… a word from the Editor

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Ho Ho Ho and welcome to this penultimate instalment of Amanda Zips It Upin 2018. Next week will be a fashion round-up of the year.

With the inevitable overdose of mince pies and with little energy to get off the sofa, nothing kills the ‘lovemaking mood’ quite like the Christmas period.

So, in the run-up to Crimbo, I’ve stumbled across a couple of festive sex positions (in my online research of course) to see you through the holidays.

  1. The ‘Reindeer’ position.

Believe it or not, this is recommended by Womens Health magazine. Simply kneel down on all fours in front of your partner. Antlers and reins are optional.

Either keep your torso absolutely straight or rest your weight on your forearms for an intense Christmas sleigh ride. Dasher or Dancer?

2.The Merry X Mas

This straightforward position will let you rock your way to a jingle bells feeling.

Start by having your partner simply sit with his legs crossed on the floor and straddle him. With one arm wrapped around his neck, rock backwards and forwards together while you also keep one hand on the floor for balance.

Other naughty gifts guaranteed to spice up your mulled wine time:

  • Tracey Cox Supersex Silicone Vibrating Love Ring, £9.99 from LoveHoney.com

You can’t go wrong with a vibrating love ring.

This affordable design from Love Honey features “stimulating textures” for you to enjoy while the pulsations are sure to get your partner close to the edge.

  • Chocolate Orange Flavoured Lubricant, £7.99 for 100ml

And just to take things up a festive notch (or two), be sure to snap up a bottle of chocolate orange lube to help you on your way.

At the very least, a welcome change to a stocking full of Chocolate Orange of the Terry’s variety.

Why not take things up another notch with a blindfold?

Whether you fancy covering your partner’s eyes while you tease him with this move, or try it on yourself, this red satin blindfold from Love Honey is a bedroom must-have.

On that TIP, let’s crack on with this second to last instalment of 2018.

Beauty Ed Sophie

We reveal the winners (and losers) at the biggest event of the year – The British Fashion Awards 2018. Also, this week’s Guest Beauty Editor Sophie Jane Hopwood brings you the incredible Jouve Skincare range (I’ve tried it and it works).  Plus, some tips on how to stay slim this uber fattening season.

The British Fashion Awards 2018

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It’s last big diary event of the year in the fashion calendar.

The British Fashion Awards 2018.

Meghan Markle was the surprise guest at the star-studded event at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening, appearing on stage to present a gong to her wedding dress designer, Clare Waight Kellerof Givenchy. She wore a beautiful black one-shoulder dress emphasising her baby-bump, believed to have been designed by the very woman she was there to honour.

Clare Waight Keller, 48, won the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year award.

Meghan shockingly wore a dark nail colour (gasp) to match her black one-shouldered dress, despite protocol advising that female royals must stick to a barely-there nude shade when attending official events.

Elsewhere at the BFAs, Victoria Beckham‘tried’ to look chic, as she joined Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerberand Rosie Huntington-Whiteleyon the red carpet.

 

The fashion designer, 44, who was nominated for the British Designer of the Year Womenswearaward, looked surprisingly nervous and drab in a black high-neck flowy chiffon jumpsuit from her summer ’19 collection. I would say it was too big for her frame and her thin hair looked lank and greasy.

Victoria, who was joined by her ‘husband’ David on the red carpet, the pair looking as awkward as ever.

My fave model Kendall Jenner looked sensational, as she bared all and went bra-less to show off her cleavage, front and back, in a sheer gold beaded dress with a daring slit on the left leg. She left nothing to the imagination as she teamed the daring dress with a tiny nude thong and barely-there Perspex heels.

Meanwhile, Kaia (Cindy’s daughter) made a bold fashion statement in a black and silver cut-out embroidered top with a pair of matching black flared trousers.

The 17-year-old model completed her look with a pair of black barely-there heeled sandals, a black velvet clutch bag and diamond cuff earrings. Kaia, who is nominated for the Model of the Year award, styled her brunette locks into a sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up. She was joined by her famous supermodel mother, Cindy Crawford.

Cindy, 52, looked sensational in an off-the-shoulder black velvet dress with a flower on the front and a daring slit on the leg.  She accessorised her look with a pair of black heels, a delicate clutch bag and diamond jewellery for a glamorous look.

Also attending was Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who looked incredible in a black, purple, pink and blue feathered beaded embellished plunging dress.

Dressing for the cool December weather, the model, 31, layered the stunning dress with a long black tailored duster coat, which she draped over her shoulders.

Winnie Harlow, who is nominated for the Model of the Year award, made sure she commanded attention on the red carpet in a theatrical silver sheer embellished plunging dress, with ombré coloured feathered detailing on the hem and sleeves.

Meanwhile, Rita Oralooked shocking in an entire Prada ensemble, which included a red and black patterned pyjama silk skirt suit with logo socks.

Completing her look, she added diamond earrings, an embellished black hairband, a collection of necklaces, a red Prada clutch bag and backless black stilettos. I love all these items individually, but not simultaneously.

Also attending was Liam Payne who looked handsome in a black crushed velvet tuxedo with a matching bowtie and black shirt.

Yasmin Le Bon, 54, going on 21, looked gorgeous as she showed off her toned figure in an off-the-shoulder silver tassel mini dress.

Olly Murs, 34, wearing a brown velvet tuxedo with black detailing on the trims, teamed the items of clothing with a black t-shirt and a pair of trainers. Velvet is proving to be THE fabric of 2018.

On the subject of velvet – Alexa Chung turned up in a yellow velvet frock which quite frankly, looked like my Grandma’s couch back in the 70s. But in a quirky way, she managed to pull it off. Like she always does.

… the winners

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Model of the Year

Adut Akech

Adwoa Aboah

Bella Hadid

Kaia Gerber – WINNER

Winnie Harlow

Swarovski Award for Positive Change

Dame Vivienne Westwood – WINNER

Brand of the Year

Balenciaga

Burberry

Gucci – WINNER

Off-White

Prada

Urban Luxe

Alyx

Marine Serre

Off-White – WINNER

Palace

Supreme

Accessories Designer of the Year

Alessandro Michele for Gucci

Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga – WINNER

Jonathan Anderson for LOEWE

Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior

Miuccia Prada for Prada

Business Leader

Jonathan Akeroyd for VERSACE

José Neves for FARFETCH

Marco Bizzarri for Gucci – WINNER

Marco Gobbetti for Burberry

Michael Burke for Louis Vuitton

Special Recognition Award for Innovation

Parley for the Oceans – WINNER

British Emerging Talent Menswear

Ben Cottrell & Matthew Dainty for COTTWEILER

Eden Loweth & Tom Barratt for ART SCHOOL

Kiko Kostadinov for Kiko Kostadinov

Phoebe English for PHOEBE ENGLISH

Samuel Ross for A-COLD-WALL* – WINNER

British Emerging Talent Womenswear

Matty Bovan for Matty Bovan

Natalia Alaverdian for A.W.A.K.E.

Rejina Pyo for REJINA PYO

Richard Quinn for Richard Quinn – WINNER

Sofia Prantera for ARIES

British Designer of the Year Menswear

Craig Green for CRAIG GREEN – WINNER

Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson

Kim Jones for Dior Homme

Martine Rose for Martine Rose

Riccardo Tisci for Burberry

British Designer of the Year Womenswear

Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy – WINNER

Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson

Roksanda Ilinčić for ROKSANDA

Simone Rocha for Simone Rocha

Victoria Beckham for VICTORIA BECKHAM

Isabella Blow Award

Mert & Marcus – WINNER

Outstanding Achievement Award

Miuccia Prada – WINNER

Designer of the Year

Alessandro Michele for Gucci

Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy

Kim Jones for Dior Homme

Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino – WINNER

Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton

2018 Trailblazer

Kim Jones – WINNER

Jouvé Skincare by Sophie Jane Hopwood

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Introducing this week’s Guest Beauty Editor Sophie Jane Hopwood and her Jouvé Skincare range.

 

As we approach the party season, with late nights, over indulgence and battling against harsh elements all on the agenda, your skincare routine has never been so important. And with that in mind, I have discovered possibly the best range of products on the market right now.

Jouvé is a premium skincare line delivering beautiful, radiant and youthful looking skin. They do not contain any parabens, gluten, or synthetic fragrances. All of their products are cruelty-free. So, it’s a win-win all round.

BEAUTY EDITOR’S CHOICE – Jouvé INSTANT TIGHTENING AND RESTORING SERUM – £70 

If you believe you deserve a lift, this must-have serum is powered by a gravity-defying complex of peptides, minerals and herbal and botanical extracts working in harmony to instantly diminish under-eye puffiness, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,. This serum is truly amazing and my absolute favourite from the range.

Jouvé DARK SPOT CORRECTOR & BRIGHTENING CREAM – £97

Get your bright on. This high-performance cream helps restore a flawless finish by dramatically reducing the appearance of dark spots and by visibly improving dry, rough skin. It moisturizes, brightens and nourishes the skin for an incredibly smooth look and feel.

Jouvé NOURISHING NIGHT CREAM – £105

Like Beauty Sleep only better, and what else could one ask for this festive season?  This luxurious night cream repairs, nourishes and delivers anti-aging benefits to your skin while you sleep. Gentle botanicals and moisturising extracts help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles.

20% discount while stocks last

FB – @sophiejanewellness4life

How To Eat Healthily Over Xmas

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It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also full to the brim with calories and cholesterol. I’ve just had the annual newsletter from my long-suffering doctor (who has looked after me for over 20 years). I’m something of a hypochondriac and at times he despairs of me. But his newsletter was full of helpful tips on staying as slim and healthy as possible over the festive period. Considering we will all gorge on roughly 6,000 calories in barely a 24-48 hour period, here are some of his suggestions regarding we should be doing to make the best of an unhealthy situation.

In general, adults put on 1kg a year – much of which is gained at Christmas – which accumulates year-on-year.

The scales don’t dictate how healthy you are – how can a simple number accurately reflect how one feels every day? Health is better defined by how well you sleep, your mood, energy, plus of course the nourishing things you feed yourself.

I think the idea of telling people how much exercise they need to do to burn off certain Christmas foods is a little unhealthy in itself.Telling people that they have to exercise for 21 minutes if they want to eat a mince pie will induce panic. It’s so inaccurate. Every day we have different energy requirements – no one number will ever be reflective of that.

While balance and weight maintenance might be important in general (accumulate too much belly fat, for example, and you run the risk of diabetes, heart problems and more), I believe that Christmas is the one time when we shouldn’t be worrying.

We all have a baseline of calories, depending on our height, age and activity level – which for most people will be well over 1,000kcals a day. Your brain alone needs around 600kcals to function, and again, that amount changes according to how much you think and do.

Food plays such a huge role. Enjoy it for what it is, but just don’t go overboard. You don’t have to put yourself into a cheese coma just because it’s December.

Slowing down the speed at which you eat, getting at least five portions of fruit and veg a day and becoming more active are the obvious tips – and the ones which genuinely work.

Go for a walk in between main and pudding, and that’ll help with digestion as well as overall energy burn.

A few tips…

  1. Try to eat roughly the same time each festive day, whether this is two or five times a day.
  2. Choose reduced fat foods (e.g. xmas cheese) where you can. Use high fat food sparingly (e.g. butter and oils) if at all.
  3. Walk 10,000 steps each festive day (equivalent to 60-90 minutes moderate activity).
  4. If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit instead of mince pies.
  5. Be careful about food claims on labels. Check the fat and sugar on labels when shopping and preparing food.
  6. Do not heap food on your plate, except vegetables. Think twice before having second helpings.
  7. Break up your afternoon sofa time. Stand up for ten minutes of every hour.
  8. Alcohol is high in calories so limit to a couple of units per day for women and 3 or 4 for men. Try diluting drinks with ice cubes, soda or low-calorie mixers.
  9. Slow down. Do not eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible.
  10. Do this regularly throughout December and you could avoid the belly come January.

… a word from the Editor

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Happy December Zipsters.

Aside from the glaringly obvious, December seems to crescendo with the finalé of celebrity talent shows and degrading jungle shenanigans. As much as my other half shudders in disgust when he hears even the first bar of the theme tunes to X Factor, Strictly and I’m A Celeb – I bloody love them. I’m certain that much of the nation shares my guilty pleasure too.

How do I work I’m A ‘Sleb’ into a fashion blog, I hear you cry?

Well, ‘She’ has been impressing more than just the resident campmates with her stylish jungle attire. In fact, the whole of the UK is on ‘Holly watch’. And I’m impressed too. Holly Willoughby replacing Ant in the Jungle has bought a whole new dimension to the programme – Fashion.

Holly is modelling a new outfit every day for various designers on the show and sharing the love on Instagram. And the clothes are selling out immediately.

Holly suffered a rare fashion fail with viewers on Tuesday night, as she presented the ITV show in a £485 two-tone denim miniskirt and checkered shirt. Fans took to Twitter in droves to comment on the 37-year-old’s outfit choice, mocking her and comparing the skirt to Darth Vader. They weren’t wrong either.

But, blips apart, she is now a fashion icon with those killer legs, and probably the most famous woman in Britain right now. I love the belt, boots and these numbers:

Long may The Queen of The Jungle reign.

Onto this week’s installment and Adidas launches a collection of trainers in collaboration with Transport for London. Yes, really. A pair for every London Underground line.

Plus, if you love a Puffer, then check out Moncler’s new creation and also, I have found the perfect Xmas present for insomniacs everywhere.

Adidas For London Underground

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Adidas Originals have teamed up with TFL – that’s Transport for London – in celebration of the London Underground network, just in time for Christmas.

This range has been designed to celebrate the steeped-in-history transport infrastructure that binds Londoners together. Ten new shoe designs have been launched for December and you need to snap-up your faves ASAP.

The first release features 4 iconic Adidas silhouettes, re-designed to celebrate the upcoming Elizabeth line which is due to open next year. They come in the purple palette of the new London line.

The 4 Adidas styles getting a purple and gold upgrade are the  FALCON, GAZELLE, SAMBA ROSE AND STAN SMITH all available at  www.adidas.co.uk, Adidas Originals stores and select retailers, from £75 – £85.

The second Adidas Originals release is 6 pairs of new Continental 80s– 12 individual shoes featuring one of twelve underground roundels on the heel tab. Every pair is dedicated to two underground stations…


The ‘LONDON UNDERGROUND’ CONTINENTAL 80s are available at www.adidas.co.uk , adidas Originals stores and select retailers for £75.

Whether or not you’re a Londoner, these are a very cool addition to anyone’s 2019 wardrobe.

Lush Lotion For Insomniacs

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Just one sleepless night is enough to drive me into total meltdown, so my thoughts go out to insomniacs across the globe.

When you can’t sleep at night, you feel like you’re the only person in the world still awake. Lying there recounting every embarrassing thing you’ve ever done in your entire life and refreshing your Instagram for the third time, plus googling the reasons why you’re awake at 3am.

If that sounds familiar, I have a solution for you. And it isn’t a bottle of Night Nurse or a month’s supply of sleeping pills.

Introducing the body lotion that insomniacs swear by, which is also the perfect Christmas present to stash under the tree.

Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, uk.lush.com, £7.95-£13.95

Sleepy by Lush is a cocoa butter and oatmeal body lotion, infused with lavender oil, tonka absolute and ylang ylang oil. Lush boldly claim that you will “sleep well” after using it. Backed up by reviews such as these:

“As someone with an incurable and not so common chronic illnesses which result in chronic pain and insomnia because of the pain, sleepy lotion is the one product that can actually help me through the worst of my nights.”

“Sleepy absolutely helps with my insomnia”

“Sleepy because it smells like happiness, gives me good dreams, and makes me soft like a baby’s butt”

“I used to take anxiety medication for 11 years and had to stop recently which was pretty terrible. But I found that using and smelling Sleepy can help my anxiety not be as bad. It’s such a relaxing scent and I love using it!”

“Smells amazing!! It actually works! I was sceptical at first but it actually works!”

In fact, Sleepy has proven so popular that Lush made it a permanent item in their line, after its original release as a limited edition.

Sleepy is available in two sizes (95g, £7.95 and 215g, £13.95), available from Lush online and in-store.

The Puffa Dress

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Dressing in the winter can at times be difficult. Depending on the day, there’s rain, snow, or a bitter Antarctica-cold wind. Of course, clearly I’m talking about the UK here and not sunnier Mediterranean climes.

In the UK winter you might as well forget it, if you have to dress up to go somewhere fancy, and wait until spring. That is until now.

The Italian brand Moncler – who designed probably the only chic puffer coats in the world of fashion – has gone and created a cross between a puffer jacket and a dress. The Puffer Dress.

The Down-Quilted Long Puffer Dress comes in cobalt blue or pink. They’re sleeveless with a high neckline and hidden zip in the back. If you have your heart set on becoming the proud owner of one of these babies, take a deep breath and check the limit on your credit card. They come in at a distinctly ‘puffed up’ £2,115.

On the plus side, comparatively-speaking, the green gloves pictured above are a snip at £1,170.

My first thought when I saw these dresses was how insane they are. But the more I look, the more “genius” I consider them to be. So, if you think they’re ridiculous, just keep looking at them and eventually the puffed-up penny will drop.

… a word from the Editor

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Festive greetings Zipsters. We’re officially on the countdown to Christmas. Which means shopping for socks, getting tied up in tinsel and pretending to like Christmas cake. And of course, Mariah Carey.

Love it or loathe it, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for kiddies. When it comes to presents, they’re easy to satisfy. But what about your significant other half, or male and female family members, in that often thankless quest for gift originality?

In this week’s edition, we zip up the ultimate gift guide for Him and Her.

As it’s party season, it’s time to think about that special outfit to epitomise the glitz and glamour of this sparkling time of the year.

For us girls, to avoid defaulting to the trusty LBD (or ‘little black dress’), I ran a little poll on my page, asking girls to nominate their favourite combination of ‘fabrics and looks’ for Christmas and NYE festivities.

Nominated combination options were: Feathers & Metallics versus Velvet & Sequins. I used pictures of my style icon as an example (Kate rocks everything, to be fair) and the overall winner seemed to be velvet and sequins.

So, my suggestion for an eye catching, stylish and timeless ensemble would be a black sequined dress or jumpsuit with a velvet blazer or cape. Velvet is creeping into Zara and Mango right now so it’s time to whip out the plastic. Don’t necessarily opt for all black – dark blue or lilac works a treat too. The sequins should be black or silver only. If you don’t facy that then satin and fur looks awesome too.

Don’t look like everyone else at the office party – think Studio 54 my disco darlings.

On the subject of Kate Moss, in this instalment we check out the Christmas jumper she’ll be wearing this year – one we can all wear too – meanwhile supporting a very worthwhile charity.

Happy shopping everyone.

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