Feminism.

I am a feminist. Those are probably four words that most girls are scared to say. I only came to this conclusion a couple days ago although it had been playing on my mind for quite a while. Now if you are a proud feminist then I congratulate you but if you're not a feminist, why? Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to force feminism on to you; but seriously, why? Why aren't you a feminist? 

The word feminism, the movement of feminism generally brings to mind the 60s, burning bras and man-hating. But feminism has evolved since then. Feminism is now about not being slut shamed (degrading or mocking women for being sexual), the fact that for every dollar a man makes in the US, a women makes 75 cents or that in certain places in the world we are not allowed to drive.

 Perhaps the reason why so many are scared to admit they are a feminist is because of the stereotypes surrounding it. The Oxford Dictionary defines feminism as 'the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes'. Wikipedia says 'Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women'.  For any who are slightly mind boggled at the moment here are 5 words that sum it up for you. 

DEFENDING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN 

That is all feminism is about. Many assume that feminism is about women wanting to be better than men, that they want to switch roles so to speak. It's not about being better, it's about being equal. It's not  that for every dollar a man makes we want to make 2, we just want to make 1 ... like them thus being EQUAL. 

Many feel that feminism is too strong for them ,it's too harsh, that it doesn't apply to them; but it does. In a 2008 poll 37% of women admitted to having experienced harassment in the workplace compared to the 7% of men who admitted to it as well. A lot of people think that harassment is being felt up or being made to feel uncomfortable due to words of sexual nature. Yes it's that but there's also a lot more. Once I had done some research on this it showed me how many of things I personally dismiss as 'banter' or a joke can class as harassment. Now I'm 14 and I go to school with mixed gender students aged 12-16. Yet even at such a young age I'm being faced with this. 

I got on the bus yesterday, ready to go home and as I sat down a Year 11 told me to put my leg up " 'cause it's sexy", the day before that the comment was made " do you want to come sit on my lap? My sausage wants to see you". Now I don't feel scared or worried by these comments or particularly offended because this type of thing generally washes over my head but I shouldn't have to deal with this because I am woman.  Yesterday in my R.E lesson, after spending an hour talking about racial equality and gender equality, two guys started making comments such as 'all women start wars, women belong in the kitchen, back in the old days husband would beat their wives, we still should.' These are HIGHLY offensive comments and they riled all of the four girls, including me, sitting at our table. In fact we weren't just angry, we were disgusted. Yet other girls found it funny. They were actually laughing at the 'debate' we were having. And this disgusted me even more; because we weren't trying to defend us personally, we were defending all women. 
This is why feminism exists because there are too many men and women who find equal rights for women a joke. 

A lot of people today argue that feminism does not apply in  today's generation. That women are allowed to wear trousers, drive and work. Yes, they are and this is all a result of women standing up for themselves, this is a result of feminism. People say that the genders are equal yet British women on average make 15% less than their male colleagues and that the pay gap, that so many say is so small, is actually on average £10,060. That doesn't seem small, that seems extreme. But when I defend my rights as a woman and say that out loud I'm the extreme one. Women deserve to be treated better. If a guy makes a rude comment to me he is just joking or 'being a boy' yet just think what would be said if , as a woman, I went round stroking guy's thighs and telling them how much I know they want it. I would not only be viewed as disgusting there would be serious consequences but if I was man then it's totally fine. 

Well I'm saying it's NOT! I'm saying NO! I'm sick of living in a society where one of the biggest insults in school is being called a girl. I've had enough of hearing about how women were raped and then either told they were lying or that it was their fault. Just because I'm a woman it doesn't mean I can be trampled on. It doesn't mean I should earn less than a guy doing the same job. And it definitely does not mean that I should be called extreme for defending myself.

We live in a society where being a woman is a downfall. And it shouldn't be. All feminists want is to be EQUAL. 

This Week's Obsession

 

Now I'm not an obsessive person but I'm surely not the only person who tends to obsess when they find something they love. So for every week now I will be telling you guys my weekly obsession. 

So this week's obsession is ....(drumroll please) 

The Carrie Diaries 

Yes it's American and yes I've only just found it but I JUST CAN'T STOP WATCHING! I just love how it's set in the 80s yet has modern actors in it. Plus their lifestyle... urghhh it's so fabulous. (hahaha) 

I recommend it to all who love real-life-esque chick flicks. ;) I can't help but watch 3 or 4 episodes a night; it's literally an addiction! 

So this was short but hey! It was the first one :) 

Georgie 

xoxo

Style Session 4: Layering

 

So for our next basic Style Session 4 it's ......

LAYERING! 

Now this is going to be less of a step by step and more of just a brief thing because layering is quite simple but I thought it would be good to cover it as a basic. 

So with layering although everything compliments one another but stills has it's own spotlight. So for example necklaces, what you definitely DO NOT want to do is take 3 necklaces of the same length and then wear them at the same time! NO! You want to take 3 DIFFERENT lengthed necklaces so that although they may all compliment one another but they won't be all clumped together; instead you will be able to see each one. 

This also goes for items of clothing such as wearing a plain top, short scarf and then a jacket so that nothing is over crowded and you are still able to admire each piece.  

So that's layering sorry if you find this post a little on the shorter side but I didn't want to drag this post out. 

Georgie 

xoxo

Stressin' Much?

 

Stress

I recently handed in a Physics Project that I'd been working on for the past 2 weeks. And the relief I felt when I took it into the classroom was indescribable. It felt like every weight on my shoulders was gone and I was floating on a cloud! But we all know that the 'weight' and 'relief' was simply put,

STRESS! 

If you've never been stressed then you're lying. Now stress is basically pressure; the thing being that every time we get pressured into doing something or given a deadline it simply adds to our stress. Now don't get me wrong a little stress is well a-ok because I find that that little bit of stress keeps me on my toes just enough so that I'm not wasting my life away on the sofa or in bed or on the internet... 

So basically some stress is good and some stress is bad in fact all stress is good but it's only when it piles up to this mega heap that can easily reduce you to tears, that you know you are WAY TOO stressed and simply put ... need a break. 

Now as a 14 year old stress has become part of my daily routine; simply because I have so much going on. The worst part being that everything I do now is creating my future because Year 10 = GCSEs = STRESS! So if you're 14 or 15 then you're not alone. Now I'm not typing to simply tell you how too much stress is bad blah blah ... I'm here to tell you how I deal with it so instead of having MEGA stress, I have mini stress! 

1: Prioritise 

This basically means sorting out out the important stuff from the not so important i.e Downton Abbey = not so important (you can watch it on ITV Player whenever you want), geography paper due next week = IMPORTANT!

Now you may be thinking but you would have a week to do that paper which brings us on to the second point...

2: Scheduling 

If a paper is due next week do it today! The easiest way to schedule things is to do them as they come i.e maths h/w = received Monday - done Monday ! Now just by scheduling and prioritising does not mean you going to have uber amounts of time to chill, sometimes you are going to sacrifice chill time for the greater good. SO start thinking of the bigger picture - so you might spend three hours doing homework tonight but it means tomorrow or the day after that you might have to do an hour max.! Now I'm just telling you how I schedule my chill time and studying etc. but feel free to do it any way that works best!

3: Keeping Track

Now I'm one for lists; I absolutely LOVE lists! They help me keep on track and stay organised with what needs to be done. Now although I recommend lists, there also things  like whiteboards, notice boards, planners etc. that do wonders for staying on track with everything! This bit is all down to personal choice so you might have to attempt a few things before you find what works best!

Now I know this was quite short but when addressing such a MEGA topic like stress it can be easy to go on and on and on and on and ........ You get the picture. Now if you feel I should do another post about stress then feel free to email me or comment below!

Georgie
xoxo

Style Session 3: Mixing Patterns & Prints

 

Just to clarify - prints and patterns = same thing!  

So mixing patterns can be an uber difficult thing! That is why I thought that I'd include it as a basic Style Session because once you know how to it's easy peasy! 

Step 1: Pick Your First Pattern

Now if you haven't already read Style Session 2: Piecing An Outfit Together then you should before you read this because we will be referring to it through out this post! 

http://stylenomics99.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/stylenomics-session-2-piecing-outfit.html 

So now that's out of the way let's get cracking! 

Now instead of focal points we're going to be talking patterns. So you need to choose the first pattern as the boldest. This needs to be the one that the eye is instantly drawn to. And preferably you're going to want one with quite a few different colours. 

Step 2: Compliment 

We now want to get other patterned pieces in complimenting colours. Now this is why you need a focal pattern with plenty of colour. So the best way to compliment the focal point is by picking out colours from the focal piece and use them to not only compliment the focal piece but by also subtly making the focal piece POP just that little bit more. 

It's also good to alternate by taking some staple pieces in the colours involved in the focal piece - but this time in plain, for example you might have a patterned shirt, print trousers and a plain blazer - this way you won't be making the whole outfit TOO busy but it will still look UBER effective! 

Step 3: Accessorise 

Ok so now time to accessorise now this time you're going to want to pick the more MINOR colours out of your focal piece; you don't want to over-accessorise so just go for simple pieces such as a bangle or coloured watch or maybe some statement earrings but not TOO MUCH! 

And now you're outfit is complete! 

Georgie 

xoxo

Blog Lovin 😄

Yep we got Blog Lovin! 

For all who are still in the dark, Blog Lovin is a website that let's you read all your favourite blogs all in one place! My dear friend, Grace ( http://aneveaday.blogspot.co.uk) introduced me to this just this morning when she mentioned it and I am SO glad she did! 

So thank you Grace for opening my eyes to Blog Lovin!

So sign up now, to be able to always get the latest Stylenomics news! 

Style Session 2: Piecing An Outfit Together

 

So piecing an outfit together. I thought it only right to include this in the beginner Style Sessions as this is a key part of fashion, style and Stylenomics. Many will give you different answers to the question : how do you piece an outfit together? 

Well , I'm going to tell you the most simplest ways, because that is the whole point of these first few sessions; covering the simple basics so that way we have a solid foundation to build on! 😌 

So let's get cracking! 

Step 1: Choose A Focal Point 

The best way to build an outfit is to build around one piece. It's always easier if the focal point is part of the base layer such as statement trousers, a printed top or a colourful blazer. It's always better if the focal point is somewhat of a stand out piece because trying to make the eye instantly go to beige is a very difficult feat! 

Step 2: Building Around 

Now you have chosen your focal point, it's time to build around it. Now this is where your staple pieces come in; where you add the nice fitting blue jeans and the simple, long-sleeved top.  You want the focus to be the focal point so you don't want anything that would steal 'the spotlight' off the focal point; which would defeat the whole point. 

Step 3: Accessorise 

Now accessorising can go one of two ways; you can either pick subtle pieces that compliment the outfit as a whole or pick out colours from your 'statement piece' or 'focal point' and then use those colours for statement jewellery pieces that catch the eye but still compliment the outfit. 

So there you have it; the second instalment of Style Sessions, 

I hope you enjoyed it and the next Session will be : 

Mixing Patterns & Prints 

Georgie 

xoxo

Let's Get Personal! 😏

So I've only just came to realise how this blog isn't very personal; infact so far it's been ,in my eyes, quite professional ... ish. So I thought I'd answer a few questions that you'd asked me in the past , within a short paragraph! 

I use a MacBook Pro 10.8.5 and an iPhone 4s/ iPad 3 to take photos. I'm 14 years old and my birthday is January! I have uploaded videos on my YouTube channel which is called stylenomics99. 

I have a cat called Baby and  

that's all I'm saying ... for now! 

I will now try to be posting a personal post every other day! 

Georgie 

xoxo

Style Session 1: Finding Your Style

 

Ok so finding your style. This is a huge topic in which there are many 

answers to the infamous question, how do I know what my style is? 

Now don't get me wrong I'm not one for labels ; I'm perfectly happy to answer the question with 'well you know grunge but not total grunge, nerdy but not total prep, feminine but not girly' and so on, because truth be told my style changes with my moods which change with the weather (joking). But it's always nice to be prepared when the shop assistant asks 'so what are you looking for? What's your style?' because having an answer makes shopping so much more simple! 

So there are a lot of ways to go about this but I'm going to tell you probably the easiest (and my favourite) way to do it!

Step 1

Take your clothes and first sort them into colours. Now we are not talking about that multi cloured sweater you Grandma sent you that you've never worn. We are talking about the clothes that you wear on a regular basis, those staples that you wear regularly and just can not live without! 

Step 2

Now that you've seen the colours and the general jist of what colours you wear the most. You are now going to need to borrow a friend for this part ; because we're not searching for a label but for a simple, three word description. Such as 'vibrant,busy,colourful' which immediately brings to mind multi-coloured, mixed patterns with lots of accessories where as 'clean,modern,simple' conjures up images of simple items with minimum accessorising in very neutral colours'. See how effective those three words are at describing your style? So you're going to use your friend's opinion first and see what they think. 

Step 3

Now almost using your friend's description you are now going to describe your style using three words which you will now be able to use as your inspiration for your own three words. After describing your style yourself you should have decided on your three words. Congratulations! That is your style!

Georgie 

xoxo