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Ideal Christmas gift to share! Cookery Workshops at Award Winning Kinloch Lodge

Skye’s Michelin star hotel shares culinary secrets and opens its kitchen to foodies.

Ever wished you could peek behind the doors of a top-flight professional kitchen and see some of the Michelin magic?

Hosted by Michelin starred chef, Marcello Tully, Kinloch Lodge’s cookery workshops are unique; with just two people per session guests cook alongside the brigade in the professional kitchen, preparing dishes for that day’s menu.

There’s lots of tastings and chat while Marcello guides and shares tips from his enviable thirty-year culinary career including skills garnered while working with chef royalty, the Roux brothers.

After a morning of hard work it's into the dining room to enjoy the fruits of your labour during a four-course lunch.

A morning workshop is £99pp including lunch. A two night package from £337pp (based on two people per workshop) balances the workshop with time to relax in Kinloch's magical setting and includes incredible five-course dinners in this remarkable highland hideaway, characterised by its warmth of welcome.

www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk
01471 833333

Please note: Prices depend on room and time of year (the ‘from’ price is based on winter room rates applicable to March 31st 2016).

Leitz for top quality Christmas gifts

Leitz is a top German-based supplier of office accessories, gadgets and tech goodies and Leitz has some wonderful offerings for this Christmas.

Leitz Complete Privacy Slim Folio Case for iPad Air 2. In black.

 The Leitz Complete iPad Privacy Slim Folio Case provides all rounded secrecy for when you want to look like your working hard, but candy crush is calling. Available via Amazon for around £50, the case gives instant discreet viewing to users simply by sliding in the privacy filter. Anyone looking from either side will be prevented from viewing the display tablet and will merely see a tinted screen!

When finished, the filter can be easily stored into the integrated pocket and is kept clean between uses thanks to the green polyester material inside.

The touchscreen operation remains fully functional and responsive with full access to all sensors, connection and controls. The built-in, multi angle stand allows users to select the ideal viewing angle whilst the writing stand ensures comfort for ergonomic typing.

The Leitz Complete XL Universal Multicharger is available via Amazon for around £50 and has four USB ports allowing you to charge up to three mobile devices and one tablet all at the same time.

Available in black or white, the Leitz Complete Multi-charger XL is compatible with most MP3 players, smart phones, digital cameras and other portable devices that use a USB input to charge them.

The extra-large base ensures even the largest device has a safe space to for charging.

Included with the Multi-charger are three extra short Micro USB connection cables. The Click-and-Charge detachable cable reels allow quick installation and removal of the cables with little hassle.

Leitz Complete Smart Traveller Messenger Bag for 15.6-Inch Laptop - Black
Leitz Complete Smart Traveller Messenger Bag has the distinctive Leitz Complete design with green inside and elegant black material outside.

 It is specifically designed to carry 15.6 inch laptops or ultrabooks, 10 inch tablets, eBook readers, Chromebooks, smartphones and A4 document or folders.

Made using lightweight, robust polyester, it can be carried using the genuine leather padded handle or the adjustable shoulder strap.

It can also be fixed to your airport trolley, so it ius ideally suited for the frequent travellers.

The laptop pocket is padded with soft fleece lining to protect the device screen and surfaces. Available via Amazon for around £60.

Leitz Style consists of a range of stationery and desk accessories and is perfect for those who like as much style in their wardrobe as they do in their work life.

Available via Amazon, the range consists of folders, files, staplers, hole punches, notebooks and more which are available in a variety of sophisticated colours with brushed metallic detailing on some pieces.

Prices range from around £5 to around £20.

The Leitz Icon Smart Labelling System provides high-speed technology, possessing the ability to print over 200 labels a minute.  Available for around £100 via Amazon, this new smart gadget can be operated via the free Leitz ICON iPhone app, tablet, laptop or PC, making it really easy to use on to go. Unlike other models, this product is smaller than a shoebox meaning there is no fuss when moving it around the office.

milk_shake’s Christmas Hero Duos and Trios

milk_shake’s Christmas gift sets encapsulate the range’s bestselling environmentally conscious professional hair products, which combine the benefits of milk and fruit for wellbeing and beauty. Featuring natural and organic ingredients and recycled packaging and printed materials, this is a failsafe gift for all hair types.

For 2015 the brand has released Duos (£19.99) and Trios (£29.99) of its hero products, for guaranteed good hair days.

Shampoos and conditioners:
The Colour Maintainer Shampoo is a delicate shampoo containing milk proteins and sunflower extract, designed to maintain your hair’s vitality.

Colour Maintainer Conditioner detangles, hydrates and protects.

The Integrity Shampoo is salt and sulphate-free so is gentle on all hair types. The addition of organic Muru Muru butter leaves hair radiant and frizz free, too.

The Integrity Conditioner is specifically formulated to deeply condition the hair whilst preserving the integrity of hair colour.

milk_shake’s best-selling Daily Frequent Shampoo (£12.99) and Conditioner (£13.99) are the perfect combination for hair that requires frequent washing. They both contain apple juice for perfect hydration.

Leave-in Heroes:
Beauty Shortlist 2015 Winner Conditioning Whipped Cream is a bestseller this is due to its delicious scent and instant softening power.

It’s a no-rinse conditioning and protective creamy foam for all hair types.

12 in 1 wonder treatment Incredible Milk is a top-selling leave in spray mask with a velvety texture.

It protects your hair from the harmful UV rays of the sun and what's more, it also repairs all hair types, maintains colour, acts as a heat protector, detangles and assists in maintaining style, too.

A saviour for normal to dry hair, Leave In Conditioner gives manageability to hair whilst protecting its structure and moisture balance. also.

Please do take note: milk_shake products are only available through their official website and online store, www.milkshakehaircare.co.uk and selected salons nationwide. Stockists number: 01392 365177.

Christmas is here. And so is Avon

TIGI Gift Sets, £16.95 - £30.95 at Look Fantastic and Feel Unique
Stand out from the crowd with brilliant product combinations selected by the TIGI creative team to answer every hair care need, for the fearless fashionistas and thrill seekers on your list.

With sets from Bedhead and Catwalk, get looks from a fast fix style mix to a post party-pick-me-up, volume that shouts to shine that sparkles.

Avon Attraction EDP for her and Attraction EDT for him, £15 each at avonshop.co.uk

An exciting new fragrance for both men and women, which has been built around Avon’s exclusive magnetic musk accord, a unique blend of amber, musks and woods. It’s designed to capture the undeniable rush of sheer attraction and ignite desire when worn

Avon Planet Spa Body Butters, £8 each at avonshop.co.uk
·         Three body butter jars which contain: Perfectly Purifying (with dead sea minerals), Blissfully Nourishing (with African Shea Butter) and Caribbean Escape (with Pearl extract)

Avon Make-up Palette, £12 at avonshop.co.uk
·         Handbag-sized palette which includes: 15 eyeshadows, 4 lip glosses, 2 blushers, blusher brush, eyeshadow applicator and lip brush

Avon Winter Nights Oil Lamp, £25 at avonshop.co.uk
·         Hand-rolled, glass mosaic bottle filled with fragranced oil. Once flame is extinguished, the fragrance is dispersed. Burn for 2-3 minutes at a time for a lasting diffusing fragrance. Approx. total burn time of 100ml is 4hrs

Avon Winter Nights Multi-Wick Candle, £14 at avonshop.co.uk
·         Three wick candle with the scent of tonka bean, chai spices and creamy nuances. Burn time is approx. 30 hours
 
Avon Violette Purse, £15 at avonshop.co.uk
·         Patent Purse with a lock closure. The purse has 4 credit card slots, a zipped coin section and paper money sections

Avon Pom Pom Keyring, £3 at avonshop.co.uk
·         Cute pompom key ring with a lobster clasp

To order any or all of the above, just visit www.avonshop.co.uk.

For gifts for the knitters in your life there is Tofts

If there is a knitter in your life and you are looking for Christmas gifts for them, then the place you need to look at is Tofts.

Just visit their online shop at www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk or from a range of independent stockists.

And you will see a whole world of kits and equipment that they will love to be given at Christmas.

New for Christmas 2015 is Edward’s Menagerie: Birds (Book), RRP £15.99.

DK Hare Kit, RRP £18

Beginner Crochet Set, RRP £18

Simple Teddy Bear Kit, RRP £15

Stay on Boots Set, RRP £15

DK Bunny Kit, RRP £18

Beginner Baby Set, RRP £21


Gift vouchers are also available for workshops and website - £10, £20, £30, £40, £50, £75, £100   Knitting Needle Necklace, RRP £21.

Snowflake Cushion Kit, RRP £90

Alpaca Earmuffs, RRP £39

Dog Jumper Kit, RRP £24

Stocking Fillers

Snowflake Decorations Kit, Knitted Finger Puppets, RRP £4 Alpaca Pom Pom Key Fob, RRP £8 Pom Pom Maker, RRP £2.50 Makes 12, RRP £15.

And there's much more, besides, just check out their website.

Pets need presents, too! Give them the Purr-fect gift this Christmas

-Introducing BLOCKS, the design-your-own playhouse for your cat-

 
If you are fortunate enough to be the pet of a cat, or you have friends or family who are owned by a cat, (real cat lovers know that they never own a cat, that the cat always owns them!) then there's now a perfect Christmas gift for the cat in your life.

BLOCKS is the must-have playhouse for any feline, especially those who live the somewhat sedentary life of a house or an apartment cat.

BLOCKS incorporates fun and fitness to keep your furry friend feeling healthy and happy.

As well as being your cat's serf, you now get to be their architect, too! You can create the dream playhouse for your cat!

BLOCKS is a flatpack kit produced using recycled biodegradable cardboard.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving for both humans and cats: easy to build into virtually any structure and you can create something new whenever you want with the reusable cardboard connector pieces.

A BLOCKS single package includes cubes, bridges and tunnels, meaning you can build interesting shapes which cats love to play in that easily fit into any space in your house.

BLOCKS comes in various packages and prices:

BLOCKS Single Package - £49.95
BLOCKS Triple Package - £129.95
Mega 10-Pack Deal - £349.95

To buy them head over to http://www.poopycat.com/en/4-blocks#order-now.

                                                 

Happy Christmas? Say it with vinyl! Introducing Vinyl Me, Please Christmas Gift Subscriptions –

Give the gift of Vinyl Me, Please, www.vinylmeplease.com, this Christmas and they'll remember you for ever!

It's described as The “best damn record club out there” and with very good reason.

They have decided to make Christmas really special for vinyl aficionados and music lovers worldwide, this December 25th.

Previously only available through requesting an invitation, Vinyl Me, Please have released a number of tailor made 3-month, 6-month and annual GIFT subscriptions just in time for your Christmas shopping: http://vinylmeplease.com/give-a-gift/

Vinyl Me, Please members receive a very sp[ecial and utterly exclusive pressing of an album on vinyl that’s worth your time and attention, accompanied by an original 12” x 12” album-inspired art print and a custom cocktail pairing.

And on top of all this, because waiting by the door each month can be tough, members also receive The Standard – a weekly email featuring the best new music, gear, interviews and fantastic  giveaways besides to many other unique member’s-only benefits.

The recently opened VMP members store is also an exclusive library offering limited runs of 500-1,000 colour pressings of great albums. Which so far has included: Monster Rally - 'Crystal Ball' (limited to 750 on funky smoky quartz), Hundred Waters - 'Moon Rang Like A Bell' (limited to 500 on interesting sea blue with white marbling), Quasimoto - 'The Unseen' (limited to 500 on precious white).

Vinyl Me, Please really is the gift that keeps on giving with bespoke vinyl packages delivered straight into your loved one’s hands every month.  What are you waiting for? Christmas? Well, there's not long to wait, so put your order in today!

3-month: £76.84)
6-month: £153.68)
12-month: £288.14)

Looking for gifts for theatre-goers, music or sports fans?

You need look no further! Because we have a  gift idea for anyone who has been to a concert, the theatre or sporting event.

If they still have their event tickets lying around or if you went with them and still have your ticket, you can get it turned into a great gift.

TicketCoaster is a British company that turns your used event tickets (from concerts, sports, theatre etc) into a high quality ‘TicketCoaster’ coaster, which shows off the ticket and can be used every day.
The coasters are rectangular and are hand-made to the size of the actual ticket, which is sandwiched between layers of cork-backed board and clear, heat resistant laminate.

Hand-made in Worcestershire, one TicketCoaster makes a great stocking-filler and a  group of different TicketCoasters from a range of events makes a really interesting set of coasters and a great talking point. Much better than being left in a drawer somewhere and never looked at!
TicketCoasters cost £6 each from www.TicketCoaster.com.

(EDITOR: This idea is pure genius!)

For Christmas, there is always eBay

It is Christmas next month, and you will be looking out for the ideal Christmas gifts for your loved ones and your friends.

With affordable gifts ranging from Luxury Christmas Crackers to classic Monopoly, eBay.co.uk has thousands of products for all those on your festive list.

For ideas on Christmas gifts, just drop by at www.eBay.co.uk and check out what's available there.

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