crunch time

I may be delirious on red bull and lack of sleep but here I am, updating you all on my university work. Tomorrow I have a hand in for a two modules which is a huge chunk of work! I cannot wait because then I can completely focus my attention on my honours project and make sure it is all perfecto. So as a treat I thought I'd show a few images from my booklet that I have to hand in for my Exhibition Design module. Don't say I'm not good to you.

digital portfolios

Having applied for many, many jobs recently I have noticed quite a few asking for examples of my work or portfolios either with the application or to be brought in with the interview. After 4 years of doing Fashion Textiles/Visual Merchandising & Promotional Design I know all too well the pain of dragging an A2 plastic folder around with examples of my work in. I was having nightmares about digging that plastic folio out so I decided to step into the 21st Century and create a digital portfolio.

work hard..

play work harder.

honours project photo shoot.

As part of my honours project I am required to create a promotional campaign, including a photo shoot, logo, slogan etc. With Easter approaching and me planning to head home for the two weeks we were off I wanted to get the photo shoot done before then so I could have time to edit them.

work it.

So the job hunt continues. 

linkedin

In my last few posts about job hunting I've mentioned LinkedIn but haven't gone into detail on what it is about. Basically its a networking platform for professionals where you can upload a digital equivalent of your CV, link with your peers, follow potential employers and search for jobs. Its really handy to have whilst applying for jobs, like when I was filling out the application for the industrial placement at L'oreal it allowed me to link it to my LinkedIn which filled in all my details automatically. It also meant that the HR team could check my details quickly by looking at my LinkedIn profile.

on sundays I apply for jobs

and on Wednesdays we wear pink. Get it? 

milan: day three

Ok, our last day wasn't exactly spent in Milan (but the day did start and end there), we had a day out in Venice. The bus trip there was really long but absolutely worth it once we got onto the boat that ferried us to the main part of Venice.

milan: day two.

Our second day in Milan was spent acting like complete tourists. So be warned, this post is going to be very picture heavy. We started the day off with gelatos and sat by a fountain on Piazza Fontana.

milan: day one

Way back last year my university began to arrange a trip away to Italy, I had never been before so jumped at the chance to go. Coincidentally it landed on my birthday weekend and being in Milan for my 24th birthday was perfect. 

honours project update.

A quick update on my window display for my honours project; I cannot believe I only have 11 weeks to my degree show. The panic is setting in. This past week I took on the mammoth task of painting the wall behind the display. Its around 4 metres wide and 3 metres tall and I probably would have collapsed in a heap midway if it wasn't for Kate's help. I chose a turquoise as I chose a lot of greens and coral pinks for my rope and I think the backdrop will make these colours pop.  

masters research

Whilst searching for some direction in my life I stumbled across www.findamasters.com, a search engine that lets you look for masters courses using specific criteria.

blogging careers

I can't pin point the exact moment I started reading blogs avidly, it was a slow descent into addiction which kicked off around 2011 and now I can't go a day without reading a beauty product review or DIY tutorial on how to make your very own plant pot holder.

l'oreal industrial placement

As previously promised, I said I'd keep you updated with information on my job hunt. Obviously I knew the search would have some highs and some lows (spoiler alert on this one; I didn't get the job). I was really disappointed at first but I've had a week to get over it and I can see that even just applying and interviewing for jobs is good experience. 

what a tangled web we weave

I'd apologise for the title but I'm not sorry at all, its much more exciting than 'honours project update'. No Regrets. So, an update on my honours project is more than due. University has been so full on lately and I've barely had a minute to spare - let alone time to collect my thoughts and write about it. But with the help of a (read: twenty) to-do lists I finally have time to update this! 

who you know

You know the old saying, 'Its not what you know, its who you know.' It has probably never seemed more accurate more accurate to me that when endlessly applying for jobs.

ashish a/w 2014

burberry prorsum a/w 2014

Burberry Prorsum is always one of my favourite shows to watch during fashion week. The high profile audience (and models) are almost as anticipated as Burberry's collection and this year was no exception. For those of us who aren't lucky enough to be there in person, Burberry stream the show worldwide anyone can watch it as if they are front row. The latter works perfectly for me as I can watch from the comfort of my sofa without having to even brush my hair. (This is the life, believe me.)

tate modern, london

As far as London tourist attractions go, I think the Tate Modern is one of the best. Apparently others agree because it is the most visited modern art gallery in the world with around 4.7 million visitors per year. And its free, students rejoice! You could spend hours here, there is so much to take in. The first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the building. You can't miss it! It is located in the former Bankside Power Station and you can actually see the tower from the nearest tube station (Southwark) so its hard to get lost!

when in London

Do as Londoners do.. Ok, maybe not. I wish I could act like a cultured city dweller but until then I'll continue to be a tourist taking photos of everything and anything. Obviously there was the obligatory trip to Topshop because they don't have one in every single city in the UK.. oh wait. I actually ventured to the first and second floors to Topman this time to have a nosey and I'm so pleased I did. On the first floor they have a area where you can customise your own t-shirt and on the second floor there is a barber, suit fitting service and personal shopper.

They also had this installation suspended above their selection on suits which I thought was so so nice. It just loads of chains hanging but the window above meant the light was shining through them and the overall effect was really pleasing.  

Light fixture at Bertie shoes. I love the rustic look of the fixture and how it is obviously in keeping with the brand and merchandise.

Last time I visited London I didn't get the chance to look in Liberty so it was on my list for this time around. There is far too much to get round in one visit; we wandered around the first floor and then skipped up to the top floor where they have all their antiques and fabrics. After looking at the prices of a few items (and then trying really hard not to touch, knock or bump into anything) and browsing the fabric sections we decided to call it quits and return next time when we're millionaires.

After minor tube confusion we visited the Tate Modern (I'm going to write about this in a separate post) which was so interesting but so huge! By the time we left it was dark and we headed for the Millennium Bridge, which we had vowed to walk across earlier; something along the lines of: 'That's the one from Harry Potter!' 'We have to cross it!'.

 St Paul's Cathedral from the Tate Modern

 The Shard from the Millennium Bridge

Finally, we wandered around Soho looking for somewhere to eat. We passed this store, Cheap Monday, on Carnaby street and I had to stop and get a photo. I've heard of the brand but never bought anything from them but I adore this display, a little bit grungy and a bit different, it lit up pedestrians as they passed. I think its the simplicity of the combination of a standard window display and lighting that resonated with me. Simple but effective.