Lauren_Edit

I was going to break this into two posts but I mean, I didn't get the chance to blog whilst I was actually in London. I made a mini vlog (the ones I watch on Youtube are literally 10 minutes long) so by mini I mean 2 minutes in length. Anyway, I have had the BEST weekend. My savings account is looking a little sadder but I don't regret going down to London at all. The train I caught from Edinburgh on Thursday was delayed, so it took me longer to get into Euston than I expected…but that’s part and parcel of train travel. Emily lives in Kennington which is a super good location, so we didn’t have far to go to get back. I was so tired. Prepare yourself for a long description of my weekend as I try and cram in all the things I’ve done. 

Friday

I started writing like, a day summary and literally had 263 words before I had even explained what I did. I’m going to try and break it down so it’s easier to read (and not boring). Emily had a class in the morning so I met my older brother in Barnes. He took me to Olympic Studios, which was this really nice cinema-meets-patisserie-cofffee-shop place. I had porridge with sultanas and raisins and he had an egg and bacon sandwich, yummy. He had a meeting so I left and went back into central London. Emily and I had agreed to meet at Dover Street Market, but her class was over running. I decided to get off the train at Vauxhall and walk to Piccadilly Circus. I got sidetracked along the way and went to the Tate Britain. I was a tourist for a bit around the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben too. Emily met me at the National Gallery and we went to DSM after that. WE DID SO MUCH OK. After that we had Sainsbury’s meal deal sandwiches in a park before going to the Gagosian. I’ve been harping on about going to the new Patta store, so we went there next. I’ve wanted to go there for ages as they only had a store in Amsterdam, and I’m obsessed with their tote bags. We then got the tube to visit Goodhood, a store we both have never been to but I think it’s changed our lives. It sells clothing, jewellery and like really cool stuff for your home? Shame all of it was £4,000,000 but still, the best aesthetic. We then walked to Modern Society and poked around a few more shops before calling it quits and heading home. 

Saturday 

MORE. We decided to start at Borough market and walk down to the Tate Modern yesterday. It was absolutely freezing by the river, but we braved it anyway. London was sooo beautiful yesterday, you know, like the perfect blue sky winter’s day. Sunglasses weather. I haven’t been to the Tate Modern since they added the extension, but it’s such a great space now. I love polished concrete and high ceilings. I was a little bit afraid when we got to the viewing deck as I struggle with heights a bit (well a lot actually haha, poor me). However, the view was so worth it; on one side I could see Canary Wharf in the distance all hazy, and then the view of St Paul’s was of course, breath taking. Can’t believe we had the weather so good. After that we walked across Millennium Bridge and had lunch in that open courtyard bit by the restaurant they film First Dates at. We basically sat in the freezing cold to eat our Tesco meal deals, so we then decided we needed a gallery or a shopping centre for warmth. We ended up at Oxford Circus which was crazy busy. Never again. Completely forgot it was Saturday, so obviously it was going to be busy. We decided to head home as we wanted to go out for drinks later. We had dinner at Pizza Pilgrims in Covent Garden, which I swear by. The best pizza ever. Then we went for drinks at the Hubbard and Bell in Holborn. By drinks I mean we split a bottle of wine and ended up walking a bit haphazardly to the underground as we were intoxicated.

Okay that’s it, i’m finished. 

Quote of the day: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford” - Samuel Johnson 

Weekend Soundtrack: 

Northern Line - Jamie T

All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem 

Quick Musical Doodles - Two Feet 

Trust - Flume, Isabella Manfredi 

Vindicated - Dashboard Confessional

and this Hazard Mix from Fabric 

Lauren

Sporty and Rich Magazine

Listening to Christmas music right now to make myself feel better. I swear as stress increases so does the amount of time I spend at the gym. I trained today and yesterday and honestly I feel so much better for it. I never usually train back to back but I intend to go tomorrow too. I’ve been going in the evenings so I allow myself the day to work. It tends to be quieter which I prefer so i’m less likely to make a fool of myself. I’m also eating Rice Krispies right now, which probably has more to do with my unusually good mood. I have however just poured myself another bowl, but the ratio of cereal to milk is really bad.. cry. 

I’m currently feeling the stress as I try and cram in as much work as I can before my deadline in 2 weeks. Fun. I tend to panic myself and think i’m not on top of my work, when I am, because I’d panic too much if I wasn’t. I’m so unbelievably excited to go to London. I am just desperately in need of a change of scenery. I’m not intending to do any shopping, because 1) funds and 2) Emily has no funds. We want to do the gallery stuff, go to Dover Street Market, Palace, Patta, Goodhood, etc and probably take lots of photos, so make sure you follow me on Instagram for all that fun. If anyone knows any cool and unusual places in London, or things we could do for free please let me know in the comments <3

My Instagram

I’m wearing thermals on thermals and working from bed to retain warmth. London is supposed to be around 9 degrees so it’s going to be like a summer vacation for me. 

Quote of the day: “I don't want just words. If that’s all your have for me, you’d better go” - F. Scott Fitzgerald  

Song of the day: Last Christmas - Wham! (honestly the best)

Lauren

MIA for the past week as i’ve been trying to get my head around our latest publication brief and crack on with my dissertation. It has been a long week that’s for sure, it’s so cold I’m currently sat at my desk and my nose is running! The joys of being a student in Edinburgh. Last night I went to see Arrival at the cinema. Honestly one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time, I could watch it again right now. Very moving and beautifully shot, it had me crying as well as on the end of my seat. The music, the colours, the suspense, everything. It’s a must see. I don't want to spoil it by trying to explain what it’s about but Amy Adams is sublime in it. It was almost even better because I hadn't seen any trailers or had any clue what it was about. I couldn't recommend this film enough.

Arrival Trailer

Other than that, I'm going down to London on Thursday to stay with my good friend, Emily, who is studying at LCC. I'm so so SO excited to get out of Edinburgh but feel slightly bad that i'm not going all the way home. I live less than an hour outside of London so it'll be a shame to not pop home for a bit. However, I only have about a month left of term so i'll be home for Christmas soon enough. I finish on the 21st (cry cry cry) but to make up for missing decorating the tree, which is my favourite thing, i'll just go to the Christmas market whenever I can here in Edinburgh! 

Ok I need a hot water bottle before my fingers fall off...

Lauren

Late night post, I apologise. I’m just researching ideas / trying to find inspiration for a publication brief I have on at the moment and i've decided to go totally offline. I’ve checked three books out the library and it’s so exciting to conduct my research from something physical, honestly the change is super refreshing. I live on Pinterest - I love it, but I find I’ve been a bit bombarded with finished articles you know? Completed projects and ideas that mean I can’t produce anything organic myself. I’m looking at stuff that’s already been done thinking ‘why the hell didn’t I come up with that?’ - so goodbye online, hello books. It’s working a treat. It has been a slow start to the week yet I can't believe it's Wednesday tomorrow, this semester has flown by. 

Time to hit the books. 

Quote of the day - 'do things for yourself, in thirty years nobody is going to remember your choices except you' - unknown

probably one of the most important things i've ever posted, remember this. Today is one of those days when you have to remember what it was like to be 17, with the drive to fight against everything everyone told you, you couldn't do.  

Song of the day - Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional 

Lauren

For some deep, unknown reason, trying to find what this jacket was called took me the best part of lat night. Teddy shearling jacket, textured jacket, and now ASOS are saying textured borg jacket so we’ll roll with that. I’m so glad to see the back of this week, honestly. I feel like i’ve lived a thousand lives in the past 7 days. Its just been one of those weeks when you look at your life and wonder “what the hell am I doing?” That happens to me most weeks, i know. Anyway, project from hell has ended, I’ve cleaned my room (hoovered too, Mum), had Wagamamas for dinner last night as a little treat and now I get to spend the day in bed (kidding i’ll be at the library later).

So, I’ve found the jacket. A girl on my course was actually wearing one the other day with grey culottes and old skools. I didn’t ask her where it was from - error - but her outfit was on point. I see these jackets everywhere and i’m in love, they look like the best fluffy blanket you own but shaped into a coat. A lot of these come in a long line style, but I don't particularly like that length. Short jackets look better over hoodies too so i’m so glad i’ve found this gem. I put together an outfit that i’d wear inspired by this coat. The major bummer is, I’ve included two pieces from American Apparel, who are actually in the process of moving out the UK and their site is no longer up. I own both the items which is not helpful either, but I mean grey leggings and a white bodysuit are pretty much staple pieces of any high street stores. A cute bobble hat would easily go with this, along with gold jewellery or a choker. It’s possibly not quite warm enough to wear this but I adore the colours. Adding a classic tote is a practical yet stylish addition as well (desperate for the Patta one, but am i gonna pay £25 on eBay 4 1 thoooooo, no). 

Quote of the day: "The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg. It's about what you're made of, not the circumstances" - unknown

Song of the day: Come First - Terror Jr

ALSO On Hold - The xx (new) (so good)

Lauren

photo 1 unknown 
photo 2 credit
photo 3 credit

Today we actually intended to go to the beach for one of our agency Wednesday trips. However, Edinburgh had other plans and it solidly rained all morning, so we decided to dodge the weather and went to the Royal Scottish Academy just off Princes Street. I find there’s something about art galleries that is refreshing and in my opinion, crucial for creativity. Currently on at the RSA is the 119th annual open exhibition of the Society of Scottish Artists which we went to see. It’s such a nice space and the work is all beautifully displayed. As the weather closes in, it’s definitely worth a visit as a nice day out in a warm gallery!

SSA

Royal Scottish Academy

I'm still listening to Waves by Miguel featuring Travis Scott. I was actually dancing around my room earlier playing it loudly as I am that obsessed with it. So catchy. 

Lauren

I feel like i’ve over bent my laptop screen and it won’t go any further or something. Anyway, ok so, things now are super hectic. I feel like this has been the most draining / intense period of university like, ever. I prefer to work out the studio, hence the unnecessarily full desk featuring dissertation books, a lot of cereal, grapes and my gross cutting board. The current project I have has forced me into uni to work, so all that appears on my desk I take with me. To add to my many burdens, trying to balance that student drinking habit with all this work has taken its toll. My flatmates have gone to a flat party tonight and I stayed home to have a really long shower and contemplate life (am I 30 already).

I’m going to the beach tomorrow with people from my design agency which is going to be such a welcomed break from Edinburgh. I walk the same way everyday, and sort of almost in a figure of eight as well which is getting a little sad. I need to go down to London to visit Emily really so I should get that in the works. I think it’s crucial, as a creative, to have a change of scenery. I’m tempted to go to the Botanical Gardens in Glasgow because it’ll be something nice to do. 

Other than that, i’ve written 100 words of my dissertation, pulled a muscle in my leg from the gym, decided I don't like chocolate ice cream and ordered some cool magazines. THAT IS WHAT I FORGOT TO SAY, I ordered some magazines. Like, fashion-y, edgy? kinda magazines I found, so i’ll post them if they ever come in the post. 

I’m always the flatmate that doesn't get post??????

Quote of the day: “Time flies when you don’t know what you’re doing” - Unknown 

Song of the day: Waves (Remix) - Miguel, Travis Scott 

(honestly listened to this at the gym for like, my entire session) 

Lauren

Just realised this post is actually semi misleading, i’m talking about a small bag for a night out. I know i’m not about to jump up and go buy a bag from Celine or Chanel to wear to my local garage night, but a girl can dream. 

This has actually become a huge issue for me. So the deal is: I take one of those card holders with my cards in (lol, obviously), no change, my keys and my phone with me. Sometimes headphones, sometimes lipstick, sometimes a tampon, sometimes make up wipes, sometimes a mini deodorant  you just never know. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Me being me, I never queue for the cloakroom, honestly I just wanna dance and I will sacrifice being cold en route to the club if it means no queuing and paying to put my jacket away. As my going out wardrobe consists of skin tight basically everything, i’ve sacrificed pockets, no coat pockets, no trousers pockets. This means all the junk I take with me on a night out is passed to whoever i’m with. What if I want to touch my lipstick up? What if I want to buy another drink? (lol) 

I need a mini bag! 

I’ve rounded up some cool ones I found and also the classic bags you see on nights out. I think a backpack is definitely a winner for me. 

Grafea Fluffy Mini Backpack // £113

UO Black Velvet Bum Bag // £20

Fjallraven Kanken Mini // £55

Stradivarius Mini Backpack // £15

ASOS Mesh Bum Bag // £12

The best thing about small bags is you can add pins, clip pom poms on and really accessorise them to make them your own. Basically I just need to get one. I'm not sure how i've managed this long without one tbf. 

Song of the week: I actually finally signed up to Soundcloud, so here's my link for that

Lauren's Soundcloud

Also obsessing over Burberry's recent mini film?? Incredible.

The Tale of Thomas Burberry

Ok i'm done rambling 

Lauren 

photo 1 I couldn't find 

photo 2 credit

photo 3 credit

I realised that I never share any of my work on here, probably because I am my biggest critic and deem most of my work unworthy for anyone (seriously). Last night upstairs had a party until literally 5am I swear, the walls were shaking and we all slept horribly here, so the productive day I planned on having today took a bit of a hit. However, I’ve been to the gym, showered, cleaned my room and done some reading for my dissertation that has confused me even further, so all in all i’m on track. 

Anyway, I had a super helpful chat with a tutor at uni the other day about my future etc as i’m really trying to get that on lock. This is drawing I did of myself a couple of weeks ago and I think i’m going to use it for small packs I send out to agencies as part of my application. I’m trying to get my CV looking fabulous now as people are looking for interns for next summer already. Getting all my ducks in a row or something like that. 

I also can’t draw shoes, or hands. Haha, aww it has been a long day. Trying to cook salmon now and not give myself food poisoning. 

Quote of the day: “Give yourself some credit, you’ve come pretty far” - unknown 

Song of the day: Go F*** Yourself - Two Feet

Lauren

So, my family flew up to Edinburgh to stay with me for a couple of days, minus one brother. I tried to take pictures whilst we were all together, but i’m realising now I just have tonnes of photos of food…typical. I have been truly spoilt and I feel like I am going to explode. My mum definitely thought I was some kind of starved student, surviving on beans, eggs and like, potato mainly and porridge, oh and cereal! 

We went for dinner at Byron on Monday night, I always find it to be so hit and miss, but it was super yummy. I had a chicken burger and a salted caramel shake afterwards. My younger brother and I had to go outside because we were nearly sick. Tuesday I wasn’t in university, and miraculously the weather was incredibly nice, so we went for a walk and then went up Calton Hill for dem views of Edinburgh. I’ve also realised that my knowledge of things and places is literally horrendous, so it’s been an educational couple of days for us all. Never hire me as a tour guide. We had a coffee at the Fruitmarket Gallery which is one of my favourite spots in Edinburgh. I had a slice of cake too and opted for the salted caramel, mocha and olive cake which was unbelievable. Then we went out for dinner at Civerinos, which is just off the Royal Mile near where my parents were staying. The food was actually amazing, I had this porcini linguine thing and my brother had pizza with meatballs on and my parents shared a four cheese pizza. For dessert we had these mini doughnuts with mascarpone and nutella dip. Help.

SO MUCH FOOD, LIKE I AM BURSTING. 

I had university today so my parents just did their own thing and my brother stayed in bed. We met up for lunch before they left. I’ve written about Project Coffee in Bruntsfield before but honestly their fry ups are award winning, in my book at least. I haven’t eaten any dinner because I am literally so full. 

My family have left now which is sad. It was really nice to have them here and be reassured about everything i’m doing. Sometimes the regularity and monotony of university can make you forget about what it feels like to be a part of a family, but it’s always nice to reconnect and be with everyone again. I also need to see my older brother in London at some point.

I managed to squeeze in a gym session this evening which was much needed after all this food.

Song of the day: Alchemy - TALA

Lauren

So my unproductive half term/week off uni has come to an end. I’m in one of those weird, I don't know, it’s not an artistic block, it’s just everything feels super up in the air, you know. I definitely don't feel old enough to be in my last year and instead of feeling powerful I’ve just shaken myself a bit. I’ve got tonnes of exciting things I want to get involved in, I’m just trying to get my head around actually doing them! I’m pushing myself to apply for masters programmes in London which is superrrrrrrr crazy amazing but also so daunting! 

Ok, deep, sorry. I thought i’d collect together some stuff that i’ve been looking at lately for inspiration/to keep me sane. Most of these are from my Tumblr and Pinterest. Actually, this could just be seen as like, an inspiration board with a long rant at the beginning, courtesy of yours truly.

Other Inspiration:

Glossier 

AnkleMag

CatCreature

Song of the day: Tiny Cities - Flume

Enjoy :————)

Lauren 

(the pictures used aren't mine, sorry)

Currently in bed with a hot chocolate and some biscuits, surrounded by dissertation notes. Come through with that gym diet. I actually did work out today for soo long. The gym was really quiet which is my favourite, I tend to think I'm at risk of embarrassing myself when it’s busier. I even snuck in a selfie which just shows how empty it was. I’m trying to keep on top of exercising but my diet is not helping. I eat about 14 bowls of cereal a day. Helllpppp. 

I wanted to quickly talk about the Kith X Power Rangers collaboration (which I think actually drops tomorrow) and Champion’s Spring Summer 2017 Collection. Firstly, Hailey Baldwin looks unreal in the shoot with Kith. I love the raw cut hem on the hoodies, the embroidery on the sleeves and how Kith have incorporated their logo without it detracting from the overall theme of Power Rangers. It’s completely nostalgic but at the same time feels super fresh and modern. I’m obsessed. Secondly, i’m mainly yearning for the pastel colours in Champion’s SS17 collection. Reminiscent of milkshakes or sweets, the pink, yellow and mint green hues give such a 90s throwback vibe again. Not to say i’m about to jump out and wear a yellow crew neck, but you know i’m all about that baby pink. 

Kith X Power Rangers

Champion SS17

Song of the day: Rivals - Usher, Future 

Lauren

I’m feeling fairly certain that i’m still hungover but I’m back in Edinburgh so I can spend the week in bed. Last weekend (well the weekend just gone) I went down to Leeds to stay with some friends and partttyyyy. I actually ended up in bed at 1:30am, which is fairly embarrassing isn't it really. Perhaps at 21 i’ve actually lost my ability to drink. It was lovely to get out of Edinburgh however, and just be with my friends for the weekend. We did very little which was nice, and ended up watching a lot of First Dates when we were hungover and eating our bodyweight in chocolate and grapes (??? that combo). 

I’m in bed now, but i’ve got a hot chocolate and some porridge so i’m on the road to recovery two days later. I also managed to squeeze in a gym session yesterday when I got back, email my mum and eat a burger before crashing out. Something about travelling always exhausts me and I'm not sure why? Maybe it’s because I can’t sleep on trains. 

I have the week off uni now and i’m desperately trying to be productive. I’m focusing on dissertation research because i’ve neglected that a little this past week. ALSO forgot to say that I watched all of Stranger Things and i’m not sure what to do with my life. I got my dad to watch it too, everyone should watch it really. 

#deadlinesssss

Song of the day:

False Alarm - Matoma, Becky Hill 

Quote of the day:

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail” - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Lauren 

It’s a Saturday night and instead of going out drinking, i’m in bed with a hot water bottle feeling icky and gross. I had scrambled eggs for dinner, followed by some yogurt and a bowl of cereal. I feel my diet isn’t helping, but this cold has stripped me of any ability to taste anything. Aside from everyone being sick, university is in full swing. I can’t believe how quickly the years go now, summer was literally 5 seconds ago. I swear when I was 16, the days felt like they would never end and now it’s all going by in the blink of an eye. 

ANYWAY, super long post. I’m probably uber late to the trend of metallics but I felt like this needed a mention on my blog. I bought some silver washi tape over summer after seeing a picture on Instagram of someone using it to tape up their work. Obviously, yes, now I tape everything with it too. The foot even came unstuck on the bottom of my Mac, so I taped it back on with my silver washi tape. Too far? Maybe.

Not only do I love the idea of using silver in any upcoming projects (actually just remembered i’m currently using a silver broad nib pen for my graffiti project) but I also love it in fashion. Not like a subtle pearlescent vibe, more like, astronaut, spaceship, ‘i’m wrapped up in tin foil’ look. I found a few pieces I’d wear myself and as it’s kind of the Christmas season (not really but basically is) I think these would be fitting for any upcoming nights out. Definitely statement pieces, and would look super cute with black high waisted leggings or trousers and black trainers. A black bomber jacket or puffer would also add a really nice touch. 

top image is just from Pinterest,  I couldn't find the source 

bottom image is link