Xmas

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of my readers!

Keep reading for more adventures in 2012! I also have a few exciting prospects I can't wait to let you all in on...

M xxx

Lunchtime Manicure

Pop down to any Nails Inc bar and get a magnetic manicure in a choice of four colours for only £5! Bargain I say!

Opinion Piece

I've debated about posting this piece because my blog is not somewhere that pushes serious boundaries or joins political debates. It is definitely off-(fashion)topic but I really like this one and it's something I feel very strongly about - after all, isn't this my blog? Feel free to stop reading here if you're not in the mood for politics or heavy issues but if you are, please read on.

Abortion: The Right to Choose

With a fresh wave of abortion law proposals, Georgina Anderson looks at why change is not always good.

The issue of abortion has been discussed thousands of times but with the recent suggested changes to British law which would ultimately make it more difficult for women to have an abortion, this controversial subject has reared it’s ugly head once again.

Last month, Conservative MP Nadine Dorries put forward an amendment that would stop charities and other abortion providers, like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, being able to give advice to women prior to choosing to have a termination. She criticized that their financial interest made them more inclined to encourage women to abort, a process she labelled as a “conveyer belt” of abortion. Under the law change, this job would be handed over to GPs and other government-run organisations. However, opponents of the reform say it could open the door to anti-abortion or religious based organisations giving pro-life counselling.

The current abortion law – which was enforced in 1967 and has barely changed since – is already chronically flawed. Women must obtain consent from two independent GPs before going ahead with the procedure. This means that the choice to have a termination is somewhat out of the women’s hands and instead passed over to a doctor (of which one in ten of them claims to be anti-abortion). Traumatic enough as it is, adding further counselling and “approval” from more bodies could not only mean a delayed process, making the procedure in itself more distressing as the pregnancy develops, but one fraught with boundaries and bureaucratic hurdles.

Disguised as changes to “protect women” from being misinformed and later regretting their decision, the proposal could pave the way to tougher restrictions and an increase in anti-choice protestors.

If Dorries’ plans were to have gone ahead, a longer drawn out process would have been introduced. As a result, a boom of illegal and potentially dangerous “back street” abortions were predicted. In Northern Ireland for example, where abortion is still against the law, it’s no surprise that women are opting for extreme measures. Many women are buying abortion drugs online although never actually know what these drugs contain. Without medical supervision they are leaving themselves at risk to chronic bleeding or infection which could ultimately lead to death. Of course there is no figure for the amount of women who inquire complications but these women have an impossible choice; either face social out casting by confiding in a doctor or hoping they recover without medical help.

I am in no way implying that the current process is perfect. There are numerous places where the law could be modernised not only for the woman’s benefit but also for economical benefit. However, an increase in “red tape” and document stamping is never the answer.

Thankfully, the proposal was unsuccessful with 75% of the attending parliament voting against it, but this has brought the realisation that a woman’s right to an abortion is not a done deal and is constantly being reviewed. Pro-choice campaigners are fighting everyday to keep the current right and I for one, am one of them.

Minimalism at it's Best

Before I lose all hope of publishing anything marginally intelligent on here over the Christmas period (just three days of work to go...) I thought I'd post a couple of things I've written for my course this term.

This is a catwalk write up I wrote for The Telegraph newspaper:

Phoebe Philo's latest collection for Celine ingeniously combines chic tailoring with an oversized silhouette - a look you're sure to want to wear to work next spring/summer.

Amoungst rumours of Phoebe Philo’s possible take over at Louis Vuitton if Marc Jacobs jumps ship to Dior, Celine’s show had all the right elements of Philo’s signature minimalism mixed with a spattering of fifties couture silhouettes. The set was understated; raw pine wood flooring covered by a U-shaped mirrored runway with seating either side, the music softly orchestral with a strong drumbeat running behind.

The collection began with coats galore: oversized trench coats in china white and rich burgundy worn with ribcage width belts, layered over matching A-line skirts and black embroidered slim trousers and single breasted, A-line coats with leg-of-mutton sleeves and large gold buttons.

A crime not to mention the trouser silhouettes, Celine's S/S 2011 shapes are from both ends of the spectrum. One slim, tailored, monochromatic and neatly pleated - for the show Philo accessorised these with wide skirt belts creating a sixties peplum shape. The second were a trapeze, cropped, ivory pair with buttery satin hems. These were echoed with variations featuring box pleats and with extending hip inserts.

Lastly were a sleek pair of slate grey, hipster, suit trousers with sheer net overlays and white sporty stripes down the side channeling a Spice Girl era Mel C. Although the silhouettes were a little theatrical, these classic-with-a-twist shapes are sure to be next season’s working wardrobe staple

As a contrast to the starched cottons and flowing chiffon, leather was featured in abundance. In evergreen, white, tan and burgundy it was seen as pleated A-line skirts, tunic tops and dresses – some with multiple colour leather paneling –and biker jackets with oodles of zips.

As well as the muted hues, a pop of colour was introduced in the form of white thin knits with pillar-box red graphic patterns teamed with elegant mid-length skirts in pleated white chiffon and cotton.

"It was all about playing with proportions." Philo explained backstage. And it's those oversized proportions that may not be easy for the average woman to wear. However, Philo guided the way by cinching in waists and strapping on a pair of super high, platform pumps complete with chunky ankle strap.

The show's crowning glory were the crystal encrusted chokers decorating emerald green shirt dresses and straight-jacket white shirts with peplum hemlines. The models carried in hand evergreen or tan leather hobo bags or petite briefcases in canary and pillar-box red. Others held envelope clutches in evergreen, ruby or white with contrasting piping. These colours were mirrored in knotted cuffs featuring a large metal ring making a low-key statement against the angular looks.

The model's hair was characteristically simple; straight, low parting and pulled back so it sat regimentally down the model’s backs. Their make-up was scarce with a flawless complexion and only a hint of clay brown eyeshadow.

Phoebe Philo really hit the ready-to-wear nail on the head with this collection and with claims that she'll continue on at Celine as well as designing at Louis Vuitton, the question on everybody's lips is: will she be able to keep it up?

Christmas Chutney

It's that time of year again when we end up spending a small fortune on presents for our loved ones (or not) and trudge out at every spare minute to negotiate the slalom that is shopping at Christmas time.

Well this year, I decided to be smart.

This is part one of my Christmas gift guide and part two (published after the big day, not to ruin any surprises of course) will consist of what, where and how I bought all the gifts for my closest friends and family (I think I got it pretty spot on this year, even if I do say so myself).

Now we all have relatives, perhaps distant or that you only see this time of year, who you don't buy an actual gift for but (like me in previous years) buy a wholesale amount of chocolate biscuits from M&S (2 for 1 deal preferably) and hand them out willy-nilly to whoever shows up on the doorstep to wish you a merry Christmas. Of course, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with this, M&S biscuits are delicious after all, but it does lack a certain personal touch. And everyone loves homemade gifts at Christmas.

A couple of years ago, I made several batches of biscuits, packaged them up festively and gave those out. The only thing was that I had to make them all at the last minute, cue stress and panic and then they had to be given immediately because the shelf life was only a few days. Not ideal.

This year I wanted to make my life as stress-free and simple as possible in the run up to the 25th, but not compromise on the personal touch that homemade goods brings.

Chutney was my answer. I found this Mary Berry recipe online and simply tripled the ingredients to make what turned out to be about 30 190ml/7oz jam jars which I bought from this company (totally recommend them, by the way). The only alterations I did to the recipe was to skip the coriander seeds, because I couldn't find any, and exchange the cayenne pepper for normal black pepper.

The beauty of having to make it at least four weeks in advance is that you don't have an extra worry in the week leading up to Christmas (always a bonus), they don't need to be stored in any special place and they keep for months.

The recipe came out a treat, we had loads left over so ended up using it as a dip for our meatball and pitta dinner, and it was delicious. The only advice I would give is if you are going to make the amount I did, make sure to use a food processor (with a grater attachment) to grate the onions, it saves an awful lot of time and crying.

To decorate them I just cut squares out of some cheap, candy cane coloured cotton to cover the lids, tied lengths of green sparkly string around and stuck on some descriptive labels.

Favourite Festive Accessories

Browsing the internet for Christmas presents I can't help but get excited about pieces that are festively coloured.

Clockwise from top left:

Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless nail polish £13.50

Dune Pom Pom Ballerinas £55

Mango Wayfarer sunglasses £18

ASOS Skinny Cross Bangle £6

Valorie Glitter Leather Clutch £350

La Perla Mezzanotte Lace and Satin Bra £215

La Perla Mezzanotte Lace and Satin Thong £185

Cath Kidston Luggage Tag £5

Michael Kors MK5384 Watch £199

Chatelaine Heart Coin Purse £118

NARS Holiday 2011 Lipstick £17.50

The La Perla lingerie set is just beautiful but I can't help but think it'd be awfully impractical under clothing. Or maybe that's boring of me. And I've had my eye on a glitter Valorie clutch bag from Anya Hindmarch since I interned with them earlier this year. Equally with the pom pom pumps, they were my favourite shoe from the Dune A/W 2011 press day, although unlike the clutch, I actually have the funds for the more modestly priced pumps.

Karlie Kloss for Vogue

When I saw this first picture, I thought wow, stunning. But scrolling down to see additional face-on images I was a little shocked.

Is this too skinny?? I think so.

She is supposed to be the next "the body" but Giselle and Rosie (both previous owners of that title) are both a little - I stress a little here - plumper than this. They may not exactly be a size 12 but the size of Karlie is not ok, she's bordering on being emaciated and I think it's just too small to be publicised. It is not a realistic nor healthy weight goal for young girls to aspire to be.

It may be a little controversial to be defying the fashion Bible that is Vogue (God love it) but I felt I had to say something, I think it's a step too far.

Am I the only one thinking this?

Disclaimer: I don't like to use my blog as a personal moaning outlet but once in a while, something warrants me breaking my silence. Moan-free blogging will resume after this post.

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