BETA-CAROTENE: YOUR BEST ALLY THIS SUMMER

A healthy diet is essential and one of the best ways of avoiding unpleasant surprises.
You may have heard it before, but eating well really is an effective way of solving many problems related to our physical and mental health.

Eating is more than just a necessity, it’s also a pleasure, and by being aware of our bodies, we can discover what we should be eating during a specific period. Have you ever gone through phases where you fancy savoury things, or chocolate, or have an irresistible urge for fish? These are essentially cravings, but sometimes they’re our body’s clever way of telling us we need more of some kind of food.

It’s obvious that in summer, the best thing is to drink lots of juices and fill up on salads and cool dishes. They’re all packed with fruit and water, perfect for boosting our flagging energy levels that can make us feel tired or even dizzy when out in the sunshine. Foods such as tomatoes, lemons, oranges and melons become the mainstays of our diet. But if apart from keeping active and looking after your figure you’re after a flattering tan, then there’s one food that tops the lot: carrots.

Foods that are rich in beta-carotene help to boost our tan and prepare our skin for the sun, as well as acting as a filter against harmful rays and reducing the possibilities of suffering skin cancer. Carrots, peaches and papayas are all delicious summer fruits and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene. They’re most effective when eaten fresh, and it’s much better to make your own juices, rather than buying industrially prepared ones.

So get out your liquidizer, shake off that lethargy and forget about the heat…and get ready to show off a fabulous tan on the beach! Below you’ll find a great recipe for a delicious chilled gazpacho with a difference, a great idea for summer that uses carrots instead of bread.

Tanning gazpacho (serves 4):
- 150 g carrots
- 1 kilo of ripe red tomatoes
- 100 g of red pepper
- 200 g of cucumber
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 onion
- virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt and water to taste.

If you’d like to find out more about how your diet affects your skin and tan, visit the blog by Agnès Meléndez Díaz, an agricultural engineer and expert in diet and nutrition.

VERTICAL GARDENS

Plants aren’t just pretty to look at – they’re also good for our environment, which makes them the perfect choice when it comes to decorating our homes or offices.

If you live in a village or in the middle of the countryside then you probably find them nothing out of the ordinary, but in large cities that seem more like concrete jungles filled with fumes, pollution and people rushing here and there, then even a tiny oasis of flowers is more than welcome.

Vertical gardens can be used to decorate huge walls of large buildings. Some are almost works of art, such as those created by Patrick Blanc, who was commissioned to decorate the Caixa Forum in Madrid.

But there are also vertical gardens for the home. They’re one of the hottest trends around, and we’ve found several specialised stores on the Internet such as Flora Grubb, Gardeners or Flowerbox, plus various blogs giving detailed instructions on how they work. At Woolly Pocket, you’ll not only find a choice of styles, but also lots of ideas on how to get the most out of your plants.

And to finish, here are a few quirky plant sculptures by artist Jeff Koons. What’s your verdict?

LOFI (LOW FIDELITY)

Can you remember the sound your cassette recorder used to make when the tape came to the end of one side?
And that lovely scratchy noise the needle made as you gently lowered it onto a record?
Low fidelity is the term used to describe music where the sound is of a lower quality than normal. Almost unwittingly, these once familiar noises manage to transmit a vintage air to any sounds, and as anything vintage is right hot right now… well, there you have it – a brand new trend!

LoFi indie groups are springing up everywhere, especially now that summer’s almost here; they’re the perfect backing track for your holidays: warm, happy and nostalgic.

Here at womensecret we’ve got a list of favourites including Best Coast, Tennis, Cámera Obscura, She & Him and Twin Sister; check them out on our Spotify lists.

It goes without saying that their video clips are as retro as their music. They also feature lower quality images, in the style of those classic Super 8. Could it be that overdosing on technology has given us a taste for the more human and rudimentary things in life?

Tennis – Take me somewhere

She & Him – Don’t look back

Best Coast – Boyfriend

Twin Sister – All around and away we go

Camera Obscura – French Navy

MINIATURES BY ANNINA

Did you use to love playing with dolls houses when you were small? If the answer is yes, then watch this space; they’re more than just toys and dolls.

Annina Günther is a Brighton-based graphics designer with a really great hobby: she spends her spare time designing miniature furniture. But she’s taken the concept one stage further, as she pays meticulous attention to settings and photography, creating an effect that’s reminiscent of the works of Edward Hopper.

It’s also fascinating to see how she reflects life in the big city. Her miniatures include designer furniture, as well as vintage items (those treasures that you occasionally stumble across at a flea market) and even a miniature recreation of a mythical sofa by multinational Ikea – decorated with matching cushions and throws!

You can see the love and care Annina puts into this project, which is probably why her blog Miniatures by Annina has gone global, and her exquisite photographs have been published in leading newspapers such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

COLETTE

Everyone knows that Paris is the centre of the fashion universe. The glittering window displays of the top names in haute couture are enough to make us stop and stare in amazement. But the Parisians are famed for their impeccable taste and attention to detail, and even the humblest corner shop takes care of even the tiniest touches.

Sailing among this ocean of good taste we find Colette, a life style boutique that’s an absolute must on any fashionista’s trail. It’s a lifestyle store because it stocks practically anything and everything – lighters, magazines, watch straps for iPod Shuffle, exclusive fashion collections (from urban brands to Valentino). You’ll also find a restaurant, a doll department, facial treatments, an art gallery… but all uber-cool.

As for the price tags, they come in all sizes, but it’s a great place to hunt down the latest trends, as this store really does stock the latest of the latest.

And if you can’t make it to Paris, don’t worry; on the website you’ll find an e-shop, details of the exhibitions and artists, the latest sounds and a series of blogs by collaborators who don’t miss a thing.

CONCERTS TO TAKE AWAY

This is the leitmotif of La Blogothèque, a platform that’s been around for a few years now and which was set up to record unedited street concerts. That’s right; one day you could be sunbathing on the beach when suddenly Polock starts playing right next to you; or you may be on a tourist bus in Paris and Phoenix and the entire band gets on and starts playing live as you admire the Eiffel Tower…

This project is well worth checking out online as well as live. It must be an incredible experience to suddenly come across them face to face, but it’s also great to see people’s reactions to the videos posted on the blog.

Vampire Weekend, REM, Noah and The Whales, Jason Mraz, José González, Beirut, Arcade Fire, Natalia Lafourcade are just a few of the names that have already taken part. We’ve selected two of our favourite videos for you to check out!

DESIGNED FOR EATING

Who can resist a delicious cupcake?

And if it’s one of those cute cakes with their divine decorations from a traditional New York bakery, then so much the better. They’re all pretty similar in style – welcoming, old-world, homely and European. Just like the Louise Fili LTD design studio, which specialises in logos and images for restaurants, most of the them Italian and French. They also design packaging for a range of products (including delicious jams with labels that shout out “Eat me! I’m sweet and irresistible”). This studio has received numerous awards and been featured in leading magazines ever since it was founded, back in 1989. However, in order to see these fabulous products in situ, you’ll have to take a trip to the Big Apple.

And talking of NYC and cupcakes, if you’re ever in this fabulous and intriguing city, we recommend you call in at the Magnolia Bakery, one of the best-known in town. Check out their website to find out why – we couldn’t stop drooling!

Magnolia Bakery: http://www.magnoliacupcakes.com
Louise Fili LTD: http://www.louisefili.com/

CUTE CHARACTERS THAT WILL MAKE US FEEL LIKE LITTLE GIRLS AGAIN!

As you already know, several of our cutest collections star those fun cartoon characters, which always get the memories flooding back. This time we’re here to refresh your memory and retell the tales of these loveable characters.

Who doesn’t remember the cute and cuddly bear that loves honey and lives in the Hundred Acre Wood? Who else could it be but Es Winnie The Pooh, who quite simply has a ball with his friends Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit and Eeyore the Donkey? The character is based on a real, much-loved bear that was adopted by London Zoo in 1914. Curiously, the real Winnie was in fact a female bear that wasn’t too keen on honey and preferred condensed milk. One little boy became so fond of the bear that his father, A. A. Milne, decided to write down the adventures of this loveable character. Milne’s many fans included the daughters of Walt Disney, who eventually bought the image rights.

And what about the Pink Panther?
That suave and sophisticated animal that moves to the sounds of a sax and struggled day after day to overcome even the simplest of tasks. This character was created in 1963 following the success of the credits for the film of the same name directed by Blake Edwards. The colourful designs earned film animators Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

And who can resist Miffy?
This cute rabbit, created by Dick Bruna back in 1955, has featured in more than 30 children’s books. Her real name is Nijntje, but who knows how to pronounce that? The inspiration for this character came after the artist spotted a rabbit with his young son.

So, now we’ve given you the low-down, are you feeling as nostalgic as we are? The collections featuring all 3 characters are now available at womensecret.com/Store.

SURPRISING SUMMER GAZPACHO

We love the warm weather. We spend the summer months longing for those two or three months of intense heat that we have each year. And when it arrives, we still love it! Despite our blood pressure taking a dive, sometimes sleep is impossible and we end up feeing very idle! And so to combat all this we propose a new take on the classic Spanish gazpacho (blended raw vegetables). Easy to eat and full of energy, as well as another typical Spanish summer recipe, ajoblanco. These can’t get any healthier!

Watermelon and mint gazpacho (4 servings):

• 600 g vine tomatoes
• 500 g watermelon flesh
• 35 g onion
• 40 g green peppers
• small clove of garlic
• 1 spoonful Olive Oil
• 2/3 tsp salt

1. Dice the onion and pepper. Add the garlic.
2. Dice the tomatoes and place in the food processor. Add the tomato, garlic, onion and pepper. Blitz until the mixture is smooth. If you prefer, pass through a sieve to make smoother.
3. Remove pips from the watermelon and add the pieces to the mix together with the salt, oil and vinegar.
4. Leave to rest for a couple of hours in the fridge, and it’s ready to eat!

* This recipe can be altered by adding mango and coriander rather than watermelon and mint, giving a much more intense flavour.

Coconut ajoblanco (4 servings):

• 126 g raw almonds
• 1 slice stale bread
• clove of garlic
• 150 g coconut milk
• 80 g ice
• 100 ml olive oil
• Jerez vinegar
• Salt
• Marinated salmon

1. Whisk the almonds, the bread soaked in water, the garlic and coconut milk. Once whisked, add the ice and crush.
2. Add the salt and vinegar to taste and the oil, and mix with a wooden spoon.
3. Serve well chilled, in small glasses, topped with the chopped marinated salmon for decoration.

SOAK UP THE SUN, BUT DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN

Summer’s here at last! And it’s time to slip into that bikini and get that flattering bronzed glow.

First and foremost, take care not to get burnt and give it time: don’t lie out in the sun for long periods –all you’ll manage to do is to damage your skin and end up looking like an overripe tomato. And you know that that doesn’t look good on those holiday snaps.

If you don’t tan easily, we recommend you don’t overdo it with those bronzing oils (and if you must use them, then remember to use a sunscreen). There are a few natural remedies that will help you get a healthy glow: for instance, a month before you go on holiday, start drinking a daily glass of carrot juice – and if there isn’t time for all that, then simply drink it just before heading for the beach. But remember – you still shouldn’t overdo it with the bronzing oils… Don’t go overboard!

And, if you want to look after your skin, you should eat foods that are rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, with antioxidants that can help to combat the skin ageing caused by the sun’s rays. Luckily, we always fancy a refreshing salad in summer, don’t we?

You should avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest period of the day (between noon and 4 p.m.), drink lots of liquid, take regular dips in the water – but make sure you dry yourself well afterwards, as the drops of water act like tiny magnifying glasses on your skin. Remember that you’ll catch the sun more in the water than on the sand, so be careful!

Last but not least, it’s essential to use a sunscreen. Forget last year’s cream – exposure to the sun means that it will have lost all its properties. Here at women’secret, tired of searching for the perfect sun cream, we’ve come up with our very own line for all types of skin and areas. You’ll find it in all our stores.

Follow these simple tips and enjoy the relaxing sensation of the sun’s rays on your skin. Have a great summer!