Competition laws mean nothing in HBOS takeover

I'm not Au Fait with financial affairs although like everyone else- the last six months has made me prick up my ears a tad!
HBOS (who own my bank Halifax) have been taken over by Lloyds TSB (WHO I HATE!) today in a shocking twist in the Credit Crunch Fable.
HBOS were the largest lenders in the UK market who have crumbled this week quite unexpectedly they are the largest global bank to fall ill of the global economy.
Their share prices dropped from last years rate of £9.17 to 88p yesterday morning with lloyds tsb offering a take over bid of £2ish for each share.
There are two reasons this has really annoyed me. Primarily because I hate lloyds- I've banked with them and their customer service skills are appalling. Halifax have always treated me with respect and intelligence regarding my finances. I'm dreading my bank turning a lloyd's turn for the worse.

Perhaps more importantly In order to prevent a Nothern Rock esque attack on the market the government have wavered competition laws that seemed so important 7 years ago when lloyds tried to make a bid on ABBEY.
So here we go the Country will soon be owned by Lloyds and Tesco- YipEEEEE
(breaks down in 1984 premonition tears)

Every Wonder how much your take home pay will be?

I'm job hunting at the moment, and I think its always quite important to know just how much money you will take home before you start a job. (saves disappointment later!).
My mind used to get boggled everytime I sat at my laptop and googled the current tax allowance and then tax percentage and then tried to do the complicated sums on a non-scientific calculator the size of a credit card. (Give me a break - I don't have a coffee shop near my new house!)

Anyway finally my googling has paid off. :interesting fact my spell check has no problem with the words 'googling' or 'googled' but 'google' is subject to that evil red squiggly caterpillar!: I have found a site that does the maths for you in a jiff! Enter your yearly salary and the amount of overtime you expect to do a month and voila your yearly,monthly,weekly,daily take home figures are displayed clearly for you to see!

I <3 the internet :D.

http://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php

How to make an ICED COFFEE/ FRESCATO/ FRAPPUCINO at home with things already in your cupboard

Okay, So I'm going to reveal a little nugget of my past to you! I've worked in management for two of the largest coffee chains in the UK. Working in a coffee shop is probably one of the most degrading experiences of my life! To anyone considering it- I'd recommend doing otherwise unless you can get in as a manager. The wage is minimum or a very small extra for supervisor level, you never stop working all day long and the tips are non-existent. How ever one thing I learnt that I am grateful for is my knowledge of the demon that is coffee :D.

So I'm now a coffee snob. A cup of instant is fine when you're home alone, but when you're out and paying £2 for a cup somewhere I'd be very disappointed if it came out of machine with no real skill involved.

Why you ask? Well firstly there's the small issue of the profit company's make from hot beverages. The average cup of coffee costs (i mean your ground from the bean hot steamed milk cappuccino here) around six pence to the coffee shop. I am being honest here. I learnt this on a company training day and while this was about two years ago I doubt the price has increased a great deal. Even with the crazy inflation that you see in the supermarket at the moment. If you think about how much your latte costs now compared to last year relatively it is has increased by a minimal amount.

The second factor is the taste difference is phenomenal. The beautiful oily bitterness that engages your tastebuds and recharges your batteries. I strongly advocate the consumption of coffee over alcohol for a truly good time.

Anyway I'm moving off the subject of my post. How to make an Iced Coffe.

I decided not long ago that I would boycott coffee houses (whenever socially exceptable to do so) in favour of a portable thermos flask. Given the state of the economy I thought it best to share this knowledge with anybody interested in saving a few pounds.

First off.

1. The Coffee. Now you can get some very rough ground filter coffee in the supermarkets. My advice would be to steer clear of heavily branded packets. Anything Storebranded, Nescafe, or Starbucks labeled is out. Unless your a heavy coffee drinker stick to very small packets as Coffee loses flavour once opened very quickly. I personally go to whitchards. You can smell and taste the been for free prior to purchase and they will grind it instore for you. Make sure however that the beans are oily- if they aren't they're not fresh.
2. A cafetiere is fine for making coffee, Coffee machines are high maintenance and expensive. put plenty of coffee ground in around 2 tablespoons per large cup. Add about 100ml of hot water and stir prior to plunging!
3. Ice- again the machines you can by on the high street aren't worth bothering with unless you have money falling out your ears. Just from the freezer. Put about 12-14 cubes of ice (per cup) in a Freezer bag then wrap in a tea-towel and beat with a rolling pin until crushed. (WEAR EARMUFFS WHEN HUNGOVER!)
4. Icing sugar is my secret ingredient for this little number. It helps add consistency to the iced coffee and dissolves better in cold liquid than standard sugar. put as much as you can handle in the glass/mug/thermos/mixing jug.
   
5. Flavours- I love cinnamon coffee so I always add a little to my mix, or if im feeling devilish cocoa powder. Most chain stores use your bog standard cadbury's hot chocolate for all their mocha's and such. Use roughly a tablespoon per mug. (sounds alot but this is what you get at the coffee shop) IF YOU WANT WHITE CHOCOLATE simply melt some white chocolate into the coffee. Use your imagination. Syrups aren't unnecessary when you can buy most of the flavours you desire for less than £2 from the spice section of the supermarket.
6. Add the hot coffee first it should be very strong because the ice and milk will water it down. Mix the icing sugar and flavours in until fully dissolved.
7. Finally add the crushed ice, and as much milk as you like- stir and viola! Ice Coffee. Drink down or pop in a thermos and take to work!

I will add recipes for homemade hot beverages shortly. But I have an interview to get to!
Wish me luck

Billie Piper accused of glamourising prostitution

Not Being a great fan (or one at all) of Hollyoaks, Big Brother or Kerry Katona, I never usually read the entertainment headlines that greet me when i check my hotmail.
However being a fan of Secret Diary this one caught my attention.
I understand completely how important it is not to underestimate the danger alot of working girls put themselves into. But I do wonder exactly what kind of nutter watches a tv show and then try to revolve their life around it? (sorry start trek fans- its just not real)
The woman for POPPY clearly cares for he avocation however it seems to me she isnt (or doesn't want to be) in possession of all the facts. The fact that Secret Diary is based on the supposedly true blog entries of Belle de jour for example, and although the storylines deviate from the blog the only significant difference I have noticed is that the TV Belle is far more insular and solitary than the "real life" belle.

POPPYS big brothel report seems to outline that 2/3rds of prostitutes working in london brothels are actually trafficked (which IS AWFUL- and something needs to be done.) into the trade.
So I'm just a little bit confused- seeing as pipers character isn't a trafficked sex worker or someone who works in a brothel how they can claim she "endorses" prostitution when their knowledge seems to be primarily based around a different area.

Seems a bit like accusing Jemma Jameson of glamourising child pornography. Or George elliot of endorsing herion use (which she discusses frequently in her work!).

Billie Piper's TV Show Slammed

Billie Piper, famous for playing Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, is under fire for her role as a high class prostitute in Secret Diary Of A Call Girl. The ITV2 drama has been accused of glamorising prostitution.

Based on the real-life diaries Belle De Jour: The Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl, it has become notorious for its explicit sex scenes, including a lesbian romp. A representative from Women's charity POPPY Project, which supports women forced into prostitution, has slammed both the programme and Billie Piper. Chief executive Denise Marshall told the Sunday People: "She is an actress who has certain choices. She is not a jobbing actress. She appeared in Doctor Who, a programme watched by lots of young people. To then give endorsement to a programme like Secret Diary is obscene. For this privileged young woman to misrepresent the reality of prostitution is appalling." A spokesman for Tiger Aspect, makers of the series, defended the show: "The programme in no way seeks to condone or normalise prostitution."

Billie Piper says the role of Belle is one of her most challenging parts to date. Part of her research involved talking to prostitutes: "I met high-class hookers who were very candid. I wanted to know if they get anything out of the sex, if they ever fell in love with the guys. Surprisingly, some of them did." The role sees Billie don a string of risqué and revealing costumes, including a rubber dress and PVC dominatrix gear. Secret Diary is adapted from the diaries, first published in 2005, which were from an anonymous blog. The first series was a hit, but the second has proved a turn-off with viewers so far.

Motorbike is SOO not chic

I'm miserable! Its evident that my motorbike is trying to kill me now I'm too terrified to even get on the thing ( I don't have anywhere to go today either). I cant seem to find anything on google regarding how to overcome motorcycle phobia so am going to stay at home rather than go out today.

Sarah Jessica Parker Does not look like a foot.

Okay so I had S and H round this weekend, it was S's Birthday and things took a messy turn for the worse on friday night where I had to be prevented from buying MOET (eurgh) from the dodgy bar where we had finished the night up in. S came back to mine and H joined us the next day for some Audrey Hepburn and Bucks Fizz hangover cure all.
And advert aired for sex and the city. One of my favorite shows. I wasn't very old when the show came out, but used to watch it on my black and white portable telly with the headphones in. It influenced me in such a way that while my friends were still reading top of the pops I'd beline to the post office everymonth to pick up Vogue. It's what inspired my love of charity shopping, my obscure dress sense and my love of writing. Sex and the City made me want to better myself.
anyway! the advert airs for sex and the city. To which my previously subdued company started to graphically insult the show. Not based on the script, Acting, Premise or fashion. The disdain felt by my friends for the show was based entirely on the opion that sarah jessica parker looks like a foot.
I was riled enormously given that this pair considered Jared Letto to be a catch (I never really digged the albino goth look).
It reminded me of a post I made last year when maxim voted SJP the ugliest woman of all time:

Now Im not going to claim that Sarah Jessica Parker is today's modern Godess. I wont deny that Amy Winehouse isnt the best role model. Madonna has seemed to be clasping at straws whilst dealing with aging. But there aint no way in hell Im going to agree with maxims verdict on their "the five unsexiest women alive" feature.
How is it that Angelia Joley isnt on it, with her vacum cleaner lips, emaciated frame and incestous habits?
Or what about Jodie price, plastic surgery's answer to "dolly the sheep" (and we all know how that turned out).
Perhaps bigbird, ahem i mean faketits, ahem needs to eat and stop pretending she is talented,Victoria Beckham.
Kate moss is another total talentless mong. I really cant wait fro her to hit forty and when her ever hallowing face will shatter into a million peices.

Seriously Maxim?
Camilla, Heather mills, Jacky Stalone? Any of these ring a bell.
Probably not. after all this is a publication that uses a nonexistant (unsexy) to describe supposed undesirables.

But its evident what the real issue is.

Fashion
The three above are each a represent of a decade of fashion. Style queens followed and imitated.
Maddona takes on the 80s with lace gloves and leather.
SJP shone a torch in the 90's when everyone was hiding in high jeans and poorly fitting tops. SATC was the spotlight that got us ladies back in to gear.
And Amy, have look round topshop pick up grazia this week, she'll be the, with rocker jeans 60's looks and big hair.

So are men scared of fashion?

Trinny and sussanah's dress the nation seemed to say yes.
They ladies produced a leafet guiding men to make the best shopping decisions for their bodyshape.
Yet somehow it was all to complicated, they pulled faces as if at the end of the first date a girl had turned round and said i love you, lets get married and have kids.

Now Im all for feminism and that jazz.
but seems to have caused us a LOT of trouble in the style stakes.
Watching movies like High Society and news reals b.f (before femenism) its clear most took pride in their appearance and appreciated others attempts.

Its been a while since wearing ala mode, has actually been fashionable. Look at Kate Moss, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. Suddenly the whole thing has become undermined by sloppy casual wear and bad manners.
Now I’m a girl who isn’t apposed to wearing items for comfort every now and then. Whilst Cleaning, lounging and running to the corner shop are all acceptable. I truly bear no grudge against those who prefer that laid back lifestyle. But the hideous fact of the matter is all three of these women are styled, preened and dieting their way to this image.

Call a spade a spade I say. Laid back clothes are for laid back people. Not those eating barely 500 calories and running to the gym 3 hours a day. These people are pretenders and there are ruining fashion and dressing for the rest of us.

Not just that but their making true fashion, the art form seem intimidating. In fact like most art its dying off for shit. Everything has to be casual simple and sexy. But It just doesnt work. it doesnt satisfy.

I truly believe that if SJP walked around in jeans and a hoodie maxim wouldnt think twice. But hey! let them have their fun. Let them drool over page 3 and emaciation.

But just let them try and dissuade me from dressing scary.

Cavalli @ HM there goes my appetite November 14 2007

Now I love Cavalli, he is eccentric, so are his clothes, theyre iconic bright and fantastic. He has a sense of humor when it comes to haute couture which makes the sexy sexier and is homage (or opposite) of rival Karl Largerfield was Fantastically giggle worthy.
Its this time of year again when the whole highstreet is heaving with partyfrocks and all the CEO's want to ensure that they will be the "in" place to buy.
So how are they competing. Once upon a time in highstreet land, a big campaign and a big face would do the trick, floods off fans would run to that store in order to replicate what had adorned their idols body.
Nowadays its more complex. You need, a famous face, limited edition, designer collaboration collection.
Topshop, who are getting quite slow and dangerously casual, have allowed moss to concoct another mismatched collection of skinny jeans, glitter and waistcoats.
Mango have got Penelope cruise, unfortunately nothing memorable.
Newlook are selling "gold" by Giles Deacon. A collection starting at £4 and modelled by Drew (where you been in the last 2 years?) barrymore. It highstreet with just an a spoonfull of chic, Giles being last years Designer of the year and the low prices make it acceptable.
But H and M? They have this one. When you get girls vogue from queuing at a plastic facilitated store you know that a monsters been created. But on closer examination.. Its not really that Impressive.


Its Leopard a year after leopard print got over worn by teen rockers. So its upsetting to say the least. Dont get me wrong they are lovely items. But just steals the point of a designer collection.

Firstly its a million miles from the boho chic of Cavalli's upcoming collections, so it doesnt really represent his brand. Secondly its about 5 times the price of whats in store at present so it doesnt represent fashion value for money. An thirdly it comes after queuing, elbowing and waiting and it arrives in a plastic bag.

The whole point of buying designer, is that it's special, unique and that expectation of excellent craftmenship and longevity from the garment.

But highstreet designer collaborations dont really offer us this. They are stepping stones for those on a budget. But to be honest my advice to them would to follow trends they like and get them on the highstreet, pick out timeless items when you go shopping, lbd, ankle boots and straightcut jeans.

So I wont be seeing you at the que.