Freak Out!

"Before I go on stage I always have a freak out that lasts about 5 minutes. I scream, I jump up and down and I beat my chest.  It always seems to help." Josh Groban

Stills blue Tshirt

Benetton Navy midi skirt-similar here

Zara orange necklace-similar here

 

 

I am having a slight freak out.  Not a freak out exactly, I am maybe just in a hyper mood. I am like Owen Wilson in Armageddon  "I'm 90% excited and 10% scared or is it 90% scared and 10% excited. I don't know. That's what makes it so intense." Maybe it is the lack of social contact, I have literally only really had long social contact with my boss within the last week.  Connor is away, my 2 housesmates were away over the weekend, I meet up with zoe for dinner on Friday night but only for 2 hours.  My boss is now my best friend.  Maybe it is the fact I worked for 6 days straight last week, had yesterday off and the weather was crap so I slept all day till I went to have my picture taken with my mum & sister.  I just need to do some to expel my energy. Feel like I am energetically rambling.

 

 

Ok, and breathe.  Yesterday after promising my mum for 6 months (it was actually her xmas present and birthday present which was on the 31st of December all rolled into 1), I finally got around to sorting out, a lovely girly photoshoot for me, my little sister and mum. Cue Kelly McAllister, amazing photographer for taking our photos, putting up with Carla's squeals that something was on her leg, my mum arriving in wedges to a forest as she is the smallest out of all 3 of us and my non stop talking & hyperness. Absolute Legend. Check out her website here: Kelly McAllister Photography

 

Here's a sneak peek of the shoot! I love it! So nice to do and have!

 

My mum wanted us all in matching white shirts and blue jeans. Hell no!!!! I wanted us to wear something nice and simple that showed our style.  I caved a little bit when I rung her and learnt that Carla and mum were wearing black and white.  Nice that we were matching but matching in our own way. Don't we all are just look like sisters???? Mum had me as a teenage pregnancy! Hahaha she wishes!!!!

 

 

I wore a gorgeous white jumper from Zara that Connor got me for my birthday. And a simple black skater skirt from Topshop.  I was trying to wear something that in 10, 15 years time I wouldn't look back and think oh jesus what am I wearing. Hair & make up I did myself! Really simple, rollers in the hair for an hour and plain make up. No eyeshadow or anything. Really proud cause I am usually crap at make up & hair!!!  Cant' wait to see the rest of the images!!!

Tomorrow I am off to London for 12 hours to support Connor in the final of a big modelling competition. Can I buy a new dress?? No. No I can't. Who thought of this stupid challenge?!?! More info on that tomorrow. I am home tonight to hunt for an outfit that I can wear from work straight to airport straight to final venue to after party to airport at 5am in morning back into work at half 9.  If anyone has any idea what to wear, please do help me out. I refuse to carry a massive bag around London. Rumour has it from my twitter stalking at Made in Chelsea cast will be there. Starting to freak out again.....

Delboy & Rodney

"If it is on sale and it's in my size then God wants me to have it." Laurina Kennedy

River Island Boho Shirt-similar here

Alex and Ani Bracelets

Elephant Juice heart necklace

 

 



So Saturday morning, my mum texts me at the ungoldy hour of 8.10am.  Why would we be up this early on a saturday morning? Fashion Souk of course! Fashion souk is a local event in Belfast were people can sell their previously loved luxury labels to locally designed & handmade jewellery and accessories.  It was my first experience of The Fashion Souk and I couldn't wait.  At this stage of my challenge I have a fair idea of everything I definitely want to wear in my wardrobe and this I look at and think....why did I ever buy this? You know it yourself, after a while there are pieces in your wardrobe that just don't work for who you want to be or the style that you want to dress like.  The Fashion Souk is a fab option for helping to recycle these pieces. And as every good daughter does, they rope their mums into helping them.

 



Not something you want to see on a early morning, your face on a poster

 

 

Located at Spires Mall in the heart of Belfast city centre, vendors are able to rent 2 rails or a table and a rail.  We had a table and a rail but to say we were novices would be an understatement.  People had signs, mirrors, table clothes, pictures.  I was straight into my handbag to rip a piece of paper out of my notebook to write that everything at our stall was five pounds.  To say we were surrounded by professionals isn't an exaggeration.  We stuck out like a sore thumb, spot the first timers!

I was amazed at the arrays of treasures at the Fashion Souk.  Poor mum kept getting abandoned as I snuck off to have a nosey at all the amazing pieces.  She was fine, she was chief seller! The Fashion Souk is a great idea for anyone.  I spoke to most vendors to see if they were first timers like me or was it a normal thing for them. Most people sold there every time it was on because it is such a good local event.  It was busy right through from 10am to 4pm. But there were other vendors who were there for the first time like me.  A friend of mine, Dani was selling previously loved clothes as she is moving to Vancouver soon so it is a great idea to earn a bit of extra cash.

I loved the fact this challenge has open my eyes to fantastic local brands.  Take Elephant juice by Linzi Rooney.  Linzi makes handmade bespoke jewellery from silver cutlery.  All I can do with a spoon is barely get it in my mouth with out spilling my food everywhere! Gorgeous stuff! Linzi very kindly get me a gorgeous heart necklace made out of a table spoon.  Wore it with pride at The Fashion Souk.

 

 

 

How amazing is this Scooby Doo chair?!?! I wanted it so much but trying to save for Florida.  This is on my birthday wish list if anyone is reading this and needs ideas!!  Back to the chief seller, and we made a profit! We decided that with our profit, we would treat ourselves to a girly dinner, mummy and daugther style. 

 

H&M white basic thsirt

Topshop Black Skater Skirt

Zara blue silk Blazer-similar here

Zara Black Court shoes

 

 

I loved taking part in The Fashion Souk, it is a great idea to earn money selling your previously loved clothes but also a great idea if you are starting out as a fashion or accessories designer.  I would recommend to be more organised than we were.  You want to be eye catching if you want to sell as much as possible.  Bring signs, table clothes, sweeties. Then you can either re-invest your profits or go out and have a few cocktails like I did! Definitely would do it again!

 

 

The next Fashion Souk is on Saturday the 1st of June. For more information, check them out on facebook or email them, links are below.

 

The Fashion Souk Facebook

@FashionSouk

info@thefashionsouk.com