veja

lmao it gives me the same nerves that my dirty shoes are on my white bed sheets.

I was at a complete loss as to what to ask for for my birthday. The options were either an iron, kettle and tea towels for uni (enthralling!) or these. Obvs, I opted for the latter.
And I am in love.

I was introduced to Veja by the queen of ethical blogging (Eleanor) and have dreamed of this very pair ever since. They're more expensive than the usual trainers I would purchase but for obvious reasons, they are worth the investment.

(Side note: does anyone else feel the economic conflict with ethical clothing?? I know Nike/Adidas/most-shoe-brands are shit nd I know my position of economic privilege on a global scale means I shouldn't buy into it but I'm also funding my life on minimum wage jobs/student funds nd even £60 on trainers stings. For me its not even a case of less pieces/better quality because I don't even shop that much but £100+ on items just aint viable for more than a bday present– do you guys feel this? or do you think we should avoid fast/cheap fashion anyway? or is it case of buy ethically or buy nothing?? tell me!!!)

Veja is a french shoe brand that focusses on producing ethical and environmentally friendly trainers. They are made of wild rubber and organic cotton by producers who receive a fair wage (cotton farmers are paid twice the market rate par example) and are unionised to ensure economic stability. They adhere to fair-trade principles, are environmental conscious and are just bossing it.

And ethical benefits, environmental advantages and social responsibility aside (I would be lying if I said all my fashion choices are were guided by ethical principles), they are a peng pair of trainers. I adore the retro vibe that totally makes me feel like I am running around a 80's French gymnase (give me a white tennis skirt and I'll be off) and chunky white trainers are so my thing.  I think these are actually mens and there were so many I could have chosen (I'm obsessed with the white and black/white versions) but they've already received so many compliments and intrigue.
I've paired them with a bretton striped t-shirt dress a few times (this one) and fuck do I enjoy the Parisian vibes it exudes (allowing me to vicariously live my French alter-ego).

As is always the case, they'll not remain white for long and will accidentally be worn on a night out but the memories those marks will evoke will increase their sentimental value. I hope to wear them until they fall apart at the seams, and still continue to patch them back together.

fleeting

Its been a while.
There's so much to update and such little literary fluency.
My brain has forgotten how to write and with it, any desire to do so.
But these are my last few months of freedom and, in order to extract myself from the repetitive madness of June, I need to engage in some more intellectual activities. And this is a start.

Let's start with the present. Today has been spent on my floor, surrounded by a pile of unmoving mess, not knowing where or how to begin. That, for me, is the process of unpacking. Love Island has been playing in the background and, realistically, that probably impeded upon any sense of productivity. But the pile is reducing, the washing has been hung out and gradually life is resuming a sense of normality.
And the past 3 weeks.
They've consisted of a lot of trains and planes, sun, an underwhelming 19th, reading, immense bread consumption, world cup watching, a strange date, a self enforced drinking ban, paradisiacal sea swimming, happiness, tan lines, sorbet eating, watermelons, excitement, orange juice drinking, Moroccan roads, siestas, monkeys, aesthetics, cute kittens, not so cute cat calling, a lot of waiting, a bit of sun burn, a lot of tiles, palm trees, patisserie, views, tears on trains, delays, a reunion and a whole lot of fun.

Photos and in-depth accounts are to come, this is simply a drop-in between fleeting hours of peace, before resuming work and friends nd life. I could apologise for this site becoming a cascade of summer enthusiasm but this happiness and adventure is what I've been craving all year, so I'm relishing in it.

Hope summer is treating you all kindly, I'm off to dream of my future life in the mediterranean (lol i wish), find an outfit that most shows off my hard-earned tan lines (lol narcism) and catch up w my friends, before the crash back to reality (i.e. work).

juin

June was one of the happiest months in a very long time. It was spent either partying, sleeping, working or laughing and I think thats a good way for life to be. It was sunny and warm and I've been too busy to even think what my head is doing. It'll be remembered with an ethereal glow, the glory days of this strange year.

here are some pics to remember the days. They are mostly just scenery because my friends probably don't wanna be plastered across the internet.

Some highlights include:
being mugged in Manchester (just because it was hilariously pathetic and a fucking gr8 story)
and meeting Lucy whilst crying and drunk
having my best pals home
driving alone nd the independence and driving my friends about
drinking hungarian wine and playing piccolo
running
baking cakes with nice people
watching love island, hungover or in bed in Buda crowded around a single phone or with my sister
evening @ quilliam brothers
being paid for the excessive shifts (materialistic but also v rewarding)
sunset at the beach with friends
readin' in the sun
budapest
a hilarious night out which we will never not laugh about
drinks with my brother
breakfast in the sun
just being with friends
realising i live in the most beautiful place ever
the golden evening light on my wall

These seem like pretty mundane things but its been so good. I am paying for utter lack of sleep and no-days-off but man, I've had fun.
Lets be real, right now I feel sad. Like I might actually cry. Its definitely a bit of nostalgia and a realisation that my gap year is coming to an end and I don't know how I feel about it (ready to move on? maybe, ready to meet new people? yes, ready to work hard? lmao no, ready to end the fun nd freedom? no) and a fear that summer is running out and the reminder that boys r stupid.

July includes: turning 19, a family holiday, a Moroccan adventure, the first weekends off, uni prep. Pls be as good, I need some more of this sun nd fun.