Full Bloom

{Entering the premises!}

{A band welcoming visitors of the market, a really nice atmosphere overall}

{it's rather strange...}

{to see such expensive flowers packed together so tightly, almost like their value is compromised because there are so many of them.}

Continuing the chronicles of my life in London I was whisked away by a friend with a wild wanderlust to a flower market in Columbia Street - just a brisk walk from Old Street Station. Quaint and popular, we arrived by midday (a fault of mine...) and the street was packed full of people and for the first time in a while, I felt appropriately like a sardine (excluding all those times I've had my face against a glass pane on the underground). 

The flower market is held every sunday from 8am til 3pm-ish. It is hugely popular, especially on sunny weekends and overshadows lots of charming little shops also placed along the road (see assortment of adorable crockery and tea sets and cutlery). At the market you'll find parents with their children to old aged couples looking to decorate their garden. Unsurprisingly there is also an equal amount of students and young couples. An event for flower lovers of all kinds and the prices of the shrubbery weren't all too dear to be honest. I knew that if I was a permanent resident in London I would've definitely bought some flowers home with me. Who can resist the sweet scent and natural beauty of a rose? Or the sophisticated tranquility of a white hydrangea plant?

Loves.

X

Happy & Healthy

I've been extremely careful with my new bag - as you do with new things that you dote over, I'm beginning to believe I won't become sick of it's beauty. Ever.

4 weeks have passed since I began my placement in London. I love this city but I'm constantly torn as it's equally easy to hate. PR interning is a fun yet challenging experience. I'm not sure what I expected. Even though a month has passed I'm still not used to the early mornings and how evenings seem to just consist of dinner followed closely by bed - leaving little to no time for me to do most things that I want to at all. My life of video-gaming and anime watching is quickly diminishing! I'm not sure if I should be glad or not...

However being in London and having to pass through central to reach where I'm staying everyday inevitably means many (possibly too many...) shopping opportunities. 

Finchley (where my office is) is a lovely place. Set on the near edges of North London, Finchley is a district made up of many shops - big names and independent boutiques, café's and restaurants. 

I was introduced to a lovely, niche Thai café by my colleagues, two interns that I'm working beside and they are lovely in both face and character. The eatery was adorable, the interior was very reminiscent of what I imagine Korean café's would be like. White, clean and cute - alongside serving food they also sold mini accessories like hairbands and scarves. It's an overall quiet but nice environment to eat in. If you ever venture to Finchley Central be sure to visit Health-Full! 

I can just tell I'm going to miss London when my placement is over - but I've long hinted at a permanent move to the big city. Maybe sometime in the near future after my graduation. 

I'm so relieved about this three day weekend also - work hard and play rest hard! (Old age!)

Loves.

X

La Vie En Noir

Goodbye April showers - It's my favourite month of the year! For obvious reasons. However at the same time I also do not want to age.

I realise that the title of this blogpost is rather dark, but on the contrary my months have been bright and sunny with obvious hints of rain - God I love you England! But I've decided to dedicate this particular post to the fulfilment of dreams. Dreams do come true, of course they do - dreams that remain dreams are just nightmares framed in fantasy. What dream am I speaking of? Well, let me introduce you to my new baby:

You're looking at the latest edition to my handbag collection, the CÉLINE trapeze. It's rather beautiful. Of course I chose black. Beautiful suede wings with calf skin body and silver trimmings. Black to suit every and all of my outfits - this timeless classic I can see myself using 'till the end of time. The twist lock also has a slick, neat design. The interior is also more spacious than it lets on, I often feel Mary Poppins-esque when I suddenly acquire the ability to fit an abundant amount of (usually unnecessary) items into my bag than I thought possible... 

{A mini 'what's in my bag' series for the month of May. A pair of rings from Monki. The latest book I've been reading (Murakami is one of my all time favourite authors), the latest perfume I've been using from Bodyshop, stickers from a very sweet individual via Artbox and my new oyster card holder from LDN Chinatown. All of which I'm extremely happy with!}

Being in London has encouraged me to be stylish on a daily basis and living out of a suitcase with what I believe to be a capsule collection doesn't really allow for that... for an extended period of time anyway. In short, I used my excuses to shop. No spring/summer would be complete for me without a lovely pair of black suede wedges - funny story, they broke twice and I had to return them. Let's hope third times a charm.

{Black Deena & Ozzy Strappy Wedges from Urban Outfitters.}

I must admit that perhaps my sway towards darker clothing (which is something I wear all year round despite the season though I have a soft spot for prints also...) is probably somewhat influenced by the monochrome trend that's around this season. Provided you aren't oblivious or rather negligent of the fashion world you'll notice that the high streets believe black and white are the way forward this summer. No more florals for spring? Unlikely though.

Well, that's the short but sweet update I have for the beginning of May - the best month ever. (It's my birthday in 24 days!) Watch this space as London always guarantees endless activities to my endeavours. 

Loves. 

X

P.S Recently, due to a quirky but lovely girl I'm interning with - I've become too much of an avid user of Instagram - if you'd like to view my account search @mistune or follow this link. Thanks!

Aliya.J's London - A New Online Fashion Boutique / LAUNCH PARTY

April has been delightfully eventful for me as it marks the beginning of my internship with up and coming online fashion boutique - Aliya.J and my exciting move to London - part time.
Aliya.J was founded earlier this year in January by Aida, the director of the company who I've had the privilege of working alongside as well as two very lovely interns. Set in Northern London in a picturesque city. The office is small yet efficient and as is the team.

On the night of the launch party which was held only yesterday, interns arrived at 11am to help with the setting up which involved moving around furniture, setting out tables, putting up decorations, preparing the music, the food, the slideshows, photobooth etc.
You get the idea.

{Throughout the night, photographs were displayed on a loop as part of a slideshow on the bar's big screen tv}

The venue was a cosy but beautifully decorated. Annie's bar describes itself as "The most stylish & elegant wine & cocktail bar this side of the city." So in other words - perfect for Aliya.J's aesthetic.

{Handmade pom-poms by our very own intern.}

On the night we made around 70 goody bags inclusive of cake-pops, macaroons, jewellery, pens, bags, business cards and flyers of all the businesses that helped make the launch party that much more special. 

{Intern lunches - and the only time of the day where I could eat - before things got hectic!}

{A photo booth section, complete with props was also available for guests to take fun photos throughout the day!}

A buffet-style food table was also set up including canapé's, sushi, fruits, macaroons, cupcakes - all kindly made to order and sourced from the finest supermarkets. The macaroons were so popular, for this we must credit the lovely gentleman behind Hotel Macaroon, we'll definitely be ordering again! Needless to say the snacks went down extremely well, the tables were cleared very swiftly!
Plus of course champagne readily available on the night for everyone who attended as they are all V.I.P's

Since the hired room was underground Aliya.J organised a red carpet reception for the guests and interns were also on entry duty.

{From left - Claire from Re:Magazine, founder Aida and Maxine from Re:Magazine - Photo by Sam}

{Photos of the night - Picture by Tsui @ fashionganache.blogspot.com}

{Myself, Tsui her sister Mai using the photobooth!}

So glad that Tsui from fashionganache could attend Aliya.J's launch party - she's a lovely person with an equally lovely blog - be sure to check her out! Her blog post of the party can be found here!

{Lovely red nails, lower photo courtesy of Rosalind - follow her fantastic Instagram!}

A pair of lovely sisters who painted nails, complete with designs attended, from Beauty Boutique a salon in East London. The queue for this lasted what seemed like hours! A make-up artist made sure everyone looked and felt fabulous, she was also lovely to chat to - find her here at rlisachau.com.
There was also a masseuse, Luke, from SPRMassage - he was also very well received.

Exclusive guests had attended from publications such as YourCoffeBreak.com and Re:Magazine. Also I was lucky enough to meet fashion designer Lynnja Wang who was a pleasure to speak to, such a lovely lady.

Still awaiting photos off attendees however, I guess this is where my post thins out as I was on door duty for a while and then as I began chatting and being social I got lost in the buzz and neglected to take more photos. Bad times!

Nevertheless Aliya.J launch party was a huge success, all the guests were extremely positive with feedback and I've enjoyed my first 2 weeks at Aliya.J which actually flew by - it felt more like 2 days! Interning as a PR is definitely a challenging yet rewarding experience and I hope to learn even more in the following month!
If I neglect to post frequently please forgive me!

Remember to LIKE Aliya.J on facebook and FOLLOW their twitter!

Facebook /Aliya.JOnlineBoutique
twitter @AliyaJBoutique
AliyaJ.com

Loves.
X