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July 2009 Week 4
Avoid calorie-laden iced coffees
When out shopping during the warm summer months, stopping for a nice cold drink can often be a relaxing treat.
However, new research has revealed that some thirst quenching beverages should be avoided if you are watching your weight.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), iced coffees sold in some high street coffee chains contain up to 25 per cent of a woman's daily calorie intake.
The charity said that, for example, the Venti Dark Berry Mocha Frappuccino blended coffee with whipped cream from Starbucks contains 561 calories.
However, Catherine Collins, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, noted that there are some less fattening alternatives available.
"What you should [do is opt] for a skinny latte, which will give you skimmed milk and will really cut the calories by half if not more," she explained.
Ms Collins went on to say that picking smaller sizes, or choosing drinks other than coffee, is also a good idea.
"Downsizing, going for a regular size, skinny lattes, tea or in this hot weather going for flavoured water, would be a better option," she added.
Natural hairstyles in vogue for brides
When it comes to your big day, it is crucial that you look like a gorgeous, glowing goddess.
The wedding dress must look perfect, as must your shoes and jewellery, but another incredibly important feature of a wedding outfit is of course your hair.
A bad do can ruin an outfit, but according to Wedding Ideas Magazine many ladies are kissing goodbye to frumpy, formal hair in favour of romantic flowing locks when they walk up the aisle.
Rachel Southwood, editorial director at the magazine, said that more and more brides are choosing to wear their hair "down loose and with big Hollywood curls".
Moreover, she noted that as wedding hairstyles have become less formal, so too have wedding hair accessories.
She said: "In a recent couple of celebrity weddings they have worn what they call 'hair vines', which is almost like a beading net throughout the hair, or a fascinator style headpiece rather than a traditional tiara itself."
Ms Southwood went on to say that a bride's hair is increasingly being used as the "focus" of a wedding outfit, whereas it had previously been the case that ladies would choose a do to suit their beautiful frock.
She also noted that "hair extensions are far more popular than they ever were".
The curvaceous figure of Nigella Lawson has been named as the ideal body shape in a new survey.
A study by Kellogg's Special K found that the chef and daughter of former Chancellor Nigel Lawson has a more desirable figure than Kate Moss or Cheryl Cole.
The 48-year-old seems to be the poster-girl for a new desire for a 1950s and 60s inspired "in-and-out" figure.
Laura Bryant from Special K said: "The report shows that women's attitudes to slimming over the last 50 years have changed with their figures.
"It seems British women have lost their waists but now they are demanding them back. They are more concerned about getting a curvy hourglass shape instead of the perfect size ten."
The top ten list is a veritable platter of curvaceous ladies including Martine McCutcheon and Kirstie Allsopp.
Dame Helen Mirren, who was famously photographed in a red bikini earlier this year despite being in her 60s, came second in the poll.
Men keen on looking good
Many may think that grooming is the preserve of women, but it seems that is not the case.
According to the beauty editor of Zest magazine, Leyla Tabarksert, men are just as conscious about the way they look as women. However, she said many men just weren't as open about it.
"Bragging about what moisturiser, hair gel of body lotion you use just isn't cool if you're a guy," she said.
"I'm seeing more and more brands catering for men, from fragrance, to skincare and even make up so it's definitely a market that's just getting bigger and bigger."
The comments come as figures from Research and Markets has found that the men's grooming sector has now increased its sales to over £1 billion.
Women who are looking to find a present for the men in their lives could give vanity products a try - as many men may not want to buy them themselves!
'British men are romantic', magazine editor claims
Despite some claiming that they are not, British men are romantic.
At least, that is the opinion of the deputy editor of men's lifestyle magazine FHM Chris Bell, who has claimed that men are more romantic than women.
"British girls seem to expect to be romanced and judge a man on how thoughtful, sensitive or generous he is," he said.
"It's a rare woman who'll take the lead and organise something off her own bat – at least early on in relationships."
Mr Bell's comments come as Professor Richard Wiseman found that British men are not particularly good at being romantic.
A study of over 3,500 women from throughout the world found that UK men were ten per cent less likely to carry out romantic acts than those from other countries.
Professor Wiseman suggested that it may not be laziness behind the acts, but instead was due to men underestimating the importance of romantic behaviour to women.
