Here's the tips for making the most of your assets and unleashing your inner Goddess!

My stocking tip.
If you prefer stockings to tights and, like me, wear hold ups, always buy the ones with a double sticky strip. That way if one strip ceases to stick you have a second one to keep the stocking in place.

I had a nearly embarassing moment on Oxford St in London when my stocking unstuck and to avoid it ending up round my ankles I had to hide in a doorway and whip 'em off altogether.

Do you have any embarassing stocking stories to tell?

Heres the websites for cheap way to look amazing in those most wanted designer goods:
www.koodos.com
www.bbclothing.co.uk

and the best of the best

www.bradalley.co.uk

all worth a look, talk back to us and tell us how your browsing goes, shopping went.
good luck ladies!!!

COLD SORE REMEDIES

Caring for Cold sores:

1. At the first sign that a cold sore is erupting take a lysine supplement. Dosage is 1000 mg. per day, this will help to shorten the duration of your cold sore. You can get it at most health food shops.
2. Applying ice to the cold sore can be very helpful to relieve pain. Use an ice pack and make sure to not leave it on the cold sore for more than a few minutes at a time.
3. Try applying Lemon Balm Cream to the cold sore, this help speed up the healing process and can be applied 4-5 times a day.
4. Cold sore medication if applied at the first symptoms of a cold sore will also help to shorten the duration of your cold sore. It should be applied five times a day until the cold sore has healed.
5. Boosting your immune system can also be helpful. One of the best ways to do this is by just getting enough sleep. The other is eating a healthy diet. Some things that you might consider adding to your diet is fresh garlic, green tea, Vitamin C, a B vitamin supplement and Acidophilus or yogurt.
6. Be sure to replace your toothbrush after suffering from a cold sore eruption.
7. When going outdoors wear a lip balm containing a sunscreen.

Reducing incidents of cold sores:
1. Know your triggers. If often helps to keep a detailed journal that includes moments of physical or emotional stress, foods eaten, any products placed in your mouth, such as toothpaste, mouth wash, gums or lip balms and illnesses. While it may take a while for a pattern to develop, over time you will be able to pinpoint specific triggers and then avoid them to prevent outbreaks.
2. Eliminate any foods that you are allergic too, as allergens can trigger recurring cold sores. If you are unsure of your allergies, see a doctor for a full allergy test.
3. Consider a prescription antiviral medication which can be taken at the first sign of an outbreak. This medication can often prevent the outbreak from occurring or at least reduce the severity of the sores.
4. Eat at least one serving of natural yogurt with live, active culture every day. Yogurt helps to eliminate bacterial in the mouth and intestinal tract which can trigger cold sores. Additionally, with the elimination of harmful bacteria, the immune system becomes stronger, better helping to keep the virus at bay.
5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help prevent recurring cold sores. This will help your body to eliminate toxins that may trigger your outbreaks.

If you have any great tips on avoiding or dealing with cold sores, then please add them to the forum!

HAIR STYLES for Autumn 2009


Influences: 40’s, 50’s and 80’s. Old school glamour, texture, styles tailored to the face and BIG hair. Hair that has a strong presence and pushes the boundaries.
Fashion is replicating the 40s and 80s – both eras of tight times and inventive British creativity.

Short hair: cropped bobs – somewhere between a bob and a pixie crop, strong clean lines and precise dramatic cuts. You’ll need a good bone structure and a quirky personal style to carry this off.

Up-do’s: buns, twists and braids were all over the autumn catwalks. A key look for long hair is a disconnected chignon – work sleek at the neck and loose and flowing at the front.

Texture: it’s the buzzword for autumn and winter – the modern day big hair. Forget perfect curls, it’s an edgy look with a bit of frizz – that just got out of bed look!

Mini-trends: ponytails, high glamour coifs, pompadour, sleek and glossy straight hair, centre partings

So if you are planning a new look for autumn, there’s plenty to choose from.

Do you know how to change a flat tyre? If like June and Tina you think it’s going to be difficult, take a look at the short video on
www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/video/77596/Get-Pumped
It takes you through the process which actually looks really, really simple – and it’s worth a look anyway, just for the hunky mechanic who’s doing the demonstrating – and the gorgeous bright yellow Lamborghini they use to show you how it’s done!
Of course, once you’ve watched the video you could just tuck the info away in the back of your mind – and make sure you’ve got your own hunky mechanic on speed dial if the need ever arises!!
But trust us, it’s worth following that link for the eye candy alone...

JUNE’S EASY-PEASY BRILLIANT BRAISED BEEF CASSEROLE
Serves 6

3.5lbs braised beef or stewing steak
14 oz tin of plum tomatoes
2 Oxo cubes
2 onions, skinned and quartered
3 or 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into reasonably thick slices
1lb button mushrooms, washed and stalks removed
2 oz butter
1 tub of crème fraiche
Chopped parsley to garnish

Trim the fat from the meat and cut into chunks - not too small!

Pour the tomatoes into a casserole dish and crumble the Oxo cubes over the tomatoes.
Arrange the meat in the centre of the tomatoes and the onions and carrots around the sides of the casserole.

Cover with a double layer of foil and then with the casserole lid. Cook at 165C(gas mark 3) for 2 hours.

Remove the lid and turn the meat into the juices. Replace the foil and the lid, return to the oven and cook at 150C(gas mark 2) for a further hour.

Slice the mushrooms then fry in the melted butter.

Discard the vegetables from the casserole. On the hob, add the mushrooms to the casserole, stir in up to three-quarters of the tub of crème fraiche, then reheat carefully without boiling.

Adjust the seasoning if necessary; stir in the remaining crème fraiche if wished and garnish with chopped parsley.

NOTES :
Because this cooks so slowly, don’t use an expensive cut of meat - rump steak just about works but sirloin will disintegrate! The slow cooking will make even stewing steak very tender.
It’s important to use plum (not chopped) tomatoes - don’t know why, but it doesn’t work properly otherwise! Also, the Oxo cubes need to be UNDER the meat, not on top of it!
The foil covering underneath the lid is VITAL.
The crème fraiche is optional - it gives a creamier sauce but for everyday, it’s fine to omit. You can also reduce the amount of crème fraiche used - and use the rest on/with the pudding!
The mushrooms are also optional.
Removing the vegetables is advised if this is for a posh dinner party - if it’s an everyday meal, leave them in - the carrots especially are yummy!
These quantities serve six - for a smaller group, just reduce the amount of meat but use the same quantities of everything else.
Like all casseroles, this is even better next day - it can be cooked for the first three hours, then re-heated from the stage where it goes onto the hob. You can also cook for two to two and a half hours then transfer to a slow cooker and leave on a low setting for several hours, adding the crème fraiche just before serving.

Oprah's What I Know For Sure

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what
2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script
3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.
4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time
5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you
6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.
7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough
8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give
9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction
10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart
11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.
12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love in every other encounter
13. Let passion drive your profession
14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus
15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good
16. Every day brings a chance to start over
17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.
18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.
19. When you don't know what to do, be still. The answer will come.
20. 'Trouble don't last always.' (A line from a Negro spiritual which call to mind another favourite: This too shall pass).

Saturday 20 February : This week's interview with Isi Dixon of Well Organised was packed with hints and tips on decluttering - whether it's your wardrobe, your desk, your PC or even your life that needs a little bit of organising!
For more suggestions on how to sort out your clutter, take a look at Isi's website - www.wellorganised.org - especially the Tips and Tricks page which is updated regularly with great ideas to get you started. And have a look too at the Butler Bag page - revolutionise your handbag or briefcase and never have to rummage around for those keys, lippies and pens again!