I'm a Lula kind of girl.

My favourite magazine has just launced it's 10th issue, and it's as beautiful as the first - Lula never seems to fail. I guess whoever said 'the older the berry, the sweeter the juice' wasn't lying.

When I found out that Borders was closing down I thought my Lula loving days were over. I loved visiting the store and browsing through the art/fashion/photography magazines till my eyes could no longer handle it, and my favourite of all the publications was Lula. Borders was the only place I knew that stocked my mag, well that was before I found out about Magma book store from Lula's facebook page. There had been a lot of worried fans wanting to know where they could purchase Lula from now. So I had a look online and and found that there was a Magma in Manchester - goodbye online shopping.

It was an empire for everything arty - from graphics magazines (I couldn't pull Jamie away) to textile trend magazines (priced at £60 I could only wish) to Photography publications - and most importantly, there amongst the piles of printed paper sat my little issue 10 of Lula. It didn't just stop at magazines, there was an array of quirky gifts (I fell in love with the Moomin mugs) and books. I have found a new home in the form of Magma, and I seriously recommend you check it out, whether you're looking for a magazine fix or just in need of some happiness. Check online (website below) to see where your nearest store is.

images from TFS via I Love Runway


With issue 10 you get a choice of seven front covers, I chose the Orange Blossom by Kenzo one modeled by Chanel Iman - I thought it was the sweetest. I've not had chance to read it yet, but can you guess what i'm going to do next?

There's about a 99.9% chance that my next post will be me proclaiming my love for this new issue and the photographers/styles/models who have inspired and shone the most.

- Magma Books Online
- Lula Magazine

GO GET YOUR LULA!

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Drummer Boy

Photograph by Gjon Mili.

I think i'll be using this electrical photographer as a contextual refernce in my photography. I'll make it work, I don't care where or how I do I just know I can't just let this pass without trying it.

See more from Gjon Mili

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500 days of erm...spring?

We're in Spring right? I'm never sure what season to class February as, well I don't really want to get into this, once you get me started with my "explanation" I can never seem to stop.

Me and Jamie (the boyfriend if you don't already know) went to Ikea last night for a bit of tea - meatballs, chips and gravy all round. I was reminded of the scene in 500 days of Summer (the best film of 2009 after UP!) where Tom and Summer are in Ikea pretending that they live in the display rooms, it's just beautiful. I'm sure most of you would've done that as a child, and some like me, still doing it today because it's what makes Ikea fun. So like every other of my visits to the store, I played pretend (this time with Jamie).

These are the photos of our Swedish adventure:

Forrest Gump

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WHAT I WORE: 23/02/2010

I'm ever so sorry my little blogger buddies, i've not been very good have I? My last three posts have been based on 'WHAT I WORE', and here's another. My excuse is college work - I've been swamped with Textiles and Photography having now been given my exam questions. So i've not had as much time on my hands lately, but i'll be back VERY soon with more fashion updates, photographer's work and general info about my life and important things in it etc.

Ebay purchased Levi's denim jacket and shoulder bag/ Topshop skirt/ Band tee/ Charity shop jacket/ Urban Outfitters belt, Vintage boots.

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WHAT I WORE: 21/02/2010

Today I went to visit my boyfriend. We ate Subway and watched Two Days in Paris.

oh god I look miserable - blame the horrid weather.

Vintage bag, shoes, jumper/ Grandma's faux fur hat/ Topshop tights

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WHAT I WORE: 20/02/2010

I wish this photo was in focus.

Boyfriends Grandads top/ Topshop shorts/ Vintage boots and bag

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20/02/2010

My plan for today is:

1) Go to Boots to get new makeup (at long last)
2) Do little bits of Photography and Textiles and English work for college
3) Get my fringe trimmed by the mother - although it's free to have done at the hairdressers I just can't stand the way they do it, I usually come back with a lobsided mess or something above the eyebrow, which I specifically told them I DID NOT WANT!
4) Watch MILK
5) Paint my nails

A bit of old photography work, in Liverpool - thank you Amy Dolphin.

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It's not vintage stupid, it's second hand!

My feet took a walk down Oldham Street in Manchester today and led me into a world of vintage and second-hand. It was the first time i'd been to this part of Manchester, which I couldn't understand once i'd caught sight of the endless row of one-off boutiques, charity shops and vintage outlets - heaven. The only explainable reason could be that i'd become accustomed to shopping in Liverpool, i've not stayed true to my beloved city, but that's going to change. I'm a sucker for a bargain, and with my lack of funding recently i've been unable to spend more that £10 on an item of clothing (goodbye Topshop) and so my eyes were peeled. I bagged myself this beautiful cream woolen jumper for ten pounds exactly. No label, no size, but it must be at least a large, and this is no problem, it makes a perfect and warm dress!

From Ryan's Vintage, Oldham Street, Manchester

I'm always proud of the bargains I bag so I want to share them with you. I got the ring in the Topshop sale for a mere £1, it reminds me of a disco ball and so when I wear it, it feels like there's a party on my finger, and, the electric blue clashes with most things I own - it's this tackiness that I love! The vintage heels were reduced from £12 to £6 at Liverpool's last Affordable Vintage Fair, I couldn't resist, they're so cute and comfy, which is always a plus.  

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GOING DUTCH

You'll remember that I posted a blog based on this seasons trend, wooden soled shoes, and i'm back with another! Presenter, model and all-round beauty Alexa Chung was photographed at Paris Fashion Week sporting Chanel's Dutch themed clogs - and a very cheeky face (see below).

With a £700 up price tag, I can confidently say that my wardrobe will be missing these for a few years. But however unfortunate this may be, I can wipe the tears and head down to Kurt Geiger to grab myself a pair of these lableless Chanel clog clones.

 

Kurt Geiger: Jola £140

I also recently read that backless heels prevent bunions, another reason to support me buying these.

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The Woman in White

So, i've decided not to waste anymore time and have FINALLY began to read my latest purchase 'The Woman in White' In honour of Wilkie Collin's classic, I bring a summary of one of Spring/Summer's coolest trends: Whitewash.

Here's what Vogue's acting executive fashion editor Emily Zak thinks, "More than a blank canvas, white focuses the eye on form and line, and now runs the gamut from pure innocence to power dressing."

White has forever been a Spring/Summer staple, but if at first this non-colour doesn't tantalise, then realise that fun is to be found in shape, form, and fabric.

Key styles to note are:

• TAILORING: think SLOUCHY and LOOSE-FITTING in DELICATE fabrics allowing you to stay sharp and sophisticated without becoming sweaty.

• 
  
  SHIRTING: from FRILLS and FLAMBOYANCE to STIFF and STARCHED - ensure a white shirt is at the top of your new-season shopping list.

• DETAIL: Add a touch of elegance to your wardrobe with crazy CROCHET and intricate guipure LACE.

• 
  
   ROMANTIC: Sweet SLIPS in SHEER fabrics. Look out for pretty FLOWER details and GATHERED edgings.

The Catwalk Collection

  

Left: Calvin Klein. Right: Stella McCartney.

            

Left: Givenchy. Right: Chanel.

 

Highstreet Hotspots

 

Left: Topshop, £65. Right: Ted Baker at John Lewis, £79

Left: Religion, £55. Right: Coast, £135

Whichever look you try remember to be brave and forget the myth about white making you appear washed out - even us with pale skin can pull it off. Choose natural materials like cottons and linens over synthetics - the catwalks did not promote sweat marks.
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HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

This year would be my first Valentine's day with my Jim-Jam aka Jamie Rivers. I'm not one for soppy, lovey dovey romance (hence the reason I got my Valentine a card with 2 peas on it) but I did want to make an effort for our relationships sake. Jamie did the most romantic thing, he swept me away to Southport and treated me to a picnic on the pier (wine, chocolates, scones included) and despite the bitter cold we had a perfect day. Jamie, Je t'aime!

99 red balloons, ahh this is where the 100th went.

Nice dogs eye view

Mmmm, Mr Valentine.

What he wore.

What I wore.

I love this photo, the seagulls are my favourite aspect.

My, what big feet you have!

I really wanted ones of these 'species', they're so cute. You never win at grabbers!