Blue sky & sunshine

It's hard to believe that one week ago, we were on mid term break. A whole week to catch up and kick back with my ever growing London family. We're up to 8 people over here at the moment from our old college with a friend visiting at the moment and another 2 to arrive next month.

Last Wednesday my Leyton tribe went to go and visit the Human Rights Human Wrongs exhibition at the photographers gallery. It was such a beautiful exhibition because it was an extensive collection of film generated photographs and I am completely drawn to it. It's easy to be overwhelmed at the first hand historical accounts of human treachery and to think "How could we?", yet the very same thing, if not worse is still occurring today. It just put it all into perspective ya know.

I liked how this exhibition reminded me; that we are all here for a mere moment. Once our heart stops beating here....our chance to make a difference, to help, to grow is over. I left feeling committed to living an honest and purposeful life that involves doing things that help others because there are so many people today who do not have the liberty of freedom.


I also really loved seeing the We Could Be Heroes exhibition because I got to see two of Bruce Davidson's  Brooklyn Gangs photos. Emma showed me a link to these gorgeous photos from the 1980's capturing French rockabilly gangs taken by Gilles Eli Cohen and that led me towards Bruce Davidson's images so I was stoked to be able to see two of his photographs.  Go check it out!

After that we went to the Mudchute City Farm where we were blessed with the brightest blue day since moving here. It was still freezing but we had the best time wandering around feeding the animals. We shared a lovely meal at the cafe (even though it was really busy and took a look time) and just enjoyed the company.

Worn / Vintage Cowboys Sweater / New Look Jeggings / Converse / Thrifted Gola Bag

Sister wore / Thrifted Fresh Jumper & Collar Shirt / New Look Jeggings / Converse / Scarf 

Big love,

Falala Mele

Super Sundays in London pt. 3 Brick Lane

A few Sundays ago, my friends and I wandered off to Brick Lane to eat some delicious food and to catch up with Beth and Dani as they were apart of a Plus Size Swap Sale. Since being in London for a few months, we've been hanging out with Tiffany of Fat Shopaholic. She's out in Brighton studying so she hasn't had a chance to catch up with the other London bloggers yet, so it was a nice chance to connect and meet other bloggers and babes from around London. 

Dealing with the winter and dressing for warmth has been a new experience for me. I swear I usually just throw on few things and I'm out the door but I've been bitter every time I've been fooled by the sunshine and decided to wear shorts or a dress.  Thankfully I've managed to find some comfy jeggings from New Look HERE and they've been a lifesaver in breaking the dull black leggings I wear to work daily. 

I picked up the blouse at ASDA on sale for like 8 pounds and my hat for 3 pounds at Monki. I've been dressing comfortably and casually and it's been great since we're walking all over London in and out of various tube stations. Some people will sacrifice comfort for beauty but I'm far too practical for that life. 

We stopped off to grab a bite to eat in the old Truman Brewery where there are loads of amazing food stalls before heading to the swap/sale. I picked up a few cute pieces but mainly enjoyed meeting old and new friends and hanging out with my London sisters. The event had a lovely kick back vibe and everyone picked up a little something from the sale. WINNING all around!

Top George / Jeans New Look / Jacket Kmart / Hat Monki / Shoes Converse / Bag Gola

 Sister Style - Skirt Thrifted / Top Monki / Cardigan Thrifted / Boots New Look

 

Find my friends and sister on instagram- @sikilou @miss_magenta_ @rhiiila @tiffany104

Big love,

Falala Mele

Super Sundays in London pt.2

Thrifted Rose Cardigan / Primark Scarf / Bargain Shop Scarf / Glasses Portobello Rd

Ever Sunday we try to make the most of sleepy London. If you get up early and leave the house by 9am, you can see a whole lot without having to put up with the crowded tube and congested spaces around highly popular places. So it's usually galleries or places we want to visit and we all kind of decide throughout the week where we want to go. Our free time is precious and we always try to have a game plan to ensure that we don't waste it.

Last Super Sunday went like this.

• Leave Leyton
• Bethnal Green to check out Judy's Affordable Vintage- It costs 1 pound after midday and while it's not as cheap as the vintage kilo sale there is an impressive selection with a few 5 pound racks. I picked up a lovely vintage candy coloured Aloha shirt for 5 pounds. You can also sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake for 4 pounds. All served in beautiful vintage tea china. 
• On our way out a lady gave us a pamphlet to check out a kilo sale down the road. I found a lovely patterned vest that reminded me off the  popular 90's surf brand Kuta Lines and a 1994 Dallas Cowboys Superbowl Sweater.
• Went on to Liverpool Street tube to visit Dennis Severs joint for a interesting time warp to see what life would have been like back in 1724. The house feels as though it's been kept sealed with EVERYTHING in it's place. Only lit by candles and a few small fires, you are asked to walk through without talking and you are left to wonder through the three levels and your own leisure. We all agreed it was so interesting and creepy at the same  time but it was definitely an interesting immersive experience. 
• After that we were feeling hungry so we wandered over to the Spitalfields Markets for our fave food at Leon. I got me a falafel hot box and and delicious red velvet cupcake from Lola's. 

All in all another cool Super Sunday with my friends in a place that is now starting to feel like home. 

Big love,

Mele

Super Sundays in London + Christmas Jumpers

Primark Christmas Jumper & Beanie / City Chic Striped Blouse

Primark Christmas Jumper / Thrifted Denim Button Up from Camden Markets

Amongst the grind of teaching full time in London (I'm telling you the load is ridiculous) we found a that weekends were over as soon as Friday night was over. So in order to make the most of our weekends, we decided to get up early on Sundays and get all over the town. London is quiet on Sundays so you are able to take photos without another million other people in your pictures.

Never having experienced a Christmas during winter before, we were ridiculously excited to purchase and wear some festive Christmas jumpers. I was surprised at how cool all of the jumpers were and how reasonably priced they were. All jumpers were purchased from Primark and even though we didn't plan it, we managed to visit Big Ben, The National Gallery, The Tate Modern and St. Paul's Cathedral all in one Super Sunday.

Monki + meet up

Usually on Saturdays we take our time and wakeup without alarm clocks. I'll go out for a jog, come back and cook breakfast and we catch up on news and weekly stories we may have missed whilst getting through the week. Today however we were out of the house before 11 to meet up with our girl Rhi and also Tiffany of Fat Shopaholic (she's also made the move over to the UK for 9 months to study). We went to check out the East London Thrift 1 pound sale.

I was really excited to check it out because the 1kg 10 pound sale in Bethnal Green was good. It was clean, organised and it had a great selection of clothes. But yesterday we had to wait like an hour and half to get in, only to find a whole room full of clothes that were basically rejects. Stained, ripped and mouldy. SO NOT WORTH IT! The sectioned off part to their normal store had a pretty nice selection but the pieces that I managed to spy where all 20 pound and over so I was really disappointed in that. If you're looking for some key pieces to add to your wardrobe and don't mind paying some pounds then definitely check it out.

To be fair, if you are a straight size there were some cool jeans and overalls available for the pound but I wouldn't go again. The selection inside was not worth the wait. So I'm going to have to get out of London if I wanna thrift. I picked up a denim top, vest and 2 dresses that I'm going to cut them up and rework it.

Yesterday I wore my Monki Carla Tee available HERE and I decided to wear my good old faithful City Chic skirt because I didn't have to go to work and it wasn't freezing or raining! Boots are from New Look, these seem to be the closest one to them available online HERE.

Top Monki / Skirt City Chic / Lips Velour Australis / Glasses Street Stall NYC / Bow Philippines / Bracelet Samoa 

Waiting outside. The line went down the road and around the corner. Everybody was out hoping to catch a bargain.

I hope all of my Australian & New Zealand family and friends are enjoying the summer at home because I surely miss it. I'll try and keep my blog updated because I'm struggling to even find the time to write in my journal. 

Big Love & Seasons Greetings,

Mele 

That nu nu London vibe

Damn, guess who's back? Yessir it's your girl Falala. 

I'm celebrating the connection of our home wifi with a blog post. 

HOOOOORAYYYY!

All I can say is I've missed my humble little online space and I've been extremely busy adjusting to the life that is 'living abroad'. I've had some wonderful adventures and some heavy-eyes rolling-in the back of  my head- shoot me now moments, but I've been in London for a month now so I can safely say it's starting to feel more like home, rather than an extended holiday.

We literally spent the first 2 weeks on the hunt for a place to live and doing all the boring things (agency meetings, bank accounts, signing leases etc) and then spent the third week gradually  moving our two suitcases of gear each from Deptford to Leyton.  Amongst all that we started working! We are officially East siders E15 2BX yo' and I'm close to E17 bless. That's where the boys of my fave boy band East 17 were raised. A bloke from church said one of them lived around the corner from his grandma back in the day and he still remembers when the street would be packed with cars and hordes of screaming girls.  "In a west end town and a dead end world, East end boys and west end girls." Still my jam.

Cool things that have happened within the last month.

• I did like 2 weeks of supply teaching. Got over it, and I now have a class of my own. Yr 2/3 bless them. They are beautiful
• Internet connected in our awesomely huge 3 bedroom flat 
• QTS approved
• Hanging with Rhianon (been too long since we were around each other)
• Meeting up with Bonnie, my old college friend who is also living abroad
• Joined a community choir in Notting Hill and it's AWESOME! We are preparing for a Christmas concert, COME if you're in the area. It is going to sound AMAZING and my sister and I may be leading out in one of the songs.
• Bumped into the gorgeous blogger Callie Thorpe around the Portobello Markets
• We were asked to chat to Channel 4 crew whilst leaving Camden Markets on our opinions/experiences with tattoos and piercings 
• Getting around London without City Mapper >.<

I'll sign off now, with the promise of regular posts. Fingers crossed I get some blogging mojo back.

Big Love,

Falala Mele

time machine please

 

 Many many kisses to Evelyn Munos for letting me steal her Paris/London pics from our History of Art Tour..... Seriously the best thing ever....some are hers, some are mine or Emmas.... either way... these pics make me wish I had a time machine to go back.....I love PARIS!! Wicked was the highlight of London...anyways I could go on forever about it... but I wont....most of my clothes were purely for comfort....we walked ALOT.... but next year I'm heading to NYC....so I think I will be a little more prepared for that!! Ewwww can I not be hooked on this thing already...the sun is coming up so I guess I should go to bed.....

Many blessings,


Falala Mele