April 2014
Read the text of this issue
Taken automatically from the printed pages, so some words may run together.
Page 1
FASHION | LIFESTYLE | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORT | MUSIC
THE SPRING EDITION
THE ALL IMPORTANT REVIEW OF WHAT
STYLES WILL BE TRENDING THIS SPRING
MEET THE BLOGGERS
WE SIT DOWN WITH THREE COUNTIES
BLOGGERS TO TALK BEAUTY & FASHION
A FESTIVAL OF SPEED
A LOOK AT THE FUTURISTIC BMW I3 & WHAT
YOU SHOULD BE DRIVING THIS SUMMER
GET ON YOUR BIKE
JOIN JENSON BUTTON AT LUTON’S HOO
HOTEL TO SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH UK
Page 3
The new Rolex Sky-Dweller features exclusive dials with new combinations
of bracelets and leather straps.
Page 6
THE TRENDLIFE BLOGGERS MEET
Casino MK plays host to our first ever Three Counties
Bloggers Meet which sees some of best fashion & beauty
bloggers let loose in Milton’s Keynes Xscape.
WINNING BIG ON A NIGHT OUT
If you have never been out for a night at a casino,
follow our step by step guide to winning big and
having a great night.
GET ON YOUR BIKE WITH JENSON
Join former F1 World Champion & current
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Driver Jenson
Button for his triathlon at Luton Hoo Hotel.
LAUNCHING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IDEA
Starting your own company sounds like mission impossible
but it does not have to be. Neil Thompson, MD at Rocket
Creative tells us how he overcame adversity to launch his.
CONTENT MAIN FEATURES
14
44
27
46
Page 7
SUMMER GADGETS | 54 - 55
KEEPING IT LOCAL | 12 - 13
A summary of the important local
news for those living across The Three
Counties of Beds, Herts & Bucks.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND | 22 - 23
Online beauty blogger LILYASH xo runs
through her favourite beauty trends for
SS14 in the first of her monthly columns.
SWEAT STUDIOS | 40 - 41
Yoga in its full form combines physical
postures, breathing exercises and
meditation. It can also be fun and the
best workout you ever have.
LIFESTYLE
WHAT’S NEW
The outdoor festival and holiday seasons
are upon us and great tech products can
make that trek in the middle of nowhere
a little bit more bearable.
SUMMER WHEELS | 60 - 61
With Summer upon us, the choice of
which car to be driving can be endless
but thanks to Adam Tudor-Lane, the
choice is a little easier.
Page 8
GREAT BRITISH DESIGN | 26 - 27
FYT & CO are a young, developing accessories brand who
produce a vibrant range of bags, caps, phone, and iPad
cases. We take a look at what they have to offer.
SUMMER TRENDS ORANGE LIPSTICK | 30 - 33
On the SS14 runways, orange was the ‘it’ colour especially
on lips. Suitable for all, learn how to wear the orange lip.
SUNGLASSES TO SUIT YOUR STYLE | 37 - 39
While the classics will always serve you well, it’s worth
knowing which statements are the big ones to make this
summer and beyond.
FASHION, STYLE & BEAUTY
Page 9
ENTERTAINMENT | 50
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper better
known as Lily Allen is back with a
new album ‘Sheezus’ which pays
homage to Kanye West’s recent
Yeezus. Season two of Netflix hit
‘Orange is the New Black’ is back
on our screens in June but for those
not in the know, we recap the first
season.
MOTORING | 62
Adam Tudor-Lane reviews the new
BMW i3 and picks what you
need to be driving this summer.
We also look at the forthcoming
Goodwood festival of Speed
taking place between
26th - 29th June.
SPORTS & FITNESS | 58
There is no doubt that this year’s
Premiership title has been the
best in years but the spotlight
is shinning bright on mid-table
Manchester United. Will he stay or
will he go? Only time will tell and
it looks like P45 o’ clock for David
Moyes.
FESTIVAL OF SPEED
LILY SAVAGE
UNITED?
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Page 12
GAP launch global marketing
campaign “Lived-In”.
Gap brought together a cast of emerging
and talented young artists including
Trinidadian-born American recording artist
Theophilus London, American actor RJ Mitte
and American singer-songwriter and record
producer Ernest Green (performing under
the stage name Washed Out). Each artist
was photographed by David Sims, wearing
the new spring collection developed by
Creative Director Rebekka Bay.
www.gap.co.uk
Indochinese restaurant BananaTree
opens in The Hub, Milton Keynes.
Banana Tree’s delicious indochinese menu
was the creation of founder and head chef,
William Chow. Milton Keynes will be the
largest Banana Tree venue to date, with
a beautiful restaurant as well as a fully
licensed bar, serving unique and delicious
Indochina-inspired cocktails. Indochina
is a region in South East Asia that lies
roughly east of India and south of China. It
comprises of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand,
Singapore and Malaysia.
www.bananatree.co.uk
Kimberley Walsh teams up with
Specsavers
Girls Aloud singer and West End actress
Kimberley Walsh has teamed up with
Specsavers and anti-bullying charity
Kidscape to find a specs-wearer as she
launches the annual Spectacle Wearer of
the Year competition.
This year’s overall winner will be presented
with £10,000 in cash and a holiday to
the Bahamas at an event hosted by Gok
Wan later this year. Kimberley is the face
of Specsavers’ Love Glasses campaign and
the associated Spectacle Wearer of the
Year competition, which sees £1 donated
by Specsavers to Kidscape for every entry.
www.specsavers.com
12
Page 13
H&M & Zara top
the list of best
brands
In its fourth ranking of the
best retail brands, industry
benchmarkers Interbrand
highlights the importance
of creating perfect
customer experience and
managing online brand
perception.
The ranking of the best
brands in Europe has
crowned H&M number
one. Interbrand notes that
the company opened
almost one store per day
in 2013, continuing to offer
fashion at an affordable
price.
Zara followed in third
place, while ASOS made
one of the biggest jumps in
the ranking, becoming the
first such e-tailer to report
carbon-neutral production.
The Slug and Lettuce in Marlow Introduces Carnival Cocktails Inspired
by Brazil. The country is buzzing with anticipation for the World Cup and the Slug
and Lettuce bar team in Marlow have embraced the spirit of Brazil by presenting a
selection of exotic drinks for summer - the Carnival Cocktails - which will be introduced on
Wednesday 7th May. www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/slug-marlow
13
Page 14
THREE
COUNTIES
BLOGGERS
MEET
Page 16
After weeks of preparation, planning and
postage fees, TrendLife hosted the first ever
#ThreeCountiesBloggersMeet at the fabulous
Casino MK in Milton Keynes.
Bringing together the best beauty and fashion
bloggers from Beds, Herts & Bucks in one
location has it own logistical challenges but
with such a great venue and wide range of
beauty/fashion products to sample, the day
turned out to be a must attend event.
As well as sampling new beauty and fashion
products, the event allowed a number of the
bloggers to actually meet for the first time to
network, share thoughts and swap preloved
products - everyone loves a bit of preloved.
To view the individual product reviews, head
to the various blogs and websites above.
If you are interested in participating in the
next #3CountiesBloggersMeet, follow us on
Twitter @TrendLIfePR and let us know.
ThreeCountiesBloggersMeet
sophiameola.blogspot.co.uk
misskirstyworsty.blogspot.co.uk
thelittlelifeoflydia.blogspot.co.uk
inspire-magazine-online.blogspot.co.uk
lilyash-xo.blogspot.co.uk
sunshineonacloudyday.co.uk
lacelouboutinsandleather.co.uk
xsimplyscarlett.com
sweetpbeaut.com
barktime.wordpress.com
sarahsbeautyemporium.co.uk
lisahh-jayne.com
Bringing the Three Counties best beauty & fashion bloggers together
16
Page 17
New for 2014, these amazing Stina Delin bags
are available in seven different colours. Each 60’s
inspired bag is made from a strong eco-friendly
plastic and comes with an interchangeable inner
bag allowing you to customise your bag to match
your outfit. A must for beach and summer holidays.
£32.00 | www.lilysbagboutique.com
Just imagine for one moment
there was a website where you
could buy hundreds of fabulous
summer-styled dresses for just £5.
A website where you could also
purchase accessories for just £5
too. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Taking the internet by storm is
JustFor5pounds.com. We sampled
a selection of dresses from their
current range and we were very
impressed with both the style and
quality. Take a look at their
website to see the amazing
range of dresses.
www.justfor5pounds.com
If you love your heels, you will love your
luxury Hidee bag. Caoilionn Hurley,
Founder and Creative Director of Hidee
believes the designs are timeless, elegant and
eye caching - something we definitely agree with.
A completely unique design featuring a private
compartment for hidden necessities including high heels, the shoulder bag collection allows
you to transform from day elegance to evening allure
in minutes. If storing your favourite heels is not
enough, have a look at Hidee’s collection of
gold and sliver chains.
£450 | www.hidee.net | @HideeHandbag
17
Page 18
A revolution in nail
painting, nail art
and applying false
nails has arrived.
Handirest, uniquely
designed hand shaped
foam that offers all the
benefits of comfort and ease
when painting your nails, applying
nail wraps or false nails. Ultimately keeping
your hand steady and speeding up the time it
takes to finish your nails.
Handirest makes nail painting, nail art, applying false nails or nail wraps easy and helps to
create stylish and professional results. The easy to clean product offers a washable surface
to remove nail varnish or glue. The product has been approved by industry professionals,
designed to work for both hands and comes in three sizes small, medium and large.
Handirest is the accessory for all occasions and created for the woman of today.
£9.99 | www.handirest.com | @handirest
Launched in 2004, Catseye London
are an exciting brand creating
quirky fashion and beauty
accessories using vintage images
and prints to brighten up your
life.
With over ten unique collections
to mix and match from, coin
purses, glasses cases, passport
holders, clutch bags, phone cases
and much more are all available
in the fun and kooky cool Catseye’s
print. Vintage ladies & glamorous girls are the office favourites
From £3.99 | www.catseyelondon.com
Pebble Grey’s LED cosmetic mirror
is the perfect little gift for that special
someone in your life. With it’s elegant
design and practical lighting it is a
must-have essential and the perfect gift
or treat for yourself.
Beautifully packaged and complete
with luxurious velvet pouch this is a
useful product that fits easily into your pocket or handbag and is
sure to brighten up the day!
£19.99 | www.pebblegrey.co.uk
18
Page 19
Founded by experienced facial therapist,
Amanda Elias, Bravura London is a fabulously
affordable yet effective skincare line dedicated
to improving the quality of your skin, whatever
your skin type.
The Dermaflannel is a beauty breakthrough
for anyone who likes the idea of a chemical
peel but would rather a more natural
treatment. This easy to use, reusable and
chemical free way of achieving deeper exfoliation
has a unique weave that sweeps away dead skin cells to reveal soft,
glowing skin on the face or the body. The Dermaflannel really is a Facial in a Flannel.
From body scrubs to anti-ageing serums, gentle cleansers to hyperpigmentation remedies,
Bravura London’s hydrating formula is perfect for the stressed-out soul in need of some
pampering.
£1 1.99 | www.bravuralondon.com | @BravuraLondon
FAST (made by Nisim, Canada) is a unique shampoo and
conditioner that accelerates hair growth. The range is perfect
for anyone with slow-growing hair or for those who want to
outgrow a bad haircut as quickly as possible. FAST is NOT for
hairloss but can make hair grow up to 99% faster. Use FAST
daily for 30 days to give you maximum length in minimum time.
£24.99 | www.fasthair.co.uk |@FastHairUK
19
Eyewear case and Iphone cover. More accessories
from the Catseye range.
From £3.99 | www.catseyelondon.com
Page 21
Accessories are more than just a finishing detail;
well-chosen accessories are the key to achieving
a perfectly composed outfit and a
style that remains eternally
your own. Accessories
have their own trends,
colours, materials and
themes and it is our mission
to guide you into selecting the
accessories that enhance you.
Define yourself and your personal sense of style with
quirky, quality accessories from Accessoryo.
www.accessoryo.com | @accessoryo
21
Launched in New York and guided by American celebrity and beauty
professional Scott-Vincent Borba, e.l.f. Cosmetics burst onto the beauty scene
in June 2004 with the mission to provide quality cosmetics at low prices. Three
years later, e.l.f. arrived on British shores. Today, revolutionary cosmetics brand
e.l.f., continues to enable makeup lovers to enjoy and experiment with makeup
without sacrificing their budget.
www.eyeslipsface.co.uk | @ELFCosmeticsUK
Page 22
the secrets and life of
LILYASH xo
MAC fix+ spray is your ultimate beauty
essential. I swear by this stuff. Spray it
before or after makeup to keep your skin
hydrated, glowing and moisturised while
it holds your makeup in place. I cannot
stress how much you need this in your
makeup bag. Only £14.50 for a bottle
and it lasts forever!
My obsession with eyebrows is unreal
and I am in love with Cara Delevingne
for finally making big eyebrows come
back. Make sure you have an eyebrow
brush and pencil in your makeup bag to
exaggerate and fill in any gaps of your
brows. Go online to our website to get
the Delevingne look.
Whether you prefer gels, acrylics or
doing it yourself, nails reflect a person.
I’m currently obsessed with the House of
Holland stick on nails, very funky and
easy to do them yourself. Hands down,
biggest colour this season. Orange
nails and lips are the simplest way and
believe it or not, there is an orange lippy
shade for EVERYBODY.
It’s just a case of trying and depending
on how daring you’re feeling. I cannot
get enough of Max Factor - bewitching
coral, it’s a more subdued colour, but
this one also works well as an overcoat
on other colours, especially purple!
For nails, check out Rimmel London’s
new range for a variety of bright shades.
22
beauty tips, tricks & products
www.lilyash-xo.blogspot.com | twitter: @lhjfx | instagram: @lhjfx | Facebook: LILY ASH xo
Page 23
Lingerie specialist, lipstick queen,
party animal, retail manager, retired wild child,
fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger
movie extra, tattoo addict and fan girl.
www.lilyash-xo.blogspot.com | twitter: @lhjfx | instagram: @lhjfx | Facebook: LILY ASH xo
fashion focus, music & gossip
Clash like you have never clashed before,
it will look good. Colour in general is
major this season so literally go MAD.
The easiest way to do this is invest in a
brightly coloured, printed blazer, this will
see you through all season and you can
play around with what you wear it with!
Oh my goodness, this new, old skool, school
trend is my FAVE trend this season. Dig out
the lace frilled socks, the hair scrunchies
and sensible, thick soled, buckle up shoes
that you definitely argued with your mum
over in the middle of Clark’s, they’re back
but 10x more fashionable than EVER.
The diversity of shoes this season is unreal. As we’re approaching summer, we have seen
the return of the jellies. I don’t know about you, but this year is nostalgic, reliving childhood
in the terms of fashion, what could be better? Moving on, shoe style this season has many
mixed views, with the Birkenstock being revamped and chunky heeled sandals with socks
making an appearance, who knows what could be next?! Please, don’t say crocs. Check out
La moda for a funky, fresh and unique summer shoes, suiting everybody’s taste.
Page 24
ORANGE
THE STATEMENT
LOOK FOR SS14?
24
Page 25
Lipstick can enhance any look – bold or
natural, a dab of lippy can completely
change an outfit. With the warmer months
creeping up on us, a major contender for the
SS14 make-up trend is the orange lipstick.
Seen at fashion week as the ‘main
accessory’ on runways from John Galliano
and Rag & Bone, orange will be the pop of
colour we all need in the next few months!
So you may be wondering how to sport the
orange lippy? If you’re brave enough, you
could go all out with Mac’s Morange lipstick
– a beautiful amped up orange.
Paired with a neutral eye and some winged
liner, Morange can give you a statement
look that will be sure to turn heads.
Not feeling as daring? You could try a
muted orange from Revlon’s infamous lip
butter range in the shade Tutti Frutti.
Moisture is key with this product, giving a
lovely buttery texture, in a range of different
colours including the favoured orange and
being super easy to wear.
Orange lips will jazz up any outfit without
going too overboard which may happen
with some red lipsticks.
Jessica Alba creates storms
looking so fantastic.
Under the spotlight, Jennifer
Hudson is beaming class.
Scarlett
Johansson
proves orange
suits every skin
tone.
Emma Stone
has been busy
promoting the
new Spiderman
movie.
25
Page 27
If you have never been to a casino before,
your first trip is likely to be filled with
excitement, anticipation, and exhilaration. It
is not unusual to feel a little apprehensive, but
don’t worry, Joe Pesci & Robert De Niro won’t
be coming for the shirt off your back.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY
As a first timer, nobody will expect you
to know your way around a casino like a
seasoned professional. However, you should
acquaint yourself with at least the basic
terminology, rules and practices.
A good way to learn without any fear of
embarrassment is to go and try out an online
casino for free. Many of them will allow you
to try the games out without even needing to
give them so much as an email address. This
will let you get used to the games and their
rules, as well as getting a feel for the games
you like best.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR
Forget whatever you have seen in the movies.
The James Bond look may seem like a good
idea but you are best keeping it smart-casual
unless you know the venue has a strict shirt
and tie policy.
Check websites as some casinos will allow
polo shirts for example and others may only
allow button shirts.
TWO’S COMPANY, THREE’S A PARTY
Remember the reason why you are going is to
have fun and the best way to have fun is by
doing whatever you are doing with friends.
Most casinos have enough things going on to
entertain the most demanding individuals so
take a few friends to make a real night of it.
If love is in the air, casinos are suitable for a
first date. Just don’t get carried away trying to
impress with your James Bond act.
27
WINNING BIG
ON A NIGHT OUT
Page 28
28
Page 29
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Despite what you see on TV, roulette is not the
only game you can play in a casino. Poker is
a hugely popular choice and some casinos
have their own dedicated poker rooms away
from the bars and slot machines. Take time
to learn the house rules as these can change
from casino to casino and the last thing you
want are surprises.
As a beginner, you are probably best trying
the easier games that offer you better odds.
Blackjack, sometimes known as 21 is the
perfect game to get started and the fact
you can play with friends against the house
(dealer) makes it that more entertaining even if
you loose a few hands before you master it.
Which ever game you play, go with a plan
and a limit on what you are willing to stake
and lose. Casinos are increasingly becoming
a regular night out due to the number of things
you can do under one roof before heading
out to hit the dancefloor. Some even have
their own dancefloors.
If a night out at a casino sounds like some
fun to you, The Casino MK located in Xscape
is the UK’s second Super Casino. There is
plenty to do on the casino floor and if you
get peckish, you can enjoy a meal at Clary’s
Bar & Grill or chill out in the ultimate sports
bar which showcases live sporting events from
around the world.
29
Page 30
Each month we strive to review the best
on offer from British based brands, both
old and new. Older brands are never
a problem as their heritage, quality
and unique design usually speak for
themselves.
New British fashion & accessories
brands can be much harder to review as
consistency and quality can be hit and
miss across the line of products.
This is not the case for FYT & Co, a new
contemporary accessories brand that is
designing eye-catching and bold pieces
for today’s youthful personalities.
For their first SS collection, FYT & Co
have adopted bold geometric prints
that look amazing across their range of
backpacks, holdalls, messenger bags,
hats and tech cases.
When the weather turns up will, these
prints will work wonders with the
predicted fashion trends of SS14.
Most of the bags cost between £29.99
and £59.99 which make them very
affordable and practical for whichever
festival you are heading to this year
or even travels abroad. Here are our
favourite bags from the SS14 range.
GREAT BRITISH DESIGN 30
Page 31
The Bray Backpack is the office favourite. FYT & Co give a modern makeover to the classic
backpack design. The removal front pocket doubles up as a iPad/tablet case. Clever deign.
Also available in plain canvas, all the Bray
backpacks come with a durable PU leather
base.
Padded options are also available if you
travel with a lot of tech equipment so you
don’t need to sacrifice style for protection.
31
Page 34
The
OVER 100 SLO
THE HOME OF
Page 35
THECASINOMK .CO.UK
Casino MK is membership free. Photo ID required if under 21 and to join our Aspire Loyalty scheme.
Please play responsibly Find us on
T MACHINES!
THE BIG WIN!
Page 37
Maui Jim set up as a small company back
in 1980 selling sunglasses on the beach
in Lahaina, Hawaii. Seeing a need in the
market for technology that could combat
intense glare and harmful UV while bringing
the brilliant colours of the island to life,
the fledgling company engineered the
revolutionary PolarizedPlus® lens.
Since then, Maui Jim has continued to
seamlessly blend fashion and functionality
with superior quality and customer service
and is still the world’s only company to
protect your eyes with up to nine layers
of glare-cutting, UV-eliminating and color-
enhancing technology so that you see the
world more beautifully.
The rich and vibrant colour you see is the
result of using three rare earth elements and
other treatments to white-balance the lenses
so the colours remain vibrant, pure and true.
The Maui Jim ever-growing range of unisex
glasses is guaranteed to fit everyone’s
individual needs. Fans of retro styling can
get a vintage yet contemporary look, while
those with active lifestyles will be seamlessly
protected throughout all their adventures.
So whether you’re looking to update your
spring/summer look or need to improve your
sight when practicing your favourite sport,
look no further than Maui Jim.
The website MauiJim.com makes finding the
perfect pair of sunglasses easy by allowing
you to narrow down your preferred models
using a wide variety of parameters including
frame colour or style, lenses and even facial
features!
For more information, visit the website or
follow @OfficialMauiJim on Facebook,
Twitter or Pinterest.
DESIGNER EYEWEAR FROM MAUI JIM
SUMMER
SPECTACLE
37
Page 38
Liana (RRP, £180) These frames
make a strong statement with a
rounded shape inspired by Andy
Warhol, John Lennon, Audrey
Hepburn and Grace Kelly. They are
designed to soften rectangular or square
faces while adding a pop of memorable style,
Liana comes in Gloss Black, Matte Black and
Sandstone.
Bang on current trend, this style has been spotted on many celebrity faces who are
sporting the vintage/90’s grunge eyewear trend. In addition, Liana’s lenses are made
from SuperThin (ST) Glass that is 20% lighter and thinner than conventional glass lenses.
Pilot (RRP, £214) These sleek and
incredibly light stainless steel aviators
offer enduring, high-performance
style. The semi-rimless saltwater-
safe glasses will be your trusty pilot
offering an unobstructed view and
superior protection against wind, sun and glare.
Perfect for any outdoor activities and every day wear. The HCL® Bronze lenses in gold are
great for the unpredictable British weather that can quickly change from sunny to overcast,
and you’ll love the warm, subtle bronze tint!
38
Page 39
Olowalu (RRP, £254)
The lightest glasses in the Maui Jim
portfolio, Olowalu are perfect for
sports. Their hinge-less titanium frames
combine superior comfort and fit with a
flattering unisex design that complements a
range of facial shapes.
The MauiPure™ lenses are the world’s clearest non-glass lenses and are scratch and
impact resistant. This style is so lightweight and durable you’ll hardly know they’re on!
Maui Cat III (RRP, £161) What makes a classic, classic? Style that transcends time.
A tribute to one of our original styles, Maui Cat III rocks a retro look, but features the most
advanced glare-fighting technology embedded in the SuperThin(ST) Glass lenses.
The mid-size nylon wrap features wider temples to block light from the sides. Maui Cat III
offers guaranteed comfort as well as added coverage and
protection against wind and the harmful rays of the sun!
39
Page 41
Sweat Studios offers its members exactly
that: yoga that gives you a great workout,
without the complications. Sweat, which
recently opened in The Hub, has already
seen over 2,000 people through its doors
and is aiming to promote yoga as an
excellent exercise choice, while challenging
preconceptions at the same time.
The studio is holding an Open Day on
Saturday 17 May where you can try free
classes (three throughout the day), visit the
pop-up Onzie hot yoga clothing shop,
meet the team and take a look around the
state-of-the-art studios. “There are plenty of
stereotypes about what yoga is, the kind of
person you need to be in order to do it and,
in particular, how flexible you have to be,”
says Sweat director Kirsty Lowe, “but it ought
to be open to everyone, regardless of your
skill levels, flexibility or lifestyle. It is a total
body workout, great fun and very good for
you.”
Among the classes offered at Sweat are hot
yoga, which is great for burning calories,
increasing strength, flexibility and balance
and developing muscle tone; stretching
classes, to improve flexibility and keep
your body supple; and flow classes good
for developing upper body strength and
providing an opportunity to try a variety of
postures. There will also be pre-natal classes
available in the coming months. Classes are
available seven days a week, from 7am to
8:30pm. There is a range of membership
options available, from pay-as-you-go to pre-
paid minutes that can be used for any class
during a three month span, to full annual
membership, for those looking to take several
classes each week. For those keen to go to
the Studio during weekdays only, there is also
a very favourable off-peak pricing.
Sweat Studios boasts a team of experienced
yoga teachers, who can give individual
guidance and support all levels of
experience. Sweat offers state of the art
facilities with classes taking place in bold,
brightly coloured studios, luxury changing
rooms complete with large individual shower
cubicles, personal lockers and hairdryers.
By removing the aspects of yoga that can put
people off, Sweat hopes to introduce many
more people to it, Kirsty says, “Everyone can
benefit from yoga, it is a perfect antidote to
the lives we lead today; the downsides of
sedentary lifestyles, spending hours hunched
over desks, rushing about from place to place
and finding it hard to find a moment for
ourselves can all be countered by yoga.
It really is a real workout for real life”
YOGA WITH NONE OF THE FLUFF
SWEATSTUDIOS
41
Page 43
To celebrate the opening of Travelodge’s new
flagship hotel in Manchester Piccadilly Gardens, we
are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a
fantastic short break in the cosmopolitan capital of
the north west. Manchester is steeped in history and
offers a vast range of attractions, some of the best
bars & restaurants in the UK and is also a shoppers
haven as it is home to hundreds of designer, high
street and boutique shops.
This prize includes a two night stay at the new
contemporary hotel which is located in the heart of
the city centre and has been designed in the new
modern Travelodge brand style. The lucky winner
will stay in a family room which caters for either
two adults and two children or three adults. Each
room has an en-suite, a luxurious king size called
the Travelodge Dreamer, a flat screen TV, tea &
coffee facilities and WiFi - everything you need for a
comfortable stay. Breakfast is included too.
Travelodge has over 500 hotels located in all major
cities, popular holiday locations and airports. It
offers great value and is the smart choice for all your
accommodation needs. To win, simply tweet us
@TrendLifePR using hashtag #WEEKENDBREAK
www.travelodge.co.uk for further information.
WIN A WEEKEND BREAK AT THE NEW TRAVELODGE MANCHESTER FLAGSHIP HOTEL IN PICCADILLY GARDENS
Terms and conditions:
Entrants must be 18 years old or over. Prize is for accommodation only and does not include travel. Only one entry per person.
The winner is entitled to a two-night stay in a family room at Manchester Piccadilly Travelodge with an evening meal and breakfast.
Family rooms are suitable for two adults and two children under 16, or three adults.
Reservations can be made by calling the press office on: 01844 358 703. Bookings must be made by 30 September 2014
There are no cash alternatives. All rooms are subject to availability.
Employees of Travelodge and any agencies connected with the competition and their families are not eligible to enter.
The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize is only open to UK residents. 43
Page 44
ON YOUR BIKE
JENSON
The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon with Cancer
Research UK is pleased to announce the
first wave of brand partners for the 2014
Triathlon.
The event takes place on Saturday July 12th
at the fabulous 5 star Luton Hoo Hotel in
Bedfordshire.
Brands confirmed include Mobil1, Huub,
Rudy Project, CELIA lager and Santander
who lend their support to the Triathlon for the
third year in succession and remain a key
partner for the Triathlon.
On the partnerships Jenson said;
“I am really pleased how plans for the 2014
Triathlon are coming together.
A major part of making sure the Triathlon
consistently improves as an event for
competitors and spectators alike is having
passionate brand partners, so it is great to
be able name a number of them now.”
Santander, Mobil1 and Huub have been
confirmed as full corporate sponsors with
Rudy Project and CELIA lager confirmed as
official partners. Further brand sponsors will
be announced in the coming weeks.
Now in its third year, the Jenson Button
Trust Triathlon is a truly unique event. It
combines competition with a relaxed festival
atmosphere; it has a true family feel with a
buzzing event village, post-race party with
prizes presented by Jenson, live music and a
barbecue.
IN SUPPORT OF CANCER RESEARCH UK
44
Page 45
1ST PRIZE
£1000
2ND PRIZE
£800
3RD PRIZE
£600
4TH PRIZE
£400
VISIT WWW.JENSONBUTTON.COM FOR MORE INFO ON REGISTERING
ELIMINATOR ROUND: 300M LAKE SWIM, 9KM BIKE, 2.5KM RUN (ALL ENTRANTS) £120
TOP 50 FINAL: 750M LAKE SWIM, 15KM BIKE, 5KM RUN (TOP 50 FROM EACH ELIMINATOR WAVE)
WOODEN SPOON FINAL: 300M LAKE SWIM, 9KM BIKE, 2.5KM RUN (REMAINING ENTRANTS)
The 2014 event will give competitors the
chance to race twice, with the preliminary
heat consisting of a 300m lake swim, 9km
bike ride and 2.5km run.
The top performers will then go on to the final
(750m swim, 15km bike ride and 2.5km run)
with the runners up entering the ‘wooden
spoon’ race.
Luton Hoo, one of the country’s finest five star
hotels, is a complete destination and yours to
experience and enjoy.
Invited guests of the participants and guests
of the hotel are welcome to be spectators of
the event however Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf &
Spa is a privately owned estate and so will
not be open to the general public.
45
Page 46
Sometimes in life, good things come out of
adversity. Neil Thompson’s decision to leave the
agency he had worked at for over a decade
and give up the drudgery of hauling his sorry
arse down to the big smoke and the trendy
Clerkenwell offices before he had a mid life
crisis, was the start of this particular tale.
So from a desire to keep things fresh bourn out
of his experience, a couple of shiny new Macs
bought from the shrapnel raided from his piggy
bank, a handful of well used magic markers and
some seriously hard graft, Rocket was launched.
The idea for the Northampton based marketing
and PR agency first took off from an outpost
somewhere deep in the countryside – a
converted double garage!
Rocket founder Neil Thompson later discovered
a fantastic new mission control for the business,
in the shape of a former ‘shoe last’ factory,
overlooking a local park with a wealth of
parking which proved the ideal fit!
It has been nearly 13 years since Rocket began
its journey and although the business has grown
to a team of 13 strong, the mission has remained
the same – to deliver commercially focused
bottom line driven ideas.
There has never been a grand plan, much to the
disappointment of the bank manager. As great
people have become available and our clients
have required new services the team has grown.
He said: “When Rocket first started off we were
just a small team of three working out of an old
garage come music studio. It served its purpose
well and we had a fantastic ‘local’ for our
more important business meetings. As the word
spread and our client base expanded we rapidly
needed a new base.
“Here at Rocket we understand tight budgets
and have learnt to not always do things
conventionally, however we always aim to do
things well and deliver an excellent return on
a client’s investment. “We look at the task in
hand from as many angles as we can, which
on occasion results in us coming up with some
unique and sometimes slightly unusual ideas.
“We then set about really make them work
– our success with our wide range of clients
reflects that they do. “We deliver based on our
collective knowledge and experience. It is about
understanding how to communicate using our
wide range of services and through a multitude
of media and platforms.”
46
OPENING
THE DOOR
TO YOUR
OWN FUTURE
Page 47
Rocket is made up of a creative, passionate
team with a mix of expertise. Together this
helps create the magic that means Rocket fuels
its client’s commercial aspirations and exceeds
expectations.
Rocket also prides itself on providing a
launch pad for up and coming talent offering
apprenticeships and internships for creative
individuals who want to experience working in
a busy marketing agency.
Rocket’s latest aspiring apprentices include
two students now successfully pursuing their
dream to forge careers as graphic and digital
designers.
Neil’s business partner Ellie Hudson joined
Rocket in 2009 and together they have
moved the business forward offering an array
of marketing and creative services including;
branding, PR, social media, packaging,
publications and online marketing. Neil said:
“Inspired by my father I have always had
aspirations of setting up and building my own
business, well it was that or becoming an
astronaut!
“The business is going through exciting times
and we are now continuing to evolve and
expand. Our social media offering has really
established itself and the addition of filming and
video production is really taking off. “When it
comes to marketing I love to get people excited
about ideas – inspiring clients to step out of
their comfort zone now and again. I believe I
bring a commercial perspective to this creative
environment – that crucial detail has always
ensured we stand out from the crowd.”
During his career to date Neil has worked for
a range of high profile clients including Sony,
Royal Doulton, Argos, Homebase, Wickes and
T-Mobile.
“Fundamentally it has always been a case of
rolling up my sleeves and getting on with the
job in hand. Our approach has on occasion
been described as Marmite, love it or hate
it. Fortunately plenty of people love it and are
keeping us really busy!”
47
Page 50
ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC / TELEVISION / RADIO / DVD / GADGETS
Page 51
From the moment she ripped apart a good
boyfriend’s skills as a lover on “Not Fair”, it
was obvious that Lily Allen prized honesty,
even if that honesty was brutal, judgmental, or
uncomfortable. She made a name for herself
by crafting liveable, memorable pop songs that
didn’t care if they weren’t polite. The flip side
of pop-punk, Allen was punk-pop, in attitude
if not in music. She has always felt sharpest
at her most uncompromising, and that fact is
thrown into stark contrast on Allen’s latest, Kanye
West-referencing record, Sheezus, which is at
its strongest when it cops to more details and
weakens considerably when the London-born
singer-songwriter falls back on generalities.
Allen’s third record is her first since marrying and
having her two daughters, and her husband,
Sam Cooper, and her children both play central
roles on Sheezus. Cooper gets three songs
presumably dedicated to him: the cotton candy
fluff of “L8 CMMR”, the carnival western house
of mirrors that is “As Long As I Got You”, and the
classic ’90s R&B of sex jam “Close Your Eyes”.
Meanwhile, Allen’s daughters get referenced
on the album’s opening title track and are the
implicit driving force behind the quarter-life crisis
of “Life for Me”. The domesticity fits Allen well, as
she seems largely pleased to be in her own skin
across Sheezus and bereft of the anxieties of her
earlier albums. And it’s actually a bit charming to
see a pop star expounding the virtues of a life of
monogamy and marriage and children.
But that charm only comes across when Allen
is willing to dive into the minutiae of her life.
Despite the cheesy, undeniably silly hoedown
harmonica synths that make it
hard to take “As Long As
I Got You” seriously, it’s
easy to relate to Allen’s
warm satisfaction
in details like “You
let me lie in bed
when you’re doing
breakfast with the
kids”
ALL
HAIL
SHEEZUS
Page 53
As the third big Netflix original production
– after the excellent House of Cards and
much-hyped Arrested Development – Orange
is the New Black arrives with big shoes to fill.
Add to that a great cast and a creative team
that includes the top brass behind Weeds,
and expectations are higher than a maximum
security prison wall.
If the series doesn’t suck you in immediately,
give it some time: Orange grows into some
seriously binge-worthy TV.
The series follows the middle-class, college-
educated Piper Chapman’s (Taylor Schilling)
entrance into a low-security women’s prison –
it’s based on the memoir of Piper Kerman.
Chapman, now engaged to the almost too nice
Larry Bloom (Jason Biggs, proving he still exists
and shows some serious acting skills), is in on
charges that she transported drug money for an
ex-girlfriend (Laura Prepon, That 70s Show) ten
years earlier.
The show finds it’s feet as Chapman settles in,
and we’re introduced to a large cast of inmates.
The optimistic wedding planner (Yael Stone),
the ‘Killer nun’ (Beth Fowler), tough Russian, Red
(Kate Mulgrew), and the ‘junky philosopher’
(Natasha Lyonne) all have their own ways of
introducing a newbie into prison.
Available to stream from Netflix or on Blu-Ray.
www.amazon.com | From £28.75
Page 54
SUMMER HOLIDAY
ESSENTIAL GADGETS
After waiting what seems like an entire lifetime for the sun to
come, we Brits seem to lose all common sense when it comes to
enjoying ourselves in the hot days of Spring & Summer. When
we are not forgetting to apply sun protection, we are misplacing,
dropping, splashing and smashing our devices to oblivion.
With a bit of forward thinking, you can avoid water damaged
iPads, cracked screens and missing phones. We tested some of
the latest gadgets to save your devices from the embarrassment of
being spotted on Brits Abroad. Here are our favourites.
OtterBox Defender Series Cases
A leading brand when it comes to mobile device protection, US
based OtterBox has been making cases since 1998 for all makes
and models. We tested the Defender Series on the iPad Mini and
recreated various ‘whoops’ moments that included a 4ft drop and
splashing of water.
While OtterBox don’t claim that the case is waterproof, you
should be okay during the common ‘knocked-over-my-drink’
54
Page 55
scenario. The case is made up of a screen protector, polycarbonate
inner and silicone outer layer. Despite all that, the combination of
iPad and case is still pretty light considering all the protection that is
offered.
The Defender is available for most devices will protect your device
against drops, dust and scratches. It also comes with a clever stand
that attaches to the case to offer even more protection. Getting the
case off for the first time will require patience (start bottom up) but as
that is the only issue we had, the iPad Mini Defender Series Case gets
top marks.
www.otterbox.co.uk | £49.99
SuperTooth DISCO 3 Bluetooth Speaker
In a world filled with Bluetooth speakers it can be hard to stand out.
The SuperTooth Disco 3 manages this firstly giving you an option of six
colours including an eye catching candy pink, secondly by having a
ridiculously long battery life.
The 12w speaker is defiantly shaped and can perch confidently in the
centre of a room commanding attention. It’s only 546 grams so it’s
not exactly heavy, but it is one of the bulkier speakers on the market so
lacks the portability of a BeeWi.
The sound justifies the size however and the DISCO3 is very loud –
certainly loud enough to for a small room or tent. It’s not the most bass
heavy of speakers and it certainly favours classical and rock music over
thundering dubstep drops but it’s a good all around performer – especially
in gift-giving season (do you really want to arm your niece with a sub
woofer?)
The DISCO 3 battery life is beyond amazing. If you’re blasting tunes at
full volume you’ll only get 3-4 hours but if you’re a considerate neighbour
playing at a moderate level you’ll be rewarded with 15 hours of playback
time.
www.johnlewis.com | £69.95 | @SuperTooth_Kits
55
Anker 2nd Gen Astro Pro2 External Battery
It may be large and heavy but that’s because the Anker Astro Pro2 packs quite a punch.
According to the manufactuer Anker, it can add 130% to 300% of battery life to a
tablet, up to 600% to large-capacity phones like the Galaxy S4 and 1,000% of battery
life to an iPhone.
The AstroPro 2 has an LCD display that tells you
what percentage of power your charger
has left. And its three USB ports (it
can charge three devices simultaneously)
use a technology called PowerIQ that Anker says
results in fast charging.
www.ianker.com | £59.99 | @Ankerofficial
Page 56
Summer
Calvin Harris
As most of us are still getting used to Spring,
Calvin Harris is already thinking about the
following season: “Summer,” the Scottish
producer’s jubilant new solo single, has been
released online after being teased for days with
various snippets. You can see Calvin Harris at the
Capital FM Summertime Ball alongside Jessie J,
David Guetta, Ed Sheeran and many more acts.
#OnTheRun
Ten Feet Tall
Afrojack featuring Wrabel
Following “The Spark” as Afrojack‘s sophomore
single, the tone for his long-awaited album is
seemingly shaping up as its May release date
approaches. Taking cues from indie vocalists — first
with Spree Wilson, now with Wrabel — and flavors
from pop and dance music, another layer to van de
Wall’s production capabilities unveils.
56
Page 58
58
In a torrid first season as Manchester United
manager, the one ray of light had been
the Champions League. It also promised
to be the competition that could bring him
some salvation, both in terms of morale and
keeping some semblance of hope alive
to make it back into the competition next
season.
That was all shattered after what must rank
as one of United’s worst ever performances
in Europe. A 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos and
more importantly, the shambolic nature of
it was Moyes’s latest faux pas in the Old
Trafford hot seat and brought rumours that it
could prove to be the final straw for United’s
owners.
The club has denied reports that the former
Everton manager was set to be sacked
following on from the defeat, however the
bookmakers are not taking any chances and
have made him a clear favourite to be the
next Premier League manager to bite the
dust..
Given the faith that continues to be shown
in Moyes by the club’s hierarchy against
all evidence on the pitch, it remains highly
unlikely that there is any depth to which
United could sink that would precipitate his
departure this campaign, or indeed before
the start of next season. Yet, the subject of
Moyes’s potential replacement is surely one
now worth considering and could well be a
topic now for United’s board room.
FEELING
BLUE?
MOYES UNDER FIRE AFTER
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT
Page 60
SUMMER’S FINEST
Let’s start with the affordable shall
we? Citroen’s massively popular DS3
recently had its roof chopped off. It keeps
all the stylish looks but gives you that drop
top, open air motoring feel. In basic DSign trim, with the 1.2 three cylinder
petrol engine it can be yours for £15,700!
If you want something a little smaller than the DS3 but again with chic and funky looks then
the Fiat 500C is worth noting. A perfectly proportioned city car makes it easy to manoeuvre
and park around town.
The entry level 1.2 POP
will set you back a rather
cheap £13,160.
ADAM TUDOR-LANES’S FIVE CARS OF SUMMER 14
60
Page 61
Next up is more of a driver’s car. Rear wheel drive,
the MX-5 has long been regarded as a great
sports car! Whether you opt for the
Soft Top or the Hard topped
Roadster Coupe you get the
full topless convertible
experience. In basic trim
with the 1.8 litre Petrol
engine you can pick one
up brand new for £18,495.
Now please bear with me on this choice! Yes it’s
only got three wheels, yes I know it doesn’t have
a roof…at all, and yes it looks
like it’s from the 1930’s. But
until you have driven one
don’t judge! They are an
absolute hoot to drive,
real old school back
to basics motoring
but I can guarantee
you will have a huge smile
on your face the whole time!
An entry level, hand built three
wheeler will cost you £31,140.
This is more the poser value
and money no object option.
But to put it simply THE convertible to be seen in is Jaguar’s
stunning F-Type! Lots of looks and jealousy will come your
way, guaranteed. The V6S is the one to opt for, it’s perfectly
balanced with regard to power and handling.
Only downside is the £67,520
starting price.
Page 62
By Adam Tudor-Lane | @car_witter
ELECTRIC
BLUES HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE
Page 63
BMW first showed off the i3 concept back in 201 1 at the Frankfurt Motor Show,
it was at an advanced stage but looked nothing like any BMW had before. Low
and behold it’s now available to order and sitting in showrooms.
Powered by a 130 KW electric motor making 170 HP and 250 Nm of torque it
accelerates to 37 MPH in just 3.7 seconds, 0-62 takes 7.2. On a full charge you
can expect 80-100 miles of driving. In fact the i3 is quicker to 30 MPH than a V8
BMW M3! Oh, and its also rear wheel drive like an M3. Our test car was kitted
out with just under £6k of extras, bringing the final price up to a heady £35,945.
The i3 is one of those special cars, it has gone from design, to concept, to
production with barely any changes. It looks stunning, fresh, modern, a new
phase in BMW’s somewhat stayed and generic design house.
Up front the tell-tale kidney grille floats over the lip of the bonnet, inner
edges coloured by the bright turquoise blue hue that signifies
BMW’s i range.
Page 64
Along the side of the i3 you only see one door handle, the back doors have an
internal one and are rear hinged – suicide style.
Some could say the design is a little fussy and over complicated, but it looks
as though it has jumped straight off of the designer’s sketchpad, it’s brave,
bold and modern. For those reasons alone I love it. Gone are the days
of slow electric cars, this thing flies. Push your foot to the floor and you
out accelerate pretty much everything from a standing start. It’s great for
‘optimising’ gaps in traffic at junctions or roundabouts.
Under hard acceleration you can get some wheel spin on damp roads
due to all that torque, but the ESP cuts in and sorts it out straight away.
BMW have constructed the i3 largely from Carbon Fibre Reinforced
Plastic, the whole passenger cell is one unit.
Below the main body is a separate chassis, this holds the batteries
making for a very low centre of gravity. Through corners there is
very little body roll, it feels nimble and darty in part thanks to the
quick steering rack.
Ride is very firm though, even on well-kept roads you feel how hardly sprung the i3 is. Small
imperfections reverberate through the chassis and into the cabin. But this hard setup gives it a
sporting feel that you simply don’t expect from such a car.
Power delivery is superb, no gear changes mean a seamless supply of torque. Its gearless
setup makes it a dream to drive around town, especially in stop start traffic.
As you let off the accelerator you can feel the regenerative braking kick in, most of the time
you can approach a junction without even braking! It further adds to the effortless driving
experience.
Inside is where BMW have really done the car justice. A low dash made from Kenaf fibres (a
plant that grows fully in just 100 days) gives way to a large windscreen, giving a superb view
of the road ahead. Two floating screens display all you need to know.
64
Page 65
No cluttered binnacles or dial hoods here.
It makes pretty much every other car on the
market today look decidedly old fashion!
Access to the rear seats is uninhibited thanks to
the absence of a B pillar, the rear doors can only
be opened in conjunction with the front ones – this
could be a problem for some people.
Rear seat headroom is acceptable, whilst leg room is
somewhat cramped if you have a regular sized driver
up front. The front seats are very modern, the built in
headrests give them a sporty look. They are rather flat
though and you seem to sit on them, rather than in them. Given the
i3’s surprisingly sporty handling and acceleration, something a little more gripping would be
good.
Another added bonus is that BMW actually SELL YOU the batteries with the car, finally no
nasty monthly battery leasing cost! The Li-Ion batteries are warrantied for 100,000 miles and
up to 8 years, very impressive for a manufacturer to back their battery tech in this way. It has
also been said the batteries will last the lifetime of the vehicle.
BMW have shown that they don’t have to bring out bland looking, increasingly generic
saloons. The i3 shows that different is good! At £25,680 (after the £5k government rebate) it
is pricey for what is essentially a small hatchback, but good looks and cutting edge tech have
always carried a premium.
We would like to thank Lancaster BMW Milton Keynes for the loan of the BMW i3.
Northfield Drive, Northfield, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DQ
65
Page 67
36 Monthly Payments of
Customer Deposit
£699.00
£14,999.00
Term of Agreement 37 Months
On The Road Cash Price £58,520.00
Total Amount of Credit £43,521.00
Interest Charges £5,719.33
Option to Purchase Fee† £295
Option to Purchase Payment - G.M.F.V
(Guaranteed Minimum Future Value) £24,076.33
Total Amount Payable £64,534.33
Fixed Rate of Interest 5.59%
Representative 5.9% APR
AT THE END OF THE FINANCE AGREEMENT YOU HAVE
3 OPTIONS: 1 - RENEW 2 - RETAIN 3 - RETURN
Page 68
CAN YOU
BEAT
JENSoN?
Jenson Button Trust Triathlon
supporting Cancer Research UK
Saturday 12th July, 2014
Luton Hoo Estate
Take on F1 star Jenson Button in his
unique two-round triathlon. Sign up to a
great day out with friends and family, and
enjoy a gourmet barbeque with live music
into the evening!
For more information and
corporate packages, contact
jensonbuttontrust@cancer.org.uk
or +44 (0)20 3469 5490
jensonbutton.com/trust
The Jenson Button Trust is supporting Cancer Research UK.
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales
(1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103).
