London Fashion Weekend

My friend Emily won tickets to London Fashion Weekend sponsored by Vodafone and took me as her plus one. What a babe. We started the day with lectures then made a dash for the train and set off to London. I decided to rock the bunches look as inspired by r/2xc's which apparently braids are very on trend, so that was a discovery. 

We arrived in London early so took the time to stroll about and see the sites a bit before we went to Fashion weekend. I managed to find our bearings and get us to the river which is the easiest place to navigate from. The weather was amazing, surprisingly so for England this time of year, so we ambled about in the sunshine looking at attractive men in suits and just enjoying the city. Then we headed to The River Front cafe on south bank for lunch. Sitting in the window watching the world go by, doesn't really get much better than that does it. I had the most amazing ice cream for lunch with a nice glass of cider.

After our leisurely lunch we crossed the river and roamed about the financial side of the river, saw the houses of parliament and generally enjoyed just being in London for a while.  Emily wore a black jacket and flowery body hugging dress, I wore my charity shop find vintage Jaegar jacket and a mark and spencers dress. 

We then headed to Summerset House to go to Fashion Weekend, where we picked up our tickets and goodie bags (a blog going through and reviewing all the products to follow) The quad was light up and filled with fashionable people and music. It was great spectacle, I mean so people looked ridiculous one girl with a botoxed face and bright orange layered tulle maxi dress particularly took the cake showing exactly the difference between fashion and style. Some girls wobbled across the cobble stones in their heels like new born deer and some strode confidently about. 

We started by perusing the stalls, oh my gosh it is a different world! I mean the clothes where beautiful absolutely stunning and the fabrics felt delicate and soft but the cost of some of the things just hanging on racks was insane. I mean vest tops for sixty odd pounds goodness. The Jaegar stand made me weak at the knees, it defiantly stands as a symbol of aspiration to me. There where women there looking at dresses for over two hundred commenting on they have things from last year they haven't even worn yet and still buying more. I mean the wealth was just obscene. We trawled for hours there was so much to see. We went to a talk by the make up editor of Elle magazine where she covered the make up trends this season. Bright eye shadows and nail polishes, Underwater theme so shimmery highlights and pearlesent tones, Earthy and lots of bronzer (not too keen on this look) and naturally shiny so powder the t zone and moisturise the cheeks. 

We had some time to kill before the fashion show so we stopped for a coffee and a catch up about the days events. Emily really didn't feel at home in this world of money and extravagance, where as I felt more than at easy sidling around with these people. We both don't come from wealthy backgrounds but I guess the private school upbringing has lead me to feel at ease with money. I didn't feel the need to buy anything but Emily had to talk herself out of spending because she felt she should. I guess there is a problem with the fashion world that it is so money orientated. Style can be dirt cheap but fashion has a price tag, that is why I shall always follow the former.  We then queued up and took our seats for the cat walk. We had great seats, second row near the end of the catwalk and as it wasn't one of the main shows ( not complaining we where there free) the front row didn't fill up so we got a great view.

The first collection out was Holly Fulton worn with Christain Kouboutin shoes. The collection was based on fashionistas who spend all their money and end up spending summer in Margate, so a bit tongue in cheek with plenty of edgy beach inspired style thrown in. A very achievable look, the make up was minimal but some dramatic eye shadows and the hair was either braided or slightly styled loose hair. 

The next collection out was my absolute favourite, Prim Rose paired with New Look shoes and Vintage Handbags, totally my kind of look. It was very pastel and peter pan collars, very Grace Kelly well to do look about it. Even some pearls thrown in for good measure. 

As this line ended the runway lights shut off one by one following the model and it was really visually stunning.

Next came Antipodium, sort of sporty but silky.  A really fun wearable look with bold colours and prints mixed with creams and beige tones.  I actually rather liked this look, a lot of it was the kind of stuff I already wear. Very vintage inspired.

The next collection was not my style, it was bit to J-Lo sports style for my preference but they did put it together really well and the bold colours where absolutely stunning contrasting really well against the pale colours of the other collections. Game On with shoes by katmaconie and bags by Pauric Sweeny. They did do some lovely pieces but the mens wear was just awful, I always find the case at catwalks the womens wear is sort of wearable (most of what was shown was) but the mens wear never is.

  

The final show stopping collection was Jasper Conran, oh my gosh beautiful. Linens and beach wear, muted tones and brights mixed all together in a effortlessly chic way. This seasons look is truly beautiful.

And with that the show was over, well London Fashion Weekend continues but we had been there for hours and it was rather late so we decided to head for home. I really enjoyed myself and I am so glad Emily chose to take me with her. I also saw some positive changes in the fashion world, the models where thin but toned and healthy faced, well, all but one. A scrawny sick looking girl who looked like she was dragging herself down the catwalk in a drug haze. Why is this a positive you ask... The comments and tension in the room when she walked was palpable. Things are changing, that is no longer acceptable and it showed. Even the twiggy girls on the VIP row where passing comment on how she shouldn't be on the show. That is the start of the win for getting healthier models. 

Well as Emily and I headed for the train station we stopped and ate burgers, because its logical see skinny girls need a burger. Good Times. 

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

News from behind the books

We have our house for next year, it is offial, We've paid the deposits and the forms have been signed. I am beyond happy that we have somewhere to live. The view from the top of our road is amazing, it looks right out onto St Cathrines hill an iron age hill fort that is just beutiful. It looks so dramatic against the huge expanse of sky surrounding it, being at the top of a hill in Winchester feels like standing on top of the world, you can see for miles, truly epic.

In other news my essays are coming along, not finished but I'm only a little stressed about getting them in on time so the blog should return to normal soon, I've neglected my cookery postings for far too long and I'm think of maybe starting to do a look book type post once a week about what I've been wearing seeing as I dress rather uniquely. *cough* like a four year old *cough*

Yours 

Belinda Stepford

xxx 

Charity Shop Trawls

I'm a big fan of charity shops, I would estimate that around eighty percent of my wardrobe is second hand. I don't see the point in just shopping for new cloths, second hand tends to be just as good and you are almost guaranteed that no one else will be wearing what you'll be wearing. Today I made a lovely little discovery, I've been meaning to buy an apron for quite a while now seeing as I keep forgetting to bring some of the many I have back home to Winchester. Anyway today I found a really sweet half apron, I'm pretty sure it is hand made, it has plenty of pockets and the fabric is just amazing.

Its reversible so its suits multiple outfits. All that for one pound twenty five, now you can not argue with that can you?

Lessons one.

The best quote I've read in a long time ' Showing up to a networking event without business cards is like showing up to a drug deal unarmed' - David Lat from abovethelaw.com I have been deliberating for a while weather I should get buissness cards or not for a while, I mean I'm an Events Management student how well I network is how well I'll potentionally do in my future. Then again would buissness cards from a student look tacky? Well this quote shoved me over the fence and I bought buissness cards, well free ones from VistaPrint but you know I am a student after all.  They arrived looking stark and stylish, one problem I'd put .com not .co.uk as my email. Fail. Utter Fail. So now I have two hundered and fifty useless cards and an order for some new ones in the post. I really thought I had registered .com I am almost always .com but apparently I had a spaz and registered .co.uk I tried to register .com but it is apparently taken but inactive. Wonderful.


Lesson one ladies always proof read. 

New Puppy Website

My Mim has put together a website to show off the Puppies, we still haven't found little Clementine a home  and we're not going to settle for sending her to someone who isn't going to be a good owner. We had yet another creeper interested in them, asking if we would post the pup, without meeting them first. I'm sorry but you don't buy a dog without seeing how its raised, and you don't send a dog off not knowing where it is going. So here it is: My Mims Website I'd love it if you'd go take a look there are plenty of cute photos and if you know anyone in the UK interested in a long hair miniature black and cream dachshund could you pass it on, our girls are rather great. Clem is such a laid back little darling with beautiful bridling on her that makes her look as though she has a super hero mask on.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

More News From The Pack

The puppies are growing and becoming even more adventurous. They are starting to get their little miniature dachshund faces, looking less like potato puppies. They are also starting to get their long hair and wavy ears.  They have new favourite toy that they love to pull and chew, a pheasant, which I think is hilarious considering I have a hate for pheasants that descends from a childhood camping incident in a snowy February that shall never be forgotten. 

They have also made great friends with Patches are rather rotund cat who likes to baby-sit them, we think she actually think she is a dog. She tries to follow when you take the dogs for walks and likes to greet you at the door as well. 

I think my Mim wants to keep Blossom, she has really bonded with her and she is a perfect breeding/show dog. Her temperament is so laid back and lovely, and her markings are just spot on. She really a beautiful cream and tan dog. I can understand completely why she wants to keep her. I just can't help wanting Angel, I really do prefer Angel. Its so silly I do love Blossom but if it was up to me I'd have Angel. If she goes to anyone I think Angel will be going to a family friend Carol, who to be honest I'd rather her to go too than a stranger. So now really its only Clem who is looking for a home, she is really sweet but its funny none of us bonded with her as much as Angel or Blossom, though I guess we where being realistic we couldn't keep them all. 

In other news, I've got my house sorted for next year, I'm signing the contracts this week. I'll be living with one of my current house mates, Laura and three others. We're all great friends and I think we will have so much fun living together. The house is lovely, I mean its by no means perfect it is a student house after all. The furniture is obviously not in the best of conditions and the kitchen is tiny, but it has two bathrooms, a garden, great views, and is near the university. Fabulous. 

Yours 

Belinda Stepford

xxx

Just to keep you in the loop

Sorry posts have been so thin on the ground i have 2000 words to do by the 23rd, 2500 words to do by the 28th and 2000 words to do by the 5th of march but this weekend Leigh is visiting and the 2nd of march I'm going home for the weekend so I am a bit swamped.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

New Girl

My house mate is a big fan of 'New Girl' Zooey Deschanels latest television show. My house mate, Laura, came into my room giggling to death after watching the pilot screaming how its me, the Jess character is just pure me. A ditzy girl who makes lord of the ring references, is a little bit awkward and is constantly in cute little dresses. I've got to say I see where shes coming from, I am a bit weird, I do skip about the house and generally behave like a kid. Though Laura has now caught secondary weird so doesn't notice when I'm being odd. Brilliant.

Anyway back to the topic 'New Girl' I love it I really do, Zooeys style is so beautiful, seriously i want to live in her wardrobe. Peopel keep complaining that shes a stunning lady and just because shes a bit quirky doesn't mean she is a nerd Blah Blah Blah. I don't care the character is likeable and incredibly watchable. Sure they have generic douchbag, generic sensitive one, and the generic black guy who is a different generic black guy from the pilot episode (little bit racist just saying.) I don't care about any of that because I love them and its ultimately a funny show that then throws in some amazingly meaningful topics as a curve ball. The latest episode Jess and Nicks girlfriend are having difficulty seeing eye to eye as Nicks girlfriends is a strong suited and booted lawyer and isn't really compatible with Jesses childlike attitude. Then Jess delivers a wonderful speech.

I break for birds. I rock a lot of polka dots. I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours. I spend my entire day talking to children, and I find it fundamentally strange that you’re not a dessert person. That’s just weird and it freaks me out. And I’m sorry I don’t talk like Murphy Brown, and I hate your pant suit and I wish it had ribbons on it to make it slightly cute. And that doesn’t mean I’m not smart and tough and strong.

That set of lines is perfect, I can absolutely agree that just because you are pretty or girlie doesn't mean you aren't strong. You don't have to hide your femininity to be respected.  Often I find people forget that you can be a grown up and be silly. Which is why I shall stay tuned to this show and recommend it to everyone.

Yours 

Belinda Stepford

xxx

Gü Puddings Surprise

I few weeks ago in a moment of pudding weakness I bought a Gü pud, it was absolutely lovely but missing its spoon. I being the silly thing that I am thought I shall write and let them know, good costumer feedback. Anyway they quickly emailed me back saying that it was a new product and they are working out the technical side of things, to thank me for the feedback they where going to send me some vouchers which I though was really sweet, because lets face it Gü puds are amazing.

 

Then today my post came with a large envelope for me, I thought it might be the belt I bought online for my new dress but no it was a box from Gü. They had sent me seven pounds worth of vouchers and a hand written note saying 'Thanks for the feedback - have a 'spoon for life' on us. Inside the little black box, embossed of the front in sliver 'from Gü to ü', was a teaspoon engraved with the Gü logo. Which I personally thought was hilarious.

My house mate Laura and I plan to buy some Gü puddings on our next trip to saisburys which we will then eat while curled up in front of the television drinking wine. I can't think of a better way to end an evening.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

Puppy News

The puppies have become little adventures. Blossom had a little nibble of her mums food, so mim has started to wean them onto solid food, their reward for eating their worming medicine was some duck pate which they loved so much they practically painted themselves with it. Lily was happy to lick the little mucks clean though.

Ditzy/Darling has been bought, by a lovely school teacher and her sister who had a dachshund when they where little. They are very lovely ladies who will spoil her rotten :)  It will be heart breaking to see her go but we're glad it will be to a good home. We had one enquiry by a woman who gave a very shifty tale about having one that they had to give away because it didn't get on with her cat, when we googled her phone number it came up with puppies for sale. We don't mind selling to a breeder but this lady didn't seem trustable so we told her they where all taken. Now its only Blossom our lovely cream and black lady and little brindle Clem left. Clem has found a great new way of getting attention, sitting in her water bowl crying until someone fishes her out, dries and fusses her. Then when shes put on the heat mat to warm up, crawls right back into the cold water to whinge.

On my day of procrastination the other day I decided that I should get some tickets home to see them before they go, so I did, fifty pounds for a weekend stop over. It could be worse to be fair. I'm really excited to go see them, I have missed them so much. Skype isn't quite the same as cuddling a warm little puppy, not that they are so little anymore.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx