Wednesday, 28 April 2010

Planning a party before the end of August 2010 ? Want to be on MTV ?

We have just been contacted by Laura Hawkes who works for MTV. Laura is looking for anyone in South Manchester area or Cheshire who is going to hold a party for their offspring who are aged between 16 to 22 years old and who would like to take part in their programme " My Super Sweet"

Here is the press release from MTV including their contact details if you want to follow up their invitation. They are currently choosing which family parties to film and if you were chosen we are told that filming will be concluded between now and the end of August 2010.

If you are not interested in the MTV show we hope you enjoy the party you are in the process of planning and if you need a spare pair of hands then by all means contact us at Silver Concierge

PRESS RELEASE - MAVERICK TELEVISION COMMISSIONED BY MTV INTERNATIONAL TO PRODUCE MY SUPER SWEET

April 2010 MTV International has commissioned Maverick Television to extend the Super Sweet franchise with a new international commission earmarked for prime time.

Casting has just begun on the 10 x 30 minute series My Super Sweet which will have a post-watershed slot and a casting age of up to 21 for the first time. The ob doc series follows the journey of some of the world's most glamorous, extravagant and outrageous birthday celebrations - drinking in the privilege and excesses of some of the world's most aspirational party planners. Filming begins in May in the UK, Europe and beyond (locations tbc).

The series will air on more than 30 MTV channels around the world and is part of the network’s new content strategy focussed on commissioning and development for its international platforms.

David Booth (Vice-President, Content and Programming MTV Networks International) says:

"Super Sweet is a franchise that really resonates internationally and we wish to build on the franchise as part of our commitment to showcasing innovative and fun observational documentaries that highlight compelling lifestyles"

Executive producer for Maverick Television, Jilly Pearce, says:

“My Super Sweet is a really strong, internationally loved brand, and we’re excited to be taking the show in a new, edgy and glamorous direction for MTV. We’re looking forward to building on our successful factual entertainment output”.

The series producer for Maverick Television is Simone Haywood. Maverick produces the award-winning prime time series' How To Look Good Naked and Embarrassing Bodies for Channel 4; along with a number of other productions for a variety of broadcasters, Maverick has also produced the current ITV1 series Children’s Hospital. It has a double BAFTA award-winning New Media department, producing innovative multiplatform content.

For further information please contact:
Holly Palin, Head of Communications Maverick Television
020 7874 6676 / h.palin@mavericktv.co.uk

Anne Marie Kane, MTV Networks International
+1-212-786-2799 / annmarie.kane@mtvn.com

To apply to be on the show: mtvsupersweet@mavericktv.co.uk

Saturday, 3 April 2010

It's Easter so time for a chocolate break

It's Easter so time for a chocolate break from all the household chores.

Here is a recipe for flourless chocolate brownies, courtesy of Nigella Lawson which is delicious and very easy to make. You would not know it is flourless so it is suitable for everyone who likes chocolate and cake - it does contains nuts though!

Ingredients:
225g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
225g butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
200g caster sugar
3 eggs, beaten
150g ground almonds
100g chopped walnuts

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 170 C mark 3. Melt the chocolate and butter gently
over a low heat in a heavy-based saucepan (or wack it in the micro and melt
it gently that way)

2. Take the pan off the heat, mix in the vanilla and sugar and let it cool
a little (this is so that the eggs don't start cooking when you add them
in).

3. Beat the eggs into the pan along with the ground almonds and chopped
walnuts. Turn into a 24cm square baking tin, or most sensibly, use a foil
one (or line a baking tin with greased proof paper, which is what I did.)

4. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, by which time the top will have set
but the mixture will still be goey. (gently press with your finger and if
the top breaks then cook for a few minutes more). Once cooler, cut
carefully, four down, four across, into 16 squidgy yummy squares!




Have a piece with a cup of coffee or tea or we like to serve it as a dessert with a little fromage frais or creme freche and a few raspberries. You could freeze it but it never lasts long enough in our house to make it to the freezer !

Enjoy

Thursday, 25 March 2010

" When I'm cleaning windows ....

Are you, or any of your contacts, looking for a first class window cleaning service ranging from a one off window clean through to weekly, fortnightly or monthly cleaning contract?

My contact, Richard and his team have developed a fantastic reputation for fast, friendly, efficient but above all professional work throughout the Manchester and Cheshire area. The service covers domestic and commercial properties from shops right through to prestigious homes. Windows can also be cleaned for apartment buildings or premises up to 5 floors.

The business has been established for over 15 years, is fully insured and can supply many references and my client wishes to expand his business even further.

So if you live or work in the Cheshire and Manchester area and require information about a professional window cleaning service then please send an email to admin@silverconcierge.co.uk including the following information

- your name
- contact telephone number
- the type of property to be cleaned/ number of windows
- the area location for the property to be quoted for ( a general location only e.g. Wilmslow. The actual address will only be required when we discuss your enquiry with you)

We will then contact you to discuss your requirements. We look forward to hearing from you.


best regards
Louise Barson www.silverconcierge.co.uk

Monday, 22 March 2010

Spring Cleaning

The days are getting longer and the urge to do some spring cleaning around the garden is now passing onto the house. It's time to declutter somewhere - a cupboard, the wardrobes or my office.

It can be hard going through your own clutter but you feel a sense of freedom when the clothes are hung neatly together or the shelves, cupboards or your office are all tidy and you know that you will use the items you have kept and those that are going will be useful to others. Such a time saver having things that you need easily to hand. This article which appeared in the Daily Express - "Wave goodbye to bad clutter habits forever" includes useful tips on decluttering.

If you are pressed for time or need a hand or are even overfaced by the thought of decluttering then contact us for a free, no obligation consultation if you live in the North Cheshire or South Manchester area. If you live elsewhere we may be able to help you with a local contact .... please ask and we will do our best to help.

I am organised around the house but I've chosen my wardrobe for it's annual review. What haven't I worn over the past 12 months? Does it suit me or fit me? Does it need repairing - a button to be sewn back on or does a hem need attention - the small sewing jobs I can do myself otherwise I'll take it to the alterations service I use. Does that pair of shoes need re-heeling? If so they're taken to the cobblers. Is there really another reason for the item to be kept ? If not then it's off for recycling.

I use the local charity shops of which there are many but I also use sites such as Freegle or Freecyle and these links take you to the North West region. I also use The Furniture Station which provides a great public service. If you have any bedding or towels for recyling your local pet sanctuary might find them useful but best to ring and check what they need before you drop any items off.

When Spring cleaning and decluttering be tough with your decisions .... do you really need it, are you really going to use it ever again? ... otherwise the place you are decluttering will remain just as full/untidy when you have finished as when you started.

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Gardens in Cheshire

If you are interested in gardens or going for a walk You might like to keep in touch with what is happening at two of our local parks in Cheshire.

Dunham Park's Winter Garden which launched late 2009 has been generating a lot of interest. I've enjoyed a couple of walks around it over winter already with friends and family followed by a warming bowl of soup in the Stableyard cafe afterwards.

Tatton Park lists its events here and has recently started a gardeners blog which you may find interesting. If you are a keen gardener then you might like to take a look at the Gardening Channel which I came across recently.

Enjoy the developing Spring season

Time to get out in the garden

At last the weather is warming up ! I remember being astonished at this map of the UK back in January 2010 - quite amazing buts makes me feel cold even now when I look at it. We have lost a number of plants in our garden over this winter so will be planning what to replace them with as soon the planting season will be upon us.

I've been in touch with one of the gardening services we use as although I like to potter round and do some weeding and planting as a relaxing hobby I find they are a great help a couple of times a year. I use them for a good tidy up after the winter and again at the end of summer when the leaves need to be cleared away. Some of our clients like using and enjoying their gardens but are not gardeners themselves or they are short of time so they use a garden service much more regularly - weekly or monthly depending on the size of their plot. That's one of the advantages of using Silver Concierge's services we are on hand as little or as often as you need us.

It has been such a late flowering season. At last the daffodils are beginning to show signs of flowering. They are so late this year and I spotted this article in the Guardian - one of several included in UK news sites. The Cumbria Tourist Board has been asking for people to report on Twitter any sightings of daffodils blooming in 2010 in the Lake District!

Our crocuses have been giving a colourful display and there are still lots of snowdrops to be seen this week when going out and about on walks. So whether you believe that Spring starts on the 1st March or the 21st March with the
birds cheerfully singing it is finally making its' presence known.