Morocco, Paris, Italy, India...

Vietnamese prints

Whilst in Vietnam last year, I picked up some beautiful silk-print propaganda posters. After being home for six months, I decided to pull my finger out and actually frame them! As always, Kate, who owns the vintage shops Shabby Chic Sister, came to my rescue! She searched her warehouse and produced 3 beautiful HUGE vintage frames with French influence. I've still got two to frame but I've done one and LOVE it! Be sure to check Kate's shop Shabby Chic Sister out in Bards Walk, Stratford-upon-Avon OR online at shabbychicsister.com. She is full-to-the-brim with exquisite vintage pieces, from furniture to frames, tea-cups to t-shirts! Her eye for luscious interiors is second to none & the plush green armchair in her Stratford shop is perfect for curling up in and having a gossip! Here's my print already framed. More photos to follow when I've frame all three!

Obsession with embellishment

After recently purchasing a beautiful pastel blue sequin and bead embellished t-shirt from Topshop, a new obsession has blossomed. Embellishment is one of the oldest techniques of accessorising and, in my opinion, one of the best! Garments with embellishment, whether it be sequinned for a more modern take, or beading for a sophisticated edge, always look classic. Simple silhouettes are transformed with strategically placed sparkle, making outfits always seem more 'couture'. The most easy-to-wear smock is transformed into a stunning evening piece by patterns, beads and sequins. But it's not only the look of embellished garms' that have me sold; it's the feel. Embellished pieces feel heavier, more substantial and timeless. I never feel the guilty pangs of spending 'a little bit too much' on embellished clothing because I know it won't fall apart after a couple of wears. Like a most beloved hard-back novel that you have read and re-read hundreds of times, you know it will still be on your bookshelves 20 years down the line, where-as the flimsy paper-backs will have fallen by the way-side. It's the same with embellishment. There's a reason why it's been used in Royal fashion throughout time, why the 'flappers' of the '50 favoured it and why it's still a favourite of many designers today, including Chanel. In its own right, it's a 'style'. Whether it be 'Chelsea girl' or 'bohemian chic', they can both thank embellishment for being staple in their style. And in the words of Coco Chanel herself, 'Fashion passes, Style remains'...

Rome wasn't built in a day

Sat here getting increasingly frustrated at my google mail because all emails are bouncing, tearing recklessly into a bar of chocolate whilst practically throwing the laptop to the ground, I commence the standard dramatic drone about how 'I'm never going to get an internship if google keeps ruining my life!' This is when my Dad (who's heard this same dramatised whinging a hundred times over) comes out with the gem: 'Rome wasn't built in a day Zoe'. After a snide response of 'Well I'm not trying to build Rome, Dad, I'm trying to get an internship!' I think he may just have a point... It's easy to forget when you're on your millionth email, to which you already know you probably won't get a reply, that opportunities don't just get given to you on a plate. You have to work at them, work harder, then work some more. Talk to anyone in a career now and they'll probably tell you that they still don't know what they want to do when they 'grow-up'. It may seem that they landed on their feet, but in reality, they probably just stumbled into an open opportunity ready for them to fill. Talk to the actor who studied to be a lawyer, or the chef who was previously a banker. Both equally happy in their jobs. And why should I be any different? I could apply for hundreds of internships before I actually get one. And then when I do, I could end up 10 years down the line doing something completely unrelated! But any step is a step closer to a new, different experience. And a step closer to finding out a passion or talent you want to pursue. I'm sure there were days when the Romans lay countless bricks and pulled thousands of carts in the unbearable heat, yet felt the empire would never be complete. Then one day, before anyone even had a chance to think about it, the Roman Empire stood unexpectedly powerful, beautiful and complete. But then again, I'm sure it would have been completed much quicker is Caesar's google mail worked!