Welcome To Amanda Zips It Up – Halloween Issue

Ronnie & Amanda

It’s Winter! The clocks and changed and it’s Halloween this Friday.

As we reflect on the past year – what are the Key wellness trends for 2025? THE focus on longevity and “living longer,” with personalized and technology-driven approaches like AI-powered treatments and augmented biology. There’s a continued emphasis on holistic health, which expands beyond traditional fitness and nutrition to include mental wellness, sleep, and social connection. Additionally, analogue wellness is gaining traction, prioritizing low-tech, real-world experiences like wellness tourism and disconnecting from technology.  Tech-driven wellness 

  • AI and augmented biology: Using artificial intelligence for personalized diets, exercise plans, and health treatments. 
  • Biohacking: Focusing on optimizing health through a combination of personalized nutrition, technology, and habit-building strategies to improve focus, longevity, and immunity. 
  • Digital home monitoring: Widespread adoption of digital tools for monitoring health at home. 

Holistic and preventative health 

  • Longevity: Shifting the focus from anti-aging to living longer, healthier lives through lifestyle changes, supplements, and treatments. 
  • Holistic approach: Addressing the whole person by integrating physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental/social well-being. 
  • Brain health: Increasing attention on mental performance, cognitive function, and brain health through targeted nutrients, sleep, and exercise. 
  • Women’s health: A growing emphasis on prioritizing health and wellness for women. 
  • Prevention: A greater focus on preventative care to reduce long-term healthcare costs. 

Low-tech and analogue wellness 

  • Analogue wellness: Embracing pre-digital experiences like wellness tourism, which involves traveling with the sole purpose of self-care, and disconnecting from technology to engage in real-world activities. 
  • “Slow is the new fast”: A movement towards work-life balance and prioritizing mental and physical well-being over the constant hustle. 
  • Play-based exercise: Incorporating joy and playfulness into fitness routines, such as with activities like trampoline jumping or multi-sensorial workouts. 

Nutrition and supplements 

  • Seasonal and local eating: Focusing on seasonal produce and farm-to-table eating to ensure freshness and support local farmers. 
  • Specific supplements: A surge in popularity for certain supplements, such as lion’s mane mushroom for focus and cognitive function. 
  • Brain-boosting nutrition: Beyond omega-3s, there’s a focus on a wider range of nutrients to support brain health. 

Halloween Fashion

The leaves are starting to golden, the foxes are beginning to destroy the bins and Starbucks is rolling out its pumpkin spice lattes like they’re going out of fashion. All of which can only mean one thing: ’tis the season. Someone left a comment on my Instagram the other day, in which they compared my relationship with Halloween to Mariah Carey’s kinship with Christmas. I felt seen. Spooky season is my season. I love Halloween.

As someone who has hidden – physically, emotionally, spiritually and aesthetically behind blonde hair and green eyes, Halloween is the one time of the year when I can really let my gothic freak flag fly. And I don’t just mean on 31 October. Because in today’s insatiable era of neverending content, Halloween is basically the entire month. Thirty one days of unadulterated darkness; a celebration of all things scary and spooky and altogether dark.

Here are my favourite Halloween looks:

Pure Seas & Women’s Sustainable Bikinis made from Ocean Plastic

My friend Lisa Good and her venture Pure Sea were  thrilled to promote this incredible recycled swimwear range by AimaDora alongside Marina Boutique and Bare on the Beach in their sustainable fashion show at WikiWoo Hotel in Ibiza this year as part of their ocean awareness weekender. Founder Lisa Good raises awareness to the plastic waste on the beaches and the harm it causes to the ocean, holding volunteer led beach clean ups with the tourists and local schools as part of their ocean awareness weekender of events.

Balding Hot

Scalding showers could make your hair fall out.

Hot showers can make you bald a doctor has warned.

People who enjoy a super hot shower blast could risk the ‘dehydrating’ their scalps and suffer sudden hair lost according to Dr Ali Anwar revealed.

He said extremely hot showers can inflame the scalp, strip away the protective natural oils and roughen the hair suckle.

The hair loss expert added ‘ If you’ve already had hair tinning , harsh heat can make the problem look and feel worse.

Dr Ali also urged people to take ‘lukewarm showers around showers at 37 degrees. If you don’t have a thermostat then use the wrist test. If the water is to hot for your inner wrist after few seconds, then it’s too hot for your scalp.

Beware.

Welcome To Amanda Zips It Up

Welcome to Amamda Zips It Up

It’s almost Halloween. Metaphorically at least, screaming has always been part of the action. But now it’s a form of therapy.

Introducing “Screaming Therapy” – a new wellness trend where people gather to scream collectively to release stress and pent-up emotions. While its organizers and attendees describe it as a cathartic and therapeutic experience, some experts question its long-term effectiveness and whether it can address the root causes of emotional issues. 

  • What it is:

A trend where groups of people come together in public or private spaces to scream at the top of their lungs, often organized via social media.

  • Perceived benefits:

Participants report feeling a sense of release, temporary relief from stress. Some say it’s a way to express emotions that are difficult to release or are suppressed, and feel a sense of accomplishment after doing so.

  • How it works:

The act of screaming is believed to trigger a physical and emotional release, potentially releasing endorphins and having a cathartic effect.

  • Examples:

Events have been held in places like Parliament Hill in London, and some hotels have started offering it as a “self-guided” wellness activity.

The established practice of primal scream therapy

  • Controversies:

The long-term benefits of primal scream therapy are debated among clinicians, and there is little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Some argue that expressing anger this way might worsen aggression or not address the underlying issues.

  • Potential for release:

Experts agree that screaming can be cathartic in the moment and provide a temporary release for repressed emotions.

  • Concerns:

Many psychologists caution that screaming alone may not be a sustainable or long-term solution for mental health issues and may not address the root causes of stress and anxiety.

  • Alternative approaches:

While scream therapy might be a useful tool, experts suggest combining it with other coping mechanisms like exercise, talking with a therapist, or other forms of stress relief.

I’d sooner take a walk on the Heath rather than gaining a sore throat personally.

On that note – let’s move on with this week’s instalment. Enjoy.

Skims Pubic Hair G-Strings

Kim Kardashian has raised eyebrows with the latest addition to her underwear range, Skims — a “barely there” thong, lavishly adorned with fake pubic hair.

Dubbed “the ultimate bush,” the G-string comes in a range of 12 different colours, and sizes from XXS to 4XL.

The website says: “With this iconic new panty, your carpet can be whatever colour you want it to be.” The listing describes the thong as Skims’ “most daring panty yet,” adding: “Hand-made in a super sheer, stretch mesh, this string thong features a mix of curly and straight faux hair in twelve different shade variations.”

Every version of the garment appears to be sold out online, with prospective shoppers given the opportunity to join a waitlist.

Kardashian’s shapewear brand is known for grabbing headlines with its quirky range, including underwear encrusted with Swarovski crystals, a moulded nipple bra, a pierced nipple bra and facial shapewear.

Kardashian promoted the range on her socials, though she held back from modelling it herself. Instead, she provides the voiceover as the camera pans over the range of options. “How funny are these merkins, you guys?” she says. “We have different colours, different hairs… this is insane. Skims, baby!”

The launch of the furry G-Strings, which retail for £40, has been met with some scepticism online. sResponding to a short video clip, one user asked: “Is Kim unwell?” while another said: “I can grow one of these myself in like 48 hours.” A third concluded: “Nobody asked for this.”

Kardashian recently attended an awards do, wearing a mask that wrapped around her entire head, with a silver and emerald choker necklace with pendants keeping it in place. The nude gown featured designed by sheer cups and an extreme, nipped-in waist and up-turned bodice, with sleeves that started at the elbows and billowed out to meet the flowing, draped skirt and train. 

Kardashian’s look was from the 2025 artisanal collection of Maison Margiela. It was the first collection designed under the creative direction of Glenn Martens, who replaced John Galliano. Anonymity has been a recurring motif at Margiela since its inception in 1988.

Great if you’re having a bad hair or skin day.

Wine Fashion

Who knew wine and fashion would go hand in hand? In fact, too much wine and bad fashion seems like the more likely consequence. But thanks to this AI artist – we could be onto something.

Julia Vineboo is a wine enthusiast who combines her love for wine and art to create unique content, often using AI art to depict wine-related fashion themes. She has visited over 60 countries to explore wine, with a focus on experiencing world cultures through wine.

  • Background and education:

She holds a WSET Level 2 certification and is currently pursuing a Level 3 certification. Her heritage is a blend of Ukrainian, Polish, and Spanish.

  • Interests and focus:

She combines her passion for wine with art, creating unique content often using AI art, such as depicting Renaissance ladies enjoying wine. 

  • Activities:

She shares her experiences and knowledge through social media, where she is known as @julia\_vineboo\_wines.

Check her out!

Zo Skin Health by Dr Zein Obagi MD

Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up 10th October 2025

Welcome to a brief instalment of Amanda Zips It Up as I am in Ibiza this week.

I am currently writing this week’s blog from Ibiza as the hubby is DJing here at the moment.

I’ll be back in London later this week but I wanted to bring you a feature about an incredible skincare range I have discovered, courtesy of my Aesthetic nurse Kat Jacowska at Forever Skin.

Kat has been looking after my face for a few years now and recommended this range of products called Zo – Skin Health Science by Dr Zein Obagi.

The company aims to provide a comprehensive range of solutions that will restore the skin to a healthy state. AND that’s the key here because although I maintain my skin with various treatments, my busy lifestyle means sometimes that maintenance can drop, if I’m travelling constantly, in other time zones, in the sun too much and too many late nights – especially this week in Ibiza.

ZO helps to correct sun damage and pigmentation, which I suffer from severely and helps prevent new damage and protect against future damage.

Step 1. GETTING SKIN READY

Healthy skin starts with the basics. Bring skin back to its most healthy balanced state for clear complexion regardless of skin type.

Step 2. PREVENT & CORRECT

Zo has a wide range of products to help correct skin issues like acne-prone skin, redness or skin pigmentation.

Step 3. PROTECT

ZO’s sunscreen offers Triple Spectrum Protection against sun and light damage.

These are the three products I have been using and simply can’t live without.

Complexion Renewal Pads – these exfoliate pore-clogging and dead cells.

Calming Toner and pH Balancer – to treat dry and sensitive skin and refresh and calm the face.

Check out the full range of products at zo-skinhealth.co.uk

Daily Smart Tone Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 – the perfect lightweight sun protection. Using this regularly will minimise any further sun spots.

See you all next Wednesday with the mid-week fashion fix.

Welcome To Amanda Zips It Up & Snoop Dogg’s Cookbook

Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up and your Mid-Week Fashion Fix.

Catch Ronnie Herel & Amanda Zips It Up on Mi-Soul Radio every Wednesday LIVE at 5pm

It’s October already (!) and the last two weeks of September have been super busy for me.

Last Wednesday I was LIVE on the Red Carpet at The Boisdale Music Awards. I wore a beautiful Winter White tailored trouser suit by Zara with Silver platform boots by Free People. My job was to grab as many stars as I could to be interviewed by my radio partner Ronnie Herel live from the fabulous Canary Wharf. I was also snooping as to who wore who and what, which I feature in this week’s instalment.

But back to the fact that it’s now October, meaning the days are shorter, cooler and we have Christmas ahead of us. It’s time to prepare some wholesome hearty meals as we snuggle down for the winter season.

Where do you look when it comes to celebrity chefs, cookbooks and interesting recipe inspiration?

I bet you’d never think of Snoop Dogg?

Our favourite rapper and all-round coolest-artist-ever swapped the rizlas for recipes with his first cook book (launched in 2018): FROM CROOK TO COOK. Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. 

I literally only discovered it at the weekend, and I can’t get enough.

Snoop & Martha Stewart

It contains a foreword written by US Megastar Lifestyle Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart, who struck up an unlikely friendship with Snoop when collaborating on VH1’s Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Stewart comments that she was surprised by his unique cooking techniques and recipes.

Snoop starts by revealing what’s in his pantry:

Soy Sauce

Ketchup

Honey

Hot Sauce

Lemon Pepper & Seasoning Salt

Maple Syrup and Honey

Pop Tarts & Instant Macaroni Cheese

And in the Fridge:

MOET Champagne & Orange Juice

Eggs, Milk, Butter & Cheddar 

BBQ Sauce, Mustard and Ranch Dressing

Dill Pickles.

Find everything – from The SMOOVIE, Not Ya Mamma’s Corn Muffins, The Thickness Gravy,  Mile-High Omelet to Spaghetti de la Hood, Get Tha Chip Fried Chicken Wings, Baby Got Back Ribs, Ain’t No Jive Herbed Turkey & Gravy and the ultimate cocktail: WAKE ‘N’ BAKE CORPSE REVIVER, which promises to cure that nasty hangover from dropping like it’s hard at the club. The Dogg’s own hair of the dogg to get you back up and at ‘em. He notes taht the money ain’t sitting around waiting: you need to get up, get out and get something. Sounds dangerous.

“One thing for sure and two things for certain,

a dogg’s gotta eat and tha boss dogg is gonna show you how.”

£18.99 http://www.chroniclebooks.com

The Rise Of Soft Clubbing

Welcome to the world of ‘soft clubbing’, where coffee, not alcohol, fuels the party.

As you know, I have quite a bit of experience of clubbing culture over the past three decades.

Clubs from London to Ibiza which would’ve once had droves of people queued outside on a Saturday night now stand idle, and Gen Z are now ditching drinking in bars in favour of wellness.

The signs are everywhere. For example, Creamfields this year introduced a daily 5K run and on-site gym to its programming, and daytime pop-ups are becoming the event of choice for twenty-something-year-olds seeking sober socialisation. Wellies, alcohol, mud, staying out all night, sleeping until lunch and surviving off Pot Noodles; these are all things that are associated with UK festival culture – or should I say, were.

Even my radio partner Ronnie Herel’s Funky Dory Mini-Fest featured massages, wellness tents and healthy foods & smoothies. Next year, I will attend The Mi-Soul Grand Weekender in Brighton where we will all be encouraged to attend yoga in the mornings and a 10k walk on the beach before dancing to our fave DJs drinking fresh coffee instead of vodka and champagne.

In fact, thanks to Gen Z, your favourite Coffee shops will become the new dance music venues.

Welcome to the era of soft clubbing.

This isn’t just a fluke either – EventBrite has reported a 478 per cent increase in coffee clubbing events, a 20 per cent increase in morning dance parties, and 1,105 per cent increase in attendance at thermal gatherings.

“This movement isn’t about giving something up—it’s about choosing more,” says Roseli Ilano, Eventbrite’s Head of Community & Trends Expert. “More presence, more intention, more joy. Gen Z is redefining what it means to go out, and they’re turning to experiences that nourish the body and soul as much as they entertain.”

So just why has ‘soft’ clubbing taken centre stage? Firstly, going out is expensive. Everything has increased in price in recent years, and people are now more mindful of how they spend their cash – which means choosing events that give them genuine benefit, whether in the form of proper time to catch up with friends, or boosting their wellbeing – rather than being found head buried in a bass bin.

Secondly – forming genuine connections is hard. Between Covid lockdowns stunting friendships and a chronically online generation; young people today are far lonelier than generations before us.

So, naturally, instead of going out and waking up with no recollection of how you’d just spent the last 12 hours, Gen Z are now seizing every opportunity to build real relationships and properly socialise in a way they’ll remember the next morning and beyond, free from hangxiety.

Choosing daytime events is also more practical on every level, whether it’s balancing a career with a social life, or being able to enjoy events while still having the evening to unwind, as well as the safety aspect of not roaming the streets half cut during the early hours.