Montpellier

Heading off to Montpellier in four days, beginning to stress. I'm away for a month, and hopefully will come home a bona fide French speaker, which will be brilliant. I still haven't completely confirmed accommodation, which has got me a little worried, but I hope it will all work out. It's bucketing it down at the moment, hail and everything, so I hope the weather is better!

I will probably be doing lots of this.

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photos from tumblr

Crushed Velvet Gold Fish

Newest addition to my wardrobe, plus a necklace that I bought about two years ago (on sale for £1!) that I still haven't got round to wearing.

crushed velved skirt - UO; fish pendant - Topshop

The London Film Festival finishes on Thursday, and I'm flying out to Montpellier on Sunday, which gives me about two days to pack for a month away! It's going to be tight. I don't even have time to go shopping for a new pair of boots (shock horror). Still, now that I've finished sorting out university application stuff, it's good to finally be starting on my gap year antics. Oh I have another question - Siena or Perugia, as a destination for three months in Italy? I can't decide...

I won this award from both Meg's Budget Boutique and Lions and Tigers and Makeup, and I couldn't be more chuffed! I'm so happy (and amazed) that there are people who actually read what I write and value what I have to say. Thanks so much for being so supportive, it really is amazing!

And so to send it on to more people with under 200 followers, I have chosen:

• http://flattt.blogspot.com/ - literally found this blog this morning, after a comment on my wall, and can't believe I haven't come across her amazing photos already
• http://skyhigheels.blogspot.com/ - okay so she has slightly over 200 followers but I love her whimsical blog
• http://samalamode.blogspot.com/ - for her generally very cool and interesting posts

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Fools Gold

scarf - thrifted, switzerland; shoes - UO; bracelet - birthday

I bought these shoes last week, when I realised I was going to a red carpet event at the London Film Festival and had NOTHING SMART TO WEAR (was working, so couldn't go in heels). My bracelet is real gold, it was given to me for my eighteenth birthday, but I've only just started wearing it now it's come back from the jewellers as it had to be shortened. Scarf is from a Salvation Army store in Switzerland.

Rather coincidental, dontcha think, that all these items feature gold? Linking nicely into my online outburst of happiness that YES the Stone Roses are reforming! (though I can't see them play because I'll be in France) but this post is my tribute to a brilliantly talented band.

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The Artist

At the gala screening of 'The Artist' last week, truly the best film I have seen so far at the London Film Festival. Dujardin utterly deserved his prize at Cannes, and should definitely be nominated for an Oscar. It's strange that a predominantly silent film has such an emotional pull, but I laughed, cried and spontaneously clapped during the screening (along with the whole of the rest of the audience). The film riffs on the plots of both Sunset Boulevard and A Star Is Born, and uses original twenties settings and staging to provide an extremely modern tale. The cinematography is beautiful, and the classic soft-focus closeups are captured exactly as they were 80 years ago, though perhaps a little less blurringly romantic (to go with the 21st century story of the trappings of fame, depression, pride and its fall).

It's an unlikely choice to pick to see at the cinema, I guess, but I give it a million starred review, and urge you all to put all your prejudices about 'black and white' and 'silent' to one side, and give it a go. Fork out eight quid (cinemas are so expensive these days!), it'll be the best eight quid you've ever spent- promise! 

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First Day at LFF

So today was my first day volunteering at the BFI London Film Festival! I got there at midday, and spent the afternoon filling bags with festival programmes for the Film Festival Delegates, and getting to know all the other lovely volunteers who I'l be spending the next two weeks with. Most people there are older than me, and a lot of them are currently doing MAs in film or screenwriting, or have just completed BAs in film-related subjects, so it was really interesting to talk to them and find out where they've come from and what their career plans are, now that they are in their final years of study, or have just finished.

I am working Wednesday evening, which is the LFF Gala Opening Night, so that will be exciting - I am seriously looking forward to it. I'm also working on Friday night, and a lot of next week but nothing is confirmed yet (but I hope to be able to do as many shifts as possible!)

I also went shopping before I turned up to volunteer, and bought this top with the last of my birthday money - it's Carin Wester for Urban Outfitters. Purple sheer, with a keyhole at the back, and a ribbon tie - I love it!

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SSFW'12 parte tre - Ciao Italia!

By rights I should already be onto recording my thoughts about Paris Fashion Week - I am incredibly behind with these posts! But I can't just let the wonders of Milan pass me by...

Alberta Ferreti x2, Bottega Veneta, D&G

Dolce and Gabbana x2, Emilio Pucci, Emporio Armani

Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Jil Sander

Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Versus

Trends to point out: flamboyant Mediterranean colours, high necklines, sharp tailoring, sandals, pastel colours (again!), bloomers still being pushed at Dolce and Gabbana, nature referenced in prints and patterns, continued allusions to sportwear, a possible increase in mini-lengths - but maybe just because it's summer?, exploration with textures, very simple hair and makeup. Let the clothes speak for themselves - they are rather fabulous.

I'd like to say a massive big thankyou to Alexa at cashmereandcandy for giving me this award!

I have to share seven random things about myself, so here goes!

1) I lived in Greece when I was younger

2) I have painted one wall in my room pink, the rest are white

3) My great-grandad was an oyster-catcher

4) I am a very quick reader - if I want to, I can read a book in one day

5) I've been to Reading Festival twice and loved it each time

6) I had my first boyfriend in nursery school, he invited me to his pirate party 

7) I had my haircut yesterday morning! I'll put pictures up later

And I've chosen 

isabella at viewsofnow.blogspot.com

angie at angiebeautybelle.blogspot.com

stephanie at linconnuedeindochine.blogspot.com

fang ting and ashley at ftashion.blogspot.com

to give the award to next!

Thank you everyone for reading my blog, and for commenting and following (and handing out rewards!) It really means a lot to me - and I actually mean that!

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New Header and Noel's New Song

I'd just like to explain the reason for changing the name of my blog: having posted for a month, I have decided that I, erm, quite enjoy blogging! Originally this was going to be a gap year blog, but I think I want to continue it after my year out is up, hence the name change. Hope you guys don't mind too much!

Also, I want to tell everyone to listen to this acoustic version of Noel Gallagher's new song 'If I Had A Gun.' I know I was gutted when I heard that Oasis split up. Yes, they are quintessential lads' rockers, and Liam Gallagher's new band Beady Eye is, if anything, Oasis at its most boring (in my opinion!) but this new offering from Liam has recaptured some of the band's old, original sweetness and melancholy joy (oxymoron, anyone?) in this melody and in his lyrics. It gives me chills. Have a listen and tell me what you think. I am definitely going to buy his album when it comes out.

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Coral Crop Top

top and shorts - Topshop

I dropped my camera on the floor this morning, so what were already slightly grainy photos have become even more blurred and unfit to be posted - but I have no other way of taking photos, so please excuse the quality... 

Thank you all for the support of my last post! I will definitely report my experiences of the London Film Festival on my blog so you can all get a bit of 'backstage action.' I hit 25 followers yesterday, which was exactly a month since my first blog post, so I'm pretty happy at the moment! Thanks for following, it really means a lot to me that you enjoy my posts and my writing. As well as acting, I'm interested in fashion/music/film journalism, so I'm using this blog as a way to practice my writing style and gain an audience...which I seem to be achieving! So all's good!

This afternoon I went to see the film 'Whats Your Number?' with Anna Faris in (and Martin Freeman also for about five minutes-love Martin Freeman!). I expected it to be another dire romcom, and in some ways it was, with its incredibly predictable plot - girl makes friends with guy to help her find a husband, but realises at the end that he has been 'the one' all along. There were some incredibly funny bits however, and although the main character Ally was 'in-between jobs', she'd been fired from a position in a marketing company, rather than, say, her cake shop closing. I think that maybe, after the hilarious 'Bridesmaids' (although that film did feature a cake shop), films marketed at women might be getting a teeny tiny bit more realistic and true to life. Which can only be a good thing.

I'm getting my hair cut on Friday - shorter or same length to grow it out? Any opinions? I have no clue, personally - see how it goes, I guess.

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55th London Film Festival

I've just been told that my application to work at the BFI 55th London Film Festival was successful! I have a meeting on Monday with all the other volunteers, where they'll hand out festival programmes (and our T-shirts!)

Vanessa Redgrave, Tilda Swinton, Ryan Gosling, Rhys Ifans, Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, Madonna, Kiera Knightley, George Clooney, Freida Pinto, Evan Rachel Wood, Carey Mulligan

Think of this as a style and talent moodboard of extra-special inspiration from people who excel in their chosen profession

- have I mentioned that I want to be an actor?!


photos from tumblr

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Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam

shirt and boots - UO; skirt - H&M; ring - Topshop

I wore this outfit to a friend's birthday party at the weekend - with my lace up boots because it was in a field and so quite muddy (I really need to clean them now!) The skirt is from H&M via eBay, and it's the only piece of clothing I've ever bought off eBay because I find it quite hard to buy things that fit me and so I'm always quite nervous to bid when I see shirts labelled as '6-8 but will fit a 10'. But I'm probably being stupid, because this skirt is perfect!

Have you heard the album 'Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam' by Ghostpoet? It was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize earlier this year, when it was still unreleased-that's how good it is. It didn't win, but that doesn't make the music any less touching and heartfelt, fusing rap and electro in a sort of 'post-dubstep' Jamie xx/Mount Kimbie style extravaganza that's weirdly reminiscent of Flawless in some places. Have a listen-it's been my soundtrack to finishing my personal statement. I'm about ready to send it off....

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