The Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who’s both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.) amen!!!

11. Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you’re eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
And the winners are:

1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men The Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

IDEAL PRESENTS FOR: MUMS, SISTERS, SIL, MIL, AUNTS, COZ, NIECES, OH AND YOUR FELLA …de-stress treats

www.aromatherapyassociates.com. The new & exclusive Christmas Stress Reviver treatment will make the stresses and strains of the festive period melt away with customised massage and cranial and spinal pressures. Available at Aromatherapy Associates Boutique & Treatment Rooms, SW7. That’s for me…

or a visit here… with a cosy back to the womb feel…

The Arabian Back Scalp and Face Ritual by [comfort zone] is the ultimate winter warmer! Starting with a warm oil massage, this Arabian inspired ritual ignites your spirit whilst creating energy and calm for a tired body and mind. It uses [ comfort zone ] oil – a blend of intense and sensual ingredients native to Arabia comprising myrrh, amber, sandalwood, incense and coriander… evoking the experience of being in exotic lands. The foot massage includes symbolic moves from the Tuareg (nomads from the Sahara) which helps with pain removal, whilst the scalp massage is mildly hypnotic to remove you from everyday stresses. It is a complete top to toe experience which has real benefits to body and mind but unlike many rituals, this one also includes a full facial to leave you glowing and radiant. www.comfortzoneskincare.com

or maybe this will appeal… light, bright and white…

“If you were waiting for the ideal incentive to shed those extra pounds then the wait is over, The Malvern has launched the Luxury Boot Camp guaranteed to whip you into shape in true style.”

The Malvern T. 01684 898290 www.themalvernspa.com

The Malvern, Grovewood Road, Malvern WR14 1GD

ANOTHER FAVE OF OURS IS The Treatment Rooms Brighton, total bliss….

“We are a very special beauty salon where you can escape into a serene world and experience all aspects
of Beauty Therapy and Day Spa treatments for well-being”. Treatments for men & women, 7 days a week….they also sell these divine silk pillow cases.

Brighton’s largest beauty salon and urban day spa. Independently owned by local Brighton resident and beauty therapist Clare Rogers. We treat both men & women and use essential oil blends, gels, creams, muds, shells and stones to purify, soothe, revitalise & restore balance to both mind and body. Technology using ultra sound, Intense Pulsed Light, microdermabrasion, fillers and muscle relaxants for skin care and hair removal. Aromatherapy Associates, Eve Lom, Dibi, Crystal Clear and Jessica are just some of the retail ranges available.

The Treatment Rooms www.thetreatmentrooms.co.uk

21 New Road, Brighton. BN1 1UF

Tel 01273 818444

and then there is Blythswood Square, Scotland.

The Spa at Blythswood Square, incorporates a thermal experience – a series of rooms designed to transport your body on a wet and dry, warm and cold temperature journey which can help to strengthen the immune system, improve blood circulation, enhance the detoxification processes, and reduce tension; two relaxation pools; 9 luxury treatments rooms; a relaxing lounge and a café which offers an array of beautifully presented tapas dishes created by the hotel’s Executive Chef.

Blythswood Square, winner of the AA Hotel of the year Scotland has made shopping a truly indulgent experience with their new Sip, Shop Spa….aaahh Package

Gifts include pampering spa days, spa breaks, bootcamps and afternoon teas to name just a few. For more information visit www.wahanda.com

Voted ‘Best Online Beauty Site’ by ELLE UK, Wahanda is the world’s leading marketplace for health, beauty and wellness. With more spas, salons, treatments and practitioners listed than any other site, Wahanda offers an interactive community allowing customers to voice recommendations, write reviews and connect with industry experts. As well as inspiring content, Wahanda offers savings on spa breaks with real-time booking functionality, thousands of health, beauty and fitness offers, daily MobDeals plus their signature Beauty and Spa Gift Vouchers, which are redeemable at over 900 destinations nationwide. Beauty addict, fitness fanatic or yoga guru? Welcome to your new home. www.wahanda.com

AWARDS

Best Beauty Site of 2009 by FabSugar, Voted ‘Best Online Beauty Site’ by ELLE UK, Best Commerce Startup by the Europas and ranked number 38 in Top 100 Startups

Marigold and I have shown/shared a lot of goodies with you all over this last year and thought we’d share our Christmas wish list too.

We have chatted about Theatre and bought you ‘celeb’ interviews and reviews, interesting art exhibitions and artists, music, vintage fashion, wonderful clever creative folk who design the most exciting fashions and extraordinary skincare products. Spa’s to be pampered plus shops and cafes.

Here goes: We both want this gorgeous classic cashmere scarf with the Simeon Farrar touch. cashmere scarf with birch trees, £150, in fact we love all his designs.

find it here http://www.youngbritishdesigners.com/designers/newgen/simeon-farrar/

The amazing web site YOUNG BRITISH DESIGNERS… TAKE A PEEK…

And then there is this, we would like our Christmas office ‘do’ here, we are bowled over by the beauty products of Aromatherapy Associates… so large or small box of goodies from here would be bliss….hope the OH’s are reading this!

Aromatherapy Associates Boutique & Treatment Rooms has all the key ingredients for the ultimate retail and body ‘therapy’. Aromatherapy Associates Boutique & Treatment Rooms, 5 Montpelier Street, London SW7 1EZ.

T: 020 7838 1117

www.aromatherapyassociates.com

I (cupcake) am totally in love with Alex Monroe jewellery, I was going to name my faves but to be honest anything in their little green box would be most welcome… www.alexmonroe.com | +44 (0)20 7703 8507

We would like to be wearing these on Christmas morning…with a pinny of course… this comes from Natasha Bailie Vintage:

with one of these natch … from Cloth Magpie, http://www.clothmagpie.com/category_s/20.htm

will definitely have several of these burning KAi, perfumes, room fresheners, body wash…it is all sensational, http://www.kaifragrance.com

then there is the METIQUE range, we have some of these in our bags or cabinet all the time… you can just feel it doing you good.

Can’t have this list with out our friends at Betty Hula http://www.bettyhula.co.uk all of the range smell divine.

OR Ark http://www.arkskincare.com loving this hand cream…

The Mir Difference

Our deliciously cool, clean products were originally created for women and men with sensitive or problematic skin but are just as popular with non-sensitive people seeking fuss-free, fragrance-free products that let skin breathe.

For specific information about the MIR products, philosophy and what makes Mir different from other skin care systems. http://www.mirskincare.com

To be honest we have such an amazing list of people who have inspired us along the way if we mentioned every single one our stocking would be over flowing. Our intention has always been to find wonderful products/site that we can share with you all…. and of course our own musings on life….if you have any suggestions do let us know..

I’m in love with navy blue.  All shades of blue in fact, but navy has become my default setting.  It’s taken me a long time to get around to this way of thinking as, denim aside, navy has never been my colour of choice.

Like so much in life, it all goes back to my childhood.  School uniform to be precise.  One highly unflattering box pleated navy skirt in wool as course as a hair shirt, topped off – of should I say bottomed out – with navy blue interlock extra large knickers with reinforced gusset.  Caught in a shower, and the wool took on all the properties and aroma of wet dog.   Get the picture?  Even the coolest girls in school had a problem working this look.  So there we are, scarred away from a life of fashion possibilites all due to a school outfitter’s design choice way back then.  But I’ve mellowed, and so has my vision of navy being associated with hirsute older ladies in severe navy pleats, school governors  and all things sensible.   I’ve emerged from the deep blue sea onto shores kissed with turquoise and azure skies and indigo nights.

deep blue seas

A few years ago it was the taupe/chocolate/beige/cream tones that were my wardrobe standard, apart from the beloved black of course, but now I find myself homing in on the blues as I rifle through rails or browse magazines.  Softer than black and warmer than grey – another all time favourite – blue is the colour.  And no, I’m not a Chelsea supporter.

In any time of recession we are encouraged to buy classiscs that won’t date, and navy fits that particular bill.  Great with splashes of colour – cerise and lime really wake it up – what better combination than navy anything topped off with tan leather?  Effortless style without looking like you’ve tried too hard.  Real heritage dressing, beloved of Ralph Lauren ad campaigns.  And this season’s must have purchase for me?  With my passion for boots, I just had to have a pair in navy!

marigold xx

AS A MASSIVE CHOCOHOLIC IMAGINE HOW EXCITED I WAS WHEN THIS LITTLE NUGGET POPPED INTO MY INBOX… I CAN’T RESIST IT, so  because we want to go there…. I should say desperately want to go there…we thought you might too…

Next week is Chocolate Week and The Malvern Spa, in the picturesque Malvern Hills in Worcestershire where the indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools are fed by the world famous Malvern Spring waters, have a mouth-watering chocolate treatment to really tempt you. Enjoy an indulgent chocolate back therapy treatment without piling on the pounds and the need to calorie count!

Chocolate back therapy – 40 minutes £60

Mouth-watering pampering for the back using Dead Sea Salts, Essential Oils and warm 100% Pure Cocoa Butter, this body scrub and massage is unforgettable. A guilt free sensation to leave skin hydrated, re-mineralised and smelling gorgeous.

Just how amazing does this look even if chocolate was not involved.. www.themalvernspa.com

Los Angeles, CA – Retta stepped out at the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards wearing a gown by Rani Zakhem. Attending in support of her Emmy nominated comedy – Parks and Recreations – the funny lady looked stunning in a strapless canary yellow chiffon evening gown.

fabulous funny lady looking totally gorgeous…

GETTY PICTURES

Retta Sirleaf, better known simply as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress, who is currently appearing as Donna Meagle on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation. She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend.

PICTURE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

REMEMBER New contemporary art exhibition – Natural Tendencies – 30 Sept – 4 Oct 2011

HENLEY ON THAMES, THE OLD FIRE STATION GALLERY.

FEATURING

And many more..

 YOU MAY REMEMBER THIS Q&A INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR ANTHONY CALF….WE DECIDED A RE-RUN WAS JUST RIGHT AS HE IS CURRENTLY GETTING RAVE REVIEWS playing Sir William Collyer in one of Rattigan’s most acclaimed plays, THE DEEP BLUE SEA.

ACTOR ANTHONY CALF

He has a CV as long as my arm with many Film, including THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, LORNA DOONE AND STRAIGHTHEADS,
Theatre and TV credits, including his ongoing roll of ‘Strictland’  in ‘ NEW TRICKS’ and he has appeared several times in HOLDY, LEWIS DOC MARTIN he was also in marigolds fave tv ‘Mistresses’…. he was also in the series TRINITY. He has worked a great deal for The National Theatre.

CUPCAKE    I’m love black and white movies. Do you have a favorite genre of film, maybe horror or Film Noir, comedy or documentary?

AC     Ealing comedies

CUPCAKE    What was the last thing you read?

AC     Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa

CUPCAKE     What’s your favorite comedy TV programme, present or past?

AC     Only Fools and Horses

CUPCAKE     Which do you find more rewarding acting on stage or screen?

AC    Stage

CUPCAKE   Although the news is generally all doom and gloom at the moment, what do you feel is man’s greatest accomplishment, so far?

AC     The U Bend

CUPCAKE    Swim in the sea or pool?

AC    Sea

CUPCAKE     If you could only take one bottle of good wine on a desert island which would it be, red or white?

AC     White

CUPCAKE    Chocolate or fudge?

AC     Fudge

CUPCAKE     What would say is your most annoying habit?

AC     Popping chewing gum

CUPCAKE    Beatles or Santana?

AC    Santana without a doubt
CUPCAKE    What would your ’bucket list’ include? name 4 or 5 things you simply have to do before……!

AC      Sail across the Atlantic, buy a house in the country, see my kids through university, spend a month in Florence, earn enough money to feel safe when I am old.

CUPCAKE      What is your signature dish in the kitchen, beans on toast or the Sunday Roast?

AC       Sunday roast

CUPCAKE      Ice cream or summer pudding?

AC      Summer Pudding
thanks so much anthony  CUPCAKE xxxxxxxx

 You may have read on H&H about my love of Propolis… I keep lozenges in my bag, not just for sore throats this queen of healing substance. Well now you can get help from the humble propolis in this amazing bodycare range from APODEA.

I am totally in love with the  Propolis Ointment (universal balm) I have been using it on my lips mainly but also I have been using it on a little cut and bing bang bong it’s gone in half the time of the old fashioned tcp and a plaster… I also use this balm on my nails and cuticles, it is brilliant.

Here, below, is some info you can find on the APODEA web site www.apodea-online.co.uk

Apodea is just starting with some of the range in the UK so there will be more to add in future.  It’s very big in Japan.

 Apodea is a unique authentic organic and biodynamic bodycare range produced in small batches by the Rossi family in Umbria, Italy with ingredients and production certified to Demeter International biodynamic and/or ICEA organic standards. The high quality artisan range is built around a core of organic bee derived products – honey, beeswax, and propolis – which possess protective, calming, hydrating, anti-bacterial and healing properties.

THIS IS THE FARM IN ITALY…SO BEAUTIFUL

 The honey, beeswax, and propolis ingredients are produced on the Rossi family farm after bees from the family’s hives have had a chance to roam free over the unspoilt Umbrian countryside, collecting nectar from fragrant wild plants including peach, almond and olive trees, honeysuckle, lilac, rosemary, wild thyme and limeblossom in the fertile Tiber Valley.

 

Apodea- Michele beekeeping

The Products

Above is shampoo and conditioner…

The Apodea bodycare range is luxurious yet competitively priced.

Unlike the lucky Marigold I couldn’t get to The Chelsea Flower Show this year but to make up for it I am going to indulge myself with floral treats from WAHANDA.. they are the Spa and wellbeing gurus..

I’m going for the  English Rose Treatment: An exotic rose petal foot bath and foot massage including exfoliation and massage. This treatment also offers Thai, Hawaiian and Swedish massages infused with rose and an Elemis facial. Available at the InterContinental London Park Lane.

for more info check web site

http://www.wahanda.com

Toss it together, then let the oven take over the hard work!  OMG how much do with we love this one from SPOONFED SUPPRES…

19 May 2011

There’s still a chance to take your free 2 week trial of Vital Spoon here. We don’t take card details so there’s no commitment to continue! Go on… What have you got to lose?  Sausage, Tomato, Feta and Bean Bake Toss it together, then let the oven take over the hard work! These quantities are based on 2 adults Sausage (reduced fat) 4 x sausage Red onion 1 x red onion, cut into fine wedges Cherry tomato 200 grams Green beans 200 grams, trimmed Butter beans (can) 400 grams, drained Chickpeas (can) 220 grams, drained Olive oil (extra virgin) 1 x tbsp Feta cheese (reduced fat) 50 grams 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F / gas mark 6. Place the sausage in a large roasting dish with the onion, tomatoes, green beans, butter beans and chickpeas. Drizzle with the oil and roast for 20 mins. 2. Remove from the oven and crumble the feta over the top. That’s it! Serve up! No alterations for the little ones Average Calories: 492 Average Saturated Fat: 4.8g Average Salt: 2.3g Average Sugar: 2.3g 3.5 of your 5-a-day

We are not beauticians, nor beauty experts but we are obsessed with looking after our skin and so we get so excited when we find wonderful skin products. Of course we want to share our finds with all of our readers…so here is another great find SKIN SCIENCE. This is a new skincare brand from Norway proven to delay skin ageing by 20%.

I have been using this ‘Bio Active 24hr Protective Complex Cream SPF 15 for the last two weeks, it is a dream to apply, a totally silky feel and absorbs fast so no sticky skin, a great texture and smell.  I have noticed my skin is very much softer and people keep telling me ‘I look so well’..’and ‘young’ woohoo is all I can say.

I have not used any other sun screen cream on my face for the time of testing this wonderful cream and a do have a healthy sun kissed glow, the strap line is ‘age management’ and I don’t think it’s a bad one, I could go into all the science bits, ingrediants etc but the thing that swings it for me is the results… and I can say they are good.

I have also been using the Bio Active Stimulating Serum, it is easily absorbed and has a exfoliating action, again my skin looks radiant (even my OH can see the difference)

So it helps Protect my skin from damage caused by free rads’  in the air and  filters from damaging UV rays. It Maintains by hydrating and smoothing and helps maintain a barrier. And it has all the ingredients to help renew and rebuild the skin…. it’s a winner for me…. I can totally recommend it.

Exclusive to Harvey Nichols, nationwide.

www.skinscience.no

Hot fashion, new arrivals from Aftershock London, the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, www.aftershockplc.com

Here is a wonderful British company with a great story… romance, love, passion and fashion… read on:

The background to the globally successful, multi award-winning label is as romantic as the clothes. Hiro and Radhika migrated to the UK after both their families disapproved their ‘love’ for one another and attempts to marry in India. Born out of a passion for beautiful fabrics and exquisite clothing, Hiro and Radhika Harjani began the Aftershock story in 1985 on a market stall in Petticoat Lane in London’s East End. Radhika was forced to sell her wedding ring so they could purchase the market stall with the dream of one day creating a new, unique, dynamic fashion concept.

The result that followed was a spectacular range of stylish, contemporary evening and daywear aptly named, Aftershock, the impact of which has rippled all around the world. Their first store opened in Market Place later in 1992. Today the company boasts a portfolio of over 50 distinct ‘fashion destinations’ with an ever growing number of stores and concessions

Aftershock is a luxury British brand and is one of the leading designers of exquisite handcrafted womenswear and accessories. Aftershock’s fashion signature is the use of exuberant colour schemes and beautiful design work and offers an array of the finest intricately beaded ladies wear, casual wear as well as stunning accessories to complement the collection. Celebrity followers include Madonna, Helen Mirren and Katherine Jenkins to name but a few.

Stunning sandels perfect for our stunning weather..

The range has experienced overwhelming success and has grown to accommodate evening and daywear accessories covering bags, footwear, jewellery, scarves, pashminas, belts and hair accessories. Clothing sizes from UK 6 – 16.

This little T-Shirt is so cute.

On our wish list are so many things… here is just a sample TERRY BRACELET

This cuff  features Turquoise stones, metallic chain links, and diamantes for a complete the glamorous look. This is a statement accessory.  Nickel free and friendly to sensitive skin

Now the great news is the good folk of Aftershock are giving us a  TERRY BRACELET to give away as a prize simply answer this question, how did the company come up with the name  AFTERSHOCK….?  check out the web site for help for the answer.. (a little clue look in the ‘history’) http://www.aftershockplc.com

All you have to do is send your answer to contact@hangupsandhandbags.com  marked Aftershock,  follow  plus retweet on twitter @cupcakefancy

The competition will close on MAY 27th and the winner will be notified by email…

http://www.aftershockplc.com

The Launch of Angada Yoga at the Chelsea Club

I have dabbled with yoga and depending on the instructor love it or hate it … off with my mat and some oldies at the local village hall with cold drafts, snoring and the occasional farting is not my idea of blissing out… but now The Chelsea Club has launched Angada Yoga… I am heartened..

5,000 year old yoga combining movement and meditation… will I see you there?

“The Chelsea Club at Stamford Bridge has launched Angada Yoga at new spa, Antara. This unique form of yoga, based on 5,000 year old Ayurvedic principles, combines movement of the body with meditation techniques for the mind. Unlike most forms of yoga this is an experience personalised to the individual and the results can be life changing.

 Brought to the UK by the Club’s Indian wellness guru Vinay Menon, personal advisor to the club’s professional sports personalities and celebrity clients, Angada is influenced by the idea that it is through the body that one can surpass and transcend the body for greater life fulfilment.”

Personal appointments with Vinay at The Chelsea Club’s Antara Spa start from £90 for an introductory session (usually priced £150), with a course of 5 sessions recommended to undergo personal progression.

 www.thechelseaclub.com  0871 223 1224

I am totally in love with the latest bits and bobs from The French Bedroom Company, think of slipping into clean, crisp WHITE  sheets…sheer bliss right, well FBC have found the most gorgeous furniture, calm the senses, indulge the pure sexiness of the textures…. and be the envy of mates with your ‘quirky but classy taste..

I want it ALL

beauty station

I have redesigned my boudoir… this fits, the beauty station…

bijou mirror

this is a must of course… need to see how ‘hot’ I’m looking….

hide behind…

sitting comfy…..

little lacey lamp

light of my life…..

lights off limm

leg it …..

Here is a selection of pieces that make a statement

www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

“Take the purest whites, add some romantic curves and a sprinkling

of silver detail and the mundane becomes the magnificent!”

GEORGIA METCALFE, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

www.facebook.com/frenchbedroomcompany

 FOLLOW ON TWITTER @FrenchBedroomCo