What an amazingly talented individual. Chet Faker, from the moment I first heard you, you’ve sent shivers down my spine.

This is a personal plea for a project I’m doing over the next few months. 

Within this, I’m approaching the sensitive subject of abortion from a subjective view - is abortion the last taboo within British society?

What I need simply from you guys is experiences. It can remain completely anonymous but I need some of you who’ve had an experience with abortion to get in touch with me privately.
It can be from any perspective and you can be female or male and of any age.
And I repeat you can remain anonymous if you want.

If you are willing to speak about it, or know anyone who is, can you please DM on Twitter @lucie_delacy or email me at lucie_delacy@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks everyone, hoping to get a few response from this.

It’s only 4 days into the new year and I can’t help but feel the same old message is being thrown around all mediums you read/watch/hear.

“A new year! a new start! why not make a new you! how to loose weight for summer! improve your career in 2013! find your perfect man/woman this year..blah blah bloody blah”

In 2013, I will be doing no redesigning of my personal being or doing whatsoever.

Now this isn’t me putting a downer on anyone who is using the new year as a kick-start for a new chapter. Good on you for doing so if it works out for you! But below are some of the reasons why I will be treating 2013 just as any other year:

1) “Resolutions” let you down

Speaking from experience, and let’s be honest to ourselves, when do resolutions ever work? Myself, I have never stuck to a single one I’ve ever made, past February. And not only that, but we always seem to set ourselves the same style of resolution – lose weight, exercise more, work harder, make more of life etc.

All of these should not take the changing of the calender year in order to be achievable. Also, come the following NYE when we look back, we’ve either forgotten them or feel bummed that we never managed to do what we’d expected.

Resolutions hmm..fuck ‘um. Let’s just stick to getting on with it instead.

2) Pressure,pressure, pressure

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that rolling into a new year brings with it an awful lot of subtle pressure? In every magazine, newspaper, advertisement and even on This Morning for god’s sake – it seems we can’t escape the topic of what will the new year bring and how we can make this year the best ever…EVER. To be perfectly honest, I’d sooner see what this year has to offer for me rather than try and force an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING YEAR THAT I WON’T REGRET A SINGLE DAY.

I’m going to let this year develop naturally..like a fine wine.

3) 2012 flew by..

Ridiculously so. So much went on for me in 2012 that it seemed to go by in a blink. By taking step number 2, I’d like to think 2013 might trot by at a more leisurely pace and let me actually absorb it’s wisdom. Plus, December 2012 presented a few certain opportunities on my doorstep so if January and February could take it’s time, that would be swell.

4) I have no desire to create a new me.

I don’t really want to lose weight, I don’t feel like my wardrobe needs a re-hall, my careers going okay at the minute, my flat is lovely and the other half I share it with is pretty damn alright too.  So all in all, I’m pretty comfortable in my own skin at the end of 2012.

So here’s to 2013 – hello to the same old me and hopefully the same old you

à bientôt

During the final day of the NCTJ conference, a panel presented possible ‘Future Developments’ in the training of journalists. Quite fittingly this was also the day which Lord Leveson announced the results of his inquiry into Press Standards. As a 3rd year print journalism student just starting out in the industry, in my eyes, the two seemed to link almost perfectly.

From a student perspective, the opportunity to view these possible developments in the training of young journalists was extremely valuable. Personally, I will be taking some of the ideas presented back to my university course – the award winning Nottingham Trent. I also found the chance to sit amongst established journalists and members of the NCTJ very inspiring as in a few years’ time I might be in that same position myself.

Angela Merrilees, learning and development consultant at DC Thomson.
Photo copyright NCTJ.

From the presentations and subsequent discussions we had, the first development which seemed extremely viable was the continuing professional development which was presented by Angela Merrilees. Although Angela was not a journalist, she was in fact learning and development consultant for DC Thomson, what she spoke of applied to everyone in the room.

In essence, what she was describing was an on-going support and training system for established journalists throughout their career. In light of the Leveson Inquiry, I personally found this to be particularly important in terms of press ethics. For those in the industry who sat their NCTJ exams many years ago, possible refresher courses or in-house re-training would re-enforce their knowledge of their career and hopefully stop anything like what came out from Leveson happening again. Also, as I am in the process of sitting my NCTJ exams and I know how much they have taught me and my course mates about press standards.

Secondly, Pete Leydon and Ross Hawkes came to the floor to present Staffordshire University’s unique training programme of StaffsLive. This is a site which is essentially an actual news page, like the BBC online, for students to post their stories to the local community and receive live feedback. Whether it is day, night or the holidays, tutors are on hand to deliver feedback on students’ articles. This, accompanied with the fact StaffsLive now has a larger and committed audience, adds to the real-life practice that students get of working in journalism.

Ross Hawkes and Pete Leydon, Staffordshire University.
Photo copyright NCTJ.

For me, this seemed like an absolutely brilliant idea which could practically work across all NCTJ accredited courses. The actual experience of being able to run, upkeep and publish my stories to a live site while on my course is something which I feel I haven’t had enough experience of. Despite undertaking work placements, to do this on a daily basis would mean I would be fully prepared by my course when I begin my career after university.

Overall, I really enjoyed the conference, and the people I met and the talks I heard were an amazing experience.

Anyway, here is a bit of a refresher on what I’ve been up to over my time away from my personal writing.
Firstly, I’m working on part-time basis with a Digital Agency in Nottingham to help with their PR related business. This in itself is an amazing experience for me – to get some of the other side of the coin to the journalistic writing I do on daily basis. Also, from just dipping my toe in working in PR, I’ve found it a very rewarding and exciting place to be – in other words, keep your eyes peeled.

Secondly, I was recently asked to report on the second day of the NCTJ conference in little old Nottingham. For those of you who don’t know what the NCTJ is, in essence it’s the journalism equivalent of an exam board. The National Council for the Training of Journalists sets and regulates all of the NCTJ accredited courses in the country – and some abroad too.
The day of the conference was also the announcement of the outcome from the Leveson enquiry. So even though everyone in the room was in good spirits, there was a tense undertone as all involved knew that certain outcomes of the enquiry would mean massive changes to way some areas of training are undertaken.
Personally as someone still in training to be a journalist, the results of the enquiry will mean that the world of journalism I enter will be a completely different land to someone who started 2 years ago. As with everything I seem to do, bad timing

The main things I took away from sitting in was that journalism has a considerably low job satisfaction rate, with a substantially high percentage of those working in the industry having no confidence in the ethics of the job. This in itself is not a surprising fact especially with what disgusting facts have come out of the woodwork in recent years. However, what the public should also keep in mind is that it was journalists that exposed both the expenses scandal and the phone hacking itself. All I’m pleading is don’t tarnish all of us with the same brush – without a free press, we might as well be a closed state such as some of the Eastern block.

Other than that, it’s the time of year where all I’m craving is hot alcoholic beverages – so I am doing so in astonishing numbers…hich..

à bientôt

Pornography – A word which seems to strike fear into the minds of parents, old-school feminists and nuns the world over. Now, I know the ladies and gents who are regular readers of HTC are somewhat an open minded bunch and so I would like to make a confession to you all.
I am a day-time porn indulger.
Be it cheeky morning viewing, before yoga and shower, or afternoon-with-a-cup-of-tea session, I just cannot help myself.
And we aren’t just talking the usual free view 4 minutes on porn.org.uk.com. I like to make myself work for my cheeky bit of afternoon delight. Spend a decent amount of time on the old internet and you can find amazing sites full of the dirty stuff, made by women, for women. No fake tits in sight. Even more amazingly, the women on screen actually enjoying themselves – real orgasms and the works!
Also there is nothing better than settling down with a good old dirty book (and no not THAT book, 35 shades of whatever) I am talking to you about the classic Mills and Boons style filth, and that written by the fair hand of Belle de Jour in The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl.
I am not a single-lady nursing a severe porn addiction, I’m practically married in relationship length terms, but the man works long hours and well, sometimes a girl just needs some release.
When I recently brought this topic with bunch of lady friends over a bottle of the red stuff, I was amazed with their reaction.
They were shocked!
My response: “Ladies, ladies, ladies, we have discussed pubes, anal and S&M, why the arse-biscuits are you so offended by my day-time lonely lust sessions?”
Their response: “That’s what guys do isn’t it?!”
Come on girls, we are the most sexually open minded generation since the swinging sixties, why should we still be leaving porn indulgence just to teenage boys and middle-aged business men in hotel rooms?
Why can’t we have a cup of tea, a slice of cake and healthy dollop of lady loving? Besides, it’s good for you.

You can find the post here: http://www.thehighteacast.co.uk/2012/10/11/secret-diary-of-a-day-time-porn-indulger/

à bientôt

Keeping a firm eye on this young gentleman – a voice like this deserves to be HUGE!

Personal – exciting things on the horizon, my lips are sealed for at least another 2 weeks.

National – The weather went mental. So the entirety of the UK was battered by a storm which dumped the equivalent of a month’s worth of rain in day. Nottingham got the brunt of this on Monday; as a result, we all went a swim around Hockley. To remedy this, myself and my workmates got dolled up, drank a few litres of wine & ate massive bowls of pasta. The sensible option.

Music News – This album was released on Monday, I haven’t listened to anything else this week. That is all you need to know. Buy it.

Technology News – So I’m not going to ramble on about the new Iphone, but in fact about the massive boob Apple managed to make with their new “Maps” app which was automatically downloaded with Iphone’s newest update. Essentially, it was comedy gold. The app itself had so many bugs in it that hundreds of places were either not where they actually are or Apple decided to rename. Prime examples: Doncaster = Duncaster, Apple revived Woolworths and decided no-one wanted to directions around Falklands, and that they are in fact completely 2D – Bravo Apple!

And finally, Television News: Finally, finally, FINALLY we see the return of the brilliant Boardwalk Empire. First episode I essentially spent the entire time holding my breath. After the death of Jimmy at the end of last session, I wasn’t sure exactly which direction the narrative was going to take. Amazingly, and surprisingly to myself, I didn’t miss the presence of Jimmy at all. In fact, the program seems even darker and grittier without him there. I won’t reveal any spoilers but believe me, you will be gripped.

Now, if you haven’t heard the call already, it’s wine o’ clock! Enjoy!

à bientôt

For the next few days my diet will involve mainly a diet of lemons, maple syrup, clementine’s, vegetable juice and green tea. Normally, I’m not an advocate of liquid diets or detoxing but after this weekend I’ve been so sluggish, it can’t do any harm to give my diet a kick up the bum.Alongside this, I’ve found a new yoga channel on good old Youtube.

HolmTV has a brilliant mix of practices for fat-burning, relaxation and balance, ranging from 5 minutes to hour and a half long sessions.



I’ve been doing yoga as an aid for toning since last year so I am still very much a beginner. However, I’m well and truly hooked on it – I’ve never had a routine I can do at home which makes me feel quite as awesome as yoga does. Also which I can mould around daily life, I do half an hour each morning then an hour session if I’ve got time – couldn’t do that with a class!

Previously, I had been doing Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown. Now, this is not yoga by any stretch (excuse the pun) of the imagination. However, if you take the title with a pinch of salt, it is a brilliant aerobic video with yoga elements. The only reason I’ve had to stop with it is that unfortunately genetics and kicked in and my knees just aren’t what they used to be.



One day (most possibly in my dreams) I’d love to reach the point where I’d be flexible enough to do what this lovely lady can!

à bientôt

So in recent days we’ve had some rather huge developments in terms of legalities involving the digital world.
Firstly, the red tops and (more worryingly) the broad-sheets went a little crazy at the start of this week with the news that Bruce Willis was planning to sue Apple over ownership of his music collection.

Since then, it has in fact emerged this story was a load of “bull” and once again, urgency to get the breaking story seemed to prevail over fact-checking amongst ALL of the country-wide daily’s. However, that discussion is for another blog post. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2012/sep/03/no-apple-bruce-willis)

Some of the facts which were actually correct amongst the “story-telling” were in fact more shocking. You know how a few years ago we all succumbed to downloading our music from iTunes rather than buying physical copied of singles and albums? Well it seems all this music we’ve paid for online isn’t actually ours to own – we’re paying to rent our collections.

I’m the first to admit I wasn’t aware of this, and I bet an awful lot of other iTunes users weren’t either. It was frustrating enough when iPods became devices which you could put music on but you weren’t allowed to then transfer songs or your collections to other devices, but this really takes the biscuit.

The basis of the incorrect article was that Brucey wanted to leave his vast downloads to his daughters in his will – but as we don’t actually own them, you physically are not allowed to do this, or “re-sell” the tunes (in basic terms, you can’t share you’re music with ANYONE)

In which case, I’m kind of glad I kept hold of all my CD’s.

Secondly, Anonymous have released a statement on their website which is both terrifying and amazing in equal amounts. http://pastebin.com/nfVT7b0Z
“As long as I am nothing but a ghost of the civil dead, I can do nothing…” – Jack Henry Abbott
These cheeky internet pirates have published within the above article details of 1 million Apple devices – though they actually have the details of around 12 million.

“we trimmed out other personal data as, full names, cell numbers, addresses, zipcodes, etc. not all devices have the same amount of personal data linked. some devices contained lot of info.others no more than zipcodes or almost anything. we left those main columns we consider enough to help a significant amount of users to look if their devices are listed there or not. the DevTokens are included for those mobile hackers who could figure out some use from the dataset.”

The reasoning for doing so? They found this information within a FBI database.

“’FUCKING FBI IS USING YOUR DEVICE INFO FOR A TRACKING PEOPLE PROJECT OR SOME SHIT’ well at least it seems our best bet, and even in this case we will probably see their damage control teams going hard lobbying media with bullshits to discredit this, but well, whatever, at least we tried and eventually, looking at the massive number of devices concerned, someone should care about it.”

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t agree with the publishing of an averages Joe’s details in such a manner. However, in this instance, what Anonymous have done seems more than commendable. The questions they’ve raised within this statement and why they’ve done is something an average Joe SHOULD be concerned about – why the arse-biscuits do the FBI have people’s Apple footprints in their database, and why have Apple allowed it?

I’m not one to be shy with basic information on myself around the old internet, but when facts like this emerge, it does make you question again quite how much we should be batting around so freely.
Overall, not the greatest weeks for Apple.

à bientôt

This week has been one of those weeks where myself and the other half have been passing strangers. With him working from 9-6 and myself clocking up evening hours occasionally 4 out of 5 week days, we only seem to grab a brief catch up and bite to eat before calling it a night.

So this Friday we actually planned something – together! Nothing too special but sometimes it’s just nice to have a little bit of indulgence and some time to properly converse.

Got us in some rump, salad and an olive loaf (along with a cheeky bottle of Malbec) and spontaneously decided on baking some gooey brownies for pud. This is a lovely and really easy, quick recipe by Lesley Water for something bad and chocolately. Note: I left out the coffee as we only have ground coffee in casa del De Lacy, but it doesn’t detract from the taste.

115g/4oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
170g/6oz caster sugar
2 free-range eggs
40g/1½ oz plain chocolate (minimum 65% cocoa solids)
55g/2oz pecans (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp instant coffee granules
2 tbsp warm water
1 tsp baking powder
55g/2oz plain flour
55g/2oz cocoa powder

In short, cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs.
Put the chocolate in (I love putting in whole pieces) then the nuts.
Add the vanilla extract and shift in the flour, cocoa powder and the baking powder.
Fold in the flour/cocoa and mix them all together well.
If it’s a little thick (if you’ve left out the coffee) add a splash of water.
Pop it all in a baking tin then give it about 40 mins in an oven at 160 degrees C.
Brownies should be firm but still feel a little squidgy inside.
YUM!

Following our feast, we slipped our glad drags on and tried out our local pub. As we’ve only been in our flat a few months, it’s been the first time we’ve had to nip for a few. As a Castle Rock pub and previous British Legion office, it was lovely.

Few glasses of vino later, we came home a little bit pink-cheeked.
Happy days!

à bientôt

So since we last met, I’ve been settling back into writing and, more importantly, making the time to start reading again.
The latest of these, and one I’ve wanted to indulge in for a while, is The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour – or Dr Brooke Magnanti.

After somewhat ploughing through the first, I’m now well into her second “diary.” Ladies and gents, I am hooked, royally.
Though most may have an impression on the TV adaptation, the book is actually witty and completely endearing. Also naughty enough to get your pulses racing and explorative to the point where you wonder why you aren’t part of her world.
While writing this, Dr Magnanti was quite literally a whore; however the book isn’t smutty by any stretch of the imagination. Even when she goes rather in depth about her fantasies (fisting features heavily) you still find yourself wanting to take this woman for a pint to pick her brains. It is intellectual and actually quite empowering to hear a fellow member of the sisterhood talk frankly about her wants, desires and sexual failings.
In short, I love her.

Another book which is along the same lines as Magnanti’s and has been my bible since I first read it is How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran. Anyone who knows in person may tell you how much I rave about Moran, she is both my favourite journalist come writer and general all-round-awesome feminist.
I won’t go into depth about her book because I insist you all read it.

What is most brilliant about both of these pretty damn awesome examples of the female race is how brutally honest they are both with their successes and failings.
One thing us girls need more of is the ability to discuss our fucks ups without shame and be able to enjoy when we do kick-ass in something. Too many times I’ve heard female friends and colleagues shy away from telling others about when they’ve done better than they expected or have done really well in a project or personal achievement.

Come on ladies let’s man up a little, smack each other on the back and buy each other beers when we’ve done well in something.

à bientôt

The only man who will ever encapsulate my mood in one song.

Following one extremely hectic day of dragging boxes, bags and furniture, we have finally moved into our new place. And now we’re in and settled, I’ve never been happier with my surroundings.

It’s pretty amazing how a change of personal environment can re-spark your work ethic and sometimes give you a well needed boot up the arse to get moving on stale projects.  The flat itself is small but absolutely perfectly formed (expect pictures at a later date)

Following moving, myself and the extended family took a break down to our pad in Cornwall. Despite having the place for nearing on ten years, the scenery and general atmosphere never ceases to amaze me. If you haven’t been, you must. Out of season, the pace of life is so much slower and gentler, it actually gives you the time to take in quite how beautiful the British coastline actually is. Many hours were spent soaking up the sun on the beach and somewhat punishing my liver with Rattler (again, if you haven’t tried it…why not, I implore you!)

However, while down there we receive some absolutely horrible news that an old friend of mine had been killed in a car accident. He was 20 and on his way home from work.

The whole situation still has not yet sunk in and for many people from my home town I don’t think it ever will. He was a figure that everybody knew, a lovely person and was far, far too young. The day I found out, this was all anyone could say to each other. His facebook page has become a memorial page and it brings me to tears every time I see him tagged in a photo. RIP Ryan.

A situation like this can’t help but remind you that life is too fucking short to have any regrets.

à bientôt 

So it’s no secret that I’ve been ridiculously busy over the past month or so. My current main concern is that I’m moving house next Friday. The amount of boxes, bags, and anything else I can carry things in is pretty impressive (I tend to hoard a tad.)

But I’ve taken a little break and had a reassess.

One of the things I love about having the chance to change your surroundings so dramatically is that it gives you the opportunity to get creative with the new space you have. For some inspiration, I’ve been browsing the internet for some amazing examples of truly personalised homes and also attempting in the process to have a clear-out of various clutterings I seem to have collected.

The best blog I’ve found for such purposes is http://sweethomestyle.tumblr.com

Essentially, it is a huge collection of down-right beautiful and, in most cases, easy to re-create examples of amazing interior design. It’s given me so much inspiration in terms of colour schemes, examples of fabrics and themed rooms, I’ve decided I need a bigger flat to make it all!

Anyway, here’s a few images of rooms I find particularly gorgeous. Please note: I take not credit for any of the images taken, they have been collected from various blogs. Copyright is held by the photographer of each.

Simply a case of workload catching up with me but it appears the end is finally in sight! After a week of no sleep & no meals, gave my body a little bit of a rest this weekend. Ending with a Bloody Mary recipe from my delicious new book

One of the pieces I’m currently writing is in regards to how globalisation has affected journalism. In research, I came across this quote. “After three thousand years of explosion, by means of fragmentary and mechanical technologies, the Western world is imploding. During the mechanical ages we had extended our bodies in space. Today, after more than a century of electronic technology, we have extended our central nervous system itself in a global embrace, abolishing both space and time as far as our planet is concerned… As electrically contracted, the globe is no more than a village”

This was written by the media theorist Marshall Mcluhan ( from Understanding Media, The Extensions of Man, Part I.) in 1964. Amazingly, in terms of social media, this could not be more true today.

Social media is a term which is battered around a lot in the media today. For some, it is seen as the proverbial spawn of the devil – but then again, so was the internet itself some years back. Personally, I think it is a thing to be treasured.

Yes we live in a 24 hour world today, often void of physical interaction. But in some respects, is this really a bad thing? Twitter in particular is my vice. I enjoy that you have to really appreciate what you post in terms of value – making those 140 characters work! And  why would you ever be afraid of a phenomena which allows people to connect from across continents? This world we come to know where all it takes is to turn on your PC or laptop and suddenly you have the world at your fingertips is..amazing!

Also, as a journalistic tool, I think Twitter should be hailed as a revolution. The hours it once took to source contacts can be reduced dramatically by just hashtagging the area where you are basing your piece on. However, to counter this, we shouldn’t take Twitter as gospel. I do believe their will be nothing to replace face-to-face interactions with contacts. Just having a physical presence in front of you can sometimes completely change your stance on the story being discussed. I love the aspect of my job which means I get to meet such a variety of people and truly get to know their side of a story. Emotions cannot be reduced to an email.

In terms of legal accuracy, journalism in itself is an art-form that needs to be taken seriously. Facts still need to checked and verified  through as firmer process as they always have. If we let this slide, it is essentially admitting gossip as fact. Worryingly, it seems some newspapers and stations have been so pre-occupied in wanting their story to be the first, they have let these rigorous checks slip – and have heavily paid the price.

If it is used correctly, social media is a tool which can be used to do brilliant things. And besides, it’s damn fun.

à bientôt 

Heard this first in 2010 on a live session of hers. Not loved a female artist as much, since Patti Smith & Carole King.
You rock Lissie.

But first, breakfast. 

Now that’s out the way. Recently via the lovely @littlelo22 blog, I was both re-inspired and dazed. She posted a video about Yokoo, a one-woman business-machine. From the ground upwards, she has knitted herself a wool-filled empire. Yokoo is from Atlanta, Georgia and knits just a mere 14 hours a day in order to get orders ready to sell on. In a word she is amazing. The video below shows Yokoo in her most comfortable environment explaining about her creative flow and what inspires her. If you’re feeling a little shitty and stuck-in-a-rut at the moment I would strongly recommend giving it a look. Even if knitting is not what gets you going, her outlook on life is both beautiful and inspiring. It made me re-asses not to waste a single day.

Handmade Portraits: YOKOO from Etsy on Vimeo.

à bientôt 

One of my closest friend’s lost her father last Wednesday under circumstances which have left us all absolutely devastated and most of all shocked. He was a lovely, lovely man and such a terrible situation couldn’t have happened to a nicer family. She is the equivalent to my sister, and I have known her family for 11 years.

It really has shook us all up and is a constant reminder that life is too short to take anything for granted.

I love you and your family babe, we’ll get through this together.  x

Within Ethical Issues in Journalism and the Media by Andrew Belsey, he states: “Clearly, we live in a society that values personal privacy, and is concerned about intrusions into privacy from whatever source, including the media. Yet, perhaps paradoxically, we also line in a society that thrives on publicity, or at least one in which many individuals depend on publicity for their lives and activities.”

Alongside this also, we need to consider what, as a society, we believe the definition of privacy is. To what level do we believe people’s lives should be private – or do those who live their lives in the public limelight have a right to privacy at all?

Sir David Calcutt QC was quoted in saying during the 1980′s that privacy: “could be regarded as the anthithesis of what is public: hence everything concerning an individuals’ home, family, religion, health, sexuality, personal legal and personal financial affairs… On the other hand, an individual is a member of society and, as such, cannot expect to enjoy total privacy.”

The media and those who work within it have the constant moral debate over how far to take “in the public interest”. Does this mean knocking on the door of a mother who has just lost her only son if the greater public want to hear her story. Or publishing a story about a politician who is using his/her expenses to buy champagne. Where is the line and do average law-abiding people have a different right to privacy than those whose job is to address the public.

This same situation can be applied to events. If someone has, what could be considered as, a private moment – such as a mental breakdown – within the public sphere, can the media report on it?

As there is no official tort of privacy in the UK, unlike the USA, Libel Law uses the Campbell test  - the reasonable expectation of privacy and in the public interest – in order to help determine whether a report could be potentially defamatory in regards of a person’s privacy. But yet again, within this there is the phrase “in the public interest”

Unfortunately for the media, this little phrase can fully determine what cases get reported upon – it is a case of supply and demand. If people want to hear about a certain celebrity affair or gruesome murder, they will buy the paper or watch the news which features said case.

One could argue that it is the media’s responsibility to “gatekeep” what news they publish – but then is this not particularly condescending to say to their audiences cannot decide on which news they want to hear about themselves?

à bientôt 

Green tea & food porn.

So as you may or may not know; I love food. All forms of the stuffs – apart from mushrooms, ugh. And somewhat as a result, you’ll often find me in the kitchen. A fantastic stereotype with no sexist attachments where I’m concerned. I just love to cook.

In my household I have 2 males, both of which seem to be constantly hungry individuals. But there’s nothing better in my eyes then getting 6music cranked up and a pan of hot olive oil on the go. I’m considerably lucky ingredient-wise as the other half’s father is a butcher – fresh, fantastic meat a go-go!

One guilty pleasure of mine is finding brilliant cooking sites or blogs to help aid my quest to stop male hunger pangs!
Recently, I’ve been a little addicted to this lovely looking site;

In website terms, I’m a sucker for anything remotely kitsch and this site ticks all my boxes. Her recipes are all also simple and there is plenty to choose from and (from experience) the large majority of them are spot on in terms of fllllavour! I’m especially a fan of her breakfast selection – breakfast being the most important meal of the day.

Another lady which I have a food fancy of, is Gizzi Erskine. As well as being a stunning being, her food-tweets and original recipes get me all, excited! A particularly mouthwatering thought is “Australian Eggs Benedict” – eggs in any form ring my bell, but this looks particularly special for a Sunday morning.

I’m so very tempted to buy her book, but I might wait for the birthday fairy to bring it to me wrapped in shiny paper instead.

From the mean streets of Nottingham, there is also an amazing bakery blogger. Liana, from Star Bakery and also one of the lovely ladies behind Cake Club Eater Anon. Nottingham, has a beautiful site for all you cake-fanatics. Cake porn.

Enough to make your mouth start watering! She also has her own personal blog at http://starbakery.blogspot.co.uk/

Oh if only there were more hours in the day, or more meals in the day!

à bientôt 

So today it seems has just been those of those beautiful days we just don’t get enough of. Everything has been just, lovely.

A few rare treats were on the cards. Firstly enjoying a breakfast at Belle & Jerome with my other half; scrambled eggs on toast and a enormous pot of English Breakfast Tea while sat in the morning sun watching the hustle and bustle.

Then a ride out to our local piece of serenity – Wollaton Park. If you’re ever in our neck of the woods, please visit it during term time. Especially pleasant for a days stroll when there is no-one around!

Wandering round the park and the lake, makes me really appreciate days like today. Everyone is constantly on the go, it’s true we’re living in a 24/7 world now where slow days are a true rarity.

While chatting to the other half, we’re both in agreement that we hate planning for fortnight holidays – the packing, the timings, the rushing. It’s all very un-holiday like. I’d much sooner have days or weekends just like today – it truly gives you the time to appreciate your surroundings and the people who you get to spend it with.

In a brief hour I got to catch some TV the other day (very much a radio fan) I saw an advert for holidays in Britain with Stephan Fry. I did find myself nodding a considerable amount in agreement with it – kind of glad I was alone in the house for said reason. The UK is a beautiful part of the world, and having grown up out in the sticks, I vouch that our cities are just as stunning as our countryside. When I’m running through the city, normally earphones in and stressing about my next job, I do love to glance up at the gorgeous architecture lining the streets – it’s the little things!

I’ve often been in agreement that Nottingham in itself is a fascinating city to live in. It’s just got something about it – all time periods of buildings crammed into such a small, but sprawling, space. But yet it’s still a little bit rough around the edges. Then travel a mere 10 minutes out the centre and you reach such a beautiful place as Wollaton Park. Amazing non?

Safe to say, after an ice-cream, 2 hours in the Park, lots of sunshine then working from the top of my fire escape (see above, I love my fire escape) I am one happy bunny. Cooked some Burrito’s as the sun went down to feed the hungry males of my household – didn’t even have time to take photo’s at the pace they wolfed it down!

à bientôt 

It’s amazing to think that a month has flown by since we last talked about the wondrous delight that is cake.

As you’ve guessed, I’m referring to one of our favourite monthly events here in Nottingham: Cake Club’s Monthly Meets!

This month has been particularly special for these talented bunch of ingenious baking-connoisseurs as their event was sponsored by the one and only BMI Baby to help celebrate their tenth birthday. Therefore, the stakes were high as prize for the best holiday/birthday/flight themed cake was 2 free flights to any European destination.

It is safe to say, everyone pulled out all the stocks with cakes, buns and biscuits all shapes, sizes, flavours and colours (we even had a cake in a sand bucket!)

After a tense ten minutes, the votes were in & the judges from BMI Baby decided that Andy Warwick’s

masterpiece was the deserved winner. (We’re sure he and Tiny were thrilled!)

The Clubs chosen charity for this month was Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough, which helps support children with life-long conditions and their families. To see more or donate please visit their site: http://www.rainbows.co.uk/

As per norm in Cake Club circumstances, the mad dash to cake bar left only empty plates, sugar rushes and many very happy bakers.

The Club have yet another exciting announcement for those of you who feel just one meet a month is NOT ENOUGH (We here at CreativeNottingham certainly do not). There will now be a mid-month smaller cake dining sesh alongside the main monthly event.

Check out @cakeclubnotts or http://main.cakeeaters.co.uk/ for news of their next up and coming events along with amazing recipes from the cake-geniuses.

Photo Copyright @cakeclubnotts - Andy Warwick's winning cake (and Tiny!)

Lucie De Lacy;

“Print Journalist, Head of Guest Blogging for CreativeNottingham & local to the Shire.
A cocktail of literary devices; tea fanatic, wine enthusiast & purveyor of dark comedy, all wrapped in a scarf.”

1.  Who are you?

My name is Lucie De Lacy and I am a print journalist who runs Guest Blogging with CreativeNottingham. I blog with them also personally.

2. What brought you to Nottingham?

I was born out in the sticks of the Shire and moved to the city for university. As of yet, I haven’t left.

3. What keeps you in Nottingham?

I absolutely love this city. I’ve never been to a place which has such a diverse range of lifetimes all crammed into, what is for a city, a relatively small space. There is a fantastic creative community and every night has something different to offer. And of course, anywhere that has both an independent cinema, Brewdog bar and a fantastic tea shop all on the same street is in my eyes, home.

4. What makes you unique to other creative people in Nottingham? (eg:- What is your business specialism? Do you have any hidden talents?)

I’m extremely lucky in that my career naturally puts me in touch with so many interesting individuals who I need to connect with for my pieces. In that respects, I’m unique in that I have no bias towards any particular industry – one day I could be reviewing a comedian, the next, constructing an article for a local butchery. I love the social aspect of my job and have made firm friends out of some of my contacts.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? (future business & creative plans)

I have no intentions to leave Nottingham in the near future. So hopefully still here, doing what I’m doing now. Hopefully however with a decent coffee machine and new headphones.

6. What do you wish you had more time for?

In a past life I was a musician, so in a lot of respects, I miss the lifestyle that brought with it. I also enjoy reading an awful lot but again, that takes up a lot of time I don’t seem to have at the minute – don’t ever let me loose in Waterstones.

7. What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?

Wine. I wish I could say I was a wine snob but unfortunately as long as its red and there’s a lot of it – I’m happy.

8. What, in your eyes, breeds creativity?

Connections and spending the time to explore your surroundings. There are so many hidden gems in Nottingham, in fact in any city, that are just waiting to be found. It might be a new independent cinema or a pottery class but you’ll never know until you’ve been and found it.

Also never closing yourself off to new experiences – nothing wrong with trying before you buy. Go to that poetry reading or social media conference because *insert cliché here* “Life is like a box of chocolates..”

9. Where in Nottingham have you found to relax and unwind?

Lee Rosys is a gorgeous little tea shop, equally, across the road from it is Broadway Cinema which has a perfect sun trap drinking area. Equally, I get on my bike and cycle round the likes of West Bridgford or nip back to my home village out in the sticks to find a little bit of the country.

10. What would you like to see more of in Nottingham?

I think the city in itself needs more people promoting just how fantastic it is. The country, in fact the world, should know what Nottingham has to offer – without any mention of Robin Hood.

11. What big thing (project or event) are you currently working on?

As it’s still early on in the year, currently pulling together Guest Bloggers for the next 6 months is top of the agenda. Though keep your eye’s peeled for up and coming pieces.

Now we have formalities out of the way, good evening to you dears.