Definitions

I always find there are certain words which people use to define themselves.

"Single"
"Married"
"Smoker"
"Feminist"
"Artist"

It set me off wondering why people feel the need to define themselves as these things. Do we need to define ourselves at all? If I were to define myself I'm not sure I'd even know where to begin.

Romantic?
Idealistic?
Ridiculous?
Photographer?
Cook?
Enthusiast?
Caring?

The idea of defining myself with a single word, like any of the above seems impossible. How can a person be defined so easily? Surely you'd need at least 20 adjectives? I wonder if people use the first words to define themselves because they give such a definite definition. Like, "I'm married and stable and happy so that's all you need to know." Or maybe, "I'm a feminist and there's no way I'm going to let you carry my shopping bags or get my number so don't even bother asking." Maybe the words are shields, comfort blankets, to ensure that no more details beyond the definition are necessary. One word says it all. And if that is true, then what the hell is my "one word"?! What's yours? How do you define yourself? And at the end of the day, do you even need to define yourself?

What I Wore Today..

I've never done an outfit post before so here goes my first attempt (be nice..)!

My absolute must-have item for this autumn is the Topshop Leigh skinny jeans, my personal favourite? The dark forest green pair! Not only are they ridiculously flattering and comfy, they're a subtle nod the new trends. Are they army? Are they countryside chic? Who knows and who cares cos they're so damn versatile! As always, the most practical part of a girls wardrobe is a hard working pair of flats. Mine are River Island snakeskin print! Last but by no means least is my new bag, a premium Topshop number, it looks ten times more expensive that it is (£95) so snap it up asap!

I can't claim credit for my oversized grey cashmere jumper as it happens to belong to my Dad...go rummage around in your house and I'm sure you'll find one too.

 

 

 

A Few Reasons Why I Love Knitwear

If the cosiness of cashmere, or snuggling up in merino wool, not to mention the soft touch of silk-cotton blends are not good enough reasons to love knitwear, here are a few of my favourite visual aids:

It's Complicated

So the other day, I actually found myself giving the answer "I can't, it's complicated." I could have slapped myself. I hate that expression. Because in reality, nothing is complicated. We have complicated everything for ourselves by over-analysing, over-describing and over-stressing.

There was a programme on Radio 4 the other day about how there are some cultures and tribes in the world which don't use numbers. No numbers, none at all. Because they don't think numbers are important. At first I thought, how silly, how can that work? But then the more I thought about it, the simpler the life you lead, the less complicated it is. Kind of like the other day when I had to take my car to the garage because the Lambda Probe had malfunctioned. A ridiculous piece of add-on software meant I couldn't drive for four days. Because it was over complicated. My Dad's 40-year-old VW Beetle has next to no features and doesn't ever break down/malfunction/misbehave. Because it's simple.

Here's to un-complicating everything.

Dinner Party Conversations

"There are three things you should never discuss at a dinner party. Weight, money or politics."


Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

The Closing Ceremony of London 2012

Where should I even begin? The electrifying opening from Emile Sande? Her gorgeous green dress? Stomp banging it out on their amazing makeshift percussion? One Direction? The John Lennon jigsaw? Kate Middleton? Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinie Tempah rolling around in convertible Rolls Royce's? Fatboy Slim in a giant octopus? Boris' dad dancing? The supermodel parade? The designs? THE SPICE GIRLS PERHAPS? 

There are absolutely no words to describe the surreal evening that was the Closing Ceremony. It is my honest belief that Rio, or any other country in the world for that matter, will ever be able to top the London 2012 Closing Ceremony. The evening was a phenomenal tribute to the athletes who have worked so hard for so long to be there, to compete there, to win there. I watched most of the evening through teary eyes and bursts of dancing and singing along to the performers and can safely say, it is the best TV I have ever watched.

So, before I start crying (again), here are a few of my favourite images from the night.

Enjoy! xox

Kate Curls

Something I have never ever been bothered to do is curl my hair. It's just always been such a hassle, with my hair being SO heavy and thick, curls just drop out. Hence my lazy attitude towards curls. Much as I love them on others, whenever I've had curls they've always needed at least half a can of hairspray to stay in anyway (I HATE the crunchy hair feeling) so I simply avoided them.

However. As you may, or may not, know Kate Middleton is my ultimate all-time icon. And she has curls. Perfect, bouncy, salon-blow-dry curls. I knew I needed to find a way round my aversion to curls. So, after a good hour long battle with the GHDs and a masterful technique...I conquered my naughty locks and managed to get them to stay!

My favourite part about it was that after ignoring the hairspray (as a matter of stubborn principle), during the afternoon the curls started to drop from Salon Queen to Casual Princess! Needless to say, I was delighted. The morning result was clean, polished and regal, the evening result was tousled, effortless and a piece of cake.


Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

Whatever You Want It To Be

Pretty Little Things is now all grown up because I am all grown up! Got the degree to prove it too. My blog is now called "Whatever You Want It To Be", because the more I thought about trying to define my blog in a few succinct sentences, the more I realised it is completely undefinable because my interests are undefinable. I don't sit in the fashion camp, nor do I just post about beauty. I am not a feminist voice, I am not campaigning for anything. I am varied: I love fashion, beauty, shoes, photography. I love cooking, I love the 50s ideals, I love making things.

So, my blog is no longer Pretty Little Things pretending to be a fashion blog, my blog is whatever you want to read, it is varied, it has a bit of this, a bit of that.

I hope you all enjoy reading and looking at whatever madness I'll be posting in the future!

LER xox

Can you have your cake and eat it too?

Something got me thinking the other day. It was as I was looking for jobs, for careers, in London and it suddenly occurred to me that at some point I will have to decide if I want a career, or if I want a job. Because obviously they are two very different things. I have been confident enough to say during the past couple of years that while I would like to work and be involved in the fashion industry, ultimately my ambition is to have a family of my own and raise children (three, in case you were wondering).

The more I thought about this choice, the more I wondered if it means I have an obligation to a company to tell them this would be my intention and risk any prospects of furthering my "career". If my choice would render me surplus to an industry I love so much. I told my friend about this, and instead of responding with confusion, she responded with a simple "well, why can't you have your cake and eat it too?"

Lorraine Candy can. Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine and devoted mother. Anna Wintour too. Victoria Beckham seems to be championing the expression. But would it work for normal women? Normal, working mothers. Personally, I wouldn't have children if I couldn't devote myself to them and their upbringing fully because let's face it, it's a huge responsibility to shape a little life. But I wonder, could I do both?

Could I have my cake and eat it too?

The Modern Housewife

Dinner parties, impeccable manners, daytime baking, traditional values.

That's what my book-in-the-making will be full of. Yes, I'm fully aware that I am going in the opposite direction to the feminist movement, but the way I see it, they rebelled against society so the women of the future could have the luxury of choice. So we could vote, so we could show off our ankles, so we could have careers of our own. So we could decide for ourselves.

And in order to repay them, I'm using my choice to honour them, the women who were the most feminine women in history. Who valued manners and appearance above all. Who valued and cherished their families and children. Who were elegant, polite and graceful. A combination of their values and my choice will result in The Modern Housewife, the future etiquette book for the modern lady, recipes, traditions, manners and how-to's. 


So, what do you think? Would you buy it?

The M Word

Marriage.

We've all thought about it. Each one of us. Regardless of what your opinion is on it, or what your gender is, you've thought about it long enough and hard enough to form said opinion. Men have given it more thought than they would care to admit. Yet, it is women who are painted as "trappers" when it comes to marriage. As if men think we're trying to corner them into a proposal, or bully them into a commitment. Even before marriage is even raised as a distinct possibility, in my experience it is men who play "hard to get", men who seem resistant to commitment. I just can't understand why! Maybe some men have such huge egos that they think women are theirs to pick and choose and dismiss? However, my (male) friend reckons the thought of being tied to someone when you're single is what is scary, and what in turn leads to the commitment-phobe attitude. Why is it scary? It's hard to envisage the end when you've barely begun - but surely when you come across someone you like and could love, it's not so scary after all.

It is programmed into (nearly, a few exceptions I'm sure) all of us to find our other half, our soul mate, the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with - so why on earth are women criticised for vocalising this mission?! We're working to a slightly tighter time schedule than men (biological clock etc) but last time I checked, most men didn't want to end up as lonely old bachelors, they want their other half just as much as we want theirs. So is it an image thing? Are they trying to remain aloof and cool? And if that it is the case, when are they going to grow up and stop playing games? Surely we're all a little old for the double bluff / guessing game / I'm-cooler-than-you charade.

Is honesty the best policy?

Long Hair Problems

Much as I love having long brunette (100% natural too, thank you) locks, unless I give my demanding hair regular love and attention, it decides to spring up into the most unruly curls. And not luscious long waves, no, no, I mean Birds Nest.

Help?

Boudoir Affair

Give me this...

...Just because it's cute.

Whirlwind Trip To The Capital

What. A. Week.

So the initial purpose of the trip was to head to Graduate Fashion Week at Earls Court, however, it soon became blindingly obvious that this was going to be an utter waste of time. Alas, it seems that when you're informed that it's a fab networking opportunity to make contacts etc it appears that this is only relevant and applicable if you've been nominated for an award/are super duper "FASH-ON".

So, here were the options: Stand around and act like a pretentious fashionista all day OR go sightseeing and shopping with my best friend.
Guess which I did?

Day One and we hit Harrods! 3 hours later we emerged feeling extremely pleased with our fantastic exploration skills and hopped straight on the tube to Sloane Square where we casually bumped into Frederik from Made in Chelsea (I know). A fantastic day all around. The rest of the week flew by in a flurry of excitement, giggles, laughter and fun around the capital, from Big Ben to Madame Tussauds (never again will I pay £22.50 to be scared half to death by men in masks jumping out at me in the horror room) to Oxford Circus and Camden Market, it all ended as well as it had started: The Bluebird Cafe in Chelsea. Where we sat at the table just down from Jamie from Made in Chelsea. Could we contain ourselves? Absolutely not. Did we look cool? I bloody hope so.

London watch out, we're coming back soon!

Shock Value

When something shocks you is it a good thing? It's good if you have hiccups I suppose and then it shocks them away. But if you don't have the hiccups and if it's just a downright shock then what? A nasty surprise you wish you could unsee? Or something which makes you stop and think and consider something new?

#sexsells seems to be a new trend, but how far do you agree with it? We've seen the steamy Calvin Klein and Emporio Armani ads with the beautiful Beckhams, with Megan Fox, with Rihanna and because they're promoting underwear we say it's fine, it's hot. However, look at the Tom Ford fragrance ads, the Diesel #sexsells campaign, the nude covers of Love Magazine, the Abercrombie and Fitch "Back to School" adverts.

Is it necessary? Do companies need to use the shock value of nudity and raw sex to sell their products? Are they just using the human body to sell their brand? What does this say about their company and brand ethos?  On the other hand, what does this say about me? And about the fact that I am shocked by them and feel uncomfortable when I'm faced with a pair of DD's and a perfume bottle squashed between them? My (male) friend thinks that if everyone just embraced this as a form of advertising then the controversy would disappear. We all know what our bodies look like, but is it just gratuitous to put it on a billboard?

Sex may sell, but who to? The above Lynx and Tom Ford ads are aimed at men. Is it right that they are using our bodies, women's bodies, to objectify and sell a product? This is the kind of advertising that should be X-Rated, what kind of ideas does it give us?

Putting the medias idea of a "perfect" woman's body in the spotlight can only serve to make the "normal" women feel worse about themselves surely? It's hard enough for a woman to feel good about herself without fashion brands promoting an unrealistic body which has been photoshopped to perfection. Are 12 year old girls going to look at one of Mr Ford's adverts and aspire to be the woman in the photo? Look at the "Back to School" campaign and think that's what they have to do? Will they think that is what a man wants? Don't get me wrong, I am a known wannabe-housewife and am no feminist, but surely this is slightly too far? Women should be treasured, appreciated and viewed as partners by men, not faceless, void "perfect" bodies. Who knows. There are two sides to every argument and I have no idea which one is right, but I do know that this method of advertising is not for me.

My London To-Do List

With the end of Uni approaching and GFW in the near future, it can only mean one thing...a trip to London! Whilst I do intend to make the most of Graduate Fashion Week (sort of), it is boldly apparent to me that my work will blend into the background and be glanced over. Alas, such is life.

So, instead I will be staying with my best friend in Putney waving the biggest To-Do List I have ever made. Oh yes, the London To-Do List! I must walk The Royal Mile (chat to Kate Middleton if at all possible, wave to The Queen and compliment her on the Jubilee), go to St James' Park and feed the squirrels, MUST see a show (any show, I'm not fussy), however, the two things which are really calling to me are the V&A Museum and the Design Museum.

The V&A is showing Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950 and I cannot wait to get lost in the beauty of that fashion. Meanwhile, my shoe-icon, Mr Louboutin will be showing twenty years of design and inspiration, from pumps to wedges to artful stillettoes, I will be in shoe heaven!

As well as this, I am highly excited to have been invited to visit LN-CC (Late Night Chameleon Club), a unique concept store in London stocking designers such as Peter Pilotto, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander and supplier of my all-time-favourite fragrance (Amarige) Givenchy. The store itself is said to be unbelievable in its design and atmosphere, I asbolutely cannot wait to visit!

I shall keep you all posted!

Starbucks

"What can I get you?"
"Skinny latte to go please."
"Can I take your name..?"

Why? Why do you need my name? To write on a cup so I can take an Instagram photo of it? No. We are not American. We are not friendly at 9am. We are British. We are private, we are polite, we are in a rush. Always. We do not have time to stop for a chat on our way to work, on our way to University, on our daily errands. So why have Starbucks launched a new campaign which is going to slow us down in attempt to be our friend?
The traditional image of an American is lively, friendly, chatty, outgoing. The traditional image of a Brit is closed, well-mannered, modest. And we like it that way! Is this a result of global domination from Starbucks? Do they want to turn us all into happy-go-lucky-let's-chat-over-coffee morning people? If we wanted to be like this we would. Through a process of elimination, Starbucks have taken over the coffee market to such an extent that now they are our go-to place for our caffeine fix, we're in so deep we can't get out.
I heard a hilarious story on Radio 4 last week, about a crowded Starbucks in Central London, when the barista asked for a business man's name, said man looked up from his Blackberry in shock, and then burst out laughing as someone from the back hissed "Don't tell him, Pike!"
But what do they expect?

Amarige, Givenchy

How you'll read this depends on the kind of perfume girl you are. Are you a lover of perfumes with ten bottles open at a time? Or are you faithful to one, signature scent? I have done both, now settling to be the latter. I have now been with my perfume, Amarige by Givenchy, for nearly six years. And I have absolutely no intention of leaving.
You see, I used to want everything. I wanted to smell like flowers, I wanted to smell seductive, I wanted to smell expensive. I flitted between Chanel, Dior, The Body Shop, Calvin Klein, you name it I tried it.  It all changed one evening at my Nana and Papa's house. Now, I am like my Nana in more ways than one, the woman has five bedrooms filled with clothes from every era she's lived in, from nipped in waists to shift dresses, platforms to stillettoes, fur coats to trench coats, she's got the lot. And the best thing about her "collecting"? She loves to share. It was this evening that she presented me with the little glass bottle, filled with an inexplicably gold liquid, simple as you like. A little pearly top. Amarige stamped in clear, unfussy font across the bottle. And my Nana said "It's about time you got a signature scent, it's more womanly." Was it?! I didn't want to be tied down! I wanted to get out there, to explore, to smell fashionable and play at perfume counters!
Regardless, I took the bottle and thanked her, thinking it could be my "handbag perfume".
The next morning, I spritzed it onto my neck and wrists. And was shocked by how much I felt attracted to it. Deep, sensuous, feminine and fresh all at the same time, the scent filled me and warmed me. Dashing out to college, my Mum commented "that's a lovely smell" as I rushed out the door. That day, I received five compliments on my new scent, which lasted all morning and afternoon.
Six years on and I still can't get enough of it. Friends say they know I'm near when they smell Amarige, my Dad says it reminds him of me when he borrows my car which is full of the scent. I feel now that Amarige is a part of me, a natural addition to my body which I couldn't be without. The feeling which comes with dismissing the constant "would you like to try the new Calvin Klein fragrance?" in Fenwicks in indescribable, it's happy, it's content.
"No thanks, I'm taken."

"Givenchy Amarige is the symbol of femininity. Radiating and bursting with happiness, a zest for life and generosity. The Amarige woman is radiant and open-minded; her heart-felt joy is evident from her spontaneous, charming smile. The voluptuous bottle is the embodiment of femininity.

Inspired by the Amarige woman it contains a cheerful, tender and sensual flower bouquet."

Kicking Back In Chunky Heels

Meet my new shoes. My new babies. A product of my favourite time of the year (the Topshop mid-season sale) these London Block Sandals are my new favourites. Now, I'm not usually one for a chunky heel, I prefer the elegance of a stilletto, the delicate clip clop of a court, not the clomp clomp of a chunky heel. Not to mention they almost always look ridiculous on my teeny ankles (the skinniest part of my body, fair?) which look like they're about to snap off the bottom of my legs. So it's safe to say that when I slipped these on they were almost bound to look ridiculous. But then something amazing happened. Straying away from my classic, safe choice of a black court shoe had paid off. I felt fun, flirtatious, excited and on trend. The coral heel is a perfect nod to this seasons colour palette, the hidden studs give them an edge. Most of all, the chunky heel makes them comfortable. I could walk, skip, dance, twirl in them almost instantly, something which one can rarely do in platform stillettoes. So my advice to you and my new motto? Buckle up and clomp forwards in a chunky heel, you won't regret it.

Corinthians 13:4