HOYFASHION

Fact: This year Liverpudlians were voted to have the most undesirable accent in the UK. Fact: Liverpool is the famous setting for now defunct television soap Brookside. Fact: Liverpool has some rather styling inhabitants.

I’ve decided to pay homage to our trendy brothers and sisters in colder Northern climes. It is often that many fashion blogs and articles especially when it comes to street styles focus on London and London only in terms of what is hip and happening in Britain. Well we may be a small island but we are small and mighty and it seems that there is a lot more to us than what meets the style scouts eye and that personal style extends much,much further than Hoxton.

The HoyFashion website focuses on the style and panache of the places north of Watford, because yes, they do have shops up there. From rockers to hip-hoppers they have it all covered and it is great to see what seems to be a brighter palette than the dead-dog tired monochrome look of the South recently.

Take a look and be inspired, it’s really dead good.

personal favourites from the collection

If you collect watches like squirrels collect nuts, you do not want to miss out on the new collection by Swatch, who have teamed up with Indian fashion designer Manish Arora to produce some very unique pieces that will be a great accompaniment to your summer wardrobe.

Manish’s celebrity following includes the likes of Katy Perry- who recently modelled his unique carousel dress to present the MTV Europe Music Awards this year. Now you can get a hold of some of the designer’s crafty work from just £65.

The collection includes a shimmering gold watch adorned with an explosion of pink hearts- much of the collection reflects the designers bold and dramatic catwalk collection. Using four of the classic Swatch watch styles, the collection is a mixture of colour meshed together with Bollywood glamour (so expect bold designs and flamboyant excess)

The range is composed of six beautiful watches- but you better keep an eye out for them as they are selling out fast.

For most of us, at some point of the day we decide to take a little time out and do what any well versed computer genius would do…cruise YouTube for stupid videos.

So during one of my recent searches, I managed to stumble across a video entitled: I AM A GEEK! by The Society for Geek Advancement.

Geek or not a Geek that is the real question?

 Forever curious to expand my understanding of different social subcultures (and distance myself from as much revision as  possible) I decided to take a look at what the experts defined as ‘Geeks.’

The video basically promotes the idea that a ’geek’  is person ’ who passionately pursues skill and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance.’ This is a contradiction considering throughout the entire clip each person is vigorously trying to convince the world that geeks are part of a conscious social subculture group, hence breaking the very definition of ‘geek’.

Throughout the entire clip, each person is brandishing either a mac computer or an iphone; basically convincing the audience that if you own a computer or if you can work an iphone you can classify yourself as a ‘geek’.

But by representing and formalising ‘geek culture’ you are effectively doing the very opposite of what sets a geek apart. A true geek does not call themselves a geek. People who do label themselves as geeks do it to belong to a social group or subculture, when in fact true geeks transcend all social labeling and stereotypes.

When the term ‘geek’ was formulated, it automatically became synonymous with social awkwardness. A traditional mould of a geek would be someone who would obsess about technology and gadgets until every other aspect of their life would seem less important, like appearance and social standing.

However, over the past few years geek chic has come to dominate the Hollywood scene, to the point that even the signature thick rimmed glasses are now fashioned by the likes of Madonna’s daughter Lourdes, Scarlett Johanson, Josh Hartnett, Kanye West, Johhny Depp, Mark Ronson and the list goes on.

all A- list Celebrities are rocking the geek chic look

So however much you protest to the contrary geeks are no longer the social outcasts who once had to scream to be heard, they have a voice, they have a following- an ever expanding and popular following at that- now even real geeks are too cool to be called geeks.

Check out the video yourself and tell me if i’m wrong.

I AM A GEEK! by The Society for Geek Advancement

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.”

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all, - if this is what you’re thinking as you stand laboriously in front of the mirror than it seems you’re not the only one, as its been selected as one of the top 10 memorable movie misquotes of all time.

The list of misquotes was compiled by the website lovefilm.com which followed a poll of 1,500 filmgoers. Darth Vader fans will be pleased to know that the dark lords infamous quote topped the list- famously remembered as “Luke, I am your father,” the actual quote from the movie is “No, I am your father.”

Disney fans will also be surprised to discover that the evil queen from the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs did not say ”Mirror, mirror on the wall”, but in fact said “Magic mirror on the wall.”

Other misquotes to make the top list include a quote from the film Dirty Harry in which Clint Eastwood dangles a threatening challenge; “Do you feel lucky, punk?” but again this is not the quote and the actual line is: “You’ve got to ask yourself on question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well do ya Punk?”

Perhaps the best known movie misquotes comes from the 1942 timeless movie Casablanca. Here Ingrid Bergman coaxes pianist Dooley Wilson with, “Play it Sam. Play As Time Goes By.” This quote is a little off the mark as the closest Humphrey Bogart gets to saying these words are as follows: “You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!”

Further down the list there is Hannibal Lecter’s misquoted, “Hello, Clarice, in the 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs- the actual spin tingling quote deliverd by Anthony Hopkins is, “Good evening Clarice” and Star Trek’s William Shatner never uttered the words “Beam me up, Scotty” but in fact said “Scotty, beam us up.”

Darren Bignell of Lovefilms.com said: “Iconic film lines are part of everyone’s vocabulary these days, but it’s interesting how years of quoting have had a Chinese whisper effect on accuracy.”

So here are the top 10 misquotes of all time:

1. “Luke, I am your father” – Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

2. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

3. “Do you feel lucky, punk?” – Dirty Harry (1971)

4. “Play it again, Sam” – Casablanca (1942)

5. “Hello, Clarice” – The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

6. “Beam me up, Scotty” – Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

7. “Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn” – Gone With the Wind (1939)

8. “If you build it, they will come” – Field of Dreams (1989)

9. “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto” – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

10. “Mrs Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?” – The Graduate (1967)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has today apologised on behalf of all politicians over public outrage on MP’s expenses

Following on from David Cameron’s issued apology yesterday, the Prime Minister said he wanted to show that “people who enter our profession are here to serve the public interest and not themselves.”

Documents revealed that leading MPs have entered invoices for items such as dog food and lawnmowers. Commons Speaker Michael Martin has said ‘serious change’ is needed and that the ‘spirit of rules’ must be followed.

Brown made his apology during a speech to the Royal College of Nursing conference in Harrogate. He said there were “wrongs” that needed to be addressed immediately.

“I want to apologise on behalf of politicians, on behalf of all parties, for what has happened and for the events of these last few days,” Brown said.

David Cameron only spoke out after it was revealed that the MPs expenses did not just come from the Labour party MPs but from the Conservative as well. The Daily Telegraph was the first to publish details regarding MPs expenses.

The paper previously faced criticism for focusing on Labour MPs, which is why it shifted its focus to the shadow cabinet. Some are being accused of practicing ‘flipping’ their homes- whereby MPs change the designation of a house as a second home- which allows them to claim expenses. According to The Guardian, the following shadow ministers are in firing line:

• Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, spent thousands of pounds renovating a thatched Tudor country cottage before selling it. He then moved the second designation to a London flat.
• Michael Gove, the shadow schools secretary and a member of Cameron’s inner circle, spent more than £7,000 furnishing a London property in 2006 before “flipping” the second home designation to a new one in his Surrey Heath constituency.
• Francis Maude, the shadow cabinet office minister who is leading the Tories’ preparations for government, tried to claim mortgage interest on his family home in Sussex. This was declined by the Commons fees office.
• Chris Grayling, the shadow home ­secretary and another member of the Cameron circle, claimed for the ­renovation of a London flat which is 17 miles from his family home.
• Cheryl Gillan, the shadow Welsh ­secretary, claimed for dog food. She has agreed to repay the claim.
• Alan Duncan, the shadow leader of the Commons who chairs the Commons audit committee which oversees MPs’ expenses, had a claim for £3,194 ­gardening expenses declined in March 2007. He says this happened after he raised the matter with the Commons authorities.
• David Willetts, the shadow ­universities secretary, claimed more than £100 for workmen to replace 25 light bulbs at his home.
• Oliver Letwin, who is in charge of the Tories’ general election manifesto, charged £2,000 to replace a leaking pipe under a tennis court. The pipe was not related to the court and Letwin was obliged to mend the pipe after an order from the local water authority.

(in order from the top of the list down) MP's who are in the firing line

According to the Prime Ministers spokesman the Prime Minister “has seen all of the explanations from the different ministers and he is satisfied with those explanations.”

First it was foot and mouth, then bird flu and now it seems the latest barnyard bug to take hold of the UK is Swine flu.

My initial reaction to this was ‘Well I better avoid any petting zoos from here on out.’ But, before you classify me as insensitive, you have to realise that much like foot and mouth and bird flu, I felt this was just another government inspired ‘Pandemic’ that would soon pass over me unaffected (unless I decided to eat a ‘foot and mouth sub’).

But with 48 cases of swine flu reported in the UK (and rising) the severity and potential danger of this condition has slowly become a shocking reality, as it is now becoming more and more easier to contract and pass on the disease without even realising.  With the pandemic alert level raised to 5, all across the UK people are being bombarded with pamphlets, contact details and guides on what do if  any symptoms of Swine Flu are detected.

With swift and quick decisions the government has managed to quarantine and reduce the outbreak of the disease as much as possible and for that they deserve much praise. Not only have they managed to provide the country with vaccines, information pamphlets access to round the clock hotlines, it seems everything has been done to make sure that people are both careful and aware of what the symptoms are.

The Department of Health have reported that all the infections in the UK so far were mild, and have been diagnosed and treated early.  The department spokeswoman said the government was not complacent and would prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic.

“The UK’s arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection,” she said.

This has been a positive step not just for the well being of the country, but for the future of the new labour government, who has reassured and reminded the country why they elected this government in to power. In recent months, campaigns including Change4Life and FAST have all proved very positive. The Mirror released a report this month on six year old Karen Lewis- who saved her grandmothers life after spotting her symptoms from the FAST stroke campaign. This is just the first pro-active step in reducing the number of critical patients and future pressure on the NHS.

However, in saying this the National Health Care system has not been the governments crowning jewel; with poor facilities, lack of medical personel and the rise of MRS in numerous clinics, the government will need more than a few successful campaigns to restore its reputation. With all this and the release of Darling’s Budget, the greater public has become more keen to follow the steps of the USA and introduce change in the next election.

But there is still some time before the election- with the positive initiatives taken at the G20 Summit and tackling the rise of Swine flu, Brown’s parliament might still be able to redeem whatever credibility they have left.  But from this standpoint, the likelyhood of this happening seems preety bleak.

So for the sake of Labour’s credibility- lets just hope history remembers the New Labour government as a successful deterent of an international pandemic- not the useless cure for one of the UKs worst economic downturns.

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?)

As children we were often under threat from non existent nasty’s like the boogeyman, “…if you don’t go to bed the bogeyman will get you”.
As we got older these frightening figures melted away. But what if you found out the boogeyman was real?

The name Akinwale Arobieke will mean very little to a lot of people. However try using his better known name of Purple Aki, in North England and it won’t be long before you’re bombarded with tales of this “boogeyman urban legend”.

But Purple Aki is no urban legend, donning his name for apparently being “so black he is purple”, Purple Aki’s legend had struck fear in the hearts of many people up North. This man, who at a burley 6″5, would approach young men asking to measure their biceps or perform squats amongst other things, was eventually arrested and jailed for six years in 2003 for 16 counts of harassment.

 For years it was unknown whether Purple Aki was even real but his conviction cemented his existence.
 Last year, after his release, a Sexual Offenses Prevention Order was imposed. This means he cannot touch, feel or measure muscles or ask people to do squat exercises in public. However, only two months later he broke the ban when he approached a 17 year old boy. He asked the boy how many bench presses he could do.

The boy told the court: “He pointed to my arms and asked if he could see.

“He then lifted his hand towards my biceps and I realised who it was. I backed away and told him I had to go.

“I felt sick and walked away as fast as I could. I went to a friend’s house and looked back but he had gone.”

Bodybuilder Arobieke was found guilty and was sentenced to 18months in prison.

This man has received more than 400,000 hits on you tube after various spoof cartoons and video clips were made.

So next time someone tells you the boogeyman isn’t real, tell them Purple Aki is.

a Purple Aki spoof on youtube…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzVcTYoQET8 

Urban Decay

Pocket Rocket Lipgloss

There’s no doubt about it ,Urban Decay  is one of the most innovative cosmetics companies out there,with fun product names such as Midnight Cowboy and Quickie this cosmetics company deliver top-notch,bang-on trend beauty.

Their new lip gloss Pocket Rocket(£16) ,just goes to prove it. They have launched 8 new fabulous shades. Inside the lid of each custom lip gloss tube is a photo of a rather delicious looking man each with their own signature name: Timothy,Kirk,David,Jesse,Doug,Julio,James and Eric.  Now here’s the fun part- when you tilt the gloss back and forth,your chosen man undresses! (only to his pants of course!)

According to the Urban Decay website each man has a different personality,so you can pick and choose whichever one floats your boat! For example “Timothy”, described as a “coral hue with a pink glow” is “An all-American and future Senator, Timothy is your mother’s dream come true. Skilled at fencing, rugby and sailing, he is valiant and fun. Undress him and he’ll make you the next Jackie O-oh-ohhhhhhh!”

Yes and it gets better. David described as a “milky mauve” sells as “A hard-working man: at work, in the gym, and most importantly, in bed. After a grueling 60-hour week, he still has the energy to come over and put his 110% into you. Undress him to inspect your benefits package.”

Put his 110% into-Oh my…

Yes it’s cheesy but I’m a strong believer of not taking make-up too seriously. After all how often can a girl say “I’ve got David all over my lips!”? (Don’t answer that!). Joking aside this is a really brilliant product  other added bonuses of this gloss are that the portions are very generous.There are 8ml in each container rather than the measly 4ml in other more expensive lip glosses on the market. Also equipped with a baby-soft mini brush wand instead of an spongy applicator,this lip gloss glides on with no fuss and a vibrant,plumping colour payoff.

If all that isn’t enough to convince you then maybe the fact that it is enhanced with pheromones. The back is emblazoned with “Rub me for your pheromone fix!” Though undetectable to humans,these hormones enhance your mood and most importantly sexual attraction. What more could you possibly want?!

Available at Urban Decay Counters nationwide and www.urbandecay.com