Great timing BBC...thanks.

It's weird how people talk about war and don't really think about the people involved unless it affects them. I can't say anything because since I found out that my cousin, Ashley, was going into the army I have bleeted on about how you don't hear about all that many people dying considering how many are out there.

Blatantly I was trying to make myself feel better about the fact he was going. As the day neared that he would leave for Afghanastan I repeatedly said "he'll be fine", "he's coming back" and "he's excited to go, that's why he joined up in the first place".

Today the day has arrived and he's left. He's 20. With a family upset that he couldn't come home and say farewell last weekend (he was told he had to stay in Edinburgh) and a girlfriend patiently (though probably very stressed) waiting at home for the arrival of their daughter in March.

In the third rifles Ashley will join all the other soldiers out there fighting to regain peace. What a terrible time for the BBC to announce yet more deaths and the new Operation Moshtarak that could lead to more deaths. I know he's coming back. I wished him luck, his response "I don't need luck, I'm a rifleman" followed by a laugh. And he's a good one, he got best shot at his passing out parade (where the picture on theis post was taken) though that won't really help with bombs will it...

Here's wishing him luck and love.

Raphael Vincenzi: Come Home Little Soul

Fashion illustration seems to get a bit samey at times.  You see the same mixed media quite a lot, which seems to blur the line between illustrators.  Raphael Vincenzi at times reminds me of people I have mentioned previously mentioned, such as Nadia Flower and Darren Firth, with watercoloured looks and mixed media squared paper.  However, his latest Behance album, "Come Home Little Soul", makes Vincenzi stand out against the others.  There is a very artistic, delicate, considered use of media and typography.  Always beautiful, and at times moving, it's a lot more than typical fashion illustration.

Check out his website and full Behance portfolio.

Type Sex with Andrej Krahne

Andrej Krahne's got all creative with the latest Durex brief.  Communicating the joy with Durex, Krahne demonstrates Durex's part in sex by creating images with text.  His self entitled "type sex" with type showing "like X-ray the inner feelings during the act with Durex."

I love the fact that the text takes into context not only sexual feelings but emotions, body reactions and also surfaces.  From "wood" to "fatal error" Krahne mocks typical sexual issues, with a mans "brain matter" and judgement" placed firmly where his penis is.  It's been said before but it's still amusing to see it in print.  Sex and humour sells, and this has both.

Master of Fashion?

I had a plan.  I was going to graduate, work as a fantastical fashion person for 2-5 years and then maybe do an MA/MBA...dependent on where I was and what I fancied.  Well...I am not a fantastical fashion person.

I am a person that gets mad at work, despises the gossip, gets paid less than the others and then ends up crying.  Not because I'm upset...because I'm frustrated.  Thanks to Graduate Fashion Week I have contacts at company's from Burberry to ASOS to pester for work experience but can I do it? NO! Why I hear you ask? Because I live in the Midlands and not in the centre of the fashion universe: London.

So here are my thoughts...maybe I should just buck up my ideas and change the plan around a bit.  Move to London, do an MA and get work experience alongside it.  THEN come out of university once and for alla nd become a fantastical fashion person with lots of experience rather than no experience.

I am very indecisive when it comes to my own life.  (Believe me I would plan your whole life for you though if you asked me.)  Right now I am scouring university websites, bank websites and careers websites in an attempt to make some kind of a decision.  Not really making much headway.  I don't even know whether it'd be clever to focus on fashion promotion or to broaden my horizons and do something more general.

Everyone I speak to says it's a decision only I can make.  Bugger. That's what I was dreading.  Suggestions on a postcard.

Maybe one day I'll go nude...

I've been burying my head in the sand as nude creeps its way back into fashion.  For two reasons....1) I am ultra pale and therefore lose any colour (though this is miniscule) in my skin as it bleeds straight into the dress. 2) I actually quite like it and don't want to be tempted as I feel it will not do me justice.  Instead I stick to purple, pink, blue...anything but nude.

Then I see Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace at the Golden Globes and I have to admit I begin to rethink this whole anti-nude stance.  After all, she looked absolutely spectacular all a glisten.  And, with my new skills from Design by Janine, I'm pretty sure I could make a dress sparkle just like that.

I slept on this thought...and I woke up.  To be frank, I don't intend on going to any awards ceremonies any time soon.  I may, however, let a little bit of nude lace creep intop my wardrobe.  Let's just be clear though, it will be paired with something a lot bolder.

For now though here are my pick of the best nude dresses I've seen so far...

Drew Barrymore, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin nailing the nude look

Temporary Tattoo

I always wanted a tattoo.  I've planned, sketched, drawn on myself what and where...then swiftly changed my mind whether it be an hour, a day, a week or a month later.  I promised myself that if I ever wanted the same thing for six months then I would have it done.  My theory is if I don't like something for six months I definitely won't like it for a lifetime.

Fashion, like me, is fickle.  Perhaps that's why I like it so much...I can identify and change my style with the seasons (as much as I can afford).  With Rodarte, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel all featuring temporary/make-up tattoos it has sparked my interest again.  In contrast to Rodarte and Gaultier's heavy, bold tattoo's Chanel interlink flowers, birds and jewellery designs to lace around legs and wrists.  A suprising addition to the femininity of their collection.

And, marvellous news...that you'll probably have heard but I wanted to share my excitement with you even if it's a little late...Chanel has now announced they will be selling their temporary tattoo's, which means I don't even have to try (and probably fail) to paint tattoos on myself.  Bravo Chanel!  Genius way to allow people of all incomes to get a little Chanel in their lives...and promote the brand in the process.

Tattoos on the catwalk...Rodarte, John Paul Gaultier and Chanel

I've become a little obsessed with Passion Pit.

I've become a little obsessed with Passion Pit.  My life is rather boring at the minute so the fact they remind me of raucous nights out and the electro 80's music my dad would play when I was little is only a good things.  Happy memories and all that...what more could you ask for?  I don't know the words, and even when I do I sound like a chipmunk speaking alien when I try to sing along, but that doesn't matter.

I have this constant need to follow the beat of my iPod when I'm walking, I blame the dance classes I had as a child, and having abandoned Rachael Yamagata for happier music like this I'm finally making it to work on time.  In fact, this morning I was the first one in.  15 minutes early.  I was power walking (and therefore making a fool of myself) at time times...pure madness.

Let's hope this weekend I can put Passion Pit to better use.