Monday ♥ 's

1. Helmut Newton - Van Cleef and Arples advert - 1979

2. American Apparel - Nylon Spandex Micro Mesh Long Sleeve Mini Dress

3. Helmut Newton - "X-Ray" Boot for Karl Lagerfeld

4. Gorgeous Long Fire Red Hair

5. Opening Ceremony X Dr Martens - Pony Darcie Boot

6. Topshop Unique Leather Harness

Ciao Bellas

I'm off to Florida for 3 weeks of sunshine, frozen margaritas and some determined sunbathing! I WILL return to the UK with a tan this year! I WILL!

"I Heart Candy" Model - Devon, Photography - Thirty9Steps
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Water Tourture

I recently came across this bit of design genius on my internet travels.
It's a shower that's based on a 19th Century French design, and with all the pipes being perforated, the water hits you from all angles.
It's a really interesting design, very slick. But i can't help thinking it kinda looks like some kind of caged torture device from an asylum!
And at a mere £4,500 starting prices, pah, i'll take two!

 














 

http://www.crye.co.uk/product/la-cage-shower/la-cage

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Visionaire

First up, the latest installment from Visionaire.
I would probably give my left arm to own a copy of Visionaire. 1. i'm right-handed and therefore could probably get away with it, and 2. this magazine is amazing!

It changes its format for each edition, for example one was presented as a book of disks. By doing this, they break away from the traditional norms of the magazine concept and keep the vision fresh and exciting.

Visionaire 58, of which only 1500 copies are available, pays tribute to the late Alexander McQueen and features the work of Nick Knight, Steven Klein, Mario Sorrenti, Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin and Lady Gaga.

I can't speak about the content itself because as much as i'd quite like a money tree, i don't! But from what i can see of the outside, it looks pretty incredible. The studded gold case i so McQueen, especially when you think back to his parting A/W 10 collection.

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I Flicked On The Light

It has come to my attention, as well as yours, i'm sure, that my blogging efforts have definitely been going downhill as of late. In fact, they're probably so far down the hill that that's why they're not actually visible anymore.
What's worse is that i don't even have an excuse for it. Now that i'm officially a graduate, i cannot blame it on the constant busy work load, or incredible hangovers. Nor do i seem to be capable of securing a job right now, so even being a grown up is not a distraction!
Nope.
I think that since leaving uni, i havn't really done much in the way of getting creative, and in turn i havn't really been on the look out for inspiring stuff, and therefore have nothing of interest to post here.
It's a shame, and i know i'm being dreary and negative here, but it seems i need my creative buddy's back!
So, determine to post something a bit more viewing-worthy, i went and found some interesting bits to post, mainly quirky design things, inspiring photographers, and magazine snippets.
So here goes, hope you enjoy!

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Reality

These two doodles are so true right now!

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Off To The Movies

Off to see Inception with the man!

(Georgia Frost by Miles Aldridge)

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"I am here to do Your bidding, Master. I am Your slave..."

(quote: Bram Stoker, Dracula)

Oooh, i forgot to post these when i found them weeks ago!
I realise i'm very late with them and the whole world has probably already seen them, but i still love them!
I love how sexy the Tom Ford campaigns are every year and this year is no different. Using the crows adds another element of devilishly cool eccentricity.

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Cravings

I've been back at home for exactly 4 weeks tomorrow. My life is currently revolving around the Gym, seeing friends/boyfriend and becoming increasingly obsessed with online window shopping.
It's a sad fact but i keep having cravings for new pretty clothes!
There are two things holding me back though, 1. the fact that being a jobless bum means i will probably need all the money i can get until someone decides i'm not completely hopeless and employs me!
2. Living back with the parents for the time being means i am faced with constant excuses why i don't need that dress, those shoes or "That cost you how much?!".

The latest pieces on my wish list are two very beautiful bags, which despite being in the ASOS sale, are still waaay out of my budget, even if i wasn't facing parental complaints!
The first is this lovely Lulu Guiness Needle and Thread bag. C'est tres cute!

And the second it this sexy little tattoo print Ed Hardy bag.

(Oh well, the Ed Hardy has now sold out! Damn!)

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Funny Face

No not the film!
How cute is this! A little odd, but wonderfully eccentric. I need one in my life!

http://www.theharbingerco.com/product/funny-face-ring

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Sportmax

 Loving the new Sportmax campaign for Fall 2010.
Crisp, Clean and beautiful clothes.
I'd quite like the fitted coat (image 2) for my winter wardrobe thanks.

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I Got Myself A Degree!

Results Day!
I'm now the extremely proud owner of a BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion First Class Degree!!
A frikkin' First!
So bloody proud !

Now i just need a job, haha. Anyone like to give me one? I can make tea and coffee :P

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Brick Lane Love

Seeing as my week living the Brick Lane lifestyle was taken up mainly by exhibitions, celebrations and special coffee and yummy bagels, there wasn't much time to check out the Sunday markets that were going on.

I really wish i could live around this area of London. The atmosphere is amazing, so laid back, welcoming and there's such a sense of community. That might make me sound like such a loser, but you just feel like you're a part of the something. I don't know, i'm just a sentimental fool!

Anyway, i couldn't wait to get back and explore all the little markets that were there. We made it a girly day out, did some shopping and had lunch. A very civilised affair indeed!

There were so many lovely stalls in the UpMarket, loads of pretty jewellery on offer, people making necklaces right before us as well as a great selection of vintage finds, although we did notice the same knitted jumper knocking around quite a few stalls... vintage? Who are you trying to kid!

I bought myself a nice little clock necklace, and decided to surprise the man with a handmade leather satchel he'd been eyeing up the week before!

I'll leave you with some photos from the day and my cravings to go back there!

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ReCap

Ok lets rewind back about 2 or three weeks.

I seems to be constantly making excuses for my lack of blogging and here's the latest... I've been busy going to / being in exhibitions in London, packing up my house at uni to move back home, getting a degree and enjoying the beautiful weather! I'd say that's a pretty good excuse.

Last time i blogged i mentioned my work and I were going to be at Graduate Fashion Week. Well that was all fine and dandy and apparently my portfolio was rather popular amongst the fashion crowd which is always good to hear. Anyway, to finish that week off, it was my final year exhibition in Brick Lane. We were part of the famous Free Range exhibition which is held at the Old Truman Brewery and it proved very successful. We had our private view on the Friday and were there till the Sunday evening.

Book 77 Creators! Naomi Brown & Rebecca Blanchard (myself!)

  It was so exciting to be part of an exhibition in London, and having never been in one before, it was a completely new experience for me. It was so nice to see everyone admiring the work and being so impressed with the outcome. Book 77 was there of course and was a hit, with someone very kindly offering some marketing opportunities for us which is very exciting indeed!

Also, the man had his final year photography exhibition running at the same time too, just down the road at The Rag Factory. Some of the work on show was so impressive and seeing as they had to curate, fund-raise and produce the whole show themselves, the result was amazing and so professional! The retouching wiz that he is, his final work put his skills into practice and ended up with a series of really interesting images that you really have to (without sounding too cheesy..) get up close and personal with!

This is the Man's work. "Imitation of Life".

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So...

Here is the result of the past few weeks

Invite to the Jigsaw Photography Exhibition at The Rag Factory

Complimentary Skinny Cow Hot Choc from GFW

Exclusive Kate Moss for Topshop Dresses and Business Cards

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Graduate Fashion Week

Hey lovely blogging folk!

I have been a complete and utter fool, and as a result of my miserable mood the other day i completely forgot to mention some exciting news!

Graduate Fashion Week! Now i won't blab on about what it is as i'm sure you're all aware of it by now, and if you're not then head over to their site for more info.

Anyway, what i wanted to say is that all my work that could have been selected to show there was! So this means that Book 77 Magazine (issues 1 & 2), my research folder, final portfolio and poster will all be at Earls Court for the work to cast their critical eyes on! I'm so excited and i'm totally going to sound like an egotistical fool here but i'm so proud of myself too. I'm also nominated to the Design and Media award too which is super exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Ok, so today (tuesday) i had to get myself down to Earls Court for the Media and Design award. Now i'm not too sure what exactly this is, and my tutors weren't exactly what you'd call 'clued up' on the whole thing either but i knew the prize was £750 and a ticket for the Gala show. So anywho, i got there and pretty sharpish the judges had pounced on our UCA Rochester stand to scout out the entries from my uni. I had to explain the concept of Book 77, and the inspiration behind the content and art direction etc etc to a very nice lady and gentleman, who were very good at not giving away any hints of what they were thinking! But they seemed to like it. We find tomorrow who was shortlisted so fingers crossed hey!!

I'm back there tomorrow to work my shift on the stand promoting UCA too, so if you're in London pop in and see us and check out all the amazing work Britain's latest fashion graduates have on offer. And if the amazing work isn't enough to tempt you, Skinny Cow have a stand giving away free ice cream and hot chocolate sachets and you can get your nails painted too! MMM MMM

I'm going to have a proper look around all the stands tomorrow so i'll report back and have some pictures for you too. But for now, i'll leave you these quick snaps of my work on the stands.

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Todays Mood

Sia "Breathe Me" from phil tidy on Vimeo.

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Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with bloglovin

I gots me a BlogLovin' account...finally!
Going to be so much easier to keep up to date with countless number of blogs i insist on reading!

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Self Promotion

So here's a little bit of blatant self promotion for you all!

I finally made a little online portfolio for myself so future potential employers (hint hint*) can go have a gander at my work.

It's only on carbonmade until i get around to making myself my own proper website but it's nice and accessible so it suits me fine :)

So go check it out!

http://rebeccablanchard.carbonmade.com/

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Freedom

So after 17 years of education, i can finally say i am free.

I have survived having my long hair stood on and playing kissy catch in primary school. I got through the chav infested halls of secondary school. I made it through being, quite frankly, a bit of a loner at sixth form. And now, my life as a university student is officially complete!

I've come from a little girl who wanted to be a vet and look after cute fluffy animals, to Fashion Promotion graduate and wannabe art director!

Strange huh?

It's an odd feeling really. I'm sort of at a loss for what to do now. I guess i'm just up for enjoying the moment, celebrating with friends and having a well earned rest!

So what next? I refuse to be a doss, so job hunting is priority numero uno at the mo. Anyone know any magazines looking for an aspiring art director?! I make a pretty good coffee too if that helps...

Anyway, i've decided that in between sending off countless emails, CV's and covering letters, i shall make time to re-jig this blog. It's about time it had a re-vamp. A very belated 'spring-clean'. I'm also in the process of putting together some kind of online portfolio too for my work so i'll post this when i'm all done with it!

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Image:http://www.flickr.com/photos/wemakethisworldourhell/4020045207/

Graduate Preview Day

So every year the British Fashion Council hold a graduate preview day in London where industry professionals get the chance to look at and asses the new graduate talent that are about the enter the industry from fashion colleges around the UK.

I was going to blog about this when it happened but i was crazily busy at the time!

Anyway, a few weeks ago i was lucky enough to be chosen to show my work at this day to represent UCA Rochester. I wasn't the only one of course but when i was looking through the BFC's website to see what they had reported from the day, i came across an image gallery.

There was one picture that showed work from my uni and when i saw it i couldn't help it but get a little excited! It was a picture of the cover of my magazine! My work. They'd actually spotted and picked out something of mine!

Now don't get me wrong, im not going off on some crazed, self-obsessed rant but it just amazed me that out of all the work that got sent from our uni, mine was the one that got photographed. The reason for my excitement is that i never get picked for big exciting things in the first place, so to have some of my work selected and to then get spotted was a bonus!

I didnt win anything mind you, neither did my uni, but it was exciting all the same!

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I'm Back!

Hello Hello!

I'm officially out of my university induced hibernation and am back and ready to blog my little heart out!

So big exciting news! Book 77 Magazine is officially out and ready for you all to sneak a peek at its best bits!

As some of you may or may not know, my final major project for my degree i chose to create the second issue of Book 77 magazine. I was creative director which meant i got to do what i do best and art direct the whole magazine which was so much fun! I also got to dabble in something i've never tried before, web design. I had to create a site for the magazine to give it an online presence so more people can see what the fuss is all about!

Please go check it out at www.book77magazine.co.uk !

Working on this issue was so different from the last. Firstly it was based on the British eccentric Mr Quentin Crisp who was such a fabulous flamboyant inspiration for us and secondly this issue was like stepping into Oz compared to the last issue. This time colour was vital, from the styling in our fashion stories, to the wallpaper prints we feature throughout, to the wonderful fonts we commissioned from an amazing student at my uni, Lisa Levander!

Anyway here are some of my favourite spreads for you all to have a gander at! Enjoy

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