Spotted!

Witch Blemish Stick £3.02
Blemishes can be just as annoying as spots; there caused by stress and too much excess oil on your skin. Get rid of them with this blemish stick from Witch. Made using natural Witch Haze it helps break down the excess oils and fights bacteria. Apply as soon as the blemishes start to appear for it to be effective.

Available from selected Boots, Tesco, Superdrug, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Waitrose and all good independent chemists.

Minx Nails

Here’s what you need to know about Minx, the latest nail trend that is proving to be a big hit with the likes of Victoria Beckham, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
Minx is a solid nail coating with an adhesive backing that is sealed once it’s activated by a special heat lamp. You can pick from different designs including silver, gold, and what I had the cheetah print.

Firstly my old nail polish was removed, then my nails were filed, buffed, and dried in preparation for the Minx coating to be applied. The Minx was heated briefly under the lamp then applied and smoothed out onto my nail. Once all my nails were done, they were filed using a glass nail file, which also helps to remove any excess.
To finish off my cuticles were moisturised with oil and that was it, my nails had been given the Minx treatment.
Taking off the Minx’s is just as easy, all you have to do is soak your nails in water and peel it off from the corner. So you can say goodbye to waving your hands in the air waiting for your nails to dry, only to then spend ages taking it off (red is especially annoying as it stains) and no doubt spilling nail polish remover everywhere. It was such a relief not to have to deal with the hassle of not being able to do anything for ages for fear of getting a smudge or chip, before I’ve even had a chance to leave the house.
The only down side is that it doesn’t last long on your hands, apparently only about a week tops, but it can last for up to 3 weeks on your feet.
So if you’re planning to attend a lot of Christmas and New Year parties, I suggest you book an appointment and treat yourself.

I had my nails done by Vanessa Williams at the Nails inc. salon in the Debenhams department store on Oxford Street.

Vanessa’s Top Tips

Always use a glass nail file.
Dry your nails thoroughly using a hand dryer, this helps keep it sealed.
Try not to apply too much cream to your hands or feet before you get it done, as your nails need to be dry for the Minx to be applied.
It works just as well on natural or acrylic nails.

Minx is available in 28 nails inc. salons nationwide.
£30.00 – hands
£35.00 – feet

T-Shirt for Charity

This t-shirts is made with organic and fairly traded cotton and printed with organic certified inks. All money raised by EJF from the sale of the t-shirts goes to support the charity’s valuable work.
Click here to buy T-Shirts from £30

And the winner is...

Joe McElderry may have won the final of the X Factor, but the real buzz has been about who wore it best Danii Minogue or Cheryl Cole. It’s no secret that the two have been completive in trying to out do each other. Cheryl it seems needs the help of two stylists, Victoria Adcock & Frank Strachan at an estimated cost of £45,000 a year (I'm available at half the cost btw), while Dannii is her own stylist. “I know Cheryl has two stylists and I have none. I put a lot of work into it. I style myself. I choose all my outfits.”

With Cheryl’s act in the final Dannii really turned on the glam, as she looked amazing on Saturday in her Osman one shoulder Grecian dress, while Cheryl’s outfit on Sunday didn’t prove too popular. And it didn't help that she could hardly walk in it too, some even said she looked like a toilet dolly. Ouch!
Although I will give Cheryl credit for her Zuhair Murad mermaid gown on Saturday’s show, it’s Danni who I think is the overall winner and it seems the fashion critics loved her too.
Even singer Rihanna described her J’Aton Couture pink structured dress which she wore in week 8 as “fierce”.

Through out the series Danni has been consistently dazzling in her outfits (with the exception of week 6 when she wore a very unflattering Lisa Ho kaftan dress). With Cheryl sometimes her need to stand out with her edgy style, sometimes just went a little too far in the wrong direction.

But I’m sure that being the winning judge for the second year running, will no doubt mean that we can expect a more stronger and confident Cheryl Cole.

www.osmanyousefzada.com

CHECKYOUdaily

CHECKYOUdaily is a fashion site with a difference, because it’s more like a community where you can share details about your outfit, by tagging what you’re wearing. Astride Howell, the founder explains how a love of sharing fashion tips and outfit ideas, lead to the creation of CHECKYOUdaily.

Why did you decide to start CHECKYOUdaily?
The site was created after two ‘light bulb moments’, the first came after a friend moved to London. I’d email her quick images of what of I was wearing, after a month I’d sent several hundred.
When I was compiling my images, I found it difficult to locate them based on the date or by what I was actually wearing.
The second moment came after I stared to work with several brands, fashion companies and new media sites. I realised there was a gap in the market for an online luxury oriented social networking site. Putting those two realisations together set the chain in motion to create CHECKYOUdaily.

Where did the name come from?
The name came from a catch phrase in the London fashion crowd “check you out”, shortened itself to “check you”. Since the site gives you the ability to archive looks on a daily basis, the “daily” was added.

How would you describe the site?
The site can be easily described as a private luxury style network, where people can archive their looks and share them with the CHECKYOUdaily online community. Our users keep up to date with the latest trends and are very fashion forward. There style savvy fashionista’s who make an art out of putting an outfit together.

What features are on there?
The key feature of the site is the rollover technology which allows you to view designer names that have been tagged. The style tags are also indexed as searchable words, which can be found on the system. For example by clicking on the Hermes Twily tag you will be able to view other users on the system that are also wearing that item.
In addition to its archive, the site also features an editorial section which is viewable by non-members and has 4 sections that have exclusive content (interviews with stylists, men’s style musings, etc.) to help inspire the users on the network.

Why did you decide to make it a private network site?
The element of exclusivity is key to the user’s experience on the site. This helps to attract a type of user who will in turn provide a wide range of looks in their uploads. By editing our members we can construct a community of like minded individuals, all of whom have the potential to contribute creatively to the network.
When new members submit their candidacy online they also fill out details that delves into their inspirations and likes.

You recently did an event at Liberty, tell me about it?
The three days of ‘dress-up and shoot’ event was fun and a great chance to allow members and new users to have an offline experience with the site. It also provided them with an opportunity to learn more about the latest clothing and accessories available.
We set up a Live Studio with HP Vivienne Tam computers in the International Room. HP Vivienne Tam is a special edition computer; HP (Hewlett-Packard) did in collaboration with the designer Vivienne Tam to create a "digital clutch". As well as acting as one of our sponsors they were instrumental in bridging the gap between the style and technology theme of our site.
The attendees were styled by the Liberty Style Service and our in-house style team, photographed and their looks uploaded live onto the site. It was a great opportunity to see their personal interpretations of trends styled in real time.
Selected looks from the Live Studio were posted on the Liberty Blog and on the CHECKYOUdaily micro site.

Do you have any more events planned?
Yes, we plan on taking these offline events to up-and-coming style cities. First up we’ll be Shanghai and Hong Kong and then we’ll move onto Sao Paulo. We’ll be working with top luxury retail partners and brands to give new users and members a unique experience that parallels their online membership.

Any plans to focus on make-up?
Funny you should ask we plan to launch “CHECKYOUdaily beauty” next year since there are so many people who want to share their style and beauty cues with one another.
We believe that CHECKYOUdaily technology would provide a great space for this online.

Does the site have a face book or twitter account?
CHECKYOUdaily does not have a Face book account because we are our own private network, but we do have a twitter account that serves as a news feed. It’s also a direct way to communicate with non-members and provides an alternative means for our members to drop us a line.

What does the future hold for CHECKYOUdaily?
We hope to continue to provide a premium online destination for luxury brands and products.
I will then look at expanding our limited membership and introduce new interactive features that still allow our members to enjoy a streamlined and unique online experience and of course, more outfit look ideas.

www.checkyoudaily.com

Powder Room Secrets

Ladies let’s be honest, there’s nothing fabulous or fun about that time of the month. Spots, feeling bloated & irritable, PMS & PMT, cramps, not to mention the need to eat like the world's coming to an end (and why is it usually the bad stuff like chocolate, I know I’m not alone on this one), so I’ve actually found something nice that will add a touch of prettiness to your monthly period.
Let me introduce you to Moxie the girly feminine hygiene products from Australia. There’s a wide range to choose from including the essentials; tampons are available in regular and super and come with a smooth coating for extra comfort, towels come in daytime, sleepovers and overnight and not forgetting panty liners for those days in between.
The pretty part is that it all comes packaged in a cute 1930s style candy-striped boudoir box, that’s colour-coded depending on the absorption needed. So next time you need to send your boyfriend/husband/brother out for your supplies, he’ll know exactly what he needs to buy.

Available from Waitrose, Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide.
http://www.moxieproducts.co.uk/

Daisy Lowe models for Mango

Here’s a sneak peak at Daisy Lowe modeling the new Spring Summer campaign for Mango.

Having previously modeled on the catwalks for Burberry, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel, she’s now established herself as a recognised model.

Here are five fun facts on Daisy:
She studied at South Hampstead High School.
She still needs to talk to her mum, the fashion designer Pearl Lowe every day.
In 2008, Daisy made a recording in a New York studio with producer Mark Ronson who she also dated.
Posed nude along with her then boyfriend Will Blondelle, for the cover of the August 2007 edition of i-D magazine
Daisy Lowe had her first taste of modeling when she was only 2 years old

Rachel Stevens Shows her Support to the Teenage Cancer Trust

Rachel Stevens has launched a fabulous necklace and it’s all in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The necklace features a long chain and is decorated with an oversize jewelled flower.
Speaking about her support of the charity, Rachel Stevens said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is a fantastic charity which makes such a difference to the lives of young people with cancer across the whole of the country. I was really happy to help launch the one-off necklace that Dune has designed in aid of the charity. I love fashion and accessories and this necklace is perfect for winter outfits, so get your hands on one now so you don’t miss out and at the same time do something positive for teenagers with cancer.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer. They provide specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals, which are designed to give teenagers the very best chance of a positive outcome. As well as state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units provide an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.

The necklace is available from Dune at The Bentall Centre as well as the Bentalls Department store concession. At £45, all profits will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.
www.thebentallcentre-shopping.com

For more information on Teenage Cancer Trust visit registered charity, no. 1062559 www.teenagecancertrust.org

Christmas Gift Guide

Yankee candles x 3 Christmas Cupcake, Red Berry & Cedar, Mulled Wine

Lighting Christmas candles is a great way to get your home ready for the festive season. Yankee have come up trumps and produced some really tasty candles that will have your home smelling so good, no one will want to leave.
My favourites are the Christmas Cupcake which smells as good as it sounds, very sweet and yummy plus its calorie free, if you’re driving and can’t drink then light up the Mulled Wine candle because it smells just like the real thing, Red Berry & Cedar smells very spicy with a bit of currants mixed in to give it its fruity flavour.

Each fragrance is available from www.yankeecandle.co.uk
Large Housewarmer Jar £17.99, Medium Housewarmer Jar £14.99 Small Housewarmer Jar £7.49, Tea Lights £5.99 box of 12, Tarts Wax £1.05 each

Christmas Gift Guide

Powder Room Pampering Set £9.99 Beautilicious, Baylis Harding

This Powder Room Pampering set is the ultimate when it comes to indulging yourself. Packed full of Yummy scents including: a bottle of sugar coated Candy Apple body wash, a bottle of Sugar Coated Candy Apple Bath Bubbles, a jar of Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub, a cute little pink rubber duck and a printed door hanger kindly telling people to either, not disturb you or warning people that your a seriously gorgeous girl and it all comes packed in a beautiful keepsake box.

Available from Debenhams and Tesco, or direct from www.baylisandharding.com

Christmas Gift Idea

Lip-Gloss Fairy Cakes, £12.95, The Original Gift Company


With the exception of Valentine’s Day, Christmas can be a busy time for your lips. No doubt a lot of stolen moments will be happening under the mistletoe, so make sure your ready with one of these six cute mini Lip-Gloss Fairy Cakes from The Original Gift Company.

www.theoriginalgift.co.uk

New Look's Idol Range

Ever since Beyonce famously wore their tee during a recent trip to London, Idol has gone on to become one of the hotest names the celebrities want to wear.

So here’s the skinny on the label that’s been given the Beyonce seal of approval.

Idol, launched in September this year, was set up by Donovan Pascal and Mark Herman, who first met back in the late 80s, when they attended the London College of Fashion. After leaving college they went on to set up their first label Revolution with Love.
After going there separate ways, Mark into promotional and marketing and Donovan a freelance stylist, the pair were reunited when they worked at the fashion label Religion.
However the dream of creating their own rock ‘n’ roll fashion label was something they both decided they wanted to do, so they left Religion and collaborated with New Look to create Idol.

The collection, hand-crafted to give it a customised feel, is inspired by ‘80s rock icons such as Debbie Harry, with a vintage rock vibe. Key pieces include: sequin boyfriend blazers, funky jumpsuits, denim, printed tees and dresses. Also featured is Idol footwear which includes, gladiator style stilettos, spike heel peep toe chain ankle boots, accessories continue with chunky necklaces, statement cuffs and bags, in total there are 32 garments and 36 accessories to choose from.
The Idol range proves that having great style does not always; have to come with a hefty price tag.
www.newlook.co.uk, www.idol-london.com

John Rocha Designs Charity T-Shirt

Fashion designer John Rocha along with Giles Deacon, Allegra Hicks, and Zandra Rhodes have all designed t-shirts in aid of the Environmental Justice Foundation’s (EJF) Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign. Each t-shirt contributes towards helping to raise awareness of the use of forced child labour and the ecological devastation associated with producing the cotton itself.
EJF works to achieve environmental security and resolve the profound human rights abuses associated with cotton production globally, with particular attention being given to the plight of the people of the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan.
John Rocha says, ‘I am delighted to support the incredible work of the Environmental Justice Foundation Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign. EJF has identified the environmental abuses associated with growing and harvesting cotton crops, it is time to enforce some protection over the children and farm workers exploited. I hope the t-shirt will heighten awareness and raise valuable funds for the project.’
The t-shirts are produced on organic and fairly traded cotton and printed with organic certified inks. All money raised by EJF from the sale of the t-shirts goes to support the charity’s valuable work.

EJF organic cotton t-shirts available in ladies fitted and men’s classic styles from £30 http://www.ejfoundation.org/shop (worldwide delivery)

Fro-bulous

Getting your hair done should be a time for relaxation, a chance to get pampered and come out looking as fabulous as you’ll ever be.
But unfortunately that’s often not the case. Many of you may know or have even experienced instances when you arrive for your booked appointment, only to find that you’re still last in the queue. And most of you will no doubt be familiar with, having to wait while your hair dresser simultaneous treats you and the rest of the salon.

Thankfully help is at hand to banish all your hair dressing nightmares, curtsey of Errol Douglas’s Red Carpet Ready Service, where you will be personally treated by specially trained experts.
The Service offers bespoke hair treatments, make-up including eye lash extensions and a nail service, all in the privacy and comfort of The Hair Botanical Lounge.
The hair treatments offered are: Fro-bulous, a specific treatment designed for afro and mixed-race hair that includes, protein ceramide and citrus botanicals to strengthen and protect hair from damage, Red Carpet Ready acts like a clear nail varnish to awaken your hair’s colour and shine, Seasonal Disorder for hair damaged by the sun, swimming and overuse of heated appliances, Blissed-out Bride, Tea-Total the essential detox, Yummy Mummy and there’s even a treatment for men too, called the M.O.T (Male Occational Treatment).
Each treatment lasts for 60 minutes and is accompanied with a Booster drink. The treatment I received was the Fro-bulous done by Creative Director Miguel Martin Perez.

Firstly there’s a consultation to decide what treatment your hair needs. My hair was shampooed; using a very comfortable fully reclined bed and backwash, the Matrix Biolage Intensive Strength Fortetherapie treatment was then applied and massaged into my hair. My head was wrapped in a hot towel, and I was left alone with some tranquil music, to be at peace with myself.
After 15 minutes my hair was rinsed out conditioned and blow dried. To complete my treatment I was given my Booster drink of Pineapple Passion, which I really did enjoy.
It truly was a very relaxing experience and one I suggest you should have, because as the saying goes, “…you’re worth it.”

Miguel’s Top Tips

1.Before shampooing your hair, apply conditioner to the ends. This helps to protect against the shampoo, which strips the hair of its essential oils. Do this each time you shampoo and you’ll notice a difference in the condition of your hair.

2.Have a treatment at least once a month, especially if you frequently use heating irons.

3.Try not to rinse out all the conditioner from your hair after shampooing.

4.Use a mixture of Kera Care Leave in Conditioner with the Silken Seal.

5.Always apply a heat protector when using heating irons.

Products Used:

Matrix Biolage Hydrating shampoo

Cera-repair – intensive moisture (hydratherapie)

Avlon Kera Care (leave-in conditioner) and Silken Seal (oil sheen humidity block).


Red Carpet Ready at Errol Douglas – Price list:

Hair treatment (includes blow dry and smoothie) £75 – 60 minutes
MOT (Male Occational Treatment) £60

www.erroldouglas.com, 18 Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8LB, 020 7235 0110

Star Style - Fearne Cotton

Radio 1 DJ come TV presenter Fearne Cotton is really starting to make a name for herself amongst the fashion elite, with her own unique style. Her look is a mixture of high street combined with some vintage rock n roll inspired pieces.
So if you love Fearne’s look, you can get your mitts on her woven studded Atena Clutch at Angel Jackson, after all no rock chic outfit would be complete without a few studs.

£203, www.angeljackson.co.uk

Star Style - Aleandra Burke

On a recent trip to America Alexandra Burke was spotted wearing an iconic lips print Rolling Stones tee from the design duo Elegantly Waisted. Alex’s tee has been customised with an appliqué rose, using real vintage buttons. Elegantly Waisted are well known for customising classic rock tee designs, by adding tassels, fringing, buttons and appliqués, making each tee featured in their collection a one-off.

£45, www.truffleshuffle.com

Star Style - Beyonce

Beyonce can have her pick of designers, which I’m sure she no doubt has on speed dial, so you can imagine my surprise when she was photographed, during a recent trip to London, wearing a New Look tee.
It’s no secret that she’s one of the most successful and richest singers on the planet; topping the list as the richest star under 30 by earning an estimated 55 million.
But it seems that just like the rest of us, she can’t resist a bargain too.

£20, www.newlook.co.uk

River Island presents…T’s For The Trust.

Pixie Lott, Alesha Dixon and Kelly Rowland, all of whom are Prince’s Trust Ambassadors, are supporting their new tee campaign called, T’s for The Trust.
Alesha feels that, “It’s fantastic when fashion merges with charity, it’s a winning formula. People love shopping and if they know the money is going to a good cause, to help somebody else, they don’t need to feel guilty about it. It’s the perfect scenario! I’m honored to be involved.”
Designed by River Island’s top young designers each tee has been made to reflect the star’s own personal style. Pixie Lott’s T-dress is available in two designs, classic black and zebra print, both come complete with fringe detailing, to reflect her signature punk rock style. She describes her design as being “…cheeky, fun and cool.”
Alesha Dixon’s T-dress is all about being the ultimate disco-diva. It features purple sequins, a belted waist and feminine flower embellishments; perfect for the Christmas party period.
“My T-shirt dress is fabulous - it’s really me - and I can’t wait to wear it on stage or for a night out partying.”
Kelly Rowland explains her style as being “classic meets contemporary with an edge of sexiness”. Her T-dress is a glamorous asymmetric structured design, with stunning crystal detailing. She says, “I have always loved things that sparkle – you’ll see that my River Island T has gorgeous crystals all over it.”
The collection includes three T-dresses for women and four men’s t-shirts and is available to buy at River Island stores and online at www.riverisland.com. All the profits will be going to The Prince’s Trust, to help change the lives of young people.

Alesha Dixon T- £59.99

Pixie Lott T – Zebra / Black - £34.99
Kelly Rowland T – £99.99

Nail it with ASOS

Asos, who are the leaders when it comes to online celebrity shopping, have now added a new nail polish range to their beauty department.
Victoria Beckham, Pixie, Gwen and Katy are just a few of the celebrity names given to the nail polishes created by Ciate. If you like your nails dark go for Alexa’s deep navy or Daisy’s charcoal black. If bights your thing, then go for Paris’s hot fuchsia pink or Cheryl’s coral shade.
So why not treat yourself and give your nails the celebrity treatment they deserve.

£6, www.asos.com

The Variety Club's 57th Annual Showbiz Awards 2009

The cold temperate didn’t stop Alesha Dixon, Pixie Lott, Kelly Brook and The Saturdays from wearing their most glamorous and revealing outfits, when they attended the Variety Club’s Annual Showbiz Awards, now celebrating its Diamond Jubilee year.
Pixie looked very elegant in her Temperley LBD, while Kelly Brook opted for a more bold cobalt blue asymmetric dress. And with Girl’s Aloud off doing individual projects and the Sugababes busy deciding who’s actually in the band, it was the Saturdays that everyone was buzzing about. In particular Frankie Sandford, who decided to flash some flesh in a rather daring Swarovski covered dress complete with cut out detail. She even joked about it later on Twitter, “Met some awesome people tonight! night night.....I am now fully clothed as opposed to before! ha.”And poor Rochelle avoided a possible wardrobe malfunction by taping herself to her Jasper Conran dress; although she did admit that if it was up to her, she would be quite happy to be wearing her thermals, well it was a cold night.

The event was hosted by Jon Culshaw, with a performance given by Pixie Lott who sang her new single Cry Me Out. A song she describes as having a positive message about staying strong and moving on.
The Variety Club in partnership with The Co-operative, also announced that Alesha Dixon would be the new face of the 2010 Gold Heart campaign.
The awards honoured the most talented individuals from the world of entertainment.

Some results on the night included;
Justin Lee Collins, Television Presenter of the Year,
Faryl Smith, The Classical award,
Pixie Lott, The Caron Keating Breakthrough Talent Award
Spandau Ballet, Outstanding Contribution to Popular Music
Simon Cowell, The Daily Mail Best British TV Judge
Sir Ian Mckellen, The Bernard Delfont Award for outstanding contribution to show business.

Star Style - Emma Watson

Harry Potter star Emma Watson showed her love for the USA, when she was snapped wearing her I love New York tee at Heathrow airport.

Log onto to www.truffleshuffle.com and get yours for £24.99.

Happy 40th Birthday to our favourite characters on Sesame Street.

Famous Forever tee (24.99) available from www.truffleshuffle.com

November 10th marked the 40th anniversary of America’s longest running children’s TV show, Sesame Street. Alicia Keys, Oprah, Serena Williams are just a few of the famous names that have made an appearance on the show. Even the first ladies of America including Barbara Bush, Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton have featured in episodes. Most recently Michelle Obama made a special appearance to help mark its 40th Birthday.

Memorable moments include;
1. Cookie Monster going on a diet to promote a Healthy Habits for life initiative.
2. In 2002 Whoopi Goldberg appeared in the South African edition Takalani Sesame, alongside the first HIV-positive Muppet Kami. Her name comes from the word Kamogelo, which means acceptance in several African languages.
3. Sesame Street also addressed the 9/11 tragedy by having the New York fire fighters appear on the show, during a fire that started at Hooper’s store. During the episode they were shown helping children to develop coping strategies when dealing with loss and fear.
4. They also addressed the subject of bereavement, when the actor who played Mr Hooper died unexpectedly.
5. They even released an album Sesame Street Fever in 1978 that parodied the hit film Saturday Night Fever.
6. In 1985, Sesame Street tackled the issue of adoption when they introduced the character of Miles, son of Gordon and Susan.

Here’s what your favourite character says about you.

Big Bird is a control freak in rose tinted glasses. But because he sugar coats it you will never know his true intentions.

Bert & Ernie are in reality stuck in a co-dependent relationship. Bert has a depressive personality; he's a classic glass-is-half-empty person.
Ernie is indecisive and has a tendency to live vicariously through others. Although he can be creative, he lacks the ability to put things into action.

Cookie Monster is all about me me me. His insatiable appetite for more cookies could just mean that his hungry for more experience, hungry for attention or just plain greedy.

Count Von Count displays OCD tendencies with his need to recount things; this is often brought about through stress and anxiety.

Elmo is actually a well-balanced character, even though he likes to refer to himself in the third person. His emotionally secure and loves to surround himself with his many friends.

Grover can be quite emotional but also very compassionate; who sometimes has trouble understanding the world around him. He is a determined character with the ability to pick himself up, every time as Super Grover, when he falls from the sky.

Telly Monster is focused but he can lack emotional direction and can be seen as being unfeeling.

Snuffleupagus is Big Birds best friend. He often gives up easily and needs to be encouraged to take on difficult tasks.

Oscar is even more of a depressive than Bert. He is a permanent grouch, the ultimate pessimist who hates anything nice or sweet. He’s only happy when he’s miserable and yelling at people.

Sindy in the Sixties

Helen Carter has turned her love of collecting Sindy dolls into an exhibition, which is being displayed at the Museum of Childhood. Sindy was launched by Pedigree in 1963 along with her friends ‘The Sindy Set’ that also included her boyfriend Paul, named after the famous Beatle.
Here she talks about setting up her exhibition and why Sindy isn’t the girl she used to be.


What made you start collecting Sindy dolls, don’t you like Barbie, or Tressy?
I think that somewhere in my subconscious there is something about Sindy that fired a spark that Tressy or Barbie failed to do. I had Barbie as a child, only one, and one Tressy, but Sindy was my first doll in 1964. I love Barbie as a fashion model; she has the right proportions and looks great in clothes (her proportions height-wise are similar to how fashion drawings are constructed, not human at all, but fabulous as a visual). Barbie’s early fashions are wonderful as a look at American fashion culture at that time – they looked very much towards Paris couture, but Sindy had her own very British look, especially as the 1960’s progressed (a London look which was copied by Mattel for “MOD” Barbie) and for that reason I prefer to collect Sindy dolls.

Why did you decide to do the exhibition and how did it come about?
I began researching as an academic in the archives at the V&A Museum of Childhood, the curators are very supportive and there are some interesting things in the British Toy Making Archive. My academic research is tied up with Sindy and teenage fashion dolls in general.
In my exhibition I wanted to show how underestimated her influence as a fashion trend maker was.
I have always wanted to do something more with my dolls than just collect them, and when it was suggested to me that I could put on a display, this was my opportunity to demonstrate my theory.

How did you come up with the concept of doing the 60s theme, and why did you chose that decade?
I chose the 1960’s because that was when Sindy was released (1963) and the decade that spawned the teenager as we know it, alongside a lot of the popular culture that shaped the end of the 20th century and beyond.

Who helped you design and put together the exhibition?
I designed it, came up with the concept, did all the research and the graphics, got all the dolls together – basically it is a one woman show! Esther Lutman, the curator that I was working with, suggested something visual from the 60s decade using the dolls, and I took it from there. I had help from a friend to actually set it up, the graphics are printed on huge sheets of card and had to be handled carefully.

How long did it take to put together?
The whole process took months of work, the picture research was very time consuming and I had to get copyright permission for all the images that didn’t belong to the V&A. I travelled around researching and collecting things that I did not have in my collection, from other people. I researched using 1960’s catalogues like Freemans and Grattan and because they proved to be such a fantastic resource, I included some of their images in my display.

Are the Sindy’s from your own personal collection?
Most of them, I had to borrow 3 Sindy dolls, 4 Paul dolls, and some of the accessories

Do you have a favourite?
My favourite dolls are definitely the early ones, the Made in England with the Weekenders outfit, and I also love the 1968 Side parts.

Have you designed any outfits for Sindy?
Only OOAK (one of a kind) commissions for people. I have had ideas but time is limited, I work full time in my teaching job as a Programme Leader of the Fashion Design programmes at the University of East London. I would love to create iconic vintage pieces on OOAK Sindy dolls, maybe one day!

How has she changed today?
Today she doesn’t exist as far as I’m concerned, in fact I don’t think that Pedigree are making Sindy at all. She was changed so much in the late 1980’s that to most collectors she became a different doll, they might as well have renamed her. They gave her the smaller head and California smile of Barbie, instead of sticking to their USP (unique selling point) which was her side glancing eyes, more human proportions and very British style. They could have taken so much from our changing culture at that time, the way that fashion, music and street style was being fused and influenced by all the multi-cultural influences around us.

Vintage Sindy or New Sindy?
Vintage hands down!

http://www.museumofchildhood.org.uk/

http://www.sindy-repro.com/

Jimmy Choo Coming To A High Street Near You

Fashionista’s everywhere can now rejoice as Jimmy Choo will be bringing their designer collection to H&M on Saturday November 14th. Normally you can expect to pay anything from £395 to £800, so to get them for £79.99 has got to be every woman’s dream come true.
Famously known for designing shoes, they will also be adding accessories and clothing to compliment the collection. Accessories include evening clutches and larger day bags, wide and long studded belts, long choker necklaces, bracelets, cuffs and earrings.
Expect to see lots of 80s-inspired clothes that include one-shoulder dresses, jumpsuits, leather leggings, sequined cardigans and embroidered tops. The shoes come in animal prints with lots of crystal embellishments and stud detailing.
Make sure you get there early, because I don’t expect the collection to be around for long. Enjoy!
(0207323 2211)

Star Style - Beyonce

She's the global superstar married to hip hop legend Jay Z. Made millions from her career as an actress, solo artist and as part of Destiny’s Child; but it looks to me like she's still a Top Shop(£200) girl at heart.

How to fit back into your clothes

With the festive season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about getting back into shape. But it can be hard work, trying to make sure you can fit into your favourite party outfit. You only have to look at Kerry Katona and Natalie Cassidy’s constant weight battles, to know that. And as much as I love the idea of having Mel B’s figure, I’m not so sure about the hard work that goes into getting it. Don’t get me wrong I know how to do it in theory eat the right foods, drink lots of water and exercise as much as you can, but the reality is I’m easily tempted by my favourite naughty foods. Having tried and got bored of my diet and exercise routine, I was open to a new way of shifting that extra weight on my problem areas. So when I herd about the new Laser Lipo treatment, a non evasive form of liposuction, I was more than willing to be a guinea pig.

Laser Lipo works by targeting one problem area per session, using laser paddles which penetrate the skin, just deep enough to reach the stubborn layers of fat. The broken down fat is then passed through your lymphatic system to your liver and passed out of the body when you go to the loo. Nodes are also placed on the lymph notes within the groin, to help stimulate the lymphatic system, allowing the removal of the broken down fatty acids. The treatment lasts for 40 minutes in total, with the paddles being placed on different parts of the area being treated, for ten minutes at a time. Now having any form of surgery is risky and can cause damaging side affects, but because Laser Lipo doesn’t affect any other areas such as blood vessels or nerves, there are none.

Firstly I had a consultation to discuss the treatment and what problem areas I’d like to be treated. I filled in a health questionnaire which is important as taking certain medications, or having any medical conditions may affect the result of the procedure. Once that’s all done a photo of the area is taken, I was measured, weighed and then I was ready for my treatment. How many sessions you need can depend on the individual, but you have to be realistic, you can’t go in looking like Dawn French and expect to come out with the figure of Victoria Beckham. After the treatment, you’re measured again and you can actually expect to lose inches straight away, I lost 8cm after two sessions, and then I spent 5 minutes on the power plates machine, which vibrates your whole body for 5 minutes. This helps to increase the circulation, helping the body to remove toxins. In terms of the pain factor, there isn’t one really; it just feels like there’s a hot water bottle on the treated area and it did sting a bit after, but this can depend on the individual.

To really get the benefits of the treatment you still have to follow a healthy eating plan, exercise and drink oodles of water. And just in case you’re thinking, no having the treatment is not an excuse to just go and have a pig out.
Overall I’m happy with results, the staff was helpful and friendly and I’d be quite happy to have the treatment again.

Tips & Advice

If you’re Afro Caribbean there is a chance of skin pigmentation, discolouring, where the beams have penetrated the skin. You can have a ten minute test, to see how much discolouring you will get and to see if you’re happy to proceed with the treatment. Any marks that appear are only temporary and can be treated by using vitamin E products; I’d recommend any of the Palmers Coco Butter range. (http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/) They offer a variety of products that help with any marks or scars. I particular liked the Scar Serum (£9.25) because it contained Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Shark Liver Oil & Silicone and Allium Cepa, all key ingredients needed for reducing the appearance of scars.

Clinic DetailsThe New York Laser Clinic - : http://thenewyorklaserclinic.co.uk/

Pricing: £187.50 per hour treatment

£375 per package of three treatments

£750 per package of eight treatments

Black Beauty

Singer songwriter Beverley Knight MBE (she was awarded in 2007) has achieved a lot in a career that spans over a decade. She has won three Mobo’s and was nominated for a Mercury and a Brit. Now she is set to conquer the beauty industry as she launches her own range K by Beverley Knight.
Frustrated at not being able to find suitable products to match her skin tone, Beverley decided to fill this missing gap in the market, with her own make - up range.

“Time and time again I would find myself looking for make-up that would work for my skin – everything from bases to eye shadows and lipsticks. The choice was very limited and like the vast majority of black and dark-skinned women, I found there wasn’t anything that provided the full spectrum of colours I needed. I was so excited to be offered the chance to work on my own range of products, introducing a home-grown brand which caters to all tones of black and Asian skin.” Beverley Knight

Popular high street make up brands can be very limited when it comes to offering products in different skin shades, which is no help if you have darker skin. K by Beverley Knight aims to cover all areas of make - up and includes 15 products and 78 shades ranging from oil-free foundations through to eyeliners and highlighters.


The range will be available in leading retailers and online from www.kbybeverleyknightcosmetics.com