Should Pole Fitness Be Banned?

In response to this article I would like to say:

I really like the authors perspective, and totally disagree with the statement from Swansea SU but i'm shocked that there is hardly any mention of male dancers. If Swansea had considered the growing number of male dancers in pole fitness, it may have changed their stance on how sexualised the sport is. The sole reason they banned it seems to be that it is putting women in danger of being sex objects.. therefore male pole dancers are surely at risk of the same thing? The lack of acknowledgment of male participation in pole dancing in this article is in some ways making the assumption that pole fitness is a sport for "sexy women" more ingrained, when in reality, pole dancing is an inclusive sport that has very nearly shaken off all of its links with the sex industry, in order to stand as an athletic sport in its own right.

I love pole as a sport, and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful community.

MY PHONE IS A CUPCAKE

My first ever deco case! 

So last night, I drank champagne and made this! Pretty pleased with it, as I had never done decoden before. I hadn't ever piped anything before either, not even cupcakes, so the resin icing effect is pretty neat considering... took ages to clean up though lol!

The design was just stuff I like (ice cream, hello kitty, pearls) and I tried to add a sort of edible theme, but its a bit eclectic. I think if I was making them as gifts/to sell on etsy I would go with more of a cohesive theme, colour and cabo wise, but as it was for me it was just everything I like. 

 I got all of my cabochons from etsy, some quite cheap, others more expensive (but I LOVE jelly bean cabos!) I will definitely be making more deco stuff, just because it is really fun and quite easy to do well. I want to experiment with some of the other glue types too, like deco icings, but I started with the whipped cream effect because I just love the texture! 

What do you think?? 

xxo

This song cracks me up...

Orange Caramel - lipstick

 

DIY baroque shorts

Browsing through asos magazine recently, I started to lust after these gorge baroque gem hot pants! I mean, gems + tiiiiny shorts are two of my fave things, so onto a winner here!

But they're all pretty pricey for a student, so I decided to give it a go myself!

Here is what I did, in trashy MS paint form:

Pretty self explanatory ;) Just scissors, flat backed gems, a glue gun and a little creativity! I used hot glue, but superglue would be fine. Also you could stitch beads, but that would take longer. If gluing, use a strong glue, and try to avoid places where the fabric will naturally crease, to improve sticking power.

Here is the finished product on:

What do you think? xxox

A few things you should know about student-house hunting in London

Just written a quick article that I could have killed for last year, with all of the stresses of moving out and that! Hopefully it will get published in the UCL Tab, but for now, here you go lovely London freshers:

House hunting is a pretty big thing to do in London, for the first time, especially if you still phone your mum asking how to open baked beans. So here is a handy guide for all of you nervous freshers (you can thank me later).

1. You don't have to start flat hunting until after exams.

Your friends at other Uni's have had their houses since Christmas, but don't worry! The housing turnover in London is so quick that flats go on the market only 1 or 2 months before the let agreement starts. Don't freak out if you haven't signed a contract by June – you can find flats for September as late as August.

2. The ULU Housing fair is a waste of time.

Every fresher everywhere in London queues for hours to get into the housing fair, but it is mostly full of overly expensive flats. Plus all of the information they give you is easily accessible via a quick google search and on uni websites. Instead, make the most of

your time by going into as many estate agents as possible to get good value viewings.

2. House hunting is expensive!

Make sure you have a bit of money saved, or an overdraft to dip into, because when you have chosen your flat, you will need to hand over a lot right away! You will need to pay a deposit to take your flat off the market, plus non-refundable agency fees, and often 2 months rent up-front as well. (Not to mention the travelcard you will need to get to all of your viewings!) Because the turnover is so quick, you sometimes need to make one expensive decision directly after a viewing, so be prepared, and keep your bank account as full as possible.

2. You don't have any rights until you have signed a Tenancy Agreement.

There is a lot of paper-work to get through, and it can be confusing. When you put down your deposit, to take your flat off the market, you will get a receipt for it, but this does not confirm you can move in. Our estate agents promised us that we did not need to sign anything else, until the day we were supposed to move in – which was when they told us that we couldn't move in for another month without signing the tenancy agreement. Do not leave your estate agents without a copy of this vital contract!

3. The Smarter you dress, the better house you'll find.

Everyone knows estate agents try and mug students off, so acting like you know what you're talking about can really help. My friends wore suits, didn't let on that they were renting for the first time, and ended up in a good value newly built apartment, full of young professionals. My flatmates and I admitted that we were baffled and ended up in an expensive ex-council block. If agents think you're going to be good tenants, they'll give you a good house.

3. Mould doesn't show in the summer.

You will be shown flats in the summer, when they don't need any heating, have good natural light, and mould has had a chance to dry up. However, you will be living there in the winter, so if you have a chance ask the current tenants if the boiler is good, if the neighbours are nice, even if the estate agents are quick to deal with problems. You'll be gutted if it turns out your flat which at first seemed amazing is actually a health hazard.

3. You have grounds to sue your landlord if they do not protect your deposit.

The law states that the ridiculous amount of money you place as a deposit, must be protected. Your landlord has 30 days after receiving the money to insure it with one of 5 independent firms. You should get a certificate stating they have done this, but you can independently check your money is safe by calling the agencies yourself. If they have not protected your money you can sue them – and who wouldn't want a few extra quid for sportsnite? Landlords must also provide you with a smoke alarm, energy efficiency certificate for your property and must not break any terms of the contract. All the legal stuff is out there online, but if anything seems odd talk to ULU housingservices. They are really helpful, and they are always on the student side!

Dear the inventor of the fridge....

Dear Mr Refrigerator (as I presume one is called),
I hope that you are not offended by this confession, but before this month I always took you for granted. A fridge was always just an omnipresent, integral, part of the furniture, a shiny cupboard, a boring purchase on 'The Sims'. Now I realise how much I have wronged you, because, Mr Refrigerator, you are a genius.
Without a fridge, men are no better than Cave-people; the addition of plastic bottles instead of leather around our milk does not stop it churning in the Sun!
As I sit here, fork poised over a sticky mess of pasta and barbeque sauce I lament -

" If I possessed a fridge right now I could have a sumptuous feast,

Fresh vegetables, cheese,

Maybe some meat? 

Or even some leftovers from last nights tea.

Alas, it is only dry food and tins for me!"

You see Mr Refrigerator, your invention is one of the greatest ever. My diet is suffering without one. And although it is a selfish realisation that has led me to appreciate you, I hope you take me totally seriously when I say that if I was in charge, there would be a public holiday in your honour.

Sincerely, 

Rhio 

 

Here are some images I had shot by Ren Qi, for my latest MODO Collection. I've called it 'EMERGENCE' and my inspiration was gothic romance, Angela Carter stories, and London street style. This is a little preview, I'm sure more pics will follow!

Apron fronted faux leather cross dress.

Ele - model (L), Rhio - model (R) 

 

Velvt skater dress

Witness the Pole Fitness

Allo Darlin', Tender Trap, The Spook School

Allo Darlin' – Tender Trap – The Spook School - 08/01/2012

It's a Tuesday night in Kings Cross, a bitter wind is blowing and the world hasn't quite recovered from its new year hangover. Not the easiest setting for a relatively new to London band to take to the stage.
The Spook School are first to open the 'Winter Sprinter' at the Lexington – a 3 day celebration of cheery Indy bands. Despite their almost non-existence on the London scene, within a few bars of their set the crowd were thoroughly warmed by The Spook School's upbeat pop. The catchy choruses and bouncy riffs filled the intimate venue, and woke up London's Indy scene. The slick sound belies this band's experience, but is explained away by the obviousness that to The Spook School the music is all that matters. The four-piece (a lead and rhythm guitar, a bassist and a drummer who all assist with the vocals) have a relaxed stage presence, the guitarists unassumingly knocking out songs in quick succession relying on the awkwardly humourous drummer to front the group... from the back. It is a unique style, but the music speaks for itself. The crowd loved it, and this performance landed The Spook School a record deal – so watch this space.

    Unfortunately the same praise cannot be given to Tender Trap. With quite an impressive musical history, this amalgamous five piece failed to impress. Musically flawless, still several members of the audience decided this set would be a good time to head downstairs for another drink. It wasn't the musical offerings but the performance that was lacking here. The combination of an annoying front-woman and her banal anecdotes were only enough to keep the hardcore fans interested. This was a shame, as Tender Trap deliver some interesting offerings in the way of melodious pop deepened by folky, semi-political lyrics. I am sure this band can often deliver, but on this occasion, it seemed a little tired.

    Fortunately the night was ended by Allo Darlin' a feel-good ukulele playing band from London. Touring for years, and with a jet-lagged front woman, they still delivered something fresh to the Lexington. The breathy vocals of Elizabeth Morris filled the room without taking over. Combined with her impish face and infectious smile it was as if a spring-fairy had been trussed into a pair of gap jeans and told to sing to us. The relaxed delivery, and banter between the musicians on stage, maximised the intimacy and created a homely warmth that made you forget it was winter, and feel totally at home. Songs full of emotion, and real life pain, never became too ballad-esque. A constant heartbeat of drums and major chords infected a perfect playlist which swept through a journey of ups and downs, but left you feeling like everything in the world would be okay. The three bearded musicians that surround Elizabeth let her do their thing, but still give compelling individual performances. The passion for their instruments, the songs, the crowd is evident in the way that every note is a forceful caress. Allo Darlin' are so in tune with each other, and with their gigging environment that even little feedback hiccups seem somehow integral and planned. Every tune leaves you swaying, and even the sad songs can't help but put a massive smile on your face. It is a true sign that you have witnessed something brilliant when everyone – new fans and old- are demanding an encore, and when the band look genuinely surprised that they're being asked to play one. Because that's just it about Allo Darlin'. They're a real band, and their music is about real, everyday things. And that makes them really rad.