The Loving Way to Do Valentine’s Day

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Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

The history of Valentine’s Day is somewhat shrouded in mystery but we believe it is named after a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, with origins in the Roman holiday, Lupercalia.

Regarded by some as a commercial exploitation exercise and an excuse to spend money, 14th February is the traditional day of love around the world.

While it is love that counts, we have come up with a few ideas to make sure the person you love, really knows it.

Organise a picnic in the park complete with blanket, champagne and cake.

Book a table at the restaurant where you had your first date.

Send flowers to the office, but not roses, everyone will have those on their desks!

Surprise the one you love with a weekend away to a city you have never been to.

Have a photo album of your most treasured pictures created.

Buy them a star – a real declaration of love.

Propose.

Take a helicopter ride.

Go to a matinee at the cinema and hold hands in the back row.

Find a first edition copy of their first book.

Adopt a monkey, dolphin or elephant and share your love.

Go dancing.

Bake them a cake.

Buy silk pillowcases – they promote sleep and a gorgeous complexion.

Cook dinner at home and enjoy some quiet time together.

Take afternoon tea at a manor house.

Go on an open top bus tour and watch the buzz of the city under the stars.

Eat fish and chips on the beach.

Go to a cocktail making class.

Find the record of your song and have it framed.

Buy a diamond.

Go on a date if you are single.

Get on a train and see where it takes you.

Buy chocolates and give them to a stranger.

Renew your vows.

Go on a long bike ride and feel the air in your lungs.

Take an exotic holiday and get away form the cold and wet winter.

Go to the zoo.

Book tickets to the theatre.

Explore the woods.

Drive out to the countryside and have a pint by a roaring fire.

Take a boat trip along the river.

Sit in the stalls at the opera.

Book a personal shopper and add in some spending money for a fancy frock.

Climb a mountain together.

Serenade your loved one, if you have the voice for it or are feeling brave.

Go to Barcelona for lunch and Paris for dinner.

Spend the day at a spa being pampered.

Take to the skies in a hot air balloon.

Go to a rock concert.

Hold hands and walk along the beach.

Put photos of the two of you in a locket.

Buy them some beautiful Dermalogica products.

Take the day off work and do nothing at all.

Whatever you do and whomever you do it with, say I love you and mean it.

Team Pure-Beauty

City breaks you will love

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absolutely fabulous, Anne Frank house, autumn leaves, Barcelona, bike, boutiques, Central Park, coffee shops, cold glass of champagne, delis, galleries, Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, markets, mini-break in Nice, Musée Magritte, museumns, parcel, Paris, Rene Magritte, stroopwafels, super-chic, Surrealist artist, Time Square, Tower, trees, Versailles, water, weekend

Summer isn’t the only time to go on holiday.

With children back at school and prices back to normal, autumn is the perfect time to book a romantic city break or enjoy a weekend away with the girls somewhere new.
Brussels is a chic, multicultural powerhouse set in the heart of Belgium that is a joy to visit. Steeped in culture and history it is easy to while away the day exploring tourist sites, popping into shops and galleries and enjoying beer and chocolate in one of the many pubs, cafés or bars dotted along the pretty streets. If it’s art you are after, Brussels was home to the Surrealist artist, Rene Magritte, and the Musée Magritte is well worth a visit. By night hang out in the beautifully illuminated at Grote Markt and soak up the infectious European vibe.

It might be a cliché, but if you’re looking for a romance, it has to be Paris. The city is enveloped in love and you can stroll hand in hand as you explore the magical streets. From the world-famous Louvre and Eiffel Tower to Versailles and the Moulin Rouge, you really are spoilt for choice. After a lie in and lazy brunch, spend the day sightseeing and shopping, then take a walk along the Seine at dusk and have dinner by candlelight. Perfect.

Meandering waterways scattered with quirky houseboats and lined with beautiful trees are part and parcel of a weekend in Amsterdam. This stunning city is packed with museums and galleries, coffee shops and boutiques and is just an hour away from the UK. Explore the cobbled streets by bike, enjoy stroopwafels (thin waffles with syrup in the middle) by the water and don’t forget to visit the Anne Frank house.

Beautiful Barcelona is one of the most vibrant destinations for a weekend away and the perfect place to make memories that will last a lifetime. From the quirky Gothic Quarter and the bars and boutiques of Las Ramblas to the world-class galleries and super-hotel bars, there really is something for everyone. The food scene in Barcelona is huge so after a day on your feet, let your hair down, put your best dress on and enjoy an evening of good food, local wine and have fun.

Be the envy of family and friends and pop to Nice for an absolutely fabulous weekend away. From sipping coffee in Cours Saleya to feeling the sun on your back as you walk along the Promenade des Anglais, a mini-break in Nice will make you feel totally chilled. Nestled between narrow lanes are a plethora of galleries, markets, delis and boutiques like no others in the world. Once you are done with walking, find a parasol to sit under and enjoy a cold glass of champagne and live like a celebrity as you watch the sun go down.

If you really want to push the boat out, how about a trip to the Big Apple? Swapping Sainsbury’s and the cinema for the sights and sounds of New York City has to be done at least once in your lifetime. Stroll through Central Park in the autumn sunshine, catch the ferry to Ellis Island, take selfies in Time Square and be sure to leave room in your bags for some shopping state style.

Next week we will be staying on home shores and looking at where you enjoy the magic if autumn leaves, don’t miss it.

Team Pure-Beauty

Rio 2016 has arrived

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and Clara Hughes (Canada), ‘Viva sua Paixão’, “Inspire a generation”, Barra, black, blue, Chamonix, Charlotte Cooper, Christa Luding-Rothenburger (East Germany), Copacabana, ddie Eagan (United States), Deodoro, flag, France, green, Jacob Tullin Thams (Norway), London, Maracanã, Maracanã Stadium, Mount Olympus, Olympic Cauldron, Olympic flag, Olympics, Paris, red, rings colors, Rio, Rio 2016, sports, Vinicius, Winter Games, yellow, Zues

It doesn’t seem four years since London hosted the 2012 Olympics, but with Rio starting in style on Friday night, we know it really was.

With nearly a month of badminton, cycling, gymnastics, judo, modern pentathlon rowing, sailing, and so much more happening, we thought we would have a look at some of the facts you might not know about this iconic, global sporting event.

The very first Olympic Games took place over three thousands years ago in 776 B.C.E. The games started as part of a religious festival to honour Zeus, the leader of the Greek gods who lived on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece.

The modern Olympics however, began in 1896. They were created by the French educator and historian, Pierre de Coubertin. Pierre believed the world would have more of an opportunity for peace if they gathered together to play sports. Nice idea.

Coubertin designed the famous five colour rings that represent the games and stand for North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The Olympic flag, featuring this symbol on a white background, flew for the first time at the Antwerp Games in 1920.

Not many people know this, but every national flag of the world has at least one of the rings colours, blue, black, green, yellow, and red, in it.

The Olympic flame is lit at Olympia in Greece every two years (summer and winter games) before it travels to the next host nation and is paraded until the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron at the opening ceremony.

The 1900 Paris Olympics were the first to allow women to take part, and winners were awarded paintings rather than medals. Charlotte Cooper a tennis player from London, was the first female athlete to win an individual Olympic event at the these games in Paris.

The Olympic Winter Games started in in Chamonix, France in 1923. There were 16 events in six different sports. Team Canada dominated in the ice hockey tournament by scoring a total of 122 goals and only allowing three against them.

Only four athletes have won medals at both the summer and winter games. These were; Eddie Eagan (United States), Jacob Tullin Thams (Norway), Christa Luding-Rothenburger (East Germany), and Clara Hughes (Canada).

The Rio games are happening from 5th to 21st August with both the opening and closing ceremonies taking place in the Maracanã Stadium.

This is the first time the Olympic Games have ever been held in South America and will events will take place in 33 venues across the four areas of Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro and Maracanã.

A staggering 10,500 athletes from 205 countries will take part in 306 competitions in 42 different sports.

There will also be over 300 horses at the games, which is more than enough horses to fill a Grand National field seven times over.

The motto of the London games was ‘Inspire a generation’ and in 2016 it is ‘Viva sua Paixão’ which means ‘Live Your Passion’.

The new mascot is called Vinicius. He is based on a number of different Brazilian animals, and names after Vinicius de Moraes one of Brazil’s most-loved artists.

At Pure-Beauty we are most looking forward to the gymnastics, road cycling and swimming – how about you?

What’s hot for spring?

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1990, 80s, agenda, dresses, fashion, flouncy flats, glittery gladiator sandals, great, grounded, Kate Moss, London, New York, nightwear, outfit, pants, Paris, pedi, pop, pretty, pumps, S/S16, skirts, sky-high heels, slouchy, smile, statement, sun-kissed shoulders, t-shirts, Uggs, wide-leg shape

We don’t know where the cold and wet has gone but winter is over and we can breath a sigh of relief now summer is on the way.

As well as being able to shed puffa coats and Ugg boots, spring also signals exciting new fashions and style. From sun-kissed shoulders showing through lingerie-inspired dresses to classic white shirts, there is something for everyone arriving in the shops.

Pleats please
Pleats aren’t just for girlie girls any more. Designers are transforming silhouettes thanks to pretty pleats that add structure and style. Long flowing skirts and super-cute maxi dresses are appearing in modern shapes and bold patterns and the added drapes means they will flatter every body shape and size.

Off the shoulder
There’s a a nod to the ‘80s on the fashion racks this summer. You may have thought that open, off-the-shoulder look has had it’s moment, but top designers decided it was time to bring them back. Boat neck tops, halter neck dresses and a clever take on the polo shirt are all being seen worn off the shoulder and looking just as avant-garde as they did the first time round.

Romantic ruffles
This season ruffles are big business. You can wear them soft and loose, cascading in tiers and falling in fountains in a multitude of colours and designs. Whether you opt for cotton, suede, silk or raffia the fabric will do all the talking as you look sultry and fashion forward.

The white shirt
Forget city boys and school uniform, white shirts are back in town for the girls this spring. Buttoned up, ruffled, twisted, tied at the tummy or slashed, this classic is a cool staple with serious fashion points to be collected when you pass go.

Pants to that
Nightwear is becoming day wear, underwear is more outerwear and there is certainly a feeling that slips over tees, a la Kate Moss in 1990, are back on the agenda. Go all out for a real statement or match pretty lace vests with black tailoring for a more grounded, classy look.

Glow ahead
The brightest fashion statement this summer is orange. These perky citrus tones are the perfect way to add a little passion to your wardrobe. Go for a bright shirt dress, pretty pumps or a pop of colour with your bag and you will transform your look with chic-ease.

Mesh it up
Here we see fashion going retro once again for S/S16. It’s never been easy to go sporty thanks to the sheer mesh trend that was all over the catwalks of London, Paris and New York. Whilst mesh has athletic roots, this trend has been added to t-shirts, skirts and dresses and offers a totally versatile summer look.

Low slung trousers
Trouser waistlines have dropped dramatically for spring and are being worn resting on the hip. These are perfect for balmy days by the pool and at the beach, for doing yoga and chilling out. Whether you go for silk, cashmere or cotton, opt for sleek styles with a slouchy, wide-leg shape and pair with silver gladiators or ballet flats.

Put your best foot forward
With your pedi done you will need shoes that show off those pretty toes. The good news is you will be spoilt for choice as sky-high heels, glittery gladiator sandals, flouncy flats and stylish trainers are already out on display.

Whatever you do, be confident with your look, wear what makes you feel great and top every outfit with a smile.