Month by Numbers: holidays, birthdays & drunken haze

7 favourites...

1.) April is one of my favourite months. Yes, it being the month of my birthday might have a little something to do with it (just maybe). But honestly, it's the time that Spring really starts to kick in, which gets me all giddy for Summer approaching and all the fresh starts that can be made. Not you could tell with the recent downpour of snow. YES SNOW IN APRIL.

2.) Yes, it was that time of year again I got yet again a bit older. It's funny, but I was talking to a friend about how organising something to do for your birthday is so stressful, when you should just be having a laugh and a half. You worry if people will like the place you're going to, that they'll all be busy and you'll be a billy-no-mates. But after all that, you realise that that's all just quite silly and all the people who love you and you truly care about, actually care about you too and you'll recieve cards you didn't expect to get a text off, thoughtful gifts from friends who've moved to the other side of the world, dance with you favourites, and find your parents at Euston station with 2 massive balloons that are nearly bigger than you teeny tiny mum. Thanks amazing humans - you're all swell and I love you quite a bit.

3.) And what better way to celebrate turning 24 than to go see Disney's new animated bundle of goodness - Zootopolis. I went to go see it with one of my best friends and fellow Disney-loving nut, and amongst a see of children and parents on a Saturday afternoon, there were us haha. I cried. A LOT. 4 times to be exact. And the 1st time was only about 10 minutes into the film. It's so funny, and real, and charismatic. You'll fall in love with the characters and it's got such a good message - it's just good for your heart and your soul guys!

4.) Along with cartoon bunnies and foxes (2 of my fave animals FYI), I went for many a drinks to celebrate my increasing old age - no surprises there. There were tropical tipples at Ridley Road Market Bar, cake and coffee at Wes Anderson playground Drink, Shop & Do, magical moments in Alice in Wonderland themed bar Callooh Callay, right antics with some scoundrels in an old underground tube station at Cahoots, and relaxed in the lap of luxury in the pink paradise that is Sketch. I never stop finding fab places to eat and drink in London, and that's reason no.39840234 why I love this mad city.

5.) Like the love child of Hozier, The 1975, Tame Impala and Miguel, comes east-London duo Honnes. Not even joking, it was love at first listen when I first heard these two. I Shazam-ed them as I exclaimed 'omg who's this? I love it!', and the rest, as they say, is history. Their words make my heart break, that voice makes me melt and the beats they create are criminally indulgent. My life is changed. You should change yours too.

6.) The month, I've realised that I comprise a lot. Being a fully-fledged adult means that you DO have to compromise on stuff and I have no problem with that. But it dawned on my recently that I compromise a lot of my own feelings, opinions and happiness, to make sure other people are ok. As much as I want people around me to happy, that shouldn't be a compromise on my own happiness, so I'm slowly but surely learning that it's OK to put my self first sometimes.

7.) To top off a pretty marvellous month, I jetted off on a pretty impromptu weekend getaway to Amsterdam and oh my, did I fall in love with that city. I love most places that I go away to, but this was the first time I felt like I wanted to pack up my life and move there - the people are so friendly, it's such a chilled environment and all the wonky and discombobulated houses make me feel like I'm walking in a scene out of Aristocats. Despite nearly getting lost at midnight and getting locked in an empty tram carriage, the capital of Holland provided good beer, sunshine through the cold weather, beautiful tulips, amazing waffles, and I was blown away by the oh-so-cute windmills. Amsterdam? More like AmsterDAMN.

5 tweets...

1.) Good thing is by now, I've got my game face down to an absolute art now. House party? Yeah no worries - hand me the eyeliner

2.) With my Adidas jacket & Lola Bunny phone case, passengers on the tube might not think I'm a 

9-5er but the bags under my eyes say otherwise

3.) Went for pub food & had ham in my hair - why do I always have meat in my hair?! If that's the biggest problem in my life, I'm ok with that 

4.) You know when you go out and you only realise how drunk you are when alone in the toilets? Yeah. That's me today but with being tired

5.) Shoutout to the security guys @Gatwick_Airport who were funny & friendly at 5am (and didn't judge me on my animal pjs in my case) 

3 songs....

1.) Drank - One Dance

I think my love for 90s throwback UK garage plays a big part of why I can't resist dancing to this but dammit, I just can't stop. (The proper version isn't on YouTube, but here's a pretty badass cover from Radio 1's Live Lounge)

2.) Honnes - Baby Please

I mentioned already why I love this so much, see above for reasoning ok, thanks.

3.) Calvin Harris & Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

This is just proper good dance-pop. If the beats, subtle clever drop, and smooth as butter vocals on this don't get you psyched for the summer, I don't know what will  

Met Gala 2015

It's that time of the year again when the A-list's finest put on their glad-rags and make it to the fashion event with a capital 'F'.

We're talking men looking dapper in suits, and ladies looking glam in full length gowns, with a some pretty epic headgear and bold sheer material thrown in there for good measure.

I know you've probably seen enough photos of the Met Ball to last you a lifetime (believe me, I spent 2 days at work writing about it), but in case you missed it, here's the highs and the oh-so-lows...

 

First of all, Sarah Jessica Parker - just...WOW. I know the theme was China: Through the looking glass, and you're all Sex and the City. But, I think looking like a Chinese emperor from centuries past is a bit overboard, but, that's just me.

 

Oh Anne Hathaway. The new Star Wars film is very exiting for everyone, but maybe a film marathon would've been enough? That being said though, at least you're prepared for any rain that may come your way and if anyone's going to look good in a metallic gold hood, it's gonna be you babes.
And it was May the 4th, so pretty apt for Star Wars day and all. 

We've all seen the memes of Rihanna as an omlette - my personal fave is her in frying pan while SJP provides the heat.

But have you actually seen how beautiful she actually looks behind the eggy internet sensation?!

 

Beautiful Bajan, as per.

While Rihanna seemed to be wearing all the material in the world, a lot of the stars seemed to be wearing hardly any at all. 

J.Lo, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé: I'm looking at you. (Also, is it just me who's also getting a Britney Spears - Toxic kinda vibe from all these see-through sparkles?)

THAT pose from Bey though. Ouff. And her high ponytail is basically how I pile my hair on top of my head at the end of the day, but I don't look anywhere near a fierce. Dammit.

 

With slightly bit material, and a whole load more ink on her body, was Cara Delevigne. Can someone come paint flowers on me everyday too please?

 

Sheer was clearly a theme, and Diane Kruger NAILED it with sheer, lace trousers, complete with a tassel of gathered material. Who knew eh?

Chloe Moretz and Zendaya were both pretty princesses, with Chloe going for more an American beauty and sleek look, and Zendaya looking like a royal warrior of the sun. But what I love most? They both looked fierce while still dressing for someone their age. Love, love, love.

And although some people might have taken the theme too literally - ehem, SJP - others absolutely got it beautifully spot on.

Helen Mirren, Gigi Hadid and Amal Clooney all went in oriental red - from long sleeves and lacy to deep plunge and high slits. And also, props to Josh from Grazia for his comparison to Amal as the flamenco dancing girl emoji. YES.

Adding some fierce gold, cut out sections and major flower power was Karen Elson, Jennifer Lawrence and Poppy Delevigne.

While Emily Blunt, Kate Hudson and Sienna Miller all has a different and fierce take on the theme. Traditional cheongsam vibes complete with a cape? Tick. All gold trailing on the floor? Check. Red trouser suit with open blazer and a black obi belt with tassels? HELL YES.

The Met Ball, you've been a pleasure to look at and dissect, as always, and 2015 was definitely a year to remember.

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

Inspiring a Generation

The past week at uni, we’ve had Subject Futures Week, where a lot of guest speakers came in for all the different pathways in the School of Arts, and I think I can safely say for the fasion depreatment that the talks we heard were above and beyond expections.

Some of the personal highlights for me were Katie Greenyer, from a company called Pentland, who I must admit I hadn’t heard of beforehand, but they are involved with a lot of well-known brands, such as Ted Baker and Hunter. Katie was really engaging and just created a buzz of energy and what was really exciting that I learnt that day was the Design Pool scheme that Pentland hold. They understand the cache 22 there is where graduates need experience to get a job, but can’t get any experience due to the fact they’ve had none already.The Design Pool just sounds like such an exciting opportunity where they nurture and help new talent grow into their own, and it great to see a company really care and be excited about the future of young people and graduates.

Next was a wonderful, inspiring and sweet lady (who I secretly wanted  to adopt as my grandma…) who goes by the name of Anne Selby. I was absolutely fascinated by her and everything she has done and accomplished in her life.

                                          Fibonacci scarves: Anna Selby

Not only does she design beautiful, intricate, pleated scarves and pieces that are truly wearable art, but her inquisitiveness to how to execute the pleats caused her to invent and patent her own pleating machine. This all came from an MA she studied in Textiles print, coming from a degree in Science. She just oozed a passion for what she does and what I found most inspiring about her was that she was always yearning to learn more and appreciated how much work goes into all aspects of society and work, such when she entered the world of film when she made her own.

Caroline Hart (Barulis) is a an alumni student who graduated from the University of Northampton 10 years ago and is now freelancing as a creative pattern cutter, who made her own amazing wedding dress.

(that I loved! Ostrich feathers anyone?!)

                                                                       Ostrich feather dress: Barulis

She's also worked with other inspiring creative minds such as Matthew Williamson and even creates the dresses for the 2 sweet internet phenomenons, Sophia Grace and Rosie!

 It was great to see what someone who had come from the started off their journey exactly where I am now, and It was also really interesting to here about the more flexible side of the industry that is free-lancing. She was just so nice and friendly as well, and very approachable and welcoming when it came to helping students.

Gary Assim is a lawyer who specializes in copyrighting and legal rights when it comes to the fashion industry and it was just really interesting to know about the ins and outs of such a fast-paced and creative industry, and also see how what aspects from well-known fashion houses and brands are protected, such as the red and green combination of Gucci.

And last, but definitely very much not least, William Tempest came in to talk to us.

                                                                                                     Image: Twitter

He was so utterly humble and down-to-earth, despite being an amazing and well-known designer who’s dressed the likes of Rihanna, Kate Moss and Emma Watson.

            Rihanna in William Tempest

                                               Kate Moss in William Tempest

                                     Emma Watson in William Tempest

He is just such a creative individual and while giving us an interesting insight into how he got into the fashion industry, what i particularly found intriguing was the difference of him designing for his own high-end label and for high-street brand River Island. He gave us some really helpful tips from his own experience, and one of the things he said that stuck with me the most is that you, be true to yourself and have our own identity. He was friendly, nervous about public speaking like the majority of us, and just a brilliant and inspiring person to hear from.

I know the number of times I've used the words interesting and inspiring in this post is just silly, but that's what all they all have been, and that week has really made me think about my future after uni and also spurred me on to achieve my goals and aspirations.

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x