Real Women: My sisters story ...

Last week you may remember I brought to your attention the Essentials campaign who are looking out for real women to appear in their magazine ...

I wrote about my sister who was my inspirational real women who in times of devastation and uncertainty was able to find inner strength to carry on and move onwards and upwards. Well, i thought you might like to hear what my sister had to say about how and why she had to tackle her difficulties to get to where she is today ...

In Margarets words:

Firstly, I would like to thank my young sister for nominating me as her woman of inspiration. I am very flattered. After I read the lovely sentiments, I at first thought I must be dead then I realised it wasn't a eulogy.

By way of giving you my point of view on my life I would like to say it certainly did not turn out the way I expected. The happy family with 2.4 children did not materialize. Well the children did but it was not a pleasant experience having a bad marriage, an acrimonious divorce and a very absent father to my beautiful boys. But I had to be mum and dad and therefore had to be strong and positive for the kids. I have a strong faith that has helped me throughout my life and given me a happy and positive outlook on mine and my childrens future.

There have been many obstacles on the way but there was no point in getting down as it affects others adversely especially my sons, whom I am delighted to say have grown into strong, well-balanced adults that I am so proud of. It was lovely too for my kids to share their childhood with my young sister who with her princess tantrums and diva dramas drove them crazy. Some things never change.

My life has turned around completely, that from misfortune to having a wonderful life with my new husband of 14 years (still feels new) and we now have two amazing grandchildren. One of the funniest things is watching my young sister morph into me. Maybe she will inspire on her journey through life, which I am sure she will have already with her creativity, and be as happy as me when she gets to my age. Oh, and maybe as good looking! ;)

Calling all real women - whatever your size, shape, height, or age essentials magazine needs you! If you would like to appear in a glossy womens lifestyle magazine this is your chance to shine! Simply visit www.goodtoknow.co.uk/essentials for further details on how to enter, and follow the campaign on our Facebook and Twitter pages…we can't wait to hear from you.

The most important real woman in my life ...My sister

Essentials magazine are looking to make real women a large focus of their editorial because real women need celebrating! They are looking to have more real women star in their magazine whether they be models, contributing to editorial or telling their own inspirational stories. This got me thinking who in my life has inspired me ...

A 'late' baby. That's what they called me. The youngest of 3 siblings (2 sisters and a brother) and the accidental product of a couple who were old enough to know better!

Margaret, my oldest sister was 24 when I was born and was already a Mother herself. I remember learning of her jealousy when I arrived into this world ... her solution was to have another baby of her own. A nephew for me who would become my childhood buddy along with his older brother.

My first memory of Margaret is sitting in the back seat of her car with my 2 nephews singing Bros' 'When Will I be Famous?' at the top of our voices. Margaret, of course joined in with us at the chorus. You see the thing about my sister is that she has a huge personality. Everywhere she goes, people are drawn to her. She has an infectious character and a witty sense of humour, always happy and full of energy.

(Margaret with her 2 golden boys, Adam & Simon)

As a child I was banned from watching Dirty Dancing but the dance scenes were just too exciting to miss out on so my sister would put it on video and fast forward to those scenes to let me watch as long as I didn't tell Mum and Dad ... what a rebel!

I used to get Margaret's hand-me-down make up as a child which I loved to play with and create different looks on myself. She was oh so glamorous and always had a wardrobe full of beautiful garments, according to some people I have morphed into a mini-Margaret. I guess there is no denying her influence on me - I wouldn't be writing a beauty/style blog otherwise. We share a lot in common, we both love a bit of glamour and dressing up, we are both creative and love writing and reading, we both have a habit of changing our names (currently she is known as Marnie) ... and lately I have inherited her same cackle of a laugh! You've got to take the rough with the smooth I guess!!

The thing is, I remember Margaret ... or should that be Marnie, as a jovial, outgoing character, full of life and energy. What I didn't quite realise at the time was my sister was going through a tough divorce and as a young woman she was now left to bring up her 2 sons on her own. I had no inkling back then of how hard times must have been for her or what devastation she must be feeling. I was only a child.

Only as an adult can I appreciate what my sister must have went through at such a young age to deal with a traumatic separation with 2 young children involved. The strength she had to hold it all together must have been immense. She was so driven and motivated, she kept her head up and enrolled at college and gained an art qualification which led to her starting up her own line in greetings cards. Giving up was never an option.

It took real strength and determination for Margaret to get through tough times yet stay smiling and upbeat for the sake of her family. Margaret has been an inspiration to me not only through our shared interest in all things bling but she has taught me life lessons like strength, perseverance and determination are vital in our individual journey's as well as kindness and generosity.

What my sister has taught me is something that I can't find in a celebrity or on the front cover of a magazine. It's the importance of who we are on the inside, how we treat others and how we cope in the face of adversity. She is a real woman who has touched my life. She is my real life Star!

Who is the most important real woman in your life?


Calling all real women - whatever your size, shape, height, or age essentials magazine needs you! If you would like to appear in a glossy womens lifestyle magazine this is your chance to shine! Simply visit www.goodtoknow.co.uk/essentials for further details on how to enter, and follow the campaign on our Facebook and Twitter pages…we can't wait to hear from you.


x

Clinique Anti-Blemish Trials

When I first posted about Clinique Anti Blemish Foundation, I promised that I would trial it on some models, i.e, my family ... and give you their thoughts on the foundation....

So, let me introduce you to the motley crew... this is their 'before, before' photo ... basically what they would normally look like all glammed up.

Here we have Haley, my niece. Her mamma and my sister, Helen, and my other sister, Margaret. Haley is 23 ... as for Helen and Margaret ... well, they're old enough for me to keep their ages secret lets put it that way! ;)



First of all, we tried the foundation on Haley. Haley has quite prominent acne scars and oily skin, she hoped the foundation would smooth out her complexion and disguise her scarring.
As you can see, the scarring mainly affects Haley's cheeks, which isn't great for her profile. You can see the difference this foundation has made to Haley's skin from the before and after shots. Her skin looks much smoother and although her scarring is not completely hidden, they are appear much more subtle. The formula was great for Haley's oily skin type, creating a radiant yet matte finish.
Haley felt the foundation although appeared thick and felt heavier to touch than her usual foundation, she admitted it was very lightweight on her skin. She was over the moon with the results of it covering her scars and it blended beautifully over her skin. The finished result was beautiful on Haley's skin, her skin went from tired and dull to fresh and glowing. A happy customer.
Next up was Haley's mum, Helen. Helen's skin appeared more dry. Normally, she wears very little or a very light foundation so this was something quite different for Helen to try. It was slightly harder to blend over Helen's skin and we found that it settled in the creases of her skin, no matter how much we blended. The end result wasn't too bad though but we both agreed that Helen suits a much lighter dewy foundation.Finally, Margaret tried the foundation. Margaret has normal/combination skin and the clinique anti blemish blended like a dream over it. Again, Margaret normally wears a lighter foundation but even she loved the result. Her skin appeared much smoother and radiant without the foundation looking cakey.

In conclusion, we have 2 out of 3 happy customers... plus one if you include me. I have worn this foundation everyday and I am more than happy with it.Clinique anti-blemish solutions foundation is £20 and available to buy now. I am going through mine so fast, it looks like I will be picking up a new one soon!

Clinique Anti-Blemish Foundation

As mentioned a few posts ago, I am going to be reviewing Clinique's current foundation offering from the anti-blemish range.

I started using it on Sunday and I am already dying to give you my first thoughts. So far... I love it. The foundation gives a medium to full coverage, blends wonderfully without too much buffing required and has great lasting power.

It applies matte so I find no need for powder and my bronzer, blush, highlighter etc blend very well with it. The overall finish is very smooth, polished and fresh.

Not at all cakey or dry as you might expect from this type of foundation. As I say this is only my first thoughts and further updates will be posted but in the meantime, here is some photographic evidence of how lovely it sits on the skin - and it's not often I say that about photographs of myself!!
My skin has also had a bit of a breakout so I really am putting this foundation to the test, hopefully Clinique Anti Blemish foundation will work overtime and help rid me of my spotty skin and keep me looking glam at the same time!

Clinique Anti-Blemish Foundation

Clinique's latest foundation offering is the new Anti- Blemish Solutions liquid make up.

Let me fill you in - the only Clinique products I have used before is skincare which isn't for me I'm afraid and their foundation - namely superbalanced and supermoisture foundations. I have to say I love their foundations. They leave a fresh, natural appeal to the skin whilst giving the required coverage.

For this reason, I had been looking forward to trying out the new Anti-Blemish range. I will be honest with you, I don't have many blemishes but I have seen this foundation applied and it looks beautiful so I was very pleased when I was given the opportunity to try it.

Clinique claim that this oil free foundation will conceal and treat blemishes while preventing future ones. It will also minimize the appearance of pores and neutralizes skin redness. You can find out more about this new foundation here.

This video gives some useful hints and tips for application ...



Throughout this month I will be trialling the foundation on 3 different skin types:

My own - fairly blemish free (other than freckles) normal to dry

My niece - blemished skin, oily T-zone

My sister - mature skin, oily T-zone and enlarged pores

I will be giving not only my opinion but the opinion of the models I will be using, guaranteeing an honest, tried and tested assessment of the product.

This is an advertorial on behalf of Clinique however all opinions are my own.

Glassworks Studios

I am always excited to find new online shopping sites and this one is a real find. Most High Street stores have their own sites these days and we all know of the designer web stores but where do you go to find unique, chic, contemporary designers?

Let me introduce you to Glassworks Studios. Glasswork is a new online fashion and lifestyle boutique which launched last month thanks to Lauren Lewis and former fashion buyer for Harvey Nichols, Damien Paul.

You can tell from the sleek, chic site these guys really know their stuff and who they are catering to - Professional women 'with a focus on style'. It hopes to appeal to the time conscious among us or working gals like myself who work so far out of the city it can be difficult to keep an eye on up and coming contemporary designers.

(Draped Silk Statue Dress by Karen Walker £550)

As well as providing a unique blend of collections from Kiwi Karen Walker to Canada's Erin Kleinberg to stationery by Midori Japan (I have to have a travellers notebook!), they have plans to double this portfolio by Autumn/Winter 2010. As far as pricing is concerned, you can expect somewhere in between high end high street and designer (think roughly in the price league of All Saints & Whistles) but you do pay for what you get and that is unique, contemporary luxe.

The site really is gorgeous and oh so painfully stylish. The editorial section is in particular quite inspiring and right up my street. An interview with a style conscious German architect, Julia Feix and a guide to the coolest London hangouts had my attention for most of the evening!

The site is a feast for the eyes and utter escapism with the opportunity of an indulgence or two... go check it out at http://www.glassworks-studios.com.