Patience is halfway to happiness

'Better late than never', 'Be patient and understanding', 'Patience is halfway to happiness'; all credible excuses, right? So I'm little delayed with my 'weekly' post but this time I have an excuse- promise. The past few weeks have consisted mainly of three main things; sewing, wrapping willow (?) and excessive coffee drinking. Sleepless nights aside (apparently I work more efficiently at 4:30 am) I've finally managed to finish my Textiles AS Level final piece. From our initial provided title of 'tailoring and haberdashery' I decided to focus on the concept of using things generally concerned with the construction of a garment e.g. dressmaking patterns, dressmaking logos, the use of lining fabric, as mere embellishment. In addition to this I've also looked heavily into Elizabethan Clothing, the emancipation of women (with the role of war) and the decline of the British Textiles industry; looking at designers including the theatrical elements of Alexander McQueen and Issey Miyake. For my piece I created a rope wrapped willow cage skirt (unintentional tongue twister...) and a dress decorated with dressmaking symbol screen prints, hand-stitched symbols and embroidered/painted logos. To create a distressed look symbolic of the decline in British Industry I burnt my fabric and used 3D texture paste to recreate the look of mould. Above are a few snaps from schools fashion show where I, and fellow textiles students, modelled their pieces. After a multitude of textiles stresses and realted incidents, the most memorable being setting off the fire alarm and thus causing the mass evacuation of my school (during exam week...), I feel like it's time to hibernate-literally.

Till, next time 

 

Unfinished

Wishful Thinking

Front Zip Shirt- COS/ Leather Moccasins with Chains- Zara/ Printed Mermaid Skirt- Zara/ Gold Plated 'Fly Away' Mini Drop Earrings- Asos & Wear That There/ Premium Shamen Mix Print Mini Dress- Asos/ Peplum Hem Pencil Skirt- Asos/ Premium Sheer Stripe Crop Jumper- Asos/ Block-Coloured Shirt Dress- COS/ Leather Pephem Skirt- Asos/ Gold Plated 'Today Tomorrow Whenever' Bracelet- Asos & Wear That There/ Premium Top with Buckle Detail- Asos

 It's reached that devastatingly crucial part of the year (if we're in it enough to call it that) where I, and hopefully I not alone, have fritted any finance the long-gone festivities may have brought. As a direct consequence I've had to resort to extreme window shopping, and, despite the temptation to rebel, face the realisation that my bank balance and this seasons 'must haves', will not be seeing eye to eye anytime soon. Despair aside, and after refraining myself from beginning this week's post with the greeting 'Yo Bitchez', I decided to compile a relatively short (if you'd only seen the extent of the initial...) wishlist. Any avid and weekly reader may have noticed the stark difference between this list and my previous; there's no such thing as too much picmonkey experimentation! Regardless of my resounding love for 'Arabella style bling' I've found myself quite recently, becoming increasingly infatuated with minimalistic jewellery. Unsurprisingly (I'm sure you're all well aware of my Asos obsession by now) I've found myself in what I can only describe as a 'I want, I need, I must have' sort out state with Asos' and Wear That There's jewellery collaboration (pure genius if you ask me.) Pardoning the unforgiving £65 price tag, the 'Today Tomorrow Whenever' bracelet has particularly caught my attention; apparently my recent possession of a watch has transformed my previous dislike for wrist accessories. I have also noticed that this wishlist features something else that differentiates it from the rest- colour. It appears that with 2014, my love for all things monochrome has begun to fade, leaving me with a somewhat eclectic mix of fabric desires. Hurrah.

Till next time,

Ps: I'm almost ashamed by the amount of Asos featured in this post (I should be their chief advertiser I swear): I may even have to make a resolution to go cold turkey for a while.

The Extremes

 So after three weeks of thinking I'd lost £65 to Asos when my return got lost (and with it being me, I'd lost my proof of postage) I was delighted, to say the least, when they did, eventually, receive it and my exchange was on its way. I've decided to go all Camilla Ackley on your arses and ordered myself this 'Extreme' Asos Smock to wear day-to-day. The smock, which has reaffirmed my monochrome obsession, has been my post-Christmas saviour; its extreme oversized fitting (so much so that I had to re-purchase it in the size below) is welcomed over my ever-so-tightening Topshop Leighs. For all of you beady eyed 'Into the Fold' fans, you may have noticed that we both appear to have the same Asos Longline Salt and Pepper Coat and today on her Instagram I also spotted her in my new Zara TRF cape- the theory 'great minds think alike' springs to mind...

  PS: Pardon the quality/ quantity this week's of photographs- it was very dark when they were taken and I've been unable to find the time to do them again.

what i wore

            Extreme Jacquard Smock-Asos/ Phelvin Boots- Topshop/ Longline Salt & Pepper Coat- Asos/ Ebony Twist Brasco Chrono Watch- TRIWA

365

Happy New Year! I honestly cannot believe it's a new year and I still haven't even wished you all a Merry Christmas yet! Despite every single shop on the face of the earth advertising NYE dresses, I managed to resist and spent the night in, cloaked in a onesie and drinking Prosecco out the bottle. I'm currently wrestling with, or whatever pitiful amount I have left, of my Christmas money- I didn't even attempt to save it again this year. I face the same ultimatum, however, I do whenever I have spare change; do I purchase something practical, something that will be wearable with a top or a pair of heels I already possess, or do I buy something which goes with not one single item in my wardrobe? I usually opt for the latter and leave the house, clothes resembling Bridget Jones on a bad day (not that I could ever condemn the fictional character...) Amongst my sale shopping I'm trying to predict the upcoming trends of 2014, snakeskin and gingham are a good bet, but I wouldn't hold me to anything. Since an outfit post is completely out the question for the next week or so, apparently I resemble more of a Christmas pudding than a human being this precise moment, I thought I'd leave you all with a collage of festivities and gifts.

Festive Edit

As I write this I am facing a stark reality; Christmas is in 7, yes 7 , days and I would be lying to you if I told you I was, like usual, organised this year. With the tree still absent from the household and not a single Christmas present purchased or planned, it's safe to say I'm panicking. Festive anxiety aside, I have been eyeing up this year's Christmas jumpers (apparently I'm still the only one without one.) The biggest question, however, is it too late to buy one after Christmas?  Is it 'fashion suicide' and/or the essence of all things frugal to be caught wearing one following the festive season? For the moment I don't think I can justify joining the 'clan' whilst my already pitiful bank balance screams the names of all my necessary gift recipients- Christmas is about giving after all...

Regardless, I've compiled an edit of my favourites (you know just in case anyone's feeling generous) so, knock yourself out.

Fairisle Jumper- Fred Perry/  Chelsea Girl Cracker Jumper- River Island

Vintage Renewal Sequin Bells Jumper- UO/ Christmas Snowflake Cardigan- Dusty & Dylan

Abbingdon Crew- Jack Wills/ Jacquard Sweater- Zara/ Kemplay Crew- Jack Wills

Ugly Sweatshirt- Zazzle/ My Bells Jumper- River Island

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals

*Ps: I couldn't help but notice the controversially increasing number of rude/ inappropriate Christmas Jumpers this year- I am a fan.

Fight or Flight?

'Fashion has dictated feathers high in the pecking order for autumn, but can plumage translate from catwalk to high street?'- The Telegraph

Ok, so it may not be the most practical of fashion trends, or the most washing machine friendly to say the least, but I for one cannot think of anything more glamorous than the noble bird feather. I have, over the past few weeks, found myself somewhat reluctant to invest in the trend, allowing all, or what little sensibleness I have, dictate my wardrobe. So I ask, when did fashion, and I mean our fashion, our domesticated day- to-day life fashion, get so boring? That's the thing about feathers, they're impractical. They're in your face, appealing to all aspects of romanticism. Loud and extrovert, they epitomise fun fashion. Maybe feathers aren't something you venture to your local Asda in and they're certainly not weather friendly- but they're dangerous, it's a trend screaming out to our inner SJPs, our inner Cher's from 'Clueless.' This time, with Santa's cooperation, I'm just going to do it. So what will you do? Will you fight, or will you flight?

  .High Street Edit.

Marabou Feather Bag- Topshop/ Ruffle Feather Sandals- Topshop

Suede Sandals- & Other Stories/ Tseri Feather Trim Dress- LK Bennett

Thanks for reading,

 * Thought I'd finish with a few snaps from Lumiere at the weekend-

Fashionably Late?

'I'm fashionably late', is that a legit enough excuse this time?- the phrase 'Better late than never' also springs to mind. Okkkk, so it's been a month, 4 weeks, 28 days (there was some extremly complicated arithmetic going on there) and there has been, relatively, quite a lot of stuff going on. For one, I was 17 on the 16th; here, I may as well also warn you all that I will be receiving my first driving lesson this Saturday. In addition to my lessons this year, amongst other things, I received the Michael Agwunobi 'Celine up the Bitches' tee I've been lusting after for ages. This year definitely surpassed the prior, perhaps due to GBBO fever, baked good wise; I'd be lying if I said my Topshop Leigh's zipped up as easily as usual right now. The past few months have been a little bit strange, and it may be the 17 year old wisdom talking, but I'm fairly sure that this is all happening far too fast. I mean, I can't even remember the conventions of blogging. Do I thank you now, or later...? To say I'm glad its half term would be an understatement and I intend to spend the following week sleeping, consuming an offensive amount of ice cream and pretending to work. In amidst of these plans I will, as is expected of one's self after such an occasion, be spending all of my birthday money, on things which could not necessarily be considered essential or practical. Here's list of few things I'm contemplating purchasing, let me know what you think: 

Drape Neck Top- Asos/ Knitted Pullover- & Other Stories

Faux Fur Pullover- & Other Stories/ Wide Turtle Neck Jersey- Zara

Roshe Run Suede- Nike/ Textured Pleat Midi Skirt- Topshop

17th Birthday Celebrations

See you all soon, I promise