When it comes to skincare nothing is as important as SPF so I’m always on the lookout for a new one. This one from Elemental caught my eye. It’s SPF50+. Let’s take a look…
It’s time to get smarter with your skincare regime, with the latest launch from award-winning skincare and spa brand, Elemental Herbology.The Smart Screen SPF50 is a feathery-light SPF moisturiser, enriched with skin-loving vitamins including Provitamin B5 and Vitamin E, and highly protective ingredients such as Pollustop and Aquaceria to shield skin from every day sun damage, blue light from screens and environmental pollution.The vegan, silicone-free and fragrance-free formulation is perfect for all skin types for everyday use either as a lightweight moisturiser, or in addition to your current skincare routine.SmartScreen SPF50+ 50ml, £45.00, www.elementalherbology.com
Vitamin E & Provitamin B5: contains antioxidant properties to protect from free radical damage and pollution, while locking in hydration and strengthening the skin barrier. Anti-Pollution: contains the unique ingredient, Pollustop, to shield skin from damage and dullness caused by pollution, helping to maintain healthy, glowing skin. Blue Light Protection: creates a physical barrier between the skin and blue light rays using the ingredient Aquaceria to reduce oxidative damage and early signs of ageing including fine lines and wrinkles. Elemental Herbology is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The new SPF is the latest member of the Fire Element, perfect for all skin types and use across all the elements. Each element is associated to a personality type, a season, colour, and even a taste and TCM informs us that each person has a unique balance of these elements. The Fire-dominant character is likely to be sociable, charismatic and often possess an infectious enthusiasm. They make great leaders and friends, but exert a lot of energy which, when out of balance, can leave them burnt out. This new SPF, and the rest of the Fire range aim to bring this back into balance, re-energising skin, body and mind.
The Danish government is determined to secure victory in the looming general election. Concentrating on the war on terror, the administration steps into an unexpected turn of events: Islamist terrorists take a Danish soldier hostage in an unknown undisclosed location.
Chaos threatens, enter Holger Berg, an expectional lawyer with an added bonus, he was a special forces soldier. Soon he is up to his neck in a nightmare. What is true? What is a lie? What is a threat, to him and his family – not to mention the honour he holds essential to life itself? Could the cost of trying to save his nation and its soldiers from the scurge of terror prove too high? Can he actually play the appalling game to the end?
I love thrillers; good, well researched pacey twisty thrillers. Frederick Forsyth comes to mind. Lee Child, (oh, give me a Reacher to escort me wherever I need to trek) and now Anders M Hansen. A mixture of politics, authenticity, a dollop of emotional intelligence so we care, and frankly, a darned good read. I was sorry to finish it, but glad to turn out the light earlier than I had over the last few days – why? Because I couldn’t bear to put it down. Now for some sleep.
King’s Gambit by Anders M. Hansen pb Biteback Publishing (One of my favourite publishers) £10.99
The awards, which launched in 2014, offer new television writers based in the North of England unique and career-changing opportunities.
The ceremony featured speeches from the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, Head of Partnerships and Skills at Channel 4, Kevin Blacoe, and CEO of New Writing North, Claire Malcolm.
Funded by Channel 4’s 4Skills, the awards are part of the Northern Writers’ Awards – New Writing North’s flagship writer development programme – and form part of Channel 4 and New Writing North’s Talent Development Partnership. Launched in 2022, the Talent Development Partnership aims to identify and support new writers, particularly those from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the television industry.
All three receive a package of support including a nine-month placement with either Bonafide Films (Mood; The Last Post), Red Production Company (It’s a Sin; Happy Valley) or Rollem Productions (Love Lies & Records; Girlfriends), alongside mentoring with an industry professional and a £3000 bursary.
Winner Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, won the placement with Red Productions. To date, her work has been commissioned and staged by Live Theatre, Freedom Studios, and the Alphabetti Theatre.
Rebecca said: “I feel so excited and privileged to have won the Channel 4 Writing for Television Award with Red Productions. The opportunity to work and collaborate with Red Productions and develop myself and my work is truly incredible. I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”
Emily Low was awarded the placement with Rollem Productions. A performer, writer, and storyteller based in Tyne Valley; her first commission was staged at the Alphabetti Theatre this year, and she was selected to join the Live Playwriting community.
Emily said: “It means so much to me that New Writing North read my script and saw its potential as an original comedy drama. Before I won this award, I would watch brilliant shows on TV and daydream about what story I would tell if I ever got the chance. I feel very astonished and excited that I now have the opportunity to develop my own script with the wonderful Rollem Productions.”
Nana-Kofi Kufuor from Stockport was awarded the placement with Bonafide Films. A British-Ghanaian playwright and screenwriter, his work has featured at Leeds Playhouse and the Edinburgh Fringe. He has written for Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and has been commissioned by Sky and the BBC to write original works, which lean towards social and political stories through a hyper surreal lens.
Nana-Kofi said: “Being able to work with Bonafide and Channel 4 will push my career to new heights. Having people there to help me focus and improve my craft is priceless. I am unbelievably grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to get started.”
Kevin Blacoe, Head of Partnerships and Skills at Channel 4 said: “Congratulations to the incredible winners of this year’s Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards; they have all shown immense talent and creativity. 4Skills is proud to fund the awards and support new local talent. The placements and mentoring opportunities the winners have earned will undoubtedly open doors to set them on an exciting path in the world of television writing.”
Channel 4 and New Writing North have worked in partnership since 2014.
The awards have already launched the television careers of several writers, including Sharma Walfall, who has gone on to work on productions including Noughts and Crosses and A Town Called Malice, and Jayshree Patel, whose Hollyoaks episodes were submitted for a BAFTA.
Former winners of the award were also in attendance, including Taiba Ahmad, and mentors from the programme, such as the West Yorkshire actor and writer, Kat Rose Martin.
Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development) at New Writing North, said: “The partnership between Channel 4 and New Writing North provides pivotal opportunities for screenwriters in the North. We are delighted to reveal three such gifted talents as Emily, Rebecca and Nana-Kofi as this year’s awardees and look forward to seeing them thrive during the exciting year ahead of them.
“The winners of the Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards will now have chance to work with three of the UK’s leading TV companies in Rollem Productions, Bonafide Films and Red Production Company. The dedication, innovation and expertise of our production company partners lies at the heart of what makes this programme so special. We are enormously grateful to Channel 4 and the brilliant 4Skills team for their ongoing support.”
The Northern Talent Partnership also delivers a year-round programme of activities and opportunities for new and emerging television writers in the North of England. It operates a Channel 4 Northern Talent Network, which features script hubs in Newcastle, Bradford and online, screenwriting events delivered by industry professionals, and online masterclasses.
An additional ten shortlisted writers from the Channel 4 Writing for TV awards will be offered placements on the Script Development Group, with a bursary, peer-group sessions with agents, writers and producers, and in-depth script feedback.
LPO Principal Conductor Edward Gardner – Photo: Jason Bell
The atmosphere in the packed Royal Festival Hall was electric. The orchestra assembled slowly but surely, taking their positions, warming up their instruments. Then, as if by magic, Edward Gardner appeared – and before he conducted the evening, he welcomed us like old friends.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner
First – Samuel Barber. A twentieth-century composer from America. Crossing the divide between classical and contemporary. His 14-minute piece Medea’s Dance of Vengeance from 1955 was originally for a Martha Graham ballet based on Euripedes’ classic story. It is the climactic moment of the ballet and features a xylophone akin to Saint-Saëns’ Danse macabre. The piece itself reaches a climax that makes the spine tingle.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner with soprano Joyce DiDonato
The buzz in the auditorium hadn’t quite died down when Gardner returned with the special guest of the evening: soprano Joyce DiDonato. She has performed on opera stages and with opera companies all around the world – and was gracing us with a performance of Hector Berlioz’s The Death of Cleopatra written in 1829. This 20-minute cantata is a soliloquy, the Egyptian Queen resolving to commit suicide on hearing about her consort Mark Antony’s defeat in battle. It is dramatic and powerful. Towards the end, she clearly acts out the snake biting her arm as the music envelops her. A child behind me whispered, ‘Is she going to die?’ As if to answer her, the double basses become her heartbeat and they grow in strength, then slow down. They recede in volume and pace until there is silence. Superb.
The second half of the evening was a performance in full of Beethoven’s Symphony No.3 in E flat major – or Eroica to lesser mortals. Written between 1803 and 1805, it was for and inspired by the young Napoleon Bonaparte. Once Bonaparte declared himself Emperor, Beethoven removed the man’s name from the head of the score as Napoleon’s actions didn’t chime with his libertarian stance.
The London Philamonic Orchestra conducted by Eward Gardner
Even though this was an inspiring and uplifting evening, it is only the start of the LPO’s 2024/25 Season. It also launches Moments Remembered, the theme running throughout the concerts and exploring the crossroads of music and memory. To come, a vast range of events at various venues around the country. Check out their website for details – https://lpo.org.uk/whats-on/
Well it seems our Indian Summer has finally bid farewell, it’s October in a few days, Halloween next and before you know it, it’ll be Christmas again.
As one of those annoying neurotics who goes into melt down if they haven’t bought their Christmas presents at least three months in advance I’m now entering panic-mode. So, as always, I’m excited to check out Perfume Direct’s new recommendations and special offers. Frost Magazine love Perfume Direct – they’re a British company who really know their perfumes. Buying a new scent online can be tricky, modern technology not having perfected the art of transmitting fragrances through the ether, however Perfume Direct provide such full and accurate descriptions that you can choose with confidence. I’ve never been disappointed. And because they negotiate the best deals for their customers they offer very competitive prices on 100% genuine products.
Their on-line tools such as the Perfume Direct Guide to Fragrances are really useful for searching for and then confidently choosing a scent you will love. The perfume wheel explains the perfume buzz words (oriental, woody and so on) and what individual notes (fragrances) create them.
I’ve been looking for a rather special present for a lovely man who has been through a lot this year, and searching through the Perfume Direct website I discovered the Guerlain Habit Rouge EDT Gift which is just perfect. It’s a Men’s Eau de Toilette Gift Set consisting of an EDT Spray (100ml), 75ml Shower Gel and also a handy 10ml EDT for refreshes.
I think the scent is fabulous, but I’ll use Perfume Direct’s description, as it’s a tad more informative than my enthusiastic superlatives: an amber woody scent which opens with a burst of zesty citrus – lemon, orange, bergamot, lime, and tangerine – accentuated by earthy basil and Brazilian rosewood. The heart reveals a blend of rich florals, warming spices, and intense sandalwood, while the base offers a grounding mix of sweet vanilla, exotic leather, and amber, enhanced by resinous benzoin and oakmoss and subtly harmonized with the smoky allure of labdanum and its notes. (or in my words, masculine, exotic and packed with layers of fragrance). The gift box is rather special too with a gold and green Christmas theme.
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
Who doesn’t love a good candle? Clean Living have a stylish new range of Autumn Home Fragrances. Their Cashmere and Black Amber Home Fragrance collection both smells and looks gorgeous.
The range includes candles, room spray, incense and a reed diffuser, with prices starting at £11.99, available from www.cleanlivingint.com
I love a face masks. People always notice when you have used one. It’s also great to take a few minutes out of the day. Nothing says self-care like a face mask. You feel the moisture locking in, you’re rewarded with instant hydration and can target specific skincare needs – dryness, acne, brightening etc, and you can just leave it on whilst getting on with other things! The post-summer, autumn/winter skin has been (if you’re lucky) exposed to UV rays, get togethers where you’ve had drinks or long nights, and really, for want of a better term our skin has taken a battering. There’s a face mask out there for all, whether you prefer a sheet, cream or LED – we’ve rounded up some of our keepers…
This plant based formula uses Seaweed Kelp Complex, Organic Pine Oil and Wild Yam to help you to achieve skin that’s clear and youthful. A 15 minute Retinol treatment is a great choice for those looking to target acne or the signs of ageing due to it stimulating collagen production to help aid repair. This renewing formula will help to diminish fine lines, minimise inflammation, reduce pore size, even the skin tone and protect from free radicals.
Instantly brighten your complexion with this natural, plastic-free sheet mask infused with nourishing botanicals, probiotics, vitamins and enzymes to promote healthy skin and lift overall complexion for a radiant, luminous appearance. Rich in probiotics and antioxidants to plump the skin and fortify the skin barrier.
I know that it is only September, but for me it is never too early to be thinking about Christmas, so I was delighted to discover Hokan Bowls, which come in a range of sizes and colours. No stuffing into drawers or cupboards taking up valuable space, these bowls are beautiful enough and easily stacked to take their place on the work surface.
I have the cobalt blue which looks stunning, filled with lemons, until needed for more conventional cooking pot, when this comes into its own.
As beautiful as they are functional, the range, offered in Lemon Yellow, Sea Green, Cobalt Blue, Pitch Black and Antique White, is oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, sustainable, stackable stoneware bowls, complete with lids
Hokan Bowls, RRP £80 for a set of three or individually:
The bowls heat evenly and retain heat efficiently. Cooking and baking with the lid on keeps moisture in and the temperature stable. Taking the lid off allows the top surface area to crust or brown – so just perfect for that Cauliflower Cheese.
Come Christmas (I know, I know still haven’t had Halloween yet, but it is good to be prepared, prep all the veggies and pop into the Hokan bowls on the festive table to keep warm until the centrespread is ready to make an appearance.
The volume of each bowl is determined by its height, which keeps all of the lids the same size for each bowl, so no need to search through the kitchen for the correct lid – they all work.
You can also use the lids as a side dish. Smart! Cook, serve and save all in one place.
Hokan was established by film producer Alistair Donald. As a father of two sons, it quickly became apparent that he needed to be more efficient in the kitchen to avoid unnecessary food waste. He swapped the leaning towers of cling-filmed bowls and tubs for a practical, plastic-free solution that was easily stackable and could be used to cook, bake and serve, and then store and save, food.
Say goodbye to plastic.
For a sustainable, BPA-free household, Hokan offers a unique alternative to storage solutions with potential harmful pollutants. Stoneware is dense pottery fired at high temperatures making it non-porous and, consequently, odour and stain free. Which can’t be said of plastic alternatives.
So, this Christmas, from my own experience, I will be just as happy to receive these bowls (Cobalt Blue please), as I will be to gift them to all the cooks in the family, also a great house-warming, or wedding gift.
Hokan Bowls, RRP £80 for a set of three or individually:
