Three of the best food supplements for the tired and cranky

Have you ever had an eight hour snooze, but woken up in the morning feeling like you've barely slept a wink? Or rocked up to the office in the morning and got the urge for a shot of caffeine just to get through the next few hours? Or that three o'clock slump, where time seems to go slower than a slug stuck in treacle? Yes? You're not alone. Our lives are getting more and more demandng, and with smartphones making our work and social lives more accessible than ever, it's fair to say we're being kept awake, and busier than ever. At the end of...

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Here's how to... make and customise your own clothes

Have you ever bought a dress that looks lovely, but could do with a little tweak here and there to fit better? Or a pair of trousers that are slightly too baggy around the waist, but fit like a dream everywhere else? I have. And it's a real pain not having basic sewing skills to fix those little niggles. But with household names Eva Longoria, Katie Holmes and Chris Martin all confessing to picking up a sewing needle, as well as a clutch of crafty programmes bursting onto our screens, 2013 is proving to be the year of the great sewing revival....

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Here's how to... cope with losing your dream job and start working towards a new career

Career. Employment. Job. Money. Lifestyle. When it comes to our employment status it can be looked at like baking a cake. As any keen cook will know, when making a cake you need all the ingredients and everything has to be just right or you face serving up a floppy flan or broken brownie. Because like that cake, if you don't have a job - let alone a career - then in my opinion you have a very limited lifestyle. It's like an ingredient is missing. I found this out the hard way when I lost my job last week. After the initial shock I'm not ashamed...

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Are you organised or playful? What your make up says about you!

Have you ever wondered where Frieda Kahlo kept her paint brushes? Or where Emily Bronte kept the pen with which she wrote Wuthering Heights? Probably not, but I’m guessing the answer to both of these questions is neither in the bottom of her handbag (with the loose change, old bus tickets and bits of Bombay Mix – I’m such a pig) or in some kind of slightly mucky looking bag she got free with a magazine. And yet, that's the way I treat the tools I use, everyday, to create my very own work of art. The materials I use to conceal my darker than...

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Malta: Where to stay to make the most of your holiday

You may have already read my first feature on Malta and Gozo. If you haven't, then you definitely need to. Anyway, if you have, you may be wondering where to stay. Fortunately the Malta Tourism Authority gave me the chance to try out two five star hotels; one on the beautiful, peaceful get-away-from-it-all island of Gozo, to the north of Malta, and one on lively and loveable Malta itself. There was definitely a clear winner for me. Kempinski Hotel's San Lawrenz I loved this hotel. It is absolutely beautiful. Located on Gozo, it was built by a...

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Escaping to Malta and Gozo

At the beginning of June, I was fortunate enough to be asked by the Malta Tourism Authority to visit Malta, and her sister Island Gozo, to sample some of the ‘active’ activities (sorry, just couldn’t resist) there are to do. I’d never heard of Gozo before I read the itinerary – geography isn’t one of my strengths. If you’re also wondering what I’m talking about then you owe yourself some alone time with Google images. When you’re done reading, naturally. We flew with Air Malta from Heathrow. There is one airport on Malta but the island isn't...

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Here's how to... make cabin crew love you just a little bit on your flight (and possibly bag a free upgrade)

It's the worst bit of the holiday. The flight. Not only does it often mean waking up at an ungodly hour, but airports are always busy, crowded places. And expensive. Because once you've checked in and your luggage is safely and gently being transported to the baggage area before being thrown about and hauled into the bowels of the tin can you'll soon be seated in, you're trapped. You are trapped. Want a coffee? That's £15 please. And you'll pay it. Because you have no choice and THEY KNOW IT. Then there's the flight. If you're lucky enough to...

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Where to drink gin in teacups like a proper flapper

Photo via here. There's something special about drinking gin in tea cups. Hey, everyone loves a bit of twenties nostalgia. It's evident by the amount of  not-so-secret speakeasies popping up all over London. And the fact the long-awaited movie version of The Great Gatsby hasn't exactly had rave reviews, yet still manages to wow the audience with the fashion, trends and style of the day. (My friend took his girl to watch it. He said it was the most boring film he'd ever seen, 'but the clothes were dapper.') So whether you're a tourist...

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Review: Mango Tree, London

Sat right next to Buckingham Palace Gardens and a short stroll from Victoria tube station London's Belgravia, Mango Tree calls itself a little bit of Thailand in London. It's not about street food - a trend that somehow seems to be getting more and more pretentious and less street as the months roll by - it's about Thai food and modern flavours.With a sister restaurant serving locals, business travellers and tourists in Bangkok, as well as a well-known celebrity chef creating all kinds of new foodie infusions, they pride themselves on cuisine...

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Cat cafes, a purrfect place to relax

The UK is currently struggling with a housing shortage, which has pushed house prices higher and higher over the past few years. This has led to a number of home-owners and new buyers having to downsize and trade in their houses in place of smaller, compact apartments. Teeny-tiny living spaces, coupled with a busy working schedule, does not lead to a happy environment for a large pet, such as a cat or dog. City living is particularly tough for wannabe pet-owners, with tiny, gardenless apartments ruling out dog and cat ownership. Still, lonely...

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Summery Swedish-style cocktail recipes

Svenska Cup  2 strawberries (quartered) 4 cubes cucumber 8 mint leaves 10ml fresh lime juice 10ml elderflower cordial 30ml Absolut vodka 100ml Strawberry & Lime Rekorderlig Glass large wine glass Add ice to your glass, followed by strawberry, cucumber and mint. Pour in vodka, elderflower, lime and Rekorderlig. Stir gently. Garnish with min...

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Here's how to... make your own beauty body and face scrubs (it's DIY we can all get behind!)

So, it’s spring. It’s supposed to be warm, right? I’m choosing to ignore the fact it hailed, HAILED, just five minutes ago and the sky is currently as grey as Philip Schofield. Nevertheless *puts positive hat on* it's that time of year. The time when the sun finally pokes his head out of the clouds and sets a golden glow on the world. A glow that will offer a much needed shimmer to pasty white legs all over Britain. You’ve shaved/waxed/sugared/zapped and your legs are silky smooth, but after months of jeans, leggings and onesies they are looking...

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Review: Ibérica la Terraza, Canary Wharf, London

Spanish food is an odd one. We're all fans of a good Italian pizza. Mexican street food's taken the country by storm. Portuguese piri piri chicken's a firm favourite with everyone, from rugby players like the adorable and beautiful Leigh Halfpenny, to tattooed types like Jodie Marsh. But Spanish food isn't really mentioned. Aside from paella which I've only ever attempted in Spain, I can't remember ever saying 'Let's have Spanish food tonight, shall we?' after a hard day at work. So when we were invited to give Ibérica la Terraza on Cabot Square,...

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Fancy frocks, cocktails and a secret bar in the woods. It's all about the anti-festival.

If, like me, you're a bit bored of over-priced, loud and lairy festivals, then put away those wellies, leave the tent wherever it is in the attic and save your hard-earned pennies. I've found something far more magical and enchanting, and there's very little chance of someone throwing a putrid tray of how-can-you-possibly-charge-that noodles into the crowd. Wyndstock, held on the weekend of 22nd June, is the ultimate anti-festival - an enchanting summer playground for a select group of people. Dress code: simply your finest attire. I'd go with...

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Live in the Midlands? Then you'd probably prefer a shopping bag to fun in the sack!

Shocked? Then you need to read on. Because an Ultimate Shopper survey* taken by thousands of women all over the UK has revealed that one in three women of the Midlands prefer splashing their cash than indulging in sexy times with their special someone. Over half of women in London agree, with ladies in East Anglia being the least likely to put new shoes before their man. Lucky guys. But that's not it. Oh no. When asked if they felt shopping was definitely better than sex, lasses in Northern Ireland were top of the polls with a whopping one in...

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Review: Partridges' Afternoon Tea at the Cadogan Hotel, London

Afternoon tea. It conjures up all kinds of things in the mind. Neatly-cut sarnies filled with salmon. Intricate cakes, just waiting to be eaten. Teas from far-off lands. It's hard not to feel like you've gone back to a more elegant, classical time when someone asks you which flavour of tea you'll be drinking this morning. After all, The Cadogan Hotel has been serving its patrons for over one hundred years. The five star hotel itself is a real landmark. Situated a five minute walk from Sloane Square and Knightsbridge tube stations, it faces the...

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Goodwood Races Three Friday Nights - Rudimental, Racing and Wrong Turns

I’m sure if you read my last article on Goodwood Races (and if you follow me on Twitter) you're aware I attended the Three Friday Nights racing and laser show/rave up event on the 31st May. I cannot quite describe to you just how excited I'd been in the build up to the day to see the combination of horse racing and Rudimental DJ set with 9,999 other like-minded people! Initially, I thought the entire evening was going to be a disaster. One thing after another kept going wrong. My driver had already called me ‘sir’ and ‘Mr.’ on the phone, which...

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Drink sexism. Why is it so controversial to see women drinking beer?

It's sunny. Oh yes, it's sunny. So with the sun finally making an appearance and shining down on us with tepid warmth, us Brits take this as the perfect opportunity to ditch the jeans, throw on a summer dress and sunnies and head straight to the pub for an after-work tipple. Because the promise of a pub garden with friends and a cool glass of beer is just what we need. That's right. I said beer. Welcome to 2013, where women of the world like to drink a cool pint of something without a synthetic fruit added for flavour. But is it become more...

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Do British women sorely need French etiquette lessons?

The stereotypical French woman just has a certain way about her, doesn't she. Sure, the food can be hit and miss (macarons yes, snails no), but there's no denying they're seen as poised, highly fashionable, full of charm and grace. And a cheeky holiday with the love of your life in the French Riviera is far more appealing than a weekend in Torbay, the English version of Cannes. I know. Doesn't really compare. So Frenchologie, the luxury lifestyle website dedicated to all things French, has launched a French etiquette programme to bring a touch...

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Review: JuJu Jelly shoes (making sandals teamed with socks acceptable again)

If you're a child of the 90s, you'll remember jelly shoes. I had a pair. They were clear plastic jelly, with glittery flecks. My sister's were either purple or blue - she's always been a fan of cooler colours. Anyway, I flipping loved them. LOVED them. They looked like ballerina pumps and gave us both massive blisters which meant my sister and I had to wear them with frilly ankle socks (socks and sandals rules don't apply when you're seven), of course, but they were proper princess shoes. Because all princess have plastic shoes. Look at Barbie...

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Recipe: Chicken Larb, Lamb Massaman Curry and Mango Sticky Rice

I'm pretty sure if you're a long-time reader you'll know about my fascination with all things Thai. One of the things I really miss about the place (as well as the people, the weather, the beaches, the rain, the animals and the entire culture) is the food. If you're lucky enough to live near a decent Thai restaurant, then I envy you. Because unless I venture out into London, Thai food has to be made in my own kitchen. And a great chef I ain't. So I asked the guys and girls at Mango Tree, a Thai restaurant in London, to put together a simple...

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