Ok so the week after I posted last, was a flurry of panic and sewing and leather, and models, and hair and brixton and ultimate craziness.... You're not going to see a photo of the fan shaped collared lizard skin jacket I made, because it's frankly far too studenty. Then I hop footed on a train to Manchester and have just had the most relaxing week, of drinking in the sunshine, driving to Tatton and Lyme park, cooking in my mother's new house, and spending time with generally great people. Its been a big sigh of relief to not think about anything too much for a week and really enjoy myself. So posting or blogging hasn't been top of list for a couple of weeks, but I've been back in London for a couple days for uni/organising stuff.
I wore a variation of this outfit the day I landed back in Manchester the Friday before last. I haven't worn this jacket for coming up to a year now... It's a nice summer jacket, and unfussy. I've also dug out my blue velvet swing coat, which is perfect for not so warm but glorious spring days. Ahh summer finally. Brightened everyone's spirits no? Bit unusual to see me in pale neutrals, but it feels refreshing. I feel like I've balanced it out with colour in my make up, and painted nails....which is also unusual for me.
I'm feeling so enamoured by this blast of summer in the air... it's prompted me to wear nail varnish for the first time EVER. This is big news, as I just don't do hands/nails, I work quite heavily with my hands, handling fabrics and threads, dyeing, e.t.c which means they go to shit mostly.... But I have to say, I'm enjoying the splashes of colour, if you think about it, it seems rather bizarre as to why I haven't tried this out before, although if I keep on having a play with polish, I'm definitely sticking to the 60second stuff... I had a paint disaster with some Barry M stuff, no more said.
And another new experimentation, is going back to my love of bright eye makeup. I was always into big eye make up/strong lips when I was a teenager, but slowly morphed into an eyeliner, blusher, soft lips girl (I started working in an office) by the time I was 18. Recently I've returned to wearing strong lips, my signature purple, and the only one red I own. So it was quite fun delving into my make up bag full of the exciting liners, and shadows... I'm planning on wearing this stuff in the day time, like today, and I don't think it looks like too much to be honest.
(told you my hands take a beating - they're always falling apart!)
I want to have a play, and be creative with make up again. This is how I feel about clothes too...that sense of more playfulness and a real joy of dressing up needs to be injected back into the way I dress. I think I'm getting there.
Things that are taking up my time at the moment, but in a good way:
I've got an essay to write about the Hijab/covering, and deconstructing this garment to suggest dissolving the idea of it being a political statement, and the stigma that so many people attach to this piece of clothing. So I've spent the few days that I'm back in London in the libraries...But I'm going back up to Manchester today...
I'm also getting heavily involved with organising Violence on Trial and it's been a hell of lot of fun. It's pushed me out of my comfort zones, and made me work a part of myself that was languishing, since I moved to London. So making the most of being in London and getting involved with stuff outside of uni, has certainly made me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.
In regards to the blog, I see it as a little outlet to talk about stuff in my head, and chatting about what I'm wearing, and maybe what that means to me. I reckon I'm only going to post once a week or so, and with a bit more writing, as I'll have something to catch up on too.
Good for you. And good to have you back. Plus, you look beautiful as ever...if I'm allowed to say that to someone who's deconstructing the hijab... :)
Posted by: Mrs Bossa | Wednesday, 13 April 2011 at 01:40 PM
Is this an H&M blazer? I think I have the same one, and I always feel it looks boxy and just a bit TOO oversized on me but it looks great here. Love the dress too!
Posted by: sarah | Wednesday, 13 April 2011 at 04:31 PM
Sarah - Yes! It is a H&M over sized blazer, a la stella mcartney.... It's HUGE on me too, but I don't mind.... Cheers!
Mrs Bossa - Thanks for the lovely comment, and yes you may! :)
Posted by: Raisa | Wednesday, 13 April 2011 at 06:38 PM
Nice outfit! Hope your essay goes well.
Posted by: northwest is best | Thursday, 14 April 2011 at 08:27 AM
Gorgeous! I messed around with eyeshadow for the first time in ages the other day, then promptly washed it all off. I just don't think it suits me very much, whereas eye makeup has always looked fantastic on you. See you back in London my love x
Posted by: Ashiya | Thursday, 14 April 2011 at 10:05 AM