An Introduction to FCP and My First Thoughts

 (Photos of the sketchbook are my own - images within the sketchbook are both primary and secondary sourced from Google Images and magazines)

A week ago, I began my Fashion Communications and Promotion course at Nottingham Trent University and I honestly don't think I could have picked a course more perfect for me! When I say to people that I'm studying a Fashion course they automatically assume I'm designing or looking at textiles, but that couldn't be far from the truth. The basis of the course is looking at how brands communicate their products and messages to the consumer, and I guess with both studying Media at GCSE and A-Level, and writing this blog, it has me written all over it really!

During the summer we were asked to present our favourite fashion communicators through the mediums of digital, print and retail. Each of these was relatively easy for me, because while I am very much part of generation Y with our love of technology, I also love the idea of a physical text and the ability to go into the store and get an atmosphere around what you're buying and being able to physically try and feel the products there and then.

Digital

1. LiketoKnow.it ('click-now-buy-now' Instagram and website service)
2. Chloe Helen Miles (fashion and lifestyle blogger)
3. ASOS (e-commerce store)

Print

1. Stylist (free, weekly, British magazine)
2. Glamour (women's lifestyle magazine)
3. Betty (independent women's lifestyle magazine)

Retail

1. Burberry flagship store in Regent Street (British luxury fashion house)
2. ALLSAINTS (British apparel retailer)
3. Bershka (high street retailer) 

• For the 'Retail' section I could have also chosen Ted Baker due to their new collaboration with Google. The customer can speak a statement (displayed on the window) into their phone, using Google's voice recognition search tool, to reveal prizes and offers, which the customer can access within store. 

I really think I am going to suit this course down to the ground, due to the fact that my Business Studies and Media Studies background looks quite similar. The tutors all seem lovely, as do the rest of my "course-mates", and I'm really excited to see where this is going to take me! 

Georgia.xo

Candy K Review

This may be one of the most exciting blog posts I've ever written.

Kylie Cosmetics did a restock on my birthday and I didn't care about how much I had in my bank account, I was going to get one; I was so determined! I honestly don't know how I managed to get one to be honest. At the time they went on sale, we were sitting in a pub where there was hardly any internet data whatsoever, and each internet page took a good few minutes to load, so I was 100% expecting to be told that the product had been sold out when I eventually got to the checkout. But then I got to the bank details... and I might have let out a small scream!

As you've probably gathered I brought Candy K. It's $29 for the actual lip kit and then $14 for delivery, which works out about £30 over here in the UK. Luckily I didn't get the customs (is it customs?) charge that I've seen a lot of people getting once their purchase reaches the UK, but that may just be because I only brought one... I don't know. But it only took a week to come, which was a lot quicker than I was expecting.

The box is very distinctive with the 'trademark' drips and then when you open it you have a note from Kylie and your products! Candy K itself is the best matte lip gloss I've ever used and as excited as I am about it, that's not an exaggeration. It goes on really easily and one coat is enough, and it smells like vanilla! I was a bit worried about eating and drinking (because I put it on just before lunchtime) but only a small amount came off and I don't know how to really explain it other than saying it it began to blend in with your natural lip colour as you went further into the mouth, but it was still obvious that you were wearing it and it lasted into the evening. It also doesn't dry out your lips like a lot of matte lip glosses do, and I really like that because I suffer from dry lips quite a lot.

The only thing I would say about this that may be slightly negative is that you need to make sure that you have a lip pencil sharpener, because it doesn't come with one. I don't know if I was expecting one but for the price you'd think the pencil would come with some sort of sharpener or end that you could twist to refresh it. But generally, I don't have a bad word to say about Candy K and Kylie Cosmetics.

Georgia.xo

And Now I Guess I'm An Adult

 Petite Strappy Lace Bodycon - Topshop - £39

Nostalgia Tie Waist Navy Tan Playsuit - In The Style - £29.99

It's been a week and I still don't feel any more like an adult. I'm eighteen now, but I look about 15 and I still don't know how to iron! It's kind of one of those "oh f*ck" moments when you realise that you're responsible for every single little part of your life from here on in. 

I had an amazing 18th birthday though. There was obviously a party, and then the family get together to make up for it, and then on my actual birthday me and Harry, and mum and dad went to the East Sussex National spa. It was so nice to just relax after such a busy bank holiday weekend and I'm definitely going to become a member to one of those health clubs once I'm balling!

I brought a gorgeous lace bodycon on Topshop for the occasion, as well as an equally as gorgeous playsuit from Charlotte Crosby's Nostalgia range on InTheStyle.com. A few days before Dad was up in London running around trying to find the Topshop dress while I was on the phone trying to find stores where I could hold it and wait for him to pick it up. Who knew one dress could cause so much stress?!! But you've got to turn 18 in style right??!!

P.s... I brought myself a cheeky birthday present (you might have seen my excitement on Twitter) so keep your eyes peeled for a very exciting post!

Georgia.xo

Passing My Driving Test

Shirt - H&M 

Jeans - Topshop (Leigh)

On Tuesday I passed my driving test first time and I couldn't be more proud of myself.

When I first started driving, it was a bit of a mess. On my first lesson I punctured the tire, then on my *second* lesson my instructor actually forgot we had a lesson and he was late multiple times. HOWEVER, I got there eventually and its weird to think that less than a year ago I couldn't use the clutch properly!

In February I brought my first car. It's a little silver Corsa (no name yet if anyone wants to come up with some ideas) and it definitely helped me to improve in the upcoming months before my test. I've become a lot more confident in my driving over the last few months and even if you're just insured on your parents' car I would totally recommend getting some practise in between lessons, because not only does practise make perfect, but I also cut down my lessons to every 2 weeks which brought the cost down of driving lessons a hell of a lot!

The test itself isn't actually as bad as you may think. It's nerve wracking and you'll always get told horror stories but the examiners know that you'll be nervous and they're not going to fail you for a laugh. I promise! Just make sure you get rid of that nervous wee first!

Georgia.xo

Clarins Urban Oasis Minis

Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil - £33 - Boots

HydraQuench Cream - £35 - Boots

Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch - £26.50 - Boots

About a month ago now, I visited the Clarins Urban Oasis pop-up shop in Westfields, Shepherds Bush. Not usually being one for luxury skin care brands I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was in for a treat and came out with a bag of mini goodies including the Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, HydraQuench Cream and Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil. 

My usual skin care routine usually just includes taking off my eye make up with the Simple Eye Makeup Remover and cleansing my face with Garnier Micellar Water and after incorporating the Clarins products into my routine, I really feel like I should be making a bigger effort! Every other evening (to make it last) after I cleaned my face, I rubbed in some of the face treatment oil. It smelled like an absolute dream and left my face feeling lovely when I woke up the next morning. In the evenings in-between I used the HydraQuench cream, which left my face feeling equally as soft. My skin can get really dried out and I hate not having makeup on because it looks and feels disgusting, however using the Clarins products changed that completely. It also made my face feel like a lot better of a base for my makeup, especially through using the Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, which acts as a primer. 

I'd quite like to purchase full sized versions of all of these products. On one hand, they are a bit pricey, although on the other hand they're definitely worth it! 

Georgia.xo