The exercise trainer from American brand Skechers designed to get you in shape without setting foot in a gym has enjoyed phenominal success since its July launch, so with a series of Christmas dinners and the new year on its way, sales of Skechers Shape Up trainers have been soaring.
Intended for people with hectic lifestyles who have little time to enjoy sports or attend gym classes, Shape Ups were designed help to tone and strengthen the legs, buttocks, back and core muscles by mimicking the effects of barefoot walking.
They do this by combining a soft foam insole, dynamic rolling bottom and a dual density midsole. The soft foam insole allows the heel to sink into the shoe as you step, in the same way as walking on soft sand. The dynamic rolling bottom aids the foot in rolling from the heel and on to the forefoot, before pushing off with the toes. Meanwhile, the dual density midsole provides comfortable cushioning to protect your feet and joints from hard surfaces.
Wearing Skechers Shape Ups regularly whilst walking to work, doing the weekly shop or walking the kids to school will not only stronger muscles as well as a slender and more toned physique, but will also improve posture for even better long term health benefits.
Every year, growing numbers of people endeavour to get in shape as part of their New Years resolutions. So by making exercise more easily accessible and cost effective, Skechers Shape Ups are the perfect get fit quick solution.
For news, reviews, guides and the official Skechers Shape Ups clinical case study, visit Fitness Footwear, the web's #1 Skechers Shape Ups UK store.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Shape Ups for a New Years' Resolution
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts encourages Boxing Day bargain hunters to swap clothes for holidays
To capitalise on this change, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has launched a new set of special Winter breaks packages, providing 50% off over the winter season and a further 50% off stays during 2010. With a 50% discount on accommodation at any of its four and five star properties in the UK and Spain, the Winter Breaks offer is available on all leisure stays taken between 26 December 2009 and 8 March 2010.
As an added incentive to those who choose to book their break during the Boxing Day weekend, they will also receive automatic entry into a prize draw to win one of five one-week holidays in Spain.
The new Winter Break rates also include two children up to the age of 12 going free. The offers include a range of breaks, including The Macdonald collection, Winter sun, Winter Weekend Breaks, Winter City Breaks, and UK Breaks packages available through Macdonald Hotels & Resorts on bookings placed between 17 November and 30 December 2009 for stays between 26 December 2009 and 8 March 2010, excluding New Year.
Consumers Can Be in Credit this Christmas with 110 Cashback
Christmas is coming, and British consumers can earn bountiful rewards on their last minute gift shopping thanks to 110 Cashback ( http://www.110cashback.com ), a cash back site launched by Birmingham-based WOW Media UK Ltd and run by young entrepreneur, Matt Lovett. In these credit crunching times, 110 Cashback is unusual in paying out 110% of the commission earned by its users when they shop on its featured retailers’ websites.
It only takes a minute to register with 110 Cashback and then the user can start shopping with more than 500 listed retailers, including: Additions Direct, Adidas Shop, Auto Trader, ASDA, B&Q, Blacks, Butlins, Carphone Warehouse, CD-Wow, Champneys, Co-op Electrical Shop, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Sainsburys, PC World, Vodafone Small Business, and many more.
To earn cash back on their shopping, the user simply logs into 110 Cashback and clicks through to their chosen retailers’ sites. The online shopping they do is tracked using cookies, so 110% of the transaction value can be earned either as Amazon vouchers or Paypal funds, which can be withdrawn from 110 Cashback thirty days later.
There’s no ‘catch’ involved with using the system and no annual fee to pay: users simply pay a £2 transaction fee when they withdraw funds. Meanwhile, 110 Cashback helps retailers by providing access to a vast database of shoppers who are spending on products and services in these difficult times.
Matthew Lovett, young entrepreneur and founder of WOW Media UK Ltd, comments: “Aimed at anyone who shops online and wants to save money, 110 Cashback offers a great level of 110% commission to the user, unlike rival sites that pay either 50% or 100% - i.e. we give back more than we earn on each transaction. Many rival cash back sites charge an annual £5 administration fee, whereas 110 Cashback only charges £2 when the user withdraws their funds. We make our money through site advertising and the £2 withdrawal fee, so we can offer a market-beating cash back deal. And we are adding new retailers to our roster every day.”
Lovett points out that one other website pays up to 110% cash back: however, the user must earn £200 with the site in the previous month to gain this rate. 110 Cashback gives the user 110% all the time, regardless of whatever they earn on their shopping. “Thanks to us, consumers can make their money stretch further this Christmas and they can use the funds they earn to enjoy Paypal and Amazon purchases in the New Year,” concludes Lovett.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Past Times. The future of your family Christmases for years to come
I have seen the next generation of much-treasured family Christmas heirlooms, courtesy of Times Past. It is a large glass bauble which contains a glass rocking horse.
It is described on the Past Times website as: “A beautiful commemorative Christmas bauble featuring a carefully hand spun rocking horse edged with red and gold.”
It has the worlds: “Christmas 2009 in gold writing on the globe, it has a gold organza ribbon to enable you to hang it from your Christmas tree. The website tells us that the price has fallen from £5.50 to £4.40. It's now an even bigger bargain than before!
If you buy this Christmas decoration you will not be disappointed.
And should you feel a little patriotic, then why not buy a fun Union Jack glass bauble from Times Past? It's a Times Past exclusive, so you won't get it anywhere else. It's a little bit retro and a lot of fun, comes complete with gold braid for hanging and at £7.50 is a must for anybody who likes the flag or the design!
For details of these and other Christmas products visit http://www.pasttimes.com
Monday, 7 December 2009
The World's Wackiest Christmas Gift Experience. Ever.
SET TO be the must-try experience of 2010, The World’s Wackiest Racers is an essential quirky Christmas gift for anyone game for a laugh in 2010.
The Worlds Wackiest Racers see participants thunder round a race track in the World’s fastest 87 mph sofa; fastest street-legal bed; the hottest hot desk or double-decker car as seen on BBC’s Top Gear.
For just £99 experience the weirdest ways to travel with this gift experience from www.exhilaration.co.uk.
Be chauffeured through country lanes in the World’s fastest street-legal bed. Thunder around a race track on an 87 mph sofa. Tame the Double Decker car (as seen on BBC’s Top Gear) and pull up a seat to the World’s fastest office. This truly is the weirdest and wackiest way to travel!
The World’s Hottest Desk
Jackets and ties are provided as you head for a chauffeured trip in a fully equipped office for three laps around the super fast raceway. Securely strapped in to your office chair you’ll have full use of the computers, conference table and water-cooler
The World’s Fastest Sofa
Shake up coach potatoes on this iconic leopard-skin print 87mph sofa
Double Decker Cruise
Get behind the wheel in a double decker car. Forget buses, imagine two cars, one on the roof of the other! You will either be the driver in the top car controlling the steering, or the driver in the bottom car controlling the pedals, totally barking and fantastic fun for half a mile!
Fast Asleep Bed Tour
Head out onto public roads for a five mile adventure tour, safely tucked up under your duvet. Your chauffeur will drive you through lovely British countryside and return you thoroughly relaxed. Nightcaps and hot water bottles provided!
And at the end of your wacky experience take a break in the Wacky Race Movie Theatre and see how some of the world’s wackiest cars are put through their paces, collect your certificate and get back to reality!
Parker and Waterman Pens, make an exciting Christmas
UNDER £200
Parker Premier
Featuring precious materials and expert craftsmanship, the Parker Premier bridges years of excellence with contemporary design. Highly regarded for her work with Fendi, Versace and Calvin Klein, it has been designed by Italian designer Beatrice Fontana, who has reinterpreted Parker’s rich heritage to create this stunning writing instrument. From its iconic arrow clip and solid gold nib to its tactile precious-metal grip, the Parker Premier is available in a number of high style finishes making it the perfect gift for a loved one. RRP £95-£285.
Waterman Perspective Black Chrome Trim Fountain Pen and Ballpoint set
Drawing inspiration from fine architecture, the Waterman Perspective is an exquisite and contemporary gift for your loved one this Christmas. Featuring an ultra-clean line, coupled with a chrome nib and trim, the pen is available in both fountain pen and ballpoint modes, and features in a special Christmas set, which comes complete with an ink bottle and presentation case. RRP £129 (Christmas set including both fountain pen and ballpoint modes).
UNDER £100
Parker Sonnet Stainless Steel Fountain Pen and Ballpoint set
Give the gift of a true fine writing experience with a Parker Sonnet Stainless Steel set, a modern classic that will always be of the moment. The brushed steel gives a deliciously tactile texture to the barrel and sets off the chrome-plated trim and nib perfectly. Modes available in the range include a fountain pen, roller ball, standard and slim ballpoints and a slim pencil. As an added extra this Christmas, choose from a 1GB memory stick, perfect for those on the go, or a letter opener for the more traditional recipient. RRP £59.00-£69.00 (Christmas set including both fountain pen and ballpoint modes).
Waterman Hémisphère
Featuring timeless lines, the Waterman Hémisphère Shimmery Pink set makes an ideal gift for a special lady this Christmas. Practical, discreet and slipping easily into a bag or diary, the exquisite design of the pen makes it the perfect accessory. Available in a range of modes, including fountain, ballpoint and roller ball, the range matches a gold or chrome nib with a barrel in steel, matt black, gold or metallic blue. The Waterman Hémisphère also comes in a cluster of sparkling finishes, including Comet Red, featuring a glowing starburst-like effect. Featuring in a special Christmas pack, complete with ink bottle set, the Waterman Hémisphère Shimmery Pink is the perfect way to give a loved one a touch of sparkle this Christmas.
RRP £69.00 (Christmas set including both fountain pen and ballpoint modes).
UNDER £50
Parker Urban Fountain Pen and Ballpoint set
The Parker Urban combines ergonomics with art to create a beautiful bullet shaped pen with perfect weight and balance. Ideal for people for whom image and quality are everything, the Parker Urban fountain pen and ballpoint are designed to impress and engineered to perform. The range features a diverse choice of stylish barrel finishes, including metallic, muted black and colourful lacquers. Special packages for Christmas include a fountain pen and ballpoint set. RRP £29.00
UNDER £20
Parker Vector
A pen you can always rely on to deliver pure Parker craftsmanship, the Parker Vector is an everyday classic. Available in fountain pen, roller ball, ballpoint and pencil modes, the Parker Vector features stainless steel nibs and trims, and is available in classic red, blue or black colourways. Alternatively, opt for a Christmas gift pack containing a duo of a fountain pen and ballpoint (RRP £13.99) or a combination of a ballpoint and mechanical pencil (RRP £12.99).
Parker Jotter
A household name, the Parker Jotter is loved the world over for its quality, durability and great value. The range features bright, lively colours guaranteed to make your Christmas more colourful, and simple shapes in a number of finishes, including pink – perfect for the woman in your life. This modern classic is also available: stainless steel with gold plated trim; stainless steel with chrome coloured trim. For a gift under £20, choose a duo combination of a ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil (RRP £10.99) or stylish fountain pen and ballpoint (RRP £16.99) – the perfect pack to wrap!
The parker and Waterman Christmas sets are available from all good pen retailers.
For further information about the complete Parker or Waterman range and stockists, visit www.parkerpen.com and www.waterman.com
FACT FILE:
In 1888 the PARKER Pen Company was born. George Parker’s belief at the outset was simple “Make something better and people will buy it”. Over the past 120 years, PARKER has adhered to the mission to “make a better pen.” And thus began a journey that has created the finest writing instruments in the world.
Waterman pens was first founded in 1883 by Lewis Edson Waterman in New York, where whilst working as an insurance broker, he was due to visit a client on a building site. After failing to obtain the client’s signature on an important document due to a faulty fountain pen, he set about developing a ‘real’ fountain pen that could be depended on at all times. Setting himself up in his brother’s workshop he developed the ‘three fissure feed’. This feed was soon adopted by all fountain pen manufacturers and Waterman’s slogan became ‘The Daddy of Them All’.
Great Christmas Fare from Thursday Cottage
Thursday Cottage Christmas Puddings are hand made from the finest ingredients and are available in 1lb and 4oz sizes. Nut free and suitable for vegetarians, fruit used for the Christmas Puddings is steeped in alcohol for a least a day before being cooked.
The puddings are offered in a choice of a cellophane wrapped plastic basin or a boxed earthenware basin for the 1lb, while the 4oz pudding is in a boxed plastic basin.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without homemade mince pies, Thursday Cottage has launched its own range of mincemeat in 312g jars, using exactly similar ingredients to those used in their famed Christmas puds.
Brandy Butter and Rum Butter are also firm favourites in the Thursday Cottage Christmas goodies portfolio.
The Christmas gift range includes presentation packs of mixed jams and preserves, with either three or four 42g pots. For younger jam enthusiasts there are teddy-bear shaped pots filled full with either strawberry jam or jelly.
With a range of over 50 luxury preserves and marmalades, it’s easy to make breakfast a Thursday Cottage fine dining experience over the festive season. If you like a bit of extra zing in your jam, our strawberry and champagne, or spiced cherry and cherry brandy may well be for you. If you’re a marmalade connoisseur and are looking for something that’s definitely not run of the mill, our tangerine or pink grapefruit marmalades come highly recommended.
All preserves in the new Thursday Cottage ‘family’ are made with English organic fruit, some of which is grown on the company’s Trewlands farm.
The Marmalades are made with organic Seville orange and the lemon Curd with free range eggs.
As with all Thursday Cottage products, these delicious new additions are cooked in small batches in open pans and filled by hand.
Thursday Cottage preserves are produced to tried and tested recipes and in small open pans, encouraging that unique ‘home-cooked’ flavour.
The production unit moved in 2003 from Devon, to Tiptree in Essex. Having started life 30 years ago, Thursday Cottage now exports over 25% of its production.
In the UK, Thursday Cottage supplies to independent retailers, as well as such famous names as Selfridges and Chatsworth Farm Shop. Overseas the delicious preserves can be found in La Grande Epicerie in Paris, Castroni (Rome), Seibu (Hong Kong), Zingerman's (Chicago), and Dean & Deluca (New York) - to name but a few.
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