SLiNK magazine 001

SLiNK

ISSUE 1 APRIL 2011

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Trend Pages & Fashion Shoots

Make-Up Must Have’s, Tantalising Travel, Vintage Unveiled, Beautiful Homeware, What To Watch, Read, Visit & Much More ...

THE FASHION & LIFESTYLE BIBLE FOR WOMEN SIZE 14+

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

SLiNK LOVES Anna Scholz S/S 2011 www.annascholz.com

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Anna Scholz S/S 2011 www.annascholz.com

Hello and Welcome to the first issue of SLiNK magazine, the fashion and lifestyle bible for women with curves.

SLiNK is a bi-monthly, glossy magazine aimed entirely at women size 14+.

While the average size in the UK is now a 16/18 it seems that magazines are intent on showing trends on figures that quite frankly are frighteningly unobtainable.

While SLiNK neither berates nor endorses the use of ‘skinny’ models, we do believe that fashion and trends are obtainable whatever your size.

We don’t preach that bigger is better or curvy is cuter, but we do believe that as women we have to stop chasing ‘an ideal’ and learn to be happy with who we are. Learn to dress your shape and make the most of your body and you will discover that fashion is not about size it’s merely a mindset.

We are plus sized bias not centric, so while our magazine is crammed full of fashion tips and hot trends we also have fantastic homeware, travel, beauty, food and culture sections.

This first issue is packed full of this seasons must have fashion, with all garments featured on the trend pages stocked up to a size 22 and with a mix of high-end and high street, we’ve found something suitable for every budget.

Don’t forget to check out our amazing article from Anna Scholz, who talks us through the building of a collection; and our mystery columnist Boadecian Beauty who will be tackling shopping woes every month!

Our food section looks delicious so release your inner domestic goddess and try out the recipes! Alternatively pick up one of our recommended reads!

There is also divine travel, unbelievable beauty reviews and top tips from the likes of hairdresser Lee Stafford.

Finally, a mention to our incredible team who believe in SLiNK as much as me; It has been crazy, but we’ve done it!

We hope you love it! Don’t forget to drop us a line with your thoughts at slinkmagazine@live.co.uk we’d love to hear from you, see you in June for our next issue.

Rivkie Baum Editor SLiNK Magazine

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THE TEAM

CONTENTS PAGE

With warmer days on the way, we asked some of our team what about summer got them most excited!

RIVKIE BAUM Editor In Chief slinkmagazine@live.co.uk “Being able to wear my giant Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses everyday, maxi dresses, wedges, ice latte’s, using my deckchair and Issue 2 of SLiNK” AMY JORDAN Design and Graphics amy_jordan@hotmail.co.uk “Looking forward to longer days & a fun filled summer after graduation” GINNY WEEKS Travel and Beauty Editor Ginny_weeks@yahoo.co.uk My Favourite Thing About Summer is enjoying barbecue parties.

EDIE JAMES Interiors Editor slinkinteriors@live.co.uk

RICARD GINER i SARIOLA Food Photography www.flickr.com/ricard67 “The smell of barbecued sardines and razor clams with parsley and garlic in the garden with friends”.

EMMA JONES Culture Editor slinkculture@live.co.uk AMY LAZELL Culture Writer slinkculture@live.co.uk

Letter from the Editor – 3 “Size Does Matter – Boadicean Beauty” – 6 “Birth of a Collection” by Anna Scholz – 8

WILLA GEBBIE (Article Illustrations) http://www.willagebbie.com “Looking forward to sunshine which gives me the energy to run about and play!”

Fashion Story – 13 Ins and Outs of Vintage Fashion – 25 Top 10 Wardrobe Clear Out Tips – 34

BOADICEAN BEAUTY (Undercover Operative) slinkmagazine@live.co.uk

Trend Pages – 36

KATIE ANTONIOU www.katieantoniou.com “Im looking forward to summer because it will mean it’s time for ice cream!”

Beauty – 59

ANNA SCHOLZ www.annascholz.com “My favourite thing about summer is not to have to wear socks! (Well apart from the warmth, sunshine and long light-filled evenings)”

Face Moisturisers – 64

SPECIAL THANKS: Hughes Model Agency; Laura Wells & Gina Swire, Dave Wise, Becca Dudley, Oscar Alexander, Laura Dexter, Eugene Davis, Felicities PR.

Fashion Story – 49

Make Up – 60 Hair – 62 © All content both fully and partially is copyrighted by SLiNK magazine

SIMON HENBERY Food Editor slinkfood@live.co.uk Head Chef at The Flemings Hotel, Mayfair. http://www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk/

DEE ANDREWS Illustrator Fashion Trends http://www.deeandrews.co.uk/ “Graduating in July, drinking cider in the sun, barbecues, being able to wear sunglasses, days out to the beach, crazy windswept hair and illustrating outside in the garden”.

Feet – 66 Spas – 70 Culture – 77 Homeware – 83 Travel – 92 Food and Recipes – 102 Every care has been taken to ensure that all information was correct and to the best of the SLiNK teams knowledge at the time of going to press. We do our best to ensure fashion product featured is available between the sizes of 14-22 as a minimum requirement.

SIZE DOES MATTER

by Boadicean Beauty

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After shopping till my feet ache I love coming home, flopping onto my bed and experiencing the joy of unwrapping a newly purchased outfit.

The unadulterated joys of tearing open the crisp, rustling tissue paper… There’s nothing like it, right? Can you imagine how bummed I feel that it has been eons since I felt that, “Pit of my stomach fizziness” that all girls have come to expect from shopping.

Don’t get me wrong; I have shopped on the high street recently. But the reality is this. My shoe rack is bowed under the weight of a colourful array of gorgeous shoes. My cupboards are burgeoning with handbags in a million shapes and sizes; and then there’s my jewellery box? It looks like a pirates treasure chest, stuffed full of trinkets.

The poor thing, it simply can’t take any more.

Why do these inanimate objects suffer so? It’s because all I can find to fit my buxom curves on the high street are accessories. I am totally and utterly fed up with it. Why is it so difficult for

a modern Boadicean Beauty to find something to wear to the ball, or to work for that matter? It’s sizing that seems to be the issue. Yes, there are lovely, amazing designers and boutiques catering for the curvier woman, but these are found less often on the high street; really, is it so much to ask that I can have a day out with my slimmer girlfriends, shopping in the same stores as them and slurping cocktails in true Sex and the City style?

Having decided to take matters into my own hands I took my curvaceousness to the most famous High Street of them all, Oxford Street, London. Surely this street of streets would cater for the curvier woman?

Sizing inconsistencie started to really make me mad. Oh they must be so proud of themselves, they all offer an L, and XL and sometimes even an XXL – but hells bells, when did a UK14 become a Large and a UK16 an Extra Large? And from shop to shop this seems to change dramatically.

So what is a girl to do? Take in 3 different sizes for each outfit not having a clue of which size to take in? Not bloody likely matey. We’ve all been on the receiving end of a grouchy, powermad, teenage, shop assistant, insisting on the item limit of 6.

What? Just because I’m curvy I can only try on 2 outfits at a time? Heck, no wonder I often give up in frustration and walk out. If I want to try on 6 different items I have to get dressed in between each 2 outfits to go out into the store to pickup the next lot. I really don’t think even I could guts it out and ‘pop out’ into the store in my underwear.

It makes me want to tear my hair out in frustration.

Now, that just covers the issue of inconsistent sizing. Don’t get me started

on plus sized clothing fitting so badly. I don’t know about you but I am proud of my curves. Thanks to people like Gok Wan and Trinny and Susannah I’ve learnt to make the most of what I’ve got, using properly fitting clothes and the right shapes to enhance the good assets I was born with and downplay, the lumpier bits (We all have ‘em right?).

Why is it that the pattern makers often just seem to add a few centimetres around the seams? Don’t they get that as a woman’s size changes, so does their shape? Your bust line plumps out, your hips become curvier and darts and pleats might need to be added or taken away to fit, it isn’t just about grading up from ‘skinny’ its about thinking in proportions.

Why should I have to wear a tent to ensure my boobs fit into a blouse, to stop the buttons creaking at the seams?

I want to be able to buy a size 20 and for it to fit nicely, for it to skim and hug me in all the right places. Am I stupid or shouldn’t it be their job to know how women’s bodies work?

So come on high street, get with the program. Those of us with curvier figures don’t necessarily want to wear a bin bag, we feel sexy and want to dress hot too.

So here is my challenge to you; if the average size of women in the UK is a 16/18 then why not consider the way our figures differ from slimmer women and design your beautiful designs to flatter us as well?

Do you have the same issues as our Boadicean Beauty? Or is there something you’d like her to investigate or rant about!

Email and let us know… slinkmagazine@live.co.uk.

BIRTH OF A COLLECTION

by Anna Scholz (www.annascholz.com)

with their own colour stories and running themes. I re-colour prints to fit into the stories and add solid pieces in complementary solid shades.

Most of the prints we develop are exclusive to our collections. Sometimes we even paint or design them on the computer in our office. I also buy from print designers and work from found vintage prints — I’m partial to the 60s and 70s. Once the print is developed, the artwork for it is sent overseas where screens are cut and the printing process will begin. The first example of a print on fabric is called a strike-off and must be approved for colour and technique before it is printed on a large scale.

Sometimes I get a very clear image of what I want a print to look like and what styles will be made in a particular print. For example, our tribal print for Spring-Summer 2011 definitely demanded to be a statement maxi dress and a pair of harem pants. However, the Aztec paisley print turned out to work best in kaftan styles and the fitted pleat shift dress.

The design process – aside from considerations of print, fabric and colour – is part practical, part pipe dream. I try to balance m flights of fancy with styles that I know have worked in the past.

Often I will design from home or rent a peaceful house by the seaside to

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I’m always on the look-out for new ideas. I collect fabric swatches, clippings and trims. My sketchbook is always in my handbag or next to my bed, and my pin board at work is full of ideas.

I visit flea markets and vintage shops and surf e-bay year-round. I just love vintage and always find a way to incorporate a retro flavour into my designs and prints. A huge inspiration rail of clothes sits behind my desk. My drawers are full of beads, sequins, lace and trims extraordinaire.

What doesn’t fit into the current collection lands in an ideas box for future seasons. So when the time comes to start a new collection, I am never empty handed. I always have stockpile of ideas and inspiration to sift through.

I suppose for me fabrics, colour and prints are the main springboards for developing a collection. I see a whole range of fabric suppliers and go through endless samples of fabric, prints and trims. My choice of fabrics is based on bestsellers and seasonal needs, as well as what works best with certain styles.

Since I am all about print and colour, my initial focus after fabrics is what the key prints will be for the upcoming season. I make small mood boards for the White Label, the Black Label and for my Simply Be diffusion collection.

I build groups within each collection

“ Where do I begin?

In actual fact, I never really stop! ”

Anna’s dog Frida, an important member of the team.

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“I want to project an exciting vision onto my customers and to make them feel more beautiful and inspired to wear our next collection”

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clear my head and focus on a new range.

It’s nice to get immersed in design mode and not be interrupted.

Once I’ve sketched out which styles I’d like to develop, I hand these drawings and style details over to my pattern cutter, who will then make the first pattern and have a toile (prototype garment) cut. This toile gets made up by a sample machinist. Once we have enough toiles together, we book our fit model for a first fit session.

Every design gets fitted and changed until it is just right. Quite often this requires several fits and amendments; sometimes a second toile needs to be made. We often change the proportions and style details. On rare occasions, an idea simply doesn’t work in 3D and gets thrown out completely.

Once the fit and styling of the toiles is perfect, the strike-offs are approved and the various fabrics are woven or knitted, we make the sample garments. Some of our showroom samples are made in our office’s sampling room, and others are made in the factories directly.

Sample garments look just as the finished product will look and are presented to our buyers. During the selling season, I travel with the collection to trade fairs in New York and

Dusseldorf and I show the collection in our own in-house showroom in London. In February-March, we show our Autumn-Winter collection and in August-September, we show the Spring-Summer collection.

The next phase of promoting a collection is the seasonal photoshoot. I gather moods and ideas for the shoot.

I look at new models and different locations. I discuss hair and makeup ideas with my team of stylists and photographers. The photographic visualization of the collection is another vital step towards a complete product and brand image. I want to project an exciting vision onto my customers and to make them feel more beautiful and inspired to wear our next collection.

Once all orders are collected from shop owners and for the website, the production cycle starts. Production time is booked with factories, the garments are all re-fitted and finalized and true amounts of fabrics are ordered. By the time the production cycle rolls around, I hand the wheel over to my expert team.

My head is already on the next season.

And, so, it never stops!

Regards Anna Scholz

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Anna Scholz S/S 2011 www.annascholz.com

FASHION Fashion is fun and at SLiNK we want you to know that size should not be a restriction. We scoured the high street and high end retailers for fashion suitable for every pocket. We have two beautiful fashion stories and all the seasons hot pieces on our amazing trend pages, all referenced with beautiful, curvy illustrations featuring looks straight off the catwalk!

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Perforated Leather Tunic - Yoek Gladiator Sandals - Stylists Own Snake print tunic with coins Yoek (from a selection at Beige) Belt - Oui

Jumpsuit - Yours Clothing Gladiator Heels - Stylists Own Belt - Verpass at Beige Necklace - M and Co

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Photographer: Dave Wise (www.davewisephotography.com). Styling: Rivkie Baum

Leather Jacket - Yoek Sequin Vest - Persona (available at Beige) Necklace - M and Co Harem Trousers - Anna Scholz Shoe Boots - Chockers

Leather Jacket - Yours Clothing Black Tee - Models Own Colour Drop skirt - Yoek Necklace - M and Co Ring - (from a selection) Accessorize Shoe Boots - Chockers

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Print Kaftan - Open End Jeans - NYDJ (all available at Beige) Ring - (from a selection) Accessorize

Dress - Anna Scholz Necklace and Bracelet - M and Co Ring - (from a selection) Accessorize

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Mac - Persona Belt - Verpass Jeans - NYDJ (all available at Beige)

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Sequin Jacket - Persona (from a selection at Beige) Pink scoop neck tee - Yoek Animal Print Leggings - Anna Scholz Necklace - Stylists own Earrings - From a selection at Evans

Blouse - Louisa Viola Jeans - NYDJ (all available at Beige) Cuffs - M and Co Belt - Oui

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Cover Image One Shoulder Dress - Anna Scholz Bangles - Stylists Own Necklace - M and Co

VINTAGE INS & OUTS

By Katie Antoniou Not everything runs to a 22 in this piece. Sorry! – We suggest learning to make your own!)

Vintage Queen, Kaite Antoniou Talks us through the do’s and don’ts of vintage fashion! Check her out ... (www.katieantoniou.com).

Polka dot tunic - Anna Scholz Shoes - Chockers Belt - Oui (at Beige) Beaded bangle - M and Co Bow bangle - Primark

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Model: Laura Wells @ Hughes Models (www.hughesmodels12plus.co.uk) Make Up: Laura Dexter. Hair: Eugene Davis. Stylist Assistant: Becca Dudley

People tend to believe one of two myths about the size of women in vintage eras like the 1950s - either that they were all tiny, or that they were all curvy and voluptuous. As with most myths, neither is completely correct, the truth it is a much greyer mix of both beliefs.

The fact is that women were just shaped differently, everything from their height to their hips to their shoe size was different and yes, generally smaller. Marilyn Monroe was never the equivalent to a modern size 16, however much we’d like to believe that. At her most voluptuous Marilyn Monroe was a modern size 10.

What made her body so incredible, the fantasy of every red blooded male and the envy of women everywhere to this day, was her dream body ratio; 36-23-35. And this is where the ‘curvy’ ideal comes from, and where, whilst we may be a taller, bigger boned generation of women, having grown up without rations or corsets, we can still emulate the figures of the 1950s with some careful tailoring, a few strategic exercises and the wonders of modern underwear.

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One of the mistakes to avoid when being inspired by vintage fashion is to think you can wear any style from the 1950s. If you’re bigger than a size 10 then sadly, the strapless, prom dress, circle skirt frock may not be for you; And honestly, if you’re over 21 years old, its a hard look to carry off anyway, however adolescent your figure may be.

We need to think Joan from Mad Men, not Betty.

Whilst it may be tempting to cover up with looser fitting clothes, this is the biggest no-no for curvier girls, you will only look even bigger and completely shapeless; The wiggle dress is your best friend, embrace it!

Whilst I’m certainly not of the Gok Wan “Stick a belt on everything and do it up really tight” school of thought, accentuating your waist is the key to working the vintage look, whatever your size.

If you need more definition in your waist, then sign up for The PinUp Body Workout, (www.pinupbody. com) designed to sculpt your curves to perfection. Run by Teree Nicole Rae, weight loss is not the aim of the programme. It’s all about toning the right bits to create a 1950s pin-up girl silhouette.

Of course if you’re as likely to exercise as you are to invent time travel, then

you can always cheat instead. Unless you’ve been living underground you’ll have invested in some Spanx or an alternative shaping underwear, which gives you more waist definition without the constrictions of a traditional corset or girdle. Christina Hendricks of ‘Mad Men’ fame does, however, swear by more authentic vintage undergarments, which can also help to improve your posture and the way you walk, another common downfall for many a curvy girl who slouches to hide her figure when standing up straight and proud can make the world of difference.

As much as we may love the genuine article, finding vintage clothes in modern sizes can be a challenge. I’ve found a few superb size 16 dresses through the online vintage boutique ‘Juno Says Hello’, (www.junosayshello. com) run by Rebecca Rose, who will happily try and source pieces in your size. Alternatively, I tend to opt for labels that aim to replicate the best bits of vintage tailoring but in modern sizes and shapes.

The curvy woman’s poster girl Nigella Lawson allegedly bought the ‘Bombshell dress’ in all 12 colours and prints it was available in, from Notting Hill boutique ‘The Dispensary’. At £220 each, even one of these babies may not be a viable option for many of us, but

Designers’ websites: http://www.junosayshello.com/ http://www.thedispensary.net/ http://www.vivienofholloway.com/ http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/ http://www.tarastarlet.com/ http://www.lenahoschek.com/

Model: Anna Fur Laxis (copywrite) Jazz Hans Photography

My favourite vintage-inspired label of all is ‘Lena Hoschek’, (www. lenahoschek.com) but unfortunately her designs aren’t available to buy in the UK or online, though she does have one of the loveliest websites around, it’s worth a look just for inspiration.

Of course if you’re one of those clever people who makes their own clothes, as so many women did in the 1950s, then you can simply look to these labels for design ideas and get sewing. If this sounds like something you’d like to try, ‘The Papered Parlour’ in London runs a ‘Make Me a Domestic Sewing Goddess’ class, complete with vintage Singer sewing machines.

For more details visit www. thepaperedparlour.co.uk.

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‘Vivien of Holloway’ sizes 10-20 (www. vivienofholloway.com) offers a more affordable version, the ‘Halterneck pencil dress is £99’ complete with bolero if you want to keep your upper arms under wraps. (See article images).

‘Stop Staring’ dresses (www. stopstaringclothing.com) are infamous for drawing attraction to all the right bits - with nipped in waists, low necklines and flattering pencil skirts, I would happily swap every dress I own for a wardrobe made up entirely of these frocks. Everyone I know who owns one refers to it as their failsafe, self-esteem dress; empowering, flattering, versatile and timeless without looking dated.

They also come in plus sizes.

For your work wardrobe, consider the fantail skirt suits of ‘Tara Starlet’ . (www.tarastarletclothing.com) A brilliant mother and daughter label inspired by vintage looks but also dedicated to responsible ethics and a low carbon footprint. They previously went to a size 18 but found the demand wasn’t there and now stock up to a 16.

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Anna Scholz S/S 2011 www.annascholz.com

Anna Scholz S/S 2011 www.annascholz.com

WARDROBE CLEAROUT TOP TEN TIPS

You will need: Bin liners, a fulllength mirror, pins, patience, an honest friend, a rail (or bed) and a storage box.

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House of Bath Wardrobe Storage Modules Low - £19.95, Wide - £24.95 & Tall - £26.95

1. Start when you’re fresh and full of energy. This is a long job and you may need a very honest friend to help you. ( Bribe them with lunch – you can rustle up our recipes and show off your inner domestic goddess) 2. Make some space, this will get messy before it gets better. Only work on one season at a time. Ignore your winter things and focus on what to wear in the coming months.

3. Start by pulling out all your summer clothes and dividing them up (on a spare rail or bed) in to item types.

4. This bit is the scary bit, anything that is too small (unless it has sentimental value – see point 9) but is in a good condition, put in a bag for charity. We have to focus on the now and if you do slim down to that size, don’t you think you should just splash out on new clothes! Anything too wrecked to go to charity should be disposed of !

5. Start by trying on clothing (this is where the friend comes in). Anything that does not suit you, whatever its cost should go to charity or sell it on ebay. Do not hold onto mistakes, they will only haunt you.

6. Anything that needs to be repaired, dry-cleaned, shortened or altered should go in another pile.

Sometimes changing a hem or a sleeve can be as good as getting a new garment. This section includes putting shoes and boots aside to be re-heeled.

7. Having all your clothing out in full view rather than wedged in a cupboard, is the perfect opportunity to see what you actually own. Try on, mix and match and text out ideas. As you go make a note of what is really missing in your wardrobe. So many people ignore all the basics as they are boring to shop for.

8. Be ruthless, be inventive, be confident. Just because we are looking at your wardrobe, don’t discount playing with accessories. Try a belt, play with jewellery and change up your footwear. This is also a great

opportunity to assess your underwear draw, the biggest mistake most people make is having poor foundations. Just like a building, if the underwear is wrong, the clothing will look wrong.

9. The sentimental stuff. We all have it, stuffed in our wardrobe, the clothing that means a lot to us but we no longer wear. Shopping is an emotional activity whatever your shape but these items should not be taking up space in your closet. Buy a storage box, pack up these pieces in tissue paper and pop a photograph in of you in the item. This is your box of memories, still here but without taking up room your summer wardrobe!

10. Finally. Pack away your new looks in outfit idea order. If you want, take some pictures of you in them and stick them on the wardrobe door. This means you will work your clothing to the max and dressing will become less time consuming and easier. Then hit the shops with your shopping list with a clearer idea of what you own!

BOLD COLOUR

Blue ballet pump.

Dune

Cobalt Blue Ruched Dress.

Elegance £139

Cobalt Blazer.

Elegance £249

Cobalt Tassel Top. Simply Be £30

Orange/white/cobalt tee.

Elegance £79

Batwing Top. Asos Curve

Illustrations: Dee Andrews

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The summer is just around the corner and this season is all about the 3 B’s: Bold, Bright, Block colour.

Seen in the SS11 catwalk show by Jil Sander, this is set to be one of the most fun trends of the season and pretty easy to do.

Whether you go all out and choose the most eye popping tones, or simply add a splash of colour under a calmer jacket, don’t be a wallflower.

Colour Blocking is about keeping to two key colours that can brightened with white or muted with blacks or denim.

Our favourite stores for colour blocking this season include Elegance and Simply Be. We are absolutely loving electric blue, with orange, softened with white and can’t get our hands on enough green and coral tones. We have a theory, if we dress for the sunshine, then it will come, join us!

Red Suede Heel (Aeris) Hush Puppies £70

Green necklace.

Kaliko £30

Red, embellished strap maxi.

Marisota

Coral Parka.

Simply Be £42

Green, empire line dress.

Arlene Phillips for Marisota £55

Orange Jeans.

Elegance £99

DENIM

LEATHER & LACE

Slouchy Tee. Evans

Collar necklace Accessorize £38 Ann Harvey £40 Leather bag (denim colour).

Angel Jackson

Cropped Denim Jacket.

Leather Cut Out Dress.

Autograph at Marks and Spencers £225

Denim Pencil Skirt.

Leather Laser Cut Out Top. Autograph at Marks and Spencers £120 Simply Be £31 Denim Dress.

Lace Maxi Skirt.

Simply Be £40

Tan stud belt - Evans £8

Jazz Shoe.

Accessorize £28

Elegance £199

Navy Lace Dress.

Marisota (from) £70

Grazia Harem Trouser.

Simply Be

Studded Denim Jacket (Marisota)

Everyone has copious amounts of denim, it’s the hardest thing to buy, yet we never really take stock of what we have, what cuts work for us and how versatile this hardwearing fabric is.

This season we propose that you expand your circle of denim friends, throw one of this seasons denim skirts into the mix, if you’ve got good pins why not try a slim leg style of to balance out top heavy curves try the 70’s flare.

Here we’ve selected some of this seasons top denim pieces we’ve even thrown in some suggestions of what to wear them with!

Denim Tiered Skirt.

Evans

Denim Sandal.

Simply Be

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Boyfriend Faded Denim Shirt .

There is a really romantic vibe this SS11 and the best way to channel this look is through lace. But ever one to complicate matters, the fashion powers above were not satisfied with just traditional lace, this romantic vibe is tinged with tough edges and gothic undertones. Go day time chic in white and cream lace or rock chick in black, seek out perforated leather to be at the top of the fashion league; By far one of the hottest trends this season, Jaeger sent some darling punched leather pieces down the catwalk and we love the laser cut look. Our favourite finds have definitely been the calming taupe tones in Marks and Spencers, Autograph range, but we do hear the Yoek have done a fantastic perforated, leather tunic that will go all year around (see main fashion story).

Lace Shift Dress.

F&F at Tesco £45 Lace Cropped Jacket.

Anna Scholz £135

Cut Out Pump.

Dune

70’S

Paisley tunic.

Ann Harvey £45

Cheryl’ Wide Leg Jean.

Simple Be £38

Ruffle neck blouse.

Autograph at Marks and Spencers £45

Denim Blouse and Denim Cropped Trousers - Elegance £119 and £139

Monarchy Ring.

Accessorize £14

Fringed Detail Jacket.

Simply Be £135

Mustard ‘Peace” wedges.

Bertie £75

Suede Skirt.

Kaleidoscope £59

Gold and brown necklace.

Dune

NW3 ‘Anabel’ Satchel.

Hobbs NW3 £149

Tassel front bag.

Angel Jackson

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Bangle.

Kaliko £12

We’re all about ‘Peace, Love and Light’ here at SLiNK HQ and nothing tells us that it is time to party like the Studio 54 vibe that took over so many catwalks for SS11.

We fell head over heels for Marc Jacobs 70’s vibe (can’t wait for his plus size collection!) and we have trawled the high street to bring you fourteen ways to update your wardrobe with this summers laid back vibe. So whether you strop your straight leg jeans for a pair of flairs, dare to wear a jumpsuit or just add some soft chiffon pieces to your wardrobe, we have the easiest ways to turn throw back into the here and now.

Illustrations: Dee Andrews

Stripey, floppy hat.

Kaliko £50

SPRING FLING

LINGERIE

Tassel scarf .

Accessorize £16

Exclusive in this colour to Rigby & Peller.

This bold raspberry tone is perfect for this seasons colour block trend (who says underwear can’t be on fashionable!)

Empreinte Lola padded basque £159.00 available at Rigby & Peller and www. rigbyandpeller.com (0845 076 5545)

Maxi Dress.

Autograph at Marks and Spencers £110

Print Chiffon Blouse.

Yours Clothing

Floral Beach Dress.

Elegance £119 Tea dress.

Asos Curve

Bangles.

F&F at Tesco £8 each

Anthea Wedge.

River Island £69.99

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Florals seem to come around every summer, inspired by ladylike at Louis Vuitton and floral feels at Erdem, the trick is to choose prints that look expensive. It’s all to easy to find cheap looking florals and while we know you don’t have to break the bank to look on trend, you do need to shop around to make the most of your money. Try not to mix and match lots of florals in one look, we don’t want you looking like Kew Gardens now do we!

Here are our top florals, for casual mix with denim blues, tan and white to create the perfect day look or go for wedges or delicate sandals for the evening.

Empreinte bra, a gorgeous summery bra for perfect curves. Available in cup sizes 30E-40G, buy online and instore www. rigbyandpeller.com (0845 076 5545) £85.95

It isn’t very often that ‘clinchers’ are sexy too. We love the retro vibe in this red set. The high waisted knicker will smooth out bumps and you can still feel sexy under that slinky frock. Available from Evans £44 (www.evans. co.uk)

Lily Print Satin Dress.

Bonmarche £32

At SLiNK we are adamant that the right underwear is key to making clothes look and feel right!

We have compiled our top five favourite pieces, but over the following issues we will be exploring the world of lingerie and learning how to match your undergarments to your outer garments.

This isn’t about colour coding but creating the foundations for perfect curves.

Until then keep it flirty and fun.

‘The Body’ is the key piece for a smooth silhouette.

While the sheer panels make it a little more sexy, a body allows you to create a seam free shape. Available from Evans £30 (www. evans.co.uk)

This gorgeous nude, ‘Mad Men’ style bra and knicker set is so on trend, yet the cut and style makes it perfect for pretty, everyday use.The higher waist will again smooth out lines.

Available from Marisota (www.marisota.co.uk)

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Illustrations: Dee Andrews

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Orange, navy and white is my colour combination of the season! The vibrant tangerine turns average to on trend in an instant!

Necklace Tallulah Tu £16

Bag - Angel Jackson This look is perfect for lunch with the girls or shopping. Wear the denim jacket like a cardigan and the bag is big enough to store flats for later!

Denim Jacket Marks and Spencers £35 Necklace - Kaliko £20

T-shirt (from a selection) Marks and Spencers £6

Top Bonmarche £15

Printed Skirt - Evans

Bangle Next £10

Bangle Matthew Williamson “Butterfly” at Debenhams £15

Tie Dye Skirt Marks and Spencers £35 Shoes Office ‘Wonder Years’ £65

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While there are many summers where the hot look is to bare your legs, this season the skirt lengths have gone long and with plenty of 70’s and Boho overtones the maxi is very much back on the agenda. We have compiled five maxi looks for you to choose from that will take you out all day and partying all night. Dress your maxi up with wedges or chunky heels or make it casual with cute day sandals.

While maxis can be hard for those under 5’’5, it is all about the correct proportions and the right shoes. At 5’’2 I always go for a maxi that cuts me under the bust as by cutting me higher up it gives the illusion that the rest of me might just be a little bit taller! Alternatively find some very big wedges!

Don’t forget to shorten your maxi to the right length for you, dragging on the floor is so not a good look! Check out our denim jacket cover ups, like a little cardigan, these will be a life saver for strapless and sleeveless frocks.

There are tones of great maxi skirts and dresses out there in an array of gorgeous colours and prints so be daring!

Denim Jacket - Evans £35

Dress - Ann Harvey £65

Sandal - ‘Bertie - Kazbeck £95

Shoes - Dune £85

Yellow Leather ‘Stella’ bag Pied a Terre at House of Fraser £115 Rope Bracelets £18 French Connection

Purple and Yellow, bib spike necklace Asos

Paisley print maxi dress F&F at Tesco £20

Bib Statement necklace French Connection £45

Garda Buckle Wedge Sandal Schuh £85

Perfect for a night out on holiday, this printed maxi really captures the spirit of summer while the necklace, wedges and bag tie the look together ensuring you’re the accessory queen

Shoes Evans £39.50 Ring Evans £12.50

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Fire Printed Maxi Anna Scholz

Tights and Shoes - Models Own Floral Shorts - Inspire at New Look Green Vest - Inspire at New Look Belt & Necklace - Models Own Black Jacket - Evans

FROM MAXI TO MINI Photographer: Dave Wise (www.davewisephotography.com). Styling: Rivkie Baum

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Cream Lace Skirt - Persona Striped Cardigan - Persona Khaki Tee - Persona Belt - Stylists Own Scarf - Open End (All avaliable at Beige)

Photographer: Dave Wise (www.davewisephotography.com). Styling: Rivkie Baum

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Leggings & Shoes - Models Own Necklace - Manouk Striped Tunic - Persona Waterfall Cardigan - Persona (All avaliable at Beige)

Chanel style jacket - Persona Sequin Tee & Jeans - Persona (All available at Beige) Ring - Alexander McQueen Shoes - Models Own

T-shirt - Blue Time by Miro at Beige Jeans - Evans Jacket - Inspire at New Look Bangle - Primark Necklace - Vivienne Westwood.

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T-shirt - Evans Trousers - Inspire at New Look Waterfall suede style jacket - Evans Ring - Alexander McQueen

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White top - Yoek Printed Silk Skirt - Open End Collar Necklace - Manouk Belt - From a selection (All available at Beige) Shoes -Stylists Own

Spotted Blouse - Persona Navy Patent Belt - From a selection (All available at Beige) Red jersey pencil skirt - Asos Curve

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Cardigan & Floral Top - Inspire at New Look Jeans - NYDJ (available at Beige) Belt - Inspire at New Look Shoes - stylists own

BEAUTY One Sholder, Grecian draped dress - Asos Curve Ring - Alexander McQueen Shoes - Models Own.

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Model: Gina Swire @ Hughes Models (www.hughesmodel12plus.co.uk) Hair & Make Up: Oscar Alexander Using Illamasqua and Bumble&Bumble.

Stylist Assistant: Becca Dudley

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MAKE UP

SLiNK LOVES

Spring has sprung. Forget the beauty rules this season and embrace a new look, says Ginny Weeks.

TRIED & TESTED Perfect that glowing, flawless look with Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation £24. It lasts all day, keeps your skin hydrated and plump, and has SPF 10.

SUPER SEVENTIES Seen at the top shows including Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Chloe, the seventies are the biggest make up influence of this season. Inspired by 1970’s style icons Jerry Hall and Angelica Houston, designers paraded models with bold metallic eyes, coral lips and big hair.

‘Don’t be scared to emphasise your eyes and lips at the same time this season’ says backstage regular and makeup expert John Carlos. ‘Its all about high glam looks that make the biggest impact.’

Paul & Joe’s new ‘Parasol Collection’.

Pretty and practical.

Eye Colour £14.00. Colour Powder £16.50.

Pouch £25. Lipstick £15.00. Nail Enamel

LIPSTICK ICON Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eye Shadow Palette in No 6 £37.00.

Use this as a dry shadow palette in the day and then for a new look in the evening, layer the shades with a wet brush for dramatic, high pigment colour.

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MAC Prep & Prime range from £17.00. Use a primer from MAC’s Prep and Prime range to give that flawless look which stays put all night.

SLiNK celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Dior Addict with Andrew Gallimore, Dior’s UK Makeup Ambassador. Here are his favourite new lip colours for the spring season.

Dior Addict Lipstick 991 Perfecto, £22.00.

“A beautiful berry, rich in colour but light in weight. A great way to wear a dark tone berry shade”.

Dior Addict Lipstick 333 Nude, £22.00.

“A great warm nude perfect to go with a tan, looks like caramel on the lips”.

Dior Addict Lipstick 343 Miss Dior, £22.00 “Really sheer peach like an apricot, would look great on a red head/ strawberry blonde”.

Dior Addict Lipstick 745 New Look, £22.00 “A bright-orangey red perfect way to wear a bright poppy red”.

CLASSIC HAIR The Beachy Wave and The Low Ponytail. Celebrity Hair stylist and multiple award winner Lee Stafford takes us through some of the key hair looks for the Spring season, with product recommendations from his fabulous hair care range.

LEE STAFFORD SAYS: “With the summer nearly upon us, most girls simply want to create that beachy carefree style. Once again girls, tousled natural tresses will be the look of the season. The great thing about this style is it can take you from day to night and is wearable with almost every outfit and for every occasion.”

“To create this look, after roughly blow drying your hair, smooth through some serum (try my Arganoil Serum £11.99) and simply section your hair from the nape of the neck. Make sure you spritz a heat protection mist all over your hair (Straightening Iron Protection Mist £5.89) before doing any styling with flat irons. You will need to take small sections of your hair, grip it on the ceramic plate halfway down your hair shaft and GENTLY turn the irons 180 degrees. Run the flat irons down the hair shaft taking care not to snag any strands. This creates an effect like running scissors down a ribbon, continue all over your hair et voila loose natural waves!”

www.leestafford.com

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HAIR

“If you prefer to wear your hair up don’t worry girls low ponytails are also key hair trends for this season. I think Ponytails are just a great way to achieve a sleek look with ‘can’t do a thing with it hair’! And this is a great quick fix for going from daytime to evening too. Depending on how you want it to look, you can either wear your hair sleek and glamorous or messy and dishevelled. Either way I promise you will look fabulous, be it for the office or out on the town. As with every style though I always say it is essential that the hair is prepped accordingly.

I would recommend washing your hair with my Poker Straight Shampoo (£5.29), followed by my Poker Straight Conditioner (£5.29), then blow-dry getting the hair as sleek and smooth as you can by sectioning off your hair and using a large flat Brush to get a glass like finish. Then spritz your hair with the Mist as before, and smooth over with straighteners. Try my Poker Straight Superhero Straighteners (£81.69), which have titanium plates providing the ultimate in smooth styling.”

Credits: Arganoil Serum £11.99 Straightening Iron Protection Mist £5.89 Poker Straight Shampoo £5.29 Poker Straight Conditioner £5.29 Poker Straight Superhero Straighteners £81.69 Mason Pearson Extra Large Brush £90.00 Compiled by Ginny Weeks.

FACE MOISTURISERS

2. Best for anti aging day.

Sisley All Day All Year Great for daytime anti-aging, it combines a light and silky texture with powerful UV and pollutant protection, alongside anti stress and cell cohesion ingredients including Apple Skin and White Willow. It left my skin hydrated and supple and works really well under makeup.

1. Best for normal skin.

Brenda Anvari Sensitive Moisturing Cream.

Smelling of lavender and boosted with white tea and buckthorn oil, this fabulous moisturizer is an essential product for everyday use.

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3. Best for...nighttime anti-aging.

Omorovicza Gold Cream £95 Containing real Gold, along with Omega 6 and bio-mimetic peptides, this thick cream works its magic whilst you’re asleep to give you plumper, more even skin. I really liked its mask like feel which quickly absorbs into the skin.

4. Best for Combination/Sensitive skin.

Dr. Hauschka Melissa Day Cream.

A harmonizing and calming moisturizer fortified with citrus Melissa lemon balm. Great for soothing redness and combating shine, as well as relieving dry patches - this moisturizer is a miracle worker for combination skin.

7. Dull skin Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost A luxurious bedtime treat enriched with 11 beauty-boosting ingredients, including MSM to aid collagen production and natural repair. My skin was super soft, renewed and glowing, with fine lines reduced. Yes please.

5. Super Dry Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser This fragrance free moisturizer, enriched with Omega 3, GLA and antioxidants will transform tight, uncomfortable dry skin. My skin felt rejeuvenated and replenished.

8. Oily Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion With its gel like texture and simple natural ingredients, Botanical Kinetics soothes, mattifies and balances oily skin with chamomile, lavender and coconut extracts.

6. Protection Ole Henriksen Skin Insulator Spf 15 Best for dry, weathered or exposed skin that needs solid protection from the elements. Combining the nourishing and calming benefits of borage and grapeseed oils, this is a winter skin saviour- it is perfect for skiing.

9. First signs of Aging Darphin Fibrogene Cream Darphin’s Fibrogene cream smells and feels divine. Loaded with Jojoba and Coriander oil, this cream is fantastic at reducing the first signs of aging- especially fine lines and loss of plumpness-whilst soothing dry or parched skin.

FEET FIXERS If you have neglected your feet this winter, revive them back to health this spring with our feet fixing tips. By Ginny Weeks.

1. Soak, Soak, Soak Soaking your feet is essential for fabulous tootsies as it helps to soften the skin and prepare it for exfoliation. We love Brenda Anvari Pomegranate, Raspberry & Patchouli Bath Soak £7.95. Soak for about 30 minutes minimum.

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2. Exfoliate Exfoliation is the next key step to that professional pedicure look. Normal exfoliators won’t do as the skin on your feet is 4 times thicker than elsewhere on the body. Look for heavy duty, feet only products. Our absolute favourite is Liz Earle Foot Scrub £10.45, which contains natural pumice stone alongside peppermint oil and softening avocado.

4. Moisturise Its best to moisturise your feet at night before bedtime so that you can really let the cream get to work (and not walk it off !). Using a super hydrating, rich foot cream will work wonders.

We love Lisa Hoffman Spa Bath Foot Butter £27.

Slather on a golf ball amount of cream, cover your feet with a pair of cotton socks and let the cream work overnight.

3. Buffing Using a filer (Scholl Hard Skin Remover £9.99 Is Excellent) Or Pumice Stone (which can be bought from most pharmacies) is the best way to remove excess skin. Pay particular attention to the sides of the feet, and the ankles. Be careful not to buff too hard as you don’t want to inflame the skin. Its best to build this step up slowly over twice-monthly sessions rather than doing it all at once.

Alternatively try this in the daytime: apply the cream, wrap your feet in cling film, cover them with socks and finally your slippers. Whilst you are walking about the house, the heat trapped by the layers of film will intensify the moisturizing properties of the cream and make your feet super soft. Leave on for as long as you can bare the squidiginess!

5. Paint To finish off the perfect pedicure look, we love Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Growth Treatment £9.65, which is excellent for nails that are chipped or weak.

TOP TREATMENT

For the best foot treatment in London- that includes exfoliation, buffing, paraffin treatment and massage, head to Beauty Works West in Notting Hill for their Sole Food Pedicure (ÂŁ50 for 60 minutes)

TOP FIVE LONDON SPAS Compiled and tested by Ginny Weeks

BEAUTY WORKS WEST My skin is still glowing from the treatment as I write two weeks later. It is truly the best facial I have had for overall skin rejuvenation and replenishment, so much so that I have worn much less makeup as my skin has a glow like I’ve just been to the Maldives for two weeks.

Just fabulous.

Beauty Works West offer a wide range of bespoke treatments, created by some of the top specialists in the World, including Dr Sister who is world renowned for his cosmetic and anti aging treatments.

Beauty Works West, 8-9 Lambton Place, W11.

020-7221-2248. www.beautyworkswest.com Notting Hill Gate tube.

9.30am-8.30pm Mon-Fri; 10am-6pm Sat, Sun.

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Beauty Works West manages to retain that family, boutique feel despite its huge success and never ending list of celebrity clients. I can safely say after all of the beauty spas I have tested over the years this is one of my favourites due to its friendly, knowledgeable staff and the quality and innovation of its treatments.

I had the Oxygen Plasma & Ultra Sound Facial, which lasts for 80 minutes (£125). Created by New York based facialist Ling Chan, my skin was cleansed and gently steamed. 3 types of exfoliation followed, one of which being a mild acid peel - my therapist Ula chose a level suited to my skin type so that my skin wasn’t irritated. After this, a soothing mask was applied whilst my hands were cocooned in a softening paraffin treatment. You then move on to the ultra sound phase, where intensive serums are applied to the skin and massaged in with an ultra sound machine. This feels rather like a cold stone being massaged around your face and is wonderfully cooling and relaxing.

The ultra sound, I am told, penetrates the serums into your skin up to 5000 times more than without. Your therapist will then work on de-puffing your eyes and plumping your lips.

COWSHED Cowshed Spa at Clarendon Cross is more than just a fantastic spa; it’s a place where you can spend hours relaxing and socialising. The top floor houses the cosy Cowshed Kitchen where you can enjoy lunch with friends or have a nice cup of herbal tea whilst having your manicure or pedicure. Downstairs the spa is decorated in the signature Cowshed style and feels elegant and peaceful. I tried the Signature Body Salt Scrub treatment (£55 for 45 minutes), which uses the gorgeous Cowshed product range, and left my skin glowing and smelling heavenly.

What a place.

Cowshed 119 Portland Road London W11 4LN. 020-7078-1944. www.cowshedonline.com Holland Park tube.

Mon-Fri 9am-8pm (Treatments), Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm (Café), Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm.

Mandarin Oriental The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental is an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge. Complete with steam room, samarium, vitality pool, colour therapy relaxation area and eight treatment rooms the spa is devoted to de-stressing and meeting your individual needs. This awardwinning spa, with its innovative ritual treatments, is the ultimate urban escape for relaxation and revitalization. The Chakra Balancing with Hot Stones treatment (£210) is 1 hour 50 minutes of pure heaven.

Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1.

020-7838-9888. w w w. m a n d a r i n o r i e n t a l . c o m .

Knightsbridge tube.

7am-10pm daily.

Urban Retreat at Harrods

Urban Retreat, Fifth floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, SW1.

0207893-8333. www.harrods.com Knightsbridge tube.

10am-8pm Mon-Sat, Noon-6pm Sun.

Bliss London

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This luxurious beauty haven covers a huge 20,000 sq ft area on the fifth floor of Harrods. One of the biggest salons in the world, it offers hair, beauty and make up treatments. One thing you can be sure of here is the quality of the therapists, which is always excellent.

Treatments range from Crème de la Mer facials, and Thalgo Body Wraps, to Philip Kingsley hair treatments and Methode Jeanne Piaubert Body treatments. They also stock brands such as Sisley, Diptyque and Laura Mercier.

I particularly liked the Urban Retreat Bliss Package £110 which includes a 30 minute back massage followed by an hour-long aromatic facial.

Focusing on getting results, this visually impressive spa, which first opened in 2001, has a vast array of the latest treatments on offer as well as its infamous Triple Oxygen Facial (£145 for 85 minutes). The SLiNK team love the fun and relaxed feel of the place, as well as the over the top treatment menu, complete with treatments such as ‘Love Handler’ massages. A less formal alterative to pampering.

Bliss London, 60 Sloane Avenue, SW3.

020-7590-6146. www.blisslondon.co.uk Sloane Square tube.

9.30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 12.30-8pm alternate Wed, 9.30am-6pm Sat, noon-6pm Sun.

ASK THE EDITOR Beauty Editor Ginny Weeks

MY SKIN IS DULL, HOW CAN I GET IT TO GLOW?

MY HAIR NEVER GROWS PAST A CERTAIN LENGTH- HOW CAN I MAKE IT GROW?

The key to tackling blackheads is regular exfoliation; you should aim to exfoliate at least 3 times a week. Products with salicylic acid are particularly good at minimising existing blackheads- we like Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub £5.10, as it isn’t too harsh on the skin.

Make sure that your moisturizer is tailored for your skin type as thick creams can cause the pores of the skin around the t zone to get blocked.

For actual blackhead removal, the best method is to have a monthly facial that includes steaming and extraction, as a trained beauty therapist will be able to extract much more efficiently than home based treatments. In between facials, try gently extracting your blackheads after a shower. Remember to always use tissue rather than bare hands to stop any damage from your nails.

Be careful not to dry out your skin as this will make your pores larger and will make the blackheads very hard to extract.

The best way to keep your skin hydrated is too use a skin serum, as these tend to be oil free and will relieve any tightness you might have. I recommend Darphin Hydraskin Intensive Moisturizing Serum £41. Alternatively, for a great budget option try Brenda Anvari Skin Serum £13.95.

The best way to make your skin glow is too use a facial oil or balm to relieve dehydration. Oil based treatments penetrate to the deep layers of the skin rather than just the surface like a moisturiser, so they give your skin that nourished glow. In the winter, I use an oil every night under moisturiser, and in summer instead of a moisturiser.

For combination skin, I recommend Vaishaly Night Nourisher £65 which is a dry, non-clogging oil. For normal or dry skin Espa Face Treatment Oil £53.00 is a rich and luxurious treat.

This could be a sign that you are depleted of vitamins and minerals so I would recommend taking a multivitamin. Pick one with high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 as these will boost hair and nail growth. You should start seeing the difference after 2 weeks.

A fantastic product for hair growth is Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment, £7.14. Enriched with protein and vitamins it really works wonders for damaged, slow growing hair.

When you wash your hair, allow some time for a daily scalp massage as this has been proven to increase hair growth by stimulating the follicles.

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HOW CAN I GET RID OF BLACKHEADS AND OPEN PORES ?

CULTURE The SLiNK culture section is just our way of letting you know what’s going on.

Each issue this will guide you through the top exhibitions, shows and events, the hottest reads and the best films.

SLiNK is all about being in the know, so whether you drag your other half to the Victoria and Albert museum, or snuggle up with a book, ENJOY!

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BOOKS

by Emma Jones

There is nothing more rewarding than crawling into bed with a new book, and here at SLINK, we give you our top books of the moment, guaranteed to keep you busy throughout the month!

“The Alphabet of the Human Heart” £9.99 Robinson publishing. www. whsmith.co.uk With Valentines Day still in every girl’s mind, we couldn’t help but love this refreshing and enlightening book.

Although it may initially look like a ‘self help’ book, here at SLINK we thought this book was positive and encouraging, and certainly put a smile on our faces.

The book explores the things that make us human; The experiences that every one of us must go through in life, and the different ways in which we handle them. It has in fact been described as ‘a handbook for the happy and a bible for the broken hearted,’ which accurately portrays how some individuals will take more from the book than others.

Unlike most ‘self help’ books, ‘The Alphabet of the Human Heart’ is more

THINGS TO SEE & DO

of a exploration of human emotion; encouraging us to overcome the negative elements in our life and turn them into positives. It truly is an uplifting read.

“Beautiful: A beautiful girl. An evil man. One inspiring true story of courage” £6.99. Ebury press. www.amazon.co.uk It was impossible not to feel utterly moved by hearing about Katie Pipers tragic story. At the young age of 24, with a successful string of modeling and acting jobs under her belt, ambitious Katie was cruelly attacked, sulphuric acid thrown in her face; a plan concocted by her vile and abusive ex-boyfriend.

The Channel Four documentary, ‘Katie- My Beautiful Face’, was shown in late 2009, and caused a media stir; with many unable to comprehend how strong and brave Katie has been since her life-changing ordeal. After suffering painful skin grafts, and emotional painful memories, Katie bravely decided against anonymity and has been actively raising awareness for burns victims. This book is a moving and inspirational read from a girl who knows the true meaning of beauty.

by Amy Lazell

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“Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty: A Fashion Fairytale Memoir” £12.99. Harper Entertainment. Pre-order at www. amazon.co.uk A “Fashion Fairytale” memoir is the latest book from Camilla Mortonleading fashion journalist and author of every girls must have book, ‘How To Walk in High Heels.’ Being John Galliano’s ‘Girl Friday’ has enabled Camilla to gain a real insight into the gritty fashion industry and this time she has invited French fashion legend Christian Lacroix to tell his story through a magical fairytale.

In true Camilla Morton style, she tells the story of Lacroix’s career ever so coolly, by turning it into the classic tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, only with the princess being in need of a serious makeover as oppose to a loving kiss.

Each scene in the story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations penned by Lacroix himself, portraying just how magical and romantic his designs truly are.

Expect an accurate and intriguing memoir from Lacroix only laced with the fairytale element that his clothes create for fashion lovers worldwide. The glossiness of this book will make it not only a coffee table favourite, but also a tale that will serve as an inspirational and fun read for the drizzly months to come. Put on your sparkly heels and frilly skirt, treat yourself to some cake and be whisked away to a fairytale land with a sensational ‘Once upon a time…” tale that all girls love!

“The Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days: Recipes to make every day special”. £20.00 Collins. Available at www. whsmith.co.uk If like us, you cant walk past the Hummingbird Bakery without your mouth watering slightly then this is the book for you. The pink hardback cover will look as cute as the cakes you can prepare and it’s a great book for a fun day of baking with the girls For every single occasion where it is possible to bake a cake, the Hummingbird Bakery has the recipe for you!

Laid out simply and adorned with luscious images that are good enough to eat, make it easier than ever to create tasty and cute treats all year round!

For regular Hummingbird visitors, the book also tells you how to create some of their best sellers. So whether it is the gorgeous Earl Grey cupcake for a lunch date or the fun bubblegum flavour for a party, there is something to tickle everyone’s taste buds.

As well as cakes, the book also covers delicious fruit pies, layer cakes and scrumptious cookies! So go on, treat yourself ! £20. 17th March. Order on Amazon.

STAND UP AT THE COMEDY SCHOOL

YOHJI YAMAMOTO AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

THE CHILDREN’S HOUR AT THE COMEDY THEATRE, LONDON

The Comedy Store presents an evening with top comedians including Jo Brand, who are aiming to raise a serious amount of cash all in the name of charity. The event has been arranged in association with The Comedy School, which is known for its support with social charities, including improving literacy and the encouragement of social skills. The organisation is looking to raise £10k through the event to help funding towards the reduction of knife crime.

“Stand up for the Comedy School” is being held at the Oxendon street, London venue, on March 14 is set to be a fun filled evening, and laughs guaranteed from the comedians. Jo Brand is the woman of the moment, having recently being named Best Female Comic and the British Comedy Awards in January. Other comedians on the bill include ‘Mock the Week’ regular panelist, Andi Osho, and ‘Red Dwarf ’ creator Rob Grant.

More information about the event can be found at the Comedy Store website,www.thecomedystore.co.uk/ specialevents. Tickets are priced at £20.

The Victoria and Albert Museum presents one of the most influential and groundbreaking fashion designers of the last forty years, Yohji Yamamoto.

Yamamoto is a visionary designer whose work has made a large contribution to fashion, challenging traditional perceptions of fashion and clothing with his outlandish and daring ideas.

This is a rare opportunity to view some of his work in this format in the UK and is a breath taking collection of over 80 women’s and menswear garments, which have been carefully chosen to portray the mind and imagination of such an iconic designer. For those who may not be as interested in fashion, this exhibition should not be over looked.

The sheer beauty of the prints, fabrics and shapes enable you to enter the mind of a genius, and leave feeling inspired.

The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman is an exquisite play depicting the power and seriousness of a small lie. Karen Wright (Keira Knightly) and Martha Dobie (Elisabeth Moss) run a girls’ boarding school in 1930s New England. When an angry student starts a rumour that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair, the accusation proceeds to destroy the women’s careers, relationships and lives. The Children’s Hour is a devastating story of deceit, shame and courage, which interestingly tackles taboo issues that are just as apparent in this generation than they were when the play was first performed.

Keira Knightly plays Karen Wright, the school head teacher, and proves that her ability to shine as an A-list movie star can be just as impressively transferred to the stage. Despite the play being rather lengthy, the raw emotion, shrieking and despair all build up to an incredibly tense and atmospheric production, with Knightly’s performance keeping you at the end of your seat.

The Children’s Hour is running until the 7th May 2011, at the Comedy Theatre, London. Ticket prices vary.

The Yohji Yamamoto exhibition runs from the 12th March until 10th July 2011.

Admission is £7 for adults and £5 for students with valid identification. Visit bookings.office@vam.ac.uk to book and to find out opening times.

FILM

by Emma Jones

RANGO Release Date: 4 March Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ray Winstone With the releases of computer animated masterpieces such as ‘Toy Story 3’ and ‘Tangled’ fresh in the minds cinema goers, the bar has been set very high for any new animated projects. Family comedy ‘Rango’, due for release early March, has already gained a lot of interest both from the public and from critics, undoubtedly due to the plethora of actors that have lined up to voice the characters. Head of this impressive cast list is Johnny Depp, whose performances in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and as loveable pirate Captain Jack Sparrow have cemented him as a family film favourite, though he is always guaranteed to choose a role that is a little bit special. Directed by Gore Verbinski, Depp voices the character of Rango, a chameleon who thinks of himself a bit of a swashbuckling hero.

Finding himself in western town, the aptly named ‘Dirt’, Rango assumes the role of a sheriff, trying to restore order in the town which is overrun by bandits.

However he soon realises that good guys nearly always finish last in ‘Dirt’ and the film highlights his struggle to fit into his surroundings, which provides a neat irony given the type of animal he is. The film is set to be a success with the animation set to be as visually stunning as any of its predecessors. One for all the family, Rango is a must-see this spring.

THE TEMPEST Release Date: 4 March Starring: Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou , Alfred Molina, Alan Cumming, Russell Brand.

In a stylish adaptation of the Shakespearean comedy drama, Helen Mirren stars as a female ‘Prospero’, the principal role from the original play. Director Julie Taymor revealed that whilst re-imagining the original, she couldn’t envisage any current male actor playing the lead role, but could think of a couple of “tremendous” actresses. Helen Mirren was her first choice. The film, which is set around the 16th century, benefits from the decision to change the gender of the sorcerer as it flips the dynamic of the story completely. Mirren is perfectly cast as the condemned alchemist who, after being exiled by her brother for her practicing of the art, is stranded on a remote island with her young daughter and begins a journey of self discovery as she plays both a maternal and paternal role to her child, and wages a war of the intellects with the sole inhabitant of the island, the beast Caliban. ‘The Tempest’ is a mixed bag of tragedy and comedy, something in which Shakespeare excelled, but Teymor has put her own spin on the project and was well received when it closed the Venice Film Festival last year. Though the film has received mixed reviews from other critics, it is the impressive casting that includes Alfred Molina, Alan Cumming and Russell Brand that makes ‘The Tempest’ definitely worth a watch.

PATAGONIA Release Date: 4 March Starring: Matthew Rhys, Duffy, Nia Roberts, Marta Lubos.

Music sensation Duffy takes her first step into the world of acting with this indie film about two women on parallel journeys, set in both Cardiff and the welsh colony Y Wladfa in Patagonia.

Whereas other films such as ‘Sliding Doors’ have used the same character to show the viewer an example of parallel lives, ‘Patagonia’ uses two very different female characters as they find themselves in foreign surroundings, one searching for her past, the other trying to figure out her future. Subtitled in English as the film stays faithful to the native languages of both countries, the film may not appeal to all. However, for those looking for something a little bit different and thought provoking, ‘Patagonia’ may be right up your street.

COUNTRY STRONG Release Date: 25 March Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund, Tim Mcgraw, Leighton Meester When you think of Gwyneth Paltrow , musician and country singer is not the first thing that comes to mind.

However, you may just feel differently after watching her latest release, ‘Country Strong’. The film premiered at the Nashville country music festival late last year, and the buzz from the critics was the choice of the leading lady, and whether she could sustain a film that requires strong vocal leads. Paltrow stars

HOMEWARE CHALET GIRL Release Date: 16 March Starring: Felicity Jones, Bill Nighy, Ed Westwick, Brooke Shields.

Rising starlet Felicity Jones stars in this frothy comedy as 19 year old Kim, a champion skateboarder who is relegated to shop work following a potentially career ending injury. Acting on impulse, she accepts a job working in the Swiss Alps in an exclusive chalet. As Kim is thrown into an unfamiliar world that passes in a haze of parties, skiing and champagne, she is confronted with the challenge and fears of competing again to become a snowboarding champion.

The film follows her as she struggles to overcome the difficulties faced with the competitive sporting world. A superb supporting cast which include Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields and Ed Westwick as Kim’s boss and romantic lead, adds to the film’s charm, and although it may not be award worthy, Chalet Girl a great rom-com and ideal for a girls’ night out!

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as a country music singer, whose star has faded in recent years and is looking for a reprive at any cost, who meets a rising musical star played by gorgeous Garrett Hedlund (most recently seen in Tron: Legacy.) She realises that they can both help each other with their ambitions; the drama is filled with romantic twists and turns as they plot his rise to fame and her comeback. There are supporting roles from Tim Mcgraw as Paltrow’s manager husband, and Leighton Meester as a beauty queen, both of whom have been praised by critics for their performance. But the real surprise of the film is Paltrow, and the way she handles such a heavy singing role.

Such has been the praise of her singing abilities; she has signed up for a singing role on ‘Glee’ and has performed with top musicians such as Cee Lo Green.

We’re just waiting for the duets album between her and husband Chris Martin (think Peter Andre and Katie Price, but 100% better…)

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Marks & Spencers

VINTAGE BRIGHTS

We aren’t sure how much tea we get through at SLiNK HQ, but this print definitely sums us up!.“Keep Calm” print - Next £20

Add a splash of colour in this retro red.

Ripple Cushion - Next £16

by Edie James

Floral print is so vintage and on trend, we love this radio. Floral Roberts Radio - Marks and Spencers £149

It’s pink and quite frankly that’s enough to sell it to us. Toaster - KMix by Kenwood at House of Fraser £44.99 This 1970’s phone will add a touch of Nostalgia to any room Retro 1970’s telephone -- Home Garden Living £42

Red gives the best retro vibe and the shape and text of these tins are perfect.Tins - ‘Curve’

by Linea at House of Frawser £10 each.

Get baking in style with these ‘Stepford Wife’ scales. Retro scales - Very.co.uk £17

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An artistic statement chair is a must for any quirky boudoir or lounge. Statement armchair - Very. co.uk £299

SMEG fridges are possibly the most fun a girl can have chilling food. In a host of colours and prints it is worth checking them out.

SMEG fridge/freezer, available at Marks and Spencers £1,155

As the high street is filled with Studio 54 chic, we can help but bring the retro vibe into our homes too.

Our SLiNK team are obsessed with vintage finds and we love nothing more than scouring the markets and antique shops for furniture, furnishings and general bits and bobs on a weekend.

Our favourite haunts include Portobello Road, Camden Lock and Brick Lane where we can indulge our habit to our hearts content.

This retro look is so easy to achieve and will really add a nostalgic and homely vibe to any room.

While we love a bit of 70’s glam in the form of popping colours and quirky furniture, we equally adore 50’s style polka dots, reds and “Stepford Wife” style, it’s time to don your pinny and get some cupcakes on the go!

We’ve hunted down the high street to bring you ‘Vintage Brights’, without the haggling.

Marks & Spencers

Polka Dots are so 1950’s! Swan polka dot ceramic bread bin - Woolworths.co.uk £30

Maybe it’s because we love ‘Come Dine With Me’ and secretly fantasise about playing the hostess, but we do love fancy crockery.

Heatons Sarasota Range: Sarasota Dinner Plate - £2.50, Pasta Bowl - £6.00, Side Plate - £1.75, 3 Tier Cake Stand - £10.95, 10” Oblong Bowl - £7.00

A bit of vintage glamour in the boudoir goes along way ladies.

White Wash Bedside Table.

TK Maxx £89.99

NEW NUDES

We love the antique feel to this time piece Clock - Linda Barker @ Matalan £15 Sticking with the metallics, who says bins can’t be glamorous?

Bin with Bling - Matalan £10

‘Bloom Flower’ Pied a Terre at House of Fraser: double duvet cover £65, Pillowcase £14, Small cushion £18, White glass vase £30, Small diamante vase £25, Large diamante vase £30

A bit of metallic works perfectly with this seasons “New Nudes” Capiz lamp - Rocha.John Rocha at Debenhams £70

Very grown up seating, great as a bedroom armchair Southwald Chair - Next £399

We are all about distressed vintage draws and this TK Maxx version looks just like the real deal!

Distressed Chest of Draws - TK Maxx £349.99 © All content both fully and partially is copyrighted by SLiNK magazine

White reflects the light and in the summer we start longing for the clean, minimalist look and white walls that remind us of holiday time!

In this spread you will find our top picks of this seasons homeware trend for “New Nudes”.

A mixture of white, cream, silver and naturally distressed wood tones this soft look is perfect for summer.

For those looking for a total refurb, get down to your local DIY store and find calming paint tones to give walls a crisp update. We suggest anything from snow white to dove grey, serene, light and airy for the warm months to come.

We love the glamour of a black chandelier and this one is beautifully designed!

‘Zeta’ table lamp.

House of Fraser £120

We are all fighting over who will get their mitts on this adorable dog lamp. It’s so very pop art and bizarre that we are all desperate for one! The black will also be a fabulous contrast to most decors.

Dog Lamp - Ben de Lisi @ Debenhams £35

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LOVE LIGHT We are obsessive about getting enough light in our lives! We spend so much time in doom and gloom that if we can have sunshine we are going to use this as an excuse for lots of lovely lamps and lampshades! Here are our top five, there is something for everyone whether you are super sophisticated or cool and quirky!

Light art is the hot thing in interiors right now and this is by far one of the coolest lamos we have ever seen, s turn your living room into a living art exhibit.

Wooden bulb ceiling light/floor lamp.

Home Garden Living £64.99

We do love monochrome stripes and this bold lamp will be striking yet subtle. Arcadia Stripe Lamp.

House of Fraser £60

So very 70’s this honeycomb lamp is making us feel retro.

Honeycomb ceramic table lamp.

Marks and Spencers £49.50

ROOTHIES Š All content both fully and partially is copyrighted by SLiNK magazine

Roothies is a brand new homeware brand for 2011. Drawing inspiration from Ireland, the culture, tradition and heritage the brand focuses on products such as throws and scarves all woven in traditional woollen mills.

We love the country feel to this product and the throws will add a touch of calming country life to a buzzing city home!

In shades of pink, blue, champagne and white there are checks, hearts and polka dot weaves and while the scarves are great for now as we wait for the weather to get warmer, we have an eye on a big throw to use as a picnic blanket for all the days lazing in the park that are still to come! www.roothies.com

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TRAVEL: MARVELOUS MOROCCO

Travel Editor Ginny Weeks takes you through her fortnight journey from Marrakesh to the coastal town of Essaouira...

I really wanted to explore Northern Africa, in particular Morocco, to witness the strong European influences in the towns and see how it blended with traditional Moroccan life. I also have an unhealthy obsession with tagine (a traditional Moroccan stew), which I knew I could eat 3 times a day if I wished!

The fact that it only takes you 3 hours to fly there (www.easyjet.co.uk) is a real bonus too.

So, my boyfriend and I booked a twoweek trip, leaving in late August; Here is my diary...

MARRAKESH Day 1-3: buzz as this place. The main square is the epicentre. The open central area is full with performers and musicians who put on shows throughout the day from snake charming to fire eating. The little streets surrounding the square house hundreds of stalls selling spices, dried fruits, silk, jewellery, rugs and furniture, it really is a visual feast and so inspiring.

The centre is intense and you do get hassled (avoid accepting directions off any touts as this is a common tourist scam), but if you have your wits about you and are careful with valuables its not unbearable. For women, its best to keep your shoulders and legs covered and dress respectively, as you will get a lot of male attention otherwise. Prices are high, so I chose to resist temptation until we reached the coast as I’d been advised that you could get better value for money.

There are several fantastic restaurants with breathtaking views over the city centre and the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Our favourite for its view and superb facilities is the Hotel Les Jardins, a beautifully restored mansion hotel right by the main square, which has several eateries including a sublime Indian restaurant on the roof terrace.

Definitely worth a visit is the cosmopolitan ‘new town’ for its modern shops and nightclubs, and also the Majorelle Garden with its Yves Saint Laurent memorial and sweet little café, which is perfect for lunch.

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There are so many places to stay in Marrakesh but we chose Riad Barroko (www.riadbarroko-marrakech.com), a chic budget riad (traditional Moroccan house), which has two rare but essential things- air conditioning and a pool. On arrival we were greeted by the manager and offered some mint tea (a custom here) and shown around.

As is tradition, the riad has an open central courtyard with the floors built up from the inside. This one stands out because of its beautiful plunge pool, which is surrounded by chic alcoves and sofas for lounging on. There is also a beautiful tree which houses hundreds of swallows- I spent a bit of everyday here trying to get the perfect picture of them.

Our room was clean and quaint with gorgeous little details such as Moroccan lamps, wooden carved wardrobes, and a window looking out over the courtyard area. The thing that really struck us was the peacefulness of the place, it was an oasis of calm compared to the streets right outside.

After unpacking and a quick dip in the glorious pool, we ventured into the main square, which was only 5 minutes away. Walking in Marrakesh requires some skill. There are a lack of pavements so you have to watch out for the constant stream of scooters, cars, and mules, it takes some getting used to! However, walking really is the best way to get to know the city (just avoid the hottest times of day). I’ve never visited anywhere with quite the same

THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS Day 3-6. Š All content both fully and partially is copyrighted by SLiNK magazine

After two nights in Marrakesh we were ready to move on and so hired a local taxi to our hotel in the Atlas Mountains. Morocco has a distinct lack of public transport so taxis are the most common form of getting about.

The drive south to the Atlas has become famous for its hairpin bends and never ending twists and turns and so I was a little bit anxious about it. It turned out that the hour-long drive, with stops for photos on the way, was really fine and not the nightmare I had heard about from friends. The key is to hire a taxi driver who is recommended by your hotel. I regret not buying some of the

local Argan oil (Morocco is the only place in the World where Argan trees grow) during one of the photo stops. If you get this opportunity definitely get some, as it is wonderful for the skin and hair, and seriously expensive in the UK. The Atlas are such a contrast to Marrakesh, with its snow peaked mountains and lush forests. It’s much cooler and less humid too, which is blissful after the stuffiness and heat of further inland.

We stayed at the Ksar Shama Guest House (www.ksarshama.com), which boasts immaculate grounds, stunning views and a large pool. Our cottage was very spacious and so peaceful- just perfect for a few days of sunbathing, hiking and swimming. Just don’t do what we did and book a trek at midday when the temperatures can soar at this time of year. The guide couldn’t speak much English but he did say to me repeatedly, whilst pointing at my face, ‘very red’ ‘very red’!

Oualidia

OUALIDIA Day’s 6- 9.

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For a moment we felt as if we were going to be stranded in the Atlas, as it was really difficult to arrange a direct way to get to our next stop, Oualidia.

Eventually, we managed to twist the hotel managers’ arm and he asked his friend/ local taxi driver to drive us there. So mid morning, our taxi driver and his 25-year-old Mercedes, arrived to take us the 400km, 8-hour journey.

As I got in the car our driver introduced his brother, who would also be joining us on the trip. He needed him for company on the long journey back, he explained. As this was Ramadan he was also worried about falling asleep at the wheel, he later told us!

So we drove north through the lush forests of the Atlas, back through hot and manic Marrakesh, and through to the long dusty desert roads.

We detoured to the picturesque coastal town of Safi for our driver who took his dusk prayers and we had a quick look around the 14th century medina, built by the Portuguese during their occupation here.

Continuing on, we drove onto the stunning coastal road, which runs alongside the Atlantic Ocean side of the country. It wouldn’t look out of place in California with its pristine beaches, chalk cliffs, beach house mansions and freshly tarmacced roads. The difference is this place is deserted.

We finally arrived at the Villa La Diouana (www.33degreeslatitude. com) at an ungodly hour and were greeted by the manager, who gave us a quick tour of the place and a hint of the spectacular view and pool that would be

revealed properly in daylight.

The next day we awoke to a freshly made breakfast of crepes, coffee and Moroccan sweet bread by the manager and his wife. Sitting out on the terrace we were amazed by the magnificent view of the lagoon below. The Oualidia coast is made up of a sheltered lagoon which is formed form the Atlantic ocean, and within it houses a selection of pristine beaches that change shape with every tide. The villa is opposite the best beach, the local fisherman will taxi you across the bay. Famous for its local oysters and ruined remnants of a 17th century Kasbah, Oualidia is a charming little town. We chose to eat at the villa most nights but Oualidia town does have a small selection of restaurants.

The best meal for us was when the manager and his wife cooked the local fish and lobster for us out on the terrace.

We stayed in the cottage, which is adjacent to the main villa itself. Its perfect for a couple, with a kitchen area, large bedroom and pleasant bathroom.

If you have a large enough group its worth staying in the main villa which has enough room for 6 people and comes complete with a huge kitchen, living room, TV room, roof terrace, and 3 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Try a soak in a Moroccan bath whilst looking out at the lagoon below. Most of our time was spent sunbathing, and swimming in the infinity pool. We also made the most of the local Sauvignon Blanc.

ESSAOUIRA Day’s 9- 14.

An imposing 15th century fort guards Essaouira town, whilst outside the old town there are several modern hotels running alongside the beachfront. The main beach itself is quite pretty, and has lots going on but it can be too windy for sunbathing. One day we went along the whole stretch of the beach on a camel called David, he wasn’t very friendly but it was a novel way to see the place.

On one of the days we went further north up the coast to visit a horseriding ranch. We were told to go to the Jimi Hendrix café- which was easy to find, as it was the only café in the whole village. We waited there, listening to Purple Haze on a loop, and were greeted by a friendly French man who would be our guide for the day.

We were fitted with riding kit, and in typical laid back Moroccan style the horses were brought to us at the café! I explained to the guide that although I was an experienced rider, my boyfriend had never ridden before. So he put me on a grey Arabian horse called Kissme (yes a bit suspect) and my boyfriend on a bay (brown) called Chocolate and we set off into the beach dunes.

I was slightly anxious at this point as all of our horses were stallions, and in the UK only the most skilled or brave riders ride stallions, and you never ride stallions out together (they tend to fight very aggressively with each other).

However, riding very serenely past some ancient ruins, and finally on to the huge deserted beach, everything was fine. The guide let me go ahead and gallop. He told me the key command for Moroccan horses is ‘ZEET!!’- this basically means go really fast. It was like pushing the turbo button. I’ll never forget it!

Essaouira was my favourite place for shopping. Its best to go in the evenings while it is cool and there is a bit of time to kill before the evening buzz starts. I bought some gorgeous thingsincluding Berber silver jewellery, pure perfume oils (orange blossom and rose), and several leather items like sandals and bags. There are some great places to eat, our favourite was the chic Elizir restaurant for excellent Italian and Moroccan cuisine, but generally the standard was much better than other places in Morocco.

I would recommend Morocco to anyone and everyone. Its perfect for all sorts of holidays, from weekend trips to month long excursions. For most of the year Morocco is basked in blissful sunshine, but it also makes a great winter destination. The temperatures around the coast, for example Essaouira, don’t drop below 10 degrees and most of the places we visited were winter-ready

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Treated by more coastal road, we were amazed at the beauty of the Moroccan coast. This, we found out from yet another taxi driver, is where the Moroccans come to holiday and is a closely guarded secret.

Essaouira is a fascinating town with a laid back, 1960’s feel. It hasn’t changed much since The Stones and Jimi Hendrix so famously visited here 30-40 years ago. All around the area are Jimi Hendrix placards claiming ‘JH ate here’ or ‘The Stones stayed here in 1972’. Whether its true or not no one really cares; it just adds to the charm of the place.

The walled medina, built in the 1760s, is enchanting with its cobbled streets, cool cafes, and lively night scene. We stayed at the Riad De La Mer (www.riaddelamer.co.uk), A budget riad inside the old town walls with a great view of the ocean.

In this riad, you occupy a whole floor, which is like a mini apartment complete with your own entrance, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Our bathroom was beautiful with a huge Moroccan bath, and decorated with vintage perfume bottles and trinkets. Every morning we would go and sit on the roof terrace for breakfast, one eye looking at the fantastic view of the port and the other looking out for sea gulls who swooped in for your freshly baked bread rolls.

somewhat of a tagine connoisseur and have even bought my own tagine pot to cook with at home.

Morocco offers more scenery than you could ever wish for, it’s truly aweinspiring. The Atlantic coast has that undiscovered feeling; every beach feels like your own. It makes such a unique and exotic holiday. I came back to London feeling spiritually and culturally refreshed, and with a great tan. I can’t wait to go back.

FOOD

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with wood burning stoves and heating.

The Moroccan people are really friendly, and went out of their way to help us throughout our trip. As with most countries, the further away you get from the cities, the more laid back people become. It is a safe place, and I felt totally comfortable walking around at night.

The food is really superb- with lots of fresh fish on the coast, and traditional Moroccan dishes like couscous salad and roasted chicken, further inland.

By the end of the trip, I had become

The spring is here and we all know the benefits of eating in season so I’ve picked three great seasonal British ingredients for this set of recipes. They should all be available in your supermarkets and markets and right now they are at there best so give them a go!

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Recipes by: Simon Henbery Photography: Ricard Giner i Sariola

RHUBARB & GINGER JAM © All content both fully and partially is copyrighted by SLiNK magazine

To me rhubarb feels as English as fish and chips but actually it was brought here by an Italian! Marco Polo is thought to have brought it from China where it was used for thousand of years as a medicine.

There are two types of rhubarb you can get, the darker field grown variety, which comes in spring and the forced rhubarb that is traditionally grown in dark sheds in the Rhubarb triangle of Wakefield, Leeds and Morley in West Yorkshire.

I remember being told the leaves were poisonous as a child and wondering why anyone would eat it if it was dangerous but now I’m a big fan.

Rhubarb is a vegetable but really we all think of it as a fruit and most of the recipes we see are for tarts and crumbles. I’ve got a few recipes so you can do everything from jazz up your toast in the morning to knocking up a really quick dessert.

For this recipe you’ll need equal quantities of rhubarb and caster sugar.

I’ve given some measurements below but they can be easily divided down or multiplied up to suit you. You will need a kilner jar or alternatively save some old jam jars and give them a good boil in hot water before you fill them.

Ingredients 500g Rhubarb 500g caster sugar 50g candied stem ginger A thumb size piece of fresh ginger 2 lemons Wash your rhubarb and cut into thumb sized lengths. Put it in a large bowl, add the sugar. Bash the piece of fresh ginger to release the flavour and add it to the bowl. If you want you can tie it in a piece of muslin so it is easy to pick out after cooking). Squeeze the lemons and add the juice then mix well with your hand If you have the time, cover and leave overnight, alternatively the recipe will work just fine if you get going straight away! wThe next day: Put the rhubarb, ginger and all the juices into a good heavy saucepan. Bring the mix to the boil and simmer for 1520 mins. While the jam is simmering, chop the candied ginger quite finely.

Add the chopped ginger to the pan and continue to boil until the rhubarb appears translucent. You must then take out the piece of fresh ginger and test the setting point of the jam by dropping a small amount on to a cold plate. If you are happy with the consistency then all you need to do is put it into a kilner jar or old jam jars and allow it to cool.

RHUBARB CRUMBLE Crumble topping: (Serves 4) 150g butter 150g Demerara sugar 150g flour 100 oats Cut the butter into cubes and place in the bowl of a food processor with the flour and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Tip it out into a bowl and add the oats and sugar.

Rhubarb filling: (Serves 4) 1kg rhubarb 200g caster sugar 1 vanilla pod Wash the rhubarb and cut into finger lengths. In a bowl toss the rhubarb pieces, add sugar. Split the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds in to the rhubarb.

To assemble: Put the rhubarb mix into a suitable baking dish and lay the crumble topping in a fairly thick layer over the top. Bake at about 200°c until the top is golden brown and the rhubarb is bubbling at the edges. Serve with vanilla ice cream or custard

Rhubarb Fool. This is just another way of using up the rhubarb you might have left over or doing something a little different but really easy.

The rhubarb compote is the one from the crumble but cooked for 15 minutes.

Toss the ingredients together as above, put in a saucepan and make a compote.

Softly whip some double cream with a little sugar and some vanilla then fold in a little of the rhubarb compote.

Spoon into a tall glass and add a layer of the compote every now and a gain to create something like a trifle.

OR

Try quick rhubarb chutney with the trimmings you have left over.

Put a spoon full of chopped onion, a small piece of root ginger, 50ml of good white vinegar. A good handful of sugar in a pan. Simmer for 5 mins.

Add the rhubarb, simmer for 10 minutes and remove from the heat.

When it is cooled try it with the grilled mackerel over the page…

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We’ve all seen crumbles made at home but to get a really crunchy top, make the crumble mix, lay it out on a tray and bake it for 15- 20 minutes at about 160°c. Take it from the oven; it should have started to clump together, allow it to cool and break it up a bit with your hands. When you assemble the crumble and cook it you will get some nice crunchy lumps of topping and a lot more texture. Later you can experiment by adding things like flaked almonds or pistachios to your crumble topping toget different textures and tastes.

WHY NOT TRY

BEETROOT SALAD

WITH PANCETTA, CHILLI & CHEESE Now I think a lot of people are put off by beetroot, remembering that horrible pickled stuff in jars that turned up at Grandmas. We use it a lot in the kitchen at work and actually it really works well with the vinegar and sugar when you do it well. We get a lot of nice coloured varieties like golden and Chioggia or “candied” beets that make simple salads look stunning.

The supermarkets are starting to pick up on their new found popularity and I know Sainsbury’s has started stocking more of the heritage varieties.

There are really two ways to cook them, roasting or boiling. Roasting is better as you concentrate the flavour but boiling works fine and is easier.

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To Roast: Wash the beetroots well, put in a small roasting tin so they are fairly well packed in. Add a few coves of garlic, a sprig of rosemary or thyme or both. A splash of white wine vinegar and half a glass of water. Sprinkle with salt and foil the tray up tightly. Bake at around 130°c until they feel tender. Peel while warm.

To Boil: Wash the beetroots well and put in a pan of cold water with a few herb sprigs and some garlic. Bring to the boil. Simmer gently until tender and peel while warm.

Follow either of these methods and use the finished product in the recipe.

We do a version of this in the restaurant and can honestly say I never get bored of it. The flavour combination is brilliant and the recipe so simple. We use a great cheese called Lancashire Bomb but any good quality Lancashire will do. You don’t need a recipe just the ingredients and use as much or as little chilli as you like.

Ingredients: 1-2 medium beetroot per person 1 red chilli A good tablespoon of Lancashire cheese per person Pancetta lardons; about a tablespoon each A small handful of flat parsley, picked A good handful of rocket 1 lemon Extra virgin olive oil Cook the beetroots using either method. While they are cooking finely chop the chilli, pick the parsley and put all together in a large bowl. Crumble the Lancashire cheese over the top with your fingers. When the beetroot are cooked, peel and cut into and shape you like. Fry the pancetta until crispy and add to the beetroot. Add to the other ingredients, dress well with a good squeeze of lemon juice and the olive oil Serve individually or in a big dish to share.aten in Britain

MACKEREL CHAR GRILLED Get your grill pan hot!

Lay the whole fish on its side and using a sharp knife slash it three or four times at intervals. Do the same on the other side.

Rub some salt and pepper in to the openings, rub the fish in a little olive oil and grill for about 4 minutes each side. The skin should char a little.

Squeeze over half a lemon to finish.

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Mackerel has been eaten in Britain for hundreds of years; it’s widely available, cheap and good for you with high levels of omega three fatty acids like all oily fish.

It has a fairly rich flavour and suits sweet and sour treatments like pickles and vinegars rather than cream and butter. It is a very versatile fish; with the recipes below you can give it the full spice treatment or grill it simply and finish with lemon. It would go really well with the beetroot salad recipe on the previous page (leave out the cheese) and would work well with the quick rhubarb chutney too.

To make sure you have a fresh fish you always check the eyes are shiny and there should be no fishy smell but with mackerel you should also make sure the fish is quite rigid. Mackerel doesn’t keep for long and is best eaten as soon as possible.

SPICED GRILLED MACKEREL WITH PUY LENTILS & SALSA VERDE

ESCABECHE OF MACKEREL WITH FENNEL & BLACK OLIVES

Puy Lentils: Put the lentils in a sauce pan, Fill with cold water and bring to the boil. When they boil, drain them into a sieve and return to the pan. Fill with cold water. Repeat the process until they have been boiled three times.

Dress with the olive oil, seasoning, chopped shallot chopped parsley and a good splash of white wine vinegar.

Salsa verde: The Salsa Verde is versatile and keeps well in the fridge if you cover with oil.

Ingredients: 1 big handful of mint 1 big handful of flat parsley 2 sprigs of tarragon 1tbsp fine capers 1tbsp cornichons 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1tbsp red wine vinegar Olive oil Seasoning Put the capers and cornichons on a chopping board. Use a large knife to chop them, rocking your knife back and forth. When they are roughly chopped add the picked herbs and continue to chop. You can have it as coarse or as fine as you wish.Transfer to a bowl and add the mustard, vinegar and olive oil To serve: Char grill the whole mackerel as before, spoon the warm lentils on to the plate, put the mackerel on top and spoon over a generous amount of the salsa verde.

This is a Spanish classic and makes a great light lunch. I’ve used fennel and red onions but when the summer comes you could substitute red and yellow peppers, keep it seasonal. Ask your fishmonger to fillet the fish for you.

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finish.Sometimes I really think you don’t need a recipe and these simple lentils are a good example. They could be used with some lamb or chicken and are quick, healthy and of course, damn tasty! You will need one fish per person and around a handful of lentils each.

You will also need a chopped shallot, a handful of parsley, some good white wine vinegar and olive oil.

To make a spice rub for the fish I used a little dried chilli, some toasted and crushed fennel seeds and coriander seeds and a little lemon zest.

Mix these together and rub into the slashes on the fish. Later you can try any spices or herbs you fancy as mackerel suits most.

Ingredients: (Serves 4.)

4 whole mackerel filleted 2hd fennel thinly sliced 3 red onions thinly sliced 1 chilli thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves chopped Sprig of thyme and 2 bay leaves 1tsp coriander seeds 1tsp fennel seeds 2 star anise Pinch saffron A small handful of pitted black olives 200ml white wine 200ml white wine vinegar 10ml extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp sugar

Pre heat your grill & season the flesh of the mackerel fillets. Lightly oil a non stick baking tray and lay the fillets on it skin side up. Put the tray as close to the flames of the grill as you can and cook for a couple of minutes. The fish does not need to be fully cooked and ideally you want some nice colour on the skin.

When it is done transfer the fish to a casserole dish or fairly deep tray that will also hold the marinade and fit in your fridge.

In a large sauce pan add a little oil and sweat the fennel seeds and star anise. Add the onions, chilli, fennel, garlic, olives and herbs and cook gently until soft trying not to colour the vegetables. Add the saffron, white wine, white wine vinegar and sugar and simmer for 5 mins.

Take the pan off the heat and add the olive oil. Pour the warm dressing over the fish and allow the whole lot to cool naturally.

To serve: spoon the vegetables and some of the marinade over the fish and finish with a few rocket leaves and some good bread.

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