The secret weapon

From my non-posting this week, you can probably tell that I am either a) feeling uninspired or b) a bit busy. Actually, I’m feeling a bit of both, but we shalln’t dwell on that.

I find that with clothes, you have to feel inspired because otherwise it just doesn’t work. At least that’s the case with me. I think that is why I’ve been having so much trouble with buying items lately - I just have no clue what I want to wear, no direction, no ideas. I’m going to blame the fact that I’m a teenager and no matter how much everyone else seems to think they have “found themselves”, it’s just not the case at 16. Of course, this sort of enlightenment helps when it comes to style. Some may think fashion to be frivolous, but in my opinion, it has the power to express you in so many ways.

My enthusiasm has unfortunately been going a bit downhill of late, but I find that one of the few ways to keep it up is to look at how other people are wearing it. Street style blogs, such as The Sartorialist or The Style Scout (there are of course many many others as well), flickr group Waredrobe Remix (which I really ought to get round and contribute to) and even posts on other blogs demonstrating personal style, are all brilliant places to find things like this. I think that fashion is what normal people make of it.

And that is what I love so much about it - there may be trends which probably will have passed by the time you have one sock on, but the ability to put your own spin on things means that anything is possible.

Ethical fashion - Primark scores just 2.5

I apologise for not updating over this weekend. I’ve been avoiding the computer until I finished Harry Potter. I visited London on Saturday, which was quite nice. I’d forgotten just how busy it is (I was about 12 last time I went). Unfortunately, I didn’t take many photographs because the weather was horrid and I feared getting my camera out & being robbed. Maybe next time.

I was speaking to my friend on the phone yesterday and we got onto the subject of clothing & how awful shops are nowadays. We eventually got round to Primark - the shop many love (I personally hate it and have never purchased anything from there) and how, in order to produce clothing for such low prices, their ethics must be compromised somewhere. My friend mentioned she had seen an article in the newspaper (this independent article I think) on how little they paid workers and other such things.

Ethical Consumer, in its January/February edition published next week, criticised the company for not having a code of conduct, selling leather goods and “environmentally-damaging” PVC products and for operating in an oppressive regime - China.

“If people shop in Primark because the prices are low then they must be aware that they are low for a reason,” said Ruth Rosselson, a spokeswoman for Ethical Consumer. “And they must start asking questions: ‘Where is this made? How do I know that this was made under good conditions?’ Then the companies will realise that people care.”

The magazine suggests shoppers buy from charity shops, try vintage clothing and seek out organic cotton. Conventionally farmed cotton is treated with 10 per cent of the world’s pesticides, which the Pesticide Action Network estimates causes 20,000 deaths in the Third World every year.

It must be said, I love a bargain as much as the next person, but honestly, I’d much rather fork out for something that has been produced ethically than spend far less on something that is not. It is one of the few fashion “avoid if you can” things I have (fur being in a similar category). I mean of course, this is difficult because I’m certain pretty much every high street retailer has the downfall of being unethical in some respect.

However, since we are the consumers, the power to change minds rests with us. It’s just a matter of whether we use it to alert retailers to the fact that we don’t agree with what they do to make our clothes. I mean not only does everything look similar in shops, they’re probably produced in the same way was well - cheap materials which won’t last, appalling conditions and sweatshop labour. Everyone knows it, but how much longer must we turn a blind eye?

Things I haven’t done in a while

• Looked at Foto Decadent
• Randomly browsed different blogs
• Done a diy project (sewing, knitting etc)
• Bought & read a magazine
• Had a haircut
• Purchased an item of clothing/accessory/pair of shoes
• Posted something of vague use on here

The list probably goes on. I have however, helped redo the bathrooms in my house and made some caramel squares (which were very tasty). Such is life.

Oh my

Finally, after absolutely AGES, I went into Birmingham to have a (semi) shopping session. I don’t think it could be classed as even a semi-shop since I bought nothing and was impressed by nothing.

Really, what has happened to shops? They all sell the same absolute rubbish. It’s so dull. Maybe it’s just me, but the introduction of the high street made everything so similar. So plain and un-inspirational. Not only that, but for what it actually is, prices are far too steep.

It actually disheartens me slightly. Which is not good considering I’m already lacking inspiration at the moment. Maybe I ought to go for a bit of a hunt in some charity & vintage shops (thrifting is the term) to get my spirits up rather than rambling at the few that read the blog.

Question time: What gives you inspiration?

I’ve been going through a period of little inspiration yet again. Rather than ramble on about my lack of inspiration, I pose a question to my dear readers:

When you’re suffering from lack of inspiration (clothes & money) on the style front, what do you do to get re-inspired? What is it that sets your brain ticking once again and creating your attire?

I’m genuinely interested in knowing, no matter how bizarre it might be.

Free sewing patterns - yay!

On doing my daily surf of different blogs, I came across this posting on Bits and Bobbins.

“burda, the german-based sewing pattern company is behind what i think is an extremely clever idea: FREE sewing patterns one can download off the web! open-source sewing!”

Tricia summed it up in that sentence. Being the cheapskate I am, I shall now have to have a browse of some FREE sewing patterns.

And she returns

For about the fifth time, I say hello hello. Back in the land of Bum (to normal people Birmingham). I think this photo is a good one to reflect my time in Devon:

Posting will resume again as usual from tomorrow (actually, tuesday because tomorrow I’m going to be having a panic due to the fact I have not got a dress for the bloody prom - it is not the most fun I could have)

Trip time

I’m going down to Devon to stay with my friend for a few days. I probably won’t be posting unless of course, I am allowed use of her computer. Anyhoo, I hope you all have a good rest of week if I don’t post until monday or something.

I also hope I don’t get bombed on the train… well, we are in high security alert… it is a bit of an” eeeeeeeppp!” moment.

Open letters, lipstick & susie bubble

When you avoid the computer for the weekend, you miss out on all kinds of amusement.

Like this blog post by Lipstick Lady, which I will admit I found through Susie’s blog.

I actually had no idea that there was a open letter trend going around blogs… that’s how spaced out I am at the moment.