Bookshelf Boyfriend

How to Make a Perfect Cup of Tea

Bethanie Lunn — Sun, 05 May 2013 11:13:00 +0000

How to brew and serve a ‘proper’ cup of tea Choose a ceramic tea pot as metal ones don’t hold the heat as well and can affect the taste. Run the tea pot under hot tap water before pouring in boiling water so it doesn’t hit cold ceramic and cool quickly. Fill your kettle with fresh cool water, preferably filtered and bring to the boil. Add the tea leaves to the empty teapot, allow one teaspoon of leaves per cup so if you have five guests add five teaspoons of leaves. Add the boiling water and let the tea brew for 3-6 minutes depending on how strong you like it. You should provide a choice of milk, from whole to skimmed, cream and lemon to allow your guests to finish their own cup of tea to their taste. Serve the tea but don’t forget to use a strainer to catch the loose leaves or you will be straining it through your own teeth! Keep the teapot warm with a cute tea cosy and brew another if required.

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Girls Guide to Kickboxing

Kirstie McCrum — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:14:31 +0000

It’s always terrific to find new ways to stay in shape. Don’t dismiss new sports – they can be loads of fun, and are usually a great way to meet new people. So if you’re after fitness, friends and, above all, fun, starting out in kickboxing is a truly kicking idea! At the suggestion of kickboxing, some women will run in the other direction. After all, it’s a tough sport, isn’t it? You’ll be breaking nails and losing teeth all over the place – and that’s not to mention the bruises… Well, if you think that’s true, you can think again. Kickboxing is not about beating someone to a pulp – it’s about bettering your own fitness and learning new moves that work for your body, and could even help with self-defence. So don’t worry – you’ll find your confidence growing with every step! Follow our beginner’s guide to start smart – and make kickboxing work for you. What is kickboxing? Kickboxing is a modern sport which brings together martial arts and boxing. Practised non-professionally it is common as a means of fitness and, as such, is not intended to cause injury. If you find yourself taking part in kickboxing tournaments, then you will find out about points and the rules of contact, but as far as its use for improving cardio-fitness goes, it is a peaceful sport – so stop fretting! What should I know before I start kickboxing? The sport is commonly taught in groups, meaning that there will be plenty of opportunities to improve your strength against others, but remember, you are not competitors, so don’t try and ‘win’. The sport uses a combination of kicks and punches, and can be practised using boxing gloves and punching bags – or, better still, nothing at all if you want to shadow box – that is, fight with an invisible opponent – to hone your moves. How do I get started? Before you start kickboxing for the first time, understand that it is a sport you are new to, so it may not happen overnight. However, the joy will come from seeing your body get stronger, and becoming so confident that the moves will soon become second nature. Many women choose to join a kickboxing class, either on their own or with friends. There are a few links below which may help you find a class in your area, but if in doubt, it can be worth contacting your local council’s leisure services department and asking them if there are classes in the area. Then just follow these 10 golden rules… 1. Dress appropriately. Loose fitting, comfortable clothing is key, as well as trainers to keep your toes from harm and provide your ankles with enough support. 2. Always make sure that you have plenty of water with you. The cardio-vascular exercise will make you sweat it all out, and it is so important to keep your body hydrated. 3. Stretch and warm up all of your muscles properly before you practise to avoid getting cramp or doing yourself damage. At the end of a session, it’s imperative to warm down too – treat your body well and it’ll work wonders! 4. Stay focussed on the fitness benefits when you’re taking those first few swings – don’t try and take your aggression out on the people around you! 5. Find a space with enough room to be able to maneuver without accidentally hitting something – or someone. 6. Take time out if you need it. Overheating or hurting yourself isn’t worth it – it only takes a minute, girl, and you’ll be back in the game. Just remember to stretch before you stop. 7. Do not overstretch your muscles – your body has its limits, so don’t try and make it go beyond its normal range of movement. If you think you’re trying to do too much, stop and take a break. 8. Just focus on kicks, jabs or punches in the beginning, as least until you understand what you are capable of. There’s plenty of time later to get onto the more complicated moves. 9. Starting with one or two classes a week should be enough if you’re using kickboxing as a fitness tool. Build to a frequency you’re comfortable with and you’ll see the difference in your body. It is useful to add on other cardio-vascular exercise, such as running, treadmill, cross-training or stepping. 10. Be aware that kickboxing will take a lot of energy. As long as you’re doing it right and not hurting yourself, you should be pretty much constantly moving in a regular class, which means you’ll probably ache the day after! But the rewards are fantastic, and you will be hooked before you know it. Suggested links www.martialartsclubs.com www.martialartsregister.co.uk

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Girls Guide to Surfing

Sarah Benton — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:14:05 +0000

Surfing has to be one of the coolest sports on the planet, but part of its ‘coolness’ derives from the fact that only a chosen few can do it, this is because it’s one of the hardest sports to master. So, here are a few tips to help you on your way – you might want to practice ‘popping up’ in the comfort of your living room. Basic guide on how to surf: 1. Before you get into the water you should spend some time practicing the motions safely on the beach. Lie on your board and practice the paddle motion. You will need to position your body weight in the middle of the board. 2. Next you need to get up. Standing up or ‘popping up’ should be one fluid motion taking you from the lying position to the upright position. It looks much like a press-up, but at the same time as your arms are pushing you up, arch your back and bring your legs up and in towards you and position them on the board in the correct position, either left foot forward (regular style) or right foot forward (goofy style), so instead of your hips facing forward, they should now be at a 90 degree angle to the beach. Tip: This takes quite a considerable amount of strength and until you are fully strong enough, you might want to try by moving one foot at a time, i.e. as you push up with your arms, slide one foot up the board and push yourself into a crouching position before you fully stand up. 3. When standing, your feet should be shoulder width apart, with your back foot at 90 degrees to the beach and your front foot at about 45 degrees. You should be just off centre towards the back of the board so that the waves pop out from under you and you don’t nose-dive under them. 4. Once you have done all this on dry land, you will need to practice in small, gentle waves at about waist height. When wading out keep your board at arms length so that it doesn’t crash back into you. When you have decided upon a suitable wave, lie on your board and start to paddle, as the wave approaches ‘pop up’ onto the board in as swift a motion as possible, trying to get your feet in the right position first time round, then bend your knees slightly and use your arms for balance. You should feel the push of the wave beneath you and you should be able to ride this into the shallows where you can safely hop off. Top surf spots: Cornwall and Devon are the best-known surf sports in the UK, primarily because they have some of the best surf and so a well-developed network of shops, surf schools and surfing camps have cemented its reputation as the place to surf in Britain. The best beaches are Watergate Bay, Sennen Cove and Bantham. Just across the Bristol Channel, areas in South Wales such as Langland Bay, Llantwit Major and areas around the Lleyn Peninsula are perfect for the beginner and experienced surfer alike and the area could soon progress into the new Cornwall. If you want to head a little further a field, Santa Cruz and Peniche in Portugal and Biarritz in France also boast some excellent surf sports for beginners right through to experienced surfers and you can get lessons from famous water sports brands such as Billabong and O’Neill. Essential equipment needed: Obviously a surfboard. For learning this will be a board over seven feet, giving you more balance and control. As you progress you will be able to move to a smaller board that will give you more freedom and speed. For surfing in the UK, unfortunately you will need a wetsuit. A short-leg one should be fine for the summer months, but from autumn to spring, you will need a full-length suit; thickness should range from 2mm to 5mm. These can be hired with your board. If you want to become a hard-core, year round surfer it is worth investing in a long suit, hood and boots. Reliable brands include Body Glove, O’Neill, Roxy and Rip Curl. If you chose to buy all your own equipment, which is worth doing once you have been a few times and made the commitment to become a surfer, you will need wax to apply to your board to stop you slipping and a leash to attach you to your board by means of a stretchy cord so that when you come off, you don’t lose each other forever. You will also need to be generally fit and a good swimmer. This seems rather blatant, but many people underestimate how tiring surfing is. Paddling against waves, rip tides and currents is the reason pro-surfers have such amazing bodies. You need to be able to hold your own in the water before even attempting to ride a wave. First and foremost surfing should be fun, but fundamentally surfing is hard work and to be good at it you need to be determined and persistent as well as possessing a good sense of humour. You will get bruised and battered and feel like you have swallowed half of the English Channel, but the rewards are worth the sacrifices, as the freedom and excitement you feel when you catch your first wave more than makes up for the pain. Always remember what you mum told you: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again! Costs: Half-day: From £25 Full-day: From £60 One-on-one: From £36-£56 per hour (By far the fastest way to learn) Holidays: From £245. Big Friday Weekends, run girls’ only surf weekends including transport from London, surf lessons, food, luxury accommodation and pre and post surf yoga sessions. Suggested links: www.surfing-waves.com www.bigfriday.com www.surfsouthwest.com www.englishsurfschool.com www.extremeholidays.com www.britsurf.co.uk

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Strength Training Guide for Women

Antonia Kanczula — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:17:02 +0000

Why and how you can banish your weight-training fear Intimidating meat head men and the prospect of bulky muscles, are enough to ward most girls off weights and encourage us to stay within our cardio comfort zone. But let your reticence end here… Strength (or resistance training, as it’s also known) isn’t just for Mr Universe wannabees. It’s a valuable tool for any woman – or indeed man – looking to tone up and shed weight. Studies show that far from producing ripping muscles, adding a resistance programme to your fitness regime actually helps produce lean muscle mass. Aside from the fact that it’s pretty much physiologically impossible that you’ll end up looking like Arnie anyway – since us girls have low levels of the hormone testosterone – muscle is metabolically active, meaning it burns calories even when you’re not exercising. Research has shown that regular resistance training can increase your Basal Metabolic Rate by up to 15%. After the age of thirty we all lose three to five per cent of our muscle mass per decade, so regular resistance work will counter the effects – and reduce the likelihood of middle-age spread. And it doesn’t end there. Flexing those weights will help you develop all-over strength and flexibility – you’ll be able to perform day-to-day tasks like carrying the shopping or gardening with ease and in turn reduce your vulnerability to injury including back pain. Plus, talk about anti-ageing exercise – it’ll help build your bone strength, preventing osteoporosis and it’s been proven to reduce blood pressure, body fat and insulin resistance and thereby your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. We knew you’d be won over! Now simply follow our simple rules to strength training and you’ll be well on your way to reaping some of these benefits… Start off small and build up your routine gradually. Start off just using your body weight (i.e.) no weights as resistance… then move on to integrate free weights. Similarly start off doing small sets of reps with rests in between before increasing length and reducing breaks. Don’t take on too much too soon but equally don’t under-test your muscles. Just as you need to be out of breathe to test your cardio capacity you need to overload muscles – this is the point when you feel your muscles can only perform a couple more reps correctly. Design a programme that works all the muscle groups There needs to be symmetry and variety to ensure maximum benefits. It’s possible to work the whole body in just half an hour; squats, lunges and push-ups and variations there of are fabulous all-over exercises. Ask a trainer at your gym for advice if necessary. And remember that floor exercises will generally test you more than machines because they also challenge your stability and core strength. Make sure you change your routine every six to eight weeks Despite how you feel at the time, your body adapts incredibly quickly and needs to be constantly challenged. Don’t rush Make sure you perform each exercise to the best of your ability with great technique. And don’t forget your posture – keep your core abdominal muscles engaged and your spine straight throughout to prevent injury. Leave a day or two between sessions Your muscles need to have time to recover and renew. Pushing yourself every day will simply undo all the good work… Buddy up! If you still find the weights area at your gym a scary prospect, ask a friend to come along with you – not only will their presence shield you but you can work together to encourage or correct each other. Check First If you are in any doubt about your health, or if you are pregnant or suffer from a bad back, always consult your GP before undertaking any exercise regime. If you have never done strength training before, it is always advisable to discuss your new regime with a qualified trainer beforehand.

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Working with contractors

Madeline Thomas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:13:02 +0000

Selecting Contractors Finding the right contractor can mean the difference between feeling in control of your project and feeling utterly at its mercy. So, look around. Ask family, friends and neighbours. Look up and down your street. Can you see any other houses in your road who have had similar work done? Speak to at least three contractors. Get quotes from all of them. Make sure those quotes include as many criteria as you can think of, from preferred timescale for the project (if you have one) to what door handles, light fittings, bath suites, kitchen units, woodwork and ornamentation you want. The more you can pack into the estimate, the less likely you are to encounter hidden extra costs as you go along. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest quote. Choose who will work best with you, and whose work, when you checked it out, you preferred. What You Should Ask Contractors First, find out which trade association or professional body your contractor is a member of. (See Registered Workers below). Make sure you choose an established contractor with premises you can visit. Ask them how long they’ve been in business, who else they’ve worked for in the area and what kind of work they have done. Make sure you have the correct registered address of the business so you can put things in writing. Phone numbers and email addresses are all very well but can easily be changed by a less scrupulous organisation. Always check out any references. Ask if the work was done on time, whether they were happy with the work, whether the final cost was in line with the original estimate. Timescales for Contractors The project should have a start date and an expected completion date. For your own purpose only, build in a contingency of an extra 30% of time for overruns (just don’t tell the contractor you’ve accounted for this). Contractors are used to things going awry – sometimes the weather plays a part, sometimes, remedial work needs done. There is little that can be done about either of these factors. However, whenever some extra work is uncovered or the weather has caused a delay feel free to ask whether either has caused a delay to that phase of the project or to the overall completion date. When the contractor gives you a timescale for the job, ask them to break this down into phases. Ask them what contingencies they have factored into this time frame. Ask what happens to your project -particularly your labour – if the project overruns. Try and get your contractor to commit not to pull men from your job onto others. There is nothing more frustrating than finding your extension is running six weeks behind schedule and the plasterer you need on site to get all other areas finalised has been put elsewhere to quieten down another disgruntled client. Building a Working Relationship with Contractors All too often the working relationship between client (i.e. you) and the contractor deteriorates because of a lack of communication. For the contractor, dust dirt, noise and disruption are daily occurrences. For you, this is your home. If some areas are sacrosanct then make that clear from the start. You can always ask what arrangements the builder will make for your safety and convenience while the project is underway. If the mere thought of your project makes your blood boil then go away, make a cup of tea and take time to assess the situation. Think about which aspects of the project are working well and which are not. Think about why that is and then explain that to the build team. You are more likely to get more cooperation as a result. There are two golden rules that every homeowner should remember when managing a big build project: 1) Let the professionals get on with their job. By all means, make sure each element of the project is going according to plan but don’t hover over people’s shoulders while they are trying to work. The work will probably go slower, not faster as a result of such a “hands-on” approach. 2) Make your mind up and stick to it. For a contractor, nothing is worse than a client that cannot visualise the project and therefore keeps changing their mind. If you do that, the project will be delayed, it will cost significantly more money and your relationship with your contractors will suffer as a result. Unless you have a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, trust your original thoughts and trust the contractors to see them through to fruition. Contracts, Agreements and Payment First things first, agree payment terms before you start. If it is a particularly big project your contractor may ask for an upfront payment. Be wary of doing this. More appropriate for both parties would be to split the payment into three or four lots, payable after each phase of the works. That means you can ensure the work is done to your satisfaction at each stage and your contractor can maintain a healthy cash flow. Some contractors might let you pay by credit card. If they do, take that option, it gives you scope to get your money back if anything goes awry. Once you’ve agreed to a start date and price, ensure you get a written contract. And whatever you do, read it! The contract should explain what is included in the quotation, when the work will start, how long it is expected to take, what payments will be expected and when and how will you agree any increase in cost (i.e.oral or written and before any additional expenditure has been incurred). If your contractor is unwilling to come up with a written contract, why not write it yourself? It’s not as daunting as it sounds and help is at hand. Sample contracts are available from www.buildingcontract.co.uk or the plain English contract at www.findabuilder.co.uk. Both options can provide a great start point and [...]

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Planning a Loft Conversion

Madeline Thomas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:05:59 +0000

Planning a Loft Conversion may sound a daunting task, however with the right planning and advice your loft conversion and be done in a matter of weeks. In this guide we will give your some advice on what to think about when planning a loft conversion First steps in Planning a Loft Conversion There are two basic types of loft conversion: a dormer conversion – building an extension that protrudes from the roof. a Velux conversion – putting in windows that are flush with the roof. As you might expect, the latter costs considerably less. Approvals for Planning a Loft Conversion Your plans will need to comply with building regulations. If you opt for the Dormer conversion option or the property needs extensive structural alteration then you will also need planning permission from the local council. These days, the yellow pages are full of loft conversion companies with oodles of experience, so once you’ve chosen (based on asking around and checking out the works etc) you will most likely find that your chosen company will draw up all necessary plans and carry out the work. See our article about choosing and working with contractors. It would be rare to need the services of an architect or structural engineer unless your plans are particularly unusual. When to have your loft converted Try and get the work done in the summer. Loft conversions can be structurally complete in six weeks, sometimes less. Once the structure is watertight it becomes less important how long the finishes take to perfect. The danger of doing a conversion in the autumn is that wet and windy weather can play havoc with your timings. Think about how you intend to use the room. Work out where your desired furniture will go when it is complete. Try and position the windows, radiators and power sockets around your needs for the space rather than shoe-horning yourself into the space afterwards. Loft Conversion Tips Check that your central heating system is robust enough to cope with extra radiators. A new boiler may be expensive to buy and install (around £2,500) but it is far better to bite the bullet and get all the expensive, disruptive jobs done together than have to go back and address the corners you tied to cut at a later date. There is no such thing as a “ball-park figure” for a loft conversion. They can cost as little as £20,000. They can also regularly cost £50,000. Some grander projects can cost double that. When Planning a Loft Conversion you make sure all the elements that you want included in the planning stage. Photo Credit

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Building Regulations

Madeline Thomas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:43:36 +0000

Building Regulations and Approvals You Will Need The Local Authority Planning and Building Control Office will be able to tell you whether your planned project needs planning permission. If permission is granted subject to conditions, make sure they are accounted for in the project’s planning, implementation, timing and costs before you start. All projects need a Local Authority Completion Certificate. You will need to keep this is a safe place as you will not be able to sell your house without it. If you live in an area of outstanding natural beauty or a National Park, you will need permission if you wish to clad your property in stone, timber, tiles or possible even pebble-dash. If yours is a listed property then you may need listed building consent in addition to any other consents required. Even if you do not extend or demolish the exterior but carry out alterations, listed building consent is still usually required. If you need to alter any trees, then check with your local council that they are not subject to tree preservation orders. How to work with your local Planning Office on Building Regulations Planning offices have a bad press, but, work well with yours and you should find the planning process straightforward. Planning offices do not always work quickly, so have patience. Most councils have planning and regulation booklets available upon request that will help you through the process. While the planning office is not there to stand between you and your project it is there to safeguard the wider community as well. Generally speaking, you do not need planning permission for sheds, summer houses, swimming pools, if they are less than 3 metres high and for private use, provided they are no nearer to the road than the existing property. Porches should not need planning permission, provided they are no greater than 3 cubic metres and do not exceed the height of the original house. It’s always wise to err on the side of caution and check whether your planned project requires planning permission before you embark upon it. It costs nothing and may delay you for a few weeks. However, if you fail to make the proper checks and it turns out you need consent you may be ordered to tear down the entire structure you’ve just paid a fortune to erect. You have been warned! These days every local authority has a web site were you can get details of your local planning office and the whole process has become more user-friendly. Building Regulations for Structural Changes If you are planning work that alters the structure of your property you may need building regulations approval. Building regulations have less to do with aesthetics and keeping a community happy that making sure the structure is sound and uses approved building materials and methods. Your first port of call should be the government web site www.direct.gov.uk. Under the”planning” section of the site, it details when you might need building regulations approval and how you should go about getting this. In short, approval is needed long before you start the project. You need to approach your local authority building control service in the first instance. They will tell you how to apply. The application will need accompanying drawings detailing everything, including electrics, gas, water, sewage etc. Only then will regulators know whether your proposed structure complies with all the latest requirements. The good news is that you can gain approval for Building Regulations long before you start work as that approval notice remains valid for three years. Photo Credit:Denna Jones

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House Maintenance Tips

Madeline Thomas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:29:29 +0000

As analogies go, comparing houses to teeth may not make much sense but think about it… You brush your teeth twice a day to keep them looking nice and toprevent decay that would involve costly – and sometimes painful – work. Your property needs just as much maintenance to keep it in tip-top form. Without it, the repair bills could dwarf any dentists bills that even an A-list celebrity could run up. So, do a little maintenance each weekend and: a) You won’t notice the extent of the work so much b) Your property will look and feel better for it; you will maximise its value and c) Either you will notice any niggling problems before they develop into something major or you may even prevent them altogether. Some chores need doing regularly, particularly in winter. Others should be looked at annually. Here’s a quick guide to what you can and should be doing regularly yourself. Monthly House Maintenance Scrub up your frontage! That means outside of windows, clearing leaves, moss and any other debris (especially important in the autumn and winter or in damp weather). Check your alarms for House Maintenance: Make sure the batteries are working in any smoke or carbon monoxide alarms you have. Set aside one day a month for House Maintenance: Make one Sunday every month house Sunday and set time aside to do all those niggling chores, whether that means mowing the lawn, weeding, planting or painting. House Maintenance for Spring Moss & mildew: OK, you’ve hibernated for the best part of six months. Spring is here and it’s time to get scrubbing. Invest in a wire brush from your local ironmongers and scrub off any moss or mildew from your brick and stonework. Your property will breathe better as a result because you’re removing something that absorbs damp and keeps it right against your home. Moss may look rustic and charming but your home is better off without it. While you’re at it, remove any moss from pathways and you won’t need to tread so carefully up to the front door again. Kitchen: Clean the filter in the cooker hood (a totally nasty job but one your kitchen needs). Also, check around the washing machine and dishwasher areas for leaks. Bathroom: When you do your spring cleaning, have a look at the seals around the side of the bath, washbasin and the floor and walls of the shower. If you can see any gaps or discolouration around the seal, go and buy some silicon sealant from any DIY shop and reseal all edges. The last thing you want is for water to get behind your appliances and cause damage you can’t see. House Maintenance for Autumn Set aside an entire weekend and make sure you get house-wise. Heating: Bleed all your radiators and check for leaks. Get the boiler serviced and make sure the flu is clear. If you have a gas fire, then make sure that gets the once over at the same time. Gutters: Clear drainpipes and guttering. If they get blocked up with old leaves and other debris, water cannot drain away and can leak back into the property. Roofs: Check your roof space for any tell-tale damp signs. Have a look for any loose, wonky or missing tiles. If there is any damp or any tile out of place, make sure you get a roofing contractor in BEFORE the winter. From wet and windy October through to freezing February, roofers are at their busiest fixing problems, so get in there early and make sure you have nothing to worry about. If you have a chimney, get it serviced. Windows & wood: Check the external paintwork. If you still have wooden window frames check them for rot. It is usually easy to spot but if you’re not sure, try digging your thumbnail into the wood, if it can make a dent in the woodwork, you’ve got rot and need to give your windows some TLC. Pointing: Check your pointing (that’s the cement between the bricks). Surveyors often advise home-buyers to repoint parts of their property when they purchase. That involves scraping out all the old pointing and refilling those spaces. This is important because if the pointing has begun crumbling or wearing away, then your property is susceptible to damp.

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Training to Run a 10Km Race

Laura Stewart — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:11:40 +0000

Follow this 8-week women’s training guide for running a 10k. The training plan can easily be fitted around a busy lifestyle and is a perfect base for building general fitness. Timescale: From a reasonable level of fitness you should be ready to run a 10k in 8 weeks. 10k runs are popular with seasoned runners and beginners, and races can now be found all over the UK. Their popularity may be due to the satisfaction that can be gained from completing this distance, which is challenging to most people, and because real improvements in running and all-round fitness can be seen when training for this level. How fast should I aim to run a 10k? When you complete the registration form for a race they will often ask you for an estimated finishing time. You may also want to try and predict your time to give you the satisfaction of a personal goal to work towards. The best way to estimate your time is from previous performance, so if you have completed a short race before you can use it to predict your time; but bear in mind that you may not be able to sustain the same pace over additional distance, so for example if you have run a 5k in 30 minutes, multiply your time by 2.1 to get your 10k time rather than simply doubling it (63 mins). If this will be your first race, you can try and estimate your time by measuring a mile route using your car, a map, or a pedometer and timing how long it takes you to cover the distance at a lively, but not too uncomfortable, pace. Multiply the time by 6.1 to get your 10k time. Training You should put aside time for at least three running sessions a week to train for a 10k. The basic ingredients for training plans are long runs, tempo runs where you practise running at your goal race, and speedwork. Most plans will include one of each of these runs each week, and may recommend short runs, cross-training (e.g. swimming or aerobics) or rest on the other days. Each session should start with 5 minutes of walking or jogging to warm up and finish with a gradual slowing of activity to cool down, followed by gentle stretching, concentrating on the leg muscles to help prevent injury. Training plan A basic training plan is shown below, suitable for people already running for 20-30 minutes a few times a week. Most people aim to do the long run at the weekend, and the faster sessions during the week, but you can choose the days based on what works best for you, being sure to include rest days between hard workouts. Week 1 Easy run 2 miles Tempo run 30 minutes: run at an easy pace for 10 minutes, then increase the pace for the next 10 to near your goal race pace (or until it feels uncomfortable but you could still speak in complete sentences), finish with 10 minutes easy running. Long run 3 miles Week 2 Easy run 2.5 miles Speedwork: 8x 400 metres with recovery jogs between Long run 3-4 miles Week 3 Easy run 2.5 miles Tempo run 40 minutes: run at an easy pace for 10 minutes, increase your pace until near goal pace for 20 minutes, then decrease speed for final 10 minutes easy running. Long run 4 miles Week 4 Easy run 2.5 miles Speedwork: 9x 400 metres with recovery jogs between Long run 5 miles Week 5 Easy run 3 miles Tempo run 45 minutes: 10 mins warm up, build up to near 10k pace for 25 mins, then 10 mins easy running to finish. Long run 6 miles Week 6 Easy run 3 miles Speedwork:10x 400 metres with recovery jogs Long run 7 miles Week 7 Easy run 3 miles Tempo run 50 minutes: 10 mins warm up, build up to near 10k pace for 30 mins, then 10 mins easy running to finish. Long run 7 miles Week 8 Easy run 3 miles Speedwork: 5x 400 metres with recovery jogs Race! Additional training plans, including run/walk programmes for beginners may be available from the race organisers (e.g. the Cancer Research Run 10k website includes plans for different abilities), or can be obtained from the Runner’s World website using their SmartCoach feature.

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Solo holiday maker’s fears of being a Betty-No-Mates…

Florence Tightening-Nail — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:41:36 +0000

Dear Florence, I really want to go on holiday this year but have left it very late to organise. My girl friends have all been away but I couldn’t go with them because of work commitments. I don’t have a boyfriend and whilst I love my family I want to relax and unwind without the stress of my parents watching my every move. I’d also like a bit of holiday romance but don’t want to be seen as a Betty No-Mates. Would you recommend holidaying on your own? Kind Regards, Camilla, Cheadle, U.K Dear Camilla, Some of the best holidays I’ve ever had have been solo excursions. Holidaying solo gives you ultimate freedom and grants a rare opportunity to exercise a ‘carte blanche’ in self-indulgence – completely away from anyone who knows anything about you. You can re-invent yourself with every person you meet along the way and being solo abroad affords you opportunities you wouldn’t normally have if travelling with friends/family. Haven’t you ever sat in airports looking at the armies of depressed looking adults with families in tow, large groups of girls or boys all bound by the same destination – sharing a common brain of expectation – all likely to have exactly the same holiday as their respective peers jamming the check-in queues at departures? Faster than you can say ‘Shirley Valentine’ get yourself logged ontoLonelyPlanet.com and start mulling over the possibilities. I find that Croatia has that perfect combination of things to see and do and ahealthy band of friendly locals all willing to treat you well. Just besure to integrate plenty of little coffee/ice cream stops to give you adequate opportunity to be ‘approached’! Leave the camera at home – and bring all of those trashy novels about ‘the twenty something marketing executive who keeps sleeping with the wrong men in the eternal search for Mr. Right’ – without fear that on of your friends will grass you out to your local book group – for some great offers on low brow fiction for the high brow holiday, check out www.amazon.co.uk. Activity holidays are also great for the solo holidaymaker – people tend to be friendlier and the natural ‘go team’ element is very conducive to meeting new people. You’ll also come back feeling refreshed and fit – try Skiing, Trekking or Water sports (perfect compliment to the beach holiday and ‘single’ is a very attractive quality to Joe Jet-ski instructor…). Embrace this opportunity for freedom and Bon Voyage Shirley! FTN

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DIY store virgin dreads first visit…

Florence Tightening-Nail — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:39:43 +0000

Dear Florence, I always thought buying a home would have been something I’d have done with a significant other but things didn’t work out as I had planned and I’ve just bought my own house. This leads to the inevitable first trip I must make to B&Q; and I’m terrified at the prospect because I’m completely clueless about D.I.Y and am breaking out in cold sweats at the thought of setting foot inside the door. Have you any tips for B&Q gals on their first ever excursion? Yours, Emily, Batley, U.K Emily, You need to storm that entrance line to B&Q like a suffragette Emily. Be fearless in the face of those experienced B&Q shoppers all hurling themselves like lemmings toward the big DIY precipice. Design, build and decorate your destiny and have no fear of the big bad DIY wolf. You need to execute that trip to B&Q as confidently as you would order your tall skinny latte en route to the office each morning. Remember, it’s a shop at the end of the day – with wide corridors, detailed labelling of items on offer, and a very useful online shop which allows you get a picture of what’s on offer before you storm thebarricades of the sliding doors. Set yourself the objective of buying one item – door handles and taps are always a good place to start. If you find you’re in the war zone and indecisiveness is setting in, ask for a sample of mosaic bathroom tiles and a small tub of grout, then walk out the door with a purposeful swagger – as if you’re in a rush to get home on bended knee… With each trip your confidence will grow, the aisles will become as familiar as the sale rack in River Island and before you know it you’ll have full command of what’s on offer allowing you decorate your home in a style and substance which reflects your new found confidence in your DIY ability and the strong character you displayed in overcoming your self-doubt. And always my dear, LOOK GOOD while doing it. You’ll never know who you might bump into when browsing for your first shower curtain… FTN

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Bookshelf Boyfriend has had a Facelift!

admin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:44:48 +0000

Welcome to the brand new Bookshelf Boyfriend site. We’ve had a makeover, but you will still be able to find all the same articles and info you loved before. You can also expect to find all sorts of new and exciting features as we unfold them over the next few weeks – so stay tuned!

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Discover Dance and Yourself

Jen Dexter — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:14:54 +0000

Dance – How to make the best decisions for you! Ever considered how dance can enable you to discover yourself and make great decisions in your life? Dance can be such a great metaphor for the way that we carry out certain areas of our lives! Like decision making for example. In learning to dance, we are bringing about a change, and a change is akin to taking a risk. Taking a risk usually results in a heightened sense of awareness and may involve or require specific attention, such as increased concentration, practice, guidance and support to help develop self-belief. Any decisions that we make in our lives carry uncertainties and require differing degrees of confidence. Therefore, we can prepare ourselves to the best of our abilities when making decisions knowing that we have the time, support, rhythm and energy to bring about change in our lives. Change can be a really positive thing! Decision making What happens during the process of making decisions? These can be small everyday choices or huge life changers. No matter how big or small the decision is it can be scary, daunting, and challenging as well as exciting, fun and liberating! How to make great decisions Lets look at the big, sometimes daunting, decisions that we make in our lives, or put off making because of fear of uncertainty. How can we make sure that these bigger life-changing decisions that we make are the best decisions? Lets look at dance… Successful dancing requires: Coordination This is essential in dancing successfully. We need to coordinate our mind (especially when we are learning a new dance step and thinking about what to do next) with our body, and our movement with the beat and rhythm of the music. If we lack coordination in dance, and your mind is somewhere else away from the task in hand, we lose touch with our dance steps. In making great decisions sometimes we need to assess what is happening in our lives at the moment and where we would like our lives to go in the future. Does the decision that we wish to make (or the possibilities if we are still weighing up the options) fit into our lives at present and our future aspirations? Practice and patience Learning new dance steps takes practice and patience. In decision-making be patient with yourself. Choose a time that is good for you to think about your choices and weigh up the pros and cons of the situation. Support Learning to dance requires support from the dance teacher, and if we have a dancing partner then we also rely upon and trust them in order to dance successfully as a pair (or a larger group). In making big decisions in our lives it can be really useful to ask for the help and support of friends and family, or a life coach who can take an objective point of view and provide insightful practical strategies to help us move forward. This can enable the situation, choices and possible outcomes to be clearer in our minds, and the steps that we choice to take are well supported and achievable. Energy Dance requires energy and creates energy. Likewise, we need energy and motivation to put the decisions that we have made in place. We create energy every day through movement and the thoughts that we have. Making big changes in our lives can cause a surge of adrenalin and excitement. Belief Dancing is a whole lot easier when you have belief in yourself that you can do it! Have belief in yourself that you make the best decisions for you! Trust your feelings and recognise what you want to achieve. Make a list of all the great decisions and successes that you have made happen in your life (from being determined and persistent in learning to walk as a toddler to choosing a good friend, or making a nice meal, or being successful at a job interview…) when you really think about it the list of your successes are endless! Correct mental attitude Relax, have fun and smile! These three little simple things make dancing, and life, much easier and happier! For more information visit www.simplychanging.co.uk

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10 Easy Steps to Become Green

Kerry Boczko — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:54:14 +0000

Almost everything we do on a daily basis affects the environment in some way. From dropping the kids off at school to simply flicking on a light switch in the evening. Unfortunately finding the time to be eco-friendly can seem hard when you’re already leading a busy life. Happily it’s easy to make a positive difference by making just a few everyday changes in your home and routine – it needn’t cost a fortune and you don’t even need a red cape! Simply follow these ten quick fix solutions for a more planet friendly life. 1. Let there be (energy efficient) light Compact Fluorescent (or energy efficient) light bulbs (CFLs) not only use three quarters less electricity than a normal bulb, but they last up to ten times longer. They’re now only a little more expensive than normal bulbs thanks to competitive pricing. There’s a great variety of shapes and sizes available and you can buy them from most major supermarkets and homes stores. 2. Give your clothes some air Tumble driers use more energy than any other appliance in your home. So much in fact that cutting your dryer use by just one load a week can reduce your homes carbon emissions by up to 90kg a year! Spend a few quid on a shiny new clothes airer or put up a washing line in the back garden for breezy fresh clothes. 3. Don’t just stand-by Most electrical appliances use almost as much power when they’re in standby as they do when they’re switched on! That includes, TV’s DVD players and computers (ever noticed that you can still charge your phone/iPod from your computer even when it’s ‘switched off’?). Switching off completely – at the socket if necessary, can cut your electricity bill by 10% a year. 4. Let the rot set in Got a garden or an allotment? Buy a composting bin from your local garden centre and use it to recycle all your uncooked vegetable and fruit peelings. Add the odd egg or cereal box to balance the nitrogen with carbon and, voila! A top notch treat for your garden soil. 5. Clean green Modern cleaning products are full of detergents and other chemical nasties that damage the environment and are often dangerous to humans. Luckily there is now a huge range of gentler products available that do just as good a job. Ecover have a great selection and most supermarkets now have environmentally friendly own-brands (check out the 100% natural range at M&S) to choose from. 6. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Newspapers, magazines, glass jars, tin cans, wine bottles and even some plastics can all be recycled. Give bottles cans and containers a quick rinse before chucking to avoid nasty smells. In addition, take unwanted clothes and video tapes to charity shops and check with your local supermarket to see if they recycle plastic bags (Sainsbury’s do, for example). Be aware! Local authority rules differ in what can and can’t be recycled. If you’re not sure don’t just chuck it in and hope for the best. Non-recyclable items can actually contaminate batches of re-cyclable waste so check with your local council first. 7. Support your local Where possible, buy locally produced food. You’ll be saving on imported air miles, supporting your local businesses and eating fresh, delicious, in-season produce. Check out the National Association of Farmers Markets (FARMA) at www.farmersmarkets.net for a list of FARMA approved markets in your area. 8. Go for green energy The UK currently releases around 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with energy industries contributing over a third (that’s a whopping 54 million tonnes) of that amount. Switching to a renewable electricity provider means you’ll be buying your energy from a source that emits low or even no greenhouse gases and is often naturally occurring – such as wind, solar or wave power. Check out Energylinx for information on renewable energy providers and prices. 9. Feel the heat Make sure heat isn’t slipping out of your home by checking the seals around your doors and windows and resealing them if necessary. If your system uses radiators, keep heat in the room by fitting reflective material (aluminum foil will do) behind them, or fixing a shelf a couple of inches above them to guide heat back into the room. Invest in a couple of colourful draught excluders for doorways and bleed your radiators on a regular basis to ensure they’re working at full efficiency. 10. Remember small changes make a big difference Walk to your local shops turn your thermostat down one degree always carry a plastic bag shopping with you put a brick in your toilet cistern (to save water on each flush) take the bus to work grow organic veggies in your back garden take showers more than baths turn off lights after you and remember everyone makes a mess of the planet sometimes, responsible people make sure they try and clean up after themselves!

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The Secret to Perfect Cheek Bones

Sara Hill — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:18:58 +0000

How to lose weight on your face instantly Do you want cheek bones like Cheryl Cole or Marlene Dietrich? Do you want to lose inches off your face in an instant? Well here’s the celebrity makeup artist secret you can’t live without! Contouring and highlighting has been used since the days of early black and white photography was evolved by Hollywood makeup artists to mimic light effects. Photographers used spot lighting to create the quality of glamour and seduction with their actress, and the makeup artists emphasised the lighter points and darkened the shadows that occurred as the light from above shone down. Highlighting and contouring if done correctly can make the appearance of your face look thinner, your cheek bones higher, and a larger nose look smaller. By following these simple tips you can apply the highlighting and contouring theory to any feature on the face and even the body. How to create Highlighting and Contouring Difficulty rating: 1 – 2 Easy/medium Timescale: 5 mins Equipment What you will need to create the more sculpted thinner you instantly: Matt bronzer (2-3 shades darker than your skin tone) I like Bobbi Brown matte bronzers. Shimmer powder (2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone) – avoid pink tones a champagne colour is best. Belightful pressed iridescent powder from MAC suits most people. Contour brush – a blusher brush with a slight angle. (Your blusher brush should be the same size as the apple of the cheek if it’s too big it will get to messy.) Laura Mercier’s new contour brush is amazing. Highlighter brush – a large tapered eye shadow brush. I like the MAC large eye shadow brush . Step by step guide Step one Start with applying your foundation base as normal and set your makeup with your translucent powder (bronzer glides better on a powdered base as it can sometimes stick when applied direct to a foundation). Step two Cheeks: Run your fingers underneath your cheek bone to feel where to place the bronzer, push the contour brush underneath with a small amount of bronzer and blend up to your ears on both sides. Step three Cheeks: Feel where the top of your cheek bones are, use your highlighting brush to pick up a small amount of your shimmer powder and lightly blend in a C shape around the eye area, being careful not to go to close to your eye. Step four Jaw line: Blend bronzer around your jaw line and down your neck. Next use a small amount around the sides of your face to make it appear thinner. Step five Nose: Apply a small amount of highlighter down the bridge of your nose to make it appear narrower and apply a little contour colour at the sides and tips to shorten. Do the opposite if you want to widen your nose. Top tip: contouring your cleavage can make your bust look bigger and more pert! Simply blend the bronzer down your cleavage line and highlight the tops of your chest with highlighter powder – sexy and simple.

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How to Get the Smokey Eyes Look

Sara Hill — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:18:08 +0000

Smokey eye make up One woman’s idea of a Smokey eye can be completely different from another. For some it’s a dark shadow all over the lid, for others it could be a simple kohl pencil smudged at the root of the lash. Whatever version you decide on the effect should be the same; sexy, smouldering, come to bed eyes! What is a Smokey eye? A Smokey eye is a dark eye makeup look that defines and accentuates the shape of the eye; eye shadow colours are darker than your skin tone. Anyone can suit and achieve a Smokey eye just follow the simple step by step guide below. What makes a “Smokey eye” look? Use a light, a medium and a dark eye shadow (the medium and dark eye colours must be darker than your skin tone) It can be any colour not just black or grey – it might be, for example, Purple, Brown or Green. Or you might want a combo of different shades like gold as your middle tone and midnight blue as your dark tone. The trick to an effective Smokey eye look is to make your eye colour pop and give a sexy smouldering effect. To create a successful Smokey eye, blend shadows using brushes. It works best with more than one texture, for example matt with shine to create dimension. After lashings of black mascara I love to apply little corner lashes to create a feline flutter affect ….prrrr Step by step guide: How to create a Smokey eye look Difficulty: Level 1/2 – Easy/Medium Time: 5-10 minutes, quicker with practice What you will need: A blending brush A smudge brush Eye base ( either a cream or light powder shadow) Medium warm tone Eye Shadow Dark Eye shadow Kohl pencil dark Black mascara Step one: Apply light colour all over the eyelid. I like MAC Bare Canvas Paint, it is a great base and it keeps your eye shadow look on all night long. Step two: Next apply a kohl pencil of any colour – I like Laura Mercier’sBlack Violet pencil - to your top lid, at the root of your lashes. Start from the outside corner and pull to the inside corner of your eye. It doesn’t have to be a perfect line, just get it as close to your lashes as possible. Step three: Use your smudge brush (small and firm brush) to blend the kohl pencil upwards onto the lid and blend a little under your eyes. At the corner bottom lashes, pick up your dark shadow (a small amount) and with your smudge brush gently press the shadow on top of your kohl liner top and bottom. Step four: With your blending brush (soft natural hair brush with tapered point) pick up your mid tone shadow, start at the outside corner socket and blend inwards about a third of the way along the eye. Move your brush softly back and forth along your socket and a little over the lid to melt the dark shadow and middle tone together creating a perfect blended eye. Sweep a little of the mid tone under your eyes at the lower lashes to help blend the kohl pencil in underneath. Finish with lashings of mascara – my personal favourite isYSL Volume Effects black. Top tip: Pick up small amounts of the eye shadow and take the time to build layers. If you pick up too much colour on your brush, tap off excess on to a tissue, this also stops the dark colours from falling.

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Eco Fashion Tips

Hannah Eichler — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:05:58 +0000

Eco fashion has moved from a trend to a full scale movement; key voices within the industry are starting to call for a rethink on our extraordinary levels of clothes consumption. Lets be honest, we’re all guilty of side stepping our eco-fashion conscience sometimes; it doesn’t seem easy to be an eco goddess 100% of the time. But Hannah Eichler explains how you can do your bit and be an eco-angel! Re-think your relationship with clothes 1. Although women’s clothing prices have fallen by a third in 10 years, the level of clothes we purchase is also up by a third. As clothes get cheaper the market for cheap, fast, disposable fashion is fueled. Jane Shepherdson, the woman behind Top Shop, believes we have become a nation that’s gone crazy for throwaway clothes: “People are addicted to shopping and consuming and having new things all the time. Things are so accessible, you can look like a celebrity immediately and for a fiver,” she says. Develop a new relationship with your clothes and think about your own style – customizing and exchanging clothes can be far more fulfilling and is more eco-friendly. Go slow 2. So you’ve heard of fast fashion, but these days it’s all about slow fashion, which promotes making responsible consumer choices by purchasing fewer; better quality clothes. The head of the London College of Fashion, Dr Frances Corner says: “We have to think more carefully before we buy, we have to buy fewer clothes anyway, and pay more for them – and not subsidise people who’re living sometimes on 15p a week so we can change our image all the time.” To join green brigade members such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett check The Soil Association. Stop supporting sweatshop fashion 3. It’s no secret that those made to pay the price for our fast fashion fixes are at the bottom of the clothing supply chain; a report by War on Want found workers in Bangladesh working 80 hours a week for 5p an hour. Follow the advice of eco designer Kate Fletcher, and make more ecological choices when it comes to fast fashion: “Fast isn’t free – someone somewhere is paying. Fast fashion is disconnected from everything, from poverty wages to climate change. Slow fashion is not time based; it’s about producing, designing and consuming better.” Make a bid to stop sweatshop fashion at marieclaire.co.uk/stopsweatshopfashion. Buy classic pieces that last 4. According to the Ecologist, the average woman spends £13,000 over a lifetime on clothes she doesn’t wear. Martin Hearson from Labour Behind the Label says: “We don’t want you to stop buying clothes, but if you buy them cheaply on the high street you are buying clothes made by workers whose rights are not respected. You are a stakeholder in the companies you buy from, and you should challenge them to do more to protect workers rights.” Buy classic pieces that last and you’ll provide less support for the sub-standard working conditions. Choose eco-brands 5. Proving that eco fashion can be as chic as it is green, Marie Claire has compiled a list of their 10 best Eco fashion brands at London Fashion Week, where they offer an environmental choice to fashion conscience women. Recycle 6. As much as two million tonnes of consumer clothing waste is generated in the UK each year; two thirds of that is sent to landfill sites whilst a mere 16% is recovered and recycled. By becoming more aware and educating others of our throwaway culture we can make an effort to reduce waste and send unwanted clothes to well receiving charities. Upcycle 7. With The ‘Primark Effect’ having a huge impact on the world of consumerism, we now recycle only a fraction of our wardrobes. Go one step further than recycling an old T-shirt into a dust rag, by following new initiative ‘upcycling’ which promotes transforming disposable items into things of greater use and value. Make use of your unwanted pieces and refashion them into other garment. It’s cool to care 8. By pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion and proving that it’s cool to care, eco-pioneer Katherine Hamnett was in 2007 named as one of Drapers great British Fashion Icons. According to the magazine: “Hamnetts impact extends beyond slogans into her utility-based, youth driven designs that are now helping to gentrify the fashion credentials of organic cotton, and she remains outspoken and hugely active in her campaigning for a greener world.” We heart eco-chic! Choose companies who care 9. There has been a surge in concern for fair-trade and ethically aware products – The Ecologist reported recently that the market for organic textiles in the UK is growing at 50% a year. Benefit people and planet by making informed choices about your purchases. Buy your basics from companies that care – Marks and Spencer was amongst the first retailers to introduce organic cotton ranges and policies against particular materials and treating. According to Oliver Horton at Drapers: “Consumers will become more knowledgeable and more interested in what they are buying. Easy access to information via the internet will give shoppers a greater insight into the products they buy, including their production process and history.” Paint the world with eco-love! 10. Don’t let your eco-conscience stop at clothing. If you’ve given your home a makeover but been left with excess paint, don’t leave it to gather dust in the garage and instead donate it to someone else’s living space or community walls. Visit Community RePaint to find out more. Go for eco designers 11. Eco-friendly products and materials were previously considered to be unfashionable but today, eco-friendly fashion has entered the mainstream with big fanfare, and even celebrities are advocating the use of eco-friendly fabrics and materials. Clear you conscience and look to contemporary labels such as Gary Harvey, People Tree, Shyam Narayan Prasad, Orsola de Castro, Mark Liu and Nitin bal Chauhan for your eco-fashion fix. Talk about it 12. The future of fashion lies in the hands of the next generation of industry players. [...]

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How to Pack for your Holiday

Hannah Eichler — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:02:27 +0000

Holiday packing We’ve all experienced the sense of mild panic that comes when packing for a holiday. However, it does get easier. Now relax…deep breaths…. The fact is, whether you’re being whisked away for a romantic long weekend or a fortnight in the sun, the principals of good holiday packing remain the same. Follow these simple guidelines for perfect holiday packing, stress free! Sun, Sea and Sand – A girly getaway Need we say more..? Lay everything out on the bed and visualise your different looks. Be ruthless with the editing process. Follow the ‘three tops to one bottom’ rule. Repeat – be ruthless. Roll; don’t fold your clothes into the suitcase – they really do crease less. Pack anything with leaking potential in a plastic bag. The sight of your favourite dry-clean-only dress dripping with shampoo doesn’t bear thinking about. Pack dresses and jeans at the bottom of the case with their ends hanging out on either side of the case. Tops and smaller bits go in the middle and the longer ends wrap over the top, thus creating the fabric equivalent of a spring roll. Save on space by packing underwear and swimwear into your shoes. If you’re off on a girly getaway, you don’t all need to take straighteners. Agree in advance who’s taking what. You won’t need too much makeup in the sun – invest in a good non oily moisturiser, mascara and add a touch of blusher. Cheap luggage looks cheap. What’s more it doesn’t last. Head to John Lewis for a good selection of wheeled flight bags and suitcases or flex some serious plastic at Mulberry. If you’re flying, take your jewellery on board. It’s just not worth the risk. A romantic weekend away He’s just announced he’s whisking you away to the Cotswolds for a weekend of candlelit dinners and country walks. Play it safe and think casual chic. Be sure to pack: Your favourite jeans A trench coat: the essential cover-up and perfect if it’s raining or windy and a good bet for evening. A chunky knit and cashmere cardy A go-anywhere dress – a shirt dress can be played down during the day and glammed up for evening. Two good basic tees. Try Gap or American Apparel. Pumps or flats Your favourite heels And not forgetting…this is the perfect occasion for that Mulberry Weekender you’ve had your eye on A five-day European city break Barcelona, Prague, Paris… a haven of sightseeing, café culture, evenings out, and shopping. In terms of your clothes think elegant, cool, and comfortable. Here’s what you’ll need: Linen trousers to keep you cool while looking chic Your favourite jeans Two strappy camisoles or cotton tees (for daywear and eveningwear) A go-anywhere dress as before A light and airy shirt or blouse A chunky knit for breezy afternoons or chilly evenings A lightweight jacket that works with denims and a dress Wedges, comfy enough for daywear and glam enough for a night out Cute pumps for working those art galleries, cathedrals, (and shops) Jackie O style sunglasses A spare bag for your new purchases Two weeks in the Med It happens every time – returning from beach hols with half the contents of our suitcase left unworn. Plan ahead – less is more. The key is to mix and match. Go for beach babe and team up whites with brights and go for solid colours which are easy to coordinate. For optimum mileage pack a tube of Travel Wash (available from supermarkets and chemists) and hand wash your favourite pieces. Here’s what you’ll need: A big wide-brimmed hat from Top Shop or Accessorize Three bikinis Two kaftans. Great for lunches, beach bars, and covering up in the midday heat One sarong. The most versatile item in your suitcase morphs effortlessly into sheet, wrap, towel, skirt… A selection of vests and camis – they go with everything and glide seamlessly from day to night Flip-flops and thong sandals A simple white sundress looks cool and sexy, particularly with a tan. A mini or lightweight skirt A cardy just in case, God forbid, the weather turns. That’s it – now all you need to do is refer to our travel section Bon voyage!

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How to Dress For City Breaks

Victoria Stevenson — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:27:42 +0000

City breaks, so chic… Until, that is, you step off the plane and suddenly feel like a fashion dunce. I know I’m not alone in this. That feeling you get when you visit another city and suddenly feel like you can’t dress. That jarring sensation when you step out in Barcelona in the favourite outfit you put together in Bristol. Your clothes feel clumsy. You feel like a teenager arriving at the school disco, realising that you’ve got it so wrong, again. All your illusions of a sense of personal style go out the window, and you feel like an impressionable fifteen-year-old again. But perhaps we’re too hard on ourselves. Perhaps this phenomenon is akin to that of people’s accents changing when they’ve been living somewhere else for a while. Apparently this means you have a musical ear – you become ‘in tune’ with the voices you hear around you. Similarly, if your style changes a bit when you go somewhere new, rather than suggesting you have all the poise and self-assurance of a fickle teenager, it means you have a sensitive eye and an appreciation of the nuances of style. Style is a personal thing, and should express your individuality but not necessarily your stoicism! So, if traipsing around Helsinki or Houston or Honolulu has an impact on you, so too should it have a little impact on how you dress. The trick is not to start desperately trying to copy the locals. You won’t be able to pull it off like they do, because no matter how much you love, say, Rome, you are not Roman (unless, of course, you actually are. Ciao!). When in Rome, do not take clichéd sayings too literally. In foreign cities, you really have two choices: 1- Go back to basics, at least until you find your feet. Think subtle. Wear classics with accents – things that have inspired you on your travels. A classic black, figure-hugging jersey dress, for example, can be accessorised to fit the mood of most places. Play around with what’s in your suitcase; use your new perspective to breath new life into your already well-loved wardrobe. 2- Ditch subtlety. Yes, you’re a foreigner. Yes, you’re different. Yes, people are staring (though I think that’s just because they’re not repressed Brits). See this as an opportunity to be The Exotic Stranger. Wear things you’d never have the confidence to wear at home, safe in the knowledge that you’ll never see any of these people again. Now is the time to whip out that 80s playsuit. And going bra-less is oh-so-continental… Now, here’s the crux: when all’s said and done, the absolutely most important sartorial advice anyone has ever given me rings truer for city breaks than anything else – wear comfortable shoes. Happy jet-setting! xxx Tips for shopping abroad: Don’t forget who you are and what you like. I once narrowly avoided spending half a month’s salary on a huge, bright yellow, diamante-encrusted watch in Bergerac, and only the advice from a – thank God – more sensible friend stopped me. They’re not really known for their style in Bergerac… Have a think about what you might want and where you might find it before you go. This will keep you out of H&M when you get there. Before you buy something, imagine wearing it at home. That white linen jacket might seem tres chic in Saint Tropez, but will you feel like your mother wearing it in Tesco? Buy accessories. Accent pieces are lovely little reminders of your holiday, and build on your own style without swamping it. Raid flea markets for things no one will have at home. Go wild. They’re cheap as chips, so if you end up with a horror, who cares? And you might just get yourself an utter gem. Keep your eyes open and pick up tips. If you love the styles you’re seeing around you, incorporate elements into your own look. Go home and take full credit. Who will know?!

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Affordable Fashion Tips

Jenna Elsby — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:25:34 +0000

How to build an affordable, original and fashion forward wardrobe As a follower of fashion, it can at times be difficult to keep up with the constant flux of trends. Each passing season dictates the new ‘must have’ items to be seen in – bringing with them a hefty price tag and rendering your existing wardrobe seemingly worthless. With throw-away fashion being one of our generations greatest vices, the challenge, therefore, lies in how to remain stylish whilst maintaining some sort of ethical standing and not breaking the bank. Here are five easy steps to bear in mind: ‘Out with the old, in with the new’: Each season should start with a ritualistic ‘wardrobe cleanse’, which is where you sift through your closet and bag up any items you have not worn in 12 months or over, ready to give to charity. This exercise has never been more worth while, as M&S and Oxfam have now teamed up in the Clothing Exchange project to encourage people to donate unwanted items to a worthy cause. When you give a bag of clothes to Oxfam, provided one item is from M&S, Oxfam will in return give you a £5 voucher off your next trip to M&S. With a whole host of fashion forward items available, this provides the ultimate guilt-free way to shop! Investment buying: Rather than constant splurges in Primark or H&M, why not save and spend that little bit more on items made to last. Mulberry handbags, for example, are built to stand the test of time and will see you through every season with seamless style. Internet/Market shopping: There are some bargains to be found when you shop around. Pret-a-portobello is a fantastic website that enables you to buy vintage style items from the comfort of your own home. An online Portobello market experience, you can even barter with stall vendors for that ultimate fashion deal. Perfect for gypsy dresses and hundreds of accessories, this is a great way to build a truly original wardrobe. Clothes swap evenings: A girly night with a difference. Put the wine on chill, lay out the snacks and pump out the Aretha Franklin tunes to your hearts content! Each girl must bring with them 10 items from their wardrobe that they no longer want. If everyone plays by the rules you will all have a whole host of handbags, belts, shoes and clothes to choose from. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure after all. Lastly, do not forget the art of ‘Mix and Match’: It is surprising just how much new life you can breath into tired items by simply partnering them up with something different. Old t-shirts can look fantastic with a wide leather belt, for a cinched waist effect, and old dresses can be good as new when worn over skinny jeans and killer heels. Be a bit experimental here and remember that when worn with confidence and a smile they will be sure to look fabulous.

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POP or IMAP? A Guide to Email Account Settings

Alison Walker — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:48:25 +0000

If you have an email address with your ISP (internet service provider), or any other non-web based email accounts, you can set it up so that your messages are downloaded onto your PC. There are various email clients (programs) that you can use for this. Before you can set up an email address you will need a note of some settings for your account: POP/POP3 Short for Post Office Protocol – this is the most common protocol used by email clients for retrieving messages. It allows users to leave messages on the remote server to be downloaded onto more than one machine or remove them from the server immediately so that they only exist on the user’s machine. IMAP Short for Internet Message Access Protocol – this is an alternative method of retrieving email messages, which retains all messages on the server until the user deletes them. You would normally be able to use either POP3 or IMAP within your email client, but the majority of ISPs will only support one of these – most likely POP3. SMTP Short for Simple Message Transfer Protocol – this is the protocol used to send messages – it specifies the recipients of the message and the message text itself. When setting up an email address, you will be required to enter the incoming and outgoing servers to be used for your messages – these will normally be: pop.mail.yourdomain.com and smtp.mail.yourdomain.com – however, your ISP will provide all of the relevant details in your account information. It is also sometimes possible to access HTTP email through an email client – this could be for, example,a Hotmail account – you would have live access to the server at all times, and deleting an email on your machine would also delete it from the server. HTTP Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol – this is the protocol used for web pages – you will have noticed that web addresses always begin with “http://” – this specifies to your computer how the data should be interpreted. Port Numbers One of the terms you will see in your email account settings is Port Numbers – for the most part you will not need to make any changes to these, however, some ISPs use non-default ports for sending emails through to help ensure a measure of security (avoiding spam sending etc). Each computer (and server) has a large number of ports through which data travel, depending on the destination of the data, or the kind of data involved. In regard to emails, the default ports used are network port 25 for sending emails via SMTP, and network port 110 for receiving emails via POP3. Some email providers, such as Yahoo! require you to use network port 587 for outgoing SMTP mail instead – other providers may use different ports. Again, if you need to use a non-default setting, your ISP / email provider will give you the correct settings. Typical Email Settings Email address: joe.bloggs@yourdomain.co.uk Password: mypassword Incoming mail server: pop.mail.yourdomain.co.uk OR mail.yourdomain.co.uk Outgoing mail server: smtp.mail.yourdomain.co.uk OR mail.yourdomain.co.uk

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How to Zip up a Dress by Yourself

Kia Harley Cannons — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:10:55 +0000

This simple tip uses items you’ll have around and means you no longer need to strain your shoulders trying to zip up the back of your top or dress yourself (or rely on grabbing a passing stranger when there’s no one else no one else around to help you!). Tools required: Large safety pin, length of ribbon/string approx 1m long Difficulty rating: 2 Can be done by one person Timescale: 2 minutes Step 1: Tie one end of ribbon/string through the circular end of the safety pin, tying a knot to secure it in place Step 2: Secure the safety pin through the hole in your zipper Step 3: Put the dress on Step 4: Hold onto the string and slowly pull it upwards – your zipper will zip itself completely up Step 5: Reach behind the nape of your neck and undo the safety pin carefully and remove it from your dress

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How to Choose a Computer

Kamran Riaz-Mohammed — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Choosing a computer Buying a computer can be daunting experience when you’re a technological novice. If you believe theTV adverts, it can be as easy as walking into your nearest retailer, where a friendly salesperson will talk about the deal of the week and before you know it, you are walking out of the shop with a brand new computer, without understanding what it does or whether it was value for money. So before you purchase a PC you should consider the three W’s: Wallet What Where WALLET What you spend is what you will get – in other words the greater your budget, the more features the computer will have. So ask yourself, what will you be using thecomputer for? Do you want a desktop PC, laptop or even an Apple Mac? Desktop PCs Desktop PCs are by far the most popular systems bought by consumers. Whether they are branded or unbranded, they fall into three categories: Budget – PCs for first time users that will perform basic everyday tasks from word processing and emailing to watching DVDs, downloading music and creating CDs. Cost: from £300 Mid range – These computers are built to handle both home office and multimedia tasks and target buyers who want a little extra for their money. Cost:from £450 High performance – For those wanting real power at their finger tips – these systems will cover all of the above and more with state of the art graphics and sound. While these are great for technical and creative purposes, they are for advanced users who know exactly what they want. Cost: from £600 Pros and Cons Support networks for PCs are extensive, which means if you ever have problems with your computer, then you’ll always be able to find help on the high street, online/telephone or at smaller specialist wholesale shops. Prices are highly competitive when it comes to software and hardware, so upgrades are becoming much cheaper and there is greater choice. On the downside, however, the widespread use of the Windows operating system on PCs, means that users are exposed to more attacks from hackers and viruses, so it would be wise to invest in quality security software – anti-virus and firewall packages. (See our article for further info on internet security Laptops Laptops are the way to go for those that are looking for a portable solution and this is reflected in their cost, though budget laptops are now widely available for around £400. The important things to consider in terms of features are: size, weight, wireless capability and battery life. In order to go wireless your laptop must be Wi-Fi enabled – most modern systems have a built-in internal connection or you can add a PC (PCMCIA) card. To surf the web from any room in your home, you will need access to the Internet either through DSL or Cable and a wireless-router. If you are on the move, then just make your way to your nearest wi-fi hot spot, which can include coffee shops and hotels. It’s a good idea to compare different branded systems by searching reviews and forums on the Internet to find out how other consumers rate laptops and this will give you an idea on what to avoid and what to go for. Pros and Cons The obvious benefit of a laptop is that they don’t take up much space and you can use them anywhere at home or when you are travelling – just remember to keep your battery charged! Despite the improved build quality of laptops today, you still have to be careful. Heavy knocks can cause damage to the screen, internal devices, hinges and locks. As well as this they are prone to faults, as result of overheating which can cause crashes. High specmodels have extra fans to cool them down, but that in turn increases the noise level. Apple Mac Apple Mac computers (macs) are known for their cutting edge technology and for their stunning looks. The people who are mostly likely to buy these systems are those who work in creative industries and experienced PC users who want to make the switch. Macs have their own operating system, as opposed to the majority of PCs, which use Windows. As well as this, every aspect of a Mac, from its hardware to software are specifically designed for them, whereas PC manufacturers will use arange of generic components. Pros and Cons Compared with a PC, Apple Mac computers tend not to be as vulnerable to viruses, because less people use them and so they are not targeted as much. So in one sense, users can benefit from this exclusivity, but this comes at a price. Macs cost more to buy. For example the entry level Mac Mini will cost the same as mid range PC, and does not include a monitor, keyboard or mouse. Maintenance is another issue, because parts and labour charges also tend to be higher than PCs. WHAT Getting value for money should be your priority, so do some research first, before you enter a shop and keep these points in mind. Sales people often count on the fact that you have very little knowledge and aim to bamboozle you into submission with fancy technological terms. They are there to sell and meet their targets for the week, which means pushing products that will yield them the greatest profit, rather than necessarily meeting your requirements. A typical sales pitch is designed to impress, but will only include the minimal amount of information that is needed to secure a deal. Look out for buzz-words such as: “special deal” – “highly recommended” – “popular”. Be wary of computers that are described in this way, as some of them could be older end of line products, which the store is trying to offload. You don’t have to be an expert, but knowing the basics will help you get a computer that will suit your needs… Processors Processors are the computer’s [...]

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Guide to Choosing an MP3 player

Steve Adams — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:17:56 +0000

These days, music is everywhere. Walk down the high street, or take a journey on a train, and practically everybody is wearing earphones, nodding along to their favourite songs, or listening to their latest podcast download. The advent of the MP3 has made music much more portable and people are taking advantage. MP3 players are as common these days as mobile phones, and mobile phones are even playing them these days. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, it really is about time you did! Buying an MP3 player is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Previously there were only one or two brands that were any good, and portable video wasn’t even thought of. In the last few years MP3 players have come a long way, and can be pretty confusing to someone just looking for something to play their favourite album on. Here’s what you need to know to find the perfect MP3 player for you. The Basics We’ll assume that you’ve already got a PC/laptop or a Mac, and you’re familiar enough with how to use it. You will also need know the basics of what an MP3 actually is… A quick guide to MP3s An MP3 is a music file stored on your PC or Mac (ie electronically). It can be read by a huge number of programs on your PC, and also by portable MP3 players. There are also other types of music files that exist on a computer and some MP3 players (and therefore perhaps one you might buy) may not play these files. WMA (Windows Media Audio) A WMA file is a music file, essentially the same as an MP3, which will only play on Windows Media Player. This is important to know because, although a lot of MP3 players have made adjustments and will play WMA files, some won’t (the iPod doesn’t, for example). If you’ve used Windows Media Player to transfer your music CD’s to your computer, then they’ll certainly be in a WMA format, so make sure you get an MP3 player to deal with that. If you do come across a file that doesn’t work on your new MP3 player, have a look online for a program to change it to an MP3; they’re not hard to find and usually free. Connecting your MP3 player to your PC Your MP3 player will plug into your computer using USB and in some cases will charge itself this way too. This is the same connection as your digital camera, printer, and a lot of other devices, and any computer bought after 1998 will have it. You’ll get the cable to use it in the box. If your computer doesn’t have USB, then you should give very serious consideration to buying a new one, as you’re already over 10 years out of date! So, having covered the basics lets move on. What do you actually want? This is a deeper question than it sounds. MP3 players these days do more than just play music. You can watch videos on them, play games, store addresses, and pretty much run your life if you want. So do you want an MP3 player that will just play music, or do you want to watch video too? Are looks important to you? Thankfully most MP3 players these days look great, but some prefer functionality to looks. How many songs do you actually want to store? A few, or your entire CD collection? Also, think about where you’ll want to use your MP3 player. Some people want to use them in the gym, which is fine, but some MP3 players use hard drives. A hard drive is what stores the information in your computer, and at its most basic level is like a record player – a disc with a needle reading and writing information to it. These can be damaged by a lot of movement (for example, running) so they should be avoided if you want to use an MP3 player that will be moving a lot (walking around is fine). If that’s what you need look for, MP3 players with Flash memory instead (ie no moving parts). Decide what you need before setting out on your quest. What do all those numbers mean then? A crash course in computer memory An MP3, or any file, takes up a certain amount of space. On average (based on a 3-4 minute song) an MP3 file will be approximately 4 Megabytes (or 4MB) in size. Why do you need to know this? Well, MP3 players have different storage sizes. The storage used to be measured in Megabytes, but we’ve now moved onto Gigabytes (GB) which store much more, thanks to video and people wanting to store their entire CD collection. Cheaper and flash memory based MP3 players still use 256MB and 512MB of storage, which is fine if you want something basic and just want to hold an album or two. Working on an average of 4MB per song then, you would get approx: 60 songs on 256 MB 120 songs on 512MB 250 songs on 1 GB of memory You can work out the rest yourself, as memory starts going up in increments of 1 GB each time. These rules are not hard and fast, as some songs last longer than others, and the higher the quality of the song, the more memory it’ll take up.Video is a whole different ball game, and takes up a lot more memory per video file, but luckily those MP3 players have higher storage to make up for it. So work out how many songs you’d roughly like to have on your player, and go from there. If you really need an average, go for 30GB players. However, be aware that this might be overkill or not enough, especially if you want video. Where should you buy an MP3 player? Don’t discount the power of the internet when buying electronics. There will be some of you who simply [...]

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How to Travel Solo

admin2 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:38:40 +0000

Why travel alone? It might be daunting at first… but travelling alone can be fun, invigorating and a big confidence builder. The best thing is that you are in control of where you go; no compromises and no arguments. Intrepid travel writer Dr. Jill Nash reviews several top destinations that are solo-travel friendly and provides some tips to help keep you safe. Which countries are solo-travel friendly? Japan, USA, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Thailand, Western Europe (i.e. Italy, Spain, Greece, and France) are among the best destinations for travelling alone. It’s best to avoid romantic and honeymoon destinations like the Maldives and stick to countries where they specialise in an activity you can get involved in, i.e. mountaineering in Canada or surfing in Costa Rica. Those listed above are generally regarded as ‘safe’ places with low crime rates and established travel routes. Getting to and travelling around these places is easy and there are plenty of locally based, established travel companies to help you plan your itinerary. These countries also have a local British embassy office at hand if you find yourself in trouble. Check out the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office for more information. They are also reasonably priced destinations as sometimes travelling alone can levy ‘single supplement’ charges which is both frustrating and costly to solo travellers. Tips Plan ahead and research where you are going, even if you don’t have a fixed itinerary you should at least book your first nights’ accommodation and do some background reading. Check out guidebooks from publishers Luxury Backpackers or Lonely Planet. Keep to your itinerary and leave a copy of it at home with a trusted friend or family member. Also a good idea is to download it along with emergency contacts and copies of your visa etc to www.mytravelcompanion.com. Wear or carry something that might be a conversation starter – like a funny t-shirt. This can be a great way to meet new people and other like-minded travellers. Smile and look confident. Stay out of dark alleys and remote areas – take an official tour guide with you where you can. Don’t wear anything that spells out ‘I’m a tourist – mug me’ like bling jewellery, expensive designer stuff – keep anything like that at home and always keep things locked in a safe in your hotel. Dress modestly, stick to local codes of dressing, i.e. don’t wear beach shorts and a vest around main cities/airports, this just attracts a lot of unwanted attention. Wear a fake wedding band if you want to pretend, it stops guys chatting you up. Be wary of new-found ‘friends’. Don’t tell strangers where you are staying or give out too many details about your travel plans. Leave details of your plans with your hotel or guesthouse. Make sure when you go out you know how to get back. Some guesthouses can give you cards that show you how to get back, this is especially needed if you are in Japan where language can pose a problem. Never accept car rides from strangers or hitchhike. Ask the local guesthouse to recommend a taxi firm and, when possible, try to double up with someone you know when travelling by taxi. Alcohol can affect your judgement and your ability to react. Be careful with how much you consume, and be watchful of strangers offering you free food & drink, which could be ‘spiked’ check-out the Drink Spike Detector Take a journal and record all your travel experiences – you can always share this with people back home Learn a few extra local phrases –like ‘Leave me alone!’ ‘My husband or partner will be here in a minute!’ and ‘Go away!’ Stay in regular touch with people back home. Set up a web-based email account or use social connection websites such as ‘myspace’ or ‘facebook’ – but again be careful with how much personal information you post on these sites, as they could be used to target your home while you are away. Meeting people… Meet the locals? If you have planned to participate in learning to surf or scuba dive, then you can meet locals on these activities. Meeting other fellow travellers? Book a short day trip, that is activity based, such as an organised cooking classes, wine tasting, walking or a longer trip like 3 days sailing or island hopping. Take a pack of cards; sit near friendly looking people, if the hotel hosts a ‘welcome drink party’. Then join in. Dining out Avoid romantic places! Eating at dimly lit places full of couples will make you feel more alone than ever. Look for places that are quite busy and more importantly where other people are dining alone. A good place to go is a bar or a pub because you can then dine at the bar and engage is conversation with the staff or better still with other travellers. Sushi bars / entertainment restaurants where you all sit together and are engaged by the chef are also fun or night markets and bazaars in Asia, where crowds of travellers hang-out together. Take a good book or magazine or your travel journal.

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Leeds City Guide

EmmaBragg — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:27:29 +0000

Leeds city guide Leeds has a great deal to offer anyone looking for a cosmopolitan break in the UK. As well as being the only English city outside London with its own repertory theatre, opera house and ballet companies it has a large selection of designer shops and a vibrant nightlife. Getting there… Leeds is at the centre of a busy motorway network, has an international airport and a busy city centre train station, making it one of the most accessible cities in the UK. The motorway benefits the city with excellent connections in all directions with the M1 and A1 linking it to the north and south and the M62 linking it with the east and west. Getting around Leeds Leeds is fairly easy to navigate with the main shopping area at its centre and the majority of hotel chains near or around the loop road; but, to save yourself time gaining your bearings, pick up one of the city maps. These, as well current information on local events and attractions, can be found at the Leeds Visitor Information Centre located at the train station. Because of its size and layout getting around the city, especially if taking in the museums, can be exhausting. It’s an idea to take advantage of the free city bus service that provides complimentary travel around the city centre. This is especially useful on days where the weather is not too good or when your feet are still recovering from the night before. Accommodation The best way to make the most of what Leeds has to offer is by staying in one of the centrally located hotels. The Hilton, Bewleys, Crowne Plaza and Park Plaza are all examples of medium priced hotels within walking distance from the city centre. If looking for more of a budget hotel Leeds also has an Ibis and several Premier Inns. Another option is the centrally located Roomzzz serviced apartments with prices ranging from £51-£80 per night room only. Culture and history While in Leeds why not take a look at what will be showing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Considered one of Britain’s most exciting producing theatres it has established a reputation both nationally and internationally. The newly refurbished Leeds City Art Gallery is a free entry attraction and houses a large collection of contemporary work including work by Turner and Henry Moore and has regular special exhibitions. The Henry Moore Institute is located next to the gallery and has historic and contemporary sculpture on display. Located near Millennium Square within the city centre is the Leeds City Museum. Exhibitions at the Museum include the Life on Earth Gallery, The Leeds Story Gallery and Ancient Worlds Gallery. As well as the permanent exhibitions there is also a changing programme of special exhibitions. Admission to the museum is free and the recommended time you allow for a visit is one to three hours. The Royal Armouries Museum houses a world-famous collection of arms and armour numbering over 8,000 exhibits, including some of Britain’s oldest armour and military equipment. As well as the exhibits there are live action events and costumed demonstrations to enjoy. Alternative entertainment Another attraction worth a visit while in Leeds is Tropical World, one of the UK’s most popular garden tourist attractions. It is home to one of the largest collections of tropical plants outside Kew Garden as well as meerkats, butterflies, birds and iguanas. If, after hours of shopping and taking in all that Leeds has to offer, you want to spend some much needed time relaxing, why not unwind at Waterfall Spa, the luxury ladies only day spa. They have a number of different packages and treatments to offer and are sure to make you feel pampered. Festivals and events One of the most well-known events in Leeds is the Leeds Festival. This music festival typically takes place around the August Bank Holiday and sees festival-goers flock to the city in thousands. Tickets sell-out well in advance so if you are interested be prepared to be well-planned. Previous line-ups have included Radiohead, Kings Of Leon and The Prodigy. The annual Leeds International Film Festival, now in its 23rd year, takes place in November at a variety of venues across the city. Shopping The central pedestrian shopping area is located on Brigate and Commercial Street where you will find Borders, Debenhams, Next, River Island, Top Shop and Faith to name a few. Near hear you will also find Thorton’s Arcade and Queen’s Arcade as well as The Victorian Quarter. The Victorian Quarter houses a number of exclusive designer stores including Louis Vuitton, Karen Millen, Paul Smith and Ted Baker. Whether within your budget or not, a walk around these exclusive shops is a must, besides anything else you won’t be able to resist a glance at some of the price tags. There are also several shopping centres located in and out of the city centre. The Light – located near Primark and offers designer clothing and several restaurants and bars, including Bagel Nash, ideal for a break from shopping. The White Rose Shopping Centre – offers the convenience of late night shopping and offers a range of high street stores within close proximity of one another. Clarence Dock – described as Leeds’s newest and most exciting shopping and leisure destination, located a 10 minute walk from the city centre shops include All Saints and G Star as well as Prada. Eating out For lunch head to The Light shopping centre. Here you will have a choice of Nandos, Browns, Cafe Rouge and Bagel Nash. A tasty alternative is to head upstairs in Harvey Nichols where you will find Yo Sushi. For evening meals Park Row and Greek street have a number of good options. La Tasca serve Spanish tapas in an intimate setting with a real Mediterranean feel. Slug and Lettuce and Prohibition both serve simple bar meals at reasonable prices alternatively The Living Room is a [...]

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East Coast Australia Guide

Jen Dexter — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:15:07 +0000

Life is for Living! If you are a first-time traveller then you can guarantee that Australia’s East Coast will welcome you with open arms and break you into that enlightened state of being that traveling the world will offer you! But first, a word of warning. Are you really ready for the relaxed and easy-going lifestyle, the vast miles of white sandy coastline, the crystal clear waters of the great Barrier reef, the masses of like-minded backpackers from across the globe and the exhilarating freedom to explore a new way of being? Too right you are! After all, life is for living! Where to start Fly into the cosmopolitan delight that is Sydney and aim to travel your way up to Cairns in Northern Queensland (or vice versa, flying into Cairns and traveling down the coast). This is the typical traveler route, and you will be greeted with around 3000km of gorgeous destinations and hot-spots along the way, perfect for meeting lots of people whether you are traveling alone or in a group. Suggested beauties! The whole of the East Coast is full of great places to stop off and explore and is extremely backpacker-friendly so there’s no real need to make a plan of where you are going to visit and when – half the fun of traveling is the spontaneity! However, there are some places that are just too good to be missed. Sydney Think of Australia and think of the Opera House? That’s certainly one of the many images that rushes into my head. Head down to Circular Quay where you can view the Opera House and Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge. Wander through the quaint art shops around The Rocks and stroll through the Royal Botanical gardens where you may see cockatoos and fruit bats (flying foxes) hanging from the trees. Head to the Aquarium near the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge for an insight into Australia’s marine life of sharks, rays, seals and maybe you will find Nemo! Sydney is also home to the well known Bondi Beach, though be prepared to expect hauls of tourists and gimmicky paraphernalia. Blue Mountains Approximately 100km east of Sydney allows you to take a step into Australia’s stunning wilderness. Catch the train to Katoomba – at the heart of the Blue Mountains, and spend the day bush walking around the forests and gazing across from Seven Sisters lookout at the blue haze rising up off the Eucalyptus trees. Information about organised bushwalks is available at the Katoomba Visitor Centre. Byron Bay Byron bustles with the energy of locals and travellers alike, while retaining its laid-back and care-free lifestyle. A great location to spend several days (weeks, or months) chilling out, learning to surf and partying till the sun rises up over the picturesque chalk-white lighthouse. Stroll up to Cape Byron – Australia’s most easterly point – and look out for dolphins and humpback whales (most frequently viewed in the months of June, July, September and November). Surfers Paradise Worth a stop even if it is just to tell yourself that you wont be visiting again. A beloved spot of Paris Hilton’s, need I say more. The skyscrapers and looming tower blocks resemble a 1990′s LA soap opera haunt, however the extensive sandy beach is worth the vision. If you do head to Surfers then October is a good time to visit, when the main streets are turned into a race circuit during four days for Australia’s own version of Formula One. Fraser Island The world’s biggest sand island formed over thousands of years from longshore drift, and home to dingoes (wild dogs). Hire a 4-wheel drive (available to organise through various hostels in Hervey Bay) and cruise around the island, stopping to camp for the night under the stars of the Southern hemisphere. Indian Heads is a must stop-off point; aim to arrive early hours of the morning (anytime from sunrise) where dolphins and Tiger Sharks can be seen swimming in the waters below. Sand-surf down the dunes, explore the rusted ship-wreck and swim in the cool refreshing clear waters of lake McKenzie. Whitsundays Fancy a few days sailing? You couldn’t wish for a better sailing trip than amongst the Whitsunday islands. Book a trip from one of the many travel agents and tour operators in Airlie Beach, ensuring that you tour includes Whitehaven Beach – designated high in the list of many people’s ‘Top 10 Beaches in the World’. Ultimate paradise! Cairns Head out to the Great Barrier Reef (Green Island is a good spot) for the scuba dive of your life. If scuba-diving isn’t your bag, then Cairns has plenty of shops, museums, galleries and local parks to visit. End your day in the infamous messy Woolshed that calls out to all budget backpackers and hedonists with its cheap drink offers and its flamboyant cheap-charm. Other must sees The list is endless… it includes wine tasting at Hunter Valley, Brisbane’s city-life charisma, and the gems that are Noosa, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach and Cape Tribulation. How to get around Transport along the east coast is so user-friendly and frequent for backpackers. There are hop-on hop-off coaches (Greyhound or the Oz-Experience for a more ’18-30′s package’ style) or look at buying a camper van to drive around in that you can sell on once you’re done. How long will it take? However long you wish! Realistically allow at least six weeks to get from Sydney to Cairns (although it is possible to do it in less time than this). My advice – the longer the better! You can get a three-month tourist visa, or if you are under 30 you can also apply for a one-year working visa (one per lifetime). Flights Flights from the UK start at around £700 return, and you can chose the convenience of flying into one city and out of another.

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An Introduction to Wine

Claudia Harkavy — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:46:11 +0000

Wine is undoubtedly gorgeous and great at lifting the spirits, but knowing how and what to choose can be a minefield to the uninitiated. Different people take different approaches to choosing a wine: for some, grape variety is paramount; for others, region takes priority; many select by style, for example, a “light, fresh, fruity white”, and others simply by price. Once you know about all of these, you can pick which factors are most important to you, or even take all of them into consideration when choosing wine. BASIC DISTINCTIONS White White grapes, flesh only. The flesh is pressed, separated from the skin, stalks and pips, and fermented in either stainless steel or oak. Red Black grapes. The flesh is pressed and left to ferment with the skins, which give colour and tannin to the liquid, and sometimes stalks and/or pips are added to give further tannin and flavour. Fermented in stainless steel or oak. Rose Black grapes (this is NOT a mixture ablack and white grapes, as is sometimes believed). The flesh is pressed and left for only a short time on the skins, so a paler, less intense colour than red wine is given to the liquid, with much less tannin. Organic In many (especially cheaper) wines, chemicals are added both to the vines as they grow (eg pesticides), and to the wine as it ferments to preserve the flavours. Truly organic wine uses no chemicals at all. A number of wines exist, however which use organic grapes but still add chemicals at fermentation. These cannot describe themselves as “organic wine” but can include “organic grapes” on the label. If a wine does this, rather than simply call itself “organic” which would be in its marketing interests, chances are chemicals will have been added at fermentation. Biodynamic Biodynamic wine uses astrology and phases of the moon to dictate its planting, growing and harvesting times processes. This might sound cranky but even the most hardened cynics have been unable to dispute the quality of wines made in this way – the pull of the moon, as it changes tide, for example, can make plants grow faster and fuller at particular times. Vegetarian and Vegan Most wines are made with a type of gelatin which comes from fish and is strictly, not vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarian and vegan wines are available, however, some of which are listed at this guide to vegan wine Grape Variety All grapes used for wine come from a species called vitis vinifera, which has spawned hundreds of varieties. Just as with apples, tomatoes and most other fruits, each variety has its own special characteristics. Different grape varieties have different inherent flavours, and react differently to their environment, altering the flavour. Wines of all qualities can either be made from a single variety (the most well-known being chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot) or a blend of several varieties. Read our handy reference guide to learn more about grape varieties. Sun All grapes need sun togrow. As with all fruit, more sun means more natural sugar content and a fuller fruit flavour (vines can only be grown between 30 and 50 degrees either side of the equator). Grapes tend to grow well on slopes facing the sun for as many hours of the day as possible. In warmer countries, the fruit can develop fuller, sweeter, jucier flavours, whilst in cooler climates the grape tends to pick up more of the mineral and earthy flavours from the soil. Water Grapes also need water, but not too much of it. Almost all grape varieties enjoy a struggle and produce better fruit for it. Too much water absorbed through the vine makes its way into the grapes, thus diluting the flavour – less water forces the vines to dig their roots deeper into the soil, thus picking up its flavours and elements. A good year for grapes, then, is one that provides no more than just enough rain for growth. Also, the higher up a slope the grapes are grown, the more water will drain away from the vine. Soil Different soil types not only contain different mineral elements picked up by the vines and transported to the grapes, but different irrigational properties. Since vines like to dig deep for water, the best soils are those through which water passes quickly, such as gravel, chalk and limestone. Vines do not like to get too cold, though, so soil which absorbs heat during the warm hours and radiates it back into the vines when the air temperature cools, is also beneficial. Different grape varieties are best suited to different soils: some are versatile and can grow almost anywhere (chardonnay, for example), while others are fussier and thrive only in particular conditions. The exact soil, along with the climactic conditions which affect it, in a particular location is known in the wine world as “terroir”: this is what gives vines, grapes and wines from specific regions their own unique characteristics. Read our guide to wine regions to learn more. Sugar Sugar levels in grapes (and therefore in wine) can change because of: the more sun, the sweeter the grape particularly for dessert wines, sometimes grapes are dried after they are harvested noblerot: a bacteria called botrytis which sucks water from the grape, leaving sugary flesh – a good thing for producing very sweet dessert wine. Alcohol in wine arises from the fermentation of sugar. Grapes with a naturally high sugar content can produce wine either that is sweeter (leaving some sugar unfermented) or that is higher in alcohol (fermenting all the sugar). All bottled wines display their alcohol content on the label, but alcoholic strength can also be seen by wine in the glass: swill the wine around the glass and, when the liquid has restored to its normal level, a clear, viscous substance will cling to the sides of the glass. This is known as the “legs” – the thicker [...]

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Marion’s Market Report – 7th October 2011

Marion Samson — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:01:23 +0000

Global Markets – week ending 7th October 2011 After a gloomy start, equity markets got a lift from signs that Europe was finally moving to support its flailing financial sector. Risk appetites improved as European leaders said they are considering further steps to shore up the banking system. The plethora of downgrades from Fitch and Moody’s had less of an impact on equities than on the euro. On the week, most equity indexes were positive. There was a geographic divide in central bank actions last week. While the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of Japan maintained their policies, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank eased to help their beleaguered banks. The Bank of England’s decision to expand its quantitative easing program (bigger and earlier than expected) and the European Central Bank’s decision to aggressively provide liquidity to euro system banks were positive steps forward. Positive economic data — including an upside surprise on U.S. jobs — also helped. US Equities were up last week in what can be characterized as nervous trading. Stocks veered between gains and losses in intraday trading as investors focused on the rhetoric from Europe regarding the sovereign debt crisis. As the week, ended, equities posted gains for the second consecutive week. A relatively upbeat U.S. jobs report helped to preserve buying interest ahead of the weekend. I European stocks ended a second straight positive week with modest gains on Friday supported by hopes that political leaders are getting serious about containing the region’s sovereign debt problems. Over the course of the week, markets became increasingly convinced that Germany and others will build a firewall around the banking sector to be used in the event that a Greek default sparks wider contagion. Investors were relieved to find that both the Bank of England and European Central Bank managed to find their separate ways of easing some financial market concerns The Bank of England pulled the trigger on additional quantitative easing ahead of most expectations by announcing an extra £75 billion worth of asset sales. This lifts the target to £275 billion. The planned increase in purchases, the first since the previous £200 billion ceiling was announced in November 2009, will again be financed with central bank reserves and executed through the Asset Purchase Facility (APF) over the course of the next four months. The Monetary Policy Committee left the bank rate unchanged at 0.5 percent where it has been since March 2009. The increase in the Quantative Easing ceiling reflects the Bank’s increasing concerns about the outlook for the domestic economy amid mounting evidence of slowing global growth. The announcement means that, since unilaterally breaking ranks in October 2010, Adam Posen’s longstanding call for extra Quantative Easing has finally been answered. Speculation about more Quantative Easing had been centered on the November Monetary Policy Committee meeting as this would have tied in with the release of the Bank of England’s quarterly Inflation Report so the move is not a complete surprise. How effective the new measures are remains to be seen but at least the initial response of the yield curve was to flatten around 10 basis points between 2-year and 30-year maturities. However, the decision initially sent the pound sterling sharply lower. Despite rallies on Thursday and Friday, most Asia Pacific indexes were lower last week. The notable exceptions were the All Ordinaries and Hang Seng which were up 3.8 percent and 0.7 percent respectively. The change in attitude from negative at the beginning of the week to positive was the result of fresh optimism that Europe is ramping up efforts to shore up its financial system and prevent another global banking crisis. Investment views in this document are taken from various sources and are intended to provide a general review of certain topics. The purpose is to inform but not recommend or support any specific investment course of action.

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Kids Money

Rachel Fixsen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:38:56 +0000

Child Trust Funds What are they? A tax-free type of savings and investment account introduced by the Government, whereby parents and other adults can save for a child’s future. Child Trust Funds can be opened for children born on or after September 1st, 2002. They’re meant to teach children about the value of saving money – as well as launching them into adult life with a lump sum. Free money! The Government gives parents of eligible children a £250 voucher to start the account, after they start receiving child benefit for that child. Children in households that get Child Tax Credit and have less than £14,155 coming in get an extra £250. And when the child turns seven, there’s another £250, or £500 in low-income households. There’s no tax on any interest or investment returns in a Child Trust Fund, and anyone can put money into it, including the child themselves as they get older. At 18 the child can get at the money, and use it however they please. Of course, the hope is that they’ll use it for something constructive, such as a training course, a deposit on a flat, a car or a computer. Teaching children about money Pocket money Giving your child pocket money at an early age will set them on the road to managing their own money well. Make it clear that this is their money. Resist telling them how to spend it; friendly guidance is fine, but let them make the ultimate decision where possible. Make sure the amount you give keeps up with their age and needs, but don’t be too influenced by how much other children are getting – or what your child says they’re getting! Encourage them to put some money away as longer-term savings, by setting a goal and something they might like the money for (say, spending money on holiday). Don’t make the goal too far off. Offer to match their savings. Let them earn money for jobs around the house, to show them the value of it. Set an example Children will base their attitude to money far more on your actions than anything you tell them. Show them that you can enjoy money by buying treats on days out, for example, but also mention it when you are choosing not to buy so you can save for some later event. The Personal Finance Education Group charity suggests some activities you can do with your children to teach them about money. Making a will If you have children, it’s important to make a will so your money and assets will be divided in the best possible way when you die. If you were to die while they were still young, for example, the money would need to be held in trust for them until they were adult. Find a solicitor through the Law Society. The content of this article is intended for general information and personal use only. Nothing in this article should be construed as advice under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. ©2008 Rachel’s Guide to Money

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