News Flash

I didn't want to believe the news but today I found out that the golden couple, yes, Katie and Peter Andre are no more. If you don't believe me the Times released this statement today; "Peter Andre and Katie Price are separating after 4½ years of marriage. They have both requested that the media respect their families’ privacy at this difficult time."

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article6267370.ece

Blast from the past

I went to see La Clique in Leicester Square last week, and one of the acts involved a large black guy, opera singing in a ruffled dress that reminded me of a cupcake doll I had when I was little. They doubled up as a doll and a cake and they smelt like strawberries. Funny though...I don't remember it being so ugly!

Guilty pleasures

Everyone has one, a secret treat that really isn’t cool. It shows the side that no one else gets to see, and the things you otherwise pretend to hate. Like that Spice girl’s album you have on your IPod or that collection of truly cheesy films you keep hidden at the back of the shelf. I dare anyone to challenge my movie collection. It’s utter crap. Really it is. Mean girls, Clueless, Maid in Manhattan...I have them all.
Thursday night is TV night and nothing or no one gets in the way of it .I don’t watch soaps and I barely catch an episode of Hollyoaks these days, but when Thursday comes along the tracky-b’s go on, the phone goes off and the TV is mine. Katie and Peter is my ultimate pleasure, and I love it!! Admittedly, if I had Sky TV then America’s next top model would definitely be included in my night of pure indulgence. Yes, yes, what a load of mindless rubbish. Read a book, listen to the radio, bla bla bla. But it’s a chance to switch off, tune out and enjoy an hour of escapism.
Ironically, it’s everything I hate, it really even surprises myself. I don’t particularly like glamour models or failed nineties pop stars but their kids are cute, they make me laugh and I like to see what’s in their house. Roll on Thursday.

Watching Amelie made me want to move to France and play out a Parisian fairy tale. Audrey Tatou made me want to grow my eyebrows and cut off my hair. In my eyes Tatou is the closest thing we have to a modern day Hepburn. She is so naturally beautiful that she makes the rest of the world look flat and frumpy. Audrey Tatou's Chanel Haute Couture look at the MET's Costume Institute Gala in 2008 showed why she was chosen to become the new face of Coco Chanel. J'adore Audrey

For a cheeky glimpse of the lady in action, go to http://www.chaneln5.com/en-gb/#/the-film/2-20

An update...eventually!

The other day my housemate sent me a cartoon sketch of a little man with the words “We’ve been talking and we think you need to update your blog!” So, I took it as a subtle hint and decided to pull my finger out.
The irony is that the reason I haven’t written for months is that I have been working my arse off, in my quest to become a writer. So much so, I haven’t had time to do a spot of writing.
After tirelessly working all the hours I could manage to support a fashion internship, I got an interview. Both made me sweat so profusely that I had to buy a new top and I think I nearly overdosed on Rescue Remedy. In hindsight, I don’t think you’re supposed to take the lid off and neck the stuff.
And then...I actually got the job. It took about a fortnight for the news to sink in and even after that I was convinced they’d made a terrible mistake. Paranoid, neurotic, irrational? Me? No never.
So after talking about it for what seems like forever I moved to London, did my course and got a job. Phew!! I’m glad that’s all over.
I made no secret of the fact that I didn’t really like London at first. After living in a city like Sheffield for so long you take the friendliness, good friends and comfortable social scene for granted. Most people are grounded, pretty affable and very in tune with the community around them. Moving to London is like being smacked around the face with a cold, unfriendly fish.
In February I moved from Clapham and in to the heart of the East end. And, I feel like l I have finally found a part of London that I really love. I can browse around Brick lane at the weekend, and buy flowers and trinkets from Columbia Road. There’s Broadway market around the corner where I buy handmade jewellery, fresh food and veg and vintage clothes. The vibe around there is very cool and I like the friendly atmosphere. And if I’m feeling a bit too homesick there’s always Hackney City farm.

It seems a colleague of mine wrote about my lack of blogging..an interesting perspective. Have a read:
ttp://tinker-tailor-soldier-sailor.co.uk/2009/04/29/weve-been-talkingyou-better-get-blogging/

Wildlife Works

With the global traveller as inspiration, organic label Wildlife Works presented a casual and relaxed collection for spring/summer 2009, with a showcase of separates providing a highly commercial look.

Ruffles of soft silk were seen on sheer floaty tops and tiered dresses, safari shorts held their own alongside casual cargo-inspired jumpsuits, and linen dresses were a focus arriving in maxi-length loose-fit shapes, or thigh-skimming A-line styles.

Colours were muted in fawn, antique white, gold chartreuse and pale shades of blue and green offset by black. But it was the subtle prints that were a particular highlight, taking inspiration from tribal patterns on some styles, while incorporating an oversized embroidered paisley on others.

Written for Fashion Network WGSN September 08

Steve J & Yoni P

Drawing inspiration from architecture and fine art, Steve J and Yoni P presented a collection that incorporated sculptural frames and structural silhouettes this season. Elaborate origami-like pleats, folds and ruffled embellishment featured on tailored pencil skirts, columnar dresses or babydoll styles exaggerated by caged skirts.

English wool was juxtaposed with Italian silk, arriving in a palette that took influence from Danish painter Asger Jorn: orange, pink, blue and white formed the base, while a futuristic metallic mesh in both gold and silver acted as an accent.

Known for their eclectic styling, models were sent down the runway clutching stuffed toys and baskets of flowers, while butterflies and oversized spheres hung on their heads and off their hair, further cementing a feeling for the brand's trademark of modern quirkiness combined with cultural reference.

Written for Fashion Network site www.wgsn.com

Ipso Facto

Glamour goths Ipso Facto are rumoured to be designer Yves Saint Laurent's influence for their newest collection. With a sixties edge to their sultry style, it's no wonder the fat cats of the fashion and music world have sat up and listen. For those that know me however, I had my hair cut before I knew about them. Listen to their music on www.myspace.com/ipsofactomyspace.

Ipso Factor

Rumours have it that the designers at Yves Saint Laurent used glamour goths, Ipso Facto as inspiration for their new collection. With their sixties inspired hair, sultry looks and chic sense of style, they've made the fashion and music industry sit up and listen. Circle of Fifths and Ears and Eyes are two of their best tracks on My Space.
www.myspace.com/ipsofactomyspace

Why don’t you be a teacher?

After getting down to the final two for an editorial assistant position, I was very disappointed yesterday; when I found out I’d been pipped to the post by my competitor. A tearful conversation with my mum followed, with her saying, “why don’t you be a teacher”.
If ever there were a comment to pull me out of my sorrowful depression, this was it. Yes, of course I could go and be a teacher, civil servant or something equally as boring. It is in fact, without sounding superior, what a lot of struggling graduates end up doing, when the reality of chasing their dream slaps them in the face. But after 3 years of studying for a degree, and further 2 years of struggling towards my goal, I’m not quite ready to give up yet.
I remember being around seven or eight years old when I wanted to be a ballet dancer, farmer and author. I can still say that at the age of 24, the ballet and farming went out the window but writing is still there as the only real thing I want to do in life.
The only problem is that getting in to a competitive industry is bloody hard, but only makes it even more attractive. The job I went for paid a pitiful £12,000 but the interview process was still followed by a writing test and a nerve wracking 3 week wait. To then find out you haven’t got it, is just very, very depressing.
They say that good things come to those who wait, and hopefully that also rings true for those prepared to work their arses off – for free no less, all for the sake of their art. In the mean time I will carry on the path to following what I really want in life, and as the debt gets bigger and the dream even harder to obtain, I’ll keep the fear of becoming a teacher firmly in sight.