20 minute read
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
– Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best –
[ NEWS ] FASHION & BEAUTY
A WELSH WINTER
The Heavyweight multi yarn acrylic 2 tone cable knit melange bobble hat with a Suprafleece™ has a thermal band for extra snugness and cosy hand-knitted feel. The sweatshirt uses a combination of coloured yarn to produce a striking marl effect with solid contrast details at cuffs and collar & using a blend of regenerated pre-consumer cotton waste, its great for the environment. Each piece is finished by hand in North Wales using carefully curated materials.
andsotoshop.com
WORLD OF COLOUR
We love the vibe of these socks. The prints are fab, as is the quality. Dress up your ankles with these socks, they look great poking out the bottom of jeans or more formalwear. Could these be the perfect Christmas stocking filler?
thecornrow.com
STOWAWAY
This Stash+Stow Plus+ backpack is a multifunctional statement bag that can be used as a gym, yoga, laptop, travel or stylish work bag. The bag is designed to make your day and life a little easier. There are easily accessible compartments, pockets and mobile phone charging port for all your daily needs.
stashandstow.com
ROYAL BLUE
Inspired by the engagement ring given to Catherine Middleton by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, this necklace is sure to delight. The original ring was made by the jewellers Garrard, and consisted of 14 diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-carat white gold. The ring had originally belonged to William’s mother Princess Diana. shop.westminster-abbey.org
WE LOVE
These lovely contemporary elegant pearl & CZ hook earring & matching pendant set. lido-collection.co.uk
Now re-open with all social distancing rules observed Prefer to stay at home? Call us to discuss our home delivery options
Comprehensive course suitable for all ages and fitness levels developed by the experts at Nordic Walking UK and delivered by qualified instructors.
JOIN US ON A GREAT CHOICE OF FITNESS WALKS AND ONLINE CLASSES FOR ALL LEVELS AND AGE GROUPS
Vivo Fitness and Walxridgeway 07766366388 www.vivo-shapehealthlife.co.uk www.walxridgeway.co.uk
FABRIC FASHION STORE
Friends for many years, Diana Halley and Ailsa Feroze had always wanted to run a clothing boutique and offer a relaxed shopping and browsing experience in a super-chic environment. So, in June this year the doors opened of fresh, fun boutique, FABRIC in Old Amersham, offering some retail therapy to women of all ages. Down a little cobbled lane, steps away from the High Street and artisan deli, The Grocer, this secret find is waiting to be discovered!
FABRIC stocks a carefully curated collection of European and British brands, together with denim, including Ivy Copenhagen and Boyish jeans from LA. The stars of the AW20 collection include sparkly Jeff sweaters and Crossley knitwear, as well as cool and edgy dresses from Religion and Suncoo. Cosy up this Christmas with a shimmering silver or gold trimmed beanie hat from Jeff, teamed with a JOTT aviator jacket or bright and cheery yellow reversible teddy coat from Scotch & Soda. Goodbye chilly dog walks!
As well as festive fashion, FABRIC has gorgeous gift ideas. Fun stocking filler is celeb faves Stripe & Stare - the most comfortable knickers around! Super cool hair scrunchies are made from recycled sari fabric, perfect for popping in a Christmas stocking! Go wild and accessorise with animal print Scotch & Soda leather gloves and woven purses, while the Ibiza-vibe Ssolo London jewellery make great gifts for friends. Pamper a pal with the Lady Muck bath and body range from Arthouse Unlimited - who doesn’t crave some self care this year? CHRISTMAS AT FABRIC
Shop until 24th December and receive a free scented votive candle for every spend over £50.
FABRIC is open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am-5.00pm, so feel free to pop in and have a browse.
FABRIC – 91b High Street, Old Amersham, HP7 0DT fabricfashionstore.co.uk or follow on instagram or facebook @fabricfashionstore
A true shopping gem
Ambers of Amersham is set in a beautiful and unique fifteenth century mill in Old Amersham Buckinghamshire. Established in 1965 by Carla Cameron, an ex Dior and Hartnell model, and now under the direction of her son, Alistair, who has recently been awarded the M.B.E for services to local charities.
Ambers is our home for fashion. We pride ourselves on our personal service. Set over three floors our ladies wear offers a contemporary and glamorous selection of fashion collections. Our recently refurbished ground floor introduces our new Asa Menswear department, which caters for the smart and casual man. Children are not forgotten with The Leveret offering irresistible clothes and gifts. A destination boutique including hair and beauty plus a well earned relaxation in our River Room restaurant (open subject to Covid restrictions).
Ambers offers safe, free and spacious car
parking.
The Leveret
The Leveret children’s department, welcoming the youngest members of the Ambers family, irresistible clothes from new-born up to the age of 9. Brands include Emile et Rose, Kissy Kissy, Mayoral, Frugi, Kite & Hatley. Toys from Tonies, Jellycat, Best Years and a lovely selection of gifts, candles and greetings cards. www.theleveret.com shoptheleveret the Leveret
Ambers Ladieswear
Ambers’ ladies-wear can help you choose that special outfit for every occasion. Perhaps a wedding, a day at the races, a smart executive look or something fabulously casual. Our aim is to guide you to perfection. Labels include Marc Cain, Max Mara, Basler, Hugo Boss, Peter Kaiser shoes and many, many more. We also offer a professional alteration service to make the outfit perfect for you.
ambersofamersham Ambers of Amersham
Asa Menswear
An exiting new chapter for Ambers bringing something fresh and bold to Old Amersham. Brands to suit all tastes, you will lose yourself browsing amongst Dubarry of Ireland, Pringle of Scotland, Folk, Castart, Ecoalf and more including accessories. A perfect opportunity to complete your Christmas shopping for your male friends and family under one roof. We offer that personal service and advice that will make the entire shopping experience easy and enjoyable.
www.asamenswear.com asa_menswear Asa menswear Monday – Saturday: 9.30am – 5.30pm t: 01494 722471 e: info@ambersofamersham.com www. ambersofamersham.com
Our enthusiasm and energy remains as strong today as in 1965.
We hope you enjoy exploring the magic that is Ambers of Amersham.
Gift vouchers are available in all departments as the perfect gift.
We look forward to welcoming you for a festive visit to Ambers.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Boots Made For Walking
There can be few better ways to blow away the cobwebs than with a good walk on a Cornish beach, perhaps with a faithful hound at your side. Such was the experience of Sandy Wallis of Perranporth with her very obedient Rhodesian Ridgeback, Roscoe. Sandy was keen to have the right footwear for the job: durable, comfortable and waterproof. Thwarted in her quest to find the perfect dog walking footwear she decided to create her own dream pair of boots. “We walk every day in all weathers” says Sandy but I just could not find a pair of boots that were comfy and would keep my feet warm and dry. Hiking boots didn’t cope well with those deep muddy puddles and wellies are not really suitable for a 5 mile hike”. Having rummaged around in her cupboard, Sandy found an old pair of “riggers” which are safety boots originally designed for the North Sea Oil riggers. “I started wearing them to walk the dog and they were amazing. I thought it would be good to design my own ‘off rig’ version that were lighter and with an excellent hiking sole. The result is a very stylish, practical boot suitable for both men and women. Boots are available in sizes 3 - 13.
trailback.co.uk Find us on Facebook @trailbackboots Find us on Instagram @trailbackboots
CONQUER THE COVID KILO
This is the mission of two local businesswomen based in Marlow, who share their knowledge and run challenges to keep focused on health through these uncertain times.
Jo & Anya have developed a unique approach which will build strong foundations for change. Their expertise in wholefood eating principles and mind management help other members of their community to stay on track.
While many of us are reaching for the bottle, turning to the snack cupboard or feeling out of control, they are sharing their new inventive challenges focusing on building your knowledge about food swaps to help boost your immune system, increase your energy and teach you easy recipes to add to your repertoire. But it’s not just about food, it’s about the mind as well. Are you aware of your habits or why you do what you do? When you reach for the bottle or snacks, are you really searching for the feel-good factor?
Understand why with Jo and Anya as they teach you to:
• Reframe current diet beliefs • Understand your existing eating and lifestyle habits • Learn to plan whole food meals • Learn new recipes using mental flexibility • Anchor new eating and lifestyle changes Anya says ‘Our unique programme has had amazing results. We have women who have yoyo dieted for 20 years transform the way they look, feel and, more importantly, think about food and healthy lifestyle choices. It is not about dieting it’s habit change for life’
Don’t take their word for it, Michelle and Julie can tell you more:
Everything about my Menu & Mind experience with Jo and Anya, joining the membership group then taking part in the recent challenge has really helped me to be accountable for my health and fitness. I have learnt lots of new, simple recipes and understand more about how our mind affects our decisions. The support Jo and Anya give the group is excellent and it is good to be able to share recipes and ask questions with the other members. I am feeling healthier, have lost a bit of weight and my tummy is less stressed! But the best thing is that these are long term changes to our habits, not a quick fix. – Michelle – Marlow From Menu&Mind’s initial goal setting session which kicked off the challenge and throughout, Jo and Anya provided a wealth of resources, alongside their expertise, to help me find a manageable way of making desired healthy life changes. The way the challenge is structured enabled me to be in control of what (and how) I wanted to achieve my goals. The personal approach has also meant I have been able to gain advice whilst feeling supported and encouraged to make gradual positive changes over the weeks. I believe the key to the success of the Menu&Mind Challenge and the Membership programme is the opportunities Jo and Anya provide for the group to share their progress and experiences, such as Check In sessions and Q&As as well as ‘Walk & Talk’ sessions - which have the added benefit of exercise! – Julie – Marlow
If you are interested in learning more about Menu&Mind and the next Challenge starting in January head to their website:
menuandmind.co.uk
WHY HANDWASHING IS SO IMPORTANT
Right now, during the COVID-19 get rid of all types of germs so choose soap and pandemic, regular handwashing is one water when you can of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus and avoid Here’s why handwashing is effective: yourself and others getting ill. The way you wash • Washing hands prevents illnesses and the spread your hands is especially important, scrubbing the of infection to others when touching other palms, back of hands, in-between fingers and objects or preparing food and drink underneath the fingernails and jewellery gets to • Germs enter the body through the eyes, mouth all the places where germs can get missed. Be and nose, so keeping hands clean and reducing sure to lather with soap and water for at least the amount of times you touch your face will 20 seconds or more – the equivalent of singing help reduce infection ‘Happy Birthday’ twice - and dry your hands with • Cleaning hands with soap and water removes a clean towel or air dry them. multiple types of germs
Washing your hands just with water is a • Handwashing helps battle the rise in antibiotic good way of removing dirt and is better than resistance by keeping infection rates down not washing them at all, but washing with soap Looking after the skin on your hands is and water is generally the best way to get rid also important. You may find that increasing of germs. Whether you are at home, work, hand washing makes the skin drier and even or out-and-about in the community, there are slightly irritated. Be sure to apply a water-based usually ample opportunities for handwashing, absorbent hand cream 3 or 4 times daily to but if facilities are not readily available then use keep skin moisturised. Consult a doctor if skin an alcohol-based hand sanitiser which you can irritation develops or continues. carry with you. Make sure it contains at least 60% Washing your hands is a simple but very alcohol though, and remember, sanitisers don’t effective way to protect you and your family. THE DETAILS
Your Doctor 0330 088 2020 your-doctor.co.uk
Consultant Plastic Sur geon
Professional | Approachable | Bespoke
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris is taking all possible precautions to protect his patients. He is offering virtual consultations for nonurgent cases and ‘see and treat’ appointments to reduce any exposure.
Patient care is the first and foremost priority of Chris and his team. A complete package of care is built on an individual’s unique set of needs and circumstances.
With a clinic in Marylebone, the team’s overarching philosophies encompass:
• a safe and evidence based approach to the medicine and surgery provided • holistic and honest consultations to enable patients with a better quality of life, long after they have been discharged • providing the right infrastructure and personnel to take care of a patient and fully support them for the duration of their journey
All this is done with discretion in mind.
Symptoms of gallstones not to ignore during the pandemic
One of the hardest problems we face during the current crisis is when to call the doctor.
There is a duty we all share not to overburden a stress health system, but also one we owe to ourselves and our family to look after ourselves.
It is generally true that most surgical conditions are best treated before the symptoms become severe or complicated by such things as sepsis (infection), obstruction (blockage) or dissemination (spread to other tissues). This article is a guide to avoiding these in one common abdominal condition.
A common condition I treat is gallstones. Gallstones are crystal of bile that form within the gallbladder. They can cause chronic symptoms of upper abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, acid reflux and/or bloating. The symptoms are typically intermittent and worsened by fatty food but a small proportion of patients can be continuous and severe and triggered by almost any food.
Atypical symptoms of gallstones can be abdominal cramps, chest pain of a non-cardiac origin, palpitations, diarrhoea, early fullness after meals (early satiety) and left sided abdominal pain.
Gallstones are do not usually need treatment unless they cause patient symptoms. However, these can build (crescendo) as the stones grow over time, from almost insignificant to very severe. As an analogy, if you break your arm the loss of function is immediately noticed. If things build up gradually as gallstone symptoms can, we often we put the symptoms down to ‘getting old’ or ‘being less able to cope with things than I used to’. Like unassuming people, we often work round these manageable symptoms using symptomatic treatments or avoiding things that provoke attacks.
If a stone jams in the neck of the gallbladder it can cause a more acute pain (biliary colic) or lead to infection (acute cholecystitis). These are relative indications for cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder, usually by keyhole surgery). In this case surgery is an option to prevent further attacks.
Further migration of stones in to the bile ducts can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or severe back pain and vomiting due to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). These are often absolute indications for removal of the gallbladder as a way of preventing potentially serious or life-threatening complications.
Surgery is a highly successful treatment for gallstones and its complications. All surgery has risks but these can be minimized by performing an operation in a controlled or elective setting where risk factors are optimized. This may include a special diet to help shrink the liver so surgery is safer in obese patients. In many cases surgery is a day-case procedure and full recovery to normal activity in 1-3 weeks. Where emergency surgery is performed complications such as infections and slower recovery are more common.
It is not uncommon for people to report after gallbladder removal for gallstones how long they had put up with symptoms that they thought they were stuck with and an improvement in general health. It is a very satisfying condition for a surgeon to treat. Mr Bob Soin, MA, MB, BChir (Hons), FRCS(Gensurg), MD is a Consultant General Surgeon at Spire Thames Valley hospital specialising in gallbladder, hernia and acid reflux treatments and surgery.
If you would like to book an appointment, please call 01753 665404 or email enquiries@spirethamesvalley.com
Beaconsfield Outpatient Centre opens in the midst of a global health crisis
“Our focus has shifted during the pandemic to simply provide patients access to a range of healthcare services that are otherwise currently unavailable” - Gary Robinson, Chief Executive.
No one can contest that the focus of the past eight months, arguably longer, has been Covid-19. What was initially considered a passing event, the reality hit home in March this year, when the pandemic spiralled out of control, and the UK, and the rest of the world, went into lockdown.
The impact took everybody by surprise and not least the healthcare sector. Almost all hospitals, NHS and private, ceased with non-urgent surgical cases, and patients, especially those with chronic diseases, were left wondering, and worrying, how their health would be managed.
A medical provider that felt the impact of the crisis on a local level was Doctor Now, an established private medical practice in Beaconsfield. Doctor Now was at the final stages of launching The Beaconsfield Clinic, a private outpatient centre to complement their existing 24hr GP service.
Dr Brian McGirr, Founder and Medical Director “The project has always been an ambition for Doctor Now and I am delighted that we have managed to stay on track during an extremely challenging period. We thank our loyal patients, our local NHS GP colleagues and
THE DETAILS
The Beaconsfield Clinic: thebeaconsfieldclinic.co.uk
Doctor Now:
doctornow.org Tel: 01494 410888 consultant community in supporting what has become a vital hub for patients in gaining access to primary care, secondary care and diagnostic services”.
The services available at the clinic include 24hr GP access, gynaecology and fertility, cardiology, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, urology, ophthalmology, podiatry, general surgery, dermatology, pain management and access to a range of radiology services.
Gary Robinson, Chief Executive “It has without doubt been a challenging few months, however, we have remained focused on launching The Beaconsfield Clinic so that we can provide patients with rapid access to a range medical services that have otherwise been unavailable. I am extremely proud of the team in their efforts to serve and support our patient community”.
The Beaconsfield Clinic premises is a stunning period building in beautiful grounds with the primary goal of providing patients with a seamless service in a welcoming and relaxing environment.
“We still have much to achieve, however, our current focus is in supporting our local community in providing access to healthcare, especially for those whom are suffering or worried about a partner or family member”.
Doctor Now and The Beaconsfield Clinic are both private healthcare providers with a unique relationship with local NHS services. As the demand for rapid access to healthcare increases and the population’s attitude to health evolves, Doctor Now and The Beaconsfield Clinic are uniquely positioned to provide a reactive, and more importantly, proactive healthcare service.
