Tubberfly

First post of 2013

2013-01-18T11:10:00.000+00:00

I realise it's been a while since my last post, time ran away with me again and at the expense of sounding like everyone else (and slightly older then my years) it's shocking that we're now in 2013.

Lately I've been trying to catch up with the digital world, I registered with Pinterest and Tubberfly Vintage now has an online shop on Etsy.com (www.etsy.com/shop/TubberflyVintage) which is quickly becoming my favourite website. In light of some major British stores going into administration recently I thought I should keep up with my web presence.

Since browsing the net for inspiration whether it be for 'pin it' on Pinterest or just casual time wasting I came across some amazing 'things', for want of a better word, I could not categorise my finds so 'things' it shall be.

The problem with browsing on Etsy is that you could end up buying a different phone cover for each day of the week but I absolutely love this one - pretty, colourful and vintage

This is the tiniest oxidised silver heart necklace - I really love how delicate and mechanical it looks.

Alice in Wonderland themed print - this a popular printing process where a digital graphic in printed on an old book page - juxtaposition at it's best.

I came across this photo and loved the dewy treatment that makes it look like you're in a dream, I also like the way you can't tell what season it is.

I just love this cause I love cake - simples!

I'd love to see your Pinterest boards or just your lookbooks of 'things'.

I won't leave it so long for the next post
xoxo

Highlights of the summer!

2012-08-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

It's been an unpredictable summer this year mainly because of the cyclical weather which has had us Brits wondering what to wear most days (tough life isn't it). With most of the nation swept up by the London 2012 Olympics thankfully people have had better things to talk about than how rubbish the weather has been.

It's been a busy couple of months for me and so I thought I'd show you the highlights of my summer so far, please bare in mind that my highlights are full of random things I've done, seen and appreciated which for me have been pretty exciting (even if it is the odd homage to celebrity style).

It's not often I've watched a film which has made me laugh out loud (since watching Bridesmaids actually) but Ted was hilarious. A must watch for anyone with a stupid and shallow sense of humour.

I am currently training for a half marathon and could not recommend Mizuno trainers more. I bought the Wave Rider 15 (shown below) as I was experiencing runners knee and could not recommend them more. I am running regularly now and the trainers not only look funky they have great cushioning and are ridiculously comfortable.

I've visited the big smoke several times this summer and most recently had a reunion with some friends a month ago. London is in my top 5 favourite cities in the world (I have many more to explore of course) but I love the buzz, the choice and style of city. This is a lovely photo taken and stylised by my BFF!!

Okay so fashion had to feature somewhere here and where better to start then with my favourite Dawson's Creek co-star - Joshua Jackson, he looks amazing here with Diane Kruger. I am not a fan of his and her outfits but here their attire is simple and stylish.

I have lived close to Birmingham for most of my life and only recently discovered the IKON gallery in the city centre (yes I want to kick myself). The gallery is set in a beautiful neo- gothic building and showcases different media including photographs, paintings and film, not to mention its awesome bookshop and amazing cafe - will definitely be visiting again.

I also visited Edinburgh's Fringe Festival last weekend for the first time and was absolutely amazed by how a beautiful, picturesque city can be even more buzzing during this festival. The city was alive with creativity and thousands of performances to choose from - it's definitely in the calendar as an annual event now.

xoxo

Best of British

2012-06-07T21:15:00.002+01:00

I know most of the UK readers will be enjoying their short working week after the long Jubilee weekend despite the gloomy weather. I am grateful to chill out a little this evening after a busy weekend in London where I am proud to say I saw a glimpse of the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge aboard the Diamond Jubilee barge.

In keeping with patriotism I thought it would be fitting to celebrate all things British by giving you my 'Best of British' list especially when over the past decade or so we've seen some great British brands disappear (I still miss Woolworths).

I know I've mentioned before that one of my favourite stores is All Saints and although I agree with many people that the store is overpriced and their clothes do tend to be on the dark side (in a literal sense) I cannot fault the quality, they wash well and keep their shape and always look timeless.

People who know me will tell you how obsessed I am with painted nails, I cannot bare to have bare nails so I tend to paint my nails twice a week which also includes a colour change. I have probably tried and tested over 30 different brands of nail polish from Chanel to Sally Hansen and can honestly say that my favourite brand has to be Barry M. It's very affordable retailing at just £2.99 and it's a dream to apply, I would highly recommend their 2 in 1 base and top coat as it gives an ultra shiny professional finish.

Gorgeous selection of shades

I had to include food in my 'best of british' list for obvious reasons really; I love food and I especially love sweet food which is why it would be rude not to include Jaffa Cakes on this list. I appreciate that there are some amazing British foods out there but for me Jaffa Cakes are pretty special as there's nothing quite like them - is it a cake or is it a biscuit??? (the debate continues).

Would love to know about your country's best brands and whether there are British brands that you can't live without.

xoxo

New Beauty Buys

2012-05-22T03:22:00.002+01:00

I realise that it's been a while since my last post and time has flown by so quickly once again. I'm currently on vacation across the pond and aside from reality TV overload, great weather and the odd biblical thunderstorm I am thoroughly enjoying taking time out.

I have made some great beauty discoveries recently, some of which I am yet to try and others which are tried and tested recommendations, take a look below:

Too Faced Peach Leopard Bronzer £22
I bought this about a year ago and until recently I hadn't used it, it's one of my highly recommended products whilst on holiday, it's natural, light and the perfect substitute for blusher in warmer climes.

Sally Hanson Nail Wraps $10 from Walgreens Unfortunately these aren't availably in the UK yet and I haven't tried them but most blogs say they're long lasting, easy to apply and come off easily with nail polish remover.

This is the pattern I went for - I love how each nail is different, shall keep you posted on how these worked out.

17 Magnetic Nail Polish £5.99 from Boots
Keeping with the nail theme I had to include magnetic nail polish because even after you get over the initial novelty factor of the magnetic effect you can't help staring at your nails for days afterwards. The colours are all metallic for obvious reasons but I particularly liked the blue in this collection.

Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil, £26.50 125ml.
I have been a fan of Kiehl's for years now, it seems to be the only thing that's delicate enough to suit my skin whilst doing exactly what it says on the bottle. This product is multipurpose and can be used on skin and hair - the oil isn't too heavy and 1 bottle should last about 6 months.

I'd love to hear about your beauty essentials and won't leave it so long til my next post.

xoxo

It's March already!!

2012-03-02T20:58:00.000+00:00

I know it's been a while since my last post but time seems to be flying by too quickly and i'm in disbelief that it's the 1st of March already. I've past a couple of milestones recently, one of them being that I have now been self employed for over a year, this also means that my blog is also a year old too (woohoo). Having successfully accomplished a year being my own boss I think one of the biggest lessons I've learnt is to always thrive to do better and to set goals which you feel maybe unrealistic, it's the best way to fuel ambition and has surprising results.

I'm currently reading (and I use the term 'reading' loosely as it's more like a journal of captions) 'Whatever you think, think the opposite' by Paul Arden. Arden used to be the Creative Director at Saatchi and Saatchi and writes about advertising and motivation, yes it's totally down my street, and one of the reasons I love reading his books is because you always learn something new and end up challenging yourself in one way or another. Most of the content is based on factual findings and is by no means patronising or cheesy as most 'self help' books tend to be.

Highly recommended read for anyone looking for inspiration

Keeping on the theme of challenging oneself, I have recently signed up for an 8 mile fun run in June. Admittedly I didn't commit myself to a half marathon as initially planned but 8 miles seems challenging enough at the moment. It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while and although I would describe myself as relatively fit I am really enjoying focussing my training for this goal, no doubt I shall keep you all updated with how my training is coming along. If you've undertaken any challenged recently I'd love to hear about them.

On a more lighter note I wanted to mention how disappointed I have been on recent shopping trips, although I am yet again appreciating the pastel and block colours for spring/summer, I haven't found much inspiration. I do, however, have a few key pieces for this spring which I have been eyeing up though, take a look:

All Saints Hardy Leather Jacket £350 - Having just recently got into wearing leather jackets I found this gem of a jacket and loved how rugged and fitted it was, the colour is spot on for Spring too although it is a little pricey.

Topshop Ditsy Print crop Vest £26 - I love the colour blocking and floral mix on this vest, it's feminine and perfect to welcome sunnier weather.

Jack Wills Hollingworth Chino's £69 - Although these are quite pricey it's hard to find chino's with a vibrant yet versatile colour which can be paired with most things whether it be a shirt, vest or printed tee. I'm also loving the preppy-ness of this look.

Kurt Geiger Laura £150 - For someone who only wears converse for travelling and is little sceptical of pulling off plimsoles, I love how smart and casual these shoes are, they're comfortable yet stylish and the perfect colour to go with most things.

xoxo

My 2011 Sale Bargains!!

2011-12-18T16:25:00.005+00:00

The post Christmas sales are still going strong and although I didn't purchase much, it would have been rude not to dabble in some sale action. A common problem with sale shopping is that your judgement, more often then not, gets clouded by the price and you end up buying things you wouldn't ordinarily purchase even if price wasn't a factor. This year I was strict and only bought things I really wanted (aside from the obligatory half price christmas cards from Paperchase, John Lewis and M&S).

Take a look at my favourite sale bargains below (I was going to take my own pictures but I'm feeling rather lazy and that will form part of my new years resolution).

Marc Jacobs Bianca Hayley

This is my second Marc Jacobs bag and one of the reasons I love these bags are because they are extremely hard wearing, have the softest leather and come in a variety of colours which seem to go with everything (I steer away from black at all times). I was looking for a practical, good sized leather day bag which I could wear on my shoulders, would look good and have plenty of room for the essentials and more - I absolutely love the berry shade too.

Take a closer look:

Zara Brogue Stretch Boots

If like me you're particular about boots and have a nightmare finding ones which fit, look good and are comfortable it's like hitting the jackpot when you find a perfect pair. I have never bought shoes from Zara but it is a store which I visit regularly and can always count on for clean European tailoring, tasteful prints, comfy knitwear and great fitting dresses. Fortunately during the sales my local store had all the shoes in one area (normally they are scattered around the store under shelves and racks of clothing). I was looking for flat tan coloured, smart riding boots which would fit well and could be worn with either jeans or dresses.

These boots were perfect and the brogue design gives them a feminine vintage feel, they have elasticated sides rather then a zip fastening so they fit well without creases, the leather is not as soft as boots I have purchased from Bertie or Carvela but they feel sturdy and hard wearing and are a fraction of the cost too.

Warehouse Oriental Jade Necklace

Right so this would be my impulse buy just cause I love Warehouse jewellery and I do also think it is far too overpriced. This necklace contains jade beading and having visited the jade market in Hong Kong I realise how valuable and spiritual the stone is but it's not a colour I would wear often which is why this necklace is perfect. The jade beading is used with black faux crystals and delicate gold clasps, the necklace is also long enough to wear over dresses, shirts and tops. Although the pictures don't show this, the necklace is sparkly when it catches the light so is perfect for the evening as well as the day.

Look forward to hearing about your sale bargains.

As it is New Years Eve today I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog, although I haven't been able to post as regularly as I would like I do love writing my posts and look forward to a fun filled 2012 - it's going to be a great year.

xoxo

Don't you just love festive shopping!!!

2011-11-28T21:02:00.001+00:00

I cannot believe that there's only 3 Saturdays left til Christmas - seems like only yesterday I was celebrating the new year. My Christmas spirit has also peaked early this year, this weekend was a festive one, I saw Birmingham's Royal Ballet performance of The Nutcracker, put up the Christmas tree, made mince pies and made my second visit to Birmingham's huge German market (just to make sure the Belgian waffles really did taste as good as the week before).

I'm not a big fan of shopping at this time of the year, apart from the excessive traffic surrounding city centres and manic shoppers it breaks my heart to think that anything purchased now will be on sale with up to 50% off on the 26th December, I know it's a depressing thought but it's true. I have to say most of my Christmas shopping has been done online this year, it's convenient, hassle-free and often much cheaper now that retailers are providing free delivery and numerous discount codes.

Online shopping is becoming more and more popular especially during the festive season and while I'm a fan of discounts and convenience I don't think retail therapy can be achieved online as often people shop for inspiration and the tangible things which contribute to the shopper experience. I've found some great examples of these below.

Chanel's Karl Lagerfield window dressing

Fortnum & Mason's Alice in Wonderland window theme which continues in-store

Oasis, Regent Street (London) elegant monochrome theatrical window dressing debuting a new collection

Toys R Us, New York a giant piano made famous by the film 'Big' - I have always wanted to have a go on this.

Hamley's, the world's most famous toy store - stairs/escalators framed by a giant red bus

Having just come back from late night shopping, I've concluded that whilst festive shopping can be stressful sometimes it's nice to chill out, relax and enjoy the bright lights and sparkles, it definitely helps when retailers like John Lewis provide mince pies and wine while you shop too.

Let the festive month begin ...

xoxo

Top picks for Autumn/Winter

2011-10-30T11:25:00.002+00:00

As the nights are drawing in and the weather here in the UK has finally made it's mind up and decided to be cold I thought it would be fitting to do another 'Top Picks' post focusing on my essentials for Autumn/Winter.

I'd also like to add that I have seen a lot of top picks recently and don't agree that all the products have to be overpriced exclusives from high-end stores, it's all about whatever works for you. Having had my fair share of disappointing purchases over the years my 'top picks' focus on tried and tested products and styles.

This is amazing for clump - free thickness and can be built up for ultra glam eyes or used as an everyday mascara. Lovely fool-proof wand which gives an even application. Perfect handbag essential.
Available from Boots £16.50

If like me you have very sensitive oily/combination skin then this is great and works well as a make-up primer too. Made of natural ingredients which is super kind to the skin it feels silky and dries instantly.
Available from Boots £7.99

If like me you wear layers during the colder months then a chunky knitted snood can instantly add warmth and texture to any outfit. This chunky snood from French Connection is the perfect colour and can be worn over or under a jacket or coat

French Connection £18.00

I'm currently trying to grow my hair and there's nothing worse then for it to be exposed to rain, central heating and cold weather. Aussie's 3 minute miracle works wonders in conditioning hair and leaving it soft and shiny. I'm a huge fan of quick fixes.
Available from Boots £4.69

I bought these boots a couple years back and am pleased that Kurt Geiger's bought them back. They're rugged, stylish and incredibly warm as they're lined with sheepskin. They were perfect for the heavy snowfalls and a great alternative to Uggs (not practical in the snow at all) and Hunters (they're much more warmer).
Sadler from Kurt Geiger £190

I was bought this as a present from the new Rituals store that opened in Solihull (West Midlands), having never tried anything from the store I was pleasantly surprised. The smell is incredible and lingers for days, the cream absorbs well and keeps the skin moisturised all day. Perfect indulgence for colder months.
From Rituals and available online £13.50

I love this perfume, I bought when it first came out and think it's one of those rare smells which is suited for both Summer and Winter. It's fruity, sweet and musky all at the same time.

Juice Couture by Juicy Couture £35.00 100ml

I know last time I posted my top picks I had a lot of comments from readers on their tried and tested favourites, would love to hear about them.

Happy Reading xoxo

We're going through changes.

2011-10-05T21:54:00.000+01:00

After enjoying the last few days of a belated Indian summer here in the UK, the reality of shorter days and longer nights has hit me and I'm ready to adjust to a lack of melatonin, premature Christmas marketing and Autumn fashion. I know this probably sounds like a dreary start to a blog post but on a more positive note I'm grateful that here in UK we have 4 seasons and that on 4 occasions during the year we adjust and adapt without really thinking about it, a kind of organic adjustment we've learnt over time.

Change isn't for everyone though and I think quite a few people would opt against it if they had the choice. I've come to realise this more as I've recently started working for world-famous chocolate brand Cadbury who, as most of you will be aware, got bought out by Kraft Foods over a year ago. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by incredible heritage dating back to 1824 of one of the most revolutionary businesses built on Quaker roots (a Christian movement devoted to peaceful principles). Having been bought out by Kraft Foods it's quite straightforward to appreciate the advantage from a business point of view but, of course, there's a deeper fundamental issue of 2 companies built from different viewpoints, cultures, morals and objectives combining their skills and working together.

Apart from the obvious perks of being surrounded by chocolate all day (which eventually puts you off eating it by the way) I'm really enjoying being involved in the transition of one of my favourite brands and once again working with some bright and ambitious people.

Brands are built on ideas, thoughts and beliefs and it's interesting how many have maintained these over the years, take a look at some famous brand evolution below:

Starting off as a mail order boutique famed for selling celebrity style dresses in the 1960's

Maintaining the brands art deco logo Biba was revived when House of Fraser successfully bought the company which is now regarded as high end boutique

A subsidiary of Mars, Opal Fruits first came onto the market in 1959, the brand name was phased out due to the sweets being introduced in the U.S. as Starburst and the former name slowly being phased out over time. Personally I don't think they ever tasted the same after the name change.

Trained as a tailor in Germany, Levi Strauss started off selling tents to minors and then moved onto making hard-wearing workwear which had copper rivets to strengthen stress points on work trousers.

Levi's are still known for their hard-wearing jeans but the brand has evolved from workwear to the denim of choice for young fashionistas and also has a large vintage following

Founded in 1858, Rowland Hussy Macy opened his first store specialising in dry goods and on his first day his sales reached $280, from then on Macy's enjoyed steady success.

Today Macy's is the world's largest department store and has held an annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYC since 1924 adding to it's contribution of American heritage. An interesting fact about the logo is that the store's logo has always had a star in it which comes from a tattoo that Rowland Macy had as a teenager.

Even though I think change makes people ambitious and visionary I am a true believer that you need to maintain the same beliefs you had initially for a brand, business or idea to grow, evolve and be increasingly successful.

I'll leave you with a great quote I found:

"We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves."

XOXO

Autumn/Winter 2011 DIY Style

2011-09-07T22:13:00.002+01:00

I know it's been a while since my last post, I've been busy with various things one of which has been the launch of my online vintage store tubberflyvintage.com which has been live for over a month and I'm delighted with how many people have visited the store already. I guess it's now that the hard work begins with putting my advertising and marketing skills to the test. Of course if you're reading this and feel like purchasing some unique vintage accessories then please visit the online store which will be updated regularly (naturally I had to plug the site).

It's now officially Autumn, after a rather lame summer in England, and having read various fashion mags, style blogs and browsed through the latest catwalk shows I'm happy to observe that recent shows from London, Paris and Milan are embracing colour. It's so easy to turn to a dark and dreary colours when it's bleak outside but it's amazing what a splash of colour can do to your overall styling and also how it can make you feel. Recent catwalk shows from Marc Jacobs, Elie Saab and Chloe show great use of colour and with the Hight St stores becoming more reactive then ever you can pick up some key pieces for a fraction of the cost, see my top picks below:

A/W2011 DKNY
Bright, cosy and warm

River Island Peplum Jumper £32.00
Fitted High Street alternative

A/W2011 Marc Jacobs
A really popular yet versatile shade for the season

French Connection Oilseed Tee £27.00

A/W2011 Marc Jacobs cable knit jumper

River Island Cable Knit £35.00
A great staple to brighten up dark jeans

A/W 2011 Paris street style
Some gorgeous pillar box red skinny jeans

Topshop Cerise Kristen Jeans £40.00
Gorgeous colour for statement styling

A/W2011 London Jason Wu £585

New Look £12.99
A bargain alternative that you can have in every colour of the rainbow

A/W2011 Miu Miu
I love this bold print especially when paired with stripes, spots and patterns a la Dame Vivienne Westwood

Mango £64.90
The same gorgeous bold print that won't break the bank from my favourite European shop

From my last catwalk round up (SS2011) I focused on investment pieces which, unless you're Carrie Bradshaw, would cost a fortune. It's easy to think that without spending over £500 on clothes you can't be fashionable or stylish but stealing somebody else's look whether it be your favourite designer, a celebrity or even a friends is not necessarily what styling is about for me, it's really about mixing what you have to create you're own style which you feel comfortable in. When you think about the world's most stylish people, they tend to pave the way for fashion only because they're comfortable in what they're wearing. Take a look at some of my favourite styling below

Fearne Cotton - Someone who's style is quirky and effortless not to mention her ability to have amazing hair
whatever the length or colour.

Jessica Alba - I'm a big fan of combining cobalt blue and black and this lady is definitely a style winner with both whatever the occasion

Nicole Richie - I love how experimental she is with her style, this vintage look is laid back yet smart and I'm loving the hat.

I know I keep promising to dedicate a post about mens fashion, I shall do my homework and hopefully gather my thoughts soon.

XOXO

As American as Apple Pie

2011-07-13T18:26:00.001+01:00

I'm now back from enjoying the 40 degrees heat of the Sunshine State (Florida) and well rested for what should be a busy couple of months ahead (fingers crossed).

One of the many highlights of my trip was visiting the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg where the largest collection of his work, outside Italy, resides - a collection belonging to the Morse family who spent over 25 years buying the artist's work. Dali passed away in 1989 and one of the most revolutionary things about his art was that it was limitless, his thoughts had no boundaries and were often inspired by dreams - full of hidden messages and symbolism which gives you an insight of what was going on in his mind. He was both an artist and businessman as he sold most of his work and made sure he could reap the awards whilst he was still living.

Take a look at some of my favourites below:

Gala contemplating the Mediterrananean Sea which at twenty metres becomes a portrait of Abraham 1976
A long title for this piece which shows the figure of Gala (Dali's wife) looking out of the window with the sun in the scene showing a symbolic image of Christ from one of Dali's previous paintings. At a distance this scene morphs into an image of Abraham Lincoln - this piece is often compared to Andy Warhol's iconic images of faces made up of dots but is in fact a representation of pixels on newspaper print.

Portrait of my dead brother 1963
Dali's younger brother died from meningitis months before his 2nd birthday. All his life Dali felt he was the living shadow of his younger brother who shared the same name, this remained with him psychologically throughout his life and was often illustrated through his work. This piece is filled with symbolism - the head turns into a crow symbolising death, the dots making up the face are cherries which he often used to represent his brother, the war scene at the bottom is a reference to another artist's work appreciated by Dali.

The Hallucinegenic Torreador 1968
One of my favourite pieces - the entire scene is set in a bullfighting ring. Filled with metaphors Dali's work is often described as an iceberg where most people only touch the surface of his hidden messages. The figures of Venus on the right are draped in spanish flag coloured cloth, the upper left is an image of Dali's wife Gala (a dominant subject throughout his work), the series of dots on the bottom left draws attention to the dying bulls head, the figure of Venus is represented 27 times - Dali was inspired by an image of Venus he saw on a box of pencils on a recent visit to New York before creating this.

I could go on describing more highlights from my trip here but instead I thought I'd debut my photography where I've experimented with an SLR to try and capture my time away. The photography focuses on commercialisation, nature and some great 'typically american' scenes.

Enjoy xoxo

St Petersburg

Dali inspired bench in the grounds of the museum

Idyllic grounds of Downtown Disney

Outside the Lego store

Iconic school bus

Coca-cola - one of the most striking and recognisable liveries.

Retro disused gas stations provide the perfect feature for this bar

Alligators are protected species in Florida and they are present in most lakes across the state

Local country singer who performs every weekend - you guessed it, he's Glenn

Lake Wales airboat taking you to the tip of the Everglades

10 month old alligator - they can grow up to 13 feet

Florida's most northern point before the Everglades

It's interesting how many people from different states travel across America to come to Florida - I captured as many different state registration plates to reflect this and love how each state represents something.

The journey not just the destination...

2011-07-01T03:17:00.001+01:00

It's been a while since my last post mainly because I've been busy in the world of advertising whilst also working on my website (I realise I keep mentioning this in my posts but Tubberfly Vintage will be going live in July).

I have recently been reading Kelly Cutrone's first book 'If you have to cry, go outside', it was given to me for my 27th birthday a few weeks back and I haven't been able to put it down. Since watching both The Hills and The City (yes the semi-scripted US reality TV shows) Kelly's been somewhat of an idol of mine - she's honest, confident, direct and ruthless - I'm not saying I mirror these qualities but I think these traits are definitely important. It became more apparent from reading this book and also looking at successful businesses, brands and people around me that success is not defined by the destination but rather the journey you take to reach your goals (I realise I sound philosophical here but it's quite simple really).

After reading her book and recently taking a flight out to the US (giving a more literal meaning to my post) this notion stuck with me as I explored some of my favourite iconic brands and people, especially how their ongoing journey has defined there success by evolving with the world around them.

Levi's was one of the first advertising campaigns I learnt about (I was about 12 years old) I always remember how well it captured the american dream especially with their TV ads.

1950's America - Hardwearing for the hardworking

1970's - Celebrating rock 'n roll

2009 - American summer dream

Levi's 501 TV ad 1986

One of the most iconic British brands...

1824 Cadbury's early packaging

1900 cocoa as currency promotion

Cadbury's 2009 'eyebrow' ad costing £3.7million - another visionary piece even after the iconic Gorilla advert

It's hard to not mention Madonna who's arguably gone through the most iconic metamorphic journey with music and fashion that stars are trying to compete with decades afterwards...

Aged around 8 or 9 here

Her famous Material Girl phase which is still recognised in popular music history

Her 'rebellious' era and the crop comeback - check out this vintage tee!!

Vogue suddenly has a brand new meaning.

Secret 2006 - One of my favourite Madonna tunes

Happy reading and I'll make sure I don't leave it too long til my next post.
XOXO

Summer Summer Summer Time....

2011-05-22T12:50:00.005+01:00

Summer is fast approaching and I jet off to the states in about 4 weeks which I am very much looking forward to, don't worry I shall technically still be working so expect lots of blog posts from across the pond. I am also pleased to say that the Tubberfly Vintage website is coming along ready to launch in June now (fingers crossed) - so please keep your eyes peeled for updates.

Having frequented quite a few beauty counters recently and with all the summer limited editions hitting the stores around about now I thought I'd do my very own 'Top Picks For The Summer'.

Amazing Concealer - A product highly recommended from my mother who swears it covers all imperfections all day and provides full yet natural coverage.

I probably have the whole Barry M collection but my favourite for the summer has to be Coral - it's bright with high pigment, a professional finish and lasts 7 days.

If like me you want that newly washed hair feeling everyday without having to wash it daily then Batiste Dry Shampoo works wonders, I put it on overnight to avoid the 'grey hair' look you often get with it.

I have been addicted to these for years, unfortunately the click sticks aren't available in the UK so I get bulk supplies from the US. Guaranteed lip conditioner and perfect primer for lipstick.

Limited Edition Cherry Blossom leaves a gorgeous floral scent even after a few hours of wear. Delicate florals and very feminine.

Nars Limted Edition Blush Bronzer Trio - All my favourite Nars blusher products in one compact - Orgasm, Albatross and a highlighter

Righteous Body Butter - Aside from the amazing smell this is an impressive non greasy body butter rich in moisture and lasts all day.

Viva Glam, Lady Gaga Limited Edition - After searching high and low for this I eventually found it in the US. It's an incredibly versatile shade although it's not very long lasting.

Limited Edition Lip Glass Wonderwoman - Apart from the appealing packaging Mac's lipglass does last all day and this shade definitely adds drama. Mac's glosses do come sticky but they are definitely worth it.

Would love to hear about your top picks and shall definitely be doing a men's fashion blog soon (I realise this is slighty biased).

xoxo

Fit For A Princess

2011-05-02T18:09:00.000+01:00

It's been yet another enjoyable 4 day weekend, I tried to use it constructively but have once again ended up building sleep debt, partying, shopping and of course witnessing one of the most beautiful Royal weddings. I wouldn't necessarily class myself as a royalist but I do enjoy watching the perfection of pomp and ceremony when it comes to the British Royal family.

Not surprisingly the media has been busy critiquing the outfits worn by the wedding guests and Kate Middleton's 'fit for a princess' wedding gown created by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. The princess said she chose McQueen for the 'beauty of its craftsmanship' and I couldn't agree more especially as it was also vintage-inspired.

Take a look at my favourite vintage gowns chosen by royalty

Queen Elizabeth 1947 - Gown designed by Norman Hartnell made of ivory silk

Grace Kelly Princess Consort of Monaco 1956 - Gown designed by Helen Rose - absolutely beautiful

Jaqueline Kennedy 1953 - Gown designed by Anne Lowe

Princess Diana 1981 - Gown designed by David Emanuel

Elizabeth Taylor 1950 - Dress was a gift from MGM studios - an actress blessed with Princess looks

I expect these designers all felt that their own fairytale was brought to life when their gowns were debuted and that's one of the greatest things about fashion - you can build confidence, express yourself and feel like a princess (or prince) whenever you want. This is something I think Alexander McQueen was doing when creating his amazing gowns and I think he would be very proud of Sarah Burton's beautiful creation for the Duchess of Cambridge.

I couldn't end this post without taking a look at some the most amazing creative styling I have ever seen from the late Lee Alexander McQueen CBE:

Lace creation worn famously by the wonderful Lady Gaga

From the 2008 Fall collection - Royal blue ballet inspired dress

2009 - Dramatic and demure with great structure

Romantic florals - the detail, colours and design is incredible

Oyster Dress - Famously inspired from a shipwreck

XOXO

With power comes responsibility

2011-04-15T14:40:00.001+01:00

It's now been over 2 months since I became self employed and time has flown by very quickly. I feel like I've done so many things within such a short space of time - working for some good clients, sorting out my website so I can officially launch 'Tubberfly Vintage', meeting different people most weeks, learning about print management (yes I am a geek) and working with ambitious and talented people everyday.

Over the past couple of months I've also learnt a lot about myself - what motivates me, what I want to achieve, what I enjoy about my work and the type of people I like to be surrounded by both professionally and personally - I think some of this comes down to me being focused, determined, hard working and believing in myself as well as being influenced by things around me - friends, family, colleagues, media, technology...

It's easy to forget how the things around you can influence you and I've definitely grown to appreciate how powerful it is to be influential and I guess this applies to everyone whether you're a parent, business, leader, friend, spouse or offspring you have the ability to shape someones thoughts, behaviour, perceptions and possibly someone's future (not always in a positive way might I add!).

The american writer Napoleon Hill sums this up very well:

"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another" (1930)

Take a look at some of my favourite influential people below:

Barack Obama

Apart from being the first coloured president of the USA he has shown the ability to coordinate the wildly varying political interests of China, India, Russia, Brazil and the rest on issues like nuclear proliferation, human rights and climate change.

Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel

Pioneer of luxurious, sophisticated women’s clothing. From little black dresses to her famous suits, Chanel created timeless pieces that continue to influence women’s fashion today.

John Pemberton

Inventor of Coca cola, the world’s best known and influential brand

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Archetypal Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who created the most influential sculptures and frescos in the world, namely the statue of David and The Sistine Chapel

NWA

Laid the blueprint for the most successful musical genre of the last 20 years - gangsta rap - and introduced the world to a new production mogul Dr Dre.

Stephen Spielberg

More than 25 years after Jaws, Spielberg continues to deliver more big-budget successes than any other director, remaining influential and popular at the same time.

Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley

Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience

Have a great weekend

xoxo

Spring has sprung!!

2011-04-06T20:50:00.003+01:00

Spring has definitely 'sprung' in the UK this week - longer sunny days, windows open while driving, pumps, peep toes and european dance music blasting from cars.

Spring is definitely one of those seasons where people are generally more optimistic; whether it's planning for the summer, anticipating warm weather, spending more time outdoors or just happy with the prospect of it still being light when they get home from work or school. For me spring officially begins when I no longer feel the need to wear boots everyday (having lived in knee high's, ankle boots, Uggs and shoe-boots since September).

Having frequented both High Street and designer stores over the past few weeks I've become a big fan of this seasons bold bright colours, maxi's, white wash palettes and vintage styling for both men and women - I'm also happy that the current trends support my own style pledge to avoid wearing head to toe in black - it's just so unneccesary when there's so much colour to choose from!!

Take a look at my top picks from both designer labels and the High Street:

Marc Jacobs Cross Over Satchel £290 - guaranteed to brighten up any outfit

Marchesa silk chiffon dress £4010 - Gorgeous investment for a busy social calender

Temperley London ronnie animal print chiffon dress £995 - Team this with a leather jacket for a laid back look

Topshop Beige Peter Pan Floral Dress £36 - Vintage inspired on the high street

French Connection Anna Lace Dress £110 - Inspired by Marchesa

Miss Selfridge Cream drop back shirt £35 - A wardrobe staple and ideal for day into night

Carvela shilling £130 - Absolutely loving these desert boots

As it was the hottest day of the year today (I realise it's only April) I thought I'd finish this post with a real 'feel good' song from a proper band with great style - currently on repeat in my car - The Strokes!

Enjoy xoxo

Under The Influence!

2011-03-28T22:27:00.001+01:00

Working in a creative industry where ideas are assets it's often tricky to ensure creative work keeps well within the boundaries of political correctness and communication policies that many businesses have inherited over time whilst also keeping the message simple, effective and clear without losing sight of the task in hand.

Personally, I think communication at the best of times is often difficult, we've probably all experienced situations where we literally can't find the words to explain what we mean or how we feel. One of the reasons why I love advertising is the ability to influence how people think and feel about a brand whilst also ensuring the assets, culture, ethics and often history is also reflected - a great example of this is Cadbury's.
Take a look at some recently banned adverts which could have been effective and possibly very influential if these considerations were ignored:

Modern day family planning

VW Polo

Canadian 48 sheet

Increasing the awareness of iPod deaths among young adults and children

Body Shop 'Love your body' campaign

Interestingly, I also looked back at some early print ads which are far from being politically correct let alone socially responsible. These ads may have been influential but were also published at a time where people were powerless and solely relied on communication to help them perceive the world around them. I actually love how idealistic (ignoring the sexism) these ads are compared to the realism nowadays!

Have a great week

xoxo

A Rebel With A Cause

2011-03-09T22:37:00.001+00:00

The formal definition of 'rebellious' is showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention and in the past couple of months I've seen various representations of modern day 'rebels' in both a positive and negative light.

Most recently you have Charlie Sheen being sacked for reported drug & alcohol abuse before voicing ideas of grandeur and posting a vacancy on Twitter for an intern to assist him in his future conquests. John Galliano unnecessarily rebelling in public and showing his 'true colours' leading to a very public and embarrassing demise. The amazing Lady Gaga supporting her revolutionary stylist Nicole Formichetti ,for Thierry Mugler, at Paris Fashion Week who is famously known for creating her controversial 'meat dress'.

Personally I've never really believed in conforming (this is more evident from my rebellious teenage years) as I've always found it more exciting and motivating to follow the unknown compared to the familiar. I think this is why, with age, I've come to appreciate originality even more whether it be music, fashion, art or thinking. Fortunately I'm also surrounded by like-minded friends (especially Pikolo boy & Queen b) and colleagues who help keep this trait instilled within me.

Take a look at some of my favourite rebels below!!
Enjoy xoxo

Sony Bravia 'Balls' Advert, Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig (1996)

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Galaxy by Jackson Pollock (1947)

Lady Gaga in Thierry Mugler at Paris Fashion Week 2011

Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (1996)

Guernica, Pablo Picasso (1937)

Oscars Past and Present

2011-03-01T22:58:00.000+00:00

I'm sure many of you would have probably been flicking through pictures of red carpet arrivals from Sunday night's 83rd Academy Awards (better known to you and me as the Oscars). I know many articles will focus on who got their style 'right' or 'wrong' but for me it's more about the celebration of one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies attended by the most famous actors in the world.

In contrast with London Fashion Week where I appreciate originality and unusual styling, red carpet fashion for me should be more idealistic and enchanting, something that Marchesa (fast becoming one of my favourite british designers) has perfected to a 't'. I seem to have been drawn to the pale fabrics and delicate materials which are similar to styles from the 40's and 50's (surprise suprise) so take a look at a few of my favourites from Sunday night:

Michelle Williams in Chanel

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier

Halle Berry in Marchesa

Hailee-Steinfeld in Marchesa

Aishwarya Rai in Armani

I thought it would be rude not to take a look back at the styles back in the 40's, 50's and 60's a time when beauty, style and glamour was unrivalled and a lovely way to finish this post.

Enjoy

xoxo

Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando 1954

Elizabeth Taylor 1960 - Absolutely stunning

Ginger Rogers and James Stewart 1941

The beautiful Marilyn Monroe 1951

Believe in better...

2011-02-24T21:13:00.000+00:00

It's been yet another busy week for me; I've started working for my new client, met some more great people and caught up with a few friends who all seem to be unhappy with various aspects of their life mainly because they don't believe nor do they enjoy what they're doing.

Naturally this made me start thinking about my own situation....

When I decided to become self-employed it was a decision which I'd thought about for years and until I was brave enough to take the first step I would think of lots of reasons why I shouldn't do it; security, what if it all goes wrong?, when will I get paid?, where do I start? what if I fail? etc
...Although these were important considerations, I was ultimately led by what felt right and whether I believed in what I was doing (the answer to both of these questions was yes by the way) I surrounded myself with positive people and everything else seems to have fallen into place.

I was looking for some fitting images and videos to include with this post and really struggled until I came across this quote which for me summed it all up and made it much more easier.

"What ever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) American speaker and motivational writer.

My idol, inspiration and someone who I've always believed in
A beautifully directed Pepsi Commercial (1992)
Michael Jackson

Jessica Cox: The first pilot with no arms proving you don't need 'wings' to fly

1969 Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon

The youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial
segregation, and discrimination using non-violent methods in 1964
Martin Luther King

Arguably the most inspirational boxer of all time
Mohammed Ali

Only with pure belief would you ever be able to perform like this.
Edison "Edson" Arantes do Nascimento (better known as Pelé)

Hope that wasn't too somber for a Thursday evening.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

xoxo

Top Picks from New York

2011-02-18T12:22:00.002+00:00

It's been yet another interesting and productive week, I have met with lots of great creative agencies, visited some great galleries and museums and had some funny lunches. I've also bought some great vintage stock which will soon be showcased on the Tubberfly Vintage website - hoping to get the website live by May.

I've also had my eyes on the trends, styling and inspiration of designers throughout New York Fashion week and of course the excitement is brewing for London Fashion Week. I was absolutely loving the style of some of the celebs attending the shows and have picked a few of my favourites below:

Anna Sui Fall 2011

Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Hannah Bronfman VMAN Launch Party

Jason Wu Fall 2011

Joanna Hillman Backstage at Yigal Azrouel

Karl Lagerfield Fall 2011

Keris Hilson VMAN 21 Launch Party

Gwen Steffani L.A.M.B

Morchesa Fall 2011

Have a lovely weekend
xoxo

Dedicated follower of fashion!

2011-02-15T14:10:00.002+00:00

I'm sure many of you have been browsing through pictures of glamorous models and actors attending the various awards ceremonies in the past couple of weeks, it's difficult not too. While flicking through websites of designer gowns, shoes and amazing accessories I wondered how many of these celebrities actually chose their own outfits without being pressured by a PA, stylist or designer - I would imagine very few of them.

I am no designer but I do work in an industry full of creative people who often express their personality through fashion. Since working for various advertising agencies I have come across extremely talented creatives, designers, media buyers, digital wizards and artworkers who all have their own working style that is often portrayed through their personal style.

I echo the thoughts of many designers when they say fashion is a personal statement and something you have to be comfortable with not something which you should follow. A perfect example of this is Street Style which is formally described as offbeat fashion inspired by contemporary culture. To me it's about real people setting their own trend, something the homogenous High Street may find difficult to contend with and something which designers find inspiration from.

Take a look at my favourite street style photos from around the world on this very miserable Tuesday afternoon. Enjoy xoxo

New York

Vintage Italy

Paris

Oslo

Spain

Bangkok

China

Forever 21 Buzz or Confusion!!

2011-02-11T11:38:00.001+00:00

I made my first visit to a UK Forever 21 store this week. Having only visited the store in an upmarket american mall on a few occasions I was eager to see how it compared. Firstly, I was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of clothes over the huge store which spanned 3 large floors. There were clothes for as far as the eyes could see and although they were categorised very well by colour, style and theme it all became a little confusing. I found myself walking in different directions and constantly looking ahead to see what I was missing out on instead of taking a systematic approach and browsing section by section.

Having worked for various retail clients in the past where my main objectives were to increase footfall, visitor dwell time and promote retailers within a shopping destination had me wondering whether Forever 21 was one of those red herrings which fulfilled these objectives paired with the fact that for the next few months or years visitors would be interacting with the brand for the first time creating an organic buzz - something most retailors now crave for!!

Personally I found it all a little overwhelming and it probably didn't help that before my visit I was sat in my friends gorgeous vintage boutique for 2 hours browsing through rails of couture. I did manage to purchase a few items from both places but found the former much more enjoyable - this could very well be reflecting my age and passion for all things vintage.

I'll leave you to browse through some great photo's I found of shoppers in the 60's - have a great weekend.
xoxo

Snickers Super Bowl Commercial 2010 with Betty White (LotsOfSecrets.com)

2011-02-09T20:05:00.000+00:00

Diet Pepsi Max Superbowl Commercial 2008 - "What is Love?"

2011-02-08T12:11:00.000+00:00