Lately

Hi everyone. I've never done a text post on here before, but I feel like a have a lot to say before summer ends and I have to get back into some kind of routine (instead of hanging out with friends and watching movies 24/7 like I have all summer)

Basically, I've recently felt like I've kind of lost control with this blog and what I want it to be. I started writing in November last year with the clear goal of being a 'fashion blogger'...however I wasn't really sure at the time exactly what that was, so for a few months ended up just sort of floating around the blogosphere posting odd little outfit posts every now and again. I then began to properly read other teen blogs, and realised it was that sort of thing I wanted to do, more of an online journal rather than just posting what I was wearing. I then began to post more inspiration with my outfit posts, show my art and collages, and experiment with film photography, and my blog kind of became what it is today. I met other bloggers, and started getting more attention on my page...and it felt like I had finally started to achieve my original goal.

However, I realised I had totally lost sight of what my 'goal' even was...I have been trying so hard to shape and squeeze this blog into a particular 'theme' and 'category' that I have neglected the actual content of my posts, and instead been focusing more on the layout of my blog or how many page views I get per day. This desperation to have the perfect blog and have constant approval of my work has had nothing but a negative impact on my attitude towards the things I enjoy, like blogging, and so I have come to the conclusion that I need to sort myself out once and for all before I continue being such a try-hard (and feeling like a fraud).

Not much is going to change if I'm honest...I'm still going to post outfits. They still probably won't be that great. I'm just going to try and post more of what I want to post, and not what I think other people want me to post. I changed my layout back to a very plain affair with this in mind; I want to post whatever I want to share with you guys without worrying that the pictures do not colour-match with my background or something. I want this blog to get bigger and better because people are enjoying what I do, whatever that is. I hope you guys understand, although I don't think you'll mind too much as I'm not really doing anything drastic. I'm just going to start posting more frequently and more calmly, without worrying about what sort of reaction what I post will get. I'm not going to care any less about the content - if anything, my content should improve, as I'm trying to focus more on what I post rather than when I post or how many people will comment on it.

I'm going back to school tomorrow, and hopefully will begin balancing blogging and homework much more effectively than I have done in the past. I also hope to play around with photography more and do some shoots with other bloggers, and improve the quality of my posts as well as hopefully doing more work in other corners of the internet (I contribute towards the wandering collective and purr mag, and want to start an etsy).

So yeah. I just had to get that off my chest, and get you all up to date with where I am.

Thanks for reading (and sticking around)

ellie xo

hey, must be a devil between us

 

 

Hi guys! It seems like forever since I actually got to sit and write out a proper post for you all...this summer has been so busy, but I'm all yours now for the foreseeable future so you never know, my punctuality might improve (I can dream right?) Anyway, after an incredibly hectic three weeks, my family and I went off to our annual summer holiday to south-west france for two weeks. For some unknown reason, this year was the first year I've ever actually needed a holiday...before, I've always just happily plodded along enjoying the sunshine, but this time I really had to just take my makeup off, slap on some sunscreen (factor 50 obviously...being a redhead and all) grab a book and just sit doing nothing. I've never enjoyed doing nothing before, but sitting in 30 degrees by the pool drinking sugar-free peach ice tea with a gorgeous view of the sunflower fields I felt happier and more content than I have done in years. Sometimes you really just need a break.

 

 

 

There is a monthly Saturday morning antique fair in the town near the house we were staying in, and so obviously I spent the whole morning trawling through all the gorgeous bric-a-brac and taking pictures of my favourite stalls and displays. Everything was so beautiful, and pretty much all in exquisite condition. Among lopsided baby dolls, fading comic books, ice skates and more I found probably the best thing I have ever come across in a market: a white porcelain jar about half a hand in height, with pale pink and green painted flowers decorating the front, where in black paint it said quite clearly 'Cocaine.' A cocaine jar. How fantastic is that?! You never find things like that in England. And before you get the wrong idea, I don't have an obsession with drug memorabilia or anything, I just love things like that that are so pretty and then have something not traditionally 'pretty' like cocaine written across the front. That and the fact it would make a fantastic pot to put sherbet or tic tacs in...just to scare the parents, you know the deal.

 

 

I spent basically my entire holiday in these short dungarees from Beyond Retro, which I cut into a dress shortly before I left. They are the comfiest things and so easy to wear as there is literally nothing they won't go over. My top is from the east end thrift store, and so ended up costing me less than a pound. Score.

In other news, I read five books whilst I was away: Other Voices Other Rooms, Lolita, A Clockwork Orange, The Catcher in the Rye and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. All five were fantastic (Lolita and OFOTCN especially) and reading that many was definitely an achievement for me (I used to read about three books per day but recently have barely managed to concentrate on one paragraph, let alone a whole novel) I'm gradually becoming a bookworm again and I love it.

 

 

On a bit of a sidenote, I was wondering if I could ask your opinions on what I should do for my etsy. I've been wanted to set one up for ages just to sell some of my clothes and little crafty things, however I haven't decided on what to make. I can do hand-painted or illustrated prints and postcards, photograph postcards/prints (my own photography), flower crowns or quirky pins and badges...what sort of things out of that list would you prefer me to sell? Or do you have any other suggestions?

 

ellie xo

 

REALLY COOL NOTE - One of my favourite vintage stores Beyond Retro asked me to do a summer edit for their website, and it is up on their blog now. I would totally love if you could check it out - I really enjoyed putting it together and their clothes are amazing (and really well-priced). Thanks!

>> Click here to read it. <<

I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart

 

I have had the craziest few weeks...I've done so much that all the days have sort of muddled in my head, leaving me incredibly confused as to what I am doing and what I've done and what day it is (seriously, I have no idea). Anyway, on Wednesday I met up with some of my favourite (and the coolest) blogging girls in Brick Lane. I met up with Ophelia, Hollie, Ibe and Rachel, and not only did they all look so amazing but they were all so lovely...we had such an amazing day and I can't wait to hang out again.

 

 

 

We obviously went to all our usual haunts, and got photographed for Rokit's blog (check out their website, it's been completely re-done and is really awesome now). We then strolled down to vintage basement (pictured above and below) and was just browsing when we bumped into Zachary Robinson from swim deep and his fiancée Esther! It was so surreal as I went to the band's album launch party the night before in rough trade, and so to see Zach twice in two days was so unlikely and just, well, perfect. He was so sweet and we had a little chat about the gig and took some photos, and he really didn't seem to mind our creepiness, which was a godsend as we were all kind of freaking out a bit.

 

 

 

 

We had a slight freak out after Zach left, and the shop owner asked me if I was ok because I may or may not have been trying to recover by lying on the floor. We then went and got bagels and ate them outside the tube station, before going to the east end thrift store in whitechapel. I got a £10 bag which I filled with loads of cute things, so expect to see them in future posts.

 

 

 

 

 

On a completely different note, I saw swim deep on Tuesday! Me and my friend Anushka got up at like 5.30am on Monday to get wristbands that let you in to the launch party, and on Tuesday evening we went down to rough trade to see them. We managed to bag a spot right at the side of the stage, and so had a fantastic time within touching distance of the band. They played a really good set and signed our records, and are just the nicest guys ever and you should totally buy their album (it's really trippy and summery and chilled out). Seeing Zach the day after just made it even better, and he seemed appreciative of my early morning mission to see them play.

 

 

 

 

So that's a little snippet of what I've been up to; I hope you are all having a fantastic summer and eating lots of ice cream ^_^

 

ellie xo

 

NOTE: I am away on holiday at the moment and might not have a reliable internet connection, so I will reply to all emails, comments etc when I get home.

Bury me, marry me to the sky

 

On Thursday I went to the park with my friend Anushka, which basically meant trawling slowly through the cute streets nearby and taking ages taking photos of flowers in random front gardens, before spending too long in the children's play park and throwing plastic gemstones about (I felt they were necessary). I live in a really nice, quiet part of London, and so in summer it is so lovely as you can sort of pretend that you're in the country, or some cute little suburban village somewhere instead of the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I seem to have entirely forgotten the concept of trying to look normal (or at least human) in pictures. Anyway, I wore my levi shorts with the floral top I got from Hollie's etsy, with some white beads and my glasses from Camden. I don't wear my glasses enough, but after going to the national gallery and realising I could barely see the paintings I've decided I really have to start wearing them more often.

 

 

 

 

 

Apologies for the short post, but I'm in france on holiday at the moment and so wanted to schedule a few to post while I'm gone. I'm going to be taking loads of photos while I'm away and should have lots to post when I get home.

 

ellie xo

innocent and late for love

 

Happy Sunday! I can't believe I've been off school for over a week...I've done loads, but it seems to have gone so fast. I really don't want this summer to end, even though it's only just started.

Anyway, today I met up with Amber who I bumped into at Camden Market last Sunday. She recognised me from my blog and we ended up going to brick lane today, which was super awesome. She has a really cool blog (http://cultkid.blogspot.com/) which you should totally check out.

 

 

 

 

 

I wore my MCR top from Blitz, white beads from Rokit, socks from Topshop and converse, which I seem to be wearing non-stop lately. I got the shorts from Rokit in april, but for some reason didn't wear them much. I re-discovered them the other day, and if I could have my way I think I'd quite like to wear them all of the time.

 

 (http://rookiemag.com/2013/06/a-world-of-our-own/)

 

I'm really starting to get into journaling again, as I have more time to spend making playlists and collaging and the like. I've recently made a lot of pages dedicated to Swim Deep. Sorry not sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am slightly obsessed with Amber's outfit. She looked so awesome with her gorgeous skirt and crop top, and her shoes are to die for. I also wish I had her hair. Mine is so flat and fine, you can't really do that much with it.

 

 

 

 

We found a brick wall because all bloggers love a brick wall, right?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The graffiti around brick lane and Shoreditch is insane. So many colours and designs, we were completely spoilt for choice when trying to find a backdrop for photos.

 

 



 

I actually had such a nice day, and I think we actually took some really cute pictures. I've got some photoshoots planned, as if all works out I'm going to try and make my posts on here a bit more creative and artsy, instead of plain photos of me in random clothes. Watch this space, you never know, I might post something good one day hehe. Hope you're all having a great summer!

 

ellie xo

 

check out Amber's blog: http://cultkid.blogspot.com/