Once in a lifetime...

Hello,

After a whirlwind of a summer I feel like I'm finally coming back down to earth and it's with an enormous THUD!

For the past few weeks my life has been totally absorbed by rehearsals for National Youth Music Theater's performance of Brass performed at the gorgeous Hackney Empire, of which I was lucky enough to be in. It was also nice to be based East of the city for a change, lets call it more "edgy" than the west.
Brass follows the story of a group of musicians from Leeds who become the Leeds Pals and find themselves in the trenches of the Somme in WW1. Meanwhile the women they leave at home join Barnbow Munitions Factory to do their bit for the war effort. They also find themselves attempting to learn Brass instruments in an effort to keep the men's Brass band running. Of course that's only a basic overview of the plot, and I can't do the beautiful intertwining story-lines justice. Nor can I explain how amazing the music is without having you listen to it. I'm totally biased of course but it is the best new musical score I've ever heard. (The critics seemed to think so too). The production was a fantastic success and I have never been prouder of a piece of work!

Of course being a part of Brass meant immersing ourselves in the world of these women from the 1900's. We explored everything from family life, working conditions, clothes and entertainment.   Hobbies wise knitting seemed a popular choice back then and most of us girls seemed to enjoy learning to knit. In fact i found myself doing it in breaks and between scenes backstage. It worked off all that nervous energy and was really comforting. It had a stress ball effect upon me however I believe my character - Charlotte Ethel disagreed and despite my best efforts both myself and my characters knitting skills remain questionable. The same also has to be said for my Euphonium playing, but I did improve loads considering I'd never touched one before we began rehearsals.

When it came to costumes all of us girls were super excited. For two weeks we had been dressed in dance gear, sweating in the heatwave that I had certainly not packed for. Now we had the opportunity to sweat under the stage lights of the Hackney Empire in original 1900's gear. Five layers tights, petticoat, bustle, skirt, shirt, mic-pack and a hat to top it all off was a sticky experience but hey we all looked great! Thankfully our munitions worker costumes were a lot lighter. Despite sweating off half my body weight, minimal sleep and wearing nothing but leggings I miss Brass so much! It was the best experience of my life and post show blues have never hit harder. The cast, crew and creatives are wonderful and I'm so glad I get to see everyone again for a performance in October!

In other news I'm officially all moved into my new London home and ready to return on Friday which just leaves enough time for me to have tea and cake with my friends from home before going down south again. Plans for London Fashion week are also under way - fingers crossed!
Oh and please give this blog a cheeky little follow for me :)

Have a lovely week,

P.S - I got some new black Docs as a post show treat - How can I be in love with a pair of black shoes?

Down in the Park

Hello...

This feels like the last few moments of clam before the storm! Tomorrow I return to London and move into my new house! CRAZY! I love being home but I'm excited to return to London.
I then return to National Youth Music Theatre on Friday to begin our two weeks rehearsal before the premiere of Brass at the Hackney Empire (which I am buzzing about). Despite a few technical difficulties such as realising I have fourteen days to master the euphonium I'm super excited! 

Anyway this was just a post to show off my disposable camera pictures from Latitude. (Better late than never). It's so exciting getting disposables back, you forgotten the phots you've taken.
I think they're really cute and I'm planning to make a photo washing line with them in my new room. I've got fairy lights to go with them - yes I've gone full out on the stereotypical female student bedroom look. 


So here they are Latitude pics featuring the Hutchinson clang and the beautiful Henham Park.
Enjoy...

In most of the pictures I'm wearing my crazy print shorts from Pop Boutique in London. I doubt I'll ever wear them anywhere but a festival due to them being excessively bright and patterned but I do love them!

Dungaree's - We are Cow

Top- Primark (Worn all the time, people are probably bored of seeing it now)

Dress- Topshop
Flower Crown - Tessies. Hull

Latitude at night turned into a magical fairy kingdom. The woodland was soooo beautiful!

(Take a picture they said... don't get the shitty sign in I said... nobody listened obvs)

My festival essentials this year turned out to be my Kanken as I ended up carrying around everything but the kitchen sink for the family. (it wasn't to bad at hiding a hip flask full of gin in either).  My denim jacket was also great for the typical cool British evenings and of course my trusty Docs!

Hope you like the pictures, I'm going to complete packing and Listen to Gary Newman. I don't know why but I can't stop listening to him lately (good job he had a song title to match this post)...

Have a great week x

No Mythologies to follow

Hello...

Oops I should have posted way before now! It's funny when I'm at home I feel like I've been busy but I really haven't! Well I suppose our house for next year is all sorted all that's left is to move into it. I'm super excited. How can I be old enough to have a house?
oh and of course how can I forget Latitude?? The festival was beautiful but I need to go and get my pictures developed and when I have I'll stick them up but for now I'll just have to let you imagine the
most fairy-tale experience of my life. Honestly it felt magical. 

Latitude is in Suffolk and the whole surrounding area was like a postcard. Henham Park was so gorgeous and in the sunshine (thank God for no rain) it looked beautiful. Fairy lights hung from every tree and even the sheep were jazzed up - they were pink!
On a musical note highlights for me was Christine and the Queens who was just amazing her quirky stage presence captivated me. I first saw her when I watched this years Glastonbury and became obsessed with her single, Tilted. Turns out her whole album is just as good (if only I could speak French). I equally loved Mo's set. She was this tiny bundle of electricity topped up with old school anklets and crazy patterned tights, you can imagine the hysteria when she performed "Lean on" her collaboration with Major Laser.

As well as music Latitude show a great mix of poetry, literature, dance and theatre.

Theatre Ad Infinitum company with their play Bucket List was amazing.

"When her mother is murdered for protesting corporate and governmental corruption, Milagros finds herself with only a bloodstained list of those responsible. Determined to make them pay, Milagros embarks on a passionate quest for justice, no matter the cost"                 http://www.theatreadinfinitum.co.uk/ 

Most of it felt extremely Berkoff-ian with physical theatre playing a huge role in the production. The company was so tight and in tune with each other. Everything was perfectly executed. I don't want to give an Alevel drama review but the tension created by the piece was amazing.
I always get festival withdrawrel I always feel as if I've escaped to another planet when I'm at one. I need another weekend of performance, dancing to crazy music in a forest, covered head to toe in glitter and sushi wraps for tea!

(Here's the few pics I managed to catch on my phone...before it died.)

Apart from the fabulous-ness of Latitude I've been taking time to see family and friends. Yesterday we took a lovely trip to Scarborough. Its a traditional seaside town and somewhere we visit every year. We did the typical Fish and chips as well as Ice Cream and my Mum got to try out her new camera. It was a cute day.

I kind of stole most of my outfit from my sister (sorry Fran). Of course the New Balance are mine and they're my shoe of choice at the moment. They're just so comfy! Since my favourite chunky black T-Bars broke I've been wearing trainers loads more. I'm hoping to get some Doc Marten T.bars or maybe shoes as I know they'll be worth the cost as I'll wear them loads and they will hopefully last longer than my others.
Once again none of my outfit choices seem to match. I've also ignored most of my accessories this past week. I feel that in summer I just throw anything on and pray for a good outcome hehe.

Trousers: New Look
Shirt: Topshop
Top: Charity

I'll get my Latitude pictures from my disposable developed ASAP. It always seems such a faf considering how used we are to everything be instantaneous but I think the pictures are worth it. I don't now why but they seem to capture more of the "in the moment feeling" (I may just be blabbering on now...sorry)


Have a lovely week!

Reality in Motion

Hello!

I'm home, back for a rest from the big smoke for a while. I've generally just been chilling, enjoying my free time. Of course I've spent the majority of this week watching Glastonbury and wishing I was there again (despite the rain).

The line up this year seemed incredible, Years and Years were insane as were The Last Shadow Puppets. Tame Impala, Foals and MO. I must admit that I even enjoyed watching Adele's set. (her bespoke Chloe dress was stunning). Even watching from my living room I felt the festival vibe which got me excited for Latitude which is only a few weeks away! Whoop!

This post however is non-festival related and is in fact totally inspired by a very talented friends of my Dad's. My Dad is an entertainer, singer, musician and all over jazz hands enthusiast. A few weeks ago I saw him going to a gig in the most amazing checkered jacket. He revealed it was made for him by a friends who was a professional tailor and now makes jackets for vintage fairs. When I was introduced at him during a performance for the Queens birthday I told him how beautiful I thought his jackets were and he instantly offered to make me one. Custom made and totally unique each jacket is completely individual. I love the velvet detailing on mine. The collar is black velvet but so too is the lining of the pockets (which makes me want to keep my hands in them). The shoulder pads give it a very 80's feel. It looks great with, dresses, skirts, trousers... yep pretty much anything!  I'm in love with it! 

I wore my jacket for the first time with my crepe silver culottes (Boohoo) and short sleeved stripy polo neck (Primark), My super shiny brogues and Navy bag (urban outfitters) also made an appearance. All jewelry is from eBay or vintage fairs. 

My Cullottes are a super shinny addition to my wardrobe. From Boohoo they are so comfy to wear day to day but i'll also dress them up when going on a night out. 

On a more somber note this weekend I went on a research trip with National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT). I am lucky enough to be a part of their company this year and will be performing Brass at the Hakney Empire in August. Brass is based around the story of the Leeds PALS who fought so bravely at the battle of the Somme 1916. Our trip took us to the exact spot the Leeds Pals went over the top at the exact time. These days it is a beautiful cemetery surrounded by farmers fields, (like so many others found along what would have been the British front line.) I don't believe we will ever be able to truly imagine the horror these men went through and a chance to pay our respects was a moment all of us will treasure. Four trumpeters from the company performed the Last Post. Readings were spoken and the song "You'll always have a friend" from Brass was sung in memory of the PALS. I know my great uncle fought and died at the Somme and the trip for all of us felt very emotional. The BBC accompanied us on our trip, filming footage for their commemoration news report. It was such a special trip and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

A few photo's from our visit. The top left is the memorial to the Pals and the right is where we sung. The bottom picture shows the a part of the barn the Leeds Pals were actually billeted to before being posted to the front line.

It makes you realize how much we take for granted but also how quickly the world has changed in 100 years but also how far it still has to go.

Tickets for Brass are on sale now!

Thanks for reading... I'm off to make a cuppa...

Enjoy the rest of the week