Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

Vichy and La Roche-Posay Skincare

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In late October I went to check out skincare by Vichy and La Roche-Posay at B.Hive in Covent Garden. I have always been a fan of Vichy but this was my first experience of La Roche-Posay.

Vichy started in 1931 with the birth in France of Vichy Dermatological Health Society.

When we arrived we were offered some prosecco and some canapes. The lovely Julia greeted us and talked us through the range. I was hugely impressed by Julia. Not only is she a great advert for the brand as she has the most amazing skin, but she also knows everything there is to know about Vichy and La Roche-Posay.

Vichy and La Roche-Posay has a product for every type of skin. I was impressed at the size of the range. There is also a good amount of products for sensitive skin like mine.

In the coming month I will be reviewing Vichy Idealia, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra, Vichy Normaderm Total Mat and La Roche-Posay Anthelios AC Matt Extreme Fluid SPF 30. So watch this space.

Skyfall: The Best Bond Film Ever?

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The new Bond film, Skyfall, has had a wave of good publicity. It is now the highest-earning Bond film ever, making £32.7million in its first seven days in the UK, and that is even before it opened in America.

I thought Skyfall was one of the best Bond films I have ever seen. My other favourite being Casino Royale. Bond’s relationship with ‘M’ in the movie, played by Judi Dench, is wonderful and multi-layered. The scenes in London are shot beautifully, as are the ones in Scotland.

This side of Bond is more human. Sure Javier Bardem as the villian is camper than a row of tents, but a lot of the Bond villians have been quite outlandish, it only adds to the movie experience. If anything it is a nod to past Bond films. I have always liked Daniel Craig as an actor, he really is one of our best, and I think he makes a great Bond. This film is a more human side to Bond.

Skyfall is a much more modern take on the Bond franchise. It also goes much deeper than previous films, letting us know about Bond’s past. Skyfall is sleeker, more human and full of depth. Sure it is entertaining and full of action- it’s a Bond film- but Skyfall gives you even more: an action film with something to say. I think Sam Mendes has done a great job. One of the themes of Skyfall is the loss of youth. We see that Bond is not invincible. The feels like a changing of the guard.

I know some people have complained that Skyfall is sexist BUT complaining that a Bond film sexist is a little like going to a violent film and complaining that there is blood: it just makes you look silly. Ian Fleming’s book are hardly feminist textbooks. Just watch the film and enjoy. It is a fun ride.

On the week of the Annual Victoria’s Secret showcase, Miranda Kerr shares the insider knowledge on her catwalk body

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ON THE WEEK OF THE ANNUAL VICTORIA’S SECRET SHOWCASE, MIRANDA KERR SHARES THE INSIDER KNOWLEDGE ON HER CATWALK BODY

 

With the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show commencing last night, all eyes were on their golden girl, Miranda Kerr. But as she stripped down to show off the latest lines, how did Miranda prepare her figure for the catwalk showcase?

 

We’ve rounded up Miranda’s most sought after beauty secrets, and given you the go-to guide to the catwalk body everyone’s lusting after this season.

 

SHE SAYS

“To keep my skin in check I always eat lots of greens and take Chlorella supplements and drink lots of water”

 

WE SAY

The powerful combination of key nutrients in chlorella help to detox and cleanse the skin and body, and also improve energy, sleep, hair and prevent nail ridges and splitting. Sun Chlorella ‘A’ is comprised of a whopping 60% pure plant protein, containing a unique component called Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which encourages growth and repair of cells and tissues in our bodies, working alongside antioxidant Vitamin A to bring anti-ageing benefits to your complexion.

Sun Chlorella is priced £21.95 for 300 tablets (a 20-30 day supply) and in NEW Sun Chlorella ‘A’ Granules, perfect for beauty boosting smoothies, priced at £21.95 for a 20 x 3g sachets box (one month’s supply)  available from http://www.tesco.com/ and www.SunChlorella.co.uk

 

SHE SAYS

“I will not go a day without coconut oil”

 

WE SAY

Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler said one of the reasons coconut oil is so popular was its multi-functional benefits when used on the skin, hair or eaten.  “The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture” said Kate. “This makes it an ideal ointment for the relief of dry, rough skin, and an effective after-sun lotion because it literally melts into your skin.  Coconut oil works wonderfully as a hair conditioner too as Miranda Kerr’s diet shows can be eaten on salads or used as a cooking oil” Holland & Barrett – Pure Coconut Oil is priced at £12.59 for 453g.

 

SHE SAYS

‘Now being a mother I don’t have as much time to spend on my skin. I like to wear rosehip oil at night. It’s full of that many antioxidants and it really works on a cellular level too to rejuvenate the skin. I put that on at night and I wake up glowing.’

 

WE SAY

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is a powerful 100% natural skincare product that helps improve the appearance of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks. Its potent active ingredients make it highly effective for other skin concerns includingdry and dehydrated skin, ageing skin and uneven skin tone. All skin types will benefit from using this lightweight oil which absorbs easily just like a serum.

£16.50 for 20ml and £28.50 for 45ml available from John Lewis trilogyproducts.co.uk and hollandandbarrett.com

 

SHE SAYS

“I have been working out quite a bit doing Pilates and yoga and strength training with weights and resistant bands and I eat super healthy.”

WE SAY

Justin Way, Fitness Expert and Personal Trainer at Pure Gym (www.puregym.com) says “Pilates can improve strength, flexibility and overall mobility, and develops the mind as well as the body.

It’s a totally safe and effective exercise method which will improve posture and over time help you achieve strong core strength, develop lean muscle tissue and improve wellbeing.

Pure Gym’s 24-hour, no contract membership starts from £17.99 a month. For more information, visit www.puregym.com

 

SHE SAYS

 “I drink warm water and lemon every morning and I also drink lots of good quality purified and preferably alkaline water throughout the day.”

 

WE SAY

Water is essential for life. It accounts for about 60% of our body weight and  performs crucial roles such as carrying nutrients and waste products between our major organs, helping regulate body temperature, lubricating our moving parts, and acting as a shock absorber. Independent consultant to the Natural Hydration Council – Dr Emma Derbyshire PhD, RNutr. Nutrition Consultant explains “Quench your thirst with water first before going on to enjoy other beverages such as tea, coffee, squash and fruit juices. If in doubt, the Food Standards Agency provides a useful guide of 6 to 8 glasses of water a day for the average person.”

 

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Theatre

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 

Lazarus Theatre Company – www.lazarustheatrecompany.webs.com

27 November – 15 December

 

A Spell-binding and Striking Re-Imagining

 

Lazarus Theatre Company returns to the Blue Elephant to herald in Christmas with a touch of magic and enchantment.

One of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is transported to a frozen forest by a company whose work is “a superb lesson in how to adapt an old classic for a contemporary audience” (Spoonfed).

High in the mountains, four young lovers find themselves far from home, following romance at all costs. With the fairies at hand to weave their spells, nothing is quite as it seems until confusion gives way to happy-ever-after.

“If you know anyone unsure of Shakespeare then take them to see this and have them fall in love!”    

Dave Jordan, WhatsonStage on Macbeth

 

Director and Designer: Ricky Dukes

Composer: Phillip Ryder

Lighting Designer: Alex Musgrave

Costume Designer: Rachel Dingle

 

Cast: Benjamin Archer, Michael Bagwell, Alice Brown, Lucy Fyffe, Julie Gilby, Sheila Grant, Cameron Harle, Alexandra Harman, Ewa Jaworski, Angela Jimenez, Danny Lawrence, Stuart Mortimer, Jen Painter, Sian Stephenson, James Taylor Thomas & Joseph Tweedale.

 

Dates: Tuesday 27 November – Saturday 15 December (Tuesday – Saturday only)

Times: 8pm (Wednesday matinees at 4pm on 5 and 12 December)

Tickets: £15 (£10 conc. and previews Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 November), £9 Southwark residents

 


Venue: Blue Elephant Theatre, 59a Bethwin Rd, Camberwell, SE5 0XT (entrance on Thompson Ave)

Nearest tube: Oval (Northern Line)

Wheelchair accessible

Box Office: 020 7701 0100/084 4477 1000

www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk

info@blueelephanttheatre.co.uk

Twitter: @BETCamberwell


Politicians Get £400 Per Month Food Allowance While Families Go Hungry

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It has not been a good time for the general public recently. In the past few years we have learned that some of our politicians are corrupt (the expenses scandal), that some of the Metropolitan Police Force was on the pay role of News Corporation, and that some of the press dealt in illegal activities to get their stories. Is anyone on the straight and narrow these days?

While ordinary people feel the pinch along with everyone else MP’s are legally claiming £400 per month on food. In fact, politics is the only career that I can think of where your get a food allowance and also get your rent or mortgage paid. All by the taxpayer, who can barely afford to live.

Recently I watched a brilliant documentary that was on the BBC called Britain’s Hidden Hungry. This was along the same lines of an excellent Marie Claire magazine article that I recently read. The documentary focused on food banks in Coventry. Food banks are on the rise now as families tighten their belts. Their are 11 food bank in Coventry. They are called Hope Centres and are set up by a Christian charity. A voucher is given to you by social services if you are deemed in need. Each voucher gives you 3 days of food.

Two more food banks are opening every week. The food bank in Coventry fed 10,000 people in 8 months. These food banks are on the rise all over the UK. Sometimes people need them as they have fallen down a benefits hole. One young women in the documentary who was in full time education only ate one meal a day because she was not eligible for benefits. She was even told to have a child by an employee at the benefits agency so she could apply for benefits.

I know quite a few politicians and they are not all corrupt and horrible. Some of them go into politics to help people and do good. But you have to wonder why in the current economical climate they are making cuts to benefits and the price of everything is rising above inflation that MP’s still get their food and rent paid for them. Especially as their constituents will be surviving on the bare minimum. If they really want to make more cuts, maybe that would be a good place to start?

Some MP’s do not even seem grateful at being in the only profession I can think of that pays for your food and rent and are still taking advantage of the situation.

David Amess is one of 27 MPs who claim expenses up to £20,000 a year to rent a second home in London while letting out the property and pocketing the cash. But he is doing nothing wrong according to parliamentary rules, just moral ones then.

Amess’s constituency home is in Essex, a mere 41 miles from Westminster. One wonders why MPs cannot commute like the rest of us. Amess owns a home in South West London, rents another at the expense of the taxpayer AND was claiming expenses to stay in a hotel in London.

The MP hit taxpayers with 23 separate expenses claims for ­hotels since July 2011.

Is one of the reasons so many MP’s are happily pushing through more austerity measures, because the austerity never affects them? Maybe a dose of reality is in order.

The Barclaycard Mercury Prize. Plan B, Florence Welch, Mark Ronson Attend

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Plan B, Florence Welch, Mark Ronson and co celebrate after The Barclaycard Mercury Prize

November the 1st saw a whole host of music’s finest celebrate the Barclaycard Mercury Prize at The Box including shortlisted artists Plan B, The Maccabees, Jessie Ware, Ben Howard, Django Django The party featured a special performance by Marina & The Diamonds.
Florence Welch turned up dressed as Joan of Ark choosing to leave The Machines Birthday bash to party with Mark Ronson, Jamie XX and the shortlisted artists.

Celebs in attendance were 

Plan B
Django Django
Maccabees
Jessie Ware
Ben Howard
Florence Welch (Florence & The Machine)
Mark Ronson
Jamie XX
Luke Treadaway
Sam Brandon
Ty Wood
Mat Horne
Will Poulter
Marina Diamandis (our guest performer)
Grace Woodward
Charlie Speed
Isaac Ferry
Otis Ferry
Sasha Bailey
Fin Munro
Billie JD Porter
Gizzi Erskine
Orlando Weeks
Percy Parker
Will Best
Zoe Ball

Kate Moss: I Was Forced To Pose Topless

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Kate Moss has told Vanity Fair that she suffered a nervous breakdown after being pushed into posing topless. The model also said she was in tears after being forced to pose topless and that she had no one to look after her apart from when she dated Johnny Depp.

Moss told Vanity Fair magazine that she felt uncomfortable on the shoot with The Face magazine with photographer Corinne Day which made her famous.

I see a 16-year-old now, and to ask her to take her clothes off would feel really weird,’ Moss said.

‘But they were like “If you don’t do it, then we’re not going to book you again”. So I’d lock myself in the toilet and cry and then come out and do it. I never felt very comfortable about it.’

 

The supermodel said that she suffered mental health problems while working for Calvin Klein in the early 1990s.

‘I had a nervous breakdown when I was 17 or 18, when I had to go and work with Marky Mark and Herb Ritts,’

‘It didn’t feel like me at all. I felt really bad about straddling this buff guy. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t get out of bed for two weeks. I thought I was going to die.’

She went on: ‘It was just anxiety. Nobody takes care of you mentally. There’s a massive pressure to do what you have to do.’

Moss also said that after she broke up with Johnny Depp she ‘cried for years’.

What do you think?

New Star Wars Film – It’s Official

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New Star Wars Film – It’s Official!

George Lucas has sold LucasFilm to Walt Disney for $4.05 billion and now the studio has confirmed it will make Star Wars Episode 7 in 2015.

If you are a fan of George Lucas then don’t get upset, Lucas will be working on the film as a creative consultant.

“It’s now time for me to pass ‘Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers,” announced George Lucas.

Kathleen Kennedy, who is the current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become the president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.

What do you think?