Manner | Issue 7

MANNER

fashion and beauty in Jersey

IN THIS SEASON'S NEUTRAL SHADES

SPRING TRENDS

The new denim, prints and pastels

THE RISE OF ECO BEAUTY

CONTENTS

FASHION

13. TRENDING

What's trending now

15. SHOPPING

Editor's picks of the hottest pieces right now

17. SPRING TRENDS

The new denim, prints and pastels

25. IN THE TRENCHES

The classic trench reborn

27. SEX APPEAL

One writer looks at the link between style and sexuality

31. THE ART OF LAYERING

How to master layering with ease

32. GOLDEN CHILD

Gold jewellery overload

34. HOW TO WEAR RUFFLES

Add extra dimension to your outfit with feminine ruffles

36. SEASON KEY PIECES

Everything you need to get you through the season ahead

38. FASHION HISTORY: STRIPES

Liana Shaw looks at how the classic stripe became a fashion staple

42. GOING NEUTRAL

Mark Stephenson photographs Brenda Nyagona in this season's neutrals

FEATURES

52. MANNER MINI

Birth stories, hot topics and fashion for the little one's

68. MANNER BRIDAL

Apps and websites to help plan the big day, bridal stories and outfit ideas

BEAUTY

77. THE RISE OF ECO BEAUTY

Liana Shaw explains what eco beauty is and why it has become so popular

81. BEAUTY BUZZ

The latest trends and products

82. POP OF COLOUR

Bright eyes and loud lips are key for spring

88. HEALTHY SKIN FOR SPRING

Laura Butlin-Policarpo's tips and tricks

90. INTERVIEW: DAMIAN PHILPOTT

Damian Philpott speaks to Sophie Wilkinson about working with one of the greatest hairdressers in the industry to bringing craft hairdressing to Jersey

TRAVEL

94. A ONE WAY TICKET

Cliona Elliott shares why setting off with no plan and a rucksack is one of the best things she's ever done

LIFESTYLE

99. THE LUST LIST

Must-have pieces for your home

100. SPARK JOY WITH MARIE KONDO

By Hannah Carolan

104. FOOD: EASTER EGGS

Spring recipes by Christian Gott

107. FOOD: BAKED AVOCADO

By Laura Butlin-Policarpo

108. FITNESS: HOME WORKOUT

Follow Chloe Bowler's home workout

110. DATING: ALL THE SINGLE LADIES

Bex Evans asks the all-important question; why are we still conforming to obnoxious stereotypes?

MANNER contributors

Laura Butlin-Policarpo is a style-conscious supporter of independent businesses, a floral enthusiast and brunch connoisseur.

Tabitha Orchard is a freelance writer, school-teacher, Pilates instructor and mummy to baby Ophelia. She holds a degree in journalism and enjoys writing about fashion, arts and culture.

Hannah Carolan is a freelance writer, marketer and event management professional. Hannah enjoys drinking prosecco, sleeping, creating stuff and exploring new countries and cultures.

Liana Shaw is a freelance writer and blogger. When she isn't writing, she's off exploring far and exotic places.

Chloë Bowler is a celebrity personal trainer and owner of Health Chef, which delivers freshly prepared, healthy and delicious meals straight to your door, three times a week.

Bex Evans is originally from Leeds, but has called Jersey home for 14 years. She can be found writing, reading and jogging around the island.

Mark Stephenson is originally from Liverpool, but moved to Jersey in 2008 and is a passionate semi-professional photographer. He specialises in lifestyle, fashion and portraiture.

Christian Gott is a full-time chef here on his fourth and favourite island and a father of two. Any spare time is spent writing about food.

Manner magazine is owned and published by W Media Ltd. No person, organisation or party can copy or reproduce any part of this publication without written consent from the editor. This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author and not necessarily to Manner.

Editor

Sophie Wilkinson 07829 828033

sophie@mannermagazine.co.uk

Sales Mark Wilkinson 07829 838844 mark@mannermagazine.co.uk

MannerJersey @Mannerjsy www.mannermagazine.co.uk

Cover shot by Mark Stephenson Brenda wears jumper £52 and culottes £61, Free People at Voisins Jersey Granite earrings £87, Aqua

Cliona Elliott is a freelance writer. She loves travelling, brunching, listening to stories and anything sparkly.

Hello..

So, a lot has happened since the last issue. We got Christmas and New Year out of the way, we had a brief sunny period in February, and… we had a baby!

We welcomed Beatrice Matilda Wilkinson into the world on 21st January 2019, weighing a healthy 7lb 15oz. Beatrice’s entrance into the world was far from a simple one, you can read all about it on page 54 where I share the details of my pregnancy and labour. Also, in our ‘Manner Mini’ feature, we look at three of the most widely debated parenting topics, including breastfeeding, vaccinations and sleep training. Mark Stephenson shoots our ‘Mini Style’ editorial, where Beatrice and five of her friends show us what’s on offer for the little ones this season.

For the grown-ups, we show you the trends to be following, from pastels and denim to bold prints and utility chic. Turn to page 34 to see how to effortlessly wear ruffles and page 31 for a masterclass in layering.

Brenda Nyagona, Mark Stephenson and I headed to St Ouen’s to shoot our editorial; 50 shades of neutral. Brenda looks simply stunning and shows us how to pull off an all-white ensemble (p42).

For our bridal feature, Laura Butlin-Policarpo shares the details of her wedding day, whilst Hannah Carolan tells us about her favourite apps and websites to use to help with planning the big day.

As this issue is all about new beginnings, I met with Damian Philpott to find out how he went from a vicar’s son who had never left Plymouth, to working with one of the most famous hairdressers in the industry, before opening his own salon in Jersey (p90).

Also in this issue, Cliona Elliott shares her experience on packing up and traveling the world (p94), Hannah Carolan talks about Marie Kondo (p100) and Christian Gott shares his ‘Easter Egg’ recipes (p104).

As always, I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

MANNER fashion BELT UP

A nostalgic, noughties accessory. Double wrapped, chains, woven and leather, it's all going on this season.

TAN BELT £49.50, KAREN MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY DOUBLE WRAP BELT £52, ALL SAINTS AT VOISINS WOVEN BELT £100, WEEKEND MAX MARA AT VOISINS CHAIN BELT £45, KAREN MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY

CYCLING SHORTS

Comfortable and stylish. Pair these with an oversized blazer and sneakers for the ultimate effortlessly chic look.

AND, FOR THE HAIR...

Dust off your old clips and scrunchies because hair accessories are having their moment.

Trending

What's trending right now

ANKLE DETAIL

For spring, the likes of Chloé, Alexa Chung and Marni all incorporated anklets into their styling. Ankle accessories are hard to overdo, layer up and bring the attention down to the feet.

THE FUGLIEST SHOE YET?

Just when you think the ugly shoe trend has reached its peak, Dsquared2 sends 'The Giant Sandals' down the runway. A blend of sandal, sneaker and a very high heel, Dsquared2's latest creation won't be for everyone.

FENDI

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

ROBERTO CAVALLI

ALEXA CHUNG MARNI

CHLOE

SHORTS £180, PALM ANGELS

ANKLET £7, ACCESSORIZE

SHORTS £475, PAOLINA RUSSO

BOBBY PIN £150, VERSACE

HEAD BAND £160, MISSONI

RESIN CLIP £28, VALET

Shopping

The pieces on our wish list

SHIRT DRESS £297, POLO RALPH LAUREN AT VOISINS

BLOUSE £97, PRIMROSE PARK AT NAUTILUS

MULES £80.95, MODA IN PELLE AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £248, RIXO AT VOISINS

BAG £265.50, KATE SPADE AT VOISINS

SKIRT £35, TOPSHOP

SOLID SILVER RING £76, AQUA

TOP £134, METAMORPHOSIS

DENIM DO OVER

Denim is always an essential, however this spring experiment with traditional silhouettes to create an eclectic yet modern look.

STELLA MCCARTNEY

DRESS £106, LAUREN BY RALPH LAUREN AT VOISINS

JEANS £40.50, OASIS AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £40.49, ANIMAL AT HAPI

JUMPSUIT £52, NEXT

JACKET £49, B. YOUNG AT METAMORPHOSIS

JACKET £139, CHICHI

TRAINERS £74, CHICHI

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Get ready for the annual camping trip. All you’ll need is a fishing hat, utility vest and a large rucksack for the rest of your wardrobe.

SACAI

JILL SANDER

FISHERMAN JACKET £49, TOPSHOP

SKIRT £71.95, PART TWO AT DE GRUCHY

BURCH

BACKPACK £167, MARC JACOBS AT VOISINS

VISOR £115, HELEN KAMINSKI AT NAUTILUS

JACKET £161, MINT VELVET AT DE GRUCHY

CAP £16.19, ANIMAL AT HAPI

BAG £56.70, KIPLING AT DE GRUCHY

JACKET £139, CHICHI

PASTEL

Pastels are everywhere this spring, look out for shades of pistachio and duck egg blue.

BORA

JEANS £92, ARTICLES OF SOCIETY AT NAUTILUS

SKIRT £225, KAREN MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY

TOP £87, MARELLA AT NAUTILUS

SKIRT £125, TED BAKER AT VOISINS

CAPE DRESS £259.99, AFFINITY

SWEATSHIRT £40.49, ANIMAL AT HAPI

DRESS £119, METAMORPHOSIS

01534 626880

21 La Colomberie, St Helier, Jersey

BOLD PRINTS

Bold, manic prints are popping up everywhere. Clash different prints for extra style points.

Images: Simon Armstrong

GUCCI

MALAN BRETON

PETER PILOTTO

DRESS £265, LK BENNETT AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £162, GANNI AT VOISINS

DRESS £250, PRIMROSE PARK AT NAUTILUS

JACKET £176, MICHAEL KORS AT VOISINS

TOP £104, CHICHI

DRESS £189.99, AFFINITY

The easy poplin cotton trousers and shirts of

are light & airy to wear, with wide tops in breathable hemp

THING is new to the shop. Their range of raw linen and crinkle fabrics make great basics for holidays, with spotty swing tunics and wide tops to accessorize.

The Gooseberry Bush, Rondel’s Farm, La Rue du Haut de l’Orme, Trinity (Turn opposite Union Inn, Queens Road) Tel: 01534 726224

FB: The Gooseberry Bush, Jersey | Open Tuesday - Saturday 10-5pm & Sunday 10-2pm (Closed Mondays!)

Dress to impress with the Spring collections from Mama B Italy and Danish company, THING.

Mama B

fabric.

In the TRENCHES

One of the most classic coat styles of all time, nay, one of the most classic fashion staples – the trench – is back with a bit of a twist. A classic toffee trench will never go out of style, but with the added details of bows, ruffles, tie sleeves and maxi trenches giving a new take on a standard design, this coat has never been so fashion forward. Colour trenches too are part of the change. Neutral tones make great investment pieces as they’ll go with everything, however, for a bit of fun and frivolity, trenches work in a range of colours. Pure white is slick and chic, red gives some oomph, pink is oh-so-pretty. Look out for clear plastic trenches - perfect for spying the outfit underneath. It’s a classic reborn.

TRENCH £179.10, KAREN MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY

TRENCH £67.50, OASIS AT DE GRUCHY

TRENCH £482, WEEKEND MAX MARA AT VOISINS

Cervical screening is

EMBARRASSING power

It’s hassle free, takes 5 minutes and won’t cost you a penny.

Your health is in your hands

Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women aged 35 and under. Attending cervical screening (known as a smear test) will prevent 75% of cervical cancers from developing.

Contact your GP surgery or visit gov.je/womenshealth

SEX appeal

No, it's not your imagination, clothes really are becoming more risqué as society evolves. Underwear deemed as socially acceptable as outerwear? Check. Body-con clothing so organ-compressinglytight it defines every lump and bump with HD definition. Yup. Fabric so sheer, absolutely nothing is actually left to the imagination anymore? You get it.

The link between style and sexuality is both obvious and inextricable, not only in terms of the tension between what is revealed and what is not, but also because of how thoroughly these threads are woven into the tapestries of our identity: a merging of the physical (clothes, bodies) with the emotional (power, desire, selfexpression). Throughout history, cultural norms have clearly dictated the intersection of these worlds and as society has developed through time, it has demanded increasingly liberal fashion trends reflective of sexual appeal. Arguably, the progressive shifts in womenswear have been far more transformative than that of menswear over the last 100 years. Possibly, an indication of societies ongoing advancement towards men and women’s equal rights coupled with the frankly, simple fact that men enjoy looking at women and women know it. Let’s take a look back at some of the pivotal moments in modern fashion history that have helped define the sexed-up wardrobe some women wear today and how exactly we might feel about it.

Historically, women were prescribed what to wear and even discouraged from having an opinion on self-expression through fashion. Curve-defining cinched waists from corsetry was about as sexy as it once got and revealing the ankle was enough to make the Victorian man aroused. Fishnet stockings began creeping in around the turn of the century too, embodying the fascination with the eroticism of the interplay of the seen and unseen. As the decades rolled on, hemlines began to rise and we observed how the sexual revolution of the sixties (cue the introduction of birth control), promoted the mini-skirt to be a staple item in every young woman’s wardrobe. Clearly, over the course of the first half of the twentieth century, society felt most at ease allowing women’s legs to make their debut first over other bodily parts. 

PAM HOGG

Popular opinion today states that women should be allowed to dress however they wish, provocatively or otherwise.

Fast-forward to the eighties and boundaries were being pushed further with midriffs making their entrance thanks to the racy crop-top, (a nod to the aerobics craze and the popularity of the movie, ‘Flashdance’). By the late nineties and early noughties, hugely popular music artists; Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera popularised the garment so much so, that the crop-top achieved mainstream altitudes amongst teeny-boppers, causing schools to expressly ban the exposure of the midriff from their dress code. Anyone else remember rebelling by tying their school shirt up to navel revealing heights after school whilst reciting ‘Hit Me Baby, One More Time’, into a hairbrush, alone in their bedroom with as much sexual prowess as a twelve-year-old can muster? Just me?

By 2006, fashion went back to contour, a look so favoured a century earlier via corsetry. Figure-hugging body-con dresses became a go-to look for a night out as they specifically enhanced the feminine hour-glass shape; a clear visualisation of silhouette, useful for mating selection purposes to the male species within the nightclub territory. ‘Body-con’, short for ‘bodyconscious, (not contour), clothing had been around since the late eighties, originally attributive to the invention of the ‘bandage dress’ by Hervé Leger but hadn’t gained momentum until 15 years later.

Nevertheless, the speed at which sex appeal has exuded through fashion has accelerated like no time before it over the most recent last two decades. By 2010 we had become desensitised to visions of excess flesh and dresses that vacuum packed our bodies to proudly reveal our physiques. Designers scratched their heads. Where could sex-appeal in womenswear go next? Brands advanced by designing items of clothing that had never been seen before by sending runway models down the catwalk in underwear to be worn as outerwear, and the world followed suit, audaciously driving social and sexual limits in clothing to uncharted terrain. All of a sudden a ‘lacy bralette’ became something every girl owned, while cunning brands marvelled with glee for simply throwing a suffix on the situation by adding ‘-lette’ to the end of ‘bra’ to distinguish it from actual bras.

to have hit a stumbling block amidst our journey. Popular opinion today states that women should be allowed to dress however they wish, provocatively or otherwise, stipulating that clothing that exudes sex-appeal creates a layer of armour that makes a woman feel empowered, cue the recent #bossbabe movement. Yet, on the other hand, the very people that place such value on this opinion complain of the media sexualising women through clothing, therefore treating them like objects, protesting that such images give women a false impression of what they are supposed to look like. Patriarchy! There seems to be some confusion.

for simply throwing a suffix on the situation by

But after all this pioneering graft work, where does this leave us today? Ironically, as women have fought for the liberation of sex appeal in their wardrobes over the years, it appears they have simultaneously slipped into the tricky business of objectifying themselves. And as we find ourselves amidst what has been labelled ‘The Third Wave of Feminism’, undoubtedly accentuated by the likes of the #metoo movement and high power celebrity women such as Beyonce and Lady Gaga, we appear

While society makes up its mind on this one, it might be safe to assume that one aspect that does appear to trend between the two opinions is that women are making a stand to no longer be objectified. Yes, some women may want to feel noticed and to prosper from the feeling of power that comes with that, but we do not want to be solely valued on our image, to the neglect of other aspects of who we are, such as our thoughts, feelings and desires. Therefore, we may start to see the future of sex-appeal in clothing lies not in the next shockingly sexualised trend, but more so the overarching acceptance of how we all choose to self-express, be it scantily-clad or donning a burqa, and to know that some find empowerment in revealing their body as much as others do in modesty and that these choices do not define women as individuals. 

SAINT LAURENT

BRA £18, LEPEL LONDON AT DE GRUCHY

BRALETTE £29, FREE PEOPLE AT VOISINS SKIRT £255, GANNI AT VOISINS

SHEER BLOUSE £44.95, CHICHI

The art of LAYERING

Layering looks a bit intimidating, and whilst we don’t expect everyone to bundle up in ninelayer illusion a la Balenciaga, there is a great way to layer up your outfit and still look on the money. One of the easiest ways to pull off this look is to stick to one main colour scheme, preferably in a neutral or complimenting colour. Piecing together a base outfit, say jeans and a simple tee, then adding a shirt and an oversized cardi, a scarf dishevelledly draped around the shoulders and a chunky coat. It’s about gently but deliberately building an outfit. If you want to take it one step further, go full tilt and clash colours and textures.

JASPER CONRAN

ACNE STUDIOS

TOP £53, MINT VELVET AT DE GRUCHY DRESS £255, PS BY PAUL SMITH AT VOISINS BAG £300.60, MARC JACOBS AT VOISINS TRAINERS £135, LK BENNETT AT DE GRUCHY

GOLDEN CHILD

Layering gold jewellery to oblivion is what this season's all about. Forget minimalism, the more the merrier.

DOLCE AND GABBANA

EARRINGS £59, RACHEL JACKSON AT VOISINS

NECKLACE £45, RACHEL JACKSON AT VOISINS

EARRINGS £28, CHICHI

DOUBLE RING SET £49, ANIA HAIE AT SHADES OF TIME

RIPPLE HOOP EARRINGS £79, ANIA HAIE AT SHADES OF TIME

RING £31.50, LES GEORGETTES AT SHADES OF TIME

NECKLACE AND EARRINGS SET £56, AQUA

Images: Simon Armstrong

How to wear: RUFFLES

Ruffes elevate feminine silhouettes by adding extra dimension

TRAVEL IN STYLE

Look your best when on route to your favourite city by styling a midi ruffled chiffon skirt with a cosy knit and some cute black boots. For extra warmth add a leather jacket.

SHOPPING TRIP

Pair a ruffled blouse with some light wash denim, add a slouchy bag and heeled sandals and you're good to go.

TOP £25, OASIS AT DE GRUCHY

SHOES £89.95, MODA IN PELLE AT DE GRUCHY

BLOUSE £210, WEEKEND MAX MARA AT VOISINS

SKIRT RIXO AT VOISINS

SANDALS £107.10, CARVELA AT VOISINS

JEANS £92, ARTICLES OF SOCIETY AT NAUTILUS

BAG £356, COACH AT VOISINS £202.50,

WATCH £179.10, CALVIN KLEIN AT POUR TOI

Season KEY PIECES

Everything you need to get you through the season ahead

TENNIS SHOES

Lightweight and comfortable, tennis shoes should be a wardrobe must this season.

IRREGULAR HEMS

Asymmetric hems are not only flattering, but they also add a sharp touch to an outfit.

GINGHAM

Molly Goddard stunned everyone with the gingham midi dresses in her SS19 show. Pastel gingham is a must have for picnics in the park.

MOLLY GODDARD

TORY BURCH

TRAINERS £72, DKNY AT VOISINS

SKIRT £144, GANNI AT VOISINS

DRESS £89.10, PHASE 8 AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £30, NEXT

TRAINERS £89.10, CARVELA AT VOISINS

DRESS £231, HARTFORD AT NAUTILUS

ANIMAL PRINT

Animal print dresses are big news this season. Look out for coloured options, preferably in snake or tiger print.

YELLOW

Sorbet lemons, rich butters and sunshine shades are all in play

this season.

DRESS £162, KAREN MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £284, RIXO AT VOISINS

PAMELLA ROLAND PETER PILOTTO

DRESS £107, MINT VELVET AT DE GRUCHY

DRESS £69, CHICHI

DRESS £54, CHICHI

SWEATER £69, CHICHI

DRESS £64, METAMORPHOSIS

stripe A BRIEF HISTORY ON THE CLASSIC

Becoming a fashion writer has made Liana Shaw more conscious of the history of fashion. She looks at how the classic stripe became a fashion staple.

For me, fashion isn’t just about wearing clothes, it’s about understanding where the clothes and fabrics, patterns and design details come from. I love knowing that there are history and stories, lore and tradition behind the trends.

Stripes are generally synonymous with this time of year, and although stripes are great for all year round, the first half of the yearly fashion calendar is inundated with striped items of every sort, from runway to high street. In fact, stripes are so well known and reused, they have

become a fashion wardrobe staple. And one stripe design stands out far more than the other: the classic Breton stripe.

This much worn, much-used navy blue and white horizontal stripe design is something of a clothing history icon. There’s unlikely to be a closet that doesn’t feature a stripy item of sorts, I also doubt many of us have been through our lives thus far without wearing a Breton stripe.

So, stripes. Where did they come from and why have they reached such fashion must-have status? 

Firstly, we need to go back. Way back. To circa the 1200s AD. A group of Carmelite monks were thought to be the first to wear brown and white striped cloaks, which were apparently inspired by the prophet Elijah. Elijah supposedly disappeared on a chariot of fire into the sky, leaving behind a habit singed with brown stripes. The monks who followed Elijah were pretty recognisable, and once they settled in Paris from Palestine, they were given the nickname ‘les frères barrés’ or ‘barred brothers’. They weren’t exactly popular however, and this clear pattern on their cloaks made them a target of persecution. Over 25 years or so, they resisted orders from eleven successive popes to give up their cloaks, but finally succumbed to Pope Boniface VIII banning stripped clothing from all religious orders in 1295.

This theme of stripes and outcasts continued throughout the medieval time and middle ages. The uncouth, damned members of society were associated with wearing stripes; jesters, beggars, ‘women of the night’. Stripes were ludicrous, scandalous! They were a mark of the unwanted of society. This link, although not technically proven, remained in some form until the 1800s with the stark black and white striped uniforms of the prison inmate, reflecting the bars of the cell. We often associate this uniform with American prisoners of ‘ye olden days’. These stripes were also easily identifiable should the inmate escape. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the striped inmate garb was phased out, it’s mark of shame no longer being morally desirable.

Stripes came to mark the outsider, but they developed into more of a sign of a status quo breaker as time went on. Stripes were used in the American Revolution as a symbol of forward thinking and freedom fighting, and this idea continued within the French Revolution. Stripes made a statement, showing that people who used them as their identifiers were part of something different; a movement or change. It was Queen Victoria herself who helped pave way for stripes to be associated with the positive and the marine in a mainstream sense. Victoria dressed her son in a sailor suit during a Royal Yacht boarding event and changed the course of history for stripy popularity, as people flocked to follow the fashion of the Royals.

Stripes had begun to take a connotation of the ocean and sea work. A fashionable bathing suit at the time was often designed with navy and white stripes. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the stripe fashion became mainstream again. During a visit to the French Riviera, Coco Chanel was inspired by the workers’ uniform. The French Navy had been using their classic navy and white striped shirt for a long time before Chanel saw it (since the

1850s), but as Coco liked the pattern so much, she started to include the now famous striped colour combo into her designs. In many ways, we still associate this design with the French today, Chanel just gave it the fashion spotlight.

In the mid-20th century, movie stars like Audrey Hepburn and James Dean were seen wearing striped shirts through the media, and fashion trends naturally followed what the celebrities of the day wore. Stripes became more commercial and spread out further into the fashion market.

Fashion houses and brands have taken stripes to represent them because they are memorable and bold. Think about Italian design giant Missoni – they adopted stripes as one of their key looks and it became one of their most recognisable patterns. Jean Paul Gaultier’s ‘Le Male’ is a classic and even if you don’t know the designer, you’d recognise the eyecatching blue stripes. And let’s not forget the world-famous Adidas – a simple three stripe design was all they needed to create a statement brand logo that is instantly identifiable worldwide. Stripes have helped create some classic and iconic imagery.

This season shows stripes still haven’t lost their style power. The likes of Philip Lim and JW Anderson sent models down the runway in new versions of stripes; you’ll see cross direction stripes throughout the high street this season. The greatest thing about stripes right now is the playfulness - clashing colour stripes, mixing candy stripes with primary colours, using wide stripes along thin stripes; it’s all go!

That brings us up to the here and now. Being an easy and repetitive pattern means that stripes are pretty much appropriate for everyone, especially in a design and colour scheme as classic and neutral as the Breton. The joy of stripes has become their versatility, their appeal to both a 5-year old boy or an 80-year old woman. It’s a pattern that can be adapted to many occasions and from day to night and on many different fabrics and styles. And plus, they are quite a bit of fun.

So, stripes, although starting with a slightly more tumultuous history, have become one of the most classic and easy to wear patterns of fashion history. Stripes are here to stay. 

"The uncouth, damned members of society were associated with wearing stripes."

Clockwise from top left: Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Pablo Picasso - all known for their love of stripes. Coco Chanel wearing a Breton shirt in 1928

£139, WEEKEND MAX MARA AT VOISINS

SHIRT £69, CHICHI

SHIRT

TROUSERS £147, MARELLA AT NAUTILUS

50 shades of NEUTRAL

PHOTOGRAPHS MARK STEPHENSON STYLING SOPHIE WILKINSON MAKEUP KATE MORRISON AT MAC MODEL BRENDA NYAGONA

For effortless style look to fuid shapes and strong lines in neutral shades

SKIRT

KAREN

SHIRT £58.50,

£126, BOTH

MILLEN AT DE GRUCHY JERSEY GRANITE EARRINGS £68, AQUA

BLOUSE £109, NOT SHY

TROUSERS £150, HARTFORD BOTH AT NAUTILUS JERSEY GRANITE EARRINGS £68, AQUA

MANNER mini

A REUSABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION

By the time a child is potty trained, they will have gone through approximately 5000 disposable nappies and even more wipes! That’s a lot of plastic, and a lot of money going straight in the bin. Why not make the switch to reusable? They are a costeffective, eco-friendly solution that you and your baby will love. Here are our favourites...

Bambino Mio Reusable Nappies

MINI FASHIONISTA

Funky high tops and colourful trainers will add a little fun to everyday activities. Select styles available at Voisins.

SUPER SOFT

The snug two-piece mind

The award-winning two-piece nappy has become a firm favourite with parents across the world, offering a natural, versatile nappy and cover system which is both reliable and cost effective. As the system is made up of two pieces, the nappy and nappy cover, the nappy can be folded to suit the individual needs of the baby. The nappy is made from 100% cotton, a natural and absorbent fabric which is soft against baby’s skin. The nappy cover is water resistant and benefits from Velcro® fastenings to ensure a snug fit for baby. The two-piece nappy has been designed with comfort and simplicity in mind and provides a reliable and cost-effective alternative to disposable nappies.

www.bambinomio.com

Cheeky Wipes

SAVE THE PENNIES

Doudou et Compagnie are specialists in French designed luxury soft toys and nursery accessories. Beautifully made from the highest quality and softest materials, we just know little people will treasure these adorable soft toys and gifts. Available at Pour Toi.

Cheeky wipes are soft and natural. Using 99% water and 1% safe essential oil blend they are great for sensitive skin, eczema or nappy rash. They are easy to use too! Simply fill two containers with water and add a few drops of essential oil. Keep the fresh wipes in one, and the mucky wipes in another. When the mucky container is full, throw them in the washing machine, and start again. You can also purchase travel bags, making it easy to use your Cheeky Wipes on the go.

The ceramic Pomme Pidou animal money boxes are a fantastic vibrant item and ideal for all ages to drop those loose pennies inside. They're fun, quirky and a unique addition to the modern home. The production method on Pomme Pidou money banks means that each one is different from the next. Various styles, including Nanou the Chihuahua and Bella the Cow, are available at Affinity in Colomberie.

mucky throw

The story of Beatrice Matilda

After battling endometriosis, suffering with hyperemesis and delivering a vaginal footling breech, it's safe to say my pregnancy wasn't the easiest. I want to share my story with other people to show that pregnancy isn't always as easy at it seems and plans don't always unfold the way you intend, but that's OK.

Words by Sophie Wilkinson

Ialways wanted a family of my own, but after being diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011, I knew my chances of conceiving naturally were slim. Mark and I had agreed that we wanted children, but if it didn’t happen, we were fine with that too. We had decided to avoid contraception with the view that if we did conceive, we should be thankful regardless of the timing or the circumstances, but after 6 years of being together and still no baby, we brushed the topic aside.

In October 2016 we got married in New York. Soon after, we discussed our options with a doctor as we had decided that we definitely wanted to start our own family and would try anything to make it happen. At the beginning of 2017, I underwent a second laparoscopy to remove any visible endometriosis and undergo a dye test to check for fallopian tube blockages which could have been contributing to my lack of fertility. After all the necessary checks had been done, we began hormone treatment.

Getting pregnant

I was naive to begin with and thought I’d be pregnant within a month or so, but instead, every month became a predictable, painstaking form of torture.

The month would start with a phone call to the Assisted Reproduction Unit (ARU) to inform them my period had begun, I’d then be called in for a scan at around day 3 and given FSH injections to be administered daily at home. I would have a follow-up scan at around day 10 to check

on the progress of the follicles, a few more days of injections if needed and a further scan. If too many follicles had grown, we had to cancel the cycle at the risk of multiples. If the follicles and the endometrium lining were both of the right sizes, we were given an HCG injection to help release the eggs, and told to have sex for the next few days –romantic!

Almost every month I would do a pregnancy test, certain that the twinge in my belly was different from the previous month, or that the headache I was feeling must be linked to pregnancy. When no pink line showed I’d convince myself the test was faulty, and often do two or three… and then my period would arrive, and the vicious cycle would start again.

After 15 months of treatment, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t pregnant – I didn’t smoke, I barely drank, I ate well and exercised regularly, so why wasn’t it happening? Friends and family members were getting pregnant, some without even trying. I struggled with my reactions as part of me was happy for them, but there was also a part of me that was so deeply jealous.

We spoke to the doctor about IVF and had decided to give it a go after one more month of injections. On Friday 13th April my period arrived, I rang ARU and followed the steps we were all too familiar with. On Thursday 26th April I administered my HCG injection and went to bed. All weekend I couldn’t bring myself to engage in intercourse, I had gone so far passed frustration I just didn’t care anymore. We both knew it wasn’t going to do anything, but out of feeling guilty for not even trying, we had intercourse on Monday 30th April. 

I had the odd dizzy day, headaches and a weird ‘feeling’ but I knew this was most likely my period on the way. On Wednesday 16th May, 2 days before my period was due, I had a morning nap at around 11am – that was not like me. Could I be? Am I…pregnant? When Mark returned home, I immediately did a pregnancy test… OH. MY. GOD - IT’S WORKED! I burst out crying and kept staring at the very prominent pink line. I’m pregnant. I looked at Mark and we burst out laughing, I’m not sure what we found funny at that exact moment, but his face is an expression I won’t ever forget.

The Pregnancy

I have decided that anybody who says pregnancy is amazing is either lying or very, very fortunate.

At just 5 weeks pregnant, I was pale, shaky, weak and vomiting approximately 30 – 40 times a day. I remember thinking ‘wow, mums are bad-ass to deal with morning sickness’, little did I know I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) - a pregnancy complication characterised by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possible dehydration. Just my luck.

If you’ve ever had a hangover so crippling you can’t physically move, you can probably imagine what HG feels like. The only difference? You know you’re going to feel exactly the same the next day, and most likely the day after that too.

Even with anti-sickness tablets, the vomiting was so bad, some days I just stayed on the bathroom floor. I couldn’t keep anything down, even water. At just 10 weeks pregnant I was hospitalised due to dehydration and given IV fluids for a week. I returned home with alternative anti-sickness medication and the realisation that this pregnancy was going to suck.

Far left: This photo was taken an hour before I found out I was pregnant. Left: In the hospital with sunglasses, an icepack and an IV drip. Below: 13 weeks pregnant, the day we shared the news with friends and family.

I had migraines almost daily and struggled to navigate my way around the house without sunglasses and a hand glued to my head. At about 4 months, I’d had enough - this pregnancy was taking it out of me, physically, mentally and emotionally. I could no longer cope. I had a lengthy conversation with Mark about whether I could continue with the pregnancy – it was just that bad. After almost two years of hormone treatment, I absolutely knew I wanted the baby so these feelings must be due to increased hormones and severe sickness. I can do this.

Going in for our 20-week scan was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Our priority was making sure the baby was healthy, but we were also both keen to find out the sex of the baby. We had already agreed on names, were we going to have a Beatrice or were we going to have a Max? After a few star-jumps and prods from the sonographer, the baby finally showed us what we needed to see. It’s a girl! I felt an overwhelming feeling of love for the first time and was more anxious than ever to meet her – especially after the crap she’d put me through so far!

We had heard of Hypnobirthing and were quite open to trying it, anything to make the birth easier seemed like a good idea at this point. May and Jan, who run the classes, taught us how to induce deep relaxation using breathing techniques, visualisation and reading scripts to help have an easier, quicker labour.

We were as prepared as we could be. We had been practicing the breathing techniques, Mark had been reading scripts to me, and I had been using my birthing ball religiously. My birthing preference included staying at home for as long as possible, followed by a natural pool birth. I understood that the pool may not be available, so I had also prepared for a standing birth. We had playlists ready, and a list of snacks the length of my arm. Suffice to say, when you are advised to have a backup plan, make 2 or 3!

As my due date of 18th January approached, I was feeling fed up and so done with pregnancy – I’d had Braxton Hicks every day since week 16, I was still being sick accompanied by nose bleeds, I had severe pelvic girdle meaning I needed crutches to walk and I’d been diagnosed with an irritable uterus after further stays in the hospital –I was so done with pregnancy.

"I was more anxious than ever to meet her – especially after the crap she’d put me through so far!"

The Birth

I had been experiencing mild period-like cramping pains for about a week, so every day was a guessing game ‘am I/ aren’t I in labour?’

At 8:30pm on Sunday 20th January, I felt a sudden wave of nausea and needed to run to the bathroom, nothing new. I went to bed shortly after but woke at 10pm with cramping pains, I was certain this time, early labour had begun. I slept on and off until about 2am when the contractions were too strong to sleep through. I woke Mark, had a shower, washed my hair and shaved my legs and excitedly made my way to the living room to begin our birthing plan. I listened to a relaxing playlist and bounced on the birthing ball, breathing through every contraction. At about 4am we rang the maternity unit to let them know my contractions were now every 3 to 5 minutes apart and lasting for just over a minute each. I was advised to take a bath and wait it out a little longer – that was frustrating as I was sure they were going to tell me to head in!

At 5:30 I had my first bout of diarrhoea, followed quickly by violent vomiting – this continued every few minutes for about half an hour. At 6:08, I messaged my mum (our designated driver) to let her know things were progressing – the message read:

‘Today is the day for sure. After I was sick last night the contractions and pain started very strong, slept on and off until 2am but been up since then. Very strong contractions, very painful and sickness and diarrhoea every few minutes. Spoke to midwife she said ring back when contractions are every 3 minutes, it’s heading that way.’

Having endometriosis causes incredibly painful periods with nausea, sickness and often fainting so I presumed I had a high enough pain threshold to deal with labour naturally. Just before 7am the pain now seemed to be constant and the contractions had disappeared. What’s going on? I did what you’re advised not to do and started Googling. The outcome? Diarrhoea cramps! I couldn’t believe it, this whole time I thought I’d been managing my labour well, but it turns out I just had an upset stomach. I felt like such a failure, I was supposed to be stronger than this. I remember saying to Mark ‘I know I said I don’t want an epidural, and I know I said that even if I beg when I’m in labour not to let me have one –please, please pretend I didn’t say that as I’m struggling just with an upset stomach!’

At 7am I ran to the loo, but something was preventing me from sitting down. I looked down and saw a puddle of blood, it was pouring out of me – something definitely didn’t seem right. Mark rang the maternity unit who advised us to call an ambulance immediately.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am, where I was given Entonox (gas and air) to help manage the pain, but as I didn’t know what was wrong, I started to panic. Once the midwife had checked me over, she reassured me that I was probably in labour and I would most likely give birth that day. My membranes were bulging out of my cervix making it hard to see how far into labour I was, so when my waters did eventually break, I think we were all shocked to learn I was actually 8.5cm dilated! Suddenly everything felt real, I couldn’t believe I thought I just had an upset stomach when I was really in the last stage of labour. Things took a sudden turn though.

‘It’s breach!’ Screamed the midwife. With the press of the panic button, I was suddenly surrounded by 10 other people – doctors, nurses, and midwives. I could feel the fright in the room, it suddenly felt very intense. The bottom half of the bed was released, and my legs put in stirrups. With no time for a C-section or pain relief, I was going to have to push this baby out.

I was given an episiotomy where the doctors then realised the baby was footling breech. At just before 8:30am, with a mighty scream and big push, her left leg came out, shortly followed by her right leg. A couple more big pushes and she was here.

Beatrice Matilda Wilkinson was born at 8:40am on 21st January 2019, weighing a healthy 7lb15oz. After everything we had been through, from trying to conceive to dealing with a horrendous pregnancy, I really shouldn’t have been surprised that my labour would be any less dramatic. It took a little while for everything to sink in, but when it did, my heart just filled with pride and joy – I now know what true love is.

Beatrice opening her eyes at just 18 minutes old

A guide to HYPNOBIRTHING

Having both originally taught Hypnobirthing on a 1:1 basis, May & Jan decided to come together and share their experience and passion for Hypnobirthing to teach group classes to mums and their birth partners.

Who are May and Jan?

May qualified as a midwife in 2014 and trained as a Hypnobirthing teacher in 2017 after noting there was a real need in Jersey for fun, modern and realistic birth education that changed the way people think about birth. She holds a diploma in Hypnobirthing from KGH and is particularly passionate about ensuring women are fully informed about their options during birth, leaving them feeling empowered and confident.

Jan qualified as a midwife in 1988 and trained as a Hypnobirthing teacher in 2004, having used Hypnobirthing herself during her own labour. Jan has also gained a certificate and a diploma in Hypnotherapy with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. Jan is particularly passionate about empowering women to have the best birth experience for them.

What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is about experiencing birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents our birthing muscles from functioning as nature intended them to. Using breathing techniques and selfhypnosis, parents can mutually benefit from a programme that will help you overcome your fears and learn to ignore the traumatic stories that seem to circulate and scare us about labour.

Positive Birth Jersey was established with the

aim of providing mothers, fathers and birth partners with knowledge, tools and techniques to build positivity, strength and confidence in pregnancy and birth. Athletes will prepare (both mentally and physically) for months ahead of events, races or competitions - yet as women, we often feel totally unprepared for what lies ahead when it comes to birth and parenthood. If you don't know your options then, quite frankly, you don't have any - and that's where Hypnobirthing comes in.

How does Hypnobirthing work?

Hypnobirthing is an antenatal programme that gives you a vast amount of knowledge, tools and techniques for a positive and calm birth experience. Through Hypnobirthing you will be completely prepared to give birth however you choose, including caesarean section.

You will learn positive words, breathing techniques and visualisations to induce deep relaxation during labour and birth. When Hypnobirthing is practiced, you are likely to experience a more comfortable, quicker birth with your baby arriving in a relaxed environment. You are also less likely to request the use of pain relief and require less medical intervention during labour and birth.

To conclude...

Forward-thinking, modern, inspiring and fun, Hypnobirthing with Positive Birth Jersey will make a difference to your experience of giving birth, and give you the tools you need to give your baby the best start in life. May and Jan are both pretty confident when they say that you will leave their classes feeling inspired, informed, calm, confident and prepared for a positive birth and parenthoodwhatever that may look like to you!

 Find out more about Hypnobirthing online at www.positivebirthjersey.co.uk or email positivebirthjersey@outlook.com

Q. Q. Q.

IS HYPNOBIRTHING A WASTE OF TIME IF I DON'T HAVE A NATURAL BIRTH?

No! Hypnobirthing not only equips you with the Hypnobirthing information but gives you the knowledge to understand your options and the implications of the choices you make during labour and birth. Sometimes things do not go to plan and birth can, at times, be unpredictable. It is therefore so important for women and their birth partners to have the knowledge and tools to get the best from the situation that they may find themselves in during labour and birth. Your birth, your body, your baby – your choice.

SHOULD MY PARTNER ATTEND THE COURSE?

Your partner does not have to attend, but it can be very beneficial if he or she does. We do ask partners to listen to the facts and the logic so that they can understand how important it is, and the difference a partner or a birth companion can make. Hypnobirthing will offer you both good antenatal preparation and support before the birth of your baby. However, we have worked closely with women attending the course on their own and this is fine and fabulous - Hypnobirthing is for everyone, it will not be any less effective if you choose to hypnobirth on your own.

WHEN SHOULD I START THE COURSE?

We would recommend commencing the programme at around 28 weeks of pregnancy, but there is no ‘rule’ about this - you can start the programme earlier or later than this. It is never too late to work towards a positive birth experience.

With over 35 years of combined midwifery experience, May Bourne and Jan Auffret set up group Hypnobirthing classes with Positive Birth Jersey to help parents prepare for labour and birth.

"When Hypnobirthing is practiced, you are likely to experience a more comfortable, quicker birth with your baby arriving in a relaxed environment."

The arrival of Santi

This is a day I will never forget. It is one that I relive on a regular basis, I still cannot believe how incredible and strong my body is. I grew a tiny human in there and managed to get him out all perfect in one piece!

I was overdue - 40 weeks plus 3 days. The midwives always tell you how you are officially 'full term' from 37 weeks and how baby could come at any time. As soon as I hit that 37-week mark, I instantly thought the baby would come any day. I had waited this long and as soon as you know in your mind that your baby is ready, you get a sudden feeling of desperation to meet what has been growing inside of you. So, we began to try all the methods that people convince you 'work' to induce labour. You name it, we tried it! And, the truth is - nothing worked! Your baby and body will tell you when they're ready. In all honesty, after 40 weeks and 3 days, I forgot about all the methods I had been trying and as soon as I felt truly relaxed and unprepared, that is when labour started.

Early labour

At 9.15am on 10th May 2018, I felt my first twinge. It was a small, sharp pain in my lower back and it was not uncommon at this point during my pregnancy. Was baby lying in a funny position? I was unsure - so I decided to ignore it. At 9.23am I was desperate for the toilet, so I popped upstairs for a wee and upon wiping I noticed a funny coloured type of mucus in my knickers. Could this be my mucus plug? I had heard that you can lose your mucus plug up to 3 weeks before giving birth, so I was confused about this weirdly coloured discharge so late on in the pregnancy.

I wasn’t sure whether to go straight to the hospital, but May had explained that the longer I stayed in my home comforts, the faster I would dilate. So that was that. I was unsure how to feel, it was a mixture of excitement, nerves, anxiety and relief. The day we had been waiting for was finally here. I felt so ready on paper - my hospital bag was packed, I had snacks bagged up and ready to take to the hospital, my birthing preference was in full swing and I was so overly organised that I had nothing to worry about. Saying that, being ready on paper sometimes isn't enough. I did not feel ready emotionally to deal with what was to come.

I called the hospital at 11.55am and explained that I was having strong contractions and that my baby was on the way. I had the phone in one hand and I was also bouncing on my birthing ball to help at this point. The midwife on the phone was so confused as to why I wasn't screaming, the pain was so intense I just couldn't talk, all I could manage was to blow puffs of air. This is the 'breathe baby down' technique that May had spoken to me about. I was automatically putting it into practice!

Arriving at the hospital

My contractions were now strong enough to a point that I would not speak or even open my eyes, but as soon as the surge went away, I was back on my feet, sipping water and joking with people around me. It is so weird how I went in and out of that state for a matter of hours. Great news - I was 4.5cm dilated!

I cannot believe I had managed to stay at home until the half way mark - that felt like an accomplishment in itself. I hadn't even taken a paracetamol, just using my breathing techniques and keeping myself distracted had worked for me at this point. I was not opposed to having an epidural or any other medication they had to offer, but I had come this far, so I decided to test myself and see how much longer I could hold out. I really wanted a water birth and some medications (such as the epidural) would mean that I would not be allowed in the water.

Minutes turned in to hours and in all honesty, the contractions became so repetitive and continuous that I didn't even focus on the time. Michael must have arrived around 1.40pm and offered support by rubbing my back and feeding me snacks - before I knew it, it was 4.30pm. I had a moment of weakness and I asked the midwife what pain relief was available. Before the midwife offered me any pain relief, she asked if I was able to get up off the floor and onto the bed so that she could examine me. I am aware that on my birthing preference I asked them not to offer me even a paracetamol unless I asked, and thankfully when she examined me, I was 9cm. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I survived 4 and a half hours of active and intense labour, could I make it to the end?

Time to meet baby

Once they dipped me in the warm water of the birthing pool my body just took over. I had gas and air on standby for the final stage. From that point onwards, the story becomes a bit fuzzy. When I speak of my body taking over, I closed my eyes and I felt my mind take me elsewhere. It can only be described as an out-of-body experience. With that being said, I dunked my head into the pool, chin to chest and just gave the hardest push I could give. It's funny how your body just knows what to do in the moment. I could faintly hear Michael's voice in my ear telling me to take a deep breath as I kept holding my breath during each push!

All in all, my active labour lasted for 6 hours and 40 minutes. 9 hours 40 if we count from my first twinge. I know that in my case I was very lucky being able to stay at home for so long and cope with the pain, something which I feel was only doable due to Hypnobirthing. I am the type of person who cries when I have to get an injection, so I am still in disbelief that this birthing experience belonged to me. 

Through the practice of Hypnobirthing, Martina Melim had an enjoyable, natural birthing experience. She shares her story.

HOT TOPICS PARENTING

Becoming a parent is a hugely exciting time, but it can also be scary not knowing what to do for the best. Six mothers share their opinions on three of the most widely debated topics.

Sleep Training

TABITHA SAYS YES

Teaching your child to self-soothe and sleep independently is a valuable life skill that benefits both baby and you. It doesn’t have to mean using the Cry-It-Out method in order to achieve the desired goal either. We used the Gina Ford method when our daughter was 4 and a half months and it has worked wonders. She has been sleeping through from 7pm-6.30/7am almost every night and is happier for it since she’s more well-rested, further benefiting her physical and mental development. On less than a handful of occasions she has woken crying in the night when she has been poorly which assures us that she will let us know when she needs us and not just because she has woken in the night and needs help to fall asleep again.

We believe the secret to success is to use this method when your baby is on formula so that you can measure out required ounces to ensure your baby is getting enough milk and not going hungry.

GABBY SAYS NO

Your baby was growing inside of you, hearing your heart beat, feeling the warmth and safety of your body for 9/10 months, once they’re born their needs and desire for this don’t just disappear. Responding to them at any time of day is important for the development of a happy, secure child, it doesn’t make them manipulative or spoilt.

Babies don’t learn to sleep by being left to cry, they learn that nobody is going to answer their cries so they stop trying. When training methods recommend putting in headphones/turning the TV up so you can’t hear your child’s cries, it should immediately tell you that something isn’t right.

Sleep is developmental for babies and like other milestones, is reached at different times for different children. Some are ready at 6 weeks, others may still not be ready at 18 months.

Breast or Formula

SUMMER SAYS BREAST

I can’t imagine motherhood without breastfeeding. I breastfed my daughter from birth until she was five, when she self weaned. It was the natural thing to do and suited us. I fed throughout my second pregnancy then tandem fed for two years. It was bliss. My son is almost 3, still feeding alongside a healthy diet.

We’ve always been happy to feed in public, I hope one day it's accepted more and other mothers don’t have to deal with negative attitudes.

It’s the perfect way for us to re-connect and unwind at the end of the day. Breast is best. Breast milk adapts to each baby/ child feeding, I love knowing that I’ve helped prevent or overcome sickness whilst they’ve developed a stronger immune system.

Vaccinations

SARAH SAYS YES

Vaccines are very safe, and the threat of diseases is very real. I don't know anybody who has had a reaction to vaccines nor do I know anybody who has had any of the diseases they have been protected from. A child who is not vaccinated is automatically more susceptible to dangerous and deadly diseases. Imagine a child who hasn't been vaccinated catching a deadly disease that could have been prevented? For me the decision to vaccinate was an easy one.

JESS SAYS NO

I chose not to vaccinate my children. I wasn't vaccinated and neither was my mother or grandmother and we are all healthy and happy with strong immune systems. I believe vaccines can cause some of the diseases they are supposed to protect us from so for me it wasn't worth the risk. We eat a diet high in organic food and practice basic hygiene which I think has helped keep us healthy and strong.

GEMMA SAYS FORMULA

I am not anti-breast, I am just pro formula. I tried so hard to breastfeed my son and first daughter but my milk never came in. I tried to rely on lactation consultants but nothing helped. I felt so defeated and went to formula. With my second daughter, I didn't even attempt to breastfeed - I felt awful that I didn't even try but I soon realised that fed is definitely best.

I am much more relaxed in knowing that my children have been fed well and I'm no longer stressing about not being able to breastfeed. I can also keep an eye on exactly how much they are eating which is reassuring for myself and my husband. Formula feeding also means my husband can feed the children which gives them their own bonding time too.

My children are all happy, healthy and thriving so I would definitely recommend formula feeding if that’s what works best for other families.

Images: Adela Kang

Mini style

Mark Stephenson photographs Noah, Jack, Tigerlily, Luca-James, Bella and Beatrice-Matilda wearing the latest spring fashions.

OPPOSITE PAGE, STANDING L-R: NOAH WEARS POLO SHIRT £29 AND SHORTS £60, BOTH TIMBERLAND AT LA LILOU JACK WEARS T-SHIRT £20, SHIRT £69 AND SHORTS £38, ALL TOMMY HILFIGER AT LA LILOU TIGERLILY WEARS DRESS £26 , EASY PEASY LUCA-JAMES WEARS TOP AND SHORTS SET £40, MAYORAL AT LA LILOU

SITTING: BELLA WEARS DRESS £40, MAYORAL AT LA LILOU BEATRICE-MATILDA WEARS BODYSUIT £25, MAYORAL AT LA LILOU

BELLA WEARS TOP £49 AND SHORTS £38, BOTH TOMMY HILFIGER AT LA LILOU NOAH WEARS POLO SHIRT £38 AND SHORTS £38, BOTH TOMMY HILFIGER AT LA LILOU

BEATRICE-MATILDA WEARS BODYSUIT £22, MAYORAL AT LA LILOU

OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM L-R: JACK WEARS POLO TOP £16.95 AND JEANS £24.95, BOTH JOULES AT VOISINS TIGERLILY WEARS DRESS £24.95 AND GILET £29.95, BOTH JOULES AT VOISINS LUCA-JAMES WEARS TOP £11 AND JOGGERS £14, BOTH EASY PEASY

MANNER bridal

A SIGNATURE SCENT

Create a wedding day that is uniquely yours. A fragrance soundtrack to happy memories. You've found the perfect person, it's now time to find the perfect fragrance. If you already have a favourite, this is a good place to start. Take something you like and layer with another. Add a twist that is unique to you, inspired by your personality, style and the little details for your day.

Visit Jo Malone London in Voisins and let the bridal specialist, Lainah Penttila, help you find your perfect wedding scent.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

For all your floral needs, including bridal bouquets and table centre pieces, contact Bella Fiori who specialise in wedding flower designs. Ffi will bring your ideas to life, choosing flowers and colours to suit the theme of your wedding, ensuring you have a truly magical day.

WEDDING Style

Contact Ffi on 01534 528080 or follow Bella Fiori on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.

www.bellafiori.je

Shop 5 Colomberie Parade, St Helier, Jersey

ARRIVE IN STYLE

If you're looking for a relaxing and sophisticated way to mark your special occasion, then look no further.

bouquets and table centre pieces, contact Bella precise colour.

Millennium Carriages has been providing horse drawn carriage rides for all occasions for over 22 years. They offer a wide selection of carriages and Jersey’s most beautifully groomed horses. To add to the magic and enchantment of your Millennium Carriages experience, all of the drivers are dressed in formal attire.

For further information contact Ivor Barette on 01534 482343 or email ivorbarette@hotmail.co.uk

A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE

Vibert Marquees Ltd is a family run business with over 35 years of experience.

'We understand you want your wedding day to be as special and individual as you are! We are here to guide you every step of the way, nothing is a problem for our experienced, friendly team. We can’t wait to work with you, get in touch today!'

www.vibertmarquees.com

CUSTOMISE YOUR SHOES

Ever stressed about finding the perfect shoes for an outfit? Rainbow Club offers a unique and easy solution; they specialise in stunning ivory satin bridal shoes. There are so many designs to choose from - and it gets even better; their bespoke colour matching service means they can dye their shoes in over 280 in-house colours. It’s simple: choose your favourite style, your colour and complete an order form. The shoes will be sent away to be hand dyed, with up to 20 pigments available to get

Padded in just the right places, Rainbow Club shoes offer you support all day and night long. Selected Rainbow Club styles are

Selected Rainbow Club styles are available at Voisins.

TripIt

Wedding apps

Hannah Carolan's favourite apps and websites for planning the wedding you want - while still having a life.

PREZOLA

Prezola is the UK’s largest independent wedding gift list company. Here you can choose from over 50,000 gifts from 500 top homeware brands and have a commission-free honeymoon fund all on one list. You simply then share your gift list so that family and friends can easily buy items directly from your list. Brands available on Prezola include: The White Company, SMEG, Made. com, Virgin Experience Days and KitchenAid. As an additional benefit of setting up a Prezola account, you will receive the option to create a free wedding website from their sister company, gettingmarried.co.uk

If you’d prefer to receive cash to spend on something else you might need, such as honeymoon activities or home improvements, you can sign up for a Premier Plus Account where you can open a custom cash fund.

The key to a well-planned, stress-free honeymoon is organisation and that is exactly what TripIt can help you with. By forwarding all of your travel confirmation emails, including car rental and even restaurant bookings, this handy app will create a detailed daily itinerary tailored to you. If, like me, you have been known to lose important information such as flight numbers and times, save yourself the worry and store all your details to TripIt. Your itinerary will also be available even when you’re offline.

APPY COUPLE

A personalised wedding hub – an integrated platform that helps you plan and share your wedding. By only having one account that manages everything from your guest list to sending out invitations and RSVPs, Appy Couple eliminates the stress of creating multiple accounts to do individual tasks. You can choose from hundreds of designs to create the perfect look for your website, app and communications to your guests. Other helpful features include a guestbook, guest list manager, photo streaming and travel concierge. User-friendly, practical and pretty!

The Wedding Collection Jersey

The Wedding Collection website showcases the best of participating wedding vendors in Jersey. Featuring real weddings, bouts of inspiration, stationery, flowers and cakes, it makes searching for your dream local wedding just that little bit easier. As well as serving as a helpful onestop-shop directory, it also has a blog section full of best practice, tips, trends and fun facts to help make your wedding planning go smoothly in the run up to your big day.

www.weddinginjersey.co.uk

WEDPICS

WedPics Wedding Photo App is the free*, fun and easy way for your wedding party, family, and friends to share their photos and videos in a personalised wedding album. Enter the unique wedding ID, take photos and videos, add any custom filters and voilà, every photo and video captured during your wedding day is instantly uploaded to your album!

WedPics has been featured on Mashable, NBC, BBC and the WeddingChannel to name just a few. It also boasts an impressive 4.7/5 rating on the Apple app store.

*In-app purchases are required on certain downloads and packages.

Let's rock 'n' roll

On the 29th September 2018, Laura Butlin-Policarpo said 'I do' in front of a close group of friends and family. She shares her story

As someone who has battled chronic stress and anxiety, ‘You’re the calmest bride we’ve ever seen’ was not the image I had thought I would project the morning of my wedding. Neither would I have predicted I would feel calm, but I dideven after my bridesmaids’ taxi failed to arrive. My day started with an unplanned drive; pyjamas on, maid of honour by my side. A mild adrenaline rush, coupled with continuous laughter next to two of my best friends. The perfect start to the best day of my life.

We set up make shift beauty stations as a slow, drawn out get-ready began. Drawn out because, with the ceremony starting at one thirty, we had given ourselves plenty of timeor so I’d thought. How did midday approach so quickly? Had I eaten enough? Who was I kidding, three bacon sandwiches were more than enough! The variety of smoothies we had pre arranged; in case I wasn’t hungry… had barely been touched. Hair and makeup was drawing to a close. I chose to do my own makeup, a decision I’m glad I’d stuck to. I nearly talked myself into coercing the makeup artists attending to my bridesmaids into doing mine too. But the truth is, I wanted to feel like myself, I’ve always loved skincare and makeup so my fear of not resembling a better version of myself won out.

Time got the better of us, it was 12 o’clock

and none of us were dressed. There was no time for questions to flood my mind. How was Danny feeling? Was he nervous at all? The beauty of a modern wedding is you make your own rules. We had decided not to speak after we’d said our farewells the night before. When planning our wedding we’d kept the traditions we liked and shunned the ones that didn’t resonate with us. Our engagement lasted under a year, even though it had taken me a couple of months to decide what kind of day I wanted. My suggested wedding plans had varied from a three-day festivity to a spontaneous elopement. I admit I have never been the most decisive of beings. I was lucky that Danny had been hands-on with wedding plans, it was a labour of love we worked on together. He is the yin to my yang. I am the dreamer and he is the doer.

I hugged my mum goodbye and waved my bridal party off. I sat next to my dad and we drove for ten minutes before stopping. Not far from La Hougue Bie, our ceremony location. The butterflies I had been waiting for arrived. This was it. This was the moment Danny would see me, and I would see him. The moment I would marry the love of my life. The moment I would marry the love of my life beneath a canopy of greenery, with the sun shining, in front of 30 of our closest friends and family. I took a deep breath, I was ready. My dad turned to me, “let’s rock ‘n’ roll”. 

Photographs by Sophie Darwin Photography

Dress Jenny Packham Bridal Suit Ashworth & Bird

Shoes Aquazurra and Office Yurts The Organic Yurt Company

Flowers Mark Howe

Photography Sophie Darwin Photography

Hair Salon TLC

Makeup and nails Glamour House Cake Flour

Catering T N Events

On Day Coordination Lovely Day Studio

Lettering and paper goods Paper By Her

Being a fabulously fashionable wedding guest

Words by Liana Shaw

This year it’s all about choosing design details that will give your outfit a fashion edge. Embroidery, embellishment, ruffles and bows are all favourites that will up the style ante.

Dresses, two pieces and jumpsuits are all fine; just consider the type of wedding. A beachy maxi dress or a comfy jumpsuit might work better for a relaxed wedding than a glamorous suit and cocktail dress style celebration. Silk, tulle, chiffon or cotton materials wear well in the summer because of the thinner, natural fabric; you definitely want to stay away from heavier jacquard or velvet on hot days or sweaty synthetics.

With colours there’s never been a wider choice. Why not reflect the joy of the day by choosing something fresh

and colourful? Neutrals are very useful but brighter block colours, pastels, florals and prints are perfect for this type of occasion.

Also, consider your accessories. Heels, wedges or flats? Clutch or crossbody bag? Bags with textures such as straw and beads are very on trend. Again, to be fabulously fashionable, it’s all about those little design details and materials. It’s good to slightly co-ordinate your shoes, bag or headwear to your overall look, but avoid complete matching or it can look a bit dated.

Finally, a little planning never hurts. A good try on session beforehand will let you know what you feel and look great in, meaning on the big day, you can get on with the important things, like celebrating. 

ALICE ARCHER

DRESS £215, TED BAKER AT VOISINS BAG £715.50, ASPINAL OF LONDON AT DE GRUCHY SANDALS £76.50, DUNE AT DE GRUCHY

HEI POA

A captivating and sensual fragrance of Exotic Luxury

Treat you skin this summer to Hei Poa, a captivating and sensual fragrance of exotic luxury. Available only at Ellipse Beauty, it's not only the divine fragrance that makes Hei Poa products unique. The beneficial effects of coconut oil, with the soothing status of tiara extract, provide deep hydration and softness to skin and hair as well as repairing and protecting. Hei Poa represents a beauty secret of many celebrities and top models.

1. EXFOLIATING SHOWER GEL

Free you skin of dead cells. Tahiti Monoi, black sand, papaya, coconut and sacred tamanu cleanse and exfoliate the skin in one movement, smoothing the skin while restoring brightness.

2. DRY OIL SUNSCREEN (SPF6, SPF15, SPF30, SPF50)

Dry oil Monoi effectively protects the skin from sunrays (UVA and UVB). Enriched with Monoi de Tahiti, this dry oil moisturises, nourishes and leaves a satin finish on the skin. Water-resistant.

3. AFTER SUN LOTION

Monoi Tahiti soothes and calms skin after sun exposure. Enriched with Monoi oil, passion oil and aloe vera it moisturises and nourishes the skin. Its active tan extender helps to effectively prolong tan.

4. PURE MONOI DE TAHITI AO

A multi-purpose oil that can be used to nourish, soften and repair skin and hair. Composed of essential elements (fatty acids, omega 6 and 9, lauric acid and tocopherol) available in vanilla, coconut, tiare, 1000 flowers.

We provide high end, luxury treatments

Your one stop shop for all beauty needs, whether it be hair removal, nails, a cheeky sunbed or a relaxing massage or facial.

Contact the team at 9 Charing Cross, St Helier | 01534 722001

THE RISE & REASONS OF

eco beauty

The concept of eco beauty has been gaining popularity recently, and now beauty experts and industry insiders; the people that make and market the products we use and love every day, have begun to listen.

There have been times in the near past where I’ve simply felt overwhelmed with the sheer amount of beauty buys available. It’s never ending. Many brands are launching new products and collections every couple of months and although it has led to some innovative ideas, it gets to a point where it’s just all too confusing.

I’m a massive beauty product lover. I love testing out new makeup and skincare, researching the benefits of key ingredients and sharing products I believe in. That hasn’t changed as such. What HAS changed is the

Words by Liana Shaw

way I choose my products and what’s in the products I’m choosing. This year, I’ve been focussing on using clean, green, eco-friendly items more often and it’s been a revelation.

It started at the end of last year when I had a reaction to one of the products I’d been using.

I still don’t know which one, but I developed dermatitis; the area on the left of my nose and parts of my chin were red and dried out. Something had been too harsh for my skin and I’d noticed too late. I’d also point out it may have been hormonal, but I think a mix of products I was applying too harshly to my

face, coupled with my biology, resulted in an annoying skin flare up. And although it was unpleasant (though not uncomfortable, thank goodness) it made me take stock and think about what exactly I was putting on my skin.

I’m clearly not the only one. Sales of organic, sustainable and cruelty free beauty products have risen steadily over the years. From my research into brands who follow this ethos, there are more than I realised, which is great. But it’s also meant I’ve been saying goodbye to some beloved brands because I can no longer morally support what they do. 

As beauty consumers, we just want the best possible product for our skin, hair, body etc. We love the idea of getting goodness or change from something and it will make us look and feel great. But now, people are stopping and thinking about the beauty items they love and whether the cost is too high. Eco beauty is about simplifying, not just the ingredients, but how much we are consuming.

The beauty industry is latching on to this concept in a hope to appeal to and retain the eco conscious beauty customer. I’ve never seen more companies start to change their ways than now; stripping back their ingredients, looking for more natural derivatives, ditching excess packaging, developing recyclable products. Everything from toothpaste to lipstick, foundation and face masks. It’s not just about the cleansing, ‘green’ ingredients, it’s how the contents and bottle have been manufactured.

Marketing these new products is also important. I’ve seen a change into bloggers, vloggers and influencers realising their enabling of fast fashion and fast beauty. Some of my favourite beauty reviewers online have scrapped deals and endorsements with brands who don’t give out an eco-conscious stance. And the word is spreading.

Now, I’m not going to pretend that I’m 100% natural and waste free when it comes to beauty, as I’m not. However, with a little research changes can (and have) been made and hopefully they can offer a little inspiration.

Homemade recipes

There are so many recipes and tutorials online for making your own homemade beauty products from natural ingredients. Lip balms with coconut

oil, sugar scrubs, aloe vera plant hair treatments etc. There are so many to explore.

Know the gimmicks

‘Scientifically proven’, ‘clinically tested’, ‘natural’, ‘eco’ are all words thrown about a lot within the beauty industry and maybe not be 100% true. Just because something says natural on the packet, doesn’t mean it is. Read the ingredients list, look up reviews and find brands and products you trust.

Buy local

3. Buying local sounds like the same old chestnut, but after delighting in some beautiful, homemade Manomara products at the Christmas market, I was sold. What carbon footprint?

Switch beauty tools

If changing up your beauty regime simply isn’t going to work, then why not switch your beauty related products? Makeup brushes, face and body loofahs, toothbrushes/ toothpaste and hairbrushes are all items that are easily changed from plastic and synthetic versions to natural, recyclable materials.

Finally, when it comes down to eco beauty, the one main point to take away is, aren’t we doing this for a benefit? It may be that we want to avoid future skin reactions, or we want to help the environment or animals. It might be that we want to simplify our bathroom cabinets and makeup bags. Whatever it is, there’s a steady revolution happening in beauty trends, and I, for one, am happy to be on board. 

POWDER BRUSH £10.99, SPECTRUM

AMBIENT LIGHTING PALETTE £49, HOURGLASS

NAIL POLISH £14.50, NAILBERRY

HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL MASK £17, THE BODY SHOP

DR HAUSCHKA EYE REVIVE

Specially formulated to soothe and refresh tired or irritated eyes, Dr. Hauschka Eye Revive will give your eyes some serious pampering. Formulated with extracts of eyebright and chamomile to calm the skin, it also contains fennel extract to visibly reduce puffiness.

MOO GOO SKIN MILK

UDDER CREAM

MooGoo is all about natural skincare products made with healthy ingredients, plant oils and extracts. They specialise in providing solutions for a variety of skincare problems such as dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

VIRIDIAN ORGANIC CLEAR SKIN OIL

Viridian 100% Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil provides a reliable source of omegas 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids for gorgeous clear skin. Suitable for vegans.

Natural beauty

100% Health offers a fantastic range of beauty products, many of which are vegan, anti-oxidant, paraben-free and cruelty-free. Discover a world of natural beauty at the store in Conway Street. T: 01534 871588 www.100health.je

REN ATLANTIC KELP & MAGNESIUM BODY WASH

REN’s revitalising (and multi-award-winning) Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash comes in a 100% recycled bottle – in homage to its sustainable ocean-sourced bioactives.

WILD NUTRITION

Uniquely formulated for women, the Wild Nutrition complex of Food-Grown® vitamins and minerals, whole–food nutrients and herbal extracts supports natural beauty from within.

CAUDALIE RESVERATROL LIFT

A supercharged lifting and sculpting elixir, Caudalie’s Resveratrol Lift Firming Serum stars a patented blend of stabilised vine resveratrol and micro hyaluronic acids which together, work to visibly plump, smooth and re-contour dry, mature skin types.

ANTIPODES

Antipodes lipsticks are formulated with ingredients that are not only safe, but actually healthy!

PACIFICA

100% vegan and crueltyfree, Pacifica makeup gives you eyeshadows, foundations and more.

Pacifica’s Dream Big mascara contains natural plant fibres that build and build. The nail polishes are void of many chemicals with amazingly vibrant colours. Even the brush is

natural 100% vegan!

SKIN HEALING

Cica, from the French word ‘to heal’, has been used for centuries to treat skin irritations, burns and cuts. It's been a K-beauty staple for some time, with Google searches for it rising by 800% since 2016, so expect to see skin healing solutions popping up everywhere.

CENTELLA SENSITIVE CICA BALM £38, KIEHL’S REVITALIFT CICACREM £12.99, L'OREAL PARIS

DAISY GIRLS

Inspired by sunny days and the sparkling spirit of daisy girls everywhere, Marc Jacobs brings a bright, sunny twist on the classic Daisy fragrances. Sunkissed gold raspberries and orange blossoms shimmer at the top as solar musks round out the fragrance with its alluring aura. The #MJDaisy Marc Jacobs Sunshine Limited Editions transport daisy girls to a happy place where optimism overflows and the carefree spirit of daisy.

Beauty BUZZ

Update your beauty regime with the latest trends and products.

GLOSSY

Gone are the sticky glosses of the 90s, say hello to the shiny lipsticks and hydrating glosses of 2019.

CICA-BOTANIC BALM £30.65, DECLÉOR

SHIMMER LIP GLOSS £20, BOBBI BROWN AT VOISINS

L'ABSOLU GLOSS SHEER £19.25, LANCÔME AT DE GRUCHY

ULTRA SHINE LIP GLOSS £31.50, TOM FORD AT DE GRUCHY

POP OF COLOUR

Bold eyes and loud lips work well for spring. Be brave and add some colour.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK STEPHENSON

MODEL: WENDY BROWN | MAKEUP: JESSICA SHELLEY

HEALTHY SKIN FOR SPRING

Follow Laura ButlinPolicarpo's tips and tricks to achieve healthy spring skin

With the unpredictable weather winter has brought us this year, it’s been hard to know how to keep our skin looking its best. If you’ve been out and about, the combination of unexpected sunshine and cold winds might have left an impression. And if you’ve worked extra hours at the office, the central heating has probably not done your skin any good. These all act as disrupters; dullness, breakouts, irritation. This, in turn, dries your skin out, I believe a lot of skin problems stem from dehydration. However, simply slathering on a thick cream is probably not going to make things any better. To better focus on hydrating and protecting your skin, exfoliation is key. Exfoliating is important, as it will help remove any dead skin cells and prevent build-up from clogging your pores. I’m not encouraging you to use a scrub daily but a mild formula once or twice a week can be a great addition to your skincare routine. On the other hand, if a manual scrub isn’t your thing, a chemical exfoliant is a must. There are so many on the market now with a variety of acid/enzymes and percentages to suit all, just do some research. Now you can focus on hydration. The reason simply slathering on a thick cream won’t work is because moisturisers don’t moisturise. I know, bold statement, but hear me out. They lock in the moisture from the previous skincare you’ve applied. Moisturisers are often too thick to penetrate the skin's surface but they are the perfect barrier to prevent moisture evaporating. What should you use? A hydrating serum is a much better option. Look for something packed full of hyaluronic acid. The skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid; one gram has the ability to hold up to 6 litres of water, with the added ability to be able to regulate moisture within the cells. You can apply this to damp skin and follow it with an essence or oil for a serious punch. Or top with your regular moisturiser to lock the hydration in. You’ve heard it before but SPF, daily. Protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays isn’t just

something you need to remember in the summer months, or when you can feel the sun. The damaging UVA and UVB rays are present every day and can cause skin cancer as well as sun damage and aging. Not all sun creams are thick and greasy; there are plenty that you won’t even notice you're wearing. Just be sure to look for a broad spectrum, water-resistant product with a sun protection factor of 15 – 30.

And lastly, few of us are guilty of drinking too much water. Drinking enough water every day on a consistent basis is not only important for your skin's health but also for your digestion, circulation, and overall health. You can see quite easily if you need to up your intake. The lack of hydration will present itself as dryness, tightness, or your skin may even be slightly flaky. Hopefully, all these tips and tricks will either reinforce things you already know or will have you adopting a new habit to transform your skin. 

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid £5.15, Skinceuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF 50 £37, REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA

Tonic £21.90

Bringing craft hairdressing to Jersey

Hairdressing has taken Damian Philpott from Plymouth to Canada and New York, and back to the UK. He spoke to Sophie Wilkinson about his journey.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATT PORTEOUS

Hairdressing is in Damian’s blood. His grandfather, who he declares his hero, was a barber, opening his own shop when he left the Air Force after the war. “He opened the shop without any qualifications, I think he thought it was something easy to do, something he could do without training,” Damian tells me. “Once he had saved enough money, he bought the shop next door and turned it into a Post Office/ Newsagent that my gran worked in. He only bought it so he could see her more often as he worked from 5 in the morning until 9, 10 o’clock at night when the last client left.”

Damian always wanted to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, he recalls how his brother and sister would sit under the counter in the shop next door, waiting for their gran to affectionately throw sweets down to them, whilst he would sit in the barbers with his grandfather and talk to the clients.

I’m intrigued as to how Damian ended up working as a hairdresser rather than a barber. “I used to get my hair cut in a salon by a girl called Nicky and I mentioned that I was

interested in working with hair, I got home from the appointment and the boss, Bernard Roper, had already rung me to offer me a Saturday job – so, at age 15, I took it. I had only ever thought about cutting hair, I hadn’t considered colours, perms, and styling.”

Once Damian had finished school, he remained at the salon as an assistant. “I did my last GCSE on a Monday and started in the salon on the Tuesday, I didn’t have a break at all. It wasn’t the coolest salon in Plymouth, but it was the most consistent. Bernard was fully booked 6 weeks in advance every week, and he wasn’t even a great hairdresser - he would tell you that himself though! The thing Bernard drilled into me was to be consistent in everything that you do, the way you cut hair, the way you clean the salon etc. if you’re consistent you will do well.

"Bernard was a really cool guy, I used to stay behind and watch him cash up the till, I would ask him how much we had taken, how much was his, and he used to tell me. I had a great relationship with him, he was like a second dad to me in many ways.”

After completing his training, Damian worked at the salon as a hairdresser, but only for a short time. 

“I was a real hairdressing geek – every week I used to get the ‘Hairdresser’s Journal’ and read it cover to cover so I knew exactly what was going on in the industry. I knew who the best hairdressers were and who the celebrity hairdressers who were more ‘famous for being famous’ were. I had made my mind up that Trevor Sorbie was the best hairdresser in the industry, so when I read that there was an assistant’s position available in the London salon, I rang the number and asked for an interview.

“When I hadn’t heard the next day, I rang the salon again and spoke to a woman named Sally Brookes (the current ‘Hairdresser of the Year’), and she told me to go in for an interview on the Monday. I then listened to the answerphone and Kevin Sweeney, the salon manager, had offered me an interview on the Wednesday but I just thought sod it, I’ll go on the Monday anyway. When my mum came home, I told her that I had a job interview in London, but I’d never left Plymouth before, so she came with me on the train. I remember her saying to me ‘what are you going to do if you get the job?’ and me replying, ‘I’m not going to get the job’. In my mind I just thought there are going to be so many people applying, it’s not going to happen – I thought I might get to see Trevor Sorbie working, I get to go to the salon, it will just be an amazing experience.”

Damian was interviewed by Sally Brookes and Kevin Sweeney. Because Damian’s dad was a priest, the answerphone message said, ‘St Peter’s Vicarage’, something Kevin had picked up on being a Scottish Catholic himself. He spoke to Damian about religion while Sally quizzed him on his skills. At the end of the interview, they offered Damian the job – he was to start the following week.

“I had originally told Bernard that I was sick, so I had to go back and explain that I wasn’t sick I had gone for an interview in London! He was happy for me and thanked me for my honesty. He was always my goto in my professional life as well as certain aspects of my private life, so it was really sad leaving him, but we kept in contact.”

The next chapter

Why take an assistant position after qualifying as a hairdresser? “I knew I wasn’t going to be good enough. The standard that I had learnt at college was so low, NVQ is across the board standard, anyone who works in a salon can achieve an NVQ. The standard when you work for someone like Trevor Sorbie is extreme. You have to work 7 days a week to qualify. Every 3 months you are tested, if you fail once you can re-present, but if you fail twice, you’re out the door. It would either be Pauline McLaughlin, the Art Director, or Trevor himself who would look at your work. You’d have to present to the whole salon too, it was scary.”

Damian left Trevor Sorbie after 2 years and moved with Pauline when she opened her own salon, MacGregor McLaughlin. “The

salon was on the Kings Road by what used to be SEX (Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s shop selling edgy rock ‘n’ roll fashion). It was a very cool salon and the clientele was cool. Trevor Sorbie's was cool, but the clientele at MacGregor McLaughlin's was cooler. It was the rebels - you had the likes of Noel and Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams after Take That, a lot of actors and comedians - all rebels.

“It was a really creative salon. At Trevor Sorbie's it was very regiment, everything was done the Trevor way, but at MacGregor McLaughlin's everyone was self-employed. There are lots of hairdressers that are creative but don't have solid foundations, but when you meet people that have had really great training and then become creative you get something really special. That's what MacGregor McLaughlin was, it was a very special salon. Pauline remains my hairdressing inspiration after all these years, I still speak to her on a weekly basis.”

Damian stayed with Pauline for 3 years before leaving London, citing that the lifestyle was too much. “I was working and partying constantly. When you work at those kinds of salons you have to attend parties to keep up your appearance. I knew that if I carried on for much longer, it would kill me.”

Leaving London

After MacGregor McLaughlin, Damian moved to Swindon to take a position with Toni and Guy. From here, he travelled the world improving various salons, from the UK all the way to Canada and New York. (When Damian took over the salon in Bath it was doing around 50k a month, within 6 months the turnover had more than doubled to 120k a month.) Damian then moved to Jersey and opened his own salon.

“During the summer of 2017, my wife and I purchased our own salon, Blunt Hairdressing, before splitting 4 months later. My wife funded the business and I think she almost wanted it more than I did - she’s in finance so I think the idea of owning her own business appealed to her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful to her and happy I have the business.

“Initially, going from being married, having a home and a fairly easy life, to going from living with friends was really difficult, having said that, business is great now. There’s another hairdresser who works with me, and a few others who are interested in joining, so we are expanding.”

At the time of speaking to Damian, he was working 20 hours a day on the salon refit. “I’m doing a lot of it myself as I want the salon to represent me and everything I stand for. The salon look is in line with my

philosophy on hairdressing, it’s the idea of respecting those that worked before you, that’s really important to me. We’re changing the colours and adding a lot of wood, it’s all about craftsmanship.”

After working in various salons around the world, Damian must find Jersey quite odd?

“It takes a little longer for fashion to hit in Jersey but when it does it really explodes, it's like the balayage, everywhere you looked last year girls had the same hairstyle. I think that's the problem with Jersey, there's kind of like this uniform, it's very hard for people to move out of their comfort zones. I have a core group of clients that allow me to do whatever I want to their hair, they are very adventurous and don't mind being different. A lot of those people have become friends because of the way I am, I’m a bit different too. I couldn't imagine being in a salon and doing balayage one after the other and GHD curls, that to me isn't hairdressing, that's what you see on YouTube. You obviously get clients who don't want to change and it's important as a hairdresser to respect that.”

Damian wants everybody to feel welcome in his salon and that’s reflected in the prices. “We're not as expensive as other salons, we keep our prices down because we just want everybody to have a really great haircut. I see people that have fairly normal jobs and people that are billionaires, I have a great mix of clients.

“I approach every client as a new client, it doesn't matter how long they've been coming to me. The consultation at the start is very important to find out what they didn't like with their last haircut - even if you gave it to them.

“The mirrors aren’t important, the chairs aren't important, I could cut hair sitting on a stool - as long as I have my scissors and my comb, I can do that haircut, the thing that is important is the clients. It's about value for money, good haircuts and understanding their needs. A lot of hairdressers are taught to cut hair in a particular way, so the next thing I want to do is to start running training from the salon, hairdressers can come in and learn. When you've been taught the knowledge and you've had the experience, I think it's very important to share that, I’m not quite at the end of my career but in 10 years I'm going to be, and I want to share the craft of hairdressing.”

I’ve kept Damian away from the salon for almost an hour, so I let him leave and get back to his pride and joy. 

Blunt Hairdressing is located on Colomberie Parade. You can book an appointment by contacting Damian on 01534 617872

"I was working and partying constantly. I knew that if I carried on for much longer, it would kill me.”

MANNER travel

A one-way ticket

Cliona Elliott shares why setting off with no plan and a rucksack is one of the best things she's ever done.

My eyes were glued to the Skyscanner page as I checked over the flight details for the fourth time. The only thing left to do was click confirm payment, but my finger lingered over the mouse as I realised what I was about to do. ‘Ahhh that’s it, I’m going to Vietnam!’

I’ve had a burning desire to travel since I can remember, and as I studied English at university, doing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course made sense. With a bank balance corresponding to that of a recent graduate, it was also the best way to travel on a shoe-string budget. I was going on this adventure with my best mate from uni, and it felt like a life-time of researching, planning and organising everything. We managed to secure jobs with the same language centre, and they arranged all the important stuff (visa, teaching contract and accommodation) before our departure. This dissolved some of the butterflies in the concoction of nerves and excitement that brewed in my belly. The countdown was on. After some teary farewells and bone crunching hugs from the family, I was off. I did that melodramatic thing, which I’m sure most people do discreetly at the start of a journey, when you gaze intensely through the plane window, pondering all that’s past and all that may be. Apart from a one-way ticket, a rucksack and a three-month probationary teaching contract, I had no set plan, and it felt wonderful! 

Anyone who’s been to Vietnam knows the roads are bedlam. Millions of motorbikes dashing around in all directions. Road safety? It’s unheard of. A family of four, their dog and a wardrobe wedged onto one bike is a normal sight. For the first few days I thought shit, what have I let myself in for? But the chaos somehow works. Within three weeks, and to the dismay of my mother, I was amongst the tooting bustle of drivers. The difference in horn-honking etiquette in the east and west still amuses me. In Asia it’s mostly a non-aggressive way of saying, ‘Oi! Just so you know I’m right behind/in front/beside you.’ Whereas here, it’s an act of sheer road rage; a way of hurling an imaginary middle finger at someone (often accompanied by an actual middle finger).

I was teaching my first class the day after arriving. I was excited, but also terrified. A Vietnamese teacher called Ms Vy picked me up at 5.30am on her motorbike. It was a day of firsts because I’d never been on the back of a

bike before. I clung onto her waist for dear life as she zigzagged through the traffic; not the usual commute that’s for sure! As we walked through the gates the children ran towards us shouting, ‘Hello, teacher!’ We must’ve set the world record for high-fives because within five minutes I’d basically high-fived the whole school. The bell rang and it was time to face the music, or in this case forty very energetic children sat waiting for the lesson to start. I was convinced they knew it was my very first lesson. Ms Vy was there to observe and assist if needs be, but it went surprisingly well, and she gave some really helpful feedback. I was so sweaty after all the singing and dancing, but I felt a huge sense of relief. Most importantly, I couldn’t wait to teach again. To this day, ‘Baby Shark’ and the ‘Gummy Bear Song’ still echo in my mind.

That one-way ticket turned into seven months of living in Vietnam and six months travelling around Asia. I then came home for a year to save up for another six-month trip, and now I’m on a working holiday visa

in Australia. They do say once you catch the travel bug that’s it!

Saving up to quit your job and travel requires commitment, weekends in and less spending on things in general. But it’s also a huge privilege to even have the opportunity, and it’s one I’m very grateful for. There are loads of ways to travel on the cheap if you’re not in a financial position to gallivant around the world for months without working. Look into working holiday visas in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Seasonal work is also popular. A few of my friends worked in bars and housekeeping at ski resorts and had a blast. Volunteering is another option, and a great website to use is www.workaway.info. It has thousands of hosts across the world looking for all sorts of help with projects including eco retreats, schools, wildlife conservations and permaculture.

I’ve met some incredible people and experienced some amazing things on my travels, but it isn’t always as glamorous as Instagram portrays. The photos shared in those little boxes don’t show the tears, the homesickness, and the situations that stretch your character and put your limits to the test.

"That one way-ticket turned into seven months of living in Vietnam."

Packing up and setting off with a rucksack isn’t for everyone, but if there’s even a slight tingle to travel under your skin, please do it. I would say it’s the best gift you’ll ever buy for yourself, but that would be an understatement. Travelling is one of the best investments you’ll make. You won’t have anything flashy to show for the amazing time you had. In fact, you’ll probably be skint, have no job and have to start over again, but that’s ok. The exposure to new cultures, flavours, sights and places; the people from every walk of life you meet; the plans that don’t go to plan; the last-minute decisions you have to make; the learning to trust your gut feeling; the food-poisoning; the language barriers; and the sweaty coach journeys and perpetual numb bum. It’s the good, the bad and everything else in between that make travelling worth it. You return with more confidence in yourself, more appreciation for the little island we call home,

a lifetime of stories that get progressively funnier every time you share them, and friendships bound together by shared highs and lows.

It’s easy to compare yourself to others, and

I’ve questioned whether I should be focusing on other things, i.e. a career, instead of travelling and working in different countries. But people have their own definitions of success, and it’s a dangerous game when you use others’ lives and achievements as a measuring tool for your own. What I have learnt is that getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow. Travelling pushes you out of your comfort zone, without a doubt. In some ways, when you come home you may feel like you’ve grown up or gained a new perspective on things, yet it feels like everything and everyone hasn’t changed at all. When you’ve finished catching up with family and friends and the initial buzz of being home wears off, you slot straight back in and it almost feels like you never left. It definitely takes a little while to find your feet when you come home. But if anything,

having the ability to pick up where you left off or make a life somewhere completely new makes you more adaptable and welcoming of change, in many areas of your life.

Note: The travel bug is insatiable. Once it’s been fed, there’s a high chance it’ll never leave your system. Don’t worry though, out of all the bugs it’s the best bug to have. It’s harmless in nature and simply increases your thirst for adventure. 

A greener future is a smarter future.

Electricity is the cleaner, greener alternative to oil and gasand it’s easy to switch with our interest free credit and payment plans. Reduce your footprint with smart technology, lower carbon emissions and one third of your energy from tidal power. Good for you, good for the planet. Find out more about our 100% efficient heating solutions at Smarter Living, The Powerhouse.

BY HELLO GERONIMO £295, NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM

MANNER lifestyle THE LUST LIST

BREAKFAST IN STYLE

Adorned with their signature decorative style, luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana have joined creative forces with Smeg to produce Sicily is my Love - a unique collection of vibrant, Italian-made appliances. Kettle, toaster and juicer, £499.95 each

FRAMED BRITISH ISLES BUTTON & BADGE ARTWORK

PEBBLE PEOPLE 3D ARTWORK £32.85, POUR TOI

CUCKOO CLOCK £120, ACCTIM

SERVING STAND £430, FORNASETTI

PLATE £16, CASA CUBISTA

SPARK JOY WITH Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organising consultant and author. Her four books have collectively sold millions of copies. Hannah Carolan explains how the KonMari Method is good for your wellbeing.

Spring is in the air. With beautiful blooms, new life, seasonally mild weather and clear skies comes the feeling of fresh beginnings and anticipation for summer ahead.

As you pack up your coats and boots in exchange for loafers and ballet pumps, it’s the perfect time to take a look around your home and see what needs to be cleared out. Clutter in its many forms can be a chronic source of stress. This means that spring cleaning isn’t just good for your home, it’s also good for you.

Marie Kondo, in her New York Times Bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, talks about more than just dusting and hoovering. Fascinated with organising since her childhood, Marie began her tidying consultant business as a 19-year-old university student in Tokyo. Today, she encourages readers to become more organised and intentional in what they choose to own, teaching the benefits of decluttering and minimising.

She also believes that by clearing out objects that weigh you down mentally and emotionally, you'll make space for new people, things and experiences. But does it work? Kondo says that some of her clients have lost weight, had their skin clear up, decreased their stress levels and improved their personal relationships, possibly due to the "detoxifying" effects of her tidying method. Following the launch of her 8-episode series Tidying Up on Netflix in January, goodwill donations to charity shops and non-profit organisations have also spiked as a result of fans being inspired to clean out their clutter to help improve their wellbeing and attract good karma.

Kondo’s ‘KonMari Method’ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. People around the world have been drawn to her philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great emphasis on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking.

The KonMari Method six basic rules:

1 - Commit yourself to tidying up. Yes, it may feel at first a little daunting and time-consuming, but the sense of achievement and empowerment you’ll achieve will be worth it.

2 - Image your ideal lifestyle. In her first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Kondo urges readers to “think in concrete terms so that you can vividly picture what it would be like to live in a clutter-free space.”

3 - Finish discarding first. Thinking about where to store things, or worrying about whether you can fit everything in, will only distract you from the job of discarding, and you will never finish.

spark joy should be thrown away, while everything that does spark joy should be kept. If you’re having trouble throwing something away, think about why: Is it of sentimental value? Did you buy a dress and feel guilty for never wearing it? Thank the object for its service in your life and move on. This helps mitigate the anxiety associated with purging.

10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MARIE KONDO

KONMARI YOUR HANDBAG

Empty the contents of your bag every night. This will help to eliminate daily waste such as receipts, bus tickets, wrappers and tissues. It will also ensure you never forget important items that you may need to pack for the following day. If you have a lot of bags, the best way to store them is in another bag!

4 - Tidy by category, not by location. This approach allows you to see objectively exactly how much you have.

5 - Follow the right order. Clothes first followed by books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items) and finally, sentimental items.

6 - Ask if it sparks joy. Everything that does not

Once you have all your clothes that continue to spark joy, it’s time to fold and store them. Kondo believes folding should be the main method of storage and folds each item into a perfect rectangle that can stand vertically in a drawer. This vertical storage technique will help keep your clothes from becoming wrinkled and you’ll be able to see everything easily in your drawers, too. Do a quick search for #KonMari on Instagram to see the abundance of drawer "after" photos taken by proud tidiers. Hollywood has also embraced the KonMari Method and famous fans who have been known to share their tidying efforts online include Jamie Lee Curtis, Oprah, Kate Hudson, Emma Watson and Jennifer Garner.

Once you've finished her six-step process, Kondo promises that maintaining this "state of perfect order" will be a breeze and you'll never have to purge again. In fact, she has had zero repeat clients.

So, get out the black bin bags, put some tunes on and get ready to choose joy. And remember, “even if you fail, don't worry - your house won't blow up!” 

Her four books have been translated from Japanese into several languages including Korean, Chinese, Spanish, French, Portuguese and English.

She always wears white as part of her brand and image.

Cosy socks and rose water are two items that spark joy for her.

She hates wearing trousers! The ancient Japanese religion of Shintoism influenced her tidying methods.

Despite her rise to fame she is extremely private and likes to keep a low profile. She loves tidying up so much that it was the subject of her university thesis.

Her pet cleaning hate is bad smells such as garbage, dirty washing and rotten food. Her “personal power spot” is her living room. Her most treasured possessions? Framed family photographs.

She always says a prayer upon entering a client’s home to attract good karma and enhanced spirituality.

Handmade like no other bed

Vi Spring is one of the very few bed manufacturers to make its own springs, in a process almost unchanged since 1901, ensuring that only the finest-grade steel and highest standards of workmanship go into their production. Each spring works to shape your Vi Spring mattress to your body, adjusting to your movements to provide constant, cradling support without areas of pressure. The springs work with the bed’s upholstery, providing a perfect balance of strength and softness. The supple springs return to their original shape after use, maintaining the structure and integrity of your mattress for longer.

Strong, supple steel

Vi Spring adds Vanadium to its spring steel to ensure that it retains its strength and suppleness for much longer than carbon steel.

The important numbers

Many bed manufacturers promote the number of springs in their bed as an indicator of comfort. Vi Spring doesn’t agree. Each Vi Spring mattressand divan features a single or double layer of honeycomb-nested pocket springs at its heart - the twin-layer construction of springs in Vi Spring’s finest mattresses providing even more support and responsiveness to your body’s movements. But it is the shape of the springs and the gauge of the wire from which they are made that is most important. Vi Spring uses nine different gauges of Vanadium steel wire to form its springs. Vi-Spring also makes 58 different spring types, varying in the wire gauge used and the coil diameter, and allowing such a range of comfort to be offered.

Vi-Spring pioneered the pocket spring more than a centuryago and the company has been the leading specialist in pocket spring technology ever since.

Unique pocket springs

Vi Spring houses every spring under slight compression in natural cotton calico pockets,so they offer immediate resistance to your body weight. the pockets contain the springs while allowing them to work independently, gently supporting you from head to toe as you sleep. Vi Spring craftsmenhand-nest the pocket springs in a honeycombpattern that maximises the support offered by each bed and minimises the gaps, for exceptional resilience and comfort in every mattress and divan.

A feeling of luxury

each Vi Spring mattress and divan is made with a unique selection of pocket springs to give an incredible choice of sleeping options. You can then specify your preferred spring tension of Soft, Medium, Firm or extra Firm for your perfect bed.

tHe VI-SpRING COLLeCtION

Natural luxury beds at David Hick Interiors

For further information, please visit our showroom where our experienced sales team will be happy to help you.

every bed is made individually to order and entirely by hand

EASTER EGGS

Easter is coming and it’s not all about chocolate eggs, here are three delicious recipes with fresh, local hens’ eggs, including a delicious twist on the traditional hot cross bun. Recipes by Christian Gott

SOURDOUGH TOAST WITH SMASHED AVOCADO AND SOFT-BOILED EGGS

A quick and easy breakfast or lazy weekend brunch.

SERVES 2 | TIME: APPROX. 10 MINS

4 ripe avocados

6 medium free-range eggs

4 large slices of sourdough bread

40g pine nuts

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat a heavy bottomed sauté pan over a medium-high heat and add the pine nuts. Toss until the pine nuts turn light brown. (This can be done in advance and then store them in an air-tight container.)

2. Half fill a medium sized pan with water, enough to generously cover your eggs, and bring to a simmer. Carefully lower the eggs into the water with a spoon and start your timer. For a soft-boiled

egg with the white just set, cook for four minutes. Cook for a further minute if you like your eggs a little firmer. If you prefer your eggs hard-boiled egg, start them in cold water and bring up to the boil. Once the eggs are simmering set the timer for ten minutes. When your eggs are cooked to your personal preference, remove from the heat and quickly plunge into a sink full of cold water for one minute. This will arrest the cooking process. Crack the egg shells with the back of a spoon and carefully peel.

3. While your eggs are cooking, toast the sourdough bread and peel and roughly break up the avocados. Arrange the avocados and eggs on the toast and sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts and season generously.

Tip: Start with eggs that are at room temperature to ensure the correct cooking time and prevent cracking.

COCONUT EGG FRIED RICE WITH VEGETABLES

A great side with roasted lamb or Asian spiced duck.

150g Basmati rice

A bunch of spring onions, sliced

2 courgettes, washed and cut into batons

A handful of cooked asparagus spears (optional)

50g frozen petit pois, thawed (optional)

2 medium soft-boiled free-range eggs

2 medium free-range eggs, beaten

Handful of fresh coriander, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

3cm piece fresh ginger, grated

2 tbsp coconut flakes

3 tbsp creamed coconut

3 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

1. Wash the rice thoroughly under a cold tap, and add to a medium sized heavy-bottomed saucepan with 300ml cold water. Bring the water to the boil, turn down the heat, cover and simmer for ten minutes. Remove from the heat, drain off any excess water and leave to steam dry in the pan.

2. Heat half of the oil in a wok over a medium heat. Whisk the two eggs and creamed coconut together with a little seasoning and add to the wok, stirring, until scrambled. Transfer to a plate.

3. Heat the remaining oil and add the courgettes and spring onions. Stir fry for one minute, add the garlic and ginger and fry for a further minute. Turn the heat down and add the rice, asparagus, peas, scrambled egg, soy sauce and coconut. Toss together and cook until heated through.

HOT CROSS BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING

A simple bread and butter pudding.

8 hot cross buns, cut into slices

100g Jersey unsalted butter

4 free-range eggs

75g golden caster sugar

250ml whole Jersey milk

250ml Jersey double cream

1 tbsp quality vanilla essence

Icing sugar

Jersey single cream

1. Whisk the eggs, vanilla essence and 50g of sugar in a large heat proof bowl. Pour the milk and cream into a heavybottomed pan and slowly bring to a simmer then remove from the heat. Add the milk and cream to the egg mixture, whisking continuously, then set aside.

2. Butter the hot cross bun slices and layer in an ovenproof dish. Cover with the egg mix and leave to stand for thirty minutes, sprinkle with the remaining sugar. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350F/180C/Gas Mark 4.

3. Cover the pudding with foil and place the whole dish into a large deep baking tray. Fill the tray with enough water to cover a third of the pudding dish - this is a simple bainmarie and will help prevent over cooking. Carefully place the bain-marie into the oven and bake for thirty to thirty-five minutes, or until the egg custard mix has set. Remove the foil for the final five minutes to brown the top.

4. Dust with icing sugar and serve with cream.

BAKED AVOCADO

This

recipe is great straight from the oven, or in a packed lunch, says Laura Butlin-Policarpo

I’m always looking for food that is quick to make and travel friendly. I like to know what I’m eating, I’m conscious of reducing my food waste and if I’m eating mostly home cooked food, I can also reduce my single use plastic consumption.

This recipe requires few ingredients, often I have most to hand and it could be used for any meal depending on your preference. It’s high in good fats and protein and could be eaten as is or served with salad and sweet potato. Whilst it tastes great straight from the oven, I’m a huge fan of these baked avocados in a packed lunch too. Mix them up and switch the smoked salmon out for crumbled feta or some streaky bacon. (Tip: precook the bacon first)

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 slices of smoked salmon

• 2 eggs

• Chilli flakes

• Chopped herbs, I like chives or dill

Steps:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 190C fan

2. Half your avocado and remove the stone.

3. Scoop some of the avocado from the middle to widen, this will be filled. (Add this to another meal … or eat it while you cook!)

4. Lay strips of smoked salmon over this area.

5. Crack the eggs into a glass; carefully place a yolk in each avocado half.

6. Fill the rest of the gap with the egg white – it probably won’t all fit.

7. Place in the oven till the eggs are set to your liking – roughly 15 minutes.

8. Top with chilli flakes and chopped herbs.

9. Enjoy!

Sit Ups

These are full body curl ups. Start lying flat on the floor on your back with legs straight. Slowly curl up until you are sitting, and reach towards your toes. Try to lie back down at the same, slow speed as you sit up with.

Repeat x 20.

Core Twists

Lie on your back and place your feet into tabletop position (knees above hips, feet level with knees). Keeping the legs in the bent position, move them over to the left side, until they are nearly touching the floor, then use your oblique muscles on the side of your tummy to bring the legs back up to the middle, and then over to the right side. Repeat x 20.

It's not too late...

Swimming

Lie flat down on your front. Lift the head, right arm and left leg up behind you. Drop down then lift head, left arm and right leg. Repeat x 20.

This time of year can actually be the most disheartening time of year if you are one of the millions of people who have bought into the latest diet fad. Have you spent your January and February trying to stick to celery juice in the morning? Hating your weekly HITT sessions but convinced they are the only way to burn that body fat, only to get to March and feel you are no further forward in your journey to your health and fitness goals?

Now is the time to stop worrying, stop beating yourself up, and make some proper resolutions. Not a New Year fad, not a form of exercise you detest, now is the time to get real, and make some lifestyle changes.

Spiderman

In a full, front plank on your hands, keep your back and arms still, and lift your left leg up. Bend the leg and try to touch your left elbow with your left knee. Alternate with the right side, and repeat x 20.

If diets worked there wouldn’t be so many different best sellers every year – one of them would have worked by now! The key is to stop setting yourself unrealistic goals, forcing yourself to do something you hate, and depriving yourself of enjoyment. Food and exercise should be enjoyed. Healthy food can be delicious as well as nutritious. Exercise can be a walk with a friend or a yoga session. It doesn’t have to mean burpees.

The key to long term success, as I always tell my clients, is to focus on the here and now. Concentrate on making healthy choices, and make sure they are enjoyable. If you love pasta, eat it, just don’t eat a double portion with a creamy, cheese sauce every night! If you hate running, try cycling or tennis. Find something that you realistically feel you can fit into your life. A healthy weight and physique comes through making healthy choices, not by pushing yourself into a cycle of feeling hungry and hating exercise. That will never lead to successful, lasting results.

Eat real food: chicken, salmon, rice, vegetables, all the colours of the rainbow. But make it food that you enjoy. Find an exercise you enjoy, one that you can see yourself doing in ten years time. Walking a dog, golf, yoga, these are all fantastic forms of exercise. Start with an easy home workout if you are intimidated to try anything outside or at a club.

Life is much more enjoyable once you get off the heartbreak cycle of yo yo dieting and exercising. So give up new year resolutions, and start life resolutions. Good luck and enjoy!

Don't let your fitness regime slide just because the New Year buzz has worn off. Follow Chloe Bowler's advice to help keep you on track.

WHAT’S YOUR PERFECT FIT?

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (NOW PUT YOUR HANDS UP)

In a society where single women over the age of 30 are deemed sad, Bex Evans asks the all-important question; why are we still conforming to obnoxious stereotypes?

Until I found myself single at 33 I'd never really stopped to think about how the world viewed my relationship status. Now, after a couple of years of repeatedly having to explain to inquisitive and confused colleagues/ relatives/strangers that I'm not dating because I don't want to be dating, it's become all too clear.

Right from the earliest days of our lives, as young girls and then grown women, we are conditioned by society, the media and our peers towards the belief that a happy relationship should be the ultimate goal. Notwithstanding all of our other achievements in life, our worth will somehow be judged by the partnership that we should constantly seek.

From the fairy tales where Prince Charming sweeps in to provide the happily ever after, through teen gossip magazines focused largely on snaring that sixth form stud, to the well-meant reassurance from elderly relatives that 'you'll find that special someone soon'.

Whilst this not so subliminal message is drip-fed through our youth, turn 35 without a significant other on your arm and it becomes more of a raging torrent than a trickle. Panic must surely be setting in by now, the hypothetical yet all important clock is ticking, and pretty soon we'll be heading for stereotype territory, adopting a clowder of cats and letting the spiky hairs on our chin grow wild and free.

Single women in their late 30s and beyond are, or so popular culture would have us believe, bordering on desperate, perhaps a little sad, or just downright crazy. We're presented with Bridget Jones, Miranda, and Father Ted's loyal yet unhinged housekeeper Mrs Doyle as examples to learn from, or to fear. The very word 'spinster' conjures up images of Miss Havisham, wasting away in her wedding dress, letting all of life slip away as she waits for a groom who's not coming.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin, a single man approaching middle age experiences no such societal coercion to seek a permanent mate at his earliest convenience. Buoyed up by the suave, handsome bachelor's we see regularly on our screens, the world is their oyster. From Christian Grey to the Fonz, and much-loved Joey Tribbiani, these guys aren't lonely or missing out on something; they're choosing not to be tied down, and they're applauded for it.

fear. The very word 'spinster' conjures up at and they're applauded for it.

I've quizzed a few single male friends about this imbalance in perception and as I'd imagined, few claim to have experienced the same pressure to find a partner and settle down as I have (at least

and as I'd imagined, few claim to have

recall Batman or Superman ever hopelessly awaiting rescue, nor do I that and spacious playground were ripping apart daisies to see if 'he loves me' or not,

not from outside their own families - aspiring grannies don't seem to discriminate when it comes to achieving their aim). Whilst some are single by choice and others through circumstance, none admit to being made to feel like they're any less of a person for being alone. But then these men grew up under different influences. I don't recall Batman or Superman ever hopelessly awaiting rescue, nor do I believe that Action Man came with optional extra play sets containing a girlfriend and a spacious family home. Whilst the girls in the playground were ripping apart daisies to see if 'he loves me' or not, the boys were too absorbed with conker fights and football to notice. So why does this seem to be the one area in which we're making little to no headway in equality? Compared to a few generations ago nobody thinks twice now about women running global companies, heading up governments or conquering almighty physical challenges, yet remain single past 40 and we're still widely considered lonely and a little odd, at best. Why are we still putting pressure on ourselves, and each other, to succumb to the outdated idea that we can't

little to no headway in equality? Compared to a few generations ago can't function properly alone? long

chapter in their life, a pause to things

Studies have proved that single women often rate themselves as happier than their loved up counterparts, and my own experience bears witness to that. I know a lot of smart, independent and glamorous women who don't have a partner. For some it's a long term decision, for others it’s a simply chapter in their life, a pause to reassess things before they feel ready for another relationship. They have successful careers and full, busy lives.

careers and full, busy lives. sitting at home collecting age off

Absolutely none of them are sitting at home collecting cats and lamenting their lot. As marriage rates drop and the average age at which we decide to settle down (if indeed we ever do) is steadily rising, it's going to become more and more common for women to throw off the shackles of convention and decide to go it alone.

So isn't it time that we start a revolution? Let’s need

the unnecessary sympathy. Let’s stop judging (and our sons) that having a loving and healthy wonderful,

So isn't it time that we start a revolution? Let’s throw out the suggestion that women need a relationship in order to be truly content, reject the insulting stereotypes and politely decline the unnecessary sympathy. Let’s stop judging those that have taken a different path from our own. More importantly, let's teach our daughters (and our sons) that having a loving and healthy relationship is wonderful, but that it's not the only path to a happy and fulfilled life. 

MANNER culture

Hannah's BOOK CLUB

Hi, I’m Hannah and I’m a biblioholic. My love of reading, and creative writing, is the result of three years spent at Oxford Brookes University where I studied for a degree in publishing. I love a good murder mystery book, but I also regularly read travel, health, action & adventure and science fiction titles.

THE FAMILIARS Stacey Halls

The Familiars is set in 17th century Lancashire, when people who were a little different were accused of being witches and killed, not only in the UK but across the world too. After suffering the loss of her third child and desperate to give her husband an heir, seventeenyear-old Fleetwood Shuttleworth befriends Alice Grey, a midwife who is accused of being a witch and faces trial for her alleged crime. Fleetwood will do anything to save her new friend, even going against her high society husband. Halls’ bewitching debut is a tale of friendship, class, power, witchcraft and so much more. A highly recommended read for historical fiction fans.

*****

JOG ON: HOW RUNNING SAVED MY LIFE

Bella Mackie

Reeling from her divorce and struggling with debilitating anxiety and depression, journalist Mackie details with hilarious and unfiltered honesty how she used running to help her get off the sofa and find the strength to piece her life back together. Featuring research, tips and stories from the psychologists, family members, friends, doctors and athletes who helped her on her journey to wellbeing, this Sunday Times Bestseller will help spur and act as a comfort to so many who find themselves in Bella’s (running) shoes. Motivating, inspiring and proof that exercise can often be the best form of medicine.

THE CHESTNUT MAN Soren Sveistrup

One October morning in a quiet Copenhagen suburb, the police discover the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered. Above her hangs a small doll made of chestnuts. A mysterious piece of evidence on the chestnut man connects it to a girl who went missing a year earlier and is presumed dead; the daughter of renowned politician Rosa Hartung. Soon afterwards, a second woman is found murdered, along with another chestnut man. Local detectives Thulin and Hess face a race against time to work out the connection between the cases and stop the killer before more bodies and chestnut men appear. This action-packed debut from Sveistrup comes off the back of his highly successful Danish television crime series, The Killing. *****

THE CUT OUT GIRL Bart van Es

A deeply moving story of a young Jewish girl and the group of Dutch families who risked their lives to hide her during the Second World War. It touches on how some in occupied Europe resisted, whilst others sort a less confrontational existence in the face of tyranny. Many years after the war, the adult girl (Lien) becomes alienated from her foster parents, 'cut out' of the family picture - as indicated in the book's title. The author has a personal connection, as his family hid and later adopted Lien, giving him a burning curiosity to understand and tell her story.

The Harbour Gallery Jersey THE EXHIBITIONS

2019 is a very important year for Art in the Frame Foundation as it celebrates its 21st Birthday. During this year, The Harbour Gallery Jersey will be doing lots of fundraising and hoping to raise the profile of Art in the Frame Foundation – Jersey registered charity no. 21. Art in the Frame Foundation and The Harbour Gallery Jersey are run mainly by volunteers and receive no Government funding.

With up to 10 major exhibitions a year, you can help support Art in the Fame Foundation by attending the exhibitions, signing up for workshops and by purchasing art and craft work. Sponsorship is welcomed in any amount – £300 to £1000 can go a long way. Any donations or help, perhaps in the form of volunteering, are gratefully appreciated to help further the work of the charity. Visit www.artintheframefoundation.com

11th April - 12th May

Peter Knight’s Legacy Exhibition

Peter Knight, the very popular local artist very sadly died in April 2018. This exhibition will show the progression of his work and will feature original pieces on loan from his family and prints on canvas or paper, which will be for sale.

Peter taught many Jersey students, including three of his granddaughters, Arabella, Chrissie and Anya, who will each be exhibiting a piece of work at this exhibition.

16th May - 9th June ‘Our Island Through The Lens’

This photographic exhibition will exhibit the work of 18 top local photographers, seeing the island, as not often seen, in differing lights and angles. Their island through their lens.

13th June - 7th July ‘Glimpses’ Exhibition

Glimpses combines the mystical paintings of Linda Rose Parkes, with the often ethereal ceramics by June Gould and the delicate and immensely beautiful vintage ‘doll-like’ figures of Amanda Therese.

Keep up to date with all the latest news by following The Harbour Gallery, the home of Art in the Frame Foundation, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

TEL: 01534 743044

WWW.THEHARBOURGALLERYJERSEY.COM

ALEX CLIFFORD

PAUL LAKEMAN

GARY POWER

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46-49 King Street, St Helier

Instagram: Next_Jersey

Pearce Jewellers

3 King Street, St Helier 01534 722536

www.pearcejewellers.co.uk

Pour Toi

45a King Street, St Helier 01534 720110

FB: Pour Toi Jersey

Shades of Time

Voisins, 26-32 King Street, St Helier 01534 837165

www.shadesoftime.co.uk

Stott and Willgrass York Street, St Helier 01534 735950

www.stottandwillgrass.com

The Gooseberry Bush

Rondel's Farm Shop, Trinity 01534 726224

FB: The Gooseberry Bush

Topshop

40 King Street, St Helier 01534 725585

Voisins

26-32 King Street, St Helier 01534 837100

www.voisins.com

Products featured throughout Manner are subject to availability. Whilst all prices were correct at the time of printing, we cannot guarantee these prices haven't changed.