Sunday 24 February 2013

Make It Highstreet | Grammys 2013

They seem like a lifetime ago but I am finally catching up with the award ceremonies! Whilst poor film stars had to brave a mulchy, damp red carpet, music's finest were sunning themselves at the 2013 Grammy Awards. Best dressed of the evening for me had to go to the predictably gorgeous Rihanna Alaia - definitely obeying the no boobs or bum rule she looked beyond sophisticated and stunning!  I also loved the contrasting looks coming from the Knowles sisters; Beyonce looked effortlessly classy in a black and white Osman jumpsuit whereas Solange looked the epitome of Diana Ross-esque glamour in green Ralph & Russo Couture. I can't even tell you how happy I was to see Adele in something that wasn't black...maybe she's finally taken my tips! Although I wasn't a massive fan of her Valentino Couture the pop of colour looked great! As is the way with the Grammys there were a couple of eccentric looks, Katy Perry showed off more than just her musical ability in a keyhole Gucci gown, but I guess if you've got it, flaunt it! Florence Welch was back to her irregular choices in a Givenchy gown, covered in not only sequins but also huge spikes! I'm not sure how I feel about this dress, we're so used to seeing Florence float in ethereal numbers that this one just felt a little to harsh for me.
Also, shout out to the men who were looking dapper! Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford, Maroon 5, Neil Patrick Harris and John Legend - I dip my hat to all of you!

Florence Welch in Givency / Green Sequin Maxi, ASOS, £41

Katy Perry shows off her assets in Gucci / Mint cut-out Bodycon, boohoo.com, £25

Chrissy Teigen in Joy Cioci / Cross-waist Maxi, boohoo.com, £25

Rihanna stuns in Alaia / Lace drape dress, Miss Selfridge £25 / Mango Silk Maxi, ASOS, £134.99 

Friday 22 February 2013

Make It Highstreet | 2013 BAFTAs

I've recently been without computer so sorry that this is a million years late but y'know...thought that counts! Now I don't know about you but when it rains my hair gets remarkably frizzy, my mascara always runs and I slap on the most miserable face you've ever seen! Obviously actors and actresses are made of sterner stuff than me - they all braved the rain, donned the dresses and looked gorgeous (well some of them anyway)! Lots of bright dresses on show with Marion Cotillard in Dior looking like a little ray of sunshine on a horrible London day. I loved Jessica Chastain's mermaid-esque Roland Mouret dress, especially styled with such classic Hollywood hair. Vamp was the order of the day with Jessica Lawrence in Christian Dior, dark make-up and very sleek swept back hair and Thandie Newton in Louis Vuitton. Of course there was also a lot of black dresses on show as is the way with these things, my girl Anne Hathaway (we're destined to be best friends I just know it) looking stunning in embellished black Burberry and pop of pink lipstick.
There weren't any dresses that were a major miss for me. I feel Sarah Jessica Parker tried to step out of her comfort zone with an Ellie Saab jumpsuit but it just ended up looking a bit to casual, not as stand out as we're used to from her. Also, I'm not sure about Paloma Faith's whole look, the dress was pretty but the hair just made it feel a bit try hard and over-the-top...

Thandie Newton in Louis Vuitton / Lace Maxi Dress, ASOS, £70

Laura Bailey in Roksanda Illincic / Crossover Lace Maxi, Boohoo, £25
Kelly Brook Jumpsuit, New Look, £20, Sarah Jessica Parker wears Elie Saab

Friday 15 February 2013

#onebillionrising


Yesterday was Valentine's Day and as usual practically barricaded into my house under the sea of letters, chocolates and teddy bears from all my adoring fans. Ok, maybe not. But I did spend a lot of my day on Twitter (and not in the usual 'please let me avoid this essay' way I usually do!).

This is because yesterday was the 15th anniversary of V-Day and the One Billion Rising campaign. For those of you not in the know One Billion Rising is a campaign that was started by the V-Day organisation and playwright come activist Eve Ensler and is a campaign to stop violence and abuse against women through rising up, dancing and striking! The campaign can be used to tackle many different things and it's up to the individual dancer what she or he is dancing for, as Eve said in an article with The Guardian it can be "to end FGM, to remember their daughter's rape, to stop sex slavery, to educate young boys and girls about non-violence sexual relations". Whatever you feel most strongly about the important thing is we are all strong, all rising and all making a change! The campaign started just over a year ago and can now be found in 205 countries and is supported by many celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford

But can it really make a change? I mean, I dance a lot and often very badly (just ask anyone who's been out in Norwich on a Friday night). It's difficult to imagine it making a difference! But the answer is yes! Of course maybe your actual funky chicken won't change the world - but the act of millions, billions of us rising up in solidarity is sure to send a message - the violence must stop! V-Day themselves put it beautifully when they say:

"It has no set direction but we go there together. It's dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive. It breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere at anytime with anyone and everyone. It's free. No corporation can control it. It joins us and pushes us to go further. It's contagious and it spreads quickly. It's of the body. It's transcendent"

And now for the shocking bit. You might ask "Why does it affect me? I've never been abused, I've never been in a violent relationship or been assaulted. Why should I care?" Well I'll tell you why with cold, hard, horrible facts. One in every three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. One in three. I can't get over this fact, think about how many women you pass when walking down the street, your sisters, friends, daughters, teachers! One in three. If the facts don't make you wanna boogie then there were some heartbreaking stories circulating on Twitter, such as Marie who was kidnapped and raped for 8 months when she was 13 in Congo, or Barbara Italia Mendez in Guatemala who was blamed for her own rape and murder or South African Noxolo Nogwaza who was raped and murdered for being a lesbian. The list goes on and on. 

Together we must stand. Man, woman, whatever it doesn't matter anymore! It doesn't matter who we are as individuals, it's far more important to consider what we can do together. Together we can be the One Billion Rising.

onebillionrising.org

Friday 8 February 2013

DIY Stencil Nails




I really like changing up my nails and having cute little designs on them so when I saw a tutorial video of how to do stenciled nails on Michelle Phan's YouTube I knew I had to give it a go...

For this look you will need some plasters, 2 colours of nail varnish (1 will be the base and one will be the design colour and a top coat)
Firstly paint your base coat colour. This can be whatever colour and arrangement you want. I chose to put the white accent on my ring finger because this was the one I was going to have the design on but if you're planning on putting the design on all your fingers you'll need to paint your nails accordingly... Then apply a top coat