Interview with Mem Freda

What made you get into acting?

As a child I was always fascinated by these ‘beings’ that lived inside our TV set! I was 
convinced I would see them leave from the back of the TV after a show was over, if I waited 
long enough!

Born with such a wild imagination, the decision was not a conscious one, but a route destined 
to happen. Often I would roll around the living room floor wrestling with pillows 
(crocodiles) having just seen an episode of Tarzan. 

Not much changed into adulthood, where I would recite dialogue from films I’d seen, with an 
attempt at replicating the characters. Eventually, I realized that the energy I had was best 
channeled into acting, hence, it chose me, as much as I chose it, as a career. 

Mem

 

What is the strangest role you have been offered?

Its very rare I find anything ‘strange’.

Once I was asked to be in a commercial, and was paid £38,000.00 for two hours work and when the 
advert was aired, all you saw was the side of my nose, that for me was strange!!

 

How do you prepare for a role?

Often when you land a role, you have background information at your disposal, from the script, 
the director, the character breakdowns etc.

Depending on whether the character is fictitious or not, will determine the nature of the 
research one does. If the character in not fictitious, I would gather as much information 
as possible to build a profile that is as close to the real life personality of that person.
I find it easier when a role is fictitious, as this allows for more freedom to experiment
with different layers to the character, until I find one that best fits to what the writer 
intended.

 

Who is your role model? It could be anyone from the past or present. 

Marlon Brando was my first ‘role model’. I have also always been influenced by the work of
De Niro, Pacino, Penn, Travolta and recently Christian Bale. 

 

You have some amazing films coming out soon, but what has been the most diverse role so far?

I’m excited for audiences to see two films coming out soon in which they will see me in a 
different light. First is BREAKDOWN, in which I play a tortured victim. It stars Craig
Fairbrass, James Cosmo and is directed by Jonnie Malachi and produced by Luke Fairbrass.

The second film is MY HERO, here I play a cockney florist, Simon Flowers, who is a drug lord 
operating out of Margate. Directed by Robert Osman and produced by Katarina Gellin, 
audiences are in for a real treat.

 

Plastic that's out now, is one brilliant film. If you had unlimited funds what would you do 
with it and why?

In terms of film, I would continue developing and producing interesting and stimulating stories 
for audiences to enjoy, appreciate and remember through time. In terms of life, I would set up 
a charity organisation to help others less fortunate. 

 

You do really get all the gritty roles to play in films, but are there any roles that you long 
to play? Like a Romantic comedy, or are you digging deep with the bad guy stuff for now?

I love playing the villain. Having made a career out of it, I still want to pay service to 
playing such roles. However, it is also high time to show my diversity as an actor, 
hence, a romantic comedy,horror, drama, are all avenues for me to explore. And I am 
currently setting these wheels in motion.

 

If you could play any role that is really out of your comfort zone what would it be?

Not sure any role is within my ‘comfort zone’, as all require a substantial amount of work. 
However, what would be fun to play, is a similar role to that of Dustin Hoffman’s role in 
Tootsie.

 

If you could direct any film past or present what would it be and why?

It would be thrilling to do a remake of Boogie Nights. It had me in fits of laughter, so it 
would be fabulous to attempt to make it just as funny.

 
Are their any roles you have played that you felt you changed as a person while filming 
or can you walk away and not get too involved with the character?

After 20 years of psychosis, with each dark and terrifying character I’ve portrayed, you have 
to learn to walk away unaffected. It’s that or strangling the cat when I get home.

To keep sane you have to have full control over reality and fantasy. I did have problems at
the start of my career, but had to deal with them pronto.

 
Who would you love to star with next and why?

I’d love to be able to work with Juliet Lewis. She captured my interest ever since I saw her in 
Kalifornia and Natural Born Killers. She’s a sensational actress and her music ain’t bad either!

 

 Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.

I love horror films and was excited to win an Award at the prestigious
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival for Truth or Dare, which I produced along with
Jessica Cameron and Jonathan S Higgins.I also like to dip crisps into diet coke. 

 
Are you into this whole selfie things and even if you are not who would be the one person in 
history you would love to have a picture with?

Absolutely detest the whole selfie thing! If I were to have a selfie picture with anyone, it 
would be with Elvis.


Kerastase Hair Product Review

Every girl knows the importance to regular haircuts but after that we are all a little terrible when purchasing good quality products. We rush off to the pharmacy to purchase the latest hair oils and frizz fighting serums and most of them don’t cut the mustard. Well these 2 new products from Kerastase will leave you wallet a little lighter in the short term but will last for around 10 months. So price per wash and style it really is worth investing in the latest hair innovations.

hair products

The Kerastase – ELIXIR ULTIME -125 ml beautifying hair oil is one tough fighter against damaged hair. The more this is used the better the results you will see. It gives hair that perfectly fresh cut, bouncy and smooth as silk feel. I loved this so much as its created dazzling shine, Its the ultimate light and soft oil. You will only need a pea sized drop used on the mid lengths of the hair to really see a change. Over the coming few days using it your hair will get better and better as this is a leave in treatment that can be used all year round with no build up.

It can be used as a pre shampoo, or used on wet or dry hair and this is really well worth the money.

hair

I am also a gluten for beautiful packing and this looks stunning sitting on the dressing table.

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The DENSIFIQUE Mousse Densimorfhose 150 ml is as you would expect just as awesome as the oil, smells divine and helps you create the most brilliant bouncy styles. Applied on damp towel dried hair at the roots is adds hold, volume and delightful style for more than the first day its used. I loved the fact it didn’t weigh the hair down one little bit. Just remember a little goes a very long way for both these products so one small pump of each should be all you need.

For more beauty and style advice head over to slbstyle.com and come ask me anything beauty related over on Twitter @sarahbacchus as I used to be an educator with some of the leading brands. Now its more about the product photography but I still love giving advice to all you lovely readers. x

Amoir Camaira Holds Model Competition for Ibiza Photo Shoot

Luxury London swimwear brand, Amoir Camaira, launches a model competition to find the face of their 2015 Summer Collection that will be shot in Ibiza.

 

modelsearchmodelingcompetition

Luxury Swimwear brand, Amoir Camaira, are looking for the face of their 2015 Summer Collection. From now until 15 July 2014 at 11:59 PM, women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are residents of the United Kingdom can enter on the Amoir Camaira website.

All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered, and the photo shoot will take place in beautiful Ibiza in early October. The exact date and location will be disclosed once the winner is announced, which will be the 14th of September.

After signing up at www.amoircamaira.co.uk, contestants must submit one unedited head shot and one unedited full body shot. Amoir Camaira will upload the photos to their facebook page and at the end of six weeks, the top ten contestants with the most “likes” and “shares” will become Amoir Camaira finalists. The winner will then be chosen by Amoir Camaira.

For the full terms and conditions and to enter the contest, please visit www.amoircamaira.co.uk.

 

 

No5 Bridge Street Winchester

Winchester has some of the finest places to eat and one in particular will knock your socks off! NO5 has to be the most vibrant happening places to spend a few quality hours eating and drinking. The food is so incredible you will think you are being fed and cared for by the most famous of chefs. The presentation is out of this world and every dish is bursting with flavour and will send those taste buds on a delightful joy ride. We sampled the dishes sitting outside in the pretty courtyard with the sun beaming down on us. A perfect sunny evening full of chatter and excitement over each morsel that we ate.

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NO5 Bridge Street

First we got stuck into the olives, bread and a delicious herb dip before ordering the main events. We drank a smooth red Shiraz that was just the right temperature, velvety and delightful and a crisp bottle of Pinot, perfect for the most balmy and humid of evenings we have had in a very long time. Siting outside in the quaint courtyard was just what this day called for.

P1150109 NO5 Bridge Street

NO5 Bridge Street

We ate pulled pork burgers with a scrumptious BBQ sauce and french fires. This dish was soft, tender and rich. The sauce added a slight sweetness to the flavour that worked perfectly, accompanied by the wine.

NO5 Bridge Street

Hampshire steak burgers and fries with a spicy dip. The burgers melted in the mouth and not one bit was left. These are possibly the best burgers we have tasted in years. Perfect and delicate at the same time meaty and comforting.

NO5 Bridge Street NO5 Bridge Street

The vegetarian option was incredible. A Roasted garlic gnocchi dish with spring onions and baby red broccoli and chilli with lashings cheddar shavings on top.

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A table set for Kings and Queens

NO5 Bridge Street

The mains where just perfect but no meal is ever truly complete without pudding now is it!!

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The best Banana Sticky Toffee pudding on the planet. Rich, crunchy, gooey and it’s possible to say we could have eaten about 3! Not because it was too small, just because we didn’t want this little beauty to end!

NO5 Bridge Street

Raspberry chocolate mousse with a caramel and peanut slice. This was totally tantalising and the mousse had a hidden sharp treat at the bottom. The raspberries just popped the flavour of the chocolate mousse. Creamy and light with every mouthful, the caramel slice was a perfect addition.

NO5 Bridge Street

This stunner was a Vanilla cheesecake with blackberry sorbet and a side of honeycomb. Light and delicate in taste but when the sorbet was added it gave the perfect treat for those taste buds.

No5 gets a big thumbs up and 5 star rating with us. One place to visit when you are in Winchester next. No5 also has 5 beautiful, contemporary, cozy and stylish rooms you can stay in too… More on that soon!!

Check out their website here and follow them on Twitter @no5bridgestreet

If you want to see more of the fashion in this post head over to SLBStyle for more details. Come say Hello on Twitter @sarahbacchus.

NO5 Bridge Street

Fushi Argan & Amalaki Shampoo And Conditioner Review

Fushi Argan & Amalaki Shampoo is a gorgeous smelling herbal shampoo.

Fushi Argan & Amalaki shampoo and conditioner Review

Here is what Fushi say: ‘A hair reviving Ayurvedic herb rich shampoo blended with Argan and Camellia oil to boost lustre, shine and strength to the hair. This innovative botanical blend contains Argan oil, Camellia oil and Brahmi herb extract to revive and restore hair to a lustrous shine and bounce. While uniquely combined with Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) and Biotin to help replenish dry hair and scalp and promote hair health. Amalaki is known for its rich source of vitamin C and helps to keep the hair follicles strong and nourish the hair from the roots. While Brahmi and the renowned Argan and Camelia oils are is known for their wonderful hair rejuvenating properties. Fragranced with the Tahitian Gardenia, to leave your hair feeling fresh and fragrant. For the complete treatment experience use with Argan & Amalaki Herbal conditioner.’

This amazing shampoo for permed hair and conditioner make hair soft, smooth and shiny. It leaves hair hydrated. The smell is not only gorgeous but is also relaxing. It doesn’t weigh hair down and revives dull hair too. We like.

Fushi Argan & Amalaki Shampoo and Conditioner are available here.

Yves Rocher Rouge Brillance Vegetale Lipstick Review

I love lipstick but always have to wear lip balm too. Not so with these amazing 100% cherry oil lipsticks which are also rich in Omega 6 and 9.

This is what they say: “The Yves Rocher Research Institute has selected cherry oil for lipstick, because of its extraordinary power to shine and refract light. It is also rich in Omega 6 and 9, natural sources of protection and nutrition.”

These are amazing lipsticks. They are natural, made by an environmentally-friendly brand and come in 18 beautiful colours. You don’t even need to add a lip balm to your beauty routine.

The two I tried were Rose Grenadine and Iris Mauve. You can see how beautiful the colours are below.

Yves Rocher Rouge Brillance Vegetale Lipstick Review

They look beautiful on and are really good to lips, acting more like a beauty product than makeup. I am a fan. They are expensive but I will indulge if I want to treat myself.

Comes in 12 shades inspired by nature, £18 at www.yves-rocher.co.uk

Available now.

Frost Mascara Special

We reviewed four inexpensive mascaras, because looking great doesn’t always have to be expensive.

mascara reviewGeorge Volume Lash Mascara

This was a little runny the first time we used it but afterwards was fine. The one we tried wasn’t waterproof and by the end of the day we had panda eyes. It only costs £3.50 and is good for the price. Available from ASDA

2True Pro WOW Mascara

This mascara is not just excellent for the price, but is just excellent full stop. The waterproof version was on Watchdog for being good. We tried the non-waterproof one. It gives supercharged volume and an amazing WOW effect. It doesn’t clump or flake. Good stuff.  Available from Superdrug for only £3.

Pur Big Look Extreme Mascara Waterproof

This mascara is very different. It is made with Argan Oil, a revolutionary ingredient, loaded with lash-loving omega fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidant. It says it has a clump-resistant wand but when we put it on the first time it was quite clumpy and awkward. It is waterproof but doesn’t seem smudge-proof when you first put it on. It is fine after a while though, so just don’t touch your eyes.

George Volume Lash

This is a brilliant mascara. It only costs about £2.50 and it is as good as very expensive mascara brands. It coats mascara from root to tip and gives great volume. It is clump free and very black. We’re a fan.

 

 

Bomb Cosmetics Tinned Candle Review

We love these Bomb Cosmetics Tinned Candles. They look amazing, they smell amazing and they look great too. It even took a lot of willpower to not try and eat the chocolate orange one. It smells like heaven and the Passion Fruit Sundae is wonderfully amazing and fruity. bombcosmeticscandles Bomb Cosmetics Tinned Candle Review

These candles are hand poured and can burn for 50 hours. They are made with essential oil and even the cute shapes within the candles are cut by hand. Every candle is checked for quality and uniquely different. Super cool.

Bomb Cosmetics Tinned Candles are available here.