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Welcome Hello and welcome to Issue 7 of MESH Magazine! I hope you all had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Some may find it a sad time of year after Christmas with having to go back to work but I love January because of the January Sales! I don’t think there is anything better than going around the local shops looking for some bargains! We have a very exciting edition of MESH Magazine for you this month! Why not turn to our exclusive interview with local celebrity photographer “Carinthia West” If you want to get out and about this month then have a look at our events pages detailing lots of local event information or check out our food and drink section with a mouthwatering recipe from Chef Patron Andy Waters from Edmunds Restaurant Birmingham, and our fab food review! For those of you interested in fashion then have a glance at our fashion spread on pages 18-19 and this month MESH Magazine visit the Birmingham Clothes Show for “We went to…” on pages 36 and 37!

EDITORIAL Lola Ricketts EDITOR-IN -CHIEF editor@meshmagazine.co.uk Daniel O’Suillivan CHIEF-EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Naveeta Bhatia EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Ventre MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT sarah@loronmedia.com Neil Jones ART & GRAPHICS DIRECTOR Lola Ricketts BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this month to MESH Magazine and I hope you enjoy our latest edition! Lola X Editor-In-Chief

With thanks to our columnists Sarah Jones Owner of Shirley based boutique ‘Bella Donna’ Gail Dunne Principle stylist at Harborne Umberto Giannini Andy Waters Chef Patron Edmunds Restaurant

Loron Media Ltd 2A Ground Floor Albert Road Harborne Birmingham B17 OAN t: 0844 272 1154 e: enquiries@loronmedia.com www.loronmedia.com www.meshmagazine.co.uk The views & opinions expressed by contributors and staff of Loron media Ltd may not represent the views & opinions of the publisher. Loron Media Ltd takes no responsibility for claims made in, Advertisements, advertorials or Editorials in the magazine. No part of MESH Magazine may be reproduced or copied in anyway, without prior written consent of Loron media Ltd

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CONTENTS Mesh Magazine Issue 7 Jan/Feb 2012

10 – MONEY MATTERS: REDUCING YOUR OUTGOINGS 14 – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHER “CARINTHIA WEST” 18 – STYLE SPRING INTO STEP, 2012 SPRING/ SUMMER FASHION 26 – BEAUTY DETOXIFYING YOUR SKIN 28 – INSIDE MY HOME BRIGHT & BOLD HOME ACCESSORIES 32 – PREVIEW: WHAT TO WATCH & READ WITH BIG SCREEN RELEASES. 33 – FREE AMC CINEMA TICKET 34 – EVENTS: ALL THE LATEST ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS LOCALLY TO YOU 36 – WE WENT TO... BIRMINGHAM CLOTHES SHOW 38 – HEALTH: 4 SIMPLE STEPS TO A NEW YOU 40 – YOUR DETOX PLAN 45 – WIN! WIN! WIN! A £50 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHER 46 – HOROSCOPES WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU?

Mesh Magazine

Local News

Botanical Gardens Appealing for Financial Help One of Birmingham’s oldest gem’s The Botanical Gardens is launching an appeal to save one of the significant pieces at the centre. Dating back to 1895, the feature cost only £300 to initially build, but over time the feature has gradually deteriorated and in desperate need of major repairs. The feature was a representation of a Himalayan gorge. The plans for the development include building an Oriental Bridge, talks and workshops on rock gardens and an educational programme with training. In order to preserve this feature, £60,000 is required, having raised £25,000 already, Christine Morris of the gardens spoke out “we are looking for additional grants and donations in order to bring the feature back to its original self”

Mesh Magazine

If anyone would like to donate or help with the project please do get in contact with the garden manager, Keith Rimmer either on 0121 454 1860 or keith@birminghambotanicalsgardens.org.uk of clearance saw a very strong start, but against the pre-VAT increase week in 2010, it was always going to be a challenge to match sales, particularly with ‘big ticket’ items.”

Birmingham’s History Conference in Moseley History lovers can learn more about a Birmingham’s landmarks at a meeting set to take place in Moseley. The meeting which starts at 7:30pm, on January 25 at The Moseley Exchange, Alcester Road will be headed by Specialist Maureen Perrie, her piece entitled ‘Austen Chamberlain and the Highbury in 1890s’. She will be talking in depth about the particular piece taking any questions and divulging in history lesson that all historians would enjoy.

Local News

Let’s Dance Birmingham

Birmingham’s renowned Dance Festival is set is be returning on a much major scale. The exciting month long festival due in April will be returning to our streets and venues across Birmingham. The international festivals third event will see artists from across the globe including a line-up of Canadian choreographer Dave St-Pierre, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba and collaboration between Birmingham Royal Ballet and American Choreographer Jessica Lang. Involvement in the event is what the organisers are hoping to achieve with a larger crowd by holding community events. A theme running the event is the Home, what it means to individuals; this idea will be developed from the public who attend the workshops, online film and programmes. The finale of the event will see a large scale performance surrounding concepts/ideas and stories by the people of Birmingham which will see a change of the Town Hall. Birmingham Hippodrome and DanceXchange who collaborated this idea together have seen a huge growth in the event with 60,000 people attending bringing in more than 6 million in revenue.

Hospice Christmas Tree recycling pilot scheme a huge success Birmingham St. Mary’s Hospice has celebrated its extremely successful scheme Christmas Tree Recycling after 130 people participated within it. The funds that were raised will go towards care for people within the Birmingham and Sandwell area suffering from life-limiting illness. The total amount collected reached a smashing £1,600, this was greatly helped by vehicles supplied by Ames ( Altek Midlands Environmental Services) based in Frankley. The charity are hoping to expand the schemes in January 2013 to cover wider areas of Birmingham and are appealing for volunteers to help out. Volunteers with transit vans would be hugely appreciated as the vans are an imperative part of the scheme. Joanne Field, Hospice community fundraiser and collection organiser said; “We’re incredibly pleased with how our first Christmas tree recycling scheme went, the response has been brilliant”

“We were unsure about how many people would sign up, so to get 133 is really good news. In total 160 trees were collected, as some people had more than one tree. Many thanks to everyone who took part.” She added: “And judging by the interest we had from people outside the pilot area, particularly on Twitter and Facebook, we know there is real potential to develop this into a major event covering Birmingham and Sandwell for the Hospice” If you are interested in helping to support Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice 2013 Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme please contact Joanne Field on 0121 472 1191 or email: joanne.field@bsmh.org.uk. around the country and are delighted to be launching in Harborne.” Neil Edginton has launched and been a primary member of successful projects, including the Highways Agency, Marco Pierre White and the Law Society. Mesh Magazine

Business News

Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Centre celebrated their most successful trading periods this Christmas season. The centre saw 5 million people visit during December, an impressive 1.3 million in the final week itself. The boxing day saw an astonishing 240,000 people visit to get their hands on some bargains, making it the busiest boxing day they have ever had. With new additions to the Bulling including a new dining area, Spiceal Street including restaurants Chao Baby and Handmade Burger, this is a very exciting time for the centre. The German Markets which recently came to Birmingham, attracted more than 3 million visitors which also helped boosted visitors to the bullring, with forthcoming events including the Olympics and The Queens Jubilee, a positive 2012 looks promising for the Bullring John Lewis another significant name in retail so celebrated seeing a major increase in sales, with a rise of 9.3% with the run up to Christmas in comparison to the year before. Fashion and beauty has a steady increase of 10.3% whereas the Home department saw a figure rise by 13.6%. Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis and chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Sales during the four weeks to Christmas Eve were outstanding. During that period we broke the record for our biggest week ever with a sterling total of £133.1m for the week ending December 17. The first week of clearance saw a very strong start, but against the pre-VAT increase week in 2010, it was always going to be a challenge to match sales, particularly with ‘big ticket’ items.” 8

Mesh Magazine

Harborne Reveals New Fitness Centre

The wait is finally over for local people living in the Harborne area, the new 12 million Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre is now open. The building on Lordswoods Road, which was over 80 years old and in dire need of a repair has been completed renovated. After endless consultations and disputes about the building, it was finally decided that the swimming pool will be revamped; the campaign for the new swimming pool and leisure centre was put into motion back in 2002. This is the first leisure centre build by the city council for over 22 years; it is also run by a private company, D C Leisure. Not only is this a big improvement to the local area, but it has also created 60 jobs including lifeguards, cleaners and instructors. It is a much bigger centre from the last one which boosts an impressive 70 station gym, dance studio and also a large community room that can be hired out for private functions and events. Visitors to the centre are expected to be a considerable amount higher than prior figures, with anticipated figures of 500,000 a year. Edgbaston councillor Deirdre Alden, who helped push the project through when she was chairman of the Edgbaston Constituency Committee for three years, said: “This is a fantastic example of the council delivering for the people of Harborne, the Edgbaston constituency and the whole south west of the city.”

Business News

HARBORNE CLOCK TOWER

BUILDING PREPARED TO BE RENOVATED

FOR NEW FOOD HUB

A haven for all foodies is planned to be unveiled in Harborne’s Clock Tower A haven for all foodies is planned to be unveiled in Harborne’s Clock Tower. The hub which is planned by Neil Edginton, the director at The Cube, is looking to include restaurants, a cookery school, public square and luxury apartments. The old Victorian school with its very charming clock tower which is situated on Harborne’s High Street is set to be completely renovated and modernised. The building which is owned by Birmingham City Council approached Mr. Edginton’s company EDG properties, the building itself has suffered from structural problems causing it to stay under scaffolding for 18 months. “It is very exciting to have been selected to develop this historic site in one of the city’s most sought after areas,” said Mr Edginton, who has been working with Bob Ghosh from K4 Architects. The proposed plans consists of a food school, fittingly called ‘Kitchen’, the hopeful collaboration between

University College Birmingham and chefs from across the city, would enable people to attend school groups to learn from the chefs. Jayne Bradley, from Kitchen, said: “It is predicted that by 2030, 60 per cent of children in the UK will be obese. “The food agenda and its direct link to the health of the nation are now nationally recognised at the highest level. Kitchen has been established to bring a new dimension to Birmingham”. “We believe Kitchen will be held up as an exemplar around the country and are delighted to be launching in Harborne.” Neil Edginton has launched and been a primary member of successful projects, including the Highways Agency, Marco Pierre White and the Law Society.

Mesh Magazine

Business & Money Waitrose set to open store in Birmingham City Centre Supermarket Giants Waitrose has confirmed that will be opening their first store in Birmingham city centre. The brand new store will open its door to the public in March; the store is set to be situated on Colmore Row, nearby the Snow Hill Station. The new store will be another addition to the other stores in Birmingham, along with stores in Harborne, Shirley, Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks. Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, will be creating 40 new jobs which have delighted local residents; recruitment for the new store is underway. The successful individuals will be starting their training in the beginning of March as the store will open officially on March 20th. Area Manager for Waitrose, Andy Woodcock said “We have wanted to open a store in the city centre, so we are very excited to open the door to customers. We have received countless requests to open a store here, now there’s not long to go”. He went go to say “We are impressed by the high quality of candidates looking to begin a career at Waitrose”

Edgbaston accountancy practices merge Accountancy firm JW Hinks has successful merged with rival company Mason Law. Based in Edgbaston, the managing partner at JW Hinks, Paul Jones said “The merger is something which we have been looking to do for a while, looking for a successful, client focused accountancy practice to not only develop the practice but also strengthen the company.” Jones went on to say, “Mason Law is an established practice which provides outstanding financial services in particular the pension scheme world”. Bob Law of Mason Law added “This will promote our specialisms to the right clients, but also reach out to potential clients”.

Do you think you have “Business Acumen”, if so email; editor@meshmagazine.co.uk with your details Mesh Magazine 10

Business & Money

BUSINESSmatters More and more people are taking the plunge and setting up shop With rising public sector job cuts, local small business tax and accountancy expert Ibrar Ahmed from Kings Heath has seen a rise in new start up business enquiries. Murmurs of redundancies and a lack of job security have given people the opportunity to revisit past entrepreneurial possibilities. With no perfect time to establish a new business; it all depends on the service you’re offering or the product you’re planning to sell. The push of an uncertain future is allowing people to dream. Ibrar Ahmed who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Kings Heath Birmingham has provided some hints and tips on how to start the process: “Research* has shown that throughout last year there was a 19% increase in start up businesses across the UK. If you are thinking of adding to these positive statistics I would suggest first

deciding whether you want to become a sole trader or limited company. You should seek advice on National Insurance requirements and exemptions and how to deal with HM Revenue and Customs.” Ibrar continued: “Tax breaks are available depending on the size of your business premises, equipment purchases and research and development spend and if your business has any “green” credentials. The Government funded Solutions for Business could be a good place to access funding. We can point you in the right direction on all those issues as part of our free consultation process for small businesses.” TaxAssist Accountants in Birmingham is a local business itself, operating across the city providing tax and accountancy advice and services to more than 180 small businesses. Ibrar Ahmed is available on 0121 4448177 or ibrarahmed@taxassist.co.uk

Careers A DAY IN THE LIFE... This month we follow a day in the life of Andre Escudeiro, Veterinary surgeon and practice partner at Vets4Pets, Quinton. Andre was born in a fishing village called Cambados on the Atlantic Coast of Galiza, Northern Spain. He came to the UK for a ‘gap year’ after graduating from Vet School in Lugo (Galiza) at the over 500 year old University of Santiago de Compostela. Andre says: ‘How I came to be in Birmingham is a long story including having two children and a lovely partner Gema who is now my Practice Manager and business partner and who convinced me to settle in the West Midlands’. Andre has been practicing in the West Midlands for the last 6 years where he told MESH that: ‘I’d always wanted to be a vet ever since I thought about what to be. I also considered other sciences such as Human Medicine and Physics, but my heart led the way.’ 8am - ‘I arrive at the practice’ 8.30am - ‘ Check and reply to emails I have received from our Out of Hours Emergency Service Provider, liaise with them regarding any patient information or follow ups I need to know about.’ 8.50am – ‘There is a set routine which includes various things from health and safety checks which are imperative to complete before we commence with any work.’ 9.50am - ‘A quick cup of coffee and review what patients we have coming in for consultations and surgeries’ 10am - ‘We start admitting patients for surgical or diagnostic procedures.’ 12.00pm - ‘It varies a lot, being a new practice I don’t do as many as

I used to do. We do have people that are walk-ins and also booked in procedures. We had a few walk-ins, largely people asking questions or quires they may have’ 12.30pm - ‘ Running follow up tests for a dog that came into the centre, the border collier was suffering from seizures causing a lot of distress to the owner and the dog, however the dog is much better after being treated with some medicines, all the tests came back clear too.’

1.15pm - ‘ Having a lab at the centre, I am able to carry out tests here, we have a lot of general check up’s and blood tests/vaccines done including a cat who was given a general check-up and tests to see everything was ok’. 2.00pm - ‘Jabba the Pug visited the centre to have his vaccines for the first time, the owner was very nervous, but was soon put at ease as it is a very simple procedure’ 2.35pm - ‘A very interesting case which came in the centre was of a cat who has suffering from extremely swollen legs and face due to a terrible reaction to a

vaccine received. After completing a history check on the cat, I got in contact with the manufactures of the vaccine; however it was not the vaccine that had caused this. After completing several blood tests, we later found out that the cat was suffering from kidney and heart disease. We carried out some x rays and also several scans to measure the heart rate of the cat. We discussed the options with the owner, until they have made a decision, I gave a cream to help reduce the swelling and the owner will be in contact with us over the next week, so we can keep a close eye on the cat.’ 17:00pm – ‘ another case of a cat, however nothing quite as serious as the prior case, a cat came in for gastric testing which ran smoothly without any glitches.’ 17:45pm – ‘A puppy also visited us for its first ever vaccine today, that went very smoothly’ 18:15pm – ‘ Start getting ready to end the day, completing paper work , patient files and start cleaning down the surgery for the next day ‘ 19:00pm – ‘Being the only vet at the practice means that I am here all the time, so I go home just after 7pm. The last thing I do is to put the answer machine message on so our clients know what to do if they have an emergency.’ ‘Being a Vet can be very rewarding. The best part for me is when you have to apply a whole set of different skills and knowledge to achieve the restoration of health i.e. Examinations, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, surgical and medical treatment to get someone’s pet, who was very ill, back to health. And the very best thing is communicating good news to the client after a difficult case is resolved.’

A Day in the Life of: Do you have an interesting career, or job or diary? If so email; editor@meshmagazine.co.uk with your details

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Careers

Hanging Out With Carinthia West

Model, actress, journalist and photographer: Carinthia West moved in circles that many of us can only dream of. Being friends of the likes of Mick Jagger, Helen Mirren, Neil Young, Keith Moon and King Hussein to name but a very few, placed Carinthia in a unique position to take candid photographs. As a friend, she has been able to take honest and revealing photographs that allows an insight into their lives as never been seen before. I met Carinthia at St. Pauls Gallery, Jewellery Quarter; as she walked in she looked fabulous with long, flowing, strawberry-blonde hair. She was wearing a beautiful, green, faux-fur coat; which she told me she’d got from a charity shop, along with some other interesting finds. Carinthia and I sat down with a cup of tea while she happily chatted to me about her ‘Hanging Out’ exhibition… 14 Mesh Magazine

What or who gave you the idea or made you want to share your personal photo memories with the world? My God-children, because they were in old shoeboxes and horrible old spidery attics and I moved several times and divorced; and they just got jumbled. I ended up with a pile on my attic office floor in Wales where I was living at the time; my God children came to stay and they’re sort of talking to you and then their going ‘oh what’s this?’- it would be a negative or something and then they’d be like: ‘Oh my God it’s soand-so, why haven’t we seen these before!’ Why hadn’t anyone seen them before? Well, I didn’t think anyone would be interested. But they said: ‘Oh you’re cool you knew so-and-so!’ [She laughs], they had no idea, because I never talked about it.

With the increase of magazines like ‘Heat’ and ‘OK!’ and endless reality TV shows, why do you think people have become obsessed with the private lives of celebrities or even just other people? Personally I hate it, I think it’s terrible and especially having known people in my time had it done to them; I think it’s their right to privacy; none of us would like it. All the photographs that I show are shown to the person involved, and everybody’s given me their blessing. It’s an affectionate portrait, I like to think, rather than an invasive paparazzi snap and there’s an advantage because I was shooting people that are now history, I mean it was the 70’s…everybody rather likes still being young and beautiful in the pictures! [She laughs] You’re right, it’s appalling, and I think the other thing is that nowadays if you take a picture

Careers you’ve no idea where that’s ending up, it can be sent half way round the world before you can say ‘boo’. Yes, what with things like Facebook, Youtube and Photoshop… The young are so used to Photoshopping, and I have had comments about the Carly Simon picture, such as people asking: ‘How did you photoshop the twin towers in her glasses?’ No, that’s what it was, it was in the moment. I’m not a huge fan of photoshopping, I can see how technically good photographers of today are but they’re not of the moment, you know, you feel they’re posed, not that I’m mocking them. How did you get into taking photos? It was prevent boredom, I was a model and an actress and there’s so much sitting around. I also think it was in the genes because my grandmother used to love taking photos and when I was young I was given a box brownie; when we went on family trips it was just a way of making sense of what I saw. I do still do it but I’m not as in love with it as I used to be, because somehow film was so fascinating, you had to wait for it; you had to go, physically, to get them developed or do it yourself and you never quite knew, there was a suspense involved. What’s your favourite of the collection? I rather love the ones with Mick and Ronnie and the baby. There’s a whole set of them but I’ve just chosen one; I think that’s so sweet. I like ones where people look at it and think: ‘Aw, they’re playing with a baby, you don’t think of them like that’.

You’ve acted, you’ve modelled, you’ve photographed, you’ve been a journalist - but which is your favourite of professions and which do you enjoy doing most? I enjoy everything; if we’re lucky enough to be on this earth, to be able to be creative, you should thank your lucky stars every day and just love it all because life’s very short. And if this show has any sort of message it’s to the young – create what you see; make creation out of what you see. And don’t give up. You’ve been associated with some really influential people and you must have some amazing stories, but who is the person that inspired you the most? I like kindness. Does that sound really corny? I loved George Harrison for that reason. But there are lots of people that I haven’t photographed; my idols are people like Van Morrison, I sat next to him at a dinner once and I was tongue-tied! I’m just impressed with people that have reached the top of their tree and still have the time to talk to a child or whatever; I’m not impressed with arrogance. It must have been quite emotional reliving all the memories? Oh God, yes! [She laughs], very! Sometimes I think: ‘Why the hell am I doing it?’ because it was so emotional, because they’re not jobs, they’re people; they’re friends. The joy for me is in writing the captions so to give people a glimpse into that world, as it was, in that moment. Are you working on any other projects or exhibitions for the future?

one in a prestigious museum of Photography in the Isle of Wight and also one in San Francisco. The one in the Isle of Wight should be fun because I’m originally from there. They want me to curate a combination of vintage clothes, photographs, old scrapbooks, diaries. A 70’s kind of life; with memories of the Isle of Wight festivals I used to go to, showing of my afghan beaded coloured coat that I invented! I do often think: ‘Why me?’ because there are lot of people who had the same experience in my generation; the only difference from me, and I’m no different to anyone else, is that I just took a few more pictures. A little story from the opening of the exhibition in St. Paul’s Gallery here in Birmingham: There was a lovely man looking at all the pictures and we got talking and it turned out to be Ian Emes, an artist from Pink Floyd’s animation crew, back in the days of ‘dark side of the moon’ etc., he’s from Birmingham. And he said he was just wiping away a tear looking at the pictures, because he knew so many of these people. And he said: ‘I’ve been asked to do this but I’ve never wanted to because it would somehow admit that I am getting old. But seeing this, I now realise how grounding it is to have your past there like that.’ So you can move on, and live in the present, just like the photos were. Carinthia’s beautifully fascinating ‘Hanging Out’ exhibition is on at St. Paul’s Gallery, Birmingham until 27th January 2012 and should not be missed. Check the website for opening hours at www. stpaulsgallery.com

We have three more exhibitions in the pipe-line, one in London [The Library, Battersy Park Road], Mesh Magazine 15

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Mesh Magazine 21

Style Each month MESH magazine’s very own fashion columnist, Sarah Jones, brings you the latest looks, advice and top tips to achieve catwalk style. Sarah is the owner of Bella Donna Boutique in Shirley, Solihull. As we enter 2012 ladies it’s a great time to detox our wardrobes. When doing so remember to cling on to those key essentials. Hanging in everybody’s wardrobe should be an L B D, sheer or sparkly, leather or lace, long or short; anything goes as long as it’s black. If you haven’t already, now is the time to invest in a great pair of well fitted jeans. Bella Donna is exclusive stockists of THE new celebrity loving Adriano Goldschmied. Must have jeans are perfect for a variety of occasions , dressed up the classic white shirt, sharp blazer and smoking-hot heels , or more relaxed look , cashmere jumper and cosy fur lined boots . A good designer jean will always give you value per wear. After over indulging this festive season, poncho’s and cosy knitwear are perfect for hiding a multitude of sins , Moschino designed a fabulous slate grey cardi-coat, ideal for those chilly winter walks. There are some amazing savings to be had this time of year, so bag yourself a bargain with some designer arm candy. In store all our bags are half price, our favourite being a red Moschino quilted, gold chain, across the body bag, perfect for hands free sale shopping.

For more 2012 inspiration check out our new website - www. elladonnaboutique. co.uk 22 Mesh Magazine

Sarah Jones

Gail Dunne, Principle Stylist at Umberto Giannini, reveals the most sumptuous hair colours for winter. Hello all and Happy New Year!! Festive frolicking and ensuring you were always looking party perfect will have taken its toll on your tresses so make sure one of your New Year’s resolutions is to look after your locks in 2012. Tweaking, teasing and restyling during the Christmas season will have left your hair weak, dull and lifeless so show it the love it deserves with a gorgeous January detox! Banish build-up, boost moisture and restore health and shine with the Umberto Giannini Spa Rituals range. We LOVE everything about it, it’s a salon formulated range that is the ultimate pampering regime for your hair with products that repair, nourish and revive and they all smell DIVINE! First steps are to use the Detoxifying Shampoo, a daily cleanser with purifying extracts that removes product build-up and refreshes and invigorates the scalp, followed by the Rebalancing Conditioner which contains fig and olive to help rebalance and hydrate your hair for a silky smooth finish, both are ideal for all hair types and the perfect way to start your New Year hair regime. A top Stylists tip is to always remember that hair is at its most fragile when wet so take care not to over tangle and rough up the hair cuticles by shampooing too vigorously, and only brush your hair once you’ve used a conditioner as they smooth the cuticles making it easier to comb through without the worry of hair breaking. For a further hair pampering treat use the Spa Rituals Moisture Replenishing Mask, this intensive hair softening conditioner will transform you hair and I adore the Overnight Repair Hair Magic which beautifully conditions, nourishes and smoothes your hair whilst you sleep thanks to the bergamot, lavender and honey ingredients and you don’t have to wash it out in the morning!! The Spa Rituals range is the ideal way to kick start 2012 helping to transform your hair from fragile and tired to glowing and gorgeous!

Gail Dunne

Mesh Magazine 23

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24 Mesh Magazine

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Mesh Magazine 25

Beauty

Detox the skin 2. REV UP YOUR DIGESTION In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as Acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, And other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: • Not Enough Water. Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.

THE SKIN IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF ELIMINATION, DETOXING THE SKIN CAN IMPROVE LYMPH AND BLOOD CIRCULATION. MESH MAGAZINE IS ON A MISSION TO HELP YOU DETOX, STARTING WITH SKIN, HERE ARE 5 SIMPLE STEPS FOR KEEPING THAT RADIANT GLOW. 1. GIVE YOURSELF A DRY BRUSH EXFOLIATION A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system.

26 Mesh Magazine

• Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended. 3. INVIGORATE SLUGGISH CIRCULATION Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You’ll learn more about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions:

Beauty • Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block. • Book a massage therapy appointment. • Close your door and stretch. • Go to the gym. • Start each morning by stretching. • Get a skipping rope. 4. AVOID EXCESS SUGAR Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag. • Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!

5. EAT SOME GOOD FATS Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats: • Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking. • Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea. • Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.

Mesh Magazine 27

Style

Inside My Home This issue in MESH Magazine, we bring you all things Bright & beautiful we bring you all things bright and beautiful for home accessories.MESH has teamed up with dwell to present the Meg Mathews Capsule Collection.

1 2 3

6 4

Inside my Home: Do you have a home to be proud of? If so email; editor@meshmagazine.co.uk with your details Mesh Magazine 28

Style MEG MATHEWS CAPSULE COLLECTION

1 - DWELL QUILTED PIG £299

Meg Mathews for dwell £79

2 - DWELL PINK POODLE £89 3 - DWELL PINK FLOCK PUG £89 4. - DWELL GLAMAZON CUSHION

Meg Mathews for dwell £59

£40 5.- DWELL TUFTED UNION JACK CUSHION £49

Meg Mathews for dwell £59

6. - DWELL JUBILEE WITH WINGS CUSHION £34.95 7. - DWELL FLOOR STANDING LIGHT BULB £189

Meg Mathews for dwell £69

Mesh Magazine 29

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0121 270 2568/07500 77 61 51 30 Mesh Magazine

Alex Echo COVER STORY Born in America and now living in the UK, Alex Echo uses a unique perceptive and palate of colour to create complex and extraordinary works of contemporary art. Born in America and now living in the UK, Alex Echo uses a unique perceptive and palate of colour to create complex and extraordinary works of contemporary art. Combining his wide and deep knowledge of art history with references to popular culture and iconography, his creations are inventive, informative and accessible. In a mélange of intricate brush stokes, his work brings together the beauty and history of impressionism with a new language of technique and style: the vibrancy and softness of Turner and the structure of Rothko is evident in his work. A harmony of colour, light, movement and emotion, his paintings are truly original and depict a striking visual narrative which lifts the spirit of the viewer. As an artist, Alex is ever growing and has added new boundaries to the art world. He is a painter of great creativity as well as incredible visual appeal, and his work has attracted the attentions of many high profile collectors including HSH Prince Rainier of Monaco, Oprah Winfrey and Jimmy Carter. Last year, Sir Paul Smith commissioned Echo’s work to form the principal pattern for his women’s spring/ summer 2011 collection. “Classic with a Twist” was used to create an elegant, playful fabric which captivated the catwalk at London Fashion Week 2010. Charity is very close to Alex’s heart. From the direct sale of his work, he has raised over £300,000 for charitable organisations. In 2008/9, 10 pieces of work by Alex were sold at auction at the Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London. All the proceeds were used to build an entire children’s dormitory in China after a region was destroyed by an earthquake. “My new work is dedicated to my daughter, her generation and generations to come – and to the new paradigm of green, sustainable healthy earth, life and hope. Emanating from the spirit of impressionism, these paintings are new and alive with energy and movement. My new body of work is the culmination of more than forty years of practice, trial and error, love, accident, joy, study, concentration and movement. The trajectory of my work has led me here, back to the original source of all art - my environment, Earth.” Mesh Magazine 31

Review

What To Watch, Read And See This January At The Cinema FILMS JANUARY 2012

The Grey Liam Neeson provides us with yet again another epic action thriller; The Grey follows the story of a team of oil drilling men who are all trapped in Alaska after a surviving a terrible plane crash. The only way to survive is to use their wits and little weaponry they have from a pack of foxes that see the men only as intruders to their land. The eagerly anticipated film by director Joe Carnahan who has previous work includes ‘Smokin Aces’ and ‘The A-team’, this film is set to be a sure fire hit by all action lovers. With scenes of Neeson fighting a wolf with glass bottles attached to his hand as a weapon, should spark nothing but excitement. The Grey crashes onto our screen at the end of January.

BOOKS JANUARY 2012 The Iron Lady Already tipped for an Oscar, the Weinstein Co. Production, who brought us the fantastic King’s Speech, presents a depiction of one of the greatest figures of our time. It will undoubtedly provoke much debate and controversy when it hits our screens on 6th January. Meryl Streep plays a ‘flawless’ Margaret Thatcher who ‘undoubtedly remains the Iron Lady’- the Telegraph. “Definitely one to watch”

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey Releasing 24th January, Margot Livesey’s latest novel is contemporary take on Charlotte Bronte classic novel ‘ Jane Eyre ‘. The tale of a young women’s harsh struggle, determination and spirit to change her future, ‘The Flight of Gemma Hardy’ will delight readers will new spins on this timeless novel. Set in 60’s Scotland, the journey taken by the young woman sees her through obstacles she had never even had imagined existed.

Review

A highly recommended read for you! "In The Flight of Gemma Hardy, Margot Livesey offers a new telling of Jane Eyre, for which no contemporary writer is better suited. As always, Livesey's prose is a garden of pleasures: precision here, lyricism there, wit and compassionate insight throughout." — Amy Bloom, author of Away The Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus This story surrounds the topic of heartache and what we will do to protect our loved ones. This fascinating story is set t amongst a epidemic that has struck the country, whereby a child’s speech has been lethal, everyone’s has gone into hiding while lead characters Sam and Claire are struggling to let go of their daughter. Entertaining, interesting but ever so peculiar, this gripping story while not letting readers put the book down. Writer Ben Marcus is definitely becoming a top of game novelist.

until 15th February 2012

Events EVENTS IN BIRMINGHAM

AMC proudly sponsors MESH Magazine Events pages 20TH-22TH JANUARY, Strictly Come dancing live tour at the NIA Featuring a whole host of celebrity contestants from Jason Donovan, Nancy Dell’Olio and actress Chelsee Healy, Harry Judd from McFly, Anita Dobson, Mark Foster and football legend Robbie Savage. All alongside their dance partners from the smash hit BBC1 show. The couples will be judged live by Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood while the audience will be able to vote and give feedback themselves via their mobile phones.

4TH FEBRUARY Snow Patrol at LG Arena Melodic indie boys from Northern Ireland who formed at Dundee University in 1994. They have since evolved into one of the biggest selling bands in the UK. Despite selling millions the band have kept true to their indie roots and still write beautiful powerful songs underscored by extremely poignant lyrics. £22.00 - £32.50 7TH FEBRUARY James Morrison at o2 Academy, Birmingham After hitting Number 1 in the album chart with ‘The Awakening’, James Morrison gets ready for the release of his new collaboration with Jessie J. 15TH FEBRUARY BSMH Comedy Festival at the Mac

They say laughter is the best medicine, 31ST JAN- 4TH or at least FEBRUARY Birmingham St Mary’s Calendar Girls 2012 Hospice is at Birmingham hoping it Hippodrome. will be at a special event at the Mac this winter. The Selly Following an award winning West End run and Park-based charity is staging a comedy festival a sell-out tour, Calendar Girls is coming back featuring a host of renowned acts, including one last time starring Lynda Bellingham, Debbie Andrew Doyle, James Mullinger, Dave Gibson Chazen, Camilla Dallerup, Jennifer Ellison, Jan and David Morgan. Tickets to the event cost Harvey, Rula Lenska, June Watson and Ruth £15.00 each and proceeds will go towards care for Madoc with Bruno Langley as Lawrence the local people with life-limiting illnesses such as photographer and Joe McGann as John. £15.00 cancer, Aids, motor neurone disease and multiple £32.50 sclerosis. Events pages: to let MESH Magazine readers hear about your event contact laura.faliveno@meshmagazine.co.uk 34 Mesh Magazine

Events 15TH FEBRUARY

THEIR WONDERLANDS CURATED BY THEY ARE HERE- MAC CENTRE BIRMINGHAM FREE ENTRY UP UNTIL 29TH JANUARY

Stomp (theatre) at the Birmingham Hippodrome A combination of theatre, dance, comedy and percussion turning brooms into instruments and handclapping into a conversation; the junk and clutter of urban life becomes the source of music. £18.50- £30.00 CINEMA BAMBINO

Their Wonderlands is an international group exhibition, curated by multi-disciplinary collective They are Here. Contemporary artists have been drawn together to explore the space given to make believe and folklore in postindustrial 21st centery European society. While the journeys that have led to the creation of these works may be personal or autobiographical in tone, they often evoke fairy tales, children’s literature and the surreal worlds of studio Ghibili’s animations. MAC BIRMINGHAM IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF CINEMA BAMBINO, SPECIAL SCREENINGS FOR PARENTS AND BABIES. On the first Friday of every month, mac puts the lights up, turns the noise down and provides you and your little ones with a relaxing environment to watch their latest movies.

Inspired by the essay in Praise of Shadows (1933(by Japanese writer Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, the exhibition exists in darkness. You will be invited to select a torch on entry to discover works embedded in a cardboard labyrinth, designed by renewed and seminal architect Yona Friedman.

Please visit www.macarts.co.uk or call sales & information on 0121 446 3232 to find out further information. Tickets start from £4 Mesh Magazine 35

Events

Back in Dec 2011, MESH Magazine had an invitation to attend the Birmingham Clothes Show- It was an event not to be missed, with celeb guests Gemma Merna, Alexandra Burke, Lucien Laviscount, Kimberly Wyatt to name but a few. We had a fab time, thanks Birmingham Clothes Show!

Mesh Magazine

Mesh Magazine 37

Health

4 Simple steps to a new you Did you know that over the Christmas period the average person piles on 11lbs of unsightly body fat? That shocked me too. No wonder everybody starts off the New Year desperate to get in shape & determined that this will be their year. The problem is that after a few weeks you become disheartened with your results, lose motivation & slip back into your old habits. Chances are the same will happen to you this year unless you do something different to ensure that isn’t the case. So just for you here are 4 easy steps to a new you in 2012

Step 1. Re-educate yourself on effective permanent fat loss. Most people who try to lose weight will resort to the following:

1 - Cutting calories & starving yourself, 2 - Cutting out carbs completely, 3 - Running for hours & hours Not only are these are the LEAST EFFECTIVE ways of dropping fat from the body the problem with these approaches are that they’re impossible to maintain for long term success but they are also incredibly difficult & tedious to do at all & let’s face it who wants to do any of the above. Definitely not me. For more info on the best permanent & effective fat loss methods that you can easily fit into your lifestyle on a regular basis visit www.birminghampersonaltraining.com/giveaway for a complete video educational series.

Step 2. Set yourself a specific goal The first step towards motivating yourself is having something to work for. It’s no good just to say I want to lose weight and tone up, you need to be specific and say exactly what size, weight, etc you want to be how much energy you want as well as how that would make you feel & what it would mean to you to achieve it.

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Health

... in 2012 Step 3. Measure yourself and take pictures. Forget the weighing scales and get out the measuring tape. Take body measurements including your neck, shoulders, chest, waist, hips, thighs and calves. Jot them down and set another date in 4 weeks to do it again. It’s a great feeling to know that you are shrinking, and most importantly where you are shrinking from. It really can encourage you to keep going and do more. Team this with taking monthly before & after photographs, and you are destined to remain on track. This is super motivational when you can see a change in your pictures.

Step 4. Train with a friend or get some kind of support This is a great way to stay accountable. You’re much more likely to succeed if you have someone or something to be accountable to. I’ve used Facebook in the past to document my weight loss journey and that worked brilliant for me. Another great way to keep accountable & get the best support possible is to check out www.therapidfatlossblueprint.com This is a proven 21 day, step by step plan to rapidly drop fat from your body with a group of other people all doing the same so you have the support of your peers to keep you on track as well as the expert knowledge of top personal trainer Simon Shakespeare to guide you through it.

So there you have it. My 4 simple steps to a new you in 2012 to help keep you motivated and on track. Follow these steps & this time next year you will be a totally different person instead of being the one that’s always complaining about their wobbly bits :-)

Health

Detox Diet Try adding some of the options below into your lifestyle and daily routine, and prepare to feel revived, refreshed and at your best! Detox’s not only help with weight loss, tiredness, fatigue and sluggish behaviour to even bad breath! Detox diets are never easy and the first couple of days are the most difficult to overcome, but don’t give up.

DRINK WATER! By drinking water you stay hydrated, energised, and it’s great for you too! Improves the skin, making it look glowy and healthy. Water also naturally reduces your appetite, so if you’re looking to lose a few pounds. GET DRINKING!

EAT PLENTY OF FRUIT Get your vitamins naturally without having to take any supplements or additional nutrients. Try to have atleast 5 servings of fruit a day. They have natural glucose in them which provides you with energy and light. Don’t forget that fruits are very low in calories so you won’t feel guilty! GET SOME EXCERCISE! Walk! Try to get active and try including a form of exercise into your daily routine. Walk instead of getting in the car; go for a 30 minute run after work.

40 Mesh Magazine

GO OUTSIDE Fresh air cleans our lungs which brings more energy into our cells, increasing our energy levels. More oxygen brings more clarity to the brain which helps all round. Exercising outdoors also improves your breathing techniques, which increases your stamina. Get your daily dose of natural fresh air.

Health

SNACK ON THE RIGHT FOODS

GREEN TEA

We are all guilty of snacking, but snacking is not all bad as long as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the right snacks! Replace the cakes, biscuits, crisps with water, seeds, nuts and beans

FOOD TO AVOID

Not only does green tea increaser your energy levels, has a much more reduced amount of caffeine in it, it increases your metabolism to burn fat. It has many antioxidant properties within it. The second most popular drink in the world after water, green tea also tastes great. REST

Caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes are a resounding NO! Canned drinks, white rice, dairy products, sugary foods.

Get lots of rest and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tired go to sleep. Studies show that lack of sleep can have extremely bad effects on your body. Adults should have atleast 7-9 hours rest. It helps control your diet and reduces your stress levels.

Mesh Magazine 41

Food & Drink

FOOD & DRINK NEWS Saffron Restaurant Birmingham, the third addition to the Saffron Restaurant Group is situated in Victoria Square, the heart of Birmingham’s business district and promises to elevate Indian cuisine into new heights. Multi award winning chef, Sudha Saha, who recently competed on ITV’s hit show Britain’s Best Dish and proudly achieved rosette acknowledgment for the group’s first branch in Oldbury, is now aiming for dishes worthy of the coveted Michelin star. Each dish is cooked from fresh produce sourced locally from renowned suppliers and the detail in the presentation reflects the passion and effort invested in creating the highest quality food.

This summer is going to be quite big for food and drink in Birmingham, with the Food and Drink expo coming to the NEC, the biggest food and trade show in 2012! At this show, there will not only be 500 suppliers but there will also be many companies within the food industry as well as famous TV chefs. Last year, chefs John Torode, James Martin and Rachel Allen all attended and put on demonstrations on how to prepare inspirational summer dishes in no time at all! Some chefs attending this year’s expo include Sophie Wright, Paul Hollywood and Gregg Wallace! As well as the demonstrations from these popular chefs, there will be dining ideas, how fruit and veg are grown and quality recipes for you to try at home On the Saturday and Sunday of this great show, any paying adult can bring up to two children to the show for free as well as on the Sunday there will be some family entertainment such as giant gardening games, face painting and pot planting as well as other entertainment on offer! Tickets are now on offer for this great food and drink show and can be purchased from http://www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk/

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Wine of this month January

Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Shiraz 2008 Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Shiraz 2008 is a deep red wine brought to us by the world famous Robert Mondavi from the Napa Valley in California, USA. With magnificent flavors of black fruit, mixed spices and black pepper, this wine would go perfect a various amount of dishes, from lamb Curry to Pasta! Woodbridge Shiraz 2008 is based in Napa Valley, who have been distributing commercial wine since 1858 when founded by John Patchett and is now one of the leading wine regions in the United States. Robert Mondavi, who died in 2008, was a leading California vineyard operator provided quality technical development and marketing policies brought worldwide acknowledgement to the wines coming out of Napa Valley and in his recognition, the University of California opened a Robert Mondavi institute for Wine and Food Science!

Food & Drink e Menu? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on th ist, Waters. food column aurant, Andy st Introducing e R s d n u of Edm Chef Patron

ICK

H WITH CH

NKFIS SPICED MO

IANDER & PEAS, COR

LEMON OIL

five Method liberally with 4 s ve the monkfis&hpepper er on S : as ts Se n 1. ie d salt Ingre . 12oz) spice powder, butter, add kfish(approx r) vegetables in io e 1 fillet of mon pr th s y fr ur ith fish y w ho tl r en ve 24 2. G oaked for s & then co (s ea s kp ea ic kp ch ic e ch th 6oz stock ed) p up 1/2 carrot (dic y cooked to d slowly n completelfi an k he W oc st 3. ) sh ed ng 1/2 leek (dic with remaienithe diced butter & t to iced) incorporat check seasoning & pu 1/2 shallot (d d) ce coriander, di & d ry (peele one side , sh es 1 stick of cele bl n with a da the vegetah) ng yi fr or sh in a hotmpa aled (f fi se e er ac y tt th in el bu al et sp Se pl e of 4. th knob when co d baste the fish sh, cooking of olive oil, of basting the fi butter an e fish for 6 /7 ob kn a d es ad av le h . Cook th ac er in tt sp bu 1lb fresh with the rning frequently. tu , minutes ock little 20 floz fish st h leaves inseaason to r de k the spinac w , oo po ed C e ilt ic 5. w sp & ve ft fi pinch butter until so iced) taste. uce 4oz butter (d s & butter sa r de the chickpea all mound an n ri sm oo co a Sp h e 6. ac nc Pl bu 1/2 plate. the bowl. on into a bowlin the centre of e of spinach sh into 5 pieces and plleacmon lemon oil ith w e the fi le ic zz Sl ri D h. inac olive oil top of the spe d serv an l oi er pp pe salt & Mesh Magazine 43

The Food Review

GIRAFFE IN SOLIHULL After heavy Christmas food, and treats this is what the body needs… Healthy, Fresh, Tasty, Wholesome, outstanding quality food and service, all from Giraffe. There is nowhere else quite like it, the staff are friendly, the décor is creative and inspiring and to top all that off the cocktails are amazing. The enticing menu which consists of meat dishes to satisfy all meat lovers to fantastic veggie options, is a complete breath of fresh air. Welcomed into Giraffe Solihull, which is situated within the food quarters of the Touch Wood shopping centre Solihull, we sat down in a very roomy booth. We started with Epamame Beans, in a delicious wok fried soy and chilli mirim, once you pop one of these beautiful little babies into your mouth, you simply cannot stop! Followed by Grilled Yakitori (Giraffes way of seasoning and cooking techniques) chicken skewers, soy green onion dipping sauce. & Nachos Nirvana, topped with Veggie Chilli mix, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, fresh tomato salsa & jalapenos. Wonderful and light! Our mains followed suit, which were; Farmers market Burrito, filled with roasted squash, pinto beans, feta & herby rice, topped with adobe sauce, jack cheese, tomato salsa, and crumbled feta served with a wonderful avocado salad in tequila & lime dressing. This was feisty, mouth-watering and I felt super charged, filled with good, healthy foods. The second main consisted of; Hot Thai Duck stir fry, this was no ordinary stir fry, it boosted an explosion of authentic Thai flavours and ingredients- Shredded BBQ duck, Bok Choy, Thai Basil, mushrooms, red pepper, egg noodles and bean sprouts, topped with chilli jam, crispy shallots, leek carrot and red pepper. Tasty to say the least! And again very healthy and filling! As we sipped skinny passion margaritas, made with fresh passion fruit, tequila, grand mariner, lime and agave nectar we looked over the dessert menu We opted for; Toffee apple crumble, served with very vanilla ice cream, which we shared as it was huge. Giraffe offers a friendly family, vibrant atmosphere, great décor and ambience of cool, alfresco sheek with its fresh décor and furnishings. Exceptional value for money with a really good cocktail menu. All in all, you have got to try Giraffe for something new. Food Review: to have a MESH team member visit your restaurant to conduct a food review? Contact Laura.faliveno@meshmagazine.co.uk Mesh wish Magazine 44

Competition

WIN A ÂŁ50 John Lewis voucher

SIMPLY ANSWER

THIS QUESTION How many Waitrose stores are there in Birmingham? A. 4 B. 2 C. 5 Send your answer, with your full name, address and contact telephone number to; editor@meshmagazine.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNETTE WEBB, FROM HARBORNE- WHO WON A PAMPER PACKAGE AT EGO SALON.

Mesh Magazine 45

Horoscopes Aries Mar 21- Apr 20 January can be a personally influential month for you, dear Capricorn. The year ahead brings strong opportunities for both work and play. A partner can have important revelations, a time when something about yourself or your personal plans might also come to light.

Taurus Apr 21- May 21 Travel, if it can be managed, would be especially rewarding now, dear Taurus, as your hunger for adventure is strong. While you’re no stranger to this energy that began last June, its forward motion this month can bring a stronger, more confident manner.

Libra Sep 24- Oct 23 You begin the year with much going on with family and around the home, dear Libra. You’re making new connections in January, but you are also reconnecting with people from your past. Levels are not at their best this month, so pay attention to your body’s signals for more rest. Scorpio Oct 24- Nov 22 Increased clarity now is derived from a feeling that what we want and what we need are in harmony Scorpio. We are more able to cooperate with others under this influence. let go of the past in order to move forward.

Gemini May 22- Jun 21 You’re in a planning and dreaming stage this month, dear Gemini. It’s a time for reassessing your goals and formulating new ones. Midway through 2012, you’ll be raring to go, but for now, life is more about getting in touch with where you are headed!

Sagittarius Nov 23- Dec 21 The year 2012 is likely to open up doors for you in your work and with relationships, dear Sagittarius. You begin the year with strong financial ideas and plans. Some backtracking in romance and career is likely to distract you somewhat in the last week of January.

Cancer Jun 22- Jul 23 Close relationships receive top billing this month, dear Cancer, and you are at your most accommodating and attentive. Career efforts are strong, but by the last week of the month, you begin 2012 feeling strengthened by your friendships and connections.

Capricorn Dec 22- Jan 20 January can be a personally influential month for you, dear Capricorn. The year ahead brings strong opportunities for both work and play. A partner can have important revelations, a time when something about yourself or your personal plans might also come to light.

Leo Jul 24- Aug 23 The year begins with strong energy and heightened intelligence for work, health, and fitness routines, dear Leo. Financial matters can become a little sticky starting in the last week of January, so it’s a good idea to get on top of your budget before then.

Aquarius Jan 21- Feb 19 The year begins charmingly for you, dear Aquarius, with a nice balance of work and pleasure in your forecast. 2012 is a year of discovery and excitement, although you are likely to begin really feeling this forward-looking energy from June onwards.

Virgo Aug 24- Sep 23 You begin the new year feeling energetic and on top of your game, dear Virgo. You’re likely making all sorts of plans for personal projects, and you are especially attentive to your physical appearance and health.

Pisces Feb 20- Mar 20 The year begins on a good note, dear Pisces, with friendly energy and benefits through your connections. On the 12-14th, something from your past or something that was previously hidden, such as a good deed, comes to light and brings you benefits.

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Mesh Magazine 47

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