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The life of a modern magician: Razor blades, ballet shoes and bumping into the ObamasWhat does it take to be a modern-day magician? Emma Hughes finds out. Main photograph by Richard Cannon.
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The best hot chocolates for ChristmasOur favourite hot chocolates: delicious, rich and perfect for sipping by the fire.
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Special delivery: The finest mail-order food companiesLobster through your letterbox? Cheese by courier? Emma Hughes goes behind the scenes with the firms keeping connoisseurs posted.
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How to make gingerbread vodkaNutmeg is the taste of Christmas, but it’s always had a wild side. Emma Hughes delves into its past and reveals her favourite recipe that infuses this festive spice into vodka.
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Meet Britain's best hotel animals: The quack pack, the doggy doorman and the moggy maître d'Emma Hughes gets to know the dogs, cats and ducks bringing animal magic to some of Britain’s best hotels.
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Country Life announces the Gentleman of the Year winnerThe results are finally in. We reveal Country Life's Gentleman of the Year-and the names of the others you gave the thumbs-up to
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Strand and deliver: Simpson's is backSaved from being swallowed up by a high-street chain, Simpson’s is back. Emma Hughes inspects the menu.
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Recipe: How to make perfect chocolate trufflesIf you're off to stay with friends for the weekend, these delicious truffles make a perfect present for your host or hostess.
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Five ultimate clotted cream recipesCooking with clotted cream turns any summer meal into a special occasion.
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Come on in, the water’s lovely: Why we all love a lidoBritain’s historic outdoor swimming pools, long neglected, are back in business.
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The bakers who saved the Cornish pastyProper Cornish pasties were in danger of dying out, but, thanks to a dedicated band of bakers, all that’s changed. Emma Hughes finds out how the West won.
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Nine stories behind the great British sweets of your childhoodPocket-money sweet treats have never looked more tempting, no matter how old you are.
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Richard E. Grant: 'Not a day goes by without somone quoting Withnail & I at me'Emma Hughes talks to the actor about Withnail & I, singing for his supper – and sniffing trees.
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The appeal of peel: How to make your own Seville orange marmaladeMarmalade should always have a special place in our hearts. And stomachs, of course.
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Meet the real Rudolph the red-nosed reindeerWith sleigh bells ringing in her ears, Emma Hughes heads north to Scotland, where she discovers that reindeer aren’t just for Christmas.
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Create your own bespoke ginA bespoke gin will take your G&Ts to a whole new level this summer. Emma Hughes spends an evening blending her own
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Britain’s favourite puddingsFrom Sticky toffee to Eton mess, Country Life tracks down the most glorious puddings that Britain gave the world
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Why we love buttonsWhat is it about buttons that makes us love them so?
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Top 5 National Trust properties for dogsYou and your four-legged friend are guaranteed a great day out at one of these dog-friendly National Trust properties.
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Britain takes the biscuitWe delve into Britain’s rich biscuit history to find out why we are so bonkers about these sweet treats.
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Five favourite crumble recipes for winterRead our top crumble recipes, from rhubarb and ginger to toffee apple crumble
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Men: How to choose your underwearBriefs or boxers? Choose your underwear carefully, chaps
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The best dog-friendly pubs in LondonWe list our favourite dog-friendly pubs in London.
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How to speak dogAre you barking up the right tree? You don’t have to be Dr Doolittle to talk to animals: dogs speak a special language that anyone can decode.
