Fashion Fancies

Childhood

2010-10-07T17:11:00.003+01:00

And here is the first issue, Childhood.

Brikolage is a concept magazine designed to inspire young people to be creative. The theme for our first year is Age. Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and (in Decemeber) Old Age.

Read, enjoy and Be Inspired!

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

Adolescence

2010-10-07T17:10:00.001+01:00

Because I didn't know I could do that, here is Brikolage Adolescence issue

Open publication - Free publishing - More poetry

Brikolage

2010-10-07T17:07:00.001+01:00

As I've not toooooo much to say today, but I'm online, AND I really think you should; I'm just going to put here. right here. Brikolage Adulthood issue.

It's super. It's amazing. It's the third in a series of four. Do it.

Open publication - Free publishing - More creative

the way it is...

2010-10-06T13:01:00.003+01:00

I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that I am not going to be a regular blogger. I tried (sort of) and failed. I get too caught up with life outside the computer! Or Twitter...that evil thing is just so EASY! Why do I find (especially as I am a writer) that constructing something more than 140 characters is difficult? Actually, that's not even true, sometimes I find a Tweet difficult. I think it's because I'm stubborn and when I am told "you must write" I'm like NO! Like a small, fat, greasy child I sit in the corner and say NO. I will not write, just because I should.

SO, my logic is, maybe I will write if I tell myself I don't have to. We'll see. 6 months later and my next blog will confirm otherwise.

So my quarterly magazine Brikolage has been going very well! Check it out here It's quarterly and comes out with the seasons. Also, each year is themed, so each issue within that is a sub theme. Brikolage is in it's first year and the theme is Age. Spring had Childhood, summer had Adolescence and autumn had Adulthood. We're currently working on Old Age which is very exciting and I'm actually looking for a musician to be our featured artist for this issue if anyone has any ideas.

Next year the theme will be Shapes and I have managed to gather a small, dependable team which will allow me time to explore the possibilities of how I can develop the concept. You see, Brikolage is designed to inspire young people to be creative. This inspiration for creativity (and a bunch of other top secret ideas) has the potential to become something really successful and I just need to take the time to get some funding to help me develop these ideas. So that's my plan for late 2010/early 2011.

In other news I have written my first screenplay - a 10 minute educational thing about James Hutton - the godfather of Geology. It's an Alice in Wonderland style whirlwind trip of a young girl and her dog finding herself in a land of animation and music as the singing rock chorus fill her in on the history of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and James Hutton in the time of the Scottish Enlightenment. It will be awesome trust me!!

In less interesting news I am incredibly poor, saving to A learn to drive and B move to Vancouver for a year. So my love of fashion is currently being acted out from a safe distance. If I get too close who knows what could happen? It will be dangerous. Although I couldn't help myself from falling in love with these boots!! They fold over to reveal a nice sheepy skin goodness. Oh my! I. Want. Them.

Oh dear I've turned into a small, fat, greasy child again....

Hot Foot

2010-05-26T15:19:00.003+01:00

It is so definitely summer time now! OK so the heat wave in Scotland only lasted 3 days, but the sun is still shining and it is still summer clothes weather.

I am reeling at all the lovely summer skirts and dresses I already have (this is a first as usual I never have enough) and how much it pleases me that I can wear them. But, the most exciting this has to be that I have not worn socks in a few days! And this has brought out the very necessary foot accessories.

I am not a fan of feet. I intensely dislike my own and other peoples unless I have given them permission (for their feet to be liked). The only way I can handle my feet being shown in public is to do them up with nail polish and ankle bracelets....and maybe even a toe ring or two. I could do without the jewellery (NEVER the nail varnish) but, let's face it, my feet just look nicer when the jingle.

I seem to have lost my ankle bracelets that I purchased in India so I have been borrowing my mum's. But this cannot go on and so I am on the hunt to find a pretty ankle bracelet...preferably one that jingles.

Where to start...

Lazy blogs

2010-03-27T16:57:00.002Z

I am currently engrossed in my magazine Brikolage right now so my blogs have been lazy and boring. I don't know when I will be able to get back to interestings things again (if I was ever there I am not so sure), but until then check out a video from the lovely Banana Sessions. It's a Prodigy medley which I very much enjoyed.

Brikolage!

2010-03-23T13:49:00.002Z

Check out my new magazine - it is amazing! (if I do say so myself)

Brikolage

We need contributors for our next issue: Adolescence if you're interested in getting creative post a comment or check out our facebook page which is in place of our website for the moment!!

A freckle faced red head girl...

2010-03-11T10:32:00.005Z

Last week I dyed my hair dark red. I have been obsessing over the idea of having red hair for quite a while; suddenly noticing natural red heads on the street and oozing jealousy over their burning locks.

I can't get the light reddish blond look without bleaching and it wouldn't look natural anyway, so I have been forced into the dark reddish orange look - but I love it!

I tried henna first. And boy is that time consuming. 20 minutes preparation, 4 hours on the head...for a slight hint at red hair! It looked great on the bottom where my hair becomes lighter due to bleaching long ago and not having had a hair cut in WAY too long, but everywhere else you could barely notice. Nice, but not nice enough.

So I had to return to the unnatural, "evil" but effective chemist bought hair dye. Still, my hair is now and orange hinted deep red and (despite slight fading at the ends - curse you bleach!!) it looks perfect. I love it.

Which is just as well as I will never be a natural red head. So know when I look on in envy at those gorgeous gingers at least I will be comforted by the flash of red in my reflection on the shop window...

Baby it's cold outside...

2010-02-28T12:16:00.002Z

Just on the train back from London after performing a short cabaret piece at the Little Angel Theatre in Angel (durr). That was so much fun!

We stayed with a friend and organiser of the Puppet Grinder Cabaret of which we were a part of. She lived in a warehouse accommodating approximately 20 people in Manor House in London. Apparently, warehouses are "ware" it's at ho ho. Sorry, that was a poor pun. It's true though, they are the cool place to be. And mostly in a temperature way as well as in a hip and happening way, but in this instance our tiny box room was boiling hot.

In the two days we were in London we walked around Angel. A lot. And I drooled over the gorgeous vintage shops on Camden Lane (I think...) especially the one with the eccentric gowns in the window display. Unfortunately, the cabaret piece is with two boys, one being my brother and the other being his gassy friend, who don't particularly take to shopping. So they dragged me around searching for an internet cafe, but refused to go anywhere that looked nice as it would make them feel scummy. So I suffered bad cake, no shopping and plenty of card playing. Though, to be honest, I really enjoy the card playing even when it is at the expense of The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins which I am enjoying tremendously.

Then, we performed, ate pizza and squeezed into the Kings Head Theatre for a pint and lots of drunken dancers wiggling their bums in our faces. Nothing like feeling about two foot high as you sit on a precarious wooden chair round a tiny table in the middle of a crammed pub run by bar staff who are so cool they don't do any work, they just chat chat chat. Saying that though, it was quite fun.

Yesterday we dashed to Cambridge for lunch with our cousin, which felt incredibly extravagant! Then we ran back, got changed into silly costumes and went to our aunt's for a murder mystery party. The ones where they have tapes between courses that sum up the plot so far. However, we experienced some technical difficulties when my aunt's husband played the last part of the tape accidentally revealing who the murderer was before we'd even started!

So of course we played on! And in fact, it gave us a classic comedy moment that couldn't have been carried out if you tried!!

Lots of wine and Cappavine (£3 red wine/ coffee combo from Lidl) was drunk and I am sleepily typing this on the train home.

By the way, I think I've forgotten what warm is...

Just a tribute

2010-02-18T13:44:00.003Z

It seems wrong for a fashion blog not to post up an immediate commemoration for the late Alexander McQueen, but in all honesty when I heard about it my first reaction was not "Oh my god I need to blog about this" and as I'm not a day to day (as much as I try and fail) I will only mention it now I have finally plonked myself down in front of my computer. And because I must.

I must because not only was he one of the world's favourite designers, he was one of my favourite designers. I don't often blog about designers as I often can't relate to fashion as it's seen on the catwalk. I try so hard to be a fashionista, but most of the time if I'm looking at fashion forward blogs or runway pictures I am pretending to like it when in actual fact I am thinking "that looks rubbish I would never wear that." Not the most intellectual thought there, but an honest one at least.

Alexander McQueen is one of the few designers I have blogged and thought about that I genuinly love. I read an interesting article somewhere (foolishly can't remember, but it was most likely the Guardian) which glanced over the question of whether his label will continue without the distinct vision of its creator? Who knows. If it doesn't though, there will be a lot to remember him by.

Objects tell a story...

2010-02-03T17:51:00.002Z

Added to my busy schedule this week is a short masterclass with Joy Haynes about Stories and Objects. It's at the Traverse in Edinburgh as part of Manipulate Festival.

Every night there is also a show, which I unfortunately missed yesterday, but I am going to see tonight's performance and I am going to be IN tomorrow night's performance! So that will be fun.

I am having much fun playing around with paper and lights and other bits of crap that are lying around and making them alive! However I am also exhausted and brain dead.

I promise more interesting stuff will come out of my head and on to the keyboard soon!

Skater Girl

2010-01-27T15:26:00.001Z

So...um...I must have been out of the fashion/ blogging world for too long. Since when is a jersey dress called a skater dress? Isn't that something Avril Lavigne would wear as opposed to a very on-trend Topshopper giving a nod to 90s?

I am confused...

Roberto Burnissimo

2010-01-26T15:29:00.000Z

Last night I organised a much needed meeting for my Brikolage group to discuss how we were realistically going to get the magazine in print due to extreme financial disabilities. Although we are contacting potential advertisers we haven't given ourselves plenty of time to chase them all up without harassing them so much that we put them off completely. This is partially our fault and partly the cause of some people promising help and letting us down; however the latter cannot be helped and we simply have to get on with it as best we can! Which we are doing and even if we only get it out online it looks GREAT and will definitely be in print soon.

So I decided to host the meeting at mine for a change, but had forgotten it was Burns night. When I realised this I sent my brother out on a hunt for enough veggie haggis to feed 10. I love an excuse for veggie haggis it is DELICIOUS. The other day I went to The Compass in Edinburgh with my boyfriend and had a veggie haggis burger. No words can describe how sinfully delicious it was. Apart from; not as sinfully delicious as their Sailor Jerry, chocolate and chestnut cake! Oh my goodness...

Sorry, drifted off into a fantasy world of chocolate, rum and haggis there. Snap back to reality! Unfortunately there was no veggie haggis to be found at 6.30pm on Burns night in Leith so we had to opt for a last minute cheap and cheerful dish (as well as almost the only thing people think I cook): spaghetti!!

Yummy scrummy spaghetti. I do love it. It also went down a treat, with my brother deciding to call it Roberto Burnissimo night and I reciting an ode to the spaghetti. So the house was a complete mess by the end, considering I had sent a text to everyone asking if someone could bring a dessert and everyone did!! Four cakes and a couple bottles of red wine later and I'm passed out i front of the fire feeling very satisfied....

Just as a side note I have been lusting after this backless Jimmy Choo for H&M for a while...they sell it online but not in the UK n'arg.

Winter Wonderfilmland

2010-01-20T17:00:00.002Z

Throughout the Christmas period I have made a point of seeing as many movies as I could possibly cram in to my busy schedule. And this time, may I add, it is actually pretty busy. After being a puppeteer for Big Man Walking (if you don't know it check it out, it was amazing) and walking him up the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on New Years Day I have landed a job selling him to European festivals for 2010. It's hard work, especially as everyone is skint and very busy, but someone has to do it!

I have also been writing for The Scotsman. This part is unpaid, but very good experience and I am regularly seeing my name in print. I have written '48 hours in...' for almost every city I can think of that I have been to. I must admit there was one (48 hours in...Tel Aviv) that I haven't been to, but that is I haven't been to it YET. My cousin lives there and I am definitely planning a trip there soon. And doing the '48 hours in...' really got me excited at seeing all the cool things I can do there.

I am also trying to get Brikolage back on track, which is proving very difficult! Mainly as I need to pin people down and get them to finish the work they said they were going to do...but isn't that always the way! So if you want to get involved in the exciting new magazine then visit out Facebook site. It tells you all about it and will have to do until the website gets up and running. Which will be soon. Hopefully.

I'm also rehearsing a short 4 minute cabaret piece with my brother and a friend which involves my brother and I manipulating a very sexy lady puppet named Marzipan dueting with a saxophone on 'Baby it's cold outside'. That will be on at the Traverse in Edinburgh as part of Manipulate festival - I'm very excited!

On top of that I am still living in a lovely land of lusting after clothes. From the fringed suede jacket which I am yet to post an image of as I am embarrassed asking anyone to take a pic of me, but look awful when I take a photo of myself...to gorgeous Irregular Choice shoes which I wear non stop to a fabulous H&M dress I got in the labyrinthine Copenhagen store. I tried to find a picture of it online, but failed. Instead I found this amazing Jimmy Choo for H&M dress for you to ogle at! *drool*

Oh, and here I am all distracted and realising I haven't even mentioned the films I have seen. And I have made myself forget them all...
The most recent I saw was It's Complicated. Absolutely ridiculous if only for the horror caused by Steve Martin's blown up face. Truly grotesque. Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep were great. Pretty silly film, but enjoyable. I'd say a 3 star affair.
Then I also saw The Road which was excellent, but very harrowing. The most accurate post apocalyptic film I've seen, though saying that I tend to avoid that genre as it makes me feel pretty miserable.
I saw Where the Wild Things Are which I found incredibly depressing. It left the audience with absolutely no hope. I was wanting something a bit more fun; in the book Max is just a naughty kid with a great imagination, I think there could have been a lot of fun had with this! But instead it had to go all psychological and deep and made me feel utterly depressed.

There are more, but my reviews are short and not very interesting so if I think of something wild and wacky then I'll post that up in another blog. I will end on one more film note though which is I cannot WAIT for Alice in Wonderland. Even if it's not great in any other way visually it will be superb.

Merry Festive Holidays

2010-01-04T22:33:00.002Z

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

I have been to Copenhagen for Glog and Danish carols; danced crazy ceilidhs and sung Auld Lang Syne on Hogmanay and walked an 8 metre blue man up the Royal Mile on the 1st of the 10s!

I think I have just about recovered.

Ode to the Glasgow Thrift Store

2009-12-19T13:01:00.007Z

Well well well...I have managed to leave my Christmas shopping until the last minute (again) but this time it's only because my boyfriend was eager to get a Christmas jumper and I couldn't find one ANYWHERE! So I have spent the last week raiding charity shops and thrift stores for a Norwegian knit-style Chrimbo jumper and been deeply frustrated at my lack of findings. I started in Edinburgh, making my way down the many many charity shops on Nicholson st, going to Armstrong's, Bernardo's Vintage and...well that's about all Edinburgh has it is rubbish. Of course I didn't make it to Morningside charity shops and I have heard they are excellent - especially if you're after tea sets!

So this took me a good chunk of time, made worse by the fact I was looking for other people's presents and therefore got distracted so ended up getting NONE and I was also restricted on time as I was heading to The Filmhouse on the other side of town to see the revamped The Red Shoes.

But then I went through to Glasgow and the first Vintage Shop I went into had THE Christmas jumper! It was brown and white with that lovely Christmas pattern resembling snowflakes and it was Norwegian knit and VERY WARM! There we go. Sorted. And it's because Glasgow has the most amazing concentrated selection of Charity and Thrift stores in the West End. Ever.

Vintage Guru (where I got the Christmas jumper) has to be my all time favourite right now. It's kind of dangerous when I go in there as I tend to always buy something. And the prices, for vintage, are fairly reasonable. You can buy a tweed men's jacket at the same price the charity shop next door is selling one (approx. £20) but here there is far more choice!! Right now they have just got in a selection of amazing 1920s hats; unfortunately some of them are made for 1920s heads and are TINY.

I also love Starry Starry Night for the location alone.

Continue down the alley and you have Glorious (formerly known as Glory Hole and you can see why that was changed...) Start walking up Great Western Road and you get to Watermelon: the original West End vintage shop! The there is Retro (makes sense) and the new NEW Glasgow Vintage Co. which I have yet to visit and I can't wait.

And they aren't even including all of the charity shops! But if you've done all of those and are still somehow sane and have money in your pocket then head over to Merchant City to the daddy of Vintage Mr Ben's.

I'd be surprised if you could control your cash after that vintage dash! Christmas jumper or no Christmas jumper...

In the frosty highlands

2009-12-14T14:32:00.009Z

The sooner it gets to Christmas the more here there and everywhere I am. I bought THE most amazing fringed jacket the other day when late night shopping/ sipping mulled wine, but have not yet photographed it so will not post it up yet.

I have just been up to Tharna outside Nairn to visit my granddad before Christmas. It was FREEZING and absolutely beautiful. Here are some pictures to make up for my short post.

Mum taking a photo of me taking a photo of her. Oh the hilarity.

Consequence of Sounds

2009-12-09T00:54:00.002Z

I saw Regina Spektor the other day at the O2 Academy. She was absolutely wonderful. I must confess I was a tad disappointed...if I'm going to be nit picky then I would say I was expecting her to be a bit more talkative. Although her performance was wonderful and she was very sweet there was nothing personal about the gig. She didn't address Glasgow or the audience in a way that felt she was playing especially for us, which I really like in a performer. The only part of the gig that felt unique was when a fan threw a t shirt on stage and it hit her in the face.

Only Glasgow.

Still, it was very enjoyable and I got the opportunity to listen to some of my favourite songs of hers. 'Us', 'Samson', 'Sailor Song' and 'Poor Little Rich Boy' to name a few. She also spoke/sang a peculiar (and very cute) poem about boys and the colour of their eyes and played lots of tracks from her new album.

My favourite is definitely 'The Caluclation' and 'Eet', but they really stood out as catchy pop tunes. Once I listen to the album more I think the slower ones will maybe get my attention. It always takes a good few listens before I get into an album properly

London Baby Yeah

2009-12-02T14:05:00.006Z

I have just got back from a trip down to London. I love it. I'm still not entirely sure if I could live there, but boy do I love to visit.

I saw friends and family. I went to see A Serious Man at the Curzon Soho; a film described by one critic as written by Woody Allen and directed by David Lynch...not far off to be honest! I went to see Inherit the Wind at the Old Vic. It was absolutely excellent and both Kevin Spacey and David Troughton were brilliant. I wasn't particularly keen on the man who played the journalist, he had a phoney "newsman" accent, but apart from that it was incredibly powerful, standing ovations all round. And to finish off that particular treat of an evening we had dinner afterwards at Live Bait which was so delicious! Everything on the menu looked good so I had a hard time deciding, but eventually I went for the "create your own" in which you pick the fish, the sauce, and the side. They burnt my salmon so I had to wait for them to cook it again (they wouldn't even produce the original crisp as they informed me they would only serve it if it was perfect). This meant we got free desserts so I can't complain! All very yummy.

Naturally, I did a bit of shopping. As a wide eyed innocent Scottish girl I am drawn into Topshop in Oxford Circus. I try to avoid it. I went to Camden and bought very cool fake ray ban clubmaster frames which are terribly made, but I still can't wait to get lenses in them and see how long they last!

But, despite my Camden outing I couldn't resist and ended up spending far too long in the accessories department (over an hour!) before giving in to my strong urge of rummaging around the basement floor at the various overpriced labels they have on show.

What I took away from that trip (apart from some cheapo glasses and some gorgeous high waisted button up wool swing trousers in the style of Katharine Hepburn or Ginger Rogers)

was that I LOVE tights. I love them. I almost always wear skirts and dresses and it's so great to mix up the patterns on my legs. Especially in winter when you can get those warm woolly cosy tights. Yum.

I got a pair with a tiger crawling down the leg, spots, House of Holland alphabet tights and black and white leg tights. And I would get more if I could! Tights, tights, tights...they are my new obsession!

Skunk Anansie

2009-11-23T16:37:00.004Z

Saw Skunk Anansie last night.

After 9 years of being apart Skunk Anansie reformed and, last night, played at the O2 Academy. Having listened to Hedonism (Just because you feel good) through my sadness, Selling Jesus through anger and Weak when I wanted a good sing-song (I was of the emotional teenager variety who felt little emotion other than anger and sadness), I was met with feelings of nostalgia as I bought the tickets for this November gig.

None of this phased me, however, I was so excited about hearing all of those songs mentioned plus many more. Cheap Honesty, Charlie Big Potato, Twisted(Everyday Hurts). And from the moment they came on stage there were even more. Songs I didn't even realise I missed and some I didn't think I liked until I heard them. Even better was that this wasn't a trip down memory lane. It didn't fling up old high school memories of over emotional dramatic teenage sadness. Not one bit.

The gig felt fresh. Skin rocked up on stage wearing black sequinned harem pants and a gold mane which covered her head and upper torso entirely. For the first song she was a gold sparkly cousin it from the Addams Family, her piercing eyes only occasionaly appearing as she belted out the chorus.

Needless to say, Skin was absolutely sensational. She walked into the crowd, held up by her ankles and sang with her all might - which is pretty damn impressive! She has the most amazing voice and if I could sing like anyone it would definitely be her voice I would want to snap up.

I'm in love. Even the new songs sounded quite good. I think I might have to check out Smashes and Trashes: the ultimate test would be, after I've had the hits on my Ipod for the next few weeks 'can I listen to Skunk Anansie in 2010?'

I think, maybe, I can.

Che I want it all

2009-11-21T11:37:00.014Z

Last night was fantastic! Che Camille; a shop/ gallery space/ studio/ anything you want it to be, is an amazing space. On the 6th floor of Argyle Arcade the views across the city are outstanding. All the collections are on moveable clothes line, so an instant runway is created just with a bit of clever redcoration.

We saw shows from Bibico, Mzuribeads, Johari, Mia Nisbet, ate African food and drank fruit punch! Camille is such a warm person that you immediately feel at home amongst the cardboard gorilla and paper tree surroundings.

At the end of all the shows the clothes were rolled out and we could have a look around all of the collections we had just seen modelled so beautifully and have a sneak around the current in store collections. All of the designers, apart from Mia Nisbet, were available for a chat too.

Instead of saying more, though, I shall let the clothes speak for themselves. Here are just come of the designers selling at Che Camille right now!

Judith R Clark

Johari

Mia Nisbet

As we as being available in Glasgow at Che Camille, her collection is also available at London's Junky Styling and LF Stores in LA.

And that's just three out of a huge amount of wonderful gorgeous stuff! I tried on one of Judith's gorgeous coats which I want SO MUCH! There are also photos floating around of the show, but unfortunately the camera I had was AWFUL! So I will see what I can save from those photos and post them up shortly.

Sewing Roots

2009-11-20T12:58:00.005Z

Feeling better and feeling like I wanna head to Glasgow and see an ethical fashion show!

Featuring mzuribeads who make recycled paper bead jewellery

Mia Nisbit's recycled clothing

and Johari

Love it.

Got the Winter Flus

2009-11-17T14:28:00.002Z

I have taken the afternoon off work due to gross illness. When I say gross I just mean how I feel, not anything too horrific. Razor blade throat, yellowy complexion and general exhaustion are pretty horrific though...

To bed with echinacea tea, plenty of water and thermal socks.

zzz *cough* zzzz

Che Camille

2009-11-16T16:20:00.002Z

I have definitely been out of the loop.

Not even taking into account my last blog, my last ANYTHING stylish or otherwise was longer ago than I care to share. Being heavily involved in Big Man Walking was an absolutely amazing experience, but has torn me away from all things fashionable and (from all that outdoor work) led me into all things woollen and knitted. Now, don't get me wrong, there are such things as fashionable winter wear. You know, you get them in the titles of unimaginative fashion features such as "cosy knits" and "winter warmers"...but when you're really cold (and I mean REALLY cold like a pair of woolly tights and Laboutin heels just aren't gonna cut it) then style is not on the forefront of your mind. I tried my best. I got a nice 80s style Topshop baggy cream knit and a very very warm Norwegian cardigan which is very hippy chic. But, they don't look so saucy when they're the fifth layer and I look like the Michelin man.

No. Not so saucy.

So, here I am getting back in the loop and what better way to start than by going to Sewing Roots: Ethical Brands?! Having started at the very trendy venue Che Camille on Friday 9th of this month and finishing on Friday 9th December I shall certainly be popping my head in to see some exciting ethical fashion and hopefully popping out with my own environmentally friendly attire.

And most importantly; popping out in style!

I heart McQueen

2009-06-04T22:01:00.003+01:00

Pete Burns style lips and dogtooth print? A sort of evil clown, gothic and suited thing going on all at once....the perfect serious look for Autumn 2009!?!?!

Yes, I'll have some of that please minus the plastic surgery malfunction.

Sunshine on...Woodlands

2009-05-29T12:18:00.005+01:00

Ok, pretty cool reference to The Proclaimers there (yes I am up to the minute in my cultural references). But, it is Glasgow (I do miss Leith, but not the trams thank you very much) it is May, it is HOT AND SUNNY! I won't question it oh no. I am embracing the sunshine and counting down the days until bar work is over and hard hard work that is fun and better paid begins!!

Until then though I will slog it out in the busy outside bar I will soon be joining (4 and a half hours and counting) and enjoy the sunshine when work isn't beckoning: bring on Sunday!!

I came across these sunglasses from Gio-Goi in the Mens section that are fantastically crazy and, seeing as it is glorious sunshine, it inspired me to find other ones of an equally fantastically crazy nature without the £55 price tag!

For £15 you can get these wonderfully wacky and great for this seasons 'sports chic' from Topshop.

I absolutely love these sunglasses from Miss Selfridge. An underrated high street store which right now has a lot of amazing things. These kooky creations are £12!

Now I'm going to have to stop talking about sunglasses, put some on and get out into the sunshine!

Graduate Fashion

2009-05-19T13:56:00.001+01:00

The first issue of Brikolage is out in cafes and bars around Edinburgh: check it out!!!!

I intend to get it published online, hopefully for the next issue, so a link for that will be on my blog when that happens!!

For the next issue I will be previewing the Big Freak, but what I was most excited about was reviewing the Edinburgh Art College fashion show which I went to last Wednesday. After a short break in Florence which I have just got back from I am sitting down to write about a hugely important part of new Scottish fashion.

But, after having seen the show, what most inspires me is the ECA's fantastic Performance Costume department. The fashion show is very serious; the models are thin and look bored; the clothes can be interesting and original, but don't push any boundaries and over all is it fast and loud and I am desperate for a model to crack a smile!!

The costume on the other hand is in a standard of its own. Of a highly professional quality, the costumes are exciting and beautifully made down to the tiniest detail and the show itself is incredibly entertaining.

A friend suggested that this may just be the difference between fashion and costume, but I disagree entirely. Fashion is a form of costume and catwalk fashion often delves into the outrageous. And I prefer it that way. I want to be inspired and excited, not pounded with plain outfits on plain models. OK, yes, some of the designers managed to capture some interesting ideas, but there was no risk taking, no eccentricity.

For me, when the graduates of 2009 show me what they have achieved, that is what I want to see.

3rd year costumes for 'The Way of the World'

Design by Sarah Martin

Gok's Fashion Faux Pas

2009-05-05T00:38:00.006+01:00

First of all, just look at his stupid smug face.

Ok, that's as mean as I'm going to get. Because, although he can be incredibly irritating and repeats constantly (and just imagine him saying it) "The GREAT British high street" "fierce" "you go girl" and "you can look fabulous and you don't have to blow the bank", his ethos is quite good. He encourages a healthy body image and campaigns for affordable fashion which is always great.

I do think the high street can offer some great bargains, but they are not always of particularly good quality which is why he always has to add and alter his bought items. (I have also noticed he's no longer sticking to his under £200 an outfit like the last series). But, my best bargains are vintage or designer finds in charity shops and ebay etc. Something of great quality, yet with an amazing price.

The first episode we saw Brix Smith-Start's collection win. Great. More realistic and I love her. I'm guessing, however, that this was only to shut up anyone who thought the competition was fixed as I believe he won the second episode and I have just watched the third which, for no obvious reason, he also won. Now I am not a designer diva and sometimes, quite often, I think designer can look tacky and I prefer the quirky high street. But, in this episode there was no way Gok's line could meet Brix's. I mean; Vivienne Westwood suit?? It was bloody gorgeous!!

This Chambray two piece suit at £560 would have won the entire competition for me without a second thought. Brix teamed it with killer red Gucci heels and the model looked stunning.

Instead a mustard cardigan and gold jacket won. The only thing that saved this outfit was the stunning felt hat by MacCulloch and Wallis with a knitted flower by VV Rouleaux.

Ok, so maybe he's not totally useless.

Sun Sea and Swimsuits

2009-05-03T14:52:00.008+01:00

I am not sure what happened and why the plan of blogging every day went to no blogs for weeks.

I am sure anyone who reads my blog has had enough apologising and wants to get down to some actual fashion blurbs!

So, new dilemma: I am going to Florence in a couple of weeks for a few nights and the hotel we are staying in has a pool (yay). I haven't been on holiday out of Britain in over a year which is a depressing thought and one thing which will begin to be remedied starting with this forthcoming Italy trip! I also have not bought a new swimsuit and used it abroad in even longer so a new one is definitely on my list.

Although I do wear bikinis they are really for sunbathing purposes as opposed to swimming. But, I tend to dislike swimsuits as they are often very unflattering for the flatter chested girl. At least, the ones I seem to find are. What I have had in my swimsuit dreams for a while now is a 50s inspired retro swimsuit. Flattering and currently quite trendy. Finding one though so far is a challenge.

Everything online has been so lovely and very tempting, but all incredibly expensive!! Here is a few that caught my eye.

From Retro Vixens a cute nautical 'Sailor Betty' one piece by Steady Clothing, costing £33.97.
This is my favourite style as I love the back detailing, and it is actually the cheapest one I found. The only problem is that it the sizes are general. "small" is between 8 and 10 and I am concerned that it could be on the baggy side and that I won't be able to get a refund if it is too big. I have emailed the website for further sizing details so we shall see what comes of that.

A friend recommended the website DollyDagger as one to try. Although it has a few gorgeous suits they are all bikinis, no one pieces, and is on the more expensive scale of things.
This 'Cupcake Bikini' by Skinny Dip Swimwear is the cheapest at £33 with their other bikinis going up to £45. And it is not very far off something I could get on the high street at a high street price. On the plus side this website stocks cute sun suits such as this on by Tara Starlet. Just a shame it costs £54!

Next on my list is Pin up couture a well known label for the 'alternative' retro girl.

This is one of my favourites; the 'Bettie Halter' in cherry print. On Pin Up Girl Clothing website it sells for $68 which is slightly cheaper than on the Retro Vixens website on which it costs £43. However, I could not seem to figure out shipping costs without actually buying it so the difference might be made up on that.

I also LOVED their three piece bikinis such as this one in a white cherry print costing $80. Expensive stuff but absolutely gorgeous!!!

Last on my website alone list is ModCloth for their sexy vintage inspired bikinis. Again, expensive. This bikini which also comes in a polka dot print is $89.99.

But, what I absolutely love is this nautical one piece below.
Just a shame it costs $124.99!!

So how about on the high street then? Any cheap alternatives? Topshop sadly seems to have very little indeed. In fact, I think the best shop is probably New Look with its Kelly Brook range. Sold as seperates instead of sets you can mix and match and with prices ranging from £5 to £15 they are not quite as authentically reproduced (i.e. low cut leg instead of more modern high cut) as some expensive swimsuits previously listed but they are incomparable in price! And when a girl is on a budget then a girl cannot complain!!

Easter Birthday!

2009-04-11T13:29:00.002+01:00

It's my birthday on Monday and I am taking a week off starting tomorrow to just chill out and NOT WORK!! So expect daily bloggage as I have a chance to sit in front of my computer for more than two minutes and a much happier me as I take a week entirely to myself to do absolutely nothing.

I can't wait.

Tomorrow I am going through to Edinburgh with the boyfriend to partake in a traditional family painting egg and rolling down hill experience.

On Monday I am going bowling. Yes.

But I'm not quite free from the clutches of work yet...

Shopping wheee

2009-03-31T21:40:00.003+01:00

After having abstained from shopping successfully I finally gave in yesterday and went on a mini Charity Shop only spree. Ok, so I may have strayed a tad from Charity Shops, but I was still pretty good. It started off in Shelter where I bought Labyrinth and The Big Lebowski on video (how retro) as I have an old tv with a built in video player and they were only 99p each. Then it was Oxfam where I got a pair of Killah red and gold wedges which were apparently a size 4, but I'm a 5-6 so I don't know how I fit into them. But, I did and I'm happy!

Then we strayed from the charity shops down Ruthven Lane and into Starry Starry Night in which I purchased a 50s apron dress. I was going to stitch a trangular panel into the back and belt it, but as a temporary measure I pinned the back in the middle, giving the excess material a cape effect which I am starting to prefer. Then, my friend took me into a shop I had never been into before called Glorious in which I was forced to buy three amazing dresses. And when I say I was forced it is with little exaggeration. A jumper dress, open down the sides, so a boob tube is on my shopping list. A fringed flapper dress with a lace neck. And, the best buy I could have seeing as it looked so hideous on the rack; a Karen Millen dress: black with different coloured sequinned squares. It is a bodycon fitting and currently knee length though soon to be chopped into a mini. It is AMAZING.

Now I just need an excuse to wear them out. But, stay off the booze!!

Freak Out

2009-03-27T18:47:00.002Z

Last night was The Big Freak Zombie special. Overworked and tired I was not in the spirit to go dancing. Stress and working almost 50 hours a week, although not being the definitive reason, has certainly not helped my eczema which has been so awful recently it has put me in a slump. I have a rash which is almost certainly contact allergy related and spreads from my face down my neck across my body and my thighs. It is unbearable and I am a miserable non fashion conscious wreck.

I do apologise.

It is difficult to care about what I am wearing when all I can see is red skin and all I can think about is how itchy I am.

Anyway. Enough of the negative ranting.

I went to The Big Freak as a reviewer for Briccolage; a new zine focusing on the underground arts scene in Edinburgh. Along with the Knitty Kitty interview which I conducted on Sunday it will appear in the first issue out on the 10th April. Knitty Kitty herself had a stall set up in one of the booths in Medina, the club venue, and I caved in and purchased a Bingo ball necklace, a knitted chain necklace with a retro transformer tape/ dinasoar, a band aid bracelet, a dino skeleton earring, a fuse earring and a pink ribboned pirate ship hair clip.

I cannot WAIT to start feeling better and wearing it all again.

PS. I am detoxing and going on a macrobiotic type diet to see if anything sorts it. And I had acupuncture today - frightening, but incredibly relaxing. Defintately feeling spaced out now.

Backless Blooming

2009-03-20T14:36:00.014Z

The weather is glorious!!! It is Spring time and Spring means flowers blooming and the beginning of Summer.

Last night I was flicking through my friend's copy of Harper's Bazaar with Emily Blunt on the cover and in it's high street trend section it had a ASOS.com dress which was a combination of hideous and really attractive to me. It was white with pinky red roses on it; very tack-granny-tastic. It had a tulip skirt and capped sleeves. I wanted it.

I went on the website and looked for it to no avail. However I did find a good collection of floral dresses. Whether garish such as the asos own brand, or subtle like Trina Turq's design they had a good selection. I found myself leaning towards the backless dresses. Hence the "jazz" print one which I finished off with. It's summer time; show off some back!!!

Diesel Hybiscus Print Halter Backless Dress £98

ASOS Floral V Back Pencil Dress £44.50

Trina Turq Indian Silk Cutwork & Jewel Flower £280

ASOS Jazz Print Cut Out Back Tulip Dress £37.50

Watchmen

2009-03-15T13:06:00.002Z

After the fiasco of trying to see Watchmen in the cinema last week, I finally managed to see it in a late showing after work on Friday.

Absolutely brilliant.

Watch the trailers.

Now I cannot wait to read the graphic novel.

Who's watching Watchmen? Not me!

2009-03-09T12:55:00.002Z

Last Saturday I was going to go to a fund-raising ceilidh with my boyfriend and his friends just outside of Glasgow. However, through lack of organisation on the male part they were left with no kilts to wear. As a further blow we were all struck with extreme lack of finances and another plan was sought out.

It ended up just being me and the other half deciding to scrap together the cash we had to have some dinner and go to see Watchmen. A brilliant plan from the outside, sure, but that night was to follow a series of badly timed and careless decisions.

It began when we went to view cinema times and, it being a weekend night, I was drawn to the late night showings of the film. The boyf was sceptical, suggesting it might be too late as we would have to hang around (it was currently about 5.30) and that perhaps we should see the 8.50 one instead. I insisted that I was too full from lunch and I couldn't possibly eat until around 8 leaving no time to see that one and how much fun would it be to see a midnight movie?

He consented.

This plan might have worked if we had perhaps gone to mine first and not, as it was suggested, to stay out, have a couple of drinks, then dinner, then movie. Considering the length of time we had to kill and the lack of funds we had to kill it, this was never going to work.

The first place we decided to go was the Blue Dog for a couple of cocktails. Hello? We have no money! When was this a good idea? At least our stupidity was made up by the delicious cocktails. I had a chocolate cherry martini and then a strawberry one with pepper for a spicy kick.

Then it was an Italian dinner at Sarti's. The food was spot on; delicious, big portions and reasonably priced. my one qualm would be that the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu is £18, but (after ordering of course) we noticed that people were drinking carafe's of wine, clearly the house and obviously cheaper than ours, and our wine was not even of a high standard. I think it would have been less cheeky if they had put ALL the wines, including the cheap ones, on the menu. As we finished our meal I noticed we were in time for the 8.50 showing (silly me) so we went up to the cinema on the off chance we could switch our tickets. A Saturday night with a brand new release of a big budget highly anticipated movie? No way. The queues for the one big cinema in Glasgow were spilling out on to the street.

So, with 2 hours to kill and less than a tenner between us, which we really shouldn't be spending, and the weather absolutely atrocious (think Wizard of Oz blizzards but add west coast rain) meant we didn't want to go far, but had no money to do something close by. In the end we went to the lovely Bar 10 down Mitchell lane, purchased a bottle of wine and slowly sipped it until it was time to go.

It's just lucky we have constant, flowing conversation.

On the wet and windy way to the cinema, with slightly woozy red wine heads, I consoled our wear souls with the knowledge that the brilliance of this film would make up for the disastrous, yet surprisingly fun, mistakes of the evening. We get into the cinema, surprisingly busy for so late at night, find a perfect centre middle seat and make ourselves comfortable.

The film starts. It is visually stunning and compelling from the start. Dark, cruel and cynical; this dystopian America sucks us in and, with no typical film structure, we are bemused, but fascinated throughout. That is, until, during one particularly loud moment in the film involving Dr. Manhattan, a speaker explodes.

As it occurs in an "explosive" sequence in the film we don't notice it immediately. Not until we realise this buzzing won't go away and there is a piercing ringing in my ears. From being in a heavy comfortable zoned in state and then being blown out of it, finding myself suddenly out of the cinema with a pounding headache and actually feeling quite dizzy. I was not impressed.

Fortunately we have free tickets to go and see it another time. I cannot wait.

And maybe next time we won't be so frivolous so that we cannot afford popcorn.

Getting into the swing of things....

2009-03-03T18:17:00.002Z

I wake up every day and I would say my mood decides my style for the day. Variables include what music I am currently playing over and over again, what film I saw recently, what girl I walked past on the street who inspired me with a unique styling decision, the colour of my hair, my mood and what I see when I look in the mirror.

Although nothing tends to stay the same I have noticed a trend in the past few months, maybe even extending back as far as the past year, that I almost constantly wear dresses. Whether I am wearing 80s jumper dresses with clashing tights or 40s tea dresses my jeans appear to be sitting ignored in my bottom drawer. Occasionally I glance at them and sometimes I even take them out and, on a few rare occasions, I put them on and go to the shops in them. I do feel a twinge of guilt at my poor neglected trouser collection, however I cannot see me switching back to them permanently any time soon. Especially as I have returned to my retro phase, going somewhere between having Jackie Wilson constantly spinning on my record player or swaying to some 60s soul.

The love of the music definitely effects my styling and I have once again pulled out the petticoats, halters, shorts and started quiffing my hair (not long enough to do the proper styles yet!!). The music has also inspired me to finally take up swing dancing classes like I have been meaning to do for so long. I just want to be able to be at a party, chatting away, when all of a sudden some jive is put on the radio and I grab my partner and swing dance till dawn.

I went to my first class the other week with a couple of girl friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is no need to go with a partner and there are me there (just make sure you get one who knows what he's doing as a strong lead is essential). However, after I left the class I realised I had noone to practice with so have been determined to find a suitable male partner. After asking a boy I work with who seemed interested I turned around to find my relatively new (but superbly wonderful) boyfriend asking why I had not suggested he go with me. Now, without trying to offend, but the idea had not crossed my mind simply because I didn't think it was the kind of thing a guy who likes metal would want to do. How wrong I was. Not only has he proven how brilliant a boyfriend can be by offering to go dancing with me, he has shown me how well he knows me by actually also loving Jackie Wilson. More than me in fact.

So we are going to our first swing class tomorrow. I have beenb unable to resist the temptation of 5os dresses these days and both of us are so excited!!

Although I don't think he's told his friends yet....

Edinburgh Mag

2009-02-25T20:41:00.005Z

My brother Ewan Macintyre, creator of the Big Freak, is starting his own Edinburgh based magazine with a focus on local artists; musicians, painters, film makers, designers, performers, creators and innovators. He asked me if I want to be editor. Do I want to be editor? Hell yeah.

Sure, it's an ambitious project with no initial pay and lots of hard work. Sure there is no guarantee that it will become a success. But, and the 'but' is a big 'BUT', it is exciting. It is something that needs to be done and it is something I love doing. So, there was no question in my mind as to whether or not I would do it.

The first issue will only be 12 pages, a tester, and will be in print on the 11th March. My first feature is going to concentrate on a girl who calls herself 'Knitty Kitty'. As the name suggests her products are handmade, mostly knitted, goods.

Amongst my personal favourites:

'Bill Oddity skirt with Leather Bird'

Her quirky one of a kind earring collection

'Royal Ascot Bespoke Fry Up bag'

Keep checking for news on the mag itself and the full article!!

If nautical nonsene be something you wish...

2009-02-20T16:15:00.008Z

...then hop on the deck and flop like a fish! Oh sorry, took the Spongebob reference to far there.

In fact, if ye be seeking nautical nonsense then pretty much anywhere on the high street is where ye scurvy landlubbers should be heading!

On my way home I made a few stops into the shops lining Buchanan street and, gorgeous velvet "with it" wedges from Office aside, noticed a few nice items highlighting the current sailor/ preppy trend.

Here's just a couple of my picks from the high street.

New Look
Bird print dress £25 Stripe Bow Court which also comes in Navy £25

Topshop
Knitted stripe top £32
Matelot hotpants £28

eek run out of time before work

to be continued...

just YouTube it

2009-02-20T13:46:00.004Z

We all know already the joys of youtube. You want to catch up on a random episode of some programme or another? As long as you don't mind watching everything in under 10 minute parts then NO PROBLEM. So much so that the broadcasters now promote their programmes on youtube so a simple case of typing in the name of something won't necessarily take you there so easily.

Youtube has become well known for it's library of short hilarious and random clips, such as "charlie bit me" or the poor grandmothers reaction upon being shown "two girls one cup". A short while ago, however, I found an entirely new use for it which although has been around for ages I thought was necessary to share as it really does, for me, give an excellent example of the wonders of youtube.

Last year when I was entering my rockabilly faze full on I realised I had to know how to do the hairstyles. I initially stumbled upon some websites devoted to vintage style providing pictures or step by step instructions for pin curls etc. But, it wasn't until I went on youtube and came across a multitude of videos SHOWING how to do victory rolls that I realised this site was useful as well as entertaining. Granted, a lot of videos are rubbish and not all methods of doing certain hairstyles were the same. But, only a few minutes later I had found the video for me.

Unfortunately my hair is too short right now as it is still growing out from the major chop I had before. I was recently reminded of these step by step videos though because, despite the challenging hair length, I am getting myself excited about the things I can do with it when it grows a few more inches. There I was; watching girls show me how to do a classic 40s chic pin-up style do when I see a link to fellow blogger vintageortacky showing how she does her inventive catwalk inspired make-up designs! Make-up too? Fantastic!!

I especially liked her Artemis in her Sailor Moon series.

Betsey's Diner

2009-02-17T21:37:00.004Z

I remember the first time I came across Betsey Johnson. It was my joint 16th birthday treat with my cousin, who is also my best friend, and whose birthday lies only a couple of months before mine. We were treated by our grandmother to a trip to New York with her and my mother.

My aunt, the author Lauren Henderson, was living in the heart of SoHo at the time and as a local, naturally, took us shopping. I remember Betsey Johnson in particular, not because of the clothes, but by the illustrations decorating the shop walls. The cartoonishly kitsch, yet glamorous girls.

Not to say I did not like the clothes either. It appealed to the 'alternative' style path I followed in my mid-teen 'Hole' faze. Corsets, girlish prints in black, white and pink, skulls and, above all, tutus.

Looking at her fall 09 collection it can be safely said that not too much has changed in this respect. Her designs are still very much cutesy girl with a rockabilly punk edge. She didn't even take her designs to the runway; instead showcasing her work in a 50s style diner with her infamous illustrations claiming the place as her own.

I may be 6 years older than when I first fell in love with Betsey, but I still found myself longing to snatch up half of her clothes as I eagerly devoured photographs of her new collection. Perhaps it is because I am still a girly girl at heart. Perhaps it is because her style is so street worthy. So very New York cool, yet in no way New York chic. And although I do love chic, sometimes all I want to do is run around in a tutu and a skull print cardigan with ribbons on my stockings.

Saying all that her designs aren't exactly stuck in a rut. She simply marks everything as her own very clearly. I mean, who else would have designed rose print harem pants?

Photo Shoot

2009-02-16T18:17:00.012Z

I briefly mentioned before I disappeared from blogging for almost two entire months that I was about to help out a friend of a friend on a photography course by styling her shoot. So, a month late, here are some photos from the shoot.

It was a 50s inspired fashion shoot. Although it is more a series of flattering photos of my friend Sophie who is the model I was impressed with my hair styling skills and the fact I had no budget so had to use entirely my own clothes and fashion them to fit her although we are between two and three sizes apart. So perhaps something to put toward a portfolio. And definitely, if nothing else, a lot of fun.

Photography: Siobhan Hall

Model: Sophie McCabe

Hair: Rachael Macintyre

Make-Up: Sophie McCabe

Stylist: Rachael Macintyre

Be My Kitsch Valentine

2009-02-14T16:11:00.002Z

Happy Valentine's day everyone! A day which the cynics among us (i.e. most of us) will brand as a day invented by greetings care companies. Yet it is still a day which takes over the streets with pink and red love hearts, teddy bears and other cute and cuddly creatures. Every restaurant is booked out with tables for two. Every bar is full of groups declaring that they are "young, free and single and proud of it"

I am torn between my distaste for Valentine's Day and the inability to shake off the inevitable effect it has on me. Although I tell my loved one I do not care if we do anything (we are in fact both working in the same bar together tonight anyway which provides us with limited romantic options) I know I would be disappointed if I did not receive anything even if it was a flower stolen from someones garden or a heart shaped lollipop bought in Spar for 50p. Whatever. I don't care. Don't get me anything. Don't do anything. It's a stupid holiday. I'm not bothered. Much.

I on the other hand have done nothing. My plan for the end of our shift has collapsed as I am waiting for my cheque to clear. However I will improvise. I have a selection of heart shaped ginger bread cookies with a tube of soft icing, sugar hearts and pink sugar bought from Asda. "Love Art" as they are aptly named. Decorate one for him and that is my idea of a perfect Valentine's gift.

I concluded that what I love about Valentine's is the kitsch tack that surrounds it. Within a sort of bizarre reason I love the pink cutesy vomit inducing confectionery and the fluffy cards which leave feathers drifting up your nostrils. I also like the American influenced tradition given to me by my mum of Valentine's not being exclusively for partners, but for friends and family; those of us who we love. In fact, I have spent my previous Valentine's, whether with or without partner, giving cards to friends. The other day I bought my friend Laura a pink and white cupcake from Greggs which came with a pink and sparkly ring. Tasty and fashionable.

So whether you are ignoring it, celebrating it or did not even know it was on until I went on about it: have a good night!!

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day.

Innocent Thievery

2009-02-11T23:08:00.003Z

Although working in a bar is not the most inspiring of jobs it certainly does have its benefits in the form of free stuff. And I do love free stuff.

After a certain amount of time unclaimed items become property of whoever gets their hands on them first and I try my hardest to ensure that this is usually me. In the time I have been working in my bar I have acquired a man's grey cardigan which I am certain is pricey as it is very good quality; warm, looks good and is worn to death. Further bits an pieces include a black and white checked scarf, a star print scarf, a gold bangle, grey knitted fingerless gloves, two umbrellas and, most recently and by far my favourite, a 'snood'.

I know we are coming to the end of winter, but Glasgow is dusted with snow at the moment and temperatures are sinking easily into the minuses every night so I feel as if a dark purple snood with a fluffy bobble on top is the perfect cosy accessory for the current climate.

Mmmm toasty warm...

Music is Gold

2009-02-08T12:21:00.002Z

I have been desperately lacking in new music. My finances tend to go on food and clothes, and recently shoes, resulting in my constant complaints of not having anything new in my CD collection. However, I have been slowly getting myself together in a delayed acceptance to the new year and last week I purchased some new and old CDs online.

Of Montreal's new album, Skeletal Lamping, was a necessary purchase in advance of their gig at the Oran Mor on the 26th January. Photos of this spectacular gig will follow shortly. After downloading a few singles of which I immediately fell in love with I was admittedly a tad disappointed with the rest of the album; quintissential bizarre Of Montreal madness. The Twilight Sad's newest album Fourteen Autumns and Fifiteen Winters is absoultely beautiful music and being from Glasgow was a purchase I wass keen to make and have in no way been disappointed.

However, the album I am currently most loving is Santogold's debut album. Electro-urban-pop clash of unstoppable dance tunes.

The right here right now of music is SantoG-O-L-D.

Delayed Festivities

2009-01-12T16:06:00.002Z

Tonight is my staff night out at the Brunswick Hotel. I am torn between two outfits, both from the much enjoyed sales currently all over our high street and our newspapers.

The original one is a black mini dress with navy block colour pattern from Urban Outfitters, worn with bright pink or red tights and my much loved Irregular Choice black and white zig zagged heels.

However this was taken into question when I re visited the sales and got a low back t shirt dress from All Saints with a flying baby skeleton print. Team this with either gold leggings or the aforementioned bright red tights and my gorgeous Office bottle green sling back platform heels and I think that's a pretty hot outfit.

They are both so different though. One is classic dressy, the other very clubby. Outfit posts will be up in tomorrow's worst-for-wear blog and the decision will then have been made. How thrilling.

I have also been asked today to style a friend's "fashion story" for her photography project. The shoot is tomorrow.

So better start rustling up some outfits!

I think it's the New Year now

2009-01-10T19:38:00.002Z

I know this is a bit delayed, but after much needed recovery I don't think the New Year officially starts in terms of productivity and following through resolutions until at least a week after it begins by date. But, now it has been 10 days and finally (albeit a bit delayed) I feel like I am beginning a new year and starting new possibilities.

On New Years day I was working with The Puppet Lab as part of Feet First. A four day street party presented by Boiler House and Iron-Oxide starting on the 29th and ending on the 1st of January 2009.

Our Performance was called The Wishgatherers. In one and a half hours we collected 1500 wishes for the New Year. Collecting people's hopes and dreams in giant ears and projecting them across the Royal Mile we granted them in the form of small sweeties.

Watch The Puppet Lab's Youtube video below to find out more.

So long 2008

2008-12-31T16:12:00.005Z

First of all I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!

My December has been taken up by working, drinking and family gatherings taking me from London to Glasgow to Edinburgh to Nairn, back to Glasgow then back to Edinburgh and a lot of the last two trips repeated. I have been either too exhausted to think of anything to blog about or, more often, without Internet at all. However the new year brings resolutions and picking up my regular blogging habit is definitely one of them.

So here is my 2009 to-do list. A personal blog I know, but one I feel I must do. If I put it out there one the world wide web I am more likely to stick to it.

1. Blog every day

2. Only sleep 3 hours a night once a week as opposed to 3 weeks solid. This will be achieved by going to bed early when I need to get up in the morning.

3. Eat a home cooked meal at least 3 times a week.

4. To save on money invite people round for a meal and wine instead of splashing it all out on 3 overly expensive wheat beers.

5. Question why I appear to have an obsession with the number 3.

6. GET A PROPER JOB. By any means possible I will work at what I am good at and make a living out of it.

7. Start writing my novel.

8. Do regular exercise by using the dance class gift certificate so kindly given to me by my health conscious Mum for Christmas.

9. Call up the people who keep sending me notifications about my student loan repayments and tell them why they need to leave me alone as opposed to hoping that somehow they magically will.

10. (because 10 seems like a good number to end on) Go on holiday somewhere hot and sunny.

All of these seem plausible so I will be checking these off as I enter 2009.

My Christmas was very successful. The best present I got were hand made spatz which I will most certainly be getting a picture up of soon and find out the designers name from my Mum who so ingeniously got them for me. They are amazing.

On my London family Christmas (the 23rd) I wore this Karen Millen antique sequin dress which I was given for Christmas the year before.

On actual Christmas I wore a chiffon corsage babydoll dress from ASOS with thick black tights and over the knee knitted socks from Jonathan Aston. Christmas has been all about over the knee socks for me with pretty black detailed dresses a thick knitted jumper and a cape.

Or over the knee socks teamed with these amazing bottle green sling back platform heels from Office, a black buttoned up high waisted skirt and a quirky t-shirt.

And tonight is going to be a low key party, but I still want to dress up so I am wearing my Reiss outfit which I have previously posted photos of. The orange skirt and ruffle stripey top.

Then I am going to try and find some bargains in the January sales, yet not spend too much money!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Freak

2008-12-18T18:35:00.004Z

It's the last Big Freak of the 2008 and although I am still recovering from a 14 hour shift and pre Christmas exhaustion I intend to give it my all in the dressing up stakes. For the first two club nights I was inspired by a 1950's theme; wearing a yellow 50's sundress and carrying around a parasol on the first one. The second one was the Halloween special, so I continued with the 1950's theme and went for a dead housewife affair. But, after having all of my hair lopped off I am not feeling the retro theme so much and it is about time for a change. I am also in desperate need for colour as I am required to wear black at work so my thoughts turned to a dress I bought 3 years ago which has a bright graphic print of green frogs and pink hearts and could not be more colourful if it tried.

The New York based designer, Dirty Addiction, added me on MySpace when I was about 18 and her clothes are aimed at just the alterna teen demographic that I was a part of then. Her designs were Hello Kitty meets Goth meets Emo meets Dolly and I found a couple of fantastic cute one off handmade dresses; the green froggy dress being one of them. Although I am not an alterna teen any longer I am certainly not one particular type and today I felt like tutus and colour and this dress perfectly fits the bill.

I'll post up photos of the night tomorrow and inject some colour into this grey and wintry weather.

A Weary Christmas

2008-12-12T16:36:00.002Z

I have finally decided to do some online Christmas shopping, as the weather does not greatly appeal to me despite my wonderful John Lewis Fulton lace parasol umbrella. So I have sat down on the sofa, turned on Howard Hawks' fabulous Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell and whizzed through a variety of sites to find the appropriate presents for the family.

I am not going to disclose the details of presents in case a source close to or, in fact, the person itself spots what I bought them. However, I do recommend ASOS for female friends, especially if you are having to do presents on the cheap this year as they have sectioned off their goods into budget as well as item types etc. I managed to find a couple of gems which I would be sitting back and congratulating myself for with a cup of tea if the site did not decide to stop loading just as the final step of the purchase was being made. I believe an Internet shopping site should inform us of their "maintenance work" before we spend a lengthy amount of time perusing their products only to be left frustrated when only a moment before the end was in view!

Fortunately, I remained level headed and returned later to a fully working site. I believe this means that all of my Christmas shopping is done!

Congratulatory cup of tea here I come...I shall leave you with a clip of 'Bye Bye Baby' for your enjoyment.

Furry Winter

2008-12-08T16:02:00.004Z

I decided to throw on my fake leopard print coat, which I got from Thread Bare on Broughton Street Edinburgh, the other day in homage to the icy frost weather in Glasgow. The usually wet and grey Scottish winters have currently been abandoned by Mr. Weather and instead we have been granted with blue skies, icy pavements and frost covered leaves which makes that satisfying crunching noise underfoot. This is the sort of Winter weather which makes me want to go outside and dance in the snow whilst avoiding slipping on the ice and falling on my arse like a nameless friend of mine did last Wednesday night. Much to everyone's amusement of course. But, going back to the original image of Winter glamour as opposed to humiliation; this weather is the sort in which dressing for winter becomes a pleasure instead of piling on grey jumpers and trudging around in wellies and a black umbrella.

So fake fur it is then. It always makes me feel incredibly glamorous and I think that works for a few people, for example Mary-Kate Olsen when she made a maxi-dress work as a quirky evening ensemble.

I also have a wee white fake fur bolero which I think I am going to use to glam up a party dress and feel like the most eccentric lady in the room.

But, it's not just coats and jackets; hats are definitely also the thing. I must be honest, real fur is warmer, but I am determined to find myself a trendy fur hat which is made from fake fur but also incredibly toasty. I'm leaning towards a Russian inspired fur hat. Perhaps something in the style of Lightspeed Champion?

How well I could pull something like that off, I can't be sure. But, if I can find one which is warm and decently priced it will go on my head! It will also go on my "weekly fancies" blog which I admit has had a dry patch of more than a week, but it has not been forgotten! As Christmas approaches the bargain hunting will truly begin!

The Skinny

2008-12-05T12:20:00.002Z

Check out my two articles in this month's issue of The Skinny. I wrote up Glasgow Craft Mafia's Va Va Vintage fair and I also previewed The Big Freak which should be a fantastic event!!! You'll have to pick up your own free copy if you want to read about The Big Freak on page 51 and the full article on page 10 about the Glasgow Craft Mafia, although a lot of it is on The Skinny website.

So get reading!!

Long Time No See

2008-11-30T10:48:00.006Z

Well, it has been a long time since my last blog; almost an entire week! This is not good. However, I have been swept up with moving flat and as a result of this a horrific lack of internet. It makes me really appreciate it now that it is back though.

Since my blogging departure I have moved from Otago street to West End Park street; to a nice 2nd floor flat which I am currently looking out of the window of onto a garden of snow covered grass and trees. I will be stepping out into the frosty air and crunchy ground in a moment, but I had to return to my blog and start up my frequent posting again. I wish I had the talent to do as The Clothes Horse does and make a beautiful collage of the loveliness that is outside, however I know my photography skills will fail to impress.

I have also completely changed my hair. This year it has gone from light brown to red to bright orange to blue to purple to pink to pink with a sea blue fringe to dark brown with said fringe. Then my fringe has gone pink, then orange and then I died all of my hair a dark reddy brown. Nice and wintry. But, all this dying has wreeked havoc with the condition of my hair so I was forced to go to the hairdresser. I was intending to only have a wee trim, but (as is usual for me) the scent of the multitude of hair products and blow dried hair stirred up an adventurous excitement within me and I was consumed with an immediate desire to go for something more drastic.

The results:

GFW - The Aftermath

2008-11-24T15:37:00.015Z

Do apologise about the lack of blogging; nothing to do definately does breed laziness! I have had Friday and Saturday off, and did less and less as the weekend progressed. Thankfully I did at least go to Glasgow Fashion Week so my time has not been completely ill spent. I must admit though it was a tad disappointing...

Pictures here from bottom to top: Benito Fernandez, as with Veronica De La Canal, were supposed to be doing "haute couture" collections. If you scroll down and look at Fernandez clothes I would suggest they look more like Essex girls on a Saturday night inspired than haute couture. The only outfit that had something about it was the bottom left orange dress with ruffle hem. It stood out against the other dissppointments anyway and did seem out of place from the other mini palavas.

Then we have Marcelo Senra; with his no originality tribal inspired desgins. I will give him credit for some of the detail though.

Mac Millan, the headliner, was definately the best, my favourite; all in all it was OK. There were interesting shapes and the last dress (the one I featured two photographs of top right and middle with the designer herself) was stunning.

Overall I was not overwhelmed. The best part of the night was definately all of the wonderful people I met and the many drinks we consumed whilst waiting hours for each show to start.

Mac Millan

Marcelo Senra

Beneto Fernandez

Little Miss Shock Horror

2008-11-21T12:59:00.004Z

This is honestly the most disturbing thing ever and although I had seen it's horrors in the film Little Miss Sunshine I don't think the full monstrous extent of this grotesque competition really sank in until I stumbled upon this website.

"Glitz and Glamour"

I don't have enough time to rant an intelligent argument at the moment, but comments please? This is truly horrific isn't it?

Oh, and by the way, not even dated; deadline to enter your little girl is the 25th of this month!

Borne again

2008-11-20T13:21:00.009Z

I have recently discovered Borne magazine and ever since have been intending to write it up up on my blog. Borne is a bi-monthly Glasgow based fashion, arts and culture magazine which produces some incredibly unique and eccentric features. And it is entirely free.

Borne not only produces some of the best fashion photography concepts I have ever seen under the art direction of Lindsay Lees and in collaboration with some stunning photographers; Armando Ferrari, Mark Seager and Jannica Honey, but it also covers mind blowing conceptual artwork, fascinating ideas, alternative music and quirky inventions such as the pillowig. One of the contributors is even fellow blogger Susie Bubble.

A particular shoot I thought was fascinating was directed by Ruth Paxton, photographed by Jannica Honey and with model and burlesque performer Missy Malone in which six typically American characters were dropped into a Scottish Highland background. I liked it because it was unsual; something different from the standard fashion shoot because it was not about the clothes, it was esentially about the concept and what the art director and her team were trying to say.

I fully recommend anyone who lives in Glasgow picking this up! With complete humour, sharp wit and intelligence (espeically in the form of columnist 'Boo, you whore') this magazine would fully satisfy anyone who loves fashion, music, art and a bloody good read.

Glasgow Fashion Week

2008-11-18T00:37:00.003Z

I have just received an invite to Glasgow Fashion week which has clashed with a lot of my work shifts, but better late than never anyway! It's the 19th till the 21st this week and shows run from 1pm till 7pm each day; and I was originally working all three nights. Fortunately, although I do desperately need the hours, I managed to get the Friday night off. It is probably the best one as it is the last night and I am going to attend on Thursday, also for the first half.

The events are spread across two Glasgow venues; The Winchester and Arta. On the Thursday I will be looking forward to Tantrums & Tiaras show with Boudiche: combining stunning headpieces with lingerie, which will be on 2pm at Arta. However, it may clash with Veronica De La Canal who is a must at 3pm at The Winchester. Quite well known in Argentina, Veronica's haute couture designs are Romantic and Baroc influenced; making stunning corsets and show pieces. Something I certainly don't intend to miss and should be able to squeeze in before work.

On the Friday Shazia Saleem, who take her inspiration from weavers in India's ancient cities and towns, makes socially conscious ready to wear clothes which are currently available on ASOS.com through the Laden showroom. Her show will be at 4pm at The Winchester.

Ending the three day event is Mac Millan who was nominated for Scottish Designer of the Year 2007.

It's all very exciting!!

London

2008-11-17T15:19:00.002Z

Although I still wholeheartedly believe there is enough happening in Glasgow (and still growing) to have a vibrant career in fashion and that more focus needs to be brought to such a stylish city I did apply for a job in London today.

It is an amazing job, although I am going to keep hush hush on what it is and who for as I have no idea what my chances are of getting it. Although it is in London and goes against my stubborn point that I do not have to go there in order to be successful in fashion; I still maintain I don't and that it would be more stupid to not apply simply because it happens to be in London!

So wish me luck and we shall see what happens!

Reiss skirt

2008-11-16T15:03:00.004Z

Last night I had my first Saturday night off in months and we really went to town to celebrate. My boyfriend and I went for dinner at La Vallee Blanche; a French restaurant above Fopp on Byres road. A small candlelit restaurant which has been open since February, but has seemingly picked up very well and all through word of mouth. It serves the most exquisite food, mostly meet which is not brilliant for yours truly, but thankfully I eat seafood otherwise the restaurant choice would not have been the smartest. I started with langoustine's cooked in herbs and served with a garlic mayonnaise dip and my boyfriend had smoked salmon. My langoustine's were breathtakingly delicious. For seconds I had a pumpkin risotto which, again, was amazing and my boyfriend had the Angus beef fillet steak which he claims was fantastic, although the portion was a little on the small side. I was stuffed, so no dessert for me, but he had an apple souffle which was spiced with cinnamon and I must admit I could not resist stealing a spoonfull.

I finally wore my Reiss skirt and took some overly posey photographs to show it. I wore the white vest on the night out, but teamed the skirt with the black and white striped ruffle bustier, also from Reiss, to show the outfit together as a whole.

Sleeping

2008-11-15T18:30:00.003Z

I am simply posting this to apologise for lack of blogging. I should be writing a lengthy blog, but I have neither the brains or the energy to do so right now. I have had very little sleep in the last 72 hours and I am about to take a nap before I head out tonight. Finally going to wear my Reiss skirt though!!

Will post photos of it up after! And blog something more interesting.

Check out my article in The Skinny's December issue about the Glasgow Craft Mafia's Va Va Vintage fair!!!!!

Galliano again

2008-11-13T12:45:00.002Z

I know this will appear pretty slow, and it is, but it took me a while to realise the Galliano shoes in my previous blog about my bedhead were not partly a mirror reflection. I saw it soon afterwards that the bottom is an extra stack on the sole, but I still find it hard to not see a mirror reflection when I look at it!

Outstanding designs making me hallucinate.

John Galliano spring 2009

2008-11-12T11:40:00.005Z

For the past couple of days I have been glued to my laptop, updating and promoting my blog, adding and customising a spin-off focused on bargain buy versions of fashionable styles and writing a preview for the Skinny on the Glasgow Craft Mafia's Va Va Vintage show at Queen Margaret University on the 4th December. I found out I had to do this yesterday and it needs to be in by the end of today so that has taken precedent over anything else I do with my day, including getting out of my pyjamas.

The only thing that will get me up and showered is the fact that I have to go to Edinburgh today, otherwise my striped cotton pyjama bottoms, batman t shirt and insanely messy hair would stay as dirty and crazy as when I woke up this morning. The only consolation I have when I look in the mirror and see my mess of a 'do is the fact that it looks nowhere near as bad as John Galliano's models for his Spring 2009 show. My hair does look mental when I wake up, but thankfully it does not look that bad.

Now I need to get out of my comfortable filth rut and get showered and glamourous; perhaps in a pair of Galliano's fantastically sculptural heels.

Do you think it is possible to get a bargain version of these?

Moss at Christmas

2008-11-11T06:57:00.001Z

I do love a few of Kate Moss's items from her Christmas collection, especially the 'leopard dress' and the 'triangle rock' dress, both of which have seemed to have disappeared off the website since I first looked (less than 2 weeks after the range was launched) and have been unavailable at any Glasgow Topshop. But, with the 'leopard dress' already overpriced at £110, and currently selling on Ebay for £200 and rising, and the 'triangle rock' dress priced at £50, but likely to go for double that, I can't even begin to contemplate affording them.

Then, yesterday afternoon before work, I was wandering in and out of shops along Buchanan to get out of the rain and in the window of H&M I spy a dress identical in style and far from identical in price to Kate Moss's 'triangle rock'. Leaving aside the much saught after Comme des Garcons range for the moment, I must praise this dress. I did go off H&M for a while, but this moment proved to me that it should not be looked over, because when it does come up with some fantastic outfits they always have the fantastic price tag to match. So, here I am copying Kate Moss's pose and working her outfit, but at £19.99 instead. This dress also comes in black and gold stripes and silver stripes; each alternating one being glittery like this purple dress.

I also went a bit purple crazy and bought purple glittery hoops for £1.99 which also come in black glitter and silver glitter. I might not wear them all together for fear I might look like a Ribena blackcurrent, but they would be perfect to brighten up an outfit.

In fact, when I bought the dress I was wearing pink tights from Primark at a bargain price of £1 and I did think they went with the dress in a nod to Susie Bubble's colour palette clashing/blending and maybe for a less dressy outfit and a more wacky day attire with my fave converse, a blend of pinks and purples would be a good choice.

All of this is leading up to a new idea I had which is to find a bargain of the week and add it as an extra to my blog of fancies which actually possess a sensible price tag! So look out for it.

Rachaels' weekly fancies: whatever you fancy at a price you can afford!

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 09 Nov 2008. Page 3

2008-11-10T14:45:00.004Z

This, and the four posts below, is my shoot for the Sunday Herald in which I was an assistant stylist. Comments please!

The Sunday Herald Magazine
09 Nov 2008

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 09 Nov 2008. Page 42

2008-11-10T14:45:00.001Z

The Sunday Herald Magazine
09 Nov 2008

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 09 Nov 2008. Pages 40 - 41

2008-11-10T14:43:00.001Z

The Sunday Herald Magazine
09 Nov 2008

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 09 Nov 2008. Pages 38 - 39

2008-11-10T14:42:00.001Z

The Sunday Herald Magazine
09 Nov 2008

Comments and Colours!

2008-11-07T15:04:00.000Z

I have my first comment! It says it's written by me, which I don't understand and seeing as it's complimentary does not look too great, but I swear I did not write it and, in fact, have no idea who did. But thank you!

As the cold Wintry weather is upon us (although it was in fact middle Autumn yesterday) I am trying to put colour back in to my wardrobe. This is more difficult that I thought it would be as for the length of time that I had brightly coloured hair I tended to wear monochrome and let my hair to do the shouting. Plus, I do love monochrome. Although I still have a touch of pink in my hair, most of it is dark brown and I must have colour to prevent me feel shrunken by the doom and gloom weather. So I rebelled with the orange skirt (note: must get photos of this wonder up). But, it's not only my clothes, the same goes for my make-up.

Roughly two years ago I experimented wildly with various colours; mixing and blending to some pretty good effects. I don't wear make-up anywhere on my face apart from my eyes and I started with the fiddly liquid eyeliner when I was 14, so have had almost 10 years of practice. My influences have always been dramatic and alternative; always copying the catwalk make-up as opposed to the toned down street version. However, in the past couple of years I have become lazier. I would still do dramatic eye make-up, but usually only for a night out and stick with a simple black across the top finishing in a retro flick. However, yesterday I decided to splash some colour against my all black attire that I am forced to wear for work. Oh, and some emerald green tights to finish it off.

Not the most detailed and perfect finish, but it certainly brightened up the day.

Halloween in London

2008-11-06T13:01:00.000Z

I first heard about White Mischief when they added me on MySpace about their latest event 'Around the World in 80 Days'. It was sold to me as a one night indoor festival combining live music with vaudeville and circus acts and fancy dress galore. I was immediately interested after recognising some of the fantastic announced acts, such as Miss Behave, through the Edinburgh Fringe Festival I decided it would be a fun thing to try out. This event was on the 7th June. At the time I was in Carmarthen, Wales at University and going to London for the weekend was a fairly regularly occurance. It never seemed too much for me to do as I have so many family and friends there to visit that White Mischief is just another excuse to see them. I managed to easily convince my boyfriend to accompany me and that weekend it was off to London!

Although I do love dressing up I had no idea of the amount of effort people put into their costumes. It was extraordinary. 'Around the World in 80 Days' had time travellers, exotic beauties, 'machine punk', explorers, the balloon itself and a gold man with a boat on his head of course!

The music ranged from swing to indie/punk to electro to Jacques Brel. The people looked fantastic, but not intimidating. We both felt considerably under dressed, but has the most amazing time.

Before I even began to consider what I was doing for Halloween, on the 21st of September I got an email from the people of White Mischief, announcing they had teamed up with Whoopee for a Halloween bash like no other at 33 Portland Place, the home of Edward Davenport. Very fancy. Although when they sent me the email the location of the party was secret and it was not until that same week that I knew where it was apart from central London! The theme was 'House of the Sandman' and I immediately resolved to go as a clockwork doll and my boyfriend as one of the sandman's victims. After rummaging around vintage shops, borrowing from lucky friends who just happen to have an original Victorian bustle and rifling through my parent's costumes from performances gone by, we managed to assemble two pretty impressive outfits.

The night was not as good as the first one we attended, partly due to the venue being completely ill fitted for a party: the only way to access the toilet and smoking area was down a tiny staircase only one person wide, necessitating a back against the wall sliding up or down the stairs affair in order to pass anyone which is incredibly difficult with a giant key sticking out of your back! Or any costume for that matter. And, of course, all of the acts were upstairs, but as it took up to half an hour just to get up a thin winding staircase a lot of acts were missed and it had to be something we really wanted to see or a desperate need to go to the loo to get us to attempt facing the unpleasant squashed stairs. There was that and also the extortionate drinks prices. £5 for every drink; one measure of spirit or a tiny 330ml bottle of beer! We spent something close to £75 and it might as well have been nothing after sweating it all out on the staircase. Unlike Scala, where they held 'Around the World in 80 Days' which is actually a club venue, this was completely inappropriate for a mass of people with costumes sticking out left right and centre. They also hadn't even bothered to decorate it, presumably relying on the house itself to provide the Halloween-spooky atmosphere. It was a beautiful and impressive feel, but for me it was certainly not in any way scary or anything like the House of the Sandman.

The next White Mischief is on the 10th November which doesn't leave quite enough time for me to save money and go down to London again, but I would definitely like to go to another event in the future and hope that this was just a temporary oversight as opposed to an over expensive event without much effort put in. Saying that I still had an amazing time as did most of the people there, but with a few tweaks here and there and perhaps a few drinks before going I think it would be a mind blowing extravaganza.

Obama for President

2008-11-05T11:33:00.000Z

As much as I love discussing which shoes go with which outfit or slagging off models/designers/trends/anything, I think there is slightly more important news currently circulating which is, of course, the wonderful election results!

There is certainly a sense of hope and change for the country that rules the world, which can only be a good thing. Also, I must commend John McCain for his gracious congratulatory speech directed at Obama and his support of the new President.

Now, what shoes can I wear with my new Reiss outfit....?

Women's Tops - Fashion Tops, Stylish Tops - Reiss Fashion

2008-11-03T14:16:00.000Z

Women's Tops - Fashion Tops, Stylish Tops - Reiss Fashion

Oh, it seems I have managed to work out the Reiss website in order to show the orange skirt. I personally would not have put it with a white top. I love it with plain black or ruffles to contrast with the sharp outline of the skirt.

On a secondary note you might notice that I have previously dismissed ruffles in The Detail, but although I do not wish to retract my ruffle attack, I feel compelled to announce that I may have slightly exaggerated. Although I still detest the over the top cake like ruffles I have previously referred to, when it is contrasted against harsh structural lines I feel it works as a feminine touch; softening the look.

And perhaps it is now because I own a top with ruffles.

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 02 Nov 2008. Page 37

2008-11-03T12:37:00.001Z

The Sunday Herald Magazine
02 Nov 2008

The Sunday Herald Magazine, 02 Nov 2008. Page 38

2008-11-03T12:33:00.001Z

The Sunday Herald Magazine
02 Nov 2008

The Sunday Herald shoot 2

2008-11-03T11:56:00.000Z

Before I have even written up the second day of shooting for the Sunday Herald, the first shoot came out in the Sunday Herald Magazine yesterday. I also did not even have the opportunity to pick it up as I was on the train from London all day. Yes, all day. 7 hours of traveling taking me from one bed to another. I have been slowly letting myself slide in terms of discipline as I was too ill to attend the Scottish Style Awards runway show on the 23rd of October, then I was face painting at 'The Big Freak' on the 29th and then on the 30th I went to London for a Halloween special at 33 Portland Place and general London mayhem before spending Sunday night curled up in front of Casino Royale on the DVD in preparation for Quantam of Solace on Tuesday as I somehow managed to be the only one who had not seen it yet.

I have not yet been to my flat (I am at my parents house in Edinburgh at the moment) so I haven't uploaded any photos from The Big Freak or from my London trip, although I will upon my arrival and thus will be able to blog them. Although I will put up a video of The Banana Sessions who headlined the The Big Freak event.

The second shoot, which will be out this coming Sunday, was themed with the current trend of structural shapes and hard lines. This is where designer labels come in top with a Balenciaga jacket from Harvey Nichols epitomizing the look we were going for even if absolutely everybody detested the jacket itself.

For the high street, however, Reiss stepped up against the designers with strong shapes and won me over against designer and high street alike with its bold and bright colours. From the accessories; their purple 'cubist' clutch bag or their giant black and blue feathered bag. Their chunky belts with sharp buckles and black patent cut out killer heels. From the clothes; heavy elastaned bodycon dresses, corsets and ruffled blouses and, my favourite; an acid orange tulip high waisted pencil skirt. None of these items in particular appear to be on the website, for either photographs I can put on my blog or, for some, at all and after a lengthy and frustrated Google search I will settle with waiting until Sunday to show you how we styled some of the items ourselves. Oh, and I was so taken with the orange skirt that when my grandmother offered to take me Christmas shopping on Friday we were in and out of Reiss in a matter of minutes with the skirt and a black and white pinstripe ruffle front bustier to match.

Pricey, yes, but Christmas, birthday and a bit of money from me and suddenly it seems so affordable!

Sunday Herald Shoot One

2008-10-18T13:17:00.000+01:00

The editor of the lifestyle section of The Sunday Herald, Eva Arrighi, is on maternity leave so her assistant, Carrie McAdam was on trial as to whether she could take over temporarily. These were the four days I was working with her in which she nervously and with a great deal of uncertainty pulled off a very successful shoot.

On the Friday we collected clothes from Glasgow and Edinburgh. On the Monday and Tuesday we had the two shoots and on Wednesday we returned clothes. Shoot one was at Govanhill swimming baths; an abandoned and decrepit maze of rooms with empty pools spotted with mould and asbestos. It was here we did a shoot with what Carrie had in mind to be 'lady of the manor'. Girly colours, but prim and properly put together. Our model, Nicola, from Superior has the perfect face with doll features and carried with look with stunning grace. I went on to the Superior Model Management website to put up a photograph of her, but they only have scans of pictures from The Sunday Herald despite the fact Nicola has the pictures on disk. It is not a particularly impressive portfolio at all which is a shame when she is such an excellent model. The make-up was done by Ainslie Currie, who circles around almost any fashion related event, shoot or anything that requires make-up in Glasgow. She also did the hair which was fantastic. I cannot wait for the shoot to come out so I can see it in the paper.

My favourite shot was a waist up shoot in a room with grey flaking wallpaper. The model wore a red velvet vintage bubble dress with three bow detailed straps across the back. We piled her neck with pearls and put a grey bow in her hair handmade by William Chamber's Millinery

The photographer, Kirsty Anderson took some fantastic photographs. She really managed to capture some brilliant looks and it was interesting having to work on location, in a run down abandoned place with no electricity and having to managed with what we had.

The whole day was so different from my experience with Kelly at The Herald which was rushed and fast paced; fitting in three shoots into a day. It had a lot to do with Carrie's nervousness and her conscious effort to make it go as perfectly as possible. And fortunately for her and all of us it did.

Structure

2008-10-12T13:13:00.001+01:00

I can't believe I have not even touched my computer since my last blog. That was five whole days ago! And the last blog was not even particularly informative: I just wanted to show off my pink patent Doc Martins!!

Since my last blog I have been working a lot, attending The 'little' Big Freak and, on Friday, starting my first of four days working with The Sunday Herald as assistant stylist. Still unpaid, but I am as yet building up my experience so we will see...

I have felt completely swamped with my ever growing to-do list. I was going to write a preview for 'The Big Freak'; an alternative and fresh take on a gig/club night in the form of a one night festival event. I still intend to do it, but it was going to originally be written before I attended the 'little' promotion at The Forest Cafe in Edinburgh on Friday night, but it will now be written as a review/ preview. Although must be written in the next couple of days. I have also been writing to various people of importance to remind them I am still here and brilliant and looking for something to do and researching new people to write to and work with. But, all of this has lacked any real structure. My work is sporadic. For a few days I will be thrown into it, writing constantly and ending the day feeling incredibly productive. Then I will spend a (longer) period doing nothing and finding it harder and harder to pick up my laptop again. But, now I am feeling productive again and I will strive to keep it that way more often than not. One of the things I lack in order to do this is structure. I need to organise my ever changing daily timetable. I need discipline.

OK, so I might be trying to change myself overnight, but everyone has to start somewhere. One way, and a very enjoyable way at that, is to give myself a breath of fresh, crisp air in my clothes. I want to feel professional and on top of the game; so surely this season's new power dressing is for me? Why yes it is. But not crazy 80s with shoulder pads and acid bright suits. For me I like the more Glamorous suits. Think film noir. Think Marliene Dietrich. Think 'Lesmoking'.

I know the 80s is the particular decade that is being reflected on, and I must confess certain aspects of the trend are growing on me. I did try on a pair of harem pants yesterday.

I can see why they are causing such discussion, and have been for a long time, as they are not the most flattering trend. But I think they are such an interesting and unique shape and the idea of these structural, jutting silhouetted ladies is so appealing and, for me, quite sexy. Plus, the majority's disdain only makes me more determined to be able to pull something like that off. I'm not too competitive am I?

From seeing the trend around so much, whether being praised or tagged with the inevitable 'MC Hammer' insult, it has forced me to at least debate about what side I fall on. On Friday we were collecting outfits for the two shoots we will do on Monday and Tuesday; one of the themes being structural attire. At this point I was forced to see the items from a different angle. Not just, 'would I wear this?', but now 'how would this look on camera?', 'does it capture the trend?' etc. For example, I picked up a Balenciaga box jacket which I thought was truly hideous, yet it encapsulated the power dressing style perfectly as it formed this large square shape, kept in place by the foam material of the jacket. It made me realised how difficult and important it is to distant my tastes from fashion styling. Obviously I need an eye for it and the knowledge and ability to put together a shoot, but I need to remember that although I might not wear it, it may still be the trend and not much can change that.

However, after all the harem pants praise, I did not end up buying a pair. Instead I made a trip to All Sain ts which I never go to usually, but it absolutely satisfied my craving for amazing shapes.

Cold Rain in My Window

2008-10-07T12:37:00.000+01:00

Well the weather certainly is not getting any better. It is absolutely freezing in the city of Glasgow at the moment; so much so that I have five ice blocks on the end of each foot where my toes should be. My house is full of damp; the walls in my bedroom are turning into mouldy cheese. And, in true Glasgow style, the rain has been making a regular appearance.

The change in the weather had only further shown how awful the flat I live in is. What with no heating or hot water for the first week, leaking radiators for the first 2 and a half weeks, no washing machine for 3 weeks and now a green creature living happily in the house we have handed in our notice, still without washing machine.

With all of this unwanted hassle and the ever growing cold outside I turn to my new DMs to put a smile on my face.

Bright pink patent leather: practical and cheery.

Now I'm going to go out there and splash around in some puddles!

Cocktails and Tea Sets

2008-10-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

The other night I was through in Edinburgh to see one of my friends. We decided, much against her wishes, to go and see 'The Duchess'. I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. My friend hates Keira Knightley as she has an annoying face. This is true, she has the smug pouty expression she often pulls which is unbearable. Joe Wright, her director in 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Atonemenent' seemed to manage to control this and play down the pout which is perhaps why her acting was so acclaimed in those films.

Despite the pouty madam I really enjoyed the film. I did think Knightley played the part well and Ralph Fiennes was absolutely excellent; giving what could have been a two dimensional character real depth. My friend even admitted she had a tear in her eye at one particularly sad part of the movie.

Afterwards we decided to go for a drink to catch up and have a general chit chat. But, we weren't going to go to any old pub. Oh no. We had to go somewhere fitting for 'The Duchess'. So I took her to 'The Roseleaf' which is down by the shore in Leith. The Roseleaf is decorated with antique nicknack's. The friendly staff provide table service for food and if it is quiet. The toilet cubicles have little chalk boards and a china dish with 'rings and things' inscribed on it holds different coloured pieces of chalk to dissuade from any permanent graffiti and to inspire the artist within to draw a little doodle. We went there for the cocktails which are reasonably priced between £4 and £4.80. If two or more cocktails are ordered they serve it in a china teapot with odd china cups and saucers. Very pretty and oh so quirky. We had great fun taking photographs of us drinking tea.

For this night I decided to 'suit it up' but with a night out twist. I went for a white cream vintage style blouse from Zara, a pair of high waisted black shorts I purchased on eBay, black tights and black lace up brogue heels from New Look. Very on trend now, the new thing apparently, although I'm pretty sure they were 'the new shoe' when I got them last year.

It was a fantastic evening. First we had the 'Ginger Jerry', then 'Pear Necessities' and then finished off with 'Bourberry'. They were all amazing, left us feeling light headed and with the thought that we could probably pick any one and it would taste delicious. That and we were drinking them out of china cups!

The Ballet Outfit

2008-10-02T15:46:00.000+01:00

Contrasting with today's earlier blog I thought I should post up the outfit I wore to the Scottish Ballet the other night to add a lighter, more fanciful note.

Style your soul

2008-10-02T15:36:00.000+01:00

Perhaps it is partly jealousy that I am not yet high enough or quick enough in the fashion ranks to attend the various fashion weeks, because I will not deny that I would probably really enjoy it, but I do see catwalk fashion as a bit of a waste of time and money. This is partly leading on from my sarcastic comment on Vivienne Westwood’s s/s 09 show; designing clothes with a message while being part of an industry whose morals are questionable. Perhaps she made on impact on people? I am not sure. As you know, I wasn’t there.

But, my negative view of the catwalk is nothing new. I have always seen it as, sort of, completely pointless. I cannot relate to the outrageous and unwearable clothes which take up the majority of what is seen, and I only get the filtered through versions in blogs and magazines; still mostly hideous designs which will never be seen after this one walk down the runway. I have never followed fashion on purpose, although I would be lying if I said I didn’t follow it at all. I shop in stores which follow trends; therefore I am shopping on trend. I recognise when certain styles becomes fashionable; military, goth, shoe boots etc and I occasionally buy into it. If I like it. But I style myself on what influences me, and so do a lot of people. Most people. Depending on what music I am listening to for example. Over the summer I started listening to rockabilly and from that my style drew upon the 50s. Now I have gone even more retro and I’m listening to the greats, the classics and this is all reflected in the way I dress. And it isn’t just music. If a certain film comes out then people will be influenced by how the character’s dress. The tea dress, wellies, chunky knit cardigan and trilby hat worn on the back of the head was immensely trendy following the release of ‘The Edge of Love’ starring Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. In fact, Keira Knightley often seems to be a fashion icon in the film roles she plays; pirate, that green dress in ‘Atonement’ and now she even plays a fashion icon in ‘The Duchess’ while at the same time inspiring Balenciaga to design dramatic jewellery. But this is my point exactly! The designers are using the same inspiration as we are witnessing. They are not some sort of higher being, far more intelligent and wonderful than us mere mortals. They see ‘The Duchess’ and think, “wow there’s a lot of fantastic extravagant costumes and jewellery in this I’m going to use it in my designs” then they design something over the top that nobody will wear, then the exclusive set watch it, pick out what they can sell to the bottom line (that’s us by the way) and filter it through to more acceptable attire for us. So, can’t we just do it ourselves?

I was reading Jess Cartner-Morley’s (the fashion editor of The Guardian) article in Marie Claire’s October issue titled ‘What the hell is catwalk fashion all about?’ which inspired me to finally write my opinion of this in my blog. Morley’s article recognises the ridiculousness of catwalk fashion, but supports catwalk designers as necessary influences for our high street gear. However, she also makes the point that they are not, of course, freakishly all coming up with the same ideas, but they are influenced by what is going on around them. Around us. All of us equally. So, does that not only further back up my point? I am sure a lot of people, the people that go to these shows and worship these designers, will disagree with me. People who see these designers as wondrous, inspirational figures, whose creations can sometimes be ‘ground breaking’. All I see is something that bears no relation to my life.

For me, fashion and style is influenced by how I live my life and by what is happening around me. Not what someone else is telling me to wear, which I knew anyway because their ideas are coming from the same place as mine. I know that come spring we’ll have floral, autumn will be warm and winter will be black. Shoe boots are ‘back’ now when I’m sure they were back last autumn as well. Certain trends are predictable with the seasons; others develop around us, without any need for couture to tell us so.

I am not condemning catwalk as it is such a huge part of the fashion industry. Industry being the key word. I just dislike putting the meaning of fashion behind a business, when the best and most exciting style icons came from breaking the rules and doing things differently. Using their own minds. Not to make money or to make something with lots of money that will never be worn or seen again. Something pointless in other words.

Just be creative. Be an individual. Style yourself! Go for it!

are you really going out like that?

2008-10-01T13:08:00.000+01:00

As soon as I saw Anna Selezneva sporting this hairstyle at the Yves Saint Laurent a/w 08 show I remember thinking 'wow that model has crazy hair', but thinking it must be a one off because, well, she can't see anything surely?

Since then I have seen her and her annoying hair an black lipstick affair poke up in several magazines. Perhaps it is an array of magazines drawing upon the same show or time frame to give an example for their article, but the fact is I have seen it enough to irritate me. And some more.

Does nobody else find this hairstyle ridiculously stupid? It gives me the desire the turn into her mother and ask her what every teenager with an emo haircut must find annoying: "But how can you see?" "Doesn't your fringe get in the way?" and worst of all, "You'll look back in 20 years at that haircut and regret it."

But honestly....it is annoying! And I still don't know how she can see out if it!!!

Fashion gone Eco?

2008-09-30T09:33:00.000+01:00

Vivienne Westwood's s/s 2009 collection appears to be making a prediction of the world's future environmental situation. Dresses made out of bin bags, animal printed scarves reminiscent of the channel 5 TV programme 'The Tribe' and an eccentric take on the gladiator sandal, all put together in a very Westwood style. She wore a t shirt declaring we need 30 billion to save the planet. And fashionistas in the front row sit in their expensive designer outfits, marvelling at being apart of something that has a conscience, at Vivienne Westwood's new crazy "punk" collection, but all the time thinking; "well I'm not going to actually wear a bin bag".....

The Herald Magazine, 27 Sep 2008. Page 26

2008-09-29T18:13:00.001+01:00

The Herald Magazine
27 Sep 2008

The Herald Magazine, 27 Sep 2008. Pages 24 - 28

2008-09-29T18:11:00.001+01:00

The Herald Magazine
27 Sep 2008

The Ballet

2008-09-27T13:02:00.000+01:00

Today I am going back to Edinburgh to see the Scottish Ballet dance to Radiohead, film techniques and the sophisticated frivolity of the 1930s. I haven't been to the ballet or any such occasion in so long and I had been desperately wondering what outfit I should wear. I wanted something dressed up. Nobody seems to dress up for the theatre any more and I love it.

I am loving all things vintage right now and wearing it with a punk edge. From listening to lots of rockabilly music inspiring the 50s pin up look, but with tattoos and piercings, to putting Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, Jo Stafford and The Andrews Sisters on the record player and wearing a floor length emerald green backless gown (forget Keira in Atonemend) and converse underneath.

My hairstyle of the moment is Victory Rolls. This is back when I had blonde hair, as you can see, and didn't have a fringe, and am looking pretty moody, but it is the best shot I have of the very fiddly, but incredibly satisfying hairstyle. Now it is pink with a turqoise fringe and a flash underneath the front, so when I put it up the hidden turquoise becomes streaks across the right side of the hair.
Before it was the quif with a scarf tied over the back of my head for a punky Rosie the Riveter look, worn with a 50s red and white summery halter and high waisted black hot pants. Then I got my hair cut into a fringe, a very short one, so a quif was no longer an option. But when I put my hair up like that and throw on my fake fur leopard print coat I feel so positively glamourous; I knew I'd have to start with that when deciding what to wear for the ballet. Fortunately the rest of my outfit was put together quite perfectly even if it was the result of a not so pleasant experience.

A few weeks ago I was shopping with my boyfriend. I say shopping as if it was one single outing, although I go alone or drag others into interesting new and well known shops almost every single day. Anyway, we went into Godiva and I tried on this beautiful 60s style dress designed and made by one of the girls who ran the shop. It was too big, but they offer free alterations. However, the designer wasn't working so I promised to return soon, without yet knowing I would suddenly move to Glasgow, start working and writing and generally be too busy to return. In the meantime, still with the intention of going back and buying it, I wandered into Watermelon on Great Western Road, round the corner from my house. Along with Starry Starry Night on Dowanside Lane this is one of the best vintage shops I have found in Glasgow, of which there are many! I walked into Watermelon and fell in love. Gorgeous 50s dresses hang from the ceiling, and a chopper bicycle (which my boyfriend fell in love with) displays bags and converse and other manly vintage. I was also surprised when I asked what size a particularly stunning dress was and found out it was 6-8. To find vintage dresses in my size is very, very rare. But, looking around most of the stunning dresses hanging up around me, allowing me to peek through the layers and layers of petticoats, were sizes 8-10. Perfect for me - not so perfect for my wallet! The dress I tried on was blue silk with white stichted flowers and a dark purple sash and collar. It was so beautiful and I was immediately forced to debate which one I could get, Godiva or Watermelon, as I couldn't really afford either let alone both. This has been going through me thoughts, in the back of my mind ever since. When I made a trip to Starry Starry Night with my boyfriend to get a leather jacket I bought an amazing petticoat with the blue dress in mind, and convinced myself I would have other outfits already I could wear it with. I also bought a pair of shoes with the designer dress in mind that, to be honest, are not the most comfortable.

Then it was just about waiting till I could afford it, as I had spent my money on the petticoat and the shoes and my rent is due on Monday. That all changed though when on Thursday night I came home after I finished work (about 2am) and had given my keys to my boyfriend so he could go home and go to bed, knowing he would have to stay awake to let me in. He works 6am to 6pm 5 days a week and 6am to 4pm on Saturdays, so it is understandable that he is too tired to stay up for my completely different body clock of up at 1oam and bed at 3am. However, I wasn't expecting him to sleep through his mobile ringing, the house phone ringing, the doorbell ringing and me banging on the window. No, I wasn't expecting that. Fortunately I managed to get hold of an awake friend so made my way all the way back to where I was working that night and slept on his couch. I made my sleepy, smelly, cursing way back the next afternoon (I had to wait for my flatmate to get back from Edinburgh to let me in). On the phone he was very apologetic and told me there was a surprise for me at the bottom of his bag. And here it is. So I have a petticoat to go with it...but I bought shoes for the different dress...will have to think.

Most importantly though, on top of the ballet and the beautiful dress, I got my boyfriend a spare set of keys!

Merchant City Festival

2008-09-23T19:04:00.000+01:00

Now that London Fashion Week is over, what's the next big thing to hit the style map? Well Merchant City Festival of course! What...that wasn't your original answer? Milan? Well, OK. Perhaps Glasgow isn't the response you would immediately shout out, but rather than step over it in your Prada statement heels how about taking a peek with me at some of the exciting fashion events that Glasgow has to offer?

The festival, running from the 25th to the 28th this week, has everything from theatre to clubs, from comedy to film and, of course, fashion! And so it should. Fashion is vibrant in this city full of diverse styles, influenced from cultures, backgrounds, music, lifestyle and everything an exciting city has to offer. On the Saturday Ingram St hosts a day entirely dedicated to shopping! Ingram Street Shopping Day will be filled with shoppers checking out the retailers (Agent Provocateur, All Saints, Boudiche, Bravissimo, Crombie, Cruise, Jaeger, Jigsaw, Ralph Lauren and Viyella being some of them) a/w 08 collections. Helping display their finery's live models will don the shops wears instead of plastic dummies.

But, it's not just lots of lovely clothes, bags, shoes and accessories! Oh no. There will also be drinks, canapes, music, make overs and more inside!

On the same day Byblos hosts a fashion event to raise money for ChildLine in Scotland. Beginning with shopping at 3pm, followed by events at 5pm and ending in Fashion Shows which start at 7pm. The catwalk features emerging and established Scottish designers, vintage clothing boutiques and alternative high street stores.

One of the Scots representing the designer clothes is Mark Conlin, whose mix of fabrics at Glasgow Fashion Week combined gave femininity a hard edge.

Along with Scottish designers there will be a vintage collection from some of the many Glasgow vintage and second hand stores. And headlining the fashion show is 'Joy', new to Glasgow and showcasing their mix of kitsch fashion by designers from Britain, Italy and France.

Safe to say this is going to be an exciting and very fashionable event. Unfortunately I can't go! The 'Brand New Your Retro' fashion show is this Saturday and I am going to see the Scottish Ballet dance to Radiohead. So I am disappointed I will miss it, but I'm very excited as their costumes are inspired by the 1930's and I think it should be quite fabulous!

The Herald Magazine, 20 Sep 2008. Page 29

2008-09-23T18:35:00.001+01:00

The Herald Magazine
20 Sep 2008

Wrapped up in Edinburgh

2008-09-23T17:36:00.000+01:00

There's nothing better when I'm feeling ill than sitting at my parents, drinking tea, eating my mum's homemade ginger cookies and watching 'Friends' re-runs. Yes, I've watched the-one-where-Ross-is-sad-Phoebe-is kooky-Rachel-is-ditsy-Joey-gets-jam-all-over-himself-Monica-and-Chandler-squeal-in-high-pitched-irritating-voices-at each-other over and over again, but there is something incredibly comforting about it whilst lying on my parents' red cushioned sofa, wrapped in an Indian shawl. And illness certainly makes me feel the cold more. All I want is for my head to be a tiny dot sticking out the top of layers and layers of warm fabrics. Like a more fashionable version of a duvet day. So it was nice to pick up The Herald Saturday Magazine and see the shoot I had styled for it.

The Herald Magazine
20 Sep 2008

I was so excited about it coming out and when I saw Kate's [model] face on the top of the front page I eagerly pulled out the magazine to see how the shots came out. It's not the most exciting theme creatively, although it could be made more interesting, but considering I picked up 5 outfits in about 45 mins I was pretty pleased with myself. Until I spotted the credits at the end of course in which, under 'Stylist's assistant's' I see the name; Rebecca Macintyre. Rebecca? I was gutted. I sulked for a few minutes before deciding that, hey, I had not even expected to do anything at all exciting in the first place, secondly I am still credited, Rebecca is still me, and it is the first ever shoot I have worked on (which required a lot of blagging) and I bloody well pulled it off. So there. And, to top it all off I was praised by Kelly and had the best experience working with everyone on that shoot. Kelly, who I might blame for giving me this damn cold...was amazing and when I told her about the incorrect name she was so apologetic. However, it is fine, because the next shoot I do I will be credited with the right name!

I have also contacted the Eva Arrighi from the Sunday Herald so hopefully there will be even more interesting Scottish fashion moments to come. Oh, and if you're around a student union or anywhere student hang out check out the Shopping section in the Skinny Student Guide to see what I have to say about some great Edinburgh shops...

The Detail - Ruffles??

2008-09-18T17:18:00.001+01:00

I have noticed ruffle detailing beginning to bloom in fashion for a while now. From Keira Knightley sporting an Erdem purple ruffle mini dress for the premier of Edge of Love to Eva Longoria's dramatic floor length gown.

I absolutely hate them. Keira's dress is probably the one that I think is a pretty dress; the main problem with it being it is disturbingly far down her chest and yet looks as if there is no danger of anything being on show. So Keira looks saggy breasted and Eva looks like she has been plastered with crepe paper. Both of these women are stunning at least so manage to pull these dresses off. As I said, Keira's dress is very pretty and that is because the ruffles are minimal and around the bust area (if the dress was in the right place) giving her detail in all the right places and this is the only time I see ruffle dresses working. And that is not enough.

Flicking through Elle's October 2008 I noticed they have focused on ruffles as a celebrity inspiration, using Keira and Eva's dresses as examples and noting that they shall be replacing prints this season. I sincerely hope not. Virtually every single dress is so disgustingly tacky I cannot believe anybody would seriously want to wear it. Thandie Newton wears a low neck pink dress with ruffles along the shoulders, neck and bust reminding me of sickly icing on a hen night's celebration cake. Georgina Chapman's red dress is otherwise a slick tulip skirted dress giving a nod to the new power dressing that is apparently coming our way. But, no, she could not simply leave it at that; they had to put two red pom poms on her shoulders to masquerade as sleeves. She looks out of proportion in this unflattering cocktail dress which is half suit, half flamenco dancer.

According to Elle the other celebrity inspiration was 'dark glamour'. Lace, black and Gothic elegance. This I like. As far as I will go with ruffles will probably be a cute ruffle mini skirt. Less is more and none at all is even better.

Herald shoot

2008-09-16T14:50:00.001+01:00

Finally, I am writing up The Herald shoot. I wrote my last blog daily and when I stopped to take a break for my final year exams etc it was so hard to get back into it by the time I opened up my account it was 3 months later! This brought me on to revamp my blog by beginning again and I really have to stay on top to do it regularly.

Anyway, enough of telling myself off. When I graduated and came back to Scotland I spent a good chunk of August emailing various Scottish fashionistas. As I want to get into fashion journalism the papers seemed a good place to start. The Herald has a fashion supplement on Saturdays and the Sunday Herald has one also so I immediately emailed the Editor. She passed me on to Kelly Cooper-Barr who is the Fashion Editor.

After a lot of badgering I managed to persuade her to let me come and watch a shoot. So on Tuesday 9th September I attended a much anticipated shoot for the Saturday magazine. A days shooting encompasses two separate shoots so we were doing lace and check/tartan. I was so excited and incredibly nervous as it was the first, I hope of many, shoots I would be attending. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly, however, so there was no need for nerves! It was such a stark contrast between my experience at The Daily Mirror when I worked on their fashion page in 2006. To begin with I never managed to leave the office so although I have inside experience it did not fulfil everything I wanted to do. The main down point of that experience, however, was how unfriendly and cold the girls I was working with were. From the moment I stepped in to The Glasgow Art Club in which we were doing the first [tartan] shoot, everyone came over and introduced themselves. In The Daily Mirror I had barely a hello, let alone any attempt at conversation. I also remember I spent the entire time desperate for something to do; constantly going from person to person asking if I could help when more often than not I was dismissed to read a magazine or watch girls take unlabelled jewellery from the store room. On this shoot I was piled with work, and not just tidying or sitting, but actually arranging clothes, putting them together for outfits and feeling useful!

During the tartan shoot it was discovered the photographer would be unavailable in the next week or so and they needed to put together a concept for another shoot to do later that day. Kelly decided on knitwear, fitting due to our autumnal weather. We had two designer pieces, but needed three more outfits so Kelly gave me the job of going out on to the high street and collecting items to create the 3rd and final shoot of the day. I was tremendously excited about this opportunity to be involved, especially given that I was expecting to only watch and get people coffee. We were thinking chunky knitwear; getting bold pieces which would be the centre of the outfit, requiring only simple matte black leggings and black heels to complete it.

Missoni's A/W collection this year is something similar to the look I was thinking of. Thick, heavy knitwear kept very simple to make a bold statement. I picked up pieces from high street stores such as Urban Outifitters, Topshop and Warehouse with American Apparel stocking a good selection of shiny and matte leggings to get that spray on leather pants look that is becoming very big this season and although I'm not a leggings wearer I am considering getting some for myself.

Another designer of the thicker knitwear this a/w is Sandra Backlund. I really like this look a lot and it inspired me to pick a knitted dress from Urban Outfitters for one of the outfits. Buckland's designs are knitted statement jumpers and dresses which don't need to be worn with anything else. Every year there's a place for knitwear and this year I like it to be huge.

So, because of picking these outfits I am getting credited in The Herald for the shoot!! I do not know yet which Saturday will see my name in print, but as soon as I do it will be put up here. I honestly cannot wait. I am hoping it is the beginning of many more and I am very excited about going along to another shoot with Kelly.

Now I need to acquaint myself better with the shops of Glasgow so that next time I can do this job without rush and knowing exactly where to pick up the best outfits possible.

cross posts

2008-09-13T15:07:00.001+01:00

The post dated 4th September was actually posted up on the 13th just so if you read it and notice everything it talks about has happened after the one dated the 10th you don't get confused!

Moving to Glasgow

2008-09-10T13:34:00.000+01:00

Well here I am starting a new blog because of my long absence from my last one and then I leave a gap of over a week after my first post! Apologies, but my move to Glasgow left me without Internet until a long and painful set up process this morning crossing over to this afternoon! So now I can write my first of regular posts and put up all of the ones I've been writing in the past week whilst waiting for that beloved 'connected' sign to appear.

The Virgin technician was due to arrive anywhere between 1 and 6 today so I was anticipating a long and boring wait in which he would most likely arrive at 5.59. However, at 10.37am this morning my mobile rang and it was the technician telling me he could make it in 15 minutes if I was around. I was and I foolishly became excited at the thought I would soon be getting Internet. After the technician left giving me all the all clear for fine, fast working Internet I began trying to connect my laptop to the wireless. I won't get into the long and boring specifics, but this is my first activity on the Internet at close to 2pm and the technician left at just after 11am. So it's fair to say that I was feeling incredibly frustrated. However, now I have calmed down and am ready to write my first blog in Glasgow.

Since I last blogged the most exciting fashion related moments I have been involved in were contributing to The Skinny Student Shopping Guide, helping out as an assistant stylist on one of The Herald's fashion shoots and, of course, lots and lots of shopping; both for research and pleasure. These will be included in detail on separate blogs that I have written. Although this one will be posted first, which is a bit backwards, it gives an introduction to my new home of Glasgow which is where I will be reporting from now.

Glasgow is not an entirely strange city as it is a close neighbour of Edinburgh and I have lots of school friends going to University here who I have visited. However, when I have been here I've been here with someone who knows their way around and therefore have not had to think about anything. Now I do. And it's quite scary. Fortunately, I live in a lovely area; in the centre of the west end, so I am being eased into an unknown city by comfortable cafes, tantalising restaurants and welcoming bars. One of my favourites is called Tchai Ovna which is on Otago Lane. It's location is cute enough to begin with. Tucked away down a tiny lane, to enter turn right and through a porch decorated with lights and hobo chic furniture. Inside there are screen separating tables of various sizes. From regular sit up and coffee tables with chairs to Japanese tables requiring customers to sit comfortably on the floor amongst rugs and cushions. The list of teas is ridiculous, with their tea collection coming from all over the world. Their food is amazing; the dahl is the best dahl I have ever tasted outside of India, nearing or possible reaching the real thing. All apart from the price of course, which at £5.6o for dahl, the cheapest of cheap things to make, is quite high. What sold it to me though was their chai. It is Indian chai. I have had good chai outside of India, but it has always been good western chai. Never outside of the north (west) of India have I had proper chai which tastes so good and makes normal tea so incredibly boring. This is chai like I have had in India and although the price appears steep the pot of tea for 2 could probably serve 10. Between the three of us we had about 12 cups and that got us to just over half way.

That is my favourite local. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants although I haven't found a favourite yet.

A little street which I love though is Ashton Lane which has the Grosvenor Cinema and many bars and places to eat. The street is decorated with fairy lights and it takes me out of a big city as soon as I step underneath the glowing bulbs.

I am too much of a newbie to give a Glasgow guide to blog readers, but there will be more to come. I have been doing much shopping in Edinburgh, researching for my Shopping Guide of course, but naturally I have been checking out the Glasgow shops too. From the recommended Mr. Ben's (the Glasgow version of Armstrongs in Edinburgh), to the high street shops and, of course, the local west end vintage shops and boutiques of which there are many. I have written about them in a shopping blog which I will post among the others at some point today and I will write a more extensive, specifically Glasgow blog soon; just need to keep shopping!

Glasgow

2008-09-04T15:17:00.000+01:00

Today will be my last day in Edinburgh. Not ever, but for the first time I am going to be busy working and living in Glasgow, preventing me from returning to Edinburgh whenever I choose. I moved to Glasgow on the 27th of August, spent that Wednesday and Thursday night there before coming back to Edinburgh for the weekend. Then, this week things began happening.

After pestering The Herald constantly for more than a month I finally joined Kelly-Cooper Barr on Monday for a fashion shoot. I am still intending to write up a separate post on this. Kelly was so wonderful and she put me in touch with Colin Barr, the owner of The Republic Bier Halle, who's opening up a new venue in the beginning of October. I met up with him on Thursday and proceeded to become an employee of the Bier Hof on Sauchiehall Street. Doing a mixture of Bar work and PR, which I sincerely hope is not a fancy word for flyering. Whatever it is though I am just happy to finally be occupied and I finally feel that I live in Glasgow now. I have a job, I intend to continue helping Kelly out whenever I can as it was a great experience and I will soon begin to meet new people and make the city my home.

So now I have to tear myself away from the lovely Edinburgh shops and focus on the Glasgow ones. Which shouldn't be too difficult as there are plenty!

I had been emailing Lindsay West, the fashion editor of The Skinny and she suggested that The Skinny Student Guide would need contributors for their shopping guide. I was very interested! I replied...waited...emailed again...waited...the usual, then last Saturday I got an email sent on Thursday (my mistake to not check constantly) from the Student Guide editor asking for contributions to be in by the end of that week (i.e Sunday!).

Fortunately I had already started writing a few down in preparation for when I did get the contact details etc so I wasn't completely lost, but I made a research trip around Edinburgh that day to glance over any shops I might be missing out. It was a very enjoyable experience. There are vintage shops, charity shops, cheap and expensive boutiques, but a few stood out to me as brilliant shops. One that I love which I had been to once before is called ThreadBare, situated on the bottom of Broughton Street. It is a basement shop, giving it the feel of an Aladdin's cave given the treasures inside. The room is tiny, made even more so by the clothes surrounding you. Clothes and bags and shoes and accessories hang from the walls, the ceiling and are piled from the floor up over your head. Cecile, the owner and maker of some of the wonders inside, sits in the centre of the room; her desk decorated with kitsch items such as a phone of big red lips. I had only been in the shop once and as soon as I walked in the second time she remembered me, asking me about the last item I bought, how my mother was (I was in with her). She proceeded to recommend items she had in which she thought I would like. And it's not just me that gets special treatment. Everyone is treated like an old friend. The last item I bought in there (I am actually wearing it in my profile picture) is a pinstripe pencil skirt which she customized by putting purple and blue silk ruffles on the hips. It was a fantastic find and, without any haggling just asking her nicely, I managed to get the price dropped from £60 to £50 immediately. I simply told her I did not have much money and could she give me a deal and she dropped £10 off the price! With such an amazing first experience I still not disappointed in any way when I came in the second time and left with a beautiful 50s fake fur leopard print coat. It is stunning. As soon as I have a working camera I will put up photos of it and more!

Another shop I really rated was Godiva. It has a vintage section in the back, but what really appeals to me is the hand made clothing lines in the front. Run by mostly art college graduates or keen fashionistas there are a variety of clothing and accessory lines belonging to each one of the individual shop owners. This means there is so much choice and individuality. There was a lingerie range, bags, era dresses, nu rave skirts and sweaters, trucker caps and ball dresses. The prices are high, but each item is an original creation and that usually swings it for me. One 60s inspired dress caught my eye, but it was far too big and then I was told they can do alterations for no extra cost. I then discovered they can customize and design clothes for the more creative customer which is such a fantastic idea.

But, no more Edinburgh shopping! From now on Glasgow will be the home of my biggest vice and I have already spotted a few cute vintage shops looking my way....

My first post - Marie Claire's 20th year!

2008-08-29T13:14:00.000+01:00

I don't want to bore with introductions, so I shall dive straight in to what is the beginning of many fashion related blogs from a Scottish girl living and working in Scotland. Now I know I am not the only one, but I have had enough people say to me, in that concerned voice, when I tell them I want to get into fashion and live in Glasgow; "um, well, there's not much there in terms of fashion"...which inevitably leads to: "have you thought about moving to London?"

Well yes and no. I have thought about it and I would really rather not. London is a city full of, well, everything! Everything and anything is happening in London and whatever you want to do, unless it's farming, London is the place to be! If you want to be an actor; work in London, if you want to be any kind of artist; go to London, if you want to work in fashion; move to London, if you want to be an anything I suggest you go to London. Now, there's nothing wrong with London per say, it's just I don't want to live there! I have lots of family and friends there, but it's an expensive city. It's too big, it's not that pretty, everything is too far away and too much of a hassle to get to. When I visit I LOVE it. I have such an amazing time there. Going out; eating, drinking, dancing; going to the theatre, galleries, shopping and other city stuff. So my reluctance to go there is not just down to the negatives as there are a lot of positives too. I just want to be able to do something I love in a place I love. Within reason I don't think that's too much to ask. And just because there are less opportunities does not mean there is nothing pre existing or that cannot be created! Plus, I am a stubborn person and the more I am challenged to cave in and go to London, the more persistent I am to resist.

So here I am. Currently in Edinburgh, moving to the heart of the West End in Glasgow on Wednesday with an endless amount of things to sort out. Bills from my last house in Wales, finding an income to pay for my flat in Glasgow, bugging everyone who has some fashion connection in Edinburgh and Glasgow, sorting out my future lazy landlord as I still don't have a bed and there's mould in our apparently new fridge! In the midst of the chaos I thought I better sit down with a cup of tea and read the new issue of Marie Claire (and I am all of sure my problems will soon sort themselves out).

It is unmistakeably Marie Claire's 20th anniversary. The cover is gold and sparkly and I was promised promotional offers to celebrate their birthday. The only thing on the cover that looks anything but "Party On" is Mischa Barton's face. In fact, what it should read is "partied too much last night". Now don't get me wrong, I think Mischa Barton is a very pretty girl, and a very stylish one at that, but for an article which at one point questions her on her drink driving in order for her to defend herself, it isn't really showing the beauty in her most flattering light. She honestly looks stoned in this picture. And the light on her in the cover photo, as this is slightly different, makes her skin tone quite yellowish.

However, that isn't why I mentioned Marie Claire. I, in fact, was interested in picking it up because I had been following 'Britain's Missing Top Model' and wanted to see the winner, Kelly Knox, on what was meant to be the cover of the issue. She wasn't on the cover of course, or even mentioned, so when I bought it I had no idea she would be in it I just figured it would be the right time her spread was due out. But there she was inside, underneath the title 'and our winner is...' So I was disappointed that she was not chosen to be on the front cover, especially when considering who they did pick!

However, she is still in it and it is not surprising that it is Marie Claire who chose to take the article on. Looking at their repertoire of articles, from the ground breaking to the controversial they were certainly the most likely magazine to showcase the winner of the BBC3 show. I like Rankin's photographs and, from watching the show, discovered he was one of the few photographers who saw this movement towards disabled modelling as a positive thing and, unlike some, thought that imperfection defined characters which brought out true beauty. Most photographers throughout the programme when having to shoot with disabled models found it to be a challenge, but enjoyed it. There was only one photographer, Amelia Troubridge, who I detested. She wanted to hide the disabilities as if she was photographing "normal" models. I simply couldn't understand why she accepted the opportunity to shoot for the show when all she wanted to do was make everyone look like an image of perfection.

Moving on from the subject of perfection, of course the competitors for the show are all disabled, but they are also all still beautiful. Because that is modelling. It is still an industry based on what you look like. I find it hard to fully land on the ground on this one. I was discussing the show with some of my friends, in fact I had brought it up to make a point of how it's intentions were to "change perceptions". Then someone said to me, 'but they're all still beautiful, and slim and pretty faced etc'. Well yes, I suppose they are. But from watching the show it gave an insight into the fashion industry and their search for immaculate perfection, which none of these girls had. Not in terms of their disability, but in terms of being a model. For example, when Kelly was announced the winner she was given an interview with Take2 modelling, but they emphasised that there was no gaurantee she would get it. They spoke to her and once she left they discussed whether they would take her on. From almost the word go they all agreed that if it wasn't for her disability she wouldn't even have been considered. So there's something else then? She's the token disabled model. Is that much better? They're not going to take any others on of course. They aren't even sure they're going to sell Kelly, let alone risk their business with another. She wasn't the right size and didn't look right for a model apparently, although she is truly beautiful. So I am not sure an industry based on not only looking good, but looking exactly how they want you to look based on some unseen and impossible image of perfection will ever be able to accomodate for "normal" types. Disabled, plus size or just not 5' 9"(give or take to what exact measurements they're after).

She is in there though, and although I have my doubts I am going to take this as a positive thing and hope it is the beginning of more to come. Fashion for me is individuality and so I rarely look at the models and just look at the clothes or the shoes or the accessories. At the end of the day I'm going to wear item x and so I want to fit it around my personality and my life rather than attempt to copy some vacant model whose beauty is so unachievable that us "normal" types will rock it much better than her anyway!