Fashion Thursdays Launch - Mixing Music and Fashion Shows

So I've been a little quiet lately as I've been doing a bit of traveling, which I can't wait to post about! But the two days I had in between coming back from Romania and jetting off to Portugal, I launched a new event called 'Fashion Thursday' back at home in Peterborough, in the UK, which I both organised and DJ'ed at.

About a month ago, I came up with the idea with a friend to mix in fashion shows with a club night, to showcase local brands and generally just have a good time. We chose a local haunt, Monroes (named after Marilyn!) which had a cool vibe and great cocktails - all the ingredients needed for a good night out.





Having not organised a fashion show in a while, it seemed a little daunting to do so in under 4 weeks, especially with a full time job and weekend DJ work, but I'm certainly not one to shy away from a challenge! I was really impressed with the professionalism of all the models, makeup artists and hairdressers, who worked so hard to help me to make this event a success at such a short notice.








We showcased two local retailers, 'Niros', who sell high end menswear, and 'Asylum', a funky high street store which stock on trend alternative and vintage styles. So a bit of a contrast, then! We generally don't have many events like this in Peterborough, so I thought this might be something new and refreshing. Needless to say, I think the experiment proved successful!

Huge thanks also goes to Moses Kambele, Josh Daniels, and Tom Gates who's photos are featured in this post!


Asylum

I was lucky to find some fabulous makeup artists and hairdressers, Eloise Wilson and Jenner McKenzie on the makeup, (below) and lovely ladies Mollie Walker and Laura Stringer working tirelessly on hair.

Niros Peterborough

Here are just a selection of some of the Hugo Boss and Armani suits worn by some fab models!

The night wouldn't have been the same without the two brands who came down to help out - Niros who were amazing helping us with rehearsing the routines and Asylum who just partied hard and made the atmosphere great!

 I of course worked really hard all night (with the occasional cocktail in my hand for good measure)

 And I wasn't the only one enjoying a cocktail or three!

It was such a fun night! It took a lot of overtime last month to get this sorted on a budget of almost zero, but with a lot of support and such a great team gathered in a short space of time, I think we did a great job.

What do you think of the pictures? Have you been to any fashion shows recently? I'd love to hear about it!

REVIEW: June Wantable Accessories Box & Bloglovin Blog Hop!

I've been slightly quiet this week as I've been exploring Romania - more to come on that soon!

Most of my friends know that I love a good makeup box - but when I found out that one of my faves 'Wantable' were doing specially selected accessories that are tailored to your tastes, I had to try them! I'm not the best at accessorising so this is generally a really good tool for me. The box costs $36 plus shipping (about £21) but the 3-4 items you receive are worth much more than that, so I see it as a thrifty bargain and a way to build my accessories collection over time. This is my second month with Wantable accessories, and I've been very pleased with all of their selections so far. If you're not happy with something, Wantable are happy to change the boxes or part exchange for something you do like.

 

This month, I received some really fab items!


Gia Necklace - retails at £36 - This is right up my street - I love chunky layered necklaces and the combination of pearl juxtaposed with different metal colours is a really cool concept.

Bri Headband - retails at £11 -  This is so cool - I've never seen anything like this before (where
have I been?!) Its a bendy headband with fabric wrapped round some wire. I've used it already to fasten a bow over a ponytail, you can also wrap it round an up-do in any way you want, and make it sit however you want! It's so cute, and I'm not even usually a headband person.

Ainslie Watch - retails at £29 - I love wrap around watches and this one is a very classic looking gem. I think a watch is a great addition to the box, too, and it really is the sort of watch I would buy, so Wantable must be mind readers!

Total box value - £76 for £30 box (incl shipping)

Are you a fan of Wantable? Let me know!

Don't forget to join this weeks Bloglovin blog hop here hosted by Meg over at Happy Kids!


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Nasty Gal - Wearable Vintage Online

I love thrift shopping and searching for over sized jumpers and 60's style dresses in vintage shops. I particularly love a good rummage through various outlets on Brick Lane, and I'd quite happily get lost for hours there on a weekly basis. However in this day and age, time doesn't allow this remotely often enough, so I'm very thankful for my handful of favourite online retailers, who have buyers with impeccable taste!

With that in mind I wanted to post about one of my latest online obsessions - Nasty Gal. It features both new and vintage collections from a range of designers, and not only are there some great wearable vintage styles, the story behind its founder is fascinating too. Founded by Sophia Amoruso in 2006, it's a real rags to riches story. Sophia built an empire from an Ebay shop called 'Nasty Gal Vintage', a name inspired by Betty Davis. She did this by selling her prized vintage possessions, sourced from a secondhand shops (a thrifty lady after my own heart).  She went from photographing and uploading her own stock, spending hours by herself meticulously making sure everything was perfect, to a huge staff team and revenue of $24 million by 2012, which made Nasty Gal the fastest growing online retailer. Her story really resonates with a girl like me, who has big dreams and an entrepreneurial flare.

Here are just a few reasons why I'm happy to have stumbled across Nasty Gal,

1)  First and foremostly, I love the clothes! From the wearable, quirky vintage designs to tasteful choices from other designers and retailers, I love that I've found a website where I want a whole host of items from their collections, and actually have to restrain myself when buying.  Believe it or not, I'm actually a very picky shopper. I recently bought the sherbert jumper, above, and the metallic dress on the left, and am eagerly awaiting their arrival. My only complaint is that as a US based company,  I live so far away I have to wait a few weeks for it to reach my doormat!

2) I run an enterprise centre that supports young entrepreneurs, and I love a success story in business, especially when there is so much fear of failure about. Don't get me wrong, businesses CAN and do fail, but you never truly fail if you learn, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. Real entrepreneurs take knock backs as a learning opportunity and just persevere.

3) Looking around the office, pretty much 100% of the businesses set up and working from the centre are male, and that's not from lack of trying on my part to encourage some female entrepreneurs to move in. Now I'm not a multi-millionaire, I've merely dabbled with a few business ideas so far myself, but where are the young women that are getting out there and making a go of doing their own thing? I know there are lots of girl bosses out there,  and I'm just reflecting on one start up unit, in one area, in the UK, but across the board it does seem a little male dominated. It's not a mans world, and powerful women like Sophia who have made their own fate really prove that. I hugely respect those who go against the grain, set a goal, dream big, and just make it happen. Sophia Amoruso recently published her story under the title #Girlboss, which looks like an inspiring tale - I can't wait to read it, and hope that it inspires other fiesty and creative women to get out there and make their mark.

I'm running a giveaway with fellow blogger, Tara over at the Penniless Socialite right now for a $50 Nasty Gal gift card, which is perfect for a wardrobe update. You can enter through the Rafflcopter links. I hope you love Nasty Gal as much as I do! I'm also co-hosting Tara's 'Favourite Fashion Friday' link up, join the fun below :)

NOTE: This is not a sponsored post, Nasty Gal are in no way affiliated with me - I'm just a fan.

Do you have any latest fashion obsessions? Please do share them with me!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

(Please follow all the rules.  If you don't we'll have to delete your post from the link up...and we really don't want to have to do that)

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Follow your hosts via GFC or Bloglovin' and leave us a comment letting us know so that we can return the favor! 

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4. Comment & Hop Around

Comment on your host's blog and on at least one other linked up post.  Visit as many of the lovely blogs that are linked up. Comment and let them know you found them from Favorite Fashion Friday!

 

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An InLinkz Link-up

Seven Facts About Me

So I have been blogging about various beauty, fashion, event, travel topics for a few months now - but I realised I haven't really talked much about my life outside of that. I don't want to go on about myself so this will be a rare post, but I guess it might be useful for people to know the way my life works and what motivates me to do the things I do, and like the things I like!

So here it goes;

1. I used to play the drums, guitar, and keyboard, and I have vocal lessons still. I was never the best musician but I do love music lessons, and always walk out feeling lifted and happy!

2. I have the most daft kitten called Jives (see right), it's probably my own fault since I gave her such a silly name.

3. I manage an enterprise centre called 'Ignite' in Peterborough, the UK. We support people under the age of 30 to set up their start up business ideas with free office space, mentoring advice from business experts, help finding funding, and lots more. It's really rewarding and I work with lots of really interesting people. It's inspired me to consider so many start up ventures of my own!

4. I'm currently learning how to produce music as well as just DJ as I want to broaden my horizons :)

5. I go to London at least once a week now, but I never tire of the buzz and excitement of it, and like a lame tourist pretend I live there. I would love to live there, but I kind of prefer it this way because I'm close enough to still get to everything, whilst still remaining super excited with the vibe of the place every time I go. I'd hate to lose that.

6. My boyfriend is really really tall. Honestly he is nearly 7 ft. I like that because I'm actually quite tall for a girl, so it makes me feel like I'm an average height. He also often gets mistaken for Jesus.

7. I'm rehearsing weekly to be in a play that my friend wrote, which is being published and performed later in the summer. It involves talking in a northern english accent, which is gradually improving (at a slow rate, I am terrible with accents).

I also produced some theatre of my own last year, where I directed a play I wrote about sex trafficking, which was based as a performance inside a residential house (one in London, and one in Cambridge).  Actors and actresses portrayed stories of real women who had been sex trafficked into the UK, and the audience walked round the room as an installation. I'd love to do it again one day if I find the funding! Visit Ophelia Circus, my website, to see more!



What are some interesting facts about you? Let me know!

Remember to join the fantastic host, Meg, and co-hosts with this weeks Bloglovin Blog Hop!

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