Category: LIFESTYLE

How to get in the best shape of your life

Running

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Posted: 26/06/2019

So many of us grapple with our body image. We may want to lose or gain weight, or we may want to tone up and increase our strength. The key to getting in the best shape of your life is excellent nutrition and fitness activity. But why does it never seem that easy? Here are some things to consider if you want to take control of your health and feel amazing in your own skin.  Define what you want  It’s easy to say you want to be in better shape, but what does this actually mean to you? Having a clear idea of how many pounds you want to drop, or how much muscle mass you’re hoping to gain will help you to set goals and to decide what to focus on.  If you think it will help, jot down your current measurements along with your goals. Keeping track of this can help to motivate you along the way and to make sure you’re heading on the right track. Make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons, and an unrealistic ideal is not influencing you. If you’re not truly doing it for you, then your dedication is likely to slow down after the initial push. Getting in shape takes time and energy, so take time to set your mindset up for greatness.  Learn the secret to healthy eating  Humans like to make things complicated. We invent hundreds of fad diets to lose weight when secretly, we all know that a simple healthy diet will… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

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Make the most of your garden

Melbourne Flower Garden Show 3

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Updated: 18/01/2024

When renovating your home, the garden is often the last space you think about doing up. When you’re focussing on the inside, the outside can be overlooked. But a well-designed and styled garden can be a beautiful extension of your house, and become a space you can enjoy all summer. Here are some quick tips to get your garden summer ready and up to the standard of the rest of your house. Image from Pixabay Think About How You’ll Use Your Garden What are you going to use the garden for? Do you want a space for the kids to play, or somewhere to entertain friends in the evening? Are you someone who enjoys gardening or are you looking for something more low maintenance? Will you be growing flowers or vegetables? When you’ve decided on what you need the space to do, you can plan a design. You can prioritise a lawn for games, a patio for seating or a space for a vegetable garden. Be realistic about the space you have to work with. If you have a small garden, priortise the things you want most instead of trying to pack in a design that’s better suited to a large garden. Don’t set your heart on growing your own vegetables if the soil is poor quality and you usually can’t keep a cactus alive. If your children use the garden to play rugby, don’t fill the space with delicate plants that can’t survive a ball landing among them. Image from Pixabay Mark Your Boundaries… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

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Where to eat the best oysters in London this summer

Oyster Chop House 1

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Posted: 26/06/2019

For the times you just need the flavours of the ocean and you’re nowhere near one to get your fix, the Butlers Wharf Chop House is calling your name. Combined with fine English sparkling wine, Nyetimber, the two brands are bringing London what they’re calling The Oyster Shack. It’s open from 5 June – 31 August and will live in the foyer of the restaurant. They new pop up will specialise in the world-famous Colchester Rock Oysters with their meaty and firm texture, served alongside Nyetimber’s high-quality and complex sparkling wine. They’re also doing packages, of the likes of: Four Colchester Rock Oysters with a glass of Nyetimber Brut (£21.50) four Colchester Rock Oysters and two glasses of Nyetimber Brut (£32); dozen Colchester Rock Oysters and a bottle of Nyetimber Brut (£95); and a seasonal seafood platter (£46).  For more or to make a booking to visit, head to the Chophouse’s website, or find it at 36e Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Autumn literature season at London’s Southbank stars Louis Theroux, Nadiya Hussain and more

Louis Theroux

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Posted: 25/06/2019

Southbank in London, right along the Thames is where the city’s cultural centre really shines. From the National Theatre, to the Southbank Centre and the current Underbelly Festival that’s on right near The London Eye, there’s a lot to choose from; and now, thanks to the Southbank Centre, there’s even more. They’ve just announced their most jam-packed literature season to date with more than 35 events taking place from September to December 2019 across its three auditoriums: the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room as well as in its National Poetry Library, Hayward Gallery and foyer spaces. It’s a whole season of non-fiction talks and discussions with leading writers and thinkers on topics from atheism to parenting to talking to strangers. It’ll also come with a raft of activities by leading authors who’ll talk about all things fiction, TV faces and comedians, reflecting on their careers with the launch of new books, live readings, panel discussions and new creative writing and poetry courses. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to: Talks and in conversation events with leading writers and thinkers including psychotherapist Philippa Perry, science writer Richard Dawkins, cartoonist Randall Munroe, writer Will Self and journalist Malcolm Gladwell Appearances from TV personalities including documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux, Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski and The Great British Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain who launch new books Comedians Richard Ayoade, in conversation with Adam Buxton, Sara Pascoe and Lenny Henry discussing new books whilst Hannah Gadsby brings her live show Douglas to Royal Festival Hall London exclusive appearances from award-winning fiction writers Malorie Blackman, Etgar… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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The Sydney South Coast Food & Wine Festival is back

South Coast food wine 1

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Down in Berry, South of Sydney, the South Coast Food and Wine Festival is back, serving up some of the country’s best regional food and wine. From Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September the festival promises to showcase the very best the South Coast has to offer. To the tune of over 15 events, there’ll be cooking classes, demos and tastings from local hero chefs, hatted restaurants hosting pop-ups, first-rate South Coast vineyards, and superb local producers, all supported by a vibrant array of free live music and entertainment. Food and wine on offer is 100% from south coast producers, thanks to the talents of over 50 stallholders expected to be showcasing delicacies from all over the region. Think seafood, cheese, berries, wines and much more for hungry and curious food lovers. Tickets to the South Coast Food & Wine Festival cost just $28pp and are on sale now at the Festival’s website. WHAT: The South Coast Food & Wine FestivalWHERE & WHEN: Friday 13– Sunday 15 September 2019 Berry Showgrounds, Berry, NSWTICKETS: $28pp

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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Movies on the beach in London: Fulham Beach Club Cinema opens

Fulham Beach Club cinema

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Posted: 24/06/2019

Think bottomless popcorn, prosecco and a little ‘beach’ action, right in the middle of London: the Beach Club Cinema is here. Fulham Beach is being turned into a full cinematic experience, complete with al fresco set-up, to host weekly film nights, taking place every Tuesday throughout summer.  Complete with spectacular views over the London skyline, the Beach Club Cinema also comes with comfy deckchairs with blankets to keep the evening chill away, as well as the usual sound quality, food and quality movies you’d expect of a night at the cinema.  Each screening starts at 7:30pm, and is limited to 50 tickets. From award-winning movies, to cult classics and weepy rom-coms, the schedule features: the best damn romantic motion picture to grace the big screen, The Notebook; Cameron Diaz’s breakout role in There’s Something About Mary; leather pants and slicked back hair galore in Grease; 80s iconic film Dirty Dancing; and early noughties favourite featuring babyface Leo Dicaprio, The Beach, plus many more.  See more about tickets and get your own here, or here’s the info you need to know: Price: £15 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn£30 for entry, film, seat, glass of prosecco, bottomless popcorn and a pizza£45 for two people with entry, film, seat, bottomless popcorn, pizza to share and glass of prosecco eachUnder 10 yrs: £10 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn and soft drinks for under 10’s Schedule: 18th June The Notebook25th June There?s Something About Mary 2nd July Grease9th July Dirty Dancing 16th July The Beach 23rd July A… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Aladdin on London’s West End just hit a major milestone

Aladdin Prince Edward Theatre Photographer Deen van Meer. © Disney

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Posted: 21/06/2019

It was never going to be an easy feat to bring the magic of the blue, dusty, lamp-bound genie, a flying Arabic carpet and a mythical city to the small stage in the centre of London, but they did and now Aladdin has just turned three. Calling the Prince Edward Theatre ‘home’, the cast of Aladdin, led by Trevor Dion Nicholas as the wildly popular genie and Matthew Croke as Aladdin and Jade Ewan as Jasmine, Aladdin has been selling out the theatre to the tune of two million audience members since it first took to the stage. And to mark the occasion and the achievement, the audience of their third-year performance, were treated to a post-curtain appearance by the genie, who declared that each audience member that night would receive a limited edition poster commemorating the occasion. It’s a nice way to commemorate the accomplishment for the production that has cleverly and tastefully adapted the classic ’92 animated movie to the live stage with all the bells ‘n’ whistles you’d expect. Aladdin features the timeless songs from the 1992 animated film as well as new music written by Tony, Olivier and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors). And the whole production even does a stellar job of reproducing the famed ride on ‘Carpet’, the magic carpet, which is a spectacle for every kid – and adult – in the room. Aladdin is on every night, so check out timings and book tickets at the Prince Edward Theatre website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, THEATRE

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Taste of London: Blondie’s Kitchen does delightful desserts

Blondies Kitchen

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Updated: 16/11/2022

The weather in London couldn’t be worse for it, but the food festival known around the world as Taste is back in town and showcasing a tonne of great foodie favourites. From Wednesday 19 – 23 June, Taste will take over London’s Reagent’s Park (get tickets here) in Marylebone – right near the food hub of Fitzrovia – to celebrate the London food scene and put the spotlight on some city favourites. One favourite of which is Blondie’s Kitchen: an independent operation by Chelsie and Kristelle whose love for food and the the chemistry they had working alongside one another in the kitchen gave birth to their proverbial food baby that’s taking the city, one sweet tooth at a time. They’re super excited to be apart of the festival this year, offering up some items that can only be found in the grounds. “We’re going to be serving hot cookie dough, fresh from the oven, topped with ice cream and we’ve never done this before,” said Chelsie. “You can expect lots of sweet happiness this year! We’re even topping our hot milk choc cookie dough with Frosties cereal milk ice cream. We’re also super excited to be the only dessert offering in the Deliveroo restaurant pop up. It looks so cool! You sit down, sample some dishes from around Taste and get served to your table,” she said. The festival’s all about making food accessible, enjoyable, social and much for fuel for the bod as it is about bringing people together for a chill and… Read More

Category: FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

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Save the bees by drinking cocktails in London

Honey Skylon dessert

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Updated: 20/06/2019

The bar’s been decked out in flowers and summer blooms for the season, but it’s the drinks Skylon will be serving that will have the biggest impact. Benefitting most from what the bar’s doing, the bees of London will score a boost to conservation’s funding by immersing drinkers into a beetime utopia. They’re donating £1 to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust from each person’s bar bill. From the 17th June, Skylon will be launching a beehive installation transporting guests into a dripping honeycomb of dreams. As well as a visual treat, the bar on Southbank, will collaborate with Laurent Perrier to design three cocktails, each focusing on the versatility of Champagne while enhancing the unctuous floral flavour of honey. Think drinks like the Bee Old Fashioned, Honey! featuring a muddle of Bulleit bourbon, apple, hazelnut, orange, applewood honey smoke, and Laurent Perrier Cuvée to make one tasty, smoky cocktail. Then there’s the Honey Bear, made with Zacapa 23-year-old rum, amaretto, turmeric, honey, peach, citrus and Laurent Perrier Cuvée, is a delightfully refreshing drink with mild spicy notes. While the Queen Bee wraps up the spread nicely, made of Tanqueray No10 gin, Hibiscus, Pimms cup No1, wild berry shrub, honey paint and Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rose. If you’re a bit hungry, too, the menu’s also taken on a honey-inspired slant, with honey-inspired dessert to coincide with the installation, the Honey Nut Hive. It’s a textural delight, the pudding comprises a toasted walnut cake and burnt honey ice cream, topped with shards of honeycomb and bee pollen.  See more at the Skylon… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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LONDON: Smash gins this Saturday in style at Nine Lives for Midsummer Soltice

Hendricks cocktail

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Updated: 22/06/2019

It’s summer in London and that means one thing – drinking in style. But not just anywhere, it’s gotta be done right, and there’s nowhere or no situation that calls for it just as well as Midsummer Soltice, hosted by Henricks gin. It’s all going down at Nine Lives in Southwark, giving drinkers the chance to take the party from the street, to the bar, to the basement as the sun works its gradient through the afternoon. It’s a full day thing, kicking off at 2pm and going right through to the evening’s wee-hours, complete with a playfully light yet wickedly crisp beverage, as partygoers bask in the midsummer sun (hopefully). The event will be set on the beautiful cobbled outdoor space during the day, before heading into the Victorian bar as the sun sets. It’ll put on dancers, actors, DJs and makeup artists for fans, as everyone sips on The Wickerman, a sweet-and-sour combination of Hendrick’s floral Midsummer Solstice Gin, cold-brew jasmine tea, tropical pineapple syrup and lemon; and Vivid Blooms, which comprises the celebrated gin, rhubarb and ginger cordial, aromatic lavender bitters and pomegranate and hibiscus soda.  And once the sun’s gone, the party gets a bit more hedonistic with actors playing out a ritual homage to gin as bartenders pump out the Dark Side of the Sun cocktail, made with Hendrick’s Orbium Gin, nutty Frangelico liqueur, blueberry puree and fragrant lemon verbena. It’ll be delicious regardless of your taste. See more at the Midsummer Soltice website. View this post on Instagram Three men not in a… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

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