Thursday 29 September 2011

YORK

I am happy.
I have now moved out of home and into my own house in York! Okay, not my very own house. Just a student house with the lovely Anna and a couple of others who haven't moved in yet. I moved at the weekend and I have to say - absolutely the right move. I have never been so sure of anything before. I haven't had to do much adjusting at all. The only slight problem is that we do not have a kitchen at the moment. It is mid-way through being re-fitted so we have to wait another few days before having a fully-working kitchen. But all good things take time, so I'm maintaining my patience while living from a diet mainly consisting of soup.

The independence is wonderful. My bedroom isn't fully unpacked yet but it's getting there. It has to be made 'homely' and cosy etc.. but considering we haven't even been there for a week yet, it is fabulous.

I worked at a Harvey Nichols show at the start of this week, which was lots of fun. And then have started back at uni. Eeek. year two of my Psychology and Counselling degree, and as lame as this may appear - I am so happy to be back. I have some wonderful friends here and it's keeping my feet firmly on the ground while my head can quite happily live in the clouds from time to time.

Friday 23 September 2011

Barcelona sunset

Waking up early this morning and travelling to my job was a far (and very cold) cry from waking up in the beautiful city of Barcelona. I woke up to my alarm this morning and actually had to take a few moments to orientate myself and remember where I am, what the day is, and what exactly I was waking up for. Sure sign of tiredness! Although I really have nothing to complain about. Yes, I am tired but nevertheless the shoot today was pretty good - shooting a fashion spread.

I thought I should post a little picture I snapped on my iPhone of the sunset from our hotel roof. I shall definitely be visiting this city again, even if it's just to treat myself to the delicious fresh seaweed and miso paste in the Japanese restaurant again. But in all seriousness - I do intend to learn a little more Spanish and visit again when I'm able to appreciate the culture and the architecture without having to work too. Lots more photos to come, but for now I must sleep. Another early morning shooting again tomorrow.

Thursday 22 September 2011

travels

The crazy life and times of little old me. Things have been getting rather busy and I have to admit - I love it and wouldn't wish it to be any other way. Last week consisted of shoots, shows, and a last shoot on Sunday out on location in Yorkshire. I haven't worked with this team before, and it was a lovely surprise to be shooting with lovely Leeds photographer Xanthe. I have heard lots about her from my good friend Zana, so it was great to actually work together. Working on location in England means that it's always freezing cold and you cannot rely entirely on the weather. Back up plans are needed, and the entire team is always on tender hooks worrying about the clothes and the lighting and the hair and make up just becoming a car-wreck and ruining the brief before the first look has even been shot. However, somehow it is always pulled out of the bag. Somehow creatives manage to fight the British weather and overcome the forces. Even in the case of this particular day when we were caught in rain and thunder storms with some rather magnificent forks of lightening in the sky.

I then proceeded to arrive at the airport that evening rather cold and tired, to fly out to Barcelona for a job shooting a ballet inspired editorial out there. I have been told by many friends that Barcelona is a wonderful city. I now understand why. It is just beautiful there. Such a beautiful part of Europe. So much culture and character lies within every single street and alleyway. Every restaurant and bar, every beautiful architectural building and every tree that lines the street lights and balconies. It almost reminds me of Paris. Perhaps because last time I was in Paris it was last summer while I was working too and the only parts of Paris I was really able to see was from the car windows as we passed by. Similar to this trip, only really seeing the wonderful sights when we passed by in the car, or while we were shooting and I was elegantly posing amongst the architecture and scenery. (with a rather large Spanish audience admirably holding camera phones up towards me!)

There was yet again, another team of wonderful souls to work with and spend time with. The hotel was stunning, and the food was just divine. I may have over indulged just a little with beautiful food, sangria and champagne. But hey - when in Barcelona...
Plus I have most definitely discovered a new love to Japanese seaweed with miso sauce/paste. Cooked in a very specific manner, but it is amazing. I am home this evening now, but really - why limit yourself to just England when the world is such a cultural and beautiful place. It is bizarre to even contemplate the thought that one could live in England for the rest of their lives and never experience the true meaning of life.

Must get some rest now. Early start shooting on a job tomorrow morning.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Tuesday 13 September 2011

hello hello

The past week or so has been a sure start to Autumn/Winter. Life has consisted of seeing a couple of new and old friends for various types of beverages and some brilliant chats and catch ups. One including a lovely trip to the theatre to see my all time favourite, Les Miserables. I absolutely always love spending time with those near and dear to me.
There has also been show fittings, test shoots, organising the diary, getting ready for a rapidly approaching start to second year of uni and my move over to York. Throw in a little piano playing, book reading, loving Adele's spread in this month's Vogue, and a fair amount of tweeting and picture taking just for good measure, you have my week summed up.
Well, the 'good' aspects of my week. The stress of my car and having to cancel tomorrow's shoot, my generous hours in this year's timetable, my cold-shouldered Mother, and the fact that I am desperately missing some good friends can just be overlooked for now.
Yes - they can all be overlooked. Because Grey's Anatomy has just cropped up on TV.
I love Grey's.

Monday 12 September 2011

9/11

Yesterday marks the ten year anniversary of the tragic day in America. My heart breaks and is torn apart from reading and watching some of the stories people share so openly. I rem ember a trip to New York whereby I visited Ground Zero and witnessed for myself the destruction. Being there in person gave it a sense of reality as a pose to watching it from the comfort of your own home through a television screen. It puts life into perspective. It promotes thoughts that we wouldn't usually have to think and we may even avoid ever thinking.

It just makes me so incredibly sad to think that we live in a world in which such people exist. People who not only think about causing a disaster beyond the imagination, but to then proceed with turning their thoughts into very profound and bold actions.

The very thing that makes my heart break, is that I cannot for the love of the world, acknowledge and accept that these things 'just happen'. Acceptance of life around us is such a vital part of actually living. But to accept the fact that we live amongst human beings who posess such hatred and lack of compassion? That is something which I simply cannot understand. My brain does not function in that way, and I do not associate myself with those who think that way. To be quite honest, it is frightening but oh so very real.

Saturday 10 September 2011

neither here nor there

I seem to have been doing a lot of thinking and talking with certain people recently, about various aspects of 'life'. That broad subject which we label as life. Who are we? Where do we belong? Can we ever truly have free will? And is home really a place where the heart lies?

The entire subject can go either way for me. In one aspect, it almost tears me apart because I would very much like to be idealistic and live with half my head in the clouds, in my own isolated bubble where nothing can harm and only good exists. But this really isn't realistic of me. Unfortunately no such dream world exists. No matter how much we try to seperate our lives and thoughts from the 'real' world and the frightening and dangerous aspects which of course create a vulnerability, there is still no escape. Sooner or later we have to step out of our bubble, or protective blanket - whichever term we would like to refer to this as. And we must take a glimpse of reality in order for us to begin to have a sense of ourselves and to even ask the questions I raise at the beginning of this post.

Home is where the heart lies.
So 'they' say.
I have to agree with the wise beings that created this well known phrase.
But what if 'home' isn't really your home. And what if your heart hasn't really found it's place yet? Perhaps this is why I feel settled when I'm on the move. This is why I crave being busy. This is why travelling or sitting on trains and planes feels so safe for me. Because I'm in limbo, and as scary as that may be - it's also the safest place I can find. It's a place I know. Neither here nor there. Not at the place I left behind but not at the destination yet. Just happily, in my own space, in my own mind, with my own thoughts, just being. Somewhere in-between.

Wednesday 7 September 2011

a dreamer

'A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.'

Oscar Wilde

welcome to the 60's

Torrential rain took over the country today. Not the desired weather for planned location shoot. So we took the day of shooting an editorial for Style magazine inside the studio instead. Opting to stay warm and dry and drink tea while working - which was most likely the sensible option! Loved today. Chilled team, no pressure, and clothes I wanted to take home and keep. The stylist (lovely Siobhan Cooper) provided us with wonderful 60's themed retro and vintage amazingly styled outfits from Selfridges and vintage stores. Even included an original Mary Quant dress :)
Photographed by Amy Best and hair and make up by Hayley Stott. Enjoyed a lovely girls day in the studio. Here are a few sneak peeks.



Sunday 4 September 2011

love or no love

There is a loneliness in this world so great
that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock.
People are so tired. Mutilated either by love or no love.
People are just not good to eachother one on one.
The rich are not good to the rich.
The poor are not good to the poor.
We are afraid.
Our educational system tells us that we can all be big-ass winners.
It hasn't told us about the gutters or the suicides
or the terror of one person aching in one place alone
untouched
unspoken to.
Watering a plant.

Charles Bukowski (Love is a dog from hell)

Saturday 3 September 2011

model party

Thursday evening saw the models, bookers, all at the agency and lots of fashion/creative type industry people come together to party and celebrate the launch of our new website. Music, champagne, wine, partying and lots of networking was done. It really was a lovely night. Putting faces to names, meeting new people, and having fun with friends we only usually spend time with when working. Such a brilliant evening and much love for all at Boss models.