Fashion, Beauty and... Banking

It's been a bit of a whirlwind since we launched the International Life magazine and the www.internationallife.tv website both at once within the last month. The project is very diverse - containing fashion, psychology, beauty, business and more. A delirious mix of blogs and galleries.

There's been so much interest, I feel quite deluged with entertaining blog posts for the site. Today, I received with some trepidation a sustained riff on the subject of the connection between sub-prime and our very own bank meltdown in the UK. It kicks off with the classic lines:

'So how does a bare-chested lady, stumbling out of her trailer in Nevada, tin of Bud in hand, cause a run on the bank in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne? Well, she may have got her trousers back on, the only thing she owns without credit, but the rest of the world's financial system has been caught hopping, reaching for their ankles - and while they do so, the sight's not going to be pretty.' Read more at www.internationallife.tv/cityinsider.

Purely metaphorical of course, but it's hurting isn't it? It feels almost as if Christmas has been cancelled if you read the papers, but the new Westfield shopping centre in West London - built on a formerly derelict slice of land just down the road from my house, was heaving with happy customers on Sunday. It is so difficult to know what is really happening.

The other post I put up today, which is another one of those pieces of writing that gives you a lightbulb moment: in this case, the absurdity of fine tights having the lifespan of a gnat.

And lastly, another lightbulb moment from our relationships psychology blogger Susie Ambrose - your inner child is simply not welcome at the Christmas feast, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and grow up! I must say it was horribly exposing of some long-maintained glittery imaginings of my own and pulled me up short. Have a look at www.internationallife.tv.LoveatChristmas.

I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks, as it is all on public display now, and not just private dreams.