Lusardi: My Miracle… The Cream of Luxury Skincare

Linda-Lusardi-image1[1]

When Linda Lusardi launches a skincare brand, you sit up and listen. Known for her youthful appearance and elegant style, it was inevitable that she would create a skincare range that reflects her personality… and Linda takes no prisoners when it comes to putting her name to a product, it has to be top notch. But this isn’t Linda’s first step into developing a skincare range, in fact, she launched her initial skincare range ten years ago, but this additional range was launched about two and a half years ago. When I asked why she felt the need to set her mind on a new skincare venture, she told me that it started just through the frustration of not finding anything for herself that was in the price range she wanted. With Ideal World (www.idealworld.tv), her team sourced the manufacturing base for La Prairie, Crème de la Mer and Bulgari in Switzerland, and using the same technicians and chemists, brought to the market products that were on the same level of quality both in their ingredients and packaging but at an affordable price point. But one vital ingredient is key to Linda’s range… edelweiss. Mixed with glacier water, hyaluronic acid and almond oil, it is a key ingredient due to its natural protective qualities.

Linda explained that because millions of pounds aren’t being expended for endorsement by a Hollywood celebrity to put their face on the products, advertising in glossy magazines and selling it in Harrods, she’s able to keep the profit margin down and bring it at a high street price that you would pay for a normal cream in Boots, but you’re getting a really luxury range with expensive active ingredients. The range was showcased at the Anti-Ageing Health and Beauty Show at Olympia in May, Linda told me “The women trying it just loved it, it’s just a divine cream and if you’re spending that amount on a cream now on the high street, then you’re not going to be getting the amount of ingredients in there that you’re getting in mine. On screen (Ideal World), I battle to try and say you’re getting exactly the same quality of product as those ones that are charging like £100 or £300 a pot, but it is hard to convince people that what they’re getting is the same, if not better.”

Linda has a strict daily beauty regime, at night to remove her make-up she uses the Caviar Cleanser and Radiance (£17.99 120ml + £4.99 P&P) and a hot large muslin cloth (sold with the product) which is slightly abrasive to the touch, exfoliating and cleansing with almond oil and beeswax as well as the caviar, glacier water and edelweiss. So it moisturises, cleanses and exfoliates all in one go, then applying Recharge Night Cream (£29.99 50ml + £5.99 P&P) and Restore Eye Serum (£24.99 15ml + £4.99 P&P). In the morning she doesn’t always use the hot cloth cleanser but might just use the cleanser on its own without the cloth, just to wake her face up and cleanse, then Eye Serum and Line Lift Serum (£24.99 30ml + £4.99 P&P), which both contain a tightening agent that really lifts the face and makes it plump up and makes it feel fuller, disguising the lines but still putting all those lovely ingredients in as well. An important product is the Outstanding Caviar Neck and Decollete Cream (£24.99 50ml + £4.99 P&P), which is used night and morning, perfect for tightening those important areas which are often forgotten. A swift application of 12hr Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream (£24.99 50ml + £5.99 P&P) and off she goes! Most day products have a UVA/UVB filter, which is very important for me, the sun is extremely damaging and this range makes sun protection a priority.

We remember Linda Lusardi as a former model, she is an actress, TV presenter… the list goes on, and recently appeared on ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’. She told me “I didn’t think I’d get to the show because I did break my foot in about the second lesson so I had a Beckham boot on for six weeks, I was filming Emmerdale, hobbling on my boot and then they said no, you’ve still got time to be in it, you’ll just have to catch up!” Linda made it to week seven, a braver woman than I! But would she consider ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ if approached? Linda said “Oh, I’d aboslutely love to do it! I’d love to be able to dance like that because I’m quite agile and I’d just love to be able to move in those beautiful dresses.”
Watch this space…

The complete Lusardi: My Miracle range is available exclusively at www.idealworld.tv
Linda is appearing as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the New Theatre in Cardiff later this year.

Angelina Jolie And Michelle Obama Add Voices To #bringbackourgirls Campaign For Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolgirls

Last month over 200 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped and thanks to social media, the protest has been loud, with powerful names giving their support. Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama have added their voices to the #bringbackourgirls campaign. The First Lady tweeted this photo and message of support.

michelle obama #bringbackourgirls

Angelina Jolie told the Agence France-Presse: “The kidnapping of these young Nigerian girls is an unthinkable cruelty, Sadly, of course, there is real evil in the world. You watch the news and you see all of the people suffering and so much cruelty.”

CNN screened a video released by Nigerian Islamic group Boko Haram which featured the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, who claimed responsibility for kidnapping the girls and vowed to sell them into slavery. Reportedly, 276 girls were kidnapped from a school in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state.

Visit Change.org to sign the petition and use the #bringbackourgirls hashtag.

 

The Financial Times Guide to Management Book Review

For those in business, or hoping to be, management is very important. Or to be more precise, being good at management and doing it properly is important. This guide to management comes from The Financial Times and is written by Ann Francke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute. So far so impressive.

Ann Franckle book The Financial Times Guide to Management

Also impressive is that it has an entire chapter on managing yourself. I think this is a genius idea that not many books would think of. Getting yourself sorted out first obviously makes perfect sense: lead by example. Each chapter starts with what you will learn in that chapter and then ends with top tips, pitfalls and takeaways.

For all of the wealth of information in this book it is surprisingly easy to read. Add in the graphs, anecdotes and exercises then you have one hell of a book on management. Part 7 even has view from the front line: top tips, pitfalls and takeaways from top managers, along with views from the FT’s Finest.

FT Guide to Management: How to be a Manager Who Makes a Difference and Gets Results is an essential business book for managers. Don’t be without it.

What they say:

“Ann Francke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, writes a much needed straight talking guide to management.


According to a 2012 survey by CMI and Penna*, 43% of individuals rated their managers as ineffective or highly ineffective. This statistic will be no surprise to most – many surveys and research papers have revealed similarly gloomy results in recent years.

 

So why do we struggle to ‘get management right’? Probably because so many people have become ‘accidental managers’; they have been promoted into management positions due to specialist skills. Many are given little or no training when they are promoted and are left to work it out for themselves.  The mind boggling array of management books on the market does little to simplify the ‘management message’ as approaches are many and varied.

 

In response, Ann Francke, CEO of the CMI, has written The Financial Times Guide to Management. Backed by the wealth of CMI research, her extensive global management experience, and advice from over 40 frontline managers, Ann has created a straight talking and balanced guide to management.

 

It covers the full spectrum of management skills, including managing others, managing change, managing stakeholders, managing budgets and resources, creating business strategy and executing plans.  A chapter offering Views from the Front Line, grounds the book in practical advice, with over 40 senior executives sharing their top tips, pitfalls and takeaways. Contributors include Paul Polman (CEO, Unilever), Steve Marshall (Chairman, Balfour Beatty) and Cilla Snowball (Chairman and CEO, AMV BBDO).  In a similarly neat framework, a 20 page Guide to the Gurus takes readers through a pithy summary of the bestselling and most admired management gurus.

 

From motivating a team and developing star talent to controlling budgets and fostering innovation, The Financial Times Guide to Management is the authoritative guide to becoming an effective manager.”

 

The Financial Times Guide to Management, is published by Pearson.

 

 

John Campbell-Mac Interview: On The Toscars, British Hustle & Ron Jeremy

Congratulations on winning a Toscar. How did that feel?

When I got up to receive the Toscar I was almost (only almost ha ha) lost for words. With over 600 people cheering and smiling back at me at the Egyptian theatre it was quite surreal. I had a brilliant Toscar experience from start to finish.

Red carpet at the Toscars with  wife Stephanie Campbell-Mac and good friend and actress Victoria Hopkins

Red carpet at the Toscars with wife Stephanie Campbell-Mac and good friend and actress Victoria Hopkins

Did you think you would win?

I was totally shocked, I had absolutely no idea I was going to win but had so much fun on the movie with our brilliant cast and crew winning best supporting whactor was just the icing on the cake.

Tell us about British Hustle

What a great job writer director Sandro Monetti did with British Hustle. Tons of hilarious physical comedy and no mean feat adapting a much loved feature length screenplay into a short parody and somehow still have it make sense and be funny. Everyone involved was great and Marina (Marina Paganucci the producer) and the dream team as they like to me known took it from funny to hysterical.

You also wrote and performed the soundtrack and did the video for the leading single Get Down with Ron Jeremy. How did you manage to fit all that in?

That was insane, especially when you consider it was just weeks before my wedding! When Sandro first asked me if I would write some songs for the sound track. I told him I was flattered but there was just not enough time. The wiley fox then mentioned that if I could, then we could release the EP as the first official sound track in Toscar history, so then the challenge was set so I had to do it. I’m no technician so with the help of our brilliant editor and technical wizard Charlie Robinson we managed to write parts of the songs for the film.

Then when I returned to the UK I managed to flesh them out to whole tracks with my friend and brilliant producer Kevin Leo in his London studio then master them for release. Given more time we would have polished them more but I’m happy with what we achieved in the time we had and they are pretty much a live session with musician friends helping out. Regards the video that was down to the hard work of Sandro and especially Charlie who did 18-hour days trying to get it finished in time. I flew back to LA early after the wedding to shoot an extra half-day to finish the video; you couldn’t make it up: as I said insane.

Soundtrack available on iTunes.

What was it like working with Ron Jeremy?

Ron Jeremy what a character, the hardest err… working man in Hollywood ha ha. Really fun guy and a pleasure to be around. I think he surprised a lot of people with his acting ability and has so many funny stories and anecdotes I think anyone would be hartoscarsd-pressed not to like him.

You recently got married. Congratulations. What was more stressful; planning a wedding or doing a film?

I would like to say it was more stressful organizing the wedding but to be honest the wedding was the easiest gig of my life. I just had to turn up and have fun. Now my wife, mother in law, her Godmother, father and all her friends might have a different story to tell. They spent a year working really hard plotting, planning and preparing every last detail. Regards the film I think it’s pretty obvious we had so much fun from beginning to end, I was so lucky to draw British Hustle and my team I would like nothing more than to make many more films with this incredible group of talented people.

Wedding day. Photo credit: Darren Paul

Wedding day. Photo credit: Darren Paul

 

 

 

 

Tell us about your wedding day and your gorgeous wife.

Wow what can I tell you, it was the greatest day of my life and my gorgeous wife Stephanie is the greatest gift I could ever wish to have. It really was magical if you can imagine 300 of your closest friends and family from every area and time period of your life under one roof, all having a great time. Even now I can’t really put it into words.

I understand Chico was your best man how was that?

Oh my God, his best man speech was around 25 minutes and had animations, embarrassing stories, muppets, his children rapping on screen and singing live, and even good luck messages from celebrity friends like Ant and Dec and Ray Quinn to name a couple. It was funny, moving and quite possibly the greatest best man speech in the history of the world ha ha. It’s not every day you get roasted by a muppet. In a word: incredible. And fair to say it was emotional.

At his wedding with wife Stephanie Campbell-Mac. Photo credit: Darren Paul

At his wedding with wife Stephanie Campbell-Mac. Photo credit: Darren Paul

You made the brave move to LA and it has paid off. How did you manage it?

Also no mean feat, it’s a huge deal leaving everyone and everything you know and moving thousands of miles away even to the magical land of Hollywood. Thank God for Skype and social networking because undoubtedly the biggest thing you miss are your loved ones. I have no regrets the quality of life here is great and I have been fortunate enough to make some good friends and work on some good projects. I had a large enough body of work to qualify for a work permit but the whole immigration thing is not without its stress’s and hassles. Thankfully I had brilliant immigration lawyers in Raynor and Associates to make the move smoothly and ended up shooting a couple of comedy commercials for them, to make you smile see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EL0tl81hYQ

Any tips for actors wanting to move to LA?

Come prepared with as much money behind you as you can. There are a lot of opportunities here but there are literally hundreds of thousands of other actors here trying to do the same thing. It can take a while to start booking enough work to make a living and Hollywood Boulevard has been described as the boulevard of broken dreams so you might be glad you brought some savings to live on while your waiting for your moment.

I’m gonna quote a friend of mine Craig Fairbrass as he put it best as we worked together on the film 31 North 62 East just before I left the UK. He’s a great actor who has had success in the UK and the US. He said to me “It’s not easy over there and there’s plenty of good actors who never even get representation let alone book a job. It takes a lot of balls to up sticks and give it a try so good luck, don’t take it personally if you don’t book a job. I’m sure you’ll do alright and remember to take time out to enjoy yourself”. Great advice I couldn’t put it better.

jcmac

What’s next?

Well this year the Toscars next year the Oscars from my lips to Gods ears. I’m working on a few cool projects including the American pre-revolution period drama Courage, New Hampshire, it’s like the American Dowton Abbey. Season one is currently airing on PBS with season two currently in pre-production. I can’t give to much away but I play militia captain Daniel Cressy described by creator / director Jim Riley as “A man born for war and a little miserable without it”. Look out for a big bar room brawl with Cressy and the red coats in season two. For a taste of season one see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myY3DV4TL4Q

I have a film coming out in a few months called ‘Call me King’ in which I share some pretty steamy scene with the Chinese actress Bai Ling and recently signed on for an action bromance film called Artifact Red. Shooting mostly in Belize, it’s kind of Indiana Jones meets Lethal Weapon with a little Men in Black thrown in for good measure.

You seem to have it all now: wife, career, and a good life in LA. What else do you want to achieve?

So much more Catherine, where do I begin, there are so many great directors I would love to work with and so many great stories to be told. Outside of the industry I have various charitable causes that I’m involved in, including Rainbow Child (see http://www.rainbowchildfoundation.co.uk). We help underprivileged children around the world and I’m especially proud of Chico and what we have achieved in Africa with the play pumps. But your right; I try to stop and count my blessings every day for my life, my wife and the position I’m in oh: and Chunkee Munkee.

Chunkee Munkee?

I haven’t mentioned Chunkee Munkee? My wife will kill me, he is her pet bunny rabbit. He runs around the house like he is King and even has his own Hollywood agent. I’m not kidding he has he’s own representation and has been up for some big commercials but that’s another story, you can interview him another time ha ha but I’ll warn you he is a bit of a prima-donna he he. Hollywood you can’t make it up.

 

Official website  http://johncampbellmac.com/

 

The Least Romantic Quotes

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

“It’s sort of odd, isn’t it, because you can’t just maraud through life f**king whoever you like…which is a shame, because I actually could do that.” Russell Brand in 2010, when he was still married to Katy Perry.

“I’d be having sex thinking, ‘think of anyone, anyone else.'” Russell Brand again. This time on his sex life with Katy Perry.

“If loving someone is putting them in a straitjacket and kicking them down a flight of stairs, then yes, I have loved a few people.”
Jarod Kintz, It Occurred to Me

“Believing in marriage and not in divorce is like believing in joint stock companies and not in bankruptcy.” Neil Ferguson

“He has been Tom Cruise for 30 years. I know who I am and where I am and where I want to go, so I want to focus on that.” Katie Holmes, 6 weeks before she filed for divorce.

“I don’t believe in soulmates…the idea of it is beautiful, and very romantic to talk about it in a movie or a song, but in reality, I find it scary.” Vanessa Paradis, 5 months before her split with Johnny Depp.

“I rack my brain thinking “Why am I not out there playing the field? One of my buddies was like, ‘You have no idea what’s going on right now. You’re peaking on ecstasy and you’re watching television.” Zac Efron, 2 months before he split with Vanessa Hudgens.

“Being married means I can fart and eat ice cream in bed. Jen is brilliant. I’m really missing her.” Brad Pitt when he was married to Jennifer Aniston

Do you have a least romantic quote?

Gravity Picks Up 6 Honours At The EE British Academy Film Awards 2014

British Film Gravity picked up six awards at the EE British Academy Film Awards and it also picked up four other awards for Best Visual Effects, Cinematography, Sound and Original Film Music while Gravity Director, Alfonso Cuarón, won the Director Award. 12 Years a Slave received the award for Film while Chiwetel Ejiofor won Leading Actor for his role in the film.  Other winners included Cate Blanchett who won Leading Actress for her role in Blue Jasmine, Jennifer Lawrence who was named Supporting Actress for her role in American Hustle, Captain Phillips star Barkhad Abdi won Supporting Actor and Philomena won Adapted Screenplay. Dame Helen Mirren was awarded the Academy Fellowship, BAFTA’s highest accolade, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to film.

BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014

Champagne Taittinger, official Champagne Partner to the British Academy for the 12th year running, once again added extra sparkle to the proceedings.   Special BAFTA labelled Magnums and 75cl bottles of Champagne Taittinger Brut Réserve were produced for the Awards. A bottle was also included in the gift bags, given to all nominees and presenters.  Taittinger is one of the few premium Champagne houses to remain owned and actively managed by the named family.  It is proud to support the work of BAFTA to acknowledge and encourage the highest achievements in film and television.

 

As New Zealand’s most awarded winery for more than 30 years, Villa Maria makes a very fitting Wine Partner to the Academy.  Guests at the glamorous Awards dinner enjoyed the delicious Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2013 which perfectly complimented the Smoked Loch Fyne Salmon and Dorset Crab starter and the Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 which made a mouth-watering match with the main course of Fillet of Aberdeen Angus and Braised Short Ribs.

 

other winners included:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY                                              ANIMATED FILM

American Hustle                                                         Frozen

 

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE                      PRODUCTION DESIGN                        

The Great Beauty                                                        The Great Gatsby

 

MAKE-UP AND HAIR                                                   EE RISING STAR

American Hustle                                                         Will Poulter

For the full list of winners visit: www.bafta.org

 

Christmas Gift Guide For The Fashion Junkie

Here are some top presents for the fashion junkie in your life.

 

We love these ASOS.com Knicker Shorts in Jewel Sequins: £45.00
asos christmas

Nothing adds style like a good coat. Who even cares what you are wearing underneath. Karen Millen Tweed Coat: £275 from Selfridges

Karen Millen tweed coat

This beautiful Mint Velvet Cable Knit Jumper from John Lewis is perfect for Christmas and beyond. £59

000973230

The matchesfashion.com sale continues! Shop part two now with up to 50% off the best international designers including Chloé, Givenchy, Valentino, Stella McCartney and Dolce & Gabbana. We love this Peter Pilotto dress was £756 Now £529 Save 30%
 Peter Pilotto Eva panelled-print dress

fashion fashion

French Connection have 50% off. We love this Belle Boucle Wool Coat £140.

 

Belle-Boucle-Wool-Coat

House of Fraser has up to 40% off including 15% off Beauty. We love these Jane Norman Metallic Contrast Heel Sandals. £35

 Jane Norman Metalic contrast heel sandals

Great wool gilet by Josh & Nicol

great wool gilet by Josh & Nicol

Shibumi for dressing down and relaxing, we love this decadent cashmere dressing gown. What a perfect way to spend Christmas day. Available in five colourways – Wedgewood, Imperial Red, Eau de Nil, Crimson Red and Verdigris, the dressing gown is £225 and comes in small, medium and large. Gowns are normally £225 but are currently on a special Christmas price of £180.

fashion

Designer and owner Ruth Guise says “I want to provide women with pieces that look and feel fantastic – and last beyond a trend. ” Born into a family of creatives and tailors. Her grandmother was a couture dressmaker, and Ruth spent her childhood watching and learning how to create a chic dress from a simple piece of fabric.

A fully bespoke service is also available.

Shibumi is available online at www.shibumistyle.com and at shows and events across the UK.

 

Firetrap shredded Shoulder Biker Jacket (£119) www.firetrap.com
shreddedjacket
Scandale Sirene The Dress (£60) Amazon.com
scandale dress
Dior houndstooth skirt (£99) www.enamoda.com

e&adior

 

What do you think?

The Best London Restaurants To Watch Fireworks

BONFIRE NIGHT 2013

On November 5th, the London skyline will dazzle with fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. Enjoy the show at one of these top London restaurants:

 

 

angler

Angler

Michelin starred British seafood restaurant Angler, located within South Place Hotel, offers guests a stunning terrace in which looks over the City of London from its location near Liverpool Street station. Enjoy some seafood winter warmer dishes such as the Angler and lobster pie, while watching the sky light up and sparkle in between the skyscrapers.  www.anglerrestaurant.com

 

 newgrill

 

 

 

New Street Grill

After tucking into a delicious steak at meat house and grill restaurant New Street Grill, head outside to the terrace shared by adjacent venue The Old Bengal Bar. Sip on some warming colonial cocktails, such as the Royal Daiquiri, while snuggling up under blankets and enjoying the capital’s firework displays. www.oldbengalbar.co.uk

 

vivo

 

 

Vivo

Newly opened in Islington, and inspired by the traditional gastronomia and pasticceria of Italy, Vivo is an all day casual dining affair serving authentic and regional cuisine. With a cozy terrace situated on the roof, diners can watch the crackling comets set the sky alight with prosecco in hand, served on tap, and a slice of authentic Romana pizza. www.vivotaste.com

 

 ad12

 

 

AD12 atT42

Anthony Demetre’s three month pop up restaurant, located on floor 24 of iconic high rise building Tower 42, is the perfect venue to gaze at the stunning fireworks across the capital. Indulge in Demetre’s contemporary European menu which showcases his signature style from his restaurants Arbutus, Wild Honey and Les Deux Salons. Dishes include crisp pigs head, potato purée, pickled turnip; and turbot, butternut squash, girolles, shrimps, salted butter. http://ad12.co.uk/

 

 Min Jiang

 

Min Jiang

Situated on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, Min Jiang offers views of Kensington Gardens and London beyond. As the skies light up on 5th November, guests can sample the firey Chilli Sensation menu and cocktail flight. Available throughout November and costing £65, three fiery cocktails will be paired with a set menu of spicy Chinese specialities. Starters include a choice of Bi Feng Tang Soft Shell Crab or Sichuan Chicken paired with a Sichuan Mary – a hot Bloody Mary. For the main course, a Chilli Caipirinha accompanies a choice of Gong Bao Prawn or MaPo Tofu, both with steamed rice. For a spicy but sweet dessert, a Sichuan Pancake is served with a Chilli Chocolatini. The chilli cocktails can also be sampled at the Min Jiang bar, priced individually or accompanied by Bi Feng Tang Soft Shell Crab for £22.

www.minjiang.co.uk

Where will you be going?