Brad Pitt's Chanel No 5 Advertisement - Part 2

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It appears Chanel acknowledged my grievances yesterday about their new Chanel No 5 advert starring Brad Pitt and have acted quickly... but perhaps too quickly methinks?

I think that this new commercial seems like a rushed, emergency response to yesterday's negative feedback.  'Part 2' (more like 'Take 2'') appears to me like some footage of beautiful women has been hurriedly thrown together in an attempt to cover up some of Brad's bizarre monologue... This is all disappointingly un-Chanel. I think rather than rushing out this ineffective second attempt, I would have preferred for them to have unapologetically stood by their initial advert and accused me, in French please, of being the most 'orrrrrible of philistines for not understanding their higher level of perfume rhetoric.

Above:  Conan O'Brien also decided to re-work the original advert.  I think this is clear evidence why super Hollywood A-listers tend to record adverts in countries we do not readily have access to view them. Thank Heavens for YouTube... and Nicholas Cage.

Brad Pitt's Chanel No 5 Advertisement Revealed

We have all eagerly waited upon the latest Chanel No.5 advert having being teased for over a month with the teeniest, tiniest of tit-bit-Pitts, and yesterday it was finally released.  Am I alone in thinking… Is that it?!   Yes, Brad Pitt looks hot. Yes, Brad Pitt sounds hot. But… Where is the romance, the sweeping vistas, the fantasy… the… the… the anything?! 

Marilyn Monroe’s coy giggles, Audrey Tautou’s wistful train glances and Nicole Kidman’s can-can under the Eiffel Tower, have all been replaced by a scruffy Brad Pitt and his goatee.  As the first man to ever advertise the scent (a job he was paid £4.32 million for!) and with the amazing Joe Wright as his director, is it wrong that I had just expected MORE?!  A pensive, sultry Brad looks as if he has rolled out of a bar and given a deeply intense monologue to an invisible flock of birds... Unintentionally funny. Ooh-La-Lazy. 

Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural: My Facial With Abigail James At Lomax Chelsea

I went to Lomax Chelsea last week for the most extraordinary facial.  I was lucky enough to secure an appointment with one of London’s top facialists; holistic therapist Abigail James.  When the UK’s most well regarded beauty editors are vying for time with Abigail’s healing and expert hands, you know you’re in for a real treat!  Steering clear of all synthetic products and cosmetics, Abigail’s mantra is ‘Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural,’ and the organic approach to health and wellbeing she extols reveal fantastic benefits – namely, glowing and clear skin.

The whole experience was truly bespoke.  I filled out a detailed questionnaire, covering all my skin routines, product preferences, medical conditions and dietary choices, which Abigail then read through and discussed at length with me before the facial, enabling her to design a treatment based on my specific requirements and needs.  When I was completely comfortable in one of the 5 Lomax treatment rooms, Abigail went on to give me a really relaxing, super beneficial facial, which included some manual lymphatic drainage and facial reflexology to encourage my skin’s natural healing and vitality.  The products she used were all ethical and organic, little known, niche brands (OSKIA, Dr Alkaitis and Live Native) but I certainly intend to track them down.  I would have happily fallen asleep as she fluttered these lotions and potions over my face like a butterfly but I did not want to miss a moment.

After the facial Abigail gave me fantastic advice on what products to use and where to find them, and how I can better my overall health, which in turn, would also improve my skin.  I left feeling completely relaxed, rosy-cheeked and with a long shopping list. 

Thank you again Abigail xx

Honestly Healthy Book Launch

Yesterday evening I sipped coconut water mojitos in the sunshine at the launch of Honestly Healthy duo Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson's new cook book 'Honestly Healthy: Eat with your body in mind, the alkaline way.'   The book gives you all the information you could need on how to live a healthy, balanced, vegetarian and alkaline life with over one hundred recipes to try out. It can be purchased on Amazon. 

Clockwise L-R:  Savannah Miller, baby Bali and author Natasha Corrett, The Honestly Healthy cook book, music, Sienna Miller and Natasha Corrett, Kelly Eastwood with presenters Izzy Lawrence and Zoe Hardman, Zafar Rushdie and Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes.

Helena Christensen visits Kenya with Oxfam

We are all more used to seeing the supermodel and photographer Helena Christensen in the various glamorous fashion capitals around the world, but she has more recently returned from Kenya, from her third international trip as an ambassador for Oxfam.

Spending time with women from Turkana in Northern Kenya, Helena reported back on how their lives, and those of their families and neighbours, have drastically changed due to the recent climate changes and severe drought – the worst in 60 years - which has left over 13 million people at risk in the Horn of Africa.

Ahead of today's International Women’s Day, Helena described how the women are struggling to cope with unpredictable weather and sky-rocketing food prices...

“Whether or not they can provide their children with two solid meals a day is out of their control… I cannot imagine being so unsure about my son’s future and having to worry about where his next meal comes from… There is enough food in the world for everyone but one in seven people go to bed hungry every day and the majority are women and girls."


With the link between climate change and the seriously difficult lives of the women Helena met being glaringly obvious, she is now urging world leaders to take the necessary, fundamental steps towards fixing the world’s broken food system, by asking them to deliver on the money pledged for the world’s poorest countries at the Copenhagen summit two years ago, “it is shameful that some of the biggest emitters and most powerful nations, like the US, are blocking real progress that could prevent millions more people in Africa and elsewhere being driven into hunger.”

Tim Gore, head of Oxfam's climate change, added “rich countries must now deliver the money they have promised to help poor countries adapt to climate change and develop in a low carbon way. New sources of long-term finance to flow through the Green Climate Fund must be agreed as soon as possible for the sake of the world’s poorest people whose lives are already being devastated by the impacts of climate change.”

Learn more about the Global Campaign for Climate Action here

Donate to Oxfam here

Valentines Day Lust List

Many cynics would have us believe that Valentine’s Day is just another sugar-coated celebration designed by Hallmark in an annual bid to make sweethearts spend their life savings… Bar-Hearts-Bug! In fact, it is a historical celebration of Saint Valentine’s romantic martyrdom (a 3rd Century Roman priest who, after Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage, continued to unite young lovers and was eventually executed for doing so...) Now, around ONE BILLION Valentine’s Day cards are sent worldwide each year.

So if you innocently, by mistake, just so happen, to leave this page open on your boyfriend or husband's laptop, no one will judge... You're merely honouring a Saint.

"Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January."

Above: Breakthrough Fiji Bracelet (15% from this piece goes to Breakthrough Breast Cancer) £115.00 from Monica Vinader, Sexy Panties and Naughty Knickers Monroe Soft Bra, £29.17 at Austique, 1 Dozen Long Stemmed Ecuadorian Valentine's Roses, £69.00 at Only Roses, Tainted Love Set (includes their bestselling lip gloss, a multiple colourstick and a popping pink nailpolish) £44 at Nars, Chloe eau de parfum 50ml, £52.00 at Selfridges

"I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self-respect, and it's these things I'd believe in even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and that's the beginning of everything."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Left: Je t’aime Cushion, £69.50 at Jan Constantine and

Red Love Cushion, £66.50 Jan Constantine

Above: Rosa Mundi Limited Edition Scented Candle, £40 at Diptyque, Love Letters Book, £125 at Smythson, Hummingbird Love Cupcakes, £2.50 each at Hummingbird Bakery, Rose Pebble Soap, £16.00 at Daylesford Organic, Rose Duo Gift Set, £38.00 at REN


Left: Personalised Love Biscuits, £39.50 at Biscuiteers. 8 hand made, personalised , iced chocolate biscuits delivered in a Hearts Tin

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Charles M. Schulz

Above: Engraved Marano Clutch, £350.00 at Anya Hindmarch.

You can have the clasp of this glittery Anya Hindmarch clutch engraved - a truly memorable gift. Each Marano charmingly has a little dance card tucked into its pocket!

Above: Heart-Shaped Chopping Board, £34.99 at notonthehightstreet.com, Love Love Tea, £4.95 at Harvey Nichols, Blush Sarong (10% from this sarong goes to Coral Conservation) £45.00 from Sophia Rogge, Moët & Chandon ‘Your Love’ Rosé Champagne (includes a gold pen to write a Valentine’s message onto its pink bottle) £47.50 at The Champagne Company, Nice Dream Last Night Mug, £15.95 at Emma Bridgewater

Above: Soft Pink Printed Scarf, £195 at Mulberry, Valentine's Day Macaroons,

£14.10 for 6 (pink grapefruit combined with vanilla) at Laduree

"Love is everything it's cracked up to be... It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk everything, you risk even more."
Erica Jong

Left: Cashmere Bed Socks, £32.00 at The White Company
​
"If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?"


Above: Scarlet Cashmere Wristwarmers, £19 (in sale) at Brora, Naughty Cow Travel Kit (includes Lippy Cow Lip Balm, Knackered Cow Bath & Shower Gel,
 Wild Cow Body Lotion, Wild, Horny or Lazy Cow Satin Knickers) £26 at Cowshed, Flamingo Kiss Stripe Tee, £28.00 at Urban Outfitters, 'Rien Que Toi, Moi, Nous' Ring ('Nothing But You, Me, Us') £85.00 at Laura Lee Jewellery, Laurie Silk Chiffon Briefs, £25 (in sale) at Agent Provocateur, Vintage Red Lips Clutch, £295.00 at Lulu Guinness

And remember boys... Nothing says LOVE quite like LOUBOUTINS

Above: Some of the SS'12 Christian Louboutin collection - Swooooon!

The Lomax Way

I was recently invited to Lomax Victoria to experience ‘The Lomax Way’ - a combination of bespoke fitness, tailored nutrition and holistic wellbeing...

Step One: Podular Training

Founder and personal trainer Jonny Lomax’s concept of Podular Training consists of you exercising (either alone, with a trainer, or in a class) in one of their eight fully equipped personal fitness pods, each offering several different work out options, including spinning and circuit training. With no monthly fees or contracts – the pay-as-you-go rates for Podular Training range from £20 - £65 (or if bought in bulk, £10 - £55.)

Daunted by my 40 minute personal training session with Jonny, I felt obliged to mention that not only am I NOT a gym-bunny (worse, I haven’t moved quicker than a strut in over a decade) but I am also seriously mal-coordinated and that this whole ordeal could be really rather embarrassing. After some confidence boosting and a motivational pep talk, I was soon spinning away and circuit training (“Sets” and “Reps” - evil, evil little words!)

Apparently I am not as unfit as I think and I even began to enjoy my 'Gazelle Jumps' (soon renamed 'Giselle Jumps') as I eagerly hopped up and down onto a high box without any complaints or squeaks... Unlike my turn with the weights... Unfortunately my frequently used excuse of ‘not being built for lifting’ did not get me out of that particular exercise!

Apparently if I were to do this twice a week, the results would come fast and furiously – and after 2 days of various muscles I never knew that I had mercilessly aching, I felt bouncy, energetic and ready to do it all again.


Step Two: Nutritional Consultation

If I had previously felt apprehensive in revealing my lack of natural athleticism to Jonny, that was nothing compared to the anxiety I felt over my meeting with Zoe Copesy, the nutritionist at Lomax.

However, sitting in the Lomax cafe with Zoe (left, a gorgeous, glowing example of what she preaches) whilst we sipped on Vita Coco and munched protein Bounce Balls, she showed no judgment whatsoever over my daily diet (ummm... chocolate, Cheerios and cupcakes) but instead gave me some brilliant, accessible, advice on how I can fit better eating habits around my lifestyle. I was then given a freshly prepared foodbox from the Lomax café, based upon my own health goals and protein, carbohydrate and fat requirements.


Step Three: Wellbeing

At Lomax, professionals from around the world aim to help you achieve a physical and emotional balance, offering physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, holistic facials, acupuncture, homoeopathy and meditation.
I was spoiled with a relaxing massage, combined with metatronic healing, leaving me feeling more refreshed and balanced than I had felt in weeks – I believe I could also benefit from two of these sessions a week!

Thank you to all at Lomax Victoria!

I am now very excited to see the new Lomax Chelsea venue which opens in February at 293 Fulham Road... With even more fully equipped pods and an expanded class roster they will also be offering sit in/take away nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, a juice bar and delicious Monmouth coffee. There will be 5 treatment rooms and also a studio for pilates, yoga and barre classes. If you pre-register with them at Lomax Victoria now, you will receive 50% off all services during your first month in Chelsea… Sign. Me. Up.

Musical Moment: Florrie ('Begging Me')

Florrie (Florence Arnold) is a 22 year old singer/songwriter/drummer originally from Bristol, who despite her increasing popularity and offers from major music labels, continues to release music under her own label, making sure she maintains complete creative control.

Florrie describes her music as “a big mixture: kind of a sixties, organic feel merged with modern pop beats and electronics.” Indeed, contemporary French disco legend Fred Falke has been an instrumental force in defining Florrie’s sound.

I love her – and her song ‘Begging Me’ is my favourite so far (available on iTunes.)

Also a firm fashion favourite, Florrie recently became the face of Nina Ricci’s L’Elixir perfume and her version of Blondie’s Sunday Girl accompanies the TV commercial…

Kate Moss - Beauty Secrets

In the lead up to the launch of her lipstick collection for Rimmel, super stylish supermodel Kate Moss shared some of her beauty secrets in an interview with The Sunday Times:

1. Red lipstick - "It's the ultimate shade. I wouldn't wear it during the day, but at night, or if it's a do, then it's good. Lipstick is the classic, iconic make-up, isn't it? You think of Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, and it's always about the lips

2. Nude lips with smudgy eyes – for daytime.

3. Kohl pencil eyeliner – “I always use a kohl pencil as it's easier to manage. You can get really good liquid liners now that are easy to use and precise, but if it goes wrong, you still have to start all over again, not like with kohl, when you can smudge it out."

4. No time for brushes - "Make-up artists do that, but I wouldn't do it on myself. I don't use a lip liner or a lip brush: I just shove it on."

5. Blusher - "I can feel when I need it. I use a powder and then a cream blush over the top to get a bit of a glow."

6. No to lipgloss - "I've got a thing about sticky - it can't be sticky. [It's] from doing too many shoots when they get the wind machine out and my hair sticks to me. I get the fear."



7. Eyelash curlers - "I don't feel complete without them, it's one of those things. [The secret to a false last look is] curling and then tons and tons and tons of mascara."



8. Factor 50 - "I was a real sun-worshipper - I loved it, boiling and lying out there. But now I don't do that… Now I have factor 50 - I had never put on factor 50 in my life!"



And now a sneaky peak inside Kate’s Washbag...

* PENHALIGONS BLUEBELL EAU DE TOILETTE (50MLS) RRP £58.00
* JELLY PONG PONG JELLY FLUSH RRP £12.00
* RIMMEL LONDON SOFT KOHL IN JET BLACK RRP £2.99
* RIMMEL GLAM'EYES RRP £7.19
* CREME DE LA MER MOISTURISING CREAM RRP £95.00
* DERMALOGICA OVERNIGHT CLEARING GEL RRP £28.90
* BOOTS EXPERT BABY SENSITIVE WIPES RRP £2.03
* JO WOOD TULA EXFOLIATING SALT SCRUB RRP £24.00
* PHILOSOPHY KISS ME RRP £10.00
* KIEHL'S CREME DE CORPS BODY LOTION RRP £27.00
* JAMES BROWN HAIR REVIVING DRY SHAMPOO RRP £7.14
* NARS BODY GLOW RRP £44.00
* CLARINS BLUE ORCHID FACE TREATMENT OIL RRP £33.00
* DR HAUSCHKA ROSE DAY CREAM RRP £23.95
* LAURA MERCIER UNDERCOVER CONCEALER NO4 RRP £26.00
* ELIZABETH ARDEN 8 HOUR CREAM RRP £25.00
* CLINIQUE ALMOST LIPSTICK IN BLACK HONEY RRP £16.00
* SHU UEMURA EYELASH CURLERS RRP £20.00.