My Version of Afternoon Tea... More like Brunch

I made these yummy open-faced sandwiches on English muffins (or just 'muffins' in the UK)! Free range eggs and organic spinach, sprinkled with medium cheddar cheese and topped with mild salsa.

A Pretty Fe/Male Model

credit: dailymail.co.uk

The Jean-Paul Gaultier's runway tribute to Amy Winehouse featured models with black beehive hair, 50s inspired couture, and winged eyeliner. Some girls even had a cigarette in hand! While the show was inevitably controversial, especially with Winehouse's dad speaking out, I couldn't help but focus on the androgynous male model who was on the Paris catwalk. I've heard of him briefly before, but had yet to see him all dolled up. I went through all of the pictures in an article I read, and it wasn't until I got to the comments section where someone mentioned that the "dude" was the most feminine looking that I realized he was one of the models! Andrej Pejic is an incredible model. He definitely looks more beautiful and striking than some women who have graced the same catwalks. When I looked him up, I saw that everyone is just as wild about him as I am. There's plenty to look up if you're interested.

 

My New Room Looks Pretty

This is my first night in my new flat. It took just a couple of hours to unpack all of my things. It’s incredible how much I’ve been able to accumulate in temporary residence. When I was coming back to London a couple of weeks ago, I really wanted to make sure my new room would feel like home—so much so that I brought one wire and three wicker baskets that were shipped in a box costing at least twice as much as they’re worth (along with a couple of knick knacks, wedged between novels). I’m ecstatic that I was able to bring my books with me this time. Just a handful, but enough. Books can make any room delightful. You never know what could be inside…adventure, romance, magic. Their presence subtly allows for entrance into a new world, similarly to a bedroom window. A few books on a shelf to my left, and two bright windows to my right—perfect. My dreams can take me anywhere.  

View from my window

Artsy Tidbit: Shoreditch

I just found my wonderful flat in Shoreditch, which I’m incredibly excited about. Shoreditch is a trendy area, with some of the most inspiring and distinctive fashion in the city. While lounging around my boyfriend’s house I noticed a book called London Lore: The Legends and Traditions of theWorld’s Most Vibrant City by Steve Roud. The book explores various neighborhoods in London, including where my new home lies. The section discusses the origination of the name “Shoreditch”. Roud draws on the claim that the neighborhood is named after Jane Shore, the famous mistress of Edward IV, who died poor and in a ditch in the area. But, few believed she could have died in poverty and the “area was known as a variation of Shoreditch around 400 years before her time”. Shoreditch also had a reputation, which fits properly with the belief of the origin of its name. Author Henry Wheatley writes in his book titled London Past and Present (1891):

Shoreditch was formerly notorious for the easy character of its women. ‘To die in Shoreditch’ was not a mere metaphorical term for dying in a sewer.

I’m not sure if there is still in underlying existence of the reputation in the area, but easy girls or not, I’m still in love.  

Street Style in Fashionable Tokyo

People love looking different in London. Unique, individual style is crucial to everyday life for many Londoners, self-proclaimed fashionistas or not. There's nothing like a little inspiration from one of the quirkiest fashion cities in the world: Tokyo. This adorable girl is wearing a light wash denim jacket over a decorated print tee, a pair of fairy-like tights under a bright red pleated skirt, and a barrett to top her highlighted bob. LOVE!

Sweets for Sunday Tea

My boyfriend and I planned on going to afternoon tea at this cute sandwich and tea cafe, but it's closed on Sundays! So we decided to have cupcakes instead :) We went to Sweet Couture in Covent Garden, a small cake boutique with dreamy rows of cupcakes lining a clear and inviting shelf when you walk in. The bf and I dived into our treats at the breakfast bar style table along the window. Mmmmm

Vintage Burlesque

Burlesque is huge in London. Which is great for me because I love their glittering outfits and sensual moves. The first burlesque show I ever went to was in New Orleans. The girls did a cute Christmas show, I loved it. Now, I can go out for dinner and see some boobies for dessert! But, since I love vintage, I decided to take a look at some of the beauties from the past.

Sahji Pearl 1950s

Tempest Storm 1950s

Dita Von Teese (of course!)

Betty Howard 1950s

Lottie the Body 1960s

Tootsie Roll 1960s

Lily Ayers 1950s

Lilly Christine 1950s

*All images found on Google images*

Starting Fresh

I made a massive decision to move back to London, which took me five months of daily contemplation. Should I stay in the US and find a cute mid-sized city to begin my relaxed life with a normal job? Or should I move back to London and continue my career in fashion, find an adorable flat in an artsy area, and head to fashion shows, PR events, and weekends away in Europe? Well, the answer seems pretty clear, I know. But, I’m weird. I prefer towns to cities, and picking flowers to going clubbing. You only live once, though, right?! I want to live outside of my safe, comfort zone and dive into life for sometime. After living in this amazing city for a year, struggling with managing a social life/work/master’s program, and going back to the US for four months, I’m back and ready to dance wildly to techno music, take a trip to Paris on a whim, get swept away by theater and art, and play with my British boyfriend. I’ll start my career in fashion writing, while blogging about my nightly and weekend escapades in fashion and life in London. I’m also in love with tea now, too, fyi. England does that to you.