Top 5 Summer Garden Party Essentials

Nothing beats getting together with friends and family in the summer and having a big old garden party! They provide us with the perfect excuse to catch up, soak up the sun, and get merry. However, hosting a party can be a stressful task if you don’t know the best way to go about kitting out your garden. Hopefully, after reading this blog, you’ll be able to host an unforgettable party which will keep friends and family wanting to come back for years to come!

1. The Barbecue

People expect to be fed at a garden party and they expect to be fed with barbecued food! If you choose not to have one, then prepare to be attacked by a violent mob of angry guests. Sure, you could put a buffet on, but you can have a buffet at any point during the year. Sun = barbecue!

Here at Studio, we have a sizzling range of barbecues available, from smaller portable barbecues, to larger oil drum barbecues and stainless steel burners. The size of your garden and the number of expected guests should influence the type of barbecue you choose to purchase.

2. Solar Lighting

As the sun goes down and the stars begin to appear, you’ll need some form of lighting to enable your guests to see. The last thing you want is a group of drunken people stumbling around in the dark! While solar lighting won’t illuminate your entire garden, it will create an ambient, relaxing effect that will help your party wind down in a peaceful fashion.

Solar lighting comes in various forms; colour-changing ‘stick’ solar lights can be used to illuminate paths and gazebos, while solar lampposts are great for illuminating a larger area. Many people choose to purchase solar lighting in the form of animal or Buddha statues and then place them among the flowers and bushes for extra decoration.

3. Inflatable Beer Coolers

It’s a fact; warm drinks destroy parties. Make sure you keep all your beverages cool and refreshing with one of our fun and practical inflatable beer coolers! Of course, you aren’t restricted to just putting beer in them, you can use them for any drink.

Simply inflate and fill with ice, and you’re good to go! Our beer coolers are available in 4 styles; Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

4. Gazebos

We all know that the British weather is the most unpredictable thing on the planet, so it never hurts to prepare yourself for a bit of rain with a gazebo. Not only do they keep your food, drink, tables and chairs safe from potential rain, but they also provide a great focal point for people to gather together in one place.

At Studio, we have a wide range of gazebos available to suit a variety of budgets and preferences, from smaller pop-up gazebos, to larger, more substantial steel framed gazebos. We also stock barbecue gazebos to keep your barbecue covered, and wall-attaching gazebos to help you save space.

5. Chimineas

Chimineas are versatile, free-standing fireplaces, which serve a variety of purposes. Not only do they make fantastic garden decorations with their traditionally rustic look, but they’re ideal for keeping guests warm when the temperature drops too. Simply fill the base with wood and paper, light it, and watch everybody gather round like moths to a flame.

Consider burning aromatic wood such as red cedar or apple wood for a nice, relaxing scent, or burn Pinon wood to repel insects. If you don’t have a good supply of wood available, then look to purchase a selection of firelogs, which provide a clean, instant fire with no smoke. Remember, you can use your chiminea to grill food too!




Check out our full range of garden and outdoor equipment today and spread the cost of your shopping!

Camping Survival Guide

With the recession making money tighter than ever, many of us are now choosing to holiday in the UK. For those among us who are used to going abroad every year, staying at home may seem slightly odd and uninspiring. However, Britain actually has a lot to offer! There are stunning coastlines, rolling hills, charming nature parks, and some of the world’s best music festivals. And remember, if you holiday at home, you won’t need a passport, travel insurance or any injections!

Whether you’re looking to go crazy at a music festival or simply relax in the beautiful, British countryside, we’ve got an amazing range of camping essentials available, designed to help make this year’s camping holiday one to remember.

Sleeping Essentials

The most important thing you’ll need to remember when camping is a tent. Without one, you’ll probably end up sleeping under a rock. Your tent will be your home for the duration of your holiday, so it’s important to make sure you choose the right one to suit your needs. For a festival, a simple 2 or 4 man tent should suffice. However, for family holidays, a 6 man tent will offer the kind of space required to ensure maximum comfort. Purchasing a small tent for a large family will cause nothing but arguments and stress.

An air bed is another important item to consider. You could choose to sleep on the ground if you want less to carry, however, after a couple of days, you’re likely to start experiencing back pain and discomfort and you’ll be yearning for a soft bed to sleep on. Air beds are cheap, light and simple to inflate, so they won’t inconvenience you in any way. You won’t regret taking one!

Once you’ve got a roof over your head and something soft to sleep on, you’ll need something to sleep in. Many modern sleeping bags offer incredible levels of warmth and comfort, making them ideal for chilly summer nights. They can also be rolled up into a small, convenient bag allowing them to be transported easily between locations.

Cookware and Food

When camping, the last thing you want to do be doing is eating out 3 times a day. Food stalls and markets at festivals and campsites often charge increased rates for food because they know that many people will only have 2 options: pay their prices or starve. You should always take some form of portable gas cooker when camping so you have the option to cook your own food. They’re cheap and light to carry and will save you a ton of money on food costs.

Remember, you’ll need something to actually cook your food in, so it might be worth purchasing yourself one of our aluminium cook sets if you don’t already have a set of camping pans. Included in the package are 2 saucepans, 2 frying pans and a detachable handle. All the pans in the set are made from lightweight material so you’ll have no trouble carrying or storing them.

If you have the space in your car, you may also want to consider purchasing a portable barbecue. When the sun is shining, you can’t beat relaxing in the great outdoors with friends and family as a barbecue sizzles away in the background. The legs are collapsible, plus there’s a handy carry bag included in the package for easy transportation and storage.

Storage Solutions

For longer camping trips i.e. those lasting for more than a weekend, some form of storage area for food will be necessary. Our camping cupboards have as strong, sturdy frame and mesh door for ventilation. They’re perfect for storing tinned goods, pasta, cereal and confectionery. Without a camping cupboard, you run the risk of your food being misplaced or eaten by wildlife.

When preparing food, it’s always useful to have a work surface available. Our camping workstation provides an area for chopping food, and offers space to store cookers, kettles, plates and pans. The workstation is easy to assemble and can be folded flat for easy storage.

Tables and Chairs

For outdoor dining, a camping table is essential. Eating whilst sat on the floor is not ideal, especially if the ground is wet. Our camping tables can be folded for easy storage and have a wipe-clean MDF top, making them incredibly easy to clean and maintain. They could also double up as a makeshift ironing board!

Where seating is concerned, our camping leisure chairs are ideal for both eating in around a table and relaxing in by a campfire. They come equipped with a handy slot in the arm for holding cans and cups and can be folded into a carry bag for convenient storage and transportation.

If you don’t want to buy separate tables and chairs, then you might want to take a look at our foldable picnic table. With its durable steel frame, easy to clean table top, and foldable design, it’s the ideal table for family camping holidays.

Wellingtons

Wellingtons are a must-have item for any festival. Even if the weatherman forecasts blazing sunshine for the entire weekend, there’s still guaranteed to be mud! Festivals simply wouldn’t be festivals without wellingtons. At 24studio, we stock an extensive range of wellingtons in various styles and colours.

Shop for all your camping essentials today and spread the cost of your shopping ar 24studio.co.uk

The Summer Holiday Special!

Summer holiday season is almost upon us, which can only mean one thing; it’s time to climb into the attic, pull down the suitcases and start preparing for a relaxing summer break! Whether you’re jetting off somewhere exotic, or simply chilling in the UK, Studio has a super selection of holiday products on offer, designed to help you make the most of summer 2013.

Listed below is a collection of the best products from our brand new ‘Holiday Shop’ range. Plus, we’ve put together a few of the most popular summer holiday destinations, just in case you haven’t booked a holiday yet and can’t decide where to go!

Holiday Shop Highlights

Summer Clothing

Getting the right holiday wardrobe is absolutely essential! We know you need to be prepared for different events and weather conditions, which is why we’ve put together such a varied collection of clothing. For chilling on the beach, check out our range of bikinis, swimsuits and beach dresses. For warm summer evenings, have a look at our stylish maxi dresses and breathable linen trousers. We’ve got a great range of summer footwear available too, including sandals, wedges and converse.

Holiday Gadgets

If you’re travelling with kids this year, consider purchasing a LeapPad2 Explorer or an Innotab 2. These
clever inventions act as a tablet for children and will keep them entertained for hours. Perfect long car journeys or delays at the airport!

For those of you that love reading whilst chilling by the pool or on the beach, take a look at our extensive range of kindles. They allow you to take a huge collection of books on holiday with you, without taking up luggage space.

Travel and Bags

Having the correct cases and bags is essential for ensuring you have a comfortable journey when departing for a holiday. The last thing you want is to be lugging around impractical, heavy cases that stress you out and take up excess luggage allowance at the airport. 

For a stylish and practical travel solution, consider our range of extendable ladies trolley bags. Carry them over the shoulder via the leather straps, or simply pull them along behind you with the extending handle. 

We also stock a fun collection of children’s travel cases, plus a range of other luggage sets, including the 6-piece luggage set, which is one of the most popular items here at Studio. 

Buy all of these items, and many more in our Holiday Shop, you'll be sure to find a great range of Holiday essentials and much, much more, and if you're still debating where to go this year, take a look at our:

Top Summer Holiday Destinations for 2013!

UK

• The Lake District – miles upon miles of natural beauty
• Haven Campsites – loads of activities and attractions for the kids
• Cornwall – England’s most beautiful (and warmest) county

Europe

• Sardinia – one of Europe’s best family holiday destinations
• Croatia – extremely cheap!
• Northern Spain – stunning beaches and rolling countryside

Long-Haul

• Florida – every child’s dream holiday
• Mauritius – no jet lag!
• The Caribbean – tonnes of superb family hotels

Find out more about online shopping with Studio: personalised gifts | Christmas | weddings | competitions

Win: A £500 Virgin Experience at 24studio.co.uk

We have amazing prizes to give away each month from city breaks and shopping trips to Uggs and iPads. Whether you want to win this prize for yourself or just think it would be a great gift to give someone, you need to be in it to win it, so enter our prize draw today. 

In this months giveaway we are offering everyone the chance to win a virgin experience worth £500. The £500 virgin experience comes in the form of a multi choice voucher, which gives you over 30 experiences to choice from. The current choices are:  

• Arabian Nights - One Night Spa Break for Two at The Spa in Dolphin Square
• Aston Martin vs Lamborghini
• Audi R8 vs Lamborghini
• De Havilland Rapide Flight over London
• Demonstration and Tasting Day with Jean-Christophe Novelli
• Extreme Aerobatics
• Family London Sightseeing and Overnight Stay
• Family Two Night Luxury Treehouse Experience
• Family Visit to Madame Tussauds and Overnight Stay
• Family Visit to The London Dungeon with Dinner and Overnight Stay
• Ferrari F458 On Road Driving Experience - 3 Hours
• Ferrari vs Lamborghini
• Fine Dining for Two on the Northern Belle
• Five Lesson Dance Experience at Karen Hardy Studios for Two
• Full Day Spy Drive and Training Experience
• Italian Supercar Experience at Thruxton
• Luxury Paris Day Trip and Lunch at the Eiffel Tower for Two
• Luxury Sunseeker Yacht Experience
• Mike Robinson Game Cookery Course
• One Night Gastronomic Getaway for Two at Langshott Manor
• One Night Spa Break for Two at Swinton Park
• One Night St Andrews Golf Getaway for Two
• Parachute Jump
• Sadler's Ales Brew a Beer Day Experience for Four
• Shadow a Big Cat Keeper for Two - Weekdays
• Steam Train Driving Experience
• Three Night Dublin Culture Break for Two
• Tiger Moth Dam Buster Flight Experience with Photo
• Tigers and Tracks Experience
• Total Style Makeover with The Style Doctors
• Two Night Break with Dinner at Ballathie House for Two
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at Bagden Hall Hotel
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at Farington Lodge
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at Grinkle Park
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at Grovefield House Hotel
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at The Hickstead Hotel
• Two Night Break with Dinner for Two at The White Swan Hotel
• Two Night Pamper Retreat for Two at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa
• Ultimate Spa Day at Rowhill Grange
• Yacht Sailing Weekend

Enter our competition today to be in with the chance of winning this fantastic prize! Terms and conditions apply.

Your Springtime Baking Checklist

With so many cookery programmes currently clogging up the TV schedule, it’s hard not to be a bit inspired to get in the kitchen and start whipping up a storm. Baking is a fun, family activity that encourages you to unleash your creative side and spend more time with the people you love. Whether you’re making a cake, muffins, or simply a few homemade biscuits, baking with the family is a fun and relaxing way to spend a sunny springtime day.

Before you get started, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve got the correct equipment. Listed below is a selection of 24studio’s best baking essentials that will get you on your way to creating delicious cakes and biscuits in no time.

Grundig Black Food Mixer - £154

Save yourself some time and effort by whipping up cake mixtures with this durable, high-performance food mixer. Why mix by hand when you don’t have to!?
With its wealth of accessories, 10 variable speeds, and 2 stainless steel mixing bowls, the Grundig food mixer is the most resourceful food mixer on the market. Use the dough hooks for kneading bread, the wire whip for eggs and cream, the flat beaters for standard mixing, and the scraper tool for removing excess food from the mixing bowls.

Mason Cash Cupcake Baking Set - £24.99

If you’re working on a tight budget and an electric food mixer is out of your price range, or if you simply prefer mixing by hand in the traditional way, then a Mason Cash baking set is worth considering.
Included in the package:
• Earthenware mixing bowl, which is chip resistant and both dishwasher and freezer safe.
• Environmentally friendly wooden spoon
• 12 colourful silicone cup cases
• 3  stainless steel nozzles for creating simple lines, dots and shapes
• FREE icing bag

Cake Moulds – From £3.99

Silicone cake moulds are ideal for children’s birthday parties and general springtime fun. Bake a cake in a funky shape and you’re guaranteed to put a smile on a child’s face! You could even use the moulds for jelly if you prefer. Some of our cake mould shapes include castles, butterflies, cars and trains.

Ethos 13-Piece Baking Kit for Dummies - £9.99

If you’re new to baking and aren’t sure where or how to get started, then this 13-piece baking kit is for you. It contains a simple guide containing handy tips and easy-to-follow recipes to help get you on your way.
Also included in the set:

• Round cake pan
• Loaf tin
• 6 cup muffin tin
• 5-piece measuring cup set
• Silicone spatula

Please note that the cake pan, loaf tin and muffin tin all have a non-stick coating.

Muffin Maker - £14.99

Whatever your favourite flavour of muffins may be, you’ll be able to bake them in no time with this super little muffin maker. It only takes 4 minutes to make 7 muffins! With its cool touch housing, thermostat and non-slip feet, it’s a safe and practical machine that all the family can use.

Shop today and spread the cost of your shopping at 24studio.co.uk

DVD Box Sets Now In Stock!

Everybody loves curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a DVD box set. It’s the perfect way to waste away a lazy Sunday or a rainy day!

With the summer holidays approaching, many of us are staying in to save money, and what better way to spend an evening at home than with a box set of one of your favourite TV shows or movies?
We’ve got over 100 new box sets in stock with something to suit every taste. Whether you’re looking for sci-fi, comedy, fantasy or drama, the new 24studio DVD range has got you covered.

Here are some highlights from our incredible new collection...

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die”

 Game of Thrones: Seasons 1 & 2 - £39.99

HBO’s award-winning adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s epic medieval fantasy novel series, ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ has been, without doubt, one of the most popular TV dramas of the last few years. The story follows the battle between the noble families of the Seven Kingdoms and their attempts to seize the Iron Throne. With some terrific special effects, top-notch acting, and intense battle scenes, Game of Thrones will captivate you, enthral you and make you yearn for the next season.

“Perhaps the single greatest accomplishment in nature TV history” – New York Post

Frozen Planet – The Complete Series - £11.99

Brought to you by Sir David Attenborough and the rest of the team behind Planet Earth and Blue Planet, Frozen Planet documents the most stunning and powerful regions on Earth; the Arctic and Antarctic. Filmed on land, in the air, underwater and below the ice caps, Frozen Planet captures a vast range of wildlife as they attempt to survive in the most brutal of conditions. Emperor penguins, killer whales and polar bears are just a handful of the beautiful creatures seen on the programme.

“The one ring to rule them all”

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Extended Versions - £19.99

Many cynics believed that J.R.R Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels could never be transferred to the big screen, but Peter Jackson managed to do it, and very successfully too. The Lord of the Rings is often cited as the greatest movie trilogy of all time, as there are no weak links. Each movie is fantastic. The extended versions provide almost 2 hours of extra material, helping to bridge any gaps between the films and offering a greater insight to certain character’s relationships with each other. For big movie buffs and fans of the novels, the extended trilogy will definitely tie up any loose ends that were left by the original films.

“I’m federal agent Jack Bauer, and this is the longest day of my life” 

24: Seasons 1-8 - £59.99

When 24 burst onto the screen back in 2001, everybody was blown away. Nothing like it had gone before. The tension, the plot and the characters were unsurpassed and continued to take people’s breath away all the way through to 2010.
In 24, we see Emmy Award® winning actor Kiefer Sutherland portray counter-terrorism agent, Jack Bauer, a rogue whose unorthodox methods continually pit him against his superiors. Each 24 episode season represents a day in the life of Jack and each episode covers an hour in that day. 24 may have finished, but it still remains one of the most talked about TV dramas of all time.

“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!”

Back to the Future Trilogy: Steel Book - £11.99

Produced by Steven Spielberg, the Back to the Future trilogy is the ultimate family movie experience. The 3 films see Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Emmet Brown (Christopher Lloyd) team up for a hilarious time-travelling adventure in which they attempt to alter the events of both the past and the future. In the first film, Marty gets stuck in 1955 and puts his own future at risk by accidentally preventing his parents from meeting up for the first time. In Part 2, Marty, with the help of Doc Brown, travels 30 years into the future to prevent his children from going to jail, and in part 3, Marty must travel back to the Wild West to save Doc Brown’s life.

“You Talkin’ To Me?”

Robert De Niro Collection: 5 DVD Box Set - £9.99

The greatest actor of all time? Many people seem to think so. From portraying a lonely and mentally unstable war veteran in Taxi to Driver, to playing a hard-hitting gangster in Casino, there doesn’t seem to be a role that De Niro can’t play perfectly. He won an academy award for his role in Raging Bull in 1980 and has been nominated for countless more awards for other movies.
This incredible 5 disc box set contains some of De Niro’s most notable work: Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Casino, Cape Fear and Sleepers.

Browse our full range of DVD box sets

Introducing...The Playstation 4!

The wait is almost over....the Playstation 4 is nearly upon us! I can barely contain myself. It’s been over 6 years since the PS3 and the other 7th generation consoles were released and, quite frankly, it’s time for a change. Sony may not have given much away at the official launch ceremony and there are a lot of details still to be confirmed, but, we do know it’s going to be an incredible machine that’s likely to redefine the modern day games console.

If you’d like to be first in the queue for a new PS4, pre-order your PS4 today, simply enter your email address in the box provided. We will then email you as soon as we’re able to take pre-orders and orders.

A few highlights from the launch ceremony... 

Release Date

Will we have the PS4 in time for Christmas? This is the question on every Playstation fan’s lips. Well, apparently we will. Sony have pencilled in a release date of ‘Holiday 2013’ which usually means mid to late November, just in time for the Christmas rush. However, this date is not set in stone, so it could change. Hopefully, Sony will surprise us and release the PS4 even earlier!

The New Pad

Sony has worked miracles with the new Playstation pad; they’ve somehow managed to totally revamp it without losing any of the iconic look and feel. The new PS4 pad has a much ‘grippier’ underside than previous pads, making it feel more substantial and easier to hold. There’s also an innovative new touch pad located above the joysticks, giving you even more control over your games and the navigational menus. For social media integration, there’s a new ‘share’ button located on the top of the pad, which allows you to post short clips from your gameplay on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.

Games – A First Glance....

There were certainly a good variety of games on show at the PS4 launch ceremony, from cartoon style games such as Knack to big, brash shoot ‘em ups like Killzone Shadow Fall. Every game had something in common; they looked stunning.
I personally can’t wait to start playing Infamous: Second Sun. Here’s a short trailer...

Processor, Graphics and other Key Specs

To be honest, the PS4’s hardware details are a bit thin on the ground, so it’s difficult to go into too much detail here. What we do know is that the PS4 will use AMD technology. It will also incorporate 8GB of superfast memory, twice the size of the rumoured 4GB memory. If you have a quick glance at a few of the PS4 game trailers that have been released, you’ll soon realise how sharp the graphics are going to be. The PS4 seems to be fully equipped to run games at 1080p and 60 fps (frames per second) while being able to support 3D too. It all looks very promising.

An example of the graphics power of the PS4.

For more detailed games console information, check out our consoles and gaming buying guide

Shop our full range of games consoles and games today!

New Left-Handed Products!

In a world of impartialness, political correctness and equal opportunities, it’s important to ensure that every minority group is treated with respect. Left-handed people are no exception to this. Nobody knows why they exist or what purpose they serve, but they’re here and should have access to the same products and services as right-handed people! 

For years, left-handed people have battled with the ridiculous myths that surround their species. In Victorian times, left-handed children were forced to sit on their left hand and write with their right because, apparently, being left-handed was a sign of pure evil. Sure, Jack the Ripper and George Bush were left-handed, but we shouldn’t tar everybody with the same brush! Just think of all the left-handed celebrity heavyweights there are out there. Greg Rusedski, Ross Kemp and Paul Daniels are but a few of them.
To celebrate the wonderful world of left-handedness, we’ve released 3 brand new products, designed especially for left-handed people! Enjoy...

Left-Handed Curtains

 

A recent study, carried out by The Bruce Forsyth Institute of Science and Technology, discovered that left-handed people have more trouble opening and closing curtains than right-handed people. To be honest, this isn’t a particularly startling discovery. Many of us have returned home from work to find a left-handed friend or family member led weeping on the floor with the curtains on top of them because they’ve tried desperately to open the curtains and ended up pulling them off the rail instead. We shouldn’t be witnessing these scenes in modern society. Thankfully, our left-handed curtains use the latest ‘easy-pull’ technology, so even left-handed people can open and draw the curtains without embarrassing themselves.

Left-Handed Spa Days

Get that right hand off me

Our luxury left-handed spa days give you the chance to relax, take in the scenery and meet other left-handed people. Right-handed people are forbidden from entering the premises so you won’t have to worry about bumping into one of the smug idiots. Even the staff are left-handed! 

Throughout the day, you’ll be given the opportunity to chat with other sufferers and compare left hands. There will also be a professional councillor on site sharing expert knowledge on how to deal with being left-handed and what you can do to make your life easier. Just go up and talk to them.

At the end of the day, you’ll be handed a crossbow and given license to shoot flaming arrows at cardboard cut-outs of famous right-handed people. This is the perfect way to release any built-up frustration you might have and it’s one of the main reasons that left-handed people keep coming back to the spa. 
                                                                          

Left-Handed Shoes

Everybody knows that left-handed people have different shaped feet to right-handed people, so why have left-handed shoes never been invented? It’s a travesty. Thankfully, our scientists have created a new pair of stylish shoes, especially for left-handed people! 

Did you know that over 1 left-handed British person dies every year because of poorly fitted shoes? We hope this horrifying statistic will become a thing of the past with the introduction of our special new shoes. They mould perfectly to left-handed feet, enabling people to walk comfortably without the fear of tripping up and falling helplessly down a well or into the path of oncoming traffic.