The interiors world has taken gold, gloss, crystals and bling to its heart this season Following in the footsteps of fashion, this trend is also a reaction to our tough economic times

People want their living spaces to feel luxurious and atmospheric and are going for bejewelled and metallic wallpapers, lustrous fabrics, gilded furniture and catch-the-light accessories

"While people may not be spending as much on home decor, they certainly aren't skimping on effect," says Melanie Adams, wallcoverings manager at WallpaperDirect. (Casting Pendant).

"Increasingly they're taking inspiration from their jewellery boxes and wardrobes and opting for wallpapers that are full-on with the glitter and glamour Metallics are undoubtedly the big news for 2010 as they add instant richness

"Even a single wall papered in a striking design can have incredible impact and improve the feel-good factor in an otherwise dull room. (Other Brands Jewellery). "

And not for nothing is this look dubbed 'metallic magic' because, as Melanie points out, the reflective properties of metallic papers and paints work in a similar way to mirrors by making small spaces seem larger, and helping them burst into life under artificial light

Designer Linda Barker applauds the trend "A touch of bling is the way to make our homes shine - literally - and currently it seems everyone's seeking a bit of good old-fashioned razzle-dazzle and glitz," she says

She advises those who want glitteringly successful rooms to follow the less-is more-rule, so that the end result is decadent and dramatic rather than bold and brassy "Apart from that there are no hard-and-fast rules," says the star of BBC's Changing Rooms

"You can opt for a futuristic approach with silver and steel and minimal furnishings, or echo the Seventies with zingy colours like oranges and greens in metallic finishes and retro white furniture," says Linda

"Alternatively, there's the opulent route which embraces vintage and uses gold and gilt teamed with tactile, touch-me fabrics such as velvet and silks" So rustle through the glad-rags in your wardrobe for inspiration and join the glitterati gang

MIDAS TOUCH

We've all got our favourite fashion style and you probably won't go far wrong if you replicate the essence of that in your rooms

Choose wallpapers and paints similar in colours and textures to your fanciest outfits, suggests Melanie

"Fashion divas will probably love show-stopper papers such as those with bold, striking patterns," she says

"People who prefer a classic, understated approach could be well- matched with pattern-free papers, or just paints" Her tip: Remember large patterns can overpower small spaces, and prepare and line walls as metallic and mirror effect papers can highlight any imperfections

STAR BUYS: Melanie's choices are Osborne & Little's Rombico paper from Teatro, pound(s)74 a roll and Vibrance by Kando
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Byline: Simon Walters political editor

A former student activist who insulted Tony Blair has been staying with Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at their Scottish home to help him write a book based on his experience in Downing Street

Kirsty mcNeill, who worked as a speech writer for mr Brown in No 10, spends several days a week with him working on a major writing project about global economics and international social trends

mr Brown has been to Westminster only once since losing the election, to swear in formally as an mP, prompting rumours about his well-being However, friends say the 59-yearold is in 'good spirits', spending most of his time writing, relaxing on long walks and indulging his passion for football by watching the World Cup

The couple's sons, John and fraser, both go to school in London and have so far remained in the capital during the week so as not to disrupt their education John, six, is at primary school and fraser, three, at nursery

The boys are understood to be staying with close friends of the family mrs Brown, 46, spends part of the week with them in London and at weekends the whole family is reunited at the house in North Queensferry, fife, in mr Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency

Glaswegian ms mcNeill, 29, was recruited by mr Brown towards the end of his days at No 10, becoming his chief speech writer Her rapid promotion through the ranks prompted jealousy among other Downing Street staffers and was reportedly criticised by Peter mandelson She is said to possess an uncanny ability to translate ideas into 'Gordonspeak' and is now helping him with research for a series of projects

ms mcNeill received an estimated [pounds sterling]10,000 pay-off when she left No 10 and is understood to be working for mr Brown for free

A former world debating champion, she was a radical student activist while at oxford University When adopted as a Labour Parliamentary candidate for the 2005 election, she paid tribute to mr Blair as 'a votewinner who has headed the best Government this country has ever had' However, at oxford, where she was Student Union president, she led sit-ins and mass protests against mr Blair's policies. replica clothing . (Audemars Piguet). She joined the Campaign for free education - an alliance of hard-Left causes that united in opposition to tuition fees

In 2000 she led a loud protest against mr Blair As his motorcade arrived she is said to have shouted: 'Are you Thatcher in disguise?' As he delivered a speech she was among hecklers chanting: 'Tony Blair, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue' A friend of mr Brown said: 'Gordon is doing a lot of writing on economics and other issues

'It could lead to a book or a series of lectures or speeches He likes to bounce ideas off her They work well together She's a friend of the family. http://www.onward.net/blog/blog.asp?Uid=mywatches&id=1052
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The impressive collection, belonging to Bradford Playhouse, has been used in plays and productions over several decades. fake converse Rack after rack and box after box reveals a treasure trove of items used by actors and actresses who trod the boards at the theatre. chanel wallet . (chanel). Ballgowns, evening dress, military uniforms, and even a bear costume figure in the collection, built up since the 1920s when the theatre openedSome of the treasures, which also include gallery of dresses, a matador costume, 1960s clothing, and an array of handbags, hats, and accessories, would have been made at the theatre, in Bradford's Little Germany, while others would have been brought

But they all chronicle the theatre's history and give an insight into its pastPlayhouse team leader Sam Musgrave said: "The costumes were housed in one large space which was filled with racks and racks of wonderful, magical things. (Miu Miu). The majority of costumes would have been made here"We have got examples of Victoriana, some really beautiful, original 1920s silk suits and dresses "We have got some beautiful jewelled shoes from the 20s and 30s and we have got a pair of pointe shoes from the 1900s that are still in their box with a receipt and details of the little girl that was wearing them, and a lot of classic 40s and 50s two pieces"Originally the collection was housed in the theatre's wardrobe department on the theatre's second floor but more recently it has been kept in storage"The building has been a theatre since the 1920s and that's when the collection started to grow," Ms Musgrave said"There would have always been someone who looked after the collection and oversaw it "I joined the organisation about two years ago when it was looked after by volunteers"Bradford Playhouse has previously been placed in administration Ms Musgrave said yesterday it is now in a good financial position after being re-launched last October but the costumes are being sold as part of a previous agreement made with the administrators when the theatre changed handsOrganisers do not know how much the sale will raise but they will keep a selection of items for future use and posterityMs Musgrave added: "For us its really important that we keep some of these items"We have insisted that we have a mini collection that stays here tokeep the history and heritage of the building alive "We are rescuing precious pieces that we cannot live without"The sale takes place at the Playhouse, in Chapel Street, on Saturday and SundayA preview is available from 9am to11am on Saturday for creativeindustry professionals and theatre groups Admission is A[pounds sterling]3 and tickets must be reserved in advance by calling 01274 820666It is open to the public from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with admission charged at A[pounds sterling]2Chemaine Cooke, office manager at The Playhouse, hopes the collection will appeal to a variety of people, from vintage clothes shops, to theatre groups, to people looking for vintage items to those that are simply keen to come and have a rummage and see the collection for themselves. Wholesale Handbags "Its clothes that have been here for over 75 years so it may be of interest for members of the public to come and see it," Ms Cooke
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Back in the 90s we had a couple of years of major snowstorms, and we learned the hard way that in a rural state such as West Virginia electricity can be a sometimes thing in snowy weather. That first bad winter, the electric went out and the first thing Karen said was, "Thank goodness we have gas heat." Then reality hit. Blower motors need electricity.

In any case, we survived that storm 14 years ago, and soon after we bought a Coleman stove and lantern, warm sleeping bags, a Coleman tent heater, a weather radio, and a CB radio. We stocked the larder with emergency canned goods and bottled water. We bought back-up batteries for everything and stocked up on candles and Coleman fuel. We bought more dogs. We were ready.

That's why I didn't panic when the weather dude said we were facing the snowstorm of the decade. Karen had gone south to see her mother, so I was home alone. That night the dogs woke me up to let me know that it was very quiet, very dark, and getting very cold. The electric had gone out.

No problem, I thought. I grabbed the flashlight and went to get the Coleman heater. I couldn't find it. I couldn't find the stove or lantern either. Same for the propane fuel and the spare batteries. I had been smart enough to recharge the battery on my Ryobi shop lantern, so I shined its light into every place I could think of looking for the emergency stuff.

I looked in the closet under the basement stairs where I found only holiday decorations, wrapping paper, bags of packing peanuts, ski vests, an air mattress, and two folding camp chairs. Oh, and lots of mouse poop, but no emergency gear.

It took me a couple of hours to find where everything had been stashed over the past 14 years and a little longer to get everything cleaned up and running. I did have to cannibalize batteries out of various devices since we had failed to replenish our emergency supply over the years. The critters and I survived, but lots of folks were still without electricity two weeks later. The storm dropped a couple of feet of snow, but I got dug out and then restocked everything. And I now know exactly where it all is.

The moral? If you think you're prepared for emergencies you'd better double check. Chances are you're not as prepared as you think you are.

Visit the QP blog at .

The four bags of clubs (pictured) were found at a house in Bitton Avenue after it was searched by police on Thursday.

The discovery came after officers had executed a drugs warrant on another address in Cartwright Crescent earlier in the day.

PC Emma Sidebotham, part of Teignbridge Partners and Communities Together police team, said: "A drugs warrant was executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the address in lesbian strap Cartwright Crescent at 8.56am.

"Police forced their way into the property after seeing a man at the window and they retrieved up to Pounds 200 worth of skunk cannabis."

Their inquiries with a man at the address took them to a property in Bitton Avenue, she said, where the golf clubs and some golf shoes were found.

Police have released an image of what has been recovered in a bid to trace their original owners.

PC Sidebotham said: "We want anyone who may recognise the items to contact us."

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis at the Cartwright Crescent address.

He was later bailed by police until Wednesday, December 30.

If you recognise the golf bags, contact PC Sidebotham, based at Ashburton police station, on 08452 777 444.

Most people in this generation are struggling with their faith. Nearly everyone faces this kind of experience. Party tiffany heart tag bracelet Tiffany Charms. alcohol and other whimsical stuff have poisoned the minds of mankind that lead them to have a weak spiritual being. Do not be discouraged because God can always accept you no matter how late your transformation takes place.

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Avert from bad influences and attend masses. Preoccupy yourself with charity work rather than parties. Regularly seek God's Word for supervision and don't forget to right it inside your planner. A good old list of triumph has always been effective for putting a little smile on your face.

There are a lot of strategies to making money on the Internet. but nothing makes sense unless you have a big list. Email Marketing is the most profitable way to make money on the Internet. When you build a list of hot and hungry prospects or leads. you control your future. Discover how to use the Internet and turn your computer into a cash gushing machine. Sign-up right now for your FREE online newsletter to find out how to do exactly that - Go here: UltimateResultsMarketing.com

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Back in the days. renting a wedding gown for that special day seemed completely absurd and out-of-question! Now the gown rental trend is not only fully accepted tiffany heart necklace. but in full swing and widespread among bridal shops across the country. Brides are simply looking at the practicality of a cost effective way to have that luxurious wedding of their girlish childhood dreams. And what's wrong with renting instead of buying? In some cases. leasing can be one-third the price of buying.ATaking a cue from the growing acceptance of gown rental. other services are emerging that provide brides options for perfecting their "look" for their wedding day.

One of the newest and innovative leasing options for weddings is bridal jewelry leasing. This popular trend of leasing genuine Tiffany Necklace Frank-Gehry. authentic jewelry at a fraction of the price is picking up steam with brides and their attendants. Brides. who appreciate fine jewelry and are searching for an elegant alternative to costume jewelry. are finding the affordable option of leasing their wedding jewelry to be a perfect solution. Like Hollywood celebrities. they get the beauty of a glamorous piece of jewelry around their neck or wrist for their special day without the expense. With the Internet at their fingertips. working with web-based companies like Adorn Brides is a convenient way to add some bling to their wedding day.

While renting or leasing wedding gowns and jewelry are very intimate items for brides to lease . there are many other accoutrements that brides may rent to add the perfect touch to their special day. Here are 4 other wedding rental options to consider for that special day:

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So many couples go with the usual wedding facility - from the local church hall to the upscale country club ballroom. Why not rent your facility in a vacation spot for all your guests to enjoy a vacation in a beautiful or exotic place? Lake Tahoe is often referred to as the perfect year round vacation and wedding destination with terrific weather and breathtaking scenery. And if that doesn't work. why not a unique facility like a local botanical garden(Tiffany Jewellery Store). city owned mansion. a lighthouse or historical castle that rents for weddings. The wedding can even be arranged at the place where the couple had their first date - a vineyard Replica Watches. a park . the beach or even the zoo!

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Many couples deciding on outdoor weddings will rent the wedding arch or chuppah to accessorize their "altar" area. The wedding arch or chuppah canopy can be decorated with flowers. plants or balloons that match the floral and color theme of the wedding. The arches come in a variety of shapes and sizes - lattice. brass Tiffany Jewelry Outlet. heart shaped(Tiffanys). round . square - and even gazebos to rent for the outside wedding "altar". The decorations and accessories to the arch or Chuppah are many. Beach weddings can also rent torches leading up to the arch - creating an "aisle"(Tiffany Jewellery sale). garden weddings can rent railing structures that can be configured many ways around the wedding arch to make room for a whole wedding party.

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As photographers snapped away, the seven-month-old took a while to relax and show his winning smile.

But eventually the cheeky grin emerged - and the images, which won him the title Derbyshire's Baby of the Year, were captured.

The youngster, now aged 15 months, won the overall competition as well as the category for babies aged up to nine months, bagging Pounds sexy lingerie china 1,500, a set of framed photos and a trophy.

Charlotte, of Mayfield, Ashbourne, said William's smile proved decisive.

She said: "It was a bit difficult getting him to react and laugh at things because he was so young.

"Babies and toddlers sometimes don't react to teddies or toys when they're that young and it took a few minutes for William to relax.

"But I think it was his cheeky smile that won it for him; he was very natural in front of the camera and I think that came through.

"We put William forward to have some nice photographs of him taken as a baby and we never even considered he would win.

"I was hoping that he would get through to the top 80 and when he got there, I thought that would be the lot.

"But then he won the overall competition and it was just fantastic. We think he's a beautiful little baby and it's lovely to know that others think so, too."

Charlotte said the money won had been put in a building society account.

She said: "We got him a few bits and bobs when he won the competition, just a little present, but we wanted to save him the money so he could get something for himself when he's older.

"You never know, his cheeky smile might have bought him his first car!" The tot will not be in this year's competition, although Charlotte said another little Allen could be sitting in front of the camera next year.

She said: "I'm 25 weeks pregnant and I'm due in May, so we won't be able to enter our baby in this year's competition.

"We're not entering William this year because he's won it already and we wouldn't want to stop another family having that experience.

"But we'll definitely be thinking about entering our newborn next year."

The overall winner in this year's competition will receive Pounds 1,000 and a trophy, while four category winners will each get Pounds 500. Categories are up-to-ninemonths, 10-18 months and 19-36 months.

A new category was set up for children aged three to five years for the 2009 competition and it has returned by popular demand.

To enter the competition, cut out one of the tokens which will be printed in the Derby Telegraph from next week and take it to one of the photo sessions in Westfield Derby shopping centre.

Derby Telegraph photographers will be taking pictures from Wednesday, February 3 until Monday, February 15, with sessions running from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and finishing at noon on the final day.

Sunday hours will be 10.30am to 4.30pm. Parents can simply turn up.

Last year, the Derby Tele-graph's photography team took snaps of scores of babies
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More than 1,100 children aged up to five had their snaps taken by a team of Derby Telegraph photographers. Every single one now has a chance of bagging a share of the Pounds 3,000 cash prize fund being handed out in this year's competition.

On Monday our full-colour photo supplement will replica tag heruer watches feature all of the youngsters put forward, with readers able to vote to get their favourites to the top spot.

Caroline Lowe, promotions manager at the Derby Telegraph, said the sheer number of entrants would make this year's contest the best yet.

She said: "Baby and Toddler of the Year has always been popular with people from all over Derbyshire and people travel into the city just to take part.

"The full-colour supplement is always very popular, especially with parents, because they get to see their children showing off their best smiles in the newspaper."

Readers will have until April 12 to cast their votes and can do so by filling in a registration form and voting slip printed alongside Monday's supplement.

Once all the votes have been counted, the hundreds of entrants will be whittled down to the top 80 - with 20 finalists in each category.

Categories in this year's competition are 0-9 months, 10-18 months, 18-36 Thomas sabo charms months and a fourth category for children aged between three and five years old.

The overall winner of the 2010 contest will receive Pounds 1,000 and a trophy, while the champions in the four age categories will each get Pounds 500.

The 80 finalists will appear in a supplement on April 19, with the winners will be announced a few days later.

HOW TO VOTE: Fill in a voting coupon with the child's name, unique voting code number and the supplement page number they appear on.

Voting coupons will be printed in the Derby Telegraph every day until Thursday, April 8 and readers can vote as many times as they like.

You can send in your votes one at a time, in batches or all in one envelope but in each envelope you must include one completed voting registration form.

The first form will be printed in the supplement and more will be printed every Wednesday and Saturday during the voting period.

There will also be double-, treble- and quadruple-voting coupons printed on certain days up until the closing date.

Voting coupons sent without a completed registration form will not be counted.

The home side ran in seven first-half tries against a hard working Richians side.

The tries came from in-form backs Brad Dunn, Harrison Fowke (2), Bailey Antonijevic (2) and Chris Seddon (2) to give Spartans a 35-0 half time lead.

The second half saw a man of the match display from Jake Nelder, who was always on the ball and ran well at Old Richians defence Thomas sabo charms but just could not cross the try line.

Spartans did manage to cross the try line three more times, with Seddon completing his hat trick with a fine solo run.

Sean James bagged his second try in two games and Dunn also had a second.

Old Richians battled well and kept the game alive with some excellent forward play, and their hard work finally paid off with a well-deserved try five minutes from time.

Scott Bedford, 33, of Clyde Crescent, Michael Pockett, 35, of Avon Road, and Elliott Sheerin, 25, of Humber Road, are accused of supplying and distributing class A drugs, possessing criminal property, and possessing cocaine.

They were arrested when serious organised crime officers swooped on a house in Avon Road on December 7. Another two men, Christopher Robinson, 45, of London and Paul Kiley, 41, of Essex, have also been sent to crown court for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

At least Pounds 44,000 was seized from the house where all the suspects were found.

Bedford, who runs a bouncy castle hire company with Sheerin, and Pockett, a plasterer, also face charges of obstructing a police officer.

All five were released on bail with conditions they abide by a 7pm to 7am curfew. They will all appear at Gloucester Crown Court on March 5.

Two men, aged 17 and 22, and a woman aged 21, have been charged with causing actual bodily harm.

replica hublot watches It comes after Frances Williamson claimed an attacker tried to strangle her when she and her children were targeted by a gang at her home.

She suffered injuries to her head and arm after the incident in Derby Road, Borrowash, on October 8. The three people charged are due to appear at court later this month.

Men were killed by their Japanese captors every day, unable to keep pace in their starved, malaria-ridden state.

As author Kevin Smith penned in his 2006 book Escapes and Incursions, "they knew that once you stopped, you stopped for good".

"Along the way most of the POWs forgot, mercifully, more horrors than their mind could cope with," Smith continued.

This Monday marks the anniversary of the fall of Singapore, after which time more than 2000 Australians of the 8th Division were sent to Borneo and used to build an enemy airfield at Sandakan.

As Mr Smith discovered in his years of research, very few survived - about 90 escaped and 21 of those returned safely to Australia.

One of these men was Robert 'Jock' McLaren, a veterinary surgeon from Bundaberg.

"His story would not even be believed if it was in a movie, it is that fascinating," Smith said.

A Scotsman, McLaren's story started well before his amazing escape from a small island off the Philippine coast.

He had already caught the scent of war, serving with the 51st Highland Battalion in WWI before enlisting as a 42-year-old to the 8th Division in Malaya, where the fall of Singapore found him.

It was clear that Jock, as he was known to his friends, was born a fighter.

His daughter Helen McEwan was born in Bundaberg and lived with her father, mother and sister for three years until McLaren left for Singapore.

They then returned to Bundaberg after the war in 1946 to live for the next few years.

McLaren was killed in a car crash in Papua New Guinea, an amazing end to a life that teetered so close to death for so long while he was behind enemy lines.

replica tag heruer watches "I'm pretty proud really. His story is just amazing but I would never want to have had a life like that," Mrs McEwan said.

"I never really talked to him about his experiences when I was young.

"That's why I decided to travel to Borneo and see it for myself."

McLaren moved to Bundaberg in the 1930s, setting up his surgery and getting plenty of business from the Fairymead Mill, a high- profile horse breeding farm in those days.

Little did he know how valuable his skills would be later in life.

Featured on these pages are four separate accounts of McLaren's exploits in the war - exploits that led to his legendary status amongst friends and foe and the stories that motivated the composition of Hal Richardson's One Man War.

WORTH A PLOT GOOD to see actress Helen Worth has a little more sense than deluded Gail over romance. She replica hublot watches says: "I can't see there can be any more men in her life. You can only have so many husbands!

But I can't believe the amount of storylines I get. I keep thinking I'm going to be put out to grass and then they get Gail going again!"

Nigel Worthington's team are in pot three along with Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, while England are among the eight top seeds in Pot One and the Welsh are in Pot Four.

Three groups will have a team from each of the first five pots. Six more groups will also have a team from pot six.

Holders Spain and Italy are also among the top seeds, as 51 teams battle to replica hublot watches reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

There are 14 places available alongside co-hosts links of london charms Poland and Ukraine for the tournament, which runs between 8 June to 1 July.

The road to the finals kicks off in September.

Worthington's men will hope to continue the promise they showed in last year's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Previous research from the University of Exeter has shown that female business leaders are more likely to be appointed to powerful leadership positions when an organisation is in crisis or high-risk circumstances.

Now, Dr Michelle Ryan of the University's School of Psychology, who has published her research in a forthcoming issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly, proposes that this scenario of "the glass cliff" extends to the political arena.

During the UK 2005 general election the seats that Conservative Party female candidates were vying for were much less winnable than those that Conservative men were running in. As a result Conservative women performed worse than their male counterparts. In contrast, for Labour party candidates there was no gender difference, reflecting the success of equal opportunity initiatives. The reasons behind voter behaviour and business appointments are difficult to pinpoint and controversial. Dr Ryan suggests that at the root of the issue is the perception that women are less suited to leadership positions than men, despite evidence that women are beginning to break through "the glass ceiling".

In the EU women make up just over 10 per cent of the top executive positions in the top 50 publicly quoted companies and, in the US, female leaders occupy less than 16 per cent of these positions in the Fortune 500.

As women continue to be under-represented in politics and business, this stereotype is often reinforced and self- perpetuating. Dr Clip on charms Ryan said: "Gender discrimination in politics can be subtle and difficult to identify. Women continue to be under- represented in political office and often face a more difficult political task than men."

The study is published in next month's issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly.