THE LOOK GOOD BLOG

Be Right Back

2014-06-17T21:42:00.000+01:00

Hello Stranger!

Do you remember me? I'll admit it has been a long time since my last post, but I have a good excuse - I have been MIA at the World Cup in Brazil.

And as things are starting to run smoothly and matches are well under way I have finally had the time to get back to blogging. But I have also realised that it is a time for a rebrand as my life and interests are heading in a different direction.

So you may not hear from me for a couple of weeks, but fear not the blog will be back bigger and better :)

For now I leave you with this lovely photo of the Brazilian sky.

The Faces Behind Fashion Inspiration

2014-05-18T11:03:00.004+01:00

So it has been almost a month since my last post. How quickly time goes by! One minute I am busy catching up with my beloved family and the next I am doing late nights at work trying to wrap up before we head out to World Cup.

After 4 fun and hectic weeks I thought it would be great to leave you guys with some inspiration for the summer before I go under the radar in Brazil.

After this weekend's sad news about the passing of Louise Wilson, the Central Saint Martin's prof who inspired and influenced her students including Alexander McQueen, Mary Katrantzou, Christopher Kane and Roksanda Ilincic amongst many others, I think we all need to look back at the original fashionistas that continue to shape our styles today.

by VisualApogee.

Stay tuned for some hot posts from the country of carnival and samba!

Until next time.

Sustainable Diets and Protein Shakes

2014-04-20T19:26:00.000+01:00

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

During the past few weeks I met several interesting people in/around the gym. Discussions sparked when someone saw me pull out a protein shaker (branded by a well-know supplement company). "Is that the meal replacement shake?" they asked me. "No", I said, "it's protein isolate." And so the gates of diet and nutrition were opened. In the end we all came to the decision that meal replacement shakes were no good - were you meant to take them for the rest of your life? What happens when you stop taking them?

Then yesterday a friend proudly posted on Facebook that she had lost a considerable amount of weight in a week. When I asked her how, she shared the link to a crazy diet which involved consuming mainly liquids for seven days. How long will those lost kilos stay at bay? Setting your body in starvation mode can do more harm in the long run than good.

The above mentioned paths to weight loss, i.e. extreme dieting and replacement shakes, are what I would call unsustainable diets. Why? Firstly, those are difficult to sustain over a lifetime. Remember that the term 'diet' does not only refer to short term changes in the food we eat, but more broadly to the way people feed themselves. Therefore, diet should not be viewed as a short term health craze, but as a permanent lifestyle choice.

Secondly, both act against our most basic human need - to eat. Replacement shakes are liquids and some may not contain the same nutrients as fresh foods but all contain a high amount of calories. Diets that force you to go without any or very little food cause your body to think that it is starving and anything that you eat after that diet would be immediately stored as fat so the body can survive longer should such starvation occur again.

So what is a sustainable diet? It is one where you make commitment for life. It is one where you control your portions, but eat regularly and avoid excessive hunger/starvation. Eating often keeps your metabolism strong. A sustainable diet is one where you try to eat mainly natural, single-ingredient foods. Think veggies, meat, fruits, yoghurt, eggs, and nuts. It shouldn't leave you hungry and tired - it should energize you. How? By providing your body with regular doses of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and a bit of carbs. And let's not forget to drink plenty of water!

Image courtesy of nongpimmy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Does this mean that all supplements and shakes should be avoided? No, but it does mean you have to be very careful what and how much of those you take based on your needs and goals. Some people prefer to supplement their diets with pure protein, others take fat burners and third natural supplements derived from superfoods such as chia and macca. I would say start clean (no supps), then see what you lack (best to let a pro assess your needs) and add the necessary supplements.

I am no nutrition expert or bodybuilder. But I do like to keep myself aware and informed of how the food I eat affects my body. And by no means am I saying that following a sustainable diet is easy - today being Easter I probably ate more bad foods than permissible.

But it is important to educate yourself, to motivate yourself and to find help and support. It may take you two weeks to withdraw from all the sugar and empty calories from carbohydrates. Psychologists say it takes over 300 times for something to become a habit. But if you eat 6 healthy and small meals a day that means in 50-60 days you will be completely used to your new way of life. See? It's not that bad :)

Weird Things That Happen in Your 20s

2014-04-13T17:21:00.000+01:00

Years ago a friend of mine would say "I'm older than you, I can't do it!" when I used to challenge them to do better, especially in terms of fitness. I found their comments amusing as our age difference wasn't that big. "What could be so different?", I thought.

But when I complained (for the 1000th time) to a colleague about my somewhat inexplicable weight gain of late and she said that as I was getting older my body was changing something hit home. So I wondered - how is it that there is such a huge between your teens and your 20s?

1. Body shape/composition changes

I have always been fairly slim, and even now I can't really say that I am fat, but I am at my heaviest ever. I also find it difficult to shed the extra pounds of flab. Why? It used to be so easy to take control of my weight when I was in my teens. "Your body shape changes as you age, partly as women put on weight in different places," says personal stylist Michaela Jedinak. Such weight gains are mainly due to lifestyle changes - gone are the days of school PE classes and university teams. Many 20-year-olds tend to spend more time in the pub than on the treadmills, and the early career rat race means more and more people are glued to their desks for long periods of time. This means a fall in muscle mass and with that a slow down of metabolism which leads to further weight gain. It is a vicious cycle.

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2. You consider becoming a health freak

If point 1 didn't scare you enough, a look in the mirror can sometimes send even the most confident 20-something into a panic attack. The bombardment of super skinny or super fit human beings on all media channels has driven many into a health awareness frenzy. As fellow blogger Gina Vaynshteyn says: "Before you merged into your 20s, your body could take anything – an entire box of mac ‘n cheese, a triple cheeseburger and whipped cream that you used to spray into your mouth straight from the can. Now, you’re starting to notice what the nurse scribbles down after you stand on the scale." We become more aware of how we look and how we want to look. We sign up for the gym and read more closely the labels on our foods. All in the name of avoiding botox and liposuction in our 40s.

3. You realise everything is expensive

Without student loans and family helping hands, you realise that everything costs a lot. Rent, bills, transport, food all have to be paid from that measly salary from your first job. But you also want to buy nice clothes, go out with friends and travel abroad. You also realise that your friends are making more money than you - taking that low paid/unpaid job to boost your CV suddenly doesn't seem like the most wise of ideas. Money suddenly becomes your biggest ambition and you start to wonder how invented the phrase "Monday doesn't buy happiness", as clearly you need money to survive (and have fun) in this world.

If you have been nodding along whilst reading this, you, my friend, have hit some of the milestones of life in your twenties. Who thought your twenties are not going to be the time you run free and wild? I say roll on the thirties - after having succeed in our careers, we can hopefully put up our feet and fly off to the Bahamas (at least once a year!).

But for now I will keep on powering through points 1 to 3 and hiding the scales behind the bin. Enough said!

Who Should be Your New Style Muse?

2014-04-06T16:54:00.003+01:00

As spring is gradually easing its way on to the shores of England, a lot of clothes brands have started their spring sales and a lot of us have put "wardrobe spring clean" as top priority on our lists.

But before you head out to the shops, it may be a good idea to pick a style muse to guide your purchases. Is there a celebrity whose style you would like to emulate?

Perhaps taking a look at this year's best dressed British stars would narrow things down a bit.

Not only does she manage to pull off every colour under the sun, but Lupina Nyong'o's clean cut tailoring choices and poise have earned her a spot on Vogue's 10 Rising Stars of 2014.

A veteran on the men's fashion circuit, David Beckham always looks elegant.

Suki Waterhouse's 60s Mod style is based on her passion for vintage.

Idris Elba makes dressing seem effortless but he's not your typical English gent, adding some cockney boy cheekiness to his outfits.

As the new Givenchy muse and expectant mother, Ciara has been making waves in the fashion circles for the past few years with her edgy yet classy looks.

A modern day "king of cool", David Gandy manages to look a million dollars, whether he's dressed down or up.

Great stars. Great styles. So much to choose from! Now, if we only had the same amount of cash in our pockets...

Beat the Munchies with These 5 Healthy Snacks

2014-03-30T16:26:00.000+01:00

Ever get the feeling that you are not hungry but need something to chew on?

I get that feeling quite often and hence have found ways to satisfy my cravings without doing much damage. So when chewing gum just doesn't cut it or that new blockbuster calls for something more crunchy, it's time to bring in these good guys:

1. Air Popped Popcorn

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Popcorn often gets a bad rep, but it's the additives that are harmful. If you get rid of the sugar, fat and excessive salt, popcorn is actually a very healthy snack packed with fibre (which is good for the digestive system). Invest in a home popcorn maker, which can cost as little as £10, and make your own delicious snack by adding healthy fats, such as olive oil, and spices, like sea salt and pepper.

2. Coconut Pieces

Coconuts are packed with a lot of healthy nutrients, including iron, manganese, vitamin B6 and C as well as lauric acid which increases good cholesterol levels. So why not grab yourself a pack of fresh crunchy coconut pieces (sold in most big supermarkets), lay back and enjoy that film.

3. Kale Crisps

This green superfood makes for a great alternative to our much beloved potato crisps.The best part is that it is really easy to make at home - you just need cut and washed kale (sold in most supermarkets) a bit of olive oil and your favourite herbs and spices. Place the kale on an oiled tray, sprinkle with herbs and spices and cook under high heat for a few minutes (no more than 5!). If you are out and about you can grab a pack of slow dried kale and flaxseed crisps from Pret-A-Manger.

4. Berries and Grapes

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Craving for something sweet? How about a small bowl of blueberries and grapes? Not only are those deliciously sweet, but they are packed with all the nutritious goodness of fruits. The antioxidant blueberry and the grapes' phytonutrients (such as resveratrol) boost longevity, amongst other health benefits.

5. Nuts and Dried Fruits

Image courtesy of Cary Brass/ flickr.com

The nuts are packed with crunchy proteins and minerals, whilst the dried fruits add a burst of sweetness. What more could you ask for? Be careful, though, as nuts tend to be high in calories. It's best to opt for raw or baked and unsalted varieties.

Happy munching and crunching everyone!

What Motivates You?

2014-03-23T14:59:00.002+00:00

Image courtesy of samuiblue / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In our day and age, where Generation Y and the Millennials are struggling to launch their dream career and are instead stuck in 9-5 jobs or education, it's no surprise that today's youth is getting more radical then ever. Young offenders are on the rise just as are the number of graduates. The competition out there is tough and, it seems, the lives of twenty-somethings can got in either of two directions - uphill or downhill.

Uphill, in the sense of getting a job of some kind after countless unpaid internships have drilled a whole in your parents' wallets. Or even better - getting a job somewhat related to your degree or future career. That is until you realise that actually you don't like it. Or worse - you don't like being chained to your desk from 9 till 5 (FYI: as most office slaves will tell you, nobody ever finishes at 5. You will be lucky to get out the office door at 6).

Many of my friends who have recently started their first "proper" jobs are actually wondering whether it is the right role/company/mode of working for them. Should they look for something that involves more out of office work? Something with flexible working hours? A bigger or smaller company? So many questions, so many decisions to make. It's not easy to survive in the concrete jungle and yet do a job you love.

So my question to you is how do you keep yourself motivated in this struggle? What helps you get out of the bed in the morning? To go to work, to go to the gym, to be committed to a hobby? What stops you from going in to a downward spiral?

I know some have quit the daily grind for more flexible working in search of happiness and dream careers. Yet I also know others who have stuck through the initial difficult first steps to reap great benefits.

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a pessimist (FYI #2: my psychology professor once said that optimists are delusional and it's the pessimists who actually see the realities of life), yet I wake up every morning full of hope. I hope that the weather will be good, that I will do better at the gym, that I will be one step closer to living the life I want to live.

I am a firm believer (to a fault, I admit) that one has to work hard to achieve their goals. So I wake up everyday, ready to face the world as if I was going to war. But I also get out of bed because I can't wait to have my porridge, to catch up with friends, to bask in the sunshine (on one of those very few days that we've got sun here in the UK!) and other such trivialities of mortal life.

What about you? What keeps you ticking? Any tricks for getting out of bed during your lowest lows (like a big hot chocolate on the way to work)?

Many self-help books will tell you to succeed you have to find the "why" that drives you. So let's go through this "search" exercise together - share with me in the comments section below :)

5 Minutes with an Aspiring Fashion Photographer

2014-03-16T20:21:00.002+00:00

Ladies and gents, meet Ali Foroughi, the twenty-something fashion and music photographer and advocate of hidden talent in Loughborough. His magazine has become the holy grail for aspiring creatives in the East Midlands. His creativity and determination has won praise by many (and gave him the opportunity to cover LFW), apart from his personal tutor who is trying to keep him in the lab for his engineering degree.

So how is it that someone who originally set out to conquer the world of mechanical engineering decided to follow his passion and run his own photography business? I managed to get five minutes with the rising star (after 2 attempts!) and got to ask some questions...

What inspired you to become a photographer?

I’ve always been very arty. My mum is a painter, so it’s always been in the family. You can’t really follow art because you won’t be making any money. But I’ve always been interested in graphic design. A few years back, when I was editing photos, I thought why shouldn’t I be just creating these photos myself instead of looking online which takes hours and sometimes you have to pay for stock images. So I bought a camera. And I’ve always had some kind of interest and when people asked for photos I always tried to be creative. So I bought a camera and instantly fell in love with it. Just the whole idea of it. And as I did more and more it became better and better. And then I chose to do fashion because I enjoyed that more and more when I did it. Because you create something out of nothing. You have to put all of it together.

A shot from the black and white photo shoot for issue 2 of Jungle Magazine

What is your most memorable photo shoot?

I would say, the best one was the cover shoot for the second issue of Jungle Magazine – the black and white one because there was a lot of organisation going in to it. It was something I’ve been meaning to do for a very long time and when it happened I was very pleased of the result. That’s my favourite one so far. It could have been better. The next issue will be a lot better. You learn as you go along.

Have you faced any challenges when you first started?

There have always been challenges. There is nothing easy. Even though it seems, like a lot of people say, you just take pictures of pretty girls but that is not what I do. There are a lot of thought processes to create the photos, like coming up with a concept and booking the models, the makeup artists, the location and you get cancellations. There are a lot of organisational skills that go in to it. So that’s one bit of it that I have to take care of myself. And then with the magazine it’s a team that you’ve got to organise. Give people some work and a lot of stuff is dependent on everyone else rather than you. So it’s not just you willing to put all the work, you’ve got to motivate others to get to their deadlines. And all of it is a challenge. Another bit of it is the funding – it is really difficult. It’s a very enjoyable job and you learn a lot basically.

Ali's work published in Vogue Italy (PhotoVogue)

You also run a magazine, as mentioned earlier. What’s the idea behind it?

The magazine started with the fact that I felt that there are too many talented people in Loughborough and their work is not being demonstrated to anyone. I wanted to get my work out there, so one of the ways was me submitting to different magazines but I thought that there isn’t such thing in Loughborough that is giving such exposure to these people. And the idea behind the name Jungle is that it is a jungle out there if you are a creative to be able to actually succeed in what you are doing. So this is a platform to help people and myself to get to the next stage. But at the same time it was challenge because I’ve never actually had managerial experience. It was a challenge for me to teach myself how to be a leader and how to organise people and how to handle different business situations.

And what do you think the response has been so far?

It’s been crazy. It’s actually a lot better than I expected. With the first issue we covered the map - we had views from pretty much every country which was incredible. The second issue just came out recently and on the first days we had 2500 views, which rose to 12000 over the following few days. This is pretty amazing. I wasn’t expecting that. It is good. A lot of people have responded to it very well. A lot of it is thanks to networking. My friend always tells me your network is your net worth.

A photo taken by Ali for the blogger Cosmin Cernica at fashion scout "the ones to watch" show

And finally what advice would you give to other young aspiring creatives?

I would say don’t be scared to follow your dreams. To work hard and take all the practical steps to achieving your dream. At the same time, if you do that, it means that every morning you wake up and you go to a job or a career that you love to do, rather than a normal everyday job. And also just network, network, network! That’s all that matters.

Jungle Magazine Issue 2 is out now and you can read you digital copy at jungle-magazine.co.uk.

To Achieve Your Fitness Goals You Need to Exercise Your Mind

2014-03-09T18:04:00.001+00:00

When most of us, mere mortals, see a super well-built and fit person, the first thought that springs to mind is “Wow! They must work out a lot!”

But what most of don’t know is that actually there is much more to working out in order to be (and look!) fit.

I have mentioned here on this blog several times that diet is much more important than exercise. That’s a fact. Your body shape and composition is 70% influenced by what you eat and 30% by how much you exercise.

But there is another less talked about aspect to fitness - it’s a concept called mind over matter. Yes, all professional athletes and those involved in the sports industry on a professional level know about it. Yes, there are countless books (and courses) on sport psychology.

And yet, considering the amount of people that go to gyms or other types of non-professional fitness training, there are disproportionate levels of awareness about this concept between the pros and those trying to lead a healthy lifestyle.

If you’re a non-pro like me, here’s a revelation. There are 3 important factors in achieving your top fitness levels: 1. Mind, 2. Diet and 3. Exercise.

For instance we often think we can exercise only until our muscles start to burn and hurt, but physiologically we can do more if we set our minds to it. We crave certain (not-so-healthy) foods, when actually our bodies don’t need the extra empty calories and so forth.

This is why it’s important to train our minds to think differently. Instead of saying that you want to lose weight, tell yourself that you ARE losing weight. Instead of say you want to be fitter/faster/stronger, say that you are fitter/faster/stronger (at least you were fitter that yesterday!). This type of present-tense self-talk is a fuel for positive behaviour and change.

It sounds easy, but takes time to put into practice. We are all so good at sabotaging ourselves, that positive thoughts may not be so easy to form. But the first step is to understand what we are doing wrong and why. If you think of yourself as fat, slow, skinny, unfit you are very likely to remain the way you are or even worse to turn these thoughts into reality.

What could be the cause of these thoughts? Could it be that you were often called fat when you were young and now you are more likely to think of yourself as fat? You need to dig deep and ask yourself some questions. And it’s not as scary as you think (turns out I am too worried whether people will see me as arrogant and full of myself if I let those positive thoughts influence my behaviour).

So in a way fitness is about much more than looking good. It starts from within. The ultimate goal here is to believe in yourself and to work harder to achieve your goals. Say that you are losing weight and see that it will become much easier to forgo the chocolate cookies passed around in the office. Say that you are fit and power through that extra set of exercises.

Believe in yourself. If you don’t, who will?

Sugar Daddies and Female Independence

2014-03-02T16:58:00.001+00:00

A recent Psychologies article delved into the reason behind why some people, women in particular, tend to remain single for much of their lives.

The female author reflected on her own life experience and wondered if friends were the reason she was single. Her research led her to a book ("The Single Trap") by Andrew G Marshall which described how some people are too heavily invested in platonic relationships, leaving little room for romantic ones.

Despite this revelation, the single author also wrote about her dread of questions regarding her love life, likening the social situation to one where someone having an IVF is asked whether they are pregnant yet. And here is the problem. Society seems to be ok with single men and not-so-young eligible bachelors, but when it comes to women the public consensus is that they should get married eventually.

This, of course, is predominantly a Western problem, but it does replicate itself in many countries across the globe. With rising standards and population numbers women have to work harder than ever to reach a good level of financial stability. This involves going through years of further education and countless late nights at work climbing the career ladder. And then, being the well rounded individuals that we women are, we like to spend some time on hobbies and unfortunately have to also sort out menial housework. With all of that going on, who has the time for dating? Is it really a surprise that marriage and first births are happening much later in women's lives today then a few decades ago?

The life of the modern female professional is not everyone's cup of tea. The tough economic climate and rising demands from employers have pushed some women into what the past female generation which was raised to believe women should provide for themselves would see as appalling. This 'something' is called shopping for sugar daddies.

Fuelled by an appetite for millionaire hunting, hundreds of young women gather at special dating events like the New York Sugar Daddy convention. During such events women in search of a luxury lifestyle mingle with successful bachelors in the hopes that they will make an arrangement (i.e. the exchange of generous financial support for companionship).

Why do these women do it? They feel the need to be around successful, rich men in order to have status. They also don't want to spend 15 hours a day working their ass off in order to reach their lifestyle goals when they can be making up to £240 per date.

There are also less shallow reasons why women are in search of the so called sugar daddies and that's business investor recruitment. How successful they are at achieving this through such dating events is questionable, but one thing is for certain - these women are looking for a short-cut to success and wealth.

But aren't we all? Who wouldn't want to have their private yacht taking them on a tour of the Maldives or their own jet dropping them off in different cities across the globe? Who wouldn't want not to worry about paying bills and saving for the next holiday?

Although sugar daddy dating is a step to far (and it's aggravating gender inequalities), it is a blatant example of how money focused our society has become. So much so that we are willing to abandon the values of female independence and success previous generations worked so hard to instil in us.

Top Snaps from the Busiest Week in London

2014-02-23T22:16:00.003+00:00

It seemed that last week London was the place to be - Fashion Week, BRIT Awards and BAFTAs all took place right on our doorsteps!

Whilst the 80s were revived during LFW, it was the long flowy dresses, black lace & velvet and metallic fabrics that actually were a big hit both on the catwalk and the red carpet. Let's take a look.

Cara at Burberry

Tom Ford isn't holding back with velvet

Bring on the metallics Erdem

80s allure by Vivienne Westwood

Issa

Colourful geometrics at Mary Katrantzou

Ella Eyre at the Brit Awards

Who says you MUST wear a dress on the red carpet? Nicole is bringing out her inner rebel

Lupita Nyong'o looking stunning in this number

Fearne Cotton's BAFTA dress is totally in sync with Fashion Week trends

If there was one week in the year to dress up, this was it!

Can You Read the Pimples on Your Face? An Introduction to Face Mapping.

2014-02-15T07:31:00.003+00:00

One would think that living in a hotel for almost 2 months is the epitome of (middle-class) high life. I'm talking about the free buffet breakfast, daily room cleaning and endless hot showers which I would never normally have at home.

Alas, it is not as glamorous as it seems. As my work schedule in Russia has been very hectic, I have only used my hotel room for the little sleep I can get. What's worse is the gluttony taking place every morning at breakfast. It is free food after all, how can I say no?

Well indeed, I said no 10 days ago. Not only because I was diagnosed with gastritis but also because my face and body were telling me it's time to stop. I need more sleep. I need more exercise. And I need to eat properly.

Wait, did you read that? I said "my face and body". Why face? Believe it or not the little nasty zits we get from time to time can tell you a lot about what you are doing wrong. How? By using something called face mapping analysis. Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, face mapping links specific facial areas with organs. Let's take a look.

Zones 1 and 2 indicate problems with the digestive system.Have you been eating a lot of fatty or processed food? Pimples in this area indicate it is time to cut out these bad boys and cleanse your diet with antioxidant green tea and plenty of water.

Zone 3 is linked to the liver. Once again, if you have overworked this vital organ by eating greasy food and downing loads of booze it is time to stop. Cut dairy, fatty foods and alcohol and increase exercise. If this doesn't help banish spots in this area, look into food allergies and intolerances - this is where they show up first.

Zones 4, 5, 7 and 8 along with dark circles under the eyes may be telling you that your body is dehydrated. Help you kidneys and drink up (water, of course!)

Pimples on your nose? Zone 6 is linked with the heart. Reasons for pimples here could be high blood pressure and low vitamin B levels - decrease spicy foods and meat intake, eat more good fats (e.g. fish and nuts) and get more fresh air. This area is also full of dilated pores, so ladies make up should always be clean!

Are you a smoker? Suffer from allergies? You may notice a lot of spots in zones 9 and 10. These areas are linked to the respiratory system. So put the cigarettes down, get more fresh air and go for long walks regularly. If neither smoking, nor allergies are the cause of pimples here don't let your body overheat by eating cooling foods like watermelon and peppers and cutting down on sugar.

Oh, don't we all hate those zits on the chin or along the jaw line! Zones 11 and 12 indicate hormonal imbalances and pimples in these areas are often caused by stress. Sadly, there is little we can do here, but eating and sleeping well, drinking plenty of water and exercise should help.

Zone 13 is linked to the stomach. If you get spots in this area regularly consider a detox or adding more fibre to your diet. Herbal teas may also be of great benefit.

And finally pimples in the neck area (zone 14) indicate that your body is fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Again, there is little we can do here but giving the body time to relax and recuperate, especially if you begin to feel unwell is key.

Quite interesting, isn't it? After all there’s more to the old adage about the truth being written all over your face than you may think!

Winds of (Career) Change

2014-01-28T17:35:00.001+00:00

Just like anything else in life, choosing a career is not easy. On the one hand youngsters are advised to make career choices as early as possible, on the other those already in employment are often encouraged to chase "what makes them happy". We are told: "Choose your path early, but remember you can change it later."

Is this true? Is it rational? Can you make a sound choice when you haven't tried your hand at something? And can you really change your career any time you like?

These are, indeed, chicken-and-egg-type of questions. The truth is, it takes a while to figure out what you want. And by the time you figure that out, you probably want something else. As sociologists say - the only certain things in life are death and change.

So if you have decided to change winds because you can't face "another day at work", then don't panic.

Changing careers will always have some obstacles, but it is not impossible. Research is key here and the best place to start is to try and figure out your key character traits, strengths and what you enjoy most.

And here I must say one of the top (and free) online tests to look out for is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. I am impressed at how a few (seemingly) random questions can reveal so much about yourself. Of course, we know most of the things such tests tell us, but we may not always be aware of how we can use this knowledge to choose the right career and achieve self-actualisation.

The test puts you in one of several personality types based on 8 character traits: introvert, extrovert, sensing, intuition, thinking, feeling, judging and perception.

Of course, there are many other tests. And of course the MBTI isn't 100 % accurate (some critics completely dismiss it). But it's pretty close. And it's fun!

Winter Trend: Teddy Bear Coats

2014-01-20T05:27:00.002+00:00

Two weeks ago, during London Collections: Men big fluffy coats and man heels caused an uproar. I don't know how far man heels will go (not very far beyond the catwalk I assume), but the so called teddy bear coat is already a huge hit!

I must say, there are many benefits to this garment. It does keep you warm (just tested mine in icy Moscow), and can also be worn in milder climes with no layers underneath (i.e. perfect cover up for a night out).

Did you know that these coats also make the perfect air plane pillow? That fluffiness surpasses none but your favourite childhood soft toy!

Jokes aside, I am really loving this trend not only because it is comfy and warm but also because it is slightly grandiose and stands out from the sea of black winter coats.

So what is this coat that I'm talking about, I hear you ask. Ladies and gents, I present to you TOPSHOP's longline borg coat:

Unfortunately this piece has already gone out of stock, so I've dug around for some other great teddy bear coats.

£59, pullandbear.com

£160, coast-stores.com

£89, topshop.com

It's time to get furry girls (and guys!).

Signing off from Moscow...

7 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

2014-01-12T15:50:00.000+00:00

Greetings from Russia! Apologies for going all quite for the past couple of weeks. Lately I have been so busy with work that, unfortunately, I haven't had the time to write some interesting posts for you.

As I am settling in a new country (I'll be here for the next two months), I realised that all the travelling and changes haven't been so good for my diet. So, as a friend suggested, I decided to give my digestive system a boost by revving up my metabolism (as well as eating as healthy as possible and exercising).

Here are some tips on how you can supercharge your metabolism too:

Start your day with a cup of hot water and lemon. The citrus fruit is high in ascorbic acid which stimulates digestion.
Eat more chillies - they warm up your body and speed up metabolic rate.
Sip some green tea. The polyphenols and caffeine will boost the digestion process.
Take your body to new weights. Resistance training (i.e. weight lifting) helps build more muscles and muscles burn more calories than fat (this is technically true, but scientific studies suggest that it is actually your heart, kidneys and brain that burn the most!)
And make your heart pump. High-intensity interval training delivers a bigger, longer increase in resting metabolic rate than low- or moderate-intensity workouts.
Then drink plenty of water. When your body is dehydrated, your metabolism slows down. Go for cold water if you want to burn a few extra calories.
Finally, power up with protein. The body burns many more calories digesting protein than it does for fat or carbohydrates.

Your visual go-to guide for boosting metabolism

Signing off from my magical forest hotel 60km from Moscow...

A Post to Remember

2013-12-22T13:15:00.002+00:00

In the gear up to Christmas and New Year, I wanted to write a meaningful post. One which will change my readers' thoughts, and hopefully their actions for the better. There were a lot of options tossed on the table (like why people should join online reunions - thanks J & S). But then I woke up on this fine Sunday morning and came across something fairly disturbing.

As some of you may know, I am keen or getting my feet firmly into PR world and am an avid reader of PR-related news and academic articles. This morning, however, I was not conducting yet another search on top PR campaigns. Yet, I came across (via social media) a very powerful PR campaign. One that relates to our consumerist age and the impacts of mindless and excessive shopping.

Recently I posted a photo (see above) on my Facebook page (click on the circle button to the right) about buying local produce and how that can help someone in your community pay college or their child's dance lessons. Last year I also wrote an article for my university's student press about the effects of Christmas frenzy shopping and how the environment and the factory workers were suffering just to make our holidays "filled with joy".

But this is on a whole new level. This campaign is not here just for Christmas and the Boxing day sales which will ensue. It is here to stay and I am sure it is one you will remember for years. The original writer asked for this to be reblogged and I am happy to oblige. Read on, my dears, but be aware it may be a bite too big to swallow:

“A young woman was restrained, force-fed and injected with cosmetics in a high street shop window as part of a hard-hitting protest against animal testing.

Jacqueline Traide was tortured in front of hundreds of horrified shoppers in a bid to raise awareness and end the practise.

The 24-year-old endured 10 hours of experiments, which included having her hair shaved and irritants squirted in her eyes, as part of a worldwide campaign by Lush Cosmetics and The Humane Society.

The disturbing stunt took place in Lush’s Regent Street store, one of the UK’s busiest shopping streets.

Jacqueline appeared genuinely terrified as she was pinned down on a bench and had her mouth stretched open with two metal hooks while a man in a white coat force-fed her until she choked and gagged.

The artist was also injected with numerous needles, had her skin braised and lotions and creams smeared across her face.

Passers-by were gobsmacked to see Jacqueline, a social sculpture student at Oxford Brookes University, forced to have a section of her head shaved.

The gruesome spectacle aimed to highlight the cruelty inflicted on animals during cosmetic laboratory tests and raise awareness that animal testing is still a common practise.

The Humane Society International and Lush Cosmetics have joined forces to launch the largest-ever global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics.

The campaign, launched to coincide with World Week for Animals in Laboratories, is being rolled out simultaneously in over 700 Lush Ltd shops across forty-seven countries including the United States, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia.

Lush campaign manager Tamsin Omond said: “The ironic thing is that if it was a beagle in the window and we were doing all these things to it, we’d have the police and RSPCA here in minutes.

“But somewhere in the world, this kind of thing is happening to an animal every few seconds on average.

“The difference is, it’s normally hidden. We need to remind people it is still going on.”

For more information about the campaign, visit www.fightinganimaltesting.com”

I HOPE EVERYONE READS THIS AND REBLOGS IT!

Yes, it is insane. But it has also made a valid point. I will leave it to the PR experts to determine whether this is a campaign taken to the extreme or a new generation buzz creator. All I know is that it has a strong message behind it. A message that we should all remember.

New Nail Trends

2013-12-15T19:51:00.001+00:00

The festive season is upon us and we are all about to, if not already, to intensify our beauty regimens. Ladies & gents, you may have been trying to get fitter for several months now, but the time has come to take actions with visible results. What am I talking about? Beauty treatments of course! And whilst men have limited options (facial and a cut?), we, ladies, are free to splurge on a myriad of things.

But today I will focus on one: manicures.

You may do then regularly, but this is the time to change and experiment with your talons! Here's my pick of the hottest nail trends this season.

The Remake of Retro Red

The fiery red has been taken to new heights this season.

Shimmering Sparkles

Micro glitters are your best option if you think mega sparkles are too flashy.

Pretty Pastels

Just like the weather, the nudes have gone colder!

Shade-Shifters

For the mischievous at heart, these colour-change nail varnishes are the ultimate fun!

Which one will be your festive hue? Or would you be going for nail art appliqués instead? Share your thoughts below :)

The Truth About Food Cravings and How to Banish Them

2013-12-08T20:29:00.001+00:00

Food cravings. A part of everyday life. As you read this post, millions of people around the world are craving some kind of a treat. But why do we crave certain foods? And why are those unhealthy in most cases? Let's find out.

Some nutritionists have claimed that it is today's obsession with fad diets are the cause of our constant cravings. Take for example the obesity researcher Zoe Harcombe's so called "controversial" claim that dieting actually makes people fat. I've put controversial in quotation marks because it is everything but controversial. Why? Well, as the author herself explains, telling people to eat less makes them eat more because the avoidance of hunger is a fundamental human instinct. No one wants to starve! Moral of the story: you shouldn't eat LESS, instead you should focus on eating better.

But how do diets make us fat? Simple. Those embarking on a diet often go for foods labelled low fat or diet. The problem with these is that they tend to be either carb-heavy foods which are low on calories or full of artificial sugars (e.g. cereals). Oh did I say carbs are sugars? You see where I'm going? Sugar is the culprit here, as I've said in a previous post.

Processed diet foods cause sugar spikes, which are followed by sugar dips and the onset of cravings for more unhealthy foods.This, as you may have guessed, is a vicious cycle which is hard to break. The key to stopping this, according to Harcombe, is to try eating only foods which can be found in the natural environment - meat, fish, eggs, cheese, vegetables and fruit.

So now that we know that dieting and eating a lot of processed foods is the cause of our cravings, what can we do in those moments of weakness when we just get our favourite treat out of our minds? Interestingly, scientists have put together a table with the type of cravings and a healthy alternative to satisfy them. They have created this table based on the rationale that each craving we get is a signal that our bodies lack certain nutrients (vitamins, minerrals, etc.). Let's take a look:

If you crave this...	What you really need is...	And here are healthy foods that have it:
Chocolate	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Sweets	Chromium	Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, chicken
	Carbon	Fresh fruits
	Phosphorus	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
	Sulfur	Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage
	Tryptophan	Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Bread, toast	Nitrogen	High protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, beans
Oily snacks, fatty foods	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Coffee or tea	Phosphorous	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes
	Sulfur	Egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables
	NaCl (salt)	Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
	Iron	Meat, fish and poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries
Alcohol, recreational drugs	Protein	Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts
	Avenin	Granola, oatmeal
	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
	Glutamine	Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
	Potassium	Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens
Chewing ice	Iron	Meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries
Burned food	Carbon	Fresh fruits
Soda and other carbonated drinks	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Salty foods	Chloride	Raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt
Acid foods	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Preference for liquids rather than solids	Water	Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Preference for solids rather than liquids	Water	You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Cool drinks	Manganese	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
Pre-menstrual cravings	Zinc	Red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables
General overeating	Silicon	Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
	Tryptophan	Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
	Tyrosine	Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables
Lack of appetite	Vitamin B1	Nuts, seeds, beans, liver and other organ meats
	Vitamin B3	Tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seeds and legumes
	Manganese	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
	Chloride	Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt
Tobacco	Silicon	Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
	Tyrosine	Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables

After going through this table, I noticed that in quite a few cases you are meant to eat the opposite of your cravings (e.g. craving solids = water; bread/carbs = proteins; etc.). Conclusion? We need to learn to listen to our bodies. We need to learn to decipher the messages our bodies are sending us. And we need to train our taste buds to like the foods that are best for our bodies. This is all possible with determination, patience and most importantly a great love and respect for your body. It is through the body that we live, so why not show it some love?

The Science of the Cheat Meal

2013-11-24T19:14:00.002+00:00

The world of fitness nutrition is full of advice, interesting experiments and a myriad of supplements. How do we know what's right? Who do we trust? Should we eat a bit of everything in moderation or follow a strict diet to reach our fitness goals? Do we avoid certain foods? How do we keep ourselves motivated then?

So many questions! And there are just as many answers out there. I say go for advice from professionals or scientifically based information. Science can't be wrong, right?

Ask any sport scientist or nutritionist and you will be told that you can't just eat anything if you are looking to achieve top fitness levels. You need to fuel your body with the right foods on macro (e.g. proteins, carbs, fats) and micro (certain amino acids, minerals and vitamins) levels.

But, unless you've got will power of steel, it's almost impossible to be 100% healthy 100% of the time. Even if you were, it may turn out not to be so healthy after all. Why? Let's learn about the science of the weekly cheat meal.

A cheat meal is a calorific galore of food which one should allow oneself once a week after following a healthy diet. It should revolve around a hormone called leptin, i.e. the anti-starvation hormone. It helps regulate the amount of fat the human bodies carry. That is to say the higher the amount of body fat, the higher leptin levels and vice versa.

During prolonged dieting, the levels of leptin in the body decrease (as does body fat). In fact, studies have shown that within the first week of dieting leptin levels can drop by 50%. When this happens an important molecule - glycogen - drops. The glycogen produced by the liver controls production levels of a host of other hormones including testosterone, oestrogen and cortisol.

When glycogen falls, testosterone and oestrogen fall and cortisol (the stress hormone) increases. This is not good news for your muscles because cortisol makes you fat.What's more, when leptin levels drop too low, the fat burning process stops and the body, thinking that it is starving, will do all it can to store more fat!

Enter the cheat meal. Having a carbohydrate-heavy cheat meal once a week (preferably after an intense workout) raises leptin levels and actually boosts fat burning. Why? Leptin is closely correlated to carbohydrates and hence a large carb meal raises leptin (and insulin) levels, the body thinks it is not starving anymore (in fact it is overeating!) and sets off the fat burning process once you get back to eating leaner, lower calorie meals.

The moral of the story? Cheat meals are an indispensable part of healthy eating. Not only do they provide you with a psychological and gastronomical buzz, but they boost your body's fat burning process and therefore help you achieve your fitness goals! And if you have your cheat meal after a hard workout, you will be helping your muscles grow and retain glycogen which leaves little room for fat retention.

What's the catch? It is important to keep it to ONE cheat MEAL and not to turn it into a whole cheat DAY! Got that? Go on then, treat yourself :)!

How To Save Money on Food

2013-11-17T14:27:00.001+00:00

Photo by Sean MacEntee

Recently I read a London columnist's despair at his wife's dinner party tactics. Why? Because she usually bought so much salad (and other party nibbles) which often made their way in the rubbish bin. He was certain that not even salad should go to waste! "What about the poor children in Africa?", he asked. So he began freezing leftovers, even bread, and used them for work lunches or as treats for his colleagues.

That very same columnist called food waste "a lunacy". I agree. In this day and age, not only are we wasting food, but we are wasting a lot of MONEY on food too. And, let's be honest, it is not like we are spending on good food. Most of the time we are so busy that we end up spending our money on food that is sold to us as 'good' but it has little nutritional value.

So how do we change this? How can we spend less money AND eat better? Here are a few tips on giving your wallet and stomach a break.

It pays to plan. The art of cheap healthy food comes from the science of meal planning. It is not as hard or as time consuming as one would imagine. Pick a day of the week when you will plan you meals for the next 5-7 days and do your shopping. I also tend to do my cooking on the same day. Why? Read the next point.
Get friendly with your freezer. If you lead a busy lifestyle, it is essential that you prepare at least half of your meals for the week ahead. Cook 2 or 3 large portions of your favourite dishes, divide into boxes and freeze. That way, you don't have to cook everyday!
Save the snacks. Try to buy your favourite healthy snacks in bulk so you have enough for the week. Not only is bulk buying cheaper, but it will also help you avoid splurging on calorific treats when you are out & about. Keep them in your bag, kitchen cupboard or office drawer for a quick hunger killer when 24 hours simply aren't enough!
Lovely leftovers. Couldn't finish a meal? Surely you can't just throw it away! Most meat leftovers can be used to make curries, risottos, stews or just great sandwiches. If you can't be bothered to cook at all, just freeze the leftovers - that can be added to your weekly " frozen ready meals" from point 2.
Vote for veggies. Instead of going for quick carb and fat fixes (i.e. pasta, cheese, pizzas, etc.) clean and cut your veggies on your meal plan day and store in the fridge or freezer. That way you can cut your cooking time in half and avoid binges on junk food!

Of course, there are countless other tips and tricks but one thing is important - the food you prepare at home will almost always be cheaper and healthier than anything you buy from outside. With that in mind, try to have as many home-made meals as possible, even if it means spending several hours on one day of the week to cook and freeze them!

Winter Trends: The Sweater+Skirt Combo

2013-11-03T17:24:00.002+00:00

Who said winter has to be dull?

So winter is up on us (sadly) and it's time to add on the layers. Now that the big September issues of the fashion magazines are long gone, one thing that has stayed on my mind are the countless sweater and skirt outfits. And I must confess they are my favourite winter trend!

Office-to-after-hours-drinks: the perfect outfit

So I was scouring the shops hoping to piece together a similar combo from the mid-season sales. I ended up with this, slightly preppy, Gap do:

P.S. The skirt is actually navy blue! Love it!

Although it is not the exact outfit I envisioned, I am glad to say the quality of the garments is top notch (100% cotton)! This means I can wear them for a long time :) so I consider them a good investment.

I guess it comes down to my job in merchandising that I have now started thoroughly investigating the material composition of the clothes I buy (and I try to steer clear of poly and nylon!). Hence, I believe I have a new high street lover - Gap.

More examples of how to piece together your perfect sweater + skirt outfit

If you too, like me, love this trend then fear not: all the stores - from the high street to the high fashion - have lovely sweaters and winter skirts in stock. And what's best is that the winter sales are coming soon! Now all that's left to do is to patiently find a good sweater + skirt combo and you are good to go!

Morning Boost

2013-10-27T08:15:00.003+00:00

I've always loved a good breakfast, but after I started making regular trips to the gym 10 days ago, I realised how important morning nutrition is (and how it can stop the pre-lunch-time hunger pangs).

But I also know that many people can't face eating in the morning. So I thought - isn't there a way to give your body the fuel it needs without causing a racket in the kitchen every morning? Turns out there is.

As I have a sensitive stomach, I always start my day with a spoonful of Manuka Honey (factor 10 or more). This type of honey has many health benefits, including protection from damage caused by bacteria, reduction of cholesterol levels, control of diabetes, prevention of cancer and treatment of gastrointestinal problems thanks to its antibiotic and antibacterial properties. Hence, having Manuka honey on an empty stomach helps heal ulcers, eradicate harmful bacteria and boost digestion.

30 minutes later I take my vitamins - D3 and all the Bs to be more precise.We all know vitamins are good, but these two are crucial for me. Vitamin D is vital for healthy bones, teeth and immune system (which, by the way, can be put under stress by things like exercise and hectic work schedules). Also, from personal experience, I can tell you that insufficient vitamin D can cause muscle ache and shortness of breath, which, of course, are detrimental to any attempts to get fit and exercise.

This thing actually has some extra vitamins and minerals, which is why it's great as a pre-workout booster!

On the other hand, vitamins B keep your moods in check, help your brain stay in top shape, ease stress and reduce the risk of heart disease. In terms of nutrition, the B vitamins help release energy by breaking down carbs into glucose (hence, better performance during training), and they also help breakdown fats & proteins and tone muscles.

Finally, I have five almonds which have been soaked in water overnight. This trick I learnt from an old friend who posted it on Facebook. What's the point, I hear you ask? Well, soaking almonds overnight removes an enzyme from the skin of the almond which inhibits digestion, therefore making the nuts (and their nutrients, including the enzyme lipase which breaks down fat) more easily digestible. Interestingly, it has been scientifically proven that having four to six soaked almonds a day boosts the functionality of the central nervous system and serves as a brain tonic.

Photo by Chill Mimi

Once I have ensured this triple boost has been digested and absorbed (and I have reached the gym or the office), I proceed with either a pre-workout protein shake + banana or oat porridge with cinnamon + banana. Both of these contain slow-release nutrients which tend to keep me happy for a good while (plus some fruits as snacks in between meals).

Well, in the end it seems you can't skip breakfast if you want to feel energetic and avoid binging at lunch and dinner.

How to Put Forward a Formal Complaint

2013-10-20T19:13:00.000+01:00

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How many times in life are we faced with poor quality services/products, disorganised staff, or false promises from businesses?

I don't know about you but for the past year I have been dealing with loads of these! And I'm not the one to keep quiet when I believe something is not fair. And so I've learnt that it pays off to raise your hand and say enough, to speak up, even to fight back!

Some time ago I helped an acquaintance to write a complaint letter (after convincing her it was the right thing to do) and, lo and behold, the company who was at fault refunded her!

Yes, I know that complaints procedures are tedious and time-consuming, but with a bit of practice and patience chances are the issue(s) would be resolved and/or compensation will be received.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After recently hearing someone say that "British people don't complain enough", I decided to put together a post with few tips on how to complain (in the correct way of course!). Here's how to get started:

Follow a formal letter format - make sure you include your address, the date, and the addressee's address.
Always address the reader of the letter (e.g. Dear Mr X, Dear Manager, Dear Customer Services Team, etc.)
Start by clearly stating that this letter is a formal complaint about a particular incident, product or service.
Then outline in detail the problem - include names, dates, times, and places if possible.
Conclude by stating how you would like the problem to be resolved (Refund? Compensation? Free product/service?)
Sign off with 'Yours Sincerely' or equivalent and write your full name. You may also wish to include your telephone number and a signature under your name.

Although not a complaint, this letter's format is a good example. Photo by Alan Light

Once you have written your letter, make sure you send it to all the relevant people and follow up to ensure your letter has been received and read.

One final tip - it is important to act as soon as possible after the particular incident when all the details are still fresh in your mind and the anger is still pumping in your veins (i.e. you still care about the problem). If you wait longer, you may forget about it or decide that you actually don't care enough/can't be bothered. At that point, your chance to fight back is completely lost.

P.S.

Things to avoid here are: shouting, being disrespectful, losing your cool, physical or verbal abuse and vengeful acts. We are all human beings at the end of the day, so make sure you raise the problem in a respectful manner!

Game Room

2013-10-14T20:43:00.000+01:00

So it's Monday evening, we're all tired and it's freezing cold in England. But there is something which can brighten anyone's day - bright clothes of course!

After years of hiding behind the books, I got back in front of the camera for a friend of mine. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ali Foroughi, his amazing photography and bright blazers!

To see the rest of the photo shoot please visit www.aliforoughiphoto.co.uk.

Now I hope this has brightened your day a little bit :)