MeetMyDesign

Independent design is an extremely important part of the creative industry, providing a platform for new talent and unique experiences. I am still a newborn on this exciting journey, completing my degree and attempting to step out into the big wide world of work. This is quickly proving to be the most important time to (shamelessly) self-promote to get my designs seen, hopefully by the right people! So who better to where my garments than myself?

...Introducing my Trapped Textiles Plastic Sleeveless Coat, Made by Me...

...MeetMyOutfit...

...Black & White Printed Chiffon Oversized Shirt - Topshop...

...Light Denim Jeans - Levis...

...Lilac Ostrich Leather Handbag - Vintage...

...Chunky White Heeled Sandals - New Look...

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Facebook Design Page

Online Portfolio

Instagram

Twitter

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MeetMyManchester

...Occasion...

...Showing my Graduate Collection on Manchester Fashion Week's Emerging Talent Catwalk...

...Situation...

...Dressing in My Designs to Network the Night Away...

Fashion shows always create a buzz, but as tonight is my debut at Manchester Fashion Week, here is a special post featuring my outfit of the evening, made by me! My 6 outfit collection is inspired by the senses, in particular the loss of sight, so here is a sneak peek featuring 'blind' prints I created with my eyes shut & opaque layering, as worn by me...

...Sheer crop top with mesh panelled back - *MadeByMe*...

...Hand-printed satin pleated midi-skirt - *MadeByMe*...

...Black studded Leather Jacket - Topshop...

...Black leather handbag - Starfire Vintage, Hastings...

...Mesh peep-top heels - Next...

If you have enjoyed my designs, check out my portfolio below

...MeetMyWork...

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MeetMySpringTrends

A new season, inevitably means new trends flooding in from one direction or the other. Today I tackled the in-between trouser trend of the culottes. Not a wide-leg trouser, neither city shorts, the culottes are all about proportion, styling them with the perfect length on the top half and the correct height of the heel to lengthen the cut-in half calves. To create the right proportions, I tucked in my full-length jumper to form an over-lap, creating a feature at the waist. Drawing eyes down to the soft pleats of the culottes with my long decorative pendant, colours are complemented through the prints. Let's just hope for a flash of springtime weather to match the leg exposure!

...White Jumper - Bargain Charity Shop Find (find similar here, Zara)...

...Black & Gold Drop-Pendant Necklace - From my Indian travels (find similar here, Serefina, Shopbop)...

...Black & Gold watch - Jasper Conran...

...Blue Floral Culottes - Vintage (find similar here, by Mind The Mustard, ASOS Marketplace)...

...Midi-heeled Black Leather Boots - Clarks...

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MeetMyNewAge

22 seems like a bit of an inbetween age, with the milestone of adulthood behind you & the final year of uni weighing down. However, age is just a number & I'm still optimistic to make the most of it! Well, what better way to kick it off than with a new hairstyle, some new additions to the (already bulging) wardrobe, some special treats & a (few) cocktails...

Treated to lunch at the Fallow Cafe in Fallowfield, the student hub of Manchester, with views of the local bearded street art.

You know it's the best fish finger butty when you can't even fit your mouth around it! (Complete with lager shandy...it was my birthday lunch after all!) Now excuse my big belly for my ootd!

...Cream looped mohair light jacket - H&M *perfect for springtime*...

...Emerald green jersey & chiffon panelled dress - H&M (really appreciating their S/S'14 collection so far!)...

...Black leather heeled ankle boots - Clarks...

...Gold hued Perspex lazer-cut angel wing earrings - Pearl & Queenie *SpecialGift*...

...Black leather backpack - *SpecialGift*...

The cutest socks I have ever experienced! Wear pulled up to ensure the koala bears can see where your going!

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MeetMyMealOfTheDay

With breakfast being my favourite meal of the day, I thought a special breakfast post is in order! After discovering 'What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today' blog (whatshouldieatforbreakfasttoday.com) I am inspired by the wonderful recipes & mouth watering photos, I thought I'd attempt a twist on the traditional porridge. Porridge is the perfect fuel for the day with oats full of slow-release energy & if then piled high with health food toppings, you are good to go!

Meet My Coconutty Peanut, Sultana, Banana & Honey Jumbo Oat Porridge! 

My recipe consists of...

1/2 cup of Scottish jumbo rolled oats ( I use a medium mug, but just select certain sizes depending on your hunger level!)

1/3 cup of coconut milk (perfect to use up leftovers from last night's homemade curry!)

2/3 cup semi-skimmed milk

Pour all ingredients into small pan

Bring to the boil, stirring constantly

Turn down heat & keep stirring until you reach your desired thickness

Now it's time to add your toppings...

2 tablespoons of milled linseed mix (I chose the savory gojiberry, sunflower & pumpkin seed variety, as I'm combining it with sweeter toppings. The superfood seeds are a tasty mix which help your body absorb nutrition easier. Available from all good health food shops, although this one is a bargain from aldi & is just as good!)...

2 teaspoons of runny honey...

3 pinches of sultana & peanut mix...

And finally 1 banana...

Bon appetite!

Let me know your favourite porridge flavours in a comment below...

T - @AnnieLucyOakes

I - annie_oakes

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MeetMyFashionSpots

Bold prints always liven up an outfit, but instead of making mine clashing, I opted for complementary polkadots in negative reflections of monochrome. With the bolder bigger dotty print emblazoned on my top half, worn loose over my oversized trousers speckled with mini-polkadots, the lace body helped break up the black & white haze, exposing a flash of flesh.

...My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...White polkadot top - Vintage...

...Black lace body - Topshop...

...Black studded leather jacket - Topshop...

...Oversized high-waisted polkadot trousers - Vintage...

...Accessorize my Life...

...A swipe of pink lipstick in the twilight...

...White & black checked scarf - Oxfam...

...Silver Shiva pendant - India *picked up on my travels*

...Black heeled boots - Clarks...

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MeetMyMondayMotivation

...Occasion...

...Creative day at uni...

...Situation...

...Composing a look from the bottom up, all aroun my new shoes...

Bargains are always the best kind of buys, so when I spotted these platform brogues down Portobello Road Market for a cheeky little tenner I knew it was my day! With my new shoes having many textures & colours in, I wanted to keep my look sleek but with key accessories to accentuate & compliment each other in the most colourful way, so I build my look from the bottom up...

...My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...Long black dress - charity shop find (similar can be found in American Apparel)...

...Long red coat - vintage...

...Accessorize my Life...

...Antique gold pocket watch pendant - Northern Quarter, Manchester *gift to me*

...Embriodered basket bag - Marrakesh, Morocco *picked up on my travels*

...Black red & cork platform brogues - Portobello Market *only £10!*

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