The acclaimed Dutch musical clowns Släpstick have brought their hit show Släpstick: Schërzo to London for the first time. This is classical music (and contemporary music) as you’ve never experienced it before. Well, if you’re unaware of Victor Borge, Spike Jones or The Goons.
The show is a collection of musical sketches, with stunning virtuoso performances loosely tied together by the clowning of the troupe. Expect Schubert battling with Beethoven, a speed demon on the double bass and Släpstick’s popular ‘21 masterpieces in 1 minute’ routine. I can’t give any more details because I would hate to spoil the surprises!
In classical music, a ‘scherzo’ is a vigorous, light or playful composition, which Släpstick plays on in their bizarre show that will leave audiences of all ages entertained. The show is awesome – the performers are awesome! Bravo to Willem van Baarsen, Jon Bittman, Rogier Bosman, Sanne van Delft and Jaap Rovers. Schërzo is well-rehearsed organised chaos leaving me with a spring in my step and a grin on my face.
Perhaps the world needs more buffoonery of this kind… no, I correct myself. The world definitely needs more buffoonery of this kind – but this is certainly some of the best around.
Christmas is a time of tradition, some universal, some more personal. One of my personal traditions is that every December, I buy copious jars of chutneys, mustards and relishes, ‘just in case’. I then spend the following three months using up the said jars.
Well, no more, Tracklements have come up with the clever idea of a 9 jar mini pack, which this year will adorn my table over the Christmas period. Each jar is 25g, vegetarian and gluten free.
There’s something to please everyone here: Country Garden Chutney, Sticky Fig Relish, Caramelised Onion Marmalade, Robust Wholegrain Mustard, Fresh Chilli Jam, Tomato & Chilli Chutney, Sweet Mustard Ketchup, Apple & Sage Jelly, Spiced Honey Mustard. I have yet to try any of the Tracklements’ range that failed to delight but the Apple and Sage and Sweet Mustard Ketchup were personal favourites at this tasting. Fresh tasting, and with just the right degree of kick, I am a firm fan.
My other personal tradition is trying to find a gift for the office Secret Santa costing under £10.00. This usually ends with me going over the set limit, or buying something that one knows is destined for the Charity Shop in January. However, this pack of tasty treats is only £9. 50 and not only tastes fantastic but it is presented attractively.
A Christmas tradition handed down to me from my mother, is to always have a couple of small gifts ready wrapped. These were to be deployed should some unexpected guest arrive bearing a Christmas gift. Mother could go into the other room with said wrapped gift without pause. These 9 jar mini packs will be ideal for such purpose, and should they not be needed, can be used to brighten a whole host of meals throughout the bleakest of mid- winters.
The NEW Tracklements Gift Collections are splendid gifts for foodies, filled with Christmas joy. Simply order directly from
This is the perfect Christmas gift for the chef in your family, and as it is already presented in an elegant gift box there’s no need for extra wrapping.
The new Black Sheep Truffle tool 2-in-1 Slicer and Grater has two functions, one on each side of the tool, each used independently of the other: The thickness of the razor-sharp stainless-steel Straight Slicer Blade can be changed by simply turning a screw to achieve uniform slices of truffles, radishes, mushrooms or strawberries to the desired thickness.
The Microplane signature ultra-sharp photo-etched teeth of the Fine Blade Grater cuts truffle, chocolate, ginger, nutmeg and Parmesan with speed, precision and ease to ensure precious ingredients do not stick or block, but instead slide effortlessly along the cutting surface.
The BLACK SHEEP truffle tool with matt black stainless-steel handle, frame and blade, is an eye-catching, elegant showstopper for those style conscious cooks (full disclosure it matches my cooker and microwave perfectly). It has a robust stainless-steel handle, frame and blade, coated with a scratch-resistant matt black PVD. It has a pleasing weight to it and fits comfortably in the hand aided by the smooth velvety finish. (cooks will know what I mean when I say that it just feels right)
The thickness of the razor-sharp stainless-steel Straight Slicer Blade can be changed by simply turning a screw to achieve uniform slices of truffles, radishes, mushrooms or strawberries to the desired thickness. For many of us truffles are a rare and occasional treat, but this tool is not just for truffles. The Fine Blade Grater works equally as well with chocolate, ginger, nutmeg, Parmesan or any hard cheese. To release the exquisite aroma and nutty taste, just grate or slice truffle into slowly stirred scrambled eggs, risotto, pasta or mashed potato and decorate festive dishes with beautiful thin shavings for an exceptional look and flavour.
I add truffle and parmesan to my Christmas roast potatoes and this tool will be indispensable. While dishwasher safe, the long-lasting BLACK SHEEP series can be cleaned quickly by simply rinsing under warm water to keep the blades in perfect condition, which is a distinct, advantage when you are reaching for kitchen utensils on a hectic Christmas morning. Available from Borough Kitchen Back Sheep Truffle tool 2-in-1 Slicer and Grater (RRP £64.95)
The shock of it almost being 2025 is softened by the fact you will all get to read Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsley soon. It’s an incredibly thriller that grabs you by the throat. I love a legal thriller and Bad Blood is an outstanding one. A perfectly paced and twisty story that captures small towns perfectly after Justine Stone returns after her ex-boyfriend is accused of murder.
I never saw the ending coming and the story is complex and gripping, with brilliant characterisation. An addictive thriller which will leave you thinking about it long after you have finished reading. A triumph.
What would you do if your childhood sweetheart was accused of murder?
Justine Stone left her hometown in Essex eighteen years ago, and she hasn’t looked back since. Married to Noah, with a beautiful house and a high-flying career as a barrister, she rarely thinks about her ex-boyfriend, Jake.
Until she’s given her first murder case, and sees his face staring up at her, charged with a horrific double murder.
The Jake that Justine loved would never have hurt anyone. But as evidence begins to come to light, Justine has to face up to the fact that perhaps she never really knew Jake at all. And as the past begins to merge with the present, Justine’s life that she’s worked so hard to create begins to fall apart.
You can run from your secrets. But they’ll always catch up with you.
I truly believe that a great head of hair can take years off anyone. Sadly I do not possess a great head of hair. In fact my crowning glory seems to be morphing into a swan song as it shadows my aging process only too well.
So I grabbed the chance to road test OSMO®’s Blinding® Shine set. OSMO® have been researching and developing innovative cleansing, conditioning, styling and colour hair products in their own in-house laboratories for over twenty years. Every ingredient in each OSMO® product is carefully considered to guarantee hold or ensure there is flexibility, bounce or shine and the Blinding® Shine range all contain extracts of Moringa Oil and Silk Protein.
This is all music to my ears so I’m off to transform my hair right now.
OK I’m back. And delighted. Blinding® Shine shampoo had a noticeable creamy consistency which gave me an immediate confidence that it was no ordinary shampoo. After towel-drying my hair I applied the Blinding® Shine conditioner, then after towel-drying again I massaged in Blinding® Shine serum. Even as I combed my hair through I could feel the difference – smooth as silk and soft. I styled it with a rotating heated brush and wow – it really shines and feels strong and full of body. And dare I say it? I believe I look ten years younger.
At £23.50 RRP for a gift set of Blinding® Shine shampoo and conditioner (a generous 400ml each) plus Blinding® Shine serum (50ml) this is a steal. Check them out on the OSMO® website.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner Photo by Mark Allan
Given the acoustics of the Royal Festival Hall, I was anticipating my enjoyment of ‘Patricia Kopatchinskaja plays Shostakovich’, but I could never have guessed, just how phenomenal it was going to be.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra, ably conducted by Edward Gardener, were more than up to the challenge of accompanying such a talent, and indeed performed Britten’s Sinfonia de Requiem at the beginning of the concert and Sibelius’ Symphony No 5, after the interval, both to great acclaim.
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, in a flowing white dress with an embroidered pale blue bodice,wild haired and bare footed is undoubtedly a formidable talent, impossible to take your eyes off.
As the initial applause died down, Kopatchinskaja played Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No 1, to a rapt audience. So talented, so young, the music, haunting, plaintive carried us away, her body contorting, to coax some of the more elusive sounds from her violin.
In the course of the four movements, Patricia demonstrated the sheer virtuosity of the violin, her body writhing, as if possessed by the music, and from time to time her bare foot stamping the beat.
Hair flying about, deep in concentration, as she was caught up in the music. At times frenzied and exciting, she played at an impossible breakneck pace like some mischievous fairy casting her spell over the packed audience.Then gentle, soothing, cooling the blood, after what had gone before.
Patrica Kopatchinskaja 2023 Photos: Marco Borggreve
The solo piece can be described in no way other than ‘mesmerising,’ and it was fascinating to see how the orchestra held its collective breath at the spectacle before them, in much the same way as we the audience. At the conclusion of the piece there was much cheering and applause, and quite rightly we rose to our feet. This was one of those rare moments where one is aware that we are in the presence of genius.
I urge you to get a ticket for the rest of this programme, and if you have the opportunity to see Patricia Kopatchinskaja play, do whatever it takes to get a ticket.
Patricia Kopatchinskaja plays Shostakovich is about to go on tour and will have its Carnegie Hall debut later this month.
Leading menopause brand, Issviva and nutrition experts, PhenomX Health have collaborated to empower women from peri to post-menopause to take control when it comes to some the most common menopause symptoms – sleep and stress. Many women report sleep disruption and increased stress levels to the extent that they struggle to live their best lives, stepping back from career aspirations, and finding relationships more difficult.
By combining cutting-edge science with a holistic approach, Issviva and PhenomX have co-created a 90-day SLEEP + STRESS RESET programme that delivers the tools, personalised insights and support to transform your sleep. Designed by a team of leading scientists, functional medicine dietitians and medical experts from PhenomX, The SLEEP + STRESS RESET programme has been spearheaded by Dr Colleen Fogarty Draper, PhD, RD Nutrition Scientist and Dr Jennifer
Lovejoy, PhD Translational and Behavioural Sciences, specialist in personalised nutrition, behavioural sciences and lifestyle wellness.
The SLEEP + STRESS RESET programme is made up of three phases:
Understand, Evolve and Thrive.
Phase one: Understand
Transformation begins with understanding where you’re starting from. In the first two weeks of your journey, the programme enables a dive deep and see what’s going on – biologically and emotionally. A clever combination of state-of-the-art saliva testing and a guided self-evaluation shows you – and the programme facilitator – how you’re doing at the beginning of the programme so you can benchmark your start point.
State-of-the art cortisol testing analyses your stress hormones.
Guided self-assessment questionnaire for sleep and stress helps you understand your starting point.
Personalised insights: The SLEEP + STRESS RESET programme contains a series of saliva tests, which you take at various points during the programme to measure your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a key stress hormone and if elevated, can indicate chronic stress. Cortisol levels follow a daily pattern and saliva testing helps assess whether cortisol patterns are disrupted and if so, when. This provides personal insights which allow you to determine exactly when you need to prioritise stress management.
Phase 2: Evolve
The next phase is ‘active transformation’. For 90 days, you’ll learn more about lifestyle and nutrition changes that can help with sleep and stress and try them for yourself. You’ll also receive a premium daily supplement to support sleep.
For 90 days, you will take a specialised nutritional supplement, Issviva ZZZZ’s, which have been designed to enhance relaxation and promote restful sleep. Issviva ZZZZ’s, contain Vitamins B5, B6, ashwagandha and chamomile extracts.
More than that, you’ll also track symptoms, learn more about yourself and your habits, and benefit from personalised insights, education, support and empowering tools tailored for improved sleep and stress management.
It’s a guided process, devised by medical and functional nutrition experts and includes:
– Issviva ZZZZ’s supplements – to help you relax and drift off into a restful sleep.
– Expert nutrition and lifestyle advice based on your phenotype.
– Tutorials and webinars to guide you with meditation and stress reduction.
– Tracking app to help you understand how the changes you make affect your symptoms.
– Monthly care packages with treats and motivation to keep you on track.
Phase 3: Thrive
After 90 days of transformation, learning and exploration, it’s time to test again and see how far you’ve come. As well as revisiting your initial baseline evaluation, the programme facilitators set you up for continuing long term success with expert advice for making lifestyle changes stick.
Highlights ofThe SLEEP + STRESS RESET programme:
Daily premium supplements to improve sleep quality and quantity.
Personalised insights in stress and sleep.
Educational content on menopause, stress management, sleep optimisation
and nutrition through webinars and blogs.
Practical tools like meditation to reduce stress and enhance sleep quality.
App-based self-monitoring of symptoms and visualisation of patterns.
Access to exclusive app content.
Support via WhatsApp and email
Access to a Facebook community group
The SLEEP + STRESS RESET 90 day programme costs £150.00 and can be purchased
Background: The Issviva brand was created specifically to support women going through the menopause by providing a ‘safe space’ where you can join a like-minded community, access educational blogs and advice from experts and find tailored, scientifically-backed products and solutions, especially formulated to help relieve perimenopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms. Issviva’s purpose is to create a better modern menopause, enabling every woman to take control and be ready for this new life phase.
Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin, and daily wear will help to minimise cumulative sun damage and accelerated signs of ageing.
As part of Face the Future’s 366 Days of SPF campaign, survey results found that only 22% of the UK apply SPF daily, and only 8% reapply their SPF in a day.
What is party season make-up/how is it different to everyday wear?
Party makeup tends to be more dramatic and glamorous than your everyday routine. Think shimmery glitters, bold red lips, and smoky eyes in deep browns and rich jewel tones. For skin, party season makeup looks usually feature a fuller coverage foundation and more defined cheekbones with a healthy dose of highlighter. Tis the season to sparkle, after all!
What trends for party season make-up do you think will be in this year?
Red lips are a timeless Christmas staple, so I’m sure they’ll be in high demand this year. They’re festive, flattering, and universally stylish. No matter your skin tone or type, there’s a perfect red lipstick out there for you! When it comes to eye makeup, I expect to see plenty of glittery and metallic eyeshadows this holiday season. For skin, a flawless and glowing complexion will be the perfect base for any makeup look.
What is the best SPF for glowy party season skin? For a ‘lit from within’ glow, opt for moisturising SPF formulas that have added illuminating pigments, like Hello Sunday The Illuminating One Glow Primer SPF50. This gorgeous glow booster gives your skin an ethereal glow that looks beautiful both on its own or under your makeup. If you want a rosy, healthy glow, Sand & Sky Tinted Glow Primer SPF30 is perfect. It’s infused with red seaweed to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, and a Hyaluronic Complex for optimal hydration.
How can you stop your SPF pilling under your make-up? How long should you wait before doing your skin?
To prevent piling, it’s important to prep your skin properly first to ensure you have a clean base. Start with a thorough cleanse using a gentle cleanser, before following with your favourite moisturiser – water-based formulas are less likely to pill, so opt for these over oil-based formulas. Next, add your water-based SPF on top.
It’s important to allow time between layering your skincare products to ensure proper absorption of the formulas – a few to ten minutes is usually plenty of time. This can also help to prevent pilling as you’re not overloading your skin.
Are there any application techniques / advise for how to apply your products for long-wear?
One of my favourite techniques that you can use to keep your base products in place all day and night is ‘baking’; this is a makeup technique that’s been around for years! In makeup setting terms, baking involves setting your concealer and foundation with a generous amount of translucent powder and allowing it to “bake” (set) on your skin for several minutes before brushing it away with a fluffy brush. This method can help to control oil, reduce shine, and create a smooth, long-lasting base for your makeup. It’s best applied using a dampened beauty blender to gently press the powder into place. If you worry that your powder will look too cakey on your skin, you can spritz it with a makeup setting spray for a flawless finish an extra hold.
For party eyes, make sure to use waterproof formulas when it comes to mascara and eyeliner.
For lips, liquid lipsticks are a great choice! You can also use the baking technique on your lips. Simply apply two layers of your favourite lipstick, blotting in between each layer, then apply your translucent powder over the top and allow it to set for a couple of minutes before gently dusting it away. This technique can feel drying on your lips, so prep them well beforehand to ensure comfort and no signs of flaking.
How/can you re-apply SPF throughout the day without redoing make-up?
To re-apply your SPF throughout the day without disrupting your makeup, it’s best to look for a spray-on formula. Hello Sunday The Retouch One – Face Mist SPF30 is ultra-fine and invisible, so it’s perfect for topping up your protection throughout the day. Another great product us Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50 – it’s transparent and water resistant and gives high broad-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, Infrared A and Blue Light. It also won’t leave a sticky feeling on your skin, so you’ll feel perfectly comfortable all day.
Which SPFs are best under makeup for matte finish?
