ROSIE FORTESCUE UNITES WITH LEADING BREAST CANCER CHARITY TO SUPPORT FASHION TARGETS FRIDAY

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Fashion icon Rosie Fortescue, from E4’s Made In Chelsea, is heading up Fashion Targets Friday – a brand new fundraising initiative from Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to help beat breast cancer.

Fashion Targets Friday is taking place on Friday 26th April 2013 and is aimed at British students; encouraging them to raise vital funds for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, the UK’s leading charity fashion campaign in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

In her role as Fashion Targets Friday Ambassador Rosie is urging everyone to style up and sign up to hold a fashionable fundraising event. One in eight UK women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, so every penny raised is crucial in order to help beat the disease.

Rosie Fortescue, Fashion Targets Friday Ambassador, says: “I love fashion so what better way to help all the families affected by breast cancer than holding a stylish fundraising event. Fashion Targets Friday is the perfect way to raise money for this incredible cause – whether you wear your support with a non-uniform day at school or style up your student union with a fashion party – the money you raise will help to stop women dying from breast cancer.”

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is the leading charity fashion campaign raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The campaign raises funds through the sale of specially designed products from leading high street retailers including M&S, River Island, Coast, Topshop, Warehouse, Laura Ashley and Debenhams so those who can’t hold or attend a Fashion Targets Friday event can still Wear their Support with a visit to their local high street (from April 22nd).

 

To find out more information about Fashion Targets Friday visit www.fashiontargetsfriday.org.uk

Kimberly Wyatt performing at UK’s biggest dance festival

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Kimberly Wyatt performing at UK’s biggest dance festival MOVE IT at London Olympia 8th – 10th March, 2013Kimberly Wyatt performing at UK’s biggest dance festival MOVE IT at London Olympia 8th – 10th March, 2013

Join the dance movement!

 

MOVE IT, the UK’s biggest dance event is back. Join 20,000 dancers for three days at the UK’s biggest festival dedicated to dance of all styles and levels. Starting 8th March till 10th March at London’s Olympia, soak up MOVE IT’s electric atmosphere with 100 live performances, 220 dance classes in any genre you can think of, dance competitions and fascinating interviews from dancing idols and celebrities from the dance world.

 

MOVE IT is your once-a-year opportunity to create your ultimate dance experience and is perfect for beginners, professionals and students, or just simply for an inspiring day out for those who love dance.

MOVE IT 2013 includes:

 

KIMBERLY WYATT – Got to Dance judge Kimberly Wyatt who was professionally trained in dance at New York’s Joffrey Ballet and the Broadway Dance Centre is performing on the main stage her new track ‘Derriere’ as well as, guest presenting with So You Think You Can Dance winner Matt Flint and signing autographs on the Capezio stand.

Catch up at ‘The Dance Register’ Interview Sofa
Discover useful insights and expert knowledge with interviews on the latest dance topics. Featuring:

 

DARCEY BUSSELL – Strictly Come Dancing judge and Prima Ballerina Darcey Bussell will be on the sofa answering questions and talking about her work with the Royal Academy of Dance at this year’s MOVE IT. Darcey has over 20 years experience in the dance world from training at Royal Ballet School to performing some of the most iconic roles in ballet. Darcey has since discovered a passion for ballroom and is now a judge on the hugely successful and much loved Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC.

 

Also dropping by the sofa will be Tommy Franzen, Aletta Collins, Jonzi D and Mark Baldwin of Rambert Dance Company with Inside Dance TV and Dance UK tackles dancers’ health with English National Ballet’s Artistic Director Tamara Rojo.

MOVE IT Main Stage: The destination for live dance
Be blown away by dance stars and fresh new talent from all over the UK. Including:

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance – Internationally acclaimed choreographer Wayne McGregor brings his company of ten extraordinary dancers for the first time to MOVE IT. With music from Coldplay and Massive Attack collaborator Jon Hopkins, his rapid, hard-hitting, highly articulated movement breaks boundaries and defies characterization. Part of Contemporary Focus at MOVE IT 2013.

A CHORUS LINE – Almost 35 years since it last appeared in the West End, critically acclaimed and multi-award winning musical A Chorus Line is heading its way back to the UK stage and the stars of the show will be performing at MOVE IT. See them live on the Main Stage and then learn their dance routine in one of our 220 different dance classes.

 

Also performing will be Twist and Pulse, Olivier Award winning Boy Blue Entertainment, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer, Birdgang Dance Company and Sky’s Got to Dance finalists Boadicea.

 

MATT FLINT – After last year’s toe-tapping MOVE IT debut, So You Think You Can Dance winner Matt Flint is back for 2013, this time as the exciting new host of the MOVE IT Main Stage. With a passion for dance that started at the age of 12, Matt’s career has seen him go on to choreograph in Film, TV and Theatre including shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief. Matt is fast becoming one of the most wanted choreographers in the UK, and he’s all yours at this year’s MOVE I

 

 

MORE GREAT THINGS TO DO AT MOVE IT 2013

MAOAM FREESTYLE STAGE – Catch the latest spins, freezes, flips, shimmies and crazy dance moves on the MAOAM Freestyle Stage.  A showcase of raw talent and jaw dropping moves. Just turn up, plug in and wow the crowds!

 

FAMILY FUN – A fun day out for the whole family, MOVE IT has something for all age groups, whether you have a budding ballerina, hip hop star or disco diva.  Every member of the family can enjoy the entertainment, masterclasses and find out everything you need to know about dance no matter if it’s just where your local class is or where you can audition for a degree in dance or the performing arts.

 Kimberly Wyatt performing at UK’s biggest dance festival MOVE IT at London Olympia 8th – 10th March, 2013_3

CAREER CLINIC – Want a career in dance, but don’t know where to start? MOVE IT is the one stop shop to find out everything you need to know about the dance industry and community. With panels of experts, workshops and every major performing arts university/colleges under one roof, it is the best place to go to help put your dance career on track.

 

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP – Visitors can catch a glimpse of the latest trends and fashions in dance by heading to the fantastic fashion show. Shoppers will then be able to head to the wide range of stands at the show to pick up the hottest items in dance.

So why not get involved with MOVE IT? With 20,000 dancers over 3 incredible days, MOVE IT is the show for professionals, teachers, students and dance enthusiasts.

Most Common Job For Women ‘Same as in the 1950s’. Progress? What Progress?

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charlize theron oscars 2013

Today may be International Women’s Day but nothing proves we still have a long way to go than the results of the latest US Census. Being a secretary is still the number one job for women in the US. Four million Americans are working as ‘secretaries and admin assistants’ and 96% of those are women.

Nothing is more depressing for equality than the fact that the most common job for women is the same than in the 1950s. Only 16.6% of women in America hold board-level jobs. In fact, globally, only 10% of workers in executive position are female. A rather depressing statistic.

It is not much better in the UK, which this excellent article from the BBC highlights. They say:

Fewer than a third of the UK’s most influential jobs are held by women, figures compiled by BBC News show.

Women occupy on average 30.9% of the most senior positions across 11 key sectors analysed by the BBC, including business, politics and policing.

The armed forces and judiciary have the fewest women in top posts – 1.3% and 13.2% respectively – while secondary education has the most (36.7%).

Campaign group the Fawcett Society said progress was still too slow.

“Men outnumber women by four to one in Parliament and only a third of local councillors are women,” the group’s Preethi Sundaram said.

“When we look at the top quarters of power in the political world there are only five women there out of 22… It’s quite an appalling fact really.”

According to the BBC News website’s findings, women represent

1.3% of brigadiers (or their equivalent) and above across the Army, Navy and RAF
13.2% of the most senior judges (High Court and above, including Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland)
14.2% of university vice-chancellors
16.6% of the most senior staff in the police (Acpo ranks and above)
34.7% of the senior civil service

This should be highlighted today and not forgotten. How many articles have you read with a successful women and they always ask them how they juggle having kids with a career, or if it is possible to? They don’t really ask men this question. That is the main problem. Women are still expected to do the bulk of childcare. To have it all and be everything to everyone. A women who puts her career first is judged, but it takes two parents to raise a child.

I think it is time for a change. What do you think?

Sunday Times Style Magazine Launches Best Dressed List

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A campaign launched today by Sunday Times Style Magazine, features fashion icons: Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Tinie Tempah portrayed as royalty as it heralds the magazine’s re-design and launch of its first-ever definitive guide to the best dressed.

Style best dressed x3

Starting this Sunday, Style has named the 50 individuals who have led fashion with their stylish interpretation of sartorial good-taste in 2013.

The list has been compiled by the Style team, including: AA Gill, Camilla Long, Colin McDowell, Shane Watson, Christina Lamb, Giles Hattersley, Kate Spicer, Tiffanie Darke, Claudia Croft, Richard Gray, Francesca Hornak, Fleur Britten, Michael Hennegan, and of course Mrs Mills. The team also provides insightful commentary on who leads in creating the perfect alchemy between taste, style and personality.

Style Magazine editor Tiffanie Darke says: “The diverse nature of this list demonstrates the importance of fashion in the overall conversation, confirming the role clothes play in creating a visual manifesto.”

“What’s so encouraging is that among the 50 people celebrated, no two share a similar look; they all occupy a different part of the fashion spectrum, using their own taste and judgement to bring together an individual style that serves to inspire.”

In the interests of inclusivity, the best dressed doggies are identified; while the leading playground fashionistas have been awarded special recognition with the under tens given their very own list.

The re-launched Style magazine sees a renewed focus on fashion and more attention given to beauty, as well as a re-design that includes more stunning photography.

Style will continue to be supported by a year-long schedule of brand activities designed to strengthen its position in the industry as a key fashion and beauty brand. Readers will also be invited to attend exclusive Style-branded events, including an upcoming series of Style Conversations. Hosted at the Savoy, Erdem is due to headline in April, with the event being filmed and streamed live across the UK for the first time. Previous conversations have seen major fashion designers such as Valentino, Donatella Versace, John Galliano and Giles Deacon taking questions from Sunday Times fashion writer Colin McDowell.

Speaking about the re-launch, Darke said: “The Sunday Times Style Magazine is already a pillar of global fashion media and this re-launch is only going to consolidate that position. We’re taking the title back to its roots in order to stake our claim as the number one title for women with an interest in high-end fashion and beauty.”

Next week: Nos 25 – 50; the best dressed men, and who leads offenders.

Playful Promises Lingerie SS13

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Playful Promises is beautiful lingerie from a London designed brand. Their lingerie is quirky, cool, playful and a little bit retro. I checked out their SS13 range and I loved it. Here are my top choices. What would you choose from Playful Promises?

Playful promisesstockings and suspenders

Liz Earle’s Mother’s Day tips

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Mother’s Day Tips

Liz EarleFor Mum with Love from Liz Earle

 

Liz Earle, co-founder of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Company, is passionate about beauty, natural health and wellbeing. She juggles her professional life with bringing up a family of five children, with her husband Patrick, living on a thriving organic farm in the West Country.

 

Here, Liz shares her top tips to make your mum feel extra special this Mothers Day, ensuring she is taken care of from the inside and out.

 

Liz Earle’s Mothers Day Tips

 

Treat your mum to some simple, pampering beauty treats with these deliciously good-for-you snacks, the best pick-me-up tonics and a little bit of bathtime bliss. Mix and match the ideas here – or create the perfect health and beauty hamper by adding all together for the ultimate wellbeing treat. I would love my children to give me this!

 

Beauty-Boost Truffles

 

These choc-free truffles are the packed with omega-goodness from nuts and seeds as well as healthy oils to help make skin strong and clear. Best of all, they are very easy to make and taste delicious!

 

You will need:

50g each of dates, dried apricots and sunflower seeds

100g raisins

100g porridge oats

50g wheatgerm or oatmeal

20g linseeds

Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons cold-pressed rapeseed or sunflower oil

 

Simply whizz all of the ingredients in a food processor until they form a firm dough ball.  Roll into individual truffle-sized balls and put into the fridge to ‘set’. Place in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or pretty tissue-lined boxes for the perfect Mother’s Day treat. Keep cool and they’ll stay fresh for several weeks.

 

Pick-me-up Tonics

 

Putting together a small basket of pick-me-up vitamins, teas and tonics is a thoughtful way of reviving a busy mum with lasting benefits. B-Complex vitamins are some of the best stress-busters as they support the central nervous system and can help reduce tension and irritability. Choose a formula that contains all the B’s, including B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12.

 

Floradix tonic is one of my all-time favourites as it is rich in absorbable organic iron to reduce tiredness. It’s ideal deal for anyone feeling run-down or in need of an

energy boost. Choose the yeast and gluten-free version and keep in the fridge once opened.

 

Ginseng tea is a traditional energy tonic and recommended by herbalists to increase alertness and mental agility. Some studies suggest it may also boost the immune system and improve digestion. Red (Panax) ginseng is thought to have more health benefits than the white variety.

 

Message in a bottle

 

Tiny bottles of pure essential oil are very versatile beautifiers that improve mood and wellbeing. Look for the words “pure essential oil” on the label as some aromatherapy blends are cheaper dilutions of the real thing. Treat your mum to my all-time top three essential oils and print out this handy guide on how to use them for year-long benefits.

 

Lavender – the classic fragrant mood-restorer to relax and de-stress. Proven to help ‘switch-off’ a busy mind and calm the senses. Has a mildly sedative effect.

 

Neroli – a gorgeously delicate scent from orange blossom flowers, its beautifully fragrant aroma is guaranteed to uplift and cheer.

 

Rose-scented geranium – a fabulously feminine oil extracted from scented pelargonium leaves. So-called as it smells of real roses – without the hefty price tag.

 

Top Tips:

 

Sprinkle a few drops of pure lavender oil onto a pillow to encourage a good night’s sleep.

Add a drop each of neroli and rose-scented geranium to a basin of water to scent the hands after washing.

 

Make a reviving massage oil blend by mixing 10 drops lavender, 6 drops neroli and 4 drops rose-scented geranium to 50ml cold-pressed grapeseed or almond oil.

 

Add 3 drops of each to a pre-run warm bath (don’t sprinkle under the hot tap as this destroys the scents), lie back and soak all stresses away.

 

All the above ingredients and products are available from good chemists and health food shops or on-line suppliers such as Revital and Victoria Health.

 

Follow @LizEarleMe on Twitter for more tips on wellbeing

Freya Lingerie SS13 | Fashion

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I came across Freya Lingerie in the Handpicked Media suite at the Aldwych Hotel for London Fashion Week. I loved their SS13 range. They are innovative in many ways, they do the Deco 365 bra. It is a bra which you can wear under any clothes. It was launched in 2009 and they have sold over 300,000 of them.

If you are a larger cup size then it can be hard to find a bra to wear under most things. That is what makes the Deco great. It can be worn any day under any outfit, and day.

Freya also have a sports bra that not only supports you, but also has coolmax material to wick moisture away from the body and a Polygiene fabric, a silver ion based technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria, which gives an odour free, antibacterial finish. It keeps you fresh no matter how hard you work out.

I have chosen some of my personal favourites from the new season. Glamour also love the purple set. Let me know what you think.

ASHLEE-CANDY-UNDERWIRED-MOULDED-PLUNGE-0001-HIGH-WAISTED-BRIEF-0005

DECO-HONEY-IRIS-GLAMOUR2

GEM-CHINA-BLUE-UNDERWIRED-HALF-CUP-BRA-1363-HIGH-WAISTED-BRIEF-1365