What Jen Did

Posted in Blogging, Fashion.

I’ve been doing lots of stuff recently. Here’s a snapshot of life through my Instagram lens…

SS12 fashion preview spring summer 2012 collections Next SS12 SS12 candy pastels trend

Next spring/summer 2012 collection Next SS12 press day
Next SS12 press day

I always have such a great time at the Next press days and blog events. The team at Next always put in that extra effort to make bloggers feel welcome and included, which I really appreciate. It can be a little awkward when events include both journalists and bloggers, especially if the brand treat the two parties differently, so it was lovely to mingle with the pros for the SS12 preview then go off with the bloggers for afternoon tea, cocktails and chats at the Covent Garden Hotel.

Clearly I had one too many cocktails at this point because I don’t have a single photo of the afternoon tea – rest assured it was delish. As was Next’s SS12 collection – hello candy colours!

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Polaroid ‘Best Under The Sun’ press day

After Next, Winnie and I met Kristabel for the Polaroid press day. The brand is celebrating 75 years of design by re-releasing some of their classic styles, and their press day was more like a museum tour with vintage frames from as far back as the 1920s. I loved seeing the development of the brand through the years and was particularly enamoured with the 50s – gotta love those cat-eye shades!

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Cyber Candy and Liberty

I always try to cram as much as possible into my trips to London, so as well as press days and meetings I also hit up Cyber Candy and Liberty – two London landmarks (at least of the retail variety) that are always worth a visit.

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Wooden bunting c/o Next and vintage suitcases made into a bedside table

Back in Leeds, I decided to go for a slight bedroom redesign. I hung the adorable bunting that came in the Next goody bag from the beam – doesn’t it look cute? If you follow me on Pinterest you’ll know I am OBSESSED with beams, and I think adding a bit of bunting is a great way to create a feature.

The vintage-suitcases-as-bedside-tables thing has been floating around the web for ages and as I’m somewhat of a suitcase hoarder, I decided to give it a go. I love it – it’s now the main focal point of the room.

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Wearing a Diesel parka, Matalan dress and Hunter wellies for a snowy Sunday lunch at The Mustard Pot

It snowed. Great. I’m not a huge fan of snow, especially after Christmas and especially if I’m on a charity shop binge when it starts coming down and have to navigate across Leeds to get home. But once I had my Hunters and parka on (both TK Maxx bargains by the way!) I was good to go and Rob and I warmed up with a tasty Sunday roast at one of our favourite local restaurants.

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January GlossyBox (c/o) and a peek inside my makeup bag

I’ve been receiving a GlossyBox every month for a while now and think the concept is great. When it comes to beauty I know what I like (and what works) and tend to stick to it, so anything that encourages me to try new products is a winner in my book. I’m also a bit of a beauty snob so I love the high end focus.

I’ve been reading more beauty blogs recently (gh0stparties, British Beauty Blogger and ETCLLYMLRS are my favourites) and although I love them, they are TERRIBLE for my bank balance. Much more so than fashion blogs – it seems so much easier to invest in a new foundation than a new outfit. And as you can see from my abundance of products (pretty much all bought in the last few months), I’ve been investing heavily!

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My desk at Duke Studios and the BBC Yorkshire building which is right by my office

The most exciting news I have to share is my recent move into a shared studio. I’ve been running my own business since June last year and a few weeks ago I wrote about the peaks and perils of freelancing, one of which is working from home and how hard it can be. I know it sounds all fun and games – working from bed in your PJs, eating your way through the fridge, never wearing proper shoes – but after 6 months it was wearing me down.

When I heard about Duke Studios I was instantly interested and after a visit, totally smitten. It’s astounding that there’s never been anything like this in Leeds – a city packed full of creative individuals and independent agencies – before. Duke is a collaborative working space filled with likeminded people, and I rent a desk within it. I have all the freedom of being my own boss but within a creative agency environment, which has done wonders for my productivity. And the Not Bored Room is something else – more on that at another time.

So, that’s what I’ve been up to. It’s been a busy few weeks to say the least!

28 Comments

City Girls Fashion Box

Lovely to meet you at Next PD! And funny how i have no photos on afternoon tea either – too busy scoffing ones face. The Duke Studios idea sounds fab, hello Christmas party this year hah xxx

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Avenue 57

will hunt for local studios to see if there is anything around here … I’ve worked from home for far too long .. I’m losing the will to live so hoping new business will take me to new premises .. I shall seek out local shared studios!
Fiona
http://www.avenue57.com

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Kelly

Lots going on Jen, all sound very exciting.
Makes me jealous you have the patience to find those bargains in TK Maxx, the place just winds me up, our local one is a jumble sale.
xx

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Make Do Style

What a shame I couldn’t go to the Polaroid press day. I do a lot of work for them & love their sunglasses they weaned me off my designer ones as they are much better for you eyes. I would have got to meet you and catch up with Winnie again.

Love your suitcase collection tres cute xx

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Vicki

aw hun your new studio office looks awesome!! had to check them out! I think something like this would be great for self employed if i worked from home tv and doggies would distract me too much! xx

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Hannah

Not usually a huge Next fan, but LOVE their candy colours. Especially that gorgeous mock croc tote, love the little pops of colour on the cords.

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