To maintain healthy hair during the cold, winter months, it is essential to follow a few guidelines…

The first step to healthy hair begins with a good, nourishing diet. As the temperature drops, less moisture can be found in the air. This causes a significant amount of dehydration, draining our skin and hair of the moisture it requires to stay healthy.  Therefore, it’s just as important to keep hydrated in winter as it is during the summer months.

Fruits, vegetables and protein are essential dietary components. Hair thrives on proteins to stay well nourished. The shortage of essential proteins in your diet can result in lifeless and brittle hair.

It’s vital to treat your hair well in winter. Once a week, apply a deep conditioner. Comb through to ends and leave in for 10-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm (not hot) water.

Avoid washing hair too often; the natural oils that come from your scalp are actually good for your tresses. The more you wash your hair in winter, the drier it becomes.

Where possible, try not to over stress hair with excessive blow drying or other heated styling tools. Limit these to only a few times a week.

Remember, when kept in top condition, healthy hair can be your best winter accessory.

Queen of disco – Donna Summer, R.I.P

Donna Summer’s once ubiquitous music will never ever die though the Disco Queen has sadly passed away.

Her incredibly infectious music has stood the test of time, with many of her tracks being covered by other artists, appearing in films, being remixed and more. Who can deny not wanting to get up and boogie to the likes of Hot Stuff or Love to Love you Baby?

Donna Summer’s passing is a massive loss to the music industry but her music will live forever. We send our heartfelt sympathies to her family and friends.

The Voice … was Joel tipsy?

We are quite enjoying The Voice, although Seal is starting to concern us with his touchy feely-ness… Anyway, we don’t know about you, but we wondered if perhaps Joel had enjoyed a few too many beverages before the show this week? It seems the Twitter-verse was also in a tizzy about said possibility!

Carmen Smith booted from The Voice

Following Carmen’s appearance in Guy Sebastian’s latest music video, the finalist has been asked to exit The Voice.

We’ve already talked about whether or not it’s NQR for some of the better established artists to have a place on the show, and if that gives them an unfair advantage, so we think Carmen’s departure was probably fair – what do you think?

Mornings Ch. 9… awkward convo

There was discussion around perineal massage this week… umm, when Sonia asked about it, the show’s doc launched into an explanation around massaging the spot between the vagina and anal area… now, we think that was just TMI (too much information)  – thoughts?

Sacha Baron Cohan is The Dictator…

Clearly the bravest man in movies with the lines he continues to cross – we can’t say we’ll be rushing out to see this one.

Having watched too many awkward interviews with The Dictator and viewing the clips, it looks a little too try-hard for our money.

What do you think? Has Sacha BC gone too far this time?

You’re NOT fired… Dicko wins

Celebrity Apprentice fans? We’re not that fond of the show to be honest. Occasionally tuning in to see the awkwardness of the celebs who clearly had some ego issues, it was hard to watch yet fascinating at the same time.

Anyway, after Ninemsn’s muck-up of leaking the winner’s details before the final show, we all eventually found out that Dicko – Ian Dickson – was the winner. From what we saw of the show, well deserved – he seemed to maintain integrity, respect and humbleness.

This year, Covers for a Cause will raise money and awareness for Oasis Youth Support Network Sydney, The Salvation Army’s response to youth homelessness.

The Covers for a Cause collection consists of four unique cover designs reflecting the theme of ‘Dreams’. All proceeds will go directly to support the Oasis Youth Support Network’s Youth Connect Bus, which provides facilities to help youths reconnect with their family and access employment information.

Commenting on the initiative, Sir Richard Branson says, “Virgin Mobile’s Covers for a Cause reminds us all that the young people who find their way to Oasis are homeless, not helpless. If we make enough noise we can shine a light on this important issue and help put an end to youth homelessness. That’s my dream.”

Virgin Mobile’s Covers for a Cause retail for $35 and are available to purchase in Virgin Mobile stores nationally and online via the Virgin Mobile Facebook page.

To find out more about ending youth homelessness visit www.endyouthhomelessness.com.au

The newlyweds announced their exciting (and surprising) news via Twitter, shunning the well-worn celebrity path of a glossy magazine deal, in favour of sharing their special day with the world via a selection of beautiful images.

Clarke tweeted: “Happiest guy in the world. Married @KylyBoldy yesterday in front of our gorgeous families. Couldn’t be happier!”

Now to the important part – the dress.

Designed by Alex Perry in collaboration with Kyly, the dress featured an incredibly detailed, all crystal encrusted bodice, with silk satin organza hand cut ruffles and ostrich feather detailed skirt.

“Kyly was involved in every step of the process and design specifications, and although it was sometimes very hard to keep the dress from prying eyes, we couldn’t be happier for them – she looks like a fairytale princess”, said Perry.

We couldn’t agree more.

French phrases of love and friendship form the ‘French endearment’ charms range. Stemming from the successful Palas ‘initial charm’ range are the ‘initial rings’ – a fabulous and personalised statement accessory to add to your look this season.

Stocking in over 500 stores throughout Australia, New Zealand, Japan and online, the Palas range features a striking mix of sterling silver, brass and bronze, all handmade in Indonesia. Palas also offers a selection of chains, wristbands and charm clips to create your own charm collections.

With prices starting from just $24, a Palas jewellery piece makes a very affordable and unique gift for yourself or that someone special…

www.palasjewellery.com.au

The Australian designer from the South Coast of NSW, has combined class and colour to create a collection of timeless pieces that incorporate silks, stretch, metallic fabrics, tulle undergarments and boned bodices to cater for women of all ages.

Beyond design, quality fabrics and manufacturing is what sets the Ashleigh Elizabeth Hamilton label apart.

www.ashleighelizabethhamilton.com

And before I share a few of my own slightly embarrassing moments, I’d like to point out that I am not alone, according to my close friend Lisa. One ally is enough for me.

So, when you’re used to living alone, and your friends know you quite well, they don’t see certain things in your home as particularly odd, cause they’re used to it. And so are you.

If I was dating with more frequency than say for instance, Christmas, I’d have the place ‘date proof’, because I would have learnt from my mistakes. I would be aware that simple little things like let’s say, books, might not always do you justice if they’re in eyeshot of your guest.

For example, what does a new man in my friend’s life think, when she realises after their date that the books on her shelf, include such titles as ‘You Can Heal Your Life’, ‘The Body is the Barometer To The Soul’, ‘Molecules of Emotion’, ‘Signs from Above’, and ‘Only Love Is Real’?

Probably the same as the guy that recently noted I had an interesting mix of literature stacked above my bed. ‘Practical Guide To The Inner Child’, ‘The Eleven Eternal Principles’, ‘You Are Clairvoyant’, ‘The Happiness Trap’, and ‘Enjoy Emotional Freedom’.

Right so, if they haven’t presumed, rightly or wrongly, that you’re perhaps reasonably flat chat in regards to ‘discovering yourself’ and or ‘finding yourself’, then they may jump to the conclusion that you’re taking life just a tad too seriously. Cause all they see are the titles. Don’t judge a book by its cover is all we ask.  Although, I’m a little confused as to that saying being on our side or not?

See these new ‘friends’ don’t know that Lisa and I can be fun. They don’t know that we laugh a lot at dumb things. They’re not there, so they don’t know that we’re not using that whole hour on the phone to workshop the meaning of life. And we spoke only briefly about how she might have to break up with her acupuncturist because he’s getting a bit weird.

I mean, realistically, if he’s going to run at the mere sight of a few self help books, then is he really that great a guy? But, I guess, it might be a tiny bit alarming when ‘said guy’ stumbles across Lisa’s ‘vision board’. She’s forgotten to pop that one away. He doesn’t even have to know what a ‘vision board’ is, he can see all the pictures she’s cut out and decorated it with.

Pictures of engagement rings, couples walking along holding hands and looking in love. I’m sure he’s getting the gist. Not quite the ‘gist’ she wanted him to see. Certainly not on date number three.

Was it clever of me to pull a picture out of Vanity Fair of Paul Newman, stick it in my kitchen, held up by hot pink, love heart post it notes, with ‘Soul Mate’ written on it???  Maybe not.  I understand that having a photo of a famous dead guy was a little unusual for my ‘said guy’ to see.

“So what’s with this?” he nervously asks. As I look to see what he means, quick rush of blood to my face, and an instant sweat moustache, I shoot back “oh that, um….., he represents the type of man I want to meet.” Not the greatest response, but then where does one go in that moment anyway?

“Left your run a bit late if Paul Newman’s your Soul Mate, ey?” Thanks for that smart ass. And then suddenly I realise that ‘said guy’ is an actor who is now possibly wondering if I’m some nutcase out fishing for one tick on my list. I’ll go out with him, ‘he acts’.

The lesson we have learned this week is, HIDE EVERYTHING.

By Amber Petty
www.amberpetty.com.au

The Voice Finalists from Team Keith & Team Joel

Finalists from hit TV show The Voice, including Prinnie Stevens, Taga Paa and Darren Percival, took time out of their rehearsals recently to help inspire a group of disadvantaged and at-risk Australian youth.

Twelve artists from Team Keith and Team Joel visited the young people at a Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) mentoring camp, delivered in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation.

Musicians Making a Difference is a unique charity, which uses the power of music to engage, inspire and educate young people who until this point may not have had a fair go in life. Programs Manager, Emma O’Connell, has been working full-time for the charity over the past year after she was selected as a recipient of one of Vodafone’s World of Difference placements in 2011.

The Voice finalists interacted with and mentored the young Aussies, providing inspiration and performance tips.

Now, with thanks to bellabox, two lucky ladies have the opportunity to win one of their latest beauty boxes themed ‘Be Fashion Forward’ or ‘Pamper Yourself, Pamper Your Mum’ – with a combined value of $100!

To be in the running to win one of these amazing boxes, all you have to do is ‘like’ the Minx Facebook page and in 25 words or less, tell us the first beauty product you pack when you go away…  and you could be the one to enjoy primping and pampering yourself thanks to bellabox!

To learn more about bellabox, head to http://bellabox.com.au

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Wearing sustainable, fair trade clothing is something we all need to think about, when you consider a significant amount of fashion we wear is produced in environments that many of us would refuse to work in.

Passionate about fair trade and its power to tackle extreme poverty through trade, 3Fish believe every life is precious – so they go to some lengths to ensure their products are sweatshop free, plus kind to our environment.

Have a peek at some of their gorgeous, 100% fair trade certified organic cotton, carbon neutral wardrobe basics and seasonal pieces.

3Fish produce fair trade organic clothing for their own retail label, as well as undertake private label work for other fashion brands.

www.3fish.com.au