Category Archives: Featured

CREATE YOUR OWN THEATRE AT HOME

Posted on by

We love this adorable gift. So cute and great for development.

theatre, children, create your own, toys for children, imagination, Christmas .

Create your own theatre productions and performances using the beautiful craft set from Royal Opera House shop – the perfect project for budding performers and theatre lovers!

 

Little ones will be sure to have creative fun, learn about how the theatre works, and get lost in their imagination, whilst writing and putting on a dazzling show for all the family to enjoy.

 

All kits include scenery, characters and props, and come packed with interesting facts and activities.

 

Made with the environment in mind, paper elements are created from recycled materials, and even better… no glue or scissors are needed, making it the perfect safe activity for all children to love.

 

Create Your Own Theatre – £12.50

Royal Opera House shop – shop.roh.org.uk

 

IS COLLAGEN THE SECRET TO YOUR BEST HAIR EVER? A-LIST HAIRSTYLIST JASON COLLIER SAYS YES, AND HERE’S WHY…

Posted on by
Jason Collier knows a thing or two about what great hair looks like, having styled the likes of Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Laura Whitmore and countless more. One thing he always tells his clients, is that great hair begins on the INSIDE! In fact, VB herself said she swears by liquid collagen just this week.  
 

We know that collagen is excellent for our skin, but did you also know it has a plethora of benefits for your hair too?

If you’re conscious about thinning locks, greys, and lacklustre ends, the following advice could come in handy.

great hair, hair, collagen,

Here, Jason shares the golden reasons why collagen can benefit your hair… 

‘Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and plays an important role in strengthening connective tissues. Collagen is naturally produced but, as we age, our ability to produce collagen diminishes – one of the reasons our skin starts to develop wrinkles and our hair can feel more lacklustre.

‘Post-summer I always see clients with hair in desperate need of a re-style and treatment; as well as recommending a good trim and/or re-style with a nourishing hair treatment, collagen will build hair from the inside out.

Put simply, hair is primarily made up of the protein keratin.Your body uses several amino acids to build keratin, some of which can be found in collagen, so this could help keep hair healthy long after your cut.’

He adds: ‘Collagen makes up 70% of your skin and your scalp is an extension of that, a healthy scalp could mean less hair thinning.’

1. Collagen may keep early greys at bay 

So many people have ditched the at-home hair dye so they’re not only looking for ways to disguise greys by opting for lowlights instead of all over dyes or balayage with a toner at the roots, but they also want to keep them at bay. Collagencan act as an antioxidant to fight cell damage as studies suggest free radical damage to the cells that produce hair colour may be one of the reasons for early-greying. Other reasons could include stress, poor diet which may damage melanin producing cells, too.

2. Collagen could help rebuild hair from the inside out

‘Post-lockdown has meant many clients have come in with locks in desperate need of a restyle and treatment, as well as recommending a good trim and/or restyle with a nourishing hair treatment, collagen will build hair from the inside out. Put simply, hair is primarily made up of the protein keratin. Your body uses several amino acids to build keratin, some of which can be found in collagen, so this could help keep hair healthy long after your cut.

3. Collagen could be the key to prevent hair-thinning

More and more clients, due to the stress of lockdown, have complained about hair thinning. As well as treatment shampoos, thickening sprays for a faux volume boost, regular trims to stop hair loss through splitting and a cleverly layered haircut – a collagen supplement could help. It makes up 70% of your skin and your scalp is an extension of that, a healthy scalp could mean less hair thinning. I love the LQ Skin Hair and Nails, which contains 7000mg of Hydrolysed Marine Collagen – there are studies which show evidence that marine collagen in particular is most effective. This one is an ingestible liquid shot. Liquids absorb into the body far more effectively than pills and one 50ml shot contains the same amount of active ingredients as up to 15 pills!.

JASONS TOP PICK 

LQ COLLAGEN SKIN HAIR NAILS MAX, £29.99 

great hair, hair, collagen,

Each daily bottle contains multiple key active ingredients and includes marine collagen (7000mg), hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, silicon, glucosamine, selenium and vitamins. Each bottle contains 7000mg of high bioavailability Peptan™ marine collagen.
LQ Collagen® | Developed for a Healthier and Happier You

Give the gift of clear skin this Christmas with skin:genius

Posted on by

This Christmas, give the gift of clear skin with the multi-award-winning 100% natural skin:genius range.

skin:genius

Its special-price festive pack is beautifully presented in a cotton s:g bag and includes: a 100ml Cleansing Face Wash (Best Cleanse  Forever); 30ml Leave-on Purifying Gel (All’s Well That Gels Well); 50ml Calming Moisturiser (Soothe Operator) and 10ml Spot Zapper (Hits The Spot) alongside a cotton flannel and lavender bag.  Worth £75.00, this festive bundle costs £60.00.

 

Specifically formulated to prevent and reduce acne, breakouts and spot-prone skin in teens and adults, skin:genius is packed with anti-bacterial ingredients that tackle the bacteria which commonly cause these problems.  The synergistic behaviour of its natural ingredients – including Red Clover, Nettle, Roman Chamomile, Oregon Grape, Witch Hazel, Marsh Mallow and Calendula – reduces inflammation and redness while hydrating, calming and smoothing irritated skin.

 

Rich in anti-oxidants, skin:genius products bring positive results from using high-quality, proven, natural and organic ingredients that work with the skin. Unlike many other products, skin:genius® uses a high number of quality active ingredients in lower concentrations, reducing any risk of sensitivity to the products while multiplying the benefits. This means you can attack one issue from many angles, achieving excellent results in a powerful yet gentle way.

 

Its Cleansing Face Wash, Leave-on Purifying Gel, Soothing Moisturiser and Hits The Spot all help to keep the skin clear by tackling the causes – not just the symptoms – of troublesome skin. They smell and feel wonderful and would make a super gift for anyone with problem skin.

 

Cleansing Face Wash – ‘best cleanse forever’

Bursting with Calendula, Red Clover and Lemongrass, this gentle daily face wash effectively removes impurities and excess oil, cleanses and cleans the face without over-drying the skin. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action reduces rashes, redness and irritation leaving a more even skin tone.

Leave-On Purifying Gel – ‘all’s well that gels well’

This maximum strength, fast-acting gel tackles inflamed spots and reduces redness immediately, to quickly bring relief and results. Easily absorbed, it’s loaded with Oregon Grape, Nettle and Roman Chamomile to help tackle breakouts while preventing the bacteria that cause acne and spots. Its antioxidant and antibacterial ingredients help improve the skin’s immune function while reducing redness and irritation.  It works best when used at bedtime and left to work its magic overnight.

Soothing Moisturiser – ‘soothe operator’

Calming and light, this balancing moisturiser provides skin with long-lasting hydration while minimising the appearance of pores and scarring.  Babassu, Macadamia and Hazelnut nourish the skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. It is rich in vitamin E to aid skinrecovery and naturally collagen-boosting. Importantly, it contains ingredients that behave similarly to sebum which signal to your skinto stop producing this substance which, when produced excessively, leads to oily skin and blocked pores.

 

Spot Zapper – ‘Hits The Spot’

Designed to stop a spot in its tracks. You simply apply one dot of this maximum-strength, fast-acting gel as a direct hit to help restore calm. Loaded with Oregon Grape, Nettle, Roman Chamomile and Yarrow, Hits The Spot helps fight and prevent the bacteria that cause spots and breakouts. It’s also high in antioxidants to protect and soothe inflamed skin and reduce redness.

 

Brits need 78 sponsored posts on Instagram to make their average annual salary

Posted on by

With the ability to earn millions, even as a nano influencer, it’s no wonder that many people are now turning to Instagram for a potential side hustle.

Interested in social media earnings, money.co.uk collected the average annual salary for each European country from Eurostat and used social salary calculator Lickd.co to find out how many sponsored posts* an average European worker would need a year to match their country’s average salary.

The European workers that would take the longest to make their average salary through sponsored posts

Money.co.uk can reveal that in the UK, aspiring influencers would need a minimum of 78 sponsored posts on Instagram to meet the average annual salary of £18,338.

European Countries Average annual income

(GBP – £)

 Required number of sponsored posts
1. Switzerland 35,250 151
2. Norway 34,380 147
3. Iceland 34,096 146
4. Luxembourg 32,320 138
5. Denmark 26,221 112
6. Austria 22,673 97
= 7. Belgium 21,940 94
= 7. Netherlands 21,921 94
= 9. Finland 21,770 93
= 9. Ireland 21,805 93
11. Sweden 21,098 90

*= symbol means joint in ranking

Source: money.co.uk

In first place is Switzerland. Residents would require a minimum of 151 sponsored posts on Instagram a year to earn their respective countries annual salary of £35,250 – the most of all countries analysed.

Following in second place is Norway, where an estimated 147 sponsored posts a year would earn aspiring influencers the country’s average annual income of £34,380.

Placing third is Iceland. Uploading a total of 146 sponsored posts per year on Instagram would earn the same as the average annual income of £34,096.

 

Table 2: Workers in these countries could make their average salary the quickest through sponsored posts

European Countries Average annual income

(GBP – £)

 Required number of sponsored posts
= 1. Albania 1,906 8
= 1. Kosovo 1,759 8
3. North Macedonia 2,330 10
4. Turkey 2,581 11
5. Serbia 2,799 12

*= symbol means joint in ranking

Source: money.co.uk

Requiring the fewest sponsored posts in Europe are Albania and Kosovo in joint first place. The residents in these countries would only need eight sponsored Instagram posts a year to earn their respective countries’ annual salaries (£1,906 in Albania and £1,759 in Kosovo).

James Andrews, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, commented on the findings:

“Social media platforms such as Instagram have continued to grow as a potential earning source for those looking for more flexibility over their creativity. Since you don’t need millions of followers to start earning, this has definitely sparked some interest, encouraging people of all ages and hobbies to look to see if they could join in.”

Money.co.uk’s tips on managing earnings and saving for the future:

    1. Maintain a steady income – Earnings as an influencer may not always be consistent. Ensure that you have a main stable income to support not only your daily expenses but also emergencies
    2. Tracking expenses – Keeping track of your daily expenses can help control your spending as well as cut down the need for any unnecessary outgoings. There are a number of apps available to download to assist your money tracking needs. Make sure to have a look around to find the best one that caters to you
    3. Budget for savings – Tracking your daily expenses can motivate you to organise your monthly income into a specific budget that works for you, encouraging a way to store any extra earnings into savings straight away
    4. Contribute to a pension pot – If you are thinking about saving for retirement, you will probably be enrolled in a workplace pension if you have a traditional job – which you can frequently top up, or ask to join if you’ve opted out or don’t meet the qualification criteria. But making the move to full time influencer or becoming self-employed will mean you need to take action yourself. Private pensions are simple to open and contribute to, but make sure you do your research or speak to a professional to help you get the most of the money you put away in the safest way possible.

Methodology:

  1. Money.co.uk wanted to find out how many sponsored posts European workers would need on Instagram to earn the same amount as their country’s average annual income.
  2. To do so, Eurostat data was utilised to collect the average annual income for European countries, accumulating the most recent data from 2020. Data for Ireland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Turkey are from 2019, whereas Iceland, the United Kingdom and Kosovo are from 2018. The figures reflect the NET earnings across each European country.
  3. To input the average annual income into a social salary calculator Lickd.co, the currency was converted from EUR – €  to GBP – £ using XE.com.
  4. Once converted, the average salaries were then input into Lickd.co to give the estimated number of sponsored posts per year on Instagram to earn the same as each European country’s average annual salary**. The social salary calculator takes a general assumption of earning as a whole and is not specific to a particular location***.
  5. A final ranking for each country was determined based on the number of sponsored posts.
  6. Data and conversion rates were collected on 8th November 2021 and are correct as of then but subject to change.

*Lickd.co’s estimated required sponsored posts are based on a minimum of 5,000 followers for users to be able to start earning around $350/£250 per sponsored post, where the estimated earning value can increase as the following grows.

**Potential earnings from sponsored posts may also vary depending on the estimated values of the influencer’s brand sponsor deals.

***SevenSix’s influencer pricing report conducted in November and December 2020 illustrates a comprehensive study on influencer pricing standard as well as an insight into the industry based on survey responses from influencers, brands and agencies across the UK.

Frost Loves DeFacto. Perfect For Gorgeous Christmas Clothes

Posted on by

I have discovered a gorgeous new clothing brand: DeFacto is a new fashion brand that has just launched into the UK market, offering an expansive range of stylish and affordable fashion for women, men and children.

DeFacto make gorgeous clothes that are stylish, good-quality and affordable. I love them and know where I will be buying my Christmas clothes, along with some 2022 buys.

defacto

defacto party clothes. clothes, review, defacto,

EARTHSHOT: HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET by Colin Butfield and Jonnie Hughes

Posted on by

earthshot EARTHSHOT- HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET by Colin Butfield and Jonnie HughesFollowing the recent Earthshot Prize ceremony and the crucial COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow (31st October-12th November), we are all much more aware that we need to make serious changes to care for our planet. And now EARTHSHOT: HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET tells us how we can do that.

EARTHSHOT: HOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET is the essential handbook to Prince William’s ground-breaking award, by Colin Butfield and Jonnie Hughes, long-time advisors to the award.

The book offers a guide to how we got to where we are today, with inspiring examples of how humanity is trying to set nature on the path to revival within these crucial next ten years. For those watching along at home, section three of their book focuses on practical things we can all do to make a difference, with excellent tips for people as they watch the coverage over the coming weeks and consider what they can do at home. Our individual efforts can make a difference, and the authors are optimistic at what can be achieved if we work together.

EARTHSHOT is written by Colin Butfield, former executive director at the international conservation charity WWF, and multi-award-winning producer/director Jonnie Hughes. Colin and Jonnie are creators of BBC One’s new landmark 5-part EarthshotPrize TV series, as well as the phenomenally successful documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet. Their involvement with The Earthshot Prize allows them unparalleled access to the people, science and imagery behind this inspirational project.

As the definitive book of the award – the most prestigious environment prize in history, with a mission to scale the best solutions to repair our planet – the book draws on a phenomenal range of voices including an introduction from Prize-founder Prince William and contributions from leading global figures: broadcaster and natural historian, Sir David Attenborough on protecting and restoring nature, former astronaut onboard the International Space Station Naoko Yamazaki on cleaning our air, singer and philanthropist Shakira Mebarak on reviving our oceans, Christiana Figueres, co-founder of Global Optimism and former UN Climate Chief on fixing our climate, and environmental activist Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim on building a waste-free world.

This timely and definitive book of The Earthshot Prize, along with the Earthshot prize and TV series, will be crucial in moving the dial on climate change.

We loved this book and we reckon you will too.

Spirit of Aloha 65 Brings Christmas spirit & many festive cheers to you!

Posted on by

aloha, cocktail, cocktail recipe, cocktail recipes, christmas cocktail recipeAloha images caption

Ok, we’re going to say it: it’s time to start thinking about the festive season.

Bring something bright and out of the blue to bonfires and dark nights. As summer comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about winter fun. Let Aloha 65 bring a bit of spice to cosy evenings in, whether you’re hosting or having a chilled one.

The unique spirit has a full menu of winter serves to complement its tropical botanicals and warming notes of ginger and chilli, perfect for shaking up winter cocktails and causing a stir at your Christmas parties.

Why not have a go at a winter recipe out of the blue, like the Aloha Velvet? We love Aloha at Frost and this cocktail is delicious.

Ingredients
35ml Aloha 65
25ml brandy
25ml fresh orange juice
20ml fresh lemon juice
A dash of sugar syrup
1 egg yolk

Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker get shaking like you’re shivering!
Add ice and shake again. 
Strain into a glass full of ice
Garnish with 3 or 4 drops of Angostura bitters and cherry to serve.

Aloha 65 isn’t just a treat for your drinks cabinet; you can fire up your cheeseboard and canapes too. Scotch-bonnet chilli-infused pineapple ‘detonators’ are an appetiser on their own, or the perfect way to make retro cheese & pineapple a bit more exciting.  Not only that, but their ‘Sun on a Beach’ hot sauce goes so well with seafood and will really bring the flavour to your prawn cocktail starters.

Don’t let the tropical vibes fool you. The Aloha 65 bottle is wrapping up warm in its seasonal ski suit bottle wrap so brand mascot Lola really looks the part when she joins you on the slopes. Smooth enough to drink on its own, Aloha 65 is also the perfect cold-weather hip flask tipple.

Get ready for Christmas with Aloha 65, with discounts on 70cl multi-buys, gift sets and, with mini spritz kits for just £10, you can be sure to win your office Secret Santa with these stocking fillers.

You can find Aloha 65 on Amazon and discover the full range at aloha65.com.

Who says après ski can’t be tropical?

The back-story
Conceived and created by British expat barman, Stephen Thorp, at a beach bar in Florida some thirty years ago, the first homemade version of Spirit of Aloha 65 was designed to lure well-known and not so well-known surfers into his beach bar to refresh and revive them after a long day in the surf.   Thirty years or so later, and after many attempts (65 in fact), the first few bottles that met Stephen’s exacting standards were produced and Spirit of Aloha 65 came of age. Turns out, Stephen’s creation was not just a brilliant addition to the post-surf après-sea drinks menu, but was equally at home with the post-piste après-ski crowd. Available in ski and surf label editions.

The blend
Beautifully and naturally crafted, Aloha 65 ticks a lot of boxes: vegan, gluten free, and at under 47kcal per 25ml serve has less calories than an equivalent measure of gin or vodka (50kcal per 25ml serve). It’s made from only fresh ingredients with no added colourants.

So what sort of spirit is it? Well it’s not gin and it’s not vodka, but like those old stalwarts, Aloha 65 starts with a neutral grain spirit base.  However, unlike gin or vodka that an take just a few hours to make through a fire-based distillation process, Aloha 65 takes weeks to make and is made by separately and naturally infusing neutral grain spirit with just six very special raw ingredients including fresh pineapple, lemon, ginger and scotch bonnet chilli.  These ingredients macerate slowly in the neutral grain spirit for up to a month naturally steeping the alcohol with their individual flavours. The separate infusions are then carefully blended together et Aloha! Sunshine in a Bottle.

Its versatility means that it can be enjoyed as a delicious chilled shot, on ice, or a refreshing long-drink, or as the unique heart of a great cocktail. It is proudly all-natural, vegan and has a lower ABV (27%).  One sip and you’ll know what all the fuss I about.  If you’ve never heard of, or believed in, ‘Sunshine at First Sip’, you have now.  Many people seem genuinely surprised that it is still possible to create something quite new and different in the spirits category but Stephen’s years of dreams and hard graft have certainly been worth it.  Trust us – you’re in for a treat.

A brand with a difference
Spirit of Aloha 65 offers the consumer something very different both to look at and to taste.  With its coastal roots, Spirit of Aloha 65, was born of the surf, sun, sand and sea but is equally at home in the mountains and on the slopes. The vintage and retro branding has universal appeal and the branding screams: ‘Life is for living’ and ‘Have fun!’.  ‘Lola’, our iconic surf girl and ‘Al’ her buddy, don’t just surf, they ski!  Of course, they do!  The ski/surf winter bottles are a must this winter to create that lock-down après ski vibe.  Oh, and how many spirit brands do you know that also have a hot sauce?

Integrity
‘Aloha’ isn’t just a friendly greeting, it’s a way of life.  It puts a smile on your face.  Alohans, as we like to call them, live each moment to the full and always bring their A-Game, but with respect for others and their environment.  Aloha 65 is proud to be partnering with Plastic Oceans, donating 5% of its profits to the charity to help preserve the planet and its natural diversity for generations to come.  Aloha 65 is also supporting the promotion of “The Last Glaciers”, a new film about climate change, glaciers and the fate of our planet. Aloha 65 is vegan and made with only natural ingredients.

Aloha Sour

Ingredients:
35ml aloha,
10ml velvet falernum,
10ml cherry brandy,
2 dash cherry bitters,
10ml lemon juice,
egg white

Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker and dry shake (no ice).
Add ice and shake again.
Strain into a coupe.
Garnish with 3 or 4 drops of Angostura bitters and cherry

Available on Amazon.

SAUCE IT is a new and truly exciting way to buy restaurant-quality ingredients at home

Posted on by

BBC’s Matt Tebbutt opens the chef larder
for the real foodie with the launch of SAUCE IT

Just think of it as the food and drink concierge for those in the know, giving you access to the chef’s personal larder – essentially their first choice of ingredients – so you too can finally shop like a chef!

Just open our exclusive ‘little black book’ of suppliers, producers, cooking professionals and sommeliers who can offer you chef designed boxes, filled with incredible ingredients discovered over years of working in the trade. SAUCE IT gives you access so you can discover for yourself how these rigorously sourced ingredients can ultimately change the way you cook and create.
The result of years of research and tasting, every item on SAUCE IT has been trialled and tested extensively by the expert who puts their name to each recommended ingredient or product. If you are looking for the wow factor, look no further, as SAUCE IT source the impossible to find; the ingredients you won’t find in Waitrose or even famous food halls.

sauce it box sauce it box

The SAUCE IT boxes
To celebrate the launch of this exciting new concept, TV favourite Matt Tebbutt has created a new box The Weekend Collection by Matt Tebbutt. To coincide with the launch of Matt’s new book ‘Weekend’, this box contains a selection of ingredients, handpicked by Matt, and featuring in his new recipes such as the Cabernet Sauvignon Vinegar used in Matt’s Anchoiade dip or the beautifully packaged ‘Las Hermanas’ hot smoked paprika made using age old methods, ideal for Matt’s Smokey chicken with sweet corn and mango salsa.
Matt commented ‘SAUCE IT is an exciting new way to shop like an award winning chef does, giving you access to all the very best produce that was once only available to the restaurant world’.

If you are a shellfish fan, you’ll love Salcombe’s finest shellfish box which includes the finest Salcombe crab and lobster from a small day boat, packed on the quayside and sent direct to you, straight from Chris the fisherman. Is there anything finer than a simply boiled fresh crab with lemon, mayo and crusty bread? For the lobster, the king of crustaceans, the BBQ is perfect! Salcombe is famous for its crab and lobster, in fact it reaches nearly every corner of the globe, and if you’re looking for fresh seafood for that family feast, our shellfish is landed by one small boat and delivered straight to your door.

For the Spanish food lover, the El Gordo box has the most amazing Spanish products; ones that you will only find in restaurants such as Barrafina or Pizarro. SAUCE IT have brought together the absolute best of the best small Spanish producers of outstanding quality. Sit back, relax, imagine you are taking in the sights and sounds of San Sebastian, and indulge in some the worlds finest ingredients, enjoyed with a glass of Manzanilla sherry, naturally!

There are also boxes from well-known chefs such as Ben Tish, Sabrina Ghayour and Jane Baxter. A selection of wine boxes are available, handpicked by the team at SAUCE IT and their black book of wine experts.

Those involved in SAUCE IT, and we suspect, our customers, are pioneers in a world of discovery, fans of independent travel and favour self-selection rather than the package choice. When you purchase a box with SAUCE IT, an order is then placed with our suppliers. For example, your Salcombe crab is in the sea right up to the time it’s sent to you, your vegetables are picked to order and the ingredients for your box are collated on the day of dispatch. We supply our chef-collated boxes direct to your door in our eco friendly packaging, avoiding singular product or environmentally damaging deliveries. You will not find expensive and unnecessary packaging with SAUCE IT, we let the ingredients themselves do the talking!

All the boxes are compiled by the country’s finest restaurant suppliers. Buying from SAUCE IT supports fabulous fishermen, awesome organic vegetable growers, higher welfare meat producers and farmers, and some amazing but small artisan food heroes. Matt and the team at SAUCE IT will also give you fantastic hints, top tips and fabulous recipes to go with your outstanding ingredients. This is undoubtedly the concept epicureans have been waiting for!

We love it!