Ooohlalaa its fashion takes 5

Can you believe it’s been 5 years since we started here? Five years of killer sunglasses, endless city nights, dreamy beaches and all things runway. A lot has changed in five years and it has been one insane journey. Five years ago Anne Hathaway was winning an Academy and colourful tights were all the rage. We’ve flown the world, seen some of the most show stopping runways and kept it real in a world that just won’t stop evolving for the better and the worse. We’ve learned to have a voice, to count our blessings and to be ambitious. It doesn’t stop here. Thank you for your continued support particularly over the past few years it has kept me determined, driven and of course a little sassy. Ooohlalaa it’s fashion my darlings x 

 

Perspective

Never take anything for granted

Take a break

Escape the ordinary

Detox

Listen

Have a voice

Dream of the unimaginable

Treasure the historical

Embrace culture
Be grateful

Think about your place in this world

Mark your place in this world

Make it count.
Shape your own perspective. 

 

18 things to get you going in 2018

Go get them.

2018

1. As with every year we start number one by just reminding you it is perfectly acceptable to book a Summer vacay right now and not feel guilty about it.

2. The Golden Globes made history, the Critics Choice Awards changed the game and the rest of Awards Season is in anticipation. With so many stand out performances and powerful films it is almost impossible to identify our winners, paving the way for another unpredictable awards season.

3. The power of social media has dramatically risen over recent years but 2018 has already proven to be momentous with the #TimesUp campaign. We can only expect this to expand as it provides voices to the globe. This is something we are incredibly grateful for and cannot wait to see the progress it has on the horizon.

4. 2018 marks the Suffragette Century and we can't wait to participate in events celebrating 100 years since the Representation of the People Act. This was the benchmark for change in UK Politics and is the milestone that led to our passionate stance on voter participation today.

5. This years Met Gala theme is, 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination': to be held on April 30th. OH, and did I mention Rhianna is hosting?! 

6. Can you believe it has already been four years? This years sees the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea and the Fifa World Cup in Russia.

7. With a royal baby due in April and a royal wedding in May it is another big year for the monarchy we cannot wait! We love all things quintessentially British.

8. Hamilton has finally made it to the West End, a date that has been in our diaries for days, months, years. No exaggeration. 

9. This is our last year to mention Fifty Shades, with the final movie premiering in February. This is one guilty pleasure we can't help but miss already.

10. It is a big year for films with Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Poppins Returns and Oceans 8 paving their way to the big screens. These are just some of the films that have been in the works for quite some time sending our anticipation into overload.

11. Did we ever think we would see the return of 90's mini sunglasses? They are outrageous, and we are already rating them. 

12. After skipping last year due to her show stopping pregnancy Queen B is headlining Coachella. 

13. Visiting the edge of the Earth is now possible. VS angels Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes spent the start of the year hopping around Antartica. This has just made it to the top of every bucket list ever created. 

14. Many of our favourite artists are hitting the road this year with Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran all on tour ... just to name a few.

15. JT takes on the Superbowl (again)

16. Pantones colour of the year; ULTRA VIOLET. 'A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future' ... and it is completely perfect.

17. It is the year of switching off. Spend your evenings with a book in your hand and your phone locked away. We always talk about doing it but it's now time to place it into practice and stick with it.

18. 2018 is the year of you. There is nothing wrong with evaluating, goal setting and concentrating on your desires. It's time to look after yourself and think about what YOU want to achieve this year. Sarah Knight, author of 'You Do You' and 'The life-changing magic of not giving a f**k', uses her sassy personality to help you out in these two books (that I could not recommend enough!). 

Be selfish, but considerate.

Be bold, but kind.

Strive, but always be grateful.  

Have a wonderful week darlings, we don't do January blues around here. 

  

This post is not sponsored

Power players, Rule breakers, Dreamers

Goals.

The dawning of a New Year inevitably triggers thoughts, feelings and curiosity surrounding accomplishment and achievement. Everyone discusses the turbulence the globe suffered last year (no explanation needed), but few mention the many things that 2017 brought to many. 

From the Women's March in January to the passing of gay marriage laws in Australia, weeks ago, we celebrated together and in sync with one another. Last year we saw the many marginalised step through the boundaries and into an arena where voices were heard and listened to. Voices that liberated many, encouraged others and brought cause to the very forefront of discussion. These voices had no set background, they were hidden within the many depths of everyday society.

This was just the start. 

It feels like the bar for 2018 is incredibly low however this statement could not be more wrong. We live in a world that changes by the second. Roles are reversed, dreams are shattered and many feel taken aback by rules that are imposed on them. This is not ok, but what is also not ok is this acceptance. 

To be powerful is to strive for success and drive an attitude into a mindset where one will not stop. There is no story or generic background to the definition of power. 

Rules are imposed to regulate, with the potential of restriction. There is a difference between living in harmony amongst one another and sacrificing fundamental rights.

Dreams are visions that keep your going, a reminder of your existence and a look towards the future. 

There is no world without them.

Every single individual has something to strive for whether this is upon themselves, collectively or in a greater picture. Goals do not need materialism to build their foundations, they need a mindset.

So to the power players, rule breakers and dreamers, this one is on you.

Each and everyone of you. 

This is a reminder to keep fighting for what you believe in, to embrace change, have a voice and stand your ground because whatever you encounter no one, not one single person, can take these from you.

Happy New Year my darlings.

Let's make it count.

The time to scream

Photo credit:  aclu_nationwide Instagram

I could talk about fashion, beauty and travel all day for days but I won't. It is clear to see over the past few months through my posts, my social media and myself that my focus has somewhat realigned. Whilst I have always been passionate and interested in politics and current affairs my voice is no longer an expression of interest but one with a purpose.

Today we live in a world that has taken a step back in time. One where women are fighting for their reproductive rights, one where religion and nationality are deciding factors as to whether you can successfully gain entry into a country and one where a god damn wall is a central talking point.

This is not the world we anticipated but it's the world we got.

Over the past two weeks we have seen a Presidential Inauguration riddled with lies, or as some would call it 'alternative facts'. We have seen women march in solidarity around the world fighting for equality and a voice. But right now we see hundreds of US airports and streets that are filled with protestors welcoming refugees into their country, when it's been made quite clear that their leader do not welcome them.

Whilst many of us wanted Hillary to win the election more than anything and still consistently cling onto the hope she had given us we are instead left with something else.
A new democratically elected US President sits in the oval office. A man himself who has even questioned electoral fraud because he did not obtain the popular vote.

We may not have liked the results, or could I say despised them? However when the results of the US election were announced we knew he was here to stay. Whether you were a US citizen or a global one, despair brought us together. Tighter than ever and in unison a collection of voices prepared for the struggles that lay ahead.

These were not the struggles that anyone had anticipated.

The President is the President.
The world has accepted this.
This is democracy.

Using executive powers to promote and execute injustice, to bring pain and heartbreak to the lives of the American people are not acts of democracy. They are wrong. A key indication of this is when those who voted you in are against the actions you have taken.

In a time where the world should join America in celebration, a time where voices have been heard and actions were to take place, we are left with a mess. A dangerous mess. This is a world where calling people out on Twitter and playing with power override the thousands of voices that are screaming out in pain. Voices who want to be heard.

Now it is your turn.
Ignorance is far from bliss.
Passion and strive are needed to make the world go around.
Passion and strive are needed to make a difference.
But most of all passion and strive are needed to show solidarity and hope for those who need it.
It's time to let them know.

No one is saying commit yourself to participating in political discussion. However that moment you begin questioning why your Twitter feed is filled with Anti Trump tweets and #MuslimBan, or the newspapers and awards season acceptance speeches are all about peace, hope and a change in the world. Ask yourself, what would you do if that was you? The world is a dangerous place, play your part in making a difference.

America, the world is with you.

Donate to the ACLU here:https://www.aclu.org

 

*Photos included are not personal property.

Property of  aclu_nationwide Instagram.