Gig Review: McFly at Wembley – April 1st 2011

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Danny Jones

Danny Jones playing at Wembley Arena by Nicole Cosens

As someone who has seen McFly twelve times, over seven years, I think we can say I’m a pretty dedicated fan and maybe slightly bias to review them. But if seven years, seven number ones, five albums and the original line up aren’t enough to show you these guys are serious, then I guess you’re a lost cause.

The love between the foursome is plain to see, it’s a four-way bromance. They genuinely care for each other and they care for their fans. Friday’s concert at Wembley Arena was broadcast around the world for all their dedicated fans from South America to Australia.

Their innovative Super City website has provided a mega-site for fans to interact, see exclusive videos and if they join as a pioneer, enjoy priority treatment.

So when Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd took the stage at Wembley on April 1st to an in-house crowd of over 10,000 as well as a worldwide online audience, they delivered a show that would stick in the minds of them all.

With their biggest setlist to date, they featured songs from all five albums and weren’t afraid to mix it up a bit. They even included a cover of Tinie Temper’s Pass Out, with a rockier edge and Danny’s rapping alter ego, Dino. Highlights of the set were opening number Party Girl, anthemic Lies, album track and fan favourite Corrupted, Dougie’s rare lead vocal in Transylvania and a delightful mash up of crowd pleasers All About You and Obviously.

The audience weren’t disappointed, and erupted into a frenzy when clear walkways were lowered from the celing, so McFly could walk above and over the floor of standing fans, and in line with those in the seats. As they played their debut single and fan favourite Five Colours in Her Hair, fans couldn’t believe their eyes as their idols played just a few feet above them.

Dougie Poynter

Dougie Poynter rocking on the walkway by Nicole Cosens

The frenzy increased as the band members stomped the walkways purposefully with t-shirt guns, shooting a t-shirt each into the crowd. As they began playing again, Dougie threw a plectrum into crowd, and it landed in front of me. It was every woman for herself as I dived on to the floor, just as an Ugg boot laden foot stomped down on top of it.

That wasn’t going to beat me, I spent a good few minutes trying to lift up this mystery foot, batting away other hands, until I had a brainwave and pushed the offending leg. It moved, and the plectrum laid there ready for me to take, I stamped my hand on it and swung around before safely zipping it in my handbag, it was mine and I had won! Then reality hit me, I was almost 21 and had lost my dignity rolling on the floor for a plectrum.

But the euphoria of owning something my long time idol Dougie Poynter had played a few of my favourite band’s songs with was enough to keep me smiling. The 13 year old me of seven years ago would have been proud.

Book review: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

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Sarra_manning_youdonthavetosayyoulovemeThis is Sarra Manning’s second adult novel after a succession of best-selling teen books. Perhaps the most autobiographical of her books, we follow the story of Neve, a bookish twenty-something, who has spent the last three years shedding over ten stone of weight.

Her driving force? The return of her one true love, William, who is currently in California teaching English Literature at a university. They were best friends at Oxford, and they exchange wordy airmail between the time before their reunion, each one making Neve’s heart skip a beat when she sees it waiting on the doormat.

But with her constant swooning over a man over 5,000 miles away, she’s forgotten the fact she’s never actually been in a relationship or had sex, as her sister Celia so helpfully points out. How can she be the perfect girlfriend for William, when she has no experience?

Cue Max, Celia’s editor at Skirt magazine, a charming womaniser who flirts his way into Neve’s life. Maybe he could make good practise?

We follow Neve as she continues to struggle with her body image as she looses weight, but fails to accept herself. Her long boring days at the literary archive with her B.O. immiting boss Mr Freemount and avoiding the wrath of her former bully and now sister-in-law Charlotte, who lives below her.

You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, is a heart-warming and addictive story of Neve’s personal struggles written with witty prose and issues that all women can relate to.

We’ve all looked in the mirror and not liked what’s staring back at us. Most of us have had issues with our weight. Sarra Manning herself, went through a long and arduous journey to lose weight, much like Neve. This story comes from the heart and Neve is an honest and relatable character.

If you like books with passion, honesty and humour, this book, as well as Sarra Manning’s other novels, is a must-read.

10 desirable items worth saving your money for…

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All tested or bought by yours truly, here are 10 items in the shops at the moment that are worth saving your money for! From bargain to blowout, you choose the items that fit your budget…

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

1. Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Only £23 for 400ml and guaranteed to make your skin feel smoother!  At Clinique stands, they will be able to tell you your skin type and advise on the best products. Coming from someone who uses this daily, I couldn’t live without it!

Moisturising Foundation from The Body Shop
Moisturising foundation with SPF15 from The Body Shop

2. Body Shop moisturising foundation

At £13, it’s a bit more expensive than your average foundation but a lot less than ones by high end brands like Dior. The Body Shop’s moisture foundation is a healthier alternative for your skin with SPF15 and gives you full face coverage with a softer and smoother feel. Luckily, you can save on the hassle of trying to find the right skin tone as the Body Shop give free makeovers!

Postcard purse from Accessorize

Postcard purse from Accessorize

3. London postcard purse from Accessorize

From a Londoner with love…You may have seen it on TV or been one of the lucky millions that visit the city every year. Now you can have your very own souvenir without paying for the ridiculous train journey! This London postcard purse has all the famous attractions from Big Ben to St. Paul’s Cathedral and is big enough to fit all your loose change. At just £8, it’s a quirky little accessory for girls who love London.

Paperchase floral diary

Paperchase floral diary

4. Floral diary from Paperchase

As summer approaches and hopefully the nice weather that comes with it, how about a new vibrant diary to document the highs and lows of British summertime. Starting in July 2011, it takes you right through to September 2012. At only £6.50, you can scribble all day long to your heart’s content!

Boots Pink Cow bath and shower gel in 'Mint Candy'

Boots Pink Cow bath and shower gel in 'Mint Candy'

5. Boots’ Pink Cow bath and shower gel

I use this stuff religiously! It smells good enough to eat and comes in a big bottle that lasts at least a couple of months. For only £3.05, it’s a bargain too. If you’re not a fan of mint then it’s also available in Vanilla Biscuit, Gingerbread, Strawberry Sundae, Coconut Creme and Lemon Cheesecake! Yummy.

Maybelline Line Definer Liquid Liner

Maybelline Line Definer Liquid Liner

6. Maybelline Line Definer

This line definer glides like a pen, making it easier to create smooth dramatic lines across your eyes, without the awkward messiness of liquid liner. At just £5 from Boots, it’s a bargain!

Frontcover Rainbow Eyes Kit from Boots

Frontcover Rainbow Eyes Kit from Boots

7. Frontcover Rainbow Eyes Kit (Exclusive to Boots)

This £16 make up box gives you the option of natural browns, a smoky effect, feminine chic and even a brave neon look. Whatever your mood, rainbow eyes allows you to experiment. The only disadvantage is that you can’t take out the individual colours, so Frontcover has made small pots too!

Wilkinson's Sword Quattro bikini razor

Wilkinson's Sword Quattro bikini razor

8. Wilkinson’s Sword Quattro bikini razor

Forget the hassle of painful waxing with a cheaper and equally effective alternative. And with a razor and a trimmer, it gives you more options! Just £9.69 from Boots or local supermarkets.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55

9. Sony Cyber-shot digital camera

If like me you like taking photos, then this camera is for you! The sweep panoramic settings allows you to capture full landscapes or cheesy snapshots! It’s a bit more expensive than your usual compact digital at £239 but if you have a bigger budget, then why not treat yourself!

Nails Inc Limited Edition in 'Portobello Road'

Nails Inc Limited Edition in 'Portobello Road'

10. Nails Inc Limited Edition nail polish

I love pastel nails but can never find the right shades. This £11 baby blue nail polish from Nails Inc gives complete nail coverage and lasts much longer than your usual 2 day varnish. Nails Inc have so many colours to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

The truth about speed-dating…

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Couple at dinner - Photo by dannyman (Flickr)

Couple at dinner - Photo by dannyman (Flickr)

Apparently I’ve missed Singles Awareness Day – a day to celebrate being single, or rather wallow in the SADness of it…get it? Well anyway, for a recent radio package, I found myself singled out to try speed-dating. I am not a fan of public humiliation but truthfully, I wanted to find out what it was really like!

Speed-dating has its origins in formal matchmaking events organised by Aish HaTorah, a Jewish Orthodox organisation, in a bid to get young Jewish singletons to meet ‘the one’ and marry. More recently, the tradition has been made popular by TV shows like Sex and the City, Gilmore Girls and The Vicar of Dibley.

I have to be honest with you, my version of speed-dating was a mock up, but for all intents and purposes, it felt like the real thing. My colleagues had picked the men and I was expected to offer my funniest jokes and best lines in a bid to win their hearts. Embarrassing doesn’t come close to what I felt.

As the day drew closer, I looked up the top questions asked at speed-dating to get some tips. What I found was the cliched “Where do you see yourself in five years?” And “What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done on a date?” Cliche or not, it’s better than what I had, “If you were an animal in a jungle, what would you be?”

So, the moment of truth…how was the speed-dating? I’m not going to lie, I was a giggly wreck, if only to mask my embarrassment of the situation. And the men, well obviously I hadn’t expected Brad Pitt, but a girl can still hope for some eye candy, even if it’s research for a story, right?

No, I’m joking, they weren’t that bad and it was actually quite a laugh. Except the moment when one of the guys asked my jungle question to which I replied “A lion because they’re king of the jungle and I like to be in control, roarrrr”. It can’t have been that cringe-worthy though; when I asked the same guy what he was doing the following week, he said “Taking you out” with a cheeky wink.

So go on girls, give it a try. If only for the funny memories that you can tell your friends for years to come.

Listen to the Mode girls talk about speed-dating on our podcast here.

Bring vintage glamour to this summer’s swimwear

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50s beach.
vintage swimwear

Get influenced by vintage swimwear this summer. Picture via flickr by Genibee

As the sun finally shines through the clouds, and we say goodbye to winter, all anybody can think about is their summer holidays and basking in the sunshine. Even if you’re not going away this summer, we’re bound to have the usual one day heatwave so you can lay out in your garden or the nearest park and work on your summer tan.

Every year swimwear floods the high street around this time, and is the perfect summer investment to add to your collection. We all feel great in a new glamorous swimsuit, right?

This year, it’s all about vintage inspiration taking over the high street, I’ve picked the best out there to stand out at the seaside.

To work this summer’s retro look and hide problem areas, check out Topshop’s monochrome black scallop stripe bikini at £30.This bikini reminds me of the stylish sixties, and will ensure you stand out for all the right reasons on the beach.

If you prefer to cover up by the poolside, Topshop also do this cute ditsy floral number that echos wartime glamour. It’s so great to see a wealth of stylish one pieces on the high street that will flatter any figure.

To show off that beach body you’ve worked hard for, or are naturally blessed with, Kelly Brook’s range for New Look is a perfect port of call. While we can’t all have Kelly Brook’s body, her swimwear is inspired by classic glamour. This fifties inspired bikini is timeless and will turn heads.

Finally, if you’re looking for value for money, and will be packing light this summer, this ASOS Triangle Bikini Top In Reversible Spot/Gingham might just be what your looking for. Allowing you to choose from polka dot and gingham, you can reverse the style easily to achieve the look you want, or why not mix and match?

With British Summer Time starting last weekend, we can’t wait for longer and warmer days and to jet off on our all important holidays!

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