Last month (I can actually say that now its September, WHAT?!) I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to an intimate event at RI Oxford Street's Style Studio. The event was in association with renowned bloggers We Are Twinset and mainly showcased the key transitional RI denim pieces for this/next season. 

We were talked through some key trend pieces, styles and colours picked out by Bloggers Philippa and Sarah and were introduced to some of their favourite styles of RI Denim. *A trend tip-off for Autumn/Fall is Pyjama Chic, the classic silk blouse is everywhere at the moment, from High end to High street. Metallics, Khaki and Layering are also all popular trends to shop for.*

We were then given time to ask questions and find out anything we wanted to know about how they began their careers in fashion. Me, being the ever nosey fashion student, I was really keen to know how they developed their following on different social media platforms and ended up monetising their blog. 

After all of our questions were answered and all the prosecco had been drunk, we not only got to shop some of our favourite items we had seen, but most importantly were invited to pig out on all the amazing food supplied by +Rosie alittlelusciousness. 

I had such fun evening and highly recommend having a scan through any of the links posted at the bottom of this post if you are lacking a bit of trend inspiration, as River Island is honestly slayin' !!

All items in this post are shop-able on the RI website now! 

@ristylestudio / @riverisland / @riverislandpr

+We Are Twinset 

#ANEVENINGWITH

TOP 5 SUMMER TRAINER (PINK) PICS

So as Summer is gradually coming to its end for the year, I thought I'd share a rather extensive list of my Summer trainer picks as you never know, we'll most likely experience the mid September heatwave that has become the norm and you guys can go and purchase another un needed (so needed) pair of summer trainers!

Now you may notice a slight theme running throughout..yes, its pink. Personally after wearing a mix of black, grey, black, black and white throughout winter I thought it was high time I added a bit of colour to my wardrobe and what better way to do this than through trainers during the summer months.  But who's to say this blushin' great trend can't be continued through winter too? 

As long as you can deal with a common case of cold ankles, this trend can stay just where it is. 

A perhaps cheaper option, to the pink trainer is this Zara example. Although I can't say i've ever been much of a fan of the non branded sneakers, just due to issues of quality and not even necessarily 'the

label', I think I could easily spend £30 on these just because they are pink. 

I've always debated the Adidas NMD style ever since the first pair was released, but I honestly could

not be more in love with the blush pink colour way. Although those sold out too quickly for me to purchase, rumours of a footlocker rerelease are on the horizon. I just hope they are true!

A quick heads up to a new release, the NMD R2 which features a new prime knit and textured fabric across the upper and larger midsole plug. With the highlights of pink, this had to make my way onto the list, no date for the release yet though so i'm hanging in there. 

I remember before the Adidas Superstar craze began, the original black and white Gazelle's were all the rage so why not bring retro back? I've always been a bit wary of the rounded shape toe of this style but with the recent comeback of the Nike Classic Cortex (a similar shape) it's obviously on trend, so why not give it a go. 

Finally you might be questioning the introduction of a white pair of shoes into my predominantly  pink themed post, but I couldn't mention summer shoes without including these. Nike Air Presto's still remain a particularly controversial shoe and despite this not being my usual style, I can't help but love this all white pair. However I'm still putting the purchase off, not only due to my lack of funds (student life lol) but because I don't know if I trust myself with the task of having to clean them. 

All images are linked with options where to purchase the pairs that are available, so happy shopping. 

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LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH INDESIGN

During my first year of Uni, I have had plenty of opportunity to learn and experiment with Adobe Indesign "the industry standard publishing application that lets you design and publish high quality documents across a full spectrum of digital and print media."

To be frank, Indesign and I didn't get along too well at the beginning as I struggled to get the grips of the layouts, shortcuts and tools available to me. However after spending hours (and hours) watching tutorials, I managed to create a final document I was pleased with. You honestly don't realise how much of a perfectionist you are until you find yourself searching for 3 hours for the perfect lime green shade. 

To put the images below into a bit of context, our brief was to create our own fragrance brand which included an in-depth promotional plan for our product range. Although I had my struggles using this programme to begin with, this selection of pages showcases my work, which I'm ultimately very happy with!

If anyone wants to find out a bit about the course I study, give me a shout on social media, all links are in the side bar!

VERSIONS OF VELVET

As the summer trends disband into the sale racks in high street stores, the key Autumn/Winter pieces find their way to the forefront. One of the new key trends that i've found impossible to ignore is Velvet, not only in footwear but throughout. However these 6 statement footwear choices have got me the most excited; from bringing back the classic block heel, to the re emergence of floral embroidery we saw last season, plus the renowned Dior dupes that have been circulating your Insta feed. What's not to love?!

1. Dark Red Velvet Block Heel / New Look/ £19.99

2. Floral Embroidered Boot / Miss Selfridge / £85

3. Black Velvet Block Heel Sandals / River Island / £48

4. Pointed Velvet Sock Boots/ ASOS/ £35

5. Perspex Heel Ankle Boot / Public Desire / £39.99

6. Velvet Sneakers / Zara / £29.99

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YOU CAN'T VISIT IBIZA WITHOUT ...

As usual I have left holiday planning to the last minute, but I thought what better way to get me in the mood than to write a blogpost on last years summer antics. Plenty of you will know that I spent nearly 7 weeks in Ibiza last summer, so as I prepare to book another few weeks on the White Isle for next month, lets reminisce and think back to what you can't visit ibiza without doing. 

1. 
Watching the famous Sunset at Cafe Mambo, whilst Steve Aoki, Sam Divine, Bob Sinclair, and artists like David Guetta grace the decks.

2.

Making the most of the free bottle of prosecco at Ocean Beach Club, seeing as all the other drinks on offer are way too expensive for my student budget.

3.

Spending your Sunday at Bora Bora Beach in Playa d'en Bossa. The renowned Jet apartment pool parties, are not to be missed.  

4. 

Blagging your way onto the Pikes Hotel guestlist and spending the night getting lost in a maze full of rooms, where the likes of Freddie Mercury, Bon Jovi and Naomi Campbell have partied. Nothing gets weirder than singing karaoke, in an empty jacuzzi filled with plastic balls. 

5. 

Visiting the Hippy Market where you can purchase endless amounts of dreamcatchers, fake gucci and boho rugs.

6. 

Going to Together Tuesdays at Amnesia. For me, the best night of the week. Just look at some of last years lineups for proof. 

 

I could easily write one hundred reasons why i love Ibiza, but i've been asked a few times what i enjoyed most last summer, so hopefully this gives those people a few ideas on what to get up to. Might see you out there!

A LITTLE EXPLANATION...

First a little explanation on why my blogposts have been so inconsistent this year. I've really struggled to find a tone of voice for this blog and began questioning what content would be suitable for a blog that is so closely linked with my fashion course at uni. However over the last few days i've come to the conclusion, my writing needs to reflect myself and the things I enjoy, not neccesarily just regurgitated fashion updates. So perhaps as summer approaches and the weather changes, my blogs content will too.

Lets just hope you all think it's for the better!

PIGGING OUT IN WILDWOOD

So my student loan came in last week and what better way to spend it than on...Food ???

Except this meal was actually student friendly as i ended up paying only £14 for a 3 course meal that consisted of; 

Calamari with Cajun Mayonnaise 

Smoked Haddock and Cheddar Risotto with Peas, Spinach, White Wine and Poached Egg

and the largest Ice Cream Sundae full of brownie, strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Definitely would recommend Wildwood Restaurants. I've visited restaurants in both Covent Garden and Nottingham and have experienced a great quality of service and food in both. 

Students can get 50% of their bill during the week too so get yourself down there and eat enough that  you end up waddling home (just like me!) 

DECISION MAKING IS JUST NOT FOR ME

 Decision making?

Something I’ve never been any good at.

I’m potentially one of the most indecisive people you’ll ever meet and like many other gripping decisions i’ve had to make in life the choice between which pair of shoes to buy really stumped me.

In New York we visited one of my favourite stores, nestled off the main road down a cobbled side street in Soho, we stumbled across the beauty that is Opening Ceremony. After previously lusting over the recent Vans x Opening Ceremony collaboration, seeing it in store did not disappoint. However unfortunately, the sizes they had available did.

This made my choice that much harder. After originally setting my heart on the beige van old skools and then discovering they were no longer in stock I came across the Nike Air Max 90 NYC Strawberry Cheesecakes (in sale !!).

After buying a pair of very exuberant (tacky probably being a better word) silver 90’s that just about survived outlook festival last year I vowed not to rock the roadman look again.

However this time I just couldn’t resist.

I mean inside the shoe it had the words “Treat Yourself – New York”.

If that’s not a sign from God I don’t know what is?

TOMMY HILFIGER JUMPS ON THE SEE – NOW – BUY – NOW BAND WAGON

Today Tommy Hilfiger joined an increasing number of high end brands who are vowing to create new collections of ready to wear lines that will become instantly available for consumers. With the popularity of fast fashion growing, as high street brands such as Zara are creating a shockingly fast turn around from catwalk to in store designs, its not surprising that higher end brands are also adopting this new strategy as a step towards the new ‘see-now-buy-now” way of “moving the runway closer to the consumer”.

Tommy Hilfiger have recently created a capsule collection, working closely with ‘IT’ girl Gigi Hadid where they hope to slowly tease consumers with the collection through her own Instagram account. Hilfiger told BOF that the process is “like releasing an album” in the way that they’ll be leaks of the collection but it will not be shown in full. The more 'consumer centric' strategy will take full effect in February 2017 when the brands spring collection will become immediately available for the public.

This comes shortly after Tom Ford announced the cancelation of his NYFW fashion presentation as a step towards the new ‘see-now-buy-now” way of “moving the runway closer to the consumer”.