Dec2014

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AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 43

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

December 2014

Christmas Gift Guides Party Glamour Deck the Halls

Our pick of the best presents for everyone!

Gorgeous dresses to suit everyone Wreaths, Baubles and Crackers BEAUTY - FOOD - DRINK - HEALTH - FITNESS - STYLE - INTERIORS - MOTORS - WHAT’S ON

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Welcome...

H Everyone I love Christmas, and this year for me it will be even more exciting with my granddaughter being two years old I can relive all the wonderful Christmas traditions I used to do with my children when they were believers - Affinity is also full of festive joy, we have a sack full of Christmas present ideas to suit everyone, lots of festive fun in our ‘What’s On’ pages, we deck the halls with our festive decorations, find dresses that will make you look like a movie star at all those Christmas parties you’ll be attending, tips on how to have a stress free Christmas and loads more, you’ll be spoilt for choice what to read first.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime so make sure you visit Milton Keynes for Peter Pan and if you want to treat your family to some Michelin Starred dining why not visit Paris House in Woburn, a real treat but Hey it’s Christmas you’re worth it!

If that’s not enough why not hop on a train to London and visit the Corinthia Hotel, they have turned the hotel into a festive haven for children and adults alike including trips to Lapland, an edible 10ft Christmas tree, Jackanory stories, Gingerbread advent houses, festive afternoon teas and soooo much more, turn to page 72 to read more.

I hope this issue inspires you to have a truly magical festive season full of fun with your family and friends - I want to raise a glass of bubbly to all of my family, friends, readers and advertisers and wish them a wonderful Christmas and to Thank them for all their support in 2014.

Merry Christmas – See you Next Year!

Jane x

Cover Image: Next

Editor: Jane Fry affinitymagjanef@gmail.com 01234 215523 - 07507 602401 Advertising Manager: Julia Crofts Beds / Northants affinitymagjuliac@gmail.com 07966 696784 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk facebook.com/AffinityMag @affinitymagz linkedin.com/pub/jane-zita-fry All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400

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CONTENTS 12 Glitter glam 14 Competition time 20 Festive hair tips

24 Treatment of the month 28 Overcoming overwhelm 30 Beauty addicts Advents

37 Christmas Gift Guide 46 December recipe 50 Paris House perfection

55 66 68 72 75

Deck the Halls Fry’s footie corner A new take on the TT Corinthia at Christmas Second star to the right

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What does your kitchen mean to you?

Wishing all our customers past and present a very Merry Christmas

New German HACKER kitchens now fitted at our Huntingdon showroom

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Glitter Glam Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow £33.50 stila.co.uk

If there's one time of the year when anything goes with glitter make-up, it's Christmas! But don't over do the sparkle, concentrate on one product whether it's glitter lipgloss or glitter eyeliner; we look at the pick of the best.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Colour, Beige Gold £19.80 John Lewis

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner £12.60 Debenhams

Sally Hansen Gem Crush in Big Money £6.99 Boots

GOSH Naul Polish Girls on Film 619 £3.99 Superdrug

MAC Fuschia Shimmer £19 maccosmetics.co.uk

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WIN! WIN! WIN! A Spa Break at Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa

Leave something extra-special underneath the tree this year..........

The award-winning four-star Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, are giving a lucky Affinity reader the chance to WIN a gift card containing a Day Spa for Two, which includes: • Two course buffet Lunch • Full use of Heat and Ice Experiences • Full use of the Spa and Leisure Club facilities The Day Spa incorporates the unique Heat and Ice Experiences, which provides body sensations brought about by dramatic changes in temperature. Facilities include a Sanarium®, a sauna, steam rooms and a Caldarium hot room. Other facilities include an Aromatherapy Crystal Steam Room, an Ice Cave, Roman Salt Steam, Experience Showers, Foot Spas and Hydrotherapy Pool.

To be in with a chance of winning tell us: "The name of one of the heat and ice experience rooms at Whittlebury" and send to affinitymagcomp@gmail.com - Good Luck!

Readers Offer!

Don't forget Whittlebury Hotel and Spa have got Christmas all wrapped up with an exclusive range of Christmas Gift Cards and Spa experiences, these can be used towards Day Spa experiences, treatments, beauty products, meals and even stays at the hotel.

So if you're not lucky enough to be the winner of this great competition, then why not treat yourself to the perfect pampering treat with this great offer!

Buy a One Night Spa Stay and receive a COMPLIMENTARY 25 minute Energising Express Facial (worth over £35)* Call 0845 400 0002 and quote ‘AFFINITY12’ www.whittleburyhall.co.uk. *Terms and Conditions apply. This prize is non-transferable and non-refundable, and has no cash equivalent. This prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. This prize is available Sunday - Thursday only, excludes Christmas and New Years and is subject to availability. Guests must be aged 18 years or over. This competition is not open to the employees of Whittlebury Hall and their family members. Accommodation is based on 2 people sharing a standard room. Prize to be booked and taken by 31st March 2015. ** Offer includes a complimentary 25 minute Energising Express Facial per person when purchasing a 1 Night Stay from £93.50 per person per night. Heat and Ice Experiences to be taken on day of arrival. £40 single supplement applies. Offer valid for bookings taken from 13th October 2014 to 31st March 2015, excluding 31st December 2014 and 12th-15th February 2015.

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Avoid the Winter Workout Rut with

W

orking out and training is a constant challenge, even for the most motivated out there, and winter brings the biggest hurdle in your workout calendar.

Slippers chosen over trainers, hot water bottles over sports bottles, we’re opting to stay in and choose sedentary over active. It’s important to not lose sight of your fitness goals when it comes to exercising in the colder months, but avoiding the winter workout rut is easier than you think.

The UK’s first monthly fitness subscription box ‘JoggBox’, can provide the ultimate monthly motivator straight to your door, enabling you to stay up-to-date on all the newest health and fitness products ensuring you don’t find yourself inadvertently piling on the pounds this winter by offering UK consumers a unique and personalised way to discover, learn and shop all the best and newest running and sports products on the market.

With classic products from familiar brands to new treats from up-and-coming businesses, they take out the hassle for those who don’t have time to invest and money to spend on fitness products from the high street. Instead giving them a taster of niche handpicked items to inspire and aid their fitness journey including; nutritional supplements, energy bars and gels, recovery drinks, hydration tablets, skincare, technical gear, sporting apparel and motivational messages.

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And if that’s not motivating enough, Celebrity Trainer to Lucy Watson, Charlotte Crosby and Stephanie Pratt, Richard Callender provides his top tips to help you avoid hibernating this winter.

1. Plan your workout week Schedule in your sessions and keep to them. Booking time to work out will mean you’re more likely to stick to them. Be disciplined in your focus to your fitness, and it will get easier and more enjoyable the more you do it, just like a muscle the more you work at it the better it gets!

2. Buddy up Give someone else motivation, making you stick to your exercise slots at the same time. Working out with a friend helps you keep things fun and challenging; what’s a little healthy competition between friends?

A personal trainer can also help give you a new approach to your workout as their professional advice can help push your fitness further, learn new tricks to tackle particular problem areas and use more muscles you usually ignore.

3. Keep motivated Keep running routes, routines and exercises fresh, the more variety in your workout the more you will look forward to your sessions. Trying out new classes, running with a friend or just mixing up your normal routine can do wonders for staving off boredom.

4. Remember to treat yourself You work hard, so reward yourself with a trip to the sauna, relax those tired muscles and warm away that winter chill with a warm drink or low calorie treat. It is nearly Christmas after all!

And if JoggBox and Richard’s tips aren’t enough inspiration to pull on your trainers and pound those pavements, just remember that you burn more calories in the cold because your body has to work harder to stay warm!

www.joggbox.com

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Midlife Madness

Shopaholics Unite

L

ike most women I know, I enjoy a bit of retail therapy. I love shopping for clothes, make up and accessories and when I have no specific intention to buy, I just enjoy a wander around the shops. Strangely things that I haven’t even realised I need (ok maybe want) seem to leap almost unbidden into my bag.

because actually I have recently, met a few ladies that do!

The funny thing is these ladies rarely GO shopping, the beauty of technology means that you can shop 24/7 from the comfort of your own home while you are drinking wine, or even catching up with Strictly! I’m not saying that’s wrong it just adds a whole new level of secrecy. And where any addiction is concerned that can be the beginning of a problem.

I don’t see it as a problem and I do really believe in its therapeutic value because it usually involves friends, cake (as a minimum –often lunch on a longer session) and, wherever possible, a glass of wine or bubbly - all of which have earned their place in the alternative therapies directory, in my opinion.

So a few clicks can send a veritable wardrobe (contents of rather than furniture but that too if you so desire) winging its way to your door via a helpful delivery service.

The other day I was introduced to someone at a friend’s house at a casual celebration. When I asked how she knew my friend it turned out that she was the delivery driver for a very well know ladies clothes chain and had made so many deliveries that she’d actually become a family friend!

Be honest that’s a bit strange!

Of course, shopping has the added advantage of giving you lots of lovely shiny pink, glittery, leopard print or floral goodies to bring home, metaphorically if not literally.

In my experience as a woman, this is pretty normal – in fact men often do a similar thing with gadgets, you know a tile cutter, or plug-in gizmo for music or awesome things for the car and maybe a pint at the pub.

Then another friend was buying something on line and when she was prompted to pay and asked for the long card number, expiry date and CVC number she just typed them in! No getting the card to check, no hesitation she just inputted those numbers like a professional.

I honestly don’t believe I have a problem, though it is something that I joke about and, if I am being brutally honest, there may have been times I have been less than totally honest about what I have bought, (oh, just a new pair of shoes for work, when really it was some patent leather heels and some suede boots) or about how much it cost (oh, it was in the sale and then there was an extra discount, so next to nothing really – the question being what number was next the nothing!!) I can also be honest about the fact that sometimes I wear a new dress and sort of suggest, it’s not a lie as such, that I’ve had it rather longer than I actually have – you know, he says you look nice and you find yourself saying “oh this old thing, I’ve just got it out the back of my wardrobe), when really it was the naughty purchase of last month.

But even given all that I still don’t think I have a problem,

Then when I was at the flat of a friend’s daughter, a delivery arrived for her flat mate. She collected it, then proceeded to hide it and write a cryptic note about a cousin calling. I questioned her a little and found this was a well-practiced routine so the friend’s boyfriend, who also lived in the flat, didn’t know the number of parcels that were being delivered to his girlfriend. I ventured to ask what would happen if boyfriend was in and possibly even answered the door – oh that wasn’t a problem she had them all addressed to my friend’s daughter in the flat anyway, so he wouldn’t know it was her!!

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So I shall continue to enjoy my retail therapy safe in the knowledge that I really don’t have a problem…….yet!!

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Christmas is coming and that can only mean one thing:

It's time to choose a new party hairstyle

Have you wrapped all your presents yet? Are the cupboards filled with goodies for family and friends? You probably can’t wait to wear that new festive outfit. How about the hairstyle for the ultimate finishing touch?

Festive outfits and hairstyles are part of Christmas, whether you join a friendly get-together or a formal party. Even the family Christmas dinner calls for a festive appearance. Your hairstyle should be just as glamorous. Today, styling is easy and quick with the right styling tools and products, which will keep the hairstyle intact all the way through the celebrations.

Tools for Styling your Festive Locks

Blonde or brown, curls and waves always look elegant. Use a curling or straightening iron to give your hair the right texture and manageability. This will make the styling easier, grips and slides will stay in place, and every styling element will look better longer.

Hairspray (extra-hold hairspray if required) provides long hold for your festive hairstyle.

You don’t have to have fine hair to consider volumising powder an immensely useful styling product because it improves the hair texture and manageability.

This is particularly helpful for festive hairstyles, which need to stay in shape for hours.

A fair amount of extra-gloss hairspray makes even an ordinary chignon look festive. Extra-gloss hair wax adds more glamour still.

Holiday festivities are also the right time for hair accessories and sparkling hair jewellery. Their playful light and colour play is bound to delight. www.schwarzkopf.com

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Dorothy Perkins

Hair Comb £26 Glitzy Secrets GHD Special Edition Rose Gold Straightners £130 and Hairdryer £99

Hair Pins £24 Glitzy Secrets

Wilderness Alice Band £17 Accessorize

Comb £14 Accessorize

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Treatment of the Month

C

Collagen Renew Facial

The therapist works on each area of the face one by one, raising the temperature up to the optimum level - an infra red temperature aid is used, so the heat can be monitored at all times, allowing me to relax, enjoy and nearly fall asleep!

ollagen Renew skin tightening treatment has become one of the most consistent performers when it comes to healthy rejuvenated skin. Using radio frequency waves that heat up the deeper layers of the skin to encourage the production of new collagen, it has long been a favourite of Celebs and is now available at Derma Naturelle set within The Stables Therapy Centre in Clapham, Bedford - so if a treatment is good enough for the Celebs, it’s good enough for me.

The treatment lasts approximately 45 minutes and the effect is visible immediately with my skin feeling smoother and tighter, my lines and wrinkles (not that I have many!) are softened creating an overall younger looking appearance, without having to go under the knife.

After an initial consultation the treatment begins with me relaxing and lying on the treatment couch, just like any other facial. An optical gel is applied to the skin and the radio frequency is applied over the entire face, generating huge amounts of heat at a sub-thermal level. (One way to describe the sensation is to compare it to a hot stone massage!)

It is recommended to have a course of 8 – 10 treatments for maximum effect, but if this is what the skin looks and feels like after one treatment, I can only imagine what it will be after a course of treatments.

Highly recommended!

The Radio Frequency energy works by heating the dermal (lower) layers of your skin without having to pass directly through the epidermis (surface skin), so that the skin is maximally protected.

Collagen Renew Facial Derma Naturelle Stables Therapy Centre 106 Milton Road, Clapham Beds, MK41 6AS 07792 600871 www.dermanaturelle.com

When you heat collagen and elastin to a certain temperature, the collagen and elastin fibres shrink (a bit like a wool jumper in a hot wash) and are re-modeled with new collagen and elastin formation.

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Bird Print Hot Water Bottle £15 Monsoon

Murad Get Rich Quick Gift Set £59.50 John Lewis Milton Keynes

Faux Fur Collar £60 Love Holly

Chelsea Boots £35 Next

Per Una Gabriella Candle £12.50 Marks & Spencer

Heyland & Whittle Luxury Bath Essentials £30 Moonpig.com

Belgian Gold Chocolate Stilletto and Bag £15.99 - £19.99 cocoa-cabana.co.uk

Kaleidoscope Ring £2,950 Ungar & Ungar

Zoya Wishes Collection £10.50 www.nailcareclub.com

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Pomegranate Noir CologneBottle £86 Jo Malone

AFFINITY HOT PICKS

Doodle Dog iPhone Case £25 Radley

Swaheelies Tiwi £40 www.swaheelies.com

Sequin Cable Jumper £270 Boden

Silver Cuff £369.60 Sifani

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Overwhelm

Learning to Overcome Some people might be asking themselves “What on earth is overwhelm?”

feeling of overwhelm. The way to manage it however is similar, whatever its’ cause happens to be.

Managing Overwhelm

The dictionary defines it as ‘to overcome completely in mind or feeling’ – it is a verb used with a subject, but it can also be an adjective – overwhelmed. Almost all human beings will have experienced it at one time or another. We can be overwhelmed with joy or gratitude, or with feelings of love or affection. But what many of us also know is that we can be overwhelmed with grief, or anxiety, with sadness or worry or we can simply feel overwhelmed in a more general way, when something is quite simply too much for us.

Acknowledge the feeling – it may sound simple but the first step is to STOP and just acknowledge the feeling – this is where you are at the moment. This may also mean stopping certain things to give yourself a bit of space.

Accept yourself – it sounds strange but many of us are very good at beating ourselves up. We tell ourselves that we ‘ought’ to be able to cope that we ‘shouldn’t’ feel this way. Well, so what we do! Giving ourselves a hard time about things certainly isn’t going to help. You are where you are. That is just a fact. Accepting yourself and the situation you find yourself in AND all the feelings that you are experiencing about that situation, means it is easier and quicker to deal with. It can help to ask yourself if a friend came to you, how you would react. Probably with compassion and kindness so show a bit of that to yourself!

In today’s society stress seems to be an increasing problem. The website ‘Our Stressful Lives’ gives the following statistics about work related stress: 45% of workers report that job insecurity has a significant impact on stress levels.

61% of workers list heavy workloads as a significant impact on stress levels.

Sometimes when you're overwhelmed by a situation when you're in the darkest of darkness - that's when your priorities are reordered (Phoebe Snow)

25% of workers have taken a mental health day to cope with stress.

Consider importance – sometimes we get in a complete stew about things that really aren’t important, but at the time they seem vital. When you have stopped for a moment you can look at the ‘why’ – what is causing the feeling and what are the important aspects of that? I know a lot of people who get in a real twist doing things that actually aren’t that important to them, but they are doing it to please others. Well, that is okay but not if it is causing you to stress out. Sometimes the issues are big, worry about illness or redundancy or grief over a loss for example, but at other times it may be an accumulation of lots of ‘smaller’ things. IF that is the case then think about whether those smaller things are really important.

54% of workers are concerned about health problems due to stress And that is just stress in the workplace! We all know that families, relationships, illness, money, house moves and a hundred other things cause stress as well.

We can experience a feeling of overwhelm from all sorts of things, and in some people it makes life feel impossible.

Whether it is a feeling of panic about the future, or acute anxiety when in a new situation or simply that there is so much to do that they don’t know where to start and that is all too common with Christmas fast approaching.

The causes may be many and varied but the feelings actually are very similar, a feeling of overload, of being buried in the feeling – whatever it is - of not being able to think about anything else, or even sometimes not being able to take pleasure in anything else or see beyond the

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Most people get overwhelmed by the insignificant decisions of their lives. I'm urging people to minimize the time spent on these when they're not critical to their most important goals (Robert Pozen)

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Ask for help – something we are not always very good at because we tell ourselves that we should be able to cope. If you hear yourself saying ‘should’ or ‘ought’ then stop right there. Let those thoughts go – if there are any ‘shoulds’ or ‘oughts’ take them out of the equation and see what you are left with.

Build resilience – One of the things we can do that protects us from overwhelm is making sure that we learn how to relax AND that we have some recharge time on a regular basis. It is vital to our emotional well- being that we build time into our schedule for ourselves. This is essential and we need to stop thinking of it as a luxury.

So find something that relaxes you and then do it regularly, ESPECIALLY when you feel really busy or are having to cope with any sort of emotional difficulties.

Many of us feel stress and get overwhelmed not because we're taking on too much, but because we're taking on too little of what really strengthens us (Marcus Buckingham) 29

Prevention As Christmas draws near and you find yourself planning all sorts of meals, completing a shopping and wrapping marathon and embarking on numerous social engagements with all the attendant financial, social, relationship and self-esteem worries, make sure you also plan in some time for you. Whether it’s a walk, curling up with a book, a manicure or a chat with a friend, try to build some resilience so you can cope with all the emotional demands. It seems strange that when we are faced with a physical challenge we make time to prepare; for a sponsored walk or run, we’d practice and think about having the right kit perhaps. If you know that times of emotional exertion are ahead then, it’s not only sensible, it’s essential to make sure you do what you can to prepare yourself to be resilient.

07921193479 01234 349067 info@attunededucation.com www.attunededucation.com

Beauty Advent Calendars

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Advent calendars don’t have to be all about chocolate!! How about one of these must have beauty advents, but be quick with treats like these they won’t be around for long!

Ciate We love the name ‘Mini Mani Manor’ full of polish in every colour – you’ll be spoilt for choice £49

Selfridges The Enchanted Spells With a selection of fragrances, makeup and skincare from some of the world's best luxury beauty brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme, Victor & Rolf this is a beauty lover’s must-have. £85

Benefit The Benefit advent calendar is packed with mini me's of the brand's bestsellers and beauty accessories – What’s not to love? £60

L’Occitane Full of sensual fragrances, body and skincare surprises are just like mini presents you open around the tree – lovely. £45

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Liberty The front of this calendar depicts the iconic London department store while inside the drawers contain luxury beauty brands. £149

Jo Malone Behind each door you’ll find a Jo Malone mini luxury including some of your favourite body crèmes and colognes that will have you wanting to open all your doors at once! £250

Boots No7 Behind each window you’ll find a miniature of some of the best selling No 7 products. £35

The Body Shop Full of lotions and potions from some of your favourite ranges as well as new products this calendar is a real treat. £50

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Sequin Dress £150 Marks & Spencer

Bel Air Dress £250 Phase Eight primarkuk Galina Sequin Dress £395 Phase Eight

Stripe Sequin Dress £75 Next

marksandspencer

Gold Sequin Tunic Dress £69 Marks & Spencer

All that Glitters

On Tops £65 Office

Embelished Box Clutch Miss Selfridge Debut £130 Debenhams

Debut £195 Debenhams

Gold Jacquard Dress £25 F&F Newlook

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Red Sequin Dress £49 Very

Necklace £25 Debenhams Dress £85 Lipsy

Dress £65 Lipsy Maxi Dress £110 Marisota

Jenny Packham £225 Debenhams

Red Hot

Jenny Packham £150 Debenhams

Ville Dress Monsoon £89 Monsoon

Angele Sequined Dress £150 Phase Eight

Box Clutch £55 Dune

Bardot Dress £13 Primarkuk

Shoes £50 Ravel Lipsy

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Black Leather Cut Out Dress £239 House of Fraser

Debut £120 Debenhams

Dorothy Perkins

Debut £99 Debenhams Bandeau Dress £59.99 New Look

Little Black Dress

Black Baroque Dress Miss Selfridge

Lace Scuba Cami Dress £15 Primark

Necklace £100 Topshop

Julien Macdonald £65 Debenhams

Clutch £38 Next

Miss Selfridge

lipsy

Shimmer £60 Office

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Affinity Christmas Gift Guide

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Kos Gold Vermeil Seed Pod Necklace £44 Argent of London

HER Just for

Murad Fantastic Firming Gift Set £59.50 John Lewis Milton Keynes

Fur Lynx Boot Helen Moore £42 Heals Jewelled Pumps £129 Boden Jasper Conran £25 Debenhams

Christmas Cracker £7.99 Gift Box £7.99 Bomb Cosmetics

Artemisia Eau De Parfum £105 House of Fraser

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Ugg Tech Earmuffs £80 House of Fraser

Green Tea & Grapefruit Candle & Diffuser Gift Set £20 Moonpig.com

Red Scarf £100 Kelly Simpkin

Leo Slippers with Red Tassels £150 mychatelles.com

Mittens £60 Kelly Simpkin Masquerade Antoinette Bra £38 Briefs £20 Panache

Wide Band Fiesta Ring £170 Argent of London Clinique Mini Perfume Set House of Fraser

iPad Case £35 Ted Baker

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House of Fraser

Tweed Cap £59 Cock and Bull Menswear

HIM Just for

Emporio Armani Slippers £39 House of Fraser

Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza Gift Set £87 Harrods Converse Puffa Baseball Jacket £120 House of Fraser

Cluedo Espresso Set £24.99 House of Fraser

Haig Club Whisky £45 Amazon

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Bluebeards Perfect Man Kit £49.99 shaving-shack.co.uk

Beluga Transatlantic Racing Vodka £44.75 Amazon Paul Smith Playing Card Cufflinks £130 House of Fraser

Michael Kors Black Watch £185 House of Fraser

Sandqvist Messenger Bag £129 Heals

MGC Leather Washbag £150 Cox England

Gentleman’s Mini Fragrance Collection £35 Penhaligon’s

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We Wish you a Merry Christmas Book £7 Marks & Spencer

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Super Deluxe Figures Mike £24.99 Amazon

Kids World

Shimme Amp Sparkle Knitting Loom £29.99 Amazon

Bonnie Baby Panda Cotton Cashmere Sweater £34.50 Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, Sharnbrook

Portly Penguins £7 for 12 Hotel Chocolat

Ho Ho Ho Father Christmas Chocolates £2.50 Hotel Chocolat

Monkey Backpack £18.95 Prezzybox

Jellycat Bibi Bunny £19 Twinkle Twinklw Boutique, Sharnbrook

Wooden Guitar £13 Wilkinson

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Xeno Ultra £79.99 Amazon

Dog Writing Set £7 Next

Santa Hat £4 Heatons

DJeco Animal Drum £16 Heals

Gingerbread Man £10 BHS

Elf Slippers £12 Next

Pirate Book Ends £16 Becky and Lolo

Monster High Freaky Fusion Sarina Von Boo Hybrid Amazon

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Snow Glow Elsa £34.99 Amazon

Disney Palace Pets Blondie Soft Toy Amazon

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The Ultimate Christmas Hamper £300 Hotel Chocolat

Festive Foodie Breakfast in Bed Gift Box £40 Moonpig.com

The Christmas Collection £35 Hotel Chocolat

Tea Selection £10 Marks & Spencer

Cocktail Flavour Kit £8 Next

Maker and Merchants 3 Infused Olive Oil Gift Set £13 Heals

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The Christmas Goody Bag £18 Hotel Chocolat

Infuse your Own Gin £20 Marks & Spencer

Festive Nibbles & Treats Tray £20 BHS

Costa Coffee Set for Two Debenhams

A Taste of Christmas Hat Box £35 Selfridges

Taittinger Brut Reserve NV £38.99 Tesco

English Provender Condiment Gift Set Debenhams

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Turkey Cacciatore 46

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This delicious cheese and tomato bake is a fab way to use up leftover Turkey meat

Ingredients 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3 x cans chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes 1 tbsp sugar 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp dried oregano Splash vinegar 500g leftover turkey, shredded into chunks 1 x 125g balls mozzarella 2 handfuls fresh breadcrumbs

Method Fry the onion and garlic in the oil until soft. Add the tomatoes and sugar, a splash of vinegar and seasoning, then simmer for 20 minutess until thick.

Stir in the turkey and transfer to a baking dish. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

Tear the mozzarella into chunks and put over the top, then scatter the breadcrumbs with a bit more ground pepper.

Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

Serve with rice, pasta, jackets or mash

Codorníu Brut Rosado NV .A fresh, fruity and elegant rosé sparkling wine with attractive flavours of citrus and strawberries with fine, persistent bubbles. Perfect for parties £9.99 Tesco & Waitrose

Codorníu Brut NV A fresh, crisp and elegant sparkling wine with attractive flavours of citrus and apple with fine, persistent bubbles. £9.99 Tesco & Waitrose

Codorníu Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs Reserva 2011 The 'jewel' in the Codorníu crown, a bottle of this will defintely impress guests! A unique cava made from a selection of the best grapes, which provide a delicate flavour, floral aromas and amazing red fruit notes. £14.99 Majestic & Sainsbury’s

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Jack Daniels Orange Bread and Butter Pudding Ingredients

200ml Jack Daniels (add extra for a more boozy flavour) 4 whole eggs 4 egg yolks Zest of 2 oranges 500ml milk 500ml cream 200g sugar 200g butter Dried fruit (optional) Loaf of white bread, crustless

Method

In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients except the butter, dried fruit and bread.

Whisk this to a smooth consistency and pour through a sieve.

Begin to layer your bread in your baking dishes, topping each layer with a knob of butter and dried fruit.

Pour some of your mixture into the dish after each layer to soak the bread.

Leave a 1cm gap at the top of the dish as the pudding will rise significantly. Once fully assembled, preheat your oven to 160â °c and add your remaining mixture to your pudding, leaving it to soak for 30 minutes. The bread should absorb all of the liquid.

Finally, bake for 1 hour 20 minutes. If the top begins to darken past a golden brown, loosely cover in tin foil before returning to the oven.

This sweet is brought to you by the Chef The Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant, Sharnbrook, Beds 48

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Christmas Menu

1st December - 24th December 12noon through till 9pm 2 courses £19.95 3 courses £24.95

New Years Eve

Fizz on arrival, 2 courses hot buffet and live music from ThePeanuts Only £27.50 per person Join us for our Monthly Pudding Nights

£16 for Main course and unlimited desserts - Thursday 18th December

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Paris House Perfection P

ourselves. The restaurant is delightfully hidden away and accessed via an ancient stone archway that leads you along a winding driveway, giving it an air of exclusivity even before the first glimpse of the house.

And so it was on a cold wet November evening we went along to experience the fine dining of Paris House for

The atmosphere on arrival was warm, friendly and relaxing. With drinks and canapés that consisted of Puffed Pork, Lamb Koftas and Salmon and Beetroot Lollipops served whilst we studied the innovative and varied menus. The canapés were divine and certainly kickstarted our tastebuds.

aris House is a beautiful Michelin starred fine dining restaurant set in 22 acres of stunning deer park on the Duke of Bedfords’ Woburn Estate.

Executive Chef Owner Phil Fanning and his team aim to provide exciting, beautiful food in a warm, friendly environment. Blending modern culinary techniques with the finest seasonal produce.

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The menu allows you a choice of either a six, eight or ten course tasting menu, that you can have wine pairings with if you choose.

We didn’t choose off the menu as Phil had devised a menu especially for us to enjoy. First up was freshly baked rolls, soda bread and garlic foccacia both had plenty of flavour and left you wanting more.

Mackerel, oyster leaf, dill and cucumber – included a seared loin and deep fried belly of mackerel, the amalgamation of different tastes and textures in this dish was a real treat for the palette. Spiced lentils with mango lassi, durian and jackfruit, the combination of spicy and fruity flavours made this dish my favourite and utterly delightful.

Scallops included brown onion juice, goats butter & hazelnut, the scallops were the tenderest we had ever eaten, the saltiness of the sea was evident in the flavours. Iberico pork, black olive, carrot and anchovy consisted of pork belly, pigs cheek and pigs ear. The different pieces of pork were all superbly cooked, each piece with its own unique flavour making this dish exquisite.

What a treat the Cep dessert was it was just delicious, who'd have thought you could make a dessert out of mushrooms! Pumpkin Munchkin, condensed milk with apple and grape was refreshing, fruity and crisp on the palette.

The composition of flavours, textures and colours within each dish was exquisite the balance of flavours was consistently skilful, with all the plates being innovative and divine.

Dining at Paris House is a truly magical dining experience, something everyone should experience at least once, but I can guarantee once experienced you’ll be back for more.

Paris House, Woburn 01525 290692 www.parishouse.co.uk

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Deck the Halls

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Bauble and Cone Wreath £29.50 Marks & Spencer

Wreaths Gold Ivy Wreath £25 Next

Inge Glas Mille Fiori Mix Plastic Wreath £21.57 Amazon

Red Berry Wreath £35 John Lewis

Snowy Twig Wreath £20 John Lewis

Landon Tyler Berry Heart Wreath £15.82 Amazon

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Lit Heart Wreath £20 Next

Metal Bell Wreath £10 John Lewis

Peacock Feather Wreath £20 Tesco Direct

Spice Orange & Cinnamon Wreath £12 Sainsburys

White Apple Wreath £50 House of Fraser

White Berry Wreath £25 Marks & Spencer

Snowy Woodland Wreath £19.50 Marks & Spencer

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Bauble Bling

Cut Out Bauble £1 Sainsburys

Decadent Baubles £10 House of Fraser

Debenhams

Champagne Glass Bauble £4.50 Next

Filtered Wheel Bauble £4 Marks & Spencer

Ice Cream Cone Bauble £4 Marks & Spencer

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Debenhams

Lace Bauble £10 House of Fraser Bead Bauble £5 Marks & Spencer

Debenhams

Pearlised Glass Bauble £4 Marks & Spencer

Orb Baubles £10 House of Fraser

Sequin Glass Bauble £2 Marks & Spencer

Silver Onion Bead Bauble £6 Marks & Spencer

Striped Bauble £10 House of Fraser

Christmas Crackers

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Twister Crackers £22.95 Selfridges

High Society Purple Snowflake Crackers £30 House of Fraser

Moet ET Chandon Cracker £18.99 Selfridges

Connoisseur Crackers £29.50 Marks & Spencer

Stag and Robin Deli Crackers £59 Selfridges

Black Magic Novelty Crackers £25 House of Fraser

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Crystal Palace Sprig Crackers £30 House of Fraser

Luxury Gold Crackers Marks & Spencer

Red Regent Scroll Crackers £20 Laura Ashley

Luxury Holly Crackers £18 (set 6) Tesco Direct

Croft Collection £54 (set 6) John Lewis

Striped Crackers £59 Selfridges

Gold & White Saucer Crackers

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Veda Therapeutics Carolyn wood Herbal Medicine - Ayuverda Naturopathy - Therapeutic Massage - Ear Acupuncture

Herbalist (Dip Herb) Naturopath (Dip ND) MAMH, MANP, ITEC

As a herbalist and naturopath I can help you with

• Immunity • Skin Conditions • Digestive Complaints • Hormonal imbalances • Heart health & Circulation • Energy & Wellbeing • Insomnia • Depression • Other chronic health conditions • Acute coughs & colds

07944 886502 carolyn612@btinternet.com www.vedatherapeutics.co.uk

PART TIME CLEANERS REQUIRED

01234 302408 07701 086394

www.brightnclean.co.uk

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G Butler

Loft and Garage Conversion Specialists

“This year a wasted space for your Christmas decorations, next year a fabulous room for your family” s you take your Christmas decorations out of the loft this year – STOP!

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previous work, as well as provide you with excellent customer references.

All of their tradesmen are fully qualified and work as part of a team to produce a quality product from start to finish.

Have a look around at the space you have, now might well be the time to convert that forgotten space that is currently being held hostage by bags and boxes of family keepsakes, as well as those Christmas decorations!

Each customer’s requirements are different and each member of the team understands this, thus will treat every loft conversion individually, tailoring the service to meet the customer’s needs to ensure they get the fully functional beautiful loft conversion they’ve always wanted.

Whether you want a fabulous master bedroom with ensuite, office space to work in, a playroom or extra bedroom - then look no further than releasing the space under your roof to create the extra rooms you need in your home

G. Butler takes the hassle out of your conversion by providing the total package, starting with the initial FREE consultation, design and planning right through to the completion of the room of your dreams.

Converting your loft is a cost effective and less stressful alternative to moving house. It is a great solution to your space problems.

G. Butler is a loft conversion company that specialises in just this, they have over 24 years experience, are Bedford based and have an excellent reputation in the area for high quality workmanship and the service they offer, as well as being a member of the Bedfordshire Trading Standards. Gary Butler, director of the company, is only too happy to discuss your requirements and show you

So instead of putting those Christmas decorations back in the loft at the end of this month why not give Gary a call so that this time next year “That space above your head will be the room you’ve always dreamed of”.

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G. Butler Loft Conversions 01234 327205 www.loftconversionsbedfordshire.co.uk

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Fry’s Footie Corner

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irst and foremost Happy Christmas to all Affinity Magazine readers. I hope you have a great time with your friends and families over the Festive season and enjoy the holidays.

Unfortunately it is no holiday for players and officials of football clubs because there are fixtures on Boxing Day, the 28th, The New Year period and just afterwards.

They will be away from their families, but being in the entertainment business, everyone in football accepts the sacrifices that have to be made.

This period in football is always a very exciting time, across the country it always boosts the crowd figures.

Normally you get some cracking results and fantastic games of football.

Christmas time is the halfway stage of the season and those teams that are top around this period normally end up having a successful campaign. Sometimes though, there are exceptions to the rule and one or two teams come from nowhere in the second half of the campaign to cause a shock to everyone.

Here at Peterborough, we have had a bit of a frustrating period in terms of results, but there is a long way to go and we feel we have the ability to have an excellent second half of the season.

Enjoy your festive fun!

Barry Fry 66

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The Audi TT

A new take on

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udi has drawn inspiration from its five-door A5 and A7 Sportback models, which artfully blend the rakish lines of a coupé with the real world practicality of an executive class car, to create the TT Sportback concept, which made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show. Adding 29 centimetres to the length of the ‘standard’ TT to incorporate its extra rear doors, the full four-seat show car takes the famous silhouette in another new conceptual direction, and its 2.0 TFSI engine also expands considerably on its more familiar output in the production coupé, weighing in at a brawny 400PS.

“With the TT, Audi created one of the automotive design icons of the last 20 years,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi Board Member for Technical Development. “In the years since, we have designed our sporty and elegant five door Audi A5 Sportback and Audi A7 Sportback. In our Audi TT Sportback concept show car,

we are now fusing both concepts to form a new member of a potential TT family.”

The mighty 400PS output delivered by the Audi TT Sportback concept flows through a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission to the quattro permanent all wheel drive system, helping to peg the 0 to 62mph sprint time at just 3.9 seconds. The sophisticated suspension and the low centre of gravity ensure dynamic handling, and the body integrates a number of lightweight aluminium components. A laser spot that complements the LED high beam is featured in each of the headlights – this innovation from Audi significantly boosts safety when driving in the dark.

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The Audi virtual cockpit dominates the elegantly designed interior of the car, with the 12.3 inch screen replacing the conventional instruments and the MMI monitor. The

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screen provides top-quality graphics and enables the driver to choose between multiple display levels. In the MMI terminal, the rotary push-button features a touchpad that is used to enter characters and gestures as with a smartphone.

The operation of the climate control has been relocated to the air vents.

The five-door Audi TT Sportback concept is 4.47 metres long, 1.89 metres wide, and 1.38 metres high, and is built around a wheelbase of 2.63 metres. Compared with the new production TT, it is 29 centimetres longer, 6 centimetres wider, 3 centimetres lower and has a 12 centimetre longer wheelbase.

Featuring Mars red paintwork, the body is a statement of powerful elegance: High-precision lines border athletically domed surfaces, and a flat greenhouse is positioned on a powerful body. The design makes use of the Audi TT’s formal idiom to develop a new sporty and elongated sculpture that will have you the envy of all your friends.

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Welcome to the musings of Yummy Mummy. Living in Bedford she is married to ‘The Husband’ and together they have 4 children - Rafferty 10, Violet 8, Roman 6 and Clementine 2 All my views are my own and are not intended to offend anyone but alas I may frustrate you as I certainly do myself and no doubt those around me at times. I would love to hear from you, your views, questions or indeed just to share your experiences of trying to be a Yummy Mummy. Email me at info@affinitymag.co.uk

A Gadget Free Christmas!

With only 38 sleeps to Christmas as I write this, I have already bought all the Christmas presents for the children!! I know this sounds ultra organised, well you have to be with four children, but we spent a long time debating over what to get them this year. I say debating it was more like me thinking out loud and The Husband agreeing with everything I was saying!

all ‘screen time’ because as you know if you cut anything out (including wine!!!) then you want it all the more!

So I have actually had lots of fun Christmas shopping (avoiding the Christmas Eve rush has also helped!!). We have Family Trivial Pursuit, Jenga, Bingo and some science experiments to look forward to on Christmas day!

Of course a few books will see their way into the stockings as well as the usual selection of pants, socks and chocolate (well you have to eat some for Christmas breakfast)! I don’t think that I have bought anything that even needs batteries!

Our children aren’t spoilt in the sense that they have the latest of everything together with loads of toys, but they certainly aren’t lacking with things to amuse them. The older ones have tablets and they share a Wii and Xbox as well as the eldest having an iPod– this was bought second hand as I cannot justify spending £160 on a single item. I know the games console costs more than this, but they are shared between everyone in the family.

We will have screen time on Christmas Eve with the annual new DVD and pyjamas (the children have bought the Husband a bear onesie – ha ha, I don’t think he will be keen, but how can he disappoint them!!) as I sit back with my large Baileys!

The six year old did mention he would like an iPhone for Christmas, however I said that unfortunately Santa doesn’t provide this kind of thing for children under teenage years! This got me thinking to what we (as in Santa and I) could delight them with on Christmas morning. I went through all the trending items from the new iPod, iPads and laptops and, after a quick mental cost calculation, these items were speedily dismissed!

The children do gets lots of enjoyment from their electronic gadgets, however, one week I decided to conduct a little test whereby I cut down the time they were allowed on them and much to my delight they found other ways to play. Their imagination truly came out to shine when they got out their playsets, lego, colouring stuff and games and some of which The Husband and I had fun joining in with them too! I made sure I didn’t ban

As the year comes to a close I am a little sad to say that this will be my last column for a while. With the eldest now in double figures (eek 10 – how did that happen?) and the ever increasing demands on my time, like any good Yummy Mummy, I need (and want to) put them first.

With the recent milestone birthdays (mine and Raffertys) it’s made me really realise that it won’t be long before they are all grown up, so I intend to relish this time with them (with the odd meltdown of course!)

Merry Christmas! x

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Yummy Mummy

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Trips to Lapland, the Incredible Edible 10ft Christmas Tree, Jackanory Stories, and Gingerbread Advent Houses all arrive in time for Christmas at.......

Corinthia Hotel in London The warmest welcome, wonderful celebrations, lavish lunches, festive dinners, roaring fires, and decadent Day Spas – make Corinthia Hotel London your home from home this festive season.

Step back in time to a Dickensian Christmas with children’s stories told at tea-time, chestnuts roasted on an open fire, carol singers, and mulled wine & mince pies in The Courtyard on dedicated weekends in December

Christmas 2014 started with Thanksgiving on Thursday 27th November, when roast turkey with all the other side of the pond trimmings were served and will culminate with a New Year’s Eve extravaganza and New Year’s Day Parade to see in 2015.

Shop in the world’s only in-hotel Harrods shop for gifts to give and gifts you’ll want to keep Wing your way to Lapland – introducing the family stay & Santa package in conjunction with Canterbury Travel.

Enjoy a family 2 night stay in Corinthia London, take the first flight out to Lapland in the morning, thrill with a husky ride to see Santa at the North Pole and tell him what you want for Christmas, before returning to the hotel on the last flight home

Highlights of the Festive Season at Corinthia include: Seasonal festive menus in both the British and Italian restaurants from Thanksgiving to group events, festive Afternoon Teas, Christmas Eve menus, Christmas Day dinner, Boxing Day brunches, New Year’s Eve feasts, and New Year’s Day brunches

Perfectly positioned in the heart of the London New Year’s Eve fireworks viewing area. As a hotel guest you will have an allocated wristband which will be acknowledged by the London Firework Organisers to give you unrestricted access to the viewing area the Hotel is situated in.

For the ultimate treat for colleagues, friends, and family indulge in festive feasts in our two Private Dining Rooms Marvel at the incredible edible ten foot Christmas tree

Watch The Lord Mayor’s Parade on New Year’s Day from the VIP Corinthia London seats

Open doors 1-24 of the handmade Gingerbread Houses Advent Calendar for a daily surprise gift

With a wealth of festive events and celebrations, and heartfelt hospitality that will make you feel truly special from the moment you arrive, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the perfectly crafted Christmas at Corinthia Hotel London.

Sample the gingerbread from the give-away gift basket Seasonally themed festive decorations throughout the hotel to admire and order Feast on the “Festivi-Tea Afternoon Tea” with seasonal themed fancies

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www.corinthia.com

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Second Star to the Right and Straight on ‘til Morning…..

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choreographing their own brand new dance routines, so expect to see some ‘moon-walking’ the plank with this motley crew.

he countdown to Christmas continues and with that comes the must have family Christmas panto! It’s just less than 2 weeks until Peter Pan hooks his way into Milton Keynes for their annual panto and this year there’s an extra buzz because Bradley’s back!!

Bradley told us “I did 2006/7 at Milton Keynes, Cinderella then Aladdin then I went off to do other work and I haven’t been back doing panto for a while and so I’ve got to say I’m so excited to be back. The audiences in Milton Keynes are sensational, I had such a laugh here, it was brilliant! Back stage, all the dressing rooms are in a line like old theatres used to be and all the doors would be open and you’d all be in each other’s dressing rooms sitting and having a cup of tea; it’s like living in a row of terrace houses.”

It looks like Bradley is set to star in another huge pantomime production entertaining people of all ages.

Make sure you hook your tickets before they disappear into Neverland!

After seven years Milton Keynes’ most popular panto star Bradley Walsh is back to lead an all-star cast in Peter Pan. The show opens on the 5th December and will aim to smash funny-man Bradley’s previous box office records when he appeared in Cinderella in 2006 and Aladdin in 2007.

Bradley will be leading the cast playing Smee, Captain Hook’s hapless first mate, joining Bradley on the decks of the Jolly Roger will be Street Dance sensations Flawless as a group of pop-locking, hip-hopping pirates as you have never seen them before!

The dance troop who have already stared in two films, Street Dance 3D and Street Dance 3D 2, and headlined the 2012 London Paralympic Ceremony, will be

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Fri 5th December – Sun 11th January Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7652 www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

ON! What’s

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December 2014

Tues 2nd December Philharmonia at The Movies Sci-Fi Hosted by Barry Norman 7.30pm Bedford Corn Exchange From Luke Skywalker entering the Death Star’s trench to E.T. riding through the night sky, music has the ability to make great movie scenes from some of the best Sci-Fi films ever made is performed live in concert by a vast ensemble of musicians. The programme also includes music from ‘Things to Come’ and ‘Star Trek’ Tickets £14 - £35 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

Sat 6th December Ravensden Christmas Fayre 11am – 2pm Santa Claus is coming to town! Well, Ravensden actually!

Bring your little ones along to meet Father Christmas in his very own grotto.

Stalls: All the usual including books, toys, tombola, raffle, competitions and refreshments including cakes, soups tea, coffee and soft drinks Free Entry to Fayre £4.00 to visit The Grotto with Father Christmas and his Jolly Elf helper 01234 772230

Sat 6th December Victorian Children at Christmas 12pm – 4pm Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe, Bucks Have a special photograph taken of your children in Victorian costume. Meet the cook and laundry maid. Make your own Victorian style Christmas card and festive decoration.

Photographs: £5 each museum@wycombe.gov.uk 01494 421895

Fri 5th December Beacon Breast Cancer Care Ladies Night 6.30pm – 9.30pm Beacons Sports Centre, Bucks Join us for a night of smoothies, mocktails, nibbles, pampering and a bit of fitness. All in aid of Breast Cancer Care. Members and non members welcome!

We’ll have stalls to suit all of your needs. The evening is free but at the end we will be running a new class which we will hopefully be putting into the Group Exercise timetable in 2015!

To take part in the class we ask that you make a £4 donation.

Come and join us for a fun night out away from the kids, to relax at the end of a hectic week or just to help show your support.

Rebecca.James@gll.org 01494 730520

Sat 6th December Christmas Tree Festival Marston Vale Forest Centre 11am – 5pm Enjoy our 2 day winter wonderland, with the Forest Centre filled with decorated Christmas Trees, gift and craft stalls, festive crafts for children, Santa's grotto, outdoor rides and games, live music and more.

01234 762615 www.marstonvale.org/events

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Sun 7th, 14th, 21st December Father Christmas 11am -3pm National Trust Chiltern Gateway Centre, Whipsnade, Beds Help Father Christmas' elves to make magic reindeer food and then meet Father Christmas. £5 per child (includes gift) 01582 500920

Wine & Mince Pies for the parents, followed by our Christmas Eve Party until midnight 01234 261332 www.embankmentbedford.co.uk

Weds 31st December New Year’s Eve Party The Embankment, Bedford Come and celebrate the arrival of 2015 in style. Enjoy a sumptuous 4 course meal, try your hand in our very own casino and dance the night away £60 per person £10 per ticket for entry after 10pm 01234 261332 www.embankmentbedford.co.uk

Sun 7th, 14th, 21st December Santa Sunday Lunch Whittlebury Hall Hotel Why not treat the family to a festive Sunday lunch with the man of the moment, Santa?

Treat yourself and family to our three-course carverystyle buffet.

Plus, Santa has promised to visit us with gifts for all the Children. £23.95 per person, £10.95 per child from 3-12 years, under 3’s eat free.

0845 400 1401 www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

Weds 31st December New Years Eve Disco Night 7.30pm – 2am Wyboston Lakes Hotel Enjoy a great buffet selection Party into the New Year with the latest disco sounds London fireworks display on the big screen at the stroke of midnight £55.00 per person include event ticket, buffet and London fireworks on the big screen. £105.00 per person includes event ticket, buffet, London fireworks on the big screen and overnight stay with breakfast.

0333 7007 667 (option 4) quoting POS www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Fri 12th December Kings Chamber Orchestra in Concert 7.30pm Bromham Baptist Church The KCO will be performing ‘The Light Fantastic’, directed

by Gerard Le Feuvre, including works by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Paganini – plus a few seasonal surprises! Interval refreshments will be served.

Tickets are £15 or £12 concessions 01234 822681 ext 1 www.bromham.org Sun 14th and 21st December Family Christmas Lunch with Santa Wyboston Lakes A delicious 4 course festive lunch in our lakeside setting A visit from Santa at 3pm with a gift for each child Celebrate this Christmas with the whole family Adults and over 12s £27.50 3-12 year olds £12.50 and under 3s eat FREE 03337 007667(option 4) quoting POS www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/christmas-parties-2014 Tues 23rd December Christmas Eve Jumper Party 9pm – Late The Embankment, Bedford Remember to put yourself on the guest list and don’t forget your Christmas jumper. A night not to be missed!

Prizes for best and worst jumper DJ and late bar, no need to book, just turn up!

01234 261332 www.embankmentbedford.co.uk Weds 24th December Santa Visits 3pm – 5pm The Embankment, Bedford Santa visiting between 3pm & 5pm with pressies. Mulled

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A quiet night in...

The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes Stella Sweeney is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life with her husband Ryan and their two teenage kids in Dublin. She works with - or really for - her terrifyingly ambitious sister Karen in their beauty salon. Nothing to get excited about here.

Nothing to make her particularly unhappy. Or happy... No-one would be interested in stealing her life. But then things started to happen‌..One day, Stella, attempting a good deed, causes a little car accident and faces down a bad tempered, handsome stranger. She hardly gives it much of a thought. But karma is hovering, and is about to take over, swoop in and change Stella's life for ever. For better or worse.

Suddenly Stella has a life. A thrilling glamorous one.

A life that other people might start to covet.

Get Santa Steve Anderson hasn't always been the perfect father.

It's tough to be when you're in prison for driving the getaway car in an attempted jewel theft. But Steve served his time and getting out just before Christmas provides him with the perfect occasion to reconnect with his son, Tom. It's been three years, it won't be easy, but he his willing to do whatever it takes to win Tom over. One evening Steve gets a call from Tom: an old man claiming to be Santa is in his garage. He's crashed his sleigh, lost his reindeer and needs their help to get home. And just when Steve things it can't get any worse, "Santa" gets arrested for a failed attempt at rescuing his reindeer. Not quite believing, but wanting to do the best for Tom, Steve reluctantly agrees to help. Together they must find Rudolph, befriend the elves, break Santa out of prison, all this while outrunning Steve's tyrannical parole officer.

Will they be able to save Christmas in time?

Release Date: 5th December Into the Storm After a devastating tornado hits during a high school graduation, a group of students try to document the events and aftermath to find out how and why it struck with such force. Just as they think they are safe, the tornado begins to regenerate and split into several terrifying storms. In the heart of the tornado storm the professional meteorologists use the students' data to try to save as many people as possible.

Release Date: 15th December

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AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 43

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

December 2014

Christmas Gift Guides Party Glamour Deck the Halls

Our pick of the best presents for everyone!

Gorgeous dresses to suit everyone Wreaths, Baubles and Crackers BEAUTY - FOOD - DRINK - HEALTH - FITNESS - STYLE - INTERIORS - MOTORS - WHAT’S ON