LISA IS LOVIN’….

I’m currently having a li’l spiritual fill-up in my happy place, Glastonbury, and yesterday I did quite possibly THE best thing a girl can do to show herself some serious lovin’, I had a massage. Not just any massage, an aromatherapy massage with the ever-so-amazing Nadia at Butterfly Therapies. If you are ever in the Glasto, then you absolutely, positively have to book an appointment with her, she’s incredibly talented, she shifted some big emotional blocks in me as well as working on my writer-girl shoulders and arms – it was a total mind, body and spirit experience – in fact, I suggest you book a trip to Glasto JUST to be massaged by her, tell I sent you – I’m her new number one fan!

www.butterflytherapies.co.uk

Trueblood – Bill Compton, bite me, please? – is back on our screens here in the UK and to celebrate, Southern Comfort has created a dee-lish cocktail that promises to make the mouth of any mere mortal water.
 
The Southern Blood mixes Southern Comfort, a traditional taste of New Orleans, with the juice of half a blood orange – an established drink with a dark twist.
 
Ingredients
50ml Southern Comfort
½ blood orange
Ice

Mixing directions
Fill a glass halfway with ice and pour the Southern Comfort over. 
Squeeze the juice of half a blood orange and stir for a true taste of New Orleans, where Southern Comfort originates.
 
Why not have a True Blood gathering tonight to celebrate the long awaited the amazing series being back on our screen? Check out bigeasycocktails.co.uk for drink ideas to give you and your guests a fang-tastic time!

True Blood, Series Two is on FX on Fridays at 10pm.

I love my mumma, she’s practically perfect in every way but because I can’t be with her this M-day, I have bought her a tub of her fave Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (Phish food – isn’t that everyone’s?) and if you head over to the B&J website right now – www.benjerry.co.uk, you can customise your very own m-day tub of ice-cream lovin’ – how fabulous is that?!

AIMEE IS LOVIN’

THIS picture of Gerard Butler, dressed as a NY policeman, pressing up to an Agent Provocateur clad Jennifer Aniston in W magazine, which hits the stand on March 17th. The photo essay, shot by the amazing Steven Klein, is “where damsels aren’t always in distress and lawmen sometimes break the rules.”
In a tongue in cheek fashion, I am asking the question “Why are American men’s uniforms so much better than British ones?”, and not “Why has Gerard Butler never read me my rights?”.

This weekend is not just mothers day, it is also the male version of Valentines Day, where steak and, uhm, dinner is served. Along with Lisa’s ‘Southern Blood’ cocktail, I’ll be serving the boy a nice bit of juicy sirloin in a Cupcake/Agent Provocateur combination. I recommend Gordon Ramseay’s version, it won’t let you down.

To cook the steak: place one large or two smaller non-stick frying pans over a high heat and leave until smoking hot.

You will need;
Two Sirloin steaks
Groundnut Oil
Salt N Pepper
Butter

1.) Place the steaks onto a large chopping board and if one needs to be cooked well done, roll it flatter with a rolling pin so that all the steaks can all go into the frying pan at the same time. Season the steaks on both sides with salt and black pepper and once the frying pans have reached temperature, add approximately two tablespoons of groundnut oil.

4.) Serve up!!

See the rest of the recipe idea or see how its done for real at: here

My mum might slap me, but as well as lovely flowers, chocolates and Sunday Lunch, I will be giving her a book called “Shmirshky” which is a witty take on one woman’s Menopause. Like a grown up version of “Are you there God, its me, Margaret” combined with “Womens Health”, it documents the feelings and symptoms of a lady called E as she goes through her menopause. Which doesn’t sound very fun, admittedly, but with dashings of humour and things that we can all and, will, relate to as women, its a nifty guide that might help my mum on one of those days. Which is why I’ll give it to her on one of the best days, because I know it will make her laugh, if only for the sentiment.

Whats more, the lovely people at Shmirshky, are offering our readers a 20% off discount on the book. Just enter in SASSYMINX at the checkout!

What are YOU lovin’ this Friday – share your lists o’ love with us!

THIS WEEK AIMEE IS LOVIN’…

“A lipstick is a symbol of strength and inner confidence. Cyndi and I want to help inspire our fans to be confident in the bedroom and during the condom negotiation, so women will be strong enough and secure enough to say, ‘I have safe sex or no sex at all’.” “Right now, women are at the highest rate of infection; and Cyndi and I represent two demographics, aged 17-24 and 39-60, which are particularly affected,”
- Lady Gaga.

I am Gaga about the Gaga and I am Gaga about MAC make-up too so I am loving that they have both hooked up with Queen Cyndi of the Lauper for Viva Glam, MAC’s Aids and HIV fund, which has so far raised 16 million for charity. Girls just wanna have fun in the safest possible way and I can’t wait to try the disco lipsticks which range from deep red to shocking pink.

From one dose of pink to the next, I am shamefully a little bit in love with this Pauls Boutique Barbie Bag. Pink embossed leather, a gold Barbie logo and a zebra-print inside, it was always gonna happen. I’ve never wanted to look like Barbie but I have always digged her wardrobe, and I’d quite like this number on my arm!

I’ve been feeling a little bit anxious this week, so to try and calm myself I’ve been thinking of my happy places – like Paris magic with Ms L, and Ibiza with my friends-and catching a glimpse of my favourite pictures such as this one by Doisneau, really makes me smile inside, and remember there is beauty and joy in the simplest things.

THIS WEEK LISA IS LOVIN’…

This Too Shall Pass is the best advice I’ve EVER been given, my nanna was a wise, wise lady and I’ve lost count of the amount of times it’s got me through some sticky and icky situations. Not only is it one of my all time favourite mantras, it’s also the title of OK GO’s new single. Check out this video – AMAZING. I met OK GO once at Edinbro airport, they were a little dirty and unwashed. Just the way I like ‘em.

Ohh, I’m so excited – I love nothing more than a little red carpet razzle-dazzle glam, and this weekend is the biggest red carpet event of them all – the Oscars. Now, for some crazy reason my invitation seems to have got lost in the post, but I WILL be watching it from home and I WILL be making sure I’m suitably attired with a sleek ‘do and wearing a lacquer of Rimmel 60 second nail colour in Portabello Pink – it’ll clash perfectly with my red rug in the lounge – now, where’s my leading man?

This week has been pretty awesome for me – I went to Parliament, yep that swanky place where all the big decisions are made, to discuss the need to make PSHE and body image classes in schools compulsory. I’ve never really been a politics kinda girl, ’til now that is. I have never felt so enthused and passionate about something in my entire life – I’ll write more about it next week, but ’til then, you absolutely, positively HAVE to read this blog post written by my gorgeous gal-pal Diane, I am so proud that she’s my friend. Read it, it’s AMAZING.

Ohhh, I’m sneaking in an extra love this week, because, well…just because I can.

I HAVE to tell you all to run, not walk to your local cinema and go see A Single Man. The most exquisitely beautiful film I have EVER seen. It’s quite clear this movie was made by a Virgo fashion-designing male because the attention to detail is quite, quite stunning. I cannot recommend this movie enough. Blown away. Want to see it again. Now.

Think happy thoughts and have a lovely weekend, minxes x

This week Miss Aimz and I are doing a double dose of love-stuff for your Friday entertainment – I know, I know, we’re ever-so good!

LISA LOVES…

The gorgeous girls at Girly Girl Army posted this fabulous poster by Sark earlier in the week suggesting we print it out, pin it on our mirror and remind ourselves how dee-liciously lovable we are – cute x 10000.

Okay, so if you didn’t know already, I am a BIG fan o’ Glee, to the point of actual obsession, which is why I’ve been playing this on repeat for the ENTIRE week.

Love.

£8.95 www.zavvi.com

Quote I love…

“…One can’t believe impossible things,” Alice said.
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen.
“When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast…”

- Through The Looking Glass – Lewis Carroll

AIMEE LOVES…

I was a little bit in love with Romolo Garai’s Bafta look on Sunday night, but I can’t afford Erdem. However I can afford Coast, and although it isn’t mega similar to the designer frock, it has those same great florals and popping colours which I know will look great with fuchsia lips and Bardot-hair, just perfect for summer!

Talking of summer, the beau has purchased tickets for Kings of Leon at Hyde Park on 30th June. And I need THESE to match my glass of cider. So much so, I am asking my BFF Lindsey Kelk – she’s nominated for a book award, here – to get them delivered to her NY apartment and bring them back for me. I’ve always loved NIKE hi-tops but I have never been ’street’, so this combo of gladiator sandal and trainer is rocking my world!

Lastly, this weekend I will be performing Burlesque at the Kissy Kat Club in Portsmouth. So whilst I’m preparing my nipply tassels, here’s something to bump and grind at your desk to – its the tune I’ll be performing to and it makes me smile every time I hear it.

LOVE! x

All you need is love – the Friday afternoon Sassy feature o’ love that includes items, links, people, quotes, places and pictures of things that fill us to the brim with all that amazing love stuff – please share yours too, let the Sassy love-in begin!

Pic: http://nevermadesensetothem.tumblr.com/page/11

J’adore kissing. Kissing should be compulsory EVERY day.

It’s no secret that I adore love, and this movie is love personified, which is why Moulin Rouge is my favourite movie. EVAH. It was also the first movie I saw with the only boy I’ve ever loved… sigh.

Pic: http://playdates.tumblr.com/

Come to the Edge

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
Come to the edge!
And they came,
And he pushed,
And they flew.

It’s already known that I have a LOT o’ love for Love from Hetty & Dave – we interviewed the lady behind the label last year – and it’s no wonder when she makes bee-you-tiful heart-shaped loveliness like this, is it?

£25, lovefromhettyanddave

Pic: http://www.xanga.com/grungegypsy

Looking for love just got a whole lot easier. www.spacetobe.co.uk is bringing fabulousness to all the single ladies this V-Day with the launch of the Single & Fabulous hypnotherapy track. Whether you’re recovering from a broken heart or you’ve been single for a long time, this 25 minute hypno track will help you to appreciate that you don’t need to ‘couple up’ to feel terrific and get the most out of life – you’ll be doing that naturally. What’s more, when ‘the one’ does happen to cross your path, the more intuitive, confident you is far more likely to spot ‘em!

This is like a big full-fat bar of chocolate for the soul, all the good stuff but without the calories – I love it!

MP3 – £9.99 CD – £13.99 www.spacetobe.co.uk

Pic: http://newresolution.tumblr.com/page/4

This year, Miss Aimz is baking red velvet cupcakes and icing them for her beau, but she would also recommend making them for a love-in with your friends. He doesn’t know it was the wedding cake in Steel Magnolias, but this pink-tinted vanilla-chocolate treat is the trailer-trash of cakes and frankly, they rock!

Try this recipe from Xanthe Clay, foodie on The Telegraph

Red Velvet Cupcakes

* 5oz/140g self-raising flour
* 2 tbsp cocoa
* Half tsp bicarbonate of soda
* 4floz/110ml buttermilk
* 1 tsp vinegar
* Half tsp vanilla extract
* 1 tbsp red food colouring
* 2oz/60g butter at room temperature
* 6oz/170g caster sugar
* 1 large egg

To decorate:

* Cream-cheese frosting (see box) and fresh cherries

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas mark 3. Line a 12-hole cup cake tin with cases.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, bicarb and a pinch of salt. In a mug, mix the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and red food colouring.

Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg a little at a time. Mix in a third of the flour mixture, followed by half the buttermilk mixture, then another third of the flour, the rest of the buttermilk and finally the last of the flour mixture.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen and springy – don’t overcook them.

Cool on a rack.

This is my first All You Need Is Love – a Friday afternoon Sassy feature o’ love that includes items, links, people, quotes, places and pictures of things that fill us to the brim with all that amazing love stuff – please share yours too, let the Sassy love-in begin!
 
(Me, Lisa and Lindsey) 

My friends across the world-here, there, near or far from Melbourne, New York, Hong Kong, Nantes, Nottingham and home, the messages of love, encouragement and general chit-chat fill my world with joy – Sassy Minxes rule!
 
 
 
I have just discovered Trixie Delicious. And me-oh-my is it delicious! I love the Seven Sins,  and she has an amazing range of custom-made reworked vintage crockery including a Sassy plate that I NEED.
 

 
This weekend, Disney’s new film The Princess and the Frog is released to cinema’s nationwide. I’ve kissed lots of frogs and I’m taking my five year old cousin to see it, but I can’t wait for my inner five year old/princess to see it too.
 

 
Say it, as you see it with a Dean Morris card. Witty, rude and straight to the point, it is what I will be sending to my beau!
 

 
I LOVE to make mood-boards – they inspire me and when I look at beautiful pictures, it makes me happy and vents my creativity after a hard day – why not try it?!
 

 
Whenever I feel sad/stressed/angry or anxious I listen to this in my head and visualise one of my icons, Barbra Streisand, singing it in Funny Girl. It’s just so full of hope and determination and when those trumpets come on, I feel strong.
 
“…I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, love is juicy, juicy, and you see I gotta have my bite, sir!
 
Get ready for me, love, ’cause I’m a comer, I simply gotta march, my heart’s a drummer. Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!…”

All you need is love – a Friday afternoon Sassy feature o’ love that includes items, links, people, quotes, places and pictures of things that fill us to the brim with all that amazing love stuff – please share yours too, let the Sassy love-in begin!

The language of love.

Source: www.flickr.com

I heart Vivien of Holloway and want a swoonsville leading man to propose a Vegas wedding with Elvis conducting the service so that I can wear THIS dress – boys, please form an orderly queue.

I have been coveting this bag since the first time I visited the Me&Zena website and this very morning, the adorbz Miss Zena sent it to me as a present! I will wear it proudly as a reminder to the great British public that they ALWAYS have the right to remain romantic – j’adore. Get your own for £6.00 at www.meandzena.com

The gorgeous Kimberley Wilson, author of the fab new book Tranquilista, was the first person who intro’d me to the awesomeness of Anais Nin. I am a total journal-keeping geek girl and Anais was officially the queen o’ the journal writing, her published diaries spanned over 60 years and included a rather fruity frisson with Henry Miller in Paris – le sigh. I’m slowly collecting her diaries but s’far, this is one of my favourite quotes…

“…I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger than reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn’t impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, & when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls…”
- Anais Nin

Ohmygoddess. Those hips don’t lie, Christina Hendricks, you rule.

Source: media.photobucket.com
This is how my world should look at all times…

If any of you minxes work in the meed-ja you’ll know that talk of Valentines and all the love stuff has been happening since blimmin’ December…Now, Miss Aimz and I are all about the love, but love isn’t just for V-day y’know, which is why here at SM we’re launching All you need is love – a Friday afternoon feature that will include items, links, people, places and pictures of things that fill us to the brim with love stuff – please share yours too, let the Sassy love-in begin!

Nigella Lawson. I. LOVE. THIS. WOMAN.

Source: www.tumblr.com

How adorbz? I want it to be summer now…

www.operationbeautiful.com – ending fat talk one anonymous post-it at a time. This makes my heart swell with love stuff every time I visit – totally plan to send it my own very soon…

Source: www.shannonnicolesmith.com

I’ve only been engaged once, but if it happens again, I’d like it to look a lot like this…

“…After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life…”
- Sophia Loren