THOR Has Arrived

Highland Park 'Valhalla Collection - Thor' 16 year old 52.1% Single Malt Whisky

£117.30 inc VAT

DIRECT FROM THE GATES OF VALHALLA, HIGHLAND PARK BRINGS YOU THE MIGHTY THOR

Mighty Thor remains one of the most renowned of all the Norse gods. A powerful and brooding figure, it is said that using his hammer, Thor could carve valleys out of mountains and that his enemies would quake in terror at the thunderous sound the weapon created. Son of Odin, the ruler of Asgard, Thor was avidly worshipped by Viking warriors as the defender of mankind and gods alike.

In honour of this great warrior and in celebration of its own unwavering Norse heritage, Highland Park brings you Thor. This stunning 16 year old single malt is believed to be the first whisky ever designed specifically around an individual’s character. With a natural strength like its namesake, drawing influence from the environment unique to Orkney, Thor is a truly elemental spirit. Distilled where sea turns to ocean, it represents a meeting point of nature’s forces, exuding a dynamic and bold character on the surface, but with an unexpected softer side at its heart

Thor represents the first coming for Highland Park’s stunning Valhalla Collection; a range of four unique whiskies, released annually, taking inspiration from the legendary Nordic gods of old. Not for the faint hearted, only those brave enough to accept the challenge of Thor shall be rewarded with the ultimate experience; a whisky of divine power.

Bottled at a robust 52.1% abv this limited edition whisky comes housed in a unique wooden frame, which echoes the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.

Distillery Tasting Notes: Highland Park Thor -16 years old – 52.1%

Appearance: Rich amber, with an iron ore glow

Nose: Concentrated and forceful, with an explosion of aromatic smoke, pungent fresh ginger, antique copper, stewed plums, and golden syrup. With water, earthy notes emerge, like a garden after a heavy rain shower.

Palate: Thor’s high strength grabs the palate and refuses to let go. Initially dry, with fiery gingerbread then vanilla, blackberries, fresh mango, peach and hints of cinnamon. As its big flavours swirl around the mouth, some softer, sweeter notes develop, giving Thor and unexpected layer of complexity and depth.

Finish: The finish thunders on, leaving behind lingering notes of sweet vanilla and an intense spiciness.

Blogging The ImpossiMal

 Roll Up

Castle Galleries are getting very excited about their upcoming appearance by the marvellous Mr Peter Smith and his Lost Impossimals Tour. Peter talks here about the making of one of the fab new print releases 'Barnum's Bar Bending Ringling Clipperwhip.'

With less than a week to go till the launch I thought today you might be interested in all the stages that went into one of the most complex to paint - the Barnum's Bar Bending Ringling Clipperwhip. It all started with a quick sketch and an idea, an idea I really needed to see in 3D so out came the crafting tools and I made myself a mini set to work in.

Using modelling clay I roughly rolled and bent the body into shape adding supports to help the legs from bending. The whole scene is on a lazy Susan, a rotating base used in cake decorating which allows me to move it around without hassle.

 Next came the heads and detail. Paper stripes and spots were added, a little bit of a circus poster for a vintage feel and several fake weights on the left, a cane on the right and in the centre a podium of some sort.

To make it more realistic I added one other element to the background, a bunch of balloons, then darkened the room and lit the scene as I wanted it. The shadows looked great and quite moody, it's this photo that formed the basis for the next stage.

 Transferring the idea to a board using a grid I masked out the Impossimal so I could work on the background unhindered. As it contained stripes this is a usual procedure for me, background first building to foreground then adding in the Impossimal. It's painted on black because I wanted to use the transparency of the paint to show the black through in areas, especially the shadows, and it allows a great use of pinpointing with Titanium White.

Stripes in place so most of the tape could now be removed.

Then the rest of the elements are added along with a straw floor and the important shadows to define depth. Notice the light hitting the ball on the right and the intesity back into the straw beneath as part of the reflection.

 Now we can start on the Impossimal, working from right to left I put in the first layers of colour.

 Then I start detailing, here the teeth are starting to get the rugged look using the grain of the board to help define them.

Finally all the basics are finished, I even added an angry bird on the podium looking to the right of the picture. The idea is of a second painting that includes pigs to explain why the birds are so angry. All that was left was a week of adding colour glazes everyday to really lift the intensity of the colours.

And done! All colours intensified, pinpointing done, shadows made accurate and enriched and a protective layer of touching up varnish applied. Barnum's Bar Bending Ringling Clipperwhip completed in just under five weeks.

Relax This Valentine’s with Hawes and Curtis

Relax This Valentine’s

Valentine’s celebrations have started at The Exchange’s Hawes and Curtis. Once again the store have paired up with Nottingham’s Beauty Temple to play cupid for the day and give you the chance to win a Beauty Temple Stress Away Shoulder and Back Massage in their amazing Valentine’s prize draw.

From now until the big day you can enter at the Hawes & Curtis store at The Exchange, so take advantage of this fabulous opportunity. The romantic prize draw makes this year’s Valentine’s celebration extra special.

Set in the heart of Nottingham the Beauty Temple creates a relaxing setting to enjoy luxurious, exquisite beauty treatments.

Enter the prize draw at The Exchange’s Hawes and Curtis and be inspired by the array of perfect gifts in store for him and for her this Valentine’s Day, plus take advantage of this amazing offer:

Buy a ladies or men’s shirt and get two absolutely free!

An ideal way to start the celebration of romance!

So for stylish shirts and accessories, plus a touch of pampering, with the chance to win a Valentine’s treat, head on down to………

Hawes and Curtis

9 The Exchange

Nottingham

NG1 2DD

T: 0115 985 9326

www.hawesandcurtis.com

Ware to Work: The Office

Solve your work wardrobe dilemmas and come on down to the Warehouse in-store event at The Exchange on the 8th of February from 5pm onwards, where we are offering exclusive offers on work wear, styling advice from our in-house stylist, cloth-bags with every spend (while stocks last); and what’s more, you can enjoy complimentary evening refreshments! Set a reminder now…

Lauren Vidal Spring/Summer 2012 Collection Now In Store at TUTU

 The exciting new Lauren Vidal Spring/Summer 2012 Collection has just arrived in store at TUTU
Lauren Vidal clothing has been described with many adjectives. Some of her designs have been called quirky, while others have been labelled ‘fully feminine’.
The one thing that fashion lovers will agree upon is that Lauren Vidal fashion is both exciting and innovative.
If you are looking for an inspirational look that combines chic fashion with high quality, you will almost certainly find what you are looking for in the Lauren Vidal Spring/Summer 2012 Collection.
TUTU One Exchange Arcade Nottingham NG1 2DD
Tel: 0115 947 0189 e-mail: tutuattheexchange@mail.com

 

Valentine’s at Crabtree & Evelyn

Give A Little Bit of Heart & Soap!

Get in a lather this Valentine’s at The VQ’s Crabtree & Evelyn store.

February the 14^th is THE day for showering your loved one with hearts and roses, so why not combine the two with Crabtree & Evelyn’s gift boxed, heart shaped Rosewater Soaps.

The perfect Valentine’s Day gift!

Now available:

A sleek box containing three pink heart shaped Rosewater soaps.

The triple milled soaps are a luxurious marble texture and will create a beautiful soft lather.

£10.00

Other Valentine’s inspired offerings:

A selection of Crabtree & Evelyn’s fine foods in heart shaped boxes for £20.

4 travel sized minis in a beautiful heart shaped box.

 Mix and Match from a fabulous array of body lotions, hand lotions, shower gels and hand wash for just £14 (saving up to £10).*

Crabtree & Evelyn’s NEW Avocado, Olive and Basil range – shower gel, body lotion, and hand therapy for £28 instead of £45,

presented in a heart shaped box for loyalty card holders.

PLUS a further selection of fantastic Valentine’s gifts at 30% off.

Feel the heart shaped love this Valentine’s at:

Crabtree & Evelyn

 8 High Street,

Nottingham 

Tel 0115 958 6454

W:  www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk

 

 

Belt up at Warehouse

Dress To Impress at Warehouse

Snaffle this season’s must have belted dress at Warehouse.

Available in black, blue and deep red, the adorable Snaffle Belted Dress is stunningly stylish,  with 3/4 length sleeves and a peephole cut-out at the back. It comes with a gorgeous removable chain-fastened skinny leather belt and is super-comfortable.

Pair with tights and your favourite ankle boots, to look cool but feel warm!

Warehouse’s Snaffle Belted Dress

Dress Length: (side neck to hem) approximately 91cm/35.8 inches

Colour: black, blue or dark red

Fabric: 5% Elastane,95% Viscose

Care: MACHINE WASHABLE

Price: £35.00

Here’s what you have to say ……..

“I bought this dress and have worn it almost every evening that I’ve been out!

It's so comfortable and you can wear it casual or dressy, and the colour (dark red) is beautiful. Overall a lovely dress and I'm about to buy it again in a different colour because I love it so much!”

Warehouse has a style that's unique and effortlessly cool, it’s “Design for the High Street" .

For day or night, the Snaffle Belted Dress is the perfect purchase at………

Warehouse

10 Smithy Row

The Exchange

Nottingham

T: 0115 941 0458

Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm
http://www.warehouse.co.uk

In The Red at M•A•C

In The Red at M•A•C

For Valentine's Day, M∙A∙C have a selection of red hot reds!

From the brightest to the darkest, for every whim and decadent desire, there’s a shade of red for every heart.

Lipstick

Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway and simmers on the street!

£13.50

Pro Longwear Lipglass

A longwearing Lipglass that goes on smooth and lasts for up to six hours!

Envelops lips with shine and colour and pro-longs the hours between re-application.

£16.50

Lip Pencil

Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that are perfect for shaping , as well as lining the lips or filling them in. They are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colours that work well with M∙A∙C ‘s many different lipstick shades. The colour is protected by Vitamin E, acting as an anti-oxidant.

Lip Pencils can be worn alone, with Lipstick, or with M∙A∙C’s Lipglass.

£10.50

Nail Lacquer

A revolutionary new high gloss formula, with three longwearing finishes - Cream, Sheer and Frosted.

 Visibly different, M∙A∙C’s nail lacquer provides a no-streak/no-chip finish.

Contains conditioners and UV protection.

 Go hi-lacquer!

£9.00

Look great and see red this Valentine’s at ……….

M•A•C

14 Cheapside

 The Exchange

 Nottingham

 NG1 2HU

T: 0870 192 5265

 W: www.maccosmetics.co.uk