Tasty, gorgeous and decadent. No, we’re not just talking about your Valentine’s Date. These macaroons are a gorgeous treat for that someone special and each one has its own delicious flavour – including Dulce de Leche, Pink Lemonade and Chocolate Strawberry.
We bet the humble aubergine never imagined it would become a symbol for things of a steamier nature, but here we are. The perfect gift to spark some flirtatious banter or just make them roar with laughter, you can make it your own with a personalised message.
Love is in the air, and Xīn and Voltaire are poised to redefine romance this Valentine’s Day with their indulgent collection of frozen sorbet cocktails, bringing the joy, sophistication, and unforgettable sensory experiences to every date night and galentines celebrations this year.
These sorbet cocktails taste great and are deliciously alcoholic. They also look great. There are a decadent and stylish treat for a moment of joy.
Xīn and Voltaire has reimagined the way we enjoy cocktails, offering creatively conceived, luxuriously crafted frozen sorbet cocktails that cater to every palate. By harnessing innovative technology and cutting-edge science, Xīn and Voltaire has made it possible to freeze alcohol at a higher ABV, ensuring that for the first time, the complex flavours of bar-quality cocktails are preserved in a frozen format, and elevated with the texture and mouthfeel of a sorbet.
This Valentine’s Day, Xīn and Voltaire invite cocktail enthusiasts to create enchanting moments with their loved ones. Whether it’s a unique gift for a special someone or the perfect low-maintenance, yet elevated welcome drink to a galentines soirée, Xīn and Voltaire’s signature serves are sure to steal the spotlight; savour straight from the tub and serve with a spoon, or scoop into champagne coupes and top with prosecco for an at-home twist on the classic Sgroppino.
With a diverse menu of four vegan, low-calorie and gluten-free frozen sorbet cocktails, each blend is sure to cater to various palates and captivate the senses. From the floral and elegant notes of Florian, the vibrant combination of dark rum, coconut liqueur and mango in Alphonse, the effervescent Giselle with mezcal and raspberry for a twist on the classic margarita, and finally Aurelie’s warming winter notes of wood and caramel released from single malt whisky and amaretto.
Xīn and Voltaire’s on-demand delivery and personalised orders make it easy to enjoy these unique frozen sorbet cocktails in the comfort of your own home. Priced at £9 per cocktail, or £32.40 for their Taster Collection and Love Sharing Collection Boxes. Simply add to basket, select the preferred delivery date and the products will arrive at your door already frozen.
You can also share the joy with an elevated date night at Sabine Rooftop Bar, where Xīn and Voltaire has partnered to create the ultimate Lover’s Week. The secret garden in the clouds is an oasis from The City, allowing guests to be transported to a hidden space away from the busy London streets, and where you can enjoy beautiful views of St Paul’s. Incorporating a bespoke Valentine’s menu running from 13th-17thFebruary, expect the immaculate setting to be accompanied by indulgent sorbet cocktails, sharing plates and entertainment.
For more information about Xīn and Voltaire’s revolutionary sorbet cocktails and to discover the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day celebrations, visit www.xinandvoltaire.com
So, you’re ready to start your business? Well, there are a few things you’ll have to do to boost your chances of success. The good thing is that technology has made it very easy to launch a business. You should just follow these tips, and everything should go smoothly.
1. Create a Business Website
To create a successful business in this day and age, you’ll need to have a website. This can be done in just a few minutes with a website builder like IONOS. Keep in mind that these services use AI (artificial intelligence) to make the process easier. The best thing is that this website builder will cost you as little as 1 GBP a month to use. After setting up your website, you’ll need to create content to rank your site highlyon search engines. The process of content marketing should be approached carefully to avoid hurting your SEO. Don’t stuffkeywords, and make sure the articles are captivating enough to hold the attention of readers.
2. Take Business Networking Seriously
Business networking is quite important. Interacting with other players in your industry will help you learn about new trends, gain some insights, and identify new opportunities. To network effectively, you’ll need to use online platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. It’s also important to attendprofessional events, especially those that are related to your industry. Make sure you present yourself properly. For example, you’ll need to speak clearly and confidently to boost your chances of success.
3. Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Today, starting a business is extremely easy, and it doesn’t even take a lot of money. That’s why you’re likely to experience a lot of competition when you launch your business. One way you can set yourself apart from the competition is to focus on customer satisfaction. A good way to determine whether your customers are satisfied with your business is to ask for feedback. Check for patterns in the comments to see whether there is anything most people desire. Do they need different features? Or is your team not communicating properly? Whatever their pain point is, you should take steps to solve them.
4. Hire the Right People
One mistake you can make when launching a business is to rush through the hiring process. It’s important to take the time to find people who fit into your company culture. At the same time, you’ll need to make sure they’re competent. You should look beyond the CV as this document won’t give you the full picture. Make sure you also evaluate their interests, ambitions, and priorities.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on starting a business, you should take a few steps to maximize your chances of success. First, make sure you have a professional-looking website. Focus also on customer satisfaction as this will help set your company apart from the competition. It’s also essential to take business networking seriously. This way, you’ll be able to identify new opportunities in the market. Finally, take your time to hire the right people.
The above card was personalized by Karrie Barron Cards some years ago, when my book The Waterway Girls was published. It was a gift from the Frost’s Food and Drink Critic Michael Rowan and I keep in under a glass dome. It is precious beyond words.
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I felt Frost Magazine must visit Karrie Barron Cards again, and take a look at a few Mother’s Day cards, bearing in mind that there is an offer of 20% off Mother’s Day cards if ordered before 15th February. Do remember they can be personalised.
Garden Heart is the perfect combination of card and gift. Unique and lovingly hand made in London it comes personalized( free of charge), and is ideal for Mother’s Day. Although this ‘Little World’ seems delicate and fragile, rest assured it comes well packaged in a white presentation box with matching ribbon gift wrap.Dimensions are H15.5 x W11 x D3.5cm @ £23.00 (As each card is individually hand made, please be aware that colours and compositions will vary from the product images.)
Sewing, another one of the lovely Mother’s Day range that I also love. Made in a choice of three colours. Dimensions H15.5 x W11 x D3.5cm @ £26
And another: Mother’s Day Pink/White Bouquet from £13.00
SMALL CARD H15.5 x W11 x D3.5cm
LARGE CARD H19 x W15.5 x D3.5cm
Aren’t they all just gorgeous. And the detail… How on earth do they do it?
Tilly Barron, Creative Director, told Margaret that Karrie Barron Card’s was founded in 1994 by her mother Karrie. Karrie’s concept was to create a miniature world within a greeting card.
She began designing and making from a back bedroom in their family home in Fulham, London and would take them, once a week, to her stall in the Apple Market, Covent Garden. As a child, Tilly’s love of doll’s houses and creativity fired what has become a lifelong passion for miniatures. She worked along side her mother from a very early age, and over the years developed the patience, passion and skills to make and design their ‘little worlds’ herself. In 2007, when her mother retired, Tilly took over their small family run business, and has been running it ever since. The cards unsurprisingly reach a much wider audience worldwide now – online, though thankfully they are still sold from the stall in Covent Garden.
In this world of mass production, you can all see that each creation is made with love and care. No two are ever the same, and I can vouch that they are truly a pleasure to both give and receive. But Tilly says that ‘It is the greatest pleasure of all to make, for which I am truly blessed.’
Covent Garden, London, UK The Apple Market, Covent Garden, Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8BE
Opening hours Wednesday – Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm TEXT ON THE DAY TO CONFIRM THEY ARE THERE +44 (0) 7533 859220
Who hasn’t had the daydream of travelling for free, or even making money while travelling? This daydream is a reality some travellers are experiencing today thanks to unique work arrangements that allow them to make money abroad.
Let’s look at the two most popular avenues for making money abroad and see if one of these could offer you your dream lifestyle.
Work Contracts Abroad
Finding your next career move is a big task: the stars need to align for the right company, location and career advancement opportunity. This process becomes even more difficult when you zoom out from focusing on your home country and look for jobs in other countries.
Instead of trying to land your dream job in another country, you can make money abroad by taking on a temporary contract outside of your field. Some popular industries include:
● Teaching English as a second language
● Tourism/hospitality
● Agriculture
● Yachting
The variety of work opportunities available will probably surprise you. Did you know that you can get paid to work in Antarctica?! It might not be your dream job or a calculated escalation of your career, but it’s a strategic way to leverage your 40-hour workweek to allow you to travel.
An alternative to paid contracts abroad are work exchanges. These are arrangements where you volunteer your time and are given something free in exchange, such as housing or food. Explore these work exchange platforms:
Not all work arrangements require you to pause your career building in order to travel. If you have the ability to work remotely, consider travelling as a digital nomad.
The term digital nomad refers to remote workers who use their flexibility to work from anywhere. Digital nomads typically fall into one of these categories:
1. Fully remote employee
2. Hybrid employee
3. Self-employed
Beyond the varieties in the type of work, there are a few different ways that this lifestyle can manifest:
1. Mental health break: get permission from your employer to temporarily work remotely for your mental health
2. Working holiday: secure remote work and go away for a few weeks/months of the year with the plan of returning home
3. Working gap year: seek a remote job and travel for a predetermined period of time
4. Fully nomadic: secure remote work, move out of your home and travel indefinitely
I first became a digital nomad in 2017 because I felt like life was passing me by at the nine to five job. Since then, I’ve moved between the labels of digital nomad, expat and immigrant. The journey had twists in the road: I’ve taken on work exchanges and in-person odd jobs when necessary to get by, and ultimately spent years building a business of my own.
It all started with the realisation that I had more options than deferring all of my travel plans for “someday.” If you dream of travelling, I hope that you can leverage technology to turn your world upside down in the same way.
Lynda La Plante and James Lee Burke are 2024’s recipients of the Diamond Dagger – the highest accolade in the genre, such iconic authors, each with a hugely discerning following. I love them both, but James Lee Burke has a row to himself on my bookcase. I adore his writing, I re-read his books and see something I hadn’t noticed before. I sag into the lyrical writing, the settings in southern states of America… Enough, control is necessary.
It goes without saying that the award recognises authors whose crime writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre.
Lynda La Plante CBE began her career as an actor in TV and theatre. She graduated from RADA, where her fellow students included Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt.
Vaseem Khan, Chair of the CWA, said: “The Diamond Dagger judges almost came to blows this year and for good reason. Ultimately, they have chosen to recognise two incredible bodies of work that have each, in their own way, made their mark.”
Image credit: Gemma Day
La Plante wrote her first treatment for TV, Widows, which went on to become one of the highest rating series in the 1980s. She became a sought-after crime writer, with her debut novel, The Legacy, published in 1987 but in particular I remember Prime Suspect, which made everyone sit up, recognise the presence of women in the police.
It was in 1990 that La Plante began work on Prime Suspect, which was released in 1991, starring Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. In 1993, she received the Dennis Potter Award from BAFTA and was made a fellow of the British Film Institute. The success led to her forming her own television production company, La Plante Productions. She also wrote and produced multiple shows in the US, with actors including Vanessa Redgrave, Sam Neill, and Rob Lowe. In 2014, she formed a new global rights and production company – La Plante Global. Her current book series features Detective Jack Warr. She received a CBE for services to Literature, Drama and Charity in 2008.
Vaseem Khan said: “Lynda La Plante’s Prime Suspect redefined the role of women in police procedurals and made a star of Helen Mirren, while Widows remains a talismanic – and wickedly entertaining – female-led heist caper.”
Lynda La Plante said: “In 2024 I will publish both the final book in the young Tennison series, and a memoir detailing my long career as an actress, television producer and crime writer. To also be awarded the Diamond Dagger from the CWA makes 2024 even more special, and I look forward to thanking all those involved in person at the awards ceremony on July 4th.”
Image credit: Deborah Feingold
Born in Houston in 1936, James Lee Burke’s first novel was compared to the work of Faulkner and Sartre by the New York Times. Despite this, he was – extraordinarily – out of hardback print for 13 years until his third novel, The Lost Get-Back Boogie was published and submitted for a Pulitzer Prize, after being rejected over 111 times (whaaat – madness). Over the years, he’s taught at universities, worked as a case worker with former felons, as a pipeliner for an oil company, a long-distance truck driver, and a newspaper reporter.
James Lee Burke has two Edgar Awards, a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, and has been a Guggenheim Fellow.
Vaseem Khan said: “James Lee Burke’s lyrical depiction of the American South transcends crime fiction – his prose is often considered among the best to have graced the genre. For many, Dave Robicheaux is the very embodiment of the dogged, morally incorruptible detective beset by personal demons – a beautifully rendered character.”
James Lee Burke said: “I wish to thank the judges of the Diamond Dagger committee for honouring me with such a prestigious award. I’m honoured and humbled to receive it. It is also an honour to have my name among the best mystery and crime writers in the world. I cannot thank you enough.”
Nominations for the CWA Diamond Dagger are recommended by CWA members. Industry experts then narrow these down to a shortlist. The winner is then voted for by a panel of past Diamond Dagger winners comprising of Peter James, Walter Mosley, Lee Child, Lawrence Block, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Andrew Taylor, Martina Cole, Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Robert Goddard, Martin Edwards, Catherine Aird and Simon Brett.
Lynda La Plante and James Lee Burke join icons of the genre who have been recognised with the accolade, including Ruth Rendell, PD James, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, and John Le Carré.
Maxim Jakubowski, Chair of the CWA Daggers’ committee, said: “By an extraordinary quirk of fate, due to our new voting process, this year’s Diamond Dagger is, for the first time in seven decades, being awarded to two authors. If the Booker Prize can do it, so can we! Both such wonderful and deserving writers who, between them, demonstrate the marvellous diversity of crime writing.”
One of the UK’s most prominent societies, the CWA was founded in 1953 by John Creasey; the awards started in 1955 with its first award going to Winston Graham, best known for Poldark. The CWA Daggers are now regarded by the publishing world as the foremost British awards for crime-writing and as the oldest awards in the genre, they have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century. The Diamond Dagger is presented at the annual CWA Dagger Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the crime genre,’ which take place this year on July 4.
The CWA supports as yet unpublished writers with a bespoke group, The Debuts, many of whom enter the Debut Dagger competition and the Margery Allingham Short Mystery competition. The CWA also run an annual conference and hold chapter meetings throughout the UK, so members can access face-to-face networking and socialising. It also runs National Crime Reading Month in June: www.crimereading.com
The CWA supports libraries and booksellers, with three Library Champions and a Booksellers Champion. It has links with various festivals and other writers’ organisations, such as the Society of Authors.
So it’s cold, wet and stormy, Christmas parties are history and hot sunny days seem light years away. We can’t even comfort eat thanks to those extra Christmas kilos and it’s dry January, so what to do?
We really need a hug. Yes, OK a literal hug from our nearest and dearest would be great too, but how about a self-indulgent hug? A little something to get us through January and February, labelled by some as the toughest months?
For my hug, I usually head straight to Perfume Direct. After all, a beautiful fragrance has the power to create instant happiness, not just for you, but everyone within range, so really I’m performing a public service. What’s great about Perfume Direct is the oodles of useful information and advice, so comprehensive that you can easily choose a new perfume even remotely. Do check out the Perfume Direct Guide to Fragrance Strengths and Types. Their Fragrance Wheel explains perfume types – Floral, Woody, Oriental etc – and you can even search Perfume Direct by your chosen type which is so useful if you’re looking for inspiration.
They’re a UK company, with a large purchasing network meaning that they can offer an amazing range of the best perfumes – from pure luxury to everyday fun, all at a very competitive price.
I could subject you to my description of this beautiful multi-layered scent, but I’ll spare you, as Perfume Direct’s experts have created their own, which is eminently more useful. They tell us that it’s floral and woody; a bold, creative fragrance with hints of mystery and intrigue; addictive with a dark and seductive essence. It’s a classic signature scent with top notes of plum, middle notes of musk and heliotrope, and suede base notes, enhanced by white cedar and rose. I really can’t improve on this description.
I particularly love the gift set, consisting of 50ml Eau de Parfum, 50ml Shower Gel and 50ml Body Lotion at just £65.99.
Or check out its sister, Musc Noir Rose By Narciso Rodriguezat £67.99for 50 ml EDP which is one of the new rose fragrances (see below), so popular on the catwalk this year.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
I love Helga Jensen’s books. They are the perfect mixture of exotic destinations and romance. Her character’s are always unique and different. My Heart is in Venice is set in Wales and Venice. It’s lovely to see a book set in Wales.
The characters are also older which is refreshing. Helga has a way of writing highly original and fun characters. I loved Libby and was rooting for her. If you want a great midlife second chance romance novel then this is it.
I highly recommend this entertaining and enchanting novel. It has wonderful, unique destination in Wales and Venice, along with wonderful characters and a great plot. I loved this escapist novel. Grab a copy now.
Venice was where it all began… Libby and Will spent a glorious honeymoon in this magical city. They didn’t have much money, but they had a whole lot of love and a bright future ahead of them. And Venice was where it all went wrong… Two kids and twenty-five years later, they are struggling with money problems but somehow Will manages to fulfil his promise to Libby to take her back to Venice for their anniversary. This time, they are doing it in style and a masked ball awaits. But among the beautiful buildings and romantic canals, Libby learns that her husband has a secret that breaks her heart. The trust is broken and the marriage is over. But there are decades of love and two grown sons between them. Can they ever find their way back to each other or have they missed their chance forever?
