On The Twelth Day Of Christmas.... o<|:)

My true love is...FOOD!!

I really don't know what it is about this time of year that makes people so inclined to eat like scavengers, but I think I must admit I am the worst Xmas, binge-monster in the entire world! actually I say winter - but I am just a total foodie all year round! Is that a bad thing? It seems that these days to some people it seems odd that a young girl enjoys her food as much as I do, but why shouldn't I? I work out at the gym regularly and I always incorporate healthy ingredients into my meals (well, most of the time), so why should we not be able to treat ourselves a little extra over this festive period! Now is the time that all the hard work through the year pays off and we can over-indulge for a week, or two :P Well, it is the time to be jolly after all, and I can't think of a better way personally...Oh besides Xmas shopping, thats way up there with my top 5 festive faves, of course :)

Clothes Show Live 2010

Attending the Clothes Show Live @ Birmingham NEC, on the final day can only mean one thing - BARGAINS GALORE :) 

This is by far, one of the most looked-forward to events of the year for me! Since I started College 4 years ago I have been to the 'CSL' every year without fail - It is now just something I must do! Although, with that said I was almost about to miss it this year, due to lack of funds, but my fabulous BFF decided to get me a ticket for my B'day - What a complete saviour she is! My sister was also in on the surprise and decided to join us today, which just added to my excitement! My sister is my ultimate shopping partner and probably the only person who doesn't loose her temper with me whilst out on the hunt - that right there is one important trait to me. I can't think of anything worse than somebody putting a damper on any shopping trip, with a grumpy attitude and face to go with it...JUST NO...Shopping is my happy time!  

So yes, as I mentioned the lack of funds situation - I had intentions this year of putting myself on a strict "buy Christmas presents ONLY" plan. Of course, this was totally impossible. Any other year...maybe! But this year I was totally surrounded by...Vintage! and alot of Vintage-Like clothing/accessories/footwear, you name it, they had it! Vintage-Indies are way on the map now, and I couldn't be happier. A couple of years back I was so disappointed by the amount of 'market-style-tat' that was being sold, I was nearly put-off going back the next year, but I did and they still have a little of this but it is so overran now by designer brands and interesting independent stores that I bearly noticed it - A.Ma.Zing!  

Another surprise to me today was the actual show - I loved it, usually I just think it is kind of average! The performing acts were nothing to rave about, I must say...Vice?? Inju5tice?? Now I know I'm not the biggest 'boyband buff' but I have never even heard of them in my life! I think I can safely say, I don't think my ears ever want to hear them again - EEK! :\ But the show itself was really entertaining, which could be a tad distracting from a fashion point of view, but I really enjoyed it. The 'Night at the Theatre' theme was really cute (as was presenter, George Lamb - Phwoar!) and covered many different types of movie styles, with a fantastic dance performance to start with then a spectacular array of catwalk-presented outfits to follow - I especially liked the 'High School Musical' theme which was very prep-styled in a 'Greece' kind of way with lots of big bows and cardigans (my faves). The models were all outstandingly preened and professional as usual. That is one thing which I do pick up on every year - Maybe because I am secretly wishing I was up there with them :P

I am such a dope and forgot to get my sisters camera off her to upload all the show pics which I took (my battery did not charge over night, as planned - just my luck!) So unfortunately I will have to do that tommorrow, maybe. What I did do, when I got home Is photographed my small amount of purchases for you, until I can get the most interesting ones up - What can I say, It has been a long day and I am wiped out, so I leave you with this...Hope you enjoy browsing as much as I did :)

*Pretty Polly Stand*
Henry Holland S/S10 Suspender Tights - Xmas style :)
Free Bonus: Henry Holland Chain Motif Knee High Socks
Who Could Say No For £5 - Really!?!? 

*Motel Rocks Stand*
3 ITEMS FOR £30 - Bargain!
2 - bodycon, 2-Piece-Style Dresses 
1 - Checked Grandad Shirt





*Unknown Stand*
One of those cheapo market-type-stalls I mentioned!
It looks so red light district-rock-chic with those
Henry Holland Suspender tights and over the party season
I will pat myself on the back when I team this little faux-
velvet, mesh-contraption with some chunkyankle boots and a bit of
leather! Voila, Bank Holiday on a MEGA budget! 





Special Birthday Update :)

I know that my Birthday was almost two weeks ago now...boohoo :(
But I'm never one to under-do things, my one special day of the year, actually lasted a whole week! Just as I predicted :) I'm certainly not complaining though as it was one of the best weeks of my life - and so it should have been. After all, your only 21 once ;)

In an earlier, pre-birthday post in which I was pondering on the thought of getting old (I know have changed views - getting old is awesome!) I mentioned my planning OCD of outfits for special occasions and posted up an image of my potential B'day outfit! Also as predicted it all changed, but deffinetly for the better. For my final celebration night out with the girls I ended up going for a really seventies-inspired get up and unusual enough for me it wasn't a dress! - I love my dresses! But this outfit just won my heart over.


All Items Can Be Purchased In Store or Online Now
@  Topshop



I still Can't get over the fact that I bought my whollee outfit from the one shop! That has got to be a record moment for me...I can never, ever, ever!! usually do that. It is even more of a suprise to me that it is all from Topshop! I tend to not shop in there too often for a big occasion, although I really like their stuff, it is far too risky in some places to go on a night out in a Topshop garment (unless of course you are clever like me ;P) as you can guarantee that somebody, somewhere has the same piece on as you do! BIG UH OH!! Luckily, as I have mentioned before, Runcorn and some of it's close surrounding Towns are not the most 'adventurous' of places when it comes to fashion. So I was lucky enough to be Miss Unique of the night in my Topshop Seventies Spread! The best thing is, I can wear all of my outfit again throughout the winter months as separates...Those shorts will look fab with chunky knits and booties by day!!



All Items Can Be Purchased Online
@ ASOS

A big part of my Birthday lasting so long was down to the fact that my fabulous boyfriend took me for a little suprise get-away...To Norway! Obviously not your average romantic weekend away but that is why it was so amazing to me! He knows I love snow just as much as sun and nowhere in Europe would be hot enough for me for just a few days in November so...why not!

It was nothing like I imagined it to be, although I don't actually know what I was imagining whilst sat on our little 1.5hr aeroplane journey...I was just super excited to be seeing a brand new country. Travelling is probably my favourite hobby, I am such a culture-vulture and get amazed by the slightest new sight! It was very American-Esq and I loved that as my next big trip will hopefully be to New York - Oslo was like a little European starter for the next big course!

On that note, the Shopping was to die for! Norway is one of the most expensive places in the world but for a bargain-hunter like me it was just like any other city which I have shopped in, but BETTER! (Oh Yes...I did go shopping in minus 10 degrees, 4 inch snow, What can I say??) I was quite surprised at how fashionable the Norwegians are too in such a cold atmosphere! I know that they are kind of on the map more nowadays in the street-style department but at temperatures like that I expected, massive Mr Blobby coats and snow boots but no...those tall, beautiful girls can work it come hail, rain or snow.



So that is some of my memorable moments from my special 21st Birthday for you. Until next year...

Guilty Pleasure!

I speak for myself and probably half of the UK population right now when I admit that my current guilty pleasure is...

X Factor! To be honest I think it has been every year since it started, I enjoy nothing more on a cold Winters, Saturday evening than to snuggle up on the sofa with lots of chocolate and let myself drift into TV land...

Not the most glamorous weekend for a newly 21 year old lady but, do I care...Nope :) That is what winter is for in my eyes, coziness is key!

So anyway, X Factor! More than ever this year, It is SO about the styling for me...I actually look forward to the artists outfits more than, the song choice or talent...who cares If Rebecca Ferguson can't move a muscle on stage, her voice is amazing and she is just totally flawless at all times, even when out on the street with no stylist, she is just so amazingly retro!


*Rebecca Ferguson*
Wearing:
Sugarhill Boutique - Paris Nights Playsuit
Completely Sold Out @ > Click Me



*Rebecca Ferguson - Love The Hat*

Using Hipstamatic Camera Ap For IPhone - 

As advertised in a previous post of mine ;)

Another fashion moment which got my heart racing was from the show-formed girl group, Belle Amie! I have read alot of disrespectful comments about the styling of this group but personally I think they were just super chic from day one, strolling into auditions with cute little head scarves on and what not, how adorable is that! I particularly loved the week that they performed, Got Me Going by The Kinks - A real modern twist on the sixties mod look was pulled off and I Loved It!!

*Belle Amie*

I am the biggest fan of white tights -

actually tights in general are my life long obsession!

The High-Street look works so well on the fab four!

(I Spot Topshop)

Sadly I havn't seen much of Belle Amie in the media

since the early departure of the group In the Halloween Episode.

Whilst on the subject of my cheesey guilty pleasures, i'd like to mention another girl band which I have been following...and yes, mainly because of their ranking in the fashion stakes :) I must say, musical talent doesn't really do much for me, I love a good drunken sing and dance - don't get me wrong, but I'm much more visual! The group I am swooning at the moment is The Like - a stylish, Indie-Rock foursome from California. 

*The Like*
Photo edited by myself :)

The current members of the band are - Elizabeth "Z" Berg (vocals and guitar), Tennessee Thomas (drums), Laena Geronimo (bass), and Annie Monroe (organ). Well known for their punchy lyrics and edgy sounds, but the look is just as important part of the job as the music and It seems that Tennessee is the brains behind the bands old school, retro style. She claims to pick outfits that subtly co-ordinate but represent each of the girls’ personalities. They look like they've come straight out of Camden or Carnaby in 1964 to me and I'm wishing I was travelling with them right now! 

Do I Hear Sirens ;)

 



Dedication...Explained!

OH MY GOSH...What more can I say about my failed attempt in the blogsphere right now! Besides...Oh how I have missed you!! - So not my fault anyway, I can totally explain my traumatic/amazing situations and vow to never let this lonely 2 week absence happen EVER again << Quote Me!

I think my little break from the world of blogging has made me much more eager to keep up the hard work (I don't think people realise how much hard work goes into these things, until actually attempting one) so to show my appreciation/dedication for my new found hobby, I will host a 5-day stint of non stop blogging :D Which will include every interesting moment which I have let you miss out on in the last two weeks plus more :) Initially my plan was to blog at least once a week but, why not, 5 for the price of 2 - who can complain :)

Now for a break down of the 2 week break...

Week One: 17-24 Nov 2010 

• Laptop left at B/F's sisters apartment for two days after my house sitting.
• Laptop arrives back - BROKE!! SO worried as I had just uploaded all my pics for blogging/Uni that week! and my IPhone will not upload pics to the web = pretty boring blog - still a few days to go though so not panicking too much, yet...
• Laptop fixing man takes 3 days to come back to me - STILL BROKE!!
• Off to another laptop fixing man - Another two days and Hurrah It is now working again, just in time, with documents and pictures backed up :)
• By this time my blog is ready for updating, but...Naughty me, It is the day before my Birthday...Whoop 21st - Big One = very busy day and quite drunken night! Not really the best time to update my blog right now! - I hate to admit it but I know that is a very weak excuse and I do need a smacked bottom but at least I am honest ;)

Week two: 25-02 Dec 2010

• My Birthdayyy :) feeling a little worse for wear once awake, oops! - family visits all day - lots of presents :) and a nice little family meal at night - No blogging again, But...It's my birthday so you've got to let me off!
• Birthday Day 2,3,4,5 :) - Boyfriend booked me a suprise trip away to Norway, Oslo to be exact - Skiing, something I have always wanted to do :D One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited...So as you can imagine, I had no place for work and it was all play for me, oh so bad but very, very good!
• Back to Normality it is :( Birthday overr and straight back into work...or is it ;) - Just one more night out with the girls to end a fantastic week. Well - it does all add to the interest of my blog! Starting from, NOW...

Model Me...

(Actually wrote on 17th November 2010 - Computer Malfunction!! Damn It...)

So I don't know If I've mentioned before but I live In a little town called Runcorn. Here Is one of many, lovely little descriptions of Runcorn, courtesy of the infamous Urban Dictionary, just to update anyone who didn't know this place existed (not many people do!)

"A town located in the north west of England, well known for it's large number of "chavs" and petty violence and crimes." -

Adam Gahan
(Surprisingly I don't know this person - v.small Town)

To be fair, even though 'urban dictionary' isn't the most reliable "dictionary" in the world, it is the most humorous and has most of the descriptions down to a T. Now I know this is my hometown and most people would be quick to defend a statement of such calibre but, that right there is probably the only way to describe this place from an outsiders point of view! I don't want to offend anybody but seriously, I actually agree with it to some extent - Put it this way, I couldn't live in a worse area for stimulating a creative mind - It's probably the most non-visual place on earth. Don't get me wrong it has it's 'interesting' places but nothing special in my eyes and certainly nothing which screams 'FASHION STUDENTS COME HERE FOR SOME INSPIRATION'.

Anyway, let me cut to the chase! When something big (or little - small town = gossip galore) happens, it is broad casted and everyone will know about it! Which is kind of good/bad for me as I like to do the unexpected of the stereotypical 'Runcornian' (Speaking of which I have actually met a fair few people doing really well for themselves lately) but I must say I am speaking on a stereotypical level at the minute because I don't really have enough reason not to for my liking, the majority of people here just seem to be settling for what they have rather than wanting to better themselves - I hate to see this, I know that there is under-lying talent here!

For example, my sister had a friend in school called Natalie - the same school I also attended - which actually wasn't in Runcorn but she has still lived here all her life. Growing up she was always just my sisters pretty friend to me, and like most girls, they kind of lost touch after college - Natalie went on to University (LJMU - Same as me) and my sister (now 27) went on to buy a house with her long-term partner and got a full time job, I'm sure she wont mind me saying this but I believe that it was such a waste of talent as she is a very bright young lady, but it's never to late and she is looking into this, so I let her off!

To my suprise Natalie actually studied fashion at degree level too, and now owns her own business 'Love Focks' which consists of made-to-measure dresses and also showcases a collection every season, with an array of fantastic designs made and designed by herself and all shows put-together by her own initiative - Seems to me that I was walking around with my head in the clouds before knowing this, somewhat thinking I was better than everyone else for making the 'unusual' decision of going off to Uni to study fashion because In my mind, that type of stuff only happened on TV or in London - and I wanted a piece of that 'stand-out status' for doing something I love right here, apparently I had been beaten to it, and honestly I am really happy for her! She has really flown the flag and maybe drawn a faint line through that stereotypical mind-set I had of most Runcorn Girls. But I still talent like this being shown. 



The 'Love Frocks' Logo - Simple but effective :)

 In my second year of Uni I actually done some work-experience at one of her Fashion Shows, but I was PR'ing for the make-up artist she used - I re-acquainted with Natalie at this show and located her on 'Facebook' to find that she had also been doing a bit of modelling aswel as running a successful business - 'My Sisters Pretty School Friend' all of a sudden became everything I've ever wanted to be. I didn't know this type of success came out of Runcorn to be frank, before I knew all this I was obviously being very ignorant to the fact that, success can come from anyone, no matter where they come from - now I never look at myself as the 'small town girl with a big dream' I just go at those dreams with a complete open mind.

I briefly mentioned before that bad/good news travels fast around here and Natalie gets a lot of media coverage from out local newspapers. This is great for her business as she is actually one of the only people around here, at the minute ;) doing so well in a fashion based career - She is almost like mini-celeb (already pictured on Vogue Online and had soap stars wearing her unique designs) so it is widely broad casted when she does a show, attends an event etc - I think it is fabulous to have the press behind you for so many reasons but me being me and for someone dreaming of being a big success I really am too modest, I'm almost quite shy when it comes to people knowing my business - I feel like a 'bragger' if I do something good and people get an ear full of it, strange - I know but In the last year i have gradually come to terms with the fact that I need this in my life if I ever want to be known - also if I want Runcorn to be known for something other than "chavs" and petty violence and crimes."

So yes, the only way of conquering my modesty was to get myself in the local newspapers for various events this year ;)




Publicity - Miss Runcorn Galaxy 2010 -
Beauty Pageant - Feb 28th '10

 On the 12th Nov I worked at a 'Love Frocks' Fashion Show for the second year now. Only this time I was one of the Models :) Like Natalie I too have always dabbled in the world of modelling - More so since being at Uni and working at Shows - It has made me more eager to get on stage - rather than be hiding out backstage. The way I see It is that, it is experience all around! It is just something that has always interested me from a young age. I have been with many talent agencies but they all seem to be very disheartening at times and always seem to give me a bit of a knock in confidence as they do not bring the amount of work in which I hope for, although I have managed to gain a lot of TV extra work through my current agency which I really enjoy - even though I didn't tell many people when I was going to be on TV for the first time (my modesty still gets the best of me sometimes) I enjoyed people asking me "Did I really see you on TV last night" It can sometimes give a really good buzz to keep things to yourself.  

I really enjoyed modelling at the 'Love Frocks' show last week - my favourite part of modelling - besides the actual show, has to be getting my hair and make-up done! I am a real girls girl when It comes to being pampered so I see it as a real enjoyment, which is nice for the Make-Up artist I think too. Eyes are a big thing for me at the minute, I am obsessed with Twiggy-Esq lashes with bold colour and liner so I was in my elements. The hair also went down a treat with me...BIG BOUFFANTS :) and lots of curls!!



*Me* 

Pre-Lashes & Hair