My Thoughts on Kim Kardashian's Robbery

Hiya guys, I've decided to bring you an extra post this week, you lucky things you [insert cheeky emoji grinning face]. I'm still posting my main post of the week tomorrow which is a review. But I really wanted to write about the whole Kim escapade and I didn't want to talk about it any later as it was just the other week. So I didn't want to be bringing it up a few weeks like, "Oh have you heard what happened? Here's what I think!" & then everyone is bored because everyone and their brother will have given an opinion on this. I don't want to turn the blog into tabloid & celebrity gossip stories, but I thought there were a few issues that could be talked about with this.

Source- Pascal Le Sefretain/Getty Images for Buro 24/7

Now, we ALL know who this very famous lady is. Her face, life & body are everywhere you turn. Even if you aren't fans of the family or watch their show, you probably still know who they are. Or have at least heard of them. I have to say, I'm not a fan of the family. Although, I'm not going to talk too much about that right now as I might actually talk about that in another post. She managed to go from a c/d list celebrity to being right at the top and being an A++. So love or hate her, she is an amazing businesswoman who's managed to create a career out of being someone who's just known. For a few years now, she has been making her way to the Paris shows for fashion week as she's friends (and quite possibly a client) of many well know designers within the industry. Even before she got to Paris, we all knew that she was going to be there.

Source- Unknown

Many people have been disgustingly horrible about the whole situation, saying that she deserved it or she shouldn't have been on social media. But let's just take it back to the basics for a moment. We know she's a mother, as we've seen her children. We know that she's a sister, who cares and loves her sisters just like anyone else. We know she's' a wife and daughter. She has a job, which unlike a lot of us is in the spotlight. She is still a person, who feels and I'm sure in that moment as the robbery was taking place, I bet all she could think about was her life & children. Which is what would happen to at least, 99.9% of us. No one deserves to have their privacy interrupted and to feel like they will have to look over their shoulder constantly. In a way, I can totally relate. A year or so ago, I woke up to two strangers in my home stealing my items. Luckily, not to this extent. But it was a very surreal feeling, knowing someone was in my home while I was asleep. Taking my stuff. But to actually have a gun pointed at you, to have them physically touch you and make sure you are restrained? I don't think I could wish that on anyone or think that they deserve it. Neither should you. To wish bad on someone makes you worse, at least as bad as the person you hate. Especially if they aren't directly hurting anyone.

Source- Unknown

I agree in the sense that, she shouldn't have been posting her exact location or telling people that she was alone (I read that she was doing this, feel free to tell me I'm wrong!). Unfortunately, with fame, you will always be a target for these types of ordeals. I'm in no way saying that we should all just accept it & think that it's fine. As it totally isn't. Fame wouldn't have helped, doesn't mean it should be expected. That's why I mentioned earlier that we all knew she would be there. They would've had weeks if not months to plan what they were going to do. Which also leads me onto one of my first thoughts when this happened, where were her bodyguards when this was happening? Someone like that should know that they need security. There are plenty of desperate people out there and some really are willing to take the risks. Turns out that he as actually with her sisters, leaving her with no one... Plus, why did she only have just one bodyguard? If I was someone with her stature & money I would be making sure I had an eye in every direction around me...

I don't want you to think I'm "hating" on her or thinking that this should have been expected and should have happened. I'm just trying to explain what I feel and think about the situation, as well as afterwards about the reaction. I just feel, with fame you do pay that price of privacy & safety sometimes. So you need to make sure you look after yourself. I honestly believe she didn't think anyone would ever be bold enough to actually do that to her. But people really are, as I said people are desperate. I think she made a mistake of not having more bodyguards and being super open on social media, but does that mean she should pay the price for it? Of course not.

Please let me know your thoughts & feelings on this in the comments below! Just don't be a bully please?

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Are The Oscars Too White?

So by now, I'm assuming you have all heard about the controversy surrounding this year's Oscar Nominations. Every year the same issues seem to arise, so why haven't we seen change? After researching the topic even just a little, I didn't have to do much digging, it seems this topic is brought up almost every year. Some have argued, maybe none of the coloured actors deserved to be nominated. Which I agree, maybe they didn't. But, really can we always believe that's the case? Especially when It happens all the time and when there are coloured nominations the number of white vs coloured nominees is always always outnumbered. In all honesty, in today's society & year I think it's hugely embarrassing, as a species we are meant to be the most intellectual and advanced. Yet we still act as if we are from the stone ages, or at least not past the last century or so. That we are still having these issues of diversity. We shouldn't have to talk about it. It should even need to be brought up, it's shocking that we still do. Surely after it being brought up time after time that we would start to see some change by now?  

Source- Deadline

All of the above were nominees for last years Oscars.

I think what's also important to point out is the lack of Gay nominees as well. Ian McKellan has been nominated twice for an Oscar and both times he planned his speech beginning with him being gay. And both times he put the speech back in his pocket. Yes, there have been gay nominees that have won, but not many and none that were open about their sexuality at the time of their wins. So again, another recurring theme to these award shows. I caught a video that had been trending on the side of facebook, unfortunately for the life of me I can't remember who was in the video & which one it was sorry! But the guy said, he feels it's up to the people who are involved with the films before they get to the award shows. Casting directors need to include more nationalities in their films, different directors. Saying that voting members are just dealing with what they are being given.

Although I don't entirely agree with what he has says, I do feel we need a broader diversity in our films and the stories we decided to put out there in films. So maybe, just maybe this would help. I don't think it's as simple as just choosing different actors. The film "Creed" was written and directed by a black man, as well as starring a lead black actor. The only nominee for this film, was a white man. I think throughout the entire industry there needs to be change. Ian Mckellan also said brilliantly;

"The voting members of the Academy are predominantly white, predominantly male, and predominantly middle aged and old, they're not representative. If you feel excluded because you're black or Hispanic or a woman or gay, you're going to look at that institution and say it doesn't represent me. No, it doesn't, that's a fact. But do you expect it to represent you? It's just a middle aged, white male organisation. The easy way would be to say, don't worry about it, forget about Oscars, don't go, don't put yourself up for it. But in a land where there are no knighthoods, winning an Oscar is a confirmation that you are what you are."

I think we all, already know how judgemental, or how much the Oscars are biased. I only need to mention our beloved Leornado DiCaprio. For the past few years he has given outstanding performances in films, yet, every time he is nominated he receives nothing. So as Ian McKellen says, they are a bunch of middle aged men who like that they like and nothing is going to change that. Unless we do what we can and keep calling them out. If no one says nothing, nothing changes so we need to be as proactive as we can to make changes. Not just in the film & entertainment industry, but across the board for a lot of things. I think this year though, a lot of prominent people in society have stood up and said something. Which has prompted the Academy President to respond. She has said that they will now be reviewing their current member board and make sure to include the much needed diversity.

So who knows, maybe old Leonardo DiCaprio will get his Oscar after all?

Grab A Cuppa (Or Whatever) & Let's' Have A Chat

When Did I Become Old Enough For "Lady"?

As you all know, or should do now, I started working in Next around November 2014. So i've been interacting with A LOT more people than I did for a while... One of the things I noticed around this time was they way people would refer to me. People would call me "lady" & "Women" and it was VERY weird. For so long I have been used to being called a girl, I was fine with that as I didn't yet feel like I was a woman yet, I still don't! Plus, I knew I was one of those people had been given a baby face and again, I was more than fine with that. As many older woman would remind me, I'd be thankful when I did get old.

So what I want to know is, when and how did this happen? I seem to have become a woman over night. Even at family parties, children come TO ME. They ask ME if they are allowed to do something. I don't know. I can't even decide what's ok for me to do... Nevermind someone's own flesh and blood. Im not ready for that kind of responsibility. I always look around for a "real" adult, someone who's been doing it for far longer than me and are actually confident in the choices they are making. I have felt people treat me a bit different as well, with a little bit more respect I feel.

I do think I'm maybe carrying myself slightly different, which is a natural thing anyway when you are growing up. So maybe that's one of the reasons? I just find it so strange when someone tells their child to pass it to the woman, or give it to the lady. I don't feel like I'm out of that girl stage yet. I know I'm married, pay my bills and so on so forth. But, those things aren't hard and plus, I don't feel ready to be a woman yet! I still feel childish and giddy. Maybe I have made it, but my mind hasn't yet caught up and realised that I am now, A Real Adult. Or at least on my way...

When I see other people my age, who look a lot older I feel a bit more reassured. I'm like, no it's ok I'm not quite there yet. When you see woman like Kylie Jenner you don't feel so adult after all. Well at least I don't. I'm enjoying youth and being young. I know it won't last forever so I want to reveal it in for as long as I can. Because once you do become that older, put together looking female. That's it. There's no going back.

Grab A Cuppa (Or Whatever) & Lets Chat

Should Makeup Be Allowed At School?

So I was just browsing on facebook last week, when I seen an article someone had shared. It was about teachers at a school patrolling the corridors with wet wipes, so they could force the girls to take off their makeup. Now, before I even start on this I already know this is going to bring up a lot of viewpoints, so please be kind towards one another in the comments & remember everyone is entitled to their own view.

Firstly, I think I may start with my own opinions on the whole "should we wear makeup", I feel If someone wants to and they love make up because they enjoy playing around with it and creating art with their own faces. Then why shouldn't someone wear it? For the past year or two, I myself, If you know me at all will know I don't wear makeup whatsoever (well, except for lipstick), but I have found myself thoroughly enjoying makeup tutorials on youtube and have seen how much people just enjoy playing around with it. Its their hobby. So why should anyone tell them not to do it, or they should just be comfortable in their own skin. What if they already are?

-Human Traffic, 1999

I know that wearing makeup is a double edged sword for a lot of women, because so many are uncomfortable or less confident when they aren't wearing makeup. But, we need to remember that doesn't mean every female out there is wearing makeup because "society" tells us we aren't beautiful without it, or that they are doing it for someone. There are beauty youtubers who genuinely just sit in front of a camera, with no intentions of going anywhere and create tutorials for people to copy because they enjoy the art & craft of makeup. I do also believe in self-confidence though. Hence the double edged sword. So even though I think its fine to want to wear makeup, I think it's important that you feel you can leave the house without panicking. Teenage/School years are really difficult times for alot of young people. So we can all relate to wanting to use makeup, especially when we feel we look terrible...

I think what a lot of people or rather I should say, the education boards at schools, worry that its distracting and that people are there to learn. Which, I don't disagree with, yes we are there to learn. But this school are pulling students from classrooms during lesson time, just to take makeup off, that's going to be more harmful. Plus, when they come back in they aren't going to feel very motivated are they? But I feel it's also important to teach self-expression & individuality.  As I do more posts like this, you will see that I am quite anti-establishment and I feel schools teach us this from a young age to confirm and stay quiet. When in reality, we should be being taught to speak up more and to think ourselves. With makeup I feel it gives people bit more of an identity as well, because we all like to do our makeup differently and using different shades. Which can help when you are all in the same uniform looking alike...

-Source here

I think what's also important, is schools need to be careful when they are crossing that boundary of whether it actually has anything to do with them. These pupils are leaving the house with makeup already on. With makeup already bought, which let's be honest, is being bought majority of the time by their parents. What teenager has money for a £40 urban decay palette? I don't even have that kind of money... So if parents are buying it for them and watching them leave the house with it already on, it should be ok. You can't really get in the way of what parents allow their own children to do.

I think something else that should be highlighted and talked about is the constant need to tell females what they should and shouldn't be doing. Being told what affects us and that we are distracting for the opposite sex. Doing this from a young age can be damaging. It also teaches young girls early on that they need to think about what society thinks of them and how they should behave. When in all reality, it shouldn't matter. Those thoughts shouldn't even come into their heads, but they do because we teach them to think like that. Why shouldn't they be allowed to pop a bit of makeup on to feel good? It's a tough age, so shouldn't we encourage them to do what makes them happy? Especially if they are outside the school gates crying because of how they are feeling about the way they look. I wear lipstick to make myself feel that extra bit special and fancy, especially if I feel I've put together a nice outfit.

So in conclusion, I really do feel that pupils wearing makeup to school is a non-issue. I think the teachers, not just in this school but everywhere, should be focusing their time & energy into getting the pupils more focused and engaged. Helping them grow their confidence in their educational abilities. Not worrying about being attacked by a wet wipe. Finding new and interesting ways to teach them, getting them interested and expanding their minds. I think a bit of adult face paint is hardly important.

Grab A Cuppa (or whatever) & Lets Chat

Tyga & Molly O'Malia

So by now, I'm assuming most of you have already heard about this story through various media outlets. I thought it would be a great topic to start this section of the blog off with, and its a very current topic right now! As well as bringing up quite a few issues. I also want to say, I encourage all of you to comment your opinions down below and get involved as mush as possible as this is what I want Tuesdays to be all about. Talking with each other.

Firstly, I want to start off with some of the headlines that have come out about this story.

"Model Molly O'Malia, 14, Accuses Kylie Jenner's Boyfriend Tyga Of Sending Her "Uncomfortable" Messages"-People

Underage teen sobs next to her lawyer Gloria Allred as she claims she received 'uncomfortable texts' from Tyga during his relationship with Kylie Jenner-Daily Mail

Now, since all of this has come out, there has been some leaked photos of the actual texts. I'm not going to post any here, just incase due to copyright! Don't want to get caught up in all that... The texts show her clearly lying about her age, but the texts do also show him asking her to "facetime" him. I agree, its totally ok for her to feel intimidated by him asking her to do this. But, to then go onto lie about your age? Clearly stating you are much older than you are? Looks like trouble! It doesn't seem like she is feeling that uncomfortable about their communications. Since she lied about her age AFTER he has asked her to facetime him.

I think the media has been really unfair of the portrayal of all of this. Clearly, a lot of people are on Molly O'Malias side, straight away. I personally feel this is because shes a young girl. So, naturally a sweet looking girl would never be so manipulative would they? But alas, in the revealing of the texts we see her lying about the very thing, the newspapers are shouting about. Her age. So who is really in the wrong here? And is really fair to be judging men, just because of their sex? That they must be the misleading monster. Especially when us females hate it being done to them. For me, feminism is very important. Feminism for me, is also about choice & fairness regardless what your sex is. So, what I mean by that is, you should be able to choose whatever you want to do regardless of your sex, as well as being treated fair regardless of your sex.

I think whats also important for us all to remember is, theres always three sides to a story. One side, the other side & the truth.

I feel the media have immediately jumped to Mollys side because of her age and sex, before really finding out whats happened. If the media knew about the texts before they realize the articles, then thats even worse! It just shows how much mainstream media really loves to stir things and how you really can't believe everything you see in the news. I think its also important to see how unfair and sexist our society is still. Still jumping to outdated normalities.

I feel bad for both of them. Molly, because alot of people are judging her because she lied about her age. Tyga, because people are also judging him for being a bit of a creep. I think everyone needs to remember that there is good and bad in everyone, so sometimes it shows! Maybe, just maybe, they are both a little in the wrong here? But they've also both become victims of their actions by themselves and towards each other. So, naturally, everyone must pick a side... Obviously.

So what are your opinion on this story? Do you define yourself as feminist, if so, how?

Let's Have A Cup of Tea & Chat: Always #LikeAGirl; good or bad?

Hiya guys, I hope you are all having a wonderful Tuesday! Today i am kicking off my first Discussion post :) I hope you guys enjoy this category as much as i am hoping you all will! Im hoping to engage with you as much as i can on these posts. I most definitely invite you all to get involved and express what you think. Of course, in the nicest, politest ways possible. No abuse will be tolerated and i will delete comments. The topics that i will be discussing will be very, very, very varied. Ranging from politics to general media gossip. With creating this category on my blog, i am hoping that 

1) You will learn the type of person i am & my views/opinions

2) We can hopefully open our minds

3) Try to learn to dismiss judgement & be more thoughtful

(Just incase theres any of that out there...)

Always #LikeAGirl

Now, i'm not sure how many of you will have seen the video i posted on my blog last friday, if not i suggest you go watch before you carry on reading!

When i first started watching the video, i didn't really know what to expect. What i really didn't expect was how much it would hit home... When i heard the first sentence "I'm just going to give you some actions to do..." I knew exactly where it was going. I watched after various types of people were asked to do the same kind of things. But, to do it #LikeAGirl. Everyone, tried to recreate actions as a girl would and ALL done the actions in the exactly same way! After watching the video i had a look online about it and found out that it was a social experiment by Always. Now, i don't know about you but it really told me something about our society & how society can perceive these words.

They were all flailing, being a wimp, a bit of baby & weak if i'm honest. As i was watching, this is how it genuinely made me feel; inferior, weak, embarrassed & not as good. Three little words. Why has society taught us this? Or rather, why have we learnt this from society? Because i certainly wasn't told to feel like that when i heard those words. I remember hearing them as a child and saying to myself "No, im strong! Not weak #LikeAGirl", i tried to use people saying it to push me. To show people i was strong, i  wasn't like a girl.  Thats how i genuinely thought and felt. In society we are taught that women are such weak, flimsy beings. Who are basically, unable to be strong. Now, i'm not saying EVERYONE is like this, oh poor us we are hated by all men and everyone out there. That is most certainly not the case. But, as i said before this video is a social experiment it wasn't out to get anyone. They were genuinely just testing the reactions of various people from various backgrounds to see what would happen. When three little words were said. I'm also not saying women can't be weak or show/have emotion, everyone has those moments or are gentle beings. Its when its being used to put someone down and as a negative.

But, in terms of "feminism" i feel we still have a long way to go... I understand there are still women being used and controlled just because of what is between their legs... But once you get past all that, there is still plenty more to sieve through and be sorted out in terms of how society views women and how we view each other. I understand the people in the video didn't mean it in a bad way but, just look how everyone reacted when asked to do those actions. What did give me hope though, was the young girls. They all thought nothing of it. They were just themselves and done the actions as they would. They all looked strong, confident and proud. Where before with the actions, not so much... So what happens to that young girl? How and why do they change?

If you have reached to the end, then well done you! 

What do you guys think? Do you see it as a negative comment? Are we too sensitive? What do you think needs to change for young girls? Does anything even need to change? What can we do to make a change?! Any opinions welcome!