THE 411 ON INTERESTING THINGS

The transitional season is tough. Summer slowly fades away as winter snaps its frosty fingers. Daily dressing becomes more challenging than Takeshi's castle. Shivering in the morning and peeling clothes off come mid-day faster than you can snap, 'of-f**king-course' when Netflix judgmentally asks if 'you're still watching?'. To distract from these temperamental times, read below for your list of interesting things that don't involve Matryoshka doll-like layering or in fact braving the outdoors in anyway.

How to live better

Not knowing what to wear isn't the only dilemma. With cold snaps and intermittent sun bursts, comes flu-season and vitamin-poppin' aplenty. And nothing demands a vow of healthy living, clean eating and a commitment to exercise three twice a week, than the first sniffle of a cold. Though made in good faith, enthusiasm falters by the time the last Kleenex has been used and thus all promises are forgotten. However, all is not lost, read this for tips on surviving and thriving in life... 

A little more Clueless

The nights are drawing in, the temperature is baltic and cups of tea plural are necessary to thaw you out. Dire, if you plan on leaving the house ever. Perfect, if hibernating is your intended pastime this winter. And nothing adds to this atmosphere of cosy contentment than a good ol' film, or perhaps a remake of a good ol' film. With the shiniest of hair and a penchant for calling out the ensemble-y challenged, Clueless created a fashion moment and continues to spurn a fashion movement. Inspiring Halloween costumes, fashion collections and countless memes. With news of a remake in the works, I'm committed to sourcing a Dr Seuss-esque hat and stocking up on plaid everything, yellow preferably of course.

Which witch is it anyway?

Nostalgia must be the trend of the season as the contagion for reboots continues. Another blonde stalwart of the 90's is revisited this fall; Sabrina. Yes the teenage witch, this time however, restyled in a darker vein, with gore, a looming pact with the devil and a non-talking Salem the cat, not to mention a new name: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Being loyal to the original, it's difficult to remain unbiased and watch without comparison, - this is my childhood after all. However, the shift from old to new was tempered greatly by this. Definitely worth a watch, even if only to quell the curiosity. 

To shave or not to shave : your choice

I pride myself on publishing hard hitting stories that revolve around current affairs (namely in the fashion sphere), but this is one that truly is breaking news... women have hair other than that on their heads. Though truly shocking, I implore you to read this and this. Sarcasm aside, destabilising gendered norms (i.e a woman or man should look/act/do a certain thing/way based solely on stereotypical troupes of what it is to be a man/woman) is something to be encouraged and fully endorsed.

Time to dress down

Halloween is nigh on upon us and with that the onslaught of costumes tormenting social media feeds. For those of us willing to spend three hours recreating a twenty-minute make-up tutorial, including prosthetics, contact lenses and enough glitter to warrant numerous hosings down, yet refuses to compromise on footwear comfort, this one is for you. 

The ugliest time of year

And despite just unloosing Halloween gifts of comfort upon you, the toll of Christmas rings and with it, the clang of ugly Christmas jumper season. With plenty of time yet to invest in one, or if for you Christmas jumper day is in fact the whole of December, stock up on more. Whatever your Christmas jumper proficiency, read this for tips on how to outfit the ugliness.

(Images via : wstyle.com, marieclaire.co.uk, Elle.com, vogue.co.uk, vulture.com & whereto get.it)

INSPIRATION OVERLOAD: HOW TO SEIZE INSPIRATION

Inspiration; an influence that affects ones person, opinion or actions. 

To inspire and to be inspired fills one with a vigour to incite a change of sorts, whether that be of opinion, of action, of appearance, of tastes... It's an inward manifestation of an outward influence. There are TED talks, podcasts, interactive classes, social media, TV, people watching. The assault on one's senses are boundless, some consciously so, some subconsciously, some to one's betterment, some detrimental. 

Undeniably inspiration is a healthy means of self growth. To endeavour to be openminded is most commendable, though it is tricky to filter the good from the bad, inspiration being indiscriminate. The pressure to internalise these outside stimulators is burdensome and can result in feelings of needing to 'fit in'. What begins as inspiration can easily metamorphose into comparison and intensify as feelings of envy, mediocracy, and inferiority. 

The reality of this was realised for me during a recent trip to London. What began as exciting; things to do, things to see, people bustling, clothes, colours, textures, smells, sounds; rapidly unravelled. My awareness of self was acute, my one too many jumpers exposing my newbie status on the stifling underground, my feet aching in my chelsea boots as trainer clad feet mocked me. 

Discomfort mounted as my outfit felt comparatively try-hard. What began as admiration for those around me, soured to envy and what I envisaged as classic read as boring IRL. Red boots lifted an otherwise basic B!*%$ ensemble, but just barely as the loose fit jeans and blazer were practical, but not practical enough to warrant such a bland ensemble. I was mediocracy incarnate, an outfit that was not a reflection of myself. 

In trying to plan out a version of my 'London' self, I forfeited my actual self, intensifying my discomfort in an unfamiliar place.  When a situation arose that warranted a particular outfit, creativity was extinguished as an impulse to look a certain way stifled any aspiration of personal style. 

Despite being saturated in inspiration, I rather ironically felt a suffocation of sorts. The resultant rendition of myself was barely a whisper of the usual roar of personal style. And on reflection my chosen 'London me' outfit (bandana print neck scarf, a silky cream camisole, vintage jeans, grey checked blazer, red boots and pale pink mini crossover bag) was pretty great. It was an outfit that albeit erred on cautious, though was chic in its simplicity. It was an outfit that I would happily re-wear. And it was an outfit that I now see was not the problem. Rather it was a lack of conviction in self in the face of overwhelming inspiration.    

Yet how does one prevent this self imposed silencing?

Favourite items, aspects of inspirational imagery and a conviction in ones' stylistic proclivities, ground inspiration in a you-ness that prevents feelings of compromise. Utilising one's preexisting wardrobe, incorporating ideas/images/opinions and remaining true to the basic principles of ones' style, results in an authentic version of self that is continually growing and prospering organically, vice altering oneself in a misguided attempt to appease self doubt. 

Imitation should not be mistaken for inspiration. Be open to the new and gravitate to what you like, not what you think you ought to like - now that is truly inspiring. 

(Photos via : fashionista.com, thebusinessoffashion.com & wmagazine.com)