AIMEE IS LOVIN’

I searched high, I searched low and I could not find the kimino H&M dress I wanted, from the Garden Collection which sold straight out. I gave up for a while, but after seeing it once again in an advert, I just HAD to have it. So Ebay it was. And although I have paid twice the price, I know it will be a frock I will frequently bring out on a sunny day. I am trying to be thriftier with my buying, so maybe this is failing somewhat, but I believe it is an investment in my wardrobe-and all the better as it is made from recyclable materials.

I want your…………

I love this scarf from the quirky London designers Antoni and Alison. I have been a huge fan of theirs for years-I have a few of their patented photo and word handbags in my collection. Whether its wrapped round my neck or in my hair Grace Kelly style, this little number from Miss Lalas will make it in Hollywood.

I was completely gutted when Lady Lady shut down. I was a big fan of the jewellery emporium who never failed to inspire and adorn me in the cutest of pieces. Sadly, they inspired so much, they were copied by many big name stores and labels which is a compliment but detrimental to the success of a small business. Although the brand may not be making any new designs, they have released a little black book on their online store, so you have access to all of their suppliers and contacts to make your own bits and bobs and start your own creative company, if you wish. A lady who is true to herself, Leona Baker, stopped Lady Luck, after realising it was no longer her passion, but has passed on all of the details so you may begin yours. Its limited stock, so get in there!

On orange wednesday, I indulged in Cemetery Junction, Ricky Gervais’s and Stephen Merchants brilliant bittersweet growing-up comedy. I didn’t expect to take anything away from it except a few laughs, but one of the lines, I really liked;

“An old Arab proverb says, that if you throw your heart, you must do everything you can to catch it”.

It hasn’t been long since Gizzi Erskines book has been released, and I am a fan. A little bit retro, and very cool, it teaches
you extra flair with a saucepan and has lots of dazzling recipes with unexpected infusements and delectable touches. Seeing as cookery is my new hobby, and its I am feeling more seafoody what with the summer coming, I will be trying this recipe from her website this weekend.

Singapore Chili crab

Serves 2 hungry people as a main or 4 as a starter or part of an Asian feast

Add in the passata, water and tomato puree and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and is looking really rich. Add the vinegar, soy, sugar, salt and pepper and taste. Finally stir the crab claws in and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the whole dish is piping hot. Serve with steamed rice and make sure you eat with your hands.

Have a great weekend xxxxx

This weekend, I went to my local Co-op and bought some flowers, some bread and a copy of the new edition of Company magazine which hit the shelves last week.

And I’ve been cross ever since. The magazine promises a “Model Free Issue” which doesn’t overly excite me, as I buy it every month anyway. It actually completely escapes me, as I read through because all the girls in it, seemed pretty model-esque to me. And then on page 132, I saw something that made me angry. The reader, a gorgeous girl who has Venus-red hair and a flawless face has been photographed as part of the “model free issue”. The three pictures in the “Bare Essentials” are not flattering to the model or the photographer – who has photographed upwards. I know this angle isn’t complimentary – I have had to be there and get the money shot on a shoot before, and an up-the-noser isn’t ever one. The lighting is hideous -her body is paled out to the background. And lastly, the garments aren’t flattering – the bodice is not doing anything for her, the M&S bodysuit makes me feel sad, as I know a smaller model would not be patronized into wearing such a piece and the Topshop bustier, does not fit, and not to the insult of the model, but to the stylist.

As a size 14-16 and a 5 foot 10” Glamazon, I have been used to people commenting on my size and using back-handed comments to make me very aware of it. Some of the common things I’ve heard range from “You have such a pretty face, its such a shame” to “Marilyn Monroe was a size 16, you know, so it’s great you embrace your size” – when I didn’t ever bring up my size. Having worked in fashion for five years as a designer, I have felt the pressure of competitive eating disorders within the industry. One boss, a short, bald, Turkish man with awful teeth, humiliated me in front of everyone in the office, when he told me I was unhealthy at a small size 14, which is the smallest I have ever been in a meeting when I suggested we take the size grade up to an 18 on a pair of knickers. Insert joke here, about short man syndrome.

Another boss, when I was working in Hong Kong, took my plate off me at dinner – I didn’t want Coral for tea anyway, but thanks – and advised me that if I ‘ate rice, you will get thin’.

This article isn’t about me so much, but it comes from a part of me that is compelled to defend my normal curves. I don’t need to go into how the average size woman is a size 16 or a 36DD. We are reminded everyday how different we are by the media.

Mika sang “Big girls, you are beautiful” and had a herald of ‘big girls’ in the background, like lambs to the slaughter. I have seen Beth Ditto on the front of LOVE magazine, not looking so love-ly, but, shut up, because it was supposed to be ironic, right? A lady with a bit of curve has courted controversy in the press for a longtime-Sophie Dahl for Opium was removed for looking too ’sexual and womanly’. Then Sophie got fed up of being the token big girl, and slimmed down to ironically present a slightly dozy, but cute cooking programme.

Mark Fast has a stylist walk out at his show, because he used a size 14 model-Really?

And now, the American superstore, Lane Bryant was banned from showing its new plus-size lingerie in between ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and caused uproar as the same channel has happily shown the VS Angels adverts previously. SHOCK, HORROR.

I roll my eyes as ‘Aunty’ Gok, uses Burlesque to give a lady a boost of self esteem. ‘Aunty’ Gok seems to forget that shimmying round a life size Martini glass with no top on, may be liberating for all of an evening, but it doesn’t get a girl through life feeling confident – unless she is actually, a burlesque dancer. I can’t be too hard on Gok Wan though – or Trinny and Susannah and their replacements. They are acknowledging the need for real women and I myself signed Gok’s petition for body image to be talked about in schools so girls think it is ‘normal’ to be a ‘normal’ size. I am bored when I read another article about a plus-size model who rebelled against the pressure of the Size 0 brigade. And, it is definitely a step into the right direction when Candies and Britney showed us how much she had been touched up.

It doesn’t need to be this hard though, does it? The point of fashion, is you get to create a fantasy. Really, if you have a good stylist, it’s pretty easy to do, and they should endeavour to find the best fitting, most fantastical garments out there. And those garments do exist, because I wear them everyday – I can still push my tits up so they look voluptuous and my hips can fill the smooth line of a pencil skirt easily, without a roll of flesh hanging over the top. I don’t wear a bodysuit when I go out, occassionally a pair of SPANX under a dress.

Bigger, curvier covergirls, look as stunning as their thinner counterparts – you only have to look at Nigella, Crystal Renn, Kelly Brook and Christina Hendricks to know this. There is the fashion out there – basic high street shops do go up to a size 16, so its not even really an excuse anymore. It’s really not that hard either to put a size 12 on a magazine cover and involve her in a fantasy with makeup and clothes, and hell, if the photos are that bad, airbrush us like you do everyone else.

Finally, with regards to the Company article, I am so cross that they got it so wrong, when it wasn’t that hard to get it right in the first place. I wouldn’t dream of wearing a cropped bra top, because I would be asking to have the piss taken out of me. And it just feels, that the fashion and media industry is taking the piss, and has done, for too long, and secretly knows it too.

Poppy King is THE Lipstick Queen. Fact.

Starting her own lipstick brand just six months after leaving school, Poppy has finally given girls worldwide something fabulous to pout about. After falling head over Westwood heels in heart with her book, Lessons from a Lipstick Queen, I’ve been pestering her ever since to come share her minx-y lipstick secrets.

In the book, Poppy reveals how she managed to launch a multimillion-dollar business, extracting valuable lessons from the experience as she goes along. Through King’s example, you can learn how to become a real entrepreneur- from recognizing a good idea and finding financing. to marketing yourself and your brand, to approaching the media, and avoiding common pitfalls. In a world where everyone is looking to get ahead it’s essential to think like an entrepreneur. Much more than just a guide to success. Lessons of a Lipstick Queen is a candid adventure story designed to take you on a journey of self-discovery – it’s acecakes.

Poppy eventually gave in and embraced her Sassy Minx-y-ness – come share the lipstick love with us!

Read the rest of this entry »

AIMEE IS LOVIN’

This dress. Polka, I’m in. Brites, I’m in. Ditzy skirt, that flies up fifties style, yes please. From the ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ Collection from hip designer Zoe Corsellis, this flirty number is one you can just imagine making that crossover from baking cupcakes to soiree-ing with a Dirty Martini. Not only does is this dress available in a size 6-16, Zoe handmakes them in five days, and can also do made-to-measure free of charge. Its so refreshing to find a good and real dress designer these days, and it is available on the Look Boutique. Sch-wing!

The weather is a-changing and my hair is not catching up with it too well, so it needs plenty of moisture to be recharged into my locks, to keep them looking Vyronica Lake style and NOT like I have been electrocuted. Cue, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. . This is a savoir to my frizz, and because it doesn’t break the bank, its one of those great products that I don’t feel too guilty buying. Not only that, it wins awards as proved by the CEW 2010 panel-thats Cosmetic Executive Women, btw.

We love keeping up with our friends Fred Flare over in New York, and they have lots of new goodies on their website-like this Picnic condiment set. . Very Americana, very retro and very cool, it will just look perfect on my kitchen table! Chuck me the ketchup, NOW! and check out their new Blog for all hipster-ness Stateside.

Its that time of year again when we are all eagerly awaiting our summer holidays, and of course, summer holiday shopping. The fun things, like sandals, sunglasses and jewellery are always pretty easy to stash and grab, the swimwear? Not so much. I’ve developed a quick and easy guide…

For pure naughty nautical, What Katie Did , deliver a small but perfectly formed range of darling-ly retro swimsuits. It goes all out, so its more for our hardcore-retro laydees. However, I would certainly be doing a little wave and a curtsy, modeling this! All the sailors will be bringing you a Shirley Temple cocktail!

Read the rest of this entry »

Pic: www.weheartit.com

Firstly, don’t panic – I, your Diva o’ Destiny, have been doing the research so you don’t have to, by the time you’ve finished reading this feature you’ll have EVERYTHING you need to deal with all the pesky April/May Mercury retrograde craziness!

For an easy-peasy breakdown of what Mercury going retrograde actually means – check out this fab 10 step explanation at Tarot.com

So yep, it’s that time again, from April 18th through to May 12th Mercury is Retrograde – boo.

THE GOOD: It’s a great time to revisit Taurean-type stuff: food, love and all things ohh-la-la. This is a time to tweak though, NOT to start anything new, ‘k?!

THE BAD: Taurus is all about the money. So check, check and check again when it comes to all things money and property related. Don’t sign contracts in this phase and if you can, put off buying anything, especially property, ’til after the retrograde is finished doing it’s retrograde-y thing. Please don’t rush or skim anything. When you’re communicating, think Taurus. If you get into a battle, prepare for the long haul. My advice? Don’t.

Instead, spend this period participating in fruity ohh-la-la shenanigans, eating better and a li’l light yoga although the fruity shenanigans is a way more fun way to keep fit – wink, wink.

AIMEE IS LOVIN’

I can never be disappointed with MAC make-up, and I have ruthlessly collected their collaborations, from Fafi to Hello Kitty. So no surprise that I swooned and blushed over their new alliance with Liberty Of London. Start collecting now!!!!

Above is another reminder of how amazing, and how missed, the wonderful fashion createur Alexander McQueen will be. I certainly won’t be able to afford these beautiful objects, but I am glad the show is going on and his team are still working on providing us with such delights. Wings seem to be a common theme in footwear- I am also adoring Jeremy Scott’s wing trainers for Adidas Originals, but the silver platforms above are just beyond magical!

What with the weather turning, last weekend I premiered my new Nike Gladi-sandals, much to the dislike of my feet. I now remember why sandals equals blisters, and my poor tootsies resembled Amy Winehouse’s bloody feet after a night out in Camden, all weekend. Which is why, Soap and Glory Heel Genius foot mask is proving to be a bit of a miracle worker, in getting them ready for summer. Rub into feet before bed, pop some cotton socks on, and you’ll wake up with a super soft step. What’s more, it’s not that expensive and available at Boots!

I have always admired Ms L’s tattoos, but I confess, I’m a bit of a pussy when it comes to pain, and I change my mind so often about things, that I’m not sure I could ever pick a design that I would like to keep forever. So I was delighted to come across Inkwear whose fashionable, temporary tattoos are available in kits for 6.99. With Chanel rocking up tat’s on the catwalk and SJP wearing one on her wrist, it means I can be working the trend however I want, and on a budget!

Finally, we have been very grateful for your support on our political features this week. What with our newfound heroine, Pat Butcher-pink coat, amazing earrings, penchant for leopardprint AND running for councillor in Eastenders-getting in on the act, I’m glad we could provide a somewhat lazy yet useful guide for our demographic. It has been interesting to learn that politicians are real women-but it is also interesting that the real world of politics is not that accessible for young women, unless they are media-savvy. Women talk, and it is nice to hear that the policiticians I have interviewed, have broken through, what can seem a very male and upper class environment. It has also been fun to see what each party is dedicated to doing, which surprised me, and is food for thought, even though I am still not completely decided yet. The lovely Steph sent us a link blow, to fill in a quiz which shows you who you should vote for according to your belief’s-give it a go and remember that your vote DOES count, and maybe in ways that you aren’t even that aware of.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7541285/How-should-I-vote-in-the-General-Election-2010.html

LISA IS LOVIN’

Are you a woman who believes in your own beauty? Do you love your sensuality and live it fully?

Aphrodite’s Magic is a journey into seven aspects of women’s sexuality. Enter the Temple of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and explore the layers of your most private, feminine self.

This book, written by Goddess-girl Jane Meredith, will guide you to resolve and heal past trauma, grief and abuse so your sexuality is set free from the past. You’ll be inspired to honour and celebrate your unique embodiment of the feminine and allow the magic of the Goddess to enter your body with every breath you take.

Visualisations and rituals are included to support each step of your journey. Rediscovering seven strands of your sexuality, dancing, journaling and creative processes will lead you to weave a spell that culminates in a powerful affirmation of self-honouring and sexual embodiment.

Aphrodite’s Magic will release you from the past and inspire your sexual and spiritual self for the future.

£11.99 www.o-books.com

So have you seen these pix of Britney Spears? She’s boldly agreed for the original photos from her latest shoot for Candie’s (an American-o clothes company) to be released alongside the final retouched copies.

As you know, I am VERY keen on all you girls knowing the real facts, it’s so important to know that celebrities don’t just look instantly fabulous when they appear in the pages of a magazine, they have a team of make-up artists, stylists and the wonder of air-brushing at their beck and call.

Which is why I’m lovin’ Britney right now for highlighting the pressure so often put on girls and women to look perfect, allowing us to see her in all her un-airbrushed glory.

If you compare the images side-by-side, you can see exactly which little nips and tucks the Candie’s team gave Ms Spears, before releasing the final ad campaign.

From the front-facing shot, it’s clear that Britney’s legs have been slimmed down considerably, with the final picture giving her computerised thighs and thinner calves, as well as a noticeably smaller waist.

The bruises from her right leg have been zapped, while her skin tone seems to have been brightened and evened-out.

What do you think? Is Britney brave for doing this? Would you rather see people natural or air-brushed? Tell me, tell me, tell me!

This is my dream book-writing set-up…it’s a li’l Sophie Dahl, hazy light, a pretty typewriter and twinkly music…sigh.

Have a great weekend, no matter what you do! x

Cheryl Buggy is the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Eastney and Craneswater in Portsmouth.

Tell us more about yourself…….
For my day job I run a radio station in Portsmouth. I am passionate about helping people of all ages and backgrounds to tap into their vast potential and feel good about themselves. I do this through the platform of radio. I am a teacher by training, and loved the time I spent in the classroom. Becoming a radio presenter was my second career after the birth of my 2 sons I have also written 2 books [non fiction, one on emotional intelligence and one on memory techniques] and now want to write a novel [which I have started - just!]

Who/what inspired you to go into politics?
Frustration at the system, wanting to change things, speaking up for and representing others, wanting to help the city I live in become more successful and a more positive place to live. I also thought it’s easy to moan so why not try to be part of making things happen!

What do you love most about being a woman in the world?
Choices and freedom and the power to make a difference. These are things that women in other parts of the planet do not have and so I never take them for granted. I also love dressing up!

What is your proudest moment yet?
Oh thats very difficult. So I will choose moments if thats OK … having two happy and healthy sons, seeing my first book on the shelves of Waterstones, getting elected as a councillor in Gosport when my kids were very young against the odds, getting the Ofcom licence for Express FM.

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Lipstick, a little black dress, big necklaces, Aveda hair products, hot brush.

Who are your female icons and why?
My dad’s mum, who fought for womens sufferage and who was widowed young and brought up two children on her own. Queen Elizabeth 1 who I studied at Uni, and who has always fascinated me. I admire the ability she had to deal with whatever life threw as her and her skills at delivering inspiratonal speeches. Hilary Lister who is a quadraplegic sailor. Talk about inspiring! There are of course many many more women both alive and departed, famous and not so famous who have been and are important in shaping my life. You can learn so much, and get so much energy from looking at the lives of others.

What is your life motto?
‘I say yes to life and whatever happens I can handle it’. (I actually I pinched it from the writer Susan Jeffers who I really admire, especially her book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway! )

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What have the Liberal Democrats got to offer to our demographic and how are you making the moves to back this up?

Work – we will to close the pay gap between men and women and fight discrimination. Its so wrong that women on average still earn less than men for doing comparitive jobs.

Children and Families – we will to extend maternity and paternity leave to 19 months, provide up to 20 hours free childcare to all childrenf rom 18 months to when they start school, extend the right to request flexible working so that it becomes the norm and require all public sector employers to have a transparent policy for identifying and creating senior part – time or job share roles.

Body Image and Health – we will challenge the advertising industry and demand transparency and honesty – they should have to state when they have digitally retouched a picture. Children must be protected from body image pressure and need to be taught about body image, health and media literacy at school. Exercise for teenage girls is a must and so the range of the offer in schools needs to be extended. We will also work with the British Fashion Council and design schools to promote a greater variety of shapes and sizes in the fashion industry.

Feeling Safe – We will get an extra 10,000 police officers out on the streets, and develop a ’stopping on request’ element to night bus services to increase feelings of saftey. We will provide up to 15 new Rape Crisis Centres and up to 10 new Sexual Assault Referral Centres and provide a freephone trafficking hotline for clients to report concerns and for victims to self report. We will also retain violence against women services which are specifically targeted at ethnic minority women

Quick fire round: What’s your favourite?
Shop:Zara
Book: Wind in the Willows
Website/blog:Facebook
Hang-out:Anywhere on or near the sea
City:Portsmouth of course! Then Plymouth my city of birth
Must-have beauty item:lipstick
TV prog:Silent Witness
Food:Fillet steak

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you?
It means alive, vibrant, funloving and empowered!

Sarah McCarthy-Fry is the Labour and Co-Operative MP for Portsmouth North.

Who/what inspired you to go into politics?
My grandfather lived with us when I was growing up. He was a committed socialist and I absorbed his passion and his politics. Later when I was bringing up my children on a deprived council estate I saw women who hadn’t had a good education, who didn’t have the confidence to speak up for themselves but who were intelligent women with clear ideas and ambitions about what they wanted for themselves and their families. They simply hadn’t been given the right opportunities to gain the skills and confidence they needed. I went into politics to give them those opportunities.

What do you love most about being a woman in the world?
I love the friendship and support that women give each other. I work in a high pressured macho political environment made up overwhelmingly of middle or upper class alpha males. The support that I have received from my fellow women MPs has made the job bearable. Of course we are all ambitious, of course we are all competitive but women tend to see supporting each other as a strength and not a weakness.

What is your proudest moment yet?
Apart from giving birth to my two children , it has to be when I became a Treasury Minister. It is an enormous privilege to be serving in one of the great “offices of state” where I hope I bring my experience of the real world to the rarified Whitehall atmosphere.

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Dior Lip Gloss
No 7 Protect and Perfect Moisturiser
Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat
Acrylic nails
Tweezers

Who are your female icons and why?
Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes who went on hunger strike to get women the vote.
Rosa Parkes, who was prepared to stand up against segregation in the American Deep South.
A woman I cannot name in Afghanistan who regularly risks her life to drive the Taliban out of her village so that girls can go to school.

What is your life motto?
Life is not a rehearsal, you only get one go at it, so make the most of it!

What has the Labour party got to offer to our demographic and how are you making the moves to back this up?

Good quality affordable childcare-The Labour Government introduced 12.5 hours a week of free part time nursery education for all 3 and 4 year olds. This will rise to 15 hours in Sept 2010. Labour has announced plans to extend this to 2 years olds starting with those most in need.

Gender equality in the workplace -Labour is bringing in laws to put a new duty on the public sector not just to prevent gender discrimination in the workplace but to actively promote equality for women.

National Minimum Wage-Labour introduced the National Minimum Wage against fierce opposition from the Conservatives – 70% of the beneficiaries are women. The rates are increased year on year. We have also introduced equal rights for part time workers, most of whom are women.

A Public Voice-Labour has campaigned to encourage more women into the top decision making roles on public bodies. Also introduced powers to use All Women Shortlists to get more female MPs – only Labour has used these powers which is why we have 97 women MPs while the Conservatives have 18 and Lib Dems 9. There are however 520 male MP’s so there is still a long way to go. Without the large number of Labour women MPs issues like fairer pensions, maternity rights and tackling violence would not be on Parliament’s radar.

Supporting work-life balance-Labour has brought in the right to 12 months maternity leave (9 months paid) and 2 weeks paid paternity leave. Parents of young children have the right to request flexible working. This includes equal treatment for part-timers.

Fair pensions for women-Women are often poorer in retirement as they have not been able to build up the contributions for a full state pension. With effect from April 2010 Labour will reduce the number of qualifying years from 40 to 30 and introduce credits for the years women are unable to work because of caring responsibilities

Tackling violence against women and girls-Labour has provided over £13m of funding to support victims of sexual and domestic violence, bringing in Domestic Violence Protection Orders to exclude perpetrators from homes and from 2011 children will be taught at school how to prevent violence in relationships.

Quick fire round: What’s your favourite?
Shop: Marks and Spencer
Book: A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth
Website/blog: Twitter
Hang-out: Ha Ha Bar in Gunwharf
City: Portsmouth
Must-have beauty item: Dior Lip Gloss
TV prog: The Apprentice
Food: Chocolate

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you?
A babe in control!

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