"Just so long as you're happy love, you'll be alright"

Smiths t-shirt: £10, Brighton. Kimbolton Skirt: £39, Jack Wills. Black Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Wells Denim Jacket: £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Brown frame bag: £3, vintage. Rabbit necklace: Topshop (years old). Watch: gift, Rotary. Lipstick: Shade 3, MUA at Superdrug.

Watching last night's "The Secret History of Our Streets" on the BBC was quite an odd moment. Serendipitously seeing black and white images of historical interest whilst you are editing photos of the very same place may definitely be placed in the surreal category. Although I guess back then they lacked the Mawi shop and the "humour" of whoever lives in these apartments now.

I'm currently feeling a little worse for wear, with an aching stomach and head, but a hot chocolate, massive "2 Broke Girls" session and getting a decent amount of sleep is the only prescription I'm interested in. I hope you've all got fab plans for the weekend, whether it's busy or chill. I'm just hoping these very persistant April showers (seriously, it's July) don't rain on my parade.

xxx

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She falls into frame with a professional pout

1. Lily and Dina, cooler than thou.
2. Flying rats
3. Mona 
4. Playlounge
5. The Great Frog. One day I will own one of their eye rings. I will.
6. Topshop Adder Boots 
7. Lily and I
8. Carnaby Street

Analogue.

adjective.
Of technologies, media, etc.: making use of analogue computers or devices; analogue signals or data.
Often contrasted with digital.

Those who've read my blog for a while will be aware that I use film as much as I possibly can. I normally have a disposable camera or two in my bag, which I go through like there's no tomorrow. More recently I've been using two slightly more permanent cameras: a fisheye and an action sampler (yet to get my first film developed!), both from Lomography - I always state which camera I've used in each blog post in its tags. To receive an invite to lomo's "LoBlography" event from the lovely Heidi not only played on my intrinsic love of puns, but my perseverance with analogue photography. While I would love to own a DSLR, I'm well aware that even the cheapest would be well out of my price range, and, in all honesty, isn't everything about film photography bloody great?


At the store just behind Carnaby Street I found Jazzy and Dina who've both had the misfortune of my presence before, as well as finally getting to know Lily (happy belated birthday!) and meeting Mona whose wonderful blog I only recently discovered. After taking part in many a #bbloggers chat on a Sunday evening, I'm well-versed in the basics of blogging, yet the talks by Kat from Gizmodo, Sian from Domestic Sluttery, and Adam from Rock My Wedding (I'm in a few of their photos!) weren't simply dry, repeated phrases of yore (as much as anything internet-related can be), but rather informative and, dare I say it, funny. But it wouldn't be lomo without a little bit of camera action. We were each given an LC-A+ loaded with Colour Negative 800 film and an hour to prance around Soho. And boy, did I prance. I'll upload the rest of my photos to the blog's facebook page as soon as I'm home, so you can form your own decisions as to which ones turned out well, and which ones are just photos of a fence. I love how sharp a lot of the photos have come out, and multiple exposures are always a winner. I love my good ol' point and shoot, but regardless of how many hours you spend on photoshop, you can't truly replicate analogue photos.

Long live film.

xxx

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I promise that I will do my best

Mustard blouse: £3, charity shop. Leather skirt: £13.50, Topshop. Buckle shoes: Topshop. Canvas shoulder bag: vintage, via Jazzpad. 'Found at Sea' Necklace: Toujours Toi, via She Loves Mixtapes. Bracelet: £11, Made, via ebay.

I'm looking rather mardy in the first photo, but that's what happens when you've been staring at a computer screen all day. You'd believe that to be a blogger's ideal job, but it doesn't half tire my eyes out! I was determined to find somewhere to to take outfit photos when I ventured outside for lunch, and this door was today's victim. There are plenty of wonderful places in London, but there's nowhere secluded enough for me to feel comfortable prancing backwards and forwards in front of the self-timer.

But I think any passer-by would've appreciated that this necklace needed to be photographed. I entered Dina's giveaway without even considering I'd have a chance, but, lo and behold, there's now a ship sailing around my neck! I do love anything nautical-inspired (I've worn my sailor coat far too many times), and I've admired Family Affairs from afar via blogs for many moons, so this is a very welcome addition to my collection. This blouse is perhaps not so special, but it's my latest charity shop score from one that's recently opened nearby. I love the slight Brownies vibe, leading to this post's confession: the revelation that I've always been involved with Guiding, and I passed my leadership qualification before heading to Liverpool. And it has a salute. I wish I had the time to volunteer more, those that can do it alongside a full-time job are heroes! I can barely keep this blog going, but I do tweet and update my facebook page more often! Hope your Summers are all incredibly relaxing, and minus the square-eyes.

And, just for the record, I regretted the tights as soon as I walked out the door.

xxx

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We're flying first class up in the sky

Silk blouse: £1.50, Per Una via charity shop. Paisley Shorts: c/o Glamorous. Adder heeled boots: £36, Topshop. Leather bag: £4, charity shop. Cloud charm: gift, Luella. Lipstick: Gabrielle, Chanel.

When I started this humble journal of sartorial mistakes, there were many things I wouldn't wear. I've tackled jeans, and the up-do, now it's time for paisley. Glamorous contacted me asking if I'd like to try out a couple of their products, and, despite the Royal Mail's best attempts at ensuring I wouldn't receive anything, these shorts came through my letterbox a couple of weeks ago. They're a little tight, so although they may have been 100% appropriate for my first Essex night out since coming home for the summer, I would recommend going up a size, just to be sure. Check out the new loves of my life in kick-ass leather form that I picked up in the January sales but have only just got around to wearing due to living a few hundred miles away. They'll have to be surgically removed from my feet at some point in the near future.

The weekend (read: the sleep) was very much appreciated, and I had a wonderful weekend with a few people that I miss incredible amounts when I'm at university. It's so difficult finding the time to see everyone during the week, as commuting tires me out more than I imagined it would. I'm slowly getting used to it, however, and am looking forward to seeing  a big group on Wednesday, as well as catching up with some blogger pals at the weekend. Sometimes I think it's a shame that I haven't tried the new flavours of Red Bull introduced for the Jubilee (cranberry, lime and blueberry, so patriotic ⚐) as they'd surely pep me up Queen Liz style. Then sometimes I'm really rather glad I haven't.

xxx

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She was a princess, queen of the highway.

Jumper: £9, Fred Perry via Oxfam. Vest: Fat Face. Floral Print Trousers: £13, H+M. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Necklace: £1, Topshop. Rings: vintage, gift, Rock 'n' Rose.

Lunch hour equates to adventure time in my eyes. I went to Brick Lane yesterday and died a little inside at the prices (I swear it was cheap a couple of years ago? Now it's £45 for a fur hat??). I also received frowns/winks as my skirt couldn't cope with the wind. But less chat about my abysmal wardrobe choices, more about the pictures, which portray a slightly more picturesque image of my embarrassing life.


The "R" is a piece of graffiti by the artist Eine. In all honesty, if I hadn't researched his work for GCSE Art, I probably would consider this to be just another piece of wall-art, but seeing this brightly coloured piece of typography whilst meandering along, almost half an hour early, ignited a certain nostalgia for rooms that constantly smell of aerosol and the musicians who had lessons scheduled at the same time playing Wonderwall again, and again, and again... It's enough to make you hate Oasis, before you even know who the Gallaghers are.

If you're more into the Doors, then there's a restaurant that plays Morrison Hotel on repeat. The Breakfast Club may be only five minutes away from where I work, but my friend and I were still unable to finish a pitcher of smoothie in that time. And we really did try. I went once for cake and coffee with my dad on the way back from an Aresenal match (woo! football!! sartalics>), but this time I opted for actual food. And, boy, was it good. I decided upon the apple and cinnamon french toast (considering I dislike both cinnamon and eggs this was, perhaps, a risky option), whereas my friend went for a salmon and cream cheese beigel. I did get slightly confused when they placed a plateful of what was definitely bacon in front of me, but once they'd realised their mistake they were really apologetic, and brought me the correct meal (and an "I'm sorry!" chocolate bar). It is pricey, but you do get massive portions, and the toilets boast the world's smallest disco, which may only be experienced, not explained.


One week down, plenty more to go! I already feel like I know Liverpool Street station like the back of my hand (check it out in the background of the second photo!), and love being the only commuter wearing things outside of the muted greyscale palette.


xxx


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The East-West Divide: East. #GigNics

Postcode warfare!

The North-South divide is a well-known concept in the UK; my halls of residence last year were a breeding ground for (faux!) rivalry between southern pansies and the grim northerners born and bred above this invisible line. However, this binary opposition is paralleled in the capital, just spun on its axis. Londoners are notoriously defensive of their city, and take sincere pride in their location. Although I currently spend most of my time in NW3, I was born in E11, so can barely show a true allegiance. This weekend I travelled along the London Overground to Haggerston for the Nando's GigNics. And ate lots of chips.

The email saying I'd got tickets served as a catalyst for an an almost incomprehensible stream of texts to my lahndahn lovely Sabby. Both big time fans of Nando's, we always go to the Euston branch when I'm headed to and from Liverpool, so we made the most of the peri-infused atmosphere by treating ourselves to some cocktails (I had a Peri Mary, Sabby a Caipirinha). We sat "chilling in East London sunshine" - my answer to the "sum up today in five words" question. Embarrassment, coming to a video near you soon! The line-up included a few favourites: some I'd never seen before, such as MistaJam, and ones I knew all too well - hello Ed Sheeran! (We'll leave the "I've sung karaoke with Rizzle Kicks" story for another time, as they fit somewhere in-between...) Of course, it wouldn't be a Nando's event without some chicken, so we queued up with some food vouchers we'd managed to procure. Unfortunately I couldn't get a burger - they'd sold out of veggie burgers, boo! - but the chips were very, very much appreciated. Haggerston was the most beautiful location, and in an area I've never had the chance to explore before. Hopefully, as I'm interning in EC2 this Summer, I'll be able to see more of what the East has to offer. Fingers crossed this rain subsides sometime soon! At least both ends of the spectrum agree that this weather is not suitable for summer, what happened to the sunshine?

xxx

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Take me back to dear old blighty

 

Sheer blouse: £13.50, Miss Selfridge. Pocket skirt: £2, American Apparel via ebay. Leather belt: 20p, charity shop.  Jacket: £22, Primark. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Bracelet: gift, H Samuels (one of the baby bracelets!). Sixpence pendant: stolen from mum. Red ribbon: 23p, market. Ring: £1.25, vintage. Lipstick: £1, shade 3, MUA @ Superdrug.

Happy jubilee!

I shan't pretend I've done anything vaguely patriotic (other than eat the delicious cupcake made by The Cake Shop in the last photo that I picked up from Aubin & Wills when browsing), but it's been nice to see so many flying the flag. I did indulge in this Cath Kidston pocket mirror, but otherwise I've been spending my money on making the most of what little time I have left in Liverpool before I return home for Summer. I did give the union flag a little reference in my outfit though. The white is in the form of a blouse I picked up in the Miss Selfridge sale, but, despite loving it, I normally reserve for going out as it's exceptionally sheer. The blue is the navy version of the American Apparel pocket skirt that everyone has (I have it in grey and a pale blue too). And the red is with some ribbon I picked up at the market, secured with a pin, which I covered with a sixpence my mum picked up at my village's summer fair last year. And then the wind decided it didn't like my beehive, but we'll ignore the rather windswept nature of these photos...

After much deliberation, I decided to create a facebook page for this blog. I've always put it off as I like to avoid the "so you take photos of yourself and put them on the internet?" question from my friends, but recently I've started to feel slightly more confident with the content I've been publishing. I would really love it if you could 'like' the page here, and a massive thank you to everyone who has so far!

I'm off to my flatmates from last year's house for movies with something a little patriotic (okay, I couldn't resist) and edible in my bag this evening. Hope you're enjoying the four day weekend, and keeping up with You Know You're British When.

xxx

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fiesta bombarda

Double U Dress (worn as top): American Apparel. Suede Skirt: £8, Oxfam. Paisley Bag: £8, Primark. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Sunglasses: £1, Primark. Necklace: £9, Elsie Belle. Rings: vintage, and c/o Rock 'n Rose. Lipstick: Cockney, MAC.

freeeeeeeeeeeedom!

The less said about yesterday's exam the better (we dissected it beyond belief in Cuthbert's over red velvet cupcakes, my hair still dripping from the walk there). But the day ended in true Liverpool style at the Cavern Club, watching the Merseyrail battle of the unsigned bands in association with bido lito, which Beach Skulls deservedly won, even if Carousel were my favourites.


Still, that's so yesterday. Today the sun is beating down, and the olympic flame is passing through town. To celebrate the start of summer and the "jubilympics", bido are helping to host Fiesta Bombarda at the bombed out church. It seems like half my university are heading down, so it's set to be rad. Starting at four (I am aware it's gone five, ahem), there could be some sartorial difficulties, however I personally find it pretty easy to change from day to night as the only difference is a lack of tights. I do love a pair of 120 denier, but even I can't deal with them in this sunshine and have had the milk bottles out for a good couple of weeks. I thought I'd give a slight patriotic nod to what is, essentially, a conical candle with a red top, but I'm hoping it'll be suitable from six till sunrise. I'm two thirds of the way through my degree - I have to make the most of student life while I can! Good luck to all those still stuck in exam halls. Just remember: keep calm and carry on.


xxx

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