November 2014
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FASHION | LIFESTYLE | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORT | MUSIC
THE WINTER EDITION
THE ALL IMPORTANT REVIEW OF WHAT
STYLES WILL BE TRENDING THIS WINTER
READY WHATEVER THE WEATHER
FROM PREMIUM CANADIAN DOWN TO DESIGNER
UMBRELLAS, GET PREPARED FOR A STYLISH WINTER
30 BEAUTY BLOGGERS TO FOLLOW
OUR EDITORIAL TEAM REVIEW 30 NOT SO FAMOUS
BLOGGERS THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING
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The new Rolex Sky-Dweller features exclusive dials with new combinations
of bracelets and leather straps.
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CONTENT MAIN FEATURES
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18
16
26
LUTON HOO’S OPEN AIR CINEMA EXPERIENCE
We send our Beauty Editor Jade Jenna to review the open air cinema at Luton Hoo Hotel
who are currently showcasing a selection of British movie favourites.
CHRISTMAS PARTY MAKEOVER
The return of the festive season sees a return of the Christmas party. We review a
selection of skin, hair & make up products to put the glam into your party preparations.
THIRTY NOT SO FAMOUS BLOGGERS TO FOLLOW
Keen to promote new trending talent, we have short listed thirty up & coming fashion,
beauty and lifestyle bloggers that we feel will be worth following in 2015.
WHEN IT RAINS... WINTER FASHION ESSENTIALS
To help you keep dry and stylish, our editorial team have selected various winter
wardrobe additions from Canadian premium down to waterproof coats.
APPRECIATING NATURAL HAIR
Natural hair advocates Dee Naturals have been promoting self-love, positivity and well-
being to women of all ages and races. We get five minutes with founder Dee Wright. 42
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LATEST GADGETS | 59 - 61
KEEPING IT LOCAL | 10- 1 1
A summary of the important local
news for those living across the Three
Counties of Beds, Herts & Bucks.
X FACTOR FINALS | 22 - 23
The curtain is closing on this year’s
X Factor and we are down to the final
four. Our money is on Fluer East but
who is your money on?
LIFESTYLE
WHAT’S NEW
Apple always turn up late to the party
but they know how to do it in style. Yes,
there are many smartwatches available
to buy today but only the Apple Watch is
in demand. Take a look at the first Apple
product line launched since the passing
of Steve Jobs.
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AUTUMN PINKS &
WINTER PLUMS
22 - 23
Our beauty expert Hayley
Burton looks at the new range
of NV colours lip crayons .
THREE STEPS TO
BEAUTIFUL EYEBROWS
24 - 25
Grab all the attention this festive
season by following Jade Jenna’s
three steps to beautiful brows.
CHOOSING YOUR
WINTER COAT
28 - 29
Winter coats are essential
when the rain begins to
lash, the frost hits and the
cold wind blows.
FASHION
STYLE &
BEAUTY
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SPORTS
MOTORING
MOTORING | 64 - 65
On sale from February 2015
with prices starting at £29,190,
the amazing new BMW 2 Series
Convertible has the enormous
task of replacing the world’s most
popular compact. We take a look
under the hood to discover if it
mission impossible.
SPORTS | 54 - 57
Having seen the livewire Suarez
depart Anfield for Barcelona,
fans, pundits and psychiatrists
across the land are trying to figure
out if Brendan Rodgers has pulled
off a masterstroke or taken a
massive gamble by obtaining the
services of SuperMario.
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MUSIC | 45 - 50
Last year, Robin Thicke, Pharrell
Williams & T.I. walked away with
our Song Of The Year Award.
Help us select the song of the
2014 by voting online. Will UK
artist Sam Smith beat Meghan
Trainor or is it too late to stop
Pharrell Williams again?
CINEMA & TV | 50 - 51
TV is pretty much dead at the
moment with US dramas like
Boardwalk Empire coming to an
end but don’t worry as there are a
number of movies being released
over the festive period to keep you
happy. And there is also the
X Factor finals to SkyPlus.
MUSIC
FILM
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You can Bank on The
Hub for the 3rd year
running
For the third year in a row The
Hub, Milton Keynes’ premier
restaurant, café, bar and lifestyle
quarter in the heart of the city, is
running a Facebook campaign
to raise much needed funds for a
local charity.
During December, for every new
“like” The Hub receives on its
Facebook page, £1.00 will be
donated to MK Food Bank.
If you’d like to find out more
about MK Food Bank visit
www.mkfoodbank.org.uk
Top Biz Execs & Olympic Medalists Team Up For Luton Event That
Supports The Young. Olympic gold medalist Kriss Akabusi MBE brought his day-long
event to Putteridge Bury, Luton. In The Arena is a 100% charitable event with every penny
raised being put back into helping with the training the young unemployed from Bedfordshire
and the community at large. www.akabusi.com
TRENDING NEWS Trending news across Beds, Herts & Bucks
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New British menswear store opens
the doors in Stevenage
OPEN is a new British menswear retailer that
will be opening its doors this Autumn online
and on the high street. Delivering a no
nonsense approach to modern menswear,
OPEN puts design quality & value at its
core.
OPEN was born in 2013 and is based at
the Granary, creative space in Barking, East
London. The Stevenage store can be found
in Westgate Shopping Centre. Further stores
will be opening throughout 2015.
www.openstores.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
Hawes & Curtis revolutionise
the shopping experience.
Hawes & Curtis, which has a shop in
Milton Keynes, is leading the way in
the retail industry after becoming part
of a trial to allow mannequins to ‘talk’
to shoppers and provide information
about goods included in their window
displays.
The models are fitted with beacons
that send alerts to the smart phones of
shoppers who are passing within 50
metres, providing access to information
about what they are wearing. It’s a
world first and could revolutionise the
shopping experience.
www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk
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If you’re looking for a
cultural evening of fine dining
and exquisite taste, I certainly recommend
Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.
During the summer months Luton Hoo have
offered a unique experience for cinema goers
with an Open Air Cinema showcasing some
classics in the world of film where guests
are invited to bring their own blankets and
refreshments and enjoy a choice of films,
a couple of which were shot on location at
Luton Hoo. Held within the 1,065 acre estate
grounds lay the setting to the screening,
beside the picturesque South Lake, it is an
unforgettable way to watch one of your
favourite films of all time.
Films that were screened ranged from
some of my all-time favourites such as Four
Wedding’s and a Funeral, Dirty Dancing and
War Horse.
JADE JENNA - BEAUTY EDITOR
We sent our Beauty Editor to the open air cinema at Luton Hoo Hotel
for a two course meal and a selection of classic movies.
@JADEJENNA09 | WWW.PUREVANITYSECRETS.COM
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HOOLLYWOOD WATCH SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE ICONIC FILMS IN A SETTING
LIKE NO OTHER AT LUTON HOO HOTEL, GOLF & SPA’S NEW
OPEN AIR CINEMA
“The house has been a very popular location
with television and film makers, being used
for films such as Four Weddings and a
Funeral, Enigma, Eyes Wide Shut, Inspector
Morse, Nicholas Nickleby, Vanity Fair and
Bleak House to name but a few.” Luton Hoo
Hotel, Golf & Spa.
To add to the experience a pre-cinema 2
course meal is offered at Adam’s Brasserie,
The Hotel’s Country Club restaurant which
is hidden amongst archways and gorgeous
greenery. On arrival staff were warm,
welcoming and very friendly. On the menu
we were spoilt for choice, with a range of
fine cuisine.
Seated in a booth surrounded by diners
enjoying the calming aroma of the brasserie,
we were able to enjoy our meal with great
comfort. Service was prompt and the food
every bit as flavoursome and adventurous as
expected.
Following the meal we were driven by a
member of the on site chauffeurs to the South
Lake where we were treated to free popcorn
and a red carpet entry to the screening of
War Horse.
The buzz of families with blankets, picnics
and seating strewn across the grounds made
it that little bit special and unique.
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Where else can you have dinner with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant? That is
to say at the Adam’s Brasserie you can dine under the gaze of their photographs that line the
walls, together with other stars of the silver screen, who have all appeared in films that were
partly shot at the hotel.
Poached and roast chicken wrapped in
Parma ham with fondant potato, with
chanteney carrots and black olives.
Pan fried fillet of salmon with citrus dressing,
roast baby onions, wild mushrooms and
crisp mash.
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rise with
the sun
at hermitage rd.
coffee bar
20−21 hermitage rd. • hitchin • herts • SG5 1BT
01462 433603 • www.hermitagerd.co.uk
has bean coffee...
...fresh treats
from our kitchen
now open
monday - friday
7am - 5pm
saturday
8.30am - 5pm
free toast
with your morning cuppa
all donations go to
MacMillan Cancer Research
t h e f i r s t t a s t e o f a b e t t e r d a y
HR026-06/14
Page 16
It is that time of year. The one chance we
have to prove how great we can look to the
people that see us every day. The ones that
see us on the mental breakdown type days
and the slept through the alarm type days.
It’s now or never to show them that actually,
you do scrub up pretty well. This is an article
compact with the best beauty products out
there to help you put together ‘the look’ for
your Christmas party. So get that face mask
on and shave your legs because this year
you will be nothing short of fabulous.
Skin Products
Bare Minerals Faux Tan Sunless
Tanner £15 Just because it is winter
doesn’t mean we have to ditch the sun
kissed skin. It may be December but we can
still look like bronzed goddesses recently
holidayed in Mexico right? With so many
fake tan products out there we have so many
to choose from but this product really does
tick all the boxes!
Whether you just want to add a little colour
to your snow flake legs or you want to coat
yourself from head to toe this tanning lotion
not only spreads evenly and instantly on
even the most sensitive skin but also includes
minerals to keep your skin soft and radiant.
The Body Shop Body Scrub £12.50
The Body Shop are renowned for their top
notch skin products. With plenty of flavours
there literally is an option for anybody from
vanilla for the people wanting a less fragrant
option to Satsuma for people wanting a fresh
and fruity smell.
Simply rub this grainy cream on to your legs
before showering and feel the difference
immediately as you wash it off. Leaving your
skin not only amazingly smooth but smelling
super fresh.
The perfect start to the journey of gaining the
perfect legs reducing dry skin. If you plan to
fake tan afterwards this will reduce pours for
a more even spread and natural look.
XMAS PARTY Preparation guide
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Hair Products
Osis Dust Powder £8.68 The perfect party
hair is on your doorstep with this product. Osis
Dust Powder by Schwarzkopf is ideal to transform
your hair from a day in the office to Xmas party
ready and set to impress friends and colleagues.
More effective than hairspray as it has a long
lasting hold. Add this powder to your roots and
fluff with your fingers and watch the volume
appear before your eyes! Beyonce hair, here we
come.
Moroccan Oil £26.99 Perfect for silky hair
with a gorgeous shine. This product is every
girls dream for the perfect down-do. If you are
planning poker straight hair or luscious curls then
this is the product for you. Simply apply a small
squeeze of Moroccan Oil to damp hair for the
elimination of all post wash frizz. It leaves hair
super sleek and smooth with a beautiful smell that
lasts for days.
Make Up
Chanel Rouge Coco £24 A little more
expensive than the average lippy but we can
justify it; one because it’s Christmas and two
because it’s Chanel. So we can’t afford the
Chanel bag that’s not shy of four figures but this
lipstick we have a chance of finding the pennies
for.
The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ couldn’t be
more accurate here. £24 may be a lot but when
you don’t have to keep checking for the feared
lipstick faded line it all seems worth it. The Rouge
Coco range includes mainly naturally colours so
this is for the girl going for understated beauty.
Rimmel Lip Lock £4.99 So it may smell like
nail varnish remover and the first time you put it on
it may sting a little but if you are an avid lipstick
wearer then this product could be your Christmas
party saviour. Simply apply a thin layer of the
liquid on top of your lipstick and it does what it
says on the tin… locks it in. No more stains on the
wine glass or smudges on your colleagues cheeks.
Bring on the mistletoe.
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THENEXT BIG THING THIRTY BLOGGERS THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING
As the saying goes, everybody has to start
somewhere. The same goes for most of our
editorial team. They all started out somewhere
and that somewhere was blogging. While
blogging for fun or business can bring plenty
of joy, not getting the attention or recognition
for your hard work can be crushing.
There are probably times when you think to
yourself “why am I doing this?” “how do I
get more followers?” “Why don’t I get sent
samples? ARGHHHHHHHHH!”
Well, the good news is that our editorial team
know how frustrating it can be and we are
going to do something about it by introducing
a new feature highlighting upcoming talent.
After days of deliberations, a panel from
our senior editorial team (Jade, Hayley
and Lee) finalised our favourite list of thirty
up-and-coming bloggers that you should be
following. We have featured our top five here
but you can see the entre list online. We hope
you agree and don’t forget to follow them.
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TRENDLIFEMAGAZINE.COM/30BLOGGERS
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“Well for starters my name is Kiran and I am
currently studying broadcast journalism at
university.”
GEMINI FATALE “Whilst I’m loving life in the lab for the
moment, in the long term I would love to
have a job in science communication.
THE SCIENTIFIC BEAUTY
The great thing about beauty blogs/vlogs
is that they remove some of the anxiety
surrounding whether the product you’re going
to buy is actually going to work!
MISS EMMA CHARLOTTE “Thou Shalt Not Covet… is a blog dedicated
to my obsession with beautiful things, from
fashion and make up, to lifestyle and travel.
THOU SHALL NOT COVET
You can find me cuddled up with my cat
somewhere in the Midlands countryside, swatching
lipsticks, reading books, baking cakes and
untangling fairy lights.
THE AMBER SPYGLASS
THE NEXT FIVE
FAMOUS IN JAPAN
REBECCA COCO
LOVE BEAUTY & SPA
BEAUTIFACE
WILD MOON CHILD
Head online to see all thirty bloggers that
we recommend that you follow in 2015.
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The Amway Research Institute has a team of
scientists and dermatologists who have been
working hard to find the secret to young looking
skin – and they’ve found it!
The secret lies in the formation of “youth
proteins” such as sirtuin and collagen whose
natural formation decreases with age; resulting
in skin losing its moisture and elasticity, leaving
it prone to wrinkles.
ARTISTRY™ Youth Xtend is a skin care series
that helps to reprogram the skin’s biological
clock and is designed to repair the signs of skin
aging and to protect the skin against negative
environmental influences.
The range includes a 4-step Power System
consists of Enriching Cream (RRP £58.35),
Serum Concentrate (RRP £72.95), Enriching
Eye Cream (RRP £43.75) and Protecting Cream
(RRP £53.65).
Further products that complement the Power
System are Rich Cleansing Foam (RRP £38.50)
and Enriching Lotion (RRP £58.35) and
Protecting Lotion (RRP £53.65).
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Bravura London are the leading suppliers of skin resurfacing products in the UK.
Get salon results in the comfort and convenience of you own home and at a fraction
of the prices charged at beauty salons. Whether you’re treating wrinkles, face lines,
blackheads, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, acne or rosacea please visit our
website to view our range of treatments.
Not sure which products will suit you? Email our top skincare specialists who will be
happy to help create a bespoke skincare package just for you.
www.bravuralondon.com
+44 (0) 1269 593 3434 | @BravuraLondon
Free shipping on orders over £50
Nature gives you
the face you have
at twenty; it is up to
you to merit the face
you have at fifty.
- Coco Chanel
Page 23
My favourite part of the
ending of summer is that
I can carry on rocking my dark lip colours
and don’t have to endure the strange looks I
get for doing so in the middle of July; I love
darker lip shades and they love me.
So with the seasons turning it was time to
hunt out some new dark shades to rock and
also to be a little braver & try out some softer
shades… Yes, I know how strange it sounds
that I will rock a deep purple lip but the
thought of a candy floss colour or nude put
the fear of God into me. After browsing the
NV Colour site I settled on two shades of their
NV Colours Lip Crayons; Sugar Rush & Spice
Plum.
NV Colours are an online cosmetics company
with social media at their heart, they are a
way for shoppers to get closer to the brand
and also provide them with tutorials and tips.
Not only that but the colour ranges they offer
are gorgeous, it seems to me like they have
taken a less is more approach and focused
on providing a few simply gorgeous colours
instead of lots of sub-standard ones. From nail
varnishes to eye crayons the colours are right
up my street.
I love a chubby stick/crayon style product
as they are great for on the go and shoving
in your handbag, not only that but I love
the little twist to push up feature NV Colours
have used to release more on the crayon. The
formulation of these is absolutely gorgeous,
they are extremely creamy and easy to apply,
and the stick style of the product also makes it
incredibly easy to get a precise application.
The formula glides on the lips and leaves
behind a very pigmented colour that makes
your lips feel soft and hydrated. The staying
power is pretty good and last a fair few hours
before wearing off, the only downfall is that it
did wear off in patches which looked a little
unsightly.
Sugar Rush is not my usual colour but I have to
say I am pleasantly surprised by how it looks
on, it’s a slightly candy coloured pink with
lilac undertones that has a frosty(ish) finish to
it – so a little 90s in the finish.
Up next is Spiced Plum, the name alone has
me falling head over heels for it; the colour,
as you can imagine, is a deep rich plum
colour that I don’t think I could love any more.
Where Sugar Rush had a slight frost finish too
it this has a sheen like finish that makes your
lips stand out for all the right reasons.
AUTUMN PINKS & WINTER PLUMS
HAYLEY BURTON LOOKS AT THE NEW AUTUMN
RANGE OF NV COLOURS LIP CRAYONS
@TEAPARTYBEAUTY | WWW.TEAPARTYBEAUTY.COM
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3 STEPS TO
BEAUTIFUL
BROWS
3 STEPS TO
BEAUTIFUL
BROWS
BY JENNA JADE | @JADEJENNA09
WITH BILLION DOLLAR BROWS
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If like me, you probably have been over
plucking your brows over the years. I have
always had thick coarse hair and it can be a
benefit in some areas but others, not so much!
So I have been rather conscious about my
thick brows from a young age and I began
plucking them. From around the age of 18,
I started getting my brows waxed in a salon
which was a quick fix to
get my brows into shape.
So as you can imagine
by now (at the age of 26)
my brows are now over
plucked and in some areas
have stopped growing at
the same rate as the other
hairs, leaving them rather
patchy and uneven. Not a
look I’m really going for.
So this product is perfect
for me, I haven’t used
anything like this before
and I wasn’t too sure what to expect as I’m a
bit dubious about products that promote ‘hair
growth’ and ‘thicker hair’, I sometimes think
that this is just a sales tactic.
3 STEPS TO BEAUTIFUL BROWS KIT
The three products are beautifully packaged in
a vibrantly decorated box and included with
my little parcel was a handy little booklet that
show the other range BDB has to offer.
WITH BILLION DOLLAR BROWS
CONDITION: BROW BOOST
A deep conditioning treatment that is
designed to help strengthen & condition Thin,
over-tweezed brows. A natural formula with
no scary side effects. You will see visibly fuller
brows in as little as 30 days.
COLOUR: UNIVERSAL BROW PENCIL
Formulated to work with all skin tones &
hair colours. This amazing
pencil goes on smooth and
natural. Perfect for creating
beautiful, natural brows
for when you’re on-the-go.
The pencil’s versatile colour
works with almost all hair
colours and skin tones. Use
the brush on the opposite
end of the pencil to blend
to perfection!.
CONTROL: CLEAR
BROW GEL
Brow Gel will lock in your
look, giving your eyebrows
a long-lasting, radiant glow while keeping
them perfectly in place all day. It’s the perfect
finishing touch for giving your brows a
polished, perfectly manicured look.
HEAD ONLINE TO READ MORE
For more beauty tips and product reviews,
head online and review our beauty section.
WWW.TRENDLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
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READY WHATEVER
THE WEATHER
PROTECTED SPECIES
WATERPROOF PARKA
HUNTER BALMORAL WESTERLEY
LULU GUINNESS
BIRDCAGE UMBRELLA
COACH
BLEECKER SOFT PORT DUFFLE LEATHER BAG
FIORELLI STELLA LARGE TAN PURSE
Page 27
Do not be fooled by the lack of rain and
mild weather. We have entered winter which
means that arctic weather and biblical rain
showers are hiding around the corner waiting
to catch us out. To help you keep dry and
stylish, our editorial team have selected the
following products to add to your wardrobe.
Lulu Guinness Birdcage Umbrella
£32 | www.houseoffraser.co.uk
What better way to get rid of those dark
clouds then carrying a beautiful Birdcage
Umbrella? Inspiration was taken from Lulu’s
Birdcage collectable handbag.
Protected Species Waterproof Parka
£179 | www.protected-species.com
Made with signature Fluid Intelligence
fabric, the Northern Quarter Waterproof
Parka is lean and sleek with a feminine cut
to maximise the flattering drape and stretch
of the fabric. Keep dry in heavy downpour
while remaining stylish.
Coach Bleecker Soft Port Duffle Bag
£345 | www.johnlewis.com
Embossed with the iconic horse and carriage
logo, this new Coach duffle is crafted in
the same rich glove-tanned leather as the
original. The darling design is finished with a
zip-top closure to keep the contents dry.
Hunter Balmoral Westerley
£179 | www.hunter-boot.com
The Hunter Westerley has classic Hunter
styling giving a refined look and fit to suit all
your lifestyle needs. The Sympatex® lining
provides complete waterproof protection
whilst retaining breathable comfort.
Fiorelli Stella Large Zip Round Purse
£30 | www.fiorelli.com
This beautiful and well crafted Fiorelli purse
won’t keep you warm or dry but it would
keep all your essentials organised minimising
frantic searching in the rain.
WHEN
IT RAINS... STAY DRY AND STYLISH WITH THESE WINTER ESSENTIALS
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WINTER TRENDS
If you are going to buy one item for Autumn
and Winter this year, make sure it is a warm,
durable and stylish coat. But with so many
choices, how do you pick the perfect coat
that would see you through both Autumn and
Winter?
Colour - If this is to be your only winter coat
and an investment piece, choose a neutral
colour as this will literally go with any other
colour in your wardrobe.
Fabrics & Style - Choosing the right fabric can
be difficult. If you wish to enhance your small
frame and create shape, thick and bulky will
really work.
Insulation - If your budget allows you to,
always go for quality natural down over
synthetic . Natural down lasts much longer
and keeps in more heat.
While winter coats are practical items,
they can also be on trend for the fashion
conscious with many styles and materials
available to suit every taste and budget.
Canadian premium down jacket brand Nobis
offer a range of styles in their A/W 2014
collection. Split across The Collective, The
Flyweight and the Nobis Core collection,
they have a coat to keep you warm and
stylish this season.
EMBRACE WINTER AS THE COLD BEGINS TO SETTLES IN
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Ivana Petriiski is wearing a Nobis Ladies overcoat
Martynas Paulauskas wearing a Nobis Men’s
Quilited jacket
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To see more from this Winter shoot, go online
to TrendLifeMagazine.com. We would like
to thank the team at Fanhams Hall Hotel.
Located in Ware, Fanhams Hall is a beautiful
Jacobean Manor House which is home to the
stunning Grade II listed gardens.
The Gardens at Fanhams Hall were created
between 1900 and 1910 by Richard and
Anne Page-Croft. Nowadays they are
carefully and lovingly being restored with the
help and guidance of the English Heritage
Board.
THE BEAUTIFUL GRADE II LISTED GARDENS AT
FANHAMS HALL
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FANHAMS HALL AT
WWW.EHVENUES.COM
Page 32
ROCAWEAR
MEETS
CATFISH
Page 33
Rocawear, the ultimate music-inspired
streetwear brand announces the endorsement
of the TV mega star Nev Schulman from the
smash hit show Catfish. Nev will become
the brand ambassador for Rocawear across
Europe fronting the new AW ’14 campaign.
Producer, actor and photographer, Nev
Schulman follows on from a host of stars
and celebrities such as Dynamo Magician
and Rick Genest that have been shot for the
brand.
33
The Autumn Winter collection from Rocawear
has four main stories running through it – Roc
Statue, Monochrome Roc, Roc Camo and
Roc Compass. An evolved look from the
Spring Summer ’14 range, the new collection
stays true to Rocawear’s DNA with its roots
in music and fuses the best elements of
sportswear with a premium street aesthetic.
Nev shot to fame with the American
docudrama TV series, Catfish. Based on the
2010 acclaimed and cult-hit documentary
film of the same name, the show airs on
MTV and depicts the truths and lies of online
dating.
A bold move from the streetwear giants,
Rocawear proves yet again that its refreshed
wardrobe is exciting and compelling just like
the new face that represents it.
Stalwarts from the range include outerwear
pieces such as the Roc Parka and the PU
Flight. An exceptional parka jacket, the
Roc Parka is crafted with excellent leather-
style panelling detail and the flight jacket
showcases a credible on-trend aesthetic.
The t-shirt line up offers some of the best
designs yet. The 2Face pays homage to
Jay-Z’s world famous 2013 Magna Carter
Tour with emblazoned powerful imagery
that’s influenced from Greek mythology.
Now available on the UK high street as well
as Europe, Rocawear continues to present
quality innovation each season and firmly
roots itself in the European streetwear scene.
Staying true to its heritage, Rocawear
continues to establish itself as the ultimate
music fashion brand.
MENSWEAR TRENDS
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Fossil Coachman Men’s Digital Watch
£93 | www.watchshop.com
The Fossil Coachman revives and refreshes one of the brand’s earliest
and most-loved timepieces, the famous Big Tick. Updated the design with
a thick brown leather cuff, digital seconds display and utilitarian dial, this
sporty watch is perfect for the fashion-forward man.
Hush Puppies Desert II Taupe Suede
£79.99 | www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Stride into the new season in the smart
suede HUSH PUPPIES Happen Men’s
Casual Desert Boot in camel. Designed
with your comfort foremost in mind, the
casual boot is crafted with a leather lined
latex footbed to cushion every step. The
on-trend winter shade and ankle cut make
the lace-up a stylish choice. Best with
stonewash jeans, or navy chinos
Stone Island Vintage Wash Denim
£149 | Various retailers
Stone washed regular tapered 12oz 5
pocket denim from Stone island which
features a button fly and the iconic
detachable compass badge on
the back right pocket.
Each pair of jeans have
been treated with
vintage scratch effects and washed to
create a vintage wash finish.
Adidas ZX Flux 8K Weave
£80 | www.schuh.co.uk
The highly anticipated adidas Weave
pack arrives with the ZX Flux 8K at
schuh. This woven running silhouette is
dressed in a seamless white and grey
upper, sat on a TORSION technology
sole unit.
34
Page 35
Wanted
for him
A.P.C. x Kanye Bomber Jacket
£485 | www.endclothing.co.uk
The latest round from the collaboration
between a true END. favourite and one
of modern music’s most forward thinking
figures, the A.P.C. x Kanye collection for
AW14 takes up where last season left off,
The A.P.C. x Kanye Bomber Jacket is
designed in line with the incredible
attention that runs through the collection.
Cut from a cotton blend fabric, this
inspired reworking of a traditional
military design is executed with a
considered and restrained selection of
design flourishes. Constructed with a
genuine shearling lined collar and a
careful selection of structural detailing,
it is kitted out with two patch covered
pockets, a full Riri zipped closure and a
full cotton lining.
Original Penguin Heritage Shirt
£45 | www.endclothing.co.uk
Go online to our website to read an exclusive review
of the latest from iconic British brand Penguin.
Page 38
From Tim Howard’s and Pirlo’s masterclasses
in the World Cup to Russell Brands political
exploits and Bradley Cooper’s Oscar selfie
No matter where you have looked, neatly
kept beards have been the order of the day
in 2014.
WHAT IS CORNERSTONE?
Cornerstone is new men’s shaving brand
offering a flexible, regular delivery of its razors
and shaving products. It’s a simple, more
convenient way for men to shave.
The journey begins at cornerstone.co.uk,
where customers are asked two questions:
(i) How often do you shave?
(ii) Which products from the Cornerstone
range would you like in your box?
Cornerstone uses these answers to suggest a
regular delivery schedule tailored to the
customer’s personal shaving routine.
Before each scheduled delivery, the customer
receives an email to alert them of their
upcoming delivery, giving them the chance to
change their product selection or the delivery
schedule of their Cornerstone box, as well
as allowing them to cancel or pause their plan
at any time if they’re not ready for their
next set of products.
THE BIRTH OF CORNERSTONE
Young entrepreneur Oliver Bridge launched
Cornerstone in June 2014, having raised
£175,000 from a group of angel investors
and teamed up with leading packaging
designers, dermatologists and web developers
to bring the idea to life.
INTRODUCING A BETTER WAY TO SHAVE
38
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Cornerstone was born out
of Oliver’s personal frustrations
with the discomfort and expensive
nature of wet shaving – he felt that
combining quality products with
modern technology would be a
powerful way to disrupt the men’s
shaving market.
THE PRODUCT RANGE
Pre-Shave Face Scrub – blended
with volcanic sand and
cedarwood to help release
ingrowing hairs, reduce shaving
spots, unblock pores and lift dead
skin cells.
Shave Gel - blended with ginger
and eucalyptus, protecting and
rehydrating skin to help reduce
shaving irritation.
Razor Blades + Aluminium Razor
Handle – sharp, durable razors
mounted on a lightweight alloy
aluminium razor handle.
Each razor has five blades, an
aloe vera moisturising strip and
a flexible head for precision and
control.
Post-Shave Balm – blended with
mint and honey to cool, refresh
and moisturise skin after shaving.
The Cornerstone range was
developed in partnership with
expert dermatologists and
manufactured in the UK.
For a chance to win your own
cornerstone box, go online to
trendlifemagazine.com/shavebetter
now to enter our competition.
TELL US WHICH NICELY BEARDED GENT HAS THE MOST
FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER TO WIN A CORNERSTONE BOX
Page 41
41
Ever since she landed in New York City in
2007 at age 17 and signing with Jay Z’s Roc
Nation label in 2008, British pop singer Rita
Ora’s eclectic, look-at-me style has made her
an instant “It” girl.
With her signature peroxide blond hair,
cherry-red lips and pinup sex appeal, Ora
serves up a haute-meets-hip-hop look. She
rocked dresses with sneakers long before it
became a trend, yet she can transform into a
siren by night, as she did in a red silk, slit-up-
to-there Donna Karan gown at the MTV Video
Music Awards last month.
Just this year, Ora has launched nail polish
and lip colour with Rimmel, debuted a multi-
season collaborative line with Adidas, posed
in ads for DKNY and Roberto Cavalli, walked
the fall-winter runways for Jeremy Scott’s debut
collection for Moschino and DKNY, and
landed the role of Mia Grey in the upcoming
film “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Rita is also the face of Donna Karan’s MYNY,
DKNY’s newest fragrance that brings the spirit
of NYC to the world and encourages trends
setters and style mavens to share their passion,
stories and New York experiences with others.
The top is simultaneously spontaneous,
playful and bold. The heart is stylish and
sophisticated. Built around a very sensual
Egyptian jasmine, the bouquet combines
freesia with roots of orris. The trail is truly
unique, contemporary and powerful like
New York’s irresistible appeal .
THE FACE OF DKNY MYNY
RITA ORA
Page 42
Coined the Natural Hair Movement, women
of colour are putting down their straighteners
and embracing their curls and kinks across
the globe. Leading the way here in the UK is
Dionne Wright, founder of Dee Naturals.
Natural hair advocates Dee Naturals have
been promoting self-love, positivity and well-
being to women of all ages and races via
workshops, events and very unique natural hair
products. We got the opportunity to speak with
Dionne about Dee Naturals.
What is your vision for Dee
Naturals?
Since we launched in August, we have
provided one to one hair consultations and
workshops designed to support individuals in
making positive life choices.
As the movement grows, Dee Naturals’ vision
is to produce and sell products unique natural
based products that will have a place in the
global market.
Dee Naturals has already created a platform
for all women to explore and be educated
about their natural hair and well-being. We
aim to do this by continuing to produce high
quality products with excellent satisfaction and
customer service.
We know you focus on education.
How important is that to you?
Dee Naturals essentially fills any educational
gap in regards to nutritional health. No matter
where our customers are on their hair journey
they will receive support and advice with
transitioning, styling for different occasions and
convenient quick and easy styles.
APPRECIATING NATURAL HAIR
WITH DIONNE WRIGHT, FOUNDER OF DEE NATURALS
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We also educate on product
ingredients, hair routine and
processes, tips and know how.
And what about long
term goals for Dee
Naturals?
Dee Naturals aims to inspire
and empower women and girls
to embrace their natural hair and
health. They give individuals the
tools to self-help and become
confident in their approach to
positive health and hair care.
I would like Dee Naturals to be
recognised internationally for
it’s products and workshops.
One of our aims is to host and
attend international workshops
and events educating women
all over the world about natural
hair products for all. We are
very excited about the new
opportunities that awaits us.
We understand that you
have a clothing line too.
Are these available to
purchase?
Customers are able to purchase
our clothing line online via our
website www.deenaturals.com.
Models: Denise Cooke, Nyah Cooke Moodie, Dionne Wright,
Joanna Harrison, Melissa Morris, Paulette Harris-German,
Renelle D Morris & Rhiannon Atkins-Wright.
Muziq Walters - Studio Ina Bag Photography
Jewellery by I-Smile Jewellery
Page 44
ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC / TELEVISION / CINEMA / GADGETS
THE X FACTOR EYES UP A XMAS NO.1
AND EXPLOSIVE DECEMBER FINALE
Accusations of favouritism, negative reactions
to novelty acts, complaints from previous
contestants and miming accusations were all
to blame for the falling viewer numbers but
something about this year’s semi-finalists points
to a revival of fortunes for Simon Cowell’s show.
The eleventh series of the popular X Factor
returned with a new line-up that saw the return
of Simon Cowell, Mel B & Cheryl Fernandez-
Versini as fans said goodbye to Gary Barlow,
Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne from
the previous series.
Simon’s return and the changes to the format
can be seen as the shake up the series has
needed to fight declining viewing numbers.
This season has not been the best but with a
strong semi final that involves no novelty acts
will give the show the explosive December
finale Simon dreams of. Fleur East, Ben
Haenow, Andrea Faustini and Lauren Platt
will battle it out for the 2014 crown and
almost certain Christmas No.1. Who do we
think will win? It can only be...
Page 45
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Page 50
Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels are returning to the UK
screens with ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ to choke
you with laughter.
It has been 20 years since the dumb brothers
Lloyd and Harry were on their first adventure.
Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind), Jeff Daniels (Looper), Laurie Holden (The
Walking Dead) and Kathleen Turner (The Virgin
Suicides) star in Dumb and Dumber To, the
comedy sequel of Dumb and Dumber.
The new Farrelly brothers movie returns with one
of the most ridiculously brilliant setups where
Carrey’s Lloyd fakes a coma for twenty years.
Soon after Harry falls for Lloyd’s absurd joke he
finds out that he has a daughter. Harry’s dim
witted friends Lloyd takes a look at her picture
and falls for her instantly which leads them to
go on a ludicrous road trip to find Harry’s long
lost daughter, who was given up for adoption
years ago.
‘Dumb and Dumber To’ is exactly the opposite
of this summers unexpected hit ‘Lucy’ where a
woman was forced to use 100% of her brain
capacity. In this sequel, we will be watching
two guys who are dumber than beyond belief
which will burst you into laughter.
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50
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THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
You know it’s a 2014 Annie
remake when Miss Hannigan
has a Facebook profile and
Annie gets her photo posted on
Twitter.
Oddly, the latest trailer for Will
Gluck’s retelling of the popular
Broadway musical doesn’t
actually feature any singing or
dancing, but it does establish
the fact that Annie’s long-lost
parents once wished to be
reunited with her, and that they
just might get their wish.
Produced by Jay-Z (who
famously sampled “Hard Knock
Life” in 1998) and starring
Oscar nominee Quvenzhané
Wallis in the lead role as Annie.
This updated remake is one of
the big family movie releases set
to hit theaters over the Christmas
holidays this year, alongside
Disney’s musical adaptation Into
the Woods and the Ben Stiller
threequel Night at the Museum:
Secret of the Tomb.
From acclaimed director Ridley
Scott (“Gladiator,” “Prometheus”)
comes the epic adventure
“Exodus: Gods and Kings,”
the story of one man’s daring
courage to take on the might of
an empire.
Using state of the art visual
effects and 3D immersion, Scott
directs the retelling of the classic
story of Moses and Ramses,
starring Christian Bale and Joel
Edgerton. Moses turns against
the Pharaoh, his adopted
brother, upon learning of his
destiny - to lead his people, the
Jews, in their exodus from Egypt.
The Egyptians suffer horrific
plagues as long as the Jews
remain their slaves.
‘Exodus: Gods And Kings’
sees Scott return to the colossal
scale of his Best Picture-winning
‘Gladiator’ and features a
wealth of talent in its supporting
cast, including Sigourney
Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Aaron
Paul and John Turturro.
This final battle brings to an
epic conclusion the adventures
of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin
Oakenshield, and the Company
of Dwarves.
Having reclaimed their
homeland from the Dragon
Smaug, the Company has
unwittingly unleashed a deadly
force into the world. Enraged,
Smaug rains his fiery wrath
down upon the defenseless
men, women and children of
Lake-town.
Obsessed above all else with
his reclaimed treasure, Thorin
sacrifices friendship and honor
to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic
attempts to make him see
reason drive the Hobbit towards
a desperate and dangerous
choice.
But there are even greater
dangers ahead. Unseen by
any but the Wizard Gandalf,
the great enemy Sauron has
sent forth legions of Orcs in a
stealth attack upon the Lonely
Mountain.
EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS
ANNIE
Page 52
You don’t need a criminal lawyer
You need a criminal lawyer
After months of leaks, gossip and outright online
lies. Breaking Bad fans are set to got their first
glimpse at the series’ spin-off, Better Call Saul.
So what do we know about the series?
When will it be on our screens?
AMC originally stated the show will be on AMC
and Netflix towards the end of 2014 but that
has been pushed back to February 2015.
Is the show a prequal or sequal?
“I hesitate to say it, but it is indeed a period
piece,” said creator Vince Gilligan. The show
is due to start six years in the past. “When
we meet him, the man who will become Saul
Goodman is known as Jimmy McGill, a small-
time lawyer searching for his destiny, and, more
immediately, hustling to make ends meet.
Who will feature from the original
Breaking Bad series?
As a prequal set before Walt became
Heisenberg, the chances of seeing any of the
White family in the beginning of the show are
slim but you can expect to see some of the
shows favourites including Mike Ehrmantraut and
possibly Hank Schrader. Newcomers to the story
include characters played by Patrick Fabian as
Hamlin, Rhea Seehorn as Kim, Michael Mando
as Nacho and Michael McKean as Chuck.
Can Better Call Saul fill the boots of
Breaking Bad?
Probably not but with the creative Vince Gilligan
and Peter Gould working on the series and a
well developed lead character, maybe this could
be what Frasier was to Cheers.
BETTER CALL SAUL
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Helping children r ach their full potenial
www.hope-for-children.rg
Hope for Children is a registered charity in England and Wales (1041258). Registered address: 2nd Floor West, 11 Bridge Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1EG
Over the past 20 years we have been working tirelessly to help orphaned, poor, exploited &
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From running a marathon through to volunteering, find out how YOU can get involved:
e
Page 54
54
Mario Balotelli has been warned that he must
start adapting to Brendan Rodgers’s playing
style or the striker will spend most of the
second half of the season on the Liverpool
substitutes’ bench.
Having spent six months altering tactics in an
effort to get the best from the Italian, Rodgers
said that it was up to Balotelli to adjust to
Liverpool’s revived attacking formula to have
any chance of being a regular starter.
Rodgers admitted that it had been obvious
since moving to Merseyside that Balotelli was
unsuited to the pressing, high-intensity game
he wanted set in stone at Anfield, and with
remarks that will cast further doubt on the
long-term future of the striker, suggested his
role would be as deputy unless he changed.
Raheem Sterling has been preferred as a
striker in recent games although Balotelli was
purchased as an all out striker to replace to
the departed Suarez.
“We have seen that level of intensity and
pressing isn’t part of his game,” Rodgers said.
“Working with him for the period of time he’s
been here we have seen that he’s probably
someone who’s better in and around the box.
But you try to get the best out of the players
you have and the qualities they have. So
that’s something we will focus on.”
Asked if Balotelli would have to get used to
being on the bench while Rodgers adopted
his current 3-4-3 system, he said: “It’s
something he would have to. If the team
is going to need him from the bench then
it’s something he would have to become
adjusted to.”
Rodgers could not have done much more in
an effort to accommodate the Italian striker
since the summer move but, with a tactical
shape that puts the onus firmly on defending
from the front, it will require a complete
makeover in Balotelli’s game to find him a
WHY
ALWAYS
HIM? THE DAMP FIREWORK HAS FAILED
TO REPLACE SUAREZ AT LIVERPOOL
Page 55
place in the current preferred line-up.
Balotelli’s prospects at Anfield have been
questioned since the moment he joined, with
Liverpool inserting financial penalty clauses
in the striker’s contract which pre-empted
potential problems.
He was described as a “calculated risk” on
arrival from AC Milan in a £16 million deal
but has still not scored a Premier League goal
this season and will fall further down the
pecking order once Daniel Sturridge makes
his return from injury in the new year.
A return to Serie A con tinues to look the
most likely long-term outcome for the Italian,
although Liverpool suggest that he will
remain at the club until the summer, at least.
That does not mean that the club would not
welcome interest if they could recoup any of
their fee at the earliest oppor tunity, with the
move for Balotelli looking increasingly like a
misplaced bet.
While Rodgers questions how quickly the
24-year-old can fit into his side, other recent
recruits are being tipped to flourish over
the next few months – most notably Adam
Lallana. Lallana has also endured a mixed
start on Mersey side, but has impressed in
Rodgers’s new formation.
Page 56
THE RACE IS BACK ON... BUT WHO WILL IS GOING TO LEAD THEIR TEAM ON TO VICTORY?
Manchester United’s dramatic fall from grace
during the 2013/2014 season created a storm
that produced one of the most fascinating
premier league title races in recent memory.
While United struggled to get into second gear
under ‘The Chosen One’ David Moyes, Arsenal,
Chelsea and Liverpool took it in turns to lead the
table, before Manchester City silently crept up
on them to take the spoils.
Paying tribute to his side, who also won the
League Cup last season, City manager Manuel
Pellegrini said: “They always believed what I
told them about how I wanted to play and how
I think football should be.”
The title was just reward for a team whose
cavalier attack plundered 102 goals and
dealt crushing defeats to United, Arsenal and
Tottenham Hotspur - among others - but it with
all that said, it did take an amazing Merseyside
collapse for City to cross the line first.
With only three games remaining, Liverpool had
one hand propping up the league table and
the other firmly on the premier league trophy for
what look like their first league win since 1990.
Will Liverpool be able to compete again? Can
United regain their pride under Va Gaal? Has
Mourinho found that final piece to the puzzle?
Will Pellegrini be able to get the same out of
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the same squad for another year like Sir Alex
Ferguson did for his back to back titles?
Whoever knows all those answers will be able
to pick the which team will have the trophy at
the end of the season. You may have noticed
no mention of Wenger and that is simply
because Arsenal, like Tottenham will not be
in the running this season. The only team in
London that will be in contention after the festive
period will be Chelsea.
Having signed Diego Costa & former Arsenal
playmaker Fàbregas, Mourinho has fixed the
chink in his armour.
Chelsea won’t be short of goals with the
creativity of Fàbregas in the midfield and
deadly finishing of Costa. Add in Mourinho’s
tactical ability and it seems like the writing is on
the wall.
The only other serious team in contention is the
blue half of Manchester. If Pellagrino can get
his team to perform at the same level as last
season, they are in with a chance but rumours
of dressing room discontent signals mutiny.
Looking at the other end of the table, on of the
key questions for the newly promoted teams is
who has the stomach for a ugly scrap?
DO QPR HAVE
ENOUGH
QUALITY TO
STAY UP?
DO BURNLEY LACK EXPERIENCE AT
THIS LEVEL?
CAN LEICESTER BUILD ON
THEIR SUCCESS?
MOURINHO’S
PLAN
IS COMING
TOGETHER
AND WITH
SUCH A
STRONG TEAM
THE TITLE IS
THEIRS TO
LOSE
Page 58
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140 High Street South, Dunstable
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www.pchelpcentre.com
@pchelpcentre /pchelpcentreltd
Page 59
PRODUCT
REVIEWS BOOMPODS POWERCASE / BASSBUDS BASSBOOMZ
Page 60
BOOMPODS POWERCASE PROS & CONS
THE ACTUAL SPECS
Whenever Apple launch a new iPhone, one of the
talking points is battery life and despite all the pre-
launch promises and hype, your iPhone battery will
die at the most convenient time. The Boompods
Powercase claims to offer 130% more power so
we just had to put it to the test.
APPEARANCE | 8/10
After spending a small fortune on your beautiful
iPhone, the last thing you want to do is ruin its
appearance with a clumsy looking case. Once
on, the case does add a little weight but the good
thing is that the extra weight is hardly noticeable
and the case adds a slickness to the phone. Yes,
plastic will never feel the same as polished metal
but the feel of the Boompods powercase is rather
smooth and silky.
The only change we would have like to have seen
would have been an actual screen cover to protect
the screen from scratches and keep dirt out.
FUNCTIONALITY | 9/10
The most important factor is functionality and this is
where the Boompods powercase scores top marks.
The built-in 2400mAh rechargeable battery really
does what Boompods says and delivers twice the
standard life you will get from a full charge on your
iPhone. On the back are 4 helpful LED lights that
tell you how much energy you have left and also
the charging status.
VALUE FOR MONEY | 8/10
Retailing at £79.99, the iPhone 5/5s powercase offers good value for money when you
take into consideration the quality and functionality. Yes, there are cheaper options out there
but given most of these are not licensed or approved by Apple (MFi certified), chances are
they would have been made to a much cheaper standard and the power you get from each
charge will not match up to what the powercase offers.
60
• Battery power really delivers
• Lightweight & adds little weight to phone
• Great finish and comfortable to hold
• Phone & case are charged at same time
• No screen protection
• Slight loss of loudspeaker sound
Page 61
THE ACTUAL SPECS
Good things really do come in small packages and these BassBoomz Bluetooth speakers from
Bassbuds really do deliver. Packed in these stylish 6cm x 7cm speakers is a performance Li-ion
rechargeable battery delivering 5-6 hours and 4Watts of music on the go.
With a 10m range and dual connectivity for true stereo sound, BassBuds BassBoomz
Bluetooth speakers can be used with all Bluetooth® enabled devices such as laptops,
smartphones and tablets as well as non-Bluetooth® devices like MP3 players via AUX input.
APPEARANCE | 9/10
Strong, sturdy and compact. Available
in more colours than you would find
down a Homebase paint aisle, Bassbuds
are available in Premier League colours
(bassbuds.co.uk/fc) and can also be
engraved making it an ideal present for
Christmas.
FUNCTIONALITY | 8/10
This little high performance portable
bluetooth speaker does everything it
says on the luxurious gift box we got it
in. The Bassboomz is not as powerful as
some of the more expensive units and
larger units on the market so the clever
team at Birmingham based Bassbuds
have enabled you to connect two for true
stereo sound.
The dual connectivity cable costs less
than £3 meaning two units and the
cable still cost just over £100.
VALUE FOR MONEY | 10/10
The BassBoomz Bluetooth speaker retails for £49.99 which puts the speaker firmly in the mid
range market of Bluetooth portables considering the high level of sound quality you get from
this little unit. The official custom FC Collection is amazingly also priced at £49.99 making it
an ideal Christmas present.
BASSBUDS BASSBOOMZ PROS & CONS
• Six hours playting time from a full charge
• Strong & sturdy design
• Available in various colours
• Strong & sturdy design
• No volume button on unit
• Pushing the unit up to maximum volume
does create some distortion
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54
BIGGER
AND BETTER
AND IT WILL CONNECT TO THESE BAD BOYS
THAT LAUNCH EARLY IN 2015
Page 63
APPLE IPHONE 6
PROS
• Sleek new design
• Great display
• Comfortable to hold
• Fast performance
• Generally good camera
CONS
• Battery life could be better
• Lacks optical image stabilization
• NFC can only be used for
mobile payments
Even with a slightly larger screen, the
iPhone remains comfortable to hold.
With fast performance, a great display,
an elegant new design and a much-
needed software update, it’s one of the
best smartphones you can buy right now.
We wish it had the same long battery life
as the iPhone 6 Plus (not to mention its
optical image stabilization) but even then,
the iPhone 6 is still the better choice for
most people.
APPLE IPHONE 6 PLUS
PROS
• Large, beautiful display
• Great camera with optical
image stabilization
• Long battery life
• Fast performance
CONS
• One-handed use is frustrating and
uncomfortable
• NFC can only be used for
mobile payments
The iPhone 6 Plus is difficult to use
one-handed, not to mention more
uncomfortable than similar-sized phones.
In exchange, though, you get more of
an iPad-like user experience on a much
smaller device.
WHAT WE THINK
To say that Apple’s doing things differently
would be an understatement. With the 4.7-inch
iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, the
company introduced two new high-end phones
at the same time, both with a complete redesign
and a much larger screen size than any iPhone
that came before.
Gone are the days of 3.5-inch and 4-inch
phones that, at one time, seemed to provide
more than ample amounts of screen space.
Even though this is Apple’s first attempt at build -
ing large phones, it’s not breaking new ground
-- in fact, it feels more like the company is catch -
ing up than innovating.
To be fair, finding a fresh take is a difficult
thing to do in this crowded space: Samsung’s
Galaxy Note series, which started out at 5.3
inches and is now up to 5.7, is selling by the
millions, and most competing flagships aren’t
much smaller.
Basically, Apple would be leaving money on
the table if it didn’t address this segment of the
market. So how did the company do on its first
try at large phones? Pretty well -- mostly.
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The 1 Series Coupe has to be one of BMW’s
shortest lived models, launching to the UK market
in 2007, production ended just six and a half
years later. The replacement for 2014, the 2
Series, fills the vacancy as part of BMW’s new
naming strategy. So is it a case of 2 becomes
1, or has the 2 Series moved the game on in the
sports coupe sector?
A high-strung, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
comes boosted by a twin-scroll turbocharger
and is backed by an eight-speed automatic with
paddle shifters or a six-speed manual.
The quick-shifting flappy paddle helps the 228i
hit 60 mph in a surprising 5.7 seconds.
What’s more, the 228i’s chassis share many
of its designs and parts with the 228i coupe,
giving it some street cred right out of the box.
The 228i xDrive brings an extra level of usability
to the 2 Series Convertible’s lineup. With a
normal torque split favouring the rear axle, the
xDrive 2 has plenty of sport still in its chassis.
However, when the weather turns rough, all four
wheels grip the road. The xDrive system even
makes itself useful in the dry, helping the 228i
xDrive knock a tenth of a second off the 228i’s
0 to 60 mph time.
While the now-dead 1 Series may have been
the first drop-top contender in the premium
sub-compact segment, the new 228i and 228i
xDrive take the legacy into the future. If 1 Series
130,000 units sold worldwide is any indication
of the 2 Series Convertible’s potential success,
BMW’s latest convertible will have no trouble
finding homes across the Three Counties.
THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON THE NEW
BMW 2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE
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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 67
IN OUR NEXT ISSUE
KEY FASHION
TRENDS FOR SS15
One of the most surprising
trends this year’s London
Fashion Week was the rise
of the normal! The runways
were full of easy going and
inherently wearable styles;
casual and sporty were the
go to looks, paired with
rucksacks, flat loafers and
trainers.
NEW YEAR NEW ME
Most of us will make a
New Year’s resolution -
maybe to lose weight, quit
smoking or drink less - but
only one in 10 of us will
achieve our goal. Our
guide will help you keep on
track regardless if you are
trying to save money, eat
healthier or quit smoking.
MOTORING TRENDS
Initially shown as a concept
at the LA Auto show in
2013, the Ford Edge will
sit above the Kuga and
the Ecosport in Ford’s SUV
range. It’ll be the first time
the model, a top seller in
the US, has come to the UK
under the company’s new
One Ford strategy.
BEAUTY TRENDS
FOR SPRING
Apparently Spring 2015
Beauty Trends are all about
Contouring! There are so
many contour palettes and
products launching right
now that promise to make
contouring your face an
easy breezy experience.
We review five of the best.
