At the very heart of London fashion, and renowned for his unmistakably flamboyant edge, Giles and his aesthetic vision has brought to life a dazzling limited edition bag that is destined to become the ultimate accessory of the Winter season. The Isklar Tote is designed to marry the opposing demands of style and practicality and bring them together in one perfect accessory. The design of the tote means it will grace the arm of only the most astute fashionista, whilst the bag’s spacious capacity and clever design, means it is also ideal for convenience and everyday use.

The Isklar Tote is as rare as it is special, as only 100 of the bags are ever to be made, so fashionistas will need to be quick off the mark if they don’t want to miss out on what is certain to become the most coveted handbag of the winter season.

The totes will be available to buy from www.gilesdeaconisklar.com from November – with one bag hand signed by Giles himself that will be purchased at random by one lucky fashionista. The totes will be retailing at £95 and come with two bottles of Isklar, with 50% of proceeds going to Oxfam, a charity chosen by Isklar and Giles.

The novel follows the adventures of two outsiders, trying to fit in and find the one place they can truly call home. A tranquil dock in sunny Seattle sets the scene, however the peace is quickly shattered when a building goes up in smoke and everyone suspects it’s the doing of a ten-year-old pyromaniac.

The story quickly picks up pace when heroine Andes, a twenty-five-year old traveller trying to find the one place she can call home, accompanies her new ward Chase to Sunnyside Queens- where trouble seems to follow them.

Mary Carter turns the chick lit genre on its head delivering Andes- the ultimate flawed heroine whose obsession with deadly vipers is one of many secrets she will do everything to keep under lock and key.

However this is not to be as history rears its ugly head, forcing Andes to face her past once and for all, and return to the place she ran away from ten years ago.  

I enjoyed the unique storyline which explores the obscure inner workings of a religious cult in West Virginia. Carter’s style is unusual in that her characters are rebellious misfits, yet the reader is sure to fall in love with them all the same; Mary is almost educational in the way that she humanises conditions that are usually misunderstood- such as religious practices and pyromania impulses.

As the plot unravels with every unpredicted twist and turn, light is shed on Andes history before the true horrors of her past are revealed. This novel is certain to keep the reader guessing with every turn of a page, be sure to expect the unexpected! From cover to cover this will set your pulse racing- this is one book you will not be able to put it down.

By Abbey Wass

Social networking sites are a key tool in enabling you to find and contact famous and well known professionals, as well as getting your name out there.

Rather than using immeasurable updates make sure every single update is interesting, and lets people know a little about you or your work.

Here are my top tips for making the most of your free time:

1. Start a blog and post at least twice a week

2. Upload an amazing set of photos and post them on Flickr, then add it to some popular groups and heed the advice

3. Follow as many journalists and media moguls on Twitter, who will hopefully in turn follow you too.

4. Utilise these contacts by creating a profile on LinkedIn and adding them. This is the ultimate professional networking site and you would be mad not to be a part of it.

5. Get a freelance position writing editoral for a small cost, although this may seem like a lot of work for not much return, your portfolio of work will be boosted and it won’t look as though you have wasted time.

6. Get out and about, even if it is just around the country of the local area, you will boost your knowledge, maybe spot a news story and take lots of pictures along the way!

7. Create an online or digital portfolio, showcasing your writing skills and your ability to adapt print to the web.

8. Learn how to use a popular piece of photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, not only will your pictures look great it’s also another skill to add to your CV.

9. Improve your interview skills trying telephone and video interviews with as many people as possible, if you can write them up or publish online to get your name out. 

10. Do something completely different in another outlet of the media, by taking part in a work experience placement or an internship.

I hope this helps, and for even more great tips, take a look at http://www.10000words.net/2009/06/journalism-grads-30-things-you-should.html

I have just finished Marian Keyes new novel This Charming Man, and I must say that I am wholly undecided whether I actually like this book or not?

The ‘charming’ or not so charming protagonist, Paddy De Courcy is an evil Irish politician and the embodiment of fear itself for all the women involved in the plot. He is a serial domestic abuser and the plot follows the relationships he has with various women, gradually revealing the violence behind the seemingly perfect façade.

I think the feminine and sparkly cover betrayed the harsh, gritty storyline within; I expected a light hearted rom-com style read, and instead got a graphic insight into the imprisoned life a sufferer of domestic violence leads.

This is not to say this ‘informative’ novel is bad, just unexpected and very sad. Keyes is clever in the way she portrays the acrimonious Paddy, first making you empathise with his situation lulling you into a false representation of his character, and then swiftly pulling the rug from beneath your feet!

The violent scenes are somewhat heartbreaking, which should in effect make it a gripping and good read, however I still come to the conclusion that it is just not something I would like to read about.

Sorry Keyes, although it is an educating read it is just not my cup of tea!

Rating: 2/5

The term magazine is generally acknowledged to have come into usage with a publication in the 1730s of ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine’ by Edward Cave. Its aim was to entertain with stories of crime and romance, soon proving popular, not just for sale but for rental in public houses, coffee houses and barber shops. The Lady’s Magazine, a female counterpart, was quickly published, and from then on magazines began to establish themselves as demand for the new style of publication increased.

Traditionally, magazines were written for men by men, the likes of ‘Punch’ and ‘Strand’ are examples of this. Most magazines were written from an opinionated viewpoint, for example the political magazine ‘Punch,’ which sought to provide a “witty and irreverent take on the world” (Punch Ltd, 2004), albeit purely from a male perspective. This like others was a product of its time, and historical events such as women getting the vote changed everything.

We live, now more than ever before, in an ideological society in which the media exploits the image of the ideal to entice readers with images of perfection as ‘the norm.’ Essentially, making them believe that the impossible is possible.  This does seem like a modern day phenomenon, however I have found that the same ‘ideals’ have been represented in both the male and female press from the start. 

Early Ideology of Femininity in Women’s Magazines

Examining the roots of the ‘female press’ development, it is clear that from early on women were established as the primary consumers, which is why there were a broad choice of publications.  However, early publications were written by men, and it wasn’t until the eighteenth century that women began to participate in the public realm of print.

Before this time, there was NO gender equality. Social change aided the development of gender equality, and in parallel the media produced gender stereotypes, which has developed into the social ideology we see in the media today. Social change enabled women to have more freedom; the birth of the women’s lifestyle sector gave women a voice, and enabled women to be represented, for the first time, by their fellow sex.

However it seemed that equality was a rarity in other aspects of the print media. “In 1957 Howard Stick calculated that the ratio of female to male journalists in newspapers as 1:16 and in magazines 1:3” (Delano, 2003, p.273), female participation continued to remain as an insignificant minority within the newspaper industry, until “the expansion of the journalist population in the 1960s” (Delano, 2003, p.284).

Although there were many magazines aimed at men, these were often hobby orientated, and it wasn’t until late in the 20th Century that there was a male answer to the women’s lifestyle sector.

This late arrival of men’s lifestyle magazines could be seen as a result of the gender- commerce link being realised with the expansion of the leisure industry and arrival of the ‘new man’ ideology in the late twentieth century.  Whitehorne points out that “only in the 1980’s did men’s magazines appear that were based on general interest magazines,” before that they had been concentrated on hobbies or interests rather than achieving the ‘personal confidante persona’ that the women’s press had attained long before (2007).

I also recognised that it wasn’t until the end of 1995 that all four major UK consumer publishers, Condé Nast, Natmags, Emap and IPC, owned a men’s lifestyle title. Consequently, the lifestyle division for men was truly established.

When Helen Damon-Moore studied gender construction within men’s magazines, in particular American magazine ‘The Saturday Evening Post,’ she found that they came close to unconscious indoctrination- they “presented patriarchy and male domination as natural” (1994).  Although this study is now slightly dated, references to a patriarchal society are made throughout magazine history, and are even apparent in the female magazines of today, with instances such as the ‘male gaze’ and the over-sexing of female models in the female press.

The female alternative (also American), was the ‘Ladies Home Journal’ in which Damon-Moore found that women’s activities were circumscribed in comparison to the male alternative in which a broader range of activity was endorsed for men. Pastimes such as sewing and cooking were encouraged and it ‘sang the praises of housework as an invigorating and worthwhile pursuit.’ 

Although presented in different ways, both magazines were permeated by images and descriptions of appropriate gender ideals and behaviours, these became stereotypes proving the influence of the media over its consumers. These stereotypes continue to have influence over the readers, as they allow magazines to convey a vast quantity of information relying on few visual clues. This makes them an ideal, yet potentially lethal tool, in the world of journalism because of the ideological influence they have over the more impressionable reader.

So, it seems not much has changed. The ideal woman and the ideal man are still deliberately and unashamedly represented in today’s male and female press. It just so happens that the ‘ideal’ has changed, not the concept behind magazines.

The port side location is perfect for The Loch Fyne Restaurant in Gunwharf Quays. Despite being slightly pricier than the other restaurants along the Quays, I found it did outshine them all in freshness and quality of ingredients.

The interior of the restaurant is naval themed; knotted ropes and wooden decking makes the atmosphere ideal for a seafood restaurant. I loved the fact that you could see the cooks in the kitchen; it added to the authenticity and revealed their simple approach to cooking fresh fish.

The restaurant chain takes its name from a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland; and before diversifying into the restaurant business they started out as an oyster company. Loch Fyne begun life as a small oyster shack on the main West Highland road at the head of beautiful Loch Fyne.

Their pledge to care for the marine environment was set in stone at the outset and they have led the way in encouraging sustainable fishing and supporting small, high quality producers, fishermen and farmers around the UK.

I decided to take advantage of their fantastic rate at lunchtime; where they offer a fixed price menu for just twelve pounds. It’s incredible value as you get two courses plus a side, enough to curb even the most voracious of appetites.

After much deliberation, as there was so much sumptuous food to choose from on the varying menu, I started with the mussels.

The mussels were cooked in a Thai style soup which was a fantastic twist on the original moules marniere. They were also served in a rustic metal bowl, with slices of fresh granary bread as an accompaniment. The mussels, which are reared on ropes near the loch’s headwaters at Ardkinglas, are sustainably sourced, like so much of Loch Fyne’s produce.

For the main course, I opted for kiln roast salmon fillet, which was beautifully seasoned; and melted in the mouth, as fresh fish should. I choose to accompany my side with a mixed leaf salad, which although simple, was a lovely light addition to the meal.

The salmon is farmed with care and caution by independent companies, dedicated to looking after the local ecology, and is also accredited by RSPCA Freedom Foods. Those of you who are environmental minded, can rest in the knowledge that the organic salmon is from sustainable sources.

The customer service was also impeccable, and the waitress was very attentive thorough the course of my visit. My only complaint would be that I couldn’t eat more, so I will defiantly be looking forward to another visit in the near future. This really is a restaurant for seafood lovers, and will probably convert most fish haters too!

The freshness of fish, added to the fact that there is a fish counter, so you can even take home some freshly prepared fish; this really is the ultimate seafood dining experience. It is not surprising that Loch Fyne is one of the UK’s fastest growing and most successful restaurant companies; this is one not to be missed.

Passers by were shocked as people dressed in nude bodysuits took to the streets, seeming to be clad in, well, just a scarf!

http://www.youtube.com/NUDEinaSCARF Hits on YouTube have quickly escalated, and the NudeinaScarf channel is now ranked among the top 5 in the UK and top 60 in the world.

The streaker’s were filmed and photographed as they took to the streets of London during budget day on an epic adventure across the capital.

Taking nudity to a new level of art form, the Nude in Scarf crew were on a mission. Following their morning debut the nudes showed naked cheek by streaking along to some of London’s most famous landmarks including The London, Eye, Parliament Square and Hyde Park.

The naked ambition behind the bare-faced campaign was to expose the Peugeot 308CCs specialized Airwave technology, which means that a stream of hot air is emitted around both the driver and passenger’s neck area giving a scarf-like effect. The aim of this new design? To make driving with the roof down a pleasure, whatever the weather.

The government surely cannot expect students to take on such high levels of debt, at such an early age. As a student myself I regularly feel the pressure that the current £3000+ fees entail. Surely dissuading potential graduates in this way will not help the economy- especially in its current credit crunch crisis.

But Professor Malcolm Grant, provost of University College London says the issue is about ensuring high-quality education, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7947758.stm

The government has promised a review of the current £3,145 fees cap this year, at the moment almost all universities charge the maximum and the only “market” is in bursaries.

Is the current scheme really a good deal?

The current loans scheme is –apparently- an extremely good deal; so good in fact that the government can’t afford to expand university numbers in line with the population.

Alarmist talk of student debt tends to lump together bank loans and credit card debt with student loans which are repaid only when a graduate’s salary reaches £15,000. On the average graduate salary of £18,000, repayments are £5.19 a week so the current loans scheme with all interest subsidised is an excellent arrangement in comparison with the new deal.

In fact, the deal is ‘so good,’ that the government cannot afford to expand university numbers in line with the population or its former dream of increasing participation.

The universities secretary, John Denham has cut back on student numbers when the logic of recession points to encouraging more people into higher education. Shouldn’t young people (and not so young) be doing something useful instead of claiming job seekers allowance?

It is clear we are going to need graduates more than ever in the post-recession economy, something the government should be considering rather than putting more people off by increasing fees.

 Blogs and journalism need each other

The real revolution here is this: In a world of micro-content delivered to niche audiences, more and more of the more trivial news that we encounter each and every day is being conveyed through personal media- chiefly weblogs. Call it participatory journalism or journalism from the edges, every single day people are committing random acts of journalism.

Quite simply, individuals are playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting and analyzing news and information- a task once reserved almost exclusively to the professional media. In order not to be left behind, the professional journalist needs to jump on this bandwagon.

Weblogs are the most popular expression of this new media form. Blogs have exploded in popularity in past years, fuelled by greater access to the internet and low-cost, often free software. More people than ever have taken up the tools of self-publishing to create personal journals on subjects as diverse as politics, celebrity news and tropical fish.

“Blogs are in some ways a new form of journalism, open to anyone who can establish and maintain a web site, and they have exploded in the past few years,” Walter Mossberg wrote in his Wall Street Journal technology column.

This description of a new kind of journalism might trouble conventional journalists, but it is a journalism of a different sort, one not tightly confined by the profession’s traditions and values, revealing the personality behind the reporter. This is journalism with a face. 

These old school journalists need to learn from the likes of Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr, owner and writer of one of the most famous celebrity weblogs http://perezhilton.com/. His blog has garnered heaps of attention for its brash attitude, its active ‘outing’ of alleged closeted celebrities and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities. 

What benefits do weblogs bring to journalism?

Weblogs are helping to increase the boundaries of experimental forms of journalism; we see sentiments that are first expressed on weblogs spring up in the mainstream media, possibly days or even weeks after they first surface in the blogosphere. 

Similarly, all too often the mainstream media tend to dispose of stories in a fast-paced news cycle, with even important news events falling off their radar screen after 48 hours.

Blogs keep stories alive by recirculating them and regurgitating them with new angles, insights and even newsworthy opinions. The media is growing to be more interactive as readers become part of the news process.  One journalist who blogs for both work and play commented,

“Blogging is just one of several skills you can develop as a journalist. A reporter who can blog is valuable, but so is a reporter who can edit. So is an editor who can create multimedia presentations. So is a Web content developer who can debug code.”

One thing that is for sure is the relationship between weblogs and traditional journalism will continue to be a turbulent one.