☀ ● Nice to Meet Y.O.U. ● ☀

Kimevamay / / 7,621 Comments

 

Bladdy Ell, 2016 went like a thunder bolt and now we’re sizzling into 2017 with new beginnings, resolutions (if you believe in any of that stuff) and all new adventures this years about to throw at us.

I never do the resolution kind of thing, you know the “I won’t eat chocolate” because, I know I bliming well will. Or the “I won’t drink for the whole month of January because I’m a strong ass individual”, because lets be honest, I BLIMING WELL WILL.

Instead, I have my own way of doing resolutions. Let’s call it, more mental, experience style things. If that was even a “thing” to begin with. Yep, I’m one of those hippies that wanders my flat with incense and has Chakras, stones and shit and I’m pretty darn happy about it.

Last year, I made it my mission to say “YES” to more things. Instead of hiding away or putting things in the back-burner, I went for whatever I wanted straight away, did things I knew were out of my comfort zone and started doing before I started thinking. You see, to be honest, I’m a little bit of a natural worrier. I care deeply for things, if not, perhaps too deeply, and I learnt that sometimes you need to let it all go and give it to the hands of someone else. There’s so much we can all physically, emotionally and mentally do and although selflessness is a beautiful trait, it can also inhibit you from doing so much you truly want.

So, I started to go for more things and whilst people I knew complained that their 2016 had been shit, I looked back with only happiness and positivity. Of course, I’m human and I had a couple of down times, losing my Godmother but It also made me live my life to the full for her. So much can be said for the “outlook” you have, that gives so much to the experiences you make. Instead of treading on your tip-toes or sprinting your way to the finish line, try and take everything in, day by day and if you want to do something, DO IT.

There’s a quote that goes something like “your vibe attracts your tribe” and as cheeeeessssy as it may sound, I couldn’t agree more. Whatever you give off, you get given back and it’s actually pretty amazing what a simple smile, a shit joke or the ability to let yourself go can do for other people and likewise, for you.

So, although I conquered my 2016 plan, I have set myself another; To do things slowly. My mind flickers in all directions and I’m either racing to get something done once I have an idea or making a tea so fast I smash the cup. And although, I like the flicker, taking a step back and enjoying the ride is my new endeavour. I’m also gonna be learning a couple of new things ie: The Guitar I have which is such a lost cause and to start up an Exhibition of some of my work both written and Art related. Because there’s a great sense of freeness when you do what you want for you and you alone with no great accolade but personal achievement on the other side.

Enjoy the ride. You only get one.

 

 

 

◎ ◍ ◉ A Little Piece of My Mind. ◉ ◍ ◎

Kimevamay / / 3,023 Comments

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The other week my Mum and Dad came to visit me up in London. They’d been living it up at the weekend with their mates drinking and partying at a ‘Bowie’ Themed do (which, if you know me, I’m OBSESSED WITH DAVID BOWIE. OKAY, I’LL CHILL WITH THE CAPS). I met them the next day, as they nursed their hangover with more wine and I sat their with my strong coffee. I was definitely starting to think the parenting game had reversed for a second. Anyway, we started to talk about who we were. Yeah, I know, deep for a Sunday booze up.

But it was more than that. It was about who we identified ourselves to be. You see, when we think about what kind of person we really identify ourselves as, we get abit stumped.  Take people on Social Media addressing themselves as “funny, go lucky Chocolate Connoisseur” or “Rabbit Whisperer” (yeah, okay, i made those ones up, but you get the point). And you wonder, where did that “self-tag” or phrase come from? Is that first and foremost who you are?

The trick is, the more in-depth you think about it, the more you loose the truth because then you’re searching for some answer. But the answer should be instinctual. The answer isn’t in your job or all the things you like, it’s inherent in you. How you communicate or express yourself through things, that’s, I think, where the real answer is held.

My Dad answered without a second thought, “Artist” he said. My eyes lit up, because that was exactly my answer for myself. Largely because Art can be whatever you want it to be and is one of those mediums we both use to create visions, ideas or to appreciate/experiment within its vastness. I see people walking around with their head down, looking at their feet or straight ahead with an aim to get from A to B, and my little secret is…I always get to things early with plenty of time to kill because I get to walk with my head and my eyes circling around the space, trying not to miss a dam thing of what the world has to offer. Think about the moments that could of been missed because your eyes were fixated at your shoelace or the fact you saw rain as a bad thing, when it made the most beautiful puddle in the shape of a heart you just walked over.

Obviously, that can’t be all we are and shouldn’t be. Because we are all more than one thing, we can be a ton of things which is the common ground that we all stand on.

For example, I’m a massive advocate of positivity and self love. I want people to feel good about themselves and yes, who they are, because if there were clones of ourselves or if the word “unique” became extinct, then where would we actually find the Art? It would just be a pile of generic people who don’t live their lives to the full because they’re afraid to mess up or fail because of their inadequacy. I can’t vouch for anyone else, but I don’t regret the things I’ve done and every time I’ve ever made a mistake, I’ve always found myself stronger for it. I even, get comments daily (as a Makeup Artist) about my pale skin. My skin colour was never anything I ever thought about, and I’ll be honest, I started to hate being fair because I thought beauty was painted as looking like a “bronze goddess” you saw in the adverts I watched as a fourteen year old teenager, but actually….i was happy just as I was. For one, being tanned doesn’t even suit me and secondly, I saw being pale as offering others, like my fourteen year old self, an opportunity to inspire them to be confident in the cards they’ve been dealt with. We are all bloody beautiful in a list of ways I couldn’t even begin to fit on a page and our differences allow the world to be more interesting and that favourite word “unique”.

So that’s a little piece of my mind. A mind that you have and I  hope you’re not afraid to share with others and get thinking about our own possibilities and opportunities that lie before us just by filling it.

And on that note, I leave you with a song that’s been playing ON MY MIND.

Peace x

Angel Olsen-Sister.

Source: Youtube. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

○ ● ● Music On, World Off ● ● ○

Kimevamay / / 4,609 Comments

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Sorry for my few month hiatus! But hopefully you’ll be able to forgive me with my post on all things musiquaaaaah.

The past couple months have been so bloody busy for me BUT it’s given me a little time to source some new music and vibe out some tunes i didn’t know existed. Last week, i met one of the music producers from Made in Chelsea and we got chatting about all things makeup (obviously) and bands that have either faded out, up and coming and  in general, good, looked over hits that no one knows about. We shared some of our favourite songs with each other and being true to my word, i did go home and check those bands she recommended.

The best way to discover music is by stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit and be open minded to what’s out there. Hey, I even remember going to a blue-grass gig and inside i was like “no, no, noooo, this totally isn’t my thing”, but, with a couple beers in hand, my bessie mate and a sweaty musician giving it his all on the Pizzicato (a string instrument you basically slap), i was converted.

Soooo…ive compiled a little list of tracks i’ve been listening to at the moment to get you inspired.

Campdogzz-The Well

 

Source: Soundcloud

This song is only included on Soundcloud but you can check out their other stuff on Youtube. They’re a really low key band from Chicago, with melodic, somber elements that lift with its sixty style singers and instrumentalists.

 

The Lumineers-Angela

Source: Youtube

Between us, i never really listened to this band much and i didn’t think it was “my thing”, but i came across this one-off song and it really stuck. It’s got this folky/magical vibe to it which i think is really sweet and might of just made me like them more..

Rhye-Open

Source: Youtube

This song’s from Rhye’s Album called “Woman” and it mixes rhythm and blues with electronica. They sound abit like an American Version of “Disclosure” but i like the soulful, whimsicalness of this little tune.

 Keaton Henson- You

Youtube: Source

Henson’s music is a mix of Folk and Rock but in general, he’s such an interesting Artist dabbling with written poetry verse and producing visual graphic novels.

Betsy-Lost and Found

 

Youtube: Youtube

Alright, so she’s a little bit of my guilty pleasure but wait. Doesn’t she sound like CHER?! I’m pretty envious of the styling in this video and makes a play on Marilyn Monroe’s Glamour with her poppy/techno beats.

Seafret-Give me Something

 

Source: Youtube

These guys are a musical duo from Yorkshire, and although i haven’t really listened to much of their other music, i think this song is just a simple alternative/indie tune to get you into the stuff they produce.

If you’ve got any other recommendations, comment and share below!

Happy Listening  x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Bud Moment.

Kimevamay / / 8,381 Comments

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Little Rose Bud. That was one of my nicknames growing up. I can’t really tell you why, but i’d sign off any letters i wrote under that name like it was my destined alias. Weren’t i cool? Then, after my invisible pen pal days were over, i decided to think about its literal meaning of growth and how many might be discouraged by it’s thorns, rather than the bloom inside.

And hey, not everyone is gonna want a bunch of roses, are they? Some might be a sunflowers kinda gal or daffodil kinda guy or they might hate every living plant, butttttttttt each to their own. We’ve all got our acquired tastes don’t we?

It’s only now reaching that big (for me), not so big (for others) age of twenty five, that I’ve found my own place of calm and really concentrated on what i think, rather than being blurred or undeterred of others thoughts..so i’ll tell you a secret.

At School i was bloody terrible at everything. Real hideous. I failed pretty much everything and spent more time drawing pattern ink on my hands pretending i was a tattoo artist and throwing paper aeroplanes around the room, than i was listening in a classroom or watching a historical video about Egyptians. My teachers thought I’d fail and i thought i’d grow up being this old lady with no real life success but with a strong entourage of cats around me. But what they didn’t know, is that i had my own ideas for the future and watching that Egyptian video was not a part of it. But the cats probably were.

I grabbed every opportunity by the hands, said yes to everything, (especially alcohol) and worked hard for what i wanted. I made decisions based on instinct, went out of my way to do things outside the box and allowed my passion to navigate me to where i needed to be. In essence, i learnt to risk take. That to me, became my true rosebud moment. The moment i realised that it takes time to take everything in, digest and experience things in life before you can set off on your adventure alone till the bud is just a symbol of the past.

Obviously, i have a long way to go and my mind pretty much never switches off into thinking about my next project or idea, but rather than be more like something else, be more like whoever the hell it is that you are. As you can tell, i’m a massive advocate of self courage and i am all in for those that stick their middle finger up to tradition and do something a little different regardless of what everyone else might think. Even if people might think this post is lame, well then, great, you have an opinion. Good for you- vocalise it, chat about it, make use of that dam thing that connects your brain to your vocal chords and let people know your voice exists. But please, please, please, don’t go hiding or allow others to decide what you’re gonna be or who you are. Because we’re all on this little journey together, getting it right, getting it wrong but your willingness to search, learn and find your own rose bud moment will be enough and will take you to exactly where you need to be.

So cheers for that nickname. I kinda like it.

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-Photo’s by TS Photography.

 

 

 

 

 

❋✿❁ What the Folk!? ❁✿❋

Kimevamay / / 4,280 Comments

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Hey summer, it was nice knowing you while you lasted a whole five days of sun. It’s always that weird time in August (in England) where it’s too cold for full on park life nudity and too warm for marshmallows on the fire (I REALLY LIKE MARSHMALLOWS ON THE FIRE) and although i love my black garments a little too much, I’ve been making a real effort to try and inject colour into my wardrobe. My Way. Exactly how Frank Sinatra sings it.

I feel my most “me” when i’m in some kind of ethereal Bohemian garment full of lace textures and floaty numbers. I also love my grunge and i love mixing fairy with dark tones of rock n roll and leather jackets i can’t afford, crying over my fake one in the back of a dingy club with a beer. Lad.

One of my favourite trends this summer is Folk. Folk mixes the 70’s with embroidery, floral and suede designs. Anything pretty much goes, for example, mixing up your fringe waistcoat with your chunky thigh-high boots would be considered Folk, but getting the right mix is important.

For this Folk look, i decided to team an “awkward” embroidered length dress with chunky brown patchwork boots and a bronze gem choker. The dress is a mustard colour, yeah, mustard and if i’m honest, it’s really not the most wearable shade but i actually really love it. Although i styled my hair in a half-up, half-down plaited do with smokey red and warm orange eyes, this colour dress would also look really good with a deep red lip if you decided to go into nighttime with it. The fabric is sheer along the top and sleeves, which means its “airy” enough for that summer breeze and the chunky heels keep it alittle less “girly” than if i were to pair it with heeled sandals.

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Dress: Zara, Shoes: ASOS, Necklace: Topshop

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Eyeshadow: Modern Romance Palette by Anatasia Beverly Hills, Lipstick: Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick in Lady-Be-Good  by MAC. Foundation: Skin Base by Illamasqua.

When i’m getting ready, I like to dress with a theme in mind which usually comes to me on the day and i like the rest of the styling of hair and makeup to fit the finished look. So tomorrow i think i’ll channel the 60’s…unless i go back to my wardrobe of black. Morticia Addams eat ya ‘art out.