Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2015

Well, it’s here again: Valentines’s Day. It is a mere ten days away so it is time to buy your paramour something wonderful. Here are some ideas we put together.
The Biscuit Box

The Biscuit Boxhappiness

The Biscuit Boxreview

The Biscuit Box You’re My Cup of Tea Biscuit Card- this is an iced teapot shaped biscuit with a personalised message. We thought it was super cute and the biscuit tastes great. Available from buyagift.co.uk

mr&mrsfamilyedition

Mr & Mrs Family Edition

If board games are your thing then you will love this. But if, like us, you are not too keen on board games you will still love this Mr & Mrs Family Edition game. Perfect for finding out more about your family and friends as well as finding out how well they know you. Mr & Mrs Family Edition Box Game is available here.

paulvalentinescake

Fraisier St Valentin from Paul. Tastes like heaven. The perfect size for two, heart-shaped and combines Genoese sponge, créme mousseline and fresh strawberries. It is then topped with pink marzipan. It costs £11.95 and is available from 12-15th February in London stores. You can also pre-order online.

arganiashampooandconditioner
Argania Desert Defence Shampoo and Conditioner.

Made with fairly-traded, certified organic argan oil to instantly nourish and hydrate hair, leaving it looking smoother, shinier and feeling healthier, naturally. A nourishing and restorative shampoo infused with certified organic Moroccan Argan. Great stuff that your girlfriend will love. Available from Boots.com

 

love print

Personalised Love Print

Very cool, stylish and gives an excellent personal touch. From buyagift.co.uk

mimisleepingbeauty

minisleepingbeautyreview

minisleepingbeautyreviewmakeyourownMIMI’s Sleeping Beauty Night Time Facial Oil

We love this. Such a smart idea and it looks great too. MIMI is a make your own skincare brand so you know exactly what goes into your skincare regime. All products are 100% natural and each kit can be mixed in minutes.  You can also adjust the ingredients whilst mixing, tailoring it to your preferences. It can also be used as a massage oil.

Available online at www.makeitmakeit.com, there are currently 3 kits in the range from £22-£35 and includes a night oil, body scrub and face mask.

MIMI’s Sleeping Beauty Night Time Facial Oil makes 35ml and comes with all the ingredients, recipe, instructions, mixing equipment and elegant bottle. Used every night will last four-six weeks so you can carry on enjoying this luxury face treatment for much longer past Valentine’s Day.
valentinesdaygiftguidechampagne

valentinesdayTaittinger_Brut_Prestige_Rose_Champagne

Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne 75cl Bottle and Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV

No words needed. Buy if you want them to love you forever more. Available from Amazon, sainsburys.co.uk and tesco.com

 

If you are stuck for where to take your love for Valentine’s Day then check out our Valentine’s Day restaurant guide.

 

 

 

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian Food

My husband has stopped eating meat, which means I have had to develop something of an imagination when it comes to cooking. I came up with this dish after being inspired by a lentil and tomato dish I had at an Italian restaurant in Putney called The Italian Boys. This is completely different, but I was greatly inspired by the combination of tomato sauce and lentils. So here is my take on it.

I have called it a hotpot after my husband suggested it. It tastes amazing, if I do say so myself.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe

You will need:

3-4 Leeks.

A tin of chopped tomatoes.

Lentils (150-200g)

3 carrots

A tablespoon of olive oil

A dollop of butter

La Rosmarina sauce. (We get ours from Fattoria La Villa but you can buy it from somewhere else or make your own. The ingredients are tomatoes, extra virgin oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and hot chilli pepper. Only use a tiny amount of the hot chilli pepper, you want a slight kick, this is not a spicy dish).

 

Leek And Lentil Hotpot
Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian FoodLeek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegan

Method

Thoroughly clean the lentils and then add them to a pan. Pour cold water over them and then bring to the boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes. Next clean and chop the leeks and the carrots. Then take a frying pan and add a dollop of butter or spread. Add the leeks and the carrots and sauté them for 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the leeks and carrots are cooked add the lentils and then the rosemary sauce. Finally, add the tin of tomatoes. Stir it all together and make sure it is all hot. Job done: Leek & Lentil Hotpot. It is quick and easy.

If you can’t get your hands on some La Rosmarina sauce, although I recommend that you do, add some fresh rosemary, a clove of garlic, a touch of salt and a very slight amount of hot chilli pepper to the dish. The hot chilli pepper can be taken out altogether if you do not want any spice, or add a little more if you are so inclined.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe  Vegetarian Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Food

This is an amazing dish that really locks in the flavour and is very healthy. If you cook it for yourself, let me know what you think.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

 

Christmas Beauty Looks

Christmas Beauty Looks 2015

christmasbeautylooks

Christmas Beauty, don’t you love it? When else do you get to be so glam and over-the-top? As long as no-one mistakes you for a Christmas tree, it is all good. However, Christmas can feel like a marathon of endless parties and family get-togethers. Your hair and make up has to look good and last so here are our top tips and ideas from Frost.

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Christmas is tiring so work on your skin first. A good base is all you need to stay looking fresh. A primer will help your make up last all day and make sure your skin is looking it’s best. Before you apply your primer use a good cleanser and then exfoliate as it gets rid of dead skin cells and leaves skin smooth and fresh. Using a weekly face mask before a big event will also make sure your skin is in it’s best condition. Making sure you drink enough water and cutting down on caffeine will keep skin looking healthy. Keep a concealer handy to freshen up underneath eyes and cover up any other flaws. Powder is very underrated but not much else sets make up like it. It will stop you looking shiny and keep make up in place.

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Now for some Christmas touches.

A glittery nail polish. Not only glam but also very hard-wearing. Should last a week at least.

A beautiful red lipstick or red nail polish. Endlessly glamorous with the added benefit of being a very Christmas colour.

A shimmering eyeshadow. Something that catches the light gives an extra pop of glamour.

For your hair, do an up-do like a fish tail plait or a loose bun. Add a glitzy clip or a hairband and you are good to go!

 

 

Christmas Beauty Gift List

Christmas is here and decorations are up, it is a time for joy and happiness. To spread a little joy of your own we have put together a Christmas Beauty Gift List. If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet then buy one of these beauties for your nearest and dearest.

 

Chanel No 5 

chanelno5

This is a classic perfume which tends to be a huge hit whether as a present for someone else or yourself. Add it to your list or buy it for someone who has been very good indeed.

Available hereand from boots.com and debenhams.com

Nails Inc Nail Set 

nailsincnailpolishset

This Winter Wonderland Collection is gorgeous. A limited edition trio of full size, special effect polishes from Nails Inc. Very Christmassy and cool. Includes: Trafalgar Square – full coverage red glitter polish, St George’s Square – white and silver shimmer polish and Buckingham Square – rose gold glitter polish

Available hereand from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Benefit Cutie Cravings Christmas Gift Set 

Cutie Cravings Christmas Gift Set - W

Benefit make amazing makeup, and this gift set is stunning. Full of classics.

Available from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Elizabeth Arden Lipstick Color Christmas Gift Set

Lipstick Color Christmas Gift Set

Ultra-conditioning and hydrating, this glamorous lipstick set is gorgeous with a good selection of colours.

Available from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Clarisonic

clarisonic

Loved by beauty editors the world over, a good high-end present for one of the amazing women in your life. This limited edition Clarisonic Aria is cute but you can also get the normal one.

Available from harrods.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

 

 

Top Christmas Picks | Christmas Gift Ideas

christmasgiftlistthetopchristmaspicks

Robert Elms The Way We Wore

A cult classic, available to buy again. Hooray!

It’s back. For a few years now Robert Elms has had a stream of people asking where they can get a copy of The Way We Wore, the street style memoir he wrote back in 2004, and rather frustratingly he’s had to tell them all it is not available. Well, you could spend increasingly large sums on a second hand copy online – evidence of the fact that it has acquired something close to cult status – but it was impossible to get your fashion fix through the normal retail channels. Thankfully, you can now.

Robert Elms has teamed up with Autharium to republish The Way We Wore as an eBook and print copies are now available for a much more realistic price.

Robert Elms comments: “As part of this process I have re-read the book and I am still very proud of it, and it brings back amazing memories of terrible haircuts, great music, good friends and bad hangovers. So if you want to read about solatio box top loafers and pink pegs, bondage trousers and bowling shirts, ties in pins, hankies in pockets and shenanigans in Soho you can.”

This is the story of a life’s obsession. From Ben Sherman shirts to box-top loafers, from bondage trousers to Comme des Garçons, Elms has been there, seen it, and worn it out. It’s about why you’d rather not go out at all than go out in the wrong sort of brogues, and why you just had to have a Budgie jacket to cut it in the playground in 1970. It is ultimately a hilarious, passionate social history of London street fashion from the Teddy Boys and rude boys battling it out in his homeland of Notting Hill in the fifties to its end in acid house in the nineties. A fond memoir of working-class lads in tumultuous times and laity schmutter.

The Way We Wore: A Life In Threads

Baileys Mini Delights
baileysminidelights

We loved these. They are just incredibly tasty. Available in milk, white and dark chocolate choices, these tasty truffles have distinctive twists of coffee, caramel and hazelnut and that rich, creamy Baileys flavour. So yummy.

The Baileys Mini Delights are available for just £2.49 RRP (102g). Baileys boxed chocolates are available at waitrose.com They will be available from £5.00 RRP.

Tanqueray Export Strength London Dry Gin

This is amazing, superior gin. Export strength London dry gin made from premium botanicals and distilled four times for a distinctive, crisp taste. A great present for gin lovers. Available from drinksupermarket.com

 

Grand Marnier Orange & Cognac Liqueur
Grand Marnier Orange & Cognac Liqueur

This liquor is delicious and to top it off Grand Marnier, the luxury liqueur that is the icon of Parisian chic, is launching a modern, playful and elegant limited edition bottle in tribute to French creativity to celebrate the coming of Christmas.

This years Limited Edition bottle harks back to the Breton striped top that was introduced into France midway through the 19th century. Known as the “Marinière”, worn by sailors and popularised by Coco Chanel, it is today the symbol of Parisian chic, which is emulated all over the world today.

The couture style label looks showcases the rich history of the brand through the family crest, while the blue, white and red striped ribbon that runs around the uniquely shaped bottle reinforces Grand Marnier’s home place – in the heart of France.

The translucent quality of the brighter rouge glass bottle radiates chic sophistication and creativity, while the glossy iconic red wax seal serves as an eternal stamp of approval from its founder Louis-Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle.

It will be available in luxury retailer Harvey Nichols with an RRP of £26.05 for a 70cl bottle from mid October.

THE FRENCH ARTIST
thefrenchartist

In celebration of the new bottle, cutting edge Mixologist and GRAND MARNIER® European Brand Ambassador, Julien Lafond has created The French Artist. A cocktail that brings together flavours which best highlight the richness of GRAND MARNIER® and also echo the playful nature of French Creativity.

Ingredients

30ml GRAND MARNIER® Cordon Rouge

15ml VSOP Cognac

15ml French Dry Vermouth

20ml Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice

20ml Homemade Redcurrant & Vanilla Syrup (or Grenadine Syrup)

20ml Egg White

Garnish: Redcurrants coated with icing sugar

 

Method

Pour all ingredients into a shaker

Dry shake (Shake without ice), to create the emulsion

Add some cubed ice and shake vigorously

Double strain into a coupette glass and add the garnish

Units per serving 2.5

Grand Marnier, is available from Ocado.com and DrinkSupermarket.com

 

The Leash Safe+ Phonestrap

Perfect for people who are prone to lose their phone. The Safe+ Phonestrap – The Leash – will keep your phone safe and always at hand. Using a powerful 3M tape, the button fastens to your phone or hardcover case. The Leash comes with two buttons, allowing you to interchange the Leash between your most favourite devices. Available here: The Leash – Phonestrap 

leashphonestrap

The Leash – Phonestrap 

 

Coding For Kids

This is an excellent book for little ones. Coding is an essential skill in the work place now and this book sets kids on their way. It has 15 fun coding projects and it teaches kids how to create games and apps, customise projects and learn real coding skills. The book is both fun and easy.

Coding For Kids For Dummies

 

The Compleat FoodBag

We love this at Frost. This is a space efficient and stylish lunch bag. The only lunchbox that makes a fashion statement. 100 % food grade silicone and BPA safe and dishwasher safe, you can easily pack it away after use. The Compleat FoodBag is stylish, handy and easy to clean. Perfect.

Foodbag by Compleat available here, StressNoMore.co.uk and iwantoneofthose.com

 

 

The Allocacoc Power Cube | Christmas Gift Ideas

We still have some people to buy presents for and have been searching for the perfect present. Especially those who are almost impossible to buy for. Which is why we thought the The Allocacoc Power Cube was awesome. There aren’t many people who won’t find this nifty little gadget handy. Often you arrive at your office, at home, in a meeting, or somewhere else and find it difficult to reach for a nearby available power outlet to charge your notebook or mobile phone. The PowerCube will eliminate this problem as it allows you to mount multiple power sockets where it is the most convenient.
The Allocacoc Power Cube

The Allocacoc Power Cube | Christmas Gift Ideas

The number of outlets can be expanded according to your needs, creating a tailored power source within reach. The PowerCube is a versatile product, enabling you to place a power outlet anywhere you want. This is the most extensive version of the PowerCube with USB ports. It has a 1.5m extension cord fitted to it, so it can be mounted anywhere to have a power outlet within reach. To do this, a stick-on dock is included. An ideal location is your desktop: there is no more need to duck beneath your desk to plug in your laptop.

The Allocacoc Power Cube 1.5m Extended USB costs £27.00 from Littlewoods.com

 

 

The Most Decadent Christmas Gift Guide For The Incredibly Good

Had a good year? Got a good bonus at work? Been saving really hard? Well then let us begin with the most decadent Christmas gift list. A collection of the most beautiful jewellery for mum, daughter, sister, wife, girlfriend or yourself. Prepare to sigh.

Celebrity jeweller and founder of Vashi.com, Vashi Dominguez and his elves have put together a beautiful Christmas Gift Guide for Frost, featuring a treasure trove of diamonds and pearl accessories from as little as £199.

Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Pendant in Platinum £699

Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Pendant in Platinum £699

9k White Gold Stud Diamond Earrings £199

9k White Gold Stud Diamond Earrings £199

Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Earrings in 18k White Gold £499

Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Earrings in 18k White Gold £499

Diamond Snowflake Pendant £379

Diamond Snowflake Pendant £379

Snowflake Diamond Pendant in 18k White Gold £499

Snowflake Diamond Pendant in 18k White Gold £499

X Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Earrings in 18k White Gold £229

X Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Earrings in 18k White Gold £229

X Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Pendant in 9k White Gold £299

X Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Pendant in 9k White Gold £299

1.00 Carat Tennis Diamond Bracelet in 9k White Gold £1837

1.00 Carat Tennis Diamond Bracelet in 9k White Gold £1837

All available from Vashi.com Which is your favourite?

 

 

Zero to Hero in a Splash: Marvel Superman & Batman Towels

These are perfect for kids big and small. Become a superhero in your spare time. These quirky and cool Superman and Batman Towels are a must for all men, women, kids and sci-fi lovers.
batmantowelmarvel

supermantowelmarvel

Make room for this in your bathroom, take a wash and throw on this quirky cape towel for ultimate awesomeness. A great gimmick gift for geeks. It even has handy Velcro attachments to turn it into a cape!

Super soft and fluffy, means it’s great for all ages, even when kids find drying irritating.

Get this fun and funky multifunctional towel for Comic fans today. Available for only £12.95 each at www.prezzybox.com now.