PIECE OF THE SEASON!

EVENING SATIN -JASON WU











HOOP EARRINGS-BALMAIN









DOLCE & GABBANA POLKA DOT DRESS








CAPE-SAINT LAURENT















SELECTION OF BAGS



1.                  MIU MIU



2. GIVENCHY







3.                  MARNI




               







   MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA













             TOD'S





SHOE OF THE SEASON-WINTER SANDALS!

Never assume that an open toe is only for summer. This winter embrace the chill in the warmth of a winter sandal. For the FW2014 runways the sandals were marked with sheer tights. 
Combine your shoes with early 90s polka-dot or even fishnet stockings and it will be awesome!

1. SUEDE SANDALS BY CHELSEA PARIS









2. RED AND BLACK SANDALS BU MIU MIU



3. BLACK CALFSKIN SANDALS BY TOM FORD




4. CAMEL SANDALS BY GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI



5. MAROON SANDALS BY DONNA KARAN



6. PINK SANDALS ALEXANDER BIRMAN








7. POLKA-DOT TIGHTSBY WOLFORD









FALL/WINTER 2014 FAV PICKS!

1. Being transported by the gothic fairy-tale characters in Paula Rego's new show at London's Marlborough Fine Art until October 2015.












2. Escaping to Paris for the perfect romantic winter weekend. Preference: Peninsula Hotel. Do's: Visit the new Fondation Louis Vuitton.













3. Clutch by Lanvin












4. Supreat Night by Sisleymya 










5. Fusion Ink Foundation by YSL Beauty











6. Dress by Jason Wu







THE FIVE STEP PLAN TO HEALTHY HAIR!

When hair is so damaged that it snaps or splits that dramatically, you need to take steps to save it:

1. LAY OFF THE CHEMICALS
Even the strongest hair can't withstand a full-on assault of peroxide and straigthtening solution. Talk to your stylist or colorist about how to give it a rest for at least three months (it may requre a different cut or daily routine to camouflage routes or unwanted waves).

2. SHAMPOO GENTLY
Hair that is weak or damaged need a moisturising shampoo. Wash as infrequently as possible, and unless hair is filthy there is no need to scrub hard-just rub shampoo into the scalp, and let the runoff clean the ends.


3.  DO NOT STINT ON CONDITIONER
Those weekly deep treatments some consider a luxury are now a necessity for you. Consider slathering the on every other daybefore shampooing (to fill in cracks), then following the wash with a regular rinse-out formula.


4. PROTECT YOURSELF
If you cannot lay off the blow-dryer completely, at least minimize further damage. Coat strands with a protective styling product, wait until hair is mostly dry (so you spend less time under nozzle), use the warm setting instead of hot, keep the dryer six inches from the head, and do not point it in one area for too long. If you insist on flatironing , coat hair first witth a leave-in conditioner or silicone-based product. 


5. STAY OUT OF THE SUN
UV rays dry out hair and rui its color. Before going outside, douse your hair with a leave-in sunscreen treatment-or better yet, wear a hat.







WHERE TO GO IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER!

October marks the middle of autumn in the northern hemisphere. The shortening of the days and importance of gathering in the harvest are reflected in the wine festivals that start to take place around Europe. Visit the vineyards in the Loire Valley or follow the celebrated Chianti route through Tuscany. There's still time to catch the autumn leaf displays of North America, or for something different, see the Japanese ones instead. Meanwhile in the southern hemsphere, things are beginning to heat up as spring approaches-perfect for a tango in Buenos Aires or a dive on the Great Barrier Reef.
 To help you choose where to go, you will find all destinations below as well as some extra suggestions to provide a little inspiration.





BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, SOUTH AMERICA
Combines European style with South America hedonism. A centre of culture and sophistication, and a vibrant exotic city characterized by the national danc-the tango. With quality food and wine to boot.








TUSKANY,ITALY, EUROPE

Feast your senses on architecture, art and exquisite cuisine. With romantic landscapes cloaked in mist, splendid architecture rich in history, Tuskany is  prime destination for lovers of refinement and beauty.









SAN FRANCISKO, USA, NORTH AMERICA

Sample the pleasures of one of America's special cities. Take in the views, the character, and the fantastic cuisine of the city on the bay. Then head up to the Napa Valley for a winery tour.  




INSPIRING QUOTES - WHAT THEY SAID!




















1. WHEN YOU ARE COUNTING A NICE GIRL, AN HOUR SEEMS LIKE A SECOND. WHEN YOU SIT ON A RED-HOT CINDER A SECOND SEEMSLIKE AN HOUR. THAT'S RELATIVITY.

                                                                                                                               ALBERT EINSTEIN





2. TIMES ARE BAD. CHILDREN NO LONGER OBEY THEIR PARENTS, AND EVERYONE IS WRITING A BOOK.

                                                                                                                                 MARCUS CICERO
                                                                                                                      ROMAN PHILOSOPHER
                                                                                                      (WRITTEN BEFORE THE BIRTH                                                                                                        OF CHRIST)




3. SOMETIMES YOU SUCCEED...AND OTHER TIMES YOU LEARN.

                                                                                                                       BENJAMIN FRANKLIN





4. WINE: CONSTANT PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US, AND LOVES TO SEE US HAPPY.

                                                                                                                                     WOODY ALLEN




5. THE ART OF MEDICINE CONSISTS IN AMUSING THE PATIENT WHILE NATURE CURES THE DISEASE.

                                                                                                                                              VOLTAIRE

SHARING THE LOVE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY! LEARN HOW...

When friends and family pop round this season, they will not want to leave once  they have tasted these pies!

CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY TART

FOR THE PASTRY:

125g plain flour
Pinch of salt
100g unsalted butter
50g caster sugar
Few drops of vanilla extract
2 level tbsp cocoa powder

FOR THE FILLING:

400g dark chocolate, broke into pieces
300ml carton whipping cream
Few drops of vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp raspberry jam
150-250g raspberries
Icing sugar, for dusting
24cm round enamel pie plate


TO MAKE THE PASTRY:

1. Tip all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and whizz until they just start to bind together to give a dough. Or sift the flour and salt into a bowl and then rub in the butter. Add the remaining ingredients and work to a dough. Wrap the dough in cling fllm and chill it until it is firm enough to handle.
2. Set the oven to 200 (certigrade) or Gas Mark 6.
3. Roll the dough out on a lighltly floured surface and use it to line the pie plate. Cook the pastry case blind for 12-15 minutes, or until it is just cooked. Remove the pie plate from the oven and leave the pastry to cool.


TO MAKE THE FILLING:

1.Tip the chocolate pieces into a bowl. Pour the whipping cream into a pan and bring it to the boil, then pour over the chocolate and stir intil the chocolate melts; warm the mixture slightly if necessary. Add the vanilla. Using a stick blener will help to ensure that it is a nice smooth consistency. Leave the filling to cool slightly, so it starts to thicken.
2. Spread the rasberry jam over the base of te pastry case, then pour the chocolate filling on top.
3. Arrange the raspberries in rings on top of the filling. Chill until the filling is set.
4. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.











LEMON MERINGUE PIE

1/2X 375G packet sweet pastry

FOR THE FILLING:

397G can condensed milk
2 medium egg yolks
Finely zested rind and juice of 2 lemons


FOR THE MERINGUE:

2 egg whites
125g caster sugar

24cm round enamel pie plate


1. Set the oven to 220 (temperature) or Gas Mark 7 and place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
2. Roll the pastry out and line the pie plate. Prick the base and pinch the edges to pattern them. Chill for 10-15 minutes.

  TO MAKE THE FILLING:

Mix together the condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon rind juice. Pour the mixture into the pastry case.

TO MAKE THE MERINGUE:

1. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then gradually whisk in the sugar. Spoon the meringue on top of the pie, either leaving it just in the centre or covering the top of the pie completely.
2. Place the pie on the hot baking sheet and turn the oven temperature down to 190 or Gas Mark 5 and bake for 30-35 minutes until meringue has turned a light golden colour and he pastry is cooked.
3. Remove the pie from the oven and serve warm at room temperature.











COOKING WITH HERBS: CHOCOLATE MINT CAKE





INGREDIENTS:
250 g caster sugar
3 tbsp (10g) chopped fresh mint leaves
125g butter, softened
2 medium eggs
250g self-raising flour
60g cocoa powder sifted

FOR THE ICING:
300ml double cream
10g mint leaves, plus extra for decoration
200g bar dark chocolate roughly broken into pieces
2x20cm sandiwich tins, base-lined and buttered

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Set the oven to 180 (centigrade) or Gas Mark 4. Put 1 tbsp of the sugar into a small bowl with the mint and pound together until the sugar is green. Cream the butter with the minty sugar and the remaining sugar, add the eggs one at a time, with a little flour, beating well. Fold in the rst of the flour sifted with the cocoa. Add 125 ml warm water. Mix until smooth and divide between the tins. Bake for 25 inutes. Cool on a wire rack.

TO MAKE THE ICING:

Put the cream in a pan with a bruised mint leaves. Bring to the boil slowly, then take of the heat and leave to infuse for at least 30 minutes. Reheat the cream, then strain it over the chocolate pieces in a large bowl and stir gently until the chocolate melts and te icing is smooth. Leave for 5-10 minutes to cool. Use a generous 3 tbsp to sandwich the cajkes together, spread the rest over the top and ease it down the sides. Leave to set. Decorate with sugar mint leaves.


TO SUGAR MINT LEAVES:
Brush leaves with lightly beaten egg white, sprinkle with caster sugar and leave on a rack or on paper to dry for 1 hour.

TIME FOR TEA!

5 STEPS TO THE PERFECT CUPPA:
1. Use fresh, filtered water.
2. Use fine china preferably.
3. Get the temperature of the water right. Boil the water, then let the heat subside. Boiling water scorches the tea leaves and ruins the taste.
4. Measurements are important too.
Recommendation: One good teaspoon of loose leaves per cup. And give tea enough time to brew.
5. Warm your cup before you pour. You do not want a cold mug absorbing the heat and making the heat lukewarm.
Enjoy!!





THE BEST FUN ON WHEELS!

Cycling is a great way to get and stay fit. It improves strength, stamina, aerobic fitness and general muscle function, though for strong, healthy bones, add in some weight-bearing exercise, such as walking. But the most important thing about cycling is quite how enjoyable it can be! And cycling is as easy as well...riding a bike.! Just check out my common-sense advice:
YOUR FITNESS:
Research suggests that regular cyclists have a fitness level ten years younger than their age,and a life expectancy two yeas longer than average. Half an hour's cycling burns around 150 calories. Pedal quickly with little resistance (in a low gear) for the best results. In a high gear and pushing hard, you will build big leg muscles, but in a low gear and pedalling quickly you tone small muscles and end up slim and fit.
YOUR KIT:
-Comfortable clothing. Special cycling gear is only really bebeficial if you are cycling for more than three hours or pushing hard enough to sweat a lot.
-Waterproof, breathable jacket essential if you are going to be out in all weathers.
-Gloves for winter.
YOUR ROUTES:
Try not to avoid hills. Hills make you work harder for short periods, and such high-intensity exercise gives your fitness a boost. You can cycle on all rights-of-way routes with the exception of footpaths. Check out local rides in books and maps at your library or local bookshop. Try the National Cycle Network, a series of surfaced off-road routes, usually compacted gravel on disused railway tracks and canal towpaths. Cycling groups are a good way to find new routes and new friends.
COMMON WORRIES:
Many new cyclists worry about dealing with punctures and cycling in traffic. You can ask your local bike shop to show you how to mend a puncture and it is handy to carry a repair kit with you.












BRITAIN'S GREATEST TREASURES

1. EXETER: A lovely Devon city and though it was badly bombed in the Second World War's 'Baedeker raids' many delightful buildings remain from an earlier era.







2. YORK: Medieval streets feature many ancient inns and restaurants in which to dally, not to mention numerous teashops, including the famous Betty's.








3. NORWICH: It is a vibrant local centre, with all the shops and other services you'd expect, but also full of pretty and historic streets and ancient houses.










4. LICHFIELD: The surrounding city is a pretty heritage destination and the birthplace of Samuel Johnson. Do not miiss his house, which is open to the public, or the 18th century home of the extraordinary Erasmus Darwin, leading doctor quirky inventor/scientist, poet and grandfather of Charles.








5. GLOUCESTER: The city may not be as quaint as some, but it has a vibrant multicultural feel that combines historic architecture with lots of high-street and specialist shops, plus teashops, restaurants, wine bars and pubs.






6. SALISBURY: Exceptionally beautiful and packed with half timbered buildings,it has a famous market plus loads of quaint places to eat and drink. A walk through the cathedral close is a must-it is one of the nicest in the country as it is full of period buildings.






7. WINCHESTER: Do not miss the 13th century The Great Hall , all now that remains of Winchester Castle. It contains what is supposedly King Arthur's Round Table.








8. LINCOLN: Astonishingly historic. It has one of the earliest surviving townhouses in England.









9. ELY: The city of Ely is small but full of charm and beauty-and do not miss the historic Oliver Cromwell's house.











10. WELLS: Pretty little Wells is worth a visit on its own, with lots of lovely buildings, pubs and teashops.







11. ST.DAVIDS: If towns with Cathedrals are by definition cities, St. Davids must be the smallest city in Britain, with a population of only just over 1,600. Next door of the Cathedral is the ruin of the Bishop's Palace, once a grand fortified residence.










12. DURHAM: The historic city is made almost an island by the giant curve in the river Wear, and is a delight to wandler around.