Trip to Brighton/London*

Last week I had a rather impromptu visit to Brighton, to stay with a friend. The plan was to head down quite early, spend the afternoon in London then head down to Brighton that evening. To my surprise an email popped up in my inbox about a Paul Smith Sample sale, which I mentioned a couple of weeks back.

After some search around like the classic tourist we found it, somewhere near Holborn tube station. We were greeted with a 25 people strong queue, but we jumped to the back of the queue as we came all this way, we may as well wait it out.

About 20 minutes later, we were in! To our surprise the prices were more than reasonable, with prices ranging from £5 for accessories to men's 2-piece suits at only £110. There was no room to try things on so it was literally a grab what ever you can jobby. Here's what I picked up:

PS pink & white candy stripe s/s shirt

Paul Smith Jeans blue & grey l/s shirt

Jameys also picked up a few shirts and some brown cords, which only came to around £70, pretty decent bargains there. So we spend the rest of the afternoon at some shops and then headed down to Brighton, were we spent the evening at various pubs drinking overly expensive pints until the we hours.

To me Brighton seemed totally different to London, it was much more relaxed and had a more of a European feel even though it's only about an hour away from the Big Smoke.

Here's a couple of other bits a picked up on the trip:

Levis 502s (which were advertised at 501s and later when I expected the label, turns out they're "juniors", they actually don't fit too great)

Paul Smith purple socks, well you have to treat yourself sometimes!

That Sounds Nice

Any tune coming out of those would sound perfect. They would make a super Christmas present if you you have a few pennies laying around.

Ceramic speakers and amp by Joey Roth

Best Foot Forward

Opening Ceremony zip front boots - available at ASOS

Paul Smith "Pikes" hiking boot - Available at Paul Smith

Raf Simons x Dr Martens 8 hole boot - Available at oki-ni

Trickers brogue boots - Available at Farfetch

Here's some of my top picks of boots for this winter, something for everyone here. I'm oddly drawn the to Paul Smith hiking boots, a) because my last name is Pike as well and b) because they have the "quirk-factor". I saw them in the Paul Smith shop at Covent Garden the other day, and that only made me want them more.

Trip to Brighton/London

Me and Jamesy set of to Brighton on Thursday to visit a friend, we combined it with a day in London too. Heavy traveling as I live way up North. So worth it though. I'll update properly on what I got up to, including the Paul Smith sample sale.

Look of the Week

How glamourous.

Image from Stil In Berlin

Wooyoungmi A/W 09/10 Collection

I'd describe this collection as a futuristic Soviet uniform. The detail on some of the outfits is brilliant. Fabrics, cuts, colour palette, accessories, it's all working for me and works together without looking like there's too much going on.

Click to enlarge, make sure you check out the amazing shoes. Now I'm off to buy some material to wrap around my shoulders....

Images via Coute Que Coute

David Hockney's Musings

Second Detail, Snail Space

The Big Splash

Garrowby Hill

A few of my favourites from the ever flamboyant artists, David Hockney. The top and the bottom pieces remind me slightly of doodles I used to do for my Nan when I was about 5/6, I was always interested in drawing, that was my thing, everything else came second at school and yes everything else suffered because of this. This continued for years, other than being interested in computer games and cars, drawing was where it was at. Drawing isn't really something I do much anymore, I do the odd doodle in my notepad here and there, but David Hockney gives me hope, that one day I'll pick up my pain brushes again, and draw the same things that intrigued me as a kid. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you're never too old.

Paul Smith Sample Sale

Oh what a coincidence, it's on at the same time I'm in london. Me and Jamesy are so going.

The Planets

Mercury

Venus

The Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Netpune

Uranus

Currently a wee bit obsessed with the Solar System. Damn you QI.

COMPETITION: T.U.K Creepers - And The Winner Is.....

First off sorry that this has took so long to be drawn, thank you for your patience. Big thanks to T.U.K for letting this competition happen and to everyone who entered and re-tweeded about the competition, but as always there can only be one winner (I'm still wishing I could of have a pair....).

Ok the names are in the hat.......tense

Drum roll please......

And the winner is......

Congratulations to Izzy of The Dandy Project. You have just won yourself a pair of T.U.K Mondo Lo Creepers, with your choice of either a black or white pair! I will contact the winner to arrange details further.

Commiserations to everyone else, but thank you again for entering! More competitions again in the future I hope.

Clarks Originals 60th Anniversary Collection

The North has always had a soft spot for Clarks Originals, maybe it’s the attraction of the no-fills, working class, functional natural of the unisex boots or the fact that they come as a happy medium between smart and causal. Since the Mad-chester days in the early 1990s Clarks desert boots have been a staple for the “everyman” in and around the city. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic boot Clarks Originals have created 6 unique designs, each dedicated and inspired by its chosen decade. Each boots tributes itself to a iconic characteristic associated with the decade, with 3 boots for men and 3 for women. The 1950s pays tribute to the postwar working class, with Harris Tweed, 1960s lends itself to the iconic Liberty’s flora print, 1970s tackles Hippy with suede fringing, 1980s camps it up with acid washed faded denim, 1990s pays homage to Britpop with a Union Jack design and 2000s pushes things forward with a minimal design inspired by the original boot.

So which is the right boot for you? It’s a tough choice. Also comes the question of what’s next for Clarks Desert boots, things are looking good for the brand, with their shoes now selling themselves with minimal advertising. Each boot comes with a specifically design box, limited edition keyring and booklet entitled, “Six Days of Looking Forward to the Past”.

I wrote this article for Manchester Fashion Network, where I am currently on work experience. You got to hand it to Clarks, they make bloody good boots.

Postcards From The Seaside

I love this picture of Hollie, taken by friend and photographer Lottie Walsh. This picture was taken on the North Pier of my hometown, Blackpool. The lighting, minimal make up and shades of the picture are just a treat.

Visit Lottie's blog.

Hang On To Yourself

Image Source

Inspiration - Bertelli Biciclette Assemblate

I can safely say these images make me want a bike even more than I ever though was possible. I would love one of these Bertelli bike, but the town I live in isn't built so great for them and I doubt I'd get much use out of it. But wouldn't one of these just look great in your house. One day it will happen....

Some of the imagery of the site is quite amazing, this selection here is just a taster. To check out more just click the link.

Images from Bertelli Biciclette Assemblate of New York

Put This On - On Denim

Put This On, Episode 1: Denim from Put This On on Vimeo.

I was tipped off about this video by The Sunday Best on Twitter, looks like it's going to be a great video series if this is the standard. Watch it, you won't regret it. Oh and spread the word....

COMPETITION: T.U.K Giveaway - Update

The T.U.K Creepers Giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone that entered. I will me picking a winner out of a hat later this week.

Think positive guys, it could be you!