Get Closer every day!
Welcome to the brand spanking new Closer Online blog.
The wondrous web team that is Louise, left, and Olivia, right, will be posting every day with all the goss from the Closer office.
We’ll be discussing what’s hot, what’s not and, of course, asking for YOUR opinions on the stories making the headlines.
Plus we’ll be filling you in on the latest from Closer Online and Closer Diets – to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Posted by Louise Jupp
Fancy a giggle or indeed a hearty guffaw? Then take my advice and watch this hiiiii-larious video of Tom Cruise throwing some shapes during an appearance on Black Entertainment Television.
Yes, yes, I know it’s an oldie but it’s a goodie! And if you’ve ever needed confirmation that Mr Cruise is down with the kids, then it’s vital you see this.
I’m not sure what’s funnier, the fact Tom looks so incredibly out of place in his stacked heels and a sensible suit, or that he seems to be busting out some sort of ‘air motorbike’ move?
Bless Tom, he always gets into the spirit of things doesn’t he. They’ll be some ferocious ‘dad dancing’ at Suri’s wedding, no doubt about that!
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Posted by Olivia Ebeling
So... Friday 13th, eh? The 'doom and gloom' date is a fitting way to end a week that has, quite frankly, been all over the shop!
Closer HQ has been manic, the weather has been rather hideous and I've come down with a cold... so I think it is fair to blame one of the afore-mentioned (or actually all of them) for the fact that I have failed my healthy eating regime in spectacular style!
Chocolate, crisps, booze... you name it, I have been stuffing my face with it! My personalised Closerdiets meal plan has been left abandoned and I am positively dreading my weekly weigh - in reminder, because the amount of calories I have consumed this week equals the national income of a small country!
So, to get back on track and cheer myself up a bit I decided to try a new beauty treatment that has been causing quite a buzz in the cosmetic industry of late.
The Collin Diet Kick Start Treatment is said to be the perfect way to start a new weight loss regime, especially if you have a more significant amount to lose. It is designed to stimulate your circulation as well as your lymphatic and digestive systems, which means it is also a great way to fight even stubborn cellulite.
The treatment started with a stimulating sea salt scrub which got rid of any dead skin cells and got my circulation going. I then enjoyed a gentle lymphatic drainage massage which helps to remove all the toxins I have spent weeks putting into my body.
The next part of the treatment was a non-invasive Colonic irrigation massage - yes, I know what you're thinking, but I can assure you there were no watering-hoses or rubber gloves involved!! The therapist basically performed some very gentle massaging movements over my abdomen to improve digestion and the general functioning of the intestine and colon. Sounds scarier than it is, honest!
The last part of the treatment was a lower body-wrap, which meant that I was smothered with a very refreshing (read: cold) paste consisting of Algo Marine Powder (Seaweed, I suspect) and a cooling concentrate that accelerates the draining process. The low temperature of the mask means that the body has to heat up, and, in the process, burns calories.
After fifteen minutes the mask had dried into a rubber-like consistency and could simply be peeled off! The last stage of the treatment saw the Collin Draining Balm being massaged into the skin to encourage long-term water drainage and improve the skin's structure.
After 60 minutes of pampering I have to say I felt totally invigorated and refreshed - and utterly chilled out. To be honest, I'm finding it a bit hard to worry about deadlines and meetings right now... what a perfect way start to the weekend!
For more information on prices and salon locations go to www.collin.ltd.uk
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Posted by Olivia Ebeling
You might have noticed that the Closer Online team are quite partial to a bit of Girls Aloud - in fact, speaking for myself, GA are my favourite thing after Ham, Cheese and Pickle sandwiches - so you can imagine how delighted I was to stumble across a documentary about our fave girl band on Channel 5 last night.
Girls Aloud: Where Did It All Go Right? tried to find out how exactly five rather chavvy girls who won a reality TV talent contest turned, against all odds, into Britain's biggest girl band.
Delving deep into the archives of showbiz history, the programme treated Girls Aloud fans to exclusive video footage of Kimberley and Nadine performing in school plays, photos of a gap-toothed Cheryl as a child model and insights into Sarah and Nicola's lives before they were famous.
My favourite bit, however, was an old clip from Ghost Hunting With Girls Aloud, when the fab five joined Yvette Fielding to explore various haunted locations in 2006.
Cheryl Cole has turned into a massive super star in the last year, but the programme really reminded me just why I love her so much. Whilst Nicola ran out of the building at the first sign of ghostly activity and Sarah turned into an emotional wreck, feisty Chezza was having none of it and actually picked a fight with a ghost.
Well known for being gobby, this is classic Cheryl at her best - first she takes the mickey out of a petrified Sarah before turning on the unsuspecting spirit, telling him 'to tap the f***in' table' if he is present.
I love this clip so much I thought I'd share it with you - watch from 1:20 minutes to see Mrs Cole take on the evil spirit of the squire!
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Posted by Louise Jupp
Jeez! Have you seen the make-under pics of Jodie Marsh? It’s amazing what a bit of slap – or in this case lack of slap – can do for a woman. I think she looks so much better ‘natural’. 
What do you reckon? I interviewed Jodie twice when I worked for a newspaper and I was surprised to discover she’s actually very pretty.
For the first interview I met her for breakfast in a café in the East End of London and she was wearing next to no make-up and had her hair tied back sensibly. I returned to the office and raved to my colleagues about how demure she is in real life.
The second time I met her was in our newspaper office and she turned up for the 9am interview direct from a night out, absolutely caked in slap and wearing an outfit that left .. erm … little to the imagination shall we say!
It’s fair to say my workmates ribbed me for weeks for defining Ms Marsh’s style as ‘demure’. You can watch the results of Jodie’s makeover on Monday, February 23 on BBC3 at 8.30pm on Snog Marry Avoid.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Posted by Louise Jupp
Hoorah it’s Tuesday! So, why the heck am I so excitable on a cold, bleak, winter’s afternoon? It’s a fair question. Well, the reason I’m excited is because the latest edition of the magazine is out, that’s why! I’ve always been a big fan of Closer, even before I joined the team and had to say that. The juicy showbiz news, the weird and wonderful real life stories, the celebrity dieters – what’s not to love? 
So, you can imagine my extreme excitement when I began working here last year and had the chance to read my fave magazine before it hit the newsstands!
This week’s issue, out today, is as fabulous as ever. Our exclusive interview with Kate Thornton – in which she says she’ll never speak to Simon Cowell again - was picked up by the newspapers today. And quotes from our chat with Alex Curran, in which she discussed how the credit crunch is affecting her and Steven, are everywhere too. It’s brilliant to see our magazine making the headlines!
Have you enjoyed this week's mag? If you’ve not picked up a copy yet, then what are you waiting for?!
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