The next stage...

...Oh yes! Well... Half of me is excited as hell, the other is my change-hating-demon, who is scared and negative. We had the offer accepted on our DREAM HOME!

Isn't she pretty?!?! So, mum and I went for the first viewing about a month ago. I opened the door and my big fat square jaw hit the beautiful floor. It was just amazing. I tried so very hard to not smile, make any "oooooh" or "aaaaaaah" sounds (as requested by The Boy. He's hard as nails, and an actor, so used to faking his emotions. Unlike me, the most sensitive emotional wreck in the world). I made all of the forbidden noises, and some. I wanted it, there and then (this sounds like a porno read, I apologise!).

So, without all of the banter in between bidding and acceptance, we got our dream home. The Boy went to see it on his own and felt the same way (which was kind of lucky, because if he didn't like it, that would have been dreadful!).

So, here we are! Sorting out Mortgages, Solicitors, Surveys, oh yes and Wills. This is where I feel 23 going on 50. I took The Boy out for some breakfast to discuss death, splitting up, and all things negative. A test in the relationship. I must say, I was rather worried. Because we're not married (nor do we plan to anytime soon), but have been together for 4 years, things are very different. I suddenly felt immensely grown up and proud of myself in a way to be having such an adult conversation, to someone I usually call poo head, or have play fights with. Luckily, we were in agreement about everything. It would have been awful had it have gone a different way. Can you imagine?! So now we face the difficult task of who gets the dogs, my cat, my teddy who I can't sleep without, my beanie babies (long story), his flat, my car, blah blah.

One thing I do love, is that we have become closer. We have agreed on everything to date (apart from he doesn't know I'm going to Cath Kidston that kitchen up very hard!), and I'm actually incredibly lucky to have found someone who I can compromise with. I'm very stubborn (like my daddy, don't tell him, but he will probably agree), so this can only mean, I'm growing up!

This house is in the countryside. I'm quite scared about leaving all of our wonderful friends in London, but really looking forward to all of them coming up for weekends and all of the parties to be had! Here's to our new life, in the country! (Cake Girl. In the countryside. This can only mean that I will bake my way to an early, obese grave......)

The move is expected to not take too long, so I shall keep you informed!

Much love,

CG xxx

DING DONG!

Hello ladies (and gents)...

I'm going to be selfish. This is my blog, and I think it's about time I shared my list of 'would have affairs' (if I had the chance....). Boyfriend, be worried.

So, my man and I have a little pact. It consists of, him being able to shag Angelina Jolie (ha, like that's going to happen), and he can't change his mind. I, am forever changing my mind. I am of course, allowed. I was nice enough to let him have this little deal, so therefore, I am entitled to bend these rules at my convinience.

So let's get to it! *rubs hands together and drools ever so slightly*

Exhibit A, Bradley Coo(PHWOAR)pper.

Exhibit B, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

 Exhibit C, Ryan Phillippe

Exhibit D, LL Cool J (I don't care what you say, yummah)

Exhibit E, James Corden (Don't ask. I just have a thing for him. Alright?)

That's my top five right now... Although, I will admit, I also fancy the pants off Zac Goldsmith. He's delish!

Images sourced via Google Images

Let's get real.... (or fake in my case)

Like it or not, I've had cosmetic surgery. And, it's the best thing I've ever done.

I've just had my first surgery birthday, and had a little celebration. I've never been happier, and don't regret a single thing. At the age of 12, I wanted this surgery. I kept it quiet until the age of 15, when I lost my puppy fat and was exercising heavily. At this time, it became apparent I had cysts in my breasts and on my ovaries, and because my mother had cervical cancer (and survived) it was taken seriously, so I had regular check ups, biopsy after biopsy, scans, ultra-sounds, you name it. I was terrified. Luckily, all the results came back negative, which was a huge relief, however it didn't stop me from thinking something was wrong with me.

I went on the pill. Most girls my age develop fuller breasts. I was incredibly excited that my little boobies may grow and catch up with my ever-growing curves, giving me a killer figure. But, it never happened.

As a teenager, I would confide to my boyfriends about this, explain my upset and anger over my boobs. Interestingly enough, they all had their hackles up, some even extreme enough to say they wouldn't want to be with me if I had them done. Little did I know, it was more down to their lack of confidence, and not actually worried about me having the surgery, which would have been understandable.

Then I met my love. The guy I've been with for four years (to date). When we first got together, I was incredibly slim, I look back at photos and think DAMN! I looked good. More worryingly, I didn't think I did at the time. I wasn't happy, I had no confidence and criticized myself constantly. As you will see from previous posts, I stupidly decided to have the contraceptive implant which made me gain a few stone in a few months, reducing (well, increasing) me to a heffa with depression. Everything on me got big. I was ugly. I wasn't me. The only thing ironically that stayed the same was my little boobulas. Can you imagine how I felt? I really did think that I had done something in a previous life to deserve this.

That's when I knew I had to get my boobs done. I got the implant taken out, lost weight immediately (be it, I'm still bigger than I was, but a lot happier and more accepting of how I look). I had done secret research over the years, and decided to get advice from the Professor who looked after me through my teenage years of breast issues.

He was just fabulous. He specialises in breast reconstructive surgery for cancer patients. He doesn't really do boob jobs, and because he knew all of my history, was the best in his field, was a teaching professor and was developing new technology for breast reconstructive surgery, he was the perfect candidate. I knew if I had this done, I wouldn't for a second consider anyone else doing the surgery, or think of the price. Because to me, this wasn't about getting the cheapest deal. It wasn't about a quick fix, it was about me, doing a private thing for me, and only me. It cost double if not triple what most boob jobs cost, but was worth every penny.

Here are some photos before (only one I'm afraid!) and after (don't worry, no nudity!). I shall write another post about the actual surgery, because it's long winded and quite interesting! 

I must say this though. Having surgery was completely my idea, I did it with full support from my family and loved ones, and would not advise ANYONE to have surgery. It's an incredibly personal decision, and I am just sharing my experience, and the reason why I did it. I think it's important to know that not everyone who has surgery wants to be a Glamour Model, marry a footballer, or be Jordan. In fact, more than you think want to have surgery to boost their confidence. I don't believe I am selfish for wanting bigger boobs, I didn't have them on the NHS (another thing I'm not sure I agree with... another post clearly...), I did it for me and only me. And yes, they are fun to jiggle (or do the Motorboat, as my boyfriend would say.  If you don't know what that means, Google it. But not at work. It's rude).

Much love,

CG xxx

Joining the #rodartemac battle

I'm going to keep this plain and simple. MAC have brought out a new product line with fashion house Rodarte. Rodarte is a fashion brand founded by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy (pictured below). The Mulleavy sisters are U.C. Berkeley graduates from Pasadena, California, and have received a number of industry awards since the line's inception in 2005.The sisters have also collaborated with Gap, and most recently Target, on limited edition pieces. Their style includes gothic and distressed designs, and layered gowns with fabrics dyed by Edwina Pellikka.

So, a big fancy fashion label, (who use MAC make up on all of their models) and the wonderful MAC got into bed and dreamt up a big marketing campaign. Sure, sounds reasonable and slightly fun and very cool. Chloe for MAC or Amanda Wakeley for MAC would get a look in from me.

However, the 'inspiration' behind the product line is what's getting all beauty bloggers steaming with fury. Back to the 'inspiration' in a sec. Please find exhibit A (below). A slightly dead looking model which is one of the first photos to be released for this line.

Now, the inspiration for this line is the Mexican town of Ciudad Juárez. Now, if you Google the news on Ciudad Juárez, you will find the problem. "The most violent zone in the world outside of declared war zones" as quoted by Wikipedia. Deaths, rapes, shootings, stabbings and fighting. I dare you to find a positive word there. It gets worse. 

Since 1993, almost 400 women and girls have been murdered and more than 70 remain missing in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua, Mexico. The phenomenon of the female homicides in Ciudad Juárez, called in Spanish the feminicidios ("femicides") and las muertas de Juárez ("The dead women of Juárez"), involves the violent deaths of hundreds of women since 1993 in the northern Mexican city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, a border city across the Rio Grande from the U.S. city of El Paso, Texas. The estimated homicide toll is speculated by authorities to be about 400, but many local residents believe that the true count of los feminicidios stands at an estimated 5,000 victims. Most of the cases remained unsolved as of 2003, and are still unsolved today. 

Most women in Juárez work cruel hours in factories, slaving their guts away for the price of a cup of coffee. Some of these women are attacked on the way home, or to work. It actually really upsets me to think big brands are treating their workers like this... But that's a completely different discussion point.

So, take yourself there. Take a deep breath and seek inspiration. You can't can you? So, the important questions are, How the hell did MAC and Rodarte get inspired by Juárez? Why did MAC and Rodarte decide this was a good product line? How is death of this kind, abuse, violence, brutality and murder an inspiration? And, seeming as this product is aimed at women, how did they think this wasn't a crass move?

Then there's those photos. Exibit A (picutred up there somewhere). See what I mean now? Ghostly. Very bad move MAC. And if you thought it couldn't get worse, it does. The product line names. Factory, Juarez, Ghost Town and Badlands. Before I swear, I have quoted a lovely, highly respected beauty blogger, who sums it up perfectly. 

"In context, this is about as sensitive as Toys R Us releasing a line of toy guns and calling them 'Columbine' and 'Dunblane'. That would never happen - we would, quite rightly, be in uproar at the commercialisation of horrific murders of children and teachers." - Beauty Mouth 

So, what can be done?

Well, MAC need to donate ALL of the profit from this range to help the women in Juarez. End of story. Secondly, they need to realise, we are the consumer. We buy their products. We keep them afloat. Controversy is Marmite. Being different is what every brand tries to do. This is more than a step too far, in my opinion, MAC and Rodarte are monetizing rape, death and abuse of women, and trying to make it fashionable.

Until this situation is sorted, I am staying away from Estée Lauder (who own MAC, Aveda, Clinique, Origins, Prescriptives, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, DKNY, Jo Malone, Darphin, Ojon..... the list goes on) and all of their companies.

Bobbi Brown, Aveda and Darphin are actually my favourite, all-time brands, but by not touching them, buying them, using them is the least I can do to try and expose this dreadful situation.

Please also see other fellow bloggers who have written about this:

1. bangsandabun: http://bangsandabun.com/2010/07/the-mac-rodarte-collection-ill-pass @bangsandabun
2. the beauty button: http://www.thebeautybutton.co.uk/bothered-bloggers-rodartemac @emmaskipper

3. beauty junkie london: http://www.beautyjunkielondon.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-bloggers-views.html @beautyjunkieldn

4. the beauty mouth: http://www.beautymouth.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection-whose-genius.html @carolinehirons

5. beauty blog roll: http://beautybegins.blogspot.com/2010/07/rodarte-mac.html @drew692

6. beauty blogging blonde: http://beautybloggingblonde.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte.html @millmollmac

7. big fashionista: http://big-fashionista.blogspot.com/2010/07/macrodarte-collection-from-hell-on.htm @bigfashionista

8. british beauty blogger: http://www.britishbeautyblogger.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-and-women-of-juaraz.html @britbeautyblog

9. catanya: http://catanyasthings.blogspot.com/2010/07/la-polemica-esta-servida-macrodarte.html @catanya

10. ditzy makeup: http://ditzymake-up.blogspot.com/2010/07/total-fail-from-mac-rodarte-collection.html @ditzymakeup
11. the fashion freak: http://clairewaterworth.tumblr.com/
12. getlippie: http://getlippie.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection-but-it-is-art.html @get_lippie

13. glitterdollz7: http://glitterdollz7beauty.blogspot.com/2010/07/shambles-macrodarte.html @glitterdollz7

14. healingbeauty: healingbeauty.co.uk @healing_beauty

15. just nice things: http://www.just-nice-things.co.uk/?p=8267 @helennicethings

16. katie chutzpah: http://katiechutzpah.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-macrodarte-product-names-causes.html @katiechutzpah

17. konglish beauty: http://konglishbeauty.com/2010/07/19/mac-rodarte-the-controversy-and-why-we-care/

18. le salon de beaute http://lesalondebeaute.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection-juarez-killings.html @lesalondebeaute

19. lady of the lane: http://www.ladyofthelane.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte-collection-fall-2010.html @ladyofthelane

20. le petit jardin de liloo: http://bit.ly/macrodarteshame @tsunimee

21. lilian: http://lillianfunnyface.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-naming-your-products-after-sites-of.html   @LillianLow
22. london beauty queen: http://londonbeautyqueen.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-border-control.html   @lbqblog

23. london makeup girl: http://www.londonmakeupgirl.com/2010/07/rodarte-collection-mac-what-were-you.html  @londonmugirl

24. makeupsavvy: http://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2010/07/rodarte-for-mac-cosmetics-collaboration.html @makeup_savvy

25. makeuploveer: http://makeuploveer.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte.html

26. mizzworthy: http://www.mizzworthy.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte-words-fail-me.html   @mizzworthy

27. miss ellie: http://missyellieuk.blogspot.com/2010/07/macrodarte-collaboration-controversy.html   @missy_ellie_uk

28. Of faces and fingers: http://bit.ly/bD3p11 @musicalhouses

29. perfectly polished: http://bit.ly/cNMKRs @perfectpolished

30. reallyree: http://reallyree.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-and-rodarte-inspired-by-murder-city.html   @reallyree

31. so far so chic: http://www.sofarsochic.co.uk/2010/07/mac-and-rodarte-taking-tasteless-to-new.html  @laurawheat

32. sparkle and shade: http://sparkleandshade.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection-few-of-my.html @inmywindow

33. strawberry mochi: http://www.strawberrymochi.com/2010/07/18/mac-rodarte-collection-wth/ @mochistrawberry

34. vex in the city: http://www.vexinthecity.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection-ignites-juarez.htm @vexinthecity
35. wande’s world: http://wandesworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/beauty-craze-mac-rodarte-collection.html @wandesworld

36. Amanda (Snippets of self confessed beauty vixen)  http://www.xflossy.com/2010/07/boo-to-you-mac.html @Miss_xFlossy

37. Mandi’s Madness: http://bit.ly/aBG03a @makeupmanditx

38. Loulou’s Land: http://www.loulouland.co.uk/2010/07/mac-and-rodarte.html @loulouland

39. Ariel: http://arrriiell.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte.html @arrriiell

40. Socialte’s Dreams: http://socialitedreams.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/you-stay-classy-m-a-c-and-rodarte/ @socialitedreams

41. Addicted to all things pretty:http://bit.ly/9z58ym @krissy90220
42. My lips but better: http://mylipsbutbetter.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte-my-two-cents.html @mylipsbutbetter

43. Makeup Advice Forum http://makeupadviceforum.com/2010/07/inspiration-for-a-makeup-line/ @MakeupAdviceMAF

44. Do not Refreeze (Leanne) http://www.donotrefreeze.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-drama.html @donotrefreeze

45. Sophie: http://makeupwonderland.blogspot.com/2010/07/macs-controversial-rodarte-collection.html @melovemakeup

46. Modesty Brown: http://modestybrown.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-rodarte-collection.html @modestybrown

47. a little more glitter: http://alittlemoreglitter.blogspot.com/2010/07/dropped-off-edge-again-down-in-juarez.html @alittleglitter

48. Beauty and the Dirt: http://ow.ly/2dkkn @BeautyandDirt

49. Life, Love and Lipgloss: http://shantel121.blogspot.com/2010/07/rodarte-and-mac.html   @shantel121

50. Ladies who do skepticism: http://bit.ly/akGYi8 @EmmaJaynewithay

51. Fashion Limbo: http://www.fashionlimbo.com/2010/07/shameless-campaign-mac-and-rodarte.html @fashionlimbo

52. Lianne: http://blog3-2-1.blogspot.com/2010/07/rodarte-mac-gate.html @lianne84

Different viewpoints on the controversy?

beauty by em: http://em-wyllie.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-for-rodarte-controversy.html @emwyllie

best brush forward: http://bestbrushforward.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-forglobal-controversy.html @admiralkathryn

Ahhh.... Feels good to be back!

I'm so incredibly sorry I have neglected you dearest. No real excuse... Instead of catching up on reading about Cake Girl, what I've been up to, highs, lows etc I thought I'd come in with a bang.

Why the HELL is the media (red tops mainly, granted) showing coverage on Raoul Moat being a hero?

Let's start with the facts: Raoul Moat was in prison. He threatened to 'cause serious harm' his ex-girlfriend. He was released. 
(CG: You'd think at this point, it wouldn't have got to the releasing stage. It does make me wonder how many other prisoners are released, having confessed to harming or abusing others?)

Moat is not named as the suspect for 12 hours after Sam Stobbart is shot twice. Despite learning of a visit made by Moat to close friend Andy Mcallister on Saturday evening, police do not watch the house.
(CG: Right, so you know where this guy is who has shot someone, and you don't investigate. I'm no officer, but surely in a game of 'who dunnit' a 3-year-old would suggest it)

A large-scale operation is launched. An ex-girlfriend tells police "he'll come up here" – but police don't arrive until Tuesday.
(CG: I don't really need to comment here.... You know what I will say)

Police miss Moat when he returns to Mcallister's to drop off his 49-page "murder statement". They release details of the Lexus car Moat has been driving. Locals say it had been in the village all day.
(CG: You'd think there would have been Police in the village, or again, still watching the house...)

Moat gets found, Paul Gascoigne claims to be his mate, Moat is given food and water, something a out a taser is fired, whether or not it was done before Moat pulled the trigger is another matter.

What I'm more concerned about is this. Every time something bad happens in the media, generally when it involves someone dying, horrible, nasty comments and posts emerge on social networking sites. For example, "RIP RAOUL MOAT YOU LEGEND" would you believe, exists on Facebook. Oh yes. I'm not even going to copy and paste some of the comments on here, you get the picture. When someone innocent dies, (Example a Facebook group set up by a mother whose baby had died was overwhelmed with comments of hate and just shocking accusations) the opposite happens. It seems some social networking sites have become a sick playground, for people to shock, use and abuse. I don't understand why this is happening. I know negative comments and posts happen, and all of us have experienced it somewhere. It makes me wonder what kind of a world we are living in.

Back to Moat, he killed an innocent man, seriously injured two innocent people, and wasted millions of tax payers spondoolies.

I will say this, if I saw Moat, and he was in a busy town, and had a gun, and I happened to have a gun, I would shoot him. Not kill him, but try to injure him. I feel incredibly sorry for his family, and mainly his children. If that was my father, he certainly would never be an idol to me. I would be completely and utterly disgusted and ashamed of his behaviour.

he·ro

• a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
• a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal

I do not see anything 'Moat' like in these definitions. Ironically, I guess it won't be long before Moat is defined under "Hero" on Urban Dictionary...