Rest In Peace Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy has died. Her amazing career ranged from teen favourite Clueless to the classic thriller Sin City. Hollywood has lost a truely talented actress. May you rest in peace. Thoughts and wishes go to her family and friends at this hard time. xxx

Congo Conflict

Millions of people have been killed in the war in Congo since 1998, with the Western world seemingly blissfully unaware of their plight.
There are tensions between different ethnic groups in the area and surrounding countries, vying for more land and control.
Although the war officially ended in 2003, people are still suffering with an estimated 4 million people killed, mostly from preventable disease and starvation as a result of the conflict.
Families are constantly under threat of rape, murder and their houses being burned down, with them inside.
Various charities across the world are doing all they can to help the survivors, from health care to shelter. Volunteers and doctors working in vaccination centres in the region have come under fire from rebel groups whilst trying to help those in need.
Thousands of people are living in refugee camps as they seem the safest places for them to be.
One lady’s story was one of great sadness. One night she awoke to see to her son only to find that her house was alight. She got herself and her children out, but her two grandchildren were still inside. Her daughter ran in to try and save her sons. Sadly one died in the fire and one later in the hospital. This lady’s bravery has caused her to have permanent skin damage from third degree burns and resulting in her not being able to go out in the sun and relying on her mother to care for her. This is just one example of the suffering these people are experiencing, with the western world being unaware and worrying about such things as ‘The X Factor’.
This loss of life has been the worst since the Second World War, and is the largest war in modern African history.
There has been an agreement between government officials and rebel groups for a resolution, but there is still death and suffering in the region. The UN has tried to intervene, only to make matters worse as the rebel groups did not want to work with the UN as they have accused armed groups of the pillage of natural resources, which both Rowanda and Uganda have denied.
If you would like to show your support for these people you can visit many charity websites:

http://www.condition-critical.org/
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/index.asp
http://www.redcross.org.uk/index.asp?id=39992

Student Fees on the Rise?

They want to put up student fees without putting up student loans! When I leave I will be in £20,000 worth of debt, so how much will I owe if they put it up? And also, if the loan doesn't go up, how will I pay it?

Yet again university will be for the rich.

Pretty In Pink

Any typical girl loves pink, and what better way to wear it than on your arm and your feet? This lovely bag is from Paul's Boutique and the shoes from Ted Baker. The bag has a detachable strap for use as a shoulder bag or hand held. And the shoes and the bag match, so you have to buy both! You can buy the bag and shoes from asos.com, one of my personal favourite websites. Long Live Pink Ladies!

The Rocky Horror Show

Well, what can I say other than 'amazing!'. A must see, just don't take parents or children, as it's not a family show.

The cast , although mostly unknown, were brilliant. Frank was truelly magnificent, a true transvestite. With feather boas and glitter galore it is a visual masterpiece.

This show is not for the faint hearted or prudish and audience participation is encouraged with The Time Warp and various shoutings of 'slag' etc when certain characters were mentioned, of which I will not give away.

A word of warning; dress up! Although I went on a week night the majority of the audience were in fancy dress, so if you go and see this show on a friday or saturday, I assume all will be dressed up.

This was the first time I saw this production live, and I am now converted and will be going as often as I can.

Bravo to the cast and crew and I hope to see you in Birmingham again!

Sex and the City

Eleven years since that now infamous starting scene first aired and Sex and the City is now a franchise with no signs of stopping.
From the first rumblings about a Sex and the City movie, fans across the world got their Manolos at the ready and cocktails on standby, with the worry of disappointment inevitable.
The film, a 15 certificate rather than an 18, like the series, had high expectations from a loyal fan base.
This alternative kind of chick flick already had a cult following so an audience was guaranteed therefore the scene setting and character development was not needed, so the audience could get thrown into the familiar world of Carrie and Co.
Again the theme song starts, with clips from the series, that sets pulses racing for, what in fans eyes, should be the best film ever.
Starting a film with a happily ever after is a sure sign things can only get worse. All the girls are now doing their own thing. Carrie and Big are together in New York, Charlotte and Harry are happily married with adopted daughter Lilly, Miranda is still in Brooklyn with Steve and Brady, somehow managing the work-life balance and Samantha has moved to Los Angeles with Smith, thriving in the dog eat dog world of P.R. in Hollywood. With the addition of Jennifer Hudson, following her Oscar win for Dreamgirls.
But all is not well in paradise. Each girl comes across her own set of problems and deals with them in her own, unique way, with Carrie being the centre of attention, with the biggest problem, as always.
With Michael Patrick King as writer/director of the film, and with some previous episodes already under his belt, the classic wit of the script is still as strong as ever. The visual sheen of Sex and the City is even better on big screen. The characters are just as superbly dressed, with Carrie having even less closet room as she is now a published author.
There are times of shock, happiness, wit, surprise, heartbreak and humour. With those Charlottes in the audience being possibly shocked by what appears in a 15 certificate.
The usual cocktails have been swapped for lunch at their usual haunt, with the added comical change of Charlotte’s adopted daughter being present during the colourful conversations, which makes for some creative alternatives being substituted for Samantha’s usual topic of conversation.
With award winning wardrobe designers and world renowned fashion designers involved in the film the characters and sets are as glossy as ever, with classic outfits making a comeback and some 21st century designs, the setting is classic Sex and the City with current trends settling in along side the famous outfits of seasons past.
If you’re looking for the rampant, obvious sexiness of the series, you may be disappointed, but there is a cool, mature sexiness to the film, which appeals to the audience who have matured alongside the characters.
There are some clichés and some hasty scene cuts, but it never claimed to be a cinematic classic. King’s big screen debut has kept many a fan happy, but will a sequel ruin this well established series? Will 2010 be the rise or fall of Carrie Bradshaw?

Disney Princess Wishes on Ice

I was lucky enough to go and see Disney on Ice for the umpteenth time at Birmingham's NIA. Princess Wishes is a compilation of the various princesses throughout the Disney stories and how they came to their 'Happy Ever After'. Although these shows are aimed at little girls, anyone will be thoroughly entertained. The special effects are amazing with fireworks and fire, and a huge Dragon entering onto the ice through Sleeping Beauty.

In today's cynical society it is nice to have an escape from reality. My poor boyfriend was dragged along and he too was amazed by the special effects and talented ice dancers, as the term ice skaters does not do these people justice.

A wonderful show for princesses of all ages! The magic of Disney never leaves you.

Micheal McIntyre

Hilarious! There are no other words. McIntyre is a ball of energy on stage. He has an unquestionable talent to make people laugh. His rise to fame has been rapid but he is more than worthy. If you are lucky enough to get a ticket to see this comedy mastermind, you will not regret it. He, thankfully, has all new material for this tour, which is just as memorable as his previous tour. You will never see snooker in the same way! His unique take on the world and human behaviour is impeccable, resulting in jaw-achingly funny jokes. He has managed to attract a wide range of people in his audience, ranging from the young to old, which just shows how his comedy reaches everyone and all tastes in comedy. As someone with a very dark sense of humour, I was pleasantly surprised by his material. He has ad-libbing down to a fine art. McIntyre is a force of comedy with his wicked wit and comedy timing, a must see.
The DVD is out November 16th 2009.

'Real' Women?

'Real' women, then what the hell am I? I can't help that I'm a size 6 to 8. Don't hate me because I'm thin! All these programs promoting 'real' women do nothing for my confidence. They make me feel as though I should be ashamed of my figure and question my own lifestyle, even though my doctor has assured me my diet is fine and that I eat more than most.
I agree that unhealthy women should not be promoted, but surely the media shouldn't make those that are thin feel bad. Slim women have feelings too.
'Real' women are curvy? Thanks alot, just another issue to add to my long list, what happened to sisterhood? I would love to be like Marilyn Monroe, but I'm not, I'm me.
So next time you hate the 'skinny' girl, consider her feelings. If it hurts larger women to be called names, it hurts slim women to be called names too.
Thin does not equal an eating disorder. Also, shops cater for larger sizes, but not for smaller sizes, and I can't afford high fashion, so I have to shop around. It doesn't help that I feel as though I can't show my figure incase people think I have an eating disorder, so I wear ill-fitting clothes.
'Real' women come in all shapes and sizes, not just sizes 12 plus!

Hot Fuzz 2007

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, fresh from the smash hit ‘Shaun of the Dead’, return in this British hybrid comedy/action/crime thriller as two policemen in what appears to be a small quiet village.
PC Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is a top London policeman; in fact he is too good and gets ‘promoted’ out to the sticks so as not to embarrass the other London police constables.
On his arrival he joins a police force that spends their days twiddling their thumbs. PC Danny Butterman, (Frost) the somewhat village idiot who aspires to be a Will Smith type policeman from Bad Boys 2, befriends Angel whilst the others take a disliking to Angel’s commitment to the force.
In the village strange things start to happen, and Angel’s policing instincts tell him that all is not what it seems in this picturesque Village of the Year. Angel confides in his fellow work colleagues, but due to the quietness of the village his concerns fall on deaf ears resulting in sarcasm from the stereotypical 1970’s twosome, until the ‘accidents’ become too coincidental and they are forced to investigate. Cue some surreal and hilarious consequences.
With the cream of British comedy and film as police and villagers, writers Frost and Edgar Wright somehow make the unbelievably over the top scenes seem effortless. Timothy Dalton plays the stereotypical baddy to perfection and is just missing the eye patch and evil cackle.
Mixing action, comedy, crime and thriller is a dangerous combination for a film; it either goes horribly wrong or is comedy genius. Thankfully Hot Fuzz is the latter. With excellent comedy timing and horrific ‘accidents’ this film encompasses the best of all four different genres.
The on-screen chemistry between Pegg and Frost ensures their standing as one of Britain’s best comedy duos, with perfect comedy timing and their unique creativity. With their previous surreal outings in the TV series ‘Spaced’ they bring some Monty Python-esque scene editing to what otherwise could have become another run of the mill British comedy.
The action scenes could out rival any action film, the slasher scenes any horror, the comedy scenes any comedy. Hot Fuzz is not only a comedy it is also an intelligent thriller with an unexpected ending. With more than one character meeting a rather gruesome ending.
Pegg and Wright give an honorary nod to their previous genre hybrid hit ‘Shaun of the Dead’, with a copy of the DVD appearing in the bargain bin in the local supermarket and Cornettos being the ice cream of choice through moments of contemplation.
With hints of the cult smash ‘The League of Gentlemen’, the following from ‘Spaced’ and ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and the now big names of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost this combination film is modern alternative comedy at its most bizarre brilliance.

Nails Inc The Hills Collection

Hello and welcome to my blog. Hopefully I will write at least once a week, reviewing something in fashion or entertainment. Whether it's films, music, fashion, books, or websites.

I ordered some Nails Inc nail varnish and it arrived today.

The Hills Collection is amazing! It comes with 4 different shades, Hollywood (candy pink), Beverly Hills (red), Rodeo Drive (teal) and Melrose Avenue (lilac).

The quality is very good and it has a thick consistency, only one coat needed, although a clear top coat is recommended. It dries pretty much instantly so is perfect for the girl on the go.

You can either order it from the Nails Inc website or QVC. At the time of writing this the QVC collection comes with the top coat for £21.50, not including delivery.

The Nails Inc website collection doesn't come with the top coat and is around the same price as QVC.

Overall, I Love Them!!