In Bloom / Milk and Chemistry

I took these photos the day after I finished my last exam, and it was the first time that I had dressed up to go out in a lonnnng time. I matched a bunch of reds with dark red and more red, because I love matchy-matchy colours. These pretty, pretty tights are from Tabbi Socks, and are made in Japanese city that is apparently famous for it's sock-making - Koryo-city, Nara! Included in my order was a brief history about the city and the lives of the people who live there. I wish that more companies told you the story behind their manufacturing processes - I think that it's good for you to know more about where your clothes are coming from, because it's all too easy to take them for granted. Also, Tabbi socks have the prettiest floral tights for sale right now and it's making me wish that it wasn't about to go into full-blown summer here, because I want them all! Tart ring c/o Ginger Pickle | pancake ring is handmade | Top from Glebe Markets (upcycled vintage) | skirt is thrifted | tights c/o Tabbi Socks | shoes from Japan | bag is thrifted I have to give a quick shout-out to two amazing artists, whose work I have admired for a long time, who both surprised me this week by drawing me! These artists have two very different styles, and I love them both. The first is by Rachel, who sent me this gorgeous watercolour illustration. I just love the dress and necklace that Rachel put me in - I think that I'm going to have to recreate both somehow! Anton Belardo (@jellyfishkisses on instagram) makes the most wonderfully creepy-cute collage-style fashion illustrations. Just as I was sitting in a doctor's surgery today feeling super nervous, scrolling through instagram, I found that I'd been tagged in this amazing illustration - which brightened my mood considerably! I'm a badass mermaid - I can get through anything (plus, the news from my doctor ended up being good, so that was even better). Thank you so much, Anton! I am so lucky to have been connected to such creative people through the world of blogging, and honoured to be considered a worthy muse for their art! And finally - some science. Chemistry is ridiculous! This is what happens when you combine milk, food dye and dish soap (which is on the end of the cotton tip).  So what's happening?  Milk contains a lot of water, but it also has some fat, which is a "water hating" molecule (hydrophobic) - this is why when you pour oil into water, the two don't mix. Adding soap - a molecule that has one "water loving" (hydrophilic) and one "water hating" (hydrophobic) end - starts the chemical reaction. The hydrophilic end dissolves into the water, while the hydrophobic end attaches to the fat molecules. The hydrophobic ends of the soap try to match up with all of fat molecules they can find, causing the food colouring (which, being less dense than milk, floats on the surface) to be moved around in all different directions. And you can do this yourself at home! I love DIY science! I hope that you are all having a beautiful day, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

New Years Outfit / Art & Science

This is my outfit for tonight! This dress, courtesy of Oh My Love, arrived just in time for New Years! It's absolutely perfect for the occasion with a tulle underskirt, and its short, strapless, fitted shape and puffy skirt. Plus it's sparkly! I'm not doing anything huge for this New Years eve, just hanging out with a group of my closet friends, which I'm really looking forward to. Here's a song to get you in the mood for New Years (it's a good 'un! Have a listen! Dance dance dance!) You can't see it from far away, but this is my make-up for tonight - subtle gold sparkles on my eyes and lips. Actually, you can't even really see it in this photo either (I'm kind of embarrassingly bad at make-up for a fashion blogger really, haha). wearing dress - c/o Oh My Love lace socks cuffs - The Little Pineneedle necklace - c/o Oasap shoes - Rubi Shoes So I LOVE it when science is combined with art. Random International have created a Rain Room installation, which allows participants to explore the room and their movements influence the fall of the rain - and at the same time, measures and researches the behaviours of its viewers. The Art and Science Journal best capture the aim of the artwork: "[Rain Room invites participants] to contemplate how technology alters our environment, ultimately questioning the role humans play in its alteration. It provides an instance where the forces beyond human control (i.e.: the weather) are manipulated by human activity." Please go if you live in the UK. It looks way too good. Click here for the gallery's website! Hope you all have an amazing 2013!