Being asked to be maid of honour is incredibly exciting, especially if you have never taken on the role before. Of course, it can also be somewhat nerve-wracking, as being maid of honour comes with a lot of responsibility – you are the bride’s right-hand woman and need to be there to help her with everything that she could possibly need. To ensure that you are the very best maid of honour, we’ve put together this useful guide to everything that you can expect by taking on the role.
The hen do is your responsibility
One of the biggest tasks that comes with the role of maid of honour is the hen do. As the bride’s right-hand woman, you will be expected to plan the hen party. This means coming up with ideas, consulting with the other bridesmaids, and organising the entire event. It also means working out the best time and date to hold the hen party, and ensuring that all of the people who the bride is closest to are available on that date and time. Executing a successful hen do that is enjoyed by everyone, including the bride, takes time, effort and thought. It can be hard to get it right, especially when the bride has a mixture of ages that she would like to include.
You need to pick the perfect gift
As the maid of honour, you are meant to know the happy couple the best, so it’s important to pick the perfect gift. While this isn’t always easy to do, you need to come up with some unique and interesting wedding gift ideas, to ensure that the bride and groom love the gift that you choose for them. If you can’t think of anything that the happy couple would appreciate, then perhaps you could get them a voucher of some sort or an experience day. It doesn’t matter what type of gift you opt for, just as long as you pick a present that you know they’ll appreciate.
You will be expected to help plan the wedding
Part of your role of maid of honour means helping to plan the wedding. You will need to be prepared to be on hand to the bride at all times, to help her with any wedding planning tasks that she may need help with. This means having regular meetings with her, attending wedding fayres, and being willing to help her out with whatever she needs help with. If you live far apart from each other, this can be tricky, but it is still doable. Facetime can be an incredibly useful tool as you can get together to plan wedding bits and bobs via it, so even if you and the bride live a distance apart, it doesn’t have to matter.
So there you have it, everything that you need to know about being maid of honour. Remember, it’s an important role and one that you should be grateful to have, as it means being a big part of the wedding.
When a friend suggests dinner out in Kensington, two Pavlov-esque reactions occur. Sure, you salivate at the thought of Bibendum or The Ledbury; of tasting menus, the finest of fine wine and that cuttlefish and tripe dish, or the latter’s much revered brown sugar tart. The second reaction though, is to caress your wallet as you would a baby you wish to protect from harm. You then remember you had plans and let your friend down gently.
It shouldn’t have to be this way. Though Kensington is synonymous with luxury and opulence, and much of the restaurant scene is more than happy to cater to the stereotype, there is in fact plenty on offer in the lower-budget range, without the dreaded forfeiting of flavour and fun. So if you’re craving good food and drink but without the fuss of fine-dining, we’re here to help. Here are 5 IDEAL spots for fun and casual dining in Kensington.
Cast Iron Bar & Grill
With its beautiful design and layout, combined with an excellent menu that is comprised largely of British-table staples, the Cast Iron Bar & Grill is one of the best affordable restaurants in Kensington. Set under a stunning hanging glass atrium, it has a light, airy feel and a menu that is heavy on the comfort classics, like steak and chips or a chicken and leek pie. The choice of drinks and service are acclaimed.
Kensington Place on Kensington Church Street has become something of an institution in the area. With its pretty diner-style design and a seafood-heavy menu featuring fresh from the market, seasonal options alongside fish pies, fish’n’chips et al. Expect a warm welcome and plenty of regulars; it’s the kind of place that invites fierce loyalty from its fanbase, and we can see why. The fish cooking is executed calmly and with respect, just as it should be.
Zaika has much going for it. A looming, imposing setting in a former bank with traditional wood paneling, jovial, jolly vibes and excellent traditional Indian food, Zaika is one of Kensington’s finest, and won’t break the bank (too badly) either. With so many places doing Indian food in the area, Zaika stands out for its unique look and refined menu. The vegetarian game is strong here; always a plus in our book, and staff sashay around the room with elegance and non-interference.
Address: 1 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5NP
Go-Viet
We love Vietnamese food deeply and dearly, and Go Viet gets much closer to the real thing than some of the chanier places springing up all over London of late. It’s eminently affordable too – you can get a pho for under 8 quid – and perfect for a quick lunchtime pitstop in between a day’s shopping.
Whilst not exactly cheap, what you get in terms of food, drink and service here is superb value for money, all day long and any day of the week. A younger brother to the much loved Rabbit on King’s Road, the emphasis here is on small plates of hyper-seasonal, farm-to-table cooking (is it ever not?). The delivery of this message is concise and just a little crafty (pork cigars anyone?). Its no frills decor and reasonable price, when bearing in mind the excellence of the produce and affluence of the area, make it a very viable option when in Kensington. Even if you’re not, it’s worth the journey.
Once upon a time us Brits would settle for a cup of instant granules, burnt with boiling water and brought down to barely warm with some ice cold milk. It’s 2017 and those days are long gone. Artisanal coffee shops serving coffees from across the globe, with flavours advanced with bean specific technique, have raised the game so exponentially that having a coffee machine in your home is now no longer a fanciful and frivolous option. The availability of both knowledge and product on most high streets has only served to make us ever more discerning. With this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL reasons to treat yourself to a coffee machine.
TIME AND LABOUR EFFICIENT
The modern cup of Joe and the modern, average Joe have a lot in common. Life moves fast and having a coffee machine at home saves time and a trip to the high street for your coffee fix. Mornings are so much easier with a coffee machine. Depending on your choice of machine, having a cup of the finest coffee can be as simple as putting a pod in the machine and letting it do all the work.
YOU’LL SUDDENLY NOTICE YOU HAVE MORE FRIENDS
‘Hey, want to come back for coffee?’. This cliched invite will suddenly carry a lot more weight than before. Where once you had to deal with the shame of rejection and loneliness, now people will bite your hand off if ever invited to your house. Sure, it’ll be for your amazing coffee, but you can tell yourself it’s for your sparkling company. Everybody wins.
THE TASTE
According to some connoisseurs, to get the very best cup of coffee at home you should grind your own beans. You can do this with an integrated grinder. Just purchase some beans and the machine will grind and make the drink for you. This leads to both sensational taste and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. You can get coffee beans from your local supermarket, or buy in bulk online from companies like Honest Coffeeswho offer an enticing range of beans from around the globe. If grinding your own beans seems too much like hard work a capsule or pod machine offers great taste too. Each packet has been sealed tightly to lock in freshness – another winner that instant or cafetieres can’t beat.
THE VARIETIES ARE ENDLESS
If using a pod machine, you could select a different variety from a different region of the world each day. The spice of life? Coffee machines have that covered. What’s more, a bean-to-cup machine can produce a myriad of styles, from espressos and americanos to cappuccinos and beyond. Although the initial outlay seems large, in the long run you’ll save money from enjoying your coffees at home rather than being in expensive coffee shops daily.
BECOME A COFFEE CONNOISSEUR
Once you have your machine of choice in place, you can focus on the really important stuff – finding the right bean or ready-ground. The fun begins when being duty bound to sample as many as possible to find your flavour. Experience leads to knowledge, and knowing your stuff about coffee is social currency in the modern age. Prepare to lord it over your peers.
So now you’ve probably decided that you want to become your own barista. But where should you go to buy the right coffee machine for you? For espresso makers we’d recommend this site which features some great buying guides and detailed reviews of different machines to use at home. For a reasonable deal on machines that make a variety of different coffees, your best bet is probably Amazon.com which sell a great variety of combination coffee makers.
According to The Independent, a recent study found that one-third of employers use social media to recruit. Over a quarter of recruiters have found social or professional networks to be the most effective means through which to grow their employer brands, and that number is expected to rise quickly.
With this in mind, it is important to consider how your presence on social media may impact your chances of landing call centre jobs in Manchester, or any other job for that matter. Below are five mistakes to avoid:
Complaining about everything
If you’re one of those who likes to complain across social media, this will only come across negatively towards a prospective employer. While your personal profile may be private, you never know which one of your friends works with a future employer. Nobody wants to work with people who are constantly in a bad mood or like to drag others down. Try to avoid complaining, generally being negative and add some positive vibes to your social profiles!
Being inappropriate and offensive
We all have moments where we can be slightly inappropriate, however keep that for when you’re down with the pub with your friends, not on your social profiles where the entire world may see. Even if you didn’t mean for something to be offensive, the person reading it may not take it the same way. Be mindful about what you put out there.
Not engaging with your network
If you signed up to Twitter and LinkedIn to increase your network, when was the last time you posted something related to your profession or industry? If it was more than six months ago, you may want to get back into the swing of it again, especially if you’re actively seeking a new role. Make sure you regularly engage with your followers, make new friends and post updates and news related to your industry. Being active is good on your social profiles as recruiters will see that you’re clearly passionate about what you do.
Uploading bad photos
Chances are, one of the first places an employer will look for you online is LinkedIn. According to Robert Walters, 64% of employers would check your LinkedIn profile before hiring you. On LinkedIn, ensure your photo is up to date and appropriate. It doesn’t need to a professional headshot (if you can get one, great), but a smiling photo that reflects your enthusiasm will be perfect. On Facebook and Twitter, ensure your main profile photo isn’t one where you’ve had one too many!
Bad mouthing current or past employers
You may have had a bad day at work but keep the rant for your partner or friend. Don’t go to social media to vent, you’ll only regret it when your mood has passed and by that time it could be too late. If an employer sees that you’ve bad mouthed your current employer, what’s to stop them thinking you won’t do the same to their company if they hire you?
NewYear’s Eve is a time to celebrate a new beginning. Many people follow various traditions and beliefs that can bring good fortune for the year ahead. As many entrepreneurs know, when it comes to a successful business, a lot has to do with hard work and maybe a little bit of luck along the way. With the help of hotels.tv we have put together this list of 10 NewYear’s Eve Traditions to bring you prosperity
1. The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain, where it is believed that it will bring you luck (one grape for each month).
2. In Brazil, traditionally people wear white on NYE to bring peace. For those looking to have fortune and money, the color to wear is yellow.
3. Having money in your wallet at midnight means that money will keep flowing throughout the year.
4. Walking out of your house with luggage open, or taking your luggage around your block, will bring you many travel opportunities in the upcoming year.
5. Take a broom and sweep out your door at midnight. This will take all the negativity out of your life for the NewYear.
6. If a stronger relationship is what you are looking for this year, make sure to wear red, or get a kiss at midnight.
7. A very popular tradition in the southern U.S. and around the world is to eat black-eyed peas and lentils which will bring good luck and prosperity.
8. Sleep with a horseshoe under your pillow on NewYear’s Eve for good luck.
9. Wear polka dots or carry coins or anything round on NYE. The round shape signifies prosperity in various cultures.
10. Smash some plates, something the Danish do at NYE, to get rid of the past year’s experiences and negative things, and create a fresh start for 2015.
*This article was published earlier and has been updated
Another year is drawing to a close, and 2017 is rapidly approaching. This time of year is good for reflection: you may be thinking about your successes of 2016 and what went a little less well for you, the things that made you proud and the things that made you a little more dissatisfied. If that’s the case for you, then never fear – people are very rarely absolutely content and happy with themselves. But if you want 2017 to be a better year, here are some positive changes you can make so in twelve months’ time you can look back at the last year of your life with a smile on your face,
Get Fit And Healthy
A lot of people decide that they want to lose weight as part of their new year’s resolution, but the truth is that in order to get fit and healthy, you need to make some serious lifestyle changes. If you want to diet, remember that you won’t get far if you completely cut out any food groups like carbohydrates or swear never to eat your favourite foods like chocolate and French fries ever again. Instead, remember that everything in moderation is the best way to get healthy. If you want to do more exercise, start to work it into the fabric of your day: do a short fitness routine before you shower in the morning, do half an hour of yoga when you get home from work, or join a Zumba class with a friend.
Take The Trip Of A Lifetime
If you haven’t travelled much, use 2017 to explore the world and take the trip of a lifetime. You could go to a few different European cities like Barcelona, Venice, Berlin and Vienna to explore the culture there, or you could go backpacking around Australia and New Zealand. If you’re a little more cautious, you could always use a site like FirstClass.flights to plan a luxury trip so you can spend a couple of weeks in the sun, sipping mojitos and fully relaxing in preparation for the rest of the year.
Revamp Your Style
If your style’s getting a little old, now is the time to switch it up a little. Although it might be frightening to go for a completely new look, you only live once – and remember, even if you hate that dye job or your new pixie cut, your hair will grow, your fake tan will wear off, and you can always put your wild new jacket that you’ve only worn once on eBay to resell. Go for brighter colours than you’re accustomed to – if you have to buy a new winter coat, go for pea green or bright scarlet instead of the usual black or navy blue overcoat, and add another flash of colour by going for a bright bag instead of plain old dark leather. If you’re sick of your beauty regime, go to a beauty counter and talk to someone who works there, and ask if you can get a makeover and any recommendations for new products.
Tis the season to be energy efficient and now you can be by following these 6 tips on how to save on your energy bills this Xmas
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun. Christmas tree lights are being switched on, radio stations are playing our favourite festive songs, and local supermarkets are stocking their aisles with tasty turkeys and mouthwatering mince pies. But while we fuss over our food preparations and Christmas decorations, it’s easy to forget that we are using energy.
To help you save energy amid the holiday hype, www.zenithhome.co.uk the energy saving experts, have put together some simple tips to help keep your energy bills cheap and cheerful so that you can have a holly jolly Christmas.
Deck the Halls with LED Lights
Switching your usual festive fairy lights to LED or solar powered Christmas lights will save stacks of energy and will cost six times less to run. If all 26 million UK homes swapped one string of standard fairy lights for LED lights over Christmas, would save enough carbon dioxide to fill 188,000 double-decker buses*.
Stock up your winter wardrobe with woolly reindeer jumpers, gingerbread onesies and fluffy snowman socks. Layering up your loungewear will not only keep you warm, but will also save a substantial amount of money on your energy bills as you won’t need to turn up the thermostat.
Have yourself an energy free night’s sleep
An extravagant outdoor Christmas light display may look fantastic, but it can rack up a fantastically-large energy bill too! If turned on regularly, those twinkling fairy lights and luminous snowmen can cost as much as £100 to power throughout December*. Make a habit of turning the outdoor lights on when you get home from work, and turning them off half an hour before you go to bed.
Hark the Christmas Playlist Sing
Santa Baby, Jingle Bell Rock, or Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer; whatever your taste in Christmas music, why not make your own soundtrack? It’s much more energy-efficient to create your own Christmas CD than to leave the laptop or radio running all day.
No matter how cold it may be outside, stay warm and cosy by closing all of your curtains. 20% of your homes heat escapes through cracks and gaps around doors and windows*, so closing them will reduce the amount of heat lost, which in turn will save you money on your energy bills.
Help to make the season bright
As well as switching to LEDs, why not light some candles instead of turning on the lights? This will save energy and create a festive ambience. While you’re at it, you should stick some yule logs on the fire – always great for roasting chestnuts and heating up the home.
Though the office Christmas party may move venue and bring new faces every year, the personalities of those invited never change, according to research from national bar and brasserie chain, Browns. They claim exactly 10 party ‘characters’ are present at every single staff party regardless of where it is, which industry or trade throws the bash or how many people attend. Wondering which character you are? Here are 10 characters you’ll spot at every IDEAL office party,
THE PEAK-TOO-SOONER
This man or woman is the office Christmas party evangelist. They help round up the troops in advance of the annual bash and make wild promises of incredible party feats and promises of being the last-man or woman standing at the after-party shindig. Unfortunately, they are then found just 90 minutes into the festive bash, candle well and truly burnt at both ends, snoozing quietly in the corner.
THE BLABBERMOUTH
They’ve been the picture of discretion all year, hiding their simmering discontent at not getting that pay-rise or failing in that promotion behind a façade of normality. But once the festive spirit takes them, their lips become loose and they begin to announce, at an inconsidered and raised volume, how rubbish it is working at their company.
They also suddenly find it impossible to maintain company secrets or private disclosures. Nothing is out of bounds and, before the end of the evening, any confidential company business is suddenly common knowledge among the entire workforce. Often found at the root of any Christmas party squabbles.
THE HOUDINI
Often best-friends with the Peak-too-sooner and the Organiser, the Houdini seems well up for plenty of festive frolics in the lead-up to the staffChristmas do. They often go as far as helping organise venues for the hardy party animals to go to after the main event has subsided.
Unfortunately, this party ‘type’ is usually never around when the après-party begins, having sloped off home for an early-night and a mug of Horlicks discreetly while the rest of the workforce is still in full-party mode. Usually in their early 30s and often a new parent or horribly infatuated with their lover.
THE DARK HORSE
Quiet as a mouse all year round this pinstriped staff member suddenly, frighteningly finds their outrageous inner self at the Christmas party. While they wouldn’t say boo to a goose in normal office hours they suddenly come our of their shell.
They’re also likely to announce that they used to be lead singer in a death metal band once they’d quit their job as a dancer at a seedy revue bar. Often to be found working the floor in tandem with The Flirt.
THE LIMPET
You can easily spot this s(h)elfish staff member at the Christmas party because they are irremovably welded to the side of their departmental boss. They’ll be the one heartily laughing at their boss’s awful jokes, cooing cringefully at their boss’s development plan and happily skipping off to the bar and buying their boss drinks all night out of their own pocket.
They’ll also be the one left looking heartbroken as their boss exits the party early without hearing their full 14-part eulogy to their boss’s greatness, written in staggering techni-coloured fawning detail (in their own blood). Often to be found, at the end of the night, in the toilets, attempting to outcry The Weeper.
THE WEEPER
The staff member who steadfastly, resolutely refuses to leave their personal problems at the door to the Christmas party venue. They wear their heart on their sleeve and spread their misty-eyed romantic delusions of love through snotty tear-stained tissues thrust into the clammy hands of colleagues unfortunate enough to aimlessly wander into the toilets while The Weeper is mid-shriek over the untimely ending of their torrid love affair with Tommy, the butcher’s son.
THE DANCER
Always a decade beyond their prime, The dancer will bust all manner of old-skool moves at the office party following years of secret attendance at their local community centre’s disco-dancing classes.
Thought you’d seen the last of the hand-jive? Oh no you haven’t. And you’ve never ever seen anyone under the age of 25 attempt that backflip into a John Travolta strut before. This staff member will not vacate the dance floor – tonight it is their personal stage and the masses of open-mouthed colleagues sitting around the vicinity of the dance floor are their greatest audience. Also available for christenings, bah mitzvahs and evening wedding receptions.
THE ORGANISER
Woe betide anyone who decides to change their Christmas dinner choice at the staff party or bemoans the quality of the venue, The Organiser will be firmly, angrily on your case. This diminutive staff member has spent years scaring the pants off the biggest characters in the staff canteen, honing their withering Paddington stare to perfection.
They have a list of everything (including other lists) and have arranged the staff party with military precision. No matter you have just ordered a full round of drinks for you and your colleagues, if The Organiser says it is time to move on, you move on. No argument, you shuffle into the dining room and leave your drinks behind (they’re banned from this room because The Organiser has arranged special Christmas cocktails to be served).
THE GATECRASHER
Usually a friend (or lover) of a staff member, The Gatecrasher has already been out on their own staff party at a venue across town earlier in the evening. They turn up at yours, risking the wrath of The Organiser and invite themselves to share the paid-for after-dinner activities. Convinced that they have injected new life into your they’ll be so sure of their ‘legend’ status they’ll even try and cheer up The Weeper before attempting to solve world famine, challenge The Dancer to a Step Up-style dance-off and demand that your boss tell them exactly what it is like being a PA.
With all these different types of character’s coming out, it’s no wonder why this festive event is the highlight of the working year for so many people. If you want to make it extra special and really see your work colleagues as their real selves, something different you can plan for your next office Christmas party is to hire a virtual reality headset, take a look at some examples of different VR headsets. Playing games always brings out people’s true colours.
Choosing a promising area when it comes to investment in property can change everything. By promising, it doesn’t automatically mean the cheapest areas or those with the fastest rising prices. Promising means that people actually want to live there and that there is some chance of a bright future.
Investing into property is a great idea, because property is such a great investment. At Orbis Protect they offer property protection, which is something you really need to get if you are investing into any property. Moreover, investment in property means buying something and making money out of it either through rent or renovation – either way, at the end of the day you need someone to want to live in that location, in your house, to make you money.
London
You also have to be realistic; of course cities like London are among the fastest growing but for investment purposes you’ll need a lot of capital behind you to get involved with a SW postcode, espcially if you’re looking at property for sale in Battersea(or anywhere else in the capital). It’s best to ask a professional for advice when looking to invest a large sum of money into property and you want someone with plenty of experience. Jason Harris at First Urban has a lot of knowledge when it comes to investments in property – his is the sort of service that can help you to crack the property market.
Northampton
So with London to one side, where is the best place to invest your hard earned cash? Well, perhaps surprisingly, Northampton is high up on the list for 2017, ranking fourth after the big London boroughs. Northampton’s prime position is what gives it a leg-up in terms of property. Located halfway between London and Birmingham and with a great train line; Northampton is a hub of opportunity. It is also a university town, so housing can be rented out to students all-year-round.
The website Northamptonshire Growth Hub has been set up to provide local businesses free support and guidance so that they can essentially grow and achieve their ambitions. According to its data, 6,000 new businesses are created in Northamptonshire each year and so far they have managed to help 2,000 of these to get themselves successfully established. With such an enormous influx of business, and now a new support network, that may encourage entrepreneurs to move to Northampton and they’re going to need houses to live in.
So what will you be looking to spend in Northampton? The most recent figures released from Rightmove show that the majority of sales in Northampton during the last year that were terraced properties sold for an average price of £170,273. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £199,670 and detached properties fetched upwards of £315,344. The overall average price of sold houses in Northampton was £206,734. This isn’t low but is far from the highs of the London market.
The figures also showed that overall sold prices in Northampton over the last year were up a solid 5% on the previous year and 22% up on the 2007 level of £169,178. So, take some advice from an expert but Northampton is a pretty safe bet for 2017!
Get ready for a Scandinavian Christmas with these traditional recipes
In Scandinavia a julbord is traditionally served on Christmas Eve, a smorgasbord of typically pickled fish, cold baked ham and a hot, substantial dish like a creamy potato fish bake. In Norway, Christmas is a much more laid back affair to the UK. It’s simply a good honest meal, and much less extravagant gift giving. Rather than have one massive celebration, there tends to be smaller get-togethers throughout December and January.
Herring & beetroot salad
Just a spoonful of this richly flavoured salad will whet appetites for the rest of the meal.
Prep time:5 minutes
Serves: 6 as a starter
Ingredients
275g jar herrings in dill marinade 250g pack cooked beetroot 1 tbsp capers ¼ x 20g pack fresh dill, chopped ½ small red onion, sliced very thinly 2 tbsp double cream 6 thin slices of toasted rye bread, halved, to serve
Method
Drain the herrings, reserving the marinade. Drain and dice the beetroot, and place into a bowl. Add the capers, dill, red onion and herrings.
Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved marinade and the cream to the bowl, and stir well to combine. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Spoon the salad and juices onto small pieces of toasted rye bread to serve.
Potato & anchovy bake
Traditional recipes for this hearty dish use pickled sprats, but anchovies are really delicious and far more widely available. Don’t be put off by the large quantity of anchovies – their flavour is readily absorbed by the potatoes and cream.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients
1.2 kg floury potatoes, eg King Edwards 100g jar anchovies in olive oil 2 onions, thinly sliced 300ml double cream 150ml milk 50g butter 50g breadcrumbs Watercress or baby leaf salad, to serve
Method
Preheat the oven to 190°C, gas mark 5. Grease a large, shallow baking dish. Very thinly slice the potatoes, then cut across into fine chips. They should be almost matchstick sized, but don’t worry if they end up chunkier.
Pour the oil from the anchovies into a large frying pan and gently fry the onions over a medium heat for 5 minutes to soften. Chop the anchovies into small pieces and mix with the onions. Using a slotted spoon, put the onion mixture into a bowl. Return the pan to the heat. Add the potatoes and turn in the oil left in the pan for 5 minutes. You may need to add a little extra oil.
Spread a quarter of the potatoes over the base of the baking dish. Spoon half the onion mixture on top, then another quarter of the potatoes. Layer the remaining onion mixture on top, then finally the rest of the potatoes. Combine the cream and milk with a little salt and black pepper, then pour into the dish.
Melt the butter and mix with the breadcrumbs. Scatter them over the surface of the potatoes. Bake for about 1 hour until the potatoes are tender and the breadcrumbs are golden. Leave to stand for a few minutes before serving with a watercress or baby leaf salad.
Julskinka crumbed ham
This is a sweet mustard and breadcrumb-crusted festive ham, served cold in wafer thin slices. It’s always worth cooking a large joint so there are plenty of leftovers for grazing on!
Preparation time:15 minutes + cooling
Cooking time:1 hour 50 minutes
Serves: 6, plus leftovers
Ingredients
2.3kg (approx) smoked or unsmoked British gammon joint 2 onions, halved 2 sticks celery, roughly chopped 3 bay leaves 1 tbsp black peppercorns 2 tsp whole cloves 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard 2 tbsp light brown muscovado sugar 25g white breadcrumbs
Method
Put the gammon in a large saucepan and add the onions, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns and cloves. Top up with cold water to cover the meat completely. Bring very gently to a simmer, cover with a lid or foil and cook over your lowest heat for 1½ hours until the ham is completely cooked through. If the ham is not completely submerged in liquid, turn it halfway through cooking. Leave to cool in the liquid, overnight if more convenient.
Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Drain the ham, remove any string and cut away the skin. Combine the mustard and sugar, and spread all over the fat. Press a layer of breadcrumbs on top, pushing down firmly with your hands. If liked, score the fat in a diamond pattern with the tip of a sharp knife.
Transfer to a roasting tin and bake for about 20 minutes until the breadcrumb crust is golden. Leave to cool, then chill until ready to serve.
If you’ve been invited to a wedding in another country or culture, first things first; lucky you! These celebrations of love and culture are an eye-opening, mind bending experience, and ones which bring home the wonder of diversity in all its glory. We all celebrate love and commitment in very different ways yet under a shared sky, and there’s something very special in that.
Once the excitement of receiving the invitation has worn off, the planning must begin. Choosing a guest outfit for a wedding in the UK is hard enough; choosing one to suit an unknown culture is an entirely different, more difficult proposition. Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, retailers of timeless menswear, we look at how the dress code of a wedding changes depending on the background of the newlyweds. So, here is our IDEAL guide to wedding attire in India, Japan and China.
WHAT WILL THE BRIDE BE WEARING?
Brides are known in the UK for their flattering white dresses, accompanied by a long train and veil. But how do our own bridal traditions compare to India, Japan and China?
India
In India, the lady’s dress depends on the region of India that they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree, a garment that looks like a long drape, while in others she wears a lehenga, which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, and her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.
The bride and her bridal party often have henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.
Japan
Japanese weddings are very elaborate and it’s acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. Often it’s the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and spending excessively is a way to indicate status and of keeping ‘face’ intact. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as five costume changes, each reflective of a different period of life.
At a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides have shown attention to heritage through wearing traditional print.
China
In China, it’s likely the bride will be dressed in red as the colour is considered a sign of good luck that can ward off evil spirits. In some regions, typically northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, a two-piece frock is typically worn.
A bridal crown is part of the wedding costume for some brides too – worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are donned. These are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolises happiness and longevity.
WHAT WILL THE GROOM BE WEARING?
The men often have traditional dress codes that they are expected to follow. However, many opt simply for a smart suit similar to how a groom in the UK would dress, and much for the same purpose; to let the bride be the focal point.
India
Similarly to the women, the region of India which the groom is from dictates their attire. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti, which is a rectangular cloth with ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.
The men also get henna designs on their bodies but it is less elaborate and often hidden.
Japan
Traditionally, a Japanese groom wears a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, the trend is for younger grooms to start the ceremony in a tuxedo.
China
In China, the husband-to-be traditionally wears a black silk coat over an embroidered robe. Often though, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.
The groom has to wear certain headwear too – this is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations decide to forgo the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.
WHAT SHOULD THE GUESTS WEAR?
It can be difficult to choose an outfit as a guest, as there are many traditions and symbolic items you may be unaware of. It’s important to remember though, that no one is expecting you to be versed on every custom and gesture, and the more enthusiasm you show for the occasion, the more you’ll be met with a corresponding embrace.
India
At an Indian wedding, the bolder your outfit, the better. Wearing vibrant colours indicates an embracing of the event. Subsequently, a riot of colour will help you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and implicative of mourning in India. Wearing red is also advised against; the bride will probably be dressed in this colour and as is customary in all weddings, drawing attention away from her is poor form.
Female guests shouldn’t bare their shoulders, wear low cut tops or short skirts as this can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one example of an appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits, and donning one of these yourself can go down very well if you have a position of honour at the wedding. Jewellery is important for women too, so choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.
Men often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama, and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating; there’s dancing abound at Indian weddings, so you need a shoe which will be kind to your feet.
Guests might also be expected to cover their heads if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads while men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.
An Indian wedding is often a long, drawn out affair (three days long is the norm) so make sure you’re wearing something loose and comfortable, and you arrive hungry.
Japan
At a traditional Japanese wedding, men were expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it’s accepted for men to attend dressed in suits other than black, with personality expressed through coloured ties. However, wearing a white suit and black tie is discouraged.
Women often wear either a knee length dress or coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It’s best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.
China
When dressing for a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as (and we see a theme developing here) this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.
Colours to avoid include black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.
Thinking of working from home? More of us than ever – especially young women – are making the move, so making sure your home is a productive and comforting space is integral to a happy, balanced life. With this in mind here are 5 tips for creating your ideal home office.
CREATE YOUR OWN SPACE
Setting up an office in one of the busiest rooms in your home is a recipe for disaster, and you will find yourself repeatedly distracted by the general activities of your home. Because of this, creating your own space is vital. Think about converting your spare room into your office.with the help of Entire Houze. If you don’t have a spare room, then get creative and carve out a designated area to work from using a folding screen or some curtains. You could even consider renting a portable cabin, or using an outbuilding such as a shed or garage. If you’re really stuck for space, specifically designed home office spaces available from sites like GardenSpaces.co.uk are worth checking out.
MAKE IT COMFORTABLE
This is your office space, so furnish and decorate it as you like. Remember that the decor should be relaxing, but not too laid back (you are working after all). Hanging personal pictures is the perfect way to remind you that you are a person not a machine. It’s also a good idea to put your desk in front of a window as plenty of natural light is the holy grail of happiness; it significantly increases energy, creativity and productivity. Also, think about adding some greenery as it’s been proven that plants in the workplace can reduce stress levels and increase productivity.
INVEST IN A QUALITY CHAIR
Did you know that the average office worker will spend almost 1,700 hours a year in front of their computer – that’s a lot hours sitting down. Your choice of chair can affect your concentration, comfort and wellbeing. Therefore investing in a quality chair will make the time you spend at the desk more pleasant and will help you avoid any aches and pains. These ergonomic office chairs are designed to promote posture, comfort & movement – what’s not to like.
GET CRAFTY
It doesn’t have to cost the earth to redecorate your office. Charity shops and car boot sales are perfect hunting grounds for quirky, vintage pieces and secondhand office furniture. Or why not indulge in some DIY creativity? Cover plain cardboard box files with wallpaper or fabric for a fabulous, bespoke look. A pinboard made from a wooden picture frame, foam and fabric is a great way to display photos, to-do lists or any other information you want to see at a glance. It also brings with it a great sense of satisfaction at having done things cheaply and with your own hands.
CONSIDER A SERVICED OFFICE
If your start up business is becoming too big for your spare room, don’t be afraid of expanding and getting yourself a nice office, such as a Loc8 Commercial office. Remember that renting an office space will significantly increase your outgoings. It’s not just the rent you have to worry about. It’s also the heating, lighting and insurance bills, not to mention the business rates and price of wifi and your commute.
However, on the plus side, a serviced office space is fully furnished and ready for a quick set up. Not only do you get a designated desk space and use of meetings rooms and conference rooms – many come with other perks like fully equipped kitchens, administrative assistants and even showers. Serviced spaces are usually the home of small corporate companies and established, but smaller teams. A lot of large businesses such as Disney or Pizza Express use them so you may be sharing an office with a big firm that could become a future client!
We all want our Cinderella moment, where the beautiful belle of the ball has all eyes on her. Make an impact this Christmas with these top tips to get you noticed!
Stay hydrated
We all know that staying hydrated is a vital part of staying healthy, but it also helps maintain gorgeous glowing skin. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will flush the body of harmful toxins that hinder your natural beauty. Have a glass of water near to hand, and take a few sips in between paragraphs of that report you’re writing. Little and often is much easier to swallow than trying to force a pint of squash down every few hours. When that glass is empty, head on up to the kitchen for a refill, with the bonus of chalking up a few more steps on our Fitbit counters.
Be Wax Aware
Every woman has her personal secrets to perfectly smooth sexy legs, but remember timing is crucial! Although waxing gives that irresistible feel, it can leave irritation and redness for a short while after. Plan ahead, and treat yourself to some well-earned pampering the day before and incorporate your waxing regime then, this will allow time for any temporary reactions to heal overnight, so you wake up to party ready pins.
Book A Day Of Retail Therapy
Treat yourself this Christmas for a day just for you, whether you take a leisurely browse through your local shopping quarter, or stay in the comfort of your home with a strong coffee and the internet world at your fingertips. Keep an eye out for a little surprise something that will enhance your signature look, with just enough difference that people can’t help but notice. How about some bright green contacts for the evening, or an elegant chain and pendant to enhance the neckline of your fabulous dress?
Perfect Your Perfume
You know what scents you like. You’ve applied your favorite but by the time you’ve reached the party it’s already faded, and it feels like a little bit of a waste. Did you know that warmer bodies will intensify the aroma? Give yourself a spritz as soon as you can after hopping out the shower, and if you want that extra boost massage in some matching body lotion over the top.
Be A Skin Sensation.
Everywhere you go, there are people who could give you the world of make-up advice. Ultimately, what people will notice first is your skin. A handy thing to be aware of if you’re short on time. Make sure your kit is stocked with your the right foundation to match your skin tone. Blend the foundation using a nice soft brush, and apply concealer to blemishes and dark spots as necessary. If you spend time on your foundation, then only have time for a quick flick of mascara and a little lip tint you will still be guaranteed to look sensational. But of course, if you have a few minutes spare and want to go to town, don’t let us stop you.
Well, there you have it. Five tips so simple that they have probably been overlooked before now, but will be a sure fire way to make everyone’s eyes focus on you as you sway and shimmy your way across the dancefloor. Now you can stop worrying, you look flawless, so go and enjoy your party.
Have you always dreamt of embarking on a career where you can make a difference? Does the idea of being stuck in a corporate world bore you beyond believe? Maybe the thought of a career with people or places that need you, where you can contribute to something, excites you more than anything else?
If that’s the case, then it seems as if nothing less than a meaningful job will do for you. And that’s not a bad place to begin your career. To have an impact on the world or people, any one of these five career paths could be the one for you.
Conservation Officer
A career in conservation is one way that you can physically make a difference in the world. There are many roles available, pretty much all around the world. From office based positions in a premises within the UK to active roles further afield, there is a range of options for budding conservationists to choose from – along with a variety of causes. If you don’t have a strong passion for one particular cause, volunteering could be one way to find your feet in an area that you could go on to love.
Support Worker
One of the most noticeable differences you can make to people is by giving back. By caring about a community and the people in it, you can change the way people think and feel. In a range of support worker jobs, not only do you care for others, but you can improve their standard of living and add to their quality of life. There are not many jobs that allow to you have a direct impact on others, but a career as a support worker certainly does.
Of course, this isn’t a job you can simply waltz into and expect to provide the type of care deserving of the role. Fortunately, on-the-job training is always provided. For some roles, a healthcare qualification such as a BTEC or NVQ may be needed here in the UK.
In the States, it is entirely feasible to become a community support worker with only a high school diploma, though most do have a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree in psychology. In Australia, you’ll need to look into becoming a registered NDIS provider.
Research Scientist
Other ways of making a difference can involve trying to make an active change. Research is one of the means of doing this. If you love your field of study and what to make an impact on not only your specialism, but the wider world too, a career within research science could be ideal for you. With a range of areas from stem cells to cancer research, you could make history in your field, as well as change the world for the better.
Community Adviser
Working within a community, to improve its welfare or dynamics can be a very rewarding job. As a community adviser, you may be working with to promote various areas of health within an area, or even be guiding youths. Careers within community care can be challenging, but you can also directly affect and improve the lives of others. In some cases, the field is close to their hearts and giving back in this way is more important than anything another career has to offer.
Teacher
As rewarding jobs go, teaching has got to be one of the highest there is. When you teach, you impart your love of learning and your specialism to others. You can help children grow and nurture their minds at primary level, or ignite their passion in a chosen field at secondary level.
You might even decide to teach as a professor at University level and have a hand in research at the same time. Whichever field of teaching feels right for you; it will undoubtedly be rewarding, and happens to be one of the most in-demand careers out there.
It’s finally happened. The initial shock of the worst possible moments of your life is beginning to come to a close. Your loved one has been physically reduced to a few kilos of ash and you have gotten the standard container that makes it seem more heartless than it really is. This is a moment that we all want to forget, about as much as we want our loved ones to come walking back through the door and back into our lives. We are beside ourselves with grief and we have been in a daze of wishing for our loved ones to come back, or that we could find as much peace as we would hope our loved ones have finally found. We can do this with memorial diamonds and other physical reminders that are unique to how our own lives with our loved ones went.
Everyone grieves in their own ways. We all remember small details with the most poignant of emotions. Some things lift us up as we remember with deep fondness, whereas some things send us into a hysterical crying fit. As we all find our own personal ways to come to terms with our grief and look to the horizons, we can find small comforts in the places where our loved ones touched us the most. And in those places, we can find truly heartfelt homes for memorial diamonds.
We will all cling to something tangible of the dearly departed because it was theirs. It makes us feel like a small part of them is still with us. It will usually be something that calms us as we struggle through this tumultuous time. It will help us sleep and get through each new day. But what if there was something that you could carry with you wherever you go without ever having to worry about any kind of changes? Memorial diamonds do just that for us. They also do so much more for our emotional state.
The idea of turning ashes into diamonds has become increasingly popular in the UK, with multiple heartfelt stories of people who have invested in the unique trend arising. Furthermore, more and more people are opting for cremation rather than traditional burials, with the UK rate being at 75.44% in 2015. This number is likely to keep increasing, as having a loved ones ashes provides us with greater ways to keep them close by, especially when they’re made into diamonds.
LONITÉ UK, a reputable memorial diamond manufacturer, answers this need for us all. They take a small portion of the hair or cremated remains and use them to grow a real diamond. Quite possibly the hardest part of this choice would be the giving up a portion of the remains and the lengthy wait before the diamond is returned to you.
Not the choice of how long to leave the remains in a purification cycle to get a green or blue or even a colourless diamond. It won’t be the decision to leave the diamond in a natural state or have it cut and polished, or what kind of cut to have made to it. It definitely won’t be what to have the diamond set into, whether it’s a ring or a pendant, or even custom lockets. All those decisions won’t be as hard because we will be getting back a portion of who we lost that we will be able to have as close to us as we want.
But is this really the perfect way to have a constant reminder of the person we lost? No one can say with 100% certainty if it really is or if it isn’t. This is because it is purely the choice of the persons involved. It is indeed a very novel way of remembering the deceased without having to worry about having to go to great lengths to remember funerary anniversaries or to drive for endless hours getting to the mausoleum, or perhaps shuttling off on a yearly flight to some farther destination. It will always be a little piece and reminder of them that can be touched and help on a whim.
We compare things in such an emotional way that memorial diamonds truly are the perfect way to remember our loved ones. Because there is no defined limit of where you can have a stone set, there is no plausible way to say what is the best way. But each way brings us that much closer to the peace we so desperately seek. With memorial diamonds and our choices of where to have them set, we can’t go wrong in finding our sense of peace and comfort. In the end, memorial diamonds do so much more than just serve as reminders. They bring us peace and comfort, and continue our very strong connection to the one we loved and lost. And having a physical reminder always at hand will surely bring us a smile when we need one the most; just like they would have done in life.
To lay rest to any fears of the validity of a memorial diamond, LONITÉ will back their claim with reports from your choice of reputable confirmation choices such as the IGI, International Gemmological Institute; or the GIA, Gemmological Institute of America. Bear in mind though, that it will be said that these diamonds are laboratory grown diamonds and not mined diamonds. The fact that they contain a part of our loved ones is what makes them largely different than any other laboratory diamond. The world at large may see memorial diamonds more macabre than they actually are, because we are looking for a tangible connection to our loved ones; not trying to make a buck reselling our loved ones in the diamond market.
It may not bring us closure to have our fallen loved ones interred into diamonds, but it will bring us a sense of closeness and comfort being able touch a part of them whenever we need to. It is the connection we establish with what remains that will make our grieving process easier. Along with the easing of our grief comes the sense of closure to quite possibly the hardest chapter in our lives. We can choose not to follow the tradition that forces us to go to a family burial plot or mausoleum to commune with our loved ones, because we can find our loved ones resting in our lockets or watching over our garden.
In most cases, it is definitely a greener option than burial and can be quite cheaper than a traditional burial service. There are far less ecological effects in the creation of memorial diamonds than we would have to worry about with traditional burials or entombment in a mausoleum. Even with a cremation, it is truly a more beautiful way to exhibit someone’s remains in the form of a diamond than it is showcasing some vase like urn. While memorial diamonds may be considered to be a bit on the macabre side, they are a rather nice way of having a physical reminder and a close connection to our loved ones.
But it doesn’t have to wait until our loved ones pass on, memorial diamonds can be made long in advance because they can also be made from hair. This will help suit larger families when our loved ones want to leave a little piece of themselves with each member of the family in very special ways. Even when it comes to adorning their own urns. It may feel like the worst of times when our loved ones pass on, but when all of us can carry a part of them with us wherever we go, it will bring us all a little more joy in such a troubled time.
