WANT A NEW WARDROBE IN 2010? THE SKINNY COW® HOT CHOCOLATE AND KELLY BROOK SAY ‘OH YES, YOU CAN!’
Coming to the rescue of fashionistas feeling the pinch of Christmas and the recession – The Skinny Cow® has teamed up with Kelly Brook to host a celebrity charity Swap Shop, to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

With items donated by the likes of Holly Willoughby, Sarah Harding and Danielle Lloyd – the exclusive Swap shops will give fashion fiends the chance to breathe new life into their wardrobes through swapping not shopping!

By becoming a fan of The Skinny Cow® on www.facebook.com/skinnycowuk women will be able to enter into a draw to attend the London and Manchester based events. For those women who don’t win an invite to the Swap Shops a facebook ‘Skinny Dip’ will let women battle it out to win more amazing fashion items and get a new look wardrobe for 2010.

Looking to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Skinny Cow® will be making a donation for every item ‘swapped’ by a celebrity at the two events and online.

Kelly Brook, who is hosting the London Swap shop, said ‘I love the idea of women swapping clothes to create new and different styles! It really encourages creativity and is all for a fantastic cause. I’ve even slipped a few of my own former-favourites in; I can’t wait to get to see all the different things people bring!’

Olivia Hibbert, Assistant Brand Manager for The Skinny Cow® Hot Chocolate said ‘The recession and Christmas has meant a lot of women have been cutting back so we wanted to create the perfect excuse for women to treat themselves to something new without feeling guilty- Oh Yes You Can! The Skinny Cow® is excited to be working in partnership with Kelly Brook to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care by creating a unique event in aid of a great cause.’

FROM DUVET DAYS TO DINNER PARTIES, THERE’S A SCRUMPTIOUS CHOCOLATE TO FIT ALL OCCASIONS

Life is like a box of chocolates; and now there is a chocolate to suit all of life’s occasions. Thorntons new Scrumptious box of single origin boutique chocolates (£4.99) includes six delicious individual flavours to tantalise your taste buds.

Have a lazy Sunday morning in bed nibbling on Velvet Melt, indulge in Caramel Chic at a dinner party or enjoy a movie night with friends over the Orang-ista. The Praline Burst is the ideal pick-me-up after a long week at work and the Ebony Melt and Viva Vanilla are perfect for a cosy night in.

Scrumptious, available from the beginning of March exclusively in all leading supermarkets, is a new box of single origin boutique chocolates, featuring mouth-watering flavours including: Praline Burst which is packed full of crunchy feuillietine pieces and velvety roasted hazelnut praline, Orangista, a zesty orange blossom sweet milk chocolate ganache and Caramel Chic, which is deliciously buttery and oozing with caramel.

This stylish box of Scrumptious is priced at just £4.99; so not only can you pick it up for that special someone while you’re doing the weekly shop, it is also great value for money.

WIN A SEAT ON THE WORLD’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY TAXI RIDE BRITISH PASSENGERS WANTED FOR AN ADVENTURE THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Tourism WA is seeking two outgoing Brits with a spirit of adventure and ability to play up to cameras to be part of the Extraordinary Taxi Ride, an epic nine week journey by taxi across Western Australia (WA).

Tourism Western Australia is recruiting a local West Australian taxi driver to take 22 lucky passengers on an epic odyssey around the entire state (which is approximately the size of India or 10 times the size of the UK) and its extraordinary attractions for a journey of a lifetime.

In 1930, Australian taxi driver Charlie Heard accepted a most unusual taxi fare, driving an elderly lady and her two companions from Melbourne to Darwin and back. The final fare was £300, the equivalent of about A$19,000, today. The Extraordinary Taxi Ride continues that pioneering spirit of adventure.

The trip is broken down into 11 ‘journey legs’, showcasing the many natural wonders and extraordinary experiences unique to WA such as sailing through the world’s only horizontal waterfalls in the Kimberley region of WA, exploring pristine Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing reef reached by the world’s shortest swim and the state’s wildflower season, which features the largest collection of wildflowers on Earth.

Hopeful passengers can apply to travel on any of the 11 ‘legs’ of the Extraordinary Taxi Ride by explaining in less than 40 words why they should be part of the journey. The winners will then have the opportunity to invite a mate on the journey with them to share in their adventure which will be filmed for a documentary.

Tourism Western Australia has scoured the State to find Western Australia’s most extraordinary taxi driver, a true local character who will showcase WA to passengers from around the world. As the kilometres of the journey tick over, so will the stories of the driver and passengers, all of them chronicled through blogs, images and video which will be broadcast to the world through the internet.

If you love to travel, thrive on fun and adventure, and enjoy a top class road trip visit http://www.westernaustralia.com, select the journey leg you want to go on, and tell us why we should pick you! Brits have until 21 March 2010 to enter and each entrant must be available to travel on their selected leg.

Journey legs include the following:

LEG 1: Vines, Forests & Beaches 09-12 April
Swim with dolphins, feast on premium food and wine, and explore the stunning beaches, forests and caves of the South West of WA, voted one of the world’s best regions by Lonely Planet 2010 and home to the famous Margaret River wine region.

LEG 5: Coast & Nature Spectacular 29 April – 5 May
Enjoy sea life, snorkelling and plenty of sunshine. Marvel at the moonlike landscape of the Pinnacles and a beach made entirely of tiny shells. Meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia who visit the shoreline each day and the varied marine life of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, from dugongs and reef sharks to turtles.

LEG 6: Ningaloo Reef Adventure 6 – 11 May
Nominated for World Heritage Listing, Ningaloo Reef is an underwater wonderland easily accessible from shore. Go swimming or snorkelling and see an abundance of pristine coral and sea life including manta rays and the gentle whale shark – the largest fish in the ocean which visits the region from April to July each year.

LEG 10: The Gibb River Road 1 – 9 June
The Gibb River Road is an iconic 4WD adventure across the Kimberley – one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Go cattle mustering, barramundi fishing and relax under waterfalls and in hot thermal springs. Highlights include staying at luxury outback properties El Questro and Home Valley Station.

LEG 11: North West Highlights 10-14 June
Rich red earth, white sands and brilliant blue skies. This leg explores areas of the Kimberley coast and includes visiting the award winning Kooljaman Wilderness Camp in Cape Leveque. The jewel of this leg is a flight over the world’s only horizontal waterfalls, described by David Attenborough as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’.
The prize from Travelbag.co.uk and Tourism Western Australia includes a place on the winner’s preferred leg of the journey for them and a mate, two return flights from the UK, accommodation and tours plus some time for pure relaxation in WA afterwards.

The Extraordinary Taxi Ride is part of Tourism WA’s new marketing campaign, designed to encourage people from around the world to come to Western Australia for their holidays, and to Experience Extraordinary.

For further information about Western Australia or to enter the competition visit http://www.westernaustralia.com

GRAND OPENING OF VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT IN SICILY ON MARCH 1ST 2010

The Rocco Forte Collection’s first ever golf and spa resort, Verdura in Sicily, will officially open its doors for its first full season on March 1st 2010.

The luxurious Olga Polizzi-designed resort, complete with 1.8km of private coastline, three links style golf courses, a 4,000sq metre thalassotherapy spa and four restaurants, is situated in a beautiful corner of South West Sicily, one hour’s drive from Palermo.

To celebrate the official opening of the resort after a soft launch period, Verdura has launched a Spring promotion from March 1 to April 29 (excluding Easter) offering guests booking a stay on a bed and breakfast basis a complimentary upgrade to half-board, unlimited green fees and a complimentary 50—minute spa treatment for each three night stay.

Sir Rocco Forte, chairman and CEO of The Rocco Forte Collection, explains, “From the outset I wanted to create a truly luxurious resort which offered exceptional golf, spa and dining experiences amid panoramic views and spectacular design. With 1.8km of coastline and 230 hectares of land, Verdura offers an incredible feeling of space for those staying in the 203 rooms and suites of the hotel. My sister Olga Polizzi has worked very hard to create a look that is both luxurious and striking - our guests will know they are waking up in Sicily.”

Golfers will enjoy a first-rate experience with two 18 –hole championship golf courses as well as a 9-hole par-3 course, set into the Sicilian countryside designed by renowned golf architect Kyle Philips. The spectacular 4,000sq metre Verdura Spa is a tranquil retreat offering luxurious treatments using local olive oil and extracts from oranges and lemons. The spa also houses a lap pool, fitness centre, hammam, beauty salon and open-air thalassotherapy pools.

Families will be very well looked after with a Verdura’s Kids Club and Teenagers Club, many land and sea activities, including tennis, sailing, windsurfing and a 60-metre two tiered swimming pool.

Sir Rocco Forte continues, “Verdura brings together the talent and experience of some of the world’s best hotel, golf course and spa designers, who have used the vivid Sicilian setting as the inspiration for their work.”

Prices start at €410 per room, per night based on two people sharing a deluxe room including breakfast.

For further information or to book, please call 00 800 7666 6667 or visit http://www.verduraresort.com/ or http://www.roccofortecollection.com/.

Spring Promotion: Guests booking a stay at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on a bed and breakfast basis from 1 March to 30th April 2010 (excluding Easter) will be eligible for the following benefits:
· Complimentary dinner for every evening of their stay
· Complimentary Green Fees for unlimited use on the three golf courses
· Complimentary 50-minute Spa treatment per room for each three night stay

Spring Family Offer: Families booking a stay at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on a bed and breakfast basis from 1st March 30th April (excluding Easter can enjoy all of the benefits of the Spring Promotion above plus the following:

• A 50 per cent discount on the second room booked for two children aged between 4 to 18 years
• Complimentary daily lunch for children up to three years old and a 50 per cent discount on daily lunch for children aged 4-12 years old
• Verdura Kids Club is free of charge and is open seven days a week, from 10am-10pm, for 4-12 year-olds
• Verdura Teenagers Club and activities are free of charge for 13-18 year-olds
• A babysitting service is available on request

Package price: Abercrombie & Kent is offering 7 nights at The Rocco Forte Collection’s Verdura Golf & Spa Resort from £2,990 per person, based on 2 people sharing a deluxe double room B&B, car hire from airport and flights with BA from LGW – Catania. Book for travel 01 March – 30 April 2010 (excluding Easter) and receive a complimentary upgrade to half board, a 50-minute spa massage per person, per stay and unlimited golf. For further information, please contact Abercrombie & Kent, T. 0845 618 2213 http://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/>

GASTRONOMIC RISE IN SEATTLE

Gastronomes have another reason to visit Seattle after chefs from the emerald city were honoured with a top award by a leading US foodie publication.

Talented duo Brian McCracken and Dana Tough of the Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law were both named in the list of ‘Top Five Rising Chefs’ by respected magazine and website Gayot.

Judges praised McCracken and Tough, who are both under 30, for their “fresh, creative menu that stretches culinary boundaries and appeals to adventurous palates”.

It is not the first time the Seattle restaurant has been recognised by critics, it was featured on Food & Wine's magazine's ‘Go List’ of the world's best restaurants and Condè Nast Traveller's ‘Hot List’ of best places around the world.

Seattle and Washington State is a foodie heaven for gastronomes with succulent fresh local produce available at Pike Place Market, one the oldest continually operating farmers market in the USA, and sumptuous fine dining across the city.

Washington State is also the second largest wine produce state in the whole of the US and visitors can enjoy food and drink festivals throughout the year.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is just a nine hour flight from the UK. The iconic Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Experience Music Project are just a few reasons to visit this relaxed city that is surrounded by water and snow-capped mountains.

For more information visit on seattle and Washington State visit http://www.visitseattle.org and http://www.experiencewa.com or call 020 7978 5233. For more information on Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law http://www.spurseattle.com http://www.tavernlaw.com.

CREATE IN THE SUN Relax, Dance or Study
Les Soeurs Anglaises offer anyone seeking an inspirational break abroad the opportunity to learn a new creative skill (or visa versa!) in stunning surroundings and comfortable, stylish accommodation in South West France. Delicious home cooked meals using local produce accompanied by hand picked wines are just the icing on the cake!

Under the Les Soeurs Anglaises banner, the delightful Katie Elliott Armitage (whose wine buff husband selects the wines!) opens her home and newly converted barn for a series of three and five day textile, creative writing, and dance workshops led by internationally renowned artists/teachers.

The 2010 programme includes a 'Poetry in Motion' five dayworkshop led by internationally respected poet Roger McGough, as well as screenwriting, crime, and creative writing courses - all led by masters of their genres. These workshops are in addition to the proven textile and dance workshops amongst which is included Rachel Hazell’s 'Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal' in collaboration with the prestigious Selvedge Magazine.

Les Soeurs Anglaises’ maison de maître sits in magnificent, and mature gardens alongside a burbling stream. The glorious house boasts a heated pool set against the idyllic countryside of South West France in the Perigord Vert region of Aquitaine, situated half-way between the bustling towns of Angoulème and Perigueux, not far from the historic villages of Brantome and Aubeterre.

With intimate groups of between eight and 16 participants the LSA workshops make ideal affordable breaks for anyoneinterested in learning or improving their skills – not to mention, the perfect getaways for singles.
http://www.lessoeursanglaises.com/

THE SWEETEST THINGS: THIS MOTHER’S DAY

SATURDAY 13TH-SUNDAY 14TH MARCH

Spoil your mum this Mother’s Day weekend with cupcakes and beauty treatments at The Bentall Centre.

Stuck for ideas for Mother’s Day, why not take your mum shopping for the day at The Bentall Centre. With over 80 retail outlets, numerous cafes including Carluccios and Moka Caffe e Cucina and a Virgin Active Health Club, it’s the perfect way to spend your day together.

You need not even buy a present as you can visit the promotional area on the ground floor where you can personalise and decorate a FREE cupcake courtesy of Debbie’s Sweet Art, while your mum enjoys a FREE beauty treatment from Bentalls concession, Filiz Aveda Spa.

As an added bonus by making your mum a cupcake you will be automatically entered into a prize draw for a FREE box of cupcakes courtesy of Debbies Sweet Art, plenty to share with mum and all of the family.

Not only this but if you pop into the Aveda Spa at Bentalls you can also enter a prize draw for a half day spa worth over £150. Just drop your entries into Aveda on the 3rd floor of Bentalls.

So relax this Mother’s Day, avoid the rush for cards and chocolate and bring your mum to The Bentall Centre for a day of pampering and retail therapy.

JOIN LONDON EYE’S BUBBLY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
London’s most iconic landmark marks its 10th birthday with Pommery Champagne and a spectacular light show

On Tuesday 9th March the Merlin Entertainments London Eye will be celebrating its tenth birthday as London’s most iconic landmark with an exciting onsite birthday party. From 7pm onwards, all visitors to the Eye will enjoy an impressive light show and anyone who books a flight during that that time will also receive a free glass of Pommery Champagne to enjoy as they take in the lit up views of London’s evening skyline.

David Sharpe, Divisional Director of London Midway attractions, Merlin Entertainments comments, “Everyone at the London Eye is thrilled to be celebrating this important landmark with our visitors, who’ve been so important along the way, and we can’t wait to see it all come to life on the day. The Merlin Entertainments London Eye has welcomed over 36 million visitors in the last nine years and we look forward to continuing to provide the best customer experience for many years to come.”

For more information on how the Merlin Entertainments London Eye will be celebrating its tenth birthday year and receive a 10% discount on bookings visit http://www.londoneye.com or follow the London Eye on twitter www.twitter.com/londoneye.

MUM’S WEEKEND BRUNCH AT BROWNS
What better way to show your love and appreciation for your mother than with a classic, lazy weekend brunch. Browns Bar and Brasserie’s 13 sites are presenting guests with a brunch menu, on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th March, complete with a complimentary drink for just £11 to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Step into one of Browns’ elegant buildings, steeped in history and memories, and take some time out to nurture one of the most important relationships of all.

Between 10am-12pm, your mum can enjoy a Mother’s Day Breakfast - Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs with Toasted Ciabatta and Fresh Strawberries with Greek Style Yoghurt. Otherwise, you can choose the Browns Breakfast, which includes amongst the trimmings, Connoisseurs award winning Cumberland Sausages and Dry Cured Beech-Smoked Back Bacon. For health conscious mums, go for the Eggs Benedict or Florentine.

Every brunch dish comes with complimentary Tea or Coffee and guests will also be treated to a glass of: Piper Heidsieck, Classic Browns Bellini, Bucks Fizz or Bloody Mary

Alternatively from 12 noon, guests can treat their mums to a complimentary Browns Bellini when ordering any main meal. Browns full menu is available all day, with a fantastic range of specials created by the head chef. Options include Chargrilled Pork Cutlet with Crispy sage, Dauphinoise Potatoes and Watercress, Baked Soy Salmon with Chargrilled Pak-Choi and Shiitake Mushrooms or Roast Mediterranean Vegetable Tart with Shallot and Thyme Pastry, Black Olive Tapenade, and Fresh Rocket.

If you have daytime activities planned, how about dropping into Browns Bar and Brasserie for a Sunday evening meal – complete with a complimentary bottle of wine! By joining Friends of Browns by the 10th March, guests will be presented with a voucher entitling you to treat your mother to a complementary bottle of wine (South African Kinross Red/White) with your evening meal.

For these offers, book online at www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

IT OPENS WINDOWS AND DOORS FOR EMPLOYEES

Everyday IT skills have become the key to earning more money, keeping an existing job or getting a new one according to new research among both bosses and staff*. Yet many people still need to bring their computer knowledge up to scratch.

In a learndirect survey half of employers said they view IT-savvy workers as more valuable to their business than those lacking these skills. Six-in-ten companies say they would increase a salary offer in a bid to attract someone able to use applications such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and the internet.

When recruiting, 92% of businesses ask about applicants’ ability to use IT, and 73% of companies say these skills are a must for all employees. Most employers (94%) also claim existing staff would perform more efficiently if they improved their computer skills, with nearly two-thirds (61%) saying IT ability among staff is increasingly essential for the continued success of their sector.

Staff believe computer skills are vital to their job - only a good grasp of English and communication skills are considered more important. Despite this, two-thirds (64%) aren’t fully confident in their ability to use IT , with 29% admitting they’ve had to redo tasks, cover up mistakes or deal with an angry boss because they lacked the right skills.

Commenting on the findings, Colin McDonald, Head of Curriculum Development at learndirect said “The research shows how important IT has become in the modern workplace. A large majority of jobs now need staff who know how to use computers, so it’s crucial people aren’t left behind as IT becomes central to working life.

“learndirect offers flexible qualifications to help people improve their everyday IT skills whether they’re looking for a new job, want to progress in their current one or simply want to know how to do more with a home computer. Our qualifications fit around learners’ lives and our friendly advisers are on hand to offer support.”

More widely among the general public, people are struggling with a number of common IT terms:

• 23% don’t understand the meaning of the term ‘web page’;
• 19% don’t understand the word ‘inbox’;
• 15% can’t explain what a ‘download’ is.

Many also recognise the benefits of being computer literate outside the workplace, with 36% of Britons claiming it helps save money on bills and shopping and almost a fifth (19%) saying it leads to better relationships with friends and family. 5% admit a lack of IT skills has meant they’ve had to ask a child for help to do something with the computer.

To help you assess your IT ability, learndirect has created an interactive quiz at www.learndirect.co.uk/it <http://www.learndirect.co.uk/it> . Log on to find out how you can improve your IT skills, and your job prospects, with one of learndirect’s IT qualifications, or call 0800 111 4213 or pop in to your local learndirect centre.

MUMS THE WORD AT LOWRY OUTLET MALL

Also marking the launch of the iphone app is the chance for customers to win the exclusive prize of a wagamama chef preparing a three-course pan-asian meal for them in their own home. further details will be announced shortly, with ten lucky winners set to enjoy the money-can’t-buy experience

MUM’S THE WORD FROM BBC WORLDWIDE THIS MOTHER’S DAY
BBC Worldwide is helping to spread the love with gift inspiration for Mother’s Day. With a range of gifts from DVDs to popular magazine subscriptions, every mum will be well catered for. Make sure your mum has something special to truly enjoy on Sunday 14th March, whether she loves gardening, art or cooking.

If your mum or nan is passionate about plants, dedicated to design, or fanatical about food, there is a BBC magazine to suit everyone this Mother’s Day. A subscription makes a fantastic gift that will keep on giving and there’s a whole range of titles to choose from including: Gardeners’ World; Homes & Antiques; and Good Food.

Let Gardeners’ Worlds thrifty Alys Fowler show your mother how to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs in amongst roses, dahlias and lavenders to produce a beautiful and edible garden. Complete with recipes to cook from what you grow The Edible Garden is available at an RRP of £18.99.

For the more adventurous mother, join Rick Stein on his latest culinary adventure through the food and culture of Asia in his Far Eastern Odyssey. The DVD is an ambitious journey, avoiding the beaten track and tourist hot-spots, in search of the authentic food of Southeast Asia. RRP £19.99.

The Victorians, now in paperback RRP £8.99, will enlighten art and history lovers alike.Using visual arts as a starting point, Jeremy Paxman explores the themes of family, urban life, industry and empire, uncovering truths and exploding myths about Victorian Britain.

A selection of crime titles from BBC Audiobooks could make the perfect audio entertainment gift for Mother’s Day. Titles available include, John le Carre’s “Fabulous” (Observer) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Agatha Christie’s Toward Zero and the acclaimed Six Suspects, all available now from BBCShop.com.

To coincide with EastEnders 25th Anniversary, treat your mum to some of the most dramatic events in EastEnders history in this exclusive spin-off: EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford. Available now for £15.99, it is guaranteed to keep any Enders fan enthralled.

For even more Mother’s Day inspiration check out http://www.bbcshop.com and all good retailers for the full range of great gifts available. For a wide variety of magazine subscriptions check out http://www.bbcmagazines.com

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