Blogging 101

So it's been two years since I started writing for all you beautiful people, and I've learnt a lot since I started back in 2014. For instance, there is often a big different between being an instagram star and being a blogger, although sometimes these can come hand-in-hand. Instagram stars can be the best people at faking a life which they wish they had, or as other people would like to call it, capturing beautiful pictures that enhance the presentation of their lifestyle experiences. Bloggers tend to be slightly more down to earth and know the struggle of writing for a specific audience and the attempts at keeping a audiences attention, whilst also writing about things that they are passionate about. So to celebrate my two years of writing I thought i'd share my blogger 'wisdom', although let's be honest, I haven't made it big and I am still no where near being an expert in the field, i'm still learning and hope to be learning for years to come. So here are some of my top tips for those of you who are maybe interested in writing a blog yourself, or are just curious about how we do it...

 1. Write because you enjoy it. 

2.Write things YOU are interested in, not just things you think an audience will like. 

 3. NEVER write, instagram or post just for the likes, if your hearts not in it, people will know. Many would disagree with me and suggest that you need to post a certain amount of pictures and blog posts, and that you should only ever do it at the prime liking and reading times. I mean this might help, but why function like a company when you're in fact a blog just writing to help readers and for your enjoyment.

4. Show your personality. I got this wrong for quite a long time, I chose to write and post anonymously. I was scared to post photos of myself, I didn't want people judging me from what I look like, and I definitely didn't want to seem vain. Someone once told me that for the reader to truly enjoy your work they need to identify with you and know your personality, and they weren't wrong! 

5. Have fun! If you're having fun this will project through your work, my best work is done when I am content, happy, excited and loving life! 

K.

Dressed for the Job

'Dress for the job you want, not the job you have'

I am a proud believer of dressing however you like and that you should be comfortable in what you're wearing. Unfortunately, many women are under pressure in today's society to dress in a certain way, both socially and in the workplace, this just isn't right. I'm not saying women solely judged by men, because in cases like this the main culprits are often in fact women themselves. Why are we so judgey? Why should we care how somebody else chooses to style their outfit? I take inspiration from the shows season-to-season, but I also believe that everyone has a unique style which in-turn compliments their personality. Use whichever stimulus you'd like, the high-street, the catwalk, other people... If you're confident then you're rocking it! Don't judge others, or you'll be judged back, and we all know we are highly capable of judging back. I've interned for a few publications, and I know there is nothing worse than walking into a room and feeling like everyone in it is staring you down, looking at your clothes and ultimately labelling you just because of an outfit choice, we all have bad days! But if you are looking for some SS16 fashion inso, here are my top picks...

BDG Slouchy Herringbone Button-Down Shirt

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=5110582187602&category=NEW-IN-WOMENS-EU

Just Female Crop Denim Flares

http://www.asos.com/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5983592&CTARef=articlepage|Product3&featureref1=discover&featureref2=women&featureref3=article&featureref4=product3

Topshop Pleat Midi Skirt

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/skirts-449/petite-pleat-midi-skirt-5412629?bi=20&ps=20

ASOS Shirt Dress with Frill Detail in Stripe

http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Shirt-Dress-with-Frill-Detail-in-Stripe/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6222382&CTARef=asomShopLook&featureref1=discover&featureref2=feature&featureref3=asom&featureref4=product+via+gallery&featureref5=242945

H&M Ankle boots with wooden heels

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0367139001.html

Zara Leather Mule Shoes 

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/shoes/view-all/leather-mule-shoes-c719531p3393556.html


K.

Life as a Fashion Intern

After having an interview for a paid internship the other day (which sadly I did not get) and speaking to 6 other girls at the assessment day, I've realised that all fashion interns have experienced the same soul-crushing treatment over and over. We chatted about this whilst eyeing up our competition and secretly thinking 'oh god please let it be me getting my first proper paid job.'

So here are just a few of the situations fashion interns are faced with every day ...

1. Trying to look like the latest Vuitton, Acne and Chloe cookbooks when you are skint trying to style out last years Primark.

2. Having to eat last nights dinner left-overs for your packed lunch whilst surrounded by Pret, Itsu and Benugo.

3.Having to look your employed friends in the eye when they ask 'do you enjoy interning?'and silently nod and smile because they just won't understand. 

4.Going to multiple interviews and being told that you are overqualified by some and under qualified by others! Will the vicious cycle ever end...

5. Finding yourself drooling over the samples that get thrown around the office like thrift-store garments.

6. Having to style out the comfiest flats you own as your bound to be sent out on a 40 minute wild goose chase around London.

7. Knowing you could go and apply for any regular office job but don't because you're so desperate for your dream job that you'll live with mum and dad until your 30.

8. Having to pretend that you haven't just seen Kate Moss enter the building, it's no big deal, and you haven't just texted your entire contact list to record the incident. 

9.Remembering when you thought that interning would be glamorous but have now come to terms with the reality that sometimes you even have to take the boss's dog out to do a number two (this one might have just been me)

10. Thinking it's the end of the day, oh no you silly intern you've just been given 4 more tasks to do before tomorrow morning, hurry along you little unpaid being...

Indy Work Experience

After my first week interning for the fashion desk at The Independent I thought I'd share how my experience has been so far ...

1- Before beginning my experience I was asked to sign a contract of consent which allowed me to refuse any tasks, and also said there may be times where I may not have any jobs to do. 

2- My first day was wonderful! The team which I was working with were very welcoming and eased me into my tasks as I was using a number of programmes which were new to me. 

3- Although I was not paid for this experience it has been worth the forty minute daily commutes into London!

4- I previously considered myself to have a reasonable amount of knowledge about the fashion industry, but have learnt a number of new things through article research and working alongside the team.

5- I have held real responsibility in tasks such as contacting brands PRs for specific duties such as requesting samples, as well as creating schedules for press release dates. 

6- I also assisted a menswear shoot in which I helped with a number of tasks. 

My first week has been great and I hope my second is just as good!

Thanks for reading!

K.

University Decor

As I recently moved into my new uni house, I thought I

might share a couple of my cheap yet cheerful University decor secrets.

Uni rooms aren't exactly the prettiest, therefore I love personalising my house to make it feel homely and comfortable. Although i picked the short straw and ended up with the smallest room in our house, luckily I still have a large desk, double bed and a massive book shelf (which excited me a lot due to being an English Literature student). 

Students don't exactly have the biggest of budgets, so I've pieced together a few of my purchases that have made my room feel larger, using light colours and minimal patterns, as well as being reasonably priced. 

Here are a few snaps  ....

This brush holder is £3 from Ikea, it was originally white but I decided to buy some lilac spray paint from Hobbycraft to liven it up

This bedding was £15 from Asda, and the grey cushion £14 from Next 

The teacup candle on the left was bought at a stall in Grenwich market for £10, the candles on the right were £4 from Ikea.

And finally, my LED lanterns, which were £6 from Primark. These are cute to have on at night time. I have placed these on my bookshelf, but they often look nice hanging around wall art or a bed frame.

Hope this post helps anyone looking to accessorise their bedroom. 

K. x

London Fashion Week 2014

So as you know, over the summer I spent 3 months working as a web intern for House of Holland, and my god what an experience it was! This was my first time interning in the world of fashion and unless you've done it yourself, you definitely have no idea what is in store for you. Blood, sweat and tears is a saying that comes to mind. All the hard worked paid off in the end! I was lucky enough to be able to watch the SS15 show at London Fashion week!
Here are a few of the pics that I managed to take ... 

I learnt loads and had a blast along the way, making friendships with people i'm certain I will stay in touch with for years to come. 

And yes, when I left I got a few goodies from the stock room .. take a look - 

K. 

Bumble and Bumble | Our top product picks

So bumble and bumble is a brand that both myself and K are adoring at the moment so we thought we could do a little post declaring our faves. 

As we all know S is the mental product collector so obviously I couldn't narrow it down to one product, I have 2 (well 3 but I'm counting shampoo and conditioner as one) My first pick is the BB Straight Blow dry, pour le brushing. I love this stuff, I don't have particularly frizzy hair but I do have a lot of very unruly wavy hair and this little miracle tames it effortlessly. Definitely a new staple in my hair routine. 

Secondly, I nominate the Color Minded Shampoo and Conditioner. Before using this I was a staunch Aussie Colour Mate kind of girl but since experiencing the pure unadulterated pleasure of using the Bumble and bumble stuff I don't know if I can ever go back. The conditioner is so creamy and does exactly what you would want conditioner to do - nourish and in this case help me cling on to my colour for slightly longer. And now we reach the shampoo... When I first used this I was concerned by the thick creamy almost conditioner-esque texture. However, I was amazed at how quickly this washed out of my hair, washing shampoo out of my hair is usually a long and arduous task but with Bumble and bumble this is the case no more. I won't rant forever but basically I love it. I even love it enough to forgive the way they spell colour. 


While S loves the smooth and slick look, our hair is pretty different, both in colour and texture. I've got blonde wavy hair, and my look is more messy and curly, accented by layers. Unfortunately, due to every day shampooing to prevent it from being destroyed by chlorine (I used to swim competitively), my hair cannot go more than one day without being treated. So, after going through product after product I finally decided to try out Bumble and Bumble's Gentle Shampoo. This product works like a dream! Finally I can go more than one day without having to shampoo and treat my hair  like a normal person. It does exactly what it says! I would recommend this product to anyone that struggles with either greasy or over treated hair.

Socks and Sandals: Do's and Don'ts

So after much deliberation I have come to the conclusion that yes, socks and sandals are now acceptable in day to day fashion. BUT, there are still many rules that you must follow for it to be fashion forward thinking rather than old grandpa chic.

1- These sandals must be either, A- Sliders or B- Dollys

2- These can't be any plain jane socks. These socks can either be sports wear, those that accompany your typical Nike/Addidas sliders, crazy design socks e.g those with chips or cosmos covering them, frilly socks- yes those socks you used to wear when you were 5 are back in fashion and even I, a 19 year old girl have been wearing them, and it's acceptable ! I tend to pair these pastel frilly socks with my white dolly sandals, but can often be paired with plain coloured trainers.

3- Please DO NOT WEAR SOCKS WITH FLIP FLOPS, this is definitely not a good look. Whilst commuting into London every day for my internship there was one lady who continued to ignore this rule and without fail wore socks with flip flops every day. Hats off to her in that she honestly didn't care, but it was not a favourite outfit choice of mine.

4- Wear your socks sandals look with confidence. One thing that nobody can deny is that when you look confident in an outfit, others accept and appreciate your fashion choice a lot more than if they have seen a shy person who is questioning their outfit choice.

K.

The Glamour Of Italian Fashion

If you read my previous post on 'Wedding Dresses 1774-2014', you'll know that I was sent out to research exhibitions at the V&A for my fashion internship. I was lucky enough to be sent to the amazing 'The Glamour Of Italian Fashion. I had such an amazing day, walking round the beautiful museum and viewing some of the most stunning fashion in the industry.

The exhibition observes the development of Italian fashion from World War II through to the present day. It displays a long line up of designers from Sorelle Fontana and Giovanni Battista Giorgini to Giorgio Armani and Moschino. When walking around you really begin to appreciate the great quality of italian fashion, although this is seen as a typical cliche, it is one thing that particularly stands out.

The exhibit was set out into 5 rooms, each in chronological order of time period. The first from 1774, this displayed women’s wartime day suits. The government used this fashion to help them through the hard time and construct a sense of nationhood. 

The second showing the garments made after the war, the 'Return to luxury', specifically showing beautiful and colourful ball gowns.

 The third focused on the 1950s and 60s. It showed the influence from Hollywood, lots of glitz and glam, and displayed actors and actresses outfits from the period, such as Audrey Hepburn’s gown from ‘Love in the Afternoon’. 

The fourth room was the 'now', exhibiting modern designers and some of their current seasonal garments. 

And finally, the fifth room, 'The Future'. This room projected video interviews with known names of Italian fashion, discussing what they believe makes Italian fashion unique and what is in store for the future.

The  exhibition makes you appreciate the influence of Italian fashion worldwide and the beauty and quality of their garments.

K. 

'Wedding Dresses 1774 - 2014' at the V&A

When being sent to the Victoria and Albert Museum for research for my internship, I took the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Not only was it lovely to go to the V&A on such a warm summer's day, admire the museum and its surroundings, but I also got to go view an exhibition which i'd been wanting to visit for quite a while now: 'Wedding Dresses 1774-2014'. 

Upon entering the two floor exhibition you are presented with an explanation of what it intends to do. This was one thing that remained in my head whilst walking round the showing, that it was not merely a display of wedding dresses, but that it aims to capture the magical experience of each individual bride's wedding day. It showcased a variety of dresses expanding over culture and time to demonstrate that each bride is different, not only displaying dresses of celebrities but also those of every-day women. The entire experience enkindles the essence of which each bride's personality is echoed through their wedding dress. 

Here are a few of my favourites....

One of my favourites had to be this gown. Ian Stuart's 'Flower Bomb', due to its creativity and craftsmanship.

Another is Vivienne Westwood's dress, designed specifically for Deeta Von Teese. Although it's not your typical coloured wedding dress, it visually displays her personality.

This Dress was neither designed nor worn by anyone famous but is a classic example of asian culture, and how it is still present in festivities in today's society. This gown was worn by Anjali Bulley, an employee at the V&A.

Finally, my absolute favourite. Kate Moss's dress which was designed by John Galliano. This dress is stunning, no photo could do it justice. It took 701 hours to embroider the dress and 253 for the veil. 270,000 gold sequins were hand sewn onto the gown along with 120,000 paillons and 2800 pearl beads. It shimmered with each touch of the light. 

I would recommend this exhibition to anyone interested in fashion, looking for wedding inspiration or even those intrigued by the historical aspect.

K.

Skincare In The Sun

Ahhh Rome - Pizza, Pasta, Gelato, Ruins, Romance and most importantly SUN. There's no chance of me experiencing this on off weather that is a contestant bother here in England. Therefore, i am packing for hot weather, sun and sightseeing. 

As i'm off on Sunday I thought it would be nice to share a sneak peak into my holiday essentials.  

As well as packing all my clothes, shoes and bags I took a few quick tips off S for what creams and oils are best for keeping my skin protected and moisturised. Here are my top three skin essentials... 

1. Soap and Glory Heel Genius: This cream is amazing for using after a long days walking as well as after a day at the beach, protecting your heels from cracking and dry skin.

2. Neal's Yard Frankensense Hydrating Cream: I use this on my legs, as this is the one place on my body where I suffer from dry skin. It helps reduce the dry and keep my legs silky smooth. 

3. Hawaiin Tropic Silk Hydration Sun Screen: This sun cream not only protects your skin from burning but also contains hydrating ribbons to prevent your skin from drying out, unlike other sun cream which often leave your skin dry and damaged. 

4. Hawaiin Tropic After Sun: This is a perfect moisturiser after your skin has been out in the sun. The sweet smell of coconut accompanied with a smooth and soft skin coverage rehydrates and nourishes.

Keep a look out on our Instagram page for frequent updates on what I'm getting up to on my trip - SANDKSBLOG 

K.

My First Day In the World of Fashion

This week I started my a new internship in the world of fashion. It was a exciting and scary concept, and obviously my first thought was the horrifying 'WHAT DO I WEAR?!?!?!'. I've previously worked as a sales assistant for Miss Selfridge which involved dressing mannequins, working on a till and standing on a dressing room for hour upon end. This was a giant leap into the unknown, working alongside the Web Coordinator for House of Holland. After hours of deliberation I decided upon a simple yet smart and casual outfit for my first day in the office. My outfit comprised of a baby blue shirt, black cropped trousers, black suede brogues, a pale pink bunting necklace and Alex&Ani bangle bracelets. 

Let you know how my week in the big scary world pans out! 

k.