And they said the height of her heels was scary...

Remember our intrepid shoe explorer? He went a-wandering this All Hallows Eve, while deciding what to do about his half-size relationship with the Penneys Pumps.

While clearing his head, he noticed a very sexy pair of Topshop* wedge lace-up heels sticking out her tongue at him. Not one to shy down with his newly found confidence, he digged in his heels and went to talk to her.


On closer inspection she had fangs. This sexy shoe was a vampire.

Not the kind of shoe you want to give your sole to.


Unless you are like that muppet in Twilight.

Happy Halloween y'all from the SOS Team!
xx
*shoes curtesy of Kate.

Chit-chat with Gemma Correll. Cor Blimey.

Have you ever come across "Girls who draw"? I discovered their "Girls who draw: Misfits" series of postcards in Analogue in Edinburgh.

I adored illustrations by one particular artist, Gemma Correll. Subsequently, I ended up purchasing a Gemma Correll notebook and stickers in another arty shop, The Red Door Gallery, in Edinburgh. It was then I discovered her website and blog. As you may have noticed a lot of us Fashion bloggers tend to love to talk about how great our outfits are and post pictures of it. (I am raising my hand guiltily). Gemma illustrates hers.
Gemma kindly took time to answer a few questions of mine. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did asking them.



How did you get started into illustrating?

I've been drawing forever. I knew that I wanted to be an illustrator from a very young age (before I knew the word "Illustration"). I used to collect old notebooks and then fill them with stories and drawings. I also published my first comic at primary school. It was called "The Chatterbox", cost 20p and had a free penny sweet taped to the cover. I had a brief lapse into teacher training aged 18, but ended up back at Art school, studying graphic design and Illustration.

Where do you get ideas from? Inspiration?

My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere... mostly the world around me; the people I see, animals, vintage children's books, places I go...


You do a lot of work with great stores like Lazy Oaf and Fredflare, how did they come about?

I met Gemma from Lazy Oaf after I graduated from college, I was making zines and took some into the Lazy Oaf shop (which was off Brick Lane at the time) to show her. Since then, we've kept in contact and she often asks me to be involved with Lazy Oaf exhibitions and projects, like the "Lazy Oaf's drawing club" exhibition. I bought some advertising space on the Fred Flare blog and got chatting to Keith, the creative director there. He's keen to get more illustration on the FF blog, so I ended up producing some E-cards for them and becoming a guest blogger. Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?

There are lots of people I would love to collaborate with... Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch, Bubi Au Yeung and Erin Hanson (of Recovering Lazyholic) to name just a few (or three, to be exact).

You draw a lot of super cute pugs. Do you have one? Or any other pets for that matter?

No, I don't have any pets. I live in an apartment where pets aren't allowed. I don't think I can wait much longer before getting a pug though, I have become fully obsessed and I think it's detremental to my well-being. I'm considering a move to the USA next year, I'd definately get a pug there because there are lots of rescue centres dedicated to pugs!

If you weren't doing awesome illustrations what would you be doing?

I worked as a part-time Teaching Assistant for a couple of years after graduating, working with children with special needs. I enjoyed that, so I'd probably be doing something similar.

What would you describe your own style as?

My personal style or my illustration style? (BOTH)

Personal- I like vintage, washed out, battered things. My favourite colours are straight out of a Wes Anderson film, brown, turquoise and peach. I like tacky holiday souvenirs, 60s wrapping paper and religious kitsch. I'd like to wear a 50's sundress every day but since that's not practical, I generally go with a stripey t-shirt and jeans. Illustration- I find it hard to describe my own style so just quote what other people have said. Apparently it's "naîve, child-like, without being childish". Or "The perfect combination of ugly and cute"...


Thank you to Gemma for answering my questions. Now go swiftly to her website and check out her Pug Tote. It's totes awesome.

Peace y'all and have a SPOOOOOOKY weekend!

Fi xx

My new yummy brogues..

Oh I have to say this.....I love love love my new shoes. Jen got me these as a birthday gift, thanks Jen! kiss kiss hug hug.

Jen and I have an addiction to ASOS, or atleast an addiction to browsing it. The "Save for later" option does not help things however. I have items piled up at the moment and saved for a month. As part of Jen an I's browsing sessions, we tend to link each other the stuff that we like. I linked her these beautiful pearly pink plastic brogues by Melissa. A day or so later, they were out of stock. I was a bit devestated. And today I found out that Jen was the sneaky one who bought them.

Anyway.. That's the story behind these brogues. I can't wait to wear them tomorrow. And if it rains, great cause THEY ARE PLASTIC.

SO, TAKE THAT STUPID RAIN.

AND!! They smell of bubblegum. Delicious.

AND!! Love you Jen.

xx-LJ

**EDIT**: These over the knee socks (with a white ruffled edge not shown) are from Primark (Penneys)

An SOS! revamp...Ta da!

A little SOS! revamp was done over the weekend. Do you like it? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Any suggestions?

xx-LJ

My burrffday..

Well..this is embarrassing. It's been so long since I've blogged, I'm not quite sure how to start this.

..............awkward silence..........

Um, hello. How are you? I'm very sorry for being crap at blogging, but I've been busy busy with final year. And I know we're all busy, and this is why I admit I'm crap. Although, not to worry fellow bloggers, I've been up to date on all of your blogs! I've just been crap at keeping up SOS!.

So yesterday was my birthday! Yippee. My birthday is no longer a big deal to me, especially that I've started seeing wrinkles creeping up my forehead. And especially after my mom said to me last summer: "Lujain, you're no longer a teenager. You're in your twenties now. It is time for you to moisturise". Well, that's a buzz kill. Thanks mom.

It also happens to be Cork Jazz Festival this weekend in Cork. Town is mad busy, probably the busiest I've ever seen it. And we have Monday off too! Long weekend is probably the best birthday gift ever.

I had such a great time with my friends (and thanks ya'll for the lovely time!). I wish some people who live away from here were here as well. And I deffo wish Fiona was here! I miss you my homeskillet.

Dress (BCBG Maxazria Runway), belt (H&M), tights (Topshop), shoes (Christian Louboutin), bag (Miu Miu)

Can I just say.. This was my first time wearing my Louboutin's. I bought them last June and my poor babies have just been sitting there wilting away. However, my feet were dying by the end of the night. I really wish they were more comfortable. Maybe the fact that they have a 15cm heel made them "not the comfiest shoes ever"? Yeah. Maybe that's it.

But I love you anyway Louboutin. Mwah.

Thanks for the birthday wishes ya'll.

xx-LJ

A sole-ful love story..

Once upon a time there was a battered pair of white brogue trainers. They had seen better days. The pair had recently moved to London in a new lace of life.
However, London can be quite a lonely city. And the tube can be quite confusing. Walking the streets can be tough on shoes in the rain. And these particular shoes had a hole in their soles.
In the meantime, a pair of primark pumps were stuck in the London party scene. They went to crazy booze filled parties but was afraid of stepping onto glass. They felt a bit alone, in spite of all their Manolos and Choos.One day, on the Central line from Liverpool street to Oxford circus, these two pairs of shoes sat opposite each other. They caught each other's eyelets. Their tongues got tied.

The rest is shoe history.

Have a lovely weekend.
This story is dedicated to Lujain, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow.
Peace fi xx

To illustrate it simply..

Picture the scene. Two girls in a bathroom at a Friendly Fires and CasioKids gig. One leaving, one entering. They both open their beaks and proclaim excitedly "I really like what you are wearing.". This is how me and the UberTalented artist Lisa Connolly became friends.

Lisa illustrates. She is a recent graduate from Cardiff in Wales, but hails from County Waterford. Her art is fantastic. She was at the London Design Fair so any Londoners may have even had the fortune of seeing illustrations. Personally, I love the plates she has designed. Look at her blog for more and to keep updated on where she is showing.

Not only can she draw though, she is also a fantastic dancer.

Peace, fi xx

Fiona is all excuses.

Fiona (speaking in the 3rd person) in true "Fiona-Fashion" is sending apologies ... YET AGAIN... Gee, I need to get organised and blog properly... But I have moved to London and have been sorting my life out a bit. I have a lovely house now with lovely friends and I am looking forward to blogging properly again. 'Innit.

I promise this time. And this isn't like the last time. 

Researching the next blog post.. 

But I will brighten your day with my new favourite cover. Manchester band, Run Toto Run covering Passion Pit's Sleepyhead.  

Peace y'all, fi (the useless blogger)

PS to certain people I promised postcards to, they are works in progress. 

Granny talk..

This week has been very long, and very very boring. As the week went along, I felt more and more like a granny. I'd be waking up at an ungodly hour, trotting my arse to the bus (and I also have a bus card now FYI), off to college, then back again in the evening to stay home in bed, either reading or watching the telly. And just to let you know, my diet pretty much consisted of endless tea and biscuits. So here I am, LJ, the 80 year old granny trapped in the body of a 22 year old.

I was looking forward to the opening of H&M in Cork, which apparently is the biggest branch in Ireland. It opened yesterday morning at 11am on Opera Lane. I went in today, and came out pretty disappointed. I'm glad they carry Divided, women, men, kids and maternity. However, none of the 'cool' winter collection garments (as I'd like to call it) were in sight. All the winter pieces I bought from home and London were not present. There were no high wastes, no poofy sleeves, no velvet, no sparkle, not much leather..I was confused. There was lots of officey, formal and 'handy' basic things. And there were plenty of the fall collection (the campaign modelled by Karen Elson). I was hoping that the Divided Exclusive collection would be there, as I have plenty of those pieces in mind. And when I say few, I mean half the collection.

Some H&M 'targets'

I'm going to London this weekend, so I'm pretty sure I'll have a few stops at H&M to make my wish list a mine-mine-mine list. I'm hoping some of my targets are still available in my size. And I'm also hoping I don't come back home completely broke.

For now, I'll leave you with what I wore today.. This is me sporting the Granny-chic look with my high waisted wide legged cords from H&M (Not present in Cork..).

Top and pants (H&M), scarf and card (Urban Outfitters), socks and shoes (Pennys/Primark)

How artistic is the graffiti in this town?

xx-LJ