Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Matalan lands in Camberley

Fashion and homeware retailer, Matalan, is opening a new branch in Camberley at 8am tomorrow.

The brand new 24,316 sqft plot, at the Park Farm Industrial Estate in Frimley Road, will showcase the company's range of men, women and children's clothing, as well as its vast collection of interior products.

Area manager, Sian Jackson said: "We are delighted to be opening our new store in Camberley and look forward to welcoming our customers to this innovative and surprising new space."



Among the variety of offerings, Matalan’s menswear collections consist of key looks for summer including block colours for high summer, suiting for occasion-wear and relaxed tees and shorts for the festival season, all at affordable prices.



Women can choose from an array of fantastic catwalk trends for spring/summer with a nod to French Riviera style, pastel colours and festival looks.


Shoppers can also treat their home to a style makeover with a variety of collections including nautical style, British heritage and colour pop, while kids can also be treated to a selection of fashionable outfits.

Monday, 12 March 2012

Two new fashion additions for Surrey

THIS Wednesday (March 15) will see two new fashion brands arrive in Surrey.

Since the hugely successful launch of her first collection in London and online, Mary Portas has inundated with requests for the full Pret-A-Portas experience across the country.

Guildford House of Fraser will be one of just four locations to house the new Mary shop and will have its own unique personality and hand-picked team of stylists personally trained by Mary.



(pictured: orange abstract print top £89, metallic leather skirt £199, both Mary Portas at House of Fraser)

The second Mary Portas collection for SS12 is filled with on-trend fashion staples delivering wardrobe solutions that conform to the innovative Mary fashion cocktail.

Jewellery by London duo Tatty Devine and natural beauty products by Cowshed – spa brand of the restigious Soho House Group – join the mix, alongside ongoing collaborations with British brands Clarks and Charnos proving Mary’s commitment to Made in Britain is stronger than ever.

"To all those women who have travelled the length and breadth of the country to come and experience my store in London I wanted to say thank you. From Spring this year, its my turn to come to you, with a new ashion collection for spring and summer that I’m proud of, and you will love," Mary said of the new project.



Secondly Topman has finally made its way to the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill.

The 1,900sqft-store will house all the top trends and the store will include an extensive range of shoes, suiting, and accessories for men.

The brand new Topman Grooming range, which includes two Eau de Parfum fragrances and an essential core hair and body range, will also be available at the store.

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Denbies produces first English wine for Sainsbury’s

England’s largest vineyard , Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, has landed a deal with Sainsbury's to produce its first English wine for its Taste the Difference range.

To coincide with the iconic events taking place throughout 2012, including the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Denbies' Chief Winemaker John Worontschak has created the English Sparkling Brut 2007.



The 2007 English Sparkling Brut has been produced from the finest grape varieties grown on the estate, the classic ‘champagne’ blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Made in the traditional method, this sophisticated wine is fresh, elegant and rich with buttery, biscuity notes.

Sainsbury’s resident winemaker, Lucy Clements, who oversaw the production said: "We are delighted to be working with Denbies Wine Estate. They are technically advanced, experienced winemakers who really "get" what we look to offer our customers. We’ve worked together to create a wine that we think our customers will love."

The wine is available from Sainsbury's now, priced £19.99.

Friday, 2 March 2012

Caracoli voted Britain's Best Small Food Shop

Congratulations to Caracoli on Guildford High Street, which has just won the food category in the Telegraph magazine’s Best Small Shops in Britain awards.

Beating off hundreds of other national contenders, the family run business, which is now in its sixth year, was given the accolade for its diverse range of deli offerings.



Rose Prince, Telegraph Magazine food columnist and judge said of Caracoli: "All the strengths of a great deli lie in this year’s winner; there are artisan breads, charcuterie and a range of antipasti that changes constantly with the seasons.

"Wines, well-made coffee, fabulous T2 teas from Australia, pasta and rice plus honey and the shop’s own-made muesli and granola… it sounds like a lot but this is actually a carefully edited shop that truly respects their customers’ right to have the best."

Supported by Mary Portas, Shop! columnist for the magazine, the awards focused on small, independent retailers on Britain’s high streets, voted for by their loyal customers.

Caracoli managing director and co-owner James Nichols said: "Being nominated for the Best Small Shop Awards by our customers was a huge compliment and we waited with bated breath to hear the judge’s final decision.

"To win is a real high point for us and a fantastic accolade to everyone who works hard to make Caracoli what it is. It is confirmation that striving for high quality, delicious food and drink is worth while."

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Beauty buy of the week



Bright candy colours dominated the spring/summer 2012 catwalks with pink featuring heavily in designer's collections.

With this in mind hot pink lipstick is back, with celebrities such as Blake Lively and Katy Perry donning the shade recently.

Today MAC has launched a new lipstick in this trendy colour - in conjunction with Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj, who have teamed up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among young people around the globe.

The Full RRP (less VAT) of every lipstick sold will go towards helping men, women and kids affected by HIV/AIDS.

VIVA GLAM Nicki Bright yellow pink lipstick: £13.50, available at MAC counters nationwide, including House of Fraser in Guildford High Street.

Monday, 27 February 2012

Celebrate with commemorative cupcake cases

Squires Kitchen in Farnham, Surrey, has just launched a new collection of cupcake cases inspired by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.



The official date for the anniversary was actually earlier this month (February 8), although we are being given an day off work to celebrate on June 5.

Decorated with crowns, roses and the Union Jack, the latest cupcake case collection comes in vintage shades so will be ideal for street parties held in honour of the occasion.

The Rose cupcake cases are available in Tickle Me Pink, Royal Purple, Duck Egg Blue, Black, True Blue and Soft Grey and the Crown cupcake cases are available in Red, Blue, Purple, Pink, Gold and Silver.

Prices start at £2.70 for 36 cases. Available from Squires shop in Waverley Lane, Farnham, or online from
www.squires-shop.com.

Monday, 20 February 2012

Liz Earle treatment rooms offer post-shopping treat

This month saw the arrival of the treatment rooms at Liz Earle in Guildford.

The store, which can be found at 72 - 74 High Street, opened late last year and is so far the only branch in Surrey.

The treatment rooms are a great addition to the store, offering bespoke treatments including the Liz Earle Signature Facial, which was previously only available in London.





Given the highest scoring facial in Vogue magazine's list of ‘wonder facials’, the treatment has been described as the "ultimate facial experience" and really is worth a try if you want some pampering after a day spent shopping in the town centre.