Christmas round-up

This year, perhaps more than other years, I've really enjoyed Christmas with my family. As well as the heaps of food and piles of presents, I especially delighted in all the games we played, including a tense and competitive game of Articulate, many rounds of Wizard, and making good use of my stepdad's four-person Cribbage set. Although I sorely miss Bournemouth and all my BAMMJ pals, spending the Christmas break at home has so far been wonderful.

So here is a small round-up/montage of my Christmas photos to give you a taste of my festive break. I hope your winter holidays have been just as lovely as mine.

Christmas presents

Christmas Day was a lazy Sunday, since without our stepsister, Maddy, arriving until Boxing Day afternoon, official festivities couldn't begin. Therefore both Leanne and I didn't feel particularly Christmassy when we awoke on Sunday morning.

Thankfully, the traditional roast lunch and enthusiastic present opening followed the very next day - our, we shall say, Christmas Day+1. Here's what I've received thus far...

'The Fashion Book' from my friend, Claire - a history lesson in key figures in fashion.

Happy Christmas!

I suppose that, as an atheist, it is rather hypocritical for me to celebrate this festive day. Nevertheless, it is a custom celebrated by many a family for many a reason, and therefore I shall wish you all a happy Christmas. In particular, I hope you have received a bounty of gifts, had a hearty meal, and spent some quality moments with your family and friends.

No, it wasn't a white Christmas... Though I wish it were! (Photo taken Jan 2010)  

My mum and my younger sister, Leanne.

Covent Garden, London

This young man told me he didn't think himself to be particularly fashionable, yet 
the centrepiece of his outfit is a beautiful, black leather, Burberry trench coat. That's 
pure designer chic right there! I love its contrast against the white slim jeans, as well 
as the small splash of colour from his orange suede shoes. 

Fair wintery outfits in themselves, but I adore how the brown and blue of the girls' 
wool coats appear to complement one another. And once again, the cameras hung 
from their necks caught my attention too. From the vintage craze, retro-style 
cameras have become cool and quirky fashion accessories.

And finally, a Christmas Eve sunset from Waterloo Bridge.

Food is my other fashion ~ Super chocolatey cookies

Don't worry,  I'm not steering away from fashion blogging. However, I do want to include more personality into what I publish, and if there's anything else I love almost as much as fashion, it has to be food. So what better time to post a couple of baking blog posts than during the Christmas holidays, where food plays such an important role in the festivities.

Today, for example, I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies topped with extra chocolate for a meet-up with my Woking friends. Thankfully, they went down exceedingly well - down into my friends' bellies. Read on to find out how I made them.

Christmas blog posts

Now that the festive season is upon us and I am back at home for the holidays, I want to give a heads up on what to expect from Unlimited by JK over the Christmas period.

With Clothes Show Live and the Xmas blogger meet behind me, I want to get back into street style photography, having neglected it for almost a month. But alas, my hometown of Woking appears to be somewhat sartorially challenged, by which I mean I rarely see an outfit that even mildly grabs my attention. Harsh words, I'll admit, but unfortunately true. I'm tempted to hop onto a train to London on Friday or Saturday, specifically to capture some street style shots, as well as see the capital lit up for Christmas.

Of course, Oxford Street and Regent Street would be teeming with fashionable shoppers, but since it would only be a day or two until Christmas Day, both streets are going to be a nightmare. I would probably be better off visiting the parks and other parts of London (perhaps Camden?), where I truly do hope I can spot at least a couple of fashionistas.

What I am also planning to include soon on the blog are a few cooking/baking posts, which I've seen other bloggers publish from to time. Not wanting to sound immodest, but I do make some mean Rocky Road (recipe courtesy of my step-aunt, Jane), in addition to brownies, cookies and a whole assortment of other sugary treats.

And finally, I shan't miss the most obvious thing to blog about this season - my Christmas presents and January sale bargains. I have no doubt I'll be taking back to Bournemouth a lot more clothes than what I brought home with me.

So happy holidays, fellow bloggers and subscribers! I wish you a pleasant Christmas.

National Television Awards tickets

Since buying the tickets a couple of months ago, thoughts of the National Television Awards have remained a dormant memory in the back of my mind. But now the tickets have finally been delivered, there's no longer an excuse to not be excited.

Attending the NTAs was the brainwave of fellow BAMMJ Charlotte Foot, who believed it would be a fun experience for us aspiring journalists. Unfortunately, due to the woes of student debt, not many on our course agreed to purchase tickets, however there will still be six of us to enjoy this glamorous evening.

For me, I'm really looking forward to taking photos of the event more than anything else, including snapping the celebrities on the red carpet. It's also a chance to wear something swanky, since the dress code is "smart/glam". Definitely a bow tie, methinks.

Bloggers' Christmas Party - Bristol & more photos

You didn't think I had only taken three photos from this weekend's blogger meet, did you? Although I'll admit it was silly of me to be taking photos with a few MyStreetChic cocktails in my system. I'm not sure where all the extra pitchers came from.

In any case, here are some more photos from the evening...

From left: Lyzi (Being Little), Kim (Sweet Monday), Ayden (Little Blog of Horrors),
Bee (Vivatramp), Rosie (A Rosie Outlook)

Bloggers' Christmas Party

For the first blogger meet I had ever attended, I was thoroughly impressed. Hosted by MyStreetChic, with aid from popular bloggers Bee (Vivatramp) and Lyzi (Being Little), the night included a Boohoo.com catwalk show, music, free drinks, goodie bags and photos. But it was meeting the other bloggers which was my personal highlight.

Lyzi (left) and Bee (right). Visit their blogs by clicking the links above in red.

After making a rain-soaked entrance into Java Bristol, I was soon overwhelmed by the number of bloggers that had arrived for the party, especially since I may have been the only male blogger there. I would have probably shrunk into my shy self were it not for the friendliness of Bee, who introduced me to her beautiful blogger pals.

So for most of the night, I chatted with fashion, beauty and lifestyle bloggers from up and down the UK - Christchurch, Torquay, Cardiff and Glasgow to name a few of the places. The ladies were certainly a lively bunch (or, to use Bee's description, "eccentric"), but equally as lovely too. These are girls that do just want to have fun. And hopefully, I shall meet up with them again in the near future.

Bloggers' Christmas Party this evening

Just a few more hours to go until I'm in Bristol, mingling with dozens of bloggers on a nightclub dancefloor. The evening is looking to be a success, but I'm beginning to feel somewhat nervous about meeting all these new people - and that's just the fraction of people I've seen on Twitter!

If you fancy following any updates on tonight's shindig at Java Bristol, remember that you can follow the Twitter trend "#xmasbloggermeet", my personal Tweets (@unlimitedbyjk), or via the MyStreetChic website, where they will be running a live blog from the party.

If you want to check out what's in store for myself and the many other guests tonight, have a play of the following video...

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Red carpet catwalk

Glamorous designer fashions, plus singer Nathan James

'Spit Happens' - BAMMJaid gig

Undoubtedly one of the best evenings I've had in a very long while, 'Spit Happens' was a charity gig organised entirely by the Multi-Media Journalism course at Bournemouth University. The event, held at The Winchester, was part of a bigger fundraising campaign, dubbed "BAMMJaid", which also included our very own charity single - a rendition of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

Sneak peek: BAMMJaid gig

Here's a small preview of the photos from last night's 'BAMMJaid' gig. I am currently sorting between editing photos, completing my radio assignment and creating page designs for Nerve* Magazine, so I won't be uploading any more photos until tomorrow. To those who did attend the gig, I hope you had as much of a wicked time as I did.

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Graduate fashion: Part 5

The final college showcases from the Diet Coke catwalk...

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Graduate fashion: Part 4

Even more college showcases from the Diet Coke catwalk...

Clothes Show Live 2011 - The Dance Show

The Dance Show at Clothes Show Live features some of the best dance talent from around the UK. Of course, it's difficult to appreciate the artistic skill through still photography, so I suppose you'll just have to trust me when I say that these two, youthful, street dance acts - of which the latter, 'Karizma Krew', were finalists in the Street Dance XXL UK Championships - performed amazingly on stage.

#XmasBloggerMeet

Here is a further update on the next anticipated event of the year... In less than a week's time will be the Christmas Bloggers' Party hosted by fashion website 'MyStreetChic'.

The evening in Bristol will include a catwalk show, exhibiting the latest partywear from Boohoo.com, but more importantly, its guest list features many established and aspiring bloggers from across the UK with which to befriend and network.

Naturally, the majority - if not all - the other bloggers will be female (oh, it's such a hard life, isn't it?), but thankfully, the kind and happy people at MyStreetChic have informed me there will at least be one other guy there, should the mass of lovely ladies in party dresses become, shall we say...? Too overwhelming.

It will be really exciting to meet the bloggers who I have recently been following, and to make potentially vital connections for my future within the blogosphere. I may for most of the time stand as a lone trooper with my fashion blog, but just like in the world of journalism, good contacts are important.

So if you fancy following up on next week's blogger party, you can follow the Twitter trend, "#xmasbloggermeet", or you can visit the MyStreetChic website for all the necessary details, including choices of nearby accommodation.

(To purchase a ticket for the MyStreetChic Christmas bloggers' party, click here)

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Graduate fashion: Part 3

More college showcases from the Diet Coke catwalk...

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Graduate fashion: Part 2

College showcases from the Diet Coke catwalk...

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Graduate fashion: Part 1

College showcases from the Diet Coke catwalk...

Clothes Show Live 2011

Having missed the fashion theatre show, Clothes Show Live felt a lot like a huge style convention. Birmingham NEC was an busy jumble of stands and stalls, some big, some small, selling fashion and beauty products at discounted prices. Gift bags were a plenty, freebies and treats equally as so.

'Merrimaking' - specialises in bespoke animal hoods (Website: www.merrimaking.co.uk)

Clothes Show Live 2011 - Diet Coke catwalk

Here are the first of the many Clothes Show Live photos from Sunday. These are from the Diet Coke image catwalk show, which was featured almost every hour and usually followed by a graduate fashion show (photos coming soon).

Clothes Show Live tomorrow!

Whoop whoop! It may involve a super early train journey with an awkward number of changes, but tomorrow, I'll be at Birmingham NEC for my first visit to Clothes Show Live, accompanied by the lovely Charlotte Gay. A very big thank you to my sister and stepsister for the tickets, their gift to me for my birthday.

Sadly, however, a confusion when buying the tickets means Charlotte and I may miss the fashion theatre show, since we won't be arriving in time for the performance listed on our tickets. It's a little disappointing, but we'll try to exchange our platinum seats for standard seats scheduled at a later time. Charlotte, who has been twice before, has also assured me that there is plenty more to do and see than just the show.

For my attire, I will once again be adorning my terracotta blazer, as you can see from the close-up above. You'll get to see the full outfit from Monday, when I'll post the first of the many photos I plan on taking. I even have my Grandad's 100-300mm telephoto lens to grab the best of the action.

(Want to follow my Clothes Show updates? Follow me on Twitter: @unlimitedbyjk)

Spit Happens - BAMMJ charity gig, 12th December

Okay, not necessarily a fashion-related event, but it'll certainly be an occasion for which to dress up! I just want to draw your attention to this little shin-dig of a gig my journalism course is organising, with performances from a number of acts, including yours truly.

During yesterday's recording of the BAMMJaid charity gig

The gig is in aid of blood cancer charity 'Anthony Nolan', which aims to save the lives of those with blood cancer through blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants. The event will be taking place at The Winchester pub on Poole Hill, Bournemouth, and will include nine musical acts as well as a performance of the 'BAMMJaid' Christmas single - our rendition of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

As for me, I'll be singing Elton John's 'Your Song' (not by myself, mind you - I'm not that brave!), while wearing something smart and colourful most likely. It's been a long while since I donned a brightly coloured tie, although I may find I'll need some room to breathe around my collar if I am to be singing on stage.

As the venue is not huge, tickets are limited, but if you are in Bournemouth on the evening of Monday 12th December, advanced tickets - which are on sale from the TARDIS in the Bournemouth University Media School foyer, 1pm-2pm every weekday - are £3.50, whilst on-the-door tickets will be £5.

If you're attending, fantastic, and I will see you there. You can expect me to be taking lots of photos during the evening - that is until I've drowned my post-performance shakes with cocktails and vodka mixers.

(For further details, see the Facebook event page)

Rock'n'roll jewellery, Bournemouth University

I love this mish-mash of rock'n'roll style jewellery. It's a great example of how 
to wear jewellery in a manly fashion. Some of these pieces even come from 
'The Great Frog', London, an internationally renowned jewellery store that has 
supplied skull rings and other hand-carved jewellery to a plentitude of rock 
music legends, including Metallica, Aerosmith and Iron Maiden.

Pokesdown - Bournemouth's Vintage Quarter

"Pokesdown went one step closer to firmly establishing itself as Bournemouth’s vintage quarter, after a busy late-night shopping event last Thursday.

Coinciding with the arrival of the town’s first Christmas tree with lights, vintage shops along Christchurch Road stayed open until 10pm, while the Tattoo Parlour Café, near Pokesdown train station, held an independent traders fayre, selling an assortment of crafts and handmade trinkets."

Dapper magician, Chris Keward, and owner of 'What Alice Found', Nicki Grainger

There certainly have been quite a few Pokesdown-related blog posts recently, but it just goes to show how much the town is hoping to get noticed and rejuvenate its vintage spirit.

To read more of my write-up for BHbeat on Pokesdown's late night shopping event, please click the following link: "Is Pokesdown Bournemouth's new Vintage Quarter?"

Kaotichandbag grand opening, with John Chapman

Author and Star Wars actor visits new 'geek boutique'.

This Saturday gone, Pokesdown's newest vintage boutique, Kaotichandbag, officially opened its doors to customers, with special guest appearances from the Dorset Troopers and former Star Wars actor John Chapman.

John, who portrayed X-Wing pilot 'Red 12' in 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope', is now the author for children's book series 'Jonnie Rocket'. The comic-book styled stories portray a twelve year-old boy whose bike morphs into a spaceship.

A stylish couple, Bournemouth Pier

As I hinted in yesterday's style spotting post, I love to take photos of couples
whose individual styles complement one another when together, and this
afternoon, I found a second fashionable pair on the sun swathed Bournemouth 
Pier. Montana (left), who works in fashion PR, described her outfit as relaxed 
with a rock edge, while Nick (right) said his style of dress is currently influenced
by rock music. What caught my eye first, however, was that they both had
sleek DSLR cameras, which - in my mind - makes them even cooler.

On the street, Pokesdown

An extremely vintage outfit from its style to its actuality. Heloise's coat is 
from a vintage shop in Lyme Regis, her hat is from The Winton Bookshop, 
and her shoes are from a vintage store in Berlin.

I adore the bow and netting detail of her hat. Very 1940s.

I love couples that look good together, this pair being no exception. The olive 
green of her H&M coat and the navy blue of his J Lindeberg cardigan have 
the same tonal strength and thus complement each other well. I also like his
Ray Ban specs and her shiny, patent, New Look shoes.

Pokesdown Late Night Shopping

Genuine community spirit - that's how I'd describe the vibe at Pokesdown's festive celebration yesterday evening. The town, one mile to the east of Bournemouth, held a late night vintage shopping event coinciding with the arrival of their first Christmas tree with lights. The turn out was fantastic, everyone's enthusiasm even more so.

Event organiser Emma Ekkes and her new scooter

From journalism to fashion journalism

Advice to aspiring fashion journalists from industry experts.

Are you a journalism student/aspiring journalist looking to specialise in fashion? Here are some handy tips I received from journalism experts participating in the Guardian Careers live Q&A debate: "Should you pursue a career in journalism?"

Kaotichandbag interview [VIDEO]

Coinciding with Pokesdown's festive celebration and late night shopping event this Thursday is the launch party of new vintage shop 'Kaotichandbag'. Aptly described as a "geek boutique", the shop will sell a variety of retro and sci-fi themed clothes, homewares, toys and accessories, from pocket-money fancies to upcycled designer jackets.

Last month, I interviewed co-owner of Kaotichandbag, Debbie Ward (pictured above), at the Tattoo Parlour Café. Debbie said she was really looking forward to opening the new shop and helping to promote Pokesdown as the vintage quarter of Bournemouth.

(Play the video below for the full Kaotichandbag interview!)

What Alice Found vintage calendar

"In the countdown to 2012, Pokesdown vintage boutique 'What Alice Found' has released a vintage-themed calendar for the new year."

(Image courtesy of Nicki Grainger, photography by Emily Fisher - Fishee Designs)

I've had a bit of a dry spell on the BHbeat byline front, but thankfully, this is the first of a few more to come in the next couple of weeks. I won't give away any details - you'll have to look online or pick up a copy of the free newspaper.

But for now, you can have a read of today's news feature about a vintage-style calendar, produced by two shop owners in Pokesdown. Please click the following link to read the full article: "Vintage-style calendar shot in local businesses"

Bloggers' Christmas Party

At the end of term, I'll be heading to the city of Bristol for a blogger meet courtesy of MyStreetChic.com and the South West Bloggers Network. The event is an opportunity to network with other fashion and beauty bloggers, and will include a catwalk show featuring the latest partywear from Boohoo.com.

The blogger meet/Christmas party will take place at Java Bristol on the evening of Friday 16th December, and tickets are only £5. Although the night will cost a little extra for yours truly, as Bristol isn't exactly walking distance from Bournemouth!

But despite the cost, the night should be worthwhile - the party will be fun, I'll make lots of new contacts, and I get to visit Bristol for the first time. Bristol street style, anyone?

My only worry, however, is that thoughts of the event will distract me from my shorthand exam, which is taking place only a few hours before. Hopefully, it won't be case.

As always, I'll keep you posted with updates and have a blog post choc-a-bloc with photos for you to enjoy and peruse through upon my return. In the meantime, I had better practice for my shorthand exam and carry on with my news theory essay.

(To get your hands on a ticket for the bloggers' party, click here)

Woolen scarves

Winter is fast approaching, but the chilly weather is already here. Wrapping up warm for my walks to and from university, I'm happy to know I have enough woolen scarves to accessorise a number of layered looks. Currently, I have eight, but I've added a few more onto my Christmas wishlist. I just love the different colourful patterns you can now buy.

My favourite scarf in my collection. (River Island)

On campus, Arts University College Bournemouth

I've found only recently that the neighbouring AUCB campus has a much 
higher ratio of individually dressed people than Bournemouth University. It
seems with creative minds comes creative style. The student here, for example, 
has added a relaxed, wintery tone to her dress by wearing it beneath an open
flannel shirt. I also love the height that heeled boots and black tights create.

Nerve* Magazine (November 2011)

Here is another round of page designs from the fashion section of Nerve* Magazine. Having created templates for the previous issue, I now need not do all the design work myself, but here are the few pages I did lay out. Tell me what you think!