Search Results for: Occasions

‘Benjamin Hardy is one of the leading voices on well-being and productivity. Willpower Doesn’t Work is an insightful guide to help us thrive in today’s world’ Arianna Huffington

If you’re relying on willpower alone to help you lose weight, improve your relationships or achieve more at work, you’re doomed to fail. The environment around us is far too powerful, stimulating, addicting and stressful to overcome it through sheer determination. Willpower, grit, being positive – basically, all the tools you’ve been told are the keys to creating lasting change in your life – are insufficient in this high-paced, information-overloaded world we live in. The only way to stop just surviving and learn to truly thrive in today’s world is to proactively shape your environment.

That’s the premise of Willpower Doesn’t Work, by organisational psychologist and Medium’s most-read self-help guru Benjamin Hardy. Building on copious existing research, as well as his own experience of growing up in a broken family afflicted by addiction and drug use, Hardy explains how people can change their lives on every level by making small, impactful changes in their environment like:

* Creating ‘enriched environments’ – using tougher challenges and self-imposed deadlines to force yourself to rise to the occasion.

* Growing into your goals – using radical personal accountability to keep yourself on target and on track.

* Becoming the teacher – stepping into a leadership role (even before you think you’re ready) to accelerate your skills.

* Rotating your environments – getting out of your rut by literally changing your physical surroundings throughout the day or week.

From simple steps like removing things that conflict with your values from your environment (like junk food, junk media, even junk people), to incorporating new tools (like fasting or adding ‘positive triggers’ to your world), these lessons make it possible to consciously shape your surroundings so you can lead a more productive and happier life. Hardy leans on his own story of making the decision to foster three young children to illustrate how any shift, no matter how huge, can become ‘the new normal’ if you support that change with a productive environment.

‘At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.’
Thomas Tusser

Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the festive period distract you from what should be the happiest time of the year. This indispensable gem of a book offers practical tips on everything from organising party games the whole family will enjoy to planning the all-important Christmas dinner, and will help ensure that Christmas is manageable, and more importantly, fun!

Amazing news! Your friend has announced she’s going to have a baby – and you’re in charge of the baby shower preparations. This is a time to celebrate, not to panic, so take a deep breath and dive into this treasure trove of baby shower themes, activities, gifts, games and treats to make for the big day, as well as practical party-planning tips and advice. Everything you could possibly need to throw your friend the shower she deserves is within the pages of this indispensable little book.

They are the salt to your pepper; the cookie to your milk. Show your one true love just how much they mean to you with this adorable, illustrated book.

Bursting with sweet and punderful phrases, as well as dreamy quotes from great romantics and starry-eyed lovers through the ages, this beautiful keepsake will make the perfect gift for that special someone to let them know just how much you care.

If you want your message to be loving, moving or just plain funny, these pages offer a charming collection of the most unique ways to say those three little words, including:

– Olive you!
– You are such a cute-cumber!
– Time fries when I’m with you!
– You make my heart skip a beet!
– You are bacon me crazy!

Whether it’s for an anniversary, their birthday, Valentine’s Day or just because, there is no better way to tell your one-and-only, “I love you”.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR SPORTS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.

BEN STOKES: WINNER OF THE 2019 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD

‘He is the Special One, and I intend to call him that for the rest of his career’ Sir Ian Botham, Daily Telegraph
‘There are not enough superlatives to describe Ben Stokes’ Nasser Hussain, Daily Mail
‘The undisputed hero of English cricket’ The Times

Early evening on Sunday 14th July 2019. Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Something unprecedented had just happened: England had won the Cricket World Cup for the very first time since the tournament’s inception in 1975. At the epicentre of England’s historic triumph was Ben Stokes, the talismanic all-rounder with an insatiable appetite for The Big Occasion. He contributed a critical 84 runs off 98 balls when England batted, a seemingly nerveless innings of discipline and maturity. Thrillingly, it was enough to tie the scores at 241 runs each, so the match reverted to a Super Over – just six balls for each side to bat in the ultimate in sporting sudden-death. Stokes and Jos Buttler saw England to 15 runs off their over. When it was finally confirmed that Martin Guptill had been run out off the very last ball of New Zealand’s Super Over with the scores level once again, England had astonishingly won on the boundary count-back, and the nation could finally breathe again.

Early evening on Sunday 25th August 2019. A sun-drenched Headingley in Leeds. Having been bowled out for just 67 earlier in the Third Test, England were facing the prospect of failing to regain the Ashes. In their second innings England were still 73 runs short of victory with a solitary wicket remaining. Australia were near certainties to retain the Ashes there and then. Cue one of the most amazing innings ever witnessed as Ben Stokes thrashed the Australian bowlers to all corners of the ground, in the process scoring 135 not out, driving England to a barely-believable one-wicket victory, and keeping the series very much alive. The nation took another breath.

On Fire is Ben Stokes’ brand new book, and in it he tells the story of England’s electrifying first ever Cricket World Cup triumph, as well as this summer’s momentous Ashes Test series. It is the ultimate insider’s account of the most nerve-shredding but riveting three-and-a-half months in English cricket history.

Three passionate novellas from The Secret Library range that offer essential, sensual reading.



The Game – Jeff Cott

The Game is the story of Ellie’s bid to change from sexy, biddable housewife to sexy dominant goddess.

Ellie and Jake are a happily married couple who play a bedroom game. Having lost the last Game Ellie must start the new one where she left off – bound and gagged on the bed. As she figures out how to tie herself up before Jake’s return from work, Ellie remembers the last Game and has ideas for the new one. Jake is immensely strong and loving and has seemingly endless sexual stamina so the chances of Ellie truly gaining control look slim. Although she has won the Game on occasions, she suspects he lets her win just so he can overwhelm her in the next. She has to find a way to break this pattern.

But does she succeed?


One of Us – Antonia Adams

Successful artist Natalie Crane is midway through a summer exhibition with friend and agent Anton when Will Falcon strolls tantalisingly into her life. After a messy divorce, a relationship is not Natalie’s priority. Anton takes an immediate dislike to the shaven-headed composer, but Natalie is captivated. He is everything she is not: free, impulsive and seemingly with no thought for the future. He introduces her toDorset’s beautiful coves and stunning countryside and their time together is magical.

Things get complicated when her most famous painting, a nude self-portrait, is stolen and there are no signs of a break-in. When it’s time for her return toLondon, Will doesn’t turn up to say goodbye, and she cannot trace him. Anton tells her to forget him, but she cannot. Then she discovers the stakes are much higher than they first appeared.


Taste It – Sommer Marsden

The tale of Jill and Cole, competing for the title of Best Chef in a heated televised contest. With Cole’s strapping biceps distracting her, Jill finds the competition is hotting up. When fate puts her in his shower and then his chivalrous nature puts her in his borrowed clothes, there’s no way to deny the natural heat between them.


The Secret Library Collection is brought to you by Xcite Books, ETO Best Book Brand of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The Secret Library is praised for its discreet covers, sensual plot lines and gorgeous alpha males.

In this edition, three carefully selected novellas grace it’s pages, to make you fall in love with erotica all over again. But Shhh! It’s a secret!

The Preschooler’s Busy Book contains 365 activities (one for each day of the year) for three- to six-year-olds using things found around the home. It shows parents, baby-sitters, and daycare providers how to: ·Save money by making your own paints, play dough, craft clays, glue, paste and other supplies ·Prevent boredom during even the longest stretches of rainy or cold weather with ideas for indoor play like newspaper golf, magnet magic, the listening game, red light/green light, and hand puppets ·Help children learn to have fun in the kitchen making fruit kebabs, popsicles, homemade peanut butter, a happy-face sandwich, alphabet cookies, animal pancakes, finger Jell-O, popcorn ball creatures, and the best chocolate chip cookies in the whole world ·Teach your child practical skills like setting the table, putting away the silverware, sorting socks, sewing practice, and carpentry (hammering golf tees into Styrofoam, with a toy hammer) ·Introduce your child to numbers and counting with activities like “One-Two, Buckle My Shoe,” telling time, coin and stamp collecting, sorting a mixed-up deck of cards by numbers and learning how to find today’s date on a calendar ·Prepare your child for reading by working on an alphabet puzzle, making alphabet cookies, making an alphabet book, and connecting the dots in alphabetical order to make a picture ·Get your child started with music and rhythm by making a pie-plate tambourine, keeping the rhythm to a song on the radio with homemade rhythm blocks or shakers, or make music with musical glasses (filled with different amounts of water) ·Get your child moving with dances like “Hokey Pokey,” “Skip to My Lou,” “Ring Around the Rosie,” and “London Bridge” ·Encourage your child to enjoy quiet activities like reading wordless picture books, working on puzzles, and watching clouds — and then drawing them ·Introduce children to nature with a variety of outdoor adventures from nature walks and picnics to backyard camping, bird feeding, mud painting and making waxed leaves ·Start children growing things by planting apple seeds, avocado seeds or garlic cloves; or learning how to grow carrots, beets or sweet potatoes by putting cuttings into water ·Celebrate holidays and other occasions with special projects and activities for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Easter and Passover ·Keep children occupied on car trips by playing “I See A-B-C” or reciting “30 Days Hath September”

AS SEEN ON CHANNEL 4’S HIT TV SERIES ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU

‘The Vintage Tea Party helps you plan not only stunning recipes for all sorts of delicious treats but also gives you countless styling tips for the perfect occasion.’ – Glamour (SA)

‘Bring out the bone china for this book from vintage guru Angel Adoree…’ – the Independent

Angel Strawbridge cordially invites you to accompany her on a journey to create your perfect vintage tea party!

The Vintage Patisserie is a haven of all things glamour, vintage and retro. Run by Angel Adoree, the outstanding character you may have seen on Dragon’s Den or Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau, the Vintage Patisserie is a vintage hosting company, originally founded in East London where it spent years wowing its clientele with unforgettable tea parties from a bygone era. In 2015, the company (and Angel) relocated to the beautiful Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson in France, and now offers fairytale vintage weddings, among other unique celebrations. For that reason, there’s nowhere better to get simple, elegant advice for hosting your very own Vintage Tea Party at home than from Angel and The Vintage Tea Party Book.

As well as providing sumptuous elegant recipes to cover every time of the day, Angel’s The Vintage Tea Party Book covers the full breadth of those little touches that make the perfect vintage party: Invitations, attire, decorations, props and more. The book is broken into:

BRUNCH
What do you mean, morning is no time for a party?! High Breakfast is the height of civilization and, here, I share my most refined brunch dishes, for a morning tea party fit for a Queen. Don your headscarf and on with the preparations!

AFTERNOON
Is your pinkie finger raised at the ready? There’s nothing more British than Afternoon Tea. This chapter is a treasure trove of tea-time delights, from classics to decadent treats, and I show how to make a Union Flag for the ultimate traditional tea party.

EVENING
The evening tea party is all about glamour, giggles and good friends. On these pages, I share my most impressive recipes, for maximum impact on the eye and taste buds, to give the special people in your life the treat they deserve.

STYLE
You’ve organized the perfect vintage do, now it’s time for the perfect vintage hairdo, and the perfect vintage dress, and for getting your make-up – and your man – looking just stunning. You’ll be the most glamorous hostess in town!

The question has been popped, the ring has been presented and the celebrations have begun! What’s next? Just the wedding.

Top Tips for Brides presents ingenious ideas for the any bride-to-be, covering the ever-so-stressful months preceding the wedding – including the hen party and choosing your attire – to the big day itself.

LOVE is LOVE is LOVE

Love with pride and passion. Love with kindness and tenderness. Love with all your heart and soul. This collection of beautiful thoughts and joyful quotes from diverse voices is a celebration of what love means, and why love will always win.

… I can tell you anything.
… You make me laugh until I cry.
… We make the perfect team.

This sweet book of love tokens is the perfect way to tell your special someone why they’re so wonderful.

CHEERING WORDS FOR NEARLY-NEWLYWEDS

It’s going to be the happiest day of your life. Well, it’ll need to be after the months of planning and preparation. That honeymoon can’t come soon enough!

Here’s a book packed with quotations to help you keep smiling until the day you say ‘I do’.

Everyone knows that dads are amazing – what they don’t know is that you’re the best one!

Whether he’s the ultimate bad-joke-teller, chief spider-catcher, or king of the TV remote, your dad deserves some serious celebration. Packed full of first-class quotes and thoughtful statements, this book is the perfect reminder that he really is the Best Dad Ever.

Show your amazing mum just how much she means to you with this delightful collection of heartfelt quotes and timeless wisdom

Is your mum one in a million? Whether she’s the best hug-giver, the ultimate counsellor or simply your biggest fan, say a massive thank you with the help of this little book.

These pages offer a curated collection of wise and witty words from actors, leaders, writers and musicians about the joys and quirks of motherhood. Whatever you want your message to be – kind, moving or just plain funny – pay tribute to your mum with this perfect keepsake.

This is for the mums who:
– can mend anything, even broken hearts
– always know exactly what to say
– will always love you, no matter what

There is nobody quite like your mum. Let her know how much you care with a meaningful gift celebrating everything that makes her the best ever.

Dads deserve a major shout-out for everything that makes them great.

This little book, filled with top-quality quotes and standout statements, will let your dad know just how much you love him. It’s the perfect keepsake to remind him that he really is the world’s best dad.

Forget lame jokes and dad dancing – as far as fathers go, yours is seriously cool.

Crammed with quality quotes and statements to remind him what a legend he is, this little book is the ideal gift for a perfectly Rad Dad.

Celebrate everything you love about you mother with this little book, filled with hand-picked quotes and thoughtful words to show her just how incredible she is. It’s the perfect keepsake to remind her that she really is the world’s best mum.

Ain’t no ‘hood like motherhood

It’s the hardest job on earth and you do it all fuelled up on nothing but coffee, chaos and cuddles. Let this book of quotes and statements remind you what a freaking badass you are!

This heartfelt collection of quotes and statements is to let you know just how much you mean to me. Quite simply, I love you.

Let your mum know just how much you care with this delightful collection of heart-warming quotes and sentimental statements

There’s nobody quite like a mother – she’s always there for you, no matter what, giving comfort, counsel and care. And, however old you are, you’ll never stop being her child!

She deserves the sun, moon and stars, but if you can’t manage that this little book is the next best thing. Inside you’ll find a host of glittering quotations from around the world – whether from actors, writers, musicians or leaders from all walks of life, they all have something heartfelt and inspiring to say about their relationship with their mum or about their experience of being a mum. To make it even more special, there’s a sprinkling of sentimental statements illustrating the kind and generous things mothers are known for best.

This is the perfect love bomb to let your mum know she’s the world’s greatest!

Show your amazing mum just how much she means to you with this beautiful keepsake

Brimming with heartfelt affirmations, as well as delightful quotes from great thinkers and modern superstars alike, this little book will make the perfect gift to remind your mum that there is no one quite like her.

These pages offer a curated collection of wise words that will brighten her day and let her know just how much you care, including:

– Your hug feels like home, so home is wherever you are
– I can share anything with you and you always have the answer
– You were my first friend, you’re my best friend and you’re my forever friend
– Every day you inspire me to be the best version of myself
– Mum, you’re the best because you’re mine

Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Christmas, her birthday or just because, there is no better way to tell her, “I love you, Mum”.

Your best friend is your whole world. She knows what you are thinking just by looking at you, can make you laugh when you are sad and will always be just a phone call away if you are ever in need of advice. This book will let her know that for now and forever, you’re in this together.

Go on, admit it: your sister’s pretty great, isn’t she?

Here’s the perfect way to tell her – in your own words – just how much her friendship, support and love means to you. Fill in the gaps in this gorgeous book to create a personalized treasure trove of in-jokes, memories and all the things you love about your sis that she’ll cherish forever.

“Best friend” is a promise, not a label

Your best friend is your whole world: the bubbles in your champagne, the one who lifts you up when you’re feeling down and who fills your life with joy and sparkles. They know just what you’re thinking just by looking at you, can make you laugh when you’re sad, and will always be just a phone call away whenever you’re in need of advice. Now and forever, we’re in this together!

True friendship is the most precious thing in the world, so celebrate your BFF with this fabulous collection of uplifting quotes and positive affirmations about the joys of being besties. Packed with wise words from ancient sages and modern icons alike, this is the perfect way to say thanks to your bestie for always being there to support you, to listen when you need to vent, and to celebrate every milestone and success in life.