Anything but amateur: Wish Magazine review

I love supporting projects within our wonderful online community, so I splashed out on arguably one of the most anticipated reads in the blogsphere. Wish magazine arrived through my letter box a couple of weeks ago and it definitely lived up to the hype. I've been slow on the uptake mainly due to work commitments and I wanted to do a review once I'd read through every single page thoroughly.

And what an amazing thing it was to actually read a magazine instead of flipping through countless adverts. Wish magazine roots can be found with it's namesake blog Wish Wish Wish, run my the lovely Carrie. Like it's Internet sister it's pages are filled with beautiful photography and charming whit from all of it's contributors.

The topics within this issue are as diverse as the blogsphere itself, from fashion to travel to food, it's like all of my BlogLovin' subs printed out into a lovely little booklet all wrapped up in candy colours for me to read when I can't get to a computer. Some of my favourite articles have included a whole spread recommended tea rooms in London, a guide to Vintage shopping around the world and a nostalgic musings on letter writing and pen pals.

Carrie herself admits in her editorial letter that it is by no means perfects. But that's really where the charm lies. The articles are like postcards from friends and completely approachable to read.

In addition to it's light tone, the whole magazine is artistically stunning. From it's very professional looking fashion stories, to the wonderful illustrations and amazing typography. The whole thing is very stylised but I love that, it's gorgeously candy wrapped and some pages are very much reminiscent of old issues of Vogue.

My favourite part is actually the little note at the end. How many magazines actually thank you for reading them? 

Wish magazine is definitely a recommended read and still available Internationally, so grab a copy while it's still in stock here! 

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

This Week...

- Arm candy - Hammock time at a BBQ last Sunday - Day #14 - Day #15 - Commute reading: The Jane Austen Book Club - New book! - Day #16 - Day #17 - Friday evening commute & treat - Day #18 - Dad's birthday meal - Bookmark that came with my sister's Amazon order - New favourite skirt from New Look - Saw Brave yesterday: 10/10 - I want this hat! - 

Follow me on Instagram [@rcagz] for my photo diary

Soundtrack: RENT OST - Love Heals

Another week done and dusted, and I'm quite surprised with how much I've done. Aside from the usual placement bits, I've managed to organise my blog life a little and have got some decent posts coming up in the next few weeks. 

Vintage Style arrived through my letter box this week, I'd been after it since I found a copy in Urban Outfitters at the beginning of the Summer. I've leafed through and read a lot of it already so can't wait to review it properly. I got a nice surprise entry in IFB's Links A La Mode last Thursday, which is always lovely. I seem to have fallen out of step with the blogging community, which is never a good thing, so this recognition has definitely pulled me out of my funk a little bit and has made me want to get back in participating in all aspects of the community!

The bank holiday is in full swing now and started with my dad's 50th birthday on Friday at a Chinese restaurant. I also saw Brave yesterday evening with my sister, which was just crazy amazing. I love a good Disney Pixar movie and Princess Merida is just on Pocahontas levels of awesome. I've mainly been chilling out today, it's going to be nice to have a lie in tomorrow but I've got a very hectic week ahead and will be heading up for a mini holiday to London! Can't wait! 

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: AUGUST 23RD

Wow a little mention in this week's IFB Links A La Mode! Thanks to the editors for choosing me :) always a privilege to get recognised alongside to awesome bloggers!

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Size Matters

Edited by: Emily of Sugar & Spice Well, IFB have certainly started something: a debate on the internetz about size and how it matters – or not – in blogging and, more importantly, whether it should matter. This week’s post reflect this discussion and put forward some compelling and eloquently written arguments. Make sure to read and digest these posts and hopefully come back next week with your own responses and contributions? Here in the UK it’s nearly the last Bank Holiday weekend of the summer which can only mean one thing: Autumn’s around the corner – and the IFB Conference. Clearly a lot of this week’s bloggers have next season on their mind as they have been writing about their favourite trends for the new season. And if you’re attending the IFBCon next month, make sure to check out the packing guides below:

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: AUGUST 23RD

 

• Are We On Time?: Fall Favourites
• Best of Bklyn: How to quickly remove deodorant stains on clothing
• Brooklyn Bliss: How to pack for a trip
• By Rebecca Louise: One skirt for five very different occasions
• Delphina Luxe: On being inspired by Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations at the Met
• Frugal, Flirty N Fab: Blogging, body issues and me
• Girl Does Geek: Body Image and Diversity in Fashion Blogging: Is it an American problem?
• Girl In Betsey: Trousers and flats for Fall 2012
• Inspirations and Celebrations: Fall Fashion for 2012
• My Belonging: A father’s sartorial inspiration
• My Fashion Slash Life: What Did You Wear To The C/O Berlin, ‘Timeless Beauty, 100 years Of Fashion Photography’ Exhibition?
• Real Girl Glam: What to wear to a blogging conference
• Shapely Chic Sheri: Trends and their cycles
• South by Style: Four trends anyone can wear this Fall
• Style Bizarre: 7 Steps to cure bloggers’ block!
• Style Inked: A Walk Through the Bangle Bazaar
• The Curvy Elle: On Being Plus-size and the fashion industry
• The Taxonomy of my Wardrobe: An Ode to Summer Whites
• Twelve52: Outfits for interviews within the creative industries
• Wishing For Chanel: Real People, Real Style at J Crew for Fall

  Sponsor: New Dresses at Shopbop : Milly, Rodriguez, Theyskens, Deane, tba, Malandrino, Issa, Rachel Roy, ALC, Herve Leger & James Perse If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode widget on the right side of the blog, and will be published later today. ~ Jennine

Fashion's Night Out 2012 music video

[Video via Billboard]

It's that time of year again! Fashion's Night Out has arguably become one of the biggest events in the sartorial calender. This year FNO is well and truly global with events on nearly every single continent in the some of most stylish cities in the world.

Last year, FNO released a music video to promote the night featuring the cast of Glee interpreting Bowie's 'Fashion' with Lea Michele on lead vocals. As a Glee fan I loved last year's video, and as a proud supporter of Team Starkid it's great to see Darren Criss heading up lead vocals on Madonna's 'Dress You Up' with an all star cast of celebs making appearances. The cameos range from Alexander Wang to Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss to Olivia Wilde, Coco Rocha to Usher, even a certain Ms Victoria Beckham makes an appearance. The video also showcases the charity t-shirt that will be sold at the New York night. 

As a Darren fan and a fashion blogger this video is just perfection for me. 

Will any of you be heading down to any of the events this year? Or just watching from afar?

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

#Indulgence : Zara Leather Sling-backs

[Black sling-back heels, Zara, £19.99]

You know those days when just happen to be browsing your favourite shopping website and you stumble upon a bargain so good that you have to snap it up?

Well this was one of those bargains.

I'm completely guilty of browsing the Zara website at inappropriate hours of the morning. So when I clicked on the Sale section a few weeks ago, you can imagine my surprise when I found these. I've been on the hunt for work shoes since starting my placement and while I do have a few decent pairs already, I kind of wanted to collect a few pairs that would last and be kept for days when I felt like I needed to be a bit smarter. Made of goat's leather with pretty gold detailing these lovely sling-backs stood around the £40/50 mark before they were reduced to just £19.99! Wonderful bargain and comfy too. 

I just need to make sure this not so wonderful British weather doesn't damage them. 

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

This Week...

- Commute reading: Virals by Kathy Reichs - Zara delievry arrived! - Day #9 - Day #10 - Horrible weather in the morning - Healthy eating is healthy - Day #11 - Sunshine! Woop! - Day #12 - Day #13 - Bored at work yesterday - Saturday evening chillaxing with the family - 

Soundtrack: Little Numbers - Boy

It's been a hefty exhausting week. I think I shocked my body into these early wake up calls, now my body clock hates me and I crashed out pretty early yesterday evening (in hindsight it probably wasn't the best idea to agree to work all day at my Saturday job). Other things that seem to be coming to me a little harder: blogging inspiration and writing.

So I did a post at the beginning of August about creative writing and Camp Nano, it was all about forcing creativity out of your system and how good unpredictability can be. What I didn't factor in was life getting in the way. I'm failing pretty bad at Camp Nano (not even at halfway point in my novel, boo!) and am finding it hard to garner interest in blogging at the moment. Admittedly August is a pretty quiet time any industry, fashion particularly with not much really exciting or new happening, and  many people indulging in holidays etc. But I guess I'm just going through one of those slumps in inspiration and still trying to get used to a completely new life routine. I probably need a moment to step back and do some admin-y thinking about how I'll be running this ship for the next year.

But for now I think I'll just relax a little in the sunshine while it lasts, I've scheduled this post as I'm at a BBQ with some family friends.

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

Real people & Real Style: J Crew's 'We Know You're Out There' campaign

[All photos via Refinery 29 & J Crew]

Every so often a brand will come out and say 'Y'know scrap the models...let's go with 'real' people for this ad'. It can be hard to pull off but sometimes really amazing things can happen.

This is what J Crew have done. Already an advocate of promoting personal style their latest ad campaign showcases 11 different looks from 11 very different people. They're almost like billboard sized 'What I'm wearing today' shots and showcase each individual's personal take on the J Crew brand. 

Featured in the campaign are the likes of Caroline Issa, Tank Magazine's fashion director (above); Linda Roden of Rodin Olio Lusso; Spencer Lyons (Field Advocacy Director of the American Cancer Association; Alice Lane (a make-up artist) and (my personal favourite) Tumblr's David Karp. 

What I think I love most about this campaign, and ones that are of a similar nature, is the showcasing of personality in the shots. These are not models who are preened into posing in a certain way and there's no pressure to produce the perfect pout. The shots are dynamic, different and the clothes form a part of their story. 

What do you guys think? 

Let us 'normals' do the modelling from now on? Or let the experts keep their day jobs? ;)

[If you want to see the rest of the campaign check it out on Refinery 29]

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

Viva Forever: Setting trends since 1996 - The Spice Girls

[Photo via Zimbio]

Probably the highlight for most people watching the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics was the reunion of the biggest girl band on the planet. Each one of them looked equally as fabulous as the next, encompassing their on stage alter egos to perfection. From left to right:

Victoria Beckham pouted her way through their set and represented British fashion in a stunning black Giles Deacon gown. Geri Halliwell sported a typically loud red Suzanne Neville mini, Union Jack included. Emma Bunton's sophisticated Maggie Cooke body con looked amazing on her, definitely a more grown up Baby Spice. Mel C's look is actually my favourite and, most shockingly, JD Sports! Then Scary Spice herself, Mel B, bedazzled the crowd in an OTT Zuhair Murad jumpsuit. 

[Photos sourced via Pinterest]

After really impressing the fashion crowd at the ceremony it's funny to see just how much their styles have evolved over the years. It's very easy to write off their fashion from the 90's as a hot mess but look a little closer and I'm sure you'll find some current trends (that you may already be wearing) amongst the garish 90's glare.

Crop tops under the disguise of 'bralets', the infamous platform shoes are now 'flatforms/creepers' and didn't I spot form Ms Cole wearing some similar loud sports wear in her last video? 

As the saying goes, 'what goes around, comes around'...and if the Spice Girls are sporting it? Even better!

Keep in wishing...

R.xoxo

This Week...

- Day #4 - Fawning over winter coats already - Bought these from Zara, can't wait till they arrive! - Day #5 - Day #6 - Seeing my friend's do RENT, very emotional night - O.J. & a walk in the sunshine to work - Day #7 - Finished up read Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro - Watched my little sister in Joseph & his technicolour - Day #8 - Wish magazine arrived! - 

B.O.B ft Taylor Swift - Both of us

Hectic week was hectic! Getting used to a new routine was harder than I thought and didn't help with blogging lol. It also didn't help that I went to go see my old theatre group do two shows, one of which my sister was in and the other, an entirely emotional affair. One thing I have been finding nice has been delving head first into work wear. I'm slowly getting used infusing my own style into a new environment. It's also giving me an excuse to do a little online shopping ;) The placement itself has been really good so far, learning lots but lots more to learn in the next few weeks and I have a little handover with the current intern. 

It was also exciting to get Wish magazine in the post! I've already had a little read through and I'm already finding it wonderfully witty and gorgeously illustrated. I'll definitely need to do a little review of it soon! 

Trying to write this post while watching the Olympic closing ceremony so forgive me if it's a little disjointed :P

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

This Week...

- Manic train journeys on Monday - Travel prep for placement - New wake up call (wah!) - Costa hot chocolate on my first day - Day #1 outfit - Day #2 outfit - Pasta! - Plot planning for my Camp NaNoWriMo novel - Nandos on Thursday - End of the week treat - Day #3 outfit - Mocha, tuna melt and Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro after my shift on Saturday - 

Follow me on Instagram [@rcagz] for my photo diary

Soundtrack: Kate Voegele - Inside Out

So I'm 3 days into my work placement now and I'm already shattered lol 6am starts are harder than I thought. I'm really liking it so far and have already learnt a lot too. With working in an office comes a brilliant opportunity for work wear and I've started to document what I'm calling 'A Year In Work Wear'. I'm going to do a quick snap of what I'm wearing in the morning every day for the next year and post the outfit to my Tumblr with a couple of details. I figured as I'll be wearing less casual wear this would be a nice alternative and saves me time having to pull together a full outfit shots (plus you'd all get bored of constant photos of black trousers and collared shirts right?). 

Aside from work I had a nice catch up with friends over a Nandos on Thursday, have been plodding along with my Camp NaNoWriMo novel (check out my post about it from Thursday) and am fully addicted to watching the Olympic coverage (how amazing was Jessica Ennis yesterday!) 

Also apologies for becoming another blogger to subscribe to using a weekly Instagram post, but I honestly don't see what's so bad about them? It's an easy way to document my daily life and even easier to pull together for a Sunday summary post! 

So I'm gonna get back to writing then my first full on working week commences tomorrow! Bring It!

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

Writing with abandon: Taking on the Camp Nanowrimo challenge as a blogger

It's the 2nd of August and I'm on day 2 of Camp NaNoWriMo. 

What is Camp NaNoWriMo I hear you cry? 

[Image sourced via Pinterest]

Well It's a month long writing challenge that has participants from every corner of the globe aiming to write a 50,000 word novel from scratch (or scratch-ish). It can be any genre, you can be any age and it doesn't even have to be written on a computer (though I'd advise you do so you can count, your word count). 

I've briefly mentioned my participation a couple of times on this blog, but I've never fully properly talked about it.

Writing is something that I've always done since I was very young. I have an over active imagination and do find myself daydreaming stories. The only problem is finishing any of them.

That's definitely what drew me to blogging. It was quick and easy and posts have small word counts, you can publish your work within a matter of seconds and have dozens of people reading it within a few minutes.

This changed slightly after participating in NaNoWriMo 2011. Alongside University work I completed a  whole novel (albeit a very bad one). The accomplishment felt amazing. I'd never finished anything to that length before.

[Image sourced via Pinterest]

So what does this have to do with blogging?

Heard of blogger's fatigue? Blogger's block? Or feeling a severe lack of creativity? I'm pretty sure all of these symptoms have been faces by bloggers at some point or another. And these are all things you need to fight against when participating in a challenge like NaNoWriMo. 

The basic ethos of the challenge is to write with literary abandon and sometimes when you're feeling uninspired by the world of blogging you need that. I feel like sometimes us bloggers forget that this is our domain, it can be good to loose one's inhibitions and simply write like no one's watching. The principle's the same with photography, crafting and art. 

There's so much emphasis on reaching out to your audience that many of us bloggers can loose perspective on why we started in the first place...because we loved doing it!

That's really what a challenge like Camp NaNoWriMo is about: letting go and enjoying the unpredictability of writing and creating. 

So it may already be day 2 but why not take on the Nano writing challenge? 

Or take on the challenge in your own way. 

Write 500 words of nonsensical fashion commentary, doodle with abandon or throw paint in the air and see where it lands. 

Break the rules and bury your insecurities in the sand. 

Keep on wishing...

R.xoxo

*If you're trying to find me on NaNoWriMo (both for Camp Nano and the Novement event) I'm RCagz on there :)