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FAIRLADY Favourites

14 September 2012

Here are a few things the FAIRLADY team are loving this month!

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Favourite books:

'I recently purchased two gorgeous cookbooks – they aren’t new-new, but I am besotted with them. The first one is How to Roast a Lamb by US chef and restaurant owner Michael Psilakis, which has the most stunning (and stunningly simple) recipes and photos, interspersed with memories and pics of his childhood (growing up as a first- generation Greek immigrant in America). It’s also a tribute to his late dad, who seemed a hard man but also a wonderful father who wanted the best for his children, and I often found myself tearing up. It makes you feel like you are part of his family when you cook his recipes – it’s just really special. Second is Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, which is pretty much what it says: it’s a basic course in all sorts of cooking techniques, with plenty of pictures to illustrate everything. It’s clean, simple, easy to understand and comprehensive. Love, love, love. Garden wise, Candice-Lee (FAIRLADY’s beauty & fashion director) recently leant me a copy of The Virgin Gardener by Laetitia Maklouf, and I had to get my grubby little paws on a copy of my very own. Laetitia is like the Nigella of gardening – she makes beautiful gardening seem really easy for dummies (like me), and really sexy at the same time. This weekend I bought some camellia, wisteria and jasmine plants, and am dying to get cracking.' - Robyn MacLarty, Senior sub-editor

'I’ve had a run of fantastic reading in the last three weeks, with four books that I just couldn’t put down and couldn’t stop talking about (apologies to everyone in the FAIRLADY office who’s already heard me going on about JUST HOW BRILLIANT these books are). Put these on your summer reading list this instant: Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn), The Art of Fielding (Chad Harbach), Tell the Wolves I’m Home (Carol Rifka Brunt), and Spud: Exit, Pursued by a Bear (John van de Ruit)' - Elizabeth Atmore, Health Editor

Favourite gear:

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, but when I haven’t been reading, I’ve been running (well, more of a awkward combo of walking and jogging) in my new Nike Free Runs. These minimalist-style shoes simulate barefoot running (proponents argue that if we all ran this way we’d reduce injuries caused by running), and they are by FAR the most comfortable shoes I’ve tried. To give you an idea: in my previous shoes I couldn’t last more than 20 minutes of an aerobics class without terrible foot and knee pain, while I can go for ages in these without so much as a niggle. - Elizabeth Atmore, Health Editor

Favourite music:

'I am obsessed with She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia at the moment – it’s on repeat on my iPod!' - Julia Boltt, Consumer Project Manager

Favourite food:

'I love avos. I love chips. So when I came across this quick and easy recipe for avocado chips I was through the roof. Served with sweet chilli sauce (or your dip of choice) this has become my go to snack while watching a movie in the evenings.

To make: Preheat oven to 180. Dredge cut pieces of avo in flour, shake off excess. Dip in a mixture of 2 eggs (slightly beaten)1/2 a cup of finely chopped almonds and a cup of breadcrumbs. Season with salt & pepper and bake for 15-10 minutes. Yum!' – Marieke Merts, Fashion and Beauty intern.

Favourite beauty:

'At the moment, I, or should I say, my skin, has fallen in love with La Mer's Regenerating Serum. I've been suffering with incredibly dry skin this winter and I do believe if it wasn't for the luxurious product, I would look like a raisin! If you love a rich serum which delivers sufficient hydration, and don't mind spending a bit extra on a product (the price is R2295), I would highly recommend it. For best results, apply after a freshly cleansed face (in the mornings) and allow your skin to absorb the formula completely (mine was like water to a sponge!). Afterwards, apply your particular moisturiser or BB cream and your good to go!' - Kelli Clifton, Assistant Beauty Editor

Favourite fashion:

Intern, Megan Button is mesmerised by the fashion sense of ordinary New Yorkers: 'While I would gladly have given up most of my worldly possessions to be at New York Fashion Week this last week, it’ll have to be ticked off the bucket list another time. Instead, all I can do is gaze wistfully at Cheralee Lyle’s blog www.misslylestyle.com. She was lucky enough to be able to attend, and took great photos of what the people of New York were wearing on the streets during one of fashion’s most glamorous occasions. Of course, the fashion elite are always going to be looking sensational at these events – it’s the outfits put together by the Big Apple’s ordinary citizens that really grabbed my attention. From watercolour prints, to flirty pastels and crisp white, here are some of my favourites:'