Summer is finally here and we can wear our summer wardrobe at last. The big sunglasses trend is a must this season. The gold trim at the top of the frame is a big favourite this season with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Coleen Rooney, Lauren Conrad and Millie Mackintosh all sporting the look. What do you think?
Get the look with these GUESS Sunglasses which are exclusively available from House Of Fraser for just £85.00. Available in brown and black.
The Fat Information Service reveals the facts behind the headlines…
Fatty acids continue to be the subject of ongoing academic research and media attention. In this bulletin, brought to you by the experts behind The Fat Information Service (FIS), we discuss some recent findings regarding different types of fat and risk of heart disease.
Get to know your fats
Dietary fats are classified by their chemical composition, and can be either saturated (found in animal products such as meat, cheese and butter) or unsaturated (found in oils, seeds and spreads).
When choosing fats, we’re advised to choose unsaturated fats over saturated fats, as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle1.
Sorting fact from fiction
Recent coverage of the role of fats in the diet has made for confusing and alarming reading as well as being based on unreliable evidence. So what should we believe?
In response to a new review paper just published in Nutrition Bulletin2, Dr Carrie Ruxton from The Fat Information Service notes: “This latest release successfully challenges the recent media frenzy which followed publication of a BMJ paper on heart disease risk and polyunsaturated fats, such as those found in margarine and spreads.
The evidence shows clearly that the risk of developing heart disease is reduced when saturated fats are replaced with unsaturated fats3. By highlighting this robust evidence base and outlining the inaccuracies surrounding interpretation of the BMJ study4consumers are urged not to shun the government’s dietary guidelines on the basis of spurious media reports.
The Nutrition Bulletin study confirms that advice for the general population should still be to choose foods with a lower saturated fat content and to opt for fats that are primarily unsaturated, supplying a range of omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fats.
Fat Information Service tips
As with all aspects of a healthy diet, balance is key and dietary fats are no exception.
While polyunsaturated fats offer numerous health benefits, getting too much of any type of fat can be damaging to your health. Present guidelines suggest that no more than 35% of your overall daily energy intake should come from fat (with no more than 11% from saturated fat)5,6.
So while it’s not desirable to increase the total fat content of the diet, replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats will help you achieve a better balance for your heart and overall wellbeing (as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle).
These tips will help show you how:
ü Switch to lower-fat dairy products e.g. low fat yogurts, and skimmed or semi-skimmed milks to reduce your intake of saturated fats. Eat less cheese.
ü Swap butter for small amounts of spread or margarine as this can help reduce your saturated fat intake. Spreads are also fortified with other vitamins and can help supplement your diet with key nutrients. Additionally, spreads made from seed oils contain essential fats, omega 3 & 6; these are fats that your body cannot make and must be taken in via your diet
ü Choose lean cuts of meat, poultry or oily fish rather than fatty or processed meat products. Make sure you trim any excess fat and remove the skin from chicken or turkey before cooking.
ü When you do roast or fry food, try using a lower saturated fat spread or oil product
Liz Earle MBE writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur who co-founded the Liz Earle Beauty Co. has launched her ‘second chance’ charity LiveTwice.
The charity works with disadvantaged people of all ages to offer opportunities for skills training and personal support. As well as funding skills training, LiveTwice also fund community centres in areas of social need, as well as a respite home-from-home for children with disabilities in a rural Dorset community.
The charity gives a hand-up not a hand out
LiveTwice helps empower those in need to make the most of their lives, helping to break the cycle of poverty, abuse and unemployment that destroys the individual and leads to the breakdown of families and society.
LiveTwice is all about offering opportunity in a practical way.
LiveTwice also offer a match-making service which give donors the freedom to donate to a specific project or place that interests them, in a very easy, safe and rewarding way. A new way to encourage global philanthropy.
Liz Earle MBE said: ‘LiveTwice already does a lot and there is a lot to do! Over the years, my research and filming travels have taken me to people and places far and wide who are in desperate need of a helping hand. LiveTwice provides just that-with a hand-up, not just a hand out.’
Liz’s daughter, Amaryllis Earle is a Founding Trustee of LiveTwice with a focus on working with children and young people.
For more information on LiveTwice, please visit: www.livetwice.org or follow twitter.com/LiveTwiceOrg
More than 20 million women in the UK are reluctant to believe the existing link between poor oral health and pregnancy complications.
In a new survey, two in every three (67 per cent) of women said they did not think the two problems were related while only one in four (25 per cent) said they would take steps to improve their oral health despite knowing it could cause complications during pregnancy.
In the last 12 months the Foundation has reported on a number of scientific studies showing possible links between the two health problems. Research has revealed a 34 per cent reduction in risk of preterm births for expectant mums suffering with gum disease if they underwent simple treatment at the dentist or hygienist.
Further studies have also shown mums who are more able to handle stress in their environment had children with better oral health. Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, encourages all women not to ignore the wealth of evidence suggesting a link.
Ms Coates said: “Taking care of your own oral hygiene is important at all times, but none more so than when you’re expecting a baby. As many women will testify, the significant changes to the body mean taking extra care, and that includes oral health.
“There has been a lot of research that shows poor oral health can lead to complications during pregnancy, and it should not be overlooked. If a good oral hygiene routine means mums to be experience less problems during their pregnancy, it is important to educate this particular group about how they can go about doing just that.
“Many women find that hormonal changes cause their oral health to get worse during pregnancy. Some women find their gums bleed more easily, while people who already have gum disease may find that it progresses more rapidly.
“If you are pregnant, it really is vital to take extra care of your mouth. You should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and take extra care that you are brushing for the full two minutes and clean every surface of every tooth. You should also clean between the teeth using interdental brushes or floss. Visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend, and cut down on the frequency of sugary foods and drinks.
“NHS treatment is free for expectant mothers up until their child’s first birthday. All you need is to be an NHS patient and to have a current maternity exemption certificate.”
The findings have been revealed as part of National Smile Month, a month-long campaign run by the British Dental Health Foundation. The campaign, which draws to a close on 20 June, promotes three key messages for oral health:
– Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste,
– Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks,
– Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.
~ Demand to see Justin live soars by 447 per cent following Capital Summertime Ball ~
Justin Timberlake fans have flocked to viagogo, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, searching for tickets to see him live, following his storming performance as host of the Capital Summertime Ball yesterday. The actor, singer and husband of Jessica Biel certainly has been growing a large following since his Mickey Mouse Club days.
Fans hoping for a chance to rock their bodies with JT once more this summer have been snapping up tickets to The Wireless Festival. Demand for the Friday date (12th July), which Timberlake will headline, spiked by 447 per cent overnight for the one day festival. Although tickets are sold out at the box office, they are still available on viagogo’s marketplace.
And with the announcement that he will tour in 2014, ‘Justin Timberlake’ was the most searched term on the viagogo site over the weekend.
viagogo spokesperson Steve Roest comments: “Justin Timberlake reminded his fans yesterday what a brilliant showman he is, so it’s no wonder they are desperate to snap up a ticket to see him live this summer. This adds to the anticipation already building for his 2014 tour, the 20/20 Experience, which could give One Direction’s Where We Are tour next year some real competition.”
BlackBerry Scholars Program – a multi-level strategy to engage young women across the globe in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
BlackBerry is reaching out to women in the UK to urge them to apply for the new BlackBerry Scholars Program, an initiative designed to inspire women globally to enter and develop careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Led by BlackBerry Global Creative Director, Alicia Keys the BlackBerry Scholars program will offer ten full, four year university scholarships to outstanding female candidates. The BlackBerry Scholars Program is available to women across the UK and will provide scholarships to outstanding applicants who are seeking degrees at accredited local colleges and universities in the areas of STEM across the UK.
“Women are underrepresented in fields of science and technology, and we feel strongly that it’s time to drive a change,” said BlackBerry Global Creative Director, Alicia Keys. “It’s important to connect the dots for young women in school and college, and show them that careers in science and technology are within their reach. And when women do land these jobs, it’s vital they receive the mentoring and support they need to advance in their careers. I’m proud BlackBerry is demonstrating leadership in women’s education, both in school and in the workplace, and giving back to its most loyal users in such a profound way.”
Applications are now open to candidates in the UK, who are interested in the scholarship, and will close on June 26 2013. The scholars will be selected by a panel of inspirational and accomplished women, led by Alicia Keys, who will recruit candidates based on their academic merit and passion for entering the mobile computing industry.
This scholarship program is the first step in BlackBerry’s long-term commitment and multi-tiered strategy to engage young women at every step of their education from school to college, and as they rise through their careers. As more than 55% of BlackBerry customers are women, BlackBerry aims to champion this generation of female leaders as they strive to achieve their ambitions in this highly-competitive industry.
For those interested application is now open and will close on June 26, 2013. For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, please visit www.blackberry.com/
Royal Ascot is just around the corner, and for many, the unique dress code, that is so synonymous with the five day festival, can be a sartorial mine field. Fortunately we have a ten step guide to looking your best and avoiding any awkward faux pas.
1) In general: Sartorial Sage and Former Editor of Vogue, Diane Vreeland once said, “Elegance is refusal” and the same goes for Royal Ascot – understated elegance is always a winner.
2) Ladies’ hats: An essential accessory at Royal Ascot and from top hats to berets, flying saucers to feathered fancies, hats of all shapes and sizes will no doubt be on display. Show pieces are all very well and it’s fine to be bold but make sure you don’t scare small children, animals, or for that matter, horses. Avoid the much-maligned fascinator.
3) Morning Dress: Formal gentlemen’s dress from the 19th century and obligatory if you’re in the Royal Enclosure. Make sure it’s well fitting and neither too tight nor too big. In the words of tailor Matthew Cartwright of Noden & Winsor, “If you don’t know your chest size, find out before it’s too late.”
4) Top Hat: The fit’s key. Not so big it falls down over your ears and not worn at a jaunty angle.
5) Dresses: You may well end up in a club after racing but the dress code stipulates that daytime dresses and skirts should be ‘of modest length, defined as falling just above the knee or longer. Straps on dresses should be at least one inch wide. It means anything strapless, or that’s too short or tight should be consigned to your wardrobe.
6) Pants: For men and women are essential, but should never be on show. Ever.
7) Shoes: Opt for comfort as you’ll be on your feet all day (hopefully). Chaps, shiny shiny, pointy shoes are not a good idea – patent is out and is not due to make a resurgence any time soon. As for stilettos, girls be aware you will sink on turf. Low-heeled courts are ideal and will avoid you having to purchase a cheeky pair of plastic flip flops at the end of the day, because your brand new heels have made your toes bleed.
8) Umbrella: It’s Britain. In June. It shouldn’t rain but it might so make sure you’re prepared.
9) Accessories: Diamonds are acceptable, you’ll be pleased to know. But leave the big shiny watches at home. If it’s large enough and shiny enough to blind a small child (or jockey – they’re around the same height) avoid.
10) Enjoy: Royal Ascot is one of the most glamorous and exciting weeks of the year. Dress up, enjoy the people watching and cheer on the horses in each of the 30 races taking place over the week.
Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday 18th June to Saturday 22nd June. Featuring 30 top class races, including seven QIPCO British Champions Series contests, it will be broadcast live on Channel 4 for the first time this year from 1.45pm until 6pm each day.
Fiona Jarvis, founder of Blue Badge Style, the first app and online guide to a stylish lifestyle for the less-physically-able, has been profiled on Bright Shiny News. In the interview, for the Inspiring Women section of the website, Jarvis talks about how she has overcome the difficulty of needing a wheelchair and continues to live stylishly.
Bright Shiny News is an online woman’s magazine who’s main purpose in life is to entertain readers with bright shiny things! The inspiring women section profiles a different successful businesswoman every week. The article, written by Monique Fok, talks about Jarvis’ life experience: from working in the city to being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and on to setting up Blue Badge Style.
Fok writes: “It is actually an understatement to say that Fiona survived the MS bombshell; Not only has she won the battle beautifully, but she has also established the Blue Badge Style, which provides a website and app guide to the stylish lifestyle for everyone, including people with disability.”
Blue Badge Style is the only company that looks at disability from the point of view of style & design, taking a stylish, pragmatic and cost-efficient approach to inclusive access, working with venue management teams, designers and architects to improve the awareness of disabled facilities. “Style is the overriding premise of Blue Badge Style, along with a positive outlook” says Fiona Jarvis, “disability need not stop you from enjoying the good things in life!”.
The Blue Badge Style website provides style advice to the less-physically-able. Whether it’s the best places to eat and drink, fashion tips or interviews with other stylish less-able people, it can all be found at Blue Badge Style.
The Blue Badge Style free app is the first and only app to give you information on where to go near you based on not only how stylish the place is but how accessible it is for disabled customers.The app works as a” Michelin-like” star system for the less able. It identifies cool venues near your location and uses a bespoke three tick rating system to grade it out of 5 for each category: 1.Access, 2.Facilities and 3.Style, so that users know exactly what to expect from each venue. You can then easily see the best places near you, read a review, check the Blue Badge Style rating and get directions on how to get there.
Fashion Designer and style icon, Simon Carter explains, “This app can quickly locate stylish restaurants and bars that are nearby. It also warns you if there is a problem with disabled access or facilities. I’m able bodied and I’m going to use it!”.