A week at Prestige Boot Camp and a reader offer

YOU's Brand Manager,
Amy Williams, on a Prestige Boot Camp

SCROLL DOWN FOR READER OFFER

It’s my first day back in the office and everyone is commenting on how well and ‘glowing’ I look. The reason for this is that I have spent the last week at Prestige Boot Camp set in the beautiful rolling Devon hills.

The boot camp style week consists of 6 days of, on average 9hrs of exercise a day coupled with a detox style diet and LOTS of water. The first evening we are all weighed on arrival and then invited in for dinner which is served on a side plate to my horror. Surely I can’t survive on this for 6 days I think to myself especially with the amount of exercise we will be doing. But survive I did and actually to my surprise (and for the first time ever I think) the hunger dissipates and it starts to slowly sink in that we really don’t need that much food on our plate.

Each day is different with a variety of exercises and activities to complete, ranging from circuits and boxing by the sea to hill runs, sprints, fartlek training (which is basically Swedish for interval training) and also a small 9hr trek along the way to add into the mix.

Whilst I absolutely loved the circuit training and sprints, I am not going to lie, I don’t love endurance training purely as I am not very good at it and I don’t like doing things I am not good at simple (do any of us?) And I did even at one point threaten to put a whistle somewhere it shouldn’t go!  BUT as the end of the week grew to a close, I learned that you have to do the things you don’t like and aren’t very good at in order to shock and change your body from what it has got used to (in my case running and hills!) you can always be fitter, push yourself harder AND importantly exercise at any age (and still very much give the younger ones a serious run for their money!) The oldest lady on our course was I believe 62 and in fact gave me a lovely cuddle on day 4 when I had a wobble and felt very sick (won’t name names but you know who you are thank you!) It was this and a couple of other ladies both in their 50’s which gave me the inspiration to pull my socks up and have a small talk with myself.

This boot camp has absolutely given me some much needed confidence back, anyone can do it no matter what your fitness level or age and with a bit of hard work combined with eating sensibly you really can achieve your goals. 

The instructors know to everyone as Little Staff and Big Staff

Both myself and the friend I went with started out as size 10’s and we have lost 17lbs and 10.4 inches between us after only 5 days! Great inspiration for me to keep going especially when I am due to be in a bikini in a week.

For those of you who like I fear that you will get shouted at in a militant tone for a week please fear not as the instructors really couldn’t be more positive and encouraging (despite the whistle!) Staff R or Little Staff as he was affectionately known really couldn’t be more motivating or fun (although I must warn you his jokes really are rubbish and don’t get any better as the week goes on)  But if you love Dad type humour you will love him.

On a serious note though I had a wonderful week, learned a huge amount, was humbled at how a group of women who had just met from all different ages and walks of life bonded and encouraged each other throughout. 

I am now 8lbs lighter, feel absolutely great and fully intend to keep it up. 

So if you like me have been telling yourself for ages ‘I just need to lose half a stone’ then no more excuses get yourself to Prestige Boot Camp for the week it really will set you free and maybe you will meet a like-minded new friend or two over the week as well.    

The offer

Prestige Boot Camp is offering YOU readers a £100 discount off all their 5 star residential boot camps in Devon, Suffolk and Marbella.

PLUS a 1 day boot camp in London's Hyde Park for just £25.

The offer is open for all courses running in 2013 booked before the end of May. 

Please quote YouMag when booking to receive the discount. 

Please visit prestigebootcamp.com or call 0117 973 12 13 for all dates and information.

Fashion: Gatsby's Girl

Tipped to be suitably dapper, The Great Gatsby hits the big screen this week. So get set to evoke your inner Daisy in silky frocks and a swish of pleats.

Silk Blouse, £129, and georgette Skirt with Waistband, £110, both sizes 8-18, Hobbs. hair clip, £18.95, Rosie Fox.

Organza studded Dress, £950, sizes 6-16, Nicole Farhi. Shoes, £275, sizes 36-41, Paul Smith

LACE DRESS, £1,250, sizes 8-14, Mulberry. shoes, £215, sizes 37-42, Toast

Silk Dress, £920, sizes 6-16, Paul Smith

Silk Dress, £370, sizes 6-14, Hugo. Shoes, £99.95, sizes 3-8, Massimo Dutti

Photographer Gary Houlder

Styling Caroline Baker

Senior fashion assistant Philippa Bloom 
Make-up Annabel Callum at Frank Agency using Yves Saint Laurent
Hair Simon Izzard at Frank Agency using Big Brush for the bigbrandcompany.com
Wigs www.WonderlandWigs.com, Price £23.99 
Model Beth Leder at Elite London and Nikol at Profile
Thanks to Lavish Locations
Producer and Video Editor Lucy Coghlan

Video Music Chris Stockwell www.soundcloud.com/stockwell


Stockists
Hobbs, tel: 0845 313 3130
Hugo, tel: 020 7554 5700
Massimo Dutti, tel: 020 7851 1280
Mulberry, tel: 020 7491 3900
Nicole Farhi, nicolefarhi.com
Paul Smith, tel: 0800 023 4006
rosie fox, rosiefox.com
Toast, tel: 0844 557 5200

All prices were correct at the time of going to press

Spinning with Victoria Pendleton

Don’t let the spin bikes fool you. Pro-Cycling with Victoria Pendleton isn’t your traditional spinning class. It’s not even about spinning, in fact, it’s about getting into the mentality of competition. The three different classes that Victoria has designed in conjunction with Fitness First mimic three of the events she took part in at Olympic level – the Kirin, the team sprint and the individual sprint. Each class focuses on the complexities of the different cycling disciplines so you’re really getting a taster of how Victoria trained for competition – even the teachers leading the classes are shouting, whooping and encouraging you at the tops of their voices as a top level coach might do.

YOU's Maria Glendinning and Clare Geraghty with
Victoria Pendleton after trialing her new Pro-Cycling spinning class

Our verdict? Well it’s certainly tough – we sweated and puffed our way through thirty extreme minutes of interval training (the stopping and starting at a very high resistance was particularly tough). It definitely felt more fun than a traditional spinning class, too. Instead of the usual sprints to a pumping soundtrack, we were encouraged to divide into teams, work together and compete during the class – all of which made us work harder, without even really realising it.

At the end of the class – we were super impressed that VP worked hard and sweated along with the rest of us – we cornered Victoria for a rather sweaty picture, after checking one another’s post workout make-up for smudges of course (VP famously always competed in eyeliner and mascara so is used to such important checks herself!)

Victoria’s Pendleton’s Pro-Cycling for Fitness First will be available in clubs nationwide from 20^th May. To download a free pass exclusive to YOU readers visit http://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/vpprocycling

Clare Geraghty 

BBs rule – but which ones are the best?

There are some beauty fads that are just a flash in the pan. Then there’s the BB (Blemish Balm) revolution. It won’t have escaped your notice that this Asian-born, multitasking skin perfector has infiltrated high street shops, department stores and beauty’s best e-tailers – and they’ve been selling faster than Mary Berry’s hottest cakes.

So which ones will you buy, try and love so much that you’re prepared to divorce your most treasured foundation? We tested the new BBs to find out which will inspire lifelong devotion.

FOR A BALMY FINISH: You can’t beat Nivea’s Daily Essentials 5 in 1 Beautifying Moisturiser. Count them down one by one because the ‘five’ benefits they’re referring to means this fresh smelling cream evens out skin tone, covers, illuminates, protects and moisturises. Leaving skin looking dewy, this is the jeans of skin perfecting. You throw it on – and it looks great every time. Available in ‘light’ and ‘medium to dark’ shades, £5.99 (www.tesco.com).

FOR CONVINCING COVERAGE: We love Guerlain’s new Lingerie de Peau Invisible Skin-Fusion Multi-Perfecting Makeup SPF 30 PA+++. Just as the name suggests, applying this is like slipping into your best silk underwear. Guerlain’s ‘micro-mesh’ technology allows it to trap pigment molecules, creating a ‘veil’ of coverage that makes skin look flawless – but not all caked in make up. Available in ‘light’ and ‘medium’, £34 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk from May 20^th).

FOR WAKING UP WEARY SKIN: If you wake up every morning to see a face that looks like it hasn’t slept in years staring back at you in the mirror, Clarins BB Skin perfecting Cream SPF 25 PA+++ is for you. It balances out uneven colour patches, softens and smoothes – plus contains an organic kiwi extract that forms part of what the creators call ‘anti-fatigue’ technology. If only they could do the same for the rest of our body. Available in ‘light’, ‘medium’ and ‘dark’, £28 (www.clarins.co.uk).

FOR SOOTHING SENSITIVE SKIN: If you’re complexion has a tendency to stamp its metaphorical feet and go all temperamental, finding coverage that doesn’t merely inflame the situation can be tricky. Yet under the tagline, ‘aromatherapy meets make up’, Decleor’s new Hydra Floral BB Cream 24 Hour Moisture Activator contains neroli essential oil to supercharge the skin’s own moisture systems and wild pansy extract to plump, smooth – and soothe. Available in one shade, £29 (www.decleor.co.uk). 

Bella Blissett

INDUSTRY INSIDER: Joseph Koniak Hair

Every so often we like to share some industry secrets, this week is the turn of our Fashion Bookings Editor, Lucy Coghlan, who would like to recommend the work of hair stylist extraordinaire Joseph Koniak.

Joseph Koniak is an award winning hair artist who hails from an extraordinary creative background, the son on Michael Collis, the co-founder of the iconic Molton Brown brand and grandson of Joan Burstein CBE who co-founded the legendary Browns Boutique.

Joseph intent on making his own mark within the fashion and beauty industry has risen to the top of his field with a CV which includes the likes of major feature films such as Mamma Mia, Batman: The Dark Night and Skyfall, the iconic television series Downton Abbey and fashion campaigns from New Look to Vivienne Westwood Couture. Not to mention the numerous high end editorials with the likes of Vogue, Marie Claire and of course YOU magazine!

Joseph Koniak's styling in a recent editorial for YOU magazine, shot by Iakovos Kalaitzakis.

Not content with working with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Lily Cole and Kate Moss, Joseph also runs his own salon as well as being Artistic Director of Eleven Hair (Blenheim Street, W1). But do not be intimidated! Joseph prides himself on offering an approachable personal service and creating beautiful styles that suit your features and lifestyle. Be sure to get in contact with his team should you be looking for a new look for summer!

Joseph Koniak Hair, Virgin Active, 255 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6LU, call 0207 794 2022 to make an appointment.

http://www.josephkoniak.com/

Espresso Smirnoff

Smirnoff’s recently launched Espresso Smirnoff is our new favourite drink. Serve it neat as a liquor or as a long drink mixed with cola and lots of ice. The aroma of coffee hits you before you even take a sip so coffee fans, or those partial to an Espresso Martini will be in heaven; try Smirnoff’s version of this cocktail classic (recipe below), perfect for balmy, summer evening drinks.

Smirnoff Espresso Martini

Take 50ml of Smirnoff Espresso, 1fresh espresso, l large tea spoon of sugar. Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with three coffee beans and serve.

Espresso Smirnoff is available nationwide at select supermarkets with an RRP of £16.49 per 70cl bottle.

Susan Hope

Hot, Hot Haute! Fashion: Designer Darlings

From peek-a-boo chic to digital prints, this season designers cut a dramatic dash!

Silk Dress, £360, sizes 6-14, and shoes, £545, sizes 36-42, both MaxMara

 Swarovski crystal, silk and cashmere top, around £940, sizes xs-xxxl, and lace Skirt, around £450, sizes 36-50, both Ports 1961. shoes, £500, sizes 36-40, Manolo Blahnik for Carolina Herrera

 Dress, £3,025, sizes 8-16, Giorgio Armani. shoes, £450, sizes 36-40, Manolo Blahnik for Richard Nicoll

 Silk and cotton dress, £1,290, sizes 6-14, Missoni. shoes, £315, sizes 3½-7, and Bag, £245, both Tommy Hilfiger

 Viscose Jacket, £1,190; Viscose top, £470, and Viscose Skirt, £550, all sizes 36-46, Dolce & Gabbana. shoes, £935, sizes 36-41, Rupert Sanderson

Stockists
Dolce & Gabbana, tel: 020 7659 9000. Giorgio Armani, tel: 020 7235 6232. Manolo Blahnik, tel: 020 7352 8622. Maxmara, tel: 020 7518 8010.
Missoni, tel: 020 3551 4888. Ports 1961, ports1961.com. Rupert Sanderson, rupertsanderson.com. Tommy Hilfiger, tel: 020 3144 0900.

All prices were correct at the time of going to press

Photographer Carla Vester

Styling Caroline Baker

Senior fashion assistant Philippa Bloom
Make-up Shama at CLM Hair & Make Up using Chanel Les Beiges and Summer 2013
Hair Dayaruci at onerepresents.com using Kérastase
Model Lucie Von Alten at IMG London

With special thanks to ME London hotel, melondonuk.com, tel: 020 7395 3400, rooms from £300 a night.

Producer Lucy Coghlan

TAKE A DIP: 4 TREATS FOR YOUR BATHTIME SOAK

In, out, shake all that fast-acting shampoo and body wash all about. Weekday power showers are all well and good when you’ve snuck a few extra minutes in bed and need to be out of the house pronto – but when weekends hail a more leisurely pace of life, there’s nothing nicer than a good old soak. So it makes sense that in these stressful, multitasking times, treats for your tub are having something of a renaissance right now. Great if you love having more choice – and somewhat flummoxing if you don’t know where to start. So here’s what we think every well-stocked bathroom would do well to consider…

1. ADIEU STRESS…Add a mere handful of the Indulge Dead Sea Bath Soaks to the running tap and you’ll relish its numerous benefits. Rich in minerals from the sea off the coast of Jordan, it also contains geranium and petitgrain, (like bitter almond). The upshot is a skin-healing elixir that locks moisture into dry limbs, melts away muscular aches, soothes psychological stress – and even helps treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. £16 (www.jardinsdeden.co.uk).

2. BONJOUR LOVELY BAR… We’ve got to admit to being soap hoarders. And Heathcote and Ivory’s new Milled Soap in a Tin bar is top of our ‘to collect’ list. Not only will it look fabulous beside your bath but the handy tin also stops it from sloshing around afterwards, (no more banana skin moments) – and the wild daisy and elderflower fragrance reminds us of countryside walks. £5 (www.heathcote-ivory.com).

3. HELLO SQUEAKY CLEAN…If stumping up for the cost of a long haul flight is not on your agenda this summer, Dr Haushcka’s new Lemongrass Shower Balm is rich, thick and - like a holiday postcard in a bottle - triggers scented daydreams of Thailand. All this while cleansing and nourishing your skin with its lovely blend of botanical and beneficial essential oils. £12.95 (www.drhauschka.co.uk).

4.  GREETINGS TO GREAT SKIN…When you’re fresh from your long soak and your skin is still a little damp, massage in a Body Drench Exotic Oil in Moroccan Argan Oil, Tahitian Monoi or Indian Neroli to send you senses reeling and make your body silky smooth. Just in time for the season of bare legs and all things sleeveless. £9.98 (www.sallyexpress.com from the end of May). 

Bella Blissett

Sneak peek: Lindsay Lohan in our sister magazine EVENT this Sunday!

Candles with the cool factor

Remember when candles used to be a bit fuddy-duddy? They’d smell a bit synthetically floral, musty perhaps. And certainly not something most of us would want to burn, filling our houses with their questionable aroma.

But no more. While we’ve all be turning the other way, candles have merrily been burning up a scented storm. Until one day all the best coffee tables simply felt underdressed without them.

So here’s our pick of the ones worth putting a match to…

The blazing gastronomic glory: Strike a match to this when you have guests for supper – or are having a romantic date à deux. The heavenly scent of vanilla and chocolate ganache in Urban Apothecary’s White Truffle candle is cosy, decadent and makes your cares melt away with it. The lovely jar also makes a cracking centrepiece on your dining table. £30 (www.urbanapothecarylondon.com from 1^st May).

The candy candle: We’ve got to admit to being suckers for good old fashioned sweets. Which is why we fell in love with The Chelsea Day Spa’s Violet Lemonade Candle. A bit like a Parma Violet crossed with a sherbet lemon, it’s comforting in a nostalgic kind of way and has a hint of musk that stops it from becoming too sweet. £30 (www.thechelseadayspa.co.uk).

The stress buster: They say inhaling this floral fragrance is like ‘relaxing in a field of lavender’. If R Nichols’ Breath Scented candle alone doesn’t stop that hamster wheel brain of yours spinning, gazing at the prettily illustrated pot just might. Leave this one in your own bathroom to help you relax when you’re in the tub – and impress guests when they come a-calling. £40 (www.spacenk.co.uk).

The garden party perfume giver: The light, liquid scent of ‘Melon’ Wax candle by Carriere Freres just longs to be enjoyed alongside a lunchtime salad, some Eton mess and a cool, crisp glass of white wine. Perfect for easy, (if not too breezy – it’ll only get blown out) English summer days. £30 (www.roullierwhite.com). 

Bella Blissett

Hats at the ready! Fashion: Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot – the diary’s most darling date to showcase your fashion form – is just furlongs away....

 Silk dress, £1,325, sizes 10-14, Emilia Wickstead. Sinamay, lace and buntal hat, £3,885, Philip Treacy. Bag, £850, and Shoes, £675, sizes 3-7½, both Gina

Viscose dress, £834, sizes 6-14, Osman, from Harvey Nichols. Buntal hat, £525, Philip Treacy. Shoes, £650, sizes 3-7½, Gina

Lace blazer, £5,460, and lace skirt, £3,055, both sizes 6-14, Antonio Berardi, from Harrods. Pearl and tulle hat, £555, Stephen Jones. Bag, £811, Maison Martin Margiela. Shoes, £460, sizes 35-41.5, Christian Louboutin

Cotton lace coat, £2,100, and lace Dress, £1,150, both sizes 6-16, Missoni. Satin and straw hat, £450, Stephen Jones. clutch, £1,250, Nancy Gonzalez. Shoes, £805, sizes 3-7½, Gina Couture

Silk jacquard jacket, £1,250; Silk shirt, £550, and silk jacquard trousers, £595, all sizes 6-14, and shoes, £595, sizes 3-7, all Mulberry. Tulle, organza and straw hat, £555, Stephen Jones

All prices were correct at the time of going to press

Royal Ascot 2013 runs from 18-22 June; tickets are on sale now, tel: 0844 346 3000, ascot.co.uk

Lucy Coghlan

Learn to cook at Novikov

If you’ve ever wanted to re-create the experience of restaurant style, fine dining in your own home but your skills don’t extend much beyond Pot Noodles and toast then get sharpening those knives because we may have the just the thing.

Novikov's chefs overseeing the creation of the Italian starters

Mayfair’s luxe Japanese come Italian restaurant, Novikov (sounds odd but SUCH a clever idea, two dining spaces catering for every palette – minimalist Asian fusion dining upstairs, cosy, homely Italian downstairs) is, from tomorrow, running a series of monthly cookery workshops for all you budding masterchefs.. The workshops teach the culinary basics and tricks of the professional kitchen under the watchful, expert eye of Novikov’s team of chefs. And the best thing is that you get to eat what you create afterwards, each course expertly matched with a wine by their in-house sommelier. All in all, amazing value at £75 per person. We can’t recommend highly enough.

Our delicious main course - clay baked lamb 

Novikov Restaurant & Bar, 50 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8HA 

novikovrestaurant .co.uk

Clare Geraghty

Life of Pi on DVD - up close with the tigers at London Zoo

This week, to celebrate the DVD launch of multi-Oscar winning movie Life Of Pi YOU magazine was given an exclusive tour of the new £3.6million flagship exhibit Tiger Territory at ZSL London Zoo to meet a real life Richard Parker. In case you didn’t catch Ang Lee’s big-screen adaptation of the Yann Martel novel, Richard Parker is the name of the 450lb Bengal tiger marooned in a lifeboat for 227 days with a young Indian man Pi Patel on a life-changing odyssey.

 





Suraj Sharma as Pi Patel in Oscar-winning Life of Pi now on DVD







Our own tiger encounter is with five year-old Jae Jae, one of two Sumatrans brought to London Zoo in October with the hope of starting a new breeding programme (there have been no cubs born here for 15 years). His prospective mate is Melati, who is confined to her own section for now - at feeding time tigers don’t know how to share nicely and it can all get a bit nasty. On the menu today, as most days for Jae Jae, is horse meat. But he has to work for it. Whiskery-faced with huge muscular shoulders, he shins to the top of a 25 foot tree trunk, where keeper Matt has winched his food. Tigers don’t normally climb trees in the wild, but are perfectly capable and this is all part of the ‘enrichment’ activities to encourage natural behaviour (another is spraying scents around the enclosure for tigers to sniff out. Jae Jae is a fan of Old Spice we’re told – classy!  Melati prefers Chanel No.5 - our kind of girl).




Jae Jae shins up a tree trunk to locate his breakfast at London Zoo's Tiger Territory





It’s not by accident that Jae Jae brings his prize right up to the other side of the glass where we are standing. The woodchip platform has under-floor heating so it’s an enticing prospect, and one that allows visitors to see every knowing blink and flex of claw of these majestic creatures.



Like Richard Parker in the film, Jae Jae had to be trained to respond to a whistle. At his previous zoo in Ohio he followed voice commands, but with a new enclosure of 27,000 square feet this form of communication just isn’t practical.

But this is where the similarity between fact and fiction ends. Of course we know that the story is not to be taken literally –  it’s a spiritual odyssey - keeper Matt confirms that it would have been a very short movie if art had to imitate life. Unlike lions, tigers are opportunistic killers. Pi would have been lunch within seconds. But surprisingly, even though Jae Jae is only centimeters away from us, he doesn’t seem to be interested, not even in our fun-sized cub reporters. He does however sniff the air and lick his lips when he gets a whiff of the bearded pigs in the next enclosure. 

Our cub reporters with Sumatran tiger Jae Jae in Tiger Territory





Life of Pi scooped four Oscars at this year’s awards, not only for Lee as director but deservedly for its mesmerizing visual effects. On Monday to Friday next week, ZSL London Zoo will be setting up a giant outdoor screen showing the Life of Pi in HD Blu-Ray for sunset screenings of the film. It will be preceded by a glass of champagne and a twilight tour of Tiger Territory to meet Jae Jae and Melati.

Tickets cost £30 and numbers are limited to 300 per night. Headsets will be provided so that the zoo animals aren’t disturbed.



Life of Pi 3D



Life Of Pi is available on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD from April 29 and on digital platforms now.

Life of Pi screenings www.zsl.org/lifeofpi

Tiger Territory www.zsl.org/tigers

 Victoria Woodhall

Tune in to spring! Fashion: Accessories Special

Make your wardrobe sing with our fabulous guide to the season’s hottest accessories!

Headphones, £49.90, Urban Ears. Lilac bag, £79, and Yellow bag, £120, both Boden. Red bag, £210, Russell & Bromley. Watches (on right arm), £34.98 each, O Clock, from fullspotmarket.co.uk. White watch, £100, Swatch. dress, £180, Michael Michael Kors

 Standout and supersized: Headscarf, £205; Earrings, £615, and raffia bag, £880, all Dolce & Gabbana. Necklace, £436, Konplott. Clutch, £47, Accessorize. Ring, £99, Swarovski. Bangles, £65 each, Folli Follie. Watch, £650, Gucci, from Ernest Jones. Orange leather bracelet, £65, Guess. dress, £85, Banana Republic

 Monochrome a la mod: Model on left - headband, £45, Rock N Rose. bag with chain handle, £134, Pied A Terre, from House of Fraser. bangle (on right arm), £65, Folli Follie. Watch, £34.98, O Clock, from fullspotmarket.co.uk. Bag with black handle, £35, River Island. sandals, £50, Clarks. dress, £125, Boutique by Jaeger. Model on right - Headband, around £67, Alexandre de Paris. Sunglasses, £105, Sheriff & Cherry, from Liberty. clutch, £175, Lulu Guinness. bangle, £95, Michael Kors. scarf, £90, Anna Lou of London. bag, £200, Pied A Terre, from House of Fraser. sandals, £79, Dune. top, £99, and skirt, £80, both Boutique by Jaeger

 Rainbow-bright and ladylike: Model on left: headband, around £68, Alexandre de Paris. bag, £195, Knomo. watch, £154, DKNY. shoes, £175, Russell & Bromley. dress, £99.50, Banana Republic. Model on right: headband, around £41, Alexandre de Paris. Sunglasses, £95, Sheriff & Cherry, from Liberty. earrings, £55, Guess. clutch, £225; blue bag, £275; lilac bag, £225, and DRESS, £225, all LK Bennett. watch, £154, DKNY. shoes, £99, Boden

Blonde and beautiful: Headband, around £41, Alexandre de Paris. Glasses, £99, Lipsy, from Tesco Opticians. On right arm, from left: watch, £225, Michael Kors. watch, £165, Marc by Marc Jacobs, exclusively from Ernest Jones. leather bracelet, £65, Guess. On left arm: round watch, £155, CK Calvin Klein. rectangular watch, £154, DKNY. Small bag on chain, £99, and Large bag, £350, both Jaeger. In hands: bag, £285, Michael Michael Kors. scarf, £90, Anna Lou of London. dress, £99, Boden

Check out our behind the scenes video!

Photographer Iakovos Kalaitzakis

Styling Caroline Baker

Senior Fashion Assistant Philippa Bloom

Fashion assistant Karolina Rogalska 

Hair Jan Przemik at Mandy Coakley using Sebastian 

Make-up Amanda Grossman at Frank Agency using Chanel Les Beiges and S/S 2013 and Nip & Fab skincare

Nails Julie Luong at Caren using Zoya Professional Lacquer 

Model Ramona at Next

Thanks to JJ locations, jjlocations.com 

Producer & Video Edit Lucy Coghlan

Music for Video Chris Stockwell www.soundcloud.com/stockwell

How to be happy this week

We don’t know about you but the faint tickle of, (whisper it) sunshine on our skin has made us want to kick up our heels, cast of winter drudgery – and polish up our beauty regimens with something befitting to our new spring-like mood. And what better place to start than with some good old perfume power?

We all know that fragrance has the ability to tap into and alter our mood so we cast our noses over spring’s loveliest scents  - head-spinning our way through citrus, floral and musky notes – to bring you the edit on the must-spritz this week.

Warning: Combined with sunshine, all of the below may induce feelings of extreme happiness.

The holiday in a bottle: Who needs a pricey plane ticket when you can have L’Occitane’s new East meets West EDT snuggled up next to your very own bathroom sink? As the brand’s new and first in-house ‘nose’, perfumer Karine Dubreuil has conjured up a blend of Japanese Green tea and bitter Tunisian orange, (known to those in the nose know as ‘Bigarade’) in a refreshing combination that sets the tone for fantastic day ahead. L’Occitane Thé Vert and Bigarade EDT, £49 (www.loccitane.co.uk).

The French patisserie perfume: Anyone who’s ever popped into a French patisserie and gone all whoozy over the smell of freshly baked Madeleines will fall into sugar rush love with this EDP. Combining bitter almond and a hint of orange, the result miraculously resembles comforting, warm sponge. Tendre Madeleine by Les Senteurs Gourmandes is like going into that bakery – but without the ensuing calorific guilt. £22.50 (www.marksandspencer.com).

The childhood fragrance dream: Remember the dreamy days of two-month school summer holidays? Your mind will wander right back to childhood picnics with one whiff of Stella McCartney’s Summer fragrance. Its blend of ‘frozen lemon’ with crisp apple and a hint of amber at the base makes us think of slurping homemade lemonade in a summer rose garden. Delish. Stella Summer EDP, £39 (www.johnlewis.com).

The perfume postcard: Make up maven, Mary Greenwell has spent her life making up the most beautiful of faces, (think Cate Blanchett, Gwynnie, Keira and Gisele) – now she’s turning her incredible talents to scent making. Her Lemon EDP is inspired by her memories of Italian fruit groves and comes with a sophisticated herby hint which – coupled with this handy, slots-so-nicely-into-my-bag size – makes it our favourite carry-everywhere spring fragrance. Mary Greenwell Lemon EDP Handbag, £30 (www.thisisbeautymart.com).  

Bella Blissett