Musical Moment: Lily Allen ('It's Hard Out There')

Just when we thought it was safe to relax, sit back, tear in eye, and enjoy a more sereneLily Allen singing Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’  in the John Lewis Christmas advert(as an aside… are that bear and the hare actually an item?!) the singer goes and releases the track, Hard Out Here,’ knocking us for six.  No, Lily has not become the all sugary sweet, apron wearing, strawberry jam-making, mother of two John Lewis would have us believe!  Still a feminist to her core, this week Lily released a casual evisceration of the pop music industry sexism we have, particularly of late (thanks Miley and Robin) had violently twerked in our faces.  Lily’s song is a sarcastic take on body image and the outlandish expectations projected upon women, the ridiculous phenomenon of twerking and the horrendous double standards women still seem to endure.  I love the subversive swipe atRobin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ balloons and the liberal use of the word ‘bitch’ repetitively sung alongside the catchy tune - another statement against its unimpressive overuse in popular culture.  Yes.  Just Yes.  Welcome back Lily.

" I won’t be braggin’ ’bout my cars, or talkin’ ’bout my chains
Don’t need to shake my ass for you ‘cuz I got a brain..."

Halloween 2013

Celebrating Halloween in the UK has become increasingly popular in the last few years (thank you Heidi Klum!) and now there is no shortage of thrills and chills to enjoy come October 31st.  With this ghoulish night fast approaching us (like a serial killer in a dark alley) costumes are now firmly on my mind.  Usually the ladies of London use this annual opportunity to leave as little to the imagination as possible... something spooky + clevage = (Sexy) Vampire/(Sexy) Cat/(Sexy) Skeleton/(Sexy) Devil, etc.  I however, would love to see more effort on the whole and witness some really spooky, stomach-churningly dramatic outfits on the big night;  a tormented zombie, a rabid hybrid werewolf, a two-headed cannibal, a VMA’s Miley Cyrus… Now THAT would be terrifying! 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Moto Bat Print Leigh Jeans at Topshop RRP. £40.00,  Topshop Sadie Lazer Cut Heels - RRP. £80.00ASOS Full Midi Skirt in Mesh – RRP. £55.00ASOS Halloween Bat Print Unitard – RRP. £38.00H&M Super Stretch Treggings – RRP. £12.99,Skeleton Print Unitard – RRP. £32.00

Above:  No Tricks, Just Treats:  Loving these Limited Edition shoes by Charlotte Olympia!
L-R: 
Vampira - RRP. £975.00Bite Me Kitty - RRP. £495.00Nocturnal - RRP. £745.00

Above:  Hummingbird Bakery Limited Edition Cupcake Gift Boxes - From RRP. £19.50
HOW awesome did Emma Roberts look dressed as her Aunty Julia's character Vivienne Ward from Pretty Women at last year's Halloween?! Genius. 

Left:  If you are still in need of some more devilish sinspiration head to Austique where flamboyant fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box are holding a pop up shop for the next two weeks. Stylist Violet Day will be on hand to help you choose a perfectly show-stopping/heart-stopping outfit.

 

Miley Cyrus Not in Vogue

Oh M(ile)y Gawd... Rumour has it an appalled Anna Wintour has vetoed any plans for Miley Cyrus to feature on the much coveted front cover of American Vogue this December after the young performer’s much-lambasted VMA’s twerking.  Foam fingers and latex underwear are not, it seems, the new black Miley.