British Style Bloggers

A summer wonderland

polkadotstripes — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:17:08 +0100

After christmas and my birthday summer is probably my favourite time of year. Those few weeks of sunshine we get a year have such a great affect on us Brits, we can wear a dress without tights and even better eat icecream in public and not feel freezing or silly!

My favourite place to spend a summers day is my grandparents back garden- ok so that's obviously not it above. Growing up I didn't play out in the street like other kids, we were down our grandparents most days but I'm one of nine grandchildren so there was always a new adventure to be had in the garden. Our granda's garden- first thing first, it was granda's garden- was almost magical. Through the eyes of an eight year old it went on forever. It had a patio area where we could have our tea and dinner outside all grown up like, a huge stratch of grass with a massive swing set, a leak trench- a trench for leaks, we used to like sneaking into this, no I still don't know why- a fish pond with super fast fish and silly ornaments, two sheds, one for plants another for junk and LOADS of flowers and plants.

This may seem pretty ordinary or mundane to you and in a tiny way it does to me too but I still love granda's garden- it's a bit more grown up now though with a decking area and no leak trench but my youngest cousin is 8 and she enjoys it just as much as I did even without the leak trench or swing set or rabbit- how could I forget him he used to burrow underneeth his cage and play in the garden with us. Anyway nostalgia fest over, my point is that summer is magical, we can act like children in summer and it's allowed! we can go to beaches and just the waves or build a sandcastle, we can ride merry-go-rounds- ok just me?

My favourite story as a kid was Alice in wonderland so I would always like to imagine that my granda's garden and new gardens or parks we visited had a magical secret behind them like the plants talked when we werent there or flys were really rocking horse flies or bread-and-butterflies. I was an imaginative child ok, which I wouldn't have changed for the world, who wants to live in a boring world anyway?

But now though being adults we can make summer magical with a grown up twist, we can wear the big sunnies but now they're chic! We can have afternoons in gardens with wine. everything's better in the summer, afternoon drinking doesnt even seem so bad! But we should never forget though hpw magic it was as children finding new things to play with, new adventures and the things we thought were cool at the time- the one thing that springs to mind here is the week meand my sister made my grandas junk shed into our "den" with a tiny black and white tv, deck chairs and car stickers in the window, again dont ask. The one thing I learnt in my teen years is don't grow up too soon, cos adult life is no where near as fun as being a kid!

So to complete this ramble I thought I'd list some things you can do for very little money to let our your inner flower child

spend an afternoon in a field with your best friend giggling and making daisy chains
buy some fairy wings and skip around a park
buy some really really pretty accessories
go to a playground and hog the swings
have a slushie
go to a beach or fairground
bake cookies or cupcakes and lick the bowl out
camp out in your back garden and stay up telling ghost stories
go see a band you loved when you were younger, local outdoor festivals often feature has-beens or old singers and alot are FREE!

So there you have it, I think the sun really has gone to my head, I'm off for a lie down, but you lot go have fun and don't be afraid if looking silly!

Discovering the unknown

polkadotstripes — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:43:18 +0100

Admittedly I have never been to a big festival, for one thing I can't afford it and for another I hate camping and in turn it hates me. I did however go to the Newcastle Evolution Weekender last year- two days for twenty quid? yes please!

My music range is what I guess you would call eclectic, basically everything and anything, a diverse bunch that not many people like many of the same bands or singers as me. I've been to a lot of gigs, from tiny little pub gigs with 6 people in the place- including myself and my friend on the door, the promoter and singer- to huge arena tours but I have never missed a support act.

Who know's I could discover my new favourite, fall in love with a new song or if all else fails dance like a crazy with my friends becoming more and more excited for the main event. The most bizarre things can happen during a support act's set too. And I have witnessed some weirdly wonderfuls, a mosh pit during the Human league, Marina of Marina and the diamonds dancing and singing wildly to Gwen stefani whilst wearing a glittering black and silver cheerleading outfit and how could I forget Gary Go "chatting me up" during his set. I say chatting me up, me and my two friends were actually the only ones cheering him on and we were front row centre, he simply pointed to me twice and asked me How I was, what I was doing for christmas and where I lived. no biggie really *fans self*. This rule also applies to the lesser known bands, I urge you if you do shell out all that money for a ticket please atleast see some new bands.

An even bigger tip would be if you like one style of music head to a completely different genre's stage, broadening horizons! If you're a dance or electro girl go see someone like frankie and the heartstrings, bombay bicycle club or two door cinema club. Raving is still optional though glowsticks may be frowned upon, maybe take a checky scarf instead.

Alternatively if you like indie sounds head on down to the dance stage, be prepared for a big dose or raving with a side order of feel good vibes. Kissy Sellout, Annie Mac presents and little boots or her associated DJ group Lovin and Gambling are definately worth checking out.

Finally, on top of that, here are some tips

don't take yourself too seriously- who cares if you have sharpie marker on your arms? Its a festival about 2,000 others are in the same rain soaked muddy drunken boat- relax or you'll regret it!
Never think it won't rain- I learnt this at Dalby forest last year and dressed in 3/4's and a vest. Always have wellies and a waterproof coat ALWAYS.
Dress sensibly- A vintage maxi dress in a muddy field? Do you want to still be able to take this home after the weekend? I have three words for you. Primark, Matalan, Asda.
Never split up- ALWAYS have at least one friend with you, yes you might get front row but what fun is that without someone to have a laugh with?

Keep calm and go shopping

polkadotstripes — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:03:09 +0100

I know every student dreads May, whether it be due to GCSE's, A levels, dissertations or general deadlines. Being out of education for 3 years I'd only witnessed it with my many friends turning into crumbling messes, but come september I will be entering into four years of education. How will I survive? the same way I always do; lets go shopping!

All those notes and exam preps need brightening up, so what would be better than these coloured polkadot pens from Paperchase? Well no exams or deadlines for one

I am so scatter brained that I literally rely on post it notes to survive- much to my Dad's annoyance at finding them all over the house- buy some mutlicoloured or different shaped ones so those trivial things don't seem so boring

The greatest use of these miracles of modern stationary is undoubtedly Operation Beautiful, a sure fire way to spread the love. I know that you might be riddled with self doubt during this time so leave yourself little notes everywhere- your notes, your mirror everywhere!- and remember you are beautiful, smart girls and you can all do this.

I seem to constantly have a notebook with me, you never know when you'll need to jot something down and during May you'll need a couple. So if you're a floral lover like our Florrie this Cath Kidston set of two would suit you perfectly

Our lovely editor Amy is the worlds best reviser and stresser and in turn planner, and how does she plan her revison? With big pens and paper; but Amy's madness does work it serves as a reminder but not in a bad way- go get the felt tips now!

And finally when it's June.... TREAT YOURSELF

Audrey and Fearne

polkadotstripes — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:59:50 +0100

When it comes to two women who who have an influence in the fashion industry who I would love to meet, I could never pick anyone other than the two beautiful ladies I'm going to write about now. Both have incredible style but much more than that; they were and are real women, with real problems and real lives. Their amazing spirits are clear to see in film and previous media in Audrey's case and on TV and in the way she comes across on her radio show in Fearne's.

Fom being a little girl the idea of "proper ladies" was ingrained in me, I watched movies from the 40s and 50s with real leading ladies like Marilyn, Judy and Doris, but for me there was always one that stood out. When you think of Audrey Hepburn the above is quite possibly the image you see, because to many including 7 year old me, she was the real lady. As I grew up I realised just what her role was in this film but I adapted with my image of her. Her little black dress was a staple but she was real, she was ladylike, she was sexy, but not overly so. She was a real style icon, unlike many "celebs" you see nowadays.

During my teens I like most other girls, had a bit of a bad relationship bit fashion. When I started going to college though I think I began to come into my own, with "celebs" such as Jordan splashed all over the media at the time I didn't really have any english style influences, then this girl blossomed from saturday morning kids presenter to fashionista! Fearne Cotton is a sweetheart of British TV, an accomplished presenter and radio 1 DJ, fa too many girls want to be her. Her style can be described as rough edgy ladylike, much like her personality and thats why I love her

But more than anything though I think girls nowadays shouldn't try to copy celebs or people they meet in terms of their style, instead we should adapt what we love about these women and team it with what we love about ourselves

"Cherish forever what makes you unique, 'cos you're a yawn once it's gone" - Bette Midler

polkadotstripes — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:08:00 +0000

I don't think that quote has ever been more fitting than in the case of Melissa Smith. She got in touch to tell me her remarkable story about how despite a disability, which causes the equivalent of third degree burns on her body each day, she has embraced her body and a sense of style.

I was born with a rare genetic skin blistering condition, called Epidermolysis Bullosa (or EB as it’s better known). The best way I can describe it, at least the type I have, is waking up every day with new second degree burns, caused by smallest amount of friction or trauma, like turning over in bed. The effects of EB are incredibly visible; I have to wear bandages covering my limbs, I regularly have blisters and wounds on my face and neck, my left eye is scarred, and I’m often in my wheelchair.

As you can imagine, this can have a devastating effect on one’s body image and self-esteem. Especially when people decide to stand staring and pointing in public, or ask the ever-tactful question “what’s wrong with you?” I’m happy for people to ask, but phrasing is important!

But among the things that make me happy are clothes. I love clothes. I adore them, and I always have!! I am a qualified practitioner of retail therapy, and I happily brush up on my shopping skills at every available opportunity. I love the look, the feel, even the smell of clothes, all a part of anticipating the first time you will wear them. Several of my friends have requested that, should anything happen to me, I bequeath my extensive wardrobe to them. Which is a bit worrying, now I think about it…!

At face value, an entire day spent shopping often seems like a vacuous waste of time, but clothes and accessories can have almost magical powers. They can make you feel on top of the world, when really it’s resting on your shoulders, and they can help you to love parts of your body that you usually loathe. For example, my feet are a source of great pain to me, but when I look down at my beloved biker boots or patent wedges…all is forgotten (for a while at least!). My belly, distended because several surgeries, is much less troubling when underneath my favourite French Connection or Ducie dresses. And why would anyone stare at my hands when they can look at a gorgeous, one-off bracelet? When I want to hide my sore neck, it’s just an opportunity to wear a great scarf or cowl-neck knit.

Clothes make people look at me differently, but in a positive way. More and more often people ask not why I wear my bandages, or why I’m in my wheelchair, but who made my jacket or where I got my dress. How I dress allows me to embrace the fact that I stand out from the crowd, and use it to my advantage. Clothes and accessories level the body image playing field in many ways, too. I mean, how many women are lucky enough to be able to pull off every style, colour, material? Being short, very long earrings and maxi dresses will never do me any favours, but that’s nothing to do with my disability! Yes there are styles and cuts that do more for my body image than others (shorts and tights? Yes! Bodycon? No!), and I can’t wear sleeveless tops without a shrug of some sort, or heels bigger than an inch-and-a-half. But when I wear my favourite outfit, I feel like I could dance down the street, singing “I’m Every Woman”. Because we are all the same really, aren’t we? Our hang-ups are just concentrated on different areas, or sparked by different events. We just need to know our bodies, and how to work with them, not against them.

What we wear can be a great medium for making statement, whether about politics, religion, culture or ethics. But I think the most important statement we can make, in this age of what borders on body fascism is, simply, “I feel great about myself today”.

You can follow Melissa on Twitter and/ or Tumblr