In the news: Rehabilitation in a vacuum and what Chris Grayling doesn’t understand

The interview Chris Grayling (the new and, in my opinion, terrible Justice Secretary) gave with the BBC this morning said Sky Sports subscriptions and 18 certificate DVDs are the biggest problems facing British jails. Well, Mr Justice Secretary, congratulations. You've managed to find the perfect way to inflame public sensibilities so the average DM reader will feel outraged and not focus on the real issues. You see, it's hard to focus on real issues given no one mentioned them. To avoid boring you all to tears I’m going to highlight the major...

Interested? Read on...

Here's how to... be a Disney Princess (note: must love birds and chores)

The media tells us that it’s every little girl’s dream to be a Disney princess. As a scruffy-haired, tree-climbing tomboy, it wasn’t my dream. There was nothing relatable to me about beautiful, but prissy Snow White and her fervour for cleaning, or golden-locked, vacuous Aurora who shared as many valuable opinions and ideas while asleep as she did awake. But then in 1995 Disney did a wondawful thing to me. They released Pocahontas. They gave a scabby-kneed 10-year-old me something to aspire to. A headstrong, forest-leaping, animal-befriending...

Interested? Read on...

Monochrome Nails Tutorial

It can be tough using black nail polish this time of year. After all, it's spring. Surely it should be all flowery pastels and dungarees (if anyone could point me in the direction of an awesome pair of non-denim dungarees I'd be most grateful)? Anyway, we say lose the lace and forget florals. With this monochrome nail tutorial you're sure to stand out from the crowd. It's super simple too, giving your fingers and toes a sophisticated two-tone look...

Interested? Read on...

The Business of Beauty: Betty Pamper

Do you love your job, waking up fresh and bright every Monday? No? You're not alone. They say every cloud has a silver lining, and whether that grey cloud takes its form as unemployment, impending redundancy or a lack of job satisfaction, it's more than possible to put your own positive spin on the storm. More and more women are leaving their traditional 9 to 5s behind them, putting their skills and passion to good use in pursuit of self employment success. Be it baking, dressmaking or portrait painting, taking advantage of the things you already...

Interested? Read on...

Seven Sisters: a social soap for Twitter addicts

Are you one of those people who can’t sit and watch a TV show without having one eye on Twitter throughout? I never thought I would be, but thanks to my acute addiction I can’t help it. Just glimpsing at Twitter as I write this (just a glimpse, I promise!) shows that I’m not the only one. Did anyone tweet with the hashtag #thismorning at 11.44am on Tuesday? Of course you did. Live tweeting, once the domain of news events and conferences, is becoming increasingly popular when it comes to TV. We’re now able to comment on and review our favourite,...

Interested? Read on...

Here's how to... become famous the quick way, and the better way

Dictionary.com defines a celebrity as a ‘famous or well-known person.' But that seems slightly loose. Famous? Well-known? What does that even mean? Anyone and their mother can become a famous or well-known person. How? You could attempt to breakdance while re-enacting Titanic’s King of the World scene on Britain’s Got Talent. Fancy yourself the next Pavarotti? Even if you can’t sing, let the world know by auditioning for The X Factor and cat-wailing your way through The Ketchup Song. If you have no discernible talent whatsoever, hit up Channel...

Interested? Read on...

I hate women's mags like more! but Vagenda did feminism no favours today

more! magazine folded this morning. Amidst Twitter’s outpouring of sadness for the journalists who won't have a job next week, Vagenda celebrated the loss of a publication they believe ‘insidiously influence[d] the minds of young women.’ They maintain they're sad for the job losses, but not for the loss of the magazine. But the thing is Vagenda – the magazine has gone. So why did you need to celebrate it? Surely a touch of decorum in the current economic climate wouldn’t have been too much to ask? I happen to agree wholeheartedly with their...

Interested? Read on...

Running is a learning curve (also don't eat fibre before a long run)

Since signing up to run my first half marathon, I've done nothing but talk about running, and do a lot of running. If you don’t care about split times, long runs, stretches, warm ups and running on treadmills vs going au naturel outdoors, then you should probably avoid me. Unless, that is, you find stories about bodily discomfort amusing. Now I’m not talking about the typical ‘my ass is sore from all my miles’ boast. I’m talking some serious intestinal noises causing my blushes. For those of you not in the running loop, long runs (an hour or...

Interested? Read on...

And so we give you Queen of the Trolls (do not feed)

What do the three billy goats gruff and us, the general public, have in common? Both have been the victims of a vicious assault by a troll. But whereas the cloven-hoofed gang were targeted by a cave-dwelling weirdo, we've recently fallen prey (again and again) to a completely different breed all together. Well, maybe not completely different. In yesterday’s Daily Mail, Samantha 'other women don’t like me because I’m so beautiful'/'did I tell you I live in France with a man who is French he's French I totally fit in here because I'm so stunning'...

Interested? Read on...

Little nibbles for any occasion

When entertaining, sometimes Pringles and a bowl of pick 'n' mix just won't do. I'm sure the queen wouldn't mind cheese and pineapple on sticks. I'm sure Kate and Wills have their fill of pickled onions and party sausages all the time. But some people just need a bit more, y'know? So Apres London, a quirky little bar just outside London's Selfridges on Oxford Street, has shared a few of their moresome nibble recipes with you, the reader. Oh, and about the mushrooms, I'm no fan of them. I think they have the texture of snails and their flavour's...

Interested? Read on...

Beauty blazes: Be safe, look hot

We've all done it, and I'm probably more guilty than most. You know the routine; have a shower, towel dry my tresses, set up the GHDs, pop in the other room to get an outfit sorted, realise my hair looks all right as it is, grab a slice of toast, feed the cat and rush off to work without stopping to wonder if I've left the straightners on. In fact, I usually only figure out my mistake while I'm having lunch and wondering if the house is still standing. How awful is that? Cue panicked phone calls to friends who might be off sick and can pop round...

Interested? Read on...

Making cooking box clever

Boxes and hampers seem to be the thing du jour. From beauty boxes, promising secret goodies for skin, to book boxes taking reading clubs to a new level, you can barely move on the internet without seeing the phrase 'chef-prepared hamper' or 'vegetable box'. I’ve tried snacking boxes, veggie boxes, meat boxes, everything. And by this point, I’m a bit bored to be honest. So, when I heard about another company sending food through the post, I wasn’t immediately grabbed. But after a quick check on the website it became clear that Gousto are so...

Interested? Read on...

I wasn't alive during Margaret Thatcher's rule, but here's my opinion anyway

Today Britain showed the world how, sometimes, we're very much a divided nation. I’m not a massive fan of Margaret Thatcher, but equally I wouldn’t say I hate her. Hate's a very strong word to use against someone I've never personally met. The policies she brought in have affected our nation, of course, but as Right Rev Richard Chartres stated, “today she is one of us.” Maybe the £10m spent on her funeral suggested otherwise - I can't see the same being spent one someone who worked as a retail assistant their entire life - and of course people...

Interested? Read on...

Boston Marathon Bombings: shaking my faith in humanity

As a current half-marathon-er in training, and prospective future marathon-er, I was avidly staring at twitter on Monday and being overwhelmed at the split times for the elite runners. All very impressive, very inspiring, I wondered if these were people or ultra speedy aliens. I digress. And then someone blew up the finish line. They killed an eight year old boy, and took off his sister’s leg. For, as far as I can tell, absolutely no reason other than mindless killing. And, after thinking about little else for the last two days, I just can’t...

Interested? Read on...

Recipe: Table for 10's Vietnamese Pulled Pork Baguette

Pulled pork's one of those dishes that, with a bit of TLC during cooking, can make an excellent starter, brilliant burger filling, or can satisfy meat-based cravings and serve two as a main meal. And although pulled pork is traditionally seen as an American dish (as was explained in BackDoor Kitchen's pulled pork recipe over the weekend) loads of cultures have adopted the dish into their cuisine, adding their own unique blends of flavours and colours. Introducing Table for 10, a Vietnamese supperclub introduced to me by Edible Experiences. Now,...

Interested? Read on...

Are the press right to comment on Kim Kardashian's weight?

Gail says: "Absolutely not." You might not be a fan of Kim Kardashian, or maybe you are. Whilst some may think that she’s a entrepreneurial genius, using her well-crafted looks (and dramatic family) to create a brand used to sell clothing, make up, perfume, potentially dangerous diet pills etc, others might see her as an attention-seeking clothes horse; a terrifying symptom of our increasingly consumerist society where looks and image rule. No talent required. Whatever ‘talent’ is these days. You might be in neither of these two camps. You...

Interested? Read on...

Recipe: BackDoor Kitchen's Pulled Pork Bollito (or Bollito con Mostarda di Arance e Pesto di Salvia)

You guys loved secret supperclub BackDoor Kitchen's carbonara recipe from a few weeks ago. So when I asked Edible Experiences to see if any of their supperclubs could come up with a pulled pork recipe with a difference, Roberto once again volunteered to share a recipe from an upcoming, but sadly sold out, supperclub: Bollito. (More pulled pork delights will be featured next weekend!) How exciting! Rob says: "When people talk about pulled pork, I personally dream of America; nice heavy juicy bits of meat slapped between two slices of bread and...

Interested? Read on...

Review: Apres London, Bond Street

Call me an old lady (don't) but I love a bar where I can offer to pay for a round without my credit card crying, a place where the music isn't so ridiculously loud it turns all form of audible speech into screaming/primitive sign language (*loud music plays* "SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BROTHER IN THAT CAR ACCIDENT, IS HE OK?" "WHAT?" "IS YOUR BROTHER OK AFTER..." "YEAH, GOOD IDEA, I'LL GET ANOTHER ROUND IN!") and somewhere central but off the tourist trail. In London, this is asking for a lot. In central London this is nigh on impossible. Cue...

Interested? Read on...

Four floral fragrances for spring and summer

I’m what's known in the perfume world as a ‘fumehead’, or fragrance enthusiast and all-round avid collector. After years of perfume samples and spritzes, I discovered that I love thick, sweet fragrances (Flower by Kenzo being my all time favourite), but when the skies are blue and the sun is shining I often fancy a change. Because who likes feeling weighed down by a heavy scent? It’s so nice to wear a delicate perfume that smells bright, fresh and sometimes out-and-out floral to reflect the bright days and eagerly emerging spring blossoms. From...

Interested? Read on...

Review: The Gaslight Grill, Battersea, London

How do you like your steak? Medium? Rare? Well-done? (If it's the latter, you need to read this more than anyone else. In fact, get a pad and pen and take notes. Seriously.) I love my steak rare and juicy. This does pose a bit of a problem though. You see, one man's rare is another man's medium-rare. So I've had a tough as cardboard sirloin, and then the same cut literally seared and still cold in the middle. Chewing on fresh-from-the-slaughterhouse cuts of beef, no matter how pricey, just isn't for me. So when the Gaslight Grill promised good...

Interested? Read on...

Here's how to... wear it like a '90s kid

I was born in 1984 so really, most of my growing up was done in the 90s while wearing neon cycling shorts, a matching top, jelly shoes (like these made by Juju) and a mood ring. When I got a bit older, I would regularly pretend to be the complete opposite of the boyband fiend I actually was (and still am) and would swamp myself in the baggiest checked shirt I could find whilst pestering my mum for a pair of massive boots, or ‘clodhoppers’ as my dad would not so affectionately call them. I’ve spent many a giggly evening reminiscing with family...

Interested? Read on...

Review: The Lost Angel Bar, Battersea, London

I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate a good cocktail. Even if you're a tee-totaller, a good blend of juices and purées is so much more satisfying than a glass of fizzy brown cola on a night out. What makes a cocktail even better, though, is when it's made exactly to your taste. Add a pro barman who knows what you want before you've even ordered it, and you've got my attention. It's true, I don't often venture south of the river. On the rare occasion I do, it's usually to Southwark or Tower Bridge. Chelsea, Battersea and Clapham have never...

Interested? Read on...

The six out of ten ChoClass Calculator. Where do you belong?

Following the introduction of the new class system to Britain, we decided it was time to shake up our own process. Traditional British social divisions related to what chocolate bar one will choose at the local newsagents are so out of date. So, six out of ten teamed up with…well, our local newsagent (‘teamed up with’ being more a case of ‘went and bought chocolate bars from’) to analyse the wonderfully smooth, sweet, delicious stuff. I’ve gotta say. It wasn’t easy. We surveyed more than 161,000 chocolate bars and came up with a new model made...

Interested? Read on...

WIN! An Eye Candy nails and lashes goodie bag - CLOSED

On the 18th April, we'll be one month old. When I started this magazine, I thought it was going to be my personal little project. But it's become much more than that, and I'm certain we'll have lots more informative information and fun features coming up. So, here's a little giveaway, with many thanks to Oh Beauty, of course! They stock a whole range of brilliant beauty products, from lashes to fake tan. And they've arranged for one lucky reader to win a party pack worth £17. Just click on each to learn a bit more about them (I want those lashes). Eye...

Interested? Read on...

Five foods your skin loves

It’s spring. I know this because I’ve seen people on Twitter saying it is. There isn’t much proof of it elsewhere because although the evenings are getting lighter and the sky is sometimes blue, it’s still seriously cold. Yeah ok, not as cold as it has been but it’s still cold. And we all know what cold weather does. As well as turning our fingers numb, making our noses red and urging us to find warmth and stodgy comfort food, it seemingly removes every hint of moisture from our skin, lips, eyes and even our hair, leaving us not only feeling...

Interested? Read on...

Review: Charlotte's Bistro, London

Apparently time does fly when you’re having fun, as we found out when visiting Charlotte's Bistro last week. Launched in 2010, Charlotte's Bistro is little sister to the long-established and highly popular Charlotte's Place in Ealing, west London. And this family really is worth your time. Now, when you think of a bistro, you probably think of a small little eatery in Paris. Charlotte's has a lot more going for it than that. It has a decent atmosphere - mixing lively bar and breezy restaurant in such a relaxed way makes it a great place to...

Interested? Read on...

Here's how to... make a mixtape

 It’s fair to say most 80s children will know the joy of the mixtape. The careful timing to snag your favourite songs off the radio or another tape, and the fury when you catch the end of the weather... one minute the Smiths are warbling about Joan of Arc, the next you know it’s going to snow in Skegness. The furious rewinding and fast-forwarding to erase all sign that you were an uncool cat who couldn’t even manage a mixtape without buggering it up. The careful compiling of songs that touch your heart and offer the mysterious lyrical messages...

Interested? Read on...

Forget Cristal, this bubbly literally sparkles

So here's the thing. You're dating a great guy. He pulls out your chair, opens door and walks on the outside of you. He's not too clingy, but likes you enough to feel a smidgen of jealously when that hot guy at the bar checks you out. You've been for picnics in the park, strolls by the river, and life is good. Now it's time to meet the parents. You're standing in front of the mirror. Hair? Done. Dress? Not too revealing. Perfume? Subtle. Food? Cooked. Kinda. Well, it's not your fault your culinary skills only really stretch to chilli con carne...

Interested? Read on...

Back to school, but it's ok because this one's all about gin and it's free

A Monday night typically isn't when I'd consider having a round of cocktails, let alone 12 shots of gin. But Alex Wrethman, the owner of Charlotte’s Bistro and host of Monday night Gin School, seems to disagree. He set up the free weekly meet for people to sample offerings from a range of different producers. It's certainly convinced me it's a great way to start the week. From the second my friend and I stepped into the warmly lit bar we felt welcomed, despite a small moment of panic outside the door as to whether we'd dressed up enough for...

Interested? Read on...

Some of the most pointless beauty products ever made

If advertising is to be believed, women are fickle and shallow creatures more than happy to part with their hard earned cash in exchange for anti-ageing creams promoted by a woman doing nothing but stroke her face with the back of her hand. What’s more likely though is that it’s advertising itself which is to blame for body paranoia and our mass hysteria regarding cellulite, laughter lines and the lack of totally symmetrical eyebrows.  It all seems very cruel really, but when there’s big money to be made no body, or indeed any part of...

Interested? Read on...

The five best small festivals out there (for under £100)

Now, don’t get me wrong. Glastonbury is excellent. Full of music, theatre, comedy and, well, plain awesomeness. But it is really very expensive. And why would you want to spend £200 seeing four granddads struggle in the mud and the rain when you could spend less than half of that seeing a plethora of acts in surroundings much smaller, quainter and pleasanterer? So, on that note, here’s my little round-up of five festivals that won’t break your bank. Chagstock Festival, Chagford, Devon - £65 (19-20 July)  This place sees the reunion of...

Interested? Read on...

Give your brain a boost with blueberries

I'm all about fitness. Healthy heart, healthy mind and all that. But I can't seem to find the energy for a professional life, social life and running miles a day to keep fit and healthy. Am I asking too much? I don't think so. So when I was promised  more energy simply by necking a shot of blueberry, I was intrigued. My BlueberryActive Concentrate arrived just as I went out for a run. After 30 minutes of satanic hill sprints, I added two dessert spoons to a glass of water for a post-workout pick me up. I'll admit, I drank it to quench my...

Interested? Read on...

Anyone for a slice of Chanel cake?

With a portfolio of cakes that look far too good to eat under their belt, Northumberland's Symphony in Sugar have created designs for the rich and famous using iconic luxury items as their inspiration. From red-soled Louboutin to Pandora jewellery, and KTM motorbikes to Rolex watches, there's nothing this trio won't try and replicate. So I had a little chat with them to find out what they're all about. Slice of Bombay Sapphire, anyone? Who are you all?  There are three of us. David and Clare, who are married, and me, Christine....

Interested? Read on...