NYC: Day 2

Wearing: Grey Coat, Primark; White Shirt, H&M; Leather Trousers, H&M; Boots, Zara

Our second day in New York was certainly a stressful one! We didn't expect it to take upwards of 4 hours to cross Brooklyn Bridge and arrive at Prospect Park. The subway played a significant role in the chaos of our day, but we were certainly experts by the end of it.

We began by getting the tube to China Town which we walked through to get to Brooklyn Bridge. The walk over the bridge was lovely. It was nice to get away from the towering architecture and in to a more open space - and of course the views were spectacular! We had been blessed with a gloriously sunny day, albeit still very cold. Perhaps the sun had always been out, but we'd been in the shade of such tall buildings that we'd never noticed!

It was after arriving in Brooklyn that the journey became stressful. I really wanted to view the sunset at Brooklyn Heights Promenade but timing was suggesting otherwise, especially considering we wanted to ice skate first and sunset was terribly early due to the season.

Fast forwarding through all the stress, we finally arrived at Prospect Park and found the ice skating rink. I'd really recommend this place for ice skating in New York, as it's much cheaper and a lot less crowded than more popular destinations such as Central Park and Rockefeller Centre. We were lucky enough to catch the sunset while we were ice skating, through the trees in the park.

Afterwards we caught the subway in to the Williamsburg area to do a little browsing. We stumbled across a lovely little vintage shop which had a great range of (super affordable) jewellery. We continued to roam the streets before we headed back in to Manhattan for some food and sleep. We passed some really cool shops on the way to the restaurant, in particular a store called Fishs Eddy which stocked some seriously quirky homeware. I'd recommend a visit!

Our initial plan was to eat at a gluten-free-friendly pizza place called Mozzarelli's. Much to our disappointment, when we arrived it was shut. We're still not sure to this day if we just arrived too late or the restaurant was permanently closed. Instead we opted for an amazing Indian place called Indikitch on East 23rd Street. I guess you would call it fast food, but with a restaurant vibe. And the staff were so friendly! Even the mild stuff here was quite hot, so if you're not a fan of spice, I'd avoid. Otherwise, get yourselves there!

It was a lovely ending to a hectic day. Walking over Brooklyn Bridge was one of my favourite things I did while I was there, and Indikitch was one of the best places I ate - so I can't complain!

Thanks for reading!

Aderyn x

NYC: Day 1

Wearing: Fur Coat, ASOS; Bell Sleeve Grey Jumper, Urban Outfitters; Leopard Skirt, Topshop; Chelsea Boots, Zara

I recently got back from my first ever trip to New York, where we spent the week rushing around, eating too much food, and trying to master the subway system - we succeeded! The temperatures were pretty low, so most of my photographs are of me not-so-stylishly bundled up in a mass of layers. Although looking at the weather in New York this past week tells me that we went at just the right time!

After a day of travelling and a good night's sleep, we were up early the next morning to embark on our first day of New York adventures. Our first stop was Friedman's, a breakfast place close to our hotel with lots of gluten free options (my friend has an intolerance). I still don't know why I opted for a BLT over the pancakes, I think I was just eager to try the American style bacon. It's delicious by the way.

We then headed over to Fifth Avenue to do some shopping (and visual merchandising research of course). Our day was broken up by a fragrance workshop at FIT. This was a great opportunity for me to check out the university, as my course runs an exchange programme there which I am seriously interested in applying to!

Back to Fifth Avenue where I really cracked down on getting some visual merchandising research done! We walked all the way up to Bergdorf Goodman's, collecting some great shots from the likes of UGG, Coach and Valentino for my shearling project on the way. I took my first ever trip to & Other Stories which I am now obsessed with. That store is a place of dreams, the interior, the clothes, everything!

We rounded off our night with a McDonald's in Times Square. We seriously need to get the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup McFlurry over here soon!

Be sure to keep checking my blog for updates on my trip to New York. Thanks for reading!

Aderyn x

Summative Brief: Shearling (3)

For the third part of my project on shearling, we have been asked to look at our trend from a wider creative context. Examples of this include film, craft, graphic design, architecture and music. Basically any creative industry that isn't fashion! This was quite difficult for shearling, and I was left with just two strong contenders, film and interiors. Here I am going to discuss my findings and why I chose the context I did.

FILM/TV:

Almost Famous
Penny Lane's shearling coat is worn as a style statement, reflective of the 70's decade in which the film was set. Her young, confident character allows her to be styled in the more trend conscious pieces of the time, rather than a character who is dressed for comfort.

Only Fools and Horses

The character Del Boy in this British television show is famous for his shearling coat. I thought I could discuss how this statement choice of outerwear combined with his fake gold jewellery reflects his bold character and questionable line of work.

The Dark Knight Rises/On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Bane and Blofeld are both examples of eccentric, evil characters who, in some scenes, are dressed in shearling coats. The drama of these bold coats reflect the action in the film, and the over the top attitudes of these villains.

INTERIORS: 
My other option was looking at interiors where shearling/sheepskin has been used as rugs and throws. I was considering comparing the way the same sheepskin material can be used in a variety of styles of homes. One current trend I found was a bohemian vibe, and the use of sheepskin contributed to the natural and organic style of the room. I also found that sheepskin was being used in very modern, minimalist homes due to it's very neutral colour. Finally, I thought about sheepskin in grand, stately homes where this plush fabric features as a sign of wealth. Here are some contrasting examples of the use of sheepskin below.

I have opted to discuss shearling in film as I think there is more opportunity for comparison. With the addition of people actually wearing the shearling, and the different eras in which they were filmed, I can discuss in what ways the styling of the characters reflect their personalities and the style of the time. In film, there is more context around the fabric, which I think will open up more conversation.

Aderyn x

My Booket List

*my pun skills are top notch*

I don't read nearly enough as I should, so I'm making it my aim this year to get through at least a couple of these titles. Some I already own, some I've already started! I just need to stick it out and stop falling asleep two chapters in.

1. The Martian - Andy Weir
I had a Waterstones voucher which was due to expire, so I panic bought this book, seeing as the film looks so incredible. The DVD release is set to 8th Feb, right in the middle of my two reading weeks. Once I watch that, I can embark on the book. It's probably not the reading I'm supposed to be doing during my reading weeks, but at least it's something.

2. Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend. The psychological thriller was a best seller last year and sounds right up my street. With the film adaptation being released later this year, I should probably purchase my copy before they all sell out.

3. The Peripheral - William Gibson
I bought this book on a whim, off the bestsellers table at an airport's WHSmith. It was just before I flew to Morocco and I thought I'd need something to do on the plane/while lounging around the pool. As much as I have tried to get in to this book, I'm really struggling. The language is quite obscure and albeit only a few chapters in, I have no idea what's going on. Reviews online have reassured me that once I get over the first hurdle, it's actually a really great book.

4. Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling
Ok, don't kill me, but I've never picked up any of the Harry Potter books. It's quite a lot of reading to commit to, but everyone says how much more there is to these books than is portrayed in the film. Maybe not this year, but I hope to read these at some point in my lifetime.

5. Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
I was working at a cinema at the time of this film's release, and the plot twist was spoilt for me due to doing screen checks. I still enjoyed the film when I finally watched it, but knowing what was going to happen kind of took the edge off for me. I'm hoping that reading the book will make it feel like a whole new experience. I only ended up buying this title because WHSmith were having a 'buy one, get one for £1.99' sale, and I happened to be purchasing the final three instalments of The Maze Runner series. It was either this, or a Wreck This Journal. I'm hoping I made the right choice.

Food Fads of 2015

Image: wholefoodsmarket.com

I recently stumbled across a show on 4oD called 'What Britain Bought in 2015' and figured it was worth a watch. As a fashion student, it was interesting to see what the big trends of 2015 were, and how they came about.

When you think of the word 'trend', I imagine most people would think of fashion trends, but this show covered many other industries. Presenter, Mary Portas, looked at everything from the increase in sales of men's grooming products, to the sudden boom in the sex toy industry thanks to the release of Fifty Shades of Grey. However, one particular industry that seemed to dominate the conversation was the food industry. This lead me to think about some of the crazy food fads we experienced in 2015.

With the nation's desire to be fit and healthy ever increasing, the food fads are all health concious. As someone who has never batted an eyelid at what they eat, I'll have to admit that I haven't tried many of these 'trendy' foods. But with the improvement of my diet and fitness level suddenly becoming a goal of mine, you never know, perhaps I will give all of these a go.

1. Coconut Oil
This stuff is used on skin, hair and in cooking. I never knew one product could be so versatile! Then there was also coconut water which all the celebs seemed to be endorsing. And let's not forget coconut milk. I personally can't stand coconut, everything from the taste to the smell, which really put me off trying any of these foods. I don't actually know if any of these have a strong coconut flavour; I'd be intrigued to know.

2. Kale
All I know is that this stuff is green. I've seen some people cooking it, and others putting it in smoothies. I assumed it was a type of salad leaf. Who knows? My embarrassing lack of food knowledge is only becoming apparent to me now.

3. Quinoa
My mother didn't believe me when I told her how this was pronounced, but the Nando's sign proved it all. I'm mentally placing quinoa in the same category as rice and couscous, since I know no better. Combined with the above ingredient, this duo became quite a popular slogan on women's t-shirts.

4. Avocado
I was first introduced to this fruit at approximately aged 11, hearing that it made for a stellar face mask. Much to my disappointment, avocado proved far too difficult to mush in to any form of paste with my measly adolescent arm strength. Then all of a sudden people hated it, saying it was far too fatty to be considered 'healthy'. But then it came back around again with the discovery of 'good' fats versus 'bad' fats; and now smushing it over a slice of toast with a fried egg on top is the perfect breakfast to post on any healthy eating Instagram account. I've had guacamole and I wasn't a fan, so I can't see myself joining the avocado fandom any time soon.

5. Sweet Potato
Even the name doesn't sound right. How can something as savoury as a potato be described as sweet? It just doesn't sit well with me. I can tolerate a few sweet potato fries here and there, but my brain is always sent in to utter confusion at the mix of flavours on my plate. I'm not really sure what makes them better than the humble white potato, but I'm sure everyone that isn't me could probably answer that question.

If you're interested in learning what causes trends to occur, then I'd really recommend checking out this Channel 4 documentary. Some of the sales of these trends were directly impacted by specific events and people, which just goes to show how seemingly non-related industries can really influence each other. Just click here to watch.

Aderyn x

The Big Apple

With just a week until my first ever trip to The States, I thought it was about time I made a plan of all the things I want to do while I am in New York. I have tried to stray away from sightseeing, because they're just the kind of things you do so you can say that you've done it. Instead I want take in the scenery and explore the markets and food that is on offer in NYC.

Midtown Manhattan:
A friend recommended I do the NBC studios tour; the place where they filmed shows such as Friends, Parks & Rec and The Tonight Show. I've also been told to visit the MoMa, the famous modern art museum. I had also hoped to visit the MoMa PS1 while in Long Island City but it isn't open on the day we planned to travel over there. Of course while I am in midtown I will be checking out all the high end shops on Fifth Avenue! And despite not wanting to do typical touristy things, a quick walk through Times Square wouldn't hurt.

Uptown: 
Uptown Manhattan is home to most of the museums I want to visit such as the Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York School of Interior Design exhibitions (expect to see a Gossip Girl inspired photo on the steps of The Met on my Instagram). While I am there, I hope to check out Central Park, possibly hiring a bike to ride the perimeter or waking up early for a jog around one the most filmed locations in the world. I also heard about a bakery called Levain's on the Upper West Side, which supposedly sell some of the best cookies in New York. I'll let you know if it's true.

Downtown/Chelsea/West Village:
I'm really looking forward to checking out this area as there is so much to do! Chelsea is the home to some amazing markets and galleries, I could probably spend an entire day there. There's also the High Line, an old, disused rail road which has now been converted in to a 1.45 mile-long green space above the streets of New York. Moving a little further downtown, there's West Village, a quaint neighbourhood, with picturesque cobbled streets and beautiful buildings. The Spotted Pig, Hamilton's and Corner Bistro are all highly recommend cheap eats in the area. Talking of food, I feel that checking out Little Italy and Chinatown is a must while in New York.

Right at the end of Manhattan Island is Battery Park. This is meant to be a beautiful and less crowded alternative to the tourist-heavy Central Park, and it's also where you can catch a free ferry to Staten Island, taking in the views of the Statue of Liberty along the way, for those not interested in paying to get up close. On our way back up through Manhattan to our hotel, I hope to check out the UCB Theatre. This place is a hot spot for up-and-coming stand-up artists, and one of few places to be open to under 21's.  With the amazing comedy scene in New York, and tickets for just $5, it'd be a shame to miss out on this.

Brooklyn/Williamsburg
We'll definitely need a whole day for this one as I can imagine it will take a while to get to, and the places I want to visit span from Socrates Sculpture Park up in Queens, all the way down to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Prospect Park is another beautiful green area of New York, with Brooklyn Botanic Garden just next door. It's also a great place to ice skate, as it's much cheaper than Central Park or Rockefeller Center. Being on a student budget, I've heard to head to Brooklyn Heights Promenade for great views of New York's skyline at sunset. It's completely free, and is said to offer views just as breathtaking as found at the top of the Empire State Building.

In terms of places to eat, I read about a place called Berg'n, not far from Prospect Park, which is a cool beer hall that also sells food. I'm just hoping I can get in, being only 20 years old. Just under Brooklyn Bridge are two rival pizzeria's; Grimaldi's and Juliana's. I imagine they're both wonderful; I'll be opting for the cheaper and less crowded one of the two.

If you've visited New York before and have any other recommendations, either places to visit or just tips for surviving the bustling city, then I'd love to hear them! Keep your eye on my blog and Instagram for daily updates on my trip to New York.

Aderyn x

2016: My Year Ahead

Happy New Year!

After my last post looking back at 2015, I thought it would be good to do another one, this time looking ahead in to 2016. This is a mix of things I want to achieve and things that I am looking forward to in the upcoming year.

1. The New York trip
I've never visited America before so this is something I'm really looking forward to! With it just over a week away, expect a blog post up soon on the things I plan to do while I'm there. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear them! I really want to make the most of my time there.

2. Taking part in a pole competition
I'm really aiming to improve my pole abilities and my general fitness this year. By giving myself the aim of competing, I have something to work towards. The pole society at university gives us the opportunity to compete at a variety of levels, so I really want to get involved!

3. Interning over the summer
We get three whole months off uni which I really want to use wisely. Getting an internship will be a much better use of my time than sitting in the garden, getting attacked by bees all summer! Being so close to Manchester, I'm really lucky to have so many fashion brands on my doorstep. Since my course doesn't have a placement year, I really need to use every opportunity I have to build up work experience.

4. Leeds Festival
If not Leeds, then somewhere else. For me, it's more about getting to spend time with my friends than the music. We've all said that we want to go to Leeds Festival this year so I'm just really hoping it happens.

5. A holiday with friends
Again, I don't really care where we go, I just want to get away and make some amazing memories with my favourite people! We've discussed Amsterdam, which seems to be a really popular destination recently. Hopefully I'll get to find out what all the hype is about.

6. FIT exchange
On my course they run an exchange programme, giving us the opportunity to study at FIT in New York for a semester. Honestly, it's one of the main reason I chose to study at Nottingham Trent! I'm really hoping to get accepted on to this programme because I can't even begin to imagine how amazing it would be. I love how, at American universities, you get to pick major and minor subjects. I think this is such a great system, enabling you to tailor your studies to exactly what your interested in, and also allowing you to delve in to other subject areas that aren't related to your major course of study.

I hope to look back at this in a years time and say I achieved every single one of my goals and had an amazing time in 2016.

Aderyn x