BlossomDEC 2019 culture / beauty / fashion / ideas
The truth behind biphobia greta thunberg VS the world Reviews: The Power in this issue...
“mmm I’m warm” Out top fashion picks this season PG 1 Focusing on sustainability and cutting out that fast fashion. Recipes A wonderful minstrone recipe to warm up your cockles this winter Beauty pick of the month Order yourself some luscious locks with Function of Beauty Instagram account of the month Neon lovin’ and moutain climbin’ Your cockles
Greta Thunberg VS the world In our latest saga of Greta Thunberg VS the world, young Greta has earned herself a namesake We take a peek at Greta’s up-to-date timeline of her action “we want change!” against climate change Other News Nike have released a brand new pair of sneakers, paying tribute to the women who inspire us PG 3 Victoria Secret to cancel annual fashion show
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in the bisexual community t i Reviews reviews reviews The Power By Alderman Killing Eve season 2 has aired, what did we think? Lana is killing it wih her new album Snaps of the Season We’re really falling for autumn PG 7 Happy Autumn my cherryblossoms! letter from the editor... We have quite a treat for you this issue. Our Greta saga continues with a piece on her very own namesake, but the public still has mixed respons- es. So we hear from environmentalist Oscar Thorpe to understand why people dislike her so much.
Also in this issue, we discuss a topic very close to my heart: biphobia. Of- ten not taken seriously, biphobia can have some super detrimental effects on the lives of those in the bisexual community. Speaking to Jen Yockney MBE, she tells us just how scary life can be as a bisexual.
And finally, I’ve selected some of my favourite products for you to try this months, so its time to indulge in some relaxing recipes, sustainable hair- care and vintage threads. Let’s start 2020 by saving our planet, right folks?
Lots of love, S x This month’s picks... poorboy organ ic f a b ge o
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Organic Basics Yoko dark mustard Rainbow Floral ‘Three Hearts’ Flower Check Vintage Gypsy Lave SilverTech Active jeans Frill Bandeau embroidered Zip Up Dress Cropped Top Leggings £40 Co-ord sweatshirt £68 £14.99 £71.00 £30 £25 beauty pick of the month... wspicy pumpkin SOUP RECIPE Makes 1 - 2 portions ingredients..... function of beauty • 1/2 medium sized pumpkin • 1 red pepper It’s hard to find a shampoo that • 1 clove of garlic. diced does exactly what you want it to. • 500ml vegetable stock No frizz, colour enhancement, extra • chilli seasoning shine; there’s no single shampoo • salt that does it all. Well, there wasn’t. • pepper • mixed herbs from method... £25 Function of Beauty have completely .. revamped the haircare game, offering you a chance to personalise 1. Prepare pumpkin by deseeding and cutting up your shampoo to all ytour hairy segments, then into 2cm chunks. Saving the seeds needs. Select your scent, colour, aside, slice off the skin of the pumpkin. hairtype, and your desired effects 2. Slice the red pepper into strips and place on a of the shampoo, and they’ll deliver baking tray. Drizzle with oil, salt and pepper, then it directly to your door. And it’s all roast on a baking tray at 220 for 15 minutes. 100% vegan. Lovely stuff. 3. Put the pumpkin chunks in a pan with the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Add in the www.functionofbeauty.com/ garlic, 1tsp of chilli seasoning amd garlic. Cook for 15 minutes. 4. Take the pepper out of the oven and add into the pumpkin mixture. Let cook for another 15 minutes. 5. Meanwhile, roast the pumpkin seeds in the Insta acc of the month,,, preheated oven, seasoned with salt and pepper, for 10 minutes. 6. Blend the soup mixture with a food processor or @bigeyemotion hand blender and return back onto the heat. Cook until the seeds are roasted. 7. Serve with pumpkin seeds as a garnish. Our feed has been absolutely loving @bigeyemotion this month. Found- ed by graphic designer Max Baxter, the account features some of the most surreal edits we’ve ever seen. From neon text and mountains, to funky slogans and even Teletubbies, Big Eye Motion practically invented juxtaposition. Mark our words, Mr Baxter is going to blow up big time. News
Greta Thunberg becomes namesake of newly discovered species Words by Sophie Cunningham Young activist Greta Thunberg may have named the beetle, reportedly honoured missed out on the 2019 Nobel peace prize, Greta as the namesake of the species due but she has been awarded with a different to his admiration of her activism and kind of honour this month, for she now has environmental campaigns. a whole species of beetle named after her. Unfortunately, not everyone shares Dr Darby’s enthusiasm towards Miss The ‘Nelloptodes gretae’ beetle was Thunberg’s work. originally discovered from soil samples taken from Kenya in the mid 1960s, by When the news first broke about the beetle, entomologist William Brock, but wasn’t many users took to Twitter to praise the described or named until October this year. 16-year-old for her accomplishments, The beetle is said to have no eyes or wings, however, a large majority mocked Greta and with a pale gold-coloured shell, measuring her namesake species, laughing at the fact less than a centimetre long. that the young activist was being compared But, most importantly, the tiny insect has to a small insect. two very long antennae, which are said to share resemblance with Greta’s famous @SLVRHAIR1 (Jean Baker) said: “@ pigtails. Reuters @GretaThunberg I assume it’s an annoying little bug, too.” Dr Michael Darby, the scientist who Greta’s timeline
August 20, 2018: September 2018: November 2018: March 2019: May 2019: 15-year-old Greta Greta starts a weekly Thunberg’s voice is heard Gretta is nominated for Time magazine names skips school to campaign called “Fridays at many high-profile events the Nobel Peace Prize, as Greta Thunberg as one protest outside for Future” in which she across Europe, as over the number of students of the world’s most parliament for invites other students to 17,000 students across 24 taking part in school influential people, with more action against strike for envornmental countries take part in the strikes reaches more than the teen appearing on climate change. change. “Fridays for Future” school 2 million people in 135 the front cover. strikes. countries. Since her first appearance in the due to her age and her gender. However, as a fellow protestor in news last summer, due to her the climate movement, Oscar also monumental ‘Skolestreik for “I think women in the media admires Miss Thunberg’s activism. klimaet’ campaigns, Greta Thunberg definitely have a harder time than has received an overwhelming men,” he said. “I think the fact that “It’s really inspiring, and it gives amount of support, alongside a she’s young, as well, makes her you hope when you hear someone copious amount of discouragement. our age speaking so coherently in the media.” He said. Fellow environmental activist, and member of the Extinction Rebellion “It can also cause a lot rage and group, Oscar Thorpe suggests the anger when you see some people’s amount of online abuse Greta response to it, because this is receives is purely stemmed from the someone who really embodies a guilt these people feel for not doing lot of the values of our generation, something themselves. that are quite unique to it,” He Oscar Throrpe being carried by police at an continued. He said: “When someone is trying Extinction Rebellion rally earlier this month “We are generation Z, as they like to do something good, it can make to call us, the last ones who will people feel intimated for not doing more of a target for people who ever see a stable climate, and it’s enough, and lots of people translate think - because they’re older - they refreshing to see our voices being that into just lashing out at the know better.” heard.” person who’s telling them these scary ideas, rather than actually He continued: “Some people can’t The Nelloptodes gretae beetle can coming to terms with the ‘climate accept someone younger having any be found at the Natural History grief’ they’re experiencing.” influence or any say over their lives, Museum in London, posing as a or even trying to hint at how they statement that you are never too Oscar also believes that Greta is an should change it.” small to make a difference. easy target for hateful comments Other news...
NIKE RELEASE NEW WOMEN’S AIR FORCE 1 VICTORIA’S SECRET CANCEL FASHION Nike have released a brand new shoe, dedicated to inspiring women. SHOW The Nike Air Force 1 Shadow pays tribute to the phenomenal women L Brands, the lingerie retailer’s who are setting great examples for the next generation, who aren’t parent company, announced on a afraid to be bold. quarterly earnings call on Thursday The sneaker demonstrates this through the extra-high platform sole, that it would cancel the 2019 show and the bright colours of the lignin and the famous Nike swoosh. in an effort to evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret. Georgina James, Senior Creative Director at Nike Footwear, said: “We know women are infinitely diverse. They want something unique, Ratings for the show have declined and they want to use sneakers as an expression of themselves and their in recent years, and in May, CEO wardrobes. Les Wexner told employees in “Air Force 1 Shadow is a an internal memo that the company has “decided to re-think the great example of how we traditional Victoria’s Secret fashion show,” the Wall Street Journal channel desire and create new reported. expressions through silhouette, shape and details, something Lingerie trends are changing and customers are being courted by a unique but still familiar each variety of online sellers and startups. Victoria’s Secret is apparently season.” She continued. now realizing that a one-of-a-kind fashion show — featuring a cast Nike Air Force 1 Shadow are of unrealistically thin beautiful women in expensive lingerie — now available in the UK for may no longer be the way to win over shoppers. £94.95.
July 2019: August 14, 2019: September 18, 2019: September 23, 2019: September 25, 2019: Greta is labelled as “guru The total number Greta is chosen Greta Thunberg Thunberg is awarded of the apocalypse” and of climate strikers as one of four delivers a powerful the 2019 Right a “Nobel prize of fear”. inspired by Greta students invited to speech to world Livelihood Award, by far-right politicans, reaches 3.6 million a U.S. congressional leaders at the U.N. also known as urging a boycott of her people across 169 hearing to voice her summit, in which Sweden’s alternative appearance in French countries. generation’s views on she accuses them of Nobel Prize. parliament. climate change. stealing her dreams and her childhood”. Stories
TheWords truth by behind Biphobia, from a Bisexual “I think that it’s important for the LGBT in 5 LGBT people having experienced a hate- Sophie community to understand, this shit happens to us crime in the last year, purely due to their sexual Cunningham too. So, we should be welcomed in queer spaces, orientation or gender identity (according to a and we should be allowed under the umbrella, study carried out by the Stonewall organisation). because we face the same discrimination, And what’s more, acts of biphobia are becoming regardless of the fact that we are attracted to more and more common each year. another gender as well.” Biphobia can be defined as the dislike and And with that I knew she understood how it felt. prejudice towards the bisexual community, or bisexual individuals, with people often basing Living in the bisexual world is not easy. We their opinions of us on false stereotypes. But it suffer through the same discrimination, the same transcends further than that, with many claiming prejudice and deal with just as many problems as bisexuality doesn’t exist as a sexuality at all. the Ls and the Gs, because we’re even mistreated by the very community that is supposed to The phrase “it’s just a phase’ may seem like any support us no matter what. old utterance to most, but to members of the bisexual community, those four words are enough Sitting across from me is Sophia Steel, her petite to make your blood boil and your eyeballs burst frame positioned confidently in her chair, legs out of their sockets. crossed, and short black curls framing her face like an old-fashioned painting. She grips onto her Sophia suggested that people use this phrase cappuccino mug with both hands, warming her because many can’t comprehend the idea of palms turned cold from the chilling autumn wind bisexuality, so they pass the confusion onto the outside. She sips slowly, like she has a secret that other person, and pretend that it is the bisexual she’s dying to tell me, and I can’t wait to hear it. person themselves that doesn’t understand their sexuality. Despite being just 20 years old, Sophia has travelled all around the world, growing up in She said: “These people obviously have the deep different places across the globe, and experiencing sense that they are able to know a person better snippets of prejudice in every one of them. than they know themselves, and that’s their ego talking.” “I’m super bisexual,” she says, which earns a laugh from me. It’s so rare to see someone so Travelling to a different country almost every two confident in their sexuality, especially when the years, Sophia had many opportunities to express consequences for being so can be so frightening. her sexuality, introducing herself as openly bisexual. Homophobia is a not-so-silent killer, with 1 “The first people I told were really chilled out women in the UK are five times more likely to about it,” she said, “but some people didn’t take receive abuse than straight or lesbian women. it very seriously.” Sophia was quickly labelled as “I think it’s important for people to understand a ‘party lesbian’ – a nickname for someone who that bisexual women, are also women who like goes out, gets drunk and kisses girls. women, and we experience the homophobia in the same way.” Sophia said. “Which I did, but it was because it was “I’ve been walking a girl home before from a date the only way I was able to and kissed her goodnight, and had a express my sexuality.” She man sitting on the sidewalk shout continued. at us: “why the fuck are you “Because I was the kissing?”. only out person in my “I’m not confused. I’m school, it wasn’t really bisexual.” “I shouted back, because that’s an option for me to who I am, and he got up and have a relationship with spat in my face. women”. “So I started screaming for help, and he backed off. But the guy was But although the label itself didn’t about to attack me.” She said. bother her, the notion that people weren’t taking her sexuality seriously did. And the most heartbreaking part: this is no new phenomenon, and behaviour like this has been “I got to a point where I was almost saying it all occurring for decades. the time, just to affirm it to myself.” She admitted. “But people thought I was over-saying it to prove Jen Yockney MBE has been running BiPhoria for it to them, and I got made fun of because of that.” 25 years, providing a safe space and a collective voice for Bisexuals in the North West of England. As Sophia finished her sentence and began Jen said her inspiration for starting the project tucking in to her hearty slice of red velvet cake, was attending LGBT spaces in the 90s, and the expression on my face turned foul. As the realising just how much biphobia was experienced frown on my brow got itself comfortable, I there. began to wonder why people found the concept of bisexuality so hard to grasp. But who can She said: “Making a space where being bi was blame them, when bisexuals have been falsely normal - and where gender was just the icing on represented in the media for years? the cake of a person, rather than something that would define your potential connections - felt and Speaking to Jen Yockney MBE, one of the most feels important in a world that still doesn’t really prominent bisexual community activists in the get that”. UK, she said: “The only people we tend to see acknowledged In other words, the fight doesn’t stop in 2019. as bi are in one of two situations: either dating It’s time to normalise bisexuality, and accept the many people of many genders, at the same time idea that some people are simply just attracted to or in close succession, giving us the cliché of more than one gender. bisexuals as promiscuous; or working their heads out about being bi in a world that wants you to As Jen said: “I’m not confused, you are. I’m believe you must be ‘gay really’ or ‘straight really’, bisexual.”
For those looking for support with their sexuality, or those experiencing biphobia, please contact one of the following:
Switchboard - The LGBT+ Helpline: 0300 330 0630 www.switchboard.lgbt
LGBT Foundation: The bisexual pride flag 0345 330 3030 www.lgbt.foundation and so being seen as confused.” EACH - Educational Action Challenging She continued: “How rare is the depiction of a Homophobia: recognised-as-bi character on TV who isn’t one 0808 100 0143, of those things!” https://each.education/ But for some, someone not taking your sexuality Mind Out - LGBT Mental Health support: seriously is getting off lightly. 01273 234839 In the last year, UK police have recorded over Stonewall Foundation LGBT Charity: 13,350 incidents of homophobic abuse, with 40% of those reported as physical violence. And, 0800 0502020 according to a study by the Independent, bisexual Snaps of the season... Bulk powders go vegan
The Legendary Bulk powders have released their very own VEGAN protein powder, perfetc for those trying to gain some weight on a vegan diet, or even just gain a bit more chunk. The powders come in a range of flavours, from salted caramel to mint choc chiop, and are currently on sale for just over a tenner. And why not get a bit experimental with the following recipe:
1 handful of blueberries, frozen banana, 1.5 cups of vanilla powder, 400ml water, 1tsp cinnamon.
The quick brown fox, NQ
Quick Brown Fox is the bran new place-to-be-bar, located at the very tip of the Northern Quarter in manchester. But, it’s not just because it looks pretty, or because the cocktails are so tasty. It’s because they’re also sustainable AF. With spirits served from recyclable bags rather than bottles, and all cocktails served from a tap, Quick Brown Fox is putting the earth first, after the customers of course. All this greenery really is a breath of fresh air, literally.
https://www.tqbf.co.uk/
its bev o’clock
Looking for an alternative to the christmas markets? Something a little more trendy and a little less .. anxiety-inducing? Hatch is the perfect place to chill, drink some bevvies and pick up the perfect gifts for your loved ones. And everything here, every single thing, is unique and independent, something which lies at the very heart of Hatch.
103 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED time to get your grub on
New to Macclesfield is a brand new food market, which has taken over the old Picture Drome. the stunning building houses 13 sellers of food, booze and nibbles, perfect for family grazing or a quick lunch break. And whikle you eat, why not glance over at the back wall, where classic monochrome movies play - in true cinematic style.
102 Chestergate, Macclesfield, Sk11 6DU
Breakfast time...
Tasty treats, colourful plates, bills served in old literature; there’s a reason Alabama’s is always full, and its not just be- cause they don’t take reservations. The food here is fantastic and plentiful, value for money that keeps your tastebuds hap- py. Staple brunch spot, perhaps even the best place in NQ?
10 Newton Streer, Manchester, M1 2AN
everyman arrives in manchester
Everyman cinema offers guests poshest cinematic experience known to (every)man, and they’ve just opened a brand new venue in Manchester St Johns. The building oozes elegance with sleek, sixties decor, and you can even get table service to your cinema seats! What more could you ask for? Just don’t get too carried away on those sofas… Reviews...
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Words by How many times have we women wished for a separated by dedicating each chapter to a different world without men? protagonist. This makes the ending even more Sophie triumphant when each of their paths finally cross, Cunningham It’s wondered in the moments of mansplaining and as if each individual’s experiences have been manspreading, and walking home at night with leading up to one key moment. your keys tucked between your fingers. It’s in the moments where they achieve more, earn The only male character, Tunde, a young journalist more and live more peacefully, just because of the from Lagos in Nigeria, offers an alternative view shape of their genitals. on the situation, as he documents his sightings of And it’s in the moments where they just don’t the skein from around the world and the effects it seem to understand what the word ‘no’ means. has on each community. As you see the three women try to manipulate It’s a thought that has crossed most female minds; the power of the skein to their advantage, be a thought that Naomi Alderman has brought to that in politics, religion or organised crime, life in her dystopian novel: The Power. But it’s not Tunde’s chapters shine a light on the disruption quite the dream it seems. and suffering it has caused in the third world countries, the desperation it flares up in the men One day, women begin to wake up with the who mean no harm, and the rage it powers in the power to electrocute others with just the palm countries of sex trafficking and slavery. of their hand. This is due to something called a ‘skein’, which appears to have sewn itself onto the Through Tunde, we see the raw emotion of the women’s collarbones, generating an electrical surge skein, whilst the other three women carry the that can be controlled through their fingertips. story. This itself leaves an interesting thought: Although this may suggest the book is - in fact - without this male character, the story would have science fiction, the author litters the book with no colour, no emotion, and it wouldn’t be much of ‘historical’ evidence in between chapters, which a story at all. suggests that the ‘skein’ has been around for a lot longer than the characters, and the readers, think. At first glance, the book gives the inclination that it is a feminist novel. The Power follows the lives of four main It pokes fun at the patriarchy in such a subtle protagonists: Margo, Allie, Roxie and - perhaps manor that you only realise halfway through the most importantly - Tunde, as they venture into a book, in one big “oh, I get it” moment. All of a world where women are the dominant gender. sudden, men are afraid to walk alone at night, and Despite becoming interconnected further on need a woman’s approval for such trivial things. in the book, the author keeps the characters continued...
But it soon transcends further than that, I often buy my books secondhand. But this as the women in the book also become is a book I would buy full-price, hardback mad with power, demonstrating that there cover, to sit proudly on my mantelpiece for really cannot be a single dominant gender years to come. in the world, without threatening the very 4/5. foundations of our society. Netflix’s The Good Place is one Through this, Naomi reminds readers of the of the most modern-thinking importance and the necessity of equality comedies to grace our screens. between the sexes, and it is soon realised The show discusses the mening that that was her motive all along. of life, and personal ethics, all the while still rustling up some hearty As a green-souled lover of sustainable living, laughs from whoever is watching. Although its a little weird to hear a disney princess (Kristen Bell) swear so much). 5/5
spotify and apple music. Norman Fucking Rockwell. Perhaps one of Lana’s nest yet? Born to die will always be a cult classic, but NFR SEASON TWO... is poetry beyond means. Lana has really tapped into her love of literature with this collection of This weekend, 3.7 million people tuned in to performer – nails it. A scene where Villanelle love songs, and we have Cinna- watch the return of Bafta-winning BBC drama pours alcohol on her stab wound had me mon Girl on repeat. Killing Eve, as Jodie Comer reprised her role wincing. as Villanelle, a sociopathic assassin with a taste for If the criticism of Killing Eve feels unfair, it’s theatrics and high fashion, and Sandra Oh understandable – Waller-Bridge is the woman returned as Eve Polastri, the secret agent on of the moment, fresh from a triumphant her tail. Broadway run and recently tapped to overhaul the crisis-ridden Bond 25. Taking over from The first episode picks up minutes after her is an unenviable job. But for now, Killing season one’s cliffhanger and a bleeding Eve remains as bouncy and fabulous as Oh’s Villanelle is on the loose again. The cat- lustrous curls. Whether it will fall flat in find it on amazon Charlotte and-mouse dynamic that gripped viewers coming episodes remains to be seen. throughout Killing Eve’s first run is restored Street. Yet another story of a instantly: Polastri is once again searching for Creepy stalker romanticised. Falls the psychopathic assassin on whom she is in love with a girl at first glance, erotically fixated. never ti be seen again. finds her camera, gets them developed and The idea that the series has lost its original follows her trail to find her, all sparkle is unjustified. Sure, the episode isn’t the while moaning about his ex perfect: a skit in which Villanelle escapes from fiancé on facebook. It sounds hospital in a pair of pyjamas feels reverse- awful, and you might want to engineered to be shared on social media, throttle the writer for thinking but, even then, Comer – a superb physical its alright to romanticise invasive stalking, but give it a chance. it’s actually quite funny. 3/5 Check back in with us next month for...
BlossomJAN 2020 culture / beauty / fashion / ideas
greta thunberg VS TRUMP FESTIVE GIFT GUIDES DIY: VEGAN ROAST DINNER