Acid Wash

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent it in Liverpool with my mum, sister, Joshua and my gran - it was lovely! We were in Liverpool for all of the bank holiday weekend and stopped by the Mathew Street Festival (but more on this in the next post) and yesterday the five of us visited the Museum of Liverpool. The museum has only been open a year so I hadn't visited it before, but it's a wonderful place to learn about the city's history and culture. I was spoilt as usual by my family, getting lots of money and clothes mainly, including the pair of acid wash jeans in the above photo. I'm wearing it with a vintage top, Warehouse sandals and a Topshop hand chain.

On The Road

Image Source: www.altfg.com

So Jack Kerouac's classic On The Road is soon to be released in UK cinema's, after what felt like years of waiting since the news of the adaptation first arose. After being introduced to the book from my mum, On The Road has since become one of my favourites, and the only book I've ever read more than once. It is one of the key texts from the Beat Generation and follows the journey and relationship of Kerouac and his muse Neal Cassady, represented by the characters Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. The mostly-autobiographical novel sees Paradise hitch-hike back and forth across the United States (usually with Moriarty), whilst meeting a number of interesting characters along the way - each of which you get to know well through Kerouac's descriptive writing style. During their travels, the pair explore the limits of their freedom, through drink, sex and drugs, whilst enjoying the rhythms of 1950s underground American Jazz.

In the film adaptation, directed by Walter Salles, Sal Paradise is played by Sam Riley and Dean Moriarty by Garret Hedlund. While Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst play the parts of Moriarty's love interests Marylou and Camille.

Often I don't find the film adaptations of my favourite books too great but I have high hopes for this one!! Definitely give it a watch - it's due for release October 12th!

Napapijri - Our Journey 2012

Italian brand Napapijri, known for it's premium lifestyle sportswear, are sending a real-life couple Rob and Jude to travel around 8 major European cities "embarking on activities designed to test their fears, dreams and desires." The trip has been designed as Napapijri's first global marketing campaign and is entitled 'Our Journey 2012'. 

The journey will see the globetrotters engaging in thrilling challenges and city experiences as well as store visits - promoting Napapijri's brand internationally. Fans will be able to follow their travels through the brand's Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram accounts, while billboards, advertisements and in-store material will also ensure people's engagement throughout their entire journey. Followers of 'Our Journey 2012' will be able to participate in the voting of the couple's daily challengers, as well as submitting their own travel photographs and viewing behind the scenes footage of the event. 

'Our Journey 2012' starts on the 27th September in Rome.

For more information, and to participate in the voting of challengers visit www.ourjourney2012.com. 

Bewitching

Image source: fashiongonerogue.com

I love this shoot by Mert and Marcus for Vogue Paris' September issue.  The  black and white images of models Kate Moss and Saskia de Brauw along with the mass of chiffon and decorative oversized headdresses allow for a strong gothic and dark romantic theme. To view the entire editorial click here. 

Pinterest

Finally I have joined the world of Pinterest. After hearing so much about it from various sources, I started browsing the site about a month ago. Only today I made the effort to set up my own page, and my only question is "why did it take me so long?!" Pinterest is a great way to organise and share so many inspiring imagery including home & interiors, food, fashion and travel. It's such an easy way to glance over all your favourite things at once which can be used when redecorating your home, planning your next trip away and even cooking that evening's meal. And what's even better is that you get to scroll through other user's pinboards to find new things to love! Check out my page at... http://pinterest.com/amytrayford/

Hippie Party

Last weekend Josh and I went along to his parent's friend's annual summer party. This year the theme was 'hippie'- cue tie dye, flower garlands, flares, tassels and oversized 'peace' symbols. I was overly excited for this, mainly because the sixties is my favourite decade and I adore the hippie look, but also because I was particularly pleased with my outfit, (an ensemble of garments I already had in my wardrobe) - seriously, I should have grown up in this era!!! The worst part of a fancy dress party is turning up with that dreaded fear that you are the only one dressed up, or at best the only person that's made half an effort, but thankfully everyone really went for it at this party. Below are a few more photos of Josh and I before the party.

Ibiza Booked

I did it, I managed to persuade Josh to join me in a trip to Ibiza. Although it really didn't take much persuading, one mention of the White Isle and he was keen. Luckily for us, Josh has been a fair few times before so knows all the best places to eat, drink and party (although that last one isn't too difficult, I'm pretty sure I recall the names Amnesia and Space whenever Ibiza is mentioned?!) Anyway we fly out the last week of September for closing parties and I'm already making a list of things to take!! Definitely a good opportunity to showcase all my favourite summer looks for what probably will be my last week of summer this year. I think it's fair to say I'm pretty excited.

Closing Ceremony

So this is the first year I have ever gotten into the Olympics, and when I say 'gotten into' I mean my eyes were glued to the TV pretty much every one of the seventeen days it was showing. My favourite sport to watch was the men's diving (and not just because you get to see Tom Daley in a pair of trunks!), as well as the men's gymnastics and all of the athletic track games. Mo Farrah, Jessica Ennis, Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake... need I say more? And lets be honest, no one could host better than Great Britain did right?! Maybe I'm biased, but they sure did do a bloody good job! I can't mention the Olympics without talking about the closing ceremony and of course the SPICE GIRLS. Girl Power was back for one night only, and although their set was extremely short (much too short for my liking) the 'girls' sounded and looked great! Other than the Spice Girls; Emeli Sande sang beautifully, the Pet Shop Boys were good fun to watch, Jessie J looked hot in a nude catsuit, and The Who closed the show- couldn't ask for more than that. The only disappointing thing with was the no show from David Bowie - how amazing would it have been to watch Bowie perform Heroes live?! That aside, an incredible ceremony showing Great Britain at it's absolute best!

Dreaming of the White Isle

So this week I have been dreaming of the White Isle. Having never been to Ibiza before, I am desperate to know what all the fuss is about. It seems that so many people are going this year and I wanna be one of them! Currently I am sat with Company's 'Ibiza Special' in my hand - teasing myself really aren't I?! I'm trying to persuade Josh to take a week off work at the end of September for closing parties so I will keep you updated as to if I succeed! Fingers crossed. 

A Week Off

This weekend I headed up to Liverpool for a week of relaxation and family time. I'm hoping to have little distractions up here so look forward to a few new blog posts in the next couple of days...