Munoz/Reuters

From Tuesday 12th January, the destructive earthquake that hit Haiti-a nation already crippled by debt and corruption-put the rest of the world at a stand still. Televised news reports of homes turned to rumble and photographs of parents carrying their dead children and wondering orphans in Port-au-Prince, have forced viewers at home to come to terms with the uncensored aftermath of the earthquake and the truly devastating price innocent people have to pay.

For the last 15 days, news headlines have made sure we remember Haiti’s devastation:

“Haiti: a long decent to hell”

Haiti earthquake victims: ‘You still see dead bodies trapped under rubble’

Haiti Earthquake Death Toll ‘Nears 170,000′

But, amidst all this is a belief that spirit and strength will conquer all. Today, 15 days after the quake, news broke out that a teenage girl was rescued alive from under a house. She was dehydrated and had a broken leg but was conscious. It’s a miracle.

Last week, on BBC news, a reporter reporting from Port-au-prince met a heavily pregnant woman and her family whose home like thousands of others was destroyed by the quake. The woman, who was 9 months pregnant was in labour and fainted. The BBC crew drove her to the nearest hospital where doctors experienced complications because she was too weak to give birth. But, after an hour or so, she finally gave birth to healthy new baby boy. It a was a great story with the illuminating message of hope in the form of a new born amid Haiti’s despair. 

With the global response to the Haiti earthquake being so incredibly generous, nothing but strength and hope should come now to the suffering nation.

Last night, like a BILLION other people around the world, I watched the phenomenal memorial service of Michael Jackson live on television. Celebs and close friends of the King of Pop paid emotional tributes in front of 19,000 mourners and Michael’s glittering coffin at the Staples Centre in LA.

Michael’s brothers made a moving tribute to the star by wearing his trademark white glove. Songs dedicated to the tragic superstar were sang by legendary artists including Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie and teary-eyed brother Jermaine who’s rendition of Smile, Michael’s favourite song, was extremely moving . Mariah Carey, Usher and even our very own Shaheen Jafargholi, aged 12, also performed at the memorial. 

Last night was also the first time ever Michael’s daughter Paris was heard. In the heart-rending finale, the teary 11 year old went on stage and told the world: “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.” At that point, I’m pretty sure that there wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium, let alone in my own living room.

The memorial couldn’t have ended more perfectly. The backup singers, who rehearsed with the late music icon just days before his death, performed Michael Jackson’s favourite number (“We are the World/Heal the World”) of his would-of-been 50-cencert comeback tour in London. The Japanese/Black lead singer Judith Hill, has a noticably great voice. It was an overwhelmingly touching performance. Just an insight of how amazing the show would’ve of been adding more to the heart break. But like his close friend songwriter, Smokey Robinson said, “He’ll never really be gone.” Because his music will live on forever and ever.

BRAND FOCUS;

WILDFOX COUTURE

LA-made brand, Wildfox Couture, is an American vintage-inspired women’s knitwear/t-shirt brand. Sound familiar? Unsurprising, as the brand has a strong celebrity following, visible in the fashion press. Celebrity followers include: Audrina Partridge, Vanessa Hudgens, Whitney Port, Katy Perry, the list goes on.

Inspired by Native American artwork and vintage rock & roll t-shirts, the young designers and childhood friends, Emily Faulstich and Kimberley Gordon created a brand that tells a story of their generation and friendship. Get an insight of their world here.

The collection offers a range of super-soft and loosely fitted tees that gives a touch of vintage to any outfit. What I love most about the tees are the fun graphics and boyfriend-fit which easily gives them that “my favourite vintage t-shirt” factor. Part of my personal desire-list are oversize roses t-shirt and love potion no.9.

What sucks though, is the lack of distributors here in the UK. But, once again, ASOS saves the day!

Once again we are reminded how wonderful the internet is as beauty bloggers explode across the web. They are the ultimate resource for the hottest products, which are must-buys and which ones are must-avoids. They serve as tutors for the beauty-obsessed. But can these bloggers really turn make-up addicts into budding make-up artists?

Meet Joanne Reyes, a Film and Production student. She’s a pretty average girl but with a not-so-average flair for make-up and for that she thanks non-other than YouTube. Bloggers on YouTube who specialise in beauty such as amy04, MakeupByRenRen and ItsJudyTime, have encouraged Joanne to try out many different looks herself. Judging by the show-stopping looks from her portfolio, it seems that those online experts have made quite an impact on her. “There are so many makeup gurus on YouTube who I love and just through watching them I was able to polish my make-up looks. If it weren’t for them I’d still be one of them girls that reckon black eyeliner is the only existing makeup.”

Because of these online tutorials along with good old fashion practice, she gains flawless results. “You won’t get good results if you don’t practice. When I started with makeup I thought I was good, until I saw make-up gurus showing the right way to do it. Since then I kept perfecting my skill, practice always make perfect,” she said. “The product shouldn’t matter, but there are some products out there that are just totally useless.” 

With Joanne constantly experimenting with various looks, it is no surprise that she is pretty much on the ball when it comes to make-up brands. “I think Maybelline do one of the best foundations and mascara, MAC does the best eye shadows and Lancôme do the best lip gloss (juicy tubes). If someone asked me where is the best place to buy make up, ultimately I’d say MAC,” she said, “Expensive isn’t always the key, there are many drug store brands that are just as good.” 

Although YouTube bloggers have played a big part in the development of her talent, they are not her only source of insight. Celebrities and magazines are also a big influence. “When I see something I like on someone I try duplicating that look. A massive inspiration comes from time eras and films, like 60′s pin-ups or Catwoman. Anything can trigger a look even down to fruit and animals.”

Speaking of animals, it just had to be asked. How on earth did she do the “leopard-print” look? “All you need is a good base eye shadow colour. I used a light brown/beige for that and filled in my whole lid,” Joanne explains. “Then with black eyeliner, I drew “C’s” and inverted “C’s” side by side then filled them with a darker shade of brown and polished my look how you would with your typical foundation, mascara and red lips.” This is a great look that will come in handy for next Halloween and sounds easy enough for anyone to do.

It looks like Joanne is developing into a beauty expert herself but not so much a beauty blogger. “I find it so weird and uneasy talking to yourself through a camera and quite frankly I would have no time do keep updating viewers.”

2 May 2009, MGM Grand Las Vegas, Hitman VS. Pacman

A picture can say a thousand words, but here’s the main seven:

 -This was when the previously undefeated Hatton the Hitman was taken out for good in the second round by Pacquiao’s one-punch knockout.      

-This was when Pacquiao’s lightning speed blistered Hatton’s “power.”

-This was when Pacman officially became the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and no.1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

-This was when Ricky Hatton’s fiancee Jennifer Dooley unleashed a chilling scream in fear of Hatton’s dear life.

-This was when filipinos all over the globe, screamed, jumped and cried for joy as “The Destroyer” ignited an explosion of filipino pride.

-This was when talks of the end of Hatton’s boxing career first sparked off

-This was when millions of Filipino’s updated they’re facebook or Twitter status’.

A few days before the fight Hatton said: “Right now, I hate him more than any man on the planet,” and after just two rounds, the Filipino gave him a good reason to feel that way. 

After the fight, the humble Pacman said: “He’s a sucker for a right hook. I knew he’d be looking for my left. It was nothing personal. I was just doing my job.”

Good job Manny Pacquiao-the Pride and Champion of the Philippines! (Can you guess who I was supporting in that match?)

Summer is here. The time to relax and catch some rays in the park, to scoff down heavenly Magnums or cooling Fabs, to visit the amusement parks, to wear summer dresses with sunnies and to us Londoners it is a break from the usual miserable drizzle.

But to many people, summer is also known as the hay fever season-the season of enduring endless sneezing, eye-ball rubbing and noses that run and itch. It is the time of hardly effective daily medical regimes consisting of various pills, gross nasal sprays and stingy eye drops. It is most definatly hell-on-earth. Okay, a slight exaggeration but it’s true that for hay-fever sufferers, the normal summer fun activities mentioned above can become mission impossible.

A recent study has revealed that hay fever could be costing businesses £7.1bn each year. It found that out of the 25 per cent of the population who suffer symptoms, 80 per cent of them could not operate properly during hay fever season. As a hay fever sufferer myself, Ico mpletely believe this as till this day I still blame my hay fever for restricting me to a grade B in maths GCSE. If my nose wasn’t pouring the day of my exam, I’m sure I would’ve got a shiny grade A. The survey of 2,000 by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit also revealed that affected workers operated at an average of 63 per cent of normal productivity.

These days I wake up to start my day with an awful and uncomfortable itching in my nose followed by continuous sneezing and because of this I have to drag my lazy self out of bed in search for my rescuer-a box of tissues. Hay-fever can really suck the fun and life out of my summer but it’s not too bad as long as I make Piriton allergy tablets my new best friend and make an effort to take one tablet every 4 hours. On the other hand, if one forgets to take their tablet, you can kiss having a good day goodbye and say hello to waking up in the wrong side of the bed. Damn you hay fever, damn you.