Thought provoking question for today:

If I take a photo of a photo of you, am I taking a photo of you or a photo of a photo of you?

Don't tell the...groom!

Along with so many other people, I'm a bit obsessed with BBC3's 'Don't Tell the Bride'  at the moment. It provides me with so much entertainment and I can't believe how brave some of these women are, and how clueless the men can be. One of my favourite episodes was the one in which the groom decided to spend the whole budget on a Vegas wedding and cut some of the brides family members out of the wedding. Of course, there was a happy ending but it was very touch and go!


So, would you ever let your partner arrange your wedding? I don't think I could! As a currently very single girl, one can only fantasize over their dream wedding, so I thought I'd post my own version of Don't Tell the Bride, just in case my dream man ever reads this. So, let's start with the dress.


Dress:
I'm not a huge fan of wedding dresses and I couldn't tell you exactly what I'd want. Only what I wouldn't want (fairytale, princess, Jordan style a definite no-no) So once I'd combined all my wedding dress dislikes, I was left with few options. Here's what I came up with (be imaginative here, I'm basing this on the pipe dream that I'll be 5'10" and size 8 by the time I get married)

Although I could never pull this off, I love the Audrey Hepburn, vintage feel to this dress. The asymmetric skirt is also very flattering on this model. And I'd definitely go for ivory rather than white. This dress is by Hollywood Dreams and is a very, erm, reasonable £1400...bargain!

This dress is a little more plain and realistic! Although I'm not a fan of the bead detail, again I like the asymmetric skirt and the general shape. I'd definitely want a bit of poof to my dress and a reasonable sized train. It's from an American website at a very cheap $142.99 - around £90.00! 

Venue: 

I've been lucky enough to have dined at some fantastic venues for various occasions and events. My sister celebrated her twenty-first birthday at Hartwell House, in the Aylesbury Vale. I remember being overwhelmed by the grounds and even more impressed by the menu.

I grew up in Buckinghamshire and have always loved the countryside around the Chiltern hills so it would be sentimental to get married somewhere so beautiful and close to my home comforts. 

"Hartwell house is one of the Stately Homes of England, just one hour from central London and Heathrow and Luton Airports, and two miles west of Aylesbury.   Its most famous resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, who lived there with is Court for five years.  Situated in 90 acres of landscaped parkland, Hartwell House provides a country house setting, adding lustre to every social occasion"

My other choice in venue is the place I was lucky enough to have been taken to celebrate my own twenty-first birthday. Danesfield House  is a typically English Hotel/home situated near Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Again, this venue has some breathtaking views over the Chilterns.

Bridesmaids:

I quite like the idea of an aubergine theme throughout. That way it's quite classy and neutral and would suit whoever I choose to be my bridemaids. Something like this perhaps (I like the one shouldered dress on the far left):

Transport:

I've always loved the idea of driving a vintage car. Now, obviously I'd be in no state to drive for my own wedding, but being driven in one would still be amazing. Here's my ideal mode of wedding transportation:

1926 Austin Seven box saloon photographed by Malcolm Asquith 

If that one's not available, here are some alternatives:

I'll leave it there, for now. Obviously I know there is far more to organise and I haven't done my research thoroughly enough to know if this is all within the £12,000 DTTB price range but until I come close to even being in a relationship, I don't have to worry about that.

What are your thoughts? How would you do it?

Joseph Kony: Two sides to every story

A very informative and interesting read about today's KONY 2012 hysteria:

Behind These Hazel Eyes: Two sides to every story: I woke up this morning to see the words "KONY 2012" plastered all over Facebook. I was intrigued as to why people wanted to "Make Kony famou...

Innumerate Britain

As a teacher, I like to keep up to date with the latest educational issues and debates. Last week, the BBC published this article stating that a large proportion of adults today have limited numerical skills and have (as usual) put the blame on schools.


Along with the article was this video entitled 'Could you do this calculation?' It shows a number of adults being approached to solve a simple calculation. Only one could.

I don't know about you, but I'm not aware of any educated adult who could not solve this calculation or would struggle to understand a payslip or a train timetable.Maybe that's the key word here- educated, which leads nicely to the crucial question: why are teachers always to blame?


The fact that most of the adults I know would have no problems with this calculation has got me thinking. I consider myself a well educated individual with a good background. Although the social demographics of my home town vary, it's generally a 'good area' within the country. So just who did the BBC ask? Have they exaggerated the fact that the more 'socially deprived' may struggle with mathematical concepts? (Which is no secret, nor a revelation)


The article explores the fact that it is due to a problem with engagement in numeracy. It claims that both children and adults struggle to enjoy Maths, referring to this as a 'British Disease'. In my opinion, this is not the case. I have taught plenty of children who enjoy Maths and excel in this area. From what I've seen in schools, these children tend to be the more competitive children, the children who will do well anyway. So what do the children who 'don't get it' do? Sit in silence, reluctant to ask for help. Also, nothing new. 


According to the DFES, it is 'undertaking a root-and-branch review of how maths is taught in schools, attracting the best maths graduates into the profession'. My problem here is, even if their subject knowledge is strong, how will their pedagogical knowledge support this? Teachers know how to do the calculations themselves. It's not hard. The teaching strategies are where challenges arise, along with behaviour issues and differentiation. So is an academic with a first class honors degree in Mathematics from Oxford really going solve this issue?


Maths teaching is changing all the time. To engage a child, they first need to feel comfortable and respected. Respect given is respect gained, and that applies in a teacher-child relationship just like any other. 


I guess what I'm saying is, stop scrutinizing every aspect of the education system today. Although it is flawed, it is also very effective for those who want to and can succeed. Maybe we need to examine the support the government is giving to less educated parents? It may be too late for them, but not for their children.


I'm wondering if anybody can shed some light here? If you can then comment below, feedback is appreciated! 


I realise this sounds like a massive rant, so I'll leave you with a totally un-related question to reignite your brains: 
If Pinnochio stated 'my nose will now grow', but he was lying, would it grow?

Insani-cure

Evening everyone,


I've decided to share some more of my nail designs as I'm building up a small archive and need somewhere to store them.

 One of the easier creations. Simple swirl pattern with glitter tips.

Found some false nails, had to practice!

Loving gold and red at the moment. Very simple to do- gold base, red stripe and black lines/dots.

 

One of my more ambitious designs. This one was quite tricky and time consuming. On the other hand, (pun intended) it's very therapeutic and a great way to kill some time (if you have it!)

Covers that are better than the originals

Quite often, we come across videos that people have posted on Facebook or Twitter of fairly average covers, to a karaoke backing track a lot of the time. But rarely, some of these will stand out as being completely different, either due to strong vocals or brilliant instrumental arrangements, sometimes both. I've picked out a few of my favourites that I've stumbled upon over the last few years and that I believe have overtaken the original song. Do take the time to watch and appreciate.


1. Vela- Earthquake (Labrinth cover)

I wasn't a huge fan of the original, but I love this. I would've preferred it on an acoustic piano rather than a keyboard but this still sounds good. There's something about playing a song on a piano, with such detail, that makes it a whole lot more appealing. 

2. Jessie J- We Found Love (Rihanna Cover)

A very talented performer. If you've seen some of her early youtube videos you'll know that she can sing almost anything. Again, the original version of this song is pretty boring but Jessie's voice on this has won me over.

3. Birdy- The A Team (Ed Sheeran Cover)

At 15, this girls voice is way beyond anyone I've ever heard her age. Teamed with the fact that she's a pianist, she ticks all the right boxes for me. I'm a huge Ed Sheeran fan and 'The A Team' was one of my favourite songs of last year. In my opinion, all his songs are incredible, however, Birdy's version just about wins it for me and I can't really explain why. Just listen, it's beautiful.

4. Ed Sheeran- Skinny Love (Birdy/Bon Iver Cover)

Incidentally, Ed has covered Birdy/Bon Iver in this hauntingly beautiful interpretation. His voice is so pure. Need I say more?

5. Boyce Avenue- What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction cover)

Now, I have to be careful what I say here due to fear of possibly being violently slaughtered by pre-pubescent One Direction fans. I have to admit, I have a huge soft spot for One Direction (just call me Caroline Flack!) and I think their songs are pretty catchy, but let's be honest; they're average singers and are only successful because of their looks. So when I came across this cover by Boyce Avenue I was pleasantly surprised. Not what I was expecting but I love their twist on it. That being said, I still like One Direction. So please don't kill me- thanks.

6. Collin McLoughlin- Titanium (David Guetta Cover)

Hate David Guetta. Love this song. I've not heard of Collin before but I think I will be following him closely after this. He has a very unique voice and the acoustic arrangement is very original. Although I'm not a fan, fair play to Davey G for writing some amazing lyrics too.

7. Pandora's Box- Changed the Way you Kissed me (Example cover)

This is very 'Gleeful' but enjoyable all the same. I love the vocal harmonies and the use of beatboxing. It's completely different to the original and unlike any other cover of this song. 

That's all for now. Enjoy. X

Nom nom is an epic fail...

Something to discuss: am I the only one that can't stand people using words like 'nom', 'epic', 'awesome', 'win', 'fail', 'amazeballs', 'hilare', 'totes amaze'?