Liebster Award

Thanks to Ellice, 17 year old radio presenter [http://smallbutl0ud.blogspot.co.uk] I've been nominated for the Liebster Award - it was a total shock as I haven't been blogging for long, and I definitely don't post as much as I would like to due to a ridiculously busy lifestyle, so thank you!  

The rules of accepting the award are:

1) Write a post about the fact you're nominated and then thank the person who nominated you, as well as linking their blog.
2) Answer the 11 questions that you've been given to answer by the person who nominated you.
3) Nominate 5-11 bloggers who have less than 1000 followers.
4) Let the bloggers know you have nominated you and leave them a link to your post, so they can see how it works

I was asked the below...

1) What inspired you to start blogging?

I started blogging when I was at university, and considering I want a career within editorial (whether that be publishing, magazine content etc.) I thought it was prudent to regularly write about my passions and experiences. This was not only to keep my writing style fresh and practiced, but also to explore the bloggers network, and make some friends and connections along the way.
2) How long have you been blogging?

My first blog post was in September 2014 when I had my hair cut off at London Fashion Week - since then I have posted about twice a month, but I really want to increase the amount of posts I publish.
3) What is your favourite post that you've written?

I liked my Christmas OOTD post, and Bouton Bracelets review, as I enjoy creating fashion posts with the outfits laid out - that was something I learned when I interned at Fabulous magazine at The Sun. The Fashion Editor, Tracey Lea Sayer, would lay all the outfits for photoshoots on the floor of the office, accessories and all, and although it was a nightmare to walk through, it really showed the finished outfit.
4) Any advice to people wanting to network?.

Be personable and genuine - people know when you are being fake, and do not appreciate it. When you are honest and open, with opinions, likes, dislikes and taste, people will take you more seriously and will open the door to larger networks for you. 
5) Favourite musicians?

I love upbeat artists that make me want to belt out their songs. I adore Katy Perry for her audacity and strength, especially her song 'Roar' for the message it conveys and Jason Derulo always delivers a great R&B/Pop crossover. I also like musicals - Les Mis,

 Hairspray, Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera are some of my favourites.

6) What do you aspire to be/do?

I honestly don't know a specific job role, and I think by aiming for one specific role you can end up closing doors to opportunities that may change your life. I like writing and am very opinionated but equally I like to edit work. I'm good at marketing products so PR may be a good route but ultimately, something that encapsulates all these skills would be ideal.
7) Have you gone to Uni/in Uni/going to Uni?

Yes - I went to Brighton University and have a degree in English Literature, although I am awaiting my results (I'll tell all when I know myself!)
8) How do you deal with criticism?

I think it can be sobering. Criticism is sometimes difficult to hear but it can be refreshing to hear alternative opinions, especially if you take it seriously and use it to develop and better yourself. Abraham Lincoln said “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time" and I think it is important to remember this, especially within the media industry.

9) Have you ever wanted to give up blogging due to criticism?

Never - nothing you enjoy should be given up because of somebody's negative opinion. Use criticism to make yourself stronger and work harder for what you want to do.
10) If you have writers block, what do you do?

I like to take a walk and remove myself from what I'm writing, go to the shops perhaps and pick up a snack (mostly chocolate or ice cream). When I'm blogging, I don't get writers block because I type as I think, it is a much more chatty tone. When I did my dissertation however, I had to take about a million walks to free up my mind.

11) How long does it usually take to write a blogpost? 

My blog posts aren't too long to write, usually between 10-15 minutes, and then however much time it takes to photograph items to feature in my blog.

I nominate:
Nat - https://natsnattering.wordpress.com/
Lillie - http://www.lillie-b.com/
Maria - http://mariagrimes.blogspot.co.uk/?expref=next-blog
Zsofi - http://zsofiwrites.com/
Tracy - http://bitterteaandmystery.blogspot.co.uk/

Celebrating label.m's 10th birthday!

Thanks to the gorgeous team, this year hand-selected from the Stratford salon, I was given a complete hair makeover.

This year was the 10th anniversary of T&G being official sponsors of London Fashion Week, and with the new label.m products on full display (including their new hair perfume) the pop-up salon was buzzing with the sound of hair dryers, gossip and the latest LFW trends. 

Upon entering, we were greeted with a bottle of rose prosecco and seated with a widescreen television displaying all the @toniandguyUK tweets - once we realised this, we were tweeting (if possible) even more than usual, squealing like schoolgirls when we saw our tweets displayed...Our aim was definitely NOT to fill the entire screen with just our tweets...promise!

We were taken for our hair wash and near-orgasmic head massage, then seated and cut, blow-dried, brushed, pampered, supplied more prosecco, oiled, souffled and preened within an inch of our lives - and we loved every single minute of it. I went for a gentle, bouncing curl effect, created by separating the hair into sections and blow-drying with a thin roller brush. The stylist used the label.m Souffle to tame my flyaway frizz, along with Anti-aging Oil on the ends to add moisture and a spritz of the new label.m Hair Perfume to add the the sweet-smelling orange blossom shampoo/conditioner fragrance of my locks.

Lillie, my gorgeous LFW partner-in-crime, opted for a more layered cut, embracing a 50s style textured bob, and using her Ray Ban sunnies as a makeshift headband - stepping out of the salon she looked positively Audrey Hepburn-esque. With the thickness and weight of her hair, the stylist used the Smoothing Cream to allow manageability of the hair, along with copious amounts of the Limited Edition 10 year anniversary label.m Hairspray, to ensure the voluptuous body of Lillie's locks did not falter.

We adored this season's in-salon staff and left feeling relaxed and pampered whilst strutting around Somerset House with our new fabulous hair - Thank you T&G!

Orla Kiely LFW15 - A/W Collection

In true Orla Kiely style, this year's catwalk presentation was exceptional. Performed in a double spread area, (one side of the room set with a formidably chic librarian, the other side a pseudo-study space equipped with a staircase for strutting) the models entered the show space in true style, showing a Cath Kidston-esque colour palette of pastels and a series of winter warming knits.  

Using a typical 60s/70s influence, there were shift dresses, thick woolen pantyhose, pinnafores and button-up collars, all paired with the Orla/Clarks collaboration shoes in an array of muted tones - our favourite had to be the tan Beryl shoe, an Italian leather t-bar platform with a skyscraper 12cm heel.

The pastel knitwear really showcased the 60s/70s vibe that has stormed this year's catwalk, all seen in pastel tones of yellows, oranges and pinks with mohair/cashmere finish that clearly demonstrated the collection's sassy-yet-sweet vibe. The use of print this season was minimal, sticking with block colouring with the occasional chequered pattern, seen on the miniature tote bag in navy, orange mohair knit and monotone knee-length A-line dress.

As usual, we want all the pieces in the presentation and adore the soft colour palette that displays OK's talent for taking vintage style and pairing with contemporary flair to produce and infallible AW collection.

Images provided by the talented L. Bleasdale