Magic Man

Corporate training days: don't you hate them? Flip charts, brainstorming, role playing, puh-lease. But there's another way to motivate your team. Nick Fitzherbert's Magical Presentation Skills courses are fun to do and have durable, measurable results. Fitzherbert was a high-flying financial PR before he caught the magic bug. He saw that a magician's tricks are a great way to capture attention, prompt creative thinking, enhance performance, and get to the nub of a problem. He takes small groups of 4 - 12, usually for a day with an extra hands-on half-day coaching prior to a big presentation. Sadly no wizard's cloak and pointy hat but hey, there's always Harry Potter for that. Contact Nick Fitzherbert on 0870 444 1541, email: nick@fitzherbert.co.uk, or www.fitzherbert.co.uk

 

Pommade Divine

It's thick, sticky and deeply reassuring but sadly had disappeared from the marketplace. Pommade Divine, nature's first aid kit, was created by the Butler family firm in Clerkenwell nearly 200 years ago, and has been used by generations as an antidote for bruises, sunburn, rashes and other skin conditions. But times move on and in the face of Big Pharma, small firms go under. But Diana Heimann wasn't deterred. Outraged that her favourite magic salve was no longer available at Boots, she tracked down the formula and brought Pommade Divine to life again. It has cute retro packaging, uses 100% natural ingredients, and is available from Holland & Barrett and mail order. Check out the website with endorsements from Sienna Miller (yes really) and famous sportsmen. www.pommadedivine.com

 

Clock Watching

There's one more reason to explore the backwaters of Marylebone other than to check out where Madonna and the Blairs are living. Connaught Street has the fascinating William Mansell Jewellers, run by the affable Bill Salisbury, which specialises in the restoration and repair of clocks, watches, jewellery and silver. Bill has lived above the shop since he was three years old and he can work wonders with your vintage Rolex or that neglected 18th century longcase clock your granny left you. The shop is so quirky and atmospheric it has even been used for filming and Bill is discreetly proud of his A-list clientele. 24 Connaught Street, London W2, 020 7723 4154 www.williammansell.co.uk

 

Designer Chocolate

Does anyone still eat normal chocolate? Nowadays we all know that good dark chocolate is a superfood and high cocoa solids make you healthy, successful and unbelievably sexy. (Well perhaps that's an exaggeration.) Bill Mcarrick is the latest star in the chocolate firmament and operates from his "chocolate studio" in Surrey where he creates small quantities of pure, bespoke, prestige chocolates. He even has his own conching machine (very rare in the chocolate world) that gives a luxurious satin texture and a sumptuous feel in the mouth. Bill's an artist with a worldwide reputation and his CV includes making Donald Trump's 50th birthday cake, being responsible (in 2001) for Harrods' entire chocolate and pastry output, and top positions in Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Bali and Dubai. He has now launched the Sir Hans Sloane Chocolate House in the UK with flavours inspired by Europe's greatest artists: Tahitian vanilla for Gaugin, coffee for Caravaggio and almonds for Goya. Available exclusively at Selfridges and www.sirhanssloane.com

 

Stub it Out

If you are a smoker, this will be the worst month of your life. Don't try to do it by yourself, with an armful of nicotine patches. Clare Hegarty is a Life Coach and expert on how to deal with the stress of giving up and not being able to smoke when you want to. "Most people have a problem giving up smoking," she says, "because they have issues which need to be tackled before they can stop. To be a successful non-smoker you must face the primary reasons why you light up in the first place." Give her a call on 0151 678 3358 or 07714 853 524.