6455245 Just As Beautiful Magazine June 2008

JUST AS

Beaut ful a The UK’s first free Lifestyle Magazine dedicated to the plus-size woman

JUNE 2008 Issue 17

Hair Trends by

Top Hairdresser

Phil Smith

How to have a

Beautiful Summer

Fashion Business SPECIAL

Caryn Franklin Exclusive! Beryl Cook

R.I.P

Weight Loss Surgery

Killed My Lover Pt.2

Delicious Skin Five A Day BBW News

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3. Rippling WithAbundance 5. Weight Loss Surgery Killed My Lover Pt. 2 6. Big Business 9. Five A Day 10. Beauty & Fashion 17. Caryn Franklin Exclusive! 21. Delicious Skin 24. BBW NEWS

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26. Surgery by Nile Graham

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Rippling

with abundance By Callie Carling

Abundance and cosmic ordering are definitely THE buzzwords of 2008. You cannot miss them! No matter where you look, or how hard you try to hide, they are jumping out at you from all angles. If you are “aware” on any level then you will probably be drawn to attempt to harness the power of these buzzwords to making your life better in some small – or infinitely vast! – way. Think of the 'butterfly effect', where one tiny ripple of a butterfly wing can create a hurricane across the other side of the world. The Ripple Effect is exactly the same as those fragile butterfly wings with enough energy to change the world. We are all interconnected … we are all energy … simple yet profound statements. How many of us have been in the presence of some powerful energy (be it happiness or sadness, joyfulness or anger) and not been touched by it, coming away feeling a little of that energy imprinted on our selves? For me, this past year has been an amazing period of growth where I have had the pleasure of meeting so many beautiful people, learning so many new skills, developing so many new ideas and changing my own world for the better. It has left me mindful to always try to radiate positivity, joy and laughter – not only to attract those people or circumstances to me but to ripple those feelings out to those I meet. I love to people-watch and it is truly heart-warming to see a friendly smile on a crowded tube, which then lights up someone else's face (and maybe even brightens up their day!). These are ripples of

abundance, ripples of joy, spreading out through today's madness where we spare little thought for ourselves, much less little though for other people. “Within every single one of us lays the seed from which profound changes in the world can begin to germinate, grow and eventually blossom. Whether these changes empower humankind and thus lead to a better world for all or whether they dis-empower and become destructive in the world is for each one of us to choose. Make positive choices for yourself and others and then take action. Do something. Be the change. Be the pebble that sends out ripples of empowerment.” W e a r e c o n n e c t e d . The Pond is the World, Your Heart is the Pebble, Drop a pebble in a still pond and watch the ripple travel out in an ever-expanding ring with every Heartbeat. As the heart is the pebble, let that pebble be love … as we throw it into the world, we can create ripples of love that will create more ripples of love. And so on and so on, right the way across the world. “When we combine our efforts the ripples become huge waves that wash over the face of humanity, cleansing and renewing. Let the world be full of ripples of love. Love in action. Be the change. Be the Ripple. Be Love and in this way we can make a difference. Let your ripples of individual commitment

and action combine with those of others to produce a wave. “ – Humanity Healing I feel that visualising my heart as a pebble, splashing into the pond (the world) to travel out is such a simple, but effective, way to radiate positive energies into the world, especially as we experience continued global unrest on many levels. With such chaotic busy lives, it is proving near impossible to keep up with all that we feel we must do, much less take some time out to nurture ourselves, get in touch with our own feelings. Using aromas and aromatherapy essences is a great way to take time out for ourselves, even if it means just adding a drop to our wrists as we rush out the door for another 12-hour day, or splashing a few drops into a relaxing bath before bed. For over a year now, I have been using Ripple energy essences with clients. Using specially-blended aromatherapy essences and created in a very specific way, the Ripple energy essences can be used in many different ways, all helping to harness the power of the ripple effect and moving positive energies from us to those we meet. So by using Ripple energy essences and the healing symbol jewellery (my personal favourite is the manifestation symbol which has recently bought me fantastic luck!) I am delighted to continue this ripple effect on many, many levels and touching people who are normally unreceptive to healing or spiritual aspects in life.

If you would like to find out more about Ripple energy essences, wellbeing parties and how I use the Ripple energy essences in my therapies - give me a call, I love to chat to new friends! Or alternatively, check out my Ripple page on my Holistic Feathers website. If you would like to read more about Humanity Healing's introduction to the scientific background of the Ripple Effect then you can also read about it through my Energies page.

May you carry on rippling through life with joy in your heart and attracting a flowing river of abundance towards you. With love & blessings, Callie www.holisticfeathers.co.uk

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Weight Loss Surgery

Killed My Lover Part 2 This is the continuation of a very sad but true story. As a magazine, Just As Beautiful cannot make moral or medical judgements, but we do hope you learn from this. It is narrated by a man from Sweden, who feels robbed of love by the downside of weight loss surgery and circumstance.

Having grown very attached to Sarah's daughter Sally wanted to adopt her legally, a situation Joey, Sarah's husband wouldn't stand for. Sally also put aside money for the child's education by setting up a trust fund for her future.

I was very scared as I informed my family that I was going to leave them. I had kept my relationship with Sally a secret all along, but now there was no turning back. A friend of hers was going to get married the next Saturday and Sally

Joey was a fairly poor and broke man so ended up with an agreement that would be enable him to see his daughter occasionally. Sally never forgot her poor childhood. She often told me about it, especially her Christmas experiences -rich children could play in fenced parks in town while she had to stay outside and just watch. She therefore always gave away $100's of thousands of dollars to charity every year to allow underprivileged children enjoy what she couldn't. In 2003 she moved back to her native town, St Louis. She was planning on seeing me that summer. She even bought a house that she liked. One day she suddenly demanded that I spend the following weekend with her. She offered to provide the tickets and I really had no choice. After all I could just as well give up my business, as she earned more in a week that I had done in half a year!

Monday morning when I went to work I discovered that my computer had been stolen in a burglary. I borrowed a computer for an hour - but Sally wasn't there. I had three phone numbers to contact her on, but two of them were disconnected. It was very confusing. This went on for over a week and I was wondering what had happened. It was not until two weeks later that I got an email from her ex, telling that Sally had been diagnosed with cancer. She had been informed that same Monday morning by her Doctor. She had been so shocked and saddened by it that she disconnected her phone numbers and also her ID on Yahoo (through which we communicated most of the time). I had no chance to talk to her. By now she was in hospital and had surgery to remove the tumour in her stomach.

had already told them about me and that she would bring me. I told my family about my affair and it was a terrible experience. Only my oldest son supported me. On

After a few days I got in touch with her via her ex and when she came home she registered a new ID so that we could communicate frequently again. Of course she was very regretful for all the trouble she

BIG BUSINESS Lynn Meadows Founder, Pink Marzipan

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aced with the dilemma of where to buy plus-size designer clothes in the UK, Lynn Meadows decided to create Pink Marzipan. “I found that I was buying more and more clothes from America because I couldn't find the sort of clothes that I wanted in the UK. I went to the designer stores and it felt very disheartening because there was never anything I could buy in my size. Designers in this country just were not prepared make clothes for us [curvy women]. Although buying clothes from the States seemed cheaper, by the time you get to Customs and Exercise you have to pay duties on them to bring them into the country. I though that it was crazy that nobody in the UK was selling these clothes and then thought -'why don't I do it?'

fashion shows in Denmark, Milan, Barcelona and all around the USA. I met various different fashion houses and designers and approached them to either make exclusive plussizes for us or allow us to sell their existing plus-sizes (if they produce them) in the UK.” Pink Marzipan prides itself on quality and has capitalised on the fact

“I took some time off and then travelled around the world, visiting

size body and can make flattering garments. It also shows that they have taken the time to listen to us when we make suggestions. For us it feels like we actually have a hand in what we are doing, even though they are actually the designers and have been doing it for a long time.” that they have exclusive designer ranges: “The difference is that I don't sell anything that I haven't touched myself. I try on what I am going to sell and I would always continue to do that. There isn't an outfit that we put on the website that we don't feel would be good for everybody. We deal with designers that are used to the plus-

Highlighting the exclusive aspect of Pink Marzipan's stock, Lynn said: “All of our clothes are exclusive to us or we don't sell them. To start of with, Pink Marzipan is an online store but we do hope to take it to the high street at some point. Also, if we are dealing with a brand, we have a lot more control over what they are going to do with the plus-sizes in the

UK, so we are not going to end up with another store that is going in a different direction.” Additionally, she prides herself on the selection of models used by her brand. Rather than opt for slimmer models, they tend to use real people: “Another thing akin to us is that we don't use models that are a size 12, we use girls that we have found ourselves, walking down the high street and looking gorgeous. We use real people because if you can't put something on real people, then you don't know what it is going to look like on every person; and that's something we

make sure that we keep to.” Since starting Pink Marzipan, Lynn has enjoyed it: “Business is good and I've learnt a lot in a short space of time. It has been an eye-opener in terms of seeing how things go, but there are a nice set of people in the fashion industry and everybody I've met so far has been positive.” For more on Pink Marzipan visit www.pinkmarzipan.com

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had caused me. However, I couldn't stop chatting with her. After a few months she decided to let me choose when I would like to come and visit her, but first she wanted the 'all clear' from her Doctor. My family life was already pretty lousy and this experience didn't help much. I tried to live my life nevertheless, but my business was doing badly and I had to try something else to earn my money. The easiest thing for me to do so was to become a cab driver. That meant that my hours were limited, especially as I had to move away from our town for 90 days and drive in the mountains during the skiing season. There was very little time for me to contact Sally. I worked 10 hours a day for 90 days. We both got very frustrated. However, we were planning on seeing each other in October. It was during this period of lack of communication that she decided to have Weight Loss Surgery. She had gained a lot of weight having been at home for so long. In an email she wrote to me she said: “My chemo is going well. I've been getting rave reviews from the doctor

about the results! However, he has not given up on my weight loss surgery. I have a bit of bad news love ... I've gained more weight because all I do is sit around and eat! I'm such an emotional eater! That seems to be the only thing I'm good at right now, eating! “My knees hurt me sooo badly in the mornings, and also when I walk any long distance. I'm afraid my career as a Realtor will have to be put on hold until I get some of this weight off!”

could, because her family weren't helpful to me. Apparently, she had caught an infection in her stomach during the surgery and she must have passed away about 3 weeks later. It took me a very long time to get over this loss – a good few years. Somehow I feel that this could have been my one true shot of love and happiness, but it was never meant to be.

She still was under chemo treatment though, which made me very confused. Was it right to have this type of surgery while still under another treatment? I guess the hospital was looking forward to some good money, so they probably pushed her into it. That's what I feel anyway. The surgery was supposed to take place on August 2 and my last chat with her was on July 30: Unfortunately, that was the last I heard of her -she never left that hospital alive. It took me about a year to get what little information I

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Five a day

By Julia Thomas

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e keep seeing and hearing about it in the media; 'five-a-day' is essential to keep body and mind healthy. We get to grips with this and now they tell us the 'five-a-day' is best if you choose different colours! Can we cope with this change? Probably. Seriously though, even if you are not the ideal size and shape the 'five-aday' message should still apply. We need to stay as healthy as possible and fresh fruit and vegetables are essential for a glossy coat and cold wet nose. Fruit and veg are packed with vitamins and minerals. They can help you if you are trying to lose a few pounds as they have antioxidants -the buzz word of the moment. These can help reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke and even help prevent some cancers. There are so many fruits and vegetables out there it must be hard to not find something you like, especially when you can include tinned fruit and dried fruit (which is delicious and can help you get your sweet fix). Some fruit juices contain a portion; they usually say on the container if they do and you can hide salad and veg in your cooking if you don't particularly like them.

The good news is that even ready meals with veg in count (although double check on the packaging that the meal isn't loaded with salt and fat!) may also contain a portion. The bad news is, however, that potatoes and yams and starchy vegetables don't count, so put those crisps away. A good friend told me that although they are made from lentils, poppadoms are not a vegetable! Where is this going you may ask yourselves? Well, my friends and I are off for a girly trip to Minehead for a 70's weekend and we're talking about the preparations for dressing up -clothes, make up and half a ton of glitter which appears everywhere for a month after you arrive home. As the years go by we are still plagued with teenage blemishes and the late nights take their toll. I think it may be the change in water or something that makes us feel so jaded. OK, we are just getting older and can't bounce back from the vast amount of alcohol and lack of sleep anymore! So, we decided that this year we would make sure we have our five a day and take them with us so we don't have to go searching for them. Aren't we good!

julia Thomas is the owner of leading website:

www.curvychicks.co.uk

Our five-a-day for short term use on a girly weekend (and their colours) are as follows:

1. Watermelon - green and red. Prepared by removing the top and seeping with vodka over a few days so that it replaces some of the water, thus preserving the said fruit. 2. Orange Juice - orange. Pour into a glass at breakfast time and then top up with sparkling wine for a refreshing bucks fizz. 3. Strawberries - red. Place in a blender with ice chips then add a generous splash of white rum and mix for several seconds. Pour into a glass then enjoy! 4. Lime - green. This should be sliced and inserted in the top of a beer bottle. 5. Tomato - red. Spread liberally on pizza.

We might even get a few extras in like lemon – with tequila and salt and even the odd apple! We are going to be such a healthy bunch when we get home. I shall let you know how we get on, honest!

Beautiful

summer By Sarah Clark The beauty companies love to tempt us with new, exciting things ready for the summer...and launch glamorous advertising campaigns designed to lure us into buying pots and potions guaranteed to make us belles of the beach. What do the experts make of the latest crop of beauty and health wonders though? And what are they destined to be packing in their own hand luggage to ensure they stay ahead of the game on holiday? We asked experts in beauty, health and hair care what their safe bets were for summer 2008...and for fun; we also wanted a nosey at their iPod summer playlists... My own favourite 3 products? 1.Simple Aftersun Lotion with insect repellent – how good an idea is this? You cover yourself in sun cream during the day, and at night when the mozzies are out in force, you get to soothe your skin and repel critters as well. 2.Compeed Blister Plasters – I just walked the Race for Life – they may not be glamorous but when you have been walking all day, or wearing your heels to impress, you'll be glad you packed them. 3.Benefit Dandelion – OK, I know this isn't a new product but I never go anywhere without popping it in my case. Great for the 'morning after night before' pale faced look!

My Summer Playlist? Dodgy Staying out for the summer Zoe Sunshine on a rainy day Boo Radleys Wake up Boo Shanice I love your smile Isley Brothers Summer Breeze

Jessica Hopper Jessica Hopper is the Beauty Editor for handbag.com. As well as attending new product launches, poring over beauty and hair trends, keeping a watchful eye on celebrity hair and sampling blissful new spa treatments, Jessica spends her time trying out every product under the sun. She has a make-up collection to rival Boots and, according to her soon-to-be-hubby, the messiest, most cluttered dressing table in the world. Jessica says: “Both temperatures and hemlines have been rising of late. That's right, ladies, summer has finally arrived! Hurrah! And with it comes a gorgeous new array of shimmering shades, hot hues and juicy textures from the

beauty world you'll want to get your manicured mitts on. It can be tricky to decide what to buy when you're on a budget – so to make life easier, here's my top three summer beauty must-have items.” 1. Benefit Posie Tint - “The new Posie Tint from kitsch beauty brand Benefit is like its counterpart's sweet little sister – perfect for kissing cheeks with a cheery pop of summer pink. It blends to perfection on any complexion and lasts longer than your average summer romance.” 2. Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Juicy Fruity – “Sandal season is upon us, so make sure your tootsies are up to scratch by slicking nails in the hottest shade of the season. This new Juicy Fruity hue leaves toes looking like they've been dipped in sunshine.” 1. Ice Cream Lip Balms -“These new Ice Cream Lip Balms are as cute as beauty comes! A pack of four yummy flavours; strawberry, chocolate, bubble gum and mint choc-chip to leave your lips deliciously kissable all summer long.”

Jessica's Summer Playlist Blur Girls and Boys Stereophonics Bank Holiday Monday Gabriella Cilmi Sweet about Me The Ting Tings Shut Up Girls Aloud Can't Speak French

3. Dior Addict Lip Gloss No 337 “a beautiful natural lip gloss that looks great in summer. Its shimmery peachy tones go with everything.” “Can I have 4 things? Because I can't tan my face naturally I always use St Tropez Mousse to tan my face. I keep trying other products but nothing matches up to this for colour intensity and longevity. My eyebrows and eyeliner are there permanent, thanks to permanent make up, so I can just add a dash of mascara and lip gloss to be good to go.”

Asleyne's Summer Playlist

Ashlene McCormack Ashlene McCormack is the founder of Perfect Make-Up 24/7. Her number one top tip for summer is to get your eyebrows in shape:

Isley Brothers Summer breeze Will Smith Summertime Bill Withers Lovely day Salsa music Alicia Keys (new album) As I Am

“Eyebrows are 'in' this season, and I believe that natural, striking brows are essential, as they often make your face look striking without make-up. Therefore it's ideal to get your brows done before your hols, so it is one less worry whilst you're away.”

1. My sun cream – “as I live a lot in Spain.” 2.Green barley grass – “I mix it with juice every morning, and it tastes disgusting and looks even worse but it clears the toxins and supports my ongoing mission to keep in shape. 3. My yoga mat – “I don't go anywhere without it!, I know I sound boring but you can be sure I'll also be the one dancing on the bar top all night, the difference is I know the tricks to avoid the hangovers the next day.” Louise's Summer Playlist A relaxing meditation CD Celine Dion I'm alive A Michael Bolton selection

Rachel Holmes Rachel Holmes is one of the UK's leading fitness, health and wellness trainers. She teaches regular fitness and fatloss bootcamps classes, and provides workshops and courses nationwide for fitness instructors. Rachels says that her top three products would have to be:

Her top three products for summer are: 1. Dermalogica sensitive skin face block SPF25 - We all know about the damaging effects of the sun and as an older woman I suffer from pigmentation which means I'll look blotchy and pigmented if I don't take care. 2. A great pedicure before I go – and some Aveda Foot Relief or Creative Cucumber Heal Therapy to maintain the benefits.”

Pleasure Professor', as she is known, uniquely uses a combination of the latest healing therapies and mind techniques combined with incredible psychic abilities. Louise's three best health and beauty products will definitely be:

Louise Van der Velde Louise Van der Velde is a regular face on GMTV. 'The

1. Dove Summer Glow – “The best tanning body lotion on the market as far as I am concerned and I've tried them all! It has the best colour and the nicest smell.” 2. Twinning's Green Tea – “Ditch caffeine this summer and get into green tea. It

speeds up the metabolism and has amazing cleansing properties.” 3. My skipping rope – “Skipping is the quickest way to increase your fitness and stamina levels. Try skipping fast for 30 minutes, then stopping and marching for 30 seconds. Repeat as many times as you can. Aim to work your way up to 10 minutes.” Rachel's Summer Playlist The Beach Boys Good Vibrations Reverend and the Makers Heavyweight Champion Of The World Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake 4 minutes The Ting Tings That's not my name The Mamas and the Papas California Dreamin’

1. Naturtint Hair Colour – “Summer is the perfect time to dabble with a new do. Naturtint is an extra gentle, part-organic hair dye with NO parabens, ammonia or resorcinol – meaning that you get the most vibrant fabulous colour, in the gentlest way.” 2. Bumble and Bumble Brilliantine – “A fabulous hair shiner and softener. In summer's heat hair can sometimes look dull and lacklustre. This nifty hair miracle gives moisture, separation and dazzling shine to hair – and leaves it smelling divine! 3. Shu Uemura Satin Design – “It's a lightweight blow dry lotion made with white tea that polishes hair with a lustrous satin finish. Perfect for banishing frizz and creating smooth sleek styles” Marc's Summer Playlist Madonna Give It To Me Kylie Wow wow wow Hercules and Love Affair Blind Kate Bush Running Up That Hill Blondie Atomic

Amy Lydall Amy is a Bach Flower Remedies practitioner who runs a private practice based in Surrey. She is thinking ahead to her August Maldives honeymoon when she gives us her low down on perfect summer products: 1. Bach Original Flower Remedy Crab Apple – “It's the remedy for body confidence and helps me feel that little bit better when I am feeling self conscious on the beach in a bikini”. 2. Arnicare Arnica Cream “I am always walking into tables and bruised legs are not great now that the tights are coming off and we are all reaching for the cute summer dresses.” 3. Spatone 100% natural liquid Iron supplement “In the summer time I tend to be more active so I need all the energy I can get!” Amy's Summer Playlist Billy Ocean Get Out Of My Dreams Wham I'm Your Man Tracey Chapman Fast Car T-Rex 20th Century Boy Queen Don't Stop Me Now

Marc Ramos Celebrity stylist Marc Ramos is the 'it' celebrity hair colourist of the moment, and he's also consultant colourist for Naturtint. Marc's top three summer hair selections are:

Sarah Clark runs www.relentlessly-positive.com a website dedicated to encouraging a more positive outlook on life.

HAIR TRENDS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2008

By Phil Smith

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hether you prefer a classic or diverse style, contrasting texture is the way to achieve the hot spring/summer look. Think over back-combed, candy floss frizz, combined with sleek glossy fringes. The bob remains the ultimate length – but this season is given a new feel with backcombing and 'Bardo' beehive silhouettes offering a dynamic, retro structure. Fringes are still key for a personalised style impact and can be tailor made. Colour is used to soften graphic shapes and lift the mood for a c l e a n a n d b r i g h t spring/summer – it's less about romance and more about playful, mischievous tones. The best way to look after coloured hair is to use a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for coloured hair, depending on what colour service you have. For example from highlights to dark, you will find it will naturally fade so use a colour shampoo for brunettes. For blondes you might find it will go slightly brassy and dull. For best results try Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Blonde Highlight Enhancing Shampoo and Conditioner or Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Brunette Shine Shampoo and Conditioner.

If you have curly or wavy hair try to only brush or comb curly hair when wet to create a soft natural look. To create a fuller and curlier look by diffusing hair dry on a low speed and high heat. Finish with a spritz of Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Mirror Shine Spray.

Summer Hair Tips - If you don't wear a sun hat whilst lying by the pool, a good tip is to evenly apply a conditioner, such as the Phil Smith Be Gorgeous shine brilliance conditioner (£3.99) and leave in your hair whilst sunbathing. This will form a barrier and protect hair against the sun - Great for travelling with, Phil Smith's Be Gorgeous aerosol dry clean shampoo, is a steal at just £2.99 and will refresh and revitalise hair in between washes. Also, water abroad can often be very soft, which can make hair limp - the dry clean shampoo is a great product for adding texture to hair - If you don't have a hair dryer with you and want to keep your locks silky smooth, simply apply Phil Smith Be Gorgeous tame the frizz serum (£3.99) to straight or curly hair and leave to dry naturally

Phil Smith is a Toni & Guy, British hairdresser of the Year Nominee. Phil Smith Be Gorgeous range is available exclusively from Sainsbury's stores

PINK MARZIPAN Pink Marzipan recently held an open day for the media. Here Lynn Meadows takes us through some of the clothes that were on display and that are available on their website in her own words.

collection there will be 15 different types of party wear for the whole year round.”

PAS “Our main brand is PAS. It our highest priced item at the moment. They always give us lots of different colour ways and lots of different styles. They have been fitting clothes for about 17 years and are a company from Denmark. “I found them when I was travelling before I set up the business because I wanted to have different things that weren't available in the UK that were actually designer clothing. My key thing with PAS is that they measure the body of plus-size women in five different places down the leg alone, so every pair of jeans fits the bottom, legs, thighs and it's

measured at the calf, at the ankle and allows for the body shape as they go up. So, you are never going to put on a pair of jeans that are not going to fit you somewhere. They also promise to have no thongs showing, which I think is a really good thing as one of their key points. “This season we have lots of bright bold reds, blue, green and obviously for us, we have a little bit of pink. We always get a slightly fitted feel with PAS, it's never your square bulk outfits that tend to get 'everywhere else'. They always make sure that they accentuate the curves so that they actually show off the figure. They give us a huge range of casual wear, smart wear, and at Christmas time some absolutely beautiful pieces for party wear. From the next

Baby Phat “We are also lucky to have Baby Phat. They always start off a collection with a print. So they do a different collection just about every month. “The main one for the summer this year is the green, yellow and black bright range, always with plenty of glitz -sometimes gold and sometimes with a spot of silver but always with the signature cat. “Baby Phat are always showing off the figure, they like to put bits in and out. Their jeans are very elastic,

super elastic. I actually have a pair that I've worn through four different sizes and they still fit me. Normally you get three or four different washes in each collection and lots of different lengths as well. At the moment the most popular is a dress that comes in yellow, black and green and can be worn over jeans or on its own on a holiday. The hoodies have also been in demand, especially the yellow ones. The Baby Phat Royalty Range is elaborate and has proven to be very popular. Every now and again they just blow our minds with an elaborate design.”

Mighty Fine “This our newest supplier and it is also an American company who are selling their regular sizes in Top Shop at the moment. We are selling the plus-sizes for them here in the UK.”

ULB Rebel Queen “They do these funky little T shirts with a lot of slogans. Quite nice and they fit very well.”

Lounge Fly “They have a big hit over here with their bags, more so than their

clothing. But they have moved into the UK very well. We have their bags and because we get directly from the manufacturer, we have a wider range available than other people. We are also the only people that sell their plus-sizes in the UK. They also have slogans that are fun and have the kind of thing that would make you laugh and would also appeal to young people.”

New Breed “Their shape and cut isn't like regular T shirts. Regular T shirts just go straight down but these give you a shape as they sort of pull the body in.”

Queen OF E.Vil “This is a high end brand and they only sell in Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. We are the only people that do the plussizes in the UK. They also have slogans, but t h e y u s e diamonte and sometimes coloured studs and the difference is reflected in the price. The decorations don't come off,

although when you look at it you might think that will happen. It is their key look, so they make sure that that doesn't happen.”

“ W e try , w henev er w e b uy something strap-less, to make sure that we have a cover-up because so many women feel more comfortable if they've got something to go with it as well. The different colours that we've got coming in for Christmas are going to be the purple that we saw last year, the Dusty Rose and China B l u e . T h e long line jumper dresses are also in. Because of the quality o f o u r trousers, we don't expect them to be a one-season a f f a i r . Everything we sell goes right through from a size 14 to a size 28.”

Caryn Franklin style guru

Former Fashion Editor, stylist and fashion ingénue, Caryn Franklin, best known for her twelve-year stint on the BBC's Clothes Show has become the latest celebrity to design an exclusive range for Simply Be. She has interviewed everyone from Yves Saint Laurent to Georgio Armani and made documentaries on Vivienne Westwood, Philip Treacy, Agnes B and Matthew Williamson. A writer and regular TV pundit, she can currently be seen fronting UK TV Styles 'Clothes Show' and in truth is an undisputable industry guru. Just As Beautiful Magazine caught up with her to discuss the new range and other things of interest. “When the Clothes Show finished, I wanted to write a novel about the fashion industry, part of which was serialised in a newspaper. It featured a model with an eating disorder because I feel quite strongly that there is an underbelly in the fashion industry that (back then) wasn't discussed. We began questioning the price of clothing – the way in which workers are treated and the fact that models are far too thin. That's generally the perceived ideal of feminine perfection, which isn't curvy, and I'm very anti that.” Caryn is a very busy woman as she is in huge demand, but she still finds time to give back to society starting

with schools: “I do a lot of work in education and I give talks in schools and colleges. I have a w e b s i t e c a l l e d www.howtolookgood.com. I started it because so many women would stop me in the street and say for example, 'I need a wider fit shoe'. It deals with niche clothing. I kept a certain amount of it in my head, but found that the more I got

have a blog.” The debut collection from Caryn Franklin is composed of two capsule collections, 'Voluptuous' and 'Sculpture'. It incorporates directional and intelligent design into styles created for the curvaceous woman sized 14-32. Caryn implements visual design tricks to create body symmetry and a flattering fit for all. “What I wanted to do was bring something to the catalogue that had a bit more edge to it. As a stylist I'm looking for features on clothes that flatter the shape, so I put that in the collection I designed for Simply Be. Features on clothes that would create instant streamlining.” Voluptuous, the capsule collection ranging in tones from monochrome black and white, to colourful greens, pinks and reds is both feminine and striking. Seven lines incorporating wide leg linen trousers, maxi dresses with graphic contrasts and empire line jersey tops styled to provide definition around the bust and a leaner torso are a selection of simple styles 'designed with you in mind'.

to know, the more I realised that I had to put it on the site. Every month I answer reader's questions on body shapes. We give lots of advice on current trends. There are books on body shape and I also

Sculpture, the capsule collection focused on shape and form is introduced in muted tones of black, cream and silver grey. Effortlessly nu-tech, the creations are formal but most importantly flattering. Six

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lines place stretch slim leg jeans with tummy controlling panel against wrap jersey dresses in soft dove grey and beautifully embellished metal dome trim dresses in black or silver. “In my autumn collection I have what I call contouring. I created garments that actually have inserts that create a minimising effect around the hips; a visual minimising effect and a dress that has contouring panels, so when you look at it the eyes are drawn to the centre of the body because of the very strong shape. The sides of the body become less interesting and that is a way of creating streamlining through the body. I've also designed a range of shoes that I am very pleased with because it picks up from the catwalk trends that have colour-block heels. I've also got printed heels like a leopard skin style print on a wedge. I my experience, curvy women love their shoes and I wanted to create shoes that would go with my range.” Caryn is all too aware of the fashion industry's treatment of the curvier

shopper: “I think culturally curvy women have been outlawed to a certain extent by the fashion industry. Not so long ago, it was very hard to find fashionable clothes in sizes above 16. I'm delighted to say that I think that is changing. I use to talk to retailers all the time and say 'why do you stop at size 16 and not going through to a size 22?' What I had to learn was that it was an issue of logistics if you are starting your range at 6. If you are a retailer, you would need to have an enormous amount of shop floor space to carry your range right through, and that is one of the things that was the undoing of Marks & Spencer in the early days when they went down. They were trying to be all things to everybody, so if they had a garment, they had to reproduce so many different copies in so many different size variations that the actual merchandising of the shop looked really drab. “That's one of the advantages that Simply Be has; because they are online and they have a catalogue, they don't really have to worry

about that. Whenever I hear women in the fashion industry use the term out-size, I have a word with them. I think it's one of the words that should be taken out and 'shot' for transgressions against femalekind because it immediately alienates a woman.” Caryn, who believes that her job as a stylist is always to pick the right clothes to empower women, is involved in a number of projects: “I been involved with fashion targets breast cancer for about 12 years now and that has become such a massive fundraiser. We have been able to build the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre and staff it with world-class scientists. “I have also been a Patron of BEAT (formerly The Eating Disorders Association), and I also write for a few magazines. Caryn Franklin's range is currently available from www.simplybe.co.uk

Caryn Franklin

www.biggirlsboutique.com Free Summer Blouse Offer For Work Suit Orders in June or July Order a work suit in the months of June or July and receive a free summer blouse in a colour of your choice for each suit you purchase Coming soon www.elegantcurves.net Affordable ready made clothing for curvy girls

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Summer Babes Delicious Skin By Callie Carling

H

olidaying in the UK is always an adventure as you never can tell what surprises our temperamental climate has in store. Late Spring saw us heading off to Cornwall for a few days, packing half our wardrobe (summer and winter) and Weleda chemical-free sun protection cream by the bucketload. It was a real pleasure to rediscover the joys of trekking along coastal trails spotted with enormous quartz clumps, splashing around in shallow aquamarine waters in picturesque coves and reaping the benefits of fresh, clean Atlantic sea air and spray. I was raised on the South Coast, just a short walk from the seaside. My skin noticeably deteriorated after relocating to London, environmental stresses taking their toll as well as the change in lifestyle and constant exposure to airconditioning in the office. Gone was the glowing complexion, buffed and exfoliated naturally by the sharp coastal winds and sunlight bouncing off the waves as we walked along the beach exploring the rock pools with inquisitive little ones and their fishing nets. The weather takes it toll on our skin throughout the year, so it is vital to keep our skin well-protected. Summer sun and holidays always lead us to temptation. Even the fairest of English babes can throw caution to the wind and end up suffering unpleasant after-effects, and the changes in temperature and air quality can also wreak havoc with our skin (especially when you want to look your absolute healthy, glowing best!).

So here are my tips for keeping your skin in optimum health during your sunshine holidays, no matter what the time of year … 1. Keep your skin hydrated. Yep, you have heard it all before. I know! However, it does pay to keep your skin (the largest organ in your body) topped up with plenty of fluids and hydrated from the outside too. You will feel less tired and less itchy, for starters. Your skin will also respond better to any attempt to catch the sun, as well as keep any gentle colour alive and well. I prefer to use organic base oils (such as jojoba or sweet almond oil) with a few drops of jasmine or rose essential oils as an all-over body moisturiser after exfoliating, which really does give you an extra barrier to seal in the moisture 24 hours a day. It is always best to use base oils half an hour before going to bed, especially if you are expecting to be out walking in the sunshine the next day. Better to be safe than sorry, rather than basting like a slowcooked chicken. 2. Always wear sun protection. Despite the horror stories in the press over recent years, I am still reluctant to step out without any kind of sun protection. Venturing out in certain climates without any

sun protection is a painful experience. In India I (stupidly) fell asleep by the pool, waking up with such tight skin that I felt as if I had received a chemical face-peel. A few days later, the after-effects were the same and it was only by using a mixture of blackcurrant seed oil and argan oil (please read on!) that I was able to help my skin recover from such a nasty assault. A painful and expensive lesson! 3. Keep your daily skincare routine as simple as possible. There really is no need for a large range of expensive products to clutter up your bathroom shelves as Mother Nature knows best. I find MSM Beauty Cream, by Raw Gaia, the perfect antidote to tired, polluted skin … even better, their MSM Beauty Spray contains argan oil, a specialist oil from Morocco which helps to protect skin from the harsh, ageing effects of the sun. 4. Start loving your skin BEFORE your holiday. Give your skin lots of TLC (tender loving care) all year round, to help provide a polished base for wild living and partying while on holiday … or swimming, snorkelling, lounging on the beach or climbing mountains, whatever your preferred method of relaxation. 5. Smile and grab some exercise. – These two activities not only make you feel better but by encouraging positive vibrations throughout your body, your cells glow with healthy vitality. (I can recommend Bruce Lipton's “Biology of Belief” book if you would like to read a little more about this school of thought).

Back to practicalities, blackcurrant seed oil and argan oil are excellent natural ways to help skin get a little extra help if you have overdone the toasting! Both oils are expensive but what price beautiful glowing skin? Blackcurrant seed oil is a wonderful oil for helping dry, devitalised and damaged skin to recover and is suitable for even the most sensitive of skins if used as a 'pure' oil (i.e. unmixed with other oils or aromatherapy essences). Blackcurrant seed oil is, unusually, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (20%) which helps to maintain the elasticity of our skin, which also has an added benefit of being helpful for those who are unable to convert linoelic acid into gamma-linoleic acid (if you have high cholesterol or diabetes, for example). Blackcurrant oil may also help to boost your immune system or act as an anti-inflammatory, so is a useful addition to any bathroom cabinet. Argan oil is a particularly interesting oil, not least because of the unusual way it is harvested. Argan oil is made from the pressed kernels of argan tree fruit, which originated in North Africa but are now mainly to be found in Morocco, hence its scarcity and high price tag.

The easiest way for the Berber tribes (the main farmers of argan oil) to produce argan oil is to use their trusty goats. Yes, truly! The goats will climb up into the argan tree, seek shelter from the harsh sun and eat the delicious fruit. Note: only goats find this fruit delicious. The kernels pass through the goat's digestive track and as they reappear (think about it!) they are a softer. So the kernels are collected, washed and pressed to release the precious oil. Is this true? Some say it is … however, I prefer to think of the Berber women working away with their presses without it passing through the goat's bodily functions! Argan oils is a superb blend of EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids - over 70% oleic and linoleic acids), with lots of Vitamin E and carotenes. Argan oil is great for using as a food supplement, as well as a nourishing oil to protect and repair skin tissue from the extremities of the sun and play a vital role in anti-ageing, as the Berber tribes have done for thousands of years. It can potentially clog pores so this oil is best used as a specialist oil preparation mixed with other suitable oils for your skin-type, such as in the MSM Beauty Spray. I

would also like to emphasise that argan oil is not suitable for use as a replacement to sun protection lotion or cream; instead it can be used to calm down sunburn and help to reduce scarring from overexposure to the sun. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and enjoy the summer sunshine, wow everyone with your glow of vitality and delicious peachy skin … the perfect Summer babe!

Raw Gaia skincare and oils, Weleda sun protection creams and personalised oil blends are all available from www.holisticfeathers.co.uk Raw Gaia is the world's first range of vegan, living, raw skincare products – simply divine and I am delighted to use them exclusively in my Living Facial treatment. If you are concerned about the long-term effects of the sun on your skin, check out www.sundamagedskin.co.uk

Just As Beautiful Magazine Awards & Britain’s Next Plus Model

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This is a British initiative to get more people who are considered overweight or obese to exercise in environments where they are comfortable; among people that they can identify with. In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes for swimming lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to get involved in sports with like-minded people, look no further.

For further information send an email to:

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BBW news By Kaye Lewis

Fat Pig!

F

at Pig, a play written and directed by Neil LaBute is currently playing at the Whitehall Theatre, running until 6 September 2008 and is best described by the Ambassador Theatre Group managing this production.... "Life is good for Tom. He's successful at work, has some great mates and a fantastic new girlfriend. Ok, so she's a little on the large side, but he loves her, and that's what counts, isn't it? When Tom's office buddies and sometime ex-girlfriend find out that he is seeing a 'plussize', it's not long before the odd whispers turn to something more sinister, leading Tom to question if size does matter after all. The country's hottest young actor-comedians star in this funny and biting story of love and friendship. Robert Webb, half of the hit comedy duo Mitchell and Webb, stars with Kris Marshall from the long running BBC comedy My Family and Love Actually, alongside Joanna Page, Stacey from the BAFTA winning Gavin and Stacey and Ella Smith from ITV's Sold." I don't know about you, but I'll definitely be booking my ticket ASAP! Discounts available for groups of eight or more.

Beryl Cook dies at 81

C

elebrated artist, Beryl Cook OBE, sadly lost her battle with cancer at her home on 28 May, aged 81. Beryl was known and acclaimed (awarded the OBE in 1995) for her popular, distinctive artwork featuring bold, full figure characters in the context of everyday situations. Her work even made its way to our TV screens in 2004 in a BBC1 two-part animated film entitled Bosom Pals. Beryl took up painting in her 40s and lived most of her adult life in Plymouth with husband John, and was described by Victoria Wood as "Rubens with jokes". To see the gallery of her work please visit the official website - www.berylcook.org.

Kaye Lewis is the Director of www.lovingitlarge.co.uk

To have surgery or not to have surgery…

Is that the question? By Nile Graham

W

ith the disclosure of Fern Britton having a gastric band fitted two years ago, the debate as to what that implies about being fat in this society once again raises its head. My article this month may at first sound way off my life management/personal styling advisory approach I am known to take. But this is actually one of the biggest issues affecting plus-size women of all ages and cultures, and throughout my work with clients continues to fuel the fire of 'for who's benefit?' Surgery: An easy option? Whether you agree or not, it is my experience that surgery is definitely not a 'quick fix' or 'the sure fire way to lose weight' that many think it to be. Many people I have spoken to who have undergone bariatric surgery be it the band or the more extreme by-pass - have had a very difficult journey both physically and emotionally. As they have struggled to come to terms with dealing with the issues that made them turn to food, finding an alternative has left some adopting dangerous practices such as eating foods that can either cause blockages or sickness. In America there has been a backlash to the use of surgery to 'combat obesity' due to a number of

fatalities caused not just from complications post surgery, but also the deprivation of nutrients. My personal experience of trying to maintain a reasonable relationship with my cakes and biscuits is that I know I have the room in my stomach for nutritious meals in addition to my sugary treats…I couldn't see myself giving them up forever, and in truth many who have had surgery don't give up these foods - they just find their enjoyment and intake of them limited (which is the desired effect of the surgery). But this can mean a reliance on vitamin supplements and people can go on to develop the very conditions that either prompted their decision to have surgery, or that having surgery was meant to help them avoid. But is this about surgery, or a debate about whether there are people who should not be permitted to have surgery for their own well-being? Is this about how people not only see themselves, but are being sold into a life of restrictive eating so that they can fit into society better? Does health outweigh the choice to remain obese? Do fat people who choose, for whatever reason(s), to opt for surgery become outcasts or 'sell outs' as far as the plus-size

community see it? And if so why? Was Fearn Britton right to protect her weight loss trial by only making known how much a change of diet and exercise played a significant roll in her weight loss? How much assumption is made by people about weight loss surgery being the easy weight loss choice drives patients to keep their choice hidden for fear of failing to lose all the weight others assume will automatically be lost through surgery? It is really important for me in assisting someone to look at what drives them to do both positive and unhelpful things in their life. It is often the case that we place much of our own value on how others see or think of us. This is not necessarily a bad thing as constructive feed back from those we trust have our best interests in mind can be of great value and aid us to improve ourselves in certain areas of our lives. However, many of our ideas of selfimage, worth and identity come from the environmental factors that surround us -like our gossip mags (that I admit to reading…I do try and choose the ones that are more about fashion trends as it's my job!!!), the people we hang around, work with, live with etc.

www.biggirlsboutique.com Free Summer Blouse Offer For Work Suit Orders in June or July Order a work suit in the months of June or July and receive a free summer blouse in a colour of your choice for each suit you purchase Coming soon www.elegantcurves.net Affordable ready made clothing for curvy girls

Big girls Boutique offers you elegant unique and affordable tailor made large ladies clothing. All clothing is made to fit you whatever your size or shape, all clothing can be made

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There can be many reasons a person elects to go for surgery and being judged for their choice could be putting many of them at risk later; as they try and hide it so that they won't be under further pressure of being ostracized from the plus-size community. Or have the emotional and physical issues they will face minimised as all those around them become fixated on the weight loss – which is only natural! Rather than writing up something of both my experience and research, I'm opening it up to all of you out there. This is important and I believe will be helpful for many of you –

NG

whatever the choices you are making. More importantly, what you say is valuable. E-mail me or send letters or photos to the Just As Beautiful office. Let's answer the questions I've posed in this article together! As the 'combat obesity' lobby gets ever louder, it's important that we plus-size individuals influence the debate with facts and personal experiences both good and bad. I look forward to hearing from you!!!

Nile Graham is a life coach and personal development expert and can be reached by sending an email to her at: [email protected]

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THE PLUS-SIZE SPORTS AND DANCE INITIATIVE www.plussizesportsdance.co.uk This is a British initiative to get more people who are considered overweight or obese to exercise in environments where they are comfortable; among people that they can identify with. In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes for swimming lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to get involved in sports with like-minded people, look no further. For further information send an email to:

[email protected]