Tour de Newsagents

Today, i was given the assignment of visiting a number of established magazine and book shops around London, taking a photo outside and choosing a new publication to do a write up on. Unfortunately, me and my group still haven't fully got our barings in London and only managed to visit three in the East End. We did, however, probably walk a marathon in the process. The magazine of our choice is Suitcase. Launched this year and on it's second published issue, Suitcase is an up and coming publication which covers fashion, art, culture, food and travel. I have high hopes for this magazine - especially as it's main focus is to showcase young British talent. Flux magazine, eat your heart out.

www.suitcasemag.com

Mikkat Market

Sometimes i stumble upon an online shop and feel like kicking myself because i haven't found it sooner. I actually found Mikkat Market (lets call it MM) a few months ago; i'm aware it's already popular in the States, but barely any people seem to know about this little gem in the UK.
Theres nothing better than well tailored, unique, quality clothing that could easily be passed as high-end designer  with a purse-friendly price tag. MM offer all of this. The website is updated regularly with brand new lines and brings back items that are in popular demand. The stock covers all the spectrum - basics, updated classics, one-offs, stunning jewellery and recently, shoes.
The only downside is the shipping cost to the UK is quite pricey, so it's more economical if you order a few items at one time.
The pricing is in dollars, so i'll convert them into sterling. Here are a few of my favourite pieces online at the moment.

skirt £24.33, dip dye shirt, £30.57, clutch £29.95, leather skirt, £29.95, sheer patch top £38.68, plaid trousers £26.20, lace up dress £82.99, dog bone necklace £14.97, two tone trousers £25.58, metallic varsity jacket £38.81, army jacket £58.65, sunglasses £9.98, studded brogues £26.83.

www.mikkatmarket.com

Beinta Photography

Beinta is a London based photographer from the Faroe Islands, currently studying fashion styling at London College of Fashion. She is one of my favourite photographers at the moment; in my opinion her work is breathtaking. Her use whimsical colours and soft lighting create a dream-like feel to her images. There is a certain elegance and fragility about her work, and a subtle surrealism. I'd definitely like to see an exhibition of her work one day - all i can say is watch this space.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

On wednesday, i went to see the well anticipated film 'the Perks of Being a Wallflower'. I'm ashamed to say i had not read the novel beforehand and i've still not got round to doing so... however maybe this is a participating reason why i enjoyed the film so much as i had no expectations.
On one level, it's your typical indie romance, set in an American high-school (varsity jackets and cheerleaders galore) backed by a soundtrack of the Smiths, Sonic Youth, David Bowie... you get the picture. It's about an awkward, shy boy who begins high-school with a longing to belong but without the social abilities to make friends. He eventually meets Sam and Patrick, who accept him for who he is. It's funny in parts, sad and awkward in others but really relates to most peoples own high-school experiences in one way or another.
 But on a deeper level, the film touches the sensitive subjects such as sexual abuse and mental illness. For a teen film, that's pretty deep. But the subjects are only hinted at throughout the movie, giving it a more mature, underlying message.
Also, Emma Watson was surprisingly convincing. Not once did Hermione come to mind - she's come a long way from being the bossy know-it-all the nation loved so much. Innocence is certainly not a main character trait of her said character, Sam.
Anyway, i recommend anyone who likes a good tear-jerker slash feel-good film that really does linger on your mind.
Now time for me to read the book... hopefully it is just as good or better than the film.

farewell, summer

Mad Hat Lady

I love hats, in all different shapes and sizes. From cloches to bowlers, beanies to fedoras. However i have a slightly large problem that is my slightly large head. Hats, (on the high-street - i am a student after all) never seem to fit my head. Or maybe it's my considerable amount of hair. Either way, it's very irritating, but here are a few of my favourite hats on the high-street at the moment. 

bowler, topshop. red bowler, red cloche, accessorize. turban, fedora asos. beanie, h&m. 

i may be getting ahead of myself as it seems we've not even had a summer 2012 yet, but i've already fallen in love with the marc jabobs spring/summer '13 ready to wear collection. the bright, clashing colours with a nod to traditional romanian gypsy styles are a far cry from last years military khaki hues and paisley patterns. 

i think the reason this collection really caught my eye is because i can imagine wearing one of these pieces would be like stepping right into the clothes of Esmerelda, the gypsy Disney princess (the Hunchback of Notre Dome), and she is by far the sexiest, best dressed of them all.