… 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.

Save the Children Christmas Jumper

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Hands up who finds the ‘Christmas Jumper’ a guilty pleasure? OK, not all of you, but I do see some hands creeping up. They’re often cheap, nasty and cringeworthy, but many of us still wear them during a shameless two week seasonal window, right?

Edging the concept a little closer to fashion acceptability, here are (probably) the most tasteful seasonal sweaters for 2018. Plus, they’re in aid of Save The Children.

Celebrities including style icon Kate Moss, singer Liam Payne, Mo Farah, Erin O’Connor, Luke Evans and David Gandy are encouraging you to start thinking “Xmas sweater”.

These famous faces have joined forces to support Save The Children, to celebrate the seventh annual “Christmas Jumper Day”, taking place on December 14 to help raise money for vulnerable children around the world.

The charity has  teamed up with Selfish Mother, founder of The FMLY Store,  to create a range of simple stylish jumpers, which over the past two years have raised £150k. In fact, dare I say it, they’re so stylish you could wear them all year round.

The unisex £55 sweatshirts come in both striking red and minimal black, each of the four designs adorned with a fitting festive phrase: ‘love’, ‘hope’, ‘peace’ and ‘joy’.

The organisation explained on its Instagram: “You’ll look fabulous and feel great as 50% of the cost goes towards our work helping children around the world.”

You can pre-order a jumper now exclusively at theFMLYstore.com

Xmas Gifts For Her

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It’s that time of the year again. Christmas shopping for HER can be a real pain, what do you buy your Mum, Wife, Sister or BFF? To be honest, it’s not as hard to come up with gift ideas for women as you might think.

If you’re a man who likes living on the edge, you could lazily ransack the nearest John Lewis with less than 48-hours to go until the big day, plus get it all done with enough time to spare for a few festive pints. But finding presents they’ll actually like and not just stuff they’ll give away next Christmas? Well, that’s a different beast entirely.

I’ve rounded up 10 of the best gifts for you to give to the ladies in your life, whatever their taste, and however deep your pockets.

A Makeup Gift Set

Unless you live on some tropical island, there’s a fair chance the ladies in your life will have lost their summer glow by the 25thDecember. Thankfully, makeup gods Benefit has put together all the essentials to make her feel she’s been wintering on the Costa Del Sol, not Coventry.

Benefit

A Cashmere Scarf

For a simple touch of luxury, a cashmere scarf can do more than just keep her warm. Pick the right style and you can also help her accessorise just about any outfit.

M&S

A Roll-Neck Jumper

Sure, every girl likes to get glammed up on Christmas Day, but the day after is all about being cosy. This ultra-comfy jumper is the ultimate option, and there are bonus points for buying grey – this winter’s must have colour.

Zara

Statement Earrings

Here’s some inside knowledge: big earrings that resemble something your Grandma might wear have been having a bit of a moment in womenswear. This pair will make her the fashion alpha in the room over the festive season.

Zara

A Camisole Top

‘How to buy clothes for women’ is the most searched for thing on Google. Well, out of the PG ones, anyway. All you need to know is that you can rarely go wrong with jeans and a nice top. Here’s one half of the puzzle sorted, a little black camisole top, to keep you both happy.

M&S

Luxury Lingerie

Christmas is the occasion to splash out and we guarantee it’ll be well received. All women love beautiful lingerie – just like men. Choose lace and satin in festive green and red.

M&S

An Eye Mask

We need to let you in on a secret, guys: lingerie isn’t just about the stuff you want to see her in. It also covers bedroom accessories that come in useful for getting much needed kip, like a silky mask that’s guaranteed to deliver eight hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep.

Amazon

A Pair of Red Leather Gloves

There’s nothing fashionable about frostbite, making gloves an easy Christmas gift idea year after year. Slightly more stylish than woolly gloves on string would be a combination of smooth suede and shiny leather in nothing other than RED.

Amazon

Pyjamas

PJs may be the mainstay of Christmas, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. All girls love PJs, whether men like it or not. I know my other half hates them, but that doesn’t stop me snuggling up in a set. Victoria’s Secret always make sure sleepwear is done right.

Victoria’s Secret

An Iconic Perfume

Chanel No. 5 has been a men’s gifting go-to for decades, but now there’s a new bottle in town. The French label’s first new fragrance in 15 years, the equally floral Gabrielleis being tipped to take the crown, so get it while you can. If not – No.5is always a winning choice.

Xmas Gifts For Him

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Are you are stuck for what to get the man in your life, be it a boyfriend, husband, friend, or dad. Usually a bottle of Grey Goose or Calvin Klein pants would be the answer.

But I’ve found a number of present suggestions for all budgets for HIM from Barbour leather wallets, to books and phone cases. So, no matter what your  man is into, here’s 10 suggestions we’ve Zipped up.

Brief Answers to the Big Questions: The final book from Stephen Hawking, £14.99

Stephen Hawking’s final book ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’ is sure to be one of the most interesting reads this Christmas. Looking into some of his biggest questions such as what is inside a black hole, or how to colonise space, it’s definitely a book for the intellectually curious.

Tech21 Smartphone case, £29.95

If he’s just dropped a shit load of cash on a new iPhone, then it’s worth getting them a case that will protect it from those ineviatable bumps and scratches.

The tech21 cases have 10ft drop protection without jeopardising the style and design. They are available in a number models too.

adidas Originals Gazelle trainers, £69.95

Need some fresh creps? Available in a range of colours, these adidas Gazelle’s should be top of your list for him. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Gazelles, and they won’t break the bank either.

ION Max LP Conversion Turntable with Speakers, £69.99

Music fans will love this. A perfect ‘first’ or return to the turntable, this one isn’t too expensive, and won’t ruin your vinyl, if you have any. There’s also the option to transfer your records to PC or MAC easily if you still have a record you want to preserve forever.

Black Holdall Bag, £16by BooHoo Men

This smart holdall is the perfect finishing touch to any look. Made from leather, it’s a smart addition to his wardrobe and is perfect for day to day use and weekend trips to Ibiza.

Red Dead Redemption 2, £49.99

Is your guy a gamer? It’s one of the hottest games this year, but if he hasn’t got it yet then it’s sure to make a great present – although you might have to pry them away for Christmas dinner.

Paul Smith Socks £50

This is a pack of three socks, not one, and although that still seems pricey, these socks are a real treat for his feet. They come in a range of bright colours and patterns and can be worn everyday or saved for best. Please keep them paired up when you come to wash them.

Barbour grain leather wallet in black, £49.95

This stylish leather wallet is a great new update to his wardrobe. It’ll go with everything and give him a flash place to store his cash whilst still looking smart. Or cards – does anyone carry cash these days?

Portugese Shave Brush, £26

Throw that shaving foam in the bin. This brush will vastly improve his shave and will look impressive in the bathroom too. Only for the NON-HIPSTERS out there.

Kindle Paperwhite £119.99

The new Kindle Paperwhite is perfect if he loves reading. With more storage, built in Audible, he can enjoy more books, comics, magazines, and newspapers than before. Plus it’s waterproof – perfect if you’re Balearic bound soon.

… a word from the Editor

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Welcome to the countdown to Christmas. It’s exactly a month away, so if you’re not of the “dead early” nor the “last-minute” variety, it’s time to start plotting your pressie strategy right now.

Luckily, just in time for the festive season, today is Black Friday followed by Cyber Monday. Yes, bargains everywhere.

Amazon has reduced almost everything it sells, but if you’re looking for something a bit quirkier for your loved one(s), then HBLondon have reduced their personalised phone cases, made famous by Victoria Beckham from £45 down to £34. These are perfect gifts, but you need to get your order in today in time for Xmas.

In this week’s instalment we have an exclusive interview with Danny Gould of Clockwork Orange fame, Ask Aurora investigates nude beauty and some cheeky secret Santa stocking fillers promise to make you smile.

Intimate Xmas Lights

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Boohoo.com have done it again. At just £4, they’re a bit of a bargain if you happen to fancy decking out your boobs in festive fashion for the holiday season.  They would also make a funny secret Santa gift for your mates.

But I’m not quite sure what to make of the quirky nipple stickers. In fact, I’m rather confused about why they exist. For a (very un-PC) office Xmas party?

It’s worth noting that Boohoo recommends that you perform a skin test 24 hours before wearing the nipple stickers and that you don’t wear them for over eight hours – so no falling asleep before peeling them off.

If you want festive nipple covers, but green and red tinsel pompoms aren’t your style, Boohoo is also selling them shaped like sparkly red presents.

And it’s not just the girls who are likely to look stupid this Christmas. Guys can now give their facial hair a festive overhaul with fairy lights.

On sale now is 18 nano lights for your beard, which change colour and flash – the perfect way to add a touch of pizzazz to your ’tache. The £10.99 set clips easily into beard hair but a word of caution, these lights should not be worn on a wet beard or outdoors for safety reasons. Likewise, you should probably avoid dousing them with beer or wine. A touch safety challenge during the Christmas festivities.

The lights come suspended on a 90cm cable (suitable for even a Gandalf-sized beard), which clips onto hair “painlessly”.

So, girls and boys, if you’re hammered enough to carry these off, good luck to you. Make sure you take plenty of festive pics, to remember the occasion.

Available at www.firefox.com

Ask Aurora – Nude Awakenings

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Nude Awakening!

Yes, it’s nearly Christmas. The snow is about to fall. We either have the flu or the fear of the flu. I myself am beginning to have skin struggles in the Scandinavian winter winds. But thanks to an ever-expanding make-up collection, I’ve avoided walking around with the dreaded “pink-eye”!

Redness under the eyes and eyelines is at its bitchy worst at this time of year, when we are tired, freezing and stressed out from shopping. These days, we are being encouraged to brighten our peepers for a more awake look by lining our inner eyes in white or nude. So, as it’s Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, I am going to share with you the little handbag heroes for which I give thanks. And they are all Meghan-Markle approved – well, if it’s good enough for the Duchess….

So ditch the aging black eyeliners and behold, their Royal “Eyenesses” – the Nude Eyeliners I rate this holiday season!

SMASHBOX ALWAYS SHARP WATERPROOF KOHL in BARE – RRP 14GBP

SMASHBOX ALWAYS ON EYELINER GEL in BLANK – RRP 14GBP

DIOR DIORSHOW INTENSE KOHL PENCIL in BEIGE – RRP 21GBP

L’OREAL INFALLIBLE PROLAST WATERPROOF EYELINER in NUDE – RRP 8GBP

NYX PROFESSIONAL FAUX WHITE EYELINER in LINEN – RRP 7GBP

IT COSMETICS TUG PROOF ANTI-AGING EYELINER in HIGHLIGHT – RRP 18GBP

 

So with something for every price range, the only excuse for red-eye is taking drunk selfies at your Christmas Party!

NEXT WEEK – How to nail Christmas Party nails!  Love, Ask Aurora x

Danny Gould – Clockwork Orange

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We slightly missed including the following piece in last week’s Men’s fashion special, but with this week’s celebration of International Men’s Day, I thought now would be a good opportunity to interview a leading promoter the club and festival world – Danny Gould of Clockwork Orange.

Danny is one half of the dynamic duo, Danny & Andy, the characters behind one of the UK’s biggest classic dance music brands – Clockwork Orange, well into their third decade of mixing madness and nostalgia in equal measures.

After a hiatus during the OO’s, recreating the Clockwork Orange brand was never going to be quick and easy. But from roots that were quite the opposite, Danny is a super clean-living successful site manager by day in central London, from the leafy Essex suburb of Billericay.  He has relentlessly promoted the reincarnation of his beloved brand with charismatic cockney wit and honesty – to huge success. Although it has occasionally seen him banned from social media.

“My years of drifting into my Clockwork dreams and the brilliance they contained have now been fortified with the resurgence of Clockwork since 2012”

 

He has a young family, and I am more than understanding in this particular situation as I know how difficult it is to be taken away from your family to deal with the whole nightclub culture of arranging and promoting one on the biggest house music events in Europe. My own husband is one of the UK’s most successful DJs and this has taken him away from our family for alot of our lives together.

But Danny has become a successful DJ in his own right and is managing to juggle his professional career, family life and own well-being, along with his personal passion – Clockwork Orange.

The expansion of Clockwork from London to Manchester plus the explosion of festivals around the country, and the now massive Ibiza weekenders, shows how Clockwork is now a major player in the UK dance industry music scene in 2018 / 2019.

The Cheltenham Racecourse event next June is already sold out and that’s purely VIP tables and Gold Tickets. At £250 a pop. People want to be part of this rennaincance and I’m sure that Danny and Andy are living their best lives right now.

Asides from the struggle of being a husband and father and away from their home lives, Danny assures me that he and Andy are enjoying every minute of this manic lifestyle and it’s all sober clean living, which last time around – for most of us – wasn’t the case. With massive DJ line ups and sold out ticket sales, life couldn’t get any better.

Long live Clockwork Orange.

… a word from the Editor, Amanda

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Hey Zipster Hipsters. Welcome along to another instalment of Amanda Zips It Up and this week is a Men’s fashion and lifestyle special.

I often get guys asking when we’re going to cater to their ‘fashion needs’.  So here goes. In fact, it’s quite refreshing to edge away from hair, heels and lipstick for seven days.

Next week will return to girlie girlie, plus a dash of Danny Gould from Clockwork Orange.

coming next week… Gouldy

Those who follow my page know it’s been a weird week for me, fending off a few unwanted haters, dealing with yet more airline delays, plus reflecting on the safety of my teenage daughter at a cashpoint in London.

But time is the best healer in matters of the heart and we move on. We now have the whole Brexit shit to deal with…. Bring on 2019 I say!

In the meantime – Boys – this issue’s for you.

A x

How To protect Your Sperm

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Christmas present alert! High-tech boxer shorts, which protect men’s sperm from smartphone and wifi radiation damage, are calling out for “stocking filler” status.

These new pants are a cage for guys’ crown jewels, protecting them from the ravages of the modern world.

French entrepreneur Menard and his pals chatted away about their balls and came up with the idea for Spartan boxer shorts – a high-tech pair of pants that protects a man’s most vital assets from the radiation that pervades the modern world.

This is not merely an invention for the hypochondriac. Wifi, smartphones and numerous other devices emit electromagnetic radiation which several studies have suggested damages men’s sperm and penis.

Though a conclusive link between radiation and lower fertility has not been proven, sperm are definitely dying. Recent research found that, for a variety of reasons, some of which remain unclear, the sperm count of western men has halved over the last forty years.

Faced with the reality that men are not going to give up the smartphones that have become their second-favourite appendage, and the fact that they don’t want their other favourite to stop working, Menard, along with co-founder Pierre-Louis Boyer, set about finding a way to create a world in which sperm and smartphone could live harmoniously.

The fruits of their labours are the unique Spartan boxer shorts. The company says they take inspiration from the technology found in microwaves and space suits. The team developed a silver and cotton mesh that Menard claims is more comfortable than normal fabric. It uses a mesh of conductive material to block electromagnetic fields, thus protecting the precious goods within, blocking more than 99 per cent of mobile phone and wifi radiation. Plus, they have the added benefit of having anti-bacterial properties meaning the pants should stay odour-free.

 

The Spartan is, in effect, a cage for the crown jewels. And why not? But don’t be fooled by the term “cage” or the name Spartan. Despite being named after the famous warriors of antiquity and being made from 50 per cent silver, these underpants “are not a suit of armour”, Menard stresses. They won’t protect you from a high-paced football to the gonads or a crafty below-the-belt punch.

Prices range from £28 to £35 per pair so it’s a premium product, competing with the likes of Calvin Klein and Prada. But Menard makes the strong argument that given what’s at stake, they’re probably worth the investment.

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