Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery | Weddings

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Frostie

Planning a wedding gives you lots of choices and you come across some amazing things. These Blingbacks are one of those amazing things.They bling up your shoes, and if any day is the day to bling, your wedding day certainly is that day. This is the one day of your life you can get away with looking and acting like a princess.

Whilst reviewing the Blingbacks I made sure they were easy to put on (check), didn’t look cheap, (check), and stayed on (check). They take any pair of shoes and make them look beautiful. I am a bit of a magpie and I love these. They sparkle so much and are easy to put on any pair of high heels. They add a bit of razzle dazzle, which is what you want on your wedding day.

The Blingbacks are not only glamarous, but also comfortable, they stop your shoes rubbing! What more could you possibly want?

Below you can see the Blingbacks in their box and then on the same pair of shoes.

The perfect gift this Christmas for any Bride to be. Accessorise your shoes with Blingbacks, a shoe jewellery collection with a twist, the perfect way to transform your shoes from day to night. Jazz-up a pair of heels whilst protecting them from rubbing and slipping with Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery, an ingenious foot care solution that cushions your heels as well.

We all hate that painful rubbing feeling, especially for a Bride who must be looking her best at all times despite being on her feet all day! So with Blingbacks there’s a tiny rubber lip that creates a cushion between the heel and rim of the shoe. Made from super squidgy material, the lip is designed to hook over the back of the shoe and protect the heel… but retaining glamour at the same time!

Looking for a gift to give to the bridesmaids? Here is your solution! Party, dance, walk & dazzle with Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery. Prices from £10-£15 available in Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins, also online on Amazon and Asos.

Christmas Gift Guide For The One Who Is Hard To Buy For

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Frostie

The best thing to buy for someone who is hard to buy for is to get something edible, different or just plain amazing.

Mr Site Takeaway Website Beginner For PC & MAC

This is a great present for most people. Pretty much everyone needs a website these days and the Takeaway Website Beginner is not only everything you need in a box, but also very easy-to-use.

Maui Jim Sunglasses

Breakwall Glasses – Perfect for tennis fans, these frames come in Gloss Black, Rootbeer and Smoke Grey. Breakwall tames UV and wind to protect your vision beautifully. They are rimless and feather-light for an uncompromised view, all day long. These frames also happen to be popular with brand ambassador, ATP No. 3 tennis player, David Ferrer. We love them, they look great and are the most perfect glasses.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin

Brilliant gin and a great gift. An enduring classic, Tanqueray London Dry Gin is loved by bartenders, cocktail lovers and gin aficionados across the globe. With an extra smooth taste, it has an elegance that sets it apart from the rest and a flavour that shines in sophisticated cocktails and vibrant gin and tonics. Tanqueray is made with the finest botanicals including refreshing juniper, peppery coriander, aromatic angelica and sweet liquorice and its smooth yet bold flavour means it has become one of the world’s most awarded gins, making a luxurious and classic gift.

There’s no better way to enjoy Tanqueray than with tonic, fresh lime and lots of ice in one of the signature green stem and black base copa glasses. This oversize copa glass evokes the golden age of gin cocktails and its shape allows for the aromas of Tanqueray’s key botanicals to circulate for full appreciation of the drink’s flavour.

Taittinger Champagne

The most delicious and classy champagne. Who wouldn’t want a bottle of Taittingers for Christmas?

Taittinger Nocturne Sec NV, RRP £47, John Lewis, Harrods, winedirect.com

Tattinger Brut Réserve NV, RRP £38.99, widely available

Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie NV, RRP £55, Harrods, Handford Wines

Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus NV, RRP £49, Majestic, Oxford Wine Company, Fortnum & Mason

Taittinger Vintage 2005, RRP £53, Majestic Wine, Hedonism drinks

Bloom Gin & Tonic

BLOOM Gin & Fentimans Tonic is a luxury pre-mixed G&T in an attractive old fashioned glass bottle – the perfect little gift in a bottle for grown ups. They are delicious. The perfect cocktail for Christmas and beyond.

BLOOM Gin is a delicate floral premium London Dry Gin, inspired by the natural flora of English country gardens and created by the world’s first female Master Gin Distiller.

Joanne Moore chose botanicals from her own garden including chamomile and honeysuckle, as well as the citrus fruit pomelo, to make up the three key botanicals which create a delicate and subtle gin-drinking experience.

Carefully prepared and ready to serve, these bottles combine the delicate floral tones of BLOOM Gin, balanced with the distinctive herbal and plant-root notes of Fentimans tonic, made with lemon from the Cochin area of India.

Available from Sainsbury’s RRP £3.50 a bottle

The Counsellor By Cormac McCarthy

Cook Like a Man: The Official Movember Cookbook

Cook Like a Man: The Official Movember Cookbook and Cormac McCarthy’s The Counselor Screenplay are both great gifts. Depending on whether your friend is a man who loves cooking, or a person who loves film.

Naked Gift Box & Bite Sized Treats

Great gluten, dairy and wheat-free snacks. Tasty and healthy. We even ate one before we took this picture, we just couldn’t help ourselves. Perfect stocking fillers.

Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery

Great show jewellery. These make sure your shoes are as ready to party as you are. Party, dance, walk & dazzle with Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery. Available in Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins, also online on Amazon and Asos. www.blingbacks.co.uk

Higher Living Tea

Hope And Greenwood Jolly Christmas Sweet Shake and Mince Pie Bon Bons

We love the Higher Living Tea, the ginger one is a particular favourite and the Mince Pie Bon Bons and Sweet Shake are tasty and perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. Higher Living herbal teas are available in ASDA, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Hope And Greenwood are available in their store in Covent Garden.

A Raincoat From The Cambridge Raincoat Company

Great, stylish coats that are also perfect for cyclists.

An iPad. They probably already have one, but if not, go for it or an iTunes voucher. Anything from Apple is a must.

What do you think?

Christmas Gift Guide For The Beauty Junkie

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Frostie

Dynamo House Red Tea Skincare

Red Tea natural skin therapy products have 50 times the anti-oxidant properties than other products. Perfectly suited for any skin type and will improve your skin conditions.

E Body Spa Collection

This great collection lets you care for your body naturally without harmful cleansers. We love the face cleansing mitt, eye cleansing pad, hair turban and luxury hand towel.They also have micro-dry technology. They make you more beautiful and are environmentally friendly.

ZAO Make Up

ZAO Makeup The Bamboo packaging is not only beautiful and sustainable, it is brilliantly designed to be a refillable makeup line. Making it environmentally friendly and economical. We love the pearly eye shadow and mascara. They use 100% natural, organic and fair trade ingredients and all powders are talc free. Available from notonthehighstreet.com

Nip & Fab 10 Years Younger Set From ASOS

Colour Wow 3 Piece Root Cover Up Collection From QVC

We love Colour Wow. Those of us who dye our hair love the root touch up. It really works and saves money. Three-piece root cover-up protection by Colour Wow. Features a root cover-up, a Colour Security shampoo and a Colour Security conditioner. Colour Wow helps your hair colour remain flawless and vibrant between salon colour treatments.

Urban Fudge Hair Colour

This brilliant hair chalk lets you temporarily colour your hair. And you can buy the ice white chalk if you want the colour to look pastel. It makes your hair look funky and is easy to use. Available from Superdrug. Great stocking filler.

Elemis Indulgent Treasure Collection Set From John Lewis

Pamper yourself with this Elemis set of indulgent treats specifically formulated to leave you feeling deeply relaxed, restored and with intensely moisturised skin.

Bourjois Summer Lovin Set From Very.co.uk

Okay it is not summer, it is actually winter, and cold. But who would not want this set in their Christmas stocking?

Glo Minerals Lipstick. Available in lots of colours. Glō minerals use only pure pharmaceutical grade minerals and anti-oxidants chosen by dermatologists. They have a powerful antioxidant blend of Vitamins A,C,E and green tea extract

Benefit’s Confessions of a Concealaholic From Debenhams

Dove Real Women Gift Pack From Boots. A great bag filled with great products.

HD Brows Foxy Eye & Brow Palette. Perfect for eyes and brows.

Stila Convertible Colour Lip and Cheek Palette From Selfridges

Stila Convertible Colour Lip and Cheek Palette is sure to have you blushing this Christmas with a gorgeous mixture of 5 core and limited edition shades. A must have.

Ultradex

Great, handy and practical stocking fillers, the recalcifying & whitening daily oral rinse and toothpaste are great, The oral spray is an essential during Christmas social situations.

For The Boys….

Nspa Men’s Duo Set From ASDA

Scaramouche & Fandango Sh & Cd. Great Shampoo and Conditioner for Men.

Real Gents keep it clean with detoxing shea butter and black quinoa to remove excess oils and dirt from the hair. Keravis protein keeps hair strong and healthy, protecting against day-to-day pollution.

Like milk for your bones, Keravis helps strengthen the hair making it look and feel strong, soft and smooth. Apply straight after shampooing to give hair the boost it needs whilst protecting it from the elements.

What are you going to get for your loved one?

Christmas Gift Ideas For The House Proud

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Frostie

J-Me Shoe Rack This J-me Nest Shoe Rack is both original and stylish. There is a reason it got a glowing review from us.

Umbra Cat Jewellery Holder This Umbra Zoola Cat Ring Holder is so cute and so functional. We love it. There is also a Limited Edition Brass version.

Spineless Classics We are obsessed with Spineless Classics in the Frost office, and this Shakespeare’s Hamlet – Complete Works on a Page is a particular favourite. Sigh.

E-Auto By E-Cloth This e-cloth – Dual Action Mitt is a great stocking filler which makes cleaning the car a breeze, because who says being house proud should stop at the front door?

Taylor’s Eye Witness Slate Cheese Board Set With Knives. Taylor’s Eye Witness is an impressive 175 years old. Congratulations guys. It was founded by John Taylor in the 19th Century. The knives are stainless steel. This Slate Board and Knife Set is stylish and gorgeous. Makes any kitchen just that much more sophisticated. We love it. Also available from Ocado.

H20X5 Steam Cleaner. I love this and was very excited when it came because anything that makes cleaning quick and easy is brilliant. This steam cleaner is a home essential. Traditionally available in green, Thane has now added a beautiful white and red edition to the range. This is one of the bestselling steam cleaners in the UK and worldwide. Since the launch 500,000 have been sold in the UK and almost 8 million worldwide. Designed to clean, the H20 X5 kills up to 99% of salmonella and E-coli without using harmful chemicals, making it safe around children and pets. Available now from thane.tv and Robert Dyas, RRP £99.99

Rewined Candle Pinot Noir Great candles made from recycled wine bottles, natural soy wax and custom blended fragrance. They look great and are environmentally friendly. What more could you ask for?

Yankee Candle Set of 3 Artisan Christmas Large Jars from QVC

What is your favourite?

Over Half of British Adults Put Important Moments in Life Down to Superstition

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Frostie

Over half of all Brits (57%) believe in fate and 44% think it is responsible for one or more of life’s most important moments. According to a poll commissioned to mark the launch of Mystery Case Files: Fate’s Carnival which is released today, 28% of Brits put fate down as the reason why they found their partner or fell in love.

Big Fish commissioned the survey to see if fate really does play a part in people’s lives. The world’s largest producer of casual games found that it is not only love that people put down to fate. One in 10 people in the UK chose “getting a job” as something they’d put down to fate, rather than hard work.

Furthermore, the younger you are, the more likely it is that you will put life moments down to fate. For example 18% of 16-24 year olds put bumping into an old partner down to fate, whereas just 12% of those aged 55+ think the same.

The twists and turns of Mystery Case Files: Fate’s Carnival, in which Madame Fate (a gypsy fortune teller) has returned from the dead to reverse fate before it’s too late, may well appeal to the most superstitious part of the UK. Overwhelmingly, the North East attracts the most believers in fate (69%) and 29% of people from the North East even said that “Having a ‘near miss’ with their own or a loved one’s life” was something they’d put down to fate.

Wales on the other hand is the most rational part of the UK where 54% say that they don’t believe in fate.

It is not just fate that we superstitious Brits believe in. Almost half of us (48%) read our horoscopes, with one in four (24%) checking their horoscopes once a month or more.

Women are the greater stargazers with 58% having looked at their horoscope, whilst men seem to be a little more sceptical. Thirty eight per cent of men are interested to see what the future holds according to the stars.

The British may be superstitious but when it comes to paranormal, we are scathing. Eighty three per cent of those studied have never seen a psychic of any sort and 73% would never go. Of the 27% of adults who would contemplate a visit, 46% would want to communicate with a loved one who had passed away and 19% would want to ask about their own or a loved one’s health and wellbeing. Whilst 19% of men who go to see a psychic do so to remove a curse from a loved one or themselves.

Britain is Lagging Behind Europe in Training Women

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Frostie

Only 7% of professional engineers in the UK are female and companies must take the lead in redressing the balance according to Scott Fletcher – chairman and founder of UK cloud infrastructure specialists ANS Group.

“Private companies are beginning to take the lead in providing skills training and they should seize the opportunity to provide more apprenticeships for women in male dominated sectors. This is particularly true in the IT industry,” said Mr Fletcher.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 2013 skills survey discovered that only 7% of professional engineers in the UK were women and that this figure has only risen by 2% over the last five years.

This compares with 18% in Spain, 20% in Italy and 26% in Sweden.

The Science and Technology Commons Select Committee is currently studying the progress of female students and academics pursuing science, technology, engineering and maths careers and hearing evidence from education providers.

“We need to increase the flow of young talent into tech and engineering industries and attracting more women is an obvious answer. Currently a large proportion of female Stem graduates (science, technical, engineering and mathematics) are choosing careers in other industries,” said Mr Fletcher.

A report published earlier this year by the Institute of Physics (IOP) found that half of all the co-ed schools in the UK did not put forward a single female student to sit an A-level in physics.

“It seems that Britain’s schools have pigeon holed physics as a ‘boys’ subject which is a notion that needs to be eradicated immediately,” said Mr Fletcher.

Scott Fletcher has been a consistent campaigner for reform of the way computing skills are taught to young people.

“Providing on-the-job apprenticeship training is every bit as vital as finding tech and science graduates. We find time and time again that young people aren’t leaving school with the skills they need to begin a career in a tech industry.

“The IT industry is obviously fluid and businesses need to re-invent themselves every few years. There is no sitting back on past glories in our industry and young talent is the essential fuel for that re-invention,” said Mr Fletcher.

ANS Group has designed and created its own ‘Cloud Academy’ that will provide industry led training for approximately 60 apprentices in Cloud technology every year. It is hoped that the academy will see at least five new candidates joining the ANS team each month.

Our ANS Cloud Academy – which is based in Manchester – is part of the government’s ‘Employer Ownership of Skill Pilot’ which invites employers to develop any proposal that teaches skills, creates employment or drives economic growth.

Liz Earle Shares Her Tips For Dry Lips

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Frostie

Are dry lips bothering you right now? As the effects of chilly winds outside and drying central heating inside conspire to whisk moisture from our skin, our lips are often the first to show signs of suffering. Liz Earle, creator of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Co., mother of five, organic farmer and more recently founder of Liz Earle Wellbeing, reveals her top tips with Frost on combating dry lips this winter.

· Drink plenty of water and up your intake of B vitamins as low levels can lead to dry, cracked skin.

· Resist the urge to lick your lips – this only makes them sorer.

· Buff away dead skin cells away using a soft toothbrush to help reduce chapping.

· Read the labels! Not all lip balms are the same. Balms or sticks made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly don’t moisturise as such, they simply sit on the lips’ surface, and may even dry the lips out. Flavoured lip balms may taste nice but they might encourage you to lick your lips even more. More natural ingredients, such as plain plant oils and purified lanolin are by far the best choices for keeping lips soft and comfortable.

· Very sensitive lips respond best to a fragrance-free, natural emollient. Most nipple creams, especially those that contain purified medical grade lanolin, can actually be the best balms for very sore lips.

· You don’t have to forego the glamour! Lip gloss can help protect against the drying wintry elements, or try a tinted lip balm containing vitamin E, shea or cocoa butter.

Diciannove Restaurant Review

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

The life of a restaurant reviewer has its ups and downs. Some restaurants are merely okay and then some restaurants just blow you away, which is what Diciannove did. A new Italian restaurant in the city. Situated in Crown Plaza and with a great ambiance, this restaurant has wonderful little decor highlights, with some nods to Fleet Street (it is just up the road) in the artwork and a great bar. The banquet we sit at was comfortable and the table was huge. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. There is also another section of the restaurant situated to the left which is closed off for privacy.

The new restaurant concept has been around for about four months. Great pains have been taken to ensure that everything is authentically Italian. All the ingredients are from Italy even the water is imported and it all shows. Even all the staff were Italian except for our enthusiastic waiter Kevin who was excellent throughout our meal.

Scallops

These scallops were amazing, the butternut squash sauce with pancetta crumbs sprinkled on top was divine. This is one of the best starters I have ever had. Just perfect.

Fillet of Beef with soft polenta and seasonal mushrooms.

This was a perfect piece of filleted beef with a generous helping of polenta and seasonal mushrooms. Great sauce too.
While I feel I made an error ordering more polenta on the side, I did it without thinking, the polenta chips were also amazing.

Very filling too. When I made my order the waiter smiled and said, “Good choice”. How right he was. The food was amazing and tasted both sophisticated and wholesome; a hard combination.

Burrata Crustini – Grilled aubergine, tomato, chilli and basil

The Burrata was beautifully presented and had a lovely milky texture. The portion was generous for a starter but it could have done with more flavor.

Grilled Swordfish

The grilled swordfish was recommended to me by one of the waiters and I immediately saw why. It was the best swordfish I have ever had. The fish had an incredible meaty texture and yet was still soft and juicy. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The lemon sauce was a perfect accompaniment. The acidic lemon contrasted beautifully with the fish. The portion was generous and the chef allowed the swordfish to be the star of the show and it was.

Dessert

For dessert we were treated to three fantastic puddings. Zabaoni, chocolate mousse with chocolate salami and Tiramisu.

Zabaoni

The Zabaoni had the usual creamy soft and fluffy texture but the top had been burnt slightly to caramelise the sugar a great touch. The Zabaoni was a sugary delight but I loved the addition of the lemon curd and raspberries below the main Zaboni. The acidity of the lemon curd and raspberries was a perfect contrast to the sugar. In my experience a Zabaoni can often end up being too sweet. Not in this case, the balance was perfect this was a really great pud.

Chocolate Mouse

This was a tasty, creamy and chocolatey mousse. It was generous but not too rich. Once again the the chef had added something extra. In this case the beautifully made chocolate salami which you can see sticking out of the top of the mousse. It was a great addition which added another texture.

Tiramisu

I love a good Tiramisu. This was a great one. It was creamy, light and airy. Often a Tiramisu can be too heavy after you’ve had a large meal but this one was just right. This Tiramisu was more creamy than most I have had in the past and it was much better for it.

Kevin, our waiter, asked us which of three puddings was our favourite and we had a really tough time deciding. All three were first class and we couldn’t split them. If you had to really push me I’d probably go for the Zabaoni, just.

After our puddings we were lucky enough to try a Negroni with chocolate and orange bitters. This classic cocktail came with a twist: chocolate and orange bitters. Heaven in cocktail form. Chocloate and Orange is just such a wonderful combination.

We finished our meal with a glass of excellent Limoncello

Diciannove was everything you want from a restaurant. The atmosphere was relaxed. The staff were extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. Most importantly the food was fantastic. A great restaurant we highly recommend. And don’t forget to order the Swordfish!

Diciannove

Crowne Plaza London – The City

19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB

Telephone: 020 7438 8052

http://www.diciannove19.com/ @DiciannoveNo19

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Monthly Archives: November 2013

Blingbacks Shoe Jewellery | Weddings

Christmas Gift Guide For The One Who Is Hard To Buy For

Christmas Gift Guide For The Beauty Junkie

Christmas Gift Ideas For The House Proud

Over Half of British Adults Put Important Moments in Life Down to Superstition

Britain is Lagging Behind Europe in Training Women

Liz Earle Shares Her Tips For Dry Lips

Diciannove Restaurant Review

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