COOL EVENTS; DISTINKT SOUNDS - Don't be boring this Friday.

Right at the beginning of summer '16, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a group of awesome people. We met via a long-term pal of mine at Rinse FM's Born & Bred Festival (HIGHLY recommended urban music fest - check the link) and had such a swell time that we moved our boogieing across East London to a Hackney manor occupied by a few members of the group. 

At the party we got talking more, as you dooo.. It was then that I found out that most male members of the group were either underground or established DJs who were buzzing to announce the launch of their very own night, Distinkt Sounds - "London's most fire event since 1666".

Held at Bar 512 on Kingsland High Street, Dalston, the debut was popping and dancefloor packed from 10pm all through the night til 6am! Great vibes and a decent turn out made the event an success and it suddenly became a permanent fixture on the calendar of many. 

"Richard Ware

July 23 · 

Thank you so much for all the hard work, this was sincerely one of the best nights I can (patchily) remember. Cannot WAIT for the next one!"

I, personally, had so much fun that I couldn't resist an invitation to join the team of funky lads.. I now find myself heading up the social media (FOLLOW THE INSTAGRAM) as well as taking the majority of the photos with fellow photographer Dan Munro.

Vol.2 was just as enjoyable if not more. Pelikann was the headliner on the night and preceded fab sets from the super versatile line-up. 

Vol.3 is now a few days away and tickets are still available here. Try something new and get yourself down to Dalston for one of my favourite new London nights. If you have something else planned, especially if it's in the East London area, be sure to pop if after as doors close late.

The night is super cheap at only £5 online and before midnight OTD. That's a tiny amount to let go of in exchange for a guaranteed goood time.

Don't be boring this Friday - come and enjoy a good ol' affordable boogie..

COOL PEOPLE; ELIJAH MUSIC

"My goal in life is to be creative - with absolutely no limits."

The past few weeks have been hectic. I've taken on a number of projects (some of which I will be blogging about) and uni has resumed for the year. I am well and truly up to my neck in work but I've still managed to meet with and get to know some intriguing characters...

The second person I have for you is someone I met in London a few weeks ago now. His name is Elijah and he's a proud north Londoner. He actually approached me in need of a lighter but we soon began exchanging life stories. Elijah (Eli for short) is a second year Fine Art student who aspires to one day live off money made from his art as well as is other passion - music. After meeting we exchanged numbers and plan to stay in touch.

Oh yeah.. he also raps and has dreams of making it in the music industry.. Click here to find Eli's soundcloud and stay tuned he will be uploading some of his new music this week! I've been in a studio session or two with him and boy do I have the utmost confidence in his ability to do well.

I decided to include Elijah in this because he is doing a lot creatively and is letting absolutely nothing and no one tell him otherwise. This is the attitude that everyone should have, whatever you want to do, however it may look to friends, peers & contemporaries.

Your free time is YOURS and though you may not have as much 'leisure time' as a student you still have some so make the most of it.

Age - 19

Full Name - Elijah Brown

A.K.A - Eli

Favourite Colour - Gold.

Favourite Drink - Hennessy & Coke, Pineapple Fanta

Inspiration - His family, especially his dad. Rich The Kid (Eli recommends watching Rich The Kid's semi-recent 'Noisey' documentary - 'Rich The Kid is Rich Forever' for an insight into the rapper and his main inspiration.

Background - Part Brazillian, Part British

Occupation/Hobbies- Student, Model, Rapper, Photopraghy

Dream Job - Rapper, Artist & Model

Location - London

Instagam- @ej.brxwn

Cool Person - #1

Hey, if you didn't read my last post on my upcoming blog series (I forgive you).. and here it is!

Although constant updates on celebs and their lives is entertaining, it really isn't as beneficial as ordinary people connecting with ordinary people. If you know me well then you know I use the term 'cool' broadly - in my world it means 'interesting'. It certainly isn't defined or measured by someone's online presence, although that could be a genuine reflection of someone's 'coolness', I guess? Anyhow, these posts should ideally feature people who:

- have interesting things going on in their lives (could be anything..)

- have had unique, intriuging and thought-provoking life experiences.

As I say, it's important to for ordinary people to connect so that ideas can be shared, relations can be built and prejudice/stereotypes - broken down. Prejudice can be defined as "a preconceived opinion that is not based on actual personal experiences." - learning about others leads to a less judgmental world! Hopefully these posts can inspire different people in multiple ways (fashion, ambitions, work, lifestyle).

The first cool person I'd like to introduce you all too is someone that I've now met on a couple of occasions - both times at fashion-related events and boy does she have style!

 Her name is Emily, she moved to London from Italy and she's determined to make it in the fashion industry as a 'streetwear influencer' (which is pretty self-explanatory), not saying "no" to any modelling opportunities on the way. She strikes a mean pose on her Instagram but in actual fact she is really soft spoken and has an cool Italian twang to her voice. She currently works in and studies fashion in London.

Age - 19

Full Name - Emily O'Donnell

A.K.A - Queen Skally

Favourite Colour - 'Plant Green'

Inspiration - I.D Magazine

Background - Part Italiana, Part Irish

Occupation- Student, Model
Dream Job - Streetwear Influencer

Location - London

Instagam - @emily.j.odonnell

A lot of people like the idea of getting into fashion but it can seem intimidating and opportunities sometimes look out of their reach, but there are loads of routes into the fashion world. Start looking at courses and the requirements of your local college, speak to a teacher or someone you know in the industry. Also.. Check out the ever popular 'Fashion Retail Academy(FRA)' -- who offer LOADS in the way of courses and fashion qualifications.

Thanks for reading  - look out for the next cool person!

COOL PEOPLE

You may have read in my prior post that I am launching a blog series that I hope I stick with forever.. here it is!! After spending an eternity in the brainstorming process I have gone for the name 'cool people' (lol, I know it's rubbish). Cool People will feature a few standard photos of a random individual, some information on them and what they are doing, how I met them and my positive opinion on them and finally.. how to connect with them!

I decided to do this for a number of reasons, I managed to come up with 8 exactly - here they are;

1 - Cool People - I meet so many cool, inspiring people everyday (cool and inspiring in a number of ways..) and I am tired of keeping them a secret. A person doesn't gaq

2 - Consistency - I want to be blogging on a much more regular basis and have been saying so for a long time and have decided that there is no better way of kick-starting this by completely chucking myself in the deep end.

3 - Bye bye poor traits, hellooo portraits - I have formally divorced myself from my old friend 'Laziness' especially in my photography life. I want to be taking a wide range of shots from no onwards, especially portraits!

4 - Life is confusing. - So confusing that it would be good to get some inspiration or reassurance (whatever you need!) from a total stranger.

5 - Similar to '4' - See what people are doing with their lives, how they got to where they are and where they want to end up.

6 - Improved connectivity - I think that something like this on a big scale will improve connectivity and the sharing of ideas among our generation, people who may have never bumped into each other could get in touch with one an other as a result of seeing them on 'cool people' - this isn't a new thing though at all, social networks are kind of already supposed to do this.

7 - Meeting New People - A lot of people worriy about this, maybe learning more about people and realising that they're all fab will help you ease those fears.

8 - Difference - Difference is good, learn about people's difference, understand and love them for their differences (a bit soppy but it's true).

The first of my series will be posted tomorrow at 8pm. Thanks for reading!

COOL PLACES; HOT DAY IN NARNIA

The 9th of March had been highly-anticipated by many people all over the captial. High's of 17 degrees had been reported (hotter than a 9th of Match spent in Ibiza) and the day did not disappoint, not a cloud in site and a gawjusss heat. Laura and I decided to head out to London's thrifty East End! We went for a afternoon drink on Boxpark, Shoreditch. We then made our way to the sure-to-be-packed Brick Lane, we cut through the market on Scalter Way and it was definitely a taster for what was in store at the market. There were great deals everywhere and movement was oh so limited. 

Good deals on Scalter Way Market, towards Brick Lane from Shoreditch High Street Station

MEGA bottles of shampoo and conditioner - £2

Heavy Duty bike lock, with 3 keys! - £3 (£30-100+ RRP) - this makes me think that the keys are all generic so be careful if you're buying these locks for a bike in the Shoreditch area as people may have the key to YOUR lock)

Vinyls for cheap - (20p - £3)

Typical yard sales

Anyway, we soon reached a busy Brick Lane and proceeded to look around! You had all your different market stalls and more innovative stalls, selling quirky, cool and also common gadgets and products. Our stomach's soon started talking to us, so we listened, and went to eat in Brick Lane Food Hall recommended by Laura, there was so much choice and ultimately, we ended up going for a Venezulan(...?!?) delicasse.

After that, we made our way to see what Brick Lane had to offer! We ambled through the herds of people, making some buys on the way. Our eyes were drawn to various vendors, some had an amazing artillery of stock, from vintage cameras to henna tattoos, Brick Lane's Sunday Market does have it all! We then sat down on a bit of free space in the midst of thousands of people pausing for a 'breather'/sip of anything. There we met a cooool couple, Moss and Louis. We ended up walking down Regent's Canal and also having a look at the Columbia Flower Market, PERFECT, for you guys that have A LOT of making up to do. You can buy lovely bunches from as cheaps 50p so check it out if you're in the area on a Sunday!

Finished the night at The Ferry Boat Inn, in last year's hometown.. Tottenham Hale, where we enjoyed a delightful meal before retreating, back to Hackney.

Here are some snaps from the day! I THINK.. they're in the right order.

Sunnies (Brick Lane Market) - £8

 

Smoked Salmon Bagels for £1.40 (20p more for cream cheese..)

 

 Sunnies (Brick Lane) - £5

Top (East End Thrift store) - £2

Casio Watch (Argos) - £8

Last year, a party was held in the derelict bulding just behind the red frame, music and people could be heard and seen for miles, ahh London.

Nigerians are out here, land, water, we're everywhere.

This lovely bunch was only £2 from the flower market!

They really brighten up a room, more for the ladies. Men, I am not encouraging you to buy roses for your windowsills, this is a picture of Laura's windowsill in Hackney.

 All in all it was a good day spent getting to know cool people and enjoying all the offers a keen bargain hunter like myself could dream for!

Whilst walking through the crowds of people L was stopped by Gianna, a Cypriot hairdresser, working for Ena Salon, Holborn! Laura was offered a free haircut, this is a common thrifty opportunity that you just can't turn down, my next blog'll be a wuick one about L's free cut!

Stay tuned and stay blessed, GRM updates also coming soon!

Follow the cool couple on insta.. Moss & Louis

and have a look at Laura's new blog @ kitkittyfashion.blogspot.com