Geordie Shore - Reality Tv in the extreme.

It's Geordie Time....

Vulgarity on television is taken to a whole different level nowadays - it cannot be disputed. But it has to be said, shows such as 'Geordie Shore' are hilarious if not a little cringeworthy. These housemates have no shame! From engaging in very inappropriate physical activity and behaviour in front of cameras to stumbling out of clubs vomiting and shrieking - It is proof that we all love car crash television! Maybe it makes us feel orderly and with the program. Regardless of the level of entertainment value of watching these shows it probably sets a bad example for young MTV viewers who could start to think that such erratic behaviour is normal such as boys and girls fighting physically and spitting on eachother. 

Meet the cast and see for yourself :

And below, in fine, upstanding reality TV fashion - one of the housemates - Sophie - vomiting into a toilet bowl. Nice.

 The american equivalent 'Jersey Shore' is very popular stateside, so much there was serious expectation that 'Geordie Shore' would just be crap in comparison. But it gained popularity as the target audience of 15-25 years old became enthralled by the antics of the housemates. The boys named themselves 'players' from the get- go, with a very meticulous almost metrosexual approach to their appearance they used tanning beds, tanning creams, steroids to increase their muscle mass and even waxed their eyebrows... I don't know about anyone else but I couldn't be with a guy that wore more make- up than I do! They are self- proclaimed lady- magnets, especially Gary and Greg. Girls were pretty much disposable to them it seemed. They didn't have much respect for the women on the show, because, truth be told - the women didn't have much respect for themselves. The girls behaved in an equally promiscuous manner and had similar vain habits as their male equivalents so there was a lot of ego aswell as hormones flying around which naturally meant drama, drama and more drama.

Stay tuned and watch the Geordie Shore crew hit Magaluf late this Summer on MTV.

(The resort will be lucky to be left standing...)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - The end of an era.

It must be said, I feel like I have officially reached the end of my childhood this evening as I watched the last instalment of the Harry Potter Saga. As an avid reader from the age of eleven - I looked forward to the book and film releases with barely concealed eager anticipation. And unfortunately for me Harry, Hermione and Ron are all grown up too. The writings of JK Rowling are enhanced visually in the cinematic portrayal of Harrys lifelong defiance and fight against Voldemort and his followers. This movie will go down in the annals of history as a tour de force in storytelling.

Harrys final journey was action packed, as he fights to defeat Voldemort in their final showdown. There is even a touch of romance as Ron and Hermione finally share more than awkward glances and finally embrace. Long overdue!

''Harry Potter, the boy who lived... come to die. Avada Kedavra!''

                                           - Lord Voldemort

The film was directed by David Yates who's innovative vision suited the climax of the series perfectly. From robbing a bank, fighting dragons and elves to facing up to a terrifying realisation - This was an hour and a half of edge-of-your-seat entertainment and a stellar cast to boot.






I would advise all to go and see it! As Lord Voldemort exclaims to Harry : ''Join me, and confront your fate. ''


★★★★☆

Ultimate Chick Flicks - My personal favourites : 'The Notebook' and 'Letters to Juliet'

1. The Notebook 

The Notebook is a 2004 film directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on the Romantic Novel by Nicholas Sparks. It stars Rachel Mc Adams and Ryan Gosling who depict how a Summer romance shapes the rest of their lives. It is, in my opinion the Ultimate  Chick Flick that even your boyfriend would find heart wrenching. 

Young Noah : ''So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out.''

★★★★★

____________________________________________________________

2. Letters to Juliet - 

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is a young Journalist who is taking an early honeymoon with her fiancee in the stunning Verona. While wandering through the cobbled streets she finds a wall of Letters - Letters to the infamous Shakespearean Heroine - Juliet asking for advice on matters of the heart. Her discovery of a letter dated 50 years previously sends her on a journey with an elderly English lady, and her handsome yet stubborn grandson which makes her realise what true love is all about...

'' I didn't go to him, Juliet. I didn't go to Lorenzo. His eyes were so full of trust I promised I'd meet him and run away together because my parents don't approve. But, instead, I left him waiting for me below our tree - waiting and wondering where I was. I'm in Verona now. I return to London in the morning and I am so afraid. Please, Juliet tell me what I should do. My heart is breaking and I have no one else to turn to. 

Love, Claire ''

★★★★

Audrey Hepburns Guide to True Beauty

When asked for her advice on beauty and some good tips this was the advice the beautiful actress gave:

''For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows.

The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.''

''If you share this with another woman, something good will happen - you will boost another woman's self esteem, and she will know that you care about her. ''

Audrey Hepburn, Actress. 

Click here to see Audrey Hepburn winning an oscar for Roman Holiday

How to shine like a film star - Achieving a red carpet look.

We all like to look pretty just for ourselves and sometimes we even have an aim to impress other people.  Whatever the reasons for wearing make-up we often find ourselves applying it how our mams or best girl friends do theirs, but are these the proper make-up application techniques?


There are many easy ways to achieve a red- carpet look.

A flawless skin palette is achieved by using a primer, which isn't oil based so your foundation and concealer will look quite flawless but natural with a smooth finish.


Apply concealer beneath the eyes and lightly in any place that has uneven skin tone, for example, a blemish or reddened area.


then apply your foundation, lightly and using a foundation brush so that the liquid spreads in a balanced way with an even sheer look.

A statement brow can look very high- fashion yet demure. To achieve this look, groom your eyebrows with a tweezers to take away any stray hairs and make the arch more pronounced by using an eyebrow pencil - depending on your hair colour - a light brown is generic and not too heavy so will blend with brow's that have a blonde or reddish or even chocolate- coloured tint. I have blonde hair so I am inclined to use a light brown No. 7 cosmetic light brown eyebrow pencil and shaper - in fact I swear by it! It is best to not be so liberal with the eyebrow pencil as to not achieve a heavily overdone look, do it in gradual stages to lighten and darken.

Eyeliner is another makeup staple. Eyeliner is probably one of the most popular because of its versatile use. Not only does it dress up the eyelid area, it also accentuates the eyebrows, can line the lips or even give you a false beauty spot! Eyeliner most commonly used is chocolate brown, tinted burgundy or black although this also comes in a very wide range of colors. There is the traditional eye pencil or something a bit more dramatic, like liquid liner which are available by Mac cosmetics and as a cheaper alternative - 'exaggerate' by rimmel available in nationwide Boots stores.

It is usually better to go for a smoky eye and neutral pale lip look or a light eye make up and bright statement lipstick effect. The combination of the two can sometimes be catastrophic and take away from your features. If you have defined full lips it is good to accentuate them by using a coloured lipliner and filling your lips with a shade that is to your taste.

When working at the Irish Film and Television Awards I opted for a creamy pale foundation, with a striking red lipstick and a dark lash look as it was young and fresh in contrast to a smokey eye which is more suited to a tanned skin palette - as pictured below.

For a great tutorial on How to accomplish the perfect smokey eye make-up Click here

Safari Style - Be a fashionista

Whether it's brightly coloured geometric tribal prints or collections from designers with a rich African heritage, Spring/Summer 2011 styles are bursting with Sub-Saharan vivacity.

The graphic prints and geometric shapes are a confident suave take on the other ethnic trends of the season: less earthy than the bronze coins and bejewelled scarves of the global tourist. The safari look gets distinctly urban, whether it's traditional prints or khaki suiting - Now its Spring time designers and publications such as Vogue are well and truly all over safari sheek and its outburst of African- inspired accessories. Ethnic inspired tribal prints are hot again for Spring 2012, and Fashion Bomb celebrities have clearly gotten the memo, wearing abstract print leggings, dresses, and tops by Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenburg, and so many more. I am a devoted Safari fan and love the embellishments that come with the trend. It’s all well and good seeing it on the runway, but this trend really translates into real life. This trend will always repeat itself as it is a classic. When you have been in fashion for a while you see trends come and go every day, and normally it makes me yawn and wanna go back to bed. But, a trend that always captivates me is the safari craze. I mean, i don’t know if its labelled safari sheek officially, or if this is just a phrase i created, but its awesome none the less. For you fashion firsties, safari in short, is basically earth tones which takes inspiration from traditional ‘ethnic’ or ‘tribal’ prints and costume, plus a healthy helping of sheer fabric and vibrant splatterings of colour. Followers of fashion are heading into the wild this season as style takes on an African twist. If going on a real safari in the African wilderness you are advised to avoid wearing "Hollywood style" or camouflage outfits....  Safari Expert Gwen Stefanis' Designs went down a storm in the fashion world, but, it must be said...Normal non-synthetic, comfortable fitting, sexy but neutral coloured clothes are what you need to be taking with you... This is not the case for the urban european spin on what is usually the opposite of trendy - and mostly practical attire.

xo L