Daily Archives: November 18, 2011

Shoppers already stockpiling Christmas food

Brits have already started to stock up on their ChristmasCupboard, according to new research.

The cupboard is filled with all sorts of festive treats including confectionary tins, savoury snacks like crisps and nuts and Christmas puddings, according to the study conducted by Asda.

The lastest income tracker shows that families now have less than £15 to spend each week, when compared to 2010, which means that spreading the cost ofChristmas is becoming more important than ever before.

Over three quarters of shoppers opt to shop ahead of November by buying a couple of treats each time they shop.

However, temptation is too much for some people with more than half admitting to dipping into their Christmas cupboard and scoffing food which is supposed to be saved for the festive period.

The research also revealed that one in ten blame the kids for the missing food in the run up to the big day.

Jessica Bates, Christmas confectionary buyer at Asda, says: “Our customers are certainly price savvy when it comes to spreading the cost of their festive shopping. We’ve sold almost three million tins of chocolates this week, although I’m sure quite a few of those won’t make it unopened until the big day.

“Luckily, we always have low prices on a whole range of Christmas Cupboard essentials, so it won’t cost the earth to replace an item here and there if they go missing.”

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Cold and flu causes our stress levels to rise in public

An early start to the morning, it’s cold outside and you have to contend with coughing, sniffling people on the commute – doesn’t exactly set you up for the day does it?

A survey of 1,875 UK adults, by Lloydspharmacy, reveals that 62 per cent of people feel their stress levels rising when faced with a serial sniffer on public transport.

However, nearly three in ten of thos surveyed also admitted that they themselves had been caught short on public transport without a tissue to blow their nose. Asked how they would deal with the situation, just over a quarter said they’d use either an item of clothing or whatever was available – from a newspaper, to wrappers and receipts. More than a fifth said they’d wipe their nose on their hand – a sure way to spread germs.

Even worse, a shocking 33 per cent confessed to ‘disposing’ of their bogeys, among other places: on the floor, under furniture, in their mouth - and on other people.

Asked to rank behaviour they consider ‘bad manners’, sneezing and coughing without covering your mouth ranked highest; followed by picking your nose or sniffing loudly in public and not using a tissue to blow your nose. Rather worryingly, one in 20 of those surveyed thought none of the above demonstrated bad manners.

Etiquette expert, Marie-Héléne Ferguson, says: “Good manner cost nothing and are important in all aspects of life. Handling yourself properly when you have a cold, cough or flu is no different; in fact in the case of flu it’s essential to help stop infection spreading.

“Prevention is the way forward, but if you’re poorly and need to be out in public act responsibly. Fabric hankies are a no-no in this day and age – carry tissues and use them when you blow your nose and also to cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. Also, don’t be afraid to politely offer someone a tissue; you never know, it may save you from getting ill.”

The survey also asked people how they feel when they sniff or cough on public transport. Nearly half said they were embarrassed about the noise they make and, surprisingly, this ranked much higher than feelings of guilt about passing on infections.

Nitin Makadia, flu expert at Lloydspharmacy, says: “It’s disappointing that people are more worried about the noise they make when blowing their nose than spreading infection. We’re all responsible for helping to protect both ourselves and those that may be more vulnerable from catching germs, whether that’s by getting a flu vaccination or by helping to control germs through good hygiene.

“Last year there was a major flu outbreak, which resulted in a national shortage of flu vaccines. The good news if that this seems to have prompted people to come forward this year. In just one week in early October we saw a massive 422 per cen increase in people coming in for flu vaccines compared to the same week last year.

“But flu doesn’t discriminate, so getting vaccinated isn’t just for ‘at risk’ groups. Prevention really is our best insurance policy against getting flu, so I’d urge people to get vaccinated sooner rather than later – it’s cheap, quick and could make the coming winter much more pleasant for you and your friends and family.”

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80 per cent of women wearing wrong size bra

Image courtesy of Target, Newfoundland, Canada

A staggering 80 per cent of the UK’s women are wearing the wrong sized bra, so it’s no surprise that just under half have never been professionally fitted for a bra.

But what makes this research even more interesting is the fact that over two-thirds of women have been up to five bra sizes in their lifetime – with puberty, yo-yo dieting and pregnancy all part of the cause.

Following the launch of a new advertising campaign by The Boobie Trap, which highlights unsightly problems caused by wearing an ill-fitting bra, the British Osteopathic Association is creating awareness of the potential health problems that can arise from wearing lingerie that doesn’t fit properly.

Joanna Cram from the British Ostepathic Association says: “Badly fitting bras that don’t fit properly aren’t just comfortable. For example if the underband of the bra does not support the weight of the breast then the shoulders do. This causes the shoulders to droop and as a natural consequence the breasts droop too.

“But the problem isn’t just droopy boobs. When shoulders compensaye for lack of bra support, effectively carrying the weight of a woman’s breasts, the spine can become curved, the tops of the shoulders hunched and the upper ribs become compressed.”

Research, commissioned by lingerie specialist Rigby & Peller to mark it’s 50th anniversay, also found that a third of all women are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts, yet the same amount haven’t bought a new bra in the past 12 months. It’s time to take care of yourselves ladies.

Joanna continues to explain how an ill-fitting bra can cause a change to your body: “This change in posture can be obvious or very slight but can have negative health implications that are seemingly unrelated to whether a bra fits properly. For example compressed ribs affect the respiratory system which can result in breathing problems and an unsupported underband can cause postural problems.

“Futher, an ill fitting bra can restrict the blood flow potentially causing mastitis and local tissue scarring.”
How to spot an ill-fitting bra:

· There are red marks under the shoulder straps or indentation marks on the shoulders. The marks indicate that the back of the bra is too big and that the ribcage is not supporting the weight of the breasts
· The back of the bra should be horizontal from the front of the chest rather than rising up at the back
· The front of the bra should fit the sternum firmly
· If you have flesh spilling out from sides or top of the bra cup (known as the quadraboob) – the bra cup should snugly enclose the breast
· If the wires dig in the cup size is too small.

The Bravissimo 3 step check for the perfect fitting bra

1.  The strap around your body should be firm but comfortable. When you stand side-on at a mirror, the strap that runs around your body should be horizontal and should not ride up at the back at all.
2.  The wires at the front should lie flat against your rib cage and should not dig in, rub or poke out at the front.

3.  Your breasts should be enclosed in the cups and you should have a smooth line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends and meets your bust. You shouldn’t have any ridge or bulging over the top or sides of the cups, even if you are wearing a balconette style or lower cut shape.

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Titanic 3D Trailer

It’s hard to believe that it has been fourteen years since Titanic first sailed onto the big screen and made everyone female turn into a blubbering wreck.

But James Cameron is not yet ready to let the first billion dollar movie, oh no, the movie will be re-released next year in 3D.

Yes it seems that Jack and Rose’s love will go on as we get to experience three hour romance all over again as they return to the big screen.

These were the characters that turned Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio into superstars over night as the film went on to break box office records and win a whole host of Oscars, including Best Picture.

The movie follows the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, the pride and joy of the White Star Line and, at the time, the largest moving object ever built.

She was the most luxurious liner of her era — the ‘ship of dreams’ — which ultimately carried over 1,500 people to their death in the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic in the early hours of April 15, 1912.

Titanic 3D is released 6th April 2012.

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Resistance Clips

Andrea Riseborough has been making quite a name for herself this year with her central performance in Brighton Rock and she is set to return with Resistance.

She teams up with Michael Sheen while Amit Gupta makes his feature length directorial debut with the movie.

D-Day has failed, Britain is under Nazi occupation!

Sarah Lewis, a 26-year-old farmer’s wife, awakes one morning to find that her husband has disappeared along with all the men in the valley.

Assuming they have joined the Resistance, the women of this tiny community pull together, taking on the running of the farms, and wait, desperate for news.

A German patrol arrives in the valley, the purpose of its mission a mystery. When a severe winter forces the two groups into co-operation, Sarah begins an acquaintance with the patrol’s commanding officer, Albrecht.

Cut off from the surrounding war, the lines between collaboration, duty, occupation and survival become blurred.

Resistance is released 25th November

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Friday’s Fashion Five

 

 

It’s that time of the week again and personally I couldn’t be happier to be so close to the weekend!

 

This week has seen some ups, some downs and some simply unbelievable moments in the world of fashion this week, so here’s the top five things that stuck out for me…

 

1. Versace for H&M

 

I know, I know, there has been so much press talk and coverage surrounding this collection, that you may be sick of hearing about it, but this was a great week for the industry. This high end/highstreet fashion collaboration had something for everyone in it, no wonder there were queues out the door for pieces. See yesterday’s blog post for my fave pieces from the collection.

 

2. The Marc Jacobs thief

 

I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard that the entire s/s 2012 Marc Jacobs collection had been pinched in transit from Paris to London this week. It raises a lot of questions in terms of security and the practicality of transporting collections from one place to the other. I also don’t see the point in stealing the clothes in the first place – The thief cannot wear them as people will know what to look out for and they cannot sell them as what can someone do with them? It’s not the first time it’s happened either, as a bunch of Victoria Beckham dresses were stolen, a whopping £500,000 worth of clothes! Where are the fashion police when you need them?

 

3. Magnetic nail varnish

 

I have a feeling that this could become my new favourite beauty product. Although I’ve not properly tried it yet, the excitement and anticipation of using it is enough to make the top 5. The idea of stroking your nail with a beautiful colour, covering it with a magnetic and a magical pattern appearing before your eyes just goes to show how advanced nail art is becoming! Thank you Nailsinc.

 

4. London Twilight Premiere fashion

 

I was just excited at the prospect of seeing Rob Pattinson on the red carpet as much as the next girl, but closely following was the outfits. K Stew, although not even billed to attend the event, she didn’t disappoint the crowds. Snuggling up to her supposed beau, Kristen wore a backless, black, sequined Roberto Carvalli gown. She looks good enough to gobble up…sorry, couldn’t resist the vamp joke!

Image from PAImage from PA

 

Fashion Yes also goes to Holly Willoughby, Fashion No no no no no goes to Lauren Pope – sling on some panties girl!

 

5. Leopard Print

 

It’s everywhere and I love it. The perfect hot winter print, it seems we all cannot get enough of leopard print at the moment. While it may not be an event, person and piece of fashion news – here’s a look that will be around all season and so well worth getting to know, if you haven’t already!

 

What have been your style highlights this week?

 

Jen.xox

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