The Acolyte Home & Gifts VAT free amnesty on their shabby chic furniture range must end on July 31st 2011.

The VAT free saving on the Acolyte Home & Gifts latest range of shabby chic furniture has been running throughout June and July. Eliminating VAT creates a huge saving especially for larger purchases such as furniture. This VAT free amnesty must end on July 31st 2011 so it really is a worthwhile time to spruce up an interior without breaking the bank.

The latest addition from Acolyte is their shabby chic furniture range. Comprising of wardrobes through to chairs and bedside cabinets, this highly desirable and sort after furniture trend is anticipated to be a huge hit. Having started off with a few pieces, the popularity has grown and there is a now a dedicated shabby chic furniture section on the Acolyte Home & Gifts website.

Shabby Chic is a term used to describe usually new furniture that has been given an antique /distressed finish, it`s usually painted although not always. The end result is that it looks like it will have been in the family for generations - a modern heirloom in other words. Suiting both modern and traditional interiors and architecture, it isn’t hard to understand why this look is highly desired at the moment.

The team at Acolyte have, for many years, enjoyed seeking and finding unusual items both for their own home, and as gifts for family and friends. Now that it is possible to source products that at one time would have been seen as specialist or exclusive due to their location, Acolyte are able through their extensive network of contacts to offer an impressively wide choice to customers including Gisela Graham products and oak bookcases.

Acolyte is an ethical company. The brainchild behind Acolyte Home & Gifts Barbara Adams, explains their concept: We ensure that the products we offer are produced from sustainable sources and that our suppliers` employees are treated with dignity, respect and are paid fairly. We believe that our suppliers not only meet these exacting requirements, but offer products that are unique in the marketplace and stand out in terms of quality.

View the full Shabby Chic furniture range and to take advantage of the VAT free amnesty.

Spruced Goose, the children??™s clothing retailer is pleased to announce the new Spring/Summer 2011 Mayoral children??™s clothing range has now arrived.

As always Mayoral offers a fantastic range of styles in reliable quality at affordable prices. Spruced Goose have chosen the best bits (even if we say so ourselves) from this big collection for you.

Spruced Goose love the nautical theme, the beachwear and the range of accessories that complement and finish off the outfits.

Mayoral is a popular Spanish brand that produces all their clothing in their own factory in Spain. Mayoral kid??™s clothes offer quality at a great price. Mayoral children??™s clothes are made out of mainly natural materials like linen, cotton or cotton mix and are all washable.

Spruced Goose offer a fantastic selection of Mayoral kids clothes! The Mayoral children??™s clothing collection offers fantastic attention to detail design and great value for money. Spruced Goose offer Mayoral baby clothes and Mayoral children??™s clothes for boys and girls from age 2 to 8 years. Mayoral kids clothing is definitely one of their customer??™s favourite collection.

The inspiration behind Spruced Goose childrenswear was to offer a more unique product range. A lot of childrenswear is now a mini version of adult clothes. Spruced Goose believe children should be dressed as children in childrenswear that is fashionable, colourful and exciting, allowing them to express their own personalities. A lot of their childrenswear ranges are very different, quirky and fun.

For more information on the new Mayoral children??™s clothes range visit http://www.sprucedgoose.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=281

Childs and Co is a design and make studio based in the historic market town of Kendal in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Specialising in functional solid wood furniture for the home, colourful and child friendly children’s furniture including toy storage products such as children’s toy chests and toy boxes. Our home furniture product range includes breadboards, wooden platters, pegboard and footstool products, tables and ottoman products. In addition to our stylish product range Childs and Co also commission and produce one off pieces tailored to your personal needs and taste.

Using predominantly local materials, Childs and Co furniture and products are renowned for their clean lines, durability and sustainability. In traditional or contemporary styles, Childs and Co furniture and accessories are designed for you and your home.

Choose from the existing product line or call for a bespoke solution, and be comfortable in the knowledge a Childs and Co piece will add a statement to your home.

There is such an emphasis for buying the right gift that is both memorable and unique.

According to the Giftware Association, the gift industry is worth and estimated ??10 billion per year. This is made up of various sectors such as traditional gifts, design led gifts and cards and gift wrap.

Unlike Christmas, a Birthday is a special day for the person who Birthday it is solely. This makes it even more important that a special gift be sent. At Christmas time, the shelves are filled with generic Christmas gifts and it is very hard not to buy a gift set. Buying a Birthday gift is the perfect opportunity to purchase a present that is personal and unique.

A quirky, unique or personal gift, no matter what budget, can be extra special. A real emphasis should be on the thought, not the budget. Thoughtful Birthday gifts can be worth so much more than an expensive item which has hardly any thought. This is especially true with children. How many times does it happen that a child will be more
taken with a smaller gift but that is fun, than the main present that cost fortune?!

Special gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face no matter what age as well as the giver of the gift. Novelty gifts are available now for example, grow your own chilli plants, to become a laird or lady, or own a share in playboy.

The giving of gifts is not just birthdays, sending Wedding gifts or at Christmas anymore. Easter, Mother and Fathers days, Christenings and moving house are seeing increasing amounts of gift giving. Everyone likes receiving presents so it enables even more excitement than just on the usual days.

Finding the right gift has never been easier now we have the internet. The online gift industry is huge. Having the choice of so many online retailers at a touch of button means a special gift can always be found and the ability to have the present gift wrapped and sent direct to the receiver makes it even easier.

Choosing a gift should be an enjoyable experience - for most of us, the hardest part is coming up with an all time great idea.

Of course choosing and purchasing the right gift is only the start. Next it??™s trying to organise the wrapping or it and ensuring it arrives to the recipient looking a million dollars no matter how much has been spent. More and more gifts are now being sent by courier or mail with friends and family often living some miles away. With work and life commitments making many of us victims of having very little time and leaving jobs like gift purchasing to the last minute, the ability to be able to find a gift, purchase it online from that outlet and even have it wrapped or gifted boxed and sent direct to the recipient, we doesn??™t get any more convenient and helpful.

Fragrances are always a popular choice. Fine fragrances are not usually purchased yourself as they can be quite expensive. The nature of the beautiful bottles and packaging make a fragrance gift something really special. ‘niche’ fine fragrances can now be purchased from specialist department stores sourced from around the world so you can be sure of buying a unique scent that is not available on every high street. Fragrances make great gifts for him too. Men are even less likely to purchase an aftershave for themselves. There is now a huge choice of men??™s fragrances ranging from the heavy and more traditional scents to the fresh and lively modern scents.

Department stores should be the first port of call when looking for great gift ideas. They stock a large cross section of articles for men, women and children of all ages and tastes. Department store assistants are often very helpful and advice can be sought. A very comforting thought for many men when buying for their loved one!

In general, the interior design of the home is being taken more seriously and is being enjoyed even by the average home owners. We are starting to see famous and notable designers creating ranges for leading brands which is enabling the homeowner to achieve an individual or more sophisticated look.

To complement the interest people have in cooking and dinner parties the items on a dining table and the settings should be strongly considered. How the food looks on a plate is extremely important as well as how the plate looks within the table setting. The look of the food is the first impression and as is regularly said, you eat with your eyes. The food itself needs to look appealing but what it is presented on can also greatly affect the way the dish looks. Top chefs know the importance of this and they will be the ones that choose the dinnerware range for the restaurant. Only a few years ago, a standard plate would be used to serve all the dishes. Now there are curved, square, rectangle, oval and shallow bowls.

You cutlery then needs to match the dinnerware. A traditional set of cutlery would look out of place next to a modern square plate for example. Likewise, a modern set of cutlery would not feel right with a traditional set of china plates. Leading cutlery brands such as Arthur Price cutlery have been manufacturing high grade cutlery for over 100 years. Their traditional ranges remain popular but they have introduced contemporary ranges in keeping with the modern look that many home owners are requesting.

One of the leading modern cutlery brands at the moment and one which is synonymous with innovative design is Villeroy and Boch. Villeroy and Boch cutlery as with other brands of such stature retain a timeless design but firmly keeping with a contemporary look. Due to the nature of stainless steel, cutlery can be a real statement on a dining table. For a customer wanting to achieve a very contemporary look, modern cutlery perfect finishing touch.

The advance in technology and invention over the years has aided disabled drivers immensely.
Technology and invention combined has enabled any car to become disabled friendly. The devices available on the market today range from wheelchair lifts and person lifts to hand controls enabling a disabled driver to drive the car themselves giving much appreciated independence.
There are various devices and models available, of which here are some examples:

Independent Wheelchair Lifts
Wheelchair lifts are extremely beneficial for disabled drivers with manual wheelchairs who wish to be independent. They fit most cars and operation is easy. These wheelchair lifts offer enclosed protection from the elements, for the wheelchair and the cost of transferring it to your next vehicle is minimal.

Wheelchair and Scooter Lifts
Wheelchair and scooter lifts are designed to lift manual wheelchairs and scooters and can be fitted to hatchbacks, estate cars, 4 x 4??™s and MPV??™s. When not in use, these devices store neatly away and can be transferred should a new car be purchased. The wheelchair and scooter lifts come in various models depending on the weight of the wheelchair or scooter, typically around 40 to 150kg lifts.

Person Lifts
Person lifts are for lifting people from their wheelchair into a vehicle and out again. Some models enable the person to stay in their wheelchair which then becomes the car seat. These devices are extremely practical and useful and can be bought for use in the home or the car. It makes the lifting of people effortless and with complete comfort for the disabled person.

Swivel Seats
Swivel seats for cars are a quick and easy way of making getting in and out of cars much easier. Pulling a simple lever allows the seat to be manually swiveled through approximately 90 degrees, making it easier to either stand up or doing a sliding transfer onto a wheelchair or scooter. Each? swivel seat usually come with glide rails to enable the user to position the seat for optimum comfort when travelling. The seat can be used on either the passenger or driver side. When used on the driver side, there may be limited rotation. There are even special swivel seats available for MPV??™s and 4 x 4??™s which can also be utilized on mobile homes. These seats swivel out but also lower the person as well.

Hand Controls
There are various push pull hand controls available for installation in to cars. These devices can be for a single control use or can multiple controls for example integral indicator switches. There are devices that operate secondary functions at the touch of a button can also include:

• Indicators & hazard lights
• Headlights
• Horn
• Windscreen wipers (front and rear)
• Windscreen washers (front and rear)
• Fog lights
• Other functions may be possible, e.g. Radio on/off, heated windscreen, etc

Should a person not be to operate the foot pedals in an automatic car then there are push pull systems that can be fitted which enable them to do so. The rods connecting the controls and the pedals are fixed within the steering column for safety and ease.

Other devices that can be fitted are steering wheel balls for one handed steering, easy release mechanisms for handbrakes and one that enables the switching of the accelerator operation from left to right.

Holidaycottagescumbria.com are pleased to announce the addition of Hardcragg Hall to their portfolio of Lake District self catering properties.

Hardcragg Hall is the latest addition to Holidaycottagescumbria.com Cumbria portfolio of 5 individually owned luxury Lake District holiday cottages. Hardcragg Hall is the pinnacle of 5 star luxury self catering accommodation and can facilitate large groups of up to 14 guests with its 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. This stunning Elizabethan manor house makes an excellent choice for luxury family holidays, short breaks, celebrations, special occasions, wedding guests, parties, large groups or for a get together of family or friends.

Hardcragg Hall is steeped in history and dates back to 1563 and this grade II listed country manor house is reputed to be the oldest building in the local area. There are several spacious reception rooms that all interconnect, including the dining room, drawing room, bar area, breakfast room, library, the oak panelled entrance hall area with its roaring log fire and the snug lounge with patio doors leading out into the landscaped gardens and grounds. The recently furnished farmhouse kitchen is superbly equipped with everything you will need to cater for large groups or couples alike and boasts a four oven Aga.

This large Lake District self catering accommodation sleeps 10+ is ideally located in Grange-over-Sands on the Southern edge of the English Lake District. Grange over Sands is one of Cumbria’s secret gems and is the Lake District’s principle sea side town. This is an ideal location for scenic fell and woodland walks, together with a mile long, traffic free promenade overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay.
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Spring time in the Western Lake District - Lambs, daffodils and action galore?????
The snow on the fells is giving way to snowdrops. By May, the beautiful Eskdale valley is carpeted in bluebells. But one flower in particular is associated with the Lakes ????? and you can visit Wordsworth?????s house for a fascinating re-creation of his early life, when gardens were planted with foodstuffs, not daffodils. While in Cockermouth, why not pop into the Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre to see the spring lambs?
It?????s a perfect time of year for bracing walks and rides. Try the coastal paths around Whitehaven, the guided walks from Keswick Rambles, or the meandering 27-mile Smugglers????? Route from Maryport to Ireby. Take to the beach on horseback, courtesy of Allonby Riding School. Play golf at one of several excellent courses such as the Silecroft and Silloth links, or Eskdale, where the 14th green is set within a huge trout pond and there?????s private fishing too.

Summer time in the Western Lake District - Sun, sails and sound-checks
Summer?????s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets of Whitehaven, Silloth, Cockermouth????? Local festivities and music festivals abound. Don?????t miss Workington?????s ???Paint the Town Red?????, the multi-award-winning Solfest, the Seaton Carnival, the Festival of Fools at Muncaster Castle, Millom?????s Scarecrow Festival or the impressively named CockRock, to name but a few.
What better time to hit the quiet beaches of Allonby, St Bees and Haverigg, to try the fascinating town and harbour walks in Egremont and Harrington ????? or to set out by foot or on bike along the famous Coast to Coast routes? There are many Lake District Accommodation venues and Lake District hotels to stay at. There are strolls, hikes and rides for all the family, from coastal walks at Flimby to pony rides on Silecroft beach, organised through the Murthwaithe Green Trekking Centre. Golf at Workington and the Harrington driving range? Or what about a perfect, lazy day?????s fishing on the Salterbeck reservoir, or from the pier at Whitehaven?
Of course when the sun is dancing on the Lakes, the urge to get out on the water is irresistible. So don?????t resist.
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Cottages are becoming more and more popular for UK holidays but they can be quite expensive and the locations of them can be a little too remote for some tourists.

Static caravans are a good choice for combing the freedom of self catering whilst being in the heart of the area you are staying in. They provide a cheaper alternative to a cottage rental and the caravan sites often have a convenience shop and a bar. There are many caravan sites in Devon and this area attracts a lot of tourists for its good weather, long white sandy beaches and an excellent range of activities. Alternatively, many of the Devon caravan sites offer touring caravans for sale.

The magnificent North Devon coastline has a choice of beaches including Woolacombe, which has been acknowledged as one of the top ten beaches in the world and is a regular winner of both Blue Flag and Premier Awards for beach safety and cleanliness. There are also the beaches of Croyde, Saunton and Westward Ho!, all of which rival the most exotic of Mediterranean resorts.

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Being adequately protected on a motorcycle doesn??™t just mean wearing a helmet.

It is often under estimated the importance of wearing the correct type of motorcycle clothing from gloves through to boots and even the correct garments underneath. Most motorcyclists know the importance of wearing a helmet but there are still some that do not wear adequate clothing on the rest of their body.

Leathers come in a wide range of styles to suit the bikes, riders and different needs and situations. The leather used for motorcycle gear is a very tough form of leather to give maximum protection. All aspects of the suit or separate are tested from the seams to the zips to check for tearing, impact abrasion, cut and burst resistance. Armour for extra protection is inserted into the shoulder area, back, hips, knees and elbows such as in the Alpinestars clothing range. Leather is the most traditional form of motorbike clothing but even that has advanced in recent years. Kangaroo skin is now used, especially for race suits, as it gives great protection and maximum comfort. The kangaroo skin moulds to the body ergonomically with great movement which is why it is so popular when in a racing position.

Specialist motorcycling clothing has really gone forward during the past few years with advances in manufacturing techniques, materials and product development. Leather used to be the only material for motorcycling clothing but there are now a choice of materials including nylon and Kevlar. These materials are much lighter than leather making them more comfortable whilst riding but they are also far better for protection against the weather. The ballistic nylon and Kevlar materials have fantastic anti abrasion properties. These materials took over 1700 cycles on an abrasion test before failure. If you put that against a pair of jeans which failed after 50 cycles, it is evident the importance of such protective clothing.? ? ? ? 

Ballistic nylon (e.g. Cordura) and Kevlar materials keep warmth in when needed but also allow vents in the design of the garment to let air in when it is hot. Textile garments dry out much faster than leathers so when touring, clothing made from these materials are a good idea. Many of the top motorcycle clothing brands such as Dainese and Spidi do both leather and textile ranges.

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Flamingo Gifts stock a varied and unique range of gifts to suit everyone and all occasions. From kitsch to traditional, from adults to children, we have everything your heart desires. So much so you?????ll find it easy to treat yourself and your loved ones.

Flamingos are always on the lookout for new and interesting gifts to add to their Aladdin’s cave of treasures. They cater for any budget, and offer the lowest price possible for extremely high quality goods and pride themselves on providing a top class service. They stock a large selection of cards and wrapping paper so your whole occasion can be sorted in one easy shop.

Many of Flamingo’s products were gifts of the year, which shows we buy only the best, and are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Such gifts include grow your own chilli plants, cushions, candles and lip glosses good enough to eat. You could even become a laird or lady, or own a share in playboy if you so desire.

Choose from an assorted array of mugs, from monopoly designs to vimrod and many more.

Edible banana slugs and build your own Lamborghini are perfect gifts for the jack the lads. Door mats, teapots, tasteful photo frames and personalised eye-catching clocks are ideal for mother dearest.

Where as young fillies in the family will adore the simply stunning make up bags, ice cream lip balms, and momiji dolls.

Flamingo gifts are perfect for every occasion, whether you are looking for Valentines Day gifts, Birthday gifts, Wedding gifts, Christening gifts, Christmas gifts or just treating that special someone.