June Wishlist...

I have finally finished my first year of uni! With summer pretty much round the corner, I will have more time for my blog which I have neglected for about 4 months. I can't believe I haven't posted anything since February! Exams and assignments are all done, meaning I have no other writing commitments. Now one of the perks of blogging is that I can write absolutely anything I want. So, without further ado, what better way to get back into the swing of things than formulating a wishlist? 

With only a month till my 20th birthday (how scary), I have drawn together a lustful list of birthday gifts. I always try to pick things for my birthday list that I wouldn't usually go out and buy myself so it's more exciting if I get it and makes it seem more like a present. I would also like to apologise to my parents about the prices of some of the stuff I want. What can I say? You raised a daughter with great (expensive) taste! 

From Top L-R:

Topshop Rucksack

Real Techniques Core Collection Kit

ASOS Rain Mac in Flower Print

Korres Colour Zea Mays Blush in Peach

Topshop Cut Out Ball-Shape Necklace

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

ASOS Marathon Leather Loafers

GoPro HERO3 White Edition

River Island Gold Metallic Peep Toe Platform Sandals

 From Top L-R:

Giorgio Armani Si Perfume

Topshop Rainbow Gladiator Sandals

'The Fault in Our Stars' Book by John Green

Next Tahiti Room Diffuser

ASOS Blouse in Long Line Paisley Scarf Print

Benefit Erase Paste

ASOS Metal Arms Retro Sunglasses

Taking a dive into Swan Lake...

Now, I'm not one to have a rant. In fact, I like to think I can see both sides to an argument, or at least address it in my stubborn mind. However, studying a degree in Communication and Media has exposed me to noticing media tendencies and messages through the blind public eye. Sometimes, these readings can be irritating- overly examining people, negatively interpreting programmes and exposing myself to stereotypical behaviours of the 'media giants' means I cannot just sit down and watch a TV programme or read an article like everyone else (very annoying). I would like to as it must make easy, entertaining viewing, but when programmes that exploit a certain 'group' in society, whether that be anyone of a particular race, wealth, sexuality (to name a few), opinions fly- especially when one is pretty close to home. 

Bodily size has been the core of the debate on female self-esteem and perception over the last couple of decades. Those who are deemed to 'big' are seen as those who 'can't'. The common misconception that if you are larger than the 'ideal', you lead an unhealthy and unfit lifestyle that consists of comfort eating, in stained, elasticated jogging bottoms in front of Jeremy Kyle. The only exercise is apparently to the fridge or in the car to the drive-thru. Clothes are bought cheaply due to their fluctuating weight. And most importantly, seen as unsuccessful. This view has been examined by scientists at the University of Manchester and Australia’s Monash University who asked students to look at the CVs and photos of what they thought were 12 different women, when really they were pre and post weight loss surgery of only 6 women. After ranking the women, the overweight women were ranked significantly lower than their slimmer selves. What all these beliefs have in common is that they are all a result of stereotypical reinforcement where we conform to constructed beliefs in regards to bodily size in everyday life. The media orchestrates these stereotypes that society subconsciously conforms to. It has meant that magazines such as Glamour, Look and Heat, have had to almost justify the definition of 'real' women to their readers to emphasise what the norm is through naked photoshoots and plus-size or curvy fashion forecasts. The notion that nobody is the same can get lost in the media, so TV programmes have now resorted to a unique way of reminding us. 

Now, each argument stems from somewhere and after watching Channel 4's 'Big Ballet' last night, it's time this brewing argument has it's moment. The battle between the concept and the reality is always a risk that media companies take when creating something new. The concept of the 'Big Ballet' was to address the elitist and specific view that ballerinas have to be of a certain thin, statuesque, and elegant shape and how this has somewhat damaged the dreams of those who don't fit this strict criteria. Wayne Sleep and ballerina Monica Loughman are to direct and guide a group of 18 plus-size ex-dancers (however, I'm not sure how a couple got in there who are no more than what I predict to be a size 12) into performing Swan Lake in a professional theatre to a critical yet knowledgable audience. The reality, on the other hand, doesn't portray Sleep and Loughman as some sort of self-esteem boosting, confidence-inducing heroes of the larger lady. Instead, they are proving how difficult it is for someone, shall we say, on the bigger side (I ban the f.a.t. word) to dance, how these women struggle to keep up with their fitness because of their size and how they simply don't have what it takes to create something as spectacular as a 'proper' ballet. Well, let's face it, Channel 4 aren't going to fund the performance to the same standard that we saw of the English National Ballet's performance at the beginning (let the comparisons begin). Don't get me wrong, I believe ballet is beautiful and that ballerinas are athletes that work tirelessly in such a competitive industry. Their physique is used in professional circumstances, whereas the women of the 'Big Ballet' have been used as entertainment where we, as audiences, are trained to experience the roller coaster of emotions, the highs and lows and the sob stories that they have endured on their ballet journey. Their feelings of pain and sorrow are exploited and are all related to the battle they've had with their body- raising the awareness that we have with our own. As an audience, we are not only expected to notice, understand, and feel those moments of self-pity and sadness, but to also notice the fact that they are larger than a dancer is expected. Through the lens of cellulite, flab and bulge, we are being constantly reminded that these women are there for purely the reason that they have been neglected from the ballet industry for their weight. Camera shots of them eating, unflattering angles from below and clips of them jumping (just to prove that it isn't as elegant and beautiful as those ones we saw 20 minutes in at the Royal Albert Hall) are Channel 4's way of reminding us of two things; these women are too big and that dancing is difficult for the bigger woman. As if we need reminding this enough in today's society- bigger women doing something that society has taught them not to do, that bigger women can't, reinforces negative stereotypes and bodily dysmorphia. 

As I sat there watching this programme, I was picking out more things about myself and my body shape more than ever before- helplessly comparing myself to their body shape and size. Celebrities have always been seen as the ones held responsible for leading the army of body-obsessed women, but programmes like these, I feel, has been ignored for encouraging us to be self-critical. I won't lie, I am a naturally self-critical person. Always one that has been the larger one in a group of friends, rather busty, shorter chunkier legs (I could go on), a dancer for over 15 years and a self-confessed fan of celebrity journalism and showbiz, I would be the prime target for a programme like this. 

Wayne Sleep's transparent humour of it being an "all-round" performance (followed by a cackle from his arguably unintentional pun) attempts to add a comedic flair to the women's size and when one is asked by him, "did you ever feel to lose the weight?", my response was pretty much disgust. Not everyone has put on weight because it's a life-choice. Some put on weight because of emotional life experiences, medical issues, prescribed medications, and pregnancy. Wayne's desired answer would be that the women liked to eat 'too' much and thats what he got- an overweight women looking lazy and unbothered that she was bigger than the 'ideal'. With programmes like this, negative stereotypes of overweight women are inevitable. The constant comparisons we are encouraged to take are there to formulate our own opinions. By doing so, we are taking part in media segmentation- grouping people together over their appearance and size. Even the oxymoron in the title is there to make us watch it- 'a big ballet, surely not?'. In a society where bodily size has become obsessive and where I say that enough is enough, the bigger lady and her sob story is becoming boring now. It's not funny. It's not entertaining. It's not unfair. Just irritating. Their choice, not ours. 

Cool Ghoul...

I love halloween. If anyone knows me they know that I hate anything scary like horror films and haunted mazes so it's weird how much I love this time of year. My fashion sense is not very colourful so when the shops bring out all their 'halloween-y' stuff, I do find it exciting. However, I do this annually- consider whether these items are worth buying for the festivities or if they're legitimate long-term wardrobe members. Here's a selection of high-street favourites that I gathered off the web for me to do my yearly debate on whether they are worth buying... (typical Becca)...

ASOS. This is possibly my favourite collection of all the ones I've looked at because they are all very much wearable all year round with leggings/jeans in the winter and shorts in the summer. I wear baggy t-shirts a lot of the time just because they are easy and cater for everyday purposes. Wearing them with a chunky chain necklace and lipstick will make these look less 'pyjama-like', as some may say. But at £18, get your use out of them then make them into pyjamas- double the purpose! Sorted. 

Now this is a moment of 'it-doesn't-hurt-to-look' as these from Charlotte Olympia's Halloween '13 collection are ranged between £800-£1000- something I definitely cannot afford (to me that's a holiday). However, they do fit the Halloween purpose perfectly and that clutch bag is pretty darn cool.

More graphic tee's from River Island (top) and Urban Outfitters. These will be the easiest Halloween outfits- so long t-shirt-ripping, blood-painting, last-minute panicking. With some black bottoms (leather skirt/shorts will look amazing) your pretty much done and dusted.

Good ol' Topshop. You never fail to let me down! I managed to find a rather huge collection of festive pieces here. The bat jeans in the top left, are my particular favourite as they will go with my ridiculous collection of Topshop knitwear and t-shirts. Also loving the novelty nail wraps and the eyelashes. I can imagine these being quite heavy but they are definitely something I've always wanted to try (only on Halloween is this acceptable though- don't wanna look like a drag queen).

As of now I don't have any Halloween plans but there will probably be some themed night on in a club at university. At home, me and my friends go pretty all-out in costumes so I'm hoping I don't have a Cady Heron moment whilst I'm here. Zombie bride is definitely off the list! 

Topshop October wish list...

I need to start my christmas list! And where else better to begin than making a wishlist. I swear I do this every year; end up falling very much in love with everything that I can never wait so I end up going and buying it myself! Topshop, to me, can never go wrong. I would wear pretty much anything in there, which doesn't make shopping any easier for me or my bank balance. I need to demonstrate some serious willpower and self-restraint from all these...

Topshop- Camera Check Tunic Dress

Topshop - Oversized Floral Shirt

Topshop- Mono Floral Jumpsuit

Topshop- Bat Print Mini Skirt

(how cute is this? :O)

Topshop- Dark Chiffon Floral Shirt

As you could probably tell, I'm not much of a 'colour' person. Monochrome is not only slimming and on trend, but it's just generally easier and timeless for all seasons as it can make outfits from what you have already got. I prefer to wear oversized clothes, with not much colour and then to emphasise the whole look with a bright lip and a statement accessory- whether that be a belt or bag. My favourite lipstick to wear with these would be MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel A23- the perfect shade to go from summer into winter and to make it look like you've made that little bit more of an effort! 

All I need now is that extra £200- anyone? 

My new fashion inspiration...

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12350855/?claim=x5uwdga2ch6">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>A friend introduced me to Lookbook.nu and I have spent probably the last half an hour scrolling down the pages in envy at these amazing outfits (and probably will for the rest of the night). This is literally going to be my new regime in getting some fashion inspiration because these girls literally know the art of putting a pretty good look together and photographing it pretty well too. The majority of the products are high-street and affordable (hallelujah!) so I'm not scrolling down in sorrow at my student budget. Not only is this a collective site for fashion but it also offers hair inspiration and accessories that could compete with the likes of Olivia Palermo's (and that is verging on impossible). Here's a selection of some of my Autumn/Winter '13 faves for you to look at...

lookbook.nu

'Give the girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world'- Marilyn Monroe

Now every girl needs a winter boot. And with the weather getting rather chilly, theres only so much a ballerina pump and our beloved summer sandal can do (thank god for not having school shoes anymore = drenched pre-school feet). These boots from Office were pretty pricey at £80 but I luckily had my NUS card to knock off an extra £8. They are beyond comfy and are probably the first shoe to never give me a blister on their first wearing. Due to the leather body and sole, they need wearing in a little but they already looked well loved, even though I've had them about two days. 

I've never had a problem with Office shoes and despite them being at the end of my normal shoe budget, I would never look back. In fact all my office shoes have been my very loyal friends. 

The cut-off trend in leather ankle boots this season aren't exactly very practical- following the impractical trends of pvc pencil skirts (hello waddling) and sleeveless leather jackets (hello cold arms). But these actually can be worn with black socks or those cute, girly, frilly ones that you can get in Topshop. If you want it to look more dressed up, going without socks won't harm you for one night- oh the harsh reality of looking good!

Team these lovelies with leggings, jeans and skirts... my favourite is with a short a-line skirt  and a leather jacket to top it off. And then these will see me through the winter, spring.. and hopefully next year's seasons too.

Office Uni Cut-Out Boot