by editor | Mar 24, 2012 | Lifestyle
Who Will Be Crowned
Britain’s Best Beauty &
Wellness Venue?
15 Mar 12
Qype reveals shortlist for first UK Business Awards
Qype, Europe’s leading consumer reviews site, has announced the shortlist for its first ever Business Awards, with ten finalists vying to be named Beauty and Wellness Venue of the Year.
Venues in London dominate the Beauty & Wellness shortlist, making up six of the ten finalists. In the running are London’s Pineapple Dance Studios, Zuba Hair and Beauty, Edinburgh and Chorlton Nail Bar, Manchester.
Other categories at the 2012 Qype Business Awards include Restaurant of the Year, Place of Interest of the Year, and Shopping Venue of the Year.
Winners will be announced on 29 March at an awards bash in London, when finalists could take home one of three awards; winner, highly commended or special recommendation.
The event’s top accolades, Business of the Year and Place of the Year, will be awarded to two of the 50 shortlisted businesses.
The winners of Business of the Year and Place of the Year will go on to represent the UK at the Qype World Business of the Year Awards, which will see one business named the best of the 13.5 million places currently listed on Qype worldwide.
“Qype’s millions of users offer feedback and opinions on their experiences every day and the Qype Business Awards will take this huge resource into account. We will be celebrating the businesses that have made the greatest positive impact on their customers in the last year. It will be great to see which beauty and wellness venue will come out on top,” says Richard Dennys Qype’s Chief Marketing Officer.
The awards are based on comments and reviews posted on the site over the past 12 months. Qype took into consideration the responses and activity of both reviewers and businesses; the interaction between the two; average star ratings; and the content of reviews.
by editor | Mar 24, 2012 | Lifestyle
Tantalise Your Sweet Tooth
15 Mar 12
Delicate Pinks and soft lemon Yellows, clashing with brights or worn with neutrals, confections finest colours were paraded down the 2012 fashion week shows.
These subtle yet chic shades are certainly on this season’s menu, with the must haves of Kiwi Green, Blue Raspberry and flossy pink Strawberry. With the Jellybeans Collection, you can instantly update you look to rival the colour pallettes of Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton. Get Your Sugar Free Fix with Nubar!
by editor | Mar 24, 2012 | Lifestyle
Eoin Colfer’s The Legend
Of Captain Crow’s Teeth –
The Perfect Easter Treat
For All The Family
15 Mar 12
The Unicorn’s opening production of the new season explodes into glorious theatrical life with this imaginatively staged, spine-tingling romp for the whole family. Based on the novel from the popular best-selling children’s author Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series, The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth is a funny and lively adventure of ghostly pirates, sibling rivalry and terrifying junior discos, directed and devised by Matthew Lenton.
Will’s brother Marty is always playing practical jokes. In their cramped holiday caravan, he tells the bloodcurdling legend of Captain Augustine Crow – and Will is terrified. Legend has it that when the sea glows at night, the ghostly pirate haunts the shore searching for a new cabin boy. Is it just another one of Marty’s tall tales or is Crow out to get him?
Award-winning Matthew Lenton directs his dramatisation of this classic children’s story. Lenton is the Artistic Director of Vanishing Point, a company highly praised for its theatrically visual style.
His credits include Interiors (Tramway, Glasgow and International Tour), Saturday Night (Traverse/Lisbon) Subway (Traverse/Tron/Lyric Hammersmith),The Beggar’s Opera (Royal Lyceum and Belgrade Coventry) and Little Otik (Glasgow Citizens’ and National Theatre Scotland).
The cast includes Ashley Gerlach, Alasdair Hankinson, Ixtaso Moreno, Cath Whitefield and Miles Yekinni.
This production is suitable for age 7 upwards.
by editor | Mar 24, 2012 | Lifestyle
The Saturdays’ Mollie
And Rochelle Kick-Off
Brand New Series Of
The Million Pound Drop Live
14 Mar 12
The Million Pound Drop Live returns to Channel 4 and there will be some well known faces joining in the fun as they attempt to win big for charity. Celeb duo Mollie and Rochelle from girl band The Saturdays join the latest pairs of contestants when the new series launches on Saturday 24th March.
Davina McCall will once again be at the helm, guiding the contestants as they try to keep hold of one million pounds in cash over eight tricky questions. Played out on The Drop, the possible answers to each question are displayed on four trapdoors, where one wrong answer can see thousands of pounds drop to the floor.
Last series Chris Moyles and Andi Peters managed to hold on to £25,000 for their chosen charities, but how will our latest celeb pairing get on?
Viewers at home can play with a virtual million pounds alongside the contestants with the hugely successful play along online game. And those who do will also have the chance to apply for the show and play for real money, live on Channel 4 during the new series.
The series was ordered by Entertainment Commissioner Syeda Irtizaali. Ed de Burgh is Series Producer and the Executive Producers are David Flynn, Tom Blakeson and Michelle Woods.
by editor | Jan 7, 2012 | Lifestyle
Instant Boob job from Ann Summers
Why Spend £1000’s on a boob job when you can have a safe no pain instant boob job for under £50.
with a stunning instant boob Job Purple longline Basque from Ann Summers.
This is perhaps the ultimate Ann Summers basque, featuring the same Instant Boob Job technology that has made many of our bras so famous. Not only does this stunning basque offer a trim, flattering silhouette, it also offers a boost of up to 2 cup sizes!
Instant Boob Job
This basque is made from alternating panels of sexy sheer mesh and beautifully smooth satin, and it’s finished with a tiny sparkling gem detail between the cups to guide his eye wherever you want it to go. Featuring detachable suspenders and removable microbead pads in the cups, this new and exclusive basque is a welcome addition to the Instant Boob Job collection.
by editor | Jan 7, 2012 | Lifestyle
Instant Boob Job From Ann Summers
with a Supersmooth Instant Boob Job Purple Bra
Why spend £1.000’s on a boob job,
when you can have a no pain instant boob job with a stunning supersmooth instant boob job purple bra
This brand new design plunges deeply down to really emphasise your cleavage and offer you an increase of up to 2 cup sizes – instantly. The cup inserts are removable so you can choose the level of enhancement!
Bigger Boobs!
This gorgeous bra is composed of smooth, soft, shimmering satin for sexy elegance and a quality feel. Because it’s a multiway bra, you can wear it a variety of different ways for any occasion – it’ll suit all your favourite outfits. It’s totally exclusive to Ann Summers – accept no imitations!
Also elegant matching shorts available.
These sexy satin shorts are the perfect accompaniment to the cleavage-enhancing Supersmooth Instant Boob Job Bra, and they look great when they’re worn together. These shorts feel like Heaven to wear and look beautifully elegant!
Satin Lingerie
The Supersmooth shorts make great use of scalloped edging and they’re finished with a sexy little bow centre-front. They’re great quality and totally exclusive to Ann Summers.
by editor | Jan 7, 2012 | Lifestyle
Enhance your curves with
The Great Bum Shaper Tights.
Enhance your curves with the Great Bum Shaper Tights.
No need to ask ” does my bum look good in this” you will know it does.
These great bum shaper tights with a 20 denier appearance have an elastane panel
which smooths the stomach and circles each buttock, lifting from underneath.
These tights also have a cotton gusset, satin look leg and re-inforced toe.
Care instructions: Hand Wash Only
Fabric composition: 85% Nylon, 15% Elastane.
Excluding waistband.
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
Lion King
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
Cosmetics With Biological
Certification For The Entire
Products And Not Just For
Some Of Their Ingredients
27 Dec 11
BIOCODE Cosmetics With Biological Certification
BIOCODE cosmetic brand knows and respects skin’s physiology and needs.
BIOCODE offers a complete, biologic, high technology beauty proposition for woman and men and is suitable for every age and complexion type.
BIOCODE cosmetic range has full biological certification for the entire products and not just for some of their ingredients.
All BIOCODE cosmetics are produced according to European Union regulations for good production and are microbiologically and dermatologically tested.
BIOCODE brand does not use anything of animal origin, nor tests on animals.
BIOCODE products do not contain pesticides residues, oil derivatives hard cleaning substances, parabens, TEA, DEA or PEG.
BIOCODE will keep taking care of your skin with totally natural, herbal, biological products. Because your skin is a part of nature.
Cosmetics With Biological Certification
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
Stressbusting Tips For
2012 From Medical
Herbalist Lucy Stephens
19 Dec 11
Stress is one of the most common and damaging ailments of modern life and medical herbalist Lucy Stephens of London’s Reva Clinic (www.revaclinic.com) has some great natural Stressbusting Tips to reduce your daily stress. “We all need some stress – it’s what motivates us and allows us to get things done but too much stress can cause problems with our health, relationships and work. Some simple, natural remedies can improve your health and help beat some of the negative side effects of the condition such as digestion problems, mood swings, anxiety, poor concentration, headaches, muscle aches, dizziness and dry mouth.” says Lucy.
Lucy has put together some easy to follow advice that can help with managing our stress levels – the herb preparations are available through most health food stores and are easy to obtain:
Sleep soundly – often when you’re stressed it can affect your sleep patterns – you may have problems getting off to sleep or you wake in the early hours with a ‘to do’ list whirring round in your head. Having a clear wind-down period before you get into bed can be useful. Half an hour before your normal bedtime try switching off all electricals – your phone, the television, the laptop. Run a nice warm bath, add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil, dim the lights and soak away the stresses of the day. Lavender has been shown in many sleep studies to have sedative and relaxing properties. Follow this with a cup of chamomile tea – if you are using teabags try using 2 to one cup of hot water. Chamomile has been shown to have anti-anxiety as well as sedative effects, so it can be very useful at calming the mind ready for sleep.
Relax your tight muscles – sitting at your desk for long hours or just the pressure of deadlines can cause muscle tension in your neck and shoulders. Try adding 1 drop of rosemary essential oil to a base cream and massage it into your neck and shoulders. Rosemary is a good muscle relaxant that is used traditionally for sprains and bruises, but it has also been shown to be a stimulant for the central nervous system, so it will help you to concentrate better and improve alertness.
Breathe deeply – rapid, shallow breaths are a common sign of stress, particularly if we’re hunched over a computer. If you start to feel yourself getting angry, irritable, or anxious (all common signs of stress) try some calming breathing. Sit up in your chair, close your eyes and take a deep breath in for a count of 5 and then out again for a count of 7. Repeat this 5 times. You could also try inhaling an essential oil such as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) as you take your deep breaths in. Lemon balm is good for calming the mind, relaxing and is uplifting for your mood.
Anxiety relief – our bodies all need a little help from time to time to get them back in balance. You might find work pressure is getting too much, or you just need a little support to get you through a tough period. Herbs such as Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Valerian officinalis, Scutellaria lateriflora have been shown in many studies to be effective anti-anxiety herbs, as well as useful for insomnia.
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
Nourish Your Skin with
Natures Inspiration’s
Rose Cleanser
30 Dec 11
Natures Inspiration’s Founder Shauna Gallagher who also developed the entire range of natural handmade products says “it really is one of those products once you’ve used it you don’t want to use anything else, it leaves your skin feeling so soft and nourished!”
The ingredients are kept to a minimum – so great for those with sensitive skin, or those just seeking a pure and uncomplicated range. The cost of the range is excellent too, very affordable.
Customer Comments..
I really love Natures Inspirations products. My skin is really sensitive and I can use the products without any problems, in fact my skin feels great after using them. The rose cleanser is wonderful, it really cleans my skin with out drying it out, and it smells fabuluous. Fionna Martin (2nd August 2011)
The scent of the cleanser is truly amazing, and what you might expect from a product containing Rose Damascena. The cleanser has a lovely light creamy texture, and is so gentle on the skin. I felt an amazing tingle that comes from cleansers that work deep down into the pores of the skin, and I felt no dryness whatsoever following useage, nor any sensitivity. I did not have to use tiny amounts for fear of reactions due to having tiny patches of sensitive skin. Sarah (9th November 2011)
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
Billy Elliot The Musical
UK Theatre Tickets have been providing Discount London Theatre Tickets for its customers since 2005.
Book your Discount London Theatre Tickets with UK Theatre Tickets
for the best seats for all London Theatre Musicals and Plays.
by editor | Jan 2, 2012 | Lifestyle
BackBeat
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
Europe To Go Ex-Growth
In 2012
22 Dec 11
Updated forecasts by the leading economists Cebr show world growth falling to 2.5% in 2012, a downward revision from the forecast made in September. And Cebr have prepared a risk scenario ‘if the politicians fail to fix the problems of the Euro’ which would lead to ‘one or more countries leaving the Euro, sovereign defaults and banks going bust and needing to be bailed out’ which would reduce global growth in 2012 to 1.1%.
The European growth slowdown is forecast to be even more marked, with a fall in GDP by 0.6% in 2012 and a possible fall if the Euro fails to be saved of 2.0%.
The forecast for the US is better than for Europe, with growth of 1.8% in 2012.
The bulk of the economic growth that is likely to take place next year will be in the emerging economies. China is forecast to grow by 7.6% and India by 6.0%. But other recent star economies are likely to face an economic slowdown with Turkish growth slowing to 2.5% from 7.1% this year; Saudi Arabia at 4.0% after 6.1% this year; Russia 2.8% after 3.8% this year; and Brazil 2.5% after 2.8% this year.
The knock on effect of continued sluggish demand growth is that oil and commodity prices are likely to be weaker than previously assumed. Cebr now forecast that the price of oil (weighted average of Brent Crude, West Texas Intermediate and Dubai Fateh) will fall to $86 in 2012 compared with an average of $103 in 2011. The commodity price index is forecast to fall by 10% in 2012.
“The world economy will not be in technical recession because even on our more pessimistic scenario we still expect positive growth” comments Douglas McWilliams, Cebr’s Chief Executive and co-author of the report. “But the slowdown we are expecting will be a sort of double dip, and of course significant parts of the world are likely to be in recession – much of Europe for example.”
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
Upwards Revision To Q3
UK Economic Growth,
But Q4 Is Likely To Be Weak
22 Dec 11
The Office for National Statistics unpacked a Christmas gift for the British economy this morning. It revised the previous estimates of GDP growth in Q3 2011 up to 0.6% from 0.5% quarter-on-quarter growth.
From a production side, the UK owes its growth to services, while manufacturing is stalling. Household incomes rose slightly (0.3% q/q), but most of this was put away as the savings ratio increased from 6.4% in Q2 2011 to 6.6% in Q3. Households are thus keeping up their debt reduction efforts, mirroring the public sector. In this environment of general deleveraging, strong growth is out of the question.
Compared to the third quarter of 2010, GDP is only up by a lacklustre half a percentage point. The disappointing performance of the UK economy becomes even clearer when considering that output was 3.8% lower in Q3 2011 than at the pre-crisis peak in Q1 2008. A alternative definition of recovery from a recession is that the recession is over when the economy has reached its previous peak level of output. We estimate that it will take until the first quarter of 2015 for output to climb back to this level. In other words, after three and a half years the UK has only reached the middle of its seven lean years that follow the fat financial boom years.
In this light, the bleak economic indicators released over the past year are less surprising. Unemployment has climbed to 8.3%, manufacturing has contracted and the housing market is stagnant. Also, a 1% year-on-year increase in general government consumption shows that public spending cuts have barely started despite heavy job cuts.
For the last quarter of the year, we expect a fall in output, while next year is forecast to see slow growth similar to the overall performance of 2011. Government will continue to pursue its course of deficit reduction while the Bank of England supports the economy with further quantitative easing.
Tim Ohlenburg
Senior Economist
Cebr
020 7324 2871
[email protected]
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
The Changing Face of Estate Agency
29 Dec 11
Traditional estate agency is making way for lower cost, localised sales and lettings franchises, says property and lettings expert Sussanne Chambers, managing director of HomeXperts.
The New Year is started and this is always a time for reflection, as the trends of the past year are analysed and ‘experts’ try to take a best guess at what the next year will bring.
Ten years ago, who would have predicted that social networking websites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube would be so massive? Now even estate agents have their own social networking websites: Ageants and Juicy Red Apple!
As social changes happen all around us the face of housing and estate agency has also changed dramatically during the past five years. Renting a house has become the solution for many people as more transient, chaotic lifestyles make the flexibility to move more important. Young people struggle to get onto the bottom rung of the housing ladder as financial institutions continue with tight lending criteria. During the past ten years there has also been a dramatic improvement in standards of rented homes in the UK in the wake of the Housing Act 2004. Currently 16% of properties in the UK are currently privately let and this figure is expected to rise to 20% over the next ten years.
The credit crunch and continuing problems within the property sector have seen estate agents in their droves closing their doors. But what statistics do not show is the number of satellite branches which have been closed as traditional High Street Agents batten down the hatches and cut costs in an effort to fight the effects of tougher financial times, fewer instructions and reduced commissions.
This reduction of localised agents across the UK has left a gap in the market for a new breed of estate and letting agent. The past year has seen a number of new personal agents start to gain share of the market, filling the space left by the vacating traditional agent. These businesses, which have been set up during the credit crunch with low overheads, often have the owner working from a low-cost, non high street office or at home.
This new breed of self-employed letting and estate agents seems to be a hit with landlords and vendors. Today’s vendor or landlord does not want to deal with the ‘Saturday Girl’ who may not be able to answer even the simplest questions. Discerning vendors want to deal with the business owner who delivers outstanding service levels, is knowledgeable about the local market and personally motivated to sell or let their house.
As the new year starts many employed and unemployed people will be thinking of branching out and setting up their own business; but how can they minimise the considerable start-up risks? For new businesses the figures do not read well – the CBI states that 90% of new businesses fail within the first five years. In contrast, statistics show that if the new business is a franchise, the figures are reversed: 90% of new franchise businesses succeed. The franchise sector has remained remarkably buoyant throughout the downturn. Statistics from the British Franchise Association (BFA) show that nine out of 10 franchises remained profitable throughout the recession.
During 2011 Nat West launched a £100 million franchise fund and Peter Ibbetson, chairman of small business for NatWest and RBS says: “Everybody wants to see banks funding business growth, as well as helping new businesses get off the ground to create jobs – this is exactly what this fund will deliver. The industry has shown itself to be virtually recession-proof, so for the many people left out of work by the recession franchising is a great way to start up a business – plus they get the support of a big brand behind them.”
Recession-proof is right. At the height of the economic downturn, the franchise industry’s turnover increased to £11.8 billion – with 94% of franchisors optimistic about the future. The franchise model is a low-risk, straightforward route to running a business – especially attractive to first-time entrepreneurs. And, interestingly, more women are now choosing franchising as a means to take the leap into enterprise. The BFA’s annual survey shows the number of female franchisees increased by 86% in the last seven years.
If property interests you there are many property franchises to choose from and the first decision you need to make is do you want to do sales and letting, or just one discipline? Xperience has 80 agency branches in the UK, operating under the 4 brandsof Ellis &Co, CJ Hole, Parkers and Whitegates. One of the largest lettings franchises is Belvoir, with over 200 franchises across the UK under. This franchise offers lettings from a High Street Office location. Their initial franchise fee includes business planning, training and development, support and marketing.
But one of the new breeds of estate agency franchises to emerge most strongly during 2011 are home-based letting and estate agents HomeXperts.
Using the power of the Internet, delivering amazing service standards and using innovative marketing techniques, HomeXperts are recognised as the fastest growing property franchise in the UK. The local HomeXperts franchisee works in a highly localised territory, quickly becoming the expert for that area, offering an unparalleled service. While other property franchisees require large initial capital to start, with starting franchise fees of £22,000 up to £35,000 – the HomeXperts Franchise fee is £12,995 plus VAT.
Full training is given to National Federation of Property Professional standard, plus the allocation of a personal Support Manager at HomeXperts Central Office. This is continued with on-going support from the online members’ area at www.home-xperts.co.uk. This means that people who have not been in the industry previously can start their business and be operating in their local area within a month of finishing the training academy. The franchisee fee includes a set up for success pack which includes a local website, sales letting boards, marketing materials, Ipad and camera.
Why should you look into the opportunities of property franchising now? Well, things are on the move. Gross mortgage lending was an estimated £13.1 billion in October a 13% increase from £11.6 billion in October 2010, according to data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
A recent study carried out by the Halifax has revealed that affordability of homes for first-time buyers is at its highest level for eight years. The First-Time Buyer Review calculates affordability based on prices lower than people on average earnings in a given area can pay. It was found that homes were affordable in 44 per cent of all local authority districts in Britain, the best result since 2003 and up from 42 per cent in 2010.
The signs of recovery of the property industry are all around us, giving this new breed of property professional the right market conditions to begin trading.
The New Year is the perfect time to make plans to change direction and start a new challenge!
Property Franchise Details
Contact Xperience
0845 337 0220
Belvoir
01476 570000
HomeXperts
www.home-xperts.co.uk
Tel: 01905 673313
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
I Can Sing A Rainbow
22 Dec 11
Kids’ Rooms’ colourful collection of fabric designs incorporate all the colours of the rainbow!
Kids’ Rooms has created the ultimate collection of gorgeous new furniture to bring bedrooms to life with a dash of effervescent colour. Kids’ Rooms, the leading online children’s retailer, is delighted to introduce its vast and vibrant range of bright and bold uplifting coloured sofas, armchairs and bean chairs… certain to make your heart sing!
Kids’ Rooms’ dazzling collection of cosy and comfortable seats includes 20 striking armchair colours, 16 bean bag shades, 11 baby bean chair patterns, 12 sofa designs and 2 eye-catching duo-tone corner sofas.
Its epic variety of colours and designs is reminiscent of a never-ending rainbow; from red to blue and with all the colours in between, Kids’ Rooms has a lovely design to suit the décor of every bedroom and playroom. Additionally, with patterns such as Countryside, Roar Natural, Vibe Candy and Sailboat Light Blue, each miniature sofa and chair boasts its own charming character to suit all little personalities!
Little princesses can sit ‘pretty-in-pink’ with the Candyfloss Sofa or Candy Stripe Baby Bean Chair; whilst boys will feel right at home with the Blue Cord Bean Bag or Blue Gingham Baby Bean Chair. Furthermore, the majority of Kids’ Rooms’ wide range of colours is available across its entire seating collection, with coordinating armchairs, bean chairs, bean bags and sofas.
For a choice of fabrics in every colour under the rainbow, Kids’ Rooms has a one-stop ‘pot-of-gold’ for super-sofas and charming-chairs! Its comprehensive collection includes its fantastic range of beautiful and exclusive furniture, accessories, crafts, games, toys and much more besides. With products to suit a variety of styles, spaces and budgets, Kids’ Rooms has one of the UK’s largest selections of quality, practical and stylish bedroom collections.
We have a stunning selection of images available – as a taster we have attached: Corner Sofa in Red & Yellow (£350), Candyfloss Sofa (£165), Roar Natural Armchair (£99.95), Sailboat Light Blue Baby Bean Chair (£45), Vibe Candy Armchair (£99.95), Countryside Sofa (£165), Blue Gingham Baby Bean Chair (£45), Candy Stripe Baby Bean Chair (£45), Blue Cord Bean Bag (£45)
www.kidsrooms.co.uk Stockist: 02380 675941
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
Twice The Baby, Twice The Fun With Cosatto
22 Dec 11
The stampede is on, and every parent with 2 little’uns will want one of Cosatto’s latest You2 Twin Pushchairs. The only place in the universe that creates such quirky and aspirational twin strollers is Planet Cosatto. Feast your eyes (your starry eyes that is!) on the S/S 2012 collection…
Two bundles of joy, one pair of hands. Whatever your combo, there’s a Cosatto…Sisters with sisters, brothers with brothers, brothers with sisters – all bundles of bounce need a cool co-cruiser for their joint journey. Cosatto’s award-winning yummy You2 is as much cheeky as you can fit on twelve wheels. This smooth umbrella-fold pushchair does super softness and much cool stuff. The independent lie-flat reclining seat allows for synchronised snoozing. Let your two little superheroes roll united, safe in orbit. Suitable from birth, You2 lets your babies cruise close, bonding on their shared journey.
Cosatto’s quirky designs just get better with new stunning prints available in Hello Dolly, Big Sis Little Sis, and Big Bro Little Bro. Not forgetting Cosatto’s favourite classics; Sis and Bro too, Little Tweeters, and Owl and Pussycat. Each You2 tells a story. Say hello to a flamboyant mix of flower power, starry eyes, polka dots and dolly prints.
Highlighted Stuff:
- Suitable from birth
- 3 recline positions that work independently
- 3rd handle for ease of use
- Compact umbrella fold with auto-lock
- Lockable swivel front wheels
- FREE cosy toes with kanga pouch & reversible zip-off fleece liner
- FREE chest pads and headhugger
- FREE insulated bottle carriers
- FREE raincover
- FREE 4 year guarantee (UK & Ireland only)
- NEW 2012 models now feature new safe folding hinge and signature Cosatto ‘dude’ wheels
- NEW 2012 models feature unique toy loops – no more losing toys on the go
Weight and Size
Weight: 13kg
Size: H: 105cm W: 74.5 cm L: 81cm
Folded Size: L: 106cm W: 50cm H: 33cm
Handle Height: 106cm
Other Information
RRP £290.00
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
Free Up Your Hands With My Buggy Buddy Clip
From Kiddymania
29 Dec 11
Award winning website Kiddymania is thrilled to showcase the My Buggy Buddy Clip, designed to give parents an extra pair of hands when out with their little one. This essential piece of pram kit simply clips over the pram handle and snaps securely into place. Multiple shopping bags can be safely hooked onto the clip before snapping into place putting an end to the frustration of juggling shopping and pushing a pram with one hand – argh! We all know that situation far too well.
Whether you are taking your baby for a brisk walk around the park, fitting in some errands at your local shops or whizzing around on public transport, the My Buggy Buddy Clip will allow you to securely fasten your bags to your pram freeing up your hands and limiting any strain of carrying bags awkwardly.
The My Buggy Buddy Clip fits a variety of pushchairs and is also great for shopping trolleys too – another place parents need an extra pair of hands. The secure clip opens and closes with one simple flick. It can hold shopping bags, hand bags and changing bags so you can attend to the task in need.
t’s also idea for days out and securely carrying other items such as camera bags, swimming bags or picnic goodies. A lockable version is also available so you can secure your pram if you need to leave it when out and about.
The My Buggy Buddy Clip is used world wide and is so easy to use. It is lightweight and oh so versatile. Kiddymania believe that once you get hold of this essential pram kit you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. The My Buggy Buddy Clip is available from www.kiddymania.co.uk priced at £5.95
by editor | Jan 1, 2012 | Lifestyle
Latest Touch Screen Technology
Takes Students Behind The Scenes
At The British Museum
20 Dec 11
An investment in new technology sees students swap printed handouts for tablet computers on study visits, thanks to unique partnership between the University of Leicester’s School of Museum Studies and the British Museum.
Photocopied handouts and clipboards may become a thing of the past on study visits with the University of Leicester’s School of Museum Studies. The School is embracing the latest tablet computer technologies to help students get the most out of off-site trips.
Dr Janet Marstine and Dr Ross Parry worked with British Museum staff to create an app that takes students on an interactive learning tour of the Museum’s exhibits and galleries. The application is hosted on hand-held tablet computers, and includes video interviews with key staff and curators at the Museum.
The programme is used on study visits to help students think about ethical issues in museums.
The new app allows students to independently explore the Museum whilst simultaneously benefiting from the expertise of British Museum staff. Thanks to a close partnership between the School of Museum Studies and the British Museum, Drs Marstine and Parry were able to call upon key Museum staff to contribute short videos to the project.
Dr Janet Marstine said: “When we go on study visits, the students want to look and experience the place, but they also want to be informed by what the experts have to say. It seemed ideal to have short, taped discussions about ethical issues by Museum staff – then students could bring the tablets with them, hear what the staff had to say, and analyse and engage in the evidence that they saw.”
The School has already taken a group of students to the British Museum to test-drive the new app, with hugely successful results. The students used the app to guide them around the Museum, and recorded their thoughts and impressions using the tablet’s camera function and word processor. Working electronically meant the students could easily share and discuss their work.
“We asked students to email in what they’d been working on by 10 o’clock the next day,” Dr Parry said. “Because they’d been working digitally, it was a lot easier. They were able to put together a presentation for the group by the next morning.”
Both the students and the Museum were impressed with the new app.
“When we did the feedback session the next day, the students were absolutely riveted by it,” Dr Marstine said. “They liked having the technology, working with it in a group, wandering around on their own and having independence to really experience the place.”
Dr Parry added: “The students didn’t blink when we gave the tablets out. For us to give those out five years ago, there would’ve been a lot of discussion about it: have we created a barrier, have we made something unnecessarily complicated, are we expecting the students to have a skill set that they may not have? But it was unremarkable for them. It was completely normal.”
Xerxes Mazda, Head of Learning, Volunteers and Audiences at the British Museum, said: “We are delighted with the result of this experiment, one of the fruits of the strong relationship that exists between the British Museum and the School of Museum studies at the University of Leicester, and the Museum’s drive to use digital technology in many of its public activities, whether with schools, adults, families or local community groups.”
The innovation is the latest in a series of high-tech learning methods implemented in the School of Museum Studies, after they moved to new premises two years ago. At the new site’s learning lab, students bring their laptops to class and can share their work on three flat-screen monitors and via the main overhead projector. Dr Parry also makes use of online video conferencing to allow experts to contribute to lessons via Skype.
Dr Parry said: “I was able to have someone ‘drop in’ for twenty minutes. They came up on Skype on one of the big screens, and we were able to interact with them and talk about what we were doing. We could link desktops and they showed us a few things they were working on. In the past you’d have to pay for someone to come in on the train and they’d wipe out the day.”
“We’ve done a number of things over the years to think about how technology can change the way we teach and can reframe the learning experience,” Dr Parry added.
The new app has proved so successful that the School is considering developing similar applications for other study visits.
“Now we’ve done it with the British Museum, it’s not impossible to think about how we could use this for other study visits,” Dr Parry said.
“There’s no reason why we can’t use the tablet as a way of negotiating a city, taking in six or seven different museums.”
