A Feminist Question?

I understand this is a bit of a taboo subject, but hear me out.
I'm a reserved kind of lady. I don't like giving away too much about myself, I rather like to maintain an element of mystery about myself or, failing that, avoid everyone being all up in my business! Much to my annoyance I've noticed that there are a tonne of women's websites and magazines, books even, which are raising the very delicate subject of women's 'bits' and the hair which may (or may not) accompany said area.
Now I'm all up for a hilarious and frank discussion with the girls about being a woman, we should definitely be laughing in the face of periods.  But why the sudden 'debate' around our vaginas?
I saw this argument being raised by my beloved Caitlin Moran  in her book How To Be a Woman; she quite wittily suggests that we embrace the bush instead of waxing away our lady wisps (a process which apparently makes us look 'childlike'). See, now, this is where it gets a bit weird: Moran also speculates on why any man would want to have it off with a woman when she looks like a child, y'know down there. So is she suggesting that, if a woman shaves her own area, any man who has sex with her is doing so because she looks 'child like'; that's a bit much? Right?
Putting aside this slightly bizarre way of looking at your regular wax appointment; we should probably look at where this whole sans hair look originated from- PORN. Yep, just like edgy British style is inspired by Kate Moss, minimalistic pubes are inspired by some sleazy movie complete with bad acting and unconvincing yelling! This is undoubtedly a bad thing but really, I'm not going to spend an obscene amount of time justifying why exactly I've decided to stay bare or not (see, mystery): and I shouldn't have to! Caitlin Moran somehow, unfairly, suggests that growing pubes is a mark of feminism!
Interestingly I've heard nothing about lesbian couples who chose to shave, I couldn't really care less to be perfectly honest but it would offer a new take on the old 'YOU'RE ONLY TRYING TO PLEASE MEN' song and dance. But that's all very intrusive and uncomfortable. If I asked two lesbian women if they chose to shave their areas they'd ask me, quite rightly, what the eff it had to do with me in the first place! It would be girly chat gone wrong.
Likewise, where are the opinions from women who have asked or hinted at their male partners to trim or shave? IT HAPPENS. Women aren't just brainless porn star idolizing creatures who don't feel like they deserve a say when it comes to pubes; has dear Caitlin taken into account that some women just don't like pubes??
It's all down to personal taste. And if it's about sex then again, it's all about personal taste. I'm sure if a woman doesn't particularly want to shave, despite her boyfriend wanting her too, then she wont do it. I'm actually 100% certain that I would not come to bed painted blue despite my boyfriend begging me to dress up as a sexy Mrs. Smurf; it wouldn't be anything about feminism, I just don't want to do it!
Women need to stop patronising other women and suggesting that everything they choose to do is somehow all about men and submission. I understand that despite western advances in women's equality- we still have a long way to go. But really, is 'to shave or not to shave' really a question that remains annoyingly unanswered? I'm more interested in the niggling question 'When the fuck will my salary be equal to that of a man's?'. Surely there are better feminist questions that don't circle around my muff.
If I ever have a daughter, I will never be horrified to find out that she has regular bikini waxes: it's if she starts letting a man dictate to her life is when I'll be concerned! I don't want to share my wisdom of growing the perfect bush with my daughter, I want to have long chats with her about what she plans to do with her life. Isn't that what makes a woman? I think a woman's assertiveness is better measured by her actual ambitions and life successes rather than the presence or absence of pubes. How trivial.
It's simply not a feminist topic, I don't think. There are so many situations where women are being denied equality: FGM, unequal pay, rape, questioned rape victims, rape victims accountable for their own rape, domestic violence, cat calls, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexism, forced arranged marriages, women being refused education- and we're talking about PUBES!?!??!
As I've said before, I don't like everybody knowing my business but in this case I have to put that to the side. I'm not the same to Caitlin when it comes to hair. I've done away with my own personal Chelsea garden show, uprooted the daffodils and installed a patio to cover the grass. And it hasn't made the slightest bit of difference.
Here are things which I've done despite not boasting a 'feminist bush'

• Declined sex with a man
• Declined sex with a woman
• Pursued education
• Made a man dinner
• Not made a man dinner
• Shouted back at a cat caller
• Gotten internships to support my career
• Had a boyfriend
• Loved a man
• Broken up with a man
• Made my own money
• Believed in the equality of women

The last one is the most important. Because really, if you're a feminist then fundamentally you should believe in the equality of women and the rest is all personal.

Transport: The Bane Of London

Living in London is, for the most part, fantastic. There are loads of great food places, a plethora of amazing shops and markets and the culture is diverse and there is always something going on. But in order to get to one of London's many attractions you must get there using its transport which is, for the most part, terrible. Let me sum it up for you:

Loud Phone Call Takers: 

Commuting through London often means we are privy to our fellow passengers' dinner plans or other futile information. Most annoyingly, we may have to endure Loud Linda's phone conversation and the tale of 'that thing what happened last Friday' as it reverberates through the whole carriage. Texting comes in handy for things which should be kept private: namely, lovers tiffs. Unfortunately not many bunny boilers understand this. If you're squashed so close to a person that you can count their eyelashes, then you should probably reconsider leaving a cold voice mail to your partner. We don't need to know that you've left their dishes by the sink because you're just SICK of cleaning up all the time! 

Even Louder Eaters 

They are the obnoxious passengers who lurch over their smelly chicken and scoff it down pure caveman style. I want to make one thing abundantly clear: food has no way of mobility, it's not going to run off therefore you don't need to woolf it down! When I come across a culprit of this appetite repressing crime, I often wonder if they intend to woo a someone with their (awful) table manners during a date. Quite frankly it would be enough to make me projectile vomit my chicken wrap across Nandos.

Smelly People

Not much needs to be said for these soap dodgers. You'll know when it happens to you. You're minding your own business on the central line, playing flappy bird perhaps, when all of a sudden the smell of week old BO wafts up your nose. I'm pretty liberal when it comes to self expression but I stand my ground when it comes to personal hygiene- it is NOT acceptable to smell like an armpit.

Space Invaders

You know the ones, they squash you against the window, hog the arm rest and don't even say thank you. For the rest of the journey you feel as though they're part of you like some sort of rude, arsehole-ish joint twin. Similar to these spatially obtuse commuters are the people who savagely compress themselves into the tiniest space on an already over packed train. If this ever happens to you I suggest that you hug said space invader and whisper  that you love to be close to them...

Leery Men 

Ladies, we've all been there. You're on your way to meet a friend for a girly lunch and you've decided to doll up a bit. All of a sudden you begin to regret catching this bus/train because some guy is looking at you the way you'd look at a pair of 70% off Jeffrey Campbell shoes. Violently lusting after shoes is fine because they are objects, but leering at women to such an extent that she is made feel uncomfortable is plain wrong. Instead of sitting there desperately avoiding eye contact with this looser, come up with a delightful quip to make him ashamed of his behaviour. See the @everydaysexism twitter account for inspo.

All The Single Ladies! Your Valentines Day Excuse To Buy Shoes

Hey guys!

Valentines Day is swiftly approaching! This day of love (and spending money on love) can send pangs of loneliness into the hearts of many singletons. I find that there is too much mass concern with this one day: which gift should you get your boyfriend/girlfriend? Can you make your bum perkier in time for the special day? What if you're single except for your cat with whom you share a strangely close bond?

FYI: There is nothing wrong with having a close bond with your cat, I'm still trying to teach my cat how to high five me. Actually, she isn't even my cat, she's my boyfriend's. But I've claimed her as my own anyway.

My boyfriend and I don't do anything particularly special for Valentines Day. Last year we had pizza and played xbox, this wasn't our ironic way of celebrating- we were just hungry! As someone in a happy relationship, I myself enter a state of unbearable cringing when I read some 'we're so in love' tweets from people who usually take to Facebook/Twitter to moan about their other halves every other day of the year!

It is true that the relationship which you have with yourself is the longest you'll ever have, so it's important to love yourself! And this Valentines Day is your perfect opportunity to exercise self love. Sound awfully hippy dippy? Did I mention you get to spoil yourself? Glad I have your attention.

Treat yourself like a princess this Valentines Day

1. I don't know about you but I perve over shoes more than guys, I can't resist a fabulous pair! This is your perfect excuse to splash out on something gorgeous that you've been eyeing up for ages: shoes, a bag, books make up- whatever you want!

2. There is nothing better than a great pamper session to make you look and feel great. Get yourself all preened to perfection and maybe enjoy a glass of wine or two! Lastminute.com have some really affordable spa days, take a mate and get pampered!

3. Forget boys, and head out for a girls night out. It's a sure fire way to make you feel fabulous. Just maybe not the next morning...

4. If your mum hasn't got any plans for v.day then organise a mother daughter day trip somewhere! When I was single or felt down about an ex, my mothers advice would make me feel 100 times better. Spending time and having a laugh with your mum is a great way to get your mood soaring.

5. Try something new. Think of something that you haven't tried before: a hair style, Mexican food, the theatre, a gig even a driving lesson. Get excited for Valentines Day, it may be the day you discover a new passion ;)


Really, it's just one day out of a whole year. You don't need to do anything with your partner and you don't need to do anything to take your mind off being single (like you care!). Whatever you do this Valentines Day, make sure it's fabulous!

xo

Asos Haul

Hello lovelies!

I've been naughty and had a little splurge on the ASOS sales. Snapped up these beauties: 

 My obsession with rings is never ending! That's why I'm loving these gold cuff rings. They're very simple but very stylish, perfect on their own or stacked with more rings!

Bang on trend for 2014 with it's bold prints. This skirt was a risky buy but I'm so excited to see what I can do with it. It reminds me of something I would wear when I was 17 but the leather look makes it a little more grown up. I think I'll team it up with my cut out coltranes, messy hair and a distressed T for day times. I can always dress it up with wedges, a blazer and a cute bralette for nights. I love this piece because it's fierce and very statement.






I've been perving over this leather look dungarees for absolutely AGES. It's now mine! It's black and it's very simple so you could wear it with pretty much anything. I think I'll match it up with some pastel, power florals or a sheer shirt for a trendy look.

Leather and Pout hearts Leather and Pastels for Spring 2014

Two huge trends for spring 2014 will be Leather and Pastels: I love both so I'm very excited to mix the two together. At the moment, fashion is all about being edgy and different, creativity is celebrated so don't be afraid to experiment with different pieces- have fun with colour and texture. Be brave! For inspo, look to style icons like Suki Waterhouse, Kate Moss and the fantastic and fierce Paloma Faith. 

Here are some I made earlier... 

Check out my Polyvore account for more: http://rosiequigley.polyvore.com/    xo 

A Frightful Night At The Movies!

Camden Loch is a foul, zombie infested wasteland. It’s a bloody danger zone, a savage and sadistic maze. Whose blood curdling cries can you hear in the distance? A survivor? Or one of the rancid infected? Don’t split up. Don’t stop running. Don’t look back.

            Just hold up for a while in the market area with Backyard Cinema with a beer and a burger and you should be fine. Your refuge for the evening is hosted by Dominic Davies, zombie film enthusiast and creator of Backyard Cinema events. Dominic and his team put on a spooky Zombie Apocalypse event in the spirit of Halloween earlier last month.

            I took myself and my boyfriend to this Backyard Cinema event and it really did not disappoint! The evening of fun began with adrenalin pumping zombie maze where my group were guided by a foul mouthed, but well meaning, cockney SWAT team member. We were being chased around Camden Loch by white-eyed, gory zombie folk- this event is perfect for scare seekers!

             For a fortnight Backyard Cinema put on a range of horror movie screenings for its thrilling Zombie Apocalypse event. Among the range of films were the recent hit Evil Dead and indie horror Stake Land (our film choice for the evening- it was brutal!). These film events are much more relaxed than those at the more mainstream venues; they are held in public places, the films are shown on a projector and beer is served rather than over priced sodas!

            This month Backyard Cinema is hosting a very lavish classic film event at the luxurious venue London Town Hall Hotel. Enjoy sumptuous cocktails as you fall in love with the classic Much Ado About Nothing or dive into the decadent world of The Great Gatsby- flapper dress optional. Get your tickets booked for an extraordinary night at the movies.

For more info on up-coming Backyard Cinema event head to: Backyard Cinema Events

Winter Radiant Skin

Winter Skin Care

The winter is officially here! So to keep yourself totally toasty you've purchased your staple seasonal coat and a woolly hat that goes with everything, but now it’s your skin that is feeling the wrath of these harsh winter climes. Amongst all the Christmassy excitement for presents and ditching your diet to go on a mince pie binge, it’s easy to forget to protect your skin from flaking out on you. This is a very important issue; thousands of people die of embarrassment every year from having flaky lips- act now. Here are some top tips and affordable products to winter-proof your skin

Hydrate

When you’re not hitting the mulled wine during the holidays, make sure you’re drinking loads of water to replenish your skin from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water prevents your skin from looking dry which is essential as the harsh winter wind will naturally dry out your skin. Drinking just 2-3 litres a day could give your skin a little radiant glow.

Best product: Water, £0, your tap at home

Exfoliate

Dry flaky skin can make your complexion look dull and tired, not exactly the look you were planning to pull of at the Christmas party. During the winter try a gentle exfoliating wash once or twice a week to remove dull cells, my favourite is St Ives Invigorating Apricot Facial Scrub £4.99, Boots. To prevent skin from drying out, try switching your usual facial cleaner or toner with a gentler version that uses witch hazel. I find that, Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Cleansing & Toning Lotion, £3.58, gently removes dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of any natural oils.

Moisturise

During the winter your body produces less natural oils, that’s why it’s so important to use a great moisturiser. When choosing a moisturiser, opt for one which is very rich and packed with vitamins. I find that Olay Beauty Fluid Nourishing Day Fluid, £4.99, is amazing for nourishing your skin and leaving it soft and radiant, it can be used just before applying foundation or even as an effective over night cream. To prevent your skin from getting tight and itchy, use Garnier Intensive 7 Days Body Lotion with Nourishing Shea Butter, the Shea butter ingredient will keep your skin in tip top condition.