Lauren_Edit

Track Pants // BlanksFactory // £30

Coming up to winter and with comfort in mind, I'm looking to invest in some plain tracksuit bottoms. Always aiming to steer clear of items that are heavily branded, I found Blanks Factory through Instagram - like most brands I look at now! With a range of full tracksuits, separate sweaters and joggers, tees and hoodies, Blanks Factory is now my go to for high quality and perfectly priced base items. I already own a pair of black joggers from Pull & Bear - which I wear all the time either just around the house or paired with trainers and a cropped hoodie. They have become a staple part of my wardrobe and now a grey pair would make a perfect addition! As the days are getting shorter and a London commute ahead of me, comfort is going to be my number 1 aim when i'm rushing out the door for the train.

Check out their website here: blanksfactory.com

Song of the day: Feel No Way - Drake

Lauren

* Images below from their Lookbook online *

~ thank you to the kind lady in Magazine Brighton for wrapping my magazine in bubble wrap to protect it from the rain last week ~

Junko // Magazine Brighton // £14

junkojournal.com

If you've followed my blog for a while now you will know I'm in the process of growing my collection of independent magazines. Continuing a project I started at the end of my degree, once a month i'm trying to find new journals to share and review. Junko magazine is my most recent purchase and an absolute gem at that! Their website describes Junko as "an arts journal responding to a place" and issue 2 is all about Iceland.

My favourite aspect of the magazine is the use of varying paper textures and weights, making the magazine feel more unique than a lot of other magazines that I looked at. It's a perfect addition to my collection and will definitely be a point of reference for my own future designs.

Lauren

T-Shirt // Primark
Sweater // Topshop
Jeans // Levi's
Socks // Marks and Spencer
AF1s // Nike

I genuinely circulate and wear the same clothes everyday, only occasionally introducing new shoes to the mix. I've found my feet with my style but it's sometimes nice to start adding in different pieces that I don't wear all the time (photo below). I'm also over the moon with my new AF1s, they fit in perfectly with my wardrobe and i've had no trouble breaking them in. I am however very keen to keep them in their current state, so if anyone knows the best way to protect white trainers, please tell me!

A quick note on my new socks from M&S - 10/10 for comfort.

Song of the day: Always - Blink 182

Lauren

Air Force 1 Upstep // Nike // £79.95 £55.47 on sale!

I'm so excited to finally have these! I was in Pam Pam in Bethnal Green the other day and was able to try a pair on. The lady in there was so lovely and helpful. I tried a size 6.5 and a 7 but walked away empty handed because i'm so indecisive haha. I ordered this pair direct from Nike and opted for the 7 as i'm pretty sure my feet are still growing. I have a a few pairs of Nike trainers that i've discussed on here but these have to be my favourite recent purchase! Obviously they're box fresh and so clean that i'm a little worried to wear them outside. I try to not be too precious with shoes but I really want to keep these as fresh as possible! I sprayed them with my Footlocker sneaker protector which will hopefully help but no doubt i'll wear them in the rain / mud / snow and they'll be ruined in no time!

Slightly larger fit which I prefer due to them being a size 7 (can lace up once and then just slide feet in and out - if that makes sense - so don't have to re-lace). Subtle platform for added height, i'm quite tall but having an extra boost gives the shoe a unique feel. Would likely style as I have here, black jeans and a crop top, but would work with grey too.

Song of the day: Still - Seinabo Sey

Lauren

Cerith Wyn Evans @ Tate Britain

Thankfully, after the persistent rain on Wednesday the weather cleared up and it was all sunshine in London towards the end of the week. If you enter Tate Britain from the Millbank entrance you can see Cerith Wyn Evans' light exhibition straight away. Suspended from the roof, it consists of various bended and twisted neon light tubes. Lucky enough to speak to someone in charge of risk assessment for the exhibition, I learnt that they had to map out on the ceiling where to hang the lights whilst keeping the display a secret till its opening. The neon lights are attached to the roof by suction cups which take the weight of the display. Such a lovely and informative guy that gave a great insight into the workings behind the exhibition and other displays at Tate Britain.

On until the 20th of this month I highly recommend a visit, plus it's free!

Song of the day: Hell to the Liars - London Grammar

Lauren

I think I was just a kid when I was last in Brighton. I remember going on the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster ride at the end of the pier which hasn't changed, but a lot of the beach front is under major redevelopment. I'm currently making a conscious effort to squeeze in exciting days out to different places when I'm not working. So, today I went to Brighton - I've had such a lovely day, ate fish and chips on the beach, bought a really cool magazine and managed to dodge most of the terrible weather we are experiencing over here in England. The downside was that I didn't get any candy floss or stick of rock...

Best places to visit:
Richard's Cafe (hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream, yes please)
Bread & Milk (cutest cafe)
Magazine Brighton (all in the name)
Brighton Palace Pier
The Wax Factor (record store)
Tidy Print (place you can do screen printing / mini shop)
Murmur (super modern restaurant on seafront)

Song of the day: Plot Twist - Sigrid

Lauren

Carrie Pocket Tee // Carhartt // £23

I try and circulate basic tees in my wardrobe as much as possible, occasionally adding in stripes too if i'm feeling adventurous haha. I think they're such a crucial item to have and help make any outfit look sharp. This tee is available in 3 other colours including black and grey. It would look great layered with a white long sleeve and tucked into a denim skirt.

Lauren

So, on - wait what day is it? Ok so on Thursday I travelled into London to see the Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition currently on at the V&A. I hadn't extensively read about the display before deciding to go and see it, but I understood that it was a backstory on Balenciaga and how his designs still influence those in the fashion world today. Situated in what I would consider a relatively small space, there was so much to observe, read and absorb. People were sketching and writing, taking photos and discussing the intricacy of Balenciaga's legacy. Donated garments and sample books were boxed in glass, accompanied by videos showing the production of select pieces. On the walls were quotes about and in praise of Balenciaga. I think what possibly surprised me the most - and what was in fact the greatest part of the exhibition was how modern his designs felt. They wouldn't be out of place now. Upstairs was a collection of garments by other designers who had been influenced by Balenciaga. I always thinks it's so amazing to see how much effect one person can have on the shape of fashion. There were interviews with designers, including Molly Goddard, on a projected loop too.

I won't give away too much as I think it's so important to form your own opinion on an exhibition and not be swayed but what people write. However, if you have nothing to do on a rainy afternoon in London - or perhaps a sunny afternoon, I urge you to go see this and just learn about the history. Fashion is an amazing thing and to see it celebrated in this way is lovely.
Lauren