Tumblr: All Thanks To Mum?

You couldn’t have missed the news that social networking site Tumblr was sold to Yahoo for $1.1 billion.  A new 26 year old techie genius joins the growing club of under 30s millionaires and deservedly so.  I was pondering though… would it have happened if his mum was more conservative?

David Karp (Tumblr creator and CEO) dropped out of school aged 14 at the advice of his mother, a teacher in a different school to her son’s and recommended home schooling.  She observed that her son was so engrossed in and obsessed with his computer that it was something to encourage and give space to.  What an amazing and brave mother!  Can you imagine that happening in your house??

A Letter To The Independent

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, flow sister!!

I have a big sis and she is amazing and loads of fun and even acts like a big brother (why the F*** is that guy staring at you??!)!  She’s also a lawyer, something I mention to freaks around the world that I don’t want to do Bijness (business) with so they back off.

News of the Oxford child abuse ring is once again in the headlines as convictions are passed and the limelight once again falls on the Asian Community and in particular Muslims and Pakistanis.  It’s interesting as my sis and I discussed why it is that our white British friends aren’t asked to reflect on Christianity and feel guilty for child abuse and molestation by the likes of Jimmy Saville and everyone accused since.  We are meant to walk with our heads hung in shame and white Brits can Keep Calm and Carry On…abusing??

So today, my sis sent this letter to the Independent newspaper in response to a reader letter:

Dear Sirs

I am a Scottish Pakistani Muslim and now live in London.

Pakistan does not present  the world with immigrants from one all-binding culture, so why don’t some of your readers stop forcing one label on to all of us?  All  of my cousins are university educated

Eh? Did Beckham Play Football?

David Beckham retired from football yesterday?

Excuse me, did he play football? Still? I thought he was just a deliciously fit H+M model (thank youuuu H+M for selling your crappy £3 pants on the yummiest bod ever!) And he won us the Olympics, but wasn’t that because of his cute smile? And isn’t he World’s Best Dad or some rubbish?

I used to think he was a bit overrated with his naff hair and spotty face and then all of a sudden, he kissed a frog and turned into a prince! 

Young British Victim of Indian Organ Harvesting

The parents of Gurkiren Loyal, an 8 year old British schoolgirl that died in a hospital in India whilst on a family holiday, alleged that their daughter was murdered by the hospital for her organs.

Gurkiren was taken into a local clinic for treatment of mild dehydration after complaining of a sore tummy.  Her heart broken parents allege that the little girl was receiving a drip when a staff member came up to her with an injection. 

The Forty Rules Of Love

I just finished reading The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.  The author is one of the high profile names that participated in this year’s Asia House Festival of Asian Literature.

This is the first book I have read by Elif Shafak and I was drawn to it as I read the back cover and saw three words: Sufi, Rumi and Shams…sold!!  This book is like Kryptonite for my sister full of spirituality and love.

Jolie Good!

I never thought I’d ever be saying this, but well done Angelina Jolie, you are a superstar.

I thought you were just a beauty with patronising UN ambassador quotes about “African orphans” blah blah but wow!

Wow, indeed!

You decided not to risk breast and ovarian cancer by having a double mastectomy.

Foot-in-Mouth

Only yesterday, I was declaring Sepp Blatt to be a knobhead and within minutes we have a new knobhead of the day.

Today’s coveted award goes to Osaka mayor, Toru Hashimoto, who said that there is no proof that thousands of Korean women that were the sex slaves

I Heart Wigan Athletic??

At the risk of sounding like that idiot, Sepp Blatt, I probably would watch more football if the men wore hotpants (as sported by Aussie Rules Footie players).  (Blatt infamously said the womens’ game would be better if the women wore shorter shorts, presumably with no knickers and then end the match with a massive foam party pillow fight, god he is such a knobhead!)

Anyway, even my attention was drawn to Saturday’s FA Cup final. And I have Radio 4 to thank for it, who interviewed David Whelan, Chairman of Wigan Athletic, before the match.  Oh my god, he was such a cute grandad that I resolved to watch the match.

Cool Cooking With Atul Kochhar

Continuing the cool theme of my previous post, I will add Atul Kochhar to the “cool” list!

He’s delightfully nerdy and told us joke after joke and bless him, I was forced to laugh along with the rest of the audience on Saturday afternoon in Asia House.  He cracked a few wife jokes and then moved on to his curry demo. Ohhh what! I couldn’t believe my misfortune. He was going to make Lahori Chicken Curry. Jeezo! My mum is from Lahore and makes this curry every week.

Uncool To Be “Cool”

I was lucky enough to be invited to back-to-back events that promised to thrill. On Friday evening “British Asian Culture: Doomed to be Uncool” and Atul Kochhar on Saturday afternoon to present his “Curries of the World” new recipe book.

Why are British Asians analysing whether we are “cool” and why are we always saying “cool” in inverted comas as if to make the point that we’re not cool? Isn’t it now uncool to describe anything as cool? Like how a Fun Dad describes David Bowie.

One Of My Best Friends Is Gay!

The historian, Niall Ferguson, made a comment about the economist Keynes that quite frankly made him sound like a pompous prat! But he IS a pompous prat!  It’s such a pity that he fits the stereotype of up-his-own-arse academic but he does!

He said Keynes wouldn’t have cared much about the future as he was gay and didn’t have any children.

Asia House Festival of Asian Literature

Freedom is the theme of this year’s Asia House Festival of Asian Literature, the seventh annual event. From 7-22nd May, some of Asia’s greatest literary exports will join some of the best British Asian writers and thinkers to discuss freedom in all its forms: freedom of expression, education, travel, justice, freedom to read the truth and to live in our chosen ways.

Taking place in a few venues in Central London the programme and events for adults and children is varied and wonderfully diverse.  Want to know how to get your work published in Asia or the UK? Want to see a curry demonstration from Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar?

Opening Night With Michael Palin

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature got off to a roaring start by hosting an audience with the wonderfully charming Michael Palin at the Commonwealth Club, London.

Palin was launching a new book, The Truth, excitingly his first foray into fiction. The audience, however, were keen to grill him about his travels. He handled everyone’s question with the same wit and eloquence that we are used to seeing on screen, even though surely he must have been asked some of these questions thousands of times.  Palin had us all captivated

Fashion Victims and Villains

Top by new ethical fashion brand, sketch london.

Left-leaning newspapers have been running a series of articles ever since the Bangladesh garment factory collapsed.  The death toll has now sadly passed 500, mostly women, but why are consumers and fashion brands being made to bear the majority of the guilty burden? That fingers have been pointed at some brands was inevitable and fashion is regularly targeted for being a poison of the world: the very sick and visible face of capitalism and greed.  In Bangladesh and India the tragedy is being reported as a corrupt failure of building regulations not a story about Evil Fashion Brands.

The usual suspects of British ethical fashion have been carted out with the usual snippets of condemnation and hissing at the likes of Primark, GAP and so on.  Will consumers care they ask? Can they afford to I ask?  This could be a long article so please get a cuppa or a glass of wine.  I promise you will learn a thing or two.

The Indian Goth

Laidback rebel without a cause and fashion designer, Nitin Bal Chauhan, presented a collection for his new brand Bhootsavaar last week and it was and injection of youth and freshness in a market saturated by heavy embroidery and ethnic prettiness.

Bhootsavaar encapsulated the darkness of Goths, the human skeletal form

Guest Post: Asia House Literature Festival

Women, Freedom and the Islamic World

The diversity and eloquence of this all-female panel gave a fascinating insight into what female freedom means in Muslim states today

By Hannah Thompson

Asia House is no stranger to distinguished figures discussing complex issues, and this, the second event in this year’s Festival of Asian Literature, was no exception.

Although technically a pre-event (the festival proper begins on May 7th, with guest Michael Palin, no less) the guests were just as renowned and the topic just as wide as if a central element of the festival itself. Women, freedom and the Islamic world – one could hardly have chosen a more expansive, nebulous discussion, and yet the writers on the panel addressed the idea with characteristic thoughtfulness and poise.

Chaired and led by journalist and presenter Samira Ahmed, the panel included Turkish author Elif Shafak (The Bastard of Istanbul; Honour), Iraqi political activist and author Haifa Zangana (Dreaming of Baghdad) and Iranian journalist and self-professed “memoirist” Kamin Mohammadi (The Cypress Tree).

Epic Pepsi Fail

Of course I haven’t drank Pepsi since their appalling behaviour towards Michael Jackson … (they ditched MJ when he was accused of being a paedo and I was too young to think eek, MJ is a little weird!!)

But if you needed a second reason to drop Pepsi from the shopping list it is this disgraceful advert for its gross green snot drink, Mountain Dew. An advert that glorifies domestic violence and described as “the most racist advertisement of all time”

The Art of Selecting A Watermelon

Apparently there is a science to selecting a watermelon but I think it’s quack. Science: Tap it and it should sound hollow if it’s ripe. Nonsense. Try listening to a watermelon when there is heavy traffic honking behind you.

The art of selecting the most perfect juicy red watermelon

The Winslow Boy

I feel bad recommending a play that’s coming to the end of its season but there is still a chance to get a ticket to The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan at The Old Vic, London.  Believe the hype and Daily Telegraph reviews, it is so much fun to watch.

Set in Edwardian England, Winslow’s son is accused of stealing and expelled from school.

Get The Look

 

 

Lancome Rouge in Love lipstick £21

Beauty trends this Summer include bold lips, 60s flicks and strong brows. Tick, tick and TICK!  These trends are fab for me as I usually wear all three in trend or not.

Vanity Becomes Her

Beyonce began her world tour with a flurry of images being published of her stage costumes.  Her press team have now declared a ban on media photography as they will be provided with official photography ensuring Beyonce looks her best.  Apparently this is due to unflattering photos of her being published earlier in the year.

It does make me wonder where the power lies in a celebrity’s relationship with the media.  

Wax Off

 

 

Did I miss something? Poetic?

Ok, I’ve tried to avoid it and ignore it and hope it just went away but I am now forced to join the pubic hair debate that is rocking the nation (well, it is if you read leftie papers).

Like the 30-something journos I am gutted that 92% of 8-16 year olds have seen hard core porn. Hard core! And apparently the effect of this on our children’s minds is that they feel pubic hair is gross and girls need to be bare “down there”.

Sunday Brunch In Style

On the way to the London Marathon today, we popped into The Wolseley on Piccadilly.  Isn’t it wonderful? You live in London for a million years and there are still amazing treasures to find. The welcome was lovely and we were quickly guided to lovely seats even though we hadn’t booked and it was busy brunch o’clock.

We ordered

How Is Your Mental Health?

Image from Art Therapy Blog

According to the World Health Organisation more than 450 million people in the world suffer from mental disorders and 80% of this number remain untreated.  The numbers are quite astonishing, however, how would we recognise our own behavioural signs that all is not well and how would we determine if a loved one had a mental health problem or simply a strong/eccentric personality?

Fashionably Racist

A news story on a great blog, Jezebel, reported that Vogue Netherlands recently did a shoot with white models sporting black faces instead of using black models.  The shoot was meant to honour an old Marc Jacobs collection inspired by Grace Jones.  If you’re a regular fashion follower you will know that sadly this is not the first time this has occurred.

This news story has come in the middle of the week, on Monday I received my almost daily email from another blog I follow, the Business of Fashion.  This op-ed piece was about the widespread racism in the fashion industry with black models recalling awful stories

50 Shades of Feminism

At work we are all reading 50 Shades of Feminism – less than £10 and in hardback (unless you prefer Kindle) so get your copy asap, you will love it.  I would recommend this book particularly if like me, you have a short commute to work and love to read little bite-size nuggets of delightfully well-written essays.

This book is written by 50 authors, young and old, and from all different backgrounds

Are You A Belieber?​

Justin Bieber reportedly wrote that he “hoped that Anne Frank would have been a belieber” on his recent visit to the Anne Frank Museum.

 

Great to know that the Canadian moron fully appreciates what the second World War was all about then! Nice one mate! He also thinks that Anne Frank was a “great girl”.  Marvellous! Are we to assume the dipstick can actually READ and has read her diary?

Who Deserves Military Honours?

Queen Mother’s funeral

Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher will receive military honour for her funeral and this has caused great concern amongst some, especially (apparently) from Buckingham Palace.

That there seems to be huffing and puffing about an extraordinary Brit receiving military honours usually reserved for Royalty is astonishing.  Margaret Thatcher did far more for her country than the Queen Mother and Princess Diana

Gemfields Creating Dreamfields

Ring by Parulina

As I mentioned in previous post, 2013 is the year of Emerald thanks to it being selected as colour of the year by Pantone, the globally regarded authority on colour.

Amrapali Earrings

Emeralds were just one of the precious gemstones in the stunning fine jewellery collection presented by Gemfields, the world’s largest producer of ethically sourced coloured gemstones.  Gemfields collaborated with some of the world’s leading jewellery designers including Fabergé, Mappin & Webb and Amrapali.

Cleopatra bathed in emeralds

The Iron Lady Dies

You will have read and heard enough of Margaret Thatcher’s death yesterday on 8 April.  Although she was a polarising politician like no other, she was Britain’s first and only female Prime Minister.

I grew up in a world when a woman ran the country and was an excellent stateswoman, holding her ground amongst the other great leaders of the world.  My mother would often remind me that her father owned a shop and look where she was! Prime Minister of Great Britain!

It’s Football Not Politics!

The new manager of Sunderland Football Club has caused more controversy and taken over more newspaper inches over his past political affiliations than his job and he’s not pleased about it.

In the past, Paulo Di Canio, a former Lazio player, was recorded as stating he was a facist but not a racist during a mix up of prejudices in a conversation.

So Stylish in Delhi

The Hindustan Times recently held its annual award ceremony to crown the top twenty stylish men and women.  A red carpet event attended by the Who’s Who of Delhi society, this was surely the night that everyone opened their wardrobes and declared they had NOTHING decent to wear!

Awardees included fashion designer, Ritu Beri (above)

Not So Great Britain

The Philpott case sends shivers up us all. There were several programmes on yesterday that went over the case (the couple and their friend having been found guilty of manslaughter) and I was moved to tears watching one of them. I guess it was worse because I was with my baby nephew and we were curled up on the sofa together.

You’ll know the case facts but at the risk of going all Daily Mail, how on earth were 11 children allowed to live in a 3 bedroom house?

Deciphering Dreams

A guilty pleasure of mine is to watch This Morning while I hit the treadmill some weekday mornings. There is just something about Eamonn Holmes and his chubby squirrel cheeked banter that makes me momentarily forget the increasing searing pain through my thighs as we nudge up to running 5k.

They were doing a dreams analysis slot. How tacky! But! I actually learned something…

A woman called in to say she would suddenly and regularly wake up at 2am. 

Get A Changing Room!

Mannequins these days!

I Only Need 8 Medium Chocolate Eggs This Year

One of my darling nieces who is five years old made that statement contrary to her mother who said that my niece’s teeth were in a bad state and she wasn’t getting any.  I know who will win that battle…!

Lindt bunnies are the cutest Easter treat to give to loved ones this weekend and you know their mini size bunnies are only about £0.30 but get a guaranteed smile and squee from the receiver.

My niece might be able to sit inside this chocolate egg by luxury chocolate company

Legally Robbed

As I write, the Cypriot President is in Brussels trying to negotiate a deal to rescue his financially strapped country from bankruptcy.  The potential deal is thought to include a mandatory tax of 20% on those with savings over €100,000.  Last week the tax that was being agreed was 10% on all savings over €10,000 which amounts to legally sanctioned daylight robbery.

It’s an understatement to say people on the island are aren’t very pleased

New Sufi Skincare Range

Heralded as one of the finest hotels in Asia, the Imperial Hotel is one of my favourite relaxing destinations in Delhi.  It is the ultimate in refined and understated luxury.

The stunning Mughal inspired spa at the Imperial Hotel is called Sufi.  Two weeks ago on International Women’s Day I was invited to the launch of the Imperial Hotel’s exclusive Sufi botanical and organic skin care range.  Last year saw the launch of the divine Sufi eau de toilette and essential oils and now skincare…the brand is taking more and more space on my bathroom shelf!

I have been using three products from the new range (Daylight Moisturizer, Downpore Cleanser and Night Rose Moisturizer) for two weeks and highly recommend them. 

You Smell Great!

My most favourite perfume in the whole wide world is Gio di Giorgio Armani.  Every single time I wear it and without exception men and women comment how amazing I smell and ask what the perfume is.  The awful thing is that it is actually discontinued!! Can you believe it?

Grand Finale: Manish Arora

The hottest ticket in town was the Manish Arora’s closing show for Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013. “Squeeze up some more!” were the cries from the pretty PR organisers to the press pack as we shuffled this way and that to make room for late arrivals.

Manish Arora already presented his collection inspired by his trip to the Burning Man art festival in Nevada in Paris