Top Care Tips for Real Christmas Trees

With the festive season only five weeks away the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) sent us through its top tips on how to care for real Christmas trees, making sure they keep looking fresher for longer.

• Buy a newly cut British grown Christmas tree from a local BCTGA member for guaranteed freshness. Please visit www.bctga.co.uk to source

• Trees come in all shapes and sizes. Choose one that fits into the designated space in the home

• Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible and store in a cool location until needed

• Cut about ½ inch off the butt to open the tree pores before placing the Christmas tree in a water retaining stand and moving it indoors

• Keep the tree away from direct heat to prevent it drying out; expect it to absorb a gallon of water in the first twenty-four hours, and at least a quarter per day thereafter

• Inspect light sets before placing them on the tree (replace if worn), and always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed

Wondering which tree to get?

• For the all-rounder, a Nordman Fir is perfect as it offers a fresh scent and keeps its needles very well. It is currently the UK’s favourite Christmas tree, representing more than 50% of sales each year

• Minimalists will love the Serbian spruce with a sleek profile that compliments any modern space beautifully

• The avant-garde will be drawn to the Blue Spruce as its metallic-blue sheen boasts originality

• Traditionalist may opt for one of the Pines – Lodgepole and Scots – or a Norway Spruce as they hold that ideal Christmas tree aroma, certain to bring back memories of years gone by

The Glam Show Live – ticket giveaway!

Bethanie Lunn – our very own Queen of Fabulousness – will be appearing at The Glam Show Live later this month, where she will be divulging more of her insider secrets and further advice on her four fabulous commandments!

The girls at Glam Show Live have kindly offered Bookshelf Boyfriend readers a £5 discount on the Silver Day Ticket* – simply enter the code BETHL0709 in the promotional box on the ticket form.

*discount code valid until 15th October 2009

The ultimate day out for women is coming to Earls Court London Saturday 31st October – Sunday 1st November – The Glam Show in association with TV’s lifestyle expert Nicky Hambleton-Jones.

Showcasing the latest in women’s fashion, lifestyle, health and beauty the event will combine fantastic shopping opportunities together with fabulous fashion shows and the latest in products and services.

The two-day exhibition will host fashion shows throughout each day, featuring the most up-front fashion trends for autumn/winter, alongside vintage style presentations and expert demonstrations in all aspects of beauty, health and lifestyle.

**WIN WIN WIN** A VIP GOLD DAY TICKET TO THE GLAM SHOW LIVE!!!

To help kick off the fun, the Glam Show has also donated six Glam Gold VIP tickets which include entry to all eight feature zones, access to the VIP lounge, a Glam luxury goody bag and a Glam event guide.

To be in with a chance of winning one, fill in the subscription form on Bethanie’s website being sure to state your full name, postal address, email address and which day you would prefer (Saturday or Sunday) – and winners will be picked out of a very stylish hat!

Read Bethanie’s article How to Be Fabulous: My Four Fabulous Commandments on BookshelfBoyfriend.com

80s Glamour by Bethanie Lunn

If you can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, wore biker shorts under your skirts (and felt stylish), and watched Fraggle Rock then you were born in the 80s! A great decade though not usually remembered for its fashion genius. Regardless, the 80s are the inspirational decade of the moment and I have to say, through gritted teeth, I’m liking it.

I’m donning my leggings in the day with an oversized sweater that covers my behind (this is a MUST for anyone in leggings), and my body con dress at night.

Here are a few of my favourites…

Body Con Dresses

I didn’t think I could fit into one without resembling a sausage in too-tight casing but they really do hold you in, in all the right places if they’re made well, though a pair of Spanx won’t go amiss either.

Try the classic Red Ruched Bodycon Dress, £35.00 from Miss Selfridge or to embrace two trends in one hit, choose the Rare Multi Colour Body Con Dress, £40.00  – mini but flattering.

 

 

 

Colour Blocking

Bright colours are a hit every summer, we all know that but this season the way to wear them is in blocks of contrasting colours. 

  Have you noticed how fantastic Dorothy Perkins is at the moment? It’s oozing on-trend styles and covetable accessories and their Black colour block dress, £40.00  is a sure-fire way to make heads turn for all the right reasons.

 

 

Jump suits

Again, not a trend I thought would flatter me but jumpsuits cover a multitude of sins (and heavy suppers!), and if you choose the right one for your height, shape and style – you will look like a super stylish throw back.

Playsuits tend to be all-in-ones of a shorter length, often cropped at the knee or above whereas jumpsuits are often floor length, full trouser suits.

They’re great for work or the beach and both styles are so versatile. The look can change dramatically with accessories. Add a blazer and flats in the day for the office and exchange these for reams of mismatched chunky bangles, draping necklaces and sky-high stilettos for the bar.

For true slinky elegance, my favourite has to be the Karen Millen Jumpsuit, £160.00 (www.asos.com). Made of soft satin with a sash tie belted waist and a mandarin collar. If you check it out on ASOS, it has been reduced to £95.00! (Just don’t blame me if it has sold out by the time you look!)

 

All prices and stockists were accurate at the time of publishing.

Bethanie Lunn is now writing her Girls Guide to Fabulousness for Bookshelf Boyfriend.

May gardening jobs

The weather hasn’t exactly be great over the last few days, but we’re all promised at least a little bit sunshine this weekend. So what better than a perfect excuse to get yourself out in the garden and get on with a few of those jobs you’ve been meaning to get round to. They’re all pretty quick and simple, so you should get them done before the rain returns!

• Lettuce and mixed salad leaves, carrots, and beetroot can all be sown outside now. Courgettes and squash should be sown in pots on the windowsill, or in mounds of soil enriched with compost or manure.
• Watch out for frosts at night and cover any tender plants with fleece or polythene.
• Keep the hoe going up and down the rows, to keep weeds at bay before they have a chance to take hold.
• Water thirsty crops in the evening if the soil is dry, but not when the sun is high as it’s a waste of water and might burn tender foliage.
• If you didn’t get round to sowing tomatoes, peppers and aubergine earlier in the year, check out your local garden centre as they will have some interesting varieties for planting out when all danger of frost is past.

Thanks to Judy Maciejowska our resident Vegetable Gardening expert. Read more of her gardening advice in the Gardening Section of BookshelfBoyfriend.com.

Enjoy your Easter eggs!

Good news for all you chocoholics – quality chocolate has many benefits, so you can indulge in your Easter eggs with a clear conscience and the knowledge that you are doing yourself a favour!  However, moderation is key, and also, it must be good quality dark chocolate – unfortunately, you don’t get same benefits if you scoff down a whole box champagne truffles.

Minerals:
Iron, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium. Chocolate even contains fluoride (so potentially it’s good for your teeth…?!).
Antioxidants:
Flavenoids, the same type as in red wine and green tea – mop up free radicals and help prevent ageing; also considered to reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.
Mood:
Stimulants caffeine and theobromine (latter not good for dogs, however). Stimulate brain and give burst of energy.

Phenyl-ethyl-amine (PEA), which relieves depression and is also associated with falling in love and indeed with orgasm, is also contained in chocolate – give me that any day!

How to savour the flavour…

 … Ok, you might think you’re enjoying your chocolate already, but are you experiencing it so that it truly indulges every one of your senses?

Sight: 
Your chocolate should be glossy, rich, uniform in colour and smooth.

Sound: 
It should make a clean snap sound and have clean break.

Smell: 
Inhale deeply and appreciate!

Taste:
Allow to melt on your tongue and fill the mouth – there should be a complex, lingering flavour. Spice, nuts, dried fruit, tobacco – are just some of the flavours.

Your experience will vary with cocoa percentage, region of origin, and of course bean used.

There is no need, by the way, to go to extreme – 100% cocoa is very much an acquired taste. 60-70% cocoa content provides marvellous flavours.

The very best chocolate stands up perfectly by itself with no need of additional flavours or fillings.

Original articles by Marian Dougan – BB’s resident chocolate expert!
Read more about Chocolate and other lovely indulgences in our Food and Drink section

Springtime house maintenance

Dilapidated house, by Frankie Roberto

With the bank holiday weekend coming up, and many of us saving the pennies by staying at home this Easter, why not tackle some of those household jobs you’ve been meaning to get on with for ages – your property will look and feel better for it, and you can reward yourself with all that chocolate on Sunday!

 

Moss & mildew:

OK, you’ve hibernated for the best part of six months. Spring is here and it’s time to get scrubbing. Invest in a wire brush from your local ironmongers and scrub off any moss or mildew from your brick and stonework.

Your property will breathe better as a result because you’re removing something that absorbs damp and keeps it right against your home. Moss may look rustic and charming but your home is better off without it.

While you’re at it, remove any moss from pathways and you won’t need to tread so carefully up to the front door again.

Kitchen:

Clean the filter in the cooker hood (a totally nasty job but one your kitchen needs). Also, check around the washing machine and dishwasher areas for leaks.

Bathroom:

When you do your spring cleaning, have a look at the seals around the side of the bath, washbasin and the floor and walls of the shower.

If you can see any gaps or discolouration around the seal, go and buy some silicon sealant from any DIY shop and reseal all edges. The last thing you want is for water to get behind your appliances and cause damage you can’t see.

 

Read rest of article: Seasonal House Maintenance on BookshelfBoyfriend.com

Original article by Madeleine Thomas

September festival style

 

Our wet August may be over and Glastonbury, V, Reading and Leeds festivals just hazy memories, but with a host of festivals still to come throughout September, Hannah Eichler has a few tips to get you through the end of The Season…

 

Whether or not your ‘summer’ has been all about the festivals this year, this season has seen a real throwback to 70’s style with everyone from style icon Sienna Miller to newlywed Coleen McLoughlin rocking hippy chic.

Hippy chic remains bang on trend for Autumn / Winter 08 too; with unusually hippyish designs at Roberto Cavalli, to voluminous silhouettes at D&G.

At the recent V festival goers kept it casual in denim shorts, floaty tops and fringed suede boots; while at Glastonbury earlier this year, model Lily Cole took hippy chic one step further with a pretty daisy chain as a hair band.

With the hope of an Indian Summer to come (fingers crossed), here are a few festival essentials to ooze effortless style while still being practical.

1.  Hunters – The classic British wellington, as seen on Miss Moss. Choose a colour to suit your style, from £50 at my-wardrobe.com

2.  Denim shorts. Don’t do a Coleen by bringing your Chanel tote to the mud pit, stay cheap and chic with these shorts, £6 at Matalan.

3.  This Liberty Flower print dress is perfect to make those wellies a little more feminine. £50, Topshop.

4.  OK so it might not be the most trend lead item you’ll take, but it will keep you dry…. ‘nuff said. Drift Jacket, £29.99, Peter Storm at Millets.

5.  Waterproof mascara, Vaseline & Baby wipes. Anymore and you’re at risk of looking like those girls you see teetering in platform heels across the field, wheeling their huge suitcases behind them.

Enjoy at…

Bestival - Isle of White – 5th, 6th, 7th Sept

Sugarhill festival - Wiltshire – 5th, 6th Sept

Weyfest – Surrey – 6th, 7th Sept

End of the Road festival – North Dorset – 12th, 13th , 14th Sept

Big Beach Boutique 4 – Brighton – 26th, 27th Sept

 

Hannah Eichler has been contributing articles to the new Bookshelf Boyfriend style section.

[HE]

Single girls valentine survival guide – for today and every day…

So, you’re single, you’re heart-broken, all your girlfriends are spending the day with their special loved one, and once again, you’ll be spending Valentine’s on your own. Well, we’ve got a number of reasons for you to be cheerful.

Firstly, there’ll be a lot of girls in relationships having a much worse day than you will be – filled with the disappointment that their beloved hasn’t proposed; has only bought them a cheapo bunch of forecourt flowers; or has refused to acknowledge/pretended to forget about the day altogether. So, stoked up with these merry thoughts of others’ misery, today is the perfect day to relish in your singledom and to be glad you don’t have a Valentine. Give yourself the day off from wallowing in self-pity and crying into your pillow – today with the help of BookshelfBoyfriend you’re going to love love being single and make this your special day of utterly selfish treats.

Start the day as you mean to go, and wear your best undies. So what no one’s going to see you in them? You’ll look and feel a billion times better than wearing your usual greying grannies. If all your underwear is a travesty, then make time at lunchtime to nip out and get yourself a good set. Ensure you get your bra size correctly measured at the same time (this should be done on a regular basis by the way) – and don’t forget matching knickers. Wear these in the afternoon, and you’ll certainly notice the difference. 

Buy yourself some flowers – ones that you actually like.

• Get a nice bunch from your local florist,
• Or avoid all those carbon-emitting air miles, and order some freshly cut British flowers to be delivered to you. We love, the spring joy of narcissi from the Isles of Scilly – www.scillyflowers.co.uk
• If you are still hankering for that feeling of receiving a slightly less personalised pre-packed bunch, then our tip is to get to your supermarket later in the evening, usually after 10pm – this is when bunches tend to be reduced, sometimes to as little as 10p – with just a little TLC they’ll look great and last just as long as a full-priced bunch, but you’ll have the added satisfaction of having bagged such a bargain.Pamper yourself – go out and buy new bathroom treats, or break open those fancy toiletries you’ve been saving for some long-awaited “special day”.
• Get the candles out and run yourself a lovely deep bubble-bath (yes, it’s a cliché, but we all love to luxuriate in a bath)
• If you don’t have a bath, you can still treat yourself here to some super posh shower-gel and fabulous body-lotion scented with your favourite perfume (today is not the day to be worrying about correctly applying and disappointedly analysing the results of your various anti-cellulite creams)
• Ensure some lovely clean bed sheets to climb into later for that extra feeling of post-bath loveliness.
• When you do go to bed wear your finest bed clothes – if its usually just an old T-shirt, then do as Marilyn Monroe did and wear nothing but Chanel no5 (or your own favourite perfume)Cook a yummy scrummy feel-good meal for one, like a huge salad, a stir-fry or a tasty piece of fresh fish, something that’s delicious and won’t make you feel guilty before the next bit…

  Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate – and no no, not your usual 500g Dairy Milk bar, get yourself some delicious Belgian chocolate truffles. Go on, its good for you (well dark chocolate is proven to be), it makes you feel as good as if you’re getting loads of sex (so we’re told), and heck it tastes good too… If you still feel guilty, just ensure that the chocolate is fair trade, and that should be all guilt alleviated.

  Bubbly – ok, we advise caution here, we don’t want you getting so drunk that you’re crying into your glass – so it may be best that you just buy yourself a half sized bottle of really good champers. Accompany this with some strawberries and you’ve got yourself a healthy treat too. Ok, strawberries are out of season, and consequently, not the most ethical purchase, but if you add some Fairtrade vanilla ice cream (like Greene and Blacks) to accompany those that don’t make it into your glass, then that’s some of the guilt lifted…

  Get a good movie to watch. Although really the choice for the perfect film is entirely personal, we highly recommend that tonight is not the night to be watching an overly romantic chick-flick that will send you into lonesome tears. Bookshelf Boyfriend recommends:

• Brokeback Mountain, if you want romance and extra added weepiness (RIP Heath Ledger). With a nice bit of heart-felt boy-on-boy loving, you will also be reminded that you’re better off single: even if you’re married you’ve got no security that hubby isn’t having a long affair with his best mate. Plus its also a very good film.
• Intolerable Cruelty, if you want a jaded and cynical take on romance: George Clooney; comedy; romance; George Clooney; divorce lawyers; divorce; gold-digging; pre-nuptual agreements; revenge seeking; did we say George Clooney; Elvis Presley soundtrack on a great opening title sequence – what more could you want?
• If you want George Clooney but with no suggestion of Romance, then we highly recommend Michael Clayton the thriller; its up for a few Oscars this year and has just been released on DVD – its great!
• Want to try something different? Want strong female leads preformed by perhaps the greatest and most under-rated actress ever? Then how about some classic Gena Rowlands performances from the 1970s in a couple of John Cassavete’s masterpieces like A Woman Under the Influence or Gloria.Have some unashamed and damned good “self-discovery”. That is, you want to be giving yourself an orgasm that’s going to beat anything that anyone else can ever give you. If you are in want of some additional aids then Love Honey have a huge selection of vibrators and dildos and all sorts of other fun toys. If you are in need of a bit of titillation for a warm up, then the archives of Scarlet Letters is a good place to start with a large selection of erotic prose, poetry and art.. http://scarletletters.com/
  

  Most importantly today, we hope you enjoy yourself and have realised that pampering yourself every once in a while is a whole lot of fun and should be done more often…

  If none of this has helped you pick yourself up from a recent(ish) – heck what’s seven years between friends) devastating break-up – then extra help and support can be found out www.soyouvebeendumped.com and remember, you have always got BookshelfBoyfriend to help you get through all the practical day to day stuff on your own.

  [ASM]

Winter driving & car tips for girls

Well ladies now all the fun stuff about winter (presies, food, drink, better-ish telly) is well and truly out of the way we thought we would catch up with you to give you some tips on the much less fun side of winter… the weather!! In particular, looking after your car in the harsher weather.

 

None of us like driving in the ice and rain and there is still plenty more of that to come, in fact last week we here at Bookshelf Boyfriend Towers experienced driving in ice, rain, sleet and hail stones, all in one day! However, if your car is in good shape in the winter it can help make driving in the miserable months easier and less dangerous.

 

• It is worth covering your windscreen every night on the inside and outside with newspaper to prevent icing up. Be sure to lift up your windscreen wipers though and place them above the newspaper.

Everyone has their own methods of getting rid of ice on the windscreen but here at Bookshelf Boyfriend we think prevention is better than cure! This will save you lots of time and pain staking effort when you should be enjoying that one last cup of tea before leaving the house.

Saying that, there are some pretty good de-icing sprays on the market (see Halfords for examples) but please, no matter how tempting it is, don’t pour hot water on your windscreen! Although some people swear by it the risk of cracking your windscreen just isn’t worth it.

• Make sure you always have a full bottle of winter screen-wash of the right concentration. The wash will help prevent the freezing of your car’s screen wash tanks and tubes and prevent nozzles from freezing. And very importantly it will effectively clean the windscreen of typical winter dirt such as residue from ice on the roads, heavy rain and snow.

As visibility in the winter is so important it is essential to check your windscreen wipers for wear and tear. It is worth replacing them once a year to avoid problems.

To do it yourself see Bookshelf Boyfriend’s guide How to Replace Your Windscreen Wipers, or if you don’t fancy getting your hands cold in this weather, pop along to Halfords where they’ll fit them for you for a small charge.

• Check your battery frequently- low temperature can cause discharge (no we don’t like that word either!) Also driving in dark conditions can run the battery down so if your battery is more than five years old it is worth changing it before you’re stranded on some dark roadside in cold!

See BB’s tips on how to keep your battery well charged and what to do if your red battery warning light comes on – kindly provided by Foxy Lady Drivers.

Bookshelf Boyfriend also has a straight forward guide to show you how to replace your car battery yourself (it should take about 20 mins to do).

• Checking your tyres in winter is very important. If you know you are going to be traveling long distances in adverse weather conditions it may be worth investing in some winter tyres.

Tyre awareness in this country is pretty low so most people don’t change their tyres in winter, but the extra gripping providing could be life saving.

Even if you decide not to change your tyres please do check them regularly for wearing, balding, alignment and pressure. Improperly inflated tyres can reduce gripping!!

• And whilst we’re talking about tyres, just in case the worst happens, you should know what to do when you get a puncture and how to change a flat tyre.

• Check your oil regularly, particularly for consistency, as the cold has a tendency to thicken it.

BB has advice on necessary checks that even the laziest ladies should be carrying out regularly…

• Salt can cause corrosion so washing will protect the chassis, the body work and the tyres. Its an awful thought having to stand on the street with your hands immersed in water on a cold winter Saturday, but do wash your car regularly. Nip down to your local carwash or (our favourite) boost some local kids’ pocket money and get them to do it for you!

• Check your lights very regularly. If they are not in good working condition then you will have lower visibility… This is not good at any time of the year but especially not in winter, when it feels we spend half our lives driving in the dark!

• And last but not least- check your break pads! If they are worn they are no good to you. Again if you know you are going to be driving lots in the winter it is worth getting your breaks professionally inspected to ENSURE immediate response in icy or skiddy situations.

Following the above guide should mean that after a hard day’s work you’ll be sipping cocoa in front of Corrie in no time, as opposed to stranded on the motorway with nothing but star jumps to keep you warm!

And if you don’t trust us girls, or you want some advice from a highway hunk – check out what Adam Ashmore, the AA’s Patrol of the Year, has to say about it!

For more handy car maintenance tips and all sorts of other practical advice, hints and how-tos, come and visit us at www.bookshelfboyfriend.com

See our latest article with tips on How to winter-proof your car here!

[DFE]

Hit the Sales – go on, its good for you!

It’s that time of year again – post-party and overindulgence has left you feeling bloated – but don’t suffer with the January blues. Treat yourself at the New Year sales and don’t feel so guilty about buying yourself something special.

With up to 60% in stores such as Gap, Debenhams, John Lewis etc, there’s no reason not to bag yourself a bargain. Pace yourself however, to prevent the all-too-likely hangover the morning after a shopping binge. Here are some handy hints to make sure you get the best experience possible:

Stick to classics
A good cashmere jumper, for example, can be bought at Uniqlo for the bargain price of £29.99 (RRP £49.99).

Lilywhites are selling Asics trainers for only £50 – well worth investing in if you enjoy outdoor pursuits.

Thomas Pink have reduced their White Collection ‘Ly’ Women’s Shirt – Button Cuff from £99.00 to £39.00.

Even Harrods are promising 30% off a Luella Bartley handbag and as every woman knows it’s the bag that adds a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to an outfit.

Make sure the shoe fits
There’s no point blowing cash on size four Manolos if you’re two sizes bigger. They may well be only £100 but will probably spend their lifetime making a show for themselves in your shoe cupboard.

Check out online deals
If the idea of trawling the high street fills you with fear, shop from the comfort of your very own sofa – online. All the major department stores are online and you can even pick up items that have already sold out in the shops.

Amazon are selling DVDs with up to 75% off. Now if that’s not giving it away then what is!

Grab the ultimate pop princess’ Showgirls tour for only £12.99 at play.com

Don’t forget the boring stuff
Yes, electricals etc.. may seem dull compared to a pair of Gucci Sunglasses but with Currys, Argos and most of their competitors slashing prices, it could be well worth making that investment in the half-price washing machine.

And so to bed
Sales are also a great time to stock up on some quality linen and bedroom accessories. Newbie to the high street, Zara home, have some fantastic 100% cotton Satin bed linen which will transform your bedroom into a boudoir.

Look no further than House of Fraser for a set of two duck feather and down pillows for £24 reduced from £30.

And to really spoil yourself, Habitat are selling a silk bedspread for £97.50 – that’s half of the original price.

So there are really no excuses. If you’re shopping savvy, set out your budget and stick to the rules then you’ll save in this New Year’s Sales.

[This was originally posted on BookshelfBoyfriend.com by Rebecca Bryant.]

[ASM]