The future is Kitsch

"Kitsch pretends to demand nothing of its customers except their money -- not even their time" - Clement Greenberg

A quote that is no stranger to this blog.. and as you all know my love for kitsch is also no stranger to this blog. So its no surprise to hear that when given a Magazine Photography brief including the words 'future fashion,' I jumped at the chance to photograph my housemate in all things bright and exaggerated..

Lets hear it for NEW YORKKKKK!!

I say 'New York' and what do you think of?
I feel confident enough to predict its one of the following..

The Big Apple, Yellow taxi, Empire Estate, Macy's, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Time Square.. no?
Lucky Charms perhaps.. ?

It's famously known as 'The City that never sleeps,' and I now know why. After having the fantastic opportunity of jetting out there last December, I was able to see the hectic lifestyle that comes with being  a New Yorker, and the magic that happens around such a festive time!

However, this IS me we are talking about and as previous posts demonstrate, I don't always make things easy for myself. Next time I'm shopping in Duty Free and 'last boarding call for New York gate 17' is announced, I refuse to have security called on me.. although I have always wanted to run through an airport film-style :)

So as you can guess, I made the plane and had the pleasure of flying with Virgin. In fairness, as flights go, this one was pretty fantastic - compact television centers, spacious seating and choc ices all make for a good flight. Especially when you miss say choc ice for a loo break, ring your emergency bell and get brought not one, but TWO!

Back to the Big Apple.

In respect, America has never been top on my list of 'places to visit.' I never wanted to get dragged into the world of the L.A skinny, or the opposite extreme, being the addict to supersize MacDonalds. It's clear now these are unfair stereotypes and I can safely say my views have dramatically changed. Not only did I love its fast pace, but the adrenaline endured when racing from block to block having absolutely no idea which avenue you need to reach for particular destinations. I want to live there - with pancakes at 3am being the norm and a celebrity around almost every corner.. what's not to like!?

Although four days isn't exactly a huge amount of time to explore such a HUGE place, we managed to cram a lot of things into our adventure.. The Empire Estate, SATC tour, Yankees stadium tour, Time Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, FIT exhibition, Madison Square Gardens, not forgetting the emotional visit to Ground Zero.

I'd like to think this adventure has given me more knowledge, if only a little, into the world out there I am yet to explore. I hope to go traveling after my degree with NY definitely now making the top of the list! Hey, I may even wear my 'I <3 NY' jumper and see how many more policeman I can get to give me directions.

The Big 21 and the even bigger "Happily ever after"

Ok so yet again I have found myself lacking on the posting front, and with SO many exciting experiences I have had recently, I'm disappointed in myself not to have shared them with you. Its no understatement to say the end of 2010 was packed FULL of hectic-ness for me. The big 21 and New York being the main two, and obviously what with Christmas happening around the same time, I just never seemed to find a moment to myself.

WELL, you guys are in for a treat as the next few posts are going to take you through all of the above! (However, for those of you who click the 'Close' button in the top left corner of your screens right now, I do not blame, nor judge you..) I mean, I do have a tendency to rant on a little, but for me, Christmas celebrations and birthday bashes are without a doubt worth ranting about, story time style!

"There once lived a girl who at the age of twenty loved anything pink, anything loud, and anything alcoholic!"

So it was no surprise when opening my birthday card from the brother and finding his own interpretation of a 'loving memorable' card to give to his little sister the day she becomes an 'adult.'

See below:

To be fair.. his creative skills have to be valued, and labelled 'accurate' if anything :)

"She was fortunate enough to receive a few surprises on her coming of age."

What other wonders did I receive you ask? Well not only was I graced with a lush family meal, night on the town with everybody whose anybody, and several rounds of PINK bubbly, I was lucky enough to get some things in the form of small boxes. And as we all know, all the best things come in small packages..

The Jack Wills Fyfield starprint leggings are a personal fave, along with the beautiful charm that accompanies my Hot Diamonds bracelet, courtesy of the housies. OH and lets not forget those invaluable dollars for the up and coming trip to NYC! (We'll come to that later).

All in all, a perfect 21st. Thanks for all the lovely birthday messages, and thanks to that particular someone who posted possibly THE most motivating message on my facebook wall. "Happy Birthday Tors! You're 21 now, actually time to sort your life out!"

And this is how I'd like my story to end..


"Happy Birthday Tors! You're 21 now, actually time to sort your life out!"


"And so.. she did.. and she lived happily ever after"


"THE END"


Whaaaaaaaaaat!? I never said it was going to be an epic novel or anything. Short, sweet and to the point. I only had a certain amount of time to blow out the candles after all.