On trial: Slendertone Abs - week ???

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 15 Apr 2008 at 12:24

In my last entry, admitting that I'd misread the instructions for the Slendertone Abs, I said I'd give it another couple of weeks. Weeeeell, it's actually been four weeks. My excuse? We're working on relaunching the site - it's going to be much bigger and better but that means it takes time to put together. For details of the changes in store, click here.

BUT, since I started using the device properly, it's obviously been having the desired effect because yesterday I measured my waist and [trumpet] do-do-do-do-doo-do-dooo! It's two inches smaller!!!! And my abdomen is defintely more, well, defined. Result!

Now I just have to check on what the maintenance programme entails, rememebring to read the instructions carefully...

And if you're keen to give it a go yourself, for more details on the Slendertone system, click here

Son of Rambow - out now

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 7 Apr 2008 at 12:19

Even if you just missed growing up as part of the video generation, every child imagines what it could be to make a film. And growing up in the UK in the '80s, kids even had an outlet for their home video talents in 'Screen Test'.

'Son of Rambow' is the story of what happens when two unlikely kids hook up to make their own entry. A young member of the austere Plymouth Brethern who is not allowed to watch any television, forms a friendship with an unpopular tearaway and troublemaker in is school - and after his first glimpse of Slyvester Stallone being Rambo in 'First Blood', his imagination is fired, 'Son of Rambo' being the resulting collaboration.

The trials and tribulations go much further than the normal childhood rites of passage film and the result is funny, clever and moving, even if it is a little heavy on the schmaltz factor at the end. It's a great follow-on in the British '80s film revival, kicked off by Shane Meadows with 'This is England' last year. It opened this weekend, certificate 12A, so take the older kids along and enjoy the nostalgic fun.

Sponsoring a child: One reader's story

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 27 Mar 2008 at 15:09

As part of All About You's support of World Vision Sponsor a Child campaign, we are looking at all aspects of child sponsorship – from what it means on a personal level (blog Feb 7 below) to where the money actually goes (blog Feb 21). This week we caught up with Jo Kessel, a mum of three, who has just experienced the ultimate connection of Child Sponsorship by visiting her sponsored child in India.

'I have been sponsoring Retty, who lives in Kerala, southern India, for the past five years since she was six-years-old.
Organising the trip itself was not a long process, World Vision basically sorted it all out. The local office in India was very involved, as it's necessary to prepare the whole community for the visit. There was obviously a lot going on behind the scenes, but aside from organising my jabs and sorting the flights, I didn't have a huge amount to do.

I took an overnight flight to India, arrived early in the morning and we went straight to Retty's village which was it was a three-hour trip inland. I didn't realise how nervous and excited I was until we were nearly there, then once I actually met Retty I was so overwhelmed I burst out crying. It really was a very emotional experience.

Her family were so welcoming; they had so little but they extended so much hospitality. They prepared a meal for me and then I visited Retty's school.
I couldn't believe it, there was a banner outside saying 'Welcome Jo Kessel'; inside all the pupils had lined up to meet me, everyone wanted to shake my hand and then they did a traditional dance display.

Afterwards we left the school and walked over to the village hall, which was built by World Vision for the community. All the local women from the village had lined along the path and as I passed they showered me with flower petals. It was one of the most special days of my life - up there with getting married and having children. It was the most wonderful thing to do, and so fulfilling.

I think there is so much to be gained from sponsoring a child, whether you have children of your own or not. Visiting this community made me realise how lucky we are in the west, and how wonderful it is to help someone. Sponsoring a child doesn't cost very much every week, but the people there treated me as if I had given billions. I realised how thankful they are for what we do.'

For more information on the work of World Vision and to find out how you can make a real difference by sponsoring a child, click here.

Grooming secrets

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 07 Mar 2008 at 20:34

Finally achieved one of my childhood ambitions last night at the glittering P&G Beauty Awards. Was it to meet celebrities like The Culture Show's Lauren Laverne (who hosted the event)? Was it to hobnob at the after party with the like of Jamelia, Jodi Kidd and Erin O'Connor perhaps? No. It was to drink champagne from one of those huge bowl-like glasses that people on TV used to drink out of during the '70s! Oh yes, my childhood ambitions were anything but shallow …

Winner of the Beauty Journalist of the Year award went to Newby Hands of Harper's Bazaar. I don't know if you've picked up a copy of the new-look Bazaar since the relaunch last year, but if you haven't you should. It's looking great, glossy, informative – and clearly! – a great place to go for top beauty tips.

Speaking of top beauty tips, I've been meaning to blog for ages about my love of threading, the brilliant alternative to plucking or – horror of horrors – waxing eyebrows. It's a therapy that hails from Asia and once I had to trek all over London to find expert threaders to stem my (very prolific I am sorry to say) eyebrow growth. Now, oh joy of joys, walk-in threading bars are opening up all over the place and I've found my threading home in the Powder Lounge, located in the Debenhams beauty hall, just across the road from our office in Oxford St.

I don't know how they do it but my eyebrows are whipped into shape easily and effortlessly with just a piece of thread! It allows for a lot more precision, the shape is much more defined and re-growth is definitely slower. But like I say, don't ask me to explain how one woman with thread wrapped around her fingers manages to achieve all that.

It certainly attracts a lot of attention in Debenhams; more than one occasion I've found myself extolling its benefits to an interested passer-by – while lying flat on my back mid-threading. Which is a slightly odd experience I have to say, but I'm just keen that everybody should know what a great treatment this is.
Ladies, abandon your tweezers.

On trial: Slendertone Abs - week four: a confession

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 06 Mar 2008 at 10:14

Oops... You know how, whenever you get a new device or gadget or bit of kit, one of the first things you're supposed to do is to read the instructions?

Well, guess what I haven't done? In my own defence, I must say that I did look through the booklet when I first got the Slendertone, but I didn't study the 'as time goes on' section.

So after I had proudly boasted (below, as well as to family and friends) that I'd cranked the intensity up to 50, I didn't know that it should have been set at around 66. For some time.

So in the interests of giving the Slendertone Abs a fair trial, I'm extending my waist-measuring deadline by a couple of weeks...

Only three days to go …

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 28 Feb 2008 at 11:20

To what you ask? To Mother's Day actually. Eeek! Were you so busy dropping hints for your own gift that you forgot to pick up something for your mum? Or, frazzled by the bombardment of flowers and slippers on offer in every shop, were you just too bored to buy anything this year?

Well, you're right down to the wire on this now so it's time to get a move on. In the interests of avoiding the 'boring gift' factor, here's a few recommendations to help you:

Treat for feet: Body creams, perfumes, bath oils – so far, so predictable. Put a spin on the pampering-treat gift this year and indulge the down-trodden body parts – literally. Crabtree and Evelyn's 60-second fix kit for feet includes Foot Smoother with re-vitalising peppermint, and Extreme Foot therapy with seaweed extract and other natural goodies.
£21; buy online at www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk; phone 01443 445566 for stockists

Chocolate: I know, I know, it might not seem like such an ingenious suggestion, but the trick is to come up with an out-of-the-ordinary brand. So while millions of mums will be waking up to a box of Roses come Sunday morning, treat yours to the luxury of Belgian Neuhaus 'ballotin' – a specially designed box filled with classy chocs. Or opt for the exclusive Rose Ganache, with prices starting from just £3.
www.neuhaus-chocolates.com; 020 7730 9208

Gifts to do good: Tell your mum she's yummy and help raise money for children with cancer at the same time. The fun range includes t-shirts, mugs, aprons and mirrors, all with the yummy mummy slogan, and – not only that – there's a Glamorous Granny range as well.
Apron £7.50; buy online at www.yummymummy.org.uk or by phone 08451 206 658

Or alternatively: Choose a gift from World Visions' Alternative Gift Catalogue to make a difference to the lives of women and children in the world's poorest countries. By buying a woman's apprenticeship (£17) or soap-making kit (£20) you will help provide women with an income to support themselves and their families.
Visit www.greatgifts.org to buy your gift; find out more about the work of World Vision and how you can support it here.

'80s retro: Launched for Valentine's Day, the fab three-album collection of '80s 12” tracks with a love theme is the perfect gift for mums too. She'll be smooching round the house to classics like Joe Jackson's 'Steppin' Out' and ABC's 'All of my Heart' – and pointing out that Martin Fry was such a well-turned out young man with his neat suits, not like those long-haired layabouts of today, and don't get her started on 'modern music', words nobody can understand …
£10.99; www.amazon.co.uk

If the shoe fits ... part 2

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 25 Feb 2008 at 13:16

A few months ago I was given the chance to try out the bespoke service offered by Selve: the Shoe Individualiser, who offered to make me a pair of shoes to fit my awkward problem feet (wide, odd-shaped toes, a few medical issues thrown in for good measure, don't get me started). See my original post below, Dec 22 2007.

I received the shoes a few weeks ago and instantly realised the value of having a specialised service look after my footwear. The shoes, made from leather, were pinching my feet in the way that new leather shoes do. 'I'll just wear them around the house a bit to stretch them,' I told Karen at Selve. But there was no self-stretching required. I just took them back to the showroom and a machine did the work for me. My shoes were delivered back to me the following day – now fitting snugly, with no pinching. It's the customised service that makes it worth the extra money – plus the joy of owning shoes that fit.

And, as you can see here, they really are quite beautiful. I feel like a graceful ballerina when I wear them, stepping delicately about the house rather than clumping furiously in wide boots. Shoes that make me feel I've lost about two stone – result!

Check out the Selve website where you can customise the shoe of your choice online. The entire range is available to view, and you can click happily through different colour choices, change the lining, add different heels – even if you never buy it's great fun. Plus, watch out for bags coming soon – again, you will be able to customise the standard designs to create something entirely bespoke for you.

Have a look at the next must-have on my list here – the perfect shoe for the red-carpet look and the sort of thing I never imagined I would be able to wear, but now perhaps I can!

Price and order time: Shoes £275 to £295: Ankle boots £325: Knee-high boots £450 - prices are fully inclusive. Allow 5 weeks delivery for shoes, 7 weeks for boots.
Contact: Phone 0207 321 0200; email info@selve.co.uk; or visit the website at www.selve.co.uk

Sponsoring a child: Where does the money go?

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 21 Feb 2008 at 10:16

I had some really nice feedback to my story on sponsoring a child - see below, February 7 - thank you all for your comments. There clearly is a lot of interest in the work that agencies such as World Vision are doing in this area. I have to say though that the most frequent question I get asked when the topic comes up is, where does the sponsorship money I pay go? What is it used for?

Paying the money directly to Mekonnen, my sponsored child, and/or his family would clearly not be the best use of funds as it would create uneven distribution of wealth, and cause more problems. Instead the money goes to develop community initiatives in his area. These include: helping farmers make more of their natural resources so they can feed their families and sell extra crops; providing HIV and AIDs care; setting up self- help groups, family forums and children's clubs; aiding community business start-ups such bakeries and fish farming, as well as training to start small businesses to name just a few!

The photo shows women working in the Super Bread Bakery in Irribina village in India. They set up the bakery last year and were able to develop their business skills and confidence as members of self-help groups supported by World Vision. The women are making such a good profit from selling their loaves, cakes and biscuits that not only are they able to improve their standard of living and provide for their children's needs but they are also planning to expand their bakery and begin other businesses.

'We are feeling very happy,' says Arnapurna Mahabatra, president of the bakery. 'We can do something for our families. From the money we earn we have given loans to others for businesses for example, cows and petty business and we have assisted children in education and emergency treatment.'

The enterprise has also given the women high self-esteem, confidence and empowerment as previously they were not allowed access to their own money.

This is just one example of where your money might go. To find out more about the work of World Vision, click here.

On trial: Slendertone Abs - week three: higher and higher, baby

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 18 Feb 2008 at 11:17

I'm sure you won't be surprised to discover that the pic on the right is not of me! (Nor indeed, of any woman - I drew the bikini top on.) However, I can see a difference in my torso: my side-on silhouette is definitely less bulgy on the belly, and when I sit down there's less muffin-top. I'm now cranked up to level three on the Slendertone Abs belt, which gets me 30 mins of pulsating pressure. And I'm now twitching away with the intensity set to 50. As far as results go, still no six-pack - but luckily I don't have unrealistic expectations; I do have a generous covering of flesh on my bones, so it would be somewhat strange if I suddenly developed an abdomen like our friend on the right! Next week: the waist measurement

On trial: Slendertone Abs - week two: onwards and upwards - and inwards

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 11 Feb 2008 at 17:02

I can definitely say that I've overcome my initial terror of the Slendertone Abs. Starting in my first week with the power at a feeble 18, I've now cranked it up to slightly more impressive 40. Yes, the sensation is more intense, but I've become accustomed to it, and I know that it's not suddenly going to peak at a new high. It's all under control... And my stomach muscles are definitely feeling the benefit. I can feel them now; I know that they're there. In my yoga class, I can feel them helping to stabilise me in holding the postures. And as I'm moving around in everyday life, they just feel more engaged. So far I've resisted the urge to measure my waist, but watch this space...

Interested in seeing a good film?

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 10 Feb 2008 at 14:16

There's something happening at the moment I think you should know about. It's a film called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it opened over the weekend and magazine junkies will probably have heard about it already. It tells the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French Elle, who, after suffering a sudden stroke is left paralysed throughout his whole body – except for his left eyelid. And, using his eyelid to blink his way through the alphabet, he slowly managed to communicate with the world once away and, not only that, but to write a book of his life.

Well, how are they going to film that I asked myself as I settled down to watch the preview a few weeks ago. The answer is 'brilliantly'. It is highly emotionally charged, tender and deeply moving, though not in the way you might expect – the heart-rending subject matter tempered by the fact our hero is a right old b*****d. To women, to his colleagues and to the world – and yet, and yet, as he discovers his rich memories and unleashes his imagination the film will take hold of your emotions and quietly slowly grip you with its intensity.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is the third film from artist and director Julian Schnabel and won him Best Director at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Thoroughly recommended.

Do something amazing in February

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 7 Feb 2008 at 16:28

You know the saying that a puppy's not just for Christmas? Well I'm always reminded of it as this time of year. In December we are inundated with a huge range of ways to do good, help others and be better people. From slipping coins into carol singers' collection boxes to buying a goat for developing world families, donating Christmas presents, showing your support for your favourite charity by buying their Christmas cards – the list is endless.

Come February and nobody is pushing goats any more. Big gestures are brilliant. But it's the little ones that continue all year that really make a difference.

I started sponsoring a child just over seven years ago, around the time I first moved to London. He's a little boy called Mekonnen and he lives in Ethiopia. Well I say little, he was little at the time, just passed his third birthday. Now he's a big strapping lad of 10. Over the years I've seen him grow from a small scared looking child anxiously clutching his mother's hand in the first photo I received, to a lovely handsome boy looking confidently out at me from his pictures.

Over the years he has also been photographed clutching proudly onto a succession of gifts I've sent him – his favourite was a football, 'I was so happy I just couldn't believe it when I saw it', he wrote in his letter. He also tells me about his family and his school work. He likes reading and writing. So do I. This Christmas I sent him a writing set. I look forward to hearing what he thought of it.

I know his life can't be easy but he doesn't talk about the negatives, only the good. And I tell him about my life in return. I've sent him pictures of me with family and friends. I've also sent him postcards of London from time to time – I wonder what he makes of stuff like big red buses and Big Ben out there in his landscape of fields and mountains and bright bright sunshine – a backdrop that all his photographs are set against.

It doesn't cost me very much – sponsoring a child works out as little as 60p a day, it's not even half what I would pay for a Cappuccino. And the money that I pay every month doesn't just benefit Mekonnen and his family, but goes towards community projects in his area – so everyone benefits. Mekonnen has the chance to receive enough food, clean water, medical care and a basic education. He loves school, despite the fact it's not easy for him – and whenever I catch myself moaning about my commute to work, I remember Mekonnen and his one and a half hour walk to school – each way!

World Vision is one of the world's leading relief and development agencies, currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries. To find out how you can get involved in sponsoring a child and help them in their work click here. Go on, don't wait for Christmas, do something amazing today.

On trial: organic carrot juice

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 4 Feb 2008 at 10:08

The delicious drinks keep flowing: the latest to cross my lips is organic carrot juice from Sunraysia. It's a gorgeous golden-orange colour, and has a clean earthy taste. It's not quite as sweet as I'm used to with carrot juice, but when I read the label all is clear: it has lemon juice in it too. Ideal for those who find the juice of the carrot unsettlingly sweet - because of it being a vegetable. And, of course, as you sip it, you can mentally pat yourself on the back for getting 100% of your RDA of beta-carotene.

On trial: Slendertone Abs – week one

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 1 Feb 2008 at 14:23

Do you have a six-pack for a stomach? If so, you needn't bother reading on. For the rest of us, when I was offered the chance to test Slendertone Abs, my thoughts were: 'who wouldn't want a more toned tummy?'.

Unpacking the belt and accessories and charging it up, I was terrified that the electrical impulses passing through the belt was going to hurt… I'm a bit of wimp when it comes to electricity (I know it's ridiculous.) However, I'm delighted to report that it did not feel in the slightest bit uncomfortable. Once I'd stuck the gel-coated pads over the metal studs on the belt, and wrapped it around my waist – 'ooh, that gel's cold!' – I started turning up the intensity. The instructions recommend you start at at least 15. I managed to go to 18. The sensation at that level is a tingly, buzzy feeling that comes and goes in timed pulses, and reminded me of a TENS machine's effects.

I used it four times this first week and although the effects aren't visible (yet!), I did feel more conscious of my abdominal muscles, not an after-exercise ache, but as if the Slendertone had gently reminded them that they were there. Which is an improvement.

Back on planet detox ...

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 31 Jan 2008 at 10:06

Yes and just across the desk from Adrienne – see blog below – there is all sorts of detox activity going on! Apparently word has gone out that I am in severe need of bodily cleansing and to date I have received:

One bottle of Organic Kombucha tea – the latest must-have celebrity detox trend, favoured by the likes of Madonna, Meg Ryan and Halle Berry and probably the only thing I will ever have in common with them

Assorted boxes of 'nude supplements' – created with skincare in mind, to 'nourish, hydrate, detoxify and defend', 'treating and supporting skin from the inside out' – as the attached info helpfully explains

Multibionta Extra Omega-3 Fish Oils – because fish oil is everywhere these days is it not?

I also, right at the start of the year, went out and proudly bought myself a super-size bottle of Milk Thistle capsules, because all the magazines were advocating it as the best New Year detox aid. I proudly took it home and put it on my dressing table right beside the other super-size (unopened) box of Milk Thistle I suddenly remembered I had bought months ago with the same intentions in mind.

So I'm necking a cocktail of age defence and detox supplements, fish oils and Milk Thistle every day – while trying desperately to keep up with my regular glasses of Kombucha, which has – I have to say – a very powerful taste. Though I find if mixed with water it is a lot more palatable, and I have now indoctrinated Zoe – at the desk behind me – into its daily pleasures. Keep an eye out for it – it dates back to Ancient China where it was known as the 'elixir of life'.

During the post-Christmas slump I could do with a bit of life elixir – and like to think, as I sip, of the Ancient Chinese Zen masters kicking off a 21st century trend. On the High St from March, it's available to buy at www.gokombucha.com.

All good things

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 11 Jan 2008 at 13:41

Mmm, currently passing my lips is lots of the sweet brown stuff. And, no, I don't mean chocolate. As it's New Year and lots of us are eschewing our usual pleasures, there seems to be lots of healthy stuff crossing my desk, and this sweet brown stuff is Sunraysia Pure Prune Juice (Waitrose, £2.99). I've loved prunes since we had them for school dinners, when we finished our pud by counting the prune stones with 'tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief' to indicate the chosen profession of our future husband…

Anyway, prune juice has more benefits than me proving my memory still works. It apparently contains three times the antioxidant level of the average pomegranate juice drink. And there is some evidence that eating 12 prunes a day can help lower levels of bad cholesterol.

Next to be tried is Detox Beet, a freshly pressed juice costing £3.15 from Crussh, designed to help with your New Year clean-living resolutions. It's a beautiful deep red, and contains beetroot, celery, apples, carrots and goji berries, plus spirulina, one of the most concentrated nutrition sources on earth, which has been used by NASA to feed astronauts. Its benefits include strengthening the immune system, lowering cholesterol and improving digestive health.

And how does it taste? My colleague Karen says of it: 'Clean, fresh aroma which immediately lifts the spirit Tasting slightly sweet, it's almost possible to feel the powerful ingredients doing a thorough job of cleansing the body.' And I reckon it's sweet and smooth, like a carrot and apple blend, with an earthy, grassy undertone. Looks good, tastes good, does you good – yum.

So there it was...

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 27 Dec 2007 at 09:44

Merry Christmas? Mine was, I'm happy to say, if slightly marred by a stinking cough/cold, which first manifested itself on Christmas Eve, when I was out in search of holly. Luckily, it didn't really hit its stride until Boxing Day, when our dinner duties were over and I spent much of the day doing what I'd've been doing even in full health - lying on the sofa watching films and eating chocolate. Judging by the number of ads on telly for cold remedies, the half of the population that aren't getting up at 6am for the sales are coughing and spluttering like me. Roll on New Year!

If the shoe fits ... (but generally it doesn't)

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 22 Dec 2007 at 14:32

I have, as I know a lot of other women also have, a very big shoe complex. However for me this doesn't involve gathering as many pairs of the things as I can, it involves finding one pair (just one!!) that will fit me and will not leave my feet feeling like they've been savaged by wild dogs come the end of the day.

It's not easy. I've got wide feet with a few additional problems thrown in for good measure and the upshot of it is that shopping for shoes is something that is as much fun as standing in the middle of the field having stones thrown at me by small boys.

Because as well as the frustration of not being able to get my wide feet into those lovely delicate sandals, there is the embarrassment of having a shop assistant standing over me watching the whole painful process like an unsympathetic hawk.

So when I was invited to the offices of Selve - the Shoe Individualizer, to be measured for a pair of shoes to fit my awkward feet, I could have kissed the email the invitation came on.

Located in peaceful Jermyn St, behind the bustle of Piccadilly, I am first brought into a lovely bright and airy first floor room, bay windows overlooking the street. There are lots of shoes on display of every design and colour, and none scream 'big ugly feet' at me. Karen, who is looking after me, sits me down, takes my details and explains how it all works. Each consultation lasts about an hour and involves measuring the feet, then selecting a shoe (or boot). It's done entirely on a one to one basis, and that relaxed room is a million light years away from a packed high street shoe shop with a selection of disapproving hawk-like spectators.

My feet are measured in a specialist machine and the results will be stored for any future orders I might make. So it's only necessary to visit the London office once, future orders can be made over the phone, with all designs available to view on the company's website.

Shoes created by Selve are not entirely bespoke as this would hugely push the price up. Instead of making every individual pair of shoes to order, the company has created hundreds of base designs and my measurements are matched with the closest fit they have. In about five per cent of cases they won't be able to find a match, and so it is not possible to process the order; however next year a new piece of equipment will allow them to overcome this problem and create a design for every single customer, no matter what their foot size or shape.

Next I try on a few styles and we work out which shoe is most suited to my foot shape. As my feet are so wide some gape a bit, so we choose a design with a strap to prevent this happening.

Then it's the fun bit and I get to choose from lots of different fabrics, finishes and colours, right down to the lining inside. And that's it. Now all I have to do is wait for my lovely new red shoes with the gold lining to turn up! I'll let you know how I get on.

Price and order time: Shoes £275 & £295: Ankle boots £325: Knee-high boots £450 - prices are fully inclusive. Allow 5 weeks delivery for shoes, 7 weeks for boots.
Contact: Phone 0207 321 0200; email info@selve.co.uk; or visit the website at www.selve.co.uk

And this week we tested...

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 30 Nov 2007 at 17:41

Last week I wondered if I could slip a Baileys cocktail into our 'set-in-stone, completely-inflexible, we-will-do-the-same-thing-every-year' Christmas Day pre-lunch routine. Now I'm wondering if we should start the day with this bottle of chocolate liqueur I've just been sent? Well anyway, it's providing us with a good reason to try it out in the office this afternoon.

So it's called Choc Amore, and, according to the back of the bottle, is 'a blend of selected wine and spirit with delicious dairy cream and chocolate'. And, have to say, it really is quite tasty. I mean, chocolate, GOOD, liqueur, GOOD - what's not to like? And, here's the best bit, it can be served straight from the bottle, with ice, in coffee, or - get this - hot!! with marshmallows. It's available in Somerfield for £7.99.

And what's the best thing to serve with chocolate?

More chocolate of course.

Lindt, whose debt I am in forever for introducing chocolate bunnies into the world, have just brought out a new Dark Orange Lindor truffle for Christmas. But if you're gagging at the thought of all that chocolate, the other interesting thing to land on the desk last week was a new healthy crisp! Riceworks Gourmet Brown Rice Chips are made from wholegrain brown rice, free from cholesterol and made with natural ingredients. 'Bah humbug', I thought. But when myself and Good Housekeeping web editor Carol were beating each others hands out of the way in an effort to munch through the bag I realised that they really are tasty and incredibly moreish. And I don't even like crisps!

It's the eve of Christmas month today so let the party begin. Because whatever your faith, persuasion or beliefs, a time of the year that brings light into our lives and encourages us to think about others, deserves to be celebrated.

Favourite Christmas traditions

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 23 Nov 2007 at 17:26

One of the things I love most about Christmas is all the traditions. I go back to Ireland for the holiday and on the day itself we all head off to church in the morning, then back home to open the presents under the tree – the presents are under the tree, not us, the Fallons are not the tallest family in the world, but we have yet to squash en masse under a Spruce Pine – then the serious business of cooking the Christmas dinner begins.

At this point – around 11.30am – we open a bottle of Baileys and myself and my mother will have a small glass each as work gets under way. It's a nice tradition, and the bottle of Baileys is always supplied by one of my brothers – the brothers however don't partake in the tipple.

My mother is a great one for holding dearly to traditions, particularly on Christmas Day. When I once suggested we might introduce a starter to the Christmas dinner, she threw a right wobbler. But we never have anything to eat before the turkey, she exclaimed! What if – horror of horrors – we were all suddenly to become so full (on the few prawns and bit of lettuce I had tentatively suggested) that we couldn't eat another thing for the whole day?!

So I'm not sure how she will take the news that this year the people who make Baileys are suggesting that we all give the 'Baileys cocktail' a try. This year if you buy a bottle of Baileys in Sainsburys between now and Christmas, you will also receive a special Baileys Cocktail Shaker. The plan is – fill the shaker with ice, pour over the Baileys – shake vigorously – then strain into a Martini glass and garnish with cocoa powder.

Now there's no way I could turn up on Christmas Day and suggest we try this cold – if you pardon the pun – so I decided to give it a test here in the office. Carol, web editor of Good Housekeeping, was dispatched across the road to buy ice, then the shaking began. And the verdict?

Fantastic! We love it. And to all those people sitting at desks around us who muttered, 'Isn't it just like a Baileys with ice' – No it isn't! In fact it tastes completely different, something to do with the shaking no doubt.

And what did we listen to while drinking our lovely Baileys cocktails in preparation for Christmas? 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' Christmas album of course! Brilliant classics, including Frank Sinatra's 'Santa Claus is Comin' To Town', Johnny Cash's 'Little Drummer Boy' and Aretha Franklin's 'Winter Wonderland'. A new release from Sony BMG - buy a copy here.

But will my mother buy it? (The cocktail idea that is - rather than the album.) That remains to be seen …

Wakey, WAKEY!

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 16 Nov 2007 at 15:46

By the end of next week it will still be dark when my alarm goes off (7.30am if you're wondering). And this is a problem...

I've never been great at getting out of bed in the mornings (Ma, are you reading this?), and it's not getting any easier as I get older. So I was intrigued when I got the chance to test out the Philips Wake-Up Light.

This alarm clock/radio/light (£99.99) brings you to a state of consciousness by gradually increasing the brightness of its lamp over a 30-minute period, and towards the end your chosen alarm sound joins in. The actual alarm sound is a gentle repeated 'tonk', which reminds me of someone hitting a big wooden xylophone like we had at primary school - very easy on the ears. There's a 'sounds of the swamp' with croaking frogs, which is a bit repetitive for my taste. The waves whooshing up and down the beach is a little like white noise, and once you think that, it's hard to be lulled back to the coastal scene. But my favourite is the birdsong - melodious tweetings which last week were preceded by a real bird singing outside.

The whole experience is like being woken naturally by the rising sun - just as us humans are designed to be - and I certainly feel much better in the mornings. In short, it's the aural equivalent of being stroked awake rather than given a sharp tap with a mallet...

Do you have difficulty dragging yourself out of bed in the mornings? What works for you?

A month of handbags

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 16 Nov 2007 at 12:03

My life is full of bags at the moment. First there was the Christian Dior designer lambskin – yes, I'm sorry, I'm sorry – then there was the bag I carry my yoga mat around in (hurrah, I've finally committed to my KB Yoga classes so much that I have bought the correct equipment - if this was a relationship it would be the equivalent of buying a flat and moving in together), and now there is the healthy back bag.

What's that I hear you ask?

It's in our Christmas gift guide at the moment, and quite a nifty little thing it is too. Helen Mirren is a fan and has one in lovely postbox red apparently. Quite simply it is contoured to fit your back and so provide support when carrying all your essential stuff around – makeup kit, used tissues, large bar of chocolate, random pieces of A4 paper, tights, you know, all the key living stuff.

Having suffered with back problems for quite a while now – to the extent that the nice massage lady I see can't help me anymore and I am currently visiting a physiotherapist – I was very keen to try one out. And what better place to test it than on holiday, when to list of must-have daily essentials becomes even longer – camera, suntan lotion, extra bar of chocolate, even more pieces of paper. So last week, myself and the back bag got on a plane and headed to Cyprus.

And we had a great time! Definitely my back felt it was under less pressure carrying it around – there is an option to hang it diagonally across your body or just on one shoulder. It's perfect for holidays as there are loads of easy-access compartments both inside and out, so your chocolate bars don't get mixed up and you can separate all those bits of paper. And the side opening zip is close to your body, which provides good security and is easy to access while you're carrying it.

I like it. Since I've come back from Cyprus it has continued to be my everyday bag – it comes in a variety of finishes and sizes and the chocolate leather one I have is smart enough for work, and still casual enough for weekend and jeans. There's a good price range too – prices start at £18 for a mini bag; and actually, I don't know why we put it in our Christmas gift guide at all – it's clearly something you would want to buy for yourself! Find out more at the healthy back bag website.

And, speaking of Cyprus, I'll be publishing a feature on the trip in Escape on the website soon. Had such a fantastic time, the hotels were the amazing Londa in Limassol, and Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri. More to come ….

The Liz Earle story

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 09 Nov 2007 at 10:17

The Liz Earle story has more than a touch of the fairytale about it. Born from a love of natural ingredients and specialised knowledge of botanical ingredients, Liz Earle moved from her job as a beauty editor to set up the company with long-time friend Kim Buckland. Operating very romantically from a base on the Isle of Wight – where now the 200-strong staff work with the music of the sea in the ears - the Naturally Active Skincare range uses only the best possible natural ingredients that really work.

Selling online and through shopping channels, staff soon became used to island visitors knocking on the door to enquire if they could buy stuff. And knowing that we love to touch and feel and sample before we buy, the company decided to open a shop in London.

It's quite an oasis at the top of King's Road, just off bustling Sloane Square – stepping into the light filled building recently I felt like I was really in for a treat. Because this is not your ordinary shop. A good one third of it is devoted to non-retail in fact – there's a sample bar where you can try out each and every one of the products on sale, and not only that, see and learn more about the ingredients that went into each; there's a library of skincare advice books, some tables and chairs where you can sit and read – with plans to develop the Liz Earle facial in store as well. Not your usual emporium of 'sell sell sell' – quite an amazing approach with retail space costing a fortune in this very stylish part of London. All of the staff are trained beauty therapists and so will be able to advice on the best products for your skin – and can also offer solutions for problem-skin.

After a nightmare of a very long week in the office, my Friday afternoon visit was a lovely trip to 'calm central' – and I'll certainly be back. The London store is great news for Liz Earle devotees of which there are many – her fan base obviously stretches as far as Cyprus, as earlier this week I had my lovely Liz Earle body cream removed from my hand luggage. Yes, I know the bottle was probably too big to take on the plane – but there were a few other bottles they didn't take any interest in whatsoever!

The London store is at 53 Duke of York Square, Kings Road, visit the website at www.lizearle.com – where you can also read Liz's blog for great skincare advice and her take on the last events in the beauty industry.

Waste not, want not

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 02 Nov 2007 at 17:20

Bit of an early start yesterday morning: off to Borough Market for the launch of a government-backed campaign. The Waste & Resource Action programme (WRAP), the government-funded agency responsible for waste, recycling and so on, has a Love Food Hate Waste campaign, to encourage us to waste less food.

At the launch at Roast restaurant, speakers included Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change and Waste, and Dr Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive.

Apparently, we waste a third of the food we buy, which is not only bad for our pockets, but bad for the environment too, because decomposing food in landfill sites produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas.

Then afterwards, outside in the market, chefs Aynsley Harriott, Paul Merrett and Barney Haughton, gave a display, much to the delight of passers-by, of how to use up food that you might be tempted to throw away. Aynsley took a slightly soft pineapple and whizzed it up in a blender with coconut milk, vanilla extract and pineapple juice for a smoothie that the member of the crowd pronounced 'delicious'.

Next, some soggy bananas quickly became banana pancakes, incorporating along the way some sour milk, which would help them rise. A few going-mouldy-at-the-edge raspberries were popped on top of the pancakes. There are loads more ideas for using leftovers and just-past-its-best produce on the campaign website www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Ninety per cent of people asked in a survey didn't know that we waste that much food – did you?

Why you don't need a designer handbag

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 29 Oct 2007 at 11:54

I took my Christian Dior Cannage handbag to yoga last week. All the whingeing I'd done the week before about it being the size of a small horse and too awkward to carry stopped - as I neatly fitted all of my yoga gear inside and so didn't need to carry an extra bag into work.

(Actually comparing it to a small horse is an exageration, the bag is in fact the size of a lamb - quite literally in fact, it's made from lambskin. I had a bit of a wobbly moment when I found that out and went into mouring for all things cute and woolly.)

And now that the bag has been returned to the designer-handbag-website from whence it came, there are a number of things I've learned from the experience:

1. A designer handbag will not make you feel different, look different or in any way become different. You'll just spend an in-ordinate amount of time in shops looking at people to see if they've noticed your bag.

2. Carrying a designer handbag makes you worry constantly that you will attract the wrong sort of attention and have it nicked. A few times I decided to leave the bag and home and went out without it, so I wouldn't have to spend the whole evening with the bag wrapped around my leg.

3. A bag might look great in the pages of a magazine - but it's only when you actually go and fork out six hundred and fifty pounds for it that you discover it's too heavy to carry with anything other than a credit card in it, and the top is too hard to open so you spent most of your time getting in people's way as you struggle to remove travel card/purse/keys/mobile phone/etc

4. So while designer bags are a waste of time - the handbag hire HQ website is a brilliant idea. Because despite all I've said, maybe you still have a longing to try one out. Don't pay the full whack - hire it for a fraction of the retail price instead. That way you can find that it's too heavy/ too awkward/ too plain annoying at a bargain price, and send it back with a smile at the end of your hire period. Then all you have to do, is pick another one .....

Good hair day

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 26 Oct 2007 at 17:16

We all have bad hair days, but recently my barnet has been in the running for an Asbo. I know it's partly my fault; I should take it in hand (my haircare routine is minimal). It's been so wilfully mischievous that I was considering cutting it off (yeah, that'll teach it). But then I had a little revelation...

I had an invitation to the Fish salon in Soho - known for its no-nonsense, non-poncey approach to hairdressing, and a bit of a model hangout too - for a wash and blowdry on a Friday evening. What better way to start the weekend? I was there. The occasion was the launch of Angel Fish, hair products for women to sit alongside Fish men's products. You can buy them at Boots.

Jacqui, the stylist who blew my hair into a sleek, smooth gently waved look, used the Puffer Fish volumising root spray to lift up my frankly limp fine hair, plus Curly Fish bounce and curler spray to encourage my natural wave, then Blow Fish heat protecting and smoothing serum, finishing with Sleek Fish smoothing serum. It looked great, and I stepped out into the night a happy woman.

And I'm very glad I was paying such close attention, because next time I washed my hair I tried a little blowdry myself, using two of the above products. And I have to say I was very pleased with the results. I had volume at the roots, and more curl than has been apparent for some time now. And I almost never use the hairdryer so, to me, that's truly impressive!

The handbag diaries

Posted by Bernadette Fallon on 16 Oct 2007 at 12:20

You know there's this new website that lets you hire designer handbags - so you can have the latest It bag at a fraction of the retail cost. And it seems to have divided the world into the people who think it is the best idea ever – me (pay £7.50 a month membership and a hire charge for each bag you select, rather than hundreds of pounds for just one, where's the contest?), and the people who just can't see the point of it ('why would you want to pay for a bag that you just have to give back?').

BECAUSE THE GIVING BACK IS NOT THE POINT, THE 'HAVING IT' IS – anyway, you can see I've had this argument once or twice already.

I've often wondered what it would be like to own a designer bag – curious about the instant style cachet it would no doubt instantly bestow on me. Would I feel different, would I look different, would people treat me differently once I had several hundred pounds worth of soft leather and shiny metal hanging off my arm? But as I actually know it would make me physically sick to pay so much money for just a handbag, sadly there seemed no chance of me ever finding out.

Until now.

So when my new Christian Dior Cannage bag - here it is!! - arrived in the office at the end of last week, I was practically hysterical with excitement. I instantly chucked everything out of my regular bag, packed up the Dior and hit Oxford St, to parade my new found designer status to the style cognoscenti of the West End.

Nobody noticed.

So I went to John Lewis – surely its discerning clientele would at least sneak a few furtive looks at my glam bag?

Not a dicky bird.

In desperation I went to the handbag department. Now there's a place where the ladies would respect and admire a nice bag.

Nada.

Not a second glimmer of a glance. I even tried posing beside the shop assistants, my bag protruding at a substantial angle from my shoulder. Eventually I gave up and went to the food hall to buy my lunch.

In fact it wasn't until the weekend, when I was in Peckham, that anyone clocked the bag. Three guys on the footpath started nudging each other as I went past – and I clutched the bag in a panic. It was £650 worth of designer bag after all – and suddenly all the attention didn't seem that welcome….

The problem is, the bag doesn't make me feel any different. Whatsoever. I haven't suddenly become the epitome of style, I don't feel that have reinvented myself as a fab designer-handbag-owner-in-inverted-commas. I'm just somebody hauling around a rather huge handbag.

My friends think this proves I'm not shallow. But I'm not so sure. I think it says something about how shallow I really am. Because a not-shallow person would probably have realised this to start with! But I looked for a bag to give me importance! How shallow is that?!

Techno file

Posted by Adrienne Wyper on 15 Oct 2007 at 11:44

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to borrow a Nokia N800 to try out. No, it's not a phone, it's an internet tablet. And no, that's not a magic pill to turn you into a human Google, or reduce the amount of spam email you get. It is in fact a go-anywhere internet-browsing device. So that's tablet as in the clay things the ancient Egyptians used to write on.

To connect to the internet, you use its Wi-Fi (wireless) connection capability, where it searches for a connection it can use. Alternatively, you can pair it – using Bluetooth – to a web-enabled phone.

Mine connected problem-free to my wireless connection at home, and I also discovered how many of my neighbours have wireless broadband. All the local connections show up on the device, although most of them are protected with a password so you can't use them.

And I was off on the internet… The screen is small so you wouldn't want to use it for extended periods of internet use, like tracking down a cheap flight, but for watching video, like YouTube clips, and sending a quick email it's great.

I popped the N800 in my pocket (it weighs just 206g) and headed for my local pub, which I know has free Wi-Fi connection and, sure enough, 'Sun' plus the password came up on the internet connection search.

My friend was suitably impressed with my holiday photos, which I'd uploaded to the tablet from my Mac at home via Bluetooth. You can zoom in and make the images full-screen too.

We were then discussing a local blog and forum, which we both read, and popped on to that site to check out the latest news – and came across a posting from my partner!

I'd also uploaded some music and we rated the sound as pretty crisp and clear. Not that we listened for long, cos there's nothing more irritating than someone inflicting their tune of choice from their mobile or other device on those around them.

I also checked out the connectivity at other random locations, so a big thank-you to all those whose networks I used for a little while...

You type onto the tablet using a stylus, or you can train it to recognise your handwriting. However, if your handwriting is as (apparently) illegible as mine, I'd suggest sticking with the stylus. The N800 also has a camera, and VOIP (phone calls over the internet). If you want the full techy spec and/or to buy one (around £279) visit its official site here.

At the weekend I signed up to a fantastic social network music site, called Last FM. You download its software to your home computer and it checks out your most-popular tracks on iTunes, then it suggests music for you to listen to via the website.

And when you log on to the website as I've just done at work, you type in an artist, and Last FM plays you their work, plus other stuff that's vaguely similar.

And suddenly I thought to myself, with this combination of Last FM and the Nokia N800, you have the perfect travel set-up. AS we're now so accustomed to going online for all sorts of routine matters, we miss it when we're away. I, for one, don't want to lug a laptop around on holiday with me, so The N800 would be perfect. And, with my Last FM account (all free) she shall have music wherever she goes.

You may travel with an MP3 player, but sometimes it's nice to listen without headphones, especially if there's more than one of you. So set up a Last FM account, access the website through the N800 and play your own online radio station – and without irritating DJs too. Perfect. So now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some more music to listen to – sorry, work to do…