UNIVERSITY: A LIFE OF BALANCE - Rachel Shodipe (23/09/2013)

Think about the word university…Now what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

If it’s anything other than getting that degree, you may need to re-order your priorities.

Home away from home and getting caught up

The pots and the plates, TVs (TV licence anyone?), the 

clothes for the girls, the trainers for the guys or vice versa. Whatever you are buying, you are buying something. With the realisation for some that moving out is just around the corner, the anticipation of a lifestyle change is always expected.

Whether or not you are used to the freedom already, uni life never fails to offer that much more.

So fresher’s week, is truly the week of the year, with something happening 24/7. The raves, the fairs, bargain offers, and free food, doesn't make it too bad for a first week. To be fair the whole of first year can seem like fresher’s week, but responsibility kicks in when you have that first assignment due at midnight and that 10pm rave…can you do it? Obviously, if you do it right.

Prioritise

It’s easy to get caught up in the uni life and forget what you

 are there for, until you have your alarm clock singing at 7am the morning after a night out. Simple solution? Do the work when you get it.

Easier said than done, but organisation is key. You only 

really find yourself fighting for time if you haven’t planned ahead. Excluding fresher’s week, most events happen on set days or at times of the year, when most people can afford to party and plan ahead.

So why start your week old assignment the day of that foam party, when you could be picking your outfit or having a drink.

Lecturers understand the uni life, and are usually fair when

 setting deadlines and offering help. But let’s be real, emailing your lecturer/tutor at 11:47pm for help on deadline day? Don’t set yourself up to fail.

Balance & enjoy

Three key things;

Don’t bite of more than you can chew: Most times people sign up for events, clubs and societies they never take part in or attend. It’s all part of the fresher’s buzz, but remember there’s only one of you. Join what you can afford to join (literally not everything is free) and what you can make time for.

Remember what you came for: whether you are a gym freak, choirmaster, cheerleader, hard-core raver or even a baker. Everything comes second to getting that degree. Once that’s securely the top priority, start filling the list with other things important to you and allocate your time to work with the order.

Organisation: This brings together prioritising, organisation  

 and all the above. It’s the difference to having some free time, and panicking at the night time. Fresher packs usually provide you with calendars amongst other stuff. Utilise it and start marking down dates as you get them (raves and deadlines included) not detailed enough? Start a weekly to-do list, or download wunderlist or evernote, apps that can easily help you to organise your time.

Heard it all before? 

Then put it into practice and watch the results in the end

  TWERKING SKINHEAD - JAHMILA LEWIS 19/09/2013

    

Now I am pretty sure all of you are incredibly informed about Miley Cyrus’s latest shenanigans. It’s been literally impossible to avoid her name in the Media over the last couple of months. Even more so since her ‘lively’ performance at the VMA’s.

Although it does seem like that memorable VMA performance did actually attract some of the right attention. Reportedly after the awards show Kanye was hypnotised by Mileys moves and decided that he needed to have her on a remix to one of his tracks on Yeezus.

Miley and Kanye allegedly skipped any after parties and headed straight for the studio to record, yup, wait for it…the ‘Black Skinhead’ remix. Although there were a few rumours about this peculiar collaboration beforehand, it appears that Mike Will Made It, who is actually a producer, yet also a close friend and collaborator of Miley Cyrus, officially confirmed with MTV RapFix that Miley will indeed be featured on the remix to the "Yeezus" track. "We went right back to work," Williams said, adding of the remix, "It's about done, just touching the beat up a little bit. It sound crazy too."

Now interestingly even though it seems like Miley is going through some sort of rebellious stage, or perhaps ‘finding herself’ as some people may want to put it, she has still not actually wavered that far away from the typical music she has always made. Her new song ‘Wrecking Ball’ which has also caused quite a lot of controversy because she was nude (God forbid, a naked body!! Shocker!) was actually a typical Miley Cyrus pop song. So to hear her on an actual Hip Hop track with a Hip Hop legend should be very interesting.

Personally I feel that this act Hannah Mont…. I mean Miley Cyrus, is putting up is all premeditated. A simple marketing strategy that was probably pushed by her label. This feature with Kanye will do her massive favours, especially if executed correctly. Although this does all seem abit to familiar to me. Is this just another Rihanna, Good Girl Gone Bad type thing? After all Rihanna is the perfect example of how this formula can work in ones favour. Regardless, as they say, any publicity is good publicity and Miley definitely has the people talking right about now, so good on her. I just hope she throws down in the studio with Kanye so that she can prove to everyone she is really about this life.

WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU - TRACEY WINU LANDU 15/09/2013

 (15/09/2013)




If I asked you all what fashion meant to you, what would your response be?
The latest trends or ‘high end’ collections?


The dictionary defines Fashion as:


1 The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behaviour: out of fashion.


2 Something, such as a garment, that is in the current mode: a swimsuit that is the latest fashion.


The style characteristic of the social elite: a man of fashion.
Although all three definitions are true, for some of us it can mean being independent or a form of freedom and expression. What we wear depends on how we feel and varies according to our personalities…

Nowadays people are so fashion conscious.
Everyone is concerned with what others are wearing and what is in the magazines, OOTD’S, A/W and summer trends and creating wish lists for outfits they aspire to wear and items they want to possess. What we see in Vogue Magazine is ‘High end fashion’ which usually grasps media attention and is not necessarily suited for the average person. The pressures from celebrities, peers, posters and magazines gets to us females and we feel as if we have to conform and dress as everyone else is.


If you are comfortable in a long sleeve top and jeans, then go ahead wear it and be proud. Your clothing says a lot about you, but it doesn’t define you.
Therefore fashion means whatever you want it to mean to you – because, it means something different to us all and the message we want to portray to others about ourselves. It is your own style and how you enjoy dressing up whether you are a minimalist or love to sport designer brands.
As long as you know what looks good on your body, know your pockets and love who you are then be comfortable in what you are wearing because there are no rules when it comes to expressing who you are!


5 ways to be confident in what you wear and looking your best

Buy one trendy item and mix and match with other clothes you have in your wardrobe so you don’t have to constantly splash out on new outfits

Customise your clothing and invest in some sewing materials to create clothes that are unique to your style

Try different online stores such Ebay, Amazon and Ali express to find brands and clothing items that are cheap and affordable

Shop around in different shops where you see similar clothing items and compare prices (don’t forget quality over quantity though!). Also visit thrift shops or charity shops if you really want to!

Don’t pay too much notice to what is on Tv, billboards or magazines. Of course you want to be in the know of what is ‘a la mode’ but make sure know what looks good on you and fits well on you!

"Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."


— Gianni Versace

Ukraine vs. England Post Match Reaction-  Ola Adeotoye (12/09/2013)

Roy Hodgson and his England went to Ukraine’s capital Kiev in need of a result, with a draw being the bare minimum, and yes they succeeded albeit with a rather tame second half display. Having watched England for many years now it rarely comes as a surprise when the national team make hard work of their qualifying group. This coincides with the fact that this group of players haven’t beaten any of their main rivals in the group (Poland, Ukraine, and Montenegro). But we’ll put that to the side for the meantime, things started rather positively for the three Lions in the first half as they searched for that breakthrough goal. They were somewhat fortunate not to concede a very early penalty after Joe Hart appeared to make contact with Ukrainian forward Roman Zozulya.

I am writing this not just from a journalistic aspect but also as a fan of the England team. Hand on my heart the second half was the most tragic I have seen an England team play for a while. No creativity, borderline average passing, and so on and so forth. Yet the team on the opposite side of the pitch for a large portion of the half outplayed the men in red. But as we will be reminded and reminded by Roy Hodgson ‘only a point was needed’, nevertheless come on Roy the best players in England looked like a Conference South outfit. But doom mongering aside they got the job done and just have to take four points from the Poland match and the tie versus Montenegro.

Both taking place next month at Wembley and with the likes of Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck available (barring injuries) it should be a straightforward task. Yet I almost forgot nothing as we’ve seen over the years is straightforward with any England side. 

Female Transformation In  R&B Music (90’S – 2000’S) - Boohema Boohene (08/09/2013)

Rhythm and Blues also known as R&B has been around since the 1940’s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was becoming more popular

                  

It consists of slow harmonies, melodies and lyrics about real life situations hence appeals to many when going through a rough time in their life. In the past, music was a way of expression and many blacks used it to communicate their struggles amongst each other; struggles such as racism, segregation, abuse, love, marriage, children and many other topics.

90’s R&B music differs from the contemporary styles of today. Not necessarily in the slow rhythm and melodies used, but the lyrics have become less meaningful and heartfelt overtime which has now defamed the genre. Monica a 90’s singer, who started when she was 15 had a hit song in 1995 named ‘Just one of those days’. To a regular audience it appears that Monica needs some space between her and her boyfriend; because maybe she is not sure about her relationship any more. This type of scenario would relate to many teenage girls as they were probably going through the same situation, and this song assures them that they are not alone.

Females in the 90’s were always pouring out their heart in their lyrics, especially to the opposite gender about how they felt lost without them, or they were heartbroken. This makes women come across as very fragile weak and dependent on men to restore happiness in their lives although they also cause them pain. However over a period of 10 years this has changed drastically.

Females are now independent and talking about how they don’t need a male to define them for example the hit song: Independent woman by Destiny’s Child gave women hope that they could be in control of their lives. It’s amazing to see how Women are viewed positively in today’s society, when in the 1990’s they were oppressed and undermined. This has definitely been a positive outcome for females. Other empowering artists include; Jennifer Lopez, and Janet Jackson.  

Besides the words losing a sense of meaning in R&B music and drastically changing in terms of context. Because of the industry changing, contemporary R&B music is now about what sells and what can become mainstream instead of the lyrics, which is why the whole genre is declining. Real talented singers have become underground whilst mediocre singers have climbed their way up to the top. Personally this breaks my heart as I feel a whole generation will miss out on good music.

END

Animal Print Returns This Upcoming Season -  Folasade Johnson (05/09/2013)

Are we back on trend with all things wild this upcoming season?

From maxi dresses to cute Zebra print handbags, check out what celebs are hiding in their closet this season.

Just check out this cool Zebra print top and bottoms, which completely compliments her yellow Ombre hair. Although we’re not too sure on the Shoes ora .. maybe try another pair?

Pretty in pink, RnB singer Jessie J  looks extra cute with her Zebra print handbag side by side her skintight pink trousers. As if her see through top wasn't hot enough!

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In love with print yet? This elegant leopard print maxi gown looks stunning on Tatler cover girl Clara Paget, the definition of beautiful to be honest.

Seasons must haves!

 On trend and easy to use - Choose between Zebra or Leopard!

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Leopard print classic court heels is a massive yes this autumn!

£30 Next – go get !