Sophisticated Statements for Summer

Frances McClean discusses the vital fashion statements for Spring/Summer 2013

Step into Spring and Summer with bold graphics, bold sheen and sophisticated skirts. This year, we are seeing the most iconic statements yet, so prepare yourself to be amazed.

As seen by Marc Jacobs, graphics are making a stand so there is no time for accessories; let the fabric do the talking. With Aztec prints and bold colours, be courageous, gutsy and glamorous.

In contrast, become a sheen queen seen by Christian Dior and Burberry. Bringing out the best in unexpected metallic colours with shine, you are bound to be treated like royalty. For inspiration, go for silvers, gold and metallic pinks, oranges and lilac. Totally unusual, yet incredibly beautiful.

To keep sophistication, pencil skirts are back. Erderm represent sophistication and clashing colours to give a sophisticated and classy look. Bound to give you a sexy silhouette for any shape or size, pencil skirts are definitely a must have this season. Especially with the most dreaded or most exciting day approaching...

That’s right. Once again, it’s nearly the time of the year. Valentines Day.

You find yourself cuddling an empty box of chocolates, not that somebody bought you, but you bought yourself due to sympathy.
So, how will you overcome this?

  I think it’s time to get glamorous, whether you are with someone or not. Bead embellished garments, chunky jewellery and  subtle beauty are in. Leave the make-up, it’s time to embrace natural beauty and rather than reds, put on pure creams, pinks and pastels.

Only you are able to make the most of your femininity, so what’s stopping you?

It’s not so bad to be alone…

Harriet Stevenson discusses how spending Valentines Day single won’t be so bad after all!

Okay, so you’re most likely to be counting the days down till Valentines Day, whether it is with excitement to have a special day to express just how much you care for your ‘loved one’, or you’re dreading February 14th – a day which seems to you to be made especially for wallowing in self pity!

However, it doesn’t have to be like that, if you are single this Valentines then who cares? Just make the most out of the day – turn it into a celebration; make it a day to treat yourself. You know, bake some biscuits and a cake; make them as weird and wacky (or a perfectly flawless) as you want!

Afterwards why not put a film or two on, but I wouldn’t put on a ‘lovey dovey’ film because let’s be honest that’s likely to get you down on a day such as this one! So watch a few action films instead, a bit of Batman, Spiderman or James Bond is sure to put you in a good mood or at least distract you for a couple of hours. On the other hand you might prefer to just watch back-to-back episodes of your favorite TV show, to make you laugh!

Whatever you do though, whether you go the day alone or with a few friends make it a day to remember and just have a good time!

Where to go this summer...

The New Year hasn't been here long but already this year we've had freezing temperatures, piles of snow and never ending folders of work to complete. The only thing many of us can think of is booking the next flight away to warm, picturesque locations in tropics. This article will guide your through possible getaway locations for the upcoming summer holidays.

Budget (Less than £400)
Most of us will have a budget of only a few hundred pounds for our holidays this summer and that means we're pretty much confined to Europe, however this should not dampen your spirits. There are plenty of good holidays to be had in Europe, Spain offers warm weather, sandy beaches and cheap accommodation and food, the age limit for purchasing beer there is only 16 which may be another draw. Eastern European nations can be dirt cheap and you should not be deterred because of the lack of publicity these places get. Nations such as The Cheque Republic, Latvia and Romania provide culture, good food and a vibrant and unique nightlife.

Off of the beaten track (£400 - £800) 
On the Northern front of the great Sahara desert lies Tunisia, it sits along the Mediterranean, only a few hundred kilometres from mainland Italy it's relatively easy to access by boats from many European nations and regular flights leave from some London airports. Tunisia will provide a unique experience and will open your eyes to a different culture; it will introduce you to the desert and be a truly unique experience. With rich ethnic backgrounds and vibrant scenery, Tunisia will be sure to impress.

Luxury (£800+)
If your parents, by some miracle, have decided to fund your dream holiday, then America is surely the place to go. California is the dream location, with beaches, shopping and a mountain of activities to do, you cannot turn it down. From the diverse cultures of San Francisco, the palm covered boulevards of Los Angeles or the vast forests, beaches and mountains found across the whole state. With Disneyland California and various other parks offering top thrills and sights like the Grand Canyon and Vegas a stone throw away, it's the perfect holiday; but make sure to take your own booze as the drinking age is a staggering 21.

Top 10 Chat Up Lines

Some people have it easy when it comes to  finding that special someone through their dashing looks or their flattering compliments. But for those who aren’t so lucky, here are the top 10 chat up lines that may (or may not) find you a date this Valentines Day.

10.  "You must be Jamaican, because Jamaican me crazy."
“Do you believe in love at first sight.. or should I walk by again?”
8. “Feel my t-shirt.. That’s boyfriend material.”
7. “Do you have a plaster? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.”
6. “You’re so beautiful that you made me forget my pick-up line.”
5. “You’re like a parking ticket, you have fine written all over you.”
4. “I don’t have a library card, but do you mind if I check you out?”
3. “Hi I’m Doug—God spelled backwards with a little bit of you wrapped in it.”
2. “Touch my arm.. That’s what your future boyfriend feels like.”
1. “How much does a polar bear weigh? I don’t know either, but it broke the ice.”

By Molly-Rose Gosling

Cookie Love Hearts

We’ve all had the sweets Love Hearts, but with this recipe you can make the cookie version!

• Ingredients
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing
• Gel-paste food colouring (such as leaf green, lemon yellow, peach, red, rose, and violet)

Directions
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture gradually, beating until just incorporated. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in top third and lower third. Let 1 disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to just under 1/4-inch thickness, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Cut out cookies with a 2-inch heart cutter, and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roll out scraps once, and repeat. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Freeze cookies until very firm, about 15 minutes.
3. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through and switching from top to bottom, until edges turn golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 1 week.
4. Divide royal icing into 1/2-cup portions in small bowls. Tint each with a different gel-paste food colouring, starting with just a drop, mixing well, and adding more, drop by drop, to reach desired shade. Transfer 1 bowl of icing to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/8-inch round plain tip. Pipe the outline around edge of each cookie, then fill in with frosting. Poke air bubbles with a toothpick. Transfer decorated cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let stand uncovered overnight until dry.
5. Arrange stamp letters to create desired phrases. (We stamped LUV U, UR A QT, BFF, B MINE.) Fold a paper towel into quarters. Squeeze a small amount of red gel-paste food colouring onto a paper towel, and press stamp in colouring. (You may need to blot stamp a few times on a clean paper towel if colouring is too thick.) Lightly press stamp on top of icing in centre of each cookie. Let stand until dry, about 30 minutes. Stamped cookies will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

By Rebecca Knightsbridge

Valentine's Day Treats

How to make queen of hearts tarts


INGREDIENTS:

• 300g all-butter short crust pastry, thawed for 20 minutes,    
• Flour, for dusting.
• 8-12 tsp strawberry jam

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm thickness. Use a 7-8cm heart cutter to stamp out 8 hearts, or a 5cm round plain cutter to stamp out 12 circles. Slide a palette knife under the pastry shapes and lower into the heart moulds or bun tin. Gently press the pastry around the edges.
2. Spoon 2 teaspoons jam into each heart and bake for 12 minutes, until the pastry is pale-golden (or spoon 1 teaspoon into each round tart and bake for 8 minutes). Carefully remove the tarts from the oven - the jam will be very, very hot so don't touch it! Cool for at least 30 minutes.
3. Once cooled, carefully lift the tarts from the tins using a palette knife. Eat straightaway, or keep in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 days.

How to make chocolate truffles

INGREDIENTS:

• 280g 70% cocoa solids
• 284ml pot double cream
• 50g unsalted butter

1. Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs.
2. To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto greaseproof paper.
3. Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on greaseproof paper. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill.
4. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight. To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them.

Love makes the world go round

Love it or hate it Valentine’s Day is celebrated all around the world. Where we enjoy giving chocolates or heart shaped candy to each other, different countries have developed different traditions. Sure, we can be cliché but I’m certain I’m not the only one who would prefer a box of chocks to some of these. 

Here in the UK Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on the 14th of February. However, in Brazil they call it Dia das namaurados (Day of the enamoured) and this takes place on the 12th of June. Weeks leading up to this day young single women write the names of their crushes on slips of paper placing them in a box, on the 12th they take it in turns to select a name which indicates who they should marry.

However Brazil isn’t the only country that links Valentine’s Day to marriage. February 14th is a day where Men and Women in Hindu Balinese society undergo a ritual tooth filing once they’ve reached puberty (like in the picture above). In an elaborate ceremony over seen by a priest they file down their upper canines to the level of their incisors. They believe that by doing this it rids them from all evil and are now considered ready to marry. A painful ritual- but then again love is pain.

In rural Australia it’s not chocolate bon-bons that are the ways to a lover’s heart; its apples soaked in armpit sweat. Women single and married perform a ritual dance with slices of apple lodged under their armpits. After the dance each gives her piece to the man of their choice. The man will then eat it to show he accepts her. This gives a whole new meaning to being “the apple of my eye”.

Things really heat up in China around the fire, when the Dai people play an annual courtship ritual called “visiting girls”. Woman sit together around a bonfire while men carrying red blankets take it in turns, to wrap their red blanket around the one they chose and serenade her, if the woman likes the man she will take out a small stool from under her skirt and invite him to sit with her. 

Among the Kreug tribe in a remote region of Cambodia, parents build a “love hut” for their teenage daughters on Valentine’s Day. Different boys then spend a night in the hut with the girl-sometimes more than one in the same night- until she finds the one she wants to marry. Divorce is unheard of, so couples need to know what they’re getting into.

However not all countries have such strange and extreme customs. In Denmark a secret admirer guessing game called gaekkebred has been played for years. It is where boys and girls write cryptic love letters to each other, but instead of signing them with their name they sign it with a dot. The recipient then had to guess who the note was from, if guessed correctly they then get bought a prize, usually flowers or something sweet.  

Although people now often see Valentine’s Day as a ploy for manufacturers to make a heap load of money (which they do) it is clear that all around the world it is a unique occasion, and one of the most popular. It's a day of love, loyalty and gestures. Which is ironic as it is a day celebrating the death of a saint. Despite this it means something different to everyone and no matter what your opinion is it means something to all of us.

By Francesca Dando