Leona Lewis New Look

First off, apologises for the disappearance of my post yesterday - there was a bit of a personal dilemma (ooh that sounds dramatic. Like something from a soap opera).

Today, however, I'm going to stay clear from anything of the such. Life should be calm right? (if only). And so, what better idea to get further away from my world by going into the celebrity world (could I have a one-way ticket please?).

In particular, I thought I'd talk about Leona Lewis's new look. It's pretty drastic - but not in a "OMG-Pete-Burns" kinda way, but rather in a way that some people would love and praise, or others would be disappointed.

Lewis unveiling her new look - got a bitta Gaga-chick going on here?

Thing is, we all know Leona as a "average" girl from Hackney, who wowed us with her voice, won X Factor and since then, has done pretty darn good in the charts. She was given a "good-girl" image, with her quiet personality and reserved sex-appeal - well, if you compare her to stars like Gaga, Rihanna and Britney.

But hey, it's Hollywood right? And so, Leona's image could only get her so far - sooner or later she would have to opt for a more edgy, sexy and seductive appearance. Which is what she's done. Some people say that this is fine - all celebrities do this one time or another, especially with such major competition out there in the music charts.

However, Leona has caused some controversy as people are seeing this as a way of Leona changing herself in order to be successful  (c'mon who doesn't?), and that this is something that has been pushed upon her in order to sexualise her image, and essentially sell more music. It's true to say that she looks very different - sleek, straight hair rather from her natural curly mane, a slimmer face, a slimmer body, and much more quirky and seductive clothing.

Is this an example of the pressure in the music industry? A way of conforming to the generic rules of fame? Or, is it just an inevitable - or even, just Leona trying out something new? Don't deny it, we've all tried looks that don't quite suit us (flared jeans, ponchos, leggings, LEOTARDS).

Personally, I think it's a mixture of both - Leona trying to improve/publicise her image, but also trying something new for herself. (oh the joy of an obvious ending, eh?)

What do you think?


x

Good Old Fashioned Love...

So, Valentine's Day is coming up soon - which is completely and utterly fabulous for all you lucky people who have partners - a candle light dinner, romance and loooovvvvvveeeeeeeee.

But.

For many of us it's like having the word "SINGLE" plastered on our forehead for the whole world to see. It's pretty depressing, and most of us end up spending it with a tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and sobbing in front of Titanic - or worse, a stereotypical rom-com which usually results with us shouting at the tv in rage "THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE")

(If you are one of those lucky ladies, and are wondering what to wear, this January is very much rock-meets-royal styling. Dresses with structured fitting, thick belts and bold gold prints will look great, and is very in season - as are velvets and metallic shades. On the contary, you could dress down in a boyfriend-style appearance in a parka, denim and over sized jumpers).


I've been to a couple of 18th parties recently, both of which were themed - 60s and 80s. And, besides the crazy clothes, this made me think - what will the next generations think of our era? It'll probably consist of a muddle of club anthems, constantly changing fashion, Facebook and IPhones. Our era is lacking that good ol' fashion love that all the others had - we have no distinct fashion or even music - it changes so fast.

Not that this is a bad thing, since vintage is greaatt. I miss that too - old fashioned love letters hand written, jube boxes and the blues.

Now let's finish this post with those three words we love the most:






LETS GET DRUNK.


x

P.S Glee has just come back on here in England - so excited, and I've also got tickets to see them live. WHO SAID LIFE IS BAD?

Keep it real girls...

I just wanted to say how much I lovveee and admire these women below. And not because just because they're talented and stunning. No, no. Because, right - sorry to talk about this taboo so freely - they don't have ANY boobs. Yet, they don't go and get mega plastic surgery and look like some sort of awkward blown up balloon. Instead, they flaunt it, and let's face it, look pretty darn good.

So it's true - there is no need to worry! Follow these great examples, and it's just shows how you don't need ridiculous EEEEEEs to look fab, or to impress a guy. If they can do it, so can we right?


It's crap like the below that makes me angry - would you really want to look like that? They just look so stupid, and to be honest, if you're one of those guys who needs something like the below to date a girl, then, quite frankly, you don't deserve to marry anyone. Or maybe Janice Street Porter/female version of Voldemort.

See. These women just look ridiculous, and it's such a pathetic attempt at getting publicity. Do they have any dignity left?









And as for Heidi Montag here. *vomits*









x

Death by sales - don't be fooled...

It was almost like some sort of battle ground.

There were piles of clothes scattered in various places across the store, most of them disregarded and left to be trodden on, with some of the lucky remaining few still balancing unsteadily on the tables. I could see two women in the distance reaching for the same jacket, and then trying to gently snatch the jacket off one another, and the queue went round the store like a huge snake, it's tail stopping just before the doors.

This was a shopping centre by the way. Actually, to be more specific, this was a Zara store that I went to on Monday morning. Hectic doesn't cover it, and just the sheer amount of people was a bit overwhelming. I could see girls walking past me with hundreds of items piled in their arms, whilst I stood in the everlasting queue with only one t-shirt and a skirt.

Honestly, it's like people were buying all their years worth of clothing in one day! Although, we know that's not true at all - we'll be back shopping in February for some retail therapy, even if we have no money.

But why do we shop so much in the sale? What is this almost compelling attraction to discounted items? It's become a festive tradition, and for women, it's like a obligation to the female race.

Because, if I'm honest, these sales are nothing spectacular. Dresses in French Connection aren't suddenly 50p, and half of the clothes in the stores aren't even on sale. That's why, as I carefully made my way round the shops on Monday - or rather, as I got pushed and practically beaten around every shop -  I was just shocked at how much people were buying. Had I been transported into some sort of upper class society shopping centre, and thus surrounded by rich people? Was the recession and failing economy all a lie?

Because, when I actually looked at the sale items, there was only about 25% off, if that. I mean, the skirt I bought was £17, from around £24 before. Not exactly a huge amount different? I could still see jackets going for £50, and boots way over £30. Basically, the sale WASN'T that good.

Yet, there were thousands of people? And why?

Just a bitta Santa Propaganda for you....

It's all down to advertising of course. The media. How sales are hyped up all year round, how we are taught, and conditioned, to think that we need to go to them, that they are spectacular, and that we will save hundreds of pounds. Which, of course we won't. In reality, we'll save about, hmmm, £10 off a dress maybe? And, even if we do find a bargain, it doesn't make up for the money spent over Christmas, or the fact that we'll still be shopping later on next month with a higher tax increase. Great.

So, I'm not saying never go to sales, because, let's face it, the industry needs us to be spending. Just make sure that you're not completely fooled by what you see on TV - things may be on SALE, but it doesn't mean it's CHEAP. And it doesn't meant it's GOOD either.

Just a thought...


x

'Brush With Fashion' - Spring Make Up Launch

Apologies for not posting for a while, things have been pretty hectic lately, what school work, Uni applications, and all sorts of drama.

But anyway.

Yesterday evening I was lucky enough to have a invitation - courtesy of my brother-in-law - to go and see London College of Fashion and the Body Shop launch their new make up range, a project that they have worked on together.

So I'm here to give you the lowdown...

London itself was busier than ever, especially down Oxford Street and Bond Street where the college was - people always seem to be in some kind of rush in London, even when they aren't in the Underground. The Christmas lights were already up and shining - Rihanna turned them on a week or so ago - and so the festive atmosphere was all around...i.e mad shoppers, freezing cold weather and just thousands of people. The transport itself was crazy - the central line was severely delayed due a suicide earlier that morning, and then the entrance into Oxford Circus was shut off because someone had collapsed. Happy Holidays Everyone...


ANYWAY, enough of my rambling, I'm starting to sound like my Dad.

Once I had arrived, and survived the mayhem, I waited for the show to start.

Now, so the Body Shop are famous, and popular for their organic, natural and non-cruelty-to-animals philosophy, and this was said to be one of the reasons why London College of Fashion wanted to collaborate with them; in fact, the winning artwork creator Katarina Voloder said, "I have always admired The Body Shop ethical, sustainable and cruetly-free approach to make up, so it's particulary exciting that my work is part of this innovative, new and on-trend collection".

The room was packed - ok, fairly full - of press and journalists down the sides of the catwalk, whilst everyone else was situated above, on the seats - rather like a mini-theatre. This experience in itself was quite daunting - I mean I didn't exactly have anything to back myself up with. In fact, as I entered, this happened:

"Hi, so where are you from?"

(Elle? No. Vogue? No. The Times? No. Horse and Hounds? Not even that).

"Um......."

I ended up having to awkwardly explain that I was here because of my brother-in-law. To which the woman behind the desk, understandably, dismissed me like I had just stated that I was a toilet cleaner.

The show itself was amazing; the clothes worn by the models - designs by William Tempest and Jena Theo - reflected the new make up range brilliantly; nudes, metallic silvers, faded greys and bursts of oranges and pinks. The colour palate reflected their organic and natural branding, and was perfect for people who like to have that natural-look, and not end up looking tangoed. Surprisingly, they also included older aged models, which I think was refreshing, and a great way of trying to defy the conventions of the fashion industry and the models that they generically use.

As I wasn't a professional journalist, I was unable to go backstage and see all that wonderfullness, but I DID get a lovely goody bag full of the latest range, ranging from lip gloss, to face base  - which isn't even on shelves yet! Overall though, the show was great to watch, and the make up itself is fabulous.

Inside my goody bag!
- Illuminating Face Base - £14.00
- Limited Collection For Eyes - £18.00
- Tailored Cheek Tint - £8.50
-  Hi -Shine Lip Treatment - £9.50
- Re- useable Bag- £2.00
(extras - face mist, blusher brush, eye shadow
brush and removal wipes!)

The only thing I would have liked to see more would have been larger models maybe - none of this size zero stuff- but this risk may have been one to large to take; after all, its a fact that skinnier models are more effective in promotion and sales.

All in all however, the new range was still pretty fab, and will be hitting the shelves in January - watch this space!

x