New camera soon!

Having returned home for the bank holiday weekend, I've now received all my birthday money (unless someone's being a Dobby and hiding the rest of my cards!), and I am fortunate to say I have just enough to buy myself a digital SLR camera. The model I plan to buy is a Sony Alpha DSLR-A290L from Currys or PC World, which - although is the cheapest on offer - should provide me with a high enough quality image and fast enough shutter speed for those catwalk shows!

Sony DSLR-A290L - currently £263.99 in the blue cross sale! (Image source: currys.co.uk)

So whether you're the avid follower or the occasional browser of Unlimited by JK, expect to see plenty of better quality photos coming very soon! Also look out for more photo shoots and more style spotting! Once I get a hang of using the DSLR, my finger is going to be super trigger-happy, I am sure.

Noah's Ark

As I had aforementioned in two previous blog posts, last night saw us first-year BAMMJs dressed up for our Noah's Ark themed social. Although it was not the huge hoohah that I envisioned, the turnout was surprisingly good, with the majority adhering to the animal theme. As for myself... I broke out my face paint kit and had a little play around.

Sneak peek II: Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark social tonight at Kukui nightclub, Bournemouth - ought to be a blast!
Here's an extra sneak peek at my costume. I shall publish a full blog post tomorrow.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Bournemouth

If it weren't for the price, I'd be getting a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers for myself.
I love this particular pair belonging to my friend, Charlotte Foot. A special gift from
her boyfriend, these shades have got extra detail to the original style, such as a gold
Ray-Ban insignia on the left lens and metal enamel on the sides. She wears them well.

Sneak peek I: Noah's Ark

I thought I'd try creating some suspense, so here it goes...

Thursday night, us BAMMJs will be having a Noah's Ark themed social at Kukui nightclub, Bournemouth. You should be able to guess which animal I'm dressing up as from the image below. However, instead of a costume, I'm going for something a little more suave. Look out for a blog post either on Thursday or Friday.

Can you guess which animal I'll be? Watch out for a blog post this week!

The evening will be tremendously fun, especially with many of us dressed up, although I am quite sad to hear that there's currently some debate as to whether many people will actually adhere to the theme. Hopefully they will, and if there are any outstanding costumes, I'll upload photos to the blog.

In any case, I'm really looking forward to dressing up myself. I only hope that what I'll be wearing has wow factor.

Skater Chic, Bournemouth

These young ladies grabbed my attention from the moment they sailed past on their

skateboards, an air of coolness surrounding them. Highlights of their styles include

the denim shorts and anchor print tights (right), the light denim shirt worn casually

over an Aerosmith t-shirt (left), and their long hair flowing from beneath their hats.

Richmond Classics

If you're looking for quality designerwear, you could always visit the closest department store - large floors, plenty of stock, and a familiar atmosphere no matter which town or city you visit. However, there's always an exciting alternative, and in Bournemouth in particular, such an option comes in the shape of Richmond Classics.

Union Jacket, Bournemouth

If you'll pardon the cheesy pun in the post title, I hope you'll agree this is nifty

smart-casual attire. Of course, the main feature of this man's outfit is the Union Flag

jacket, which goes well with his sand-coloured shirt. It's also good to see a pair of

crisp blue jeans rather than the darker relaxed styles I see (and wear) so often. Gold

frame aviator sunglasses naturally add an extra element of coolness

19th Birthday

Today I turned 19 years of age - it's good to know I'm adept at keeping myself alive for this long. When famous fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni celebrated her birthday recently, she received flowers from Louis Vuitton and designer accessories, but alas I have not yet reached the stage when I'm entitled to such luxurious presents. In a couple of years time...? We'll see how things go.

Nonetheless, I did receive a few cards and gifts today, and hopefully I shall find more in my postbox tomorrow morning too. From my friend, Claire, who came to visit in spite of having an exam tomorrow, I was given Gok Wan: How to Dress, a style guide for women that should prove useful in furthering my knowledge in ladies' fashion. I also received some money from relatives that shall go towards this year's number one prize, a digital SLR camera. Having looked at the current makes on the market, I'll probably go for the more affordable Sony Alpha, but if there are any better cameras you would recommend, please leave a comment below.

But hey, happy birthday to me. I won't be raising a glass this evening (as I already downed a few last night!), but thank you to everyone who wished me today. I look forward to whatever the next year brings - hopefully happiness, love, and some sparkle of success.

Shopaholic Student - "The debt's worth it"

In the latest issue of Cosmo on Campus, the magazine poses the question of whether it's possible to be a 'shopaholic' and a student. The simple answer is yes, it is possible to be a student with a shopping addiction that leads to massive debt. But quite frankly, as the previous sentence inherently suggests, it's also messed up.

In the article, Cosmo has published opposing answers from two different students - Maddy Potts from York University and Katy Balls from City University. Both young ladies put forward well structured arguments, however only one is thinking sensibly.

The latest issue of Cosmo on Campus, available for free at your university now!

Sock Drawer

As friends and acquaintances may know, I have a lot of socks. I'm not sure how many exactly, but I would hazard a guess at several dozen pairs. I've been asked many times why I have such a multitude, and this is my answer: the same reason why some people go crazy for shoes, or why others go mad for t-shirts - socks are a staple item in nearly every outfit I wear, and only having a few mundane pairs just isn't enough.

A few examples of my not-so-mundane socks (don't worry, they are clean)

On the street, Bournemouth

If there's one word to describe this look, it would be "wow". The leather biker jacket

looks great over his Jack Daniel's t-shirt, especially with those tassles. And on this one

occasion, I'll actually agree ripped jeans are pretty cool, with - if you'll notice - zebra

print material hiding the unfavourable sight of bare legs. Matching black boots, an
array of silvery accessories, and his long windswept hair complete this amazing style.

NoShow - AUCB Fashion Studies

Held at Pavilion Dance in Bournemouth, the end-of-year show from fashion students at the Arts University College Bournemouth was nothing short of impressive. The many collections - encompassing menswear, womenswear and childrenswear - displayed flair and individuality from each of the young and aspiring designers. For my first live experience of a catwalk show, I was not disappointed.

Students' design portfolios in the Pavilion Dance foyer

Words from the Editor - 6 months!

Today, the Unlimited by JK style blog turns half a year old. Exciting times! And what a fantastic six months it has been since my first blog post on Wednesday 10th November! First and foremost, I would like to thank everybody who has been following and reading the blog so far. If it weren't for your interest, encouragement and support, I would not have had the drive to carry this fashion blog to the level of success at which it currently stands. Each day - either in your comments or your page views - you are are a source of motivation for me, so now I wish to offer my many thanks.

Secondly, some of you may have noticed that I've referred to myself as "editor" rather than "author" like in my previous word-plenty ramble. The reason being that I have finally accepted this blog really is mine to do as I please - my blog, my creation, my spur of ambition and aspiration. What I could achieve no longer scares me, for I honestly do want Unlimited by JK to go far and become a huge success. The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman was my inspiration, so to be as popular as him would be a dream come true. And now after seeing many more successful fashion blogs (as listed in my blog roll), I suppose a sense of competition has sparked within me. Can I be as big as Chiara Ferragni or Filippo Fiora? Sure I can!

Nevertheless, I still have a long way to go before I'm whisked away to Milan, invited to lavish parties and given designer gifts. In these past six months, I've watched my blog statistics slowly rise to the point they're at now, but I'd love them to grow even more. I may have succeeded in passing 2,000 page views in one calendar month, but how about 3,000? 4,000? 5,000? 10,000? 100,000? Okay, that might be pushing it at this stage, but you never know. In any case, I do realise I have to work for it - more blog posts, more style spotting, perhaps visit some actual catwalk shows. After watching London Fashion Week A/W 11 back in February via live streaming, my aim is to attend the S/S 12 shows in person, so watch out for that!

My apologies if this photo is at all creepy
and/or suggestive. I still can't pose well.

In the last few weeks, however, I've been very proud of the blog's progress. I'm gaining more followers on Twitter and Facebook, and now people from around the world are leaving happy comments below each post. Everyone gets a buzz when they're doing well, and I'm no exception. Truth be told, I reckon the next six months are going to be amazing.

So what should you be looking out for? As I said above, I'm hoping to (somehow) get an invitation to London Fashion Week in September, so I'll definitely be putting up lots of photos then. I still have as yet to publish blog posts on underwear and nightclubbing attire - as mentioned in my new year greeting - so I'll try to get those up too. However, in commemoration of the new Doctor Who series, I will be featuring bow ties in a Doctor Who themed article. Also keep an eye out for many many more style recommendations from the lovely me as well as plenty more of the usual blog posts.

On a more personal note, though, I finally have those blasted golden streaks out of my hair! My hair's oddly short as a result, but it'll grow back to its former sweeping glory in no time. It's also my 19th birthday next week, so hopefully I'll get some lovely treats and goodies from friends and family. I'm not expecting much, but I would like to save up for a digital SLR camera. Then I can really go out into the world and take some awesome photos of stylish somebodies whilst looking professional. But if not, lots of socks will be fine. One can never go wrong with socks.

And that's about it, I suppose. Again, thank you for following the blog, and I hope you continue to do so for months - and maybe years - to come. If you can, please spread the word by sharing this blog with your friends on Facebook and suggesting me on Twitter. I would be ever so grateful.

But before I hit publish, I'll finish this ramble with some special thanks... To Devon Francis for getting me so many hits by simply posing in her Jack Wills gilet, to online journalism tutor at Bournemouth University, Liisa Rohumaa, for advising me on how to increase traffic, to all my friends - whether BAMMJ or from back home - for believing in me and showing so much support, and to Ken Brown for just looking so sharp all the time.

You stay stylish. I'll keep you posted.

Yellow Converse All Stars

One of the several pairs of shoes I own is a pair of yellow Converse trainers, purchased from Office on Princes Street, Edinburgh, a few years ago in summer 2008. Back then, the shoes were a brilliant yellow, and naturally my young eyes were drawn to their brightness as a bee is drawn to a colouful flower. They had to be mine.

However, I was a naive 16-year-old boy, and therefore made a somewhat costly mistake in buying them. Because after nearly three years, I've grown some sense and finally realised - even with the colour faded slightly after several washes - they just don't go well with many items in my wardrobe.

The Lower Gardens, Bournemouth

One of the more individual styles I've seen so far, but that doesn't mean I don't think 
she looks great. It was the smaller details that caught my attention first, notably the
Ray-Ban sunglasses and the different coloured laces on her walking boots.

Rachel Rose Reid, The Winchester

Not only an outstanding storyteller and performer, Rachel Rose Reid dresses

beautifully too. Her prom-style, skull and rose print dress looked so elegant on

stage, complemented by black heels and a warm amber cardigan.

Star Wars Day

As many of you will know, today is Star Wars Day, whereby Star Wars fans alike celebrate and commemorate the epic sci-fi saga. "May the 4th be with you", a twist on the famous Jedi phrase, "May the force be with you", is a common greeting on this day.

Waiting for the bus, Bournemouth

This Spanish lady wears her smart, all-white outfit really well. However, it would

not be as complete without the floral detail seen on her top and in her jewellery,

which I believe is a lovely personal touch.

High Street Style

The high street trend featured here comes from Zara, and you can't go wrong as to why it caught my eye. Lucid colours can be an eyesore to some people, and not everyone can get away with such extreme contrasts as pictured below, but if you can achieve it, go for it. As Zara demonstrates with their mannequins, wear block colours of equal tonal strength, for a weaker shade may make other colours look too garish or out-of-place, hence ruining the overall scheme. The only exception to this would be white, since its complete neutrality can emphasise and balance bright colours at the same time.