Shoes glorious shoes. Who cares what they look like? Well, everyone actually. UGG Australia the makers of the shoes that are the most comfortable IN THE WORLD have branched out into different styles. I went to see their AW13 collection at Handpicked Media’s One Aldwych Hotel suite.
Alex showed my the collection. I was incredibly impressed. UGGs have not always been thought of as fashionable but even the most discerning fashionista would find something to love in the new collection. I love the knee-high blue boots below. I was also got a pair of gorgeous ankle boots. Check out Callum from Handpicked Media’s photo below. . They are so comfy and stylish. Top marks for UGGS.
The boots are very well made. The materials are gorgeous and the designs are on trend but also timeless. With winter coming in I might even buy myself some new winter boots. I love the lining inside the boots. Guaranteed to keep you warm.
Sure Maximum Protection has revealed that out of 640 official statues in the UK, only a measly 15 per cent of them represent women!
So they invited me to take part in a bloggers challenge. They asked me to put creative skills to the test to customise the ultimate female statue.
Years ago I won a number of art competitions and have always loved drawing. I have been too busy to keep this up and also never really did paint. I have always been creative though so I took the kit that was sent to me and got to work.
I immediately made a few mistakes but managed to recover well. I am annoyed at myself for allowing my creative skills to get rusty but I just decide to paint away and go where the artistic mood took me.
In the end I have a futuristic female statue. My statue has traits that I love in my fellow women: elegant, strong, caring, ambitious, smart, fashionable, individuality.
She’s different and cool.. She’s not perfect (blame her creator) but she carries it well and is all the better for it. She has kick-ass red lipstick and smile. What else could she possible need?
Sass & Bide returned to London Fashion Week after a year’s hiatus with an explosion of intricate seed beading, fluro dipped shells, contrast binds and flickers of diamante & metal form a rich tapestry of geometric detailing
The LOVESHADY collection explores an ethereal union of gender; a romantic journey where every masculine notion finds counterbalance & softness in femininity. Silhouettes are sharp & honest and contrast the soft flow of ethereal silks, while a monochromatic palette finds fever in hot hues & metallic accents.
This season’s VIP front row included;
Mosshart/ Twiggy / Poppy Delevigne / Kelly Rowland / Lara Bohinc / Miquita Oliver / Dionne Bromfield/ Leah Wood / Quentin Jones / Peaches Geldof / Jazzy de Lisser / Sara Brajovic / Tom Hooper / Willia Keswick / Portia Freeman / Francesca Versace / Jess Mills / Shingai Shoniwa/ Jasmine Guinness/ Lliana Bird
There are three words that always get me excited: “London Fashion Week”. In fact, the only thing that makes me more excited is Handpicked media’s London Fashion Week opening party. I went along to see New Look’s new range at the One Aldwych Hotel. After getting lost and being flustered when I arrived, the amazing Debbie from Handpicked (and blogger of the excellent Life Edit) handed me a glass of wine and I had a great chat with her. I also was happy to bump into the lovely Jessica from Look What I Got and Handpicked Head Honcho Krista.
New Look has always done fun and fabulous fashion, but in recent years New Look has really upped its game. The quality of the clothing is good and so are the designs. They are also collaborating with lots of cool people like Giles Deacon, and have even teamed up with Kelly Brook to design a great range of underwear. The bra Kelly was wearing a few days before was part of the range that we saw. For those dying to know Kelly is a 32E.
The new collection is just really fab. They also have amazing jewelery and shoes. I will definitely be popping into New Look again soon. I really liked the creepers below.
New Looks jewelery range was a big hit. We were all fawning over it. Some of it is quite bling but not tacky. We were told to help ourselves to some New Look knickers which lead to a lot of amusement when we were walking about with underwear in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. On the tube on the way home I got a drink from my bag and the knickers fell out and landed on the floor of a crowded tube. Which was a little embarrassing.
I had my nails done, drank wine, met amazing people and ate canapes. Ah, that’s the life. If only every day was a fashion week day.
Intimately showcased in the upper decks of an Islington theatre bar, The Inappropriateness of Love delves into the complexities of the emotion, capturing each character’s hope and struggle to love and be loved.
Performed by Paradigm, a new London fringe repertory company, and written/directed by Sarah Pitard, the dark comedy explores the entangled relationships between six characters, linked together by the affable yet somewhat nerdy, Scooter.
The plot is driven by Scooter’s compulsion to attend his old university friend’s wedding with a ‘plus one’, rather than face the embarrassment and reality of his impending loneliness.
As the story unfolds, the audience is invited to share Scooter’s experience of risk-taking and rejection when it comes to his therapist Jessica, the stilted relationship with his elderly mother and his ignorance of best friend Zoey’s feelings towards him.
In other serious scenes dealing with divorce, cheating and break-ups, the play is given a slight comedic uplift through outspoken, tarty receptionist Stephanie who’s dating senior manager, Darren (therapist Jessica’s ex-husband).
The audience warms to her character, perhaps because of her evident vulnerability and the one-night stand scene with Scooter also provides an awkward, yet funny combination.
In the same way Pitard wrote ‘there’s a little bit of me in all the characters’, I too was reminded of those first pangs of love for a professional figure, a doomed office romance and the tumultuous period with an older, divorced lover.
The Inapproriateness of Love exposes the vulnerability of the heart through thoroughly convincing acting and scenes.
For it’s premier performance this week, it’s well worth seeing at the Hen and Chickens Theatre till 29th September 2012.
The Paralympics has come and gone with a bang. Leaving Londoners a little bereft as the London Games 2012 draws to a close. It has been an exciting time to live in London. Great Britain got a total of 120 medals. 34 of those were gold. Personally I loved the guy in the paralympics advert who, after listing all of the injuries he had acquired, which included broken ribs and fingers, ended the conversation with “nothing serious”.
A peak audience of 3.2 million viewers were watched Channel 4’s Paralympics coverage when David Weir won his second gold of the 2012 Games in the T54 1500m. The Paralympic Games 2012 Tonight programme, from 7.30pm through to 10.30pm was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers, 11 percent share of the audience.
The early evening coverage of the swimming from the aquatics centre peaked with 1.8 million viewers – averaging 1.6 million viewers, 10 percent share, between 5.25pm and 7.00pm.
Afternoon coverage peaked with 1.4 million viewers – averaging 824k viewers, 11 percent share, between 1.00pm and 5.25pm.
The Paralympics coverage helped Channel 4 record an all-day share of 9.4 percent – up +35% on the 12 month average for Tuesdays.
Seven weeks after Channel 4 launched the critically acclaimed ‘Meet The Superhumans’ Paralympic trail, its sound track had taken the UK music charts by storm and forged an unexpected collaboration between hip hop legends, Public Enemy, and leading British Parlympians.
Channel 4 launched its biggest ever marketing campaign in mid-July to promote coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics with ‘Meet the Superhumans’, a 90 second long film, set to the track, ‘Harder Than You Think’ by, Public Enemy and showcasing the abilities of some of the leading UK Paralympians as they prepared for the Games.
In the weeks that followed the video went viral and ‘Harder Than You Think’, first released in 2007 and never having appeared before appeared in the Top 200, suddenly entered the UK Top 40; currently at number four on The Official UK Singles Chart and number one on the Indie Singles Top 20 Chart. ‘Harder Than You Think’ is now Public Enemy’s highest charting single to date in the UK.
Now swimmer Ellie Simmonds, wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft, blind footballer Dave Clarke and cyclist Jody Cundy are among a host of leading British Paralympians featured in a newly cut video by Public Enemy in tribute to the London 2012 Paralympics.
The video, titled ‘Harder Than You Think – UK Paralympics Version’, blends the herculean efforts of the Paralympians preparing for the Games – filmed by Channel 4 – with the original gritty street locations and hip hop sounds synonymous with Public Enemy.
Public Enemy’s Chuck D says: “These athletes are about self-empowerment and determination. Doing what they do….is harder than ya think.”
James Walker Channel 4’s Head of Marketing says: “Public Enemy are one of the greatest hip hop acts of all time. It’s a fantastic testament to the impact of the Paralympics that we have been able to introduce new fans to their music.”
A peak audience of 7.7 million viewers watched last night’s Channel 4 coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games closing ceremony. The full closing ceremony programme from 7.00pm to 11.10pm was watched by 5.9 million viewers, 26 percent share of the television audience.
Coverage of the final day of the Paralympic Games made Channel 4 the most watched television channel across the whole day – with a total share of 16.4 percent; versus 15.9 percent share for BBC ONE and 13.4 percent share for ITV1. Channel 4 was also the most watched channel in terms of 16-34s and ABC1s.
The closing ceremony was the second most-watched moment from Channel 4’s coverage of the 2012 Paralympic Games, after the opening ceremony which peaked with 11.2 million and Jonnie Peacock’s 100m T44 win on Thursday which attracted a peak audience of 6.3 million viewers – the biggest UK audience for live Paralympic sport ever. On the same ‘thriller Thursday’ David Weir’s T54 800m gold was watched by a peak audience of 5.5 million and Hannah Cockroft’s 200m T34 win attracted a peak audience of 4.1 million. Alan Oliveira’s victory over Oscar Pistorius in the 200m T44 on Sunday was watched by a peak audience of 4.4 million viewers.
Across the Paralympics as a whole, Channel 4’s coverage reached 39.9 million people – over 69 percent of the UK population. This compares to a reach of 20.5 millon for the BBC’s coverage of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer said: “Last night’s closing ceremony was a suitably spectacular end to a fantastic London 2012 Paralympic Games and I’m thrilled that, over the course of the last eleven days, Channel 4’s coverage has engaged more people than ever before in disabled sport.”
Channel 4 released new research from BDRC Continental and YouGov over the weekend which showed that two in three viewers feel more positive towards disabled people as a result of watching coverage of the Paralympic Games.
Headlines from the research include:
Two thirds of viewers (65%) feel the coverage of the Paralympics has had a favourable impact on their perceptions towards people with disabilities.1
More than four in five Adults (82%) agreed disabled athletes are as talented as able-bodied athletes, rising to 91% among those who had watched Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics.2
Almost two thirds of Adults (64%) agreed that the Paralympics is as good as the Olympics, rising to 79% among those who had watched Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics. 2
Two thirds of viewers (68%) felt the coverage of the Paralympics has had a favourable impact on their perceptions to disabled sport. 1
Around two in three viewers (69%) said this is the first time they have ever made an effort to watch the Paralympics, while half (50%) said this is the first Paralympics they have ever watched. 67% said they watched more than they expected to.1
Since 2010, as part of Channel 4’s pledge to bring Paralympic sport to a mainstream audience and add authenticity, knowledge and experience to its programming, the broadcaster has invested over £600,000 in identifying, training and developing ten new disabled presenters and reporters who have played major roles in the channel’s coverage of the 2012 Paralympic Games. 80% of viewers enjoyed the fact that there were disabled presenters on screen in Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics and almost three quarters of the audience (74%) agreed that they enjoyed the matter of fact discussions about disability.
Building on this, Channel 4 has committed a further £250,000 across the next two years, to both support and develop the existing disabled presenters across a range of television genres and to continue to identify new opportunities for disabled talent on-screen.
Arlissa, Jacob Plant, B. Traits, Brimmer and Special K’s added to the bill for the final festival of the year
Dizzee Rascal, Chase and Status (DJ set) and Professor Green headline
Trash Mondays vs In Ya Ear go head to head in the silent disco
Second release tickets almost sold out!
LINE UP TO DATE
Dizzee Rascal / Professor Green / Chase & Status DJ set / Katy B / Knife Party / Zane Lowe / Stooshe / Clement Marfo and the Frontline / Friction / Shy FX / Ms Dynamite / Union DJ’s / The Prototypes / Jacob Plant / Arlissa / B Traits / Brimmer / Special K’s
With just under a month to go until the last festival of the year, all eyes turn to Brighton for Shakedown, the final party of the festival season. With some of the most exciting names in bass and electronic music already confirmed, Shakedown is set to host a South Coast party of epic proportions.
Joining the throng of A list artists will be Arlissa, the 19 year old UK singer songwriter whose debut single ‘Hard To Love Somebody’ is a duet with self professed fan Nas and Jacob Plant, the wildly hyped producer and DJ who is one of the hottest talents on the UK dance scene having worked with and remixed a host of household names including Jay Z, Kanye West, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding Modestep and Major Lazer to name a few.
Having graduated from a monthly ‘In New DJ’s We Trust’ slot on Radio 1 to her own, weekly show that’s simulcast on Radio 1 and 1xtra, B. Traits is perfectly placed to bring the carnival bassline to Brighton. Whether you’re into bass heavy house, dubstep or drum & bass, local Brighton boy Brimmer is the name delivering bass in all genres whilst SpecialK’s deliver their unique brand of glorious electronic pop
Shakedown will be headlined by the most in demand artist in the country and ultimate showman, Dizzee Rascal. Armed with an arsenal of hits, Dizzee is an artist at the top of his game and his set will be a defining Shakedown moment. A multitude of incredible artists including the mighty Professor Green, queen of the underground Katy B, undisputed breakout act of 2012, Stooshe, Clement Marfo & The Frontline and Union DJ’s will perform before Dizzee Rascal.
The Supercharged Arena will be headlined by superstar duo, Chase & Status performing an eclectic DJ set of genre defying styles. One of the most potent forces on the dance scene and famed for their incendiary DJ sets, this irrepressible duo will be armed to the teeth with a plethora of dance floor anthems and underground classics.
Taking to the stage before Chase & Status will be the much lauded Knife Party playing in Brighton for the first time, Radio 1’s music champion and undisputed star of last year’s Shakedown festival, Zane Lowe and multi award winning Ms Dynamite. A hotbed of phenomenal DJ’s will also join the succession of artists including Drum & Bass heavyweight’s DJ Friction, Shy FX and The Prototypes.
Two of Brighton’s biggest cult clubbing brands go head to head to bring you the ultimate silent disco. Renowned for their larger than life parties week in and week out, Trash Mondays and In Ya Ear once again prepare for another monumental extravaganza.
Hed Kandi, the most stylish name in house music will be hosting the VIP Arena with a spectacular production and a host of DJ’s including Freemasons, Seamus Haji and Phil Faversham.
Shakedown Festival 2012 brings the most exciting names in contemporary music to Brighton for one last festival outing. With a vast array of music talent and some great brand partners bringing their own, distinct party flavour, Shakedown is the perfect end to an incredible summer of festival fun. Tickets are selling fast with this event looking likely to sell out so don’t miss out.
Enterprise Nation have announced the national expansion of its successful StartUp Saturday one day workshops to help thousands more people turn an idea into a business and become their own boss!
For budding entrepreneurs who haven’t been able to attend the monthly workshops in London, StartUp Saturday classes are now coming to a town near you with Birmingham and Morecambe as the first two launch locations.
The ‘start your own business in a day’ workshops will be hosted and delivered by talented and entrepreneurial StartUp Saturday franchisees. Until now, the one-day workshop that offers everything you need to know about starting a business has been delivered by Enterprise Nation founder, Emma Jones, in London. Jones says: “Based on feedback from small business owners around the country, we are spreading our wings and will be coming to locations nationwide.”
The first StartUp Saturday franchisee is Enterprise Nation community member Rickie Josen.
Rickie Josen will be launching her first session at Hotel La Tour, Birmingham on Saturday 22nd September. Rickie has been self employed since 2004 and has run two different businesses during this time, with her last few years being focused on organising events and training alongside writing.
“My motto is that knowledge is gained to be shared and I love passing on knowledge, especially when it means people can get to the information sooner than I did when starting out in business. I would have loved to have attended a StartUp Saturday when I was starting out back in 2004!” says Rickie
“Enterprise Nation has been a place for me to turn since it launched and over the years I’ve enjoyed contributing by writing about my love of being self-employed. It’s the first place I suggest new businesses turn so it makes perfect sense for me to be a StartUp Saturday franchisee!”
Following a successful launch of workshops in Birmingham, StartUp Saturday will continue to expand to new locations with a vision of having weekly workshops up and down the UK!
