Colour is going to be everywhere this year – people really need cheering up, so they will be going for a glamorous, opulent look filled with light.
Get the candle sticks out, polish up the crystal and off you go! Use lots warm, rich colours for your Christmas scheme. All shades of purple are cool at the moment, from lavender and mauve to royal purple. Red is on trend for fashion and for the home, so match your must-have red stilettos to your Christmas table.
The key to this look is to keep it crisp rather than dark using lots of glass, silver and lovely bright light. Low-voltage electric candles are useful for this.
For maximum impact, use lots of flowers down the middle of the table, displayed in matching pots or vases. A table runner is always a good way to add more interest to the look.
Place gold and silver sweets in little pots across the table for a glamorous touch of extra twinkle. A great tip is to get hold of some gold spray paint - use to spray tips of pears, apples and artichokes. These will dry out nicely to last the whole festive period.
Use crisp white linen and napkins to layer and to lighten the overall feel of your Christmas table. For a country look, use ever-green leave as place cards by writing on the names in gold or silver pen. Then use nuts and fir cones as accessories, as well as feathered place mats.
For more information visit www.joannawood.co.uk
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Great sound in a tiny package: new JBL On Tour Micro
JBL introduces new look, ultra-portable speaker in time for the party season
This festive season JBL launches the new look JBL On Tour Micro which delivers loud, clear sound from any source. Small, portable and compact, the speaker fits easily in a pocket or handbag, meaning it’s perfect for taking along on your holiday travels this season.
Portable and lightweight, the JBL On Tour Micro, is deceptively powerful, pumping out dynamic, big-system sound that fills any listening space.
Enjoy up to six hours of party music at your Christmas gathering, without being connected to the mains, thanks to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Link your On Tour Micro to the one of your friend to increase the sound power and the fun: the headphones connector allows you to connect the speaker to how many others you want!
No matter what model your phone, you can share your tunes using the built-in stereo mini-jack cable. The JBL On Tour Micro even comes with a handy spare cable too.
A mini USB port and included cable means you can charge your JBL On Tour Micro from a laptop or other USB host whilst listening to your favourite tracks.
So with your JBL On Tour Micro you are all set for the party season.
Pricing and availability:
JBL On Tour Micro £34.99
For additional information or to purchase, visit www.uk.jbl.com
Key product features:
· Compact, lightweight and portable
· Charge your JBL On Tour™ Micro whilst listening to music
· One charge provides 6 hours of playback
· Rechargeable battery
· Spare stereo mini-jack cable
· Made for iPod and iPhone but can use with any phone
· And much more...
FACTFILE:
HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform.
Over 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 11,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010. ]
This festive season JBL launches the new look JBL On Tour Micro which delivers loud, clear sound from any source. Small, portable and compact, the speaker fits easily in a pocket or handbag, meaning it’s perfect for taking along on your holiday travels this season.
Portable and lightweight, the JBL On Tour Micro, is deceptively powerful, pumping out dynamic, big-system sound that fills any listening space.
Enjoy up to six hours of party music at your Christmas gathering, without being connected to the mains, thanks to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Link your On Tour Micro to the one of your friend to increase the sound power and the fun: the headphones connector allows you to connect the speaker to how many others you want!
No matter what model your phone, you can share your tunes using the built-in stereo mini-jack cable. The JBL On Tour Micro even comes with a handy spare cable too.
A mini USB port and included cable means you can charge your JBL On Tour Micro from a laptop or other USB host whilst listening to your favourite tracks.
So with your JBL On Tour Micro you are all set for the party season.
Pricing and availability:
JBL On Tour Micro £34.99
For additional information or to purchase, visit www.uk.jbl.com
Key product features:
· Compact, lightweight and portable
· Charge your JBL On Tour™ Micro whilst listening to music
· One charge provides 6 hours of playback
· Rechargeable battery
· Spare stereo mini-jack cable
· Made for iPod and iPhone but can use with any phone
· And much more...
FACTFILE:
HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform.
Over 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 11,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010. ]
Looking for a last minute Christmas present? See Britain’s Olympic hockey players in action at the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals
The Olympic Games are just around the corner but as thousands missed out on London 2012 tickets, here is your chance to snap up a late Christmas present for all the family to enjoy. The ‘fastest show in town’ brings British Olympian hockey players to the capital this New Year, after the excitement of the Christmas festivities has gone for another year.
Breath taking speed and dazzling hockey skills await at the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, January 29 2012, Wembley Arena. Enjoy live entertainment, meet the players and have a fun, affordable day out with family and friends!
The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals will see the UK’s top men's and women's hockey teams compete indoors at an end-of-season showdown.
Jonathan Cockcroft, Commercial and Membership Director from England Hockey Board, says: “The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals event is the pinnacle of hockey’s indoor game and what better way to showcase our British Olympians. For many families it’s the affordability factor that deters them from live sporting events, but we have specifically designed these indoor Championships to be a fun, inexpensive day out for all ages.”
Lightning quick, 20 minute halves offer a snapshot of the adrenaline filled game of hockey. “For many, it will be the first time that they have witnessed elite sport stars in a live arena. With the London Olympics just months away, now is your chance to become part of the Hockey Nation. The Finals promise to be a real treat of non-stop action as the country’s best hockey players battle it out for the Championship trophy,” concludes Cockcroft.
Bowdon Hightown's women and East Grinstead's men lifted the inaugural Super Sixes trophies in the 2011 Championships. East Grinstead’s winning captain, Scott Ashdown said: “It’s an awesome feeling to win the Super Sixes Finals; we played well and it was a great result. Three times on the trot, we wanted to make that history for ourselves.”
Grab your family’s seats at the fastest show in town, the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, 29 January 2012. A family of four can enjoy this event for just £35, just call 0844 815 0815 or for more information visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/maxifuelsupersixes.
Breath taking speed and dazzling hockey skills await at the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, January 29 2012, Wembley Arena. Enjoy live entertainment, meet the players and have a fun, affordable day out with family and friends!
The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals will see the UK’s top men's and women's hockey teams compete indoors at an end-of-season showdown.
Jonathan Cockcroft, Commercial and Membership Director from England Hockey Board, says: “The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals event is the pinnacle of hockey’s indoor game and what better way to showcase our British Olympians. For many families it’s the affordability factor that deters them from live sporting events, but we have specifically designed these indoor Championships to be a fun, inexpensive day out for all ages.”
Lightning quick, 20 minute halves offer a snapshot of the adrenaline filled game of hockey. “For many, it will be the first time that they have witnessed elite sport stars in a live arena. With the London Olympics just months away, now is your chance to become part of the Hockey Nation. The Finals promise to be a real treat of non-stop action as the country’s best hockey players battle it out for the Championship trophy,” concludes Cockcroft.
Bowdon Hightown's women and East Grinstead's men lifted the inaugural Super Sixes trophies in the 2011 Championships. East Grinstead’s winning captain, Scott Ashdown said: “It’s an awesome feeling to win the Super Sixes Finals; we played well and it was a great result. Three times on the trot, we wanted to make that history for ourselves.”
Grab your family’s seats at the fastest show in town, the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, 29 January 2012. A family of four can enjoy this event for just £35, just call 0844 815 0815 or for more information visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/maxifuelsupersixes.
That's Food and Drink: Opies new pickles make the perfect Christmas gift!...
That's Food and Drink: Opies new pickles make the perfect Christmas gift!...: Christmas it the perfect excuse for indulgence. If you fancy treating a loved one this festive season, why not surprise them with a gift tha...
Keep calm and Carry On this Chirstmas
Research into the state of the nation’s ‘Christmas spirit’ in the face of economic hardship has revealed that families are adopting the quintessentially British maxim, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.
According to the findings of a study by OscarUK.co.uk, the leading concessions website for over 50s, over half (55%) of families say they will go back to the traditional values of the festive season to help them emerge from this year’s celebrations with happy memories and finances intact.
Although two in five people (40%) said they would be cutting down on Christmas this year as there isn’t the cash for mountains of presents and all the trimmings, almost a third said they didn’t need money to have a great festive season. Being with family and friends (44%) is what makes a happy Christmas.
Over half of those surveyed were looking to cut back on spending by making their own Christmas presents for loved ones and planning a Christmas they could genuinely afford. Over a quarter (27%) had wisely already budgeted for festive spending.
Peter Simpson, Managing Director at OscarUK commented: “The message of Christmas is the same underneath the tinsel and the TV ads. We found that people are facing up to Christmas by prioritising what’s important, and it seems that being with family and friends is at the top of the list when it comes to Christmas wishes.
“The festive season can bring a great deal of stress for some people as they struggle to deliver an even more special Christmas than the year before, but what’s clear from our research is that in these tough times, people are resisting the pressure to over-commit financially and focusing on keeping control.”
Indeed, shopping trends on the high street reflect the desire to re-capture the values and pleasures of Christmas past and the nostalgia it brings. Traditional toys are making a comeback according to legendary toy shop, Hamleys, with Pudding the teddy bear, retro editions of Monopoly, Cluedo and Risk, and traditional rocking horses tipped to be best-sellers.
Oscar UK, which brings together thousands of concessions, benefits, savings and offers on its website www.oscaruk.co.uk, has developed the following Keep Calm and Carry On Christmas tips for scaled down festivities but maximum fun.
Top Tips:
Make your own rules: Don’t be pressured into extravagant dining and expensive gifts to match previous year’s celebrations. Plan a Christmas to match your pocket.
Identify priorities: Think about the happy memories of past Christmas celebrations and what made them so special. Remind yourself of these special moments when you’re getting anxious about preparations.
Set Expectations: Everyone is feeling the pinch and so by scaling down expectations for no-one will be disappointed.
Invest time not money: Think about ways to make the season special without lavish spending and focus on time together. For example, get crafty and creative this Christmas and make gifts. Or, share a meal and each other’s company instead exchanging presents.
Involve Others: If you are hosting Christmas lunch, why not ask family and friends to each bring along a contribution. Suggest a Secret Santa for gifts for relatives or friends and set a small budget to make sure people don’t break the bank.
Says Simpson: “As a nation we are very resilient to tough and stressful times and what this research shows is that despite a lean economic year, people are looking forward to a Christmas doing what matters most, and that’s being with family and friends.”
For more information, visit www.oscaruk.co.uk.
According to the findings of a study by OscarUK.co.uk, the leading concessions website for over 50s, over half (55%) of families say they will go back to the traditional values of the festive season to help them emerge from this year’s celebrations with happy memories and finances intact.
Although two in five people (40%) said they would be cutting down on Christmas this year as there isn’t the cash for mountains of presents and all the trimmings, almost a third said they didn’t need money to have a great festive season. Being with family and friends (44%) is what makes a happy Christmas.
Over half of those surveyed were looking to cut back on spending by making their own Christmas presents for loved ones and planning a Christmas they could genuinely afford. Over a quarter (27%) had wisely already budgeted for festive spending.
Peter Simpson, Managing Director at OscarUK commented: “The message of Christmas is the same underneath the tinsel and the TV ads. We found that people are facing up to Christmas by prioritising what’s important, and it seems that being with family and friends is at the top of the list when it comes to Christmas wishes.
“The festive season can bring a great deal of stress for some people as they struggle to deliver an even more special Christmas than the year before, but what’s clear from our research is that in these tough times, people are resisting the pressure to over-commit financially and focusing on keeping control.”
Indeed, shopping trends on the high street reflect the desire to re-capture the values and pleasures of Christmas past and the nostalgia it brings. Traditional toys are making a comeback according to legendary toy shop, Hamleys, with Pudding the teddy bear, retro editions of Monopoly, Cluedo and Risk, and traditional rocking horses tipped to be best-sellers.
Oscar UK, which brings together thousands of concessions, benefits, savings and offers on its website www.oscaruk.co.uk, has developed the following Keep Calm and Carry On Christmas tips for scaled down festivities but maximum fun.
Top Tips:
Make your own rules: Don’t be pressured into extravagant dining and expensive gifts to match previous year’s celebrations. Plan a Christmas to match your pocket.
Identify priorities: Think about the happy memories of past Christmas celebrations and what made them so special. Remind yourself of these special moments when you’re getting anxious about preparations.
Set Expectations: Everyone is feeling the pinch and so by scaling down expectations for no-one will be disappointed.
Invest time not money: Think about ways to make the season special without lavish spending and focus on time together. For example, get crafty and creative this Christmas and make gifts. Or, share a meal and each other’s company instead exchanging presents.
Involve Others: If you are hosting Christmas lunch, why not ask family and friends to each bring along a contribution. Suggest a Secret Santa for gifts for relatives or friends and set a small budget to make sure people don’t break the bank.
Says Simpson: “As a nation we are very resilient to tough and stressful times and what this research shows is that despite a lean economic year, people are looking forward to a Christmas doing what matters most, and that’s being with family and friends.”
For more information, visit www.oscaruk.co.uk.
Ethical Superstore’s Christmas BestSellers
Ethical Superstore, the UK’s leading online retailer of inspired eco-friendly, Fair Trade, organic, and UK-made products has revealed its top ten bestselling products for December and is offering consumers the chance to snap up these hot products before it is too late and people are left disappointed come the morning of the 25th.
The products cover a wide range of uses and applications, including an energy monitor, aromatic chest rub and the most popular item this year, a chic tasselled scarf. High fashion is also a popular choice for those who have decided to make it an ethical Christmas this year, with the £195 multi-coloured Grandad style cardigan proving to be a popular item on people’s lists.
The Ethical Superstore’s bestsellers list for Christmas includes the following:
- Party-lights Scarf, £12.95
- Eaga Energy Monitor, £23.95
- Powerplus Cheetah Wind-Up and Solar Powered Radio, £19.95
- Bungee Jump Bird Feeder, £8.95
- Badger Balm Aromatic Chest Rub, £3.59
- Savasocket Rechargeable Device Adaptor, £13.50
- Solar Powered Fairy Jar, £19.95
- Multi-Coloured Grandad Style Cardigan, £195
- Neals Yard Rose & Geranium Gift Set, £13
- Bodyclock Starter 30 – Wake Up Light, £59.95
The shopping experience at Ethical Superstore is simple and secure and during the festive season delivery is free on all orders over £40. Orders can be placed up until 12 noon on 22nd December for guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas.
- Established in 2006, Ethical Superstore now works with over 250 suppliers and the online store stocks over 5,000 different products.
- Part of Spark Etail Ltd and based in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, Ethical Superstore supplies environmentally friendly, Organic, Fair Trade, and UK made products from its online store.
New Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat Take the Palaver Out of Perfect Potatoes For the Festive Season
For those extra special occasions when you simply don’t have time to wash, peel, cut, boil, baste and roast from scratch, or perhaps can't do it, due to a health issue like severe arthritis, take the palaver out of creating perfect roast potatoes with new Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat – ideal for the Christmas family meal.
The fine layer of duck fat makes for crispier, more flavoursome readymade luxury roasties, which are light and fluffy on the inside, yet deliciously golden on the outside, delivering an extra special sublime taste. Plus these supremely tasty roast potatoes contain no artificial colours, or preservatives.
Leading chefs believe if you’ve never tried potatoes roasted in a fine layer of duck fat, you’ve not tasted them at their best. But duck fat can be expensive and hard to find so Aunt Bessie’s is offering a helping hand this Christmas with its new Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat, saving you the hassle of hunting supermarket aisles.
Simply pick-up Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat from the frozen aisle, pop in an oven pre-heated to 230°C / 450°F / Gas Mark 8 (fan assisted oven: 210oC / 410oF) and cook for 30 minutes, for roast potatoes that will sit with pride on your Christmas dinner table.
To make preparing Christmas dinner even easier this year, Aunt Bessie’s is offering its top tips on stress-free cooking:
• Plan your menu – Make a shopping list and buy in all the ingredients two days ahead to give yourself a head start.
• Have the right tools for the job – Carving knife, check. Gravy boat, check. Enough freezer space to stock-up on delicious Aunt Bessie’s goodies, check. A pre-shop checklist will save you supermarket stress and leave you cool and collected for the big cook.
• Write a timings plan – No matter how moorish your meat, squishy vegetables just won’t have the same impact. Get your timings spot on by writing a plan in advance or try setting an alarm to alert you to a new action.
• Tidy as you go along – No-one can cope in kitchen chaos. Tidy as you go along to save time after serving and give you room to perfect your festive feast.
• Listen to a soothing soundtrack – Slipping on festive songs to set the mood can be almost as important as the recipe planned.
Ross Longton, Aunt Bessie’s Senior Brand Manager, said: “New Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat are perfect for those extra special occasions and are a great time and money saver, yet no compromise has been made on using quality ingredients. The results are rich, indulgent, incredibly moorish roast potatoes that are sure to be the focus of family meal times and make this festive season extra special.”
Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat will be available at all major supermarkets from 10th October, RRP £2.50 for a 700g bag.
FACTFILE:• Aunt Bessie’s believes that everyone has the right to enjoy traditional family meals, any day of the week and that lack of time or skill should never be a barrier to a proper meal together. Tasty good meals are easy to achieve with Aunt Bessie’s, bringing family, friends and neighbours together to fuel happy lives. Get a helping hand from Aunt Bessie’s.
• Aunt Bessie's Potato Products are produced by Heinz under licence from Aunt Bessie's Ltd, owner of the Aunt Bessie's brand and registered trademarks. Aunt Bessie’s Ltd is part of the William Jackson Food Group.
The fine layer of duck fat makes for crispier, more flavoursome readymade luxury roasties, which are light and fluffy on the inside, yet deliciously golden on the outside, delivering an extra special sublime taste. Plus these supremely tasty roast potatoes contain no artificial colours, or preservatives.
Leading chefs believe if you’ve never tried potatoes roasted in a fine layer of duck fat, you’ve not tasted them at their best. But duck fat can be expensive and hard to find so Aunt Bessie’s is offering a helping hand this Christmas with its new Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat, saving you the hassle of hunting supermarket aisles.
Simply pick-up Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat from the frozen aisle, pop in an oven pre-heated to 230°C / 450°F / Gas Mark 8 (fan assisted oven: 210oC / 410oF) and cook for 30 minutes, for roast potatoes that will sit with pride on your Christmas dinner table.
To make preparing Christmas dinner even easier this year, Aunt Bessie’s is offering its top tips on stress-free cooking:
• Plan your menu – Make a shopping list and buy in all the ingredients two days ahead to give yourself a head start.
• Have the right tools for the job – Carving knife, check. Gravy boat, check. Enough freezer space to stock-up on delicious Aunt Bessie’s goodies, check. A pre-shop checklist will save you supermarket stress and leave you cool and collected for the big cook.
• Write a timings plan – No matter how moorish your meat, squishy vegetables just won’t have the same impact. Get your timings spot on by writing a plan in advance or try setting an alarm to alert you to a new action.
• Tidy as you go along – No-one can cope in kitchen chaos. Tidy as you go along to save time after serving and give you room to perfect your festive feast.
• Listen to a soothing soundtrack – Slipping on festive songs to set the mood can be almost as important as the recipe planned.
Ross Longton, Aunt Bessie’s Senior Brand Manager, said: “New Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat are perfect for those extra special occasions and are a great time and money saver, yet no compromise has been made on using quality ingredients. The results are rich, indulgent, incredibly moorish roast potatoes that are sure to be the focus of family meal times and make this festive season extra special.”
Aunt Bessie’s Special Roast Potatoes Basted in Duck Fat will be available at all major supermarkets from 10th October, RRP £2.50 for a 700g bag.
FACTFILE:• Aunt Bessie’s believes that everyone has the right to enjoy traditional family meals, any day of the week and that lack of time or skill should never be a barrier to a proper meal together. Tasty good meals are easy to achieve with Aunt Bessie’s, bringing family, friends and neighbours together to fuel happy lives. Get a helping hand from Aunt Bessie’s.
• Aunt Bessie's Potato Products are produced by Heinz under licence from Aunt Bessie's Ltd, owner of the Aunt Bessie's brand and registered trademarks. Aunt Bessie’s Ltd is part of the William Jackson Food Group.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)