Monday, 25 July 2011

A Scarf Tying Primer

This week Chemo Chic is pleased to bring you some simple scarf-tying how-to videos, courtesy of up-and-coming young writer Sarah Beckman.

Undergoing chemotherapy is a hard time for so many reasons. Your body experiences many changes, and one of the most difficult to deal with is hair loss. Fortunately, there are several lovely ways to cover your head so you can feel confident and beautiful. Wigs and hats are good options for chemo patients, and another favorite head cover method is scarves. Once you know a couple different ways to tie a head scarf, you can buy a few different styles and colors to create a new look every day of the week!

I'm going to show you three different ways to tie a head scarf, but before we get started, a couple of notes:

For head scarves, it's best to choose scarves made of light, thinner fabric. These are easier to knot and more likely to stay in place. Linen, jersey, rayon, and cotton make great head scarves.
For a special occasion, try satin and silk scarves. These may be more difficult to tie because they're slick fabrics, but they'll add a lovely, feminine touch to your look.
For most head scarf looks, you'll need either a basic neck scarf that's rectangular. Or, for some methods, you'll need a square scarf.

Now that the basics are out of the way, we can get into scarf tying!

Bandana Wrap - This is the most basic head scarf. For a good amount of head coverage, try tying your scarf bandana wrap style. A large, square scarf works best for this. For a sweet look take a peek at this adorable square heart scarf!

Rosette Wrap - Try the rosette wrap for a sassy look! You'll need a long neck scarf that isn't too thick. We used a snake print scarf made of a viscose/polyester blend.

Modified Turban Wrap - Turbans are a popular look right now, and this method of tying is secure and chic! We used a solid colored cotton scarf for comfort and security.

Like to wear turban hats? Use a scarf to spice up your turban! Using a skinny scarf, start twisting the scarf in the middle. Line the middle of the scarf up with the center of your forehead, and continue twisting the ends down to the base of your head. When you reach the base of your head (where your head meets your neck) secure the scarf with a double knot -- or a bow for a sweet look!

If you're on the hunt for other ways to wear neck and head scarves, check out scarves.net where there are 37 ways to tie a scarf! I'm always on the lookout for new ways to wear a head scarf - please share your tips and tricks in the comments!

Author bio: Sarah Beckman has had a life-long love for fashion. She works as a writer and editor for Affordable Style. And in her free time? Sarah's busy planning her October 1 wedding!

Sunday, 10 July 2011

BPA - Join the Revolution

You may remember my one-woman investigation into the fact that those of us who eat food out of tins (and who doesn’t – apart from me?) are being bombarded with an oestrogenic substance called Bisphenol-A.

Spurred on by the Breast Cancer Fund’s Kick the Can campaign, I have pledged to eat no tinned food in July. For me, it was easy: no BPA infested tinned food has passed my lips for over a year now. But for most of us, avoiding tinned food falls into the ‘too-hard basket’ of life. Don’t despair, Lily is here to give you some support.

Lily’s top tips for avoiding tinned food:

Fruit:

I get a weekly delivery of fresh, organic fruit from Riverford Organics. Then I cook up a variety of compotes (rhubarb; blackcurrant and apple; gooseberry; mixed berries etc) using agave syrup to sweeten them. I store the compotes in glass jars in the fridge. Fabulous for an instant breakfast or dessert with yoghurt or ice cream.

Buy organic fruit in summer whilst it is cheap and plentiful, then freeze it. Also make home-made sorbets and keep them in the freezer.

Fresh and dried fruits are great to keep around the house for quick snacks.

Beans:

Dried beans, the upside: they taste much better than tinned beans. The downside: most beans have to be soaked overnight before cooking. Lentils are the exception.

Sainsbury’s now do a great range of organic beans (butter beans; black beans; canellini; lentils) in BPA-free Tetra Paks. Posher brands come in glass jars.

Organic frozen peas and broad beans cook in seconds and are available from most supermarkets.

Vegetables:

Most vegetables in tins are completely flavourless. Steaming fresh veg usually only takes a minute or two.

I buy sweetcorn cobs with the papery leaves still on. These act as a natural wrapper. Just bung a cob in the microwave for 4 minutes (7 minutes for 2 cobs) then peel away the leaves and hairy flax. Eat the corn as is with butter, salt and pepper or cut the niblets off with a sharp knife to add to salads.

Tinned meat:

Are you crazy? Don’t eat that sh*t. Sometimes I have a ‘cooking Sunday’ when I make some organic chicken or lamb casserole and then freeze portions that can be reheated for a quick snack. If you simply can’t cook then go for a good quality, preferably organic, ready meal, but take it out of the plastic tray before heating. Reheat ready meals in a stainless steel or cast-iron saucepan or a ceramic oven dish or microwave them in a Pyrex or ceramic bowl (cover with unbleached kitchen paper).

Tinned fish:

Anchovies and tuna fish are both sold in glass jars. Frozen prawns are great for adding to curries, pasta and stews.

Soup:

Buy soup in Tetra Paks – or make your own.

Tomatoes:

Again, tomatoes are available in Tetra Paks. Tomato paste can be bought in glass jars. Tomato sauce is easy-peasy to make at home and freeze.