i love them

this is a beautiful photo of me and my three best friends at bestival. it's been a long time since we've all been together & i'm so so happy we are a four again.
love you

bestival

bestival was bloody amazing- what a mini little glastonbury it is!
so many things to see, music, sunshine, friends. lovely.
what a perfect way to end summer.

new love

i'm aware that i have a new love every week but i have a feeling this one is going to stick with me all fall. One of the must-haves for the autumn/winter 10/11 season is the aviator jacket. Designers first introduced the trend on the runway earlier this year, with particular reference to Burberry's collection Burberry Cadet Girls. High streets have now got on board and shops such as ASOS & Oasis have their own collection of flight jackets.
but THIS is the one i want/need.
The burberry leather aviator jacket with a shearling lining and oversized collar. it's so beautiful, but alas, its almost £2000.

say it with a cupcake

i absolutely adore cupcakes, & these ones have got to be the best.
my lovely boss at work bought them for me for my birthday, and they're beautiful!
i came in this morning and they were sat on my desk with a card
how sweet is she.
they look too good to eat!

happy birthday to me

I had the most perfect twenty-first birthday yesterday. The whole day was beautiful and I am very lucky to have such wonderful friends & family. I am so thankful to everyone that came, especially those that travelled hundreds of miles to get here. They all made it such a memorable day & I got spoilt rotten!

girl crush

Okay so I'm a little ashamed to admit this but I really think Taylor Momsen is hot!
As Jenny in Gossip Girl I thought she was a little, in fact a lot, irritating. She definitely played the annoying little sister well! But since that started she's grown up a bit- although she's still only 17- and turned into a mega hot wannabe rock chick, and i think she kinda pulls it off.
She now sports mega long platinum blonde locks & ultra smoky eye makeup and fronts the band The Pretty Reckless. Their first single make me wanna die came out in May this year & I kinda rate it. Their second single miss nothing was released last monday and their debut album light me up is out this Monday.
Momsen has a very courtney love-esque grungy style and sound to her voice, and the overall influence of 90s grunge band Nirvana is apparent in the music she is producing.
With the album covering controversial issues such as heavy drug abuse & sex, as well as the suspender belts & stockings she is renowned for wearing it's hard to believe Momsen is still only 17.
I would love one of her vintage slip dresses.

the good old days

So earlier this week one of the greatest moments happened- the libertines played their first official gig together since their split in 2004. I'm literally gutted I couldn't get tickets. We've been waiting for this for years and it finally happened! Amy Winehouse was among fans watching the band at the HMV Forum as well as Ryan Jarman from The Cribs.
They played an amazing set including 'the good old days' 'music when the lights go out' 'time for heroes' and 'what katie did'
The gig was a warm up show before their appearance at Reading & Leeds festival this weekend.
I hope this means there will be many more to come..

skint monday

Crystal Castles did a DJ set at Revs in Reading last monday (05/08/10)- so so good! Alice Glass is hot! She looked so cool just stood there with a drink in each hand in a parka jacket- later taking it off because it was about 100 degrees in there! A very fun night with Kate and Harry

stornoway

Matt told me about this band not too long ago so i checked them out at this year's Glastonbury and haven't stopped listening to them since. Apparently their first single came out last year- I can't believe I hadn't heard of them since now. Their debut album Beachcombers Windowsill came out in May this year and they're playing a UK tour this fall with Southampton University as one of the dates- I'm thinking of getting tickets...

happy birthday spread!

i've been looking forward to tonight all week. can't wait to party and see the guys from uni, its gonna be fabulous!
SO excited!

so hot for him

Take me back to 1960

Today sees the start of this years London 60s week, celebrating the creativity and freedom found during this wonderful era of the swinging sixties. Participants are invited to look back on the decade and reminisce about all its glory whether it be in the fashion, music or art movements. From the 16th to the 25th of July a number of exhibitions, fairs and shows are are available to see. This includes the story of Radio Caroline, the world's famous offshore radio station, at the British Music Experience in Greenwich all week long, A Frock Me All Vintage 60s fashion fair at the Chelsea town hall on the King's Road on the 18th, Live music all week long notably at the Troubadour. The Eel Pie Club and the Barmy Club in Twickenham is a must, including very special guests from the 60s; Mick Avory of the Kinks and Ali McKenzie of the Birds. It's looking pretty special! Along with other live nights of 60s music, live rock tours, exhibitions and a whole lot of swinging and twisting this celebration is a must see by anyone living in London. Check it all out here: http://london60sweek.co.uk/

when you're strange

A film about The Doors directed by Tom Dicillo, When You're Strange is a beautiful documentary narrated by Johnny Depp. The film is a story about the band with a strong focus on lead singer Jim Morrison. Previously unseen footage gives an insight into the impact The Doors music had and the influence it had on fans and all people at that time.

Watching in a packed tent at Glastonbury festival was incredible. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone clapped, laughed, sung... so so good.
This film is an absolute must-see for any Doors fan, or anyone for that matter. I'm not a massive fan. They remind me too much of someone i used to know. But I loved it!

glastonbury wonders

This year was the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury, and oh what an amazing event!
This year's festival must have hit record temperatures as it was scorching the entire time, almost too hot at points, with nowhere shady to hide.

The lineup was yet again incredible and highlights included Sunday's headliner and Motown legend Stevie Wonder, Gorrilaz, and the Scissor Sister's collaboration with Kylie.

Personal highlights for me were definitely seeing Tegan & Sara for the first time, as well as Seasick Steve and Ellie Goulding. One moment I will never forget was dancing along with the rest of the crowd to Sunny Afternoon played by Ray Davies of The Kinks. It honestly felt like we were back in the late 60s dancing in a field overtaken by hippies. What else was poignant for me was seeing Mumford & Sons a year on to when I first saw them at Glastonbury in the Green Fields tent. The atmosphere was phenomenal and the chemistry on stage from all four members of the band was even better. A look of pure amazement and overwhelm was across all of their faces, as they genuinly could not believe how many people they were playing too. It was a beautiful moment that gave me goosebumps.

I spent most of Thursday on my own but it was probably one of my best days even though there was no music. I spent hours in the healing fields talking to Buddhists and having a go at meditating with them. I really find it fascinating and their calm presence is inspiring. I also got to see When You're Strange which was fantastic! I'm gonna dedicate my next post to it.

As for fashion, it was on top form again this year, with a massive emphasis on straw trilbys, cut off denim shorts and crop tops. So cute, and perfect for the blistering heat.

Bad case of the glasto blues now :(

Let's get this show on the road

Crikey.

It certainly has been a while, while Trayford has been filling this up with daily delights, I have clearly been slacking, big time.
Time to get back on track.
Firstly, congrats to miss trayford for bagging herself a top job, merely days after finishing uni. Excellent stuff, and as you can clearly see, she's becoming quite the little blogging fashionista.
Uni now done, I do begin to wonder what is in store for me. Our last styling module at uni was definately the one that interested me the most, but I need to get cracking if I'm ever to get a job in this ever changing industry.

But I'm back, and with spare time on my hands before I inevitably have to get a job, I will be working on pushing myself in the right direction.

underwear-as-outerwear

A massive trend to hit shops in Spring this year, and one I meant to cover earlier than this is the 'underwear-as-outerwear' trend. Seen on both celebrities and the catwalk, retail stores such as River Island and Topshop really got on board with the latest look, selling a variety of garments within this trend from lace bodices to corset tops and camisoles.

Underwear-as-outerwear was my chosen trend for my Fashion & Styling unit this year. These are a few of the photos I took of my sister in this feminine & romantic inspired trend.

(I had to take my favourite one down because you could see her nipple & I don't think she like that. But there's a couple more)

joining the mudpie team.

This week has been a mixture of emotions, after feeling very sad packing up my room and leaving Southampton for good, and then the awful event of crashing my car, I finally got some good news, infact the best news ever- i got a jobbbb! :)

I'm now going to be working as a website assistant for Mudpie's 'mpdclick'- an online fashion trend forecasting service, assisting Jen, the trends and runway editor. I'm so pleased and excited about joining their team, it seems surreal to have just finished uni and been offered a full time perminant position.

mpdclick cover's so much from street fashion, to the latest looks on the runway, to trade fairs, and even textiles and graphics. You should check out their website: http://www.mpdclick.com/mudpie/action/viewHome

I can't wait to start!!

bon voyage

Just the idea of a collection entitled Bon Voyage excites and impresses me, even before seeing the pieces. Phoebe bought me a 'bon voyage' necklace as a reminder of the breathtaking experiences we will encounter on our travels, so the phrase is one that I love very much.

Graduate Charlotte Sanders- Yeomans for Northumbria University is the genius behind 'Bon Voyage- the handbook of style'; an exclusive and comtemporary traveller's stye journal for any female wishing to travel the world in style.

The journal is put together beautifully and includes travel information and inspiration incorporating photography and fashion styling, as well as still life shots. There is also a focus on the four major fashion capitals- London, Paris, Milan and New York as well as inspiring quotes from designers and blank pages for the traveller to make notes on their experiences. Bon Voyage comes in a satchel- type bag with a passport holder, note paper and a pencil, all with the Bon Voyage signature logo printed.

It really is the perfect handbook for any fashion-focused traveller. I really want one for when I'm island hopping in Indonesia and tubing along the Nam Song river in Laos. Oh and there's also pages to attach photos to! Bon Voyage is a unique and beautiful way to document your life changing experience. It would be lovely if I could buy it before I set off in February next year!

double denim

Denim is bigger than ever this summer, seen on both the runway and in retail stores with celebrities showing all the must-have denim pieces. Surprisingly though, is the re-emergence of double denim. Until recently, denim on denim was deemed a fashion disaster, a definite no for our wardrobes, but this summer see’s the return of the double denim both on the runways and in retail.

Designers that have taken on the trend in their Spring/Summer 2010 collection include House of Holland who teamed two denims with florals to create a more feminine take on the trend. Another designer to get in on the action is Ralph Lauren who got the inspiration for his Spring /Summer 2010 ready-to-wear collection from American spirit, mixing ripped jeans with cowboy hats and over-sized blouses.
Matthew Williamson also showed a dosage of double denim on his runway show this year pairing jean shorts with a denim shirt, as did Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.



Even celebrities are getting in on this trend, with Alexa Chung, Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Olsen and Haylie Duff all photographed wearing a denim shirt over a darker shade of denim jeans.



Denim is also hot at the moment in terms of street fashion, with fashion blog facehunter covering the style.
We see everything from denim blouses, jumpsuits, shorts and even denim vests. Treated denim is also back this season with the return of bleached and ripped jeans.



And in editorial terms, May’s issue of Harpers Bazaar have included a feature on denim stating it as the modern choice for off-duty dressing, with designers creating urban body-cons and romantic silhouettes out of the denim. They’ve taken the denim trend and teamed it with other garments to create three new trends for this season; Urban Glamour (incorporating darker denim with studs and leather), The New Boho (introducing nudes, tie-dye and crochet) and Seventies Chic (which see’s denim matched with white blouses and tan accessories, and of course the 70s clog).

international style

The international graduate fashion show took off this afternoon in earls court and showcased students from Munich, Singapore, Saint Petersburg, Basel and Amsterdam. Stand out designers included Wolfgang Jarnack for his black & white collection and Vicole Lang for her black & gold womenswear collection which included an amazing strapless, high cut leotard.





The one which really impressed me was Lidya Chrisfen's shipwrecked/beach themed collection which included a lot of crochet, rope and netting with clusters of shells. The music fit the theme, with water and sea-like sounds, creating a cool and calm ambiance.

beauty beneath

I think the best portfolio and collection I saw exhibited in Earls Court today was 'Beauty Beneath' by Karina Lucy Jones for Northumbria University.

Beauty Beneath is a conceptual lingerie collection that incorporates the primary function of lingerie, but that also has the ability to be attached to outerwear pieces, creating new garments, thus "redefining lingerie from underwear to outerwear."

The garments on display are beautiful, and were created with an inspiration from the beauty beneath the ocean. The materials used range from heavy cotton denim to light weight cotton denim, mixed with a luxury silk, giving it that sexy feminine look and touch. the colours include deep blues, greens, corals and golds and incorporate patterns and shapes found beneath the ocean from both animals and plant life.

A lot of embellishment and embroidery can be seen on the garments including crystals, beads, sequins and lace. These are some of the garments exhibited today.

i want these shoes

Eliza Doolittle perfomed today at GFW and she looked so good! After her performance she thanked River Island for the outfit she was wearing which included fringed brown shorts and a yellow top with sequined trim.



Both of which i love, especially when put together, but what i really want is her glittery Nike high tops. They looked so cool on her skinny bare legs, I'm not quite sure I could pull them off. This is what they look like.



After her performance I went and spoke to her and got a photo with her. Haha, so geeky, but I couldn't resist, she's lovely!

Graduate Fashion Week day one

So Graduate Fashion Week kicked off today at Earl's Court and there's so much talent! Really impressed with both University of Central Lancashire and Edinburgh College of Art's runway shows. Between both of them, only one graduate desgined a menswear collection, with the rest being womenswear and knitwear. One piece I really liked was this amazing gold jacket which was worn with the sleeves pushed up and laced at the front. Designed by Daniele Reed for University of Central Lancashire. Another was a really cute patterned jumpsuit with a sequin bra, by Rebecca Purvis for the same show.
For Edinburgh, I saw the cutest white dress, sleeveless, with embroidery down the front. Would look so cute with bare legs and either gladiator sandles or Chanel clogs, Alexa Chung style.

These are a few other's i loved








The photographer working with Anna at GFW is Nina Miljus, who is also a designer and studied Fashion Marketing at Northumbria University. Nina's work is incredible, her garments are beautiful and her photography and styling has almost an Alice in Wonderland feel about it, using cute hats and bunny ears. Check it out...

london town

In london for the week, stayed with Anna last night and went out in Angel. It's such a nice place, I want to live there in a flat above Browns. That would be just lovely.

Anna and I took full advantage of photobooth before we went out.

the cobrasnake

So Anna showed me this really cool photoblog The Cobrasnake- both the blog title and pseudonym for American photographer Mark Hunter. Based in LA, The Cobrasnake takes snaps of the cool kids in the city and LA's underground party scene as well as documenting the parties of mainstream celebrities. Being a massive fan of Michael Cera, I particularly like his Youth in Revolt album- also a brilliant film.

But the one you must check out is the birthday party for Katy Perry. She only went and had a Willy Wonka themed bash, with real life Oompa Loompa's and all! Check out these sweet snaps!

Perry's looking hot!


Looks so messy and fun!


Glorious food

copyright, www.thecobrasnake.com

graduate fashion week

Okay so my best friend Anna won a competition with More magazine to blog for them at graduate fashion week in London next week, and stay in a hotel with a friend and she asked me to go with her. Excited is an understatement. Anna's always been so streetwise which shows in her own blog. Each post is such a cute read, informative with her own added humour, you really should check it out. Most of the stuff I hear about first comes from Anna's blog, I just love the way she writes.

summer plans

These are my summer plans so far...

Isle of Wight festival
Ascot
Summer Solstice
Glastonbury
New York
My 21st in Vegas
Bestival
Graduation

It doesn't get much better than that.

summer

Summer is literally the season where nothing matters. Everyone's so positive and i swear the sunshine motivates you to do something with your life. It was the same last year, I had tonnes planned, was the happiest i've ever been and met the most amazing boy. Now to do it all again...

it's been a while

Totally been slacking with the posts recently. Cant believe it's been two months since our last one, unforgiving. Basically a lot has been happening, disseration completed, fashion styling completed, university completed. So much to look forward to now...

Yabadabadoo.

Right, so although we decided to keep this quiet, i feel it is necessary to tell you all how excited this line up makes me feel.

BOB DYLAN
MUMFORD AND SONS
SEASICK STEVE
LAURA MARLING
PETE DOHERTY

Hello Hopfarm Festival!

I know it's my birthday soon, but I was never expecting anything as good as this.
Thanks guys!


Phoebe

TEACUP PIGS

A pig the size of a teacup. What more could you want?
I think they are the sweetest things in the entire world.
All I need is 700 pounds and to be a farmer....

topshop has the cutest underwear.

i love this floral bouquet printed bralet and matching knickers set.

karen o and the kids

Where The Wild Things Are is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book of the same name. Directed by Spike Jonze, the film sees a nine year old boy run away from home to an island that's home to a group of huge furry creatures. Beautiful scenery and imaginative, almost trippy visuals make up the film, and what's best about it all is the soundtrack composed and sung entirely by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Listed on the soundtrack as Karen O and the Kids, she was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for the song All Is Love. The film shows a fantasy, almost fairytale-like other world that Karen O reflects flawlessly. I can't stop listening to it.