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Monthly Archives: January 2015

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Whether you're a Kindle user or a fan of the real thing, there's no denying the joy of sitting down with a good book.

2015 promises to be a great year for readers – here are some of the books we can't wait to get our hands on!

1. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Fans of The Mindy Project will have no doubt already devoured the actress' first biographical book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns), which was one of the most critically acclaimed celebrity novels of 2012. Why Not Me? will be another book of essays, and although she has yet to release a cover image or any sneak previews, Mindy says the book's title "has kind of been [her] subconscious motto my whole life".

2. The Girl On A Train by Paula Hawkins
There has been so much buzz about this novel that we feel like we've already read it! This murder-mystery novel tells the story of a young girl who gets caught up in a terrifying crime after seeing something untoward on her daily commute. The Girl On A Train promises to be 2015's "can't put it down" book.

3. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
This came out just in time for Christmas, so you may have even had a copy of it from Santa! The book's prequel The Rosie Project enjoyed huge success and the movie rights were quickly snapped up, so we're looking forward to checking out the next instalment. After ten months and ten days of marriage, Don Tillman is already finding himself in hot water – and in danger of losing his wife forever. Sounds like it'll be an interesting read!

4. Girls Will Be Girls by Emer O'Toole
Galway native Emer O'Toole is a self-described "hairy feminist" and we reckon her new book will go a long way to re-writing the rules of the female gender. Emer takes us on a funny, charming and thought-provoking journey through her life all the while exploring what it means to be a girl (including singing 'Get Your Pits Out for the Lads' on national TV after growing out her body hair).

5. See How Small by Scott Blackwood
One calm autumn evening in Texas, two people walk into a quiet ice cream shop. The tie up the three teenage girls working behind the serving counter, set the shop on fire and promptly disappear. See How Small follows the aftermath of the horrific events as the girls' families attempt to pick up the pieces and police try to hunt down suspects. All the while, the three teenage girls watch down from above, trying to help those they left behind.

 

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Liam Payne is not one to hold back on Twitter when it comes to haters or false rumours, but it seems something more has been on his mind lately.

Following a very noted absence on social media since the first week of January, Liam has come back with a serious message for his fans – give back.

In a lengthy post, the young singer spoke of his desire to do more humanitarian work to help those who are not as fortunate and urged his fans to do the same:

We really love Liam’s sentiment and it truly seems like the words are coming from somewhere very real – it sounds as if he has had something of an epiphany when it comes to the life he is leading! 

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Nobody was expecting Kardashian matriarch, Kris Jenner to show up at last night’s National Television Awards.

The reality TV star looked stunning in a floor-length white gown with keyhole detail down the front. Unfortunately for Kris, the night didn’t exactly go as smooth as she had hoped when she mispronounced one of the nation’s favourite TV shows…

Taking to the stage to present the Multichannel award, Kris accidentally pronounced Geordie Shore as ‘Georgie’ Shore.

 Not the biggest of fluffs, in fairness – it was no Adele Dazeem! Nonetheless Twitter took the opportunity to rip into the KUWTK star, with Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley and Brian McFadden leading the way:

 It didn't take long for the Twittersphere to join in:

Poor Kris! She also had something of a bizarre meeting with Keith Lemon, after which she branded him 'the most annoying man in the world' – ouch! 

Something tells us Kris is going to be delighted to get back on her plane to LA after last night!  

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Fans of EastEnders are used to seeing actress Maddy Hill dressed down in comfy tracksuits, complete with gold hoops and chains and THAT trademark bun for her role as Nancy Carter.

Last night, however, Maddy stepped away from Nancy and hit the red carpet in serious style! Dressed in a midnight blue gown with her hair in a relaxed updo, the actress took to the stage to accept her award for Best Newcomer.

Needless to say, fans were not used to seeing one of their favourite characters all dressed up and it didn't take long for Twitter to blow up:

Of course, it was far from just her appearance that got people talking as it seems fans have really taken to Nancy Carter and it sounds as if she will be a firm favourite for some time!

EastEnders also won the award for Best Serial Drama and took the opportunity to pay tribute to the loss of rival soap Coronation Street’s Anne Kirkbride. Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale on EastEnders took to the stage and dedicated the award to ‘The Weatherfield One’ – a campaign set up to release Anne’s character Deirdre from wrongful imprisonment back in the ‘80s.

The cast of Albert Square recieved a standing ovation from their rivals in what was one of the most touching moments of the entire evening. 

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If you’re planning on overhauling your workout routine this year, adding a simple abs exercise routine two or three times a week is a surefire way to get great results.

Healthy diet and clean eating are also extremely important for tone and weight loss, but working your core muscles is one of the best things you can do for your posture, wellbeing and overall appearance.

Here are three simple exercises to add to your workout next time you hit the gym – and they can be done just as easily at home!

1. The Boat
This yoga-inspired move will strengthen your core fast.

1. To start, sit up with your knees bent and together, and your feet slightly off the floor.
2. Hold your arms out straight out in front of you, draw your abs in tight and lift your chest to avoid slumping.
3. Then, try straightening your legs as much as you can to form a V shape with your body (see picture).
4. Hold this pose for 30 seconds to one minute. Repeat 3 times.

2. Elbow-Knee Oblique Crunches
This isolation exercise works the oblique muscles which are so important for achieving that flat tummy.

1. To do these crunches, lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place both hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outward.
2. Start with the left side, curling your left elbow and shoulder across your torso and bringing your right knee toward your left shoulder at the same time. Straighten your right leg as you do this.
4. Aim to touch your left elbow to your right knee.
5. Return to start position. Repeat with right elbow and left knee.
6. Try for at least 10 reps per side, alternating on each rep. Slowly work your way up to 20, doing 3 sets per workout.

3. The Full Plank
This static exercise will tighten your deep core muscles and will improve stamina, too. It can be done as a full plank, resting on both ares, or a side plank, turning to the side and resting on one arm.

1. Plank your hands directly under your shoulders, as if you’re about to start a push-up.
2. Curl your toes into the floor and squeeze your bum and glutes to stabilise yourself.
3. Focus your eyes at a spot on the floor about a feet beyond your hands. This helps to ease pressure on your neck and spine. Keep your head in line with your back.
4. Pull bellybutton into spine to engage your abs and hold the pose for 20 seconds.
5. Repeat 3 times. You can hold the pose for longer as you get used to it over time.

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We don’t think Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby will be too happy with their Celebrity Juice co-star, Keith Lemon this morning after he joked that one of them is pregnant.

Keith made the cheeky announcement at last night’s National Television Awards when he took to the stage to accept an award when he quipped: “Thanks to Holly and Fearne, allegedly one of them is pregnant. That's why they’re not here tonight. Exclusive.”

Although Holly didn’t explain why she skipped out on the NTAs, Fearne took to Twitter to say that she was feeling poorly: “Gutted I won’t make the NTAs tonight. Been ill all week and am still not right. Go team Celebrity Juice."

Given that Holly only gave birth to her third child, Chester four months ago, we reckon all bets are on Fearne for a big announcement!

If the star is expecting a baby, it would be the second child for her and husband, Jesse Wood. 

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It sounds like it may be all over for Sam Smith and his new beau Jonathon Zeizel already after the singer hinted at a break-up on Instagram last night.

The pair have been dating for two months but now it looks as if things may have taken a sour turn as Sam posted a photo of himself, complete with a pout and red wine, captioning: “Sometimes you just need to lay in bed with a glass of red wine and a football T shirt and listen to Joni Mitchell. It's been a sad day. Beautiful show, but sad day x”

Aww, poor guy. We totally agree, that sounds like the perfect way to mend a broken heart.

Sam also dropped hints of a break-up when he tweeted about his concert, writing: “Had a really sad day today, so thank you Toronto for making me feel so much better … You live and learn. Wise words from @JessieWare tonight x.”

Feel better soon, Sam!  

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The Harry Potter phenomenon may be almost eighteen years old now, but it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon!

Tom Felton has been proving his loyalty to Slytherin since he tweeted that he had been sorted into Gryffindor when he joined Pottermore. Clearly less than impressed, Tom tweeted: “Today was the day. I finally did it. I joined Pottermore and was sorted into…Gryffindor. Heart broken x #slytherinforlife.”

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling then joined in on the fun, telling Tom she knew all along he belonged in the same house as Harry Potter: “@TomFelton I could’ve told you that years ago. I just didn’t want to spoil your motivation.”

Oh, those two!

Tom then shared a photo of himself on Pottermore showing his house with the simple but telling caption: “Oh boll****! X”

 

Oh bollocks! x

A photo posted by Tom Felton (@t22felton) on

Now all we need to know is what house Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint would be sorted into! 

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That perfect smokey eye or immaculately applied eyeliner flick might seem like a distant dream to anyone who's not a make-up artist, but in truth it's all far easier than you might think.

Even if you have a shaky hand or are lacking in tools and products, some simple cheats are all you need to get your eye make-up game on fleek!

Here are five of the best…

1. Neaten up eye make-up with a cotton bud
If getting that perfect flick is too challenging, draw a rough line first and neaten up the edges with a tiny dab of Vaseline on a cotton bud.

2. Set your eyeliner to avoid smudges
Avoid fading and smudges by setting your eyeliner with a dark shadow in the same shade. First, line your eyes as you normally would with a pencil liner and then add a light dusting of eyeshadow on top to hold everything in place.

3. Use a pencil liner as a guide if you have a shaky hand
Gel liner can be difficult to remove if you make a mistake, so give yourself a fighting chance by applying your kohl liner first as a guide and simply tracing over it with the gel. 

4. Make your own shades of eyeliner using shadow and a brush
Rather than splashing out on that metallic liner, use the products you already have in your beauty arsenal to create your own. Simply use a wet liner brush and your chosen shade of eyeshadow – the wet brush will darken the colour and create a sharper look.

5. Make your eyes appear bigger by lining the upper waterline
Most of us stick to our lower waterline and the outside of our top lid, but lining the inner line of your upper lid opens the eyes without making you look too overdone. Such a simple cheat that goes a long way.

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Kanye, Kanye, Kanye…runners we could deal with – but THIS?!

In what may just be the most impractical creation that has ever existed, the rapper has designed a bikini, but not just any old bikini. It’s made of fur. Yes, fur.

It gets worse. He somehow managed to convince his wife, Kim Kardashian to actually model the creation.

Kim shared the snaps from her skiing holiday, writing: “Furkini by Kanye.” Kim styled her furkini with a pair of fur boots and captioned another of her Instagram photos: “Boots with the fur” because, duh.

We just really hope nothing died in order to be a part of this monstrosity! 

In other Kim Kardashian style-related news, the reality TV star shared her unhappiness at having to wear a helmet skiing with her followers recently, obviously feeling it ruined her look, writing: “My friends made me wear a helmet skiing and I was not happy about it but feel it's more safe and I'm into it now if you can't tell.”

 

My friends made me wear a helmet skiing and I was not happy about it but feel it's more safe and I'm into it now if you can't tell

Kuva, jonka Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) julkaisi

Safety first and all that…

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Like any sister, Kate Hudson knows how to put her siblings in their place!

Kate's brother Oliver joined Instagram a couple of weeks back, and the How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days actress has obviously been keeping a stern eye on his feed. When Oliver posted a slightly NSFW picture of himself online earlier this week, Kate was quick to comment and bring his ego right back down to earth.

The picture, captioned, "no place like home #notanlines," shows Oliver's back and bare bum looking out onto a country landscape. Nice!

 

No place like home… #notanlines

A photo posted by Oliver Hudson (@theoliverhudson) on

Along with all of the complimentary comments was one from Kate, simply saying, "Is this really necessary?" Zing. Oliver's 49,500 followers were quick to reassure her that yes, it was definitely extremely necessary!

Kate must have been expecting a few risqué pictures from her older brother though – when she introduced him to her own Instagram followers earlier this month, she included a tongue-in-cheek warning, saying " I apologize for him in advance… If you're into chest hair selfies and golfing pics, he's your guy… I'm afraid, very afraid…but bring it on Hudson!"

Well, Oliver's bare butt picture wasn't quite a chest hair selfie but we'll take it!

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Ever get the feeling that your celebrity soulmate is out there somewhere but you just haven't met them yet?

Well, we think we've found ours!

Selena Gomez is currently in Atlanta working on her movie The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, but it's clear she's missing her pals back in LA.

The singer and actress posted this hilarious throwback snap of herself and Cara Delevingne at a Golden Globes after party earlier this month, showing Selena helping her pal avoid an impending wardrobe malfunction.

"A bestie always makes sure she ain't hanging out #kayimdone #homesick #friendsick," Selena wrote. So funny – we definitely have a few pictures like that lingering on Facebook somewhere!

Here are the two girls looking a little less dishevelled earlier on in the night – those are some pretty plunging necklines to be fair…

Selena has also been posting snaps of herself with rumoured new boyfriend Zedd since she's been away – the pair even enjoyed a late night Facetime session the other night which Zedd was quick to share on his Instagram page:

We're glad to see she's moving on from Justin!

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