Skip to main content

Day: 15 November 2016

The Resurgence of the Northern Hemisphere?

Written by Toby Webb on . Posted in Sport.

The 5th of November 2016 will be a special day forever in the history of Irish rugby, the day they broke a curse stretching back to 1905, the day they finally secured victory over New Zealand, 40-29.

No one who watched the game would say Ireland’s victory was undeserved. They matched New Zealand in sophistication and power, taking advantage of several lapses in concentration. Most impressive was the Irish resistance when New Zealand mounted the counter-attack; with a slender 33-29 lead, in the dying embers of the game, Ireland maintained their attacking instinct, scoring the decisive try. In doing so, they banished the painful memories of November 2013, when New Zealand scored a winning try in the last play of the game.

While it was a hard-earned, deserved victory, big questions remain as to whether the performance level exhibited on that day can be replicated regularly. More ominously, a backlash is expected from New Zealand.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt remarked after there is ‘no chasm’ between northern and southern hemisphere teams — an easy remark to make off the back of a victory over the All Blacks. The hype that has followed the Irish victory is similar to that which followed England’s victory over New Zealand in 2012. It was, undoubtedly, a momentous day, a day when Stuart Lancaster’s regime appeared to be taking England to new echelons. Hindsight has shown how futile that thought was, Lancaster’s regime capitulating to the embarrassing exit from the 2015 World Cup. Ireland’s win deserves to be celebrated, it was historic after all. However, if the team has true ambition, they will see it as the first stepping stone on a journey. I expect them to be royally hammered by New Zealand in the return fixture, however, victory against Australia in their final game and they will view the autumn as a success.

On their opening game of the autumn series, Wales endured starkly different fortunes to Ireland, losing 32-8 to Australia — subsequently, they extended their losing streak to the Wallabies to 12 games. The consensus is that Wales’ approach to the game was completely wrong, choosing power over finesse. Australia adopted an expansive style, Bernard Foley tearing the opposition apart like he so often does; they secured victory without reaching top gear. Wales must draw inspiration from their terrific campaign at the 2015 World Cup. I foresee them having a variable autumn. Victories against Argentina, and particularly Japan, are achievable, but they will not be achieved with performances like the Australia match. Their final game, South Africa, will be a fascinating encounter, particularly as South Africa are perceived to be on the decline. It will be decisive to the overall assessment of their autumn series.

This brings me on to England. Off the back of the landmark 3-0 series win in Australia, the autumn internationals will be pivotal to the Eddie Jones revolution. Many commentators are suggesting that Jones will finish the autumn with his 100 per cent win record intact. Perhaps these are naïve predictions. If England have secured victory against South Africa, it will have been extremely hard-fought, especially with the current injury crisis: Maro Itoje, George Kruis and James Haskell, currently absent, were instrumental in the summer.

What Jones has done with England since taking over is staggering, not only winning 9 out 9 games, but altering the style of play and team mentality in a hugely effective manner. He has got Owen Farrell and George Ford working symbiotically, something Lancaster, despite trying, never managed. Moreover, he has the forwards dominating the set-piece, while maintaining that dynamism so crucial to modern rugby. Having several key forwards all playing for Saracens, the best English club and current European champions, has helped massively. Despite this, it feels like only the start for Jones.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The improvements made by Jones lead back to the opening question. The situation looked very bleak following the 2015 World Cup: there were no Northern Hemisphere representatives in the semi-finals. However, to me, England have the potential and resources to solidify their current position of 2nd in the world. Jones has young players as the basis of the team — they will form the foundation for years to come. Yet, while there are reasons to be optimistic, there are question marks as to whether England could reach the level of execution that New Zealand operate with. We shall wait and see.

Ireland and Wales have several world-class players in their ranks, Jonny Sexton and Leigh Halfpenny for example. The difference between these two and England is mentality. Despite the success achieved so far, Jones and England have remained moderate in their celebrations, in stark contrast to the wild Irish celebration the other week. Despite bridges in class, Northern Hemisphere teams must not put their Southern Hemisphere opposition on a pedestal, they must show respect, but not too much.

England, as well as Ireland and Wales, have the potential to beat Southern Hemisphere teams regularly, in doing so reverse the hammering they took in the 2015 World Cup and alter the balance of power in international rugby. A change in mentality, the removal of the inferiority complex, will go a long way to achieving this goal.

Interview: Daniel Rigby

Written by Brogen Campbell on . Posted in Theatre.

The Mancunion spoke to Daniel Rigby, who is currently playing Alan Turing in Breaking the Code at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

What was your approach to getting the characterisation of Alan Turing?

My primary approach was to read as much stuff about his life and him and to absorb as much literature as I could. This is because there is very little by the way of audio and visual recordings of how he moved or what he sounded like. My aim was to read as much as I could and try to get an impression of him.

What attracted you to the role in the first place considering you don’t have a background in science?

The truth is there are a whole bunch of reasons why I wanted to do it. The director (Robert Hastie) is a very old friend of mine and I really wanted to work with him. When I read the play I relished the idea of having a go and trying to speak a bit of maths. I liked the idea of learning about it, not that I have learnt about it in any significant way. I’ve got my head around as much as I need to make sense out of it. The challenge of it was a nice idea.

Did you watch ‘The Imitation Game’, which features Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, for inspiration?

I didn’t actually. Once I found out I had this role I avoided watching the film because occasionally when you see another actor playing the same part you subconsciously steal some of their characterisations.  I didn’t want to be too influenced by the film. I’ve been told that my performance is very different to how Benedict plays Turing in the film. I think that is partly down to the fact that Alan Turing himself is a multifaceted man, from what I read about him he had a lot of different sides to his personality. I think it depended on who you were and how you related to him to what side you saw.  There was quite a few of his friends who would comment on him, when he was talking about science that he loved, as being very childlike and enthusiastic. There was this lovely mischievous, impish quality, which kept popping up to me and spoke to me more than the other stuff that was a bit colder perhaps and not a true reflection of who he was. The people who found him cold were people who he didn’t get on with him or had some sort of funny professional relationship with him. The people closes to him thought he had a good sense of humour, friendly, childlike and mischievous and that’s what I took and ran with.

That endearing nature definitely came across in your performance of him. How did you find getting your head around the mathematical speeches in the play?

It was very tricky especially the speech about the incompleteness theorem. It really taxed the old grey matter because it almost straddles mathematics and philosophy, I could get my fingertips around the concepts but it was difficult to get a full grasp on those mathematical concepts.

Does the play have a relevance today considering it was first performed in 1986?

Yes I think it has more relevance now than ever because there are sections of the play that discusses computing and artificial intelligence. We are in an era that is on the cusp of great advances in these areas and feels like we are at the cusp of virtual reality and proper artificial intelligence.  It feels very relevant when he is talking about computers because it feels like we are starting to see some of the things he predicted would happen right now.

How was performing at the Royal Exchange Theatre?

It was brilliant. It’s probably my favourite theatre that I’ve performed in to be honest.  It’s in the round so you are surrounded by people, but it’s not intimidating. The way that it’s designed everyone feels on top of you but in a very, very good way. In a comforting way almost.

How was working with the rest of the cast?

It was really nice because there is a really mix of experiences and ages. It’s a weird play, as if you aren’t playing Alan Turing, you bob in and out in a sporadic way.  I think it’s unique in that sense. Everyone has to find their place in it and I can imagine that a sense of company would fall apart because you aren’t working all the time, but it hasn’t, it’s been lovely.

How did you get into theatre?

By dint of not being able to do anything else basically. At school I was rubbish at most things, but played Fagin in Oliver when I was eleven at my junior school and it was great. People clapped and laughed and I thought this was my thing.

That’s what inspired you. Do you have advice for younger actors?

See as much as you can. Do as much as you can. Be as proactive as you can. Try and add some more strings to your bow, because those things are important too

What are you involved in next after Breaking the Code?

I’m doing a Twelfth Night at the National Theatre in the New Year and I’m filming a few things next year so that’s all happening. I’m also writing a comedy pilot, which I’ve been commissioned to do, so I’ll be trying to write that before the end of the year. So I’ll be nice and active.

Breaking the Code is on until the 19th of November. Get tickets here.

Cottonopolis’ new Gin

Written by Akin Wright on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Venturing past the Curry Mile for anything other than a night in Factory or a trip to Fifth may seem unusual for some. But the other week that is exactly what I did. Myself along with my sesh, I mean eating/drinking, partner took a ‘press’ trip (the thought of which made me feel both proud and important) to Cottonopolis’s night of debuting it’s new gin.

My eating companion and I arrived with high hopes and expectations of what we both assumed would be a classy night of laughs, glass clinking and witty conversation. Upon arriving at the steps of Cottonopolis, we were greeted by two bouncers who smiled at us upon entry. As soon as we entered we both realised one thing, we were probably the youngest people there. However, this did not deter us, and, as naturally hungry students we made a beeline for the first piece of free food we saw. On a table at the back of the bar was a lovely Tuna Coriander Pesto Sushi Canapé, lovely and light, with a deliciously sweet after taste.

After revelling for what seemed like an age at the wonder of this fine sushi, we knew we had to push on in search of the very thing we came for. Just as we thought this, a lovely representative from Haig Whisky tapped me on the back offering samples of their new whisky. It had been aged in caskets to release the full extent of its flavour and was much lighter than their original whisky. Pouring it into a glass with coke and a dash of lime, it had both me and my companion wanting more.

As the night went on and DJ Paulette continued with a smooth mash up of funk music and jazz, we decided to take a seat and finally purchase ourselves a cocktail with Cottonopolis’s newly made gin. Before we could do this however we were side tracked, by more delicious sushi canapés. We were first tempted with a Beef Nori Taco, marinated beef on a crunchy shell, which my companion could only describe as ‘beauts’. Next was a Crab and Rice sushi roll, while not quite as nice as the Beef Nori I had just tried, was still a well-made and tasteful piece of sushi. Finally, to finish off was the classic Salmon roll, slightly typical, but always a crowd pleaser.

It was now time for the main course, the whole reason we were there, to try the new Cottonopolis Gin. I went up and ordered two Gimlets, made with Cottonopolis Gin, calamansi lime and mandarin cordial. Maybe it was all the excitement we had built up in our head for being our first press event, maybe it was the highly delicious standard of the sushi we had just previously eaten, but the cocktail was not that great. A little too bitter for our liking, and it seemed the Gin and the cordial were fighting for the stronger taste, but our conclusion was that Cottonopolis’s new Gin was a miss. What is more, for the money we paid for it (certainly not student friendly), we were just a little let down.

Despite all this, the night was wonderful, and we went home feeling all the more pleased that we had this experience. If I had to suggest taking your significant other out for a night of classy cocktails and The Font is not what you are looking for, I would recommend Cottonopolis. Just remember to bring quite a bit of change. Thank you to my lovely friend and eating companion Ingeline for accompanying me, and I will see you on the next one.

Escaping the concrete jungle

Written by Rachel Adams on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Sometimes Manchester can feel and look a bit, well, grey. There are so many buildings, roads, and traffic, that it is difficult to escape to monotony of campus life. It is so easy to get trapped in the ‘Fallowfield bubble’ and not explore the rest of the city: there is a lot more to discover away from Oxford Road!

If you want to see something green that is not on your plate, or if you are missing the green, green, grass of home  — thanks Tom Jones — or just fancy broadening your horizons a little, then look no further than the new Manchester Student Guide, designed by VoucherCloud.

They have put together a load of information for new  — and current — students in Manchester, including places to eat and fun days out. They have also put together a handy list of all of nearby parks and green spaces around Fallowfield and the university campus for you to explore; a park is a great place to exercise to.! Check out their list below and take a look at the guide here:

“Towards Fallowfield and Withington you can find Platt Fields Park which has always been a student favourite.

Whitworth Park off Oxford Road has recently been reunited with the beautiful Whitworth Art Gallery so has been adorned with many important sculptures — a great way to spend an afternoon or a gap between lectures.

The Garden in front of The Lawn Club of Spinningfields is a beautiful and very spruced up canopy where you can chill with outdoor heaters and maybe even grab some nearby street food.

The Vimto Park on the University of Manchester’s Sackville Street campus, easily identified by its own monumental soft drink on display. Read through your notes here at leisure and enjoy a cheeky Vimto perhaps in the very place where it was created back in 1908.

All Saints Park is situated in the middle of the Manchester Metropolitan campus, a nice bit of grass for students and university staff alike to enjoy.

Langworth Park in Salford is worth a visit, just for the view of lovely Chimney Pots due to its raised position. Here you can enjoy floral arrangements, a bowling green and there is a five-a-side football field too.

Peel Park in Salford is another great space for students to relax between lectures. It features sports pitches too alongside a couple of sculptures which play a part in the Irwell Sculpture Trail.”

Happy exploring!

Rare painting by LS Lowry makes its Salford debut

Written by Georgia Welch on . Posted in Arts.

Much to the delight of fans of LS Lowry, the infamous Lancashire-hailing industrial painter, one of his rarer works has recently been placed on display at the eponymous Lowry gallery in Salford, thanks to its anonymous owner lending the painting for one year.

‘On The Sands, Berwick’, painted in 1959, was originally part of the Royal Academy’s posthumous exhibition in 1976, celebrating Lowry’s resounding legacy. Since then it has remained in private ownership, until the painting previewed at the Granary Gallery in the titular seaside town of Berwick, and later made its way to Salford’s own Lowry gallery.

The painting is one of approximately 20 drawings and paintings Lowry produced of Berwick, a seaside resort he is said to have enjoyed visiting regularly between the 1930s and 1970s. It depicts a number of adults and children playing around the pavilion in the centre of the composition, with its bright, sandy backdrop providing quite the contrast to the harsher, more angular depictions of grey industrial landscapes throughout the North West that Lowry is perhaps best known for.

The aforementioned pavilion was repaired by the local council after falling into disrepair some time in the 1990s, with the Lowry connection being hailed as the motivation behind this. It now features as part of Berwick’s Lowry Trail.

Now that the painting features in Salford, large crowds can be expected, predictably those who have never seen it up close and personal before. Lowry’s huge notoriety within Manchester and its surrounding towns is undeniable, with his infamous ‘matchstick men’ style and brooding landscape paintings gaining him countless admirers and cementing his immeasurable cultural influence.

‘On The Sands, Berwick’ is just one of many of the works which created this legacy, so be sure to see it at the Lowry while you have the chance.

Political Football

Written by James Haughton on . Posted in Sport.

FIFA’s decision to prohibit England and Scotland players to wear black armbands emblazoned with a poppy because it would contravene rules banning political, religious or commercial messages on shirts has caused uproar.

Unsurprisingly, politicians quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Theresa May called the stance by world football’s governing body “utterly outrageous”. However, the poppy, for some, has become a tool to celebrate past British wars and attack those who do not wear a poppy. By the letter of football’s laws, FIFA are probably correct.

The FA and SFA have said publicly that they will ignore FIFA’s directive and wear the armbands, but what makes their indignation farcical is that the laws of the game are created by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), of which FIFA and the four Home Nations each command four of the eight votes. FIFA enforce the laws created by IFAB. In effect the FA and SFA will defy a ban on political messages that they themselves created.

A sensible, long-term solution would be to acknowledge that sports and politics do mix regularly and that the two fields can work together to affect positive change. Too often today, the actions of governing bodies, in conjunction with the rich and powerful, betray their words: They preach that sports and politics should not mix, while indulging those who want to exploit sports’ grandest competitions for their own purposes.

There is a simple reason why politics regularly exerts an influence on sport: sport is massively popular around the world. Russia’s hosting of the Winter Olympics and Qatar’s successful bid to host the World Cup in 2022 are two examples of states seeking to use sport for political purposes.

The cost of the Sochi games is widely agreed to have been extravagant. Some estimates put the cost at $50 billion. Why would Russia spend so much? And why would Putin appear at the games, as he will almost certainly do at the next World Cup, when he did not help to organise them? Because Russian politicians wanted to project to the world that it was a prosperous and successful nation, and Putin wanted to associate with that image and the Sochi games. He is not alone. Numerous political figures and royals have attended World Cup final matches, eager for the national goodwill that accompanies sporting success to extend to them.

Qatar is a tiny, yet extravagantly wealthy (for some) country. Hosting the World Cup gives the ruling royal family the chance to present their country to the world as a burgeoning centre of football and commercial excellence. They further that image by, for example, employing footballing icons such as Xavi and Pep Guardiola as ambassadors for the 2022 World Cup and buying PSG.

The Qatari establishment values those links to football, and the political worth that can be gained from it, enough to take the reputational damage it receives from harrowing reports by the likes of Amnesty International, which detail the brutal conditions migrant workers building the stadia for the World Cup are alleged to suffer, and exposés on the punitive Kalafa system, which prohibits migrant workers in Qatar from leaving the country without permission from their employer. But with FIFA’s refusal to act meaningfully on those reports or reprimand Qatar, it is not surprising that the country feels it is a risk worth taking.

In 2015 it was announced that the 2021 Athletics World Championships would be held in Eugene, Oregon. The American sports giant Nike was founded and are still partly based there, and that connection has led to questions about the bidding process. The IAAF revealed Eugene had been chosen after a surprise secret ballot. There was no open bidding process, which had happened before, when Osaka were awarded the 2007 championship.

Sebastian Coe, who became the president of the IAAF later in 2015, only resigned from a paid ambassadorial position with Nike after prolonged, intense media scrutiny concerning a potential conflict of interest once he had been appointed to his role. In 2015 French officials opened investigations into Lamine Diack, Coe’s predecessor, who presided over the secret vote to award the 2021 championships to Eugene, and his son, Papa Massata Diack, over alleged corruption charges, including Eugene’s bid to host the 2021 championships and Tokyo’s successful bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Nike had previously been embroiled in controversy when the US athlete Nick Symonds was not allowed to compete at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing because he refused to sign a contract, declared mandatory by US Track and Field for athletes competing in Beijing, to wear Nike clothing.

Even today, however, there are examples of sport unifying people and fighting bigotry. The success of fan-owned sides like AFC Wimbledon is testament to clubs that act with the fans’ best interests in mind. The wearing of rainbow laces is a small, yet visible statement that homophobia in football is unacceptable. Plus, while racism is still a significant problem in football, it would be a worse one if not for the tireless effort of organisations like Kick It Out and Football Against Racism in Europe, who have used the popularity of football to spread a message of inclusivity.

Sport has not been, and never will be, apolitical. Powerful people and corporations might like to say otherwise, but their actions demonstrate the exact opposite. But being political is not something to be ashamed of. Books, films, art, music and TV all demonstrate that incorporating political messages is not just possible, but that it can benefit society and the medium itself. Likewise, sport can use its popularity to promote acceptance and tolerance internationally, and it should embrace that responsibility.

The Light Between Oceans : a two-hour perfume commercial

Written by Isidora Cortes-Monroy on . Posted in Film.

Being someone who easily bursts into tears during weepie movies, The Light Between Oceans was a thorough disappointment. Based on M.L. Stedman’s novel, the movie follows the story of an Australian lighthouse keeper, Tom (Michael Fassbender) and his wife, Isabel (Alicia Vikander) as they struggle to create the family they have always wanted on the far off, uninhabited Janus Rock.

After two unfortunate miscarriages, it seems that the couple will never be able to hold a child in their arms. However, almost immediately after the second miscarriage, a rowboat appears in the distance carrying a crying baby and her dead father. The biblical miracle seems suspiciously well-timed. Nonetheless, after a few minutes of deliberation both Tom and Isabel decide to raise the child as their own, naming her Lucy.

All is well for the first two years, until they go back to the mainland where Tom spots a woman mourning her husband and daughter who were lost at sea two years ago. At that moment he realises the gravity of his and Isabel’s decision and is haunted by the guilt.

Albeit it takes him another two years before he lets his own guilt destroy the family life he and Isabel had striven to build. As a way of making amends, he sends Hannah (Rachel Weisz), the biological mother, the toy which he found next to his adopted daughter on the boat.

Unfortunately, thanks to this little gift, Hannah is able to track down Lucy, thus ensuing the legal battle for motherhood. What should follow are the movie’s most heart-breaking moments, shots to keep you grabbing at tissues wherever you may find them.

Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Although the acting is impeccable, the characters themselves are difficult to sympathise with. True, Fassbender, Vikander and Weisz are all incredible actors that possess the skills to transmit a wide range of raw emotion. Yet, there is something about these two-dimensional characters which inhibits the viewer from feeling a ‘connection’ with them.

Firstly, there is a lack of character development. Although the camera examines the actors from various angles, the viewer is nonetheless left with limited insight into the characters.

There was something Twilight-esque about Light Between Oceans in that it was a film about beautiful people who know how to give penetrating stares. The overall aesthetics of the movie were impressive: gorgeous actors, breath-taking views, poetic lighting. But all this served was to create the impression of an elongated perfume commercial, rather than a 2-hour film.

Secondly, having watched this with someone who had read the book, it quickly became obvious that Derek Cianfrance had counted on the majority of his viewers to have read the book. Perhaps this is where most of the character development can be found. In any case, as a viewer who has not read the book, you cannot help but feel as if much of what was written was given up in order to make room for more commercial footage.

Overall, The Light Between Oceans is perfect for those who would love to see different shots Michael Fassbender or Alicia Vikander in period drag, or for those who dream of travelling to New Zealand and Tanzania, where the film was shot. However, for those who would like to see a film worthy of their tears, I would recommend saving your money for another movie.

The BBC’s #lovetoread campaign

Written by James Blower on . Posted in Books.

Reading is one of life’s great pleasures; delving into a good novel can inspire, provoke thought and discussion, stretch your imagination and let it run wild, not just as a wide-eyed child but throughout adulthood too. Studies by The Reading Agency have shown that reading for pleasure plays a greater part in a child’s development than a general school education does. Using the power of social media, the BBC hopes to reinstate the value of reading to adults, teenagers and children alike.

This month has seen the BBC launch a campaign named #lovetoread in an attempt to get the nation talking about which books matter the most to them. They want to encourage people to turn off their televisions this autumn and to instead curl up on the sofa with a good novel.

After having spent the summer months lounging around the pool, reading book after book, most students set themselves resolutions about trying to read more over the coming academic year. As the nights grow ever longer we wonder whether these well-meant resolutions are being kept.

Campaigns like the BBC’s #lovetoread are essential because of the necessity to inspire a generation who are able to reach, more than ever, for an infinite number of screen-based forms of entertainment. The BBC has always placed a great emphasis on authors and books but this campaign is designed to make reading for pleasure a greater priority. Using radio, television and online presence as well as combining forces with regional and national literary organisations like The Reading Agency, the BBC are well and truly on a quest to inspire.

Up and down the country, local libraries are hosting events and promoting new book clubs to engage the local community and bring people together through a love for literature. Simon Mayo is running a spin-off of the highly popular Radio 4 program Desert Island Discs but is instead ‘casting away’ authors Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, Jilly Cooper and Ian Rankin. He asks them which books played an influential part in their lives, delving deep into their diverse and fascinating imaginations.

BBC2 on Saturday nights for the last few weeks has been literature night with many literature-related programs celebrating authors, books and much more. All are still available on iPlayer but if you are taking heed of the BBCs message to cut down TV time and have not got time to catch up on all of their shows, the pick of the bunch is The Secret Life of Sue Townsend Aged 68 ¾, which follows the life of Adrian Mole’s creator, and is narrated by Julie Walters.

So why not re-ignite those summer resolutions and, with an open mind, tune into one of BBCs radio or television shows that are all so conveniently stored on iPlayer? Be prepared to be inspired once again by the pure joys of reading.

A student’s guide to budgeting

Written by Kevin Gunan Shang on . Posted in Lifestyle.

We have all been there — having to turn down a night out because you don’t have enough money. However, having a lack of money as a poor student should never get in our way of having a great time. Sit down and create a budgeting plan for at the start of the academic year, you will make your money last longer and never have to miss a night out again. There are more ways than you imagined to prevent the good times turning bad. Here are six top tips on budgeting as a student:

1. Make a plan

Make a list of the items you need to buy in the foreseeable future and start thinking about how to get it. Plan for affordability, not desirability. Budgeting weekly or monthly expenses in advance will help you save a lot.

2. Make the most of your student discounts

Use your student ID to pick up discounted items and pay restaurant food bills. If you don’t notice a discount advertised, just ask. Not everywhere will offer discounts, but if you don’t ask, you never get. A key part of budgeting is realising where you can get discounts, and using them.

3. Play with eBay

There are always loads of bargains hidden on eBay, good news for your budgeting needs. You do need some patience to dig out those hidden, less bid-on, auctions. Many people like you are searching for products online — so why not put your unwanted items online and sell them? This might generate the money to meet other needs. All you need to do is photograph the items, put them online, keep track of the app and ship them.

4. Stay away from expensive shops

We’ve all been there — luxurious window displays enticing you in, despite their hefty price tag. Avoid temptation straight off and just steer clear of those expensive shops. Keep track of the plan you have made and make it work.

5. Save money eating out at restaurants

Being a student often means loads of social events, and eating out at restaurants. Whilst you want to keep your friendships going, it is important to remember that you don’t need to break the bank. See if you can split a starter with your buddy and skip the dessert. Don’t be afraid to say no if your budget can’t stretch that far.

6. Enjoy yourself

Most importantly, student life is meant to be fun. So never let financial pressure ruin your experience. As long as you are mindful of your budget, you won’t miss out or find yourself panicking about money.

The dawn of the NES

Written by Connor McBride on . Posted in Games.

In Japan, a small consumer electronics company called Nintendo (you may have heard of them) was having lots of success with their console the Famicom. Only slightly set back by hardware issues at launch (it had a tendency to freeze), it quickly went on to become the best selling games console of its time in Japan.

The Famicom was a weird beast: it had a microphone port in the second controller, sported a red and cream paint scheme, and had an expansion port built in which allowed modems and keyboards to be plugged in. Wanting to garner international success, they locked their sights on the USA.

The North American video game crash of 1983 did a number of things on the games industry in the USA to say the least; sales of video games were at an all time low and retailer confidence was non-existent. They would not touch anything video game related, even with a ten-foot barge pole.

Nintendo, in their blissful optimism, tweaked the Famicom a little bit so it would appeal to American sensibilities and came up with the Advanced Video System Home Computer, a grey keyboard with a myriad of wireless peripherals. They called it a ‘home computer’ so potential retailers would not be as scared of it. It was a rather advanced piece of kit for the time; sporting wireless controllers, a light-gun, cassette deck and, for reasons unbeknownst to us, a musical keyboard. However it was ostensibly a video game console. So nobody ordered any. Back to square one.

After their first thinly veiled attempt at smuggling a video game console onto the market failed, Nintendo tried again. The keyboard and cassette deck were removed, in favour of a sleeker, more boxy approach. The top loading port of the Famicom was moved to the front and covered so cartridges were out of view.

The whole aesthetic was styled to be as far removed from video game consoles such as the Atari 2600 and the Colecovision that still haunted retailers. Nintendo’s plan was to market it as more of a toy than a console, an ‘entertainment system’ if you will. Cartridges were out in favour of game paks that you put in your control deck, not console. They wanted to shake off the stigma that Atari had left behind.

The final pieces of the puzzle, to cement the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) as a toy instead of a console, were two peripherals: a light-gun called the zapper and R.O.B, a toy robot that could be controlled by flashing images on-screen. R.O.B did a very good job of garnering the attention of the public in the product, even if in actuality he was a bit rubbish. More importantly, however, he allowed Nintendo to go to the retailers and say “This isn’t a games console, it’s more than that.”

Even after gaining attention for the NES through R.O.B., retailers were still unwilling to take the plunge and buy it. They were once bitten, twice shy. Nintendo had to take a risk. They went to retailers in New York with a proposition. For a test period, Nintendo offered not only to handle store set up and marketing, but also to accept returns of unsold inventory, give 90 days credit, and asked for no money upfront from stores. They had to make it so there were no risks on the stores part. It was a bold move, but the idea was if you could make it in New York, you could make it anywhere.

The rest, as they say, is history. The NES sold like hotcakes, the test period in New York was a huge success and the NES was quickly rolled out across the rest of North America. One of the main factors behind its success was the stifling level of quality control Nintendo had for third-party developers. After watching Atari run itself into the ground thanks to a deluge of unregulated third party tat for the Atari 2600 just a few years prior, Nintendo introduced licensing for the NES. You had to pay them for the privilege of developing for the system and stringent quality assurance took place.

While commonplace now, this rocked the video game industry at the time, even getting Nintendo embroiled in a few lawsuits because of it. But ultimately you had less ‘Cheetahmen’ and more ‘Legend of Zelda’. It was also good value for money; the deluxe set, which came with the console, two gamepads, a zapper, ‘Gyromite’, ‘Duck Hunt’ and R.O.B. was only $299. A bargain compared to the Atari 2600 which was still retailing at $199 and only came with 2 controllers and the infamously bad ‘Pac-Man’ port. The NES also had ‘Super Mario Bros’ as a release title which probably helped…

The NES managed to single-handedly revive the massive, dead, North American video game market, going on to sell 60-million units worldwide. It has remained a well loved icon into the present day and is considered one of the best consoles of all time. It also showcased Nintendo’s innovative and sometimes oddball strategies with regards to products.

So when you look at the Nintendo Switch and think Nintendo has lost the plot, just remember how close the Nintendo Entertainment System was to coming with a musical keyboard and ended up with a toy robot instead.

A Street Cat Named Bob

Written by Esther Hamilton-Ivory on . Posted in Film.

A Street Cat Named Bob is based on the true story of the life of James Bowen and his cat, Bob. Adapted from the best selling novel with the same title, the film follows James’ journey of getting off heroin and slowly rebuilding his life. All of this, he says, was only possible due to him finding a stray cat, taking him in, learning to care for him and through this, in turn, learning to care for himself.

This film is one which has its heart in the right place: a tale triumphing a man who, unlike others, manages to overcome his hardship and win the battle against his addiction against all odds. However, it doesn’t quite succeed in asserting the right tone; it was unclear as to whether it is a comedy, drama, romantic comedy, or anything else for that matter. This is not to say that it can’t be more than one of these categories, it is more that it doesn’t actually commit to any one at all.

Perhaps it was this ‘heart-warming’ aspect of the film that was problematic. It seemed the makers of this film wanted a celebratory tale which shows a troubled young man overcoming adversity against all odds (which it succeeded in doing). But this also meant that the bleak and difficult reality of heroin addiction and consequences of absent fathers was not deeply enough explored, as of course this does not make for a feel-good film. But to not deeply explore these aspects enough is to take away from and confuse the tone of the film.

It was for these reasons that one finds themselves bored at certain points in the film. But here the makers of the film, again, seem to be making it difficult for themselves; it is very hard to make a film interesting in which one of the main characters is a cat who cannot speak. Yet, despite having a cat as his supporting role, Luke Treadway carries the story along and plays the part of James very convincingly, truly making clear the caring relationship James has for Bob.

Overall, despite its tonal inconsistencies, A Street Cat Named Bob is an easy watch that will most likely lighten your mood, but it is certainly not worth rushing to the cinema to watch.
2/5 stars

FA Cup 1st Round round up

Written by George Ball on . Posted in Sport.

The first weekend in November saw the FA Cup first round return, with plenty of Greater Manchester-based teams in action.

Bolton 1-0 Grimsby

Bolton continued their fine recent form to overcome Grimsby with a victory by a single goal. The goal came in the 20th minute when Liam Trotter converted Zach Clough’s corner into the back of the net with a measured header. They will play fellow League One promotion hopefuls Sheffield United at home in the second round.

Bury 2-2 AFC Wimbledon

Bury face a replay with AFC Wimbledon after they threw away a two-goal lead at Gigg Lane. Hallam Hope’s double inside the first 30 minutes meant it looked like the Shakers would be progressing, however two goals in six second-half minutes brought the visitors level. The winners of the replay will face a trip to the winner of the tie between Westfields and Curzon Ashton.

Oldham 2-1 Doncaster

Oldham put their League One struggles to one side as they overcame League Two Doncaster. Goals either side of half time ensured progression, with Doncaster converting a late penalty which was no more than a consolation. They will visit Lincoln City in the second round.

Maidstone 1-1 Rochdale

An equaliser by Rochdale with the last kick of the game broke Maidstone hearts and meant the tie will require a replay to decide who will play Carlisle for a place in the third round. Maidstone, who play two divisions below Rochdale in the National League, went ahead in the first half thanks to a 21st minute penalty. A 94th minute deflected free kick meant the contest ended all square.

Lincoln City 2-1 Altrincham

Altrincham faced a tough test in their game against Lincoln but could not get the result required against a side who play in the division above the Robins. It is fair to say the home side dominated, both on shots and possession. Whilst John Cyrus’ goal in the 75th minute gave the visitors hope, it did not leave enough time to get an equaliser.

Westfields 1-1 Curzon Ashton

Curzon Ashton left it late against the lowest ranked side left in the competition, ninth tier Westfields FC. Despite going behind within 10 minutes, National League North side Curzon dominated the game and were rewarded with a goal from a goalmouth scramble with nine minutes to play. The winners of the replay will earn a home match against the winner of the Bury versus Wimbledon replay.

Stockport 2-4 Woking

Despite going ahead twice against Woking, Stockport lost out in a game that finished 4-2 to the away side. Despite a more than admirable fight against opposition from the league above, County could not find a goal after Woking made it 2-3 in the 59th minute. The seal was put on the win with a further goal in injury time.

The second round ties will be played between Friday 2nd December and Monday 5th December.

Review: Atlanta

Written by William Green on . Posted in Film.

Over the last decade it is safe to say that Donald Glover has conquered just about every medium known to man. He is a Grammy award nominated artist under the name Childish Gambino, stand-up comedian, writer for Emmy winning 30 Rock, star of cult favourite Community, and will portray the beloved Lando Calrissian in the untitled Hans Solo Star Wars movie. Glover’s latest project, FX’s Atlanta — in which he stars, writes, produces and directs — could just be his best yet.

Atlanta follows Earn Marks (Glover) an essentially homeless but smart man supported by the mother of his daughter Van (portrayed excellently by Zazie Beetz). Instead of gaining fixed employment, he chooses to look at the bigger picture, attempting to manage his cousin Alfred/Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), a successful up-and-coming rapper monikered with the label of a thug.

For those expecting a laugh-out-loud sitcom though, think again. Atlanta is so much more than that. It is a rare insight into the hardships found in places such as Atlanta and just how dangerous they can be, but also how much creativity thrives in these environments. It tackles real-world issues that are crying out to be addressed such as police brutality, gun control, mental illness and the treatment of the transgender community. The comedic elements are also superbly worked in to counterbalance the heavier themes. It does not seem forced in any way, creeping throughout the series at unexpected times and places, only adding to the eccentric charm of the show.

The show even transcends the overstated comedy-drama mix that currently plagues modern TV. “Twin Peaks for rappers” is the mantra Glover has used to describe his stylistic take on the Atlanta rap scene, and it could not be any truer. He, along with director Hiro Murai, dabbles in noir, surrealism and even sketch comedy — look out for the particularly distinctive take on commercialism in episode 7 — throughout the series. It is this amalgamation of juxtaposing styles that makes each episode feel fresh and more so like its own independent and creative project, although a little more direction as to what exactly Glover wants his show to be could be the final piece in this most unique puzzle.

Ultimately, Glover and his team still manage to find warmth and heart within these characters, despite these poignant messages and grim undertones, making for what can be described as a thought provoking but ultimately gratifying comedy experience that the world needs more than ever right now.

4/5

Ways to relieve anxiety

Written by Ella Kashti on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Way too many of us suffer anxiety disorders at this age. It is a prime time for mental health issues to sprout, since we are all of a sudden exposed to more than we have ever known. This means plenty more chances for real reasons to worry, and a mindset prone to worry about things we really do not need to.

Unfortunately, the waiting lines are long and resources are limited. It is hugely important to seek and accept help, because your mind can be trained to health like any other muscle in your body. But, you are not going to lift 100kg in your first session (you get the point). It takes time and sometimes it does not seem to progress fast enough. So, from my experience, there are a few little tweaks you can incorporate into your lifestyle to make things a little easier in the meantime.

1. Reading helpful books

There are endless books out there to assist you in understanding your situation. With knowledge comes power (great saying) and when it comes to understanding your brain, if you are anything like me, all knowledge is new knowledge and can extract the fear you have of the unknown. Knowing someone out there has an explanation of how and why you are feeling like you do makes it all seem less daunting. ‘The Chimp Paradox’ by Professor Steve Peters is a great place to start, as is ‘Mindfulness’ by Williams and Penman.

2. Meditation

Meditating helps you focus on the immediate sensations affecting your body right now and slowly control your mind over the little things. In time, this can then help to gain control in the more imaginative areas that cause stress and worry. Apps such as ‘Headspace’ and ‘Stop, Think & Breathe’ help guide you through mediations based on the mood you are in and log your activity. They can also be useful in reminding you to keep it up.

3. Cut out/down on the stimulating factors

Often with anxieties, the mental worry sets off a physical reaction. Things like caffeine, alcohol, and sugar all tend to heighten your physical reaction, so where they can be avoided or lessened, do. It is easy enough to drink decaf teas and coffees and cut down on sweets, but considering general life at university, alcohol is harder to cut out. Drinking less, more regularly, rather than binging will help reduce the associated anxiety.

Although these changes may help lessen the affects, anxiety disorders are mental dysfunctions that need professional attention. Be prepared for a long process, but one that will be worth it.

(OGC) Nice To Meet You

Written by Magnus Henderson on . Posted in Sport.

There is a very legitimate reason why the Premier League is hailed as the best club division in the world. One simply needs to look at the last four champions: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City. This consistently revolving power is not found in the remainder of the ‘big five’ leagues. Bayern Munich have won all of the last four Bundesliga titles, as have Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in Ligue 1 and Serie A respectively. Barcelona have won three of the last four La Liga titles with only Atlético Madrid’s 2013-14 title triumph disrupting their reign.

Every once in a while, however, we get a small, well organised club playing David and Goliath with the league’s monsters. Step forward Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d’Azur, or OGC Nice.

Currently sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1 (pronounced “Ligue Un”, not “League One”, to avoid confusion with the English third division), OGC Nice have amassed 29 points over 12 games and, despite losing their first league game of the season in the last round of fixtures, still have a three-point lead over Monaco and PSG.

For those who are more keenly eyed, this should not be much of a surprise. Last season, Nice finished in an astonishingly high 4th place, which was only the second time the club had finished in the European places since 1976. This season, the club is giving PSG and Monaco serious cause for concern.

So where has this sudden momentum come from? There are always a number of factors which have to work in tandem to turn results from negative to positive: a tactically astute manager, a club philosophy which everyone buys into, a clever transfer strategy, and a strong mental will to succeed.

Often, the first of those factors, the manager, is responsible for the rest, but all are of equal importance. For Nice, the expertise of Claude Puel (the current Southampton manager) and Lucien Favre have been crucial in the past two seasons and the club have used a transfer strategy which may be risky, but when executed correctly can have a dramatically positive influence.

Hatem Ben Arfa. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Claude Puel’s team in the 2015/16 campaign was a fine example of craftsmanship, constructed so that each individual played his preferred role to complement the team. The imperious Paul Baysse put heart into the defence while Ricardo Pereira (on loan from Porto) and Jérémy Pied (now at Southampton) comfortably fulfilled the fullback positions. Nampalys Mendy held down the defensive midfield role so effectively that he was signed by Leicester City in the summer as a replacement for fellow countryman N’Golo Kanté.

Mercurial talent Hatem Ben Arfa revived his career in the 2015/16 campaign, scoring 17 goals and picking up 6 assists in 34 appearances, earning the Frenchman a dream move to PSG. With Valère Germain providing the firepower up front, the well balanced squad finished in the Europa League spot, only two points off Lyon in second.

Puel decided to leave Nice that summer for Southampton, but what he left behind provided the bedrock for Lucien Favre to build on. As the cliché goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Favre’s high-tempo, attacking football philosophy, which he had implemented so effectively at his previous club Borussia Mönchengladbach, was similar to Puel’s style, which made the transition between the two coaches very simple.

For Nice’s defence, Favre brought in Baysse permanently and complemented his brawn with, well, more brawn in former Bayern Munich and Brazilian defender, Dante. Although Nice could not keep hold of Pied, they managed to secure the versatile Pereira for a second loan spell; he has already scored one goal and laid on three assists for his teammates, all from fullback positions.

On the left side of defence, Nice brought in the reasonably unknown Dalbert from Vitória de Guimarães for just £1.7 million, and he has established himself as an important starter. The most impressive business Nice have done in defence was actually to promote Malang Sarr from the youth team. The 17-year-old has started every single game of Nice’s season so far, displacing Dante from the centre of defence, and proving the old cliché “if you are good enough, you are old enough”.

Sarr is not the only promising youngster to play for Nice. Olivier Boscagli, 18, is regarded as a very capable defender and Vincent Koziello, 21, notched up three goals and six assists from midfield under Puel last season. Wylan Cyprien, 21, a summer acquisition from RC Lens, has already scored four goals and picked up two assists from central midfield too.

The real creative fulcrum in Nice’s midfield, however, is Jean Michael Seri. The Ivorian has only been playing top division football for three seasons, but seems really at home under Favre’s tutelage, already accomplishing a goal and six assists in ten starts. Adding some experience to Nice’s midfield is on-loan Younès Belhanda. If you recognise the name, it may be because he was instrumental (along with Olivier Giroud) in Montpellier’s legendary Ligue 1 title in the 2011/12 season.

@Wikimedia Commons

In attack, Nice have two very capable forwards. Alassane Pléa is a multifunctional player who, at 23, seems to be hitting the potential he was touted for back at Lyon. With eight goals in sixteen appearances, the Frenchman has already surpassed his personal best scoring tally in a season.

Rotating the striker position with Pléa is a certain Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker was snapped up by Nice on a free transfer on the last day of the 2016 summer transfer window. Having failed at AC Milan and Liverpool most recently, Mino Raiola, Balotelli’s agent, clearly noted Nice’s ability to coax performances out of frustratingly talented footballers like Ben Arfa. And so, it makes sense that the former Manchester City striker has scored six goals in six appearances for the club and, of course, picked up a red card along the way.

The potential in Nice’s youngsters is huge, so when one combines that with experienced quality, you have a serious winning formula. In Balotelli, Dante and Belhanda, Nice have a thee time Serie A and Premier League champion, a three time Bundesliga champion and a Ligue 1 champion.

Under Lucian Favre, Nice have got a coach who knows how to harness a player’s potential. Examples of youngsters who have grown with the Swiss manager are Marco Reus, Granit Xhaka and Marc-André ter Stegen, all now plying their trade at Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Barcelona respectively. If Favre can have the same impact on his youth at Nice, and manage to keep hold of them beyond the January transfer window, the club has a genuine shot at the title this season. Having not won the domestic title since the 1950s, the achievement would be beautifully romantic as well as seismic to French football.

Breathing down Nice’s neck, however, are the French giants of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. The former have needed time to adjust from Laurent Blanc’s regime to Unai Emery’s, but are starting to click into gear with four wins out of the last five. Monaco, under the exciting manager Leonardo Jardim, also have a young squad bursting at the seams with talent. Nice’s problem may be their lack of squad depth when it comes to keeping up their title push. However, under a coach like Lucien Favre, anything is possible.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Written by Miriam Mizzi on . Posted in Food & Drink.

I found myself standing in the supermarket surrounded by shelves stacked with my favourite autumnal vegetables. There was only one thing for it, my classic more-ish winter dish, a roasted butternut squash soup.

This recipe is one I have experimented with lots of times before, dependent on availability at different times of the year, however, today I could get everything I needed.

– One large butternut squash

– Two sweet potatoes

– A red pepper

– Vegetable stock

– One chilli

Start by roasting the butternut squash in the oven. I cut mine into quarters and seasoned it with salt, pepper, paprika and chilli flakes, and then doused it in oil. Pop in the oven at about 200 degrees.

Then, peel and chop the sweet potatoes, season them and add them to the oven about 15 minutes after the squash. Keep checking the veg until it has softened up. Add the chopped red pepper. Once it is all soft enough to blend, remove and cool.

Spoon the flesh out of the butternut squash and add it to a saucepan. Add the soft pepper and sweet potatoes.

In a jug, mix the vegetable stock with a pint of boiling water. Slowly add this to the saucepan of roasted vegetables and begin blending.

It is completely up to you how much stock to add, consistency is down to individual taste.

Chop the chilli and sprinkle on top. I added a few chopped spring onions too for crunch!

 

The fourth deception of humanity

Written by Lioui Benhamou on . Posted in Opinion.

When I was a child, I felt a bit sad that I did not get to see most of history. I was too young for 9/11 and not born at the right time for flying cars or the teleportation machine. I had the impression that I was born when history decided to slow down for a decade or two.

And I guess that is good. A major challenge for Western countries and the world general at the time was terrorism. The next one, I thought, would be climate change. But, overall, I was quite optimistic about the human race: progress never stopped and the century before ours opened-up many possibilities; it was up to us to continue and explore the continuation of progress.

But Donald Trump’s election to be the President — the leader of the free world — and Brexit before that, have provoked a feeling that I believe to be the forth deception of humanity.

There is a famous psychological theory that argues that humanity has known three deceptions in his history — also referred to as narcissistic wounds. The first one came from Copernicus, who showed us that humans were not literally (or metaphorically) the centre of the universe. Thus, we then knew that we were not at the centre of the universe, and we knew that we were not the most important beings in the universe.

The second deception came from Darwin, who scientifically proved that humans were the product of evolution, and were therefore a part of the animal kingdom. Thus, the knowledge that we shared biology with the rest of our world hindered claims to human superiority over other beings.

The third one came from Freud. His theories about the subconscious showed that humans are not in control of their desires and what they want; rather, they are merely in control of the choice of the super-ego. If we are not the masters of our own minds, then we are not the centre of our own lives; our desires and their roots exist separately from our own decisions.

The fourth narcissistic wound, I believe, is the way many of us feel right now: the realisation that political progress has reach its limits. Sure, we will survive Trump’s years, and real progress will occur again. But if we do not profoundly change the rules of our systems, we will come to the end of political progress. As things are, we do not seem able to use politics to achieve real progress in the face of our challenges.

I am not arguing that Hillary Clinton would have been the perfect candidate, or that the Americans are stupid. I am arguing that we are not capable of doing better than what we have done so far.

I understand the protest vote, I understand why the revolt against the system, against Neoliberalism, against the establishment. What I am saying is that we are not able to come together as one and effectively decide what we truly need to do for our future. Maybe that is human nature. As a political animal, humans need something to fight about.

But this election proved one thing: human free will is not at the centre of the future of politics; the economy and identity is. If we are not able to effectively adapt and change our institutions and political processes to assure our survival, then we are not even at the centre of our own destiny as a species.

I am making it sound as if Trump’s election is one of the worst things that happened to humanity. It is not at all that: far from it, in fact. But it is the perfect illustration of a more general problem: we want and need change, but we are unable to adequately process or reflect on it.

We tend towards easy discourse instead of pushing the limits of human possibilities. Americans are not happy, and fairly so. But instead of having a true political reflection on how to organise change, they have elected the man who was regarded as the joker candidate in 2014.

It is up to our generation to restore humanity’s ability to organise for change; to reverse the trends of the last few years, and the way in which it occurred “bigly” on the 9th of November 2016. We must re-kindle the desire to push the limit of political, and human progress.

Despite the election of Donald Trump, I am hopeful. Though Copernicus might be right, we are the only species known to ourselves with the capacity to explore the universe. Darwin might be right, but we are the only species known that will be able to built Artificial Intelligence, which could potentially be more intelligent than is naturally possible. Freud might be right, but we are also a product of the context of our lives, and we are still able to reflect on our individual and collective desires and make progress towards them.

We might have reached the limit of what is politically possible for us to do. But humans are full of surprises. Perhaps the era of populism, if it falls or withstands, will be followed by a new horizons of progress.

Wishlist: the most luxurious accessories

Written by Jai Joshi on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Now that we are in November and only a month away from Christmas, it is time to start creating those envious wish lists. What better way to receive some gift inspiration, than to discover the top three super luxurious accessories to get us in the mood for the Christmas season. Please note the following article may cause extreme jealousy.

Louis Vuitton’s Petite Malle iPhone Case

This gorgeous accessory was shown on the runways of Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2017 Show and have caused a frenzy ever since. Originally based on the Petite Malle Bag which made its debut on the runways of Louis Vuitton during the AW16 collection, Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere adapted the design of the bag to create a piece of incredible art, in the form of an iPhone case. This item is a hot accessory that any luxurious individual will be undoubtedly lusting over. A price for the latest tech accessory is still to be confirmed. This one will most definitely be added onto my Christmas wish list.

The Hermès Vintage Birkin Tote

Iconic and famously known as a staple for many celebrities, the Hermès Birkin Bag is the ultimate luxury for any woman. This vintage piece from the year 2000 is available to purchase on Farfetch and is worth a cool £58,000.00. Hand crafted in France, made from crocodile skin and calf leather, this bag is not only a very luxurious accessory but an investment piece that any fashionista would certainly want if not need. Designed as an inflight bag, the glamourous accessory is fitted and suitable for international travel. Is anything more luxurious than a Birkin? I think not!

Diamond Pear-Shaped Earrings Designed By Harry Winston

Diamonds are definitely a girl’s best friend. A statement piece that is only worthy of being worn to Oscar parties and royal soirée’s. These earrings are a gorgeous luxury accessory and the most expensive piece available to purchase in the jeweller’s house to date. Costing a $8.5 Million dollars, they are available to purchase in the Harry Winston Boutique on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California. Coincidentally this is not surprising at all, any starlet would die for a pair of Harry Winston jewels. Weighing in at 60.1 carats these pear-shaped beauties are desired internationally and definitely have me star struck. Totally worthy of luxe status.

Review: Black Mirror S3E01 — Nosedive

Written by Emefa Setranah on . Posted in Film.

This years new series of Black Mirror kicks off with an episode entitled Nosedive. It is a critical look at the future of social media use. Imagine a world where people’s perceptions of you are moulded through the online persona which you create. Every meal, memory and moment posted online for others to judge and scrutinise — sound familiar?

The programme stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Lacie, and home-grown talent Alice Eve as the vivacious and seemingly perfect Naomi. The episode is written by Charlie Brooker, who is also the show’s creator. Joe Wright, best known for her romantic films such as Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, directs.

Lacie’s persona can be best described as akin to cotton candy; sickly sweet with a wardrobe consisting of pastel pink. In the world Brooker has created, everyone is assigned a rating out of five. Lacie is rated a 4.2 and needs to surround herself with “high quality people”. There are people such as Naomi, who is at a staggering 4.8. Being a highly rated individual allows you into the “premium users” club. This is for people 4.5 and above. Our girl Lacie desperately wants to be in the club, because elite high ranking members have access to certain perks and luxuries.

The plot line centres around Lacie’s commendable efforts to boost her social standing. She plans to use Naomi’s upcoming nuptials as an ideal hunting ground. The logic is; when you associate with high ranking people, you become one. However in true Black Mirror fashion nothing goes to plan and Lacie’s social standing begins to take a Nosedive.

This introductory episode does not fall short of Black Mirrors reputation. It is a social commentary on the potentially detrimental effects of technology. However, it is a tune that has been played one too many times. The show’s warnings against technology are becoming repetitive and predictable. The unpredictability and forward-thinking ideas are what made Black Mirror so popular in the first place. It is sad to see it take a departure from the brilliance that was once produced.

With that being said, the performances and production value of the show have maintained their high standards. Netflix have put a lot of money into the show’s production, and it shows. This further cements the online viewing platform as a high quality visual medium capable of competing with television.

Nosedive’s vapid construction of our future online exploits are too close to home. None of the ideas it presents are new or challenging. Many of us now are aware of the false veneer presented online and actively take part in the illusion. However the programme does serve a didactic purpose nonetheless. It reaffirms the lies we all tell. For example, when Lacie posts a picture of her coffee, but then grimaces as she sips it, realising that it is not as appealing as she had portrayed it to be.

Overall, the show holds a mirror up to us the viewer, no pun intended, of how ridiculous and out of hand our online representations have become. We cherry-pick the highlights of our lives. And in the age of Instagram models with no morals, catfishes and rating systems, we all have something to learn from Nosedive. Namely, what could potentially go wrong when you try too hard to be something you are not.

Overall rating for the episode: 3.5/ 5

The ultimate high street brand

Written by Talia Lee-Skudder on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

For those of you who lust after the high-fashion designer aesthetic but do not have the funds nor the patience to camp out over night for the hottest new high-street designer collaboration (Kenzo x H&M we are looking at you), then what’s a girl to do?

H&M are the ultimate high street brand to collaborate with the top designers in the industry, creating lust worthy clothes at a fraction of the price of their high-end counterparts. Who can forget last year’s Balmain army domination, fronted by none other than the hottest models of the moment; Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

The hype around the collection was huge with magazines revealing the collection weeks before the launch date and top celebrities wearing the designs in the run up. Fashion lovers everywhere were rejoicing that they could snap up some Balmain pieces on the high street — but then came the launch day. The website crashed and the queues were phenomenal, it was near impossible to get your hands on any item from the collection — unless of course you were willing to pay £400 for a £80 top on eBay. This years launch of Kenzo x H&M was no different. It seems fashion lovers everywhere are so desperate to get their hands on limited edition high street designer collabs.

For many of us the thought of ever owning an item from a H&M designer collaboration seems like a highly unrealistic, unattainable goal. So where does one go when they want to look chic and fashionable for high street prices? Zara, of course.

The ultimate shopping destination for all of your high end inspired fashion needs. This AW season is as fabulous as always and a particular winner for winter coats, from aviator flight jackets to puffa coats and the trusty, timeless camel coat.

This season Zara are also killing it with footwear. Replicas of the blue velvet Aquazzura boots Kourtney Kardashian was seen wearing at a Kanye West concert last month are available at Zara for £69.99. There is also an abundance of Gucci inspired loafers available at variety of prices, leaving you struggling to muster any excuse as to why you should not purchase these bargain beauties.

As if we could possibly need any more reason to love Zara, they also have their TRF range which is filled with items that are even kinder to your bank account. Zara seriously know how to mimic high-end pieces at high street prices, the quality of the clothes is great and feels more like an investment compared to other stores on the high street.

So whilst we are feeling sorry for ourselves that yet another H&M collaboration passed us by without even an accessory to show for it, we can drown our sorrows by trawling Zara’s website for an extra half an hour more than usual.

Maybe next year will be the year that H&M will finally cater for us fashion lovers who do not have the time to queue over night for their next collaboration collection drop, although where is the fun in that?