Summer update!

Hey everyone!

It's been a rather eventful couple of months what with my first internship, my graduation, job hunting (!) and my planned travels! It's been a little difficult to keep going with my blogging so I apologise for my terrible lack of posts- I know there's really no excuses!

Next week I'm off to the lovely Venice with my boyfriend and I cannot wait to explore this beautiful flooded city that is really so unique. I've heard that it's a great place to take long walks and just get lost in the culture there. As always I'm excited to try the local fare and get in with some real authentic cuisine. I'm going on quite a tight budget but hope to fit in a gondola ride somewhere along the way! I've heard that they can cost 80 euros in the day alone and are even pricier at night when romance can reach its peak! So I guess we'll just see what happens.
If any of you guys have any suggestions on some sights, attractions or things to do in the city please feel free to leave a comment!

I'll try my best to blog while I'm there but can definitely promise some snaps of my time there!

The Painted Lady: The Art of the Female Body.

The archaic opinion of the tattooed woman as a freak or a misfit is on its way out. In the twenty-first century, the tattooed woman is a successful business owner, a fashion icon, an actress, a lawyer, a musician, an artist... 

Written by Dominique Holmes, this beautifully illustrated little book traces the origins of feminine tattooing from the days when the painted lady was nothing more than a character in a freak show, to her evolution in today's modern world as a valid and prosperous counterpart.

As a tattoo artist herself, Holmes provides expert knowledge on the art of contemporary, feminine tattooing with back stories on such vintage greats as the pin-up girl, hearts, roses, butterflies and nautical imagery. She goes on to explore styles that have been particularly popular amongst women, like the intricate designs embedded within Mendhi tattoos, floral motifs and the vibrant glory of Japanese compositions.

The book also showcases the tattoos of women who explain their personal 'story' and give an interesting and enlightening perspective on the meaning of their body art.
As someone who is actually considering getting her first tattoo I can say that Holmes book has definitely given me some insight in to the world of tattooing and makes the idea of getting a tattoo all the more appealing.

Today we are inundated with strong, successful and brilliant tattooed women who grace our screens, our stereos, our bookshelves, and our minds; their body a part of who they are. 

With such graceful imagery throughout, this book would a beautiful edition to any bookshelf and is perfect for those searching for tattoo inspiration. Dominique Holmes extensive knowledge and experience in the industry also makes this book great for those who want to get up to speed on the meanings that lie behind some of the most popular designs in contemporary feminine tattooing.

Pick up your copy today from Ryland Peters and Small from £9.99. 

My first internship

Hey everyone!

So I should probably fill you in with what's been going on recently. Two weeks ago I got a long awaited and rather unexpected email from Now magazine inviting me for an internship. After a year of waiting I seriously thought my application had been discarded to the trash folder long ago so it was a pretty pleasant surprise. It was the best news and just what I'm looking for now that university is over *sob*.

I'm working in the web department and my duties certainly don't involve making cups of tea for my superiors! A typical day consists of transcribing articles and helping to produce online content for the magazine's website. Like today I practically spent the whole day researching baby shoes (I don't have my own column just yet!) and compiling pictures for a Royal birth themed gallery (yes, most of my day was spent oohing and awwing at uber cute mini footwear).

If I've learnt anything so far it's to never underestimate the work that goes into producing an online article. You assume it'll be simple and quick (which it can be) but these tasks really involve double, if not triple checks, scrutiny and attention to detail because even the smallest of errors can be fatal. It's also so easy to become lost for words, even if it's writing something small like a caption; you just sit there asking yourself whether you really did spend the last three years of your life completing an English degree. Thankfully, there's thesaurus.com and practise does lead to the eventual formation (never perfection) of a sentence that won't be totally lost when subbed.

Well anyway, the experience has been a real eye opener into celebrity and web journalism and I'm learning something new everyday. I've been lucky enough to attend one press event. On Wednesday I got to go Fern Cotton's launch of her new home ware range for Very.co.uk. Her pieces were very pretty, very girlie and quite vintage chic (if there is such a thing) with a running floral motif on most of them. She's released everything from sofas, cat inspired lampshades to rugs and pillows.

I have loads of pillows on my bed so the cat pillow caught my eye, plus its probably the most affordable piece... 

I'm going to end this post here and will update again soon. I'm still waiting for my laptop to return from repair, it's been 2 weeks to too long!! 

Thanks for reading x

Hola Chicas!

Alas I have returned from my too-short a trip to Malaga. As you could probably guess, the weather was lovely out there and I practically spent two days lying on the beach and roaming around the city. My friend, who is currently there for university, lives in the old town which is quite a central location, filled with history and bustling with shops, its own botanic garden and numerous restaurants. It also contains some rather beautiful Renaissance architecture and is centered around a massive Cathedral.

I was definitely in need of a little getaway after all my uni deadlines and this was just the perfect treat, lapping up the sun, sand and sangria...  I miss it already! That said, the weather here in Britain has somewhat improved as of late.

While I'm here, I thought I'd also show you something I picked up during my trip because it's always SO difficult to resist the temptations that come your way whilst browsing in the duty free section. That's all you really want to do- just browse until it's time to board the plane, because god knows you need to save every last penny for when you're actually at your desired destination, enjoying your holiday. At least that's what I wanted to do, until I saw this:

As a massive fan of the brand I just could not help myself, especially after wanting this for a whole year; the Urban Decay Naked Palette, numero 2. The shades are said to be perfect for everyday make-up and also brilliant for the more dramatic and smokey-eye looks. I finally have it and cannot wait to start using it!

Book Review: Vintage Beauty Parlor by Hannah Wing

Are you longing to wear your hair like Brigitte Bardot? Flutter your eyelashes like the doe-eyed actresses of yesteryear, Anna Karina and Marilyn Monroe? Or perhaps you're wanting to strut the glamorous allure of Marlene Dietrich... 

Well great because Hannah Wing will show you how with her practical little manual with step by step guidance on how to master such beautiful and iconic vintage styles of the 20th century.  

As a professional make-up artist and stylist who runs her own business, Bellus Femina, and just so happens to write beauty and style blogs for The Vintage Festival, Wing is certainly the expert when it comes to vintage fashion and beauty.

Her book is an essential go-to-guide with tutorials which cover basic make-up and hair styling tips alongside several chapters dedicated to recreating looks from every decade, from the classy, sultry look of the 1920s and the 1930s debutante, down to the disco divas of the 1970s and the bold punk looks of the '80s. Every decade comes with its own colour palette (how useful is that?!) and suggestions on how to complete your look with suitable fashion pieces, accessories and even fragrances!

Wing goes on to provide readers with expert knowledge about each era and how the prevailing trends came about, like the stylish, yet practical victory rolls of the 1940s, inspired by the desire to stay feminine in the workplace as women took over the British workforce during WW11.

This book is great if you're wanting to spruce up your every-day look and add some glamour to your wardrobe and equally as good if you're in need of some advice for a fancy-dress do.

Treat yourself and order Vintage Beauty Parlor from Ryland Peters & Small for a modest £14.99.
I would especially recommend this book for any vintage fashion enthusiasts and fashionistas!

OMG

So last Tuesday was my last ever hand-in AND THUS THE END OF UNIVERSITY AS I KNOW IT- *dun! dun! dun!*

3 years of hard-work has amounted to this moment.. 

I can't believe it's all over, I've had a brilliant 3 years and have met a bunch of really great people that I hope to be able to call my life long friends. My time at university has seen some serious highs and a fair share of lows- but that's the point of all, right?

I'm eagerly awaiting my results (eek!) and look forward to graduation! In the meantime, I have a trip lined up to Spain, only for a couple of days, to visit my friend whose taken a sandwich year abroad. I'm looking forward to seeing how she's doing out there and also to escaping this fickle British weather and getting some actual solid sunshine!

In other the news, the job hunt is on! Bring on LIFE!

Review: So You Think You're A Hipster?

What happened to your local area? Where did all these twenty-somethings in beanies and ripped skinny jeans come from? Why does the air hang thick with the foul stench of soya milk lattes and organic cupcakes?

In her delightfully satiric manual, Kara Simsek provides the low-down on the modern-day phenomenon, the so-called elite of today's young urbanites: The Hipster.

If you're gunna be a Hipster you need to be a flap-back wearing, non-prescription wayfarer owner with a set of seriously sweet garms and a moustache. 

Brilliantly illustrated by Paul Parker, her guide leads us through all the Hipster sub-categories (if there ever was such a thing) with 50 witty and insightful observations of the self-proclaimed, "cooler than cooler" ghetto embracing youth of today.

Simsek covers the basics for any aspiring Hipster like how one should tend to their facial hair (I personally dig "the hulkamaniac"),  on how to cater to their diet (all fresh and locally sourced organic foods, obviously), haircuts, glasses, tattoos and even dogs.

Flicking through the pages you'll also find the detailed explanations of such Hipsters like, The Urban Hunter: "the all action city woodsman", the Goth Lolita, the Cupcake Baker, and the Aspiring novelist...

She's so accurate that I can't help but recognize some of them, especially that blogger one...

All in all, this colourful little book works great as a gift (heck, give it to a Hipster friend!) and is just generally a really quick and funny read. Published by Dog 'n' Bone, you can pick up your copy here for the not-so Hipsterish price of £9.99.