Tag Archives: New

Christmas Books For Young People | Christmas Gift List

Posted on by

It is never too early to get a child into books. Hopefully it will become a life-long habit. These are a great selection for tots to teens. christmasbooksforchildren

Deadly 2015 Annual Steve Backshall  Out 6 November, HB £12.99

This is a brilliant book to get your child interested in nature and the wider world. Steve Backshall’s Deadly team travel to all corners of the world to film, visiting the driest deserts, the steamiest rain forests, the highest mountains and the snowiest forests in search of the most awesome wildlife. This annual is full of amazing pictures and facts about these incredible places and the animals that spend their lives there. There is also plenty of puzzles, pictures and fun stuff to enjoy.

Deadly Annual 2015

 

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager 

A great idea for a book. Becoming a teenager can be as hard as living with one. This brilliant book is a guide to starting the journey to an ideal life as a teen. It helps support young people to become the very best version of themselves—and shows them how to figure out who that is, exactly. Written by experts in the art of happiness and positive psychology, this new book will help teenagers become brilliant at school, work and life in general. They will learn to stay cool under all the pressures they’re facing and plot a map for the future that takes them wherever it is they want to go.

This is a book for ambitious teens who are ready to become proactive, determined, successful and most importantly: happy! And for parents and teachers desperate to turn a down-beat teenager into a ray of positivity and delight

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager

 

Adventures in Raspberry Pi by Carrie Anne Philbin

This is a great book to give your child a head start in life. Computing knowledge is a must and learning how to program will seriously boost their future career prospects. Assuming no prior computing knowledge, Adventures in Raspberry Piuses the wildly successful, low-cost, Raspberry Pi to explain fundamental computing concepts.

 

The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized computer that, when plugged into a screen and a keyboard, can do many of the things that a desktop PC. Users can experiment by connecting up electronics circuits, learn to program in Scratch and Python, learn to manage programs and files with Linux and much more.

 

Written by Carrie Anne Philbin, a high school teacher of computing who advises the UK government, the book contains nine fun projects that young people will be able to use to learn basic programming and system administration skills. Starting with the very basics of how to plug in the board and turn it on, later chapters (called Adventures) cover areas including Programming Shapes and Building a Raspberry Pi Jukebox. Each project includes a link to a lively and informative video to reinforce the lessons, making it perfect for young, eager self-learners and their parents.

Adventures in Raspberry Pi

 

Tinder Sally Gardner

A great novel for teenagers (and adults) go sink their teeth into: Otto Hundebiss is tired of war, but when he defies Death he walks a dangerous path. A half beast half man gives him shoes and dice which will lead him deep into a web of dark magic and mystery. He meets the beautiful Safire – pure of heart and spirit, the scheming Mistress Jabber and the terrifying Lady of the Nail. He learns the powers of the tinderbox and the wolves whose master he becomes. But will all the riches in the world bring him the thing he most desires?

Fairy tales are often the cruellest stories of all; in this exquisite novel Sally Gardner writes about great love and great loss.

Tinder

 

Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Changed The World

The girl of the moment. Nobel Peace prize winner Malala has finally told her story. A wonderful gift to give children of either gender. A testament to how important education and equality is. Written in collaboration with critically acclaimed National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick. Malala tells her story – from her childhood in the Swat Valley to the shooting, her recovery and new life in England.

Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

 

Best Friends Bakery A Spoonful of Secrets By Linda Chapman

A Spoonful of Secrets is a fun and enjoyable read. This is the second book in the series. A great story about friendship, fun and baking. After a difficult beginning, things are starting to look up for the Sugar and Spice Bakery. Business is good, and Hannah is excited about starting school with her new friends. But as school starts, Mia is acting strangely, and it looks as though things aren’t going to be as easy as Hannah had thought…

A Spoonful of Secrets (Best Friends’ Bakery 2)

 

Mariella Mystery Investigates The Spaghetti Yeti By Kate Pankhurst

Book five in the series. A fun and engaging book for your child.

“Mariella Mystery (That’s me!) – totally amazing girl detective, aged 9 and a bit. Able to solve the most mysterious mysteries and perplexing problems, even before breakfast.

Is there really a spaghetti-loving yeti stalking the woods next to Limpet Rocks Campsite? Mariella and the Mystery Girls are determined to find out.”

Mariella Mystery Investigates the Spaghetti Yeti (Mariella Mysteries)

 

The Beaver and the Elephant by Keith Lemon

We were quite surprised that the same person who does the crude TV show Celebrity Juice had written a children’s book, but apparently it is true. A hilarious prequel to the bestselling Being Keith, Little Keith Lemon is a no-holds-barred memoir of Keith’s early life in Leeds.  Keith lifts the lid on all the experiences that have led him to become an international ladies’ man and national treasure – from honing his entrepreneurial skills while organising a topless jelly wrestling competition to turning his back on a breakdancing career. This first book, containing three short stories, brings Keith’s distinctive style to the page and follows the adventures of the bossy Beaver and the bumbling but loveable Elephant – whether they are shopping for shoes, splashing around in the sea on holiday or getting into the Christmas spirit. You might even spot a strawberry blonde Northern businessman in there too.

The Beaver and the Elephant is available here.

 

 

Fractions Reveal Second Single Burst‏‏

Posted on by
Fractions – Fractions EP released via Edils Recordings on September 29th
 

North-East five-piece Fractions are set to release their ethereal self-titled EP this September. A momentous piece developed from sweat, blood and glorious determination, this is Fractions’ debut EP and marks the beginning of an exciting new future for the bourgeoning outfit.

Fractions EP Artwork

Originally a concept for creative outpouring with no concern of marketability or listener numbers, Fractions has roamed gloriously feral amongst the subconscious outback of its originators. This endless freedom reverberates in the EPs sound; an untamed beast basking in its unbridled and limitless landscape. With Fractions organically becoming an increasingly honed and sleek sound over a number of years, steps are now being taken to concentrate more on developing the band and revealing their output to the world.

On describing the mindset of Fractions, guitarist Martin Downing explains it as “a combination of all of our individual strengths rolled into one. We are all fractions of Fractions as we all contribute our own part to what you hear”. A large majority of Fractions’ work is created by its member’s sending work back and forth between each other in secluded home studios, building on each other’s brilliance to create a single entity that is truly great. This insular working environment reflects the multi-disciplined and novel sound of Fractions, above and immune to external pressures or influences.

With their music concentrating heavily on the notions of isolation and abandonment, Fractions take real-world grit and steel and back it up with elegant poise; are a flawless rose wrapped in barbed wire. Into The Earth laments the end of youth whilst Burst highlights how truth is a thin veil purposely chosen by others. One of Fractions’ most poignant pieces, Resist, is a melancholic wonder, focusing on the inevitable onset of old age. Based in the North-East of England, a region that has suffered more than most in the recent economic downturn, Fraction’s EP reminds the listener, in their 21st century insta-happiness ideology and app-savvy stupor, that the real world isn’t always bright mundane skies but is often filled with beautiful, poignant and breathtaking tears.

Fractions’ debut EP will be released on Edils Records (Liverpool) on September the 29th on both physical and digital formats.

 

 

Millie Mackintosh, Jessie Ware & Louise Thompson Pledge Allegiance To Cath Kidston

Posted on by

Cath Kidston has a new campaign this season all about women and their handbags – something which is very personal to every woman, and can be a real storyteller in terms of personality and personal life and we love it.

milliemackintosh
louisethompson

With a particular focus on the universal truth of the two tribes women fall into on the subject of the size of their handbag – either being the kind of girl who carries everything but the kitchen sink or the kind that only carries the bare essentials, Cath Kidston will launch a photographic exhibition called ‘Do You Like Yours Big or Small?’ at their flagship store 180 Piccadilly, featuring high profile friends of the brand including Daisy Lowe, Jessie Ware, Nicola Roberts, Millie Mackintosh, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Cath Kidston herself pledging their allegiance to being either a #totesbig or #totessmall kind of girl and revealing what they carry in their everyday bags.

Daisy Lowe, Jessie Ware, Nicola Roberts, Millie Mackintosh, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Cath Kidston annafriel

The exhibition will run for two weeks in the 180 Piccadilly Store, London and will be open to the public, who can also get involved by submitting their own #totesbig and #totessmall images for a chance to be featured in the exhibition. In addition there will be an interactive Ames Room, which distorts the users perception creating a #totesbig or #totessmall effect depending where you’re stood.

 

The Cath Kidston Ames room will be touring the UK bringing modern vintage British fairground fun to the below spaces:

 

o    Southampton – 6th & 7th Sept

o    Meadowhall – 13th & 14th Sept

o    Bluewater – 20th & 21st Sept

o    Westfield – 4th & 5th Oct

 

 

 

CurraNZ Supplement Review | Health

Posted on by

We are on a major health kick here at Frost and always looking for the next health trend.

product
Fitness supplements are always big news, anything that makes the body work a bit better or the skin looking healthier.

So we tried new natural supplement, CurraNZ, which is made from 100% concentrated New Zealand blackcurrant powder, which have been proven to benefit those who regularly exercise. The berries have anti-inflammatory properties as well as promoting circulation and reducing lactic acid build-up, allowing people to train harder for longer. It also reportedly dramatically reduces menopausal flushes.

Taken in capsule form, the supplement is an easy way of ingesting extra goodness without making food taste funky as some other fruit & veg powders do! As a superfood, New Zealand blackcurrants are also incredibly high in antioxidants with 100mg of fresh fruit providing 12,881 ORAC, compared to blueberries 6,341 and green tea 1,500. The product costs £29 for a month’s supply (30 capsules) and is available online at healthcurrancy.co.uk. It is also vegan friendly.

What did we think? First of all, it didn’t taste horrible, which is always good. We tried a month’s supply and by the end our skin was definitely improved, we were slimmer (we did use it when exercising but it seemed to make weight loss happen faster) and we definitely think it helped with lactic acid build up as we took the supplement just before we worked out. By the end we were actually glowing.

We are definitely fans of CurraNZ. We think it certainly has health benefits.

 

 

Watch The Gentleman’s Wager: New Short Film Starring Jude Law

Posted on by

Our wonderful writer, Corinne, went to the screening of The Gentleman’s Wager and had a ball. Now our readers can watch it too. It is directed by Jake Scott. Take a look and let us know what you think.

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, the leading luxury Blended Scotch Whisky, as per IWSR 2013, today launches on global release a short film starring actors Jude Law and Giancarlo

Directed by British director Jake Scott, the film tells the story of a wager between two men striving for personal progress through the quest for a truly rare experience. ‘The Gentleman’s Wager’ sees Law in the role of a man who, despite having it all, challenges himself to strive for something he wants that money can’t buy.

the gentleman's wager

Shot in The British Virgin Islands, Caribbean and London respectively, the story begins with Law and Giannini sipping JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL whisky on a truly unique hand-crafted boat as they look out across a stunning ocean seascape. We hear Law’s character state that he wants to buy the boat, but it is not for sale and the only way he can get it, is by putting on a truly unique performance. The wager begins.

Commenting on his role and involvement in the film, Law says: “The film is about improvement and progress and this is something I try to do in my work and life. I had to learn new skills through the shooting of this film and that combined with the places we visited and shot in, alongside working with Jake and Giancarlo too, made it a truly rare experience.”

James Thompson, Managing Director, Diageo Reserve says: “We are delighted to be launching
‘The Gentleman’s Wager’ film today. To us, Jude embodies the progressive spirit that the JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL brand identifies with and celebrates, so we’re thrilled he has taken on the lead role of the film and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”

The Watchmakers – Carpe Diem Music News

Posted on by

The Watchmakers

Their new single on Loaded Soul Records
Illumination / Carpe Diem

Format: Limited Edition Vinyl & Digital Download

The Watchmakers Live

Combining the sounds of classic 60s psychedelia with The Verve, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Primal Scream, Manchester based four piece The Watchmakers have created a unique blend of psychedelic rock n roll. Their self-produced demos Before Questions Became and Waves earned the band high praise and airplay from the likes of John Kennedy at XFM and BBC Manchester Introducing, leading to seasoned music lovers and music industry insiders clamouring for more material.

Following headline appearances at two sold out Psychedelic Happenings in Manchester as well as playing with the likes of The Pretty Things, Jacco Gardner, Dark Bells and Exit Calm, The Watchmakers were invited to play a BBC Showcase in February 2014 where BBC 6 Music recommended them as ‘ones to watch’. June 2014 see the release of two new tracks – Illumination and Carpe Diem. The songs, the first release from the Manchester based label Loaded Soul Records, will be available on limited edition vinyl and digital download.

“Imagine if Noel Gallagher’s solo record had actually been willing to cut loose and explore its boundaries, and you might be arriving somewhere near to their sound”
Drowned In Sound

Dylan Thomas’s Last Days Inspires Novel by Award-Winning Screenwriter

Posted on by

EastEnders’s longest-serving scriptwriter, Rob Gittins is launching his brand-new novel, The Poet and the Private Eye at Dinefwr Literature Festival this weekend. The novel depicts the last three weeks of legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s life, and is based upon real life events.

Dylan Thomas’s Last Days Inspires New Novel by Award-Winning Screenwriter

The year is 1953, and a private investigator takes on a tail job in New York City. His quarry is a newly-arrived visitor from the UK ̶ the private eye has never heard of him, but he will. The mark is the legendary Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, and in three weeks’ time, he’ll be dead.

“As far as the poet Dylan Thomas is concerned, nothing that happens in this story is invented,” explains author Rob Gittins, who published his first novel Gimme Shelter last year. “All of the events in the novel actually happened.

“In October 1953, Time magazine hired a private detective to shadow Dylan Thomas during what turned out to be his last visit to New York. Dylan had taken out a libel suit against Time because of a less-than-flattering profile the magazine had published about him some months before. Time intended to use any new material gathered by the detective to defend its portrait of Dylan who, they alleged: ‘… dresses like a bum… drinks like a culvert… smokes like an ad for cancer… sleeps with any woman who is willing… is a trial to his friends and a worry to his family…’.

“To shape the events into a fictional form, however, I have taken liberties in mixing events from different trips, as Dylan Thomas visited America four times in total. So taken as a whole, the story presents an accurate account of the poet’s time in the US. As little is known about the private eye, his character, background and history is, necessarily, entirely my invention.”

The Poet and the Private Eye tells a tragic, but ultimately life-affirming story. It also engages with an issue: how an artist can change the life of even the most hard-bitten and cynical onlooker – and how an artist’s work can then live on to change the lives of countless others.

Wales Book of the Year winner Wiliam Owen describes the novel as “…a gripping story which takes a highly original look at the unravelling of Dylan Thomas’s chaotic life and ultimate death. But central to the novel is the power of Dylan’s poetry and how it’s ultimately a force for hope, reconciliation and even redemption in the lives of the people it touches.”

Rob Gittins is an award-winning screenwriter who has written for numerous top-rated television drama series – including EastEnders, Casualty and The Bill – and film as well as creating and writing original drama series of his own. He lives in Rhydargaeau near Carmarthen. The Poet and the Private Eye will be launched in Newton House at Dinefwr Literature Festival this Saturday, 5.45pm and at Waterstones, Carmarthen on Thursday 17 July at 6.30pm.

The Poet and the Private Eye is available here.

La Roche-Posay Event | New Anthelios XL Products

Posted on by

I recently went to check out the new products in La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios facial sun protection range. The pimms and prosecco was flowing and the great and good of beauty was hanging out in the garden when they weren’t checking out the amazing range.

I wear sun protection every single day, even when it is snowing. In fact, I was wearing La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios AC 30 SPF to the event, something that made the La Roche-Posay people happy. I am sure it is why people think I am a few years younger than I actually am. I had my skin read by a machine that shows up every sign of aging like sun damage and wrinkles. Apparently I have skin that is younger than someone in their late-twenties. I put it down completely to using sun protection.

Here are some facts:

66% of UK women are concerned about ageing and proactively preventing it.

80% of premature skin ageing is due to exposure to UVA or UVB rays from the sun.

However only 3% of money spent on anti-ageing products is on facial sun protection.

And 70% of consumers use the same sun screen product on their body & face.

Hmm. A little worrying.

I love La Roche-Posay Anthelios as it is matte. Too many sun creams leave the face shiny, sticky and they also feel heavy. Anthelios is a light, matte fluid that makes you feel like you are not even wearing sun protection while protecting you.

AntheliosXL La Poche-Posay

Anthelioscompactmakeup La Poche-Posay

The new packaging, thicker and shorter, more compact, looks great. You can buy the new Anthelios XL SPF 50+ for even higher protection and Anthelios XL Compact Cream SPF 50+, which looked natural when I tried it on my hand. It is skin perfecting makeup and sun protection all in one. Ideal for busy women and just very cool.

I love the new range and when my Anthelios AC runs out I will move on the the Anthelios XL.