Captain Magnets

New Directions

2012-01-13T20:06:00.001Z

So guys and dolls!

I still have no intention of resurrecting this blog (although it has crossed my mind) but, I have enjoyed rambling in your lovely company previously - enough to feel obliged to share new happenings.

As it's vaguely related to the original intention of this blog, I present to you a joint blogging venture with some friends!

So far, yes, it's only been me posting, but it's early days still and in theory, there should be a wider berth of opinion as we basically share the stuff we like/see/make etc with one another.

If it interests you, head on over. If not, err, no loss, there's plenty of cute animals to look at on youtube.

Silence

2011-11-23T18:54:00.001Z

After ostensibly 3 months of not updating and arguably a year of on-off posting, I think it's time we admit defeat and call it quits.

I could go into a myriad of reasons why and eventually talk myself into continuing, but the simple truth is, I'm so different now from who I was before and in not updating throughout that change (because it didn't feel right, admittedly) I can't actually continue this blog, without it seeming a little off.

Perhaps I'll start another sometime, but for now, I don't need to talk. If you're interested in my moves, I'm in the process of compiling a portfolio, currently have a tumblr or two and occasionally partake in that bizarrest of activities, tweeting.

Otherwise, the remnants of before will remain alive for your perusing pleasure. All that remains, is a warm, I enjoyed this for some time, goodbye from me.

Over and out, kids xxx

Birds of A Feather

2011-09-29T23:44:00.000+01:00

Oh hi guys! Been gallivanting around Italy for 10 days (more on that some other time, maybe?) and then straight back to uni this week... I've not even had a moment to sort myself out properly, let alone contemplate blogs. Although, I'm sure we've established how little I'm interested in blogs and blogging lately. Anyway, miscellaneous songs of late...

Motivation

2011-08-12T23:59:00.003+01:00

Or alternatively titled, words I've spotted on tumblr that happen to fit my current thoughts and/or frame of mind...

Let the adventures begin my pretties!

Credits: 1, 2 & 3

Always And Forever

2011-08-10T22:45:00.001+01:00

Perhaps it's a fashion student cliché now, to claim McQueen amongst the favourites for designers, but it's true. I've yet to meet a single person on my course who doesn't like McQueen's work. Considering that tastes and viewpoints within fashion are somewhat varied, it strikes me as being quite a feat to create in a way that holds such universal appeal.

Perhaps, as this BoF article suggests, McQueen's impact stretched beyond that, crossing fashion, art and theatre, for the wider audience. I do somewhat wish I'd been able to view the Savage Beauty exhibition firsthand, because if this video incited emotion, I can only imagine what the exhibition would've done.

McQueen is someone who's work caused controversy, but somehow, whilst watching this (or the McQueen & I documentary earlier this year) I can't help but think he just got it. And that elusive substance (wonder maybe?) is what never ceases inspire.

*Edit: If anyone is interested, there is now a petition to try to get the exhibition over to the UK.

Storytellers

2011-08-07T00:15:00.000+01:00

There's something delightfully appealing about the dressed up world created by Saga. We can blame the epic 3 hour conversation I had with Dean the other day, which culminated in both of us agreeing that right now, we want fun. Somewhere within this conversation, he mentioned Saga's work, so naturally, it follows a tweet to the blog in question is needed.

Suffice to say, I sure am glad because he's keeping my inspiration river flowing! And in keeping with sharing the love, if you find yourself wanting to take a dive through The Neverending Story, go ahead, because it is wonderful and I'm sure you'll like something too.

All images by Saga Sig / The Neverending Story

Rip Tide

2011-08-06T19:50:00.000+01:00

I can't be the only one really rather excited about a new album from Beirut. Honestly, it's probably stemming more from the prospect of seeing them live soon enough, but just thought I'd share the two released tracks. Both are equally beautiful... but that is the extent of musical analysis you'll get from me...

Enjoy!

Dry The Rain

2011-07-27T15:19:00.000+01:00

Ahh, hello once more! We have acquired some internet in the house finally. No longer are we living in the 1970s, although it is remarkably fun to pretend. I'm sure my friend will continue to play her records nevertheless.

Yesterday, I tagged along to this Bristol blogger meet with Selina, Hayley and Lil. Which was interesting. Listening to the talk of blogging and the perks and pitfalls, resulted in my realisation that I'm really out of touch with the (fashion) blog world and, perhaps weirdly, how little I minded about this. Personal style blogging is a very specific type of blog, though who dictates what it has to encompass?

I think the most entertaining part of the evening was this highly intoxicated woman on the table next to us. She started off by spinning around on a chair and then proceeded to tell us her life story. About how she was homeless and busked by playing the penny whistle and all the money she got went straight into the bank to pay for this house that her son lives in, down in Devon. She was nearly 40 apparently and just wanted to party and have fun or something. Then she proceeded to talk about how things could be worse because at least she was in England and wasn't a child dying in Somalia. It's all very amusing when you're in a pub in Bristol with a drunk lady talking at you, far removed from the fact that actually, that is a reality for some people. The part that was most tragic now I look back, was when she talked about the rain and how lucky we were to have rain in Britain because "everywhere needs rain sometimes". Perhaps I'm reading too much into the inane witterings of a drunk woman, but it strikes me that there is something marginally profound in that.

Everywhere needs rain, sometimes.

Renegade

2011-07-16T00:13:00.001+01:00

I'm not someone who cries at the slightest thing, but when Dean sent me this Kate Tempest recording, I admit to sitting in stunned silence on the verge of tears for quite some time.

Her words are so poignant, intricate and heartfelt, that it's hard not to be moved by their beauty. Simply awe-inspiring.

Rock Salt

2011-07-15T08:21:00.001+01:00

A few more snaps from that last reel of film I developed. These are all taken when the stars collide and I finally get to see my best girl, down in Devon.

I can scarcely believe some of these were taken last summer! Looking at the glorious scenery bathing in glorious weather, makes me rather excited about visiting again. A book or sketchbook, good friends and the crashing waves... blisssss!

Queens Of Noise

2011-07-14T00:13:00.000+01:00

Prolonged absence yet again. I toy between updating and not updating the blog on a regular basis and as you can see, I'm still uncertain. Anyway, I have actually been without internet for a few weeks after moving out of halls into a house... it's not actually sorted yet, I just happen to be back home in Birmingham, where some internet lives. My consumption on the internet has rapidly gone down this year, probably in direct correlation to actually starting to do things in life, but there is still something quite nice about being switched off. Time to breathe I suppose?

Beautifully, I had a few films on my laptop, one of which was 2010's The Runaways. Which, as you can guess, is a film based on 1970s all-girl band, The Runaways. I dug around (only on google mind) for some images of the band rather than stills of the film, because the original is always better. How accurate the film is to the true story, I don't know, but it's worth watching anyway.

What I found particularly great, was the 'fuck you' attitude to the world. That determined "so what if I'm female, I can play a goddamn guitar if I want to" attitude, which actually applies to anything you want to do. Perhaps in my late apathetic struggle to 'get the fuck up' (if you've ever been to Mr Wolf's in Bristol, you will get that) and do something, it's exactly what I needed to hear.

Needless to say, I've been hit with a fascination for 70s style and listening to the Runaways whenever I'm feeling the slightest bit doubtful. Slowly, I'm hoping I really feel what I believe about being unapologetically you.

Reality Bites

2011-06-24T21:02:00.000+01:00

Well hello there folks! It's been a while since I've actually written properly. I'd love to say I have some wonderful excuse, such as I had a bit of a hitch-hikers moment and found myself on board some spaceship, clutching only a towel and a book that said 'don't panic' on it. The truth however, is rather more mundane for you to hear, in that 2011 has mostly consisted of heavy thinking about life. Personal revelations, getting a bit lost, a bit depressed and attempting to find a vague answer to that eternally blightful question, who am I and what do I want to do? In actuality, a book that said 'don't panic' would have been incredibly useful in this instance too.

Reality Bites (1994)

Anyway, whilst I doubt I'll be able to answer the question of 'who am I?' anytime soon, I am at least feeling more settled on the 'what do I want to do?' part. Which is, of course, pointless of me to divulge to you, since I'm sure you'd be much more interested if I just did it and then told you about it. Or perhaps that too is self-absorbed because really, who the fuck cares? I suppose in the modern world of self-publishing and shitty reality tv, the me-me-me culture created leads us to the misapprehension that other people should care about what we do and who we are. Perhaps we should just do what we do and leave it at that? Except that's not quite the answer either. Curiousity about how someone else lives and breathes and thinks and creates can potentially be a minefield of fascination and is, in some way, always in existance. Self-publishing is another, maybe more insightful, way of sharing it. Reality tv on the otherhand, I'm not so sure about.

If it was similar to Reality Bites, maybe I'd be swayed a little more? Except it's not and I doubt I'd be that much more interested anyway. I've been watching a lot of films lately (including V, Prozac Nation, Pulp Fiction and Harold and Maude) but I did spend my morning watching this, invariably swayed by Winona Ryder's (girl-crush!) presence in the film. Consequently, in my (rare) charity shop trawl of the afternoon, I seemed to purchase some 90s-esque garb. Alongside that, it seems to have assisted my 'let's not worry about who I am because I'm only just twenty and I have many more years of figuring that out, so maybe just do things I want and everything will fall together' life mindset.

Now... tell me you would've have preferred some entertaining tale about travelling across the galaxy?!

Rainy Days

2011-06-10T13:49:00.000+01:00

The novelty of getting film developed never wears off. Often, it takes me a while before I finish off a reel. Meaning, by the time I get the photos back, half are a complete surprise. These few are from a rainy February walk, in old Bristol-town.

Back To Black

2011-06-08T13:07:00.000+01:00

Strictly speaking, I should've posted this outfit last week, when it was actually worn/photographed... but the week has been busy and I have been a perpetually lazy arse. Lately, black seems to be taking my fancy... so I sort of just decided to run away with it at the end of May.

Sheer black shirt: charity shop

Black velvet leggings: charity shop

Black velvet vest (underneath): charity shop

Black penny loafers: vintage shop

Ribcage necklace: paraphernalia.nu

Heart sunglasses: ?? sale at urban outfitters possibly

Rings: gift & crystals

Anyway, I have now completed the first year at uni. Meaning I will hopefully be summing up the capacity to blog once again. Although, I'm so out of practice, I have no idea what I even want to talk about on here any longer. We'll see.

Anyway, for today, I don't much fancy excessive commentary on an outfit. It seems rather ridiculous to attempt to over-analyse it, so I shan't bother. Over & out.

Underneath It All

2011-05-30T21:51:00.000+01:00

Super quick post alas! For my deadline is upon the morrow and I still need to finish some things off. That and it's my friend's 21st today, so I should probably show my face for a wee while at the party! Anyway, this is a sneaky peak of what I've been busy doing for what seems like eternity now...

image

The project was entitled "The Body" and after much deliberation, indecision and frustration, I ended up focusing on anatomy, specifically muscles. Sort of thinking about the idea of bodies being made up of the same inside, despite outside differences. Or some similar kind of arty farty speak... Anyway, I'll ramble more about it another day when the deadline has passed and I have time to properly sort through photos etc.

Also, many thanks to my friend, Mia for modelling!

Howl

2011-05-16T11:44:00.000+01:00

Some assorted tracks/musicians of the moment, as discovered through friends.

No commentary today, other than I just quite like them. Enjoy!

Saving Face

2011-05-11T19:45:00.001+01:00

Ahh May... fast becoming a life crisis/self discovery month for me. Truthfully, sometimes you just need time to figure stuff out so let's leave it at that and continue forth. In a bid to post something worthwhile and less 'meaning of life' rambling, I thought I'd post some of my friend Dean's work. Perhaps I am biased because I did help out here & there and was convinced to model (the things I do for friends!) for one shoot, but nevertheless, this kid's got talent!

If you wanna see any more, head on over to Dean's blog! I promise you won't regret it.

Saturday Fever

2011-04-30T23:40:00.000+01:00

I'm not really in the mood to write a lot today. It's been a generally pleasant, if bizarre day for me, involving very open conversations with friends, constructing sandwiches in the park using a card as a knife and a small seesaw of emotions. Leaving me at a sort of loss for words.

However, I was enjoying what I was wearing whilst experiencing my day, so figured I may as well document it. Actually, I've been wanting to move away from the outfit posts of late, simply because of the sheer banality that outfit blogging can become. Sometimes though, I think why fight it? I liked what I was wearing and want a record of it and that is enough.

Burnt orange jumper: borrowed from friend
Floral print dress: car boot sale
Slip dress: charity shop
Stripey black socks: topshop
Converse: ?
Sleuth necklace: paraphernalia.nu

Recently, I've also come to realise that my effort in dressing mostly comes from how I'm feeling. So when I'm feeling like I'm bordering on insecure (this morning), I'll put a tad more effort in & somehow feel miles more confident. Or just generally, if I feel like I'm 'myself' in my clothes, I'm more 'myself' in how I behave. I dunno, it's a funny one. I wonder if this is just something that results from being interested in clothing and the intricacies it can involve, or something that everyone sort of feels? Self-image, how you're perceived and how well those two things correlate perhaps? Your thoughts...

The Little Things

2011-04-26T11:51:00.001+01:00

Life, with all it's funny twists and turns, often leaves me confused. Perhaps it's due to my constant thinking or perhaps it's just that the world is fucked up and negotiating your way through it isn't always a barrel of laughs. Nevertheless, we continue forth because Pandora's box let hope escape too so we can believe that things have a strange way of working out for the best. To quote the ineffable Monty Python, "when life looks jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten, and that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing". Truer words never spoken.

Sometimes, the smiles come from the little things. The quirky details in an outfit. The glow-in-the-dark face on your watch. The unexpected card from a friend at a difficult time. The funny little late night conversations. The spontaneous dances. Sharing music, books, knowledge, thoughts and ideas with like-minded souls. And really, just being a little bit more bloody grateful for the amazement you can surround yourself with.

The only other thing that helps is work. Working on things you enjoy doing. Work for the soul. Work for fun. Work that doesn't feel anything like work, but more like play. That I can testify to. Not dwelling on meaningless trite and just forcing yourself to do your work; it's a wonderful mood booster, really. Naturally, I'll share my work with you once it's complete. If it's ever complete.

Playtime

2011-04-04T23:55:00.000+01:00

Last week I finally watched a documentary on Leigh Bowery, as recommended to me by the wonderful Dean. I've not got much to say, other than I wish the whole experimental dress thing was still prevalent today.

People dress up, and there are lots of weird & wacky concoctions somewhere in the world, but I don't know... the impression I gather from the documentary, is that fashion and life and creativity were more integrated than I feel they are now. I know I approach clothes with analysis (i.e. seriously) more often than not, but when all said and done, they are meant to be fun, right? And sometimes, the vapid cycles of trends and cooing over, frankly, overdone (and consequently dull) ideas and so forth leave me feeling a bit delusional and ultimately hating fashion. I have to force myself to remember why I'm doing what I'm doing, when really, it's something we should be enjoying daily.

Basically, I want to play.

What do you want?

Stranger Danger

2011-03-19T20:39:00.000Z

Well, well, well... it's been a glorious spring day in old Bristol town. I went for a nice meander along the river and my mood has been great all week long, so here I am, peeping my face out into internet world. It doesn't seem like that long ago since I did an outfit post, but actually, it's about 2 months or something. Time evaporates frequently.

Sheer black shirt: charity shop

Black velvet vest (worn underneath): charity shop

Amber orange jeans: charity shop

Black stripey ankle socks: ?

Brown mary-jane flats: charity shop

Black bag: gift

Pearl & chain necklaces: handmade

Celtic ring: gift

Watch: charity shop

The trousers are a recent find in a new charity shop round the corner. They're a little on the small side, but the colour is too great not to wear them. The watch is a find from when I was at home the other week... it's pretty simple, but the one nifty feature is that the face glows in the dark! Yes, yes, I'm easily amused.

I'm not really sure what's been going on with my style lately. It's become simpler I think, or maybe I'm just not caring quite as much. Things just feel like they're flowing. Although yesterday I did wear all-black (for the hell of it) and passed this girl wearing an amazing blossom pink fluffy coat with this pale orange vintage headscarf on - consequently, I felt too dull to compliment her. Stupid really, because most people love compliments! Even from strangers in the street.

Once, when I was walking into town from school, this woman ushered me over to the other-side of the road specifically to compliment me on my coat. That was memorable because it was so unexpected. The best compliment I received recently wasn't really a direct compliment. I have a tendency with stories to teeter out or start mumbling because I'm pretty crap at telling stories and fear I bore people. Anyway, I did this with someone I was chatting to in a club and point blank, they said something like "Don't do that to me Leah, don't think what you're saying is boring to the other person so you stop talking." Seeing as that's the first time anyone has really picked me up on it, it's stuck in my mind. In a way, I think the best compliments are about your personality rather than appearance. Although, if your appearance is an extension of your personality, maybe both are great to hear? Hmm...

In the spirit of compliments and conversation, what's the best compliment you've ever received? Or the best compliment you've ever given?

Tongue Tied

2011-02-23T22:57:00.000Z

So, I've decided I'm going to start posting about music on here occasionally. I'm not really sure why, because I've never really wanted to before (I love music, but I don't know much other than what I like) but let's just go with it...

This track has been on constant repeat all week. My friend Emily introduced me to Tunng some time recently and basically they've been regular play for about 2 weeks.

And, here are a few other miscellaneous songs by other people I've been listening to lately. Enjoy!

Ready Steady

2011-02-14T01:33:00.001Z

Well this week has turned into one of ups and downs. As you saw witnessed, I was in kinda low/uninspired mood at the start, but am feeling a billion times better AND more motivated now. A result of pouring out my soul to a close friend, chatting to Tessa about her desire for change (you guys should keep eyes on her latest venture...) and last minute plans to see The Go! Team with another friend on Friday night.

Truth be told, though I'd heard of the Go Team before, I'd not actually listened to them before Friday - so am not what you'd call a fan. But all this week I've been craving live music and after Friday's experience, I know exactly why. There is something about seeing people play or perform that is incredibly infectious. Whilst I am undecided if I 100% like the music, I was buzzing from the sheer energy they injected into their performance. But it wasn't faked, it was an untainted, real expression.

So we danced like morons and jumped around and laughed and smiled and slowly, I realised that it's exactly what I needed. Energy, movement, expression... life.

I suppose I'm only writing it down here in the hopes that I remember the feeling. Music inspires me a lot (though, following a conversation, not as much as Charlotte! ) but I never talk about it here because I know very little and don't like to impose my music taste. However, if it's really all about the burning feeling to DO something that I'm talking about, then perhaps occasionally, it's worthwhile to open up & talk about everything and anything.

Which actually, is something I'm being forced to do by my latest uni brief. It's centred around drawing admittedly, but the premise really is to get you looking at the world around you. Documenting your interaction with it and so forth. One of the tasks is to keep a 'visual diary'... I'm not sure how other people are approaching it, but I'm literally doing it as it says on the tin. A record of my thoughts and things I see that inspire me and things I feel and what have you. So, I decided to draw what I wore on Friday because I didn't get the camera out and I actually felt pretty blissfully happy in this outfit.

Anyway friends and passers-by, you've heard about my inspiration shift of the week... tell me about any moment that's engaged you recently?

Black Out

2011-02-08T20:21:00.000Z

Another week, another lack of posting. I'm beyond apologising now, but this time, it is due to a bout of lacking inspiration. People can harp on about how much that elusive thing, inspiration, is anywhere (which it IS, I agree) but sometimes, when you just feel a bit fed up of everything, you become somewhat blinded to what's in front of you.

Life, as it goes, has it's ups & downs. Which is fine, expected, understood. Sometimes though, you just need... well, I would say time, but that's not it. Right now I feel time is aplenty. I guess, stimulation is a better cure? Things that ignite something, spark your curiosity, make you want to move and shimmy onward! Hmm... it's all well and good me churning out the standard line, but as stated, sometimes you can have all those things right in front of you, yet still be incapable of motivating yourself. My current state of mind...

by mermaid hair

untitled by brusnikina a (via sweet home style)

Kinga Rajzak by Willy Vanderperre (via fashion gone rogue)

national geographic

via secondhand human

hold your horses, saffron stocker

A month-long break equals boredom (interspersed with a few events) and time to dwell, making you question everything. Even the exciting things, I don't feel I've been able to enjoy properly. This isn't me wanting sympathy or advice or anything like that; simply, I suppose, that people don't talk about creative dips enough. And I find they impact me just as much as being truly inspired by something. Even if they mean I just want to wear simple things and walk around with hidden contempt for the world. Even if they linger over into the period you're starting to search again. Even if they affect your ability to produce work at the expected rate. But maybe, it's a case of saying it aloud and then... enough now...

Doodle Town

2011-02-01T13:45:00.001Z

Whoopsee! Appear to have gone AWOL again. How is everyone? I am/have been galivanting about the country this week. Spent the weekend in Oxford with my dear friend, Mary. Any Harry Potter fans, I should inform you that formal dinner at Oxford is the closest thing to real-life Hogwarts. So surreal. The bops however are, as I was told, a little like cheesy school discos, but with amusing costumes on our side. All good fun though! Anyway, I'm home now, but off again this afternoon to visit another friend in my week of country hopping. Lest this becomes a post about my life, some focus...

One of the things on my 'things to improve on' list, is drawing. I'm studying something visual, so really you'd think I have it in the bag, but alas no! I lack confidence so avoid drawing sometimes, and then that means I dislike my drawing style, which results in further avoidance. Stupid really, because drawing is actually really relaxing. And as this image shows, it's a handy way of shuffling through ideas.

I enjoy just drawing for the sake of it, but fashion drawing for me specifically, is important. The way I illustrate is different to the way I do design drawings. Which is fine. Understandable even. There are different objectives with each, but somehow, I want to capture the essence of the more illustrative drawings in future design drawings.

So lately, I've been practicing my illustrations. In a bid to make it feel more natural and therefore flow better when I come to practice designing. I've done a few more than the ones I've shown above, but my camera isn't behaving and my scanner is back in Bristol. I'm thinking, as a way of aiding myself, I'm going to post a few every now & again. Who knows... maybe we could start some kind of collective drawing club...?!