TUMBLR

As part of one of my assignments at uni i've been asked to create a digital sketchbook of inspiration. I've chosen to do this through tumblr so if you have one follow me :)

http://kirstygordon.tumblr.com 

winter blues...

I've tried hard to keep up to date with this blog but recently i've felt so uninspired, I don't know maybe its just the weather? Certainly not the time of the year as christmas is my favourite! Reminding me a lot of christmas is a model i made for a recent project, a lot like paper snowflakes i would make when i was little.

Derived from the word "pierced" i created a concept model that created an atmosphere with shadow and light. I designed and drew a lace like pattern on illustrator to form the outer shell. Then with the use of light at different angles that would mimic different intervals within the day, patterns would be cast out over the space.

Neglected ...

I've seriously neglected developing my blog recently, i think i've just had a case of the blues! but after a hard gym session this morning i think i've blown them all away; fingers crossed! Introductory weeks at uni are finally over and now i can get into the real reason i'm there which is a god send for me; it's a real passion!

Over the last week we where asked to complete a drawing project, the kind of drawing which is just not my strong point i'm a lot more into structure and dimensions, but strengthening other areas can only help right? We had to do a small catalogued style of a museum installation on anything we liked, i can't tell you how many times my topic changed but i finally settled with the great British seaside! and on these recent rainy days it was the perfect piece of summer. I chose an illustrative style merely to hide my 10 year old drawing skills and as for the "colouring in" oh my i've seen children's  colouring books with more expertise, but its all good fun. My final images i photoshoped to improve and just use the skills i have to my best ability this was my final outcome.

Busy Busy Busy!

Uni has well and truly kicked in and as committed as i want to be in building up my blog it's most definitely took a back seat this week! Not much has changed except the vast amounts of money being spent on sketchbooks and numerous emails coming in from various design websites; which will start to become a feature and focal point of my blog to build inspiration for upcoming projects. 

This week i had a small group project to produce a board for and we chose to base it upon Revolution bar in Newcastle; i personally love this bar, for a lot more than the cocktails. I don't necessarily agree its furnitured to its full potential and various changes would boost this space even more, but with the amazing architecture it definitely takes a second roll!

Glossybox - September

The London Edition

Elizabeth Arden - Untold

Eyelure - Pre-glued eyelashes

Toni & Guy - Classic shine & gloss serum

Be a bombshell - Onyx eye liner

Dr Lipp - Original nipple balm for lips

Have to admit when i saw this i was excited by the packaging, who doesn't like a bit of gold? Then realising it was an Elizabeth Arden fragrance slightly dubious. Don't get me wrong i am a massive fan of some of her products! the eight hour balm is a god send! But fragrance wise, well lets just say retirement home-esk; wrong again! I was pleasantly surprised that it had a very modern and fruity scent that rivals such popular perfumes like Miss Dior & Marc Jacobs, i'm still not sure if its enough to convert me but this sample is an ideal handbag freshen up!

The Be a Bombshell eye liner is also a new product to me, uncapped it resembles a black marker, and so does its stroke. A clean precision line with a sheen that "will last all day" i'm quite a skeptic to the last all day line so i applied a rich oil based cream over the top (guaranteed to shift it) i rubbed it into my skin till almost dry and the liner hasn't budged one bit! safe to say that this will be a re-buy!

Everything else in my box I own or have tried before, but are a welcome addition to my make up bag! The Pre-glued eyelashes i still glue, just to save the eventual drama of half my eyelash hanging off of being faced with a windy day and having my eyes stripped bare; not a good look! The Dr Lipp original balm is a perfect day to day basic! a bit of gloss, sheen and the winner for me it doesn't go tacky or dry up! This was my first glossybox and i feel fully satisfied with what i've received i'm looking forward to next months already!

Fashion Lookout

One thing i'm really developing a taste for this season is the leather cut out boots! I wasn't too sure on them at first but the more i see them the more i want need a pair! Topshop stock the nicest i've seen so far, however theres just one little niggle; the heel! I'm fairly tall, 5ft8 or somewhere on the way up to 5ft9 and for a casual look i do prefer a flat simply because i have my head in the clouds anyway without the addition of a heel. I also am a size 7 in shoes and often feel these kind of shoes make my feet look massive, so another issue i feel the need to combat. So i am currently on the hunt for an equally nice pair in a flat... so far no luck! Anyone found a flat? i'd love to know. If not and you feel the same check back as i won't be beaten!

Lust//Must #2

Lust/Must is a topic that is on my mind constantly. If only i had a mass of disposable income! I think this small selection is nothing extravagant, it's purely a case of the more you have the more you want. But who can resist a heavy embelished garment? I think it particularly fits in with the punk/grunge style this season but with more of a girly edge, perfect for me really! To be honest anything with sequins just dazzles me and thats often the case with the price too! This skirt is unfortunately no exception and i really can't make up my mind; but with finding myself viewing it that often it's in the top site history of my mac, i have a feeling it'll be on its way soon.

At the other end of the spectrum the Warehouse zip cocoon coat is currently on sale at under 50% off on Asos! I really like the coatigan/oversized style and it's something different from what i already own, which is often a must now as i don't know how many coats one person can own! Again this coat is very on trend with its oversized mannish cuts which is why i don't understand the price cut but i'm certainly not going to argue!

Past Projects

I'm just about set to start Northumbria uni, i've bought some materials, browsed for some books and started to put together a design journal of inspiration. It's surreal to think that this time last year i started my first art course at college and i certainly didn't think i would ever get here, just goes to show what you can achieve when you put your mind to it! The course i have taken is in interior design and thought it seemed fitting to make a post sharing some of my past work. I also know how beneficial just looking at other peoples work can be to really boost your own!

1st project: Ear & eye infirmary - The user being impaired can rely on other senses to navigate there way around a tactile building.

2nd project (final): Seafood restaurant (self sustainable) - A seafood restaurant combatting multiple contemporary issues: food source, fish farming, eating experience, education, energy.

Shopping Haul #1

High waisted jeggings: Topshop

Neoprene zip sweat: Topshop 

Jumper: Zara
T shirt: Ebay

Rings: Zara

Bow ballerinas: H&M

Dancing shoes: AA

Burn out t shirt: H&M

Jacquard print leggings: River Island

Zebra print jumper: H&M

Maybelline falsies mascara

OPI San Francisco

W7 eyebrow pencil

I always seem to spend so much more money around this time of the year than any other and it's not because of christmas! I just cant resist jumpers, coats and thick knit scarves; my student loan is going to be a welcome addition this month! But who can resist a good deal? 

I got my Topshop neoprene jumper in the sale on there website, personally i don't see why it's in the sale especially at this time but i'm not complaining! Surprise, surprise another jumper this time from Zara, I had a gift card from January this year that i had completely forgotten about and i cant resist mesh inserts; the style of it is still very subtle, a lot like the trending burn out tees. As for shoes... These dancing shoes from American Apparel are what i have been stalking the postman for. I have to admit when they first came i was a little worried because they looked huge! i felt like coco the clown but the 100% look better on your feet with an outfit, i also bought the lacey laces one set dark and one light to change the look with different outfits. The standard laces are still fine but i really think these give them a bit more edge!

Finally my make up bag top up, i always get a lot of questions about what i use on my eyebrows and i have to admit that i seem to find the cheaper the product the better it lasts! crazy i know because everything else i own is the opposite but i've tried all the palettes and powders and honestly in my opinion nothing beats your run of the mill eyebrow pencil! BUT IT HAS TO BE SHARP. I like precision neat eyebrows with a sharp finish then i'll use a brow brush to soften the appearance the good thing about this pencil it has a little brush on the end and one final little tip my eyebrows are naturally black/an extremely dark brown, i personally would never use a black pencil its to harsh and become the focus point of your face, use a dark brown.

Hypercalcaemia, Hyperparathryoidism & Kidney Stones!

You may have heard of some of these or possibly none. If you have it's probably a condition an older member of your family may suffer with. However in my family i am that older lady! I've had a lot of people ask me about this condition through various things so it seemed logical to make a post about it; especially when it has a daily effect on my life!

About a year ago to the date i was diagnosed with Hypercalcaemia after many trips to A&E with what i thought where severe stomach cramps. Turns out it was kidney stones & around 12 in total! Hypercalcaemia is what caused my stones, i produce too much calcium and as a result it draws the calcium from my bones which can lead to things like osteoporosis so any queries are worth having checked out! A really important factor i've found through various information is the strong link between aspartame an artificial sweetener (found in things like diet coke) and this kind of problem, needless to say i've cut it from my diet!

Unfortunately my roll of bad luck doesn't end there. My Hypercalcaemia is just a sub heading under the condition that is Hyperparathyroidism. If you know what it is i'm guessing you've probably had it and if not then you are really very lucky! Theres no words to describe this awful condition other than a toxic poison! It isolates you and makes you feel at your lowest all the time & can only be fixed through surgery. I had my surgery May 15th 2013 but it unfortunately failed! - Don't worry if your waiting for yours this is again my luck as its really quite rare!

I had no questions about it other than probably the most vainest thought, how bad would my scar be? and honestly it turned out to be the most asked question. Below are a few progressive pictures of my scar because i know when i was waiting i just wanted to see, but it's not the most sociable thing to ask someone! It's not bad but there are days it makes me feel wobbly so if your a bit scream-ish probably best to not look. Also if anyone has any questions or just wants to chat to someone else who's going through the same thing then don't hesitate! i know how it feels when nobody else seems to understand.

                            1 Week // 1 Month // Today

Lust//Must #1

Black oversized knit jumper: H&M

Zebra print jumper: H&M

Orange oversized jacket: River Island

Jacquard sequin sliced jumper: River Island

Light wash jeggins: River Island

Black dancing shoe: American Apparel

Recently more than ever i have discovered i am a rich girl trapped in a poor girls body! I think it's always the same around autumn because i always want big knits and wintery clothes, possibly even more than summery ones! Another shocking revelation that I've realised is the quantity of clothes i now find my self lusting after from River Island now i don't work there, typical!

I don't think anything screams winter more than the oversized cable knit jumper! i can just imagine braving those winter days from the confides of this jumper!

I don't often go for prints! something about them just says kat slater? that aside i do like to shop within trends and seeing prints have made an appearance this A/W i thought i may have a slight dabble! Surprisingly i love the zebra print jumper from H&M! i think its because its not your standard horizontal type stripes!

I'm a sucker for a blazer! they make those simple outfits stand out so much more. I've had my eye on this blazer for 2 weeks now i think i really just need to take the plunge! same goes for the other two item on my RI list!

Finally the American Apparel dancing shoes! I have looked all over for a pair of shoes like this! possibly for about a year! I wanted something like a brogue but quite plain and with less of an "old lady" feel and i have finally found them! needless to say i'm awaiting this order to the point where i think i am worrying the postman!

ETSY

I have recently started collating and putting together pieces of jewellery, at first for just personal use to give my outfits something a bit more unique and personal. However after a few people where asking my where i bought my accessories is appealed to me that it could be something of a side line to earn a bit extra money while I'm at uni, all i need now are the views!

Follow, Share & Help - I donate a % of all my profits to Kidney Research UK!

Maybe i'm glutton for punishment but i couldn't wait to start back in my sketchbooks again. Northumbria university kindly complied and sent me out my summer project to get ready for uni! its creating your own design journal for three commercial interior space and finding your personal style. Number one is the Lotus Lounge in Durham, not much varies to draw but what i can use i feel is quite quaint.

Blanx

To keep in tied with the fitness theme i recently started a green tea detox (pics to come soon). A cup in the morning and one in the evening for a total of two weeks, not been much of a tea drinker myself i recently noticed a slight discolouration in my teeth coincidence? most likely as i'm only 1 week in, but nether the less after reading Blanx reviews i thought i'd give it a go! I have super sensitive teeth and the good news is Blanx contains no peroxide or abrasive ingredients, the particular product i chose from there range contains a led screw cap that accelarates the whitening process, brush as normal and your teeth are coated in a uv active whitening treatment; so the more exposure to uv your teeth get, the whiter! if thats not a reason to smile i don't know what is!

Nike freerun 3.0

After becoming a member at the gym again i braved the fitness world in my converses... what a sin! after a total of 5 minutes cardio i could feel the pain in my lower legs and not of the unfit variety! Although i do try my best not to buy into gimmicks, i did need a better shoe. Not my usual footwear choice i found these trainers online at very and loved the colour before i read the description. The free run trainer is perfect for what it says on the box, RUNNING! There really light, comfortable and have a foam sole for impact. Having used the at the gym they do make a huge differance and i can honestly say this footwear choice was a good investment!

# 1

I think in total over the years i have made 4, possibly 5 blogs .... maybe more who knows! and all of them stop at the same point. But with a new focus and direction in life I'm hoping i have the willpower to develop this blog into somewhat of an achievement of my personal journeys if nothing else! Live Laugh Lavish is a name derived from what i want to blog about, interior design, lifestyle, beauty & whatever else may come my way! watch this space.