Don’t let your relationship status play a factor in your holiday cheer. It’s still the most wonderful time of the year–especially if you’re single!  Read more... (580 words, 2 images, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)

Party food can be fantastic but there’s always a risk that you’ll be served some dreadful lump of pastry or bread with a mystery synthetic topping or a few limp slices of carrot or cucumber and a bland ready-made dip. There’s absolutely no excuse to buy those awful supermarket canape spreads. Try these suggestions instead – they’re perfect for a small gathering over Christmas or New Year and there’s something for veggies too.  Read more... (569 words, 4 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

The problem with foreign films at the cinema is sometimes blink and you miss them. Many unfairly get a limited release so if you missed French film Heartbreaker at the cinema then you missed a true gem. But with some a break from work over Christmas, it is the perfect time to watch this clever romantic comedy that is so typically French.  Read more... (301 words, 2 images, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

I recently spent the weekend with Oscar, a delightfully grumpy, squishy, blue feline. He has the mind of Einstein, the body of Garfield and the temperament of his namesake Oscar the grouch. But I love him and was more than happy to while away the hours with him.  Read more... (742 words, 4 images, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)

Finding that perfect gift for your special foodie friend can be a nightmare – it is not like you can just get your run-of-the-mill Brie from Tesco!  So here’s some indulgent ideas ranging from a spectacular £200 hamper to a saucy love potion for £13.99!  Read more... (387 words, 2 images, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

To paraphrase Little Women, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without any lovely smelling presents. Isn’t there something just too exciting about the waft of expensive oils and unguents from under the tree? Bath bubbles, aromatherapy oils and glorious perfumed candles are always welcome – no matter what your budget or recipient.  Read more... (738 words, 2 images, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)

Lets face it, Christmas is really about and for the kids. Their excited little faces, the early rising and the scrambling under the Christmas tree to be Santa’s little helper and hand out the presents. Children enjoy Christmas and opening presents no matter what they are but why not spoil them with these festive ideas.  Read more... (309 words, 2 images, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

The scent a man wears tells a lot about him, whether he is quietly confident or full of unadulterated passion. Find the best scent to give to your man this Christmas with Belles guide to the most dazzling fragrances for men.  Read more... (523 words, 2 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Royal couple of the moment William and Kate look stunning in their official engagement photographs taken by esteemed photographer Mario Testino.  Read more... (134 words, 2 images, estimated 32 secs reading time)

Bowled Over

When I read last week that Aussie spin bowler Shane Warne had tried his luck with married actress Liz Hurley, only for her to reportedly laugh his ardent advances off, I did chuckle a bit at his unabashed brazenness. I mean, what does a womanising retired Orstrayan from Melbourne have in common with one of the most posh starlets in the world? However the front page of the News Of The World this weekend has got the showbiz and cricketing world in a, well, spin. Turns out the married twosome are indeed in the midst of an affair and have spent several nights together in his London hotel last week. Further evidence has the unlikely coupling embracing in ‘steamy looking clinches’ and snogging outside the London restaurant Sake No Hana. The pair, who met in July at Goodwood races, were clocked going down the escalator to the lobby and: ‘While they waited for their coats to be brought to them Hurley reportedly pulled Warne towards her into a darkened doorway, cupped his face with her hands and leaned in to lock lips. After releasing from their clinch they gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled adoringly.’ Then there’s the couple’s bizarre, yet strangely provocative, Twitter messages to each other, including this gem: ‘Sammy sends you a special lick and says he’d like to put his silky head on your shoulder.’ Hmmm. Since the revelations, Liz has used her twitter account to reveal that ‘For the record, my husband Arun & I separated a few months ago. Our close family & friends were aware of this.’ Shane could be on a lucky wicket then!  Read more... (1337 words, 7 images, estimated 5:21 mins reading time)