How to nail it: Spring florals

1- Apply 1 layer of a base coat. I used All in one basecoat, topcoat, & nail hardener by Barry M
2- Apply two layers of a light shade. I chose a light rose pink shade 278 Marshmallow pink by Barry M.
3- Take a bobby pink (hair grip), split it open, and use the round head as a dotting device. Pick the colors that you like to make the flowers, pop the hair grip's head in the color and put 4-5 dots in a circle to create a flower.
4- I went for bright shades and metallics to create the flowers: Shade 279 bright pink by Barry M, shade 300 Acid yellow by Barry M, Shade 296 (the coral colour) by Barry M, shade 280 Cherry Berry by Revlon, shade 925 Gold Coin by Revlon.
5- Put a little dot in some of the flowers, or in the spaces between the flowers. I used Richelle by Zoya.
6- Finish it off with a glittery top coat. I used shade 264 Pink Iridescent by Barry M.

Have a happy spring!

xx-LJ

Hot Damn, Summer in the city: Part 4

OMG, June is almost here already.  If I was you, I would bang out your fresh summer wardrobe and go to some of these things...


June 1st.. Bird on the wire (one of my favourite gig promoters) have got FM Belfast playing a gig.  Icelandic pop in Cargo.
June 1st (again)...  Manon from the Royal Ballet live.. If hip Icelandic music doesn't do it for you, go down to Trafalgar Square and watch the Royal Ballet on a big screen.  It is one of the loveliest ways to pass an evening in London.


June 2nd to July 25th... Fashion at Free Range... Free Range showcases new design talent; fashion, art, photography and more.  It is free in and each week has a new theme.  If fashion floats your boat, head to the Old Truman Brewary on Brick Lane for the first week of the show.  There is always a lot to see at this, definitely recommended. 


June 2nd.. Queen of Hoxton Rooftop Film Club starts.  You can watch films.  On a roof.  With booze.  Perfection.  This is going to be happening all summer, so check their site for dates and times of films.  
June 2nd... Central Saint Martins Second Year Illustration students have their end of year showcase, 57 Protaganists, in SW1.  Our friend Jazz is in it.  Her talent alone makes me want to go. 


June 3rd... The Note Well is having a party.  Come! We always have fun.


June 4th... Dance Magic Dance is having a party with FairOhs, to celebrate FairOhs album launch (facebook event here).  I love these two music groups, so together, it is a match made in aural heaven.  Plus, it is free! See you in The Victory? 


June 5th... The Laden Showroom is having a sample sale. Shhhhh.


June 7th... Style and Substance: All Female Talent Show in the Queen of Hoxton.  This talent show is for girls and the money goes to charity.  Good causes and allows to for patting girls on the backs.


June 9th... Celebrating the future of women in East London is a talk being held in Richmix,  It sounds like it could be a really interesting evening.  If you aren't interested, go to the cinema in Richmix.   Also good.


June 11th... Clapton Festival.. This is my part of town, I am excited about this.


June 14th... Puma Social Club in the Queen of Hoxton. Free entry, free drinks, free food, some amazing bands and games.  You need to sign up here to come along.


June 18th... Saturday Homemade Market in St John'[s Hackney.  Another local market to get excited about.  


June 20th... Laughter Master Class in The Book Club.  This is no joke.  You do have a laugh.


June 24th... Jaguar Shoes and Dreambags starts a new installation inhouse.  One of my favourite venues in East London, the interior changes every few months, each designed by different artists or collectives.  This time round, an Italian artist duo, Carnovosky, have got a jungle theme for their installation.   There may be foliage.  This will be good.


x Fi


As usual, let us know if there anything you think should be added in! 

Rare x ATP

Top c/o Rare, everything else from my old summer wardrobe. Hipsters can wear girly labels too you know.
Pretty windswept in Minehead for ATP.
x Fi

Pop-up shop in the headlights

Faun are having a pop-up shop in East Dulwich, should you be in South London next Saturday May 28th.  
(HINT- you get discount if you RSVP to the pop-up shop on their Facebook)
Faun is one of those lovely new labels that doesn't try too hard but gets it right.  
When you go, I would appreciate if you got me this dress.  Or this one. 

You are such a dear if you do.
x Fi

Hot Damn, Summer in the city: Part 3

May is almost over.  And more stuff keeps happening.  London how you spoil us so. 


May 24th-26th... Clerkenwell Design Week has got some great events happening, a lot for free.  It also has got lots of free live music.  Always a treat!  


May 20th-June 26th... The Amwell Street Knocking shop is an amazing sounding pop-up, which will be selling archive and vintage fashion, showing films, having workshops, the list goes on.  You can find it on 63 Amwell Street.   


June 12th-18th... Two Degrees festival is a festival which mixes art with activism.  This can only lead to great things.  More on this to come. 


x Fi

ID: Fred Butler and Katie Eary Workshop

As part of the Diesel Island School of Life, they have organised some workshops in association with some talented folks (they were part of my summer to do list). I went to the ID Customisation class with Fred Butler and Katie Eary, which was one of the events in the series. I, basically, have a girlfancrush on both Fred and Katie, so having a chance to get crafty with them was pretty special.
I took part in the Island Headress workshop, hosted by Fred. She showed us a whole load of techniques for making paper things to gluegun on to other things while attaching more paper things and then you put a feather on top. It was all very much her style. I have a lot more respect for her work, considering how patient you need to be for the simplest of paper folding tasks.

Thank you Fred Butler, Katie Eary, ID Magazine, Red Gallery and Diesel for the event. Thanks Alex for having me along with you.

Definitely worth it, even after all my gluegun incidents.

x Fi

Guess the dress

Check this lookbook.  Guess the label.

It's Motel.  That would not have been the first brand that sprung to mine when I look at these pictures.  They just upped their game.  I am now hooked on their blog.
x Fi

Sheer New Look

New Look asked a few bloggers to get together at their press day and, literally, play dress up with their A/W 2011 products. Not only did this allow for extra poking at the clothes, it also meant we got to meet Jackie Dixon, of Show Me Your Wardrobe, who took our mug shuts. She is an absolute dream and it was so lovely spending a few moments with her.  

You can see more of the pictures here on the New Look site. We all look so happy.  

Next season, I am happy to say that the sheer pleated skirt trend is carrying on. I loved this skirt's swallow bird print (reminded me of rockabilly tattoos). There is no skirting about the issue that this skirt is sheer. If the underskirt were any bit shorter, I don't think the look would have worked. However, it is perfect, I can't wait to get my winter mitts on this.

It was really great allowing of New Look letting us style some looks for next season. Don't think you can't show New Look how stylish you are. You can take part in their new tv show "Style the Nation", which is going to be on T4. The prize is to become a New Look stylist. You can win a job. Nice. You can apply to enter right here!

x Fi

All Tomorrow's Parties

All Tomorrow's Parties is one of the coolest festivals around. There is no other word to describe it. Instead of having the usual host of touring buzz bands/jaded bands that rule the radio, ATP is curated by artists themselves. The festival dynamics and types of music at each event change with each festival curator. It happens in Butlins, Minehead, so there is also the added luxury of having a roof over your head.
At the very last minute, I got a chance to go (thank you friend) to the Animal Collective ATP. Animal Collective are interesting guys, creating quite experimental pieces, so it was great seeing what bands and performers they would like to have play together. Quite a few of the performers were experimental boys who made lots of great noise, which I really like, but my main love of for bands with girls and a chorus. My three musical/style highlights were from bands with a fair amount of oestrogen.
Beach House were wonderful. Victoria from BH wore a silver suit. My mind was blown.

Prince Rama are two sisters from Florida who grew up on a Hare Krishna farm. You can definitely get some chanting influences in their songs; I could listen for hours. The girls wore glitter on their faces and had sparkling dresses. We are kindred spirits in glitter.

Tickley Feather was one of my favourite performers. On stage, Tickley seemed quite bashful and occasionally giggled to herself, smiling at an unknown secret. Her songs were fuzzy and poppy, I will never grow tired of of that kind of song.

Other pleasant musical experiences were provided by Micachu and The Shapes, Animal Collective (the second day they played), Terry Riley and Gang Gang Dance.
I'm hooked, ATP, I want to come back for more glitter and girl bands.
x Fi

Hot Damn, Summer in the city: Part 2

There is plenty of stuff going down all summer in London, so if you miss any of the other stuff, you can be rest assured that you can do this most days. These bits are here for the whole of the summer. Less time constraints, more time for fun.


Festival of Britain at Southbank... Every weekend, there is a different theme down at the Southbank with lots of fun, free events. If you don't want to go to a vocal workshop or write a poem, you can hang out in their new roof garden. Or sit on their beach. Or jump in the fountain. Endless fun.


The Bunker at 123 Bethnal Green... I already love this store and now there is a downstairs cafe. Word to the wiser though: don't get any Lilli Vanilli cake onto any of the Noki dresses.


Cockroach tour of the Science Museum.. Is it wrong that I like the idea of scuttling around a museum dressed up a as a bug? Booking and sense of humour essential.


Netil Market.. This market in London Fields was started by one our favourite labels, Bitching and Junkfood. The market itself has lots of local talent. Great way to spend a Saturday, by starting here, getting a vintage playsuit then hit the corner shop for a beer and sit in the park all day.


Covent Garden Icecreamists.. These guys are fighting Lady Gaga. I don't want a small company to go bust, especially ice-cream pioneers, but just in case, get some exciting ice-cream from them over the summer, in case the dream melts.


Urban Curve Garden in Dalston... This is a really lovely space hidden near Dalston Junction overground station. They run workshops and the place has a really relaxed vibe. Bring your own picnic and make friends with locals.


Dalston Roof Garden... This is a new space, where they want people to get involved in setting up their roof garden. I will definitely try and check it out.


Dirt at the Wellcome Collection... Dirt is a part of every day life. Learn some more about it.


x Fi

If you can think of anything/want to suggest anything/spotted a typo, drop me an email!

LA Love

Ever watch a video and wish you were somewhere else?

Can I go to LA now? 'Cause, obviously, mid transatlantic flight, I will become a hot long-legged Californian. See more hidden gems over here and read more about Palladium Boots. I may make my own London version of this video, with East London gems.

Speaking of East London gems, we have our Summer list of things to do in London. It's hip. Just like LA scensters.

x Fi

At the Southbank

Dear Wolfy,
I love you. A lot. But, seriously, next time? Less wine.

Wearing polka dot cropped blouse from Rokit, dress from Minimum, GoGo Phillips necklace, H&M sandals and leather bag by Rokit Designers Guild c/o Rokit

Felt seriously rough watching people make a splash at the Southbank.
x Fi


PS Thanks Ali for taking the hungover snap.
PPS Have you checked out the start of our summer in London listings? Get a cheap flight and lets hang.

Hot Damn, Summer in the city: Part 1

London in the summer, I can taste the fun, ice-cream, beer in the park. Here are some of the things I think you could do during May....

May 10th.. Diesel School of Island Life x Red Gallery (an East London gallery) has got an Island Dancing with Totally Extinct Dinosaurs workshop. More info on Diesel's facebook here and you need to collect a passport from a Diesel Store, but it gives you access to a whole load of crazy/cool events happening. I can't decide which ones I want to go to, as I like them all (mask making, guerilla gardening and customising workshops are close favourites though). Go figure.

May 12th.. Laduree opens up it's first tea salon store in Covent Garden. Make like a tourist and get a pistachio macaroon, savour it in the Covent Garden Piazza and watch some buskers.

May 12th (again)... The Book Club launches it's new exhibition from Keeler and Tonero. Art and booze, always good. You can see Ghostjumps and Wormholes in TBC from May 12th until June.

May 12th (and another one).. The Orange Dot Gallery in Bloomsbury has got a new collection, from Tony Wright, called Incidents and Reflections. Wright worked on storyboards for films, so there should be some visual appeasing drawings. It runs until May 28th.

May 15th... Chatsworth Market... This is really lovely local market trying to bring their community together. It is on every fortnight and probably has organic vegetables.

May 19th.. Stag and Dagger Festival... This festival is a good one, the tickets are cheap, the venues are sweaty, the bands are good. It is held in a variety of venues around Shoreditch and results in a lot of drunk hipsters raving until the wee hours.

May 19th (again)... Joe Bloggers in Dingwalls, Camden... This night sounds great, it has been curated by bloggers. I always love when things are curated by people, it feels like there was a greater thought process involved in the planning. I curate my dinner sometimes. If you want to get a pair of tickets to this gig, email me (hello[at]sos-saveourshoes[dot]com) something you like to curate.

May 20th... The Nomad Cinema is going to be in York Hall, Bethnal Green, showing Fight Club. Sweaty Brad Pitt in East London, yes please.

May 21st.. New Gallery Jumble sale in the New Gallery, Camberwell. These guys are trying to be 100% eco-friendly and have an emphasis on hand crafted goods. An excuse for me to go South of the river I think. The

May 25th-29th.. Shakespeare Happens at More London. Free open air theatre down by the river. You can mourn you own tragic middle class life by watching The Tragedy of Macbeth and then remember you shouldn't be so mournful after all.

If you have anything you think would fit in with my pseudo art/fashion/culture/booze/music summer listings, drop me an email.

x Fi

Neurotic-YEAH!

How great is Neurotica? We talked about them two years ago.  Just in case, I'll give you a quick recap: they are a wonderful local label which makes killer prints (including a Courtney Love print as part of a collaboration with Rachel Friere).  Last weekend, I checked out their sample sale in Netil Market, near to London Fields. Not only did I get to say hello to the brains behind the operation, I also picked up some pieces, which I can't wait to wear.

The rack of clothes in Netil Market..

Beautifully printed vest dress... This is my new summer dress...Roll on the beach..

If I didn't have to eat for the next few weeks, I probably would have picked up more bits. These were some of my favourite dresses that were also available at the sample sale.

All the images taken from Neurotica's website from previous collections

If you want to hear more of Neurotica's news (like their next sample sale) definitely follow their facebook and twitter.
Thank you Neurotica for being wonderful.
x Fi