How Broadchurch Has Done Everything Right

Last night we saw the return of ITV's Broadchurch to our screens. We were introduced to the first episode of the third series with a narrative of sexual assault, whereby Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy (our favourite detectives) start the hunt for the attacker.

Within 15 minutes of the episode, Broadchurch had done everything right. Rather than glamourising and sexualising rape, and portraying the victims as attractive young girls in skimpy outfits, the episode focused solely on Trish Winterman and the psychological impact after the crime had been committed.

The character of Trish has been written and casted brilliantly. She is not a young girl with a flawless body and a perfect face. She doesn't wear skimpy clothing and draw attention to herself as this Sky News presenter suggested. She dresses much like your mum would, or your aunty, or even your nan. She's relatable, and I think that's what created the emotional aspect of the episode. Throughout the episode, majority of shots focused on her face and bruises, and every second I genuinely felt bad for her.

Although they did go through the process of how sexual assault is handled when reported in an incredibly realistic manner, like any TV show, it is just a narrative primarily written for the viewers' entertainment. Despite how incredible last night's episode was, we've got to remember that these things do happen in real life. These are real people's emotions and the experience is not the same for every victim.

The episode also welcomed back some of our favourite characters, including Beth Latimer and Rev. Paul Coates, and some new ones including Lenny Henry as a shop manager! The writers have connected the old characters to the new ones very well, even if it was a little bit obvious when Beth took on a new client.

This series has definitely proved itself from the beginning and the next episode has a lot to live up to! And I'm very much looking forward to it.

Georgia.xo

In The Style Lucky Dip

On Valentines day, inthestyle.com did another of their 'Lucky Dip' promotions. If you're not aware of these promotions, they basically send you an email and you click on the link, choose your size and pay £8.99 (£5 + £3.99 delivery) for a surprise item. Then you just wait and see what you receive!

When I received the package I was secretly hoping that it was going to be one of those choker/v-neck t-shirts because I'm loving those at the moment (and too tight to buy one), but it wasn't, and instead I received this cream, off the shoulder jumper with the slogan "cute but crazy" from the Billie Faires Dreamwear collection. I'm still unsure about this, it's not really "me". I personally don't get on with anything off the shoulder for one, because the sleeves always pop up off of my shoulders, and secondly I find the whole "cute but crazy/psycho" trend a bit cringe, it really needs to die a death now.

HOWEVER, when trying it on it was actually quite comfortable and would be perfect for chilling out/sleeping in even if I wouldn't wear it out. It's not going to stop me from shopping with on the website, because I love most of the clothes on there and it's such great value for money. I never really fell in love with the Billie Faires stuff anyway, so this just confirms my point of view towards it.

I think that the lucky dip idea overall is a great idea, because not only does it promote the brand and encourage you to shop more with them, but it's also a great way to try out clothes that you probably wouldn't purchase normally.

Georgia.xo

A Chilled Night Out in Notts

On Saturday night, rather than hitting the Student Union for the usual night out, we decided to go and enjoy Nottingham.

Throughout the year, The Market Square holds a variety of events, including Winter Wonderland, St Patrick's Day and Nottingham Beach, and is currently home to The Wheel of Nottingham. The Wheel has been here since the 28th January and closes the 15th March, and is £5 for students, so we didn't have any excuses to miss it!

Although the wheel isn't particularly high, you can see quite far out across Nottingham and the rest of the county. In the day, I expect that you can see a lot more and really appreciate how much there actually is in the area, however, at night it is spectacular with all the lights. You also get two go's around the wheel, which means that whatever you missed the first go round, you can catch the second time. Or, in my case, spend the first go snapchatting and instagramming it all, and then the second go actually appreciating the views.

After the wheel it was time for cocktails! We'd never been to Coco Tang before, but everyone has raved about it, so we decided that it was going to be our location for the rest of the night. Luckily it was still happy hour when we got there so we each got 2 drinks for £10, which worked out A LOT cheaper than what two drinks would have cost usually. Saying this, it's clear why the drinks are so much pricier than other bars in Nottingham. Coco Tang prides itself on it's concoctions and 'mixology' - they're very obscure!

The first cocktail I had was 'Hummingbird', a long drink, which contained a mixture of rum's, pineapple and blueberry lemonade. Admittedly, it was quite strong but it definitely got 10/10 for aesthetic! The second one was a 'Parma Violets' cocktail and OMG it was AMAZING! I could have drunk that drink like water so it was a good job I couldn't afford another! You also get a packet of Parma Violets, which is always an added bonus.

The whole aesthetic of the bar is magical and I recommend anyone to visit it you're ever in Notts. And you definitely have to get the Instagram shot of the UV lights at the top of the stairs!

I feel like we should go for more chilled nights out more often, where would you recommend?

Georgia.xo

9/11 Museum

During our time in New York, we visited the 9/11 memorial and museum. At the time of the attacks, I was only 3 years old, so I never really understood the emotion and devastation that was caused on the 11th September 2001.

As soon as you walk into the museum you begin to understand, though. You begin by seeing the foundations and the steel work of the towers, as well as a photo presentation accompanied by memories of the spectators. It all set me off from the word go!

You then see the missing posters of family members and friends projected onto the wall, before you go down alongside where the original set of stairs were where the survivors went to escape. At the bottom of the stairs the space is open and somewhat eery, but along the left hand side wall is a collection of tiles, each coloured in a different shade of blue, relating to what the survivors and spectators remember the colour of the sky being, along with the quote "No day shall brase you from the memory of time".

You then get to walk into a room with pictures of those who didn't survive covering the walls, and then the next rooms follow the time line of the events and actual items, garments and vehicles that were involved in the attacks. This is the point where it actually hit me that these were actual people who's lives were taken and the sheer size of the attacks. I obviously knew it was real, but you kind of start to relate a bit more. What if it was my parents? Harry? My friends? Or me...

I don't think anyone will ever understand the mental health of the people who are willing to carry out attacks like this, but I know that everyone prays that, even in this unjust world, nothing like this will ever happen again.

Georgia.xo

FCP Reading Weeks

Reading week. noun. A week, usually midway through a university term, during which there are no classes or lectures, intended for students to concentrate on reading or research.

In other words a week of doing absolutely fuck all. Sounds great right?

FCP got two weeks.

Even better.

Oh how I wish. No, instead we actually had to read 4 books, as well as watching a series of episodes (not Gilmore Girls unfortunately) and creating a folder summarising the FCP process, which means we actually had to do the work. I need another reading week just to rest!

It wasn't that bad, really. I do actually quite enjoy reading. The four books we had to read were:

1. It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be. by Paul Arden.
2. Hegarty on Creativity by John Hegarty.
3. Do/Story/How to tell your story so the world listens. by Bobette Buster.
4. Damn Good Advice (for people with talent) by George Lois.

I have mixed opinions for each of these books. I started off by reading It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be by Paul Arden and I suddenly had an epiphany of creativity. I actually felt like an arts/fashion/FCP student and I loved it. There's a quote that says 

"When it can't be done, do it. If you don't do it, it doesn't exist."

 and it's stuck to me ever since.

Do/Story by Bobette Buster and Damn Good Advice by George Lois didn't have the same effect. They both made some good points, such as "When you present an entrepreneurial idea, if it takes more than 3 sentenced to explain it to the big money guys it's not a Big Idea" (Lois), which I think is straight down relevant to the course; however I felt like they were talking at me. Telling me that because this is how they do it and they're successful, then that's how everyone else should act too. Saying this, in a less personal perspective, I think the Do/Story book is incredibly relevant to our next project (the perfume project), because in order to sell our brand to the consumer, we need to create a back story for the brand and convey what the product and the brand stands for. 

I enjoyed Hegarty on Creativity by John Hegarty a bit more than the last two. I liked how it has been presented and illustrated. It makes it more enjoyable to read and makes that common link between literature and the visual in creativity. I found a quote in there that says 

"Where's the zag in our thinking? By looking in the opposite direction you might just find something new."

which I think is a great quote as it suggests to me personally that I need to be more innovative and think outside the box, rather than thinking linearly. It makes me feel like I need to stop worrying about what's right and what's wrong and start looking at things from a different perspective. It's one of those quotes that I'd like to have printed in a swirly font and framed, like you see on Pinterest!

Despite not liking a couple as much as the others, I would recommend picking them up if you're in a creative career or just a creative person in general. They all make you think about things slightly differently and leave you contemplating. They're all quite short and cheap to pick up on Amazon - I'll leave links here, here, here and here. 

Georgia.xo