It's Not My Fault I Look Like A Slut!

Hello Lovelies, I’m Niy (@CherrypieNi) and I’m so excited… and a bit nervous, to be doing a guest post for my fave blog, and my fave people…

I’m a 20 year old Law with French law and language student at UEA that spends an inordinate amount of time contemplating her navel… and of course, her wardrobe!

I’m a size 14, a happy, curvy, size 14 and thus all my clothes are size 14 or even 16. The point I’m making is that I do buy clothes that are actually my size; I do wear clothes that fit. And yet still the hems on my skirts look that little bit higher on me than my size 8 counterparts, likewise, my vest tops look that little bit skimpier on me than on my A cup counterparts.

Please note, I’m no Katie Price in the boob department, and no Nicki Minaj in the ass department, but I do alright! I would expect that my ass protrudes just as much as one would expect from a size 14 black girl, and I don’t meet many girls that are size 14 with much below a D cup, so why is it that clothing designers, manufacturers, and stores everywhere seem to have a different idea about the shape of your average size 14 woman?

 It seems that as clothes go up in size they just get wider. Whilst I would assume that it would be common sense that hems ought to get that little bit longer, in order that the size 8 and the size 14 look about the same; in style and fit, on their respectively sized customers, clearly I am alone in this thought process! I’m not saying that as a size 14 I’d prefer to have less skin on show than I would were I a size 8, I’m trying to say that I’d like for the clothes I buy to accommodate for the fact that my size 14 ass is bigger than a size 8 one, and my dresses need that bit more length to stop my looking slutty.

Obviously my being bigger means I actually have more skin available to show! And I’m not asking that stores make concessions for that, at all. Maybe designers need to start sketching twice, once on a small figure, and once for the curvier figure, so that they can see where adjustments need to be made, PURELY so that the larger sizes fit the same as the smaller ones.

This is a problem close to my heart, and my headaches; a source of constant grief in my life! At sixth form we had a “3/4 of the thigh” rule, where skirts had to come at least that far down. 80% of the girls broke this rule but it was only the curvier girls, who had that little bit more thigh available to show, or who’s but poked out that little bit more, that were forced to don the latest treasure in the lost property, in order that they learn their lesson.

 I’m no prude, I rarely wear tights on a night out (They just aren’t comfy!!!!!), I hate closed necklines (they make my face look like a moon) and I LOVE a good bodycon (Shift dresses make me look like a house). But these things don’t add up to looking like a slut! I’ve even started to adjust my day time wardrobe, opting for clothes that allow me to stay on trend but leave the sluttiness in the stores; the main conversion I’ve made is embracing the tube skirt. An amazing innovation, I now don’t have to worry about tugging at my h+m mini as the elderly look on, wondering why my mother never raised me right (and God knows she did!). But every time I wear one, I get at least one person ask me why I look so “smart” or “formal”!

The reality is that I dress perhaps even a bit more conservatively than your average student on a night out! Embracing blouses, long sleeves and loose fitting tops, in order to get some balance and not give off the wrong impression! Just recently I saw a beautiful leggy blonde in the TopShop high waist knicker-shorts, no tights. Now let’s picture this outfit with my borderline size 16 wonder woman thighs…. Got the picture?! As much as I would LOVE to wear such an outfit, I’m forced to shy away from many of fashion’s trends, because they aren’t designed with my size in mind, and what’s more society just aren’t ready to see me wearing the same things as a leggy size 8 blonde, without labelling me a slut… and it’s not just knicker shorts, it’s super short minis, 60s shift dresses without enough room in the bust area, or without enough length to protect my modesty, leggings that show a bit more wiggle or deep Vs designed for the flat chested!

 

Take this super cute, so beautiful I think it came from one of my Legally Blonde, meets Hairspray induced dreams… pastel floral shorts and blazer from River Island. The embodiment of the 60s spring trend…  As much as I adore it, I know I would never be able to bend over in it!

Yes there are websites and catalogues that do design their clothes with the fuller figure in mind; SimplyBe, Evans etc. But I’m 20 years old! A size 14 and a student! I just can’t bring myself to confine my wardrobe to such “specialist” stores alone, and my budget just couldn’t stand it! No. I’m going to keep on wearing my bodycon dresses, my HM £3.99 skirts, my patterned leggings and anything else I see fit!

No matter how much we steer clear of trends that forget that size 12+ exists, No matter how edgy we go, some of us just can’t help looking a lot more Nicki Minaj than Lady Gaga. 

Help Yulanda decide...

Hey guys...

So one of my friends from way back in the Hornsey School for Girls days is starting up a new website and she needs your help! I'll let her explain...

"My names Yulanda Soloman and I'm in my final year of Uni at Brunel. I'm going to be making a website about makeup for beginners, which will have things like tutorials, advice, reviews, where to buy makeup and the history of some big makeup brands.

Before I can get started, I'm just asking some girls on what they think of my initial idea, there's 3 different logos that I designed (which are labelled A, B and C) and 7 different layouts. All you have to do is tell me which layout and which logo you like and why. I don't mind if the comments are negative, its all about research so don't hold back..."

Logos:

A

                                                                              

B

                                              

C

Layouts:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

So leave your comments below and let her know what you think!

Thanks

Music Review: Drake - 'Take Care'

Since 'Take Care' leaked like a faulty pipe this week and Drake is one of my favourite artists, I (Jade) asked Eathan Sergeant to write a review of the album. And I must say its PRETTY DAMN AMAZING (the album and the review). Have a read folks.

Drake’s hugely anticipated sophomore album Take Care is finally with us, after days, weeks and months of waiting. Anyone who pays close attention to Drake and his music will know his thoughts on his debut album Thank Me Later,  and will therefore know he believed it was a rushed job. He wanted to be given the chance to show the world what he could do with the right amount of time. I don’t know about you guys, but since he thought Thank Me Later fell far short of what he was capable of, I was going crazy with anticipation to see what Drake would provide for us with Take Care!

The album has a very strong introduction, with Over My Dead Body showcasing Drake’s singing abilities, but also his capability to pack a verse with lyrics we all can relate to.  Towards the end of the track Drake states “Yeah, don’t make me take your life apart boy/You and whoever the f*** gave you your start boy/Or you wanna be a motherf***ing funny guy? /Don’t make me break your Kevin heart boy”. When I first heard this, I thought Drake was sending a subliminal directed to Big Sean and his mentor Kanye West, as Big Sean has often accused Drake of copying his “Supa Dupa Flow” style. Am I right in thinking this? Am I clutching at straws? Hmm… who knows.

 Shot For Me is where Drake’s singing is at its best on Take Care. Here, he portrays the honest approach to rap that I deeply respect about him. He’s had trouble with girlfriends in the past, simply due to them them believing false rumours and not trusting him. On this track, Drake lets rip, proclaiming; “Can’t you see that I made it, yeah I made it/First I made you who you are, then I made it/And you’re wasted, with your ladies/Yeah I’m the reason why you always getting faded”. This is hard hitting stuff. No holds barred.

He then begins to rap at the end of the track in the last verse. This is done effortlessly. His ability to express himself through singing and rapping at such close intervals on 1 track - whilst producing his lyrics with the same level of emotion and intensity, is something that should be hugely respected. 

Make Me Proud fits in with the simply “good tracks” on Take Care which I haven’t discussed,  but as this features 2 notable artists; I felt it deserved to get a mention. Drake and Nicki Minaj come together to produce a catchy track, where they rap about personal views on their ideal partners and relationships. Are they speaking about each other here… hmm? Back to the music anyhow, this track did not reach the heights of Up All Night on Thank Me Later, however it still provides us with a good quality sound, where both artists perform relatively well.

As is the case with most albums, not all of the songs are great. Which leads me to my first question in this review. Why oh why did Drake include Rihanna on this LP? This WAS NOT going to reverse the trend. Her weak vocals would not have been missed. Although the song Take Care provides an up tempo pop sounding beat, it wasn’t amongst the best songs on the album in terms of quality. Rihanna sounds off tune at times in her attempt to carry the song, and Drake’s bars are not as meaningful as some others he provides on further tracks. However, as all close followers of rap music know, these days a pop/catchy song is the required ingredient on an LP, to ensure a good amount of radio time.

Other standout tracks on the album include Headlines, Marvin’s Room, HYFR and Lord Knows. HYFR certainly did provide us with the “new flows” Drake has been tweeting and speaking of all Summer. His high octane rapping technique here, shows his development in terms of variation of his style. This flow is new from Drake, unheard on previous tracks. Additionally and surprisingly, even Lil Wayne managed to provide Drizzy with a good quality feature, after a poor performance on The Motto. 

The production to Lord Knows in particular is a masterpiece by Just Blaze. Because of this, many have been calling the track the best rap song of the year, and the best song on the album by far. Drizzy certainly kills the beat with his punchy lines as well. “I know of all the things that I hear they be poking fun at/Never the flow though, they know I run that”. Drake knows people make fun of his mannerisms (especially that non-stop shaking hand), but he also knows his rap ability can never be questioned. And for all you guys that be hating on Drake’s singing? He’s got an answer to you to – “I'm hearing all of the jokes, I know that they tryna push me/I know that showin' emotion don't ever mean I'm a pussy/Know that I don't make music for niggas who don't get pussy/So those are the ones I count on to diss me or overlook me”. All I can say to you guys is… Shame.

Take Care is an improvement on Thank Me Later, an improvement which Drake promised. For me personally, this album goes toe to toe with J. Cole’s album – Cole World The Sideline Story for the title of Rap album of the year, just shading it because it has that extra piece of quality. This quality is down to the production of most of Take Care’s 17 tracks, along with the versatility of the tracks. 

I know some reading this may be of the belief that a rapper shouldn’t be singing, or consider rappers who sing as “soft”, but I ask you guys to get rid of these stereotypes and warped opinions. Rap stands for R-hythm A-nd P-oetry, and if Drake is talented enough to provide us with this through singing and rapping, and do it all on 1 track most of the time, WITHOUT making the track sound disjointed, then we should embrace it, not knock it. 

Drake has raised the level with Take Care. He’s doing something that no other mainstream rapper is doing. He’s rapping AND singing, and doing it well. Take Care has brought about a new, more pronounced style from Drake, a style that fans and music followers alike better get used to, because it will be successful, and it’s here to stay.

By Eathan Sergeant

So I think we'll be coming to Eathan for all our music reviews :) 

Hope you enjoyed reading!

Lots of love

Jadeybaby

xXx

Make-up review: guest post!!!

Hi guys!  I’m Naomi Angus , the lovely ladies at my favourite blog ‘I Poisoned Cupid’ asked if I would like to do a guest post!! The answer was of course….YES! :D

I am 18 years old and currently studying Tourism Management at Canterbury Christ Church university, like many females across the world I love fashion and anything beauty related! ( give me youtube , fashion blogs and some Ben & Jerry’s and I can disappear for hours haha!) but singing, travel and make up are my main passions!

This is me…

As I previously stated I love beauty and skincare and I shall be writing today about a product I have bought recently…

This product is “they’re real! Mascara” by Benefit

Retailing at £18 this is by far the most expensive mascara I’ve gotten!  (Thank goodness for Debenhams gift cards ;)

It comes in a box with instructions which was quite a surprise to me because I mean how hard can it be to apply…right? For full false lash effect you have to move the wand horizontally across your lashes and then vertically with the cool spikes on the end of the tip. It sounds dramatic but literally after one stroke I was amazed at how long my lashes looked! They didn't look too thick but after a few more applications I got my desired effect!

My left eye has no mascara and my right eye has two coats! Pretty cool right!

Both eyes with two coats.

This is an excellent mascara! Great coverage with the wand, minimum clumping and gives lashes a great pretty! Would I buy it again? Sure! ...if I get another gift card! Hey I’m a student!:P

If you have the money I would say to definitely give this mascara a try as it is well worth it! I definitely think some make up products are worth spending more on, for example MAC foundation would be a great investment but things like eyeliner and lip balm I personally wouldn’t splash out on.

Stay fabulous J

Nay x