finalist blues

Okay, so I'm in my last year of university and it's fricking freaking me out. Everyone's either secured amazing graduate jobs already or are in the process of securing amazing graduate jobs by actually applying for them. Not only does the phrase have the 'G-word' in it (I refuse to acknowledge that I'm actually going to 'graduate' in less than a year) but it also hints at the fact that there is life beyond university. It's like a whole new cosmos! I tried to apply for one of these graduate schemes, I really did... but it didn't go so well. I got to the first stage of the application process which is a little test they like to call 'verbal reasoning'. I kid you not, it was by far the hardest 30 minutes my brain has ever suffered. I don't know what verbal reasoning really is, but it made Philosophy A-level seem like a walk in the park. My poor little brain couldn't handle the fact that there were more than three big words in one sentence. These were words with four and five syllables , and there were so many of them! Now, I'm not totally stupid, nor do I have the world's smallest vocabulary... I study Theology so I'm used to lots and lots of big confusing words, but the likes of Kant and Nietzsche are much kinder than these horrible graduate applications. So anyway, rant almost over. I've become totally put off by graduate schemes now. After millions of rounds, which includes verbal reasoning tests, numerical tests, phone interview after interview and then the real life intimidating interview where you know that the person who went before you went to Oxford and the guy after you probably went to LSE or Imperial. Then when you finally get the job (if you get the job), all you have to do is get a 2.1 right? Simples. Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh on graduate employment on a whole (and maybe I'm really just terrified of working in a pub kitchen, washing dishes for the rest of my life) but I'm not sure I like the idea of these kinds of jobs. The kind of job where you're just another one of 2012's Autumn intake, the kind of job that cream-crops the best of the best in the country, the kind of job where 9-5 seem like a weekend because you're more likely to be working 8-8. Of course there is an appeal for this kind of job, and some people will love it, but it's just not for me. I want to see the world, I don't want an office, I don't want to keep up with the Jones' and I certainly don't want to spend all day wishing it was time to go home. I still have no clue what I'm going to do with my life so I think I'll just concentrate on my dissertation for now.

culture shock

This Summer I have returned to the Caribbean. I say returned because I grew up here and spent the most amazing years of my childhood completely naive and unaware that crime existed and of all the other horrors that the big wide world had to offer. I lived about 200 yards from the sea, mango trees littered the landscapes and you couldn't pass someone on the street without a warm and friendly greeting. I look back and think how lucky I was to grow up in a place like this - but looking at it now through my 21 year old eyes, it's a completely different picture. It's still the same, don't get me wrong- it's an absolute paradise, but sadly I'm the one who's changed. I've been completely and utterly Westernized! I look at it now and my mind is clustered with politics, social norms, fashion, media... What have I turned in to?
I'm so lucky that I get to come back to this for a month or two every year. I need that break from the hustle and bustle of London's commuter belt and time away from the constant worry of essay deadlines at university. When it rains here, it's glorious, and there's something really special about the abundance of fruit trees and lack of concrete. This will always be home...

your money's worth

(www.glamour.com)

The Times ran an article today entitled 'The rise of the £18,000 superbag'. Yep, that's right. A handbag for £18,000. It sounds extortionate right? But no, this bag is made from ethically sourced crocodile skin, so it's worth it! This 'superbag' is one of Victoria Beckham's masterpieces from her Spring/Summer collection. Her S/S collection features other 'classic' looks, and for this reason, the new £18,000 'Victoria' bag isn't simply the new 'it' bag, but is a timeless and trendless piece. Nevertheless, does this warrant the ridiculous price tag of this bag and other designer handbags?
For £20,000 (just £2,000 more), one can buy a two bedroomed, terraced house in Middlesbrough... but of course, if you can afford a £18,000 superbag you wouldn't want to be caught dead owning property in one of Britain's worst towns. So where else can £18,000 be well spent? Well for starters one can expect to find a decent designer handbag in the region of £2,000 - £3,000, which gives the buyer an extra £15,000 - £16,000 to play with. How about buying 18,000 textbooks for school children in developing countries, paying the monthy wage for 500 trainee teacher's in Kenya, and buying 20 cows for dairy farmers in Malawi - All for £15,000? While a handbag benefits only one person, using the money alternatively could result in brightening futures for hundreds, if not thousands. Makes you think doesn't it?

Find out other ways you can help on Oxfam's website. Here is a video of one trainee teacher Oxfam has supported...

There's no other way...

(www.images6.com)

I am ridiculously and obscenely obsessed with The Only Way is Essex and I can't get enough of Amy's "How funnaaay" or Harry's "Shattaappp"! The English county that was once ridiculed for its tacky appearances and horrible accent is now being glorified and celebrated in this reality tv show. The stars of the show epitomize stupidity and the constant drama is obviously staged, so why do we love it so much? Because Amy and Joey's geographical knowledge make us feel a bit clever? Because Lauren and Mark's nine years of relationship problems seem like nothing in comparison to ours? Because our boyfriend isn't as fat as Arg? Or maybe just because it's so light hearted and easy to watch? Whatever it is, ITV's TOWIE has made everyone want to be from Essex. Whether it's realistic or not, its harmless and fun! The fake tans, fake eyelashes and fake boobs make us all a little bit more comfortable with embrasing our inner 'Essex'. There was a time when we used to laugh at Essex, but now we just laugh with Essex. Soon, everyone will be flooding to Essex to get in on the action. I'm going out with the girls tomorrow night and I know I'm going to try and pull off my best Essex-girl look... I'm gonna look reem! Shuuut up hunaaay!

P.s. the amazing Lydia Rose has a blog! I love her so much, and everything she wears! Click here to go to her blog.

21st century girl

We all loved Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' whether we like to admit it or not, but will we like her new single '21st Century Girl'? I'm not going to lie, I'm a huge fan! She's way too cute to hate, she has amazing dance moves, and let's face it, we all (guys included) wish we were that cool when we were ten! But is the ideal of a '21st century girl' or guy really ten years old? Either way, the lyrics to her latest single are just as whimsical and harmless as her last hit - but what more can we expect? Is it possible to write an appropriate song for a 10 year old without it being as ridiculous as Rebecca Black's 'Friday'? Thank goodness Willow has a decent record label, but still, I do have to laugh when Willow sings "21st century girl, I do what I like..." - I'm glad you're embracing feminism at your tender age Willow, but do you really do what you like, or do you still have a bed time? As she struts through the desert she professes "I'm the kind of chick who knocks you off your feet," but Willow darling, do you really know what 'kind of chick' you are? I'm double her age and I have no clue what 'kind of chick' I am yet. I'm not jealous, (although I know a handful of people who couldn't be more envious that young stars such as Willow, Bieber and Dakota are earning millions before their 18th birthdays), but as we're faced with the outcome of young successes such as Mary-Kate and Ashley, Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, Macaulay Culkin and Lindsay Lohan, who's to say that Willow isn't the next in line? In the mean time though, all we can do is hope that Will and Jada keep a very close eye on their beautiful daughter.

P.s. Regardless of age, Willow is definitely the next style and hair icon!

fix up, look sharp

(Photo from onceuponagrime)

In strong contrast to my lovely Sunday afternoon, I spent my Monday in London. Due to a minor blip before I'd even boarded the train (involving me misplacing my railcard and having to pay a whole £6 more, which is a lot when you're a student), I was already starting to think that this whole commuting business was too much hassle. I also decided I didn't like what I was wearing - I think my trousers had shrunk in the dryer, or perhaps I've just put on weight, but I'd like to think its not the latter. Once on the train, however, I pulled out Iris Murdoch's The Black Prince (which I am currently reading), and sunk into my chair to the sounds of Mozart on my Ipod. Reading accompanied by classical music epitomizes utter bliss, and soon my mood was uplifted. Anyway, I wasn't meeting my friends until the evening, so I decided I'd get there early and spend some time walking around. And luckily enough, it was a fabulous day for it. I didn't want to do Oxford Street, because that's what I always do, so I walked down any and every street I was faced with. For the majority of the time I had absolutely no clue where I was, but that's what I like best. I soon found myself, however, on Regents Street which with my shopping addiction proved to be very bad fate. Seeing as I didn't like my outfit, I thought it was best to buy a new one and H&M is the obvious place to go for a quick, cheap outfit change. I entered the store wearing pastel pink jeans, a white tank and my vintage suede levi's jacket and exited in a blue summer dress which was complimented perfectly by my levi's jacket. It was then time to meet my friend Alex, and as we walked the back streets of the city, we suddenly noticed that Dizzee Rascal was right in front of us! If you're a fan of Dizzee, like me, then give this a listen. Anyway, we were feeling quite peckish, and with my new found love for sushi, we decided Yo!Sushi was the best idea (but turned into the worst idea as the plates gradually stacked up, and what was intended to be an afternoon snack turned into an early dinner). Soon after, we were off to meet the other girls for (more) dinner at Vapiano on Great Portland Street. And for a 'small' £3.80 salad, the portion was huge and well worth the money! And finally my day was over. So where does this all leave me? As I sat on the train on my return home, I had a slight headache, my eyes were hurting and I was absolutely exhausted, but these feelings of deterioration were well worth the £18 train fair, £3 chai tea latte and £12.99 dress. London is expensive, but at the same time (and sorry for the cheesey mastercard reference) utterly priceless.

P.s. I also found my new favourite store and I can't believe I'd never heard of it before. Check out Pull & Bear, a Spanish brand I'd describe as Bershka meets Abercrombie. Very cool and casual, and really good prices.

take back the city

Today I had the delight of lunching with a dear friend in a pub garden set along the banks of a lake. I sat there in amazement of the vast amounts of water, the hoards of dog walkers and the lazy Sunday-lunchers and thought I'm so lucky to have this on my doorstep. As I drove home from the lake, I sped along the winding country lanes passing farm after farm and found myself constantly slowing to take in the views. I even decided to take the longer, more picturesque route home. Endless fields, endless green... It was so beautiful! I was so inspired by the time I got home that I couldn't stay in the house. Out I went into the countryside once more. As I trailed the banks of the Grand Union Canal, for the first time in a long time, I didn't have a care in the world. All of a sudden my to-do-list had evaporated and all my anxieties had disappeared.
Perhaps my love for the countryside, along with my obsession with housing, (you'll soon come to learn how obsessed I am with architecture) explains why the only television show I ritually watch is BBC 2's Escape to the Country. It's just so good! We all love to dream, and how I dream of one day owning a beautiful cottage/barn conversion/thatched-roof house/period property in the country! I suppose the stereotype is that when we're young we gravitate towards the city, but as we grow older and slow down, we dream of life abroad or in the sticks. So where does that leave me? Maybe I'm a little ahead of my years.
Tomorrow, however, I'm off to London for a day out with the girls. Looking forward to the tubes already...

devastating devastation

(Photograph of a baby recovered amongst the debris)

On Friday 11th March, a tremendous 9 scale earthquake hit Japan shortly followed by the 23 metre high tsunami that thrashed the East coast of the country. Thousands dead, thousands homeless, thousands mourning... Two weeks on, Channel 4 has produced a documentary - Japan's Tsunami: How It Happened. The hour long documentary provides us with the science behind the quake, but most importantly highlighted the disappointment and devastation caused by these tragic events. Watching the recovering of bodies and personal possessions made me realise the seriousness of this disaster. As one of the searchers pulls a photo frame from the muddy ground, that's when it hit me. Of course I knew all along that this was a real crisis affecting real people, but the recovery of that picture struck a nerve. Whole towns were wiped off the map, and with that people's families, homes and memories were washed away as the flood waters subsided. and The documentary rightly puts it - "this was first and foremost a human tragedy on an unimaginable scale... one of the World's most developed nations, brought to it's knees." If you can give at all, please do. Click here to find out more.

face value

(Yvan Rodic's photos from Bali, NYC and Cape Town)

Okay, I'm totally obsessed with blogs which is perhaps why I decided to start my own. My daily ritual consists of very little, but one thing I must do is trawl through my favourite blogs! One of my favourites is Yvan Rodic's well known collection of photographs depicting day to day fashion - facehunter. His blog is all about the people. What started out as a small project taking photos of the individuals he came across in Paris, soon turned in to one of the most read street-style blogs on the blogosphere. Rodic beautifully photographs his travels all over the globe, capturing the different cultures perfectly with his colourful portraits. His work is inspirational, and entices me much more than any travel brochure has ever done. If you weren't in the mood for an adventure, you certainly will be after browsing his new website. I'm feeling massive travel envy right now.

worth a thousand words

A photo taken in 1981 of the beautiful island I was lucky enough to grow up on

Photography, for me, is the most beautiful art of them all. It surpasses film, fashion, fine arts and all other visual treats that human talent has to offer. Of course, many will fiercely disagree with me, but if I could add one thing to Stuart Mill's list of 'higher pleasures', photography would be it. Just one still image can tell a marvelous story, can stir up such nostalgia, can carry so many sentiments, and can contain such complexity - all of which were captured in matters of a second. The perfect snapshot. Something which took no time to create, has the ability to retell memories for centuries.

spring forward

Isabel Marant S/S 11



Zadig & Voltaire

It seems that the brilliant sunshine over the past few weeks has been causing a sort of fashion disorientation, and I totally get it. This happens every year when Spring comes around, and worse yet, when Spring brings with it some much longed for vitamin D. Don't get me wrong - I'm eternally grateful that Mother Nature has blessed us with her basking rays, but what on earth does one wear when its not 25 degrees outside, it's not raining, the ground is dry, but at the same time it's not quite time to dust off the flip flops just yet?
For some much needed Spring/Summer 2011 wardrobe inspiration, I've become obsessed with Isabel Marant's fusion of pinks, purples and reds, along with the all important Summer staple - white! I'm also loving the simplicity of Zadig & Voltaire's collection which exudes a certain timelessness. For me, it seems that the best way to cope with this weather inflicted wardrobe confusion is to 1. Stick with jeans, or even better, coloured jeans! (Topshop has some amazing pairs in at the moment). 2. Pumps will never fail you, it's not time for sandals yet, and it may be time to hide your boots at the back of your wardrobe - unless of course if you're one of those really cool people who can pull off wearing boots in the Summer months, which I reeeeally can't pull off. 3. Light jackets are perfect and I always throw a cardigan or hoodie in my bag on those days you're a bit dubious about. 4. I honestly believe that scarves are a saviour! A brightly or lightly coloured scarf is the perfect way to ward off that little chill in the air without having to lug your winter coat around with you all day. Sorted.
So say good bye to your winter wardrobe and embrace the new season!

ode to the aesthetic life

Because, like the rest of Britain (and the Western world), I am obsessed with exteriors, appearances, beauty, art, photography, film, and everything visual. We are a culture of the eyes, reliant on sight, and consumed by image. So, instead of grovelling in our superficialities, why not celebrate it instead? Here it is then... my surrender to the aesthetic life!
To start the celebration, above are a selection of magazine covers from the year in which I was born - the 90th year of the 20th century, the 990th year of the second millennium and the 1990th year of the Common Era - yep, you got it, it's 1990 folks!