The Grand Eagle Ball

On the second of July 2013 I travelled back in time 86 years to 1927, at the Grand Eagle Hotel. This was a special event created by Secret Cinema, that brought to life Laura Marling's new album. I managed to get tickets to the last of the events, on extra night put on after the success of the earlier. I'd heard rumours and it sounded so good that I couldn't resist. 

The invitation read:

The pleasure of your company is requested at the 1927 Eagle Ball to be given at the Grand Eagle Hotel, taking place throughout June with a very special performance by Laura Marling. We have reserved you a room for the night. The Master of the Hotel, Thomas Undine and his trusted hounds will be in the Hotel Reception to welcome you. Be prepared for adventure, exploration, romance, secret music and other strange curiosities at the most eagerly awaited Ball of the year.

All should bring one of the following: A suitcase of unwanted clothes. A briefcase or satchel of unwanted books. An instrument. An old Record.

All should bring the following: Flowers for Josephine Undine, the Mistress of the House. A small secret gift for a stranger. A photograph of an old lover. A Map.

Mr Thomas Undine

Indeed there were many curiosities to be found within the walls of the grand old Victorian school building, that the event was hosted in. Everything from the Drawing Room, a room for drawing a miniature of oneself and sticking it up on the wall, to the room at the top of the tower which was full of doves! The evening of exploration, watching short films, watching musicians play in the smaller rooms, and sipping champagne culminated in The Ball, a performance by Laura Marling of past and current songs. It was great. I've signed up the all the mailing lists and I can't wait for the next secret cinema event!

Although cameras and phones weren't permitted at the event there were professional photographers wandering about. Much to my surprise one of the photos that popped up online recently was of me! (Third photo from the top). Which is part of the reason why I decided to share this, so that you can admire my costume. (I will take any opportunity to show off this dress, I love it to bits. Almost literally to bits, some of the beading is fall off, oops!) I had planned on making my own dress for the ball but I didn't finish it in time, as is always the case. This is my only other 20's themed outfit so I went with it. I'd already worn it once a week earlier, to my university's summer ball (also prohibition era themed), where I worked behind the bar. Below is a photo of me from that night. (Note the sparkly hair, I practically drowned it in glitter).

All the photos (apart from the bottom one) were found here. You should click through to see all the other many curiosities there were. It really was like being transported into a new magical world.

dress//thrifted    bag//thrifted    fur shawl//gift    headband//handmade    jacket//thrifted    shoes//TKMaxx

ASOS BEHIND THE SCENES

As mentioned in my last blog post (here), my quick visit to London saw me team up with the ASOS Fashion Finder team and take up their blogger style challenge.

Here is a fun behind the scenes sneak peek at my key ASOS holiday pieces.

I had such a great time styling and shooting with the team - hope you love the video as much as I do.

Follow my travels on instagram @friendinfashion, twitter and facebook.

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LONDON TRAVEL DIARY

Westminster Abbey / Checking in to Citizen M Hotel / view of London Eye / Selfridges, Mary Katrantzou window / streets of Soho wearing Lucette coat & Esther dress / ASOS Fashion Finder Behind the Scenes / Shopping Oxford Circus  

Generally not more than a stop-over (and always lusting for more time), my brief visits to London are always a highlight of my travels and this week was no different.

After a quick visit in Dubai, I caught the red-eye to London, checking in to what has to be noted as one of my favourite hotels, Citizen M.

Jet-lagged and tired, I went to check in, only to realise that I had mistakenly booked my room a month earlier than my arrival - rookie mistake. Thankfully the team at Citizen M were so helpful and understanding, they were able to assist me and before I knew it I was changed an bound for my favourite shopping spot Oxford Circus. What is travel without adventure, the unknown and the unplanned.

A few hours into my visit, and early credit card damage done thanks to Selfridges, Cos, Urban Outfitters and Topshop, It was time for a bite in Soho (Vitao is my favourite vegetarian cafe in Soho - worth a visit). I always love a visit to Soho, an amazing creative/grungy vibe, unique only to London. Visits to Covent Gardens and Camden made sure that my short London visit was packed with great sights, shopping and tastes.

For those following @friendinfashion on Instagram, would have also noticed during my London visit, I was lucky enough to collaborate with ASOS and ASOS Fashion Finder, shooting some of my key holiday looks for the season. The team was amazing, as was the ASOS operation, with over 1000 staff.

Such an extraordinary experience - I can't wait to share the end results with you soon.
 
I've now landed in the Cote d'Azur, where I plan on spending as much time in the crystal blue Mediterranean as possible, as well as checking out the Festival de Cannes. My favourite time of year in the South of France.

Follow my journey on instagram @friendinfashion, twitter and facebook.

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Walking in an alpine grove

Firstly I find it most important to inform you that my hair that my hair is still pink, I was a little hasty in posting my first pink post just because I was so excited to share my newest hair adventure. The problem is that I now have a small backlog of photos pre-pink which might be a little confusing. For the time being I'll try and disperse them evenly amongst the pink until I have no more left. That is, if I can be bothered to post them at all. These photos were taken as I was leaving my friend's house in Surrey and heading back to our London abode. He has a lovely flowering bush in the front garden that seems to be in bloom almost all year round. I also had to take these in front of at least three builders standing no more than 20 metres away. They didn't make a single comment, which must be a first!

Another reason for posting this now is the lovely, lovely dress. It's yet another Orla Kiely for People Tree piece (what can I say? Orla has a way with clothes) that I got at yet another People Tree sample sale (what can I say? I'm too poor a student to buy things full price). The exciting thing is that this time I wrote this post prepared, prepared to write about how you, yes you, could obtain these sweet, sweet clothes for the same low, low price. The answer: yet more sample sale! There is one small difference, I'm volunteering there on Friday and Saturday. So if you live in the south of England and can get to East London this weekend, come say hi! (I have pink hair, it's hard to miss). On the other hand, I'm terribly shy and make very awkward conversation so perhaps it is best that you stay at home and admire the clothes on the internet.

And if for some reason you don't like in the south of England (I can't think of a single reason why you might not...) then the goody bag from people tree is a random selection of archive pieces that one might find at a sample sale, but with an element of surprise!

dres//Orla Kiely for People Tree    sunglasses, shoes//thrifted    flower comb//handmade

orla kiely for people tree by dressesonaclothesline featuring lotta

Dr. Martens chunky heel sandals, £96 / LOTTA floral headband / Jeepers Peepers round frame sunglasses, £19 / Orla Kiely Alpine Grove Flared Dress / Borders & Frontiers Maths Things Shopper, £13