Last Day Blues...

So today, the 27th August 2010, is my last day at the wonderful Wahanda.

I've now been interning here for three months (and a couple of days, but who's counting?) and I've absolutely loved it. And not just because we're based within window shopping distance of Oxford Street Topshop.....

I've learnt so much about everything from the technicalities of web-based publishing to improving my own copywriting (and I can tweet really fast now!). The lovely and incredibly dedicated web ed. Judy has even weaned me off the excessive use of '!' marks, a feat no teacher since primark school has dared to dream of.

With all their hard work, the team really deserve the recognition they are beginning to garner in the beauty and wellness world and I wish them every success.

You can see my post on their latest awards here.

Well done Wahanda-ites, Pinky-and-the-Brain-style world domination can't be far away :) x

By (Term-Time) Day She is an Ordinary Student, but During the Holidays She Becomes....NERD GIRL

Yet again the maelstrom that is life sucked me in for a good three weeks before depositing me at the exact opposite end of August with nothing but a decidedly scant blog and some pocket money to show for it.

Thank goodness then that somehow during this month I have aquired some new, exciting knowledge of the magic that is HTML. In fact this week I produced my first ever full page, from text to pictures via layout. Now I'm not pretending this is a crowning achievement- luckily the wonderful tech team at Wahanda (check out their frankly-very-amusing blog here) have provided us with an awesome set-up on the server, however I was still inordinately proud of this little achievement.

You can check out this first foray into the world of computer-talk (yes, that is the technical term...) here.

I'll be speaking in binary before you know it.....

Hope for Homeopathy- New Evidence Suggests Large Scale Effectiveness In Cuba

Classified as an ‘alternative’ treatment, homeopathic remedies involve small amounts of ‘irritant’ preparations massively diluted and taken in the form of a sugar ‘pill’. The theory is that these substances, which would usually aggravate the immune system and cause adverse symptoms in a healthy person, cause the body to build up a ’tolerance’ and thereby combat symptoms in an ill patient.

One example of this would be the treatment of insomniacs with a preparation containing a coffee derivative (coffee being known to cause sleeplessness in an individual with normal sleeping habits). Although there has previously been little hard scientific evidence to support their effectiveness, many case studies show an improvement in conditions such as psoriasis when treated with these remedies.

The anti-homeopathy argument has always been based on a lack of evidentiary support. However recent successful trials using homeopathic remedies to treat illnesses resulting from flooding in Cuba have led the way for fresh debate.

In 2007, homeopathic remedies were administered to 2.3 million patients in Cuba, in an attempt to prevent the deadly disease Leptospiratosis in the face of a developing epidemic. Leptospiratosis or ‘Weils disease’ as we prefer to pronounce it is caused by bacteria carried by rats, and thrives in tropical areas where there has been a high volume of rainfall. The bacteria contaminate the water supply and multiply quickly, affecting large areas. The disease is extremely serious and in many cases has proved fatal.

Homeopathic remedies were prepared from tiny amounts of an inactive form of the bacteria which cause the illness. Within a short period of weeks the number of cases had fallen from 34 per 100,000 people to just 4 per 100,000. This figure was a huge reduction from official estimates and its effects seemed to grow long-term - the rate of infection was reduced by 84% by the following year. For the first time on record, the numbers of cases of Leptosiratosis did not increase proportionately when further rain fell.

Sadly in areas where the homeopathic remedy was not administered the rate of infection followed exactly the original prediction.

Dr Sara Eames, President of the Faculty of Homeopathy proposed that ‘Anything which appears to reduce infection rates in a potentially fatal infection, particularly when it can be prepared and delivered quickly, safely and effectively, has to be taken seriously and studied further’.

It is hoped by supporters of homeopathic medicine that the sheer size of the study and its apparent immense positive impact will lend it gravitas. It seems that there is much more to consider regarding the provision of these remedies by the NHS than the basic issue of cost-effectiveness.

Indulge in Wellness Tourism and Beat the Brits Abroad Bloat

Everyone knows the usual equation for a holiday abroad- take three weeks of surviving on grapes to get that ‘bikini body’, add a dehydrating flight, a fortnight of rich meals, lazy days and boozy nights and what do you get? A ‘break’ that leaves you looking and feeling worse than you did before you left. You could be forgiven for thinking you’d be better off spending the money on a swanky gym membership or a spa break.

Well fret no more, Brits abroad because binging and bloating is out and ‘wellness tourism’ is in. More and more relaxation-seekers are searching further afield for the best in spa breaks, treatments and even cosmetic surgery. So pack your bags and hop on a plane for a holiday experience that’ll leave you glowing and perhaps even transformed.

Read the rest here

The Curse of Being Endlessly Busy Strikes Again!

People moan that living in London means you're constantly on the go. That work becomes your life. That you never see the inside of your own home.

Personally I fail to see the downside....

...oh, apart from the complete lack of time to spend on my poor, neglected blog.

It's been two months since I last got down to business and I feel like such a slacker. So today I rectify the situation! Feast your eyes on all the work I've been doing for other people (polishes halo):

Get Serious About Skin Protection

'Cougars' Boost Figures (In More Ways Than One)

Tried and Tested- The Fish Pedicure

A little note on this one, as it's a personal favourite.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Wahanda, myself and the (v.talented) copywriter Charley had the opportunity to experience the fish pedicure just as the craze hit London. One word. Awesome.

The fish were adorable- we laughed, I cried, they sucked the dead skin off my feet. A good time was truly had by all...

Dimple Surgery- How Far Would You Go For Cheryl's Cheeky Grin?

Look Eternally Gorgeous Like The Stars of Twilight Eclipse

Elastoplast's Invisible Protection Launch


Boob Job Blunder- The Poly-Implant Prosthesis Scares Causing Rupture Fears

Tried and Tested- Sail Away to Relaxation With Flotation

We've All Been Faking It For Fifty Years- The Institution That Began With 'Man-Tan'!

That just about brings us up top date, now to fight off the pile of titles currently swarming all over my inbox. Fingers crossed I may get them up here before Christmas.....