Musical Interlude

Following on from yesterday’s overshare of a blog, I feel this song pushes all the right buttons.

Not only does Rihanna sum up what pretty much all women want, but she does it whilst rocking some serious looks too.

I’ll be honest, when I first saw the new (long) do, I wasn’t sure.

But I think it provides a more mainstream alternative to the undercut haircut she was previously sporting; making those high-fashion looks we’ve come to know and expect from the superstar a lot more palatable.

Either way I love this song and will profess to knowing an awful lot of the words already!

Turn it up and bob along!

A Man Diet

NB: Characters in this piece are entirely factual. If you recognise yourself it probably is you.

I’ve always considered myself more of a Samantha.

Since my early teens I had an easy (no not in that way!) relationship with boys. This was aided by the 2 to 1 ratio of boys to girls at my school; providing an ocean of talent. Also meaning that my first boyfriend was cockily described as “the one who got their first”.

I was always the one who wore the trousers in a relationship. My friends labelled me as “independent”, whilst my Mother called it just plain “mean”. Her catch-phrase became “I do feel sorry for [insert name here]” as one by one they learnt that it was my way or the…you get the idea.

But soon enough I was more Smug Married than Single Girl on the Street as I moved from one long-term relationship to another through school and into university. We’ll call this my Charlotte phase. I was happy in my little cocoons of love, but as a wise friend questioned, “Ever heard of a little thing called personal growth MacDonald?”

And so after the last heart-break I thought maybe it was time to dust Samantha off again and see if she still fit.

Summer following graduation was my single Summer of fun. Armed with a cute clutch in one hand, and my partner in crime, a fellow singleton with a similar agenda in the other, we roamed our local area looking for mischief, and often found it; gaining an infamous but affectionate reputation for being “trouble-makers”.

At the time it was about us girls going out, having fun and sticking it to the man (or men, whatever!). We did meet guys and there were a few numbers exchanged, but not hearing from them again was never the end of the world.

In just 3 months, I had got through a car crash, got into my Masters course, and navigated three new jobs with the support of just my friends and family and no boy there to hold my hand. It felt refreshing, empowering and I was almost a little sad I hadn’t tried it a little earlier.

And then the loneliness kicked in.

In my head I’d done the independent bit and now really wanted someone to share it with.

Nights out took on a hunter-gatherer element as I looked for…ok not necessarily ‘The One’, I’d have just been happy ‘With One’! Numbers given but not used would lead to an entire morning-after deconstruction of what went wrong, or more importantly what I’d done wrong.

Despite often shrugging it off, more and more conversations with (happily coupled up) friends would be about boys, or my current lack of. To them my Summer had seemed like the most fun ever, some even seemed envious, with only one friend giving me that look when I told her that the reason a guy hadn’t called was because he clearly had “maturity issues”. Gently she tried to tell me that I’d been through so much this Summer that bringing a boy into the equation was not what I needed.

The Miranda-esque determination I’d used to get through the Summer was now being used to find a man.

This only seemed to get worse when I started my Masters. The gruelling schedule, living in a new city, being away from home again, ongoing solicitors papers-All I really wanted was someone I could call at the end of the day and let off steam to.

The only people I had been able to meet at my new University were the (albeit lovely) people on my course. But even then I was disappointed to note that girls were definitely in the majority of my class, with only a handful of boys. Being on the outskirts of London meant I had loads of friends living in the city, but it was impossible finding the time to see them and not fall victim to the curse of the Metropolitan line; a line so unreliable I often believe it’s powered using Flintstone-esque feet-power.

It all came to a head this week.

Having been wined and dined and then dropped like a hot potato by a potential suitor and former friend; Gently let down by a boy who felt there hadn’t been ‘a connection’, and the news that my Lobster (Friends episode 2.14) is temporarily touching claws with an Angelina Jolie of a fish (think Lola in Shark Tale, only frustratingly nice to boot!), I found myself shedding a few frustrating tears in the toilets. NB: This was after a night of no sleep and report-writing, not just because I’m pathetic!

I’d become Carrie – But not the style icon (I wish!), the jilted-crying-in-a-room-with-the-curtains-closed-because-I’m-never-going-to-find-love Carrie. This would not do.

And it was there, whilst being comforted by a pal that I remembered an article I’d read in this weeks Grazia about a woman who had gone on a “Man Diet”. The article, written by 28-year old Zoe Strimpel, author of What The Hell Is He Thinking?: All The Questions You’ve Ever Asked About Men Answered, had struck a nerve when reading it, and now seemed like the perfect answer to my little problem.

The Diet Plan:

1. No heavy-handed pursuit.

2. When talking to friends, do not give a man update unless asked, and then, only briefly.

3. The primary objective of your social activity cannot be about meeting men (when you go out, it’s to have fun with your mates, to dance and eat good food-NOT to get picked up).

4. Do not initiate contact with men, or secure their info via such means as Facebook stalking.

5. When you meet a man, just enjoy yourself the interaction and do not allow yourself to obsess about the future.

6. Become absorbed in something else, such as reading a good book or yoga, instead of nights out drinking and chasing men.

7. Think about your own stature as a woman as much as possible, eg an achievement you are proud of.

Some of these rules will be easier than others, some don’t quite apply to me, all I do know is that having written this (cringingly open) post I’m going to have no choice but to stick with the diet!

Wish me luck and keep reading for updates on my diet progress!

An Education in Crime

As the title suggests this week has been somewhat of an education.

– What can one possibly be educated about in crime?

I’ve never really had anything to do with crime, the police, or in fact anyone associated with crime.

I was once pulled over as part of a sting on drink-driving in my local town, Hertford. Despite it being the night before my A-level results came out, and having been drinking only water all night, I still drove away feeling very shaky after my (non) brush with the law.

As part of our course we were sent on an outting to the Old Bailey.

Interestingly I was not alone in my nerves. Meeting outside St. Pauls underground we all shuffled our feet, a little unsure what to expect.

We ended up sitting in on a murder trial.

At first none of us really understood what was going on, the case seemed to get lost in amongst the technical jargon employed by the members of the court. It was only after a physical description of the murder itself we realised the severity of the case we were sitting in on.

It was a confusing experience-We were glad to have found such a good case, but at the same time struggled with the reality of the things we were hearing. You wondered if the jargon used by the barristers allowed them to distance themselves from the things they were describing.

After a brief lunch break I returned to court to listen to witness statements at the same trial.

Again it was confusing, and almost disturbing to listen to the witnesses be cross-examined and match up each suspected crime with the men sat behind the plastic screen. Looking around the spectators gallery, I couldn’t help but wonder who there was family.

Then not days later, I became a victim of crime as I fell prey to a London pick-pocket.

While only my phone was stolen between tubes at a busy Underground station, I couldn’t help thinking that this was the side of London my limited experience, and perhaps naivety, had sheltered me from.

I’m never going to be one of those people ruled by fears over safety but let’s just say this week definitely taught me a thing or two.

And as my Mum said: “It’s not too late to go to Law School if the Journalism thing doesn’t work out!”

Cheers Mum!

Grazia: “No outfit is complete without a hat.”

Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to attend a Grazia/Hoss Intropia event to celebrate Hoss Intropia’s flagship store on Regent Street, London.

Attending any event is always a bit of a wardrobe minefield, but knowing I was going to a Grazia event made deciding what to wear impossible! For those faithful readers amongst you, you will be interested to hear that I did go with a predominantly Next outfit!

The store itself was beautiful, punctuated with clothes I yearned to own. As their website states, Hoss Intropia seeks ‘to create real and varied fashion for real flesh and blood women.’ And a walk-through of a few of the Grazia team’s favourite items showed exactly how they do this.

Crombie coats trimmed with Victoriana lace; Full length dresses in jewel colours, wrapped around the body in order to create a silhouette both flattering and unique; Sequined cover ups highlighting how Christmas party fashion has moved on from the “garish reds and greens of last year and into something a lot more autumnal,” explained Grazia’s fashion team.

Hmm now for the prices. whilst they did make my eyes water slightly (think £370 for a dress and cover-up all-in-one), the quality, cut and colouring of the clothes definitely appealed to the cost-per-wear part of my brain.

Accessories were a different story. Quirky 20’s-style hats, embellished cuffs and ornate bangles set off the splendour of Hoss Intropia clothes perfectly and with purse-friendly price tags that made you realise how much accessories can make an outfit.

With a fear of unsightly umbrella’s, I’ve been stressing out over trying to find the hat for this season. Enlisting the help of Grazia girls Sophie Ferguson-Jones and Hannah Almassi who’s mantra is John Galliano’s declaration that-“No outfit is complete without a hat”-I bought a cute blue and grey striped part-beanie, part-cap structured little number.

Leaving the event with a goodie bag full to the brim with a Leighton Denny voucher, this weeks Grazia and a Hoss Intropia umbrella (I knooow!); stuffed with vegetable crisps, olives and a never-ending supply of Cava as well as a deep red manicure, I was a very happy Grazia girl!

Complete with this season’s chicest hat!

A Love letter to Boris

What is it about Boris Jonson, Mayor of London that makes me swoon?

Leaving Mayor’s Questions at City Hall last week, I whispered to my classmate “I think I love him,“ drawing a gasp from my tutor who was stood behind us as she looked at me incredulously.

But on the journey home it emerged that I was not alone in my political crush.

There was something about that silly red-faced man with his silly floppy hair that seemed to have bewitched all the women on my course.

Yes we all agreed that his answers, whilst poetic, lacked some substance. At times he was even accused of using a tone close to “bullying” by Chair Dee Doocey.

Yet even she reprimanded him in a manner befitting a naughty schoolboy.

Scoffing at the mention of “Peace deals” with Transport For London’s union leaders; Visibly struggling to suppress yawns, and placating Assembly Members with purrs of “I do so love it when we argue,” Bozza seemed more like one of us mere mortals than a stuffy politician, and certainly not the Mayor of London.

But after the umpteenth repetition that he “would look into it,” and hollow reiteration that London’s Underground was “one of the safest in Europe, if not the world,” it became clear that Assembly Members were starting to tire of his charade with members apologising to the viewing public about the Assembly meeting’s descent into chaos.

When asked afterwards is meetings were always as classroom-esque as the one I’d just witnessed, Victoria Borwick, councillor in Kensington and Chelsea told me: “All of the Assembly Members were texting each other asking ‘why’s [Boris] being so obnoxious?’.”

Everyone loves a joker but perhaps time and place are key terms in this situation.

But for anyone still unable to understand my crush, just watch this montage of Boris’s “Funny Bits” at the Tory Conference, held in Manchester in 2009.

I’m not usually a blonde’s girl, but in this case..!

Have a Heart: A visit to Heart FM

As part of the Global Radio network, and with 18 stations across the country, Heart Radio receives 7.3million listeners a week; making it the flagship station for the biggest commercial radio network in the UK.

Heart London 106.2

The recent amalgamation of the Sussex and Kent newsrooms at Heart Sussex means that News broadcasters Charlie O’Brien and Tim Humphries now broadcast 168 local bulletins a week, including hourly broadcasts between 6am and 6pm-as Charlie told us “the 4am starts are the worst!”

So how has Heart overcome its criticism for replacing local radio stations?

As Tim admits “we’ve received a lot of flack” and whilst the station was in danger of “becoming like Woolworth’s”, the focus on local news, punctuated with national stories is what has kept the listeners loyal.

“Mum’s are the bullseye”

Hearts target audience are listeners aged between 25 and 44, their focus being women between 30 and 39 years old. To make sure their news is relevant, Tim told us he simply heads to the school gates to find out what issues the Mum’s are talking about. This way they’re able to make news bulletins which cater to their audiences needs.

But with such a large region to cover, Tim and Charlie have their work cut out for them to ensure their news remains both interesting and inclusive. “Mum is the bullseye,” says Tim “but the kids and husband are outer rings. If they don’t like it the channel gets changed.”

They achieve this by selecting stories that are “topical, showbiz, local, active and of interest to our listeners,” explains Charlie. And quite often you get stories which cover local and national news margins. Charlie told us her most memorable story included being sent out to do a live commentary on the Tour de France when it passed through Kent.

Active Listeners

And if there was ever any danger of Tim and Charlie missing a story, you can bet a listener will call in to tell them about it-“we get calls all the time” say the pair.

It seems like this is the secret behind the team’s success. In looking to serve the Sussex/Kent community news that’s relevent to them, it has in turn become a partnership; both parties reliant on the other.

“Radio is the most immediate media,” states Charlie, “You get to meet so many different people..it’s the best job in the world!”

Pension cuts met with a stiff upper lip from British public.

Last week George Osborne announced his Pension cuts as part of the Budget review.

These include:

– State pension age is set to rise to 66 years of age by 2020

– Temporary cold weather payments for those over-75 are to be made permanent.

– Over-75’s will also receive free eye-tests, free bus passes and free TV licenses.

– Tax relief ‘allowance’ is being cut to £50,000 per annum

But how does this translate into practise?

Philippa Marsh, Gradute-21

Research by Scottish Widows states that women are well behind their male counterparts in terms of saving for retirement, with only 47% of women saving enough in comparison to 59% of men.

More shockingly, research carried out by GFK showed that fewer than a third of women aged 20 to 40 have a pension.

It seems that women fall victim to unequal pay, taking career breaks to care for children, bereavement and divorce and so saving for retirement takes a back-seat.

“The general feeling is just frustrated apathy really,” states graduate Philippa in response to Osborne’s proposals. “It’s not nice to think that we’ll be worse off for these cuts to pension schemes, but where do you propose cutting that won’t make anyone worse off?”

“It’s impossible. Some may think they’re worse off than others, but it’s difficult to judge.”

“The cut on the tax-free amounts you can pay in (£225k to £50k) looks completely ridiculous on paper, but considering I have never as yet experienced having £225k untaxed-how can I complain I’m getting a worse deal?”

“The alternative could be having such a terrible economy that I couldn’t spend as I wanted it anyway.”

“As far as I’m concerned as a ‘young person’, I’m better off than someone in their forties – I have a good few years to save for my own pension on top of any government fund, and to prepare for when I finally do get to retire.”

“I think you’ll find most of us are just resigned to it,” the 21 year-old adds “we’re not as good at marching and rioting as the French clearly are.”

David MacDonald, 47, Photographer and Business Owner

Stating that “the country is at a huge loss” David Macdonald acknowledges that the government “have to decide where the changes come in.”

“We all know savings have to be made, and on the scale of things this is actually pretty fair.”

Commending the government for not raising taxes, the photographer from Ware, Herts, stated “The government is not putting anyone out of a job, they’re simply asking them to contribute for an extra year.”

At 47, Mr MacDonald is not “on the countdown” to retirement, but some of his staff are.

But rather than feeling hindered with older staff and the cost of an extra years wages, David sees rise in retirement age as a positive thing: “Someone not retiring so early means you don’t have to replace them, which is costly.”

“You have to consider not only the cost of advertising, but also setting a competitive wage as well as then training that person up.”

Gill Wilson, 65, Retiree

“In theory if people are fit enough,” Mrs Wilson, retired Grandmother says “then it’s quite good that people are allowed to work, but being made to work is a different thing.”

Mrs Wilson’s husband John, was forced into retirement at the age of 65. Now 68, Gill comments that staying in full-time employment to 66 “would have had a negative impact on his health.”

Agreeing with George Osborne’s statement that the current pension system is “unsustainable”, Gill attributes the systems faults with the fact that people are living longer “rather than the state paying for just 10 years”. Similarly, “people taking early retirement” have a similar effect on the Work and Pensions deficit.

Mrs Wilson also expressed her concerns about the affect the rise in pension age will have on the job market: “There’s very little available for youngsters, the job market is too small for the number of people who are going to be out there.”

Instead Gill feels that utility companies should be looked into: “There’s a complete lack of standardisation amongst utility companies, the prices just seem to go up and up.”

So there you have it.

Changes have to be made, and the British public are ready to make them.

Students are people too!

Now I’m aware that having completed three years at the University of Leicester, and currently continuing my education at the University of Westminster, I am slightly bias when it comes to matters involving students.

No I’m not going to discuss Lord Browne’s review of University tuition fees. As my parents will testify, I am no economic expert (!) and feel that the implications of higher tuition fees speak for themselves.

But one cannot help but notice the bad press students receive on a regular basis.

One that shocked me recently was an article produced by the Telegraph, which not only discussed the levels of promiscuity amongst students, but also analysed the affect the number of times students do the horizontal tango can have on your overall degree grade,  stating:

“Students who do not have sex more than once a month are most likely to get a first in their degree.”

Now there are two responses to this.

1. “No friggin’ way! Someone who’s not getting any spends more time at their desk?! Whodathunk!”

2. How awful it is that someone can’t have got a first simply as a result of three years of excellent time management and hard work? It must be because they have noone to do the naked sexy dance with!

I was so very proud of my best friend when she achieved a first in Psychology at UCL. She has also been in a long-term relationship throughout university.  Knowing that she has beaten the odds (taken from Oxford I might add-the median of all university experiences!!) and managed to have sex and achieve a first makes me simply beam with pride!

Another article that made me chuckle this Easter was the media’s coverage of Saloufest this year.

With headlines such as “Enough to make a football hooligan blush: What happens when 8,000 British students descend on a Spanish family holiday resort” you’d be forgiven for hoping the students never came back.

The British media were quick to defend the poor locals, terrorised by us booze hungry British teens, but what they didn’t tell you was the number of students mugged, beaten up and verbally abused by the locals. Attending Saloufest myself, even during the day local boys would wind down their car windows; leering and shouting profanity’s at us.

So then it confuses me that a programme put in place by the University of Ulster whereby their Sports Science students are deployed to the province’s most deprived communities in order to promote healthy living and active lifestyles receives no press attention at all!

Dr Deirdre Brennan, Director of the Sports Outreach programme and Senior Lecturer in Sports Studies at the University of Ulster complimented the students, stating:  “We are impressed annually with how our students are prepared to engage in sports outreach work on a voluntary basis in order to make a difference in their communities.”

See people, it’s someone being proud of students!

Take a minute to look around and you’ll see students doing good everywhere. Whether it’s doing Rag raids in cities across the country, or Rag Runaway across the world, thousands of pounds are raised each year by students looking to do make a difference!

We may be considered a drain on the economy, our exams regularly lambasted as getting easier, our degrees devalued by the press. Yes we want to rule the world and be your boss, we drink too much and as Heart FM news broadcaster Tim Humphries told us earlier in the week “[we] have no money” and yet we continue to try and reach out in order to help others.

So we can’t be all bad, surely?

“Pride. Passion. Personality”: A Night out at TGI Friday’s

Dave Foreman-Image courtesy of 3 Monkeys Communications & TGI Friday's

On a scale of 1 to Mozzerella Dippers I’d say I’m a big fan of TGI Fridays.

But walking into the Covent Garden TGI Friday’s tonight was definitely one Surf ‘n’ Turf away from your normal Fridays experience as I was given my VIP pass and shown to my table to watch the UK Grand Final of the T.G.I. Friday’s Bartender Championships, which took place at the Covent Garden restaurant.

 

For those of you who have never attended a cocktail comp the name of the game is to make a certain number of drinks-in this case, selected by the judges from the Fridays menu- in a certain amount of time, talking the judges (and the audience) through what you are doing and why. Although to fit the Friday’s mould, the contestants were simply expected to entertain whilst pouring.

 

During this time the contestants would be judged by 4 judges for their “performance” and 1 judge for their technical skills such as their pouring accuracy and serve.

 

The bartenders taking part had got through each of their respective regional rounds and were battling it out for a place in the European Finals which would take place in Sweden. Success there would land them a spot in the International Finals in TGI Friday’s motherland, the US.

 

UK Cocktail Champ: Adam Friend-Image courtesy of 3 Monkeys Communication & TGI Friday's

I soon realised that this competition would be unlike any comp I had previously attended.

 

Sponsored by Skyy Vodka-the “no hangover” vodka as one bartender informed us-the competition also marked the 1st day of London cocktail week, and as such the bartenders-each decked in badges which, much like the Brownies, they had earned-was looking to impress.

 

Each were keen to express their loyalty to the Friday’s way of life. Whilst making a Peach Crush, Rob Stevens, Basildon summed it up perfectly:

 

“Passion” *Beats chest* “It’s in here, but it’s also in here!” *Holds up pourer*

 

 – Cue a roar of support from Rob’s fellow Basildon staffers

“We’ll make that a large” appears to suffix everything as I am quick to learn that the TGI Friday’s staff are all about having a good time: “Do you put adrenaline in the water or something?” one photographer asks.

UK Flair Champ: Adi Astley-Images courtesy of 3 Monkeys Communication & TGI Friday's

Sitting behind the judges table definitely had its plusses as I was able to try lots of the drinks made by the contestants as each contestant continued to entertain the audience with jokes, magic tricks, and in the case of eventual winner Adam Friend, even poetry!

Up next came the Flair Champs and I certainly wasn’t disappointed!

Again for those not in the know, flairing’s that thing when bartenders do tricks with bottles like spinning and throwing them.

In my formative years as a bartender I did attempt to learn to flair. I tried a two-tin split.

I split my lip.

Tom Cruise in Cocktail I am not!

Thankfully the TGI Friday’s bartenders were a lot smoother than me, offering up sets of mind-boggling stunts set to the tunes of Tiny Tempah, Paolo Nutini, and even Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need A Hero”.

It became almost impossible to judge as each act offered up something completely different. One particular favourite of mine even included costume changes in his act, while another had 7 times UK and World Flair Champion Tom Dyer bar-backing for him.

But eventually Adi Astley was crowned flair champ making it a double for the Manchester region.

Judge and Food & Wine editor for the Metro Andy Lines stated that the best bartenders in London are “here” to which the compere responded “And he knows, ‘koz he writes stuff.”

But as the party moved on to The Roadhouse and I made my way home, I think my fellow journo got it pretty spot on.

Next girl for life

Don’t you love it when you spot a girl in an item of clothing and immediately know where it’s from? My personal favourite is spotting a Topshop girl; they’re the ones dressed the most “individually” whilst coveting an item owned by quite literally thousands of other girls.

Now I’ll admit I would always snigger slightly on such occasions. Possessing a slightly more eclectic (also dubbed “weird” by my best friend Lindsey) dress sense I prefer to stay away from items owned by the masses. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being a High Street Honey; you’re always guaranteed to bag an outfit that ticks all the trend boxes, I just prefer to rock a trend my own way.

But just lately there’s been more than a few occasions where someone’s complimented me on my outfit, only for me to realise that I’m wearing head-to-toe Next!

Now I’m not talking the odd top, maybe a cute little pump, I mean quite literally everything-even the stuff under the clothes!

My Mother and I have been pioneering the store for years, even my bridesmaid’s dress for my parent’s wedding was a Next buy-I was 4! And the boots in my header photo-yep they’re Next too! But everyone seems to be going wild for Next at the moment. Just take a peek at this and you’ll see why!

Lucy Taylor, Next’s Press Officer told Company High Street Edit that “Next’s new-season collection is all about desirable textures.” Punctuated with pieces in tweed, faux fur, sheepskin, lace and leather, the store seems to be pioneering a look that’s a little romantic, a little edgy but most of all luxurious.

Me showing off a new Next purchase before I've even left the changing room!

But for those of you who are Next veterans doesn’t this all sound a little familiar?

Whilst Next in its oldest form has been trading for 150 years, Next as a clothing brand first emerged in 1982. Whilst leg warmers and rara skirts were staple pieces for those too young to understand, (and some elders who should have known better!) Next recognised a gap in the market for stylish women who wanted smart, high-end pieces but at sensible prices.

They were able to tap into the luxe look leftover from the ’70s, combine it with the masculine tailoring and sharp silhouette synonymous with the late ’80s; and thus a super-brand emerged. With an emphasis on texture (the first Next catalogue in 1988 featured real fabric swatches) what Next offered was classic, lady-like fashion with a twist.

Is it any wonder therefore that with this season focussing on elegant tailoring, rich and luxurious fabrics and a more sophisticated look this has become Next‘s time to shine once more? Next has even been appointed as the Official Clothing and Homeware supplier to the London 2012 games proving just how relevant the brand really is.

Okaaay so maybe head-to-toe’s not that bad!