I've been resisting this post for a while due to how often I find myself singing along with this song, but no longer could I hold it in.  Meghan Trainor has already been called out for skinny shaming while trying to promote body positivity and this time in what seems to be a missguided attempt at a feminist anthem she has outdone herself.   

Also - it sounds a lot like Dance With Me by Olly Murs.  

Dear future husband,

ALREADY STOP.  The whole assumption of marriage is problematic.  For a singer who's biggest audience is pre-teen girls this heteronormative assumption can be damaging

Here's a few things
You'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life

Vomit.  This whole bit puts her on a pedestal and makes her needs more important than his.  Because of course, as a man he needs to prove himself to be worthy of such a woman.  *rolls eyes*

Take me on a date
I deserve a break
And don't forget the flowers every anniversary

Trainor, nobody owes you anything.  And flowers get boring surely, let the man get creative with those anniversary gifts.

'Cause if you'll treat me right
I'll be the perfect wife
Buying groceries
Buy-buying what you need

WHAT!? WHEN DID THAT BECOME THE DEFINITION OF A PERFECT WIFE?!  There are so many cool things women can do and grocery shopping is not one of them.

You got that 9 to 5
But, baby, so do I
So don't be thinking I'll be home and baking apple pies
I never learned to cook
But I can write a hook
Sing along with me
Sing-sing along with me (hey)

hooray she's a working lady! However, during this bit in the video she's scrubbing the floor while dressed like a characters from a 1950s sitcom.

You gotta know how to treat me like a lady
Even when I'm acting crazy
Tell me everything's alright

Sometimes I'm crazy but hey, I'm your wife therefore be cool about it! Tell me I'm great!

Dear future husband,
Here's a few things you'll need to know if you wanna be
My one and only all my life

 His whole life.  That's a long time to commit to someone with so many rules.

Dear future husband,
If you wanna get that special lovin'
Tell me I'm beautiful each and every night

??? This is bad.  No 'special lovin' until you compliment her, hun.

After every fight
Just apologize
And maybe then I'll let you try and rock my body right

Oh wait.  'Special lovin' after apologies too.  Is she for real?

Even if I was wrong
You know I'm never wrong
Why disagree?
Why, why disagree?

So much is wrong with this.  Therefore, Meghan babes, you're wrong and a liar.  

Dear future husband,
Make time for me
Don't leave me lonely
And know we'll never see your family more than mine

Okay this is weird.  Say goodbye to your family Husband because Megs is here to stay and you're having her family too.  

I'll be sleeping on the left side of the bed (hey)
Open doors for me and you might get some kisses
Don't have a dirty mind 

THIS IS HORRID.  You know what she nearly says.  I gasp every time.  Quit it Trainor.  Stop sexualising yourself over the most trivial things.  

Just be a classy guy
Buy me a ring
Buy-buy me a ring, babe

So demanding.  So. Demanding.  Where's the spontaneity?

Future husband, better love me right

That sounds like a threat.  A nice threat to end an empowering love song.   Cute.

Bath bombs from Lush are a classic Christmas present in my house so when my sister bought me 'Sakura' I was naturally excited to use it.  I was also just generally excited to have a bath - in university I am limited to my shower which is fine but obviously tricky to use a bath bomb in.  Not that I've tried...

'Sakura' is a floral scented bomb inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms.  I'm big into my floral scents, as a peek in to my perfume collection will confirm.  The Lush website says 'this pretty bomb is designed to evoke the burst of optimism the first sign of spring brings' and with exams just around the corner that is optimism I need.

If you're after a dynamic, exciting bomb then perhaps this one isn't for you.  

It fizzes and moves but unlike a lot of bombs from Lush it doesn't release bright colours or give the bath a pretty hue.  For me, that was fine as I just wanted all of the smells, and trust me they were divine.  A review on website compares it to being like sleeping in a Japanese tea garden, not something I can vouch for but I imagine it's very similar.  

To conclude - if you're after something that will make you smell incredible and feel like a fairy queen I wholeheartedly recommend Sakura.  I've had a bubble bar as well - hopefully that will be put to use and maybe even reviewed before I go back to Liverpool.

So, if you're revising like me get yourself a bath bomb and be chilled and happy.

While the scandal about Bill Cosby has been widely covered and publicised, I for one feel as though a lot of people really aren't sure what is going on.

Who is Bill Cosby?  He's a 77 year old American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist.  He's probably best known to our generation for "The Bill Cosby Show" which also featured a very young Raven Symone from Disney's "That's So Raven".  More recently, however, his name has been associated with a sexual abuse scandal that is sweeping the globe.

What has happened so far?

Back in 2000, Lachele Covington alleged that Cosby had groped her in his apartment

In 2004, he was accused by Andrea Constand of drugging and fondling her.

In 2005 a California lawyer Tamara Lucier Green alleged she had been drugged and assaulted by Cosby in 1969.

Later that same year Beth Ferrier claimed he had, in 1984, drugged her coffee and when she awoke hours later it was evident that some of her clothes had been removed.

Now, in 2014 journalist Joan Tashis, supermodel Janice Dickinson, actress Louisa Moritz, Carla Ferrigno, nurse Therese Sergnese, former Playboy Playmate Victoria Valentino and other anonymous women have come forward to say that similarly to the cases of Covington, Constant, Green and Ferrier they too had been drugged, sexually assaulted and/or raped by Cosby between 1965 and 2004.

Back in 2000, police decided no crime had been committed against Lachele Covington, and that all actions had been consensual.  Cosby was not questioned.

In 2005, Andrea Constand was told her case had 'insufficient credible and admissible evidence'.  Constand went on to file a civil claim against Cosby a month later, 13 other women came forward to testify with similar experiences.  This was settled out of court.

In 2005 Cosby's lawyer said that Cosby did not know Tamara Lucier Green and the events she described had not happened.

Later that same year Cosby denied claims made my Beth Ferrier, no charges were made.

Now, in 2014 Cosby's website says in regards to allegations made by journalist Joan Tashis, supermodel Janice Dickinson, actress Louisa Moritz, Carla Ferrigno, nurse Therese Sergnese, former Playboy Playmate Victoria Valentino and other anonymous women, 'Mr Cosby does not intend to dignify these allegations with any comment'.

Which surely in itself, is a comment.

A further statement by Cosby's lawyer called the claims 'unsubstantiated' and 'fantastical' and claimed that they 'escalated far past the point of absurdity'.  He added 'It makes no sense that not one of these new women who just came forward for the first time now never asserted a legal claim back at the time they allege they had been sexually assaulted'.

And that is what got me.  I cannot begin to imagine the cataclysmic psychological pain this experience will have undoubtedly caused these women.  To live with that is punishment enough, without being vilified for coming forward.  Michelle Hurder, one of the most recent actresses to come forward with claims has said that she was instructed to 'never tell anyone' what had happened.  She said it was evident that she was not the only person working on the "Cosby Show" set that this was happening to.

 That fact that these women have had to experience such terrible crimes against them, to be told to not speak out about it and then to be questioned over why they waited to speak out is beyond patronising.

The question, surely, should not be why are the accusers only now coming forward, but why are they only now being taken seriously.  This is a problem, a very real problem.

Today my University, the University of Liverpool released a statement in regards to the release of a script written by members of it's Medical Society.  The script was crammed full of misogyny, sexism and characters like 'Dr No means No' and 'Mrs. SluttyPenny'.  The University have said;

‘We expect our students to comply with the University’s Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline and adhere to appropriate standards of behaviour. The University, the Guild of Students and the Liverpool Medical Students’ Society are shocked at the content of this material which is clearly unacceptable. ‘The University is investigating.  The University and the Guild will continue to work together in combatting sexism and sexual harassment.’

This isn't the first example of the society producing some pretty horrendous material that I don't even feel comfortable putting on here.  The script is for a show attended by students, doctors and faculty members.  If you clicked the link, you'll be as horrified as I am.

(11/11/14) - Today it has been clarified that three other scripts were entered into a vote to see which should be performed and the 'winner' was a reworking of Mulan which features a 'sexy Geisha dance'.  Further it has been made evident that members of the medical society have been banned from talking with press, though I have seen a tweets which read 'finally the LMSS get the press they deserve #disgusting'.  I fear there is maybe more to come.  

Today also saw the launch of the university-wide 'Call It Out' campaign, a campaign which is addressing both staff and students in an aim to call out on-campus sexism and bring it to an end, which by the looks of it couldn't have come about at a more appropriate time.

I've just returned from a talk by Laura Bates, of the Everyday Sexism Project (website) at the University of Liverpool, which was timed to coincide with the 'Call It Out' campaign.  She was fascinating.  Bates started the project "after a really bad week" in which she really began to note to the public dismissal of sexual assault, particularly after she was groped on a bus.

Some statistics she gave us include that there are more men currently in Parliament than there ever have been women.  That only 15% of commemorative statues are women.  Only 1 in every 5 front page news stories are written by women.  1 in every 3 women will be raped or beaten in her life.

Bates found the campaign skyrocketed unprecedentedly and she received 50,000 submissions in a year.  50,000 different stories of sexual assault and abuse from a mass of different people.  She described a 7 year old disabled girl and a 73 year old disabled woman telling almost identical stories of being screamed at in the street about being "women drivers".  Not only women wrote in, men told stories of being ridiculed for applying for paternity leave.

One thing Bates said really stuck with me.  She said what we are looking at is "Human Rights not Women's Rights".

Only 4% of women who are sexually assaulted whilst in university will report it to their institute.  When asked why they didn't answers included the words 'Shame', 'Embarrassment' and 'Self Blame'.

She highlighted the blame culture we live in, how girls are asked 'Were you drunk?'. 'What were you wearing?' and 'Did you lead him on?' after talking about sexual assault.  How has this become okay?  This trivialises the effect and seriousness of sexual assault.  This is a society who teach to not be raped rather than not to rape.

Bates closed by comparing sexism to climate change.  It's there, and if not everyone tries to fix it, it's not going to be fixed.

There's so much more I have left to say, so keep your eyes peeled for my write up for MyStudentStyle this week.

Here's a petition started by Everyday Sexism Project calling for all political party leaders to 'commit to making sex and relationships education in schools compulsory, to include sexual consent, healthy and respectful relationships, gender stereotypes and online pornography.  I've signed, and I'd like it if you could too.

Today the headlines signalled a sad day for the fashion world - the iconic Oscar de la Renta has passed away at the age of 82.  

Oscar de la Renta and Anna Wintour earlier this month.  

Supermodel Karlie Kloss mourns.

De la Renta most recently designed and made the wedding dress of Amal Alamuddin for her wedding to actor George Clooney in Venice less than a month ago.  Alamuddin told Vogue that she ‘wanted a wedding that was romantic and elegant, and I can’t imagine anyone more able than Oscar to capture this mood in a dress’.

Hailing from the Dominican Republic, the son of the Mayor traveled to Spain to study art before discovering his love for fashion and beginning to work alongside Cristobal Balenciaga.  He made his name in the 1960s designing for the first lady Jacqueline Kennedy before establishing his own company in 1965.  His work is famously recognisable as feminine, elegant and coloured in soft tones and floral patterns.  

He said of his close friend Hilary Clinton earlier this year, 'She might not like me to say this, but I think she's going to be our next president' - He has famously dressed not only Clinton but Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan.  

De la Renta and the mesmerising Audrey Hepburn at the 1988 CDFA awards.  

Fern Mallis, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA) called him 'The Sultan of Suave'

De la Renta was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, no cause of death has been confirmed.  He was surrounded by family, friends and ‘more than a few dogs’.  He is survived by his adoring adopted son Moises and wife Annette Engelhard.  

as the title suggests, I moved.

I wrote two posts ago that I was lucky enough to be accepted into the University of Liverpool to study Communication and Media with Law for the next three years.  I moved here on Sunday after having what in hindsight was one too many in Bridgend town.  Roof, I probably won't miss you.


I got here on Sunday afternoon and moved all of my stuff into my accommodation, The Arch.  It's so lovely from the outside as it's an old hotel in China town.

Unfortunately there's no wifi in the building yet...it's also still in the process of being built (angry face) which means I am awoken at 7am by things like angle grinders and pneumatic drills, and builders shouting at each other.  The novelty wore off pretty quickly and not being able to pick up my phone and check twitter/facebook/sky news is getting boring, although I've played a lot of sims.  Luckily I have been blessed with nice flatmates who introduce me to their friends meaning I am not facing the wifi-less building site alone.

I haven't done a lot so far, when my Dad dropped me off we went for dinner at Salt House Tapas Bar, which was DELICIOUS, I had patatas bravas, chorizo and a cured meat plate with ice cold, glass bottle diet coke (the best kind).  Over the last few nights I have ventured down to Liverpool One, the shopping centre and I popped into Tesco Express to pick some essentials like wine and cookies.


Tonight the plan is to go out to Levels, a new club in Liverpool, and tomorrow I'm visiting Rachael over in Manchester.

Alas, I should probably leave Starbucks now as I have overstayed my welcome and used more than my fair share of free wifi.

Toodles!

p.s. I had the lovelist leaving gifts of my places of work!

HIYA
I got back on Monday from a long weekend at Reading Festival (for those who are unaware - the oldest popular musical festival in existence).  The festival was headlined by Paramore/Queens of the Stone Age on Friday, Arctic Monkeys on Saturday and Blink 182 on the Sunday.

I eventually packed on Tuesday night, which was both uncharacteristically and uncomfortably last minute of me.  I took the basics, clothes, food and a tent.  There really wasn't anything else I could've needed and if worst case scenario stuck there was an on site supermarket and a Tesco (with on site DJs) about ten minutes away.  

After arriving on Wednesday evening and participating in a quick trip to tesco involving a meal deal (with the only crisps left in stock - cheese and onion) and some cocktails we settled for the night with our camp chairs surrounding a growing pile of rubbish.  

I woke at 8am on Thursday morning after the coldest nights sleep of my life, just as the sun shone through my tent.  Due to my tent backing onto a group of other campers I was lured into the false belief my campmates were already awake - I was wrong by about an hour and went on the hunt for my friends who were also there and suitably washing down breakfast with strongbow.  It was a long day but we hunted around the festival and ate THE best pizza from one of the stalls, Hawaiian goodness.  

And then on Friday, after another 8am wake up, the music began...

Kate Tempest

Jake Bugg

Blink 182

Imagine Dragons

Vampire Weekend

Peace

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Altogether I saw:

• Kate Tempest
• Slaves
• Eagulls
• The Orwells
• Catfish and the Bottlemen
• Fat White Family
• Paramore
• Palma Violets
• The Courteeners

• Circa Waves
• Royal Blood
• Peace
• The Hives
• Imagine Dragons
• Jake Bugg
• Arctic Monkeys

• Saint Raymond
• Drowners
• Emily's Army
• Pup
• The Kooks
• Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
• Blink 182

So far everyone has asked who my favourite has been, and that is so hard to answer, I thought a list was the best way to conquer it....

1. Arctic Monkeys - I have always been a big fan of Arctic Monkeys and they did not disappoint me at all.  Alex Turner is probably the coolest person ever.  They performed a mix of classics like 'When the Sun Goes Down' and 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' to songs off AM like 'Snap Out Of It' and 'No.1 Party Anthem' and the crowd sang along to everyone, it was incredible.  I've watched it three times on iPlayer and I'm not even ashamed.
2. Vampire Weekend  I'm not sure what I was expecting when I saw them but much like Alex Turner, Ezra Koenig is SO cool.  They sounded exactly how they do on record and I was shocked at how how many of their songs I knew.  Such a good band for a shameless dance and singalong.
3. Imagine Dragons - Awesome.  I've heard mixed reviews from other people but honestly I thought they were amazing.
4. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Never thought I would include these on the list.  The was furore when they were announced but that didn't stop a good turnout in the crowd.  Macklemore had the crowd in the palm of his hand and brought out both Fences and Schoolboy Q.  Ryan Lewis was also interactive with the crowd which was unusual to see for a producer, a producer who Macklemore was actually very open in his gratitude for.  It was so lovely to see.
5. Last but not least I'm going to go with The Orwells - I haven't really listened to The Orwells before but the frontman was so fun to watch.  He had a laugh on stage and you knew he was enjoying himself.   

That was hard, I wasn't particularly disappointed with anyone I saw, if I was to be particularly fussy I would say that Blink 182 weren't great, a sing-a-long was fun but not much more than that.

Here I am enjoying how much it rained when we had to pack up on the Monday...to clarify, this was before the 50 minute hunt for my Dad in Reading town.  I was grinning less by the end of that...

And finally....the highlight of my whole weekend....I MET GREG JAMES.  AGHHHHGHHGHGHGH.  LITERALLY.  NO WORDS.  I was suitably embarrassing and cringe-worthy but I met Greg James so I don't care.  I'm smilling just writing this.  I love him so much.  As I sprinted to him one of the boys I was with told me I hadn't move that fast all weekend.  It's true.

On that note - I'm going to go and catch up on sleep......bye!  

Yesterday, August 14th 2014 was A-level results day.  It finally came around, out of nowhere.  As if by magic.

I stayed up until the early hours unable to sleep due to nerves before drifting off for a few hours, eventually being rudely awoken by my 'GET SOME COFFEE DOWN YOU' alarm and frantic texts asking 'ellie, are you in??'.  I logged on to UCAS track (for which I had forgotten my ID) and saw to my utter shock and delight the University of Liverpool had changed my conditional offer to an unconditional.  An unconditional offer.  From my dream university.  To study Communication and Media, something I am utterly passionate about.  I'm still shocked.

I went to school to find my actual grades, which in theory didn't matter, and in all honesty I was disappointed.  I've got a cheek to say it and I won't dwell, but y'know!!

So what happens next?  It's time to pack.  I had some bits and bobs for my birthday...

I have grey and turquoise towels, bath matts and flannels; notebooks upon notebooks upon notebooks; the cutest bedspread EVER with polka dots on one side and flowers on the other and white, turquoise and pink candles (which I can't actually use in my uni room...decorative?)

A hanging photo frame set made of three floral hearts; turquoise and pink glasses; a motivational quote jar from my good pal Sophie; and the cutest yellow Bombay Duck teacup and saucer.  

There's not much more I need, I have my hair dryer, straighteners and curlers, my laundry bin, my clock and my 'Ultimate Guide to University'.  

Seeing as we're building a house - see HERE for our blog on that - I have to pack my whole room up as I won't be coming home to this house, I'll be coming home to the new house.  That is a whole new level of excitement, uni and a new house with the most gorgeous bedroom.  As if that's not exciting enough I have an interview with 'Americamp' next week to be a camp counsellor in a summer camp next year.  Everything is very much a-go.  I almost think Freshers will be calm in comparison.  Almost.

On the subject of Freshers - who's DJing at mine? BASSHUNTER.  WHOOOOOO? How bizarre.  I want to go to say I have.  There's also DJ Fresh who I've seen and is incredible, Huw Stephens off Radio 1, Fuse ODG, Zane Lowe, Russell Kane and Lower Than Atlantis.  Alongside that there are freshers events in places like Revs for all of the Liverpool universities (there seems to be, like, 4567887654 of them).  

So it's going to be a busy month.  With West Side Story, work, Americamp interview, Reading Festival, packing my room and for uni, leaving work and moving. I'm so excited.

Over'n'out - I'm going to grown up things like clean a bathroom and then go see The Performance House's 'The Tempest'.