Monthly Archives: July 2019

Holland & Barrett – Sustainable Favourites

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We were recently invited to the Holland And Barrett Summer Showcase which allowed us to try and test some of the best new products they have in store for us, or coming to a store near you. Here is our round up of some of our favourite sustainable  and Mixed Zero Waste products which we have been putting to the test. 

Live Coco – Recyclable Electric Toothbrush heads

Compatible with any Oral – B Electric Toothbrush, these fantastic toothbrush heads are infused with Charcoal which removes impurities from your mouth. The charcoal also helps to absorb and remove chlorine from tap water. What’s more, if you send them back once you’re done Live Coco will recycle them for you. 

RRP: £9.99 pack of 2

Holland & Barrett – Thin Cotton Pads

Fed up of make-up wipes, these re-usable cotton pads are just the answer. Available in a pack of six, that’s almost one for every day of the week, these pads are designed to be used with micellar water and come in a handy drawstring bag to collect them up in and throw in the wash after use. They are available in a thick or thinner cotton which is completely organic

RRP: £8 pack of 6

Patch – Aloe Vera Bamboo Plasters

Made from 100% natural bamboo fibre, these plasters are 100% compostable, hypoallergenic and enriched with Aloe Vera to help soothe and repair burns, blisters and minor abrasions. They are completely chemical free and are available to buy now in Holland & Barrett in a pack of 25. 

RRP: £6.99 pack of 25

Flux Undies – Period Proof Underwear

There are currently quite a few of period proof undies on the market at the moment but we simply love Flux, not only because they have just been released in Holland & Barrett stores, but because they are designed to last around three years, they are made sustainably, and hold up to 4 regular tampons’/pads worth. The proof is in the testimonials of many happy customers claiming that they have not worn disposables since. Not only that, Flux employ the ‘By You, For Her’ scheme which ensures every pair of Flux undies bought will allow a girl in need to receive a reusable, menstrual cloth pad. 

RRP: £27.99 each

Beauty Kitchen – Seahorse Plankton Beauty Boost BB Cream

In fact we simply love the entire Beauty Kitchen range who design their entire range with sustainability in mind. From their packaging which you can send back to be recycled or refilled, to their 100% natural ingredients. The new Seahorse Plankton range promises not to contain any seahorses, but does contain blue chamomile and sustainably grown microalgae which is scientifically proven to boost and brighten. After using this for two weeks now, the first thing I noticed was the creams ability to blend in with all skin tones. This really leaves your skin feeling radiant and smelling like you’ve stepped out of a day spa. 

RRP: £15 for 30ml

As well as this… Holland & Barrett are launching their very own vegetarian and vegan meal deal. Priced at just £3.99 customers will be able to choose from a range of plant-based sandwiches, wraps and salads and indulge in tasty treats from brands such as Deliciously Ella and Hippeas. The meal deal will be available 

initially in six London flagship stores. 

For more information on any of the products or to order, visit 

www.hollandandbarrett.com

Holiday time – this Portascent for perfume is perfect for your travels

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The last thing we need when packing for holidays or even a day out, is a handbag full of bottles of this and that, all too large for purpose. So try this travel sized perfume atomiser. It works extraordinarily well, and is not a faff to fill.

PortaScent is the ingenious travel size perfume atomiser spray bottle which seems to be the perfect solution for traveling with your favourite fragrances, essential oils and aftershaves. This refillable perfume spray has pump-to-fill technology for spill free refilling in seconds, which ensures not a drop of your favourite fragrance is lost. Not to mention the additional pour in option for splash fragrances, it makes a fantastic gift idea for a fresh spritz of perfume or aftershave when you are on the go all day.

Air travel approved to fit seamlessly into your carry-on luggage, wave goodbye to clunky oversized perfume bottles in hefty glass bottles and 150ml in size, which makes them totally impractical for travel. Thanks to the creators of the PortaScent this is no longer the case, the travel perfume atomiser bottle from Aydya. Saving you time, space and money in your suitcase,  leaving you that little extra space in your luggage allowance.

Made of sturdy aluminium shell which keeps up with the demand of a hectic lifestyle, leak-proof, hardwearing, lightweight and glass free. Not just a must have travel accessory for those long haul journey’s, the PortaScent allows you to keep smelling fresh when you’re simply heading from a long day in the office to post work drinks. Discreetly packaged, application is fast and easy, spraying a fine mist for even coverage. It is the perfect refillable perfume bottle for the car, handbag or gym bag for on the go freedom.

Offering up to 120 sprays capacity, the clear window ensures you can keep an eye on just how much of your favourite scent is left before you need to refill. The PortaScent is available in a selection of stunning subtle colours to suit your taste, such as metallic silver, pink, gold or black to name only a few.

The PortaScent Refillable Travel Perfume Atomiser Spray Bottle (Silver, Pink, Gold or Black) is available to buy online for £7.99 from Leakproof.

 

B’Clip: A Clever Invention For Children. Turn Fabric or Paper Into a Bib

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I love this clever little clip. Small and portable, it turns fabric or paper into a bib. Perfect for eating or playing. It is also safe because it releases if pulled hard enough by your tot. Pretty cool. 

Transform any fabric or paper napkin to a bib with the ingenious B’Clip from Baby To Love. Ideal for meal time’s, painting, playing with clay and other messy activities, be rest assured with the B’Clip you will receive comfortable protection thanks to its ergonomic shape, flexible fit and soft touch material. Made from a 100% waterproof food-grade rubber that is easy to wash and clean, from 6 ages months + if you’re out and about, and limited on space, the B’Clip provides you with vital protection without been bulky and unnecessarily oversized.

B'clip, bib, parenting reviews

A life savour for your little ones most precious outfit’s, avoid one less bib on a mountain of laundry, simply use the B’Clip holder with a new paper napkin and throw away after use. The B’Clip incorporates an effortless wide opening so that you can fit even the thickest hand towel for those extra messy activities. Not to mention for protection against choking, if the napkin is pulled hard, the B’Clip is designed to release for baby safety.

After use keep the B’Clip close to hand, as it sticks to any fridge or other magnetic surfaces. Ready to throw in your bag for use when dining, visiting family, or traveling. An affordable, practical, yet stylish baby shower gift that any new parent would be grateful of.

The Magnetic Soft Silicone B’Clip (Grey Pencil, Blue Apple, Pink Cupcake) is available to buy online for £9.95 from BabyToLove.

 

A PUBLISHER’S YEAR: JULY – DREAM GENRES, DREAM JOB

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We’ve been busy publishing lots of books in June and July to get ready for summer reading – August in particular tends to be one of our highest sales months. We’ve published the first two books in a brand new Tudor series by David Field. We released ANOTHER YOU by Frost’s own Jane Cable! This week we also released the first novel in a Victorian crime series featuring a feisty female photographer – SNAP SHOT by Marilyn Todd. We have also managed to sign up quite a few classic military thrillers, in the genres we were searching for, and we have published our first few – some Cold War espionage thrillers by Geoffrey Davison. We are excited to see how those sell on Kindle, especially as Caoimhe is specifically growing our list of readers interested in the ‘action & adventure’ genres.

We have signed another new authors to our books – the lovely Ros Rendle. We have signed a six book contract with Ros – five of which are backlist titles we are reissuing, and one which is a brand new contemporary romance, due for release in 2020.

For the rest of the post, I’ll let our new Editorial Assistant take the reins to let you all know what she’s been learning so far!

Amy

Here are Natalie’s thoughts on her first couple of months:

Since joining Sapere Books, I have learned a lot about the careful work that goes into publishing commercial genre fiction. My role is very hands-on, and involves formatting and proofreading manuscripts, as well as reading new submissions. I love the level of engagement that I have with the books, and the fact that I’m working with stories that will appeal to a wider audience. My duties at my previous jobs in publishing were largely admin and project management-based, so it’s great to have the chance to do some more detailed editing! It’s also great to be part of the decision-making process with regards to the books that are signed up, and I’m still developing my eye for what makes the ideal Sapere submission.

I’m a big fan of historical fiction, so I’ve had a lot of fun working on Elizabeth Bailey’s Regency romances, as well as the first instalment of Marilyn Todd’s Victorian mystery series! But working on genres that I’ve had less experience with — e.g. crime fiction and political thrillers — has also been a welcome and rewarding challenge. I’m very grateful for the breadth of Sapere’s publishing; this has allowed me to expand my horizons both as a reader and as a young publishing professional.

I’ve never worked from home full-time before, but I’ve found that this suits me well. I’m good at setting boundaries in terms of space and working hours, which helps me maintain a productive, energised and disciplined mindset. Amy is always on hand to help with any queries I have, and the training and support that I’ve received has been fantastic. There are plenty of opportunities to meet up with the rest of the team for catch-ups and industry events, and they’ve all made me feel very valued and welcome! To summarise, this is my dream job and I’m looking forward to continuing to assist with Sapere’s exciting projects!

A unique event (Jalsa Salana) promoting peace takes place on 2-4 August.

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It’s harvest time in the countryside, as the Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK takes place in the south of England. Over 38,000 participants from more than 100 countries will attend to promote a sense of peace in society and eradicate all forms of Islamophobia.

 

Eminent speakers discuss a range of religious topics and their relevance to contemporary society. Parliamentarians, civic leaders and diplomats from different countries will also address the gathering and underline the conventions objective of enhancing unity, understanding and mutual respect.

 

 A special feature of this convention is that it is blessed by the presence of His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He addresses the convention over each of the three days, providing an invaluable insight into religious teachings and how they are a source of guidance for the world today.

 

Those attending (including approximately 1000 from Africa) are converting a Hampshire farm into a 3 day mini village. The event has a real festive feel to it with its on-site Bazar, exhibitions (including one on the Turin Shroud!) Britain’s largest kitchen and a roti making factory. Sounds a bit akin to Glastonbury.

Interestingly a unique copy of the Quran will be showcased for the first time at this convention. The Al-Qalam (The Pen) project, founded by calligrapher and Islamic art collector Razwan Baig invited members of the public from all walks of life and with no prior experience of calligraphy to hand-write a single verse of the Quran in Arabic. This ‘crowdsourced’ Quran, has taken over five years to complete and the project, run by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, illustrates the importance of the Quran for the more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.

Razwan Baig says:

“The Quran is a treasure of wisdom and knowledge for all. This is the message which resonates in the heart of the calligrapher while they are penning the sacred text, thus it is truly special for each one of us.

“This is the first copy of the Holy Quran in 1400 years which has been compiled by more than 6000 contributors – both Muslims and non-Muslims – who penned each verse and this will be preserved in history. Most important in the entire journey of the Al-Qalam Project was the contribution of His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Caliph and the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who penned the opening chapter, Surah Al-Fatihah.”

There will also be a special exhibition hosted by The Review of Religions in collaboration with Razwan Baig, focusing on Islamic calligraphy and art by award-winning sculptor, Adam Williamson, creator of the HM The Queen Mother Memorial, who will be working on a new piece over the three days of the convention. Razwan Baig, one of the largest private collectors of Islamic artefacts in the UK, will also be displaying a selection of rare antiquities from his personal collection.

The Review of Religions, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s official English magazine, have managed the running of the Al-Qalam project worldwide.

The Al-qamal-project

www.pressahmadiyya.com/jalsauk/

Images courtesy of Noor Hadi

 

 

 

 

Anyone Can Look Lovely by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Having seen some amazing transformations in the media (take Ru Paul’s Drag Race – my favourite programme), I am a firm believer that, with the right expertise, we can all look amazing. So, when I road-tested some products at the recent Christmas In July press exhibition, I was delighted to find that I looked (temporarily) fabulous.

 

 

As I had just struggled through the London heat wave, I arrived at the exhibition looking like the cookie monster on a bad hair day. Thanks to the lovely staff on the Revamp Professional stand and their professional hair styling products I was soon looking like Jennifer Aniston once again – yes I am due for an eye check. Whilst the lovely hairdresser was working her magic, I learned about the secret of Revamp products. Whether you use their straighteners, curling tongs, or their various air stylers, they all automatically infuse Progloss oils as they style your hair – how neat is that? Progloss oils contain keratin, argon and coconut, and leave your hair smooth and shiny, in fact, as if you have just left the hairdresser’s. I think the before and after photos illustrate the point.

 

 

The lady who was educating me on Revamp products must have noticed my Louis Vuitton-sized eye bags, because she slipped me a Homedics Eye Revive.  This neat little wand delivers light therapy, sonic massage and heat to relieve tired eyes and apparently it also enhances the effects of moisture creams and serums. I must admit it was pleasant to use, and I fancy my eyes are looking a little better.  Homedics specialise in beauty products to use at home, including beauty, aromatherapy, massage and hair removal. I must say, it’s nice to have all the benefits of spa-type treatments without leaving your house and their products are excellent. The Gel Shiatsu Back Massager with heat and remote control (see picture) looks particularly tempting.

On the same theme – if you like the idea of treatments at home but would rather someone did it for you, you may want to try Secret Spa, who’ll send a therapist to you to sort out your face, hair, eyelashes or nails, or give you a fabulous spray tan.

 

 

So now, you’ve worked on your body, Beauty Crush, sold by H&A, has a great range of makeup products. I particularly like their blending sponges and their eye tool collection (eye shadow brushes, tweezers and lash curlers in a cute bag). The right tools really make such a difference and these were finalists in the Beauty Global Awards 2019.

So spoil yourself – why not?

 

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

 

SISTER SCRIBES’ READING ROUND UP: JULY

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Cass:

“Everyone should be adopted, that way you can meet your birth parents when you’re old enough to cope with them.” So says Pippa Dunn, the eponymous heroine of Alison Larkin’s debut novel, The English American (which has its roots in her autobiographical one-woman comedy show of the same name).

Adopted as an infant and raised terribly British (attending a posh boarding school, able to make a proper cup of tea and in the ‘love’ camp for Marmite on toast), Pippa – now 28 – discovers her birth parents are American. Finally, she begins to understand why she’s so different from everyone she knows.

Pippa sets off for America, soon meeting her creative birth mother and her charismatic birth father. Moving to New York to be nearer to them, Pippa believes she’s found her ‘self’ and everything she thought she wanted. Or has she?

This is a hilarious yet poignant story where you are laughing out loud one moment and holding back tears the next. Pippa’s journey is very funny, yet deeply moving, and I highly recommend The English American to anyone who loves to finish a book with a smile on their face and a warm feeling in their heart.

 

Kitty:

I’ve been in editing mode this month so have listened to audiobooks to relax, sitting there as the words wash over me reminds me of story tapes and childhood and I quickly sink into a blissful state.

Helping me do this was Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere.  Having read rave reviews and knowing it had been optioned made me curious and I was greatly rewarded for being so. I got utterly caught up in the story of the families in this book, Ng’s characterisation deft and skilful with surprises around every corner as she explores themes of motherhood and social class.

I’m currently listening to Sally Rooney’s Normal People and again can’t help but admire the way she captures that insecurity and self-doubt of adolescence that lies behind the masks we don. Two remarkably skilful writers that I highly recommend.

I’ve also devoured Jill Mansell’s Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – in book form. As ever, Jill Mansell can be relied upon to be utterly perfect as she delivers that hit of escapism and brings a smile to your face. Faultless.

 

Jane:

I’ve been reading two books set in Italy this month; both romances and both by members of our ‘Take Four Writers’ team from last year. But apart from that they couldn’t have been more different and it was a joy to be reminded how broad the church of romantic fiction is.

The first was The Tuscan Secret by Angela Petch. This is a dual timeline between the present day and the Second World War and the historical part is loosely based on Angela’s husband’s family. Tuscany is a part of the world she knows very well and her love for it shines through in the achingly beautiful descriptions of the settings. This very gifted writer can certainly take you with her, both in terms of location but also the richness of the story. It’s a much loved trope (daughter is left to discover mother’s secret after her death) and so well told I really missed the characters when I had finished reading.

In complete contrast Lucy Coleman’s Summer on the Italian Lakes is a thoroughly modern love story. After a rather nasty bout of writers’ block, romance author Brie Middleton agrees to help out at a summer retreat on Lake Garda, and of course love is just around the corner. What I particularly liked about this book was the ‘shape’ of the romance – it wasn’t formulaic or predictable – but to say more would be a spoiler. The characterisation was fabulous too and it makes a great holiday read.

A Taste of Summer by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Having recently been ill, I am enjoying relaxing, guilt-free, in this lovely sunny weather. But how do you bottle this sunshine and make it last all year round? Well Opies literally do this (OK, not literally sunshine, but their bottled products are as good as).

Opies is an old family business, based in Kent since the 1920s, and the local fruit and nut trees have influenced their passion for making amazing preserves over the years.

For those with a sweet tooth I can highly recommend their fruits preserved in syrup and various alcohols. They are delicious in various recipes which are available on their website, or if you are feeling lazy and decadent, just put a generous dollop of their Apricots with Jim Beam on some some vanilla ice-cream – perfect.

However my favourite is the pickled walnuts. When Len Goodman used to threaten to pickle his, I had no idea about this scrumptious delicacy. Opies have enlightened me. They take the green walnuts, whilst the shell is still soft and prepare them by hand for pickling. The result is an earthy flavour, with a distinctive tangy after-taste. Absolutely delicious as a slice on top of biscuits and cheese, or adding a couple to a stew will provide depth and interest.

But don’t take my word for it – try any of their products. They also make lovely gifts.

 

 

Photos provided by Splat Marketing

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk