BINTM Insta-Model Competition!

As we all know, Britain and Ireland Next Top Model starts back up again very soon with season 9, and to celebrate this, Sky Living have made an insta-model competition in which 3 challenges will be set, you enter any or all and see if you win! This can be done on Instagram or Twitter and the winner of one challenge will win a Tresemme goodie bag, howeverrrr if you are the overall winner, decided by the public, you and a friend will be pampered in a weekend stay in London!

The first challenge is POUT, a chance for all the duck face selfies to be in full whack. 

This challenge is Dannii's and lasts from today at 12pm until next Monday June 3rd, all you have to do is hash tag #BINTM and #pout in your picture, so get pouting girls! 

This is taken from the Sky Living website: 

"Entrants will be judged on the extent to which photos they have submitted demonstrate they have responded to the challenge with enthusiasm, creativity and imagination. The image should feel fun, playful and have good composition. "

I found this quite interesting, it kind of adds to the challenge! 

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely going to give it a go! May even post my entry on here, but don't hold your breath!

I can't wait to see the first entries and if you want to take a look at the comp, here is the link: 

http://skyliving.sky.com/britain-and-irelands-next-top-model/bintm-insta-model-competition

In the mean time, here are some famous pouts to get you all inspired, good luck girls (and guys!)

IOTW #3

 I haven't done one of these for a while, but here are my most recent instagrams.
The first is my gas bill from today. Its 2p. Sorry what?!
Then a funny tbt from back in the day, playing around on my balcony, modelling, with a spear... as you do.
Then my lovely OPI red apple shade, I left this colour at home whilst at Uni, so it was nice to get back to it and try it on again.
Then a lovely picture that I drew when I was younger, such a talented youngster. Nat.
I went to the dog races (protesters step aside) for my last night in Manch, it was a fun night and a good send off.
The next picture speaks for itself.
Then my uni building, which I will actually learn to miss.
My glitter pimp skeleton, who has been with me since my first term at Uni, I couldnt throw him away, so gave him to some friends who have another year left.
You've all seen the last picture, its from my summer ball.
And there you have it, some of the weirdest and most random pictures around. 

Summer Outfit

Summer by emilyrodgers18 featuring vintage jewelry

I always like playing around with mood boards, and this is an outfit I made, which I like, and hope to be wearing soon when the sun finally shows up. 

The dress is from Cow, which was my all time favourite shop in manchester. You can access their website here. It's one of those shops where all the stuff is vintagey and thrifty and it smells like your nans attic, and you feel like you've stepped into a macklemore/house indy convention, and I love it. 

The bag is from Boohoo surprisingly, I love the tapestry fabric pattern and it reminds me of a bag I bought from urban outfitters years ago and still love as much today. 

These items are pretty full on pattern and colour, so the rest is fairly simple. 

Golden Twenties

Oh look, another post about the twenties because of The Great Gatsby, shock horror. I know I'm being a sheep here, but I did see the film the other day and I did love all the costumes. The way Baz captured the era was perfect, he really hit the nail on the head, and it made me kick myself a little for not getting into costume design as a youngster. 

Flapper dresses, dropped waists, feathers, frays, hats, headbands, pearls, it was all there and now its all here, on the high street that is. It has even sent a surge of shoppers trundling the rails for the styles in whats known atm as The Gatsby Effect, selling out lines in Debenhams, George, New Look and Miss Selfridge. 

Me and my sister have loved the art deco era for a long time. Every time its someones birthday or a special occasion we pop into clintons to buy those cards that look like pictures or magazine clippings from the time, sad but true. I have wanted a cloche hat for about 2 years now and managed to find one but by the time I had the money for it, it was gone. But the point is, this era was beautiful, decidant and I'm so jealous of those who got to experience the styles first time round. They are clearly a classic if they are showering our shops again, or are the designers just running out of ideas? 

Either way, here is some twenties outfit inspo. 

The Twenties by emilyrodgers18 featuring flapper hair accessories

P.S Leo was as stunning as ever and every time I watch him I remember crying when I was 6 years old because I couldn't marry him. Yes, I just told you that. 

Ballin'

I had my Summer Grad Ball at the Hilton last Saturday, so naturally thought I'd share the experience with you all.

It was a glamourous evening, with a glass of free champers on arrival, a 3 course meal, and a D-Jay to finish off. 

Being on a fashion course you can only imagine the parade we were expecting, girl after girl dressed to the nines. Some with loubi's, some carrying Chanel, and the not so subtle stares from head to toe, with a "what does she look like?" or "that dress does NOT suit her" to follow. 

Yes, it was bitchy.

My dress was from ASOS, it was a bargain I thought at £55, however having sent it to Jersey by accident (home), and my Mum having to send it back here, it got a nice VAT charge, which I was fuming about! 

I had my hair highlighted, and curled it myself (v.proud) and did my nails (below) and did my make up using my Benefit 'Primpcess" kit. 

I even wore heels! 

All in all it was a lovely send off, I even had a dance with my finance teacher!

Below is a mood board of the accessories and things I used for the night.

Ball by emilyrodgers18 featuring chinese laundry pumps

Company Fashion Forum

I know I'm about a week late but I've finally got round to writing up my experience from the Company Fashion Forum.

All in all it was a good evening, I wrote 6 pages of careers advice that all the members shared with us, which was really helpful. Unfortunately I arrived late as I was faffing around getting ready and then I got lost, oops! So I missed the champagne and photos and things, but at least I made it to the talk! 

The Speakers were: 

Kathryn Kenny – New Look – Senior Digital Content Manager

Victoria White - Company Magazine's Editor

Oonagh Brennan - Company's Associate Editor Fashion

Karen Jones Russell – Stylist

Jen Holmes – Blogger at A Little Bird Told Me and Freelance Writer

I read Jen's blog and she always make me laugh, and it was so weird seeing her in real life, and she made everyone laugh during the talk as well. 
The girl's all had different stories to tell and different pearls of wisdom to impart on us, and I'm sure I'll use a lot of it in my future career!

Some of the best notes I took from the night were: 

1. Never say no to an internship, never turn down an opportunity because at least you're out there, learning new skills and finding out what you like and don't like. Basically, always say 'yes' and be open-minded. 

2. If you live and breath fashion, it will come naturally to you. All the hard work and long hours will be worth it, and at the end of the day its either going to make you or break you. 

3. A degree is not important, what matters is work experience. (This one did not sit so well with me, I hope I haven't just wasted three years of my life!)

4. Never change who you are because of the job you're doing or who you're working for. 

5. Always have a positive attitude (no diva's!).

6. Always have confidence in yourself. There's always going to be people more talented, with more experience or a better degree than you, just believe you can do it. 

7. Learn admin skills in any experience you get, they are so important and you will carry them with you for life. 

8. People in the industry talk to each other, so being with a company for just one day can really boost your chances, if you make a good impression.

9. Be different/innovative. This is a creative industry, if you want a job, show how creative you can be. Some examples are making them laugh just by what's in the 'subject box' of an email, or sending them funny post such as a fashion survival kit. 

10. Learn to manage your time- the hours are long and the pay isn't great at first, but its fun and you're doing something different everyday. 

11. And finally, sorry to end on a random number, but I'm sure this one applies to a lot of you. Bloggers are now like partnerships to fashion companies, if your's looks good, if you have a big fan base and good content, that will get you noticed.

For the evening I wore my cropped Topshop monochrome jumper and leather skirt. I was surprised to see 2 extremes of pure caj and major stylin' ladies at the event but each to their own I guess. 

Above are the nails I did for the event, although I doubt anyone noticed!

I was not only too chicken to go up and speak to the ladies afterwards but there was crowds of fashionistas around them trying to shove business cards in their faces, so I didn't bother. They also basically said in the talk that its near impossible to get a job with them so I didn't take the chance.

To top the night off we were all given a fab goody bag with lots of fab goodies! 

My favourites which I cant wait to try are the nail wraps and nails tattoos, of course. 

I'm also loving the right guard (smells lush!) and the blue hair spray which gets everywhere but its so fun to play with. 

I would definitely of recommended going if you were on the fence, but if you're cash-strapped like me, and made the same mistake of not making the most of the opportunities there, it probably wasn't worth the money. 

Caribbean Paradise

At Easter I went to the Caribbean and it was amazing. So I thought I'd post some of my favourite photos to make you all jealous. 

I would happily live there, its so relaxed, impossible to be stressed, and the local tourist attraction involves holding baby turtles!

Crisp blue seas, white beaches, it was so surreal. 

Enjoy the pictures and I've included how to recreate one of my holiday outfits below!

The difference in weather definitely dampened my holiday blues even more.

generic 'loving life' holiday photo.

Babyyy. 

Maxi skirts are everywhere at the moment, even in this honking UK climate, its nice to know we're optimistic. So here are some similar outfits, both of the items I am wearing however are from Topshop. 

maxi skirt inspo by emilyrodgers18 featuring topshop