ashley harkleoad tennis player

ashley harkleoad

ashley harkleoad

ashley harkleroad pics

ashley harkleroad

ashley harkleroad

ashley harkleroad

ashley harkleroad

ashley harkleroad

Engagement story

We got engaged in New York. He was there on business and I'd joined him there for the weekend. Whilst he was in meetings, I was busy popping into all the expensive jewellery stores on Fifth Avenue, looking for the ring (I wasn't going to let him choose!). That was so much fun.

I knew it was going to be Tiffany's, though. Walking into their flagship store was an experience in itself and upstairs where all the engagement rings are (or were, at least), I even saw (a) Holly Golightly! Seriously.

I chose two rings and 'reserved' them. The sales assistant was polite but not super friendly or anything. He did ask for my boyfriend / fiancé's name before I left.

And the next day, we walked in. He recognised me, then looked at my fiancé. He suddenly became the most charming person ever. With a big smile, he walked over to meet us and addressed my fiancé by name. Maybe I should have been offended by this transformation but I was too amazed and impressed!

Another funny thing I remember is that every time we wanted to look at a ring by the big window (different lighting), the sales assistant had to 'inform' the bodyguard. Yes, there was a bodyguard standing by the window! Did they think we were going to jump out of the window with the ring?! 

Now tell me your story! Did you know he was going to propose? Did you choose the ring with him? 

Or how do you want it to be?

1, 2, 3

EML FINAL - SHOWTIME!

4 days in and our 12 EML recruits are walking, talking and dressing like models... but can they pass the ultimate test - the FASHION SHOW?

Dress rehearsal gets underway

After a leisurely Thursday breakfast at the fashion-fabulous Mayfair hotel the girls strolled round to the final show venue, the incredible One Mayfair to crack on with the main event. Rehearsals got underway immediately, with the girls taking their first steps on a real catwalk under the guidance of last year's winner, Nyasha Matonhodze. 

Nyasha shows the girls how it's done

The terribly talented Toni & Guy Art Team were once again on hand to coif the girls to perfection, with celeb makeup artists Daniel Sandler  and his team supplying the makeup. All a-flutter in their Eylure lashes and ready to rock their Warehouse looks, the spotlight moment arrived for our finalists... look out for show and winner pictures here over the weekend!

Louise gets some practice on the other side of the camera

EML FINAL - THE STYLE DAY

The week is flying by and now it's time for our 12 Elite Model Look finalists to chill out and enjoy the model lifestyle before tomorrow's big final show. The day started with a morning visit to the ultra-glam Urban Retreat at Harrods, where the girls were treated to makeup classes, skincare consultations, manicures and massages... all primped and preened and so relaxed we had to drag the dozing models off to their next appointment. Well they deserved a nap.... 

Another blast of catwalk workshop at the agency was followed by a trip to lovely style partner WAREHOUSE's flagship store in Argyll Street. The girls got the red carpet treatment as the store was closed especially for them to shop, while Warehouse's stylists helped them pick out the perfect model looks.

Just one sleep left before the big show!

Say cheese!

I am seriously addicted to Parmesan!

I can't seem to live without it these days. I use it in salads, soups, pasta and risotto dishes obviously, and fish for (I think) the first time last night (it was a Jamie Oliver recipe). The official website says Parmesan is perfect as a starter, main and dessert! (See their serving suggestions here.)

Dessert? Yes, apparently you can have parmesan with fruit. Have you tried it? I'm not too sure about this.

But what I'm even more unsure about is parmesan ice cream. What do you think?!

Photos

EML FINAL - THE PHOTOSHOOT

After the excitement of makeovers,  Day 3 of the Samsung Diva Elite Model Look Final saw our girls get in front of the camera to show off their new looks. With everyone getting to know each other, and a team of almost 20 getting are girls ready for their first major shoot, it was an action-packed if exhausting day for our little supermodels... the full shoot will be published soon but in the meantime here's a taster of the day.

 

Photography by Rokas Darulis

Styling by Warehouse

Hair by Toni & Guy Art Team

Makeup by Daniel Sandler Team

Thanks also to Holborn Studios, Kiel deValera, Colin Smith, Tomek Jasinski and Denis Shklovsky

Beauty sleep is not a myth

Now I have another good reason to dislike those people from last week: not only did they damage my new car, they robbed me of my beauty sleep!

"Beauty sleep is not a myth and sleep does lessen the severity of wrinkles in the face and neck, at least temporarily. This period of deep sleep... contributes to what people call "beauty sleep" as secretion of growth hormone helps repair and rebuild body tissues like muscle and bone. It is not just lack of sleep that negatively affects body fat percentage and the risk of chronic disease—poor sleep quality does as well." (source) 

I've talked about the Sleep Cycle app on my iPhone before (here and here). I looked back at my sleeping patterns following the accident (story here) and sure enough, I've been sleeping poorly.

To set the scene: the night before, I slept like a baby. Perfect beauty sleep.

Then the incident. I was really upset and couldn't sleep.

Next night: exhausted. I went to bed just after 9pm. I thought I slept ok. But I seem to have spent quite a few of those hours 'awake'.

After that: even worse. Not much (deep) sleep at all.

I hope you are getting enough beauty sleep!

QUIZ: Are you High Maintenance?

   1 – It’s the first nice weekend all summer.  You plan to:

A)     Dunno, hit the lake with the girls, enjoy some sun and surf!

B)     LuLu Lemon is having a sale – So what if its 2 hours away and you don’t have a car!?  Make your beau cancel his plans and drive you!

C)     I’m pulling an extra shift @ work for some extra cash.

D)     Hmmm, maybe I’ll grab some friends and check out the cool shops in Lumsden.

2          2 - You have been invited to a friend’s cabin for the weekend.  Your first question is:

A)     Is there running water?  Does it stink?

B)     What can I bring??

C)     Is there a blow dryer there?

D)     Can we stop in Lumsden Florist etc. for some frozen shot glass molds!?

3         3 -  Suntanning.  Your opinion?

A)     Wrinkles = gross

B)     Everyone looks better with a tan

C)     Tanning beds are great – no bugs!!

D)     Who has time to tan?

4          4 -  Your perfect vacay would be:

A)     Eclectic Bed & Breakfast in Lumsden, tour the shops, have a massage and enjoy the view.

B)     5 Star Luxury.  Room Service.  In room Couples Massage.

C)     A remote campsite with good fishing, canoeing and no one around to disturb the quiet.

D)     Vegas!  Or New York!  Bright lights, big city fun.

5          5 -  After work on a Friday night you’re hoping for a quiet night.  However, your roomy has invited people over for a last minute party and BBQ.  Do you:

A)     Empty some chips and salsa into bowls, and grab a couple bottles of your fave wine that you brewed yourself – Thanks Lumsden Florist!

B)     To hell with this!  Run a hot bath with bath melts from Lumsden Florist and lock yourself into the only bathroom.  Take that party peeps!

C)     Bow out and head to a girlfriends 4 a nice relaxing night.

D)     Hello!?  Lets make this a pool party  - Canon Ball!!

6          6 -  You find yourself on an un-planned (unprepared) beach day with friends.  Do you:

A)     Well, my underwear is a matched set, so no one will know its not a bikini.

B)     Allow my friend to lend me a bikini while cringing at the thought of borrowed bottoms the whole time

C)     Insist a shopping trip to Lumsden for necessities.  I am so NOT wearing someone else’s outdated suit.

D)     Suggest we go to a quiet secluded beach and do a little skinny dipping

7          7 -  Your Grandmother is laying a guilt trip on you.  She wants you to donate a precious summer weekend to help roof her house.  You figure:

A)     Duh, she’s my Grandma.  I’ll tell my brother that Grandma needs his help.  I’m not cancelling my outta province shop trip.

B)     Complain bitterly to anyone who’ll listen.  But you go and drop many hints of birthday gifts all weekend long.

C)     These hands do not do manual labour!  Has she lost her mind?  Time for Shady Pines maybe.

D)     Dial 306-533-6032 and hire BRIMMER & CO. CONSTRUCTION to do it.  You’ll even go halvsies with her.  Why not pay someone who knows what they’re doing to do it?

8          8 -  A friend is having a holiday wedding this summer.  She’s asked you to look after house and yard. You say:

A)     For Sure!  You even get them a gift of matching Padraig Slippers from Lumsden Florist etc.

B)     You’re a little miffed that you weren’t asked to be a bridesmaid, so you accept and relocate her bedroom set in the living room and vice versa.

C)     Tell her to find another chump.  You’ve got plans baby!  Yard work…(shudder)

D)     Accept however the yard suffers somehow.  Those sprinklers should come with instructions.

9          9 -  Your beau is taking you on a drive to the pretty Qu’Appelle Valley.  Do you:

A)     Head to Lumsden, hitting all the fun little shops – especially the funky flower shop, they have EVERYTHING, and so much is made locally.

B)     Stop frequently, picking wildflowers along the roadside.  While enjoying a delicious lunch, you have Lumsden Florist professionally arrange your flowers for you.

C)     Tour all the Market Gardens and stuff yourself full of fresh veggies!

D)     Keep the AC on, windows up.  There are bugs out animals out there – Yech.

SCORING

1          A) 3      B)1       C)4       D)2     

2          A) 1      B)4       C)2       D)3

3          A) 1      B)3       C)2       D)4

4          A) 3      B)1       C)4       D)2

5          A) 3      B)1       C)2       D)4

6          A) 2      B)3       C)1       D)4

7          A) 3      B)4       C)1       D)2

8          A) 4      B)3       C)1       D)2

9          A) 2      B)4       C)3       D)1

9-14 Points

            I kinda doubt you get invited to many campouts.  Your life is orderly, scheduled and precise.  You are well groomed and know what you like.  People might find you a little hard to take – but who cares?  You can enjoy unplanned chaos now and again, like once every three years…

15-25 Points

            You’re friends and family know that you are up for almost anything.  You’ll try anything once - almost.  You are at home with yourself and you are able to adjust to most situations. 

26+ Points

            Guys love to date you.  You love the simple pleasures in life.  Nachos, beer and a game on TV – right on! You’re probably a tom boy, but you can definitely glam up and dazzle anyone in your path. 

EML FINAL - IT'S MAKEOVER DAY!

The Samsung Diva Elite Model Look Final Week stepped up to full speed on Monday with the first finalist workshops and the only bit of the week scarier than the catwalk... hair makeovers!

Our girls started the day with breakfast at the agency followed by a workshop and seed snack with Ian Marber, the Food Doctor, and then headed on to Toni & Guy's Oxford Street Academy for their makeovers with T&G's top session team. We created a fringe, two bobs, a bleach blonde, an Audrey Hepburn brunette, and used at least a thousand foils, and completely without tears too. High five, girls!

Meeting the Food Doctor

A catwalk workshop and quick spin on our new toy the EML BUS, finished the day off nicely. Next up, the photoshoot! We hope you're ready...

Eilidh goes blonde

Here Come the Girls!

Our Samsung Diva Elite Model Look finalists are here at last! The top 12 girls to emerge from our 2010 casting tour are in town preparing for their catwalk debut at Thursday's Grand Final, and we are SO excited to finally have them all to ourselves for a week!  From the minute they arrived on Sunday the girls have been on the go, starting with fittings for their too-fabulous-for-words bespoke Warehouse dresses, choosing their skyscraper catwalk heels, and delving into goody bags including mobile phones, clothes and beauty products from our lovely sponsors Samsung Diva, Warehouse, Toni & Guy, Eylure and All for Eve.

The girls are briefed on the week's events

Leeds girl Jenni raids the goody bags

The girls are off to check into their swanky pad for the week now, and we can't wait to see what tomorrow's makeover day at Toni & Guy holds instore! Watch this space as they spend the week turning into models before our eyes...

Hannah and Grace make the critical choice of which heels to wear on the catwalk

Rihanna in Lingerie, January GQ Magazines

The umbrella girl,Rihanna pose on GQ magazines,january 2010 with black leather lingerie.rihanna was on the cover GQ.

Monte Carlo Blue Silk Lined Bra,Panty and Garter Belt set

Blue Mondays with a Monte Carlo blue silk-lined bra, panty and garter belt set by the U.K,'s Andrea Billard, and worn beautifully by model Sarah Beake.

The French Riviera

I'm going to the south of France in August!

A friend of mine has a house there and she has invited me over! I am only going for a few days because I have other commitments but it doesn't matter. I'm taking my son with me (my poor husband has to work!) so we'll probably spend lots of time doing nothing by the pool. I can't wait!

Have you ever been to the Côte d'Azur?

Photos

nicole vaidisova tennis player pictures

nicole vaidisova

nicole vaidisova

nicole vaidisova

nicole vaidisova pics

nicole vaidisova hot

nicole vaidisova

nicole vaidisova

nicole vaidisova

Smithfield Market, London England

^by stevecadman- flickr/cc license

The 800 year old cattle market at Smithfield London was moved to Copenhagen Fields, Islington in 1852. Sir Horace Jones designed the Victorian Central Market in 1868. It cost £993,816. It has cast iron elliptical arches and domed towers at each corner.

Sir Thomas Bennett designed the current concrete dome, completed in 1963. The original buildings that still exist are in severe urban decay and are slated for demolition.

More Info , More Info and Images , More Images

^by stevecadman- flickr/cc license

^by HeyRocker- flickr/cc license

^by markhillary- flickr/cc license

^by --Sam--- flickr/cc license

^by Steve Parker- flickr/cc license