Lazing on a sunny afternoon

Floral t-shirt: £27, Mary Katrantzou for Topshop. Printed floral trousers: £12.99, H+M. Black two-tone pumps: 50p (!!), Russell and Bromley via ebay. Masquerade necklace: £9, elsie belle. Watch: gift, Rotary.


Isn't sitting by the side of the canal in the sunshine the perfect way to wile away the hours? Serendipitously just like Cat in her latest post! I first found this area at the very beginning of my second year, and have wanted to return for ever such a long time, but just haven't had a lack of deadlines or reading to truly justify a walk for the sake of walking. However, the glorious sunshine called for ridiculous, garish prints, and the Kinks in my ears. I do love these trousers, even if they're something I would never have considered wearing before I saw Jazmine's entry for the Asos future stylist competition. When I'm filling out questionnaires and am asked "where do you look for fashion inspiration?" I, without hesitation, answer with both friends and blogs. Vogue can bore off, comparatively.


My suitcase is pretty much packed for my return home tomorrow. I don't know how I manage to ensure I'm so busy whenever I'm back, but within an hour of touching down at home, I'm already meant to be at a friend's to get ready to go out (happy twentieth birthday Chantelle!). Back to pro plus habits, I fear. I expect to see lots of burn marks in the grass of local parks (disposable barbecues, all the way), and I hope you're all applying your SPF 30 just like me!


xxx

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But keep pretending to dance

 

Dress: River Island (old). Cardigan: mum's. Necklace: DIY. Chelsea boots: £60, Topshop. Bracelet: gift, H Samuels. Bag: £3, Prada(? it probably is, in the place I live it's common for 5 y/o's to have iPhones) via Remus horse sanctuary.

This has always been one of my favourite dresses, but I don't wear it all too often as I'm not a fan of sleeveless tops. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to publish these photos, but here they are! Still, the ric rac and navy is a winning combination in my eyes. I also had a go at a french plait headband, and I think I didn't do too bad a job for a first-timer.

These photos were taken on Saturday, AKA St Patrick's Day; did you do anything special to celebrate? I probably have some Irish blood in me (I'm pale enough, but who really needs an excuse?), so went out with a few friends and spent an amazing £2 in total. Love the North. The rest of the week has been decidedly less interesting; writing about the Gothic elements of Romantic texts on the stupid library computers, getting Easter-themed cupcakes in Cuthbert's, and wandering round Liverpool in the sun. Not long until I'm cooped up writing my Renaissance essay, but I think tonight calls for hot chocolate and a DVD - I'm thinking Amelie.

xxx

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#livbloggermeet update

Just a quick update! I don't want to bore those for whom this is irrelevant, so I'll email you all nearer the time. If you still want to come and aren't on the list, just comment/tweet/email. You can find the original post here.


I'll be looking into booking restaurants in the next couple of weeks, but dinner at around 7pm seems like the most sensible option (probably the Quarter, TriBeCa, the Peacock... somewhere like that, give me ideas!). Obviously, I'll be around all day so if anyone fancies coming up earlier for a chat over coffee and a little bit of sightseeing (read: shopping) I'm more than happy to give up essays for a day! Let me know what time you're planning to arrive and, just like the best scousers ever say, We Can Work It Out.


Attendees:


Alex | Odd Socks and Pretty Frocks | @oddsocksalex
Char | t*rexes and tiaras | @dinoprincesschr
Clare | scribblenscrawl | @cdyckhoff
Frances | FrancesCassandra | @fcassandrablog
Jade | a little lipstick. | @jadestobbs
Kelli | Houseofbeautifulidiots | @hobidiot
Laura | beauty lover's notes | @beautylovenotes
Millie | The Kidson Report | @millie_epona


Here's a little button for your blog, if you fancy:

<a href="http://itscohen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/livbloggermeet-update.html"><img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/2wn8fgx.jpg" title="livbloggermeet" /></a>


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Orla Kiely Girls on Film

I've written about Orla Kiely before, and her classic prints have always featured in my "one day!" lists. I was delighted to return home - at well past midnight, thanks to Greater Anglia - to an envelope containing my ticket to an Afternoon Tea Dance the next day. It was the highlight of my day at LFW, to sit round one of the lace-clothed tables under a glitter ball with mini Victoria sponges and be serenaded by the jazz band while the girls twirled round the dancefloor. Michelle, Elodie, Hannah, Ashley, and I all fell in love with the first dress' sequinned collar. I was rather partial to the glittery ankle socks; I already have a few pairs in my wardrobe in preparation for any future tea parties! I wish I knew who the models were; the girl in the last photo was so lovely, and I'm rather upset at how badly the photo has turned out, but you can't guarantee anything with film photography (although that is half the fun!).


Obviously I acted like a fangirl completely cool when I noticed that Leith Clark, editor of Lula, was there. I know it's an awful photo, but I'm still so, so happy to have met her, as Lula's the one magazine I search up and down the country for. Literally.


Life has been distinctly less glam recently, just been curled up under my duvet with tea (I'm running out) and novels ("Caleb Williams" and "Confessions of an English Opium-Eater" are the most recent). I hope you've all been up to more exciting things than that!


xxx

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Mary Katrantzou and 120 denier tights.

Mary Katrantzou tee: £27, Topshop NEWGEN. Denim circle skirt: £28.50, American Apparel via ASOS. Black chelsea boots: £60, Topshop. Watch: gift, Rotary via H. Samuel.


I wear tights thicker than most people's leggings.


Here is the evidence that I succumbed to one of the NEWGEN tees. It was a three-way tie between this, the Christopher Kane, and the Meadham Kirchhoff, but ease of washing (how frustratingly practical) and lack of creepy doll meant Mary Katrantzou won. Probably the most expensive t-shirt I have ever purchased, but I always end up regretting not getting a piece of the collection so thought I'd be a victim this time round (let's not mention Marni x h+m just yet...).
Last Wednesday I went to Reel Unknown (photos on one of the many disposable cameras I need to get developed) which I cannot recommend enough. I also participated in my first round of proper pub golf last week and I didn't do too badly, next week there's an English social with an Olympics theme so I'm guessing there will be a lot of lycra involved. FUN.


Don't forget about the Liverpool meet up!


xxx

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Liverpool Meet-Up

To say missing #ldnlunch upset me is a slight understatement, so I mentioned on twitter the idea of doing a (smaller scale!) Liverpool version, and a few people seemed interested. After talking with Emma, we thought that Saturday 28th April would be a good date, i.e. before exams and long enough away for people to get time off work, if necessary.


This is just me trying to find out how many people are interested.
If you are, please leave a comment stating your name, blog address (if you have one), twitter (same), email address, and your preference as to whether we'd go for lunch or dinner.


Please spread the word, and I hope to see you all soon!


xxx

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R U Mine?

Studded collar blouse: £28.50, Reverse via asos. Skirt: £3, h+m. Necklace: £12; Elsie Belle. Boots: £60, Topshop. Lipstick: Cockney, MAC.

And lazy hair resumes.
Casual Scarlett Kapella/Breana McDow/Nick O'Swagley vibes of "R U Mine?" which I have listened to enough in the past twenty-four hours to sufficiently annoy my flatmates. This look isn't very "me", but it's fun to wear something that can't be taken from a five year old's wardrobe.
Shout out to ma gurl Amy as it's her fifth birthday tomorrow (she's a leap year baby, like she hasn't been letting everyone know), so a few people are coming to visit and go out in fancy dress. Looking forward to the 9am tutorial as a mixer. Be young, be foolish, but be happy.

xxx

ps, I'm currently on the lookout for something rad to say thank you to all my readers as I reached 1,000 GFC members this week! Let's see what I can come up with...


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Jean Genie

My first pair of jeans were from Tammy and had star patches dotted sporadically up the legs; you obviously couldn't get much cooler than me. I had quite the collection, yet when I started sixth form I just... stopped. Perhaps because it was a boys' school (girls were allowed to join in year twelve, I promise I haven't been holding back vital information!), but I went from Converse and skinnies, to heels and skirts, without looking back.
Then, of course, I see my girl crushes wearing them, and everything changes - I'm blaming Alexa.
One of the more affordable stockists of bright coloured women's jeans is Bank. I tend to go there for going out clothes (I have a pleather dress that makes me feel like Daisy Lowe), but their daywear is pretty versatile too. They stock loads of brands (my favourites are Reverse, Lipsy and Dr. Martens) and sell menswear too - perfect for knitwear! Luckily they have stores in both Liverpool and Essex (i.e. Lakeside, home to Joey Essex), as well as other locations around the country.


Here are some outfits I created using my main gal pals for inspiration:


Alexa in Williamsburg
Photo from Daily Alexa Chung

Blonde & Blonde at Bank cranberry jeans, New Look satchel, Wal G at Bank striped top, and Margaret Howell sandals.

Edie in Chelsea

Photo by Viktor Vauthier

Ribbon at Bank patterned trousers, Glamorous at Bank blouse, Dr. Martens at Bank heeled boots, and Topshop trilby.

Cara in Central London
Photo from FYCD

Heaven Sent at Bank stone coloured trousers, Sass & Bide embroidered jacket, Adidas Originals at Bank cardigan, and Missguided boots.

This post is written in partnership with Bank, but all words and views expressed are my own.

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Mulberry Coloured Mulberry Hair

I never attempt to try a hair "do", I'm far too lazy and decide that as long as my parting's straight then I'm good to go. However, the tagline of 'wild school girl living in a forest' called to me, so I had a go at recreating Sam McKnight's look for the Mulberry AW12 show that I saw on their blog. Thankfully it's meant to look a little bit messy!

And a quick hopefully-not-too-gushy thank you to Tesco for putting a little photo of me on their blog, I shouldn't be in the same section as loads of my favourites! Just so you know, the jelly beans went down a treat. Making banana bread tonight - excited. And this is why I shall never be a model, aha.

xxx

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London Fashion Day

Collared tee: £18, American Apparel. Pleated skirt: 99p, ebay. Cardigan: £63, Carven. Bag: £4, charity shop. Burger charm: Luella. Dirty boots: £60, Topshop. Belt: 20p, charity shop. Socks: gift, Topshop.
Outfit photos kindly taken by Ashley!

I'd been planning to go home for my friend's birthday this weekend just gone for the past couple of months. Serendipitously, London Fashion Week occurred simultaneously, so I registered (for the first time ever!) to attend. When I arrived at home just before midnight on Thursday, I was lucky enough to have two envelopes which I hadn't expected: tickets to Bora Aksu and Orla Kiely.

Dressed like a perverted schoolgirl (all credit for that title goes to my friend Sabby), I managed to get to Somerset House via only one broken down train. A complete novice, I found Michelle and Elodie in the queue for Bora Aksu, and we were soon joined by Hannah and Ashley. The third photo is of the show (I'll let everyone else's photos do the clothes justice, I was still rabbit in headlights at this point), illustrating how vast it is. If I was nervous, I dread to think how those tiny models felt walking into the sea of cameras. Outside, we bumped into Olivia, Jazmine, et al., before checking out the exhibition. To end my day (the others stayed for much longer, I went to meet a friend for caffeine), we went upstairs to the Portico Room, which had been transformed into a 1920s style dance for the Orla Kiely presentation - complete with band! The atmosphere was so carefully built, with guests sat at circular tables lining the room, sipping on champagne and devouring nibbling mini victoria sponges. The models as they doing the waltz to swing classics under the golden glitter ball couldn't help but lead me to want the cream, burgundy and mustard hues of the Autumn Winter collection. (I'm choosing not to mention completely fangirling when I said hello to Leith Clark, I prevented further embarrassment by just admiring Orla Kiely herself from afar).

This is a horribly word-heavy account of my day, despite attempting to be concise. To make up for it, I'll be getting the disposable camera I lugged around with me all day developed as soon as possible. A little film "exclusive" for you, as I'm pretty sure every single other person there had a DSLR (and a Mulberry bag!) over their shoulder. 

xxx

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