Mode girls go cupcake mad!
Cupcakes!
We realise you may have given ‘sweet things’ up for Lent, but think about it, how often do you have time to make cupcakes? The recipe is simple and they only take 30 minutes to cook!
Tag: Stacey Cosens
International Women’s Day: 100 years of fighting for equality
Today marks the 100th year of International Women’s Day. Since the early 1900s, women have been fighting for equal rights and respect. Without the hard work of feminists, women still wouldn’t be able to vote or work and would still be treated like second-class citizens compared to men.
Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, this is still a reality for many women. In parts of India, the pressure to have a boy is so intense, that 7,000 female foetuses are aborted every day. Others are abandoned, starved or thrown away after birth.
In Pakistan, women are subjected to acid attacks if they refuse a marriage proposal. Throughout the world, women are still forced into arranged marriages and sometimes tricked by their own family. If they escape, they are disowned or sometimes killed.
Every year, over 70 million girls are deprived of even a basic education, and 60 million are sexually assaulted on their way to school.
Women are responsible for two-thirds of work done worldwide but only earn 10% of the annual income and 1% of the property.
You may think equality isn’t something to worry about in the UK. But in 2011, men are still likely to earn more money, even in the same job. Men have a better chance of entering political office or becoming a company director. A man is less likely to be judged for promiscuous behavior and little chance of falling victim to sexual assault.
Over 30,000 women in the UK loose their jobs annually, for falling pregnant. A man has no such worries if he becomes a parent.
One in four women are subject to domestic violence, and in the UK, two women die every week as a result.
While many think the fight is over for women, there is no room for complacency or taking our rights for granted. Throughout the world, women are still fighting for basic human rights and women around the world need to group together and support them. Many women don’t consider themselves feminist, or feel it is relevant to them, but would you want to live in a world with no human rights? To live in constant fear of abuse? And no chance of freedom and independence?
Think again girls, we’ve come a long way, but there’s still battles to fight yet.
A girl’s cheap guide to Milan
The Duomo Cathedral in Milan, by Stacey Cosens
Romantic old-time glamour, with an urban heartbeat. A place often overlooked for city weekends, Milan has some excellent hidden delights.
Think Milan, and you think fashion. As one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan hosts designers such as Moschino and Versace. As you walk into the city’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, your eyes are drawn to its two central main players Prada and Louis Vuttion.
The other thing that will grab your eye in the Galleria is its rather posh McDonalds. Careful not to break the elegant theme of the shopping mall too much, it’s usual logo, is black and gold to match it’s neighbours. Everything has a touch of elegance here.
In the main Piazza del Duomo, you will find yourself surrounded by tourists and pidgeons as you stare at the main attraction, the Duomo Cathedral. Visible from throughout the city, and one of the biggest cathedrals in the world, the gothic Duomo cathedral has over 3000 statues built into its walls. As you circle this magnificent building, the sheer detail of this building is remarkable. The cathedral took over five centuries to complete, and it’s easy to see why.
A short walk down the road from the Piazza del Duomo is the Castello Sforzesco. The 14th century castle was once home to the Visconti family and restored to its original splendour by the equally aristocratic Sforza family in the 1450s.
The castle is now considered one of Milan’s most loved attractions, and hosts twelve mini-museums running all the way from Palaeolithic history through to 1950s furniture. If you don’t fancy exploring the museums, just walking through its grounds is entertaining enough. Outside you are greeted by an impressive water fountain and as you walk through the grounds you’ll spot statues and courtyards before you come into Milan’s answer to Central Park.
While you explore Milan’s historic monuments, you’ll have a sense of being transported to another time. The city has so much history, and you’ll get an instant sense of this.
While exploring Milan’s intertwining streets and avoiding getting flattened by the ever present trams, you’ll find yourself on Milan’s main high street, think of it as Milan’s Oxford Street. As you make your way down this road you’ll spot familar brands such as H&M and Mango, as well as less familiar European brands such as Pull and Bear and local boutiques.
No matter what your budget, you should find something that catches your eye. Pull and Bear is a particularly impressive brand with cheap t-shirts and stylish fashion staples; it is the perfect mix of H&M and Topshop. While we have a few of our own Pull and Bear stores in the UK, it’s well worth checking out the Milan store with its blaring dance music and three floors of clothes.
Flights and hotels are cheaper than you think, Ryanair has previously sold return flights to Milan for as little as £2 and hotels can be as little as £35 per night. This city is perfect for a short two day break.
Stacey’s adventures in NYC: Part Two
Concrete Jungle, where dreams are made of…
Me at Magnolia Bakery
What most excited me about my trip to New York, as well as the beauty of the city, was the shopping. Never had I been surrounded by so many beautiful clothes and so much spending money.
I had planned ahead well, I knew how much passion I had for shopping and I wanted to be able to shop til I dropped without worrying about money too much. The great thing about the American high street is the overwhelming choice of casual clothes for a small price.
Forever 21 do this best, think of it as a hybrid of Primark and Topshop. It manages to tap into key trends of the season, without looking cheap and without the money draining price tag. Thankfully, Forever 21 has finally made it across the pond and is slowly but surely taking over the country, as well as its UK website. Cheap and chic fashion is here!
For the preppy casual look, that’s slightly cheaper than Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle and Aeropostale is your first port of call. Casual t-shirts, baggy jogging bottoms and comfy hoodies are in no small supply. American Eagle also manages to embrace a more stylish side with cute but casual skirts and dresses.
However, if you find yourself strolling along Fifth Avenue, it’s impossible to miss the Abercrombie and Fitch building with its blaring techno beat and topless male models welcoming you at the door. It’s not everyday you start your shopping with a Polaroid of you and a handsome scantily clad man. I enjoyed the experience so much; I began collecting pictures of me with the models.
The clothes in Abercrombie and Fitch are slightly pricier than most shops, but America is the place to stock up, as it will cost you a lot more in the UK. Also, if you’re in New York, these prices are a lot less intimidating than what you’ll find in Bloomingdales and Saks!
If you prefer more of a unique vintage feel, head down Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Here you’ll find boutiques and vintage shops as well as the odd cool designer store. It’s a long road, but the mix of gorgeous shops is worth it, all the more so when you reach Magnolia Bakery. Its cupcakes made famous by Sex and the city.
While there is always a queue, it’s worth it for the delicious lovingly made cupcakes and being round the corner from Carrie’s famous stoop on Perry Street.
Finally, I couldn’t end a trip in New York without a trip to Soho. Spring Street has every shop you could ever wish for; from Mango to Urban Outfitters to our very own home-grown Topshop!
Seventies Fashion: Get the look
Rock the seventies look this season.
This spring, seventies fashion is back to the forefront once again. Think floaty fabrics, flares and florals.
Fashion designers went crazy for the seventies vibe and took inspiration from seventies glamour pusses like Farrah Fawcett, with models sporting long wavy hair and platforms.
As the weather warms up, nothing will make you feel more summery than floating about with loose fabrics and fedoras.
The high street is already awash with browns, creams, reds, yellows and golds. Loose fitting blouses and shorts are the most accessible way to tap into the trend and great to mix and match, as well as their ability to hide a multitude of sins.
Topshop have a great selection of floaty blouses and have fully embraced the seventies look in their spring collections. Their buttermilk short sleeve shirt, £33, is a great starting point to ease you into the look and will look effortlessly chic with jeans or shorts.
If your looking for something a little more glamorous try their tan elasticated batwing blouse, £40, for some seventies sex appeal.
Shorts are always a good investment come spring, and can easily be teamed with tights on cooler days. This season’s baggy shorts, are a less intimidating style of short, coming longer and looser so you don’t feel too exposed.
It’s best to go for a neutral shade so you can match them with more options, ASOS’s Soft Turn Up Short, £30, come in three different colours and will flatter most figures and hide a shapelier behind.
To finish the look, invest in a Fedora for the summer. I can guarantee they will be all over the high street.
This look is perfect for lazy summer days and festivals.