Author: Ria

  • Why it’s ok to be a flawed feminist

    Hello my name is Ria and I am a flawed feminist.

    I have slut shamed Miley Cyrus more times than I can count. I sometimes forget the plight of women of colour isn’t just about Black or South East Asian women. Taylor Swift is still my home-girl despite her problematic white-girl feminist attitude. I don’t often speak up when I see idiots on public transport leer at schoolgirls. I sometimes end up speaking over trans-voices rather than letting them do the talking. I am guilty of jumping on feminist bandwagons because there is safety in numbers rather than calling out behaviour on my own. Sometimes I’m too scared to post about feminism on social media in case I get attacked or questioned by others.

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  • Opinion | Is red carpet fashion still relevant?

    red carpet

    *image via Zimbio

    If you’re a pop-culture vulture like me, when January rolls around the one thing that crosses your mind. It’s the start of the most lavishly opulent two months of the year:

    Awards show season!

    Whilst for most people this psycho-analysing the media winning predictions, or eagerly waiting up at 2am to watch the ceremony on live-streams or on TV, for me my awards show experience focuses almost entirely on the red carpet. Yes, call me sad but I live for the red carpet coverage and more often that not the red carpet can honestly be the most entertaining part of the awards show, especially when the ceremonies end up flopping because of awkward hosts or I get frustrated at the winners/losers lists.

    Obviously I’m not oblivious to the criticisms that have amped up in the past few years namely #AskHerMore, controversy over cultural appropriation and the objectification of many of the women on the red carpet. I wrote a post last year about ‘being nicer’ to the attendees who I’ve actively shamed online when I’ve been writing about these ceremonies.

    But with all of these criticisms and more celebrity women fighting back against the inane ‘what are you wearing’ questions, I question myself as to whether ‘red carpet fashion’ is still relevant in 2016? Does it matter and do people care? What is the ‘carpet’s’ value?

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  • 2016 Goal | Focus

    2016 Goals: Focus

    *image via Unsplash
    

    A new year and new goals (and a new blog name HEYOO!)

    I’m gonna slip into stereotypical ‘new year mode’ with a resolution….yes, just the one. Normally, every year I set multiple ‘goals’ which inevitably fall flat, for one reason or another. Seeing those unchecked points on my ‘to-do’ list for the year can get pretty uninspiring, especially when circumstances change (a slightly sprained ankle put me out of action for my ‘run every week goal’) or ones such as ‘travel to x place’ become unreasonable because of work or money, or you simply just forget to do them.

    This year I’m setting a one word resolution, which is more to do with a shift in my own attitude and one that comes with less pressure than trying to tick off points on a checklist.

    2016’s one word goal?

    FOCUS

    For me this feels much more long term than a normal resolution and pinpoints the singular thing that I feel is missing from my life right now. This word can weave itself across my personal relationships, career path, personal health and life online. I was admittedly very scatterbrained in 2015, and though it’s a very active verb it places emphasis on prioritisation rather than trying to do ALL THE THINGS! And most importantly it’s easier to remember than having a list of 10 things I want to achieve (and will probably forget to do by September).

    So that’s me for 2016. What about you guys?

    Are you a multi-goal kind of resolution-er, or will you too be taking on just the one word resolution to heart?

    If you are let me know what you think your words are in the comments!

    Ria