Evolution | Opposing the 'Nine-to-Five'

A casual last day 'selfie' - I'm obsessed with my camo jeans!

 That would be Bianca, photo-bombing the beautiful MediaCityUK!

Apologies for going AWOL for a moment there. I finished the first placement of my apprenticeship last Friday, had a day at home in Leeds on Saturday and then came straight to London on Sunday evening, which ended up becoming an awfully long journey. But I'm here now and training is well underway and slowly taking over my life. I've missed blogging so much, and despite not have a ridiculous amount of time, I really really wanted to fill you in on recent happenings.

I'll start from the beginning. For those of you who don't know, up until September 2013, I had worked in mundane, nine-to-five office jobs in solicitors and for the children's services department in my local authority. I hated it. All of it. But after a lot of hard work and determination, I finally managed to move in to what I loved; television production!

My apprenticeship is with the BBC and is made up of four individual placements. My first placement was based in the Religion and Ethics, Television documentaries team in MediaCityUK, Salford. Now I know what you're thinking - "Religion and Ethics? How boring!" - but I'm afraid to inform you that you'd be wrong in thinking so. The work is incredibly intelligent and extremely varied! I spent my placement completing tasks at the opposite end of the scale; from researching crocodile experts and hostile countries, to sourcing students for a BBC Learning film, to filming a Christmas parade in Canterbury with the volunteer sewing ladies at the Cathedral who were the cutest people I've ever met - and all whilst consuming a ridiculous amount of cake!

My last week at Religion and Ethics also meant finding out where I would be heading after training in Elstree. My second placement will be outside of the BBC as we are encouraged to gain experience with an independent organisation within the industry. I’ve been lucky enough to gain a placement with ITV Leeds and their in-house production company, Shiver. Having now met my new manager, I am officially excited about what the next three months have to hold!

I’m not really sure how to sum up the experience so far. It’s been pretty amazing that’s for sure and I’ve worked with some incredibly inspiring people. They gave Bianca and myself a lovely send off over the course of our last week and I’m looking forward to hopefully working with them in the future. I am really going to miss Manchester, particularly my lovely walk to and from work dodging the ever fearless geese!

Returning to training has included being reunited with my fellow apprentices who are either completing the same scheme as me, or are part of the Creative Digital Media cohort. The people I share my place on the scheme with are some of the most creative, intelligent and excruciatingly talented people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting; I am incredibly proud to be sharing this experience with every single one of them. Wow. That was a little soppy for me – I hope you all appreciated that!

We’re in the middle of creating a taster trailer for a programme pitch we created at the moment, but I’m afraid the details are top secret (ok, maybe not top secret but there’s still a chance we could get it commissioned so I’m keeping quiet). I’m conscious that I could keep talking about this forever so I’m going to pause for now. I’ll keep you updated but in the meantime if you’re interested in working in television production then take a look at the BBC apprenticeships here. Applications for 2014 open on 3^rd March and also make sure you follow @BBCTrainees for the most up to date information– it truly is a one of a kind opportunity.

L x

Style | SS14 - Mad for Metallics

001. Turquoise diamante necklace - Zara

002. Big beaded cami - Miss Selfridge

003. Cobalt snake jacquard shorts - Miss Selfridge

004. Cold shoulder dress - Miss Selfridge

005. Stephanie small cross body bag - Oasis

006. Metallic cut out flat shoes - Pull & Bear at Asos

I think I may have said this already but I've changed my mind (I'm particularly bad at making any form of decision); this is definitely my favourite trend!

001. Every season Zara create a brand new statement necklace that I absolutely have to have and from their most recent collection, this is it! After recently buying my first nail polish that isn't a varying shade of black (Essie - Lilacism) I have an all new found love for lilac. Go all out and team it with a metallic outfit or jazz up a plain grey tee, black jeans and those amazing silver brogues (006).

002. I've seen loads of these hovering around for the past couple of years but this one is truly beautiful. It looks much more expensive than it really is (£39) and looks amazing with those metallic shorts - an outfit I may well invest in!

003. Metallic? Check. Jacquard? Check. Snake print? Check. Three huge SS14 trends all in one pair of shorts. What more could you ask for?

004. Embellishment is huge within the metallic trend and this dress ticks all the boxes. As part of Miss Selfridge's petite range, it's great for my fellow 5"3 and under girls out there!

005. This bag isn't something that I would usually choose but paired with other metallic items, there's something quite special about it. It's the perfect companion for any one of these items!

006. I absolutely love brogues of any kind and these are no exception. They'll be perfect in the summer months when (or shall I say if) it gets warmer, teamed with denim shorts and a loose white shirt. Or if your more of a flats girl when it comes to a night out, these Pull & Bear beauties will compliment any outfit!

There you have it, my favourite of the latest trends for the New Year. What's your favourite SS14 trend?

L x

Style | SS14 - Pretty in Pastel

In the wonderful words of Karen Smith - on Wednesdays, we wear pink (and blue and yellow and peach!)

001. Baby blue pastel faux leather jacket - Zara

002. The 13" in Peach Pink with gold clasps - The Cambridge Satchel Company

003. LOVE rose long sleeve playsuit - In Love With Fashion

004. Petite knitted fluffy crew jumper - Topshop

005. Yellow asymmetric wrap skirt - Primark (in stores April)

This is probably the trend I will personally struggle with most. I am not one for wearing much colour and when I do venture away from black, it's usually something along the lines of grey or dark blue - adventurous, I know. It's not that I don't love the pretty pastels but they are just so far from my comfort zone! These gorgeous finds may sway me though...

001. When I spotted this on the Zara website, I fell in love. A friend of mine described it as 'beautiful' a few weeks ago, she wasn't wrong.

002. I have Cambridge Satchels on the brain at the moment. As I'm heading to London on training next week, I have promised to treat myself to the Oxblood Red version to replace the recent loss of my tan Dune bag (it unfortunately broke). This peach pink version is adorable and would look great with the faux leather Zara jacket.

003. I recently purchased the black version of this playsuit and am waiting for it to be delivered. Although, the more I look at the rose version, the more I wish I'd ventured out and bought this instead!

004. Fluffy jumpers are the best; this Topshop beauty is the perfect colour to create a range of different outfits across various SS14 trends.

005. Have you seen the SS14 collection from Primark yet? If not, I urge you to check it out here. This asymmetric skirt is one of my favourite pieces from the range!

Have you invested in any candy colours yet?

L x

Style | SS14 - Global Influences

001. White tribal print Mexican beach dress - River Island

002. Gold contrast gemstone tribal necklace - New Look

003. Clean edge fedora hat - Topshop

004. Printed jumpsuit - Zara

005. Scarf with geometric design - Zara

006. Lime aztec jacquard cropped jacket - River Island

This is by far one of my favourite trends. Daytime or evening, whatever the occasion, this is the one that you can easily throw together with minimal effort and still look like you've really thought about it - my kind of lazy fashion!

001. This is so cute! It may be a beach dress but I'd wear it in the UK, providing we are ever graced with that magical thing called British sunshine. Team it with a strappy sandal, floppy hat and a clashing printed duffle bag for the perfect daytime outfit.

002. New Look is one of my favourite places for affordable and on trend jewellery and this beauty is no exception. Ticking all the boxes for tribal influences, this necklace will update even the simplest of outfits.

003. I love hats but have yet to actually buy one. Every time I go to Topshop, I head straight to the accessories to try every style going, yet always leave empty handed - I should just take the plunge and buy one!

004. I want this! But I'm pretty certain that I will be too short for it, so let's not even go there (me and jumpsuits are never on good terms).

005. Scarves. Another love of mine. Another thing I should invest in more. Another item to add to my ever growing wish list. I finally got a plain black coat at Christmas and absolutely love how a scarf can completely turn a look around.

006. I'm easily distracted by a pretty jacket; my outerwear collection is... let's say extensive, but you'll see about this in a future post I have planned. This aztec lovely is a web exclusive for River Island and would love amazing with a white dress or separates.

Have you spotted any ethnic and global prints lately?

L x

Style | SS14 - Monochrome

It's that time of year again. The sales are over and the emails are flooding in; the new collections are here!

I'm not one for sales, most likely because of my very small patience threshold and my value of personal space, so January shopping is a bit of an 'awkward turtle' for me. However, the arrival of February has sent my mind in to overdrive thinking back to London Fashion Week in September 2013 and what inspired me most.

Everyday this week I'll be posting my top picks from the high street that tick all the major Spring/Summer 2014 trends - from black and white to pretty pastels and tribal influences, there's something to incorporate in to everyone's personal style.

001. Checked bomber jacket - Primark (in stores April)

002. Black and white geometric print skort - River Island

003. Boyfriend gilet - Mango

004. Petite leather look crop tee - Topshop

005. Side panel trousers - Vila

001. As you'll see throughout this week, I love a good bomber jacket. Dorothy Perkins had a very similar one to this a while back but I missed it. They're so versatile - wear it with a pair of cropped boyfriend jeans and a strappy heel, or if you're feeling more casual why not try a classic slip-on trainer.

002. This is amazing - I spotted it online at the weekend and am desperate to get to a store to try it on! Skorts take me back to my primary school years. I'm talking a bright orange, towel-like, Reebok beauty with matching polo shirt - not cool. I love how grown up and glam River Islands take on the skort could easily look if kept in the monochrome theme with a bright heel.

003. The tailored waistcoat is such a classic item. My mum has been dying for one of these for the past year, I'd love to treat her to it!

004. Better step up those crunches ladies because crop tops are not going anywhere soon. Leather alone always adds edge to an outfit but the simplistic and boxy style of this Topshop tee is the perfect addition to any printed trouser.

005. After looking at these for a few weeks on Asos, I wasn't quite sure what to pair them with, until today! Now I'm just praying for a double student discount event!

How would you wear the monochrome trend?

L x

Weekend wish list | 003

001. Thank you cards - Paperchase

002. Vans Old Skool leopard print trainers - Office

003. Bourjois Happy Light Concealer - Boots

004. Converse All Star White canvas - Office

005. Strawberry iPhone 4 case - Claires Accessories

The last weekend in Manchester has creeped up rapidly and silently behind me. Feeling a little sad, a little happy and a little erratic, it's making me want to shop right now. I've made a promise to myself that my future clothing purchases will be investment staples that will last me a long time, fit in to my existing wardrobe and create a capsule wardrobe that Gok would be proud of; hence, I am avoiding going into Manchester centre and distracting myself with endless episodes of Pretty Little Liars on Netflix!

My wish list this weekend are what I'd like to call practical and smart buys...

001. As I approach the last week of my placement, I wanted to do something to say a huge thank you to the team I've been working with. They have been the kindest, most welcoming and helpful people who have really helped me to progress in my studies and work experience. Bianca and I have decided that individual thank you notes are the way forward, and homemade cake of course! These ones from Paperchase are my favourite - classic and simple enough to let the note inside do the talking.

002. Ok, so these are the least practical item today. But they're cute and I love leopard print. However, I am slightly edging towards a slip on pair but I can't seem to find any!

003. I tried this a while ago in-store and loved the creamy but good coverage it gave. At the time I had plenty concealer and my sensible head told me to hold out. I did, so can I buy it now?!

004. How do I not own a pair of these? Surely that fact alone is reason enough for me to instantly buy them. I have the blue high top versions but they're just not doing it for me anymore. I love how the classic Converse will literally go with anything from jeans, to leather trousers to shorts - a perfect investment for the wardrobe I lust after.

005. If you saw my current iPhone case you would look at me a whole other way. It was originally pale blue but has slowly become an unpleasant and murky shade I'd rather not describe. Buying a new one is certainly overdue. I keep looking online but there's just way too much choice. This strawberry cover from Claires Accessories is adorable but there's one problem - I just realised it's for the iPhone 4. 

Back to the search I go!

L x