Heya! 

So I am back again for my Monday post! This time I've decided to do something a little different though. I have decided to do more of a lifestyle post all about my smoothies! They are something which I am always asked lots of questions about and I always receive 'inquiries' about them. They are also something which I have been having routinely now so I thought why not share it with you all!
Okay, so I am going to basically just talk about what they are and when I have them, as some of you may not know anything about them. So around five months ago I had actually had never had a fruit smoothie before and I was really intrigued to have one. They always looked so yummy in pictures and really healthy, and staying healthy is something which I am always trying to do (even though I am not that good at it). Anyway I was slightly hesitant to try them, as fruit smoothies often contain 'bits' which is something which really put me off and didn't appeal to me. This is also partly why I don't like certain yogurts. Anyway I never seemed to get around to trying a fruit smoothie due to this, until my family decided to get a blender.
We got a Nutri bullet which is a type of blender. (But a very good one in terms of blenders) I decided now that we had this blender I HAD to try a fruit smoothie, I mean after all I had wanted to for ages. (bearing in mind this was around 5 months ago). I made my first smoothie for a day out in Cambridge. I loved it so much! I cannot tell you how shocked I was at how much I liked it! From there on wards I would say I became slightly addicted! Haha! 

Smoothies obviously do taste different depending on what you put in them! Some combinations are better than others, I must say! But it is defiantly worth experimenting with them! Also more than anything it is sooo good for you! I normally put around 5 different types of fruit in mine so just think of all the nutrients you are getting out of one drink! Also because you have made it yourself you know there is no extra sugars etc in them.

If you were going to buy a blender, and start making smoothies I would also highly recommend the Nutri bullet! It is amazing and works so well. It is so quick and blends things perfectly. On top of this it is also really easy to clean it. Although it isn't one of the cheapest options if you want something which you are going to use regularly I would definitely recommend it! 
So to take you guys into a bit more detail I thought I would share with you guys some things which I tend to include in my smoothies, so here is a little list of the things I have tried so far.
  • Oranges
  • Mango
  • Pineapple
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Kiwi
  • Nectarines
  • Plums
  • Peach
  • Apple
  • Ornage juice
  • Mango juice
  • Apple juice
  • Tropical fruits Juice
  • Banana 
There are also loads of other things which you can put in your smoothies to make them taste nice, or even to make them even healthier. One thing which I have not yet tried in my smoothie but I've been told is meant to be super healthy and works really well in smoothies is flax seeds! 

My personal favorite fruits in smoothies are nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and banana. I also ALWAYS have orange juice and mango juice in mine. Adding liquid can make the smoothie have more of a smooth texture. Also how long you blend your smoothie for can alter this. With the Nutri bullet I do not need to blend it for long, however personally I prefer my smoothie when I have blended it for 30 seconds.

In terms of what I have in my smoothies I must say I do have a personal favorite combination. I love nectarine, peach, strawberries and blueberries combined with orange and mango juice. I also put banana in my smoothies a lot, however you do not not want more than one banana. Sometimes I only use half as the banana taste can be quiet strong compared to the other fruits. In terms of health bananas are one of the best things to include though.  

Another thing I very frequently get asked about my smoothies is weather I replace them for a meal or just have them as well as my meal. Now this is actually very much dependent. I will sometimes have them instead of lunch but a lot of the time I have them as well as my meal. For example if I have a long day at college I will have my smoothie in-between my breaks as something to keep me going. I find it keeps me more alert and I have more energy to do my work, I will then have my lunch at my usual time. However, there are other occasions were I may start later. For example if i start at 11;40 I may have had my breakfast later and therefore when my lunch break comes at college I will have my smoothie instead of a meal. This is not to say I know what is correct in terms of having a smoothie instead of lunch meal this is just what I do. I also don't tend to have my smoothies for breakfast, however I imagine for someone who normally skips breakfast this would be an great easy and fast option it is also very tasty! 


In terms of storing my smoothies I have several different beakers which I like to use when taking my smoothies with me on the go. I like to use a beaker with a lid which has a large cap. I prefer this for a smoothie because it is thicker a large cap make it a lot easier to drink from. It also means you don't get it all around your mouth! I also put a whisk type thing in my drink. (it is basically a whisk without a stick) this ensures my smoothies stay smooth. 

Another thing which can change the consistency or the smoothness of your drink is the fruit skins. Fruit skins are often what cause the 'Bits' in your drink. You can prevent this by pealing your fruit first. I personally don't peal my fruit first as it is too time consuming. However I do slice my fruit up into quarters to make it easier to blend. 

Also I forgot to add that since I have been having my smoothies I have also stopped snacking on all the bad food as I am not as peckish, and I have seen great results from this for example my skin has cleared up a lot more! By all means I am not saying its perfectly but the amount of new spots I am getting has definitely reduced. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading a little bit about my smoothies. A bit of a random post but I always get asked so many questions about them I figured why not? If you want to know even more or there is anything else you want to know please feel free to leave a comment! I would love to hear from you! I hope you are all well! Thank you for reading! 

Jodie x 




Heya, I’m back again! I have decided I am going to make Monday my post day and I will try to keep on top of it weekly. I have found recently that I have so much to blog about but so little time to actually blog! Especially now that UCAS deadlines and everything is coming up, which I am sure a lot of you can relate to! Now I am aware that we are officially in autumn now, and everyone is getting very excited with their autumnal posts however I wanted to do a little post to summarize my thoughts on the latest fashion month! I have been meaning to do this for while, but I don’t know about you but I have been finding it increasingly harder to self motivate myself once it has gone dark outside, as I automatically feel like it’s time for me to go bed! Haha any way I’m sure I’ll get used to that.

So the SS16 fashion weeks finished around a month ago now but seen as I had done a New York Fashion Week review I wanted to also summarize my thoughts about London, Milan and Paris too. I attended London fashion weekend which I wrote about in a previous post however there were other highlights and things which I was inspired by which weren’t at New York or the weekend.  
First up was London. I am always drawn to London and I suppose I keep most up to date with what happens at London Fashion Week as it a place I am VERY familiar with. London Fashion week I personally feel hosts the most daring, unique and in a way exciting designs. This year some of the names who showcased their work at London Fashion Week included Zandra Rhodes, Sophia Webster, Sibling, Orla Kiely, Mary Katrantzou, House of Holland, Gareth Pugh, Burberry, Ashish and Ashley Williams.

One of the designers which I was particularly inspired by at London Fashion Week this year was Orla Kiely. I was not actually aware of her until this year’s London Fashion Week. However when I saw her designs I fell in love with them! They may not be everyone’s style as they are very vintage looking however this is a look I particularly love. Especially the 60’s style which I felt her collection boasted. The looks were very feminine but bold graphic prints covered the garments. The pieces were so precise they look as though they were genuine vintage pieces. Her collections was very unique, it was the first time I had seen modern garments which were inspired by vintage to actually look like original pieces yet tailored to be different. The show had a nogalistia of the olden days yet seemed to fit in perfectly as a modern trend. It would definitely recommend checking out her SS16 collection.

The show which I of course loved at London Fashion Week was the House of Holland one. I had been counting down the hours to watch it and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The show its self was even very unique. Lady Leshurr opened the show with a performance and then the models took to the runway. The outfit’s involved layering, prints, and texture as always. “Henry designs with a London girl aesthetic in mind and is continually inspired by the variety of attitudes, cultures and mind-sets that exist throughout the UK capital. The House of Holland girl is cool, confident and savvy and wears labels without letting them wear her.” The clothes were striking. They involved a large amount of blues and pinks in the colour scheme. The stripes, leaves, suede, animal print and silks gave the collection a tropical vibe, and as always the front row was filled with famous friends of Henry’s. It was defiantly one of the London Fashion Week highlights and worth having a look at.

Milan Fashion week was next. Milan hosted names such as Marni, Moshino, Stella Jean, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Jill Sandra, Robert Cavalli, Armarni and Uma Wang. Milan fashion week is very well known for holding the establish brands.

Moshino was the show which stood out for me at Milan fashion week. You couldn’t miss it! I was actually counting down the hours for the show but even if you weren’t the luminous colours and hazard signs made sure you were aware! I am a very big fan of Jeremy Scott who designs for Moshino already, but he never fails to surprise me! This year at Milan, Moshino showcased its SS16 collection which involved hard hats and heavy jackets. The collection was inspired by work wear and signs read out “caution couture ahead”. The pieces boasted luminous colours and the collection made sure no one could be missed. Cones were used as accessories including bags and hats. The collection screamed ‘mad’ and looked like something Lady Gaga would wear but that’s what I loved about it. It was something I wouldn’t personally wear but as a fashion statement you couldn’t help but love it and the creativity it brought. It took the seriousness out of fashion week and everything seemed so much more exciting at the Moshino show. I was particularly inspired by the car wash section of the show I felt it brought a funky vibe to the show. Defiantly one I would recommend watching if you haven’t already!

Next up in Milan was Stella Jean. She is a designer who I have only become familiar with in the last year but I think her work is great. As soon as I heard she was showcasing at Milan Fashion Week I had to check it out. Her work and designs often have a cultural influence which is showcased majorly through her prints.

Stella Jean has previously showcased her love and inspiration from African cultures however for her SS16 collection she hinted Mexican and Spanish inspiration. Her African influences were still involved but different cultures were clearly explored. This was actually a very unique and interesting show in its own right as it not very often Mexican influences are brought to the catwalk. Her collection included her famous prints as well as ruffles and frills which showcased Spanish traditions. Beading was used and colour lit up the show. The show was vibrant and again one I would recommend having a watch of. Each look was different yet they all linked and I think that made the SS16 Stella Jean collection special.

Paris was the next stop on the fashion calendar and the last week of the month for the fashion weeks showcasing SS16 collections. Paris is famous for it traditional and elegant designs and this year it did not disappoint. With a list of the biggest names in the industry showcasing their collections, including Nina Ricci, miu miu, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Channel, Elle Saab, Kenzo, Celine,  Hermes and Alexander McQueen. The show also was host to the most hottest celebs including Rihanna and Nicki Minaj.

Vivienne Westwood’s show was one that stood out for me though!  As always her show was unique and rebellious. I always get so excited when her shows come around! Her collection hinted 70’s and disco themes. The collection included wrap dresses, ruffles and wallpaper prints. The show gave of a mystic punk vibe. Silks in different colours were combined using creative tailoring.  A mid century style was shown in the garments and the collection, despite being made for spring summer it gave a Halloween feel. Typical women’s garments were worn by and made for men. The designs still showed of their luxury at the same time though. To be very honest it was not one of my favorite Westwood shows however I am a very big fan. Despite it not being my favorite the collection it still blew the other shows out of the water.

Sonia Rykiel’s collection was the other show which caught my eye. I’ve have been familiar with her work for a couple of years now but this show really confirmed my interest in her designs. Her collection was easy to wear yet glamorous. Colours were used to give it a sexy, sophisticated element and shapes gave the garments a unique fashionable look. The collection was feminine but also confident with its colours. Sonia can often be a designer which is over looked in London however someone who is worth checking out!

Fashion month this year without a doubt has been a great one! I would also say it has arguable had the biggest attention in years especially from people who don’t normally follow fashion! Personally I particularly loved London and New York fashion Week this year purely because of the excitement the shows brought however the Milan and Paris weeks brought a sophisticated establish outlook with them that cannot be argues with how spectacular they are. I can’t wait now for spring summer 2016 to actually come around it fashion terms!

Sorry it has been a super long post but I have so much to say! I hope you have enjoyed reading about some of my inspirations from fashion month and having a look at my summary of the fashion weeks! Hope to be back soon to you guys with another post! Thank you for reading! Next time it won’t be as long I promise! Hope you are all well anyway, and please feel free to leave me comments whenever you like! Thank you!


Jodie x
Heya!

I'm back again! This time I wanted to do a post to let you all know what I have been up to at college recently. But before you stop reading I don't mean the boring stuff like coursework don't worry! Haha. So in fashion retail we were luckily enough to receive a visit from Zaf Shabir. Zaf is a model, creative director and stylist among-st many other things. He has worked in the fashion industry for a number of years. He visited our college to give us a workshop and carry out a talk about what it is like in the industry. Which is very useful knowledge to have for someone who wants to go into the fashion business.


Firstly Zaf introduced himself and told us a bit about himself and how he started out. He attended Leeds Arts University and studied Fashion Design. Something which was interesting to me as I am looking into Uni's as we speak (not literally as I am writing this post but you know what I mean. Hopefully you do at least! Haha) Anyway Zaf studied Fashion Design and whilst at uni he held down a job at Primark as a sales assistant. He talked of how this led to work experience in the head office and how later on he became a buyer for menswear in Primark. It was really interesting to hear about the kind of work he did in this role and what kind of things he was actually responsible for changing within the brand. Zaf also gave us an insight to what it is like to be a model and stylist.

Zaf Shabir's current job is as a Creative Director. During the workshop we learnt about what kind of things the job involved and the type of planning that was needed to be prepared for an event. We learnt how the Creative Director can be in charge of things such as scene looks, hair, clothes etc. I was personally very interested in the Creative Director role as I loved the concept of the creating ideas for different fashion events.

After Zaf's talk there was an opportunity for questions and answers. We gained even more knowledge about what it is like to work in the fashion industry which was really helpful. I would genuinely recommend for anyone who wants to pursue a career in fashion to get as much advice from people which have been in the industry themselves. The advice can be inspiring or just helpful but either way it is worth it!

After our workshop with Zaf Shabir we were set a styling task which we were also set to do a photo shoot for. I worked with my friends in a group and we set 'blue denim' as our styling theme. We had to take our images around the college. We chose places such as the media room for a plain backdrop, we made our own magazine backgrounds and also utilized the nature around the college such as the bushes and trees as well as using the college buildings and brick walls.

The photo shoot was a lot of fun! I've put some of the pictures we took and outfits we styled in this post!

Sorry that the post doesn't have much content, however I want to keep you all updated on things I have been doing and especially things which have inspired me. If you are also someone who wants to pursue a career in fashion I would love to also hear your experiences so leave a comment below and also if anyone wants to hear more detail about what we learnt about the fashion industry during the talk also feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the post!

Jodie x













Heya!

So I'm back with another post, I have also decided I am going to try and keep to a routine of posting at least once a week, so keep and eye out! This time my post is not actually directly about fashion but more of a post about what I have been up too! So on the 23rd of September I went to Camden with my friend. We were going as my friend won tickets for a concert to see The Weeknd. It was the Apple music festival which is a series of concerts each night in September the tickets are all free but you have to apply for them. I have applied every year for tickets and never won any however this year my friend won some and invited me to go with her. The concert was at the roundhouse in London, Camden.

We went up to London reasonably early as soon as we had finished college. We arrived at around 4:00pm but the doors didn't open until around 6:30pm so we went for a wander around Camden. I had been to Camden before however it was reasonably brief and I didn't really get to look around all the markets etc. This time however I got a chance to explore Camden properly and I absolutely loved it! I know people had always talked about Camden and it had been recommended to me several times but even though I was excited to go I didn't have my hopes up too much as often I feel places can be overrated. However it was with out a doubt even better than I expected. I also think that it helped we went in the evening as I have heard that Camden comes alive at night. We went for a wonder through the little markets and the down the streets. I loved everything about it, all the shops were unique and the place was covered in art, it just felt like such a creative and exciting place to be. There was a whole area of Camden were people where selling food from all kinds of countries and cultures. There was also vintage shops, clothes, music shops, boutiques and all kinds of things to have a look at. Camden also has its own lock and is set right by a canal. There was outside stages for performers and there was people everywhere who were individual and had there unique style but they all fitted in at Camden. To be honest it felt like you were in a whole different world. I loved it!! I genuinely would recommend to any one who hadn't already been to go to Camden it is such an amazing place. It is also so different to the rest of London and is such an inspiring place to see.


After having a look around Camden itself we went into the concert. We hadn't queued up and we just turned up when the doors were meant to open so we weren't expecting to get a good position or a particularly good view. However we somehow managed to get barrier. It was one of the most chill concerts I have been to the vibe was so relaxed as we went in which was really nice. First on was a support act called Justine Skye, although I wasn't particularity aware of who she was before she came on her vocals were actually really good and for a support act who people hadn't really come to see she did put on a really good performance. Following the support acts was The Weeeknd. The person who everyone had come to see. I do really like The Weeknd, however I had never seen him live before and I am not a 'super fan' so although I knew he would be good I wasn't expecting to be blow away. However I was so impressed his vocals live were so incredible and he put on an amazing performance. The vibe was so good, the whole audience was involved and it was genuinely such a great night. I would definitely recommend his concerts. Also when we were coming out of the concert we were also lucky enough to meet Conor Maynard and Casper Lee to which completed the day perfectly.

Overall I had a great day. I hope you enjoyed hearing about what I've been up too. If you haven't already been I would definitely recommend you take a trip to Camden. If you've already been I would also love to here about it so feel free to leave a comment below!

Thanks for having a read, I'll be back soon!

Jodie x
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