But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door

First of all, I'd like to wish Merry Christmas to you all and a huge thank-you to those who have taken a great interest in my blog over the past year. In case you've forgotten, it is 4 days until the merriment, over-eating, routine drinking and massive family get togethers begin. For me, it all starts on 23rd December, my dear Nan's birthday. My paternal family all gather together as per usual to drink, nibble and generally have a really good laugh. It's how we do things and it tends to get us all in the mood.

I have been working this week at a new role, which I am really enjoying and which has only made me look forward that little bit more to the end of this week (although not wishing it away at all) - listening to the Love Actually soundtrack and the most beautiful Christmas melodies in the office had gotten me slightly more excited with every note, as well as the adornment of twinkling lights and carol singers at the tube station. This year it has taken me a while to get into the Christmas spirit, purely because to me it doesn't feel like Christmas time yet, as it has done in previous years. My only explanation for this is the fact that I am no longer at University, instead living at home and working full-time in the city. This time last year, I had begun writing my dissertation and was somewhat excited to come home for three weeks for the Christmas holidays. 

So, I thought what better time than to share with you a series of somewhat beautiful, magical and aptly 'festive' images. I predict that blogging will slow right down when I rediscover lie-ins and too many bottles of anything have been emptied- plus I will be working from home- so I shall leave you to enjoy these until we are officially into the New Year, in which case I will be posting a brand new batch of festive delights in the form of amazing editorial photographs, like these beauties. 

I hope you all have brilliant Christmases and remember, it's not all about the presents. Reflect on the good times throughout the year (for me it was an amazing holiday, meeting new faces, graduating and gaining paid work), make the most of your families and being at home, keep safe and most of all have a really good time and enjoy yourselves the best you can. This year has been a great one, but I also cannot help but think of those who I have missed too...

Enjoy the images and have F U N  ! 

Where will you be spending Christmas Day? What are your plans for the lead up? 

What are you hoping for on the big day?

All images from fashiongonerogue.com

Ttile: Lyrics from It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

WONDER FULL

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

& A HAPPY NEW YEAR

x

London Fashion Week: Day 1

For the first day of LFW, I woke up the earliest I have in a while to make my way up to the city (Westminster to be exact) to meet with a PR company and assist them at Vauxhall Fashion Scout for the Graduate Showcase at The Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden. We began the day with coffee and sugar, ensuring that we had the energy to go forth into the long day that consisted of standing, smiling, greeting people and handing out press releases. It was like a party in the exhibition hall, as the DJ played a rather rounded mixture of Bowie tracks, old school rap and disco/techno beats, as those attending sipped cider and waiters passed around mini cupcakes and sushi. By the end of the day, which started around half ten and ended around 7 in the evening and my heels were aching severely but it was an interesting day and fantastic to view and admire the work and S/S '12 collections of those from a few prestigious design schools around the country, including the Royal College of Art. I find it fascinating to understand student's inspiration and how that transpires into a garment- a beautiful dress that has hours of work poured into creating.

My favourite collections were those of Steven Tai whose shirt dress design was decorated with hundreds of gold plastic beading which resembled a series of fairy lights which were constantly flicking on and off in a downward motion, but on closer inspection, it was the beads twisting and as the light panned over them, it created a rather spectacular sight. Defiantly one of my favourite garments from all 12 designers.

A close second was Umeromaan, who came as a duo of sisters and together, clearly had a fascination with silver chains and black strappy sandals, forming a series of outfits which were certainly the most wearable of them all. 

 

 

Camilla Blase Woodman

Victoria Spruce

Kate Wallis

 Anna Smit

WONDER FULL

This week I have been...

Well, I say this week, this post is actually referring to last week. So sorry but bear with me- my brain must be seven days behind...



Reading The Jimmy Choo Story:

Such an interesting, gripping and exciting read and the perfect holiday or all-day sunbathing accompaniment. I would recommend that you read it, even if you don't have a keen interest in fashion as it looks thoroughly at the business, financial and entrepreneurial side of investing into the luxury goods market and the evolution of Jimmy Choo as a company, among other things. It was even named Top 10 Business Book of the Year by Booklist. If it's just gossip you are after, it also includes details of the sordid lifestyles of many. As DVF so perfectly sums it up, The Jimmy Choo Story is "Fun and powerful... like a great pair of heels."

Watching Angry Boys:

Courtesy of Chris Lilley, the Australian who created the humorous award-winning Australian mockumentary style comedy Summer Heights High, (whereby one he played a variety of characters including my favourite, a very camp drama teacher) is back with a new TV series called Angry Boys. If you haven't seen either yet, I suggest that you do as both are very, very funny. Venturing to Japan and California, as well as his native Down Under to play another varied list of characters including a controlling mum, police warden and rap star, the originality of the programme makes for very entertaining viewing. I am so pleased Lilley is back on our screens because he never fails to make me laugh.




Eating bagels:

Laden with cream cheese and topped with crispy bacon makes for the perfect substantially filling breakfast, of course accompanied with a large mug of tea. Doughy and soft, they are truly delicious. Smoked salmon always wins and cheese and onion pre-prepared sandwich filling spooned onto the seed variety is equally as yummy and better than a mundane sandwich for lunchtimes.


Listening to Time:

I love dance music and the trance element to so many tracks that make the dance floor come alive- I truly don't think there is a better way to get a party going than whacking on some classic 90s songs from the likes of Robin S, Maxwell and Haddaway. I am generally no great lover of today's music- it's been done, it's repetitive, it's just an endless stream of droning noise with hardly any singing at all, yet I love this track. It is fast paced, has a trance vibe and is perfect to both sing and dance too. Rare, don't you think?

Wearing my bikini:

Yes, yes I know I keep on about the weather but I live in England and when the sun comes out here, so do everybody's smiles.. and skin. Ok, maybe not the best thing about the warm weather but it was a genuine amazing fact that it was hot enough to strip off and venture outside to sunbathe in June!! A tan makes me happy, what can I say? If you happen to be bikini shopping at the moment or are off on a trip soon that requires one, check out ViX Swimwear which offers free postage and packaging when you spend over a certain amount and offer a beautiful and varied selection of swimsuits and two-pieces. The link to their site is on the top right. Let me know what you think!



What have you been filling your days with? Reading, eating and shopping I hope!


Happy Summer!!

WONDER FULL

My Favourites in Pictures

Lie-ins 

A totally guilty pleasure but now that I have finished University and I therefore have no work to do, I feel more relaxed both mentally and physically. The longer I lay inside the warm haven that is my bed, the more I drift in and out of sleep. I am very nocturnal and can stay up all night as I generally don't enjoy sleep so late nights mean late mornings spent in bed!

Eating 

I literally think about food 99% of the day and that's not an exaggeration. I adore munching on a giant bag of Salt & Vinegar crisps, or better still Walker's Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, devouring an entire plate of mashed potatoes and gorging Italian or Indian feasts. I love pasta, covered in spicy tomato sauce, oriental noodles or chicken dishes from Wagamama. Vegetarians look away now, because there isn't another culinary delight on earth quite like a juicy, hot steak. 

Bloody Mary Cocktails

As someone born without a sweet tooth (I could easily give up chocolate) this delicious red cocktail is the perfect thing for me to sip or rather, devour. Savoury and spicy with lots and lots of Worcester sauce, a dash of Tabasco, seasoning and a spurt of lemon juice (top tip), it tastes simply delicious. Even better with celery or salty crisps. 

Thinking about where I want to be

Not just what place I would like to be holidaying now, but career-wise too. The fashion industry is a hard one to get amidst of but I am remaining positive that where I am using my skills at the moment will be for the long-run.

Playing with our adopted kitten (which is leaving today)

Sadly, four kittens (3 male tabby and 1 black female) which were born at my Dad's garage at work, lost their Mother at six weeks old and so they came to live with us to nurture, feed and love. The remaining one is the girl (who I named Treacle) and is very playful, energetic and loves to run up and down the hallway. But today she is going to a new home and I actually think we're all going to miss her.

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What was I thinking?!

With my philosophical cap on, I began thinking about likes, dislikes and differences of opinion (so there is a story behind these images). Why is it we like certain images and not others? It is possible to like something for no reason or simply because we find it pretty or appealing or attractive but there are other things we are completely infatuated by, like a good book we just can't put it down and go onto something else. Like a crush, it's there for an excruciatingly long time before our feelings pass or we find another lad (in my case) to obsess over. Our mind works in mysterious ways and we can make our minds up whether we like someone, something, a place in 3 seconds flat, which can often be quite heart-breaking if the feeling is not mutual or reciprocated. For me, I am quite decisive with certain things (being a perfectionist and neat freak can sometimes get in the way) but when it comes to my likes (swimming, high heels, lasagna) and dislikes (cats, Cheryl Cole, N-Dubz), this rule applies.
So, aren't you intrigued as to why I picked the following images or what my initial thought was? Well, that's simple really. I liked them.

This, because I like boys (most of the time)...

...because I like things that are not conventional or considered the "norm"...

...because I like the 1960s...

...because I like to dream...

...because I like to be naughty (every once in a while)...

...because I like eating out...

...because I like men in suits (plus, ol' Mr. Hoult is a fittie)

...because I like a drink (and sometimes as bit too much!)

...because I like reminiscing (& Elmo of course- such a cutie) 

...because I like to be organised...

...

because I have freedom to choose

the right to an opinion

a mind of my own

&
I like it.

WONDER FULL

Here comes the summer sun...

I'm beginning to get a little high from all this sun and dreaming about the summer (even the fact that I can leave the house without a coat fills me with glee!) English weather has the means to be very tempremental and very annoying. The slighest speckle of warm sunlight forcing it's way from the clouds means the whole nation strips off, which is often not a pretty sight and you find yourself thinking: "Put it away!" Well, anyway I was hoping to find out what others love about summer so much and their favourite things to do when the sun is shining. Let's start with a drink, shall we?


What will be your summer tipple?


             Sweet Pimm's & Lemonade                 Refreshing White Wine                           Fruity Cider

What will you be doing in the sun? (apart from drinking!)
                                                                          
                                                                           Sports in the park

Garden BarbecueSeaside Visit

What would be your ultimate holiday?  (mine is a mixture of all 4!)

                         

                                     Lazy Beach                                                            Hardcore clubbing

                             Backpacking Adventure                                                 Cultural City Break

Who will you be holidaying with?

                                        Family                                                                      Friends

                               Boyfriend/Girlfriend                                                            Alone


What will be your style of dress?

                          Pretty florals a la Erdem                                Simple monochrome a la Jonathan Saunders

What else will you be doing this summer? Do you have a holiday booked?

WONDER FULL