Saturday 5 December 2015

From cancer victim to champion female bodybuilder - how Sandi Birkett became Ms Britain



A MUM who battled against cancer and was reduced to a frail six-and-a-half stone has just been crowned Ms Britain after hitting the gym and building a jaw-droppingly muscly physique.

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Gearing up for Christmas: Motoring presents for all budgets



Hoping for a set of supercar keys under the tree this year? Nat Barnes looks at motoring presents for all budgets

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Alesha Disxon on Text Santa: It’s important to lend your time to causes that help others



ALESHA Dixon and the Text Santa team are back with a star-packed TV spectacular to raise cash for children’s charities.

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Prey star Sammy Winward : I’ve been acting my socks off



EX EMMERDALE star Sammy Winward plays a kidnap victim in a gripping new ITV thriller with Philip Glenister.

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The Saturdays' Vanessa White: I don't diet- I love my food



SINGER Vanessa White, 26, reveals her beauty and style secrets.

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Lottie London, Jack Wills and Urban Decay: The best beauty gifts for young adults



TEENAGERS and young adults will love these pretty beauty gifts.

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Where are they now... ? The Osmonds



JIMMY Osmond was the youngest member of the Osmond pop music family.

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From fairy lights to mistletoe: Alan Titchmarsh on setting up your house for Christmas



THE party season is almost here and this year make sure yours begins at your front door.

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Oliver Bonas, New Look and Folli Follie: The best Christmas presents for women



FIND the perfect gift for her in our compilation.

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Trevor McDonald on Las Vegas: There’s a brutal underside to life there



BAFTA-winning journalist Sir Trevor McDonald explores the seedy underbelly of one of the world’s most glamorous cities, Las Vegas.

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French Connection, Asos and River Island: The best sequin outfits for Christmas



SPARKLE this Christmas in sequins.

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Luther's Idris Elba: I lost my dad two years ago and I’ve still not mourned that



BRINGING BBC1’s hit detective show back was far from easy, says Idris Elba.

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Chocolate wafers and ginger cookies: Edible Christmas gifts



WHY rush to the shops when you could create the perfect present in your kitchen?

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Accessorize,Topshop and Dorothy Perkins: The best things we want this week



THERE'S something for every budget in this week's must-haves.

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From Sherlock to Downton Abbey: Ten dramas you must see this Christmas



THERE'S a sackful of great drama to watch this Christmas. We’ve chosen the best…

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A berry Christmas: Alan Titchmarsh on collecting presents from your garden



THE GARDEN can be your own Santa’s grotto when it comes to presents and decorations this Yuletide.

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Chat show host Graham Norton: Interviews can go south quite quickly



IRISH chat show host Graham was a comedian and actor before making a splash as Father Noel Furlong in the sitcom Father Ted in 1996.

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Friday 4 December 2015

How to step your dream garden up for Christmas



THE PARTY season is getting under way so make sure yours begins at your front door.

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The Saturday briefing: Knowledge is power



Is there anything you are desperately yearning to know? Are there any pressing factual disputes you would like us to help resolve? This is the page where we shall do our best to answer any questions you throw at us, whatever the subject.

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Six of the best: Wonderful walking boots



THE EXPRESS brings you six of the best pairs of walking boots that you can buy today.

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Gift guide 2016: What to buy him, her and the food-lover in your life



IT'S that time of year again, and this weekend is predicted to be the biggest weekend for Christmas shopping.

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Things Every Blogger Should Have




The basic blogger’s kit

Trust me, every blogger’s setup is different and as you learn and expand your skills as a blogger things might change, but here are a few items that I think every blogger needs to start out and a few points you might actually considered.

Camera
What would a blog post be without images? I’m not going to recommend a specific make and model as not everyone needs the same thing. There is a large variety of equipment out there to suit every budget and need so it does depend on your skill level and dedication.

I personally use the Canon 700d with a Sigma 18-35 1.8 lens, but that’s just my preferred set up. I’d really recommend researching cameras and learning how to use them properly. Check the photography tips section for some basic tips on blogging photography. 

Two things to certainly keep in mind when thinking about investing in a camera are, first of all, that flip out screens are SO handy when taking self shots and setting up scenes. Secondly, I’d recommend investing in extra lenses for your camera, as that what makes the camera “see” and can improve the quality infinitely compared to buying an expensive body.

However, for starting out you could probably even get away with just using the camera on your smartphone. Whilst it might not be the best solution, at least you will have something to start with. When you get to the point that you are ready to commit to blogging, then it might be time to look for professional camera options to take your blog to the next level.

Spare Battery 
There is nothing worse than setting up a pretty bloggable scene than turning on your camera and seeing the dreaded red battery bar. Keep a charged backup within arms reach at all times! I actually have three spare batteries for both my vlogging camera and my main camera. This way I dont get caught out. Some Cameras even have AC sockets and plugs that you can use to power your camera without needing the battery to be charged. It reminds me that I must buy one for my new camera actually!

Tripod and a Remote 
An absolute blogging must have. The tripod can be used to take self shots, reducing the shaky hand syndrome, and a remote adds a hands-free approach to your photo taking. You can pick up remotes for most cameras and once you get one it’ll change your life.

External Hard drive
I cannot stress how important this is, both for blogging and non-blogging things! After a laptop crash and loosing all my precious files in 2010, I forever worry about my computer dying and losing everything, including my years and years of photographs and videos. Having an external hard drive in your blogging arsenal is an absolute must have. Religiously back up your important files as you never know when you might need them. 

Extra Memory Cards
Having one 32GB card is simple not enough, well unless you're super diligent about deleting files that you've transferred to your computer. Me on the other hand is useless at this so I always have a backup of memory cards on hand. These can be picked up super cheap on Amazon these days so well worth investing in a few!

Notebooks

Sometimes writing things down by putting pen to paper is a better way to keep your thoughts together than scrambling to write them all down in your smartphones’ note section. Keep all your creative ideas in the same place so you can refer back to them as and when you need a spark of inspiration.

Portable Charger
Tbh, I'd recommend everyone getting one of these if they are a blogger or not. When you spot a fire Instagram opportunity and you have decide between taking that snap or being able to call your Dad for a lift home. Keeping a portable charger on hands means you're constantly powered up and dont have to scramble for the nearest Starbucks to plug in your phone!





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The MOST romantic proposal snap ever? Photographer happens upon Brit couple's engagement



IF EVER there was a perfect wedding proposal, it's this - but do YOU know this British couple?

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Food poisoning causes 125,000 child deaths every YEAR



ON top of millions of days lost in productivity food poisoning kills 125,000 children each year, a shocking new report has found.

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7 reasons to buy a Range Rover Evoque



There are plenty of reason why the Evoque is Land Rover’s fastest-selling model. Here are just seven of them:

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