Browsing Archive

January, 2012

Happy Birthday Desert Island Discs!

beach main
January 30, 2012 By In Lifestyle, Other

Picture it, an exotic desert island completely void of life and miles from anywhere else.  Are you there yet, relaxed in your lean-to shack?  Ok…what music is playing?

That is the simple premise of Desert Island Discs, the BBC radio show that turned 70 on Sunday 29th January.  For anyone who has not come across it, Desert Island Discs is one of the longest-running radio programmes in the world, and holds the record for the longest-running factual programme in the history of history of radio. The show highlights the dream music playlists of the great and good, and is still as popular as ever.

Simplicity is probably the key to the longevity of the show, after all who hasn’t had the question asked of them ‘what couldn’t you do without?’ or ‘what is your favourite song?’ I know I would certainly struggle without music in my life.

Music has that wonderful ability to alter moods and stir emotions.  I’m sure everyone has had the experience of hearing a song that sparks memories of days gone by.  So much of our lives are signposted by music, from the school disco where you had that first kiss to the first dance at a wedding and ultimately a farewell song when we depart this world.

So as it is highly probable that I will never get to go on the show, I thought I would give it a go. Traditionally 8 pieces of music should be chosen, but for the sake of this blog I have whittled it down to just 5, in no particular order.

Sound and Vision by David Bowie – The juxtaposition of a guitar rift with a synthesizer on this largely instrumental track is good enough, but when complimented with Bowie’s withdrawn lyrics, something truly special is produced.  The song appeared on the album Low in 1977, and was later released as a single.

Munich by Editors – A song full or energy, Munich must be Editors at their best.  Lead singer Tom Smith’s refrained vocal style adds real texture to a song that has shades of dark, but is driven by one of the best rifts ever committed to record.  The track is taken from the album The Back Room.

Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles – Inspired by a young John Lennon’s memories of playing in the garden of a Salvation Army house named Strawberry Field, Strawberry Fields Forever is a psychedelic opus full of surreal meanderings.  With strong classical overtones, the song works well on so many different levels.  The track was released as a double A side single with Penny Lane in 1967.

Good Fortune by PJ Harvey – It is hard not to embrace Good fortune, with its layers of melody expertly performed with sarcasm by PJ Harvey.  The song is perhaps as ‘pop’ as she is ever likely to get which makes it all the more unique.  Good Fortune is also hugely positive, encouraging you to appreciate the good in your life.  Taken from the album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.

Common People by Pulp – While Blur and Oasis may have dominated the headlines, for me this song more than any other brings back fond memories of the whole ‘brit pop’ phenomenon of the mid 1990s’s. The lyrics playfully create a vivid story of class division, whereby poverty is given a glamour that everyone wants to aspire to.  The song is featured on the album Different Class.

Guests on the show also must choose one luxury, which must be inanimate and of no use in escaping the island, or allowing communication from outside.  For me it would have to be some Jelly Beans; ok they wouldn’t last long but at least i would get some enjoyment for a bit!

For all your music needs why not try Play.com, plus remember to check MyVoucherCodes for great discounts on entertainment.

Images taken from en.wikipedia.org

Money Saving Giant Battles Against #RBS Chief’s Bonus

RBS
January 27, 2012 By In News, Other

Mark Pearson, chairman of the UK’s #1 discount website (MyVoucherCodes) has responded to news of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s CEO Stephen Hester’s £1,000,000 bonus, by deploying an army tank in Central London today with a CLEAR message to consumers.

ATTENTION: Stephen Hester is to receive a bonus of nearly £1m despite earning a basic salary of £1.2m! Outraged, MyVoucherCodes’ reacted in true fighting style to show there’s still hope for the public.

Today Mark Pearson is making a stand with the release of his Central London army tank; emblazoned upon it a clear message for consumers: ‘Didn’t get an RBS bonus? Use MyVoucherCodes.co.uk’

This message is showing support to the people in this tough economic climate, teetering on the brink of another recession. This is a bid to show that there’s still hope for the everyday person. The tank set off from Shoreditch High Street and travelled around London and into The City, passing by various RBS head offices and spreading the word along its merry way.

Mark Pearson, Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, commented on the tank:

“We thought it would be great to highlight that not everyone is fortunate enough to get a £1 million bonus in this tough economic climate, let alone earn that much on a basic salary as well and knew there was no better way to get the message across than by driving tanks straight through the middle of London!

“The average Joe Bloggs on the street can’t rely on a huge bonus to get them through the year, but they can save money wherever possible by using discounts readily available to them. We want consumers to remember to check out discounts before they buy, and who knows, if they do it often enough, they may well save the equivalent of a banker’s bonus.”

Images and videos of the RBS tank can be found here…

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Track The Tank


View Track the tank! in a larger map

Kim Dotcom and the MegaUpload Saga – [INFOGRAPHIC]

kim_megaupload1
January 27, 2012 By In Entertainment, Humour, News, Technology, Top 10

Since the shutdown of Megaupload, stories have spread around the web about the life of Kim Dotcom and his opulent digs, high-end cars, fondness for models and other Bond-villain-esque adventures. So we have decided to create an infographic to tell the story…

Get Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s Look This Season

rosie-huntington-whiteley
January 27, 2012 By In Fashion, Guest

As one of the most beautiful and sought-after supermodels in the world, Rosie Huntington Whiteley is at the top of her game.

Whilst some might argue that her role in Transformers 3 left a lot to be desired, the same cannot be said of her wardrobe.  Her style is chic, understated and always bang on trend – she is the epitome of effortless cool.

We may not all be lucky enough to receive fashion freebies or have access to endless funds, but Rosie’s look is achievable if you shop around and invest in the right things.

Below is a short guide to achieving Rosie’s look by combining high-end and high street pieces.

Handbag

Where handbags are concerned, I think it is OK to treat yourself.  A designer handbag is an investment – they’re hard wearing and, if you use it as your every day bag for even a year, you certainly get your monies worth.  Plus, with the internet at your fingertips (or more specifically eBay) it’s easy to sell them on when you’re ready to buy a new one.

A quick Google search will tell you that Rosie Huntington Whitely loves the Alexander Wang Rocco Duffle bag. This bag has been working the fashion circuit for a couple of seasons now, however, if you haven’t already acquired one, now is the time as many major fashion websites have included them in their winter sales.

Shirt and Trousers

When talking clothes, Rosie favours staple separates in neutral colours – and these are where you can save money.  A white or off-white silk shirt can work in so many ways – be it layered under a thick, wool cocoon coat for winter or simply worn by itself a’la Rosie.

Reiss is undoubtedly one of the best places for affordable pieces that look vastly more expensive than they actually are.  A good being the Tiggy Shirt Style Jersey Top in Cream £55 from Reiss Online

Also from Reiss, comliment with a pair of Black Trousers £75 from Reiss Online.  It’s a well known saying in fashion that every woman needs a great pair of black trousers and this tapered pair from Reiss could be the perfect pair for you. The structured shape will keep you looking smart, while the flowing fabric will give you that ‘model off duty’ feel and keep your outfit from looking too formal.

Shoes

A classic pair of sandals in neutral colours can last you years and can be the perfect addition to any laid back, chic outfit.

These Diane Von Furstenberg taupe and nude sandals from Stylebop.com are the perfect shoe for this very purpose and, considering they’re DVF, they’re surprisingly cheap. Diane Von Furstenberg taupe and nude sandals – £266 from StyleBop

The above is just a quick, simple guide to achieving Rosie’s look, but I hope that it has highlighted the way in which you can combine high-end with high street in order to create a more affordable take on the chic, minimalist trend. The key is to shop around and to look for cheaper pieces which are made of quality materials and that are cut well. Combining these with more expensive, investment items such as a handbag will ensure that the whole ensemble comes together to look far more expensive than it really is.

Changing the cheaper pieces throughout the year will keep you looking fresh and on trend all year round without costing you a fortune.

Love? Hate? Valentine’s Day is COMING

love
January 27, 2012 By In Dining, Featured, Gifts

Whatever your feelings may be towards this ‘Day of Love’, either both agree to blissfully ignore it, or fully embrace it (if you have another half that is)!  The 14th of February falls on a boring old Tuesday and in my opinion this is the worst day of the week, so for the lovers it will be a chance to spice things up a bit and for the haters it should pass you buy without much bother!

To all the love birds out there, use this day as an excuse to make time for each other if you’re both trapped in a hectic schedule. This doesn’t necessarily mean over-priced dinners and elaborate gifts, just quality time doing something you both enjoy.  To make it a stress free month, we have put all of our best exclusives, voucher codes, deals and sales all onto one handy page on MyVoucherCodes. Here you will find brilliant discounted gift ideas and great savings on things to do this Valentine’s Day!

If you’re single or simply just detest this day, use it to your advantage by treating yourself! Why spend money on someone else, when you can spend it on yourself? If there’s any time of the year to be selfish, this is definitely the perfect time! We have tonnes of brilliant offers on fashion, travel, technology and much more, so if you have been eyeing up that certain something, now’s the time to buy it!

Valentine’s weekend is a great time to go out with your mates if you’re single or attached, because bars and clubs tend to host brilliant event nights that are fun rather than cheesy! So make Valentine’s an excuse to go out, rather than a reason to stay in. Check out all of our great voucher codes, deals and sales on all things Valentine’s at MyVoucherCodes.

*Pictures taken from Google Images

Ladies Take Advantage of the Leap Year

leap
January 27, 2012 By In Gifts, Lifestyle, Other, Top 10

There is something special about 2012….!

No, not the London Olympics, or the queens diamond jubilee or even the analogue TV switch-over. You may or may not be aware that 2012 is a leap year.  Ok so it’s not exactly a major deal these days but it is still an interesting time, with many superstitions and traditions that have built up over the years.

So let’s get the history stuff out of the way; why exactly do we have one?  Leap years generally occur every four years when an extra day is added to February.  The name originates from literally when the extra day used to get leapt in days gone by.  Adding an extra day to the calendar every four years compensates for the fact that a standard year (365 days) is shorter than a solar year, whereby the earth orbits around the sun by almost 6 hours.  It may not sound like much, but given enough time our traditional seasons would be under threat.

There are loads of novelty products you can get to celebrate the occasion, from cards to clothing and all sorts in between (also car sticker above).  You can find a great selection at Cafe Press.

The most famous folklore surrounding 29th February is of course that it is the one day on which, traditionally women can propose to men.  As the day had no legal status in days gone by, women took advantage of this and duly popped the question.  In fact a law once existed in Scotland forbidding a man to refuse a proposal, with punishment of large fines being dished out for any man who did.  Perhaps this is why it is still considered to be unlucky to be born on 29th February!

So ladies if the man in your life is dragging his heels, why not take this opportunity to take the lead and make that proposal.  These days there is no need to be shy or coy about taking the lead in a relationship, and stong independant women now occupy nearly every aspects of our lives.  The gender roles becoming more equal can only be a good thing, so why should the old values of a man proposing still dominate our society.  Valentine’s Day already makes February the month of love, and it really will be if ladies up and down the country pop the ‘will you marry me?’ question.

As an extra incentive why not take advantage of 22% off orders at John Greed Jewellery exclusively at MyVoucherCodes, valid until 29th February 2012.

Top image taken from listverse.com

Four Lions Film Review

January 26, 2012 By In Entertainment

Four Lions is a Chris Morris film so before I started watching it, I knew to expect it to be a bit ‘near the mark’. There was bound to be some parts of the film that would make me gasp or say, “How the heck did they get away with that” – It did.

The film is a comedy, but as with most British comedies it can be quite sad at times; you really have to love dark humour to enjoy this. Luckily my sister and I do, so at several points in the film we had to pause it, as we were laughing so hard.

Four Lions focuses on characters that are planning on becoming suicide bombers. It not only tackles the stereotypes it intentionally seems to completely obliterate them. The message you get is a more complicated version of: ‘there are always bad apples’.

The actors are all superb, but Kayvan Novak who you will recognize as phonejacker/facejacker, absolutely stole the show for me. His character was hilarious both in his lack of intelligence and his sweet vulnerability.

I also feel that Eastenders actress Preeya Kalidas deserves a mention for her character, Wife of Omar (The ringleader). It takes someone very commited to play this role and manage to pull it off. She also looks stunning; an absolutely beautiful woman and a fantastic actress.

Four Lions really does leave you thinking about the characters cold actions whilst contrasting with their humanity, such as omar’s interaction with his wife and child. Upon watching this film I gained a better understanding of religious extremist and suicide bombing issues and learnt it’s a very complicated subject matter, but is also preventable with the right help.

I enjoyed watching this film, because as I said before it has very dark humour. It’s rare that I watch films more than once, but I can definitely see myself watching this again in the near future.

Pros-

  • Makes you think.
  • Very Funny.
  • Fantastic cast
  • unpredictable

Cons-

  • The subject matter is a bit too heavy to be just a comedy.
  • Very Dark ending.

Watch out for- The Crow attached to a bomb. Two characters experience being trained in Pakistan and a fantastic Cameo with Julia Davis (Nighty Night, Gavin and Stacey).

Rating: 9.5/10

Love Films? Get a 30 day free trial of LOVEFiLM and receive exclusive £20 off vouchers for top high-street retailers at MyVoucherCodes!

Come Write for Us!!!

January 23, 2012 By In News

We have just launched our hot new blog “What’s Hot” and we are on the lookout for some talented writers… Do you like Fashion or Travel, Technology or The Home? Do you love to write? Want to get your articles viewed by thousands? Want to guest write for a growing website? Then come and join our team as a guest writer and build YOUR writing portfolio.

Our guest writers are currently non-paid but we are a happy team of 4 awesome writers that like to have fun writing!

Email us and join our team today :)

P.S. we may even send you to a restaurant, sports event, or product launch so you can get the inside scoop for us!

Spoil your Pet with 5% Off Orders Over £20 at LovePets

January 19, 2012 By In Other

We are well renowned for being a nation of pet lovers, and for good reason.  It is estimated that there are a staggering 27 million pets in UK homes, and that figure continues to grow.

So why are we so taken with our pets?  Obviously companionship is a given, especially in the case of Cats and Dogs.  The unconditional love and lust for life they provide is a huge energizer, especially after a stressful hard day at work.  Some people keep dogs for security, others collect fish as a hobby and some even put their pets to work doing a whole host of helpful tasks.

With pets naturally comes the responsibility of their upkeep, which can be quite expensive.  But the good news is at LovePets.co.uk, you will find thousands of pet products at truly unbeatable prices.   Launched in 2011, LovePets is one of the fastest growing pet companies in the UK.  But LovePets isn’t just a store, it is an online community full of helpful advice and honest product reviews.

So whether furry, feathery or scaly be sure to check out LovePets for all your animals needs.

A dog coat is an essential accessory at this time of year.  While fur certainly does a good job of keeping a dog warm, for breeds with short hair and little fat the cold can really bite.  Protect your dog from the elements with Half Price jackets, while stocks.

Incorporating sight, sound and touch, the Catit Design Senses Speed Circuit is a one stop cat toy.  The elevated tracks add a fast paced exciting roller coaster element while the motion activated illuminated ball allows for fun night or day.  Keep your cat amused for hours for only £899 at LovePets.

Or for those of you perhaps thinking about getting a pet, how about a rabbit? The Rabbit Starter Kit currently with a 50% saving, comes with everything to get you started (except the rabbit obviously).  The hutch is made from strong colourful and attractive plastic and high grade plywood making it feel like a more playful environment.

Plus get 5% off orders over £20 and free delivery with MyVoucherCodes, valid until 1st February 2012

Exclusive Free Delivery at Charles Tyrwhitt

January 18, 2012 By In Fashion

Even if you loathe them, you’ve got to have them – shirts that is! So with the help of Charles Tyrwhitt you will be nudged in the right direction towards loving them; where you will enjoy their cotton softness complimented with their crisp appearance.

Charles Tyrwhitt offer both formal and casual shirts, which are perfect for both in and out of the work place. Either way jazz up your look with eye catching cuff-links and ties to make your image your own. And of course not forgetting the ladies, as you too can get smart tailored shirts and suits to keep you looking professional at work.

To make sure you’re looking the top of your game, Charles Tyrwhitt is offering free delivery on everything exclusively to MyVoucherCodes until 22/01/12.  What’s more you can save up to 75% off in the sale, so there’s no excuse for not looking your best!