Crystal Renn is Hungry no more

Crystal Renn seems to be making waves in our weight-obsessed world with the launch of her book Hungry today. She's a Missississippi-born beauty who, like most models, starved and exercied herself silly in the pursuit of success and celebrity in the fickle world of fashion. Well done to her for becoming, in the wake of it all, America's highest-paid plus-size model and now an author. The subject (weight, both loosing and gaining it) is a tireless one that we simply can't get enough of. It's not news that models go to extreme measures to look the way they do, but hopefully this tell-all will have more meat to it than a 14 year-old on the cover of Vogue. We'll be ordering it from Amazon just as soon as we get through Jean Godfrey-June's 2006 novel, Free Gift with Purchase.

If the IP laws in your country permit it, watch Crystal Renn talk about Hungry on ABC here.

Detox deshmox... nonsense

Ladies, there are some simple equations in life that we should all be very, very familiar with. The most important (besides the basic (and often-times hard-to-grasp) what I earn - what I spend = what I have left) will keep insanity at bay when it comes to worrying about weight (which we all do). Be cold and calculating with it. Strip away all the emotional stuff we attach to food and you'll find that:

Calories in - energy out = weight gain/loss/maintenance

Consume less calories than you burn (even if every single one of those calories comes in the form of cheese, chocolate or sticks of butter) and you will lose weight, guaranteed. No fancy foods necessary. No bank-breaking gym membership required, no pills, no special plans. Eat less calories than you use and you lose weight, which brings me to my point.

Yet another ridiculous (I know, there are many) article in the Daily Mail appeared yesterday about how Gwyneth Paltrow is a 'picture of health' because she's - quelle suprise - shed weight and her makeup artist has deftly placed some bronzer on her face and limbs. [As an aside, can I ask a question... is the only thing that merits putting a female in the press either losing or gaining weight?]

Of course, we all know thin does not necessarily mean healthy. I could blather on about it for ages but I won't. Believe the media and we should all look like stick insects. Consult Roman and Greek sculpture or, even better, anatomical guides for a more realistic ideal.

That sort of obsession... er, focus on controlling food leads to serious problems like eating disorders. Plus, it makes you insanely boring. Who wants to go to yet another dinner party with a girl who uses the reason that she's 'gluten intolerant' to touch nothing on her plate all night? That hardly shows a joie de vivre, does it? A dollop of goat's cheese on a bed of beets and lettuce with a glass of red wine is hardly bad for you. Unless you eat a truck load of it, your bum will not be expanding any time soon.

Want to regulate your weight in a healthy way? Do as the Japanese do (bless them and they're amazing eating habits) and eat until you're just 80% full. Brilliant.

Read the Daily Mail's article on Gwyneth's spartan regime, not fit for those who lead regular lives (although, I will admit that skin brushing feels good).

Freida Pinto to be face of L'Oreal

Hurrah... another non-white face to front L'Oreal campaigns, reports WWD. It was only a matter of time before this beauty was snapped up by a big beauty brand. She was fantastic in Slumdog Millionaire as Latika and, duh, she's a stunner. How many other Indian actresses front campaigns for globally recognised, international conglomerates? Well played, L'Oreal. Heading to India with my husband for several weeks is the second most anticipated part of our journey (Croatia, of course, is number one for me as always). I've never been but because he's Indian he been there loads and can do a little bit of tour guide role play for me!

My interest has always been piqued by Indian beauty rituals and I've had them on my mind ever since an article in The Times about Indian Beauty Secrets was published back in February. Tumerica, Buttermilk, Carrot, Chickpea, Rosewater, Geranium Leaf... Read the article here if you want to find out more.