Sussex Style December 2014

PERFECT PARTY PLATES + LITTLE BLACK DRESS READY + INSPIRATIONAL FESTIVE INTERIORS + DAZZLE AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Winter wonders

WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLDFashion goesmasculine

2014ROUND-UPMARK BADERHis life in pictures

SUSSEXstyleDEC 2O14

Our Henley kitchen looks strikingly contemporary with cutout handles, Sheldrake dining and Salt painted wallsNeptune Hailsham, BN27 1DQ, 01323 849 483, [email protected]

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Our Henley kitchen looks strikingly contemporary with cutout handles, Sheldrake dining and Salt painted wallsNeptune Hailsham, BN27 1DQ, 01323 849 483, [email protected]

AT HOME.. .

NEPTUNE HAILSHAM

NEW SHOW

ROOM OPEN

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10Th nOveMbeR - 10Th DeceMbeR 2014

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8 | SUSSEXSTYLE.COM | DECEMBER 2014

contents

32In a man’s world

Our women’s fashion story, shot in Amsterdam, offers a vibrant

new take on tweeds and plaids. Photography by Andy Tan Styling by Anat Dychtwald

PERFECT PARTY PLATES + LITTLE BLACK DRESS READY + INSPIRATIONAL FESTIVE INTERIORS + DAZZLE AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Winter wonders

WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLDFashion goesmasculine

2014ROUND-UPMARK BADERHis life in pictures

SUSSEXstyleDEC 2O14

SS-DEC-cover.indd 1 26/11/2014 16:55

10 Editor’s letter

12 News

14 Festive round-up Top spots to visit and

must-do events for the holiday season

16 2014 review Sussex Style’s editor on

what was hot in 2014

18 Party like a pro How to dress and impress

at the office Christmas do

20 A life in pictures Sussex-based photographer

Mark Bader has travelled the world, but still loves his home town

26 Paul Burston The ups and downs of

relocating to Hastings by our new columnist

fashion & beauty

32 In a man’s world We take to Amsterdam

to give tweeds and plaids a feminine twist

38 Sussex gentlemen Alex Hopkins on how to stay

stylish and warm this winter

40 Beauty notebook Christmas make-up is all

about indulgence. We show you how to wow

44 Health Follow Matt Guy Wright’s

tips to fit into that Little Black Dress

contentscontents

food & drink

48 Party bites Delectable plates and party food to make your

table the talk of the neighbourhood

52 Food news In season, gadgets and the

best Christmas puddings 53 Cleo’s cocktails Actress Cleo Rocos puts

the fizz and glam into your night with these divine cocktail recipes

home & garden

58 Raft Life-friendly bespoke fabric

and leather sofas that just get better with age

60 Christmas ready From shimmering baubles to

Nordic charm, we share this year’s top trends

64 Neptune Exquisite English deisgn by Neptune in Hailsham

70 Fabric lady Simple, affordable ideas for

stylish December interiors

life & style

78 Travel Laura Lockington

finds peace in Italy’s Renaissance city, Lucca

86 Book club Great Christmas reads

to curl up with

88 Mum on the run Laura Jandac on keeping

up the Santa secret

90 Minxy Our new columnist, the

inimitable Minxy, on the perils of procrastination

On the coverCover sponsored by Raft Furniture - Brighton. Oscar three-seater sofa, leather highland whisky, £1,879; Belledonne lamp, £360; Teak root glass coffee table, natural finish, 90x90cm, £583. www.raftfurniture.co.uk


All rights reserved. except for normal review purposes, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. No artwork or editorial content may be used in any other form or publication

without the publisher’s consent. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the contents are only meant as a guide to the readers. The proprietors of this publication ARE publishers, not agents or sub agents of those who advertise therein. They cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from the publication. Copyright 2014 S and R Publishing Ltd - Sussex StyleTM

EDITOR IN CHIEFJO REEDER

DEPUTY EDITORALEX HOPKINS

CREATIVE DIRECTORBETH DONSON

FOOD & DRINK EDITORSAM BILTON

HEALTH & FITNESS EDITORMATT GUY WRIGHT

FASHION DIRECTORANAT DYCHTWALD

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERANDY TAN

HEAD OF FINANCERICHARD JUDD

PUBLISHING DIRECTORSEÁN KANE

COMMERCIAL MANAGERJACQUELINE NICHOLSON

CONTRIBUTORSPAUL BURSTONLAURA JANDAC

LAURA LOCKINGTONMINXY MANNYEAGERRICHARD MONSIEURS

CLEO ROCOS

PUBLISHED BYS AND R PUBLISHING LTD

SUSSEX STYLE™ COPYRIGHT 2014-09

ISSN 2049-6036

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T: 01273 358850

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Welcome...We love this time of year at Sussex Style: the nights are getting darker, the weather is getting colder and the whole of Sussex is beginning to turn into a festive playground.

To help get you in the mood for Christmas, we’ve put together a fabulous issue full of ideas and inspiration. We take a look through the photo album of Sussex-based photographer, Mark Bader. If his images don’t inspire you to pick up a camera and explore this wonderful county, we don’t know what will.

If you’re entertaining guests this Christmas, we have the perfect pairing – canapés and cocktails. Everything you need to get the party going with a swing. Our stunning women’s fashion shoot is set on the streets of Amsterdam, we’ve got interiors ideas to make your home sparkle, plus stunning beauty and men’s fashion to help you stand out at the Christmas party – for all the right reasons.

We’re also proud to introduce some great new columnists for your reading pleasure and would love to hear your thoughts about the magazine, so please get in touch. Oh, and did we mention that it’s our second birthday this month? What a fantastic couple of years it’s been for Sussex Style. Here’s to many more years ahead and many more issues of Sussex’s most stylish magazine.

Merry Christmas!

Jo Reeder

Get in touch!We’d love to hear

your comments, views and suggestions:

jo@sandr publishing.co.uk

SUSSEXstyle

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GOOD MONTH FOR…Founders of the BOAT

(Brighton Open Air Theatre)Brighton & Hove Council

recently gave the go-ahead for the theatre to be built on the

site of a former bowling green in Dyke Road Park

Sussex cricketer, Luke WrightHe recently signed a three-

year extension to his contract, keeping him at Sussex County

Cricket Club until 2018

Residents and wildlife in SussexThe South Downs National Park Authority has asked people to make a Dark Skies Pledge to help reduce light pollution in

and around the South Downs

BAD MONTH FOR…People in Polegate & Lewes

Plans have recently been mooted to build a new dual

carriageway on the A27, taking some of the surrounding

countryside with it

Dangerous motorcyclists in Haywards Heath

Police took action after a small group of nuisance drivers were deemed to be practicing anti-

social driving late at night

House buyers in ChichesterThe number of affordable

homes built in the district last year fell short of its target, with

only 91 built. The recession was blamed for the shortfall

december news

We are coveting this Kustom 18ct white gold diamond-set ring with 6.38ct tanzanite stone by

UP, UP & AWAY With prices continuing to go through the roof in London, house price growth in the

south-east has outstripped London’s as buyers are being forced out of the capital. In a survey carried out recently by

Rightmove, average asking prices in the region have now

passed £355,000 – 10% higher than a year ago. With price rises of 9.6% in London, this makes the south-east the strongest performing region in the UK

over the past 12 months.

We love this Emporio Armani Renato

Chronograph Watch, £329,inspiredbybrufords.com

At 10am on Saturday 6th December local residents are invited to get

together and help clean up Rye beach. This is a great chance to do something

positive for the community this Christmas. Hot soup will be served at

Lime Kiln cottage afterwards.

Man In A Suit Frank Skinner comes to Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion on Saturday

13th December as part of his recently extended ‘Man In A Suit’ tour. His critically acclaimed show sold out its debut run at London’s

Soho Theatre in October 2013 and it seems audiences can’t get enough of him. Expect a warm, funny account of his life now, minus the filth and football.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Fans of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are in for a cinematic treat on Tuesday 16th December at Worthing’s Connaught Theatre. Christopher Wheeldon’s full-length ballet will be screened at the theatre with a dramatic score by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Take a dip Arundel Lido will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day so you can enjoy a pre-lunch dip in its (heated) outdoor pool. Refreshments will be available – hopefully along with blankets, slippers and hot water bottles. £4 for adults, £2 for children.

jeweller, Astor & March. A snip at £9,850 - here’s hoping Santa leaves this in our stocking.

Divine organic body lotions and washes, perfect for a little festive indulgence

Our new Limited Edition bath and body collection brings a exciting twist to our bestselling body care range. All the skin benefits you love and the organic credentials you expect wrapped up in a new, deliciously fresh and natural aroma.

Choose from 3 beautifully scented gifts with Red Mandarin, Ho Wood, Ginger and Lemongrass to enliven, lift and invigorate the senses.

OF F E R: Save £5.00* on Limited Edition gifts. Only available at www.greenpeople.co.uk/sussexgifts and 01403 740350. Quote SUSSEXSTYLE *Valid to 12/12/14.

D I S C OVE R G R E E N P EO P LE ’S N EWLI M ITE D E D IT I O N C O LLECT I O N

Looking for something special this Christmas?

GP_SussexLife_FP_271014.indd 1 23/10/2014 09:59

EDITORLOVES

Divine organic body lotions and washes, perfect for a little festive indulgence

Our new Limited Edition bath and body collection brings a exciting twist to our bestselling body care range. All the skin benefits you love and the organic credentials you expect wrapped up in a new, deliciously fresh and natural aroma.

Choose from 3 beautifully scented gifts with Red Mandarin, Ho Wood, Ginger and Lemongrass to enliven, lift and invigorate the senses.

OF F E R: Save £5.00* on Limited Edition gifts. Only available at www.greenpeople.co.uk/sussexgifts and 01403 740350. Quote SUSSEXSTYLE *Valid to 12/12/14.

D I S C OVE R G R E E N P EO P LE ’S N EWLI M ITE D E D IT I O N C O LLECT I O N

Looking for something special this Christmas?

GP_SussexLife_FP_271014.indd 1 23/10/2014 09:59

Glow Wild at Wakehurst Experience Wakehust Place like never before and enjoy a magical walk through the gardens after dark from 4th-7th December. Follow a festive trail lit by lanterns, as you take in the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, admire seed-inspired lanterns hanging from the trees and feast on homemade hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts, all whilst being serenaded by a choir. One lucky ticket holder will also get to switch on the Christmas tree lights. Advance booking required – visit Wakehurst Place website for details.

Tipis Tremendous return Brighton Music Hall’s Tremendous Tipis are back – and this year they’re bigger and better than ever. Wine, dine and dance the night away with live music from the house band and resident DJs spinning party tunes into the early hours. Or visit during the day with the kids who can visit Santa and his reindeers in his magical grotto. All set against the dramatic backdrop of Brighton seafront, the Tremendous Tipis will be in Brighton throughout December.

Ding Dong Merrily on High Chichester’s splendid Cathedral is over 1,000 years old and is a majestic reminder of the feats of human engineering and craftsmanship. Only once you’re inside can you get a feel for the true scale of the building. So what better place to enjoy Christmas carols this year? The Cathedral opens its doors to the general public at 6pm on Sunday 21st December, so make sure you secure a place early. Because this event is so popular, all applications must be submitted in writing – details can be found on Chichester Cathedral’s website.

Santa comes to West Dean Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to see Santa Claus. Escape the hustle bustle of the High Street this year, and instead,

head to West Dean College. Children are invited to come and see Santa and his elves in his stunning grotto, hidden away in the gardens. Adults get to munch on mince pies and mulled wine, and every child receives a gift as part of the £5 entry price. Open on 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st December. More details are available on the West Dean College website.

Step back in time at Petworth House The National Trust’s Petworth House flings open its doors from 6th December, transforming five of its state rooms into festive scenes inspired by vintage issues of Country Life magazine. The team at Petworth House will wow lovers of interiors with decorative scenes of roaring log fires, tweed blankets, floral decorations and country house chic. No doubt visitors will leave feeling inspired to recreate the look at home. Visit The National Trust website for more details.

Christmas on the Bluebell Railway Hop aboard these beautifully preserved steam trains running through the heart of Sussex. The Bluebell Railway is pulling out all the stops in December, with a series of events to suit everyone. There’s Fairy Godmother Specials, Christmas Afternoon Tea, Festive Feast, Reindeer Specials and a Victorian Christmas, to name a few. Festive, fun and very family-friendly. Details can be found on the website.

Horsing around at Plumpton Sussex’s famous Plumpton Racecourse is holding a special Christmas Race Day on Monday 15th December. Enjoy seven races throughout the day at one of the UK’s top small jumps tracks. If you really feel like splashing out, why not book Christmas lunch for you and your friends in the Paddock or Marquee restaurant? Entrance fee includes a free race programme and car parking. Make sure you back a winner.

Sparkle, sing and shine

Sussex Style’s editor, Jo Reeder, shares her picks of the best festive events in the region this December

and offers some helpful tips on how to choose the perfect Christmas tree

Top to bottom: Tremendous Tipis on Brighton Seafront; Santa comes to West Dean College; festive fun on the Bluebell Railway


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How to choose the perfect Christmas treeDid you know that the UK spends an eye-watering £7 million on real Christmas trees every year? It seems we love nothing more than heading off to choose a towering tree with all the family in tow, expectant and excited that Christmas is finally here. The heady scent of wood and pine, combined with the other festive sights and sounds, signals the start of the festivities.

Sussex boasts a huge range of artisan, independent businesses selling beautiful firs to adorn our homes. Many are family run businesses that have been growing and selling Christmas trees for years, carrying on a tradition that has been passed on through the generations.

Clive Collins from Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm in Battle shares his top six tips for choosing the perfect tree:

1Try to find a local Christmas tree farm close to where you live – look on BCTGA.co.uk.

2 Always ask the farmer where the tree comes from. Hopefully it’s from his farm; if it’s not,

check that it’s British.

3Have a reasonable idea of the height, width and size of space where you’ll be putting your

tree (remember to take a tape measure with you!). Trees always look smaller when you see them outside; it’s only when you get them home that you realise just how large they are.

4The tree should be a healthy dark green colour, dense and fairly heavy. It should only have one

leading shoot (leader).

5Purchase a good quality water holding stand, which will keep your tree well watered and

erect. Krinner and Cinco both sell good ranges.

6Most importantly, make sure your Christmas tree delights you every time you look at it.

Left to right: Country Life at Petworth House; Glow Wild at Wakehurst Place; Plumpton Racecourse Christmas Race Day; Clive Collins of Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm

DECEMBER 2014 | SUSSEXSTYLE.COM | 15

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Best places to buy a tree in Sussex?

Buy local this Chritsmas and help support the specialist growers and

farmers in and around Sussex

Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm Battle 01424 893332,

catsfieldchristmastreefarm.com

Sussex TreesLindfield 01444 891531,

sussextrees.co.uk

Wilderness Woods Hadlow Down 01825 830509,

wildernesswood.org

Littledown Farm Christmas TreesWestfield 01424 753413,

littledownfarmchristmastrees.co.uk

Three AngelsHove 01273 958975,

threeangels.co.uk

GOODBYE

SIMON COWELL HAD A BABY, THE UK WENT BAKING

CRAZY AND PHARRELL WILLIAMS’ HAPPY MADE US, WELL, VERY HAPPY.

JO REEDER SHARES HER ROUND-UP OF WHAT WAS

HOT IN 2014…


January Adidas relaunched its iconic Stan Smith trainers. Céline designer, Phoebe Philo, wore Stan Smiths backstage during Paris Fashion Week and was closely followed by an army of other celebrity fans, including Cara Delevingne, Gisele, Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs.

February The world was shocked and stunned when eternal bachelor, Simon Cowell, had a baby with Lauren Silverman. We’re sure Simon’s Rottingdean-based mum is very proud.

March Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin announced they were ‘consciously uncoupling’. Gwynnie chose to announce the split on her Goop website, at which point we chose to consciously uncouple from the subscriber list.

April Groundbreaking singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. British actor, Bob Hoskins, died: after his death, his daughter wrote a heartfelt blog about lessons she had learnt from her father.

May Prada took up a month-long residency in Harrods. ‘Pradasphere’ saw the label take over 40 windows of the iconic Knightsbridge store, showcasing a pop-up shop, television screens streaming Prada collections, books and café.

Left to right: Peter Gabriel; Pradasphere at Harrods; Adidas Stan Smith; Prince William and Kate; Pharrell Williams.

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June Pharrell Williams’ Happy was named as the UK’s most-streamed song of the year so far. Streamed an eye-watering 25m times, the tune came to define 2014, winning him awards galore and legions of new fans all over the world. Those minions have got a lot to answer for.

July The World Cup 2014 kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. England crashed out early – again. Orlando Bloom punched Justin Bieber in an Ibiza nightclub. We can’t think why.

August The city of Glasgow played host to the 20th Commonwealth Games and Horsham-based discus star, Jade Lally, came home with a bronze medal. Go Jade.

September The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and Kate Middleton announced that they were expecting their second baby. The news came just two months after their first son, Prince George, turned one.

October Nancy Birtwhistle was crowned winner of the Great British Bake Off. A record 12.3m viewers watched the final, more people than watched the World Cup Final. When Nancy was revealed as the winner, 49% of the UK viewing public was watching. Baking had officially gone completely bonkers.

November Romeo Beckham starred in Burberry’s 2014 Christmas commercial. Only his second modelling job at 12-years-old, in a deal reportedly worth around £45,000, Victoria and David’s offspring is tipped for great things.

December UK households are set to spend £22bn this Christmas (£835 per household). We’ll consume 10m turkeys, 10,000 tons of sprouts, 25m Christmas puddings and buy 7m Christmas trees. Our waist hurts just thinking about it – we’ll be back on the juice diet in January.

Left to right: Minion; Gwyneth Paltrow; Chris Martin; Simon Cowell; Romeo Beckham stars in the Burberry Christmas campaign; Bob Hoskins; Steven Gerrard.

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How do you charm your colleagues whilst avoiding the tedious mumblings of Norman from accounts or the amorous attentions of Prudence in HR? What are the essential dos and don’ts – and most importantly, how

can you use the occasion to win favour with your boss and mark yourself out as the employee to watch, for all the right reasons?

Preparation is keyStart early – a week before the night. Spend your money on a sharp haircut. If you’re follicly challenged, opt for a facial instead. Your skin takes a battering during winter and you need to invest in a good moisturiser that will see you through the season. Why not also treat yourself to a new after shave? Exude sophistication by opting for something manly, woody and classic like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood or Dior Homme Sport. Pamper yourself, but don’t go over board: you need to walk into that room radiating confidence, not smelling like you’ve fallen into a bucket of the stuff.

Dress upThis is a chance to showcase your individual style and reveal your personality. Up until now you’ve only been seen in your work suit. It’s time to branch out and show how well you can dress. You want to be the man that the rest of the office seeks fashion tips from, the one they secretly envy. But be careful – don’t go overboard and end up looking like a circus pony at the Moulin Rouge.

Velvet is a great Christmas look – but don’t wear too much of it. Red velvet is good if you’re feeling brave, but you don’t want to look like a posh

old curtain. An entire velvet suit is too much, too soon. Opt for a blazer with wool trousers. Avoid unnecessary patterning. Try blue.

Keep it simple. A black two-button suit never dates. But remember you probably wear a suit every day, so choose something more classic, a little bolder. Make a statement with the colour and fabric. Go debonair with some satin details in the texture. Fit is everything here.

Never wear ‘novelty’ clothing. Anything marked as ‘Christmas novelty wear’ is a big no no (there’s been a massive trend towards the ‘ironic’ Christmas jumper in recent years). Avoid this at all costs – Kitsch is not a good look. Neither are plunging necklines or ripped faded jeans. If in doubt, lean towards the conservative. Shocking the wrong people is not a good career move.

Party shirts. Always go for cotton and avoid garish patterning. A slim fit shirt with jeans never fails. Why not set it off with a carefully chosen chunky cardigan? Reiss has a great range of elegant shirts to choose from this season.

Be aware of what others are wearing. How would you define their style – or lack of it? And how

will you respond to it in order to look the absolute business at the Christmas party?

Consider the venue. Swanky bar followed by nightclub or sit-down meal? You don’t want to look out of place. Feeling comfortable and looking relaxed is vital if you’re going to shine.

Behave yourselfIt goes without saying that you should watch alcohol consumption; Prudence from HR will spend the next two days tagging you in photographs – being caught scoffing endless tequilas before throwing up over the photocopier is not a good look.

Keep an eye on everyone in attendance. Network, but do it casually. Establish rapport and be genuinely interested in the person you’re talking to (unless it’s Norman from accounts, of course). Smile, shake hands firmly and gesture while you’re talking – but not too wildly. This will mark you out as someone to remember – an individual with charisma.

Stay focused Unwind, have fun, but keep your mind on the game. Make sure you know where your superiors are – those people that you simply must find the time to talk to and impress. Who is your boss talking to? Are they competition or are they people you should also be getting to know? Don’t just stick with your friends on the night, but circulate. Beware of how you pay compliments: no one likes a sycophant. Judge people’s moods carefully and respond to them appropriately. Create intimacy in conversations – but not too much! Being overly brash and bold is as much a sin in this situation as hiding in the toilet all evening. Be yourself, be natural. Oh, and make sure you have fun. This only happens once a year.

partylike a pro

The office Christmas party is a minefield, one of your

working life’s trickiest situations. It’s the end of the year and the inclination is to cut loose and have fun.

But, as Alex Hopkins discovers, there’s a fine

line between being fantastic company and the source of shame for the rest of 2015


A life in picturesBrighton-based photographer, Mark Bader, takes his camera everywhere. He’s captured the world’s most

dramatic vistas and worked with David Bowie. But, as Alex Hopkins finds out, he’s always happy to return to Sussex

P hotography is about the feeling you have for a subject – an eye for something. Then it’s how you translate that idea through the technology,” photographer and filmmaker Mark Bader tells me. Bader has been capturing images since the early 1970s. His extraordinarily diverse career has

encompassed everything from commercial fashion photography to travel and portraiture. He’s lived the dream: superstars from the music and film industries have sat for him and he’s taken his camera from one end of the world to the other. Many of his portraits have even been archived by London’s National Portrait Gallery. It’s been a remarkable journey for a boy who started out playing with his father’s camera at just eight years old in Guildford, Surrey.

“By the time I was 12, I’d built a darkroom in the house and was processing black and white pictures in my bedroom,” says Bader. “Late nights were spent perfecting the art. Everything grew from there. It became an obsession.”

Like many young men in the 1970s, Bader harboured ambitions to be a famous rock star and found that many of the leading bands who came to play in Guildford influenced his first professional photographic work. He’d go along to gigs every week and shoot the stars. Towards the end of the 1970s he had his first big break: he began working as an assistant to Brain Ward, the iconic photographer of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory albums.

“On the first day I started working with Brian, I was just 17, and he said to me ‘photography isn’t a job, it’s a way of life.’ Those words are so true: photography went on to consume my life. Brian and I put together a book of pictures that Bowie had stashed in the studio from the early ‘70s. The great man himself came along and went through them with us. People always ask what he was like: enigmatic, but very easygoing. Looking back, it was an amazing period. At the time I was young and wide-eyed and just got on with it.”

After four years, Ward literally kicked Bader out of the studio. “He said I had my own ideas, set me up with a couple of commercial clients and told me just to get on with it,” laughs Bader. “It was nerve wracking, but he did me a great favour.”

A decade of working in fashion photography, for all the major clothing catalogues followed. Bader had to learn on his feet.

“Thinking about it now, I can’t believe we actually managed to do those shoots,” he admits. “This was in the days when everything was shot on film. We’d go away for three weeks on a shoot with models, hairdressers, stylists, the whole works and then come back and process the material. Miraculously, there were usable images on the film, but it was a crazy time.

Clockwise: Brighton beach; Blondie; Mark Bader; Laos temple; Berlin Holocaust Memorial; Jamie Redknapp.

All images copyright of Mark Bader


It wouldn’t happen today, of course, because with digital every shot is approved before you take another. We just had to totally trust our equipment. It really helped me learn the technical side of the business very quickly.”

Bader has always set himself new goals in his career and while the 1980s was a fascinating time to be involved in fashion, he tired of it; creatively he felt limited.

“It became just about photographing another rail of clothes,” he explains. “I fancied a complete change and began to travel for work. It was really inspiring to suddenly be out on my own, with a camera slung over my shoulder.”

This was also around the time of the birth of the celebrity portrait and Bader combined his travel with freelancing for magazines like the Mail on Sunday’s You. He was, he says, just as content photographing high profile celebrities as ordinary people he spotted on the street.

“I always try to get underneath the skin of someone, especially if that person is well known. I go in with an idea of the picture I want to achieve – but a good photographer has to be willing to adapt, because situations always change and some personalities can be difficult.”

In the 1990s photography was transformed with the advent of digital. It was a tumultuous period which, in Bader’s opinion, “sorted the men from the boys.” Bader once more rose to the challenge and embraced the new technology.

“The first digital cameras were only two mega pixels. It’s incredible to think of that now. It was a completely different way of working, with new problems: battery life and often poor quality sensors, which meant that you couldn’t do shots looking into the sun. But the new technology developed very quickly and opened up so many new opportunities.”

One new option that Bader embraced was film. His company, Westbeach, based in Brighton, specialises in creating filmed content for travel, lifestyle and corporate campaigns. Despite travelling the world, Bader maintains that some of his favourite work has been shot in Sussex.

“I’ve made everything from very emotive films about local people with prostate cancer to a piece with pupils from Hove Park School, based on a letter by Kurt Vonnegut.

“For me, the beauty of it is getting people to tell their story and filming that in a way that’s narrative-driven,” explains Bader. “Everyone has a unique tale to tell. The quest is to capture those personal portraits – and that’s what I’ve always loved doing.”

MARK’S TOP SUSSEX PHOTOGRAPHIC SPOTSWest Beach, Littlehampton It has inspired me since I was a child. Hardly anyone goes there. I particularly love winter here: low tide with stormy skies, walking on the wet sand. It’s one of my favourite places in the world, let alone Sussex.

The Downs When I’m home, I go up to the Downs almost every day and I’ve always got a camera with me. My favourite spots are Devil’s Dyke and Saddlescombe. Like the sea, they change every day – the mood is always completely different.

Chanctonbury Ring This is one of my top spots for a restful walk. The scenery is absolutely stunning and there’s always a beautiful image just waiting to be captured on camera.


3 STEPS TO PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHY1. People ask ‘what’s the best camera?’ I always say it’s the one you have in your hand. People put too much emphasis on trying to get the best kit. Whether it’s a phone or a normal little camera, it will take great pictures if you work out what you want. Don’t over fuss.

2. Think about what you want to achieve Don’t just point a camera and shoot. Spend time working out what you want to capture, then carefully compose that.

3. Practice makes perfect There’s no huge mystery here. The more you do it, the more instinctive it becomes. Don’t be put off by failures – learn from them.

Clockwise: Mick Huknall; Devil’s Dyke; Donald

Pleasence; Andrew Ridgeley; Steve Coogan,

Julian Clary. All images copyright

of Mark Bader

CREATE A CRICKETING CHRISTMAS

F orget dull socks and aftershave this Christmas and celebrate the British love of cricket instead with a range of enticing cricket-themed designs that every man will love. Art of Fielding offers an imaginative variety of designs allowing both fans and sporting novices to familiarise

themselves with this quintessentially English sport. Enthusiasts can equip themselves with tasteful wall art or a Cricket Fielding Positions T-shirt authentically hand-printed and made from 100% organic cotton, available in light blue and white. Female cricket lovers can also show their support by purchasing the ladies version of the cricket tee, available in a slim fit with the option to be customised in a range of suitable sizes and versatile colours for a flattering feel.

An assortment of five cricket greetings cards embellished with renowned cricketing terms makes a great yuletide gift, brandished with expressions familiar to fans including Googly, Duck, Over and Yorker. For loud and proud declarations of cricketing cheer, cricket badges are available in three different fielding positions including silly point, short third man and deep backward point.

Nicola Davies, Founder of Art of Fielding said, “Cricket is a highly stimulating, authentically British game. When women are searching for presents for men in their life, they often don’t find it as simple as they should. All women know how fanatical men can be about sport, which is why a present centred around cricket will be well-received. Of course, not only men are drawn to cricket, which is why we also have products suited to women who are fans of the game.”

As well as providing a quirky multitude of cricket-oriented gifts, Art of Fielding is working to highlight ‘Time to Change’, England’s largest programme committed to end the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Illuminating statistics reveal that one in four people will experience mental health concerns at some point in their lives. Cricket stars including Marcus Trescothick and Michael Yardy have come forward to divulge their own experiences with depression.www.artoffielding.co.uk.

advertising feature

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FOR SUSSEXSTYLE READERS

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Buying for the man in your life at Christmas is never easy

but Art of Fielding’s unique cricket-themed artwork and

gifts are a winning wicket

Top, right and left: hand-printed cricket wall art. Above: badgesfeaturing fielding positions. Top right: 100% cotton cricket T-shirts

T he first flat we viewed was a major disappointment. Yes, there was a shiny new kitchen and bathroom and a living room with big bay windows. But what looked like the perfect property on the estate

agents’ website turned out to be a potential money pit, with a large damp patch on the living room ceiling and air fresheners on every available surface. “What happened here?”, I asked the estate agent who showed us round. He looked up at the ceiling, blinked and claimed he hadn’t noticed.

The second flat wasn’t much better – a pokey top floor studio with tiny windows and walls that felt as if they were closing in on us. The agent assured us that the lack of central heating wouldn’t present a problem. “These flats are really warm anyway. And there’s always the storage heaters.”

The flat we finally bought was the one we least expected to fall in love with. To be honest, we only viewed it in order to kill time between other viewings. The photos on the website weren’t very promising. Inside, the wallpaper was peeling. One of the kitchen cupboards was hanging off the wall and the living room had the most vile blue carpet I’ve ever seen. “I can’t believe someone would put a flat on the market looking like this,” I told my friend, local author VG Lee. “You’re not in London anymore,” she replied sagely. “You’re in Hastings.”

Indeed we are. And as soon as we looked past the décor, we saw that this flat – the cheapest we’d seen – was also by far the best buy. Our new home is in Cornwallis Gardens, close to the station and the pier, and although there’s a fair amount of work to do, we’re confident that we’ve made the right choice.

The decision to buy in Hastings wasn’t quite as hasty as it sounds. It came

after 30 years of living in London, and the dawning realisation that Dr John’s diagnosis was wrong – a man can be tired of London without being tired of life. I know. I’ve become that man. Why Hastings? Partly, it’s about the call of the sea. But it’s also about value for money. Our flat in Hastings cost less than I paid for my flat in London 20 years ago, which is why so many Londoners I know are also planning to buy here. Years ago, those same people would have been looking at properties in Brighton – but with prices now on a par with those in London it’s much harder to find a bargain.

Settling in and smartening upThe gentrification of Hastings is decades behind Brighton – but the signs are certainly there. There’s the award-winning Jerwood Gallery and Hendy’s Home Stores, both in the picturesque Old Town, not forgetting Webbe’s Rock a Nore restaurant on the seafront. Our friend Sam Taylor, deputy editor at The Lady magazine, bought a property in Hastings a few years ago – not just any old property, but a renovation project called Rock House, halfway up the West Hill, with stunning sea views. Compared to her house, our flat is really rather modest. There’s one large double bedroom and a decent-sized living room overlooking a beautiful leafy Victorian square with a view of the sea beyond. There’s also a bathroom in urgent need of new plumbing and a kitchen that needs a fair amount of time and money lavished on it before we invite anyone but our closest friends around to visit. The next few months will be spent settling in, smartening up and really getting to know the local area – there is so much to see, we can’t wait to make some interesting new discoveries in our new home town. But first, it’s time to rip up that terrible blue carpet.

AFTER 30 YEARS OF LIVING IN LONDON, AUTHOR

AND JOURNALIST PAUL BURSTON DECIDED TO UP STICKS AND BUY IN HASTINGS. HE SHARES THE UPS AND DOWNS OF RELOCATION AND

DISCOVERS SOME VILE BLUE CARPET ALONG THE WAY

our man in hastings

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Beside the seaside


THE PErfEcTMargariTa rEciPE:

35 mls 1. AquaRiva®Tequila

25 mls fresh squeezed lime juice 2. (juice of one lime)

15 mls 3. AquaRiva® organic agave syrup

Shake with plenty of ice and serve in a 4. rocks glass with more ice. Garnish with an orange zest.

likE drinking your firsT day of HolidayTequila evangelist Cleo Rocos created AquaRiva® Premium Tequila and

Organic Agave Syrup in 2011 after working with a Master Blender in

Mexico for 10 months.

Being featured in the Virgin Atlantic inaugural flight

to Mexico in 2012 with Richard Branson, we are

proud that AquaRiva® is now available in

Virgin Clubhouses.

AquaRiva® Tequila is a double

gold medal winner in the UK

and voted ‘Best of the Best’ in

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Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s,

on-line; DrinkUpNY, thedrinkshop.com, Amazon

and in clubs and bars nationwide.

aquariva.co.uk @cleorocos1 aquarivatequila

THE PErfEcTMargariTa rEciPE:

35 mls 1. AquaRiva®Tequila

25 mls fresh squeezed lime juice 2. (juice of one lime)

15 mls 3. AquaRiva® organic agave syrup

Shake with plenty of ice and serve in a 4. rocks glass with more ice. Garnish with an orange zest.

likE drinking your firsT day of HolidayTequila evangelist Cleo Rocos created AquaRiva® Premium Tequila and

Organic Agave Syrup in 2011 after working with a Master Blender in

Mexico for 10 months.

Being featured in the Virgin Atlantic inaugural flight

to Mexico in 2012 with Richard Branson, we are

proud that AquaRiva® is now available in

Virgin Clubhouses.

AquaRiva® Tequila is a double

gold medal winner in the UK

and voted ‘Best of the Best’ in

the USA.

Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s,

on-line; DrinkUpNY, thedrinkshop.com, Amazon

and in clubs and bars nationwide.

aquariva.co.uk @cleorocos1 aquarivatequila

www.enterprise-centre.org

Party EnterprisesBe Pampered Hampers,

Sugarcraft, Balloons and moreHampers priced individually

Tel: 01323 728750

Samantha’s WorkbasketChristmas card embroidery kit

(other designs available) £5.95Tel: 01323 430390

Black BikesBespoke cycles built,

maintenance and sales.Tel: 01323 730535

Roly Poly Little PeopleSanta outfit in sizes from

6-24 months £19.99Tel: 01323 647992

GlamorousGlitzWoman's WoMaGe watch £9.99Tel: 07774319790

Laptop StationiPad mini 3 start from £319

iPad Air 2 from £399Tel: 01323 646488

Gef Tom SonStunning crystal necklace, many colours available £30

Tel: 01323 412342

Flowers ofEastbourne

Large lantern incplant £68.50

Tel: 01323 738147

Knot Just Wood ToysWooden spaceship inc spacemen,

aliens and vehicles £99.99Tel: 07533 317698

Grand Wagglys Pet SuppliesCat/dog bed £18.99Tel: 01323 739096

Head in the CloudsStained glass design’

Sun Moon and Star’ £175Tel: 07909 944330

Holly House GiftsPetite mirror heart dressing

table with drawer £29.99Tel: 01444 300900

Drumstuff and David Crozier GuitarsGuitar and drum sales, restoration and lessons.

Tel: Drumstuff 01323 654192Guitars 07899 696868

You'll love shopping at the

Enterprise Centre this Christmas!

DONT MISS SANTA’S GRAND GROTTOOPENING ON 6TH DECEMBER ... COME

AND MEET HIS REAL REINDEER!

Visit our Fresh Food Halland our Cafes, Restaurant and Bars

Yummy Noodle Bar, Enterprise Diner, The Thai Brasserie.Jocelyns and Bella’s Secret coffee shops.

The Greengrocer, N. Dean Butcher and O'Fishly Healthy.

Some of our new and refurbished

shops

Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies

VISIT SANTA IN HIS GROTTO EVERY SATURDAY UP UNTIL CHRISTMAS

ec-dps-xmas2014_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:32 Page 1

www.enterprise-centre.org

Party EnterprisesBe Pampered Hampers,

Sugarcraft, Balloons and moreHampers priced individually

Tel: 01323 728750

Samantha’s WorkbasketChristmas card embroidery kit

(other designs available) £5.95Tel: 01323 430390

Black BikesBespoke cycles built,

maintenance and sales.Tel: 01323 730535

Roly Poly Little PeopleSanta outfit in sizes from

6-24 months £19.99Tel: 01323 647992

GlamorousGlitzWoman's WoMaGe watch £9.99Tel: 07774319790

Laptop StationiPad mini 3 start from £319

iPad Air 2 from £399Tel: 01323 646488

Gef Tom SonStunning crystal necklace, many colours available £30

Tel: 01323 412342

Flowers ofEastbourne

Large lantern incplant £68.50

Tel: 01323 738147

Knot Just Wood ToysWooden spaceship inc spacemen,

aliens and vehicles £99.99Tel: 07533 317698

Grand Wagglys Pet SuppliesCat/dog bed £18.99Tel: 01323 739096

Head in the CloudsStained glass design’

Sun Moon and Star’ £175Tel: 07909 944330

Holly House GiftsPetite mirror heart dressing

table with drawer £29.99Tel: 01444 300900

Drumstuff and David Crozier GuitarsGuitar and drum sales, restoration and lessons.

Tel: Drumstuff 01323 654192Guitars 07899 696868

You'll love shopping at the

Enterprise Centre this Christmas!

DONT MISS SANTA’S GRAND GROTTOOPENING ON 6TH DECEMBER ... COME

AND MEET HIS REAL REINDEER!

Visit our Fresh Food Halland our Cafes, Restaurant and Bars

Yummy Noodle Bar, Enterprise Diner, The Thai Brasserie.Jocelyns and Bella’s Secret coffee shops.

The Greengrocer, N. Dean Butcher and O'Fishly Healthy.

Some of our new and refurbished

shops

Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies

VISIT SANTA IN HIS GROTTO EVERY SATURDAY UP UNTIL CHRISTMAS

ec-dps-xmas2014_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:32 Page 1

STYLISH INDEPENDENT LADIES BOUTIQUEDESIGNER CLOTHING LABELS FROM ITALY, PARIS & THE UK

TEL: 01903 882 642 F: ENVY-ARUNDEL

SS-DEC-Envy Ad.indd 2 27/11/2014 11:40

fashion & beauty

p32 In a Man’s World we take to Amsterdam to re-imagine tweeds

and plaids for every woman p38 Sussex Gentlemen stay warm

and stylish this winter p40 Beauty Notebook tips for indulgent,

decadent Christmas make-up p44 Matt Guy Wright shares his

expert advice that will help you fit into that Little Black Dress

Elie Saab shirt, £1,050; Max Mara Jacket, price upon request; Paul Smith coat, £1,250; Paul Smith heels, £645; Vintage silk tie, stylist’s own


Plaids and tweeds are traditionally reserved for gentlemen; we took

to the streets of Amsterdam to see how colour and tailoring can give

them a feminine twist that every woman can wear

This page: Chanel suit, chanel.com Opp page: Prada silk patterned dress, prada.com


This page: Jean Paul Gaultier suit, johnpaulgaultier.com; Ralph Lauren leopard print heels, ralphlauren.co.uk Opp page: Samsøe&Samsøe coat, samsoe.com; Jean Paul Gaultier velvet shirt, johnpaulgaultier.com;

Elie Saab trousers, £850, eliesaab.com


This page: Jean Paul Gaultier suit, johnpaulgaultier.com; Max Mara shirt with gold patent collar, maxmara.com; Tommy Hilfiger tie, £75, uk.tommy.com; Louis Vuitton ankle boots, £850, uk.louisvuitton.com.

Opp page: Louis Vuitton jacket, £2,800, uk.louisvuitton.com; Louis Vuitton skirt, £2,300, uk.louisvuitton.com

Photography: Andy Tan at Hazazah Film and Photography. Fashion director: Anat Dychtwald, www.anatdychtwald.com, instagram.com/anatdychtwald. Hair and Make-up: Nikki de Vries at Angelique Hoorn Management.

Post production: Ruud van Doorn R.D. Image Manipulation. Model: Julia van Os

Top investment: the overcoatAn overcoat should be your first investment piece. You’ll need protection from the elements for those country weekends, but also something smart enough to wear over your suit for work. Think warm wool, camel hair and cashmere.

Check out Acne and All Saints for the ever-popular Shearling. For ultimate luxury choose an AMI Shearling bomber jacket (£1,280).

Camel is perfect to wear over a suit, but also with casual clothes. Reiss stocks a great range.

For ultra-light down jackets visit Uniqlo. Avoid the bulky sports brands, these are no good. You’re not Brian Blessed fresh from a mountaineering trip. Practical and chic Parkas are a must. Parka London has an innovative range.

Serious suits Heavier fabrics are the way to go, but this doesn’t mean you have to go for a bulkier fit. Stay trim and slim with the finest flannel, impeccably tailored tweed and sumptuous Donegal wool. Treat yourself to cashmere or a wool-cashmere blend this winter, a fine investment.

Patterned suits are really in vogue this year. Checked tailoring is timeless and makes a bold style statement. Consider double-breasted jackets for some extra protection from the chill.

J.Crew’s Ludlow suits are available in glen plaid English wool, English tweed and Italian wool flannel. Effortless refinement.

Go easy on the bulk Comfort is crucial here. A shock of wool under a blazer can make a bold

statement, but to keep your cool, select a fine gauge sweater. Merino wool knitwear is ideal. Pringle of Scotland has a great range on offer.

Roll-necks have been in all the major collections this year, from John Galliano to Marc Jacobs to the high street. Keep it simple with rich autumnal browns and trendy greens.

Booting up Versatility is crucial: you want boots that you can pair with both jeans and a snappy blue suit. One pair should see you through.

Chelsea boots are an essential part of every stylish gentleman’s wardrobe.

Tan/burgundy brogue boots will make you stand out at work. They’re the perfect accompaniment to

worsted wool, flannel and tweed and go equally well with a leather jacket.No nonsense, heavy-duty hiking boots enable you to roam the countryside

whatever the weather. Top brands include Red Wing, Wolverine and Timberland. Look at Hunter if you prefer wellies on your country hike.

Accessorise with authorityGloves can make an indelible statement about a man – one that summons up sophistication and power. Go for rich reds and oranges to set off a more subdued suit. Protect your ears and face with a proper knitted hat. Avoid cluttering with logos. For timeless style, pick up some cashmere at Portolano.

Safeguard skinCold winds play havoc with your complexion. Avoid dehydration with Kiehl’s ‘Facial Fuel’ SPF-15 moisturiser, which is non-oily and fast-absorbing.

WINTER CAN BE A TREACHEROUS TIME FOR THE SUSSEX GENTLEMAN. TEMPERATURES MAY BE PLUMMETING BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOUR

STYLE SHOULD SINK TOO. ALEX HOPKINS TAKES A LOOK AT THE TOP

TRENDS THIS SEASON

sussex gentlemen

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winter style survival guide


CELEBRATE YOUR CHRISTMAS MOMENTS

PANDORA EastbourneArndale Centre, EastbourneBN21 3NW 01323644790

Be inspired at pandora.net


p

arty

time

DAYTO NIGHT ...get glam

Luminous lips It’s time to show your personality. Confound expectations and be adventurous – go for something new and fun – a shade you wouldn’t normally wear in the office. Be bold: radiant reds and pinks entice. Match your lipstick with lip liner and add some gloss.

Sparkling eyes This is all about unrepentant drama! Replace that single eye shadow matte tone with a glistening one. Accentuate with a bright colour on the lid and a darker shade on the crease. Twinkle with light touches of gold and silver in the corners of your eyes. Your colleagues will be transfixed.

Magical colours Start off with a base that’s the same shade as your skin tone. Add tinted moisturiser or a cream blush. Top up with bronzer or a brighter coloured blush – plum or pink work well.

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The office Christmas party is your chance to shine. Follow our simple tips to quickly transform

your look and shine like a star


p

arty

time

beauty notebook

5. BOLD COLOUR Go bold as Dior reinvents the 5 Couleurs legend. Illuminate your eyes for every occasion with this stunning palette. 5 Couleurs Dior, £42, Selfridges.

4. FOR HIM This eye cream contains vitamin A, a vital ingredient in anti-ageing. Say goodbye to dark circles and reduce lines with a Peptide and Vitamin E anti-oxidant. Performance eye lift moisturiser, £49, Harleymedical.co.uk.

3. BEJEWELLED NAILS This nail varnish embellishes a manicure with the shimmer of delicate golden leaves. Dazzle with Diorific Golden Shock Gold Leaf Effect Topcoat, £21,dior.com.

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2. WE LOVE This ground-breaking luxury cream harnesses the power of Meteorite extract to reactivate the skin’s genes and restore youth. Filorga Skin Absolute, £99, filorga.com.

IRIDESCENT EYE MAKE-UP, NOURISHING NAIL POLISHES AND REJUVENATING CREAMS ALL SHOUT INDULGENCE

1. NO WASTE! Mavala MINI’s range of luxurious nail polishes come in a range of sumptuous shades. The mini bottles help stop polish drying out.£4.75, John Lewis.

4

GETLBD

READY... IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS


Party season is here, which can only mean

one thing: it’s time to dust off that Little

Black Dress and sizzle at the Christmas

shindig. Matt Guy Wright shows you howIM

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IT: W

ALLIS

Between now and New Year’s Eve, it’s likely that you’ll attend more social events than you have during the rest of the year combined. This means you’re going to be seen by the great, the

good and the many. So the question is: are you ready to stand out for all the right reasons?

If you’re seeing more seaside postcard lady than smouldering temptress, fear not. Follow my advice – and my five simple exercises below – and you’ll be ready to slip into that Little Black Dress in time for the party season.

THE LOWER BODY: LIFT AND FIRM THE DERRIÈRE AND THIGHS, WORKING THE INNER AND

OUTER THIGH, HAMSTRINGS AND GLUTES

1The Curtsey: stand with your feet wide apart and arms wide open to the sides. Now, take one leg right behind the other and do a

deep curtsey, placing your hands in front of you on the floor. Bounce up into the starting position again and repeat on the other side. Repeat 10 times each side, swiftly moving from left to right whilst keeping to a constant rhythm.

THE MID-SECTION: GREAT FOR HIPS, TUMMY AND THE WAISTLINE

2Oblique crunches: lie flat on your back and bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor. With your


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arms stretched out wide either side of you, palms facing up, keep your legs and feet tightly squeezed together and lift your feet six inches off the floor. Now rotate your legs, turning from beneath the hips only (the upper body stays flat) until your knees touch the floor. Place your fingertips behind the ears and crunch your upper body straight up as high as you can go. Keep your elbows out wide and your knees flat on the floor. Do three sets of 15 on each side.

3Rotating planks: hold your abs in as you start with a basic plank on the floor for 30 seconds. Then rotate yourself onto your right

forearm into a side-plank, with only your right foot and right forearm touching the floor. Hold this for 20 seconds, then rotate back into the basic plank

again, then rotate into another side-plank on your left. Repeat this as many times as you can manage, speeding up each plank position until you’re rotating every five seconds.

UPPER BODY: PERFECT FOR THE BICEPS, TRICEPS AND SHOULDERS

4Tricep extensions: lie on your back on a bench or sturdy table with your head at one end of the bench. Bend your knees and

raise your feet off the bench with crossed ankles so that your knees are now over your stomach. This flattens your back on the bench and stops it arching. Now with a dumbbell (or 1.5 litre bottle of water) in each hand, hold the weights directly above your face with straight arms and your palms

facing each other. Bend your arms backwards until you bring the weights right behind you until they’re underneath the bench where your head is. Hold for a second then bring them back up over your head to the starting position. Repeat three sets of 10-15 reps.

5 Declined push-ups: place your feet on a sturdy chair, bench or table and place your hands flat on the floor: the higher your feet are,

the more strenuous and more effective this exercise will be. Before you start the push-ups, pull your abs up hard. Do as many push-ups as you can, going very low and very slow. No cheating! Repeat five sets of 10 reps. This exercise is tough, so pace yourself between sets. This tones and firms the shoulders, chest, arms and core area brilliantly.

HOW TO AVOID FEELING LIKE DEATH THE NEXT DAY, MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF AT THE

CHRISTMAS PARTY AND TELLING DAVE FROM

ACCOUNTS YOU LOVE HIM

Prevention: before you hit the town: eat some protein and ‘good’ carbs. This will not only protect you from carpet-bombing on an empty stomach with an onslaught of alcohol, it will also stop your blood sugar levels from spiking and plummeting to a hunger crash-and-burn kebab-craving nightmare.

Cure: before bed: if you have overdone it on the Champagne, drink a large glass of Berocca then drink a pint of water and take two Ibuprofen. This will keep your brain and body hydrated while you sleep, reducing the chances of waking up with a thumping head and mouth-like-a-badger’s-tail feeling in the morning. Once awake, do the same again. To maximise the morning after the night before detox, add a teaspoon of powdered wheatgrass and Spirulina to your early morning Berocca.

Supplements: take the following with your morning-after

breakfast: Iron to make you feel more awake, Zinc to give your blood a superb antioxidant effect and Milk Thistle to detox the liver. Then eat a big breakfast. A grilled (not fried) Full English will go down a treat or scrambled eggs on toast will also have you feeling on top of the world in no time at all and ready to seize the day. Hangover? Pah! What hangover?

Beauty: alcohol, parties and too much food show up on our faces very quickly and without warning. Spanx can disguise a multitude of sins around your waistline, but make-up can only conceal so much fatigue on the old visage. The face can sag and those little crow’s feet can turn into Grand Canyon-sized valleys overnight. So what can you do? Lorraine Butler, beautician and owner of Absolute Beauty in Seaford, recommends Microdermabrasion, IPL Laser Rejuvenation and Microcurrent, an electronic facial muscle lifting treatment.

HANGOVER CURESSay goodbye to your hangover

Dining at Pelham House ~ Delicious and seasonal Pelham House focuses on simple and delicious food, using good quality seasonal and locally

sourced produce. We offer a variety of regularly changing menus.

The restaurant is the perfect setting for a special lunch or dinner. We also have several additional dining rooms which seat between 4 and 120 guests private dining.

Pelham House has a carefully selected list of wines and cocktails to complement our menus.

Diners can choose the historic Panelled Room, the charming Garden End Room or to dine alfresco on the stunning south facing Terrace.

Our Gallery menu is available from 10:00 until 22:00 for brunch, bar snacks, light meals and pre-dinner drinks and afternoon tea between 3pm and 5pm.

The Restaurant is open daily from 12:00 for lunch, and 18:00 for dinner.

To Book, or for any enquires please contact Pelham House: p: 01273 488600 e: reception @pelhamhouse.com

WEDDINGS / RESTAURANT / BEDROOMS / MEETINGS


food& drink

p48 Party Bites delicious canapés and sublime snacks to

make your festive table sizzle p52 Food News Christmas

puddings, cheese and gadgets plus why red cabbage is the

perfect winter vegetable p53 Cleo’s Cocktails it’s time to put the

sparkle into your night with Cleo Rocos’ divine cocktail recipes

Dining at Pelham House ~ Delicious and seasonal Pelham House focuses on simple and delicious food, using good quality seasonal and locally

sourced produce. We offer a variety of regularly changing menus.

The restaurant is the perfect setting for a special lunch or dinner. We also have several additional dining rooms which seat between 4 and 120 guests private dining.

Pelham House has a carefully selected list of wines and cocktails to complement our menus.

Diners can choose the historic Panelled Room, the charming Garden End Room or to dine alfresco on the stunning south facing Terrace.

Our Gallery menu is available from 10:00 until 22:00 for brunch, bar snacks, light meals and pre-dinner drinks and afternoon tea between 3pm and 5pm.

The Restaurant is open daily from 12:00 for lunch, and 18:00 for dinner.

To Book, or for any enquires please contact Pelham House: p: 01273 488600 e: reception @pelhamhouse.com

WEDDINGS / RESTAURANT / BEDROOMS / MEETINGS


partyImpress your hungry guests with a mouthwatering

selection of canapés, delicious finger food and scrumptious party snacks

Crushed yellow bean prawnsMakes 20

2 tablespoons vegetable oil3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped2.5cm piece of fresh ginger, grated 20 raw king prawns, peeled and deveined, with tails left on3 tablespoons yellow bean sauce 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 1 tablespoon caster sugar1 fresh red chilli, sliced, to garnish

Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the garlic, chilli and ginger. After 10 seconds, add the prawns and toss to combine.

Then add the yellow bean sauce, Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon water and the sugar.

After 4 minutes, check a prawn to see if it is cooked. Scatter with fresh chilli and serve.

perfect bites


Sesame prawn toastsMakes 30

10 slices (slightly stale) white bread, crusts removed30–40 coriander leaves to garnish5 tablespoons sesame seeds400ml groundnut or vegetable oilplum or sweet chilli sauce, to serve

For the topping6 spring onions, roughly chopped450g raw prawns, peeled and deveined 1 teaspoon freshly chopped coriander1 garlic clove, crushed1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 egg white 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon cornflour

To make the topping, whizz the spring onions in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients and whizz again.

Spread the topping onto each slice of bread. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on a plate and gently press each slice of bread, prawn-side down, into the seeds. Cut each slice into 3 fingers and press a coriander leaf into one end.

Heat the oil in frying pan. Cook the toast, topping-side down, for a couple of minutes. Flip over and cook for 40 seconds more, until crisp. Drain on paper towels before serving. Serve with plum or sweet chilli sauce.

Chilli devilled eggsMakes 2412 hard-boiled eggs, peeled 4 tablespoons mayonnaise 1–2 tablespoons chilli shrimp paste salt and ground white pepper2 spring onions1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, to serve

Halve the boiled eggs lengthways and carefully remove the yolks. Put the yolks into a bowl and break them up with a fork.

Mix in the mayonnaise and chilli shrimp paste to taste. Season with salt and white pepper. When smooth, either spoon back into the eggs or pipe with a star-shaped nozzle, if you have one.

Sprinkle over the sliced spring onions and black sesame seeds to serve.

Mini Portuguese custard tartsMakes 24350g puff pastry For the custard 1 tablespoon cornflour1 heaped teaspoon plain flour150ml full-fat milk 3 egg yolks90g caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla paste a pinch of ground cinnamon6cm pastry cutter24-hole mini muffin pan, lightly greased

To make the custard, whisk the flours, milk and egg yolks together. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, 60ml water, vanilla and cinnamon to the boil and whisk gently. Take off the heat and slowly pour over the flour mix while whisking gently. Return to the heat, stirring with a spatula to thicken it ever so slightly to the consistency of single cream. Remove from the heat, leave to cool, then refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Gas 6. Roll out the puff pastry on a flour-dusted surface until 3mm thick. Use the cutter to stamp out disks and gently push them into the muffin pan.

Spoon in the custard, leaving a tiny bit of space free at the top of the pastry (the custard will rise). Cook in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, until the tops darken. Remove and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Sweet chestnut & chocolate basketsMakes 30

60g softened unsalted butter85g icing sugar1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste1 egg white, beaten50g plain flour2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

For the chestnut cream 150g sweet chestnut purée5 tablespoons cream cheese270ml double creampiping bag24-hole mini muffin pan, greasedsilicone sheet

Begin by making the basket tuiles. Use an electric hand-held whisk to combine the butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Add the egg white. Slowly add the flour and cocoa and whisk. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) Gas 5.

To make the chestnut cream, place the sweet chestnut purée, cream cheese and cream into a bowl and whisk together until the mixture is quite stiff. Spoon into a piping/pastry bag and refrigerate until needed.

Place a silicone sheet onto a heavy baking sheet. Use an offset palette knife to spread the basket tuile mixture into 7cm/3in circles. The mixture needs to be very thinly spread on the sheet. It is best to experiment with just one tuile at first. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 4–5 minutes.

Slide a palette knife under the tuile and place it over one of the holes of the muffin pan. Gently push it into the hole of the muffin pan. It will cool, and take form in seconds.

Bake the baskets in batches. When they are cool and ready to serve, snip a tiny hole in the end of the piping bag and pipe the cream with quite some pressure into the basket cases in a squiggle shape. Serve immediately.

Chocolate & almond raspberry cakesMakes 30

125g dark (70%) chocolate, chopped125g unsalted butter 3 eggs, separated 60g caster sugar25g ground almondsa pinch of salt1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 150g raspberries or kirsch-soaked cherriesicing/confectioners’ sugar, for dusting24-hole mini muffin pan, greased

Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl placed over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl does not touch the water. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until pale and fluffy, then pour into the cooled melted-chocolate mix. Add the ground almonds, salt and vanilla bean paste and stir through.

In a large, clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Stir a third of the egg whites into the chocolate and mix until well combined. Use a large metal spoon to lightly fold in the rest of the egg whites until just combined.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan, gently place a raspberry or kirsch-soaked cherry on each cake and bake for 15 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the middle of a cake comes out clean. Leave for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar to serve.

Recipes taken from Party-Perfect Bites by Milli Taylor, photography by Helen Cathcart. Published by Ryland Peters & Small.

Party-Perfect Bites is available to Sussex Style readers for the special price of £11.99 (RRP £15.99), including postage & packaging. To order, call Macmillan Direct on 01256 302699 and quote reference GLR L4L.

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what’s cooking

SAM BILTON HAND PICKS SOME DELECTABLE CHRISTMAS

TREATS TO SUIT ALL TASTES

In Season... RED CABBAGERed cabbage is a great friend of game, duck and goose and combines well with smoked bacon, chestnuts and apples. For many people, Christmas vegetables invariably mean sprouts, but I prefer red cabbage at my festive table. One of the more robust members of the brassica family, it responds well to slow cooking. It’s always worth preparing more than you need as it freezes well and is a welcome addition to many a winter dinner when seasonal vegetables are getting thin on the ground.Not so long ago, red cabbage was more frequently pickled than cooked, but thankfully there are now legions of recipes for braised red cabbage. This one, from Mary Berry’s Christmas Collection, is an absolute cracker.

Mary Berry’s Braised Red CabbageServes 8An ideal vegetable to prepare ahead and a perfect accompaniment with turkey or goose. You don’t need to add any liquid to the red cabbage to cook it: if you rinse the shredded cabbage in a colander before cooking, a little of the water is retained in the leaves.

1 large red cabbage, about 1kg (2¼lb), finely shredded450g (1lb) cooking apples, peeled and roughly chopped40g (1½oz) caster sugarsalt and freshly ground black pepper2 tablespoons white wine vinegar50g (2oz) butter2 tablespoons redcurrant jelly

Preheat the oven to 150ºC/Fan, 130ºC/Gas. Layer the cabbage and apples in a large pan or casserole dish and add the sugar, seasoning, vinegar and dots of butter. Gently stir.

Cook in a preheated oven for 2–2½ hours or until the cabbage is just tender.

Stir in the redcurrant jelly, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve piping hot.

• Taken from Mary Berry’s Christmas Collection (£20, Headline). For more seasonal recipes visit my blog: comfortabyhungry.com

food news

1. Cranberry & Clementine Pudding, £14, Marks & Spencer. Rich, fruity pudding with clementine centre. 2. King George Christmas Pudding, £25, Fortnum & Mason. Prepared using a traditional recipe. 3. Harvey’s, £5.50, Harvey’s. Moist pudding with a Harvey’s twist.

Davenport Vineyard in Rotherfield, East Sussex, has won the Organic Alcoholic

Drinks category in this year’s Soil Association Organic Awards. Its award-

winning Horsmonden white wine is made with organic grapes from 23-year-old vines.

Say cheese Petworth-based The Hungry Guest has received further recognition for its artisan breads at the Tiptree World Bread Awards. It won awards for its ciabatta, pain d’Alsace, five-seed sour dough and sprouted wheat and date loaves. All available from its shop in Petworth.

TOP PRODUCT... Robot Nut Cracker, £16.50, maidenshop.com. Kids will love cracking nuts at

the festive table with this colourful beech wood device. Simply twist, crack and eat.

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christmaspuds



Y es lovepots, we did it! All the presents have been lovingly wrapped, the food is ready to be cooked for the guests who are about to descend and you’ve really gone to town with the

glorious decorations, meaning your home is now brimming with fabulous festive glee. Your work here is done. Now it’s time to have some fun.

You must be barking for a large one – I know I am! Which means it’s time for a little shaking and stirring to create some internal illuminations of our own. We absolutely deserve it. And because we are all so divinely fabulous, let’s raise a toast to our wonderful family and friends with one of these ravishing celebratory cocktails.

We’ve got five easy-to-make recipes for your drinking pleasure. Just pick your favourite spirit,

shake, stir, pour and enjoy...

Very Berry75ml Teichenne Raspberry50ml Orange Juice50ml Cranberry Juice1 fresh lime

Shake all the ingredients (except the lime) with cubed ice and pour into a highball glass. Take one half of a lime and squeeze over the drink before stirring. Garnish with a little piece of orange peel.

Relish this tangy treat!

Horse’s Neck75ml Hennessy Fine de CognacFever Tree Ginger Ale

Pour Hennessy into a highball glass and top up with Fever Tree ginger ale. Garnish with orange peel.

Espresso MartiniFor one:50ml AquaRiva Reposado TequilaDouble shot of espresso coffee

3 coffee beans20ml organic agave syrup

Brew the coffee, let it cool and add to a shaker with agave syrup and ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.

Floradora1.5 shot of HendricksJuice of one fresh limeHalf a shot of raspberry syrupTop with fiery ginger beer

Put all of the ingredients into a highball glass over cubed ice. Churn well and serve. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh raspberry.

Classic Martini50ml Belvedere Vodka25ml Lillet Blanc

Stir over ice, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a pink grapefruit twist.

Kentucky Toddy50ml Jim Beam Honey 25ml lemon juice25ml orange juice12ml ginger syrup1 cinnamon stick

Heat up all the ingredients and pour into a toddy glass, top up with hot water. Garnish with orange peel studded with cloves.

Aqua Riva35ml AquaRiva 100% agave Reposado tequila10ml fresh squeezed lime juice15ml fresh lemon juice15ml AquaRiva organic agave syrup

Shake or stir and serve in a rocks glass with lots of ice, garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.

7 festive cocktails

cleo’s cocktails

BORED OF BEER? FED UP OF FIZZ? THEN YOU NEED A LITTLE HELP FROM CLEO ROCOS AND HER COCKTAIL RECIPES – GUARANTEED TO ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR FESTIVE DRINKS OFFERINGS THIS DECEMBER

“You must be barking for a large one - I know I am! Which means it’s time for a little shaking and stirring to

create some internal illuminations of our own.”

T:01825 790527

Order fresh Trees, Wreaths and Garlands

from our Christmas shop

On Sunday 21st December Trading Boundaries presents

www.tradingboundaries.com/events

HANDEL’S

Messiahby candlelight

12th and 13th December

The Tar BabiesChristmas party night!

The UK’s top 60s and 70s rock ’n’ roll covers band that includes top session musicians who have played with Steve Hackett, Rick Wakeman, Cutting Crew,

Gary Barlow and Grace Jones.


New Year’s Eve Party!

See in the New Year with live music and a gourmét buffet at

Trading Boundaries!Dine and dance the night away

with The Tar Babies as they return to our stage.

Count in the New Year to the sound of Big Ben and

enjoy live firework coverage from London and around the world.


The emporium for original Christmas

shopping

Live-in care & companionship in the comfort of your

own home

Contact us on 0844 209 2646www.country-cousins.co.uk

Your Home. Your Lifestyle. Your Choice.

If now’s the time to talk, we’re always happy to listen.

Country Cousins Est 1959

Countrycousins5

Country Cousins

x SS-DEC-InDesign pages.indd 12 27/11/2014 12:03

home& garden

p58 Raft exquisite, eco-friendly sofas and furnishings that will

last you a lifetime p60 Winter Sparkle this year’s beautiful

Christmas decoration trends p64 Neptune putting the elegance

back into English furniture p70 Fabric Lady Laura Jandac on

making Christmas interiors simple, stylish and affordable

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Eco-friendly furniture that will last a lifetime.

It sounds too good to be true, but this is the

philosophy that is at the heart of Raft’s beautiful

handmade sofas and home furnishings

Dependable, solid sofas that will endure and fit perfectly into your home? It’s what we all crave, but so rarely find. But Raft Furniture has made this dream possible. Raft’s Brighton premises offers a beautiful, handmade range of fabric and

leather sofas – one of which features on the front cover of this issue of Sussex Style. From living and dining to bedroom, storage and accessories, it has everything you need to make your home the envy of the neighbourhood.

Comfort and style are not mutually exclusive and that is something Raft has worked hard to address. Furniture is built to last, meaning that Raft’s exquisite products just get better with age. Underneath the stylish exteriors you will find solid hardwood frames that are glued, screwed and dowelled for extra strength.

Raft has also adopted a life-friendly approach to furniture – its hardwood products do not contribute to deforestation and have been independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®). Raft is the world’s largest retailer of FSC® certified reclaimed teak; something its passionate about and has led to them holding a unique Chain of Custody certificate that recognises vital work helping communities in Indonesia.

At Raft’s Brighton store, directors Sarah and Justin Brown, invite customers to sit on the sofas, bounce on the beds and engage with the furniture. They even offer interior design and gift services for those special occasions; make this Christmas one of these – the date you decided to combine beauty and durability in your living room.

35-36 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RETel: 01273 311610

Website: www.raftfurniture.co.uk

EVERLASTING BEAUTY

Clockwise from top: Four-seater Manhattan sofa with chaise, from £1,889, Forme bench, from £460, throw, £56, lamp, £289, cushions, from £30; Cube coffee table, from £413; nest of tables, £512, storage cubes, from £142, China stool, £139; Teak Root coffee table,

from £583, Oscar three-seater sofa, from £1,879, Belledonne lamp, £360; Hudson five-drawer chest, from £1,295,

Paladru lamp, £316; Tub chair, from £751, throw, £56, storage cube, from £142. Facing page: Tamara dining table, from £1,605, bench, from £260, Oasis dining chair, £180, Hudson sideboard, £1,095;

floor and table lamps, from £116, Forme bench, from £460, storage cubes, from £142

EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE Pretend you’ve just stepped out of the Great Gatsby and go all roaring 1920’s with sleek, feminine, dazzling decorations. Reinvent your home as the setting for the ultimate high society ball, where invitations will be in high demand! Splurge on jewel encrusted baubles and lustrous pearls. For added drama, throw in bold flashes of black and crimson and set it all off with touches of sumptuous gold. Unrepentant lavishness is the only way to go this Christmas.



home & garden

1 SUBLIME SERENITYThe holiday season is about relaxing with your loved ones and enjoying the fruits of another year’s hard work. Transform your home into a peaceful bolt hole with tranquil icy whites, shimmering silvers, frosted bells, beautiful crystal glass wear and a festoon of silver lights. Avoid anything too heavy and fussy; blissful understatement is the key.Croft Collection Feather Bauble, £3, John Lewis

2 MAJESTIC METALSContrast cool metallic tones with burnished gold for glamour and divine decadence. Sparkling silver candlestick holders can be used all year round – as the centrepiece of your dinner table or to add sophistication to a mantelpiece above a roaring fire. Choose textured baubles and finish by hanging a vintage gold-framed mirror on the wall. Silver Candlestick Holder, £45, House of Fraser

3 NORDIC CHARMFew locations summon up the magical spirit of Christmas better than Northern Europe. Capture those spectacular snow-caked mountains and their frost-laden furs with a fusion of clear glass and shimmering whites and silvers. Combine woods with natural elements, such as sisal and burlap, for the definitive fairy tale experience.Nordic Winter Decorative Peacock, £89, Selfridges

4 MAJESTIC MENAGERIEAnimals have always been a welcome addition at Christmas, but are a particularly strong theme this year. Imaginative takes on antelopes, deers and owls are cropping up in everything from elegant Christmas tree decorations to exquisite ornaments for the mantelpiece. Invite some woodland creatures into your home this year.White Standing Deer, £21.50, Trading Boundaries

Transform your home into an

opulent winter wonderland this

Christmas. Alex Hopkins takes

a look at this year’s hot

decoration trends

editorloves

winter sparkle

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THE UPHOLSTERER

No two windows are the same and here at The Upholsterer we are on hand to advise you on window treatments to suit any style or shape. From Roman Blinds to hand finished curtains we can talk through your ideas an offer advice on style, design and fabrics.

Brown furniture can be a thing of the past with a simple step by step process of paint and wax and The Upholsterer is proud to be a stockist of Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan. All paints, brushes, books and wax is held in stock and staff are always at hand to offer advice. Why not give the gift of a paint techniques workshop? Dates run throughout the year. Gift vouchers available.

TM CHALK PAINT Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan

Wheather you are looking to give a new lease of life to an old piece of furniture or looking to design your own bespoke sofa or armchair Milos Jandac at The Upholsterer can tailor the upholstery to your exact needs. With over 25 years experience he can tackle even the most difficult of pieces and his wife Laura can advise on colour, fabrics and trimmings.

UPHOLSTERY

CURTAINS AND BLINDS

Open Sundays throughout December9:30 am - 4pm

GIFTS CUSHIONS UPHOLSTERY RESTORATION

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT BESPOKE FURNITURE

CURTAINS & BLINDS FABRICS & WALLPAPERS

Opening times 15 North Street, Midhurst Tuesday to Friday: 9:30am 5:30pm West Sussex, GU29 9DH Saturday: 9:30am - 4pm theupholsterermidhurst.co.uk

T: 01730 810284 E: [email protected]

If you are looking for something just that little bit different we recommend a visit to our shop on North St in Midhurst. An Aladdin’s cave of gift ideas for that special someone, that friend who has everything or even just a treat for yourself. From lamps and mirrors to candlesticks and cushions all with a unique twist we are confident that Christmas shopping will be a pleasure this year.

GIFTS

exquisite english design re-born

Hailsham’s recently re-opened and extended Neptune Design

Centre is bringing the elegance back to home furniture

Images from Hailsham’s Neptune Design Centre by

Alexander O’Neal:[email protected]

Neptune is an exciting lifestyle brand with a diverse range of products for the entire home. The collection includes fitted kitchens, bathrooms, garden furniture, upholstery and accessories; from glassware and throws to artichoke ornaments.

In November, the company re-opened its Hailsham Design Centre, following the refurbishment and completion

of a 3,500 square foot extension. Owners of Neptune Hailsham, Toby and Tanya Macpherson, are delighted to invite you to their stunning new premises, which is housed in a former railway terminus, rich in architectural design touches and detail. The new extension doubles the store’s showroom space and includes an outdoor courtyard, which will be used to showcase the extensive Neptune outdoor furniture range.

English elegance is at the forefront of Neptune’s mission. Talented designers work tirelessly to research, sample and test every bold, new design until every detail and material is perfect.

Inspiration is taken from the early beauty of classical English architecture and the Arts and Crafts movement. Only authentic materials are used in Neptune products – the result is unique, exquisite furniture of the highest quality.

Whether you are choosing a bespoke kitchen or a simple lamp, Neptune Hailsham has the full range of inspirational fitted and free-standing furniture and accessories for you to transform your home and garden.

With a friendly team of experts on hand, offering specialist advice on everything from flooring to fitted cabinetry, this centre of excellence offers a fantastic opportunity for you to experience Neptune and its whole home concept.

Neptune Design Centre Hailsham Neptune House, North Street, Hailsham, BN27 1DQ Tel: 01323 849483 or 07714 157689 Email: [email protected]

FLAWLESS FURNISHINGSFill your home with affordable, luxury

home furnishings this Christmas, with a little help from Rusdens

Since 1950 Rusdens of East Grinstead, has been injecting style into the homes of discerning shoppers across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and beyond. Light up your living room with a stunning lamp with an oval nickel

wire base and white shade. Add starry candleholders to illuminate that cold winter’s night or make a bold statement with a one-metre tall giant recycled glass vase. Scatter exquisite feather-filled cushions and finish off with a fabulous red pompom garland, which the children will adore. Rusdens has everything to transform your home into a sumptuous fairyland this Christmas.

This page, clockwise from top left: warm lambswool or mohair throw, from £75; starry candle holders, £12; soft faux fur hot water bottle with a removable toy, £40; large lamp with an oval nickel wire base, £220; frosted glass lanterns with a jute handle, £27; soft faux fur ruffle scarf, £32.50

Rusdens87-89 London Road,

East Grinstead, RH19 1EJTel: 01342 325033 rusdens.co.uk


No sooner have you hung up your flip-flops in favour of your Uggs, that all talk seems to turn to Christmas. “Where are you going for Christmas this year?”, “What are you doing for

Christmas?”, “Do the kids know what they want for Christmas yet?”. Whilst I am a huge fan of Christmas – you won’t hear a ‘Bah humbug’ from me – the pressure to be prepared and throw the most organised, beautifully decorated Christmas soiree seems to be getting greater every year.

I passed a shop last week that purported to have ‘Everything you need for Christmas’. ‘Perfect!’, I thought. They must have an interior design service, gift-wrapping fairies, gourmet chef, babysitter, personal stylist, financial advisor, marriage councillor and additional hours in the day that will help make my Christmas go to plan. No such luck.

You can’t pick up a magazine without seeing top tips for everything from designer baubles to perfect wrapping ideas. Department stores are also brimming with ideas to create the perfect Christmas, offering us numerous ways to help spend our well-earned cash. I would love to buy new decorations every year but this isn’t financially viable, so instead I ditch some of my least favourite and top up with a few new buys. There’s probably more buying than ditching going on if I’m honest, but who can resist a bit of Christmas sparkle? Rockett St George, based in Hassocks, has some really affordable suggestions to help transform your home from drab to fab this Christmas.

Christmas is all about enjoying yourself – particularly around the festive dinner table – and what better place to start than with some Brussels sprouts crackers?

At £36 for six, they are the perfect conversation starter

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BREAK THE BANK TO GET YOUR HOME CHRISTMAS-

READY. JUST FOLLOW LAURA JANDAC’S SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP CREATE

INSPIRATIONAL INTERIORS THIS DECEMBER

fabric lady

winter wonderland

on Christmas Day. Guaranteed to keep you smiling through all that washing up is this quirky turkey tea towel (above), £12. It will make a bold statement in the

kitchen and would make a lovely inexpensive gift for someone too.

Scandi chicDecorating your home needn’t take forever or cost the earth. Some simple baubles on a tree with inexpensive white lights can look effortlessly beautiful. Pick a colour theme and run with it. This set of pink and red baubles (above) costs £20 and is all you need for a small tree. Create a taking point amongst friends with this hanging Bulldog decoration (top left), a great addition to any tree.

If the thought of pine needles stuck in your carpet for the next 12 months sends shivers down your spine or you simply don’t have the space for a huge tree, why not try a ‘Scandi tree’? This one costs £99.50, gives fantastic contemporary lines, won’t drop needles and folds up easily for next year – it’s the ideal Christmas house guest.

Although I may not have that interior designer or financial advisor, I am (nearly) ready for Christmas and can’t wait for the festivities to begin. Merry Christmas.

Eurotiles & Bathrooms Brighton: Unit 6c, Freshfields Business Park, Brighton BN2 0DF

Email: [email protected] Phone: 01273 605445

Eurotiles & Bathrooms Rustington: Unit F, Brookside Ave., Brookside Ind. Estate, Rustington BN16 3LF Email: [email protected] Phone: 01903 785226

www.eurotilesandbathrooms.com

Style, design & innovation in tiles & bathroomsCome in and see our ranges of porcelain, mosaic & natural stone tiles, bathroom furniture, basins, taps, showers, baths & sanitary ware

Biggest stockist in the area | Free local delivery | Lots of parking

Brighton showroom now open

25% off all selected tile ranges with this vouchercode SU14

beautifully bespoke

The Kitchen People can create the kitchen of your dreams, whatever your budget

T he Kitchen People have been in business for over 10 years and have numerous clients in Mid Sussex towns and villages, including Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lindfield, Cuckfield and Crawley, as well as further afield in Brighton and the surrounding areas.

We are a small, friendly team of designers who are passionate about kitchens and pride ourselves on the fantastic services we offer. We have worked on projects large and small – with budgets from £5,000 to £80,000 – and can cater for every client’s

needs, without exception. Being independent from a single manufacturer means we have four ranges of stunning kitchen collections: Mereway, Second Nature, Schroder and English Rose. This gives our clients a selection of both traditional and contemporary kitchens to choose from.

Come and pay us a visit at our showroom in the lovely village of Lindfield, where parking is easy… and free! You will be pleasantly surprised at how competitive our prices are. Plus, you’ll always enjoy exceptional service from our kitchen professionals.

61 The High Street, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2HNwww.kitchenpeople.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kitchenpeople Twitter: @kitchenPsarah

advertising feature


life& style

p78 Lovely Lucca tranquillity, fine food and wine in Italy’s

Renaissance city p86 Book Club perfect reads to curl up with

on a winter’s evening p88 Mum on the Run how to keep the

Santa dream alive p90 Minxy Mann Yeager meet our new

columnist, Minxy, the expert on procrastination


All change

Building on its success so far, Mulberry Cottages has recently

relocated to the thriving East Sussex town of Lewes

L eading UK holiday letting agent, Mulberry Cottages, celebrated its move to Lewes by throwing a party in its new office, located on the vibrant High Street. The Sussex office was previously based in the village

of Hartfield, but with an ever-expanding team and property portfolio, Mulberry Cottages made the move to a bigger office.

Sarah Wood, founder of Mulberry Cottages said, “Our move to Lewes and being part of this thriving community is very exciting and we are really looking forward to taking on more high quality properties in this popular area.”

Mulberry Cottages offers advice at every stage of the holiday letting journey. So next time you’re in Lewes, why not pop in to say hello?

Clockwise from top left: New Mulberry Cottages Lewes launch; Lindsey Sale, Sarah Wood and Scott

Sale; Nicolas Siddall and Rowena Owen; the Directors of Mulberry Cottages: Tina Yates, Peter Wood, Sarah Wood and Mark Weaver; Maura

Smith and Tim Patient; VIP bags; Sarah Wood with the Lord Mayor, Michael Turner and wife, Anne Turner; Sarah O’Kane and Sophie Whelpton;

Robin Illingworth and Sarah Wood; Tim Patient, Nigel and Nicky Welby and Tina Yates

Creating a holiday home? We can help!

NATIONAL reach, bespokelocal service...

Call Tim Patient at your local office on: +44 (0)1273 475530 or 07889 723711 [email protected] mulberrycottages.com

...we’re very proud of our results!

15%Growth in UK

self-catering market

99%Customer

satisfaction

31%Of our

guests are International

• Expert advice onholiday letting

• Prepare income projections

• Create that all important ‘look’

• Manage and develop bespokemarketing

• Provide income analysis, forwardtrends and areas for growth

The

KeyFacts

New Owner ad_297x210mm ad_Layout 1 25/11/2014 11:20 Page 1

travel

lovely Lucca

Lucca is the perfect retreat for those looking

for Renaissance beauty, fine food and wine

and a peaceful break away from the tourist

rabble. Laura Lockington explores


T he city of Lucca is the jewel of Tuscany. Crammed full of the most enticing sights, shops, restaurants and bars, it is pretty much the essence of everything that we think Italy should be and has been loved by the English for hundreds of years. Easily accessed by Gatwick (flying directly to Pisa), it’s a mere

20-minute hop in a taxi to this walled gem of a city. Autumn is a great time to visit, with the spoils of the surrounding countryside on display all around the city and sunshine practically guaranteed.

First stop has to be Piazza San Michele, a glorious amphitheatre of a piazza right in the heart of the city. Surrounded by trattorias and shops, this is where anyone who is anyone goes for an espresso, glass of wine or long lunch. One of the oldest grocers there is also a restaurant, the Pizzicheria la Grotta. Stock up on ham, cheese and the strangely addictive lardo. Yes, lardo – basically it’s pig fat that has been aged in the marble lined caves of Carrera in the mountains, then marinated in a secret mixture. Thinly sliced and served on fresh foccacia it is sublime.

Foraged fungiAutumn is also the time for the famed mushrooms that are foraged from the surrounding hills and porcini that star in risottos, or are simply pan fried and served with a spoonful of creamy polenta. There is a barrow stand in the Piazza degli Scalpellini that sells only mushrooms and dried porcini that are well worth buying for the store cupboard back home. Chestnuts, grains, pulses and nuts are central to the cuisine in Lucca and can be found in many dishes on restaurant menus. Spelt was farmed here in Roman times and still plays a big part in the cooking of the region. The wonderful shop, Prosperi, first opened in 1790 and is still going strong today, selling all of the grains from sacks on the floor to the savvy Lucca shoppers.

Of course, being in Italy, it would be rude not to have a good old browse amongst the shops for some leather goods. Handbags, shoes, belts, purses and wallets come in supple silky soft leather in a myriad of colours. Take your time to choose though, as there are lots of options to look at. The main shopping street is the Via Fillungo – all the big Italian fashion names can be found here – at a price! Lucca is also famed for producing paper; prints and notebooks are beautifully displayed in the shops that surround the


LITERARY LUCCAThe Bookish Supper Society is planning a long weekend in Lucca from 2nd-4th October 2015, taking the fabulous author Rowan Coleman and her best-selling book, The Memory Tree. We will be visiting all the places mentioned, as well as a beautiful secret location for the celebratory lunch

on the Saturday when we will be joined by English speakers in Lucca, Italian publishers and the arty crowd in Italy. This will be a very special weekend,

and The Memory Tree that was praised so highly by Richard and Judy will be published in Italy next year. We have booked a fantastic hotel in the heart of the

city, and have some real treats in store for you. We’re giving Sussex Style readers a first chance to book this weekend break, so if you are interested please

email [email protected] by January 15th 2015 and we will get back to you with further details. Ciao!

main shopping streets. Literary lovers will find that they can browse the well-stocked shops for hours on end.

High above the rooftopsA walk around the Renaissance city walls gives a great overview of the city, but it’s bigger than it looks and can be quite tiring. The views of the russet- and ochre-coloured rooftops and the ingenious roof gardens and balconies around every corner make walking in this safe city a delight. Watching well-fed cats sitting in the sun, and the citizens of Lucca filling their water bottles from the many fountains that dispense clean, cold water from the mountains is an absolute joy. Especially if you hit upon the Piazza del Salmatore (the ‘boob’ square), where a marble statue of a lady with an exposed breast stands atop the fountain. The symbol of Lucca is a tower with trees crazily sprouting from the top. You can (if you’re feeling fit) climb the many, many stairs to the top, but if you have even a whiff of vertigo don’t do it! Stay safely at ground level below.

Cars are banned from the city (you have to have a permit and live inside the walls to use your car here), so cyclists rule the roads. Some hotels hire them out to visitors, but beware, the Italian love of speed doesn’t seem to be confined to the Grand Prix, and dodging the cyclists can become a way of life there.

There are some beautiful bookshops in the walled city, and one just

outside near the station, the Mondadori Literia, sells coffee, cakes and wine too. Browsing the shelves whilst sipping a glass of the famous local red wine is a joyful experience and makes the decision whether to buy the sumptuous art book a whole lot easier. It’s run by a father and daughter team who love to practise their English and sit down to discuss the finer points of Inspector Moltabano or join in the tea versus coffee debate.

The Lucca Centre of Contemporary Arts in the Via della Fratta has planned an exhibition of Tuscan artists, the Macchiaioli, who were impressionists in the last half of the 19th century that will be simply stunning. If visiting, make sure you go down to the basement of the building to see the surviving columns of painted figures cavorting on broken

pillars. The building was a brothel, so the cavorting figures are captivating, to say the least. The Centre also sells great coffee and some fabulous wine. Entry is free and it’s well worth a visit.

Cafés, cakes and chestnutsA cake and a coffee is a must in the afternoon, and all of the cafés sell

a fantastic array of delicious pastries and biscuits, most of them made with

“Lucca by night is a magical place, with candles on

endless tables and couples strolling arm in arm, leafy

squares, flower dripping balconies and lazy cats”

the beloved nuts of the region – walnuts, pine nuts and chestnuts. Try a slice of Buccellato, a sweet bread filled with candied fruit and anise, or Castagnaccio, a chestnut flour cake filled with cream. The Tuscans love chestnuts so much, they even make a beer with them for your enjoyment. Best sipped chilled in a shady square.

The church of San Michele, records of which date from 795AD, is in the main piazza. Delicate marble carvings grace the outside and the roof reaches dizzying heights. It stands in an enormous space where the sky opens up at last after a journey along narrow, winding medieval streets: this is how it was for the pilgrims who passed through the town as they followed the ancient pilgrim route.

The city winds down in the afternoon, and shutters close as the siesta kicks off all over the city. As evening falls and the sun inches out of the piazzas, an evening ritual begins: the Italian tradition of passeggiata, a gentle stroll through the main streets of the old town, chatting and discussing the day’s events.

Italians tend to dress up for passeggiata and tourists are usually easy to spot in their shorts and trainers. Lucca is no exception. Older folk sit along the route, nursing a beer and having a good old gossip; la passeggiata is where new romances are on display as well as new shoes. To join in the fun, head towards the Piazza Napoleone and watch the

dusk fall, the birds roost, and the lights come on.

Food glorious foodIt seems impossible to eat badly in Lucca; the one thing I would advise against is the pizza. Save that for Naples. Or Rome. Italian food is fiercely regional, and pizza is only put on menus in Tuscany for to entice the tourists to eat. Head for the Trattoria Gigi and sit outside in the pretty courtyard and have some ‘nudies’ – literally a nude pasta. Think ravioli, but without the pasta. Delicate balls of ricotta and spinach are served in a fresh tomato sauce, as light as a feather and not quite so calorific. Or why not try melted pecorino cheese on a courgette cake? They make a fabulous candied fruit biscuit with pine nuts to dip into your grappa there, too. Or you could try the famous Bucadisantantonio, a landmark restaurant in Lucca with an amazing wine cellar that can be explored if you ask nicely.

Lucca by night is a magical place, with candles on endless tables and couples strolling arm in arm, leafy squares, flower dripping balconies, lazy cats and pampered pooches. The sound of wine corks being eased out of bottles, the laughter of friends greeting each other and the smell of food being prepared fill the evening air. No wonder us English adore it so much.

Clockwise: faded image of the crucifixion; Piazza

Marco; Italian print shop; Piazza San Michele

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book club

GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell, £9.99, PanThis is an epic, swashbuckling roller coaster of a book and absolutely perfect to curl up with in front of the fire. It was written in 1936 and won the Pulitzer Prize. Since then it’s sold over 10 million copies and been translated into 18 languages. If there was ever a heroine who didn’t need our pity, it’s Scarlett O’Hara and her yearning for her beloved Tara. The hero of the book is Rhett Butler and I defy you not to fall hopelessly in love with him. What a man! This book has pretty much everything, including a quite remarkable insight into the civil war and a look at the slavery that was at the heart of the conflict. But mostly it has romance by the bucket load – and if you don’t like that, well, frankly my dear I don’t give a damn!

book club

FATHOMLESS RICHES Or How I Went From Pop To Pulpit by Revd Richard Coles, £20, W&NMy Saturday mornings are often spent in the company of the Revd Richard Coles. He is the lovely presenter of Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4. But what you might not know is that he was once part of The Communards, who had a string of hits in the 1980s. The pop-star-turned-vicar has written an honest account of life after fame. His travels searching for an inner life and his journeys with the band are not only hilarious, but witty, wise and compassionate. This is a man who is fearless with the truth and with himself, without a hint of pretension or self justification. Not your usual Christmas read, but an incredibly enjoyable tome all the same.

NIGELLA CHRISTMAS Food Family, Friends, Festivities, £20, Chatto and WindusOh Nigella! The queen of festive feasts never let’s us down. From Ancient Babylon to the Druids, the solstice has always been a time for gluttony, greed and generosity. Her portion sizes are spot on: none of that teeny tiny portion control. There’s a wonderful chapter on catering for the hungry hordes with some brilliant ideas for manageable mass catering in your own kitchen, minus the stress. And the cocktails are delicious. I loved the Poinsettia – a heady mixture of Prosecco, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice served in a frosted champagne flute. The easy-to-follow Christmas Day meal is a cinch and there’s also a marvellous idea for a vegetarian Christmas feast. Stylish, delicious and very do-able.

THERE’S NOTHING NICER THAN SETTLING DOWN TO A GOOD BOOK WITH A TURKEY SANDWICH,

GLASS OF RED AND SLICE OF CHRISTMAS CAKE. HERE’S LAURA LOCKINGTON’S SELECTION

“From Ancient Babylon to the Druids, the solstice has always been a time for

gluttony, greed and generosity.”

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D oes Father Christmas like Spaghetti Bolognese?” asked my son. I told him that I was sure he did, as Father Christmas always eats up all his food, especially broccoli (you have to

grab these chances while you can!). “I’m going to leave him Spaghetti Bolognese on Christmas Eve.” So concerned was my son that Santa might be bored of mince pies, he was planning an alternative feast to entice his sleigh in our direction. It made me realise the power that the man in red has over his believers.

Last year, when I told him that we would be at Granny’s house for Christmas, he promptly burst into tears, as he didn’t think Santa would know where to leave his presents. I had to ‘phone’ Santa to give him the address. My mum even invested in one of those ‘Santa Please Stop Here’ signs to put his little mind at rest. He is still so small and it’s so lovely that he still believes: I’m sure I’ll be distraught when the day comes that he no longer wants to leave a three-course meal for Father Christmas and crudités for Rudolph. My husband will miss the whisky too.

But how do I keep the dream going? His friends at school will eventually catch on and fill him in. Friends with older siblings may let on earlier than I would like, but how can I stop it? I can’t keep him at home throughout December! He’s already enquiring how Santa can be at the local garden centre and shopping centre at the same time. The dodgy Santa impersonators out

there don’t help my cause either – last year we visited Father Christmas at Brighton Pavilion and his beard was grey, not white – it took me weeks to convince my son that it really was him.

When asked by grey Santa last year if he and his cousins had been good, my son took it upon himself to grass up his cousin by telling Father Christmas that Bella had been naughty that morning by upsetting her sister. He even told him she’d been pit on the naughty step. The look he was given by both of his cousins showed that they too are most definitely still believers.

I am a little torn though. I can’t help thinking that once the penny drops and my son has recovered

from the disappointment of knowing that everyone who loves and cares for him has been lying to him all these years, Christmas may be a little cheaper. My son truly believes that Santa makes everything himself and that he has all the time in the world to do it, so Christmas lists are lengthy affairs. Every time he passes a shop window or sees an advert on television, another couple of items are added to the list. I try and explain that Santa may not have the time to make everything or try and reason that Santa can’t afford to give every little boy everything on his list. To this I’m simply told, “ He will” and “He can”. So who am I to argue? I wish Christmas still had that magical, wonderful feeling for me. As adults, the magic can get lost a little along the way. That’s why I’ll most certainly be making extra Spaghetti Bolognese so we can leave it by the chimney on Christmas Eve. As if I haven’t already got enough to do.

CHILDREN’S BELIEF IN SANTA CLAUS IS ALL

PART OF THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS. BUT IT’S TRICKY KEEPING THE

FAIRYTALE GOING AS THEY GET OLDER. LAURA JANDAC

LOOKS FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR OF TRYING

mum on the run

keeping the dream alive


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P icture the scene. Wednesday morning, we are up, dressed and ready for the school run. The frantic scramble to sort the swimming kit for today and pack the healthy break snack completed and the deadline

for this column looming large on the horizon. ‘No bother,’ I repeat to myself, ‘I’ll get right to it as soon as I’ve braved the rough and rugged terrain of north west London.’

I rock up to the school gates to be greeted by Uber Mummy – let’s call her Amanda: all bronzed skin, lustrous hair and effortless chic – and I pull my artfully draped (ok, hastily thrown on) scarf over the coffee stain on my sweater as I am informed that I am in charge of the Christmas-themed bake sale on Friday. I force a smile and resist the urge to throttle her. Of course I’ll make 48 assorted Frozen-themed cupcakes, ‘such fun!’, as after all, I do cook for a living… and no, I don’t mind in the slightest coming to a planning meeting tomorrow after drop off. Uber-mum purrs goodbye as she sashays off to her hot yoga class, and I am left with a sinking feeling and the realisation that I am trying to fit 10 kilos of ordure into a five kilo bag, knowing that at least some of it is going to leak out and the result will not be pleasant.

I have only an hour before I have to get to work. Plenty of time to bash out 700 or so words – how difficult can it be? I used to be able to cobble together six or more pages in a day when I had a proper job in magazines. I’ve had two whole weeks to cogitate on what to write about, ideas swirling around my head like snowflakes, looking for a hook to hang them on.

The blank screen stares back at me. A cup of coffee should stimulate the old grey matter. Standing in the kitchen at Schloss Yeager I note that the coffee machine needs de-scaling. No time like the present; carpe diem. Why can’t I

just apply that to what is really important, like Christmas gift shopping for the family. Hell any shopping, packing for a holiday, this column… My mind wanders and a half-remembered quote pops up: “Procrastination is my sin. It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it. In fact, I will – tomorrow”. I glance at the clock on the cooker – still set to British Summer Time. It will be changed about six weeks before the clocks go forward again, when I realise that yet another hour has disappeared down the rabbit hole.

I know some people who run their lives like a military campaign, with colour-coded charts adorning the walls and family calendars and Christmas gift buying begun in the January sales. And while I admire their sense of purpose and

organisational skills, I can’t help thinking that although reliable and charming, they are just a tad dull. What they make up for in timeliness, they lack in spontaneity and fly-by-the seat-of-your-pants fun; moreover, the only safe gifts to buy in the sales are socks and hankies and quite frankly, anyone purchasing such an item should be shot for lack of originality!

Just give me two hours in an upmarket department store with a bit of a quirky twist and access to a few gorgeous little boutique-y shops close by and I’m all set. The time pressure makes one search with intensity, and the adrenalin rush you get when you find the perfect gift for each recipient just cannot be beaten. Gut instinct is relied upon and using this method I have seldom made a mistake. Which is why it is now 10.47pm on a Thursday evening, the cupcakes have only just gone in the oven, the Christmas pudding is still not made and I’ve just cracked open the laptop to write this. Wishing you all a fabulous and fun-filled Christmas. If you are expecting a gift from me, it may be late but you can be sure it will be just what you’ve always wanted and definitely not socks!

SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME. BUT IF ANYONE CAN

NAIL THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, BAKE CAKES FOR THE SCHOOL CAKE SALE, WRITE A COLUMN

AND DE-SCALE THE COFFEE MACHINE IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS, IT’S OUR RESIDENT

COLUMNIST, MINXY

minxy mann yeager

put a sock in it...

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Sussex Style December 2014