Strike a Pose!

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A local model turned entrepreneur is launching her own DVD and modelling course ‘The Grooming Academy’ for girls who want to know everything about becoming a fashion model. WorkLife sent Anna-Louise and Marianne to meet with Manchester’s very own six foot “glamazon”, Alex Leigh, and to find out if they had what it takes to work that catwalk!

You’ll be able to read the full article in the next issue of WorkLife but in the meantime for more information visit www.alexleigh.co.uk

IT’S HIT THE STREETS!

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW! Yes, the latest issue of WorkLife hit the streets last week! If you haven’t got your hands on a copy yet you can read it here:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/Rejuvenate/worklife4/

 

This issue is full of insights and inspiration on the WORK side – as we hear from Kristina Grimes, the ‘peoples favourite’ from The Apprentice, series three, we engineer a new business opportunity in “2 Do Lunch” and I try out this years facebook and join The Twitterati. In We Like Your Style we take a look at a decade of Code Computerlove and celebrities get a grilling with The Social Entrepreneur.

 

Whilst on LIFE, Sarah has worked hard on what has been our most adventurous shoot yet in ‘Fight or Flight?’ and as the weather heats up, she brings advice form St Tropez on achieving the ultimate tan, checks out the best festivals around and helps you plan ‘The Perfect Picnic’.

 

Enjoy!

Anna-Louise

work@worklifemagazine.co.uk

More Silverware for the Reds!

Despite the major disappointment of losing a European Cup final for the first time, it’s been a fantastic season for Manchester United achieving their third league title on the trot!
The 0-2 loss to Barcelona was the 66th result of a season in which the Reds have won four trophies - Barclays Premier League, Club World Cup, Carling Cup and Community Shield - and almost won three others - the Super Cup, FA Cup and Champions League…Better luck next year in Madrid boys.

The five weirdest MP expense claims

  

1.  Glitter Toilet Seat

Who: John Reid, former Home Secretary

Reid's Glasgow flat must be quite something - he claimed for a DFS sofa, which comes with instructions to 'plump cushions daily', a £199 'pouffe' and a toilet seat that would make Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen blush. 

2. Three Kit Kat Chunkies

Who: Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Blears bought the late night snacks while staying at the City Inn hotel. A ‘friend’ of Blears said she had been “feeling lonely” and had “wanted something to cheer her up.” 

3. Light Bulb Installation

Who: David Willetts, Shadow Innovations, Universities and Skills Secretary

Can't decide whether it's more embarrassing to pay someone to install 25 lightbulbs in your home, or to admit to such a thing by submitting receipts for the workman's bill? 

 4. Horse Manure

Who: David Heathcoat-Amory, Tory MP

The former Foreign Office Minister claimed for 550 bags of manure, as well as £5 to repair a wheelbarrow puncture and £6 for use of a chainsaw. Frightening.

5. Fluffy Dusters

Who: Steve Webb, Lib Dem Work and Pensions Spokesman

No flies on Mr Webb who managed to get us to pick up the bill for stamp duty on his Westminster pad, and none trapped in cobwebs either, it seems. Wonder if he donned a pinny and did the dusting himself?

The XY Factor

The X factor is the social conditioning that resides in our subconscious mind. Habits take up residence without us knowing about it. Although most people are unaware of it, these habits are in control of most people most of the time This habit is your unknown X factor. If it’s a change of any sort your X factor will not like it no matter how good that change might be. Once you have become aware of your X factor or inner voice, the habit can be changed or re-programmed.
The new idea, suggestion or activity is the Y factor, the change that disrupts the status quo. It may be the best idea or decision in your life but it is still change. Your X factor doesn’t want to be replaced by the Y factor so it fights it. This creates physical discomfort and anxiety as the battle continues. That negative feeling of anxiety floods your body and if persists, turns into fear.
It is important to understand and recognise what is going on when you experience anxiety and fear. If you give fear attention, you are simply reinforcing your X factor and its arguments. Nothing good can come of this reaction. It leads to stress and ultimately affects your results. Encourage your Y factor, don’t let your X factor win. It doesn’t take force, keep your Y factor cool and calm. You have the choice to reject the fear that arises. You do this by becoming emotionally involved with the results the Y factor will bring into your life, what it is already bringing into your life. So, how do you encourage your Y factor?
Think about what is it exactly that you want? Write it down, create a goal card, meditate on your want, get emotionally involved with the outcome of your want, think about how it will not only change your life but that of others around you.
The X factor never goes away completely but it will lose its strength. Once the Y factor has settled into your subconscious mind it becomes your X factor. Then the cycle starts again.
When you understand the XY concept you know what is causing the fear so the odds of success are much more in your favour.. When you have a new Y thought, become aware of what your X factor is saying in response.
Ask yourself these questions when you have a Y factor idea – will the new idea move you closer towards your goals and will action really cause you as much disruption as the original thought caused? The difference between winning and losing the XY factor battle is awareness.
Written by Sharon Machon, Life Success Consultant. For more information about the products and services available to help you move towards success visit http://sharonmachon.lifesuccessconsultants.com.

WorkLife Press Party

Back in April, we invited our advertisers and some of Manchester's finest elite to come together on St George's day to celebrate the success of the latest issue and the 'Best of British.' As always, Ithaca was the perfect setting to reflect the modern and sexy feel of WorkLife magazine as well as providing excellent service and tasty drinks and canapés.

Following the success of the launch party, we decided that regular chances to network with other Manchester business men and women is what's needed to get the most out of your work and benefit your business. Enjoying good food, drinks and company whilst doing so is just an added bonus!

Guests who attended enjoyed sushi and cocktails, and left the venue satisfied and with their goodie bag (which included chocolate among many other things) in hand! One lucky guest left with more than he intended, as Imran Hakim, the iTeddy millionaire, kindly donated an iTeddy to be entered in the prize draw, which Manchester-based graphic designer William Frânk won.

Here are some pictures of our fantastic night...

Our latest issue.

Sarah Walker, WorkLife Lifestyle and Fashion editor with Anna-Louise Gilhooley, Owner and Managing Director of WorkLife Magazine.

Do you have any security and safety questions?

As a leading North West based security, protection and training company, we are working with Worklife magazine providing editorial for a security/safety feature. We are interested in all aspects of your personal safety and security, common areas of concern will be covered with appropriate advice. If you have an immediate security or safety issue then do contact us in confidence on 0845 223 4920 or visit our website http://www.standsolutions.co.uk/

Get a room!

On 1 April 2009, Velvet launched its chic 19 bedroom hotel, occupying the four floors above their existing restaurant and lounge bar, situated on Canal Street alongside the Manchester ship canal. Owner, Mark Cain and General Manager, Sunni Syal, proudly joined Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Mavis Smitheson, to cut the ribbon in the company of friends, family and business partners of Velvet. And WorkLife’s Anna-Louise was there to join them!..
“I had a great look round the 19 fully air conditioned decadent boudoirs, which are individually designed with the utmost of tender loving care, and comprise of all the things you would expect of an exceptional standard of hotel bedroom, plus a few you might not, like iPod docking stations, in-room cocktail and canapé packages and Burt’s Bees toiletries.
This latest addition to Velvet Manchester is sure to succeed even in these difficult times, and after a stay at the £5.5 million hotel, I can highly recommend room 35 with its four poster bed, outdoor balcony and indulgent roll top bath! Good luck to Mark, Jason, and all of the team!”

How do you eat yours?

Hello!

Well, Spring is in the air and as we all rush to make the most of the credit crunching easter egg bonanzas, we at WorkLife magazine would like to wish you all a very happy Easter!

The latest issue of WorkLife has now hit the streets of Manchester so pick up your copy! In preparation for this issue, Sarah also hit the streets and asked the people of Manchester:

"How do you eat yours?"

From top left- Rachel, 20, Chemistry student, 'I just lick it out!'

Jamal, 20, Video technology student, 'I eat it whole!'

James, 27, Freelance graphic designer, 'I just chomp down'

Sana, 17, College student, 'I like to bite off the top and use my finger to scoop out the middle'

Catherine, 22, Employment advisor, 'I like to savour the taste and eat is as slowly as possible!'

Chris, 44, Banker, 'In one go!'

Spotted in Me&Yu

The WorkLife team are not the only ones who love the fantastic designer duo Angie and Gordon, comedian Noel Fielding has been seen repeatedly wearing Me&Yu designs.

Noel Fielding, from hit BBC comedy The Mighty Boosh wore a t-shirt from Me&Yu to the launch of the Sony Vaio last week in London. "We we're just reading the Sunday papers and turned over to see Noel in one of our designs" said Gordon "He's worn our clothes before on Jonathan Ross", said Angie "It's great to see him continue to help a small label such as ourselves by wearing it to such a high profile event"Since photo's of Noel went in most of the national papers

Angie & Gordon have had so many requests for the Freak Show Disco design that they've re-released it for a limited time only. Available at the special price of £15 direct through the website at http://www.meandyu.com/ each t-shirt is silk screen printed by hand especially for you and comes packaged in a hand-printed pizza box! Me&Yu is also available at their shop in Afflecks on the third floor (formerly Afflecks Palace), Manchester Fashion Market, Unique Boutique, Triangle and they even sell a range of one-off, re-mixed vintage pieces at Oxfam, Oxford Road.