The Best Tights For Autumn

I am a huge fan of tights and stockings. They can instantly update a look. I have picked out some of my favourites from MyTights.com and reviewed them. I modeled them myself so you can see what they look like on a normal women. Here goes….

Pamela Mann Sheer Dotty Tights

 

Pretty tights with a dainty spotted design to suit every age and every style.

These are very timeless. Dotty tights have always been popular. I love this pair. They are really comfortable, elegant and luxurious.
 

Spanx High Waisted Tight End Tights

 

These high waisted opaque tights will shape your bottom and midriff for a slimline silhouette. All of my actor friends kept telling me about Spanx, so I decided to try them. I heard that Spanx were really uncomfortable, but to be honest, once I got them on I was fine. As long as you get them in the right size they are great. It’s a myth that they make you a lot thinner, but they really do smooth you out. These tights are perfect if you have any too tight clothes. The slip on afterward. I liked what they did to my silhouette.

 


These 40 denier Argyle Backseam Tights by Mary Portas and Charnos feature argyle diamonds on the back of the leg – a subtle way to get in on the trend for heritage patterns. I LOVE these tights. They have a subtle Argyle backseam. I got loads of complements when I wore them. They are really quirky and fun. Exactly what you would expect from Mary Portas. Comfy too. Check out the Indigo ones. Gorgeous. With their dainty opaque polka dots from toe to waist, these Sheer Spot Tights by Mary Portas and Charnos will get you in line with one of this season’s most wearable trends. More dots! This time in silver, and the black pair with dots that are less subtle. Beautiful, cool tights. They get my stamp of approval.

What tights will you be wearing this autumn?

Frost Summer Fashion Special

It’s summer now and it’s hot, hot, hot. So Frost Magazine has found some beautiful summery clothes that will keep you cool and looking hot in the summer sun. First up is a choice of seasonal fashion from Benetton. I have chosen some cute outfits that can be accessorised with hot tights, or left on their own for an understated and elegant look. Here is my pick:

 

This pink wrap dress is gorgeous and low-maintenance. Throw it on and you’re done.

You can’t go wrong with a red dress. So beautiful.

Brightly coloured jeans and trousers are huge this summer. This is a trend that is not going away.

This dress is beautiful. Perfect casual wear.

This dress is perfect for a summer evening. It is quite fashion-forward but very elegant.

What are your favourite summer outfits? Let us know.

 

 

Vivienne Westwood designs dress for the London 2012 Closing Ceremony

The London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony took place last night with an explosion of culture, music and fashion. The catwalk show curated by Vogue UK, presented 8 of Britain’s supermodels all wearing creations by the best of British fashion designers.

Vivienne Westwood, who is also part of the UK governments ‘The GREAT campaign’, created a couture ball gown elegantly modelled by international super model Lily Donaldson. The Vivienne Westwood ‘Olympic Court dress’ was especially created for the ceremony in gold hammered sequins embroidered with gold metallic thread on stiff organza tulle in an abstract baroque pattern detail and was inspired by 17th Century English Royalty and the court of King Charles II.

The ‘Court’ dress was originally designed for the Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Autumn- Winter 2012/13 collection and is Vivienne’s favourite dress:

‘The corset is based on a 17th Century style corset but is oversized at the neckline which modernises it and shows the décolletage beautifully- I call this style the Stature of Liberty corset. I love the way the gold lace is transparent at the bottom. Lily looks incredible in the dress. She is a fantastic person and follows my environmental initiatives and has been involved in my campaign to fundraise for rainforest charity Cool Earth.’

-Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood is not only considered a symbol of British avant-garde she is also one of the most influential and recognized designers in the world today. With references to historical dress and British fashion and culture Vivienne Westwood continues to design clothes which stand the test of time.

www.viviennewestwood.com

Pay Less For Your Prescriptions.

Check if you qualify for free prescriptions

People in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all have free prescriptions. People who live in England are not so lucky. However, if you are on some benefits, are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months then you will be entitled to free prescriptions. Check with your pharmacist.

Use An Alternative

Check that the medicine you have the prescription for is not available over the counter. It could be cheaper to buy it without the prescription. A lot of commonly prescribed medicine is available over the counter.

Prepay.

You can get something called a prescriptions prepayment certificate. It covers all of your NHS prescriptions for a certain period.

For example, if you need four prescriptions in a three month period, you would be better off buying a three-month certificate which costs £29.10. You can get these from the NHS Prescription Pricing Authority website nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx or call 0845 850 0030

Ask Your Doctor To Buy in Bulk

You can ask your doctor for a single prescription to cover a certain amount of time. It is not well known but this means that a 1-3 month prescription would only cost £7.65. Instead of buying four different prescriptions over that time, which would cost £30.60. Talk to your doctor about prescription charges and how you can save money.

Other ways to save on medical bills it to take out temporary medical insurance. Your health is the most important thing in life so invest in it as much as you can.

Paradigm Theatre Company presents The Inappropriateness of Love | Theatre

Paradigm Theatre Company presents

The Inappropriateness of Love

By Sarah E. Pitard

Directed by Cat Robey

Unrestricted View
Hen and Chickens Theatre
109 St. Pauls Road
N1 2NA
London

4th-29th September 2012

“Look… I, um… I had a good time with you…In fact, I had such a good time…that I’m inviting you to be my plus one to the wedding. What do you say? Come with me?”

The Show

The Inappropriateness of Love is a dark comedy about six interconnected people, trying to figure out who they are and where their place is in the game of love.

Scooter, a 30-year-old computer programmer, has recently received an invitation to a friend’s wedding. He really needs to find a date! Like a good son he occasionally calls on his mum for help, who is busy taking care of her husband with Alzheimer’s. There is also Zoey, Scooter’s best friend, an archaeologist on her way to Turkey to find some peace and quiet. Next there is Jessica, a therapist who is attempting to put her life together after a messy divorce with Darren. Darren is an older man, who doesn’t know who he is, or what or whom he wants. He is dating Stephanie, Scooter’s colleague, a naïve young woman looking for the perfect man.

The Inappropriateness of Love is Paradigm’s first full-length production, written by Paradigm’s Artistic Director, Sarah Pitard:

“…Pitard’s own piece of new writing, ‘3 X’s The Charm’… was a brilliant start to the evening and gave a great first taste of what Paradigm Theatre had to offer.” (*****Remote Goat, ‘3 X’s the Charm’, 2012)

2013 Off West End Award Nominated Director Cat Robey is a founding member of Paradigm, who previously co-founded LittleBerry Productions in 2011, a company committed to providing a platform for emerging talent and working with new writing. For Paradigm, Cat most recently directed 3 X’s the Charm and a scene from A Woman of No Importance…or Somewhat Little Importance Anyhow for Paradigm’s Evening of Words and Wine Benefit Show. Freelance, Cat most recently directed Award Nominated production Ondine at The White Bear Theatre, London. Press for Cat’s previous work includes:

“A play is only as good as its director, and Cat Robey must take a large amount of credit for this magical piece of theatre.” (Frost Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)
“…Incredibly charming and engaging as a play, imaginative, surprising and, at times, profound; qualities which Cat Robey’s confident direction brings out.” (****Exeunt Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)
“Cat Robey’s direction encouraged high stakes, and a gradual build towards a thoroughly gripping climax.” (Frost Magazine, ‘As Fate Would Have It…’ 2011)
“This taut drama… captures your attention from the outset. The chemistry between the actors is electric and the performances are remarkable.” (*****BroadwayBaby, ‘Feathers’, 2010)

The cast includes Jonathon West, Cheska Moon, Phoebe Batteson-Brown, Lee Lytle, and Gilly Daniels. Press for the cast includes:

“Phoebe Batteson-Brown drew my eyes whenever she was on stage and although her parts were small, they gave indications of a much larger potential.” (Frost Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)

“Cheska Moon and Jonathan West were excellent in portraying the subtle changes between scenes and both brought vast amounts of charisma and comic timing to the roles.” (*****Remote Goat, ‘3X’s the Charm’, 2012)

“…In a cast full of testosterone, Cheska Moon gives an excellent manipulative and sexy performance as goth queen Tamora” (The Londonist, ‘Titus Andronicus’, 2010)

“Gilly Daniels as the nurse is an unstoppable force and accounts for at least three of
the strongest scenes in the production.” (The Times Colonist, ‘Romeo and Juliet’)

The Company

Created in January 2012, Paradigm Theatre Company is the only fringe repertory company in London. What that means is that besides producing four shows per season, we pull from the same body of actors, directors, and writers (our Artistic Associates) in order to produce each piece. We also have yearly season auditions where we bring in cast members from outside of Paradigm to provide a platform for emerging talent. The ethos behind this is that no member of the company will go more than a year without any artistic work, something that has become quite common for artists in the current economy.

The company produces four shows a year: three new writing pieces (one of which is an adaptation) and one classical play.

Paradigm recently produced a benefit show, staring Sylvia Syms, Annabel Leventon, and Dudley Sutton, to raise funds for the forthcoming season:

“A brilliant evening of entertainment with acting, directing and writing that displayed absolute class. The honourable ethos of offering a creative platform is simply not ambitious enough. This isn’t just a platform, it is a new and exciting theatre company that offers an opportunity for audiences to be thoroughly entertained.” (*****Remote Goat, A Night of Words and Wine Benefit Show, 2012)

More information and full company details, please visit: www.paradigmtheatrecompany.co.uk

To purchase tickets online for The Inappropriateness of Love, please visit:

http://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/page/more-info.php?id=1265

Damsels In Distress Film Review

Damsels in Distress is a quirky and funny movie about depression. Yes, really. It has a funny script. Whit Stillman’s first film in 13 years is a very original film about a trio of girls who try and rescue their fellow students from depression and general low standards. Love is won and lost, and because the film is about college students, this is all heightened.

With subtle humour and cracking lines through out, this film has a very Woody Allen-esque feel to it. It is a smart comedy with brilliant costumes and musical numbers. Yes, that’s right musical numbers. Even if musicals are not your thing, the sight of earnest Violet, played by Great Gerwig, trying to fix her fellow students depression through song and dance is endearing and fun to watch.

The characters are fun and well-rounded. I really liked this charming comedy. Watching Damsels in Distress is a fun way to spend an evening. It has a strong script and a wonderful vintage feel.

From Academy Award® nominee Whit Stillman (Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Metropolitan, 1990) comes the charming and witty comedy DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, debuting on DVD August 20 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film is a quirky tale of a group of beautiful, female college students and their misguided ways of helping to cure their depressed classmates with a programme of good scents and musical dance numbers. DAMSELS IN DISTRESS stars Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, upcoming To Rome With Love by Woody Allen), Aubrey Plaza (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, TV’s “Parks & Recreation”), Adam Brody (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, TV’s “The OC”, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love, TV’s “America’s Next Top Model”), Hugo Becker (TV’s “Gossip Girl”), Megalyn Echikunwoke (TV’s “House of Lies,” “90210”), and newcomer Carrie MacLemore.

DAMSELS IN DISTRESS follows a trio of beautiful girls who set out to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast College – the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore). They welcome transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men — including slick Charlie (Adam Brody), dreamboat Xavier (Hugo Becker) and the mad frat boys Frank (Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (Billy Magnussen)—who threaten the girls’ friendship and sanity.

A charming comedy starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody and Annaleigh Tipton, is out on the 20th August.In this stylish and quirky film Violet, played by Woody Allen’s latest leading lady Greta Gerwig.

Greta Gerwig has all the best lines. Check out the quotes from her character below.

Violet: [about their college] There’s enough material here for a lifetime of social work.

Violet: We’re also trying to make a difference in people’s lives, and one way to do that is to stop them from killing themselves.

Violet: I don’t really like the word “depressed”. I prefer to say I’m in a tailspin.

Interview With A Hitman Review

Raised in the harsh slums of Romania, Victor knows the value of life more than most, which makes him the perfect killer. But after being betrayed by the very men who made him, he must fake his own death and escape to London. Here he joins a new gangster family and finds his rules are again put to the test in the midst of a vicious underworld power struggle.

Viktor is now better, faster and more ruthless than ever before. With the secrets of his past refusing to fade away, an encounter with a dark beauty turns his world on its head and offers him the chance for a new life. But can he ever escape the existence he was born into? It is not long before a deadly threat from a past he thought long buried surfaces and he is forced to change his path. It is time to face that which cannot be forgotten.

Luke Goss plays Viktor, the anti-hero of the film. Viktor is a cold-blooded killer and you really shouldn’t like him, but in the end you do, just a little anyway. Goss is brilliant in the role. He really is an actor of note. Someone should give him a lead role in a Hollywood film soon. The reason you like his unlikeable character is because of his depth of range. He is not playing a character, he is playing a person. There are so many layers and so many ‘what ifs’ that you somehow relate to his character and empathise with him. This is of course due to the talent of not only Goss, but also writer/director Perry Bhandal who Frost Magazine has interviewed.

This film is a triumph. It makes you think and really involves you. Not many of the characters are likeable but you’re still interested in them. Interview With a Hitman may be a low-budget film but it is a very good film. Great entertainment. Very well done. A must see for everyone, but especially for low-budget filmmakers so they can see how high the bar has been set.

Can’t Give You Up – Photos We Can Never Throw Out

NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP – THOSE PHOTOS WE CAN’T BRING OURSELVES TO GET RID OF

  • ·         43 per cent of Brits keep photographs of former partners

 

Breaking up is hard to do, and while millionairess Tamara Ecclestone has tasked bodyguards with ridding her home of every trace of her love rat ex-boyfriend Omar Khyami, research from Friends Reunited shows many of us can’t bring ourselves to be so cut-throat. The latest findings reveal 21.6 million Brits have held onto photographs of former partners following a break up.

 

Women are more sentimental than men, with 61 per cent claiming they keep the photos as they highlight a part of their life they don’t want to forget, versus 56 per cent of men.  But men may be hiding more from their partners than their other halves realise. One in five men (20%) in a current relationship who have photos of their ex partners say they have hidden photos of an ex fearing disapproval from their new partner, compared to only nine per cent of women.

 

Men also seem to have more weighing on their conscience, as 17 per cent said they ‘sometimes feel guilty about keeping photos of their ex partners’, compared to just 11 per cent of their female counterparts. They may have good reason for this, however, as more than one in ten men who keep photos of their ex partners (12%) admit they still have feelings for their ex, compared to only five percent of women.

 

Corinne Sweet, behavioral psychologist said: “It’s not surprising that nearly half of us keep some kind of visual memento of past partners; a photo generates strong emotions as it unleashes memories of past attachment and times. The main reason people hide their photos (especially men) is probably due to a fear of their current partner’s jealousy, or of evoking comparisons in terms of attractiveness and sexiness, etc.  Emotionally mature partners will be able to accept you have a past love-life.

 

“The point at which people are able to put an ex-partner’s photo away (after a split, divorce or death) is usually the time they are emotionally ready to move on. Yet, it is totally understandable for people to keep photos to remind them of previous loves, as, indeed, these images do form part of our life stories – whether for better or for worse.”

 

Top reasons for keeping photos of ex partners:

  All Men Women
It was part of my life/growing up that I don’t want to forget 59% 56% 61%
They bring back good memories 40% 45% 35%
I don’t like throwing any photos away 37% 38% 36%
They remind me of a special event 24% 22% 25%
I look good in the photos 10% 10% 9%
They make me laugh 10% 8% 11%
I still have feelings for my ex 9% 12% 5%
I think we may get back together one day 2% 3% 1%
So I can use them against him/her one day 1% 2% 1%

 

 

The majority of us (48%) keep these snaps in old photo albums, but others (31%) stash them in cupboards and drawers, or in the attic (12%). Nine per cent of men say they purposely keep the photos in hidden files on their computer.

 

Matt Bushby, Head of Friends Reunited, said: “We all have photos from our past we want to keep; whether we want to share with others, or remain private. Old photos are often the best – they bring back memories and blasts from the pasts, even if we think we’d sometimes prefer to forget! The new Friends Reunited site is the one place you can search, collect and save treasured personal memories, especially old photos that have a special place in our hearts and you make them totally private if you want too!”