CLOSE UP STAYCATION
VACATIONS Summer in the UK
PROTECT OUR
WOMEN Making the streets safer GETTING PERSONAL WITH
PETE
Pete Wicks on his bromance, home life and travelling the world
HOT
CHEEKS
Our favourite makeup products to keep you blushing
TOWIE’S
ELLA RAE WISE talks life & love
PUNCHY PASTELS
This seasons go-to fashion trend
MAY 2021 closeupuk.com
The
HOME EDIT with Mark Heyes, renowned TV Presenter and Stylist!
Mark Heyes has excitingly launched a curated edit of homewares with retailer Next. The collection features a range of indoor and outdoor furniture, dinnerware, textiles, lighting and accessories. From rattan effect garden furniture and colourful picnicware, to opulent velvet sofas and contemporary lighting, the edit offers an array of affordable luxury homeware items, for every home.
Paige Sofa £399 Pasadena Floor Lamp £75
“The solid marble top, curved edges and inlaid brass screams luxury. Yet this quietly elegant piece of furniture wouldn’t look out of place in a five star hotel lobby. Incredible craftsmanship at a brilliant price.” Piano Sideboard £850
Logan Reactive Dinnerware £42 Kya Glasses £24
* All stock subject to availability. Delivery exclusions apply. Check next.co.uk for full terms and conditions.
Brooklyn Lamp £40
“Interior styles may come and go, but true craftsmanship lasts forever, and these handcrafted mango wood pieces will stand the test of time.” Elmir Sideboard £399 & Coffee Tables £350
Hyett Sofa £375
Anderson Rocking Chair £225 & Side Table £125
Close Up Magazine // 3
CUSTOM MADE BBQ'S
soscateringequipment
SOS-Catering-Equipment-Engineering-LTD
SOSCateringLTD
PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
DESIGN SALES MANUFACTURE AFTERCARE SERVICE
www.soscateringequipment.co.uk 206-208 Billet Rd, Walthamstow, London E17 5DX
soscateringequipment
SOS-Catering-Equipment-Engineering-LTD
SOSCateringLTD
EDITOR'S LETTER
Hit the
RESET button
After months of planning and a year of females dominating our glossy cover with grace and pride, what better way to bring back man-power than with TOWIE hunk Pete Wicks. He’s cocky, he’s confident and he’s a man with a plan! We caught up with Pete Wicks to discuss his famous bromance with Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson, life in the public eye and what his next moves are. As lockdown begins to ease and we're spending more time outdoors, seeing friends and family and slowly getting back to "normal", does anyone else feel so much more appreciative? Appreciative of getting a table reservation and being able to walk into a store. To see all the local business owners smiling, chatting and saying 'good morning' to everyone gives me comfort, it makes me feel like "normal" is not impossible, I can almost smell it! That long awaited date 'June 21st' is just around the corner, and although the uncertainty remains in the air, I think it's time to hit that reset button and finally live life as you should. No more worries, no more questions. Just live life and enjoy it.
Cover Interview Page 8 Fashion Page 14
Earlier this month, we hit the reset button too and expanded into a gorgeous new office we could not be more proud of! In true Close Up style, our brand new HQ is full of glossy magazine covers, blooming florals and of course, a wine fridge! (You know, for Friday afternoons). So, when you're ready, hit that reset button. I promise, you won't look back!
Food Page 36
Leah x EDITOR leah@closeupuk.com
Living Page 56
Beauty Page 18 Ella Rae Wise Interview Page 22
Living Page 54
Advertise Your Business With Style... Southgate, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Enfield, Oakwood, Hampden Square, Cockfosters, Crouch End, Hadley Wood, Barnet, Totteridge, Whetstone and Finchley. If you would like your area covered contact us on 020 8323 2444. Publisher and Editor Leah Shakallis leah@closeupuk.com Head of Marketing and Sales Kat Stylianou kat@closeupuk.com Editorial Leah Shakallis Field Sales Assistant Elena Pedonomou elena@closeupuk.com Accounts Director Chris Papacosta chris@closeupuk.com Blog Katerina Georgiou Education Column Anna Pericleous Fashion Naomi Genes Design and Production Unit 9 East Lodge Village, East Lodge Lane, Botany Bay, Enfield EN2 8AS Tel 020 7636 7736 Email design@typetechnique.co.uk Web www.typetechnique.co.uk If you would like to advertise your business with style, contact 020 8323 2444 sayhello@closeupuk.com Tel 020 8323 2444 Email sayhello@closeupuk.com Web www.closeupuk.com Printed by the Magazine Printing Company PLC www.magprint.co.uk
RECYCLE
PLEASE NOTE: Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Although we make every effort to quote correct prices of items featured, it is possible that these may have changed on going to press. Although we endeavour to ensure any organisations or firms mentioned are reputable, the editor cannot guarantee they will fulfil obligations in all circumstances. Neither the editor nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any materials submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. The editor reserves the right to edit any materials supplied as she sees fit.
6 // Close Up Magazine
Expert care every step of the way With Spire Bushey Hospital you’ll see a leading specialist in a hospital where safety comes first. When you book an appointment with us, you can be sure that you’ll receive expert care in a secure environment.
Safety first We screen our patients and colleagues for COVID-19 symptoms and have extensive protection protocols in place.
Fast access to diagnosis and treatment You can see one of our specialists quickly, because less waiting means less worrying.
Advanced technology We use the latest technology and techniques wherever possible to get the best outcome for you.
Book to see an expert today Search ‘Spire Bushey Hospital’ Call 020 8003 8322 Interest free finance – 0% representative APR available Credit is subject to status. Spire Healthcare Limited is acting as a credit broker, Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd is the lender. All named parties are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Spire Healthcare’s registered address is 3 Dorset Rise, London, EC4Y 8EN.
COVER INTERVIEW
Pete WICKS Close Up sit down with TOWIE hunk Pete Wicks to discuss his bromance with Sam Thompson, life on the big screen and more…
T
V personality Pete Wicks shot to fame in 2015 in the reality TV show The Only Way Is Essex and has since appeared on a number of popular primetime entertainment shows such as Celebs Go Dating and The Celebrity Circle. Having been actively involved in campaigning for animal welfare for some time, he recently travelled to South Korea with the Humane Society International to help shut down a dog meat farm, saving over 170 dogs lives in the process. And last year he published a book, ‘For the Love of Frenchies’, inspired by his own beloved dogs, Eric and Ernest (not forgetting Peggy, who he adopted a year ago).
travel to some of the places I’ve always wanted to go… when your freedom is taken away a little bit, it makes you want to explore me! You mentioned in a previous interview you’d love to travel more, where are your top 3 travel destinations? For me I’ve never been to Bali so I’d love to go there, I’ve been in India before but for work and I’d love to travel around some of the beautiful parts of India and I’d also love to do a road trip in the US.
I’d love to do a road trip in the US
You recently travelled to South Korea with the Humane Society International to help shut down a dog meat farm, saving over 170 dogs lives in the process, and published a book, ‘For the Love of Frenchies’, will you be travelling to any more destinations this year? Korea was one of the most harrowing and life changing experiences of my life, as was Finland when I went there undercover on fur farms however I’ve been lucky enough to create a platform that can potentially allow me to make some change for the good of innocent animals in the world so there’s are certainly more things I’d like to do. I really think more people in the public eye should help raise awareness in areas that mean something to them. We all spent most of 2020 at home, what’s the first thing you’d like to do when this is all over? The first thing I want to do is go away! I haven’t travelled much over the past 10 years because I like to work, so most places I’ve been have been to do with work however I’d like to take some time off to
8 // Close Up Magazine
It’s not often that we see Pete Wicks without Sam Thompson beside him these days as the pair have developed a super close friendship over the years. Most people will know the pair as stars of two of the biggest reality shows, with Pete being part of the TOWIE cast and Sam appearing on Made In Chelsea. However, they did eventually appear on the same reality series back in 2019, when they both signed up for series six of Celebs Go Dating. While neither of them managed to find love on the sixth series of the E4 dating show, they did leave with an incredible bromance that none of us saw coming. The dynamic duo stayed in close contact ever since and have taken their bromance to the next level as it was announced earlier this year that they now have their very own show on E4 called Pete and Sam’s Reality News. Pete and Sam’s Reality News parodies a news anchor show whilst they deliver an array of gossip from reality news along with up-and-coming comedy talent joining each episode. After bagging their gig on The Celebrity Circle 2021 and going viral with their hilarious prank videos, we’re sure their joint ventures will continue to grow over time!
Close Up Magazine // 9
COVER INTERVIEW
10 // Close Up Magazine
Do you see yourself ever having your own TV show? Perhaps with Sam Thompson? Sam and I wrote a show together in lockdown called Reality News which is on e4 on Monday nights. I really enjoy the whole process of writing, being part of the edit and making our own show that started with an idea Sam had in the shower. I would definitely love to do other things, it’s nice to learn along the way – although I’m not sure I’m interesting enough to have a show just following my life. How did you find living with Sam for 6 days on The Circle: Stand Up to Cancer? Living with Sam was hell! I’ve lived on my own for years and I’m a bit of a lone wolf so having to deal with him 24/7 was a struggle! He’s like the Duracell bunny! In all seriousness, he is like the little brother I never wanted!
He is like the little brother I never wanted! The ‘Pete and Sam’ prank videos have been going viral recently, how do you both come up with the ideas? It’s mostly Sam finding ways to annoy me to be honest! He loves winding me up and stupidly I fall for it every time! We have a laugh together all the time so we just share what we basically do anyway and people seem to find it funny... I think people just love seeing a genuine friendship for a change! Social media has become a heavy platform from the time you started TOWIE to now, how did you find the transition of social media blowing up whilst being on a reality TV show? It was mad, I never used social media much before I went on TOWIE so it was all quite overwhelming. I’m really lucky, I generally get a lot of love but I think social media can be a tale of two sides... one week everyone loves you and the next week everyone hates you so the best way for me to deal with it is to try not to pay attention too much to what people have to say otherwise it can consume you. Are you working on anything exciting we should be looking out for? I feel like this year is going to be a good year, I have lots of ideas and plans that I want to put in to practice and for me one of the most important things in life is learning... I want to do some things out of my comfort zone and I think people may be surprised what I have coming up!
Close Up Magazine // 11
FASHION
DAISY Chain For months, our favourite throwback trends have been creeping back into our wardrobe, so when we noticed that the ‘90s-esque daisy detail was popping up again our time-travelwishing-selves were ready to go all out.
H&M
Floral Top River Island £32
Top New Look £17.99
Dress Zara £25.99
Scrunchie Oliver Bonas £15
Sunglasses M&S £15
Top H&M £17.99
Galaxies Dune London £85
12 // Close Up Magazine
Image: Christy Turlington, Copyright: Steven Meisel, 1992, Vogue Italia Stylist: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele
Hiring experienced candidates for roles in luxury fashion and retail. Temporary and Permanent positions available.
Runway to excellence
with
Stephanie
Jackson THE
OFFICIAL
SJR
PODCAST
020 8245 1192 cv@sjrlondon.com www.sjrlondon.com
From our high-end clientele to our varied and exciting roles in the fashion industry, there is a role suited to all levels of experience. If you are looking to further your career or are looking to expand your brand and product knowledge – we have roles and placements to suit all expectations.
FASHION
Playful
PASTELS Step swiftly into spring with the sweet serenity of pastels. Ladylike and gentle appearing hues that can be incorporated and complimented with almost any colour. Mixing and matching these joyful colour palettes will make your OOTD pop whilst being minimalistic and quirky.
Dune
14 // Close Up Magazine
FASHION
Lilac Metal Detail Oversized Sunglasses Primark £3
Innovation Science Story H&M £119.99
White Sheer Mesh Crop Top Pretty Little Thing £18
Tie Dye Dress Zara £25.99
Marnie Tie Dye Mules Dune £75
Pleat Straight Trousers Mango £49.99
Blue Towelling Scrunchie Accessorize £5
Close Up Magazine // 15
FASHION
LA STYLE Fashion and beauty content creator Naomi Genes talks all things fashion!
So I have most definitely switched up my wardrobe since moving over here, I’ve incorporated more colour mostly! I’ll pop a colourful handbag (check out byfar.com – they’re amazing) or a colourful trainer with a neutral outfit and it really elevates the look and makes it feel much more spring. I am having so much fun leaning into the laid back California vibe!
For more style inspiration follow Naomi Genes on Instagram @naomigenes
CURRENT BEAUTY FAVES My current beauty must haves are: Kate Somerville Exfoliate Glow Moisturiser It’s super hydrating, sits lovely under makeup, leaves a beautiful glow on the skin and smells so fresh. Refy Beauty Brow Sculpt - This is a staple of mine, I wear it every day even on no make-up days!! It just leaves my brows full and laid in place all day and gives me a brow lift effect. Skincueticals Ultra facial Defence SPF 50 - This is my everyday spf. It’s so important to keep the skin protected even on cloudy days. This sits lovely underneath makeup, almost like a hydrating primer and it gives the skin a nice glow when you’re barefaced too.
TREND ALERT: 90S STYLE AND PASTELS I have always loved 90’s fashion! The simplicity and shapes is something that I will always admire. I think we are all attracted to 90’s fashion because it’s so effortless and laid back. Most people can recreate a 90’s look from what they have in their wardrobe! A white T-shirt, pair of blue levis, white trainers and some simple black framed sunglasses should nail the look! Pastels are always so beautiful in the spring/ summer time. I am not one that has dabbled in pastels in the past but I am on the hunt for a pastel blazer and a pastel toned sweater!
16 // Close Up Magazine
Love Through Letters specialises in prints, cards, gifts and wedding stationary. All designs are handmade with love.
@love_throughletters or shop on our Etsy page at: Find us on https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LovethroughlettersCo
BEAUTY
You’re making me
BLUSH
With just a few swipes of blush you will instantly achieve a brighter looking, healthier, flushed complexion. When it comes to blush, you may feel out of your comfort zone, but fear not! The array of shades and textures that we have included in our top picks means blush will become your best friend this summer!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio Berry Adore Cult Beauty £30
Glossier
Cloud Paint in Puff Glossier £15
Vanish Blush Stick Sacred Hourglass £45
TOP TIP! To achieve the perfect blush placement, smile slightly and apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks in an upwards motion delivering sculpted and youthful looking cheeks!
Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Tint Werk Beauty Bay £16.50
Cheek To Chic Blush Love Is the Drug Charlotte Tillbury £30
Blursh Liquid Blush Sweet Cheeks Made by Mitchell £14
Air Matte Blush Scandalous Nars £26
18 // Close Up Magazine
Gi Lashes offers luxury eyelash and eyebrow treatments right in the heart of North London at COCO Hair and Beauty Studio, Palmers Green N13 5XG
DermaVit, mobile aesthetic practitioners and vitamin specialists operating in Hertfordshire & North London. Offering anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal filler, body contouring and vitamin injections.
Enjoy
ANTI-WRINKLE
DERMAL
BODY
VITAMIN
INJECTIONS
FILLER
CONTOURING
INJECTIONS
PLEASE CONTACT CLARE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON 07930 552 070 OR clare@dermavit.co.uk dermavituk
Get sum mer ready! 15% off all trea tments booked in May an d June.
£5 OF
F by qu oti disco ng this unt co d e: CLO S until M EUP5 ay 31 2021! st
Get ready to save time in the morning and bin your mascara with beautiful eyelash extensions. Whether you’re after the subtle natural look or bold and voluminous glam, enjoy your treatment in Gi Lashes comfortable and cosy room.
07983 874234 @gilashextensions
@DermaVitUK
@gilashextensions
Hand Poured Home Fragrances based in Cheshunt, Herts. Candles, Wax Melts, Reed Diffusers, Room Perfumes, Hand & Body Wash, Gift Sets and more. All candles contain rapeseed oil and coconut oil, making them free from paraffin, soy, palm, beeswax and synthetic additives, GMO free and sustainable. Giving our candles a longer, cleaner burn with great scent throw. All of our products are vegan friendly, including our innovative cutting edge diffuser base.
@ hollybushcandleco
The
“FEEL GOOD” book club
Because uplifting reads are just what we need!
THE BEST THINGS by Mel Giedroyc
HAPPY NOT PERFECT
The Author:
by Poppy Jamie
One half of iconic duo Mel and Sue, Great British Bake Off alumnus Mel Giedroyc has turned her hand to writing – this is her debut novel. The Book: Warm, funny, honest and unmissable. When perma-stressed Sally Parker’s husband Frank loses his business, their home and their savings, an ordinary woman is left to pick up the pieces. But could the worst day of Sally’s life be the best thing that ever happened to her?
The Author: Jamie is a founder/ entrepreneur/author/ podcast host and former television presenter – basically epitomising the accomplished “slashie” career. The Book: Fusing the very best of self-help, science and spirituality, Happy Not Perfect teaches us how to shift our emotional wellbeing into a happier, balanced and less anxious state.
20 // Close Up Magazine
PLEASE YOURSELF
THE BOOK OF LIGHT
THE ROAD TRIP
by Emma Reed Turrell
The Author:
The Author:
Nia Pettitt, known to her followers as Nia The Light, owns The Curl Bar London and is also a social-media influencer. This is her first book.
O’Leary stormed the “uplit” genre in 2019 with her heartwarmer of a debut, The Flatshare, and followed it up last year with The Switch.
The Book:
The Book:
The Book of Light is your travel companion on your own journey of self-discovery, guiding you every step of the way. Pettitt explores how to move from pain to joy, insecurity to confidence, to help you find your own individuality and power.
Two sisters are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend’s wedding in rural Scotland. But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie’s ex, Dylan, who she’s avoided since their traumatic breakup two years earlier.
The Author: A Cambridge University English graduate turned psychotherapist, Reed Turrell works with people-pleasers daily in her clinical practice. The Book: This book will help you get better at being disliked, instead of staying quiet. It will help you recover instead of fearing failure. It will teach you acceptance instead of avoidance and show you how to grow instead of staying small.
by Nia The Light
by Beth O’Leary
“
“
Through 10 years of experience in beauty, due to a malignant melanoma diagnosis at 21, this inspired me to learn more about the dangers and effect of UV rays and a desire to raise awareness. Providing high-quality skincare treatments & advanced facial treatments from microdermabrasion to micro-needling. It was then that the Skin by Katy skincare line was born. Vegan/Cruelty free Simple Paraban/Sulphate free 98% Natural Ingredients made in UK.
Exclusively to CLOSE UP get 15% OFF products with the code ‘CLOSESKIN15’
www.skinbykaty.co.uk @skinbykaty
INTERVIEW
5 minutes with:
ELLA RAE WISE We caught up with TOWIE’s Ella Rae Wise to discuss all things love, fashion and Essex! Hi Ella! How does it finally feel to be able to get dressed and get out of the house!? It feels amazing to be able to be outdoors and socialise with people that I haven’t seen in so long! Everyone looks so different, I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since we have been able to go out properly. It’s really refreshing not being stuck indoors and seeing your loved ones again. I was really lucky that I didn’t struggle too much during the lockdown but I am an out out kind of girl and love a Pornstar Martini! You’re quite the fashion influencer on Instagram, was it difficult to create content during lockdown? Yes it was hard to create content during lockdown. I was lucky that I had just moved into my new home with a beautiful garden and was able to shoot there because everything was fresh to Instagram. I tried my hardest to change it up too so I’d go out for a walk and get a forest pic and then shoot one in my living room or bedroom… it seemed to work!
It’s early days and I’m just getting to know Roman and seeing how things go. You’ve had quite a whirlwind of a ride during your time on TOWIE, how have you coped with the aftermath of the on-screen drama on social media? I’m lucky that I’ve got a great support system around me! The start of this series certainly had some drama and I did receive some trolling – as we know as much as social media has it’s good side, it has its toxic side too – but I learned that it says more about the person giving the hate than the person taking it. Who would you say are your closest friends on set now? My closest friends on set have to be Dani, Cle, Nicole, Saffron, Bobby and Roman. I get on with most people and I’m lucky that there are people I trust on Towie and I know I can tell them anything!
22 // Close Up Magazine
Image credit: James Rudland
Will there be a summer series abroad of TOWIE this year? Fingers crossed, I am hoping so! We all need a holiday and some vitamin D on our skin. Perhaps there will be a summer romance for you? It’s going that way.. maybe… we will see. It’s early days and I’m just getting to know Roman and seeing how things go. I love my life at the moment, I love how it is and that I don’t have to explain where I am and what I’m doing all the time. So it will be hard for me to get back into a relationship after being single for nearly 2 years but never say never. Are you working on anything exciting? At the moment my focus is on my hair studio (@hairbyerw on Instagram) where I continue working on my main passion from before joining the show. I am a hair stylist and extensionist. I am also focusing on my own brand Rosella (@roselladolls on Instagram). We have amazing new bespoke handmade pieces landing ready for festival season and holiday wear including bikinis & kaftans. I’m so excited to see where my life takes me and I’m not stopping until I get where I want to be!
Welcome Back our gift to you
£5 V UCHER Expires 16th May 2021 T’s & C’s apply
For your nearest fakin it
www.fakinit.co.uk @Fakin_It
@Fakin_It
@FakinIt
BEAUTY
Nailed
IT!
Get cute and flirty with these pastel bottles of polish, these adorable shades look great whether it be a fresh mani or pedi, check out some of our favourite picks this spring that will suit everyones skin tone! Speedy Gloss Cruising in Carnaby Nails Inc £8
Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Pink In The Park www.superdrug.com £4.49
CND Vinylux Magical Topiary www.lookfantastic.com £11.95
24 // Close Up Magazine
Rimmel 60 Seconds Super-Shine in Sea Nymph www.rimmellondon.com £3.49
Beauty at No.1
Butter London Patent Shine Lemon Drops www.fragrance.co.uk £15
OPI Infinite Shine Do You Lilac It www.opiuk.com £15.50
Essie Salt Water Happy Nail Varnish www.boots.com £7.99
‘ H AV E T H E T I ME OF YOUR MON T H ’
As women, we all know Aunt Flo can show up any time, anywhere. Our First Period Kits bring a little self care and a lot of comfort so that young girls can be prepared any time, anywhere. Providing all the essentials, goodies and useful information for when the time comes, our aim is to guide your teens through the start of their journey into womanhood. With a variety of boxes and gifts available, we can guarantee women of all ages can have the time of their month. All products and boxes are available online at AGirlsFirst.com & Etsy.com/Agirlsfirst Alternatively you can keep updated with lots of useful period tips and hacks via our @AGirlsFirst
HEALTH
Suffering from
HIP OR KNEE PAIN? Many of us have started walking and exercising much more. In some, this has highlighted old and new problems. The good news is that there are many treatments available that can get you back to your normal activities. Tim Waters, Consultant Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon at One Hatfield Hospital, answers some common questions. Do everyone’s joints eventually wear out? Although osteoarthritis or “wear & tear” of the hip and knee is very common, (about 1 in 5 adults over 45 have osteoarthritis of the knee and 1 in 9, the hip) only a small number of people need joint replacement surgery. Not all joint pain is arthritis. The soft tissues, muscles and ligaments around the hip or knee can also be a cause. Bursitis, pain over the side of the hip, is common. Tears of the flexible cartilage (meniscus) within the knee are also frequent, as are ligament sprains and muscle strains. What treatments are there? Surgery is always the last resort. We normally perform investigations such as X-rays , MRI or Ultrasound scans. These will pin-point the issue, demonstrating whether the problem is within the joint itself (e.g. arthritis) or in the soft tissues around it. This allows focused non-surgical treatments to be arranged first of all. Treatment starts with simple lifestyle measures including weight loss (if indicated) and exercises often guided by a physiotherapist. Simple pain killers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatories are useful. They can be increased if necessary. In some, walking aids, knee supports and specialised braces can be helpful.
Are injections of benefit? Steroid injections are often used. These are directed into the joint, in arthritis, or in other cases into the painful area. Although not always giving permanent relief, they do offer a window of opportunity to make exercise and rehabilitation more comfortable which ultimately can lead to long-term improvement of symptoms without the need for surgery. Who needs hip or knee replacement surgery? Surgery benefits those with worn-out joints where all other treatment has failed. It is very successful at relieving pain and restoring function. Our newer implants and techniques have led to a much more rapid recovery and increased longevity of the prostheses. Most patients walk immediately after surgery, return home within 1-2 days and get back to all kinds of activities including cycling, tennis, skiing and golf.
Tim Waters is a Consultant Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon, specialising in hip and knee reconstruction. He has regular clinics at One Hatfield Hospital, a purpose-built private hospital in Hatfield, ideally located for patients throughout North London and Hertfordshire. To make an appointment please call us on 01707 818 925. www.onehatfieldhospital.co.uk
26 // Close Up Magazine
Tired of waiting for treatment? One Hatfield Hospital is a modern, purpose-built private hospital, providing you and your family with everything you need to put your health first. • A choice of over 100 consultants • Access to a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments • In-house physiotherapy and sports injury clinic • Private GP appointments • Fast access to endoscopy, MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray • Operating theatres equipped with state-of-the-art clean air technology
Paying for your own treatment? You don’t need health insurance to receive treatment with us. If time is of the essence, many patients choose to fund their own treatment. Guide prices for many common procedures can be found on our website. If splitting the cost over a period of time would help, we offer a range of payment options.*
GUidE PRiCES Hernia repair £2,800 Gallbladder removal £5,500 Knee replacement £12,000
A Covid-19 free hospital
Hip replacement £11,500 Colonoscopy £1,900 * Terms and conditions apply. Acceptance subject to credit status.
Call us on 01707 818 925 or visit www.onehatfieldhospital.co.uk Hatfield Avenue | Hatfield Business Park | AL10 9UA Ideally located for patients throughout North London and Hertfordshire, just a short distance from the M25 and A1(M).
INTERVIEW
SAFER STREETS Hatti Suvari is the consumer advocate and podcast host empowering the British public with their rights. Motivated by a passion to democratise the public’s access to justice, Hatti created Get Legally Speaking, the UK’s first and leading legal podcast. Since realising those around her who weren’t immersed in the legal world were falling victim to expensive legal costs and myths in the system, Hatti became passionate about debunking, and demystifying the law.
When we read statistics that a staggering 97% of women aged 18 to 24 have been reported to have been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they’ve experienced sexual harassment in public spaces, this is a harsh reality and it needs to be addressed. This topic has been recently been brought to the forefront of our attention following the murder of Sarah Everard on 3 March 2021. Sarah was a 33-year-old marketing executive who disappeared after leaving a friend’s house near Clapham Common in South London to walk home to the Brixton Hill area around 9pm. On 10 March her remains were discovered in a woodland near Ashford in Kent. On 12 March a metropolitan police officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Unit, 48-year-old Wayne Cousens was charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sarah. In the wake of this tragedy, Home Secretary Priti Patel released a statement saying that “every woman should feel safe to walk on our streets without fear of harassment or violence”, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that “London streets are not safe for women or girls”. This horrific case has really touched a nerve, as women still do not feel safe walking the streets in the UK. I for one would not take a walk on my own when it is dark, not even down the street of an area that is familiar to me. So how can women walk down a street when it is dark and feel safe? I am afraid that there are no easy answers to this question. If you are considering carrying a weapon by way of pepper spray or knuckle dusters in your handbag or in your pocket, then you must note that it is illegal to carry pepper spray or any other weapon, even if it is to protect yourself, as they are considered to be prohibited weapons under the Firearms Act 1968. In the eyes of the law, there is no defence to carrying or using pepper spray or other weapons, even if it was used in the face of an attacker and to only defend yourself.
28 // Close Up Magazine
The Government are working on bringing in ‘safer streets’ laws, by having more undercover police officers on the streets, by introducing better street lighting in areas that are poorly lit and by bringing in undercover police officers in clubs, but will this actually help to protect women? In our Podcast episode on Safer Streets which I have recorded with seasoned Barrister Georgina Lassoff, she says that there has to be a fundamental shift in broader society, and that the Criminal Justice System could provide more support by providing havens, and by taking reports by women of sexual harassment more seriously. Georgia goes on to say that the culture in our Criminal Justice System has to change. I think that a collective of changes and support mechanisms would be very useful to us all to have in place. As well as a shift in attitudes within our society, having stricter punishment in our legal system Hatti Suvari, for sexual harassment could Consumer Advocate most certainly assist, as well as it and host of podcast becoming lawful for women to be Get Legally Speaking able use some form of weapon, www.getlegallyspeaking. that would help disengage com an attacker and in defending themselves against sexual harassment on our streets.
Wow4Lash Mobile Eyelash Extensions:
Russian, Mega Volume, Volume, Classic Lashes Supplying professional eyelash extension products to eyelash technicians
PROMO COD
E
CLOSEUP20 FOR
20% OFF! ALL LASH TR AYS
@wow4lash www.wow4lash.com
07773 043835
WISHlist Close Up’s monthly guide to what you should be wishing for…
IT’S A BAECATION
BLOOMING LOVELY
PRINCESS PUMPS
This mini eyeshadow palette in shade baecation portrays all things glowing skin. The soft glowy glam you would wear on any vacation!
Make your home bloom with accessories! Re-arranging your living room always come straight after spring cleaning, and we’re here for it!
The return of the ballet pump has hit 2021 this spring! Just add jeans and a boxy blazer for peak 90’s Diana vibes.
Love Tapes Eyeshadow Palette in Baecation www.plouise.co.uk £17
Grey Floral Foil Velvet Cushion www.primark.com £5
Dune London Harpar www.dunelondon.com £60
MUST READ COCONUT DREAM
SPRAY AWAY
Nourish & invigorate your body with this tropical Paradise set. Embracing the delicious sense of coconut, these skin loving treatments will leave you summersmelling ready. Spend £45 on Sol De Janeiro and receive a complimentary Sol de Janeiro Triple Brazilian Butter Hair Repair Treatment 25ml!
Registered Nutrition Professionals Sophie Bertrand and Bari Stricoff take an “all food is fit” approach to eating. With the abundance of health and nutrition information out there, it’s hard to keep up and know what’s fact and what can be harmful.
Sol De Janeiro Coco Cabana Set www.lookfantastic.com £24
Forking Wellness: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Health and Nutrition (Paperback) www.waterstones.com £22.50
The worlds No.1 root concealer brand Perfectly covers grey hair. We are loving this staple product and the advantage of 6 shades means it will blend seamlessly to give those greys or unwanted roots that perfect touch up. Having a last minute emergency? The 75ml magic re touch is easy to carry around in your bag! L’oreal Magic Re-Touch Instant Spray www.boots.com £5.99
TOTES ADORBS
MAMA KNOWS BEST
OH SO BOHO
If your Tote bag this spring/summer isn’t bigger than you, you’re doing it wrong! Get stylish and organised with Zaras tote bag, even better when you can add your initials. An elegant and effortless must have staple this year.
Let Rebecca Wilson, the mum behind @whatmummymakes, show you how to cook a week’s worth of simple, healthy and tasty meals to wean your baby from 6 months while feeding the rest of the family, too.
A timeless design element added to your plant pot, this white rope hanging plant pot is giving us such bohemian chic feels! It adds a beautiful touch to your outdoor space. Durable, easy to clean, and perfect for most garden plants.
Zara Tote Bag with Initials www.zara.com £17.99
What Mummy Makes Family Meal Planner www.waterstones.com £9.99
Elements Macrame White Rope Plant Pot www.dunelm.com £10
30 // Close Up Magazine
A confident smile starts with healthy teeth Fernleigh Dental is an established, familyfriendly practice which has been serving the local community for generations. We aim to offer a wide range of services in a pleasant and relaxed environment and have highly skilled and caring clinicians, who work together with the wider team in providing patients with a safe and positive dental experience. We pride ourselves on the fact that we routinely undertake continuing professional development and invest in the most up to date technology, enabling us to provide the highest standard and level of care. Everybody knows dentistry can be daunting at the best of times, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic therefore, we have adopted enhanced levels of infection control procedures to allow us to work effectively and safely whilst tending to our patients individual needs. During the lockdown, we invested in state of the art 3D scanning equipment which helps us enhance patient experiences. This has been achieved by
Sign Invisa up for l and re ign today ceive up to £600 d inclus iscount – ive o White f Tooth ning!! Men
tion bookin this advert wh g your consult en ation. LIMITED TIME O NLY!!!
allowing us to scan teeth without the need for traditional moulds and also allows us to communicate, through outcome simulator software, exactly what we can achieve including straight, well aligned smiles using Invisalign technology. Never forgetting general routine dentistry, we also have the expertise to provide dental implants for the replacement of missing teeth as well as other specialist and cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening, botox and fillers. Call our reception team on 020 8886 4888 for any enquiries and arrange an appointment.
6 Fernleigh Road, Winchmore Hill, London N21 3AL reception@fernleighdental.co.uk fernleighdental.co.uk
Luxury hampers for every occasion Offering you the finest of products beautifully put together into one hamper. Personalise your hamper to the person you know best and we can do the rest!
Beautifully wrapped and ribboned to order. Free delivery service to North London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
sayhello@thegrandhamperco.com @thegrandhamperco
/thegrandhammperco
10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS ADVERT
BAKES BY ANDREA tray bakes | COOKIES | cupcakes | BROWNIES
NORTH LONDON AND HERTFORDSHIRE DELIVERY @bakes_by_andrea
C's MR kitchen
A Box of Treasures
Serving the best quality kebabs, burgers, greek sandwiches, breakfast & more!
07939 486434 07399 98348 67 rUssell Lane N20 0BB
FOOD
IT’S TRADITION! When I really want to feed my soul and make my family happy, I always go back to the food of my childhood. Nothing beats traditional Cypriot cuisine and here are a couple of my favourites.
KEFTHEDES VEG‑ AND‑SPICE‑STYLE For this recipe I use my food processor and blitz everything, as I want my fussy son to eat veg! These meatballs can be eaten in a bun like a burger but I always serve them with a large salad and lots of houmous. You can also eat them cold, and they make great canapés. Serve them small and round on a stick, like lollipops (the cooking time then would be 20–25 minutes) and drizzle with tahini and pomegranate molasses. Serves 6-8 Ingredients 1 large onion, blitzed 4 garlic cloves, blitzed 2 small sweet potatoes, grated then blitzed 1 bunch of parsley, blitzed 2 carrots, grated 500g minced pork or beef or lamb or turkey 1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp sumac 1 tsp ground turmeric 1–2 red or green chillies, blitzed (optional) 2 medium eggs Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place all the ingredients, except the eggs, in a large bowl and then add the eggs. Using your hands, mix everything together for 3–5 minutes. Form the mixture into large meatballs, or burgers. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking tray and bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes. Check that they are cooked through before serving.
36 // Close Up Magazine
PORK DOLMADES, CYPRIOT STYLE (KOUBEBPIA) Apart from all the amazing spices in these dolmades, vine leaves are wonderful in themselves – there are many anti-ageing and heart health supplements made from them. Once you have made these, you can try using different fillings. Serves 6-8 as a main Ingredients About 50-60 vine leaves 2-3 tbsp olive oil 2 onions, finely chopped ½ bunch of parsley, finely chopped ½ small bunch of mint, chopped 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1kg coarsely ground pork mince 200g pudding rice Salt and freshly ground black pepper 400g chopped tomatoes 1 lemon Method Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. To prepare the vine leaves: if using fresh ones, blanch them in a bowl of hot water to soften. If using bottled leaves in brine, just rinse them. Gently heat the olive oil in a saucepan, then add the onions and sweat them, but do not brown. Add the parsley, mint and cinnamon, then add the meat and rice and season well. You are sealing the meat, not cooking it. Stir the mixture well, then remove from the heat. Put the prepared vine leaves on plate. Destalk them and lay them down, with the smooth side on the outside. To roll, put 1 tsp of the meat mixture on the leaf, roll over and tuck both sides into the roll to make a little cigar shape. Put it into the ovenproof dish and continue until you have used up all the vine leaves and filling. Spread any remaining vine leaves on top like a blanket, then place an upside-down plate on top. Pour boiling water into your dish up to where it touches the plate. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 30 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4 and cook for a further 30 minutes.
The Secret of Spice by Tonia Buxton @ToniaBuxton @toniabuxton @toniabuxtontv www.toniabuxton.co.uk
Close Up Magazine // 37
DESIGN, SALES, AFTERCARE. Fast, quality and affordable
SOS catering equipment are a family run business and have been established for over 40 years. Based in the heart of London our team specialise in Design, Sales, Manufacturing and aftercare. At SOS we take pride in supplying high quality equipment that has been engineered with your interests in mind.
020 8531 8543 www.soscateringequipment.co.uk 206-208 Billet Rd, Walthamstow, London E17 5DX soscateringequipment 38 // Close Up Magazine
SOS-Catering-Equipment-Engineering-LTD
SOSCateringLTD
BUZZING ATMOSPHERE, IT’S A MUST TRY! FEELS LIKE HOME WHEN YOU GO IN AMAZING SHOP! VERY FRIENDLY STAFF
020 8365 7102
148 High Road, Wood Green, N22 6EB
“
“ “
A UNIQUE GREEK BAKERY IN THE HEART OF WOOD GREEN
FOOD
FOOD LOVER Love Islander-turned-at-home-chef Callum Jones discusses his passion for food and shares one of his top recipes! We are loving the foodie in you, where did it come from? Most of my mums side of the family are good cooks but I never really had a passion for it until I started watching Hell’s Kitchen on Netflix and completed 2 seasons in 4 days! Ever since, I have loved cooking and have been experimenting with different recipes. I’d really like to go on MasterChef one day. What is your favourite meal to cook? I really like noodles just because there’s so much you can throw in the them and they’re so quick and easy to make. Perfect for a quick midnight dinner, or for people who aren’t confident in the kitchen. They also can be healthy too. Do you have a favourite type of cuisine? I don’t have one favourite cuisine but it’s definitely between Thai, Italian or Asian. Do you do most of the cooking at home? I do all the cooking at home Molly is absolutely useless (don’t tell her I said that!!!) What would you say are your go-to spices?
Image credit: James Rudland
Cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
CRISPY CHILLI BEEF Takeaway favourite, definitely one for a Sunday night! Ingredients 250g sirloin steak 3 tbsp cornflour 1 tbsp Chinese five spice 1 red pepper 4 white ends of spring onion 2 cloves garlic sliced in lengths 1 thumb piece of ginger sliced in lengths 1 red chilli 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp ketchup 2.5 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 120ml vegetable oil
40 // Close Up Magazine
Method Thinly slice your beef into strips. Mix your cornflour and five spice together and add in your beef to coat it in the flour. Thinly slice your red pepper. Then chop garlic ginger into matchsticks and chop spring onions finely as well as chilli. For your sauce, mix together the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup and sweet chilli sauce. In a wok or pan add in your oil and shallow fry your beef until crispy. Remove and drain. In a separate pan, add in your peppers and sauté for a couple of minutes then add in your garlic, ginger, chilli and onion
and fry for another couple of minutes. Throw in your beef and then your sauce and toss to coat.
Carlos welcomes you to Judges
Serving you the finest of food and cocktails. Full restaurant opening on May 17th Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 12.00-11.00pm Garden area open
@judges_restaurant
@judgesnorthaw
www.judges-restaurant.com Judges, 1 Judges Hill, Northaw, Potters Bar EN6 4NL Tel: 01707 802104 or 07960 895479
A luxurious box of treats to satisfy your wildest sweet tooth! Littles Treats are a boutique cookie and cake company, thriving to be the most tasty treats in town. With flavours beyond your imagination, our gift boxes are the perfect present to put a smile on someone’s face. hello@littlestreats.co.uk @littletreats
www.littlestreats.co.uk
Italiano
Italian food at its best & more to enjoy
Opening indoors 17th of May with a new exciting menu! We welcome you to experience the very well established Italian restaurant in North London, Whetstone. Cocorico bring you traditional and modern Italian dining for everyone, combined with the flavours you love to enjoy from Italy.
www.cocoricorestaurant.co.uk open 7 days a week 1314 High Road, Whetstone N20 9HJ
020 8445 1188
TRAVEL
Staycation VACATION A fter a year of madness its now time to get away this summer without breaking the bank! This years staycations can make for the perfect family or romantic break away. From blissful coastal escapes, lodge cabins, to idyllic beach getaways. Staying in the UK isn’t so bad after all when there are hidden gems like these...
COTSWOLDS England and the Cotswolds go hand-in-hand being the picture postcard favourite for a romantic or family staycation. Famous for its surrounding areas that each embody their own identity and quintessentially English market towns, the Cotswolds are beautiful villages built of traditional honey coloured stone, neighbouring the natural beauty of rolling hills “the wolds”.
TREYARNON BAY – CORNWALL Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coastal bay regions in the countryCornwall is a go-to destination this year for you British beach lovers… Embark on a sensational staycation in the arms of Treyarnon Bay, an award winning sandy beach featuring shallow crystal waters, and surrounded by cliffs and soft sand dunes. The shallow rock pools are filled with fascinating sea life, from small fish to crabs, so if your kids are avid rock-poolers- this is a must visit! Where to go: Treyarnon Bay is within driving distance of several Cornwall holiday parks- check out White Acres and Newquay as the closest beach locations to enjoy a memorable staycation in the blissful beaches of the UK.
44 // Close Up Magazine
Where to go: Enjoy a romantic picnic in the sublime classic view of “Castle Combe” - considered not just the prettiest village in the Cotswolds, but also the prettiest village in all of England.
KESWICK CUMBRIALAKE DISTRICT Situated between the breathtaking views of Skiddaw and the euphoric beauty of Derwentwater, the medieval market town of Keswick has become the major centre for tourism in the Northern Lake District. Where to go: Just 10 minutes on foot from the town of the centre, Derwentwater is one of the principle bodies of water in the Lake District, dotted with picturesque islets, and bordering with misty mountains leaves a real sense of enchantment to anyone that visits. Spend a half-day hiking the eight mile perimeter path, or enjoy a cruise across the calming waters. This is the ideal destination for an adventurous and ethical retreat.
CENTER PARCS Bringing families together this summer Center Parcs provides the perfect short break in the heart of the woodlands. Surrounded by the tranquility of nature, Center Parcs offers high-quality accommodation with a vast range of outstanding leisure activities, and more than 200 indoor and outdoor exciting activities. How about a stay in a tree house or houseboat? Discover all types of accommodation Center Parcs has to offer and choose the one that suits you best!
Close Up Magazine // 45
HEALTH
Preparing for a positive
BIRTH EXPERIENCE
F
irst of all, it’s good to know what the term ’positive birth’ actually means. It doesn’t necessarily mean a completely drug and intervention free birth that lasts 3 hours; in fact a positive birth experience isn’t so much about the type of birth you had, but the way you felt about it. Milli Hill, founder of the positive birth movement defines positive birth as: “A positive birth means a birth in which a woman feels she has freedom of choice, access to accurate information, and that she is in control, powerful and respected. ... Positive Birth is about approaching birth realistically, having genuine choice, and feeling empowered by your experience” So what can you do to increase the likelihood of having a positive birth experience? Have a look at these tips to help you prepare physically, emotionally and practically for the big day! Research your birth choices early. The NHS have a web page with lots of information about where to give birth. You can also discuss this with your midwife. Think about what kind of environment would suit you best – do you feel calm with music? Would bringing extra pillows or other comforts from home make you more comfortable? Keep as healthy as you can. Studies have shown that eating a healthy, balanced diet (it’s not easy when pregnant, I know all too well!) and exercising, can have an impact on the length and ease of labour & birth. If you’re not a massive fan of exercise, a simple 20 minute walk per day will help increase your fitness, stamina and strength which will make such a difference. Learn relaxation techniques – this can help to keep you calm, confident, comfortable and in control during your birth. Hypnobirthing is a good start, and can be beneficial regardless of what type of birth you have. Keeping relaxed through breathing, visualisations, massage and self hypnosis can help to keep the ‘fight or flight’ hormones at bay (they hinder labour) and promote the release of positive hormones that help the body do what it’s supposed to do!
Remember your body is yours – Don’t be afraid to ask questions and understand that you are in control of what happens to your body. If a treatment or intervention is mentioned or offered, ask for as much information and evidence as possible to help you make an informed decision. Try and involve your birth partner as much as possible as they will be your support and advocate throughout your experience. Avoid reading or listening to negative birth stories. If you hear someone start to tell you about their birth story when you are pregnant, you can say something along the lines of “ Is this a positive? if not could you tell me when I’ve given birth?” Educate yourself about birth. All types of birth, pain relief options, birthing positions, what’s normal and what’s not. Being knowledgeable is being informed. There are many birth classes you can take that will cover all of this. You can use the information you learn to write down your birth preferences (birth plan) Remember your experience will be unique to you. It is one of the biggest events of your life so truly deserves as much preparation as possible.
Marley Hall
www.midwifemarley.com
46 // Close Up Magazine
a to d s s a a cl k Boo
y!
diddi dance Enfield and Potters Bar is back and we are loving it. At diddi dance we encourage our little ones to have fun and learn in a relaxed environment. Parents and carers are encouraged to join in and share the enjoyment with their Diddi Dancer. Week after week you will see their confidence blossom. We do realise that some toddlers are more confident than others and this is why we offer a trial so you can be confident it’s a class they’ll enjoy.
Please get in contact with Cos to book your trial session
constantina.menezes@diddidance.com
BLOG
Katerina Mum to Rico and blogger to all! www.keepingupwithkaterina.com @keepingupwithkaterina
Comparison. A bit like carbs? Good in small quantities, but might regret too much? Ha. I thought comparing myself to others before kids was bad, now I find myself comparing about everything, all the time. Like seriously, do you know how much I have to do and think about... sitting there comparing Rico to a random child on Instagram who I see eating vegetables thinking “what am I doing wrong? why doesn’t my child eat vegetables like that?” Who has even got time for that? I can’t speak for men – but I know as a woman, and having many female friends, our group chats, Instagram DM’s and snaps are full of forwarding on pictures of other women who are “goals” whose stomach is “unreal” whose thighs are “to die for”. There’s nothing wrong with complimenting another woman, I’ve found the problem is when you feel bad about yourself based on how another person looks (we’ve all done it). I mean, don’t get me started on the Kardashians or TOWIE – honestly, I’ve actually paused half way through episodes to throw away the snacks I’m eating because I feel so guilty eating shit when I’m watching their bodies on the screen. I found myself really comparing myself to others (especially new mums) after I had Rico. Like how does she look like that, did she not just give birth yesterday? How did she loose the weight that quick? My belly does NOT look like that. Then it continues... ‘she’s still breastfeeding at 6 months, that’s amazing, I only lasted 5 weeks. Wow, how is her child walking already? He’s the same age as Rico, is there something wrong with Rico? Am I doing something wrong? What do you mean she can count to 10?!
This months business in spotlight links perfectly with the theme of my column, so I hope you guys really enjoy this one! Introducing Dionne! Dionne is best known as the confidence queen and is on a mission to reignite the fire and passion in women through her confidence and transformation coaching. She prides herself on being able to kickstart and individuals confidence in 2 hours.
48 // Close Up Magazine
She’s 18 months! Is she a baby genius or is my child just behind. God – she’s always happy, am I a bad mum for being miserable some days?’ Don’t get me started on the bed time and bedroom comparisons either for the love of God lol. Reading them back, I feel like shouting at myself, like are you serious? But every single one of them thoughts, I’ve genuinely thought. There’s a saying that comparison is the thief of joy, and I must say I can agree. So what can you do to help control this time of being surrounded by images of perfection? Take control of what you expose yourself to. If scrolling through certain profiles is making you feel sad in your post natal, vulnerable, boob leaking state, unfollow them. If watching the Kardashians is giving you a slight complex, turn it off. Take a break from social media, put your phone down and focus on yourself and what’s important in your life. I think as humans we need to find ways of dealing with what’s going on inside that’s making us feel inferior to situations – it’s not always that you can turn off and avoid, it’s not life. But when you do feel like you need a little break, or a spring clean of your following list – do it, and don’t feel guilty! Until next time lovelies,
Katerina x Her feel good energy, expertise and years of experience have helped women through anxiety, depression, confidence in business and reconnecting with their passions. Dionne is offering a complimentary confidence coaching sessions if you quote this column.
www.coachingwithdionne.co.uk Hello@coachingwithdionne.co.uk @coachingwithdionne
I’m Becky, I run my events business alongside being a mum of two small princesses, 4 and 2. I have an amazingly supportive family who help me make this dream happen. My love of details, and prettiness made me start my business. The OCD in me helps too! Details are everything! I plan, style and dress events, specialising in Balloon decor. Life is far too short to have boring balloons. Becky Wells Events was born 18 months ago and I’ve loved my journey so far. My little business’s growth has been amazing and I’m forever grateful for the support. Facebook and Instagram @beckywellsevents
I’m Kellie and I run Special Moments Events Hire. I started my business around 2 years ago whilst planning my own wedding and I haven’t looked back since. I am passionate about events and think they are a crucial part of life to enjoy the good moments. I just love making events even more special. We provide gorgeous back drops, light up letters and so much more. Facebook and Instagram @specialmomentseventhire
EDUCATION
Children’s WELLBEING By Anna Pericleous Teacher and Leader of Early Years and Primary Education
A
s the summer term commences lots of questions cross minds of those within schools; can we teach everything missed over this time? will we be able to close gaps in learning? is data important right now? will we have another lock down? But the most important question of all is ‘are the children okay?’ I have often mentioned and commended the resilience of children over this period of unknown, as children tend to acclimatise to situations and often have a positive outlook. This is still true however the wellbeing of children must now be at the forefront of everything we as carers do. Schools have done a phenomenal job in introducing and championing wellbeing lessons and creating safe spaces for children to express themselves freely. But what more can be done? Wellbeing should be prominent in every aspect of a child’s life. Children need to be aware that we are here to listen and support them. They need to feel free to communicate without judgement and also find ways to soothe their own worries. Children can do this if they are taught how to recognise different emotional states, develop resilience and understand how to care for themselves. Early intervention is important as it has been found to have a major impact on the progression of children’s future state of minds. “70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age”. (mentalhealth.org.uk) Here are some tips to support this process: • Make time to communicate with your child • Try not to follow a routine rigorously • Create a safe space and environment • Remember not all children communicate or share in the same way • Celebrate children’s strengths and differences • Share your own experiences ( age appropriate)
The more input carers put in, the better outcomes children will have in different aspect of their life. Mental health is as important as physical health. Here are some useful websites: www.youngminds.org.uk www.learning.nspcc.org.uk www.mentalhealth.org.uk If you need support in accessing and understanding children’s wellbeing please speak to educational professionals and feel free to direct message me on my social media account. You can also find some educational activities aimed at younger children. ‘If I could give a child three things it would be the confidence to always know their self worth, the strength to follow their dreams and the ability to know how valued they are’
• Give children choices and opportunities to lead It is important to note that the process should not be temporary as we want children to use these as lifelong skills.
50 // Close Up Magazine
@the_magic_of_eyfs (Early Years Foundation Stage)
Time to Grow with
‘The Gardening Club’ At ‘The Gardening Club’, we can help get your garden looking its best for the Spring and Summer season, whether you know your plants or just want instant plants and colour, we have something for everyone. The Gardening Club has got everything you need to revitalise your outdoor space and get you back in the fresh air after what has felt like forever stuck inside. Our coffee shop is open for takeaway with hot/cold drinks, sandwiches and scrummy fresh cakes and when regulations allow, we have a Mediterranean themed seating area to relax, take in the atmosphere and the scent of the flowering plants. Anyone can join The Gardening Club, for only £5 for the first year and then only £2.50 per year afterwards. You can join online at www.thegardeningclub.co.uk or at reception, in return we offer low price, quality plants, with regular offers and discounts throughout the year. We also have a Trade Membership available to Landscapers and Gardening businesses. With its massive selection of plants and garden sundries, large car park, coffee shop and step free access isn’t it time you paid a visit to The Gardening Club?
The Gardening Club Park View Nurseries Theobalds Park Road Enfield EN2 9BQ 020 8367 9406 Check out our website www.thegardeningclub.co.uk for details and follow us on: @gardeningclubuk
@gardeningclubuk
Start in April…
It is never too early to start growing your own vegetables, herbs, summer bedding and hanging basket plants, start them on a windowsill or in a greenhouse, before planting out when frosty nights have passed.
Fill the school holidays with confidence-boosting adventures for your child
SwheAn VE 10% you quote CLOSEUP21
and book by 1st July 2021.
BOOK NOW 01603 851 000
www.campbeaumont.co.uk/summer
for 3 to 16 year olds
Terms and conditions apply, visit campbeaumont.co.uk for details
CB_288 - 2021 Summer (Print Ad) 190x136mm (CLOSEUP21).indd 1
19/04/2021 10:27
LIVING
Sweet
DREAMS It began with millennial pink and segued into terracotta; this spring/summer, the entire pastel spectrum is having a moment. Mix with earthier colours or black to keep it looking modern.
Geo Throw Sofology £55
H&M Pastel Bowls Home Sense £3.99
Pastel Silicone Spatula 2 Pack Primark £1.50
Modern Fine Art Print Framed Abstract House £46 Vox Vintage Chest of Drawers Cuckooland £319
Stripy 3 Tier Cake Stand Pastels Bombay Duck £39.50
Pastel and Wood Frame TK Maxx £4.99
52 // Close Up Magazine
Smeltalicious is a family friendly run business with the aim to supply homes with luxurious and aesthetically pleasing wax melts. We pride ourselves on producing our melts using the highest quality soy wax and coconut and rapeseed wax.
15% OFF
across our website when you quote CLOSEUP15
We offer a large variety of fragrances ranging from ‘floral’, ‘fresh’, ‘bakery’ and ‘inspired by’ to name a few. Our melts make the perfect gift, something different from the usual chocolates or flowers, why not treat yourself to some of our highly scented wax melts. All available in snap bars, hearts and a variety of shapes.
www.smeltalicious.co.uk enquiries@smeltalicious.co.uk @smeltalicious
Fully insured and CLP compliant
LIVING Crochet Hem Hammock Ella James £79
Nomad Tufted Square Cushion Cover Walton & Co £27
H&M
Rustic
BOHO Gold And Black Salad Servers Monday Online £36.90
Pair of Decorative Candle Lanterns Black Sue Ryder £19.98
Weathered wood, antique furnishings and bohemian crotchet hammocks are just a few reasons we’re obsessed with rustic decor. Endure a heart-felt garden dining experience this summer within the snug ambiance of your own home.
Mille Fiori Murano Jug £145 Leaf Shaped Wooden Serving Bowl Heavenly Homes & Gardens £22
Glass Tumblers Know & Love £10
54 // Close Up Magazine
LIVING Donna Sputnik Pendant Lamp Opal Glass & Brass Made £229
Kysler Round Pet Bed Large Grey Made £45
Danetti
Feel the
Tetsubin Teapot 500 ml Kitchen Craft £33.99
CURVE
Candle Holder with Metal Stand Brass Cult Furniture £25
Cue the curves! This spring we’re all about curvy and rounded shapes, feminine and soft, and in some cases.. cheekier! Below are some of our top picks of this retro trend that has been reimagined for the 21st century – and we’re here for it!
Home Crystal Cut Style Glass Soap Dispenser Cult Furniture £16
56 // Close Up Magazine
Cheeky Vase Brown Rose & Grey £55
Arm Strong Outdoor Armchair Taupe Lime Lace £675
Melts to Memories is a small business based in Gloucestershire.
We are proud of our highly scented, 100% vegan hand-poured wax melts and are always looking to create unique products. We use high quality fragrance oils and biodegradable glitters to ensure a non-toxic burn. My name is Chloe and I’m the owner of Melts to Memories. I launched this amazing adventure on my 23rd birthday in September 2020 and couldn’t be more grateful for the support so far. I work full time for the local authority alongside running my small business and solely run this business with the help of my wonderful fiancé, especially through the busier periods! I honestly didn’t realise the importance of shopping from small businesses until I actually became one myself. Most recently we have released a beautiful range of wax slabs which are uniquely decorated by hand – no two slabs are the same! The scent throw is incredible and they are almost too beautiful to melt. One of our most popular products are our Japanese Cherry Blossom snap bars, which are hand decorated with a beautiful cherry blossom pattern. I have a number of ideas for the future to keep creating unique, affordable melts bursting with high quality fragrance. We had the exciting launch of Room Sprays last month, which have sold incredibly well as a convenient spritz to take with you on the go. So far we’ve received the most wonderful reviews. There really is nothing better than logging on after a long day to see such kind and thoughtful messages. It still blows my mind that my handmade products are part of so many peoples’ everyday routine now! My business is growing rapidly and I am so grateful for the customer base I am building every day. My long term goal is to provide wholesale to other businesses and to let Melts to Memories one day become a very well known, household brand.
@meltstomemories
FILM REVIEW
WHAT’S ON NETFLIX The seemingly endless scroll of Netflix’s treasure trove of terrific shows and movies can be more than a little paralyzing when trying to choose something to watch. If you’ve just finished a good series and need a new one to fill the void, Close Up is assembling a monthly list of the best TV shows currently available on the streaming service, from classics of yesteryear to the hottest new titles. Below, we’ve rounded up the best shows on Netflix right now, so you can binge-watch without having to hunt for the right title.
THE IRREGULARS Set in Victorian London, the series follows a gang of troubled street teens who are manipulated into solving crimes for the sinister Doctor Watson and his mysterious business partner, the elusive Sherlock Holmes. As the crimes take on a horrifying supernatural edge and a dark power emerges, it’ll be up to the Irregulars to come together to save not only London but the entire world.
THE SONS OF SAM: A DESCENT I N T O DA R K N E S S The hunt for the “Son of Sam” captivated the world in the late 1970s, but the story behind one of America’s most notorious serial murderers is all but forgotten - until now. While the arrest and conviction of David Berkowitz brought the nightmare to an end for many New Yorkers, for journalist and Ultimate Evil author Maury Terry, the real mystery was just beginning.
THE ONE The One is set five minutes in the future, in a world where a DNA test can find your perfect partner – the one person you’re genetically predisposed to fall passionately in love with. No matter how good your relationship, which one of us can honestly say we haven’t thought about whether there is someone better out there? What if a hair sample is all it takes to find them? The idea is simple, but the implications are explosive.
58 // Close Up Magazine
THE LAST CHANCE U: BA S K E T BA L L An honest, gritty look inside the world of community college basketball. Over the course of eight episodes, viewers will follow the East Los Angeles College Huskies (ELAC) in their high stakes chase to an unprecedented California state basketball championship. Led by passionate head coach John Mosley, the ELAC team is made up of former D1 recruits and powerhouse athletes hustling to prove themselves for a last chance to fulfil their dreams of playing at the next level. But the team is tested as the players battle adversity, inner demons, and emotions on and off the court.
WORN STORIES Worn Stories opens the closets of a diverse group of people to reveal a treasure-trove of tales about the meaning behind articles of clothing. Be it a pair of boots symbolizing survival, a dress that’s come to stand for recovery, or a uniform that reaffirms an identity, the series illuminates the lives of the wearers through stories about cherished articles of clothing. Each episode is organized by theme and features a mix of interviews from cultural figures and talented storytellers. Animated sequences and archival footage help bring these touching yarns to life.
THE WEDDING COACH
SELENA: THE SERIES
Bridesmaids and in-laws and mason jars, oh my! Weddings are a beautiful cause for celebration but planning one is far from a party. After barely making it down the aisle of her own wedding, comedian Jamie Lee is on a hilarious mission to help couples survive the stressful, and sometimes ridiculous, expectations of “Big Bridal.” With a different comedian “plus one” by her side each episode, Jamie intervenes before and on the wedding day, serving up her refreshing, real-talk perspective on the bridal industry.
Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice. Selena: The Series explores her journey from singing small gigs to becoming the most successful female Latin artist of all time — and the years of hard work and sacrifice the Quintanilla family navigated together.
Close Up Magazine // 59
THE BEST GYROS THIS SIDE OF ATHENS? Located in N21, NW9 and N2
GoingGreek.co.uk
Now open in Holloway too
COME AND RELAX WITH US IN THE EVENINGS on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5-8 pm. We have everything you could want from a café PLUS a range of alcohol, cold and hot drinks and delicious soft serve ice cream! Powered by Espresso&Co
14 The Green N21 1AY
S ecret cabinS
Ultimate privacy, totally secluded with woodland views, streams, lake, ponds. Self check-in, check-out, private parking. Venues include Hot-Tub, geodesic dome, underfloor heating, king-size bed, gas fire pit dining, private parking, Veuve Clicquot styling, weatherproof external lounge and dining, 100 inch projector, Smart TV, unlimited excellent signal WiFi. the.coppercabin
www.secretcabins.co.uk
Information or booking enquiries please email info@secretcabins.co.uk
SALES
Grange Park, N21 • £925,000
Winchmore Hill, N21 • £850,000
This wonderful three-bedroom semi-detached family home is situated in one of Grange Park’s most desirable locations. This stunning home comprises of 2 reception room, kitchen, bathroom, guest cloakroom, and garage. Meticulously maintained by the current vendor and needs nothing doing, ready to move into!
A stunning four-bedroom semi-detached Edwardian family home. This property boasts a plethora of both modern and original features and has been very much improved by its current owners inside and out. Benefits from modern kitchen, bathroom, en suite and complete with picturesque, landscaped garden.
Palmers Green, N13 • £500,000
Enfield, EN1 • Guide Price £400,000
Peter Barry are delighted to offer this first-floor conversion set within a wonderful period property. Positioned in a sought-after location, just a short walk from Palmers Green Mainline Station this lovely property offers two double bedrooms, lounge, modern kitchen and bathroom.
Peter Barry are pleased to offer this modern but characterful two double bedroom top floor apartment with lift access to all floors, modern kitchen, bathroom, en suite and private allocated parking. This great property is a stone’s throw from Bush Hill Park Network Rail Station, which offers direct travel into London’s Liverpool Street.
LETTINGS Enfield, EN2 • £1550 pcm
Southgate, N14 • £2000 pcm
Stunning two double bedroom ground floor maisonette, situated within a modern gated development and maintained to a very high standard. Benefits from a spacious open plan reception room, a fully fitted kitchen with appliances, bathroom, en suite, garden and OSP.
Beautifully presented with many original features, this three bedroom Edwardian property is situated within the popular Lakes Estate. Ideally located for easy access to Palmers Green Mainline Station, shops, restaurants, cafés and Broomfield Park. The property benefits from a modern kitchen and bathroom, two reception rooms and a garden.
Whether selling or letting contact Peter Barry for a free market appraisal: Tel: 020 8360 4777 Email: info@pbea.co.uk Follow us on
peterbarryestateagents
TRAVEL
Beachy KEEN
Summer is just around the corner and we are fully prepared! Do you miss being sat by the beach, listening to the sound of the crashing waves? Or taking a stroll down the harbour after you have consumed your body weight in delicious food and had one too many glasses of wine? Because we do! We have picked some of our top vacation destinations for summer 2021 when restrictions are no longer, and if I do say so myself, I think we all deserve it.
KOS – GREECE We are all longing and dreaming of sandy beaches with a cocktail in hand. Kos, one of Greece’s Dodecanese beautiful islands is known for exactly that. The majority of beaches are sandy and surrounded with crystal blue waters. Many of the beaches are also facilitated with leisure and tourist activities, including windsurfing and diving. Apart from the white sandy beaches, Kos has a rich history and when it comes to sightseeing it has a lot to offer for the perfect balanced vacation. There is plenty of interesting sightseeing on the island, including the impressive Sanctuary of Asclepius, the Ancient Agora, and the Venetian Castle in Kos Town. A picturesque village to add onto the list to visit in Kos is Zia.
CAPRI – ITALY Cue Capri…one of the most beautiful islands in the bay of the Naples. Famed for its rugged landscapes, upscale hotels and premium shopping – from top designer fashion outlets, to souvenirs, handmade leather sandals and limoncellos. It embodies a real essence of beauty from steep cliffs that rise majestically from an impossibly electric blue sea; elegant villas, and even the trees seem to be carefully manicured – Capri is the ideal destination for a romantic bae-cation.
64 // Close Up Magazine
AGADIR – MOROCCO With a busy port and sprawling beach resorts, Agadir was completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1960. It is now the country’s premier destination for sun, sand, pubs and pizza. Arching south of the shiny white marina, the sandy well maintained beach offers clean water and 300 sunny days a year, making it Southern Morocco’s most visited city. It’s all about laid-back relaxation in Agadir, so rent a beach buggy, ride a camel, and check out the Suq al-Had market or take a 20 minute walk up to the ruins of the Agadir Kasbah for panoramic city views if you’re taking a break from the beach.
FORMENTERA – BALEARIC ISLANDS The smallest of the Balearic Islands lies just south of Ibiza. These islands are relaxing, tourist friendly, and perfect for family fun. You can arrive into Formentera from Ibiza by ferry in as little as 30 minutes where you will stumble across a real island paradise. Formentera’s beaches are regularly voted as Europe’s best, also ranking in the top ten worldwide. For those of you who like to explore on holiday, it’s easy to get around on a rented scooter or a bike to undergo the charming villages and blissful beaches, followed by a stop to eat delicious Mediterranean food in one of the many top notch restaurants, It’s a place you truly will find hard to leave behind.
Close Up Magazine // 65
THINKING OF MOVING?
Here’s what Peter Barry can offer you If you are considering placing your property on the market to Sell or Let, please see what some of our customers have been saying on Google! “We recently sold our property with Peter Barry. Theo and the team were fantastic to deal with every step of the way, leaving us very pleased with the service provided. A great estate agent and I would highly recommend them should you be thinking of using their services.” Robert S “We’re grateful for the hard work from the Peter Barry team in letting our property in this difficult period. It’s been great having Caroline’s knowledgeable, efficient advice and input on the minefield of landlord compliance. Thank you!” C M
W
e’ve all seen major changes to our working practices whatever industry we’re in. The Property Sector was one of the first industries to reopen after the initial lockdown and it opened with a boom keeping all agents extremely busy. To reassure our clients and with health & safety a priority, Peter Barry is one of the few local agents to introduce virtual tours. This has been done to reduce the need for physical viewings, all applicants see the virtual tour prior to a viewing being booked. Too many times a viewing is arranged only to find something fundamental relating to the property is not suitable. These virtual tours have reduced unnecessary risk to health during these extraordinary times.
“I want to say a big thank you to Bulent! He was extremely professional, efficient, confident and had a relaxed approach throughout, thus making me feel very comfortable and pleased with my choice to use this company. I definitely recommend!” Shaz Z “Hard working team that are prepared to do the leg work to get a sale/ purchase across the line. Collaborate well to ensure coverage on transactions at all times. Willing to invest time with clients/ prospective buyers to explain detail and give best advice. Good job guys.” Antony N “Peter Barry were highly professional and upfront from the start. I was able to let a house relatively quickly and with suitable tenants thanks to the senior letting’s agent Bulent. I recommend this agency.” Ismail H
Other areas which Peter Barry are focused on are following PPE guidelines, good communications with all parties, additional staff to cope with the increased workload and extra time needed during viewings, advertising on all leading property portals including Rightmove, Zoopla & On the Market and staying aware of the Government’s guidelines.
Whether selling or letting contact Peter Barry for a free market appraisal: Tel: 020 8360 4777 Email: info@pbea.co.uk Follow us on
66 // Close Up Magazine
peterbarryestateagents
S ecret cabinS
O U R NEW VE N UE IS OPE N IN G
JULY 1ST 2 02 1! Additional features to include: • Luxury cinema area with day bed and fibre optic ceiling. • Large jacuzzi whirlpool bath with massage, LED lighting and rainfall shower overhead. • Glass floor panel highlighting our ground floor 2 metre opti-mist fire room divide. • Luxury custom built king size bed with feature lighting. • External private garden with illuminated ponds, pergola, 6 person luxury hot tub with lounger, 65 inch external smart tv. • Veuve Clicquot parasol illuminated with heaters, waterproof Tipi swing, gas fire pit dining. • Veuve Clicquot telecabine champagne booth. • 2 double sofas lounge area, 4m square covered champagne bar with chillers (bar staff available if required). The ultimate mix of indoor/outdoor luxury!
the.coppercabin
www.secretcabins.co.uk
Information or booking enquiries please email info@secretcabins.co.uk
Bespoke wood flooring made in England
Crouch End & Clerkenwell 0208 341 9222 | jordanandrews.com