Amor mag sep:oct 2015

PRODUCED BY THE YOUNG WOMAN, FOR THE YOUNG WOMAN | EDUCATE, EMPOWER, UNITE

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MUSIC WHY NICKI MINAJ IS EMPOWERING

BEAUTY STYLE KYLIE JENNER

FASHION WHAT TO WEAR TO LFW

LOVE & SEX IS HE USING ME? - SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

REBECCA GARTON ON MUSIC,

FUTURE PLANS AND KREPT & KONAN GILLY FLAHERTY INTERVIEW

Issue 24 Sep/Oct 2015

COSY SPOTS FOR FIRST DATES

HOW TO WERK YOUR WORK LIKE A B.A.D.A.S.S

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£15 £15

www.fazetees.com

CONTENT EDITORS & MANAGEMENT

Editor-in-Chief: Ruby Mae Moore Beauty Editor: Araminta Pender Fashion Editor: Wardah Sempa Music Editor: Ella December Entertainment Editor: Jan-Marie Revers Love & Sex Editor: Paige Russell Lifestyle Editor: Siane Mullings Design: Ruby Mae Moore, Oliver Green, Aaron Austin Presenter: Mya Savannah Proofreader: Charley Jai, Jackie Jones, Amy Taylor, Therryi Jay Brown

JOURNALISTS

Federica Ciliberti Kiyomi, Mya Savannah, Araminta Pender, Natalie McKee, Maisie Bovingdon, Vanessa Dos Santos, Chloe Granger, Grace Donnelly, Wardah Sempa, Ruby Mae Moore, Ella December, Monique Haase, Charley Jai, Amy Taylor, Katie Baxter, Jackie Jones, Yazmin Joy Vigus, Paige Russell.

CONTRIBUTORS & THANKS TO

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Cover Story: Rebecca Garton, Photographer: Derrick Kakembo, Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore, Location: Digital Holdings, Make Up: Face 2 Face Make Up, Eyelashes: Amour Lash, Stylist: @everything_to_a_t_ltd, Clothing: @lolokloset and Asos.

Fazetees, Xpress Smile UK, Label. M, Yindi Curls, PRShots. com, Framed By Bvrgundy, Gilly Flaherty, Cream Restaurant, Honor Oak Pub, Royal China Restaurant, Mixed Chicks, K West Spa.

HEALTH

8-10 Recipes

BEAUTY

11 Xpress Smile Teeth Whitening review 12 Editor’s Pick – Top 5 Lip Products 13-14 Beauty Style – Kylie Jenner

15 Introducing Yindi Curls 16-17 K West Spa review, Mixed Chicks review 18-19 Get Zoe Kravitz Beauty Style

FASHION

20-21 Mad about Zoe Kravitz 22 Plus Size Fashion Week 23-24 What to wear to LFW 25-26 5 Staple Trends for Autumn 26 Framed By Bvrgundy 27 Trendy : Flared Jeans

COVER STORY

28-33 Rebecca Garton on Music, Future Plans and Krept & Konan

MUSIC

34-35 Why Nicki Minaj is Empowering 36 The Rated Awards 37 Concert Listings

ENTERTAINMENT

38 Pia Mia, Jamilah, Kevin Hart 39 Must-See Theatre Shows 40-41 Empire Series 2, Film releases

LIFESTYLE

42-43 Why is Great Britain not entering the women’s football team into the 2016 Olympics?

43-44 Interview with Gilly Flaherty 45-47 Foodie’s Corner : Cream, Honor Oak Pub, Royal China restuarant reviews 48-49 How to werk your work like a B.A.D.A.S.S 50 What Is The Future of Artificial Intelligence?

51 Reality Gone Mad 52-53 To Tinder or not to Tinder…

LOVE & SEX

54-55 Cosy Spots for First Dates 56-57 The Potential New Boyfriend Equation 57-58 Is He Using Me? – Signs To Look Out For 58 Sexual Health – The Copper Coil 59-60 STRIP TEASE - 5 Steps To Follow

@amormagazineUK

Editor-in-chief: Ruby Moore ruby@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @TheRubyMaeMoore Beauty Editor: Araminta Pender araminta@amormagazine.co.uk t: @mintypender Fashion Editor: Wardah Sempa wardah@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @wardahsempa Music Editor: Ella December ella@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @EllaDecember Entertainment Editor: Jan Marie Revers jan@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @JMRevers Love & Sex Editor: Paige Russell paige@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @BabyFacedPaige Lifestyle Editor: Siane Mullings siane@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @sianeiam Presenter/Interview Equiries: Mya Savannah mya@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @myasavannah_ Press: press@amormagazine.co.uk General: info@amormagazine.co.uk Sales: sales@amormagazine.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTE & MEET THE TEAM EDITORS’ NOTE

RUBY MAE MOORE, EDITOR IN CHIEF Hello again ladies, I hope all is well.

We’ve revamped the design of Amor and really hope you enjoy our new look.

Autumn season is fast approaching so be sure to check out the fashion pages for the autumn must haves.

Until the Christmas edition, love more and be Amor.

Tw: @TheRubyMaeMoore I: @TheRubyMaeMoore

MEET THE TEAM

AMY TAYLOR, LIFESTYLE WRITER

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Lifestyle writer, Southampton Solent Journalism student and writing enthusiast.

“Writing is my passion however, food is my best friend and I have a food blog which I update regularly with student friendly recipes. I’m also in the middle of writing my first book and I also write for magazines.

One day I hope to be the editor of a fabulous magazine!”

Tw: @AmyJoannaTaylor I: @AmyJoannaTaylor

MEET THE TEAM

PAIGE RUSSELL, LOVE & SEX EDITOR “My name is Paige Russell; I am 24 and have a degree in Fashion Brand Management and Journalism. I am currently the Love & Sex Editor for Amor, where my team and I share past and present stories on men, sex and relationships with the added bonus of talking about toys and fun tips to keep it spicy in the bedroom!

In my free time I love to write and entertain people with my blog called ‘The Page’. www. thepagepr.blogspot.co.uk I have a passion for journalism and hope to be presenting one day. Right now I am loving being part of the Amor team and I am excited to see the magazine develop and grow into the most sought after female publication in the UK. I hope you enjoy the Love & Sex pages. Please email us with your saucy, hot stories!”

Tw: @BabyFacedPaige I: PaigeNatalie

NEXT: Roll Neck Sweater: £20.00 Denim Skirt: £20.00 Lace Up Boots: £75.00 Aviators: £13.00

HEALTH

UNI

RECIPES Heading back to uni soon? Here are some simple, healthy and pursefriendly recipes to try out!

Words : Federica Ciliberti Kiyomi

A Veggie Pizza - quick and easy to prepare. Made with Flatbread, egg and Spinach.

Heat the oven as high as it will go. Spread 1-2 tbsp of Passata over each Flatbread.

Rinse Spinach, squeeze as much Water as you can from the Spinach (this will prevent your Pizzas from being soggy), then scatter on top, leaving a gap in the centre. Divide the chopped Garlic and Mozzarella between the Pizzas, seasoning generously as you go.

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You will probably only be able to bake 2 Pizzas at a time.

So put 2 on a baking tray, carefully crack an Egg into the middle of each, and season with Salt, Pepper and some of the Basil. Bake for 7 mins until the Cheese has melted and the Egg is cooked to your liking.

Repeat with the remaining Pizzas and ingredients. Serve, garnish with a little more Basil and some Parmesan. Cut into slices and share between everyone.

INGREDIENTS - 1-2 tbsp Passata - Flatbread - 1 bag Spinach - 2 Garlic cloves - 1 ball Mozzarella

- 1 Egg per Flat Bread - Salt and Pepper - Basil - Parmesan

A Vegetarian Mushroom and Spinach Lasagne.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas mark 6. Heat the Oil in a large frying pan, add the Garlic and fry for 1 min. Add the Mushrooms and Thyme, then cook for 3 mins until the Mushrooms start to soften.

Throw in the spinach and stir until the heat of the pan wilts the leaves. Remove from the heat and stir in the Soft Cheese, 1 Tbsp of the Parmesan and Salt and Pepper.

INGREDIENTS - Oil - Garlic - Mushrooms - Thyme - Spinach

- Soft Cheese - Parmesan - Salt and Pepper - Pasta Sheets

Put a quarter of the Spinach mix on the bottom of a medium-sized baking dish, lay 2 Pasta Sheets on top, then repeat until you have covered the Spinach. Finish with the final quarter of the Spinach mix, sprinkle over the rest of the Parmesan, then bake for 35 mins until golden and the Pasta is tender.

A superhealthy Lentil Ragu.

Heat the Oil in a large saucepan and add the Onions, Carrots, Celery and chopped Garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the Lentils, Chopped Tomatoes, Tomato Purée, Herbs and Vegetable Stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the Lentils are tender and saucy – splash in Water if you need.

If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the Spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between Pasta bowls or plates, spoon Sauce over the top and grate over some Cheese. Alternatively, cool the Sauce and chill for up to three days. Or freeze for up to three months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.

Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

INGREDIENTS - Oil - Onions - Carrots - Celery - Garlic - Lentils (tinned) - Chopped Tomatoes

- Tomato Purée - Herbs - Vegetable Stock - Salt and Pepper - Spaghetti - Cheese

HEALTH Cheap and tasty Chorizo and Fried Egg Wraps.

Put a dash of Oil and the Chorizo into a cold frying pan over a low heat, then gradually increase it. Fry until cooked through and beginning to crisp.

Lift the Chorizo out of the pan, leaving behind just enough Oil to stop the Eggs sticking. Crack the Eggs into the pan and fry them how you like them (an almost-set yolk is best if you want to avoid any drips!).

INGREDIENTS - Oil - Chorizo - Eggs

- Mayo - Wraps - Rocket

Spread some Mayo over each Wrap, add a handful of the Rocket with two halves of Chorizo to each. Put the Egg on top, then fold up the end and the two sides before tucking in.

Very quick Smoky Bacon Pot Noodles.

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In a small non-stick pan, fry the Bacon for a few mins, add the white parts of the Spring Onions, Peas and Paprika, and cook for 1 min more.

Mix the Cornflour with a little of the Stock to get a paste, then stir this into the pan with the rest of the Stock, Noodles and a good splash of Worcestershire Sauce. Simmer for a couple of mins until thick and saucy, then scatter with the green parts of Spring Onion.

INGREDIENTS - Bacon - Spring Onions, - Peas - Paprika

- Cornflour - Stock - Noodles - Worcestershire Sauce

Xpress Smile UK REVIEW

I

had the pleasure of using the Xpress Smile UK teeth whitening home kit. This brand has all the celebs using these packs including stars such as Amber Rose, Neyo, Christina Milian and many more, so I was extremely excited about trying it out.

The pack was really user friendly with clear instructions. After molding the retainers, I used the chart to see what colour my teeth were before, then I used the LED light for thirty minutes and the after result was shocking. My teeth were instantly whiter by three shades! At first I was a bit skeptical as I have very sensitive teeth but my teeth felt great and it didn’t irritate my gums at all.

The best thing about this experience, is it doesn’t fade away. I attended an event a week later and everyone commented on how white my teeth were; and after revealing it was done by a home whitening kit, a lot of people thought they had been professionally whitened (it certainly looked it!)

I’ve used Xpress Smile twice so far and have seen drastic changes; I’m over the moon with my results and would recommend Xpress Smile to everyone!

At only £30 per kit, you can’t go wrong! Get in touch with them, there is really nothing to lose – whiter teeth for £30 – yes please!!!

Words : @MyaSavannah_

BEAUTY

Editor’s Pick MY TOP 5 LIP PRODUCTS

EOS Lip Balm Summer Fruit (£5.99) 100% natural, paraben and petrolatum free, this lip balm from EOS is bursting with moisture and instantly soothing. Not to mention the EOS Summer Fruit is packed with flavours - strawberry, blueberry and peach – so tasty!

MAC Lipstick in Taupe (£15.50) MAC’s Taupe. You know what they say, once you go MAC you never go back! My favourite has to be Taupe, a gorgeous matte nude. What I love most about MAC’s Taupe Lipstick is that it really allows you to build up colour intensity for a range of looks. One coat is enough to accentuate your natural lip colour for the day, then add a couple more for a bolder statement. In the evening, Pair with MAC’s Lip Pencil in Mahogany (£12) and contour lips for extra definition!

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (£18)

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Lush Lip Scrub (£5.50) The perfect lip balm base for lipstick, this scrub leaves dry lips feeling soft and smooth.

Available from Lush stores in different flavours - my favourite is Popcorn!

Words : Araminta Pender, Beauty Editor

NARS has created a cult product and the hype surrounding it online is there for a reason. These chubby pencils are easy to hold and use with a creamy formula that simply glides on. Plus, they’re long lasting but don’t dry out the lips.

A versatile product to be worn alone or ideal for blending for a variety of looks.

Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss (£14) Enriched with avocado oil and vitamin E, this gloss not only looks fantastic but is nourishing just like a balm. The gorgeous packaging is what initially caught my eye, a beautiful edition to any handbag. The range includes nine different shades with lip-plumping technology- even Kylie Jenner will be jealous of your pout.

K

im Kardashian-West and Kylie Jenner may only be half-sisters; sharing the same mother Kris Jenner.

But they could practically be twins (minus the seventeen year age gap), proving that Kylie has rapidly blossomed into a young adult.

On KUWTK Kim showed an infatuation with Kylie’s Pinterest, and so it seemed that Kim was using her youngest half-sister as her style muse. However, it turns out that both sisters mould themselves from one another; with Kylie confessing to The Sunday Times Style that she looks to Kim for style inspo: “Kim’s style is wow, definitely.”

The insta post that pinged on the lightbulb, which made us realise how alike the Selfish author and her youngest sister are out of the six-sibling Kardashian brood.

More importantly how the eighteen year old has matured quite rapidly.

BEAUTY STYLE -

KYLIE JENNER

Not only do they share the genetic sleek raven black locks, from short hair to long, tousled waves to dyed dos. They also share the same facial features and even habits; from perfect pouts and a love for lip fillers, a secret that Kylie has recently admitted to, to their shared selfie obsession and selfie taking method - the signature ‘in the mirror’ snap. The more similarities we notice, the more we realise how quick Kylie has grown up.

Kylie has blossomed from a gawky adolescent, opting for a slightly gothic, laid back wardrobe in her younger days - to a bodacious female and style icon. It’s safe to say that Kylie has developed into the signature Kardashian vivacious figure, and takes pride in flaunting her assets through her edgy wardrobe. Out of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, Kylie seems to be is the most experimental with her style and beauty looks; from short hair, to long jet black waves, from aqua blue, to grey hair and exhibiting various dip dye effects. I believe Kylie was the catalyst whom started the lip liner phenomena that has swept the beauty world by storm, as her fillers and the myth of her fuller pout lead to lots of females experimenting with two tone lip shades and lip liners.

As half-sisters Kim and Kylie tend to wear the (exact) same items of clothing such as bodycon dresses and skirts, each other’s bikinis and big sunglasses; proving that the starlet has very much blossomed.

The sisters share a mutual interest in rappers with Kylie’s bae being 25 year old Rack City rapper Tyga. Then of course there’s Yeezus.

BEAUTY

LABEL.M REVIEW

I was asked to try out the new Label.M hair care products this week and I must say I was very impressed!

We wonder what Ty and Ky’s co-name will be, Kyga? Tylie? Hmm… it’s not quite got the same ring to it as Kimye. The only thing missing is a Nori or an Easton...

Kylie admitted to being self sufficient at the age of 14. With numerous collaborations under her belt, such as her and model sister Kendall’s recent venture with Topshop, her jewelry line with Pascal Mouawad’s Glamhouse - a shoe and handbag line for Steve Madden - Madden Girl Line, her hair extension line with Bellami Hair - Kylie Hair Kouture, and her skin care line - Nip + Fab, all by the age of 18! Similarly Kim is also a pioneer in business having DASH, she is an author, selfie mogul and has her very own mobile game, among many other ventures.

As if that wasn’t enough, both sisters are on the ebay-ing path, by selling their designer possessions to raise money for charity.

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Words : Maisie Bovingdon

Label.M is an award winning, luxury hair care brand that is inspired by fashion and created by a team of professional stylists led by Tony Mascolo (CEO) and Sacha Mascolo –Tarbuck (Global Creative Director).

The brand has been around for 10 years now and has developed numerous ranges of high end, luxurious products for both men and women along with being the London Fashion Week official hair care products.

The products I tested out were the new honey and oat range: shampoo, conditioner and mask.

This is a range that is aimed at restoring moisture and lustre to dehydrated and damaged hair in 3 steps.

Step 1Cleanse- £12.75 (300ml) Step 2Condition-£15.75 (300ml) Step 3.

Mask-£15.75 (120ml) All three products contain Label.M’s exclusive Enviroshield complex along with being protein enriched to prevent future breakage and to protect hair against heat styling and UV rays.

Not only did the shampoo/ conditioner lather up really well but they smell absolutely gorgeous! After I washed my hair and left the conditioner in for a few minutes, I rinsed it out and noticed that my hair was instantly smoother and alot easier to get the brush through.

INTRODUCING

Yindi Curls L

ondon start up Yindi Curls is teaching little ones to love their locks with an online series and workshops that promotes self-esteem, and above all self-love when it comes to their hair. Designed for parents and caregivers of kids with cool curls, Yindi Curls is fun, fashionable and informative.

Yindi Curls is an animated book; online series and hair workshop that facilitates and promotes positive self-esteem and hair love for girls aged 6-14. Yindi Curls workshops are designed to offer support and advice to parents /carers of particularly – although not exclusively, black

engaging.

Yindi Curls is launching the brand by filming a series of 60 second videos (Hair A-Z) a video based, alphabetised list of hair terms, abbreviations & phrases that are used in natural hair care and styling.

Despite securing partial funding from O2 Think Big, Yindi Curls are aiming to raise the bar and have started a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo to raise the remaining money for the project.

To get the concept up and running @yindicurls has launched a crowdfunding campaign calling on the public to support the coiled cause. The page went live on September 1st 2015 and will aim to secure £4,000 in 40 days.

The final step was applying the honey and oat mask from root to tip of the hair and letting it sit between 1-3 minutes. (I kept it in for 2 minutes before rinsing out).

The smoothness and silky texture of my hair after the mask was fantastic. I recently had the ends of my hair stripped to get the ombre affect! This moisture boost is exactly what I needed!

Once I blow dried my hair, I instantly noticed how soft, healthy and shiny it looked. All three of these products get a big thumbs up from me and I would highly recommend them for anyone suffering from visibly dry or damaged hair.

Label.M products can be purchased in professional salons or online.

Words : Natalie McKee

and mixed heritage children, who want to learn about the techniques, products and tools needed to care for their children’s hair more effectively.

It is aimed at giving a general understanding of a child’s hair, with practical solutions on how to ensure each experience with handling their hair is pleasant, loving and bonding, all while being fun, fashionable and

Words : @MyaSavannah_ To get involved in this fantastic cause visit: http://igg.me/at/yindi Twitter & Instagram: @yindicurls

BEAUTY

K WEST

HOTEL & SPA REVIEW

I

spent the evening in the luxurious K West hotel and spa.

It was absolutely incredible!

Possibly the best spa day I’ve ever had. From the moment we entered the spa, the ambiance and atmosphere was clean, relaxing and aromatic. The customer service was great, the lovely staff went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We were greeted with smiles, a robe and comfy slippers – perfect!

baths and an aromatic herbal steam room.

With this summer being quite a heatwave, Ruby and I were excited to experience London’s first and only ‘Snow Paradise’ at the K West. The ‘Snow Paradise’ is a cooling oasis filled with the finest natural snow powder.

Set to a temperature of -15ºC, guests can either relax in a soft snow-drift, or scoop snow onto the body to cool-off and improve circulation, which does

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We were shown where everything was and prepared for our treatments!

The aromatherapy massage was exceptionally relaxing. The beautifully designed private treatment rooms are clean and tidy and come with separate showers and massage beds. The K West has recently just opened a new room which caters for 2 people at the same time. This is ideal for couples visiting the spa or even for a lovely bonding session with your bestie or mama!

We entered the spa facilities and it was like another world - the warm hydrotherapy swimming pool was beautiful, with seats inside to lay down on and switches to turn on bubbles.

The glistening spotlights in the ceiling really made my evening that bit more special. It felt like I was sitting under the stars, which changed colours every few minutes…

The spa also offers a sauna, foot

wonders for cellulite – so you know Ruby and I were rubbing our thighs frantically with this miracle substance!

I thought it would be unbearably cold but it was super refreshing - the air was crisp. The contrast of the ‘Snow Paradise’ to the sauna made my skin feel amazing! This room

definitely gave the wow factor over any spa I have been to.

Overall, I would personally recommend this spa to everyone - I am already planning my next trip.

Words : @myasavannah_

Mixed Chicks R E V I E W

I

had the pleasure of trying out one of the most talked about hair care lines Mixed Chicks, at first I was quite sceptical because I have quite loose curls with a lot of frizz so most of the products I’ve tried in the past, just weighed down my hair. I washed my hair with the shampoo which made my hair feel really silky, the smell was great and I didn’t have to use loads of product to get my hair clean. When I put the leave in conditioner in my hand it was very light in weight and smooth in texture. I applied a fair amount to my hair and let it dry naturally, surprisingly my frizz was completely tamed! My curls were very defined with a

great shine - I love big curly hair so after I let it dry, I tousled my hair and used a big tooth comb to get extra volume (this is when my frizz usually comes out to play). I did my regular routine and my felt light and bouncy, it felt like I had no product in my

hair just perfect curls and no frizz! I am completely sold and my only regret is the fact that I didn’t try it sooner! Amorelles, Mixed Chicks is perfect for unruly curls it’s a must have!

Words : @MyaSavannah_

BEAUTY

GET

Zoe Kravitz BEAUTY LOOK

Z

oe Kravitz at the Elle Style Awards flaunted a gothic glam beauty look with her long braided locks and dark shaded eye makeup. It is safe to say that Zoe has gone from a timid teen to a wild glam rockstar, following closely in her father’s footsteps (minus the exposing catastrophe).

One thing we always associate with Zoe is that her make up is often understated, with her emphasis, beauty wise on either the eyes, or lips. By only focusing on one area acheives an understated look, fitting for the laid back rockstar energy that she has.

Q: How do you get Zoe’s laid back glam rock look?

A: Focus mainly on the eyes.

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1) Sleek black eyeliner.

With a steady hand use Colorsport Rapid Lash Gro black eyeliner and make one sweeping stroke across the edge of your eyelid, as close to your lashes as possible, with the thickness of the line depending on your personal preference.

This eyeliner is doubly effective, not only does it assist the growth of your eyelashes, but it also acts as a very efficient black liquid eyeliner with a fine brush to help create the perfect line ONLY on the top lid.

2) Soft kohl eyeliner.

Use Rimmel’s Soft Kohl Eyeliner in Stormy Grey to sketchily trace under the lower lid using the soft sponge to smudge it, so as not to create a sharp and drastic line effect like the top edge.

This works as a smoky smudge effect, and also creates the rockstar look of ‘I am wearing last night’s make up’ look. Simply smudge the soft kohl pencil from half way of your lower lid out to the very edge and a few millimetres outside your eye, to accentuate the eye area. The risk with wearing eyeliner on the top and bottom eyelids is that it gives the impression of small squinting eyes, which we do not want, therefore a softer eyeliner approach to the lower lid will draw a contrast to the whiteness in your eyes and the extension of the line to the outer edge of your eyes will create the illusion of much bigger eyes.

3) Pearlescent eyeshadow.

Apply either a white eyeliner or a pearlescent shaded eyeshadow, such as Revlon’s Colour stay eyeshadow in Bone or Oyster. With a fine brush lightly trace the outer edge of your top eyeliner (you may need to re-apply the black eyeliner on the top lid), and follow the line all across the eye, adding more eyeshadow in the inner corner of the eye and dragging out to the outer eye; blending slightly upwards so as not to create too harsh a white line. By contrasting the black-block eyeliner with the light eyeshadow creates a bolder and sharper eyeliner, and acts to highlight the eye area so it is not too gothic.

Splash on a few lashings of mascara and you are ready to go!

Extra Zoe Kravitz Beauty Tips: Zoe Kravitz appears to go au natural and rarely wears foundation or face products other than eye or lip products, due to her flawless caramel complexion.

But for those who may feel bare without any foundation or blusher, lightly dust a bronzer, try Rimmel’s Sun-bronze for a light tan dusting, to emulate your complexion.

To highlight your features like Zoe, dot Benefit’s Sun Beam down your nose, a little across your cheekbones and above your brow, to create an ‘A’ shape then blend in. This will highlight your features and streamline your face too. It will also aid your natural sunkissed complexion.

Tip: put the highlighter on and wait for it to settle into your pores before applying the bronzer.

Lastly, your lips. Zoe has opted for nude natural lips, so you can simply dab a nourishing lip balm onto your lips with a beauty essential such as Carmex or try a nude matte finish lipstick from Mac’s new Matte Lipstick Collection in a brown/ nude shade. Try The Matte Lip in ‘Whirl’. For not such an obvious application, apply the lipstick to your finger first, then lightly dab along your lips until you are happy that you have enough coverage, then blot.

Words : Maisie Bovingdon

FASHION

Mad About Zoe Kravitz Now that you have Zoe’s make up down to a T – how about taking a look at her style? We are mad about it!

M

ad Max star Zoe Kravitz has had her foot in fashion since a young age owing to her famous parents: actress Lisa Bonet and singer Lenny Kravitz. At fashion shows in her teen years sitting next to Donatella Versace, so it comes no surprise that she would become quite the style icon for her generation. It’s her effortless chicness that makes her stand out from the blandness that can take over the fashion world.

Kravitz has described her look as a “I don’t give a f*** style”, dabbling in different looks. Of late she has embraced her ethnic origins and has been sporting box braids, in her cover story interview with Nylon Magazine she has said she had to “unbrainwash” what her views of black culture were and now feels more comfortable exploring her black identity.

Ever since her music career with her band Lolawolf has taken off, her style has taken a turn to the more grungy. Her music has shaped her street look.

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Boasting a million Instagram followers, we can see the change in her wardrobe.

When on the red carpet or promotional tours for her other passion: acting, she takes a turn for the classy, dressed in Valentino and Fendi. Kravitz knows how to dress for any occasion. Though she has been an It girl since birth we expect her star to be shining brighter and more appearances on the red carpet having done the press tour for films Mad Max: Fury Road and Dope. We are keeping our eyes peeled.

Amor has picked some of the best looks in recent months. This is the year of Zoe Kravitz style evolution.

Words: Vanessa Dos Santos

FASHION

S

ince 2013, the team at the British Plus Size Fashion weekend have successfully produced two of the largest award winning events in plus size fashion in the UK and Europe.

Rianne Ward of Evolve International Media Ltd has now assumed sole ownership of UK Plus Size Fashion Week and she is back this year with her team of experts to bring you the latest instalment of body diversity and amazing fashion!

Uk PSFW is the only official event dedicated to celebrating plus size and curvy fashion while providing a platform for world recognised style.

What you can expect:

The 12th September is set to be the fashion show day, where there will be shows from independent designers along with a retailer/Boutique fashion show. The best part is, this exciting and stylish event is open to the public!

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The 13th September is definitely going to be a super fun filled day with up to 50 fantastic exhibitors and pop up shops. This will be your chance to get your hands on those super exclusive pieces

11TH -13TH SEPTEMBER and ticket holders will also receive a 10% discount on purchases.

THAT’S NOT ALL!

This year you will have the chance to strut your stuff on the cat walk after being styled and dressed by industry experts.

Along with celebrity guests (and potential celebrity selfie opportunities, of course) there is also going to be a beauty bar, styling shows and bra fitting service.

Once you get yourself all glammed up and have picked up lots of tips from the pros, you will have the chance to pop over to the social media hub.

This is where you will be able to meet the vloggers and bloggers who would love to hear what you thought of the event and record messages for your social media channels about your experience at UK PSFW!

What to wear to London Fashion Week

This is an event not to be missed Ladies and you can purchase tickets online via: http://www.ukpsfw.com/ tickets/ Words : Natalie McKee

F

ashion Week is the biggest, most famous event in the industry with over 78 different designers boasting their creativity. It is without a doubt, the hottest event to attend if you’re either a budding fashion designer, or already have made it in the business. Whether being part of the #FROW or seated elsewhere along the catwalk, looking fashionforward is definitely of paramount importance.

If you want to make a good impression, it is essential to make a statement.

Oh… and it may be wise to show you have some knowledge of what’s going on in the fashion world, so, wear some on-trend items.

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1. Culottes

ulotte trousers are a comfortable and fashionable garment, which would be ideal. Sitting around the catwalk means that you won’t want to be wearing anything that’s too tight or uncomfortable to sit down in. These light, airy trousers can give the illusion of a skirt due to the loose fit of the fabric. Either printed or plain, Culottes can act either as a staple item or just a garment which you can accessorise around.

JAPANESE FLORAL PRINT BORDER CULOTTES, £34.00, TOPSHOP WWW.TOPSHOP.COM

GREY FAUX SUEDE CULOTTE SHORTS, £38.00, RIVER ISLAND WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM

FASHION

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2. Gilet

ilets can either be used as coats to keep your body warm from the winter, however, other styles are partly for comfort but also to add some interest to an outfit.

Wearing an eye-catching gilet is a subtle, sleeveless piece that won’t cause you to get too stuffy in the audience but will provide an ‘accessory’ type addition to your look.

3. Bold Clutch Bag

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aving a little clutch bag is such an easy little accessory that’s also extremely practical. This makes it an absolutely perfect item to carry to fashion week.

Having a huge, bulky bag will just get in the way, and it’s not necessary to take many things to the fashion shows, anyway.

A bold clutch will also draw some interest and add a little ‘something extra’ to your style to spice it up a tad.

24 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

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5. Clogs

Words: Chloe Granger

MULTI-COLOURED FLOWER EMBELLISHED BOX CLUTCH, £19.99, NEW LOOK WWW.NEWLOOK.COM

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FEATHER GILET, £95.00, TOPSHOP WWW.TOPSHOP.COM

ootwear can either make or break an outfit.

The right pair of shoes can transform the perfect outfit into a solid 10/10. Clogs, having been a historical shoe, have made a comeback, but in a more modernised way.

Although incorporating a heel, they still make comfortable yet edgy shoes which would be perfect for flaunting at fashion week.

WHITE LEATHER FRINGED CLUTCH BAG, £50.00, RIVER ISLAND WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM

NAVY SLEEVELESS WATERFALL CAPE, £35.00, RIVER ISLAND WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM

4. Capes

o, we aren’t talking about a witch’s cape here, instead an iconic garment, which has recently come back into fashion. Able to be produced in a vast array of styles, there will always be a certain type suitable for an occasion. For London Fashion Week, a patterned one would be advisable, so not to look like you’ve just shrugged on any old poncho that, for all anybody knows, could have been what you wore to bed the night before. So be sure, Amorelles, to choose a patterned, interesting cape!

HELTER LACE UP CLOGS, £35.00, TOPSHOP WWW.TOPSHOP.COM

5 Staple Trends for Autumn I

t’s that time of year when we begin to retire our summer wardrobe and replace it with some stunning autumn staples. Here at Amor we are bringing you a list of 5 trends that need to make it into your wardrobe this coming season. These key pieces will help you stay stylish and warm all at the same time. Words : Grace Donnelly

Chunky Belts

OLIVER BONAS BOX PLEAT TOP £39.50

Yes ladies you guessed it, they are back once more and who didn’t love the trend the last time it was here? Enhance your natural curves with a big bold belt to help achieve that lust after hourglass shape and maybe try adding a colour contrast to give your outfit a little extra sass.

Ribbed Knitwear

There is always a star of the show, and this autumn it’s the comfy and forgiving ribbed knitwear. This grooved clothing is a must-have wardrobe stable.

Again there are countless ways to wear and style this trend.

TOPSHOP DIP DYE RIBBED JUMPER

Pleats

Pleats are tried, tested and a much loved trend. This season there’s a huge variety and you can find your ideal staple pleat from a classic skirt to trousers and everything in between. The only problem is, there are too many to choose from!

VERY NUDE BELT £12

NEW LOOK BLACK CROC OBI BELT £12.99

DOROTHY PERKINS GOLD OBI BELT £14

OLIVER BONAS PAW PRINT PLEATED SKIRT £45 RIVER ISLAND SKIRT

FASHION EAST KHAKI PONCHO

Fur

This season expect to see lots of pom-poms inspired by 2015 AW collection from Celine.

Coats covered with intricate prints and fur are another must for this autumn. Fur is in and it’s so versatile. Include a flash of fur into you key pieces, but in a way that fits with your personal style, so whether you love a fur gilet or prefer a more minimal approach there is something out there for all of you.

JOY ALAMEDIA COAT £100 DUNE JENNY POMPON £19

FRAMED BY BVRGUNDY

Capes

This is a trend that just keeps coming back and this season capes are back in a big way!

It’s just about finding the right one for you. Another versatile staple to add to your wardrobe.

The question is how will you style it?

ELVI CAMEL CAPE

London girl, Carmen Bibbons, 22 set up @FramedByBvrgundy back in April of this year, and her cosmetic, gold-framed, statement glasses have been taking Instagram by storm.

Framed By Bvrgundy have, currently, three glasses in their collection and Miss CEO Carmen doesn’t plan to stop there. The aim is to launch a new pair of glasses every month!

26 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

HARRY’S £15 P&P £16.99 (UK)

These glasses are great quality, and the three types they currently have, are suited to different shaped faces. @FramedByBvrgundy offers its customers the option to still have the sophistication of prescription glasses without the nerd! @FramedByBvurgundy has the official Amor stamp of approval! @FramedByBvurgundy www.framedbybvrgundy. bigcartel.com

MISS SELFRIDGE BLACK CREPE CAPE

Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore AUDUREY’S £15 P&P £19.99 (UK)

CARMELITA’S £15 P&P £16.99 (UK)

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TRENDY :

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FLARED JEANS

Flares are definitely the 70’s do-over with a hint of style! Being the ultimate leg-lengthener, flared jeans balance the hips and flatter every figure. We’ve had several brands feature the flared jeans in their collection; let’s take a look!

Words : Wardah Sempa (Fashion Editor)

1. BLUE RAG & BONE JEAN BLUE HIGH-RISE FLARED JEANS £220

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2. MIH JEANS MARRAKESH FLARES JEAN BLUE £195 3. PAIGE DENIM LOU LOU FLARE JEAN IN BLUE £127 4. PAIGE DENIM BELL CANYON HIGH-RISE FLARED JEANS £200 5. RAG & BONE BELL HIGH-RISE FLARED JEANS, BLACK, WOMEN’S £215

5.

28 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

COVERSTORY

REBECCA GARTON ON MUSIC,

FUTURE PLANS AND KREPT & KONAN

Rebecca Garton Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: Face2faceM Eyelashes: Amour Lash Stylist: @everything_to_a_t_ltd Clothing: @lolokloset

30 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

COVERSTORY

Rebecca Garton Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: Face2faceM Eyelashes: Amour Lash Stylist: @everything_to_a_t_ltd Clothing: @Asos

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emember that singer whose voice was the talk of the town after featuring in Krept and Konan’s newest album ‘The Long Way Home?’ The UK based female singer Rebecca Garton had a nice catch up with Amor Magazine, where she spoke about her music career and costarring on Krept and Konan’s album.

Rebecca is without a doubt an underrated artist, her voice has such an emotional element to it that you almost feel as though you are going through what she is feeling. It wasn’t a shock when the singer responded to the question "If you could be stuck in an elevator with anyone, who would it be and why?” with: “Well if I could go back in time, it would be my dad, there are so many things I want to ask.”

She then added: “However, in this present day, Beyonce would not be a bad shout, I would ask how she does it.”

The gorgoeus singer who also has an EP coming out with Krept and Konan this November revealed that working with them was far from dull. According to the singer, “They are full of life. They believe in me and they support me. ‘I don’t know’ is definitely a very sexy song and literally was the first song I was on. I then sang the outro for ‘Fell Apart’ / ‘Lucky Ones’, Such a heartfelt song and Konan’s mum sings the intro. I love this song because it’s such a real song and talks about the struggles they went through.”

She also said “I was then asked

COVERSTORY

to do ‘Wait Up For Me’ Again a love / sexy song. Definitely one for the ladies.”

Rebecca spoke about both her songs ‘Letter to Him’ and ‘Voices’, where she revealed that her first song ‘Letter to Him’ was about her father who passed away, “it was a song about my struggle dealing with his death and questions I still ask myself.”

When speaking about her track ‘Voices’, which was written by the amazing J Warner, she said, “It’s literally about the voices in your head, and the battles, we, as individuals constantly go through, not only on the outside but within ourselves.

It’s quite an emotional song.”

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Garton, who describes herself as “fun, vibrant and full of life”, plans to do a lot more performing and tours over the next year. The UK singer discloses that she definitely wants to release more singles and an EP. The talented musician admitted that she had a lot of plans for the future (certainly more than she could talk about!). youtube.com/user/ rebeccagartonmusic twitter.com/RebeccaGarton Instagram: rebeccagartonmusic Words: Wardah Sempa

Rebecca Garton Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: Face2faceM Eyelashes: Amour Lash Stylist: @everything_to_a_t_ltd Clothing: @Asos

MUSIC

Why Nicki Minaj is Empowering “Miley, what’s good?” A sassy Nicki Minaj asked Miley Cyrus at the VMAS 2015. The annual award show always has a controversial moment. This time Nicki Minaj’s onstage confrontation of Miley Cyrus was a lot more important than people realised.

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iley Cyrus has transformed from Disney Channel’s angelic Hannah Montana into

the usual stereotype of Nicki Minaj behaving like an “angry black woman.”

34 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

Nicki & fiancé Meek Mill

a controversial singer who likes to shock. Minaj’s issue with Miley stemmed from comments she made in an interview with the New York Times where she criticised Nicki Minaj’s reaction to her video Anaconda not being nominated for VMA’s Video of the Year. Her comments boiled down to

The “angry black woman” stereotype for years has stopped a lot of black women from airing their opinions in fear of being deemed “abrasive” and “ghetto”. Nicki Minaj has continued to vocalise her opinions even though she will be demonised and we find this powerful. Minaj’s defence of her music has been inspiring. Nicki’s song Anaconda was not to my taste, but that does not take away from the message.

It’s easy to look at Anaconda and reduce it to a video that is just

Nicki & Drake Anaconda Music Video

Nicki Minaj’s recent outspokenness has been important. Nicki has stated on Twitter that “Black women influence pop culture so much but are rarely rewarded for it.” Nicki is giving attention to an important issue. It’s not only Miley Cyrus that Nicki Minaj is putting on the spot, it’s pop culture’s terrible treatment of black female creativity that is finally being criticised.

“Miley, what’s Good!?”

about backsides and male appendages. I see a woman who loves her ‘fat ass’ and sex too. It’s often forgotten that women can be empowered by many things, and sexuality is one of them.

What is wrong in celebrating that? Especially when having a big bum has not always been fashionable in the mainstream media. There are women that love sex and their body is strictly for themselves.

Black cultures have always celebrated the curvaceous physique. Women used to ask “Does my butt look big in this?” hoping to hear that it did not but now bum implants and lifters are all the rage.

Women like Kim Kardashian and Iggy Azalea have been hailed as those who made a big bum fashionable when hip-hop has championed curves since its inception. It has been a recurring factor that black culture is popular when it does not have a black face to front it. Anaconda in my eyes is a celebration of curves and namely black female curves.

The ending of Anaconda sums up the message.

Nicki Minaj gives Drake a lap dance and teases him to the fullest extent. Drake never gets to have his way with her; because it’s her body and her sexuality that SHE owns. Now, tell me how that’s not empowering?

Words : @EllaDecember

MUSIC

KA & GRM DAILY PRESENT

THE RATED AWARDS

Newcomers Bugzy Malone and Bonkaz managed to rack up two nominations each, which levelled them off with some of the scenes heavyweights including Tinie Tempah, Skepta and Ghetts who also received two nominations each.

The Personality of the Year award sees the likes of Big Narstie, KSI, Ashley Inkz, Kurupt FM, and Apple Beats 1 Presenter Julie Adenuga go head to head for the gong.

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A and GRM Daily proudly present the Rated Awards, a brand new music award ceremony to celebrate and recognise the best of British urban talent.

The idea is simple: to create a new annual music awards, voted by the fans, to give recognition to one of the UK’s most vibrant music scenes. And with weeks to go until what promises to be one of the most important nights in the urban music calendar, it’s time for the nominations to be unleashed! The categories for KA & GRM Daily’s Rated Awards have been put together in order to celebrate as many corners of urban talent as possible.

36 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

Awards to be given out on September 17 include, Best Project, Best Breakthrough, Best Producer, the KA Get Rated Award and the GRM Legacy Award. This award will be presented to an individual who has well and truly cemented their position as a real stalwart of the scene, whose back catalogue and previous success proves they are nothing short of true legendary status.

JME has been nominated across four categories, including Best Track, Best Video, Artist of the Year and Best Project for ‘Integrity’ which earlier this year peaked at number 11 in the UK album charts independently. Krept & Konan have also had a fair few nominations including Artist of the Year, Best Video and Best Project.

Fans can vote by heading over to www.ratedawards. com. All entries over 18 will also automatically get entered into a competition to win tickets to the event.

Previously announced to be performing at the awards, are Kano, Ghetts, Fekky and Bonkaz, with a whole host of other artists still be to be released. There’s also set to be special guest appearances, exclusive collaborations, award hosts, and presenters all to be announced shortly.

Words : @EllaDecember

CONCERT LISTINGS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER September: • Foo Fighters – 8th September – BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh • The Libertines – 8th September – 02 Academy, Bristol • KYGO – 8th September – The Roundhouse, London • Mumford & Sons – 27th September – Apple Music Festival 2015 Roundhouse, London, UK • Melanie Fiona - 13th September - O2 Islington • Rated Awards - 17th September • Florence and the Machine – 19th September – The NEC, Birmingham • Morrissey – 20th September – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith • James Bay – 22nd September – 02 Apollo, Manchester • The Midnight Beast – 24th September – The Underworld, Camden Town • One Direction – 24th September – 02 Greenwich, London • Sub Focus – 25th September – 02 Greenwich, London • Wolf Alice – 26th September – 02 Academy, Brixton

October: • Kisstory Anthems – 3rd October – 02 Greenwich, London • Gabrielle Aplin – October 4th – The Temple, Birmingham • Fall Out Boy – 12th October – SSE Arena, Wembley • Asap Rocky and Wiz Khalifa - 17th October - 02 Greenwich, London • Stormzy – 24th October – Manchester Gorilla, Manchester • U2 – 25th October – 02 Greenwich, London

ENTERTAINMENT

INTRODUCING

JAMILAH’S ‘BATTLEFIELD OF LOVE’

Pia Mia

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he world of music has been blessed with a new single from the singer known as Jamilah. The Newcastle-born artist’s new single ‘Battlefield of Love’ is now on SoundCloud ready for listens and downloads. The new release has already gained lots of positive attention from social media, with fans going on to like her facebook page to show their appreciation for the song and her music.

‘Battlefield of Love’ is an RnB/ Pop song with a grasping beat and stunning vocals. The positive feedback on this song has boosted Jamilah’s number of fans, helping her to increase her popularity as a singer.

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eautiful island girl Pia Mia is the next singing starlet to watch out for. Her exotic looks coupled with her enchanting voice have gained her legions of fans. Hailing from Guam, the singer has relocated to Los Angeles to take over the music industry.

At only 18, Pia Mia rose to prominence with her cover of Drake’s ‘Hold On We’re Going Home’. Pia Mia added her own quirky twist on Drake’s ballad and amassed 6 million views on YouTube. Pia Mia’s individuality has aided her rise to fame, with her fashion sense scoring her a collaboration with fashion retailer Missguided.

Pia Mia signed with Interscope Records, and released her first single for the label in May. Her single ‘Do It Again’ featured Tyga and Chris Brown and has over 20 million views on Vevo. Pia Mia is a viral sensation that has been dubbed the newest LA ‘It Girl’ and counts Kylie Jenner amongst one of her best friends.

Words : @EllaDecember

Words : Chloe Granger

38 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

KEVIN HART WHAT NOW TOUR A

ctor and all round funny man Kevin Hart is bringing his comedic talents to the UK. Next January, will see Hart travel to London and the rest of the UK on his European ‘What Now’ tour.

Following Kevin’s sold out ‘Hartbeat Weekend: All Star Comedy show’, last October there’s no doubt that this tour will be just as welcomed.

Packed with catchphrases to add to the already famous “Noooo she wasn’t ready” and “PINEAPPLES”, I’m sure Kevin won’t disappoint his audience.

Be sure to secure your place and get your tickets from www. ticketmaster. co.uk Words : Monique Haase

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Must-See Theatre Shows for September Gypsy

Matilda : The Musical

When: Until November 28th Where: Savoy Theatre Covent Garden, London WC2R 0ET Plot: Based on the true life memoirs of legendary burlesque entertainer, Gypsy Rose Lee, this musical focuses on stage-struck Mamma Rose Hovick and her grand plans for her two daughters whilst trekking across America.

When: Showing till further notice Where: Cambridge Theatre, Soho, London, W1D 7DY Plot: A very musical adaptation of the much loved children’s book by Roald Dahl

Kinky Boots

Into the Hoods: REMIXED

Hangmen When: Showing till 10th October 2015 Where: Royal Court Theatre Solane Square London SW1W 8AS Plot: Hangmen tells the story of Harry, the second best hangman in England, on the very day that hanging is abolished. In a small pub, many await to hear what Harry’s thoughts are on the news. But not everyone in the pub has that motive.

Ushers: The Front House Musical When: Showing till 18th Ocober 2015 Where: The Arts Theatre Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 8DP Plot: Follows a working shift in the lives of the front of house staff, portraying the hilarious, ridiculous and frequently moving stories of ice cream and programme sellers who dare to dream.

When: 23 Oct-14th Nov Where: Peacock Theatre Portugal Street, London WC2A 2HT Plot: This latest adaptation of the popular musical Into the Woods, takes on a 2015 street theme. This play follows two lost school children who have been tasked to find an iPod touch as white as milk, trainers as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and some weave as yellow as corn.

When: Showing till Sat 6th Feb 2016 Where: Adelphi Theatre Strand, London WC2E 7NA Plot: Inspired by a true story and based on the 2005 British film of the same name, this musical follows a son’s journey from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan in the company of a stilettoed performer called Lola.

Lela & Co When: Showing till 3rd Oct 2015 Where: Royal Court Theatre, Solane Square, London SW1W 8AS Plot: In the beginning was the mattress. Gradually, other little changes – more bolts on the front door; the gun; the locked cupboard. And she knew in her heart that change was bad.

The story of a young girl trapped in an increasingly tiny world.

Researched : Monique Haase

ENTERTAINMENT

FILM RELEASES Researched : Amy Taylor

The Perfect Guy Maze Runner: Scorch Trials

Genre: Thriller Starring: Michael Ealy, Sanaa Lathan and Morris Chestnut.

Release date: Friday 11th September

Genre: Action/Sci-fi Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas BrodieSangster and Aidan Gillen Release Date: Friday 18th September.

Synopsis: Leah finds herself caught in a sexually-charged courtship with handsome stranger Carter, when she discovers his violent side and ends the relationship, Carter acts out a plan of revenge.

The Intern

Synopsis: The Gladers return with a new challenge - The Scorch - after escaping the maze they must explore this new desolate world in an effort to uncover the truth about the organisation WCKD.

Genre: Comedy Starring: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Nat Wolff Release date: Friday 25th September Synopsis: 70-year-old Ben decides to get back into work seizing an opportunity to work as a senior intern at a online fashion site, proving your never too old to experience something new.

40 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

EMPIRE RETURNS Season 2 of the Empire will air on U.S television on 23rd September 2015 at 9pm and the buzz is already huge!

The musical TV drama series originally aired on the Fox Channel in January 2015 and is loosely based on the production entitled ‘The Lion in Winter’, by the critically acclaimed writer James Goldman.

business known as “show”, in particular depicting the highs and lows of running a musical empire. There is no shortage of cross words, catchy songs, fabulous costumes, witty one liners and the occasional bumping off an enemy! It really is quite fascinating and I was hooked on Season 1 so, I am eagerly anticipating big things for Season 2!!

Created by Lee Daniels {Precious} and Danny Strong {Game Change}, Empire charts the trials and tribulations of the

Receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike, Empire stars two Hollywood favourties;

the much-loved actress Taraji P Henson {Person of Interest, Think Like A Man, Baby Boy} as ‘Cookie’, a lead role, alongside award-winning actor Terrence Howard {Hustle & Flow, Iron Man} as ‘Lucious Lyon’, also a lead role.

While the Americans literally count down the days until it’s return, the Brits will have to await the E4 release date to find out what will become of the Empire.

Words : Charley Jai | @msCJ80

Steve Jobs Genre: Biography Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen.

Release date: Friday 9th October Synopsis: Fassbender embodies the visionary that was Steve Jobs in the true story of the life of the Apple CEO, exploring the trials and triumphs of the modern day genius.

Legend

Suffragette Genre: Drama Starring: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Meryl Streep and Ben Whishaw.

Release date: Wednesday 23rd October Synopsis: Intense drama exploring the trials and tribulations of the early feminist movement as woman underwent drastic actions to allow for their own rights and freedom.

Genre: Crime/Thriller Starring: Thomas Hardy, Emily Browning and Taron Egerton Release date: Friday 2nd October Synopsis: Thomas Hardy takes on the role of identical twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray in a documentation of the most notorious criminals in British history.

Pan Genre: Adventure Starring: Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Amanda Seyfried and Cara Delevingne Release date: Friday 9th October Synopsis: Pan follows a young orphan in his adventures in Neverland where he runs into danger, has fun and becomes the hero we know today as Peter Pan. An exciting prequel to the classic tale.

LIFESTYLE

Why is Great Britain not entering a women’s football team into the 2016 Olympics?

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42 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

015 has been an explosive year for women’s football.

During the World Cup we have been treated to some highly impressive sport from some fantastic athletes.

Women’s involvement in football now stretches beyond the term ‘WAGS’ and that looks set to stay. In spite of the World Cup games being scheduled late at night and in the early hours of the morning, they attracted huge audiences. There is no doubt that the England ladies have become a force to be reckoned with. Don’t believe me? Perhaps you should reconsider. In 2015, Steph Houghton has led the England ladies to become the most successful England football team since Bobby Moore’s 1966 World Champions. So why is it that despite their huge success, the FA is refusing to enter a women’s football team to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics?

What better way to promote sport, challenge misconceptions and inspire young people than by showcasing the talent our country has to offer on the Olympic stage? Not only is there a necessity for sport to be encouraged, our country is hungry for women’s sporting events, as more than 2 million of us, men and women alike, tuned in to watch England play France during the World Cup. What more proof do we need that there is a market for women’s sporting fixtures in the mainstream? Even the BBC was quick to pick up on the public’s taste for the game, as they broadcast every single England match live, a huge leap from 2011, when only the final was aired on television.

Female participation in sport on both a professional and

amateur basis remains fragile.

There is evidence to suggest that despite their successes, the FA still have a lack of respect for female footballers. This was drawn to the public’s attention this week by a patronising tweet posted on the FA’s official Twitter account, stating that the players could ‘go back to being mothers, partners and daughters’, implying that the woman’s place is in the home, not on the football field.

Would the FA ever tweet about sportsmen returning to being ‘fathers, partners and sons’ after reaching the World Cup semifinal? Rather than returning to what the FA presumably perceive as ‘normality’, the team spent this week meeting David Cameron and eating breakfast at Kensington Palace with Prince William. So much for shrinking back into domestic

roles. The England ladies clearly have a habit of exceeding expectations.

Unfortunately, the lack of support for women’s sport is worsened by the (incorrect) stereotype that it is less exciting than the male equivalent.

Although I have to say, I would challenge anyone who still stands by this stereotype after watching Carli Lloyd’s iconic goal from the halfway line, which certainly rivalled the likes of Beckham and Rooney.

In my mind, by the end of the tournament there was no question that the women’s game is any less gripping than the men’s.

From a financial perspective, women’s sport still lags behind men’s. For example, the prize money for a women’s team who win the World Cup is approximately £1.2m, a meagre fraction of the whopping £22m awarded to the men’s winning team. Similarly, the Cricket World Cup awards male champions £2.5m and women just £47,000. Arguably, the fault is in the vast sums awarded to the men’s teams rather than the comparably small amounts received by female winners - it’s hard to believe that footballer’s wages were ever capped at £20 a week! If it’s not the sums that are a problem, then it’s the gap between the amounts. The huge pay gap is a demonstration of the value

placed in the players and the future of the sport. Funding and sponsorship is vital for the women’s game to progress.

And it’s not just money which demonstrates the gap in men and women’s sport.

Participation at a grassroots level is disappointingly low. According to a study conducted by Sport England, ‘8.63 million boys aged sixteen or over (40.6%) played sport once a week’ compared to only ‘6.86 million females (30.7%)’. These figures are a shameful reflection of a nation disengaged with sport. Sport should be a fundamental and rewarding part of British culture, not something for the minority.

Surely it is the responsibility of corporations such as the FA to combat these embarrassing statistics? Not ‘cultivate’ them by showing a lack of support for British teams.

In the aftermath of the FIFA scandals, at a time when football has been marred by corruption, I think it’s time that we embraced some positivity and worked to regain people’s faith in the sport. Women’s football is at a turning point.

The FA should be taking every opportunity to promote the sport and inspire young people.

Without funding, support and the attention of governing bodies like the FA, women’s football will be unable to continue to flourish and entertain the masses. The Olympics provide a huge, international platform and it is extremely complacent of the FA to disregard it.

Even if the England ladies will be absent from Rio, I hope that they will continue to fight the misconceptions surrounding women’s sports and triumph in the face of adversity, inspiring young people and representing our country. I for one am very proud of our team and what they have achieved.

Words : Katie Baxter

Gilly Flaherty Interview NAME: GILLY FLAHERTY AGE: 23 TEAM: CHELSEA FC (FA CUP HOLDERS) Why did you choose football as a career path?

“It was around the age of 13/14 when I got offered the chance to go to college and play football as part of Arsenal Ladies academy that I realised I could potentially have football as a career aswell.

Never did I dream I would be a professional though.”

LIFESTYLE

even in general conversation they know quite a bit about our players and results etc. The more successful we are the more people are going to want to watch, but the quality has to be there.”

How do you feel about GB not entering a women’s Football team in the 2016 Olympics?

“It’s disappointing after the success of the ladies team in the London Olympics. But it’s something that I guess is out of our hands.”

Tell us a bit more about winning the FA cup?

44 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

“It was incredible. I’ve won it 5 times before with Arsenal but this one felt different. We had to really graft and fight for it this year after facing both Arsenal and Man City in the quarter finals and semi finals.

To be able to be a part of the first team to win something for Chelsea Ladies is something I’ll never forget.”

How do you feel about the extreme differentiation between men’s pay and women’s pay in Football?

“It’s something that I don’t really think will ever change, not whilst I’m playing anyways. Obviously we are full time professionals so we are being supported more by clubs and I’ll always be in debt to Chelsea for providing me with my first full time contract

but there’s still a massive gap in pay structures.”

What changes would you like to see in women’s Football in the next 5 years?

“More money coming into the game so that both our league and the WSL 2 (league below ours) is full time professional too.

That would be great. Would be ledge to get more of our games on television too!”

Do you think women's football will ever be respected in the same manner as male’s Football?

“I think you have to look at women’s football as its own sport. The girls did brilliant in the World Cup this year coming home with a bronze medal and the way it’s been supported at home by everyone has been incredible. More people are recognising the sport now and

It is said that only 30% aged 16+ women play a sport once or more times a week – do you think it is important for women to participate in a sport?

And if so why?

“100%, even if not competitively but just for your general wellbeing. I run my own free fitness club for my local community and we get about 30-35 women a week (men are too scared to come and join haha).. But the women love the social element of it too and enjoy being around each other.

It’s great fun!”

If you were stuck on an island with 3 people whom would you pick and why?

“Does my dog barley count as a person? Haha.. I’d take Beyoncé so she could sing me a song every night before bed and I’d take Bear Grylls so he could cook me my food everyday! Ha.”

CREAM

REVIEW

Location: 31 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EY Hours: Weekdays 8am – 4pm / Weekends 10am – 5pm

A must-go café for simple fresh foods and good vibes - REVIEWED

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ith CREAM’s garage/warehouse exterior, this ideal place to grab a casual breakfast, brunch or a coffee could easily be overlooked. We went for Saturday brunch, and the atmosphere was lively. There is a laptop ban on weekends, which promotes their weekend moto – ‘Brunch & Vibe!” which I really enjoyed.

We sat down on very cool seats at a wooden table and appreciated the simplicity of the interior – tall ceilings, white walls, construction material made into furniture, an open plan kitchen (always my favourite set up), a plethora of plants, friendly and courteous staff, and upbeat music contributing to the feel-good factor this café promotes.

Luckily, we went to CREAM on a sunny day, so got to see CREAM’s new large inviting open doors in full swing. These doors enabled those indoors and out to mix seamlessly, bringing the vibrant Shoreditch street scene into the café.

The menu at CREAM changes up to 3 times a week, allowing dishes to be made with seasonal fresh ingredients – My dining partner and I had Bubble and Squeak, Salmon and Scrambled

Egg on Toast, fresh Green Juice and Espresso. For dessert we had a portion of large Strawberries to share, Carrot Cake and Blueberry Victoria Sponge Cake (yea… I know…) and we were truly satisfied.

The food tasted fresh, big portions and very nicely presented.

Recent dishes included: • Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus and Parmesan; • Beef Skewers with Yoghurt, Chilli and Pomegranate; • Smoked Mackerel Pate on Toast; • Chorizo and Tomato Ragu with wild Garlic Pesto; • Oyster Mushrooms with Comte on Toast; • Fig, Stilton and Hazelnut Salad Sandwiches, Salads, Yogurts and Pastries are freshly prepared, ready to grab-and-go for those in a hurry.

A must-go café for simple fresh foods and good vibes.

Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore

LIFESTYLE

HONOR OAK RESTAURANT

REVIEW

Location: 1 Saint German’s Road, London SE23 1RH

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he Honor Oak is a new British Gastro Pub located in the thriving Forest Hill area of South London, serving high quality traditional pub food. If you are in to wine, this is the eatery for you, with over 300 fine wines and cocktails to choose from. On arrival at the Honor Oak pub we were greeted by friendly staff and seated in the dining area that overlooked the chefs at work – I always appreciate the option to see my food being prepared; this is always a good sign.

Potato Salad and Mustard Chive Crème Fraiche and my dining partner ordered; Seared Scottish Scallops served with Cauliflower Puree, Crisp Pancetta and Black Pudding. The presentation of the two starters was what you would expect from a 5 star Michelin restaurant. The combination of ingredients for the starters really worked and the mixture of tastes complimented one another.

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The reminder that we were in a pub came gushing in when our mains arrived! My guest and I, both ordered Rib-Eye Steak which came with Roast Tomato, Portobello Mushroom, Onion Rings, and Chunky Chips! We also ordered all three sauces that were available; Peppercorn, Béarnaise, and the Wild Mushroom Sauce. The mains were huge and stuffed us – so please come with empty stomachs ladies! I ordered my Steak medium and it was cooked to perfection – my favourite sauce was the heavenly Béarnaise.

The restaurant is pretty; with its olive green walls, a sunflower placed in a pot on each table and the evening sun beaming blissfully onto my cranberry juice.

The restaurant has a fantastic skylight centrepiece, which would look a treat on a clear night when the stars are out. The menu is reasonably priced, and the pub section civilized!

The Honor Oak offers presentable toilets with a full-length mirror, which encourages social media interaction – ideal for you Amorelles who like to take a pic at any opportunity!

For starters, we selected Smoked & Roasted Salmon that was served with Pink Fire Apple

For dessert, we went with the pub classics - Apple & Blackberry Crumble and a Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream. The Apple Crumble was one of the best I’ve had, just the right sweetness and enough crumble!

The Honor Oak offers the option to dine in its beautifully crafted beer garden and terrace, which would be ideal for a casual Summer lunch or dinner.

Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore

ROYAL CHINA RESTAURANT

REVIEW Location: 5 Fulham Rd, London SW6 5HE

T

he hottest day of the year thus far found my dining partner (DP) and myself in the Royal China Dim Sum restaurant on the Fulham Road.

The restaurant is the smallest in the Royal China group which has restaurants in Canary Wharf, Marylebone, Harrow and Bayswater. The Fulham restaurant has a relaxed feel – there’s even a patio at the rear – but the food, however, is in no way compromised by the casual ambience of this charming restaurant.

Our meal began with the Dim Sum Seafood Platter. We were presented with eight steamed Dim Sum, one each of four different fillings; including, scallop, prawn, prawn with coriander, and prawn with chive. These little parcels full of flavour and texture were excellent – don’t be fooled into thinking dumplings to start an eating experience would be t o o filling ladies – not in the least, these little darlings help to get the taste buds going and so “the party started!”

We asked our excellent waitress to select our main dishes, which I have found always a good move in any restaurant. The staff know their menus and know which dishes work well together they will also endeavour to make your dining a good experience, so please don’t be shy!

Our waitress selected two of Royal China’s signature dishes: Dried Chill Chicken, and Season Greens cooked with garlic and ginger – both were really excellent. We also had Crispy Shredded Beef, Seafood Ud-on Noodle, and Squid in Black Bean Sauce.

We both (that is my DP and myself) thought the dishes were really, really good – tasty and well presented. The Shredded Beef was served in an edible birds nest made with finely spun prawn crackers! The dishes were generous in size - in fact the four dishes would have fed three hungry adults. We requested Jasmine Tea, which is considered by many t o be one of the best drinks to accompany Chinese Cuisine. There was no pressure from waiting staff wanting to remove dishes not finished – so take your time girls!

Finally the dessert menu; although not extensive, was perfectly adequate offering a good range of sweet treats to complete the meal. I ordered Mango Sorbet and my DP went for the Deep Fried Red Bean Pastry which was surprisingly light.

The menu overall was good, offering both dishes and ingredients familiar to the western palette, as well as those offering a more Eastern experience.

Royal China Fulham really does come highly recommended for fine Chinese dining – enjoy!

Words : Jackie Jones

LIFESTYLE

HOW TO WERK YOUR WORK LIKE A

B.A.D.A.S.S What are the underlying qualities that lead to success?

How does one ‘werk’ one’s work? Here’s what I’ve figured out: when it comes to your job, werking it is less about the style and ALL about the swag.

Words : Yazmin Joy Vigus | @yazminjoy | www.aliljoy.com

Here are 6 B.A.D.A.S.S. steps to elevate your career and shine in the work place:

1. Beliefs

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hat do you believe? What are your core values? Are you consistent with these values in and out of the work place?

Do you believe in YOURSELF?

Our deeper values and beliefs can direct us as we navigate our careers. Loyalty, kindness, serving others, integrity - these are leadership qualities that can empower you with conviction and focus. When you are planted in beliefs that enrich your life there is zero room for haters and less chance of giving up. *Finger snap*

48 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

‘When nobody celebrates you, learn to celebrate yourself. When nobody else compliments you, then compliment yourself. It’s not up to other people to keep you encouraged. It’s up to you.

Encouragement should come from the inside.’

Joel Osteen

2. Attitude

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emember: attitude determines altitude.

Life is hard enough, so don’t make it harder by walking around with a face like you’ve been slapped. Having a good attitude - even when you don’t feel like it - will set you apart and will improve your work relationships.

A recent study by Harvard University revealed that 85% of advancements in the work place were down to strong relationships as opposed to skill. Whether you call it ‘emotional intelligence’ or ‘soft skills’, in order to werk your work you need to invest in your relationships and this all starts with your attitude.

3. Direction

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ore specifically ONE DIRECTION. Not four directions. Not a multitude of directions. I’m talkin’ Harry Styles in ripped jeans, tats and shaggy hair - with product in it!

What I’m trying to say is that it’s important to self-assess and ponder the direction you are taking in your career from time to time. If you are progressing at something that takes you away from your goal - you’ve gone off course. Once you know your direction, be committed to the path you have decided to follow.

4. Adaptability

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hen I make a plan I like to stick to it, damn it! But rigid planning doesn’t always lead to great results. Humans are adaptable creatures, but all too often we get stuck in habits that hold us back. The realty is, being adaptable is key to werking it.

‘Successful thinking is based on flexible and adaptable thinking.’ Professor Steve Peters

5. Schedule

I

have this amazing book that tells me what to do with my life. It’s called my Filofax. (Retro, I know.)

Creating a working schedule and writing it down, provides structure to your days and helps you be more efficient with your time. Sounds simple right? But without a working schedule it’s so easy to procrastinate.

Planning your days in advance helps boost productivity and efficiency. It also gives you the opportunity to set aside time to invest in long term goals and ultimately get more shit done.

6. Switching Off

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re you a work-junkie? They say you should never leave your laptop on constant charge. Why? Because it burns the battery.

Similarly, when you are constantly wired to your work and don’t take time to disconnect - guess what? You are burning YOUR battery.

This can contribute to chronic-stress and lead to serious physical and emotional health problems in the long term. Don’t do it, man!

Werking it is not really about how you choose to work but rather how you choose to live. The life choices that give you the edge and open the doors of opportunity.

LIFESTYLE

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF

ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE? The power of artificial intelligence is a mystery, which has both entertained and stumped us for years. Some of the most popular films and books of all time like Star Wars and the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy revolve around ‘clever’ technology. Channel 4’s new drama ‘Humans’ does not buck the trend. The series explores the danger of blurred lines between robots and people and it is the biggest hit drama on C4 in twenty years. So why are we so fascinated by the phenomena of artificial intelligence?

How long will it be until the robots in ‘Humans’ become a reality? And could artificial intelligence even overtake human intellect?

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50 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

s we become more and more dependent on technology, artificial intelligence is engulfing our everyday lives. The reliance we have on artificial intelligence is easy to forget.

Artificial intelligence forms the basis of rafts of medical equipment, most modes of transport and countless industrial tools. Almost all of us carry phones with apps to answer questions and keep us organised. Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly become a hugely important part of our routine and it’s difficult to imagine a world without it.

There is nothing implausible about robots replacing people. In ‘Humans’, robots – known as ‘synths’ – have become the newest technological fad and they are able to complete complex, household chores, like shopping and cooking. Like all good drama, ‘Humans’ raises questions. What level of responsibility are we willing to give machines?

The series conveys technology’s upsides and downsides. Although we’d all like to have somebody (or something) to fill our dishwashers for us, I imagine the vast majority of us wouldn’t want robots to replace us in the workplace. For many, this nightmare has already become a reality and it will happen to many more.

New technology such as Jibo, ‘the world’s first social robot’ is able to teach languages and tell stories. Will this leave teachers without jobs and parents without responsibilities? The Jibo robot can operate its camera independently, hold a conversation, interpret body language and can even order a take away. Inventions like Jibo make it easy to imagine that in the not-so-distant future

we could all be living with our very own robot human.

‘Humans’ also questions whether robots should be entitled to have the same rights as people.

The idea of machines feeling emotion may seem unlikely at first, but as robots become more and more advanced, this could soon be a reality. Japanese company ‘Softbank’ released ‘Pepper’ in June, a humanoid which can learn from conversations, understand facial expressions and interpret tone of voice. The robot sold out in less than a minute. Not only is there potential

for emotionally advanced technology, there is also huge demand, making the question of whether artificially intelligent robots should be entitled to ‘human’ rights even more relevant.

REALITY GONE MAD!

So when will robots overtake us and be more intelligent than humans? According to the experts, we can expect artificial intelligence to have excelled our own by 2029. They will be able to learn from experiences, make jokes and even flirt, meaning that some of the behaviour displayed by ‘synths’ in ‘Humans’ is what we can expect to be seeing in less than 15 years’ time. Scary, right?

The progression of artificial intelligence is inevitable.

Our society is hungry for technological advancement, no matter what the consequences may be. We like technology, so long as it doesn’t get creepy. We want to be in control - we don’t want to be controlled. We don’t want to be fooled by the fake.

One thing is certain, if there’s a market for human robots, they will be made. In the meantime, I suspect ‘Humans’ can give us glimmer of what is to come.

Words: Katie Baxter

A

ll things ‘reality’ have quite literally taken the world by storm! TV programmes such as ‘Big Brother’, ‘Love Island’, ‘TOWIE’, ‘Made in Chelsea’ {MIC}, ‘I’m a Celebrity’, ‘The Apprentice’, ‘Judge Judy’, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ and many more dominate the media / entertainment industries. With Instagram, Snap Chat and other such social media apps on the rise too, it seems more than most have become overly interested in who has shared the best selfie online, or the latest shenanigans in the lives of Vas J Morgan {TOWIE}, or Lucy Watson {MIC} than key headlines about important issues such as the case of Sandra Bland!

What is the appeal of the ‘reality’ culture? Will the ‘reality’ hype end up having a negative impact around the world? Will there be regrettable long-term implications from the wave of ‘reality’ projects currently on trend? Or, is the culture of ‘reality’ TV and branding a good thing?

What we know for sure is that ‘reality’ TV is a huge moneymaker however, its popularity remains a mystery! Far from educational, programmes such as ‘TOWIE’ and ‘Made in Chelsea’ seek to entertain by exploiting the insecurities and vulnerability of the cast none of whom seem remotely bothered by that... I wonder though, are we raising a generation of tech dependent, Google searching, procrastinating, ‘reality’ TV addicts who will make for a very unhealthy future by replacing informative, thought-provoking programmes and documentaries with scripted ‘real’ life drama that has no real likeness to our own?

Love it or loathe it, the likes of ‘Seven Days With’ and ‘Geordieshore’ attract audiences worldwide and any products released {sold to an audience who are apparently broke} rake in thousands! Our TVs are saturated with this new-age content; even I tune in on the basis that such programmes are actually the best on at the time I may sit down to watch TV. My main concern is: What affect will it all have on the younger generation who are being raised in this watery culture of anything {mostly without any substance} goes?

LIFESTYLE A balance is needed. Bring back BBC Luther, programmes exploring the work that goes into producing a magazine, documentaries on the focus of how to start your own business etc... Let’s get back to being a nation; a world where formal education is the main purpose.

After all, knowledge not being up to date with the latest trend, is power!

Words : Charley Jai | @msCJ80

TO TINDER OR NOT TO TINDER...

I have a mixed bunch of friends. And I pride myself in it. Musicians, stockbrokers, budding fashion journalists, corporate event planners, nurses – the list goes on. Some are straight, some are bisexual some are gay, some aren’t sure. Some are single some aren’t. The common denominator? Most of them use Tinder.

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52 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

etworking and maintaining friendships takes effort, especially if you’re sprawled throughout the country. One of the benefits however is, always having new news. The promotion news, the new flat news, the I’m-now-into-yoga news.

What always undoubtedly comes up however, is the ‘so, who are you dating?’ question. Every. Single. Time. (If you’ll pardon the pun, in my case.)

The reality for me is I have an uncanny relationship with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and actors from my favourite films and TV shows.

My actual verbal answer, as in, the answer that actually leaves my mouth so I don’t come across as ‘she-must-own-thirty-two-

cats insane?’ ‘No one, I’m not dating. I don’t really have the time.’ Which is also true.

The reactions can be diverse.

One friend laughed after my declaration for a bit, and said, ‘but seriously though, who are you dating?’ I had to reaffirm my singleness multiple times for it to be actively believed, which is on the one hand flattering in one sense, but on closer inspection either infers I am a secretive hussy, or disbelief that I could be that boring. My brows furrowed.

However, no matter what reaction I receive from my friends upon my non-existent love life at the moment, the ultimate destination of the conversation ends at the door of Tinder, and I’m given a full demonstration. After long discussions, hassling and even

in one case bribing, I signed up and gave myself a two week challenge to do it, and here’s in a nutshell what I think the pros and the cons are of Tinder...

TO TINDER One good thing about Tinder - it acknowledges the importance of chemistry.

Whilst I believe chemistry is an intricate balance of personality and charisma as well as looks, Tinder adopts the primal instinct of dating – hot or not. Whilst people write this off as being ‘superficial’ and ‘shallow’, at the end of the day, looks actually can be biologically important. The umbrella of looks, also, is the little things; eyes that smile, a cheeky grin, a sprinkling of freckles. There needs to be something sexually attractive about someone to satisfy the physical elements of a relationship, and it shouldn’t be entirely written off.

Another superficial benefit - is a confidence boost, shallow as it may seem, used sparingly and with caution, Tinder can give a little confidence boost, particularly to those who haven’t been in the dating game for a while. Cynics who rebuff Tinder as narcissistic need only recognise that whether it is someone offering to buy you a drink at a bar, smiling at you in a café, or swiping right on Tinder, the result of short term flattery is produced from all three situations. Someone finds you attractive.

In this world of technology, meeting people couldn’t be easier. It’s convenient. It’s quick with the swiping; it’s accessible to all and it saves you time. Much like Internet dating, sometimes genuinely pleasant people have exhausted their network already of potential romantic interests and need to cast their net wider. Affirming whom you find attractive with one effortless

cruel swipe, it matches you with someone who thinks you’re attractive and the floodgates of communication are indeed opened. Exciting!

NOT TO TINDER A negative - There’s always the risk of getting some creeps, the type of creeps who drop all social etiquette and sound totally filthy, in the style of Jay from the Inbetweeners, but with less humour. I suppose, it comes with the territory – no one forces you to use Tinder and you are in total control of who you message or reply to.

The annoying profiles - From duck faces to cliff faces, the profile photos range from the grainy to the look-at-me-I’ve-travelled (guilty). The biographies also differ, varying from genuinely interesting, but in the most case minimalistic, denoting simply height, location, or their Snapchat account. Nothing going on of interest there, and then you will find the profiles that whilst honest, can be downright crass and forthright stating needs and wants. (I’m sure you can guess what needs and wants.)

Another drawback is that Tinder is often used for quick one-night stands or gaze from afar admiration. Few people I know have actually braved it and met up with any of their matches, and those I know who have are comfortable with the fact that it was an easy fix with no strings attached. To be taken seriously as a dating app would only bring disappointment – most on Tinder I would say aren’t participating for the committed and meaningful, but that is me just generalising. I’d recommend giving it a go, deleting your account is incredibly easy, and nothing is shared on other social media sites.

LOVE & SEX

COSY SPOTS FOR FIRST DATES

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othing gets your nerves running like a first date, they are the most bizarre things because we never know quite what to expect from them. Some first dates can be terrible and awkward whereas others can be romantic and sweet. However, if there is one thing I have learnt from first dates it’s that they give you a rough expectation of what your relationship will eventually be like.

For example, my current boyfriend and I went on

a first d a t e to an ice cream parlour before heading to a pub. We now spend most of our days eating junk food whilst watching Netflix and drinking alcoholic beverages. My friend’s first date however, involved a dinner, romantic stroll by the beach and him walking her home. They now spend most of their days out and about and performing small romantic gestures for each other. So gentlemen, use this as a lesson, when you plan your first date

54 | AMOR SEPT/OCT 15

1. Walking A great way to get to know someone is in an outdoor environment as it takes a lot of the pressure off, rather than sitting opposite one another scrambling to find things to talk about. You could try a walk around one of your favourite places, show your partner where you grew up and help them understand more about you, or even go to a park have a wander before settling down for a cuppa tea or if you’re feeling adventurous maybe even a picnic. Just don’t try a Joey Essex and take your partner to the dump, it’s not a good idea.

think about the long term effect, if you take a girl out and wine and dine her she’s going to expect to be treated romantically for a long time afterwards, whereas take her for ice cream and beer and she won’t care when you’re spending your Friday night binge watching Orange is the New Black. However, to help you lot out below is a list of a range of first date ideas perfect for every type of couple from the lazy to the romantics - we’ve got it covered.

Words : Amy Taylor

2. Brunch For many, dinner is a safe first date option, it’s a typical idea. However, dinner involves spending all day thinking about you’re date so by the time you get there you’re a bag of nerves. Also after dinner there is that awkward moment when you both know you need to go home but neither of you want to leave. With brunch however, you get up early and go, so less time to stress, you are under no pressure to order a large meal so if the date goes badly you can eat and run easily. On the other hand, if you’re enjoying each other’s company you can always spend the afternoon together.

3. Theatre or a Gig First dates help you know if you have similar interests as your partner so taking them on a date to see a band you both enjoy or to see a show you both love reinforces how similar you two are. It’ll help reduce awkward conversations as you can talk about your common interest of the show or gig, also when the band or show begins you won’t be able to talk so won’t have to fill too many awkward silences.

4. Outdoor Movie The cinema is a pretty standard first date, you both sit there watch a film and don’t have any conversation; for many it’s perfect. However, something that in recent years has become more popular in England is outdoor cinemas. It’s a great alternative as it shows you’re not going on a normal date but a special one. Just ensure you don’t channel your inner Danny Zuko as you may end up stranded at the drive in.

LOVE & SEX

THE POTENTIAL NEW BOYFRIEND EQUATION: YOU DO THE MATH

CH3 + X-Factor = POTENTIAL NEW BOYFRIEND

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ick of chumps putting you in the dumps? Dating is all about figuring out whether you and the other person are compatible, right?! But how do you know when you’re on the right tracks and not heading down the demon drop? What are the truly important qualities to look out for? How far are you willing to go in giving someone the benefit of the doubt before you turn around and say: ‘hey hey hey back up Mr. That’s not how I roll?’

One minute you’re happy getting your groove owwwn to some sick beats at your local discotheque, the next your crying down the phone to your mum wishing you’d never bought those silk sheets.

I was mindlessly meandering around the supermarket looking at different kinds of ham in my pajama bottoms when I realized I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!! I can’t keep entering a relationship a happy and confident person and then leaving it a walking car crash, only to rebuild myself and then end up embarking on the whole sodding process all over again.

I was totting up the estimated total in my shopping

basket when it occurred to me, in a math’s equation you can only get a right or wrong answer, yes? If only relationships were that simple.

And then the idea fell upon me like a ripe rosy apple from the tree of good sense. KAPLONK! It’s all down to the maths! When confronted with a Potential New Boyfriend you gotta ask yourself: Is everything adding up as it should?

There is something I would like to share with you my reader-friend, a little formula I have come to know as;

THE POTENTIAL NEW BOYFRIEND EQUATION CH3 + X-Factor = POTENTIAL NEW BOYFRIEND Okay looks a bit complicated but hear me out….

Let me introduce you to the CH3 aka the C TRIPLE H. CONFIDENCE, HUMILITY, HUMOUR and HEART. (Intelligence is kind of a given.)

Confidence

Simple.

Confidence doesn’t mean being the life and soul of the party or walking around with your shirt off on a hot day. By confidence I’m thinking more along the lines of self-worth.

Someone who is secure in who he is. Strives for independence, financial or other. A fella who thinks for himself, you know?! No scrubs please.

This isn’t the locate-the-ideal-man Equation. No-one’s perfect after all. Instead the point of The Potential New Boyfriend Equation is to help remind us of the basic values to look out for when dating someone new. It’s about raising the standards. It was also devised to help one distinguish who is NOT a good Potential Boyfriend, so one does not procrastinate with life and wake up one morning with sticky pop tart pieces stuck in one’s hair along a massive hangover, wondering where the past 6 months of my, er I mean ‘one’s’, life has gone.

Humility Humility is about being humble and respectful to the people in his life. It’s about outward thinking.

Humour Doesn’t every girl just want a guy she can laugh with? Gotta love some banter.

In the words of Madonna: ‘Don’t go for second best baby, put your love to the test…’

Words : Yazmin Joy Vigus | @yazminjoy | www.aliljoy.com

IS HE USING ME? – SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Heart A dude who shows compassion, generosity, kindness… Having a heart doesn’t mean being a push over…. it’s a strength not a weakness.

The C Triple H are general but vital qualities that are the building blocks of a strong and healthy relationship. Why? Because these are the attributes that I wanna party with, go on holiday with, grow old with…. these are the qualities I r-e-sp-e-c-t (and yes I did do an Aretha.)

The X Factor Now, as well as the C Triple H a Potential New Boyfriend also needs the X-Factor. And I’m not talking about singing in tight leather trousers on national television. The X Factor is the sizzling chemistry… the bubbling biology… the magnetism… the sexuaaal allure.. that je ne se quoi…

Without the X-Factor the C Triple H is redundant. And that’s it!

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ow do you know If you’re being used or not? He is saying and doing all the right things; texting you throughout the day, taking you out and giving you mind blowing sex and pillow talk - it is like being in bed with Drake whispering sweet nothings in your ear.

It took me a year; one might ask why the hell I stuck around for a year? Well… Let me explain my love story with Mr. Z. The sex was good and so was the pillow talk. He made

me laugh and even listened to my moaning and groaning outside of the bedroom about work. On paper, this guy seems like he was into me, but let me highlight the ‘deal breaker’ signs I noticed that ultimately led me to send Mr. Z packing.

1. Commitment.

H

e displayed no signs of wanting to commit to me or me to commit to him for that matter. He wanted the benefits of me being around him, but without making him mine. I believe men are like

LOVE & SEX animals, dare I say it! Now before you shoot me, let me explain – you wouldn’t see a Lioness get close and personal with a new lion and then go back to her original Lion without there being some conflict!

2. Avoiding questions that require a YES or NO answer

M

r. Z loved to take one question and turn it into a whirlwind conversation.

Most girls are the first to ask where any relationship is going and that is natural; we are mature adults who like to know what is going on in our lives. Being the structured average girl in her mid twenties, I have no time to waste dating those who cannot be in or part of my future. Which leaves me asking my one-year mystery man the simple question; when are you going to make me your girlfriend?

that you are not Mrs. Right, but more - Ms. Right Now.Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way, luckily through good friends, a few pep talks and soul searching, I let go of the empty vessel I was giving myself to –Through my experienced I want you, yes YOU to learn from this, love rat traits are easy to detect once you are aware of what they are. Never let anyone lose sight of your worth and that includes you.

Words : Paige Russell, Love & Sex Editor

SEXUAL HEALTH THE COPPER COIL

Now ladies if your man cannot provide you with a positive answer such as “I didn’t think you were ready” or “I didn’t want to rush things”; and the conversation ending with: “will you be my girlfriend?” then please grab that bag of yours, stand up and walk your beautiful self out of that door and do not look back! Let him enjoy the view...

3. The Beneficiary.

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ou have to be honest with yourself here – who benefits more from the relationship?

We are in the year 2015 Amorelles relationships are meant to be mutually beneficial in every sense! Mr. Z definitely had the upper hand in our relationship. Who is really benefitting in your relationship?

4. I Love You!

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he most important one of all, if he does not say the magic three words I Love You! After six months to a year, eight letters, three words and one meaningful word should come out his mouth. I love you! If your Mr. Z or mystery man, partner, boyfriend or the person you are seeing cannot express his feelings for you after the six month mark then more often than not it is game over.

5. Does he include you in his future plans?

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his is a tell tale sign on how he sees you.

Listen to him and what he is planning. When he talks about his future does he make reference to you? Such as: “When we move in together..”, “When we have children…”, “When we get married…” – those are the words of a man who wants you to stick around. If however, a man speaks with ambiguity such as: “My future wife…”, or the “Mother of my child…” and therefore leaves you out of the equation, could be a sign

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n the UK it is estimated that over a third of women of reproductive age use the contraceptive pill as their primary method of birth control. Yet whilst the pill may work for some women, I personally found it made me gain weight, have terrible mood swings which is why I chose to come off it and consequently lost ten pounds and my uncontrollable mood swings.

After a lot of research, I decided I no longer wanted to be on hormonal birth control at all. This ruled out the majority of contraceptive methods which includes the contraceptive injection, the contraceptive implant and the intrauterine system. However, an option available to me was the intrauterine device, more commonly known as the copper coil, which releases copper into the womb to prevent the survival of sperm.

The copper coil is effective for up to five or ten years, depending on which one you get, and is effective from the moment it is inserted. The major off putting thing about the coil is that it requires a nurse to insert into your womb. The fitting is uncomfortable but it lasted less than ten minutes, and apart from some cramping on the first day, I have all but forgotten it is even there and have never felt happier. Whilst the copper coil may not be the right contraceptive for you, if you feel unhappy with your contraceptive it is worth exploring other options.

STRIP TEASE -

5 STEPS TO FOLLOW

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xperimenting is always fun. You either mess it up and laugh about it together or you nail it and look like the most amazing goddess.

You are probably thinking, what am I talking about.

Giving a strip tease.

I have been with my boyfriend for over a year now. I would like to think we are comfortable with each other, sexually. This is when the big idea came to me; let me give him a strip tease. So I did. Let me talk you through it step by step.

He came walking in from work and jumped in the shower while I was in the bedroom secretly preparing for his dance. When he came in the bedroom with his towel wrapped round his waist I knew it was on. The sexy music in the background was

LOVE & SEX playing (Usher Climax) a small little play list I put together, which included Ciara “Body Party” and Beyonce “Dance For Me” among many others that set the scene.

Now here is how you give your man a strip tease:

1. Sit Him Down.

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Sit him down abruptly; over powering him with your strength, this gets him excited. The thought of you taking over and him not knowing what is happening next, excites him. Boys are like kids in a candy shop when it comes to the women’s body, they want it all, but it is down to you to spoon-feed them one bit at a time.

2. Dance.

Dance in front of him, caressing your body, rub your thighs, lick your lips and just move slowly sticking your bum out. Bend your legs and stick out that bum; this always makes the body look curvier.

3. Seduce.

Walk behind the chair he is sitting on, wrap your hands over his shoulders, pushing your hands down his chest as low as you can go and whisper something sexy in his ear, with a smooth, soft voice.

4. Tie His Hands.

This is where you tie his hands up behind the chair with one of his work ties. This lets him know you are in control and he is in for a night to remember.

Once you come back round to the front, this is when you straddle him in your sexy costume. This can be anything from a police outfit, stockings and a thong or if your really comfortable, wear your birthday suit.

5. Take Control.

Now you take control of your man, kiss his neck; bite his lip and breathe heavily in his ear, dancing on him; around him, push your chest in his face, and start to slowly take some of those clothes off. If you do decide to wear your birthday suit,

be creative. Pour something over your body and make him lick it off. You know your man, do what turns him on, the key is to take full control.

The rest is up to you. If you are flexible and know you won’t kick him in the face, throw your leg over his head and stick your bum up against him when you get up or to change position. This always excites the male species.

These are the basic five steps to how to give your man a lap dance. Take these tips and go be a goddess for the night.

Words : Paige Russell, Love & Sex Editor

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