Luxury English gin handcrafted in the Surrey Hills with 24 botanicals. Full bodied with delicate florals, fresh citrus and velvety local honey. Smooth, refined, refreshingly individual.
Experience the world of Silent Pool Distillers firsthand on a tour of the Silent Pool Distillery. Our immersive 90 minute distillery tour takes you through our renovated barns that house our distilleries, plunging you into the magic of gin production, getting hands on with our botanicals and heading down to the banks of the Silent Pool itself to learn of it’s eerie past before finishing off with the good stuff – a gin tasting.
Located just outside of Guildford, The Silent Pool Distillery is just 45 minutes from London Waterloo and in between Heathrow and Gatwick airport. Tours run twice daily from Thursday – Sunday and the distillery shop is open 7 days a week. Head to silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-distillery-tours to book your tour.
There are plenty of places to enjoy a well-earned G&T, but there’s nowhere quite like The Pool Bar. A cosy terrace bar overlooking the azure waters of the legendary Silent Pool is quite a special spot. You’ll feel like you’ve been on an idyllic getaway. Enjoy the unique experience of The Pool Bar with family and friends. Relax, unwind, catch up and immerse yourselves in the stunning scenery.
It goes without saying our award-winning Silent Pool Gin range is served at the bar for the ultimate G&T, but there’s plenty of other options too. Take your pick from local craft beers and ciders, delicious cocktails and tasty bar snacks. Book your table online!
silentpooldistillers.com | @silentpoolgin +44 (0) 1483 229136
elcome to the November Issue of Surrey Rocks Magazine.
money this Winter. Our handy guide could save you, literally, thousands. Bullying Awareness Month is in November too, so our indepth article by new writer Samantha Dholakia is a great read for any age about raising awareness and preventing bullying. With teen suicide rates sky-rocketing this is an all-important read, for so many reasons.
Plus, check out our fabulous Surrey Fashion Week 2022 Silent Auction Prizes and get bidding! Any proceeds from these items (including a signed Andy Murray tennis shirt, a Wellness Retreat, Art, Jewellery and
of Beauty Vouchers) go to mental health charity, Mind, and Surrey based fashion boutiques. Who doesn’t love our high streets and to
them while getting a present for a loved one (or you!) is well
Elsewhere we reveal the lighter, funnier side to being what is tantamount to Great Britain being a ‘global laughing stock’ in our Best of the Web (BOTW) feature on “The Rotating Doors of Number 10” on page 138 - Liz Truss you are amazing. Thanks for the laughs.
We also loved catching up with our sensational cover star Shab. Read all about her impressive career, latest album, touring with Anastacia and escaping the oppressive regime in Iran. Her story is inspirational.
you enjoy
Manhattan inspired restaurant and cocktail bar 63rd + 1st are hosting a range of fun and fabulous events in the lead up to Christmas. Join them for ‘Broadway Brunch’ on Sunday 6th November with cocktails and DJ’s from 11am till 3pm or visit their Xmas Wreath Making Workshop on Wednesday 30th November. In other news the Cobham-based venue has just partnered with Deliveroo to launch their home delivery service so you can now enjoy delights from their New York style menu, including sharing plates and larger Winter Warmer portion sizes at home. See www.63rdand1st.co.uk for more details. And this November you can also benefit from being a Surrey Rocks reader by getting a BOGOF on Porn Star or Espresso Martini everytime you quote our magazine at the bar. Happy (hiccup) November.
Everyone’s favourite gin distillery, The Gin Kitchen, is celebrating their 6th Anniversary on November 12th with a brand new gin offering. Its name will remain a closely guarded secret, until the launch event. From 1pm on the 12th November, shoppers will have a chance to taste and buy a bottle from the very first batch. This will be a truly amazing gin. Considered ‘too good to sell’ by the distillers, it was only available to drink as a G&T at the GK cocktail bar. Previously known as the ‘Orangery Gin’ it is made with botanicals grown in the distillery’s Orangery. The laser-engraved art with gold detailing on the limited edition bottle was inspired by the silk road with influences from the Far East, Persia and Europe, reflecting the exotic botanicals, including kumquat, neroli and kaffir lime. It will be priced at £98 and includes a complimentary gift box. Bottles can be personalised for an extra £10. See www.gin.kitchen for more information.
A whole host of your favourite Surrey fashion boutiques are hosting events this month to get you in the festive spirit. Nettie Knows in Weybridge is hosting two evenings of fizz, fun, fashion and skincare on Thursday 3rd and Thursday 17th November from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Ruby La La Flawless Fashion Show is on November 8th, in association with Post 19, to give lucky customers a first look at their latest trafficstopping collections along with prosecco, handmade canapes, music and discounts at the till! Limited tickets are available so get in touch now to save your place.
Swift Entertainment is converting the current disused ‘Weybridge Hall’ into an Edwardian-style, luxury theatre by 2024. The new Theatre will host musical shows, ballet performances and bring in a mix of well-known performers. The ground floor will house the main theatre decorated with interiors of gold, red and brass and it will have a capacity of 320 with structured, tiered seating. The first floor will have two function rooms and a bar. Finally, on the second floor, there will be a dance studio and music rehearsal rooms - which will be available for general hire. Charlie Swift, CEO of Swift Entertainment who also owns Esher Theatre, feels that this new addition to Weybridge high street will bring huge additional footfall to the town and provide a boost to local businesses. Work on the new Weybridge Theatre will start in early 2023, ready to open in early 2024. This is so exciting!
Head down to L’Ultimo in Leatherhead High Street on Thursday December 15th for a charity lunch in aid of Ukraine. Headed up by Miss Ukraine herself, Tetiana Doronino, is organising this one-off event which will involve a celebration of all things Ukraine in aid of the war effort and raising funds for families and children in need this Christmas. With speeches, Ukranian singers, artists and signed memorabilia by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, among others, this be a truly magical day aimed at uniting the local community and raising all important charitable funds. Tickets are priced at £35 and include a welcome drink, lunch and a donation to the Zelenskyy Children’s Fund. See www.rocksmag.com/ukraine for more details.
celebrities
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen and NFL icon Tom Brady have officially announced they are divorcing following 13 years of marriage. The former couple who have 2 children together claim the split is amicable and no other parties are involved. They have already thrashed out details with lawyers and are moving on with their lives but are said to be uniting as parents for the sake of their 2 kids.
Brady issued a heartfelt statement confirming the news. “The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together.”
Prince Harry’s tell-all book ‘Spare’ is set to be released on January 10th and will be a warts and all expose on life in the Royal Family. How he managed to launch the cover and book synopsis without a murmur from the Royal Family begs belief! The book has been written already though so Harry can sleep at night knowing he won’t be an unfortunate M16 target and be very rich in the process. He is probably laughing at his Royal security budget being cut when he can afford bodyguards for the next 150 years with this one memoire. The contents of the soon-to-be bestseller have not yet been revealed but everyone is hoping tricky subject matters including: Diana’s mysterious death in Paris, the assumption he is James Hewitt’s son and who was the ‘racist’ Royal Family member who questioned what colour Archie’s skin was going to be when Meghan was pregnant! All will be revealed in 2 and a half months.... we sincerely hope!
Kim Kardashian has landed herself in hot water yet again, this time for faking yet another Instagram post. She allegedly photoshopped a pink bag into her latest pic of a night out and so badly everyone spotted. The post has now been deleted. The reality TV star was out with pals and took a snap of them at the dinner table. There is a noticeable fake photoshopped bag on the table, blurry at edges and not true to size/scale! Why bother?! Well because she
gets paid upwards of £350K for a product placement post! But please Kim if you are gonna rake in this cash for promoting a bag or whatever.... just remember to take it out with you!! Not that hard. Similarly, this pic of her on holiday in August 2022 was MAJORLY shopped to reveal a slimmed down neck and shoulders thus distorting the background! This fakeness is killing any sort of reputation she may have had. More so than her infamous sex tape in 1997.
The battle of the ‘TOWIE’ besties turned worsties continues. Pure tabloid fodder, Sam Faires and Ferne McCann have fallen out big style. It started over a bitchy voice note by Ferne about Sam’s weight and size of her thighs and escalated into pure Essex mayhem. The duo have really fallen out and there are 39 voice notes to prove it. Ferne has called her ‘a narcissistic bitch’ and a ‘fat c**t’ among other English pleasantries. Suzie Wells, Sam’s mum, said in a statement shared to her Instagram Stories: “Ferne has always been a very close family friend to all of us for over the past 20 years. It appears this voice note was sent just weeks after Samantha gave birth back in May. Since this voice note has surfaced more have been sent - very upsetting nasty things. We are as shocked as you are! Nobody should ever speak about their friends like this ever!”The plot is set to thicken as the girls are being investigated by Essex Police. Sam has yet to comment but insiders say she is livid. The Only Way Is Essex co-stars had a frosty red carpet reception at the NTA’s last month too. If looks could kill!! Here’s to hoping Sam crushes her with her ‘mega’ thighs. Ferne who clung on her pal of 20 years coattails to claw her way onto ‘TOWIE’ should be more grateful!
Music mogul Simon Cowell has launched a revolutionary project to find new music artists on TikTok through a collab with his showbiz enterprise Syco Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Samsung. The TV/film producer, record exec and global entertainment visionary has transformed popular culture through his pioneering entertainment company, which is behind the world’s most successful talent-discovery formats, such as TV’s ‘Got Talent’ and ‘The X Factor’, seeing Simon launch more superstar careers (including One Direction, Little Mix and James Arthur), than anyone else in history. Simon and awardwinning international entertainment executive Tim Van Rongen have partnered with UMG and its Republic Records label to create StemDrop, a new evolution of musical collaboration, curation and artist discovery, launched exclusively with TikTok and Samsung. StemDrop will shine a spotlight on, and act as a springboard for, new talent, artistry and creativity by offering all artists and music creators worldwide the opportunity to collaborate with one of the greatest songwriting teams in history, led by
multi-Grammy-Awardwinning Max Martin (Britney Spears’ ‘...Baby One More Time’, Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way’, Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ and The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’). The top songwriting team released ‘Red Lights’ for their first StemDrop, inviting the TikTok community’s aspiring artists to produce their own unique versions via the all-new music format and showcase their talent.“ The premise was always very straightforward…” Simon explains. “What would happen if the best songwriters in the world wrote a song for the world...?” Provided with music ‘stems’ (individual components of a song, drums, bass guitar, vocal parts etc.) of brand-new songs written by the prolific hitmakers, artists and creators can kickstart their music careers via this brand-new platform. “Hit songs are like ‘Diamonds’ can change an artist’s career overnight,” Simon explains. “There are so many incredibly talented people who are trying to stand out. I hope and believe this could make a big difference to their careers.”
Are you in need of a new look for the Autumn/Winter? There’s no easier way to change it up then to get a bold new cut. Nico Bouquet, owner of the Nico Bouquet Salon in Cobham, recommends going for the chop.
"Gents, it’s time to brave the shave! We are loving the bold shaved looks we are seeing at the moment! Don’t fancy that, then why not try growing out your hair for that sexy Matthew McConaughey look, also a very big trend this Winter!"
If you want to make a booking at Nico Bouquet then visit www.nicobouquet.com or email info@nicobouquet.com.
The seasons are-achanging! And smart men out there are going for the layered look which looks completely chic and effortless but actually takes a bit of planning. Think depth, texture and variety.
There are 4 golden rules to remember when it comes to getting the layered look right:
1. Always wear thinner fabrics on the inside.
2. Make sure there are no more than 3 visible layers – more is overkill and could leave you looking ‘stuffed’ and larger than your actual size!
3. Wear darker colours on the outside to add depth.
4. Each layer should also work on it’s own so when it comes to peeling off your outer layers the look still works.
Most importantly have fun with your layered dressing. If you are going for a dressed up look take a look at our fashion shoot from Howard & Co. this month where you can get some great style tips and a whole new look for under £500.
While the seasons are changing –are you stuck in a hair rut? There is no better time to get that all-important new look you’ve been hankering for.
"It’s so important to change your hair with the seasons,” Nico Bouquet from the Nico Bouquet Salon, says. "We are coming into my favourite time of year and I love when clients come to me to transition into their Autumn/Winter look.
My favourite thing of the moment are layers, the bouncy blow-dry is back and we are loving it more than ever! Chop those long dried out locks after summer with a fresh, layered style to give you that extra va-vavoom!!
Why not try adding some warmer, darker tones to your blonde to soften things down for the cold or if you’re feeling spicy we are absolutely LOVING copper at the moment!
Brunettes, try adding a few warm low lights to bring your hair back to life this winter - the perfect way to give your hair more shine!
As the hot weather is now a thing of the past, now’s the best time to try out the fringe/bangs you’ve always wanted! We are getting a lot of requests for fringes at the salon but be warned we’ve already seen some disasters... so please don’t try this at home this at home!"
If you want to make a booking at Nico Bouquet then visit www.nicobouquet. com or email info@ nicobouquet.com.
The festive season is almost upon us and who doesn’t want to get dressed up to the nines for those Christmas and New Year’s parties? With this in mind we’ve picked the glammest gold dresses to make you shimmer and sparkle at your events this season. If budget is not an option go for this satin and lame gold dress from Gucci or this sequin number from Ruby La La Boutique in Farnham, wowed on the catwalks at Surrey Fashion Week, at a fraction of the price.
From work to stress to diet, a host of factors make it difficult for many of us to maintain a regular, healthy sleep routine. But poor sleep isn’t just an occupational hazard of modern living! ‘Sleep Poverty’ has recently been identified by global health specialists as a major public health concern, causing effects from impaired concentration and memory retention, to increased risks of anxiety, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Not surprisingly, it also shows in our faces, through dark circles, puffiness, dull skin tone, and wrinkles. At Surrey Rocks HQ we have been
testing Olverum’s Restful Sleep Pillow Mist - a unique treatment designed not only to help you get to sleep more easily, but to improve the quality of your sleep. Scientifically formulated to work in harmony with your natural sleep cycle, the balanced fragrance development of its key ingredients supports and enhances each of the four key stages of sleep. Just two spritzes applied to linens can ease you into a troublefree slumber, enhance the health benefits of deep sleep, and boost your daytime energy levels. We did notice a difference after a few weeks of testing!
If
This Jamie Oliver dish looks mightily impressive when served at a dinner party as Oliver himself enthuses: “Lamb like this is a total treat – it looks dramatic, and gives you tender blushing meat, with an irresistible feisty crumb. It’s also easy to scale up or down for two, six or eight, just tweak the timings instinctively.” A great winter recipe and delicious served with a red wine jus, dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal vegetables if time is on your side.
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) 2 x French-trimmed 7-bone racks of lamb olive oil unsalted butter 3 cloves of garlic 100 g shelled pistachios 1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley (30g) 75 g bread 1 whole nutmeg , for grating Dijon mustard Green Beans 350 g fine green beans 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar extra virgin olive oil ½ a lemon 3 sprigs of fresh tarragon
Drizzle the lamb racks with olive oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt and black pepper, patting the seasoning all over the meat.
Sear in a hot frying pan on a high heat with a little extra oil and 1 knob of butter for 2 to 3 minutes, turning with tongs until golden all over, then remove the racks to a roasting tray and let them cool.
Peel 2 cloves of garlic and place in a food processor with the pistachios and parsley (stalks and all). Tear in the bread, finely grate in half the nutmeg and blitz into a fine green crumb.
Generously brush each lamb rack with mustard, then cover with the herby crumb, patting it all over the top and sides.
Get your meat out of the fridge and up to room temperature before you cook it. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
Roast for 25 minutes, until the crust is crisp, to give you beautifully blushing lamb. Remove from the oven and leave the lamb to rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, trim just the stalk ends off the green beans and cook for 6 to 7 minutes in a pan of boiling salted water.
Crush the remaining unpeeled clove of garlic through a garlic crusher into a jar and mix with 1 teaspoon of mustard, the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the lemon juice, then taste and season to perfection.
Finely chop and add the tarragon leaves. Drain the beans and toss with the dressing. Carve up the lamb and serve with the dressed green beans and Dauphinoise Potatoes or mash if time is tight.
Lamb is one of the most wine friendly meats, as perfect with a red Bordeaux and Rioja as it is with the fruitier wines of the new world. But if you’re looking for a perfect wine pairing it’s worth thinking just how - and for how longyou’re going to cook it. With lamb roasted and served pink, like in this Jamie Oliver rack of lamb recipe, a Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais would work well. Alternatively, if you want to steer clear of reds a dry rosé, especially vintage rosé Champagne, is also particularly good.
From acclaimed filmmaker James Gray, ‘Armageddon Time’ is a deeply personal story on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.
The cast is incredible too. Consisting of Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Jessica Chastain and Cate Blanchett, the film has already made the official selection of the 2022 Telluride Film Festival and the 2022 New York Film Festival.
As well as shining a light on issues of race, class and family; the film showcases what it was like growing up in America in the 1980’s. Seen through the eyes of two children, a young black boy Johnny from an impoverished, immigrant family and a wealthy Jewish boy Paul (played by the mesmerising Banks Repeta – surely worthy of an Oscar nod). As the boys grow up their friendship and bond is tested to the limit. Having been in production for almost 3 years this moving tale is set to be a hit when it is released nationwide on November 18th. In fact, the first ever screening of the film received a 7 minute long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. We can’t wait to watch.
This is the first new Phoenix album since 2017’s ‘Ti Amo’ was recorded in Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs and it was inspired by the group’s late friend Philippe Zdar. The album’s announcement arrived with a single called ‘Tonight’ that teleported listeners a dozen years back in time to the indie rock beats Phoenix were famed for.
‘Tonight’ features lead singer Thomas Mars sharing vocal duties with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koening - marking the first time the band has enlisted an outside guest vocalist.
Phoenix’s Mars and Koenig said of their new collaboration ‘Tonight.’ Mars: “You get bored of your own voice, and this song was calling for a question-and-answer dynamic. We were friends already, so I just asked him.”
Koenig: “I was surprised, like, ‘Really? All right! Cool.’ I would’ve been down for anything with Phoenix, but I also really liked the song.” That helps!
On the new 10-track album, out on November 4th, you can also expect to hear flashes of techno with ‘All Eyes On Me’ and peppy electro beats in ‘Alpha Zulu’ and ‘The Only One’ also come from a gloriously textured indie rock palette.
Growing up in Paris, the lads from Phoenix have gone from strength to strength and this new indie rock classic album, their seventh, is testament to that. Well worthy of a listen.
Inspired by the romantic movement in English literature and its affinity with the natural world, Tina Talbot, has written a brand new book to further engage children in nature.
The lead characters in this beautifully written book ‘The Powerful Pollinators’ are the daytime pollinators consisting of birds, bees, and butterflies. They are brought together in mysterious circumstances, leading them into uncharted territory where they meet the night-time pollinators for the very first time.
This is the sixth book from Tina Talbot in the ‘Super Survival Squad’ series. A great read for young children, with positive and powerful messages about nature, as well as being fun and entertaining reads. Other books include ‘The Daring Droplets’, ‘The Wilful Wildflowers’ and ‘The Secret Sea Creatures’.
Accepting that our advance in technology is as human as our dependency on nature, Tina, is striving to create a balance between the two, with this wonderful series of books. She believes that nature has been as integral a part of our evolution and hopes children will fall in love with the characters in her books as much as they love their technology! Thus inspiring a lifelong harmony and reverence of nature that will ensure the survival of our planet. Go Tina!
Revealing all about her heartache, history, passions and love for Iran in this exclusive interview with the dance music queen, Shab.
nternational Pop Star Shab has just released her upbeat, sensual single of the season, ‘Sexual’. The track highlights desire, passion and empowerment with each beat to an addictive rhythm promising to ignite any dancefloor. You may well have heard and been a fan of Shab without realising. So many cool, breakout, tracks played in clubs around the world come from this feminine powerhouse.
With Millions of YouTube views and fans worldwide, new track ‘Sexual’ is steered by Grammy-winning producer Damon Sharpe, who is known for producing for Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez. This ecclectic dance number showcases Shab’s versatility as she has just come off her trending ballad ‘Serenity’. This month she will be arriving in the UK (following her Europe leg), supporting the one and only, global-pop sensation Anastacia on her latest, ‘I’m Outta Lockdown Tour.’ Opening on the 30th October, the month-long tour will voyage all around UK, visiting the likes of Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and London’s Eventim Apollo.
Surrey Rocks caught up with the singing sensation to find out more about the tour, single, album, inspirations and upbringing.
“I am absolutely thrilled to embark on my first European tour together with the one and only Anastacia. While it is somewhat humbling to be opening on tour for such an accomplished and iconic artist, I hope to both entertain her loyal fans while at the same time introducing my own music to a new audience,” she said.
“My followers should know that we have been diligently putting our love, sweat and tears in hard work for the past couple of months towards sharing our passion, energy and love on stage with you guys!”
Shab’s debut album, ‘Infinite Love’, was met by immediate critical acclaim when it was released in
February 2021, with her unique electronic dance sound typified as “an energising global pop that is both effortless and memorable.”
Her second album is near completion and it will undoubtedly be another hit.
“We have the new album ‘Euphoria’ almost ready to go, it will be finished and ready for release in the Spring of next year. And until then, there is a great selection of singles to be released to keep everyone entertained. You guys will love the track ‘Voodoo’ it has more of a hip-hop vibe (huge budget video with Fat Joe) and we are releasing that soon, it will be great. Having just finished filming the video for ‘Sexual’ you are in for a treat with this one too!”
When quizzed on her favourite genre of music, as Shab sings across all of them including dance, pop, EDM, hip-hop, love ballads, and even jazz, her response was resoundingly ‘dance.’ And why?
“The thing is dance is so upbeat and energetic, you can clean the house to it, you can cook to it, it makes everyone happy. I just love it!”
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Shab though. She escaped Iran aged 9 after her family claimed refugee status in Europe first, then the US.
She talks very openly and candidly about her upbringing and how her experiences have shaped her as an artist, giving her the will to succeed and make the most of her life and the opportunities she has been presented by living in the Western World. However she does constantly think about her country and her people, knowing that things could have turned out a lot differently.
“It saddens me for the people of Iran. Not a lot has changed there since I left, unfortunately. I remember being young, I was only 5 or 6 years old at the time and I recall I said to my mum; we are kids, why do we have to wear a hijab? It’s so hot, we have to walk to school for miles, why do we have to do this? I also remember constantly saying to my mother – ‘we need a better life, we need to leave Iran and go somewhere else.’”
The government at the time were doing nothing and it was so frustrating.
It wasn’t until her brothers were kidnapped during the Shaw Revolution that the family were finally able to leave Iran as refugees upon their return.
They lived in Germany for 3 and a half years before finally relocating to the US when she was 14. Shab has lived here for 27 years now. Washington DC to be exact. She loves her new life in the US, calls DC home and is thankful for all she has; her amazing career, 2 beautiful children and a partner (they are not married, yet, Shab reveals!)
She is so happy she was able to get out but still sad about all the troubles in Iran and thinks about her extended family who live there under the oppressive regime.
Shab is known for her combination of urban tilting songs, delivering a kaleidoscope of sound that goes hand-in-hand with her introspective and powerful lyrics partnered with her distinct yet unpredictable vocals, ultimately achieving a cultural ubiquity that few artists could hope to reach. “Music is just so transformative and inspiring. I really hope my music makes a difference. I am planning a lot of giveaways with the new album Euphoric coming out next year as I love to give back,” she revealed.
Here are just some of Shab’s latest reviews:
“If you are in search of a track as gloriously sun-soaked as the day we are currently experiencing, rising artist Shab has just the thing for you.” - Wonderland
“With a huge legion of fans, Shab has continued to make a name for herself on the international music scene.” - METAL Magazine
A star across three continents, Shab first gained attention late 2020 as a “breakout star of the global pandemic.”
She has registered three consecutive Number Two hits on the British commercial pop charts with her first three English language singles released during the 2020-21 lockdown. Her February 2021 debut album, ‘Infinite Love’, was met by immediate critical acclaim, with her unique electronic dance sound typified as “an energising global pop that is both effortless and memorable.”
She also has a passion for meditation, mindfulness and yoga - truly a living example of beauty – both inside and out. A pleasure to meet and interview, a rare gem. Shab ended the interview adding about her upcoming tour: “I’m so thrilled to be performing with Anastacia, her voice is so incredible. I’m excited to get up there and entertain her fans with my upbeat tracks,” she enthused. We are definitely convinced this will be the case, Shab Rocks!
ANASTACIA FEATURING SHAB TOUR DATES: 30/10/22 — Basingstoke — The Anvil 31/10/22 — Brighton — Brighton Dome 1/11/22 — Birmingham — Symphony Hall 3/11/22 — Ipswich — Regent Theatre 4/11/22 — Manchester — Bridgewater Hall 6/11/22 — Cardiff — St. David’s Hall 8/11/22 — London — Eventim Apollo 9/11/22 — Bath — The Forum 10/11/22 — Oxford — New Theatre 12/11/22 — Stoke-on-Trent — Victoria Hall 13/11/22 — Newcastle-Upon-Tyne — O2 City Hall 15/11/22 — Glasgow — Royal Concert Hall
Budgeting during the long cold winter months is always a daunting task, but this year it feels worse than ever. However, there’s no need to focus on the doom and gloom that budgeting brings, as there are simple ways to keep track of your spending that don’t require much hassle at all. This month we will be discussing ways to cut back on your costs with some straightforward yet effective methods so that by the festive season you’ll be ready to rock around the Christmas tree!
Let’s begin with a routine most of us have…the weekly shop. Ocado, Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose? So many supermarkets, so little time! The majority of Brits still do one big shop per week, but how do you know which shop will save you the most money? Supermarket deals are a great way to cut costs, and after extensive research, here are a couple of the best supermarkets saving you money. First is Aldi, saving you up to 38% through their own range, showing that it may be time to ditch the pricey labels. Up next is Tesco with plenty of weekly offers, from everyday essentials to big brands. Lidl is now offering you 10% off your weekly shop if you manage to spend £250 in store in any given month and you ecrue points with their app. Happy shopping.
Next up is one of the most exciting yet frustrating parts of the festive season, ah, the Christmas cupboard. You buy delicious treats over the course of a few months (or even a year for some) and pray no one eats anything before Christmas arrives. This is why purchasing your merry delights now is a great idea, as not only will it be cheaper than buying them closer to December, but you know you will have time to top them off when someone in the house inevitably eats all of the Quality Streets!
Speaking of Christmas, it’s nearly that time of year again when you’re on the hunt for the biggest and best Black Friday deals out there! Taking place on 25th November, Black Friday is a great way to get your Christmas presents and save some money too. Make the most of Black Friday by creating a wish list on your favourite sites (or if you’re heading to the shops, make sure you have an idea about what you want before going). Remember to also look at the price, not the ‘saving’, as it’s easy to get swept up in the deals and actually end up spending more money than you usually would have.
Black Friday or not, saving money when you shop online is a big deal, especially now we’re at the time of year when buying presents is at the top of the to-do list. Therefore, using voucher code sites is a great way to get money off products you would buy anyway. There are plenty of sites to choose from, each tailor-made to give you special offers, hot deals and big discounts when shopping online. Make sure to find legit sites that help you save money, as some discount codes can be fake, costing you more money than intended. Vouchercodes.co.uk has good reviews online, with a 4.5-star review on Trustpilot.
Moving on, is it time to switch broadband deals? Trying to avoid broadband price rises, wanting a faster connection
with fewer problems and escaping poor customer service are all reasons why people choose to switch their broadband provider. There are plenty of great deals on the market right now, with Uswitch.com saying some of the bests are Sky Ultrafast Broadband with 145 Mbps for £61 p/m, Now Broadband with 63 Mbps for £31.99 p/m, and BT Fibre with 67 Mbps for £50.99 p/m. Make sure to do your research and find a broadband deal that is right for you. Ask neighbours about their broadband providers to make sure you are
getting one that works well in your area too. Furthermore, do we really need so many TV subscriptions? With Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV each fighting it out to be the best streaming service, which are worth keeping, and how can you use them when trying to save? First, make sure to offload any unused subscriptions and stick to services that contribute to your life. There are ways to use streaming services for free for a certain amount of time, but you must cancel after your trial. Amazon Prime allows a 30-day free
trial, Now TV offers 7 days, and Netflix doesn’t offer a free trial.
Saving energy at home is on everyone’s mind, and although you may know what to do, now is the time to put it into action. For example, to all my ladies out there, do you leave the water running when letting the conditioner soak into your hair? Instead of doing this, try a leave-in product, or use the time waiting for your conditioner to wash your body. Other ways to save energy are by turning off the lights, using your washing machine once a week, and switching from a bath to a shower.
Did you know that you could also save 60% on your electricity tariff by using your appliances between 1am and 5am? This is because each energy supplier has off-peak hours that make it cheaper for you to use your appliances at night compared to the day. Simple ways to do this are by using your washing machine during these times (saving you £135 a year) and your dishwasher (saving you £150 a year). Just remember to take all necessary precautions, as using your appliances at night can be a fire risk.
Moreover, is it time to get a smart meter? With suppliers offering a smart meter to every household, there are so many obvious benefits to getting one installed in your home. Costwise, smart meters put an end to estimated bills and show you near real-time information on your energy use, making it
easier to see when your energy use could be more efficient. They also give you access to a broader range of tariffs, meaning cheaper ones could be available to you. If you rent a property, you can still have a smart meter, although it is recommended you tell your landlord before you get one.
Go even further saving your money by switching to solar energy! Not only will you be significantly reducing your electricity bills (anything from £95 to £240 a year), but you will also be cutting your carbon footprint and living a more sustainable life. When using solar panels, you can sell excess energy back to the grid, cutting your bills even further. The initial cost may be high, but solar panels are known to be a significant investment, so after the cost at the beginning, all they do is save you money.
As announced in former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s Growth Plan (although this could be given a dramatic U-turn like his other policies (!), first-time buyers no longer pay stamp duty on the first £425,000 of a home, when the total price of a home is £625,000 or less. For those who don’t hold first-time buyer status, the beginning at which the stamp duty becomes payable was also raised from £125,000 to £250,000, reducing the tax bill by £8,750 for a £625,000 home. Therefore, tax wise, now is a great time to buy that property you’ve had your eye on, as long as it fits within the limits. However, following the recent mini-budget, there is
great uncertainty around mortgage rates.
With this year seeing the largest-ever increase in petrol prices, finding ways to cycle, walk, or carpool to school/ work is a fantastic way to save you a small fortune. By creatively commuting, you will be spending less on petrol and may even save money on gym fees with all the exercise you could be getting! Physical activity also increases mental alertness, energy and self-esteem, for you and your whole family. Not to mention how it would help reduce air pollution and decrease your carbon footprint.
A fun way to get a great deal for the whole family is to take out a qualifying product through Comparethemarket. com! This can be as little as day insurance costing £4.99 to get you the Meerkat benefits for a whole year! Not only will you get 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
for a whole year with Meerkat Movies, but you also get 50% off pizzas with Papa John’s and Pizza Hut delivery 7 days a week through Meerkat Meals. When you dine out you will also get 25% off the entire bill, or 2-for-1 on selected food at restaurants. Just make sure to find out what products qualify for meerkat meals and movies before you sign up.
Finally, subscribe to Surrey Rocks Magazine. We share the best in local and show what deals all the best local businesses are offering in our monthly calendar round-up on page 11including 20% off meals, 50% off cocktails, 2-4-1 deals as well as tonnes of reader competitions to get free tickets to a host of fabulous local events. Happy saving!
By Pia Louisa
PRIVACY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY
whilst being fully pampered by some stylists, hidden away from the hustle
street. Indulge in a full food
all whilst enjoying an exquisite
luxurious salon.
arrange a one of stylists please call the number message we also offer a WhatsApp welcoming you in our salon soon!
According to trusty Google, a bully is defined as someone who is ‘habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable.’ This definition got me thinking; what does bullying truly represent and how does it affect each and everyone of us? All behaviour is communication. Whether we are conscious about it or not, we are constantly communicating with each other, be it positive or negative experiences that we are sharing. Bullying is often spoken about in education, but it is not something experienced by children alone, it is among us adults too. I would even go as far as to say that we can be guilty of self-bullying. By the above definition, bullying is about behaviour towards weakness and vulnerability, and don’t we all hold some of both within us? Perhaps this is really where bullying begins?
Ibelieve we can all be subject to ‘habitual cruelty’ and insult without even leaving the house, and no I am not referring to the various social platforms that we receive regular input from, I am talking about that inner voice that we all have. The one that takes a thought and runs with it, unfortunately without properly thinking of the consequences.
Having worked in education for nearly 20 years, from nursery nursing to deputy headship, consultancy and teacher training, I have seen my fair share of ‘bullying’. I have seen children (and adults) on both sides of the metaphorical fence and it has always sparked a curiosity. How, as human beings, can we be so ‘cruel’ to those around us? With so much pain and suffering shared historically, how have we not managed to push past this need to ‘hurt’ one another?
Bullying stands unwavering as an issue for our children and us adults.
With so much of it going unreported and unnoticed, I believe the reason for this is really quite simple. It is ‘normalised’ from a young age in different forms. We learn to practise ongoing ‘cruelty’ internally and the more pain we feel, the more pain is transferred to those around us as an attempt to lessen what we’re feeling - at least for a short time, until that urge, desire and overwhelming sense of emotion piles back up. Like everything, this is learned and developed as we grow, and although not all of us ‘bully’ others, we are all pushing that pain somewhere.
Surely, using our own metaphorical whipping stick falls under that definition of bullying and as a society, are we inadvertently encouraging bullying from within?
Well, it starts with us. How often do we as adults give ourselves a compliment? Yes, I did say give ourselves a compliment… the chances are that this is never or not very often. We don’t tend to practise true internal kindness, let alone voice such kindness out loud for all to hear – for the shame of blowing our own trumpet, sadly.
We live in a world that suggests self-celebration, promotion and appreciation comes branded as boasting, being big headed, arrogant, and even vain. This notion that we are able to share our feelings of self-disappointment, annoyance and frustration leads us, as growing beings, to practise these accepted ‘norms’ both internally and externally.
So how do we work on this to make a change? Practising self-appreciation and feeling able to share that with others is a huge part of building confidence, self-esteem and inner happiness - which of course allows us to manage both internal and external worlds more effectively. It
doesn’t mean that we do not notice when things are hard, or don’t go well - it simply allows us space to balance the 50/50 split that is life. It allows us to grow through our adversity and create new ideas through our fears rather than avoiding them.
We all have a huge part to play here. The breaking down and understanding of ‘social norms’, expectations, and the behaviours of those close to us are how we define and connect our internal and external worlds. Yes, a pang of
parental guilt is likely to occur for any parents here, as we reflect on and try to catch ourselves being human… what we do and say impacts our children whether we are intentional about it or not. I often support parents and practitioners in understanding the science behind behaviour with all of this in mind. With behaviour being communication, if we can learn the language we can truly make sustainable change - both for ourselves as adults and the children and young people around us for generations to come.
So, here are 4 things that you can do to support that ‘inner bully’ and build up that vulnerable part of us, so that not only do the words of others have little effect, but the words selected by our minds are more conscious and less ‘habitually cruel’.
Gratitude is such an important skill to develop, master and pass on. Not only does it create happiness and emotional balance, it also offers this to others. When we are truly grateful for something we can only feel that one emotion in that moment, it leaves no space for others to muscle in, and when we express true gratitude it is received in the same way. There really is a science behind it!
Complimenting is a great way to give yourself practice at inner and outer kindness. It allows us to break down barriers, feel confident and model the words that we want to hear, use and receive. Remember, giving a compliment can be done in so many ways, it can be tagged onto appreciation or out of the blue. Most of all it can be to anyone - including ourselves! Whether it is about what we see, hear, feel or achieve, a compliment can go a long way to making the changes we need to overcome both internal and external struggles.
An activity I use that shines a light on our habits, what words do you say a lot? Catching the words that do not serve you and that ignite that inner burning can really help in making a shift. In order to move forwards in any journey we need to know where we are heading and from where we are coming from.
Many ‘cruelnesses’ grow from the expectations placed on ourselves and others. What we expect them to wear, say and do impacts how we see each other and of course how we behave and communicate. If we can turn our expectations into appreciation, we no longer feel that desire to pass on pain and discomfort. We no longer have the desire to ‘bully’ as we are conscious of our thoughts and outcomes.
In November we celebrate anti-bullying week (Monday 14th - Friday 18th November) and the launch of our support sessions for parents, practitioners and young people. If you would like to work on your inner voice or need support in dealing with bullying from the external world, you can email us directly at spdtuitionandcoaching@gmail.com for more information.
Words By: Samantha Dholakia
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Choose from Full English to Mediterranean at breakfast. Fresh, healthy and
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Popular
Destination gastro pub The Grumpy Mole first opened their Tadworth restaurant in 2006. Fifteen years on and the group now own and run 4 further restaurants in Epsom, Cheam, Brockham and Oxted. The food is superb and the menu extensive catering for lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and dinner. A true Surrey success story. You must try if you haven’t already.
% 01372
WWW.DELFUOCO.CO.UK
Italian café, restaurant and lounge serving delicious pizzas, pastas and Mediterranean-inspired starters, mains and desserts. Del Fuoco is one of the most popular restaurants in Bookham offering takeaway, delivery and dine in options. Excellent quality at
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Www.donluistapas.com
Located in the heart of Esher Don Luis tapas and steak restaurant is a wonderful new addition to the high street. Serving a vast selection of authentic Spanish dishes you will be back again and again to sample the full menu. Great tapas, impeccable service and luxurious cocktails. A great venue.
Newly
the
the
Award-winning
also
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WWW.MARBLELOUNGE.CO.UK
Marble Lounge in Weybridge serves the finest waffles, crepes, cakes, sweets, ice-creams, milkshakes, smoothies and coffees. Check out their amazing new Diageo cocktail selection, their secret garden,
% 01372 238308
The Victoria Oxshott is a neighbourhood pub from Matt Larcombe, former head chef of The Crown at Bray, and Simon King of Igniting Hospitality from Gordon Ramsey, The Ritz and Fat Duck heritage. A pub has always been the heart of a community and this establishment is an exceptional new offer for Surrey. The Victoria offers an amazing dining experience with a menu of elevated British classics including fish & chips, steaks, gourmet burgers and traditional Sunday Roasts.
Manhattan
% 07824 846941
Sicilian style pizzas, sandwiches from homemade bread and Focaccia, lasagnes, aubergine bakes and a wide selection of cakes and Italian sweets.
end of September in Leatherhead to eat in or takeaway.
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The Hive at The Packhouse serves Mozzo Coffee, Birchalls Teas, Nordic Wellness drinks and much more. For those looking for snacks or a light lunch; pastries, cookies, cakes, toasted sandwiches and other delights are available from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends. They also offer the best ice-cream from top local supplier, Meadow Cottage Farm, and have fantastic outdoor pods with WiFi for an exclusive gastronomy experience.
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Don’t get lost with Lost Boys in Farnham, the
is vast and may fool you, but they are the talk of the town at the moment. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – this new gastropub is exceptional in terms of service, décor and quality.
Make a day of it and combine your Packhouse shopping trip with breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at the newly opened Palm House, with its beautiful art deco inspired botanical interior. Enjoy late night shopping until 7pm followed by dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings, or make Saturday night extra special with dinner from the exquisite brasserie style menu by Head Chef Nico Scarsini.
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The Watermill offers an array of classic pub dishes, fusing tradition and innovation. The pub is all about great social food, from sharing plates and stix, to artisan pizzas and brunch. For those seeking the perfect spot for a nightcap there’s an extensive drinks menu featuring crafted cocktails and classic martinis. The Watermill’s Christmas menu, available from opening, is packed with festive delights such as free-range Bronze turkey, venison and gingerbread trifle.
Newly opened, Trend 1, in Leatherhead High Street is a delicatessen on the ground floor and late-night wine and piano bar on its second floor. Enjoy the finest Italian food for lunch, dinner, takeaways, events and private parties. A perfect spot - also with an outside lounge terrace - to enjoy fine wine, delicious food and a great atmosphere. From Giovanni Agozzinothe owner of popular Italian restaurant, L’Ultimo, so you know it’s going to be Amazing.
Arto is an independent restaurant in the heart of Dorking High Street that offers a varied menu, inspired by the idea of simple and honest cooking with a Mediterranean twist. Experience classic recipes to new age kitchen adventures, where each dish reflects Arto’s passion for the highest quality food using only the freshest ingredients.
With something for everyone, The Ivy Cobham Brasserie offers an all-day menu that ranges from lunch through to dinner including light snacks, and sandwiches. Now with a dedicated weekend brunch menu with some delicious alternatives to their mid-week à la carte and a drinks menu featuring much loved cocktails, including some
favourites
with a twist.
A 200-seater food hall has opened in Epsom and it is fantastic! Bringing 8 different food vendors with a central 12-metre-long bar serving local coffee from Redber, craft beer from the Big Smoke Brewery and a range of cocktails and wines. Food options include pizza purveyors; Doughboyz, Venezuelan street food; Pabellón, Curry On Naanstop (as seen on BBC’s ‘Britain’s Top Takeaways’) as well as Lebanese, Mexican, Korean and delicious dessert options.
Epsom Social will also showcase live music, big screen sports, comedy nights, cultural events and cooking demonstrations using local artists and creatives. Located in the heart of the town centre, at No 1 Epsom Square, you can experience the best food, drinks and events from local and independent vendors and performers, tempting kitchens from around the globe, 3 regularly rotating pop-ups offering up a range of cuisines, innovative menus and great customer service. Epsom Social are proud to partner with local entertainers to bring Epsom and the wider Surrey communities together under one roof. Live music, DJ’s and Performance Artists are bringing in the crowds, so do get in early at weekends to get your space.
Pabellon is owned by husband-and-wife team, Helios and Karla Gala, who decided to share generations of family recipes and Venezuelan flavours with the people. Thank you!!! The award-winning couple tipped the votes in 2019 to win the BBC Food Guides ‘Best Street Food Vendor’ after opening on the South Bank in London and now we are lucky enough to have them grace Epsom Social. Choose from delicious wraps, stacks, buns and traditional rice dishes. Their namesake - Pabellón Criollo - is a traditional Venezuelan dish; the local version of the rice and beans combination found throughout the Caribbean. It is a plate of shredded beef in stew, stewed black beans with rice. Simple yet effective! Full of flavour and full of goodness with low calories and Vegan options without meat. A must try.
Lebanon has never had an easy time when it comes to politics, economy and civil war but the resilience, humour, love and respect of Lebanese people has always been consistent. In Lebanese culture, food really is love. Street food has been part of Lebanese cuisine for thousands of years and has always been healthy, tasty and affordable as it’s seen as part of everyday life rather than a luxury. Whether you need a healthy meal in a hurry or you are just looking for something tasty for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it is hard to beat Lebanese street food. Beyroots has taken this ethos and created an amazing menu with delicious, authentic kebabs, wraps, chicken shish, mezze and more. This is seriously good food, made from the heart. The service is second to none too!
Finding the perfect slice was a mission for these two pizza fans and the journey of Doughboys began. Doughboys inventors searched deep into the pizza territory (aka Italy) learning all things pizza and how they could develop their very own authentic Italian offering to bring home to tables across the UK. From Rome, Napoli and Apulia, the duo learned how each region in Italy had their very own style and preference to the perfect pizza. To this day, each of Doughboys pizza bases are made in Italy using a framework of regional recipes and traditional techniques such as handstretching and stone baking before being shipped all over the world! Their food trucks have been circling Surrey for 5 years so it’s great they have a base at Epsom Social. A must visit. These guys seriously know how to make a good pizza!
All their Arancini is brought in from the days markets and made fresh to order. This creates a golden, crispy coating which once broken reveals an oozing risotto filling, bursting with fresh flavours. Dependent on which size you choose; cheese heaven awaits with their large burrata stuffed options. Sicily Streats pride themselves on an inclusive menu, which is both vegetarian and vegan friendly. Following years in an office environment, their charismatic owner Dan, decided his lunch-hour escapes to street food markets across London were the highlight of his days. The buzz and passion in the markets were infectious and inspired him further to start his own street food business. In June of 2021 he bought a horsebox and converted it into his new workspace and began selling Arancini, the best Arancini ever tasted. Lynsey & Sam, our Surrey Rocks reviewers, can vouch for this and thank Dan for giving up his day job to start this fantastic business! Pay them a visit, you will not be disappointed.
Is billed to cater for every craving of Indian food. So... let go of all your preconceptions of Indian food and experience the real flavours of Mumbai from authentic chefs and relish true street food and its best flavours. This eatery offer amazing menu choices including canapés, sharing platters or casual style menu combined with great Indian classics. Their firm favourite with the public, ‘Butter Chicken’ was highly recommended and we tested at Epsom Social only last week. It was to die for. Slow-cooked, melt in the mouth and served with fresh naan, relish, rice and accompanying sauces and lentils (yes we are healthy!) this dish was superb. The combined meal at only £12.95 was so good that we have been back twice. The service was top notch too and our chef/waiter friendly and helpful. You can hire ‘Curry On...Naan Stop’ for special events and weddings too. ‘Curry on and do it’.. is our advice!
In today’s competitive culinary scene, FUKO offers a truly dynamic, Korean fusion experience that keeps taste buds craving for more. The brand first opened its doors to the public near Victoria Station, London back in 2011 dishing out authentic Korean plates. Now FUKO has gone from strength-to-strength starting a whole new brand with a fun, innovative twist - keeping
the Korean-Soul but sprinkled with all the imagination from their ever-changing kitchen. They are calling all flavour seekers to try them out.... although it comes with a warning: ‘FUKO cravings may occur once you’ve tasted our food!’ Surrey Rocks tested the Loaded Fries with Spicy Chicken, Onions and Toppings; the meal was superb! We will definitely be back as there is a Pulled Pork and Vegan version of this sensational dish. The Bao Buns looked fantastic too – next on our hit list!
WE ARE MARIE AND CLAIRE, A MUM AND DAUGHTER DUO WHO HAVE MADE IT OUR MISSION TO SHOUT ABOUT SURREY’S INDEPENDENT STYLE CREDENTIALS THROUGH OUR MULTIFACETED FASHION HUB SURREY FRILLS. SELF-CONFESSED SMALL BRAND ADDICTS - WE HAVE LEFT NO QUIET BACK STREET UNTRAWLED IN OUR QUEST TO BRING YOU SURREY’S SARTORIAL SECRETS. IT’S OUR MISSION TO SHOUT ABOUT SURREY’S STYLE CREDENTIALS - THE LOUDEST TRAILBLAZING VOICE IN SURREY’S INDEPENDENT FASHION SCENE.
IN A GLOBALISED WORLD WE HAVE SET OFF TO SPREAD A LITTLE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT, WE STARTED SURREY FRILLS TO SHARE OUR SARTORIAL SECRETS- THE LANDSCAPE GOES WITHOUT SAYING- OUR MISSION NOW IS TO ENSURE OUR LOCAL BOUTIQUES AND BRANDS ARE CHERISHED, CELEBRATED AND SHOPPED. WHETHER YOU GET YOUR RISE OUT OF SKY-HIGH HEELS, STOMPING BOOTS, TIGHT & TAILORED OR LOOSE AND LOUNGEY LOOKS - WE HAVE YOU COVERED. WITH COMBINED CAREERS IN FASHION JOURNALISM, STYLING, MARKETING AND BRANDING, WE WANT TO PUT SURREY ON THE FASHION MAP. READ OUR REGULAR COLUMN HERE IN SURREY ROCKS FOR THE LATEST TRENDS, FASHION NEWS, STYLE TIPS & MORE. WWW.SURREYFRILLS.CO.UK
We don’t know about you, but we love Autumn fashion. Yes there’s a chill in the air and the days are noticeably shorter but it’s also the time for oh so cosy clothes. Who doesn’t love a chunky knit, cocooning coat and stomping boots ensemble?
For some, the first sign of a pumpkin or egg nog latte calls for an outre coat that’s the sartorial equivalent of a cuddle on a cold day, for others it’s a soft cashmere throw that elevates any outfit.
Big and billowing or sharply streamlined; deep tones or pale hues; patterned or plain.
But don’t worry, here at Surrey Frills we have done the
Munthe Apact Navy Coat, £269 www.thegateboutiqueguildford
Celia
Elisa
Big
Black
Faux
The
www.taylorjayne.co.uk
Pink
Ilove holidaying, especially to the UAE. I have been going to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the last 16 years and have wonderful memories of when I used to go with my family. The UAE welcomes 21million visitors annually. Drawn by the year-round heat, high level of hospitality and the magic of the deserts. Not to mention the aroma wafting around shopping malls and hotels. I’m talking about Oud and there is nothing quite like it. The hotels are all incredible, the service is usually on point, the food is delicious and best of all, it’s safe. I feel comfortable bringing my children and allowing them to be free. I feel comfortable wearing my luxury items knowing that I am not going to be targeted.
Dubai is certainly the destination of choice by many people these days. As it becomes more popular and accessible, I have found over the years that the service has slipped. Before it was extraordinarily special, the hotel staff would genuinely be happy to help you and make your stay memorable. Now I feel that they lack that tailored approach. I feel as though this is a combination of it being so busy as well as the inexperience of all the new hotel staff trying to keep up with the ever growing skyline of Dubai hotels. Having said that, I would still go back because the pros far outweigh the cons.
LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF – I’M RIA, MUM OF TWO, MARRIED TO MY HANDSOME HUBBY.
I’M BORN AND BRED IN MY BELOVED SURREY AND SPEND MOST OF MY TIME BETWEEN HERE AND LONDON.
I’M A HANDBAG AND SHOE ADDICT AND LOVER OF ALL THINGS LUXE.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RIA’S LUXE LIFESTYLE FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM @RIA.ELAINA
I love the Jumeirah chain of hotels and I have stayed in all of them in Dubai, even the Burj Al Arab which was a complete surprise organised by my husband via a helicopter trip from the airport! We had been going out for 2 years at the time and for a moment I thought he was going to propose - then I realised that would have been too obvious for him (I’ll save the actual proposal for another time because who doesn’t love a love story).
My favourite Jumeirah hotel for families is D’ar Al Masyaf which is part of Madinat Jumeirah. The rooms are my favourite out of all of them, they are traditional with a modern twist and also spacious. I love the location as it is the last of the hotels on Madinat Jumeirah so it feels quiet but also easily accessible via the abra boats. There are over 50 restaurants to choose from within the complex including Rockfish and Il Borro (which has my favourite truffle pasta!)
Currently we are staying at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is very different to Dubai. It’s generally more relaxed and quiet. There are many things to see and do such as The Louvre, Warner Brothers World and Emirates Park Zoo but the
hotels themselves are not as crowded as Dubai and have a more relaxed feel whilst still being luxurious.
My husband and I have stayed at Emirates Palace a few times before we had children which is the epitome of luxury. They serve their cappuccinos sprinkled with 24 carat gold - need I say anymore! It is a huge hotel with acres of land and corridors with palatial style furniture which you can easily get lost down. The rooms are opulent and spacious and the pool is fabulous. Friends of mine that have stayed with children have said how child friendly it is but I honestly can’t remember seeing any children the last few times we went. Apparently they have a separate wing for families, which if you don’t have kids, is rather blissful in my opinion! The price of this hotel has gone up exponentially since we used to go so we will be saving this one for a special occasion.
Saadiyat island is a 25 minute drive from Abu Dhabi airport and is renowned to be the ‘Maldives of the UAE’ with its crystal clear water and beautiful sandy beach, which is not man made like many of the Dubai beaches. The service at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island has
been a little slow but I feel as though that’s the way of life here in general. The attention to detail is still there though - such as complimentary fresh fruit and lollies by the pool, little gifts at your bedside table and staff remembering your family name and room number. But you can be waiting around 5-10 minutes for a coffee at breakfast which for me, is a little too slow. I’m fussy I know but I need that caffeine hit immediately in the morning. The food has been great and the hotel itself is aesthetically pleasing without being too over the top. The rooms are extremely spacious and the prices are not as extortionate as Dubai in high season. There are not hoards of people trying to get a sunbed by the pool. The holidaymakers are more international - I enjoyed talking to likeminded people by the pool from Texas to Tel Aviv. I also noticed a lot of locals coming to stay for a few days as a little staycation. How amazing to have something like this on your doorstep!
Overall, I would definitely recommend Saadiyat island as a place and Jumeirah as a hotel. If you want to escape the craziness of Dubai for something a little more tranquil then this is the place for you!
NADIA IS BEST KNOWN FOR HER WORK ON POPULAR E4 TV SHOW ‘CELEBS GO DATING’ AND HAS WORKED AS A LOVE COACH FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MARRIAGES, RELATIONSHIPS AND BABIES ALL EXISTING BECAUSE OF NADIA’S TIPS AND ADVICE!
NADIA BELIEVES EVERYONE DESERVES TO FIND TRUE LOVE. SHE BELIEVES YOU CAN BRING THE SPARK BACK AND CAN ‘FALL BACK IN LOVE’ WITH YOUR PARTNER IF THINGS HAVE TURNED SOUR. SHE KNOWS YOU CAN BE HAPPY. WHETHER YOU ARE DATING OR IN A RELATIONSHIP MY LOVE COACHING CAN HELP.
I’M CURRENTLY OFFERING SURREY ROCKS READERS 20% OFF MY 50 MINUTE ONLINE COACHING SESSION USUALLY PRICED £150. USE CODE SR20 WHEN BOOKING.
Darlings the weather has officially turned. The heating is on and we are all feeling full of the joys of Autumn in ‘The Essex’ household at the moment. In dating terms, this time is called ‘Cuffing Season’. It means a time when singles come together for the warm winter months as cuddles and cosy nights in replace the pub gardens and parties of the summer.
If you are ready to find someone this Autumn / Winter season its important you know the all-important do’s and don’ts. So here are my top 5 red flags that you should never ignore!
Read between the lines, if someone says all their exes are crazy, the common factor here is them. Usually, it really means they themselves lied, cheated, gaslit and generally didn’t make their partners feel safe and so they became jealous or controlling or argumentative aka “crazy”. It is extremely likely you will be joining the ranks of the “crazy” ex club when you get fed up with their bad behaviour too! Don’t waste your time. Get out now while you still can; I bet all of their exes wish they could have seen the red flags and steered clear.
It’s easy to let this trait go in the beginning and passing it off as nerves or excitement if someone talks over you. But you have to ask yourself, “how does this person show they care about what’s important to me?” & “how much of my life do they really know?” Not feeling listened to in the beginning is likely to build into a bigger resentment later down the line. If you have raised the subject and asked them to be more attentive and they show a short-term improvement before going back to how it was, it’s likely you will break up anyway - so save the heartache and don’t ignore the red flag.
Words hurt and even if they say “it was only a joke” it doesn’t erase the hurt in your heart. Your true love wouldn’t want to hurt you, so if they dismiss your pain and continue to do it, then say you are being too sensitive and try to blame you, it’s time to call it a day. You are supposed to be a team and teams don’t deliberately each other with their words, especially if they have been told how much it hurts already.
In the beginning it can feel lovely and flattering even but that will fade and if they still continue to pout, guilt trip you or make you feel bad for spending time away, that is a huge red flag. Spending too much time with the person you are dating is not good. Even if you want to be with them all the time it is better to take time away. If they are struggling when you take time for yourself it usually means they have abandonment issues or
displaying traits of possessiveness. Unless they are working on it or willing to work on it you don’t stand much chance of a healthy long-term relationship and there isn’t anything you can do, it’s on them to work on themselves.
We have all heard the saying ‘right person, wrong time’ and sometimes it’s totally true. If you are not on the same page, it’s not going to work. If you are ready to settle down and start a family and they are ready to quit their job and go travelling around Mexico, this isn’t your person. Morals and values have to match if you stand a chance at a long-term relationship.
BONUS TIP - If you are dating online and their profile doesn’t match. Obviously if the picture doesn’t match then run don’t walk from that date, but, even if the picture does match up, sometimes people write things that they think will show their best self and turns out is an over exaggeration. If they say they like to go to the gym but never seem to go and just want to eat takeaway and play computer games, it’s worth noting as it can represent dishonesty or unmatched motivation and life goals so worth listening to your gut and potentially deciding to call it quits before you catch feelings.
Dating is difficult and finding the right person to have a longterm relationship is even harder.
But it IS possible, and you definitely deserve love. So even if that little voice in your head says you are not worthy then I am here to tell you it’s wrong. You are so special and made of the same stuff of the stars. You deserve all the love in the world.
MEET CHLOE BRUCE, THE FOUNDER OF THE CHLOE BRUCE ACADEMY, WHICH LAUNCHED IN 2021. A BUSINESS OFFERING VIRTUAL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES AND TUTORIALS. THE ACADEMY, WHICH OFFERS ON-DEMAND AND LIVE CLASSES, HAS TAUGHT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, RANGING FROM BEGINNERS TO PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ACTORS LEARNING NEW SKILLS FOR ACTION ROLES.
BEFORE LAUNCHING HER BUSINESS, CHLOE WAS A STUNT DOUBLE FOR SOME OF HOLLYWOOD’S LEADING ACTORS SUCH AS ZOE SALDANA IN GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY AND DAISY RIDLEY IN STAR WARS. HOWEVER, AFTER HAVING HAD HER FAIR SHARE OF BEING THROWN AROUND ON WIRES AND FIGHTING SOME OF HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST BADDIES, SHE DECIDED TO TAKE ON A NEW TYPE OF CHALLENGE – LAUNCHING HER OWN BUSINESS. CHLOE SAID: “AS A MUM OF TWO JUGGLING WORK AND CHILDCARE, HAVING AN ONLINE BUSINESS HAS BEEN ESSENTIAL IN ENSURING I MAINTAIN A WORK-LIFE BALANCE. MY DREAM WAS ALWAYS TO LAUNCH A VIRTUAL PLATFORM, AND WHEN COVID-19 MEANT THAT PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO STAY AT HOME, IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT TIME TO FORMALLY LAUNCH TO THE PUBLIC AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING.”
Chloe Bruce has been a Martial Artist since the age of 8, gaining 12 World titles and numerous British and European titles in a competitive career which spanned over 20 years. Chloe also currently holds 3 Guinness World Records and has recently developed her own online digital Training Academy, Chloe Bruce Academy, so others can follow in her footsteps.
Chloe really has dedicated her life to the pursuit of success, she has also been a very successful Stunt Performer doubling some of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, and all this while being a mum to her children, Harriet and George. I hope that by reading this, we can show you what is possible with hard work and dedication.
Growing up in Essex I first fell in love with martial arts at the age of 8. I studied in a Korean art called ‘Tang Soo Do’ and shortly after starting I realised that I had a new found passion and hobby. After only a year of training, I found myself competing at the British Championships.
In 1996, at 12 years old I became World Champion in both Musical and traditional Forms. I will never forget the feeling I felt, standing on the podium listening to the British national anthem whilst watching the tears of pride roll down my parents faces.
12 World titles later, I decided to retire from competition in 2011. I had found a new passion and avenue that my martial arts took me down, and there was nothing holding me back... I was going to be a stunt woman!
I never take anything I do lightly and this wasn’t to be any different. Over the last 10 years I have been fortunate enough to be the stunt double for some of Hollywood’s leading actors such as Zoe Saldana in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, Daisy Ridley in ‘Star Wars’, Sylvia Hoeks, in ‘Bladerunner 2049’ & Jamie Alexander in ‘Thor 2, to name a few’. I have been thrown around on wires, fought some of the meanest bad guys in Hollywood, got to sand board down the highest dunes in Abu Dhabi and ride the speeder through Jakku. All whilst teaching around the World at seminars and events and still performing at
guest appearances. I was in the height of my career. Life couldn’t get any better, or so I thought…
In 2017, I had my first child, a daughter called Harriet, followed by my son, George, in 2019. My oh my did they make an impact on my life! They taught me how to slow down, how to enjoy the little things, and that my little family was now priority. I knew a lot had to change in order to spend the quality time I wanted to spend with my family. So I decided to go back into education with other visions lying ahead of me.
I wanted to create a Worldwide platform to teach others and give back to the sport in a way in which I didn’t have to travel constantly
to teach and empower.
So in 2018 I qualified as a level 3 personal trainer and in 2019 as a Yoga instructor. With even more knowledge under my belt, I decided now was a great time to set up my Worldwide training platform. It was a tough journey, there were setbacks and challenges to overcome. I had to believe in myself more now than ever. I knew that with continued small steps it would keep me on the right path and it worked.
In September of 2021 the Chloe Bruce Academy was born and I haven’t looked back.
You will now be experiencing first-hand how zero degrees makes your cheeks rosy and your nose red, how the heating in the car makes you flushed and dry not to mention how itchy your skin is under all the layers of warm clothing, and what about those poor cracked lips?!
At this time of year it’s tempting to layer on the thick moisturiser in an attempt to create some sort of barrier between you and the elements; thinking about the skin barrier function is correct but caking it in ingredients it doesn’t utilise in cellular renewal leads to clogged pores, milia and a very dull complexion. Think of the surface of your face as a collection of dead cells all glued together, the last thing you want to do is to use products that encourage those cells to stay in place longer, we want to speed up the process that brings fresher cells to the surface and promotes density in skin cells. So what can we do to make sure the only thing cracking this winter is the ice underfoot? The simplest of effective routines can contain as little as 3 products per day; a cleanser, a protective day cream and a night cream.
For your cleanser, it’s got to be gentle and soap-free, it should not alter the skin’s natural moisture balance. Remember your cleanser can be part of your anti-ageing regime, it’s not only for removing grime and makeup. Look for active ingredients such as glycolic acid and gluconolactone to promote cellular turnover. Try
Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel, it goes a long way and feels amazing. If you are a no-nonsense get out the door quickly sort of person then the perfect product to start your day with will renew your skin, spirit and senses with one wipe!
This powerful moisturising, antioxidant and anti-aging tonic contains a triple blend of Polyhydroxy Acids, a marine botanical, eucalyptus, cucumber and green tea extract… all in one small pad. Hail SkinRise Bionic Tonic by Exuviance.
I’ve also been trialling a new product from Iceland (not new on the market but new to Beautique Medispa) by BIOEFFECT. The company behind the product formed in 2001 but it was in 2005 that they produced pure cellular activators in barley seeds. The hero of the BIOEFFECT range is EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), the discovery of which earned the scientists responsible the Nobel Prize in Medicine. EGF is heralded for its ability to trigger cell renewal and initiate the production of collagen and elastin. Speaking of which, very quick recap on the science… collagen and elastin are proteins produced in fibroblasts – skin cells within the dermis. Fibroblasts also produce GAGs (glucosaminoglycans), these keep the skin hydrated. Enough! I hear you say, but if you were to realise that diminished production of these little anti-ageing stars is responsible for your lack lustre appearance would you be
One of the most common causes of reduced activity is UV exposure, however we’ve covered that topic and if you are still in doubt NeoStrata’s Sheer Physical Protection is a day cream containing powerful antioxidants and anti-ageing ingredients and suits all skin types. If you do nothing else for yourself pick up a bottle and hold back time!
I’ve suggested a few products that you can use on the outside but the real quantum leap product for me is one you can drink. Aneva Derma is the market leader of collagen supplements as its absorption rate is 95% through the small intestine; I’m not one for trash talk but do your research on absorption rate before parting with your hard-earned cash for supplements that will pass through your system as waste. Remember the 8 out of 10 cats approach to sales is not science. The list of benefits of taking Aneva Derma is long and varies from person to person as the collagen is
taken up by the body where it is needed, so along with improved looks, you will find that all over your body your skin is more hydrated. Itchy legs are a thing of the past! You could also be pleasantly surprised to find your joints don’t ache, your nails are growing quicker and stronger, your hair is growing quicker too (not always a great thing if you colour your roots!), and some menopausal sufferers of vaginal dryness are let’s say - not suffering anymore!
I hear often that ‘it’s not cheap!’, and it’s not but it’s the same price as the coffee you buy at lunchtime that doesn’t give you any benefits at all. Aneva Derma is taken in the evening before sleep, but you may still be looking for a product for your skin at night and another great one from NeoStrata is Cellular Restoration from the Skin Active range. Its potent formula contains Apple Stem Cell Extract, Glycolic Acid, Peptides, and a whole host of powerful antioxidants; it takes a multimechanistic approach to rejuvenating cellular function and strengthening the skin’s underlying structure with collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).I will no doubt recognise my readers from their flawless, hydrated complexions, and bounce in their step. Wishing you all skin health this winter.
TThis time of year, clients get really interested in the colour of their hair. Perhaps it’s the new season, time for a fresh start or perhaps it’s part of the beginning of the festive planning but we always see an influx of colour and condition questions. The most important element when it comes to colouring hair is the condition so it is something all good salons take seriously. Post-summer can leave hair feeling fragile. The exposure to sunlight, sea water, chlorine and general dehydration in the warmer months cause hair to dry out. The good news is that there are some really great options now that rejuvenate hair, and reasonably quickly.
Our Keratin Smoothing treatment, which seals the hair cuticle with a coating of protein to eliminate frizz, adds softness and shine and will pack the hair with
moisture. It reduces the time it takes to blow-dry hair, or the need to blow-dry at all, and depending on hair type, can last three to five months, if the supporting home haircare products are used. We also offer an express de-frizz blowdry, which is perfect for a party or special occasion.
However you choose to look after your hair, please make sure that adding moisture is part of the routine. Anything from a weekly at home mask to our Keratin Smoothing treatment will be beneficial, especially if colour is on your Christmas list. And for clients that have signed up to our Trebbly system, we’ve added two new rewards. 70 hare miles can now be exchanged for the Kerasilk Scalp Treatment worth £40, and 90 hare miles will secure you a complimentary Kerasilk De Frizz Blow-dry worth over £70.
HARE & BONE IS THE CREATION OF SAM BURNETT, AN AWARD-WINNING HAIR STYLIST AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR WHOSE INNOVATIVE DESIGNS HAVE INSPIRED INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNS AND GLOBAL BRANDS.
AS A RESULT, HARE & BONE IS AN INSTINCTIVE FASHION-FOCUSED, STYLE AND TREND CONSCIOUS SALON THAT IS SET APART BY OUR CREATIVE SESSION EXPERIENCE.
SAM’S MISSION FOR HARE & BONE IS SIMPLE: TO PROVIDE EVERY ONE OF OUR CLIENTS WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL SALON EXPERIENCE, WHILST LEAVING WITH HAIR THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE!
HOUSED IN COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED SPACES IN FITZROVIA AND ESHER, THEIR SALONS ARE ROOTED IN BRITISH HERITAGE WITH A MODERN AESTHETIC.
We’re big fans of the new hair accessories trend. We appreciate a headband but Marissa Wilson’s beads from her show New York runway show raised the hair accessory stakes.
Get your diary out and plan in your Christmas appointments. Availability is already limited.
Smooth shiny hair never goes out of fashion and with our Express De-Frizz Blow Dry you have no excuse for unruly hair.
Not the style, the smell.
Get rid of Bonfire smells with our Kerasilk Hair Perfumes.
Sister-in-law? Neighbour? Put those chocolate gifts back and give the gift of good hair with one of our Christmas gift sets.
NewsIn the previous issue we were celebrating our 4th salon anniversary. Thank you to everyone that came along and shared their best wishes. It was lovely to see so many people in the salon during our birthday celebrations.
Now, we have some more special news to share. Andrew Plester, our Gent’s specialist has won ‘Men’s Hairstylist of the Year’ at the Global Creative Awards held in Amsterdam. Over 2300 hair stylists from across the world gathered for the two-day event, where Andrew won his category. We couldn’t be more proud of him. Andrew’s commitment to his clientele and craft is a delight to watch. He keeps all our stylists up to date with the latest trends and techniques and is always happy to help others. Andrew says of his win, ‘I couldn’t believe it when my name was read out. It was such a surreal moment but one I’ll never forget. Sam and the team at HARE & BONE have been by my side all the way and it’s an honour to bring this award home, not only to the UK but to our salon.’
Andrew is also finalised at the British Hairdressing Awards, at the end of this month so hopefully we’ll have more good news to share in the next issue…
I have long hair but always throw it up in a topknot. Should I just get it cut off?
This is a common scenario so don’t feel bad about that topknot. Sometimes you just need to throw your hair up and get down to business. However, if you live in a topknot then maybe it is time to think about a change. It’s not uncommon to think that getting your hair cut shorter will be the solution but it isn’t. Short hair often requires more styling and regular trims to keep the shape.
I feel it might be the ‘up-keep’ required rather than the style or length. In this case, let’s look at the texture and condition. Are you utilising the topknot because it takes too long to wash and blow-dry? If so, you should consider the Keratin Smoothing treatment. As I mentioned above, it takes the effort out of blowdrying hair so this could be a good option for you.
I’m thinking about going dark. I’ve spent the summer going lighter but crave glossy hair in winter. Is that possible?
The darker side is often appealing at this time of year for many reasons. It reflects the light so hair looks healthier and shiny. Chestnut, rich caramel, copper, cinnamon bronze all evoke the feeling of autumn so we do see a shift in tones throughout the year. The same is true in springtime when there is a move towards Californian, golden, sandy and honey blondes, which I’m thinking is what you’ve done. The issue is, if you have invested time and money into going lighter then dying it darker every other season will not do your hair any favours. Do you really want to go darker or is it a passing phase? If you do, then a special colourist can start you on that journey. However, I feel that perhaps toning down your blonde shade for winter by adding some softer, warmer shades could see you through to Spring, when you have the opportunity to embrace the blonde again for summer. Either way, please speak to a professional before a colour transformation such as this. There is a reason we study the science of colour for years before qualifying, so never be afraid to talk to an expert.
If you have any other questions, please drop Surrey Rocks an email on info@rocksmag.com or visit our Esher salon at 7 High Street, KT10 9RL where myself and the team are always happy to help answer any questions. You can also follow us on social at @hareandbone for the latest news from the team.
Introducing West Hampstead Central, a stunning development of 94, one and two bedroom apartments set in what will be an iconic building in West Hampstead. With private balconies or terraces to all apartments, open plan living spaces, expertly crafted kitchens and high quality finishes throughout, these apartments are luxurious and stylish retreats to rest in at weekends or unwind after a busy day in London.
The interior design takes its cues from the building’s architecture and its West Hampstead setting for a classic yet contemporary look. Each home is elegant with moments of flair to add interest and finesse. With two colour choices for the kitchens and bathrooms including a lighter, gold option and darker copper choice for all early sales this really is a fantastic opportunity to create your perfect home. The
result is London living at its best in an ideal location close to Hampstead Village.
West Hampstead Central offers a great investment opportunity or a perfect weekend getaway. West Hampstead is one of the best of London’s rare villages – a place where you can live a local lifestyle in one of the world’s greatest cities. Step out of West Hampstead Central and you’ll find yourself on West End Lane, the lively epicentre of NW6. This enviable location combines close proximity to transport links, shops and bars, with easy access to tree-lined streets and beautiful green spaces.
West Hampstead Central also offers stunning co-working spaces, Residents 12-hour concierge, a fully fitted gym and three communal Gardens, including the stunning roof top garden with spectacular views over the city.
The Stockroom Society is an initiative conjured up from local artist Rachel Groom who desired a space to showcase art in all its glorious forms. The art gallery is housed within the pop-up shop in Learherhead’s Swan Centre and not only plays host to a stunning space, for at present nine local artists, with disciplines ranging from painting, photography and sign writing but also aims to incorporate tutorials in sculpture, life, drawing, photoshop and many more.
The venue will also see ‘Jazz’ and ‘Vinyl’ nights so visitors can enjoy great music and art in a happy, friendly and exciting environment.
The Stockroom Society hopes to enrich the lives of all who cross their threshold and raise many artists profiles in Surrey. Opening times are currently Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm.
‘Life has a constant ability to remind us who’s boss but it also offers us beauty – should we be fortunate enough to see it,’ Vern artist explains.
John Cage once said, “the thing with accidents are you get to choose which one’s you keep!” and this for sure holds a fair truth within the way in which my work unfolds. I work in a very fluid manner which is highly reactionary… in constant a state of flux if you will…. is as though my mind soul are instructing and just the catalyst for steering the direction it wishes to proceed. Sometimes this works, sometimes not but I’ll keep overlaying and only feel OK to stop when nothing more is bothering me…this can take some time but it’s all worth it.
We all have people we draw inspiration from. For me the list could be long… the genius that is Piccasso. The brilliance of Gerhard Richter. The anger of De Kooning. The invention of Yayoi Kusama. The legend that is Da Vinci. The list could go on…
but all those who have crossed my path in some way fuelled my childish inquisitiveness.
As I’ve never been the type who wants to know what his coffee is going to taste like before he wakes I produce a varied array of works some light hearted and some drawn from deep inside which can also be a kind of self-therapy. If a piece makes you think then good but if it makes you feel then we’re really getting somewhere… perhaps this is why faces have a strong representation within my portfolio. All faces have the same components and yet no two are the same. They are also the focal point for emotional release. The structure, shape and form has always had a fascination for me.
I believe art is of massive importance in our ever-increasing stressful lives with its relentless pressures. I think it can offer us (however brief) an opportunity to take a break from the modern day madnesses constantly straining at us.
If you’ve taken the time to view my works and read this far… then I thank you and trust it wasn’t overly traumatic! If you are interested in purchasing any of my original art then contact me at:
vernarts@outlook.com
I stumbled upon alcohol, ink art which is a relatively new medium and was totally hooked on its beauty. So, after doing no art since leaving school many moons ago, at the beginning of lockdown for Mother’s Day, my 4 children bought me all I needed to get started and I haven’t looked back since. I’m totally in love with how you never know quite what creation you are going to end up with. Each painting is totally unique and is made by dropping ink and alcohol. I only use a paint brush for the fine details. None of my art goes to waste as I also make cards and pictures from the off cuts.
My photography centres around people, places, and horses. From effervescent race meets to splashes of neon graffiti, my favourite snaps are taken in Glorious Goodwood, the sandy beaches of Sardinia and everywhere in between. With antique dealers for parents, my former years were spent navigating the hubbub of Portobello Road. In the height of 70s hedonism, I was fascinated by the people, and of course by the cameras. One could say this was my introduction to people watching. What I have always enjoyed most is spotting obscurity in normality.
Charles Cross is a designer, illustrator, photographer and sign-writer from Leatherhead. Away from the day job, Charles enjoys commercial illustration as well as sign writing, painting with acrylics as well as sign writing enamels. Charles is looking for new opportunities to work with businesses within the surrounding area, developing illustrated campaigns, both online as well as within print. Get in touch to find out more.
Samantha Emblem is a sculptor and painter based in Bookham. After working in film special effects she now teaches at a local secondary school. Her artworks are in a wide range of mixed media. Commissions are taken.
Babe from the sixties, child of the seventies, rebel teen throughout the eighties, mother of three in the nineties, back to school during the noughties, divorced and free in the tens, full time artist in the twenties. I reuse, reinterpret, reimagine; blend, break, bend. From nature, science, fonts and words, to isms, ideologies, myths and more. I am a painter, printist, poet, sculptor, crafter, calligrapher. I see no limits.
I’m here! City’s a dull place so I’m here to inject colour back into it. Love anything neon/pastel, which my work reflects. Influenced by internet subcultures, I aim to deliver a perfect blend of cynicism, cutesy & provocative aesthetics. Medium: Screenprinting/lino print /digital/fashion/vandalism
Surrey Fashion Week 2022 Silent Auction in aid of Mind Mental Health Charity & Surrey Fashion Boutiques is now live. All items in this sizzling Silent Auction accompanying Surrey Fashion Week 2022 have been kindly donated by the fantastic celebrity performers, models, sponsors and supporters.
Since this year’s SFW theme was all about mental health and the importance of inclusivity & diversity in fashion, the profits made from each of the auction items (after fees) will be equally split between Mind Mental Health Charity - www.mind. org.uk - and the Surrey fashion boutiques participating in our star-studded show at Great Fosters. The auction closes on November 30th. Happy Bidding!
Neauvia provides a disruptive approach and products to the medical aesthetics market, always supported by science and clinical data, and by developing an iconic brand that appeals to consumers.
Established in 2012 as a scientifically-based medical aesthetics company, Neauvia has evolved into a vibrant, high-growth multinational corporation with production sites and offices across Europe and the rest of the world. Neauvia is present in over 75 countries, and growing!
Taking control of the ageing process is most effective when supported by a combination of scientifically proven treatment modalities.
To achieve this goal, Neauvia has developed comprehensive protocols, supported by clinical data, that combine various rejuvenation therapies and produce clinically proven superior results.
An evolution in the medical aesthetics market. To turn the Holistic Approach vision into reality, NEAUVIA research developed what we call “Smart Combination Therapy”.
Based on the comprehensive Neauvia in-house portfolio of products (fillers, devices and skincare), and through carefully researched protocols, the different skin layers are synergistically treated, to achieve clinically proven superior results.
More and more men and women have the desire to improve their quality
Cool Laser inspires clinically significant results in just a few treatments improvement in the quality and appearance of The effectiveness of Cool Laser is in no way affected by Due to the nature of the Cool Laser and lack of damage to (typically caused by the heat generated by traditional lasers) is what makes
quality of skin and its appearance, treatments for those seeking an overall of their skin. skin tone or colour. the surrounding tissue makes this treatment so appealing.
uests were out in force for the grand opening of The Post Food Court in Balham on Tuesday October 4th. The new indoor and outdoor venue features hand-picked street food vendors and is open daily for lunch and dinner with live entertainment on the weekends. From Olivier Mcohen and Jimmy Pitt, the talented owners of Borderlaise in Tooting and Rind in Leatherhead, this new eatery will be a sure fired hit.
Chocolatier Ildiko, based in Bookham High Street, celebrated their 5th birthday in Bookham and 10 years in business on Saturday 15th October. Gellert and the family invited guests and local press to join in the celebrations with an afternoon of the finest chocolate tasting, birthday cake and hot chocolate. Sugar overload we are now all on diets!
Any illusions that have been standing in your way are going to reveal themselves during November Aries. The planet Chiron is coming through very strong for you this month, showing that it is time you stop trying to please others and work on healing yourself. There will be plenty of creative opportunities for you to show off your skills in November, with your artistic talent shining through. Keep in mind that you are going through a completion at the moment, with a phase of your life coming to an end, making way for new ideas and accomplishments.
Don’t forget to let your rebellious side come out to play every now and then, you will be surprised how free you feel!
November is going to be a month of breakthroughs for you Taurus! You are about to advance to the next step of your life after having gained lots of wisdom from your past experiences.
Divine love is set to enter your life, allowing you to open your heart in a way you have never felt before. This spiritual energy will be something you may not know what to make of at first, however, allow yourself to be swept away in it as the rewards will be plentiful. November is likely to be a time of judgement for you, as you are now being given some time to assess what is working for you and what isn’t. Finally, planetary movements show you unleashing your quirky side and being your true self.
Control is your keyword for November Gemini. Being able to command what you want and when is very important to you, and this month will see you being in control of your life more than ever. There are also likely to be lots of celebrations for you to enjoy, possibly with you being the one to organise all the details! Planetary movements show your warrior spirit coming out to play, so make sure to take action and use your courageous nature to make some noise. Finally, it is clear that some anxiety has been following you around lately, and this month will be a time when you will have to find ways to deal with it. Your worries won’t disappear overnight but have faith that you are strong enough to deal with them.
November is going to be full of hard work for you Cancerian, and there isn’t likely to be a way around it. Your rocklike ability to structure your life has gotten you very far, and you will be depending on it to get you through the work ahead of you. Remember not to let your dark side scare you, as we all have a dark side to our personality, it is how you deal with it that counts. If you feel any darkness surrounding areas of your life, take a closer look at them and work out where you can shed some light on confusing situations. Even though this month will have lots of hard work involved, there is clear success on the horizon! Planetary alignments show you need space to process everything in your life.
As mentioned last month, it is important you pause and take a breath, Leo. You aren’t very good at sitting still and being present in the moment, but you must watch and wait for the right time to start on your next goal. Spiritual wisdom is likely to present itself to you in November, with a newfound knowledge of the unknown sparking your interest. This doesn’t necessarily mean a religious experience, just something that takes you away from any stress in your life and gives you hope. Finally, any heartbreak that you have been feeling lately is likely to ease within the next few weeks, with planetary alignments showing your need to be alone and think about your next step romantically.
Have you been feeling like your life has gone through a transition lately Virgo? If your answer is yes, know that a big change is coming to you in the month of November and it’s going to be all for the better. Don’t let any negative thoughts about this change weigh you down, as you will be feeling much happier after this transition occurs. If any bad situations have been causing you pain, trust the process of life and know that soon none of these people or things will matter to you. Finally, towards the end of the month, a feeling of contentment will sweep over you, as you will be proud of everything you have achieved throughout November. Take comfort in the small pleasures of life.
Your wealth is thriving in November Libra! This doesn’t necessarily mean wealth associated with money (although it can), all it means is you are feeling very happy and content with everything in your life and know that you have lots of love and joy around you. When it comes to your finances this month, work on saving your money as there will be plenty of gifts you will want to purchase by the time Christmas gets here! Friendship-wise, it may be time to give someone a second chance by seeing if you can find any redeeming qualities in them. Finally, it is clear that November is going to be a soul-searching month for you, full of time well spent trying to understand yourself on a deeper level. Your whole psyche is on a new journey, so have fun exploring.
Happy birthday Scorpio!
November is going to be a month of love and adoration for you, with new people entering your life and your established loved ones showing you how much they care. You’re a natural-born leader who isn’t afraid to stand their ground and will likely be mentoring new people throughout this month. Your normal everyday tasks may be the cause of some unrest within your life, therefore now is the best time to shake things up a bit and allow more spontaneity to sweep over you. Lastly, there’s still so much you want to accomplish, but right now with all the responsibilities you already have, it may not be the greatest time to put anything into action. Therefore, manifesting what you want your future to look like will help you greatly when it comes to making concrete plans.
November is going to bring you lots of good luck this year Sagittarius! You will find it pleasant knowing you are free to do your everyday tasks without interruption, although you may get bored until you are able to break free and do something adventurous. If any financial loss has taken place lately, try not to fret too much, as you have the capabilities to bounce back and create an amazing life for yourself. Planetary alignments are also showing a need for space to think about your next step, especially when it comes to your finances. Meditation is looking like the best unwinding solution for you at the moment, as you will be free to explore your own thoughts without interruption. Contemplate what you want, then go and get it.
Have you noticed your progress Capricorn? You should be so proud of yourself, as you have come so far and specifically advanced significantly in your career. There are some difficult decisions to be made at the moment, but you never know what the future may bring, so for now just do what feels right in the present moment. With Pluto in your sign, you are stepping into your power and trusting yourself more than ever in November. Your compassionate side of your personality is also coming out this month, as you are able to understand what other people are going through and find ways to help them. As a Capricorn you are naturally a hard-working person, so keep going, and don’t forget to give yourself a mental break every now and then.
Regret is one of the worst emotions to have and can stop you from moving on to the next step of your life. However, planetary movements are showing you organising yourself in a different way that will help you overcome this negative feeling and finally accept who you are. If a painful ending to a relationship has occurred recently, know that it was for the best; and you did everything you could to help it survive. As an Aquarius, you are known to be independent, so use this time to get to know yourself better before jumping into another relationship or significant friendship. Lastly, it is important to remember to keep the balance in your life and do as much as you can in moderation. Calm your mind and know that you are an equal to your friends and colleagues.
Have you been planning for your future Pisces? If so, then all your hard work has paid off, as a new financial or career opportunity is going to present itself to you in November. With Jupiter in your sign right now, you are growing as a person and being guided toward the life of your dreams. As a Pisces, you are naturally connected to the magical side of life and prefer to live in fantasy than reality. Therefore, when inspiration hits you, it hits you hard! Focus on any new ideas that have popped into your head, as your creative streak is thriving at the moment. Remember that there’s nothing wrong with allowing fantasy to take over every now and then, as being immersed in fiction is a great tool for self-care.
By Pia Louisa
This month’s oracle card is all about expecting miracles. Many of us often expect the worst and forget all the great things that could happen. Instead of focusing on the negatives this month, trust that life has so many amazing moments to enjoy, and everything that you have hoped for can come true. Lead with love. The energy that you put out will come right back to you, so be kind and open to the people you meet. Miracles occur naturally, therefore even though it’s great to put in the effort, there are some things you can’t control. Have faith in the process of life and allow yourself to relax into this mindset. You have people in your life who have your back, so it’s good to remember that you don’t have to do anything alone. Expect the best and know that life is full of miracles.
Your main card for November is the Five of Cups. This card has a very clear message for you; it is pointless to hold onto any regrets. You may feel like you have failed in areas of your life, but the truth is, you are right where you are meant to be and these ‘failures’ clearly weren’t meant for you anyway. Just because it didn’t work out then doesn’t mean it never will. Don’t let these disappointments stop you from creating your dream life. November is going to be a time of acceptance and with a little help, hopefully any excess pessimism will be put to rest. Just as mentioned above, there are so many amazing parts of life that should be celebrated. You are perfect just as you are, and November is going to prove it!
Your independent nature is coming out in full force during November! You are getting a clearer idea of what you want your life to look like and are working hard to get to where you want to be. When it comes to your friendships, you may have to use your unbiased judgement to work out if the relationship is working out or if something needs to change. Look at the situation from an outside point of view or ask someone who isn’t involved for their opinion. Remember to set clear boundaries with your friends as early as possible as even though it may be uncomfortable to talk about, it will make things much easier in the future.
Your last card of the reading is a friendly reminder to have balance in your life. Temperance is all about having everything you want in moderation. It can be easy to act fast and think later, but true strength comes from sitting back for a while and thinking honestly about your next step. What do you want more of? How can you slowly improve your life? It might be a case of doing more for yourself, or maybe spending less time with people who bring you down. No matter how you choose to do it, try to incorporate more balance and moderation into your life.
By Pia LouisaLet’s find out what november will bring for you!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT AFTER BORIS WAS OUSTED, LIZ TRUSS ONLY SPENT 44 DAYS RUNNING THE COUNTRY. THE POLITICIAN WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY QUOTED AS SAYING, “I’M A FIGHTER NOT A QUITTER,” RESIGNED AS PM ON OCTOBER 20TH –MAKING HER THE SHORTEST SERVING PRIME MINISTER IN BRITISH HISTORY. THE WEB WAS ON FIRE WITH HILARIOUS MEMES AND ANECDOTES. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE BEST ONES THAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION.
