Beth Louise : March 2017

A Sad Blog Post

22:48

This Post is a bit of a downer, but its something I feel VERY strongly about.

In 2014 I travelled to Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia, and I literally had the best, most emotionally draining and exciting trip of my life. I went to the Kremlin, St Basils, Catherine's Palace and many more beautiful and historically significant landmarks. I would say I loved every moment. But that would be a lie.

On the second day of my holiday something happened that changed my life forever. Now I know this may sound dramatic, but hopefully whoever is reading this will surely understand.

We were told, prior to the trip, that we would be attending the Moscow Circus. My first initial question, that many of us had, was 'will there be animals?' to which the response was 'no no no of course not'. So of course we believed the tour company, why would they lie? why would they tell their clients one thing if they meant another?

So, by the second day we were all buzzing. We went around Moscow and stopped off at various Russian supermarkets and newsagents to buy chocolate and sweets and drinks for the circus! The bus was full of excitement. Then, just before we jumped off the bus at the circus arena (yes an arena, the place was huge!) our tour guide said 'there will be some domestic animals (cats, dogs etc) in the circus but they are treated like pets and do tricks that they would perform in competitions like crufts'. Naturally we believed the tour guide, 'oh well if they are pets, then that's fine' we assured ourselves.

We entered the arena and there was an instant buzz. They place was jam packed, and this was a show that is on every night, sometimes twice a day, so we knew (or thought) we were in for a treat. As the lights dimmed, trapeze artists and dancers filled the ring and it was beautiful. Their performance was spectacular and I really enjoyed every second. Long segments of acting, clowns and ringmasters followed, and we were all very much enjoying the show. But soon it became apparent that they were preparing animals to be presented. First cats, monkeys and dogs. This followed with bigger animals like horses. It was uncomfortable viewing but we stayed under the instruction of our tour guide and teachers. At first it was just little tricks, which seemed harmless. But as it progressed we witnessed tiny kittens being pushed off poles from great heights. It was shocking, but what was more shocking was the reaction of the audience members. They shouted and laughed and cheered with enjoyment.

At the first of many intervals, we asked our teachers if we could leave, as me and my friend were very uncomfortable and on the verge of tears. They said that there was to be more amazing performance art and that they couldn't imagine there being any more animal performances, so regrettably we stayed.

The second part started and the teachers were right. The dancers returned and were amazing, but my mind was not focused on the dancers, but still on the animals. Then the animals returned, and the only way I can describe what I witnessed is by saying that it was horrific. A bear, like a real life bear, emerged into the ring. It did not perform any tricks (apart from standing on its 2 back legs) and instead the 'show' was the bear being chased around the ring again and again by a man in a bear suit. YES A BEAR SUIT. It was traumatising. It was at that moment that both myself, my friend, a male student and two other females, rushed out of the arena. We were in tears. Floods of tears. The shock was overwhelming and unexpected. I would say I am an animal lover, but I had never felt that way before. Very soon after we left the arena the rest of my class came running out too. They were clearly emotional and when we asked them what happened they simply replied 'there was elephants'. Oh.

Photo: Care2

After that, I researched the circus (it's either the Bolshoi or the Nikulin) and learnt some more about it. It turns out we missed the 'best' part. Lions and tigers (and bears oh my) apparently followed, and in some performances there are apparently performing Llamas, water Buffalo(?!?) and Polar Bears. I mean really? The circuses are not independent organisations, instead they are STATE RUN. Yes, the government, owns these circuses. This is of course part of the 'Soviet culture' and was the excuse used by our tour guide when she attempted to explain why to her, and the Russian audience, there was nothing wrong with performing animals.

Photo: Moscow Circus via borderlesstravels.com

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Feminism

GRL PWR

20:54

Wednesday 8 March marked the 2017 International Women's Day. As a History Student, and most importantly as a woman, the day was extraordinarily significant to me. I spent it with my fave human, Hilly, who also wrote an inspirational blogpost about the day.

The struggle of being a woman is real.

There is no denying.

Laura Bates wrote an amazing article in The Guardian to illustrate sexism in the workplace, but I think the basis of the article can be applied to most situations. She talks about "Being accused of menstruation when voicing a firm opinion" which is particularly resonant on social networking sites, where if a woman tweets something 'angry' or 'passionate' they are bombarded with accusations of it being 'that time of the month'. If a woman is passionate, she is overbearing, bossy and in over her head. A woman, apparently, cannot be taken as seriously as a man, in most situations, as they are not as level headed.

Similarly, in Bate's article, she talks about the burden of a baby and the topic of 'avoiding wandering hands'. This is a subject that most, if not all, women can understand. Men cat-calling, wolf whistling and 'wandering hands' have seemed to become a daily occurrence for me and my friends. I'm sure we are not the only ones. For example, on the busy road that me and Hilly live on, we get winks and men shouting out their window at us on a daily basis. One man drove past us, got our attention by shouting something and proceeded to film the whole thing on his iPhone. I dont know in what world that should be acceptable, but it certainly shouldn't be this one.

Now this post is starting to feel like a 'sob story' and I did not intend it to, but these issues are important.

I must admit, as a teenager I was reluctant to refer to myself as a feminist. Aren't they man hating? Dont they bra burn? Aren't they angry women?- these are the thoughts I would have when thinking and discussing being a feminist with my peers. I have come to learn, however, that these stereotypes are what pushes back the fight for equality. Because, feminists are not male-hating and scary. A feminist is someone who proactively challenges the current inequality in the world (not just 1st world countries but around the globe) and wants it to change. I learnt that the values my mum and dad taught me growing up, made me a feminist, without me even knowing.

On a lighter note, us women, we are strong and powerful and inspirational. Yes we are women, but that does not mean we are less-than. The International Women's Day Campaign, this year, was to #BeBoldForChange. Feminists (women and men) tweeted and posted positive messages and images, dedicating them to women who have literally changed the world by being bold. Malala, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Friedan, Marie Curie are just some of the names mentioned on the online platforms. But we should also celebrate our mothers, grandmothers and friends. The women around us who make us who we are. Together we are strong. Together we are powerful. And together we can achieve equality for BOTH sexes.

Final thought: Nigerian Novelist and Feminist -Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - famously said that a feminist is: 'A person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes'. Bare that in mind. Both men and women can be feminist. It is not about female power, it is about gender equality. Don't let the word scare you.

-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie #flawless

Kathrine Switzer in 1967, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.

Emmeline Pankhurst, arrested outside Buckingham Palace

Michelle Obama- Let Girls Learn

Women's Day - great article about key feminists

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Beauty

February Favourites

21:43

Ok, so after a month of no posts I have a returned with my February Favourites.

Most of my favourites this month have been beauty related but there are a few other bits and pieces thrown in there as well. Links to all products are in the descriptions.

First off: Make-Up

My first favourite of the (last) month is the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I have had the Naked 2 palette for a while now and loved it, so I thought I would try out the original palette. I was uncertain, at first, but I have definitely grown to love it over the past month. The pigments are great and the colours are great for day and night. I dont really know what else to say, as I'm pretty sure everyone already has this palette, but if not, I totally recommend.

Retails at £39.50 at Feel Unique

My next favourite is a lipstick. When browsing the premium counters at Boots, a few months ago, I came across the most beautifully packaged lipsticks and couldn't help but to purchase one. They were the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine. I don't usually go for lipsticks with a shine, however these are beautiful. I haven't taken a photo of the actual colour, but it's like a beautiful pearly pink (number 44), and I am wearing it on my icon. Anyway I wear it almost everyday and absolutely love it!

Retails at £27.00 at Boots

Next, is a new foundation. My favourite foundation of all time is the Estee Lauder Double Wear. It's an amazingly high coverage foundation and there are so many shades. But, it is expensive and does feel quite heavy on the skin. I decided (with the help from my friend on the skincare counter) to try the Vichy Dermablend Foundation... and guess what, it's a favourite! The coverage is amazing, it covers blemishes, scars and uneven colouring. I still wear my Double Wear, but this Vichy foundation is great for day-to-day use.

Retails at £18.00 at Boots

My final make-up favourite is a primer. I have always struggled with finding a primer that fully works on my skin, but this one has come close haha!! I received the Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Primer Potion for my birthday back in December, and have loved it ever since. It goes on very silky and smooth, there's no oily feeling and, most importantly, it lets my foundation sit on my skin comfortably all day.

Retails at £23.00 at Debenhams

Skincare
So I only have one skincare favourite this month, but it's a good'un. Everybody's obsessed with micellar water at the moment, and I have jumped on the bandwagon. I love French skincare, and bioderma is no-exception. The micellar water for oily skin works wonders. It takes off all my make up and is so quick and easy. It has nothing aggravating or bad for the skin in it, and the price is great, especially for the quality.

Retails at £10.50 for 1 or 2 for £12.50 at Boots

Fragrance

I love perfume so so much, and I have a lot of perfume favourites (perhaps another blog post?) but I have had 1 perfume that I have worn ALL month, Philosophy's Amazing Grace. It really is Amazing. It smells clean, elegant and really different. It's quite a subtle smell, but people definitely notice it when it's on. I absolutely love it!!!

Retails at £33.00 for 60ml at Boots

Other

The final 2 favourites don't particularly fit into a category so I'll just get on to talking about them.

First off is the Boots Botanics Lavender Pillow Spray.

I am someone who really struggles to fall asleep and relax, and finding this product is a god send. The lavender smell is so relaxing and I fall asleep so much quicker with this spray. It is so affordable in comparison to other similar product's. I seriously recommend this to anyone who struggles to fall asleep at night.

Retails at £5.00 exclusive to Boots

My final favourite of this month is a book. I'm absolutely obsessed with Chinese birth signs and zodiac signs and this book is all about both of them. The books called The New Astrology and was written by Susanne White, who has wrote many many books about astrology. I read so many reviews of how amazing and accurate the book is and I just had to buy it. I wont get into too much detail but basically it tells you about your Chinese birth sign (ie year of the rat, ox etc) and western zodiac sign (Sagittarius, Aquarius etc). In addition, it also explains your specific sign combination (Sagittarius/Rat, Aquarius/Ox etc). The explanations are scarily accurate and very interesting!!!