Sunday 30 March 2014

March Dance Playlist



This months music playlist is dance related because for some reason or another i have been feeling in a really dance-y mood!

Let me know if you like the songs and feel free to give me some playlist suggestions!

Sunday 23 March 2014

Uniform: identity vs. belonging

Photo: Lois Mitchell

 

A different kind of post...

Seeing as my current English project is on uniform, I deemed it a possible blog post. Although it is slightly different to usual, it focuses on a similar topic to my truth about Disney post, which focused on women rights and their identity. This time, I am posting about how uniform prevents a person from presenting their creative personality.

 

Nowadays uniform is a continual debate. All schools in the UK enforce a dress code and the majority have adopted a school uniform. Even at a very young age, children have to wear it. But why do schools persist on students wearing uniform?

Most schools will explain that uniform is what makes the school a community. Undoubtedly it allows a student to have a sense of belonging, pride and dignity within their school. Additionally it makes the school look smart and professional which therefore in turn encourages discipline and promotes teamwork in the school.

Yet despite this, one of the main issues with uniform is the obliteration of a student’s personal identity because they are unable to express their personality. Especially at 16 years old, teenagers go through the stage where they need to express themselves and part of that is in what they wear in order for them to find out ‘who they truly are’. Uniform means students have a lack of freedom and it doesn’t allow them to make their own choices - specifically in high school as uniform is a burden to students because they are supposed to finally be treated as young adults. Surely that is not fair?

On the other hand, the main advantage of uniform is to prepare children for the huge ‘world of work’; teaching them to take pride in their appearance. But what type of world are schools talking about? In fact, it seems that uniform is encouraging students to work in an environment where a uniform is obligatory such as clothes shops and even McDonald’s. Whereas successful businessmen actually choose what they wear each day, and they just have a dress code. Doesn’t a smart dress code make more sense than wearing a uniform?

Obviously uniform allows students to stay safe because there is no opportunity to get lost on school trips with their recognisable blazer, tie and school logo. It also means students can concentrate more on school, in that there are fewer distractions. Clearly, student attire also helps to identify any intruders who may enter the school and any student who may be skipping a day off school to go shopping for example.

Moreover uniform means no one would be bullied as a result of their clothing choice such as a lack of designer labels which therefore means it diminishes the economic barriers. Uniform also eliminates social grouping which may be due to individual dress code such as ‘chavs’ (who would typically wear fake designer gear) and ‘Goths’ (who stereotypically wear all black). Many parents would also agree school ‘is to learn’; it is not a ‘fashion parade’…

However it is a well known fact that students do not actually benefit from school uniforms. They do not encourage attendance, they do not make students better behaved and they certainly do not improve student’s grades. For example, 75% of schools without a uniform actually receive better or the same grades as schools which require uniform. In addition to this, as well as most uniforms being uncomfortable, there is also the difficulty of finding a size that actually fits, and nearly 90% of school uniforms are of bad quality material.

Although you may be thinking uniform is still the better option, I disagree. You may say that it is cheaper to buy a uniform than buying a whole wardrobe for a child; saving time and money. However the truth is uniform prices are continuously increasing, the average cost of uniforms for one child approximately £160 and in retrospect that is a lot of money to pay particularly on top of equipment costs. Furthermore, is it really fair that parents should pay the extra expenses for a school uniform, when they are already paying taxes for free public education? No, it isn’t right.

On the contrary, do you not think that schools should be focusing on their teaching rather than insisting on a student’s uniform? I do.

Of course, if you want your child to lack freedom, personality and creativity; which would be required for their future, then uniform is clearly the best option. Personally I believe there should not be uniform as it simply does not allow children to be who they really are. A local school child explains; “We all deserve to be unique and original. Who wants to look the same as every person in the same school? Not me. I only want to express myself – being like everyone else is just boring, boring, boring!”

Saturday 15 March 2014

Pretty Pastels

Now that spring is on its way, the return on pastel clothing and items are back in the high-street, and this can only mean one thing…A Spring Pastel Wish list!

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1) Green Jumpsuit – Topshop £36

2) Blue floral crochet jumper – Topshop £36

3) Pink mini tulip skirt – Topshop £15

4) Stripe Dress – Urban Outfitters £175

5) Pink Shift Dress – Bank £28

6) Pink Skinny Jeans – New Look £19.99

7) Blue Sports Watch – New Look £9.99

8) Blue Handbag – Accessorize £27

9) Models Own nail varnish – Boots £5

10) Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter – Boots £7.99

Let me know what you think of my pastel wish list, and if you have any suggestions of your own!

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Southwold

Many of my recent instagram posts have been from some of my little trips to the famous Norfolk seaside town of Southwold. I love visiting Southwold because it is so cute and there is a cute walk all around the town, right up to the lifeboat station. The pier is also really great as there is lots of lovely food which is where i went on my most recent outing. The place we ate was by a window indoors and so overlooked the sea and was really pretty.  Moreover, there is an old fashioned games/arcade area which is really good fun to visit as a family!

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A view from Southwold Pier.

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It was a really nice walk along the beach especially because the sun was very slowly setting!

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I hope you liked my pictures and feel inspired to go for a walk on the beach too! Perhaps if you live nearby visit Southwold. Let me know in the comments of any fun beach experiences you have had!

Saturday 8 March 2014

The Truth about Disney



When I was younger I used to ADORE all of the exciting and thrilling Disney films. They were full of adventurous and entertaining stories about princesses, mermaids and other fantasies. The films were jam-packed with great sing-along songs which were mostly upbeat and catchy and to this day my sister still listens to them on her iPod. However is Disney everything you believed it to be?

My very favourite Disney film was and still is Peter Pan. In case you didn't know, it is a story about a boy, named Peter, and he never wanted to grow up. He lived in a fantasy land with the lost boys who were his friends and an evil pirate called Captain Hook. Mermaids, crocodiles and Captain Hooks crew are also important characters in the story. Nevertheless, the story involves three children, Wendy and her two brothers who meet Peter and are taken to the Lost land where they get up to mischief and at the end fight Captain Hook in order to return home and the ending is of course a happy one. The main moral of the story was that "time chases us up” and we all grow up eventually.

"To live would be an awfully big adventure."

Back to the point; there is more behind the surface of this film. Now, I mentioned the mermaids earlier. These creatures are portrayed as beautiful women who comb their hair on a rock and portray the stereotypical view of a mermaid that we still know of today. However, if you were to watch the clip below, is that the same idea you receive, or do you gather a different image Disney portrayed of the mermaids?



No? Watch it again.

From the video clip, what I see are the mermaids being portrayed in a way that Peter is superior and women are no way near as important. “Oh, Peter, Peter, look at me peter!”. This exclaims that Disney, not meaning to, portrays women in a wrong and unjust way.

And its not just in Peter Pan! Mulan is a story of a woman who has to dress up as a man to receive her rights! She takes her fathers place to fight in the war, but if found out that she was a women, she would be killed. This is because women were not allowed to be soldiers. Furthermore, it is obvious men have power and at the beginning of the film, you watch the females dressing up to make themselves presentable for the males. Therefore, although they are good films, Disney has portrayed females with no rights and presents signs of sexism.



In addition to this, recently in the news, Meryl Streep made a speech about Disney. According to newspaper articles “Women do not do any of the creative work in connection with preparing the cartoons for the screen, as that task is performed entirely by young men.” Therefore, could this be the reason for sexist portrayals in the films?! Who knows.

Seeing as it is international woman's day this seemed an appropriate blog post. What does today mean to you? Personally today should encourage equality and remind us all that women still do not get treated fairly and do not have the same chances as men. I hope you found the post interesting and you feel inspired to share your opinions.

Friday 7 March 2014

The Liquid Liner

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Although i prefer to use coal or pencil to line my eyes on an everyday basis, i sometimes choose to wear liquid liner.  I find it looks neater and of course more prominent. Also i know that it wont come off during the day, which is where pencil and coal has disadvantages.

Despite occasionally having a little trouble with applying liquid liner, i still manage to do okay. I tend to take it slow and follow the lash line in small steps. I think applying it above the eye looks best however i i only think this because i haven't dared try under. To apply the liner, i hold it like and pencil and lean my hand on my cheek for support allowing me to create a smoother and neater thin line. Take your time when applying it and hold the liner so it is tilted to ensure the line is straight.

My favourite eyeliner so far has been the Soap and Glory Supercatliner because it is basically a felt tip pen. It is simple and super easy to use as it is light and the pen allows you to choose for both thick and thin lines. It also dries very quickly which i find a great advantage as i am always in a rush. I also find that some liquid liners aren't quite black enough, however this one i would definitely recommend because it is dark enough and i love it! 

Monday 3 March 2014

Everyday Makeup

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My everyday makeup consists of a natural look which i wear most weekdays. I do not wear foundation however, i do use two types of concealer. I find the Soap and Glory Kick Ass concealer great for around the eyes and the powder which sets the concealer in place. However the 17 concealer is great for any redness and also for under my eyes. On a daily basis, i wear the Soap and Glory eye shadow which is great because it hides any dark parts of my eye and gives my eye more definition.

Soap and Glory Kick Ass concealer – eye and face concealer

17 concealer

17 eyebrow pencil

Soap and Glory Its about the eyes – eye shadow primer under base

Soap and Glory You wont believe your eyes - eye serum

Soap and Glory A great kisser - lip balm

Soap and Glory lid stuff – eye shadow

Top shop kohl eye pencil

Models own eyelash curlers

I hope you likes this post, i love having a little nosey in my friends makeup bag so feel free to let me know in the comments any suggestions and uses of your own!

Sunday 2 March 2014

Lake Adventure

This weekend i went for a walk around a local lake. It was gloomy and dull, but i enjoy going on walks regularly and it was pleasant to get the fresh air.

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There were loads of ducks, swans and other birds, which is sad to admit, but i enjoy bird watching!

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I managed to snap this picture of my brother jumping. I think it looks pretty cool and a little as if he was jumping into the lake!

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This was a bit of an ‘artsy’ shot i took because i was testing out some of my camera modes. Later i will do a post on my new camera i bought and explain whether i would recommend it.

Anyway, i hope you had a good week-end and feel free to comment on any places you would suggest to go to for a walk. Despite the cold weather, it hasn't stop me from my adventure!