Women Talking | fashion, beauty, health, body and soul, parenting, business, careers, money, diet, and relationships.

All A Hayes For Music

The looks of an angel and a voice to match has meant little to Irish singer Gemma Hayes when it comes to her music. George R Vaughan caught up with the thinking man’s Dido at her home in Los Angeles to talk about what being a female musician with a message really means in the 21st century.

In this age of growing health concerns and rising obesity, the adage "you are what you eat" seems more appropriate than ever. Poppy Watt caught up with acclaimed food writer and chef, Annabel Karmel to discuss why she believes tackling the problem is something that needs to start at home and from a young age.

Body Beautiful

Appearances are more important today than ever before and with advances in medical and cosmetic techniques making surgery affordable to everyone, Poppy Watt caught up with EF MediSpa founder Esther Fieldgrass to find out what drove this female pioneer to create her “one-stop” shop for anyone looking to be “Body Beautiful”.

A Darling of the Gift World

Finding the right gift for that “once-in-a-lifetime” family event can often prove hard work. Coral Garlick, founder of Darling & Darling got so frustrated looking for a solution that she decided to do something about it by starting up her own company.

Now Talking

Read Women Talking review of the musical Sister Act

Schadenfreude

When it comes to celebrities, as soon as we have built them up the first thing we seem to do as a nation is engineer and then delight in their downfall. Human nature or something more sinister? Patricia McLoughlin suggests we look no further than Schadenfreude for the answer.
Talk To The Hand

Speak to many men and they would rather hide behind a wall of ignorance or denial than accept that cancer could affect their lives. As wives and partners we might need to give them more of a push in the right direction to ensure that they accept the "C" word doesn't apply just to women!
Facing Fat

Obesity is a growing concern in the UK and remains one of the biggest health challenges we face nationally. Poppy Watt recently discovered author Pat Swindells’ “Junk Food Hero”, a book which addresses the subject of teenage obesity and one she feels every parent and child should read.
A Class Act

Nuns in musicals are nothing new but as the opening of Sister Act at the London Palladium demonstrated, this religious order is of a different persuasion entirely. George R Vaughan tells us how he came away converted, mainly because of the hugely talented lead, Patina Miller.
51 Is The Magic Number!

Never one to turn down the opportunity of a new experience, Poppy Watt took up the offer to sample the quality service at one of London’s most presigious and exlusive Spa’s – Spa at 51 – and came away with her definition of luxury completely redefined.
A Taste of India

Whilst interest in Indian food remains very high in the UK, there is no doubting that the quality and authenticity you are likely to find in your average Asian eatery is still a little bit hit and miss. George R Vaughan paid a visit to Quilon in Buckingham Gate, a Michelin Star restaurant focusing on Southern Indian cuisine, that even after 10 years in the business, is still looking to surprise.
Publish and be damned Mum?

Drugs are a growing problem amongst young people and the need to unmask this misguided belief that “smoking a joint” is cool has been taken to the next level by writer and mother Julie Myerson as she reveals the truth behind her own very personal ordeal in her latest book, The Lost Child.
Hairspray

Although it’s been running since late 2007, Hairspray is one of the few London shows managing to stay ahead of the recession by continually drawing in the crowds. With a clutch of awards already “under its belt”, George R Vaughan took time out to remind us all why he believes this exceptional musical remains the show to beat in London’s West End .