Dickens’ Exhibition Opens in Birthtown Portsmouth with

Original Nicholas Nickleby Manuscript

28^th January – 4^th November

Charles Dickens’ birthtown, Portsmouth, is staging a free exhibition dedicated to the novelist’s bicentenary featuring an original Nickolas Nickleby manuscript on loan from the British Library. A Tale of One City at Portsmouth City Museum. It will be open from 28^th January until 4^th November 10am-5pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays apart from Bank Holidays).

Also in Portsmouth, Dickens actual birthplace, a modest house at 1 Mile End Terrace now preserved as a museum, will also be open 10am-5pm from 28^th January until 4^th November, which is longer than usual. Admission charges apply but entry will be free on Sunday 5^th and Tuesday 7th February 2012 to celebrate the bicentenary (closed Mondays apart from Bank holidays), when there will be a range of activities plus celebrations in the street including musicians, performers, food, craft activities and readings.

For details visit www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk or call 023 9282 7261; more information can also be found along with 14 other Hampshire museums at www.visitsoutheastengland.com/historyrevealed.

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Welcome the ‘dating detox’, a fool proof, four step detox plan for even the biggest skeptics to get you right back on track in your dating life.  

Cleanse your outlook and get a fresh start for 2012 with four tips from Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship expert for online match-maker eHarmony.co.uk,

Dr Gonzaga begins with a question: ‘If you were to conduct a self-diagnostic checkup on the condition of your dating life, which of the following would apply?’

a. Strong and robust, with optimal functioning.

b. Generally healthy, though periodically sluggish and listless.

c. Anaemic and frail.

d. Comatose.      

“If you answered “C” or “D,” chances are you’ve been single for a while now and you’re suffering from overexposure to potent dating toxins. There are remedies you can use for yourself when you feel depleted and discouraged in your search for lasting love.”

Here is a four-step therapy from eHarmony.co.uk, that guarantees to flush the dating fatigue from your system and put you back on track:      

1. Purge.

Unsuccessful dating attempts often leave behind a debris field of unfulfilled desires, unresolved grievances, and unyielding regrets. These are toxic to your emotional wellbeing, not to mention your chances for future success in matters of the heart. A critical step in the process of dating detox is learning to let go! Forget the past, and choose to move on.

2. Consume carefully.

A regimen of dating detox must include monitoring your intake of words, thoughts, advice, and images related to romance. Stay away from “downer” friends who whine about how hard it is to find a decent man/woman. Tune out family members who complain about their lousy relationships. When you feel your mood beginning to sink toward self-pity, do something about it. Even small shifts in your “diet” can lead to dramatic positive changes. 

3. Rebuild.

Detox is not just about getting rid of unhealthy habits and emotions—but replacing them with ones more likely to get what you want. In this phase, begin by identifying the kind of partner you aspire to be. Are there qualities on the list you don’t yet possess? Make a plan to get there. Next, describe the person you are looking for in detail. This will help you recognise those people who don’t quite measure up—and save you another round of detox down the road.      

4. De-stress.

Relationship experts point out the negative impact of placing too much stress on the dating process. Lots of people put tremendous pressure on themselves and their dates, continually analyzing what was said or not said, what they did or did not do. Having a relaxed, low-pressure approach to life and love makes for happy individuals—and happy individuals make happy, healthy romantic couples.   

Everyone needs a round of dating detox now and then and what better time than the breaking of a new year.

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Build a pattern with panelling

Do you have a plain wall with a bock of colour but think that maybe it's missing something? Well So Darling! has the answer, why not go for three-dimensional pattern with fretwork panels from Jali. Using a bold colour as a background makes the lattices pop.

The Jali Designer allows you to design panels and grilles to your exact size and specification, with a choice of over a dozen different fretwork patterns, you can create and build whatever shape and pattern you want!

As they are made-to-measure the prices differ, visit http://www.jali.co.uk/ to start building your unique panelled wall feature.

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DISCOVER A WONDERLAND OF…… IMAGINATION WINTER

Disney launches Imagination Winter – the Christmas scent

Imagination Winter is a delicious Christmas version of the original Imagination home fragrance, for the holiday season. Imagination Winter has the heart of Imagination but it is enhanced with warm spices such as freshly grated cinnamon bark, grated nutmeg and clove. Orange zest gives this iconic scent freshness and a bright signature. Imagination Winter has added frosty snow pine, juniper and cedar notes which emphasise the winter aroma. It's as if the signature scent of the Disney Store is covered with a blanket of snow!

The award-winning fine fragrance perfumer who created Imagination also created Imagination Winter. He imagined what an enchanted forest would smell like in the winter and amplified the existing coniferous notes in the classic Imagination scent, adding traditional holiday spices and nuances to make the scent sparkle and feel festive in the Christmas Season.

The Imagination Winter Collection

For an enveloping, harmonious experience, the Imagination Winter Collection provides a range of home products featuring the unmistakable Imagination Winter scent.

£12.00

Imagination Winter Candle

The subtle notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and orange peel combine with pine, junipur and cedar to infuse rooms with captivating fragrance and set a holiday mood in the home. This candle smells divine, even when not lit. With over 50 hours of burn time, the blend of vegetable and paraffin wax gives a steady, even burn quality and the cotton wick is lead free. Each candle is attractively gift boxed.

£8.00

Imagination Winter Room Spray

The perfect Imagination Winter scent comes in a room spray for an instant experience in the home. Add atmosphere to your living space and set the mood for Christmas relaxation. This room spray complements the Imagination Winter Candle and creates a light environment scent to fragrance any room.

£10.00

Imagination Winter Votive Set

This attractive gift set contains two Imagination Winter scented votive candles, each with a 25 hour burn time. The Disney Store is donating 25% of the retail sale price of each Imagination Winter Votive Set sold to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's charity.

Imagination Winter is the fifth of six fragrances launched by Disney Store, each inspired by some of Disney's most timeless and beloved characters and stories. This premium collection, including personal fragrances, home scents and unique gifts, is the first ever fragrance collection from Disney Store and has been created in conjunction with some of the world's leading fragrance houses, perfumers and an award-winning design team.

Imagination Winter will be available from the new Disney Store, on Oxford Street and other selected stores in the UK and online at disneystore.co.uk from November 2011. Wonder, Disney Store's debut fragrance, is a delicate scent of lemon sugar, apple blossom and marshmallow clouds, evoking all that is wonderful about a baby and is available in store now as a range of unique scented gifts and a Room Spray. Imagination, Disney Store's signature fragrance, is an enchanted forest of sequoia trees, cool moss and green leaves. Magic, Disney Store's homage to the essence of Mickey Mouse, is an unforgettable blend of icy blue mint, rich dark chocolate and invigorating sea spray. Imagination and Magic are both available as a range of home scents with products including a Candle, Room Spray, Hand Wash and Hand Lotion in selected stores now.

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This year BBC Children in Need have teamed up with Debenhams, to challenge five fabulous celebrities to design a clothing collection!

Alexandra Burke, Tamara Ecclestone, Patsy Kensit, Chipmunk and Kevin Pietersen unveil statement styles in a new limited edition collection for Debenhams in aid of BBC Children in Need.

The collection will be assessed by the design and buying teams, with the best pieces being chosen to go on sale in branches of Debenhams across the UK and online, all to raise money for this year’s BBC Children in Need campaign.

To vote for your favourite design, text the celebrity’s name below to 80588, texts will be charged at £1.50 per message plus one standard rate message, 90p will go to BBC Children in Need.

Text the word:
‘ALEX’ to vote for Alexandra Burke
‘CHIPMUNK’ to vote for Chipmunk
‘KEVIN’ to vote for Kevin Pieterson
‘PATSY’ to vote for Patsy Kensit
‘TAMARA’ to vote for Tamara Eccleston

Or enter free by posting your vote to PO Box 1000 London W12 7TS The vote closes at midnight on 21 November. You must be over 16 and have the bill payer’s permission. The winner of the vote and the competition will be announced online on 25 November.

Here’s what the pieced from the girls look like,

£60.00

A super sparkly partywear piece designed by Alexandra Burke, the studded detail on the back of the dress gives it that extra sparkle!

£60.00

A smart tailored jacket designed by Patsy Kensit with inspiration taken from old Hollywood, simple but classic.

£80.00

An occasion wear piece designed by Tamara Ecclestone. A beautiful piece in a gorgeous colour, ideal for any occasion.

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The ranges available cover fragrances for women, men, classis collection, private collection, bespoke perfumery and fragrance for the home.

The floris for women and men constitutes the creations of the current Floris family members at the helm of the company today.

The Floris Classics range maps the perfumed pathways of English perfumery as explored by generations of the Floris family.

The Floris Private Collection issues the family’s most prestigious range of perfumes. Inspired by people and event, past and present, each of the unique fragrances combines exquisite ingredients sourced from around the world.. The oils and essences have been specially selected before being meticulously developed by Floris’ iin-house perfumer to express a story begind each creation.

The Floris family has created a collection of scented candles and room fragrances using time-honoured traditions. They have developed and perfected the quality resulting in luxurious candles that last, burning slowly and evenly. The wicks are made of pure braided cotton.  Still individually poured today, all of the candles and room fragrances are richly scented using the finest quality ingredients.

For a limited time only, Floris are welcoming back the newly packaged Cinnamon and Tangerine scented candle and room fragrance for the room fragrance. The fragrance is synonymous with the season of peace and goodwill.

Cinnamon & Tangerine is a rich oriental citrus fragrance with a juicy cocktail of orange and tangerine, infused with the warmth of a rich spice blend of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg with a dusting of crushed black peppers. The base comprises sweet vanilla enriched with amber, sandalwood, patchouli and a tot of brandy to warm the heart.

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WWF LAUNCHES SNOW LEOPARD ADOPTION SCHEME

Snow leopard populations have declined by 20 per cent in the last two decades.  WWF has launched a new snow leopard adoption scheme, in order to help protect the endangered species.

Launched in October, the Snow Leopards of the Sacred Himalayas adoption pack is the perfect Christmas gift idea for family and friends. For as little as £3 a month, you can adopt a group of rare snow leopards, and help to support WWF’s ongoing work to preserve the species’ habitat and prevent the risk of poaching.

It is currently estimated that there are as few as 4,000-6,500 snow leopards living in the wild in the mountain regions of Asia. Poachers hunt them for their fur and to sell their bones for use in traditional Asian medicines, while local farmers sometimes kill them to protect livestock.

WWF’s adoption pack will help fund conservation work with local governments and local communities, as well as supporting the work of TRAFFIC (the wildlife trade and monitoring network) to prevent the illegal trade in snow leopards and their body parts.  Funds will also support research and monitoring of snow leopard behaviour, their ranges and population group size.

The WWF adoption scheme will support a group of snow leopards currently comprising 10 individuals, located in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in the Himalayas of north eastern Nepal.

John Barker, Species Programme Manager at WWF-UK said:

“Snow leopards prefer steep, broken terrain such as mountainsides, cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines so they are especially difficult to monitor, however it is vital that we continue to track their progress and work with local communities, in order to ensure the species is protected for generations to come.”

Download images of snow leopards and adoption pack merchandise

HERE

When you sign up to adopt, you will receive a snow leopard toy and a welcome pack. You will also receive updates three times a year on the progress of the snow leopards.

The snow leopard adoption is also available as part of the new ‘Snow Pack’, a triple adoption package, which protects snow leopards, Adélie penguins and polar bears and their habitats.  Click here to find out more.

If you want to learn more about snow leopards, please visit:

http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/wildlife/snow_leopard/

WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries.  They are working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive.  Through their engagement with the public, businesses and government, they focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live.

In 2011, WWF’s 50th anniversary year, they are celebrating what they have achieved so far together, and are positive about tackling the challenges of the future. Find out more about their work, past and present at www.wwf.org.uk

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Rescue dogs get ready for the Red Carpet

Stray and abandoned scruffy mutts get ready for their most exciting event

Lost, unwanted, and abandoned dogs that are being cared for by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime this week. 30 rescue dogs including Staffies, Chihuahuas and Huskies have been selected to walk the red carpet for the charity’s spectacular Collars and Coats Gala Ball, which takes place on Friday 11 November at Evolution in Battersea Park.

In preparation for their big night, the dogs are getting in some pampering so they can look their best. With help from event sponsors John Paul Pet™ the dogs will be groomed, clipped and bathed and ready to give a paw to guests including the charity’s President TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, host for the night Peter Andre, and singer and Strictly contestant Lulu.

The glamour of the Collars & Coats Ball is a world away from the sad circumstances that have led many of these dogs to Battersea’s doors. In the last week alone, 60 strays have come into the charity’s care, and 39 have been given up by owners who can no longer care for them.

Claire Horton, Battersea’s Chief Executive, said: “The team here at Battersea are so excited about the ball, which is just over a week away now. We’re making sure our four-legged friends are getting involved in the action as well so that they can enjoy their moment in the spotlight as much as we will.”

“The Collars and Coats Gala Ball is a crucial way in which Battersea raises the money it needs to care for the thousands of stray, lost and abandoned dogs and cats which come through our doors. It costs us £14million every year to give these animals a second chance and, as we receive no Government funding, we rely on kind-hearted members of the public to support our work.”

Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help.  We reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners through their Lost Dogs & Cats Line or care for them until new homes can be found for them, giving them shelter and the highest standards of kennelling and veterinary care.

Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home rehomes dogs and cats all over the UK.

Tickets for the Collars & Coats Gala Ball are available by calling 020 7627 9309 or visiting http://www.collarsandcoats.org.uk/. For further information log onto www.battersea.org.uk

Battersea was visited by Dog and Groom mobile pet salons to help prepare the dogs for the Ball. For more information log onto www.dogandgroom.co.uk

The dog’s coats were groomed using John Paul Pet™ luxury pet care.  For more information, please visit their website www.jppet.co.uk

Photographs courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home/JAM

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Do you have a profile on an online dating website? Well almost six million Brits are now  dating online but with so many people and so many profiles in the digisphere, it pays to be creative. Standing out from the virtual crowd has never been more important if you are hoping to meet a long term partner online.

“Whether you have signed up for the first time or have been online dating for several months, never under-estimate the power of your dating profile,” says Dr Gian Gonzaga, world-renowned expert in the field of compatibility and relationships for eHarmony®.

“Your online profile is a virtual window into your life, your passions, your goals and accomplishments.  There’s no set formula for a ‘great profile’ as everyone’s different, but every dating profile should be positive and lively. Like a CV, it should show off your best points, but instead of a dry list of achievements it should be conversational in tone and full of personality.”

So, if you’re thinking of starting on the online dating journey, follow Dr Gonzaga’s ten dating tips to ensuring your dating profile gets you a first date, and lots more:

1. RELAX AND TURN OFF DISTRACTIONS

The first step is to get comfortable and relaxed and have a bit of distance from noise and distractions so you can concentrate on thinking about all your positives. Sit down on the sofa, put some music on, and start jotting down some thoughts about what makes you unique on paper, or the computer.

2. DO YOUR DATING RESEARCH

What better way to research than reading other people’s online dating profiles and looking at what you like about them, and what you don’t. Make sure your profile isn’t the same as others’ though.  You’re unique.

3. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS SAY ABOUT YOU?

Everyone finds it difficult writing about themselves. It’s often easier to write about other people; so ask your close friends to describe your best qualities.  Your friends can reveal a lot about your character that you may never spot.

4. STAY POSITIVE!

Avoid negative tones and always be positive about yourself.  Your profile is essentially your dating CV.  You wouldn’t want a future employer to read anything negative on your CV, so why would you want a potential partner to read anything that isn’t positive?

5. ADOPT A WRITER’S STYLE

Many people find poor grammar and spelling a turn off, and the best of us can make mistakes, so be careful on this point. Always write in full sentences, don’t abbreviate or use text speak. Then read your profile aloud, or ask a friend to double check it. Then put it into Word and use your computer spell check for final peace of mind.

6. UPDATE YOUR PHOTOS

Pictures are an essential part of your profile so use them to full effect.   These are a few good examples:

-       The Full Face Close Up:  Great light, no sunglasses.  You’re simply smiling!

-       The Full Body: Ideally standing outside.

-       The Waist Up: Sitting down and smiling.

-       Your Passion: Doing something you really love – snowboarding, sailing etc.

-       Your Favourite Place: Local park, the beach or garden, it’s a great conversation starter.

7. BE SPECIFIC

When you’re writing about what sums you up as a person, talk in specifics to give a full flavour of who you are. If you love travelling, say where your favourite place is and why. Anything concrete like this brings you alive to anyone reading, and improves your chances of there being some connecting points.

8. HAVE FUN!

Most people want to find someone who can make them laugh, so show people you have a sense of humour.  If you can make someone laugh or someone can make you laugh, it’s a great icebreaker and could get your dating conversation off to a great start.

9. TWEAK AS YOU GO

Be prepared to tweak the profile as you go along, you can always come back to it and change it if you feel you didn’t quite get it right the first time.  Add in your current achievements or hobbies, so if you’ve just started a photography course, then add that to your profile.

10. PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES

And finally, think about what you would think if you read your own online dating profile.  Are you interested in you? If you feel curious then you are off to a flying start.

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Win an Original ‘Pawtrait’ of Your Pet by Cornwall-based Artist Caroline Rousseaux

Founded on a passion for our feline friends, professional artist Caroline Rousseaux’s work has captivated the hearts of animal lovers across the country.

After exhibiting a series of her ‘Pawtraits’ in 2009, she received huge acclaim from the public and critics alike, prompting her to expand her artwork to include more of nature’s four-legged companions. Earlier this year, Caroline launched the Children’s ArT Studio (CATS for short, naturally!) – an artistic hub where youngsters can get creative while learning about important environmental issues, including the conservation of endangered wildcats.

One lucky Unique Home Stays fan will win a specially commissioned ‘Pawtrait’ of their beloved pet, in Caroline’s inimitable style, which will capture not only their unique features but their character and personality, too!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of having your pet forever immortalised on canvas is‘Like’ their Facebook page and post a photograph of your pet on the Facebook wall. Then be sure to encourage all of your friends to vote for your picture by ‘liking’ the photo; the more eye-catching the better so get creative! The photo of the pet with the most votes wins. It really is as simple as that.

Remember … you need to remain a fan throughout the competition to be in with a chance of winning. And make sure you subscribe to their newsletter to hear if you are the lucky winner.

GOOD LUCK!

Terms and Conditions

• The competition closes at 9am on Friday 21st October.
• The competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over, except employees of UHS.
• The winner will be picked at random and will be contacted by the artist within seven days (It is the winner’s responsibility to reply with their full name and contact details within 24 hours to ensure contact within this period).
• The promoter (UHS) accepts no responsibility for any technical issues, system or software failures encountered on or during entry to the promotion.
• No cash alternative is available, and no correspondence appertaining to such will be entered into. The promoter’s decision is final.
• The winner’s name will be posted onto the Unique Home Stays website, as well as their Facebook and Twitter page.
• Facebook has no association or jurisdiction over the competition.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

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