Quote

"Sometimes opportunity knocks; at other times you have to purse it.

You don't want opportunity to come in on a boat when you're standing at the airport waiting for it" 

- I just thought that this quote was brilliant! 

Having opportunities is a great thing, but sometimes I think it is taken for granted. What do you do when opportunities don't come knocking? do you just sit around waiting for it?

I think what it means is that you need the right balance of waiting around and pursing your dreams and goals; on the one hand you need to be able to find the opportunities and craft them your self, on the other you need to stay still long enough to notice the opportunity you have had thats been right in front of you.

You have to be in the present,

Not the past or the future,

You have to be in the Now.

Alexa Goddard

Alexa Goddard

Wow! I have completely fallen in love with Alexa Goddard's cover of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

Have a Listen

XO

Joshua Petker

JOSHUA PETKER

Last week when I had lunch and a catch up with one of my friends she introduced me to the works of illustrator Joshua Petker. What really drew me to his work was the use of colour and the way that it looked realistic yet surreal at the same time.

Doing fashion I always like to look at new ways of expressing what I am thinking and I like the way that completely irrelevant colours are used to give it a little extra. I like how many different hues and blends of colour are used as well as the variety of brush strokes and texture. 

With this image I really like the usage and build-up of the background colour as well as the strokes and glasses of blues and yellows. I really like the realistic look of the girl in this image and the way that it gives a young playful yet curious feel. 

With this image I really like the watery effect that it has, it looks as if your looking though a waterfall and seeing a person behind it distorted by the way the water falls and ripples. What I love about this image is that you can clearly see the face and the mood is quite soft and gental around her and then darker around the edges where the bird/butterfly (unsure what it is) are.

When I look at this image I wonder what she's looking at and why is she behind or peering though water? 

And finally there is this more fashion illustration by Petker. I really like the way that the girls facial features are the strongest point in this image and how her hair and jacket are water coloured and almost look passive instead of in the forefront as I feel it draws curiosity into the over all look.

MelanieKatelin

XO

Mudderella.

Mudderella

Today I have signed up to do Mudderella. eeeek!

It looks like a fun exciting way to train and get fit ready for the Mudderella obstacle course. 

Lately I have felt like I have let my weight slip. I don't think I'm fat I just know that I could definitely use with a tone up and going to the gym seems like a chore as I normally set unrealistic goals but as I know that I have paid to sign up to do Mudderella it has really made me think of a plan. I am going to do the Mudderella course with my aunty so we have planned to follow the Basics to Mudderella training plan and train together twice a week or more depending on when we can fit it in. And we only have 12 weeks to do it!! 

So what is Mudderella all about?

Well its a 6 mile long muddy obstacle course! Funtastic!

On the website it says that there are 12-15 obstacles from:

crawling to sliding to climbing to fun piggie-back races and wheel barrow running. 

I don't know about you but I think that this is a great way to set a fitness goal with an aim at the end which is to complete Mudderella and have some fun doing it!

I am going to write weekly post about how the training is going and how I am getting along as well as adding pictures from Mudderella.

MelanieKatelin

XO

Divergent Review

Divergent

Divergent. Lets just say that I've been to see this film twice in the cinemas... I want to go again! And I really really need to read the books too!!

Divergent is based around the story of Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James), Tris has her test and finds out that she is 'divergent' and does not comply to only one faction meaning she does not fit into their society.

When Tris joins the Dauntless faction, she meets Four who is to be the new recruits mentor and guide them through their training. Tris is one of the weakest and she has to work her way up the ranks to keep in dauntless otherwise she will be made 'factionless'.

You find out that Four is also 'Divergent' when he trains Tris on how to pass the mental test. You find out that Four has four fears, hence his name, and he shows Tris how a dauntless' mind would conform to their fears.

Tris and Four also have to find out what Erudite is upto within Dauntless before people are harmed and in serious danger.
They have to help stop a massacre of innocent Abnegation people and help stop Dauntless from becoming murderers.

A MUST WATCH!

XO

Decoration

Decoration can be anywhere.

I feel that at the back it makes it look much more classy.

Detail is endless.

Beauty is everywhere.

Simona Semen

Simona Semen SS14

I just love this look! I love the mix between lace and brocade, and the look of having lace 3/4 trousers to go with the top and skirt combo, not a typical look that is seen, but it is very stylish and really works in this image.

xo

a picture tells 1000 words...

They say a picture tell 1000 words, so what does this tell? 

I came across this image by simply typing into google 'fairytale fashion shoots'. 

I think that this image shows the divides between society as well as it being a beautiful fashion shoot to show the beauty and contrast of this white dress and this dull shabby environment. 

So what is it that I can see in this image?

This images provokes the thought of how people pretend to be someone and something that they aren't. People dress and show as much outer beauty as they can to hide what is really going on with them. 

Although she is dressed in a beautiful dress, she looks lost and upset sat on that window. Everything around her is breaking down, it looks broken. 

why is she sad?

why is she surrounded by burnt broken dull walls?

what does the dress say about her? 

is it pure because its white? 

is it status?

what is her posture saying? 

Images can show you so much but it just depends on how you read that visual. 

Sushi Anyone?

So the other day my mum brought me a sushi workshop class of groupon and I had so much fun! 

The workshop was in Sherwood Cookery Workshop on Sherwood road. The food was all supplied by them and it catered for both fish and non fish eaters. 

Below is an image of my final sushi roll all chopped up and presentable. I was also lucky enough to be visiting some friends and Japanese friends who told me that it was actually really good. Proud moment! 

White and Pure and Beautiful.

I felt looking at animals this morning and I saw this beautiful white bengal tiger. I just love the pureness of the coat, the uniqueness of the markings and just the beauty of these animals.

Real Bows and Waterfalls ....

Bows and Waterfalls, felt like actually showing some real Bows and Waterfalls due to my last post. I was really only referencing the fabric so I guess I shall leave you with the Bows and Waterfalls...

Bow and Waterfalls...

I can't quite remember how I came across this image or who this bridal gown is by as I found it whilst I was researching on my phone however, I love love love the bow and waterfall detailing at the back! Its subtly puffy due to the full skirt it has and also due to the waterfall at the back. 

I just thought that I would share this image as I really like the back!

MelanieKatelin

Jason Walker - Kiss Me

Being the telly addict that I am, I am obsessed with the CW's Reign series. I was trying to find promo's for the episodes and I found a video which goes with this song that shows all the cute times between Mary and Francis. I just love love love this song and thought that I would share it with you!

I think that the lyrics really go with Mary and Francis' love story and the lyrics themselves are beautiful!

So for anyone who's as obsessed with Reign as I am, watch this video, it is so so so sweet! And Francis looks seriously hot!

And here is the original song to listen too, it is so so so lovely!

Pink and Coats and Winter..

How cute is this?! Love love love it!

Alexis Mabille SS13

This year I have really been into pink, nevermind the fact that its my favourite colour, I just feel like fresh hues are needed in winter. Why do we feel compelled to wear dark dull colours in winter? Is it because thats what our mood feels like? Is it because the weather makes us feel this way? I'm not sure but this winter I want to be a little more colourful! 

I was in town shopping for christmas presents when I came across some beautiful pink coats and I thought why not do a blog on the coats that are out on the high street right now. So here are some of my favourite pink coats and jackets.

River Island £45.

Oasis £98.

Warehouse £95

Hugo Boss £270

Urban Outfitters £165

A Little Bit Of Masculinity

Lately I have really into the masculine look as I've been doing a shirt project and the way tailoring is making the female body both either more feminine or slightly masculine looking. Fashion is whatever you want it to be. What look do you want? Who do you want to be today? Do you want to be a girlie girl? Do you want to be strong and empowering? Sharp angles or curves? Wearing the right clothes makes all the difference to your look.

The masculine look can still be feminine, all you need is a nice pair of heels, added with a sharp blazer and some black trousers and that's the look sorted. 

One of my favourite looks is from Dior AW12/13. This is a perfect example of making the masculine look work for you. 

What I love about this look and style is the clean cut and empowering look it has. I think a look like this for work will really make you stand out and make you feel like more confident. If its one thing that I believe in its that if you dress the why you want to feel or you will behave that way. 

Whenever I have had any exams I have gone into my exam with a blazer, heels and just looked really pretty and smart and something about that feeling mentally helped me. I would come out feeling like I had done my best and I didn't come out thinking that I could have done better during that exam.

Ruffian AW11/12

This look is a casual masculine style; slightly buttoned down silk blouse, slouchy trousers yet elegant looking with heels. It has that strong masculine feel but it looks classy, edgy and modern.

I think if you have the confidence to wear this style then you should wear it with pride. 

CQ pop-up shop

So I've been back home in Nottingham for about 3 weeks now and yesterday I went to the CQ pop up shop in the lace market to go and see my old boss' with there sneinton collectives spot and its brilliant!

The pop up shop has a bit of everything in there, it is really a great place to go to find some quirky items for yourself or as Christmas presents! 

This is the layout of the sneinton collective pop-up space. As you can see its not just clothing, there is iron work, wood work, jewellery designing and concrete work if i remember correctly. I was lucky to do work experience with One BC last year and now I'm home I will be going in to help with the pop up shop hopefully.

As you can see the space is quite large and there are a lot of other areas like this all around the shop with fun and exciting pieces. 

Below is one of my Instagram picture, (I'm instamad!) of my lovely day looking around the CQ and having a huge catch up with Reeta (OneBC owner).

As you can see there are ties, card wallets, purses, fur scarves, jackets, dresses, shirts, suits, everything. All of the stock is high quality material and it is all hand made one-off garments.

My favourite was the sheepskin scarf! It was so so fluffy and it was so snug, perfect for a winters night. But in saying that I also love love love all the different jackets and dresses that One BC make. Below you can see the back of a jacket which is made out of sari's. It is a really modern take on wearing a sari and I think that its stylish and anyone can wear it. Plus pink is my favourite colour so that me sold sold sold!

So this is the front and back of the sari jacket which is stylishly being worn over a metallic dress which I think really brings out the gold of the sari jacket. What I like about this is that it has so much colour and style to it. It feels lovely and on the inside the lining is beautiful and soft and I just wanted to take it off the mannequin, actually i wanted to take everything new that I hadn't seen and tried on before of the mannequin's!! I actually did take the scarf of the mannequin, I'm terrible I know!

To carry on with the Sari garments I thought that i would show you the males sari shirt. Yes that shirt is made out of a sari. Crazy I know, doesn't look like one at all! 

In the cabinet you can see there are more styles of men's shirts and zip/lace trousers... They are TOTES AWESOME!

OK OK OK while I'm talking about AMAZ things, can you see that red jacket? Yeah... well this isn't a plain and boring jacket nope not at all, this jacket is mad out of red pony hair an leather. It looks and feels AMAZING! I tend to just stand and stroke it. I try and get customers over just so I can stroke it and have an excuse. Seriously it is amazing!

Oh and have you seen that dress? lace, hood, black, little, dress.... what more do you want?
Oh yeah, there is also one that has a cow neck. Oh and if that's not good enough or not quite how you like it, you can place an order to be fitted for a dress in any colour and style you want.

Don't let me forget about the men though because there is plenty for them! Loads of different styles of shirts. - Zip collar? Lace? or just plain there will be a style for you. Plus there are seriously cool pin-up ties as you can glimpse in the far left shirt. Or there is the lace and silk tie on the far right with the tailored suit jacket which has metallic petrol blue leather on the pockets.  

There really is something for everyone here no matter your style.

So if your around in Nottingham this December and fancy popping in and looking around get to Fletcher Gate and visit the CQ pop up shop.

Melanie Katelin 

xo

1st day!

Ok so last night was AMAZING! I went to digital with my flatmate, had such a fun night! This club is crazy, so much going off there all the time, different music, it was just great!

Plus it was the fist time I went out in FLATS!!!! arrrrrr CRAZY, the things uni does to you!! but to be far it was the best night out, my feet did not hurt AT ALL!!!

I went to Primark earlier and the one in Newcastle is almost as big as the one in London!

Im going out again tonight, doing a bar crawl i think which should be fun!

xo

University!

Hey Guys,

I moved into Uni today which is CRAZY! Took 4 hours to get up to newcastle but hey its worth it!
My room is so nice, really big and spacious, so i am not complaining not one bit! Im a lucky girl and my mum and very close friend helped me unpack the whole of my stuff into my room, I think I brought WAY too much! oh well!

I will admit, it was really hard saying goodbye to my mum and brother but I managed to hold the tears back for a little while! I guess its only human to cry right?!

And I am currently getting ready for my first night out on the toon!! EXCITING!!

xo

Zuhair Murad

This is just a real quick post before I head to college! I found these pictures yesterday which I had saved on my phone as I think that Zuhair Murad is an INCREDIBLE designer and I love his creations and how beautifully embellished they always are!!

INSPIRATION BABY!!

xo

19-06-2013

Wednesday 19th June 2013

Today has been BRILLIANT!!!!!

We had a One-BC field trip out to fabric houses so that all the swatch books could be updated and we also had the chance to look around at all of the fabric.... BAD IDEA!!!! I fell in love with EVERYTHING!!!!!!

We first went to Bateman Ogden and all that I have to say is WOW.. You know the rush of when you are about to get something new and exciting, or as the saying goes....:

I felt like a kid in a candy shop!

It was literally as through Christmas AND my Birthday had both come round at the exact same time. The amount of wool blends that there were was crazy!! 

This wool blend and colour was MY FAVOURITE!! I think it was a 160 Wool Mohair blend but I'm not 100% sure :/ I sooooo should have taken note right?! 

But either way, this wool blend was soft and I have not seen any suiting fabric this colour!! BEAUTIFUL!

I LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! can you tell? hehe

This is also a quick shot that I took of the linings that were there upstairs and under the table were loads of remnants and Bateman let me take two remnants for a fraction of the price which was just wonderful. The items that I took were from rolls that were now discontinued and I think that its brilliant that I can create my first item out of suiting fabric. I think that I am going to make a bralette as there is not really enough fabric to make anything else. 

So I now have a fun and exciting project ahead!! woooooooo hoooooo.

We also brought some beautiful fabric which is 80% wool and 20% silk, you would not believe how soft it is. You have so got to feel it! I am hoping to create some high waisted smart sorts out of the meter that I brought. I will add LOADS of pictures of my projects on here and on my Instagram ---> @melaniekatelin.

But before you think that I have finished, we also went to Huddersfield Cloth where we didn't really look at much fabric, but we did have a lot at a lot of swatches and we did see the lining room which was lovely!!! 

I also was given some remnants from here at discounted prices which I will be making hopefully a small shirt which will be GREAT fun!!

Today was lovely!!!! 

Had a great time with Reeta and Stephanie and I cannot wait until tomorrow for a day at college and for a day at work.

Also Follow -----> @One_BC on instagram!!!

I Love this stripy shirt fabric from the fabric book. It was amazing, so colourful and different. 

Three of the fabric pattens from the fabric book.

And another!!!

Reeta looking at the fabric swatches.

This is a photo from my instagram @melaniekatelin I just felt like doing a collage hehehe.