lose myself in teenage lies

As some pre-school retail therapy me and my friend Libby went to Bristol the other day. It was really fun but pretty hectic as we covered a very large area by foot ( we practically walked around the whole city). Sorry about the picture quality, most of them were hurriedly taken on my phone but i will (hopefully) be getting a camera for my birthday soon so i will not have to suffer any longer (slight exaggeration).

Bristol has a tonne of great vintage shops including Dutty (mirror selfie below taken in said place) which also sells it's own t shirts etc, Uncle Sam's, Urban Fox and many more. Unfortunately we ran out of time but there are loads more. I bought a knitted tank top, some earrings and FOUND magazine which is this awesome collection of photos and letters found and letters found in random places. I was so pleased when i found it (ha ha), no seriously i have been looking for it for ages.

 

In Cabot's Circus we stopped for Bubbletea which both of us were extremely keen to try! I had peach iced tea with mango bubbles and OMG it was almost as good as frozen yoghurt. If you haven't tried bubbletea before  I THOUROUGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO.

 

I wanna say that Bristol is the birthplace of graffiti because there is so much of it there. On our travels we saw many examples including many by Banksy and Nick Walker (above). I feel like graffiti adds culture to places and makes the outside world a more vibrant place, it's a refreshing change from seeing the monotonous colours of buildings.

I didn't realise at first (even though it seems fairly obvious now) that Naked Man image by Banksy (below) has actually been vandalised with blue paint as i realised when looking up the name of it. This reminded me of the Bansky piece in Cheltenham which has recently been vandalised and is currently boarded up so no one can harm it again. It's such a shame that people deem it necessary to ruin a piece of artwork. It wouldn't be acceptable in an art gallery so why is it acceptable on the streets?

We stopped for lunch in a cafe in Stokes Croft (killing myself trying to remember the name of it) where we had the most delicious falafel, hummus and coleslaw pittas. Still debating whether this or the bubbletea was nicer?? 

This will probably be my last post before school starts so i may not post for a few weeks (possibly due to death by shock of wearing school uniform... who knows?)

(waves goodbye)

Suzie

En Vacances part 2

Yesterday I picked up my disposable photos after being developed and I am really happy with how they turned out. Despite many of them being partially ruined by my finger being on the lense (?) most of them turned out really well especially the underwater ones.

Also, apologies for the random borders the scanner left on them (a good example of my technological ignorance/ineptness). I tried to take pictures of the photos but that was even worse.

 

 

 

Idk why my mouth is grey in this, another eg of my technological ineptness/shit scanner

We found a pack of cards in the sea. 

Aqua poker anyone?? 

 

 

(waves goodbye)

Suzie

En Vacances part 1

A few days ago i arrived back from holiday in Barbados, and I thought it'd be nice to show you some of the photos I took. I ended up taking two disposable cameras (one of which I left out in the rain!) and using my phone to take pictures too. When we there i also bought an underwater camera to capture fish, underwater handstands etc. (When i get the disposables developed i will do another post.) I ended up not taking my camera because it is basically the Samsung equivalent of dog shit and I knew I'd have ended up throwing it in the sea if I had. I swear it is the bane of my life and I actually ended up having a great holiday without it :)

 

When we arrived there wasn't enough space for us all to fit in the pick up truck so me and my sister sat in the back, which was a perfect photo opportunity and welcome to the island!

So apparently this guy is a bit of a famed local for his reckless motorbike stunts (according to my aunt). We were v impressed.

kinda annoyed about the water pistol in this

So one day we were just driving around randomly (as you do on a family holiday) when we came over the top of this hill and it looked like we were going to drive INTO THE SEA. It turned out it was actually this viewpoint place called Cherry Tree Hill where you could stop and take pictures of the bloody amazing view. I think it was the most beautiful place i've ever seen.

 There were tonnes of coconut sellers on the streets selling the most DELICIOUS, FRESH COCONUT WATER. IT WAS HEAVEN, I SWEAR. They would just chop the top off, shove a straw in it and there you go.

On another day we did some more aimless driving and discovered this cool lion mural thing.

 

my very own boat (of course they spelt my name wrong)

Grand Budapest vibes or what

(waves goodbye)

Suzie

GIRL POWER

So before this (kinda ranty) post begins, i want to say i don't feel like i've been as open as i've wanted to. i sort of feel like this blog has always been a bit superficial because i didn't really feel like it was appropriate to share my feelings, thoughts etc. i never really write much on my posts, which i think is partly due to my not wanting to share my whole life or whatever. I also felt like i didn't want to offend people if i voiced my opinion, so i kept the posts short and sweet when in actual fact, i think they're kinda boring. I never explore things as much as i want to and so all my posts seem shallow to me (i'm even afraid writing this, i don't wanna give people the wrong idea) This is the first time i've written about something more personal and (I hope) interesting.

The concept of feminism used to confuse me. I think I believed the stereotypes and was never sure of what it really stood for. I loved reading rookie articles but when there was a  feminist-related one it annoyed me, maybe because i felt i couldn't relate to or understand it. The first time I really began to understand feminism was was when I read an interview with Emmanuelle Alt in Vogue. When asked "Would you consider yourself a feminist?" She replied "No! Not at all! Life would be miserable without men." By this time I had read enough rookie articles to have an idea of what feminism means, although its fairly obvious to anyone that that is not what it is. Its like she thought it meant feminism meant women trying to wipe out men or something and even in my confusion i knew for sure that this was not what it was at all. I don't have a problem with her not being a feminist but I would've thought that such a key figure in french fashion would know what feminism stands for and not have such a basic and slightly distorted perception.

The film Thelma and Louise is what really consolidated my opinion. So at the start of the film (no spoilers I promise) two ordinary women, thelma and louise, decide to go on a weekend away but through a dramatic turn of events by the end of the film they are on the run. I talked about Thelma and Louise in my last post but I wanted to talk about it some more, it really did reveal feminism to me, but simply through the actions they take to get their revenge. When women are treated like shit in films they are rarely the ones to take revenge themselves and someone else (usually men) does it for them, as if they're not capable of being able to stand up for themselves. Thelma and Louise stamped all over this stereotype and I totally recommend watching it.

One of my feminist icons is Marlene Dietrich, ultimate suit rocker and all round babe. She totally defied Hollywood with her androgynous style and bisexuality (I recently found this out and it makes her doubly awesome- one of the first major movie stars being bi?! -FUCK YEAH) I have never actually seen any of her films, although I really do want to, for an early film star she is very unique and not the typical blonde bombshell.This leads me on to Diane Keaton, another suit rocker. I really do love Diane Keaton. She always plays really likeable people but in every one of her movies her true style shines through: femuline. Annie Hall is of course her most iconic moment (although I've never seen it I'm desperate).  

Another woman who i have recently stared admiring for her attitude is Baroness Trumpington. On the plane, when i was on holiday, i watched a documentary called "Fabulous Fashionistas" about super-stylish old ladies - Baroness Trumpington being one of them. Before i begin may i just let you know that this lady is 91, remember that. What i love about her is her 'fuck it' attitude towards everything, she obviously doesn't let things get to her and marches on through life regardless of who gets in her way. She is also a member of the house of lords (YES AT 91) and when some guy referred to her advanced age in the House of Lords once she gave him the v-sign. Lad. I also really recommend watching "Fabulous Fashionistas" if you get the chance, it's really inspirational and i'm p sure my life goal is to be a stylish old lady now.

The Spice Girls did spawn the phrase so I kinda had to include them. For quite a long time women have been pretty dominant in music, nowadays female solo artists dominate the charts but in the 90s and 00s it was all about girl bands. Spice girls, Sugababes (my personal fave), All Saints, TLC, Destinys Child....the list goes on. The Spice girls were the randomest (but raddest) group of girls who each represented part of Britain (that's how I like to see it). Them being all so different made them seem like the most empowering and strongest girl gang ever, inspiring a generation of young girls. Also, none of them were size zeros and not all of them sang?! who cared? absolutely no one.

 

Whilst writing this post I discovered this rookie article, which is basically what i ended up writing (unintentionally). now I realise that feminism isn't black and white and that it can (and will) take a while to understand. it's just like any other journey.

girl power forever (insert peace sign here)

photo sources:

https://pleasurephotoroom.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/on-hollywood-street-january-25-1933.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/26/article-2434273-1BDC10F2000005DC-75_306x602.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/26/article-2434273-0ECC987600000578-34_634x367.jpg

http://tattooroadtrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Spice-Girls-spice-girls-231521_1024_7682.jpg

guns in the summertime

I recently watched Thelma and Louise, originally because I knew it was road trip orientated and I have a minor obsession with road trips, but after watching it I realised that it is not only a great road trip film but also hugely feministic. It totally defeats the stereotype of road movies and "man and sidekick" films as neither Thelma nor Louise are men or the sidekick, they are both as significant as each other and through utter badass, but fair, treatment of quite frankly disgusting men they give the patriarch a run for it's money. What I really love about this film is the true feeling of sisterhood that Thelma and Louise create by simply following the rule of justice.

 

Throughout the film there is a noticeable change in their attitude, which is obviously shown through their change in behaviour, but also through the shift in the clothes they wear, especially with Thelma. At the start of the film they both wear make up, do their hair and take pride in their appearance, but as the film progresses the dresses and cosmetics get lost in a cloud of dust and are replaced by band tees, mom jeans and cowboy boots. I love their style, its American through and through, and I wanted to try and recreate it. 

10/10 for props

The jeans are vintage from eBay and white vest is from Uniqlo.

 

Both their outfits are uber-practical (Mom jeans are THE most comfortable things I have ever worn) for badass behaviour but flippin cool too.

 

This top is a cheap Slazenger thing that I butchered and bleached two years ago in my efforts to be "grungey".

 

This movie really shows feminism for what it is, the search for equality, and that achieving it is always fight, which is what makes Thelma and Louise utter legends.

 

 

(waves goodbye)

Suzie

 

p.s on a completely different note has anyone been watching This Old Thing? If not, then watch for tonnes of rad vintage clothes, sewing tips and Dawn O'Porter being hilarious.

 

 

Sources:

 http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Thelma_and_Louise/gallery/THELMALOUISEP06/

http://giphy.com/gifs/12iIDLFVJQxpGo

i can be your pretty little dear diary

Last weekend i went to 2000 trees, a small (but rad) festival. This was my first festival and I have to say I got rather excited at the prospect of it. Most of the music at trees is underground but that term just confuses me so I just say its an indie/alt festival. There was a pretty cool mixture of stuff there from metal to folk to rock(sorry if all that is totally wrong). Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for long but we did manage to see a few good bands.

The first band we saw were The Cadbury Sisters, who I have listened to for a long time as I (kinda) know them. They are a mix of folky, blending harmonies and a tiny smidge of rock in there too.
Listen to - all there stuff ( it's all great, ALL OF IT)

Next we saw Darlia who are a bit like a modern Nirvana (if i'm allowed to say that, don't shoot me grunge police). I guess they're kinda a combination of swim deep and nirvana actually (totally rad, right?) They're  a bit heavy compared to what i normally listen to (damnit, i'm such a weak unit) but I really liked them. Plus, the lead singer is nice to look at.
Listen to - Dear Diary, Candyman

I also saw Wolf Alice there too. They were pretty much one of the only bands performing that I had heard of so we decided that we had to see them. Their music is hard to describe or compare to anything, some of their tracks are like normal indie records whilst others are proper grunge. Either way they were utterly rad and the atmosphere was ELECTRIC - at one point I was not only in the mosh pit but UNDER it (no joke, my life flashed before my eyes). They also had some uber-rad face paint on too.
Listen to - their mashup of Chris Isaak's wicked games and their own song Blush, Fluffy, Moaning Lisa Smile, Bros

I took a video during their last song 'Bros'. The quality is god awful and there was this annoying tall man in front of me but it captures the mood.

I didn't actually take any outfit photos before/during trees so i just took some pics today. I am ashamed to say it took me a hell of a long time to figure out what to wear. This being my first festival and all i wanted to make an impression (which i now realise is impossible as there were a million other hipster weirdos there too) but in the end i went simple and just stuck to a 90s theme. Excuse the clashy duvet and crochet blanket combo (my idea of interior décor).

Denim Jacket - eBay

Shorts- Vintage Levis (from a random market)

T shirt - hand me down

Forever living in children's t-shirts.

I sewed on the badges myself, some of them are old scout ones I found and one is from hobbycraft (you can never go wrong with hobbycraft)

(waves goodbye)

Suzie