Thursday 29 November 2012

Come on down and dance, if you get the chance

Kings of leon - Back down south

T shirt - Primark (men's section)
Scarf - H&M (men's section)
Cardigan - H&M (men's section)
Trousers - H&M 
Wedge heeled ankle boots - Deichmann

Just quickly put this post together as I'm trying to make up for my lack in contribution towards the blog lately.
I went for my traditional boyish look today, as you can tell since half my outfit is brought from the men's section (Ambreen won't be too pleased). But, its easy, comfortable and looks good! Effortless. 
currently obsessed with this scarf! It was brought as a treat while I was in Berlin and I think it makes up the best blend of colours for winter. These wedges are also a favourite at the moment. Their perfectly suitable for looking good on the constantly wet floor that makes up Manchester city.
For this post a stole a external flash from my uncles shed of vintage cameras & parts. I never use the flash when doing photography, even in dimmer light settings, I tend to use surrounding light sources to light the picture. I don't think I've perfected its full potential yet, but I do like how some of the pictures have turned out. Hopefully with some experimenting, we'll have some fantastic shots soon.
Irsa x



Tuesday 27 November 2012

My body is a cage

Arcade Fire



Body-space; creating a garment which fits your body and can morph into a chosen site.
My first project studying architecture.
You may wonder how this is relevant to architecture, but architecture isn't just about designing buildings. I learnt a lot from this first project on how a person interacts with materials and spaces. 
The brief restricted us to; only picking a site from Manchester quirky Northern Quarter, two materials from a list of four, and one joining material throughout. The site I chose consisted of a detailed terracotta stoned archway, a large green painted door in the centre and mirrored panels filling the gaps between. Linking these features and current trends such as structured shoulders I produced this origami garment, which Ambreen photographed into the site beautifully.


Irsa x
p.s Sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks,  I'll hopefully be posting more often. 

Sunday 25 November 2012

Listen to them, the children of the night

Dracula - Bram Stoker











Happy Sunday all! I'm in surprisingly upbeat mood for a Sunday. Usually I have a case of the Oh-No-It's-Monday-Tomorrow-Itis but not today! I think it has something to do with the fact that I woke up to a cold, clear, crisp winter morning. I absolutely love them!
Anyway, I thought I'd show you guys what I'm loving this week. 
1- Asos Blouse | This is amazing, I was wary of ordering it at first as I'm not a flowery sort of person, but it is stunning. The colours are incredibly vibrant and I think it's the perfect item to add that pop of colour in to your usual winter wardrobe. 
2- Bram Stoker's Dracula | I found this in Blackwell's whilst searching for books I needed for my university course. I usually buy classics from charity shops or old bookshops as I prefer the older hardback versions of the books, but when I saw this, I just had to get it! It's so pretty, and I now have one more book to add to the hundreds of books I already own! Someday I plan to have a library in my house, with floor to ceiling shelves filled with hundreds of books, a bay window with a window seat and a huge fire place. We're allowed to dream, right? 
3- Scrabble Ring | It's cute and it's quirky, and I really need to start wearing it more. 
4- Gold Bracelet | My dad bought me this gold bracelet from Singapore a few years ago. I've hardly ever worn it, as I'm always scared I'm going to lose it. It's incredibly delicate and intricate, and I have this fear of breaking it. However as my 19th birthday is fast approaching, I think I can now safely wear it without worrying (too much). 
5- 17 Wild Curls Mascara | I hardly ever wear makeup any more, I went through this phase a couple of years ago when I couldn't go a day without wearing makeup. But that phase has passed, and my nearest and dearest know that if I'm wearing eyeliner and mascara that it's a special occasion! Hahah, anyway this was a freebie from the freshers fair, and I've never worn anything from the 17 brand before. For me personally, I think it's a great day mascara, it gives length and curl, without clumping, and it doesn't start flaking away during the day! I've started wearing mascara now, but only on the days I'm off to work! (More on that on another post!)
6- Framed Illustration | I picked this up in Red Cross because of the frame, I've been collecting gold toned frames for awhile as I'm planning to redecorate my wall in my room. I didn't really look at the illustration until later, and I think I'm going to keep it in the frame! It has kittens on it, and reminds me of the Aristocats and of course my very own Pixie! 
As per usual, Pixie decided she wanted attention while I was taking these photographs hence the reason she's in them! I also caught her hiding behind my curtain, it's her favourite spot at the moment. She comes back with extremely cold paws though. 

Ambreen xx

Saturday 24 November 2012

Second star to the right

Peter Pan - J.M.Barrie 





Guess what came in the post earlier this week? Yup, my copy of Wish magazine, the artsy paper baby of Carrie from WishWishWish and Lucy from Shiny Thoughts.
I absolutely adore it, it's a refreshing change from the usual glossy magazines, and there's something incredibly whimsical about it. When it arrived I had an overwhelming urge to run around an open field, wearing layers of pastel chiffon and flowers in my hair! 
It might happen, so keep an eye on the blog in the coming weeks, to see me and Irsa attempt an artsy, pretty shoot. 
On a more serious note, we have been experiencing some 'technical' problems with the blog. It was our worst nightmare! But, we are up and running again. So more regular posts soon. Very soon. 
Hope your all well, and are having lovely weekend!

Ambreen xx


Tuesday 13 November 2012

A girl doesn't read this sort of thing without her lipstick

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote










This is a quick post, as I know that we haven't been posting too regularly since November hit. I do have a valid excuse though. I'm ill! I have like a cold/flu thing. It's awful, I hate being ill!
Just thought I would share what has been keeping me going this past week. 
1- December Vogue || This is perfect for when your ill, there are articles if you feel up to a bit of light reading, and amazing editorials for when all the words start to blur and meld into a jumble of indecipherable letters. 
2 - Studded Slippers || These beauties are from Topshop and are hands down my favourite flats at the moment. I picked these over the others because they look velvety and I love opulent fabrics! You can get them here.
3 - Paco Rabanne 'Lady Million' || I adore everything about this perfume, the way it smells and especially the way it looks. I'm a sucker for anything pretty, and this is pretty. My mum brought me this for my 18th and I'm still only half way through it! I literally only use about 2-3 squirts and it lasts all day. It really is lovely without being overpowering.
4 - Olbas Oil || Lifesaver. It helps a lot when you've got a cold and are having trouble breathing. 
5 - Jakemans Cough Sweets || My mum swears by these, and I find them better than soothers or strepsils. 
6 - Pixie || Because who says a feline friend can't help you feel better?
7 - Breakfast at Tiffany's || I've never got round to reading this until just recently. I knew it was about a girl called Holly Golightly, and that was about it. I was surprised when I read it, as it wasn't what I expected. I've read Truman Capote's faction 'In Cold Blood' (it was an A Level book) and he is an author who wrote to make you think twice and really put across a lot of, sometimes, uncomfortable issues. Now, I'm looking forward to finally watching the film! Audrey Hepburn? Yes. Please.
8 - Cameo Brooch || This was a gift from Irsa, and I freaking love it! It's so so so me, and you'll probably see it featured a lot on the blog from now on. For some reason I only wear brooches in Autumn/Winter. Is that weird? 

I have been living of Heinz Tomato Soup and lots and lots of hot tea. I've been using honey instead of sugar, because everyone knows honey is supposed to have healing properties! Haha, I'm clutching at straws really. 
Anybody have any other things they always use when they're unwell? Please do tell! 

Ambreen xx

Tuesday 6 November 2012

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

 Rihanna



Remember remember the 5th of November!
We took our annual trip to the Platt fields park last night to watch the firework display. As always it was Crowded, cold, wet and muddy, but those 10 minutes of fireworks were completely worth it! 
Plus it was finally the perfect opportunity to pullout an old rooster styled hat I brought on sale this summer. 
How was your bonfire night?