4 ways to wear a baggy top!

Today I wanted to achieve that DIY homemade look, due to my love of baggy oversized T-shirts and making 1 item of clothing fit for different outfits. Being a student, I literally can only afford food, depressing, I know, but my lack of money for clothes motivates me to be creative with the clothes I do have and brings out my inner fashion designer! Kidding. Although it does teach me and probably a lot of you to make new fashion out of the clothes that you would never wear anymore. So heres my DIY – different ways to wear a baggy top for you poor students and poor working teens!

• Look 1 – This is the most basic way to style a baggy top, matching it with a statement skirt from New Look. A baggy top always goes with a cute tartan skirt or whatever you want to pair it with, its simple for those effortless days.
• Look 2 – With this look, I have paired the belt with my baggy top to empathise my waist and to make it look as if my top is a dress. This look is great if you’re going for a grunge but feminine style, it could be paired with a black leather jacket to add more to the grungy look.
• Look 3 – This look is a bit more revealing, an off the shoulder look will always be a trend. It says I’m trying but I’m totally not. If I were to wear this look somewhere it would probably be a trip out with my friends on a cool summer night, black for night but the style screams summer.
• Look 4 – This is definitely my favourite look, a cute black dress will always be a part of every girls wardrobe. This time, both of my arms are out of the head hole and I have tied the sleeves behind me creating a more bodycon effect. You can always tie the sleeves together at the front as well, proving theres more ways to wear a top than the normal way!

Fashion-Elle

So, Elle and I decided to do a little fashion shoot thing yesterday when the weather was bright and sunny. The pictures aren't great as I took them, but it was fun and we hope you enjoy!! 

 ELLE'S BLACK SUMMER!

 THE SEXY & STUDIOUS.

 THE GOLFER'S DREAM!

 THE DISTRESSED DUNGAREES...

Fashion & modelling - Ellie Gibson

Photography - Amy Stark

I love camping!

I went camping at the lakes this weekend and managed to get rather sunburnt even though it was only like 14 degrees or something...

 I hate being sunburnt, you can't scratch yourself without your eyes watering from the sting, you're kind of scared to go in the shower because the water causes pain and when you wake up in the morning all of your skin has tightened and you have to wait for it to loosen up.

The only up side to sunburn is the after effects of a nice tan but for some reason my skin always seems to go back to pale, it must hate me or something.

Anyway the reason for this post is to give you a short rave about how great camping at the lake district is! Park Foot camp-site is the best right beside Ulswater Lake.

The lake is huge! and it's pretty much surrounded by mountains and woods. You can go on canoes, row boats and motor boats and you can take your dogs on them as well. Plus the sights are amazing, I sound really old (I know) but they are amazing especially the sun setting behind the mountains.

There's a clubhouse with pool tables and an arcade corner, so if the weathers not great you can stay in there all day drinking.

There's also a decent sized park which is technically for kids but if you're 19-year-old it's still incredibly fun, especially when you're a little tipsy.

Basically, if you want a cheap break with your friends or partners just go camping, it'll be about £200 for 2 nights, that's with food, alcohol, the 2 night charge for the camp-site, canoeing, petrol to get there & back and disposable BBQ's which are a definite must have!!

Black summer wish list

Black Black Black by ellie-victoria-gibson
Dress, £628, the corner.com
Coat, £94, Topshop
Hat, £42, Topshop
Nike Roche Run, £70, Office
Watch, £135, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Belt, £3.99, H&M
Sunglasses, $14, TOBI

I know that summer is coming up and everyone is wacking out their florals and pastels but England is never too hot not to wear black, am I right? am I right? Here is my black summer wish list, everything here - in my eyes, is affordable, except the silk lace detailed dress, pricing at £628, a big no no on a student's budget. I love the concept of wearing Nike running shoes with a long coat, who's ever said sportswear isn't fashionable? No one. The sunglasses were added in hope of an actual attempt at reassuring myself that I could wear these things in summer, very unlikely. Although these were just a few pieces that inspired me for the coming months, hoping to mix the dark days with the summery days in terms of fashion colouring. My black summer!

Why weddings suck.

For both singles and couples (who aren't married) weddings are a nightmare. I have to go to 2 weddings next year as 2 of my fantastic cousins are tying the ultimate knot...

They've also invited my boyfriend which is fine since I've been with him for quite a while now but I'm kind of dreading it.

I've been to 3 other weddings in my time as single person and at all of them I was kind of depressed. I mean you look around and all you see is couples, couples, EVERYWHERE! And happiness, everyone seems to be so damn happy at ceremonies. Personally, I don't get it.

I mean, yeah two people are going to join together in holy fucking matrimony or whatever but why do I care? I like the opportunity to where a beautiful dress and to dance around and what not but there are a lot more bad points than good!

As a single person at a wedding 4 things are very likely to happen... A family member or friend will feel sorry for you and ask if you want to dance - No thanks!...

A random guy will find an interest in you and attempt to chat you up, you'll likely concede due to loneliness and dance with him all night, embarrassing yourself and waking up next to someone you'd rather not be next to...

You'll be so bored you'll get absolutely fucking mortal, find someone else in the same state as you and cause some form embarrassment for yourself and everyone who knows you...

And lastly, and worst of all, some irritating old lady will say "have you not got a date Hunny?" - No. No I don't. Would I be sat here throwing back tequila if I had a date?!?!

Now for the couples, which I now am... woo-ho right? Maybe not.

At the last wedding my brother took his girlfriend Claire and it seemed to be a running theme of the night for people to ask them when they were going to be tying this imaginary yet daunting knot...

My brother handled it well, made jokes about how she was desperate, how he'd never marry her, and she did too, but they likely will eventually.

I never want to get married but if you tell people that, especially old people, they freak, like "But darling must want to get married to some handsome man some day?" Sorry but no. Never.

I want a big party to celebrate me and I want to wear a big dress and look fabulous but I don't want to walk up some aisle and have everyone stare at me as read some cheesy ass vows about love and foreverness...

My cousin took this guy who she'd been seeing for a few weeks to our friends wedding; during the ceremony he said "I can't wait to get married", a guy, a guy said that! He kept looking at her all lovingly as well and making corny jokes... hinting. I'd freak out if a guy did that to me!

The only people who are truly happy at wedding's are the the couple doing the vows themselves.

Confessions of a student shopaholic.

Whilst an outsider thinks the life of a student is the most easy lifestyle there is, theres a student right now, sat eating their last tin of beans. 

I'm not necessarily saying that us students have it tough but to be skint for the majority of the time isn't something anyone wants. I get the lowest amount of money you can get when it comes to student loans, meaning I have very little money to live off over 3 months until I get another payment. 

If any student says that they don't spend the majority of their loan on clothes, going out and random shit is a liar. My day to day schedule has me attending university everyday for 1 or 2 hours except fridays, what do I do with all my spare time? or should I be asking what should I spend my money on with my spare time? 

I've had 2 loans now and as soon as that money went into my bank I straight up got on my laptop and online shopped, this time I have bookmarked clothing websites with the things I find that I NEED but lets be honest, I don't really NEED them, it just seems right to treat myself to one or two things with my money right? 

I've made up some steps to help myself and possibly you, if you're reading this and you're a student also, or if you just want to save your money and manage it better.

1. Tell yourself that you spend too much money at once

Examples of this would be - do you lend money off your family or friends? think about why you spend money, why you NEED these things. Tell yourself - I am a shopaholic, if you watch confessions of a shopaholic (the film) and consider yourself just like Becca then we have a serious problem. 

2. Make a goal for yourself

Work out how much money you need to spend on food to live off and then any expenses that you need to take care of, if theres any money left after that, treat yourself. Why not work out how much money you can spend in a week with your loan? and try not to spend over that limit each week.

3. Put half of the money into another bank account or into a trusted person's

With this you're less likely to spend the money that will do for later on after getting your loan or pay check, rather than spending all of your money in the first month and then regretting not keeping money aside till you next get paid.

4. Spend money on stuff you NEED

It would be silly to assume that people don't ever need clothes, I'd buy a piece of clothing everyday if I could. Although, don't buy clothes because you're feeling bored, or you're on a casual walk to get some washing up liquid for your Mum and then happen to come back with a dress from Topshop, no means no! You can do it. When I say stuff you NEED, I mean if a bag has been ruined or your shoes have holes in them and I'm not talking the tiniest little thing, cheaters. 

5. Make a list of what expenses you need to pay off and what you've spent

This will help in the organisation of your money so you aren't buying things you don't need without realising. Usually we buy something and then think about how it will affect our bank account a moment after purchasing it and then its out of our mind, writing it down will unmask your shopping addiction!

6. Don't take your bank card with you for 'little trips out'

This way you wont be tempted by that 'cute black dress' in that store over the road. Yes it will hurt and I mean HURT, but you'll feel better about it after. Of course the pulse of your bank card in your bag when you're surrounded by your favourite shops is indescribable but theres a 50% chance that you wont even like that dress in a months time. 

7. Going out on the town - limit yourself

If you're going out and you know that if you take your bank card you'll go crazy and start taking more money out than you actually need. Be organised, get £20-£40 out, however much it costs for taxi's, drinks etc where you live and leave the bank card at home. You'll find it easier once you work out how much the taxi will be and how much drinks will be, then thats your amount set.

Most of all - stay in control. Its hard and it feels awful but is it more awful than not having any money at all a few weeks later to go for a meal or a cinema trip because you've spent most of your money on clothes? And of course I'm speaking from point of view because I know that I need to take all of this advice and so do a lot of students. We can do this! Screw you clothes, joking - I love you. 

Fun sex positions or a dangerous experiment?

Ok, so I absolutely love Cosmopolitan magazine, mostly for the sex and relationship tips but I've always been rather amused by their Cosmosutra section. I know you have to be pretty flexible for Kamasutra sex positions but some of them look down right painful and kind of dangerous to be honest...

Do we need to become ballerinas?
The majority of men I know can hardly cross their legs without complaining never mind crossing them and lying down and having a female on top of them and doing the standard thrusting motions of sex.

Where's her vagina supposed to be?
It says on the instructions for this one that the man enters in the military position and then preforms some kind of insane 360 degree turn in order to find himself here. #1 - Where is the romance in a man attempting to spin around on top of / inside of a woman? #2 - Why is his groin on top of her breasts? Is that another part of the transformation, the woman's genitalia moves up a few inches? #3 - Does the guy need to dislocate his penis? I feel like that may be necessary in order to achieve what this position is asking.

 Is death part of the allure?
In both of these positions I feel I would be in great danger of breaking my neck when the man / or I climax. They look fun, interesting, like a challenge I want to face and overcome, but in order to do so me and my partner would have to go to quite a few yoga / weight lifting classes...

Why?

Another issue with the average male not being that bendy... But on the more important side of matters, this does not look very attractive, or is sex not necessarily supposed to be any more? Also, is it just me or does this position make it look as if the woman is taking a shit? Ugly truth... 

This one's not on the ridiculous list.

So you have to sit in a half filled bath and have your partner climb in behind you entering you and then you take the shower head and aim it between your legs. Sound fun? I think so. As long as you don't have the power shower on full blast and shoot your clitoris off this looks like it could be very pleasurable, for both partners. 

To be honest the majority of cosmosutras sex positions are pretty do-able, it's a minor few (shown here) which seem like they're meant for those special few with inhuman stretchiness of the genitals and an outstanding ability to balance.

Pictures taken from Cosmopolitans website. 

Deep

Deep is a clean and modern take on vintage wear that is allocated on quirky High Bridge, Newcastle. Starting its flagship store in Middlesborough by two university graduates, Deep have opened up stores in Newcastle, Liverpool, York and Manchester over time. Although since then, both the York and Liverpool branches of Deep have been closed down, due to lack of customers; small vintage shop chains are suffering and we question whether its down to the popularity of the vintage look that may be dying out in them parts.

Deep breaks the mould of every stereotype a vintage store is held for, its alterations in sizes make the vintage clothing accessible and wearable for anyone, bringing vintage into up to date fashion. Its modern and organised display isn't ordinary for a typical vintage shop, its futuristic take on vintage sets as a bitter sweet juxtaposition that makes you question whether you have walked into a vintage shop.

Situated in the big cities of Newcastle and Manchester, Deep brings in students that cant resist a pair of vintage Levi shorts. The remade retro clothing make your fear of someone already dying in your new granddad jumper at ease, priced from only £30. Their quirky take on vintage is perfect for you if you prefer vintage shopping minus the fight to the death to find something amongst the heap of ill-fitting levi cut-offs and jackets.

We just hope that Deep doesn't sink and remains above the water (pun intended) amongst the many vintage shops in the North East because this one definitely deserves to stay afloat.

Ellie. x

Christopher Kane

Hellloooo!

Another piece which may seem a tad out dated already but hopefully people will still be interested in Christopher Kane's flawless designs at this seasons London fashion week...

Christopher Kane has always produced wearable pieces with a unique edge to them and in this year’s autumn/winter collection he did not fail to deliver. From oversized to skinny fit his dark and moody clothing had all the range to fit every woman’s clothing desires.

The designer started his show with a range of suits in delectable chocolate and brazen black. Slim, school boy trousers which stopped at the ankle or below, with several jacket choices from double breasted blazers cropped at the hips to coats.

An interesting addition to his pieces was the PVC type detailing on the bags, coats, shoes and dresses; everything he could fit it on it would seem. The material was crumpled like a bin bag and created a fetishist appeal.

Fur was another aspect of his designs, my favourite example of which was a little black dress with a beige fur décolletage neck line; a perfectly unique and stylish piece.

If it’s soft romance you prefer Kane accomplished that too. One pink dress with his black edging signature looked just like someone was flicking through a book, the designer featured a few of these dress types which created a pulsing effect as the models floated down the runway. This last technique of his, with leaves of fabric, was based on books falling open.

Clearly Kane has once again shown what an amazingly clever designer he is with extraordinary ambition. All of his clothes are wearable fashion, for those looking to be noticed to sleek business woman and even those just wanting luxury items.

Amy. x

Beer Goggles

Sometimes when I'm drunk I'm like 'holy crap I am an absolute Greek goddess' and then when I sober up and I see the pictures, I'm like 'Jesus Christ I am so deluded...'.

Amy. x

Accurate

Worst trends of the 21st Century - so far

1. Crocs

And we have a winner, crocs, surely everyone could have guessed that this was going to be number 1. What I cant quite fathom is the point in these rubbery disasters, even someone that wears crocs cant say they wear them based purely on their appearance. Crocs are for people who have given up on the world, if you're reading this and you're a croc wearer - its nothing person, I don't hate you, I hate your shoes.

2. Trainer wedges

Isabel Marant created the trainer wedge, known as 'The Beckett'. Produced to sell for high-fashion, this trend plummeted to the likes of high-street stores and when I say plummeted, I mean crashed, died and became unacceptable. Although ugly none the less, this sense of indecisiveness becomes a big issue again, if you want height - wear heels, leave trainers alone!

3. Long-back dresses/skirts

The 'party in the front, business in the back' saying should and should only be used for the tragic trend of the mullets, Billy-Rae Cyrus - I'm looking at chu. It's a trend for the indecisive, should I wear a long dress today or a short one, oh wait I know, I can have BOTH. In what world!

4. Double Denim

This trend has made its comeback from the 80's and 90's. Whilst a handful of celebrities have tried their hand in bringing the trend back, there are day to day people going ahead with double denim, whether it be down to the laziness of throwing anything on or they've managed to convince themselves that its sociably acceptable.

5. Fanny packs

Common amongst tourists, these unflattering.. things, (somehow) wiggled their way into becoming a trend in 2013 by Rihanna and festival goers. It's just down right lazy, buy a handbag, its called a HAND bag for a reason ladies.

Ellie. x 

Altuzarra

Hey, so this is a little old but I thought (hope) people might be interested in it? It's a catwalk report I wrote on Altuzarra's spring/summer 2014 collection.


In 2011 Ralph Loren was inspired by Japanese Boro clothing in creating his blue label line and now in 2014 Altuzarra has put together an elegant masterpiece of a collection inspired by the same thing. “A lot of the collection came from Japanese Boro clothing – everyday clothing patched and pieced together to prolong their usefulness for the farmers and fishermen who wore them.”

It sounds very workaday but the collection was stunning, a delicate mixture of eggshell and off white shirts layered over a top which was layered over a skirt. Altuzarra’s clothing was assuredly sexy, slit leg skirts and blazers tied with hook-and-eye closures was a perfect mix of office worker meets super sharp and sexy.

The pinstripe fabrics and the fringe like ties as well as the Boro shirts and shirt style skirts created a multi-purpose theme for his latest range of clothing.
The show came to an end with the display of Julia Nobis in a backless liquid gold dress, which hung around her body with elegant ease.

It seems as if Kering made a good choice in investing in Altzuarra, the young designer displayed clothing that will no doubt stay in our minds for quite a while.

Amy. x

Confident in me...

Recently I decided I desperately need to join the gym for many reasons, not the least of which is sexual purposes. I'm not obese or anything but my bmi is far to close to the 25 mark for comfort. In addition I'm a very tall 5 foot 3 inches so a little bit of weight gain turns me into a stumpy little thing with a huge arse!

Okay, so the whole sexual purpose thing, I read online that if a guy could he'd want to have sex for 4 hours every single day! And to be honest I would too, that sounds like the perfect way to live... 8 hours sleeping, 6 hours working, 2 hours relaxing, 2 hours eating, 2 hours working out and 4 hours shagging! So I figure, why not get as fit as I can and make an attempt at that 4 hour mark.

I'm quitting smoking too, I only have 4-5 a day but the effect of those cigarettes is definitely significant. My boyfriend loves me being on top but after 15 minutes or so of me going for it I collapse in a heap on top of him and say, "Stop being so fucking lazy D and you get on top, I'm killing myself here!".

Another reason for my health scheme is summer, I love denim shorts, I love little dresses and I love dungarees. But if I can't feel confident in any of these things then what's the point? Until I'm confident in my own body I'll have to stick to dresses with tights or just jeans. Neither of those sound summer comfortable.

Lastly, It's bikini season soon and if I can't jump in the ocean or sun bathe in my garden in one of my little 2 pieces then summer is going to SUCK!

Amy. xo

Hot Tip #1

A lost wonder.

Flip Original American Clothing.

Located a short four minute walk from Eldon Square is ‘Flip Original American Clothing’ satisfying every vintage lover’s heart. With clothes shipped all the way from America, Flip focuses mainly on the era between the 50’s-90’s, and shows this from the minute you step through the door.

The first thing that draws attention is the chaotic wall full of previous events and band posters. This, in contrast to the white walls, old font text and a bit of old school funk playing out the speakers transforms you right back to the 70’s.

With the average price ranging from £10-30, the company’s main clientèle focuses upon students, offering a 10% discount beneficial for both buyer and seller. This isn't the only age range the store has. With vintage fashion rising up in the market the shop welcomes the younger generation and also has a fair share of more mature customers who have been visiting for years.

One customer said that it’s a “fantastic little store full of hidden gems” which is the perfect description for this tiny treasure. Although its stock may be from another time it’s very much in the present with the development of an eBay store which will hopefully promote this deserving business into the competitive world of clothing.  

Address; 104 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AF
Telephone; 0191 2331755
Website; http://www.flipvintage.com

Something always happens after the credits!