Those are some pretty cool scribblings

Found on the table at my S.U. ...

... they were a surprising sight amongst the rest of the drunken drawings and notes.

Don't feed the animals!

One of the things I love most about collecting vintage (bar the actual discovery of a gem), is the way everything collected comes together to create a unique picture of yourself. 

Recently found (or given - thanks mum and dad!) items have been photos, albums, illustrations, prints, adverts etc.

Having moved into halls of residence this September, I've slowly been decorating my walls and shelves with imagery...

... such as posters, advert boards, scrapbook pictures and illustrations sliced out of falling apart children's books and annuals.

This illustration has everything I love about vintage rolled into one... 

... its got style, 

colours, 

fashion, 

humour, 

innocence, 

novelty, 

history, 

wear and tear...

... and design.

Stay tuned for more bits of my wall...

I need music in my life...

and ok so its not Christmas anymore... 

... but this cover just sends chills up and down my spine...

The Maccabbees:

Walking in the air...

I also need Marlon Brando...

Preferably as Stanley...

Bit of Art Deco to get the fashion juices flowing...

Last week I visited the Hoover Building located in north west London as part of my 'Black' project. 

Initially inspired by vintage and secondhand clothing, the project's final garment had to be created entirely from black fabric or materials.  

My initial thought of 'Ugh! Black?' (anyone who knows me, knows that my wardrobe is anything but lacking in colour) was soon replaced with...

... 'Wahey! Let's focus on shape and silhouette!'.

After design development, I saw my work become more angular and architectural. During my foundation course I had briefly looked to art deco buildings as a source of inspiration for my garment designs, and so already had images for reference. 

But I wanted to see first hand the classic design features of my favorite Art Deco building (Lucky I'm no longer living south of the river eh?!) and it was merely a short journey to find it.

The Hoover Building was gorgeous at dusk (yes I woke up late that day)...

... and ok so I may have looked a little strange to any of the public who see the building as nothing more than their local Tescos (travesty!)... 

.... as I stared in awe at this slice of architectural history... 

... of course taking hundreds upon hundreds of photos, but it just demanded appreciation. 

Every part of the building was thought through... 

Awesome trolley park!

... from the gates...

... to the windows...

... doors...

 

... and lamp posts...

...everything thing fits together perfectly.

Apart from the massive Tescos sign.

Images of the Black project coming soon, including shots of my garment (Burberry Ticket winning garment! (but don't expect anything too amazing!)) and those from some of the other budding fashion designers on my course.

What could possibly be a better use of my time?

This Christmas I set myself the immense task of completing a list of 50 of the best teen movies ever made... approximately 3/4 of the way through (plus the list of ones that could have made the list) and I thought I'd give my thoughts on just some of the ones which I have managed to watch...

Brick:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - just one of the reasons for watching this movie.  

A combination of murder, mystery and high school; as one of my favorite movies, I'd already seen this indie flick before finding the list.

Risky Business:

So your parents go away for a few days? 

Surely then the best possible idea is to trust a hooker and run a one night only brothel from the comfort of your own home.  

A young Tom Cruise makes white shirts and the subway look fun.

Can't Hardly Wait:

Worth watching purely for the amount of (relatively) famous faces...

...how many can you spot?

Just One of the Guys:

Insanely bad and good at the same time, but that's the charm of teen movies I suppose - 

although 

this girl-wanting-to-prove-a-point-so-dresses-as-a-guy-then-falls-for-a-guy movie 

is one of the better ones I've seen.


Sixteen Candles:

The original teen queen, Molly Ringwald, stars in her first John Hughes movie...

...(The big three of course being: Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink)...

...about a girl whose family forget her 16th Birthday. 

Co-starring another member of the Brat Pack - Anthony Michael Hall features as the younger geek lusting after our love forlorn heroine, this film is not to be missed.


Lucas:





OK I'll admit it - Lucas made me cry! 

(Although... so did Monsters Inc)

But this story of a boy whose the outsider at school really makes you believe that there are some genuinely good people amongst the bullies and jocks. 

Note Charlie Sheen's 7 minutes of topless heaven and a very young Winona Ryder.


Peggy Sue Got Married:





Time travel anyone? 

This movies shows us exactly why anyone who looks older than a teenager should never play a teenager, because sometimes its just not believable. 

However, that doesn't make the story any less likable; and its impossible not to laugh at a sexually frustrated 43 year old women, trapped in her teenage body, attempting to seduce her sometimes not so honorable boyfriend.


Say Anything... :





John Cusack - I love you... 

... Why can't all boys turn up outside your window and declare their love for you through the means of a boom box on their shoulders?

Election:





Reese Witherspoon's obsessively-seeking-success character clash with her controlling-adulterous teacher makes this film what it is. 

That and the rather gorgeous Kris Klein's slow (almost painfully slow) character.


Dazed and Confused:




A young Mathew McConaughey,

complete with a rather wonderful 70s haircut, 

likes high school girls because even though he gets older, 
they stay the same age.  

This is Dazed through and through, and the story of the last day of the High school year never ages.  

My favorite teen movie by far.

Private Resort:





Four words... 

Johnny

Depp

butt

naked

Let me know if there are any that have been missed off the list... and I'll give them a watch!

Next to watch is Rebel Without a Cause (the classic James Dean movie which started it all) - the only one that has made it onto the list of 100 greatest movies ever... 

...although this clearly says a lot about the genre, will it ever end? 

I think not.

To view the original list of movies follow this link: http://www.filmsite.org/50besthsfilms.html

Let's get this started...

My flatmate Simon is full of little musical gems, and this acoustic version of Two Door Cinema Club's single 'Something Good Can Work' is no exception...