Take It Easy Magazine - People.co.uk

Upgrade your teabreak with Tetley

2013-02-20T14:57:31Z

Give yourself a treat by upgrading your regular cuppa rosie to the new Tetley Estate Selection. With it's distinctive, aromatic premium blend it is sure to make your sips more sumptuous than ever.

Tetley's expert master blenders have carefully selected the best of Kenyan tea to bring you a new tea that is truly a treat! The tea leaves in Estate Selection are handpicked from tea estates in the foothills of Mount Kenya, where the high altitude creates the most sparkle and intense flavour.

We at Take it Easy towers have been trying out this terrific tea and we definately give it out seal of approval! A refreshing change from our usual 'builders brew' - it is a perfect everyday indulgence.

Tetley Estate Selection is available in packs of 80 from various supermarkets (Tesco mid Feb), RRP £2.99. Visit www.tetley.co.uk for more information.

Compeed's touch of style this London Fashion Weekend

2013-02-20T10:03:53Z

Compeed is this years official footcare sponsor of London Fashion Weekend and this season are unveiling a stylish new limited edition pack design, created by top fashion illustrator Jordi Labanda for fabulous, fashionable high-heel wearing women everywhere. Jordi has added a stylish designer touch to the traditional Compeed packaging.

Compeed is already a firm favourite with killer-heel lovers everywhere, their heel patch is known for being ultra-discreet and a life saver on a night on the tiles. Now the new packaging is sure to become a handbag essential for shoe fans everywhere.

]]> Jordi Labanda is known for his work with luxury brands including Moncler, Grand Marnier and US Vogue. He understands woman's 'love affair' with the high heel and that us ladies are willing to suffer to be fashionable. By partnering with Compeed, Labanda has put his signature style on a cult product which solves the old age problem of 'beauty is pain' - allowing women to be both stylish and comfortable.

We quizzed Jordi about this latest endeavor:

Q: What motivated you to partner with Compeed?

A: When Compeed approached me to create the new pack design, I couldn't believe it. Compeed is a brand I have admired for a long time and I've always liked their modern and cool aesthetic.

Q: What is it about your pack designs which you think women will love?

A: We have designed a pack that is incredibly glamorous and practical for the high-heel wearing women, not only due to the image but also because of its size. It's perfect to carry in your handbag for any occasion.

Q: How does it make you feel that your designs will be in handbags everywhere?

A: It's an incredible feeling! I feel extremely proud of the fact that women can choose this design and carry it with them during their everyday experiences.

Q: What inspired the Compeed illustration?

A: For a while now I have been living in NYC. I only need to look out the window to see amazing women walking down the streets of Soho in their glamorous high heels. Unstoppable women who can head to a cocktail party after work without any hesitation are my inspiration.

Q: Had you had an experience using Compeed before (hopefully not from wearing heels!)

A: Hahaha, actually I have! Especially during the summer as I love to wear oxfords without socks and I always need Compeed!

The UK's #1 blister brand COMPEED® is launching a limited edition blister pack; designed by fashion illustrator Jordi Labanda. This handbag essential product is available exclusively at select Boots stores nationwide as of March 2013, RRP £5.99 for a pack of five. For more information visit www.compeed.co.uk

Alicia Keys wows crowd at Heart's Love Music Live with Tetley Tea

2012-11-20T12:58:16Z

Friday the 16th November saw international singing sensation Alicia Keys perform and exclusive, intimate gig at 'Under the Bridge' at Chelsea FC in London, the audience was made up of eager Alicia loving Heart listeners from all across their network who had been given a chance to win tickets.

Alicia looked stunning in a red, black and white colour-block dress and sleek bob and belted out hits such as 'Fallin', 'Empire State of Mind' and her latest single 'Girl on Fire'.

]]> Supported by a small but highly talented group of musicians and backing singers Alicia delivered stunning vocals. The gig was certainly special and one which will be fondly remembered by all who attended.

Tetley is the headline partner at the popular Heart Love Music Live events. Previous acts include Ollie Murs, Robbie Williams and The Saturdays.

Shine like a catwalk diva this Christmas with FrontCover

2012-11-14T14:58:59Z

FrontCover's new Autumn/Winter collection is perfect for any beauty lover's or fashionistas stocking this Christmas - or as a cheeky present to yourself!

The high quality, high performance cosmetics are highly pigmented for long lasting wear and come presented in a magazine style box. All images photographed on the packaging are taken only using the products inside the kit - so you can rest assured that you have all you need to replicate the fantastic looks! There is no cheating and the handy tips on how to apply the products mean that everyone can look like a star.

]]>
The collection also includes fab nail art kits for those who enjoy experimenting - once again these are easy to use and are of a very high quality - Beyonce's manicurist Lisa Logan swears by the 'Dark Arts' kit (£25) which offers sophisticated and luxe shades.

With many kits on offer, a variety of different looks is available, from sparkly to smokey, to red hot lips, there is enough on offer to create the perfect look for everyone this Christmas.

I can't wait to give them a go!

FrontCover kits are available now n the UK exclusively on QVC and www.frontcovercosmetics.com as well as Sephora stores worldwide. Prices of kits vary from £14 - £35.

Opportunities for Romance Rise In Moustache Amnesty for British Men

2012-11-07T13:37:42Z

'Tache facts

· Normally, only 2% of British women prefer their romantic interest to have a moustache
· However, over half of British women (57%) would be more open to romance with a man who grew facial hair for a worthy cause
· David Beckham is the celebrity with facial hair that the UK's women would most like to be romanced by
· Robert Patterson is the celebrity British women would most like to see grow facial hair

Romance and facial hair in the UK
London, 07 November, 2012: It's official. Moustaches are not sexy. Unless it's for a worthy cause it seems. New research by Zoosk.co.uk, the romantic social network, has found that only 2% of the UK's females prefer their romantic interest to have a moustache. However, more than half of respondents (57%) said they would be more open to romance with a man who grew facial hair for a worthy cause. So the message is clear gentlemen - if you want to grow a moustache - Movember is your month.

The global survey questioned thousands of couples and singletons from across the globe in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Mexico, Sweden and the USA. For the UK, results also showed that stubble was resoundingly popular, with nearly half of British women (47%) preferring their romantic interest to have this sort of facial hair. Goatees also scored surprisingly high in second place, with 12% of women in the UK fancying one on their love interest.

]]> Ladies in the UK will soon face a call to start embracing facial hair over the next month, because thousands of 'Mo Bros' will be sporting a tash in support of the charity initiative Movember, dedicated to highlighting issues around men's health. But, men shouldn't be too worried about losing interest from their romantic partner this month. Over 40% of female respondents said that they considered men with facial hair to be more attractive; over a third (35%) also said that they appeared more confident.

And the UK's men seem to agree with their female counterparts. Over a third of respondents (36%) said that when they have facial hair, it made them feel more confident, with one in five feeling more sophisticated. For those that have facial hair at the moment, over a third thought they looked better with it (37%) and one in five grew facial hair because they felt like a change (21%). Over a quarter said they were lazy and didn't want to shave however (28%) - so it's not all about the look!

Facial hair growth is also on the up - 10% more males have facial hair these days than their fathers, with 40% of male respondents' fathers championing the look in the past. Love of facial hair is becoming more of a family affair it seems, with fathers' inspiring their sons to get the look.

Romance and Facial Hair in the Workplace
Zoosk's survey also reveals that bosses should be called upon to give clearly direction about whether it is acceptable to grow a moustache during Movember. Less than half of male respondents (42%) knew for certain that facial was allowed in the workplace, with an equal number (41%) unsure. However, the good news is that only 4% of UK males reported that facial was not allowed at all, so there is potential for 95% of Britain's workplaces to get behind the initiative, if more bosses give the green light.

British men should take the opportunity to enjoy facial hair in the workplace while they can, as double the amount of UK women thought that it was a hindrance (21%) rather than a help (9%) for men with facial hair in the workplace - with ladies stating that they looked scruffy and aren't taken as seriously.

Romanced by Celebrity Facial Hair
David Beckham is the celebrity with facial hair the UK public would most like to be romanced by, according to the Zoosk.co.uk survey. Nearly a third voted in favour of Becks (31%) - well ahead of bearded comedians Russell Brand (7%) and Keith Lemon (3%). We thought girls loved to be romanced a funny man... but not it seems when a beard gets in the way!

It looks like new pop sensation Harry Styles is perfect just the way he is. When asked which male celebrities would look better with facial hair, only 8% of female respondents thought the One Direction teen idol would be more attractive with the rugged look. Robert Patterson is the celebrity our British female respondents thought would look better with facial hair (30%), followed by Simon Cowell (21%) and everyone's favourite Essex boy, Joey Essex (16%).

And male respondents in the UK chose Sean Connery as the celebrity that they most idolised with facial hair, with a third agreeing that the former James Bond star suited the look.

International Facial Hair Romance
The message is clear for those with facial hair who ever relocate from the UK. Head to the United States, where nearly half of female respondents said that they were attracted to men with facial hair (43%). France is not such a welcoming destination however, with a staggering two thirds of female respondents straight out disliking facial hair (67%).

And French men seem to know where they stand with regards to facial hair growth. Nearly eight of out ten men would either grow or remove their facial hair if their female romantic interest asked them to (79%) - the highest out of every country in the survey. Facial hair growth is firmly under the thumb of French madames it seems.

National Stress Awareness Day

2012-11-07T13:33:06Z

To mark National Stress Awareness Day today, film and TV streaming service blinkbox has joined forces with the Stress Management Society to identify the top stress-busting film genres - and those that can put us most on edge.

Volunteers were subjected to a selection of trailers from the latest blinkbox releases across 10 genres, ranging from musicals and romcoms to horrors and psychological thrillers, while stress levels and blood pressure were monitored using the latest technology.

The Kids and Musical genres were shown to significantly reduce the volunteers' blood pressure and pulse. The top five strain-busting genres and the films our guinea pigs were exposed to are:

]]> 1) Kids: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists. The adventure on the high seas from the team behind Wallace & Gromit saw pulse and heart rates plummet.

2) Musical: Rock of Ages. Starring Tom Cruise as heartthrob Stacee Jaxx, this film's soundtrack of 80s soft rock hits mellowed our volunteers nicely.

3) Sci-Fi: Prometheus. Ridley Scott's science fiction looking into the origins of mankind certainly gets the brain working in overdrive - but surprisingly not the heart.

4) Romance: The Five Year Engagement. This romantic comedy starring Emily Blunt and Jason Segel could be a great choice for combating stress.

5) Comedy: The Dictator, an outrageous comedy co-written and starring Sacha Baron Cohen may well be the perfect tonic after a hard day at work.

Neil Shah, from the Stress Management Society, commented: "Comedy films, animations and romcoms are clearly great stress busters. A significant reduction in blood pressure and stress levels was witnessed when volunteers watched scenes from these genres. Conversely, for those watching stressful scenes from action, thriller or horror films, a significant rise in stress levels was observed."

The study also identified some films to consider saving for the weekend if feeling anxious. Volunteers were subjected to some of five most stressful scenes in movie history, with the scene from Pulp Fiction when John Travolta's character Vincent Vega gives Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace) an adrenaline shot coming out on top. The full top five are:

1) Pulp Fiction - Adrenaline Shot

2) Se7en - Ending

3) War of the Worlds - Basement Scene

4) Rear Window - Up The Stairs

5) Jurassic Park - Kitchen

Neil noted: "Dramatic, tense scenes do nothing to help stress levels. We saw measured increases in blood pressure and heart rate in our volunteers whilst watching the stressful scenes we selected. Such films might be better saved for the weekend when our stress levels are generally lower."

To celebrate the study, blinkbox has extended an open offer to stressed X Factor judges Gary Barlow and Tulisa whose nerves are showing now that they each have only one act left in the competition. Ben Ayers from blinkbox comments: "Gary Barlow seemed very stressed during the live show on Sunday night so we're more than happy to let him and Tulisa view any films from the de-stress genres for free as we hate to see them so on edge."

The perfect (and healthy) stocking filler for the Xmas

2012-11-07T13:02:28Z

BEAR Yo Yo's are made from 100% pure fruit, with no nasty bits, no sulphates or added sugars. Why not try putting them in your kids stocking this year? This could be a fantastic, fun alternative to the traditional orange in the stocking and is something healthy but tasty that kids will love! It is also great as a healthy between-meal snack for adults as each Yo Yo is only 27 calories!

]]> The Yo Yo's are pure fruit picked fresh in season then gently baked with absolutely no added sugar, preservatives or stabilisers. Available in Mango, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry and Pineapple & Apple. There's a flavour to suit all tastes.

BEAR Yo-Yo's - RRP 49p (20g pack) / Multipack RRP £2.29 (5 x 20g bags) from Asda, Co-operative, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Ocado Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Co-operative, Somerfield, Café Nero, Wholefoods, Planet Organic.

For the BEAR website, visit www.bearnibbles.co.uk or www.facebook.com/bearnibbles or hear our growls on twitter: @follow_the_bear

Don't forget your pets this Christmas!

2012-10-31T15:43:54Z

This Christmas make sure you treat your beloved pets too! If you are stuck for ideas and want to give your cuddly companions something more for Xmas than left over turkey, Pets at Home have a wide, fabulous, range of christmas goodies for animals. All shapes, sizes and personalities of pet are catered for so there is sure to be something festive for your furry friend's stocking this year!

]]> We particularly love the reindeer hat for dogs (plus it's only £5!) But there are less cheesy options available for more reserved pets, as well as a variety of nibbles and treats for pets with Christmas dinner envy!

With 75% of pet owners admitting to planning their pets presents last year, this year don't leave anything to chance and get your mitts on some of this great selection!

The above gifts and many more fabulous treats for pets this Christmas are available from www.petsathome.com and in store.

DRINKAWARE launches Christmas video competiton

2012-10-31T15:28:52Z

Alcohol education charity Drinkaware is today launching a competition encouraging budding young directors to create a short film which shows that if you are drinking, drink responsibly to have a good time.

The 'Why let good times go bad?' campaign competition is open to UK residents aged 18 years and over. People are asked to enter videos that emphasise a campaign tip, such as pacing with water and missing a round, to encourage young adults to keep the good times good by not drinking too much.

]]> The winning entry will receive £1,500 worth of Jessops vouchers and two runners up will receive £250 worth of Jessops vouchers. The winners will also have their film featured as part of the charity's Christmas 'Why let good times go bad?' campaign which challenges young adults' attitudes and behaviour to alcohol.

Siobhan McCann, Head of Campaigns and Communications at Drinkaware, says: "This is a great way of getting young adults involved in our campaign and tapping into their creative abilities. With young adults producing responsible drinking messages for their peers, we hope that more young adults will have reason to celebrate this Christmas and New Year."

To get involved in the Christmas competition, Drinkaware is calling on young adults to visit www.drinkaware.co.uk/campaigns/2012/why-let-good-times-go-bad-2012/why-let-christmas-good-times-go-bad-video-competition and enter their film today.

Awesome autumn lips

2012-10-31T15:19:28Z

It's not only the colours of our clothing that change to suit the season each A/W, it's also the shades we choose to apply to our lips. From dark plum to pale nude pink, I've come up with a list of my favourite lipstick shades to compliment and brighten up the gloomy weather.

Plum
Kate Moss has recently brought out a beautiful collection of lipsticks in a vast variety of shades. One of my favourite (and most popular) colours is 107, a gorgeous matte plum red shade that compliments pale and darker skin tones alike. As it is a really bold, statement colour, wearers should opt to keep their other make-up natural looking, perhaps a brown liner, light foundation and a small amount of blusher. Kate Moss' collection in partnership with Rimmel (£4 from high street retailers) is available from high street retailers.

]]> Olive skin tones would suit a much deeper purple, so to really make an impact this season (and to compliment the plum/beige/mustard colours that are popular), try Smooch's Deadly Nightshade (£7.50 from smoochcosmeticsuk.com). The colour itself is a very dark plum purple, yet not dark enough to appear 'gothic'. It's a great shade to experiment with on a night out and would be perfect to compliment your little black dress.

Nude
Nude is also a popular shade for A/W, especially as it means you can let the rest of your make-up do the talking, without leaving your lips looking bare and forgotten. Kate Moss' 113 Matte Lipstick (£4 from high street retailers) contains a perfect balance of peach and nude, that applies gracefully onto lips, making sure that they have just the right amount of colour to look natural, without being over-done.

If you just want to add a touch of glitter and shine to your lips in order to compliment your make-up, rather than to take the limelight away - Rimmel's Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint (£6.99 from Boots) in Faithful Rose is the ideal solution. With just a hint of rosey pink tint and a clear gloss to seal the colour, this product is perfect for daywear, as it is light and hydrating but also adds a hint of colour to brighten up your lips.

Bubblegum Pink
Bubblegum pink has been a popular trend throughout summer and has no means been forgotten during A/W - especially during October when brands nationwide have gone wild with colour, supporting Breast Cancer Care. Wearers should be sure to keep the rest of their make-up natural when using a really bright pink - however it can really brighten up a casual wintery outfit. W7's Sugar Lips (£3 from New Look) is a gorgeously bright pink toned shade which can be blended in subtly with a clear gloss to create a tinted pink look, or worn on its own to completely liven up an outfit.

Another gorgeous pink shade for the A/W season is Lip Addict Spotlight (£4.99 from Superdrug) from Famous by Sue Moxley Cosmetics. The hydrating formula and bold pop of colour is perfect for brightening up wintery days and it has a matching lip balm in the lid if you want a slightly more subtle look for day, team with dark brows and pink cheeks for an on trend seasonal look.

Trick AND treat your tummy with Skinny Sprinkles

2012-10-31T14:11:28Z

If you are worried your tummy is resembling a pumpkin this Halloween - don't despair!

Skinny Spinkles contain only 21 calories and trick your tummy into feeling full - whilst being a scrumptiously sweet strawberry treat!

What's more is that these fab sprinkles help to moderate blood sugar levels and can help avoid sugar rushes as a result. They are also great as a calorie free pick me up - thanks to added caffeine.

The Skinny Sprinkles standard set includes 21 sticks and costs £24. Other options are also available. www.skinnysprinkles.co.uk

'Nail Buddy' provides professional looking nails without the 'spills' !!

2012-10-31T14:02:08Z

Flaunting perfectly polished nails is a great way to improve your look; but giving your nails a perfect finish without the worry of spillages or the costly talents of a professional has not always been easy....until now!!

'Nail Buddy', is a professional, handy and new portable fashion accessory designed to hold your nail polish bottle securely, leaving both hands free to achieve professional looking results every time whether at home or on the move.

]]> Developed on the back of requests from professionals and customers, 'Nail Buddy' is designed to sit perfectly between your knees or on any flat surface utilising its non-slip rubberised base, so no more balancing bottle tricks!

Holding all shapes and sizes of bottle, 'Nail Buddy' is simple to use and just perfect for achieving, fast, flawless, professional looking nails with no spills. The perfect stocking filler for Christmas, the innovative and professional 'Nail Buddy' Nail Polish Holder £9.99 will help you achieve expert looking nails without any mishaps. 'Nail Buddy' is now available in two fashionable shades - Honeysuckle Rose or Silver Peony.

Fabulous Nails in 3 Easy Steps
- Place nail polish into your 'Nail Buddy'.
- Position between your knee's or place on a flat surface - both hands are now free to paint.
- Remove nail polish after use.

The new 'Nail Buddy' Nail Polish Holder £9.99 is available now from Boots stores nationwide and www.boots.com

Dance like the star with Disney

2012-10-25T12:31:33Z

Yesterday Covent Garden saw the launch of Just Dance: Disney Party - a fab new game for Disney lovers, kids and adults alike. Fans of other Just Dance titles will definitely love this fun new addition.

For the first time Just Dance and Disney are bringing together the greatest dance game for the whole Family - Just Dance : Disney Party. Dance like the star of Disney Channel's hottest shows and beloved Disney Movie Classics. With a great selection of family favourite songs, fun dances and kid-friendly gameplay, children of all ages can Just Dance along with family and friends!

Key Features
25 songs including hits from Disney Channel's hottest shows and songs from beloved Disney Movie Classics.

Enjoy songs from the most popular Disney Channel shows: Shake It Up, Hannah Montana, A.N.T. Farm, Jessie, Wizards of Waverly Place, Camp Rock, Phineas and Ferb, High School Musical and Good Luck Charlie.

And hits from the Disney Movie classics that the whole family know and love: Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Tangled, Aristocats, Mary Poppins, Lilo & Stitch, Tinker Bell, Enchanted, The Muppets and Bolt.
Brand new choreographies including all new Duets.

Disney universe brought to life with immersive visual effects and environments from the TV shows and Movies while you are dancing.

Family Fun and Party Fun:
Play cooperatively for the highest team score or play Freeze & Shake for extra points.

Plus other exclusive fun features per console!
For Kinect - Be the Star of your own Disney music video!
For Wii - More family fun with special multiplayer modes and extra surprises.

Parents Corner:
Includes helpful tools for parents such as Non-stop shuffle, Fitness tracker, and Custom playlists.

Just Dance: Disney Party will be available for purchase from tomorrow (26th October) RRP: £29.99

New Maryland SnapJacks bring a little magic to our biscuit tin

2012-10-24T15:12:22Z

Today at Take it Easy we were lucky enough to have a delivery of the new Maryland SnapJack biscuits...and now we are feeling very guilty from nibbling them all morning!

But all is not lost as the biscuits are not the most fattening of the bunch - there are only around 35 calories per biscuit (depending on the flavour) which does make us feel slightly better about indulging our sweet teeth!

SnapJacks definitely have a new fan with us, our favourite is the honeycomb flavour - yum!

Maryland SnapJacks are available in a variety of subtle flavours, offering different tastes and textures to please the whole family.

With crunchy Honeycomb Flavour Snaps, sweet Orange Snaps, melt in the mouth Vanilla Shorties and fruity Red Berry Flavour Shorties, Maryland SnapJacks offer the perfect biscuit for any occasion. Moreish and bite-sized, they make the perfect accompaniment to coffee with friends, as a quick snack, or simply with a relaxing cup of tea.

We approve!

Maryland SnapJacks are available nationwide in Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco at the special introductory price of just 50p (Usually 99p), why not try some Maryland SnapJacks magic today? Twitter is already going crazy for the new range with fans calling them 'the holy grail of biscuits'

Celebrities swish for charity at Shoreditch House‏

2012-10-17T14:03:24Z

Monday night's 'swish' at Shoreditch House saw over one hundred eager fashionistas and celebrity supporters swap their clothes with each other as part of Ecover's Wear & Care campaign. The campaign promotes ways that fashion lovers can minimise the negative impact their clothes have on the environment post purchase.

]]> 'Swishing' is a great way to do this - clearing out your old unwanted (but still fabulous!) clobber and swapping it for something equally gorgeous which you will actually wear! It's brilliant as it gives serial shoppers a chance to make more space in their 'drobe for new fashion finds - whilst being economical, environmentally friendly and way of effectively recycling.

Every swisher was asked to bring a selection of pre-loved garments that they could swap with other guests at the swish. The event was supported by both celebrities and top brands alike, so those attending had the chance to walk away with items donated by Jasmine Guinness (Model and designer), Caryn Franklin (The Clothes Show), Donna Air (Socialite and TV presenter), Laura Whitmore (TV presenter), Olivia Godfrey (Sky Sports presenter), Cheska Hull (Made in Chelsea), Letitia Herod (Winner of Britain and Ireland's next top model), Jade Williams (Sunday Girl - singer, model and blogger), Leanne Jones (Actress), and gorgeous garments from top brand supporters including Mulberry, Superdry, Topshop, Biba, Mary Portas and ASOS.

I had a fabulous time and my wardrobe is bulging less with 'unworns' as a result...okay only slightly! I also picked up some great wardrobe refreshers as well as knowing any left over items would go to a good cause - result! I would highly recommend everyone takes a 'Swish!'

All garments left over from the swish have been donated to House of Beth to raise awareness of Human Trafficking issues and raise funds for the International Organisation of Migration's victim support fund. House of Beth is also organising a fashion event, Fashioned For Freedom, on 12th November in support of this cause.