The rokit has landed

Hey long time no post I know and apologies for the slacking, come the new year posts will be more consistent believe me. I'm saving up for a laptop as when I can't stalk fashion and blog it drives me up the wall and I morph into this mad fashion deprived woman. Who despite all the tricks in the sleep disorder book, fails to transport to slumber land due to the hundreds and thousands of fashion topics that drift around in my head. Yes I am that sad, in fact I keep a notebook with me at all times as I've always got something I need to write about.Oh man I cannot wait to purchase a laptop, I will be boring you all to tears with a hundred blog posts per hour. Feel free to delete me from blog roll if this occurs!
Now call me foolish but I won't be basing purchase of laptop on it's techno intelligence nor capability, oh nooo for my decision will be based purely on aesthetic. If I spot a bright red or even better embellished laptop 'tis mine.Santa do you hear me?

Apart from wishing with all my might for a laptop, I've been waiting for my delivery from Rokit (one amazing vintage web stop which I recommend to any quirky vintage fashion fan) I bought a few items from there as a Christmas gift from myself to myself. Am I the only person who does this?I once bought my friend (what I considered to be a very cool gift) this multi coloured seventies embellished blazer from Rokit (think Ugly Betty, you've got the visual). Her negative response not being what I had expected. "you may want to join the circus but I sure don't, what is this thing anyway. Where did you get it from?"
I paused for a second to collect my thoughts, gobsmacked by her honest and harsh reaction, "Where did I get 'it' from? The bloody circus love whilst there I had a conversation regarding the latest fashion trends with Dumbo the elephant."
You live and you learn.

Rokit is for fashion dare devils only. Those not afraid of receiving odd frowns from strangers on the train, or verbal abuse from the fashion savy sort( who think by wearing one accessory their being 'bold'). Here's a tip for ignoring opinions from the latter: turn the volume up and say a pray for them. Do not fear one day they're have a mind of their own. Even if it is in their afterlife.
I was so excited when my Rokit Xmas gift to myself finally arrived,that soon as I ripped open the packaging the existing garments in my wardrobe seemed depressing and just no longer up to scratch. I gave them a dirty and disgusted look, go on get out of my wardrobe.
Of course I'm only joking (though I really did give them a not-very-amused glance not there is single thing wrong with them)every year I select my favourite pieces from my wardrobe and drop them around various charity/ thrift shops.
As a thank you for all the fashion thrift gems I've discovered through out the year!







www.rokit.co.uk

PS...Rage Against The Machine are Christmas number one, thank god for that I hate being force fed frigging X factor every year.

Would you like a bag?

So I'm at a supermarket beginning with t and ending with o (they bake the best cookies, yum toffee and banana-yes please!)as I'm paying for my shopping (no exciting contents I'm afraid. Just the norm, crackers, soup, tights and toothpaste...odd combination huh?)the girl asks a simple non complicated question, " would you like a bag?"
Followed by a rather long pause from me,as I look down and observe my worn out distressed purple fringe bag, minus a few purple tassel strands and a damaged zip.I begin to feel sympathy towards my depressed looking bag, oh how once she appeared so new and snazzy. This is no longer the case, instead of snazzy she now (the bag) looks shattered. My fringe bag has been through a lot - literally through a lot:caught in train doors, bus doors and almost torn apart and shredded by this evil beast of a dog tied up outside the post office.Now the time has arrived and I must part with it *cry*.Only I've become attached too attached to this frigging fringe bag.
..."Would-you-like-a-bag or not?" The girl at the till still waiting for my answer.
"Yeah please,I'd like a bag, though not of the plastic shopping bag variety."
I must of really freaked her out as she threw me more then a life's worth of plastic carrier bags, before security jumped on me HA! Jokes.

Replacing a worn out handbag is similar to replacing a dead pet (stick with me here folks, this is heading somewhere...)a)you go through emotions of denial, 'no, no,no there is nothing wrong with my bag, its fine!'b)its difficult and c)you compare all potential new-bags-to-be, to the once glorious but now old and had it ex- bag.
After much grieving, I have finally began browsing for a new bag. Admittedly at first I searched only purple fringe bags, then I realised no other fringe bag will ever really replace my former trusty fringe bag.I forced myself out of my comfort zone and made a decision to browse only bags which have zero resemblance to her (the purple fringe bag).
Oddly my potential bag list (I'm obsessed with writing lists for anything and everything, bags are no exception)consist of quirky grey bags with no fringe in sight, or purple.
Could it possibly be I'm at long last moving on? Tell me does anyone else get this emotionally attached to a bag!?


board by: prettyneons
1. from, house of fraser
2. from,Asos
3. from, Evans
4. from, Topshop

PS...The thrift post that never materialised yesterday, I shall post soon as my camera is fixed.

Shes like a rainbow

Hello's fellow blogger 'gals and guys (though I do believe prettyneons has no male readers. However if you are a guy who's reading this, then sorry and do excuse my ignorance!).
Hope you all had a fabtastic weekend?My weekend was hectic I didn't get much snooze time, self inflicted mind you...I stayed awake sketching away until I had blisters on my fingers from clutching pencils and paint brushes. The heavy, aggressive rain was smashing against my window all weekend so I skipped sleep both Saturday and Sunday night. The result? One counter-productive Monday.
I'm rambling on, and have now forgot what I was going to type?
Aha yes, the light bulb has switched back on...
I wanted to thank you all for the walking in high heel tips: practice makes perfect I shall take that on board.
And also a giant thanks you's for the get well comments, I'm feeling so much better today, just a 'ickle exhausted...this is my own fault, I know.Once again though thank you (insert-kiss-kiss).

So shame on me. For about three months I've been promising to post extracts from a few of my scrap books, yet have failed to do so. Only because I bang on about fashion so much I forget all the other to-do's.Plus my scrap books are tucked away in difficult places and I've been too lazy to go and dig them out.
Enough txt (and excuses) about my scrap books here are a random selection of scribbles...



illustrations by:prettyneons.

I'm playing around with all my original sketches at the moment, importing them into photoshop see if I can work them into some fashion design prints for next year. Others are becoming large scale pieces of art, its all just trial and error for the time being.Fingers crossed something exciting will develop in due time.
I had planned on revealing my weekends thrift finds but my camera has just packed out and died on me, sorry folks! Will post the thrift finds tomorrow.*Promise*

Cheer -me -up- fashion

Hi blogging buddies, now do excuse this short and rather lame excuse for a post. I've not been feeling too bright today:even that may be a massive understatement. I feel like death, only death with a pulse (Hmmm contradiction? Just a bit).
In the bid to make myself feel better I binged out on both fruit and chocolate (dramatic contrast, I know)and washed it all down with some pain killer meds.
All the above failed to cheer me up, so then I turned my attention to online fashion,and spotted a pair of Iron fist bow shoes-all better now.
Though I really could do with some instructions on how to balance and walk in these things,any tips anyone? As high heels and I do not get on very well together, I won't even go into my past experiences involving dizzy high heels. It wasn't pretty.
Changing the subject. I also came across some really colourful print leggings too from shopbop, and a fabulous skirt from rarefashion
.

Anywhos that's about it from me today, just thought I'd share my snazzy fashion finds with you all.Have a fabtastic weekend, yeah?Me? Well I'm working through the weekend and going to have a whizzzzz around the charity shops...one is never too ill to thrift!Of course I shall share my thrift gems and take a snap of them for you to see.
Right-e-o I'm going to scribble in my scrap book, brush my teeth and then I'm hitting slumber land, up at five am tomorrow.

PeAce*
Prettyneons x

My big distraction

Why oh why is it I seem to get so easily distracted and lose track of time? Why don't I stop myself browsing fashion blogs, websites when I must crack on with work. I tell myself 'you've lots of important work to be completing save fashion/ blog catch up for another time, when you have time to waste and fully abuse'. Seems I'm incapable of talking myself out of it,click-boom what do you know I'm sat in front of the computer getting my daily fashion fix. Oh no I can't resist browsing the web just in case I might miss something which I may live to regret!Fashion, it is a full on addiction I suppose? The more I flick through fashion websites/ blogs etc the more intense my fashion addiction becomes: one fashion website becomes five,which then turns into five hundred websites that I've clicked in and out of. All this clicking and stalking fashion before late afternoon arrives. I've got it bad, real bad.

I damn links yes links. They make my work day very counter-productive,one minute I'm drooling over shoes on a-shu.co.uk. Then I click on some link which leads me to a fashion blog, whilst reading said fashion blog I scroll through their blog list and stumble upon another all time consuming enjoyable design blog.
I indulge in a newly discovered french design blog, and click (by accident may I add) on a nice and bright bold orange word. Sugar I've yet again allowed another link to suck me in further into the fashion vortex.
Links, you have to watch 'em you know they can totally take over your day oblivious to you until you stare up at the clock and the day has some how gone from am to pm. Oops I have less willpower then I first assumed. But whoa am I glad I clicked (by mistake)onto that bold orange word which spelled out (in attention seeking capitals) RUPHUS sorry did I just trick you into a link. Well I did warn you to be careful of those pesky little fashion links.No?

There is always a certain amount of suspense when entering into a unknown blog... oohh I wonder what it will be like?Will it be exciting?Will it be another blogger who's wardrobe I want to raid through?Am I going to get hooked and have to add to the already 'old loooong blog list?
I sit and wait for the link to get moving.
My heart skips a beat, what is this? This is insane- good insane the designs are over whelming like all good art and design should feel and be. Hmmm investigation work required, check profile, check links whoa whoa whoa, oh my gosh more there's more beautiful pieces by Ruphus.
All my investigating pays off as I learn Ruphus is a textile designer, who creates the most stunning and decorative accessories. A collage of prints, textures and techniques blended effortlessly together.The pieces are so very intriguing I couldn't stop clicking zoom, my head virtually stuck inside the computer screen wishing I could touch the accessories and pop one on my head.
Yes Ruphuscollection.blogspot.com has already been added to my dangerous/addictive/ distracting blog list. Which once again begs the question why-oh-why do I do this to myself, eh?





all photos from:Ruphuscollection.blogspot.com

Bonkers about brogues

I did it again today I bought yet another pair of brogues, yes because I really need another pair of bloody brogues.I own more pairs of brogues then all the grandads around the world combined.I've always received a lot of stick for wearing brogues thankfully I'm not concerned about what people say about my beloved brogues:brogues make my feet happy false dot-simple as.
I bought my first ever pair of brogues when I was thirteen,I stumbled upon them at a car boot sale. Yellow with black laces, when I shot up from a size three to five my heart broke, the hardest thing I ever had to do bin my yellow brogues. OK I had well and truly worn them out but still they were my bright yellow banana brogues...a tear rolls down my cheek simply revisiting this sad memory! Rest in peace yellow brogues.
Time to move on...

...So whilst waiting for my winter boots to arrive I desperately needed something other then peep toe shoes to keep my toes dry, warm and avoid slipping over on my bum (the result of walking around in wet pumps, which expand when soaked).
I didn't have much in my money deprived purse (which by the way has a depressing frown-yep objects can pull facial expressions)to be exact I had only £8.
I looked here there and everywhere for some 'just for now' shoes to no avail.
Then I browsed around SELECT it was a jumble of a mess in that store. Garments scattered across the floor,making Primarks presentation retail award worthy.At first I thought to myself nah, nope no way too much effort and hazard (having slipped over already today *ouch)cannot be bothered with the obstacle course, or crap background music for that matter (Cheryl Cole my ears are bleeding stop, stop it...She may be pretty but her tunes sure aint).By this point I was more then ready to make a rapido exit.

Wait what is this I spy on the messy floor?Hiding over at the back (isn't amazing how your vision sharpens when in a clothes shop?)only a pair of frigging brogues! Not any old pair of boring brogues, oh no for these pair of brogues are patent and reduced not once but twice making them £6 (they were £16 at one point: my piggy bank is laughing-no not at my grandad brogues) and in my size as well. This my friends was destiny of the brogue variety.
I couldn't help but notice the dirty looks of fashion disgust ('like what is she thinking? Say a fashion disaster pray for her, forgive her for these fashion sins' expressed across this fashion victims face)directed at my brogue purchase.
There, there my baby brogues don't you cry (brogues are very sensitive shoes) ignore them and their staring problems.
Lets go home I will introduce you to your big sister brogues bought many moons ago (erm last year).


photo:Some of my brogues...ignore her in the background.

next on my brogue wish list:Melissajoy silver brogues

Wild thing

For some unknown reason I seem to be fixated, obsessed and attracted to animal print just lately. I've no idea why? or indeed where this sudden crush on leopard print has sprung from? Maybe I've been influenced by this book which I'm currently reading,which is all about the Sixties-rock & roll bands, groupies and err lots of leopard print.
Seems I've really absorbed the Sixties style, taking style mental notes:
Note embellished waist coats, note chunky bracelets, note heavy eyeliner, note and highlight leopard print coats. Fluffy, long leopard print coats.

Whilst flicking through the visuals and skipping large chunks of txt (now I never ever scan read or skip paragraphs, this is how serious and distracting the problem is becoming)this leopard print coat with red stitch detail and bright red buttons, complete with dark purple collar literally jumps out from the page,along side Led Zep.
Never before have I wanted to be apart of the Sixties quite so much, well that is a blatant lie. As I've dedicated posts for my love of the Sixties before.The wanting just got far worse. I have this theory (here she goes again with her fashion theory's-one of many)that if some how I can track down and obtain a glamorous leopard print coat it will somehow transport moi back to the Sixties.Where I too can be a rock & roll groupie, stalking the likes of The Stones and Led Zep with the leopard print coat receiving their full attention. Before you know it the back stage pass is mine, and I'm off tagging along, sight seeing across the world with Led Zep as my sight seeing pals.


Of course there will be no going back in time and hanging out with Sixties rock stars for me, until I hunt down a fierce and fake leopard print fur coat! Damn it. Not any leopard print coat, as that's the easy part. There are hundreds and hundreds of leopard print coats out there.
I need to find a leopard print coat with all the following specific design details...fake fur( I don't invite the thought of wearing dead animal, so if it can be avoided I will do just that)red stitching, large bold red buttons double breasted and a dark purple collar...
Hours later with pm turning into am (I lost all sense of time browsing fashion webby's) and with the return of my pinkish/redish fashion strained eyeballs I eventually discovered the leopard print coat of all leopard print coats. That ticked all my Sixties coat check list box's,minus dark purple collar.
Faux fur leopard print coat with red buttons and black collar (a girl can't have it all I suppose?)from very
,and is destined for the crimbo wish list.
I stumbled upon an array of leopard print coats all in various styles (and not all of them were that snazzy),whilst straining my eyes clicking from one website to another Warehouse also has a leopard print,rock star worthy coat. Which like the one from very will be added to my childish crimbo wish list.



coat from: very

board by:prettyneons

1. From Warehouse, £80
2. From Peacocks, £40
3. From Very, £85

Victory!

EEK(can you start a sentence with ekk?Too late just did)I received the best phone call ever this morning which began with, "So would you like to join Newlook then?"
Huh what-who- me?
*Screams down phone with a loud sharp raw and excited, proper girly screech
"Oh my god yesssss!" Those four simple words are all I could think to say.
"Great hows Wednesday for you, can you begin then?"
Once again I could only scramble two basic words together...
"Umm sure!"
Followed by a delayed..."Thank you"

The battle against unemployment is over, victory damn it,VICTORY is mine!
It's been a very realistic tough slog of a graduate nightmare, only I couldn't shake myself out of this nightmare wake myself up,and shrug the situation off.For this nightmare wasn't really a nightmare as I was fully awake all the way through the ups and downs.Despite how much I adore fashion, there were many times when I thought to myself, 'what are you doing?Give up already.'To be frank, there were situations I experienced in which I began to seriously doubt myself convinced those years of studying at both college and university had been nothing but a costly waste of time.I had no other choice then to stick it out and hang on in there, as I'm no good at anything else. Fashion and art, that's it this is all I know, all I've ever known.
Heck I remain in utter shock I'm going to work for Newlook? Surreal. I've been obsessed with Newlook since I was in the womb (my obsession began early, pre-mature even)and can't believe this is my first step on the fashion career ladder.


Of course once more (I know, I know I've wrote an array of features on Newlook...but just one more time I promise) I have to declare my love for Newlook and pay homage to the highstreet fashion brand that I've grown up with via all my fickle fashion phases which include:styling myself as 'baby spice'(girl power),ripping off Gwen of Nodoubt and embracing Grunge, rocking myself up Courtney Love style.Now (just in case you were wondering) I'm a collective mix of everything and anything, today I'm in three different shades of green, gold and silvers...my inspiration? This pretty Xmas visual from the JohnLewis Xmas gift idea leaflet.
Where was I before I got side tracked?
Homage to Newlook.
I know thousands of fashion fans will be gushing over Giles (Deacon)today, and I sure am one of them too, however there are some impressive non-Gold by Giles Deacon stand out pieces to fall deep in lurrrve with as well.
Note: the movie star glamorous faux fur animal print winter warmer of a coat,quirky heart stud patent shoulder bag and stunning oriental platforms with delicate gold detail. Newlook's accessories are always so appealing to me, I must get my hands on a couple of those futuristic silver and bright blue chunky bracelets.
Newlook how I heart you, forever.


all images Newlook
board by:prettyneons

1.Faux fur animal print coat,£50.00
2.Stripe dress, £24.99
3.Suede shoes with gold detail,£40.00
4.Heart stud shoulder bag,£6.00
5.Silver and blue chunky bracelet,£6.00
6.Black sequin stud top Gold by Giles Deacon for Newlook, £45.00

Fashion rises

There are an awful lot of beautiful frocks on those fashion runways,they all shine and dazzle getting my- heart a-racing every single time I click on to the likes of Vogue Elle and style.I adore watching those runway clips,it really is fantastic escapism and entertainment.Browsing through various fashion runway clips is all good happy fun to begin with,but laughter soon turns to tears (as my mum would say).'Tis true that old saying, because whenever I sit at my computer working my through numerous fashion shows falling head over heels with various collections.Towards the end I have a flick through the fashion catwalk images,further admiring and staring hard at designer pieces I cannot afford. Why I tease myself like this I don't have a clue?Am I just sick in the head? Possibly.

After crying my eyeballs out (I'm not a cry baby really) over the harsh reality:being there is no way on earth I can obtain high price tag designer threads.
I try my hand at some fashion problem solving,I'll hit the high street have a snoop through a whole bunch of rails...rubbish idea,who told me I'm good at problem solving, huh? Who? They lie.
Next cunning fashion problem solving idea, click online there are thousands of online fashion websites. Problem a lot of them have identical stock same designers, same labels etc etc, and there for they all have the same interpretation of catwalk trends.

Step forward and rise . I talk way too much about Rise I have to check their contents out at least four days a week, or five days a week if you want to count Sundays too?
Rise are not like other online fashion websites, no they are better. You don't find the same old-same old items that you've already seen a hundred times before on other rival fashion sites.Rise avoids this by having very their own in house design team sketching and pattern cutting away especially for us who want to be a bit different and stand out from the crowd.Or those of us who love designer pieces but detest the painful prices.

I being always such a sucker for sequins and anything that sparkles am a big, big huge fan of Rise Elite limited edition collection. Which consists of stunning antique style embellished shift dresses and sequin blazers and is affordable so no need for regret! The two stand out pieces for me personally are the, blue beaded dress which has a touch of Sixties shimmering through all those sequins and decorative beads.The Elite collection is glorious and all so glam. I also have a crush on the bold sequin blazer, which could wow quite easily paired with a denim skirt or jeans. Though for me that's playing it safe I opt for the bonkers over the top volume is more circus look. I swear if the only the powers that be over at Rise could send me a early crimbo gift i.e the sequin blazer or better yet the blue shift dress-hint-hint... I'd happily do my first ever (and probably last) blog outfit post.







images from Rise
all boards by:prettyneons.

Bootcamp for me

Am I the only one who's still in denial about it being winter? Refusing to except that summer is dead, gone well and truly over (though with this global warming business who can be certain?). I fool myself into believing it is still warm sunny and pleasant outside. How do I trick my brain into thinking this?
I continue to wear summer style peep toe shoes, thin as a piece of paper, I've learned the hard way that summer pumps are not very water resistant the result being a sort of soggy tissue paper effect, or to be more descriptive a daft flipper effect.
Where the only solution is to remove the summer flats and embrace the bare foot look, feel the wet cold pavement beneath your feet. You should try it sometime loads of fun-if your insane!

Yesterday I tolerated my peep toe pumps as my knee high heart socks protected my 'ickle toes from the harsh weather conditions. That is until I had to stand at the bus stop for over an hour (the joys of public transport: that and having people sneeze, cough and splat right in your face. Obviously their mothers never taught them to put a tissue over their mouth, hello two words...swine flu. Cover up already!). Whilst waiting in line I couldn't help but stare at others feet, suddenly I began to feel a complete idiot as everyone (with the exception of me)had winter foot wear on: uggs, knee high boots, wellies. Then there's me and my choice of footwear.Red pumps.
The knee high socks were doing a good job of keeping my feet warm, but after standing still for ages I began to experience pins and needles, my toes slowly going from cold to numb.Just in case I didn't feel a big enough fool for my bad choice of footwear this old lady leaned over and said,"You must be freezing cold my dear? Your making me feel the chill just looking at you, don't you have any winter shoes?"
Sigh.

I suppose I can no longer carry on pretending its summer.Though the summer dresses and skirts are staying for winter (I'll just invest in some leggings and tights) as I'm going nowhere near denim or trousers.Their just too boring.However the summer shoes it is time for you to go(on ebay, money for crimbo gifts)and time I start to face facts:it is no longer summer time there will be no more weekend trips to the beach, picnics or summer strolls.The seasons have changed there for so must my wardrobe as it's now (Oh I can't bring myself to say it) win...winter, rain,ice, fog, snow and footwear depression awaits.
Thank god then for such gorgeous boots:buckles, studs, patent shine,leopard print, platforms and killer heels. Perhaps winter will be brighter this year after all?

Here are the ones I'm lusting over, hmm but which pair to save up for?


board by: prettyneons.

1.Red tartan boots,£60
2.Patent illustration boots,£50
3.Leopard print platforms,£60, all from office
4.Blue leopard print boots from Pixiemarket

Three Reasons...

So what with yesterdays thrift showing off, I'm aware I may be coming across as some crazy out of control shopaholic with one mighty big materialistic and shallow soul which only goes as deep as my purse (which isn't that deep).However my DNA structure (believe it or not) isn't one hundred percent materialistic,as fashion for me personally is more an art form.As a reserved and slightly shy individual without clothes I can't express myself nor 'paint'the blank canvas (moi) and create my art. I know that may sound ridiculous, silly, and bizarre.I don't shop for the hell of it, I don't shop to keep up with fickle trends,nor do I dress to please others, whats the point of that?

Yesterdays and today's cheap as chips fashion binge was a must,see there are three very good reasons to as why I'm spending huge amounts of time in various waiting lines from Oxfam to Primark.Melting(why oh why are shops always so hot?) under the harsh bright white lights which beam down on me.Here are those three reasons which justify my recent fashion consuming slutish behaviour a)I'm experimenting with other styles and visuals b)I've no idea how exactly but I've dropped a size or two. How many sizes I can't be certain? As my size always seems to vary from shop to shop.I'm not comfortable with this smaller version size of me, as I miss and long for the bigger size her with cleavage. c)I had a very exciting job interview today at Newlook and felt like rewarding my nervous as wreck self for remaining calm and not screwing up the interview.Yes, yes I managed to avoid stumbling and tripping over my words and making a verbal mess.Yay to me.

I could never bring myself to spend huge amounts of money on clothes, even if I was lucky enough to have an endless bank balance I doubt whether I could waste eighty quid on shoes or hundreds on designer bags. As it wouldn't be long until guilt haunted me,leaving me feeling dirty. I'm from a working class background and I suppose no matter what the future may bring I will always have that sensible penny pinching side to me.
Today I happened to be in the right place at the right time.As sale prices were being reduced even further,the floral Primark dress was slashed down to five quid then slashed some more down to three quid. I couldn't believe my luck repeated itself when I popped into Select on a mission: browsing for a new cardigan (the two I have have worn thin).No more new clothes for me the thrift or reduced kind, my mission is now complete.Well almost complete, I need some winter boots! My beloved grunge -meets- cowboy boots have fallen apart after three good years together we must part.Tragic stuff. In fact I'm going to have a looksee over at office see if there are a pair worth saving for, I shall keep you posted. As its all so exciting (insert sarcastic tone).

Been thinking of rainbows

'I try to think about rainbows
When it gets bad
You got to think about something
To keep from going mad'

Nodoubt: In my head
At long last November has arrived, October was some what a hellish month, or rather the month where- despite- no -matter- how- hard- I -tried -I -got- nowhere and achieved nothing, zero, blank simply going backwards if not standing dead still and set on pause?
Yes, yes thats it! October the "pause" month.
If it wasn't my PC playing up, it was my sewing machine driving me up the wall, if it wasn't the latter it was my immune system deciding to be funny (oh yeah weak immune system you crack me up, so very highly amusing).October flu after bloody flu. October the month of redish haze/ fog:red eye then pink eye then burning itchy irritating red raw eye. Did I mention flu and sore eyes already?
Admittedly my blog was neglected through October (apologies and sob for missing your first birthday prettyneons blog) while I've been holed up in my den with the curtains closed, cupa soup on tap and medication stacked up sky high (Mmm delicious syrup based cough medicine cocktail.Vomit).
Goodbye October the month where I done nothing productive...


And hello November! How you appear all brand new, sparkly and full of hope.
My flu is beginning to clear and so is the redish pink haze across my vision, and vile cough medicine breath... taste buds please don't abandon me,'tis all over now I promise no more horrid flavoured medicine.
To celebrate the fact my October bad luck seems to be easing off (along with those mean, little ugly flu germs)I departed from the pit(bed)and caught up with all those everyday beauty habits and routine which for some unknown reason is just too challenging and one big effort when sick,down and out with flu.I picked up the bottle of shampoo washed my hair, freshened up my face and sorted out my crazy rebellious eyebrows.Opened up the wardrobe, slipped into some 'wet look' leggings and pulled this sailoresque vintage dress on, grabbed my leather jacket and headed outside for a indulgent thrift shopping spree.

The fierce wind slapping me around the face, dead leaves decorating my head whether I like it or not.
First stop junk shop which is set up in this big empty barn (like I've mentioned before on this blog I live in a strange, strange town a place which time forgot)which continues for miles and miles. Random bits and pieces piled up and poking out here and there. Behind a giant box full with everything from key rings to classic Disney VHS tapes, I discovered a real authentic rock & roll leather jacket complete with various zip pocket details for £8.Mine.Along with the chunky owl ring, that I almost stood on. For this junk shop isn't concerned with presentation.
OK I also (cringe) may of purchased Snow white VHS as well.
Before I left the junk shop I felt ashamed of my old leather jacket I removed it stuffed the thing in my bag (RIP) and quickly replaced it with the lovely and new leather jacket, oh the novelty, oh the glorious newness.
All proud of my new leather jacket I skipped down the road beaming,with this new found confidence,hell-yes- look-at-me-now-I'm-cool... only not really.But heck strangers don't know that:the power of garments.My next thrift stop was Oxfam,a lot of rubbish everywhere because it's approaching Xmas all I stumbled upon was numerous tinsel decorations and pre-loved dancing Santa's that quite frankly freak me out. Or at least this variety of dancing Santa did.

Giving up hope of finding anything wardrobe worthy in Oxfam (thrifting is so hit or miss and requires dedication and a whole lot of energy.Hence why I think it should be an Olympic sport...get your thrift Lycra sport pants at the ready-go!). I walked towards the jewelery box full to the top with knots of plastic gems,I rummage through drowning in plastic bling. Lifted up this hundred ton plastic bundle of necklaces,to find a surprising and pretty gem of a dress. The dress is two sizes to big but as I lurrrve layering up it will do just fine,like the leather jacket once again I felt compelled to discard my current ensemble and slip into the new one straight away. I didn't. Well have you seen charity shop changing rooms? Ekk,wrong, wrong, wrong no way I've witnessed some truly horrible things in charity shop changing rooms. I shalt go into detail just in case your eating.




board by prettyneons.

Pencil Food

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Thrift Whore

Right now I'm literally drowning in neon post-it notes, I've been bursting to blog I almost returned to the blog scene last week after having lots of techno issues. Only soon as I logged on I had to log off AGAIN.
Why? Well my email account got hacked into:yeah because having my blog account hacked into and a computer virus wasn't enough in the space of Oh three weeks.
So far October has been one dead blog post month, due to all the annoying above. And wow have I been feeling the blog void, being unable to post daily is a similar shit feeling to not brushing your teeth twice a day everyday.
Returning to the post- it notes. I have a whole months worth of various fashion notes/ topics and rants in draft form ready, that should have been posted up. Perhaps its a good thing though? God knows the fashion blog scene really doesn't need my random musing inputs, and especially rants!

Anywhos apart from screaming at my PC and calling hackers every name under the sun I've been working (yep I got that waitress job, and what a joy serving starters, wiping down ketchup stained tables and dealing with rude customers is. One customer treating me like a piece of shit, I put him straight,'why don't you shut your trap and think before you speak, and if your not capable of the latter then go chock on your food'.
I got in a 'ickle bot of trouble with the manager. But I can't tolerate people assuming I'm 'thick' because I'm "just a waitress" when unknown to them I have brains and ambition. I can't help but think sometimes it might be easier not to have any ambitions at all).
I achieved to get some tips the other day, so I decided to be bold live on the edge and instead of attempting to pay off my student debt (which really isn't do-able on the minimum wage)I morphed into a thrift whore.

I stuck my headphones on and in, turned up Paloma Faith (who I adore I saw her ages ago and so glad at long last shes beginning to get some acknowledgment. Though why its took this long baffles me?)and hit the charity shops/ thrift stores. Rummaging around, playing dress up in the changing room escapism at its best.
Exiting the Salvation army with a big smile stretching from ear to ear across my face, feeling content and very delighted with my cheap and cheerful thrift purchases.



board by:prettyneons.

1. Dress, £3
2. Red Shoes, £1.50
3. Leopard print necklace,55p
all thrift items from the Salvationarmy.

The Glam Rock Trash Up

Boy oh boy have I been experiencing some blogger/ technology drama, big time.
Firstly my PC had to go to the erm computer doctors as it gave up on me completely,three days ago I was reunited with my beloved computer and blogger account. To discover some nutcase with too much time on their hands had hacked into my blogger account and in the process dropped a one messy, nasty virus attacking the insides of my computer. The poor thing (my PC) has really been in the wars.
All is fine (touch wood) I'm working my way through lots and lots of emails, spam and of course numerous online fashion news alerts. One week away from the blogshere is pretty much a lifetime in regards to fashion.Whats going on out there? Come Wednesday last week I was experiencing the shakes,style.com cold turkey aaahhhh. By Thursday I was a complete wreck...fashion- blog -buddies-I- need- to- talk (or rather comment) to- my -fashion- blog- buddies-I need-to-feed-my-eyes-with-fashion...for they have been deprived.

So guess what I'm off to do right now? Yep read my fave fashion blogs and have a serious catch up session, I've got my tunes on and a cup of tea at the ready.Just one hour since I've been back online and I've managed to do some wardrobe wishing: I'm currently going through what can only be described as this freakish glam rock wardrobe phase. Feathers, fake snake skin and bold colours...the tighter the fit the better.
I call this current and strange fashion phase the "glam rock trash up" phase. I blame the new(ish) short edgy haircut its gone to my head.Quite literally it would seem!


photo: Minimum dress from Pixiemarket

photo: Feather jacket from Miss Selfridge

photo: Fierce shoes from Matalan

Make Yourself

"If I hadn't made me, I would've been made somehow..
If I hadn't assembled myself, Id've fallen apart by now.
If I hadn't made me, I'd be more inclined to bow.
Powers that be, Would have swallowed me up
But that's more than I can allow.
But...

If you let them make you, they'll make you Paper-Mache
At a distance you're strong, until the wind comes
Then you'll crumble and blow away.
If you let him fuck you there will be no foreplay.
Rest assured, They'll screw you complete, Until your ass is blue and grey!"

Incubus 'Make Yourself'


Apart from fashion blogging I'm a scrapbook artalcoholic, creative nutcase who experiences panic attacks if I look in my bag and the following items are missing scrapbook ,pens, pencils, camera... AAAHHH where are they? Why aren't they in my bag? Where did I leave them? Shit, shit , shit I need to run home!Without my art I feel like half of me is missing and whenever I fail to get my daily fix of the pen, pencil mayhem I am hell to live with, if not a mess.
Spending nightly hours wide awake drawing/ scribbling /sketching/designing/printing/sewing/embellishing...(whichever way you wish to address making a colourful fulfilling mess)is one my bad habits,I seem to think my body doesn't require or need any sleep to function.All I really need is neon post-it-notes, for when I do manage to nod off...I can grab a pen and note down any 'ickle ideas that are half being processed in my brain whilst in deep slumber.

I've always been a bit shy and felt awkward exposing my art and designs (the latter words are too grand me thinks?)its a similar feeling to that of pasting diary entry's on street posts across town (so I imagine anyway).
However I'm beginning (very slowly) to feel a little more OK and less awkward about revealing my work. As over the last few months I've gained surprising feedback on my work. Through word of mouth I suppose, though my work has also gained frowns and-not-so-brilliant feedback, which is also fine...each to their own you can't please everyone because us humans are all different and fickle some way or another. Including myself too!

Experiencing both the bad and the good of exposing my art and design stuff,has helped more then I can really put into words.
So I've finally decided to get some bulls and post up this image of a T-shirt I created back in the start of summer. The illustration is sweet simple and naive as I tried to capture this random moment I observed at the park one evening... which I 'recorded' by sketching quickly down in my scrapbook.
The 'Is it a luvbug?' bespoke T-shirt has a combination of both print and embroidery. Please do forgive my crap cheap ebay camera...not to self: never pay just fifteen quid for a camera ever again.

This item is going on ebid as I've just set up my account at long last whoop, whoop. I really hope it sells as I'm beginning a new batch of various pieces, and my room is lacking any space to manoeuvre. Yet alone draw, design, print and sew. Still its time I made myself (see what I've done there? Customized the Incubus lyric...cunning eh?)I don't want to become just another door to door sales person (and yes I did have that delightful soul destroying job once,to make ends meat...never again. I took it upon myself to sack me)like every other person around here.
My next step on the career ladder is a impressive one folks.Back to being a waitress,I have no choice.I need the pennies to buy print and fashion equipment/ materials.
You should have seen the persons face at the interview, baffled he was, 'Why when you have fashion qualifications do you want to waitress?'
I should have seen that question coming...
...'Well I'd really like a job and a payslip, plus I've done plenty of waitress work before and I enjoy it. You get to meet new people all the time.'
Bullshit queen. Me? Nope. Serving people chips and coffee is my idea of awesome fun. I lie.
I'm doing this in the vain hope that (one day) I can produce and establish my own little fashionart ( I believe the two are identical, with no need to separate)label, and get the hell out of this mundane town!

Right-e-o I'm logging off now to embrace some vintage Incubus and sketch.You all have a cracking weekend, yeah?




photos: Bespoke 'Is that a luvbug?' T-shirt by prettyneons.

Liucia Freak

Liucia, Liucia, Liucia how I'm obsessed, my love for Liucia may never die nor fade. I'm aware it isn't all that healthy to be so smitten with a fashion website.
Only Liucia isn't simply 'a fashion website' hell no, do not confuse the two. Liucia is so much more then that, more then those online fashion sites which are influenced by current 'catwalk trends' and 'celeb style'.
Hmm how can I describe the glorious Liucia? I feel no big descriptive words can really do Liucia any justice, it would be lazy of me to insert a link and inform you to go have a looksee. I need to express exactly why I adore Liucia, if not to justify my freakish obsession with 'L'.

Right so here it goes, I'm going to type the thoughts and visuals my mind conjures up whenever I fixate my eyeballs on Liucia bags and accessories (warning: the following paragraph may read like absolutely zero sense...think back to front words. Well you will be witnessing the mechanics of my 'quirky' mind).

Liucia's Obi bags these may be as close as I ever get to experiencing Japanese culture and sight seeing around Japan (I've never yet traveled out of England or been on a plane.Soon as I have the bank balance and opportunity to purchase those golden flight tickets Japan- I -am -there!)without actually stepping foot on Japan soil.
Every stitch,every print,every little detail of Obi bags reflects both new and ultra modern Japan. Beautiful and traditional Japanese landscape prints perfectly balanced out with futuristic avant-garde Japanese elements and quirky unexpected twists.All the latter design details complement each other rather then conflict against each other.The old traditional Japanese prints inviting and embracing the young, new and fresh eager Japanese design.

Liucia goodies provide a genuine and passionate dose of Japanese culture, simply holding a Liucia clutch transports me to the heart of Japan...surrounded by bright lights I can hear the busy sounds of street traffic...err pre-daydreaming where was I? Oh yes those Obi clutch bags with their magical powers.Transporting me all the way across many oceans to Japan, which can only be a good thing? What with the chances of moi ever visiting Japan being highly unlikely... though I'm 23years of age so no giving up on that dream just yet...I shall continue to try and learn some Japanese via good ol' videojug.

Falling For You...

There really is no denying that fall is beginning to make itself visible, as premature as it may be ( what with the sun rays still beaming and the weather abnormally warm )I can't help but acknowledge fall creeping up.The once dull grey ground is decorated with this colourful cluster of fire red's and golden orange crisp dried up leaves (which admittedly I do have to prevent myself from running through the leaves and resist kicking the vibrant dead leaves up-up into the air).
Of course with fall and winter arrives the not so colourful fashion window displays: with an array of shades in the following... black,grey, purple and a serious lack of imaginative, pretty eye catching prints. For colours and prints are strictly for spring/ summer only not winter fool...Moi being the fool for expecting any different from last years fall/winter highstreet spread. Yawn.

Obviously I'm failing to understand fashion,sure I'm aware of the fashion trend structure and the whole from catwalk to highstreet process and so on. The part I always find completely baffling is this unwritten fashion rule/ guideline of: Spring/summer sport bold florals, swirls and general bohemian-esque ensembles. Fall/ winter avoid all of the above and embrace bland basic blacks,greys maybe purple if you must be so damn adventurous!
Um the thing is when the nights begin drawing in and the hours of daylight seem to pass by at an alarming and rapid pace, the last thing I want to embrace is more dark moody colours. If anything I often feel more compelled to experiment with brighter, exciting colours and mix up the patterns and prints. Every fall without fail I have a neon/ golds/ rainbow relapse (not just for the sake of rebelling against any particular fashion trend/rule, as such)I simply opt for colourful doses (in ridiculous high measures) to distract me from the harsh reality... that outside its cold,miserable and bleak.
I adore fashion for that very reason: it is a pleasant distraction or at least should be. Alas I won't be conforming to all those seasonal fashion guidelines, though I will be experiencing another fashion relapse. A relapse of the Orion kind that is...


I have what I can only describe as an Orion addiction with all the symptoms that are attached to addiction. You know? Symptoms such as: craving,anxiety and erm denial.
I refuse to except I have this weakness for anything Orion, yes-I-can- go- one- week without- obsessively- checking and re-checking- Orion online contents...alright so I can't. There you go I've admitted it I lack all will power and what do you know another confession...yep I have been seduced by their 'Just arrived' section.
Shock-horror Orions fall/winter items include both prints,pops of bold colour and (here is the utterly shocking part folks)busy loud florals. Orion also has an impressive selection of fabulous accessories. My two most beloved accessories being the tiger feather hairband and last but not least the fabulous orange, lilac, red and gold harlequin weave shoulder bag!
Also adoring and wishing I owned these Orion beauties...I believe the correct word is yearning?










board by:prettyneons


1.Annie dress, £59
2.Metallic stripe leggings, £13
3.Feather hairband, £16
4.Harlequin chain shoulder bag, £49

visit:www.orionlondon.co.uk

Fashion Hear Me Out

The email read...
...Hi prettyneons we follow your blog and would really love to offer you a placement within our exciting fast paced fashion PR company, please get in touch Best Wishes...
My instant reaction being gasp, 'Whoa jeez is this serious? Mum, mum,lookseeeeee!'
Mum scans through the email followed by encouraging words (though they may not read that encouraging?)'You work so so so hard and you deserve this. Those years of hard bloody work and your degree may have been worth the slog after all? Go on then what are you waiting for reply, reply.'

Before typing out my message I let out another gasp and a sharp Ekk. This is happening this is really real? I'm not going to wake up with my face in the drool covered ( I drool in my sleep, yeah you wanted to know that about me didn't you?) wet pillow? Hit by harsh cold reality? Sugar this is it, deep breath life's going to change and kick off at full speed now, prepare yourself. What to write? I've waited for this moment since I was a fashion naive child, sketching delightful zigzag, polka dot, primary colour ensembles with the aid of the famous fashion wheel (how I loved that toy).
Think and remain cool (nope its never too late to be 'cool')...
...Dear PR person (you kind kind fashion PR person yoooou)
How could I turn down such a fantastic opportunity? When you say "placement" do you mean actual job vacancy and wage? Or are you referring to a internship? Forgive my dimness.
How long is the placement and assuming its an internship would it be possible to cover my pesky travel expenses and lunch as I'm currently unemployed.
Thanks again, kind regards...
Send.

I'm all nervous now its been days too many days and I can't sleep, eat or think straight completely overwhelmed. The normally plain and simple task such as food shopping is proving to be too much, I left my purse behind at home and can't pay for my bread, soup and toilet roll ( yeah huh my shopping sprees are that mind blowing, don't hate me hahaha) all in all I can't function. Its that sort of anxious feeling when mind is fully preoccupied the pondering and 'what ifs' dominate your life. A similar gut wrenching feeling when awaiting feedback any feedback from that fine fella you met for a first date,as far back as three days ago and still no phone call
(Erm that's a whole other blog post and one I shall not be putting into type any time soon).

For the next annoying mundane days that followed I sat, sat and intensely starred at my computer screen eyes fixated on the old hotmail inbox. Ooh Ooh one "new message" let me at it, let me at it!
Yes, yes yes thank youuuu God (check me out all religious)its from them the lovely fashion PR peeps...
... Hi prettyneons,
Delighted with your interest (correction I'm delighted and over the moon with your interest in little old fashion blogging me)in our placement which we would like for you to fill.This placement is a 2-4month internship in London and could lead to possible full time employment in the near future.
We cannot cover your travel due to your location (what the!? I live a stones throw away in Sussex hundreds of fellow Sussex people make this expensive commute every day. This doesn't add up?). But (joy I'm still in with a chance, go on go...because of your catch 22 circumstance were happy to cover your travel)we can pay your lunch (wow that's very generous of you, however I'm not that purse broke and skint I can't afford to take my own homemade sandwiches!) and the insight your gain will be invaluable. Placement begins the start of November, Kind Regards...

Kind regards? You can shove your "kind regards" up your ass. Whats 'kind' about refusing to pay my travel expenses and in the process ONCE AGAIN putting my career on pause. Whats kind about building my hopes/ expectations? Since when was crushing someones dreams ever 'kind'?
Send.
Within ten minutes I received an instant reply...
...Hi prettyneons,(don't "hi" me)
We do not cover travel I'm afraid, here's a few suggestions (Um I've got a few for you honey)can you not borrow from your parents/ friends? Or work a part time job? (now I know I excel in multi-tasking, but how can I possibly juggle the two when the placement days are 9:30am-8:00pm mon-friday + long commute ( I live in the middle of nowhere) + moi returning home at 10pm = no part time job hours.'Duh).
As for "borrow from your parents/ friends" no can do we aren't all that highly privileged, some of us struggle with the weekly food shop hence the soup in bulk.
Send.

Funny enough yesterday I had another email like this one from a fashion publication, yep you guessed correctly "we do not cover travel expenses".
I ONCE AGAIN explained all, my fucking circumstance and all that jazz blah , blah, blah.
Fashion listen up all of you listen carefully (or rather read carefully)as what I say often no wait ALWAYS falls on deaf ears...
...*Do not offer me 'internships', 'placement's (whichever way you wish to address slave labor and general exploitation) if you cannot pay my travel expenses I have to get on two trains and one hellish long bus ride. Now please tell me is this really requesting too much? When I'm yours for four whole months running around after your coffee's,licking envelopes happy to be exploited if it means I may possibly achieve a step on that career ladder?
Is contributing towards my travel and lunch costs really going to leave a dent in your American Express black card? Is it really going to affect your gym membership and frequent designer shopping sprees?
Once again all you fashion insiders who are eager to offer me an internship until I mention those two little words 'travel' and 'lunch' expenses in which you leave me hanging and feeling somewhat a big fat ( Ooh forgive me did I use that dreaded word fat?) fashion outcast and very much a lost creative soul.

I'm not feeling sorry for myself either. I'm instead feeling very frustrated and very fucking sorry for myself.

*Insert ironic,positive upbeat, sickly sweet and happy fashion image


image from:thesundaytimesstyle magazine.