Choosing what to pack for a holiday is a dilemma every woman must go through, along with the eternal question of how many pairs of shoes are too many? Understanding this, British Airways packing expert Abigail Comber has devised the perfect packing checklist with tips on how to get the most out of the contents of your luggage both on the way and when you get to your destination.

With new research by BA revealing that we’re a nation of overweight travellers, when it comes to our luggage that is, with one in five of us admitting we only use about 70% or less of what we pack anyway, a bit of advice is surely needed. How many of us take 3 or more pairs of shoes with us, for example, as almost one in ten take 10 or more pairs of underwear, with one in eight taking 3 towels or more for a one week holiday?

Click here to listen to our podcast where Abigail reveals more.

Click here for more information.

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With the ceremony just a day away, the eyes of the nation are focused on who will scoop the top BRIT awards for Best Male and Best Female, but just as exciting is speculation around which chart-topping artists will be taking to the stage for a priceless duet.

In 2010 it was Florence + the Machine and Dizzee Rascal who sent the crowd crazy with ‘You’ve got the Dirty Love’, which was widely touted as the best BRITs duet of all-time; but outside of that classic fusion of hip hop and gothic pop what other duets do we still rave about?

Well, according to a poll released today, Tom Jones and Stereophonics performance of ‘Mama Told Me Not To Come’ performed at the 2000 Awards is our number one BRIT Awards duet in history, followed by Jay Z and Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire State of Mind’ in 2010 and Rihanna’s teaming up with the Klaxons in 2008 for her super-hit, Umbrella.

Fresh from her success at the Grammys, BRIT nominee Adele’s performance of ‘Someone Like You’ was voted the nation’s favourite performance from the 2011 BRITs Awards ceremony. Not surprisingly, the British starlet was also voted the artist we’d most like to duet with.

Take That’s ‘Back for Good’ rendition in 1995 topped the MasterCard poll as our favourite performance before 2011, with Freddie Mercury the most iconic singer from the past we’d like to share the stage with.

But do you agree with the nation? What about the moment in 1996 when British pop legends David Bowie and Pet Shop boys took to the stage to perform the Pet Shop Boys’ remix of one of his biggest hits of the nineties – ‘Hallo Spaceboy’, or how about back in 1994 when a fresh-faced duo of PJ Harvey and Bjork showcased their unique talents to the world on a stripped-down cover of the Rolling Stones classic ‘Satisfaction’. Not to mention the likes of Five and Queen; and Justin Timberlake and Kylie and that ‘cheeky’ moment.

When it comes to the awards, will it be Emeli Sande or Jessie J who will follow Adele onto the world stage by scooping the Best British Breakthrough act? Or can Ed Sheeran do the double and scoop the Best British Breakthrough and British Male Solo Artist awards? And in the clash of the British Bands will it be Elbow or Coldplay who win the battle of the heavyweights, or are we all underestimating the power of new boys Chase & Status?

Click here to listen to our podcast with music journalist, Paul Lester, where he discusses what makes a memorable duet and to tell you how you can win a Priceless Duet with Jessie J courtesy of the MasterCard Priceless Duets competition..

Click here for more information.

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Our video showcases: Roast New Zealand Rack of Lamb with Marmalade Mustard Crumb Topping and the perfect accompaniments

With winter in full swing, there’s nothing like settling into some delicious home cooked food to warm us up on the inside. Whilst it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of cooking the same recipes, there’s nothing better than mastering a new recipe for the first time to bolster your cooking confidence.

Whether it’s for a dinner party or just supper round the kitchen table for two, Peter’s gorgeous roast New Zealand lamb rack with mustard crumb topping, roasted baby vegetables, served with tasty watercress and pumpkin seed salad is really simple and once you’ve cooked it once, is bound to remain a staple feature in your repertoire.

Just follow Peter’s handy hints and for a fool proof recipe sure to wow time and time again.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

For more hints and tips on how to cook lamb CLICK HERE

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Getting the balance right on a date is for better or worse the focus of the romantic endeavour of many of us. What to buy, where to go, what food to eat to ensure the right ‘mood’ is achieved… However, what if the success of your date has more to do with what you eat beforehand than on the big night?

That question has been put to the test over the last week in an innovative food experiment which sought to gauge the impact of fruit in particular can have on our mood, concentration, energy levels and libido.

Previous studies have successfully identified a number of foods which can have both a positive and negative impact on our ‘relationships’. Soy for instance is known to have a potent effect on men in particular – and not in a good way. Similarly fast food which is full of trans fat, has been linked to reduced testosterone levels and arteriosclerosis which diminishes blood flow. Dark Chocolate contains chemical compounds that trigger endorphins similar to those people feel when “falling in love” And sirloin steak contains 60-140 mg of something called “choline”, which can help boost a natural chemical in our brains - acetylcholine, which is responsible for sending sexual signals from our brains to… where they’re required.

But what if the power of berries improves our mood in more ways than one?

Foods from Spain, Spanish berries, have released a study today, which saw couples increase their intake of berries across a seven day period. According to this study, over half of those taking part described their sex drive as either good or very good during that week with one in ten saying their libido increased during the period.

Furthermore, over 80% described their energy levels as good or very good across the week, as well as their concentration levels.

Click here to listen to our podcast where Maria Jose Sevilla Salvador, Director of Foods & Wines from Spain, who is an expert in these super fruits and is joined by fellow Spaniard and star of Dancing on Ice Elen Rivas to explain the findings of the food diary experiment.

For more information visit: www.foodsfromspain.com

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Faye Sawyer gives her top tips on how to dress for that special date

Next Tuesday, millions of women will be donning their finest outfits and glamming up to the hilt to make sure they look their absolute best for the most romantic day of the year, giving their confidence a boost by looking their absolute finest.

While we all know it’s what on the inside that counts, what you wear on the outside can also say a lot about you, as can the layer you wear under your clothes.

Whether you’re blissfully in love already, content and comfortable with your beau, or desperately seeking love – looking your loveliest on the most romantic night of the year can make a big difference to how your night will end.

So what look should you be aiming for? Casual and cool, sexy and sensuous, or pretty and pleasant?

One of the key parts of any Valentine’s Day outfit is what’s underneath, and according to new research released today by TU at Sainsbury’s, over half of all British babes will select special underwear for the event and a third of the nation’s women will even invest in new lingerie for the occasion.

So how can you make sure you look your best both on the outside and underneath this Valentine’s Day?

Click here to listen to our podcast with Faye Sawyer where she gives her top tips.

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Hints and tips from one of the UK’s top Interior Stylists on how to transform your living space

We all enjoy creating a beautiful home, but with trends forever changing there are simpler ways to transform a living space without having to re-plaster your walls or shell out for a new carpet.

When it comes to design it is all about the finishing touches which can complete a room and pull features together. Through a few simple steps, you can bring out your own individual style, by refreshing a room with small touches of luxury.

No one knows this more than Interior Stylist Maxine Brady, who with her handy guide will share with you a few tips for refreshing the rooms in your home. Through quality touches, sumptuous natural fabrics and looking out for the COTTON USA trademark, you can transform your living space in to a stylish haven.

Maxine’s top tips:

• Try mixing and matching layers of bed linens in gorgeous soft pastel shades. Not only is the look bang on trend but it makes your room really cosy and you’ll want nothing more than to snuggle up in a comfy room.

• Natural fabrics are a ‘must have’ for the bedroom. This room is a luxurious area - you spend a lot of time in there so you want it to be a fabulous, sumptuous space to be in.

• Scented candles are brilliant for adding beautiful warm fragrances to your rooms but they can also help you unwind and even when unlit they help decorate a room.

• Don’t fret if your home has small rooms! You can buy large mirrors and carefully place them so they reflect the space and make a small room look bigger. Mirrors are a low-cost way of making a big difference to a room.

• Invest in a towel radiator, not only will it keep your bathroom warm, but you can also use it to show off your towels. There are stylish and trendy towel radiators on the market and they can also help you save space in your bathroom.

• Who says flowers should only be in the kitchen and living room? Try placing fragrant flowers like hyacinths in your bathroom; they help give your bathroom a pretty natural smell and bring gorgeous vibrant colours to a small space.

Click here to read more of Maxine’s tips to find out how to transform your living space.

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Get in form this winter and make the most of the season

Dr Ellie Cannon gives her top tips on how to stay healthy in the cold weather

Are you worried that a cold is going to drag you down again this winter? Are you fed up of feeling run down all the time?

It’s that time of year again when the cold weather is upon us and we are all trying hard to ward off the inevitable cold and flu viruses. Research shows that our immune systems are particularly vulnerable in the winter and it can be a challenge to stay healthy when we are also run down and stressed especially after December!

Instead, armed with a few easy tips, you can enjoy the lovely sunny winter days and make the most of your time with friends and family. These include eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly and taking supplements that support your immune system by boosting levels of good bacteria in your gut.

Dr Ellie Cannon, the resident doctor on Sky Livings, “Slave to Food”, has joined with Bimuno IMMUNAID to help people stay healthy this winter. Watch our video where she gives her top tips on getting through the cold season in tip-top shape and helping you make the most of winter activities.

Click here to watch our video.

Click here for more information.

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- Women queue up for the Lynx Effect -

Sexy celebrity Abbey Clancy joined a throng of beautiful women who camped overnight at a local supermarket store to be first in line to buy the debut fragrance from Lynx for women.

For the first time in its history, the brand famed for giving guys the edge in the mating game, has given the Lynx effect to women as well. Leading the charge for the ladies’ Lynx Effect was famed UK model, Abbey Clancy, who has been campaigning for a female variant for years. She looked stunning despite having queued overnight to become the first person in the UK to buy and try Lynx For Her.

Looking more like a scene from a music festival, scores of young women pitched up tents in Asda’s car park and settled in for a long, cold night to get their hands on Lynx’s first ever female body spray – Lynx Attract For Her – which went on public sale on Tuesday 7th February.

Abbey Clancy said, “Ever since my stint as a Lynx girl, I’ve been calling for Lynx to make a female version. I am so excited they listened to me it is finally here!”

The demand for the new For Her body spray has been so intense since being unveiled that the whereabouts of the product retail launch was kept under wraps until the day before. Once Lynx revealed the location online, women flocked to camp outside the store to get their hands on the product.

Men watched in awe as gorgeous girls desperate to buy the new scent set up their own tent town at Asda in Wembley causing chaos for locals going about their weekly shop.

The new scent is filled with fruity, floral and woody fragrance that are set to drive the men.

Kieran Danaher, Lynx Brand Manager at Unilever UK, said: “The news that Lynx launched a product For Him and For Her for the first time in its history has generated a lot of excitement. We certainly didn’t expect the scale of reaction from girls wanting to get their hands on the Lynx Effect and prepared to queue overnight. It’s such a delight to see Abbey Clancy leading the charge considering she’s been vying for a female version for years”.

The mating game has just evolved.

New Lynx Attract For Him and For Her – Unleash the Chaos

Click here for more information.

Click here to watch our video.

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Weight problems are an increasing cause for concern for many parents, with obesity on the rise in many countries. In the UK alone some 25% of adults are classed as obese, with men more likely than women to suffer from serious weight problems – yet the slimming industry pays far more attention to women’s weight problems than it does to those of our male population.

High profile advertising campaigns from well known diet brands have done little to broaden their appeal to guys, with 28% of men feeling existing weight-loss programmes are too female-focussed, deterring them from joining.

This is despite 52% of men admitting they are unhappy with their body shape with the majority of chaps looking to lose between 1 and 2 stone in 2012. Interestingly, married men were more likely to be unhappy with their body shape than their single peers.

Men want options, and in such a female focused industry, those options have clearly been too few and far between. According to the report from the new male focused weight loss plan LivSmarter, guys in the UK have to this point compounded their problem by being too shy, 42% would not have the courage to ask anyone for advice if they wanted to lose weight, preferring (20%) instead to look online for information.

We all know how easy it is for those extra pounds to creep up on us especially when you’ve got treats for the kids in the house and teatime ends up with you finishing off leftovers.

So, what are the solutions? How can you ensure your partner has the time to lose that winter weight? Father and star of Cold Feet and The Fast Show, John Thomson gives fellow fathers his top tips.

Click here to watch our video.

Click here for more information.

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Midwife and fertility expert Zita West discusses the ‘2-week wait’

No-one likes to wait, especially when it’s for such a life-changing answer. Fertility expert, Zita West, says, “the 2-week wait, the time between ovulation and the time to test, is a time of great uncertainty for many women while they are waiting to test.”

As a midwife, Zita is often asked about what lifestyle changes need to be made at this stage. There are so many questions a woman may ask herself – what should I be eating? How much caffeine am I allowed? Should I say no to a glass of wine? How much exercise should I be doing?

Staying healthy and relaxed during this period is key. Pinktimeline.com is a new resource for those trying for a baby and provides details on what is happening to a woman’s body during this time along with Zita’s tips for staying healthy and relaxed.

The website even has a forum where you can connect with others who are also waiting to test and a bespoke fundraising section that allows couples to raise funds for the costs associated with trying for a baby.

In the following video, midwife and fertility expert Zita West answers some of these common questions and gives advice on areas such as diet, exercise, stress relief and positivity, suggesting small lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier you and a healthier pregnancy.

Click here to watch our video.

Click here for more information.

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Watch our video for dancing tips from Arlene and Len designed to help you get fit and stay fit

National treasures Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips have a firm belief in staying active keeping you healthier and happier longer. Now, in what is set to be Britain’s biggest sporting year ever, the famous duo are encouraging over 55s to follow in their footsteps as the faces of the Your Personal Best campaign.

With London 2012 only a few months away, people all over the world will be inspired to get more active. And whilst we can’t all be world class athletes, people of all ages can get involved. To ensure we do just that, Len and Arlene have joined forces to launch the Your Personal Best campaign with the specific objective of encouraging over 55s who may feel limited by long term health conditions to lead a more active lifestyle.

With nearly 8 million over 55s in the UK suffering from long term conditions, the dancing legends have teamed up with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), who is launching Your Personal Best in association with NHS London. Their hope is that the national campaign will inspire and motivate those who feel they can’t lead as active a lifestyle as they would like to achieve their personal best – just by making some simple changes.

Watch our video to see Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips take a lucky group of over 55s through a very special dance class at the launch of the campaign where they also talk about why they want to help you reach Your Personal Best.

Click here to watch our video.

Click here for more information.

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Watch our Web TV show to hear Amanda’s inspiring story and how you can help the cause by joining her in London

Show date: Friday 27th January
Show time: 9am

She’s best known for her starring roles in Holby City and Strike Back, but Amanda Mealing is hoping to become known for another role later this year – that of marathon runner.

The actress will line up in the Virgin London Marathon in April for Team PB which will raise money for both the Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care, a charity close to her heart after she fought the disease following the birth of her second child.

And she’s urging people who are running the marathon to run for Team PB which will call on their runners to take part in the theme for Race Day, by running with their underwear over their usual athletic gear to help highlight both causes.
Log on to our Web TV show where Amanda talks about her successful battle with breast cancer and how you can help fight the cause for both Breast Cancer Care and The Prostate Cancer Charity by joining with Team PB. Alongside her will be Owen Sharp, the Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, who will also line up for the first time, in the Virgin London Marathon.

Amanda Mealing and Owen Sharp join us live online HERE on Friday 27th January at 9am send your questions in now, or watch here at a later date

CLICK HERE FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

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Log onto our live and interactive webTV show with Dr Pixie McKenna where she discusses the availability of emergency contraception in Ireland

Show date: 27th January 2012
Show time: 2pm

One year on from the morning after pill becoming available without prescription from pharmacies in Ireland, new research by HRA Pharma shows that, despite fears that increased availability could lead to misuse, the vast majority of women would still only consider using emergency contraception as a last resort.
The research also appears to demonstrate an increasing awareness and support of the improved availability, with almost three quarters of women now aware that emergency contraception can be purchased over the counter and over 90% agreeing that the move has given women more freedom due to the improved access to emergency contraception.

However, there are many arguments both for and against the use of the morning after pill and the increase in its availability has been a controversial issue in Ireland. The research shows though, that two thirds of women disagree with the notion that over the counter availability of the morning after pill has encouraged Irish women to be more promiscuous.

Similarly a huge 91% agree that the ability to purchase the pill over the counter would reduce their risk of an unplanned pregnancy thanks to improved accessibility, while over two thirds of women are of the belief that the stigma which has surrounded using the morning after pill in the past has been significantly diminished since it has become available from pharmacy.

So do you think that over-the-counter emergency contraception is a good thing? Do you think it has led to an increase in unprotected and unsafe sex? And what do you think are the implications of the increased availability?

If you have an opinion on this, or want to learn more on the topic, then log onto our live and interactive webTV show with Dr Pixie McKenna, Mark Sadja, Superintendent Pharmacist from Sam McCauley Chemists, and Tony Fraser, HRA Pharma, where they discuss the morning after pill in Ireland.

Click here to watch Dr Pixie McKenna, Mark Sadja and Tony Fraser join us live online on 27th January at 2pm

Click here to submit questions before the show.

Click here for more information.

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Watch our video where Sue Perkins gives her handy tips on how to de-complicate your family

There are lots of complicated things in this world like combating global warming or solving the Eurozone financial crisis. But is anything as complicated as organising and running a family?

From getting them out of bed in the morning, making breakfast for all and actually getting them to school or work – sometimes it’s all to much for even the best of us. Chuck in family issues, bickering and the demands of the kids and other half and you’ve got a recipe for confusion, chaos and massive complications.

But what if you could eradicate the pain of the mornings? Make sure everyone got on and left you alone to lead a stress free life? How much less complicated would your life be if your family life was breezy and easy?

Look no further, as Sue has all the answers you need to de-complicate Britain’s families in 2012. Watch our video to see her unusual suggestions to make life less complicated for parents by getting the kids ready for school in record time.

Click here to watch our video.

Click here for more information.

Tweet about this! #alifelesscomplicated

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TV presenter Catherine Gee gives her top tips for cost effective and simple renovation around your home this winter

Show date: Thursday 12th January
Show time: 15:30

If you’ve just moved into a new home, or are thinking of making some major changes to your house then you’ll know about the stress and worry involved in doing it yourself.

While many of us would like to think we’re master builders at heart, the reality is that there’s a lot more to renovation than just knocking down some walls and slapping on a coat of paint.

It’s vital that if you are thinking of doing some major renovation that you take the time to research all the options carefully.
One area of the home that can often be a last minute consideration when it comes to renovation is the staircase, but in fact for safety and aesthetic reasons, it should be one of the first things you consider when you’re about to renovate.

So if you’re about to start renovating your home and are looking for some timely advice and tips then log on to our Web TV show where TV presenter Catherine Gee joins with Mark Horrocks from Richard Burbidge with their top renovation tips.

Click here to watch our live webTV show.

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2012 Travel Trends Report released as January blues kick in and millions of us predicted to take to the internet to start planning our next getaways

The resorts of Spain have once again topped the list of the UK’s most searched for travel destinations, just ahead of New York, while Estonia and Iraq were the fastest rising searched for destinations in 2011.

That’s according to a new travel trends report from travel search site Skyscanner, which details the most searched for destinations on their website in 2011 and predicts the hottest travel spots in 2012.

Some of the picks for 2012 include the Cape Verde Islands – which have opened to tourism over the last five years thanks to an increase in hotels as well as charter flights and package holidays. The Islands ranked third on the list of emerging destinations in 2011, proving there is now a strong winter sun rival to the Canaries in the mid-haul market from the UK.

And if you want to take ‘alternative’ to a whole new level then, while starting from a low-baseline, the emerging travel industry in Iraq has begun to proactively market the country with regular flights now flying from Europe.

For those with a more traditional outlook on their holiday destinations, Spain is still the no.1 destination for British travellers, leading the list of country searches and with four of the top five city & resort searches.

While Spain’s enduring popularity may offer few surprises, it is the emerging nations highlighted in the Destinations Of The Future section that offer a window on how travel from the UK may look in 2012.
Estonia, boosted by Riga’s status as the current joint European Capital of Culture and the fact it remains a relatively undiscovered Baltic country, is the no.1 rising destination with a search increase of 89.8%, followed by Iraq at 75.4%.

Click here to watch our video.

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Log on to our Web TV Show for top tips and advice from Mica Paris and Professor David Haslam on staying motivated, staying full and losing weight

Show date: January 3rd 2012
Show time: 15:00

Millions of women will be about to, or will have already started a new year’s diet in the last few days. But how many of us will have fallen off the wagon by the end of the week?

Let’s face it, more women probably start diets in the first week of January that at any other time of the year after finding on January the 1st, that after the over-indulgent festive period, their jeans are just a little bit tighter, or their favourite dress no longer does up.

The start of a new year is also a time when many of us reassess our lives and for women, that often means declaring that this is the year we get the body of our dreams.

But regardless of when we embark on a new healthy eating plan or exercise regime, sticking to our guns is never easy, as temptation, boredom and a lack of willpower kicks in and all our good intentions become a distant memory.

So why do so many women fail on diets? What is the secret to success for those lucky few who do succeed? And if you’re embarking on a New Year’s diet, what are the biggest mistakes you can make and what are the best things you can do to help you stick to your new regime and ultimately get the body you’ve always wanted?

Mica Paris knows all about the diet rollercoaster, but after years of yo-yo dieting she now maintains a healthy weight thanks to a few easy and simple secrets. She’s joined with XLS-Medical Fat Binder in conjunction with new weight loss programme ‘123 Hello Me’, a new easy to follow plan, to help women lose weight for life.

Log on to our Web TV Show for top tips and advice from Mica and Professor David Haslam to give you the motivation and information you need to make your New Year’s diet your most successful ever.

Mica Paris and Professor David Haslam joins us live online at http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/how-to-make-your-new-years-diet-a-success-this-year on January 3rd at 15:00

Click here to submit questions before the show.

Click here for more information.

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Average Brit set to fill almost three bin bags full of waste each this Christmas that’s 125 million bags of rubbish throughout Britain

More than 12 million Brits will be hosting their family and friends this Christmas and as we build up to the big day, the amount of food and drink now being purchased and stockpiled through family homes around the nation is reaching massive proportions.

But have you ever thought about just how much rubbish, food waste, wrapping paper, packaging, bottles and plastic containers you and your family go through at Christmas?

Well, according to new research the average person will go through a staggering three bin bags of rubbish each this Christmas that’s about 125 million bags of rubbish sitting around Britain this festive season.

The study also shows that a lot of what will be filling these bags, shouldn’t be, with 40% of people saying they will throw away food, almost 15% saying they will throw away plastic bottles, more than one in ten won’t recycle food packaging and the same amount won’t recycle wrapping paper.

One in ten of us admit that we will recycle less than 50% of all the waste we create this Christmas, with a fifth of us admitting that we will recycle less during that time than we do in a normal week – which could be down to the sheer volume of waste that we are set to generate and the fact that for many of us sorting through, so much rubbish seems like an arduous task.

However, sorting and recycling waste as you go along can save time in the long run and it also means that you’re likely to have less rubbish lying around your home during Christmas.

Sodastream have commissioned the research to highlight the practice of ‘pre-cycling’, reducing waste before there is any need for recycling and they’ve created some handy tips to help families cut back on rubbish by recycling this Christmas as much as possible.

Top Five Waste Reducing Tips for Christmas

1. Get organised before the big day by having separate bags and containers ready to fill with different types of rubbish.
2. Save on card this Christmas, by sending e-season’s greetings cards instead.
3. Wrap up leftover food as soon as you’re finished to make into meals and snacks on Boxing Day
4. Instead of buying lots of bottled drinks – make your own.
5. Make recycling fun for your kids by making it a competition to see who can collect the most recyclable items over the weekend and get them to save all their wrapping paper to be used for next year.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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Nearly six million Brits admit to basing gift choices on whether they can wrap them… if you’re one of them, don’t miss this!

Do books and boxsets frequently fill your Christmas shopping lists simply because they’re easy to wrap? Do you long to give a guitar, a stuffed toy or a boomerang but fear ending up in a heap of ripped and scrunched wrapping paper?

Well don’t despair, you’re certainly not alone with new wrapping research released today showing that nearly six million of us have purposely not bought a gift someone wants because we were worried about wrapping it.
The survey found that the top three most difficult presents to wrap are a cuddly toy, a bike and a bottle of wine, with other difficult presents people have endured to wrap including a didgeridoo, antlers and even a Cortina MK3!

Considering how poorly many of us seem to rate our wrapping skills, you would think we would leave ourselves plenty of time to get it right. Yet 30% of people admit they always leave wrapping presents until Christmas Eve and, in between mince pies and carol services, inevitably end up rushing it.

According to the study by Sellotape, the average Brit spends an hour and 50 minutes wrapping Christmas presents each year, but whilst 53% of men said they did all of their wrapping in between half an hour and an hour, only 23% of women were so quick.

Over the Christmas period Brits will buy and use enough Sellotape to go around the world twice, making sure their presents are securely wrapped and peek-proof. And no wonder, as when it comes to the excitement of unwrapping – some of us simply can’t wait till the morning of the 25th. Almost a third of us admit that at some point in our lives we’ve undone some of the wrapping around one of our Christmas presents before the big day.

That’s where Arona Khan comes in. According to Harpers & Queen, Arona was the world’s first gift wrapping consultant and her passion for her “art form” has seen her share her tips and techniques around the UK and Europe, across the United States and in Japan where she was described as the world’s foremost gift wrapping expert. She even received an invitation to train the Prime Minister’s staff at 10 Downing Street.

CLICK HERE Listen to our podcast with Arona Khan, the world’s first gift wrapping guru where she offers tips and advice on how to get your Christmas wrapping done ahead of the big day.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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She’s prepared to work extra hours, face struggles to avoid any debt or miss household payments, all so her kids don’t miss out this Christmas

A strong army of Lambrini drinkers – young, hard-working women and mums – are worried about how they will cope with the mounting costs of the festive season this year, with the vast majority set to make huge sacrifices just to make sure their kids still get a Christmas.

That’s according to a study released today by drinks brand, Lambrini which shows that more than two thirds of these women – viewed as being disenfranchised from politics but far from ignorant about policy – will be forced to spend less money this Christmas than last year, with a third blaming Government cuts, one in five saying they are earning less now than they were this time last year and one in seven saying they or their partner has been made redundant in the last 12 months.

These tough times mean 70% of those surveyed, will be spending less money on Christmas presents, more than half will even cut back on food, while ‘treats’ such as clothes, make-up and magazines are completely out of the question for two thirds of women.

With more than half of all Lambrini ladies admitting they feel guilty about not being able to afford the presents their children want, it’s probably no surprise almost one in five will be tempted to turn to credit cards, one quarter will want to dip into their savings and one in six will be putting in extra hours at work. With the pressures of paying for Christmas, these ladies face an uphill struggle to make sure they don’t even miss any household bills or mortgage payments.

2011 has seen a growing trend for ‘savvy shopping’ and Christmas won’t be any different, more than half of women plan to use special offers and vouchers to be able to afford Christmas essentials.

So, what impact is the pressure of Christmas likely to have on women, such as Lambrini ladies this year, when many are already finding it tough to get by as it is? Are they sacrificing too much to keep everyone happy? And would children be just as happy with less presents and more quality time with their mum?

CLICK HERE to listen to our podcast with Jenni Trent Hughes, a life coach and relationship expert.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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Zoe Ball and Prudence Staite’s festive treats for all the family

The decorations are up, the holly is hung and all eyes are fixed on the little boxes under the tree. If you’re finding it hard to keep the overexcited little ones occupied, why not get creative in the kitchen - pass a fun and festive afternoon together, making Curiously Cinnamon Christmas Reindeers.

In this easy-to-follow recipe, Zoe Ball and food artist, Prudence Staite, use a variety of Nestlé Cereals made with whole grain which provide fibre, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, to make a yummy festive inspired creation. Using Nesquik for antlers, a raspberry for a nose and cinnamon cereal to make the head, Zoe and Prudence produce a great Christmas treat.

Watch this video, where Zoe and Prudence show you step by step how to create these deliciously merry cinnamon Reindeers:

CLICK HERE to watch our video.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Curiously Cinnamon Christmas Reindeer

Description: A yummy festive inspired creation. Cinnamon cereal hand moulded into reindeer head shapes, with crunchy Nesquik antlers, and red raspberry noses.

Ingredients:
300g Curiously Cinnamon
125g Butter
150ml Condensed milk
100g Dark chocolate
20g Nesquik Cereal- approx 24 pieces per reindeer
6 Fresh Raspberries, strawberries or cherries
24 Currants

Makes 12

Equipment:
2 Baking sheets, or boards, lined with greaseproof paper, or tin foil.
1 Plastic food bag and rolling pin to crush cereal
2 Microwavable bowls
2 Tablespoon spoons
Greaseproof paper piping bag or teaspoon

Method:
1) Place the Curiously Cinnamon in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until broken into small pieces, do not make the pieces too fine, we want to make this crunchy! Place crushed cereal into a bowl.
2) Place the butter and condensed milk into a microwavable bowl, and heat on medium until melted. Mix together until combined. Add to the cereal and mix well. Divide into 6 equal amounts.
3) Using a spoon push one part of the mixture into the tablespoon to make a rounded top triangle shape, press in well to bind together and level with a knife to form a flat base. Turning the spoon over carefully slide the mixture from the spoon onto the prepared baking sheet. Continue with remaining mixture. Chill for 1 hour.
4) Whilst they are chilling make the antlers. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place into a small microwavable bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on medium setting in 20 seconds blasts, stirring every time until melted, but not hot.
5) Fill the piping bag with chocolate and pipe chocolate into antler shapes on the prepared baking sheet/board. Or you can use a teaspoon and draw the chocolate into shape.. Before the chocolate sets press in the Nesquik to create the velvet texture of antlers. Best completed one at a time. When all are completed or the tray is full, chill in fridge until set firm.
6) To assemble the reindeer melt a little dark chocolate and join the antlers to the back of the head shape, adding 2 currants to make eyes, and finish by adding a red raspberry nose.

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Panto Cinderella Louisa Lytton’s top tips on how to look like a princess this festive season

As those Christmas invitations start rolling in, you know that the party season has officially arrived. And that means it’s time to plan our outfits.

Unfortunately, shopping for the perfect party dress can often take all of the fun out of the festivities. With so many different styles to choose from, over-crowded shops and queues for the fitting rooms, many of us can be left feeling more cranky than celebratory.

But fear not, you don’t need to be a princess (with a royal budget) to feel like one. It’s not about spending a fortune on new clothes, it’s about the little touches that can make you sparkle this Christmas.

Watch our video featuring Louisa Lytton, as she tells us how to sparkle more than ever before with the help of official jewellery supplier to Panto princesses across the UK, QVC, and gives us a step by step guide of how catch your Prince Charming’s eye this Christmas.

CLICK HERE to watch our video.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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Where does your local region rank?

If you’ve ever wondered where the funniest people in the UK live then wonder no more, because a new Foster’s Comedy Map of the nation is sure to point you in the right direction – that is if you’re looking for people who think they’re funny, not those who necessarily are!

The map shows that the average Brit thinks they make family, friends and work mates laugh around six times a day, with a cocky 5% claiming they get laughs at least 16 times a day – or once an hour. One in ten however, has absolutely no confidence in their ability to provoke laughter and say they never make people laugh

In England it’s those from London who rate themselves as Jason Manford’s in the making, followed closely by people in Northern Ireland and the Midlands.

The modest folks of the South West are the least likely to think they can make you laugh – so perhaps head there if you’re not looking to be bombarded with wannabe comedians.

On the whole, we rate comedy as our favourite type of film, with observational comedy as our favourite type of humour, followed by surprise, surprise – sarcasm, satire slapstick and black comedy, while a very straight-laced 5% of people don’t find anything funny – nothing, nada, zilch.

Foster’s created the Comedy Map to support British comedy and The British Comedy Awards, which take place on the December 16th. So where do you fit in – have a look at the Comedy Map and see if you laugh out loud.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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The celebrity trio applaud the British public for embracing micro-donations through Pennies, the electronic charity box, which hits one million donations in its first year

This Christmas, celebrities such as Cheryl Cole, Gary Barlow and Jason Donovan are urging their fans to remember those less fortunate as they lend their voice to a new charity scheme which will make it easier to give a little something to those who really need it.

With most of us preferring to use our cards rather than cash, dropping a few loose pennies into a charity box on a shop counter has become a thing of the past. However, Pennies is a new channel which gives people the choice to round up their bills when they pay by card. The Pennies technology can now be switched on in stores, ranging from high street chains to corner shops, as well as for online and mobile purchases.

“I love the idea that if we could all give a tiny amount of money, loose change really – micro-donations – we really could make the pennies add up to something truly significant,” says Gary Barlow, a new supporter of the scheme.

The British public has already made one million micro-donations in just 12 months through Pennies raising over £250,000 from ‘spare change’ for more than 20 UK charities.

Cheryl Cole, who is also excited to be backing the initiative adds that she “can’t believe that no one had previously thought of this”.

“Now there is an amazing scheme where if you round up the lump sum on your card to £20 instead of £19.99, that penny will go to charity. All those pennies can add up to so much money. What an amazing idea and I hope this catches on. I’m in; all my pennies are going to you!”

Jason Donovan is a fan of how easy and quick the scheme will make donating for all of us this Christmas.

“It’s a new technology solution for the old habit of dropping change in the charity box. I encourage everyone to get behind Pennies and together we can raise millions to help thousands.”

CLICK HERE to watch our video to learn more about Pennies for Change from Cheryl and Jason.

CLICK HERE for more information.

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Every year it seems the countdown to Christmas starts earlier, but what of its after effects?

It appears that the ever extending festive period populated with planning, spending and general consumption is attributing to increasing instances of anxiety and a hangover in physical and financial terms which for some lasts until March.

A pre-Christmas survey released today shows that it takes 1 in 5 people until March to pay for Christmas; over 80% say it takes a month to recover from the stress caused; and 1 in 10 take 4 months to lose the weight we put on.

Taking these factors into account it’s perhaps unsurprising that over half the population is considering spending the Christmas period abroad, with this most marked amongst 25-34 year olds (59%).

Of those who have previously turned their back on the traditional, anxiety fueled festivities a considerable one in three have felt more relaxed as a result.

As well as saving our sanity, 30% of people surveyed by Thailand’s new luxury resort Conrad Koh Samui who have gone away, said they actually spent less on food and drink.

So what difference would it make to start thinking about a different type of Christmas this year? Watch our video with Dale Keller, from Conrad Koh Samui, where he discusses why we should relieve the stress of Christmas by getting away.

CLICK HERE to watch our video.

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• 27th November, 2008 — Who should win X Factor 2008? Vote now
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