GlitterBow Presents

In all my naked entirety

2011-03-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

So, last week I took the plunge and did something that I'd been meaning to etch off my list of 'things to do before I'm 25'. I'm still very much in shock at the fact that I was even gutsy enough to do it- I guess sometimes you just don't realise how much confidence you do in fact possess...and suprisingly, I wasn't all that nervous in the build-up to it - which lasted at least four drawn out weeks. Once my date was set I just couldn't wait to hop up on that pedestool and become immortalised into art. For those who are still clueless up to this point, let me just fulfill your curiosity...

I posed stark naked for two-hours in a room full of about ten established art tutors, artists and art enthusiasts for a life art session. Don't question why on earth I wanted to do it- it's just one of those liberating experiences that I wanted to say I'd had and will have again no doubt(apparently I was a pleasure to draw.) Three poses and a dead leg later here was the outcome...Only one picture for you guys I'm afraid, I don't know if I'm ready to reveal a full frontal of my breasts just yet...and apologies but I can't rotate the image.

Drawn by: David Crossley

For more on finding yourself and for some cool inspirational females head over to: http://giftedandhighlyfavoured.blogspot.com/2011/03/inhibitions-are-useless.html

Has Rihanna still got it?

2011-02-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

I hate to be one of the many women joining the 'Oh, here she is again' rant, but before you read this please don't assume that I'm 'hating' because that would just be silly, rather see it as a piece of analytical commentary from an astute media consumer.

I've been a fan of Rihanna from the beginning- I purchased every album up until Good Girl Gone Bad, followed, but never recreated her risque and ever-evolving wardrobe, and along with the nation took delight in belting out every verse, hook and chorus of the anthems she's been churning out over the past year or so. But recently my like for her has taken a turn for the worst and I didn't want to say this but I agree with the harsh critics who associate her success with her marketability and bold style, rather than her musical talent. And anyone who's been watching her more recent live performances can agree with me in saying that she doesn't do the singing thing all too well.

It's not the first time that these industry issues have been raised. Trading sex appeal for genuine talent. Arguably mainstream female artists recieve more attention from women's glossies and doing sassy cover-shoots, than they do performing in intimate settings and actually connecting with their fans through their shared love of music. And of course, each to their own and all that jazz, but I'd rather not see anymore of Rihanna grinding on Drake's genitals, or her prancing around in next-to-nothing for the sake of it, because it makes for poor viewing.

So has Rihanna still got it? Or has she now made her bed and has no choice but to see it through to the end? I asked what people's first thoughts were when I mentioned the red-headed minx and here are the responses:

A. "Fine, sexy, classy..."
B. "It hurts me to say but I think she's awesome."
C. "Sexy. Illuminati and Sexy."
D. "Slut! She's gone past sexy, it's a bit trashy now...she's just sex on legs
really."
E. "Stunning (Big forehead)."
F. "Sex."
G. "Puppet. Sex symbol."
H. "A girl I never liked, but hell yeah like now!"
I. "Bajan."
J. "Her massive forehead, second, her booty and third, the annoyance of Umbrella."

That took me all of three minutes, but told me all I needed to know.

Check her out in Kanye West's smash 'All Of The Lights'.

Mixed Chicks

2010-12-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

"Finally, a curl-defining system for 'us'. Whether you're black, white, asian, latin, mediterranean, or any glorious combination of the above, you'll love the way these non-sticky, lightweight products leave your hair inviting to touch as they define and lock moisture into every curl. Be a proud part of our multiracial movement..."MIXED CHICKS" your curls! And yes, it works on weaves."

I'm pretty sure there are a few of you wondering why I'm promoting products specified for people of mixed-heritage when I'm obviously not myself- and my response to you is: "Stop being so closed minded!" After making the brave decision to banish chemical relaxers from my life over a year ago, and chopping off my straggly ends for a second time in August, finding the right products for my hair has need I say being a mind-broadening experience.

With nothing but childhood photographs and regrowth to shed some light on what was to come, I actually had very little memory of my natural hair texture! Sad, but unfortunately true. Adamant to steer clear of unneccesary chemicals- (alcohol, parabens etc) and being a self-confessed 'hippy', my beauty shelf is now adorned with more oils than an aromatherapy parlour. But sometimes I find that they just aren't enough, so what do you do to tame curls that you didn't even know existed?!..
EXPERIMENT! with some MIXED CHICKS Leave-in conditioner- courtesy of my beautiful mixed chick, Charlotte. Applied to dry hair, with a nice handful of both Olive and Almond oil the creamy conditioner sank into my hair overnight and left it a lot softer and visibly healthier the morning-after. Curls are curls, and anyone transitioning from relaxed to natural hair knows all too well the importance of keeping frizz at a minimum. "Mixed Chicks leave-in will define curls, and eliminate frizz. This is also the perfect product to restore hair health if you are moving away from chemical relaxers."

MIXED CHICKS have a whole selection of styling, conditioner and taming products, and I'd recommend them to anyone whose hair needs that little bit more TLC- whether you have loose funky curls like Char, or rock a nubian fro like me.

http://www.mixedchicks.net/

Adidas: We Are London

2010-11-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

"WE ARE LONDON is a celebration of the unique talent and creativity that thrives within our capital city. The sounds, the sights and the vibrancy of young London."

The UK'S no.1 sports brand, ADIDAS have yet again colloborated with some of the capital's biggest names in urban music as part of the 'We Are London' campaign. Bashy, Devlin, SB.TV's Georgia, Devlin, Loick Essien, MC Maxsta and Scorcher have all been invited on board to share their unique experiences of their hometown- our capital city.

But that's not the grand finale, oh no...Adidas are giving you the chance to become the **star** of the campaign. The coveted prize? You get your face splashed across a billboard in the centre of the city, shot and styled by the best in the biz, and then if that's not good enough you'll even have your own 'Behind the scenes' video filmed by SB.TV!!

Pretty simple really just hit the link below for more info, but get on it fast because the competition closes in just nine days!! But I've got a slight complaint- what about Birmingham? I mean we are the 2nd city! (C'mon Adidas.) Decipher Collective, Trilla, Lady Leshurr, Jamelia maybe- think about it.

http://www.facebook.com/adidasoriginals?v=app_163396950365765#!/adidasoriginals?v=app_163396950365765

Vick's Fashion Fix- Day 3

2010-11-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

"Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportions." Coco Chanel.

...And being a short-arse without the necessary measures available to lengthen my torso, I've had no choice but to substitute frame-altering style tips for my failed genetics. A high waist, short shorts and a little bit of added height works wonders.

Shirt & Pendant- Both Topshop

Belt - Dorothy Perkins

Denim shorts - Urban Outfitters

Shoes - Zara

Vick's Fashion Fix- Day 2

2010-11-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

"A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes." Vera Wang.

So this is day two of my personal Fashion Fix...my frame- elongated, my waist- cinched and my Daredevil smile got traded in for a lighter pink model.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?...Me?...No? Oh."

T-Shirt: Topshop Maxi Skirt: Topshop

Vick's Fashion Fix

2010-11-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

"Personal STYLE is like playing the piano. FIRST you must play by the rules, then you must FORGET the rules and play from your HEART."
I read this while I was roaming the net today and loved it so much that it got tweeted and I'm tempted to use it as my permanent style mantra! In need of a slight style overhaul anyway...here's something I did earlier! (Lol) Just a little something I threw on...your comments? Would be cool, but be nice. Seriously.

Scarf: Vintage store

Lipstick (Daredevil Red): Topshop

Denim dress: Miss Selfridge

Cowl neck jumper: Topshop

Suede desert boots: River Island

'I AM' Book Review

2010-11-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Title: I AM - A book of unintentional thoughts
Author: Alexander Jackman
Published: 20/09/2009
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing
ISBN: 9781608608263

Rating: 5/5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGJDIqSl004

Never before has a book had the power to force me to look within myself and question aspects of my life that I had never delved into- or wish to acquire as deep an understanding of themselves as the author himself is searching for. Neither has a piece of literature conjured up such a rollercoaster of emotions as I had experienced by the time I reached the end, and I imagine those who go on to purchase the book will too.

I AM takes us on a candid journey into the subconscious of Alexander Jackman, whereby he details pivotal moments and people in his life which have contributed to this self-reflection. His honest and anecdotal approach allows the reader to bask in the recollection of our own experiences, while we envisage snapshots of Jackman’s also.

Unconventional to say the least, the form and structure of the novel is as captivating as the words entangled within it. Switching narrative voices and the seamless transition from poetry to prose, only heightened my intrigue and reading pleasure. The way in which Jackman interacts with the reader using direct speech is both modest and emotive, and in a lot of ways showcases his depth as an author. Extracting inspiration from everyday occurrences, individual dedications run throughout, but then they remind you of just how much a personal account it is.

I AM absolutely surpasses the norm and is a perfect illustration of true post-modernist works. Eloquently written, witty and didactic, this book has something in it for everyone. Always returning to the interrogative, it arouses a sense of responsibility to find out who you are, and for all those reasons and more, it was a pleasure to read and I’m equally as excited for the next two instalments.

http://www.alexanderjackman.co.uk/

I AM is available at all good online bookstores:

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/alexander+jackman/i+am+a+book+of+unintentional+thoughts/7285479/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=I+AM+by+Alexander+Jackman

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=9781608608263

HIP-HOP'S DR. JEKYLL & HYDE

2010-05-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

After having the pleasure of having an interview with this guy and listening to his album before the masses, I can genuinely say that at the moment nothing compares.

Hip-hop genius, Chima Anya, 25, qualified doctor by day and rapper when night falls is the UK's version of U.S elites: Common, Nas, Talib Kweli, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest...and the list could easily run on.

Some people say that "hip-hop is dead," but when lyricists like Chima come around, how can that be?

His debut album, New Day, is out now on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/new-day/id368767492 and you'd be a fool not to buy it! If you like real rhymes, real music and have an ear for real talent, then this is for you.

www.myspace.com/chimaanya

www.twitter.com/chimaanya

Full interview online this week at: http://www.f2dcollection.com/ and in the June edition of the Vine magazine: http://www.thevinepublication.com/

(A little taster) Cupid's Net: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-tvyqfYr1o