Interview with Charlie Hedges

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

I had the upmost pleasure of interviewing the one and only Charlie Hedges of Kiss FM fame recently. Charlie is the youngest female breakfast DJ, presenter and all round brilliant entertainer in the UK. She has a following of over 5 million listeners every week winning her an Arqiva Awards for the best breakfast show!! Impressed then keep reading!

From the age of 7 Charlie had a dream. She wanted to be a DJ and she hasn’t stopped ever knowing this is what she wanted to do. When you have passion for something and that passion is so strong it will see you through. She is such an inspiration to millions and she’s not just stopping with music. Charlie is amazing voice for charity work. She’s an ambassador for Prince’s Trust Mencap, Help for Hero’s, and was there for them last year representing Great Britain by carrying the Olympic torch last summer.

Can this girl ever want to stop…It looks like she won’t and by golly are we glad. One hell of a presenter. She also has a show on Sunday mornings 2-3am. All the latest top tracks for the decreeing clubbed and music fan. If thats not enough for you she has landed a 3rd show with Kiss Fresh on Friday nights 7-9pm

Her love of dance music and ‘Electro-House with a twist’ she has gigs and festivals across the globe, including Pacha London where she is a resident DJ. Charlie is also known on the UK fashion party scene regularly DJing for fashion brands such as New Look, as well as being the official DJ at the Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy last year. This girl just had to be interviewed by myself as my love of fashion is insane!

Highlights of her time at KISS include interviewing everyone from Daniel Craig and Jennifer Aniston to Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kanye West and Britney Spears plus her teenage idol, Justin Timberlake.

This summer Charlie has been filming with lucky life TV, interviewing superstar DJs across Ibiza. Last year she presented a Puma and FHM event with Professor Green, was a judge at the final of open mic live at the 02, introduced x factor star Amelia Lily’s new single, and is continually doing voiceovers on MTV.

Does this girl ever sleep? I guess when you do what you love and love what you do its not like work. She’s stunning and so much fun! I tried to get the cheeky side out of her with a few fun questions

1. If you could have any artist on your show who would you have and why.

Probably Simon Cowell, I know he’s not an artist but let’s be honest he’s got access to some of the biggest celebs in the world, make friends with him and I think you could then have whoever you wanted

2. What sort of leading questions do you like to ask them to really get them talking

Start with talking about the product they are there to promote and then ask cheeky questions be it about their relationship, earnings, as long as you do it tongue in cheek they normally play along

3. Who is your style icon? Or what’s your favourite look of this season

I LOVE Mollie from the Saturdays, her girly style is my favourite celeb style by far, I think she’s beautiful

4. Presenting kiss FM is an amazing job. If you were not a DJ what else would you love to do?

My honest answer to this was that I never let myself focus on another job/career. I always told myself that is the job of my dream and that’s what I want and I honestly didn’t have any other jobs in mind. I studied journalism at Harlow college so maybe focus on journalism as an option

5. Your such a busy girl with all the charity work you do for the Princess trust it must be hard to get down time. What do you do to unwind on days off.

If I get a day off I’ll go for a run in the morning and spend the whole day catching up with family and friends and still probably take a sneaky peek at emails every now and again, I’m a nightmare!!

6. Working for a radio station must be amazing but does it impact with your personal life.

Personal life as in our whole lives go on air? I don’t mind it it’s fun and you get to share your experiences with millions of other people

7. Who has influenced your career the most.

Mum, dad and brother definitely as they’ve always been supportive from day one. In the industry, bam bam as he gave me my first radio break really, he took me on as a kiss breakfast show assistant where I spent my time making tea…but it was here that I learnt everything. I also think Chris evens is a genius! He is an amazing presenter to look up to.

8. If you could collaborate with another DJ for an evening who would you pick?

Back to back with Calvin Harris then Swedish house mafia and bring them back together

9. Who would you have loved to DJ for ie. like Marilyn Monroe or Sinatra?

Michael Jackson, I loved his music growing up

10. Leading me onto the next…where would be your dream gig? It could be anywhere or imaginary!! For anyone!

I would love to play in Vegas, any club but just bringing London house to Vegas would be my dream

So as you can see this unstoppable young lady had passion and believed in herself. She followed her dream and made it a reality. I for one can’t wait to hear her play live in London soon. She’s a huge inspiration to me and everyone around her. So follow your heart and visualise the amazing future that lies ahead each and every one of you! You can do it too….

Charlie will be playing at the Ibiza Space Opening Party alongside the Chemical Brother on Sunday 25th May. For news on all other gigs and projects go to: http://www.charliehedges.com/dj-charlie-hedges and Twitter @charliehedges

Charlie presents the Kiss FM breakfast show Mon-Friday (6-9am), the Sunday morning Kiss Mix Show (2-3am) , and on the new Kiss Fresh show on Friday nights (7-9pm – which you can tune in from Kiss’s freeview channel 712, on the Kiss Kube app, and on the KISS FRESH Player online).

Charlie has her own soundcloud page, each weeks Kiss mix will be uploaded here: www.soundcloud.com/charlie-hedges

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @sarahbacchus for more exciting Fashion, food, beauty and even more interviews coming up soon. Check out my website www.slbstyle.com too!!

Ocean Drive Living Winchester

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Ocean Drive Living is a fabulous haven for beautiful, fresh and contemporary items for your entire world. From house to garden with kitchen, dining and entertaining being the main focus. Think style and you have it here in a nutshell. The shop has stunning textiles pilled all around, glorious cushions that will have you bedside yourself with joy. You won’t be able to resist a purchase I am sure.

Ocean Drive Living Dog lovers will smile at the array of cute tea towels and fun offerings. Mugs, jugs and all sorts of fun, amazing and very practical gadgets are on display. Its a perfect place to pick up a truly amazing gift for someone special.Stunning non drip candles….Yep non drip candles you heard right, and the designer wooden sunglasses have to be our favourite items we discovered.

Instantly you feel carried away on a holiday to the Caribbean and at the same time the beauty of the New Forest seeps through. Winchester couldn’t ask for a more tremendous, sophisticated and oh so à la mode new lifestyle shop. Its distinctly New England but has a touch of warmth throughout the entire well merchandised household boutique. This is interior design at its best.

Handpicked and ravishing accessories for you, your home and your garden are just a hop skip and jump away if you live in Hampshire. Ocean Drive Living only stock the top brands such as Skagerak, Culinary Concepts and By Nord blend with up and coming names such as Fenella Smith, Lily Matthews, Finnsdottir and Scantilla.

One place to defiantly visit if you are craving that perfect clean, fresh and opulent lifestyle you have always dreamt of.

Ocean Drive Living, 71 Parchment Street, Winchester, SO23 8AT. Tel: 01962 864 111 Follow them on Twitter @ODLWinchester or Instargram Ocean Drive Living

For more from Sarah Bacchus visit www.slbstyle.com and follow her on Twitter @sarahbacchus

Interview With Author Sophie Duffy

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

How did it feel to win the Yeovil Literary Prize, and then a host of others?

I was very surprised when I had an email to say I’d won the Yeovil Prize back in 2006. I see that moment as a breakthrough though it was another 5 years before The Generation Game was published by Legend Press, after it won the Luke Bitmead Bursary in 2010.

Do you have a favourite book that you have written?

I feel closest to the characters in The Generation Game as I lived with them for so long. I still think about them and wonder what they are up to. Particularly Philippa Smith.

What is your writing routine?

I wish I had one! I am not the most organized and have a house full of teenagers which can be a distraction. Supplying food. Washing countless socks. Nagging. Driving around Devon lanes. However, I do now have a room of my own, an office at the bottom of a garden. A glorified shed. It is full of all the tat I’m not allowed to display in the house. I love tat. So I try to get out there in the mornings. But inevitably my plans are scuppered.

How do you come up with your ideas?

They come from small thoughts. A memory. A conversation. A person who passes in and out of your life. Those small thoughts then grow into something more substantial. Something that nags away in the back of my mind, eventually pushing through and saying ‘write me’. I write about families and so I get inspiration from every family I meet, all with their different quirks, make-ups, rules, traditions and skeletons in the cupboard.

Do you ever get writers block?

Not really. I can faff around a lot and resist the act of sitting down and actually writing. But when I do sit down with the intention of writing, the words usually come. If I am struggling, then I read and read and read. It’s all part of the creative act.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Hmm. A while. Eighteen months to two years to get down a decentish first draft. Then maybe another year to rewrite. It’s a long, slow process for me.

What’s next?
I’m rewriting my current novel. I have the plot and the characters but I was telling it wrong. So I have changed the voice and it seems to be working much better. I hope.

Tell us about CreativeWritingMatters.

I used to be an early years teacher and moved on to youth work. I love teaching and was delighted to join Cathie Hartigan along with Margaret James running workshops and courses for www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk in the Exeter area. We also appraise manuscripts and mentor novelists online. Last year we launched the Exeter Novel Prize and had over 250 entries. We now have a shortlist which is being considered by my agent Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Exeter on 22nd March. Very excited.

Advice for wannabe writers?

Persist. Don’t give up. Be determined. Read. Do a writing class. Join a writing group. Enter competitions. And write whenever and wherever you can.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Be bold.

http://www.sophieduffy.com/
The Generation Game
This Holey Life

Nikki Gemmell Interview | Books

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Nikki Gemmell is a talented Australian author, best known for writing the best-selling erotic trilogy The Bride Stripped Bare, With My Body and I Take You. She has recently released her first children’s book, The Kensington Reptilarium. Scarily talented and productive, it was an honour to interview her.

You have written eight novels and four works of non-fiction. How do you manage to be so prolific?

In that exhausting lifestyle triumverate of the modern harried woman – work/family/social life – something has to give. I just don’t believe you can have all three. In my case it’s the social life that’s been sacrificed. I just get too knackered. Having kids has also made me much more disciplined. I don’t spend their school hours unpacking the dishwasher and tidying the house – I write, solidly. Am constantly gleaning little pockets of time to get it all done (in fact am typing this now, in the car, on the side of the road, having just dropped off my son to a basketball match.)

You write a lot about female sexuality. What draws you to write about it?

Honesty connects. Nowhere more powerfully than in the sexual sphere. There is so much vulnerability, bewilderment and misconception about sexuality, and it feels exhilarating (and necessary) to write about it utterly truthfully.

Lire included you in a list of the fifty most important writers in the world. How did that feel?

It’s a little tuning fork in my head – to try and live up to it!

You have written your first children’s book, The Kensington Reptilarium: what made you choose that genre?

Several of my own children who were too addicted to their wretched screens. I wanted to write a kid’s book that would ignite the flame of reading passion in them, because I just couldn’t get it to catch alight (to my despair and mortification.) Lo and behold, the Grand Scheme of Maximum Distraction actually worked.

Do you have a favourite book that you have written?

Shiver, my first novel – a story extremely close to my heart. The Bride Stripped Bare – because it transformed my life. And The Kensington Reptilarium – because it was such enormous, liberating fun.

What is your writing routine?

Get the kids, work solidly, then pick them up and give my life over to them. My trick is to get household chores done around them – never in cherished writing time.

How do you come up with your ideas?

I’m constantly on the prowl with a notebook in my handbag – it records ideas, titles, quotes, conversation scraps, magazine articles.

Do you ever get writers block?

I used to but not anymore – writing is a business to me now, as well as a passion. It pays bills, so I just have to plough on or my kids won’t be fed. I literally can’t afford to be blocked anymore.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Usually a couple of years, but I’ve actually written one of them in three weeks (not saying which!)

What’s next?

The publishers want a sequel to Kensington Reptilarium, as it did well for them. Then I’m thinking of an historical novel after that. Something different for me. I’m addicted to change, trying new things. Not afraid of failure in the slightest. It’s how you progress in life.

Advice for wannabe writers?

Tenacity is all. And discipline. Focus. The capacity for hard, gruelling work. Talent only gets you so far.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Write as if you’re dying – it’s a great motivator. It stops you making that seventh cup of tea.

http://www.nikkigemmell.com/
Nikki Gemmell’s Threesome: The Bride Stripped Bare, With the Body, I Take You
Honestly: Notes on Life

Christmas Art Attack Night

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Frostie

Paola Berta hosted a cosy, VIP Charity Christmas night for the creative industries at brand, newly refurbished, venue “BUCCI” located in the heart of Knighsbridge.

Guests were encouraged bringing along presents (i.e. toys) in support of the “BE MY SANTA” Klash Entertainent TV Christmas project. On Christmas day, the presents will be gifted to those, less fortunate, children which will be spending their Christmas at the Ormond Street Children Hospital.

Graham Swain in the center! #Christmas party 2013

Michelle Castillo #Christmas party 2013

Maria Inonectima #Christmas party 2013 #live_art

Paola Berta, Chanise Thompson #Christmas party 2013

Robbie Moffat, Paola Berta #Christmas party 2013 #BUCCI #Knightsbridge

Tony James #Christmas party 2013

The event started with a Christmas inspired live art painting by Maria Inonectima and carried on with an intro to life coaching by Dr Anna Maria Sanna, followed by dance and singing performances.

Dr A. M. Sanna introduced guests to the the importance of developing a method to achieve successful results in life, something people might want to particular evaluate at the beginning of a New Year.

Inonectima Fashion brand in collaboration with Aneta Ka, showcased – via a fun and surprising undressing dance sequence “Emanation” – a new piece from the latest Inonectima Fashion brand collection.

Actress and singer, Michelle Castillo – originally from Los Angeles, recently, relocated in London – performed some lovely songs.

In between the guests in attendance producer Robbie Moffat, filmmaker and musician Paul Wiffen, performer and broadcaster Graham Swain, actress Mary Bennett, TV presenter Chanise Thompson.

Guests enjoyed the red carpet photoshot by the live art painted banner and were treated with goodie bags sponsored by Chinara Enterprises and Wild Cat Energy Drinks.

Photography by Sergio Mattioli

From Yes To I Do: The Wedding Guide For A Modern Bride Review | Weddings

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

After the initial joy of being engaged comes something else: realising just how hard and expensive it is planning a wedding. You need all the help you can get. I am planning my wedding at the moment and, trust me, it gets overwhelming. Step in From Yes to I Do: A Wedding Guide for a Modern Bride Can this guide save money, tears and tantrums? Let’s find out.

I immediately have faith in the book when I read that Lucy Tobin is married and has planned a wedding. Few things are worse than a guide book from someone who has no experience of the subject at hand. The book gets all of the nitty gritty our of the way first: the administration and finer details. The budget, the practical business of getting married…even then the book is not boring. It is well written and not stuffy. I love the graphs, tables and the ‘I wish I’d thought of that’ scenarios from real couples.

The Top 10 Money Saving ideas is brilliant and has already saved me a ton of money. There are so many things you just don’t think of. The book also tells you how much other people spend on weddings, and what celebrities paid: the depressing thing about the celebrity list is how many of them are actually still married; five out of twelve. I love the illustrations in the book too.

From Yes To I Do covers everything from the running order, the speeches and what music to use when. This guide really is invaluable. The chapter on how much booze to have and how to save costs is invaluable. I love all of the facts that I have learned and it is fun too. Don’t get married without it. A wonderful and thoroughly researched book. And a bargain when you think about how much bridal magazines cost.

From Yes to I Do: A Wedding Guide for a Modern Bride

Silver Fit For a Bride: The Royal Mint’s Lucky Silver Sixpence | Weddings

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Frostie

It is always the little touches that moves something from great to extraordinary and at Frost we have been knee-deep in wedding stuff, researching and reviewing for our wedding special which will also be turned into a book.

This silver sixpence is one of those little things. It is a wonderful, beautiful and classy touch. The packaging the lucky silver sixpence comes in is stunning, it comes with information and The Royal Mint Lucky Silver Sixpence in a white box. There is also more information on the six pence and a note in an envelope you can give to the bride. This a wonderful little touch for a wedding that can then be passed along the generations.

A wedding is an occasion that deserves an everlasting gift to mark the joy and happiness experienced by all on the special day, and offering silver to the bride as a token of luck is a long-standing tradition that no wedding should be without.

We all know the traditional wedding rhyme telling brides to wear or carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”, but giving the bride a silver sixpence was integral to the original poem. Traditionally, the father of the bride would place this in her left shoe to symbolise him wishing her prosperity, love and happiness in her marriage.

The full text of the verse is:

“Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue,

And a silver sixpence in your shoe”

As no bride should go down the aisle without this silver sixpence, The Royal Mint has a limited number of authentic silver coins which were struck by The Royal Mint between 1920 and 1946 when it was located at Tower Hill in London.

Only the finest of those have been selected that have survived to the present day, and each one has been fully authenticated. Beautifully presented in a bridal-white gift box, it comes with a booklet which can be personalised with your own greetings.

The wedding silver sixpence is available to buy for £30 at The Royal Mint

“Eternal mementos that newlyweds will be able to cherish forever and can be passed on from one generation to the next”

QIPCO British Champions Day | Social Diary

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Frostie

Ant and Dec, Made in Chelsea stars, Binky Felstead, Ollie Locke and Spencer Matthews, Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond and Channel 4 star Katie Piper were all at Ascot today for QIPCO British Champions Day.

They joined Her Majesty the Queen, Princess Beatrice and Zara Philips together with socialites Bryan Ferry and his son Otis to watch wonderhorse Frankel maintain his unbeaten record by winning the QIPCO Champions Stakes, thereby securing his 14th straight victory.