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Pink Your Party to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This October, Breakthrough Breast Cancer is asking people to have a party, turn it pink and raise vital funds for breast cancer research, campaigning and education work. Whether it’s a birthday party, dinner party, hen party or Halloween party, just have some fun and make it pink!

This year, the campaign is being supported by a host of celebrity experts and here celebrity party planner and stylist, Nick Ede and fashionista, Mica Paris share their top party tips.

Mica Paris – Top five party fashion looks for autumn 08

• My key party look this October will be a statement necklace – it’s a really quick and easy way to be on-trend and update existing outfits. Think striking pendants, long chains, glam trinkets and unusual shapes.

• Set to be as big as boho was last year, is Folklore. When it comes to evening attire try dresses with opulent prints in rich purples, pinks and reds. Plus, try to incorporate as element of trimming on boots or a waistcoat and also look out for suede and leather boots and bags with tassels or fringing.

• This season there’s a dark romantic mood, so incorporate an element of black lace to give your party outfit a sophisticated edge and take you bang on trend. Also mix and layer your textures, adding chiffon, PVC and shimmering satin to your lace look.

• For more relaxed parties, work events or girly gatherings, try the plaid or tartan trend. You can still make it fun and girly, with frills and ruffles and if you only invest in one item from this key trend make it a checked shirt.

• There are a few must-have colours this Autumn, with my favourites being a fiery tomato red, berry and damson purples and warm earthy colours such as cappuccino, taupes and pink based cocoa. Jewel colours will also be popular – try amethyst, emerald and ruby.

Nick Ede - Top five party planning tips

• Make sure you think of a great theme – be adventurous and think outside of the box! But also don’t make it too challenging – a pink party is perfect (everyone has pink in their wardrobe) or perhaps a riddle party – these are huge in the states – with celebs like Jim Carey doing it! Basically you go as you are but have a riddle on your lapel – e.g. ‘ I’m a material girl who just loves yoga’

• Make up mini menus for the party of what people can drink and eat – think of some cool names that just give it attention to detail

• If you are having a karaoke night then also buy lots of dressing up clothes so that singers can wear outfits as they sing – it can be very funny and also make for fabulous photos

• Dress a particular area up where you can have pictures taken to remember your big night! Best to get a chaise-longe so that you can recline on it and have a celebrity magazine style set up

• Make sure the invitations are glamorous – either get them printed or save the environment by using evite.co.uk or facebook – remember to keep them private! You don’t want a whole host of people there do you!!!

For more party ideas and a free Pink Your Party pack full of fundraising tips, visit www.pinkyourparty.org.uk or call the Pink Your Party hotline on 0845 059 7707

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Paul Gordon, Managing Director and Senior Trainer of Fit4all Ltd has tips for winter nibbles...

The weather is bad! The nights are drawing in! It’s getting colder!

So the last shines of summer are quickly disappearing and the cold feel of autumn is being felt. So how can we stay up beat and still on form through the winter months.

Well our diet can play a big role in this, with energy boosting foods which support the immune system and deliver vital vitamins to keep that feel good factor.

We all know fruit and vegetables are a great way to deliver vitamins and minerals to the body. However, I thought this month I would give you a quick selection of foods which you can include into your diet to add variety.

Brazil Nuts
A rich source of selenium, a really great mineral which helps boost your immune system, and therefore helps defend it against the cold and flu viruses.

Apricots
Packed with beta-carotene, a powerful anti oxidant that helps regulate cholesterol. They are also high in fibre, which helps aid digestion.

Yogurt (natural)
Most yogurts are high in vitamin B, which helps boost energy levels. Just don’t eat to many, as they can be high in fat.

Plums, bananas, eggs
All contain tryphotan, which produces serotonin in the brain. Serotonin levels directly affect mood. Low levels cause both anxiety and depression.

Sunflower seeds
High in Zinc, which helps to boost your immune system, and are particularly good for healing if the body has been injured.

Have fun with these foods and try mixing them into your daily diet and start noticing the benefits they will give. However, please remember to eat in moderation, as too much of one food source will lead to unbalanced system.

Paul Gordon is our Fitness advisor and welcomes questions relating to improving your fitness and conditioning. He has over 13 years experience in helping his clients reach their health and fitness potential and you can find out more about what Paul does via his website www.fit4all.com.

To submit a question, please email us.