Sketchy...

So things have been a little bit sketchy in more ways than one. Life suddenly has been catapulted into this topsy turvy world where things do not make sense anymore. Have you ever felt that moment when you feel so indescribably happy that you can't help but smile and everything seems like it is coming together? If you feel like that then fantastic, remember that feeling and hold on to it for as long as possible, do not try to sabotage it and ruin it for yourself. This may sound really daft but I am being completely honest here, make yourself happy and put your insecurities to one side.

Right so random advice aside the other sketchiness in my life is that I have finally done something about my lack of artistic ability, or rather I am about to! I am going to attempt my first efforts at fashion sketching today. I have brought the pencils and the sketch book so I have no excuse to put it off! I guess practice makes perfect!

One of my favourite fashion illustrators is Rene Gruau who worked with many designers and magazines to create these stunning pictures. His work was also used for advertising including Cinzano, Air France and not forgetting the Moulin Rouge. I think his work is magnificent and captures the old school sense of glamour. He worked with fashion houses such as Givenchy, Balenciaga, Lanvin, and perhaps most importantly Dior; where he gave them their 'New Look' collection in 1947. Even though he was Italian, to me his pictures always seem to capture that highly sort after Parisian chic.

Here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy

A little bit of Alison Mosshart

This weekend has been hectic, crazy working hours in my new job mean that I am shattered! Nevertheless I am still managing to spend a crazy amount of time looking on the internet and reading magazines, one of these days I will actually do something more productive with my time! The new issue of Vogue arrived on Friday which brought with it much joy; I am so glad that the postman is still able to deliver in this snowy weather! The current issue has got a lot of lovely things in it, Vogue you are not helping me in my quest to be good and save money. One of the articles that caught my eye was an interview with Alison Mosshart, one half of the band ‘The Kills’. You might say that I have had some what of a girl crush on her for awhile now. When Kate Moss started going out with Jamie Hince of the Kills they became known as one of the fashionable couples to look out for; well when Kate Moss gets involved with anyone or anything for that matter it becomes the new IT thing doesn’t it? When seeing photos of the two of them together though I always wanted to see Mosshart, where were the photos of her looking all rock and roll cool? Alison Mosshart always has that typical rock vibe about her but that’s the thing that is most appealing. It always looks like she has the fuck it attitude to go with her skinny jeans and baggy shirts that other people cannot carry off as well as she can. I will always remember the Abbey Road sessions with the Kills; she had on some gold boots and I just thought wow she looks cool. Yes it sounds daft but gold shoes can make me think that about a person! Then there were the music videos, ever seen the video to their song ‘Cheap and Cheerful’? If you haven’t I recommend you check it out because the makeup is different and unlike anything else I’d seen her with. Think red glitter lips (and I mean complete ott glitter), big blonde wigs, marching band hats, bright eye makeup and not forgetting her trade mark black skinny jeans. However the one bad thing I find with Alison Mosshart is that she looks so damn good when she is smoking, she makes it look ridiculously cool; it makes me want to pick up a packet and puff away yet in reality it is a filthy habit and will only ever look good in photo shoots and models.

Cheap And Cheerful Video


Mosshart’s rocker image would often make you think of someone with an intimidating persona, I know for a fact that is how I would feel if I saw her in the street. Vogue has picked up on this and in the article it actually takes a different approach; it shows a very different side to her. From reading the magazine it seems that she is a genuine, down to earth person who has strong interests and passions. I am glad the magazine has shown this side to her and has not painted her to be this rock chick that only cares about herself and her music. I would have liked to have seen more photos to accompany the article but then when am I ever happy with the amount of pictures in magazines (if it were up to me I think magazines would just be completely filled with them)! If you’ve got Vogue I definitely recommend reading the article, you might not like the Kills but you might find yourself warming towards Mosshart. My boyfriend tells me that she has just started a side project with Jack White and so I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of her in 2010.

Tempting Sales

January, the month is all about cutting back, restricting oneself and starting afresh isn't it? On Tuesday after checking my bank balance and deciding that I am indeed very poor I told myself that I wasn't going to buy anything else until the end of January; but then temptation arrived in the form of a Miss Selfridge email. Sales, another thing which happens every January, although nowadays there always seems to be a sale on regardless of the month. Miss Selfridge sent me news of their sale and naturally my curiosity got the better of me and so I took a quick peek. Their sale is actually full of some good reductions and they have got a few of their spring items in there as well. Now I really can't resist a bargain but I am trying; so far I have just clicked add to basket and have not proceeded to checkout but I can see it is only a matter of time! I mean who can resist a bargain!? Maybe it is just me but when something seems like a really good offer it just makes it that bit more tempting and that it would be madness to pass on it. Here is the dress I am debating whether to get or not, it was £38 reduced to £10!

They've called it casual chic on the website and styled it with boots and ankle socks. Not too sure how I'd wear it, probably in my typical fashion with some long necklaces, hat and either heeled boots or flats.



I have also been tempted to buy some more jumpsuits, I know how many jumpsuits does a girl need right? I love wearing them though because they are so comfy, it is like you are wearing a blanket in clothes form or something! The first one I've debating is a navy one shoulder with a few sequins or gems on. It was £45 reduced to £10! I really like it although I don't know if I'd wear it enough to justify buying it, plus jumpsuits aren't the most flattering garments!

The other jumpsuit I have been looking at is a black heart print one. It looks like it would be a fun daytime outfit to wear, however I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea! It is only £7, a steal considering it was £45 at full price.

Sadly I've just been on Miss Selfridge and it seems that the heart print jumpsuit is completely out of stock, maybe I am wrong and it is something everyone likes! There are lots of lovely things on their website but I won't bore you with more items. I will say however that if you are after a fun new outfit and don't want to part with too many pennies then Miss Selfridge is a good place to check out. They always seem to have good items that are not as expensive as Topshop but still keep up to date with the trends. So happy spending everyone, try not to become as poor as me!

People take pictures of each other...

So I've created a new flickr account so you lovely people can check out my not so good photos! There aren't many up there at the moment but I have included a few from Paris and Turkey so if you fancy a butchers go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/fashionandtea/

Thoughts of Summer Already...

Whilst reading old entries on some music blogs I came across a band called Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Their music is different to anything else I’ve listened to and each track seems to change from the last in it’s own unique way. When I hear new music I always go on to YouTube to check out the video, I’m not sure why but it’s something that I have always done. I think you can get some great inspiration and ideas from music videos. One track from the band is called Home, check out the link below. The video has conjured up thoughts of the summer and it has made me want to escape to somewhere warm wearing pretty sundresses and sandals. It has been snowing nonstop here over the past few days and it is freezing! To leave the house you have to be wrapped up in multiple layers complete with boots, huge coat and woolly accessories. I cannot wait for spring to arrive with slightly warmer weather; I am definitely looking forward to sunshine and showers instead of sub zero temperatures and ice! Yes Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have put me in a summery mood! It’s the long flowing dresses and hair to match that has done it for me! She also has a sun parasol! Maybe I should make it my mission to get one as an elaborate accessory for the summer? Can I please skip forward a few months please? No!? Ok, I guess I’ll go throw on another woolly layer and hat then!

December 2009...

So December came and went in the blink of an eye; well it certainly felt like that to me! If I wasn’t busy working away at a certain well known pharmacy and beauty store then I was off doing something equally as hectic. I admit that I was rubbish at keeping up to date with the blog which was a shame because it was something I really wanted to commit to. So in order to make up for my lack of posts last year I am going to attempt to bring you all up to speed with what happened in the last month! So yes December, the crazy month which was full of; christmassy goodness, London trips, cupcake deliciousness, masked balls, German Christmas markets, snow showers, too many bagels, sparkling rose drinking, shopping bargains, big hair, champagne, modelling at 5 in the morning, copious amounts of chocolate and sequins aplenty!!!! Here a few photos, and I wish everyone a happy 2010!