Parklife 2018: Saturday Picks

Hello, Hello. 

So if you haven't gathered already, I am attending Parklife for the full weekend in just over a week! Honestly, I am so excited and so I thought there no better time to talk through my top artist picks from each day, and why I think they are worth seeing. So today is Saturday, and hopefully by the end of this week I will have Sunday's up as well. Even if you're not attending the festival, these picks are all still worth a listen, if you haven't done so before.  So without further ado let's get cracking into the Saturday! The artist's will not be in order of when they are performing, or in order of favour. Just a list of artists that deserve to be seen (in my eyes!) Oh also, if any of these artists clash I am preparing myself for a mental breakdown.

A$AP ROCKY 

Genre: Rap / Hip Hop 

Mood: Hype, Intense, Explosive

Of all the artists performing this weekend, I think I am most excited about is A$AP. A few years ago I wouldn't of even been bothered, but in later years especially with MOB & Tyler collaborations I have become obsessed. His new highly anticipated album is fire, and I think he is going to put on such a good show. I feel like every year they pull out some of the best American Hip Hop artists, especially with last year being graced by the one and only Frank Ocean. 100% not one to be missed if you are a fan of rap music, or just want too see a very lively performance.  

Some of my favourite tracks are,  Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2), Back Home, 1Train, A$AP Forever REMIX, Hun43rd (pretty much all of his new album). 

THE XX

Genre: Indie Pop 

Mood: Chilled, atmospheric. uplifting, euphoric, happy 

Headlining on the main stage, this performance is going to be magical. I can just picture it now as being one of those super memorable festival moments that stay in your heart forever. I have loved them since the first album and the release of Basic Space. They are just such an incredible cohesive band, I actually missed out and getting tickets for their tour so I am super stoked about these as well. I won't lie, they are not a band I listen too as much as I used too, but I have wanted to see them live since the release of their first album, so what better way to do so.

Some of my favourite tracks are Shelter, Crystallised, Dangerous, Islands and Dangerous.

SAMPHA 

Genre: Electronic Hip Hop / Soul 

Mood: Chilled, atmospheric, soulful, emotional

One of my most played artists this year, and such an absolutely incredible voice. I actually stumbled across him last year at Parklife and fell HARD, we'd walked away from Rag 'n' Bone man, as he just wasn't our cuppa tea, and found Sampha with a crowd overflowing the tent. This year he has made his was too the main stage, and I think he is going to be incredible. His voice is so soulful and powerful, and sounds even better live. I know this one will be a spiritual one, I just cannot miss out on the opportunity to see him live again now that my love for him has grown so much more.

Some of my favourite tracks are Close but not Quite, Blood on Me, Plastic 100'C, Timmy's Prayer, Incomplete Kisses. 

BICEP

Genre: Electronic Dance

Mood: Euphoric, Energetic, Uplifting, Intense 

Electronic Dance music duo that merge together all types of styles to create some incredible music. It's euphoric, uplifting and out of body. The switch up in their songs, and the build up is so intense but also so freeing. I can't wait too be a part of the crowd for their set, I can just tell the vibe is going to be spot on and exactly what festivals are about. I know this is a big switch up from my other recommendations above, but that's my music taste for ya! 

Some of my favourite tracks are Rain, Aura, Glue. Opal. 

MARIBOU STATE

Genre: Electronic Dance 

Mood: Euphoric, Soulful, Atmospheric, Uplifting

Another Electronic Dance Duo but a lot more chilled out than Bicep. They combine incredible instrumentals, with atmospheric beats to create some extremely beautifully eclectic music. On some of my favourite tracks they also feature some of the most beautiful soulful vocals(Holly Walker), and this combination I think will sound so beautiful live, and the atmosphere will be so wholesome. I discovered these at University and they helped me through some super rough patches, so they have actually had a very positive impact on my life. This one will probably be an emotional one, but happy tears not sad ones. 

Some of my favourite tracks are Midas, Turnmills, Steal, Breathe. 

Honorable mentions (people who I also would like too see): Levelz, Bugzy Malone, Giggs, Tom Misch, Casisdead, Earl Sweatshirt,  Mella Dee, Solardo, Friction.

XOXO, EMMA 

Psychedelic Princess | Festival Series Part 2

Hello, Hello!

So with festival season vastly approaching, I would say it officially starts in the U.K. this bank holiday weekend (also my birthday!) With Radio One's Biggest Weekend & Slam Dunk. So I thought today in the second instalment of my festival series I would bring to you these two outfits and my concept focus, and ultimately (subject to change of course) what I'm going to be wearing to Parklife in just under 3 weeks. Actually on the subject of Parklife, I will also being doing a post on who I want too see perform / my top picks, so keep an eye out on the blog for that if it's something you're interested in. Also let me know in the comments if you're going to Parklife or any other festivals this year! I would love to know where you'll all be groovin' at. 

For me, one of the greatest things about festivals is the freedom of expression, and the opportunity to let your creative juices flow and get lost in the fantasy. Since I am only attending one festival this year, and with the stressful year I've had I really want to put my all into it. I've always had fun with festival fashion in the past, but I have never been brave enough to go as boldly as I wanted too. Also, while i was at university festivals didn't seem as exciting or important, they were just another party like all of university was. However, now that I live an adult life and work full time my lifestyle is completely different. So for me now this full weekend of freedom, music, partying and happiness is so much more important and special to me. There is nothing like that absolutely liberating feeling of freedom, and I think after all the responsibility I have taken on since university I really can't wait for it.

So, onto my concept and my outfit styling in this post. My overall theme, as the title suggests is psychedelic princess. I really wanted to go for heavily printed hippie / psychedelic vibe. Think The Yellow Submarine by The Beatles meets Rave Queen.  I really wanted to try and keep these looks cohesive and stick to my theme and I think I did so with the use of print, both the main features of these looks have heavily psychedelic and bold patterns. I couldn't believe my luck when I picked up this little two piece set for 50p! The bold colourful print and the fit of it is perfect, because I feel secure but I also look super sassy and like a little festival queen! I love how cheeky the bottoms are, they show my lil peaches so nicely. I feel like just on it's own it would just look like an abstract bikini, however teaming it with yellow tinted glasses, a pair of red fishnet tights, my super chunky platform shoes, the cute little denim backpack and finally the cowboy hat the look really comes together. Accessories in my day to day life is something that I always overlook, however I think they are essential with festival fashion. I mean who can deny the power that the flower crown has had on the festival scene? For me I am all about hats! From this fabulous Cowboy Hat to my Psychedelic retro cap in my next look, I just really thing they elevate the look and add more interest. Also, the sunglasses may add another cool retro vibe to the look, but they are actually super practical! You are protecting those little eyes from the UV ray exposure you will be getting all day from partying in the sun (this also marks as a reminder to always wear sunscreen!).  I decided to also show you this look with a little jacket over the top that would be perfect in the evenings, this will roll up really small into the bottom of your bag on you're good to go! Because there is nothing worse than getting cold once the sun has gone down. 

I think something super important to note about festival fashion is that a lot of the style is very "dress up" so a lot of the items you can pick up super cheap at charity shops and carboots. When it comes down to accessories, you cannot go wrong with Poundland! The cheap and tacky hen-do type accessories like this cowboy hat and feather boa's etc. are perfect! You'll look like festival queen, and will have only spent a few quid. Like the cowboy hat, these little fishnet gloves came from a fancy dress shop in the 90's rave section, they were also only £2.99! It really is worth checking out places where you wouldn't think of shopping as you really can pick up some perfect festival styling pieces. 

My second look is I suppose less dramatic, but still as bold and colourful. Actually, this two outfits would be perfect for anyone camping at a festival because they would take up no room at all! The second look is just this super funky psychedelic paisley print halterneck layered over the same little bottoms from the previous one, with the same tights, glasses and gloves. This top was the item that inspired my creativity and what made me come up with the psychedelic princess theme. I love the low neckline so that I can have a glitter chest - and I think I'm going to get a gem piece to put there too. I just think the boldness and playfulness of the print is super fun, and the fit is really feminine and girly which makes it pretty flirtatious. I feel like I just want to twirl around and dance my little heart out in this outfit, it makes me feel so pretty! I feel like If I was a princess in a distant yellow submarine land, this is how I would look all the time. I had a hat change for this look, to a very retro 60's hat with even more groovy psychedelic prints on it! This look really plays more on the traditional 60's hippie style, and I love it! I feel like a modern day Flower Child in this look, I'll be living out my WoodStock fantasies in this for sure. As well as a hat change, I also changed bags to this cute fluffy zebra print backpack. I kept both the bags as backpacks as I think they are just the most practical bag for festivals, just chuck everything in you need, throw it on your back and you're good to go! I hate ever having to carry a bag, I like to feel liberated and hands-free so for me a backpack is perfect. Obviously the iconic bumbag would work fine, however I can just about roll up a little jacket / shirt into one of these lil backpacks so I've got something to put on once it gets cooler as mentioned above. 

Obviously these looks and this sort of vibe is not for everyone, and you can take from this what you will. I personally think festival fashion should just be your own style just amplified, for me that means mad colour, pattern play and cute kitsh accessories - because that's who I am as a person.  There is no better time to experiment with fashion then at a festival, but only ever wear something that you feel comfortable in. These looks and posts are just here to inspire and to show that there are no boundaries to festival fashion, and the limit to expressiveness is endless! I hope some of you are inspired by this look, but are more so inspired to just be yourself and have fun! Life is too short to be taken too seriously, so get out the glitter and let's all get funky. 

XO,XO. EMMA 

/'

Rainbow Bright | Festival Series

Hello, Hello!

So with festival season being so nearly upon us in the UK, and with Coachella flooding our timelines over the past couple of weekends I thought that there was no better week to start my festival series! In each post I will be styling a different vibe / aesthetic and posting many more tips and essentials for festivals in general. I am only attending Parklife this year because I'm also going on holiday and your broke gal cannot afford both. However the fashion is my favourite kind so whenever summer comes around I want to make it a central feature on my blog, because there is no better time to express yourself than at a festival! So without further ado let's get into the look.

Let's start with what inspired this look, the rainbow crop top. This is new in from New Look, it is £15.99 and can be bought online HERE. I was having a little browse in the shop the other day and naturally my eye was gravitated towards the rainbow, and it was love at first sight. I'm not normally into off the should / bardot tops, but the cuffs are that far down that having them ride up wasn't an issue. The quality of it is amazing and soft, and not see-through! As soon as I bought it  I knew it would be perfect for festivals, as it's super bold , colourful and fun but it's also practical enough for you to dance your little heart away. I feel like a number one tip for festival styling (if there is such a thing) is that rainbows / rainbow stripes are ALWAYS a good idea. 

Originally I wanted to style this with just some high rise bikini bottoms (which I have on underneath) with the fishnets, but I am just not brave enough for that! I just wasn't comfortable with it, but when Parklife actually does come around you never know, maybe it is just the thought of me wearing it when it isn't the festival that is the issue? We shall see! So instead I decided to throw on this very 80's colourful pleated skirt, which is actually see through. It is a kind of mesh / sheer fabric so in person you can see my high rise bottoms underneath, which I actually love. It is super fun and playful.  I think the colours in the skirt match pretty perfectly with the top, but I also love the way the prints clash.  Another tip - the most your items clash the better! There is no better place to make an outlandish statement than a festival, so just play around and have fun with it! After all the funniest thing about it is that there are no rules.

So if there wasn't ENOUGH colour in this look, I decided to add another. This is the most incredible reversible oriental silk jacket, I prefer the lime green side as it really packs a punch and gives off a different vibe to the outfit. It gives the look a new level, and the added layer is great for the evening when it gets a bit chilly once the sun has gone down. It's something I always forget and then it gets too 10pm and I'm there shivering trying to keep warm in the crowd. I love the added colour as it contrasts the ones seen in the top and skirt because it's neon, and I know for sure I will not get lost in the crowds in this!

For footwear there was no other contender than these incredible platform trainers, reminiscent of the buffalo's which are so on trend right now. They actually are super comfy because of the massive platform, but I do feel like a broken ankle might be in works if I fall over / loose my balance. But hey, I will get a good view in the crowd though! I desperately want to wear these for parklife, I just don't know if they are going to let me groove away in them safely, so watch this space too see if I actually wear them or not. The finishing touches with the accessories, are simple but effective. I am not an accessories person, but I can get on board with a good hat and some good shades. This Spice Girls cap needs no explanation, it is absolutely iconic with their styles being forever festival inspiration too me, it is only fitting I feature them. The shades are just yellow lenses from Primark, only £2! Get yourself down there and grab a pair, because they are 100% not worth spending more than that on, I mean we are all just doing it for the gram aren't we? The final thing, fishnets. I don't think any festival look, well any look for that matter is complete without fishnets these days. Plus, my legs feel too bare without them.

So there you have my first instalment too my festival series! I thought it would not be me if I didn't start with a bold colourful playful look. I have another couple of outfits that are going to look absolutely KILLER, so keep an eye out for them once this British weather clears up again and I can get shooting. I also might do a makeup post / tutorial, haven't decided on that yet, I might just do a list of key makeup essentials on creating the perfect festival look... we shall see! Hope you stick around to find out!

XOXO, EMMA