The Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

THE 

LIFESTYLE 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 

JANUARY 

REFRESH 

Cleaning hacks to get the home straight 

the HOT 

LIST 

Products for living 

well in 2023 

WIN 

A DOG-FRIENDLY 

GETAWAY, HIGH- 

TECH ADJUSTABLE 

DUMBBELLS, ECO 

CLEANING 

PRODUCTS AND 

MORE 

Year of the 

RABBIT 

CELEBRATING CHINESE 

NEW YEAR 

TRAVEL | HOME & GARDEN | FOOD & DRINK | BEAUTY | INTERVIEWS

24 – 28 Jan From £15* 7 – 11 Feb From £15* 

13 – 18 Feb From £23* 22 – 23 Feb From £23* 

The National Theatre’s Landmark Production Returns 

J B PRIESTLEY’S 

CLASSIC THRILLER 

AN 

INSPECTOR 

CALLS 

DIRECTED BY 

STEPHEN DALDRY 

28 Feb - 4 Mar From £23* 6 – 11 Mar From £15* 

BOOK NOW www.belgrade.co.uk 

*Ticket price includes a £1.50 booking fee.

Hashi Noodle Bowl With 

Chopsticks - Set Of 4, £55, 

sweetpeaandwillow.com; 

Navy Dragons Scarf, £95, 

roryhutton.co.uk; Gold 

Star Recyclable Paper 

Napkins (Set of 20), £4.50, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

EDITOR’S NOTE 

hello to a new year 

Welcome to this shiny new edition - the first of 

2023! The month of January is named after the 

Roman god Janus - the god of doorways, gates and 

transitions, and of beginnings and endings, having 

two faces looking in opposite directions. 

I think it’s nice to reflect on this origin when it’s 

time to take stock of the year we’ve had, and to 

look forward to the one we are about to embark on. 

Reflection, importantly, that is kind to ourselves, 

not judgemental, and that helps us to forge our path 

with a positive step forward. 

Whatever your goals are for this coming year, I 

hope the are happily in view. We’ve done away 

with the usual ‘new year, new you’ narrative in 

this edition, because let’s face it, who needs more 

of that! Instead, we’ve looked at little pick-me-ups 

to break through the winter gloom and some really 

helpful tips if you’re embarking on bigger home 

projects this year. 

January also heralds the Chinese New Year, and 

this year it is that of the Rabbit - a gentle yin sign, 

sure to shake up how we’ve been feeling. We’ve got 

a little guide to help you celebrate. 

We are also looking at getting our financial ducks 

in a row - notably for planning for retirement - it 

is literally never too early to start building that 

pension pot, and never too late to keep adding to it, 

so we have some tips to help you there too. 

I do hope you enjoy this edition, we will be back again 

as spring breaks clear in March - in the meantime, 

grab a hot drink, something tasty (we can all be a 

little rounder and softer in the winter - it’s personal 

insulation!) and please dig into this issue. 

i minervapublications | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton BA14 6JB | T 01225 984 430 

Assistant Editor: Kate Norris 

Contributors: Rebecca Rose, Angela Cave, Matthew Biggs 

Would you like to find out about advertising? Simply email 

studio@minervapublications.co.uk or call 01225 984 430. 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

CONTENTS 

06 COMPETITION 

Fabulous goodies to 

be won, from getaways 

to fitness gear 

08 LUNAR YEAR 

Celebrating Chinese 

New Year - and what the 

Rabbit means for you 

08 HOT LIST 

Fighting fit in 2023, 

date night outfits and 

supplement advice 

20 BREAKFAST BITES 

Delicious, healthy 

recipes to shake up the 

breakfast routine 

24 EAT WELL 

Vegetable-packed 

winter warmers to 

boost health 

30 RENOVATE 

The do’s and don’ts of 

renovating property 

from the experts 

36 GARDENING 

Those all-important 

gardening jobs to 

tackle in January 

42 PHOTOGRAPHY 

Tips from a 

professional on 

levelling up travel pics

BOTANICALS 

COLLECTION 

N O W O N L I N E 

24 

08 

42 

STERLING SILVER AND GOLD 

VERMEIL JEWELLERY WITH 

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES - 

FROM £10 | hauslife.co.uk 


COMPETITION 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

PET SET 

GO! 

WIN £500 WORTH 

OF DOG-FRIENDLY 

HOLIDAY 

VOUCHERS 

Make your dog’s 

dreams come true in 

2023 with a getaway 

with the UK’s 

leading dog-friendly 

holiday company 

PetsPyjamas. One 

lucky dog (and human) 

will win £500 worth of 

vouchers to spend at a 

choice of thousands of hotels 

and properties in the UK 

or abroad, where a waggy 

welcome is guaranteed! 

PetsPyjamas offers exclusive 

holiday packages where 

dogs stay free with almost all 

bookings. With just one trip, 

customers become members 

of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws 

club, with benefits worth over 

£1,200 including access to 

their own VIP pet concierge, 

complimentary 24/7 vet line 

for the duration of their trip, 

discounts and deals. 

Pet, set, go your way into 2023 

with PetsPyjamas.com. 

www.petspyjamas.com. 

Closes 24/02/2023 - 

Competition keyword: ‘PAWS’ 

Available in two 

different options, the 

SelectTech range 

of dumbbells both 

combine a full-weight 

rack in one weight, 

saving you storage space. 

The Bowflex SelectTech 

1090i combines 17 weights in one, 

WIN 

ONE OF TWO 

BOWFLEX 

SELECTTECH 

DUMBELLS 

WORTH 

£348! 

going from 4 -41kg easily and the Bowflex 

SelectTech 552i includes 15 weights in one 

and goes from 2 -24kg. Available now at 

select retailers including Fitness Superstore 

and Amazon.co.uk from £229. 

Dumbbells are a useful piece of gym 

equipment for everyone from beginners to 

elite athletes. The SelectTech versions are 

completely adjustable with an adjustable 

dial that alters the weight simply providing 

a compact way to store a wide variety of 

weights. 

We have a Bowflex SelectTech 1090i 

dumbell to give away to two readers, worth 

£348 each. 

www.bowflex.com. 


Competition keyword: ‘BOWFLEX’ 

WIN 

ONE OF FIVE 

PROBIOTIC 

CLEANING 

BUNDLES 

WORTH 

£60! 

Nookary, the specialist online retailer of 

probiotic home cleaning products that care 

for your home and the environment, now 

offers a full range of refillable cleaning 

products for all your hard surfaces, carpets 

and fabrics – plus an air freshener formula 

too. Even better, switching to the nookary 

refillable eco-friendly cleaner range is not an 

expensive choice. Once diluted, a bottle of the All- 

Purpose Probiotic Cleaner lasts for two weeks on average. Each 

refill pouch contains enough concentrated probiotic formula to 

provide around 10 bottles’ worth of diluted cleaning solution. 

We have 5 x Probiotic 

give away, worth £60 

each. 

www.nookary.com 


Competition keywords: 

‘NOOKARY’ 

Cleaning Bundle and Refills to 

WIN 

A MAXI MICRO 

SCOOTER AND 

SAFETY SET 

WORTH OVER 

£180! 

Renowned 

for their 

quality and 

durability 

M i c r o 

Scooters 

are the Swiss 

designers and 

engineers of the 

multi-award winning Maxi Micro scooter. Designed for 

ages 5-12 the Maxi is the only scooter a child will need to last a 

lifetime of adventure. Adjustable, foldable and easy to use every 

Maxi Micro is made with replaceable parts which means it can 

be repaired, revamped or handed down to younger siblings. One 

scooter, generations of adventurers. 

The prize includes a Maxi Micro Foldable scooter, Micro safety 

helmet, light and bell. 

www.micro-scooters.co.uk 

Closes 24/02/2023 - Competition keyword: ‘FOLDABLE’ 

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

GILDED LILY 

LUXURY WEDDING CAKES 

Specialists in Sugar Floristry 

Book your consultation and tasting today. 

Let our team create your dream cake 

Contact Emma on 07988 841846 

M emma@gildedlilycakes.co.uk I Instagram: gilded_lily_cakes 

Delivery throughout South West and Midlands 

Contemporary jewellery, designed and made 

on the premises. Commissions undertaken. 

Tel: 01584 810085 

18 Market Square | Tenbury Wells | Worcs | WR15 8EA 

www.georginafranklin.co.uk 

A different approach to 

family law 

Our Horsham team deliver exceptional client 

care and promote the use of alternative 

dispute resolution to help minimise both the 

emotional and financial cost of separation. 

The Family Law Partners office is in 

central Horsham. We also advise clients in 

Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Crawley, Godalming, 

Guildford and surrounding areas. 

We can help you with: 

Children matters 

• 

Divorce and Separation 

Dissolution of Civil Partnerships 

Cohabitation disputes 

Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements 

Cohabitation agreements 

Mediation and Collaborative Law 

For a confidential conversation and to learn 

more about our fixed fee appointments 

contact our team: 

01403 599215 

info@familylawpartners.co.uk 

www.familylawpartners.co.uk 


Rabbit Bottle Stopper, £22.95, 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Chinese New Year 

Red Card Honeycomb 

Ball Decoration £7, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

CHINESE 

New Year 

Napkin Ring, £13.49 (set of four) 

waltonshop.co.uk 

YEAR OF THE RABBIT 

Miffy Baubles, 

£14.50 each, 

abodeliving.co.uk 

Dragon Ceramic 

Stool £245, 

shimu.co.uk 

Chinese New Year falls on the 22nd Jan this year, 

marking not only the beginning of the Chinese lunar 

calendar but also the coming of spring. Millions across 

the globe will be coming together to welcome the year 

of the rabbit - one of twelve animals in the Chinese 

zodiac which represents purity, hope and vitality - and 

offer gifts to secure luck and good fortune for their 

loved ones in the year ahead. If you intend on celebrating, 

we’ve rounded up some of our favourite products to 

help you embrace the festivities and start the lunar year 

on a positive note for you and your loved ones. 

Embroidered Holly Berry 

Runner, £21, (35x175cm), 

waltonshop.co.uk 

Chinese Lantern £65, shimu.co.uk 


Rabbit and Cabbage Tea Towel, 

£11.95, annabeljames.co.uk 

ProCook Bamboo 

Steamer, £25, 

procook.co.uk 

YEAR OF THE 

R A B B I T - what to expect 

Shanxi Carved Elm Temple 

Table, £3995, shimu.co.uk 

Hare Hook, £12.50, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Lilias Linen Cushion 

Cover £80, oka.com 

If 2022 felt a little hectic, the next 12 months 

could offer opportunities for relaxation, 

quietness and contemplation. 

In 2022, life was characterized by strength, 

vitality and growth, underpinned by the 

dynamism of the tiger, according to the 

Chinese zodiac. Moreover, as the year was 

designated as yang, the active principle of 

the universe in ancient Chinese philosophy, 

people may have felt enthusiasm, positivity 

and productivity, but also restlessness and 

inflexibility. 

The upcoming Year of the Rabbit, however, 

embodies yin, the passive principle of the 

universe, which manifests in relaxation, 

fluidity, quietness and contemplation. 

If 2022 felt fast, hard or busy, 2023 will offer 

opportunities for contemplation, rest and 

nurturing of body and soul in an attempt to 

provide balance under the basic concept of yin 

and yang — that opposite forces complement 

one another to offer harmony overall. 

Indeed, the kind, even soft, nature of the 

rabbit hides a quiet confidence and strength, 

according to the Chinese zodiac, which says 

the animal moves steadily toward its goals, 

regardless of any negativity or problems 

encountered. 

10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Winter Trail Runner, £32, waltonshop.co.uk

Khaki Vegan Leather 

Jaspre Skirt, £89, avilable 

in black, brown or khaki, 

neverfullydressed.co.uk 

FatFace 

Harley Ruffle 

Coat in 

Biscuit, £155 

Matalan 

Platform 

Chelsea 

Boots £27 

CHEERFUL 

CLOTHES 

Fearne Cotton Piper Cord Pinny, 

£45 and Lizzie High Neck Top, £32 

nobodyschild.com 

Blow away the January gloom with a wardrobe 

of beautiful pieces to lift your spirits 

BEST FOR: gut health 

A Daily Prebiotic Supplement 

supporting gut health. Bimuno offers 

a convenient way to increase levels of 

good bacteria in your gut. Taste-free, 

soluble powder – can be mixed into 

food or drink. It feeds and increases 

bifidobacteria in 7 days* - and contains 

a high dose of fibre. Bimuno Original (30 

Days), £19.99, bimuno.com 

BEST FOR: beating brain fog 

If the idea of talking multiple supplements 

every day leaves you cold, this all-in-one 

gives you multiple benefits in a tasty, 

chocolate-flavoured drink. 

BEST FOR: coffee lovers 

If you want the taste of coffee and the 

alertness of caffeine without the crash, 

London Nootropics blends are a fantastic 

daily alternative. 

There are blends to take you through 

every part of the day. Blended with the 

highest-quality adaptogens to help you 

stay balanced and flow through your day 

– you can power up with Mojo, find mental 

clarity during the middle of the day with Flow 

and feel calm and alert with Zen. 12 Sachet 

Starter Box, £15, londonnootropics.com 

TAKE 

THE VIT 

Thinking about boosting your 

wellness with supplements? 

Here are some to consider 

adding to your routine 

BEST FOR: immunity 

If you tend to feel unproductive, 

tired or get the dreaded 

brain fog, this potent mix 

of adaptogens (plants and 

mushrooms that help your body 

respond to stress, anxiety, 

fatigue and overall wellbeing) 

and energy-boosting medicinal 

mushrooms helps calm the 

nervous system and boost 

concentration. Rainbow Dust, £49 

for 30 servings, spacegoods.com 

It’s the time of year where we start to succumb to coughs and 

colds - help support your immune system with the Immunity 

Bundle from Nutrition Geeks. The kit includes Iron Energy+, 

aimed to support consistent energy levels, Turmeric, Ginger 

and Black Pepper blend for anti-inflammatory properties and 

Vitamin D 4000iu Max Strength to support the immune system 

and muscle and bone health. The bundle makes it great value 

for money to support your health this winter. Also available as 

a vegan formula. Immunity Bundle, from £15.99, nutritiongeeks.co 


Camel Faux 

Fur Scarf, £50, 

Dune 

Black Harlow 

Dress, £79, 

neverfullydressed. 

co.uk 

Sashay into 

date night in 

this sexy, longsleeved 

LBD 

Monsoon Pink 

Jumper with 

Collar, £70 

Janey Blanket 

Scarf, £49.95, 

joules.com 

Islington 

Gloves, £45, 

Dune 

LIVE WELL 

IN 2023 

Make fitness a priority this year with this 

amazing kit, easy to use at home! 

Leather Jacket, £169, 

Sosander 

The Hot List 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE TRENDS 

Designed with a magnetic resistance system that offers 100 micro-adjustable 

resistance levels, the Schwinn 800IC provides a smooth, quiet cycling 

experience that is simply hard to beat. A generous full colour backlit LCD display 

tracks your time, distance, calories, and RPM’s throughout your intense cycling 

sessions. Add a Bluetooth® heart rate armband/chest belt (sold separately) and you can 

easily view your heart rate readings too. Bluetooth® 4.0 compatible, you can digitally 

immerse yourself in the world of virtual races, exotic locales, and stunning trails from 

around the globe. The Schwinn 800IC syncs with JRNY App, Zwift App*, and the 

Peloton Digital iOS App, meaning you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to workouts. 

Schwinn 800IC Indoor Cycle, £799, fitness-superstore.co.uk 

Eliminate the need for multiple dumbbells cluttering your workout space - each dumbbell 

adjusts from 4.5 to 41 kg (steps: 4.5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36, 

39, 41 kg). Your workouts will be seemless as you rapidly switch from one exercise to 

the next combining 17 weights into one single dumbbell thanks to its unique dial system. 

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbells, available now at select retailers including Fitness Superstore and 

Amazon.co.uk from £339

HOW THE UK OFFERS THE 

BEST IN WORLD BOARDING 

FOR STUDENTS 

There are boarding schools on every continent 

on the planet (apart from the one with lots of 

snow and penguins!). Yet for all the sector’s 

global spread, the oldest, most diverse and 

choice-rich land of boarding is the UK. 

Incredibly, the world’s oldest boarding 

school began accepting boarding 

students in the year 597, less than 200 

years after the fall of Rome and more 

than 1100 years before the American 

Declaration of Independence. 

More than 1400 years on, the UK is still a 

place where boarding continues to evolve 

with two brand new, government-funded 

boarding schools opening within the last 

decade and one independent school 

in the heart of London recently adding 

boarding for the first time. 

The diversity of UK boarding is not just a 

marketing strapline. Geographically, UK 

boarding can be found as far north as 

the Shetland Islands, just 50 miles from 

Norway and as far south as the Isles of 

Scilly, 28 miles south of Cornwall. 

Parents are spoilt for choice with 

boarding schools that are independent, 

state run, single sex, co-educational, 

academic, all-round, faith, arts, 

drama and music focused – or myriad 

combinations in between. 

Size-wise, the smallest UK boarding 

school has just one student while the 

largest has more than 1300. The average 

UK boarding school has around 150 

boarders, although there are many that 

have fewer with around 30 that have 

more than 500. 

There are around 70,000 boarding 

students at UK schools including more 

than 25,000 from dozens of countries 

across the world – a reflection of the 

continuing very high demand from 

parents to access the UK’s widely 

regarded education system. 

Some of this demand is about ensuring 

strong academic results for the chance to 

access the UK’s leading higher education 

institutions with four universities currently 

in the world’s top 10 (Cambridge alone 

has gained more than 120 Nobel prizes, 

nearly 50 more than the whole of 

France!). 

Aside from excellent academic teaching 

and learning, the popularity of boarding at 

schools in the UK is driven by the unique 

opportunities it offers young people from 

8-18. 

Boarding school is all about learning to 

live with others, experiencing a shared 

space, working together, having extra 

time to try new things (by avoiding school 

runs twice a day) and learning to stand 

on your own two feet. 

All UK boarding schools monitor closely 

the feedback they receive from parents 

and the most regular comments are 

about how their children have become 

more independent and confident thanks 

to their boarding experience. 

Much of this independence and 

confidence comes from being with other 

young people – but it is also the highly 

trained, caring and professional boarding 

staff who help them to prosper and thrive 

on solid foundations. 

For parents searching for boarding 

school options for their child, they can 

be reassured that the UK offers the 

cream of the crop with the best boarding 

opportunities in the world. 

Robin Fletcher, CEO, Boarding Schools’ 

Association (BSA) and BSA Group 


Hundreds of individuals. 

One community. 

A leading independent, co-educational, day 

and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18 

in Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR. 

www.farringtons.org.uk 

#OneFarringtons

There is something 

about Rendcomb 

College 

The guest speaker from NASA to the assembled 

online crowd for Founders Day couldn’t quite put 

his finger on it. An Old Rendcombian, now the 

imaging lead for the Mars Curiosity Rovers, Doug 

Ellison is bright eyed, slightly mischievous and 

incredibly engaging as a speaker... 

The crowd were enthralled by his tale of how he ended up at 

NASA from his time as a schoolboy at the college and were eager 

to hear about his time at the school and beyond. 

“Educational establishments are broadly the same” he said. “A 

collection of buildings, housing teachers, pupils and staff with 

the sole purpose of educating young people in readiness for their 

journey into the big wide world outside. 

“Having said that, no two schools are alike. They all have their 

individual quirks and personalities, partly down to their setting, 

partly down to the staff and partly down to the overall “feel” of 

the school. Although it is impossible to say what it is, whenever 

I visit, it is very clear that there is something about Rendcomb 

College.” 

The staff and pupils at Rendcomb College couldn’t agree more, 

and they are not the only ones. 

The recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate 

rated the school as Excellent, both in pupil development and 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

achievement. The school also celebrated their best ever GCSE 

results this year, but does that really tell the whole picture? 

The Good Schools Guide picked up on the atmosphere at 

Rendcomb as well, stating “An idyllic school which expects to 

keep its youngsters until the end of their school-days and where 

they can grow into themselves, learn and experience wonderful 

things. Rendcomb makes sure that those teenage years are 

about more than grades, grades, grades, yet still manages to get 

its students successfully to the next stage of their education”. 

Whilst we certainly agree with both these appraisals, they still do 

not quite encompass everything about Rendcomb College. So 

what is this “something” then? 

Well, if you want to find out, we would highly recommend 

attending one of their Open Mornings. From the enchanting 

Cotswold setting, to the welcoming staff and super pupils, we 

think you will agree there is something about Rendcomb College. 


“Our mission is to develop 

thoughtful, adventurous and ambitious young 

people who are life-long learners.” 

Co-Educational Day and Boarding School for 

ages 3-18. Set in a beautiful, 230 acre, Cotswold 

countryside estate 

Join us at our next 

Open Morning 

Visit: - www.rendcombcollege.org.uk/visit 

Admissions Tel: - 01285 832 306 

email: - admissions@rendcombcollege.org.uk

Let your holiday home with 

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F O O D 

& DRINK 

Recipes galore - from healthy, hearty dishes to 

breakfast inspiration 


BAKED EGGS IN 

TOMATOES 

PREP: 15 minutes 

COOK: 10 minutes 

SERVES: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp oil 

1 onion, finely sliced (180g) 

1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 

1 tsp ground coriander 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

4 medium eggs 

1 ripe avocado, diced (100g) 

2 tbsp roughly chopped coriander 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200oC, gas mark 6. 

Heat the oil in a large ovenproof frying 

pan and fry the onion and chilli for 4-5 

minutes until golden. Add the ground 

coriander and cook for a further 1 minute. 

Stir in the chopped tomatoes, season 

and cook for 1-2 minutes. Make 4 hollows 

in the tomatoes and crack an egg 

into each. Bake for 8-9 minutes until the 

egg whites have just set. 

Sprinkle over the avocado and coriander 

to serve. 

COOK’S TIP 

Add some kidney beans for more of a 

meal. 

milkandmore.co.uk 


BREAKFAST 

HASH 



SERVES: 2 

INGREDIENTS 

350g potatoes, diced 

2 tbsp oil 

1 onion, diced (180g) 

4 rashers back bacon, 

chopped (125g) 

2 tomatoes, roughly 

chopped (180g) 

2 medium eggs 

2 tbsp roughly chopped flat 

leaf parsley 

METHOD 

Cook the potatoes in boiling 

water for 5 minutes, drain. 

Heat the oil in a large frying 

pan and fry the potatoes, 

onion and bacon for 5-6 

minutes until browned. Add 

in the tomatoes and cook 

for a further 2-3 minutes 

until softened, season and 

stir in half the parsley. 

Meanwhile, poach the eggs 

in simmering water for 3-4 

minutes, drain. 

Serve the breakfast hash 

topped with the poached 

eggs and sprinkle over the 

remaining parsley to serve. 

COOK’S TIP 

Replace the bacon with 

sliced mushrooms and 

omit the egg for a vegan 

alternative. 

@milkandmore 



CRUMPETS WITH 

CHEESY EGG 

SCRAMBLE 



SERVES: 1 

INGREDIENTS 

2 crumpets (100g) 

Knob butter (15g) 

2 medium eggs, beaten 

25g cheddar cheese, grated 

1 tbsp chopped parsley 

METHOD 

Toast the crumpets. 

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small 

frying pan and add the egg, cook for 1 

minute, stirring occasionally until almost 

set, add the cheese and parsley and cook 

for 1 minute. 

Spoon the cheesy scramble on top of the 

crumpets to serve. 

COOK’S TIP 

Spread the crumpets with a little butter 

and marmite before adding the scrambled 

eggs for a flavour boost. 



DIPPY EGGS WITH BACON 

WRAPPED SOLDIERS 


COOK: 15-20 minutes 

SERVES: 1 

Meanwhile, place the eggs in a small 

saucepan of cold water, bring to the boil 

and simmer for 4 minutes. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 slice wholemeal bread (50g) 

1 tbsp Rubies in the Rubble 

Pear & Fig Relish (25g) 

4 slices streaky bacon (80g) 

2 medium eggs 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200oC, 

gas mark 6. 

Serve the dippy eggs with the bacon 

wrapped soldiers. 

COOK’S TIP 

Try pan frying the bacon instead of 

baking. Great served with scrambled 

eggs too. 

Spread the bread with the 

relish and cut into 4 long strips. 

Stretch the bacon with the back 

of a knife and wrap around the bread 

strips, place on a baking tray and bake 

for 15-20 minutes until turning crispy. 



CHICKEN & KALE 

Chilli 

Preparation time: 5 minutes 

Cooking time: 25 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp oil 

1 leek, sliced 

1 clove garlic, chopped 

2 tsp chilli powder 

1 tsp ground cumin 

500g minced chicken or turkey 

2 tbsp tomato puree 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

400g can black beans, drained and rinsed 

250g bag kale 

1 ripe avocado, diced 

Soured cream and cooked rice to serve 

METHOD 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry 

the leek and garlic for 1 minute. Add the 

spices and then the minced chicken and 

fry 

until 

browned. 

Add the tomato 

puree, chopped tomatoes 

along with ½ can of water and the 

beans. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, cook the kale in boiling water 

for 3-4 minutes, drain well then stir into the 

chilli. Season to taste. 

Serve topped with avocado, a spoonful of 

soured cream on a bed of rice. 

www.discovergreatveg.co.uk 


CHICKEN, 

NOODLE 

& CAVOLO 

NERO SOUP 

YOU’LL BE AMAZED WHAT 

YOU CAN CREATE WITH 

GREAT VEG 




Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp olive oil 

1 onion, sliced 

1.2 litres chicken stock 

125g medium egg noodles (approx. 2 

nests) 

200g bag sliced cavolo nero 

250g roast chicken, shredded 

1/2 x 25g pack chives, snipped 

2 tsp light soy sauce 

METHOD 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry 

the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add the stock 

and bring to the boil. Stir in the noodles 

and allow to softened and separate a 

little, then add the Cavolo Nero. 

Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 

the chicken, chives and soy and heat 

through for a 1-2 minutes. 

COOKING TIPS 

Great for using up leftover roast chicken, 

but ham hock or prawns can also be 

used instead. 


KALE PACKED 

MAC ‘N CHEESE 


Preparation time: 

20 minutes 


Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

250g bag Kale, thick stalks removed 

250g macaroni 

1 Leek, sliced 

25g butter 

25g plain flour 

350ml semi skimmed milk 

150g Cheddar cheese, grated 

2 tsp English mustard 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. 

Cook the kale in a large pan of boiling 

water for 3 minutes, remove with a 

slotted spoon and cool under cold water, 

squeeze out the excess liquid. Add the 

macaroni to the boiling water and cook for 

9-10 minutes, adding the leek for the last 

2 minutes. 

Drain well and 

return to the pan. 

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 

small pan, stir in the flour and cook 

for 1 minute. Off the heat gradually blend 

in the milk, then bring to the boil, stirring 

until thickened. Stir in 100g cheese and 

the mustard, season well. Stir the sauce 

into the macaroni with the kale and 

transfer to an ovenproof serving dish, 

sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake 

for 25 minutes until golden. 


KALE, BEAN & 

SAUSAGE STEW 

BY AMY SHEPPARD FOR 

DISCOVER GREAT VEG 



Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

Vegetable oil for frying 

2 leeks finely sliced 

250g bag of shredded kale 

10 chicken chipolatas 

2 tsp dried thyme 

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 

1.5 tbsp flour 

750ml chicken stock 

400g tin of butter or cannellini 

beans drained 

200ml milk 

METHOD 

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large nonstick 

pan. 

Add the leek and kale and fry for 

5 minutes on a medium heat until 

the veg has softened. 

Remove the veg from the pan and 

set aside. Heat a little more oil in 

the same pan. 

Add the sausages and fry for 

10 minutes on a medium heat, 

turning regularly until browned 

all over. 

Return the kale, and leeks to 

the pan with the thyme, garlic 

and flour. Stir on the heat for 

one minute until the flour has 

disappeared. 

Slowly add the stock a little at a 

time, stirring continuously. 

When all the stock is used, add 

the beans, milk and season to 

taste. 

Simmer for 5 minutes on a low to 

medium heat before serving with 

baked or mashed potato or rice. 



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HOME & 

GARDEN 

Renovation ‘do’s and don’ts’, January cleaning hacks and 

kitchen advice from designer Julia Kendell 


Renovation 

DO’S AND DON’TS 

wayfair.co.uk 

If you’ve ever taken on a renovation project, you’ll 

know that decision fatigue can set in quickly 

and mistakes can be made - here are some do’s 

and don’ts if you’re about to embark on a home 

renovation project... 

DO think about your family’s 

lifestyle 

When considering renovation, the best 

advice is to think about the people in 

your home and how you would like the 

spaces to function. The goal should be 

to increase your home’s efficiency and 

functionality—then, once you have that 

figured out, think about the aesthetics of 

the space. 

Dunelm SS 2023 Range 

DOn’t lose the forest for the trees 

It’s essential you approach a renovation 

as a whole, rather than zoning in on 

particular small projects. The first thing 

to do is to have a cohesive concept for 

the project before embarking on the 

renovation so that look and feel is carried 

out through the whole house.” Even if 

you’re tackling the project room-by-room 

to space out the expenses over time, 

begin with an overall design plan for the 

entire house so rooms don’t start to feel 

disjointed as the project continues. 

DO shop around for the 

right builder 

One of the hardest things about doing 

any renovation is finding the right builder 

who’s going to help you conceive your 

vision - or guide you a bit if you’re not 

sure what you could do. It’s essential 

to get at least three quotes before you 

start work. But most importantly, don’t 

be afraid to ask all the questions you 

might have before making the decision. 

Especially if you’re renovating an entire 

house, you’ll be working with this person 

for several months (at least!) during what 

is typically a stressful transition for many 

families. Make sure you shop around for 

the best price, as well as the person who 

matches your work style and understands 

the overall vision for the space. The 

cheapest price isn’t always the best one, 

but nor is the most expensive - it’s most 

important that you get on with the builder 

and see eye to eye on ways of working. 

DON’T underestimate the cost 

On the whole, people really 

underestimate how much a renovation 

project costs - forgetting about the 

accessory works and especially in 

these times when materials are super 

expensive. During a time when the 

market is particularly volatile, the 

estimated project cost from six months 

ago may now look very different. It’s 

a good idea to budget for at least 20 

percent above the estimated cost and 

check in regularly about changes to 

avoid surprises. If the works are large 

scale, make sure your builder is costing 

their quote in accordance with a quantity 

surveyor. 

DO work with what you’ve got 

The more you can work around the 

existing conditions, the better. Being 

flexible to come up with other creative 

ideas instead of trying to change 

the bones of the building can make 

renovating more cost-effective. 

DON’T just follow Instagram 

and Pinterest 

From magazines, to social media, to 

Pinterest, and elsewhere, there is so 

much ‘inspiration’ that can influence our 

design decisions, so when designing 

your home or defining your style, it’s

important to sometimes step away from 

external sources and find inspiration 

within yourself to ensure that you are 

curating something that looks and feels 

truly unique and special to you. If you’re 

not sure where to start, look at all the 

images that inspire you and try to find 

commonality amongst them - 

DO prioritise necessary projects 

Do the most necessary upgrades first, 

and then the least over time, that way, you 

can be sure the most necessary home 

updates are covered in time and before 

your budget runs out. Homeownership is a 

marathon not a sprint. 

DON’T go for style over 

substance 

It’s so easy to fall in love with a project 

you’ve seen but overlook your needs - if 

a space isn’t practical, it simply doesn’t 

work. Open kitchen units are beautiful - 

but not if you’ve got loads of kid’s cups 

and tupperware to house. Storage is the 

absolute key for family life. 

DON’T renovate if your heart 

isn’t in it 

While design shows make renovating 

look easy and glamorous, it’s not for 

everyone. If you have the budget and 

have fallen in love with a new, turn-key 

property, it’s probably not worth all the 

time, money, and energy required to 

renovate your current space. 

Brayer Design, brayerdesign.co.uk 

Do find reasons to celebrate 

every step of the way 

Davey Lighting from 

originalbtc.com 

Even if you’re in the midst of a two-year 

renovation process, it is essential to 

enjoy the process and celebrate the little 

victories along the way, even if it’s just 

completing the demo in a bathroom or 

re-tiling the kitchen floor. 

If you can, it’s important to preserve at 

least one room in your house—even if 

you’re renting somewhere—that is clean, 

well-styled, and comfortable for when 

you need to spend some time meeting 

with a contractor, or to simply retreat to at 

the end of the day. Especially in a world 

where we are still spending so much of 

our days at home, creating a beautiful 

haven in the midst of chaos is essential 

for one’s mental health and well-being. 

DON’T forget about the finishes 

It’s always worth spending extra time and 

sometimes money on those areas you 

will see and touch everyday - practical 

handles, soft close fixtures, thick carpet 

underlay, good lighting - and trying to 

save in other areas. 


SPOT CLEANING AFTER FURRY FRIENDS 

JANUARY 

When the festive period comes 

to a end, many of us like to 

really clear the decks for a 

fresh start - here are our top 

recommendations 

Sort 

We are a nation of pet lovers, but cleaning up after our furry 

friends can often be an unpleasant and time consuming task. 

Be ready to tackle those unexpected accidents in no time with 

the new VAX SpotWash Home Pet-Design. This handy spot 

washer is a great cleaning companion which helps to ensure 

harmony in pet owners’ homes, effectively killing over 99% 

of potentially harmful bacteria and removing spills, stains and 

pet messes from carpets, rugs, hard floors, upholstery and car 

interiors with ease. 

So whether your dog has jumped straight onto the sofa after 

a muddy walk, there’s a spilled drink on a rug, or your car 

interior is in need of a refresh, you can clean quickly and easily 

with lightweight, portable convenience. 

Buy the VAX SpotWash Home Pet-Design priced £179.99 

including free solutions (1 x 250ml VAX Spot Washer Antibacterial 

Solution and 1 x VAX 250ml Pet Stain & Odour Remover) and 

free delivery when purchased direct from vax.co.uk. 

BEAT ENERGY PRICES 

Reduce your energy expendeture and dry 

clothes easily at home - the Brabantia Hangon 

Drying Rack can hold up to three machine 

loads of laundry - 25 metres drying space plus 

hanging rod. And when all’s dried and done, 

fold it flat easily for compact storage. XXL 

drying in size and benefits! 

Hangon Drying Rack, 

£82, brabantia.com 

BEST FOR BUSY HOUSEHOLDS 

Enjoy up to 90 minutes runtime with the VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 

Dual Pet & Car cordless vacuum. Proven to clean carpets better 

than the UK’s top three best-selling cordless vacuum cleaners 

and to have the cleaning performance of the UK’s best-selling 

corded upright vacuums, the VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Dual Pet & 

Car cordless vacuum caters for pet owners that happily endure 

a bit more mud, debris and pet hair than those homes without 

pets. This high performance, cordless Pet & Car vacuum has 

the addition of a flexible powered hose that works with all tools. 

It’s perfect for using with the compact, mini motorised pet 

tool to agitate and lift stubborn dirt and pet hair, making this 

cordless vacuum ideal for reaching into those awkward spaces 

under seats, into footwells and the boot. 

Blade 4 Pet & Car with up to 45 minutes runtime6 and 4.0 Ah 

removable battery, £299.99, or with up to 90 minutes runtime6 

with dual 4.0 Ah batteries, £369.99., vax.co.uk 

GET IN THE BIN 

Looking for a waste solution 

that matches your style? 

This Brabantia Bo Touch Bin 

combines a beautiful design 

with 36 litres of capacity. It is 

designed with love for your home 

and care for our planet. This 

space-saving bin fits perfectly 

against a wall, and is very stable, 

thanks to the adjustable nonskid 

legs. Its unique soft-touch 

opening makes for easy and light 

operation at the touch of your 

hand. 

Bo Touch Bin, £239, 

brabantia.com 

ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING 

If you’re looking to make greener choices and reduce the toxic 

load in your home, switching to pro-biotic cleaners is a gamechanger. 

Probiotic formulas use good bacteria to out compete 

the bad bacteria, much like our bodies do, which makes them 

naturally super effective - and it means they keep on cleaning 

after you’ve long finished. Nookary’s products smell amazing 

and come in zero-waste packaging. 

Probiotic Cleaning Bundle and Refills, £70, individual products 

available from £10.50, nookary.com

CONTRASTING DESIGN 

TRENDS FOR 2023 - 

Interior designer Julia Kendell, known for 

her appearances on the BBC’s DIY SOS, 

is the design expert for the South East 

Homebuilding & Renovating Show (14-15 

January, Farnborough) and she has some 

tips on updating your home for 2023. 

There’s been an evolution in peoples’ 

attitudes towards how their homes look 

and work following the end of lockdowns 

and, for many, a full or partial return to 

the office. Now the trend is for a more 

glamourous, sociable lifestyle but still 

with a relaxed feel. I call it ‘Great Gatsby 

but barefoot’ which to me means the use 

of more glamorous materials but nothing 

too high-brow and still with an emphasis 

on comfort. 

RELAXED GLAMOUR 

This trend is a bit Art Deco but all the 

colours are warm including metallics 

so you will see the use of brass, gold 

and bronze. In a real shift away from the 

cooler greys which were so popular in the 

last decade, we are seeing warm, earthy 

colours which reflect the connection to 

nature many of us felt during lockdowns. 

Forest green is a popular colour as is 

Dulux’s Wild Wonder, their colour of the 

year for 2023, a soft yellow-green shade 

with a sense of positivity. 

CONTRASTING PLAIN AND 

PATTERNS 

If people are feeling a bit overwhelmed 

and wanting to keep their lives simple 

then they generally go for non-stressful 

interiors with plain, natural materials. 

These include wood, micro-cement for 

walls and floors (often seen in wet rooms) 

and Venetian plaster, where natural 

products like slaked lime and marble dust 

can be mixed to produce an antiqued and 

slightly raw element for a room. 

However, at the same time, we are 

looking for a sense of optimism and 

hope which can be expressed through 

maximalism. This trend is all about a 

joyful layering of patterns and designs 

and follows on from last year’s ‘cottagecore’ 

trend. A generation which lived 

through ‘90s minimalism but never 

experienced the chintzy, frilly ‘80s is 

loving patterned wallpaper, borders, floral 

fabrics and trimmed curtains. 

DARK AND LIGHT KITCHENS 

Dark-coloured and black kitchens are 

still very popular, but we are also seeing 

a move towards light, natural kitchens 

with, for example, off-white painted 

cabinets teamed with a light oak. Home 

owners are looking to make more 

sustainable choices and this is reflected 

in the finishes they choose. So, we are 

seeing the use of cork and rattan, as 

in my new range of rattan doors. And 

whereas before kitchen owners wanted 

indestructible surfaces like Dekton and 

X-Tone, many are opting for the unique 

veining and colouring of natural granite 

and marble, which has been injected with 

sealant to make it less porous. 

Handleless cabinets have been popular 

for a while but now we are seeing the 

return of handles which I think of as 

jewellery for the room. Buster + Punch 

are producing industrial-looking handles 

but softened with warm, metallic finishes 

like brass and smoked bronze; Armac 

Martin and Dowsing & Reynolds have 

a huge choice of metal handles and 

Turnstyle has a range of leather and cork 

handles for a sustainable choice. 

In summary, although there currently 

seem to be contrasting trends in interior 

design, I believe this helps us design 

a home which fits our own personality. 

Those of us who are more introverted 

often seek a simple, more natural and 

calming environment, whereas the 

extroverts amongst us enjoy the energy 

produced by colourful and vibrant 

interiors. 

Julia Kendell is owner and lead designer 

at Kendell+Co (www.kendellco.com). She 

will be giving design advice at the South 

East Homebuilding & Renovating Show, 

14-15 January, Farnborough. Readers 

can get free tickets to all the 2023 shows 

on this link: 

https://farnborough. 

homebuildingshow.co.uk/ 

homebuilding-renovating-show-ashoffers 


DESIGN 

considerations 

Dawn Filkins, Head of Creative at Smile Kitchens reveals 

the key considerations to be made when curating a winning 

kitchen design... 

We all know how important the kitchen 

is, but designing on this scale can be 

so overwhelming – where do you start? 

At Smile Kitchens, we strongly believe 

that the key to achieving your dream 

kitchen is to first understand which 

elements you need and want within 

your kitchen and why. We all lead such 

different lives, so designing a kitchen that 

effortlessly works around your lifestyle is 

paramount in transforming the kitchen 

into a practical and pleasurable space. 

Some designs will require compromise, 

so be aspirational, but remember to also 

keep functionality in mind based upon 

your daily needs in using the space. 

Once you have a better understanding 

of what your ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to 

haves’ are, you can start building your 

priority list, which makes the process 

feel so much less overwhelming. Finding 

a strong, seasoned designer that you 

can trust is beneficial in executing your 

vision enjoyably and effectively, and often 

ensures that you won’t be pushed into 

any distracting sales or offers presented 

by many companies. 

How can clients see what their 

finished kitchen will look like without a 

showroom? 

We have invested heavily in some 

amazing visualisation technology 

that brings your new kitchen to life in 

stunning, shiny 3D. We ensure that every 

customer is provided with high quality 

renders, detailed drawings, and a visual 

walk through of the kitchen design – all at 

no expense. 

We also provide and send our customers 

samples of materials used in the kitchen 

design, from counter-tops, coloured 

finishes, handles or even an entire 

cabinet if desired! This way, customers 

get to ‘try before they buy’, getting to 


“Layout is everything. 

We often get fixated 

on the gadgets and 

appliances we want 

to take pride of place 

in our kitchens but 

having a practical 

design ranks above 

all else.” 

touch and feel the products from the 

comfort of their own home, helping to 

make material selection more tangible 

and therefore informed. 

Cost is a huge factor when it comes to 

renovations – how do you compare to 

other kitchen providers? 

As we provide an entirely digital design 

service, we get to pass overhead savings 

directly onto our customers, resulting 

in kitchens than can be up to 20% less 

expensive than competitors. In addition 

to this, if a customer can find a like for 

like kitchen cheaper elsewhere, we 

will happily price match their quote! At 

Smile, we do not take a deposit, so the 

customer has seven whole days after their 

kitchen is delivered to pay, or alternatively, 

customers can explore our finance 

options to spread the cost over a period 

of time. 

Do you have storage solutions if space 

is an issue? 

We provide a variety of smart storage 

solutions guaranteed to work around 

even the most avid kitchenware 

collectors! Our designers pride 

themselves on remedying clever ways to 

maximise the space in even the smallest 

or most unusual of kitchens by utilising 

everything from extra tall cabinets, 

bespoke and open shelving, corner 

optimisers and butler’s pantries to ensure 

you get the most out of every nook and 

cranny of space. 

What would you say is the ‘must have’ 

that no modern kitchen should be 

without? 

It may sound cliché, but w If your milk is 

too far away from your kettle, or you can’t 

walk around your kitchen island properly, 

you will likely find that using the space 

is impractical. Considering function 

before form allows you to have a highly 

practical kitchen space that works just as 

beautifully as it looks aesthetically. 

.............................................................. 

For your free, no obligation quotation, 

please head to smilekitchens.com 


Make sure you feed birds regularly so they 

don’t waste energy looking for food 

image © Freepik 

GARDEN JOBS 

Here is a list of jobs you can be getting up to in the garden this month... 

1. Recycle your Christmas 

tree by shredding it for 

mulch 

Stack the chippings at the back of a 

border for a few months to rot down 

before using them to mulch around 

trees and shrubs. Pine needles make 

a particularly good mulch for acidloving 

plants like azaleas. 

Berry-yielding shrubs like 

cotoneaster are great for birds 

2. Clean greenhouses ready 

for spring 

It may not be the most glamorous 

of tasks but cleaning out your 

greenhouse and/or cold frame is 

important, greatly improving the 

growing environment for plants. By 

removing any algae, moss and grime 

it lets in more light and helps control 

pests and diseases too. 

3. Dig over any vacant 

plots that have not been 

dug already 

If you have clay soil though it is best 

to wait until the soil is dry enough 

so that it doesn’t stick to your boots 

when you tread on it. 


4. Disperse worm casts 

in lawns 

Earthworms are useful in the garden, 

including in most lawns, but if you 

have unsightly worm casts you 

can simply rake over them with an 

upturned rake and disperse the soil 

across the lawn. 

5. Inspect stored tubers of 

Dahlia, Begonia 

and Canna for rots or 

drying out 

They should be stored in trays of 

sand, coir or vermiculite, with the 

crown of the plant (where the stems 

join the roots) just showing 

6. Prune apple and pear 

trees 

Your aim is to take out a bit of old 

wood each winter, to stimulate 

new growth. But the majority of the 

fruiting wood should be quite young - 

1 to 4 years old - as this is the wood 

that fruits the best. Aim to create 

an open centre to your tree to allow 

more light into the canopy to ripen 

the shoots and fruit. 

7. Start forcing rhubarb 

For an early harvest of tender and 

pink rhubarb, cover the crowns 

with a layer of straw or bracken and 

cover over with an upturned bucket 

or a traditional clay rhubarb pot to 

exclude light. Stalks will be ready to 

pull 2-3 weeks earlier than uncovered 

crowns. Crowns that have been 

forced should be left without pulling 

for the rest of that season. 

You can force rhubarb from January 

8. Keep putting out food 

and water for hungry 

birds 

Feed regularly so birds will not waste 

vital energy visiting your garden 

when there is no food. Try to make 

provision for birds that feed on the 

ground as well as those who take 

seed from feeders. Also consider 

planting berry-bearing shrubs such 

as cotoneaster and pyracantha to 

fill gaps and provide an ongoing 

food supply for your avian visitors. 

And don’t forget to take part in the 

RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch from 

27-29 January! 


GREAT 

VALUE 

SET 

PERFECT GLAM 

The only eye-shadow pallet you’ll ever need - 

beautiful, blendable neutrals and buttery soft 

shimmers in colours to take you from day to night. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette, £46, 

lookfantastic.com 

LUSH LASHES 

Get longer and thicker eyelashes in as little 

as 8 weeks with this nightly lash treatment. 

RapidLash® Eyelash Enhancing Serum, 

£40, Boots 

BEAUTY 

Hot Picks 

SELF CARE SUPER SET 

Discover the magic of the Hebrides this festive season with Ishga’s new 

limited edition Self Care Face Set, containing their bestselling organic 

facial skincare products, presented in a 100% vegan leather washbag by 

Fenella Smith. Set includes award-winning Anti-oxidant Marine Cream 

and Exfoliating Face Mask. Self Care Face Set, £95, uk.ishga.com 

BOOST HAIR 

VOLUME 

Save money and kick off your 

scalp and hair wellness journey 

with this starter kit. Featuring hair 

growth shampoo, conditioner and 

a mask, alongside an enriching hair 

oil and a scalp treatment to boost 

growth. Then amp up the volume with 

a professional styling tool that dries, 

styles and volumises in one simple 

step - it makes that salon blow dry 

look easy to achieve at home. Hair 

Wellness Starter Kit, £113.49 and 

Blowout Brush Pro, £67.99, both 

bondiboost.co.uk 

GROW UP 

Grow by IMARAÏS is a unique 

sugar-free hair care gummy powered 

by organic-certified functional 

mushrooms, Reishi, Chaga, and 

Snow Mushroom, to support healthy 

hair growth, nourish the scalp, and 

support healthy-looking hair. Grow, 

£42, imaraisbeauty.com 

SKIN ROUTINE 

A great entry point if you are looking to create a 

skincare routine. Enriched with pure and powerful 

botanicals, this exceptional skin care ritual visibly 

reduces the appearance of fine lines, 

wrinkles and uneven skin tone, whilst 

protecting against pollution. Herbal 

Recovery Discovery Ritual Set, £16, 

jurlique.co.uk 

GREAT 

VALUE 

SET



THE RETURN OF COMFORT 

All the best boots to kick off the year in style, without breaking the bank... 

Heavenly Feet, the 

footwear brand 

specialising in ultracomfortable 

shoes 

with the perfect fit, 

has seen a huge 

uplift in the number 

of shoppers opting 

for more practical 

goods, as the cost 

of living crisis urges 

consumers to make 

their purchases go 

further... 

This year more than ever, shoppers 

are searching for ways to make their 

money go further - according to Reuters, 

shoppers are looking to ‘spend money 

cautiously’. With the purse strings 

tighter, customers are looking for ways 

to be stylish on a budget, but still make 

purchases that are versatile and high 

quality. 

Choosing a versatile boot that will see 

you through the winter is a purse-savvy 

option for the winter months. Ensuring 

comfort all day long, a classic boot will 

add a finishing touch to any wardrobe. 

What’s more, all Heavenly Feet shoes 

are vegan-friendly, meaning that a new 

pair of boots is the perfect accessory for 

Veganuary and beyond! 

WESTON HIGH BOOTS IN 

BLACK - £69.95 

This high boot features a soft 

easy-care upper with elastic 

stretch panel, a full length zip, 

memory foam inner sole and a 

chunky six centimetre heel. This 

versatile option will carry you 

from day to night with ease. 

TRENTINO BOOT IN 

OCEAN - £64.95 

Not only are these blue beauties 

a style statement, but they are 

water-resistant, meaning you 

can make the most of the cosy 

season while still enjoying the 

outdoors. 

JUSTINA ANKLE BOOTS 

IN BLACK DIAMANTE - 

£64.95 

Bold, fashionable and practical: 

the addition of a full length side 

zip means these embellished 

boots are super fitting, and the 

memory foam insoles provide the 

ultimate comfort. 

l @heavenlyfeet 

f @heavenlyfeetfootwear 

I @heavenlyfeetofficial 

www.heavenlyfeet.co.uk 

:

7 ways to 

CUT THE COST 

OF YOUR WEDDING 

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS 

WORSENING BY THE DAY - AND WITH 

AN AVERAGE UK WEDDING COSTING 

UP TO £35,000, IT’S NO WONDER 

BRIDES-TO-BE ARE LOOKING FOR TIPS 

AND TRICKS TO CUT THE COST. 

WE SPOKE TO WEDDING 

ETIQUETTE EXPERT LISA 

FORDE, OF LEADING ONE-STOP- 

WEDDING STATIONERY SHOP TREE 

OF HEARTS, WHO SHARED HER TOP 

TIPS AND ADVICE FROM ALMOST 20 

YEARS IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY... 

“So many engaged couples are looking 

for ways to save on the cost of their big 

day without skimping on the quality of the 

wedding they want,” explained Lisa. “And 

there are definitely ways to do this!” 

1) SET YOUR BUDGET, AND STICK 

TO IT! 

“Look at what you can afford and set 

your budget, once you have your budget 

set, be really strict with yourselves and 

stick to it. 

“That way you’ll soon start to realise 

what’s important to you and your partner 

and it will help narrow down what you’re 

happy to pay for. 

2) CONSIDER AN ‘OFF PEAK’ SEASON 

WEDDING. 

“Weddings in July, August or December 

can cost thousands of pounds more just 

because it’s peak season yet September 

and October often have some of the most 

beautiful weather of the year. 

“Have a think about when you want your 

wedding - some venues may even have 

offers for less popular times of year.” 

3) IN A SIMILAR FASHION, CONSIDER 

A WEEK DAY NUPTIALS. 

“Weddings on the weekend can cost 

thousands of pounds more than a week 

day, too. And while it’s often thought it 

helps guests by having a wedding on 

a Saturday because they don’t have to 

book time off work, at the end of the day, 

it’s your wedding - do what’s right for you 

and your partner.” 

4) CONSIDER YOUR GUEST LIST 

CAREFULLY. 

“Micro weddings were introduced during 

the pandemic but at Tree of Hearts we’re 

noticing more and more couples deciding 

to downsize their wedding guest list. 

“Do you need to invite family you haven’t 

seen in 10 years just because it’s 

etiquette, or your friends’ partners who 

you’ve never met? 

“This can cause issues for family and 

friends but as long as it’s dealt with in the 

correct way, people should understand.” 

5) SIGN UP TO YOUR FAVOURITE 

SUPPLIERS’ EMAIL MAILING LISTS. 

“Make sure you sign up to any of your 

favourite suppliers mailing lists to be first 

to hear of any offers or samples - we’re 

often emailing our lovely Tree of Hearts 

subscribers with news, advice and 

offers.” 

6) UTILISE SAMPLES 

“Always check if a supplier offers free 

samples - and try before you buy! We 

offer this service for wedding invitations, 

save the dates and more so our 

customers can see the quality and design 

before ordering.” 

7) SEEK OUT NEW, UP AND COMING 

SUPPLIERS. 

“Whether an up and coming wedding 

band or a photography student with 

beams of enthusiasm, you don’t need to 

spend thousands on some suppliers. Just 

make sure you check out their portfolio 

before booking to check it’s in your style 

and taste.” 

Lisa added: “But most importantly don’t 

forget to remember why you’re getting 

married in the first place. It’s a celebration 

of you and the person you love deciding 

to commit to one another. You don’t need 

to spend tens of thousands of pounds in 

order to do that.” 

Tree of Hearts is a one-stop shop for all 

things wedding stationery from Save the 

Dates through to Thank You Cards. 

To find out more about Tree of Hearts visit 

treeofhearts.co.uk 


Early Morning Canoeing - 

HOSHINOYA Fuji 

Honeymooning in 

JAPAN 

Hoshino Resorts are a brand of award-winning 

hotels across Japan, and make perfect destinations 

for honeymooners. We take a look at two of them... 

Cabins - HOSHINOYA Fuji 

KAI POROTO, 

Hokkaido, Japan 

Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido sees a lot of snowfall 

every year - famous for its ski resorts and Japanese snow 

monkeys bathing in hot springs, it is a great place to spend a 

snowy winter honeymoon. 

HOSHINOYA FUJI – 

Japan’s first glamping resort 

Enjoy a honeymoon with a difference at HOSHINOYA Fuji, 

Japan’s first glamping resort, set on the hill overlooking Lake 

Kawaguchi, near Mount Fuji. Located via a two-hour drive from 

Tokyo through the Tanzawa mountain range, the first glimpse 

of HOSHINOYA Fuji is the contemporary cabins, half-hidden 

in the red pine forest, that emerge into view as you reach the 

edge of the lake. The 40 distinct cabins have been designed to 

make guests feel like they are floating in the forest. Each cabin 

has a different view and a spacious private outdoor terrace to 

enjoy breakfast overlooking the lake and at night, the Glamping 

Master can light a fire on the balcony to replicate the campfire 

experience. 

Guests are encouraged to spend time on Cloud Terrace, a 

series of platforms built along the slope extending from the 

cabins. A variety of activities await on each platform, from 

morning wake-up sessions that involve brewing coffee in 

the outdoors to cooking smoked meats and vegetables on 

the roaring campfire. Glamping Masters are on hand to offer 

advice! Alternatively, watch a film at the cinema in the woods 

(classic films are featured on a screen in the forest), enjoy 

an early morning canoe tour on Lake Kawaguchi, horseback 

riding through the expansive woods at the foot of Mt. Fuji, or 

simply take in the snowy vistas whilst wrapped up warm in a 

hammock on the cloud terrace. 

Located in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, KAI Poroto is a hot spring ryokan 

hotel, offering stunning views of Lake Poroto from all rooms. 

Shiraoi Onsen is renowned as an area where the rare moor 

spring, containing organic minerals derived from plants, can 

be found. Guests can bathe inside the hotels cone-shaped 

bathhouse, inspired by traditional Ainu architecture, as well as 

in outdoor baths that look out over scenic Lake Poroto and its 

colourful natural surroundings. 

The hotel itself honours the Ainu people, indigenous to 

Hokkaido, through its architecture, art, and décor. Dinner 

features a Japanese-style bouillabaisse full of rich, local 

seafood such as crab and scallops, with dishes complemented 

by dishware inspired by Ainu craft traditions. The hotel is a few 

moments’ walk from the recently-opened Upopoy National 

Ainu Museum & Park (opened July 2020), which celebrates and 

raises awareness of the indigenous Ainu people. 

Rooms from 31,000 JPY per night / approx. £191 for a double, 

including breakfast, dinner, tax and services. 

To book: hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaiporoto/. 

Public Hot Spring ”Sankaku-no-yu” - 

Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto 

Overnight stay costs from 101,000 JPY / approx. £605 per 

room per night (two sharing; room only). 

Contact HOSHINOYA Fuji hoshinoya.com/fuji/en 


TRAVEL 

Photography 

With January the busiest month of the year for booking holidays, 

Fiona Turnbull, co-owner of Lacock Photography, gives her top tips for travel 

photography to help you take the very best holiday snaps in 2023 

One of the joys of travel is 

observing the differences in 

the places we visit 

42 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

I always ask my students what their 

motivation is for coming on a course, 

and a lot of the time people say 

they’d like to improve their travel 

photography, in preparation for an 

upcoming trip. So, if you’ve got an 

exciting excursion on the cards, 

do get in touch with us and we can 

recommend a workshop that will 

best suit you! In the meantime, here 

are a few of my top tips for travel 

photography to get you in the holiday 

mood! 

CAMERA 

EQUIPMENT 

Let’s start with some practical advice. 

First of all, you don’t need a digital 

camera to take stand-out holiday 

shots; photography is really not about 

having the best, most expensive 

equipment! So if you have a decent 

camera on your phone, don’t be 

afraid to use it! However, if you do 

have a digital camera and don’t mind 

carrying it around with you, your 

vacation snaps will be better quality, 

and therefore more likely to stand 

the test of time. When I’m on holiday, 

I always pack my digital camera 

but only take one lens (my 24mm- 

105mm kit lens), as I don’t want to 

be overloaded with equipment. The 

24mm-105mm lens enables me to 

take a great variety of images, it 

works well with landscapes, portraits 

and gives me a bit of a telephoto 

which helps with close up images. 

ALTERNATIVE 

POSTCARD SHOT 

When my daughter went on a trip of 

a lifetime to Egypt a few years ago, 

she asked my advice on getting 

the ultimate photograph of the 

pyramids. I suggested that whenever

photographing iconic landmarks, try 

and put your own personal spin on 

things. My daughter took this idea 

and instead of attempting to replicate 

the perfect postcard shot, she 

decided to include fellow tourists, 

guides and local workers in her 

images, and so portraying a modern 

and personal view of this ancient 

monument. For me, the best travel 

photographs are about storytelling 

and portraying an authentic 

perspective of a place. So, don’t 

try to make your photos Instagram 

perfect by cropping out people or 

unsightly objects like rubbish on 

the street, try making these things a 

feature of your composition! 

ATTENTION TO 

DETAIL 

My favourite travel photos to take 

are close ups, I love elevating the 

little details of a foreign place. For 

example, when I visited Madeira last 

year, I took many close up shots in 

one wonderfully vibrant old street, 

which had hundreds of colourfully 

painted wooden daoors. I of course 

took the travel magazine snap of the 

whole street, but my most treasured 

images of old town Funchal explored 

the details, focusing on a particular 

mural, decorative doorknob or even 

the flaky paint. One of the joys of 

travel photography, and indeed of 

travel itself, is observing the ordinary 

details and subtle differences of the 

places we visit. 

To book a workshop with Fiona 

please see to the website. 

lacockphotography.com 

Try creating an alternative postcard shot 

that tells an authentic story of a place 


Winter Car 

CHECKLIST 

With the cold weather having really settled in, we 

take a look at some tips to make sure your car is 

ready for winter... 

CHECK YOUR TIRES 

Checking your legal tyre tread depth is 

one of the most important checks you 

can make on your car. Having worn tyres 

means the only contact patch between 

you and the road is past its best. You 

may say this is an accident waiting to 

happen. 

The legal tyre tread depth for cars in 

the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across 

the central three-quarters of the tyre, 

according to law. There is a simple test 

you can carry out at home to find out if 

your tires are past their best - the 20p 

test. Just take a 20p coin and insert it 

into the tread grooves on the tyre. 

If you can’t see the outer band on the 

coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. 

WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID 

Make sure you keep your windscreen 

washer fluid topped up. You may find 

yourself not using your wipers too 

much in the warmer season, but winter 

conditions bring salt, water and general 

grime to the roads, and as such, our 

windscreens. Make sure you purchase 

a good anti-freeze screen wash that will 

be effective down to at least -15 degrees 

Celsius to cope with potentially frosty 

conditions. 

BATTERY 

Battery problems are the reason for more 

RAC call-outs in winter than anything 

else. In the winter months your car 

battery is under far more stress, so it’s 

important to make sure it’s up to the 

job. Is your battery more than five years 

old? If so consider getting it replaced. 

Older, weaker batteries will typically 

have reduced performance and cold 

temperatures can reduce this even 

further, to the point where the battery will 

discharge or go flat very quickly Consider 

purchasing a battery charger, but vitally, 

make sure you keep a set of jump leads 

in your boot. 

CHECK FUEL AND OIL LEVELS 

This one may sounds obvious, but the 

last thing anyone wants is to be stuck at 

the side of the road in the freezing cold 

because they didn’t plan ahead. 

Cars use more fuel in heavy traffic and 

start/stop conditions which can be 

regular occurrences, especially in wintry 

weather. With fuel prices being so high, it 

is easy to put off buying fuel until the next 

journey, but don’t get caught short! 

It’s also a great idea to get the oil 

checked. Too much or too little oil in a 

car can damage a car’s engine. Check 

your handbook if you are unfamiliar with 

how to do this and to ensure you use the 

correct oil. 

PREPARE A WINTER 

BREAKDOWN KIT 

The RAC is recommending all drivers plan 

ahead and pack a car winter kit in case of 

emergencies. This is a few essential items 

to pack in your car boot to make sure 

you’re ready in case of getting stuck in 

cold and wintry weather: 

• Ice scraper and de-icer 

• A torch 

• In-car phone charger 

• Warm clothes and blankets 

• High-visibility clothing 

• First aid kit 

• Jump start cables 

• Empty fuel can 

• Food and drink 

• Shovel 

• Two reflective warning signs 

• A road atlas 

• Sunglasses 

• Locking wheel nut key 

INVEST IN A 

DASH CAM 

Weather causes 

over 800,000 

accidents each 

year in the UK. With 

the best will in the 

world, there isn’t much 

you can do to ensure total safety on the 

roads but you can prepare your car by 

buying a dash cam, so that if the worst 

should happen, you have video evidence. 

Never miss a moment with the Nextbase 

G22GW. The 622GW 4k dash cam uses 

a resolution of 3840 x 2160 @30fps, 

boasting image quality comparable to 

high-end TVs and cameras. It provides 

improved contrast and colour range 

compared to HD footage, meaning 

recording quality is as good as it gets 

with the 622GW. 

In the event of an incident where the 

driver is unresponsive, Nextbase 

Emergency SOS can alert the emergency 

services as to your location and 

approved personal details. This ensures 

emergency services can respond quickly 

without relying on other road users – 

essential support when driving on rural or 

quiet roads. nextbase.co.uk 

For more in-depth winter driving 

advice, visit www.rac.co.uk 


No one takes care of your Porsche like Porsche. 

Visit Porsche Centre Solihull for all your servicing needs. 

Experience exceptional Porsche servicing in Solihull. Our conveniently located Centre 

not only features a state-of-the-art showroom but also has a six-bay service workshop 

with an MOT station, wheel alignment and the latest technology from Porsche. 

Customers can benefit from a Direct Dialogue Bay where cars can be assessed and any 

necessary work discussed before it is carried out by our Porsche-trained Technicians. 

Porsche Centre Solihull 

Highlands Road, Solihull 

West Midlands, B90 4GT 

0121 745 9911 

info@porschesolihull.co.uk 

www.porschesolihull.co.uk 

/Porschecentresolihull 

@porschecentresolihull

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR 

a happy retirement 

The secret to a successful retirement is to 

slowly and surely build up your retirement 

pot. Exactly how you do that will depend 

on your situation – but there are lots of 

things you can do. Here we have advice 

from Money Helper (moneyhelper.org.uk) 

which is a government advice service. 

As with any financial planning matter, it is 

important that your unique circumstances 

are considered and you seek the advice 

of a certified professional. 

REVIEW PENSIONS 

REGULARLY 

It’s important to review your pensions 

regularly. If they’re not on track to give 

you the income you want in retirement, 

you need to look at how to boost them. 

If they’re broadly on track, you can make 

a clearer plan so that your pensions will 

be able to give you the income you want 

when you retire. 

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL 

YOU NEED IN YOUR 

TOTAL PENSION POT? 

It’s important to think about your pension 

income in building blocks - first with the 

state pension, then with your private or 

workplace pension savings, and then with 

any other additional income you might 

get, from investments or property. 

How much extra income you need to 

generate from your private pension 

savings will depend on the type of private 

pension you have. 

Defined benefit and final salary pensions 

pay you a regular monthly income - how 

much you get is based on your earnings 

while you were working. 

If you have one or more of these, you 

should receive annual updates telling you 

how much you can expect to get. 

Adding that to your state pension 

(which you can find out by getting a 

state pension forecast) will help you 

understand how much you’ve got to play 

with in retirement. 

REVIEW THE WAY 

YOUR PENSION POT IS 

INVESTED 

If you have a defined contribution 

personal or workplace pension, you 

get to choose how your pension pot is 

invested. Typically, this involves choosing 

from a range of funds offered by your 

pension provider. 

These funds will be weighted differently 

between various types of assets, which 

offer different levels of risk and potential 

return. Generally, you can afford to take 

more risk when you’re young, and less as 

you get older. 

The longer your money will be invested, 

the more scope you’ll have to deal with 

investment performance going up and 

down over time. So if you are some way 

from retirement and your pension savings 

are invested conservatively, you might 

want to consider moving at least some of 

your fund into potentially higher-growth 

assets, for example, company shares. 

But bear in mind that there’s no 

guarantee that higher growth will be 

achieved. 

Transferring a personal pension into a 

self-invested personal pension (SIPP) 

can give you a wider range of investment 

options to choose from. 

But this brings higher risks if you’re not 

an experienced investor. And you might 

face higher charges. 

Unless you understand how the different 

pension investments work, you might 

want to consider getting regulated 

financial advice before making any 

changes to your pension investment. 

REVIEW THE CHARGES 

DEDUCTED FROM YOUR 

SAVINGS 

All pension providers will charge for 

managing your pot and investing your 

money. In defined contribution personal 

and workplace schemes, these charges 

are often called an annual management 

charge or ongoing charge figure and are 

automatically deducted from your pot. 

An annual charge of 1.5% a year could 

have eaten away a quarter of your 

pension pot after 35 years. An annual 

charge of 0.5% would have reduced your 

pension pot by only 1/10th over the same 

period. You don’t need to worry about 

this if you’re in a defined benefit scheme. 

But if you have a defined contribution 

scheme, charges reduce the value of your 

pension pot. Workplace pensions often 

have lower charges but that isn’t always 

the case. 

If you have any confusion surrounding 

multiple pension pots, investments or 

other pension queries, it is worthwhile 

seeking the advice from an IFA. 


Could the New Year 

mean a new adventure? 

Be inspired with Brio Retirement Living... 

Find all the inspiration you need to make positive lifestyle changes 

that last at one of our Integrated Retirement Community’s. We have 

3 communities across the UK, Beechwood Park in the Cotswolds, 

Button House in South London and Landale Court, close to Aberdeen. 

Reserve by 

February 2023 and 

enjoy the added 

benefit of our 

Winter offers * 

Beechwood Park 

Purchase & Part Buy/Part Rent 

Full Hassle Free Move package 

including conveyancing 

and agency fees up to a 

capped value of £7.5k plus 

6 months free concierge fee. 

OR 

£10k contribution 

towards stamp duty. 

Rentals 

6 months free essential 

rental package (rent + 

concierge fee) to be pro-rated 

over 24 months tenancy. 

01451 885494 

Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds 

Button House 


Full Hassle Free Move package 

including conveyancing 

and agency fees up to a 

capped value of £7.5k plus 

6 months free concierge fee. 

OR 

£10k contribution 

towards stamp duty. 

Rentals 

6 months free essential 

rental package (rent + 

concierge fee) to be pro-rated 


0208 773 2838 

Hackbridge, London 

Landale Court 


£2k contribution towards 

moving, conveyancing 

and agency fees plus 

6 months free factoring fee. 

OR 

£4k contribution towards 

LBTT or fitted wardrobes / 

window treatments. 

Rentals 

3 months free rental 

package (rent + factoring 

fee) to be pro-rated 


01569 730357 

Chapelton, Stonehaven 

brioretirement.co.uk 

* T&Cs apply - only one incentive per purchase

Welcome to 

Hatherley Manor Hotel 

& Spa 

From the moment you arrive at 

Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, you will recognise 

that it is a very special wedding venue with an 

individual style and character of its own. 

www.hatherleymanor.com 

Living wedding advert May 2022.indd 1 27/05/2022 17:37:30

The Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

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