The last decade in brief!

Let’s try and summarise the decade….

In 2000 there were no IPods and no broadband internet…now – we cannot seem to function without them?????


FYI, almost two thirds of the British population have high speed internet…I mean could you cast your mind back to a time where shopping online at 2am was more a dream than a reality?

The IPod….man’s best friend??
Launched around October 2001…the IPod has become a staple part of our lives.
Whether it’s to ease the strain of a workout in the gym or to help the working day go by quicker, an IPod works for all of us (unless you don’t have one)!

As of September 09, the IPod became the best selling digital audio player in history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod)


During the last decade, reality television has taken on a life of its own.

From the X Factor through to I’m a Celebrity, reality TV just about covers every aspect of life…

I mean take, Come Dine With Me for example, the idea of 4 random people competing to win some money by cooking for each other and scoring…who would have thought this would be such a popular programme to watch???? (I have to admit, it is QUALITY)!!!!


The last decade also spawned some of the best TV series’…..Lost and The Wire!

TV drama, Lost has been declared, the TV drama event of the decade whilst The Wire became the first box set phenomenon and was heralded as the ‘greatest TV ever made’!!!

Wow, that’s one hell of a title!

Fashion???

What about it…?

Every decade can be defined by fashion in one way or another…take for example the 1960’s…you think Mini’s don’t you? (well some would).

So what fashion would define the ‘Noughties’?

Well…there are a few things that spring to mind, some of them comebacks from previous decades, but ‘Noughties’ fashion defining all the same….

Skinny Jeans…

Can’t live without em!

These have been a standard part of a women’s wardrobe for the last few years and looks set to remain that way.

Whether you’re off to shake a leg or are simply hitting the shops, skinny jeans can work!

My only word of advice would be: Make sure they fit…builders cracks and muffin tops = not attractive! LOL

Leggings!

OK, so these are a throw back from the 80’s but trust me, they are so versatile and wearer friendly, I think they will continue to throw back forever! HA.

Again, whether you want to jazz them up and go casual…leggings – no problem!
I mean, you can get them in denim material, sequins, regular jersey, patterned….sheeeeesh there’s a pair of leggings for EVERY occasion.

Definitely a ‘Noughties’ fashion piece (for the ladies).


What else was hot for the ladies???

Well we had, shoe boots (love em), vintage and retro….that was and still is hot…oh and sequins…anything that shimmers and glistens….definitely!!!


For the guys…now admittedly this is unfamiliar territory for me, I mean I know what looks great on a guy but whether you want to call it Men’s fashion that defines the ‘Noughties’, I don’t know….

I think tees and tops that had graphic prints and abstract designs (of some sort) has to be one of them.
I mean, we were seeing guys wearing colours that were previously deemed as to camp or girly…it’s great to see a confident guy wear a pink jumper or something not just drab and boring….dontcha think ladies?


Retro tailoring was another biggie…as was the whole stylish Saville Row look….you had guys that clearly did not make nearly enough money to purchase a suit from Saville Row, looking like they had….not a bad thing – it showed not only wanting to be fashionable, but also... pride – guys were taking more pride in their over all appearance! .

From sharp and stylish to urban and trendy Kanye West/P Diddy type attire, the range was wide.

Bling was huuuuuuuuuge (for guys as much as ladies) and hairstyles became more dramatic and unique….think Mohawk!!!!

Hats were big for guys too, from Trilby hats through to Beanies…if you rocked the hat right – it was a good look!

Phew…that’s a lot of fashion and still the list goes on….


What about celebs of the decade…

Well there are some clear front runners ie. Beyonce, Rihanna, Jay Z, Michael Jackson

Beyonce - You have to give it to this lady, she has worked hard for her success…after leaving Destinys Child, she has gone on to carve out a solo career as arguably one of the hottest females in the music world.

With 2 of the decade’s greatest singles, Crazy In Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6HPJJjqvG0) and Single Ladies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyHVQT8aIBM)….brand Beyonce goes from strength to strength.

Rihanna - All I can say on this one is…established!

Rihanna has managed to solidify her position as an A lister…mainly due to the success of the track Umbrella!

Not entirely sure on her direction or if indeed, it is a positive one…but all the same, she has definitely made her mark this decade (more so over the past year or two).


Jay Z….Speaks for itself and as for Michael Jackson, well….don’t get me started. I think its safe to say, not only has MJ impact the last decade but, the one before that and the one before that too!!!!!!!

I think it is important to note that Brand Beckham (Victoria and David) has taken on a life of its own in the past decade and Simon Cowell….well, even though he never birthed the phenomenon that is reality TV, he most certainly honed it!

Madonna needs to get a mention here due to her consistent tours and track singles as well as the fact that although she is on the other side of 50 she still manages to retain her sex symbol status.

That together with her high profile marriage and divorce to Guy Ritchie along with the Malawian adoptions and her relationship with a dude half her age…Madonna has to be classed as a celeb of the ‘Noughties’!

Whatta decade….I could go on but my fingers are getting tired and my brain is still slightly frazzled due to the high intake of Jamaican rum and Pineapple…!


Overall, I think it’s safe to say, historians will have a field day when looking back on this decade in years to come…

From the fear of terrorism and a war that doesn’t seem to want to end, the capture of an evil dictator, the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, the London terrorist attack, the Boxing Day Tsunami in Asia several bouts of flu (Swine and bird to name but two), a Black Man in the White House…..what a decade!!!

This decade has also highlighted just how fast news (both good and bad) can travel…with YouTube, Facebook, Myspace and the like, we can always be kept in the loop – there really is no excuse!!!

Well, mankind managed to make it through this one…let’s bring on the next I say!

Whatever your plans, your desires or your destiny…live each day and make it worth it and in the great words of Martin Luther King remember: Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.


Peace, love and blessings for the year ahead and beyond…
Sherryl x