My BTEC Story

ONE WHOLE YEAR AGO

One year ago I held my end of second year fashion show. My class had to organise the whole thing as well as finish off our projects and FMP. It was the most stressful, tiring yet fun and eye opening experiences of my 18 years and honestly one of the proudest moments of my whole life. 

I know a lot of people don't know what to do with their lives and where they want to be in five years time and trust me at school I was that person. My brother went to Farnborough College of Technology and was studying Graphics and only had good things to say about it so I decided to take myself down to their open day and I've never looked back. I'm the type of person who really struggles in exams because I get so nervous I forget everything no matter how much I've tried to cram into my brain so the idea of a BTEC was at the top of my list and I'm so glad I did go down that route because it was so much more than not having to take exams. On this open day I had it set in my mind I wanted to look at the business course and I did don't get me wrong but I wandered up to the art department purely just to see if my brother was in and I came across the fashion room. I was sucked in then and there because it was so creatively busy I couldn't help but think I belong in this room. 

A year later and I'm starting first year and this is the year I wish I could go back and re-do. I was too busy making friends I slacked in class and it was honestly the worst. People say BTECS are for 'dumb' people and are easy BUT let me tell you it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. On top of my main projects which needed so much work into them I had hand ins nearly every week from my four other subjects and I just scrapped a pass in them all. 

In second year I changed. I was determined and I finally set myself goals and I achieved them. Second year was the hardest and on top of doing my intense projects we had to plan and host a fashion show showcasing all our work. AND on top of all of that we had a chance to experience first hand backstage at london fashion week and Top model events and also college trips which obviously lost us a days work (but was worth it obviously). So to who ever mocks BTECS take the course I did and we will see how you feel crying every other day from the pressure and stress of not getting things done on time and to the standard you want it to be. OH and also I got into ALL the universities I applied for and my bestfriend has just finished her foundation year at Kingston and is now on her way to Westminster to study one the top courses in Fashion Design. So shove your ignorant and rude comments about BTECS somewhere else because they are hard and we can get just as good results maybe even better. 

 For the actual Fashion Show boy did it go well! The show ran smoothly with no hiccups, all the change overs went fine (unlike fashion week THAT WAS STRESSFUL) and the speeches were just as nerve racking as I thought but what I loved the most was who came and who supported me. I had my family and my boyfriend at the time with his lovely mother. We had teachers and fashion designers from fashion week. And most importantly to me we managed to raise money for a charity that was so close to a fellow student from another department. Not only did I have that support but I finally had support for my dreams. I now know what I want to do and what I don't want to do. Fashion is a huge subject and there is some many things to learn from it and we never will stop learning. So if you're thinking that you might be embarrassed to do a BTEC don't because they set you up for great great things if you work hard enough. 

Styled by my... Dad

KIND OF...

I've been meaning to do another 'styled by' and seeing as it's fathers day and we've just done something very exciting why not let this one be the next in the series and kill two birds with one stone. I say kind of because I don't actually have outfit pics for this post but the top is my uniform and the only interesting part of this outfit and although my dad hasn't actually styled me it's the thought that counts. My dads idea of styling me would be wearing my norfolk arena drift team top and being inside a car so I haven't failed 100%.

 ANYWAY today is fathers day and I know this day can either be a really happy and amazing day to thank the men that raise us or it can be on the not so side great for those who may not have anyone to celebrate it with... see for me it's the other way round and for me mothers day is the day I despise. I have amazing people around me that I can celebrate mothers day with but it still doesn't take away the pain and it makes me more grateful for days like this that I can at least celebrate one of my parents special days! I'm just like my dad as much as we both try and deny it and that makes me happy because I hope that then means I've turned out just fine as a human. 

My dad has taught me a lot of things like to never slam the door otherwise it might dramatically fall off,to not leave the lights on because it racks up the electricity bill or that I need to scrap the shower door after using it so that I don't leave scale marks everywhere and ruin the glass. But the most important thing he has taught is that you have to stick to what you love because no matter how small you may be or how big the thing you love will never stop making you happy. Last weekend my dad run his yearly weekender in which he raises money for a local charity and holds two full days of fun for drifters (most of whom come to our monthly events) who come from all over the country. I wouldn't say the drifting scene is very up my street but the atmosphere and the people are why I go and my dad and his drift family do what they do. The charity we raised just over £3000 for was Nelsons Journey who support bereaved children. So overly proud to know a massive group of people that helped and supported us to create this amazing sum of money for the charity. 

So to all the dads out there keep doing you because you never really know the impact you might be having on your daughter/son. 

Happy fathers day.

Soph x 

Mustard Dreams

SUMMER DAZE

Today was HOT. Today I didn't have work. Today I liked my outfit. So on this rare occasion of a nice sunny day plus not having to dress in Topshop and work appropriate clothing (which is actually a fail) I thought I would document for you what I wore on this seriously sunny and sweaty Saturday. 

  

 

I recently went to Westfields and I was seriously amazed by the H&M. There was something very different about this store compared to their others particularly the Cambridge stores just because I felt the store was so visually well done that there was a place for everything and I could clearly see the products and the outfit builds around them which I don't find with other stores as they care more about getting all products out rather than a visual experience for the customer. As soon as I saw this top I knew I needed it and I don't really know why but the colour is so beautiful and the actual top itself is a little bit of me. I don't own anything like this and I could just imagine it going so nicely with whites and blacks which is basically my whole wardrobe AND it was only £12.99. Absolute steal! 

This Topshop pinafore is something I never thought I would EVER purchase but here I am feeling really in to it. I'm so into white at the moment that I probably by accident wear white everyday without fail but it's just so summery and compliments your tan sooooo well how can you not want to wear it? I'm really into tank tops, bardot and halter necks under pinafores at the mo so I gave it a go trying to be all cool and I really really like it so I'll be outfit repeating this! Trying to convince yourself to buy a certain trend you've hated for years is quite hard but sometimes it's quite refreshing and you should never ever cancel out an option if you've never tried it! 

  I just paired this outfit with my classic converse which I actually only wore to the shops because it was WAYYY too hot to keep them on for long periods of time BUT I'm still trying to break in all my sandals (because i'm a wimp) so trainers will be the way forward for now. 

Hope you enjoyed this little outfit as much as I enjoyed wearing it! 

Soph X

My Ride Or Die Beauty Products

MY GO TO PRODUCTS

I love makeup. I love that you can create so many different looks and adapt what you do day to day because you can constantly be finding new holy grail products. So from one makeup lover to the next (or not) here are my current go to products for my everyday 10 minute makeup routine. 

THE BASE

Please excuse my nails but I've been so tired recently I've forgotten how to take care of myself... ANYWAY moving on to my base products for years I religiously used the wake me up foundation by rimmel BUT I decided I didn't actually like it very much so I did some research and got the true match foundation by loreal and I AM OBSESSED. It matches your skin perfectly and is super lightweight yet super high coverage I mean could a girl ask for much more? 

 As for concealer let me tell you know why I didn't find this years ago I do not now but thank the lord I've got it now! I'm sure everyone and their mothers mothers have this concealer by collection but it just is that bloody good I can't see why you don't have it! If you have very tired eyes like moi this one is a life saver. 

THE POWDERED PRODUCTS 

Now I'm forever scared of patchy foundation so I make sure the powder I chose to wear will be on my side and I think I've defo found a winner. This collection Primed and ready setting powder is one of my favs and It's super duper affordable. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER. 

   To add some much need colour and definition to my face I use my Hoola bronzer by Benefit which I use everyday without a shadow of a doubt. This is probably my holy grail product and I also use it in the crease of my eye so when I'm feeling extra lazy and cba to put eyeshadow on it still creates a nice shape to my eye. A little goes a long way with this product so it lasts forever which is never a bad thing. 

THE HIGHLIGHT

When I first got this I wasn't the biggest fan but now I know how to apply it correctly I fricken love it. I love a natural dewy glow and this is exactly that just in a liquid form. I apply this with a wet beauty blender and again a little goes a very very very long way. Defo worth the price tag if you love a more natural dewy finish on your makeup. 

 THE EYES

Without a doubt putting on eye makeup is my favourite thing to do, makes me feel the most confident and is by far the most frustrating part of my whole routine. I like to change my eye looks but I always find myself picking up my naked 2 palette by Urban Decay. There is nothing more powerful feeling than having glittery eyelids am i right ladies? When I can be bothered (which is rare nowadays) I like to do my winged eyeliner which I've defo learnt over the years is something you do when you've woken up twenty minutes early. I've been doing eyeliner since year 10 and I've come to love and hate a lot of different eyeliners. I used to only use pen eyeliner but now I find it the easiest to use this liquid liner by Rimmel which is called 'Glam Eyes'. 

  And to finish off the eyes my go to mascara has to be my YSL one. This smells, applys and just looks heavenly so it's a strong 10/10 from me on that one. 

Makeup is something most girls love but yet is the thing that people pick on the most. So what if that girl wants to go full on glam while wearing a baggy t-shirt with a pair of leggings at least she feels comfortable and confident. Makeup is not just a 'cover up' it's fun and us gals enjoy caking it on and that's for my enjoyment no one else's. If you don't like it tough because we really do not care. 

Soph X

HEARTBREAKS

LETS TALK ABOUT HEARTBREAKS

No one can prepare you for a heartbreak. You can get your heart broken by boys/girls, friends and sometimes even family. No one can prepare you for that. You can either be the one knowing it's going to happen or the one who isn't expecting it. No one prepares you for that pain. You can be with someone for years, months or even weeks. Not a single person can prepare you for the feelings you can't breathe because of. Heartbreaks happen everyday, every minute and no one can prepare the world for the hurt and pain they will begin to feel. I've had my heart broken and I've had times when I thought I had but no one taught me how to deal with it or even that it could happen to me. I've been through the lot (especially in a year) boys, family, friends, enemies even people I don't know have broken my heart. 

   Relationships are hard and no one knows what will become of them months down the line. One moment someone could be telling you they love you and can never be without you and then a week later they leave you like you have meant absolutely nothing to them. I'm not going to lie I've been the giver and receiver. All I have to say about that is don't let anyone make you feel any less of yourself if they are the reason they left you or you left them. You deserve to be treated right and nothing less. Nobody is perfect and relationships teach you how to grow with someone, how to adapt with someone and how to be comfortable with someone but they also teach you how to be strong, independent and understanding. 

  Friends do come and go even if you don't want them to but that's life and that is how we live and we learn. Losing a friend is so heartbreaking especially when it could of been so easily prevented. No one can tell you to get over something so soul destroying than losing your best friend because that person was your partner in crime, your right hand man and your shoulder to cry on. I've recently lost best friends and it was so difficult to come to terms with but I made more friends and made friends that would never judge me on who I am or leave me when I needed them most. One mans loss is another mans gain. 

   Family should never leave you, abandon you, disown you but like I've said nobody is perfect. This one is the hardest to understand. Your flesh and blood but sadly everyone has the ability to let someone else down. Just know that no matter who it was that left you someone else is ready to catch you when you fall. No one should have to go through a family loss and sometimes its by choice and sometimes sadly it is not. People stay and people leave sometimes because they want to and sometimes because they have to. 

Lastly heartbreak can happen to a whole nation. You don't have to personally know someone to feel personal pain. The world is a dark dark place and we all need to light the way into a happier and more positive generation. We shouldn't let dictators, Murderers or even journalists bring us down because when we come together we do the world so proud. It's heartbreaking to see what the world is becoming at the moment but it is also soul lifting knowing that things like music, social media and even our blogs are helping to bring people together and sharing a much more positive outlook on life. 

Never ever think you can't cry over a heartbreak and that you should act strong because everyone deserves to be sad but more importantly people deserve to be happy and a heartbreak simply means needing to give your heart a break so when it's healed you can go back to loving someone with all of it whether that be a partner or a friend or a parent. 

You have got this.

Soph X 

Casual Sunny Sundays

Just before you read my blog I would like to say how insanely proud I am of the world uniting together to celebrate the lives lost due to sickening terrorist attacks. The one love Manchester performances made me ball like a baby and I'm not even embarrassed by it. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and I'm so incredibly proud that at 23 years of age Ariana has put together this amazing night and it will most likely be the most remembered night (for all the RIGHT reasons) of my generation. Big love to her, to Manchester and to all those affected by this tragedy.
#onelovemanchester #prayforlondon

SIMPLE SUNDAY STYLE 

Finally having a day off work means I can sleep for as long as I can and just chill but did I? NO. Instead I got bored of being home alone for the fourth night with my family up in the fens and my boyfriend being away in Thailand so I decided I would take my one day off before another 5 long days at work (I know poor me(sarcasm)) and drive up to the fens to see the what my fam were up to. They were building a kitchen so I was useless and have spent the time up here in the living room working on my blogs but at least there is more company than just my cat. ANYWAY before I left I put a cosy weather appropriate outfit on (which I actually changed just before I left) and took a few snaps for y'all..... 

The super casual grey topman jumper and the thrown on Topshop mom denim shorts equals for an easy, simple and comfy sunday outfit. Nothing glam and nothing too stylish but comfort is all the range and it's a 10/10 in my books to look like you've just thrown something on... which most of the time I have. I can tell I will be wearing this a lot on nice chilled out evenings at a beer garden or something.

Soph X

SONGS OF THE BLOG: ONE LAST TIME - ARIANA GRANDE & DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER - OASIS 

Remembering the good and BAD memories

REFLECTING ON GOOD AND BAD MEMORIES

Earlier on my auntie shared a memory on facebook and although it was vile looking (on my behalf of course) it made me remember that all memories matter bad and good. Although the memory was when I was in a bad situation in that moment it was good if you get what I mean. I'm so happy I can look back on my life and know that although I have had some seriously dark memories (as i'm sure all of you have too) I've also had some seriously insane and happy ones. But I will always look back on the memories I haven't enjoyed as much as they make you in to the person you are now because every moment in your life changes you and adapts your personality. Bad things happen for a reason because they want to teach us lessons and help us learn the rights and the wrongs of the world. 

My favourite memory of my whole life was (picture above) the day my dadda won his Super Rod (I think) world championship. I remember being a shy little girl watching her dad do what he loves and winning and screaming on the top of my lungs. What made it even better was that my dad wanted me by his side while doing his victory lap and the video makes me laugh so hard because I was so short and tiny compared to him but super proud that I was there to be able to share this amazing life time memory. Nothing beats things like that and I'm still super proud to this day for everything that has come after this moment. You the bomb Dad. 

I also love the memories of feeling happy, laughing till my cheeks can't laugh anymore and just genuinely feeling so care free in the moment. I'm lucky that I get to experience those memories daily because I have the right people in my life. I'll never forget being so ill to the point of near death and not seeing my bestfriend for a week and then when I surprised her on the shop floor we both ran and nearly fell to the floor hugging each other. It was only a week and we acted as if I had been gone for a year but that's why it's such an important memory to me because I'm cared about that much by someone. I also love our memory of dancing and singing (badly) to Craig David live because in that moment it was just us three and nothing else mattered at all (cringe but so true.... can I get an oooohh yeahhh) so thanks Craig you are also the bomb. 

Bad moments happen all the time and although I don't want to elaborate I will say thanks to the bad times because I can look back and say you've taught me to stay away from trouble, know who my true friends/family are and how to finally let go and enjoy myself like I deserve. Never in a millions years did I think my mother, working in a famous childs theme park and fire make so many traumatic memories BUT they have and I don't regret or wish they never happened because if I did I wouldn't be where I am today and most importantly I wouldn't be the Sophie I am today. 

So reminisce on both bad and good times because they're all relevant and have all shaped you into who you are today. Never let it get you down let it make you stronger, 

Soph X 

Charity Shopping Gems

CHARITY SHOPPING IS FUN

I think people tend to lose how special vintage clothing can be and charity shopping is the perfect way to find one off pieces that you know very little amount of other people will have and that can be really cool and old. People may think it's not for them maybe because they have a more modern style but let me tell you now the stuff you can find will REALLY surprise you! You have to be seriously open minded and be patient because it may take many travels to find one tiny thing or they may all flood in at once but if you keep hopeful and keep your eyes peeled I promise ANYONE can find something it just tends to be slightly easier for people like me who like the styles before Christ. Here are a handful of things I've been lucky to find and I'm so happy I have.

Slight disclaimer that the pictures are not on the best of qualities but ya know it fits in with the retro vibes so we have to deal with it. Damn you natural lighting but also thanks for fitting in with my theme here. 

The perfect evening dress

This dress is soooooo perfect for a more casual evening or if you just want to look a little bit more classy in the summer but without the hassle of having to actual piece an outfit together. This dress is from Marks and Spencers and is in perfect condition so obviously I was going to pick it up for a tenner! The darts on this dress make it fit like a glove and really compliments your body shape and i'm all about that but just to give it volume (describing a dress like it's hair but whatever) I added my western styled belt just to pull the look all together. The shoes I'm wearing are these New Look ones that my friend actually gave me (so i'm basically carrying on the theme here of stealing other peoples clothes) and I love them! I've been looking for a platform strappy black heeled shoe for bloody ages and I just can't find any that I like so when I got these I felt like my life was finally fulfilled. You'll see me in this outfit a lot. 

THAT CLASSIC REEBOK

This one was an absolute gem of a find and I'm so happy I picked it up! I wear red far too often and I love vintage well known brands so this was a defo grab. I actually found this in the men's section (where I find all my clothes) and I think it was like £3.99 which is not bad going for a classic tee like this. I paired this top with another charity shop find which is the green rain coat and I love this coat more than I love sensation crisps and that's A LOT. I'm a sucker for a rain coat so when I saw one in this pretty cool green I couldn't possibly leave it behind! I again got this in the men's section because I'm secretly a boy at heart and i'm okay with that! I've put these two bargain pieces with my Topshop ripped mom shorts and my classic Stan Smiths because why not. 

BAND MERCH IS IN 

I'm a rock chick through and through so when I found this actual Oasis merch I cried so hard (on the inside of course) and I knew charity shopping was for me. I was born 20 years too late and so seeing Oasis live is less likely than pigs flying (but with all the talks going on right now they just might start growing their wings) so getting any type of merch is okay with me especially when it looks this freaking cool!!!! I'm so obsessed with how bright that blue is but yet it still looks like it's a high street store type of band tee. Hell no guys this is an original and I'm never ever taking it off. To top off this look I'm wearing my (don't laugh) Marks and Spencers trousers and yeah my stans again.... 

So there it is some of my recent and fav charity shop finds. You don't have to spend lots of money on something to really love it and what's even better is that the money does go to charity which makes my heart a little warmer and my purse a little more forgiving. 

Soph X