PROM 2017

On 8th July I had my post-GCSE Prom night which three other girls and I organised for our year. 

Although it was stressful at times having to organise the mass event and attempt to pass my GCSE's at the same time, it was incredibly successful and I possibly had the best night of my life! I know not everyone is into partying and some find it really quite challenging to their anxiety, but it was so amazing to spend a few hours with my entire year where we just drunkenly ran around hugging and telling each other how much we loved and will miss everyone when we separate to attend our own colleges.

I learnt quite a lot from Prom and I'm just going to list a few preparatory tasks that you should aim to look after and sort out as well as some photos from the night.

Prom day is always going to be stressful especially when you have to take time over your makeup and hair with the knowledge that the photos taken that day will be circulating for quite a while. I personally did not have enough time to spend on my makeup as the lovely lady, Keeley, who was doing my hair was taking her time in making my curls look perfect. Also, if you have never attempted to put false eyelashes on before previously to prom, it's harder than it looks and takes practice and could quite easily ruin your makeup. Some of my friends decided to go and get their makeup done professionally which some really highly recommend, but if you're not used to the heavy application of makeup and are aiming for a more natural look then I would suggest avoiding anyone at MAC in particular as they are not well known for their 'light' looks.

Not everyone has their 'Say Yes To The Dress' moment for Prom, I'm sorry. Personally, I picked up the dress and was not at all convinced I was going to wear it even when I bought it, but with a cheeky bit of accessorising everything came together! Furthermore, your shoes are most likely going to be absolutely trashed at one point during the night so DO NOT buy some Louis Vuitton's for Prom unless you want to happily waste your money.

Bring a disposable! Disposable camera's are so fun and easy to use and they do not break or get smashed easily so you never have to worry about dropping it like you do with your phone. Not all the photos always turn out, but the ones that do are great and then you have got that collection of photos printed out forever. Take loads of photos too as they are always hilarious to look back on and sometimes they help you piece together the night...

Do not worry if you don't have a prom date, unfortunately the guy I wanted to go with has a girlfriend and so she wasn't too pleased about him going with me. However, in the end I am so glad I didn't have to tag anyone along and I could be as free and wild as I wanted! (There was also no one telling me I like silly or was doing something stupid which is always a perk!)

Nails don't really matter. In the end as I said earlier I was really struggling with timing and I didn't actually paint my nails in the end, of course some find that getting your acrylics finishes the looks, but in the photos you can't even see the tiny details. So I feel you have nice nails anyway, just put a nice clean cut of nail polish over them and you're good to go! 

Finally, don't get stressed about Prom! It is meant to be a super fun night to remember, whether that is at the actual Prom or the after Prom, but just have a good time and don't get too caught up in the prepping problems. I hope this really helped and that if your Prom is yet to come, enjoy! and if you've been there, done that I hope you had a fantastic time.

2016 || BLOGMAS

2016 has almost come too an end and well to say the least, it has been eventful. Personally, this year has been kinda insane in both good and bad ways, but I believe that what has happened/is happening is all part of a journey in self-discovery. To anyone reading this I just want to remind you going in to the new year, that you are loved. You are loved immensely and you never should have to prove your worth to anybody. Don't let anyone have the ability to control your mind and happiness. 

Here are some of my favourite parts of 2016 in photos

Drama

I performed in a drama production with the seniors of my school. Not only did the cast perform an extremely moving war themed play, but I got to dress up as Father Christmas! I also received my Grade 6 LAMDA with a distinction, which of course I was ecstatic about! I have begun rehearsing for 'West Side Story' where I am playing Graziella, a Marilyn Monroe figure and it will be performed in the new year. My family and I also took the opportunity to go see so many great productions, Mamma Mia being my favourite.

Became At One With Nature

I mean can we just have a moment to appreciate the beautiful sunsets that we have been blessed with this year. Those colours, woah man *begins to hyperventilate*.

CUT MY HAIR!! 

Possibly the highlight of 2016 for me. I have always sworn to never cut my hair short, but in March the tables turned and I was in the mood for change. Cutting 6 inches off was such a big deal to me and I do not regret going for the cut, in fact I wish I could cut more off!

Saw Art, Made Art, Became Art 

I visited multiple galleries this year such as; The Tate Britain, The Tate Modern, The Saatchi, The Victoria & Albert Museum, The National Gallery and The Royal Academy Of Art. I also 'completed' (the perfectionist in me will never be happy) three out of four art sectors for my GCSE and was asked to be interviewed for an art scholarship!! Those psychotic photos of me, yeah those were for my friend's art project...I do kinda love the insanity pictured in the photos though.

Explored Berlin

As I take GCSE German, I was lucky enough to explore the bustling city with my school friends. It was such a great experience and I was forced out of my comfort zone speaking German all day, every day for a week - my German did improve though.

Brighton

Over the summer, my closest friends and I headed down to Brighton where we got lost on trains and in some of the blinding coloured vintage stores.

Took A Few Weeks Off Holidaying 

Soul Survivor

I hope to talk about this further in a post one day as it was one of the biggest life changing events that I have experienced. For a quick low down it is a Christian Festival where 26,000 young people gather and "worship God, learn what it means to live for Jesus, to pray for one another, and to have loads of fun!" Though to some it sounds dull and not their thing, trust me it is not what you think it's gonna be like. It's definitely not your average 'Bible camp'.

Became The Self-Appointed Head Of Prom Committee

Already got the team intact and the meetings have started! I just don't know what I'm going to wear yet...

'UNDRESSED' V&A

Some of you may be aware that during August I took the opportunity to participate in a 'Fashion Journalism' course with the Vogue news-editor, Scarlett Conlon. During the day, not only did she give us a talk on her job sector, but also accompanied the group to the exhibition, 'Undressed' at the Victoria and Albert museum. 

Afterwards, we took our scandalous tinged ideas back to the group and typed up an individual piece about the exhibit. My idea for the piece was to describe the scene and then talk about the provocative (or not so) history of underwear and whether the display was perhaps too racy? Here is a section of my writing that I produced during the day.

'Undressed' delves into the history of underwear from the 18th Century pantaloons, to the present day pants, exploring the influential role fashion had on underwear. However, was the unseen past an assumed provocative one, or simply uncomfortable?

Fashion has shaped the world of underwear, forcing the sector to adapt the lacy layers in a way which would present the male and female body accordingly to fit the model standards of the time. Unfortunately, a Kim Kardashian hourglass does not come naturally to all of us and neither does a 70s flat chest and limited curves, but 'Undressed' comforts us in underwear that can offer such assistance, even it pains us. Beauty has in fact previously meant pain and not a practical one either. See corsets, or the current 'Waist-Trainers'.

Boxers, briefs, and bras were consistently presented with style, but was the exhibition a little too racy for the Victoria and Albert Museum? We are all familiar with the concept of undergarments however, some have suggested that a sugarcoat on the more sexy displays was necessary, or at least an age limit. Moreover, should it not be more important in culture to be knowledgeable in surprising topics, rather than take an immature approach. Though it may have been the alluring thongs that encouraged parents to guide their young children away from particular rooms, is it now not fashionable to see underwear styled as a surprising outerwear garment. Designers of this style include Antionio Berardi and his Close Trompe L'oeil corset monochrome dress from 2009, delicately worn by Gwyneth Paltrow. Therefore are the new generation already comfortable with lingerie through the assistance of media and fashion? 

Disclaimer: These are not my own photos.

BRIGHT-N-EARLY

After a lovely trip to Brighton with a couple of my friends, I thought it would be appropriate to make a list of both my favourite Brighton-To-Dos and my Brighton-To-Dos for the future.

- Snoop inside Snoopers Paradise

- Walk along North Laine 

- Admire the crazy graffiti in the North Laine 

- Visit The Lanes

- Dine at Choccywoccydoodah (aka heaven!)

- Or devour a bunch of brownies at Cloud 9

- Sip a cup o' coffee at Marwood

- Purchase a bunch of Cable & Cotton lights

- Soak up the sun in the Royal Pavilion gardens

- Become sadly broke after excessively shopping at the multiple vintage shops, including: Beyond Retro, Wolf and Gypsy, Dirty Harry and Starfish

- Take a trip to the Pier and of course attempt to win a lil' something

- Relax and watch a classic in front of Brighton's Big Screen

-  Or paddle around in the sea as the sun sets

Read about my last trip to Brighton here

A BUSY BEE

*nervously takes a few steps back into the blogging world*

Hi everyone, remember me? No, of course you don't! And I don't blame you. First of all, let me apologise for nothing other than my ultimate laziness and lack of botheration for feeding, petting and generally looking after my blog. I'm hoping to get back into the run of things over the summer, and I promise by the end I'll be happily up-to-date and maybe even posting twice a week *nudge nudge wink wink*.

In all fairness however, it wasn't pure laziness that kept me from blogging, I have been super busy recently. I have had my birthday party, an emotional amount of exams, followed by a horrific parents evening, two canvas' to paint, the Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, a trip to Wisley and the most exciting part of it all; a week spent in Berlin, Germany! Hopefully now you'll see reasons to forgive me?