Meet the Team
Welcome to our website!
If you’re a regular reader of Essentials magazine, you’ll know what we’re all about, but for those who have just discovered us, let us tell you what you’ve been missing from the UK’s fastest-growing women’s mag!
Every month, our small, talented team gives you affordable fashion, step-by-step beauty and uplifting reader stories, plus Make It Easy – our unique pull-out-and-keep section which will solve all your food dilemmas, with easy, mouthwatering recipes for weekday dinners, food for friends, baking and puds. Yum!
And all that for just £2.90. Pick up a copy today, but in the meantime, say hello to the Essentials team…
Back row (from left):
Phil Mundy – freelance food writer
Lucy Turner – Style Director
Clodagh Dunne – freelance feature writer
Victoria Richards – Sub Editor
Claire McCall – Senior Designer
Sue Linford – Chief Sub/Production Editor
Middle row (from left):
Lee Fennell – Deputy Chief Sub-editor
Fiona Galley – Lifestyle Writer
Jules Barton-Breck – Editor
Stuart Thomas – Creative Director
Jennifer Bedloe – Food Editor
Angela Cooke – Features Editor
Sarah Cooper-White – Beauty Editor
Front row (from left):
Tracey Pocock – Picture Editor
Olivia Stoddart – freelance fashion assistant
Lindsey Baker – Deputy Fashion Editor
Lucie Tobin – Deputy Editor
Becky Brannigan – Art Editor
Contact us:
Thank you all for this great one in all magazine.I never miss it every month. I’m an English teacher at high school in my country,and would like to send you some articles if possible.Wish you all the best.
I love your magazine especially the giveaways which to my delight i have won twice in the last 3 months – thanks very much x
Hi, I have a subscription and I’m trying to find out how to let you know I’ve moved. Help!
Hello Julia
Call our Subscription people on 0845 676 7778 and they’ll be able to help you.
Regards
Lee
I have just bought Essentials and think it’s the best magazine I’ve seen for a long time and will subscribe soon. In the latest edition in your beauty section two readers recommended using castor oil for rubbing into your cuticles and rubbing on your eye lashes. The lady in Boots said Castor Oil was banned, so where do I get it from?
Hello Angela
Pukka Herbs are a good brand to try. If you do a search for its organic castor oil, you should be able to find it, or you can go to Victoria Health (http://www.victoriahealth.com) who sells it for £7.15 (plus p&p).
Hi
I absoultely love your magazine and read it from cover to cover then dip into it all month until the next one comes out. I love the French Vintage cushion which is featued on page 17 of your October issue but can’t find it in my local Tesco. Tesco Direct don’t sell it either. Have you got any idea which Tesco may stock it. I live in Greater Manchester (West).
Thanks
Diana
Hello Diana
We spoke to Tesco and they say that the cushion has been selling very well (it’s available in larger stores), so it may be a couple of weeks before they get new stock in. The cushion will be available all season, though, so they suggest asking your local store’s customer services team (take the page along with you, for reference).
Regards
Lee
I was reading your October Essentials Magazine and on page 34 there was a teal blouse i liked and you stated it was from Next so off I went to Next and it was nowhere to be seen so i asked an assistant who looked in Next Directory and all around the shop but with no luck. I even checked on line but with no luck. Can you be of any help locating this blouse? Regards Janice
Hello Janice
You’ll find the blouse at http://www.next.co.uk/x4858s3#962132×48. For the shoot, our stylists turned the blouse around with the buttons at the front, as they preferred it that way. This is probably why you couldn’t match it to anything in the directory!
Regards
Lee
I have been trying to buy origins spot remover blemish treatment pads without any success, I could not even find them on origins web page any ideas where to buy this product please?
Hello Kim
We have spoken to the Origins UK Press Office regarding your query and unfortunately Origins has had an issue with the distribution and delivery of the Spot Remover Pads and it’s currently awaiting a new on-counter date. It recommends Origins Super Spot Remover as the best alternative – this contains salicylic acid, which cleans the pores and allows bacteria to be neutralised so the treatment process can begin.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Lee
Hi I have just been reading this months mag , and read the article about biro/ink leaking into handbags or leather sofas , you suggested wiping with liquid, but the best thing to try is a little bit of hairspray on the mark, then rub gently (test on a area that cannot be seen first) I have tried this and it really works ,hope this helps
I really enjoy Essentials – it’s great for women of all ages, and has been invaluable for me and my young family. However,when reading this month about a day in the diet of a vegetarian reader, I was disappointed and surprised that your food&drink editor called her vegetarian when she eats fish. This is a common misconception. Basically, a true vegetarian eats nothing that had a face. Best Wishes – Elisa
Re your November issue. The Xmas Cake recipe. Is the oven setting Fan assisted or do I have to drop it 20 degrees to 130C to be fan?
Hello
All our oven temps are non-fan assisted, so yes, drop the temp by 20 degrees if you’re using a fan oven.
Hope you enjoy the results!
Lee
In Novembers edition there is a gorgeous grey sparkle jumper.It was in the New Trends section from Marks & Spencer priced £39.50.Sequins in bands down to the hemline.(model is wearing a scarf from Tesco)I have been tryng to track this down. The head office have given me a product code which is incorrect and my local store have no sign. Where on earth did you find it
Hello Julia
I spoke to our fashion department and they told me that it is due in M&S stores mid-November. Unfortunately, M&S can’t supply a line number at present.
Best wishes
Lee
Hi ESSENTIALS TEAM
Just thought I would send you my poem, as a 49 year old, I get so frustrated that I am invisible now in the eyes of the younger generation, even though we still want to be fashionable
In 82 I,d shop in Top Shop
Top Shop was my scene
Fluffy jumpers and jumbo cords
In various shades of pink and green
In the 90,s things were all dance
In crop tops and mini,s in the fitting room I,d prance
My hipsters were daring, my belly all bare
No love handles or saggy bits
Just my skinny frame, men would stop and stare
Now it,s 2012 and I want to shop in Top Shop
But somehow I,m not allowed
I want to be trendy, of my curves I now am proud
But please assistant in Top Shop
I was once like you
I don,t want to upset you
But all this will come to you!
Well, I WILL GO IN TOP SHOP
I will not let my age group down!
I will stand my ground
I WILL WEAR THE LATEST FASHION
Before I give the woollen mill my pound!
Thanks for making us laugh, Sandra. We hope your 2012 fashion shopping is not too traumatic!
Jules asked in March 2012 edition for’favourite sayings’ mine is ‘We can ask for nothing more than to love and be loved.’
RE: Ellie Daniels, March cover girl.
I’ve been toying with the idea of having my hair cut short for a while but have never been brave enough to take the plunge. However after recently losing 3 stone and seeing your feature on Ellie I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did, I’m now a converted shortie. New hair, new me! Thank you for finally helping me to make up my mind!!
love your mag and the new look, especially the ‘real’ models but would be helpful to know sizes/height. Also, i have tried several times to subscribe to weekly email but never get them. any ideas how to rectify this please. keep up the good work jules & team
Just got the May issue of Essentials and I LOVE your model for ‘New Trends’. Clothes look great and she is lovely.