Monthly Archives: January 2011

Outcasts – A New Sci-Fi Series {TV}

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A new sci-fi series, Outcasts, begins soon on BBC1. Created by Ben Richards who also created Spooks, it’s about a group of courageous pioneers facing a unique opportunity: the chance to build a new and better future on another planet.

A diverse group of individuals – led by President Tate (Liam Cunningham) with his core team of Stella (Hermione Norris), Cass (Daniel Mays) and Fleur (Amy Manson) – left their old lives behind in extraordinary circumstances. Promised a second chance at life, they created a society far away from their home, friends and family … and their pasts. They took charge and settled here first alongside expeditionaries Mitchell (Jamie Bamber) and Jack (Ashley Walters).

Settled in the town of Forthaven on the planet Carpathia, they are passionate about their jobs, confident of their ideals and optimistic about the future. They work hard to preserve what they’ve built on this planet they now call home, having embraced all the challenges that come with forging a new beginning. The planet offers the possibility for both corruption and redemption; whilst they try to avoid the mistakes made on Earth, inevitably our heroes cannot escape the human pitfalls of love, greed, lust, loss, and a longing for those they’ve left behind.

As they continue to work and live together they come to realise this is no ordinary planet. Mystery lurks around them and threatens to risk the fragile peace of Forthaven.

We meet the characters at a moment of incredible anticipation. They’ve lost all contact with Earth but the arrival of the last known transporter signals fresh hopes and dreams. Will Stella’s husband and daughter, who she heartbreakingly left behind, be on board? Why does Tate seem anxious about one particular passenger, Julius Berger (Eric Mabius)? Most nerve-wracking of all, will it land safely and bring a fresh perspective on the new world with it?

Creator and writer Ben Richards explains where the idea for Outcasts came from and what the series has in store:

“Part of my motivation in the drama was to counter the view that humans are doomed to failure, that we are born bad, that chaos and disharmony will always prevail. Outcasts is fundamentally about second chances – whether human beings are capable of living together in peace and building a better place for their children.”

“All of the principal characters are driven during the series by their belief that they can make Carpathia work in spite of considerable obstacles.”

The BBC’s just released a trailer of Episodes 1&2 today and we’re looking forward to seeing what this series will bring.

Outcasts starts on Mon 7th Feb at 9pm on BBC1


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Playing Tag With Cheryl Cole And Jennifer Aniston

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Do you know, I’m almost embarrassed to post this, but it’ll be interesting – promise, even if it’s just for the top 10 further down.

Years of writing news stories and articles. Flogging over a hot keyboard to gain journalism qualifications. It means absolutely sweet FA if no one reads the results of the writer’s Herculean labours.

Journalism, as my colleague Holly Thomas covered recently, is an over-subscribed business. Writing seems to be something a lot of people think they can do.

Let me tell you guys, ranting over Twitter while misspelling everything ain’t journalism. But everyone’s out there, blogging, tweeting, Facebooking (or whatever today’s adjective for being on Facebook is) and rambling on for 18 pages – FRONT AND BACK!

Must be the glamour that attracts people to writing. The joys of getting rained on, on a bitterly frozen Arctic day covering an escaped prisoner from Feltham Young Offenders, waiting for the police to acknowledge your press card while reluctant witnesses hurtle off down the street pursued by journos and TV crew.

Yeah, I’ve done that, and covered a few sporting occasions, which can be another joy. Coaxing comments out of monosyllabic players and managers after they’ve just been on the receiving end of a brutal defeat.

On the bright side, I haven’t yet been clouted. Surprisingly, neither has my friend Emma who works in local news and sometimes has the unenviable task of speaking to grieving family members in search of a story.

As well as newspapers and magazines, I also write web copy for a sports website. Ah, the fun of being called a disgrace to journalism and a London-based hack on the internet. Admittedly, I’ll concede the second point.

Trouble is, that sporting web copy? Often live and very pressured. The moment you press the button, you’re out in the ether. Doesn’t matter if you spot it immediately and correct it, umpteen people around the world have seen it and already – rightly – commented on what a twat you are.

Now you may say that this is contradictory. How can I complain about journalists not being noticed and then whine about it when they are?

Fair point.

Truth is, from a purely personal point of view, I qualified in News Writing, Media Law and Shorthand among others. So while sport has been kind to me in the respect that I’ve been able to keep most of the roof over my head and occasionally eat, I also like to think I have a wider range to offer.

And that’s what Frost does. As a writer and editor, I have a lovely medium to rattle on about pretty much anything for your enjoyment and edification.  Which brings me to the point of this article 13 paragraphs on.

While we have thousands of regular readers, getting brand new, shiny people to pop in to Frost and read us, and hopefully stay to dip in to our box of delights is all about the tags. Those little words and hooks that grab your attention – even if you didn’t want it to. Sorry, but that’s what we do. Engage.

So with that in mind, Google’s most searched terms of 2010 were apparently, in order:

1. chatroulette

2. ipad

3. justin bieber

4. nicki minaj

5. friv

6. myxer

7. katy perry

8. twitter

9. gamezer

10. facebook.

Which is worrying, because as a duffer, I haven’t heard of some of those.

And falling faster than – oh, I don’t know, something really heavy and inert, say a cartoon safe – in 2010, was:

1. swine flu

2. wamu

3. new moon

4. mininova

5. susan boyle

6. slumdog millionaire

7. circuit city

8. myspace layouts

9. michael jackson

10. national city bank.

So, theoretically, if I add all those top 10 most popular terms into an article and tag them myself, (hey, look at that! I just did!)  It should garner some attention.

And then looking into my crystal ball for 2011… Actually, why bother? If I just throw in say, X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Doctor Who, Cheryl Cole, Lady Gaga, Brighton Rock, Manchester United, Barcelona, Jose Mourinho, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, oh, and romcom, I think that’ll do it.

Welcome to Frost. Thank you for stopping by. We love you and please feel free to look around. And come back and tell your friends!

Or you can just wait for them to stumble on the same set of tags and blog/tweet/facebook each other about us. I’m easy either way.

Rankin takes on Lady Gaga for THT {Art & Charity}

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Rankin’s take on Lady Gaga’s meat fashion raises funds for THT

New Image

‘Tuulilicious’ by Rankin

Acclaimed photographer Rankin offers his unique take on the ‘food as fashion’ craze sparked by Lady Gaga, with a quirky photograph of his wife Tuuli that will be auctioned off for HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

Just as Gaga grabbed headlines worldwide with a dress made entirely from meat, Rankin shows Tuuli brandishing a knife and fork, naked save for a French-trimmed rack of lamb worn as a crown. The image, entitled ‘Tuulilicious’, will be one of the lots on offer at THT’s annual Lighthouse Gala Auction (21 March, 2011) to raise money for people living with and affected by HIV.

Rankin said: “Terrence Higgins Trust does incredible and vital work in the prevention of HIV. It’s such an important cause, and one that my wife and I are very happy to have been able to contribute to with this photograph.”

Debbie Holmes, Director of Fundraising at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Rankin is a long-time supporter of THT, and we’re incredibly grateful to him – and of course his wife – for donating this gorgeous image for our auction next year. Rankin’s work is always highly collectible, and this image is no exception. With such valued help from our supporters, we hope the auction will be our best event to date.”

Now in its sixteenth year, the auction at Christie’s will see a fantastic array of luxury items, bespoke packages and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences snapped up by eager bidders. Last year’s auction raised over £292,000 for THT.

The Inept Girl's Guide To Cooking: Lasagna

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I apologise for how little I have been updating this column. I do, however, have a good excuse. I have been filming at Shepperton studios for the past six months. Quite exciting for an actor. Another perk of this is that I have been fed, three times a day, completely for free. So you can see how little cooking has actually been done.

I have decided to come back with a classic. A very strong memory that my mother taught me to make when I was a child. You can never go wrong with lasagna. Even if you have vegetarians coming round. Just replace the meat with quorn. So, here’s what you need.

  • Mince. I used Pork Mince for a change. Always get good mince. Bad mince ruins the entire dish. 500g is good
  • Three onions
  • Tomato Puree
  • Tinned tomatoes ( I used two tins, one with cherry tomatoes in.)
  • Garlic, one clove
  • Lasagna pasta 250g
  • Cheese sauce (I have been experimenting but this time used Dolmio’s Creamy sauce for Lasagna, Which tasted good.)

Brown the mince in a large pot, make sure there are no pink bits. You don’t need oil or anything. Take it off the hob. Chop the onions and garlic and add to pot. Return to the hob and stir for a while. Add the tomatoes puree and the tinned tomatoes. Keep stirring this and let it cook for a while. It won’t take long. Just until the onions and everything looks cooked.

Take a lasagna dish and put butter or oil on it to stop it sticking. Add half of the mince. Put lasagna pasta on top, covering all of the meat. Add the rest of the meat and cover the mince again. Add Dolmio’s creamy sauce for lasagna or another cream cheese. You can also add cheese on the middle layer. DO NOT ADD CARROTS TO LASAGNA. This is wrong, people who do this should be shot. You can, however, add mushrooms. I think mushrooms are great in lasagna.
After adding the cheese sauce put the lasagna in the oven. 30 minutes at Gas Mark 6 should do it. I have heard a lot of different temperatures and cooking times, but this always works for me. Keep checking on it if you are unsure. When it is golden and brown it’s ready. Do make sure it is piping hot before you serve.

There you go, bloody great lasagna.

Free box of Graze Snacks {Freebies}

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Would you like a free box of Graze snacks directly to your desk? January’s almost over and new years resolutions have been made, broken, restarted, broken again and then thrown out the window. Graze boxes have been gracing the post bags of many a postman delivering healthy snacks directly to your desk. Each box comes with four compartments of yummy healthy guilt-free snacks and a specially printed leaflet telling you the nutritional value of everything in the box.

Here’s the details:

Free Box of Graze and next one half price

How: Enter code 5GCRNGP on the homepage at www.graze.com and follow the instructions.

How it works: Not valid with other vouchers. New customers only.

Enjoy!

The Joy of Teen Sex?

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America is not impressed. Teens are having sex, and MTV is doing f***all to discourage them. As if showing Miley Cyrus’s videos on an hourly rotation isn’t abominable enough (AOL has voted her the worst celebrity influence for the second year in a row – why such a poll was considered necessary, or how Taylor Momsen slipped through the net who knows), the channel is currently airing a brand-new US version of Skins, the cult UK TV show thanks to which youngsters all over Britain have been snorting cocaine and having barely legal lesbian sex after and (more likely) during school hours since 2007. American parents, advertisers and activists are protesting, claiming that the show exhibits child pornography and violates legal requirements to protect young viewers and the teen actors themselves.

In one sense, I sympathise. I feel like I can’t switch the TV on these days without catching a glimpse of sexually hyperbolic children. During last Wednesday’s episode of The Joy of Teen Sex the nation was treated to one youngster’s cringetastic first attempt to ‘go down’ on his girlfriend having just overcome his chronic fear of vaginas. Cue applause from the cameramen?

Now it’s not that long since I was a teen (those who saw my last column will know I cling to youth with a desperation to rival Dorian Gray). However, as a mildly antisocial specimen I wasn’t privy to what one might call the full spectrum of experience early on. I wasn’t (quite) a complete dork, but I was nevertheless more an Inbetweener than an Effy (see below – notorious and sorely missed UK Skins character seasons one through four – I will cool off the TV references soon I promise). When a friend recently told me that he “was getting head in year eight at the school disco, and was one of the later ones,” I was taken aback.  I have a brother in year eight, perhaps why I found this particularly disturbing.

Left-right: Freddie, Effy, Cook and Panda- UK Skins gang seasons three and four

I remember a definite ‘awakening’ occurring during my mid-teens however. For example, I recall a year nine English lesson during which a friend and I compared what we’d done over the weekend. I had written an essay, ironically on Romeo and Juliet – an early parable about the potential hazards of teen sex. She’d given her boyfriend a blowjob during Shrek at the cinema. “WHY???” I gawped.  “He wanted one,” she shrugged.

Obviously there had been various infamous events: “I heard she had an abortion when she was 12,” “they had sex on the beach during the year nine Isle Of Wight trip and TEACHERS FOUND THEM,” and house parties were, by year ten, synonymous with all manner of sexual hijinks. Still, I wasn’t quite prepared for this revelation from a hitherto very shy and retiring girl. But it was not an outrageously outlandish example, and rightly or wrongly, a good proportion of my year had swapped fluids by via one means or another by the time they sat their GCSES.

More recently, I was chatting with a 14-year-old girl when the question of BOYS came up. Ah, I thought, a chance to share the wisdom of years, perhaps help my young friend avoid some of the pitfalls into which I in my naïve youth had fallen. What was the problem, I asked? “Well my last boyfriend dumped me because I wouldn’t give him a blow job. It was kind of unfair, as I had ‘received’, but wasn’t ‘giving’, yano? I mean I’m not at all what you would call frigid, but I just didn’t fancy it. Also the guy I like smokes, and I used to LOADS but I quit a year ago and I really don’t want to start again, and I’m worried if I go out with him I will.”

I took a deep breath. Then I told her as tactfully as possible that her ex was an asshole she was best shot of, and that perhaps she might prove a healthy influence on the new guy and get him to quit smoking. The admittedly tenuous point is that the decisions and attitude she expressed to me in no way mirrored what she had seen on the box the previous night (she likes QI). Furthermore, she rightly stopped when she felt uncomfortable, and this can probably be attributed to her own resolve rather than abstinence from inappropriate television.

The argument I’m havng a semi-arsed attempt at making is that teens are going to have sex whether their parents like it or not. At least some of them. We should accept this, and as they say in The Joy of Teen Sex, the main thing is that it is safe and consensual. Though Skins might be amplifying the fantasies of the Inbetweeners crowd more aggressively than Glee (I lied about the reference thing), if parents are to complain, I’d argue that the smoking/narcotics-related element of proceedings is more worthy of their energy. I personally found the total departure from any attempt at a cohesive or engaging plot in last week’s episode infinitely more offensive than the frequent references to f***ing.

Obviously the second my brother goes anywhere near a girl with the intention of touching anything other than her hand I’ll be whacking a chastity belt on him faster than he can say ‘hypocrite’.


Sonia Rykiel – Uprooting 70's Glamour!

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Paris Fashion Week paid homage to one of the most sought after and vivacious lines in fashion. Sonia Rykiel is known for her carefree charm and chic ‘no mess’ attitude, and as one of la Mode’s most experienced and knowledgeable designers, her approach to fashion is quirky, independent and extremely fun.

This S/S Season is treading the roots of 70’s fashion glamour in a big way. Illustrations of bold palates are everywhere we go. Rykiel‘s collection voiced the welcoming of sophisticated 70’s runway glory, by capturing the effects of geometric, colour-refined fashion.

Inspiring designs and vivid colour were all in the range at her Paris catwalk show. Sharp designs, playful – embedding a chic, youthful vibe.

A mix of jersey prints and skinnies. An application of heavy cotton-layered trench cuts, cute slimline dresses, stripe-inspired georgettes, silks and satins on show, along with an array of  beautifully designed tassels – in company of outrageously divine accessories.

Top Hats, eccentrically, oversized mid way strap bows, block-colour tees and open-toe wedges. This was creative 70’s characterisation taken to the max.

Rykiel took to the skies with her illustration of handbags, clutches, casual totes and stunning bucket bags – mid length to long straps,  soft fold flaps, hip length falls, in luxurious leather. Colours were bright and striking – a multi array of tan, yellow, blue and black, finishing with the dainty decor of two tone tassels – in theme with the exuberance of tassels in her top hats collection.

Beautiful and chic. Definitely a bookmark for this season’s 70’s-inspired fashion trends.

Designs On Daisy {Fashion}

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Peacocks, the UK’s hottest value fashion retailer, has announced its first design collaboration with style leader Daisy Lowe, who will launch her collection of retro-inspired swimwear, which she will also model, for summer 2011.

‘Daisy Lowe for Peacocks’ follows five sell out collections for the value fashion retailer, designed by her mother Pearl Lowe.  Daisy’s collection aims at offering customers on a budget, the chance to buy designer swimwear for £18 and less.

Her designs will launch in selected Peacocks’ stores and online in May 2011, available in sizes eight to 16, and in cup sizes 32B to 36DD.  The bikini tops and briefs will be sold separately to allow customers to mix and match.

For her debut collection, Daisy sought inspiration from the French Riviera in the 50s, celebrating the beautiful curves of Sophia Loren and the original pin-up queen, Bettie Page.  Her four-piece collection includes a selection of flirty bikinis, swimsuits and sexy shorts, designed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes.

Pearl Lowe will continue her spring/summer 2011 vintage inspired tea dress collection set to launch in April.

Daisy Lowe said: “It was important from the start that my designs were accessible so my friends could afford them, which is why we’ve kept the collection under £18.  I’ve sought inspiration from the things I love, family holidays in Europe, iconic 50’s pin-ups and classic vintage shapes.  My mum is my style icon and it was great growing up and having access to her closet.  I’m so pleased I now have my own collection to wear and share with my friends instead of nagging my mum for hers.”

Pearl Lowe said: “I’m so proud of Daisy’s collection. Whatever she puts her hand to she turns into a success and I can’t wait to see her designs come to life this summer.  Together we are proud to be bringing classy vintage fashion to the high street at affordable prices.”

Jane Hotz, Peacocks’ Womenswear Buying Director said: “We’re thrilled to be able to translate Daisy’s vintage designs for our customers.  Daisy is a trend setter, and it’s been an inspiration turning her creative ideas into a reality.  We hope customers enjoy wearing her designer swimwear at great value.”