The LookBook Issue1

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

t he l o o k b o o k How faR

Would You Go? Peter James

Adele Parks

Matt Tebutt

Victoria Fox

Guilty PleaSures • Darker side of Brighton • Get the Gatsby Look

issue one

issue one

Welcome to The Look Book, your new fortnightly books magazine with a difference.

We love discovering new books, but we love talking about our favourite new reads even more. And this is where The Look Book comes in.

Every fortnight, we’re going to hand pick the best books coming out and kick off the conversation by talking about the bits that excite us the most – the fashion, the locations and the celebs and the characters. We’re here to inject the fun back into reading – for all of us!

And then it’s over to you – let is know what you think on Facebook, via Twitter, Pinterest or email us on hello@thelookbookmagazine.com with your comments and suggestions from this fortnight’s reads.

We’d like to use this opportunity to extend a big thank you to all the publishers who have made this venture possible with their support. Although all the ideas in this issue are our own, the content has been commissioned on a partnership basis, and we couldn’t have done it without their support. And an extraspecial thank-you to Tara Benson at Harlequin for suggesting the name!

This issue we’ll be investigating the world’s ultimate guilty pleasures, from the kitchen to the bedroom, travelling from Chicago to Cornwall in search of romance and reporting on the pitfalls of modern celebrity.

So what are you waiting for? Dive in and discover your guilty pleasure.

P u bl i s h e d by

Keep in touch

look book media, 16 Clapton Passage, London E5 8HS e d i t o r rebecc a holman d e s i g n e r mat thew inman p u b l i s h e r bre t t walker p u b l i s h e r marzia ghiselli contributors

we’d love to hear what you think

Chris Townes, Insight Guides & Kate Jenkins

Pan Macmillan, Quercus Books, Headline Publishing, Harlequin Mills & Boon, Constable & Robinson

Supporters

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issue one

Jo Wheatley text AW final.indd 53

04/04/2012 12:02

03 The Book For Life

Sultry Post War New England gets a Mad Men makeover with Tigers In Red Weather

04 Guilty Pleasures

From naughty food treats to our secret celeb crushes, we celebrate the guilty pleasure.

cover feature

05 Book Interest

From Gatsby fashion to the perils of Facebook, we give you the inspiration behind some of our favourite books this fortnight.

Contents Read The Look Book You’ll notice we’ve included some interactive features, to make your read more enjoyable. Simply tap to read a chapter extract, watch a video or listen to audio, or buy the book or stuff we’ve featured.

Remember you have to be online!

Share with your friends by tapping the share button to email or share on Facebook and Twitter.

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06 Elsewhere

Planning your summer holidays? Don’t book a thing till you check out the destinations we’ve been reading about this issue.

07 Style Directory The little indulgences we're loving this issue

08 Creative Words

Meet the crochet queen

Kate Jenkins

The

booK for

life

Tigers in Red Weather

By Liza Klaussmann

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t he b o o k for l i f e

F

or unadulterated glamour, check out Liza Klaussmann’s Tigers In Red Weather, a book that charts the lives of two cousins as they spend their summers in their family home on Martha’s Vineyard, from World War Two until the late Sixties. Part Mad Men, part The Secret History, this thrilling novel unleashes the glamour of the post-war era amidst the heat of the New England Summer. Prepare to be inspired…

There’s nothing wrong with an itsy bitsy bikini, but there’s something infinitely more stylish about a retro swimsuit – we love this contrast panel version, £28, at asos.com.

When you think of Mad Men, it’s not just the fashion that catches your eye – the décor is amazing.

This Lulu Armchair by Allegra Hicks, £370 on Made.com would look perfect in Don Draper’s Office.

>> C LI C K H ERE

>> C LI C K H ERE

We love these woven, low strappy heels We can just imagine walking into the golf club in these on ladies’ night, for a restorative gin and tonic… £22.50 at asos.com. >> C LI C K H ERE

A retro fifties prom dress is one of the most useful things you can have in your wardrobe – this lace dress, £59.50, by asos.com is pure vintage glamour.

A slick of pillar-box red lipstick is the ultimate beauty statement.

It may be an oldie, but we still love Mac’s Ruby Woo, £14, from Mac. >> C LI C K H ERE

>> C LI C K H ERE

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Whether they’re kitsch, sassy or

just

downright

sexy,

we’re celebrating all the

Guilty

Pleasur es life has to offer…

Ph o t o g r a p h j a d e a t F u n n y G i r l s B l a c k p o o l

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

g ui l t y p l e a s u r e s

Five Guilty Pleasures

no-one should feel bad about

H

ow much guilt is there in your life? That chocolate bar you shouldn’t have eaten? That top you shouldn’t have bought? That drink with a friend you cancelled because you were too tired?

Well enough’s enough – from now on we’re banning guilt – it’s toxic and the ultimate waste of time. Instead, come lets embrace it and to kick off, here are five guilty pleasures no-one should ever feel bad about.

between the two leads is perfect, the plot is compelling enough to keep us watching, without being too taxing (a guilty pleasure is never too taxing.

Except maybe Tom Selleck), and how amazing does Kate Hudson look in that gold dress? Turn off your mobile, get under a duvet and revel in this particular guilty pleasure.

The destination Blackpool

No? Just me? Oh come, on, he’s the perfect guilty pleasure. He’s retro (almost all guilty pleasures are a little bit retro), he’s a bit too old, hence the guilt part, and yet he remains one of the planet’s most enduring objects of lust. Still not convinced? Just check out that moustache. Case closed.

It it cheesy? Is it naff? Or is it just retro? Blackpook might be the very embodiment of guilty pleasure, and as such, it’s difficult to see where the naff ends, and the amazing begins. It might be known as one of the UK’s least glamorous seaside resorts, it’s an undeserved reputation. Where else would you get drag queens on tap, revolving dance floors and more waltzers than you can shake a stick at.

The Clothing

The Song Islands in the

The Man Tom Selleck

the novelty jumper

They may have become a bona fide fashion item last season, but that doesn’t negate the novelty jumper’s position as a classic guilty pleasure.

The naffer the better – think King Charles Spaniel motifs and diamond prints.

The Film How To Lose A

Guy In 10 Days

We’re not meant to like rom coms are we? And to be fair, a decent proportion of them are badly written, poorly acted, sexist drivel. But then there’s the odd film that gets it so, so right.

HTLAGITD is that film. The chemistry

StreaM

Dolly Kenny Rogers

Parton

&

This classic duet is also a classic guilty pleasure, with just the right combination of romance, great lyrics and the high priestess of camp, Dolly Parton. It’s also a bloody good song. So next time you find yourself humming along in a bar, in the shower, or at a karaoke night, sing it loud and sing it proud.

Ph o t o g r a p h H o w t o l o s e a g u y i n 1 0 d ay s ™ , R & Co p y r i g h t © 2 0 0 3 by Pa r a m o u n t Pictures.

All Rights Reserved

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g ui l t y p l e a s u r e s

What's your guilty pleasure summer read?

Hollywood or Horses? Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins fight it out in the battle of the bonkbusters...

who’s your celebrity icon?

Kate middleton

Katie price

drink of choice

malibu and coke Champagne if it 's before 2pm, sloe gin if it’s af ter

have you ever been arrested? the huntinG ban protests got a bit hairy… does drunk and disorderly count ?

Amy Childs what a professional

you should be reading Riders

by Jilly Cooper Horses, sex and champagne, what more could you possibly want?

who’s your hero?

Camilla Parker Bowles What a trooper

you should be reading Hollywood Wives by jackie Collins If you haven't read the ultimate high glamour bonk buster yet , get to it , STAT

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guilty p l e a s u r e s

Hello Sweetie

Matt Tebbutt’s Guilty Pleasures is pure cooking indulgence featuring all those ingredients we love, but think we shouldn’t eat. And to prove that a little bit of sin isn’t a bad thing, let us present our favourite recipe - the baked Alaska.

guilty pleasures

37

peanut butter

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g ui l t y p l e a s u r e s

Mini Peanut Butter Baked Alaska This involves a few different stages of work, but it’s so spectacular and wonderfully kitsch that you should definitely give it a go for the cake

for the alaska topping

40g salted butter, soft, plus extra for greasing 50g crunchy peanut butter 70g caster sugar 30g light brown sugar 1 large egg, beaten 125g self-raising flour ¼ tsp baking powder Pinch of salt 2–3 tbsp milk, plus a splash

1-litre tub chocolate or vanilla ice cream (or your favourite flavour) 3 egg whites Pinch of salt 75g caster sugar

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6. Grease an 18cm square cake tin and line with baking paper (or use a non-stick tin).

egg whites with the salt in a large, clean bowl. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to whisk until the whites are glossy and doubled in volume. Scrape the mixture into a piping bag with a plain nozzle.

• For the cake, beat together the soft butter and peanut butter in a mixing bowl, then blend in the sugars and egg. Gently fold in the flour, baking powder and salt, and loosen the mixture with a little milk.

• Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30–35 minutes until risen and springy. Leave to cool in the tin a little, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. Once cool, trim the edges of the cake and cut into four rectangular slices.

• When the ice cream has frozen, cut it into slices the same size as your cakes.

Place the ice cream slices on the cake slices, pipe on the meringue and carefully brown it with a cook’s torch. Rush them to the table before they start melting!

ENJOY!

• Meanwhile, remove the ice cream from the freezer and leave to soften slightly.

Once the cake has been removed from the tin, wash it out and line with cling film. Spoon the softened ice cream into the lined tin and press down firmly so it’s about 2cm deep. Put back in the freezer for 30–40 minutes to harden up.

• Now prepare the meringue. Whisk the

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guilty p l e a s u r e s

How does the thought of having your picture taken naked, or even in your underwear make you feel? Nervous? Scared? Embarrassed?

Learn to

Love yourself

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W

guilty p l e a s u r e s

hether you’re a fan of the current trend for erotic fiction (Tara Sue Me’s The Submissive is currently top of our list, and the inspiration for this feature), the relationship between sensuality and empowerment of women is an interesting one.

After all, most women have a complex relationship with their own bodies, and learning to look at it uncritically takes more than a bit of positive thinking.

Survey results released last month show that more then half the women in the UK hate the sight of their naked body. A quarter of those surveyed even refuse to have a fulllength mirror in the house because they don’t like what they see.

This is something photographer Christa Meola knows too well. The author of The Art of Boudoir Photography: How to Create Stunning Photographs of Women, Christa’s mission is to help women look and feel beautiful by helping to cultivate their sex appeal.

Whether she’s working with Breast Cancer survivors post-mastectomy, or helping young women find the positive in the body she’s on a mission to help women adore their bodies.

We could all do with a bit of that medicine, so turn the page for our top five tips for falling back in love with your own body…

2

Stand tall Everyone, even the most gazelle-like supermodel, would look stupid with a bad posture. Stand tall with your shoulders back, your stomach tucked in and your chest out – you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

3

Invest in some fantastic underwear Yes, we know this is about learning to love yourself naked, but fantastic, well-fitting lingerie can be an incredible confidence booster. Don’t be scared of control underwear either – even A-listers on the red carpet wear Spanx.

4

Focus on the positives Ok, you hate your stomach, but you’re always being told that you have fantastic boobs, so focus on them.

If you only ever think about your (seemingly) worst attributes, that’s all anyone else will ever see.

5

Boost your confidence We all look our best when we’re feeling happy and confident, and there’s no point trying to fake that. Spend some time with someone who always makes you feel amazing - whether it’s your partner, your sister, your mother or your best friend, and find out what it is they love about you.

How to feel good naKed

1

Just look The first thing you’re going to have to do is get used to looking at yourself in the mirror. And the best way to do this? Invest in a fulllength mirror, take off that dressing gown, and look at yourself. Eventually you’ll get used to what you look like and stop fixating on the things you hate.

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guilty p l e a s u r e s

How Baking Became the Great British pastime

From Elizabeth I to Mary Berry, how the Brits started getting their knead on

Raspberry Torte

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1569 GOING UP

The Worshipful

Company of Bakers was formed, under Elizabeth I

guilty p l e a s u r e s

TIMELINE

The Great British Bake Off is a National Institution but how did Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry make baking cool again?

1930 1666 GOING UP

GOING down

Sliced bread first appears on the UK market under the Wonderbread label.

A baker accidentally started the Great Fire of London in Pudding Lane.

Poor show, baker.

2010 1952 GOING UP

Great British Bake Off is born, hurrah! Mary Berry becomes the grandmother we’ve always wanted, and Paul Hollywood sends a nation of housewives into a tizz with his superior kneading skills.

GOING down

Greggs the bakers is born.

2013 GOING UP

Great British Bake Off Winner Jo Wheatley’s first cook book, A Passion For Baking is published, yay!

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1887 GOING UP

The National

Association of Master Bakers is formed.

1990 GOING UP

Cupcakes become cool again, thanks to New York’s Magnolia Bakery, and Sex and the City. Women in the UK start purchasing edible glitter and agonizing over their butter icing, ready to cater to every wedding reception, christening and birthday party going.

guilty p l e a s u r e s

Love Is A Thief is the tale of a women chasing after all the things love stole

from her. But it's the book's antihero, Jenny Sullivan, and her spectacular wardrobe that had us captivated. Here's how to get her chic and polished style.

PeRfectly

pOlished This black wraparound jacket is just as chic with a LBD as it is over a pair of skinny jeans – Jenny would approve. asos.com >> C LI C K H ERE

For some reason, we imagine this bejeweled kaftan is just the sort of thing Jenny would wear for a trip to the Pilates studio… asos.com.

This halterneck jumpsuit is the perfect combination of glamour and louche insouciance. £50 at asos.com

>> C LI C K H ERE

>> C LI C K H ERE

Finally, no celebrity (minor or otherwise) can be without some serious sunglasses. £10.50 at asos.com >> C LI C K H ERE

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bo o k I n t e r e s t

a very

stylish DECADE

This season, take your sartorial lead from one of the most stylish decades of the 20th Century - with a little extra help from Baz Luhrmann.

A s c e n e f r o m W a r n e r B r o s . P i c t u r e s ’ a n d V i l l a g e R o a d s h o w P i c t u r e s ’ d r a m a ‘ T H E GREAT GATSBY , ’ a W a r n e r B r o s . P i c t u r e s r e l e a s e . © 2 0 1 3 BAZMARK F ILM III PTY LIMITED . Ph o t o g r a p h DANIEL SMIT H

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bo o k I n t e r e s t

The 1930s are back with an achingly stylish bang. Baz Lhurman’s take on The Great Gatsby may have revived the decade, but he’s not the only one who’s been inspired. Anton DiSclafani is the latest writer to find inspiration from this era. Her debut novel, The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls captures the spirit of the times, with its tale of scandal and society.

Speakeasy style the

Th e

bar

Speakeasy style bars are popping up all over the country – so don’t be surprised if next Saturday night you find yourself sipping a Tom Collins out of a jam jar at Hyde & Co in Bristol, Lounge 10 in Manchester, or Night Jar in Old Street, London.

icon

Zelda Fitzgerald was an icon of the 1920s and 1930s . known as ‘The First Flapper’ she was the wife of F Scott Fitzgerald, as well as a novelist in her own right.

She’s also posthumously viewed as a feminist icon – very cool!

Th e

Th e

fashion

You don’t have to be Daisy Buchanan to pull off this beautiful ivory mid length dress, asos.com.

drink

>> C LI C K H ERE

There’s nothing more prohibition than a gin in a teacup, but a gin cocktail is much more palatable. The gin fizz was invented in the late 19th century, but became a popular addition to cocktail hour in the 1930s when governor Huey Long made the staff at the new yorker hotel learn how to make them, so he’d be able to enjoy his favourite cocktail in the city. Make your own with gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water and serve with ice.

END

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bo o k i n t e r e s t

Travel

A Beginner’s Guide To The Windy Cit y

Ever wondered who the person next to you on the plane really is? In Adele Parks’ new novel, The State We’re In, a flight from London to Chicago marks the start of a journey which neither the resolute cynic or the hopeless romantic sitting next to each other could have imagined. Head off for your own adventure in the Windy City with our five reasons to visit…

Ph o t o g r a p h ch r i s t o w n e s

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bo o k i n t e r e s t

Check out the vibrant street life of Paseo Boricua -

Chicago’s Puerto Rican’s district before it succumbs to the threat of gentrification. our top tip: listen to salsa music while you sip on a passion fruit martini at Coco restaurant. >> C LI C K H ERE

Chicago’s only four star Italian restaurant is a firm favourite with the Obamas.

However, if the menu’s a little pricey, you can still sample chef Tony Mantuano’s talents next door at Café Spiaggia.

>> C LI C K H ERE

Did you know that Chicago has the largest population of Poles outside of Warsaw?

Head to the area around Belmont and Central Avenues for some of the communities hot spots.

Make sure you check out Lutnia Continental Café, for

18th Centurystyle décor and live piano music on Friday and Saturday nights. Many of the meals are prepared tableside, so be prepared to get involved!

Set on Chicago’s North side,

The Music Box Theatre

plays live organ music, live horror film sets, and presents art house film sets. Whether you’re a cinema, theatre or live-music fan, this oldschool building is definitely worth a visit. >> C LI C K H ERE

>> C LI C K H ERE

Ph o t o g r a p h .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i n s i g h t g u i d e s / d a v i d d u n a i

END

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Whether it’s live blues bands on a Sunday or R&B karaoke on a Wednesday night, no trip to the Windy City would be complete without a trip to Chicago institution Artis’s Lounge.

>> C LI C K H ERE

bo o k i n t e r e s t

FacebooK A guide for Life

New novel Kiss Me First shows the sinister side of our constant reliance on social media. But even everyday use of social networking sites can lead to some mammoth social disasters

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

bo o k i n t e r e s t Search for people, places and things

Home

Avoid getting fired/dumped/humiliated with our guide to negotiating Facebook with finesse. And yes, these are mistakes people have actually made in the past.

Like

Comment

Share

One selfie of your new haircut is fine, ten is probably excessive.

Like

Comment

Share

Don’t add all your latest fling’s friends and family on Facebook as soon as you meet them. It’s just embarrassing when you split up. On second thoughts, maybe avoid adding your latest fling on Facebook as well…

Like

Comment

Share

DO sleep on it before you upload that picture/update your status. Particularly if you’re angry and/or drunk at the time.

Like

Comment

Share

DO un-friend your boss before you start sharing how your latest job interview went.

Like

Comment

Share

On a similar note, DON’T mention how hungover you are about ten minutes after calling in sick at work.

Like

Comment

Share

DON’T keep your 300 odd friends intimately acquainted with your latest ailment – particularly if it’s some sort of fungal nail infection.

Like

Comment

Share

END

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Find Friends

Post

Come and meet my new boyfriend in the pub this Saturday!

Room to renT in South London flatshare…

I’ve lost my phone please send me your numbers.

Bring back PJ And Duncan.

Sign our Petition!

elsewhere

Escape routes

Your

Summer

Love of

Escape the rat race and get your romance on with three very different holidays…

Where?

Greece

I

sland hopping round some of Greece’s more idyllic islands offers plenty of opportunity for escape without a grueling and not-very-romantic long-haul flight. Check out the mountains of Crete, then head over to Ithaca for a taste of Greek history (it was famously the home of Odysseus). Finally, make sure you visit picturesque Paxos, famed for it’s beautiful clear seas. Check out the luxurious Purple Apricot Hotel. Not only is it winningly exotic, it’s also couples only – so definitely not one if you want to bring the kids along!

Great for: long-term couples looking for an escape from the norm Ph o t o g r a p h i n s i g h t g u i d e t o g r e e c e h a c i e n d a

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

elsewhere

Escape routes

Where?

cornwall

T

here’s going to be a point in many long-term relationships where your plans for a romantic getaway will be hampered by a couple of extra guests. I am, of course, talking about the addition of children. Fortunately plenty of hotels now offer a babysitting or listening service, giving you space to reignite the spark in your relationship.

Meudon Hotel in Falmouth might just be your answer. The half-acre sub tropical gardens surrounding the hotel allow plenty of space for children to run, play and generally tire themselves out. And after their bedtime, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic stroll…

Great for: Couples with children Ph o t o g r a p h v i s i t b r i t a i n / D a n i e l b o s w o r t h

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

elsewhere

Escape routes

Where?

seville

T

his quiet, picturesque city is steeped in history, and although not traditionally seen as a romantic destination, has lots to offer the discerning couple.

Fantastic tapas and beautiful Moorish architecture, may be big draws, but lets face it, you’re not going to leave the hotel room, are you? Book a suite at the majestic Hacienda de San Rafael and you certainly won’t want to.

Great for: Couples in the first flush of romance END

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B

elsewhere

T he

DA R K SIDE OF

B R ight o n B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

elsewhere

W

ho knew that the town that bought us The Laines, Brighton Pavilion and the pier could have a dark side? Peter James, author of the Roy Grace series, seemed to have a pretty good idea, as he set all nine of his crime series in the seaside town.

The latest, Dead Man’s Time, is out now, so we take the opportunity to find out exactly what horrors East Sussex’s most famous town has to offer…

Brighton Train Station Car Park

Horror Hotel Ghost Train, Brighton Pier

Is the ghost train the scariest place to be in Brighton? Quite possibly – apart from featuring in James’s book Dead Like You, it was also the setting for a grisly discovery in the 2010 Midsomer Murders Episode ‘The Sword of Guillame’.

The Laines

Once a haven for smugglers, the cellars in The Laines were once used for storing contraband goods and are the subject of many a ghost

story. The most chilling of these tales is that of the ‘grey nun,’ who was allegedly bricked up behind a wall in Meeting House Lane for eloping with a solider.

The Gatehouse Building, Church Street

Actually less scary, more just spooky to look at in the dark, this Grade II listed building features in James’ novel Not Dead Yet. It was built in 1774, extended in 1832 and designed to fit in with the architecture of the pavilion.

END

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

The car park was the unlikely setting of a very gruesome discovery. In 1934, an unclaimed trunk was noticed in the left luggage office, with police discovering the dismembered torso of a woman inside. Another suitcase was then discovered at King’s Cross containing her legs. The head and arms were never found, and the woman was never identified.

--------------Don’t forget to check out the other places on Peter James’ Dark Brighton tour >> C LI C K H ERE

elsewhere

A modern day guide TO

Y T I R B E L E C

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

I

n the age of reality TV, WAGS and The Sidebar of Shame, how do you negotiate the welltrodden path of modern celebrity? Victoria Fox’s latest book Wicked Ambition looks at what it takes to make it in the entertainment industry, and as we discover, the road to fame and fortune is rarely without a bump or two…

T he S i d eba r o f S h a me

Getting a spot in the Sidebar of Shame™ is a double-edged sword. For one thing, you’re no-one if you don’t get a mention in the SoS, but on the other hand, do you really want 10 million people collectively gazing at your cellulite during their coffee break?

T he C e l ebrit y Age n t

The really good celebrity agents are the ones you never hear of. They’re far too busy negotiating their clients spots in the SOS for that. It’s the celebrity celebrity agents you really want to look out for – think Peter Andre’s manager Claire Powell. They’re so busy boosting their own profile, they’ll barely notice when you find yourself the subject of a cellulite-related tabloid sting.

Elsewhere WAG o r m o d e l ?

This is one of celebrity’s biggest conundrums – how do you know if you’re a WAG or a model? It’s perfectly possible to be a WAG and do a spot of modeling, without actually being a model. Similarly, it would be possible for a certain calibre of catwalk model (say your Cara Delevignes or Jourdan Dunns) to date or even marry a footballer and still retain their model status.

However, a part-time catalogue model/promo girl who then dates and marries a footballer will from then on always been known as a WAG, even if she then finds herself walking Paris Fashion Week. Has that cleared that up? Good.

H ow t o be a ce l ebrit y couple

To be a successful celebrity couple, you have to start on a similar level, celeb-status wise. A lot of celebs try to branch outside of their celebrity class and it never works (see: Lindsay Lohan and Callum Best or Soprano’s Edie Falco and Nasty Nick from Big Brother). It also helps if you’re the same level of attractiveness (mainly because it avoids unnecessary trips to the END

B o o k s , s t y l e , t r av e l , c e l e b r i t y

Sidebar of Shame). Finally, never have a difference of opinion, never argue in public and never get spotted with another member of the opposite sex. Real-life couples can do this, but try it as one half of a celeb couple and you’re doomed.

S o phie ’ s C h o ice : f it n ess DVD o r fa k e ta n ra nge ?

The choice that all reality TV stars need to make at some point, and it isn’t actually that difficult.

If you’re known for being overweight (i,e, not a size six) or for ‘struggling with your weight’ (i.e. sometimes being a size six and sometimes being a size eight) then release a fitness DVD, because people will identify with your struggle.

However, don’t try and release a fake tan range unless you’re already really orange. I know, it’s confusing, isn’t it?

elsewhere

Love a n d lo s s

We asked psychologist Benjamin Voyer to explain how humans cope with the bereavement process, and to give us some of the little things you can do to help cope with one of life’s biggest traumas.

1

Take some time to mourn the loss.

Denial, or not taking time to reflect on and accept the loss can have negative long-term consequences.

Mourning and feeling sadness after a loss is a very human thing, and no-one would expect you not to experience it.

Being strong doesn’t have to mean denying a loss or trying to look unaffected.

A Liverpool Song tells the tale of a

man struggling to move on following the death of his wife. But when the unthinkable happens, how do you cope with bereavement and learn to move on with your life?

2

Try as hard as you can to keep some semblance of a social life. In addition to providing social support when needed, seeing friends is a good way of making sure that ‘life goes on’.

3

Try and find comfort in ‘life’s little pleasures.’ Cultivating the art of small things help us cope with bigger losses.

4

Focus on short-term goals. At a time of bereavement, most individuals struggle to focus on long-term goals or objectives.

Adopting a short-term planning strategy helps to get one’s life back on track.

END

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Elsewhere

The Dordogne might be the unlikely setting of Martin Walker’s police thriller Resistance Man, but it’s also an idyllic holiday destination that often gets forgotten.

A Whistle Stop Tour of the

Dordogne

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Elsewhere

S

ince its heyday in the 1990s, the Dordogne has fallen a little out of fashion as a holiday destination. By the Noughties it was replaced by Tuscany and Croatia as the middle class sunspot of choice. But while the Dalmatian Coast is losing some of its charm over time, the Dordogne’s remains undiminished.

Sa r l at

Make sure you visit this beautiful market town on a Wednesday so you can visit the market (thought by some to be one of the best in France). It’s also the heart of the region’s foie gras production – as the excellent restaurants will attest.

A Whistle Stop Tour of the Dordogne

D o mme

This hilltop town sits next to the Dordogne river and boasts some of the best views in the region. The Medieval town is also a member of the association The Most beautiful Villages of France. Don’t forget to visit the town hall and the original city walls, as well as the Domme caves – formerly used as hiding places by the town’s people.

B e y nac

Beynac spreads along the Northern bank of the Dordogne, up the hill behind to the castle that looks over the village. This is commonly considered one of the prettiest villages in the region, so try and get up early one day and check out the stunning sunrise views.

B ergerac

A must visit for wine fans – Bergerac produces some of the best in a region known for its fine wines. Stroll the medieval streets, sit in the beautiful main square and enjoy some of those aforementioned fine wines.

High octane it isn’t, but Bergerac is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of real life.

P erige u x

The administrative capital of the Dordogne is worth a visit – not least for the magnificent cathedral. Visit traditional craftsmen in the old town (Quartier st front) before trying one of the town’s restaurants –perigeux is called the gastronomic capital of the region (and that’s saying something).

END

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STYLE d i r e c t o ry book reading indulgence

House of Hackney takes the concept of traditional British made homewares and turns it on its head. Hackney Empire Luxury Chaise Longue £3,800 >> C LI C K H ERE

Curves for Corners - A chair made especially to transform those small reading spaces. Lulu Scoop Chair £379 >> C LI C K H ERE

We love this elegant traditional style gold rimmed tea cup and saucer in the Hackney Empire animal print. Hackney Empire High Tea Cup and Saucer £68

Make a statement with this idealfor-reading anglepoise lamp.

Jenkins Table Lamp in Satin Chrome £39

>> C LI C K H ERE

>> C LI C K H ERE

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c re at i v e w o r d s

Shelf talker

Crochet Cool kate jenkins, founder of Cardigan

Kate’s work is currently on display at Gail’s Bakery, Battersea, London, as part of a special exhibition to celebrate 25 years of The Rebecca Hossack Gallery.

Because we think Britannia is very cool, each issue we will be celebrating the best of British talent, from artists and photographers to designers and illustrators. First up is Crochet Queen Kate Jenkins, founder of her own label Cardigan (a must visit for knitwear fans), as well her own unique and celebrated brand of crocheted art (mostly food based!).

Here she tells us about her book interests…

‘My book influences include a huge back catalogue of old knitting, crochet and craft books passed down from my mother (I have the whole set of Marshall Cavendish ‘Golden Hands’ books and others from the 70’s which are possibly my favourites) ‘I couldn’t name my favourite book as an inspiration there are so many my book shelves are bursting at the seams!’

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