How I Met Your Style

Behind the scenes of every great fashion brand or blog lies a person. This person is usually creative and  stylish with a life lined with parties, beautiful clothes and empty coffee cups. How I Met Your Style is a website that takes a closer look at these people, capturing snippets of their lives through innovative photography. 

The website was created by Carmen and Ken Wu, two photographers with a penchant for cultural aesthetics and impeccable style. Together they have created a perfect launch pad for inspiration and a great place to get lost in on a rainy afternoon.

Here are a few of my favourite images from the site....

Where do you go for inspiration?

This Summer....

source

....I want it long, and I want it blonde. I also want to master the global-hippy-luxe aesthetic, let my freckles show and tattoo my back.

(yes I am aware it is January, but hey- I like to plan ahead)

What do you have planned for the Summer?

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

....Christmas! Only two working days left and then a lovely four days full of festive fun-ness! 

But first.... a quick apology for being MIA in blog-land of late. Life has been getting in the way, (in the best way possible), and finding a spare thirty minutes to blog has become increasingly difficult. My poor camera has been sitting on my desk next to my Macbook, both of whom are looking cold, neglected and generally very sorry for themselves. I have promised to use both more in the new year and have even given my camera a little clean to keep its spirits up.

Christmas and New years both look set to be all kinds of awesome as I share them with the people who mean the world to me. Who knows, I may even get the camera out early and snap a few moments for Limbo :)

In the meantime, I have to share a quick song with you. Not a particularly festive tune, but it is too beautiful not to share. I have been falling for Ben Howard ever since I was handed his EP a year or so ago to review, and now that his full length album has hit the big time I have fallen even harder. 

I hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas and an even fabulous-er New Years :) 

Stop Motion Wedding

Dear Johnny Depp, when you come to your senses, leave that French chick and we get married....

 can our wedding video look like this please?

Regards, your patient fiance x

Jenny + Graziano's Wedding in Stop Motion | Feltre, Italy from Bayly & Moore on Vimeo.

(found via Jackie Magpie)

Hello Autumn

(all images from here)

We're coming to the end of September and Autumn has officially come to say hello. With the nights drawing in and a distinct chill in the air, I always feel Britain somehow sigh's with relief. No longer does it have to flit between hot and rainy- trying to satisfy our summer fantasies, it can relax and do what it does best....be friggin' freezing.

And you know what? That's fine, Britain. I've learnt not fight with you. Besides, this means I can wrap up in my beloved chunky knits, scarves and boots with no shame. I can drink hot chocolate daily and not feel guilty, (well not much) and I can claim every Sunday a 'duvet day'.

So, make yourself comfortable Autumn, I think we'll get along just fine.

Where is the love?

source

Over the last few weeks I have noticed a distinct lack of love in the world. Between the rioting, the 'couple-blog' hating and the harsh commenting going on in cyber space, there seems to be a lot of hate out there. Now I know life is hard, and not quite as full of candy floss and kittens as we would like, but is taking our frustration out on each other really helping matters? 

So in rebellian I suggest we spread a little love by doing the following.....

1) Compliment a stranger

2) Smile at the bus driver/ postman/ rubbish collector

3) Take a box of baked treats into the office

4) React to a difficult customer/ co-worker with a smile

5) Tell someone you love them

Boy by Band of Outsiders

Stumbled across this stunning lookbook from Boy by Band of Outsiders and I've fallen head over heels. The shoot stars Kirsten Dunst in a range of whimsical settings and is shot in Polaroid style, absolutely stunning.

Prepare to swoon.....

(source)

*sigh* hurry up Spring :)

Have you discovered any great S/S '11 lookbooks?

(PS Thank you for the Birthday messages- will be posting about my week of fun soon!)

How to write a cover letter by Hunter S. Thompson...

(source)

I came across this through the lovely Muireann from Bangs and a Bun on twitter today...

it's a cover letter Hunter S. Thompson wrote to the Vancouver Sun newspaper in 1958 and it is possibly the best letter I have ever read. Ever.

For those who don't know who Hunter S. Thompson is, I suggest reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, (or if you're lazy, watch the film instead).

Vancouver Sun

TO JACK SCOTT, VANCOUVER SUN

October 1, 1958 57 Perry Street New York City

Sir,

I got a hell of a kick reading the piece Time magazine did this week on The Sun. In addition to wishing you the best of luck, I'd also like to offer my services.

Since I haven't seen a copy of the "new" Sun yet, I'll have to make this a tentative offer. I stepped into a dung-hole the last time I took a job with a paper I didn't know anything about (see enclosed clippings) and I'm not quite ready to go charging up another blind alley.

By the time you get this letter, I'll have gotten hold of some of the recent issues of The Sun. Unless it looks totally worthless, I'll let my offer stand. And don't think that my arrogance is unintentional: it's just that I'd rather offend you now than after I started working for you.

I didn't make myself clear to the last man I worked for until after I took the job. It was as if the Marquis de Sade had suddenly found himself working for Billy Graham. The man despised me, of course, and I had nothing but contempt for him and everything he stood for. If you asked him, he'd tell you that I'm "not very likable, (that I) hate people, (that I) just want to be left alone, and (that I) feel too superior to mingle with the average person." (That's a direct quote from a memo he sent to the publisher.)

Nothing beats having good references.

Of course if you asked some of the other people I've worked for, you'd get a different set of answers.

If you're interested enough to answer this letter, I'll be glad to furnish you with a list of references -- including the lad I work for now.

The enclosed clippings should give you a rough idea of who I am. It's a year old, however, and I've changed a bit since it was written. I've taken some writing courses from Columbia in my spare time, learned a hell of a lot about the newspaper business, and developed a healthy contempt for journalism as a profession.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a damned shame that a field as potentially dynamic and vital as journalism should be overrun with dullards, bums, and hacks, hag-ridden with myopia, apathy, and complacence, and generally stuck in a bog of stagnant mediocrity. If this is what you're trying to get The Sun away from, then I think I'd like to work for you.

Most of my experience has been in sports writing, but I can write everything from warmongering propaganda to learned book reviews.

I can work 25 hours a day if necessary, live on any reasonable salary, and don't give a black damn for job security, office politics, or adverse public relations.

I would rather be on the dole than work for a paper I was ashamed of.

It's a long way from here to British Columbia, but I think I'd enjoy the trip.

If you think you can use me, drop me a line.

If not, good luck anyway.

Sincerely, Hunter S. Thompson

(link to site)

It's going to make me think twice before writing a stagnant, carbon copy cover letter begging for an 'opportunity'....

Just to say...

Happy Valentines Day <3

(source for all images)



xoxo

Favourites

Just a few of my favourite things I have discovered this week....

(there are some cool things on that there interweb)

This 'How to make vinyl record bowls' DIY from Darling Disarray

This look from Ironic Fashion......

This image from Lights Drive my Soul....

This song from Love, Zsara

This book from So Much to Tell You

And finally this amazing carrot cake whoopie pie from Shell + Blossom

(Which I was lucky enough to sample in real life- delish!!)

Quite an eclectic selection, non?

What have you been discovering this week?

Je t'aime

I have a new style crush.

Her name is Josephine de La Baume and she is a French actress and singer (and supposedly 'hanging out' with a certain Mr. Mark Ronson).

I love her nonchalance and her effortless style....

When I grow up can I be a French actress/singer/beauty too?

And FYI, I quite like her band too- 'Singtank'

*sigh* je t'aime

Look what I JJJJound....

Discovered a very cool website I wanted to share....

JJJJound.

A site full of beautiful imagery in its simplest form- no titles, no words- just eye candy.

This is minimalism at its best :)

Words

Just a few words for the weekend :)

I've actually got a weekend off for a change and get to spend it with my lovely boy for his birthday- Can't wait! What are you guys up to?

Xx

PS am typing this from my very shiny and very pretty new Mac laptop! It's my first one so may take me some time to figure out- but bare with me. Photobooth looks fun.....

(oh and all images from here)

The List: 2011

(source)

I love this time of year- a truly fresh start, the time to plan / dream / wish / hope and, of course, draw up lists of what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. I don't like the word 'resolutions' feels far too restrained and almost doomed to fail. I prefer a list of goals that are realistic and do-able. So you won't be seeing any 'join the gym, quit drinking, lose a stone' shiz here.

No.... here is the place for achievable wishes written by the bossy boots within me...

1. Keep writing, writing, writing. For work, for fun, whatever. Never give up the dream.

2. Be OUT of part-time retail by Christmas. And *hopefully* be writing full time....

3. Get yourself out of your overdraft....and save up for a deposit on a flat.

4. Learn to cook real food. Pasta and cheese just ain't cutting it anymore, (start baking tasty treats for the boy too whilst you're at it, he deserves it after cooking for you all this time).

5. Get a Mini Diana camera and learn more about photography...even when your 365 project is over.

6. Get more technologically savvy, buy books, speak to friends, most importantly- learn.

7. READ more, (always on your list).... Make time for it this time.

8. Be a touch healthier. You said this last year- how about keeping it up this time? Your body and mind will thank you for it.

9. Do something you haven't done before every month, (and then blog about it!). Inspired by your friend Emily who has made the same pact. Life is made up of new experiences after all :)

10. Live in the moment. Again always on your list, and to be fair to you- you always achieve this one. Keep it up.

"Winter is for dreaming, imagining, planning - so that when spring returns you are ready"

Quote found here

Last but not least here is a pretty song I've been listening to today, gearing myself up for the New Year. I especially like the lyric 'We are not frightened anymore, we stood up'

 Hope you all have a year full of love, fun and happiness :)

Just a minute...December (and a bit of New Year chatter)

Making: Money! Working overtime this month.

Watching: Misfits (TV series), Inception, An Education....etc...

Reading: Elle, Vogue (usual suspects!) and have had an urge to read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe lately!

Listening: Animal Kingdom, Carpark North, The Black Keys and Yeasayer.

Loving: All the pretty Christmas decorations and lights :)

Buying: Christmas presents! and maybe a few sneaky presents for myself...

Bye Bye 2010

I love New Years eve and the promise it holds on the other side. Time to wipe slates clean and make big plans for the following year. I took a look at my 'list' from last year- here's what I achieved...

(and what I didn't!)

1) 'Write More' This one I did! Have written more this year than any other, for work and for voluntary projects.

2) 'Move to an exciting city'  Yeah this one didn't happen. Still at home with the parents- but I've been working on my career which at the moment takes priority over moving. Maybe this year will be the year?

3) 'Learn to bake' I baked once!! Kinda. See here. Will work on this one in the new year too....

4) 'Be a shade braver with fashion' Yeah... I'd like to think I achieved this one! I wear things now I wouldn't have dreamed of in the past :)

5) 'Start a photography blog' Yep! Definitely achieved this one! See here.

6) 'Go to more gigs' Yes! Have been to some great gigs this year, Peggy Sue, 65 Days of Static, Alice in Chains....

7) 'Go to more art exhibits' Again, I went to one...see here.

8) 'Be a touch healthier' I was great with this at the start of the year- gym, yoga etc. Just didn't keep it up! Will have another bash at this one in 2011...promise....

So there you go, more ticks than crosses, so I'm happy. Will publish my 2011 list when I've had a chance to think about it :) Here's a quick look back at my highlights from 2010....

Travelling around Thailand

Gaining an Internship in fashion writing

Gaining a freelance job at the end of it

Going to Turkey with the boy and his family

Having my first fashion article printed in 'Think Local'

Gaining more and more writing experience

Going from about 7 followers on my blog to an amazing 33 (THANK YOU!!)

I hope you all have a brilliant night tonight and bring in the new year with style!

Here's to 2011

*raises a glass of bubbly*

(All images from here)

Christmas Favourites...

This post will probably be my last before the big day (aka Christmas / Jesus' Bday) so I thought I'd do a list of my favourite things about the season to get myself and you lot in the Christmas spirit :)

Also an excuse to post lots more pretty images ;)

1. Decorating the tree- nothing beats the feeling you get when you flick that switch and see hundreds of sparkling lights....

2. Impromptu snowball fights! Be careful though- my friend managed to really hurt herself recently after a spectacular snow ball throw, hours spent in A + E aren't very Christmassy...!

3.Christmas movies! Especially 'Love, Actually'

4. Animals in Santa hats. Just 'cos.

5. THE CHOCOLATE

6. Giving presents, I always get so excited to give mine out :)

7. The lights. I love that everyone pulls together to make everyday life that little bit prettier at Christmas.

8. The Fashion

9. Having someone to kiss under the mistletoe

10. Family.

Merry Christmas everyone

Xx

(All images from here)