Today, like many of us, I woke up to the sad news that the genius that is Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56. Jobs defined the technological world and our lives with his products and will leave a huge Apple shape gap in the world.
I may not be writing this on a Macbook, but my iPod is on in the background a device I never leave the house without. iPods, iPads, iPhones, Steve Jobs was the mastermind behind all these. Without these, some of us may feel that we are unable to function in our daily lives. This shows how great Steve Jobs is.
Many have been comparing Jobs to Walt Disney, a fellow creative innovator. When Steve was sacked from Apple, he went on to create Pixar Animations which changed the movie world. Toy Story was the first computer animated film to be created- all thanks to Steve Jobs mind. He can be seen to be great than Walt Disney.
Steve Jobs was always so laid back. The image that will remain with many is that of Jobs on stage unveiling the iPad in jeans and a black t-shirt. He was not interested in all the celebrity lifestyle and the money. He was interested in making the best and most innovative products on the market. And he did, Apple were always the first to come up with smartphone technology, handheld tablets and products where you can carry your entire music library around in your pocket. Jobs thought of them all.
Many are saying how can Apple continue without Steve Jobs? Apple will continue without Steve Jobs because the world knows that they are the best. I recently broke my iPod Touch and the screen shattered. Unable to repair it, I took it into my local Apple Store and without question they replaced it with a brand new iPod. I left the shop with a huge smile on my face. This is why Apple will continue, the ethics they promote, creating create products and great customer service to go with it.
I leave with a quick video of Steve at Standford University talking about death- a great reminder to show that we should not be sad about the passing of a genius, innovator and inspiration but remember how he has impacted every single one of us.
“Three Apples changed the world: the one that Eve ate, the one that fell on Newton’s head and the one that Steve built”
RIP Steve
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the release of quite possibly my favourite film of all time, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Based on the short story by Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s tells the story of the loveable Holly Golightly a naive young woman in New York dreaming of love and Tiffany’s. Since its release on October 5, 1961, the world has fallen in love with Holly and Tiffany’s with the jewellery brand becoming symbolic with some of the greatest love stories ever told. On my holiday to New York, the 5th Avenue store made famous by the film was one of my first stops, a bad move considering I pretty much spent up in it!
Outside the iconic Fifth Avenue Store
But it isn’t the plot or the brand that made me fall in love with Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it was a certain actress who is in my eyes, the greatest actress to ever live – Audrey Hepburn. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s, to Roman Holiday, Paris when it Sizzles or Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn was an actress whose smile lit up the screen and makes any of her characters instantly iconic. Yet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was Hepburn’s most iconic role. Who can forget the image of the young actress in that black Givenchy dress, hair swept up with a tiara, sunglasses and chunky pearl necklace. That picture adorns many walls including my own and is one of the most recognisable images in cinematic history - a lasting memory to show how Audrey Hepburn left her mark on anyone.
Yes... this image!
Golightly was the Carrie Bradshaw of the ’60′s. A single girl in New York, a fashion icon, a party girl. Yet she was also a prostitute, a thief and rather poor. Thanks to Audrey’s portrayal of Holly however, the audience is not bothered about the darker side to this young victim. We are simply in love with her. When it was released, Breakfast at Tiffany’s did not make an impact on the box office or people. 50 years on, it is as popular as ever and it is all thanks to one person. The late, great Audrey Hepburn.
September 11, 2001. A day that we will never forget.
A decade on from the horrific attacks 9/11 attacks, the heart-break is still as prominent as ever. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in three separate attacks on the World Trade Centre, The Pentagon and the tragic United 93 flight- heading for the White House but heroically bought down in Pennsylvania saving the lives of many more people.
The Manhattan skyline as it should be...
Children have grown up not knowing their parents. Parents have aged knowing they will never see their sons and daughters again. Families have been ripped apart from the acts of terrorism we saw on 9/11.
But it is not just those killed on 9/11 we need to remember, there are the hundreds of soldiers killed in the War on Terror. The acts of a few have impacted the whole world. The victims of 9/11 came from over 70 different countries around the world. As the world watched the footage of the attacks all feeling the same grief and anger of what was unfolding. Although 3,000 people died on September 11, and it will always be remembered for the wrong reasons, on that day, the world united. From that day onwards, the world united against terrorism.
In 2001, I was 11 years old. I was in my first week of Secondary school and I still remember the news being broken to me, not understanding how someone could do this. Being scared that we were not safe anymore. Although I had no idea what the World Trade Centre was, who Osama bin Laden was, I felt the heart-break of the families of those affected. I watched the images on TV not understanding the full impact on what had happened.
A decade later, I still look at those images and feel sad and angry. I still think of all those forced to jump from the burning buildings as they had no other means of escape and the heroes from the emergency services who bravely gave their lives to help others in the attacks. Running into the Centre knowing they may never come back out- never to see their children and family again.
Whether it is 10 years, 20 years or 100 years on from the events of that Tuesday morning, on this is sure, we will never forget those who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
As a newly graduated PR student, I feel it’s about time I made a comment on the (still) ongoing Hackgate scandal surrounding the now defunct News of the World. It’s everywhere you look, and now its on my blog!
First of all, let’s get this across nice and clearly from the start… it was wrong what the NOTW done. Whether it was celebrities, royalty or the victims of tragedies such as Milly Dowler their phones were private and a boundary was crossed.
The final ever News of the World
Although the aging mogul Rupert Murdoch’s, News International owned the newspaper, I believe he is innocent. It could be that well timed PR stunt by Jonnie Marbles in the Select Committee and the heroic actions of Murdoch’s wife Wendi, but at the end of the day, the NOTW is 1% of his company and he has 53,000 staff. He’s not going to be particularly interested in what a Sunday newspaper has to say. In my opinion… Innocent.
On the other hand, Rebecca Brooks is most definitely guilty as charged. As editor of the paper at the height of the hacking she either knew what was happening or was really bad at her job… or both. As an editor, she would she a story and surely think where did these sources come from? Yes? Surely her legal team would need to know to protect them from slander and libel? Yes?
Andy Coulson, the Met, Piers Morgan…Whoever is to blame, lets just hope justice is done for those who have been affected by this scandal. Most of all to those innocent staff at the NOTW.
Lets just hope all the other news outlets are taking good not of this.
This week, an institution came to a close which has defined our lives over many years. No, not the News of the World, but the final space shuttle launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral.
After 135 missions over 30 years, the Nasa space programme is to be abandoned to make way for a more cost efficient and quicker way to send both astronauts and “customers” into space.
The space shuttle Atlantis blasted off at 11.29 local time and will dock at the International Space Station to deliver vital supplies before returning to Earth for the final time in a trip expected to take 12 days.
Nasa halted the space programme due to lack of funding but hope to one day take humans “beyond the space station to destinations such as the Moon, asteroids and Mars.” Somehow, I have a feeling I won’t be able to afford one of those trips… unless I win the £166m jackpot on the Euromillions tonight!
For now, the shuttles are to be moved to museums around the world and the Americans are to rely on the Russian space programme to give their astronauts a lift into space. Nothing like shuttle-sharing to keep costs down, eh?
So, the big day has been and gone. William and Kate, sorry Catherine, were married today in the biggest wedding the country, if not the world has seen since Wills’ parents Charles and Diana effort back in 1981. And what an effort it was. Every girl when growing up dreams of becoming a Princess and having a fairytale wedding and for Catherine today her dreams came true.
- Catherine looking beautiful in a Sarah Burton dress as she enters Westminster Abbey as a single woman
Looking resplendent in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bespoke dress, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton travelled to Westminster Abbey as a commoner and left as HRH Duchess of Cambridge. Under the eyes of an estimated audience of two billion people worldwide, Catherine and William looked like a couple destined to be with each other. From the “you look absolutely beautiful” comment from Wills at the Abbey altar, to that kiss (or two) from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, to driving back to Clarence House in an Aston Martin decked in L plates, balloons and a registration plate reading Just Wed, the husband and wife looked a picture of love, Catherine had found her Prince Charming.
- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Abbey as husband and wife
Back to the McQueen dress fit for a future Queen. It certainly did not disappoint. Understated yet elegant, modern but traditional it suited Catherine perfectly and surely will go down as the best wedding dress ever, because simply it was. The white lace and satin dress, inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding outfit stole the show. For the fitted bodice with lace sleeves and beautiful sweetheart neckline to the flowing a-line skirt and 9ft train Catherine looked like she was born to be a Princess.
- The first kiss as man and wife
Her evening dress, again designed by Sarah Burton, was stunning too. A simple white, strapless, satin dress with beautiful diamante detail around Catherine’s tiny waist cemented the future Queen of Great Britain as a Queen of fashion.
- Catherine’s stunning evening dress designed by Sarah Burton
Today, with all eyes on London and the happy couple, I could not be prouder to be British and wish the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge all the best for the rest of their lives together. Just one thing… where was my invite?
Last night I went to see possibly THE best boyband in the world. Not Take That or Westlife, but Boyzone.
A Different Beat was the first ever album I owned and have loved them ever since. Although it was amazing, it was one of the strangest concerts I have ever been to. At one poignant point, the whole of the Metro Radio Arena was silent as a tribute video to the late, great Stephen Gately was shown. Tears of sorrow, joy and remembrance filled the place.
Boyzone pay tribute to band member Stephen Gately
So, you have probably guessed that Boyzone are the best in my eyes. But who was your favourite childhood band? Let me know 
So, the Oscars has been and gone and once again, us Brits had a good night in LA. Colin Firth finally got his Academy Award he deserved for his role as the stammering King George and Christian Bale took home the award for Best Supporting Actor. British film The Kings Speech was named Best Picture with director Tom Hooper winning his category. I even managed to guess four correct winners
Colin Firth and his latest addition to the trophy cabinet
The Americans didn’t leave empty-handed though. A heavily pregnant Natalie Portman was crowned Best Actress for her work in Black Swan, Darren Aronofskys dark ballet thriller. Supporting actress winner, Melissa Leo managed to cause a bit of controversy in her acceptance speech being the first person to ever swear during the show in its 83 year history. Christopher Nolans Inception managed to take home four statues mostly in technological categories.
Melissa Leo dropped an F-bomb during her acceptance speech
Away from the awards, there were some winners and losers and the red carpet too. Gywneth Paltrow, Mila Kunis and Haliee Steinfeld all looked the part in their frocks, but others were meer extras. Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johanson and Nicole Kidman just did not make the grade with their dresses.
Gwyneth Paltrow looked out of this world in a metallic Calvin Klein dress
2011 promises to be one of the most spectacular years in film history with the final Harry Potter movie due to be released along with Pirates of the Caribbean, Hangover 2, Transformers and Scream 4 all upcoming in the next few months. Will we be seeing any of these at the 84th Academy Awards in 2012?
To see a full list of winners click here
Actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway are presenting the 2011 Oscars
Best Actress
Annette Bening The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman Black Swan WINNER!
Michelle Williams Blue Valentine
Best Supporting Actor:
Christian Bale The Fighter WINNER!
John Hawkes Winter’s Bone
Jeremy Renner The Town
Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush The King’s Speech
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter The King’s Speech WINNER!
Melissa Leo The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld True Grit
Jacki Weaver Animal Kingdom
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE TAKING HOME AN OSCAR TONIGHT?
Sorry for bugging you all again!
I’m currently in the middle of doing my final project for my PR degree and I am in need of some primary research. I would be highly grateful if you could take two minutes of your time to do my very quick survey on health and fitness.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y99RSN2
I also have another quick survey on Scouting. Again I would be grateful if you could take a minute to complete it.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YMW5TM9
Thanks in advance 
