Friday, August 31, 2012

Britney Spears in a bikini is making us want to go on holiday and/or to the gym

Britney Spears' bikini bod is in super shape at the moment judging by her latest Twitpic.
Britney is looking fab, but not sure about those sunglasses! Copyright: [Twitter/Britney Spears]

Britney tweeted the pic with the message: "Having some fun in the sun… don't want summer to be over!"
And if we looked that good in our bikini neither would we!
Britney's bod seems very much back to her best, we can only guess she must have been doing sit ups under that X Factor USA desk because it seems ever since she started that she looks better than ever!

However, we do have one small problem — her beachwear.
Firstly those glasses and then we have to admit while we were nearly distracted by those abs, we just can't excuse that flowery neon bikini.
Sorry Brit!
However, we did report a similar Brit bikini pic last week, which equated to much drooling to us only to discover we had been bikini duped!
Turns out this is from 2008! Copyright: [Britney Spears Twitter]
Turned out the snap was taken way back in 2008!
Well, to be fair she only said she was enjoying the summer, she never specified which summer exactly.
Plus, it's not just Britney posting old photos on Twitter, Tom Daley also took a bit of a trip down memory lane last night when he posted this super cute baby pic.
We wonder if he has his tiny speedos on?! Copyright: [Twitter/Tom Daley]
He posted the pic with the caption: "Last #tomdaleyphotoaday pic with the "back in time" theme :)"
Turns out he has always liked taking his clothes off, eh?!

Mel C: Little Mix have the potential to be as big as the Spice Girls

Little Mix are on course to hit the chart hot spot this weekend as their latest single, Wings is set to score poll position.
little mixMel C reckons Little Mix have the potential to be as big as The Spice Girls. [Copyright: WENN]

But in case that (and the fact Perrie Edwards is dating Zayn Malik) isn't enough to make them celebrate the latest comments from Mel C certainly will.

When speaking to Magic 105.4 the singer said: "It's tough for girls and young women [in music] and I'd like to see more positive role models - I think Little Mix have the potential to do this."
Wowzers, the X Factor winners must be chuffed — they've regularly cited The Spice Girls as their idols.
the spice girlsMel, with the rest of the Spice Girls. [Copyright: Twitter]
Mel was pretty loose lipped during the interview, talking about what's lacking in the music industry and she believes there's a gap in the market for a girl group with lots of personality.
Mel added: "There have been a few girl bands that have been and gone over the years, but I think young strong female role models are what are missing."
Hang on, has Mel heard of Jessie J, Rita Ora et al? Although we def need a new girl group for this.. step forward Little Mix.
mel cMel C wouldn't get involved in any gossip about Geri Halliwell and Russell Brand. [Copyright: Twitter]
Victoria Beckham's band mate didn't open up about everything though, she decided against gossiping about Geri Halliwell and Russell Brand's new rumoured romance.
On the topic Mel said: "I don't know, I know they get on really well, I am sure they are just friends. I'll have to quiz her on that one...cheeky little minx!"
Just friends? We hope not!

EXCLUSIVE: Josh Hutcherson: I’m dying to meet Emma Watson

Ever since The Hunger Games hit our screens, we've had a major crush on Josh Hutcherson.
Josh Hutcherson and Emma WatsonJosh Hutcherson is desperate to meet Emma Watson. Copyright [WENN]So when we spoke to Josh Hutcherson exclusively, we had to ask which female celebrity he's crushing on.
 
When asked which celeb he'd most like to join The Hunger Games cast, Josh told us: "I love Emma Watson. She's fantastic."
He continued: "I'm dying to meet her. I tried to. I was in town, and I asked my manager to call her manager to see if we could meet. It hasn't happened yet but one day…fingers crossed."
Josh HutchersonJosh Hutcherson is also pals with Kristen Stewart. Copyright [WENN]We reckon Emma Watson and Josh Hutcherson would make a super-cute couple. Come on guys, get that date in the diary.
Emma Watson isn't the only famous female Josh has had contact with. He worked with Kristen Stewart when they were kids — and she even bought him a turtle for his 13th birthday.
"The turtle's named Bob," Josh told us. "It's a very sad story actually, Bob's demise. We went out of town for a while because I was going to work on a film, and it was shortly after I'd gotten Bob and we had a friend that was supposed to be taking care of him and he forgot. So we came back and Bob was no longer with us."
Josh HutchersonJosh Hutcherson with his The Hunger Games co-stars. Copyright [WENN]Uh oh — how did Kristen take the news?!
"I don't know if she knows," Josh said. "They're supposed to live to 85 years old too, so we thought I'd have him to the end of my life and he lasted five months."
Whilst his pet-rearing skills leave a lot to be desired, Josh definitely sounds like he'd make a good boyfriend.
In The Hunger Games, Josh's character has to save Jennifer Lawrence's character because he's so in love with her.
In real life, he hasn't had to make such romantic gestures, but he did tell us: "I've been in love before and it's tough, every kind of love relationship is tough and it has its challenges."
But when it comes to getting a date with Josh, things aren't so challenging.
He said: "It's really easy, it's not hard at all. It takes as much as smiling and eye contact. If you can do that then you're in the door, that's all I need."

England level series with Proteas

Eoin Morgan played a pivotal role as England beat South Africa
Eoin Morgan played a pivotal role as England beat South Africa
 
 
England celebrated their first victory over South Africa this summer after half-centuries from Eoin Morgan and Jonathan Trott saw them to a four-wicket win in the third match of the NatWest Series.
Having lost the Test series 2-0 and fallen 1-0 behind after two matches of the one-day leg, England turned the tide at the Kia Oval courtesy of Morgan's fluent 73 and a stoic 71 from Trott.
The bowlers played their part by dismissing the tourists for 211, Ravi Bopara miserly with one wicket for 31 runs in 10 overs and James Anderson polishing off the tail to close with four for 44.
England briefly looked in bother on 64 for three but Trott played the anchor role in a dogged 125-ball innings, while Morgan added the flair with seven fours and two sixes.
Ian Bell wasted no time getting England's chase going but, after crashing three boundaries in Lonwabo Tsotsobe's first over, he was pinned leg before wicket by Dale Steyn.
His opening partner Alastair Cook took 18 balls to get off the mark and was particularly sedate and went for a laboured 20 with a tame shot to Robin Peterson.
Bopara then fell for a disputed duck, given caught behind off Morne Morkel but Morgan's arrival added much-needed impetus - not to mention boundaries - as he raced past 30 at better than a run-a-ball.
Morgan's game-changing knock ended with a looping caught-and-bowled to Peterson and 40 still needed.
Craig Kieswetter cleared the ropes once before being run out for 14, leaving Trott to shepherd England within five runs of victory. The impressive Parnell accounted for the number three, via the outside edge, but Samit Patel was on hand to hit the winning boundary.
Jade Dernbach offered support to Anderson with three for 44 and the in-form Hashim Amla top-scored with 43 for the Proteas.

Diana remembered after 15 years on

Diana, Princess of Wales, has been remembered on the 15th anniversary of her death as a woman "with two hearts" - one for her and one for the people.
Scores of tributes, flowers, posters and cards were attached to the gates of Kensington Palace, all remembering Diana who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Many tourists, fans and passers-by took photos, read tributes and placed flowers by the gates.


Diana super-fan John Loughrey, 57, dressed head-to-toe in Union flags, arrived at 6am.
"It's been a great tribute. We've had people who come here every year, a lot of tourists, and some of the Olympics people coming in too, the volunteers. There was about 20 of them down here," he said.
"Diana is like diamonds, they never wear away. She's a phenomenon with her charity work and her caring about people. She's the only person on the planet born with two hearts: one is her own heart and one is the heart she gives to the people."

A man places a floral tribute for Diana, Princess of Wales on the gate of Kensington Palace in London (© AP)

Maria Scott, 41, travelled from Newcastle to attend the memorial. She said she had also been coming for 15 years: "Diana should be remembered because she's the mother of our future king and she should never be forgotten."



Petra Vallila, originally from Finland, placed a solitary flower at the gates, but it was not from her.
The 29-year-old from Helsinki, now living in London, said: "I saw it on the news. I saw that people were bringing flowers and I spoke with my mum. She's an old royalist, even though she's from Finland, so she encouraged me to bring a flower for her. So actually I did this for my mum."
One card placed on the gate read: "Dearest Diana, once again we are at K.P. to remember and honour your memory. We will never let 'them' airbrush you from history. Always loved and never forgotten, we miss you! With love, Michella, Laura, Beth, Connie and Kim xxxxx"
Another read: "Darling Diana, we loved you too much to ever forget you. Nor will we forgive those who betrayed you. Your wonderful sons think of you everyday and so do we. God bless you, with love from Margaret and Victor Funnel."

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Aguilera: I've been through a lot

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    Christina Aguilera has been working on a new album
    Christina Aguilera has been working on a new album
     
     
    Christina Aguilera is comparing her upcoming album to a "rebirth".
    With more than a decade in the music business behind her, the album will be a culmination of "everything I've experienced up until this point," the 31-year-old said.
    "I've been through a lot since the release of my last album," she said. "This is all sort of a free rebirth for me."
    The Burlesque star and Jordan Bratman were married for five years before she filed for divorce in 2010. They have a four-year-old son, Max.
    Her new album's first single, Your Body, was produced by Max Martin, who also produced Christina's last hit, the Maroon 5 duet Moves Like Jagger.
    "I'm embracing many different things, but it's all feel-good," she said of the album's material, including tracks that are "super expressive" and fun, with moments that are "super vulnerable".
    The new record, which is without a release date or announced title, will feature fellow US Voice coach Cee Lo Green and comes two years after Christina's lacklustre Bionic, which has sold 310,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That album featured electronic and dance-flavoured tracks as well as pop ballads. It's her only album to not reach platinum status.
    "In the fashion that I always like to put forth, it's very self-expressive and it's all heartfelt," Christina said of her new material.
    Adam Levine, Maroon 5 frontman and also a Voice coach, told Christina at a recent news conference for the show that he'd heard Your Body and added, "I hate you because it's so good."
    Christina will perform the song on NBC's The Voice on September 17. The US show's third season starts on September 10.

    Strauss in spotlight as ECB face press

    The England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director Hugh Morris will address the media at noon, raising question marks over the future of Test captain Andrew Strauss.
    Strauss, 35, was expected to line up for Middlesex on Tuesday after a short family break following the Test series defeat to South Africa but withdrew from the match in the morning.
    A hastily convened press conference was then announced late on Tuesday night, almost two hours after Alastair Cook's limited-overs side lost the second one-day international against the Proteas by 80 runs. The ECB declined to answer calls about the nature of the briefing, leaving Morris to shed further light on the situation at the ECB's Lord's headquarters.
    Andrew Strauss withdrew from Middlesex's game on Tuesday
    Chief executive Giles Clarke has also been made available for interview at Derbyshire's County Ground at 2pm. To have both of the board's heavy hitters on duty on the same day in different locations suggests a major announcement, meaning there may also be a clarification of Pietersen's future.
    Pietersen is currently in England exile after a dramatic summer that has seen him retire from limited-overs cricket, give a strained press conference at Headingley where he brought his Test future into question and admit to sending "provocative" text messages to opponents in the South Africa team.
    The Pietersen saga has weighed heavily on Strauss, who appeared visibly drained after the third Test earlier this month and was equivocal when questioned about his plans.
    Asked if he would still be in charge for the forthcoming tour of India the opening batsman said: "It's probably hard to answer that after the week that's just gone by. It's been a tiring week.
    "We all need to sit down - myself and Andy Flower in particular - and try and map out the way forward."
    Those are hardly the words of a captain resolutely defending his position, though Strauss retains the complete backing of Flower as well as the wholehearted support of the dressing room - Pietersen notwithstanding.
    At present Strauss' captaincy record stands at 24 wins from 50 matches, making him England's third most experienced leader and the second most successful behind Michael Vaughan. He also led the side to home and away Ashes triumphs as well as the surge to world number one last summer, the first time England had held the position since the rankings were introduced.

    Isaac heads towards New Orleans

    Hurricane Isaac has lashed the Louisiana coast and is heading for a shuttered New Orleans, sending floodwaters surging and unleashing fierce winds.


    Residents of New Orleans waited out another storm just hours shy of the seventh anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina.
    Isaac's approach left deserted streets from New Orleans' famous French Quarter to Tampa 480 miles away, where Republicans at their party's national convention pressed on with only a passing mention of the storm's arrival.

    Hurricane Isaac spins into the southern Louisiana coast sending floodwaters surging and unleashing fierce winds (© AP/NOAA)



    A Category 1 hurricane with winds at 80 mph, Isaac came ashore near the mouth of the Mississippi River in south-eastern Louisiana, drenching a sparsely populated neck of land that stretches into the Gulf of Mexico. But the worst was still to come as the slow-moving storm chugged along on a track that would take it just west of New Orleans, roughly 70 miles to the north.

    At midnight on Tuesday, the hurricane had slowed to a forward speed of 7mph. It was forecast to slow even further over the next day or two as it drifts over the south-eastern coast of Louisiana before heading inland, according to an advisory from the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami.
    While much less powerful than Katrina in 2005, Isaac unleashed fierce winds and soaking rains that knocked out power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.

    The storm drew intense scrutiny because of its timing - just before the anniversary of the hurricane that devastated New Orleans - while the first major speeches of the Republican National Convention went on in Tampa, Florida, already delayed and tempered by the storm.
    While many residents stayed put, evacuations were ordered in low-lying areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, where officials closed 12 shorefront casinos.
    One of the main concerns along the shoreline was storm surge, which occurs when hurricane winds raise sea levels off the coast, causing flooding on land.
    A storm surge of 10.3 feet was reported at Shell Beach, Louisiana, while a surge of 6.7 feet was reported in Waveland, Mississippi, the Hurricane Centre said.

    Pregnant Fearne Cotton treats her baby bump to some cake, aww

    We've been on bump watch since Fearne Cotton announced that she was pregnant with her first baby.
    Fearne CottonFearne Cotton was out and about with a cake tin this morning. Copyright [WENN]She spent weeks covering up her baby bump, but now Fearne Cotton is showing it off in style - and even treating it to some cake.
     
    Fearne was pictured arriving at the Radio 1 studios this morning, clutching a cake tin no doubt filled with baked goodies.
    It's no secret that Fearne loves baking, and often makes drool-worthy snacks for her radio buddies.
    Fearne CottonFearne Cotton showed off her baby bump. Copyright [WENN]We reckon the little bun in the oven (geddit) will be appreciating her sugary snacks, too.
    Fearne looked amazing in a grey dress with a white peter pan collar. She teamed the dress with a blue mac, navy converse shoes and a pair of vintage sunglasses.
    This is the first proper glimpse of bump we've had since Fearne Cotton announced her pregnancy three weeks ago.
    Fearne CottonFearne announced her pregnancy three weeks ago. Copyright [WENN]Last week at the Keith Lemon premiere, she wore a loose-fitting dress which disguised her bump, but she was spotted patting her stomach. Aw.
    But it seems her pregnancy hasn't changed her style. We reckon she'll be rocking her signature right until she gives birth.
    We're also pretty sure baby Cotton-Wood will be the most stylish celeb tot around.

    Victoria Beckham ‘devastated’ and ‘seething’ after David Beckham and Katherine Jenkins rumour

    David Beckham and Katherine Jenkins may have both denied that they had an affair but the damage has already been done with Victoria Beckham feeling the full brunt of the vicious rumours.
    victoria beckhamVictoria Beckham is reportedly 'devastated' by the affair rumours. [Copyright: WENN, Getty]

    It's believed Victoria Beckham has been left 'devastated' by the cheating accusations against her husband of 13 years, with a source telling Closer magazine the impact of Friday's drama.

    The source told the publication: "They're standing by each other and Victoria doesn't believe a word of the rumours. However, they have left her seething.
    "David is also fuming, particularly because some of their children are of an age where they could catch wind of it. Victoria is devastated."
    And we're not surprised! Protecting their family is no doubt at the forefront of the Beckham's minds.
    victoria beckhamVictoria and David's priority will as always be their family. [Copyright: WENN]
    The rumours surfaced on Twitter last week and began gaining such momentum that Katherine Jenkins felt forced into the saga tweeting a denial.
    She wrote: "Dear Twitter friends, I've read some horrible rumours on here & want u 2 know I absolutely deny I've had an affair with David Beckham.
    "The rumours are very hurtful, untrue & my lawyers tell me actionable."
    We sure David and Victoria will ride the storm of thee false allegation, they already did once in 2004 when it was reported Rebecca Loos had a four-month affair with the footballer.

    Kim Kardashian shares photos of her in bra and stockings – can she get any hotter?

    Kim Kardashian clearly doesn't worry about us having too much of a good thing as she's tweeted yet again with more photos of her looking absolutely uh-may-zing and this time she's stripped off to sexily show off hints of skin.
    kim kardashianKim Kardashian stripped off for her latest photo shoot. [Copyright: Instagram/Kim Kardashian]

    While on the set of her latest photo shoot that had a vintage theme, Kim Kardashian donned a cappuccino coloured bra worked with suspenders and covered up (a little) with a fur jacket.

    And wow has she nailed looking sexy! With her slightly backcombed hair with a 60s edge the reality TV star sizzled in this snap she shared with her followers on Instagram.
    kim kardashianKimmy K strikes another few poses and looks gorge doing so. [Copyright: Instagram/Kim Kardashian]
    But in true Kim K form it wasn't an isolated treat, she continued the collection with a shot of her in a bra with her face to the side — her long raven locks falling to the side.
    She added an edge of 40s style with a long pearl necklace and captioned this "Nighty night" — we imagine Kanye West has plenty of sweet dreams now he's dating Kim.
    To up the ante, the curvaceous celebrity shared a four-way snap of her pulling silly faces from adopting a claw stance, pouting to the camera and licking her lips.
    kim kardashianKim had her tresses tended to on the shoot. [Copyright: Instagram/Kim Kardashian]
    And just in case these shots didn't prove her beauty the final one certainly will as her hairdresser tends to her tresses she stares into the mirror looking simply stunning.
    But it appears even she has body confidence issues, she tweeted over the weekend saying: "I think my butt looks too big in these jeans."
    This was followed by a double workout session of Pilates and then Bootcamp — YIKES!

    United’s young stars told they can’t have free supercar

    Chevrolet's Corvette (left) and the much more sensible Spark (right). Which would you choose?

    Alex Ferguson has banned several of his star players from driving flashy sports cars the club's new shirt sponsor has offered to give them for free.
    Chevrolet wanted to celebrate the fact that its name will appear on United shirts from next season by offering all of United's first-team squad their choice of a free car from the US manufacturer's range.
    And, needless to say, almost all of them opted for the stunning, 638bhp Corvette ZR1, the flagship of the brand.
    But it seems that while the United boss trusts players such as Danny Welbeck and Chris Smalling to drive his title charge, he doesn't trust them to drive a 200mph supercar. The Sun reports that United have banned any players under the age of 23 from picking out the Corvette.
    "The model is dependent on their time at the club and driving experience," a United spokesman told the paper.
    That means that older players, including 33-year-old Rio Ferdinand, will be able to power around in the £70,000 motor, which rockets from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.
    But the likes of Welbeck, Smalling, Rafael da Silva and Phil Jones will have to make do with something like the £8,475 Spark, which takes 15.5 seconds to hit 60 and won't even reach 100mph - let alone 200mph - unless driven furiously downhill with a hurricane blowing from behind.

    Tuesday, August 28, 2012

    Wrinkle-busting wonder products

    It's a sad fact of life that as we age, our skin loses its elasticity and its ability to bounce back. The bad news? There's simply no way to avoid doing many of the things which lead to the wrinkles we'll all eventually develop. The good news? Using the right products, we can certainly give our skin a helping hand.
    Wrinkles are a fact of life © Rex
    There's no shortage of wrinkle-busting products available but finding the right one for you can be tricky. Skincare guru and founder of Murad skincare, Dr Murad, suggests that those waging war on wrinkles take the time to figure out exactly what they want from their beauty products before splashing the cash.

    "I suggest my patients first look at their skin type to determine what the underlying cause of their wrinkles might be," advises Dr Murad. "That way, they will be able to choose products which contain ingredients designed to specifically address their particular cause of wrinkles. For example, if you're in your 30s to 50s and are experiencing wrinkles along with lacklustre skin, you may be suffering from hormonal ageing. If this is the case, look for products which contain AHA's to reduce the appearance of medium-to-deep wrinkles and phytoestrogens, to naturally improve elasticity." Murad's Age Diffusing Serum (£64, www.murad.co.uk) is ideal for those within this category - it's a light, easily-absorbed formula that instantly tightens skin and also helps to reduce the appearance of deeper wrinkles.
    Skin science
    If your parents wrinkled young and you're seeing yours appear early on, you're probably suffering from what's known as genetic ageing.
    "If this is the case, look for products which contain glycolic acid to exfoliate and beta-carotene to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritation," suggests Dr Murad.
    "If you've been in the sun a lot over the years and have been exposed to harsh pollutants in the environment, you're probably suffering from environmental ageing. In this case, look for products which contain retinyl palmitate to exfoliate and Vitamin C to preserve collagen." There's no shortage of vitamin-c based creams and serums, but for an intensive treat, smooth on Elemis's Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask (£46, www.timetospa.co.uk), which contains amino acids along with glycolic acid to smooth skin and boost cell turnover.
     
    Moisturising ingredients such as shea butter are also essential when it comes to the art of wrinkle-busting, due to their ability to restore natural smoothness. Natural ingredients such as fruit oils and avocado will all enhance the skin's ability to retain moisture. Retinol, which is basically pure vitamin A and which works by stimulating cell growth and building collagen, is equally beneficial. Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Premiere Intense Moisture and Renewal Activation Cream SPF 30 (£68, Boots) is a great example of a retinol product which also helps to protect skin from external aggressors.
    When it comes to the delicate skin around the eye area, avoid heavy products, which can "pool" under the area and are harder for the skin to absorb. If possible, opt for a lighter cream or serum. Elemis's brand new Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment (£39, www.timetospa.co.uk) is ideal for this delicate area. The lightweight serum contains a hi-tech combination of amino acids and anti-oxidant rich linseed to smooth and firm the skin without suffocating it.
    Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask, Murad Age Diffusing Serum, Lancome Youth Activating Concentrate
    Peptide power
    Peptides are another ingredient worth looking out for. Skincare guru Ole Henriksen swears by them. "The actual tightening effect that you want comes from various peptides," says Ole. "I'm a huge fan of peptides because they're water-based and have a tiny molecular structure which enables them to interact with the skin in a very effective manner." Peptides can be found in a huge range of beauty products. One example is Bliss's The Youth As We Know It moisturiser (£65, www.blissworld.co.uk) which works by slowing the breakdown of collagen. Ole Henrisken's Ultimate Eye Lift Gel (£36, Selfridges) is another peptide-packed miracle product, and is ideal for use on sensitive skin.
     
    As Ole points out, boosting cell turnover is essential, not just because doing so allows products to penetrate the skin better, but because increased cell turnover means less wrinkles. "You need to stimulate the skin's cell turnover rate in order to achieve a gradual and permanent reduction of wrinkles," explains Ole. Lancome's Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate (£90, Boots) is ideal for those looking to maximise cell renewal. This powerful serum contains Phytosphingosine SLC, which is derived from a yeast and works by not only stimulating cell turnover but by strengthening the surface of the skin.
    Hydration
    Finally, don't forget to moisturise. In warmer weather, when we're more prone to oily skin, it's easy to forget just how essential moisture is for our skin. "Look for moisture-binding ingredients which work in a time-released manner, such as sodium hyaluronate (otherwise known as hyaluronic acid), and extracts from the glycerine family," suggests Ole. Try Gatineau Defelift 3D Eye Contour Lift Emulsion (£46.60, Lookfantastic.com). Gylcerine is another ingredient to look out for, and is what's known as a humectant, which means it's able to draw and absorb water from the air. And, let's face it, here in the UK, that's one thing there's never a shortage of.

    Family Meals for Under a Fiver

    With food prices on the rise, shopping for a family can be expensive. But you can still share a home-cooked meal cheaply, if you choose your ingredients carefully. Give one of these budget family meals a go — they all cost less than £5 to make.
    The Saturday Night Feast: Hot Dogs with Potato Wedges, Sour Cream and Chive Dip and Coleslaw: Cost: £4.78.
    The trick here is not to use very cheap sausages — you'll still keep the price down using good quality, butcher's-style sausages, because you're saving money by making your own potato wedges, coleslaw and dip. Serves 4.
    The Saturday Night Feast © Jo Romero
    Ingredients:
    8 thick sausages
    8 hot dog rolls
    750g waxy white potatoes (like Maris Piper)
    1 medium-sized onion, sliced
    3 cabbage leaves, washed (use white, red or savoy cabbage)
    2 large carrots
    1 spring onion
    2-3 tablespoons good-quality mayonnaise
    150ml soured cream
    Small bunch of chives
    Method:
    1. Preheat your oven to 220°C. Cut the potatoes (don't peel them) into thin wedges and tip into a large roasting dish. Drizzle with olive oil and add a pinch of salt. Bake for about 15 minutes, occasionally giving them a stir or shake so they don't stick to the bottom.
    2. When the potatoes have had their first 15 minutes, arrange the sausages inside another, smaller roasting dish. Scatter the onion slices around the sausages and slide into the oven with the potatoes. Cook everything for another 30 minutes.
    3. Meanwhile, finely shred the cabbage leaves, grate the carrots and slice the spring onion. Tip into a serving bowl and add enough mayonnaise to bind it all together.
    4. Next, pour the soured cream into a small dish and stir in the snipped chives. Take to the table with the coleslaw.
    5. When the sausages and potatoes are golden and cooked through, split the hot dog rolls along the top, place a sausage into each and spoon over some of the onion slices. Serve with the dip, coleslaw and the crisp potato wedges.
     
    The Roast: Chicken Thighs Roasted with Garlic and New Potatoes, with Vegetables on the Side: Cost: £4.69
    We used cheaper but juicy and flavourful chicken thighs for this recipe which is low on cost but big on flavour. Serves 4.
    The Roast © Jo Romero
    Ingredients:
    4 x chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in (about 460g)
    500g mini new potatoes
    4 garlic cloves, skin-on
    250g frozen peas
    250g carrots, sliced
    1 tbsp fresh parsley
    Method:
    1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.
    2. Fry the chicken thighs, in batches, for about 4 minutes each side, until golden and starting to turn crisp. Arrange in a large roasting tray (you might need two smaller trays).
    3. Tip the potatoes around the browned chicken and scatter over the garlic cloves. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with olive oil and roast for about 35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
    4. Quickly boil the peas and the carrots in separate pans, until cooked (5-7 minutes).
    5. Remove the chicken and potatoes from the oven and scatter with parsley. Serve with the soft garlic cloves and vegetables, spooning over a little of the roasting juices over the chicken.
     
    The Quick Mid-week Option: Spaghetti Carbonara: Cost: £4.04
    You can have this dish on the table in around 10 minutes, and it's incredibly cheap to make, too. Serves 4.
    The Quick Mid-week Option © Jo Romero
    Ingredients:
    100g smoked, streaky bacon
    2 garlic cloves, chopped
    70g mushrooms, sliced
    300g dried spaghetti
    1 free-range egg yolk
    150ml single cream
    50g Parmesan, finely grated
    1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
    Method:
    1. Boil the spaghetti in slightly salted water.
    2. Slice the bacon into small chunks and heat gently in a dry, non-stick frying pan. The bacon will start to release its fat. Keep frying until slightly browned and crisp.
    3. Add the garlic and sliced mushrooms and fry for 2-3 minutes, coating everything in the bacon juices.
    4. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, Parmesan and cream.
    5. Once the spaghetti is cooked, lift it with tongs and drop into the bacon mixture, tossing it together. Turn off the heat and immediately pour over the cream mixture and slosh in a little of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce. Toss well with the tongs, season with black pepper and scatter over the parsley before serving.
     
    What are your favourite economical family meals?

    Zumba toning moves to try at home

    Zumba fan Zoe Hardman and Zumba Toning Expert Natasha Masucci take us through the basics of Zumba Toning and Y! Lifestyle are already hooked.

    Lunge with Chest Press
    This tones the bottom, legs, front of shoulders and chest.
    - Stand with feet hip width apart

    - Step forward with one leg, ensuring the hips remain square and that the knee and ankle of the front leg are aligned, whilst the heel of the back leg is off the floor

    - Hold the arms in a starting position whereby they are lifted in line with the shoulders

    - Hold the toning sticks in a gentle yet secure grip, ensuring the wrists are neutral

    - Extend the arms out in front, being careful not to lock the elbow joint

    - Bring the arms back to start again

    - Change legs throughout for synergy and a balanced workout


    Squat


    This tones the bottom, legs and the front of the shoulders.

    -Standing with feet hip width apart, dip into a squat as if you’re about to sit in a chair

    - Take the weight back on to the heels, ensuring your abdominals are engaged

    - As you squat, push the arms out in front in front, no higher than shoulder height

    - Retain a gentle yet secure grip on the toning sticks

    - Afterwards return to a neutral stance and repeat
      Tricep Extension
      This tones the backs of the arms.

      - Stand straight with hips facing forward

      - Lift one arm up whilst holding on to the toning stick

      - Place that arm behind the head by the nape of the neck, keeping the elbow close to the head

      - Extend the arm up towards the ceiling, working against gravity

      -Squeeze the muscles at the back of the upper arms, being careful not to lock the elbow joint

      - Ensure that abdominals are engaged for support and protection, whilst retaining a secure yet gentle grip on the toning sticks

      - Repeat on the other arm for a balanced and symmetrical workout

        Overhead Press
        This tones the back of the shoulders, top of the back and the triceps.
        -Stand with feet hip width apart, knees soft

        - Lift the arms out to the side, arms in line with the shoulders

        - Push the arms up to the ceiling, being careful not to lock the elbow joint

        - Release down with control, ensuring abdominals are engaged to protect the back

        - Retain a gentle yet secure grip on the toning sticks

          Oblique workout

          This tones the side of the waist, banishing love handles.

          - Stand with legs slightly wider than hip width

          - Hold the toning sticks in each hand with a gentle yet secure grip, keeping your torso facing forwards

          - Lean to one side, lifting back up before repeating

          - This can be done one side at a time, or you can alternate sides in between each repetition

          - Ensure that you move carefully back up to the start position in between repetitions, to avoid unbalancing the move

          Find your local class at Zumba.com.

          10 tips for better boobs

          Eat your way to good health

          Multiple research studies have shown that eating certain foods can help to minimize your risk of developing breast cancer. Some foods to add into your diet include yellow/orange fruits and vegetables such as butternut squash as they are packed with antioxidant beta-carotene which has been linked to lowered risk of breast cancer. Flax seeds, walnuts, cranberries and omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish, avocados and eggs) have also been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer, while eating foods high in magnesium can help prevent breast swelling and tenderness.
          AvocadoAvocado

          Check your bra size


          It is thought that more than 70 per cent of women regularly wear the wrong bra size, yet this can not only lead to significant health problems including poor posture, skin irritation and breathing difficulties, but it can irreversibly damage breast ligaments, leading to breast pain and sagging. Breast size can change frequently over your lifetime due to weight changes, pregnancy or menopause so, rather than guessing your size, make sure you get measured regularly to ensure you are getting the support you need.

          Get into the exercise habit


          Research has shown that exercising four or more hours a week can lower estrogen levels and reduce risk of breast cancer, while separate studies have suggested that weekly workouts can increase survival in those with the illness. However, exercise is not only good for your health; it can also help to prevent sagging and improve the look of your boobs. While you may think that chest exercises are just for men, working out the pectoral muscles through exercises such as push-ups and bench presses is great for improving the firmness, lift and shape of your breasts.

          Get a natural lift


          If you long for perkier, uplifted boobs, using a firming cream on your breasts and décolletage can help you to achieve this look. While applying a cream is unlikely to make any significant changes to the overall size or shape of your breasts, by massaging a firming cream regularly into your skin you can help to improve skin elasticity and tone up the area, helping to prevent wrinkles and sagging and improve the overall appearance of your boobs.

          Fake a perfect cleavage


          If you’re planning to wear a plunging neckline and want to make the most of your cleavage, it is possible to create the appearance of bigger breasts with a little bit of makeup. To cheat your way to a better cleavage, don your favourite bra then lightly dust some matte bronzer between your breasts, blending up and out to create the illusion of shadow. Finish with a lighter, shimmery powder across the top of your boobs and collarbones.

          Check your breasts


          According to a survey by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, only 35% of women regularly check their breasts for signs of cancer. However, breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women and early diagnosis can rapidly increase chances of survival. Women are advised to get to know their boobs by checking them each month and looking out for changes in size, shape and skin texture, as well as checking for discharge, rashes or lumps. If you are not sure how to go about checking your breasts, visit a reputable website or ask your doctor for tips on performing these necessary checks.

          Quit smoking


          Smoking has repeatedly been established as a leading cause of many serious illnesses, and breast cancer is no different. A study by researchers at the California Department of Health Services found that the rate of breast cancer amongst women who smoked was around 30% higher than for those who had never smoked. Separate research also suggests that the effects of smoking are cumulative, with risk increasing according to years of cigarette smoking, so stopping smoking now could help cut your risk of developing the illness.

          Apply sunscreen


          Despite the warnings about skin cancer, many of us are still not applying sunscreen on a regular basis. However, failing to apply sun lotion not only puts the delicate chest area at risk of sunburn and skin cancer, but it can also lead to premature ageing of the skin. To prevent a wrinkly cleavage and help keep your décolletage smooth and taut, make sure to apply a minimum of SPF 15 sunscreen whenever your skin is exposed to the sun.
          Woman applying sunscreen wearing bikiniWoman applying sunscreen wearing bikini

          Wear a sports bra


          When we work out, our breasts tend to move about with the movements of our body. Exercising without adequate support (particularly for those with larger breasts) can therefore lead to discomfort and pain, as well as damage to ligaments which can cause breasts to sag. To make sure your boobs are protected from the effects of exercise, make sure you purchase a well-fitting exercise bra which is sturdier than your everyday bra and can help minimize breast movement.

          Improve your posture


          If you want to give yourself an instant breast lift, the best thing you can do is improve your posture. The chest muscles can lose flexibility when your shoulders are hunched, causing sagging over time. Furthermore, walking with a straighter back will make you boobs look instantly bigger and more pert. Try to pay attention to how you stand and sit throughout the day and consider taking up an exercise that will improve your posture such as yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi. Read more on realbuzz.com...

          Marmite ingredient could beat MRSA

          Marmite contains a bug busting ingredient that could be the key to beating the deadly superbug MRSA. Niacin (vitamin B3) has been found to boost the body's defences against Staphylococcus bacteria and improve the immune system's ability to beat various different bugs by up to 1,000 times.Love it or hate it, marmite on toast could do you good ©YCN

          Experts hope that this discovery could be a turning point in the battle against antibiotic-resistant bugs, such as MRSA, that pose a threat in hospitals. But though it's rich in B vitamins, including the key niacin, Marmite is not rich enough alone to provide its lovers with the full benefits the study found.


           

          To experience the immune boost, researchers used clinical 'megadoses' of niacin, far beyond what's absorbed in a normal diet. And currently the findings have also only been on mice and human blood samples, requiring more investigation.

          Lead researcher Dr Adrian Gombart, from Oregon State University in the US, said: ''This is potentially very significant, although we still need to do human studies.

          ''Antibiotics are wonder drugs, but they face increasing problems with resistance by various types of bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus.



          ''This could give us a new way to treat staph infections that can be deadly, and might be used in combination with current biotics. It's a way to tap into the power of the innate immune system and stimulate it to provide a more powerful and natural immune response.''

          But before we're tempted to start scoffing Marmite and vitamin pills, Gombart also stressed that there was no evidence that B vitamins in ordinary diets and normal-strength B3 supplements had a similar effect.

          Monday, August 27, 2012

          Should you forgive a cheating girlfriend?

          Should you forgive a cheating girlfriend? (© Rex Features- Garo- Phanie)
          If you've been on the moon for the last few weeks, it's possible that you may have missed the whole R-Patz/K-Stew furore.
          So for those who have, welcome back to Earth, and here's a quick recap. R-Patz (Robert Pattinson) has moved out of the Hollywood mansion he shared with fellow Twilight star K-Stew (Kristen Stewart) after K-Stew admitted an affair with married director Rupert Sanders (not, as far as we know, R-San).
          The world is on tenterhooks waiting to find out if R-Patz will take K-Stew back, or whether Hollywood's top couple is officially finished.
          It's a great tabloid story, but it also begs an important question. Should a man take back his cheating girlfriend, and can a relationship split asunder by infidelity ever be truly complete again? We asked the experts.
          Take some time
          By moving out British actor Pattinson has probably done the right thing, experts say. Whether it turns out that he wants to try and save the relationship or not - and this applies to any other man who has been cheated on - it's not a decision that can be taken in haste and in the heat of the moment.
          "Betrayal is one of the most emotionally painful experiences a person can have, with its potent cocktail of fear, grief and anger; this triggers our primitive fight/flight response," says novelist and psychologist Voula Grand (www.voulagrand.com), author of Honor's Shadow (Karnac Books), a tale with betrayal at its heart.
          "Time to reflect is the best course of action, and removing yourself from the situation will help, as it provides the opportunity to calm down from the initial shock and think through your options."
          Relationship counsellor Elly Prior agrees that dealing with infidelity needs time out: "Initially surviving infidelity means nothing more than letting the fog rise," she says. "Give yourself at least a couple of weeks to just calm down a bit. Only when you start to feel a little better can you begin to consider what your next step should be."
          Should you forgive a cheating girlfriend? (© Rex Features- R Zorin- Fotex)
          Consider your whole relationship
          Discovering your partner's infidelity is horrible and painful and will completely dominate your thoughts. But after you've taken a week or two to get over the initial shock, it's worth trying to reflect more widely on your relationship.
          "It's generally believed that an affair is a symptom of some deeper problem in the relationship, and giving some thought to what that problem might be is a helpful question to ask yourself, and in time your partner," says Voula Grand.
          Why do you need to know about other problems in your relationship? You may think that she's cheated and that's it. After all, however dissatisfied you were with parts of the relationship, you didn't jump into bed with someone else.
          While that's true, and while nothing justifies her actions, you do need to analyse your relationship if you want to try and save it. Even if you don't, knowing what went wrong this time will help make sure it doesn't in future.
          "Once you are over the initial shock, do reflect on the possibility of an underlying problem," says Elly Prior. She says it may be that your partner has feelings of being neglected, rejected or ignored in the relationship. It's not an excuse, but it may be at least part of the reason.
          Maybe K-Stew fell into the arms of another man because she was feeling neglected? Maybe R-Patz was never around? Whatever it is, you might not be able to forgive infidelity in the short term, but you may start to understand it.
          Degrees of cheating?
          For some people, cheating is cheating, and any act of infidelity means an instant split. But others find that they can forgive certain types of infidelity and rebuild a solid partnership. It often depends on what form the infidelity took.
          "When the affair is emotional as well as sexual, the betrayal feels worse, and much harder to forgive," says Voula Grand.
          "Which of these situations would be more forgivable for you: your partner has a drunken one-night stand with a stranger in a bar whilst on a business trip; your partner has a relationship over several months with a colleague from work; your partner is in a long-term affair with one of your close friends."
          As Grand points out, most people would be more forgiving of the first, and very few of us could forgive the last. That doesn't mean forgiving a one-night stand would be easy. Men, in particular, hate to think of their partners in a stranger's bed, even if they can be convinced that it was all a one-off, alcohol-induced mistake.
          But the key for R-Patz and any man in his position is to begin to see their partner's infidelity as exactly that - a terrible mistake. If they can be convinced of that, the relationship may have a future.
          Should you forgive a cheating girlfriend? (© Rex Features- Fotex)
          Once and once only
          But it has to be a mistake never repeated.
          "Second time cheating is much harder to forgive," says Grand. "This is the time to come to terms with the painful fact that your partner is unlikely to remain faithful, and to salvage your dignity."
          Sometimes you have to accept that infidelity has left the relationship in tatters. That can happen if the cheating is repeated, or if her infidelity is a heady combination of emotional and sexual betrayal that you simply can't forgive.
          And sometimes you have to walk away simply because you can't come to terms with the betrayal, even if the infidelity is of a 'lesser' degree.
          "Another time to walk away is if you find it impossible to come to terms with your partner's affair, and this begins to poison your relationship; time to cut your losses and move on," says Grand.
          So should you forgive a cheating partner? The most we can say is that, in some circumstances, it is possible to rebuild a relationship after an act of infidelity, especially if it was an isolated and much regretted mistake. Whether R-Patz and K-Stew can ever be Hollywood's golden couple again, only time will tell.

          Atomic Floyd Minidarts +Remote earphones review

          Atomic Floyd Minidarts +Remote (© Atomic Floyd)
          With all the brilliance our small island has experienced this summer, there's never been a better time to celebrate everything that's British. Good timing then for British music accessories brand Atomic Floyd to introduce a new set of 'phones to its critically acclaimed range - the Minidarts +Remote.
          The new design takes its lead from the Superdarts range, replacing the circular microphone on the previous design with a stainless steel inline mic and remote on the left hand side.
          Speaking of design, this has to be one thing that makes the Minidarts, and any Atomic Floyd earphones for that matter, stand out from the crowd. From the packaging down to the cable, these are a pair of earphones that have had design considered at every single level.
          The red Kevlar cable makes tangling almost impossible, and if it does manage to work itself into a knot at the bottom of your bag, the material prevents it from getting too tight, meaning it untangles with ease.
          The titanium base of the earphones has an almost steampunk feel, stylish yet industrial-looking, topped by a choice of three SoftSeal earphone tips. These tips are comfy enough, but you'll know you're wearing them - we would've liked to have seem them even softer to improve comfort for longer wear. We found the medium tips, which come already loaded, to be the best fit for us, but it's worth trying out all three to make sure you get the best fit.
          That's because the fit will affect the performance you get from the Minidarts. Get it just right and the two-way noise isolation works a treat - you won't have that screaming child interfering with your tunes, and you also won't annoy your fellow commuter with sound leakage, even at louder volumes. Get it wrong, and you just won't get the audio performance that these 'phones promise.
          And that audio performance doesn't scrimp on power. Comparing them to other in-ear headphones, they had significantly more oomph in the volume department. But not all music benefitted from blasting up the volume - sometimes keeping the volume a little lower prevented the sound muddying, allowing the various parts of a track to shine through more, and allowing you to notice things you maybe hadn't previously.
          It's worth noting that the Minidarts give a very rounded, balanced sound and won't deliver the deep bass performance in the low-end that some bass-heavy music listeners might crave. If you're looking for a bass performance to rival the likes of Beats by Dre 'phones, you certainly won't find that here.
          That's not necessarily a bad thing - it means that the earphones deliver a similar performance with various genres of music rather than being focused on one type, a plus for the more eclectic music fan. That said, we found they particularly sparkled when listening to more "delicate" music - Ben Howard's album sounded sublime - and its high- and mid-end performance far outshone that in the low-end.
          As for the audio performance when taking a call, this has been improved compared to the previous design, where the mic sat at chest height on the Y-split of the headphones. The mic is now built into the inline remote, which sits further up, underneath the left earphone. Call quality was excellent, with callers not even knowing we were on a headset.
          The remote is also a welcome addition, meaning users can accept or decline calls, and of course control your music, without needing to dig your phone from your bag or pocket - though this is limited to iPhone/iPod users only. As it's placed so high up the cable, you can't actually see the remote's controls when you're wearing the earphones. This just means you just need to familiarise yourself with it on the first wear so you know what you're doing. And it's pretty straight forward - there's a volume up and volume down button, then a middle button that will pause the track (one click), skip forward (two clicks) or skip back (three clicks).
          The one drawback to the Minidarts +Remote? They're pricey. They're currently selling on the Apple Store for £179.95, which is quite an investment to make, especially when you can get a decent pair of earphones for less and the arguably better Atomic Floyd SuperDarts for just £20 more. But if you've got the cash to splash and want a pair of earphones that are stylish, built to last and deliver a strong all-round music experience - the Minidarts +Remote are certainly worth a look in.

          Samsung must pay for patent breach

          After a year of scorched-earth litigation, a US jury has decided that Samsung ripped off the innovative technology used by Apple to create its revolutionary iPhone and iPad.

          After a year of scorched-earth litigation, a US jury has decided that Samsung ripped off the innovative technology used by Apple to create its revolutionary iPhone and iPad.
          The jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple 1.05 billion US dollars (£664 million). An appeal is expected.

          A US jury has ruled that Samsung ripped off the technology used by Apple to create its iPhone and iPad (© AP)
          Apple filed its patent infringement lawsuit in April 2011 and engaged legions of the country's highest-paid patent lawyers to demand 2.5 billion US dollars (£1.58bn) from its top smartphone competitor. Samsung Electronics fired back with its own lawsuit seeking 399 million US dollars (£252 million).
          During closing arguments, Apple attorney Harold McElhinny claimed Samsung was having a "crisis of design" after the 2007 launch of the iPhone, and executives with the South Korean company were determined to illegally cash in on the success of the revolutionary device.
          Samsung's lawyers countered that it was simply and legally giving consumers what they want: Smart phones with big screens. They said Samsung did not violate any of Apple's patents and further alleged innovations claimed by Apple were actually created by other companies.
          Samsung has emerged as one of Apple's biggest rivals and has overtaken Apple as the leading smartphone maker. Samsung's Galaxy line of phones run on Android, a mobile operating system that Google has given out for free to Samsung and other phone makers. Samsung conceded that Apple makes great products but said it does not have a monopoly on the design of rectangle phones with rounded corners that it claimed it created.
          The trial came after each side filed a blizzard of legal motions and refused advisories by US District Judge Lucy Koh to settle the dispute out of court.
          Samsung has sold 22.7 million smartphones and tablets that Apple claimed uses its technology. Mr McElhinny said those devices accounted for 8.16 billion US dollars (£5.16 billion) in sales since June 2010.
          Apple and Samsung combined account for more than half of global smartphone sales. The US trial is just the latest skirmish between the two tech giants over product designs. Previous legal battles were fought in Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.
          The US case is one of some 50 lawsuits among myriad telecommunications companies jockeying for position in the burgeoning 219 billion US dollars (£138bn) market for smartphones and computer tablets.

          Young stars have Liverpool looking forward

          The second weekend of the season in the Premier League was a lot like the first in many respects.
          Arsenal are still rekindling the magic of their glory days with another goalless bore draw that would make former boss George Graham proud.
          Eden Hazard continues to prowl around the football pitches of England with all the cunning and lethal menace of the runaway lion which is apparently on the loose somewhere in the Essex countryside.
          Carlos Tevez is once again bearing T-shirt messages in reference to places in his native Argentina - which does not exactly ease fears that the striker may get homesick for South America again as the season progresses.
          But there was also something fresh to observe this weekend as Liverpool gave genuine cause for optimism for the first time in a long while.
          The Reds claimed a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at Anfield, and can feel aggrieved that they didn't take all three points against the champions. Were it not for two awful errors in defence from the home side then Brendan Rodgers would have been toasting his first league win as Liverpool manager.
          After last weekend's horror show at The Hawthorns in which Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by West Brom, this was just the kind of response that was required to avoid their season spiralling into yet another bout of self-pity before it had even really begun.
          Summer signing Joe Allen may have cost an eye-catching £15 million, but he once again showed why he is likely to be such a key component in the new Liverpool. The Welsh midfielder's performance was low-key but highly effective, with his passing stats once more very impressive. And it was not just sideway shuffles between him and team-mates five yards away, either — just as he did against West Brom, every single one of Allen's long-range passes found their intended targets.
          The 22-year-old was not the only youngster who has given Liverpool fans cause to look to the future instead of dwelling on a tumultuous present. For a long time now, many supporters have been telling anyone who'll listen about the huge potential of winger Raheem Sterling, and he showed what all the fuss was about against City.
          The 17-year-old played the full 90 minutes on his Premier League debut and he did not look out of place.
          Add to the mix Jonjo Shelvey's enforced introduction just five minutes into the game following Lucas Leiva's injury and Sebastian Coates in defence and it's easy to see why Rodgers was so pleased with the contribution of the club's youngest team in almost a decade.
          "I thought we were outstanding against a top side, the champions," Rodgers said after the game. "Once we managed the first five or 10 minutes, tactically the players were terrific.
          "We're disappointed not to win the game but there were a lot of young players giving us great hope for the future. The fight and the quality we played with today - and the atmosphere - was incredible."
          It was not all rosy for Liverpool's bright young things, mind. Striker Fabio Borini was again unable to make a significant impact up front, although with Andy Carroll seemingly rooted to the Liverpool bench these days the Italian should still have plenty more opportunities to make a starting spot his own.
          Martin Kelly, meanwhile, had his part to play in the comedic mix-up which gifted Yaya Toure the chance to equalise for 1-1. Still, the right-back was upstaged by Martin Skrtel, whose catastrophic back pass handed Tevez the chance to level for 2-2 and send yet another shout-out to downtown Buenos Aires. Having also been culpable for conceding West Brom's second penalty the previous week, Skrtel is probably relieved that he has already got a new contract in the bag.
          But, on the whole, there were many positives for Liverpool and for Rodgers. Prior to Sunday's game the Reds had picked up just 18 points in 20 Premier League games in this calendar year.
          Such dwelling on the club's recent past is something they will hope to put behind them in the coming months.

          Metallic magic: who gets the style crown?




          Both Alexandra Burke and Maria Fowler stepped out last night in gorgeous metallic dresses. Celebrity stylist, Jade Elliot, gives her view on their outfits and also comments on other celebrities who have rocked the trend over the last few weeks.
          Jade has styled a whole host of celebrities, including The Saturdays, Peter Andre, Gevin Henson and Amy Childs. She also shot to further fame when working with style guru Gok Wan on Gok's Fashion Fix.
          Follow Jade on Twitter and read on to see what she has to say...


          'The gorgeous X Factor starlet worked this silver metallic dress to perfection. I really love the way she has clashed it with neon nail varnish - it adds a quirky touch to this simple silver dress.'


          'This type of Herve Legar-inspired dress is a favourite of celebs everywhere, and you can see why! Classic, stylish and never failing to flatter - get something similar yourself from Forever Unique.'

          'Kelly really knows how to dress for her shape - she looks incredible! Her hourglass shape suits sexy Vintage styles and this dress with its metallic details really dazzles on the red carpet.'


          'Super short and super sparkly, I love this look! Perfect for on stage, not sure how you would rock this teeny dress in the real world, though...'

          We have to agree!


          'The ultimate in demure style, this jacket shows off Kate's shape as the belt knips her in at the waist showing of her tiny figure. The blue shade is fit for a royal and the small box bag finishes off the look.'


          'Ashley Tisdale looks stunning in this shirt and skirt combo. I love how she has teamed this metallic skirt with a simple-yet-collar-detailed shirt. This is the great thing about metallics - you can make them really edgy or really chic, depending of what mood you're in.'


          'Metallic pleated skirts are massive this summer and Jess looks great in hers. She's got quite a classic style and this is a great example of how to wear a hot trend in a simple, elegant way!'


          'It's great to see Tulisa experimenting with her style, but I think she has got this one wrong. We have seen her look a lot edgier and more on-trend than this. I think Tulisa should put this dress at the back of the wardrobe.'

          'This twist on an LBD looks good but if I'm honest, I think Audrina could look better. Dangerously understated she could do with a few more accessories. I do like the ankle boots though, they give what could be a dull dress a cool, rocky edge.'

          'Metallic jeans are a great way to bring a bit of rock into your wardrobe - but Nicole, what are the boots about? Simple black wedge ankle boots would have made this outfit more on trend and probably alot easier to walk in!'