Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment (£39) is made from a nut oil called Ojon. Harvested by a tribal people called the Tawapie in Honduras and used as a remedy for over 500 years, this range promises to tackle any problem. The results? Outstanding!

I melted the oil in my hands and massaged into my scalp and through to the ends of my hair and left the treatment to work its magic over night. The following morning I washed it out using an Ojon hydrating thickening shampoo and conditioner. It was left stunned as my hair was glossy, smooth and perfectly hydrated without a hint of oiliness.

My prescribed ‘ritual’ was to continue using my thickening products and I haven’t looked back since. I suffer from flat, thin hair and the results are remarkable. My hair is fuller and healthier than ever.

There are rituals for most hair concerns from coloured to dry which all contain the Ojon oil including styling aids, my favourites being the Animated Styling Cream and Glossing mist.

Forget you Frederic Fekkai and Philip Kinglsey! Ojon is the way forward and the tribal people of Honduras are well looked after for sharing their secret.

There is only one more thing to say…. Go out and try it!

Available from QVC and selected John Lewis stores. For more information go to www.ojon.com

The story of Rooke’s journey is set in the 18th century but, is one that all can relate to in modern times. His passions, his doubts when making decisions, his indecisions about following command when required by his superiors and the joys he receives from simple, daily occurrences. The book has plots based on colonial and naval expeditions, which, although fascinating yet slightly disturbing, come secondary to his story. The author really captivates the reader’s mind through the emotional evolvement of Rooke’s personality and it is something I find most endearing about his character. As a history graduate, I found the context of the book very intriguing. Naval history is a subject I know little about, but I do know expeditions to new colonies in the 18th century were not exactly similar to the adventure movies filmed in Hollywood. I think this context adds to the empathy the reader feels for the character and the decisions he makes throughout the book. The Lieutenant is an intelligent, thought provoking read that makes my mind wonder to a hut on a rock in New South Wales, stars glistening in the sky and a young man wondering what destiny awaits him.

Available from Amazon.com in the USA and Amazon.co.uk in the UK.

His company, Alexander McQueen, said in the statement today: “On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family.

Lee’s family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOGmtnChKec

Check out a new song from Mary J. Blige - “I am” from her 9th studio album “Stronger”!

Forget about the factories of China that seem to dominate the british high street these days. Melbourne houses one the worlds next hot brands in the form of luxury knitwear that not only helps to stave off the winter chill but stands for chic style which is enough to make any city girl look her best and keep herself right on trend!

Made from the finest Australian and European wool the collection contains essential pieces of clothing that scream sophistication and elegance. From dresses to coats, there is a wearable array of stylish designs that cater for every occasion.

Knitwear has never been at the top of the list when it comes to fashion, but Intarsia’s designs have a subtle current running right through their collection. The designs are infused with a modern and fresh twist that bring figure hugging mini dresses to wearable mini skirts and military inspired jackets that keep an up to date look but with a more simplistic tone.

Keep your eye on Intarsia… there is more to come!

For more information go to www.intarsiamelbourne.com or get in touch with Ailsa Mellinis on +44 (0)77 2458 9996 in London.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cETtDC59-I

Toni Braxton returns with her first single “Yesterday,” a big ballad from one of the biggest voices of the past couple decades. Look for the “Dancing with the Stars” alum’s new album in February 2010 on Atlantic Records.

Redness? Congestion? Dull skin? Excess oil? These go hand in hand with our hectic 24-7 lives. Enter Skyn Iceland facial products, my new bathroom buddies which help to counteract the effects of stress on the skin and, thankfully, all the above.

The Glacial Face Wash is formulated with Icelandic glacial water which help to purify and restore the skins balance. With added Icelandic Kelp to fight inflammation, Oat to gently cleanse, White Willow Bark to banish congestion and Cylindrica seed oil giving a dose of anti-oxidant to repair skin’s lipid barrier and fight free radicals, we have here a powerful tonic against a stressed looking complexion.

My skin was left squeaky clean, comfortable and soothed after the first foamy wash. A few days later my skin felt and looked calmer with the excess oil down my T-zone more regulated. I have safely popped my Eve Lom cleanser in the draw and look forward to trying Skyn’s other array of fabulous products.

From $30 in the US with Amazon.com here and £23 in the UK. For more information and stockists go to www.skyniceland.com

After months of being charmed by English banker Patrick in a whirl-wind romance, Catherine takes the plunge and agrees to move in with him: Not only agrees to move in with him, but, leave her life in New York and move over 3000 miles across the Atlantic to London to be with the man she loves. She had finally found her Prince Charming and was looking forward to the happily ever after that all girls long for. However, 2 days before her move to London, Catherine received the dreaded “I never want to see you again” email from Patrick, who insisted they meet up on her arrival to discuss the break-up. Ironically, choosing the Bleeding Heart restaurant to tell her the reason she has been dumped is her lack of focus in life, making her an “unreliable” partner. Now she has to start a new life in a new city, with no boyfriend, no apartment, no job. Luckily things soon start look to up when she moves in with the bold and brash Victoria, starts writing for a column for a top, national newspaper and her search to find Mr Right turns into finding Mr Right now.

Sleeping Around by Catherine Townsend is a non fictitious book published a couple of years ago. The author is an American, freelance journalist and until recently wrote a weekly sex column for the Independent. The title may lead the reader to have some preconceptions about the book, but Catherine goes beyond writing about just her sexual experiences and discusses the ideas of falling in and out of love to the age old taboo that men can sleep around, but women can’t to men’s fear of the post feminist woman who says and does as she pleases. Having stated that, this book is definitely not for the prudish. I read this book in a day, sitting in Le Jardin de Luxemburg in Paris. I think the Parisians thought I had a mental condition as I lost count at the number of times I laughed out loud while reading this book. From getting over a break up to threesomes, from friendships to marriage of necessity, from an addiction to kinky lingerie to a fantasy about a certain British politician and more. A very funny, modern approach to finding love and having fun for the young, forward thinking woman. I can surely say that all women can relate to at least one of Catherine’s experiences. I certainly did, which made it a more intriguing and enticing read.

 Absolutely Sex and the City meets cool and trendy London. The main character of the book has Samantha’s sexual prowess and adventures, Charlotte’s search for love and that one man who takes her breath away, Miranda’s sternness towards the opposite sex and Carrie’s ideas of love and life as a sex columnist. Not forgetting the love of shopping. Although, Carrie’s love for Monolo’s is substituted for Catherine’s love for Agent Provocateur and Coco de Mer. One of Catherine’s favourite mantras is one I think all women should do. No matter what life throws at you, look in the mirror, wipe the mascara from your cheeks and repeat “you are a rock star, you ARE a rock star and he’s an idiot”. I do believe that the modern, ambitious, career driven woman truly is a rock star.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the second instalment of Catherine’s work which came out earlier this year. I must admit, I do take pleasure in having a sneak peek into another person’s life. Even if it is sitting in a café getting lost in a book for an afternoon.

You can purhase the book from Amazon.com here or Amazon.co.uk here. Please let us know what you thought of the book in the comments below!

Shopping

Sofo is the coolest shopping enclave in Södermalm, showcasing emerging Scandinavian labels.

When I was in Helsinki two years ago I came across this quintessentially Swedish label with the coolest name: 5th Avenue Shoe Repair. The collection is monochromatic with focus on intricate sartorial cuts. It looks extravagant and yet so portable.

I cannot finish this excursus of all Swedish-related things without mention of the home of all homes: IKEA. No need, of course, to pay a visit to this sanctuary of affordable home décor, but I cherry picked some of the classic must-haves for your convenience:

Clockwise from top: The ubiquitous DOCKSTA table, TIRUP swivel chair, IKEA Swedish meatballs and New Printed Fabrics.

Swedish Massage

I would spend the last morning of my trip in a SPA and indulge in a Swedish massage. Sturebadet is an historical SPA which hosted stars of the calibre of Greta Garbo.

If you prefer a more minimal environment, then Yasuragi is where you can spend Zen moments and receive a soothing treatment before boarding your flight home.

The Lady Behind

Originally Italian, AmicaCarmilla has been living in north-west London for too many years with her newly-wed English husband, who works with wines. Alongside her day job in professional publishing, she is an eager yogini with a passion for all sweet things in life: design, fashion, body, & soul, art, travels and funky life style. Her BLOG is a personal collection of quirky findings, all according to AmicaCarmilla’s taste and style. Blogging and reading blogs is indeed one of her favourite past-times. It procures her a vicarious enjoyment and the opportunity to share and love.

Text by Guest Contributor AmicaCarmilla, blogger since 2005. Catch her at www.amicacarmilla.blogspot.com.