Walks Like Rihanna

This song has been playing on Capital FM (the awful radio station that I am forced to listen to in Photography, would it kill Miss to put Grimmy on in a morning?) for a while now and whenever I hear it it makes me incredibly angry.

"She can't sing, she can't dance, but who cares? She walks like Rihanna"

What kind of message is this sending out to girls, especially the young audience that bands like The Wanted and One Direction appeal to? They're basically saying that a girl can get by having no talent or skills, all she needs is to look good. It's also not sending out a great message to boys either: if a girl is fit, that's enough.

Society judges everyone on their appearance, and I'm sure that none of our are exempt from judging someone or being judged ourselves based on looks alone... but when songs like this are practically encouraging the idea that looks are all that counts, what hope do us mere mortals have? Maybe that seems hypocritical coming from the writer of a fashion blog, but I am a big believer in the fact that beauty must have substance, and in the words of John Green

I realise that this may seem a bit over the top and like I'm reading far too much into it and maybe it is just another dumb pop song... but music has a big impact on a lot of people's lives and who is to say that this is any different?

F for Florence + The Machine

Florence Welch and the elusive machine burst into our ears in the summer of 2009 with their debut album Lungs, and their second album Ceremonials was released November 2011. They have also done a session at the legendary MTV Unplugged and the album was released in April last year. 

Image from We Heart It 

I don't pay for much music, but I am proud to say that I own all three of Florence + The Machine's albums on CD, which is really saying something for my love of the band.

Frontwoman Florence Welch has made something of a name for herself in the fashion stakes too - known for her striking red hair, red lips and amazing collection of dresses. Her live performances are also amazing, she gets so consumed by the music and it's truly incredible to watch - I really hope I can see her live when her next album comes out, there's plans for a year out before beginning work on the next album, I hope that by then I will have enough money for a ticket. 

Personally, I think my favourite song is 'No Light, No Light' from their second album Ceremonials.

MY American Flag shorts

Today was a good day, as I got three items that I have been lusting over for quite a while.

The first was Barry M nail paint in Peach Melba. I have to admit that I'm not usually a pink girl, but the colour is very cute and is quite subtle on the nails, so it isn't too in-your-face. Even though I'm a nail-biter, I still love to paint my nails in pretty colours, especially when the colours have cool names, one of my favourites is a Rimmel one called "Double Decker Red"

The second was Babel by Mumford & Sons, which I've wanted to listen to since it came out. I'm glad that they haven't really changed their style since Sigh No More, because too many bands change after the first album for some unknown reason, they were clearly successful before!

And finally... I got my american flag shorts.

Photo via Instagram

They were £18 - reduced from £28 - in the Topshop sale, and I absolutely love them. As I'm an average size (10-12) there isn't usually much left for me in the sale, and my local Topshop is frankly a poor effort, there isn't often much there that I've eyed up online. So when I spotted these, I grabbed them from the rail and darted to the changing rooms (Alex said that he'd never seen me move so fast)

Presents

It was my birthday on Wednesday, and I received some of lovely presents (plus a fair amount of money!) and I wanted to share them with all of you.

This bubble bar from Lush (aptly named "Bubblebeard") was from my cousin. I used it last night and it was absolutely lovely! A little bit boring compared to other Lush creations, but this one didn't leave a pink scum around the bath for ages. Mum approved.

Alex's mum gave me The Original River Cottage Cookbook, after I said that I didn't want any more baking books (I have around six and have made about three recipes from them in total) It's a huge chunk of a book and although I've not had a proper look through just yet, I'm sure that there'll be lots of lovely recipes to try out. 

Alex bought me two CDs that although I already have on my iPod (thanks to YouTube converter) I really wanted them in the flesh: "Konk" by the Kooks and "What Did You Expect from The Vaccines" by, erm, The Vaccines. There's something about owning a physical CD, even though I never play them, which I really like.

Alex also got me these amazing galaxy print jeans from River Island (excuse my fluffy socks!) I've been eyeing these up for ages and was so happy when he gave them to me. It was an extremely lucky fit too, as he bought them when I wasn't even there, and they fit perfectly!

Mum and Dad's main present for me was a set of driving lessons, but they also gave me this lovely copy of Alice in Wonderland. It's part of a selection of classics that have been leather bound by Barnes and Noble, I think that all books should look like them.

And Hannah, of Doubleyou fame, bought me this beautiful green flower necklace (I assure you that it is green, and it's just my dodgy camera that makes it look turquoise) There's something about redheads and the colour green, I always end up drawn to it.