I committed a sin unforgiveable whilst shopping amidst the darkening glaswegian streets. I saw it, sitting there on the shelf, staring back at me with a faked air of nonchalance i could see right through and a mona lisa smile smirking seductively. I perspired and moved forward to pick up the objet inanimate, hoping no one would be too near to bear witness as my morals lovingly destroyed themselves.

I could not be sure which of the seven i was dancing arm in arm with as i made my way to the cash desk with none other than, whisper it in hushed tones, the new album by Katy Perry!! However i do believe all of the deadly sins were residing over my funeral that day, smiling and cackling malevolently at my self-imposed fall from grace.

‘How could you do it to yourself, Ling?’ announced the angel on my right shoulder, whilst the devil on my left danced with a demeanour of one who had succumbed to the sin willingly!

What can i say? I’ve been hooked and reeled in by one of those perfectly pristine pop hooks. Grotesque, some would indeed say, and yes my sister will most likely slap my loveable visage, but I just cannot help but dance and sing along to her infectious new tune, ‘Hot and Cold,’ and afterall, it is true, i do ‘change my mind like a girl changes clothes!’

So there we do have it, the truth has been released, I can digest my food more easily and respite is once more my colleague. Katy may well have seduced me with those vehement vocal chords and pretty perry smile, however, my gemlets, it is not all bad, Aimee Mann is still the saviour of my existence and with Christmas round the corner i get to absorb her excellent take on a Christmas album with serene substance. Moreover, I parted with £45 in the excellent Fopp yesterday, where I actually spent the best part of an hour, something I’ve not done since I was an extremely sensitive angst-ridden teenager, Ok i was 23 but keep that between us my youthful cherubs.

Truth indeed be know my evil deed had to be confessed, Katy may have momentarily stole my heart but i can already tell that our affair will not be long lived. Or will it?

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

A purple ghd.

No 1. The must have gift from ghd this year, this beautiful gift set includes: -

• limited edition purple ghd irons
• purple ghd travel dryer
• purple sectioning clips
• purple roll bag
• gift box

Only £150

have a gorgeous christmas

x

How to get your Party Season look

Its that time of the year once again that all girls love…. Christmas Party Season.

LBD’s at the ready, shoes and bag to match, so don’t let your make-up let you down as the Christmas Parties approach.

This is the one time of the year where you get the opportunity to go all out with your make-up, glitter, false lashes and more!, and why not?

At any age everyone should spruce their make-up look this Christmas, and here’s the tips on how you achieve Christmas Glam Chic…without looking like a spare Christmas decoration!

Making the transition from Office Worker to Dancefloor Diva

If the office party begins as soon as the computers are switched off then you need to make sure you don’t blend into the background with the rest of the office furniture.

Here are key steps on how to turn your day look into evening.

Preparation is Everything- There’s no time for the full beauty regime before the festivities begin, so prep your skin and leave it with a post facial glow with Dermalogica Day Bright.  The office environment and winter weather combined can crate dry, dull and dehydrated skin. Don’t overlook the first necessary step in you Christmas make-over.  Day bright brings light and illuminates, for perfect glowing skin.

Of course preparing a few weeks in advance to your nights out will allow you to gain great skin with ease. For more advice on making your skin work for you this Christmas, see article ‘Guide to your Winter skin’. 

1.  Top up your concealer -
make sure the stress of the days work cannot show on your eyes, lightly pat some concealer under to hide any bags.  Also pop it onto any blemishes.  This will give you and instant lift and looking refreshed.  Applying a good eye cream will eliminate bags and dark circles, and work out puffiness.  Dermalogica Total Eye Care, will do the trick, and firm up fine lines so a super smooth concealer application.

2.  Powder up -
by adding some blush to the ball of your cheek, the centre, you will give an instant refreshed and youthful look. By using cream blush this will allow a dewy finish, for a just had 12 hours sleep look.

3.  Glam it up! -
at Christmas, if there is one time of the year, its time to get out the glitter, and of course by this we don’t mean spray you full body, face and hair included.  We mean a few sparkles at the outer and inner eye, just to widen and glam up you eyes.  This will be sure to transform you from day to night.  For the more adventurous, try coloured glitters and using as a liner on the upper lids, for high fashion partners. 

4.  Glossy pout -
adding a slick of gloss to your lipstick will instantly increase lip volume and the glam factor.  This is the simplest yet very effective step in achieving party make-up.  Make sure you lips are soft and smooth for a sleek application, Dermalogica’s Gentle Cream Exfoliant will take any any dry chapped skin, and leave gorgeous kissable lips…Bring on the Mistletoe!

5.  Fuller, Thicker, Longer! -
adding mascara to your eyes opens them up and gives much wanted attention to your peepers.  A vital step in the transition, this should be done with care, as if you have no time to remove and start again, clogging and the dreaded spider eyes can occur. So, by using your mascara wand and applying just to the outer lashes, top and bottom, you can achieve a smouldering eye, that will be sure to last all night, clog free.
 
6.  Highlight -
lastly its time to add a touch of light.  Glimmer, shimmer, luminosity and radiance, words that if achieved will make you look a million dollars.  By carefully applying a highlighter to your brow bones, cheek bones inner eye and jaw line you can glow like a celebrity at your party, and be the envy of everyone.  Sparingly applying highlighter to all the places the light will catch, and your bound to catch the eye of all on lookers.

Ideally, complete 3-4 times a week! (Well, at least once!).

So, get ready to go 6 rounds with my kick-boxing workout…

Round 1: Warm up (6 minutes)

Alternate one minute of step touches with 30 seconds of jumping jacks for a total of 4 times each.

How-to tips:

Step touches: Tap your right toe lightly in front of your left, then your left toe in front of your right. Swing your arms as you continue alternating left and right taps. Move at a comfortable pace that elevates your heart rate and quickens your breathing.

Jumping jacks: Start with your feet together, arms at your sides. Jump with your legs slightly wider than hip-width apart as you lift your arms up to shoulder level.

Round 2: Punch (6 minutes)

Move continuously from drill to drill without any break in between.

Drill 1: Alternate left and right punches 4 times, and then alternate lefts and rights as fast as you can 8 times. (2 minutes)

Drill 2: Alternate right and left punches 4 times, then alternate rights and lefts as fast as you can 8 times. (2 minutes)

Drill 3: Alternate left and right punches in sets of 8 with a slight hesitation between sets. (2 minutes)

How-to tips:

·  Start by making a semi-tight fist by curling your fingers into your palms and placing your thumbs on top of your index fingers ‑- not inside your fists. Be sure to keep your fists aligned with your wrists as you punch rather than slightly turned in or out.

·  Stand tall with abs tightened and your feet shoulder-width apart, left foot forward, right foot back. Keep your weight evenly distributed between your feet, and lift your right heel up.

·  Raise your fists in front of your face, lower your chin and keep your elbows in tight to your middle.

·  To throw a punch thrust your right hip forward and pivot quickly on the left heel. Extend your arm from the shoulder ‑- imagine it’s an extension of your back ‑- and take care not to lock out your elbow.

·  As you strike out, keep your other hand up in front of your face and your chin tucked. Return to the start and punch with the left.

·  When your arm returns from the punch, it should travel back along the same path with equal speed.

·  Fire punches out as hard and fast as you’re able. Aim to elevate your heart rate and breathing and to work up a sweat. Exhale forcefully through your mouth each time you throw a punch, and remember to use your core to help power your movement. 

Round 3: Jump (6 minutes)

Jump rope.

How-to tips:

·  Hold an end of the rope in each hand and stand with your feet together in front of the rope line.

·  Bend your elbows and hold your arms out to your sides at about hip level. Spin the rope quickly and, as it approaches your toes, skip over it.

·  Stay low ‑- only jump an inch or so off the floor ‑- and when you land allow knees to bend slightly to help absorb impact.

·  The rope is powered by the turn of the wrist and not the entire arm. The wrists are the motor, so to speak. Think of your legs as shock absorbers and springs that push you up and off the ground.

·  When you get into a comfortable rhythm, move into a “boxer’s shuffle”: Continue spinning the rope and, as it approaches your toes, shift your weight slightly to the left, move your left foot a small distance forward and jump, again staying low and slightly bending knees on touchdown. On the next spin, shift your weight right.

Round 4: Kick Time (6 minutes)

Move continuously from drill to drill without any break in between.

Drill 1: Alternate left and right kicks 4 times, and then stick with left kicks only 8 times. (2 minutes)

Drill 2: Alternate right and left kicks 4 times, and then stick with right kicks only 8 times. (2 minutes)

Drill 3: Alternate left and right kicks 8 times, and then stick with left kicks only, flick kick for 8. (1 minute)

Drill 4: Alternate right and left kicks 8 times, and then stick with right kicks only, flick kick for 8. (1 minute)

Round 5: Pump (10 minutes)

Do these five strength moves with a 15-second break between exercises.

Boxer Crunches: Lying on the floor; feet flat; hands at chest, fists in punching mode; take a breath in, listing head and punching hands across body 3 times as exhaling in crunch position; relax to floor. Repeat 24 times; resting after set of 12.

Last-Round Squats: Stand tall with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, hands on hips. Bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor, then stand back up, taking care not to lock your knees. Clenching the buttocks together to stand. Do 32 reps and hold the last rep in the squat position for 20 seconds to feel ‘the burn!’

Championship Push-Ups: Get into a push-up position: Kneel on the floor with your legs together and your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Shift your weight forward so that you’re balanced on your palms with your thighs just above your knees. Bend your elbows to lower your body. When your elbows are parallel to the floor, press back up to the start without locking elbows. Do 16 reps slowly.

Heavyweight Dips: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out, arms at your sides, palms pressing into the floor at hips and fingertips pointing out behind you. Bend your elbows a few inches, and then straighten back up. Do 16 reps slowly.

Contender Crunches: Lie face-up with your hands under your butt and your abs pulled in tight. Lift your legs 1 to 3 inches off the floor without allowing your lower back to arch up. Holding this position, curl your head, neck and shoulders up and in, hold a moment and lower back down. Repeat 16 times.

Round 6: Cool Down (6 minutes)

Stretch out and cool down with these three flexibility enhancers. In kickboxing stretching and flexibility are kings!

Million-Dollar Babies: Stand tall and straighten your right arm across the centre of your body, placing your left palm behind your right elbow to create a stretch through your right arm and shoulder. Hold 30 seconds and repeat with the left arm.

Rocky Thigh Stretch: Stand tall, holding on to a chair with one hand for balance. Lift your right leg up and bend your knee to move your heel up toward your buttocks. Gently grasp your right toe in your free hand to create a stretch through your right thigh. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the left leg.

Olajide Back Extender: Lie face-down with your elbows bent and your forehead resting on your palms. Gently press up through your palms to straighten your arms and arch your back as far as you comfortably

 can. Look up. Hold for 60 seconds as the stretch spreads through your abs and into the tops of your quads.

What to do??

On your way to the local deli at lunchtime, you glance nonchalantly at the magazine rack of the news stand you pass every day. An image leaps off the page and presents itself to you and with it, you surmise, a solution.

Once you’re in the salon, you begin to relax, slowly, still not surely. Coffee comes, slightly cold, but could be worse. Flicking through a magazine, every model smiles, smirks, pouts back at you, each one with flawlessly stylised hair! But you have no time to worry about green eyed monsters rearing their horned heads as you’re whisked away to your expectant appointment.

The stylist has barely asked you how you are or what you want when you announce those four words heard up and down the country on a daily basis: ‘I WANNA BE BLONDE!!’

‘Are you sure?’ enquires the stylist…

‘YES YES YES! DO IT DO IT DO IT!’

‘W’ok then..’ your stylist retorts.

With a flash of foil, an allingment of a tail comb and a scent of bleach on the air ‘work’ was set to start.

Fast forward to a few hours later, brushes down, hot straightening irons cooling on the heat mat, and stylist du jour has completed his makeover on your newly blondised mane. After admiring your reflective frame front and back, back and front, you are ready and steady to depart and impart your new look upon an unsuspecting world.

Suddenly,  something  dawns on you as you nonchalantly survey the salon…a revelation; and not a good one.

The incessant hum of the dryer. The drone of the indescript music. The lacklustre chat of the staff. It all seems to be closing in on you.

You’re fabulous blonde status seems to crunch like garbage beneath your stilettos as you realise how many other women are currently in the process of receiving highlights in the form of a blonde crown just like you.

Suddenly the stench of bleach seems to be suffocating.

‘O MY GOD! IM GENERIC BLONDE!’  You cry in your head, fumbling in your oversized handbag for the cough up cash, so you can exit sharply still smiling serenely as if you’re on medication. Your hair may not be blue but your mood certainly has returned to a stagnant shade.

The real solution sounds like so. There comes a time, ladies and ladettes when you just gotta ask yourself what kind of blonde you are and what kind of blonde you wanna be?? The truth is blonde can be dull, lifeless, mundane and, pray not, green hued.

Delete as appropriate: I would like to be blow-up blonde/ghinja/nicotine/golden honey/illuminating ash. Or would you rather bypass these aforementioned and head straight to the top, to the best kept secret of a fluid mergeance of natural tones which flow into one another like a waterfall with colours cascading and colliding in an effortless painting on natural fibric canvas.

You decide, my dearlings, but i do know which one i would choose…

Now as i type, i am currently sporting a hat, a jacket, and a tailored pair of jeans of the skinny variety.  All are of the grey colour, so really who am i kidding, some might say?? However i know how to accessorize my greyness with a blend, a hint or a bold statement of colour. Not all victims of the fashion shotgun are graced with such gifts though.

As the cold winter nights approach the even colder streets of Scotland, warming colours are essential to stop us from feeling like skeletal corpses turning in our designer coffins. Perhaps though, that is what certain designers are inspired by.

Acid-washed denim, black lace, and lots and lots of leather – this is what 2009 is going to look like for me, thanks to my new favourite fashion duo, Meadham and Kirchhoff. I am currently both refusing to take off my black leather cigarette pants (out of choice, thank you very much, talc is a beleathered girl’s best friend), and worrying what I will do once summer comes around again. MK have the answer and it comes in the form of a pair of their suitably sheeny (but deliciously breathable) black trews. Similarly, leather jacket fanatics needn’t despair – simply swap your leathers for MK’s sheer black tunics – it’ll keep you cool but thanks to the heavy-duty zips, you won’t have to compromise your rock n’ roll credentials. I’m ecstatic at the return of the nineties, and Meadham Kirchhoff’s shredded acid-wash skinnies may have something to do with it. And whilst I might not be donning the designers’ deconstructed shirt sleeves, exposed stitching and lace shirt panels, you’ve gotta commend these boys on their attention to detail (and anyone who can wear that very expensive denim jacket whilst putting up with onlookers asking, ‘Couldn’t you afford elbow patches?’ 

Having bought into both the fabulous Clueless movie AND the cringeworthy spin-off TV series (a mark of a true fan), you can only imagine my delight at the return of nineties prep to the catwalk. No one did it better than Sinha-Stanic. Crisp white shirts were tied at the front to expose midriff, and short-sleeved blazers in candy colours were paired with tonic cigarette pants. This time around, gone were the clumpy Spice Girls platforms, and in their place stomped bold, pastel-hued gladiator platforms. Despite the disappointingly tame (and probably saleable) black LBDs flecked with green and red, the show was a sight for sore eyes, and in the words of Cher, ‘way existential’.

It seemed that Viv W was on safari at LFW. Alongside the old-faithful, and ever-fabulous, sculptural dresses and corsets, stood somewhat uncomfortably ‘colonial’ style pieces, such as a slouchy, striped trouser suit, and the safari staple, the shirt dress. The show, with its ‘Brits on safari’ vibe, was reminiscent of Hermes S/S ’08 collection, but this time (much to my relief), it was less glamorised, and rather, subtly ridiculed. The oversized helmut hat that accompanied a beige Jackie O skirt suit was too big to be taken seriously, and the real standout pieces of the show were the tribal-style (for want of a better term) beaded necklaces and belts, tasselled knee-high socks, corn-print dress, and the pirate boots from last year that had been resurrected in a patterned fabric and tan leather. Metallics added a luxe edge to muted colours (a molten gold trench sent my heart pitter pattering), and I applauded the somewhat topical juxtaposition of urban wear (giant hoop earring and hoods) with tribal-inspired styling (notably the top-knotted hair). Genius. Well, what did you expect?