South to East

South to East

This weekend was for adventures and exploration.

I left my south London cave and made the journey east to spend the day with Sheldo, sashaying around wearing the trench coat and tote bag of dreams. Work is busy... GREAT, but busy, with that in mind I wanted this weekend to involve a smaller quantity of booze than prior and a larger quantity of fresh air. I met Laura in Shoreditch, hotdog in hand, ready to head to our first destination - Anorak Magazines 'Drawing Imaginarium'.... It wasn't exactly what we were expecting... there were a lot less activities and a lot more children. In true trooper style, we gave the event a solid 30 minutes before giving up and heading to the Whitechapel Gallery. The main exhibit "Parallel I-VI" by Harun Faroki was super interesting, the space was made up of a variety of screens leading you through the evolution of gaming, it's actually amazing to witness technology growing at the speed it is. I still think I prefer the games that actually look like games, super obvious pixels and such... but alas, Assassin's Creed it is.

Although the pictures look pretty sunny, Saturday was freezing so we decided to base the rest of the days itinerary based on where the pockets of sun led us... we arrived at St Katherine's Dock and explored every small alley along the way. We found an open door to the Thames, a dolphin fountain, a peace garden where all faiths can congregate and be at peace, Morris Dancers, a building that looked like a remnant from War of the Worlds and a really good pub.

Overall, it was the perfect London day - oh hey Monday, I'm ready for you!

Laura Sheldo has a new collection of T-shirts, prints and totes out today - go, go, go! I 100% need this tote bag in a T-shirt!

Trench - Marks & Spencer, Top & Pants - Topshop, Tote Bag - Laura Sheldon

Be a Cool Kid, Make a GIF

Be a Cool Kid, Make a GIF

Do you ever feel left out when you see pictures of cats coming together in a perfect, delicious union? Do you feel like all the cool kids are making GIF's and you can't? Well, do not fret - I am here to help via the medium of film.

I have a new video up on my YouTube channel - please watch, like, subscribe and GIF until your heart is content!

Forever Legs - A Leaving Cocktail

Forever Legs - A Leaving Cocktail

One of my loveliest and best pals upped and left us for Australia, not to worry though, we will be stealing her back soon. However this post is going to be less about kidnapping someone and more about how we 'celebrated' her leaving us for a new adventure.

We decided to provide a recipe and cocktail ingredients for people to help themselves to... this was not an aim to avoid any hostess duties, although it turned out to be a pretty swell by-product. I wanted to illustrate / design the recipe card as a fun addition to the party and something that Sophie could keep as a memento (it was also an excuse to play). I like designing things and I like booze - these two things seem to fit together rather well. So well in fact, that I may start a regular post illustrating and sharing some of my favourite combinations... winner?

The party was hilarious, cocktails were created, cocktails were drunk and sore heads were created.

'This is England' Exhibit

'This is England' Exhibit

Free Friday? You should most definitely come along. I am part of the 'This is England' exhibit at The Lauriston pub! There will be drinks, banter and (most importantly) nice things for your eyes to oogle.

You can find all of the info here - 'This is England' Exhibit, The Lauriston

Lazy Days are Birkenstock Days

Lazy Days are Birkenstock Days

After a day of running / exploring London in heeled boots, drinking and eating up a storm - a slow moving, comfort day is needed, which is where the beautiful, foot huggers - Birkenstocks come in.

The only plan for this day was BRUNCH, I took Rosie (my Northern visitor) to Love Walk Cafe in Camberwell, the cafe me and Three Piece Suite (my illustration collective) designed, to view and sample the menu.

This is probably my go-to / quick outfit when I really cannot be bothered to use my powers of selection to pick out an outfit, it was a lazy day and I was certainly being lazy. Jeans, t-shirt, hair dragged up and a pair of fake Birkenstocks are the only way forward for me on days like these. We strolled through the park on the way to the cafe to fuel, before facing a less enthusiastic walk to the tube station to wave goodbye to Rosie.

Lazy day outfits are just a must right?

Shoreditchification

Shoreditchification

I understand that the Shoreditch effect is pushing up prices and creating hipsters with no place to go along the way, but Shoreditch will still be the original - where hipsters were born wearing skinny jeans from the womb. The Telegraph's article (Shoreditchification) is a rather interesting read, whether you agree fully, not at all or half way.

I created this map for a Christmas stall we had at Brewdog on Bethnal Green Road. I always find myself drawn in by illustrated maps so I thought I would set myself the challenge to illustrate hipster heaven. I mean Sundays just wouldn't be the same if a visit to Columbia Road market wasn't an option.

Company Magazine!

Company Magazine!

The October issue of Company Magazine is out today - I am literally running to the shops to grab an issue to see my work (& the other awesome grads work) in print!

Having the chance to illustrate and write actual words to be printed in Company Magazine has been fantastic.

I attended an issue brainstorm, illustrated, wrote and designed one of the 'fashion five' features on pink coats (hopefully that's your favourite page...), illustrated an image for the 'Company report', attended a photo shoot with 'Fresh Meat' (vlog to follow), took a sock selfie, had street style photos taken, worte my opinions on 'celeb tatts', met lots of lovely people, ate lots of chocolate and generally had a stella time!

Hope you like the magazine, let me know what you think!

THANKS FOR HAVING ME COMPANY.

Company Magazine stash going back to 1998!

Daily office style posts in progress.

#CompanyGrads

#CompanyGrads

I'm not sure I ever told you the excellent news - I was picked to be one of the #CompanyGrads to takeover the October issue of Company Magazine! It was a surreal moment to be sat in a brainstorming session with Victoria and the ace Company crew. Updates as soon as!

Have a read and meet the other Company Grads here - Company Magazine

Oh Betty You Charmer

My illustration in Betty! Woo!

Oh Betty You Charmer

I had a little illustration in the latest Betty Magazine, which is bloody ace! Seeing something I have created in a magazine is slightly surreal, but nice (cheeky Notting Hill reference there for all you rom-commers)

I had the chance to go along on the launch night for the magazine, which involved popcorn, pretty dresses, champagne, cider cocktails and beehives galore. Betty is beautiful/nostalgic to look at, so it was only natural to feel like you were walking into a beautiful vintage film for the opening night. I had the chance to meet some other ace Betty contributors/lovers and waffle all things Betty (over a photogenic cocktail complete with a photogenic straw)

I am pretty sure you will all know and love Betty magazine, but if you don't - rectify that situation now, here. BETTY MAGAZINE

#CompanyGrads

I'm on the Company Website! YAY You can learn a bit more about all the shortlisted Company Grads HERE

#CompanyGrads

I know I already told you all that I was shortlisted to co-edit the october issue of Company Magazine but I left you in the dark about the details. I hopped a train to London yesterday to meet the Company gang at Graduate Fashion Week for a 'Company Grads Session' and I thought I may as well take you guys along with me - video styleee (venture to the bottom of the post guys or YouTube - options)

I instantly knew I was nearing Graduate Fashion week on the tube when the outfit choices started to improve (and on occasion go slightly mental). Along with collaborating with Company on the Company Grads issue, George also sponsors Graduate Fashion week - coolest brand? I think so. We were asked to come up with a few feature ideas and brainstorms to talk through to Features Ed Lena, Art Director Tanita and George Brand Director Fiona.

Whilst all the interviews were going on we were left with copious amounts of Company magazines, scissors and pritt stick to go mad with. The aim wasn't just to cut and stick - it was to cut and stick together our idea for a Company magazine cover. As always with collages I got a bit too excited and stuck down ALL the magazines but I think it turned out alright in the end (you judge - theres a cheeky flash in my vlog)

Getting to wander around and take in Graduate Fashion Week was pretty ace in itself - so all in all a pretty wicked day. Wish me luck!

If you fancy hearing me ramble and seeing a lot of my face then you are in the right place...

Winning at Wednesdays - 05

Winning at Wednesdays - 05

It's a little bit of a small one this week but...

Featured - Me and this little blog were featured and reviewed on the 'Brands on the Blog' blog, they said some pretty ace things which considerably perked up my day! You can read the rest of the article HERE.

Drinking - Aviation cocktails, there is nothing better I would rather drink right now.

Listening - I never really click with that much Hip Hop music but when I do, it's love. 'Samsonite Man' by Fashawn makes me feel super summery.

Leeds Vlog.

Leeds Vlog.

Leeds documented through video and awkward poses... I also painted a kind of landing page to pop up at the beginning of my videos. It was also just a massive excuse to procrastinate and experiment with patterns.

This is my YouTube attempt number 2 'Leeds Vlog', so I hope you like it. I am still just finding my feet and deciding whether YouTube is for me and what I want to do/achieve with it. But for now - it's fun.

Winning at Wednesdays - 04

Winning at Wednesdays - 04.

Featured - I was interviewed and featured on the Camberwell, UAL blog. YAY - if you are interested in hearing me waffle then take a look HERE.

Reading -  'Copywriting' by the super ace copywriting genius, Mark Shaw. I am always looking to push myself into learning new things - I find coming up with interesting blog posts and the 'tone of voice' that is portrayed by different people interesting, so I am learning more about the logistics behind that.

- Company magazine, I go through fazes with magazines. I have my regular magazines but some months I just seem to go crazy and buy ALL THE MAGAZINES. I have been hooked on the Company mag since their re-brand, it almost feels like I am reading a selection of my blog subscriptions on Bloglovin.

Visiting - Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. I travelled to Leeds for a day of shopping, cocktails and general fun with a couple of my friends and continuing my dip into the YouTube pool, I vlogged! I am not the most steady handed of video camera users but hopefully it wont be too much of a sickening watch ha! I will have the video up in the next few days but in the meantime, I have a couple of videos  already up on my channel (Ashley Fauguel).

Watching - The last episode of Broadchurch - I actually can't believe how absorbed I became in this series. I sat nervously throughout the finale before screaming 'I KNEW IT' which of course I did... and it's back for a second season!!!

- Game of Thrones - as always, obviously.

What's in my Bag?

iPad, Kafka on the Shore, iPod, destroyed phone, the best glittery £2 Primark sunglasses, spare hair ribbon, Bastiste, lip balm, hand gel, mirror, business cards, keys, railcard, money purse, card wallet and make up purse.

What's in my Bag?

I thought I would do a bit more of a refined 'what's in my bag?' blog post to go alongside my YouTube video for those of you who prefer blogging time to YouTube time. The bag I am currently using (for nicer activities) is my most ladylike Louis Vuitton present, for everything else I just shove it all into my now decrepit Zara pleather tote.

Wishful Thinking.

 

 

Top - Charity shop (50p!!!), Skirt - American Apparel, Shoes - Vintage, Necklace - Forever 21

Wishful Thinking.

I can't seem to be able to turn down tacky, Hawaiian themed clothing, spending the evening with a bottle of rum and ting or not. I picked up this t-shirt a couple of weeks ago for 50p (!!) in a charity shop and fell for its crazy charms, I threw it on with an 'in your face' necklace and I was good to go. Spring seems to be avoiding Manchester at all costs, so until the sun creeps through the clouds I am going to keep wearing outrageous prints, wearing spring lip colours, eating ice cream and hoping...