Surrealism, Me And Rene Magritte By Wendy Breckon

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Picture the scene. Beaming toddler leaps down the path clutching a painting. Circles, squiggles, and wavy lines in bright zany colours. Mum or Dad sweep up the impressive piece of artwork, pinning it on to the fridge for all to admire. Could this be the start of a burgeoning art career, the beginnings of a future Monet or Picasso? In the same way, when a little child kicks a ball around with some nifty footwork in the park, the idea of a famous footballer such as Lionel Messi in the family remains a fascinating thought. The answer is you won’t know yet, but there’s always a possibility.

I loved art and wielding a paint brush from an early age. Once, there was a zealous moment at the age of four, when our black farm cat burst out in oversized orange spots. Well… er… with some help from me as I pursued him round the garden.

Our secondary school in Ireland was hot on literature and culture. Yippee! Sandwiched between the intricacies of science and the sheer terror of Maths, was the History of Art with a superb teacher. I soaked it all up. Lowry, Matisse and Constable, with their fascinating lives and influences.

Rene Magritte has always been one of my favourite artists. Born in 1898, he lived most of his life in Belgium. He shunned the intellectual and artistic life of the capital, preferring to live with an unassuming identity. For him, the art of painting was a means of knowing life better and at the same time, liberating things from their familiar roles in everyday life. We are used to the images of birds in cages or apples on trees. Our interest is awakened more readily if the bird is replaced by a fish or a shoe. As a surrealist painter, Magritte had the knack of showing both the absurdity and contradiction in reality.

He has been described as a, ‘painterly Lewis Carroll’, who created a wonderland for children in his book, Alice in Wonderland, with the tales of the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit. Maybe this is why I remain fascinated by Magritte, as this story was my favourite as a child. I spent a lot of time turning the pages and imagining I was Alice.

To look at a Magritte painting is to see through the barrier of time. His vision of the world, was one in which the people and things around him, could quite easily turn into something else. Bowler hatted commuters hung in the clear skies like April showers and express trains rushed out of open fire places.

The ultimate experience for an art lover, was a visit to the Rene Magritte Museum three years ago with my son. This building on the Place Royale, in a neoclassical hotel, houses a collection of original sculptures and drawings, in addition to the two hundred paintings. As I hovered in front of the artist, who I’d admired so much as a teenager, I was able to appreciate for the first time all his wonderful work, in the moody, half lit interior… the perfect setting. I will never own one of Magritte’s paintings, but the close proximity to this master of fantastic art was an experience to remember.

Style Me in Seconds free Pop-Up Styling Event launches in Old Street

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Kesh

For one week only, Old Street Station plays host to the sensational ‘Style Me in Seconds’ one stop shop and styling pop up. Charity shops across the UK are showcasing their best pieces and giving shoppers a chance to be styled up by professional stylists who have dressed the likes of Victoria Beckham, Emilie Sande and Professor Green.

As you browse the hundreds of treasures that our London charity shops have to offer, try something more daring or challenge yourself to create a brand new style for someone else. With free style consultations on offer and a host of other goodies including free manicures, guarantee yourself a place by booking your very own styling session here…

http://stylemeinseconds.com

Style Me in Seconds is open from 4th -10th April from 7:30am every day

Unit 2, Old Street Station – Old Street, London EC1Y 1BE, United Kingdom

Olivia Wilde “too old” To Play Leonardo DiCaprio’s Girlfriend

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Olivia Wilde has revealed she was “too old” for Margot Robbie’s role in “Wolf of Wall Street”
During an interview with Howard Stern the actress revealed she was “too old” for the role. Stern had asked if she had ever not gotten a role because she was too good-looking. Wilde said:

“The funniest thing I heard recently was I had heard for a part that I was too sophisticated. And I was like, Oh, that sounds nice. I like that feedback. I didn’t get the part, but I’m a very sophisticated person. And then I found out later that they actually said ‘old.’ I want to make a translation sheet for Hollywood that’s all the feedback your agents give you and what it really means.” Wilde was 28 at the time.

Martin Scorsese did end up casting Wilde in “Vinyl,” his new HBO series. “I did not [have to audition for ‘Vinyl’] because I had auditioned unsuccessfully for ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ — that’s the one I was too old for” she clarified.

If you are an actor then check out How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon.

Introducing Jivesse Marine Collagen Cream

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Kesh

Jivesse premium skincare which has up until now graced the shelves of Harrods has earned its place as a reputable dermatological brand. The impressive science and innovative ingredients have placed it high above competitors in the skincare market and now launching at first class wellbeing emporium, John Bell & Croyden, and soon to be launching in Selfridges, this is set to be a range which will hopefully be a staple for anyone looking for serious results and quality natural ingredients.

Being an advocate natural skin solutions, the science behind the Jivesse range is quite simple but altogether quite revolutionary. Having been developed by skincare experts with clinical knowledge of dermatology as the name suggests, Jivesse Marine Collagen Cream contains potent active ingredients which help to accelerate the natural production of collagen within our own skin. The result, tighter, brighter, and youthful skin without any Botox. Result! What makes Jivesse so unique is that is the first Triple Complex Marine Collagen Cream…

…here comes the science;

The Triple Complex Formula contains

Peptan® The purest form of type I collagen
Argireline®The cosmetic alternative to Botox
Liftonin® Xpress: Which instantly tightens and lifts

As well as this the product contains a host of anti-oxidants and skin luminosity which reduces the damage of vital molecules within the skin and helps to introduce Vitamin C to the skin, something which our body’s cannot produce naturally.

Our result;

The brand is at once luxurious, smart and the team behind it are genuinely some of the most articulate and passionate in the business. Having just announced Anna Williamson, TV Presenter and Life Coach, as their Brand Ambassador, Jivesse are spring boarding their brand as one that is hopefully set to create waves within the cosmetic market. The science really speaks for itself here and the results speak volumes. Luckily, I haven’t got to the point where i’ve had to deal with the dreaded wrinkle situation but after a skin analysis with the experts at John Bell and Croyden, my skin was suffering from severe dehydration. After just two weeks of using this product my skin is luminous, radiant and successfully no longer dehydrated. Any moisturiser that can deal with the elements we’re privy too in The UK is a winner in my book. The clincher for me is the fact that this moisturiser is presented in a beautiful Airless Jar protecting the cream from light exposure and contamination. We love using this product and it has certainly brightened up and made my skincare regime a much more enjoyable experience.

Jivesse is available to buy at

Jivesse.com

Harrods

Now Launching at John Bell & Croyden

The Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners Share Their Tips

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Frostie

The Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners are back for a new series and they are sharing their top tips for keeping your home spick and span.

From rubbing fabric conditioner on radiators to using a cheese knife to get rid of limescale and emptying the water out of the toilet bowl before dousing it in vinegar, the cleaners leave no rug or duvet unturned.

The cleaners are led by Hayley, a 30-year-old mum of three, who was diagnosed with OCD in 2007. She can spend up to 19 hours a day in her battle against bacteria.

Hayley’s top tips:

Rub neat fabric conditioner on radiators and when they warm up the whole house smells amazing.
Use Milton baby sanitizer. It gets rid of germs but is much safer, especially if you’ve got kids. Follow instructions on the bottle.
Vacuum the ceiling to get rid of dust and cobwebs.

Rob is a 32-year-old College Lecturer who lives in Burnley. He lives in a quaint cottage which he keeps to “showhome standard” through a strict cleaning regime.

Rob’s top tips:

Use thick bleach and a toothbrush to keep bathroom grout clean and bright. It’s fab for getting the hard to reach places. Bicarb and lemon juice is a good alternative for people who aren’t a fan of bleach. (Make sure you wear rubber gloves to do this)
Grind up some lavender in a pestle and mortar and mix with bicarb. Sprinkle over carpets and rugs bought from UK tool hire, leave for 20 minutes and then vacuum off. It keeps them smelling fresh. (Clean the pestle and mortar thoroughly after use).
Use a steam cleaner on a mattress to kill any bugs.
A small bowl of coffee beans helps to reduce any odours in food cupboards.
The best way to tackle a limescale problem in the toilet is to remove all the water in the bowl and soak cotton wool in cheap white vinegar. You then pad out the toilet as if it was papier mache. This should be left overnight. The vinegar completely disintegrates any limescale without the need for scrubbing and also gets rid of any smells. Environmentally this is the best way forward and can be topped up with a cleaner in between. I know it sounds like a big job but the results are well worthwhile

Kris is a 34-year-old medical scientist who lives in Wakefield. He cleans for 22 hours a week and uses his scientific knowledge to make his own cleaning products.

Kris’s top tips:

Always unscrew shower heads and bleach them once in the while by leaving in a bucket of diluted bleach. Rinse thoroughly before reattaching. Make sure the room is well ventilated while you do this and that you wear rubber gloves). The biofilm of microorganisms develops in this area and not many people know that.
Always leave your dishes to air dry as tea towels are perfect ground for microorganisms to multiply and by reusing them we are actually spreading some potentially harmful bugs
To clean the toilet use plenty of bleach. It’s also a good idea to soak the toilet brush in bleach for a while after cleaning the toilet. (Wear rubber gloves when using bleach)

Julie is a 53-year-old plumber who lives in Great Yarmouth. She is not a fan of chemical products and prefers to use natural alternatives.

Julie’s top tips:

Use baby oil to get a shine on stainless steel
Use vinegar for clean and streak free windows, on taps and in the toilet (to remove limescale.)
Use hot and soapy water to wash down skirting boards
To clean the toilet use lemon and vinegar. The acidity of the lemon burns away any grime and helps it smell fresh. The vinegar combats limescale better than any bleach will.
Fill a sandwich bag with vinegar and tie it underneath your tap using an elastic band so that the tap is sitting in the vinegar. This will remove the limescale.

Louise is a 36-year-old military wife who cleans for up to 30 hours a week and has developed an armoury of specialised equipment to tackle any enemy dirt.

Louise’s top tips:

Use a piping nozzle cleaning brush. Usually a cleaning tool for cake decorators, Louise uses it everywhere to give a really good scrub in any nooks and crannies. It’s great for drains and hinges.
Use a cheese knife to get rid of limescale by chiselling away at it
Everyday scissors work wonders in the garden as they are much more precise than gardening shears.

Tom, 33, is a car enthusiast. His cleaning obsession extends to his cars as well as his home and is known as the obsessive compulsive car cleaner when he goes to car shows.

Tom’s top tips:

Use old (but clean) tea towels to buff up the bathroom after cleaning. They give everything a good shine.
Car polish on the outside windows keeps them cleaner for longer as the water just rolls off.
Put perfume on a cotton wool ball in the vacuum to spread a nice smell.
It’s best to take the water out of the toilet – it’s the only way you can get a proper clean around the whole toilet.

Sandra, 52, is a café owner who lives in Port Talbot. Sandra has a strict inside clothes/outside clothes regime to help prevent dirt and germs getting in from outside.

Sandra’s top tips:

Bathbombs make excellent air fresheners. Stick them in cupboards/wardrobes/airing cupboards and everything will smell great.
Bicarb is the answer for stains. Rub it in dry to a new stain, leave for a moment and then scrub it out.

Carly, 32, is a data manager from Hertfordshire. Carly was diagnosed with OCD when she was 11 years old and spends up to seven hours a day keeping her flat immaculate.

Carly’s top tips:

Mix washing up liquid with all purpose spray to kill germs and make everything smell nice.
Splash a bit of lemon on fridge shelves when you polish them and then it will smell great every time you open the fridge.
It’s important to bleach the floors to kill the bacteria that comes in on people’s feet. (Wear rubber gloves when using bleach).

Please note: With any of the suggested tips, when handling any household products, it is always advisable to keep out of reach of children and animals and always check the label for correct handling of the product. Damage can be caused by using unconventional products and tools not usually associated with cleaning – therefore it is advisable to test on a small area first.

Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners returned Tuesday March 15th at 8pm on Channel 4.

What’s On This Weekend

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Kesh

A round up of another glorious four-day week with a host of spectacular activities in and around The Capital. Our top picks include;

The London Whisky Weekender 1-3rd;

Starting today, The London Whisky Weekender will transform the East London venue, Oval Space into a Dramtastic dream. With Whisky’s to try from all around The World this is the perfect day out for any Whisky Lover of any degree. Enjoy a dram of something you love or something brand new amidst a backdrop of blues music and some quality street food.

For tickets and info;

Whisky

Saturday Brunch at Gaucho’s Electro Brunch;

From 11am-3pm every Saturday, work your way through Gaucho’s impressive, unlimited brunch menu complete with cocktails and sparkling wine. Available at their Canary Wharf, Piccadilly and Smithfield branches and priced at £45 this is the absolute perfect way to start the weekend.

For more info and booking;

Brunch

Feast of Rugby takeover Urban Food Fest 2nd April;

This year’s HSBC London Sevens will be celebrating their partnership with Urban Food Fest by hosting a ‘Feast of Rugby’ takeover at the Shoreditch street food market on Saturday 2nd April.The market will be fully HSBC London Sevens themed and there will be special guest appearances from the England sevens team – who will be helping vendors cook up a storm on the day. From France to Fiji, think Sweet and Savoury Crêpes, slow roasted and pulled pork burgers and Venezuelan Maize arepas. Yum Yum.

Entry is free just turn up;

Euro Car Parks
162-167 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch
London, E1

For more info;

Food

The cosiest “Night In” at Pillow Cinema.

This Saturday, snuggle up to a loved one… or two in a stunning Tudor House setting in the heart of Hackney and enjoy a screening of either Romeo and Juliet or The Danish Girl. Complimentary blankets and fatboy beanbags provided. All you need to do is turn up for a super chill Saturday Night at The Movies.

For tickets and info;

Cinema

Greta Stoddart and White Space by Maya Pieris

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Greta Stoddart makes very good chocolate biscuits. She is also an award-winning poet, been a performer, teaches creative writing and lives with her family, including Juno the “liquorice allsorts” dog, in Devon, down a steep track with a huge view across the Axe Valley.

Over tea and biscuits we talked about words and silence, 2 big elements in her creative life. Words, she said, were an early love, her first “self-published” poetry anthology written aged 9 and illustrated by her sister but not she said like Jane Austen or the Brontes.

The collection, which included “Master Crash It All” about a particularly clumsy boy, “ was a bit tumpty, tumpty” – her description – but lines would arrive in her head as she awoke and wanted to be written down. The book happened just before a major riding accident which saw her spend 3 months in hospital and then several more on the sofa reading or looking out the window, in retrospect an excellent nursery for a fledgling poet who turned from a “an outgoing child into a more reflective one”.

Her road to physical recovery turned out, however, to be through ballet, almost on doctor’s orders, this leading to the other passion-dance and then theatre. Eventually after reading drama at Manchester Greta went to study with the Jacques Lecoq school of physical theatre in Paris specialising in clown skills. 2 years on found her and 2 female friends touring Europe with Brouhaha, their mime theatre company, which lasted for 5 busy years.

She says the experience “taught me to respect silence- which poetry also values in the white space around the text”, a “pressured silence, to not speak unless you really need to”. Space in both words and performance is certainly central to her writing and her teaching- her workshops are always measured, calm situations where listening is of the essence. It was while on tour in Belfast that the writing bug began to go viral in the form of “lines in my head” which insisted on being written down, as in childhood.

She took a year out of acting and never went back. Her timing was stage perfect- she booked onto an Arvon writing course led by Simon Armitage in the company of other then aspiring poets such as Kate Clanchy and moved on to be tutored by Michael Donaghy. She took to poetry like a duck to water and found an audience in sympathy with her work resulting in her first collection, At Home in the Dark, which received the 2001 Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. She claims “it was a bit of luck” but was actually the result of 7 years work.

She has since written 2 further collections appearing in a fairy tale way around every 7 years. Her latest, Alive, Alive O, published last year deals with death, a subject which has interested her since childhood and which came about after a series of personal bereavements. It is, however, not a depressing collection- sad, thoughtful, painful and also positive as she attempts to cover the complexities of this subject.

So with 3 books completed she is in quiet contemplation of her next writing challenge so we await with interest What Greta Did Next.

Books available at all independent and chain book stores.

30 Days of Gratitude Day 30 #30daysofgratitude

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Today may be the last day of my 30 Days of Gratitude series, but it will certainly not be the last day I take account of what I am grateful for. In life the bad can outnumber the good, but joy will always conquer, as long as you leave yourself open to it. I thought about what I should be grateful for in my last column. There were numerous things: nature, a takeaway, going to a restaurant, the fact that I can make a living doing what I love (a HUGE one). The fact is that life is beautiful even in its ugly moments. In the tough times there are still those we love, surrounding and supporting us. Then there is just the fact that I am British. Britain is a wonderful country. I also live in London. I fell in love with London when I started to commute down for auditions. I have lived in London for almost ten years now. They have been the best years of my life. Positivity is important in life and negative thinking has a bad effect on your health. So every time you are having a bad day start your gratitude list. It helps, promise.