Strutting in Stratford

Missed the manic stampede that took place at Westfield, Stratford City in its opening week, but decided to pay it a visit nonetheless. Was escorted there by my **8Baller, **Lolli from LolliHearts, and we embarked on our retail journey with the soul purpose to shop until we dropped. However, we were surprised upon exit that evening, that we left with only a couple (literally had only TWO bags in my hand) of bags in tow.

Crochet Top : Topshop | Top (layered underneath) : Primark | Belt : ZARA | Shorts : New Look

I'm a self-professed shoppaholic, and can rummage to find a gem in the dessert....but Westfield S.C left me feeling BLEURGH! I'd been to WestEnd and left feeling the same way as well, which got me thinking "Am I losing my flair for retail?" This underwhelming feeling didn't stop just at my shopping experience, but was slowly beginning to translate into my everyday wardrobe, and general attitude to life and job-hunting. I was losing my passion for creativity and was beginning to don replica attires! I guess I could pinpoint this feeling to my current 'unemployed' status, and feeling drab about which direction to go, career wise....but I want to flush this negativity right out.

Bag : Clarks | Suede Brogues : New Look | Bracelets : H&M + **James' | Rings : Dorothy Perkins + **Charmz's | Casio Watch : eBay

Positive thinking breeds positive outcomes. When you put make-up on and make an active effort to beautify your face, you feel prettier and stand with your head held high. (Disclaimer: DO NOT jump on the bandwagon and yell that makeup isn't necessary to making a woman beautiful, I know that!) Or when you iron your shirt and prep before an interview, you walk in through the door feeling more confident than if you rushed to pick an outfit in the morning, and mistakenly grabbed your uncomfortable shoes on your way out. Its simple arithmetics.

Indulging in Malaysian dinner at Jom Makan, definitely recommend this restaurant....AMAZING FOOD!

Whether your wardrobe is crying out for a Gok-Makeover, or your love life is pleading for a crash course in speed-dating, everyone needs a 'pick-me-up' from time-to-time. As retail no longer rocks my socks to the level that it used to, and the monotony of traipsing from one blog to another has lost its zest, I find myself looking elsewhere for inspiration. I'd always been reserved when it comes to my personal plight, but lately, I discovered the true joy behind the addage "a problem shared, is a problem halved". In my experience, asking for help and inspiration from others has proved quite problematic. But in retrospect, thats probably because i was turning to the wrong person about the right subjects.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Just like shopping or blog-hopping, your career path and general life needs relevant inspiration too, to get it popping. Xisses

BLEURGHair:The Nicki Bob

Hola Bleurgher Boos! As you can see from the title, here's another BLEURGHair instalment! Its actually 2 weeks late but hey...I've been a very busy girl. 

I wanted a longer style but I LOVE how short hair frames my face (If you suffer temporary amnesia or you're a new follower, here's pics of my shorter BLEURGHair styles; The Mushroom Cut & The Estelle Side Sweep), so I wasn't quite ready to part with it just yet. So I thought I'd go for a bob instead; best of both worlds. 

The first image that popped in my mind was Nicki Minaj & I immediately took to the internet for inspiration (as per usual). And no, not the platinum blonde Mama-ish wig she rocks of late, but the look she was rocking the hell out of when she first burst on the scene. I hadn't tried a fully inverted bob before and was SO excited to give it a try! But with the obstacle of the Retro Rihanna Shave taking its sweet, holy time to grow out, I could still only work on the top part of my hair.

I instilled the help of my sister, who used the same technique as my previous 2 BLEURGHairs. A circular braid pattern, consisting of about 3 tracks on each side and a central line. Then I doubled the wefts to sew, ending with a straight-line closure rather than a circular-full closure. I then cut my hair using scissors only, using my fingers to guide the desired length and....VOILA! I LOVE IT!!

Do you guys? Tell me what you think in the Comments Bar below...x

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Feeling like the newest member of Anna Wintour's mob, rocking this ever-so-stylish Nicki Bob. Xisses

Moving...Back?

The decision to move back to London was terrifying, and I'd put off bidding adieu to life up North for months now. First, I timed my mini-pupillage for AFTER graduation, ensuring I'd still be living my free-Uni life past its sell-by date. And then securing a role in a reputable firm in Wales, and working and living with my sister even further up North. But it all dawned on me at the office one day....is this it? I was a graduate, working in a role that (yes, was designed for graduates) wasn't challenging my mental capacity. I grew up knowing I'd be great someday, and to succumb to my laziness like that was disappointing. 

Blazer : Thrifted (Wales) | Top : Primark | Highwaisted Denim Shorts : B.I.Y (tutorial on how to make your own available HERE)

So I kindly declined the opportunity to extend my contract for a further few months (one of THE hardest decisions I've had to make!), sacrificing job security for my passion, packed my bags and moved home. I'd decided to take a year out from studies to really find myself, get connected & liaise, travel perhaps & SAVE (most importantly) for my BPTC next year. But reading article after article about the declining employment levels in the UK for graduates, and the nightmare of most graduates just settling into any paying role scared me to a wake-up call!

Casio Watch : eBay | Ring : Dorothy Perkins | Loafers : Blanco (Gran Canaria) | Studs : Topshop | Satchel : Oasis | Belt (detached from other shorts) : New Look

Conversing with my **Wammie, **Lexie yesterday, I was jolted by my harsh reality check. Was I a 'waste gash'? I had no job, no active/ current philanthropic pursuits under my belt...nada. I wake up daily to breakfast on the table, slum through my day and round it up with a hearty dinner before bed....BUM! I'm the kind of girl that liked to keep busy, and honestly, even on my off days, it was still jam-packed with itty-bitty activities on my to-do-list. So what happens now?

I sat down last night & (remember the infamous words of my mother?) re-evaluated my life. Thought I'd share that list with you guys, incase you're also in need of a jolt up the backside to get going.

1. What have you accomplished thus far?
(you can split this up into sections ie academically, spiritually, philanthropic, career...etc)
2. What are you currently doing daily?
3. Where do you want to be a year from now?
4. How can you achieve that?
(Draft up a plan for the next few days, months...etc to ensure you keep an active check on whether you are doing the things you need to do to achieve that goal)
5. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance where necessary

P.S. I just got back in from my 'village', where I was served by this lovely old lady at the thrift store who took an interest in my life & blessed me. She claimed she knew I'd 'be' somebody someday, and she'd smile down on me from up there when I am. Jokingly, she teased for me not to let this 'year out' fly by without getting back on the horse and riding to my true destiny. Eerily coincidental or what? (Also helps that she gave me a discount LOL)

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Don't sacrifice your big dreams you've spent your life creating, all for a quick chance at paper chasing. Xisses 

Menswear Mondays: The Short Suit

This look was inspired by Kourtney Kardashian but the shorts suit itself stands as a metaphor for a man with a short fuse. I've heard this line molested by men one too many times; "I have anger management issues"...no dude! You don't look fly proclaiming that to the world so lets nip that in the bud.

Blazer & Silk Shirt : Thrifted (Wales) | Shorts : Matalan

We live in an evolving society where the archaic stereotypes of men as emotionless robots is being eradicated and replaced by metrosexual substitutes. Men are opening up more on social media networks or stylistically/therapeutically blogging, opening up a gateway of understanding into their psyche for females. Along with the perks of this newly opened avenue of understanding, comes the short fuses.

Tie : **Brother's (Burton) | Belt : Primark | Satchel : Oasis | Brogues : New Look

When boys were younger, it was cute to throw a tantrum now and again. It got even hotter for your street-cred getting in fights or being sent out of class when you got to High School....but as a man? Patience truly IS a virtue. Women are reckless with emotions, throwing hurtful words in the air in a fit of rage. Now, as mentioned in previous Menswear Mondays' posts, we live in a world ridden with gender bias, so pardon me for flipping the script completely for the opposite gender...but men need to learn that at any age past getting those GCSE grades, its wiser for you to hone in that temper and upgrade your demeanour. Girls talk! We all know that....so when this dude (that me & my girlies are familiar with) started his termly menstrual cycle, and was throwing b*tch fits left, right & centre....best believe girls started parting like the red sea upon his arrival. Its just NOT a good look. No girl wants to take the risk of being the RiRi to your Breezy flip-out. 

I was beyond disgusted at the finale of Basketball Wives Season 3 when Eric Williams retaliated by throwing water *splash* at Jennifer's face. Like, really? I feel like, yes, what Jennifer did was immature and a cheap shot....but for him to degrade himself on national television like that? WHACK! He came out looking like a bigger loser because gentlemen aren't supposed to lose their temper like that [publicly]....PERIOD! A gentleman should still carry himself with enough class to manage his temper publicly. Its a shame that some women carry themselves with ladette distaste, but the age of the gentleman (in my opinion) is not dead.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Lengthen the patience of a man's short fuse & watch him transform to a woman's 'perfect man' muse. Xisses

The Inbetweeners

Went on a girlie evening out to the cinema with my sister to watch 'The InBetweeners' movie and OMG! It is HILARIOUS! I loved the show on TV (actually stumbled across the pilot, late one night & was hooked since...honestly believe I was one of the 1st people to watch it, and not just claiming that), and the movie is just as funny! Gotta go and watch it guys....its a MUST SEE!

Blazer : **Sister's | Cardigan : Primark (Menswear) | Top : Ethel Austin | Belt : New Look (detached from shorts) | Leather Leggings : Bershka 

Hollywood have failed to depict the 'inbetweener'-like girls in the world, on screen. We've seen movies like the Ocean's franchise, Hangover, and now The Inbetweeners, but no such equivalent for females. It seems when females are gathered on set, all we are reflected to discuss are fickle topics, and not to forget....BOYS! Women are never seen to let their guard down, unless its a liberating sexual adventure that always bears reckless consequences. I want to see more women WINNING on the big screen, without the use of their feminine whiles to their advantage. When I went on a girlie holiday with my girlies to GC, it was quite like the movie...carefree fun!

Casio Watch & Wooden Rosary Bracelet : eBay | Wedges : Prague (Manchester) | Necklace : Dorothy Perkins | Ring : Matalan | Satchel : Oasis | Sunglasses : H&M

I've always lived life under the mantra that 'normality is overrated'....well, I say 'always', but quite rightly, that level of self-acceptance only came with maturity and growth. I've never conformed to the 'usual', and got quite tired of living within the box from a very young age. Some girls are confined by labels, whether it be dominating the guys at lunchtime football and being labelled a 'tomboy', or prancing around in kiddie-heels across the play-park. I dunno what it was, but those titles never quite appealed to me. Quite like the original Jigga collaboration album (with Rkelly? That was my jam back in the di-day!), I've always enjoyed living the 'Best of Both Worlds'.

The Inbetweeners are an awkward bunch, but in their lil clique, they are indestructable. Bullies may try to wedgie away their pride, and girls may aim to publicly emasculate them, but in the end, they came out WINNING! Again....normality is overrated! I've always been a girl to run around in my gang of numbers, claiming to run the world far before Beyonce released that dead track. The movie reminded me all too much of my time in several educational institutes, from primary all the way through to University, and the friendships I formed along the way. These guys honestly had fun wherever, and in whatever circumstances, and I think thats how every friendship should be regardless of gender. Shave away all the ball-less moments bawling our eyes out at douches trodding on a heart or two; my true friendships and moments were carved out from the most unexpected circumstances and its always great knowing you shared that with someone else.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Dare to stand in-between socially constructed norms & break the barriers of defined femininity in all its forms. Xisses

Healthy Hauling

I joined the YouTube community just 6 months ago, as an extension of BLEURGH. I was in awe of so many young girls (some of which were my age, and others even younger), who had acquired followers quantifying to more than mere thousands, just from expressing their interests on camera. Which is why I was infuriated this morning when I read this clearly biased Daily Mail article where they scapegoated a few young youtubers & ridiculed what young girls have come to deem a recreative hobby.

 Blazer : Apricot (Croydon) | Tanktop : Primark (Lingerie) | Tailored Peglegs : Warehouse 

One reason I pinpointed as the basis of this article was ENVY - Youtubers have an advantage over some academic writers/ journalists, who may have toiled endlessly in what they deem a learned craft. Youtubers now rob opportunities because they have captured a particular target market and have created a brand. A brand which companies want to be affiliated with. What may have started off as a hobby to some, turns into a profitable entrepreneurial venture, where companies send products for review, your 'friends' or 'subscribers' constantly bid you to make more videos on a particular topic, or you are itching at the number of likes, comments or views a particular video receives daily.

Purse : Calvin Klien | Rings : Bonita's (Croydon) & Matalan | Wedges : Primark

Now this may seem to some as an unhealthy 'hobby', wavering more towards the category of a 9-5 job. However, to take this away from young girls under claims that it is 'unhealthy' just drove me livid. Yes, one could be wary of the negative effects rude comments have on innocent young girls' self-esteem, but in my opinion, bullying is bound to occur whether via the internet or in reality. Girls who honestly only intend to share their latest purchases with the world, may be mocked by those who genuinely have no interest watching their videos in the first place, but does that mean it has no standing as a hobby? The journalist expressed mock-fear at the effects Youtube-hauling had on the younger generation. The danger from disclosing such sensitive information like the area one resides and the stores they frequent, may attract paedophiles and perverts, but that is where I draw the line.

One could have those same fears for a boy who independently takes the initiative to join his local football team, and is driven to away games by a 'trustworthy' stranger coach. Or jogs on the pitch with his brand new Nike football boots with sparkling new silver studs, 'showing off' to his peers. Is it any different purely due to gender, or the means of expression of materialism? This article, in my mind, is absolute pants, and enrages me! How dare he sit there and mock the girls who gleefully chose to term this their hobby? He is just as mean as any cyber bully sitting behind their keyboard, typing negative comments and disliking videos, its just he was smart enough to incorporate cynicism and rhetoric.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Haul away my fellow youtubers, fear not the spineless filth spat out by a pitiful daily mailer. Xisses