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Self Development
Keeping your identity... as a professional
"A few weeks ago, I looked at myself in a mirror and I realised - I have lost something of myself". Is it possible to retain one's alternative outlook and outward appearance in the professional world? Can self-expression and voluntary adherence to work structure exist?
Self Development
WHAT IS BRAVE? A working mother's truth
Bravery. Is it base-jumping? Running with bulls? Standing up for your beliefs and waving a placard? Being a working mother and sole carer of an artistic, intelligent family with various mental health problems? Yeah, bravery. It comes in many forms.
Self Development
Calling friends out on their oppressive views
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends” - Albus Dumbledore. Facing oppression is already a difficult experience when it comes from society at large, but when it comes from your closest friends it can be an even more painful experience.
Feminist interviews
Ladyfest 2011 UK - Go Nottingham, go!
Ladyfest Nottingham 2011 will be taking place on November 19th 2011. The organisers chat about the growth of on/offline feminism, how they've made the fest bigger, and what their dream acts would be for Nottingham 2012. Lydia Lunch, get on it!
.Alt Fashion interviews
Fairy Clothing by Flutterbydaisy - The Daisy Speaks
Creatrix of the Flutterbydaisy fairy clothing range, Natanya Waybourne lives in a whimsical world of lace, bunnies and prettiness. The flower child reveals her enviably innocent view of life and what the future holds for her...
Love advice for women. Kinda.
Dating the Older Man
A mook with experience of dating older men looks at the benefits a relationship with an older man can bring, along with the potential disadvantages.
Feminist interviews
Interview with comics letterer guru Annie Parkhouse
If you love Judge Dredd, Slaine, Tank Girl and the famous Brit comic 2000AD, you'll know the name of guru comics letterer Annie Parkhouse. Fascinating woman... we are not worthy.
Love advice for women. Kinda.
All Men are Assholes - NOT
Jake Snow, boyfriend of a longtime girlfriend and Mookychick contributor, suggests an alternative to the unrealisable expectations and self-fulfilling disappointments of women so distraught they find themselves claiming 'all men are assholes'. Though temptingly cathartic, gender generalisation doesn't help anyone.
Burlesque interviews
Interview with Burlesque Artist Ruby Rebelle
Intrepid Ruby Rebelle is a self-taught burlesque performer who placed herself in the public eye by putting on her own charity show. A queen of comical routines, fire-eating and glass-walking, Ruby's keen as mustard and sweet as cherry pie. Plus she has a love for zombies!
Feminist interviews
Slutwalk interview
What is a Slutwalk? Why does every city need one? Did media coverage take the Slutwalk marches seriously? Strip dancer and Slutwalk demonstrator 'Peaches' talks about the message behind Slutwalk and the needs for improvement and change.
Babe's Bible
HOW many inches? High heels and confidence
The confidence that can come from wearing high heels is a potential minefield dividing the opinion of feminists everywhere. Sometimes, all you can do is accept the complexities of a seemingly insignificant subject and take a personal stance. And you don't have to feel pinned down.
.Alt culture interviews
Jema Hewitt interview (Miss Emilly Ladybird from Steampunk Emporium)
Mookychick talks to Jema Hewitt: Steampunk Crafts Queen and creator of Miss Emilly Ladybird and Steampunk Emporium. What colour is Mr Woppit, and would he like a chocolate button?
Love advice for women. Kinda.
Sexting
Some oddities think there's nothing's sexier than sending a pic of a bear in a purple hat. They're right... but so very wrong. If you're in an LDR or want to try sexting, our tips explore ways to break the ice, sexting laws and the do's and don'ts of swapping photos.
Girl Geek
Conceptual Gaming - The Endless Forest
Imagine a 'social screensaver' PC game where your only mission is to explore, play and discover. 'The Endless Forest' is a feat of conceptual gaming.
Feminist Opinion & Riot Grrl
The portrayal of women in media
Do we need to re-think the portrayal of women in the media? Do we need to re-think Barbie as a female icon rather than a tool of the goshdarn evil patriarchy? Do we just need to think a bit more?
DIY Arts and Crafts Ideas
Customising clothes - DIY craft ideas
Charity shop clothes tend to be almost - but not quite - right. These crafty DIY clothes customisation tips will help you fix shoes that are too small, add a lacy twist, create eighties shoulder pads and a few other bits and bobs...
Gothic, Industrial & Alt Music
Tegan and Sara
As we all know, for women, the music scene can be a rough place to catch a break if you're new, quirky, indie or seeking individuality away from the mainstream acts being pumped out nowadays. Tegan and Sara, however, seem to be doing just fine.
Indie / Goth Music Blog
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a madman
Ozzy Osbourne isn't just a mumbling bewildered charmer on a reality TV show. He's the godfather of all that is Heavy Metal, a leatherlungs supergod. Dyslexia, personal tragedy and drug abuse have never stopped him. Ozzzzzzzzzzzy!
Indie Politics
Student cuts - Is this fair?
The UK coalition government has proposed drastic cuts. Yes, drastic measures in times of excess are needed, but is the under-funding of student education really the way to go?
Feminist Opinion & Riot Grrl
Beauty baddies
At Mookychick we never get tired of reminding you to keep a level head when surrounded by impossibly airbrushed magazine beauty. And one mustn't forget that all the major makeup companies are run by men...
Movie Reviews
Shine a light on... Old movies
Some old movies are dark and hard, not a fuzzy monochrome box of chocolates and a tearful tissue on a wet saturday afternoon. We look at some of the black and white gems out there.
Girl Geek Opinion
Unconventional romance video games? BRING... IT... ON
Video games are getting increasingly unconventional with their romance. We're allowed to hook up with African Americans, same sex partners, drells and elves. And now Dragon Age 2 may let us get it on with a suave dwarf. Good! Let's crack the glass ceiling!
Steampunk Fiction
The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart
'The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart' by Mathias Malzieu is the tale of a boy with a heart almost magically preserved by clockwork, who must never fall in love, or else his heart's mechanism will break. Fancy a ride in this steampunk funfair?
Feminist Opinion & Riot Grrl
Ruby Reject Barbie
Time for some feminism. Can someone explain why a little girl was apparently 'traumatised' on seeing Ruby, a Body Shop doll based on real proportions not Barbie ones? This one complaint made Barbie manufacturer Mattell send the Body Shop a 'cease & desist' order...
How-To Guides
Bondage for beginners
While we're young and carefree, we're able to get away with a lot of stuff they say we won't when we're older (they're probably wrong). Now is the time to try new things. Who knows, you might discover something amazing and end up doing it for the rest of your life!
Burlesque / Vintage Style
Quick guide to retro style
A quick guide to incorporating retro style, from corsets to 1940s daywear to 1950s rockabilly clothing for night. We follow up with a retro makeup tutorial and a hairstyles how to guide for Sweetheart Rolls!
Vintage Hair Styles
Sweetheart Rolls
Hairstyles tutorials: Also known as the Victory Roll, the Sweetheart Roll probably looks best when you sport a pretty frock, a huge Popeye anchor tattoo and you're kissing a soldier of either gender persuasion. It will look lovely regardless of your style or sensibilities...
Competitions
Classic Christmas movies
Celebrate a retro Christmas by winning a stocking-filler set of classic Christmas movies. Each set contains IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and HOLIDAY INN. We have 3 sets to give away!
Competition closes 9 December 2010.
Burlesque / Vintage Style
1940s Fashion on the high street
To celebrate the special edition DVD releases of It's a Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn (8 and 22 November respectively), we have scoured the high street to locate 1940s fashion replica clothing. And for those wanting to support indie retro clothing stores, that'll be a separate article :)
Plus-size Clothing
How to dress like you
Not every curvy girl wants to wear a prom dress, even if people say it suits her. Alison explains how she uses colour charts and layers to go for a plus size style that doesn't fit into a tribe but does actually suit her, inside and out.
Black Swan, Ethnic Goth Style
Being a black goth... the conundrum. Or rather, the lack of one.
A black goth is not a walking curio. Minorities are often given a more narrow margin of lifestyle choice by society, so if you see a black swan picking up a Miranda Sex Garden CD, cast no sideways glances - to be a goth is not necessarily to look like Wednesday Addams.
Activism
10 Tips to keep your heating bills low and help the environment
Yep... Pretty much what it says on the tine. We've got some genuinely clever ways to keep a little bit warmer if you can't afford to turn up the thermostat... or, for ecological reasons, don't want to.
Christmas Ideas
Piratemas - an alternative Christmas
Piratemas is a way of celebrating all that is wonderful about Christmas but removing both the religious and materialist elements. For those to whom neither religion nor materialism appeal, celebrating Piratemas as the Partington household does might be the way forward.
How-To Guides
How to be a (proper) mad scientist
Let us say, for the sake of argument, that you already are a mad scientist. Well done! The problem is that no-one's noticed. If you want your laboratory to be burned to the ground by the aryan do-gooder hero/heroine, shouldn't you be trying a little... bit... harder?
Halloween
I Love Halloween...
Never mind a letter to Father Christmas, Manda Jane writes a little love letter to Halloween. Because it's nice to get a love letter, isn't it? Normally, Halloween just gets eyeballs.
Japanese Fashion
Zettai ryouiki
'Zettai ryouiki' is a term for a japanese fashion that translates roughly into 'Absolute Territory' or 'Absolute Region', which are catchall terms for any exposed legflesh between the tops of your socks and a skirt. Zettai ryouiki are excellent for cosplay, lolita, and just about everything. Even keeping (most) of your legs warm.
Movie Reviews
Drag Me To Hell review
Returning to form from his outing with the Spiderman trilogy, Sam Raimi - with more bucks at his disposal - goes back to basics, delivering the type of horror that made him a household-name on the cult circuit during his college years.
Creative / Writing Tips
NaNoWriMo
When November hits, some of you writers out there may know what that means. For those of you who don't, let me enlighten you. November is National Novel Writing Month. Yes, you write a novel in a month. Simple!
Indie Politics
UK Censorship - Write the other way
"If They Give You Ruled Paper, Write the Other Way". How free would you regard yourself? In our modern democratic society, it seems we have the basic rights like freedom if speech, but what's being hidden from us and why? And most importantly, by who?
Feminist Opinion & Riot Grrl
Being me
Just out of interest, what's more important? To be the prettiest or most popular one? Or to be the funniest, cleverous and most generous person you know? If you're already an Alpha Female it might be a tough call. If you grow up an outsider, you make the very best you can out of what you've got... and that's a lot.
Girl Gamer - Game Reviews
Review: Front Mission Evolved
You know what's great about Front Mission Evolved? It has a million explosions, and a million combat scenarios in a fully immersive world, and it's got VIOLENT GIANT ROBOTS. Yeah. ROBOTS. Don't insult our intelligence by claiming you have no wish to be a violent robot.
Feminist Icons
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a wonderfully average girl who dealt with the vampires teeming from the hell-hole under her high school with increasing aplomb. With a her crack team of co-freaks, she broke all stereotypes and saved the day. Frequently. Buffy, we salute you!
Anime, Manga & Comic Reviews
Invincible Summer Anthology
Nicole J Georges, heroine of the Portland zine scene, has brought out a gorgeous anthology of the first 8 issues of her DIY Invincible Summer comic, detailing her loves, arts, tribulations and vegan passions.
Anime, Manga & Comic Reviews
French Milk
French Milk by Lucy Knisley is a wonderful scrapbook concoction of illustrations, photos and musings about a month she spent living in Paris with her mother. Sometimes the joy lies hidden in the less obvious, indie gems of the comics world. Read, get inspired, make your own.
Indie Travel Guides
Glasgow - Rough guide to Glasgow characters
After your average Friday night in the city of Glasgow you'll see the evidence littering the streets; smashed bottles of Bucky, empty packs of Mayfare and chips and curry dinner thrown up onto the street. How can you be in love with a city like that? The people.
Competitions
WIN Final Fantasy XIV Collector's Edition
To celebrate the launch of Final Fantasy XIV on PC, we have a copy of Final Fantasy XIV Collector's Edition to give away. This is your chance to win a brand-new MMPORG!
Competition ends 7 November 2010
Plus-size Clothing & Life
The tyranny of the bathroom scales
Peer group pressure dieting doesn't always work. If you're plus size and exploring how to lose weight, peer pressure can lead to weight-obsessed tyranny. Sometimes, not weighing yourself has far more effect in whittling away the pounds.
Music Reviews
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession - Laura Nylo (1968)
Praised and revered from Jenny Lewis to Barry Manilow, claimed to be one of Alice Cooper's favourite songwriters and even sampled by Kanye West, Laura Nyro is one of those enigmatic figures that is loved by many but not often talked about.
Competitions
Boromir lovers: Win BLACK DEATH on Blu Ray x3
Medieval England is being destroyed by bubonic plague. Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings) leads a band of mercenaries to discover the truth behind reports that a necromancer is bringing the dead back to life. We have 3 copies of BLACK DEATH on Blu-Ray to give away!
Competition ends 8 November 2010
How-To Guides
10 Ways to tell if you are a coffee addict
You may find that college/work/life only happens with a coffee in your hand, whether it's from Starbucks (and their trippy occult logo) or anti-capitalist indie coffee shops. Here are 10 ways to tell you might have a coffee problem. We shan't tell you what to do about it, of course.
Health & Depression Advice
Tips for dealing with grief and bereavement
If someone you know dies, life gets a lot more real. One lovely mook offers tips for dealing with grief in the hope that you might (in her words) learn from her mistakes. What a kind and gracious mook!
Student / Indie Travel Guides
How to survive youth hostels
How to find cheap youth hostels and make it a quality experience when budget travelling. If you don't need matching towels or sachets of hot choccy by your bed, these tips will ensure you travel on the cheap in the best way possible.
Health & Depression Advice
13 Tips for a Better Night's Sleep
There's a secret beauty enhancer that can make you slimmer, prevent dark eye circles, soften facial imperfection, improve pain relief, slow aging and make you mentally alert. Its name is sleep...
Beauty Product Reviews
How to get Halloween hairstyles
OSiS Ambassador Adrian Allen gives you tips on how to experiment with exaggerated and unruly hair for louche Halloween hairstyles - Gothic hair and Zombie hair.
Pagan & Wicca
Compiling a Book of Shadows
Details of rituals were recorded in what is known as a book of shadows by practicing witches. Discover how to compile your own book of Shadows so you can record your own journey beyond the veil.
Japanese Fashion
Circle lenses - Manga fashion roadtest
Gyaru girls and aficionados of Japanese fashion have a secret to make their eyes cute, big and bug-eyed: Circle contact lenses. One intrepid Mookychick roadtests several circle lenses to see how they wear on the eye. Can circle lenses truly turn you manga?
Fiction Reviews
The Ice Age review
Seattle-born Kirsten Reed’s debut novel, The Ice Age, is the kind of book you wished would come along more often. A 17 year old hitchiking girl's modern day cross country adventure, 'The Ice Age' is punky, sultry, fresh and full of disdain...
Feminist Opinion & Riot Grrl
Sexed up
Sex sells. Fact. Practically every aspect of the modern media relies on it, from TV to film, music videos and advertising campaigns. Is it a form of female liberalisation? If not, is it really necessary?
Feminist Icons
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was a bisexual blues singer who inspired coloured folk, musicians and women to stand up and make their presence felt. She was also hugely racist, a husband beater and left her tour mates stranded on more than one occasion. Quite the badass.
Competitions
WIN a Halloween vampire costume!
The folks behind the National Vampire Blood Service are giving away a vampire costume for Halloween. If you can't beat the vampires, join them...
Competition closes 23 October 2010
Gothic, Industrial & Alt Music
Creature Feature - The Greatest Show Unearthed
Creature Feature: Formed straight after a Halloween party, Curtis RX and Erik X produce music that is a combination of rock, Goth and horror movies. Sound interesting? Enter... if you dare.
Halloween Ideas
Have you donated to the National Vampire Blood Service?
The National Vampire Blood Service aims to support those members of the vampire community who are unable to feed themselves properly. Give generously. Donate blood to a vampire today.
How-To Guides
How to have a great night at The Rocky Horror Show
Whether you're a Rocky Horror Show regular or "Virgin", nothing can top this theatre experience that encourages audience participation from heckling to dancing to dressing up in Rocky Horror costumes. Don your fishnets, cake on the lipstick and warm up your hips. I would like - if I may - to take you on a strange journey...
How-To Guides
What to wear for a murder
Assassination is a tough job. You want to be prepared - and that includes being dressed for the part. Do you want the last thing your victim ever sees to be a deplorable fashion faux pas? We didn't think so.
How-To Guides
How to have your perfect wedding on a budget
Weddings On A Budget. Four words any bride dreads hearing. But it can be done cheaply and still be an amazing day to remember for the rest of your life; I should know. I did it myself for less than £500 on June 11th 2010.
Creative / Writing Tips
How to write a novel
Have you always wished to write a novel? These handy hints and tips will get you past the dreaded writer's block that occurs somewhere around the third chapter...
Film Reviews
Interview with a Vampire-Slayer
In the minds of Transylvanian locals, vampires (strigoi) abound. Their beliefs are stranger than sparkling hotties and even King Vampire Boris Karloff, and anyone delving a little deeper into vampire mythology has to grapple with it. Meet the real vampire slayers.
Film Reviews
Perfect Blue review
Anime: 'Pefect Blue' is a 1998 Japanese animated psychological thriller directed by Satoshi Kon. As a j-pop idol changes her career to actress, she displeases her fans - and a stalker - to the point where reality and fantasy blur...
Unusual Hobbies
Postcrossing
Postcrossing is a lovely and fairly safe way to share postcards from around the world with hundreds of random strangers. We cheer for any unusual hobbies that rely on the good old-fashioned postal service!
Grrl Arts, Culture & Events
The insanely awesome guide to German Expressionism
Literati! Vampire-lovers! Silent movie temptresses! Stop whatever you're doing and read our insanely awesome guide to German Expressionism NOW. Tim Burton loves it and so will you. Do it... or we will beat you with the culture stick.
Burlesque / Vintage Style
Style guide 101: Bohemian Style
Nouveau, Beatniks, Gypsy, Boho Chic. Ah, the allure of bohemian style. We explore both the lifestyle and wardrobe of the starving artist. Delve into the decadence of la vie Boheme with our guide to the roots of bohemianism - and bohemian clothing.
Creative / Writing Tips
Photography tips - How to direct models on a photoshoot
You want to use your friends as models on a photoshoot. Or perhaps you are heading into the world of professional photography. Find out how to get the best out of your models for beautiful photos.
Japanese Fashion
Tokyo’s newest style tribes: Dolly Kei/Style
Just when you think Tokyo’s style tribes have rooted, a new branch stems from the tree. Dolly Kei is a strange exploration of medieval clothing & Russian folktalkes. Let's explore the wonderful antique-led japanese fashion fit for a Mori (forest) girl!
Interviews with feminist icons
An interview with... Rockabilly queen Bernie Dexter
Meet our sweet-souled Feminist Icon of the Week, rockabilly queen Bernie Dexter. We interview her about everything from make-up and rockabilly music to gay marriage & attending Bettie Page's funeral. Bernie Dexter: Foxy on the inside as well as the outside.
Life and love advice
Mental Health advice
Advice column: We make every effort to answer your questions. Love advice, health advice, career advice, 'my kitty is a catnip druggy' advice - it's all here.
DIY Arts and Crafts Ideas
How to decoupage
If you're looking for arts and crafts ideas, learn how to decoupage with every crafter's dream: Mod Podge. As both beginner and Master Crafter, you'll be able to enhance furniture, picture frames and more. Decoupage for all!
Alternative Health & Beauty
Epilator deathmatch!
Health and beauty: Our intrepid journalists try out two of the latest epilators - one girl a seasoned veteran, the other an epilator virgin. So... who's going to win?
Indie / Goth Quizzes
Which scenester are you?
Personality quiz: Are you Grrrl? Emo? Goth? Electro? It's so important to know which scene you're in, and Mookychick is here to help. Find out which scenester you are! Reveal the dirty truth!
WRITERS: MOOKYCHICK NEEDS YOU!
Mookychick is on the lookout for super-classy writers who have something to say. Our writers are sharply intelligent, informed, sweet, ballsy and damn funny. They write about genetics, astronomy, Gothic Lolita, wicca, feminism, music, the perils of being a woman and the joys of having the world at your feet. Could this be you? We want to read your wonderful bitchin' words! Find out more...
Mission statement
Mookychick believes that climbing trees and riding giant turtles is more fun and girly than worrying about make-up. But if you want to worry about make-up instead of turtles? Fine by us. Be you feminist, riot grrrl, kitten, punk, emo, indie, goth, witch, harajuku, vegan, horror junky, intellectual, corset queen, geek, unicorn, burlesque, gothic lolita, sea monkey... be you into gothic clothing, holistic health, wicca, paganasim, xtianity, comics, anime, j-pop, harajuku or jock culture... we will always love you.
Your source for Riot Grrrl, Gothic Clothing, Emo, Burlesque, Goth Plus-Size, Geek, Teenage Feminist Opinion, Gothic Lolita, Wicca, Harajuku, how to tips, makeup tips, beauty tips and undiluted joy - Mookychick
