12 minute read
It’s a funny old world
from vowamegr w3g4
by coolkdei2
Column
Advertisement
This week’s columnist: Global classical singer Susan Boyle
I never want this to end If you had told me 10 years ago that I would have released eight albums, travelled the world and was about to embark on my fourth tour, I would have thought you were having a carry-on. Most people will remember me for walking onto that Britain’s Got Talent stage, with wild hair, looking like I’d got dressed in the dark, and everyone expecting a joke audition. Then I sang, and in that moment I symbolised the old adage ‘never judge a book by its cover’. I didn’t expect the turn of events that happened. Over the years leading up to that audition, I’d entered into many local competitions and never won, always came second. So while I had hoped for the best when I went to the BGT audition, taking six buses and getting lost on the way, I honestly expected it to amount to nothing. But at least I could say I’d given it a go and stood by my promise to my deceased mother that I would try and make something of my life. I didn’t own a computer and I had no idea what Twitter or YouTube were, but thanks to Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher, who shared my performance on social media, suddenly I had the world’s press on my doorstep. The rest, as they say, is history. I’ve still never won a competition, but coming second in the final of BGT changed my life forever. I went from lonely unknown, broke, struggling to keep the electric going, to the very opposite in the blink of an eye. I get to live my dream of performing and recording, I’ve been to places in the world that I never thought possible, I’ve made wonderful friends and I never want it to end. Fame and fortune hasn’t changed me, I still live in the house I grew up in. In fact, I bought it with the first cheque I made. I like to shop in Tesco and Zara, and now, most importantly, I don’t have to worry about paying the gas or electric bills. I was finally able to get the correct diagnosis for Asperger’s. My parents were told I was brain-damaged at birth, but academically I did well at school, so that never sat well with me. That was my ‘ahhhh’ moment. It all made sense. I decided to keep it quiet and learn about what it meant and then, in 2013, I spoke about it publicly because I felt
that I could help people with autism understand there are no barriers in life. I wanted to make people aware, and to use this platform for good and show what is possible. I also wanted people to have a better understanding of me and why I do the things I do. I think people with disabilities –and I don’t like to use that word about myself, but others do –need to prove themselves all the more. Don’t give up. I think that’s what I have done –shown what is possible. Ten years ago, I lived alone with a cat. Nobody knew me. Now everybody knows me, and I don’t feel alone any more.
✣ Susan Boyle will be on tour in March 2020. For dates and tickets, visit susanboylemusic.com
My Funny Old Week
WHERE I’VE BEEN Glasgow, in the studio! I’m currently in full rehearsals for my TEN tour. WHAT I’VE BOUGHT Gowns for the tour. I use a great store called Frox of Falkirk. They look like I’ve spent a fortune, but you know me, I like a bargain. WHO I’VE MET The band and choir for the TEN tour, as well as all the wonderful behind-the-scenes crew –it takes a village to get me on stage! WHAT I’VE SEEN The inside of a studio, quite literal are all eating, breathing and sleeping these rehearsals, to make sure it’s the best show we’ve done. Glasgow calling!
NEXT WEEK Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Bag, £60, Dune London
Ring, £39.50, Oliver Bonas
How to wear Fashion
A jazzy
You can wear this sparkling knit in so many different ways JUMPER
Available in short and long lengths
Trousers, £22.50, sizes 6-24, M&S
£36, sizes 6-26, Next
Skirt, £44.95, sizes 4-18, Gap
Order a size bigger than usual
Shoes, £55, Carvela at John Lewis
Bag, £34, Next Earrings, £85, Fiorelli at La Redoute Coat, £59, sizes 6-24, M&S
Jeans, £28, sizes 8-24, M&Co
Watch, £86, Rotary at thewatchhut. co.uk Available in wide fit COMPILED BY: BECKY JOINER-O’RIORDAN
Find your
You only need a handful of products to guarantee looking great all day long CAPSULE MAKE-UP KIT
TOP TOOLS
You can apply foundation with your fingers,
a sponge or a brush. If you like full coverage, opt for a brush – apply a small amount of foundation to your face and simply buff out. The Real Techniques Custom Complexion Brush, £9.95, is a 3-in-1 make-up brush featuring an adjustable slider spectrum to deliver varying levels of definition. If you prefer a sponge, try Beauty Blender, £17, for build-able coverage and a flawless result that lasts all day. Wet your sponge before using it, it allows for even distribution.
Flawless foundation If you like sheer coverage that’s super hydrating and packed with a cocktail of skin boosting ingredients, try No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation, £15. For something a little more long lasting we recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear, £27, that has 44 shades to suit all skin tones.
BEST BLUSHERS
We all look better with a little cheek colour! For fair skin, use dusty pink and peach, while pinky coral and terracotta with a hint of shimmery gold will help warm up medium skin tones. Darker skin can carry bolder shades – try burnt orange, deep coral and magenta. For a dewy glow, try a gel or cream like Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips & Cheeks, £22.50, it’s pricey, but a little goes a long way. For a natural look, wear it on the apple of your cheek using a tapping technique with your ring finger. If you prefer powder, try Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush, £4.28, which adds natural radiance.
Beauty
AMAZING EYES Good news – one hardworking palette is all you need. We recommend the soft peachy and pink tones in E.L.F. Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette, £10, which are perfect for creating an every day look. If you want something that makes more of an impact, try Lottie London The Rusts, £4.95, which offers nine wearable smoky shades in creamy matte finishes.
Lovely lips During the cold weather a nourishing, hydrating balm with a hint of colour, like Lanolips Tinted Balm, £8.99, is a great choice. For a soft dose of colour, Rimmel Lasting Finish in Birthday Suit, £4.79, is deeply pigmented, long-wearing and glides on effortlessly. Or make a statement with a rich, creamy vibrant red like Max Factor Colour Elixir in Cherry Kiss, £8.99.
Magical mascara There are many options for lashes – whether you want to lengthen, darken, or add volume. If yours are short, try like Pixi Lengthy Fiber Mascara, £16. The brush has comb-like bristles to apply the formula onto your lashes, gliding it through from root to end. For a volumising effect, the brush has to be more dense to really pack on the formula and plump individual lashes. Try Nars Climax Mascara, £21, and apply multiple coats one after the other. Curl straight lashes with The Body Shop Eye Lash Curler, £5, then apply Rimmel Supercurler Mascara, £5.27.
BRILLIANT BROWS Defined eyebrows help structure your face and add a much-needed lift if you get it right. If your brows are a little sparse or you’ve over-plucked them and they never grew back, try Benefit Gimme Brow, £21.50, which contains tiny microfibres that adhere to your skin and make your brows look instantly thicker. Additionally, Soap Brows, £12, beautybay.com, will help thicken and ‘set’ your brows. Apply either on top of a tinted brow definer or on its own and brows will stay in place all day.
Three women reveal the emotional reasons behind why they took up their incredible hobbies Our labour s OF LOVE
Mia Hansson, 45, lives in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, with partner, Eddie, 48, and stepson, Tom, 26 My grandmother taught me to cross-stitch when I was young. I had a natural talent for it. Over the years, I took on more complex work, such as re-enactment costumes and items for museums. But when I became a full-time carer for my stepson, Tom, who has cerebral palsy, I wanted a bigger project, something to work on while at home with him. ‘What’s bigger than the Bayeux Tapestry?’ I thought. So I began a replica. I did my research, as I wanted my version to be as authentic as possible. I’ve tried my best to find threads as close to the original seven colours used, and I’m working on a linen backing.
Mia wanted a big project
I’ve got an excellent book –The Bayeux Tapestry by David M Wilson –which helps me create templates. Working on one image at a time, I draw a pencil outline before adding the design freehand, then stitching over it. I find it very therapeutic and work on it most days, sometimes for half an hour, sometimes for 10 hours. I think it’ll take 10 years to complete the full 69 metres. There have been reproductions before, by groups, but as far as I know, no one has done it alone. I don’t think anyone’s been crazy enough! Since starting, I’ve given talks to groups like the WI. When it’s finished, it’ll be too big to hang up at home. So I might sell it or rent it to museums. Or I’ll keep it rolled up. After all, it will have given me 10 years of fun. ✣ Follow Mia’s Bayeux Tapestry Story on Facebook
Jenni Dutton, 68, lives in Wiveliscombe, Somerset When my mother was diagnosed with dementia in 2008, I realised I was going to be heavily involved in her care. I gave up my art studio and worked from home to be closer to her, and began researching ways families could deal with the illness. As I began to get more of an understanding of how dementia manifests itself, my mother and I started to explore ways of engaging with the past, often looking at old photo albums. That’s when I first had the idea of stitching the faces of family members onto pieces of conceptual clothing I was making. Mum recognised these familiar faces and enjoyed watching me create the portraits –it was good for her memory. After I’d finished, I decided I wanted to create a bigger piece, so I found an iconic photo of my mum in her younger days and embroidered her likeness. It was large, the size of a wall-hanging and looked amazing. From there, I began making more – 15 in total – all depicting her journey through dementia, capturing the emotions, expressions and reality of that journey, both for good and for bad. The more I made, the more
Real life
Jenni’s work is about everyone’s loved ones
refined my technique became. Each piece was very timeconsuming, taking about four months to complete as I worked from a photo and built up the picture on the canvas. But at the same time, it was all about me spending time with my mum, and it gave me a way of coping.
She passed away in 2015, but I decided to continue my work. Now, The Dementia Darnings have been exhibited all over the country and I’ve found they really do speak to people. They’ve become about everyone’s loved ones, all those who are going through the same thing.
Working on the Darnings gave me a real focus of who my mum was; it was a celebration of her life and stopped me feeling resentful of the dementia. I can only hope this series will serve as a testament to her life and spirit. ✣ jennidutton.com alzheimersresearchuk.org
Sheena Powell-Bevan, 45, lives in Rugby, Warwickshire, with her son, Ellis Brooke, 19 When my dad had to go into hospital in June last year, I’d visit him every day for a few hours. And, as I sat chatting to him in his hospital bed, I remember seeing lots of other older men lying there with nothing to do. It was really sad. Many of them didn’t seem to have any visitors and they looked so lonely.
I remember thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could sneak something in to cheer them up?’ I’ve always loved arts and crafts so, inspired by a friend’s dad who had a model railway in his garden, I had a go at making a portable train set in a vintage suitcase – and it worked! It was a bit of trial and error at first, seeing if I could pin a track to a board to fit inside a case that would be functional as well as portable. Once that was done, I made some scenery, so it was authentic.
It’s fiddly work, especially things like trying to stick in tiny animals, but people really seem to love the finished sets. I’ve made 16 so far, with more commissions coming in. One elderly gentleman, who lives alone and is a miniature-railway enthusiast, took one of my bespoke Suitcase Trains into hospital when he was admitted and had to leave his at home. It made a daunting situation more bearable and less scary for him. One mum wanted one for her son so she could show him there were other things they could do together, rather than him just playing on his tablet. Another lady contacted me because her grandson spent his school holidays designing his own Suitcase Train and wants to visit my workshop and show me his pictures. They’ve touched so many more people than I ever thought possible. And that’s what it’s all about –if I can make a small difference to people’s happiness, or give them some inspiration of their own, then that’s wonderful. ✣ suitcasetrains.com Sheena’s Suitcase Trains have touched so many people WORDS: KATE CHAPMAN. PHOTO: ANNA HAGBERG
