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Weekly News
THE HARUMIKA BRIDAL COLLECTION
- Fashion designer creates Kate’s wedding dress for mini mannequins -
Kate Middleton’s style is creating a fashion fever across the nation as the Royal Wedding is drawing nearer. Kate’s fashion influence has even inspired a new project, carried out by an up-and-coming graduate from the renowned London College of Fashion, creating mini replicas of her outfits.
The designer, Chloe Bayly 24, has created the range of Kate Middleton inspired outfits, including her prediction of what Kate’s wedding dress will look like, using Harumika, a fun and easy to use creative toy that combines art and craft with fashion.
This unique collection designed exclusively for Harumika, features miniature replicas inspired by Kate Middleton’s most iconic outfits.
Harumika has been a hit with all ages since it launched in 2009, with sales in 2010 increasing over 300 per cent since its launch (source NPD Eurodata). The Bridal Collection is expected to see sales rocket even further as wedding fever grips the nation.
Chloe Bayly researched into iconic wedding dresses before coming up with her prediction for the big day. Step-by-step “get the look” tutorials have been filmed and posted on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/BandaiUK) enabling girls to recreate the outfits for themselves.
Chloe Bayly from London College of Fashion comments:
“Kate Middleton is developing into a style icon as young girls aspire to be like the future princess. I am hoping the mini-collection inspired by her classic outfits will allow girls to style their own outfits and even recreate Kate’s dress after her big day.”
Vicki Elmer, girls’ product manager for Bandai, the toy company that makes Harumika, comments:
“Harumika is a great product for encouraging children’s creativity as it allows girls to imagine and craft their own fashion designs with ease. With the Harumika Princess Kate-inspired mannequins girls can recreate their favourite trends and outfits they see on their role models.”
The Harumika Bridal collection is available now from Toys R Us and allows children to get creative and design their own wedding dresses. Harumika is tipped to be a must-have toy in 2011 as experts predict a return to traditional value-for-money, craft-making toys that encourages children to use their imagination.
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Our junior reviewers absolutely loved this, both Charlotte and Annabelle are at an age when they already enjoy experimenting with both drawing fashion designs and dressing their dolls in different styles. What they loved about this product was having tried cardboard cut-out dolls this is such a superior product, using simple pieces of fabric and the ingenuity of the Harumika mannequins means that very easily they can create their own designs. Brilliant product-Highly Recommended!
BADGE IT! IS BACK
Badge It! returns by popular demand after calls from the craft loving public to reintroduce this much loved toy. Released in the UK in 2003, over 1/2 million makers were sold in the first year and Badge It! picked up the ‘Creative Toy of the Year’ award. Now with craft making experiencing a surge in popularity Badge It! returns.
The Badget It! maker has got quick, simple, no-mess badge making all buttoned up! Make unique, high quality metal badges in seconds of your favourite pop star, footballer or pet. The award winning design makes creativitity simple as there’s no glue and no mess. You can use photos, pictures from magazines or your own drawings to make the badges you want. So get creative, and wear your badge with pride!
Badge It! Maker RRP £19.99
Refill pack RRP £8.99
Starter set includes Badge It! maker and 15x3cm badges. Refill packs available separately. Badge It! will be available from Argos, Toys R Us, The Entertainer, Smyths, Amazon, Toymaster (selected stores) or direct from www.bandai.co.uk
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
The measure of success of this was the speed at which the badges were used up. Once the instructions were understood, the badge-making began, this was really popular and all the Hot Brands adults were soon presented with their own badge by the junior reviewers. Simple and easy to use and very creative. Highly Recommended!
THE EGGBODS HAVE LANDED!
This March saw the landing of the inhabitants of Planet Egg – the EggBods!
Ranging from the most feared pirate on Planet Egg, Captain Hard Boiled, to the dancing sensation and star of ‘Shell Cracker’, Eggalina, there will be eight EggBods to collect from Bluw Toys.
You can have great fun with your EggBods by mixing ‘n’ matching their heads with other EggBod bodies. Create the magical singing sensation ‘Fairy Factor’ by mixing Fairy Tinkershell with Eggs Factor, or pop Fireman Scramble’s head on Egg Bot’s body to create ‘Robo Fireman’.
Once you’ve made your ideal EggBod, bring them to life by winding them up and watching them walk around and move their arms.
With their cool designs and limitless play possibilities, EggBods are set to make you go egg-static - so wind them up, swap them around and collect them all!
The Full EggBod Range:
Egg Bot was created by a mad scientist in his laboratory by mixing pure egg with steel. Egg Bot went out of control and now uses his laser to blast his enemies.
Fireman Scramble is ready to come to the rescue at any time! He’s got his extinguisher to put out any flames and he rides around in his big red fire truck, always ready to save the day!
Crack Commando is the perfect solider and is ready to lead his troops into combat. He uses his battle rifle to fight off enemies and can drive a tank, fly a helicopter and parachute into the hot zones!
Captain Hard Boiled is in charge of the most feared pirate ship around: The Black Pudding. He sails the sea seeking out treasure and, most of all, wants to find the legendary Golden Egg.
Fairy Tinkershell is the most magical fairy on Planet Egg. She lives in her fairy palace, fluttering around all day and uses her wand to cast her spell and make everybody’s wishes come true!
Eggalina Ballerina is the most brilliant ballerina on Planet Egg. She’s danced in ‘The Shell Cracker’ and ‘Swan Egg’. There’s no dance move she can’t do!
Nurse Eggwhite is always ready to rush to the rescue. Her nurse’s bag has everything she needs to make all ill EggBods feel fantastic again.
Eggs Factor is the star singer. There’s no song she can’t master and she’s got a massive hit single and album coming out soon!
The full range of EggBods will be available from all leading toy retailers. For more information visit www.eggbods.com
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Perfect as an alternative to chocolate as an Easter present. Our junior reviewers loved the fact that you can swop the heads and they way that they march across the table. Fairy Tinkershell was a great favourite.These are great fun, our reviewers really enjoyed playing with them.
EASTER FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY WITH HASBRO CARD GAMES
Be cheetah fast with Ratuki, the new card-slamming family frenzy card game from Hasbro where the first to five wins! With each card featuring different number displays, including Roman numerals, numbers and dice, players must race against each other to complete runs of five and shout “Ratuki!”
There’s no room for slowcoaches in this fast and furious game as the first player to get rid of all their cards and collect the most runs of five wins!
When you’ve mastered the lightening-speed skills required to become theRatuki champion, why not try your hand at the other card games Hasbrhas to offer? Featuring Boggle Slam, Monopoly Deal, Pictureka!, Cranium, and brand new Cluedo and Game of Life, Hasbro’s card game assortment offers exciting game play for the whole family!
Hasbro card games are pocket-sized, packable and very playable and for pocket-money prices they are ideal for rainy days in or travelling this Easter!
Ratuki
Players: 2 to 5 Age: 8 years + Available: Now SRP: £7.99
Hasbro Card Game Assortment
Age: 6 years + Available: Now SRP: £7.99
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
We and our junior reviewers sampled Ratuki, and you certainly need to be alert if you want to play this game successfully, as it can be played very fast, particularly by our junior reviewers as we were still trying to make sense of the rules! Great fun, and like any new game after a few goes, everyone was joining into the spirit of it! Perfect for taking on holiday, a great family game!
STICKER DOLLY DRESSING: WEDDINGS - ROYAL WEDDING SPECIAL EDITION
To celebrate the Royal Wedding, Usborne are publishing
Sticker Dolly Dressing: Weddings - Royal Wedding Special Edition
Girls will adore dressing and accessorising the beautiful brides, bridesmaids, and handsome grooms for their fairytale weddings. Follow the brides and grooms as they prepare for their big days, including trying on dresses, choosing the cake, getting ready and the first dance.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sticker-Dolly-Dressing-Weddings-Usborne/dp/1409535371/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303342278&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Our junior reviewers have long been great fans of the Usborne Sticker books and they particularly liked the Royal Wedding Special Edition. Full of stickers and colourful designs this was a particular favourite. Very topical, and great fun. Highly Recommended!
LITTLE MISS PRINCESS ARRIVES IN TIME FOR A VERY SPECIAL WEDDING
Mr. Men introduce a sparkling new royal character to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic children’s character books
By Royal invitation from Her Majesty the Queen of Dillydale, you are warmly invited to a very special wedding. Start perfecting your curtseys, polishing your tiaras, and get ready to welcome Little Miss Princess with a right royal wave!
She is the newest addition to the Little Miss family, continuing the hugely successful, classic Little Miss range. Little Miss Princess lives in a castle with turrets and a moat. A very big castle. A true royal princess at heart, she accessorises with sparkly blue jewels on her golden crown.
One day, kind-hearted Little Miss Princess decides to help her fellow Little Miss and Mr. Men friends with their chores. But being a princess, she isn’t used to doing things herself, so everything doesn’t quite go to plan!
Little Miss Princess becomes book number 34 in the series. She is the first new Little Miss since 2003 when Little Miss Whoops was published.
The second title: Little Miss Princess and the Very Special Wedding, follows Little Miss Princess’ attempts to get to a very important wedding on time but is hindered by lots of Mr. Men mishaps along the way!
These timely additions to Egmont’s Little Miss range are the perfect gifts for all Little Miss and princess fans, plus the perfect wedding favour for bridesmaids of all ages.
http://www.egmont.co.uk/product.asp?prodid=2430&catid=
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
A very sweet little book, our junior reviewers loved this. The illustrations are charming and the story is full of humour. it has been read and re-read, a definite bedtime favourite!
World Of Happy!
Synopsis:Egmont proudly presents its launch range of Giles Andreae’s joyful new brand: world of happy!
Thirteen titles launching in April bring parents everywhere contemporary stories with positive and uplifting messages
The thirteen stories are playful, quirky, joyous and heart- warming. Each book is about a different animal and deals brilliantly with a new emotion, such as love, happiness, courage, trust, manners, teamwork and being yourself.
Children will love the funky, colourful animals and funny stories about belching sharks, dancing hippos, knitting gorillas and drumming crickets. Adults will appreciate the sophistication, quirkiness and philosophical content. World of Happy delivers something emotional rich and complex, while being easily accessible to children.
Instantly recognisable, with iconic covers, lively insides, these are stylish and affordable books for children and parents alike.
The books started life as thirteen, two-minute films on CBBC and the books will benefit from frequent repeats on CBBC and BBC1.
World Of Happy: The Little Penguin – Giles Andreae,
There was once a little penguin who was FRIGHTENED of the water.
“This is no way for PENGUINS to behave,” said his father.
“Be gentle,” said his mother, “for ALL of us have fears that others may find hard to understand ... Come, Little Penguin. Come into the WATER with me.”
And so begins a little story about BRAVERY and TRUST - a joyous treasure for the whole family to share.
http://www.egmont.co.uk/product.asp?prodid=2463
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
All the books in this series are about real life dilemmas, but translated to the world of animals, the children will love the illustrations and the adults can help the children to understand the bigger messages. We loved this series, very thoughtful, and perfect for reading together. Highly Recommended!
Green Banana Series: Flora the Fairy-Tony Bradman, Emma Carlow
Flora the fairy loves going to visit Nana and Grandpop. But she is scared of their cat Rufus. He stares at her and silently follows her around. When Rufus has to stay outside because of her, Flora feels bad. What is she going to do? Luckily Nana and Grandpop have a plan to show Flora that Rufus only wants to be friends – with the help of a little fairy magic!
A delightful story about a little girl discovering friendship in an unexpected place! Perfect for kids who are overcoming early fears. Suitable for ages 4 and above.
http://www.egmont.co.uk/product.asp?prodid=1000&catid=3
Blue Banana Series: The Glow-worm Who Lost Her Glow-William Bedford, Sophie Joyce
Poor Georgina has lost her glow! Without it, she's not a proper glow-worm. So she sets off on a brave journey to find it again. On the way she meets all kinds of creatures - cockerels, moles, mice, weasels, humans, and a very special boy glow-worm. And she learns an awful lot about light and dark, too! A heart-warming story about a little glow-worm's search for her missing glow... and love! Plus really engaging and interactive facts and activities about Light and Dark.
http://www.egmont.co.uk/product.asp?prodid=1109&catid=22
Hot Brands Cool Places
These books are great for first and developing readers,the stories are charmingly illustrated, with really cute and thoughtful stories, we loved Flora the Fairy, and the utterly charming The Glow-worm who lost her Glow, which is one most adorable approaches to science we have seen.
Royal Wedding Doodles
If knitting your own Royal Wedding is a bit too much effort, doodle your way towards William and Kate’s big day instead
• From designing the dress and adding the accessories to finishing the flowers and completing the cake, there are many pretty pictures to complete and colour
• Scrapbook pages are included, for sticking in mementos from the Royal wedding, to create a record of Kate and William’s happy day
Find free doodles, competitions and details of our range of doodle books at www.doyoudoodle.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Royal+Wedding+Doodles&x=0&y=0
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
There are plenty of creative activities to undertake, the website is full of other opportunities. It also encourages children to use their imagination, and to keep adding to their creations. Perfect for the Easter holidays!
Puddletown Tales-Gretel Parker
Far away in a glorious valley nestled among the hills, live the creatures of Puddletown. In Mrs Mouse's Cupcakes, the true meaning of friendship proves to be the best recipe of all , while an unexpected birthday surprise is unveiled in Peggy's Lost Pennies. These delightful tales were inspired by Gretel Parker's fascinating needle-felt sculptures, whose photographs appear in the foreground of each multi-layered scene.
http://www.templarco.co.uk/novelty/puddletown_tales.html
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
We reviewed Peggy's Lost Pennies, an absolutely charming story, the illustrations are beautiful, and the book is a wonderful 3D creation. Our junior reviewers loved it. A perfect gift!
ANIMAL ANTICS WITH TINGA TINGA TALES
Join in the fun with Tinga Tinga Tales toys. The popular TV show tells stories of how your favourite animals came to be; why the Elephant has a long trunk, why Tortoise has a broken shell or why Giraffe has a long neck. Not only great fun for children, but a percentage of proceeds from the toys go to a foundation set up to offer education for children in Africa. 15cm Small Plush Collect your favourite Tinga Tinga Tales animals
15cm Small Plush
Collect your favourite Tinga Tinga Tales animals with these beautifully detailed small plush toys. Assortment includes Monkey, Lion, Hippo and Elephant.
SRP £5.99
Up Down & All Around Monkey
This monkey soft toy with hands and tail can grasp and hold, letting him hang onto all kinds of things around the house! His built in sensor lets him know if he’s up or down, just press his hand to get him giggling and talking!
SRP £24.99
25cm Plush with sound
Press the tummies of these soft cuddly animals to hear the Tinga Tinga Tales theme tune. Assortment includes Monkey, Lion, Hippo and Elephant. SRP £16.99
Collectable Figure Set
Collect your favourite Ting Tinga Tales characters with these detailed figures. Set includes Monkey, Lion, Tortoise and Elephant. New to 2011 will be Tickbird, Yellow Monkey, Chameleon & Zebra. SRP £9.99
All Tinga Tinga tales products are suitable ages 0+ plus and available from Argos, Toys R Us, Tesco & Amazon.
PUZZLE TIME WITH POOH, PIGLET, TIGGER AND ROO!
Get ready for the eagerly awaited release of the Winnie the Pooh feature film with a brand new range of puzzles from Jumbo. Using iconic new imagery from the upcoming movie, these puzzles are ideal for all new or classic fans of the much-loved Disney character. Suitable for children aged three and up, look forward to hours of fun puzzling with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Roo deep in the hundred acre woods.
The 24 piece Winnie the Pooh shaped floor puzzle is perfect for even the smallest fingers to piece together. Play as Christopher Robin and puzzle his friends in a bright and colourful outdoor scene to create a giant Winnie the Pooh! RRP £6.99, available from Smyths & The Entertainer.
Jumbo also have another exciting offering with the Winnie the Pooh four in one puzzle assortment featuring loving images of all your favourite characters. These puzzles are so much fun mum and dad will want to join in too! RRP £6.99, available from Smyths & The Entertainer.
Please Note: ?All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. The views and opinions expressed by the individual companies, agencies and other contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.
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Knights - Clint Twist illustrated by Nicki Palin
Synopsis: Come face to face with charging horsemen as they clash in battle, revel at a lord's feast, and join the crowd as they watch the pomp and ceremony of a joust. Pop-ups, sounds and amazing facts combine in this lively exploration of medieval life.
http://www.templarco.co.uk/novelty/sounds_of_the_past.html
Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
This is a fabulous book, full of wonderful sound effects. Our junior reviewers were intrigued as they turned the pages and more incredible sounds emerged. The illustrations are stunning, and we loved the way the historical information is inter-woven within the book.
A brilliant concept, sure to delight children of all ages! Highly Recommended!
And if your children are excited by Knights there is more news for them in the entry below!
ALNWICK CASTLE AND THE ALNWICK GARDEN – EASTER IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Knights a plenty at the Alnwick Castle - Dragons visit Alnwick in honour of St Georges Day –?
Throughout April, visitors to the Alnwick Castle will be met by the sights and sounds of Medieval Britain as the 1,000 year old Fortress turns into a fairground for knights and dragons.
An enormous 10ft high animatronic dragon, complete with flapping wings, blinking eyes and bellowing smoke from its nostrils, will take visitors by surprise as it roars into the Castle on the 25th April.
And to celebrate St George’s Day and re-live some of the Saint’s dragon-slaying glory, visitors will have the chance to become a knight for the day. Learn how to joust like a professional and take part in the Knight’s Quest - dragons beware!
The stunning Castle esplanade will also once again be home to falconry displays, back by popular demand.
The Alnwick Garden in Bloom
The Alnwick in Bloom Spring Show at The Garden will provide the perfect family outing where you’ll be able to experience embroidery and floral art exhibitions, plus woodturning and sugar craft demonstrations.
Mad Hatters will roam the grounds with hat and cupcake making workshops and visitors will be able to get involved in a jamboree sing-along. Students from Newcastle College will join the fun to showcase their specially commissioned art work of all things nature.
For more information on The Alnwick Garden and Castle, please visit: www.alnwickgarden.com / www.alnwickcastle.com
FASHION IS…MAKING A DIFFERENCE 
Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillan launch Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2011.
Celebrity fashion icons Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillan have joined forces to support this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. Launching Monday 11th April, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer runs for six weeks and aims to raise over £1million for pioneering charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The longstanding fashion initiative started by Ralph Lauren in 1994, has now evolved from the definitive classic charity t-shirt, to a wider Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection, inspired by the iconic ‘fashion targets’ black and white logo.
Each piece in the collection has been specially designed by retail partners M&S, River Island, Warehouse, Topshop, Coast, Laura Ashley, my-wardrobe.com and bottlegreen, to encapsulate the current S/S 11 fashion trends. Prices range from £1.50 to £157.
So You Think You Can Dance presenter Cat Deeley, who is one of three celebrity fashion icons fronting the campaign, commented, “Fashion is making a difference, and so can you. Wear your support for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and show you care.”
Dr Who actress Karen Gillan continued, “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is about so much more than the clothes you wear – fashion is giving you the power to make a difference to the lives of 48,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.”
Designer and actress Sadie Frost added, “Fashion is such an important part of who I am, so I love that I am able to use my passion to support a worthwhile cause like Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.”
Throughout April the iconic black and white FTBC target will be hidden at fashionable spots around London. You will find them in the shop window of Lucy In Disguise, Dean Street Studios, Chop’d and Opera Gallery London amongst others. Celebrated illustrator, Nuno Da Costa, has created a bespoke FTBC target to be housed at The Royal Exchange in Central London.
On Saturday 16th April the FTBC photo booth will be at Lucy In Disguise, the vintage fashion boutique from Lily Allen and Sarah Owen. Please do visit the store to create your own FTBC photo!
For further information visit facebook.com/FashionTargetsBreastCancer
Celebrity fashion icons Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillan have joined Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillan launch Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2011.
Celebrity fashion icons Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillan have joined forces to support this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. Launching Monday 11th April, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer runs for six weeks and aims to raise over £1million for pioneering charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The longstanding fashion initiative started by Ralph Lauren in 1994, has now evolved from the definitive classic charity t-shirt, to a wider Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection, inspired by the iconic ‘fashion targets’ black and white logo.
Each piece in the collection has been specially designed by retail partners M&S, River Island, Warehouse, Topshop, Coast, Laura Ashley, my-wardrobe.com and bottlegreen, to encapsulate the current S/S 11 fashion trends. Prices range from £1.50 to £157.
So You Think You Can Dance presenter Cat Deeley, who is one of three celebrity fashion icons fronting the campaign, commented, “Fashion is making a difference, and so can you. Wear your support for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and show you care.”
Dr Who actress Karen Gillan continued, “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is about so much more than the clothes you wear – fashion is giving you the power to make a difference to the lives of 48,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.”
Designer and actress Sadie Frost added, “Fashion is such an important part of who I am, so I love that I am able to use my passion to support a worthwhile cause like Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.”
Throughout April the iconic black and white FTBC target will be hidden at fashionable spots around London. You will find them in the shop window of Lucy In Disguise, Dean Street Studios, Chop’d and Opera Gallery London amongst others. Celebrated illustrator, Nuno Da Costa, has created a bespoke FTBC target to be housed at The Royal Exchange in Central London.
On Saturday 16th April the FTBC photo booth will be at Lucy In Disguise, the vintage fashion boutique from Lily Allen and Sarah Owen. Please do visit the store to create your own FTBC photo!
For further information visit facebook.com/FashionTargetsBreastCancer
Image credit: Celebrity pictures courtesy of Simon Emmett.
The EDF Energy London Eye welcomes spring with a unique Garden Capsule
London, 1st April 2011: This week, the EDF Energy London Eye launched a unique, bespoke Garden Capsule to celebrate the beginning of spring and the upcoming Easter activity at the EDF Energy London Eye.
One of the 32 capsules was transformed into an enchanted garden decorated with cherry blossom trees and a variety of fresh spring flowers. To further bring the spring time theme to life Easter eggs and cushions made out of petals completed this never before seen Garden Capsule.
Starting from Friday 8th April the EDF Energy London Eye will be celebrating spring with the Easter Bunny. In all the excitement of making sure everything is ready for his annual tea party, the Easter Bunny has forgotten where he has put all the pieces and is calling on visitors to the London Eye to help him.
Those who tweet all the pictures of all the Easter Bunny’s lost tea set to @thelondoneye referencing #easterlondoneye will be in for the chance to win a family ticket to the London Eye on Easter Monday.
A host of products can be enjoyed at the London Eye over the Easter weekend from a London Eye River Cruise Experience to a Chocolate Tasting Experience and an Afternoon Tea Capsule.
For more information on the EDF Energy London Eye please visit www.londoneye.com
Afternoon Tea
· The Afternoon Tea Capsule is available during normal opening hours. This package can be combined with champagne from 10.00am daily or 12.00pm on Sundays and Good Friday.
· Private Capsule £460.00
· Afternoon Tea per guest* £18.00
Afternoon Tea Sample Menu
· Cold smoked salmon with citrus mascarpone and baby capers on black bread
· Organic egg & cress mini bridge roll
· Scones with jam and Devon clotted cream
· Chocolate & walnut brownie
· Apple and cinnamon drizzle cake
River Cruise
· The London Eye River Cruise departs from the London Eye Millennium Pier:?10.45am**, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.45pm, 5.45pm**, and 6.45pm**.
· Adult (16 Plus) £10.80
· Child (4-15 years) £5.40
· Child under 4 free
· Senior (60 Plus) £9.00
· Disabled £10.00
· Family of Four £32.40
· Children under 4 free
**These cruise times are available April to October.
Chocolate Tasting
· Available on April 9th and 23rd at 4pm
· Tickets cost £35 pp
· Guests can book via the website and via phone on: 0871 781 3000. Please note that the 10% online discount does not apply to this experience.
Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service that links Britain and the continent is partnering with one of the UK’s leading online restaurant booking services, toptable, to offer travellers unique discounts at 20 top restaurants in Paris, Brussels and Lille.Recently launched, the exclusive partnership with toptable forms part of Eurostar’s successful Eurostar Plus programme to give passengers even more from their Eurostar ticket. The collection brings together a range of special offers and discounts under different categories including Plus Gourmet, Plus Points, Plus Shopping and Plus Culture.
To take advantage of the up to 50% discounts available, passengers simply need to visit www.eurostarplus.co.uk/gourmet to select their preferred restaurant; they are then transferred online through to toptable.com to book a table. To receive their exclusive discount passengers present their Eurostar ticket at the restaurant – it’s as easy as that.
To explore the range of offers available with a Eurostar ticket, visit Eurostar Plus at www.eurostar.com or go to www.eurostarplus.co.uk.
Tickets for travel from London to Paris and from London to Brussels start from £69 return and can be booked up to 4 months in advance.
For more information about Eurostar Plus, to book Eurostar tickets or purchase Eurostar gift vouchers visit www.eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186.
What attracted you into fashion? I have always loved the way things look. I have a strong sense of aesthetic – what works, what doesn’t. I remember that from a young age. As a young girl I wanted to be in fashion but then got waylaid, eventually I found my way back here and started Crumpet – it was a ‘coming home’.
Looking back over the last five years, what have been your highlight achievements?
It is difficult to say because I see it as a journey. Some key moments have been first being bought by Net a Porter: a good new stockist is always a thrill. Also seeing the brand evolve and become more and more what I envision it as – that is exciting.
From your current collection what are your hero pieces?Love the large florida florals, the maxi cardi is a great piece. The things I end up living in though are the basics and these are my hero pieces really because they define my wardrobe.
Young people today are facing real challenges finding
employment, what advice would you give them about running their own business?
Its hard! But I always say that fortune favours the brave and if you don’t do it, you will never know whether you could. Also you just need to start – do something, do anything, just do it – things will reveal themselves.
What most excites you most about the future of your brand?
The brand needs to grow – geographically we need to spread our wings – the US is next on the horizon. Product base needs to expand – we will be introducing new product – not cashmere later this year.
And I think it is seeing new people, people you don’t expect wearing your clothes in ways you had not imagined – that is very, very fun.
Describe your perfect escape.It involves doing very little for about three days, after that I get itchy feet. So, the perfect escape might be a great beachside hotel in warm weather, good company, books, food and swimming – would be very content with that.
I have three young sons, so the working week can be very stressful. Life is a full on juggle but also very fulfilling. I use the weekends to really switch off and try not to think about work. We live on the coast, so I spend the time with family, in the garden and entertaining – every weekend is a mini escape. You need it to keep things in perspective.
Thank you so much for taking part in this interview.
Information about Crumpet England Ltd.
http://www.crumpetengland.com/
Sheep grazed on Sydney Harbour for the first time in over 100 years last night; to celebrate the launch of The Campaign for Wool in Australia.The Campaign for Wool is a cross-industry initiative convened by HRH the Prince of Wales. The combined efforts of the leading wool organisations, industry associations and the textile industry across the world created this campaign to promote the wonderful properties that wool offers to textiles and in doing so, helps to support sheep farming as an industry and the textile community internationally.
Fashion, Retail and Industry heavyweights were invited last night to celebrate the launch of Campaign in Australia at Admiralty House, Sydney.
The event, hosted by the Governor General Quentin Bryce AC, hailed the start of the five-year Campaign for Wool in Australia, aimed at reconnecting people with the versatility of wool and saw guests enjoy a presentation of garments by local and international designers.
Over 30 apparel labels and retailers supported the launch for Campaign for Wool by taking part in the fashion presentation as well extending presence via consumer promotions in store to deliver increased awareness around the benefits of wool.
Australian Wool Innovation CEO Stuart McCullough said this campaign represented a new era for wool. “Australian woolgrowers produce the finest wool in the world. Last night was a showcase of the best in wool design, a testament to the success of our industry. . Working hand in hand with key designers, AWI sourced and assisted with the creation of exclusive garments to showcase the versatility of wool from the more classically tailored designs through to the more natural state of hand crafted knitwear.
Brands which showcased garments included Colette Dinnigan, MJ Bale, Richard Nicholl and Dion Lee.
Martin Grant, who is one of Australia’s most celebrated international designers based in Paris, showed a stunning classically tailored outfit, “Wool has always been the key fabric I use in my collections since the beginning. The core of my collection is coats and tailoring so wool is very important.
In France, wool is referred to as a "Noble fabric". I have always favoured these "noble ", natural fibres for their malleability, breathability and durability.
I'm also Australian and wool is a very strong and important part of our history."
The core objective of this campaign is not only to promote the environmental benefits of wool but also to support the future of design and ensure that wool continues to be the fibre of choice for fashion and interior designers across the globe.
Inspired by nostalgic British design, the Cross Gingham writing instruments feature a pretty checkered pattern in three finishes: Tender Rose, Violet and Black with delicate chrome appointments. The collection is available in ball-point, which can be updated to a pencil with a clever ‘Switch-it’ Converter. Add some style to your scribing with the Cross Gingham Notebooks, featuring a band of checkered cotton detailing and available in Black, Purple and Bright Blue.So if you’re planning to design some decorative bunting or customise your favourite pair of jeans, capture all your creative ideas with this new collection. The Cross Gingham writing instruments come with the Cross lifetime mechanical guarantee (£45 RRP for ball-point), while the Cross Gingham Notebooks are available in small (£17 RRP for A6) and medium (£22 RRP for A5).
Cross stockist information:
• Phone: 01582 422793 to find your nearest stockist
• Website: www.cross.com where you can buy online!
• Store: Bluewater
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