17 Tattoo Me Eyeliner: an endurance test.

17 "Tattoo Me" semi-permanent liquid eyeliner: £4.99, Boots.

Don't worry - I'm not about to foray into the realms of beauty blogging permanently! I couldn't tell you the difference between brushes, or even how to put foundation on (I don't use it due to it taking too long, and I don't "do" high maintenance). But what I do know is liquid eyeliners. Forever wishing I was a teen in the sixties like babes Bardot and Birkin, I wear winged eyeliner daily. I don't have a loyalty to a particular brand, instead experimenting with whatever happens to be on offer or receiving good reviews at the time. I thought the best way to put the eyeliner through its paces would be to see how long it would last on a slightly longer than normal night.

House parties are well known for how little sleep you get, so the promise of a "tattoo" style eyeliner seemed like the perfect solution to any smudge based disasters. Being the guest of honour (I refuse to be called anything else, I now live with the hostess), I ended up going on a trip to various supermarkets to find plastic shot glasses from 2pm. I put on the eyeliner at about 5pm, as you can see in the fourth photo. A night of out-of-tune singing (for which I take full credit), vodka jelly, and "rassing", ended in sleeping on a sofa for a couple of hours circa 6am, and an horrific car journey back that afternoon. As you can see in the fifth and sixth photos, the eyeliner is pretty much still in place, having only smudged slightly onto the upper lid, which I'm quite happy with considering it'd been on for nearly 24 hours. On a "normal" day, it doesn't smudge, unless I put it on too soon after moisturising. It's quite difficult to get off compared to others I've tried, and, now it's nearing the end of the tube, the product has started to get quite "gloopy" (technical language), but it still works just as well. I like the brush, opposed to some others which use nibs or felt-tip style points. Overall, I'd say it's pretty good at what it promises to do, and I'd definitely use it again. And it's a fiver, which is a bonus.

Are there any eyeliners that you'd recommend? I'm on the hunt for my next favourite!

xxx

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He walked down a busy street staring solely at his feet clutching pictures of past lovers at his side.

Ghost jumper: £56, J.W. Anderson x Topshop. Silky collar tee: £18, American Apparel. Leather skirt: £8, Oxfam. Two-tone flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley, via ebay. Brown frame bag: £3, vintage. Ghost ring: Greggs!

Remember when I said I wouldn't buy anything using the extra student discounts in town? Surprise surprise, it didn't happen. The J. W. Anderson for Topshop collection launched a while ago and, for those who aren't aware, this is deemed by the fashion industry to be a Pretty Big Deal. Based around basics, the capsule collection promotes high fashion for those with smaller budgets. In my opinion, £70 for a jumper isn't cheap, but with 20% off I convinced myself that it would be just about acceptable to add this little number to my jumper collection. And it has a bloody ghost on it - who could resist? It's nearing the end of October, which signals my favourite holiday - hallowe'en. Among other reasons (which I will, inevitably,  arrange in a bullet-point list at some point), I look forward to this autumnal event due to Greggs pulling out all the stops and making fairy cakes with free rings. I may not be their intended audience, but I ensure I get at least one every year; please tell me I'm not the only one who does this?

Ignoring baked goods, however painful it may be, life has been b u s y. But the best part, without doubt, is seeing my little blog featured on The Tab's frontpage! Speaking to Rachel (my interviewer) is what convinced me to get involved, but I'd love it if you clicked the image below and read what I have to say about scouse style and student shopping

xxx

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Wintertime winds blow cold the season, fallen in love, I'm hoping to be.

 

 

Ralph 5132 Sunglasses: c/o Sunglasses Shop. Fuchsia silk top: 75p, East via charity shop. Floral print trousers: £13, H+M. Two-tone black flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Multi-coloured bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Denim jacket: £63, NW3 by Hobbs.

Liverpool doesn't seem to understand seasons; one minute you're wearing a cardigan, tights, and some unintentionally nineties inspired grunge hair (i.e. slicked down with the rain), then you wake up the next morning to discover weather like this. You don't need to take an Open University course in Understanding the Weather (I know someone who has) to realise that the jumpers can stay inside for a day or two more, and head for something a little more summery instead. I, personally, am not one to spend a lot of money on sunglasses, feeling that I spend more than enough on contact lenses and my "seeing specs" to make up for it, and instead choose to raid charity shops until I find ones that my friends roll their eyes at. However, when Sunglasses Shop - the designer sunglasses retailer based just down the A127 from me - got in contact, I thought that maybe it was about time I looked after my peepers a little bit more than I had done previously. In all honesty, I cannot fault them: they fit my face (however silly it sounds, it's quite difficult to find a pair that don't make me look like an insect), are a flattering colour, and I like the subtle cat-eye shape. They also earn bonus points for turning up really quickly, which is handy for those who are rather impatient.

I'm still library blogging (sigh), between readingreadingreading for my dissertation, going to the gym (!), and undertaking a fair amount of projects in the hope that I may end up doing something productive when I graduate next summer. One thing that I'm rather happy to say is I'm now officially the fashion co-editor of The Tab Liverpool, so expect to hear plenty from me over there for the next few months.

Third year: come at me.

xxx

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You walk into the room with refine and poise.

Burgundy Georgia blouse: c/o Lovestruck. Leather skirt: £15, Topshop. Black chelsea boots: £60, Topshop. Leather colour-block bag: gift, Marks and Spencer.

You know it's Autumn when the tones of your clothes match the colour of the leaves... perhaps. Lovestruck sent over this beautiful burgundy blouse last week, and I've been imagining wearing it whilst kicking up crunchy leaves in Sefton Park, before realising that I have a mild case of Fresher's Flu(TM), and the only thing I'll be doing for the next few days will be drinking tea under my duvet.

Liverpool has been doing its best to put a dampener on things by raining excessively for the past fortnight, but I shan't let it rain on my parade (yes, I like puns), and find myself wandering between Cuthbert's, Leaf, and the many student events that stores are putting on to entice those who have just received the loan windfall in their bank accounts. I'm going to be relatively good and try to just buy Christmas presents, but when have I ever been able to resist a lipstick

xxx

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The Apartment.

 

Black granddad collar blouse: £1.50, vintage Next, via charity shop. Truffle corduroy circle skirt: £15, American Apparel, via ebay. Black heeled Chelsea boots: £60, Topshop. Black leather belt: 20p, charity shop. Cameo necklace: £1.25, charity shop. Black clutch bag: £15, charity shop. Black Rotary watch: gift. Lipstick: Topshop Mischief.

As you walk away from Somerset House, you notice the atmosphere nosedive. There’s still a palpable excitement at Freemason’s Hall where Fashion Scout shows are held, and various other locations across the Capital host one-off events throughout the whole of London Fashion Week. Yet I spent a weird amount of time in Covent Garden (and that’s not including The Last Nando’s before my friend headed off on her Erasmus year). Abi noticed the distinct lack of amenities provided for bloggers over the past few seasons, and she took it upon herself to supply a solution. And boy, did she. When she first got in contact, I assumed it’d just be a room with a place for you to plug in your MacBook, but The Apartment even provided the computers for you. Obviously, food was the main incentive, my particular favourite being the vegetable biriyani provided by Cinnamon Soho, but special mention to Aubaine for presenting the best meal of the day: afternoon tea. I honestly cannot imagine a world where someone believes that they have had “too many” macarons.

 

1. I didn't realise there were so many types of make-up - thanks Becca

2. iya Ngoni

3. Post "makeover": hair by Wella, face by Becca

4. BFFFW (Best Friends For Fashion Week, lol jk, fo lyf). I stole the photo from Ngoni.

It simply wouldn’t be Fashion Week without the tiniest mention of “fashion”. Sadly I missed out on presentations by Forever 21 and Penhaligon's, but I had plenty of fun dressing up in a few of the garments ebay had picked out, and the lovely girls at Stylistpick even decided to “interview” (can I really say that?) me, which you can read here. Ngoni was a mega babe and took some outfit photos for me on the balcony – check out the killer view! – before I sampled Becca Cosmetics’ spread and Wella sorted out the mess atop my head. Would it be too P'Trique to call them lifesavers? Regardless, The Apartment was the more chilled part of London Fashion Week, and I’ve my fingers crossed Abi decides it’s worth the stress next season! And, if the stress isn’t worth it, the drawer full of jellybeans probably will be.

xxx

ps, sorry for my sporadic posting recently. I'm back in Liverpool but am currently without internet at home, and I find it a bit weird to write blog posts in the library (just me?). I hope you're all well, and sorry for not leaving long, rambling, and pointless blog comments. I can kinda reply to tweets on my cheaptastic plastic phone, so I can pretend I'm in the twenty-first century between Romantic and Pre-Raphaelite texts. But for now I am going to head into town to buy provisions for tonight (shout out to the Rodney Street gals!), and eat hummus. Leave your life update as a comment, and I will read with mirth whilst surrounded by unnecessarily stressed freshers.

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How to wear the military trend.

You can guarantee that when my friends see a little flimsy dress in a shop they'll define it as a "Cohen Dress". Peter Pan collar mandatory. Yet, when Voucher Codes got in contact with me a couple of weeks ago they set me a challenge pretty far out of my comfort zone. By simply sticking your head inside any high street store you'll see the distinctive areas marked out for each of Autumn's looks, and the one assigned to me was the military trend. With a budget of £80 to purchase three items, my thrifty student arose, and here's what I found when scouring the Liverpool high street (yep, I'm back!).

On a night out.

 

Mustard blouse: £14.40 (with 10% discount), Pop Boutique.

Paisley shorts, Glamorous UK. Bag: vintage. Elephant necklace: New Look. Watch: Roatry. Heels: New Look.

Can you really beat an oversized blouse? I'm pretty sure that this was originally from the men's section, but with the sleeves rolled up and tucked into teeny shorts, I reckon this'll work perfectly when you hit the town during freshers. Or any other time of year, I shan't discriminate.

  On a date.

   

Khaki jersey dress: £23.40 (with 10% discount), Topshop.

Pink silky collar blouse: American Apparel. Rabbit necklace: Topshop. Black heeled boots: Topshop. Glitter clutch: Topshop.

Who said miltary can't be girly? This outfit stands in the liminal space between girl-next-door and punk-rock badass (I tell myself), just make sure the person you're meeting is still taller than you in your killer heels. If they're not, then reassess whether you really need to meet up with them.

To a gig.  

 ,

Military jacket: £22.49 (with 10% discount), New Look.

Arctic Monkeys t-shirt: Don Valley Bowl. Indigo jeans: Topshop. Leopard print boots: Topshop. Skull bracelet: Made, via ebay. Bag: my wardrobe... somewhere.

As if you need any excuse to bring out your favourite band t-shirt! Channel side stage gals like Suki Waterhouse and Breana McDow with a little bit of loyalty, and what my friend calls my "Miles Kane Boots" (YES). Let's be honest, you'll garner more attention than the frontman.

 Even though the phrase "military trend" made my lace ankle socks quake in their boots, I'd like to think I managed to integrate it into my wardrobe without too much upset. Mission complete!

xxx

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When at Somerset House...

 

The Union Flag atop Somerset House

Two of my favourite looks from Spijkers en Spijkers

Dina from She Loves Mixtapes getting papped 

... do as the fashionistas do!

Don't get me wrong, I abhor the word "fashionista" (and I use the expression lightly), but London Fashion Week is such an overblown and preposterous affair that it seems the only one applicable to those who flock to the Strand twice annually to sample what the capital of quirk and cool has to offer. Or you can sit on a bench at the sidelines and cheer on your favourites when you see two beheeled editors running to the show space with only a few minutes to spare.

I adore the atmosphere in the centre of the courtyard; I doubt it can be replicated anywhere else at any other time. The exhibition is always impeccably curated - the French Sole and Kate Sheridan showcases were two particular favourites - the close proximity of designers often ensuring that their finest selection is on display, the tables being an overload of aesthetic lavishness that doesn't quite transfer to the shopfloor anywhere other than the lush New Bond Street flagships.

But, of course, attention is focused upon the shows and presentations of SS13 collections. Friday's personal highlights were Maria Grachvogel and Bora Aksu (see bottom photo): the former revealing jumpsuits that even little Cohen could see herself in, and the latter had big hair and crowns fit for the pastel creations worn beneath. Despite the rail replacement's best efforts, I managed to get to Freemason's Hall for the Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Ones to Watch show, which is the one I had been most eagerly anticipating as everything would be new. I do like established designers, but once you've seen a Burberry trench coach, there's only so much you can do (which, apparently, means creating a ridiculously expensive peacock feathered version). Charlotte Simpson's glitter contrasted Ming Pin Tien's intricately laced corsetry perfectly, with Hellen Van Rees sending her models onto the catwalk with things that looked suspiciously like weetabix attached to their heads...

 

Navy dress: £12, Clothing at Tesco. Floral collared blouse: £2, charity shop. Butterfly brooch: gift, vintage. Skull bracelet: £11, Alexa Chung for Made, via ebay. Leather envelope clutch bag: Luella, via ebay.

It wouldn't be true Fashion Week coverage if I didn't show you a little bit of what I was wearing myself! I'm not the kind of person who likes being in front of another's camera, so dressed rather sedately in comparison to the other teddy bear adorned persons. Thank you to Dina for taking my photos - such a novelty to not have to hurry backwards and forwards with my self-timer!

I have another post coming up that's not technically to do with Fashion Week, but you may have seen me tweeting about what I got up to between stints at Somerset House, and it was equally exciting, so keep your eyes peeled (or stick with a sixties eyeliner flick, that's quite okay too).

xxx

Saying goodbye to Bora Aksu

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I would say I'm sorry if I thought that it would change your mind.

Forest green t-shirt (tied at the back): £2.50, Primark men's. Truffle corduroy circle skirt: £15, American Apparel via ebay. Denim £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Brown buckle shoes: £3.50, vintage via charity shop. Brown leather bag: £8, vintage. Watch necklace: gift. Black Rotary watch: gift.

I've never particularly been an "adventurous" dresser, choosing instead to focus upon a basic wardrobe of plain colours that can be worn in seemingly endless combinations. The idea of dressing up for London Fashion Week doesn't especially appeal, the dreaded street style photographers are very welcome to jump on the bejewelled  and beautiful, but I'd rather focus on the collections than stand stiffly in front of another's lens. These two pieces have become a new favourite pairing; it may not be worthy of the Sartorialist's time, but I love the muted berry hues twinned with the oversized tee, twisted into a knot at the back. I wore this to a twenty-first birthday meal, then on to town for my friends' gig, and it managed to survive everything from burning sambuca to 1am trips to a supermarket perhaps better than studded knee-caps would - not that I've ever tried!

I simply cannot believe that summer's finally drawing to an end. I'll be heading North for the third and final instalment of my Liverpool-based exploits early next week, and I simply cannot wait. Being a student is difficult: I know I'm not the only one, but in my personal experience the past two years have been pretty testing in regards to both my academic endeavours and learning to live simultaneously at polar ends of the country. Despite the times when I've felt insecure and down - and boy, there have been a few! - I relish my time in Merseyside, and I am determined to cram in as much as possible, when I'm not hidden beneath a pile of oxford world classics.

xxx

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When you touch my hand and talk sweet talk I got a knockin' in my knees and a wobble in my walk.

Floral print Lizzy dress (worn as top): c/o Motel Rocks. Denim shorts: Fat Face. Denim Jacket: £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Coral belt: c/o Clothing at Tesco. Heart-shaped sunglasses: £2 h+m kids. Skull bracelet: £11, Made via ebay. Black ballet pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay.

I wore this outfit the other day, when pushing my hair behind my ears and getting stuck into InDesign, putting together pages for the University of Liverpool's magazine, Ellipsis - such a glamorous lifestyle! To escape the confines of my room, I went for a little walk across the fields near where I live, with my good friends John, Paul, George and Ringo. Maybe I've spent too long away from reality - I'm wearing double denim! I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm surprisingly a fan of this look - opinions? This top was a gift from Motel Rocks as I'm a member of their Street Team (you get 20% off with the code "itscohen"!), and I adore its not-too-girly floral print. It comes up a little big, so I'd recommend sizing down.

This past week has involved a considerable amount of rest and recuperation (not counting a rather eventful last night out in Essex pre-third and final year, but that's perhaps a story for another time). Last night I had a few friends over for Domino's, chick flicks, and pink wine - nothing beats a sleepover! Apart from fudge cake, and I may possibly have made plans to get some with friends early next week...

xxx

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In the corner of an english field.

 

As I pluck the last strand of straw out of my hair, now seems the perfect time to start reminiscing about the past weekend. I know that music festivals aren't everyone's cup of tea; the idea of spending multiple days stranded in a lumpy field, your phone battery slowly giving up the ghost and surrounded by people arguing as to whether someone is in the tent without checking at 4am isn't particularly appealing, but the faithful british institution finds itself beckoning punters back year after year, with over 250 individual festivals taking place annually. The Glastonbury institution may have taken a well-deserved rest while London 2012 used its portaloos, but I headed back to Brownstock festival for the third year in a row, to see what exactly was going down in Brown town...

 

Arriving a little later than my friends due to the event coinciding with the last day of my internship, I found my tent pegged in place (thanks Amy!), guitar being passed round, and generally an environment as far removed from the Tottenham Court Road office I'd left three hours previously as possible. As twilight encroached, we headed into the arena for dodgems and fairground rides, followed by a trip to the silent disco (well documented by my camera, but never will these be published online, for the greater good!). The two main days of the festival were spent between the Piano DJ tent - sets by Devon Mayson, Calico Ghost Town and the opportunity to sing Wonderwall incredibly out of tune - the Noise Kitten Treehouse for friends' DJ sets, the Good Shed for Grand Master Flash, Zane Lowe and Nero, and the Main Stage for Labrinth, the Futureheads, the Milk, et al. The music, without doubt, is the basis of a festival, but it's the DJ playing Jay-Z and Kanye that persuades you to stay at the silent disco, heading to the aptly named Stumble Inn for dubstep when everything else has closed, or, if all else fails, huddling round a piano for a singsong in your pyjamas when you decide you're not ready for bed quite yet that makes it slightly different to sitting in your back garden with the subwoofer pumping out album tracks.

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