Affinity Luxury Lifestyle Magazine December 2022

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PRICELESS

www.affinitymag.co.uk AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Food Glorious Food WWW.AFFINITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Deliciously Simple Recipes

Time to Travel We're here

ISSUE 140

GORGEOUS GIFTS Inspiration Galore TWINKLE TWINKLE Fabulous ideas to bring sparkle into your home

to inspire

Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine

FESTIVE FABULOUS Glamour to WOW this party season

ISSUE 140

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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LETTER EDITOR’S

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Christmas, my favourite time of year, I get so excited seeing all the beautiful, inspiring décor ideas,, from trees to garlands, stockings to wreaths it’s amazing how we can turn our homes into something so magical. You’ll find lots of ideas to inspire you in this issue including some of our favourite Christmas wreaths (page 40) and crackers (page 44).

The lead up to Christmas is my favourite time of year. Getting the decorations up, planning the presents and of course festive food and precious time with family and friends. We’ve got some delicious, easy recipes that you can throw together in a matter of minutes, turn to page 31 to give Nigella a run for her money!

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Our gift inspiration is a plenty, but don’t forget about yourself in all the madness of the season, we want you to feel glam and gorgeous this month which is why we’ve chosen some of our favourite party outfits that’ll have you feeling a million dollars this Christmastime (page 15).

It's not too late to plan a last minute festive break, whether it’s here in the UK or somewhere further afield, we’ve got it covered, turn to page 51 to see where your wanderlust takes you.

Finally, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and see you in 2023!

Love & Hugs

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Jane x 1. Calypso Pyjamas, £290, www.orchardmoon.com 2. Pine White Floral, £199, www.floward.co.uk 3. Elemis Afternoon Tea Candle, £42, www.uk.elemis.com 4. Faux Fur Coat, £99, River Island 5. Loupe Delectables Diamond Bracelet, £70,000, www.loupe.co.uk Don’t forget to join us on social media, we love getting to know you!

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Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 07507 602401 Advertising: jane@affinitymag.co.uk Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk

@affinitymagz

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.

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Contents 29 Affinity

56

December 2022

8 16 20 22 28 32 37 42 46 52 56 60 64

Safety Features Sequin Style Christmas Jumper Time Beauty Lover Hungry for Hampers Foodie News Festive Fizz Seasonal Scent The Perfect Stocking Wintertime in Italy Celebrate at The EDITION “Off To Work We Go...”

Weekend Starts Here

30

On The Cover River Island

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Strengthening your Safety Features I’m sure that many people reading this will have been on a plane and will therefore know that before the journey begins there is a safety briefing. Some of the safety features are the responsibility of the airline – providing life jackets, or low-level lighting to guide you towards the nearest exit for example but others are dependent on us.

Adopting the brace position when instructed to or fitting our own oxygen mask before helping others.

So how do we strengthen our own safety features. In many ways it’s about extending what we already do in some areas of our lives to other areas. If for example we had to travel late at night to an area we didn’t feel very comfortable in we’d probably build in some safety measures – telling someone where we were going and what time we expected to be home – perhaps even deciding to take a companion. All things designed to minimise risk.

Applying this approach to our lives means we will consider risk in other areas and possibly to build in some safety measures to maintain our wellbeing. We know that exercise is good for us, that without any exercise our physical health can decline so to be safe and protect ourselves we’d be wise to include exercise regularly. The same goes for a balanced, nutritious diet and sleep. We know that without a good diet and sufficient sleep there will be a negative impact on our body and sometimes we need to protect ourselves by maybe saying no to another night out if we know we really need a good night’s sleep.

But the hope is that most of us will feel physically safe most of the time and hopefully we make positive choices with regard to protecting our physical wellbeing – but that is only one aspect of our lives.

Emotional safety is very important too and it comes from us being acknowledged, heard and seen, but also being appreciated, treated respectfully and justly. Emotional safety also involves having our feelings, thoughts and experience validated and having space and permission to show up authentically. Many of these aspects of emotional safety occur within relationships whether they are personal or work relationships. A good employer will encourage personnel to be authentic and of course also they will value their staff and ensure they are treated justly and with respect.

When it comes to relationships either at work, with family, friends or in intimate relationships it is important that we protect our emotional safety.

First you need to work out what makes you feel safe and if there are aspects of these relationships where you don’t feel emotionally safe then the onus is on you to protect yourself. If the actions of others make you feel unsafe, perhaps a partner who frequently shouts or a friend who continually rides roughshod over your emotions then remind yourself that you don’t need to put up with It and you deserve to feel safe. The actual action you take will depend on the person and the nature of the relationship but a good place to start is by explaining how you feel when they act in particular ways. If they are responsive then that s great but if not then you may need to consider how important the relationship is to you.

Mental safety We know that mental wellbeing is vital to a healthy and happy life so protecting our mental wellbeing is a part of keeping ourselves safe.

In terms of protecting your mental wellbeing we probably all have a good idea of what we need to do. One of the key things to do is reduce stress, easier said than done but stress can have a dire impact on both our body and mind. Other things that can improve mental wellbeing are being in nature, or with animals, connecting with others, being creative and as we started with, looking after our physical wellbeing and making sure we feel emotionally safe.

The fact remains that there is much in life we can’t control and when we can accept that, it can have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing – concentrating instead on what you can control.

Making it a habit to be grateful and focus on the positive can also help our mental wellbeing. It’s also important to remember that mental wellbeing like physical and emotional wellbeing, are worth investing in – trying to keep ourselves well – believing that we matter – and our wellbeing is important are vital aspects of our lives.

Strengthening your safety features could be an important -part of ensuring your wellbeing – if you don’t do this it could be that you have some limiting beliefs about what you do and don’t deserve.

If you think you have some unhelpful mindsets that are limiting how you live then checkout my book about Mindsets ‘Make it Magnificent’ available on Amazon.

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Midlife Madness I must confess to being a person who loves words. But I remain amazed that even in countries where the same language is spoken there can be such a lot of variation in words!

The Americano in UK is a long black in Australia – another English-speaking country, the cool box is an esky. You won’t be able to get wine from a supermarket but you can get it from a bottle shop or Bottle-O. Of course, we all know that barbie doesn’t refer to a doll in Australia and ripper means awesome. A Tim Tam is an awesome chocolate biscuit and if someone talks about going troppo what they really mean is going crazy.

Because of my love of English and words then its understandable that I’d love word games like wordle have you succumbed? I’m afraid it’s become part of my morning routine which is great when I get it the word in the requisite 6 tries but can ruin my day on the days I don’t!!

And I have to confess I am partial to a crossword – though in our house they can definitely lead to cross words! I like simple crosswords – I absolutely can’t be bothered with the cryptic clues – my brain just doesn’t seem cryptic – yes I am a simple soul!

Part of the frustration I have with cryptic clues – which is probably the fascination for others is that there are various types – it could be an anagram of certain words in the clue, (love an anagram) others might be riddles, puns or acronyms. Working out what kind of clue it is before you have a hope of working out the answer just seems too much of a stretch for me. But I love a fairly simple crossword though I must confess that some crosswords that purport to be simple are anything but in experience and I speak as someone who has a

reasonable grasp of this rich language we have. So, while I got garrulous for chatty but I didn’t get loquacious and really who would get pulchritudinous for beautiful!!

But the crossword that gives us the greatest pleasure and causes the greatest pain is the big bumper general knowledge type. It’s usually weekend mornings so to set the scene we’ll have our boiled eggs or similar weekend treat type of breakfast, a big pot of coffee and off we go.

Sometimes it goes well and get a reasonable number of answers – hubby is good on sport and history we are both useless at geography, which is not so much about knowledge as memory – we’ve often come across the exact same question before but can we remember the answer? I ought to know that Monrovia is the capital of Liberia we’ve answered that same question several times before but somehow my busy brain seems to decide that I don’t need to remember it – and obviously I do for future crosswords. What I bring to the crossword table is medical knowledge and film and TV questions, we share music depending on the era. Plant and animal genus questions usually fox us both – how many people, unless you are a botanist, would know that genus for a daisy is carliquistia? The genus for salmon is oncorrhyncus – which sounds more kike a medical ailment to me!

Sad thing is though, that often the answer is on the tip of my tongue (actually buried deep within brain) so I’ll get hubby on a crossword high when I state that I know the answer but somehow can’t quite find it in my brain.

Finding it gets even harder under pressure!!

At that stage it’s often the moment when I decide I don’t really like crosswords at all and would probably be much happier with sudoku or a jigsaw!!

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Serpentine Blush Gown, £99.95, www.bownoflondon.com

Elizabeth Scarlett Honey Bee Mask, £25, www.fortnumandmason.com

Virginia Hayward Love from Santa Hamper, £35, www.moonpig.com

AFFINITY HOT PICKS

Loop Earrings, £37.50, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Hoxton Stripes Metallic Blue & Pink Trainers, £120, www.cocoroselondon.com

Embroidered Cushion, £20, Dunelm

Iris Halo Amethyst Diamond Ring, £2,800, www.loupe.co.uk

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch, £279, www.fossil.com

Beaded Cherry Earrings, £15, www.souschef.co.uk

Silver Blazer, £95, River Island

Georg Jensen Cocktail Set, £165, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Gold Boots, £99.99, TK Maxx

Winter Wonderland Display, £240, www.floward.co.uk

Bingo, £24.99, www.lakeland.co.uk

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You are You Visualise a time when you felt your most confident and at ease with yourself. What environment were you in? What were you doing? Who were you with? Try to identify the factors that contributed to the feeling of empowerment and see if you can recreate them as you gradually ease them back into your regular routine. Visualising is one of your most powerful tools. Try it every day for a couple of minutes.

Comparing Yourself to Others Comparing yourself to others will only undermine your confidence and self-belief. I know this can be a very difficult habit to break, especially with social media giving us no shortage of opportunities to measure ourselves against other people, many of whom we’ve never even met.

Have you ever gone on social media to connect with the outside world only to find it just drags you down seeing all those people with apparently perfect lives who’ve sailed through lockdown in a blur of creative or positive pursuits?

And that then makes you feel like you’ve let yourself down?

Stop right there!!!! Change your focus and shift your thought patterns to focus on what you already have and how lucky you are.

You are Worth Investing In Investing in yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make.

Learning new skills and expanding your knowledge can help boost your confidence. Even making small, positive changes can inspire you to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.

Here are some ‘YOU’ investment tips: . Try taking a course to learn something new. There are lots of inexpensive online courses available. . Invest in your health by taking regular exercise and eating nourishing food. . Invest in your creative abilities by pursuing a new hobby such as playing an instrument, painting, gardening or cooking.

Self Confidence and Standing Tall Try standing tall, holding your head up high and I promise you, you’ll feel better. Look up and you feel instantly more positively and confident.

How something that seems insignificant can have such an immediate and positive effect on how you feel, I don’t know.

But I promise it does!

Your posture and stance affect your mood and the way you feel, so try experimenting. If you find yourself feeling low, check your posture, raise your head and try and straighten your body. Because let’s face it, if you can change your outlook and boost your confidence just by doing that, wow! Let’s do it every day!

Try a Different Perspective Take a moment to think about your own thoughts. Are they happy or sad? Positive or negative? Do they lift you up or bring you down?

Our thoughts are powerful and can have a big effect on how we feel. How we feed our minds is just as important as the way we nourish our bodies, and we can select our thoughts the same way we would choose from a menu. Would you

order something if you knew it wasn't going to make you feel good?

But you should also honour your feelings. This is not about trying to be artificially happy. Our feelings provide us with valuable information about our needs and desires and whether or not we’re in alignment with ourselves and our values. And that means they need to be acknowledged.

It’s a bit like the childhood game of hot and cold. The closer you are to being on track with the truth of who you are, the better you feel. The further away you get, the worse you feel.

Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, how you react to them is governed by your thoughts, and that’s what I want you to focus on today.

You have the power to choose the way you think about a situation, no matter what the circumstances. And in day-today life that means making choices that reflect your values and supports your dreams. With practice, you'll develop a skill that will become second nature to you. Then the sky's the limit!

The following exercise is designed to help you discover facts about yourself that will nourish your sense of wellbeing:

Every evening for the next 30 days, I want you to pick a quiet moment and review your day. Write down the positive and loving things you’ve accomplished even if it’s just one thing.

That’s enough. Then focus on that one thing, and express gratitude for it.

Notice both your thoughts and your feelings. Do you drift into judgment or undermine yourself? For example, do you qualify it with thoughts like “but it could have been better” or “I won a great new client today, but it was probably just a fluke.”

If that sounds familiar, go back and think about that positive achievement again. Try and be more honest with yourself about it. Ask yourself why you’re putting yourself down with your own negative self-talk. After all, if you’ve won one great client, then why shouldn’t you be able to win many more?

Think about all the reasons behind why that client chose you!

Use Positive Affirmations There lots of positive affirmations on the internet but choose them carefully and change them so they fit you and what you want and need. Just repeating an affirmation with no feelings attached will do nothing. Think about what you want and make that your affirmation.

This can feel a bit odd at first but stick with it and you’ll reap the benefits. Start with 2 and work up to 10! Using positive phrases will challenge any negative thoughts and can be an amazing weapon for a better life.

Be Kind to Yourself Improving your confidence may take time so be kind to yourself and cut yourself some slack. If your life is very busy and stressful, take stock and decide what is serving you and what not.

Make time for rest and recovery, surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and family and look after yourself.

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Boost your Confidence this New Year

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Beauty NEWS Precise Application

Achieve visibly smoothed, radiant skin with just a sweep of Sisley’s Stylo Correct concealer pen (£46, www.sisleyparis.com/en) boasting a light, creamy formula that delivers high coverage all day long.

This radiance-boosting concealer harnesses the benefits of benzoic acid and vitamin E, skin-loving ingredients that work beneath the surface to minimise blemishes and fortify against free-radicals – leaving you with an irresistibly smoothed, flawless and luminous complexion.

Nail It

Searching for the perfect pampering gift for a loved one? Or simply want to treat yourself and try something new? Introducing the Leighton Denny Try Me Gift Sets (£15, www.leightondennynails.com).

Available in two stunning, chip resistant, high gloss, saturated shades, Leighton Denny has packed these indulgent gift sets with discovery versions of iconic, vegan and cruelty-free mani essentials. Wonderfully affordable and almost too pretty to pull apart, these little luxuries contain everything you need for the ultimate manicure, helping you treat and prep, polish and protect your nails like a pro!

Hair Beautiful

Premium haircare brand Philip Kingsley are offering a massive 40% off two of their gift sets. The Body Building Jewels Set or the Moisture Balancing Jewels Set are both priced at £49.50 (worth £83.00) just perfect for popping under the tree this Christmastime. www.philipkingsley.co.uk

Hand Scent

Easy and convenient to carry these mini size athletia hand creams (£48, www.athletiabeauty.co.uk) are a great present for any beauty lover. The set contains four hand creams – Gentle Rose, Feet at Ease, Early Afternoon, and Ginger Latte. Each created with botanical essential oils to envelop hands and leave them feeling soft and smooth.

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FASHION

Phase Eight

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SPARKLE IN SEQUINS Sequins are one of the top fashion items for the festive season, whether it’s all over or just an accessory, you’ll certainly sparkle!

Skirt, £179, The Bias Cut

Dress, £30, Peacocks

Dress, POA, Primark

REISS

Blouse, £32, Very

Blouse, £25, Peacocks

Cami, £29.50, M&Co

Wrap Dress, £29, F&F

£55, Oliver Bonas

Dress, £159, French Connection

Vest Top, £15, F&F

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CLASSY IN BLACK Black, a wardrobe staple that always looks elegant and stylish and is just perfect for a cocktail party or two.whilst still keeping it classic”

Earrings, £14, John Lewis

Dress, £21, Matalan

Adrianna Papell Dress, £190, John Lewis

Trousers, £15, F&F

Freemans

Tuxedo Jumpsuit, £112, Adrianna Papell

Dress, £79, Sonder Studio

Blouse, £36, John Lewis

Clutch, £10, F&F

Jumpsuit, £119, John Lewis

Dress, £82, Azazie

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SMOOTH AS SATIN Satin is exactly what you need to add that extra elegance to your wardrobe. Ideal for any event, whether it’s a lavish dinner, brunch or even a casual stroll around town.

Dress, £129, Ro&Zo

Peacocks

Top, £55, River Island

Dress, POA, Primark

Top, £59, Hush

Dress, £35.99, New Look

Dress, £268, Reiss

Top, £35, F&F

Dress, £199, Azazie

Skirt, £49.99, Mango

Shirt, £45.99, Mango

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SHIMMER & SHINE Metallics aren’t just for Christmas – they can be worn for any occasion and are perfect for dressing up or down.

Earrings, £16.99, TK Maxx

£79, Azazie

Dress, £99, River Island

Dress, £54, M&Co

Dress, £95, River Island

Culotte Trousers, £20, Peacocks

Skirt, £15, Matalan

Gold Platforms, £110, Hush

Ruffle Blouse, £110, Boden

£15, F&F

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JINGLE ALL THE WAY Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas jumper or two, which one will you choose?

£12, Primark

£15, F&F

£25.99, New Look

£48, Kaleidoscope

Freemans

£34, M&Co

£16, Peacocks

£45, Freemans

£25.99, New Look

£35, River Island

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Christmas Gift Guide Gorgeous gifts, everyone will love.

George

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Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Radiant Collection, £55, www.uk.elemis.com Ghost Vanity Case, £80, Boots

Benefit Totally Glam Telegram Set, £38.50, Benefit Cosmetics

Clarins Beautiful Lips, £22, Clarins

ESPA Restful Collection, £85, www.espaskincare.com

Bjork & Berries White Forest Body Wash, £26, Body Lotion, £35, www.bjorkandberries.com

Sculpted By Aimee Sultry Stories Palette, £35, www.sculptedbyaimee.co.uk

ESPA Winter Aromatherapy £115, www.espaskincare.com

ASHE Nail Polish £15 Each, www.ashelondon.com

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Noble Isle Fireside Candle & Shower Gel Gift, £55, www.nobleisle.com

BEAUTY LOVER Beauty boost, self-care and pampering, who wouldn’t want to find a beauty gift under the tree this year.

Sensica Sensifirm Cellulite Contouring , £349, www.sensica.co.uk

ICONIC Dial Up Your Glam, £90, www.iconiclondoninc.com

Molton Brown Stocking Filler Collection, £40, www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Dermaworks Eyelash & Eyebrow Growth Serums, £44.99, www.dermaworks.co.uk

ESPA Positivity Collection,£65, www.espaskincare.com

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Butterfly Orange Peel Gin, £29.99, www.butterflygin.co.uk

Veuve Clicquot Personalisable Arrow, £62, www.clos19.com

E Haig Clubman, £17, Tesco Butterfly Green Mango Gin, £29.99, www.butterflygin.co.uk

Sixpence Pud Gin Liqueur, £25, Harvey Nichols

The Plonkers Insulated Wine Bottle, £35, www.plonkbottles.com

Espresso Martini Cocktail Kit, £39, www.thecocktailsociety.uk

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Fortnum & Mason Champagne & Chocolate Gift Box, £72, www.fortnumandmason.com

Drink Emperor Watermelon Vodka, £19.99, www.emperorvodka.com

CONNOISSEUR Whether you're keen to make your own infused gin, try a ten year old whisky or open a bottle of champagne with a bang, we've got something for you.

Rose & Sparkling Wine Gift Set, £44.98, www.welcombehills.co.uk

Mermaid Pink Gin, £38, John Lewis

The Unwind Gift Set, £50, www.tinwoodsestate.com

Christmas Globe Gin, £25, THreshers

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Hanging Disc Necklace, £49, www.abbottlyon.com

Ghost Duo Set, £37.50, Boots

Satin Pyjamas, £44, Selfridges

Ring, £45, www.oliviaburton.com Charbonnel et Walker Eggnog Truffles, £16, John Lewis

Noble Isle Jubilee Christmas Gift Set, £28, www.nobleisle.com

Sculpted by Aimee Bare Basics Palette, £32, www.sculptedbyaimee.co.uk

Viners Antipasti Serving Set, £39, www.viners.co.uk Oval Necklace, £47.50, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

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Stocking Fillers We’ve found the perfect gifts to pop in those stockings, and all for under £50

Liberty Print Insulated Coffee Cup, £36, Chilly's

Fossil Drop Earrings, £45, www.fossilgroup.com

Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Travel Set, £28, www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Cashmere Socks in Rose, £45, Bedfolk

Silver & Rose Bee Earrings, £39.50, www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

ESPA Wellness Candle Collection, £48.00, www.espaskincare.com

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Dukeshill Jingle Bells Hamper, £70, www.dukeshillham.co.uk

Fortnum & Mason Highgrove Christmas Hamper, £210, www.fortnumandmason.com

Dukeshill Box of Delights Hamper, £250, www.dukeshillham.co.uk Selfridges Christmas Day Hamper, £300, Selfridges

Italian Christmas Hamper, £80, Marks & Spencer

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hungry for

hampers Whether you want a gift for someone you love or simply fancy treating yourself, we’ve got the hamper just for you!

Fortnum & Mason Christmas Collection Hamper, £160, www.fortnumandmason.com

Dukeshill Cheese Lovers Hamper, £77, www.dukeshillham.co.uk

Virginia Hayward Taste of Christmas Hamper, £100, Moonpig

Fortnum & Mason Little Luxuries Hamper, £110, www.fortnumandmasons.com

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food & drink

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FOODIE NEWS Festive Food

Sweet Treats

Flapjackery's mouth-watering flapjacks evoke memories of this wonderful time of year with flavours like Mince Pie and Christmas Mint Fudge. Its Millionaires flapjack and Creamy Fudge flapjack both have a Christmas tree piped in white chocolate. By adding the best, most scrumptious, high quality locally sourced West Country ingredients to gluten-free British oats Flapjackery have taken the rustic flapjack to the next level and added a flavoursome Christmas twist.

Flapjackery gifts are gluten free, with a shelf life of 2 months and can be delivered direct to your door and include the Christmas flavours. They are gluten free, with a shelf life of 2 months. To order visit www.flapjackery.co.uk

Healthy food retailer Musclefood, have their festive food hampers back for you to try.

Priced from £65, these hampers include the traditional favourites; pigs in blankets, stuffing and chipolatas along with all the vegetables with roasting potatoes, carrots, parsnips and sprouts all delivered in a single order.

There are four hampers to choose from with turkey, beef or both taking pride of place in the centre of the table.

Other treats in the hampers are meaty pork sausages, bacon medallions, rump steaks, unsmoked bacon and sausage meat. For more information, visit www.musclefood.com/christmas

A Christmas Tipple

Back this season by popular demand is the Limited Edition Cotswolds Cloudy Christmas Gin (£34.95, www.cotswoldsdistillery.com).

Featuring nine carefully considered botanicals, including sweet zesty clementine and cardamom, this is a traditional juniper-led gin with a touch of Christmas magic.

Expect refreshing bursts of clementine, a hint of warm spice and a traditional juniper taste, as well as our signature cloudy glow when ice or tonic is added. A must-have for your Christmas gin collection!

With Love From Searcys

Searcys, UK’s oldest hospitality company, in the heart of festivities for 175 years, has got the festive season all wrapped up with its 2022 Christmas gifting range.

Treat loved ones to the gift of luxury, from Searcys limitededition 175th Champagne and its new English Sparkling Wine to bespoke signature bone-china sets and over 40 gift dining experiences across iconic venues, perfect for friends, family and colleagues.

All gifts come in signature blue and gold honeycombpatterned boxes and are available online at www.searcys.co.uk/gifts with 48-hour nationwide delivery up until Christmas week.

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Turkey Stew Method

“A super-easy, dish that creates a delicious recipe using leftover turkey”

To start the dumplings, roughly chop the bacon and place in a large frying pan on a medium-low heat to crisp up while you wash, trim and finely slice the leeks. Stir them into the pan with 1 tablespoon of oil, then cook for 15 minutes, or until soft and sweet, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, for the stew, peel the onions, trim the celery, then roughly chop both and place in a large, wide casserole pan on a medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil (or even better, use turkey dripping to intensify the flavours). Add the herb sprigs and bay, and cook for 15 minutes, or until soft but not coloured, stirring regularly. Stir in the mustard and flour for 2 minutes, then gradually stir in the stock to make a nice thick sauce.

Crumble in the leftover stuffing and turn the heat off. Scoop out and discard the herb sprigs and bay leaves, then shred the turkey or chicken meat, stir it into your stew, taste, and season to perfection.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Place the flours in a large bowl. Dice and add the butter, then use your thumbs and forefingers to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Make a well in the middle, pour in the buttermilk, then gradually mix into the crumbs, bringing them in from the outside. Stir in the cooled leeks and bacon until just combined, but don’t overwork it – we want the dough as light as possible.

Gently roll it out on a clean flour-dusted surface until 2cm thick, then use a 5cm fluted cutter to stamp out as many round dumplings as you can, re-rolling and using up any offcuts – you should get at least 12 from this amount. Brush the dumplings with beaten egg, then sit them on top of the stew.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are risen and golden and the stew is blipping and bubbling away nicely. Delicious with simple steamed greens.

Recipe by Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

Dumplings 2 rashers of higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon 2 small leeks Olive oil 125 g self-raising flour 25 g maize flour , or polenta 30 g unsalted butter (cold) 125 ml buttermilk 1 large free-range egg Stew 3 onions 3 sticks of celery 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary 3 sprigs of fresh thyme 3 fresh bay leaves 2 teaspoons English mustard 2 tablespoons plain flour 1.5 litres organic veg stock 150 g leftover stuffing 500 g leftover cooked free-range turkey or chicken meat

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Vegan Nut Roast

“Being vegan doesn’t mean compromising on flavour, crunchy and full of spices, everyone will be tucking in.”

Ingredients

50 g pine nuts , plus extra for decorating 50 g linseed 50 g sunflower seeds 100 g unsweetened chestnut purée 50 g gluten-free vegetarian suet 1 tablespoon maple syrup Gluten-free flour , for dusting Spinach Topping 300 g chestnut mushrooms Rapeseed oil 260 g baby leaf spinach , or frozen chopped spinach 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1 ripe avocado 100 g silken tofu 1 pinch of ground nutmeg 1 squeeze of lemon juice ¼ of a sweet potato Olive oil

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Spread out the nuts and seeds on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a food processor, along with the chestnut purée, suet and maple syrup, and blitz until it comes together into a ball. It will be sticky to begin with, so stop and scrape the sides as you go.

Place a large sheet of greaseproof paper on a work surface and sit the dough on it. Then, with lots of gluten-free flour on your hands and rolling pin, roll out the dough as thinly as possible (less than 5mm). If you’re making individual tartlets, oil and flour four 10cm loosebottomed tart tins, then cut the pastry to size. For 1 large tart, roll out the dough and cut to the size of a large, shallow baking tin, and transfer to the tin using a fish slice.

Prick the pastry all over with a fork, cover with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans or rice and bake blind for 12 to 15 minutes. Leave to cool in the tray, and keep the oven on.

Meanwhile, slice the mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil in a pan over a medium heat, then sauté the mushrooms for 6 to 8 minutes, until golden. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil and wilt the spinach (or heat through if frozen) along with the pepper. Blitz the spinach, avocado flesh, tofu, nutmeg and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth.

Thinly slice the sweet potato using a vegetable peeler or mandolin, creating a pile of peelings. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a small pan, then fry the peelings over a high heat, turning occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, until just turning crisp.

Assemble the tart by spreading the spinach mixture over the baked and cooled tart base. Lay the mushrooms on top, and decorate with the sweet potato slivers and a scattering of toasted pine nuts. Eat at room temperature, or heat it up, if you like.

Recipe by Jamie Oliver

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Christmas Crumble “This delicious pudding brings all the flavours of Christmas in one go”

Ingredients 1.5 kg mixed eating apples and pears 100 g quality cranberry sauce 1 tablespoon sherry, brandy, Vin Santo, whisky, rum , optional 1 clementine 50 g unsalted butter 100 g plain flour 50 g golden caster sugar 50 g flaked almonds or unsalted festive nuts 1 mince pie (60g)

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Peel and core the apples and pears, then quarter and chop into 3cm chunks. Place in a pan on a medium heat with the cranberry sauce and booze (if using), then finely grate in the clementine zest and squeeze in the juice.

Cook with the lid on for 10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened, stirring occasionally, then remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.

Cut the butter into cubes and place in a mixing bowl with the flour and a pinch of sea salt. Rub together with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs, then scrunch in the sugar to add a little texture. Roughly chop and stir through the almonds or nuts, and crumble in the mince pie.

Transfer the fruit to a 25cm x 30cm baking dish and sprinkle over the crumble topping, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Delicious served with custard, ice cream or brandy butter.

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Raise a Glass to Festive Fizz

“Is it even Christmas without a glass of fizz or two, here’s some of our favourites all from Tesco – Cheers!”

Codorniu Vintage Cava Pale gold in colour with fine, persistent bubbles. Fresh with intense aromas of apple and pleasant floral notes. £11.00

Tesco Finest English Sparkling Wine Pale lemon gold in colour, with a elegant bouquet of apple and citrus, with notes of brioche. On the palate it is crisp and refreshing with a delicate mousse and a long finish. £25.00

Tesco Finest Prosecco Rose Made with the grape Glera, used in Prosecco, and Pinot Noir, this light and refreshing Prosecco rosé is full of fresh ripe red berries and citrus fruit flavours with a delicate and elegant mousse. Serve chilled for a perfect celebratory drink, as an aperitif or with light desserts. £8.50

Tesco Finest Rose Champagne Refreshing citrus and red fruit flavours, finishing on a delicate mousse, this champagne is ideal to serve on its own or with fruity desserts. £24.00

Taittinger Brut Reserve Non Vintage Champagne Taittinger is one of the last great independent Champagne Houses owned and actively managed by the family named on the label. The family are guardians of Taittinger's style, quality and integrity. The hallmark of their fine Champagnes is the high proportion of Chardonnay used in their winemaking, which is key for producing wines of great elegance and finesse.

Distinguished by a delicate nose marked by subtle brioche notes, it has a palate of considerable depth and balance with hints of honey and fresh fruit. £39.00

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deck the halls

Luxdeco

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Berry Wreath, £130, Luxdeco

All Green Wreath, £135 - £175, www.bybloom.co.uk

Berry Wreath, £34.99, Dobbies

Dried & Fresh Wreath, £75, Your London Florist

A Warm welcome

Magnolia & Olive Wreath, £140, Luxdeco ,

Bring some festive cheer to your door with one of these stunning wreaths

Mulled Festive Wreath, £110 - £150, www.bybloom.co.uk

Truly Natural Wreath, £120 £160, www.bybloom.co.uk

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Wild Rosehip Wreath, £65, Your London Florist

Winter Berry Wreath, £110 £150, www.bybloom.co.uk

Festive Pastels Wreath, £155 £195, www.bybloom.co.uk

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Bohea Black Tea & Fig Candle, £65, Henrys Town House

Noble Isle Fireside Glow Candle, £75, www.nobleisle.com

JUL Gingerbread, Winter Cloves, Spiced Orange & Mulled Wine Candle, £45, www.skandinavisk.com

Jo Malone Pine & Eucalyptus Candle, £58, www.jomalone.co.uk

The Lantern Candle, £49, www.aktlondon.com

Seasonal Scents Candles are a simple way to add some festive ambience to your home

Woodwick Mint Leaves & Oak Candle, £30, www.woodwick.yankeecandle.co.uk

NEOM Organics London Christmas Wish Candle, £38.40, John Lewis

True Grace Christmas Candle, £22, John Lewis

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Christmas Votive Candle, £25, www.fortnumandmason.com

Bramley The Pig Candle, £28, www.bramleyproducts.co.uk

lights4fun

ESPA Frankincense & Myrrh Candle, £65, www.espaskincare.com

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Carousel Crackers, £19.95, Annabel James Fortnum's Tea Lovers Crackers, £130, Fortnum & Mason

Christmas Jewels Luxury Candle Crackers, £55, www.chaseandwonder..com

christmas crackers

Berry Crackers, £17.50, John Lewis

Start your festive season with a bang, with our round-up of some of the best crackers out there

Mistletoe Crackers, £24, www.idyllhome.co.uk Pine Cones Crackers, £36.95, Annabel James

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Fortnum's Carousel Crackers, £55, Fortnum & Mason

Robin Crackers, £21, Sophie Allport

Sophie Allport

Silent Night Crackers, £36, www.nancyandbetty.com

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Festive Forest Stocking, £29.50, Sophie Allport

Faux Fur Stocking, £9.99, Very

Faux Fur Stocking, £10, Dobbies

The Perfect Stocking Adorn your mantlepiece with this season's chicest Christmas stockings

Red Stocking, £14, M&Co

Velvet & Silk Pom Pom Stocking, £68, Rebecca Udall

Faux Fur Stocking, £18, Next

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Cable Stocking, £18, John Lewis

Gold Velvet Stocking, £20, Lisa Angel

Marks & Spencer

Velvet Liberty Stocking, £250, Velvet Linen

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Fry’s Footie Corner I wasn’t sure what it would be like watching a World Cup in winter, but I have got to say, that as we reach the midway point in the competition (as I am writing this page), I have enjoyed it. I think I have enjoyed the unpredictability of the tournament and I suspect that is perhaps what people might have been expecting with the games coming thick and fast midway through the domestic campaign.

It is what you want from a World Cup though. You don’t want the favourites coasting through, winning every game and making it boring for everyone else.

You need a bit of jeopardy. I certainly think in the opening group games you had a bit of that, with Argentina and Germany both losing and then in the second round of fixtures, Belgium losing to Morocco.

Sometimes the pressure can get to teams. The expectancy of success. It certainly seemed to affect Argentina against Saudi Arabia. Everyone wants Lionel Messi to go out with a bang and lift the trophy, but you can’t be a one-man team in a tournament like this and they have to find a way to win as a group without relying on their talisman.

For Gareth Southgate’s England side, it has been a positive start with a huge win over Iran in the opening fixture and a draw against the United States in the following game. I still have faith that England

can go deep into the tournament, my heart says they will win it, but my head is not as confident.

There are a lot of good teams, Brazil have a lot of attacking talent, France have one of the stars of the tournament in Mbappe and Spain have a raft of talented midfield players to choose from. I am excited to see what happens.

Domestically, League One and League Two continues and we know at Peterborough United, that we have plenty of games to contend with between now and the festive period. It is up to us to make sure we on a good run before the January transfer window comes around.

We are in a good position in the league, we would have taken being in the top five at this stage in the season and being in touch with those above us. We can’t panic or let outside noise affect us. We have been successful in this league before and we can be successful in it again. We just need to stick together and remain positive.

Merry Christmas to you all

Barry

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HO! HO! HO!

Is it even Christmas if you don't have a festive jumper? From funny slogan sweaters to interactive flashing Christmas trees the choice is yours!

£18, Tu

£29.50, M&Co

NEXT

£35.99, Debenhams

£18.50, Matalan

£25, Marks & Spencer

£25, Marks & Spencer

£20, Tu

£25, Marks & Spencer

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TRAVEL

Vietnam

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Cortina’s New Arrival Rosapetra Spa Resort

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R

osapetra Spa Resort has now opened under the stewardship of Relegance ('The Unexpected collection'), the new Italian high-end hospitality brand founded by Antonio Onorato.

Whilst the property will retain its existing contemporary aesthetic, guests can expect a new and dynamic hospitality style – in both the hotel’s spaces and experiences.

The design of Rosapetra Spa Resort is a unique combination of a typical Alpine chalet with dolce vita style. Refined yet comfortable and welcoming, stone and local wood feature throughout the property, tastefully partnered with leather, steelwork, mirrors and ambient lighting that create an intimate and seductive atmosphere.

These elements are visible in their fullest expression in the five new Dolomites Suites, where Swiss pine wood takes centre stage, ensuring guests restful sleep thanks to the material’s powerful natural calming properties. The generous suites feature a spacious living area with a lounge and dining room, as well as large terraces with views of the spectacular Tofane slopes.

The restaurant, also open to outside guests, will be an attraction from dawn until after dusk, thanks to an innovative new F&B concept. Executive Chef Fabio Manni pays homage to the classic flavours expected at high-altitude, such as black truffle, chestnuts, Jerusalem artichoke, and wild berries, but goes one step further to surprise visitors to Cortina this winter. Local produce from the region is partnered with an unexpected fish menu that brings something new to Cortina’s gastronomic scene.

Terrazza26, the open-air lounge and bar named after the upcoming Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina 2026, will be the new winter hotspot for experimental cocktails and hands-on experiences, such as Shake&Drink led by Bar Manager Lucas Kelm, and evening aperitivos with live DJ sets.

At the heart of the resort is the spa, featuring a 12-metre indoor pool with far-reaching views of the Dolomites, Finnish sauna and an outdoor sauna, Mediterranean and Turkish bath, emotional showers and a cold pool.

Guests can also tailor their wellness experience with the help of a Personal Spa Assistant.

For more information or to book, visit www.relegancecollection.com

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Steam Dreams No-Fly Rail Holiday to The Emerald Isle

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Steam Dreams Rail Co 10th 'Explorer' tour will be a nineday Emerald Isle Explorer holiday starting in Dublin on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. With high class hotels, stunning scenery and world-class attractions, this rail journey around Ireland has been meticulously designed as the perfect way to escape to another world, without venturing far from home or stepping foot in an airport, journeying to the Dublin start point via ferry.

This dream rail adventure is just the ticket, combining steam travel in charming vintage carriages with beautiful countryside, fascinating cities, fabulous hotels, great food and wine - and above all - the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed and stress-free holiday. Hauled by historic steam locomotives, there's a range of ticket and accommodation options from seating in Premium Standard to luxurious Pullman Style Dining. All passengers will also have the chance to visit the wood-panelled onboard bar car – the only railway bar in the world to serve draught Guinness.

The nine-day holiday includes one night in Dublin, two nights in Galway, three nights in Killarney and two nights in Kilkenny. Highlights include a stop at the charming city of Athlone, which lies on the banks of the River Shannon (Ireland's largest waterway), a tour of the Ring of Kerry passing stunning lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and free time to explore the city of Kilkenny, a city that exemplifies Ireland with its medieval castle and cathedral alongside established breweries and distilleries.

This tour is planned to be steam-hauled throughout. The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) have a number of steam locomotives and the mainstay for the tour will be old favourite V Class No. 85 Merlin, sporting sky blue livery and built in 1932 for express passenger trains. Merlin will be joined by No. 171, Slieve Gullion, an express passenger locomotive built in 1913 which will be making its debut on the tour.

The price includes eight-nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, luggage porterage service between the train and hotel, coach transfers between the

train and hotel when appropriate, complimentary tea and coffee on board the train, and a team of helpful staff both on board the train and at all hotels to ensure all guests have a memorable and enjoyable holiday.

Pullman Style Dining passengers will stay at some of the best accommodation available in Ireland, including the fabulous Glenlo Abbey Hotel near Galway and the Mount Juliet Estate outside Kilkenny. Passengers will be welcomed on board with a glass of Champagne and will receive a light meal on board the train on days two, four, seven and nine, served with a half-bottle of wine per person. They will also receive dinner in their hotel on days two, four and seven.

Premier Dining passengers will be welcomed on board with a glass of Bucks Fizz and will receive a light meal on the train on days two, four, seven and nine. They will also receive dinner in their hotel on days two, four, and seven.

BOOK IT

Prices start from £1995 for Premium Standard, £2995 Premier Dining and £3995 Pullman Dining Style.

Please note single supplements apply for single passengers for the hotel accommodation.

Steam Dreams are offering travellers the opportunity to journey to Dublin from England via ferry and enjoy an extra night's stay in Dublin at the end of the holiday (supplement applies).

A choice of optional excursions by road coach or steam are available to book for an additional supplement. Final details about optional excursions will be confirmed in early 2023.

To view the full itinerary, make a booking or purchase a Steam Dreams Rail Co. gift voucher visit www.steamdreams.co.uk

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Celebrate the Festive Season at

The London EDITION This year, celebrate the holidays at The London EDITION with an array of exciting festive offerings.

From an exclusive Christmas Day menu at the hotel’s signature restaurant Berners Tavern and festive cocktails in the hotel’s stylish Lobby Bar, to an exclusive room package in partnership with SKATE at Somerset House, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

A selection of luxurious desserts will also be available to indulge in, including a traditional Christmas pudding and Berners Tavern’s signature festive trifle.

The Christmas feast menu is designed to be shared, and will see guests starting with a complimentary glass of champagne and nibbles, before digging into festive choices beginning with Ironbark pumpkin soup, poached prawn and lobster cocktail and beetroot cured Lock Duarte salmon. To follow, larger plates include Norfolk bronze turkey, Buccleuch Estate beef fillet and roasted brassicas with spiced aubergine caviar - all accompanied by side dishes including pigs in blankets, beef fat roasted potatoes and truffle gravy.

Christmas Cocktails in Lobby Bar In celebration of the festive season, toast with friends and family alike in The London EDITION’s iconic Lobby Bar with an exclusive cocktail for the holidays.

Guests and visitors alike can enjoy a Cheer Me Up cocktail, featuring Grey Goose, Savoia, Cherry herring, nutmeg, pear sorbet, lemon juice and egg white.

Berners Tavern Christmas Day Lunch Berners Tavern at The London EDITION will be offering guests and visitors a one-off festive menu exclusively for Christmas Day. For £160 per person, locals and jetsetters alike will be able to celebrate the festivities under the backdrop of the gilded painting of curated series of photographic portraits, landscapes and still life paintings. Under the oversized custom bronze chandeliers, toast to the holiday season with a selection of delectable dishes from award-winning chef Jason Atherton.

Festive Fun Package with SKATE at Somerset House This Christmas, The London EDITION has partnered with SKATE at Somerset House to offer guests an unparalleled festive package to celebrate the holidays in the capital. Starting with a festive cocktail in Lobby Bar, guests can enjoy one of London’s most-beloved festive experiences with unrivalled skating, contemporary music and delicious food and drink.

From experienced skaters to beginners, there is something for everyone with a dedicated Skate School to sets from trailblazing DJs on rink-side decks. Guests can also enjoy a post-skate treat at Chalet Suisse before retiring to the hotel, where you can wake up at your leisure with a luxurious breakfast in bed and a late checkout.

For more information, visit www.bernerstavern.com

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Winter in Lausanne Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva overlooking the Alps makes for a wonderful festive break. From the wonderfully traditional Bô Noël Christmas Market and the Lausanne Lumières Festival, to the new pop-up hotel room and new winter bathing and sauna areas opening this year, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Things to look forward to this winter and Christmas in Lausanne include: New pop-up Christmas hotel room for December Set up exclusively for the month of December, the new Bô Noël's Duplex Room nestled in the heart of the extraordinary garden of the Lausanne Historical Museum, invites guests to spend a dream night in a oneof-a-kind ephemeral hotel room complete with a cosy fireplace and first class hotel service. The pop-up has panoramic views over the city and Lake Geneva and also has a private terrace and sauna. Bookings include entry to the Musée Historique Lausanne, two fondue vouchers (which can be used at either the Coeurnotzet in the Place de l'Europe, at the Igloo du terroir vaudois Place du Château or Belvédère du Mondial de Fondue), two vouchers for mulled wine at the Bô Noël Christmas Market and two Pompom juices and coffee in the room.

Rates start from CHF 295 per night (approx. £262).

Bô Noël Christmas Market The Bô Noël Christmas market is back this year and

bringing festive spirit to the city from now until the 31st December. A grand opening parade marked the start of the festivities, bridging the gap between the traditional and contemporary culture – from the 100 drummers, to the beautifully decorated and sometimes playful tracassets (small-motorised vehicles used at the Tracasset World Championships and to help winemakers harvest the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyard Terraces where the steepness of the vineyards do not allow for other machinery). Savour local gastronomy and discover the region’s wines (Lausanne is part of the Great Wine Capital Network). Bô Noël is the meeting point for the city, and a popular after work spot for locals to enjoy mulled wine and good food with family and friends.

Lausanne Lumières The 11th edition of the Lausanne Lumières Festival will light up the city from the 1st to the 24th December.

Beautiful light displays developed exclusively for the festival by international artists, will be projected onto three of Lausanne’s iconic buildings. Every evening as from 6.30 pm, the city’s façades will light up with flamboyant and dynamic illuminations. Installations this year include the Palais de Rumine by Patrice Warrener (France), the Tour Bel-Air by Get-it Studio (Switzerland) and the UBS Saint-François by MP Studio (Germany).

For more information please visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en

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Mirror, Mirror On The Wall!

Comedy actress and musical theatre star Lesley Joseph will be heading to Milton Keynes this Christmas to star as The Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

On hand to offer Lesley some legal advice will be favourite TV judge, Rob Rinder as The Man In The Mirror. Comedians Paul Chuckle and Aaron James will also join the line-up of this year’s magical pantomime, along with Charlotte Haines in the titular role of Snow White and Dale Mathurin as the Prince.

Paul Chuckle became a household name as part of the legendary double-act The Chuckle Brothers with his beloved brother Barry. Generations have grown-up with the legendary catch-phrase “to me, to you” made famous by the brothers on their BAFTA award-winning TV show ChuckleVision, which commanded prime-time viewing slots for nearly three decades. Paul joins the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the role of the hapless, but loveable Oddjob.

Snow White's best friend Muddles will be played by

leading comedian and impressionist Aaron James.

Aaron honed his comedy skills as a green coat for Warner's 30 years ago and has appeared in theatre tours supporting George Best, Joe Calzaghe, Eric Cantona and Joe Pasquale amongst others.

Following a hugely successful season in panto with Lesley Joseph and Rob Rinder last Christmas, Charlotte Haines will play Princess Snow White and Dale Mathurin will play the charming Prince.

Packed with the traditional pantomime ingredients Milton Keynes audiences have come to expect, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be brought to life with side-splitting comedy, sensational special effects and plenty of festive magic.

You’ll want to book early, or you won’t be able to look yourself in the mirror!

Snow White is appearing at Milton Keynes Theatre from Saturday 10 December 2022 -Sunday 8 January 2023.

Tickets are available from, www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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STARS Manish Kumar Arora (K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals what’s in store for you this month

Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December) This is a strong time for de-stressing through creative expression or immersing yourself in a hobby, the arts, or other forms of dramatic entertainment, You will be one step closer to knowing where you are headed, and you will have re-built faith in yourself. Enjoy the breeze of happiness it brings to your love life and try to make the most of the best opportunities to improve your love life.

Favourable Dates: December 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Green

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Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) There can be a very strong desire to get away, to change the pace of your life, and to do something totally different than you usually do. There can be a nice feeling of joy and comfort in thinking about the bigger picture, long-term goals, and far-off plans. There can be an opportunity to enjoy yourself, and a very pleasant, playful mood now and Inhibitions and defensiveness tend to drop.

Favourable Dates: December 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) You may receive a cosmic push towards expressing yourself more creatively and experience an increased drive to take charge of your life. Issues surrounding personal appearance, the body, and one’s image become especially important. This can be a fine time for getting your point across, as well as for networking activities or socialising. You can be especially witty or insightful, and others appreciate you for your ideas and gestures.

Favourable Dates: December 7, 9, 16, 18, 25, 27 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue

Pisces (19 February – 20 March) Activities that feed your imagination and sense of magic can thrive now. This can be a good time for progress or ideagenerating when it comes to creative matters or a romance.

You are more able to express yourself in subtle ways, to feel in touch with what’s inside, and to convey your inner world or message easily. Words may not be quite as effective as body language and actions now and It should be a relaxing month.

Favourable Dates: December 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red Aries (21 March – 19 April) The month begins with a real burst of energy, confidence and power. There would be trend towards greater flow of personal income but be aware that the flow can just as easily come in and go out if you’re not careful. Your mind often will run along moneymaking ideas and anything that has to do with communicating those ideas. You would get more attracted to unusual plans, fields and concepts.

Favourable Dates: December 3, 7, 12, 16, 21, 25 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Grey

Taurus (20 April – 20 May) You are due to gain recognition in your professional life and sexual and romantic satisfaction will follow close behind.

Your public image and professional affairs will demand extra time and responsibilities but the rewards that follow will be worth it. You would crave love and loyalty from your favourite playmate. You are emotional, sensual and very alluring to members of the both opposite and same sex.

People who like to play with fire will be instantly attracted to you.

Favourable Dates: December 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 23 Favourable Colours: Blue & Black

Gemini (21 May – 20 June) This is a time when you are working hard, taking on your fair share of duties and responsibilities and either reaping some of the rewards of your hard work or facing the consequences of poor choices. You become aware of what you have and haven’t accomplished to date. You are now treated to a realistic look at what you have built and

achieved. You would take a new class, upgrade your skills and keep moving.

Favourable Dates: December 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22 Favourable Colours: Red & Yellow

Cancer (21 June – 22 July) A spunky period for your love life occurs this month, when your charm is super and romance fairly sizzles. It is a fabulous opportunity period for scheduling a romantic getaway. You are destined to meet someone who will jump at the chance to take you out of a lonely situation. There will be an excess of romantic energy. You are likely to make changes in your life that break you out of your usual routines.

Favourable Dates: December 3, 5, 10, 13, 21, 23 Favourable Colours: Blue & White

Leo (23 July – 22 August) It is a period of reworking or sluggishness on the career front. You will be one step closer to knowing where you are headed and you will have re-built faith in yourself. Ideally, you may adopt a more mature attitude towards adventure and facing the unknown. You let go of self-defeating attitudes that have been holding you back. There can be surprising developments in love where people from other places are involved.

Favourable Dates: December 1, 6, 10, 15, 19, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & White Virgo (23 August – 22 September) You are likely to feel more confident and enthusiastic about your ability to earn a living and you may choose to develop your talents in order to boost your earning power. However, you may also be just as inclined to splurge on yourself, plumping up your nest or your store of personal possessions. Ideals and spiritual goals that you may have taken for granted or worked with for many years seem superficial or not particularly useful to you now.

Favourable Dates: December 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Brown

Libra (23 September – 22 October) Your income is likely to increase and there may be an opportunity to improve your future financial situation. It may be time to settle some of your debts, financial or otherwise. Nothing broadens your perspective quite like seeing other cultures and communities. Synchronicity is thick when you embrace your adventurous side. Trust your inner voice when tackling a difficult project Putting one foot in front of the other is often the best way to start.

Favourable Dates: December 2, 5, 11, 14, 20, 23 Favourable Colours: White & Blue Scorpio (23 October – 21 November) This is a good time to go for a raise, or take part in various dealings with financial institutions. You will see some shift in your attitude towards pleasing a significant other, more sociability, and the desire to bring balance to your life. A stronger focus on professional goals will also develop. Your comfort zones matter, and now is the time to take care of your own needs without eclipsing the needs of others.

Flashes of insight from your dreams can assist you.

Favourable Dates: December 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21 Favourable Colours: White & Green

manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com

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Weekend Starts Here....

Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.

Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller family’s perfect Christmas.

When Lucy appears on the Miller family’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend.

By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life.

Bones and All Bones and All is a story of first love between Maren (Taylor Russell), a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee (Timothee Chalamet), an intense and disenfranchised drifter, as they meet and join together for a thousand-mile odyssey which takes them through the back roads, hidden passages and trap doors of Ronald Reagan's America. But despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and to a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their otherness.

Release Date: 23 November

See You Next Christmas Annie and Tom Clark throw a holiday party every year, "Clarkmas." Over the years, it's become the go-to holiday event for their ragtag group of friends. When chronically single Natalie and Logan continue to run into each other at the party year after year, they begin to wonder if maybe they're meant to be together.

Release Date: 29 November

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PRICELESS

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Deliciously Simple Recipes

Time to Travel We're here

ISSUE 140

GORGEOUS GIFTS Inspiration Galore TWINKLE TWINKLE Fabulous ideas to bring sparkle into your home

to inspire

Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine

FESTIVE FABULOUS Glamour to WOW this party season

ISSUE 140

MERRY CHRISTMAS