As promised, here is a drop of magic.

You are BEAUTIFUL.

We all have something we don't like about ourselves, and I'd say that it is healthy. I mean imagine a world full of people who think everything about them is perfect. What a boring world we'd have...
Me for example, I don't quite like my nose, and I think my left eye is somewhat smaller than my right eye. Now I can say that I never thought myself as 'ugly' or ''unattractive'' but that would be a lie and I'm here to speak the truth. Truth be told, everyday I see females in my age group whom I believe are beautiful or 'more' attractive than I am, I can always find something that I like about their face or body, something that I wish I had. I know this is also the case with you, nevertheless I am more than positive that there is someone out there who wishes they looked like you. 

The challenge is to despite all your imperfections and dislikes to love and accept yourself the way you are, because chances are if you don't love and respect yourself no one else will. The question is how do I do this? 

You might chose to go in my steps and start your journey with treating yourself to a photo shoot. 
The results are most definitely worth it. I can promise that you'll see yourself in a whole new light, you will see features of your face that you never saw before. You will see just how beautiful you are. The photo shoot that I had just over a week ago made me feel beautiful. I wore a stunning turquoise dress that I also wore to my prom. My photographer and I decided to take pictures on a long walk in Windsor at the awaking of the sun and at sunset. I must admit that I underestimated the sublime of those photographs. Yes, I trusted Daria to take wonderful photographs but never had I even imagined that they will be so divine, radiant and just WOW. I look at them and I see a princess, someone I like looking at, someone I like and accept the way they are because I found the beauty in me.



P.S Pictures are to arrive shortly ;)

Mother of today's Cosmopolitan has died

The long time editor in chef of the Cosmopolitan magazine died Monday morning in New York Presbyterian Colombia hospital after a short illness.

Helen Gurley Brown was the editor in chef of Cosmopolitan for 32 years, having stepped down from the editorship in 1997, however remaining in charge of the magazines 64 international editors to the very day of her death at 90.

Brown first became famous after she wrote ''Sex and the Single Girl' published in 1962, which aim was to encourage women to become financially independent and experience sexual relationships before or without marriage. The book was revolutionary, as no one read or said such things before. 2 million copies were sold in a week. Similarity as a result of Helen and her feminist nature, Cosmopolitan changed from a magazine filled with articles mostly about how to bring up the perfect child, to a magazine encouraging women to have sex regardless of material status. Brown said her goal was to tell readers "how to get everything out of life - the money, recognition, success, men, prestige, authority, dignity - whatever she is looking at through the glass her nose is pressed against".

''Good Girls go to heaven – bad girls go everywhere'' quote author was born in Green Forest, Arkansas. As a young girl she earned pocket money by giving other kids dance lessons. She worked as a secretary is the city she was partly raised in, L.A, as she climbed the ladder to become an advertising copywriter.

After losing her virginity aged 20, she remained sexually active, but promised herself never to get hitched up with “a gas station attendant or somebody who boxed the groceries because he was sexy”, positioning her interest on higher items. In 1959 she married film producer David Brown, they would have no children by choice, Brown concluded. Cosmopolitan's Kate White said she turned what had been a ''tired'' magazine into a ''powerhouse''.

In 1967 Brown also hosted a TV talk show, "Outrageous Opinions," incorporated in 19 cities. She also went on to write five more books, including at the age 71, "The Late Show," which was subtitled: "A Semiwild but Practical Survival Plan for Women Over 50." New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid tribute to Brown, saying that New York City had lost "a pioneer who reshaped not only the entire media industry, but the nation's culture"

''My success was not based so much on any great intelligence but on great common sense''-    Helen Marie Gurley Brown.

BECOME A MODEL!

For a long time I've wanted to investigate one of the many scam model agency's in London. On the 13^th of August I had my luck.

FINDING

It all began the day before when I went on the popular site ''Gumtree'. 'Part Time, Evening & Weekend Jobs' section; the first ad that pops into my eyes has a title of:

'PART-TIME FASHION MODELS WANTED FOR BUSY MODELING AGENCY NO EXPERINCE NECESSARY'

There is no need to open the ad itself, as I already know that the one behind this ad will not make me a fashion model. How do I know this? First of all if this agency is as 'busy' as they claim to be, then certainly they don't have time for ordinary people with 'no experience'. Furthermore, as I open the ad, no name of the agency is provided, nor is there a website or a direct way of contact. It is stated that no experience is necessary, no height and age restriction is applied. The agency is pretty much looking for a human with 2 legs and 2 arms. Moving on...

CATCHING THE NAIVE

Something with potential to be legitimate comes to view:

'Photo shoot for BOOTS and TV Commercial'

The author of the ad is announcing a photo shoot for Boots and for a TV commercial. The pay range is £1500 inclusive. Seeking all nationalities and no experience needed. They are looking for 23 'Good Looking' girls aged between 17 to 45, ''slim and curvy'' it is stated that this detail does not matter. Apply with age, nationality, contact number and a picture of your face or body.

Now, once again I'm aware that this is a scam. No name of the organiser is provided. No website. How does one define a 'Good Looking' girl? Anyone who considers working as a model will have some belief in their beauty. The description is again vague. Nevertheless I decide to apply.

Within 6 hours I receive an attractive reply. Agency 'A' are 'very interested in my look' but need to see me personally which will in turn help them to decide whether I am suitable for any modelling or acting jobs. Wait a second. Who said anything about other modelling and acting jobs, the ad wanted 23 girls for a BOOTS photo shoot and TV Commercial. All of a sudden I'm applying to an agency? They encourage me by adding that 'No experience is needed' and they are 'pretty sure' that I can do this job if I'm successful in the interview. Alongside to that I am assured that there is no contract and no registration fees. I am advised to book an appointment ASAP. The agency's location and contact details are provided. Told by 'A' that the dress code is smart/casual, I wear a simple black dress; knowing that I'm not going there to become a model I leave the house the same day.

THE 'PRETTY' TALK

As I enter the dark, lacking light room, I know the future of anyone who enters here is not looking bright. I'm greeted by a female in her late 20's who gives me a basic application form, asking for my body measurements, contact details, address etc. The application is filled within 3 minutes and I wait for another 15 to be called for my interview.

Asked to talk about myself, I begin by telling her that I don't have any previous modelling experience, and tell her of how I once found myself in an agency who wanted £350 for a portfolio. The 'Pretty' talk starts. I am warned about all the scam agency's in London, and I'm made to listen as she compares 'A' to worldwide agencies like 'Storm'. She talks about fashion, and about how great and successful 'A' is.

As I don't have a portfolio, she offers me one with a smile for a 'small' fee of £190. No real agency will ask for a professional portfolio for which you have to pay for. They should use their own photographers to create you a portfolio which will then help them to find castings for you.

But first she wants to take a taster photo shoot of me, for which I have to pay for £10. Never pay for any photos to be taken. Nevertheless as I am doing this for research purposes I pay the £10 and go to the compact waiting room. As I sit on the small sofa I notice how dirty, dusty and full of hair the floors are. What a nice, clean environment to work in!

£10 FOR THE 2 MINUTE PHOTOSHOOT

The taster photo shoot lasts no more than 2 minutes. The photographers communication with me is close to none, and shorty after I start posing a man with no facial expressions comes in, whispers something to the young female photographer and my photo shoot is over.

I wait patiently to be called by the woman who ''interviewed'' me, or should I say whom I listened to for 20 minutes. Anyone interested in working with you will encourage you to speak, will ask questions and will show genuine interest in you. Here, I said no more than two sentences before her lengthy misleading monologue began.

Viewing the pictures with her, she compliments me on a few but says I lack emotion and I need to work on my posture. Regardless of the above, she says I'm photogenic and invites me back to her room. Staying with what she previously said, she wants me to pay for the lowest package photo shoot (£190), which includes 100 photos, with 2 different outfits, with the photo shoot lasting for an hour. (During the interview she said I will have 6 different outfits for the price of £190. Typical deceiving information.)She gives me the price list, which reads that the bronze package is £190, the highest one they offer is £490! The dull faced man enters the room without knocking and passes the phone to the woman whom I was talking to. She talks and laughs on the phone for a few minutes as I sit opposite her in silence. She walks out the room shortly afrerwards leaving me alone behind.Very unprofessional.

LEAVING THE PREMISES

Grabbing the opportunity I look through the pile of application forms on her desk, take out mine, stuff it in my bag and I'm ready to leave. 'Sorry about that, that was one of my models' she says with a smile as she walks back into the room. 'So, what would you like to do then?'. I say 'Thank you for your time, but I need to think about the portfolio'. Her smile turns into a frown, 'But why?' 'You can take the the lowest package' the nagging starts again. Desperate to leave I tell her that I will call her during the week. Again, I am pushed to book the photo shoot for tomorrow, as she claims, that a Music Video Director is coming in the day after tomorrow and she wants me to audition. I tell her I will call her tomorrow, shake her hand and leave.

SAFE AT HOME

After visiting agency 'A' I thought about all the applicants who came in with high hopes and dreams of becoming a worldwide famous model. There must have been at least 30 application forms alongside mine. That's 30 people paying for a test shot. £300 for agency 'A'. I have no doubt that all of those applicants were then offered a portfolio, to which many gullible people agreed to. Imagine those 30 people all paying for the lowest package portfolio. That's £5,700 for agency 'A', in a days work. Indeed, what a great business this is.

''Hakuna Matata. It means 'no worries''' -Pumbaa

Hand on heart, I can honestly that ''The Lion King'' will be enjoyed by absolutely everyone who watches it. It's for the young and the old and the people in between. The story of Simba and his journey in becoming the King of Pridelands is shown in the most magical and extraordinary way possible. The lights, the music, the voices, the dancing, the acting and ''Ohh... the costumes''. Let me say that again ''Ohh... the costumes''. The costumes are designed and made in such a way that will transform you from your seat to Pridelands it self...

The Director and Costume Designer, Julie Taymor approaches the show in a unique way. The show in is no way a replica of the animated movie. Taymor applies her knowledge of stagecraft and transforms the actors into animal like humans. I must admit it took me a while to get used to acknowledging the costumes and masks as characters, as in any other show one focuses all their attention on the actor playing the character. Dividing my attention between the costumes and the actor's facial expressions and movements was a challenge as there were so many things I wanted to admire and appreciate at the same time. The actors humanity was involved at all times, and the creation of anthropomorphic characters was a must. Each animal had it's own human personality, they were animals with human characterises. I found this to be a new way of thinking.

The first act seemed to drag on a little and my mind wondered off for a second or two. It was a bit slow paced compared to the second act. Despite this I was never bored and the vibrant colours and sounds brought be back each time. The lights were perfect, Donald Holder certainty knew what he was doing when creating the light design for the show. The actors were always in good light and were seen clearly; with the use of lights the audience always knew who they should focus on during each scene. Ju Ju shaker, Shekere, Congas, Caxix and the talking drum made me feel like I'm at an African concert. The instruments kept the energy high throughout the performance. The combination of European Pop music, brought by Elton John mixed with Lebo M and his South Africa tradition music was something I haven't heard in a long time, or ever. Original and fresh to the ear.

The performance was very believable. From facial expressions to voice and movement, the actors did their very best in order to remain true to their characters. One of the things that struck me the most throughout the performance was the natural laughter of the characters. The genuine and real laughter of Young Simba played impressively by Jahzeel Vassell-Hamilton made the audience feel a little warm inside as the energetic and spontaneous laughter filled the auditorium. Nevertheless I do feel sorry for the performers who has to to wear a head piece and dance with it. I couldn't help but notice one dancer, who as he performed an aerial cartwheel had to hold his head peace mask with his hand. However the dancers and choreography were vital as their movements helped to tell the story. I realise that the effort and time that went into producing a choreography that will suit the costumes and allow the performers to move accordingly must have been great. Garath Fagan I salute you. Let us not forget the two giraffes that often took central stage. The actors mastered moving in the 3 meter costumes. It was a spectacular thing to witness and be a part of. However I was most impressed with the performance of Lindiwe Mkhize, playing Rafiki. I can't count on my fingers the amount of times that woman made the whole audience laugh out loud. Hilarious moments of the show.

The talent of the performers was excessive, and so was the way in which the African creatures were brought to life. From start to finish I was found glued to the action and the energy of the cast was outstanding. I would watch this show again, without any hesitation what so ever. It made me laugh multiple times and even managed to bring up a tear or two as it touched my heart. I found it truly enthralling! It was worth every penny, and my recommendation would not do the show justice.

Don't miss out, book your tickets and see The Lion King at http://www.thelionking.co.uk/