Closed Win Wine Show plus Free Entry to Masterchef Live 5 Pairs 02/11 Giveaway #10

We are delighted to announce that The Wine Show will this year be taking place at it’s new home alongside MasterChef Live at Olympia. The UK’s dedicated consumer wine show will give visitors the chance to learn about, discuss and buy a whole range of wines from around the world. Plus with our home delivery service there will be no worries about taking cases of wine home on the tube!

For the first time at Olympia experts including Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin, Susy Atkins and Rob Buckhaven will be hosting tutored tastings in The Drinks Tasting Theatre sponsored by Liebherr giving visitors the opportunity to learn how to select the perfect wines for the winter season.

The Wine Market

Visitors can take a stroll through The Wine Market where they will find boutique wines from vineyards across the world at affordable prices. With the chance to meet small wine producers and retailers, visitors can really get an insight into unique wines. Plus superb Rose wines from specialist online supplier, Rosé-wine.com. Meet the experts and experience a full range of fabulous dry and refreshing Rosés.

The Drinks Tasting Theatre sponsored by Liebherr

Book a place in the theatre to meet some of the best wine experts in the industry – Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin, Rob Buckhaven and Susy Atkins will all be hosting wine tasting sessions. Visitors will benefit from their knowledge and experience in trying 4 different wines with lots of advice on vintage, grapes and even foods to complement the flavour! Sessions will include a selection of wines from Campo Viejo, and French Quality Wines and other ports and wines from exhibitors at the Show.

Shopping!

There are hundreds of wines to choose from on the Show floor from a selection of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference wines to wines from countries spanning Chile, New Zealand, France, Spain and also local varieties. The Show offers the opportunity to not only taste and buy new and existing wines, but for visitors to be educated on how to match your food to your wine at home and in a restaurant. Plus stock up your cellar with the perfect wines for the festive season.

Tapas Time with Campo Viejo

Gone are the days of formal dinner parties with hours of planning. Today, entertaining friends at home has never been easier with the arrival of ‘Tapas Time’. Join MasterChef winner Steven Wallis in his Campo Viejo feature where you can gather round and watch him create delicious tapas dishes as he explains how to match them with your favourite Campo Viejo wines. Every hour Campo Viejo will show you just how simple tapas dishes are to make plus the opportunity to taste them for yourself. Steven will be available to answer your questions, allowing you to become a real in-home tapas expert! Wine experts will also be on hand to answer your questions, while serving and discussing the wide variety of Campo Viejo wines available. Exclusive show offers will also be running.

Sabrage

Firm up the wrist, raise the elbow up high and swing! This year, visitors to The Wine Show will be able to learn the art of Sabrage - opening a bottle of Champagne with a sword - with specialist wine-tour operator Grape Escapes. Swashbuckling wine-lovers will get the chance to try Napoleon’s favourite way of opening a champagne bottle. And in the process, they will be inducted into the Confrérie du Sabre d’Or – the society of Sabreurs.

**Great value as Tickets also include free entry to MasterChef Live**

Back for its second year, MasterChef Live showcases fantastic shopping, the capital’s finest restaurants, inspiring entertainment, celebrity chefs and interactive features from the hit BBC series. A whole host of MasterChef celebrities will be taking part including John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Dhruv Baker and this year’s Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner.

 

My followers can win one of 5 pairs of tickets by following my blog via Google Friend Connect, leave a contact email or twitter name and tell me whats your fave tipple alcoholic or not?

Mine is a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Bonus entry for a comment on any of my other review posts.

 

Good luck

Click here and >>  TRY MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS

 

Ends 02/11

UK only

Competition tickets are general admission only. Excluding Saturdays, they are non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Closed WIN BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER 2010 TICKETS 1 X 5 pairs 12/11 Giveaway # 9

I love the Good Food Show, an amazing family day out, my whole family love sampling new and favoutite foods, while my two gorge on Carte D'Or and Mueller yogurts, Mum gets to tipple wine, spirits and ogle James Martin.

I resisted the urge not to stalk him at the Summer show when Paige spotted him wandering around the gardens.

There is often a chance to make something to bring home and for compers oodles of giveaways, Chris won a funky can opener last year.

Stops to drool!!!

Talking of tasty, well I was! I adore the live cookery demos. The Masterchef event is a must.

Oh and don't forget the absolute bargains for Christmas shopping. fab foods and gifts for the home at special show prices.

On the way out grab a goody bag full of samples and full size products.

 Read more about it here.

http://given-to-distracting-others.blogspot.com/2010/10/bbc-good-food-show-winter-nec.html

Haymarket are giving my lovely followers a chance to win a day out.

They have given me 5 pairs of tickets worth an incredible £49  

To win you must be a follower, leave an email, or twitter name and then tell me your favorite chef or cook.

Mine has to be Nigel Slater for just making me hungry as he describes food so well. Read Real Food and you will be drooling!

Bonus entry for commenting on another post, just let me know where, I do check.

Good Luck

Click Here >> TRY MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS

Closes 12/11

Open UK Only

Competition tickets are general admission only.

Excluding Saturdays, they are non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

BBC Good Food Show Winter NEC Birmingham + Giveaway news

Woohoo!!!

I love the BBC Good Food Show, its a chance to taste new products, meet Dragon's Den winners such as Levi Roots promoting the latest new product backed by the fearsome entrepreneurs.

Meet tastier chefs and see the live demonstrations, in summer we watched James Martin, The Hairy Bikers and both were wandering around the show too.

This winters show promises to be as exciting with celeb chefs and new features, try making a 3 egg omelette and beating Paul Rankin's record.

Now wheres my whisk?

Its a great day out and for families my kids adore it, you would think that perhaps its not an ideal child event, but this summer my two gorged on ice cream a new Carte D'Or flavour, tasted sausages, pizza, chocolate, yogurt, they liked the new soft drinks, while mummy tries the alcohol next door. They were thrilled to see Dhruv, John and Greg from Masterchef.

They also planted courgettes to bring home and made candles, plus came home with a goody bag of their own and lots of samples.

Thanks to Haymarket I will be giving away tickets to this years show in the next day or so.

The BBC Good Food Show Winter will play host to some of the country’s top chefs and culinary stars, including Gordon Ramsay, James Martin, Rick Stein and Gary Rhodes at the Supertheatre at the NEC, Birmingham from the 24 – 28 November.

Supertheatre sponsored by Sainsbury’s – This 2000 seater theatre holds live demonstrations from the top chefs in the business. Purpose built and enclosed from the general public it really gives visitors a chance to get up close and personal with their kitchen heroes. Plus the Supertheatre will also play host to the star-studded BBC Radio Food and Farming Awards ceremony.

Masterchef Experience sponsored by Miele – In the iconic Invention Test visitors have the chance to see if they have what it takes to be a MasterChef. They have the chance to live the culinary dream and possibly have their creations judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace in The Invention Test. There are also opportunities to brush up on their culinary skills and take a Masterclass with past MasterChef winners and judges including Dhruv Baker and Monica Galetti.

*NEW* MasterChef Restaurant sponsored by Hardys – NEW this year after being launched to huge acclaim at the BBC Good Food Show 2009. The Restaurant will give visitors a chance to enjoy fine dining in style, with dishes inspired by creations from the hit TV series.

The Producers’ Village - The very best in specialist suppliers and artisan producers all under one roof. Featuring Henrietta Green’s FoodLoversBritain.com fair and Slow Food UK this area will be packed full of new and exciting food and drink products that cannot be found in high street stores.

Drinks – Exhibitors from all over the world will be showcasing the very best wines and spirits they have to offer. Guests can fill their cabinets for Christmas with everything from Australian and Chilean wine to artisan-produced London Dry Gin and Barley Vodka. Oz Clarke will also host drinks tasting Masterclasses where visitors can learn how to really appreciate what they are drinking.

*NEW* Saturday Kitchen Live - Don’t miss this new feature with wine tastings, demonstrations by culinary legends plus your chance to take ‘the omelette challenge’ – have a go at cooking a 3 egg omelette to see if you can you beat the all time champion Paul Rankin’s 15.12 seconds.

BBC Good Food Show Winter, 24 – 28 November, NEC Birmingham, 9am-6pm

bbcgoodfoodshow.com / 0844 581 1360

Advance adult ticket prices start at:

General admission

Advance  Wed- Fri £20.50

Advance Sat £21.50

Advance Sun£20.50

General admission with the Supertheatre – standard seat

Advance Wed-Fri £23.50

Advance Sat £24.50

Advance Sun £23.50

VIP

Advance Wed-Fri £80.00

Advance Sat £85.00

Advance Sun £80.00

£1.75 booking fee applies per ticket.

BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards: Visitors can add a ticket to this onto their booking for free. Takes place on Wednesday 24 November at 2pm.

FAMILY SUNDAY: Up to two children under the age of 16 may come to the show for free on Sunday, accompanied by a paying adult and discounted prices on Saturday. Children under 5 free every day.

All tickets include a showguide recipe collection (value £10) with recipes from the Show.

Full details of pricing and price packages are available at http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/ or by calling the team on 0844 581 1360

Tightsplease have the X Factor

Love her or not, for the record  I am a total fan

Cheryl Cole's new song Promise This was performed last night on the X Factor live show. 

Whether she mimed or not, please note nobody is moaning about Michael Buble miming, despite him not having a heavy duty dance routine, you cannot deny though Cheryl looked hot. In a gorgeous ivory tuxedo, cute body, biker boots and bandage strip tights she made a stunning sight.

Paige said cool tights, I have to admit since reviewing for 'Tights Please' I have been hosiery spotting and instantly went looking for them.

They are Wolford Bondage Tights  and are available 23rd November, sign up to get an email to remind you as I don't think they will be around long!

Other Wolford  styles are just as stunning.

Other X Factor people in gorgeous legwear include Sophie from Belle Amie in

Henry Holland New York Citights

These ones have a Statue of Liberty pattern for more of these take a look at Henry Holland

Ooh la la, I have a gorgeous jumper dress with "I love Paris" on and I think I have found the perfect Citights.

One of my fave X Factor contestants is the sultry, honey voiced Rebecca Ferguson who is so very good, win or not she is already a star, mark my words.

Seen here shining in Pamela Mann gold and silver lurex tights

 Bold metallics look great for evening wear matched with simple dresses and cute tweed jackets. For daytime, wear with cut off shorts and boots to create an interesting glimpse of sparkle to your outfit.

For all these and more gorgeous tights that are sure to get your vote visit

www.tightsplease.co.uk

CLOSED Remote Control Tarantula Ends 10/11 # Giveaway 8

Apologies if you are shuddering, I happen to love tarantulas, I was lucky to take part in a "hands on" experience of insects and snakes a while back. I was the only one to try a hissing cokroach and the Chilean Rose tarantula, they really are beautiful, if you are not terrified that is.

Chris is petrified, he says anything with more than six legs is wrong. He actually took a photo of me with the spider, but hid behind some poor woman to take it he actually  clutched her arm when the tarantula moved on my hand much to everybody's amusement.

He is brilliant fun for the children, they have had an assortment of pretend spiders that they have placed strategically to scare the living daylights out of him, so when I saw this BrightMinds terrifying toy...........well its tempting.......

BrightMinds have teamed up with Given To Distracting Others to offer one ‘unlucky’ reader the chance to win a terrifyingly terrific Remote Control Tarantula, worth £24.99!

Just in time for Halloween or Creepy Christmas, this super-scary creepy crawly is sure to frighten friends and family – the perfect ghoulish gadget for any bug lover!

The leading supplier of exciting educational toys and games, BrightMinds has a host of fabulously fun products that are sure to keep the little ones entertained.

To be in with a chance to win make sure you follow my blog and leave me a contact email or twitter name too.

 Then can you tell us how many legs a tarantula has?

6
8
10

** Bonus entry if you comment on another post

Thats it and good luck

For more information about similar products visit http://www.brightminds.co.uk/ or call 0844 4122250.


CLICH HERE >> TRY MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS

 

Closes 10th November

Open to UK followers only, sorry.

 

Fairy Clean & Care Review With a touch of Olay Softness

I along with scores of women have my hands in water washing up, cleaning, washing my hair, dirty jobs that include gardening,scrubbing and for years it doesn't seem to change your hands, but then all of a sudden, the dryness starts.

I now use hand cream a lot, one dose of water on my hands and they are dried out after towelling, especially as the central heating is now here adding to the effects.

So anything that will help stop the ravaged crepey hand look, I am up for.
Hand cream is good but I also don't want to be applying it every time I wash up.

Fairy Clean and Care sent me two of the new liquids with a touch of Olay Softness which as well as doing what Fairy does best also softens hands. Olay is great on my face and so keen to see if it worked.

The Fairy looks moisturising more like a hydrating shower gel, creamy and thick, I have gorgeous peach and Mandarin plus the Aloe Vera and Cucumber.
I have been using two varieties for all washing up, yesterday I did the Sunday roast dishes yesterday, this is rare as the dishwasher normally obliges, but its on the blink. 

 I do get very dry tight skin with any washing up liquid. My skin was better after use, particulary the Aloe Vera variety, it felt more soothing, both though were good.
So "Hands that do dishes can feel soft as your face!" really applies, oh drat I will be singing that all day now.

WHO’S JUDGING YOU ON YOUR HANDS?

ONE THIRD OF OTHER WOMEN, THAT’S WHO!

In a recent poll conducted by Fairy Clean & Care*, 37% of UK women identified their hands as the most neglected part of their body. More importantly for today’s beauty conscious women, 36% of them felt that this statement was true not just of them, but of women in general! When you consider how much effort and money goes on the average women’s beauty regime, it appears that women could be letting themselves down here, especially when they unanimously agree that hands do tell your true age.

 

Amazingly, findings from the survey suggest only 15% of women spend their beauty budget on professional treatments for their hands, yet this is despite the 70% of women who say that the everyday stresses of their modern lives is literally ‘in their hands’ - air conditioning is said to be the worst offender (45%), then the great outdoors (30%) compared to just 27% for washing-up.

Findings also suggest the face gets all the attention when it comes to regular beauty treatment, but as the most touchy-feely part of the body at high risk of dryness from every day toil and stress, the hands are surely the place where our quest for softer skin should start? After all, 66% of women agreed soft skin makes them feel healthy.

Step in the new hand care saviour Fairy Clean & Care with a touch of Olay Softness, bringing beauty science technology straight to a kitchen sink near you. Procter & Gamble’s skincare scientists and experts have utilised their research and expertise, to provide a daily solution for improving skin softness, resulting in soft and moisturised hands.

A first for homecare, Fairy Clean & Care with a touch of Olay Softness contains a skin conditioning polymer also used in some well known beauty brands’ cleansers and body washes. Designed to leave hands feeling soft and moisturised after washing up, the new Fairy formulation helps to tackle the negative effects of the everyday toil and stress that our hands often face.

 New Fairy Clean & Care with a touch of extra softness will be available in four pretty pastel-hued variants, Aloe & Cucumber, Silk & Orchid, Almond and Peach & Mandarin.

Big Ben by T.P.A UK Discover the new video by Team Proof Association, featuring Big Ben

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MANIFESTO

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