Valentines Day 2015

Ahhhh, Valentines Day - you either love it or hate it. Whether you're part of a loved up couple or you are a strong, independent girl who don't need no man (sorry - I had to). Or are you a single girl who hates how loved up all her friends are, or part of a relationship thinking why do we celebrate just one day a year? I don't really know where I fall in. I am part of a loving relationship, and I was looking forward to spending the evening with Brad but at the same time I get the whole you should love each other every day argument! Anyway... for our Valentines day celebrations we went out for a 3 course meal at a local Vintage Inns restaurant. 

Wearing: My go-to River Island skinny jeans(love!!), a white peplum style top from Primark and a very light pale pink blazer also from Primark (I am absolutely loving Primark's spring collection right now) Then I paired the outfit with Topshop nude heels and my (moms) nude handbag from Next. 

Accessories: Pandora ring, Miss Selfridge earrings, Olivia Burton watch. 

Make-up: Rimmel London Wake Me Up foundation in Classic Beige, Rimmel London Wake Me Up concealer in Classic Beige and Rimmel London Wake Me Up concealer in True Ivory, Sleek Contour and Blush palette, Sleek Highlighter, 'Nooner' and 'Buzz' from Naked 3 Palette, Maybelline New York Falsies Mascara, Kate Moss' Mascara for Rimmel London(Amazing - review coming soon!!) Rimmel London eye brow pencil in 002 Hazel and the perfect pair on my lips. 

 

   

Starter: I had baked Cornish brie and onion marmalade brûlée! It would be an understatement to say this was incredible - I love brie anyway, and if it is on the menu I will always have it - but in the past I've only known restaurants to do brie with cranberry sauce, so this was a lovely change. It was so so tasty and I would definitely recommend. Bradley had Duck Rillettes which looked a bit like a pate, and came with toasted brioche and a fig and dates chutney - he said it was lovely. 

Main: For my main I (obviously) had steak - I absolutely love steak and have it every time I go to this restaurant! I had an 8oz sirloin on this occasion and it came with (huge) onion rings, mushrooms, tomato and chips. Bradley had sea bass which came with a chorizo and chickpea stew - it looked nice, but I don't really like this kind of meal, but he enjoyed it. Obviously he had to order chips as a side (typical!)

Dessert: Ugh, how did I even manage dessert? I was so completely full by the time it came. I definitely ordered the biggest thing on the menu as well(good one jowd) Cookies and Ice-cream was once again faultless. The huge portion of cookie came with different ice creams, cream and sauces. Bradley had raspberry creme brûlée - he was very jealous of the size of my pud though - but he did get the best of both worlds as I couldn't finish mine so he had to 'save the day'! (Again, typical!) 

How did you all spend Valentines Day?! 

Why you can't go wrong with a LBD

1) It's a classic - everybody knows and appreciates the little black dress, this lady-like chic look will never go out of style.

2) You can wear it from day through to night - little black dresses can be worn with patterned tights, boots and a parker jacket day-to-day. Come the evening you can easily transform your outfit by keeping the dress but adding some fake tan, some stilettos and a clutch. Perfect.

3) You can wear it in winter, you can wear it in summer - The LBD is timeless, regardless of the weather, regardless of the season.. your little black dress will see you through the good, the bad and the ugly.

4) It flatters your figure  - The colour black is slimming and hides little lumps and bumps.

5) It has tons of options - I love how simple and elegant this look is, but it can also be as extravagant as you like you can add in bold jewellery and colourful accessories to change up the look and experiment with different styles.

6) If it's good enough for Beyonce, it's good enough for us. 

7) LBD are always in the shops - they're easy to find, and can be cheap too. Win, win.

8) It's not completely obvious that you've worn it more than once - as they are so simple, it is hard for people to spot that your wearing something you've worn before. Throw on a different pair of shoes and your friends will never know!!

9) You can pair it with a smokey eye - we all love a good smokey eye look.

10) It's effortless - it doesn't look like you've tried too hard, if you don't want to look like you've made to much effort or gone out of your way for the occasion.

Week 1: The dangerous relationship between Journalism and PR

This post is part of my 'Journalism, PR and The Media' theory module online portfolio.

One would think that Journalism and Public Relations go hand-in-hand; they both write stories and they both aim to get published. However, there are many differing issues between the two professions also thrown into the mix, which makes the relationship that little bit more complicated.

Maloney, Jackson and McQueen show concern for the future of journalism in the set reading. The general thought is that the growth of the PR industry is a serious threat to the quality and independence of contemporary journalism through Churnalism and the PR-isation of news; which is where press releases and pre-packaged material are used to create articles in newspapers.

Interestingly, 80% of published news stories in 'top end' news outlets are produced by PR (Lewis et al, 2008). Julia Hobsbawm would argue this is news being made to happen. Even when there is 'no news' there is always a newspaper, always stories - PR helps to do this. Here is an example of a press release as a news story. This is one of a number of factors which is making the PR industry bloom and the journalism industry decrease.

Another issue highlighted in the reading is that the news is therefore not factual and reliable due to this PR-isation and churnalism. As stated above, a large amount of news we read is produced by PR, who try to sway public opinion. The reading suggests that PR does not give informed, factual and reliable information but instead gives the information they want you to believe, as part of their job is to influence opinion and behaviour (CIPR, 2012).

Journalists write with the aim of informing the public of current affairs, contemporary events and circumstances of public significance or interest (Kovach & Rosenstiel 2003). But now journalists are publishing press releases more and more. Thus leading us to ask if the information is fact or if it is actually favourable reporting promoting a product or client?

One could argue that some people want to be part of ‘good news’ agenda promoting their town rather than being aware that a local authority might have something to hide (Slattery, 2009) and therefore not producing the facts.

The set reading has enhanced my knowledge of the issues surrounding PR and journalism, as I wasn't aware such a high content of PR was used in news outlets. But in my opinion it isn't fair to attack the PR industry as they are just doing their job for their client. Journalists have the option to use the press release, and they have the option to do their own research rather than just copy and pasting the material sent to them.

Bibliography

1) Davies, F. (2008) Public Relations and Journalism: Truth, Trust, Transparency and Integrity. University of Lincoln. pp 1-2, 17.

2) Jackson, D., McQueen, D. and Moloney, K. (2013) ‘News Journalism and Public Relations: A Dangerous Relationship’ in Journalism: New Challenges, Allan, S. and Watt-Fowler, K., (eds). Centre for Journalism & Communication Research, Bournemouth University. pp 261,262 and 275.

3) J.Hobsbawm, (2006), Where The Truth Lies: Trust and Morality in PR and Journalism (2nd ed), London: Atlantic Books

4) Lewis, J., Williams, A., Franklin, B., Thomas, J. and Mosdell, N. (no date) The Quality and Independence of British Journalism. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/resources/QualityIndependenceofBritishJournalism.pdf (Accessed: 10 February 2015).

High Street Fashion Inspiration #5

Topshop

   

I am dreaming of Summer right now, I know its a long time off yet, but agh the thought of it is getting me through this horrible, freezing, crappy weather that we are experiencing. I love the combination above of the pastel colour and black and white skirt. The short, tight skirt will look lovely in the summer with the crop-top. However, this skirt could also be worn now with over the knee boots and black tights.  

Week 1: A taste of the street art in Digbeth

This post is part of my Visual Design module online portfolio.  

Eastside (unbeknown to be) is actually the creative quarter of Birmingham and hosts some of the best graffiti art and artwork around. As part of my Visual Design workshop today we walked down to The Custard Factory and Digbeth to explore what there is in terms of art and visual design. You only have to walk down one street and your blown away with colours, with ideas and with inspiration. Digbeth recently held the City of Colours festival, a street art event where over 100 artists turn the dull streets into a sea of colour. The event is taking place again this year, if you are interested you can find out more here.

Whilst walking down the streets this particular painting caught my eye especially. 

In this painting I see a young girl dreaming and hoping, I see her looking up into the sky as if she is looking into the future and dreaming of a better place. This work portrays the deep feelings of the artist (Carleen De Sozer). From the painting we can understand that the artist is dreaming of a brighter future, of better things as portrayed by her looking up as if to the brightness of the sky. Behind her is the dark shadowing of darker colours - this represents the past, her troubles and her previous life. 

Different shapes and colours are used to create textures for in the painting. The '3D' effect of the falling petals and leaves creates the vision that the leaves are falling in 3D and coming out at us as the audience. This effect is due to the shapes and angles used by the artist, she does this to involve the audience in her work and make us feel like we are present in the painting, by doing this the audience can understand the painting from an inside perspective not just as an audience member. The artist predominantly uses bright colours: purples, pinks and greens. However there is a contrast with the darker colours towards the right of the image and the black shadowing behind the lady's head. The range of colours used could represent the theme of the festival - The City of Colours. 

This painting makes me feel as though I too should put my past behind me and concentrate on the future. I too should think about my own aspirations and focus on them, I should put the darkness in my life behind me. I think Carleen, the artist created this piece to give inspiration to other artists at the festival in Digbeth and to give hope to unknown artists and beginners. I think she is trying to tell them to stay focused, look to the future and do not concentrate on the dark shadows that are the past.

I think this painting is very engaging. The work made myself and my fellow classmates stop and look, it has made me come to many conclusions about the artist and her life, circumstances and decisions behind the work. The work makes me feel inspired and hopeful for the future, it has made me think a little bit deeper. 

You can find out more about the artist herself at her website: http://www.carleendesozer.com 

Published Articles January 2014

Below are pictures and links to my online articles that have been published in January 2015 

New restaurant and cocktail bar to open at the Mailbox 

3 key things I've learnt from my work experience placement

If you've been following my blog for a while or know me personally you will know that I study media and communications and that I want to go into the journalism/PR/events industry after I graduate. I know I am only in my first year, but I am keen to get the ball rolling, and take the first step on my career ladder.

The past 2 weeks I have undertaken a work experience placement at a PR agency. The agency I am with have a very good reputation and are within the top 150 agencies according to PR week. Whilst I have been here I have witnessed what it takes to be a good PR person, how to impress clients, how to communicate with journalists, and ultimately I now have a better understanding of how media relations works. Also, while I have been here I have witnessed the merging of two agencies. Connect (where I was) have joined with another top agency, Seal Communications. You can read about this on PR week and the Birmingham Post: here and here.

3 Key Things I've Learnt: 

1) People will help you and in return you will help them. Interns get a bad name, and a reputation for being the tea makers and when no one wants tea or coffee just sitting about twiddling their thumbs. But the people I have been working with the past 2 weeks were lovely and helpful. I didn't feel like a pain, or like I was in the way and they didn't make me do the tea and coffee all week either, they gave me proper jobs to do and made me feel like part of the team. I think people are often reluctant to complete a work experience placement and they think you get nothing out of it, but from my experience - I disagree. I've got so much out of it.

2) Social media is the key. I use social media every day as do most other people my age, but what a lot of people don't realise is twitter isn't just for you to indirect your ex-boyfriend. It is actually an incredible tool, a way to push out information, gain traffic and gain business. I have spent the whole of my 2 weeks at Connect using social media, I have managed the social media for two of Connect's clients, Persimmon Homes & Charles Church. I have been pushing out special offers from the clients, new homes and new developments in the attempt to gain more 'clicks' to the website and ultimately more traffic/business for them. While I have been here I have also set up the Pinterest pages for both clients something I am proud of and something I was praised for.

3) If you don't ask, you won't get. Whilst I have been here I have met some really interesting people. The majority of the people I have spoken to have a journalistic background, whether they studied it at Uni or worked as reporters/editors on local newspapers and they have all made the transition into PR. I have only found this out through asking questions - something I would urge all interns and students to do. Ask questions about how they got to where they are today, as it ultimately somewhere you want to be, ask for advice, ask for contacts, ask for references, ask for things to do,  ask how you are doing, if there is any way you can improve. Ask, ask, ask. If you don't ask, you won't get. If you don't ask, you won't seem interested. I have had such interesting conversations with people this week, people have given me advice and have warned me of certain career pathways and I have a lot of information I can take away from this week and apply to my life.