Blog Posts by Vanessa Green

In January, I made the mistake of telling you that stomping great heels were back for 2011. Big mistake. A flurry of anti-stiletto comments followed.

This was the general vibe:

'Stiletto heels, who needs them? The guy bringing them back should be forced to walk a few miles in a pair.'

'Exactly who are we trying to impress with high heels! We are certainly not trying to wear them for our comfort or health!'

'I dont wear high heels. Give me a nice comfortable mid heel any day. High heels pose some serious health issues.'

So, this week I'm eating heel-humble pie. Clearly, Carrie Bradshaw's Manolo fetish was as inaccurate as every other 'universal female truth' peddled by Sex And The City.

But for all you who aren't into toe torture, there's good news. You're no longer limited to pancake-flat pumps, because - drum roll - the 'flatform' is spring's hottest new shoe.

This new shape offers a thick platform sole, but unlike a wedge the sole is level — pretty much the same height at heel as

Read More »from All hail the flatform!

Ingredients:

110g unsalted butter
130g caster sugar
60g soft brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
110g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
225g dark chocolate, chips or coarsely chopped
150g chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Cream together the butter, caster and brown sugars and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the egg. Sieve the flour with the baking powder and salt and fold into the creamed mixture, followed by the chocolate and walnuts. Cover and chill for an hour.

2 Heat the oven to 160°C (320°F) gas mark 3. Roll the mixture into small balls, about the size of a walnut. Place the balls on a baking tray, spaced about 4cm apart, and bake for about 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.

Makes about 25 biscuits

More recipes from All About You 
Shortbread biscuits
Almond finger biscuits
Morning biscuits

Read More »from How to: make the best ever choc chip cookies

Romantic Valentine's dinners are often laden with aphrodisiacs. But it's
not all about chocolates and oysters. Here are ten of the strangest
foods believed to get pulses racing.  

Porridge oats
We Brits eat 47 million gallons of porridge each winter, and according
to some, it could raise pulses in the bedroom. Experts have found that
oats (avena sativa) help to free locked testosterone in the body,
rebalancing levels of the hormone and increasing sex drive.

Durian fruit
This prickly fruit grows in South and East Asia. When cut the smell of its flesh has been compared to rotten onions or even manure. Despite this, it is believed to increase sex drive. According to one Indonesian proverb, "the durian fruit falls and the sarongs come up". But there may be some scientific fact behind this. A study at Bharathiar University in India found that the fruit contains oestrogen, claiming that it could increase fertility. Durian fruit can be bought at UK Chinese supermarkets, and is made into

Read More »from 10 weirdest erotic foods

Cheryl Cole raised eyebrows last night as she sported a black backless dress to the National Television Awards, showing off a large new tattoo on her lower back.

From the front, the Versace dress seemed simple and demure, but when the X Factor judge turned around to sign autographs, a big butterfly and tribal design tattoo could be seen through the straps of her revealing dress.

Back in November, Cheryl arrived at the X Factor TV studios wearing a cropped jacket that showed off a new tattoo that looked very similar to this butterfly design.

The Geordie lass has five other tattoos: her much coveted hand tattoo, a barbed wire design around the top of her right thigh, a large butterfly design on her back, one on the left side of her bottom and a 'Mrs. C' tattoo on her neck which she reportedly wants to remove. 

Cheryl got her first tattoo - the barbed wire on her thigh - when she began dating ex-husband, footballer Ashley Cole. Shortly following that, she had the signature Polynesian

Read More »from Cheryl Cole shows off new tattoo at NTA

En pointe! Ever since Cheryl Cole dug out a tutu for last year's Promise This video (neatly coinciding with V&A's Ballet Russes exhibition) ballet has been in first position. But dance fever reached a new pitch this month with the release of Black Swan.  Starring Natalie Portman as a troubled prima ballerina, Darren Aronofsky's spooky thriller has got us all in a spin — not least its stunning costumes by New York fashion duo Rodarte.

The trend isn't A-list exclusive, though. Recently eBay has reported a 160% spike in sales of 'ballet accessories', from bun nets to point shoes. Dance is even infiltrating fragrance, with perfumer Roja Dove creating new scent Diaghilev in honour of the Ballet Russes. For those intent on a dancer's body, balletic gym classes such as Ballesque (a hybrid of ballet and burlesque) and Pure Barre are also big news — while Madonna is said to be hooked on Barre3, a vigorous, balletic workout.

On the catwalk, fashion's darling Erdem showed a Ballet Russes inspired

Read More »from Why Black Swan beauty is hitting a fever pitch

Dear Diary,

This year I promise to: quit smoking, stop stressing, resist cocktails, give up cake, be nicer, start yoga, read more blah blah blah. We have a better plan. Forget self-flagellation, and make a few fashion resolutions instead. Infinitely easier and more fun to keep than any detox regime - guaranteed. Just don't hope to combine the pledges below with any financial good intentions. Here they come:

1) Find a middle ground
After years of minis vs maxis, the midi is having a moment. Don't be scared. This much underrated below-the-knee skirt has hidden depths — deliciously demure and surprisingly flattering with a scoop neck, waist-cinching belt and wedges. Skinny minnies should go for a straight, shift style, while pear shapes get a clever hip disguiser in the A-line midi. Drop that hem like it's hot.

2) Invest in my perfect white shirt
Your sensible style pledge of 2011? A simple white shirt. Don't feel bound to classic button-down styles — the chemis blanc appeared in many 

Read More »from The top 5 fashion rules for 2011

It might seem bizarre that a company which sells tyres endorsed by a robust marshmallow-shaped mascot publishes one of the most respected dining guides in the world, but there is actually a very simple and logical reason behind how the Michelin restaurant guide, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, got its name.

The truth is in its history

The very first guide was published by Andre Michelin in 1900 and was intended to help drivers maintain their cars and provide information on road conditions while touring France. It included the addresses and prices of petrol stations, mechanics and tyre dealers as well as listings for decent lodgings and eateries.

The first Michelin guide for the British Isles was published in 1911.  While the original guides were blue in colour and published details about whether lodgings had central heating or electric light, today’s manuals are printed in their signature red hue and highlight outstanding cooking and exceptional wine lists.

A guide

Read More »from Why is it called ‘The Michelin Guide’?

Everyone loves a good cuddle! But what begins as a romantic and relaxing moment between couples can soon turn into discomfort caused by irritating pins and needles for the big spoon when his/her arm gets trapped.

Ross even shared his trapped-arm rescue maneouvre with Chandler in that episode of 'Friends': 'Wait for her to drift off, and then you hug her, and roll her!' However, we all know that didn't end so well when Janice ended up on the floor after Chandler's execution went awry.

So to avoid shoving your partner off the bed (as tempting as it may be), try following these tips that will help you steer clear of that nasty pins and needles sensation and keep on cuddling!

More videojug videos

How to ask a woman on a date

How to flirt with women

How to give a goodnight kiss

Read More »from How to avoid a trapped arm whilst cuddling