Giveaway(!!)

This has been in the pipeworks for a while, it has to be said. A mixture of the unreliable postal service and being terribly busy this academic year has meant that lots of emails flicking back and forth have only just made it here.

A couple of months back I reached the one thousand follower mark. I'm not a big fan of the word (in my own english student way, I always think it ought to be renamed "readers"), but it honestly does mean a lot to me that anyone commits to having my little blog appear on their feeds. So, in true "I've just got my birthday money, let's do this" fashion, I've prepared not one but two thank you's for you jolly wonderful people.

prize one: spring/summer

Well, it wouldn't be a proper giveaway if it weren't themed, eh? Whenever I think of Summer, I think (read: dream) of travelling to exotic locations. I headed off to Cath Kidston to pick up a luggage tag and make-up bag, and Sunglasses Shop have kindly agreed to let the winner pick a pair of SXUC sunglasses - you've got to look after your peepers, after all.

prize two: autumn/winter

Who doesn't like to snuggle up under their duvet with a good pair of socks? I'm a sucker for Topshop's offerings, so got two frilly pairs in my favourite colours. My favourite online jewellery brand Elsie Belle (I'm sure you've seen me wearing my masquerade necklace, as I wear it all the time) have donated a teapot necklace and leaf bracelet, two things I associate with this time of the year.

to enter:

As this is a giveaway for readers, you must be following via either Google Friend Connect (that box on the left) or Bloglovin'.
Just leave a comment saying which prize you'd prefer, and like the relevant company on facebook (Sunglasses Shop and Elsie Belle)

For extra entries you can:
Follow me on twitter...
...tumblr...
and ...instagram
As well as liking on facebook.
You can also tweet something, linking back to this post and mentioning @rebeccacohen.

Whatever you do, just write it in a comment, and I'll add it to a spreadsheet, or something geeky. Extra point if you tell a really bad joke.

Open to international readers, and closes 6th February 2013.

I think that's got pretty much everything covered. All that I have left to say is good luck!

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Still she sits, young while the earth is old.

Two-tone blouse: c/o Mina UK. Jeans: Cheap Monday. Leopard print boots: £27, Topshop. Charm necklace: gift, Schmuk UK. Black bracelet: gift (from Harriet!), Marc by Marc Jacobs. Lip polish: Topshop Rhubarb.

First things first, happy new year! I celebrated by heading a few stops along the DLR to a friend's (there may be an outfit post if I can bear to put that playsuit on again, I did wear it for about eighteen hours straight, after all, so would you really want to see that?), and deciding that sleep wasn't worth it. The amount of times I've considered creating a blog based upon my adventures is numerous, but I think they're best left as anecdotes to be told on special occasions. 

On one of the rainier days of the year gone by, I headed off to the Tate Britain for the first time (I know, I know) to see the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition. Named "Victorian Avant-Garde", the collection promised to display the works of the Brotherhood thematically, documenting the movement through its various stages, from medievalism to the first Aesthetes. Ignoring all the notes I made for my dissertation (s i x d a y s), my ticket let me pour over Millais' "Ophelia", and I finally got to be in the same room as Rossetti's "Lady Lilith", which is one of my favourite paintings of all time. Weighed down with postcards and the accompanying book, I was certainly one happy lady stood soggy on the Victoria line.

To think, the above two paragraphs are describing the same person...

xxx

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See them walking hand in hand across the bridge at midnight.

1. Up close and personal mere minutes into 2012.

2. Girls got $.

3. Pub golf on a leap year.

4. Classy mugs.

5. The best flatmate you could ever have the fortune to meet.

6. Annabel and Sian and experiencing Snobs.

7. Lunchtime walks through Spitalfields.

8. Olivia and Jazmine babin' out for the latter's birthday.

9. Boys.

10. How we request songs at Brownstock.

11. What are we like!

12. Studying English Literature through the means of classic hip hop.

13. Forever wishing I were blonde.

Thirteen memories from twenty-twelve, captured on film, and slipped inside a shoebox to be rediscovered when I'm old and nostalgic.

xxx

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A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight.

Cliché post title aside, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland certainly was what it claimed to be. On par with Birmingham's effort, the London Christmas Market to rival all competitors took over the entire east side of Hyde Park, transforming it from greenland to a little corner of Germany, offering everything from waffeln (So. Good.) to glühwein. My friends Amy and Danielle accompanied me wobbling onto the ice rink where, fortunately, no cameras were allowed, but you'll be pleased to hear that I escaped unbruised, and managed to do a few laps around the bandstand without ending up on my bum! If you can get to the west end, I'd really recommend you popping in for a look as it's completely free to wander around the stalls, and feel thoroughly festive for a few hours. I'd like to say thank you to bgo for reminding me that ice skating isn't just a Friday night "ice disco" in Essex, but actually quite an enjoyable pastime.

I hope you have a merry Christmas, with the people you love.

xxx

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The blazing sunset in your eyes.

"R" Initial Pendant: c/o Grace Face Boutique. Pink silky collar tee: £12.50, American Apparel via ebay. Cardigan: mum's. Oversized blazer: c/o Glamorous. Jeans: £13.50, Topshop. Boots: Stylistpick.

If all goes to plan, this'll be published whilst I'm across the channel in my friend's Versailles-esque halls of residence and we're feasting on macarons. Right now (time is wibbly wobbly, so just go with it) I'm sat in my leavers hoody painting my nails in Barry M's "Bright Red" and listening to The Last Shadow Puppets live at the Electric Proms circa 3am - who needs sleep, eh? Speaking of, these photos were taken by Georgia (founding member of team brie) as we had a Cuthbert's to sort us out the morning (who am I kidding? Afternoon!) after our Christmas ball. Tutti frutti cocktails and tequila all round. And round. And round. Well, I had just submitted my last essay of the year!

In a slightly more demure setting, we had a little chat about last night and the last term in general. The consensus was complete disbelief as to how quickly time has passed. In the past three months I've read more books than I'd care to total, ended up going on a night out with the cast of Desperate Scousewives, published issue six of Ellipsis magazine as design co-ordinator/InDesign extraordinaire, dressed as Anne Frank (yeah, no outfit post there, sorry about that), worked at the mobos and its afterparty, became fashion co-editor of The Tab Liverpool, and I've met even more rad people in the process.

On a completely unrelated note (or more related, depending on to what extent you consider this to be a "fashion blog"), I'd like to point out my necklace. Emma from Grace Face Boutique surprised me with an email a couple of weeks ago, and I spent a good while flicking through her etsy store, wishing I had pierced ears so that I could justify getting these shield earrings. I do love how the pieces are run in limited editions and handmade in the UK, especially after reading Lucy's article in Wish magazine highlighting the importance of buying locally. Trust me, while I'm in Paris I'll be making the most of the local pastries - à bientôt!

xxx

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Turning twenty-one.

Sequinned dress: c/o Oh My Love. Oxblood bag: c/o Marc B. Adder Boots: £36, Topshop. Skull bracelet: £11, Made via ebay. "R" necklace: gift, Urban Outfitters.

If it were acceptable to wear sequins all year round, I'd be looking like a piece of tinsel 24/7. Ever since glitter hair spray for dancing shows (yes, I was one of those girls), I've never been able to resist a little sparkle. When asked if I'd like to choose something from Oh My Love's Christmas collection, I avoided the obvious choice, and thought I'd select something a little more special for the big Two One. Seeing as I tend to avoid bodycon, sleeveless and "boob-y" pieces, my flatmate was quite surprised when I unwrapped this little beauty, but it got the thumbs up when tried on. I'm still a little conscious of my arms being on show (everyone has their hang ups), but I don't think anyone noticed! And, of course, you can't go out without a bag. This Marc B number is in my current favourite colour, and happily fits a scarf, point-and-shoot camera, and stash bottle in; anyone want a "what's in my bag" post?

In short, after all the worries I had, my birthday really was one of the best nights, days, weeks of my life, and I can only put it down to my friends who made the biggest effort to ensure I had a wonderful time: you guys!

xxx

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Stuck in speed bump city.

Navy lace dress: c/o Pussycat London. Navy cardigan: mum's. Horse belt: Primark. Ballet flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley, via ebay. Saddle bag: vintage, via Claire. Tartan scarf: £8, ebay. Watch: Rotary. Sailor coat (finally sewn back together!): £63, Topshop.

Whenever I have to do the (two hour round...) walk to the Post Office to pick up parcels, I always feel obliged to travel the scenic route along the canal. I've taken outfit photos here a couple of times before, but can you ever really have too much of a pretty thing?

Wearing my new Pussycat London crochet dress, with a(n admittedly bumpy) beehive and slick of lipstick, I felt rather ladylike for a few hours. Surreal experiences aside, it is also seriously comfy when you're wrapped in your duvet surrounded by a textbook fort, which is a common occurrence right now. I hope you're all sniffle free and enjoying your advent calendars!

xxx

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Oh Manchester, so much to answer for.

There's nothing like getting a little older! My birthday isn't technically until next week, but my dad managed to take most of a day off work near enough to the date to come up and visit the Northern quarter (a little Manchester joke there!) and little ol' me. We had a wander around the Arndale centre before heading to the Second Floor at Harvey Nichols to have a rather indulgent late lunch. The moustache-adorned menu (I've noticed that Olivia's boyfriend is taking part in Movember - go go go!) was full of treats. Eventually I chose the vegetarian "taster box" as I couldn't decide on just one meal, whereas my dad plumped for classic fish and chips. For those who are wondering, it gets a big thumbs up from me, although I'm not sure leather trousers were the best accompaniment. Followed by a chocolate tarte (which escaped my camera - I wasn't leaving it on the plate for too long!), we rolled out of the restaurant to check out the christmas markets, as it wouldn't have made sense to go all that way without perusing their wares. Despite being snuggled inside my new Glamorous blazer, we eventually had to head inside, and jump in and out of phone shops to sort out my birthday present. I've finally got a device that isn't met with pity or derision (Samsung, I love you, but you're binging me down), and, as I'm so late on the bandwagon, pretty much every instagram username has been taken, so follow me @rscfanclub. 

xxx

ps, I do have a couple of posts lined up, but sorry if I go a little AWOL on the blog over the next month or so. It's hardly breaking news for a third year student to be stressed, but my workload is ridiculous, and I can't foresee any free time until January (cry) when deadlines have finally been met and exams have been sat. Hopefully this weird message will amount to nothing, but I'd rather my blog didn't become an obligation and additional stress when I've already got more than enough on my plate. Bis bald.

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Christmas Jumper.

Sailor coat: £63, Topshop. Ill-fitting and unflattering jumper: £1.50, charity shop. Acid wash shorts: American Apparel via ebay. Grey ribbed tights: Primark. Furry socks: Primark. Chelsea boots: Stylistpick. Necklace: Toujours Toi.

When the cooler period comes around I cannot help but release a sigh of relief that skimpy tops are to be put to the depths of my drawers, and instead the christmas jumper resumes its place on my shoulders. I can't decide whether I like clothes that don't fit, or am just unable to purchase anything that flatters my shape, but my jumper collection is certainly one to be rivalled. This specimen was purchased from a charity shop near to my sixth form; it is my favourite treasure trove of knitted gems, which I rarely leave without a new blouse or pair of shoes. Paired with a tiny pair of shorts this outfit, in hindsight, makes little to no sense, but two pairs of tights and some (faux!) furry socks certainly ensured that I was cosy as I went about my business, which was unfortunately rather boring and dissertation based.

Are you a fan of the jumper? Pop on over to The Tab to read an article I wrote (which may have a look at how other bloggers styled theirs!), and let me know how you wear yours

xxx

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