour Cream, it can be used on lips, face, hands, calluses, cuticles, dry skin, nappy rash and cracked heels. It is especially good on very dry skin. The crazy weather has been really drying my skin out and this amazing cream sorts it out.

This concentrated glycerin-based formula is enriched with vitamin E, B2, and camphor to soothe even the driest and irritated of skin types. A little goes a long way which makes it economical as well as brilliant. It also reduces scarring and fine lines.

It is a thick, yellow cream but it absorbs well and quickly. It smells medicinal to begin with but it does not linger. I love this Yu-Be moisturising cream. It gets the Frost magazine stamp of approval. It really works.

 

JAPAN’S FAVOURITE SKINCARE SECRET IS OUT THE BAG
Vitamin-enriched skincare cream, Yu-Be, launches in UK following demand from cult fan base in the UK Soft Skin Secret
The number one selling skincare product in Japan has hit the UK.
Yu-Be has long been a must-have for generations of Japanese families thanks to its multitasking properties: from soothing severe dry skin and razor burn to reducing scarring and fine lines.
The iconic orange and white pot has also lined make-up bags of beauty experts across the world
for over 50 years, as its ultra-smoothing properties and non-greasy formula make for an all-natural makeup primer, with no artificial colours or fragrances.
Yu-Be for all
The secret behind this ultra-moisturising cream lies in its uniquely high glycerin
content which treats a multitude of skin issues head-to-toe: from split cuticles,
windburn and frostbite in the winter, to sunburn and chapped lips in the summer.
Yu-Be is a staple for most Japanese families as it has been proven to relieve nappy
rash, eczema and dermatitis as well as reducing stretch marks and scarring. Dancers
and explorers also rely on the cream to restore cracked heels and calluses.

.

The Yu-Be Story
Yu-Be was invented in 1957 by a young pharmacist, Yoshikiyo Nowatari, determined
to cure his patient of chronic dry skin. He combined glycerin – known for its
moisture-retaining properties – with camphor, a natural product found in ancient
Asian remedies to relieve irritation and smooth skin, as well as Vitamins B2, C and E.
Yu-Be is one of the iconic brands that has helped Japan rise to become one of the
leading regions for skincare innovation in the 21st Century.Available from Boots:

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Original Japanese Formula is available from Boots.