Top Five Moments of Late 2014

Happy New Years all! A little belated, yes, but *cough* better late than never. Weirdly, late 2014 is lacking in photographs. I must not have taken as many (that or they are on my film camera) but I'm going to try salvage whatever I can. So here goes, the top five moments on the latter half of the year gone by!

1. Brunch Dates

[Sorry for any involuntary salivating I may have unintentionally induced] Oh so many lovely meals out with my auntie, cousins and uncle. They were mainly girly little brunch outings. We went everywhere from tea houses, steak houses, to pizza take outs. They also kindly catered to my love of desserts... damn they were b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. Food aside, I love spending quality family time in their company!

2. New School Year

Certain things happen which may seem bad at the time but somehow they work out for the better. I didn't get into the universities I initially wanted to but starting the course I currently am on was the greatest thing, education/creativity-wise, to happen to me. I started to actually feel that I could do the things I wanted (which is fashion) and express myself the way I couldn't previously. Being surrounded by creative like-minded people has been the best eye opening opportunity I have been given.

3. Dolphinholme

Imagine starting a new school. You're the socially awkward kid and you literally know no one. Then you are forced into staying at a two day residential with a bunch nameless faces you only got acquainted with two weeks prior. Sounds like hell, right? I thought it would be... but it turned out to be hilarious. Especially during the night - we got spooked by some guys coming around scaring everyone in their tents which consequently lead to our tutors finding us all hiding behind the kitchen counter. We also stole toilet paper from a neighboring tent and Alice went a little crazy and began making shadow puppets. I also (surprisingly) further established some newly found friendships which would last throughout the year (and hopefully longer!).

4. Oxford 

I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Oxford. My brother acted as a bit of a 'tour guide' (he was pointing out the obvious might I add). We walked around, shopped, went punting with a pair of Germans (lovely people!), went to the gallery, ate yummy food and most importantly - had the most delicious bubble tea I have ever had E-V-E-R. So authentic, such lovely distinctive 'tea' taste and the right kind of bitter. Mmmmmm. I had a grand time.

5. Wedding

What kind of sister would I be if I didn't even mention my own sister's wedding? ^-^ I officially love weddings. I especially loved hanging around my family as we tried to get each other more drinks. It was so much fun that went asked about the wedding by my friend I responded 'I had 2 jagerbombs and several other drinks and I still didn't get tipsy!' - it was safe to say he wasn't really impressed with that answer. Seriously though, I probably could not have picked a better brother-in-law. Who else would manage with our crazy family?


Phew! I actually had more photos than I anticipated. A few other noteworthy occasion is Christmas of course! My brother stayed for a week. My whole family knows how much I love my brother's visits, we all do. And also a Christmas meet up with some old friends, because who doesn't love a little friendly get together?

That wraps up 2014! 

urban blur | outfit

jumper/warehouse    denim jacket/rokit    necklaces/gifts/links of london + house of fraser   shoes/river island    backpack/nike/hong kong 

It seems like forever since my last proper fashion post and a lot had happened since. One thing that has developed is my attempted aversion to black which I have, somewhat, accomplished with my trusted denim jacket and silver flatforms. Often when I throw an outfit together without thinking, I usually end up in head to toe in the dreaded shade *sighhh* I am sporting my newest bag which my mother kindly calls my "boy boy bag" (thanks mum). It is a Nike backpack. Although it is admittedly not the most 'fashionable' (and presumably intended to be used by hikers rather than a little girls), it is immensely practical thus perfect in my eyes! Since I've become an art student I tend to carry a lot of things around i.e. a sketchbook, pencils, my camera etc etc. This was true today since I went gallery-ing once more - it was so much fun! 

p.s. thanks to my 'photographer' Georgie! ^^

p.p.s. I cut my hair! ... just in case you didn't already notice.

Jessica

x

Top Five Moments of Early 2014

Initially, I did want to do a photo diary every six months but I realised that it was a little unrealistic keeping track of everything that happens on a daily basis (which is surprisingly a lot, even for a introvert/homebody like me) but I still wanted to create an opportunity for me to be able to look back on my life. So, instead here is the condensed version - the top five moments of early 2014! 

 1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is definitely a highlight of mine. Without a doubt. My whole family went including my in-laws which was just double to fun. Plus, I got to reunite with my awesomest cousins - hey Sinny, Tubbs + Emie (if you ever read this)! There was SO much more that happened that I simply cannot fit it all into a simple blog post. I'm sure you could imagine though, travelling is like everyone's favourite little adventure!

2. The last day of school. 

Need I say more? It was a huge relief just to leave that dreadful place but besides that my friends and I went to have a lovely meal afterwards and not only that as well but I went to my first ever festival! It wasn't a typical outdoorsy type one but the music was so on point! I watched The Heartbreaks, The Midnight Beast, Life in Film, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Sivu, several of which are my favourite bands.

3. Prom. 

It wasn't so much prom itself but also the events leading up to it. I went to Georgie's house (which is the most beautiful place ever) and it was like a whirlwind of events: we were both surprised by having a day at a salon getting our nails and makeup done; I forgot my prom dress (doh!); had one too many champagnes; and got ready whilst ever so slightly tipsy. I was happy that I got to see everyone together for that one last time.

4. Reunited with my family. 

I hadn't seen much of my Dad's side of the family in years. This family in particular (Dad's youngest brother) I hadn't seen in about 11 years. I honestly did think it was going to be awkward and I would just sit there in silence whilst everyone talked amongst themselves but we got along famously. My cousin and I also reunited and I loved her when I was young - even after all these years we just got along so so well. We're like twinnies! I just love them so much.

5. Little moments with my friends and family. 

For the fifth and final moment it isn't just one significant day but various 'insignificant' ones I've spent with my friends and family. I would do them an injustice if I hadn't mentioned them. You don't need a big fancy excuse to just enjoy the company of people you love. The days I've spent getting 'freedom cake' with Charlie, taste testing food with my sister and brother-in-law and 'stalking' Vincent around school are little things that make everyday life that little bit more happy. ^^

orient blues | outfit

shirt/primark    jumper/topshop    skirt/ebay(topshop)    bag/thifted(topshop)    boots/ebay

This post has been lurking in my drafts for a while so finally it gets to see the light. I tried look somewhat presentable whilst maintaining a fashionable edge during a visit to a university last year  - I think the slight colour blocking worked really well to achieve the brief! I kept the colours clean and the whole assemble simple. Plus, blue and white are two of my favourite colours to wear as well as two of my absolute favourite colours!

fall for retro | outfit

gingham peplum top + skirt duo and underskirt/handmade    denim jacket/rockit    socks/ebay    creepers/primark

Yes, I actually made one whole finished garment! The first one ever since year 9 textiles class. The whole thing looks very retro/60's diner to me. I really hope I will be able to get back onto my sewing machine again when my work load lessens because sewing really gets rather addictive but at the same time it is very time consuming. Well, as they say, practice makes perfect! Oh! I almost forgot but Happy Lunar New Year~ 

amber | outfit

cardigan/romwe    scarf/windermere (lake district)    bag/thifted (originally topshop)    platforms/asos

Aren't the orange tone just delicious? Delicious probably isn't the right word for it but nevertheless the golden hues is quite lovely. The weather in England, surprisingly, has not consisted of thunderous sprouts of torrential snow (will there be a blog post where I do not mention the weather? ... Possibly not!) hence the lack of eskimo-like coats. Instead I donned in a printed cardigan complete with frowny faces, yin yangs and crosses. To prevent looking to dark/sacrificial-esque I wore a red velvet dress and matching platforms to creative a more festive vibe!

Enjoy your Christmas holidays and I'll see you in the New Year!
(2014 already?!)