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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8<br />
J’AIME<br />
Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E<br />
WIN<br />
A WINTER<br />
WEDDING<br />
BREAKFAST<br />
WORTH MORE<br />
THAN £2,000<br />
AUTUMN INTERIOR<br />
STYLE TO FALL<br />
IN LOVE WITH<br />
20 page<br />
wedding special:<br />
seasonal wedding style
Welcome to J’AIME<br />
We’ve got wedding fever here at J’AIME<br />
HQ this month, mostly influenced by the<br />
stunning photographs taken by Lichfield<br />
wedding photographer Becky Tranter, of<br />
Life Through A Lens, for our styled editorial<br />
shoot at Swinfen Hall. It’s packed full of<br />
inspiration for your big day from some of<br />
the best local suppliers including beautiful<br />
decor, epic flowers and gorgeous wedding<br />
fashion showcased by three fantastic models,<br />
including our very own Mr Birmingham,<br />
Andrew Stylianou, who you can see on our<br />
cover.<br />
If you’re just starting planning your big<br />
day, we’ve also got a fantastic competition<br />
in store; one lucky couple will win a winter<br />
wedding breakfast at Branston Golf and<br />
Country Club, worth an amazing £2,000.<br />
There are also tips on choosing wedding<br />
flowers, big day beauty and planning your<br />
dream honeymoon, so if you need some<br />
help with wedding preparations then look no<br />
further.<br />
Elsewhere, we’re embracing the change<br />
of season with autumn style ideas for your<br />
home and your wardrobe; after a scorching<br />
summer-long heatwave, we’re quite grateful<br />
for the dip in temperatures and looking<br />
forward to cosier nights and cracking out<br />
some winter wardrobe staples.<br />
We also take a look back at a special<br />
celebration for J’AIME’s first birthday, where<br />
guests enjoyed a glittering evening of fizz<br />
and cake to toast our successful first year. A<br />
charity auction on the evening raised more<br />
than £1,200 for the We Love Lichfield fund,<br />
thanks to the generosity of bidders eager to<br />
get their hands on some fantastic auction<br />
lots. A heartfelt thanks, once again, to<br />
everyone involved in J’AIME’s success.<br />
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY<br />
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY<br />
ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
07388 335 931<br />
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
CONTRIBUTORS: MARTIN PLOWMAN,<br />
OLIVER BROAD, LISA PIDDINGTON, PATRICK<br />
GAUNT, PEGGY PRENDERGAST, TOM LINDSEY<br />
AND RORY MCKERRELL<br />
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY<br />
PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED<br />
BY KEP LIMITED, TAMWORTH.<br />
Check us out online at:<br />
WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
Find us on<br />
/JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
3
CONTENTS<br />
InsideJ’aime this month...<br />
6 Enter Stage Write - The Sutton Coldfield<br />
actress providing a platform for budding writers<br />
12 Property - Property of the month<br />
14 Interiors - Teal appeal<br />
18 Interiors - It’s terrazzo time<br />
24 Social - J’AIME’s birthday celebration<br />
30 Food and drink - Reviewing The Oak Room at<br />
Moor Hall Hotel<br />
32 Food and drink - Cocktail of the month from<br />
Lichfield’s The Spirit Works<br />
34 Food & drink - Wine and food pairings from<br />
Ital Sardo<br />
36 Competition - Win tickets to The Luxury Show<br />
38 Weddings - J’AIME’s styled shoot at Swinfen Hall<br />
48 Weddings - Win a winter wedding breakfast<br />
worth £2,000<br />
50 Weddings - Flower trends for <strong>2018</strong> and beyond<br />
52 Weddings - Big day beauty from Harvey Nichols<br />
54 Weddings - Planning the perfect honeymoon<br />
58 What’s On - Our pick of events around our<br />
area this month<br />
60 What’s On - The hottest tickets around<br />
Birmingham<br />
62 Fashion - Unleash your wild side<br />
64 In the news - A new name for a bridal<br />
boutique; and worktop wizardry<br />
65 Motors - Martin Plowman says ‘it’s a wrap’<br />
4
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FEATURE<br />
A creative Mid lands<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD ACTRESS NATALIE EDWARDS HAS RETURNED TO THE MIDLANDS TO PROVIDE<br />
AN EXCITING PLATFORM FOR BUDDING WRITERS. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD<br />
ACTRESS NATALIE EDWARDS.<br />
PHOTO BY HELEN YOUNG<br />
Natalie Edwards came to acting a little later in life<br />
than many budding stars. Born and raised in Sutton<br />
Coldfield, Natalie’s first foray into a career in the arts<br />
was as a model but she always harboured ambitions<br />
of making it on stage and screen.<br />
It wasn’t until she hit her late twenties that Natalie<br />
finally took the plunge and moved to New York<br />
to pursue her dream. And while she excelled on<br />
stage and in front of the camera, it was Natalie’s<br />
entrepreneurial spirit which really set her apart from<br />
her peers.<br />
Alongside training and working as an actor, Natalie<br />
set up her own production company - Transition<br />
Stage Company - to help other budding actors and<br />
creatives on the road to success.<br />
And now, back in her home city of Birmingham,<br />
it is Natalie’s drive to help other creatives which<br />
has is the catalyst behind her latest venture - Enter<br />
Stage Write. This exciting competition aims to tap<br />
into the nation’s - and particularly the Midlands’ -<br />
undiscovered talent in a bid to find the next big stage<br />
or screen writer.<br />
“I’d class myself as an ‘actorpreneur’,” says Natalie.<br />
“I’m a producer and actor, and I also organise events<br />
to give creatives a platform.<br />
“I decided I wanted to be an actor in my early<br />
twenties but I just didn’t have the confidence to go<br />
for it. When I hit 27 I had a quarter-life crisis and<br />
saved all of my money so I could move to New York<br />
and go to film school.<br />
“I decided to go to New York instead of drama<br />
school in the UK because New York Film Academy<br />
also offered producing as well as acting, and that<br />
suited my personality.<br />
“There also aren’t many opportunities for women<br />
of colour in the UK; big name actors like Thandie<br />
Newton and Idris Elba have all made it in the States<br />
first and then come back to the UK. I thought I just<br />
wouldn’t get into a drama school in the UK.”<br />
Natalie enrolled on an acting course at the New York<br />
Film Academy and worked alongside international<br />
students from both the School of Visual Arts and<br />
6
New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. The<br />
realisation came that with a short amount of time<br />
on the F1 student visa, visual arts students needed<br />
a platform in which their craft could be seen; This<br />
exposure allows students to gain enough professional<br />
credits to file for their O-visa and also makes them<br />
open and available for representation.<br />
“When I was living in New York there were a lot of<br />
international actors and creatives at my university,”<br />
explains Natalie. “You have just 18 months to prove<br />
you are a good enough actor or director, and to get<br />
enough professional credits to get the sponsorship for<br />
an artist visa, so it’s always a race against time.<br />
“I decided to connect all of the filmmaking schools<br />
and drama schools around Manhattan and create<br />
prestigious events to get industrial professionals to<br />
these student showcases.”<br />
The result was Transition Stage Company, which<br />
was set up by Natalie in 2012 under the mentorship<br />
of the late Ron Tippe, acclaimed producer of the<br />
hit film Space Jam. Formed by combining elements<br />
of entrepreneurship and the arts - predominantly<br />
through networking events, cinematic viewings and<br />
Off-Broadway theatre - the ethos of the Transition<br />
Stage Company is to assist and support artists by<br />
showcasing and celebrating visual arts.<br />
“I’d organise screenings in Manhattan, get an<br />
independent film made by students or alumni which<br />
NATALIE EDWARDS IS THE<br />
DRIVING FORCE BEHIND<br />
TRANSITION STAGE COMPANY<br />
NATALIE WORKED AS A<br />
MODEL BEFORE FINDING<br />
HER NICHE AS AN ACTOR<br />
AND ENTREPRENEUR. PHOTO<br />
BY HELEN YOUNG<br />
had never been shown before and get the cinema<br />
packed with people from different demographics,<br />
people from Wall Street and people from the clubs<br />
alike.<br />
“When it came to new writers and actors I’d hire a<br />
theatre off-Broadway and promote it as a new writers<br />
event; but everything had to be big and glamorous<br />
because people in the industry just don’t go to little<br />
student nights.<br />
“I realised I had a huge selection of international<br />
creatives at my fingertips and I could market it as<br />
something really exciting.”<br />
And over the past six years since its inception,<br />
Transition Stage Company has had its fair share of<br />
success stories. Actor and producer Kazy Tauginas,<br />
who built his career within the company in the USA,<br />
starred as Ari in the recent Denzel Washington<br />
blockbuster The Equalizer 2 and is currently<br />
shooting a Netflix series for Eddie Murphy.<br />
Natalie has also helped launch the career of Spanishborn<br />
Swedish actress Ines Milans, who has recently<br />
returned to Sweden to film a Netflix series.<br />
“In the space of three years in New York I’d set up<br />
a production company, I’d created opportunities for<br />
creatives who are absolutely smashing it now, and I’d<br />
had the producer of Space Jam believe in me and<br />
7
what I could do,” says<br />
Natalie. “In the States, the<br />
opportunities are endless<br />
and I wanted to bring that<br />
home to the UK, and to<br />
the Midlands.”<br />
So three years ago,<br />
Natalie returned home<br />
to Birmingham to study<br />
a masters in acting at<br />
the Birmingham Royal<br />
Conservatoire, one of the<br />
most prestigious theatre<br />
schools in the UK. After<br />
a gruelling year-and-ahalf<br />
spent “in my books”,<br />
Natalie’s hard work<br />
paid off when she was<br />
immediately picked up by<br />
an agent.<br />
But while she was busy<br />
booking theatre jobs and<br />
auditions, Natalie saw that<br />
the creative sector in her<br />
home city was lacking.<br />
“I looked around and<br />
thought I’m in the second<br />
NATALIE, WITH GIANMARCO TASCA, AT<br />
LAST YEAR’S BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL,<br />
OF WHICH TRANSITION STAGE COMPANY<br />
WAS A SPONSOR. PHOTO BY HELEN<br />
YOUNG<br />
city of one of the biggest creative film institutes in<br />
the world - the UK - and there’s nothing here so I<br />
decided to launch Transition Stage Company in the<br />
Midlands,” she explains.<br />
“Everything’s very London-centric in this industry<br />
so I wanted to moderate it for Birmingham and for<br />
regionality.<br />
“People don’t realise that a creative city is good for<br />
the economy; it brings jobs, it boosts tourism and<br />
gives the city a good impression. A creative city<br />
creates a better economy.<br />
“I wanted to give local creatives a platform and I<br />
thought how can we bring inclusivity and diversity.<br />
Inclusivity and diversity starts with the gaze, and the<br />
gaze starts with the writing.”<br />
Enter Stage Write launched in Birmingham last year<br />
to give aspiring screen and stage writers across the<br />
UK the chance to see their work brought to life.<br />
Determined to create a showcase event for the<br />
city, Natalie pulled no punches in gaining industry<br />
support for the project. Riding on the campaign<br />
to bring Channel 4 to the West Midlands, she<br />
approached television mogul Lee Mason, the<br />
commissioning editor for Channel 4 drama, to be the<br />
headline judge. And her ballsy approach worked.<br />
“I couldn’t believe my luck when Lee Mason agreed<br />
to be a part of my event, and it just exploded from<br />
there,” says Natalie.<br />
The competition received more than 350<br />
submissions, with the top five scripts being performed<br />
at the sellout showcase event.<br />
“We attracted people from all demographics,<br />
including people who had never been to the theatre<br />
before,” says Natalie. “Even though it’s a theatre<br />
event, competition entries can be stage or screen<br />
writing.<br />
“And while the scripts can come from anywhere, the<br />
idea was that the performances on the night had to<br />
be created by West Midlands creatives; it’s not only<br />
a showcase for writing talent, but a showcase for the<br />
creative uniqueness of Birmingham.”<br />
The glittering 2017 event was opened by an singer<br />
doing a smooth R’n’B cover version of Ozzy<br />
Osbourne’s song Paranoid, and featured stints from<br />
award-winning Birmingham spoken word artist<br />
Casey Bailey and a comedy show by performers from<br />
Birmingham Improv Festival.<br />
“It brought the roof down,” says Natalie. “I’ve never<br />
seen anything like it; there were people jumping<br />
up in the audience before it had even finished,<br />
screaming and clapping. I’ve never seen that kind of<br />
8
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charisma and energy at a theatre show before.”<br />
This year’s event, which will be held on December<br />
1 at the Birmingham Conservatoire, promises to<br />
be bigger, better, and even more glamorous, with<br />
Natalie even planning to make a television drama<br />
from some of the chosen scripts.<br />
Writers of any age and experience level are invited<br />
to submit a seven-to-10 minute script for the<br />
competition. The first level, priced £10, sees scripts<br />
included on the new Enter Stage Write database and<br />
made available to production companies, allowing<br />
industry exposure and the potential for scripts to be<br />
picked up and put into production.<br />
The second entry level, at £30, includes a 20-minute<br />
meeting with an industry professional to discuss the<br />
script and allows the entrant to resubmit their script<br />
for free after making any suggested amendments.<br />
Experts on board include Tim Stimpson, writer<br />
of award-winning BBC productions The Archers<br />
and EastEnders, writer-producer Anna Southgate,<br />
who is currently working on a project with Emma<br />
Thompson, and Darcia Martin, a director on Call<br />
The Midwife.<br />
There are two awards up for grabs on the night;<br />
firstly the Audience Award best script, which is voted<br />
for by the audience on the night. The main prize<br />
is the Grand Award presented for the best play, as<br />
chosen by guest judges on the night. The Grand<br />
Award winner will scoop an impressive £1,000,<br />
as well as the potential to see their writing career<br />
skyrocket. Last year’s overall winner, Abraham<br />
Adeyemi, has gone on to have his scripts performed<br />
in at the Lyric Theatre by Jude Law.<br />
“I hope that this will create a really good<br />
advertisement for Birmingham,” says Natalie. “The<br />
goal is to have some short dramas created from the<br />
scripts which highlight the beauty of Birmingham.<br />
“I’m trying to encourage inclusivity and diversity,<br />
and regional inclusivity; just putting it out there,<br />
opening doors and getting people to say ‘show me<br />
what you can do’. I think if we do that, it’s creating<br />
equality of opportunity for everyone.”<br />
Since the success of last year’s Enter Stage Write<br />
event, Natalie has never been more in demand to<br />
help the creative sector in the Midlands. She has<br />
most recently been working with Birds’ Eye View, a<br />
women’s film institute on their Reclaim the Frame<br />
project to promote female films.<br />
“Birds’ Eye View get great films from major film<br />
festivals all over the world like Sundance, Tribeca<br />
and Cannes, and I’ve been launching these female<br />
films and arranging premieres in Birmingham,”<br />
Natalie says.<br />
“It’s amazing that I’ve been given this platform and<br />
I’m able to use it to help other creatives, and to do it<br />
all for Birmingham.<br />
“And I wanted to show that it can be done as a<br />
woman of colour; we can create the opportunities<br />
and there’s room for us right here.”<br />
For more details about the competition, visit<br />
www.transitionstagecompany.com<br />
10
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PROPERTY<br />
Property of the Month<br />
WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN<br />
THE AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A MAGNIFICENT SIX-BEDROOM<br />
CONTEMPORARY HOME IN A TRULY BREATHTAKING LOCATION NEAR ABBOTS BROMLEY<br />
Portfields, Abbots Bromley, Rugeley: £2,750,000<br />
On the market with John German Lichfield: 01543 419121<br />
THE AGENT SAYS: A genuinely wonderful individual<br />
modern detached house designed and constructed in a<br />
Queen Anne style in a truly magnificent location on a four<br />
acre site overlooking the Blithfield Reservoir. The location<br />
is breathtaking, with views of the reservoir from most<br />
major windows within the house or views over unspoilt<br />
rural areas. The views are stunning and this house must<br />
inhabit one of the finest positions in the Midlands and<br />
probably even further.<br />
The resounding quality of this property cannot be<br />
overstated. The property has a top of the range air<br />
conditioning system, top of the range electrical system,<br />
under floor heating and all the modern fittings that we<br />
would expect to find.<br />
Portfields has an electrically operated secure gate which<br />
opens onto a sealed drive which swings around to the front<br />
of the house where there is a large parking area in front of<br />
a three car garage, each with an electrically operated door.<br />
There is an outside summer house, garden room, tennis<br />
court and tree house. There are extensive formal gardens,<br />
sweeping lawns, mature areas, golf practice area and small<br />
paddock.<br />
W E L O V E :<br />
THE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX<br />
WITH BAR, WINE CELLAR AND<br />
EVEN A CINEMA!<br />
12
INTERIORS<br />
Teal<br />
appeal<br />
SPRUCE up your home for autumn with tranquil tones<br />
of teal, mixed with warming woods and metals, and tap<br />
into one of the most sophisticated trends of the season.<br />
A rich blend of blue and green, teal is a shade taken<br />
from nature’s own palette that combines the tropical<br />
allure of the ocean with the depth and luminescence of<br />
a gemstone. The result is a colour that is at once tranquil<br />
and soothing, while offering a rich vibrance.<br />
Pairing teal with warm, natural wood or stone accents<br />
and lush green foliage creates an inviting space in<br />
which to unwind, reminiscent of a deep forest. When<br />
combined with vibrant tangerine, pink or mustard, teal<br />
is the ideal backdrop for a retro scheme, producing a<br />
smart look with playful undertones.<br />
Teal is also bold enough to hold its own as an accent<br />
colour; add a splash with textiles and accessories, or<br />
make a statement with a feature wall or large furniture<br />
piece.<br />
DECO MARTINI TEAL WALLPAPER, £140,<br />
AND CUSHION, £95, DIVINE SAVAGES.<br />
WWW.DIVINESAVAGES.COM<br />
£499<br />
£29<br />
SPLIT WALL CLOCK IN TEAL<br />
AND PINK, WWW.MADE.COM<br />
£18<br />
SIENNA TEAL VELVET<br />
SHELL CHAIR, AUDENZA.<br />
WWW.AUDENZA.COM<br />
TEAL PRESSED GLASS WIDE BOTTLE<br />
VASE, DUNELM. WWW.DUNELM.COM<br />
14
£59<br />
TEAL AGATE STONE SLICE,<br />
HURN AND HURN.<br />
WWW.HURNANDHURN.COM<br />
£30<br />
£13<br />
TOLIX STYLE METAL STOOL<br />
WITH NATURAL WOOD SEAT,<br />
CULT FURNITURE.<br />
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM<br />
CONSTELLATION VELVET<br />
CUSHION, OLIVER BONAS.<br />
WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM<br />
ANDRA LARGE CHUNKY KNIT<br />
BEAN BAG, WWW.MADE.COM<br />
£149<br />
STARKEY WALL LIGHT,<br />
WWW.MADE.COM<br />
£149.99<br />
£59<br />
£89<br />
CULT LIVING ZORA VELVET<br />
STOOL, CULT FURNITURE.<br />
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM<br />
FORM TEAL VELVET AND BRASS<br />
CANTILEVER DINING ARMCHAIR,<br />
DANETTI. WWW.DANETTI.COM<br />
BOTANICAL SONG BIRD<br />
WALLPAPER, £9.99, ARTHOUSE.<br />
WWW.ARTHOUSE.COM<br />
LIGNE ROSET PLUMY SOFA, £POA, COOKES<br />
FURNITURE. WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK
GRADUATE COLLECTION CHEETAH WALLPAPER,<br />
£125, LIME LACE. WWW.LIMELACE.CO.UK<br />
ALEXANDER AND JAMES IMOGEN TWO-<br />
SEATER SOFA, WAS £952 SUMMER SALE<br />
£715, COOKES FURNITURE.<br />
WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK<br />
ALEXANDER AND JAMES BLOOMSBURY<br />
GRAND SOFA, WAS £2,595 SUMMER SALE<br />
£1,949, COOKES FURNITURE.<br />
WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK
I N T E R I O R S<br />
TERRAZZO SIDE TABLE, £195, AUDENZA.<br />
WWW.AUDENZA.COM<br />
Time for<br />
terrazzo<br />
MOVE over marble - it’s time for a terrazzo takeover.<br />
Terrazzo is a trend we last saw in the 1970s and,<br />
building on the popularity of marble over the last few<br />
years, terrazzo offers a more colourful, more playful<br />
alternative.<br />
This speckled mosaic of marble scraps originated<br />
with Venetian craftsmen more than 500 years ago<br />
but it couldn’t look more cutting edge. When created<br />
with contemporary colours and placed within a<br />
modern scheme, terrazzo brings interest and texture to<br />
worktops, floors and staircases.<br />
Traditionally used as a flooring material, terrazzo has<br />
had a 21st century makeover as a striking graphic<br />
design for fabrics, wallpapers and everything in<br />
between. From pretty planters to table lamps, rug<br />
to crockery, it’s easy to add a terrazzo splash to your<br />
home decor.<br />
The key to terrazzo’s appeal? Aside from it’s<br />
understated chic appearance, it’s so versatile, perfect<br />
for a whole range of interior design styles from<br />
contemporary minimalist to grand, statement schemes.<br />
£65<br />
£109<br />
£75<br />
TOM DIXON TERRAZZO<br />
CANDLE. AMARA.<br />
WWW.AMARA.COM<br />
BLOOMINGVILLE TERRAZZO LAMP,<br />
MADE IN DESIGN.<br />
WWW.MADEINDESIGN.CO.UK<br />
FERM LIVING KNOT TERRAZZO<br />
BEANBAG, AMARA.<br />
WWW.AMARA.COM<br />
18
£220<br />
£279<br />
£68<br />
LORENA CANALS TERRAZZO RUG,<br />
AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM<br />
HAY TERRAZZO SQUARE TABLE,<br />
AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM<br />
TERRAZZO CONCRETE PENDANT,<br />
ROSS AND BROWN.<br />
WWW.ROSSANDBROWNHOME.CO.UK<br />
POPPI CUP, ABODE LIVING.<br />
WWW.ABODELIVING.CO.UK<br />
£6.95<br />
£59<br />
FERM LIVING TERRAZZO TINS,<br />
AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM<br />
£30<br />
£129<br />
ORA SIDE TABLE,<br />
WWW.MADE.COM<br />
HAKUUN SET OF TWO<br />
TERRAZZO PLANT POTS,<br />
WWW.MADE.COM<br />
HOP DESIGN TERRAZZO BEDDING,<br />
FROM £89, WWW.OOSTOR.COM
FERM LIVING TERRAZZO WALLPAPER, GREY, £65,<br />
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MARY MEI TEAK WASHSTAND WITH<br />
TERRAZZO BASIN, £699, TIKAMOON.<br />
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TERRAZZO PINK WALLPAPER, £50, GRAHAM<br />
AND BROWN. WWW.GRAHAMBROWN.COM<br />
POPPI TABLEWARE RANGE,<br />
FROM £6.50, ABODE LIVING.<br />
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Cirencester based “Benchwood Kitchens” are a<br />
manufacturer of true bespoke English furniture,<br />
who, using a combination of artisan craftsmanship<br />
alongside modern production techniques, produce<br />
both traditional and contemporary furniture to your<br />
exact requirements.<br />
Every run of furniture is meticulously measured and<br />
made to fit seamlessly, standard size cupboards and<br />
fillers are not restrictions that negatively affect our<br />
designs.<br />
In frame,wooden doors are fitted onto solid cabinets<br />
using traditional butt hinges and as you would expect,<br />
jointed wooden drawers come as standard. All of<br />
our furniture can be painted to your individual colour<br />
choice, either in our workshop or hand finished on<br />
site.<br />
Of course before any project can evolve, a design<br />
needs to be produced, this is where midlands based<br />
designer John Fisher is on hand, to offer practical help<br />
and advice.<br />
Originally from the north west, John trained as an<br />
architectural technician in the 1970s with the iconic<br />
“Rank Organisation”<br />
Entering the kitchen industry 30 years ago, he has<br />
planned and managed many prestigious projects not<br />
only in the UK but also in the USA, Russia, Germany,<br />
and even Iceland. He has had designs featured<br />
in most leading home interest magazines, whilst a<br />
kitchen for a well known celebrity chef was featured<br />
on national television.<br />
Of course our designs and quality products are only<br />
part of the finished article, it is important to us, and<br />
you, that every aspect of your project will be handled<br />
by skilled and appropriately qualified craftsmen.<br />
On our web site you will find genuine reviews and<br />
testimonials from previous clients.<br />
Enhancing the finest of homes across the UK, your<br />
decision to choose “Benchwood” is an investment that<br />
will give many years of use and pleasure to you and<br />
your family.<br />
We look forward to working with you<br />
TO FIND OUT MORE & TO ARRANGE<br />
A HOME CONSULTATION,<br />
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE<br />
www.benchwood.co.uk<br />
or TELEPHONE JOHN on 07511 899298<br />
FACTORY SHOWROOM APOINTMENTS<br />
WELCOME BY APPOINTMENT.
HAND CRAFTED IN THE COTSWOLDS<br />
www.benchwood.co.uk<br />
Enquiries telephone John on 07511 899298
S O C I A L<br />
Celebrating a successful year<br />
AS J’AIME TURNED ONE YEAR OLD, THE TEAM AND GUESTS CELEBRATED IN<br />
STYLE WITH A GLITTERING BASH AT SWINFEN HALL. PHOTOS BY CHRIS DAY<br />
The fizz was flowing as J’AIME celebrated our first<br />
birthday with a stylish soiree at Swinfen Hall, near<br />
Lichfield. The team were joined by guests including<br />
advertisers and local business people, as well as an<br />
array of people who have helped make our first year as<br />
the area’s premier local luxury lifestyle magazine such<br />
a successful one.<br />
Guests enjoyed delicious canapés from Swinfen Hall,<br />
as well as a stunning birthday cake created by The<br />
Cake Spa founder Laura Sutton. Beautiful floral<br />
decorations were provided by Peggy Prendergast of<br />
Greenery and Co.<br />
A charity auction, in aid of the We Love Lichfield<br />
fund, saw local auctioneer Richard Winterton take the<br />
rostrum with a relish, raising more than £1,200.<br />
Five superb lots were on offer. Star of the auction was<br />
a fantastic package for four tickets for the British GT<br />
race at Donington Park on September 23, courtesy of<br />
J’AIME’s motors expert Martin Plowman, who will be<br />
racing on the day.<br />
A bonus hospitality package was also included and<br />
the lot went on to raise £550 on the night, thanks to<br />
a generous winning bid from Steven Hale, of Steven<br />
Hale Hearing.<br />
Two tickets to a Sauce Supper Club pop-up restaurant<br />
event – a tasting menu hosted by a top chef, usually at<br />
a Lichfield venue – plus a signed menu and a meetand-greet<br />
with the chef on the evening, courtesy<br />
THE FIZZ WAS FLOWING AT J’AIME’S<br />
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION<br />
of Sauce founders Beth and Jon Toovey made an<br />
impressive £380.<br />
A motor racing simulator experience for two, courtesy<br />
of Symdeck, raised £150 - thanks to the offer of onthe-day<br />
coaching from Martin Plowman.<br />
A pair of silver, diamond and ruby earrings courtesy<br />
of Allen Brown Jewellery, fetched £95 and a signed<br />
photograph taken by the late Lord Lichfield, courtesy<br />
of Simon Price, raised £100.<br />
Mr Winterton said: “I went to the last We Love<br />
Lichfield ceremony giving out the latest round of<br />
grants and it was just amazing to see the<br />
smiles on people’s faces signifying what these<br />
grants mean to each and every charity. It<br />
is just wonderful and we support the fund<br />
wholeheartedly. I was delighted to see if<br />
we could raise a bit more with a special<br />
auction.”<br />
Simon Price, patron of We Love Lichfield<br />
said: “Thanks to all for raising an amazing<br />
amount in just a few moments. Thanks<br />
to Richard Winterton for compering<br />
and to Allen Brown, Sauce Supper Club,<br />
Symdeck and Martin Plowman for gifting<br />
the prizes. And a happy first anniversary to<br />
J’AIME and a thanks on behalf of We Love<br />
Lichfield.”<br />
24
B E S P O K E S O F A M A N U F A C T U R E<br />
& R E - U P H O L S T E R Y S P E C I A L I S T<br />
Our team of highly skilled professional craftsmen, create and manufacture<br />
sofa’s from design, for a living space that is truly unique. Coupled with our huge<br />
selection of fabrics we have the ability to create almost any type of bespoke design.<br />
Using traditional skills, we can also strip down your old suite or sofa and re-create the original<br />
design with our superior re-upholstery which is highly renowned for its finish and meticulous detail.<br />
‘For a truly unique and individual lounge setting we welcome<br />
you to our factory showroom to see what we can create for you.’<br />
Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 7XN<br />
Contact Simon Edwards or Chris Edwards on 01543 505539<br />
Email: sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk - www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk
A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY<br />
CAKE FROM THE CAKE SPA<br />
J’AIME EDITOR AMY NORBURY AND<br />
ADVERTISING DIECTOR JAN ASHLEY<br />
SAY A FEW WORDS OF THANKS<br />
26
t he heart of t he home...<br />
Visit our showroom to be amazed by the choice -<br />
from traditional to modern<br />
With such a wide range of fires, fireplaces and stoves<br />
there is sure to be a style to suit you & your home<br />
WE OF F ER<br />
A C OMP LE T E<br />
INST ALLA T ION<br />
SERV ICE<br />
Visit our showroom and be amazed by the choice! With such a wide range from traditional to modern, there’s sure to be a style to suit you!<br />
5 Stafford Road, Lichfield WS13 7BZ - Tel: 01543 263 383 • www.thefireplacelichfield.co.uk • Email: sales@thefireplacelichfield.co.uk<br />
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm • Sat 10am - 4pm. Closed Sundays and bank holidays. FREE ON-SITE PARKING.<br />
The Winterton name has been<br />
synonymous with auctioneering<br />
in Staffordshire since 1864<br />
Free Valuations<br />
This 18ct gold single<br />
stone diamond ring<br />
sold for £12,000
BIDDERS GET EXCITED<br />
OVER THE AUCTION LOTS<br />
J’AIME EDITOR AMY NORBURY WITH<br />
WE LOVE LICHFIELD’S JOHN HEELER,<br />
SIMON PRICE AND JULIAN FISHER.<br />
PHOTO BY CLAIRE FRY<br />
RICHARD WINTERTON<br />
DURING THE AUCTION<br />
J’AIME’S MOTORS EXPERT<br />
MARTIN PLOWMAN DONATED<br />
THE AUCTION’S STAR LOT<br />
28
OUR NEW BROCHURE IS NOW AVAILABLE<br />
P R E N T I C E<br />
Quality Furniture<br />
01827 287387<br />
enquiry@prentice.co.uk<br />
www.prentice.co.uk
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Give me Moor<br />
A MODERN BRITISH MENU SERVED IN THE GRANDEST OF SETTINGS HAS EARNED<br />
MOOR HALL’S THE OAK ROOM AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION, SAY AMY NORBURY<br />
As a hotel, Moor Hall has long held a reputation<br />
for excellence in these parts. But you don’t have<br />
to be a guest to enjoy some of the top class<br />
facilities on offer. The spa, for one, is a delight,<br />
while there are events taking place throughout<br />
the year which attract visitors from far and wide,<br />
from murder mystery and tribute evenings to<br />
afternoon teas and party nights.<br />
And then there are the restaurants, in particular<br />
The Oak Room. With two AA rosettes to its<br />
name and a talented team serving up well-crafted<br />
dishes using only the finest produce, it offers<br />
some of the finest dining in and around Sutton<br />
Coldfield. So we were delighted to be invited to<br />
give The Oak Room’s latest menu a whirl.<br />
We were greeted on arrival by restaurant<br />
manager Javier Diaz, who warmly welcomed<br />
us to The Oak Room and showed us to our<br />
table next to the grand fireplace; I imagine it would<br />
be delightfully cosy in the colder months, but on the<br />
balmy evening of our visit it was thankfully redundant.<br />
With its extensive oak panelling, ornate ceiling and<br />
artwork adorning the walls, The Oak Room harks<br />
back to the grandeur of days gone by. The original<br />
dining room of Sir Edward Ansell, of Ansell Brewery<br />
fame, who owned Moor Hall in the 1900, it certainly<br />
provides a splendid setting in which to enjoy a special<br />
meal.<br />
We ordered drinks - a couple of glasses of Malbec, as<br />
well as water for the table - and set about perusing the<br />
menu. Local and seasonal ingredients abound, and the<br />
menu has a rather eclectic feel, offering a selection of<br />
imaginative dishes and playful twists on classics. Priced<br />
at just £25 for two courses or £30 for three - although<br />
some dishes do incur a supplement - it represents<br />
excellent value for money too.<br />
A delightful platter of canapés soon arrived, which<br />
was a lovely touch and really set the tone for things to<br />
come. A morsel of mozzarella, fresh basil<br />
and the sweetest tomato on a sliver of<br />
melba toast was a flavoursome mouthful,<br />
while the crab on watermelon was a<br />
beautifully refreshing combination.<br />
To start, I plumped for one of Javier’s<br />
recommendations; the curried cod cheeks<br />
with squid ink rice and tomato salsa.<br />
The portion was exceptionally generous,<br />
with three cod pieces lightly coated in<br />
a spiced batter atop a mound of black<br />
rice, the squid ink infusing it with a<br />
delightfully heady taste of the sea. The<br />
salsa, with tomato, cucumber, red onion<br />
and coriander, added a lovely freshness to<br />
the dish.<br />
30
My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed her beef<br />
bavette, which incurs a £2 supplement; plentiful<br />
tender strips of pink steak piled onto a slice of crisp<br />
sourdough and adorned with a shallot puree, which<br />
added just a hint of sweetness to the dish. It was, we<br />
agreed, a rather good start to proceedings.<br />
Moving onto the main event, I was torn between<br />
several dishes, with the lamb rump - at a £3.75<br />
supplement - eventually winning over the duck breast<br />
or the hay smoked roe deer. Again, it was a sizeable<br />
plateful, with three perfectly pink pieces of deliciously<br />
tender lamb rump. Slices of griddled aubergine<br />
added a slight smokiness to the dish, with sublimely<br />
sweet glacé cherry tomatoes gave it a nice balance.<br />
Accompaniments of fondant potato and green beans<br />
were well cooked, and a rich jus brought the whole<br />
dish together nicely. It was a supremely satisfying plate.<br />
The sea bream chosen by my dining companion<br />
was cooked to perfection;<br />
flakey fish just opaque, with<br />
a well seasoned, crispy skin<br />
complemented by freshness<br />
from asparagus and peas<br />
and a slight tang from the<br />
accompanying mustard sauce.<br />
A scattering of diced potato<br />
completed a dish which was<br />
as pretty to look at as it was<br />
a delight to savour. She even<br />
went as far as proclaiming<br />
it one of the best fish dishes<br />
she’d ever eaten.<br />
Despite the generous platefuls,<br />
we’d managed to save a little<br />
room for dessert - but only<br />
a little. Which meant that<br />
while the chocolate<br />
fondant, apple tarte<br />
tatin and mirror glazed<br />
blueberry cheesecake<br />
all sounded heavenly,<br />
we were both after<br />
something a little<br />
lighter to end the meal.<br />
I was intrigued by<br />
the smoked cherry<br />
and vanilla panna<br />
cotta, served with<br />
caramelised pecans,<br />
chocolate sorbet and<br />
cherry gel, and it<br />
proved to be a tasty<br />
sweet treat indeed.<br />
The panna cotta itself<br />
was beautifully smooth<br />
and creamy, while<br />
there was a definite hit<br />
of smokiness from the accompanying cherries which<br />
added a new dimension to the dessert. The chocolate<br />
sorbet was a delight; a little lighter than ice cream, it<br />
was just enough to satisfy.<br />
My dining companion opted for the macerated<br />
strawberries with yoghurt ice cream, basil and<br />
meringue, a perfectly pretty plate which hit just the<br />
right note for a light, refreshing dessert.<br />
A pot of coffee served with indulgently rich chocolate<br />
truffles - of which I could just manage a bite - rounded<br />
off the meal nicely.<br />
It may be a little out of the way, but when it comes to<br />
value-for-money fine dining, The Oak Room definitely<br />
doesn’t disappoint. A well thought out menu, cooked<br />
with flair, and exemplary service to match the setting<br />
makes for a rather fine evening indeed.<br />
31
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Cocktail of the month<br />
TOM LINDSEY AND RORY MCKERRELL, FOUNDERS OF FIFTH SPIRE GIN AND OWNERS OF THE SPIRIT<br />
WORKS BAR IN LICHFIELD, SHARE A KNOCKOUT COCKTAIL WHICH PACKS A SERIOUS FLAVOUR PUNCH<br />
The BB Gun<br />
7.5ml Corte Vetusto Tobalá Mezcal<br />
7.5ml Espolòn Reposado Tequila<br />
15ml Buzz Button infused spirit *<br />
15ml Edmond Briottet ginger liqueur<br />
7.5ml St. Germain elderflower liqueur<br />
25ml agave nectar<br />
25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice<br />
1 dash of Bokers Bitters<br />
* Made by nitro-infusing Buzz Button flower<br />
heads (Acmella Oleracea, and also known as<br />
Electric Daisies) under pressure in 96% abv<br />
spirit, before diluting to 70%<br />
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine<br />
strain into a coupette or martini glass.<br />
Tom says: “These flowers are named as<br />
such due to the powerful tingly sensation<br />
they induce in your mouth when chewed.<br />
By extracting this in the spirit we can<br />
prolong the effect throughout the<br />
cocktail. It builds in intensity throughout<br />
the drink, and with it augments the<br />
sharpness of the lemon and the spice of<br />
ginger, creating a drink packing a unique<br />
attack of the senses.”<br />
32
The<br />
Boat Inn<br />
tatlowcarpets<br />
& flooring<br />
Quality flooring at affordable prices<br />
Abingdon, Adam’s, Associated Weavers, Axminster, Brintons, Brockways,<br />
Cormar, Crucial Trading, Penthouse, Ulsters, Karndean & Project Floors<br />
Free advice ✔ Free quotations ✔<br />
Furniture moved ✔ Our own regular fitters ✔<br />
Michelin recommended<br />
Liam Dillon, chef owner of The Boat Inn was<br />
recently awarded “Best Chef” in the Midlands.<br />
Modern British Food with an open kitchen.<br />
Newly refurbished with a view into the kitchen.<br />
Tables suitable for large parties<br />
with set menus to choose from.<br />
Call for details - 01543 361692<br />
Open Wednesday - Sunday<br />
Open Tuesday - Sunday during December<br />
and now taking Christmas bookings<br />
www.theboatinnlichfield.com<br />
Walsall Road, Lichfield WS14 0BU<br />
THE NEW RIVIERA ‘LUXURE’ RANGE<br />
PURE BAMBOO LUXURIOUS<br />
CARPET WITH A SILKY FEEL.<br />
SEE IN STORE NOW!<br />
Please see our website for further details www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk<br />
Tel: 01543 264766<br />
Open to the public. Mon-Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Sat: 10.00am - 4.00pm<br />
Unit 4, Europa Way, Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9TZ<br />
POP UP FINE DINING EVENTS<br />
IN A KITCHEN NEAR YOU!<br />
Delivering exciting and new dining experiences to your doorstep through a series<br />
of pop up kitchen events where Michelin starred chefs and highly commended chefs<br />
showcase their food and talents in Lichfield.<br />
TOM SHEPHERD HEAD CHEF<br />
1 MICHELIN STAR ADAMS RESTAURANT<br />
15 | OCTOBER | 18 6 COURSES | £85<br />
THE BOAT INN, LICHFIELD<br />
@saucesupperclub<br />
@saucesupperclub<br />
www.saucesupperclub.co.uk
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
A perfect pairing<br />
PATRICK GAUNT, OPERATIONS MANAGER OF SPECIALIST WINE COMPANY ITAL SARDO,<br />
TAKES A LOOK AT SOME FOOD AND WINE COMBINATIONS TO GET THE MOUTH WATERING<br />
Wine, a beautifully diverse drink. Available for a tipple<br />
on its own, as well as complimenting for a dish. Today,<br />
we would like to present the dishes that go fantastically<br />
with our wines. We will provide the wines with the food<br />
recommendations, and leave the culinary flair to you.<br />
All of our wines have been hand-picked and imported<br />
direct from the wineries. This has allowed us to discuss<br />
the best possible food pairings with the winemakers<br />
themselves. We hope you enjoy this month’s tantalising<br />
issue.<br />
Wonderful whites<br />
Our white wines of the Vermentino<br />
variety all have a generic trait that pairs<br />
perfectly with shellfish and light seafood.<br />
We insist that you try our Brino from<br />
Cantina Pedres with mussels, parsley<br />
and garlic. This white wine has an<br />
eloquently savoury finish which softens<br />
the garlic flavour and extends the taste.<br />
Never have we tried such a harmonic<br />
pairing.<br />
As we know, every wine is different.<br />
Another wine that we have from<br />
Sardinia, Cheja, is made with a blend of<br />
native grapes from the island. This wine<br />
is a little fruitier than that of a single grape Vermentino<br />
and can therefore be paired with food that carries a<br />
stronger flavour. I would suggest pairing this with raw<br />
fish or sushi. The oily texture of the dish transforms this<br />
wine and seems to add more layers of flavour.<br />
Robust reds<br />
On to the reds, and allow me to start<br />
with one of our favourites, Nero<br />
Sardo. A gold medal winner, 100%<br />
Cannonau. This smooth and spicy red<br />
has a real warm essence to it. A glass<br />
of Nero Sardo assisted by a rich meaty<br />
pizza will give you a one-way ticket to<br />
Tasty Town. The warm, fruity feel of<br />
this wine creates a soft edge to the dish<br />
- it’s one of my favourite pairings!<br />
If you ever find yourself with your<br />
meats all set for your BBQ, salad<br />
prepped, table set but no wine as<br />
of yet… have no fear! We stock a<br />
warm, rounded blend from Sardinia.<br />
Our Geo is made up of Cannonau,<br />
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. This well-balanced<br />
wine goes hand-in-hand with almost any grilled meats,<br />
and once opened, can last up to three days - just<br />
remember to put the cork back in. I sometimes find<br />
myself with leftover food from a BBQ, and having<br />
wine that I can carry over with it is a beautiful bonus.<br />
All of our wines can be found on our website www.<br />
italsardo.com<br />
The bonus to us personally importing our wines, is<br />
that we know all our produce, inside and out. We are<br />
always able to assist with any recommendations of<br />
any sort and can be easily contacted on email<br />
wine@italsardo.com or telephone 01283 711588.<br />
34
BROADWAY KITCHENS<br />
MANUFACTURER OF LUXURY BESPOKE KITCHENS<br />
Visit our Essex and Midlands showrooms to see and feel the quality.<br />
Call to discuss your kitchen project and book a FREE,<br />
no-obligation design consultation today!<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD 0121 353 4999<br />
www.bespokekitchensbybroadway.com
CO M P E T I T I O N<br />
Live like a millionaire at The Luxury Show<br />
FROM RACEHORSES TO YACHTS, PRIVATE MEMBER-ONLY CLUBS TO EXOTIC HOLIDAYS, THIS YEAR’S<br />
MIDLANDS LUXURY SHOW ON <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 28 AND 29 WILL BE FEATURING SOME OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE<br />
AND EXPENSIVE ITEMS ON OFFER FROM AROUND THE WORLD - AND YOU COULD WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS<br />
Visitors to the exclusive show, being held this month,<br />
will be given the opportunity to view and purchase<br />
some of the finest products and services that money<br />
can buy, and experience high-end living at its best.<br />
With high budgets and exclusive taste a must, The<br />
Midlands Luxury Show, which is in its third year will,<br />
once again, be taking place at Britain’s leading hotel,<br />
golf and spa resort, The Belfry, and will be showcasing<br />
the pinnacle of aspirational products and companies<br />
refined in luxury.<br />
Featuring more than 45 exhibitors, along with<br />
exclusive entertainment from Elmhurst Ballet School,<br />
inspirational success speakers, a fashion show, fine<br />
wine and dining there is little excuse to not attend the<br />
popular show.<br />
For visitors with millions to spend, here are some of<br />
the top end products which will be there on the day,<br />
so you can blow your budget on some of the most<br />
luxurious items money can buy.<br />
Charter a yacht:<br />
Why not charter the most exclusive yacht in the world<br />
at £1.1m per week, embark on a unique two-week<br />
cruise around Antarctica with a visit to Falklands<br />
on board of a superyacht Legend at £400,000 a<br />
week, sail around the world on an very special sailing<br />
catamaran at around £40,000 per week, hire the<br />
largest and most exclusive sailing yacht the world<br />
has even seen at £325,000 per week, all in five-star<br />
luxury, with your own highly professional crew and<br />
such facilities as helicopters, submarines, beach clubs,<br />
on board swimming pools or outdoor cinemas and<br />
private masseurs.<br />
Own a racehorse:<br />
Enjoy the thrills of racehorse ownership with Oliver<br />
Greenall Racing who will be at the show.<br />
Shotgun Sally is the well-bred daughter of leading<br />
sire Milan and created a very good impression when<br />
winning her only start to date in an Irish Point-To-<br />
Point in April. She was a well-backed favourite which<br />
shows how much she is thought of, showing very good<br />
attitude when knuckling down to win by one length.<br />
Buying the horse and a whole season training will cost<br />
£50,000 plus VAT.<br />
High End Fitness Equipment:<br />
A new high-end range of fitness equipment will be<br />
showcased at The Luxury Show in September by<br />
Fitness Options. Prices for the wooden exercise bike<br />
range from £2,245 to £2,965 (depending on the wood<br />
the customer chooses) so you can look stylish as you<br />
break a sweat and get fit.<br />
The Luxury Shows were founded by Amarjet Snehi,<br />
managing director of Equitrade Capital, alongside<br />
Andy Seger, owner of J&A Fine Art, and September’s<br />
show follows on from the success of the Cheshire show<br />
earlier this year.<br />
Other exhibitors over the two days will include D’Joya<br />
Fine Jewellery, Amplify, Rolls Royce Motor Cars<br />
Birmingham, Exclusive Cars, St James Place Wealth<br />
Management, Kitchen Gallery, Midlands Hot Tubs,<br />
CM Wines and Yamaha Grand Piano.<br />
To register your interest in attending the event, which<br />
starts at 10am on both days, visit www.theluxuryshow.<br />
co.uk<br />
For sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities, please<br />
contact a.snehi@equitradecapital.co.uk or<br />
andy@jandafineart.co.uk<br />
The Competition<br />
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF<br />
GUARANTEED TICKETS TO THE LUXURY SHOW,<br />
SIMPLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:<br />
WHERE IS THE LUXURY SHOW BEING HELD?<br />
Send your answer, along with with your name, email<br />
address, postcode and proposed wedding date by email<br />
to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with Luxury Show<br />
competition as the email subject. Entries must be received by<br />
5pm on Wednesday, September 19, and our winner will be<br />
notified by Friday, September 21. Terms and conditions apply.<br />
Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details.<br />
36
R E C L a M a T I O N<br />
Your reclaimed building & landscaping material suppliers<br />
<br />
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<br />
Bricks • Roof Tiles • Quarry Tiles • Natural Stone Walling & Paving • Rockery<br />
• Granite Sets • Cobbles • Stone Troughs • Oak Beams • Cast Iron Radiators<br />
• Lamp Posts • Fire Places • Doors • Chimney Pots • PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE!<br />
all the above bought and sold<br />
telephone: 0121 308 0554<br />
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm • Saturday 9.30am - 1.30pm<br />
35 Holding, Shirral Drive, Nr Drayton Bassett B78 3EQ<br />
www.fouroaksreclamation.com<br />
<br />
<br />
SUPPLIERS OF KARNDEAN, MODULEO & AMTICO FLOORING<br />
AND MANY MORE TOP MANUFACTURERS.<br />
GRANGE WILTON<br />
NORMALLY £51 SQ. METRE<br />
NOW £42.95 SQ. METRE<br />
PLUS MANY MORE<br />
OFFERS THROUGHOUT<br />
THE DEPARTMENT.<br />
*ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT<br />
in<br />
28 Goosemoor Lane, Erdington,<br />
Birmingham B23 5PN - Tel: 0121 377-8848<br />
Open: Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm. Sun 11am - 5pm.
W E D D I N G S<br />
Wed in style<br />
TO MARK J’AIME’S FIRST WEDDING SPECIAL, WE STAGED A STYLED EDITORIAL SHOOT AT SWINFEN<br />
HALL, SHOWCASING SOME OF THE MOST STYLISH WEDDING TRENDS USING LOCAL SUPPLIERS<br />
USING the Georgian splendour<br />
of Swinfen Hall as a backdrop,<br />
the shoot - organised by Laura<br />
Sutton of The Cake Spa -<br />
brought together a host of<br />
top suppliers from across the<br />
Midlands to create a dreamy<br />
luxe feel, perfect for an autumn<br />
wedding.<br />
The theme? Copper luxe, a<br />
showcase of warm metallic<br />
elements complemented by deep<br />
greens and plenty of lush foliage,<br />
which is hugely on trend when<br />
it comes to the floral elements<br />
of wedding style. There’s decor<br />
inspiration aplenty, from the<br />
gorgeous table settings to the<br />
incredible cake swing which<br />
definitely makes a statement. Are<br />
you daring enough?<br />
With an embellished ballgown<br />
for the bride, velvet tux for the<br />
groom and stunning copper<br />
lace dress for the bridesmaid,<br />
the overall look is dramatic and<br />
glamorous.<br />
The whole thing was captured<br />
beautifully by the supertalented<br />
Becky Tranter, of<br />
Life Through A Lens. You can<br />
also check out our behind-thescenes<br />
video online at www.<br />
jaimemagazine.com<br />
38
39
40<br />
S T Y L E D S H O OT
Your next party with Tentickle Stretch Tents<br />
www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk<br />
0121 740 1385<br />
07826 84 30 99<br />
@TentickleUK<br />
@Tentickle_UK<br />
TentickleUK
42<br />
S T Y L E D S H O OT
Moor Hall Hotel is the perfect venue for your civil ceremony,<br />
outdoor wedding and wedding reception for up to 180 guests.<br />
Our beautiful country house setting is full of character<br />
and our sweeping lawns, sunken garden and newly refurbished<br />
banqueting suite make a great backdrop for your photos.<br />
Wedding Open Evening<br />
Thursday 27th September <strong>2018</strong><br />
See just how lovely your wedding day could be!<br />
From 5.30pm to 8pm. Free Entry<br />
Wedding Fair<br />
Sunday 4th November <strong>2018</strong><br />
Wide range of stalls. Fashion show at midday.<br />
From 11am to 3pm Free Entry<br />
Please call for a copy our NEW Weddings brochure or for a show round<br />
Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN<br />
0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk weddings@moorhallhotel.co.uk<br />
The George offers a delightful setting for civil ceremonies and<br />
wedding receptions for up to 110 guests, in the heart of the Lichfield.<br />
Our charming 18th century coaching inn and the nearby picturesque<br />
backdrops of Minster Pool and Beacon Park set the perfect scene.<br />
Ask about our All Inclusive Weddings from just £3,900!<br />
Wedding Open Day<br />
Sunday 14th October <strong>2018</strong><br />
See just how lovely your wedding day could be!<br />
From 12pm to 3pm. Free Entry<br />
Please call for a copy our Weddings brochure or for a show round<br />
Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PR<br />
01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk events@mthegeorgelichfield.co.uk<br />
アパート<br />
夀 䔀 䄀 刀 匀 伀 䘀<br />
䈀 䔀 匀 倀 伀 䬀 䔀 䘀 䤀 一 䔀 䨀 䔀 圀 䔀 䰀 䰀 䔀 刀 夀 ꀀ<br />
伀 渀 攀 漀 昀 琀 栀 攀 氀 愀 爀 最 攀 猀 琀 挀 漀 氀 氀 攀 挀 琀 椀 漀 渀 猀 漀 昀<br />
挀 漀 渀 琀 攀 洀 瀀 漀 爀 愀 爀 礀 ǻ 渀 攀 樀 攀 眀 攀 氀 氀 攀 爀 礀 椀 渀 琀 栀 攀 唀 䬀<br />
匀 瀀 攀 挀 椀 愀 氀 椀 猀 琀 猀 椀 渀 搀 攀 猀 椀 最 渀 椀 渀 最 愀 渀 搀 洀 愀 欀 椀 渀 最 Ⰰ<br />
爀 攀 洀 漀 搀 攀 氀 氀 椀 渀 最 愀 渀 搀 爀 攀 昀 甀 爀 戀 椀 猀 栀 椀 渀 最 昀 漀 爀 アパート 礀 攀 愀 爀 猀<br />
䄀 䰀 䰀 䔀 一 䈀 刀 伀 圀 一 䨀 䔀 圀 䔀 䰀 䰀 䔀 刀 夀<br />
䠀 攀 愀 爀 琀 漀 昀 吀 栀 攀 䌀 漀 甀 渀 琀 爀 礀 匀 栀 漀 瀀 瀀 椀 渀 最 嘀 椀 氀 氀 愀 最 攀<br />
匀 眀 椀 渀 昀 攀 渀 Ⰰ 䰀 椀 挀 栀 ǻ 攀 氀 搀 Ⰰ<br />
匀 琀 愀 昀 昀 漀 爀 搀 猀 栀 椀 爀 攀 圀 匀 㐀 㤀 儀 刀<br />
㔀 㐀 アパート 㐀 㠀 㤀 㐀 㠀<br />
眀 眀 眀 ⸀ 愀 氀 氀 攀 渀 戀 爀 漀 眀 渀 樀 攀 眀 攀 氀 氀 攀 爀 礀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 甀 欀<br />
昀 椀 琀
44<br />
S T Y L E D S H O OT
Millarde Fashions<br />
of Sutton Coldfield<br />
FORMERLY SINGULAR SENSATION<br />
Dressing the Mum’s and guests<br />
Wonderful selection of outfits,<br />
hats, hatinators and fascinators<br />
396 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green,<br />
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1YJ<br />
0121 373 4834 - www.millardefashions.co.uk<br />
enquiries@millardefashions.co.uk<br />
0121 355 8158 • CAROLINEBAILEYBRIDAL.CO.UK<br />
DESIGNER BRANDS<br />
IN STORE:<br />
• MARK LESLEY<br />
• DEMETRIOS<br />
• FEMME & GALLERY BY<br />
KENNETH WINSTON<br />
8 BOLDMERE ROAD,<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD<br />
B73 5TD<br />
OPENING HOURS:<br />
CLOSED MON<br />
TUES - FRI 10 TO 4<br />
SAT 10 - 5<br />
OUT OF HOURS BY<br />
APPOINTMENT ONLY<br />
CALL 07758364955<br />
AN ELEGANT,<br />
CONTEMPORARY<br />
WEDDING VENUE IN<br />
STAFFORDSHIRE<br />
Nestled in the heart of rural<br />
Staffordshire, styled with a fusion of<br />
contemporary and period furnishings,<br />
offering you and your guests an<br />
unrivalled level of comfort, style and<br />
beauty. Our light and airy converted<br />
barns and marquee are well suited for<br />
both intimate and grand weddings,<br />
accommodating 30 to 650 guests.<br />
www.alrewashayes.com | info@alrewashayes.com<br />
Alrewas Hayes, Burton upon Trent, DE13 7DL<br />
Contact us today to take a tour: 01283 791 625<br />
For offers please visit: www.alrewashayes.com/offers<br />
Staffordshire Life Half Page Ad_March_Spring.indd 1 22/01/2016 13:38
S T Y L E D S H O OT<br />
The suppliers<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER: BECKY TRANTER - LIFE THROUGH A LENS. WWW.BECKYTRANTER.COM<br />
VIDEOGRAPHER: JAXN VISUALS. WWW.JAXNVISUALS.COM<br />
MODEL - BRIDE: HEATHER MARIE SELLERS<br />
MODEL - GROOM: ANDREW STYLIANOU<br />
MODEL - BRIDESMAID: HATTIE LEVETT-DUNN<br />
FLORIST: GREENERY AND CO. WWW.GREENERYANDCO.CO.UK<br />
DECOR - SIGNS, WORDS, TABLE NUMBER, CAR DETAIL, CAKE SWING: BRAMBLESKY.<br />
WWW.BRAMBLESKYEVENTDECOR.CO.UK<br />
MUA: ALLISON TYE. WWW.ALLISONTYEMAKEUP.CO.UK<br />
HAIR: DONNA NEALE OF HD HAIR AND BEAUTY, PART OF LEWIS MOORE SALONS.<br />
WWW.HDHAIRANDBEAUTY.COM<br />
CAKE: THE CAKE SPA. WWW.THECAKESPA.CO.UK<br />
CAR: KISS FABULOUS RIDES. WWW.KISSRIDES.CO.UK<br />
BRIDAL, VEIL AND HEADPIECE: WEDDING BELLES OF FOUR OAKS. WWW.WEDDINGBELLESBRIDAL.CO.UK<br />
GROOMSWEAR: THE BESPOKE TAILOR. WWW.THEBESPOKETAILOR.CO.UK<br />
BRIDESMAID DRESS: BIJOU LICHFIELD. WWW.BIJOUBOUDOIR.COM<br />
TABLE NAPKINS, PLACE NAMES, GARTER AND HANDKERCHIEFS: EXTRA SPECIAL TOUCH.<br />
WWW.EXTRASPECIALTOUCH.CO.UK<br />
STATIONERY: AMY BAILEY DESIGN. WWW.AMYBAILEYDESIGN.CO.UK<br />
VENUE: SWINFEN HALL HOTEL, LICHFIELD. WWW.SWINFENHALLHOTEL.CO.UK<br />
46
www.neroebianco.co.uk<br />
Nero e Bianco Exclusive Fashion & Bridal<br />
Barton Marina Burton upon Trent DE13 8AS<br />
01283 346704
CO M P E T I T I O N<br />
Win a winter wedding<br />
breakfast worth £2,000<br />
J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE PAVILION AT BRANSTON GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB TO<br />
OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A WINTER WEDDING BREAKFAST FOR UP TO 50 PEOPLE<br />
The team at The Pavilion love nothing more than<br />
seeing their wedding couples taking their first steps<br />
into married life together and the joy and happiness<br />
that is shared with their friends and family on their<br />
beautiful day.<br />
Making your day as memorable and magical as<br />
it can be is always their goal. To make it extra<br />
special, J’AIME has teamed up with The Pavilion at<br />
Branston Golf and Country Club to give readers the<br />
opportunity to win a winter wedding breakfast for up<br />
to 50 guests, worth an amazing £2,000.<br />
Set in the grounds of Branston Golf and Country<br />
Club’s stunning 18 hole Championship golf course,<br />
The Pavilion is the ideal setting for your magical day.<br />
Whether for your wedding and evening reception or<br />
to hold your ceremony or partnership, the dedicated<br />
team can cater for celebrations of every size from<br />
small intimate affairs of 50 to all the ‘bells and<br />
whistles’ for up to 250 guests. So whatever type or size<br />
of wedding you have dreamed of, they can tailor a<br />
package to suit your specific requirements.<br />
The Chatsworth Suite offers not only stunning<br />
views over the golf course, but can be transformed<br />
throughout the day to accommodate each aspect<br />
of your wedding - from the ceremony and wedding<br />
breakfast to evening entertainment. Not only that<br />
but you can also enjoy the private Garden Room<br />
throughout your day to provide you with a quiet<br />
sanctuary where you can take your time to gather your<br />
thoughts, touch up that flawless make-up or just take<br />
two minutes with your new spouse to assess the day.<br />
All of the wedding day food is made with locally<br />
sourced ingredients and freshly prepared on site by<br />
the team of award-winning chefs. There is a tempting<br />
selection of mouthwatering menus from which to<br />
choose for your wedding breakfast, evening buffet and<br />
canapés.<br />
The dedicated team of wedding coordinators are<br />
passionate about delivering a truly unique experience<br />
to ensure your dream wedding day comes true. The<br />
team will work with you offering help and advice to<br />
ensure every detail is attended to. They will be on<br />
hand from the first phone call, to greeting you at the<br />
door to guide you to the aisle, to serving you your<br />
wedding breakfast, introducing the new ‘Mr & Mrs’<br />
and ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves right<br />
through to the final dance.<br />
For more information on weddings at The Pavilion at<br />
Branston Golf and Country Club, call 01283 528336<br />
or visit the website at www.branstonclub.co.uk/<br />
weddings<br />
48
The Competition<br />
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THIS AMAZING PRIZE AND HOSTING YOUR<br />
WEDDING DAY AT THE PAVILION, SIMPLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:<br />
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PRIVATE ROOM THAT ALL<br />
COUPLES GET EXCLUSIVE USE OF ON THEIR BIG DAY?<br />
A) GOLFERS ROOM B) GARDEN ROOM C) TERRACE ROOM<br />
Send your answer, along with with your name, email address, postcode and proposed wedding date by email to<br />
competitions@jaimemagazine.com with Branston Golf Wedding competition as the email subject. Entries must be received<br />
by 5pm on Friday, September 28, and our winner will be notified by Wednesday, October 3. Terms and conditions apply. The<br />
Wedding Breakfast is a set menu and is to be used alongside the Winter Wedding Package for up to 50 guests from October<br />
to April. Any difference on menu choices will be charged as a supplement. The Wedding Breakfast is not transferable<br />
or refundable. Subject to availability. This competition cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Visit www.<br />
jaimemagazine.com for further details.<br />
49
W E D D I N G S<br />
Bloomin’ marvellous<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD FLORIST PEGGY PRENDERGAST, OF GREENERY AND CO,<br />
TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST SEASONAL TRENDS FOR WEDDING FLOWERS<br />
Whether you’re clueless about carnations or a pro<br />
on peonies, choosing your wedding flowers is a big<br />
task. Your wedding flowers play an important part in<br />
the whole look of your big day, having the ability to<br />
transform your venue and set the tone for the entire<br />
proceedings, so it’s a decision which requires plenty<br />
of thought - and, for most of us, some expert help.<br />
Peggy Prendergast, from Sutton Coldfield florist<br />
Greenery and Co, says that, while roses and peonies<br />
will always be big-day favourites, brides in <strong>2018</strong><br />
and beyond are increasingly going green with their<br />
bouquets and floral decor.<br />
“Foliage has been on trend for a while when it comes<br />
to weddings but it is still very much the ‘in’ thing,”<br />
explains Peggy. “Eucalyptus originally broke the<br />
flower barrier with wild bouquets and is still very<br />
popular. However ferns and more of the tropical<br />
foliages are now taking the lead, appropriate for<br />
many colour schemes and styles.”<br />
As we head into the chillier months, pastel and<br />
muted tones give way to bolder hues.<br />
“Moody romantic is very much the trend for winter<br />
weddings, using a dark colour palette of burgundy,<br />
maroon, plum and dark green,”” Peggy says.<br />
“Unusual, bold flowers are also becoming a bridal<br />
favourite. If you want to make a statement, a large<br />
focal flower is always a winner. Protea or even the<br />
king protea is very popular for the alternative bride;<br />
eye-catching and modern, the South African flower is<br />
truly a talking point.”<br />
But, says Peggy, many couples prefer to use their<br />
wedding flowers to incorporate a slice of timeless<br />
tradition into their wedding.<br />
“Although there are plenty of equally beautiful trends<br />
around, the ever-popular colour palette of whites,<br />
creams, greens with a hint of dusty pink is still very<br />
much a favourite. It’s a beautiful classic and, if you’re<br />
unsure about your wedding flowers, this could be the<br />
perfect look.“<br />
FOLIAGE IS A HUGELY<br />
POPULAR BRIDAL TREND<br />
BOLD FLOWERS LIKE KING PROTEA CAN<br />
MAKE A STATEMENT IN YOUR BOUQUET<br />
50
SWINFEN HALL<br />
the perfect wedding venue<br />
Swinfen Hall, a magnificent Georgian Manor House set in 100 acres of historic parkland,<br />
makes a stunning setting for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions.<br />
• Award winning luxury<br />
• Perfect for intimate celebrations or larger gatherings<br />
• Private deer park and ornamental gardens<br />
• 18 beautiful bedrooms and suites<br />
• Available for Exclusive Use<br />
WEDDING FAIR<br />
Sunday 16th September 1 - 4 pm<br />
SWINFEN NR. LICHFIELD STAFFORDSHIRE WS14 9RE<br />
TELEPHONE: (01543) 481494 www.swinfenhallhotel.co.uk
B E AU T Y<br />
Be Insta-ready for your big day<br />
WHETHER IT’S THE OFFICIAL PHOTOS OR THOSE SNATCHED INSTAGRAM MOMENTS, YOU WANT TO<br />
LOOK NOTHING BUT FABULOUS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. LISA PIDDINGTON, FROM HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
BIRMINGHAM, REVEALS THE MUST-HAVE MASKS, SERUMS AND TREATMENTS TO REJUVENATE, REVITALISE AND<br />
RESTORE RADIANCE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. THIS IS YOUR FAST TRACK TO A FLAWLESS BRIDAL COMPLEXION<br />
Starskin’s 7-Second<br />
Morning Mask, £27,<br />
is a new generation, all-inone<br />
beauty innovation that<br />
combines your morning<br />
skincare routine in one easyto-use<br />
Mask Pad. Infused<br />
with potent ingredients and<br />
probiotics its refreshes and<br />
brightens in no time at all.<br />
Prep for your big<br />
day with La Mer The<br />
Brilliance Brightening<br />
Mask, £210. This gentle,<br />
yet powerful two-step<br />
treatment mask instantly<br />
brightens and softens skin to<br />
reveal a luminous look. With<br />
continued use, stubborn<br />
discolouration and pores<br />
appears diminished and tone<br />
looks more even.<br />
Exfoliate and soothe<br />
as you sleep with Pixi’s<br />
Overnight Glow Serum,<br />
£26. Boosted with 10%<br />
glycolic acid and arginine, it<br />
helps to reduce the appearance<br />
of fine lines and fade sun spots<br />
over time. It’s also enriched<br />
with cucumber and aloe vera<br />
extracts to calm, and vitamins<br />
A, C and E to nourish.<br />
For silky soft skin, look no further<br />
than Rose Gel Mask, £42, from Peter<br />
Thomas Roth. With state-of-the-art<br />
technology, rose plant stem cells are blended<br />
with rose extracts in a cooling gel to help<br />
invigorate and improve the look of skin<br />
vitality.<br />
Juno Hydroactive<br />
Cellular Face Oil<br />
by Sunday Riley,<br />
£35, is formulated with<br />
a botanically active<br />
blend of a cold-pressed<br />
super-food seed oils.<br />
It nourishes skin with<br />
antioxidants, vitamins,<br />
essential amino acids,<br />
omegas-3, 6, and 9,<br />
and naturally soothing<br />
agents for a luminous,<br />
radiant complexion.<br />
SKINCARE PRODUCTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BEAUTY HALL AT HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
BIRMINGHAM OR ONLINE AT HARVEYNICHOLS.COM. THE LUXURY MAILBOX STORE OFFERS A RANGE<br />
OF MAKEOVER AND PAMPER PACKAGES FOR BRIDES TO BE. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PRICES<br />
CALL 0121 616 6019 OR EMAIL BEAUTYCONCIERGEBIRMINGHAM@HARVEYNICHOLS.COM.<br />
52
25% OFF Hair Services<br />
for all New Clients<br />
1 Gresley Row, Three Spires Shopping Centre, Lichfield WS13 6JF<br />
t: 01543 416466<br />
4 B u r n e t t R o a d , S t r e e t l y , S u t t o n C o l d f i e l d B 7 4 3 E J<br />
t: 0121 353 3888<br />
T’s & C’s: Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Valid for new clients only at Francesco Group Lichfield and Francesco Group Streetly with selected stylists on selected days.<br />
Quote ADJAIME25 on booking. Skin Allergy Test required 48 hours prior to colour appointment. Appointments are subject to availability.<br />
BEFORE YOU SAY I DO…<br />
COME MAKE A COCKTAIL OR TWO<br />
Cocktail Masterclasses from only £25 per head<br />
Make, shake and stir a selection of cocktails with the help of one of our mixologists<br />
With bubbly on arrival for everyone and a private area afterwards if you require,<br />
we can make sure your hen party is one to remember<br />
Email us on info@lereve-bar.com or call us on 01543 253 663<br />
for any more information or bookings<br />
www.lereve-bar.com • 26 Bird Street - Lichfield
W E D D I N G S<br />
Taking the stress out of the honeymoon<br />
HONEYMOONS CAN BE JUST AS STRESSFUL TO ORGANISE AS THE WEDDING DAY ITSELF, BUT DON'T WORRY<br />
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! HERE, OLIVER, DIRECTOR OF LICHFIELD’S RB COLLECTION, OFFERS SOME TOP TIPS<br />
AND SUGGESTIONS TO HELP MAKE IT AN ENJOYABLE PROCESS, NOT A DAUNTING ONE<br />
PETITE ST VINCENT IN THE<br />
CARRIBEAN IS THE ULTIMATE<br />
ISLAND GETAWAY<br />
In the past, the term ‘luxury’ focused on gold taps<br />
and marble bathrooms of five star hotels; however<br />
the modern interpretation revolves heavily around<br />
quality time with your loved ones and unique<br />
experiences that create lifelong memories. We pride<br />
ourselves on being a ‘luxury’ travel agency, but<br />
appreciate everyone's interpretation of this word can<br />
vary and we work hard to ensure our service meets<br />
your requirements.<br />
BUDGETING TIPS<br />
Let’s face it; weddings are not cheap, and then<br />
there’s the honeymoon to worry about. But don’t<br />
panic. Yes, it can be a challenge but we are here<br />
to help. Ask yourself if this will be a once-in-alifetime<br />
opportunity - and maybe worthy of a larger<br />
investment - or a shorter break for now, with a longer<br />
trip planned for later.<br />
Is there is a specific place you want to visit, but it’s<br />
proving more expensive immediately after your<br />
wedding? Consider delaying it to a time of year that<br />
would be better value for money. Avoiding school<br />
holidays and bank holiday is also another good way<br />
of reducing your honeymoon budget.<br />
We offer our clients a special ‘Gift List Service’<br />
which allows friends and family to buy experiences,<br />
upgrades and enhancements for your honeymoon<br />
which will help with the overall cost. From spa<br />
treatments to dinners and excursions, this is a fun<br />
way to involve them in your trip. You simply provide<br />
54
them with a website address and code and they<br />
choose from a menu of options and pay online. A<br />
simpler version of this allows them to simply add<br />
money to your account with us to help pay off your<br />
trip.<br />
SWEDEN'S STUNNING ICEHOTEL.<br />
PHOTO BY ASAF KLIGER<br />
WHERE TO GO?<br />
Are you're looking for an ultimate desert island<br />
escape, or an adventure week? Maybe a bit of<br />
both? It can be a needle in a haystack to choose<br />
where to honeymoon, and this is where we can<br />
help.<br />
A fun exercise to do together at home is write<br />
down the three places in the world you think your<br />
fiancé(e) would like to visit and what you think<br />
they would like to do when they are there. You<br />
can then learn very quickly if you have a good<br />
understanding of what each other wants from a<br />
honeymoon, or if you are off the mark entirely and<br />
need to chat about it further! Either way, it should<br />
help you both work out what type of trip you want.<br />
Another option would be to focus on what you<br />
want to do on your honeymoon and not get too<br />
distracted with where you want to go. Then come<br />
and meet with our travel experts who can then<br />
recommend places for you based on what you want<br />
to do when you are there.<br />
DISCONNECT<br />
We are so busy with our modern, digital lives<br />
nowadays that we sometimes forget the importance<br />
of time together. A honeymoon should be exactly<br />
that and while we all want to capture the moment in<br />
photographs, do we need to be digitally connected<br />
while on our honeymoon? There is a real trend in<br />
EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF<br />
NATURE ON A KENYAN SAFARI<br />
‘digital disconnecting’ and this is something we are<br />
really in tune with at RB. Disconnecting doesn't have<br />
to just mean doing nothing on a desert island either,<br />
although this does of course sound very appealing<br />
doesn't it! You can also easily disconnect while still<br />
‘doing’ something on your honeymoon.<br />
One of our digital disconnecting experiences is a<br />
safari in Kenya, and it<br />
works perfectly for those<br />
with less time to spare for<br />
their trip too. Within five<br />
days you can travel down<br />
to Kenya and experience<br />
mother nature first hand<br />
with a luxury tented safari<br />
that has no wifi or TV, just<br />
you, your loved one and the<br />
Big Five - sound exciting?<br />
If you have more than five<br />
days, we would extend<br />
to trip to the beach in<br />
Zanzibar or the Seychelles<br />
for example. To see the<br />
migration; visit between<br />
July and October and for<br />
lower rates January and<br />
February are are best.
THAILAND CAN OFFER<br />
EXCELLENT VALUE-FOR-MONEY<br />
LUXURY<br />
And why not combine two<br />
holiday destinations in one<br />
trip, it certainly makes it<br />
feel like you are getting<br />
better value for money. For<br />
example, Bangkok for a few<br />
days shopping and seeing<br />
some temples, then a few<br />
days on the island of Koh<br />
Samui which we know very<br />
well.<br />
OUR FAVOURITE<br />
HONEYMOON<br />
EXPERIENCES<br />
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES WITHOUT<br />
BREAKING THE BANK<br />
We pride ourselves by offering a five star experience<br />
to our clients. This doesn't mean all the holidays we<br />
arrange are only for the rich and famous. We also<br />
know how to get fantastic value for money with our<br />
experience of arranging holidays all over the world<br />
for many years.<br />
While the well known saying ‘You get what you pay<br />
for’ is very true in the world of travel, you do not<br />
necessarily need tens of thousands of pounds to have<br />
the perfect beachfront honeymoon experience. There<br />
are certain parts of the world that offer excellent<br />
value for money for five star beach holidays. Take<br />
Thailand for example; a private pool villa there can<br />
cost in the region of £200<br />
per night at certain times<br />
of the year, compared with<br />
£1,000 per night in the<br />
Caribbean.<br />
Many couples also like<br />
the idea of a romantic<br />
beach holiday, but also<br />
like atmosphere and<br />
socialising - will a desert<br />
island getaway be the best<br />
option for you? Maybe a<br />
beautiful beachfront resort<br />
in Mexico may be a better<br />
choice - better value for<br />
money than the Caribbean<br />
still, lots of cultural things<br />
to see and do, great food<br />
and lots of people to meet.<br />
Unique experience -<br />
Sweden’s Ice Hotel<br />
Winter: Sweden’s Ice<br />
Hotel is a top choice of<br />
ours. Prices range from<br />
£1,100 per person to more than £3,000 per person<br />
for the Ultimate VIP Experience, with champagne<br />
on arrival, top suite accommodation and a host<br />
of exciting winter activities such as husky trips,<br />
snowmobile excursions and, of course, the chance<br />
to see the Northern Lights. Why not combine the<br />
Ice Hotel with the Tree Hotel and double up the<br />
adventure.<br />
Summer: You can now sleep on ice all year round!<br />
In summer the excursions change and you can<br />
experience white water rafting, the midnight sun<br />
as well as the beautiful Swedish landscapes. The<br />
Northern Lights even start to come out to play later<br />
in August and into the autumn time.<br />
THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF<br />
TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK<br />
56
Short on time - Romantic cities<br />
Spring and autumn: For those with limited time<br />
to take a honeymoon, let us send you to one of<br />
Europe’s romantic cities away from the crowded<br />
summer months, but when temperatures can still be<br />
warm. For example, Venice can get very crowded<br />
in the summer but will still be warm earlier or later<br />
in the year. For some, the idea of a gondola ride<br />
through the backstreets of Venice is the perfect<br />
romantic experience.<br />
Winter: One of the most magical times of year for<br />
New York is December where the lights are out and<br />
the city comes alive for the festive season. Take in the<br />
Christmas Extravaganza Show and enjoy spectacular<br />
views from Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller<br />
Centre.<br />
Digital disconnect - Safari v desert Island<br />
Winter and summer: Kenyan safari. Leave the<br />
mobile phone at home and escape on this ultimate<br />
safari experience in luxury tents to see the Big Five in<br />
their natural habitat.<br />
Winter: A lot of clients’ dream honeymoon would<br />
be a deserted island getaway and we can offer exactly<br />
that on Petit St Vincent in the Caribbean. There are<br />
no TVs in the luxury villas and no wifi either, just<br />
stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and quality time<br />
together.<br />
FIVE TOP TIPS FOR A<br />
STRESS-FREE HONEYMOON<br />
• FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ON<br />
HONEYMOON DAY-TO-DAY, NOT NECESSARILY<br />
WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.<br />
• CONSIDER DELAYING YOUR HONEYMOON TO<br />
ENSURE YOU TRAVEL AT A TIME THAT OFFERS<br />
THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY, WEATHER AND<br />
OVERALL EXPERIENCE.<br />
•USE OUR GIFT LIST SERVICE FOR FRIENDS AND<br />
FAMILY TO BUY SPECIAL ENHANCEMENTS TO<br />
YOUR TRIP.<br />
• BE OPEN MINDED, TRY NOT TO FOCUS ON<br />
WHAT YOU THINK IS THE ‘DREAM TRIP’, THERE<br />
MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE YOU HAVE NOT<br />
CONSIDERED.<br />
• TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF YOURSELVES BY<br />
SPEAKING TO A TRAVEL EXPERT… LIKE US!<br />
THERE ARE SO MANY DETAILS TO CREATE THE<br />
PERFECT HONEYMOON THAT RELYING ON THE<br />
PROFESSIONALS CAN MAKE IT A STRESS-FREE<br />
EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ALREADY<br />
HAVE THE WEDDING TO ORGANISE!<br />
CATCH THE AWESOME DISPLAY<br />
OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS<br />
FROM THE ICEHOTEL, SWEDEN<br />
J’aime reader offer<br />
free honeymoon gift list<br />
MENTION J’AIME MAGAZINE WHEN<br />
ARRANGING YOUR HONEYMOON WITH US<br />
BEFORE THE THE END OF OCTOBER <strong>2018</strong><br />
AND WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH OUR<br />
ONLINE GIFT LIST SERVICE FREE OF CHARGE,<br />
SAVING £50! THIS HANDY TOOL FEATURES<br />
A PERSONALISED WEB PAGE WITH A MENU<br />
OF ITEMS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO<br />
PURCHASE AND PAY FOR ONLINE. YOU<br />
CHOOSE WHAT THE ITEMS ARE WITH OUR<br />
TRAVEL EXPERTS. THEY RANGE FROM SPA<br />
TREATMENTS TO DINNERS, EXCURSIONS AND<br />
ROOM UPGRADES, DEPENDING ON THE TRIP<br />
YOU HAVE BOOKED. IT’S A HANDY AND FUN<br />
TOOL TO ENHANCE YOUR TRIP.<br />
Contact RB Collection to plan and book your<br />
honeymoon on 01543 261550, or email vip@<br />
rbcollection.com. Visit their office only on Boley Park,<br />
Lichfield (next door to the Co-op with free parking).<br />
Browse example holidays at www.rbcollection.com.<br />
57
LO CA L A R E A<br />
What’s On Local<br />
YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF WHAT’S ON IN AND AROUND<br />
SUTTON COLDFIELD, LICHFIELD, WALSALL AND BEYOND<br />
WHAT:<br />
Lichfield Proms<br />
in the Park<br />
WHERE:<br />
Beacon Park<br />
WHEN:<br />
September 1<br />
<strong>2018</strong>’s Lichfield Proms will see thousands of people<br />
gathering in Beacon Park for a spectacular evening<br />
of entertainment. Set to feature The British Police<br />
Symphony Orchestra, the City of Lichfield Concert<br />
Band, children’s entertainment, and a fireworks finale,<br />
it is the event to end the summer in style. The free<br />
entry event for the whole family is now in its twentieth<br />
year, so audience members can expect some special<br />
treats this year.<br />
Lichfield Proms is free entry, although donations are<br />
very welcome. There’s also the chance to reserve prime<br />
seating at tables in front of the stage. So, grab your<br />
picnic blankets, Union flags and end the summer with<br />
us in style at Beacon Park. For more information visit<br />
www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk<br />
WHAT:<br />
Murder<br />
Mystery<br />
Evening<br />
WHERE:<br />
Moor Hall<br />
WHEN:<br />
September 14<br />
An evening that will leave you shaken, not stirred!<br />
You’ll join the members of the 007 Club at their annual<br />
dinner - members love anything to do with fictional<br />
spying 007 style and some even specialise in inventing<br />
useful gadgets for spying. But which member thinks<br />
they have a licence to kill?<br />
The plot unfolds during The 007 Club’s Annual<br />
Dinner, so join us and try to work out the dark secrets<br />
of the members and watch out for vital clues to help<br />
you spot the murderer.<br />
The event costs £40 per person, includes a three course<br />
dinner or £150 for two to include an overnight stay.<br />
For more details visit www.moorhallhotel.co.uk<br />
WHAT: Eco Festival<br />
WHERE: Streetly Methodist Church<br />
WHEN: September 29<br />
Join in with a day of family fun celebrating ‘the good<br />
life’ at Streetly Methodist Church’s Eco Festival.<br />
Venture outside for woodland craft activities, including<br />
weavers, spinners and dyers, as well as presentations<br />
by the RSPB, Friends of Sutton Park Association and<br />
the 1st Streetly Scouts. Musical entertainment will be<br />
provided by Wildfire Youth Folk Group, New Streetly<br />
Youth Orchestra, Halesowen Handbell Ringers and<br />
Lichfield Lighthouse Company. There will also be an<br />
array of delicious food available from Clare’s Country<br />
Kitchen and Custom Rustic Pizzas, as well as an allday<br />
barbecue. All are welcome; entrance is just £1 for<br />
adults, and children are free.<br />
More details can be found at<br />
www.streetlymethodistchurch.org.uk and on the<br />
Streetly Methodist Church Facebook page.<br />
58
WHAT: The Cathedral Icon<br />
WHERE: Lichfield Cathedral<br />
WHEN: September 14<br />
Icon school students from Bethlehem set up a working<br />
studio in Lichfield Cathedral during this summer - the<br />
first of its kind outside the Holy Land.<br />
The Bethlehem Icon School brought six students to<br />
spend two months reviving the sacred art of religious icon<br />
painting, to create a twelve by eight feet crucifix of Jesus<br />
to hang above the nave. The cross will be dedicated at a<br />
service on Holy Cross Day, September 14.<br />
Rooted in sixth century Christian tradition, this new<br />
icon of the cross, which, alongside the traditional crucifix<br />
incorporates themes of hope through images of new<br />
growth and blossom, has been commissioned by Lichfield<br />
Cathedral to remind people of the suffering of war and<br />
the hope and reconciliation of peace, as part of a series<br />
of events in the Cathedral’s year-long Imagine Peace<br />
campaign to mark the centenary of the end of the First<br />
World War.<br />
Local company, Midlands Conservation Ltd, spent<br />
early June constructing a studio in the east end of the<br />
Cathedral in preparation for the Bethlehem School’s<br />
arrival, and visitors have been able to watch the icon<br />
students at work every day, under the tutelage of the<br />
school’s director Nichola Juha and visiting tutors, as they<br />
recreate this ancient Christian art form alleged to “open<br />
doors to heaven”.<br />
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revd Adrian Dorber,<br />
discovered the Bethlehem Icon School during a sabbatical<br />
to the Holy Land in 2012, when he found nuns saying<br />
Friday prayers in front of an icon painting called ‘Our<br />
Lady Who Brings Down Walls’ at the Israeli-built wall<br />
that divides Jerusalem from Bethlehem. His questions<br />
about its artistry led him to the Icon School and it has<br />
been a passion of his ever since to bring the school to<br />
Lichfield to create something new and redolent of the<br />
story of Christ for the city and beyond.<br />
The Dean of Lichfield said: “Icons are said to be<br />
gateways through which heaven meets earth, and I am<br />
proud to support this ancient art form to create an image<br />
of Christ who fills all things with new life. I want this new<br />
icon to be a message: a message of hope and creativity:<br />
a message that says here at Lichfield Cathedral, you can<br />
explore deep things in life, you are welcome, irrespective<br />
of your background or beliefs.”<br />
The technique uses natural minerals from the earth,<br />
including agate, plaster of Paris, and gold leaf, and dates<br />
back over 1,500 years. The wood for the cross was made<br />
and prepared by Dylan Hartley in his studio in nearby<br />
Telford.<br />
For more information, visit the Lichfield Cathedral<br />
website at www.lichfield-cathdral.org<br />
59
LO CA L A R E A<br />
What’s<br />
Competition<br />
on Second City<br />
A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST<br />
EVENTS TO COME TO BIRMINGHAM THIS MONTH<br />
WHAT:<br />
Whitney - Queen of<br />
the Night<br />
WHERE:<br />
New Alexandra Theatre<br />
WHEN: September 12<br />
A stunning celebration of<br />
the music and life of one<br />
of the greatest singers of our time. This award winning<br />
production features a sensational line-up of musicians and<br />
artistes, and together with a powerhouse and breathtaking<br />
performance in the spirit of Whitney, delivers a show that<br />
exceeds expectation on every level.<br />
Taking us on a magical rollercoaster ride through three<br />
decades of classic hit’s that include, I Wanna Dance With<br />
Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman,<br />
My Love is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You,<br />
Saving All My Love, I will Always Love You, and many<br />
more, this show beautifully remembers the most highly<br />
awarded female artiste in the world ever.<br />
Whitney’s one true legacy was her music. Share her life<br />
and get ready for the greatest love of all in Queen of the<br />
Night! For more details visit<br />
www.atgtickets.com/birmingham<br />
WHAT: Biffy<br />
Clyro - MTV<br />
Unplugged<br />
WHERE:<br />
Symphony Hall<br />
WHEN:<br />
September 19<br />
Even though Biffy Clyro are best known for their<br />
electrifying and explosive live shows, the rock outfit have<br />
often proven that their stripped back performances pack<br />
just as much of a punch. This month, Biffy Clyro come to<br />
Birmingham as part of a string of shows in support their<br />
MTV Unplugged: Live At Roundhouse London album,<br />
which was released in May.<br />
Recorded at London’s iconic Roundhouse last November,<br />
the set represented the UK relaunch of MTV’s legendary<br />
acoustic series, seeing Biffy Clyro follow in the footsteps<br />
of Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam and more. The set featured<br />
an array of fan favourites including Machines, Many of<br />
Horror as well as tracks of the band’s latest album, Ellipsis.<br />
The MTV Unplugged tour presents a chance for a wider<br />
audience to see the band play a rare full-length acoustic set<br />
in magnificent surroundings. For more details visit<br />
www.thsh.co.uk<br />
WHAT: Rip it Up - Dancing and Singing<br />
Through The 60s<br />
WHERE: Symphony Hall<br />
WHEN: September 24<br />
Following the smash hit success of Rip It Up<br />
Dancing Through The 50s last year – which<br />
was acclaimed as the most exciting Strictly<br />
Come Dancing spin-off tour ever – Rip It Up<br />
brings the fabulous soundtrack of the 1960s<br />
to life in an explosion of song and dance.<br />
Strictly Come Dancing champions Harry<br />
Judd and Louis Smith MBE and people’s<br />
champion Aston Merrygold will tour together<br />
as the ultimate boy band of dance, presenting<br />
everlasting hits from the decade that changed<br />
not just a generation but the world; from<br />
Mersey Beat, Motown and Mod to West Coast<br />
and Woodstock. Backed by the exceptional Rip It Up live band and a stunning supporting cast of singers and dancers,<br />
the Strictly champions will dance to songs from everyone from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Aretha Franklin<br />
and Stevie Wonder. Rip It Up celebrates some of the most iconic sounds, sights and events from that tumultuous<br />
period which transformed the 20th Century. For more details visit www.thsh.co.uk<br />
60
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FA S H I O N<br />
Animal instincts<br />
IT’S A FASHION JUNGLE OUT THERE, SAYS AMY NORBURY,<br />
AS ANIMAL PRINTS REIGN SUPREME FOR THE NEW SEASON<br />
WHILE it may seem mere moments since we were basking in<br />
a summer-long subtropical climate, the distinct downturn in<br />
temperature has got us excited for the upcoming autumn months.<br />
Cooler days mean we can bid adieu to those summer wardrobe<br />
struggles, and embrace a season of new wardrobe possibilities.<br />
Designers galore are going wild for animal prints; it’s a trend which<br />
rears its head every once in a while but if the AW18 catwalks are<br />
anything to go but, animal is the print of the season. Tom Ford<br />
made a statement with head-to-toe bold red leopard, while Victoria<br />
Beckham showcased several animal print looks in her collection,<br />
including a seriously chic leopard print update on the classic trench<br />
coat.<br />
Forget any preconceptions you had about animal prints; for AW18<br />
leopard brings a real chic feel to proceedings. From bright colours to<br />
more understated influences, there are plenty of ways to inject a wild<br />
touch into your new season wardrobe.<br />
Start simple with an elegant blouse here, or a fine knit sweater there<br />
- both looking super chic paired with slim-fit trousers or a classic<br />
pencil skirt - but be prepared to unleash your inner animal as we see<br />
wild prints on everything from trousers to coats, shoes to dresses.<br />
And while leopard reigns supreme as the most prolific animal<br />
print, it doesn’t stop there. Why not experiment with other spots<br />
and stripes as well; zebra feels especially covetable again, thanks to<br />
brands like Balenciaga, who featured gorgeous slinky zebra print<br />
dresses.<br />
The most on-trend way to wear the look is to really embrace it, and<br />
by that we’re talking head-to-toe. On the Max Mara catwalk it was a<br />
leopard print party: trousers, skirt, jumper and coat all roaring with<br />
animal fierceness in one look. And while you might not want to go<br />
this extreme - after all, trousers and skirt together really is overkill for<br />
your everyday wardrobe! - pairing dresses and shoes, or mix-andmatch<br />
animal print separates, will certainly elevate your look in the<br />
style stakes.<br />
For those loathe to fully commit, rest assured there is a solution:<br />
some of the season’s greatest accessories come in the spirit of the<br />
trend. Whether your penchant is for leopard or zebra, subtly classic<br />
or bright and bold, there’s a splash of animal fashion out there for<br />
you.<br />
LEOPARD DRESS, £48,<br />
AND TWEED BLAZER,<br />
£60, BOTH OASIS<br />
62
£25<br />
ZEBRA PRINT BLOCK HEELS,<br />
DOROTHY PERKINS<br />
£80<br />
£45<br />
£30<br />
£45<br />
DAVIE BAG, DUNE<br />
ANIMAL PRINT<br />
DRESS, NEXT<br />
LAARIA SCARF, DUNE<br />
ZEBRA JUMPSUIT,<br />
DOROTHY PERKINS<br />
KINZEY LEOPARD CALF<br />
HAIR BOOTS, SAM<br />
EDELMAN AT HARVEY<br />
NICHOLS<br />
£65<br />
HELENA BELT,<br />
HOBBS<br />
£165<br />
CAMEL LEOPARD PRINT<br />
MIDI DRESS, £50, WALLIS<br />
RED LEOPARD PRINT MIDI<br />
DRESS, £65, OLIVER BONAS<br />
ZEBRA KNIT, £38, AND<br />
CHECK PENCIL SKIRT,<br />
£40, OASIS
I N T H E N E W S<br />
A new name for a<br />
bridal business<br />
A wizard<br />
worktop wonder<br />
A Sutton Coldfield<br />
bridal boutique is<br />
celebrating a year<br />
under new ownership<br />
with a change of<br />
name.<br />
Caroline Bailey took<br />
over as the owner of<br />
established bridalwear<br />
specialist Singular<br />
Sensation in Boldmere<br />
last August, and has<br />
made the decision to<br />
put her own stamp on<br />
the business by renaming the shop Caroline Bailey.<br />
BRIDAL BOUTIQUE<br />
OWNER CAROLINE<br />
BAILEY<br />
Caroline is also introducing her own line of bridal gowns,<br />
which will be exclusive to the shop.<br />
Caroline says: “I previously worked as radiographer at<br />
the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and just over a year ago I<br />
made the decision to leave my career and become the new<br />
owner of Singular Sensation. This was a massive decision<br />
for me and I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I wanted to<br />
follow a dream I had always had. So with the backing of<br />
my family and friends I took the leap and I haven’t looked<br />
back.<br />
“I have always been creative; I have made wedding cakes,<br />
wedding bouquets and centrepieces but designing and<br />
helping my mum make my own wedding dress gave<br />
me the real passion for bridal dresses. I dreamt that one<br />
day I might have my own bridal boutique, so when the<br />
opportunity arose I knew I had to take it.”<br />
So on August 26 last year, the boutique was reopened,<br />
following a makeover and the introduction of new dress<br />
designers, including Demetrios, to complement the<br />
existing designers such as Mark Lesley.<br />
Caroline adds: “This last year has been a learning curve,<br />
but with ongoing support from family and friends and new<br />
support from brides, both past and present, and the all the<br />
designers I really feel It has been one of the best decisions<br />
I have ever made. Being part of a bride’s journey is very<br />
special. I want every bride to feel happy, amazing and<br />
beautiful and treasure the time they found their dress in<br />
my boutique.”<br />
For more information call 0121 355 8158 or visit<br />
www.carolinebaileybridal.co.uk<br />
If your granite worktops are looking a little worse<br />
for wear, a new Midlands company is coming to the<br />
rescue, working their magic to restore your stone to<br />
perfect condition.<br />
Granite Wizard has been set up by Neil Smith<br />
to maintain and restore natural stone and quartz<br />
worktops for both domestic and commercial clients.<br />
From chipped edges to broken joints and unsightly<br />
staining, Granite Wizard can give your luxury<br />
worktops a magical makeover to restore their natural<br />
splendour.<br />
Neil says: “Granite is natural and needs to be sealed<br />
to stop moisture and stains penetrating the stone. Not<br />
many people know that granite when cutouts are there<br />
like sinks and hobs, steel reinforcement bars are cut<br />
into the underside and glued in to make the cutouts<br />
strong enough to manufacture and transport the stone<br />
in the kitchens.<br />
“If the stone aren’t sealed stopping water getting into<br />
them and silicon seals fail around sinks and walls water<br />
causes the steel bars to rust, expanding and splitting<br />
the stone beyond repair.<br />
“This can all be prevented by sealing the granite<br />
approximately every three years and replacing old<br />
silicon around sinks and walls. I see more and more<br />
of this every year, but with a few hours work it can be<br />
prevented. Granite is a amazing worktop but it need<br />
looking after and not many people know this. Granite<br />
Wizard can seal and replace old silicon and check and<br />
reseal sinks to stop this.”<br />
For more details contact Neil at Granite Wizard<br />
on 07525 725210 or email<br />
granitewizarduk@gmail.com<br />
64
Life in the fast lane<br />
M OTO R S<br />
THIS MONTH, J’AIME’S MOTORING EXPERT AND RESIDENT RACING DRIVER MARTIN PLOWMAN<br />
TAKES A LOOK AT A GROWING TREND IN THE MOTORING WORLD; VINYL WRAPPING<br />
Vinyl wrapping has been around for a long time<br />
already, but it has been rapidly increasing in<br />
popularity thanks, in part, to powerhouses like<br />
3M, who have been perfecting vinyl technology<br />
and addressing the needs of the car world, making<br />
vehicle wrapping an easy modification for both the<br />
casual car tuner and the elite car collector.<br />
Last month my marketing guru friend Ben called<br />
and asked if he could borrow my car and whether<br />
I would be willing to let my daily driver VW Golf<br />
estate be vinyl wrapped for a 3M promotional<br />
photoshoot? I love free stuff, so naturally, I said yes!<br />
I was a little sceptical about the whole thing at first<br />
as I had always imagined vehicle wrapping to be<br />
exclusively something that joy-riding, Paul Walker<br />
wannabes in Vauxhall Corsas did to their cars! To<br />
alleviate any fears I met with Kevin Gelsinan, owner<br />
of APM Customs and official supplier to Ultratek<br />
Racing - who happens to be one of the leading 3M<br />
authorised vehicle wrappers in the country - to learn<br />
all I needed to know.<br />
Arriving at their workshop it instantly felt more akin<br />
to a Formula 1 factory; the place was spotless. Bright<br />
white walls and huge downlights to illuminate the<br />
cars, it did look a little like a scene from Fast and<br />
Furious, like a car guy’s dream hangout. What stood<br />
out to me was the sheer diversity of the current crop<br />
of clients at Kevin’s workshop. On the ramp was a<br />
brand new Mclaren 570s and next to it was a modest<br />
Fiat 500; there were cars from all walks of life.<br />
"Whether you drive a Fiat or a Ferrari, every<br />
customer who walks through our doors receives<br />
65
the same high attention to<br />
detail,” said Kevin. “We pride<br />
ourselves on a great customer<br />
experience from initial design<br />
consultation where we get a<br />
taste for what the client needs,<br />
and maintain communication<br />
throughout until the big<br />
reveal. Every job that we do<br />
is bespoke. Every customer<br />
is unique, so it’s important<br />
that we give them a look that<br />
matches their vision."<br />
So why choose a vinyl wrap<br />
over a bonafide paint job?<br />
The benefits of wrapping<br />
stack firmly in its corner over<br />
conventional paint. Cost and<br />
convenience are two major<br />
factors, when you consider<br />
that vehicle downtime is only<br />
a few days compared to weeks<br />
for paint, and the cost of<br />
wrapping is only a fraction too. The biggest factor<br />
that I hadn't considered before was that a vinyl<br />
wrap is not considered a permanent modification.<br />
Therefore you don't have to mess around with your<br />
car’s V5C logbook and, being non-permanent, it<br />
won't affect the car's resale value.<br />
The guys at APM did a cracking job on my car, I was<br />
very impressed with how it turned out. I don't know<br />
how they do it without getting air bubbles or ripples,<br />
I know I've tried and failed to apply stickers many<br />
times so the only logical explanation is that they are<br />
wizards! While wrapping may not completely cover<br />
every nook-and-cranny of the inside of the cars<br />
door hinges, I was amazed about how the 3M vinyl<br />
manages to adhere to the most awkward of shapes<br />
and not ripple or<br />
look stretched. The<br />
finished product<br />
looked amazing<br />
and was certainly<br />
a match for a<br />
perfectly repainted<br />
car.<br />
From my own<br />
personal experience,<br />
I've definitely<br />
become a fan of<br />
the wrap. So next<br />
time you get bored<br />
of your red Ferrari<br />
and fancy spicing<br />
things up, I would<br />
highly recommend<br />
giving the guys<br />
from 3M a call. It's<br />
a lot cheaper than<br />
buying a new car!<br />
66
TRACK DAYS<br />
REDEFINED<br />
Velocity is a new breed of track day company offering the chance to race real racing cars on the UK’s finest<br />
circuits, tutored by Le Mans Winner Martin Plowman and BTCC and Emmerdale Star Kelvin Fletcher.<br />
There’s no better way to engage with clients or reward loyal teams. Choose from one of our great packages<br />
or let us build you a bespoke day.<br />
GET IN TOUCH TODAY AND LET US BUILD<br />
THE PERFECT EXPERIENCE<br />
www.velocitytrackdays.co.uk 0115 888 3288 info@velocitytrackdays.co.uk