Luella ella ella ay ay ay

Yesterday was a sad day for Alexa Chung and I, and British fashion in general. Fashion label Luella has lost its backing and is no more. This has completely ruined my 'Things To Buy Before Death' list (you know, for when I win the lottery) because now I will probably never own a Luella dress or bag (and if you've ever touched a Luella bag you'd understand).

Just to highlight what a loser I am, I even dreamt about it last night! If you're unfamilar with Luella Bartley, her clothes are pretty, feminine and traditionally English-garden type, but with a quirky twist. Basically it's my ideal style in a brand, if I were rich enough to buy what I wanted in Selfridges and if I actually shopped with my wardrobe in mind instead of just buying random items. Also if I ever took off my jeans.
There's even now a twitter campaign to save Luella, called... saveLuella, actually. Which could happen maybe if someone else backed her.
Seriously though, God only knows what Alexa Chung is going to do now, she probably even sleeps in Luella. Probably this dress.
Alexa, if you need someone to talk to... I'm here for you.

P.S. I've typed the word Luella so much it's lost all meaning to me.

Fist

I have typed the word 'fist' so much in the last few hours, and now the word just looks plain weird. It doesn't even look like it is spelt correctly anymore.

I am so excited for the 20th November because New Moon (my favourite book out of the Twilight saga) is finally going to be released! ...and to add to the hype...midnight screening...at my local Cinema!!! Got my ticket in advance with a couple of my home girls today (one of whom didn't even know what the movie was?! WTF! Where have you been women). I. Cannot. Wait. One minute past midnight on the 20th November. You really do not want to be anywhere else on this night :-D. This is about the most exciting thing I have to look forward to at the moment. Sigh. I just want to add I hate my work uniform. I hate that I have to wear it (more or less) 5 out of the 7 days in the week. I hate that this is what I wear 20 out of the 30 odd days in a month. I hate that we only get a new uniform every three/four months. I hate that this uniform has numbed my brain from knowing what else to wear outside of work. I hate that I cannot do much with a blah-tee and "dark denim". I hate that I am still constantly accumulating masses of clothes, without much opportunity to wear the new goods. I hate that these newbies to my makeshift wardrobe (carry bags, chair, floor) never get to see the light of day because, in all honesty, I end up forgetting about them. I hate that this is all the result of my work uniform. What a vicious circle.

I wish I could wear a skirt to work. Below: Marc Jacobs tee, Nike x Mark Ward varsity jacket, AA hoody, Hennes skirt, Vintage "coming to America" belt & my beloved Air Max 1s.

Gold Silver Silver Gold

(Mix of Topshop, Marc Jacobs, Asos, River Island, Miss Selfridges and of course, H&M)

How do you feel about wearing mixed metals? There is an old wives tale (or maybe its just a Chinese thing) that says you should not wear gold and silver together because "it is not good", meaning it brings a bad aura. Meh. I'm quite superstitious, and I do not appear to be having the best of luck for the last few days...can I really blame it on the jewellery I am wearing? Then again, none of my jewellery is actually real gold, or real silver, but merely coloured metals, so maybe this old saying need not apply here? My friend once told me to stop being so superstitious because bad things happen to everyone and not just to bad people, and this is the same as good things. Believing something as silly as stepping on three drains or getting doo-dooed on by a bird (neither of which relate back to good or bad luck in reality) to change something from happening is just stupid, "Its pure coincidence", he said. Whether I believe him or not, I still remember those stupid words. Oh, and yeah with the whole jewellery thing, I found a way to bypass the "badness" coming to me by telling myself it is OK if I wear gold on one hand and arm, and silver on the others. Don't judge me. And, no, I do not look like a crazy gypsy lady...nor do I look like a Chinese women trying to sell jewels for "goott priceee".

I am totally digging this Vamp-duster 2 finger ring. Mighttyyy fine! Before anyone comments and say "I love your ring!", its not mine yet. But, you can get yours at Verameat (for $110...why why why). Oh, its so hot.

And, off the subject of rings. Two of my favourite tracks at the moment. Both of which are by Drum and Bass/Dubstep duo Chase and Status:

End Credits feat. Plan B

Heartbeat Remix by Nneka (This remix is tooo siccckkk!)

A Different Kind of Cool

I swear, I do not remember me as a kid looking this cool. I don't get it? I know its a new time, new era, but seriously, if the kids aged 10-ish are looking like little hipsters there is really no hope for the twenty-somethings of the world. Obviously, not all kids dress like mini-trendsters waiting to be snapped by the likes of Mark 'The Cobrasnake' (not that 10 year olds should be at those parties until the early hours of the morning drinkin', smokin' with big things poppin'...but you know what I mean...), and some do actually dress like the child they are supposed to be. Anyway, I want to be down with these kids, just so they can bring me an extra helping of cool and cute.

(Just thought to add this photograph of a scene from Where the Wild Things At because it is too damn cute)

And, its not just the decade old kids that are killing it style wise either, it the under 18s too. I work in a shopping centre in a relatively well off area of London. Every time I see them, they are head-to-toe in the latest 'in trend' goods. Yes, their look is predictable, yes, they all look the same, but there is no doubt that they can all pull it off and look good. Gosh, they make me feel old and un-cool.

And, teenage boys, please stop looking older than 20. Because, I as a 21 year old female, along with many of my 21 year old (sometimes +) female friends, really really do not appreciate being deceived into checking you guys out...then on closer inspection noticing that you are still a kid (in our eyes). It really is not fair. Thank You Please.

Tacky Love

There really is something spectacular about tacky 'in-your-face' branding that just appeals to me . Be it the real deal logos, or, even better, the fake tack! I am not saying I would rock a replica bag (thanks, but no thanks, really), but a high street store using the iconic interlocked C's as 'inspiration' on a tee? Yes, the fuck please.

Rocked nicely with the 'never leave my thighs' jeggings (for the next few months anyway) and my brand spanking new Nike Air Maxims! From £90 to a sweet £27.90? Hell yes, I copped them, even if I am pound-less for the rest of the month. Although I have to say, they are the LEAST comfortable kicks I own. These badboys actually make my feet ache, and people are supposed to use Nike Plus with these and run in them? That's a joke because I can't even walk around Oxford Street for four hours when I wear them.

Oh and, yeah, copped three pairs of trainers in one week. I think I went a little bit overboard. Not cool (but my feet will look hot..). Maxims, Jordan 1s and Jordan 60+:

Dot to Dot and Crop Top

I love my polka dot shirt (even if it does look like part of some scrubs from the hospital), and these kick-ass "jeggings" from hennes are going to be glued to my legs this winter. Love them. I have discovered a bunch of Tumblr blogs and have spent ages and ages looking at pretty pictures on them. A lot of the time images are repeated through various tumblrs but it is still easy to the eye, which is why I am so addicted to them at the moment. The cleaner looking the thumblr blog is, the more likely one is going to view it, its a change from the usual Blogger blogs! Something fresh eh?

I am having a hard time dealing with the lack of student finance now that university has finished. Because, typical me, I am still spending like I have student loans etc. It sucks ass man. With the expiration of student loans, comes the riddance of student travel discount (30%) and be-gone sweet student discount (10%) in my beloved high street stores such as Topshop, BikBok, Aldo and the like. My NUS card expired in August, but believe you me, I am still using it and acting as if I didn't know it has expired/"waiting for my new one to come". Lame? Kind of (especially if you get busted), but that 10% makes a difference between whether an item is coming home with me or not. Student discount also applies in cinemas - its a steep jump for my pockets to go from paying £4 to £7 for a movie ticket smh. Next step, I have to find my cheaply made university student ID and do some DIY to some how rid of the expiry date, then purchase some sticky-back plastic to mend it all back together. Yay, I have a mission to complete.

I pretty much got student discount on most of these toys, unless they were given to me as a present :-)

Hello Kitty (and Dopey) says howdy to all the bitches and gangsters out there:

Just to let y'all know I am still writing for M.I.S.S. so head over there and check it out! My latest write up is for Prince Peter's SS10 collection, click it and comment yo!

Last picture and words for the day: A picture from June whilst I was in New York. In our little dingy room in Manhatten, which housed four of us - with tonnes of shopping - for two weeks. The times we would rather spend our money on stuff to buy rather than food to eat (think one big bag of chips/crisps -which we got for free, thanks to the Female Sneaker Fiend BBQ! -for breakfast between four of us during the last few days). How I would go through that all again just to be a dingy NY hostel room:

A picture one of us took on the trip. Unedited. Perfect moment, perfect photo. Ameteur photography at its best. Central Park:

Oh Josh - Hot Damn What A Man 3.0

You mutherfunksting heart throb.

Speaking a Dead, Dead Language

Current I am working for Nike, so one day I can be like Mr. Nike bossman and have tonnes of OG Nike shoe boxes filled with monies. Whether or not this is achievable anytime soon is a whole different story:

Image from: A Visual Orgasm

Currently I am wanting this Where The Wild Things At one piece from Opening Ceremony. Everyone who knows me, knows this is my ultimate favourite childhood book, along with A Necklace of Raindrops. This is all before the hysteria surrounding the movie started by the way. This one piece is so cool. The perfect safety blanket. The perfect Halloween costume, you don't have to look a slut, remember? Its Halloween.

Photo from: The Adventures of Yoshi

Currently waiting for this issue of Another Man to be released. With the one and only Robert 'Leg Humpable' Pattinson gracing the front cover. James Dean inspired looks. Oh My, Hot Damn What A Man. I love the last photo of him. I need this magazine, I do not care that none of my friends see his hotness...well it bugs me a little...because LOOK AT HIM:

Currently listening to Joy Williams - Speaking a Dead Language. Just watched the new episode of Grey's Anatomy and this song was playing during a sad scene. I hate, but love (?), that this is the only show on TV that can break me and make me shamefully tearful after every episode. This song has the same effect, but only because it has been etched in my mind with the sad scene from Grey's Anatomy :-(. This song for some odd reason makes me want to go back to New York? Baffling! The title of this post is also a lyric from this amazing song:

Stripes Spots Studs

My three favourite S's

Another favourite "S" I could also add is shiny. But, I have always learnt from a very young age that three describing words are more effective than four.

Peep the faux Chanel peeping out the bag..tacky galour. Yum. Until I can afford the real-deal..

Fact: Verticle stripes are very fattening. Rachie Fact: I love black and white stripes, so fuck it.

These are some pictures from a night out with my Nike work buddies. We ended up on a piece of grassy land somewhere in central London. I wore H&M dress, car boot sale polka dot shirt, plenty of gold jewels from random high street stores and my new favourite shoes from Aldo. I got told one to many times I looked like a pirate. Hot.

Dirty Little Style Slut - Quite frankly, you are my favourite Tumblr bloggy thing. Ever.

Love. Wierd thing it is. I love Samira. Samira, your smooth, leathery skin I adore. You look distressed, but I will care for you all winter. The ruffles, a little bit strange, but I love nonetheless. I want your daddy Kurt Geiger to approve of our relationship. But, he won't give you up unless I fork out 250 quid. I'm broke. But, I am willing to be deadbeat broke. So long as you grace the soles of my feet. Samira ankle boots from Solea brand at Kurt Geiger, I love you.

For another £784, totalling over 1000 British chincillas together with the Geiger booties, I could also get this perfect chunky gold quilted Chanel necklace by Susan Caplan Vintage. I can dream, make your dreams come true and hit Asos.com if you can afford it. Make me jealous.

F Love

No heartaches here lovelies. I just felt like being a badass. But just in case, Fuck Love. Unless its sweet as Fuck. I said the "F" word twice in one sentence. Officially a Badass Bitch now. Its the most I have sworn on Leopard Print & Lace...

Reebok Freestyle x Hello Kitty

EPIC.

These are a hella more wearable than the Hello Kitty x Asics collab that are to drop this month. I love them, they are too cute ^_^. These have been made in celebration for Hello Kitty's 35th anniversary, with HK printed all over the shoe in a gel-like substance. This makes the shoe less tacky and less OTT cutesy "Kawaii"! Perfect for the older, and more discreet HK fans eh? What really does it for me is the use of her famous, sweetass, bow as the lace lock! EPIC. I guess I am going to jump back on the freestyle game! To be honest, I haven't bought a pair of Reebok FS in a hot ass minute (the over production of so many styles on the high street makes the shoes fail on the "cool" part; seen as every Amy, Janine, and Jenny own a pair now!). Cannot wait to see these in person, methinks the black pair? Its going to be around £90 odd so save those pennies. Pictures from Kicks on Fire.

The Best Fictional Couples Of All Time...*

...In no particular order.

1) James Bond and Vesper Lynd
He's a womanizing bastard and she's an ice queen. But then, despite the lack of traditional Bond Girl Slow Motion Bikini Moment they fall in love, he quits his job as super spy to marry her, then she gets killed, and he spends the rest of his life in a vengeful rampage and never loves another woman again. If I'm ever killed by an evil movie villain, that is exactly how I expect my future husband to behave. (And omfg at that scene where he licks her fingers. O. M. F. G.)

2) Isidor Straus and Ida Straus
Rose and Jack are way overrated: the real romantic couple of Titanic were Isidor and Ida Straus, you know, the old man and woman who lay embracing on their bed as the titanic sank. SO cute. That actually happened too, they were real people; Ida said she would honour her wedding pledge by staying with Isidor wherever he went. Actually maybe they shouldn't be on this list then. Whatever.

3) Lancelot and Guinevere
King Arthur's wife and his best friend fall in love and have an affair. When Arthur finds out, someone persuades him to sentence her to be burnt at the stake. But Lancelot rescues her from the burning pyre, and so Arthur goes into a war with him. Mordred (Arthur's evil brother depending on what legend you read) plots to kidnap and marry Guinevere, and take Arthur's throne. To cut a long (long, long) story short, Arthur stops him, but gets killed, and as penitence Guin spends the rest of her life as a nun, Lancelot spends his as a hermit, and they never see each other again. :(

4) Noah and Allie
From The Notebook. They fall in love and stay together their whole lives, and then they die together solely by the power of their love. Inspiring. (Future Husband, take note. Obviously I don't believe in power-of-love-induced death. Which is why when I'm married I'll be keeping a vial of cyanide in the bathroom for him. I'm thoughtful like that.)

5) Ross and Rachel
They also get the title of 'funniest couple' Even though they were so on a break, Rachel gave her job at Louis Vuitton up for him and they lived happily and hilariously ever after (in my imagination).

It's somewhat disturbing to me that most of the couples on my list end up dying, or living miserably in tragic circumstances. Obviously I have some kind of issue.

(*I would have put Romeo and Juliet on here but I am of the opinion that if they had lived, after a month or so they would have had an argument about Romeo spending too much time at the tavern or whatever, and Juliet laughing a bit too loud at Mercutio's jokes and broken up. I mean come on, they were like 14; it so wouldn't have lasted.)

You Pink Mynx

Whatever possessed H&M to sell a hot pink faux fur jacket? Surely, fun and good old jokes with the buddies was the thing in mind when deciding to actually sell this hot pink mess...just like me and Ms. Hood and Proper did...yes hoochie mamas indeed...

If you do see someone able to work this, and I am sure someone will, take a picture and holla 'atcha girl! I want to know who :-D

As much as H&M will forever be my number 1 high street store, I do wonder...why did the visual merchandise people team this hat:

...with a variety of faux fur jackets in an array of brown shades and leopard prints on the mannequins....

So Stephie pie, Ms. Hood and Proper and I was lured into the basement at Selfridges by a smiley model in a tank top. Don't worry, the basement only held the spanking new Guerilla ice cream installation by "The Icecreamists", and not more male models. Dammit. The Icecreamist is basically a ice cream boutique selling vice and daring flavoured ice creams, amongst other frozen goods. Note the word boutique. Which means it is overly expensive. Which basically means we did not try, nor buy any. Sigh. Maybe they will have a ice cream sale or something. However, we did stumble upon another much cooler, and FREE, installation. By Fashionair.com to lauch their new website. For the whole of this month, right outside the Topshop concession, there is a photobooth where you can take FREE photos and record a 30 second video about whatever you want! It is very fun, and more fun because it does not require you to unzip your bag, riffle through your bag, take out your purse, unzip your purse, and finally use required piece of plastic or paper with the queens head on it. Basically, its free. Have I emphasied that enough? Good. Here are our photographs, I love this machine, it makes our skin flawless! So this is how we would look if we were professionally touched up...photoshopped not by humans you filthy bastards ;-) :

Oh, and we got free pink champagne truffles. YUM & FREE.

There is also a quick Q&A with yours truly on my fellow M.I.S.S. intern Isis's Tumblr bloggy, GiGi! Check it out. Click on my taster quote from the Q&A to get your eyeballs excercising (read)...

"Who is Rachie?

I am that chick your boyfriend wants, the one your best friends wants to ditch you for, the one your mother wants to replace you with ;-D! I am that badass boss lady. NAHHH HAHAHA!! Playin’ Players! I am just your average Asian chick from London who likes to shop, write, read and spend countless hours on the internet whilst listening to the almighty Red Hot Chilli Peppers Live in Hyde Park album and eating. Oh, I love to eat. If you want to know who I be, make sure there is lots of good food, and coconut ice cream, and I will talk you to death! I swear too much, talk too much, and ask too many questions, but I am still a fucking lady."

American woman, Mama Let Me Be

Here I am in my American flag tee I got from good old err...Old Navy! For a sweet $10 during the whole July 4th celebrations whilst I was in NYC. I really do love wearing red, white and blue on independence day, sad - yes, very tourist-like - yes, but I really do not give a damn what people think, it makes me smile, and others smile at me! This year, I am pretty sure my LDN to NYC posse were the only ones who went all out patriotic on this eventful day. Sigh, fun times. Anyway, I wore this outfit the other day with my Nylon Dunks! So hot. Love them to bits. My nails looked like this:

Yes, that is a real can of Duff. But it isn't beer. Its an energy drink. Also got this for my birthday and have yet to drink it, its too cool drink. The splatter paint effect was showcased for a second time, but with "Cobalt Blue" by Barry M instead of the "3 tone" by Charlotie Russe in the 'Nails Be fresher than the Whip in my Backyard' post.

I was watching behind the scenes footage of Kaya Scodelario (Effy from Skins) photo shoot for the October issue of Elle, and thought I would share it with you guys, just because she looks absolutely amazing. Like, really and truly amazingly stunning. I can't get over how HOT she is! I always thought she was super pretty and had a sick punky/grungy style in Skins which, even though it was all down to a very good stylist and 'Effy' costume wardrobe, suited her overall look. In this video, she admits that she has now started to incorporate her characters look into her own personal style. Argg I love it. She is one fine lady and oh so cute:

Oh, and how well suited is the 'Bang Bang Bang Bang' by Soho Dolls track to this video? Sick song mayyynnn!

Tomorrow evening, Thursday 10th September 2009, is Vogue's global celebration of fashion. The Fashion's Night out event is in collaboration with many designers, high street stores and boutiques who have all agreed to hold special in store events, music, discounts and all round fashion fun for all those who attend to celebrate their love of fashion. It will be a good one guys, check the Vogue website for stores that are participating in your hometown, and be sure to try and hit more than one spot! Make it a fashion night out marathon, especially as most of the events are running through to midnight! Don't forget to pick up the limited edition tee which coincides with the one day fashion event, designed by Vogue fashion director Lucinda Chambers. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the tees will go to 'Crisis', a London based charity for the homeless. The London participants who will be selling the Vogue tees are here guys, highlighted in yellow!

The title of the post, quoted from American Women by the amazing Lenny Kravitz (but you already knew that right?)

I have a load of M.I.S.S. assignments to do!! Hot Damn, I must get crack-a-lacking!! Until next time lovers....