Megan Hunter’s Top Three Fashion Finds

With summer finally here, I thought I’d share my ‘Top Three Fashion Finds’ for this season.  When it comes to fashion, I stand by the rule that that there are no set rules.  If you feel comfortable and confident with yourself and how you look, you’ve already won.  And if you can help to bring that comfort and confidence to others, even better!  With that in mind, I also think we have an obligation to share our best finds.  Here are mine:

• Mineral Makeup-  A few weeks ago, I accompanied a friend to a complementary spa day and makeover.  It was meant to be a glamorous experience, where professional beauty experts would work their elusive brand of magic and we would emerge butterfly-like from our cocoons as ‘new women’.  But as the day wore on, I found myself growing itchy and uncomfortable thanks to the pounds of makeup that had been caked onto my skin.  At the first opportunity, I snuck away and furiously scrubbed it all off.  It got me to thinking, though: isn’t it a strange concept of beauty, to hide ourselves away behind a thick mask of pore-clogging chemicals?

Now, I never thought that I’d be one to shun traditional cosmetics such as Yves Saint Laurent or Dior in favour of their greener counterparts.  After all, I had a part-time job during art school at Sephora, the stateside Mecca of cosmetics junkies everywhere.  I have a perhaps too fond memory of the first time I purchased the perfect shade of red Chanel lipstick.  Still, there is something uniquely satisfying about putting cosmetics on your skin that are actually good for it.  And it is particularly during the summer, when traditional makeup melts away faster than the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, that all-natural makeup really holds its own.

Mineral makeup gives exceptional coverage, while still allowing your skin to breath and be seen.  More amazingly, you genuinely can’t feel it at all.  Sometimes I will actually forget whether I’m wearing it until I catch site of myself in a mirror and notice the airbrushed effect.

Furthermore, Its natural mineral content provides substantial protection from the damaging effects of the sun, and preventing wrinkles is a whole lot easier than trying to treat them.  Finally, it’s good for sensitive and problematic skin (I should know, as I’ve been blessed with both).  I use Lily Lolo, for their competitve prices and very generous sample sizes.  I’m also happy knowing that I’m supporting an independent, local business. www.lilylolo.co.uk

• ‘Spare Pear’ Ballet Flats- One of the best things about summer, in my opinion, is the shoes.  Delicious wedges, strappy sandals, kitten heels, and towering platforms are everywhere.  Buying shoes is a bit like my Everest: the journey is endless, there are countless factors to take into consideration, and there are many points where I seriously consider giving up.  But every year, I eventually find the perfect pair, the kind that insights waves of envy in friends and strangers alike.  On my commute to work, I catch the lusty gazes of other women as they try to determine where I bought them, and try to pluck up the courage to ask. 

Inevitably, they also turn out to be highly impractical creations; devices of complete and unimaginable torture.  Far from coveting glances, I hobble home at the end of the day to looks of total pity.  My poor feet bleeding and covered in plasters, I curse the very moment I laid eyes on the beautiful, wretched, agonizing things.  Usually, I end up buying some cheap, ugly, even more uncomfortable flip-flops to wear for the rest of the way and then promptly throwing the whole lot into the bin.

It’s after a lifetime of such crises that I have discovered salvation.  ‘Spare Pear’ is a totally ingenious American brand which creates rollable ballet flats compact enough to fit into even the smallest cluch.  They also come inside a lovely cloth bag which is perfect for toting the monstrosities which landed you in this horrible mess to begin with.  At the dirt-cheap price of only $22.50 US, and with reasonable rates on international shipping, you will look stylish and clever.  So clever, in fact, that no one will suspect how much money you wasted on utterly useless shoes.  www.sparepear.com

• Liberty for Target Dresses- The last time I was in the States, I stopped by the middle-class, middle-America institution that is ‘Target’.  Much to my delight, I found that they were featuring, for a limited time, design specialties from Liberty of London.  I love Liberty, love wandering through their gorgeous store on Great Marlborough street and taking in the array of colours, fabrics, and scents.  Liberty is a bit like a fashion museum, though.  While I thoroughly enjoy looking at the collection of Monets in the National Gallery, I have no intention of buying one myself.  So, too, it is with Liberty.  Even if I had a spare £1,000.00 in the bank (which I definitely don’t), I doubt I could convince myself to spend it on just one dress.

When I realised, then, that these gorgeous Liberty for Target concoctions were only $30.00 US a pop, I couldn’t resist.  I snapped up as many as I could cram into my suitcase and then threw in some sumptuous cropped cardigans as well, just for good measure.  I’ve been wearing them obsessively ever since.  My favorite is an A-lined, knee length, tiered dress in their Isis patern (a gorgeous array of burgandy, teal, and lemongrass peacock feathers on a dark green background).  I wear it with a lime green, cropped, ¾ length cardigan and chocolate, leather platforms.  Then I walk up and down Great Marlborough street and chuckle to myself at my own good fortune/ dumb luck.  Liberty is currently stocking a selection from their Target collection in store and on line, but at greatly inflated prices.  Still, it’s makes for a substantial bargain if you consider what these things normally retail for.  Better still, pop in for colour and pattern inspiration, and then hit the high street instead. www.liberty.co.uk

(c) Megan Hunter

Vegetarian Cuban-Style Black Beans and Rice

Arroz y Frijoles.  Gallo Pinto.  Hoppin’ John.  Whatever name they go by, Beans and Rice are a staple meal throughout Latin America, the Carribean, and many parts of the United States.  It’s easy to see why: this is a meal which is ridiculously inexpensive, easy, and tasty.  The ultimate comfort food, it’s the perfect way to warm your belly on a chilly winter night.   And as a further benefit to my fellow veggies, the combination of beans and rice provides a source of complete protein, as well as a favourable dose of Iron and Vitamin B.

There are countless ways to prepare this dish, but I like to use a variation on the Cuban method.  The Cubans call their dish Platillo Moros y Cristianos and generally add black beans to a simmering and richly flavoured sofrito, or base, and serve over piping hot white rice.  Sofrito is traditionally made with lard and often has a touch of bacon or ham added in, but don’t worry as the recipe below is suitable for vegetarians (vegans, hold off on the cheese or buy a vegan version and you can also enjoy!).

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 bell peppers, finely chopped
• 410 grams of chopped tomatoes with chilli (or roughly 1 tin)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of concentrated tomato puree
• pinch of salt
• pinch of sugar
• dash of pepper
• dash of cayenne pepper
• dash of turmeric
• 1 tsp hot chilli pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 800 grams of black beans (or roughly 2 tins, or 4 cups cooked)
• hot sauce of your choice (Cholula is highly recommended if you can find it!)
• water
• crumbled queso blanco or shredded mature cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oil in a large frying pan, and sauté onions, peppers, and garlic for several minutes until the onions are transparent.  Stir in chopped tomatoes, adding in tomato puree to thicken.  Continue stirring in spices, sugar, salt, pepper, and 5-6 tablespoons of water over low heat.  Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, or until mixture has reduced and thickened but taking care that it does not burn or dry out.  This base is your ‘sofrito’.

After the mixture has simmered, add in black beans, 1/8 cup of water, and a few dashes of hot sauce, and continue cooking on low/medium heat for an additional 5-10 minutes or until it is heated throughout.  Serve over a bead of steamed white rice, with grated cheese and hot sauce on the side.  Serves 4.

Recipe by Megan Hunter

Udderbelly Launch Party

Udderbelly London Launch Party, Southbank Centre – 13 May 2010 18.00-21.00

More than  350 people gathered on London’s South Bank to attend the launch of the second London E4 Udderbelly at the South Bank festival, a two month entertainment programme of comedy, theatre, children’s events and specially organised workshops and events for the young and the local community. It was an overcast but pleasant evening for a party, which was held in the grassy forecourt area at the entrance to the venue.

The Southbank Centre is one of the main cultural hubs in London for theatre, film and live music. The Udderbelly is a 400 capacity the upside down purple cow inflatable structure, taking distinctive residence on the grassy area known as Jubilee Gardens opposite the London Eye until 18 July 2010. It is owned by the Underbelly, the UK based, live entertainment company and one of the big venue organisers for the Edinburgh Fringe.

Giving the opening speech, Alan Bishop, CEO of the Southbank Centre expressed himself “udderly delighted” to have the venue back for the second year running and paid tribute to the wonderful, family friendly programme that the Underbelly put together. He noted the training academy for young people in the community to learn about different aspects of the theatre and venue management.  He was followed by the proprietors of the Underbelly, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood who professed themselves “delighted to be back” on the Southbank for the second year running and went on to thank the sponsors who made the festival possible.

There followed taster performance by artists performing at the festival including beatbox artist Shlomo and pianist James Rose as the guest were served tasty canapés and availed themselves of the free bar.

Those in attendance include PR man Paul Sullivan, producer James Seabright, Ben Jacobs, assistant to James Seabright,  Penny Sims, ex head of Press at the Underbelly and now press officer for the Red Cross, William Burdett Coutts, Director of the Assembly Rooms and director of the Riverside Studios, Fringe Report awarding winning PR man Fraser Smith, Steve Bennett, editor of comedy website Chortle, Amused Moose founder Hils Jago, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, joint directors of the Underbelly, actress and “Cabaret Whore” Sarah-Louise Young, en route to a show at the Brickhouse later that evening (Sarah-Louise Young is appearing in three shows at this festival – Showstopper – The Musical, The Alternative Eurovision and with musical cabaret act Frisky and Mannish), Underbelly’s Ollie Hester,  James Wren, the director of the Hen & Chickens, producer Alexandra Smith, Greg Tallent, the director of the London Fringe,  Louisa Harding Edgar, ex press officer for the Gilded Balloon, now a medical student and soon to be qualified doctor,  Felicity Wren, producer for the Hen and Chickens and Lowdown at the Albany, theatre programmer Dave Mauchline, Gabriella Pitsillides, press officer for Brazil, Brazil, actor and director Alice Terekhova, journalist Veronica Lee and Madeline Bennett of Prospero PR.

The launch party was organised by the charming PR Bex Coldwell, who is in charge of press for this festival.

(c) Ruth Morris