Picoult strikes gold again June 16, 2010 HOUSE RULES BY JODI PICOULT Hodder, £16.99 For an easy-reading, best-selling author, Picoult tackles some pretty serious issues. Fans will recognise her favoured theme of troubled or ill children, written through the perspectives of those nearest to them, in House Rules. But with this, her 16th novel, Picoult seems to be stepping her writing up [...]
Buy her an engagement ring she’ll love June 16, 2010 IT’S not just the cost that can make buying an engagement ring a daunting process. Once you’ve passed the man-mountain of a security guard and entered the museum-like atmosphere of a shop overflowing with rare, sparkling objects, it’s hardly the easiest environment in which to speak up and admit that, actually, you haven’t a clue [...]
OUT OF OFFICE June 16, 2010 BRAZIL! BRAZIL! AT UDDERBELLY The comedy and performance festival at the Southbank’s inflatable, inverted cow-shaped tent is into its second vibrant year, and the show setting the place alight is a Brazilian mix of samba, capoeira, carnival music, acrobatics and football – a perfect backdrop to World Cup fever. Until 18 July, Udderbelly, Southbank. www.udderbelly.co.uk. [...]
Vroom vroom: say hi to the real deal June 15, 2010 THE first car I owned was a Mini, a 1973 Mini Mk II with an 850cc engine. Even though it was pretty much the only car I had ever driven, I knew it was unusual. If you wound it up it would do 80mph and make a proper car noise getting there. At speed, it [...]
NEW WAYS TO BE HANDSOME June 14, 2010 THE idea of “getting a bit of work done” is no longer the preserve of ladies of a certain age – everyone’s at it, including men, from Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay to City gents who feel their features wilting under recessionary pressures. Any attempt to revitalise one’s looks should begin with a lifestyle reboot, [...]
Exercises to do seated at your desk June 14, 2010 LAURA WILLIAMS, FITNESS & DIET EXPERT Hone and tone your glutes and prevent back pain with a mini workout you can do while you carry on working. Prevent RSI Prevent Repetitive Stress-type injury by stretching out the muscles that get overworked with lots of mouse use. Keeping your shoulders low and relaxed, extend your right [...]
Latitudinal thinking in Aldwych June 14, 2010 28-50 140 Fetter Lane, EC4A 1BT 020 7242 8877 www.2850.co.uk Cost per person without wine: £30 THE first thing to chew on at 28-50 is its name. It gets stuck in the teeth, frankly, involving two non-symmetrical numbers that bear no obvious relation to each other. For the innumerate among us, it’s a bit intimidating, [...]
TASTING NOTES June 14, 2010 FINDING an excuse to enjoy chocolate is always welcome. And – as with all the naughtiest things in life – if it is of the highest quality then it is probably a bit less bad for you. Well, still another way to mitigate the dangers of greedy chocolate consumption is to learn more about how [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS June 14, 2010 WIMBLEDON TEA AT THE DORCHESTER Get into grand slam spirit with a Wimbledon Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester’s famous Promenade, with a selection of tennis-inspired pastries including the citrus court, raspberry drop and coconut smash. Included is also a glass of champagne, traditional strawberries & cream, finger sandwiches and homemade scones. From 21 June to [...]
Jungles, sea and history in old Malaysia June 13, 2010 A 100-mile ferry-ride across the South China Sea is Langkawi, one of the world’s most idyllic spots for sunbathing, swimming in crystal green waters framed by lush jungle, and the total luxury of a world-class beach resort. It’s gorgeous – but probably quite similar to retreats in Thailand, Indonesia, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Mauritius…you get [...]