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 ;)

 



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



Finally Up & Running!

So I have finally stopped faffing around with layouts and decided to start my blog, which I have been wanting to do since going back to Uni in September...but better late than never is what I say!

I guess I should start with something like, what has inspired me to start this blog and why, to give you abit of an insight to what I am about.
Warning:If you are getting bored already...I suggest clicking

[X] as i do tend to go on a little bit sometimes...:)

Just a joke! (or is it?) but be warned, I am an opinionated young lady with a lot to say about, well...everything! I have actually just answered the question of why i am writing this blog, see, simples what was I worrying about!
But seriously though, the real reason Is that I am constantly browsing other peoples blogs and thinking, 'hmm should I? shouldn't I? am I interesting enough? do i have the time?' and the fact Is, It doesn't really matter does It? whether people love It or hate It, writing Is something I enjoy so, why not? I don't expect "little old me" to gain world-wide popularity with this thing (although that would be quite a little dream of mine but, shhh)
Another reason for me starting this Is the fact that instead of a dissertation for my final year at Uni I have to do a 'Personal Monograph' - Now how much more personal can you get than your own thoughts, images, opinions or anything else I feel like posting week-by-week? Online Blogging Is my idea of a super chic version of a diary so I figured, why not go all high-tech on my tutors well-educated-selves - No Offence, its a compliment, Honest! :)

To tie this In with my Final Major Project:1 I have decided to focus on a particular era, being the 60's! Or anything retro In that case, whatever interest me at the time. I seem to have become a little obsessed since doing so much research into, psychedelic Rock & Roll, Twiggy and Biba etc...that I even admire the highly renowned drug scene!
I have realised that I actually wish I lived In that era now!
OK I’m not saying I am an un-conformed, heroin tooting, social outcast like many were back then (or that I want to be for that matter) but we are still inspired a lot by the 60's today, and we probably wouldn't be as experimental as we are now If It wasn't for this era, Especially In the fashion industry, as there Is many designers taking inspiration right now from It and putting It on the catwalks and even the high street, I sometimes wonder what skirts would look like nowadays If Mary Quant didn't come up with the 'Mini' In '65 or what I would be wearing whilst sunning myself on the beach if I didn't have a bikini to slip into to? I know that something would have came about sooner or later but It didn’t, It was in '63, see, such genius people :)

Click: This Made Me Laugh...My New Mission - To Find Somebody For Each Category :)

Besides fashion though a lot of people still live a 'Hippie' lifestyle - or try to at least and I can actually see why, I agree with statements which claim It is by all means one the most influential decades to date, and I will prove It right here :)

Daisy Lowe Is the new super sexy, 21 year old catwalk queen to be named brand ambassador for one of the UK's most well loved and 60s born clothing line – Biba. I couldn't think of anyone better personally, Jelous!

Click: Loving The Images On Here!