Birthday Magazine: Issue 0 by Birthday Magazine

A Note From The Editor. Go shorty, it’s ya Birthday” “It’s not even my Birthday, but he wanna lick the icing off’ “Hey girl, it’s ya Birthday. Open wide, I know ya thirsty” And every other Birthday themed song in existence! Welcome- I am so pleased that I’m able to bring you the inaugural issue of Birthday magazine. Why are we called Birthday you ask? Well, simply put, it’s because we’re where the party’s at. We’re all about self-love, celebration and being the best ‘You’ you can be- it’s your Birthday everyday with us, so cry if you want to (though, in all honesty, we’d kind of prefer if you didn’t- celebratory publication, remember?). The theme of this issue is ‘Lost and Found’, meaning we’re bringing you all things new, tips and tricks we’ve found to make life just that little bit easier, things that you might not know but should, have slipped off the radar or simply may have slipped your mind. Need work experience advice? We’ve got your back. Want to make your own lipstick? We got it covered. Looking for some new music from upcoming artists? You know we’ve got it. I guess you could say in a way it’s kind of our first Birthday and we’re celebrating (any excuse for a knees up, really) so get your party hats on, pass that parcel and get ready to get lost! Let’s make this new year even better than the last. Happy Birthday! Yomi x @sittingwitty

YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US CLOTHING All shoes- Model’s own All Jewellery- Proverbs 31 Print shirt- Tribal Twist Clothing White skirt- The Ragged Priest via ASOS.com Tie-dye skirt- The Ragged Priest via ASOS.com Patterned skirt- Maya Black top- ASOS.com Yellow top -ASOS.com Yellow bag- Zara Pink bag- French Connection Pink clutch bag- Victoria Lam Green clutch bag- Stylists own Pink crop top – H&M Purple top - Tribal Twist Clothing Yellow skirt- H&M Pink dress-H&M Black sunglasses- Amazon.com (Prada inspired) Teal sunglasses - ASOS.com Black sunglasses- ASOS.com

NEW YEAR New YOU

11 essential buys for 2014 s

o ladies, it’s that time again! Yes it’s the New Year; the time for resolutions we know we’ll never keep and

consuming tonnes of leftover chocolates whilst pondering over what the new year will bring. Birthday say let’s forget about resolutions and just focus on being ourselves, having fun and looking amazing! Winter chic is all about textures, colours, layering up and keeping warm (or, at least looking like you’re warm) but this is not to say that your winter wardrobe should be plain and boring. This season is the perfect time to experiment with lots of different styles. For example, take one of your favourite summer dresses and layer it with woolly tights and chunky knits to create an entirely different look. Pair together wools, leathers and faux furs for an ultimate winter style statement.

Plastic Perspex Clutch: Topshop, £15: This style is a huge favourite among fashion bloggers at the moment!

Curly Faux Fur Long Coat: Topshop, £125: Channel everybody’s favourite twins, Mary Kate and Ashley with this stunning faux fur coat.

Pink Crepe Tee Shift Dress: Topshop, £45: Perfect for a simplistic yet glamorous look, pair with a leather jacket and black heels.

Cream Pearl Collar: Miss Selfridge, £14: This gorgeous necklace is sure to make any outfit sparkle.

Black Fedora: H&M, £10: This hat is the epitome of casual winter chic.

Floral Jacquard T-Shirt: Miss Selfridge, £45: This beauty will do you for daytime, night-time and see you straight through into spring/summer.

Black Cobweb Scarf: Topshop, £20: Keeps you warm and looks amazing- what’s not to love?

Black Bow Leather Look Gloves: Mango, £42: Elegant, classy and they stop your fingers from freezing off!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Watch: asos.com, £165: An investment piece that never goes out of style.

Yellow Glam Chartreuse Pointed Courts: Miss Selfridge, £39: Who says you have to wear dark colours in the winter? Make a statement with these bright and bold heels.

Matte Neon Pink Princess Earrings: etsy.com, £20.25: Wear with clashing colours for a statement colour block effect. Words by Bethany Heron

B e a nnide Tre

WINTER FIX

The Many Ways to Rock a Beanie This Winter

If you’re aiming for the simple chic look: Less is definitely more, and with the case of beanies I would have to agree. Simplicity is the most sophisticated form of elegance, so block colours rather than patterns such as black and white and navy blue will compliment your outfit perfectly without the hat being too dominating. Best of all, because the hat is so simple ,you can dress up the rest of your outfit without being over the top! So always leave room for plenty of accessories with this look- we still want you glamorous this winter!

If you’re hoping to add a bit of edge: Why not make your beanie amusing? A hat doesn’t have to just be a hat- not any more, as you can rock an edgy slogan across your forehead too. Take advantage this winter as there are so many out there like ‘Bad Hair Day’ (you never know when that could come in handy), and ‘Ain’t No Wifey’. Best of all, it can be the main feature of your outfit, so when you’re running late you won’t need an overly fabulous outfit to complete the look. Jeans, a jumper and it’s finished! If you’re also wanting to add a bit of attitude to your look then this is a Godsend. There are many out there, so find the best that suits your personality! ‘More Issues than Vogue’ is my personal fave.

So the clocks have changed, and we can no longer deny that winter is here! Although summer may be our favourite season and we may still want to be swanning around in our much loved shorts and vests, your mother will tell you it’s simply not practical in a country like this – boo hoo! But there is hope to keep your little ears warm, and that hope is the beanie hat. Yes a few of us may be a little bored of them now, but I’m going to tell you the many ways you can rock this look and stay warm through the bitter chills too.

If you’re wanting to be bold and brave: Then a neon beanie might just be your best friend for the next few months. Because let’s face it, winter is a pretty grey and dull time of the year and a little colour never hurt anybody. You will easily stop traffic with this look, and you will stand out brilliantly. As long as the rest of your outfit has muted colours and is not too over the top, then anyone can easily rock this look. And when you think about it, it’s an investment. You won’t need to be buying a tonne of jewellery to jazz up your outfit as this alone does the trick – happy times!

If your hair is boring you: Don’t forget you don’t just have to have your hair down or out with a beanie. Also, it is the perfect damage control to save your locks from the wind and the rain. Get experimenting girls, as your hat can be the best trend. Words by Sophie Rashad

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD We all love a bit of shoe shopping, but this winter why not try something different? Step away from the Uggs, stilettos and military style boots and try something new, with our top four footwear must-haves of the season.

The Flatform. From Tumblr blogs to the high street stores, flatforms have definitely made a comeback this year. What makes flatforms so likeable is probably the many different styles they come in. From the obvious flatform creepers to the asymmetric flatform sandals, they come in all different shapes, styles and sizes. They are easily styled with many outfits- whether you’re going out partying with girls or shopping, there is a flatform out there for every occasion.

The Cut-Out Boot. The cut out boot is another style that arguably took off due to Tumblr posts and fashion blogs. The most iconic pair of cut out boots around is undoubtedly the famous Jeffery Campbell Coltrane boots. These boots (to a certain extent) paved the way for many other brands to duplicate and experiment with the cut out boot trend.Thanks to JC, there are now various affordable variations.

The ‘Thigh High’ Boot.

The Strappy Heel. This new found obsession with strappy heels has come from out of the blue and has proven to be a massive hit for high street brands everywhere. When accessorised correctly, the strappy heel can add some glamour to any party outfit.

We all rememberr when Miley Cyrus stepped out for a night in the town with her thigh high Louboutin boots and mini leather skirt. The thigh high boot trend seems to make its way back onto winter wishlists every year. As eye-catching as the thigh high boot is, it’s probably one of the most risky footwear purchases you will ever make. Styled correctly these boots can make any woman look sexy, sleek and sophisticated. Styled wrongly and you will end up looking less than sexy and certainly not sophisticated!

Words by Lateefah Jean-Baptiste

1919

BAD GIRLS CLUB CLOTHING Kickers Lo Aztec (black) - @JD (www.jdsports.co.uk) Adidas Honey Hi (burgundy) - @JD (www.jdsports.co.uk) Tartan Jumper - ‘The Ragged Priest’ Bomber Jacket - ‘Maya’ Dope Shirt- Supply & Demand Backpack- Sprayground Crop top - Alex Christopher at EachToTheirOwn.co.uk Both Tartan Skirts - Alex Christopher at EachToTheirOwn.co.uk Print Skirt- Tribal Twist Hype vest top – HYPE Clothing Get Hype jumper- Supply & Demand White and Orange Sunglasses- HYPE Clothing White shirt- Primark Floral dress- ASOS Multicoloured trousers- Hype Grey polka dot jumper- VOI RUN DMC T shirt- Supply & Demand Army print joggers- Sinstar

Pour boiling water into your pot and place a glass bowl over it, creating a bain-marie

Remove the labelling from the crayon and place it in the bain-marieif it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t melt quickly enough, place the pot over the stove.

Now to this, add a spoonful of shea butter and allow it too liquify. Add a drop of essential oil to give it a nice scent, as well as a few drops of olive oil or almond oil.

Pour the mixture into your chosen container and let it set, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be ready to use!

Select a crayon that you want your lip balm to be the colour of (feel free to mix and match to create custom colours)

You can make your lip gloss in an array of colours and keep them stacked to save space.

Saving Face The Best Products for

Clear Skin. Words by Jenny McFarlane

basics:

With these core basics in mind, try giving these products a go!

Keep it clean! Wash your face morning, night, and after exercise with a good cleanser.

Keep it simple! Too many products or harsh chemicals can irritate your skin and too many steps may tempt you to give certain elements of your routine a miss

Keep it up! If you want great skin, care for it each day. When you feel like it just won’t cut it

Keep it gentle! Scrubbing and rubbing your skin the wrong way can leave it dry and red, so don’t fight with your face. Gently smooth on toner, moisturizer, treatments and makeup. This saves skin and delivers the best coverage.

This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser, £19.00. Available at asos.com

Good Things Stay Clear PurifyingCleanser, £4.99. Available at Boots.

This cleanser is rich in Rosehip Oil, though it doesn’t feel at all oily on the skin. The selling point for us is that it’s gentle and it doesn’t strip away vital oils from the skin whilst effortlessly removing all make-up and fully cleansing. While skin isn’t left with that squeaky clean feel that a rinse-off cleanser provides, it’s an ideal product for regular use on sensitive skins.

This cleanser was created especially for youthful complexions. Good Things products are gentle yet proven to be effective using antioxidant extracts rather than harsh chemicals to balance skin. The Purifying Cleanser contains anti-microbial willow bark, blueberry and mango to minimise pores, blemishes and to clear away excess sebum.

With clear, smooth, glowing skin as the goal for most of us, we investigate how to get it and maintain it. Here’s what we learned about complexion imperfections and how to fix those flaws! Before you apply make-up, it’s really important to get your skincare regime down to a fine art. Blemishes, congested skin and oily T-zones are common irritations for the majority of girls, so we’ve gathered together the skincare ranges most effective for young skin. Don’t get tempted by harsh scrubs and drying toners. Check out our selection of products to consider, so that skin irritation doesn’t appear in the first place. Should the odd spot pop up, we’ve included a couple of lifesavers to zap it straight away! Look no further than our guide to keeping your skin in check.

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask, £5.95. Available at Lush.

Proactiv Solution Green Tea Moisturizer; £15.95. Available at proactiv.co.uk.

Elemis Freshskin Overnight Serum; £17.99. Available at Superdrug.

Garnier Pure Active 2-in-1 Tinted Spot Roll-On; £5.33. Available at Boots.

Simple Kind To Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion; £2.99. Available at Boots.

The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask; £1.50. Available at The Body Shop.

Lush’s Fresh Face Masks do what they say on the tub: they’re so fresh that they only last for four weeks thanks to their natural, preservative-free formulations. Cosmetic Warrior uses antiseptic garlic and tea tree oil, calming white grapes, nourishing honey and tightening fresh egg to set you straight on the path to a balanced and healthy complexion. It smells of garlic, but we think it’s most definitely worth the slight whiff!

Especially formulated for spot-prone skin, Proactiv products are ideal for those who struggle with regular breakouts. Extracts of green tea, iris and macadamia nut oil in this Green Tea Moisturiser help your skin retain its own moisture while regulating oily patches and the texture is lightweight and mattifying. What’s not to love?

Elemis’ Freshskin range is the ideal way for you to invest in the rather wonderful Elemis brand, with each product packed with naturally active ingredients that work perfectly with young adult complexions. This Overnight Serum works on your skin as you sleep with blemish busting salicylic acid and antioxidant vitamins C and E. The perfect addition to your beauty sleep!

If you wake up with a nasty spot on your face, then a fast-acting solution is what you need to have the confidence to face the world. Garnier’s doubleaction 2-in-1 Tinted Spot Roll-On gives targeted relief whilst covering the spot with an effective concealer for an instant beauty improvement. Hallelujah!

No perfume, no colour and no harsh chemicals - Simple skincare is ideal for sensitive skin. The Purifying Cleansing Lotion is super gentle and even more amazingly, it sells at a purse-friendly price.

Applying face masks with friends at a sleepover is the perfect way to unwind and The Body Shop’s single sachets are both budget-friendly and effective, so you can all reap more benefits other than bonding. The Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask is designed to control excess oil, plus it’s blissfully cooling if you keep it in the fridge.

The New Black.

The issue of race within fashion isn’t so black and white… R

ecently, I asked two friends the following question (in slightly less florid terms): don’t you just hate it when you enter a designer clothing store (or an atelier, for the more fastidious amongst you), and are trailed by a pair of eyes intently pitting your mortal as well as monetary - worth, against your propensity for mischief? Friend A replied that she was so used to it, she was beginning to think she was the only one to whom it happens; Friend B intoned that she’d never really noticed. Then, my inner Poirot took over; I probed further: and do you feel as though the models in fashion campaigns are representative of who you are? Friend A - ever the diplomat - thought not entirely, Friend B, not at all. I doubt it comes as much of a surprise that both friends are, like me, teenage girls - kettled in by the false sway of fashion advertising, unrealistic beauty expectations and media stereotyping; but what is of note is that “Friend A” is white, and “Friend B” is black. So, what was my conclusion? Fashion and commercial biases aren’t, as is often thought, solely racial - but they are skin-deep. Fashion is a business reliant on aesthetics and a singular ideal of perfection so draconian it percolates from the catwalk, right down to the clientele; the term “fashion” may suggest youthful sylphs and instant sartorial gratification, but that doesn’t stop the snootiness about, and mistrust of, youngsters emanating from both the upper and lower echelons of the industry. Recall, if you will, the supercilious sneers when a fourteen-year-old Tavi Gevinson was seated, on the front row of a Band of Outsiders show, next to Anna Wintour in 2011. It’s bizarre to think there was such vexation about this when the minimum age of a catwalk model is sixteen - an age-limit only implemented in 2007. So, if fashion is as hypocritical as it is biased, and has almost as many biases as it has facets, why is the underrepresentation of black and ethnic minority models, arguably, the biggest one? I would proffer two possible explanations.

The first relates to the quintessence of fashion itself: what I love most about fashion - aside from the clothes, the creativity and the sheer craziness - is its capacity to capture the zeitgeist and then interweave it into the fibre of a collection, or invert it for other, alternative uses. From Dior’s “New Look” to the “savage beauty” of McQueen’s creations; boundaries are there to be pushed if not broken down entirely. So by perpetuating the paucity of models from any minority ethnic background on catwalks, covers and in campaigns, fashion is also perpetuating archaic concepts of conventional beauty and both this act and the ideals it foments go against all the things that gives fashion gravitas. And the second explanation relates to the latter-day application of an emergent form of creative control: it’s as though the fashion industry is trying to create the new black, out of white; whether that is through the comparatively benign method of suffusing a collection with “tribal” or “ethnic” prints inspired by the African savannah or East Asian architecture, and then casting only, or mainly, white models to walk the collection; or the downright deplorable usage of “blackface” in editorials. Really, black is - has always been, and always will - be the new black. So, with this mind - as well as the Office for National Statistics’ 2011 census data that shows approximately 14% of the population of England and Wales identify with an ethnicity other than white British - why is it that Malaika Firth was the first black model to front a Prada campaign in nineteen years? Why is it that Jourdan Dunn had to witness a professional make-up artist refuse to do her make-up simply because of the colour of her skin? Why is it that campaigner, and former model, Bethann Hardison had to form - in conjunction with Naomi Campbell and Iman Abdulmajid - the Diversity Coalition and name and shame a slew of prominent fashion houses for “racist act[s]”? Why is it that only 6% of all the female models at New York fashion week, during the Fall-Winter 2013 shows, were black? The simplest answer to the above: racial biases. The more nuanced and diplomatic, answer: I don’t know.

But I do know that often - when sifting through statistics, and trying to find the nexus between these percentages and fashion’s place in modern society - we all forget that there are a number of black and ethnic minority models. Furthermore: there have been, and still are, a number of black models, designers, creatives and campaigners whose presence, participation and potent opinions have made a difference in the sartorial sphere. By disregarding this fact - and shooting straight to the all-too familiar addendum of fashion having a bias against black and ethnic minority models - we are not only doing the Imans and Chanel Imans, the Joan Smalls and the Jourdan Dunns, a disservice and attenuating their achievements, we are also expanding the gulf between young black girls and boys interested in a career in fashion and those who will actually end up pursuing one. For it’s now a commonly acknowledged truth that fashion has a flaky relationship with race, but why is it that it is only in this context that black models are spoken of? Surely it would do more for race-relations to impart this message, but then actually actively - do something about it, starting by spotlighting black models and creatives for the merit of their work? Surely this would be more encouraging for the next generation of models and creatives from all backgrounds? So, let’s take a moment to celebrate, not castigate. Let’s laud Malaika on her Prada campaign and Vogue supplement cover; let’s laud Jourdan on her Woman of The Year award, courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar; let’s laud Joan on being, officially, the No. 1 model in the world; let’s laud Chanel and let’s laud Iman; let’s laud Naomi; let’s laud Alek Wek; let’s laud bloggers like Susie Lau, Bip Ling and Kristabel Plummer; let’s laud creatives like Edward Enninful, Caroline Issa, Andre Leon Talley and Preetma Singh; let’s laud designers like Alexander Wang, Adrien Sauvage and Ozwald Boateng; and let’s laud Bethann for being a trailblazer and thoroughly badass. Let’s laud them all. And, Lord, let’s hope this truly is only the beginning for the new black. Words & Illustration by Tara Okeke

What do you call it?

Words by Alannah Francis

Underground forms of art, such as spoken word, graffiti and musical art forms such as grime and Hip Hop, have become more mainstream in recent years. Jamal Edwards said that he started SBTV because a lot of his friends who were making Grime music weren’t getting the mainstream coverage they deserved. Seven years later, he’s on the cover of the Economist, working with Richard Branson, not to mention being worth an estimated 8m. Have underground art forms finally been accepted?

‘Urban’ is a word that is often used as an umbrella term in relation to the various art forms mentioned above. However, a lot of artists and fans take offence to the use of the word as a description of their creations or creations they love. In this piece the use of the term will be used to describe art forms which are commonly found in urban areas, cities, which is most of those previously mentioned. Cities are often the place where these alternative art forms flourish because of the diverse nature of life and the interacting of different cultures. If you live in London, or in any major city for that matter, you’re likely to have seen not just a little bit of graffiti, but areas which seem dedicated to the art form. For this particular means of expression, urban areas facilitate it well as it is still a criminal act (vandalism) and the plethora of blank canvases-stationary trains, exposed outer wallsmean that graffiti artists can often stay incognito, something that is usually more difficult in smaller communities. Banksy has a huge following all over the world, yet there is still a lot of controversy over whether his pieces are ‘works of art’ or ‘works of vandalism’. Mayor Bloomberg isn’t one of Banksy’s fans and in response to his month long residency in New York said: “You running up to somebody’s property or public property and defacing it is not my definition of art.” But despite Mayor Bloomberg’s comments, Banksy’s pieces can sell for six figure sums and spotting the latest Banksy has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. British artist, illustrator and graphic designer, Funny Tummy told Birthday that he was, “not really concerned about legacy or leaving anything behind” but that he just liked making art that he liked and appreciating it while he was here. With a solo exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall under his belt, and his high profile celebrity following (I’m talking Rihanna and Tinie Tempah) it’s clear that a lot of other people are enjoying his work too, no matter how unconventional.

So it’s fair to say that the world is still undecided about the status of graffiti and it is likely that due to its invasive or accessible nature (depending on what side of the fence you’re on-no pun intended) the debate will continue. However, when it comes to music, has there been a more concerted shift from underground to mainstream? Wiley aka the Godfather of Grime was awarded his first MOBO this year, despite being heralded as the founder of the scene. Yet, on the other hand, BBC 1Xtra has complete shows dedicated to underground music, including Cameo’s UKG show. As well as this, Krept and Konan’s independent mixtape recently became a top 20 hit. In addition to urban art forms breaking through the mainstream barrier, there are also examples of them being invited to join established art showcases. The fact that Urban Proms even exist in the first place shows that alternative forms of art are being recognised within the wider art world. Yet the lack of a separate grime category at the MOBOs which celebrated its 18th year this year, point to a lack of elevation of the art form within what is assumed to be its most obvious

platform. But when considering the acceptance of an art form, movement, medium or even an individual piece of art, it’s important to remember that art is subjective and its perception is relative and somewhat governed by societal conditions, environment and the economic climate, amongst other things. Even works which are considered great today, such as those created during the 19th Century as part of the Impressionist movement, were at the time shunned by traditionalists. Yes, even Monet’s work once received a similar reception to how your parents react to the sound of the latest JME track, or how Mayor Bloomberg responded to Banky’s takeover. With the rise in popularity (for lack of a better word) of creative collectives such as Not So Popular, who hold a monthly spoken word event which goes by the name of Poetry for a Pound, passionate groups of people are supporting and maintaining these alternative forms of art. Jump Off TV and social media networking projects such as Target’s Notice Board are giving those who want to indulge in underground arts a platform to do so. Although these art forms have in recent times received acclaim from a wider audience, it is likely that they will remain most popular amongst the younger and more rebellious in society, for now at least. And while many of us may think, just as Jamal did, that our friends or favourite artists or favourite art forms are failing to get the recognition they deserve, there’s no denying the quality of them. Maybe long after we’re all gone, those creators will be the new Impressionists.

DISNEY CURSE

The

From Britney Spears to Miley Cyrus; nearly all the young stars affiliated with Disney appear to want to break away from their squeaky clean beginnings but do so in an arguably ‘outrageous’ way. What we want to know is, why? Words by Natasha Mughal

It’s nothing new that Disney stars go wild in order to shift their ‘child star’ label. Stars such as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Shia Lebouf, Lindsey Lohan, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and so on, have all gone through this transition. The first most explosive Disney starlet, back when Miley was only 6, was Britney Spears. She was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club from 1992 until 1996 with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and JC Chasez. Then in 1998, she burst onto the scene with Baby One More Time sporting an angelic look, advocating virginity and all things American. However this image quickly changed and moreso with each album. Her image became more sexualised; of course showing her sexual maturity...but also a shift in not wanting to be branded as a ‘Disney kid’. The most notable moments of Britney’s rebirth were when she kissed Madonna at the 2003 Video Music Awards and also her heavily publicised breakdown in 2007 (one was obviously less intentional than the other). It was the start of a trend in popular culture, in which a star that starts at the top of the game is scrutinised until they reach rock bottom. It happens time and time again but more and more of these stars start from Disney. They begin in the industry with a certain image to uphold and as soon as they do not have to uphold that image anymore, they just let loose and show a version of themselves that people are shocked by. Britney seems to now have it all and has just signed a deal for a Las Vegas residency for a reported $15 million per year! She’s finally doing her own thing and seems happier than ever- Go Britney!

Now, you can’t talk about Britney without mentioning her supposed rival, Christina Aguilera. She started in the same way as Spears did and released her first single, Genie in a Bottle, around the same time, so it is no surprise that she was constantly compared to her. So, when Christina came out with the Stripped album, especially with the first single Dirrty, everyone took note. It was full of barely there outfits, gyrating around in showers and basically anything that could be used to shock her audience Before this, she was sexy but simultaneously cute, now she had now dyed her hair black and shed her cutesy image along with everything else. She oozed sex appeal and became every boy’s fantasy; a definite bid to get away from the Disney label she had started with. But now back to blonde, she’s still hot and has become more mature in her music. Her Xtina days seemed somewhat ‘try-hard’ and may were more about trying to distinguish herself from Britney than from Disney perhaps. Either way, she has still succeeded in becoming a star in her own right.

They were the first generation of Disney stars gone ‘bad’ and now a whole new cast has followed suit, but the most notorious of the lot is Lindsay Lohan. Her big break came when she played twins in the Disney remake of The Parent Trap in 1998, then came Freaky Friday in 2003 but the most notable was Mean Girls in 2004. It seems the fame that came with starring in Mean Girls took it’s toll on Lohan and she has unfortunately been on a downhill spiral ever since, with a halt only appearing very recently. Disney gave her a start, but it appears that it was a curse in its own right. It appears that if you do have your big break with Disney, people will forever perceive you in a particular way but obviously as a human being, you will grow, make mistakes and you will mature- something the audience often find hard to accept. Being a celebrity, Lohan has made her mistakes very much in the public eye, with multiple DUI’s and rehab visits, perhaps from the pressure of wanting to stay within the depths of people’s perception of her. Having to maintain a certain image that may not be totally in align with your true persona can understandably take its toll on even the strongest of people.

Miley Cyrus is the one Disney star that has hit the headlines recently. From smoking marijuana on stage in Amsterdam at the European Music Awards, licking a sledgehammer in her Wrecking Ball video and twerking at the VMA’s, she seems to be the latest star to have well and truly gone ‘wild’. She definitely is putting in the effort with her outfits (and lack of), music and social media presence to rid herself of the Hannah Montana persona once and for all. She does things for shock factor, just like Christina used to, but it appears that more and more people are just getting sick of her antics. But maybe the public should have seen this coming. Like the rest of the stars, maybe it is a case of too much too young- she has literally grown up on camera and has experienced puberty under constant surveillance. But if Miley’s intention was to be the name on everyone’s lips then she has succeeded and she has got herself a whole new fan base because of it. Personally I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next; she creates a sense of anticipation because with her, anything is possible.

Vanessa Hudgens’ so called ‘transition’ is not as dramatic as the others mentioned but it is somewhat notable and conclusive of the ‘Disney theory’. She starred in the High School Musical franchise as a cute but slighty geeky girl with a passion for singing but has since starred in the terrible but gossip worthy movie, Spring Breakers. A movie in which she has a threesome, smokes a bong numerous times and is in a bikini the whole way through. This is probably an attempt to rid herself of the Mickey Mouse ears for life and it most likely will. However long before this movie, photos of her naked were uncovered from her phone whilst she was still in the High School Music franchise which created a lot of problems for her. She now appears to be more free to explore more controversial territory and most importantly, grow up, since leaving Disney. There are many guys such as Shia Lebouf, Justin Timberlake and Zac Efron that have suffered from the ‘curse of Disney’, but not too surprisingly they are never tarred with the same negative brush as the women are. For them it’s just ‘puberty’, ‘a sexual awakening’. For the chicks? A huge crisis and illustration of today’s lacking morals. So is there a curse? Maybe. But maybe this so called curse is growing up in the lime light, being judged and harangued before you’ve even bought your first bra and being forced to upkeep a ridiculous standard of perfection that becomes unshakeable. So many child stars appear to go off the rails and Disney is the common strand that connects them. If they take notes for next generation of stars, maybe the curse can be stopped once and for all.

BBody ody Counts & & Counts SSide ide Chicks Chicks....

I have a bone to pick, a massive inconveniently-sharp-one-caught-in-my-gums to pick with the dwellers of the online universes of Facebook and Twitter – mostly the latter (seeing as how the former has been occupied by our parents, half-forgotten school friends and all those groups you regretted joining during your Facebook heydays). The bone I’m picking; why does everyone care so much about what everyone is doing with their lives offline? Why are we picking people apart and then dropping the old “Jeez- you’re so serious it’s only Twitter!”. Hey! Misogyny disguised as banter – I’m talking to you! Every few days the same regurgitated topics will rear their puss filled little whiteheads on the adolescent forehead of Twitter and small minded opinions will explode all over the place (apologies for the grossness but small mindedness is just as ick to me). The angry spots in question are usually body-counts, (yawn) girls not texting back (yawn), side chicks (yawn) and deceptions (double yawn). I say we tackle each briefly and individually. Let’s clear (asil) the air. Body-counts, for those who have somehow managed to avoid this terminology, is taken from the old idea of gangsters having a body-count; that being the amount of people they caused harm to. Now it’s been revamped to mean the amount of people someone has slept with. So literally, the personal count of bodies you have had sexual contact with. My first query: who cares? In no way is it anyone’s business what you do with your body. Guys will come along with their talks of doing “background checks” on girls. Well, what a vital use of your spare time – aren’t you proud? I will firmly say, never once let another individual let you feel bad for what you have decided to do. You are responsible for you and your worth. No man nor woman nor number determines your worth. The emphasis on a girl having a ‘low body-count’ being the only thing equating to her self-worth is both misguided and damaging. A girl decided not to text a girl back- .usually the apparent ‘culprits’ are ‘lightys’ - girls of the fairer skin – who apparently have decided that they are above all forms of contact (yes, some people actually do believe this). Not having been on the receiving end of such treatment (either way) there’s not much to be said except: people will act as they please if they deem themselves of a particular standard. There’s nothing wrong in that, but attributing a stereotype to a group of people is unfair and most importantly, stupid. The girl in question owes you nothing. She doesn’t have to respond to you. Such is life as is the awkwardness that is growing up and liking people. Deal with it. The idea of side-chicks is one that has split opinions. All I will say is if someone is comfortable in such a position - that’s their business. But all people should be treated with due respect. That is the most important factor in any form of relationship whether it’s more a party gathering than a dinner-for-two kind of relationship. (I wouldn’t much fancy it but then again, I know some people find the way I eat mini cheddars gross, so each to their own). And finally, ‘deceptions’ or ‘inceptions’ (if you are of the people who saw the film and decided that it had a nicer ring to it). This is pretty much what it says on the tin – somehow attributing the use of make up or smartly placed phone angles to being lied to about someone’s appearance. True, people do wear make up – if it makes them feel better or they feel they look better – then the make up has done its job. Everyone wears make up – even your favourite celeb crush wears make up, how many people do we know take pictures from an angle they know best flatters them? How about everyone! Don’t feel bad about it! I wouldn’t like to think you only feel attractive with make up, or worthless because you can’t balance a plate on your arse - don’t let the words of others take you to that extreme. The way I see it we’re all ‘inceptions’ – no one is actually as cool as the person they are online. Everything is thought about, edited and syphoned into a 140 character limit – no one is perfect and the demands and criterion of complete stranger’s shouldn’t faze you. I mean, who cares what they think anyway – you love you right? Words by Mayowa Alegria

Internet 247 Kind of Everywhere St INT N3T Dearest Internet,

It’s funny, I can remember my life before we connected. How grey and dull it all seemed until you came along. Not only have you brought cat videos and stickman games into my life, but I feel as though I’ve learnt so much; my life has seriously changed for the better and many other people have told me the same. In the beginning, I saw you as a pretty polarised place. You had entertainment websites and the platforms for serious discussion, trolls, and on the other hand friendly web communities where people could share their interests. For a lot of people, you mainly consisted of the former examples which made people scream “The internet is bad!!! the internet will melt your brain!!!” For a long time I couldn’t find the positive, encouraging side of you. You seemed to me a place where everyone could hurt and hate and bully each other with cowardly anonymity. I suffered from low selfesteem and body confidence issues which came from childhood and this may be hard to hear, darling, but sometimes I felt like the things people said on you could exacerbate these negative feelings. One part of you showed me images of beautiful, slim girls and I became obsessed with losing weight and being slim. I would stare at thinspiration for hours on end, wishing I had the willpower to become like those girls. These pictures made me feel pathetic, what I saw other people write made my feelings of self-worth drop into non-existence. If I’m honest, I almost started to hate you! I started to feel that I would have been better off if I hadn’t seen that side you. But what I hadn’t realised then was that you are The Internet. You’re almost the definition of multifaceted. You showed me that other side of you, that positive side of you that had the ability to empower. I started blogs and your power to connect people from all over the world from different backgrounds and dispositions and with different ideas led me to discover new things. I learnt that for one airbrushed magazine cover and a ’10 ways to lose belly fat’ tutorial, there could be an opposing one promoting self-love and body positivity. I learnt about feminism in a way that can’t be taught in the classroom. I saw injustice and people fighting against it and with you I could have the opportunity to take part. People who were silenced elsewhere had the opportunity to speak and I could listen. I was ecstatic! I felt so foolish for taking so long to realise this side of you but so encouraged and inspired for finally seeing it. All those bedroom mirror critiques, all the stifled creativity, all the passive acceptance of the status quo is disappearing. And what’s more, it’s been fun! I’ve been able to indulge my enthusiasms without embarrassment and I’ve brought the pride in what I like and enjoy into the ‘real world’. So, I’m writing this letter to you to say that I’m so glad you exist. And while there are aspects of you that are very dodgy, your content has changed my life and the lives of others I know for the better. Maybe we could hang out again soon? Much Love, Aida Amoako

TOP TEN

Winter-time

Sometimes, it’s difficult to find the time to just sit back and relax. Work is piling higher and as soon as you’re done with one piece, another takes its place. Your parents are constantly telling you to do something and you’re trying to juggle your friends and their problems too. You just want an escape, right? Well here are 10 books that are sure to take your mind elsewhere.

1. Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein Set in World War II, this book revolves around the story of Maddie and ‘Verity’ who’s plane crashes over Nazi occupied France. ‘Verity’ is captured by the Gestapo and is forced to reveal the details of her mission or be executed. What follows is an account of everything ‘Verity’ has been through and a true tale of how far friends are willing to go to help each other. Will the secrets ‘Verity’ reveals be enough to save her? Described as ‘unforgettable’ and ‘heart wrenching’ this is a must read for anyone.

2. The Selection - Kiera Cass For most girls, the idea of living in a palace and being swept off your feet by a Prince sounds like heaven. America Singer, however, isn’t most girls. She dreads the idea of being ‘selected’. She already has a romantic interest, she doesn’t want to compete for a crown and she certainly doesn’t want to live in a palace that is constantly under threat…that is, until she meets the Prince. Will America stand by what she believed or be sucked in by a life of luxury? This book is similar to things like The Hunger Games, so if you liked that, you’ll like this

3. Unbreakable - Kami Garcia This book is the first in a series so if you get hooked, there’s more to read. After Kennedy finds her mother dead, she uncovers the secrets of her past and the story of a demon with its sights set on destruction. Kennedy will have to walk in her mother’s shoes and fight to stop the demon. Unbreakable deals with everything from ghosts and murder, to secret societies and romance so there’s something for everyone in this book.

4. Looking For Alaska - John Green Miles considers his life to be extremely uneventful and he is bored of everything. When he leaves for boarding school, his life turns around. It is there where he meets Alaska; she is everything he’s ever wanted. She is gorgeous, interesting and even a little strange. Best of all? She welcomes Miles into her world and steals his heart. Looking For Alaska is a favourite book for many people and truly deserves all the praise it has been given

5. Asylum - Madeleine Roux Not a fan of tales of romance? Prefer something a little more disturbing? Well this book is for you! Asylum follows the story of Dan and his two friends Abby and Jordan who learn that the room they are staying in over summer was an insane asylum. As the three investigate the building more, they discover it harbours some dark secrets. This book even features pictures of real abandoned asylums making it truly chilling.

6. Ask The Passengers - A.S. King Astrid just wants to talk to someone. She has so many questions to ask and she doesn’t want to be judged. She can’t turn to her friends or her parents so she looks elsewhere for a place to confide. This results in her spending hours staring at the sky, talking to passengers on a plane. They can’t hear her but at least she feels like she’s talking to someone. This book deals with a tricky subject; Astrid is in love with another girl. It’s truly heart warming, original and it’s subject matter focuses on a very important issue.

must-reads 7. Divergence - Veronica Roth This is another book which has other parts to follow. Beatrice, now sixteen, must decide which faction she belongs to and which path she must follow for the rest of her life. She could stay with her family or follow her heart and be who she believes she is. After the choice is made, Beatrice struggles with the initiation tests involved and also with a secret that she holds. This secret could be the key to saving the people she loves or the key to her own undoing. This book has spent a really long time on the New York Times Bestseller List for Young Adult literature and has a lot of hype surrounding it, which it definitely deserves. 8. Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell Eleanor And Park is the story of two outcasts who fall in love during the course of one school year. They are both pessimistic when it comes to the idea of first love lasting, but they are willing to try. See how their romance unfolds in this book and if they manage to stay together or if their relationship ends up like Romeo and Julietâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This book is also a New York Times bestseller and has received rave reviews everywhere! 9. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green This book may be a little bit difficult to deal with for some and it will definitely make you cry, so approach with caution. Hazel has terminal cancer. The doctors managed to buy her a few years to live but it is destined that soon, she will die. Everything looks bleak for Hazel until she meets someone named Augustus at her Cancer Kid Support Group. Augustus is able to help Hazel rewrite the last chapter of her life. Get the tissues at the ready! 10. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher Our final book is another hard-hitter. Clay comes home from school to find a box with his name on it sitting on his porch. Inside are thirteen tapes recorded by a girl called Hannah who he had a crush on. She had committed suicide two weeks earlier. On the tapes Hannah explains the thirteen reasons she ended her life. Clay is one of them and if he listens heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find out why. This story has narrative from both Hannah and Clay so be prepared to switch perspectives a lot. Oh and you might want to buy another box of tissues...

Words by Brittany Jade

Your new EP is called Mona Leshurr, how did the idea for that concept come about? I came up with the idea about a year ago. I just wanted to use the title for my first work of art and stay consistent with the concept. This is my first EP and it’s all original music. It’s consistent, it has orchestral elements and Mona Lisa gets referenced quite a lot.

So do other forms of art such as books and films often influence your music? Yeah, everything influences my music. Everyday experiences, friendships, even a person sitting on a wall looking sad. I can write about things like that because I used to do poetry. I could read something on the internet today and that could inspire my lyrics for tomorrow. Music is a form of expression and a real artist will be able to get inspiration from other art.

What kind of topics do you discuss on Mona Leshurr? I just wanted to have fun with this EP really. I wanted to bring back the old school Missy Elliot style back but also intertwine it with the new generation sounds as well. In my opinion this is missing in the scene today. So this EP is just about having fun and the videos match that with special effects.

You mentioned there that Missy Elliot is someone that inspires you, but who else did you look up to when you were growing up? Eminem. I just thought he was sick - his character, personality, lyrical flow and ability; that all really inspired me to take rapping seriously. I used to listen to Ms. Dynamite, Lioness, Shystie, a lot of UK rap females and then I discovered Lil Wayne. He’s probably my main influence. Eminem was my idol and he inspired me to write, but when he stopped making music for a couple of years I didn’t really have anyone to turn to musically. So when he stopped, I kind of stopped as well for about a year, then I discovered Lil Wayne and he got me back into doing music again.

Are there any artists that you listen to now that might surprise us? I listen to Sampha, he’s the guy that’s on ‘The Motion’ with Drake. I started listening to him a good two years ago. I also listen to a guy called Ty Dolla $ign, he just signed with Wiz Khalifa. I listen to a lot of classical music and rock music – it just depends what kind of a mood I’m in.

If you look back on your teen years, how would you describe yourself? Were you a teachers’ pet? The popular girl? I was both. I used to crack on, do what I needed to do, and I was involved in all the talent shows and plays. I was quite popular as well. I had the name Lady L from back then really, when I first started.

So the name Lady Leshurr came about from school? Yeah, I got it when I first started because I started on Drum’n’Bass and then I went to Hip-Hop and then I found Grime. So when people say ‘Oh you’re a grime artist’, I’ve never been a grime artist I’ve just gone with what was hot at the time and what I enjoyed doing.

Were there any subjects in school that you were particularly good at? Performing Arts and Drama. English was alright but I didn’t really care for Science and Maths and that.

Being a songwriter, I would have thought English would be a favourite… Not really, English is just English. I don’t even know how I’m good with metaphors and word play. Eminem taught me how to do all that, he was my English teacher.

You made your first mix-tape at the age of 14, how did you try to get noticed in the music industry at such a young age? I didn’t really try to get noticed, I was just doing it because I loved it. At the time, there wasn’t really any girl from my area doing music. After school, I used to just go straight to the youth club because they had studio facilities we could use. I recorded my mixtape myself, mixed it all myself and then I got it out

Lady Leshurr talks new EP, music inspirations and gives us an exclusive on her next mix-tape. Lady Leshurr is often referred to as the Princess of Grime and rightfully so, as this Birmingham born MC has been taking the world by storm since her breakout role in the movie 1 Day. Over the last four years, she has worked with the likes of Lethal Bizzle, P Money and Tinie Tempah, performed at Glastonbury and, more recently, took to the stage at the BBC Urban Proms, alongside some of the biggest names in the UK music scene. Having recently released her first EP, I got the chance to have a quick chat with Lady Leshurr about her music, growing up in Birmingham and how Eminem became her English teacher.

myself. When it comes to promoting yourself, there are ways to do it and strategies that you have to learn. I’ve learnt a lot from just doing what I used to do.

So when do you think things started to fall into place for you and your career? I think it all started when I was in the film One Day and from there it was like a ladder. I got asked to go on the Westwood Ladies Night then after that, SBTV wanted me on their channel and then people started just seeing me all at once. Then everyone like Lethal B, Dot Rotten and Tinie Tempah started asking me to collaborate with them. It was mad! But that’s how it all just started to fall into place.

I know that you’re from Birmingham, how does your city influence your music? It’s definitely, definitely important to rep where you’re from. You can’t forget where you’ve come from. Some people choose not to support their hometown but with me, I will never start shouting out 0208 because I’m not from London. I stay in London but I don’t live there. Birmingham is in my blood and I’m very passionate about it because so many people from there have helped me grow and develop.

Do you get to go back to Birmingham often and when you do, how do you spend your time there?

Yeah, whenever I get the chance but it’s usually just for the day. So I just try to see all my family. I don’t really get to do anything!

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to girls who want to be in the music industry? Only do it if you know that that’s what you want. If you believe in it and you want to be successful then you will be successful and if you’re passionate enough you can get to where you need to be. Don’t just do it because you see the cars and the chains and think ‘That’s what I want’. Reality is, that’s probably not even their car and they have to take it back at the end of the day. So just be yourself and only do it if you’re passionate about it.

Looking back over the past 12 months, what have been some of your career highlights? I went to New York to perform at Redbull Sound Clash and there was Just Blaze and all the Rocafella people there and I performed and they all saw me! People like 2Chainz. So that was good. The EP on the front page of ITunes meant a lot to me because I’m not even signed yet. When you’re signed you can just pay for that, however when you are independent you have to rely upon downloads and be really popular in order to get to the front page. So that was a big achievement for me. Just going abroad and knowing people know of me outside of England…it’s just weird!

And finally, what projects are you working on now or in the next few months that you can tell us a bit about? This is an exclusive. I’m going to be putting out another CD called A Little Bit of Lesh not next month but the month after. It’s going to be another mix-tape. I’m just going to let Mona Leshurr sink in for a bit and do some videos for that then put it out. It’s going to be more about me and my experiences so it’s more emotional and intimate and there’ll be some singing on there too.

Mona Leshurr is available on Itunes now. Words by Paige Padden

Apps We Should All Download

62% of the UK population have smart phones but are we really getting the full benefits? Well if you are unsure, we are here to help! Get your thumbs ready and start deleting those excessive selfies to make room for the 10 apps we should all download right this minute! Or at least after you’ve finished reading…

THE TOP

10 APPS

Daily Mail Online If you like your showbiz gossip or the general goings-on of the world quick and at your fingertips, then this is the app to go for. It may not be the most in-depth or high brow of publications but it gives you all you need to know (and sometimes more than you want to know but hey- at least they’re thorough). National Rail Enquiries If you get the train regularly, are an anxious traveller or need to be somewhere at a particular time then this is the app that you need. It’s simple, easy and useful. It remembers your home and work station, which will give you fast results and save you a lot of time. Snapchat This app has singlehandedly started a revolution. It has received some flack but it seems as if that hasn’t stopped anyone. It allows you to send pictures which you can doodle on or add captions to, but the best thing about this app is realising how many funny faces you can make. Just be careful not accidentally send them to somebody hot . Amazon UK This app gives you the ability to shop with ease and is a tad bit genius. It allows you to scan a barcode to find out the price and if you don’t end up going scanning crazy (as we did), it’s another app to make your life just that bit easier. Candy Crush Saga Ok, if you haven’t fallen victim to this game then something is wrong. You have been hiding under a rock or are a recovering addict. It’s highly addictive and oh so much fun! TVCatchup This website is a staple for any student and now it’s an app! With all these easy access apps, who needs a computer/laptop anymore?! It’s exactly as the title describes; you register and then you are able to watch live TV and catch up with Game Of Thrones or whatever. Download it now! Beautylish Get all the looks, makeup tips and even shop with this delish This is a necessity for every girl that loves makeup and even gives some tips for us novices! Scary Prank This app is perfect if you’re a prankster, like to scare the bejesus out of people or just want to try something new. It turns your phone into a prank machine which makes you play a game and then randomly a scary face screams at you. Sounds kind of lame but imagine you’re concentrating on a game, you’re not expecting it and then BANG…Scary right? We’re not selling this very well, are we? Just trust us! Tap Tap Revenge 3 Kind of like Guitar Hero but for phone. It is all about timing and accuracy. Tap Tap Revenge allows you to play the latest music and even battle it out. Just be careful when battling if you’re competitive like us! Tumblr If you have a tumblr account already then you most probably have this but if not then you should definitely get it. A little similar to Instagram but there is a whole different Tumblr crowd and it’s the original site for creative types. Sometimes you can hear what is going on in the world from Tumblr first. It’s the modern BBC! Words by Natasha Mughal

ONES TO WATCH FROM AROUND THE WORLD Birthday Magzine has searched high and low to bring you some of music’s best kept secrets and brand new discoveries from America, France, Nigeria, Jamaica, Korea and the UK. No need to thank us… Words by Paige Padden

Nyemiah Supreme – USA

Sampha – UK, London

Seyi Shay –UK, London

Meet Nyemiah Supreme who many are comparing to fellow Queens rapper Nicki Minaj.

Sampha is a highly respected producer, singer and songwriter with an impressive resume and that’s before he has even stepped out as a solo artist. He has collaborated with Jessie Ware and worked closely with SBTRKT as their vocalist, producer and even their pianist for much of 2012.

This gorgeous London born vocalist is only 27 years old but has already led quite an accomplished musical career. This is thanks to her short-lived time in a British girl band called From Above who were managed by Matthew Knowles (yes, Beyonce’s father!). They had a reality show on MTV, a record deal with Sony and toured the UK with Beyonce and Diddy yet they didn’t manage to break into the industry.

Nyemiah is super producer Timbaland’s new protégée and she has big things coming her way (excuse the unintentional rhyming). On both her mixtapes, Pre-Gaming and Bad, she proved that she can not only rap with aggression and confidence but she can pen powerful lyrics that would put even some of the best lyricists to shame. Nyemiah’s most recent efforts on her new EP, There Can Be More Than One, showcase a more mainstream side to her now that she is working alongside Timbaland. There is playfulness in her delivery yet maturity in her content coupled with brilliant production and a charming personality that oozes through the speakers. If you haven’t already, check out her latest video for the song Rock N Roll which features her mentor and really marks a turning point in Nyemiah’s career. The song is slick and sexy and unlike anything that any female rappers are releasing right now.

Most recently he wrote and recorded on two Drake songs, one of which, Too Much, made it onto Drake’s latest album. Sampha even appeared alongside him to perform the song on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in America. Now Sampha is finally working on his solo music and dropped his first EP, titled Dual, earlier this year which was well received by fans and critics thanks to the warm and captivating vocals and emotional songs. This young rising talent has a big future ahead of him and we will be watching closely to see what Sampha will do next.

Seyi is also a successful songwriter having worked with Justin Timberlake, Michelle Williams and Chipmunk, to name a few. However, Seyi is still hoping to have her time in the spotlight and after building a profile as a solo artist back home in Nigeria with her Afrobeats inspired records, Irawo and Loving Your Way, Seyi has now signed to J-Management to make a go of it here in the UK once again.With such a stunning voice and natural pop star looks, it’s been a long time coming for Seyi Shay, so we here at Birthday have our fingers crossed for her.Afrobeats is quickly gaining popularity outside of Africa thanks to D’Banj and Fuse ODG and with that comes a lot of Nigerian artists trying to gain that same crossover success.

Neon Jungle – UK, London/Scotland

Booba – France

Shereen, Asami, Jess and Amira are the four young girls who make up the delightfully energetic quartet, Neon Jungle. Ranging from the age of 21 to as young as 16, these British singers were discovered by Sony in various ways including Youtube, shopping in Westfields and walking around Brick Lane. Over a course of tough auditions, they were hand-picked as the most talented of the bunch and signed earlier this year.

French rap has never really made much of an impact outside of its own country which is a shame because it is just as good, if not better, than most American rap.

They debuted this summer with their dance anthem Trouble, which reached number 12 in the UK charts, and established themselves as a fun and feisty girl group with talent, personality and scene stealing hair.

He has been in the industry for over ten years, has six top ten albums under his belt and is the most legally downloaded French artist in history. Booba is also quite a controversial rapper thanks to his questionable lyrics and the provocative themes in his music (so he is pretty much like every other American or English rapper) but that’s what makes him so entertaining.

Their powerful voices and big personalities set them apart from other girl groups, as well as their bold fashion statements which will make them the pop queens of style in no time.We can’t wait for their second single and are sure they won’t disappoint with their debut album which is set to be released early next year.

Booba is a great example of a well-respected French rapper who could easily compete with the likes of Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and 2Chainz.

Some of his more popular songs like Caramel and A.C. Milan could easily be mistaken for YMCMB songs translated into French. So now that he lives in America maybe it’s his time to make that crossover and share his music with the rest of the world.

Burna Boy – Nigeria

Tiara Thomas – USA

SZA – USA

So who is on our radar when it comes to the next big African artist, well… they call him, they call him, they call him Burna Boy (that will all make sense when you listen to his smash hit Tonight).

A singer-songwriter with a beautiful, distinctive voice, a voice you may recognise from the original version of Wale’s beautiful ballad Bad. That’s because Tiara, who wrote the song when she was in college, was the featured female vocalist before she left Wale, and signed with Rico Love, and was quickly replaced by Bajan bad gyal Rihanna.

SZA is officially the first lady of TDE, where she joins Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q (so she’s in good company), and rightfully so as this 23 year old is hugely talented.

Burna Boy is trying his luck by reinventing the genre and bringing together elements of house, dancehall, jazz and Afrobeats, creating a whole new original sound. His hugely successful songs Tonight and Like To Party are strong examples of the unique style that sets Burna apart from all other Afrobeats artists. What makes him even more charming is his image. He dresses like the Fresh Prince without looking dated or comical and he always has an adorable smile on his face, yet has an impressive manly physical build. You can’t help but fall in love with Burna Boy and his infectious dance music.

But Ms Thomas didn’t let that hold her back. She has since released her debut single Tell Me Something where she showcases her effortlessly soothing vocals and strong writing abilities. This is what sets her aside from some of the more controversial female pop stars who rely less on their talent and more on their headlines. Her EP also debuted a couple of months ago and Dear Sallie Mae further boasted Tiara’s potential as the new queen of R’n’B with a collection of feisty and empowering songs. With a second part to the EP dropping soon and a debut studio album on the way, Tiara is surely soon to be the new name on everybody’s lips.

Now don’t ask us what the ‘SZA’ actually stands for because although her name Solana does seem like a fit at first, her surname is Rowe… But that’s all irrelevant because with her flawless ‘fro, breath-taking vocals and poignant lyrics she is a force to be reckoned with. Her alternative R’n’B sound could see her being compared to Solange Knowles; however, what makes her so different to so many other musicians out there is her very understated and quiet rise to the top. She dropped two EP’s last year but didn’t really create much of a buzz but now, with a huge label behind her and a delightful new video for Teen Spirit making its rounds on the internet, all the blogs are talking. The song and video are both very artsy and haunting which creates an air of mystery and excitement around SZA – and we for one are eagerly awaiting more music.

Darrio – Jamaica

2NE1 – South Korea

Jamaican artist and DJ, Darrio, has been trying to get his music heard in his home city of Kingston for a while but it wasn’t until he struck up a friendship with fellow dancehall artist Konshens that things started to fall into place for the 27 year old.

These four lovely ladies are hoping to be the first Korean artists to breakthrough into the American market with their hip-hop inspired dance anthems. In Korea, they are pretty much the biggest girl group ever…think Spice Girls but cooler and more talented.

He made his big impact on the music industry last year after his collaboration with label-mate Konshens on the summer smash Gyal Siddung.

CL, Bom, Dara and Minzy are all brilliant singers and trained dancers and have a very high-fashion image. They have already got some great connections, having worked closely with designer Jeremy Scott and featured on the track Getting’ Dumb from Will.I.Am’s album, who is also helping produce their debut American album.

Following that success, he has started to release his own music such as Wah Dat and Hurry Up and is slowly creating a buzz around his name. He is still in the very early days of his career but Birthday are certain that 2014 will be the year of Darrio in the dancehall music scene.

If you want to see what they’re about check out their debut single Fire and they’re huge 2012 summer smash I Love You. Although all their songs are in Korean, good music can transcend any language barrier so not being able to understand exactly what is they are singing doesn’t really matter- you’ll get the gist and still thoroughly enjoy yourself!

Now What’s Up! Birthday Meets

Mista Silva. With Afrobeats making a statement on the national and international charts, Birthday magazine caught up with one of the UK’s rising Afrobeat artists, Mista Silva. An entrepreneurial, motivated and talented artist, he’s making his mark across stages all over the UK. We discussed how he got into music, what it takes for a woman to rock his world and his plans for the future.

It’s a pleasure to speak with you Mista Silva. So first off, when did you decide to get into music? I’ve always been interested in music from when I was a kid really. I started spitting lyrics in the playground, but properly got into it a few years ago. How did your family react when you told them that you wanted to pursue a career in music? Well, my older brother was already into music, doing his thing and when I started getting involved, my parents were like ‘Go and learn your books’ and whatnot and asking ‘Why do you want to do music?’ But over time, they saw the things that I was doing and that people were beginning to hear of me. Word spread that I was doing well and as the positive feedback got back to my parents, they started to encourage me. They are happy that I am doing my thing and they want to see me progress. Alongside music, you also have a knack for business; what motivated you and your friends to start Fresh 2 Def Entertainment? When we were younger we’d go out a lot and then it got to a point where we were bored of going to the same type of parties. We were doing music at the time and people knew of us. So we thought it would be a good idea to broaden our entertainment sphere and decided to start having our own parties that would help showcase our talents, creating an avenue for us to perform and promote our brands and music. Is Fresh 2 Def Entertainment still up and running? Yep, still up and running. We’ve been doing events for the past five years now. It’s good to see that it’s still going strong. Right now we are trying to focus on the Afrobeats scene. We’ve got a couple of things that we are doing at the moment such as Ibiza Loves Afrobeats and another event happening in the UK at the Ministry of sound called UK Loves Afrobeats. These are the main brands that we have now, but back in the day we had Silver Mistletoe and Silver Bunnies. You mentioned focusing on Afrobeats; what would you say distinguishes Afrobeats from other genres of music? I would say that with Afrobeats, the rhythm and the beat is very different. There’s a happy feel factor to it but at the same time, you’ve got songs that will help to motivate you, but the majority of them are ones that make you happy.

And how have different crowds responded to your music and Afrobeats in general? I have performed all over. I’ve performed in schools, in front of white people, Asian people, Indian people, black people, so the response is different all the time, to be honest. At the schools they just go crazy and when I perform to a predominantly white crowd, they enjoy the music and rally around. The university crowd like to enjoy the music as well but they want the performer to come forward and set the tempo. But generally in the UK, people embrace the music and accept it and there’s always good feedback from every performance that I do and I always get crazy feedback on Twitter. We’ve seen some of your Retweets on Twitter and from the school tour that you’ve been doing – these kids love it! Where’s the best place you’ve performed so far? Probably HMV Apollo supporting Wizkid. That was a great thing to do, to be in front of 5,000 people and be able to express myself and share my talent on that stage, it was a good feeling. So when you’re not touring, where can we find you? If I am not doing something music related then, you can find me with my boys, chilling, thinking and planning what else we can do. I might go out to watch a movie or go out for a meal or just do the normal usual things. I just keep it calm, really and truly. I try to take everyday as it comes, I can’t get too fussed about what’s going on at this time. I’m just trying to enjoy what I am doing – enjoy life.

Speaking of love, which woman rocks your world? [Laughs for a while] Which woman rocks my world you know! She’s got to be special to rock my world, you know. I can’t give you specific names… Ok, no specific names but which celebrity woman rocks your world? Or which characteristics should a woman have to rock your world? A woman who is ambitious, supportive and at the same time respects herself and knows how to behave in certain places. Is there is particular celebrity woman who rocks your world? Not really, I would have to meet the celeb, I can’t really judge a person from a distance So it’s not just based on looks for you? No, but obviously looks do count, don’t get it twisted! But looks aren’t everything . Yes I hear you, I hear you… You can have the looks but it’s about the personality. You can meet pretty girls but their personality isn’t really cutting it So you haven’t got caught up with the fame? No not at all. But obviously every time I go out and anywhere I go, there is someone who will recognise me. And sometimes, if I am honest, it does get too much but it’s part of the job and you just have to get on with it- it’s not a problem. The fame is a blessing but it’s what you do with it. You’ve got to use it in the right way. So, what’s been the best moment of the #DanceLowSchoolTour? There has probably been two. The first was at Kingsford Secondary School which was really mad. The kids knew every song, they were just embracing it. That gave me a good feeling to see that the younger generation like the music I am producing and to know that they could grow up listening to my music as well. When I was younger, if someone came to my school and I could relate to the music I would’ve followed the artist. The second highlight was a Lockswood Secondary School. The kids didn’t really know about Afrobeats, as it is a predominantly Asian school but I was able to tell them about Afrobeats. When I started performing and got the teachers involved, it was great! The kids got really excited to see their teachers getting involved. It’s all promoting the Afrobeats love and community; it’s open for everyone.

Gotcha! So who is your biggest motivator? That would have to be myself to be honest. I am always pushing myself to work hard and make sure that every song that I drop is a banger; nothing less than a banger. I want to keep maximising my potential – there’s a lot more to come from me. In the next few years who would you like to collaborate with? I wouldn’t mind collaborating with a few well known Afrobeats artists like R2Bees and WizKid. We could definitely create great music that could help promote the genre. On the UK scene, I would like to collaborate with guys like Wretch32, Skepta. I grew up listening to that genre of music and these are people that I would like to introduce onto the Afrobeats scene as well. Have you got any advice for any of the Birthday Magazine readers who would like to break into the Afrobeats scene? Firstly, I would say, if you want to break onto the Afrobeats scene you have to be aware of the standards that have been set. And if you can match the standards, then go for it. But if you aren’t 100% confident then don’t force it because you don’t want to misrepresent the genre. You must want to come onto the scene to promote Afrobeats in a positive way. What’s your favourite Ghanaian dish? I would say Banku and Tilapia. Ok, we’ll make a note for the woman who wants to rock your world that she needs to know how to cook that properly! Finally, what’s the craziest tweet, you’ve received so far? I get quite a few so I can’t even remember specific ones. I’ve got a few from guys bigging up my music and showing their support. Mainly the tweets I get are from the girls, especially the secondary school crowd from during the Tour. Words by Isha Victoria

Body Shaming - An On-going Battle

You've heard it all before a magazine will state 'Embrace your curves, wear what you want!' and on the next page it says 'Look how much weight these celebrities have gained!'. Well you won't be hearing any of that here at Birthday. We'll be giving you some real advice, backed with actual experience. There is something I remember being told when I was growing up, and that is that girls don't dress to impress boys, they dress to out-dress each other. I personally believe this is true. Never have I looked at my wardrobe and thought 'the boys will love this'. I've always thought 'I'm going to look awesome in this.' I know first hand that there is nothing more gut wrenching than spending a long time on an outfit you feel comfortable in, to end up being made fun of for how you look in it. If I had one pound for every time I've been insulted for something I've worn, I'd be sitting in a mansion with at least two hundred cats (one can dream). I've been getting that kind of response from people for years, but I've learned to deal with the issues it caused me to have and avoided having them since. And now I'm passing on my advice to you guys. I had incredible body issues as I was growing up. I would over exercise, barely eat if I could, and no matter what I did, I always seemed to be too heavy compared to everyone else. Little did I realise that I was actually underweight. You see, you don't just need to be 'overweight' to be targeted with body shaming. I was one of those 'Skinny Bitches'; the 'Bag of bones' 1. Like bullies, body shamers have insecurities of that only dogs go for, apparently. Working hard on my their own. It is said we project our own negativity figure earned me the right to wear what I wanted, but onto others, so you should perhaps consider that the when the slut and body shaming became too much, I did people shaming your body simply don’t like their own it less and less and felt less and less confident. and feel better putting you down. So, how do you embrace your appearance and ignore body shaming? Well it's taken me a very long time and in fact it was only this year that I truly embraced what it meant to be comfortable with the changes my body made. I experienced a lot more body shaming than my friends did mostly because I modelled and created my own risqué outfits. I'm a boob lover, so while I was feeling great concentrating on the thing I liked most about myself, everyone else was thought otherwise. If you're experiencing anything like I might have, there are some things you'll need to realise and accept on the path to self lovin'.

Words by Daina Renton, Photos by William Henry Scott

2. If you’re getting bitched at for wearing what you choose to, it’s probably because they wish they had the confidence to do it. 3. It’s not just ‘big girls’ that can be body shamed. One thing I hated was the attitude that ‘Bones are for dogs, men want real women’. This attitude towards thinner girls is just as bad as making fun of someone who is overweight. I know plenty of girls who eat like horses and never gain a pound. You don’t have to be ‘overweight’ to be body shamed; you can be incredibly thin and still be a victim of body shaming. 4. Changing yourself does not stop people body shaming you. I’ve lost weight, gained weight, worn more, worn less and I’ve still received it. So just remember – don’t spend time changing yourself because most of the time they’ll just find something else to yap about.

Now that seems pretty sad, don't you think? To think that no matter what you do to change, it might never stop? Yeah it is. But I'm being honest with you, which is something a lot women's media avoids. It is important to present a realistic view to young people on society and the judgement we might face. We read fashion magazines with rose tinted glasses, but clarity is the best policy. I'm here to tell you that the change you should be pressured to make is not to your body. It is in your mind. The best change you can do to deal with body shaming and to celebrate your own body is within your mind. As soon as you have the realisation that no two bodies are the same, you'll realise that your body is yours and no one else can have it. Think about it no one else could look like you even if they tried their hardest. That makes me feel one of a kind and it should make you feel the same because you are. Here are some little things I've done which have helped me on the path to self acceptance. Whatever you wear, wear it with confidence. If you have a worry in the back of your mind such as, Is this skirt too short? Is it too long? Is there too much cleavage? Im not showing enough leg here, am I? replace it with confidence. You have left the house now, what’s the point in walking around and looking super nervous? One thing I can confirm is that if you wear whatever you have chosen with complete confidence, people will be more likely to appreciate what you are wearing. It’s hard to explain but when people think you are untouchable, unoffendable and all-around confident, most of them won’t even dare try. Confidence intimidates body shamers. If you don’t have confidence? Fake it. It worked for me! Fake it for a while and before you know it you won’t even be trying anymore. Always try new things. no harm in buying a dress that’s a colour you didnt originally think would suit you. Believe me, there’s no better thrill than when you get complimented on something you weren’t sure about. Comparing yourself to others is what makes you miserable. Accept, like me, that you will never have a body like Beyoncé . Like me, you may be 5 inches taller than her and a few personal trainers less rich. Like me, you are not Beyoncé . Do accentuate what you love most. I adore my boobs and my waist, so I wear high waisted skirts and crop tops which show off what I like best. The most important point to remember on your path to body happiness is that the way you treat yourself is important. A key tip that helped me embrace and love my body was to treat my body and mind separately. You should treat your body like a friend of yours. Make it feel welcome and at home and always be nice. I wish you all luck on your journey to self acceptance and beating the body shamers once and for all. And whatever you do on the way there, just remember this -

“ If

you talk to your friends the way you talk to your body, you would have no friends left.

“

- Marcia Hutchinson

Living with Lupus : The disease with a thousand faces. what is lupus?

It’s hard to explain a disease which nobody seems to understand, let alone have heard of. When I tell others I have lupus the most common response I get is “Oh, what’s that?”, and I guess you’re probably thinking the same thing too. So, what is lupus? In a nutshell, it is a very complicated condition. Systemic Lupus Erythemotosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. So unfortunately my body is unable to fight off all the bacteria, viruses and other lurgies. This leads to long term inflammation and damage to the skin, joints, kidneys, heart and lungs. Anyone can get lupus but the majority of its victims are women of Afro-Caribbean descent, who are three times more likely to get lupus than any other ethnic background. Diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 15-45 years, however those of Afro-Caribbean origin are at greater risk of getting lupus at a younger age with the more severe symptoms. Unfortunately there is no cure for lupus, and yes it can be fatal, but with the correct medical treatment the disease can be controlled.

living with lupus

Growing up as a kid, I considered myself the healthiest child ever. As a matter of fact, I thought I was invincible. I remember the days of being a fun loving, outgoing 16 year old, without a care in the world, I was out every night enjoying life like any typical teenager. Six years later and who am I now? A 22 year old fighting a battle against my own body. I was 17 the day my life changed or should I day the day I got diagnosed with the incurable disease. My symptoms started with the blotchy hands, the swollen joints and the extreme tiredness. I knew something was wrong when the fatigue became so overwhelming that I found it hard to function. I felt exhausted. My joints were stiff. I could barely even walk. In fact, my whole body ached. To add to that, I can say that I was a proud owner of a walking stick at the tender age of 18 years old. I have the most severe case of lupus. So my kidneys, heart and lungs are all affected. I’ve experienced the blood clots, I’ve had to have a blood transfusion, I’ve had heaps of treatment which include chemotherapy but unluckily nothing seems to be working the way it should. What started off as mild, bearable symptoms of swollen joints soon turned into tightness of the chest, fluid around my heart and leaking kidneys. The hospital became my second home. Medication became my best friend and depression started to crawl into my life. Being told the words “there’s a possibility you will not be able to have children” sends you into a zone where your whole world comes crashing down. Will I ever get to experience the excruciating pain of labour that I can not bear to watch on One Born Every Minute? Will I ever get to hold my own child in my hands and shower them with pure love and affection?

Toni Braxton and Seal have been diagnosed with Lupus.

What casuses lupus Firstly, it’s still an unsolved mystery as to what actually causes lupus. Secondly, no- it’s not contagious! Doctor’s and researchers still don’t know the exact cause of the autoimmune disease but most believe that lupus results from genetic, environmental, stress and the hormonal factors.

In reality, lupus has a different feeling each day. Every single day is a challenge. Some days I wake up stiff and unable to move. Sometimes I can feel the heavy, pulsating beat of my heart accompanied by the struggle to let out a word or two because of my shortness of breath. Other times I feel so weak and tired that I struggle to complete simple tasks and on the rare occasion, I feel completely fine. This is why lupus is often known as the invisible illness – my tiredness gets mistaken for laziness and I often get told “you don’t look sick” when in fact the disease wreaks havoc inside my body. When living with a chronic health condition it takes time to adjust and accept the the realities that come with the illness. I found myself having to adapt to the emotional, physical and social changes.

Words by Leah-Kara Johnson

symptoms of lupus

No two cases of lupus are the same and symptoms differ from person to person. For example, one person may suffer from kidney problems whilst the other may have skin lesions and a constant feeling of tiredness. Lupus has a range of symptoms whether it be mild, severe, temporary or permanent. They include: •Joint pain and stiffness •Muscle aches, pains and weakness •Swelling of the hands and feet due to

Social changes

I found myself alienating myself from my friends and losing interest in anything and everything. Having a condition that is so unpredictable makes it almost impossible to plan things. There’ll be times when I’ll feel full of energy, I get ready to go out and then suddenly I feel exhausted and don’t feel like going anywhere. I feel like I should be a regular girl, young at heart and enjoying life to the fullest...but I’m not. It’s almost if I’ve been robbed of my freedom and unable to experience that transitional stage from childhood to adulthood.

kidney problems •Fever •Prolonged or extreme fatigue •Skin lesions or rashes (especially on the arms, hands, face, neck or back)

Physical changes

Have you ever looked at your reflection and struggled to recognise the person looking back at you? Prednisolone is just one of the 35 tablets I take everyday to control my condition. I call it the all time eating, bone thinning, weight gaining medication. Yes, prednisolone may be one of the most effective steroid drugs BUT the side effects are just dreadful. I’ve had to put up with the dreaded “moon face”, depression, hair loss and even blurred vision – despite already being as blind as a bat! As a 22-year-old it’s only natural to be body conscious, right? Well, with my case of lupus it means my kidneys are practically failing. This results in fluid retention- my worst nightmare! There’s been times I’ve gained 20kg of water weight in the space of 2 weeks!

•Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose •Anaemia •Chest pain and shortness of breath •Sun or light sensitivity •Hair loss or alopecia

Emotional changes

•Blood clots

Fear, anxiety and depression are a few of the emotions I have to deal with, whether it be triggered by the lupus itself or the side effects of the medication. It has completely changed my outlook on life. Lupus has an effect on the nervous system which results in memory loss, confusion, and mood swings; this is known as “lupus fog”. I can only compare life with lupus to being on a never ending emotional roller-coaster.

•Raynaud’s phenomenon: fingers turn white and/or blue or red in the cold •Seizures •Mouth or nose ulcers •Unusual weight loss or gain •Dry eyes •Easy bruising • Anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory loss

My final message I guess my biggest lesson is learning not to take health for granted. Battling everyday with an illness that is unknown and sadly incurable is worrying but I’m just lucky to have been diagnosed when I was. I’ve learned to live with the limitations and knowing I might be limited tomorrow, I’ve learned to make the most of right now. With the lack of awareness of the disease with a thousand faces, lupus patients are often misdiagnosed and some remain undiagnosed. Raising awareness is the only way of finding a cure and the cause. More funds means more patients can be treated, more support groups can be started and more research can be funded. For more information on lupus and to show your support, visit www.lupusuk.org.uk

LIFE HACKS Words by Christina Schild

Having one of those days, weeks or even months where it feels like the world is against you and nothing is simple? Try to incorporate these life hacks daily to add some ease into your life. Life hacks are defined as hints and tips so simple that you’ll wonder why you never thought of them before, and their sole purpose is to make life easier. Here are Birthday’s top twenty life hacks: 1. Don’t want annoying ingrown hairs after shaving your bikini line? Use your roll-on deodorant- as you would with your underarms over the skin once dry to prevent those annoyances.

13. Slightly cheeky trick - on your CV, list that you were Time’s 2006 person of the year. You won’t be lying- in 2006, Time made “Everyone” the person of the year.

2. Sitting in a lecture and don’t feel like writing? Your headphones can be used as microphones if plugged into the mic jack of your laptop.

14. Never miss the funny scenes in a movie again. Download an app called RunPee that will tell you the best time to pee when you’re at the movies.

3. Paint the inside of your rings with clear nail polish, this stops them leaving green stains on your fingers!

15. Save money on eye cream! Applying a cold spoon can tighten the skin under your eyes and remove puffiness and rings.

4. Low on cash and drinking some not-so-fab wine? Put the wine in a blender on high speed for twenty or so seconds. This is a form of aeration that releases the tannins and will make the wine taste better. 5. Speaking of wine ; it’s a common scenario , accidentally spilling red wine the moment you wear a white shirt. Immediately pour white wine over the stain, let it air-dry and the stain will be easier to remove. The science? White wine neutralises the red. 6. Put your necklace through a straw to keep it from tangling and becoming an awkward ball. Silly looking but efficient. 7. Not too sure if your bra is the right size? If you can’t easily fit two fingers under your bra band, then it is too tight for you. However, if you can fit your entire fist under the band then the bra is too loose time to go for a fitting!

8. When getting ready for a night out on the town, don’t pump your mascara wand in and out of the tube - this will only cause air to enter the tube drying out the mascara and will lead to clumping. Rather twirl the wand inside the bottle. 9. Worst nightmare - gum stuck in your hair. Keep calm and find an ice cube. It will harden the gum, making it easier to remove. 10. Stuck on what to get a loved one for their birthday? Ask them ‘’Guess what I got you!’’ three or so times, and you’ll soon know exactly what they are hoping for! 11. Lie on your left side and rub your stomach clockwise to get rid of a sore tummy. 12. Sick of bad sound quality on a live recording? The next time you’re filming video with your phone at a concert, put a finger over where the sound is picked up. The result? Much clearer sound.

16. Never wait for lives on Candy Crush again. Set the clock forward on your phone to instantly get a full set of lives! 17. Put your fingers in ice-water immediately after painting your nails. It will dry the polish straight away. 18. Cheat your way to a bakery smell in your own home. Get a small pan and fill with water. Add some vanilla extract and cinnamon and put on the stove. Delicious! 19. To cure a painful brain freeze push your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it there for a few seconds. The pain will soon ease up. 20. If you put glow in the dark paint on your phone charger, you will never fumble in the dark again.

od o G k Luc ! uys

This project was funded [in whole] by vInspired, registered charity no. 1113255