If – like many of us – you had plans for a summer shape-up that never arrived (much like the summer itself!), you might have made up for it by promising yourself that you will get in shape for Christmas.

Well, it’s now or never! Here are some pre Christmas diet tips that I will be following this year to keep me on track:

* Develop a healthy mindset – don’t have an extra helping of dessert unless you’ve done something earlier in the day to balance it out. Then while you are working out, remind yourself that as a reward, you get to eat those mince pies later without feeling guilty about it!

* For a quick fix with a little extra effort, go for a workout that combines high-intensity cardio with resistance training such as a power yoga programme, or Insanity^®, available through beachbody.co.uk.

* Commit to eating healthily between now and the first day of your Christmas break – a short-term commitment is much easier to stick to, and you will be able to look forward to a little Christmas indulgence without having to feel guilty about it.

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Anti-aging products seem to be this month’s zeitgeist. I recently wrote on a new anti-aging pill; the first of its kind. And before my fingers had lifted off the keyboard, another tale of wrinkle free faces came to my attention.

Oh ladies, how we wish we could just find that ever-elusive fountain!

In the name of all things beauty…

… here’s the story Biometa Essential’s New anti-aging serum by SkinMedica.

Biometa Essential Serum, launched exclusively in the UK through SkinBrands, is an all-inclusive skin care treatment that claims to significantly address the visible signs of aging by unlocking the rejuvenation process. The new anti-aging serum is the result of years of scientific research that targets the natural aging pathways of the skin.

In clinical studies, patients using Biometa Essential Serum reported significant improvement in the following:

* 97%: product is convenient to use.

* 97%: improved skin smoothness.

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Ladies, there’s no need to pretend… we all know that our men need a little help in the styling department.

How to dress your man this season? They might stubbornly refuse your suggestions, you may hurt their man-pride, but persistence is the key to a fabulously dressed partner. Take heart!

Men’s online fashion store Bridge55 has revealed its hottest trends for the summer season. Summer is pretty much gone but many of the past season’s popular items can be worn in the autumn/winter season.

And if your man thinks your fashion sense was not all that savvy, here’s some trend advice to show you how to dress your man this season

* TOMS was the most sought after footwear brand, with the classic canvas shoe flying out of retailers around the country.

* The Nautical Theme was a major hit: Boat Shoes, Stripy T Shirts, Anchor Graphics and Chinos appeared prominently in brands sold by Bridge55. T Shirts and Vests with Anchor prints were unstoppable and one chino that sold particularly well was the Religion Drop Crotch Chino, which boasts a drop crotch, twisted leg and cuffed jean fit.

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Okay ladies, so I am sure that most of you have heard about Europe’s largest urban shopping centre… the one that so happens to be located in Stratford – accessible via car, train, tube, bicycle, bus and taxi.

The new London shopping mall comprises 1.9 million sq ft of retail and leisure and is conveniently located adjacent to the Olympic Park, forming the prestigious gateway to the Olympic Games in 2012.

Ka-ching, ka-ching… are you also hearing distant sounds of cash registers coining it?

1.9 million sq ft translates to 220 stores of which:

* 59 are Women’s Clothing and/or Fashion stores.

* 23 are Health and/or Beauty stores.

* 31 are Shoe and/or Footwear stores.

* 4 are Lingerie Shops.

That’s a total of 117 shops that are calling YOUR name! It is almost too good to be true.

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Many people find that listening to music is a great way to help get to sleep, to induce that sometimes-illusive little critter called Sleep.

As for me, I am an active listener (probably something to do with the type of music I listen to), so my ultimate bands activate neurons rather than shut them down. It’s kind of annoying; I wish I could be lulled to sleep by my favourite tunes but no such luck.

For the lucky listeners who find pyjamas, blanket and headphones the perfect scenario, you might want to check out a nifty new gadget to help get to sleep called SleepPhones, marketed as ‘pyjamas for the ears’.

SleepPhones comprise a soft fleece band that incorporates slim speakers. You simply pull the band into place over your ears; plug the lead into your MP3 player, ipod or music system and then drift off to the sound of your favourite music, meditative sounds or audio books.

The product’s most important feature is that it is comfy, unlike traditional headphones or ear bud phones.

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