Tag Archives: kate middleton

Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2014

Posted on by

Here it is: a list celebrating the most desirable women. AskMen Readers Celebrate Actresses, Performers, Athletes and Other Leading Ladies in Global Poll.

After more than one million votes were cast internationally, Game of Thrones darling Emilia Clarke was voted No. 1 on AskMen’s Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2014. The 13th edition of the Top 99 poll called on readers to elect women who most closely match their ideals, voting on criteria including sex appeal, character, talent and potential for 2014.

mostdesirablewomen

Rounding out this year’s top five are Mad Men’s Alison Brie (No. 2), Blurred Lines music video model Emily Ratajkowski (No. 3), The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence (No. 4) and Harry Potter’s Emma Watson (No. 5). After an eventful year, Miley Cyrus was featured on the list for the first time ever — at No. 99. “AskMen readers are big television fans — the proof is the 27 current and former TV stars that they voted to this year’s list. Emilia Clarke being crowned Khaleesi of the Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2014 is attributable to the strength and character she portrays onscreen, as well as the global popularity of Game of Thrones. It’s great to see a Brit top our list this year,” commented Mike Goldstein, Publisher of AskMen.

Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2014

British women are appealing to men across the globe: 28 British ladies were voted into the Top 99 this year – with Emma Watson (No.5) and Kate Moss (No.10) also making it into the coveted top 10 spots. There were also spots for It-girl of the moment Cara Delevigne (No.13) and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton (No.35).

The Year of the Musician: Female artists were also incredibly appealing for men around the world, with AskMen readers voting in their droves for Beyonce (No.11), genre-blurring singer Rita Ora (No.18), Harry Styles’ ex-girlfriend and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift (No.30), Brit award-winner Ellie Goulding (No.34), Australian recording artist and model Iggy Azalea (No.95), and Brit singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle (No.86).

The Reign of the TV Starlet: AskMen’s readers are clearly fans of fantasy series Game of Thrones, electing Clarke’s co-stars Oona Chaplin (No. 43) and Rose Leslie (No. 61) to the 2014 list as well. Additional TV favourites who secured a spot include New Girl’s Zooey Deschanel (No. 17), TV presenter Holly Willoughby (No. 37),  Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara (No. 40) and Fresh Meat’s Zawe Ashton (No.51).

Athletes are hot and coveted this year! AskMen’s readers are seemingly impressed by the drive, dedication and healthy figures of the likes of British Olympians Jessica Ennis (No.59) and Laura Trott (No.93)
and surfers Alana Blanchard (No.36) and Anastasia Ashley (No.67).

Were Superdrug’s Controversial Celebrity Weight Scales Offensive?

Posted on by

Superdrug has dropped it’s controversial ‘celebrity weight scales’ after the product was criticised by a leading UK eating disorder charity. But what did you think of it? Is it healthier to compare yourself to a celebrity or a number? These were novelty scales and surely they were just a bit of fun?

celebrity weight

The scales compared a user’s weight to that of a celebrity such as Cheryl Cole, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Beyoncé.

The scales included Cheryl Cole (8st), Kate Middleton (8st 6lb), Jessica Ennis (9st),  Ellie Goulding (9st lb), Beyonce (9st 2lb), Rihanna (9st 2lb), Adele (14st), Queen Latifah (16st) and  Melissa McCarthy (18st). I am not sure whether or not these weights are accurate but some of them do seem quite low. Especially as the average weight of a women in the UK is 11 stone.

The truth is, weight will always be a sensitive issue and young girls are impressionable. What is to stop them dieting to achieve the weight of their idol? Different people have different natural weights. We should just focus on being healthy, but peer pressure will always be there. For some the scales are just fun and novelty, but like most things in life, they can have a negative impact if used incorrectly.

 

Lorna Driver-Davies, nutritionist at the NutriCentre commented:

 

 “I am very concerned with the concept of celebrity weighing scales.  As a nutritionist I have no objection to women weighing themselves in kg- this is commonplace on normal scales and many women chose the metric method of weight, for example in France and Germany.”

 

“Comparing your weight to anyone- your friends, sister or colleagues would be a very unhealthy way to judge your own weight, so a comparison to celebrities is even worse.”

 

“These scales do not even take into account body fat percentage, height, BMI, waist and hip measurements and common sense on what is a healthy weight for an individual.  Not only is this concept deeply unscientific but also I believe it would encourage even more insecurity and anxiety about weight which is a sad situation.”

 

“These scales also set a very poor example to teenage girls who are often more susceptible to eating disorders and are easily impressed by celebrity status.”

 

What do you think? Should they have been pulled?

 

2013 In Brief

Posted on by

January

Rail fares rise by 4.3 per cent in the UK, It is revealed that Jimmy Savile is the UK’s most prolific sex offender, making a scandal that rumbles on for the rest of the year. Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Iceland are forced to remove ‘beef’ products that are contaminated by horse meat. Barack Obama is inaugurated for his second term as US president.

February

The skeleton of King Richard III is discovered under a Leicester car park. He promptly wins hide and seek winner of 1485, Pope Benedict XVI resigns, the first ever pontiff to do so, The House of Commons votes in favour of legislation to introduce same-sex marriage by 400 votes to 175, Oscar Pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria. He says he shot her because he thought she was a burglar. Daniel Day-Lewis and Jennifer Lawrence win Best Actor and Best Actress awards at the Oscars. Argo wins best film.

March

After having cancer for over a year, Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, dies at the age of 58, After a nuclear test, UN Security Council passes strict new sanctions against North Korea, 76-year-old Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio becomes the 266th pontiff, Amanda Knox is acquitted of the murder of Meridith Kercher on appeal by Italy’s supreme court.

April

Margaret Thatcher dies aged 87 after a stroke. She was prime minister from 1979 to 1990 and is still the UK’s only female prime minister, Nicolas Maduro becomes Venezuelan president. He is a former bus driver and remains down-to-earth, the 117 Boston marathon is bombed, killing five people and injuring a further 264. An eight-storey building collapses in Bangladesh. It kills 1,129 people and injures another 2,515. Primark and Walmart, are just two of the big brands it produced clothes for.

Angelina Jolie has breasts removed.

May

James McCormick is sent to prison for selling fake bomb detectors. The UN and Iraqi security forces were just two of his buyers, Amanda Berry escapes the clutches of Ariel Castro who had held her captive in his home in Cleveland, Ohio, since 2003 along with two other women and a child, Sir Alex Ferguson retires, Angelina Jolie reveals that she had a double mastectomy, A 295mph tornado strikes Moore, Oklahoma, killing 23 people, Lee Rigby, who was a Drummer of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is murdered near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, Southeast London, creating shockwaves around the world at the brutality of his murder. His killers are later shot by the police but survive to be charged.

June

Details of the NSA surveillance programme are leaked and published. They show that Apple, Google, and Microsoft all allow the NSA direct access to their servers. The papers are published by The Guardian and The Washington Post. Edward Snowden later reveals himself as the source and takes refuge in Hong Kong, Charles Saatchi is photographed with his hands around wife Nigella Lawson’s throat, they separate and their divorce turns ugly, Australia’s first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, is forced to step down, Protests across Egypt call for the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi.

July

Mark Carney becomes the new Governor of the Bank of England, President Mohamed Morsi is deposed in a military coup, Andy Murray becomes the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936, George Zimmerman is acquitted over the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, Same-sex marriage becomes legal in England and Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome their first child, Prince George of Cambridge.

August

Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos buys The Washington Post for $250m, Edward Snowden is temporarily granted asylum in Russia, Physiologist Mark Post creates the first bovine stem cells lab-grown burger, Supporters of disposed President Morsi are massacred by the security services In what the Human Rights Watch describe as “the most serious incident of mass unlawful killings in modern Egyptian history”, Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning is sentenced for giving confidential government information to WikiLeaks, he gets 35 years imprisonment, The badger cull begins in Somerset and Gloucestershire, Over 1,429 people are killed in chemical attacks in Damascus. Secretary of State John Kerry calls it a “moral obscenity”

September

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee backs military action against Syria, Greenpeace activists are arrested by Russian authorities in the Barents Sea. They become known as The Arctic 30 and a campaign for their release begins, Sixty-two people are killed and another 170 are wounded when Al-Shabaab militants attack the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi, Ed Miliband goes to war against the Daily Mail after it describes his late father as “the man who hated Britain”.

October

A boat carrying migrants from Libya sinks off the Italian island of Lampedusa killing 359 people, The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons win the The Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Peter Higgs and Francois Englert for their discovery of the Higgs boson, otherwise known as the God Particle, There is a breakthrough in the cure for Alzheimer’s disease after the discovery of a drug-like compound which halts brain cell death in mice, The Royal Mail floats and shares are oversubscribed.

November

Storms cause damage all over the UK, Typhoon Haiyan hits the Philippines, killing over 6000 people, Former chairman of the Co-operative Bank, Paul Flowers, is caught in a sting buying crystal meth and crack cocaine by a newspaper, First members of the Arctic 30 are released, Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins pleads guilty to child sex charges. Ten people are killed after a helicopter crashes into the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Nadezhda_Tolokonnikova_(Pussy_Riot)_at_the_Moscow_Tagansky_District_Court_-_Denis_Bochkarev

December

Nelson Mandela dies aged 95, Jang Song-Thaek, uncle of Kim Jong-un is executed, The UN makes a £4bn aid appeal for Syria its biggest ever appeal, Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs dies aged 84, The ceiling of the London’s Apollo Theatre collapses, injuring 92 people. The acting world mourns as Peter O’Toole and Joan Fontaine die. The Pussy Riots are released.

Duke and Duchess Attend Sky 3D Premiere

Posted on by

TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined selected guests tonight at the Natural History Museum for a gala preview screening of David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive 3D.

The Duchess wore an Alice Temperley dress for the evening, which was her first in her role as Patron of the Museum.

katemiddlton

The Duke and Duchess met Sir David Attenborough and Dr Michael Dixon, Director of the Museum, before enjoying the 3D film, which airs at 6.30pm on New Year’s Day on Sky 3D and in 2D on Sky 1 HD.

Among the audience for the screening were Stephen Dillane, Natasha Kaplinksy, Annabel Croft and Bruce Parry. They were joined by other supporters of the Museum and Sky staff and investors.

After the premiere screening, Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan hosted a Q&A with Sir David Attenborough, Dr Paul Barrett, Natural History Museum dinosaur researcher, Anthony Geffen, CEO of Atlantic Productions, and Celia Taylor, Head of Factual Programmes at Sky.

Kate Middleton & David Attenborough

Dr Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum said;

‘It was a real pleasure to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge as our Patron, and The Duke of Cambridge as an old friend of the Museum to this event. Tonight’s premiere was our first chance to share this innovative Sky 3D film, which builds on our long friendship with David Attenborough and explores our collections as never before.’

In this ground-breaking film, Attenborough takes us on a journey through the Natural History Museum in a compelling tale of discovery, adventure and magic. State-of-the-art CGI, 3D technology, science and research combine in the film to bring the museum’s now long-extinct inhabitants to life.

As the doors are locked and night falls, Attenborough stays behind and meets some of the most fascinating extinct creatures which come alive in front of his eyes; dinosaurs, ice age beasts and giant reptiles.

Some of the resurrected beasts include Diplodocus, the famous dinosaur that welcomes visitors to the Museum’s Central Hall; the Moa, a long-extinct giant flightless bird; Gigantophis, a snake that grew up to 36 metres around 40 million years ago and the Archaeopteryx, one of the earliest known birds that had features of a dinosaur.

The 3D film was produced by Colossus Productions, a joint venture between Atlantic Productions and Sky 3D, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum.

The film is a collaboration between Natural History Museum scientists, Sky 3D and Colossus Productions. Produced by a BAFTA and Emmy award-winning team, the film was shot by the same 3D team behind recent cinema release Gravity with visual effects produced by a team whose combined credits include the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.

This film builds on the Museum’s long relationship with Sir David, and presents the Museum a unique opportunity to bring to life some of the extinct inhabitants of its world-class collection. Partnering with Sky 3D and Colossus in this way enables the Museum to reach an even larger audience with the wonders of the natural world.

David Attenborough commented: ‘I have been coming to the Natural History Museum since I was a boy. It’s one of the great places to come to learn about natural history. In this film we have the technology to bring back to life some of the most romantic and extraordinary extinct creatures that can be conceived; some are relatively recent animals like the dodo, others older like the dinosaurs, and some we only know through fossil evidence. Using our current scientific knowledge, this film brings these creatures alive allowing me to look at some of the biggest questions surrounding them. I hope that it will make people think about these extinct creatures differently and bring the Museum to life in a new and exciting way.

‘Duchess Kate’ Holds a Great Pink Bake Off

Posted on by

Leading charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer has launched the first ever Great Pink Bake Off for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  They are recruiting an army of bakers to fire up their ovens, hit the kitchen and give breast cancer a good beating this October.

 

Even ‘Kate’ is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, raising vital funds and awareness for Breakthrough’s life-saving research. On Friday 18th October simply gather your friends, family and colleagues to bring their baked goodies and ask everyone who attends to make a donation. If 18th October doesn’t work for you then you can hold a Bake Off anytime, anywhere, during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a piece of cake! www.pinkbakeoff.org

Kate’s got another bun in the oven

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate has a bun in the oven Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity

 

Sian Fraser, Head Baker for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Great Pink Bake Off, says: “We hope everyone gets involved with this year’s Great Pink Bake Off. Not only will you have a delicious time, you’ll also be raising vital money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s life-saving work”

 

“The need for Breakthrough’s research has never been greater; breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, affecting 50,000 women every year and killing 1,000 every month. So we are urging everyone to raise some dough and help us beat breast cancer.”

 

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK’s leading breast cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through improving early diagnosis, developing new treatments and preventing all types of the disease.

 

Sign up today to receive your very own Great Pink Bake Off fundraising kit – it’s jam-packed with tips, tools and tasty recipes. Visit pinkbakeoff.org or call Breakthrough’s Bake Off team on 08080 100 200.

 

The Improve Rooms | Events

Posted on by

Ever felt that what you need in your life is a little burst of inspiration from an expert? Step in The Improve Rooms at Fitzroy Square. This was a one day event that I am hoping comes back permanently.

I went along with my friend Holly and the first thing we did was grab some cocktails. We then go and watch expert nutritionist Madeleine Shaw make zucchini noodles to go with a delicious salad. Being healthy never tasted so amazing. Madeleine is incredibly knowledgeable and makes healthy living fun.

We had an amazing chat with fashion stylist Grace Woodward, who you might recognise from Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. Grace is heavily pregnant but has dressed so smart I didn’t even notice. She looks brilliant in black with a white cardigan, heels(!), great jewellery and stunning eye make up.

Grace talks about sitting next to Elle MacPherson during Next Top Model, “I felt huge”, how she loves what Kate Middleton wears but how she always gets the shoes wrong, “Those wedges when she came out of the hospital…”, we talked about publishing, how much it has changed and the shift away from print and she also talked about how she put the concept of her Improve Room together; “Summer is over in fashion, it’s done, we are already in Autumn”. Grace, Holly and I had a really good natter while cocktails and canapes are brought to us. You really can’t ask for more than that.

improve rooms, the improve rooms, sure improve rooms, sure, grace woodward, kate middleton, johny pitts,

We move on to photographer Johny Pits and we talk about selfies as Holly is writing an article on them. Johny is very articulate and gives good debate. We learn a lot about photography and also talk about portfolio careers.

We also talk about the Sure deodorant. The compressed cans have as much in them as bigger cans only they are smaller bottles. Got that? They come in new scents; cotton, clear aqua and bright. I have some in my goody bag which should last me a while.

I had a great time at the Improve Rooms. Here’s hoping they do more.

 

Bonkers for Babies: ShopStyle Expert Picks the Best of the Net for Baby Showers

Posted on by

 

royalbabyshower, duchess of cambridge, kate middleton, baby shower, alison jackson, picture, Everyone has gone bonkers for babies thanks to the impending royal birth and with a national baby boom occurring, according to the Office of National Statistics, expect a few more Baby Shower invitations in your inbox.

 

To lessen the stress of present-buying, Caroline Green from ShopStyle, the UK’s largest style search engine, has been tracking the best and least expected online retailers for imminent arrivals and new mums. Here are her Best of the Net:

 

1)      Great Little Trading Company

Their beautifully curated collection of toys, accessories, furniture and bedding is always on trend. We love their selection of garden games!

2)      Mamas & Papas

Their selection of nursery interiors is gorgeous! Check out the moses baskets – practical and pretty.

3)      AlexandAlexa

They have an incredible array of kids’ designer labels. From Ralph Lauren to Catimini to Belle and Boo, there is something for everyone. Look out for the Mini Melissa Watermelon sandals – they’re so cute!

4)      Mothercare

Shopping for a first-time parent? Mothercare offers a great selection of baby gifts – from tiny newborn hats and socks to crib mobiles and bottle warmers, it’s where new parents go to stock up on the basics.

5)      Harrods

Where else will you get a cashmere teddy bear?

 

From high end to unique and quirky gifts, everyone is catered for, so there is no need to go gaga!

 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Leave Hospital With Baby Prince

Posted on by

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have emerged from the Lindo Wing with their son. Both happy parents cradled their newborn son as they stood on the steps of St Margaret’s Hospital in-keeping with tradition. Kate looked radiant and happy in a cornflower blue dress by Jenny Packham.

William said: “He’s got a good pair of lungs on him that’s for sure. He’s quite heavy. We’re still working on a name.’ He also spoke about the wait for the birth, “I will remind him of his tardiness when he’s older as I know how long you lot have been out here.” He also complemented his wife’s looks, saying:”He’s got her looks that’s for sure!” and also joked that his son had more hair than him. Kate said that William had already changed his first nappy.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave hospital with baby sonPrince of CambridgePrince Charles and Camilla visit grandchildKate and William with baby son

Kate gave birth to their son at 16:24 yesterday (22/7/2013) and Kensington Palace announced the birth via email at 20:32. The couples son weighted 8lbs 6oz and William was present for the birth.

Carole and Michael Middleton saw their grandchild at the Lindo Wing earlier today. They were followed by Charles and Camilla. Charles said that the birth was ‘marvellous’.

The baby will be called HRH Prince or Princess X of Cambridge, and will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England, and the head of state of 16 countries, as well as head of the Commonwealth.

What is your take on the Royal Baby? Were you excited? What do you think it should be called?