Hand me the fringing, flares and bad ass chic.. This girl is BACK!

For anyone that know's me will know life is good right now. For a multitude of reason's which I shall restrain myself from rambling on about for the next few minutes of writing this.

This is time to continue in a way that I feel is finally right to be back here and writing. I didn't want to be blogging half heartedly and using this as an emotional crutch for the last few months, hence the absence. But life is good......


70s. This is it. I think I have finally found my calling in my fashion life. Like, I literally should have been born 50 years ago to have made optimum use of round two of this proper sassy decade. Okay, that sounds very lusty BUT have you SEEEEN some of whats going on right now?!

(https://www.pinterest.com/bpdowdell/21st-century-seventies/)

The cross over of textures, print and cuts is just - ughhh - to die for. There is literally something to suit everyone with the sort of things you are seeing on the high street at the moment.

Key obsessions:
§ Fringing
§ Flares
§ Lace up knee highs

I'm pretty sure I'll be sharing some of my pieces with you very soon if you haven't already seen bits on my insta! (bpdowdell)


Let's leave the interior decor well alone and not look back that far...

Right, let's do this.

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/ Sorry..

All of the above are needing to be said due to my lack of attention and commitment over the last few months.  I have one excuse if you'll take it - leaving Uni messed with my procrastination and routine shopping/lusting/blogging. Sorry.

It's so easy to sit down and tap away, I aim to come back and somehow up the blog entries again 'cos I do miss ya's/speaking to myself! 

So.. Yeah, Uni's done with.. Last time I wrote was GFW I believe. I got nominated in the final 10 for the photographic award - obviously didn't win, got a few interviews before leaving Uni, got an offer the last day at Northbrook. Accepted. Achieved a 2.1 in my course (kinda bummed out a bit). I've officially graduated and since July I have been a Visual Merchandiser for Next, working independently in my 'own' store - Lakeside, Thurrock.

Along with all of that, I've shopped what feels like a thousand more items, chopped all my hair off, reconnected with old friends, moved back home and generally plodding along in a good direction. So, it only seems fitting that I return to the blog-esphere too! So, if you'll have me. I. Am. Back.

*PREPARE FOR PALPITATIONS AND TANTRUMS I HAVENT SHOPPED SINCE BOXING DAY!!!!! 13 DAYS AND COUNTING* 

 I'll be back😉

 promise 😘

     Bx

GFW 2014

For me to be saying that I have two weeks left of Uni related events and that I am at Graduate Fashion Week with the course is a little too daunting. 

The last three years have gone by ridiculously fast and seem to be speeding up even more so. But yesterday was the first day of GFW and after slogging our guts out with portfolios, money and even carrying obscure metal objects (a mans job may I add) up stairs into the Old Truman Brewery - Northbrook is there! On the first floor at stand 17, we have our little corner with a showreel playing some of our best work, including my group Fashion Film from last year (Antigen) which was highly commended at the BFC a few weeks back! 

So anyway, as it's been a little while since a outfit post and we was starving yesterday, me and Hannah took a trip down Brick Lane for a much deserved Beigel. Whilst gorging our faces on the way back we throught it would be a nice idea, minus our proper cameras for once we went back to basics with iPhone snapping!! 

I shall certainly miss my little personal photographer! 

Kimono H&M Top River Island Pants Zara Shoes Boohoo Bag Kenneth Cole (Tk Maxx) Necklace Topshop Sunglasses Forever21 

I was nominated and then short listed for the GFW Photography award, which I was in complete shock over - having never really had any proper/professional training. Sadly, but expectedly I didn't win. Congrats to the top three that did, I'm sure it was fully well deserved! 

So, day one down - back for day two later on!  If you can get to rhe event, please go along, there is some absolutely amazing stands!

Bethx

JPG: my second French love affair

It's taken me far too long to get around to doing this post but, once again I'm going to play the 'you will not believe HOW crazy life has been' card... But I'm using it anyway! 

About a month ago I went to the Jean Paul Gaultier From sidewalk to catwalk exhibition at the Barbican, it. was. amazing.  Stupidly, I assumed and didn't check in advance about photography, and for once - the one time I didn't have my camera - You could take photos. Typical, I know, so I apologise for the grainy images as all I had was my iphone (even a decent camera wouldn't do it just though to be honest).

Back at school, during my A levels, Gaultier was a main inspiration to my textiles coursework and has always been a designer that I have respected the work of. The 'bad boy' of French Fashion as he's known just fascinates me with the intricate detail, thousands of hours put into one garment and even the risky and fleshy garments. I honestly cant see why you would dislike this breton wearing man! To me, he's the french McQueen..

On the left, I think has to be my favourite look in the whole exhibition. Mohawk Pretty Punk.. Sassy to say the least - I want it!!!

I absolutely adore this image. I cannot explain why, its simple, saucy and just down right perfect. 

I could go on and on about what I saw and what I loved and bombard you with image, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't been. I found it truly inspiring and perfect, even my mum thought it was brilliant and she's been dragged along to some weird things that she didn't always appreciate! 

Please, I beg you, If you have not yet been, you must go - even if you are not a massive fan of this genius' work, just go. The curation, the technology and the facts are just astounding all together. And take you camera.. just go. Now!!!!

Bx

Street life - Student life

Life's all a bit over the shop at the moment. I don't really know what's happening but I'm just making the most of trying to enjoy the nice bits of weather we're having and my last few weeks at The Cottage with Hannah. We've been yolo'n a bit and just enjoying things when we can.

Now, these trousers are a bit of a issue. It's a love hate relationship. I love the style and trackie-ness BUT, I wish they were high waisted. They would be so much more amazing and a much more prominent piece to my wardrobe. However, they are not. So I have to improvise and find myself taking them off after a few hours. I shall continue to persevere... Or maybe I'll just start looking for a high waisted pair to fully satisfy my needs. 

At the rate I'm going, I am literally going to turn orange. But I love this little top, I've been eyeing it up for weeks and the Easter Bunny (aka Mother & Father D) got it for me along with a hugeeeeee bunny (chocolate of course). 

Sunglasses Ray Ban // Jacket River Island // Top & Trousers Next // Shoes Topshop

Beth x

West End Girl

I need sectioning, it's official. Or I need my bank card confiscated, one of the two.  This week I have gone crazy, what with my last ever student loan and grant hitting my bank account and everywhere seeming to be jumping on that with discounts for students, its SO hard to resist.   Or not to resist in my case. 

A girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do though and when River Island presents itself with a 20% off opportunity you have to seize life by the horns and frantically buy anything your little heart desires!!

To be fair I have been wanting a proper pair of high-waisted 80s style jeans for ages now. I keep mentally making outfits in my head revolving around them, until now! R.I's 'mom' jeans are da bomb! Sadly, theres no knee rips going on but, give it a few months and I'm sure I'll be reinventing these bad boys. For now, I'm off to the 80's. 

                   In a West End town, a dead end world

                         The East End boys and West End girls
                               A West End town, a dead end world
                                    East End Boys, West End girls
                                                                              West End girls

Jacket River Island // Top Next // Necklace Pull & Bear // Belt & Jeans River Island // Bag TK Maxx // Shoes Topshop // Leather and Metal cuff Valentino

photography by Hannah Byrne @ 7heFile, layout by me.

Beth x

Maxipeel Madness

Okay. I feel like we've all been here with me saying 'Im sorry, I've been so busy - blahblah blahhhh'. But I have. 

We just had our two week break at Uni, which was much needed due to the stress that built up with our Final Major Project we handed in. I shall blog about it eventually as I was living in a world of all things Pink whilst working on my brand 'Pink Popcorn'. But for now, more importantly.     Back to the fashion!!!! 

Yesterday wasn't a particularly sunny day down here on the coast but the sun was so warm when it was there, it was a battle all day with the haze that was setting in but seems student finance is in and I have OBVIOUSLY been to the shops already...... I braved it.   Your welcome :)

Sometimes I go in H&M and I literally cannot believe the pricing of items; it's brilliant and makes it impossible to resist. For example, this oversized maxi... £7.99.   £7.99!!!!!!!! I know, bargain.  And it is literally so comfy, I love the raw side seam split gonna be a main contender for Summer Beer garden sessions. There are plenty more posts to come with all my new buys!

Sunglasses River Island // Necklace Topshop // Dress H&M // Bag TK Maxx // Boots Topshop