Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! This year for me was as wonderful as every year; overwhelmed by beautiful gifts, eating way too much food all day long, board games with the family, and of course the odd soap Christmas special. With travelling only a few weeks away, a reoccurring theme of travel necessities appeared as gifts from a selection of my relatives. A gold chain necklace, featuring a St. Christopher pendant (the Patron Saint of Travelling), was given to me by my mum as a means of keeping me safe while I'm away. Unfortunately, my photography skills are not that great and any photos of this beautiful present just didn't give it justice. However I did manage to snap some half decent ones of the journal my boyfriend bought me to write all my memories in. Made from an original sari, the book is made up of cotton paper with a real leather strap to fasten it. It's absolutely beautiful to look at...

Christmas Break

Not really sure what to do with myself for the next month as I am no longer working. So I've been filling my time watching Christmas films and making mince pies and gingerbread men. I think it's fair to say that this year I have felt by far, the most Christmassy in a long long time.

Last Day at Mudpie

Today was my last day at Mudpie, and it was a lot more sad and surreal than I could have ever imagined. Starting at the company the same month I left uni, I really feel like I grew into an adult at that place. After a long lunch at the pub I was given beautiful and thoughtful gifts, one of which has been on my wish list for months; the scratch card map of the world. Now when I'm back in June I can scratch off everywhere I've been on my travels. I really have made some great friends at that place.

Winter Wonderland

Last weekend me and the girls went up to London's Hyde Park for Winter Wonderland. Having never been before, I was buzzing for some fun festivities to get me in the Christmas spirit. I can't believe I haven't been before. Its completely free to get in and the attractions there aren't even that dear. There's a big wheel that allows you to see over entire London, as well as both a festive and extreme circus show, and of course the outside ice skating rink. The market is definitely a highlight, with numerous huts selling Christmas gifts as well as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, mince pies and other festive foods. I would recommend Winter Wonderland to anyone who needs a little 'help' getting in the holiday mood. I'm gonna go back with the boy in a couple of weeks for a second helping.

Berlin

Recently I’ve been thinking tonnes about how much I would like to visit Berlin. After a very brief visit in July I have become fascinated with the city. It has so much history yet feels completely contemporary. The centre of the city acts as a creative hub that has attracted a mass of artsy individuals from all over the world, undoubtedly as a result of the cheap rent and cool bohemian vibe. You only have to walk around the place for a matter of minutes before you cannot help but absorb the fascinating street art that decorates all corners of Berlin. 

I am planning on taking a trip back next summer and one place I cannot miss is the Kunsthaus Tacheles – a former  department store that became occupied by artist squatters after the fall of the Berlin wall. Unfortunately, at the beginning of this year, half the residents accepted one million euro’s to leave the Tacheles, leaving a huge feeling of uncertainly of what’s to come for the place. I just hope I can visit the iconic building before the whole thing is bought out...

My Week with Marilyn

I’m pretty excited for the UK release of My Week with Marilyn this Friday. I’ve been stunned by the beauty of Michelle Williams on the front cover of this month’s Elle magazine and cannot wait to see the actress play the lead. I’ve only seen a few stills from the movie but I couldn’t imagine a better person to portray Monroe- she looks almost identical. The film focuses on the time Monroe spent in London in 1956 whilst filming The Prince and The Showgirl and is sure to spur an outbreak of similar looks on both the streets and fashion editorials in the upcoming weeks.

Fanning Sisters

Seriously, I am always amazed when I remember how young the Fanning sisters really are. This shoot for the December issue of W magazine was shot by renowned photographer Mario Sorrenti and shows the actresses wearing beautiful haute couture pieces from the likes of Chanel, Givenchy, Dior and Valentino. Definitely jealous of someone aged 13 wearing couture. 

Days of Heaven

I bloody love great photography. This shoot for Fashion Gone Rogue is one of my current favourites. I'd love to spend a sunny summer's day at this place. 

Old Street

Flower Child

I absolutely adore this photoshoot for Vs Magazine by Daniel Gurton. The model Solange's natural make up just adds to the ethereal beauty of the shoot. There's a real summery hippie-esque feel with the plaited locks and flower headpiece. Probably jumping ahead of my game a bit here but I can imagine my bridesmaids adopting a similar look on my summer wedding day. 

Image source: fashiongonerogue.com

Random Five

1. Macaroons in a shop in London

2. Taking Percy pug for a stroll

3. Covent Garden, London

4. Cocktails in the Sky Bar

5.The coolest house in London

SS12 Fashion Weeks: Citrus Hues

Citrus-infused colour palettes are key for spring/summer 12, used in abundance at New York's, London's and Milan's fashion weeks. Bold orange dominated New York Fashion Week, while acid yellow was added at London's event. Lemon and tangerine remained strong in Milan, with the introduction of lime green in both sherbet and vibrant shades. 

New York Fashion Week: Jil Stuart, Jenny Packham, Charlotte Ronson

 London Fashion Week: Emilio de la Morena, Nicole Farhi, Osman

Milan Fashion Week: Alberta Ferretti, Iceberg, Jo No Fui

Image source: style.com

MFW SS12: The Great Gatsby

A key trend emerging from Milan Fashion Week has got to be 1920s silhouettes. With the release of Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' due next year it's hardly surprising that a wealth of designers have opted for a flapper girl aesthetic, with an abundance of fringed skirts spotted. Metallic gold, black lace and geometric prints appear from the likes of Gucci, Roberto Cavalli and Etro, referencing the glamour of the era. 

Gucci, Etro, Roberto Cavalli

Image source: style.com

Nevermind: 20 Years On

Can you believe that twenty years ago today Nirvana's ground breaking Nevermind album was released. Although I was a mere 2 years old when it came out, Nevermind saw me through my teens and early adult life. Even today Come As You Are remains in the top 25 tracks on my ipod. 

To mark the occasion, London's Brick Lane plays host to a special exhibition celebrating the music and history of the Seattle-born grunge band. A bunch of memorabilia will be on display including a hoody worn by Cobain, along with original lyrics and tour posters. The exhibition titled In Bloom is on show at the Loading Bay Gallery from 13th September until 25th September 2011. I hope I can make it up to London in time to pay a visit. 

LFW SS12: Ashish

Yes Ashish, once again you have proven yourself worthy of my 'one of my favourite designer' titles. For spring/summer 12, a reference to Van Gogh is blatant with oversized sunflower prints. An ultra contemporary style remain's Ashish's signature, with sequins, bold accents and all over brave prints appearing yet again. Chunky working boots are romanticised with pretty daisies-  something I seem to remember seeing at JW Anderson's A/W 10/11 show. Anyhow, I absolutely love the dark vampy lipstick and equally dark block fringe of the model below. Think I'm gonna try and adopt a similar style at the weekend. 

LFW SS12: Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique's collection is always one of the show's I most look forward to - they always seem to get it spot on. This season the show channelled Egyptian glamour, paying homage to Elizabeth Taylor's performance in Cleopatra. Shimmering gold, geometric prints and black sequins translated an authentic Egyptian feel, while oversized hoodies, baseball caps and chambray-style tracksuits added an urban vibe. A strong collection that perfectly met it's "modern Egyptian Queen in urban London" aesthetic.

LFW SS12: Ada Zanditon

On the Friday of London Fashion Week, I was invited along to the presentation of Ada Zanditon's spring/summer 12 collection Poseisus, accompanied by the screening of a short film inspired by the collection in collaboration with film makers Andrew and William Ho.Before we were seated, two models strutted up and down the corridor where the queue had formed, showcasing Zanditon's collection. Once inside, the visual began. The film depicts the metamorphic journey of Poseisus transposed through the urban landscape, beginning in London and making her way towards the tropical shores of Haiti. The monochrome background that opens the show slowly becomes injected with colour as the subject nears Haiti. As the colours turn brighter and the sounds become louder, you see Poseisus emerge as a seahorse. The influence of the seahorse is evident in the collection’s sculptural silhouettes, reflective also of the designer’s time spent working at both Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh.