This holiday season, shareSmith & Wollensky with friends, family and colleagues!
Give Gift Cards, Prime Steak, Steak Knives, Steak Sauce or Wine and let your friends and family experience Smith & Wollensky at home. Plus, receive a $40 bonus card for every $200 in gift card purchases this holiday season! Purchase must be made by January 1, and redeem your bonus January 1 – May 1, 2021.
Aldi launches Christmas premium wine range as British consumers
become sofa’melliers over lockdown
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• Following the first lockdown almost half of Brits (44%) are looking to learn more about wine
• Aldi has launched new premium tipples, including a Borolo, Super Tuscan and a Chateauneuf du Pape aimed at the 52% of consumers looking to experiment with wine
• The supermarket is offering a free online tasting tutorial with Mistress of Wine expert Sam Caporn
Lockdown has created a nation of sofa’melliers, with nearly half (44%) attempting to learn more about wine and a quarter trying something new.
Not one to sniff at a challenge, Aldi has launched a selection of premium wines in response, with price tags as low as £5.49.
Aimed at the 52% of consumers looking to experiment with new premium tipples, the range includes a Barolo, Gigondas, and White Chateauneuf du Pape.
Aldi says the launch will appeal to the growing number of wine shoppers who are turning to the supermarket over specialist drinks retailers for top quality wines. The range follows in the footsteps of Aldi’s premium online-only Classic Icons range, which is proving incredibly popular since its launch last year.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, comments: “Seeing the likes of Chateauneuf du Pape and Super Tuscan wines at these prices will come as a surprise to some. Our wine buying team has done a superb job of working with our esteemed winemakers to ensure we have the very best wines at unbeatable prices this Christmas.”
To celebrate the launch of its latest range and in a bid to quench the increasing thirst for wine knowledge, Aldi is running a live virtual tasting on 4th December hosted by Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn.
Sam will demonstrate how to taste wine, help consumers get to grips with the different regions and grape varieties and talk through the tasting notes of a selection of the new range, as well as recommending some fantastic festive food pairings.
Sam Caporn says: “It’s really encouraging that so many people want to learn more and explore wines they might not have tried before. Together with Aldi, I want this live stream to open up the sometimes intimidating world of wine to shoppers and help them identify what to look for. Giving people more confidence to choose wines they’ll enjoy will help bring a smile to dinner tables around the country this Christmas.”
Shoppers can tune in to Sam’s tasting on the Aldi Facebook page at 5pm on 4th December to arm themselves with the knowledge to become a Sofa’Mellier and impress those around the Zoom or, fingers crossed, the actual Christmas Day dinner table next month!
MËNAJI Is Feeling Generous This Year!
12 Days of Holiday Skincare 2020
Comes with Great Savings and Features New Products
Southport, CT – December 3, 2020 – The holidays are all about tradition and MËNAJI’s annual gift is the 12 Days of Skincare by MËNAJI. Beginning on December 8th through the 19th, our annual event provides special offers each day, and this year is better than ever as we include our new bestsellers. We’ve brought back an improved, botancially-enriched Power Hydrator and introduced THE FIX to meet the need for men to look on-the-spot camera-ready for today’s video conference lifestyle. Have a merry one from MËNAJI with these once-a-year savings.
MËNAJI’s 12 Days of Skincare includes sitewide new product offers, as well as unique gift sets for holiday shopping. From healthy skincare and shave, to undetectable concealers and anti-shines, all MENAJI products are included in the 12 Days of Skincare. Here are some of the offers which will be spotlighted
•Holiday Skincare Gift Set
•Video Prep 101 Kit
•Grooming Hacks Kit
About MENAJI Worldwide, LLC
For nearly 20 years, MËNAJI has been recognized as the established men’s grooming sector leader, offering products specific to a man’s needs while investing in research and product testing to create the best formulations a man can use. The company has enjoyed a meteoric following, coinciding with the social media mentality that a man’s self-esteem is improved when looking his best.
Refining the standards men have toward their grooming regiment, MËNAJI is known for developing must-have skincare and cosmetics that top celebrity groomers and makeup artists swear by due to their products’ results-driven performance.
“MËNAJI’s innovation has been at the forefront of men’s grooming for close to twenty years with our products used by top professional makeup artists and stylists for their celebrity clientele. Now, given today’s image-driven world, our problem-solving skincare and HD cosmetics are in demand by men who know the importance of healthy skin and looking great 24/7 and our brand is more relevant than ever,” says MËNAJI CEO & President Pamela Viglielmo.
Handles + Hashtags
Instagram: @menaji_skincare
Facebook: @menajiskincare
#menaji
December 2020 at Sadler’s Wells
In this year’s special festive programme, Sadler’s Wells presents both digital and live events for online and socially distanced audiences.
Festive celebrations begin on Saturday 5 December, with Sadler’s Wells Global Gala, broadcast free to watch via YouTube. The event brings together A-list artists and friends of Sadler’s Wells for a gala event celebrating dance. With performances and appearances from artists including Carlos Acosta, Sylvie Guillem, Natalia Osipova, and Akram Khan.
Breakin’ Convention returns with the brand-new show Social DisDancing on Friday 11 December and Saturday 12 December, featuring performances from AIM, the high-energy all female popping crew; a London premiere for Jamaal O’Driscoll, featuring b-boy Marius; and a world premiere from East London’s acclaimed Boy Blue.
Ballo Arthur Pita’s magical family favourite The Little Match Girl returns for Christmas from Thursday 17 December to Sunday 27 December, this year playing in Sadler’s Wells main theatre to allow social distancing for audiences to take place.
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Sadler’s Wells presents
Sadler’s Wells Global Gala
Saturday 5 December, 7:30pm GMT
sadlerswells.com/globalgalaevent
As this challenging year draws to a close, Sadler’s Wells brings together A-list artists and friends from around the world for its first ever virtual gala, celebrating the beauty and joy of dance. The Sadler’s Wells Global Gala will be broadcast online on Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm GMT via Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel, and is free for everyone to enjoy.
Featuring Sadler’s Wells global family of artists, audiences can expect to see some familiar faces but perhaps not as they’ve seen them before. Appearances from world-leading dance artists include Carlos Acosta, Akram Khan, and Sylvie Guillem, with world premiere performances from Natalia Osipova, Tiler Peck, and Magical Bones, among many more. In addition, there are messages of support from friends of Sadler’s Wells including acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley, broadcaster Brenda Emmanus, actor Ophelia Lovibond, award-winning actor and director Fiona Shaw, and 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Sting.
The Global Gala supports the future of Sadler’s Wells. Funds raised will be matched and contribute to the full reopening of Sadler’s Wells three theatres.
To find out more about the event and how to watch, please follow this link.
Press viewing: Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm, at Sadler’s Wells YouTube
For more information, please contact Liz Wallace on liz.wallace@sadlerswells.com or 07708 795 320
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Breakin’ Convention
Social DisDancing
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R
Friday 11 – Saturday 12 December
Tickets: £15 – £40
Ticket Office: sadlerswells.com
Breakin’ Convention takeover Sadler’s Wells Theatre in December, presenting its first live events since lockdown and the cancellation of the 2020 Festival. Hosted by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, Social DisDancing is a mini festival of new work showcasing the best of hip hop dance. The evening features performances from AIM, the high-energy all female popping crew; a London premiere for Jamaal O’Driscoll, featuring b-boy Marius in a duet exploring duality and mental clarity; and a world premiere from renowned East London company and Breakin’ Convention favourites, Boy Blue. The event will also feature film screenings, including a showing of Jonzi D and jessica Care moore’s recent work, the powerful Our Bodies Back, a riveting dance film that speaks out against anti-Black racism and honours the lived experiences of Black women past and present. Breakin’ Convention Social DisDancing runs Friday 11 – Saturday 12 December 2020.
Press night: Friday 11 December, 7:30pm
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Anna Goodman abstrakt@abstraktpublicity.co.uk or 07976 247 026, and Tess Shennan tess.shennan@sadlerswells.com or 07535 981 135
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Ballo Arthur Pita
The Little Match Girl
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R
Thursday 17 – Sunday 27 December
Tickets: £18 – £24
Ticket Office: sadlerswells.com
Christmas returns to Sadler’s Wells with performances of Ballo Arthur Pita’s magical family favourite The Little Match Girl, following five hugely successful Christmas seasons in the Lilian Baylis Studio. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, director and choreographer Arthur Pita presents a beautiful reimagining of The Little Match Girl through dance, song and Frank Moon’s atmospheric music performed live on stage. On an icy cold Christmas eve in an imaginary Italian town, the little match girl wanders the streets with just one final match to keep her warm. Along her journey she encounters kindness and cruelty, in a timeless fable about family, friendship and hope. The Little March Girl runs across the festive season from Thursday 17 December to Sunday 27 December, this time in Sadler’s Wells Theatre to allow social distancing for audiences to take place.
Press night: Thursday 17 December at 7pm
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Helen Snell on 020 7240 5537 or helen@helensnell.com / Tess Shennan tess.shennan@sadlerswells.com or 07535 981 135
M&M’s Movie Moments returns to ourscreen’s Virtual Cinema with
EDDIE THE EAGLE!
M&M’s Movie Moments is back on December 11th with EDDIE THE EAGLE Watch Along, hosted by Edith Bowman and including a very special Q&A with the real Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards.
Following the hugely successful presentation of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, M&M’s Movie Moments is offering up 5,000 free tickets to its Virtual Cinema screening of the charming British comedy. Tickets can be redeemed via virtual.ourscreen.com using the code EAGLE-4HY8TC.
Virtual attendees will be able to join a Friday night watch along with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards plus special guests, still to be announced. Hosted by Edith Bowman, featuring exclusive content and conversation, as well as live chat throughout, the unique viewing experience brings fans closer to the films they love and to each other in the face of social distancing.
M&M’s Movie Moments is the first leading brand collaboration for ourscreen, which opened its Virtual Cinema earlier this year in a bid to keep the shared viewing experience alive while its real-world crowdsourced screenings had to pause and cinemas closed for lockdown. Virtual Cinema allows fans to virtually enjoy the social experience together, in real-time, from the comfort of home.
To find out more and register for M&M’s Movie Moments Eddie the Eagle tickets visit: virtual.ourscreen.com with the code EAGLE-4HY8TC
Follow M&M’s UK and ourscreen at:
facebook.com/mmsuk facebook.com/ourscreen
@MMsUK @ourscreen
Blinds 2go
Cosy Curtains Delivered to Your Home This Winter
Curtains are always in fashion! They are a great choice for both warmth and sound insulation and give a room simplicity, elegance and drama. Living in a colder climate means we like to feel wrapped up and having a pair of curtains at your window also frames the view.
Curtains 2go, the sister website to Britain’s leading window blinds retailer Blinds 2go, is unique to the UK offering luxurious yet affordable made to measure curtains. This winter they have introduced a wide range of new styles created from the very finest materials including luxurious textures, stylish designs and sumptuous colours.
“Our mission is simple, to provide the largest selection of high quality, affordable curtains in the UK” said Alison Gore, Marketing Director. “You can choose from a vast array of hand-picked collections of bespoke curtains, made to measure especially for you, and as the UK’s largest and longest established online blinds and curtains retailer we pride ourselves on offering our customers exquisite products at incredibly low prices.”
“We have linens with a charming rustic texture; velvets bringing a little bit of glamour to surroundings; voiles for when you want the sunshine, without the glare and silks for an elegant ophisticated finish. We also collaborate with an incredible range of luxury home interior brands including Emma Bridgewater, William Morris in collaboration with the V&A, Cath Kidston, Clarissa Hulse and Harlequin to name a few, bringing their covetable designs to your home at affordable prices.”
Available with a choice of different headings including pencil pleat, eyelet and double pinch pleat, Curtains 2go also offers a range of lining options from Blackout and Thermal to light filtering, suiting every room and situation.
Each and every pair of curtains from Curtains 2go is beautifully made to measure with meticulous care and attention to detail, and the fast free sampling service and exceptional and well established customer support makes the buying journey a breeze from start to finish.
For further information, free fabric samples, instant prices and a huge array of choice, visit: www.curtains-2go.co.uk or freephone: 0800 862 0464
20 OF THE BEST BOOKS TO TEACH KIDS TO READ
Raising a reader starts from day one and it really is never too early to instil the love of reading in your kids. From reading to your tummy to story time before bed, it’s great to build good reading habits early and make it enjoyable.
Teaching your child to enjoy reading on their own can be a huge task, and somewhat daunting. But fear not, the UK’s leading family-friendly retailer, The Works, is here to help! Whether you’ve just started your learning to read journey, looking for some tips to help you prepare or have hit a wall and need some extra ideas, The Works has got 20 of the best books to help you teach your child to not only read, but to love reading.
From reading together with books for ages 2-5, learning to read with books for ages 3-8, all the way to reading independently (or as a team) with books for ages 6-12 – the roundup from the Works has got you covered (pardon the pun!).
Picture books to read with your children:
Let’s start at the beginning. Bedtime stories are great for so many things – routine, language, bonding and of course learning to read. So, The Works has compiled a short list of their most in demand favourite picture books to read with your children. All suitable for ages 2-5.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Nothing takes us back to our childhood quite like the sound of the swishy swashy grass.
This classic tale from Michael Rosen’s includes stunning imagery by Helen Oxenbury and since its first print in 1989, it has become an essential feature on any child’s first bookcase. We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. Will you come too?
Mr large in charge
Any family story from the bestselling ‘Large Family’ series will be enjoyed by children and parents alike, but we think the story of Mr. Large taking charge of the family while Mrs. Large isn’t well, has to be a firm favourite.
Grandpa Pig at the Playground
Now this Pig needs no introduction, Peppa has become a staple in every household. What better way to get children excited about reading than to read with their favourite character?
Best Friends for life 10 book bundle
Want more? Why not fill your bookshelf with one of The Works amazing £10 book bundles and join all of your little ones favourite animal and magical friends in some new and exciting adventures! From Daddy Hugs to The Superstar Cow, this bundle has everything you need for a perfect bedtime story together!
Educational Books for children:
When you’re ready to start helping your child learn to read on their own, The Works has a huge range of books to help them stay excited about reading and learn at the same time. All perfect for ages 3-8.
Peppa Pig WC First Words
Learn along with Peppa, this brilliant book helps children practice their pencil control and develop first reading skills!
Dino Handwriting
Learning to read is ‘rawsome’ and the A-Z dinosaur pictures in this book are designed to help children remember their alphabet, as well as motivate them at the start of their reading journey.
Ready Set Learn Sight Word Skills Workbook
This amazing workbook includes stickers and a certificate – it’s a great way to introduce reading and spelling sight words with your little one.
Snappy Learner: Reading and Writing
Positive reinforcement to help children learn is important and this book includes a reward chart with reusable star stickers that help encourage them and boost their confidence. With extra reusable stickers throughout to inspire your little reader, all activities are linked to school topics to help with your child’s development.
Fiction box sets for children:
Once your child has learned to both read and love it, you can start to introduce some more complex books. The Works recommend choosing some classics from your childhood to reminisce, whilst taking it in turns reading to each other. Ideal for ages 6-12.
Peter Rabbit Library
Peter is back! Enter the magical world of Peter Rabbit and his friends once again with these 10 beautifully illustrated black and white tales, each told with Beatrix Potter’s trademark wit.
Narnia Chronicles Slipcase
It doesn’t get more classic than the chronicles of Narnia. This collection features all seven novels that make up the Chronicles, so you can now read the adventures of Aslan and his friends together over and over again.
Harry Potter Box set
You’re a wizard harry! Every home needs a Harry Potter box set, right? Now your child has discovered the magic of reading, it’s time to share the magic of Harry Potter. This brand-new edition of the classic and internationally bestselling phenomenon that is Harry Potter is sure to keep your child entertained for nights on end.
For further information on The Works books visit www.theworks.co.uk/c/books?utm_source=content&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=20_best_books
Microsoft Store for the latest in next generation gaming, to laptops for all budgets and, accessories to suit all stocking sizes.
Xbox Series S RRP from £249.99 – The smallest, sleekest Xbox ever, delivering diskless next-gen gaming – faster load times, higher frame rates, and richer, more dynamic worlds – at an affordable price and all-digitally
Xbox Series X RRP from £499.99 – The fastest, most powerful gaming console ever, setting a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility. Play hundreds of titles from four generations of consoles from day one, all of which will look and play better than ever before
Microsoft Surface Go 2, RRP from £399.00 – The Surface Go 2 is the ideal gift for those who want an affordable device for the whole family, keeping them digitally safe with Windows 10 S mode and perfect for staying connected with friends and family during the festive season with the 5MP camera for video calls
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go, RRP from £549.00 – The perfect present for your children who are in school or have just started university, giving them the chance to stay connected while also helping them keep up with their studies with a stylish, yet affordable device
Microsoft Surface Book 3 RRP from £1,599 – The Surface Book 3 is the portable powerhouse. It’s perfect for working professionals, designers or people hoping to push their device to the limit and help them unleash their potential, with its ability to handle the biggest demands; from intensive video and graphics files to high-octane gaming
Surface Headphones 2 £239 – Surround yourself with spectacular Omnisonic sound for music, shows and calls. Stay focused with adjustable noise cancellation. And, listen in comfort with up to 18.5 hours of music listening time
DEVICES
XBOX SERIES S
Available for £249.99 GBP
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, check online at Xbox.com for availability
The smallest, sleekest Xbox ever, delivering next-gen gaming – faster load times, higher frame rates, and richer, more dynamic worlds – at an affordable price.
FEATURES:
Delivers next-gen speed and performance
The smallest Xbox ever at an affordable price
Built for disc-free gaming
Designed for 1440p gaming at 60 frames per second Supports upscaled 4K at up to 120 frames per second
Faster load times and more dynamic worlds
Backward compatible with 1000s of games
Compatible with your Xbox One gaming accessories
XBOX SERIES X
Available for £449.99 GBP
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, check online at Xbox.com for availability
The fastest, most powerful gaming console ever, setting a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility. Play hundreds of titles from four generations of consoles from day one, all of which will look and play better than ever before.
FEATURES:
The fastest, most powerful Xbox ever
A new bar for performance, speed and compatibility
True 4K gaming, up to 120 frames per second
12 Teraflops of Processing Power
Enables a new level of visual fidelity and immersion
Backward compatible with 1000s of games
Compatible with your Xbox One gaming accessories
SURFACE LAPTOP GO
Starting at £549 GBP
Perfect present for your children who are in school or have just started university, giving them the chance to stay connected with friends and keeping up with their studies with a stylish, yet affordable device.
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online at Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
12.4” PixelSense™ touchscreen display
Ultra-light https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/03/30/introducing-new-microsoft-365-personal-family-subscriptions/ at 2.45lbs
Full sized keyboard with large, precision trackpad
Comes in Windows 10 S Mode
Available in three modern colours
SURFACE GO 2
Starting at £399 GBP
Ideal gift for those who want a budget-friendly device for the whole family, keeping them digitally safe with Windows 10 S mode and perfect for staying connected with friends and family during the festive season with the 5MP camera for video calls.
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, at Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
10.5” PixelSense™ touchscreen
5MP front facing camera
Up to 10 hours battery life
Perfectly portable at just 1.2lbs
Surface Go 2 instantly adapts and adjusts for home, travel and everyday tasks.
SURFACE BOOK 3
Starting at £1,599 GBP
The Surface Book 3 is the portable powerhouse. It’s perfect for professionals, artists or designers, helping them unleash their potential to the fullest, with its ability to handle the biggest demands; from intensive video and graphics files to high-octane gaming
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online at Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Up to 17.5 hours of battery life
Robust laptop and powerful tablet with PixelSense™ touchscreen and portable studio in one
Up to 50% more performance in the 15” model than Surface Book 2
Powered by the latest NVIDIA® GTX GeForce® GPU with up to 1TB of lightning-fast storage
SURFACE PRO X
Starting at £1,549 GBP
Our durable, lightweight device that provides the ultimate mobility for working and connecting without an office, browsing, sketching on-screen, and streaming Netflix
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online at Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Available in a new Platinum finish with three new Keyboard colours; Ice Blue, Poppy Red and Platinum
Ultra-thin and lightweight, weighing just 771g
Quad-core, 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor
Up to 15 hours of battery life
Almost edge-to-edge 13” PixelSense™ Display
ACCESSORIES
NEXT GEN XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER
Available for £54.99
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online Xbox.com
FEATURES:
Available in Robot White, Carbon Black and Shock Blue.
Designed for enhanced comfort during gameplay.
Sculpted surfaces, refined geometry and enhanced sharing options.
Quickly pair with, play on and switch between Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10 and Android.
BLUETOOTH ERGONOMIC MOUSE
Available for £49.95
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Available in Peach, Glacier White, Pastel Blue and Matte Black.
Light, modern design meets wireless performance and all-day comfort.
Take control with precise detent scrolling, soft thumb rest and two programmable buttons.
SURFACE HEADPHONES 2
Available for £239
Surface Headphones 2
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Premium, balanced design with on-ear touch controls, and an optimised ear cup design
All day comfort for listening in style
Up to 15 hours battery life
13 levels of active noise cancellation for the ultimate focus
SURFACE EARBUDS
Available for £199.99
Surface Earbuds
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Ultra-comfortable design with all day comfort
Access to innovative Microsoft 365 experiences that enable you to stay on top of your day with the swipe of an Earbud
Available in a choice of 2 colours; Glacier and the new Graphite
Up to 24 hours of battery life
GAMES AND MEMBERSHIPS
XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE
Available for £10.99/Mo.
Access to over 100 high-quality games for console, PC, and Android mobile devices (beta) all for one low monthly price, Destiny 2, Gears Tactics, FIFA 20 and Minecraft Dungeons.
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online at Microsoft.com
FEATURES:
Access to over 100 high quality games with new titles added all the time, including Xbox Game Studios titles the same day they release
Play directly on console, PC and Android mobile from the cloud (Beta)
Enjoy all the benefits of EA Play, including access to more than 60 of EA’s biggest and best console and PC games like Destiny 2, Gears Tactics, FIFA 20 and Minecraft Dungeons – coming this holiday season at no extra cost
M365 PERSONAL & FAMILY SUBSCRIPTION
£5.99/Mo. (M365 Personal)
£7.99/Mo. (M365 Family)
Manage life’s demands with Microsoft 365. You’ll always stay a step ahead, with the latest in AI-powered apps, 1 TB of cloud storage per person and digital protection for things that matter most. Managing appointments, plans, budgets, you name it – it’s all easy with Microsoft 365.
Office 365 is now Microsoft 365: What you need to know – TechRepublic
AVAILABILITY: OUT NOW, online at Microsoft
FEATURES:
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote; work offline and apply advanced formatting with powerful desktop apps.
OneDrive cloud storage
Bring your email and calendars together in one desktop app with Outlook
Microsoft Editor
AI Powered creative tools
Guava & Gold – order by 21st December and gift this enchanting range of luxury bath and body this Christmas. Infused with some of the most exotic fragrances which transport you to the most tropical corners of the world with every use. The range of body lotions, shower gels, shampoos and conditioners have been designed to remind you of your favourite holiday destination to uplift your mood – something we all need right now!
ION-Sei – for those who love their tech and grooming devices, the ION-Sei is perfect for all! With a holistic approach to oral care and dental hygiene, and using the most advanced technology to guarantee a superior clean, the ION-Sei is available from Amazon UK available in Lake Blue and Day White.
Curaprox – perfect for stocking fillers, the Curaprox dental range has something for everyone. Their fun and fruity BE YOU teeth whitening toothpaste and brush is available in 6 different flavours (including Gin and Tonic, Watermelon and Peach and Apricot) and can be purchased online before 14th December to get them in time for Christmas.
Dr LEVY – we all want to indulge in the very best skincare, especially over Christmas, and the exclusive Dr. LEVY Christmas gift sets treats your skin to the luxury it deserves. Three exclusive gift sets are available on their official website, and with every set sold, a special Christmas set is donated to leading women’s charity, Savera UK, which will be donated to their survivors to provide courageous women with the helping hand to rebuild their lives once again.
Become a Young Vic Friend
Gift a Theatre Membership this Christmas
“One of London’s – and the world’s – most important theatres” – Time Out
A group of people sitting at a tableDescription automatically generated
The Young Vic theatre works with the world’s finest creatives and performers to stage award-winning productions about the world we live in. Recent sell-out, smash-hit shows have included the Olivier Award-winning Death of the Salesman starring Wendell Piece and Sharon D Clarke, The Convert with Letitia Wright, and Billie Piper in Yerma.
Now, more than ever, the theatre needs your support. So this Christmas, give a thoughtful and charitable gift: the gift of theatre with a Young Vic Theatre Friends Membership.
A Young Vic Friends Membership gives your loved one access to a range of exclusive benefits and perks, including priority booking to the best seats when the theatre reopens for its 2021 trailblazing season, and behind-the-scenes content and experiences. Or for that little something extra, upgrade them to a Good Friend Membership for free programmes and access to one of the Young Vic’s fabulous supporter events.
At this challenging time for the theatre sector, your membership gift helps the Young Vic do the following:
Keep the local community connected and creative – your support could help fund a writing workshop or creative session with some of the most vulnerable people in Lambeth and Southwark. In 2019, the Office for National Statistic’s ‘Personal Wellbeing Report’ found the boroughs the Young Vic work in registered in the bottom 10% for well-being in the UK
Support the Young Vic Directors Program, which trains up aspiring artists and sets the stage for the theatre of tomorrow. Since March 2020, the Directors Program has delivered 116 workshops online to over 3,000 early-career creatives
Keep ticket prices accessible – once the theatre can open its doors again, membership supports the vital mission of ensuring audiences from many different backgrounds and experiences can come to the theatre; the Young Vic gives 10% of tickets free to schools and neighbours, irrespective of box office demand
Become a Young Vic Friend
Never miss a show with Young Vic Priority Booking
Beat the crowds and access the best seats in the house
Monthly behind the scenes e-news
A dedicated priority line to the Box Office
£40 when you pay by Direct Debit; otherwise £50
Become a Good Friend
Never miss a show with Young Vic Priority Booking
Beat the crowds and access the best seats in the house
Monthly behind the scenes e-news
A dedicated priority line to the Box Office
Three free programmes per year
An invitation to a special event each year
£120 when you pay by Direct Debit; otherwise £150
youngvic.org/support-us/become-a-friend
New! The Sunday Brunch Personalised Cookbook
Sunday Brunch has been a massive success since it launched in 2012. Presented by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, Sunday Brunch airs on Channel 4 every Sunday. It is jam-packed with celebrity guests, mouth-watering recipes, and amazing music. The show has a great fan-base and is a staple in many peoples Sunday morning routine. The show is relaxed, fun and easy viewing. It is this successful format which has made the show a firm favourite and inspires people to cook their recipes.
The new Sunday Brunch Personalised Cookbook is a book with a difference. Just choose the chapters and recipes that tickle your tastebuds. There are 6 different chapters, for each chapter you can choose your favourite 7 recipes out of 125 available.
The cookbook has a total of 42 recipes to choose making it completely bespoke. The book is even more special it be can personalised. Just put a recipient’s name on the front cover, a personalised message inside the front cover and who is it from on the back cover. Finally, choose the front cover design and whether it is hardback or paperback to complete the amazing book.
Most cookbooks have recipes you do not like, but with the Sunday Brunch Personalised Cookbook you can ensure that every recipe is one that is loved, used, and enjoyed.
The Personalised Sunday Brunch Cookbook is available from SundayBrunch4U.com £18.99 for paperback and £19.99 for hardback.
New Great British Chefs Club Subscription Launches, Giving Ambitious Home Cooks Chance to Learn Directly from UK’s Top Chefs
Michel Roux Jr, Raymond Blanc, Michelin Star holders, and MasterChef and Great British Menu alumni among first chefs to share exclusive recipes and more with members
New Signature Series gives members unique insights into the cooking techniques – and inspiring personal journeys – of Britain’s leading chefs and influencers
London. Monday 26th October. Great British Chefs – the UK’s leading premium food platform – has launched a new online subscription offering, the Great British Chefs Club, giving passionate home cooks the opportunity to learn directly from the very best chefs in the country.
Clockwise from top left: Kerth Gumbs, Michel Roux Jr, Ben Tish, Shuko Oda
The ultimate subscription for aspiring home cooks, the Great British Chefs Club offers unique insights into how chefs work, master cooking techniques, and create their dishes. Subscribers can enjoy a wealth of exclusive recipes from leading chefs, in addition to offers and a brand-new weekly Signature Series masterclass.
Bringing members closer to Britain’s best chefs than ever before, Great British Chefs Club subscribers have full access to the entire Great British Chefs site, including over 10,000 recipes, features, guides, and video tutorials from over 160 of the UK’s finest chefs and over 200 top food influencers.
The first chefs to join the Great British Chefs Club line-up and share their expertise, tips and skills exclusively with members, include: two-star Michelin chefs Michel Roux Jr and Raymond Blanc OBE; MasterChef: The Professionals contestant, one of the UK’s most exciting Chinese chefs, and founder of Bristol’s Woky Ko, Larkin Cen; Grand Trunk Road’s Dayashankar Sharma; The Laughing Heart’s Head Chef Tom Anglesea; Greek Cypriot specialist and former Head Chef at Sky Garden’s Fenchurch Restaurant, George Farrugia; and Executive Chef at Chelsea’s acclaimed Japanese restaurant, Dinings, Masaki Sugisaki.
Coming later this Autumn, Great British Chefs Club members will enjoy exclusive recipes from: Great British Menu 2020 runner-up and Head Chef at Mayfair’s Ormer, Kerth Gumbs; co-founder and Head Chef at Kricket, Will Bowlby; award-winning Chef Patron and co-owner of Parker’s Arms, Lancashire, Stosie Madi; Head Chef at Ottolenghi’s ROVI in Fitzrovia, Neil Campbell; and Ben Tish, Head Chef at Sicilian-inspired Norma in Fitzrovia, formerly Chef Director at Salt Yard.
Great British Chefs Club subscribers will be treated to a weekly episode from the Signature Series – a new series of masterclass videos featuring an incredible line-up of chefs. Every episode is centred around a different recipe, weaving in personal tips and unique insights from each chef. Highlights that members can already enjoy include:
Ollie Dabbous creating a stunning and original fig leaf milk veil, while discussing how he turned his hobby into a career
Alan Stewart serving up a celebration of fresh vegetables and showing how barbecuing can transform the humblest of produce into a centrepiece
George Farrugia demonstrating a delicious recipe for spiced monkfish served in a light, clear broth with black-eyed beans, sweet clams, and courgettes
From £3.50 a month, Silver subscribers will have access to all new content, along with exclusive competitions and offers. Gold membership, from £6.00 a month, is perfect for ambitious home cooks and restaurant-goers, providing free gifts and exclusive competitions on top of everything that Silver membership has to offer.
For the past ten years, Great British Chefs has been connecting the UK’s top chefs with eager home cooks looking to bring a little restaurant magic into their own homes. The recipes, features, cooking guides and videos on the site are used by millions of people in search of inspiration and advice every day. Leading chefs sharing their expertise on the site include Paul Ainsworth, Skye Gyngell, Marcus Wareing, Hélène Darroze, Mark Hix, Asma Khan, Ollie Dabous, Nathan Outlaw, Mary Ann Gilchrist, Theo Randall, Claude Bosi, Chantelle Nicholson, Tom Kitchin, Anna Hansen and Tom Aikens.
Home cooks looking to join the Great British Chefs Club or purchase a membership for the aspiring chef in their life can visit: www.greatbritishchefs.com/features/great-british-chefs-club-perks.
Britons in tears over tiers
75% of Britons are totally baffled about where they can or can’t travel to within the UK tier system
A new travel report has revealed that three quarters (75%) of Britons are in a turmoil regarding where they can or can’t travel to within the UK this festive season due to the tier system.
The travel report conducted by Travelodge, which operates 563 hotels across the UK, surveyed 2,000 British adults to seek their views on the current travel arrangements within the UK. Key findings revealed that a quarter (25%) of Britons reported that they are completely clueless to how the tier system works.
Whilst over a third (36%) of British adults reported that they would like more clarity on where they can holiday and travel too within the UK this festive season.
The report also revealed despite most of England being in tier two, a staggering 65% of Britons living in tier two regions think they are not allowed to travel or holiday in another tier two area.
Interestingly 40% of respondents living in tier two areas believe they cannot travel or holiday in a tier one area.
The report also revealed that 55% of Britons do want to take a short break at home this festive season so that they can safely see family and friends or take a Minication.
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said: “Our latest travel report reveals Britons are baffled as to whether they can travel within the current tier system. With the festive season fast approaching there is certainly a demand for Britons wanting to take a short break and many will be pleasantly surprised to find out that they can travel safely. We are looking forward to welcoming customers back to our hotels post the second lockdown and earlier this year we invested in a multi-million Covid safety programme called TravelodgeProtect+. This programme has been designed to keep our customers and teams safe and has been implemented into all hotels.”
“It is essential that before making travel plans that you are fully informed on the tier travel guidance for your residential region and visiting location. In addition to the government website you can obtain detailed information on travelling in the UK on the British Tourist Authority website:www.visitbritain.org.”
Further research findings revealed that Sheffielders are the most confused about whether they can travel or not across the tier system with 87% of Sheffield residents reporting that they don’t understand the tier system.
Geordies are in second place with 86% of Newcastle residents admitting that they find the tier system very confusing and Coventry residents at 85% take third place.
The table below details a nationwide breakdown on which areas are the most confused about travelling within the tier system.
Rank
Area
% of local residents confused on travel within the tier system
1
Sheffield
87%
2
Newcastle
86%
3
Coventry
85%
4
Liverpool
83%
5
Cambridge
82%
6
Oxford
81%
7
Wolverhampton
78%
8
Birmingham
77%
9
Leicester
75%
10
London
74%
For the whole family
Word Poker – available from Amazon for £29.99
Word Poker takes the well-known framework of poker – one of the most popular and widely-played games in the World – and transforms it into a compulsive family word game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Able to be played by 2 or more players from age 12 to adult, it will get minds young and old engaged. Taking the concept of poker but instead of normal playing cards, Word Poker uses letter cards with each letter having its own score value. The aim of the game is to make the highest-scoring word using any of the five cards that are in the centre of the table and the five cards that the player holds within their hand.
With rounds of betting, players can bet on the strength of their word to win the pot of chips, so a poker face is needed to win the most chips possible! Combining fun word skills with some serious poker tactics and acting skills, it’s guaranteed to bring out the competitive edge in all. The quick-start and simple rules mean that there is no knowledge of poker needed to start playing, so it’s easy to get started and get winning.
Contents:
115 Word Poker letter cards
90 high quality metal-core plastic poker chips
Dealer button
Rules sheet
Mr & Mrs Family Edition / Pocket Edition – Available for £19.99 from Amazon/ £10 from Next and John Lewis
Mr & Mrs is based on the hugely popular All Star Mr & Mrs hit ITV show hosted by Phillip Schofield, where players are challenged to answer in-depth and entertaining questions about their partner, friends or family members. The Family Edition has over 1,000 questions designed to uncover things you may not know about your nearest and dearest including the famous paddle round and the ‘It’s A Match’ bonus game. It even comes with some blank cards so players can write their own embarrassing questions!
The Pocket Edition is suitable for age 10+ and allows fans to play whilst on the move. It has over 300 questions and is guaranteed to cause laughter, blushes, blank looks and a whole lot more!
For kids
Puro Sound Lab’s JuniorJams Studio Quality, Volume Limiting Bluetooth Children’s Headphones –£49.99 from Amazon reduced from £59.99
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Puro Sound Lab’s JuniorJams Bluetooth headphones for kids have been designed to give high quality performance and comfort at an affordable price. Featuring noise isolation and superior sound quality with effective volume limiting, they allow children to shut the world out and focus on their music or show without distraction or damage to their hearing health. The ultra-comfortable protein
The PuroQuiet Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth headphone – Available from Amazon for £79.99 reduced from £89.99
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The PuroQuiet was developed by a father who realised his 10 year old daughter had sustained Noise-Induced Hearing Loss from listening to music too loud, for too long. Finding no one was addressing this issue adequately, the family set about designing and developing the highest-quality, studio-grade, volume limiting to 85 decibels children’s headphone whilst still at an affordable price.
Made from high-quality aluminium, with plush noise-isolating ear-pads, the latest Bluetooth profiles for CD-like quality wireless audio, a highly sensitive microphone for taking calls or gaming with friends and up to 16-hours of active battery life the PuroQuiet headphones certainly deliver on audio quality and style. In addition to the sleek new design, the PuroQuiet headphones have an active noise cancellation feature found on high-end headphones that suppress ambient noise levels and provides a superior listening experience in even the loudest of environments. It blocks out daily noise and background sounds up to 22 dB, complemented by 82% noise isolation.
Key Specifications:
• Active Noise Reduction Performance: Safe -22 dB
• Physical Ambient Noise Reduction: 82% at 1KHz
• Volume Limiting: 85dB Sound Limit
• Audiophile Headphone speaker: 40 mm Custom Dynamic Drivers
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz with <1% THD
• High Quality Qualcomm CSR8635 Chipset
• Bluetooth v4.0 Wireless w/A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP Support
• Wireless Operating Distance: 30 Feet
• Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium Ion
• Noise Cancelling Playtime: 16 hours approx.
• Long Play Battery Life: Up to 22 hours normal use, 200 hours standby
• Available Colours: Blue/Black, Pink/White
Featured in numerous publications including CNET, scoring 8 out of 10, Reviewed.com calling them a ‘must buy for every parent’ and chosen as the “Best Kids Headphones” in the NYTimes Wirecutter
Fourfit Mini 2 kids fitness tracker with heart rate tracking and full colour screen – £24.99 here
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There’s never been a better time to take care of the kid’s health. Reward the children for being active & set health goals with Fourfit Mini 2. The mini is slim fitness and activity tracker band for children that has all of the features of our best-selling adult band with a smaller strap for kids. The only children’s fitness tracker to include heart rate tracking as standard!
Want to get the kids outside? Get them excited about being active? Incentivise them to get more sleep and live healthier lives? Tech meets activity, the perfect synergy keeping the kids engaged and you the parents informed.
Features: Sleep tracking, Activity level monitoring and tracking, Lung health tracking (blood oxygen saturation), Vibration Smart Alarm, Get up & move reminder (vibrates and reminds the kids to get moving in the watch to do activity if they have been inactive for a while), Step tracking, Heart rate tracking, Blood pressure monitoring, Calorie counter, Easy find from the phone app with built in anti-lose feature, 5 colour choices
Xplora X5 Play children’s smart watch available from Xplora for an RRP of £159.99 – now with free SIM card
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The new X5 Play is a children’s smart watch which not only provides reassurance to parents always knowing the location of their child but is great fun for kids too! They can make and take calls, text and send emoji’s, take photos, and get active with their favourite characters like Peter Rabbit 2 and Doctor Who, earning rewards as they go. Featuring a Qualcomm chipset for a fast and reliable user experience the X5 Play is also waterproof (IP68) and features a 1.4’ TFT display and 2 Mega Pixel camera for taking great selfie’s. With in-built G Sensors and advanced step tracking capabilities, X5 Play links seamlessly to Xplora’s unique Goplay platform
LOCATE: Locate your child with the X5 Play and create Safe Zones which will alert you whenever your child leaves or enters the zone.
COMMUNICATE: The watch is also a phone! Easy communication with the child and up to 50 approved contacts, answer and make calls with swipe motions and send text messages and emojis!
TAKE PICTURES: The 2MP camera means they can share the pictures with you throughout their day, keeping you up to date on what they are doing. Store over 1000 pictures in the gallery and set a custom background.
GOPLAY: The world’s first Goplay activity platform combining physical activity with entertainment.
For music lovers
JLab Audio (The #1 true wireless brand under $100 in the US) GO Air True Wireless Earbud– Available in black, white, navy and army green, are now available from John Lewis, Argos, Currys PC World and JLab Audio website for £29.99.
Offering 20+ hour’s playtime, custom EQ3 Sound, at an incredibly affordable RRP of £29.99/$29.99, GO Air is the smallest true wireless product JLab has ever created. The lightweight buds deliver clean, crisp, audio for the daily listener and features dual connect, incorporating dual microphones that allow the earbuds to be used individually while the other remains in the charging case. Designed to go anywhere, the GO Air and its case are compact and small enough to fit in any bag or pocket.
Featuring a 20% smaller body than JLab’s best-selling JBuds Air, GO Air offers a slimmer profile, great for small ears. The longer earbud stem provides a snug in-ear fit, and comes with three sizes of gel tips so users can customise the fit to each ear. Focused on convenience and accessibility, the GO Air’s charging case measures under three inches by one inch and is designed with an integrated charging cable. The earbuds are secured into the open case with strong magnets. JLab’s patented cable design ensures you never lose the cable or need to find another to recharge your case. Each earbud will hold a 5-hour battery life and their case provides 15 extra hours.
Users can play, pause, change tracks, and adjust volume by pushing or holding the outside buttons. Custom EQ settings can also be adjusted through the earbud and cycle through three sounds: Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. A built-in microphone also allows for phone calls to be answered and hung up, as well as activating voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. An IP44 sweat resistance keeps the earbuds durable for day-to-day activities.
ENACFIRE E90 wireless earbuds with Qualcomm, aptX extra bass and CVC call noise cancellation with dual-microphone reduced from £39.99 to £31.99 on Amazon.co.uk
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The ENACFIRE E90 include a Qualcomm chipset and the latest aptX decode technology to deliver an extra deep bass and rich details with audio quality up to 97% [market average 90%]. The powerful, low-bit rate transmission makes it feel like the artist is right there in the room with the wearer. With CVC noise reduction technology and 2 fine-adjusted mics installed, the ENACFIRE E90 wireless earphones are also perfect for hands-free calls and the earphones are able to block out unnecessary ambient noise, ensuring excellent and clear call quality. For ease of use, the E90 earbuds feature intelligent touch controls, allowing the user to play and pause music, answer and hang up calls and turn to the next or previous song. Wearers can also use the touch control to activate a voice assistant like Siri without having to touch their phone whatsoever; delivering a truly hands-free experience. The E90 battery lasts for 8 hours of playtime on a single charge (around 2 times longer than other earbuds on the market), and its charging case allows users to fully recharge the earbuds five times, giving a total playtime up to 48 hours. The Bluetooth earbuds are certificated with IPX8 high waterproof rating, making them perfect for outdoor running, walking or even a strenuous gym session.
Puro Sound Labs PuroPro volume limiting, active noise cancelling adult headphones – will be available from Amazon with an RRP of £129.99 (Reduced from £199.99)
The PuroPro is the latest addition to the range, with a slick design and studio grade audio quality, providing adults with a listening experience that is both high quality and healthy. In keeping with the Puro Sound Labs mission to protect consumers’ hearing, the headphones are also volume limited to 85 dB for up to 8 hours per day, and 95 dB for up to 50 mins per day, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The headphones are equipped with Puro Balanced Response® Curve technology, engineered to deliver an amazing listening experience with clear, crisp vocals, plus two adjustable ANC levels, ensuring that users can listen to their favourite tracks and podcasts undisturbed, or find their own space in shared environments.
The wireless Bluetooth v.5 headphones are complete with a lightweight, foldable design and matching hard cover carrying case and are ideal for travel, with long lasting batteries that provide up to 28 hours playtime with ANC, 32 hours without and 300 hours of standby time.
Trust Nika Touch Bluetooth Wireless Earphones – Available in Black, Turquoise, Blue, White & Pink from Amazon for £19.99
Combining great sound, an extra-long wireless range, portable charging capabilities and a premium, on-trend design, the Nika Touch offers a fantastic listening experience that is ideal for those who are always on-the-go. With a wireless range of 10 metres and Bluetooth 5.0, the earphones make listening to music or taking calls as convenient as possible, without the risk of losing connection. The earphones provide up to 6 hours of playtime from a single charge, however the carry case included with the earphones gives on-the-go charging, making the total playtime of the earphones up to 16 hours; ideal for long working days and travelling. With a stylish design, a secure silicone fit, touch controls and a built in microphone, the Nika Touch is a fantastic option for those looking for an affordable, ultimate true wireless experience. High res images of the Nika Touch are available here.
Trust Tones Bluetooth Wireless Headphones – Available in Black, Turquoise, Pink, White & Blue from Amazon for £ 24.99
With the Tones, users can have an enhanced music experience, both wired and wireless. Simply plug the 3.5mm cable into the audio device or listen wirelessly via Bluetooth and a 10 metre wireless range. With impressive sound (40mm drivers) and playtime (up to 25 hours), the headphones provide the perfect combination for a high quality listening experience on-the-go. The headphones are both user-friendly and comfortable, with cushioned on-ear pads, an adjustable headband and a lightweight design, plus buttons on the ear cups to adjust the volume, skip songs and access the built in voice assistant. High res images of the Trust Tones are available here.
For gamers young and old
The PuroGamer Volume Limiting Gaming Headphones – Available from Amazon for £39.99 (Reduced from £69.99)
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The PuroGamer headphones are designed specifically for gaming with a slick design, high quality audio through both sound and an omnidirectional, noise cancelling microphone. They are also volume limited to 85dB to ensure that there is no damage to gamers’ hearing health when there are explosions or other noises in gameplay. Featuring a 7.1 surround sound technology, the headphones allow gamers to immerse themselves into the world of their games and the 50mm graphene driver and response equaliser provides a balanced and safe sound. Additionally, the headphones have 82% ambient noise isolation at 1kHz to shut the rest of the world out. The Puro Balanced Frequency Response Curve also allows the PuroGamer’s to sound great even at lower listening levels and the game dialogue and sound effects to be heard clearly against the full spectrum of audio.
Trust GXT 856 Torac Metal Gaming Keyboard – Available for £34.99 from Argos
Engineered for serious gaming, the Trust GXT 856 Torac Metal Gaming Keyboard combines durability with usability, with the added colour hit from stunning LED illumination. A glorious LED lights experience is located behind the keys to enhance the gaming experience. Adjust the brightness and speed of the multicolour illumination effects to match in-game actions. The Torac boasts fingertip control with 12 media keys to adjust the volume, open mail, play or pause videos or even mute audio. The Torac also features a dedicated game-mode switch – this puts the Windows key in lock mode while playing, allowing for uninterrupted gaming.
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Trust Gaming GXT 488 Forze Headset for PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Available from GAME for RRP £29.99.
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An officially licensed product for PlayStation®4, the GXT 488 Forze is designed to enhance video games with powerful, immersive sound. With a stylish design that matches PlayStation®4, the headset is the ideal way to enrich the gaming experience. With 50mm speakers, the Forze deliver ultra-clear dialogue and powerful bass so, whether on a battlefield, racetrack or in a stadium, gamers can be fully immersed into the game.
The headset’s design combines comfort with sturdiness to ensure that those wearing can be comfortable even during long gaming sessions. With soft earpads, an adjustable headband that is metal reinforced and available in three finishes: black, blue camo and grey camo, they both look and feel good to wear. Easy to set up, connect it by simply plugging the 1.2m nylon cable into the DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller. Thanks to the inline remote on the cable, it is also quick to adjust the volume or mute the microphone without having to go into a menu.
The Forze can also be used with tablets, smartphones and laptops.
Trust Gaming GXT 258 Fyru USB 4-in-1 Streaming Microphone, Available from Amazon for RRP £119.99. Available from Power City, Smyths Toys and Euronics in Ireland.
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The sleek Trust Fyru 4-in-1 streaming microphone takes recordings to the next level whether recording a podcast, music track, streaming or gaming. The multi-purpose mic features excellent audio quality with both voices and instruments which are crystal clear and rich to a near-professional studio quality whilst still being amazingly easy to use. The Fyru allows for recording in 4 different ways, optimized for any situation. Use cardioid for a clear recording without background noises e.g. individual recording or bi-directional for a duet or interview. Stereo is the go-to for a stereo music setting or omnidirectional pattern for a group-podcast. A simple plug-and-play USB connection to instantly connect to a PC or laptop and makes it the ideal gadget for various purposes. With a zero-latency headphone monitoring port, recordings can be perfected and listened to in real-time. Furthermore, settings can also be regulated with convenient microphone gain, mute and headphone volume knobs on the front of the microphone and the internal pop filter filters out plosives and fricatives (unwanted sounds from letters like P and F) to make even smoother recordings.
AndaSeat Dark Demon with 4D adjustable armrests – available in black from John Lewis and JD Williams for £299.99 with a Lifetime Warranty
AndaSeat has created a racing chair designed with an emphasis on comfort and ergonomics – the Dark Demon Premium Gaming Chair. Created with scratch and stain resistant, smooth bonded PVC leather, a precision manufactured steel frame with an iron 5-point base, 4D armrests and Class 4 hydraulic nitrogen pistons, this luxurious racing chair will contour to your shape, thanks to high-density one piece 60kg/m³ foam.
The Dark Demon Premium Gaming Chair’s removable large sized ‘H shaped’ headrest pillow and lumbar cushion provides spine and neck support, whilst the 4D armrests offer optimum comfort by supporting the forearm – to relieve wrist pressure and muscle strain when gaming or working.
Handily, the chair tilts 90 to 160 degrees with a angle lock at 5 different positions.
Recommended maximum height: 6’10” / 210cm. Maximum weight capacity: 440lbs / 200kgs
AndaSeat also have an affiliate partnership with Sharesale [merchant ID: 99919] where they can offer 10 percent commission on sales from reviews/features. More information is available here
High resolution images of the range here
For the house proud
EZVIZ C6N Pan / Tilt Indoor Camera – £59.99 from Argos
EZVIZ C6N Pan / Tilt Indoor Camera 0
Should there be an intruder in the home, the Pan/Tilt WiFi Smart Camera will alert users straight away with a message via the EZVIZ app to their smartphone, take a snapshot and even proceed to record the events and the suspicious activity. The camera will also track and follow them, gathering up as much footage as possible.
Great for monitoring pets, little ones or elderly relatives. Furthermore, with the two way talk, users can see, hear and speak all through the EZVIZ app, whether at home or away. With the 340 degree Horizontal and 105 degree vertical rotation Pan and Tilt feature, users can see everything in the room. The camera will track movement automatically across the room, providing the best footage possible. This can also be manually moved around via your EZVIZ smartphone app.
Using the sound of your voice users can view live footage via their Amazon Alexa and Google Hub. The Infrared (IR) allows clear video even when it is dark, giving clear night vision and recording, providing 24/7 security in the home or office. The internal microphone supports audio pickup within five meters and video recording with sound, meaning users can have a two way conversation if needed via the EZVIZ app.
tado° V3+ Smart Thermostat Starter Kit – Available for £199.99 from Amazon UK or £219.99 with the Hot Water Control included
The tado° V3+ Smart Thermostat Starter Kit bring simplicity and comfort for a healthy home climate. Designed to save energy and costs for users by up to 31% of an annual energy bill, tado° is an intuitive device and app that is compatible with any smart home (Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit) and can also be used to control multiple rooms. The new app provides the ultimate control allowing users to manage heating schedules as well as showing information such as how warm it is at home, how much users are saving and also providing important information on the quality of air in the home and tips on how to improve this to provide wellbeing at home.
With features such as Geolocation, tado° can use resident’s location to control the heating so that it is not using the heating when nobody is at home and it can begin to heat when the first person is on their way back. Using Weather Adaptation, Open Window Detection and Insightful reports, it also can change and adapt based on the environment.
EZVIZ 3MP Smart Video Doorbell available from Argos for £134.99
The EZVIZ 3MP Smart Video Doorbell is a Wi-Fi video doorbell designed with a 3MP lens that can capture a 180-degree vertical field of view, so users can see visitors from head to toe and see deliveries left on the doorstep in high quality video. It overcome blurry imaging and blind spots, issues which are common with other smart video doorbells. The EZVIZ 3MP Smart Video Doorbell initiates a video call via the EZVIZ App on a user’s smartphone when a visitor rings the bell, so the door can be answered anywhere, at any time, even when miles away.
To add an extra layer of security, the EZVIZ 3MP Smart Video Doorbell sends an instant alert to a connected smartphone when it detects any human movement thanks to its built-in Passive Infrared (PIR) human detection sensor. With remote viewing and two-way talk capabilities, users can see and communicate with visitors whilst the customizable detection area feature allows users to keep watch on important areas thus reducing false alarms.
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Airthings Wave Mini Air Quality Monitor – £79 from Amazon
The Airthings Wave Mini is an easy setup, wirelessly connected and battery-operated device that effectively monitors indoor air quality, with no installation required. Built in TVOC sensors successfully measure toxins and chemicals in the air that can negatively impact your health, in addition to the room temperature and humidity. As conditions can vary drastically from room to room, the Wave Mini is the perfect device to reach optimum comfort and health in every space in your home in the most cost effective way. Users can easily access and understand the dashboard’s visual indicator with traffic light colour coding, or can alternatively view the insights over time on the free Wave Mini mobile app.
For the adventurous at heart
DOOGEE S58 Pro – available in Army Green, Fire Orange and Mineral Black – RRP £179.99 – from Amazon UK
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The DOOGEE S58 Pro is ideal for outdoor lovers, the IP68 waterproof and dust resistant phone boasts an industry leading rugged rubber shock protection, a large battery all at an incredibly affordable price. The ultra-rugged S58 Pro can survive drops, water, dust and extreme temperatures thanks to its design with industry-leading high-strength rubber, usually found on off-road vehicle tires with many rigid layers and a silicone lining giving excellent shock absorption performance. The S58 also boasts a 5180mAh high-capacity battery, supporting 12V/2A fast charging, a MT6762V/Helio P22 Octa-Core CPU and 6GB super high-speed RAM and 64GB ROM, all running on Android 10.
Cameras: 16Mp Sony IMX298
Battery: 5180mAh
Storage (ROM): 64GB
RAM: 6Gb
CPU: Mediatek Helio P22
Resolution: 1520×720
Display size: 5.71″
Operating system: Android 10.0 (Q)
Dimensions: 162.8 x 81.0 x 15.9mm
For home or agile working with ease
AVITA LIBER V R3 and R5 – modern and stylish 14-inch notebooks – R3 is available from Currys PC World for £459.99 and the R5 from Currys PC World for £559.99 in Matt Black.
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Continuing to build upon AVITA’s bold and innovative philosophy, the LIBER V offers an unprecedented visual experience with its boundless ultra-narrow bezel and post-modern aesthetic. The expansion of the notebook’s webcam, coupled with its ultra-wide screen, brings users an improved experience, particularly useful for video conferencing whether social or work related. The LIBER V is engineered with an impressive 78.2% screen-to-body ratio and also weighs in at approximately 1.30kg. Its 3.7mm boundless ultra-narrow bezel is at least 10% slimmer than other similar notebooks on the market and has been reduced by approximately 63% compared with previous LIBER series notebooks.
With AMD Ryzen™ 3 3200U and AMD Ryzen™ 5 3500U processor options for high performance speed, Radeon Vega 3 (R3) and Vega 8 (R5) graphics chip and 4GB DDR4 (R3) and 8GB DDR4 (R5) RAM, the LIBER V can swiftly process and access files, allowing the user to work with ease; even with complex workflows. The superfast 256GB SSD internal memory (microSD card slot supporting up to an additional 2TB, subject to compatibility) ensures the notebooks are able to start up in a lightning quick speed of less than 20 seconds.
Available with Windows 10 Home, the LIBER V’s full-size backlit keyboard delivers the ultimate word processing experience. Additionally, the extra-large touchpad and multi-touch support for up to four fingers enables users to effortlessly browse and switch between web pages. The LIBER V incorporates a fingerprint reader and works seamlessly with Windows Hello for both convenient log-in and strengthened privacy protection. The battery life lasts for 7.5 hours for working on the go and the notebook is equipped with complete connectivity: a set of USB-C, two sets of USBs, a full-size HDMI and Micro SD ports, making it possible to simultaneously charge, transfer data, display, and connect to various devices.
PAPALOOK PA552 1080P studio-like fill light ring webcam with 30FPS detailed streaming and dual microphones with DSP noise filtering tech – £73.81 from Amazon.co.uk
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The PAPALOOK PA552 webcam features a studio-like fill light ring, 1080P at 30FPS detailed streaming, dual microphones with DSP noise filtering tech, and versatile mount options, making it the ultimate professional webcam for broadcasting whether live streaming, video calling / conferencing or for online studying.
The camera includes a multi-step ring light with adjustable lighting levels. The multi-step ring light offers even and flattering lighting and eliminates harsh shadows as the DSP chip captures outside light and reacts intelligently and automatically like a human’ brain would for the best image exposure. This ensures the best possible streaming experience in even the dimmest light environments. The 5-layer CMOS glass lens and full HD 1080p captures great details with bright and natural colours in fluid video at 30fps, while the 75-degree field of view accommodates up to two people.
The dual omni-directional automatic noise cancelling mics provide high SNR (Signal Noise Ratio) to capture and filter out external and background noise automatically, delivering purer playback sound quality even when broadcasting in busy environments. It is easy to set up with plug and play capability and has USB connectivity to PCs, Macs, Xbox One and is compatible with a full range of video apps.
AUSDOM AF640 1080P Full HD Plug and Play USB Web Cam with Super HD Wide Angle Lens, Autofocus and Dual Stereo Noise Cancelling Microphones – £79.99 from Amazon UK
High res images can be accessed HERE
The AUSDOM AF640 auto focus video camera is a 1080p full HD webcam with dual microphone and is ideal for keeping in touch with friends and relatives, for online gaming and even for live DJ streams to keep in good spirits.
The camera operates in full high definition 1080p, making it easy to have HD calls or record video, whilst gaming can be streamed in 720p and widescreen online chats can be enjoyed during video conferences. The super HD wide-angle lens provides a wider field of view whilst the fast and accurate autofocus ensures the camera will automatically stay focused on the face, even if it moves around. The dual stereo noise cancelling microphones filter out background sound and capture natural audio so a user’s voice can be heard clearly, even without the other person using a dedicated headset. The auto low-light correction, which can be fine-tuned to lighten conditions, produces bright and well-contrasted images.
The AUSDOM AF640 webcam is incredibly easy to use too. Just connect the webcam via the USB 2.0 port to a computer and video chat instantly via a multiple of video chat apps such as Skype, Zoom and Facetime and stream social media channels including YouTube, Instagram, Twitch and Facebook Live.
Moshi IonGo 5K Duo Portable Battery for iOS and Android – Available from Moshi for £74.95
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With built-in Lightning and USB-C cables, you’re always prepared to power up wherever you go. This iOS and Android friendly-battery, guarantees to charge both devices simultaneously thanks to its bi-directional charging feature. Recharge your iPhone and IonGo 5K Duo at the same time so your battery is always topped up. Using the same battery technology used in the latest electric vehicles, the cells are optimized for charging, discharging, and low internal resistance.
Moshi Lounge Q Wireless Charging Stand, Fast-charging with Adjustable-height for all Phones – Available from Moshi for £69.95
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Lounge Q is a premium wireless charging stand that combines Scandinavian style and advanced functionality in one. The internals are driven by Moshi’s proprietary Q-coil™ technology which includes a ferrite sheet that offers better charging speed and efficiency compared to other wireless chargers. This allows Lounge Q to wireless charge through cases up to 5 mm thick. The stand is Qi-certified by the Wireless Power Consortium and thanks to its extended power profile, it can fast-charge any device up to 15 W. Lounge Q is compatible with any Qi-enabled phone.
For fitness fanatics young and old
JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Earbuds – Available in Black and White for £69.99 from John Lewis, Very and Studio
The JBuds Air Sport feature an over-ear hook for sport-focused activities and 40 hours of playtime. The earbuds themselves hold a 6-hour battery life in each earbud and 34+ additional hours in the charging case. Built for fitness, the JBuds Air Sport are IP66 sweat resistant and have Be Aware Audio, designed to let ambient noise for safe listening while running outside or working out with a friend. They also feature stereo audio during calls for crystal clear calling, a compact case with patent pending built in USB charging, and touch sensors. Like all JLab products they are universally compatible with both Apple and Android products.
For the sleep deprived
Kokoon – The world’s first sleep aiding headphones – Available from Kokoon.io for £349.99/$349
Kokoon was founded with the mission to become the non-pharmaceutical, digital ‘go to’ for helping people relax and sleep easier. The Kokoon app features techniques, tracks and concepts developed with sleep professionals to optimise the chances of falling asleep. Many of these techniques feature in a form of talking therapy known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT. CBT is an evidence-based therapy generally regarded as the gold standard treatment for insomnia with a proven success rate.
Kokoon uses these techniques to help users by delivering a customised content experience developed for the individual using the sensor data gathered from their body and environment. For example, as a wearer falls asleep in a headphone, audio changes in response, fading out the content and introducing white noise to mask out disturbances. The system also tracks what’s working for a user then personalising content for greater effect. The Flexmould™ Comfort patented design helps Kokoon headphones mould to the shape of the users head to be comfortable wherever they are worn and thanks to the high quality natural fibre fabric, air flows easily through the ear cups to keep the wearers cool and comfortable. The ear cushions can also be detached and washed to be kept fresh and clean. Also useable as regular Bluetooth 4.0 headphones, the Kokoon Relax features premium acoustics from a 40mm electro dynamic driver and active noise cancelling making them ideal for listening to music or watching movies whilst travelling or simply relaxing. At just 350g/12.03oz they make the perfect travel companion with folding earcups and an included carry case.
For the drivers
Zenfox T3-3CH triple channel dash cam – Available from the Zenfox website, from Amazon for an RRP of $249.90 and Amazon UK for £239.95
The Zenfox T3 3CH has three cameras allowing drivers to record footage of the road ahead, the rear and also also within the vehicle itself making it ideal for taxi drivers, Uber drivers, for lift sharing and families. The front camera records the road ahead with incredible clarity at 2560*1440P @30fps, whilst the interior & rear camera record the inside cabin and rear road at full HD 1080P @30fps. The 160°+140°+140° wide angle allows the camera to reduce any blind spots and capture more events, both inside and outside the vehicle. All the cameras are equipped with Sony STARVIS sensors and Wide Dynamic Range [WDR] technology to guarantee sharp and clear night image quality, even in low light environments. The interior facing camera utilises 4 IR LED lights, which can handle low light conditions and ensures flawless video footage even when the passenger cabin is dark. Even in complete darkness, the dash camera can capture usable images.
The built in 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi brings faster transfer speed allowing drivers to connect the dash cam with the Zenfox APP to manage settings, view on-live videos, check GPS route and download recordings to a smartphone. The built-in GPS accurately records the driving route, location, speed and time and users can playback the video using the comprehensive GPS Logger software interface to see real-time information. The Parking Mode will monitor events both inside and outside of the car for 24 hours and the dash cam will automatically switch to parking mode after the engine is off, so it doesn’t miss any events or incidents whilst parked overnight or in a supermarket car park. With a built-in G-sensor supporting variable sensitivity, the dash cam can auto-detect any sudden knock or collision and lock the crucial footage to prevent it being overwritten. This can then be used as vital evidence for claims or insurance purposes. The seamless loop recording will not lose any clips, automatically overwrite the oldest file with the newest file so users can access the required footage easily and it supports ample storage of up to 256GB microSD.
For the one who has everything
Audio Eyewear from Fauna available to purchase from wearfauna.com or Selfridges online for an RRP of £249 and $299
Fauna is a designer audio eyewear brand that creates fashionable eyewear which delivers crystal clear sound. These high-end, water-resistant audio glasses are made of high-quality materials with a 2-way sound system for crystal clear sound. The first audio glasses without chunky temples that actually look like glasses, the revolutionary product protects a wearer’s eyes from sun or blue light whilst providing a vivid sound when listening to music, audiobooks or watching a movie with integrated microphones for voice assistants and making phone calls.
The tiny lightweight micro speakers and microphones are integrated into the frames of Fauna glasses, giving hours of great audio without compromising on comfort. The audio module in each temple and each module includes a patented MEMS microspeaker, an electrodynamic speaker, a touch-pad, associated electronics and a battery. Two microphones are also integrated into the right temple with beam-forming and echo cancelling. The temples remain slim and lightweight despite all the electronics inside with both glasses weighing just 50g.
The Spiro and Memor Havana both have high-quality Italian acetate frames with adjustable temple lengths, a standard in the eyewear industry and optimal for fit and wearing comfort. Fauna Audio Glasses come with a charging case that allows re-charging of the glasses on the go up to 5 times and connects via Bluetooth with a smartphone or PC; a specific app is not required. The glasses are controlled by touching and swiping on the temples.
LISTEN TO MUSIC – Enjoy crystal-clear, vivid sound up to 4 hours continuously.
HANDS- AND EARS-FREE PHONE CALLS – Enjoy your phone calls and record voice messages with your Fauna glasses.
BLUETOOTH 5.0 – The safest and most energy-saving Bluetooth technology yet with up to 10 metres range. Compatible with iPhone 5 or later and Android 6.0 or later.
INTERCHANGEABLE GLASSES – Take your Fauna to any optician to change the lenses to your prescription lenses.
AUDIO ASSISTANT – Use your smartphone’s audio assistant comfortably with your Fauna audio eyewear.
TOUCH CONTROL – Intuitive and comfortable touch control via touchpads on the sides of each temple.
BATTERY – 20 hours standby and more than 5 hours of music, voice assistant and phone calls in play time.
Former Coventry University student’s business gets surprise boost from Sir Bradley Wiggins
A former Coventry University student who has launched a shoe customisation and cycling apparel business got a surprise boost when 2012 Tour de France and five-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins was pictured wearing socks from his shop.
Shea Gribbon, 24, graduated with a Masters in Product Design Innovation from Coventry University two years ago and grew his business customising shoes in his spare time while working full time jobs.
He throws in a free pair of socks with every custom shoe order and one such pair went to Sir Bradley Wiggin’s son last year after he ordered some shoes.
“Bradley happened to pull on the pair of socks I sent to his son before going out for a run one morning and shared a picture of himself on social media wearing them. That was pretty cool to see, and proved to be great promotion for my business,” Shea said of the surprise reveal.
Shea had always wanted to design great products and, after being inspired by Australian cycling shoe company Velokicks, who decorate cycling shoes, decided to have a go himself.
The response to his shoe designs on social media were amazing, and he started getting orders immediately. The business, The Shoe Dr, grew organically for one and half years before Shea decided to quit his job and go into business full time. He advises anyone who is thinking of starting a business to get a grasp of key skills such as business registration and accounting.
Shea credits his Coventry University course with polishing his creative skills and helping him realise his ambition to become a professional designer.
“I can safely say that if I hadn’t gone to Coventry University I wouldn’t be at this stage where I have worked for a great company and also launched my business doing what I love. I use many of the skills I learned and mastered at uni every day, from computer aided design, to Photoshop and model making.
“I loved my time at Coventry University, and my advice to those who are still studying is to enjoy the course and absorb as much as you can. Be open minded about jobs, you have so much time to explore and try things. And if you have a side hustle you’ve been working on, give it a shot and grow it patiently without thinking about the money.”
Visit Coventry University’s website to see the range of postgraduate courses available.
BAX-U better posture support for better health.
Wear your BAX-U 2-6hrs/day for 6-12 weeks, followed by 30-60min per day. Adding exercise accelerates your posture correction. www.bax-u.com/fitting/
The Gift of Health:The perfect gift stuffer all under $100
The holidays are right around the corner, and BAX-U has the perfect gifts for yourself and your loved ones. There is no better gift than the gift of health! And the amazing part is that they are all under $100, so it’s perfect for HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES!
BAX-U is a brand of wearable products for better alignment and optimal physical performance. BAX-U products have been known to provide instant results. The company is known for their cool and fashionable posture correctors and their home kits to relieve pain. BAX-U products are the perfect holiday stuffers for fitness junkies, gamers, all types of work and for everyday activities!
Home Kits Under $100!
Head Home Kit- $79.00/ Relieves headaches and migraines. The kit comes with a posture corrector, chiropractic neck traction, resistive band, massage ball and ice/heat pack.
Neck Home Kit- $99.00/ relieves stiffness in the neck due to poor posture while texting or slouching. The kit comes with a posture brace, z traction, massage ball and ice/heat pack.
Posture Correctors for both men and women
Bax-U Posture Corrector- $59.95
Accessories
Neck Z-Traction: $40
Chiropractic Cervical Mold $18
Multi-functional Portable Ergonomic/ Computer table- $55
Here is the link with all the images of the products listed above:
Please check out www.ThinkHealthy.com to learn more about the company.
Opus One Studios’ Legend of Ranger collection, which will, on top of being really cute, benefit two charitable causes: Toys for Tots and the Antonia J. Giallourakis Endowed Fund which brings art therapy to children with cancer.
Additionally, Opus One has just signed on for an “Adopt a Military Family” Holiday program with Code of Support, which supports veteran access to critical services. Through the program, kids under the age of the 9 will receive the full Ranger collection for Christmas.
Holiday Gifts that Give Back: opusonestudios.com/blogs/press-releases/opus-one-studios-announces-new-products-to-benefit-multiple-charities-this-holiday-season
IS THIS WEARABLE BLANKET THE SNUGGLY SAVIOUR TO A WINTER WFH?
Silentnight launches its cosiest ever wearable blanket, so those spending more time at home thanks to restrictions can keep cosy without having to hike up their heating
Local lockdown guidelines coupled with many Brits continuing to work from home means that the nation’s energy bills could rise by up to 18 per cent this winter, totalling £1.9 billion nationwide*.
If that statistic sends shivers up your spine, fear not, as the sleep experts at Silentnight have created Snugsie; a super soft teddy fleece wearable blanket, with accompanying foot pocket, that keeps those wearing it toasty from head to toe whether they’re working from home, shopping or streaming from the sofa, or simply having a cheeky afternoon nap.
The warm and snug product means, that depending on the weather, the heating can be turned down or off entirely – reducing those energy bills. What’s more, it’s also easily stored – and readily accessible – as it folds in on itself to form a cushion that can be kept on hand for chilly moments.
According to Mintel, 28% of younger millennials prefer a night in than a night out and has reported that 51% of millennials say their financial situation is one of the top 3 things that stresses them.
Hayley Chaytor, spokesperson for Silentnight, said: “We know that many of our customers will be worried about rising energy bills as Covid restrictions mean they and their families spend more time at home, be it working or relaxing.
“That’s why we developed Snugsie, our cosiest blanket yet that guarantees comfort from top to toe. The teddy fleece fabrics retains heat and ensures those wearing it remain toasty even while the outdoor temperatures take their inevitable wintry turn for the worst.
“We think the product makes for the perfect snuggly, seasonal gift this Christmas – or even as a treat to yourself ahead of the big day for the cosiest present opening morning ever.”
Snugsie is supersized, so one size fits all and completely covers those wearing it – ensuring that cute, toasty feeling, whatever the temperature. The blanket itself is machine washable at 40 degrees Celsius and is available in three shades; silver, charcoal and blush.
Snugsie by Silentnight has an RRP of £15 can be purchased from Amazon, Silentnight and Sleepy People.
For more information on Silentnight and Snugsie, please visit www.silentnight.co.uk.
Biosportart CBD Gel
Biosportart 2,000mg CBD Gel is a topical cannabidiol gel for joints and muscles containing an industry leading 2,000 milligrams of CBD (PureForm Bio-Identical CBD from citrus extract). Designed for and trusted by both amateur and elite athletes, Biosportart CBD Gel aims to support athletes with their training and performance goals. Simply apply a thin layer on clean skin and allow to dry without rubbing in.
Certified by the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) and compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulation, Biosportart CBD Gel is ideal for athletes or professionals who are subject to testing.
Price: £59.00
Available from: www.biosportart.co.uk
THE HUAWEI CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
From stylish smartwatches to the ultimate noise cancelling headphones, there’s something for everyone this festive season
With Christmas right around the corner, now is the time to get organised to ensure you gift the perfect presents to your loved ones on the big day. To help with some festive shopping inspiration, Huawei has created the ultimate gift guide with a little something special for the tech enthusiast in your life. From high-end noise cancellation headphones for your music lover friend, to sleek and chic speakers for your stylish sister, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. What’s more, many of Huawei’s products included can be used in tandem with others, for a truly connected, seamless experience.
Want to get more tech for your buck? It’s never been a better time to buy! Discover a wide range of exclusive offers below, as well as on the Huawei Store today.
For fitness fans
Help your loved ones to keep on track of their fitness goals this Christmas with a Huawei smartwatch
Huawei Watch Fit
Huawei’s first ever smart sports watch with a rounded rectangular face, the Huawei Watch Fit encourages users to get into new forms of exercise through a variety of animated fitness courses, workout modes and scientific health tracking features.
On-trend wrist strap colour options including Mint Green, Sakura Pink, Cantaloupe Orange and Graphite Black so loved ones can mix and match their looks according to their outfits or mood. The breathable strap design works in tandem with long-lasting battery life to ensure the Huawei Watch Fit can be worn for days or even weeks on end.
Offering unrivalled workout style along with functionality, the Huawei Watch Fit is the perfect gift for fitness fan friends and family this festive season.
RRP £119.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Feel the beat
Jingle Bell Rock: gift a sound experience like no other, with Huawei’s selection of cutting-edge audio tech
Huawei beats Apple: here are the FreeBuds Studio | NextPitHuawei FreeBuds Studio
Inspired by geometrics and simplicity, Huawei FreeBuds Studio offer a stylish look and comfortable fit. Not only is it a pair of headphones, but also a smart assistant that allows users to experience a better digital audio world.
Users can also enjoy an in-built dual connection, which means it’s time to say goodbye to the complicated pairing process and enjoy the seamless connection provided by Huawei FreeBuds Studio.
Huawei FreeBuds Studio are available now in Graphite Black and Blush Gold from late November.
RRP £299.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Huawei FreeBuds Pro
Get in the Christmas spirit this season with the FreeBuds Pro wireless earphones from Huawei. Small but mighty, these earphones feature a unique in-ear design and are available in three different sizes of silicone earplugs. This combined with the fit detection feature – available in the Huawei AI Life app –, allows users to find the perfect size for them.
Ideal for working from home or on the go, noise cancellation, volume adjustment, answering calls, pressing play and skipping songs are all effortlessly achieved via the Huawei FreeBuds Pro’s distinctive square-shaped, sleek and stylish earphone stems. The gestures are highly intuitive – simply swipe or pinch a specific area to take control.
The FreeBuds Pro are available in three colours – Silver Frost, Ceramic White and Carbon Black.
RRP £169.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Huawei Freelace Pro
HUAWEI FreeLace – HUAWEI Global
This Christmas, give the gift of 24-hour playback and innovative technology, thanks to the Huawei Freelace Pro
The Freelace Pro comes with two highly sensitive microphones that work together to achieve noise cancellation in and out, meaning you can enjoy an immersive and undisturbed festive playlist this christmas.
Achieve impressive sound with a 14 mm dynamic driver that works with an independent low-frequency sound tube to achieve a resonance effect, delivering a punchier and deeper bass.
The most high-tech fitness gift under the tree this year, the Huawei Freelace Pro comes with Huawei HiPair Technology and USB-C plug, meaning it can be paired with a phone, or a tablet in just one simple step.
RRP £199.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Huawei Sound X
Festive tunes have never sounded better than on the new Huawei Sound X! Co-engineered with Devialet, the Sound X has dual subwoofers, producing enormous HiFi sound with minimal power input to bring the latest sounds to this year’s Christmas parties, whether they be intimate family gatherings or a virtual get togethers this year.
As the first Wireless speaker product from Huawei, the Sound X marries first-rate aesthetics with exquisite craftsmanship, and has already been recognised by the 2020 German iF Design Award committee for its stunning appearance.
RRP £299.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Work hard, play hard
For your hardworking friends and family, Huawei’s premier laptop packs a punch and has everything needed to work from anywhere in the world
Huawei MateBook 14 2020
The latest ultra-portable notebook to join the MateBook line-up; Huawei MateBook 14 2021 features the series’ signature sleek design and smart features in a robust and lightweight enclosure.
Portability comes at no expense to performance and feature set, which unifies the smartphone and tablet experiences into one cohesive, all-scenario experience, and delivers incredibly expansive visuals, powerful performance and smart experiences in a stylish and portable form factor.
Battery life is also no bother; on a single charge, the notebook supports up to 10 hours[1] of continuous local 1080p video playback, while its portable Huawei SuperCharge™ charger is capable of providing lightning-fast charging for supported Huawei phones.
RRP from £749.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
A timepiece for every occasion
Dial up your gift giving with these stylish yet functional smartwatches from Huawei
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
With a rugged yet premium design, advanced sports tracking, professional health monitoring, two-week battery life and wireless charging, the new Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro is set to be a big hit with fitness fanatics this festive season.
A minimalist and comfortable, yet robust smartwatch, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro features a watch face made of sapphire giving it a harder, more durable, scratch-resistant exterior to keep it protected even during outdoor sports – while the watch frame is made from titanium.
RRP £299.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Huawei Watch GT 2 Porsche Design
Huawei’s Watch GT 2 Porsche Design is a classic yet luxurious addition to the Huawei Watch family and marks the brand’s latest collaboration with Porsche Design in the smartwatch industry. As the most high-end addition to the line-up, the Porsche Design Huawei Watch GT 2 is a stunning combination of Huawei’s innovative technology and Porsche Design’s pure and functional design philosophy, resulting in a brand new look that ushers in the next era of smartwatch design.
As well as offering a premium, aerodynamic design, the smartwatch supports with precise data tracking for 100+ workout modes, including climbing, outdoor running, rowing, surfing and tennis. The smartwatch also offers an innovative stopwatch face that allows users to start timing with a tap of the screen.
From £629.99 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Enhanced vision
Give the gift of functional fashion, with Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II: more than just sunglasses
Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II
Offering a seamless fusion of technology with fashion, Huawei’s second-generation smart glasses continue to focus on audio and smart innovation, with a more avant-garde yet comfortable design and a greater wealth of outstanding smart functions to experience. With it, Huawei is forging a unique and iconic smart wear trend for sophisticated and fashion-conscious tech lovers this Christmas.
More than just a pair of sunglasses! The Eyewear II collection was designed using Huawei’s core technologies; the semi-open, ultra-thin, large-amplitude speaker effectively cancels out sound leakage and provides the wearer with high-definition stereo sound. What’s more, the newly upgraded Smart Interaction function turns the glasses into your own personal assistant, which offers not only faster access to information, but also a more intelligent form of interaction, providing an altogether brand-new experience of smart wearable technology.
From £310 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
The ultimate sleek and stylish smartphone companion
For capturing memories that last a lifetime: Huawei Mate 40 Pro and Huawei P Smart offer professional camera capabilities in the palm of your hand
Huawei Mate 40 Pro
An object of sheer beauty, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro marries iconic design with innovative tech. It features a small front camera cut-out, which is packed full of technology, with 3D Face Unlock, an Ultra Vision Selfie Camera and Smart Gesture Control.
Become your very own movie director with a whole host of outstanding videography features, including Dual Cine Cameras, which create a 3:2 cinema-style shooting ratio sensor, Track Shot, which follows subjects so that they always remain in the centre of the shot, and Story Creator, which allows you to choose a template and follow instructions to create an engaging story. Background music, filters and effects can also be added to frames with ease, to create the ultimate cinematic effect.
The Mate 40 Pro is the ultimate eye-catching accessory this festive season, capturing unforgettable family memories and Instagram-worthy pictures like a professional, as well as acting as the perfect prop when included in the shot.
Huawei Mate 40 Pro is available in Black and Mystic Silver.
RRP £1,099 from the Huawei Store and selected retailers
Huawei P Smart 2021
Renowned for combining stylish design and all the features you need at great value, the newest addition to the Huawei P Smart Series is packed with a beautifully big display for immersive viewing, an enduring battery life that keeps up with busy lifestyles as well as a smarter camera that allows users to capture what they see effortlessly, making it stand out as a photography, entertainment and social companion.
What’s more, with just 10 minutes of charging, the Huawei P smart 2021 can work for an incredible two hours of uninterrupted video viewing, perfect for enjoying festive films!
Huawei P smart 2021 comes in three natural colour variations: Crush Green, Blush Gold and Midnight Black.
2020 CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRENDS: FOLLOWING ROLLERCOASTER YEAR,
BRITS PLAN FOR AN APPY CHRISTMAS WITH LESS IS MORE ATTITUDE TO GIFTING
Nearly half (48%) of Brits will buy gifts on apps and websites only and not venture in-store at all, up from 37% last year
After a year of reduced social gatherings, Brits will buy gifts for five people this Christmas, down from an average of eight last year
Brits plan to spend £388 in total on gifts this year – down from £410 last year – while 20% waited until lockdown ended to get started
The research into Brit’s Christmas shopping habits comes from HUAWEI AppGallery, the world’s third-largest app store with 36 million monthly active users in Europe
London, UK – 4th December 2020 – A new survey released by HUAWEI AppGallery, the world’s third-largest app store, has revealed the unique shopping trends expected to be seen this Christmas, following a year of disruption and restrictions that are set to continue in the run-up to the festive season. Shoppers plan to buy for an average of just five friends and family this year, down from eight last year, while almost half of Brits (48%) will be using apps to do their Christmas shopping.
Selective gifting is being driven by a number of factors, with 39% of those surveyed claiming restricted gatherings and lockdown limitations play a role, 37% saying they are being more careful with money this year, while 34% are more conscious of purchasing behaviour, aware that gifts often end up unused or as landfill.
The research from HUAWEI AppGallery delved into the habits of shoppers this Christmas, finding this year, with 71% of Brits also saying that they ‘window shop’ for Christmas gifts on their mobile phones for up to an hour per day.
With over one in ten (12%) Brits saying they will be doing their shopping on apps for the first time this year, we can expect a Christmas of Convenience. Festive shopping is now easier and more enjoyable than ever, with 61% shopping online or on apps from the sofa, 49% admitting to ordering gifts in bed, 13% getting tap happy in the bath and 47% saying they enjoy a spree while they are at work or working from home! Brits enjoy the process of app shopping, listing ease of payment and electronic receipts/easier returns (54%), and the comfort of shopping from home (49%) as some of the top benefits. Two thirds of Brits (66%) have been inspired to seek out offers and discounts following the excitement of Prime Day and Black Friday.
Sparking a sense of adventure, 49% of men admit to purchasing more risqué gifts on apps for their significant others, given they can avoid the embarrassment of face-to-face contact with checkout assistants in store and don’t have to carry around tell-tale bags in public. Underwear (39%) and tongue-in-cheek novelty gifts (35%) top the list of those that bring a blush to the cheek at the till.
While the organised amongst us (19%) have admitted to having already purchased ALL their festive gifts this year, 43% of Brits admit they won’t have finished their shopping until up to a week before the big day. However, the average Brit will be all wrapped up by the 15th December. Retailers can expect to see a surge of spending following the news that all retailers and non-essential shops will be open from the 2nd December – 20% of Brits admit they have been waiting for the all-important news before embarking on those yearly spending sprees.
Graham Long, Director Ecosystem Development, Huawei UK Consumer Business Group, said:
“There’s no doubt this Christmas is truly unique, with unforeseen circumstances significantly impacting usual shopping habits and purchasing behaviours like never before. With some of our favourite retailers launching apps on Huawei AppGallery this year, including John Lewis, Zara and ASOS, our millions of users will have lots of options to choose from for their Christmas shopping. To give our customers even more value, AppGallery users will also be able to enjoy a range of unique discounts and offers when shopping on selected apps in December.”
Huawei is offering AppGallery users a wide range of discounts to be redeemed with their favourite retailers, such as ASOS, John Lewis and JDSports – when shopping via their apps. Details can be found on the AppGallery.
For regular updates on AppGallery, follow us on:
consumer.huawei.com/en/mobileservices/appgallery/
Work from Abroad – The Rise of Work Wellnesscations
The increasing prevalence of remote work and tighter social distancing measures has created a new travel trend; instead of working from home, wellness enthusiasts are taking holidays abroad where they can work remotely while pursuing healthy activities. Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists, has seen an increase in new bookings for clients who want to leave the living room and carry on working remotely from a luxury destination.
The rise in popularity is with good reason as studies suggest that productivity is enhanced; many destinations like St Lucia and Madeira are safer havens from COVID-19; both work and personal life become more flexible. As the winter intensifies and recent lockdowns mean those that can are once more working from home, with this we can only expect the work wellnesscation trend to continue to grow. The lead up to Christmas and January in particular is likely to be popular as remote working from holiday can be supplemented with annual leave for an even better getaway experience.
Out of the many possible retreats for remote work, Mindful Triathlon™ holidays are particularly popular with health-conscious, remote workers as they offer an entirely flexible programme which covers all aspects of health: activeness, mindfulness and wellness. Clients can engage with their health and fitness programme which is built around their work schedule with these super flexible holidays. They can attend morning or evening activities, spa treatments and personal training scheduled around their working day. Mindful Triathlon holidays provide the variety and flexibility necessary for a work wellnesscation.
St Lucia, Turks & Caicos and other Caribbean destinations are popular for their sparce population, secluded luxury resorts and sunny winter climates. Dubai, Croatia, Estonia and Barbados are also attracting remote workers as they offer ‘digital nomad visas’. These new visas allow people to spend up to a year at a holiday destination while working remotely. Within these countries, resorts which offer villas are the most popular as this style of accommodation is ideal for those looking to work remotely and maintain their social distance from others. Work Wellnesscations are not exclusively to these destinations as they can be taken anywhere visa and restriction permitting with strong Wi-fi and a good phone signal.
The phenomenon is likely to have a lasting impact on a variety of industries, not just travel. With a higher number of remote workers, demand for office space will be smaller. Public transport may suffer a substantially reduced revenue due to a lack of commuting. Air pollution and congestion in major cities may decrease substantially with fewer people working in urban centres. Work Wellnesscations may be a much-needed revitalisation of the wellness travel industry with a post-lockdown boom in the length of average stay and a rise in the number of guests. All of this is indicative of a radical change in the UK’s work and holiday culture. As more people leave the office and begin remote work, there will be a substantially large group looking abroad, a season at a time, for new healthier lifestyles.
Discover the most popular work wellnesscations which Health and Fitness Travel clients are booking:
BodyHoliday – St Lucia
BodyHoliday allows remote workers to achieve any health goals given the huge variety of onsite facilities: 3 swimming pools, golf course and yoga studios. Devoting time to specific fitness targets is made possible by resident personal trainers and easy access to the facilities. A work wellnesscation is particularly advantageous here because of its location on the island of St Lucia which has a very low COVID-19 risk warning. BodyHoliday provides the variety that remote workers want in their down time.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at BodyHoliday from £1,815pp or £1,930 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a wellness programme and return private transfers.
For more information, visit: BodyHoliday
Galo Resort – Madeira
Galo Resort on the island of Madeira is a mecca for health that offers a wide range of fitness programmes and wellness treatments. While the sports and classes are an enjoyable experience, Galo’s 10-day Ayurvedic Immune Booster holiday offers remote workers the flexibility of scheduling spiritual classes and a strengthening of the immune system. A boost to the body’s natural defences will keep people healthy and able to work when they return to the UK.
For more information, visit: Galo Resort
Grantley Hall – United Kingdom
Grantley Hall demonstrates that a work wellnesscation does not have to be overseas but can be a domestic country spa break. Grantley sports top-tier fitness and wellness facilities that are ideal for remote workers who are eager to dramatically improve their health in a salubrious retreat. After completing intensive personal training sessions, guests can retire to one of the stately rooms of this country house to begin work. Strong Wi-fi is guaranteed for a work environment that is effective and stylish.
For more information, visit: Grantley Hall
The Retreat – Costa Rica
The Retreat Costa Rica, buried in the lush jungle of Costa Rica’s Atenas province, is a natural resort specialising in yoga and low-intensity physical exercise. The natural setting and incredible views of the Pacific Ocean would make a remote worker’s new office the stuff of dreams. Remote workers from Costa Rica can do their work early in the morning, allowing them to enjoy a whole day of yoga classes and wellness sessions as there is a time delay of six hours.
For more information, visit: The Retreat Costa Rica
Euphoria Retreat – Greece
Euphoria Retreat is considered one of the best wellness retreats in the world and accordingly would make a dream work wellnesscation for any fitness or spa enthusiast. Mainland Greece is currently under limited travel restrictions and the mountainous region where Euphoria is based in a secluded haven. Euphoria’s Immunity Reset holiday would also add extra protection to the immune system of visiting guests, making a work wellnesscation here a safe, healthy way of working remotely.
For more information, please visit: Euphoria Retreat
Bespoke work wellnesscations can be crafted by the Health and Fitness Travel team, who use their expertise to make sure a remote work holiday is as the client envisages it. This includes investigations into visa requirements, travel restrictions and tailoring activities for the best experience possible. For more about working from holiday and other wellness travel trends, discover our the biggest wellness travel trends for 2021.
For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891
SAM FENDER LEADS LINE-UP FOR SAGE GATESHEAD SPECIAL STREAMED CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sage Gateshead announces a special streamed Christmas concert, Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker, featuring some of the North East’s most illustrious musicians and rising stars including local hero Sam Fender.
The concert, which premieres on YouTube on Friday 18 December, promises to be a one-off Christmas spectacular featuring some of the North East’s favourite musicians performing original songs and festive favourites.
Sage Gateshead, which is looking forward to safely welcoming audiences back into the venue in 2021, is streaming the concert free of charge as a Christmas gift for its community. Audiences, donors and friends have rallied behind the organisation in recent months, sending in messages of support, tuning into live streams, taking part in online classes, and of course by making much-needed donations.
Sam Fender will perform with Royal Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of Sage Gateshead in a special collaboration. Joining them on the bill are Newcastle-based alt-pop musician Martha Hill, in a new big band style collaboration with “brilliant young jazz pianist” (The Guardian), Paul Edis; three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning Teesside trio The Young’uns; Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, who performed for Prince William in 2019; and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia with Chorus Director Timothy Burke, featuring more than 50 amateur singers from all walks of life.
Presented by award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard, Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker, which will be filmed in the iconic building, promises plenty of festive fun and some magical Christmas collaborations.
Sam Fender said:
“So excited to play The Sage with Royal Northern Sinfonia! It’s one of my favourite venues, I can’t wait to hear and perform a couple of songs with a full orchestra! A free live stream for fans is going to be a nice way to end the year.”
Abigail Pogson, Managing Director of Sage Gateshead said:
Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker is a celebration of music and musicians from the North. We want to showcase amazing musical talent and offer a fun-filled Christmas event to the North East – it’s a way for Sage Gateshead to say a special thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. We’re so grateful for the support we have had and want to say thank you with this magical online event.”
The charity’s Crisis, Recovery and Renaissance campaign aims to raise £3 million over three years to help meet the challenge the pandemic has created, and to serve communities and audiences in the North East and wider North for the long term. They are aiming to reach the first £1m by March 2021 – the first year of the campaign – and are delighted to announce that the public have already helped to raise £700,000.
Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker premieres on Sage Gateshead’s YouTube channel at 7.30pm on Friday 18 December and will be available to watch free of charge throughout the festive season until 4 January 2021.
For more info visit sagegateshead.com
Fears 2020 could see a rise in alcohol related drownings in Northern Ireland with people toasting goodbye to stressful year
Don’t Drink and Drown campaign aims to save lives this festive season
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is concerned that communities in Northern Ireland are at greater risk of drowning whilst intoxicated this festive period than in previous years, and is urging everyone to take extra care.
As part of the national Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, run by RLSS UK, communities – particularly men – are being urged not to walk home near bodies of water after they have been drinking.
Over the last five years there have been 30 accidental drowning deaths in Northern Ireland, and 10 of the victims were found to have had alcohol or drugs in their system (more than 33%). Across the UK 1,358 people accidentally drowned and 385 of them were intoxicated (28%).
The majority of alcohol and drug related drownings are thought to occur when a person accidentally falls in whilst waking home from a night out.
Despite Tier restrictions scuppering many people’s plans to celebrate the festivities in the high street this year, there is still a major concern that individuals could fall into cold water whilst intoxicated, and with emergency and health services already stretched to the limit, RLSS UK worries that there will be a rise in fatalities.
RLSS UK CEO Robert Gofton said: “With more people choosing to drink at home this December, there is a real temptation to enjoy more generous measures. Many people will want to spend time in their family bubbles and will then return home later to avoid the extended contact of staying overnight.
“While we’re all in need of some fun and relaxation after this unprecedented year, we want to ensure that everyone is safely still here to welcome in 2021. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water and we strongly urge everyone to avoid walking home near water, in the darkness and particularly if they are on their own.”
RLSS UK is calling on everyone to be mindful of potential risks, and to carefully plan their route home.
In the last five years:
• Wales – 124 accidental drowning deaths, 33 of them drug or alcohol related (27%)
• Scotland –229 accidental drowning deaths, 40 of them drug or alcohol related (17%)
• Northern Ireland – 30 accidental drowning deaths, 10 of them drug or alcohol related (33.3%)
• England – 964 accidental drowning deaths, 297 of them drug or alcohol related (30%)
Don’t Drink and Drown, this year running from 5-11 December, was launched in 2014 following a number of tragic drownings of young people. This year, the campaign’s events and activities, which usually take place up and down the UK, have had to be postponed due to the pandemic but supporters will still be promoting the vital messages:
• Plan a safe route away from water, and
• #Beamate – make sure your friends and family get home safe
For more information on RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign:
Visit our website at www.rlss.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter – @RLSSUK
Follow the campaign – #DontDrinkandDrown
Visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RLSSUK
Call – 0300 3230 096
