If only I'd known...

My cousin has just turned 18, and is a budding fashionista. Over the holidays we have talked numerous times about clothes, style and items she's lusting after already for 2013. I tried to impart some advice, mainly lessons I've learnt the hard way, so that hopefully she can avoid needless embarrassment and tragic overspend.

1) Never buy something to slim into....

Honestly, we are alllll guilty of this. We buy an expensive pair of jeans, or something in the sale that just isn't the right size, with every intention on slimming into it, or squeezing into it weeks down the line.
DON'T. Just don't do it. It is highly unlikely that you will lose any weight, or suddenly morph body shape in the interim between buying said item and wearing it again. Either buy in the size you are now, or hold off all together. I've got at least three dresses hanging up, which I've never worn because of this exact reason.

2) White, is a nightmare

Yes it looks smart, sophisticated and glamourous, but white is an extremely tricky colour to pull off. You can always see your undergarments, your fake tan inevitably rubs off onto it and 9 times out of 10 if it's not you who spills, it's a friend. So unless you are a bride, have a good nude bra, a string thong and an aversion for human company, you may as well stick to navy or black.

3) Designer handbags

Now unless you're earning mega-dollars, a designer handbag really isn't a necessity. You always have to be cautious when you take it out, and chances are people will probably assume it's a fake anyway. Decent leather handbags are so easy to find. If you want something unique, look on ASOS Market Place. If you're desperate for a designer style - just shop highstreet and save yourself many pennies! They always do great imitation pieces. If you MUST have a designer bag, do your research and get a bag that isn't going to age more quickly than a banana skin and obey the tip above - ie avoid white.

4) Keeping items because you KNOW you'll recycle it

If you've not worn it in 2 years, it's unlikely that you'll wear it again. My mum is a classic example of this. There are very very few items she's passed onto me, but still insists on having four wardrobes full of throw backs to the 80's. It's really frustrating! DO your bit for charity and send your unwanted unused items. If you're thrifty, you may decide to sell them, and if you're particularly creative you may re-style, but having the time to do this is uncommon.


Hope some of these gems help!

Very Happy New Year

Radio silence...

Music Taa Daa

You may have already heard the remix of 'Say My Name' by Destiny's child that I am talking about. But Cyril Hahn has also remixed Solange Knowles, Haim and Jessy Ware's recent songs. They are absolute dreams.  Sometimes he just mixes up the tracks, others he adds vocals. It's not cheesy or overly beaty, but pays homage to the original songs and actually in my opinion makes them better. More of his stuff can be found on Soundcloud, he already has over 13,000 followers - not really hard to see why. I'm hoping he continues to bring out more audio feasts over the next few months. 

https://soundcloud.com/cyrilhahn

A friend introduced me to his YouTube channel yesterday. I was impressed by the immense amount of track listings, and all decent stuff. Perfect for just subscribing to, sitting back and allowing someone else to do the hard work. Find it at PaddyRyan1006, just type it into YouTube. He's complied playlists to provide hours worth of music, suitable for any time of day or activity- although I'm not quite sure what 'supping' means. It's easy to find music inspiration and discover some new shiz. Must say, I've only got round to sampling those on the chill playlist, there's a whopping 106 videos- I'm not entirely sure I'm that fussed about Hip Hop so not bothered looking there yet:

http://www.youtube.com/user/paddyryan1066

Another homage to MK

Away from the catwalk

Nightime

Daytime

Anytime...

I'll have the Chanel gold necklace please Santa. Possibly for my birthday too. 

Pretty sure Kerr is featured in Glamours best dressed 2012. Obviously a very deserving candidate. One of the reasons I adore this lady's style so much, is because of the jacket. She always has an amazing jacket, and it just completes the whole outfit. I'm an absolute sucker for a coat, leather jacket, blazer, you name it. And what's worse is a) they are always pricey and b) you usually take it off almost immediately after you've arrived, then it is put somewhere - namely a back of a chair. However, practicalities aside, a decent jacket is an absolute must and an investment piece. I recently picked up a black double breasted coat from Zara, and it is an absolute triumph, even if I do say so myself. It's now completely out of stock, so no doubt I will have that awkward moment of bumping into someone or walking by a stranger in the street wearing said purchase. However, to be honest - if you saw this jacket, you'd understand why, instead of a dirty look, I'd congratulate the other person for making such a fabulous buy.

Strictly..

Some how, my father's passion for Strictly rubbed off on me, and I found myself watching the celebrities twirl and glide if I was at home on a Saturday night. Nimble-Kimble and Denise were early stars, using their background in showbiz to their advantage. However, Louis Smith, was probably the one who progressed the most, coming up from the ranks to win the show last night. It's not hard to see why he has so many adoring female fans. One of the routines was performed sans shirt- as slightly dirty tactic when he was competing against two other women in the final...

Good old Louis. Apparently he does some gymnastics or something too.

The new Chelsea?

Deena & Ozzy Black Boots £120 Urban Outfitters.

MuSICK

Remiixed

Thanks to the amazing powers of Shaazam, I have been able to find these songs. Still have no idea how it works. But hell it works!! All Saints, Meadow Hall were playing this tune....

White Sky (Cecile Remix) Vampire Weekend

Sails, Hooray For Earth

Everyday (Amine Edge & Dance Remix) Adana Twins

Worth a look

 

Despite the site having literally thousands and thousands of items, modelled by aspiring boutique owners, Asos Marketplace is a decent site to spot a bargin and an original item. Here's a few of my favourites:

Jacket from Annie and the Mannequines

£49 by Handpicked Boutique

£44 by Handpicked Boutique

Amazon: a business that runs smoothly!

I bought a kindle before my travels in July. It's worked like a charm for the past few months, and using the 3G network meant that I could download books wherever I chose. It's light, it works in sunlight, and I have access to thousands of books at my fingertips..... Yesterday it stopped working...

After sliding and releasing the power switch several times, in several positions, in the air, on its side, the machine still refused to load. Today, I spent time on their troubleshooting webpage. It's very easy. I followed their various instructions, still to no avail. Finally I rang them up. They asked me to do all the usual stuff. Then once all options had been fully exhausted, they offered to send me a new one. 

It arrives in two days. 

I have to return the faulty one - they pick it up, on a day that is convenient for me. All I need to do is print a label, Yodel will come pick up my delivery.

Perfect. Now that is customer service!

Miranda. Does this woman EVER get it wrong?

I actually started eating coconut oil because of this woman. Shock horror I did not suddenly morph into a supermodel overnight. But in all seriousness, my friends tease me, but I have the biggest girl crush on this woman. She's got impossibly long slender legs, and a body to die. She admittedly is a health freak and works out everyday. So no wonder she appears superhuman fit. Unfortunately when you have a figure such as this, it is hard for anything to look bad on you. But Miranda makes fashion choice after fashion choice, and I am completely besotted with her style. Here are a few reasons why....

Flynn is allowed to repeat an outfit.

Top Trumps

Believe it or not, this game is highly popular amongst my friends - who are all in their twenties, with not a child in sight! It's rather embarrassing that I never even finish! Move over scrabble, something more yellow is taking your crown for word games.

Think I better stick to what I know....

Think I've found something for my brother. He needs to learn at some point. However I do worry about him only being able to cook things beginning with P. Pork? Profiteroles? Porridge?

Explorations in Leeds

On our continual quest to find new and exciting places before our time in Leeds is up, we discovered this quaint little cured meat and beer shop. It's called Friends of Ham. Go on a lunch time if you have the leisure of having extended lunch hours. It serves all sorts of beers, ciders and of course ham products. My favourite was the chicken liver pate, which was served with crispy ciabatta. The cheese board is equally as good - I prefer my creamy cheeses, but there is plenty on offer, including local produce. So support our local farmers if you do decide to visit! It's just by the train station.

City Lights

Living on the breadline

Who can criticise? Fazenda for some lunch, then then off to the Sky Bar for cocktails. All before 4pm. Rebranding student living foreshoreee!

Kicking off the christmas holidays

Does your Christmas tree look like this?

Nah, neither does ours.

Dark and Stormy

This is the view from across the road. It summoned my interest because whilst the sun is shining and the day seems clear, the looming grey clouds eventually closed in and it rained for the remainder of the day.

Monkey Bidnezz

This cheeky chappy was perched begging for scraps of food near the crater on the Batur Volcano in Bali

Autumn shots

Some photos from the garden

Places I'd rather be..

Abrief selection of my favourite photos taken from my summer 2011. What I'd give to be back in any of these superb locations right now! You appreciate them at the time, but taking the photograph home and treasuring it makes it all the most special each time you revisit it tucked up in your holiday albums!

 From the top, Puerto Viejo, Nicaragua, then the volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, then to Caye Kaulker, Belize.