30 things that will make you feel good…
1. Turning off your alarm clock before you go to sleep at the weekend.
2. A big pay rise.
3. Knowing you’re about to fall in love.
4. Kissing.
5. Two glasses of champagne.
6. Completing the Times crossword.
7. Clearing your overdraft.
8. Your skin after a salt rub.
9. A new lipstick (I love YSL Rouge Vibration, Chanel Glossimer for lips in Blizzard, Bobbi Brown essentials in Redwood).
10. Harvey Nichol’s Food Hall: everything you’ve ever dreamed of.
11. London: Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament; the view from Waterloo Bridge; St Paul’s; The Lloyds building; the neon lights outside the Hayward Gallery.
12. Wearing real diamonds.
13. Venice, every time.
14. Giggling.
15. Swinging in a hammock.
16. Songs like ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed, ‘Upside Down’ (Diana Ross), ‘Wild Horses’ (The Rolling Stones), ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ (Nina Simone), ‘I Got You, Babe’ (Sonny and Cher), ‘Baby Love’ (The Supremes), ‘Passionate Kisses’ (Lucinda Williams).
17. Hot sand between your toes.
18. Carluccio’s hot chocolate.
19. Kicking off your shoes at the end of the day.
20. Buying something special to wear to a party.
21. Making an ice-cream sundae on a Sunday afternoon: chill a bowl in the freezer, add three scoops of French vanilla Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Pour quarter cup of warmed hot fudge or caramel sauce over. Top with whipped cream, chopped walnuts and one maraschino cherry¼ Bellisima.
22. Receiving a beautifully wrapped present.
23. The perfect black trousers.
24. Showering after a day in the sun.
25. The sound of woodpigeons.
26. ‘Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive But to be young was very Heaven’ – Wordsworth.
27. Walking around the fountains in Hyde Park on a misty winter morning,
28. A gin and tonic on a mountain of ice while lying in a hot bath.
29. A flat stomach¼ (well almost).
30. Holding your child’s hand.
Fancy a cuppa?
Tea is on the comeback and reaching for a cuppa has never been more trendy. Not that tea – a drink the British have been consuming for more than 350 years – ever went out of style. Just ask Boy George, who once famously declared he would rather have a cup of tea than sex.
Like red wine, tea has become the power drink, capable of curing all that ails us.
Reports that long-time tea drinking may increase bone density and help fight certain cancers and heart disease — and boost your fertility levels — has put tea firmly back on the front burner.
Of course, some people don’t care about the health benefits of tea. As Sarah Ferguson said, “As long as it’s hot and wet and goes down the right way, that’s all that matters.”
Tea imparts a sense of gentility and calm, which may be why stressed-out London executives are opting for the power tea rather than the power lunch and have started taking their clients to afternoon tea instead of on boozy lunches. The Executive Director of The Tea Council, Bill Gorman, says: “Business people now view tea as a key element in London’s fast-paced culture, which reinforces its label as our nation’s favourite drink – for any occasion.”
Best Foot Forward…
Expert Advice from the Podiatrist Podiatry. It’s the newest, latest, greatest way to maintain marvellous feet. Well, actually, that’s a lie. Podiatry is the name everyone except for the Brits uses for chiropody. But, and hold on to your hats here, podiatry will soon be the latest beauty buzz-word over here, with us all visiting foot experts the way we would a dentist — for regular check-ups. And my, your feet would be so more sandal-worthy for it. If you think podiatry is all about corns and verrucas, read on to see how it would benefit you.
What Happens At A Podiatry Appointment?
A foot health-check (15 mins) involves an assessment of your feet including circulation, nerves, nails and skin condition. The podiatrist will answer any specific queries you have and advise you on the best home foot care.
In a standard appointment (30 mins), the patient will have a footbath, nails will be trimmed, corns and calluses removed and a mini foot massage given.
A biomechanical assessment (60 mins) involves a detailed assessment of the feet and legs, including their range of movement and testing of joints and muscles. The podiatrist can then recommend a suitable treatment plan, which may include stretching exercises or orthotics (tailor-made insoles that correct the way the feet function).
When Should You Visit A Podiatrist?
People visit a podiatrist for a number of reasons, ranging from corns and hard skin, in-growing toe nails, verrucas, flat feet, heel pain and knee pain. Even if you don’t think you have any problems, you should visit a podiatrist for an annual foot health check.
How Should I Care for My Feet At Home?
1. Start with a 3-4 minute footbath to relax the feet and soften nails and hard skin.
2. Dry feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
3. Trim your nails straight across using toenail clippers, and file any rough edges.
4. Remove any hard skin with a foot file or pumice.
5. Massage your feet with a deep moisturising foot cream.
6. Spray your feet with a refreshing foot spray.
Better Foot Care Tips
Buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen and don’t try to ‘break in’ uncomfortable shoes.
Feet feel the benefit of regular exercise. Regular brisk walking is an ideal way of improving the circulation of the feet and toes.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet. It may sound funny, but burnt tootsies aren’t!
Always apply a coat of base coat to each nail before nail polish. A base coat is essential, stops nail polish discolouring, and helps it stay on longer.
Style Sleuth… What is vintage?
Vintage or second-hand? What’s the difference? Ten years ago, vintage meant virtually antique — grandma’s flapper dresses wrapped in mothballs, pieces from Dior’s New Look and anything from Yves Saint Laurent’s early collections. Now, vintage means anything designer that’s a few seasons old. It has to be top designer – the likes of Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana. The more obscure the older the clothes need to be.
And second-hand? Well, that means anything non-designer that’s, um, second-hand. Stars, models and others in the public eye who want to be thought a bit different wear vintage (not second-hand) – think Sadie Frost, Julia Roberts and Renée Zellwegger at the Oscars.
Designers also continue their love affair with vintage: they can’t put their vintage finds on the catwalk, but they can jolly well be inspired by them – witness all those old looks that keep reappearing. You’ll certainly see a lot of vintage look around this season (even though the clothes are brand new). Just don’t overdo your look, or you may end up looking like your grandmother.
