One Step at a Time.

So, graduate life is odd. I keep expecting a professor to email me with daunting messages about an upcoming deadline but instead my uni email is barren. At the moment I find myself living vicariously through my friends still at university by asking them about how their courses are going; although I'm met with groans, moans and 'oh God I think I'm going to have to do another all nighter's, I am still so envious because they are still learning - something I miss so much.

I may not be learning in lecture or seminar form anymore, but I am learning how to find my own feet. And I'm not going to lie - it has been hard. University definitely does not warn you enough about it. Creating one's own normality is difficult when a structure has been spoon fed to you since the age of 4; what makes the feeling worse is feeling like everyone else has totally got it already and feeling like you have to catch up. But really, that's not the case at all. It's a process which takes time, and that's okay. I'm getting there - things may not have been exactly perfect recently but I'm emerging out of this slump, by hook or by crook.

I've been saving these pictures because I love them so much - thank you so much to Shen Outar for such a wonderful and fun shoot (seems like forever ago now!); she was such a pleasure to work with. You can find more of her work here. You can also check out her fab vlogging channel here.

Also, this is the world's most flattering LBD, honestly if I want to feel fierce as hell I just chuck this on and BAM. 10/10 would recommend.


What I'm Wearing:
Dress - River Island
Shoes - New Look

p.s., Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Been Around the World.

So this summer I finally got to tick off a major part of my bucket list; I travelled all over Europe, (well, student-pricing-friendly side!), with two of my best buddies by my side. We did the whole interrailing thing, which basically meant popping from city to city via train. I say by train like it was a glamourous experience, but most of the time we ended up on the floor in the train corridors, which resulted in the manufacturing of many scoobidous (remember those?!).

So we explored Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb (for like 6 hours) and finished off in sunny Split. We stopped off at each destination for a few days, attempted (and often failed) to soak up the culture, and boogied the pants off of each city. Being at each place for just a few days at a time meant that we could all get taster of each. What it left me with was that terribly cliched sensation of wonderlust. I guess once you pop (to another country) you can't stop. Or something.

I'm now just trying to decide where's next - I'm hoping (and saving up for) Asia and the States. Fingers crossed!

What I'm Wearing:
Top - Primark
Skirt - Get Cutie, Brighton
Necklace - Topshop
Shoes - Nike

Graduation Day.

I never thought the day would come, but I graduated, after what felt like a month after everyone else! Though as you may have guessed from my blog, I always seem to be doing things (fashionably) late.

It was odd that 3 years culminated in a 5 minute walk across a stage and a handshake. It is also quite weird to think that that walk and handshake was the beginning of the rest of my working life. Well, I say that, but a few days after graduating I went gallivanting around Europe and had the time of my life.

Reality can wait, right?

But anyways - here's what I wore to graduation. This dress was the best snazzy bargain dress I've found in a sale ever (only £10!). Plus the inner emo kid in me (who am I kidding, I still AM an emo kid) loves these awesome Donnie Darko-esque shoes - if you hurry you can still catch them in the sale here!

What I Wore:

Dress - Boohoo
Shoes - Irregular Choice

Hamsa Earrings - Boohoo

Settle Down.

It's been a weird month.

I've always thrown around the term 'limbo' but I don't think it's until now that I've really experienced something like it. I've never been so 'in between' in my life. I've been going up and down from London to Brighton, working the odd shift, plus I've only just unpacked from moving in a few weeks ago as I've barely been anywhere for a long period of time. Plus, since finishing university, I've had the inevitable 'OH GOD WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE WHAT EVEN IS LIFE' feeling, so the concoction of the two has resulted in me just feeling unsettled, on all sorts of levels, leaving me in some kind of weird transitional stage where I'm neither here nor there, physically or mentally.

As much as this has put me in a weird position, on reflection it's actually okay. This whole time I've been worrying that I'm completely alone in this but it's pretty much the opposite, which is insanely reassuring. There's definitely some uncertainty in the air but at least I'm not the only one. Plus, once I tell myself to stop worrying, the uncertainty is actually pretty exciting.

For this week's blog post, I was lucky enough to shoot with my awesome friend Patrick - we just messed around in Brighton and (because Patch is brilliant) we managed to get some really cool shots. You can check out more of his stuff by clicking here.

 What I'm Wearing: 

Dress - Missguided 

Shoes - Missguided

Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

 (These pointier sunglasses are from Topshop! xo)

Moving Too Fast.

Once again, I find myself rushed off my feet. And as I rush off my feet, many things seem to be coming to a close.

As I write this, I'm chilling in my half empty room in what has been my home for the past two years.  I've finished university and will graduate on the 29th July (WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT). As everything draws to a close, I've realised that for the first time in my life, I have no forced structure. I've always had some kind of structure since the age of 4, and now I'm being thrust out of my comfort zone and into something I've never experienced before; freedom. From now, I could get a job. I could travel. I could emigrate to the polar ice caps. Technically, anything. And it's such a weird sensation.

But as things come to a close, other doors open. Tomorrow, I move out and into a new (grown up) house. I've just started my new job at Irregular Choice's Brighton store. Plus, now that my studies are over I'll have more time to concentrate what I'm really passionate about - modelling and acting. So yes, you could say that things are moving a little fast for my liking. But I'm catching up.

For now, I'm just going to enjoy the summer I have. I just got back from Lisbon with two of my best friends and had the best time I've had in months. I'm so desperate to go back. Though I don't need to mope around too much as I'm gallivanting around Europe in August. I can't wait.

Thanks again to my wonderful friend Toby who took these pictures for me in a uriney alleyway in the outskirts of Lisbon. You wouldn't think it was uriney from the pictures!

What I'm Wearing:
Crop Top - Pink Brighton
Skirt - New Look
Trainers - Nike

Bandana/Belt - Rokit
Earrings - Cochin, India
Sunglasses - Topshop

Pink Lady

So, I've finally finished my degree! WHAT. I'm still in total disbelief, to the point where if I ever find myself doing nothing recently I feel guilty, even though I promised myself some 'do nothing' days. Having said that, since I've finished I've been weirdly rushed off my feet -I guess I'm not that good at doing nothing, then...

So one awesome event I found myself at since I graduated was the Blogger's Love Anniversary party at Embargo 59, which included some beaut cocktails and a showcase of the brands to watch this year, including brands such as Candy Clothing, Creations by Maggie, Tongues Will Wag, Wild Leggings London, Bikini Fling, Dark Waters Boutique, Nina Naustdal, Philly's Boutique, Rhome's Boutique and Unique Avenue. It was my first ever fashion show and it was awesome, plus, I can now confirm that these definitely are a sick selection of brands to watch out for in 2014. I've already nabbed myself a pair of Wild Leggings!

I also got the chance to go to the private viewing of Darren Johnson's photography exhibition. He's not only a photographer extraordinaire, but also an awesome friend of mine, so it was even cooler that it was his stuff all on the walls of Conway Hall. It was here that Darren premiered his most recent shoot with my friend Ali, in which Ali was in full ballerina gear dancing around Central London. Not did Ali look flawless, but Darren shot it all perfectly. If you ever find yourself near Conway Hall or have a penchant for urban photography, definitely check it out - it's free!

 (Belle, Ali, Darren and I, why must I always look so grumpy?)

Me and the man himself!

For these events I whipped out something I bought on a total whim via Facebook (thanks Wavey Garms Ladies!); this old vintage playsuit. Dat colour tho.

What I'm Wearing:
Jumpsuit - Vintage
Boots - New Look
Plug - Crazy Factory

Necklace - H&M

I'm a Boss Ass Bitch.

Guys, I'm nearly there. I've almost finished my degree (eek!) which means I am finally able to emerge from yet another blog-hiatus. In hindsight, starting this blog up in my third year of uni was probably not the best idea!

Having said that, I have weirdly enjoyed the past couple of months - as stressful as they were, at the end of it I produced 10,000 words of my own research in a topic area I'm incredibly interested in. And it only made me cry once! 

(Isn't she a beaut?)

I also got the opportunity to present my dissertation at my university's Dissertation Conference. Although I thought I was going to pass out from nerves beforehand, it actually went really well; people were even genuinely interested in what I had been researching. Always reassuring, especially seeing as my dissertation is worth most of my degree...

So as well as finishing my dissertation and presenting it, something else pretty sweet happened. I got signed! I can officially announce that I am now signed by Capreae Models. You can even book me now! BOOK ME. How freaking sweet? If you do want to do that, just go to my contact page to find the appropriate links.

So to summarise: in the words of Nicki Minaj, I'm feeling like a Boss Ass Bitch right now. And I'm so looking forward to doing more shoots now that I'm finally free from dissertation nonsense.

To celebrate all this? Of course, I went for dinner, because food is one of the greatest things in the world (overstatement? Nahhhh...). I also wore this - I love the colour.

What I Wore:

Dress - ASOS
Boots - New Look

Necklace - H&M

Les100Ciels Launch

So recently I emerged from my dissertation-hermit-cave to go to the launch of the Les100Ciels store in St. Christopher's Place. It was my first ever launch event as a style blogger so I literally had no idea what to expect! My fears all subsided however when I was greeted with cupcakes, knitwear and delicious fruity cocktails.

Les100Ciels is a French knitwear brand which has finally made its way over to the UK, whose pieces range from basic cardigans to quirky show off pieces (open back cashmere crewneck, anyone?) made from ethically made cashmere. Plus, a lot of their pieces are made from something called cashair - the way it's made means you get the softness of cashmere but it's a lot lighter, meaning that you don't get nearly as warm as you would if you were wearing regular cashmere, so you can easily wear these pieces in the Spring and Summer without melting. Which is always a plus! 

If you're a knitwear fiend I would 10,000% recommend popping in to their store for your cashmere fix, or check out their store online at here. My personal favourite was the Slinky dress; it's basic yet classy, you can dress it up or dress it down, plus it was so freaking soft! Here I am wearing it (and resisting the urge to run off with it):

I met some absolute babes at the launch and had a great evening - I'm definitely looking forward to the next one. Thanks to the absolutely lovely Tamar from Platform Creative for inviting me!

What I Wore:
Jumper - Missguided
Leather Panel Leggings - ASOS
Shoes - Nike
Necklace - H&M
Belt - ASOS

(Also thank you to my fabulous housemate Daisy for taking these pictures and putting up with my nonsense whilst taking said pictures!)

India Part Two - I'm on a Boat.

I've got to admit, looking back on photos and notes from my India trip is making writing my dissertation a lot more depressing.

The day I wore this outfit was my first full day in India. Still completely jetlagged and out of sorts, I managed to function somewhat like a human being and went on a house boat ride down the local waters. The houseboat however wasn't one with a motor or engine - it had to pushed along by the owner of the house boat with a huge oar. The owner greeted us onto his houseboat with a lovely smile and we soon after left the dock and ventured down the waters. It was probably the most serene thing I had ever experienced. The water was so still, the horizon was stunning. I actually got the opportunity to try and push the boat along - the owner made it look so easy, plus he was half my size, so I thought 'hey, why the hulk not'. I managed to get the swing of it, however after 15 minutes or so my arms gave in. I soon realised that he made it look so easy because he was pretty much all muscle, which I am not!

Whenever I was asked in meditation sessions before I went to India to think of a calm place, I usually made one up - it was usually one based on a stereotypical travel brochure with the standard 'sandy beach' picture on the front. If I'm ever asked again, I now know what the perfect location for it. Considering my impending doom dissertation deadline is looming, I should really start meditating more and get myself back to that place, at least mentally. I definitely want to go back soon.

Until next time, y'all.

xo

What I'm Wearing:
Bikini Top - Ann Summers (as an honourable member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, Ann Summers is my go to place for swimwear. 10/10 would recommend)
Dress - Asos
Sandals - Havaianas

(and here's the lovely aforementioned Houseboater! I wish you could see his face better in this photo, damn snazzy cameras and their lame manual light settings)

India, Part One (for want of a more exciting title).

I had been looking forward to this trip for so long; it now feels so weird that I'm talking about it in the past tense. But two weeks ago, I came back from the trip of my life: India. This entire experience was completely new to me - having only been to western countries in the past, I found India to be a beautiful culture shock.

I had always been interested in and admired the Indian culture as I have roots in India. My Grandmother is Anglo-Indian, this meaning that whilst she was born and raised in India, she was brought up Roman Catholic as opposed to Hindu or Muslim. Even though her upbringing wasn't traditionally Indian, I felt little influences of Indian culture as I was growing up - for example, when I started eating solid food as a young'un, my mum would give me curried rice. To this day, it's probably one of my favourite foods. Still can't make it like my mumma can, though.

I don't think I'll ever be able to describe how it felt being there. I was practicing yoga and meditation daily, exploring when I could. I even managed to go to a Temple Festival and an elephant casually just walked across my path. It sounds so cliche, but I found myself at total peace, at one with myself. My stresses all seemed to be put into perspective; I've come to realise that things will, as much as I stress about them, be okay. If I work towards something, I can achieve it. But for right now, it's okay to not be completely secure and have a lot of questions in your life. It's okay to not have all your shit together in your early twenties.

I won't bore you all with what happened on the day I wore this outfit, as all I did was travel for 10 hours. But I will say that I am so miffed that my waistband was slightly wonky in these photos! I absolutely love these trackies, I never want to travel in anything else.

Next week will be part two of my India series, stay tuned!

xo

What I'm Wearing:
Vest Top - New Look
Kimono - Topshop
Trakkies - Abandon Ship Apparel
Shoes - Nike
Sunglasses - Next (would you believe it!)

(I was given the lei upon my arrival at the hotel, and they blessed us upon arrival too. How amazing is that?)

Oh, and here's a picture of said elephant who walked right past me: