Dr Victoria Lukats, psychiatrist and dating expert for PARSHIP.co.uk, understands how the old saying ‘love will come when least expected’ is no longer a viable reality for us when our lives are dominated by work. So, you know that reoccuring fantasy you have of bumping into a buff, professional, Brad Pitt look-alike in your local supermarket and locking eyes as you fumble over spilt groceries? Well, it may be worth substituting that fantasy with a subscription to eharmony. Because in a study of 11,000 people by Match.com, stats showed that after meeting your hubby at work/school (36%), or through a friend/family member (26%), you’re most likely to meet ‘the other half’ online (17%).

And even if you haven’t signed up to a website specifically for dating (match.com for example), how many of you can say, hand-on-heart, that you havent stalked a crush on facebook/twitter/myspace. The truth is, technology has changed the way we socialise. Asking round the office, 2 out of 4 of us admitted to dating someone who we previously had pursued (stalked) on facebook. The other 2 of us had stalked, but not successfuly dated. So 100% of us have used online resources for our romantic ‘research’.

On a bigger scale, in 2007 alone, 7.8 million UK singles signed up to a dating website hoping to find love. Men are dominating the cyber-dating stakes with over half of British men (52%) searching for love online. Women are not far behind, with just under half of British women (48%) actively seeking for the one.

Are we working against the law of nature in finding our soulmate on the net? Or is analysing a person’s profile a successful way of finding a romantic partner?

Last year we saw celebrities pushing the style-stakes up a notch with Amanda Holden in a gorgeous turquoise outfit that coincidentally matched the colour scheme of the Queen’s!

Kate Middleton was spotted looking as gorgeous as ever at this year’s Epsom Races. She wore a stunning beige and coffee-coloured ensemble with a more structured headpiece, in contrast to her usual choice of frilly headwear. Her Selfridges Nessie Tweed jacket by Joseph takes inspiration from Chanel’s signature look, revealing no cleavage to avoid any criticism from on-lookers. The jacket was worn over the delicate, floaty Reiss Peacock dress which, like the dress worn to meet the Obama’s, sold out. Teamed with LK Bennet shoes and gold clutch, Kate’s outfit has been praised for its sophistication and compared to Lady Di’s 1986 choice of dress to the Ascot Races.

Take cue from Kate and opt for an outfit with delicate beauty. Here are a few pointers to set you on your way:

Always wear a hat, its just the right thing to do. And whilst you’re at it, check the dress code on the official Royal Ascot website.

Make sure you check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly. Brollies at the ready, just in case.

Go for practical shoewear. Stilettos not advised! You don’t want to be sinking into grass. You’re going to be on your feet, so make sure those shoes are relatively comfortable!

Take wind into account: there is a time and a place for Marilyn Monroe moments, Royal Ascot is not one of them.

And make sure you have an absolutely Royal day!

But, this is no regular auction. The dresses will go to the bidder with the lowest bid that hasn’t already been bid by someone else. Apparently it’s called ‘lowest auction bid’ and it means that good ol’ regular people have just as much chance of winning as a billionare!

Are you girls going to bid? Would you like to get your paws on one of her twenty frocks?

Britney Spears has always been very honest about the amount of air-brushing her pictures had. She took this honesty to the next level when in April 2010 she insisted that pre-airbrushed pictures of her get released. The effect was momentous. We were all inspired by Britney’s bravery, and the funny thing was, most women agreed that her body was gorge pre-airbrush anyway!

In 2006 Dove began their Evolution campaign promoting the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. The fund believes that the next generation of women should grow up happy and comfortable in their skin, so they release thought-provoking ads. In 2006 Dove released an advert which rocked the globe, showing the process a model goes through to become the barbie-like image we see in the media. They have a fantastic website which is well worth looking at.  They’ve put together advice and motivational articles explaining how you can surround yourself with posititive and healthy images, to make you realise just how beautiful you are!

If you’ve ever tried Starbucks Skinny Blueberry muffins, then you’ll understand why I knight them as heaven on earth. They are moist, delicious, and highly-addictive. But at 304 calories per muffin, your waist-line isn’t, well, on the line.

The trick to make them so skinny? They use apple sauce instead of sugar and egg whites only, which is known to reduce the calories a great deal. Plus, the blueberries count as one of your five-a-day!

Here’s the recipe. Save some dough and make your own!

3 cups unbleached flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespn baking powder
1/2 teaspn salt
1 cup skim milk
2/3 cup applesauce or pureed pear or 1/3 cup melted margarine
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cup blueberries
vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend dry ingredients and set aside. Combine milk, apple or pear, egg whites and blend well. Add to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork until just blended. Gently fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin tins lightly sprayed with vegetable oil. Bake until golden brown. Makes 12 muffins.

That’s not all. They have sleepwear, swimwear and accessories for sale too. From babydolls to robes, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll want to tuck down in. This Black Garnet Swimsuit (top left) is a unique find and will be sure to make a statement pool-side this summer. The elaborate cut-out detail on the back compliments the front’s plunging V-line. Reduced by over 50%, this swimsuit at £64 is a keeper.

Myla are also selling Luxe travel guides at £2 which make the perfect token to give to a loved one who might be going on holiday this Summer.

A great find is this Black Spaced Floral Jumpsuit, which exudes seventies chic and its cinched waist and wide legs flatter most body shapes. For a modern twist on a fifties favourite try out this Ivory Oranges and Lemons Dress, which offers an adorable print with a sexy silhouette. And, if your feet deserve a treat, these Tan 70’s Cork Platforms are the perfect shoes to compliment the trends of the season.

So, what are you waiting for..? Simply go to DorothyPerkins.com to start shopping!

By Kate Vine

For statement pieces, the best way to go is Zara, where there is a variety of simple shift dresses which let the colour do the talking. This summer essential in coral is great basis for your bright look at only £39.99, or if you’re after something a bit more flamboyant, go for this flamingo pink frilly dress for the same price.

If you’re more into separates, Dorothy Perkins offers some great options. Swing tops are bang on trend and Dotty Ps has a wide range of colours for you to choose from for only £20; this blue shade works well with clashing yellows or leopard prints. Furthermore, bright trousers are back on trend this summer. Try out these Red Kick Flare Trousers if you are feeling daring – now only £17.

For those who want to go all out in brights, or just want to add a touch of colour to their wardrobe, there are plenty of accessories to go for too. The best place for high street accessories, partly for your bright ensemble, is Accessorize. This vintage style clutch is a steal at £25, and for a day bag this bright red tote is a great find. If you are after some bright shoes to add sparkle to your look, River Island offers the best of high street footwear; try these Pink Strappy Sandals for the night time or these Yellow T-bar Sandals to brighten up your day.

By Kate Vine

The ASOS mid-season sale is always a treat and the current one is no different. You can grab an assortment of super-cheap purchases, or grab a designer dress for often under half the original price. A great find is this Vila Pleated Dress, which is an original take on the LBD while the pleats are bang on trend. These Chino Trousers are also a savvy buy; at only £13 they are a bargain way to take your wardrobe all the way through to the autumn.

The Dorothy Perkins mid-season sale is also a good place to splash the cash – the items are still very much one trend but at last season price. This Tie-dye Maxi Dress is perfect for summer style, with its stand out colours and its long length you will be the belle of the daytime ball. This sale is particularly good for the shoes too: these 70’s Cork Platform Sandals are beautifully chic and would work for summer days…and summer nights.

Finally, if this weekend is causing a ‘I have nothing to wear’ drama, the AX Paris sale offers great night out looks for less. This One Shoulder Sequin Dress is a timeless piece perfect for any night out, and there are a variety of other dresses from casual to maxi to suit perfect to join you out on the town.

So don’t save your pennies for the end of the season, jump in now while the trends are still hot and you’ll be sizzling all the way through ‘til Autumn.

As much as we all love going out for meals and experiencing foods from around the world, we know it can be expensive… but this no longer has to be the case. Here at chiconomise HQ we’ve discovered Toptable. Toptable is a great website where you can not only book some of the best and most famous celeb restaurants around online, but many of these restaurants have special deals available exclusively to Toptable customers. These range from 50% off your food bill, to two-for- one deals. As well as these offers you will also receive reward points for every restaurant booked (200 for each), which you can eventually redeem for a free meal. With free meals starting at just 1400 points, you only need to book six times to receive one(you receive 200 points automatically for joining). Fab!

Toptable not only has great deals for restaurants all over England (both local and cities), but it also has international offers for cities such as New York and Paris. So if you’re taking a trip why not book a restaurant in advance to save heaps. You can also read restaurant reviews from customers who have used the exclusive deals, so it’s like having your very own personal worldwide restaurant guide.

Here are a couple of examples of the restaurants you can choose from:

If you’re looking for high-end Thai cuisine then the Mango Tree in West London is for you. This Thai Restaurant is just a stones throw away from Buckingham Palace, so not only can you enjoy the great location in the heart of London, but you can also have an amazing discounted meal with 50% off your food bill. If you want something more casual, then Roadhouse in Covent Garden is great fun. This retro American inspired diner is great for laid-back dining, and houses a late night bar with Dj’s playing every evening (open till 3am). Here you can also receive 50% off your food bill as well as being able to dance the night away.

As well as booking restaurants with Toptable, you can also book theatre tickets and hotels around the world at amazing prices, check out the Toptable website to see available offers. All you need to do to receive these great offers on restaurants, hotels and theatre tickets is sign up to Toptable, which takes two minutes, and you can start booking straight away.

By Joanne Mason