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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY BOOK

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY BOOK

When it comes to choosing a holiday book, the possibilities are endless. Some like to read huge, hefty historic novels, others prefer fluffy love stories, thrillers, or even autobiographies. The opportunity to really get stuck into a book is one of the great pleasure’s of a holiday; guilt-free, uninterrupted and with only the lure of the ocean or sundowner cocktails to tear you away.

Making the correct choice, therefore, is vital, or you’re stuck with woeful reserve options for your holiday reading. We’ve all been there; having to resort to Frankie Dettori’s autobiography, scavenged from the hotel’s ‘library’, or looking up swearwords in a Spanish Dictionary we found on the villa’s bookshelf.

THINK ABOUT ITS SIZE AND LENGTH

Traditionally, holidays are the time when we’d probably read more than any other time period; because we’re usually relaxing, spending time at the beach, and able to devote several hours to getting lost in a good book.

That said, research by ebookers.com found that only 38% of us actually managed to finish at least one whole book on our last holiday, and over a quarter took a book in the hopes of reading it but never managed to open it (25.5%). We love the feeling of satisfaction after finishing a book on holiday, so it’s important to take one of a manageable length. Once back in England and busy with work, you might not find the time to finish it. Of equal importance, a bigger book takes up a lot of room in your suitcase, so be wary of hardbacks or a 1000 page tome.

Read: 6 IDEAL packing tips that will make your life easier

LOOK BEYOND THE NOVEL

Holiday book fiction isn’t the law. Consider a factual book, whether that’s something historical or one which will give you real-life inspiration. Although it may not seem so relaxing and in tune with the holiday ambiance, it can be more fulfilling and lead to a greater sense of satisfaction. We’re not encouraging starting the study of rocket science 101, but the learning of a new skill set needn’t be confined to nightschool classes back in Blighty.

USE AN APP

If you’re really stuck and don’t know what kind of book you’d enjoy, online travel company ebookers.com has come to the rescue; they’ve created a holiday book generator where you can either browse by destination, and it will suggest something appropriate to, or linked with, the area.

You can also take a quiz, and it will recommend a book based on the type of holiday you enjoy and what kind of person you are. This book generator is ideal for people who are stumped by what kind of novel they would enjoy while they’re away. They do all the hard work for you – all you need to do is buy it, then chill out by the pool or the beach and escape into your imagination!

CONSIDER A KINDLE

As we’ve mentioned already, stacks of holiday reading can take up valuable luggage-based real estate. Purchasing a kindle can greatly reduce the load, as it’s the fraction of the size of most novels, and can hold endless e-books. Whilst it takes away some of the magic of holding the hard copy, the convenience and cost-reduction makes it a very worthwhile investment indeed.

Read: 7 IDEAL ways to kill time at the airport

THEY’RE CALLED CLASSICS FOR A REASON

Perhaps in order to try and show we keep up with trends, or want to appear much more intelligent than we are, most of us lie about reading a particular book, especially the classics. However these classics, available in any airport, are deemed such for a reason – they’re really bloody good!

Rather than reading the new, fashionable thriller from the Kazakhstani journalist turned informant for the Japanese secret service, consider a tried and tested bestseller. You can now  impress with your guilt-free cultural capital at the next dinner party you’re invited to. And stop pretending you’ve read them all, no one has.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: THE JAM TREE, THE IDEAL PLACE FOR BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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RESTAURANT REVIEW: THE JAM TREE, THE IDEAL PLACE FOR BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

Bottoms up South Londoners! If you’re looking for a brilliant bottomless brunch that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, head to the Jam Tree

Here at IDEAL we have a motto, if you’re gonna do brunch, it damn sure better include bottomless boozing. What’s more fun than alcohol drenched midday dining? And if you’re looking for an afternoon of eggs and alcohol in South London for less than £20 (£17.50 to be exact) then The Jam Tree is for you.

Location

The Jam Tree has two venues – in the heart of Clapham’s Old Town and on the exclusive King’s Road in Chelsea. We visited the one in Clapham.

The Deal

Do you like prosecco? Do you want to drink a lot of prosecco?  From 12pm to 3pm (Saturday and Sunday) you can drink as much prosecco as your body can handle and eat something too. At only £17.50 this bottomless brunch is one of the best bargains in London. They even give you the bottle, so you’re in charge of topping up your own glass.  To take full advantage of the deal, we witnessed revellers move to the bar after they finished their sizable brunch plates, here they continued to enjoy the unlimited prosecco and ordered some small plates from the all day dining menu – clever. 

Ambiance

This Clapham spot is casual and keeps things low key. It’s the perfect place to hole up and drink away a rainy or cold Saturday or Sunday. In the summer, you can enjoy your brunch in the gorgeous garden. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and is large enough to host big groups.

Food

The brunch menu isn’t huge and the fare isn’t really anything to write home about, but most people here are more worried about the drinking.  That said, the food is still good and hits the spot. The portions are sizable, and that’s a good thing considering the amount of alcohol you’re likely to consume.

If you are a traditionalist brunch lover, then you can enjoy classics such as Eggs Florentine with buttered spinach and lashings of rich hollandaise. If you fancy some big, meaty flavours, try the Cowboy Breakfast – think sticky baby back ribs and mountains of pulled pork. Or if you’re in the mood for something compltely different, order the African inspired spiced egg dish Shakshouka.

Why Go

There are loads of  reasons why you should go to The Jam Tree for bottomless brunch. However, we’ve narrowed it down to three:

For a fantastic deal – We can’t stress how much of a bargain bottomless brunch at The Jam Tree is. A bottle of prosseco is normally around £30 in London – you do the math.

To start your Saturday night – Think of brunch at The Jam Tree less as a Saturday morning excursion and more as the beginning of your Saturday night.

Unlimited hair of the dog – This is the hangover cure from heaven if you need to recover from weekend events

Address: 13-19 Old Town, London SW4 0JT

For more information visit: www.thejamtree.com

Disclosure: IDEAL Magazine dined as a guest of the restaurant.

9 IDEAL WINE TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Editorial Team
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9 IDEAL WINE TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Do you panic when someone asks you to choose the wine at a meal? Do you feel nervous when the waiter asks you to test the wine or when someones asks you to recommend a bottle? Well you are not alone. Two-thirds of British drinkers admit they know nothing about choosing wine so they pretend instead.

Someone who really does know their stuff when it comes to wine is Jimmy Doherty who has a history of working with South Africa’s award winning wine, Nederburg.  For those of you who know nothing about wine, we’ve asked Jimmy and Nederburg to share their top wine tips, so next time someone asks you to choose the wine, at least you will know something about it!  You can say cheers later!

One

Only chill white wine like Chardonnay before you plan to drink it as extended storage in the fridge will affect its taste and aroma.

Two

The quickest way to chill a white wine is in iced water, which only takes 30 minutes versus 2 hours in the fridge.

Three

Always give a bottle of quality red wine like Shiraz, time to breathe. If you can’t wait, decant it into a glass jug first to give it chance to mix with the oxygen in the air to release the flavours.

Four

The correct measure to pour for all wines is a third of the glass; this gives the wine room to swirl in the glass, allowing the flavours to develop.

Five

When pairing wine with cheese, think balance – strong wine, strong cheese. Sauvignon is generally great with cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda.

Six

Know as the world’s most popular wine, chardonnay is best paired with simple seafood such as smoked salmon and grilled fish. It’s also delicious served with oriental dishes like Thai food.

Seven 

Sauvignon Blanc is a very food-friendly wine and is superb with salads, chicken, seafood, veal and light meals.

Eight

Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its depth of flavour and aroma. It’s excellent served with heart-warming roast lamb, coq au vin, red meat steak, venison, mature cheese and pizza and pasta dishes.

Nine

Shiraz is an incredibly robust wine that can be served on its own or with Mediterranean meat dishes such as spicy lamb, souvlaki or kebabs as well as with traditional roasts, oxtail and barbecued steaks.

 

5 IDEAL CHRISTMAS MINI-BREAKS IN EUROPE

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL CHRISTMAS MINI-BREAKS IN EUROPE

It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas, especially since holidays and flights tend to get expensive pretty quickly. Whether you want a traditional white Christmas, as opposed to Britain’s slushy grey one, in a new location, or you want to try spending the day in a different, unique way, the time is right to start making plans.

There are several things you need to bear in mind when you start thinking about going abroad for the holiday season; how many people do you wish to share the day with, do you still want a traditional Christmas dinner while you’re away, and would you prefer a snow-blanketed or sun-soaked winter celebration? These questions will help you narrow down your options and make the planning process a little easier. To inspire you, here are 5 IDEAL Christmas mini-breaks in Europe.

Barcelona, Spain

Let’s be honest, there are very few people who flourish in the British winter, which is why many of us escape to a sunnier retreat for a few weeks of the season. Topping up the tan and the Vitamin C is a necessity for some, us included.

If this is your Christmas wish this year, then spending the holiday in Barcelona is perfect; it has all the amenities and culture of a vibrant city, yet is still close enough to the beach that you can soak in some sun. To make sure you keep some of your Christmas traditions intact, you could look for villas in Spain on Interhome.co.uk; this way, you can get up when you want, make the food you eat every year, and do everything on your own schedule. The only difference is you might also benefit from a private pool or a walk on the beach after you’ve eaten too much. Alternatively, you could book a hotel based on their Christmas itinerary and enjoy not having to do anything on Christmas Day.

Lapland, Finland

To create some extra Christmas magic for the litte ones, Lapland in Finland is a great choice. Not only is it one of not so many European countries able to guarantee a white Christmas, but it’s also is the place where children can be sure to find Santa. The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is the official homeland of Santa Claus, or at least his main office, since his homeland remains a secret. As you can see on visitrovaniemi.fi, children can enjoy an authentic Christmas experience here, from petting reindeer, taking tours on a snowmobile, and meeting Santa himself. It’s a unique experience for adults too; how often can you say you stayed in an igloo hotel?

Berlin, Germany

Berlin during the festive season is a magical place to be, with nearly 80 Christmas markets, traditional food, stunning lights and just heaps of tradition all round. Berlin’s central strip, the Ku’damm, is a lightshow extravaganza and Alexanderplatz offers fairground fun for all the family; ice-skating, rides, candyfloss and all.

Prague, The Czech Republic

Prague is a magical, enchanting, beautiful city any time of year, but at Christmas it scrubs up particularly nicely. From Advent onwards the city comes alive with decorations and lights, with the Christmas Markets of the Old Town Square a highlight. Handcrafts and souvenirs have their own, unique Czech charm and the local, dark ales suit the temperature and atmosphere to a tee.

Glasgow, Scotland

You don’t have to go far to make your Christmas magical. Although plenty of cities in England have their own Christmas celebrations – Bath, London, Manchester, and Birmingham being among the biggest – there’s a better chance of seeing snow in Scotland, and you’ll get to celebrate an even bigger Scottish holiday after Christmas. Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year celebration, and it’s so boisterous that the whole country takes two days off for merriment and recovery. Glasgow knows how to celebrate this holiday in style; fireworks, parties in pubs and clubs, and plenty of eateries to recover in on New Year’s Day.

 

8 IDEAL TIPS TO PERFECT THE BEST TEXTURED HAIRSTYLES

Editorial Team
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8 IDEAL TIPS TO PERFECT THE BEST TEXTURED HAIRSTYLES

The best way to find the perfect texture for hair is to experiment. All hair types have different levels of texture, thickness and elasticity so the best way to get the look you want is to test different natural remedies and tips of locking in texture. This means that hair can naturally be textured every day, without the use of damaging heat styling, which over a period of time causes hair to become dry and brittle, making it harder to achieve texture later on. 

Understanding hair texture is crucial in achieving beautiful bouncy styles as opposed to that dreaded dull limp hair. Celebrity hairstylist to the likes of Cindy Crawford & Eva Longoria, Asgar Saboo shares his top natural tips and remedies to get textured hair.

STRAIGHT HAIR

Straight hair is the hardest type of hair to achieve texture as the hair naturally falls smoothly without volume, with a risk of it looking limp and flat.

How to: Detangle with fingers while damp and give an all over spritz of volumising or salt spray. Put the damp hair up into a high ponytail and wrap the ends around the band and secure into a bun. Leave in to dry overnight. Once dry, let it down. The hair will naturally look more volumised and textured with slight waves and movement. Finish with massaging texture power at the roots of the hair, for more volume and a long hold, apply hair spray all over to hold the waves.

SALT SPRAY

There’s no need to spend a dime on sea salt spray, because chances are, you have all of the ingredients to do it yourself lying around to get that perfectly effortless, salt-water-sculpted wavy hair. Instead of using gel, use pomade within the mix with hot water, sea salt, coconut oil, leave in conditioner. It will evade any crunch, leaving your locks free to flow in the summer breeze.

WAVY HAIR

Naturally wavy hair already has slight texture so here is how to enhance this and to create more defined waves.

How to: Run hair gel through damp hair dividing the hair in half. Do not brush the hair as this will dull the end result of the texture. Create braids all around the head securing into place. After the hair is dry, normally the morning after, undo the braids and lightly comb through with your fingers, pulling the braids apart. Again avoiding a brush. Keep dry shampoo on hand for an afternoon reboot, and avoid thick conditioners that can weigh hair down, giving strands a greasy look.

ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera is locked with all the essential nutrients that are very useful for improving the texture of your hair. The use of Aloe Vera improves the growth of hair, prevents hair loss and breakage extensively, ultimately creating more texture and volume over a period of time.

CURLY HAIR

 

For you lucky people who were born with naturally curly hair, you are at an advantage because curly hair already holds a lot of luscious texture and volume. The idea behind styling curly hair is to naturally develop and mould the hair into the style and texture that is desired.

How to: After a shower, without towel drying, as this will pull the texture and waves out whilst causing frizz. Apply a curl smoothing serum all over the hair, covering the hair from the root to the tip. Pull back into a low bun and leave to dry. Brushing and touching the hair will lead to frizz, so it is better to let the hair dry before touching it. In the morning pull the hair out of the low bun and the hair will naturally be more defined with bounce. . Avoid the crunchy look by finishing the dry style with a few drops of hair oil and deep condition the hair at least once a week to keep the hair luscious.

GREEN TEA

Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants and poly phenols which are very used from promoting the growth of the hair. Not only this, the vitamin C present in green tea also adds beautiful shine to hair.

CORK SCREW HAIR

This type of hair is the coarsest and driest of all the hair types, because of the many twists and turns of this texture type, it can be difficult to get moisture to the scalp and maintain shine

How to: Clearly defined corkscrew coils can range in size. To avoid crunchy curls, wash strands with a cleansing conditioner, which will help to weigh the hair down. This will also cut down on flyway’s and maintain shine. Use light gels and styling butters to twist hair damp hair with fingers into place. Again do not brush the hair as this will end result of the texture and leave the hair lifeless but frizzy.

ALMOND OIL AND BANANA HOME REMEDY FOR SOFT HAIR

 

Banana and almond oil together make an excellent remedy to get rid of dry and frizzy hair. Besides maintaining natural elasticity and moisture, this mask will also prevent split ends, hair loss and hair breakage. Being a rich source of omega fatty acid and multi vitamins, almond oil will penetrate deep into the scalp skin making them healthy and strong.

6 IDEAL EXAMPLES OF INSPIRING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

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6 IDEAL EXAMPLES OF INSPIRING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

When it comes to industrial design, the products that really stand out are those that we’ve come to accept as always being that way. They’ve certainly stood the test of time but once, somewhere, the initial idea was challenging, revolutionary even.

A case in point is the Coca Cola bottle. The Root Glass Company of Indiana, consisting of C.J and William Root, Alexander Samuelson, Earl Dean and Clyde Edwards, were the successful company who invented the contour glass in 1915 after finding inspiration from an illustration of a cocoa bean. We take the Coca Cola bottle for granted now, but it was a breakthrough of its time. There are many industrial designs that are inspiring, but here just six IDEAL examples to help inspire you.

The invention of the wheel

Oh how simple it seems, the cyclical wheel that gets us from A to B, moves heavy objects and helps us throughout our day to day lives more than we could have ever imagined. The original wheel design dates back at least 6,000 years, when its original use was in the world of pottery.

300 years or so later some bright spark deigned to suggest we ought to be getting around on them, and here we are today. Different types of castors, rubber, metal – all sorts of materials for wheels that can withstand outstanding loads, conditions and most dramatically, speeds are now used…and all from a tiny breakthrough.

We’ve got to talk about Apple

The success of Steve Job’s Apple is phenomenal and cannot be ignored as one of the most inspiring examples of industrial design. Presently, Apple is on the verge of becoming the first ever trillion-dollar business in the world, which is beyond crazy.

In the words of Apple’s chief design officer himself, Jonathan Ive: “The idea of genuinely trying to make something great for humanity was Steve’s motivation from the beginning,” he says in regard to the Designed by Apple in California book. Whether you discovered Apple in the original Apple I glory days, or you’re a converted iPhone user today, Apple has continued to develop exciting and technically brilliant products since 1976.

The development of the keyboard

In a way, the keyboard has a very straightforward design and despite becoming sleeker and more pleasant to use, the functions haven’t changed so much. The invention of the computer keyboard was adapted from the typewriter. However, it was Christopher Latham Sholes who developed the QWERTY structure of a keyboard for the typewriter back in 1868, so it’s Scholes who deserves the credit.

Transformation of a train station

If you’ve ever been to King’s Cross station in London, you can’t help but notice the stunning concourse roof that was part of a £400m redevelopment back in 2012. The Arup architectural team had the challenge of a design which remained in keeping with the Grade 1 –listed structure while also modernising the space. The new shell structure is a stunning example of inspirational industrial design.

Industrial design can be an art

An iconic piece of design and art that combines both beauty and practicality would have to be Phillipe Starck’s design for the citrus squeezer. The squid shaped aluminium design allows users to place a bowl of their choosing beneath the structure and juice directly into the container. Not only is this product unique, it also provides a more efficient experience than a standard hand held citrus squeezer.

Accessible technology

It’s all very well designing beautiful technology but if it’s not accessible to everyone, is it really that inspiring? To meet this demand, South Korean design start-up company DOT has been working on braille-enabled smart watches for the last few years. According to Core77: “The DOT smartwatch incorporates mobile braille into a traditional watch face and syncs with smartphones via Bluetooth to provide updates, call notifications, texts, and more.” This creation should enable the visually impaired to reach their local coffee shop unaided, have texts read out to them, and much more. The DOT braille smartwatch is extremely intelligent, sleek in design and a massive step in the right direction in the field of industrial design.

AN IDEAL WINTER WARMER: BACON AND BEAN BROTH

Editorial Team
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AN IDEAL WINTER WARMER: BACON AND BEAN BROTH

Rachel Allen shares her recipe for bacon and bean broth. It’s as comforting as it is nutritious and the sugar really brings out the flavour of the tomatoes.

Serves 4, preparation time 1 hour 20 minutes + 6 hours soaking time

Ingredients

225g dried haricot or cannellini beans
½ onion
1 bay leaf
1 carrot
200g bacon, cut into lardons about 1x2cm
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper
225g curly kale, stalks removed and thinly sliced
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method

Soak the beans in plenty of cold water for about 6 hours or overnight, then drain, and place in a large pan with the bay leaf, onion and carrot. Cover with fresh cold water and place on a medium heat. Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer for 45 to 60 minutes (it may take longer) or until tender, they should easily squash against the pan if pressed with a spoon.

Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large casserole dish and place on a medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook for a few minutes until golden. Next add the garlic, cook, stirring continuously for a minute or so until golden, then add the tomatoes, stock, sugar, salt and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain the beans and discard the carrot, onion and bay leaf. Add the cooked beans to the stew along with the cabbage and cook for a further 4 minutes until the cabbage is cooked. Stir in the herbs then taste for seasoning and serve.

 

5 IDEAL TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS FOR AUTUMN

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5 IDEAL TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS FOR AUTUMN

So Summer’s officially over. Sad, I know. That being said, winter isn’t officially here yet. It’s Autumn. And although the temperature has dropped significantly, the sun is as of yet refusing to retire completely. Welcome to October. That awkward time of year where one minute you will be kicking yourself for thinking you might go without a heavy winter coat and the next sitting in your office sweating profusely because you dared to wear a pair of tights. So, here’s how to ride out this uncomfortable time of year til winter lets you wrap up in all that tartan you’ve been purchasing since July.

Be prepared

I cannot stress this enough. Only you are going to feel stupid when an unexpected downpour ruins your new nude topshop ballet pumps. Goodbye £30. Good bye.

The key to this irritating season is to be prepared for every occasion. Yes, that may involve basically moving into your office and housing your entire wardrobe under your desk. But so be it to beat those weather Gods. Things to take with you wherever you go include: A pair of tights. A coat. A sensible pair of shoes (not like, a pair of hiking boots, but something that’s not going to give you soggy feet at the first sight of rain.) An umbrella (duh) and a jumper. You can thank me later. With these essentials on your person you will be ready for whatever October throws at you. Maybe.

Go for colours

This time of year it can be so easy to fall back on failsafe black wardrobe options. Oooh hi black leather skirt/playsuit/jumpsuit/legging/dress/hat. So. Easy. Make the most of the fact that you can still get away with that orange dress, pastel pair of trousers or metallic shoes and mix them with your winter wardrobe. Hello Auter (Autumn and winter, no?!) dressing.

Layers

Just, you know, layer up.

Balance it out

I know how tempting it can be to try out those new baggy trousers with a slouchy jumper and a big shawl, but just don’t. Go for tight leather trousers and an oversized jumper or a fitted pencil skirt with a fur trimmed coat to keep a balanced silhouette.

Add some boots

This time of year ankle boots are everywhere and they’re the perfect in between season shoe. Not only do they add that much needed bit of height when your outfits are getting bulkier, they go perfectly with jeans and a jumper for off-duty style, or skirts and dresses for office or evening wear. Opt for a mid-price range pair to see you through winter and add a little bit of luxury to an otherwise high street heavy outfit.

Be prepared 0.2

This preparation refers to your beauty regime. Remember all those hours spent waxing, tanning, painting and generally buffing your body into a fit sate to show the world? This must not stop now summer is ‘over.’ As you will be whipping your tights on and off every three seconds because the weather can’t decide if it wants to be hot or snow, your legs, toes and everything else must be in tip top condition. Make the most of what little fading tan you have left and make sure you’re prepared for those 20 minutes of sun in the park at lunchtime before the heavens open on you.

5 IDEAL WAYS TO AVOID OVERSPENDING

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5 IDEAL WAYS TO AVOID OVERSPENDING

 

If you’re in need a little help in preparing yourself for sudden expenses and help saving, you’re not alone. Managing your money, in theory, should be simple and easy. Never spend more than you earn, keep clear accounts and budget accordingly. In reality though, it’s not as straightforward as that. We all know the drill. Unexpected emergencies and expected, but forgotten, birthdays demand a sudden dipping into the funds. A restaurant bill catches you off guard or a drink too many leads to an expensive, unavoidable night out. To avoid that agonising wait until payday, we’ve compiled 5 IDEAL ways to avoid overspending. Here they are.

Figure out your income

‘Figure out’ may seem a silly term when everyone knows their basic income, but we mean the one which you can actually spend, after tax and such. You’d be surprised at how many budget from the strong position of their pre-tax, pre-rent salary. Use the salary calculator if you need some help make a rationalised, realistic calculation.

Review current, ongoing expenses

Make a list of all your regular bills and expenses such as rent or mortgage, utility bills, car and insurance. Alternatively, use internet banking to track them. It’s a useful, simple step which keeps all outgoings in one, easily accessible place. Add them up and work out what your monthly average is and then compare it to your salary. By subtracting this number from your income you will know exactly how much money you have to spend on everything else.

A sensible use of extra income

So, you’ve got some extra money  following a frivolity-free month? The urge to splurge is almost too much to bear, but please, resist. Consider putting it into a savings account or an ISA (do your research before diving in). It will generate interest over time and should an emergency occur at least you’ll have a fallback into which to dip, unallocated to any other expense. Try not to think of this extra money as disposable income.

Identify patterns of when and why money runs low

It’s safe to say there are certain times in the month (ie. payday) which encourage a spending spree. There are also times when quids found down the back of the sofa need to be rationed for days. Patterns emerge and, as such, prevention rather than cure can be practiced.

Avoid impulse buying

That feeling of ‘I must have’ is just an illusion caused by target marketing and the guilt-fest of social media. Resist. Be yourself. You look great with or without the latest on-trend item. And if you must shop, try and get into a habit of shopping during the sale periods and shy away from impulse buying.

All of that said, we all struggle from financial ups and downs from time to time. Budget by all means but at the same time focus on enjoying life. The occasional splurge is nothing to be afraid of.

 

5 IDEAL DÉCOR IDEAS TO EASE INTO AUTUMN

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL DÉCOR IDEAS TO EASE INTO AUTUMN

5 IDEAL DÉCOR IDEAS TO EASE IN TO AUTUMN

Autumn is here, announcing itself with gusto and gusts, less rays, more rain and generally a bleaker picture all round. It’s time to give up hope on that Indian summer. Put the barbie away, bring in the outdoor seating, take off the sunglasses – basically all of the symbolic gestures which signal the end of summer need doing, now.

But autumn’s arrival needn’t all be bad news; it’s a time for cosy cups of hot chocolate, snuggling up with your loved one and embracing the excuse to spend more time indoors. Because you’re going to be confined to your home with increasing regularity, it’s important to get your four walls looking and feeling the part. With that in mind, we’ve teamed up with Kendal Tile and Stone to give you our 5 IDEAL décor ideas to ease into autumn.

Freshen Up Your Front Door

It all starts here. You want the threshold to be fresh and in tune with the seasons. Treat your front door as a blank canvas for each season, and consider a lick of new paint as autumn arrives. An earthy, autumnal green looks just great at the entrance to your house, as does a dark red, we think. If this seems like a little too much work, maybe a seasonal wreath might be more your thing?

Depending on your craft skills and budget of course, you can buy or make one, it’s completely up to you. We’d recommend something including pinecones, pumpkins and the colours of nature.

5 IDEAL DÉCOR IDEAS TO EASE IN TO AUTUMN

Focus On The Fireplace

If you have one, fire it up when nights get cold. Not only does it bring, obviously, the temperature up but it also gives the room a focal point and feeling of snugness. The colours of the open flame are perfectly in tune with those of autumn, so it’s the perfect time to transition into fire place usage, even if not on a daily basis. Even if you don’t have a ‘real’ fireplace, consider introducing some logs and a basket as an interior design piece. It looks just right during the colder seasons.

Bring Texture & Warmth

Bringing both texture and warmth to your house for autumn is a must, not only because temperatures will be dropping faster than you can say ‘fall’, but also as indoor aesthetics start to take more precedent during the shorter days and longer nights.

Anything from new cushions in autumnal hues to thick, fluffy bedspreads and throws can give the requisite feel and ambience you’re after. Go further and consider hanging a quilt on the wall as a piece of art. Aside from art pieces, there are great options for floral arrangements on East Olivia that will surely bring warmth and cozy vibes to your place.

5 IDEAL DÉCOR IDEAS TO EASE IN TO AUTUMN

Lights, Lamps & Candles

Of course, when the light outside gets lower and the darkness longer, it’s time for a revamp of the lighting in your house to match, or should we say, counteract. Great lighting becomes even more essential as the nights get darker.

Dimmer switches are perfect for the changeable weather, suiting your mood and the season succinctly. Also, there’s nothing better than getting turning on the lights to give your home a warm and cosy glow when it’s cold and miserable outside. Functional floor lamps are perfect for illuminating a dark corner.

Side lamps can be used as a mini statement light as well as adding a warm glow to your room.  And of course, you can’t forget beautifully fragrant candles that will definitely light up your sofa sessions this autumn. We suggest to fill your home with scents evocative of the season, from eucalyptus & pine, to cinnamon and clove.

A Fall Fruit Bowl & Foliage

Make your fruit bowl more than just sustenance. Not only does it make economic sense to shop seasonally, a focus on the right produce to suit the time of year also tastes so much better. On top of that, a bowl of blushing plums, dark, moody looking blackberries and earthy pears are a statement piece for the season. Equally, flowers and foliage of time and place announce Autumn with elegance.

THE IDEAL RECIPE FOR PORK WITH SAGE & MARSALA SAUCE WITH POTATO & PARSNIP MASH

Editorial Team
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THE IDEAL RECIPE FOR PORK WITH SAGE & MARSALA SAUCE WITH POTATO & PARSNIP MASH

This easy midweek meal from The Fresh Herb Company is ready to eat in just 30 minutes. Sage has a strong earthy flavour which complements the creamy mash potato and parsnips.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves 2

Ingredients

1 large parsnip, diced (220g)
300g floury potatoes, diced
250g pork fillet, sliced into 6
10g fresh sage
1 tbsp oil
100ml Marsala wine
4 tbsp half fat crème friache (100g)

Method

Cook the parsnip and potato in boiling water for 10-15 minutes until tender, drain. Meanwhile, place the pork slices between 2 sheets of clingflim and beat with a rolling pin until flattened. Season and place a large sage leaf on each piece.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry a further 4 whole sage leaves for a few seconds until crispy, drain and reserve. Add the pork to the pan, sage side down first and fry for 2 minutes each side. Add the Marsala wine and remaining sage, shredded and cook for 1-2 minutes until reduced slightly.

Mash the parsnip and potatoes and stir in the crème fraiche and season to taste, serve with the pork and pour over the sauce.

4 IDEAL WAYS TO KEEP YOUR LOVE ALIVE

Editorial Team
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4 IDEAL WAYS TO KEEP YOUR LOVE ALIVE

Just because you’re in a long-term relationship doesn’t mean that things have to become dull and predictable. Although many people are resigned to this unwelcome yet all too common occurrence, there are ways to make sure love, fire and passion burn continue to burn brightly. It doesn’t have to take huge romantic gestures, spending splurges on diamond rings and monthly holidays to Venice to keep the love alive, in fact, the small things often mean the most. So, here are 4 IDEAL ways to keep the love alive.

The Importance of Communication

Any relationship needs to be kept alive and nurtured to ensure they doesn’t become predictable. It’s a given that there will be disagreements, conflicting points of view and ways of doing things that may rub your partner up the wrong way from time to time. Accept that this is inevitable. A little communication goes a long way to nipping issues in the bud which, once left to fester, could become toxic, and unmanageable, and before you know it you’re contacting professional solicitors in Twickenham to mediate.

Keep Dating Each Other

You mustn’t think that going on a date is just for young people or those that have just got together. Courting is a continuous process, not one which stops when the deal is sealed. Any couple can, and should, enjoy a date night, and it can make a real change from the routine. Make a plan for your date and make sure that nothing else gets fills the diary on that day to interfere. You can either go somewhere you used to go, rekindling past memories of of your love’s infancy, or you can try something new. Instead of going for a meal, why not go to see a show or go roller skating? A date night can be whatever you like doing together.

Take a Second Honeymoon

Set a romantic scene by arranging to go on a second honeymoon. It doesn’t have to be to the same location as the first, but it should be romantically inclined and somewhere that you both want to visit. If you have children, you might not want to go somewhere for a whole week without them. However, a long weekend or just for a few days in the week is plausible and can have the same romance-redeeming effects. Consider making it a regular thing every year and start a tradition that you can carry on indefinitely. Until death do you apart, anyway.

Have a Hot Bath Together

There is nothing more relaxing or romantic than sharing a nice hot bubble bath together. You can make it extra special by running it just before the other person gets home and making it a surprise. Light some candles, lay some petals on the path to the bath and get some scents floating around. Start by making them a nice meal and end with a massage too – the extra effort will be appreciated. All of this pampering will help increase the romance and closeness between you. If you don’t have a bath, then a hot shower can work just as well, and you can wash each other while you’re there.

All it takes is these few little things to keep your relationship alive and maintain the romance and love you have together. The key is to take turns romancing the other and make it a regular thing, not just a one-off.

 

RESTAURANT REVIEW: LES COCOTTES, PARIS -THE IDEAL PLACE FOR LUNCH NEAR THE EIFFEL TOWER

Joseph Gann
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RESTAURANT REVIEW: LES COCOTTES, PARIS -THE IDEAL PLACE FOR LUNCH NEAR THE EIFFEL TOWER

Chef Christian Constant is so much part of the furniture around Rue St. Dominique, in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, that he carries the title of unofficial mayor in this little corner of Paris.

Although it wasn’t nominative determinism that brought him here, Constant is this year celebrating his 20th year on the street, and it’s here he has three of his seven Paris restaurants; side-by-side and cooking with French classical technique as their bible. It’s little wonder that food’s holy book Michelin has deigned to bestow the chef’s restaurants with a string of awards.

With such a veritable feast of choice, the plan was to stroll the street and see which of his establishments cast the most coquettish come-ons – happily bringing about a fine afternoon in the warm embrace of Les Cocottes.

IDEA

In a street crowded with gourmand-worthy bistros (ironically, competition which is made in-house), a sense of theatre and razor-sharp branding is requisite to stand out. There’s no chance you’ll forget where you are or who is doing the (executive) cooking here. The restaurant name and message come from the small, heatproof dish in which the main courses arrive, giving everything a neatness and synergy, not to mention saving on the washing-up. To say the dishes are one-pot wonders, however, would be doing an almighty disservice – the cooking here is precise and impeccable.

LOCATION

The closest metro is École Militaire and the Eiffel Tower is well within a post-dinner stroll’s reach. The banks of the Seine and Musee d’Orsay are also close – your day’s itinerary, then, is written.

ATMOSPHERE

More cavernous than the outside betrays, and with stool and bar seating abundant, Les Cocottes has the feel of a modern tapas bar, complete with appropriate levels of chatter and cheer. Naked wood tables and minimal frippery reassure punters that the hushed tones of haute cuisine are not expected.

FOOD

The menu is divided into four parts; the traditional three and an interloper, Les Incontournables – pates, cheeseboards and such. Of course, when mains are so clearly purposed as the finished article – cocotte-confined and war ready – starters which land in the middle of the table for everyone to get stuck into is the unavoidable and correct move. It’s the sociable way to try as many different bits’n’bobs as possible before you get covetous with your main.

With this logic in place and the unseasonably warm September weather outside, we opted for light, kilner-jar contained sharers to start. A smugness about our ordering savvy followed with the first bite of a tuna, aubergine caviar and spiced jelly offering – an utterly sublime dish suited so well to the communal. Ditto the country style pate (a ‘recipe from my apprenticeship’ was cutely offered as an aside on the menu), which while also doing the job, boasted less originality than the former.

The main event had much to live up to and it got there, just. A blushing pigeon breast with confit leg, girolles and peas smacked of the season and had the right, light earthiness which made seeing off summer all the more bearable. The serving vessel’s trump card, of confining all of the meat juices in one place, made for a beautiful, rich liquor. That sense of being on the cusp of a new season but not quite letting go of the last was replete in all the table’s choices – cod, end of summer vegetables and lemon and honey vinaigrette was sharp and refreshing, but with warmth and depth from subtle Asian spicing and candied lemon peel. Roast chicken with confit lemon and olives pulled off the same trick.

DRINK

This being France, there’s a bountiful wine list with plenty of bottles in the upper echelons, hovering out of reach. The inclusivity of the restaurant, though, shines through in the availability of carafes and waitstaff happy to guide you in ones suited to your budget and food.

MUST TRY

Without wishing to be obtuse, the stand out dish was not one found in the section of the menu from which the restaurant takes its name. Instead, our group could not find enough superlatives for the tuna and aubergine. Perhaps, in a country so in thrall to the staples and classical technique, the mix of perfect execution and the unfamiliar in the dish awakened the senses. Eyes were certainly wide around the table when they met after the first bite. Undercurrents of Middle-Eastern spicing and a jelly whose main ingredient we couldn’t quite put our finger on led to intrigue and discussion. It’s great when food does that. In comparison, the cocottes felt almost selfish.

WHY GO

Paris is a city of down-to-earth bistros and reverent fine-dining, and Les Cocottes manages to straddle the two for a price that, whilst not cheap, was wholly reasonable. The cooking is perfectly executed, free from peacocking but with enough allure and intrigue to titillate, leaving you suitably sated and satisfied. Next time we’re in Paris we’ll be sure to succumb to Les Cocottes’ seduction again; only if one of its sisters doesn’t tempt us in first.

Website: www.maisonconstant.com

10 IDEAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO CONFRONT YOUR REAL FEARS THIS HALLOWEEN

Editorial Team
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10 IDEAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO CONFRONT YOUR REAL FEARS THIS HALLOWEEN

Do you really want to be scared this Halloween? Instead of watching a horror movie or visiting a haunted house, confront your real fears by tackling them head on.

The experts at Hotels.com™ have compiled a list of travel experiences where you can defy some of the most common phobias by facing them in the real world this Halloween.

Fear of Halloween (samhainophobia):

Fear of Halloween is a real thing, but it’s mostly experienced by young children who don’t understand that the ghosts and vampires wandering the streets on the night are not real. If you’re a grownup who still has that fear, then you may be overwhelmed by Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights in Florida, but if you can survive the scares there, then Halloween will seem like Valentine’s Day from now on. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Orlando during these spooky events, staying close by in Universal’s four star Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is probably a good idea to avoid long walks back to a hotel in the dark…

Fear of public speaking (glossophobia):

Topping just about every list of phobias is the fear of speaking to a crowd. What better place to get over that fear than standing on Speaker’s Corner in London’s Hyde Park? Karl Marx, George Orwell and Marcus Garvey are just a few of the many preachers who have given speeches in a spot that stands as a symbol of free speech. Even if you don’t give a speech of your own, you could listen to what others have to say.

Fear of heights (acrophobia):

Plenty of people are afraid of high places. A thrilling way to face that fear is to ride the elevator to the observation deck of the CN Tower in Toronto. At 553 metres, it’s the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. If you really want to get over your fear of heights and get a shot of adrenaline at the same time, try the EdgeWalk, which will have you walking along the tower’s roof while safely tethered. Whilst in Toronto you can make the most of your trip and reward yourself with a stay in five star luxury hotel, Shangri-la hotel.

Fear of insects (entomophobia):

Creepy, crawly, six-legged insects make a lot of people’s skin crawl. Get over your fear of these harmless creatures by stuffing a few of them into your mouth. We’re not talking live insects, just cooked ones. In the night markets of Bangkok, Thailand, you can get a bag full of deep-fried and salted insects that make a nice, light snack. Grasshoppers are a good choice, but crickets and silkworms are also on the menu.

Fear of the dark (nyctophobia):

When it’s dark at night, our imaginations run wild and we scare ourselves silly because we don’t know what lurks in the shadows. Try dining in complete darkness in the Blindekuh restaurant in Zurich, Switzerland where you can only use the senses of taste, touch and smell to enjoy your food. These “dark dining” restaurants have now popped up all over the world, including the infamous Dans le noir in London, which is definitely worth a try for the unique experience alone. To make this experience even better, book a stay at the traditionally British hotel, The Rosewood just minutes away from the restaurant, where you can take in the beautiful surroundings with the lights on!

Fear of dogs (cynophobia):

Dogs are man’s best friend, but they can also be fearsome creatures to some. This winter, try a dogsledding experience in Iceland. There are plenty of tour operators that will fix you up with a team of yipping and barking dogs that will carry you across the frozen land. It won’t be long before you’re a member of the pack.

Fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia):

Don’t like being packed into a small space like a sardine? Take a ride on the Tokyo subway or London Underground during rush hour and you’ll experience crowding like you’ve never experienced before. Be sure to get on at Shinjuku Station and be slow to board so you can have the “passenger arrangement staff” push you into the car to make sure it’s filled to capacity. The subways back home will never feel crowded again.

Fear of snakes (ophidiophobia):

Our fear of snakes is primal. If you’re going to confront your fear of these slithering creatures, do it in the Land Down Under where it seems like every other creature is out to kill you. Near Sydney, Australia, you can visit the Australian Reptile Park where you can sign up for a VIP tour that allows you to see their animals up close.

Fear of flying (aerophobia):

By the numbers, flying is a lot safer than driving in a car. To really confront your phobia, do it in a plane with an open cockpit so you can feel the wind in your face. One place to do that is at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa where you can take a quick flight over the nation’s capital in a 1930s-era Waco biplane.

Fear of being trapped (cleithrophobia):

Who doesn’t like the idea of being trapped? A fun way to experience the sensation with no fear is to bring some friends and family to an escape room. These are collaborative games where you and your team are trapped in a room and have to use your wits to solve the puzzle that lets you out. Escape rooms can be found in cities across the UK, popular ones being based in Manchester, London and Birmingham – each consisting of a different theme. Rather stay in a luxury hotel room over a dreaded escape room, then stay overnight in popular Canal Street and the spacious Arora Hotel in Manchester to ensure you get over your fear before lights out!

THE IDEAL RECIPE FOR THYME & MINT POACHED PEARS WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Editorial Team
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THE IDEAL RECIPE FOR THYME & MINT POACHED PEARS WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Colder weather doesn’t necessarily mean stodgy puddings, this fresh and flavoursome dessert is only 249 calories per portion and is virtually fat free! It’s easy to make and is sure to impress if you’re entertaining. So try this delicious recipe for Thyme & Mint Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce from  The Fresh Herb Company, the UK’s leading producer of fresh herbs

Preparation & Cooking Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

150g caster sugar
4 ripe Conference pears, peeled
(620g)
10g fresh thyme from a living pot + 1
tbsp chopped thyme
3 sprigs mint
300g raspberries
Juice of ½ lemon

Method

Place the sugar and 500ml water in a medium saucepan and add bring to the boil, simmer for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.

Trim the bases of the pears so they stand upright. Add the thyme, mint and pears to the syrup, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the pears and set aside, discard the herbs and boil the syrup until reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Add the raspberries and lemon juice and cook for 1-2 minutes, blend with a hand held blender, sprinkle reserved thyme leaves and serve with the pears.

 

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