Sunday summary #7 - A bit about being a fashion design student and my final collection :)

I thought I should probably do a blog post at some point about my final year at university so far and my final collection, seen as it's the only thing I seem to be doing nowadays! If you didn't already know, I study Fashion Design at university and I'm in my final year. From now until May, I shall be finishing my six outfit final collection, which is both super fun and super scary at the same time! Some outfits will only contain one or two garments, but some will contain three or four plus accessories so there is a lot to think about

Sketchbook work has been the bane of my life for the past three years. I have a totally love/hate relationship with sketchbooks though, I find them tedious to do but once I look back at them I actually love them! They're good for working through your projects from start to end and developing ideas though :)

I really need to invest in a proper mannequin after uni, these ones are so good as they have lines already on them for bust point, centre front etc. I'm literally working on a mannequin 24/7 nowadays too, which is really fun but stressful when the mannequins are slightly bigger than the actual model so you need to change all the sizes again!

This was an initial line-up idea for my final collection. It has been a lot more refined now and has changed loads, but I still like to look back to this and see what some of my original designs were.  My initial ideas came from India and jellyfish, not that you can see that much in these designs either, but everything moves and develops so quickly!

Pinterest quotes have been keeping me going! I go through stages of using Pinterest and at the moment I like to go on once a day for some daily pinning and lots of inspirational quotes! You can follow me here if you also have a Pinterest, but be warned I post alot ;)

I've had fun this term experimenting with textiles and other ways to design which I hadn't done before. Even just setting up an overhead projector and projecting your chosen image onto a mannequin can inspire some new ideas!

Here are some of my initial print ideas, some are more literal and some have been kaleidoscoped (if that's a word) to make them a repeat pattern and a bit more interesting. I'm still not 100% which style I like the best yet, but I do think I should only have one or the other, as the non-repeat one looks a lot more organic.

I spent a good few days creating this curved collar but I'm really happy with how it has turned out. I'm going to have a printed version of this shirt somewhere in my collection for definite as I love it, and I need to have some simplistic garments in my collection to balance out the smocking and embroidery.

Lastly, I have been experimenting with smocking different materials and draping it onto the stand. I love how this experiment has turned out, and it would look great as a top on it's own, or simply as a neck-piece. I've always loved the look of smocking techniques and the ruffles goes back to my initial research when I was looking at jellyfish tentacles.

I've literally been backwards and forwards to London sourcing fabric so many times in recent times, which is rather annoying when my hometown is 30 minutes from London and my uni town is over two hours away! But I've been enjoying choosing my final fabrics and experimenting in them, even if it is burning a hole in my pocket! I've also come across so many gorgeous fabrics that I want to make clothes in for myself when I finish uni - How gorgeous are these tartans?!

Pattern cutting day in and day out has also become a part of my daily routine. I recently invested in a pair of fabric scissors which nearly cost me £100... but they're so worth it as they feel like I'm cutting through air, and they'll last me a lifetime! My little floral apple pin holder is from my boyfriend's nanny and I love it!

I love treating myself to a fashion magazine or two at the weekend while I do some sketchbook and watch some Breaking Bad! You definitely have to chill out a bit at the weekends otherwise you'll literally go crazy.

Here is a preview of my first outfit in final fabrics. I'm sure everything will change loads as I go on, but I'm loving the high-waisted trousers so far and just need to decide on my final print :)

And last but not least, here is my favourite image to describe the past few months of my life. It literally is all fun and games until the bobbin runs out haha! There is nothing worse than sewing a garment and the bobbin running out halfway through, athough I've had it before where it ran out before I even started, and I didn't realise until I'd finished that seam... that was very annoying!

Thanks for reading :)
I hope you enjoyed a little insight into my life and a slightly different Sunday summary!

I will be updating my blog with more final collection posts as I continue my journey :)

And you can follow my instagram @floraldanielle for daily updates!

Love Dani :)

x

What's been keeping my head warm this Winter?

Up until recently, I was never a hat person, but now I can't keep them off my head! Not too long ago I made the transition from dark brown to dark blonde, and next week I'm getting it lightened again to hopefully a lighter blonde! I feel that my hats just didn't look right when my hair was brown, they almost clashed in colour, but now my hairs a bit lighter, I love the way they look!

These are the two hats that I've been absolutely loving in this cold weather. You'd think that in late February it would start to warm up a bit, but it's still all about the fur coats, turtle necks and beanie hats for me at the moment!

Ragged Priest beanie hat - £15 (but now in the sale for £6!)

Britfash Laguna black and grey bobble hat - £24.99*

I've had my Ragged Priest beanie for a while now and it's my absolute favourite thing to pop onto my head before a cold day out. I love the simplistic font and colouring. It really does go with everything and it's an easy accessory to add with any outfit. I'm kinda gutted that it's gone so cheap in the sale now, but it's definitely had enough wear out of it to warrant the £15 so I don't mind too much!

The bobble hat was sent to me by a company called Britfash this Winter. They're a new company which describe themselves as the new online destination for both established and emerging British fashion brands. When they offered to send me a new hat I knew it would have to be this one! I had been on the lookout for a bobble hat for a while now as my housemate has one and it looks so cute on her! I love the simplistic black and grey colouring but I love that the bobble stands out too! Britfash are currently holding a giveaway to win this exact beanie right now, which you can enter here :)

What's been keeping your head warm this Winter?

Do you have an all-time favourite hat?
Love Dani :)

x

Valentine's Day gift ideas for you and him #2

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I'd better get cracking with the gift ideas! I wrote a blog post similar to this last year which you can read here, and I do still agree with all those pressies but I thought why not give you guys some more ideas?! I recently posted my Valentine's Day outfit inspiration post here which went down pretty well so make sure you give that a little read too :)

Hotel Chocolat Strawberry Heart Lick - £2.50

My best friend actually bought me this chocolate lollipop for my birthday last year and it was AMAZING! The design on the front of it is so adorable too, I almost didn't want to eat it!

Lush 'Prince Charming' shower gel - £4.65
At first I did actually think that this shower gel was meant from the male in your life, but after reading the description 'Prince Charming will sweep you off your feet' I'm assuming that it is actually for you ladies! I do love a good ol' Lush product and Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to something new! :)

Agent Provocateur love lace balconette bra - £95.00
Agent Provocateur love lace suspender belt - £95.00
 Agent Provocateur love lace briefs - £60.00
HOW GORGEOUS IS THIS UNDERWEAR SET!? Okay I know that most people, me included, won't be able to afford these, but we can all drool over them right!? I love everything about this set - the colour, the intricate detailing, the lace and bows, the shell shaped bra. It's just perfect! 

Mac Cosmetics lipstick in the shade 'Lady Danger' - £15.00
This lipstick is my all time favourite Mac product, and probably my all time favourite lipstick shade! It's a bright red pin-up style red which literally goes perfect with all skin tones and hair colours. When I first purchased it, it was Limited Edition so I used it sparingly, but I was very happy to find out that they were continuing it forever, so now I can buy it whenever I like!

Michelle Dwight 'We should probably cuddle now' pillow - £23.76 
How cute is this pillow?! It would look so nice on top of a pile of pillows at the head of the bed. I love the word cuddle too haha, I think I just need to get this pillow in my life!

Limited edition 'Moschino loves Disaronno' bottle - £21.95
These were released around Christmas and this is the only place I can find to buy them online, but they were selling for only £15 in Sainsburys and other shops. It's such a cute little bottle, I don't know if I'd actually want to drink it, even though I do love me some Disaronno and cranbery juice!

Thanks for reading :)
What are you buying your other half for Valentine's Day?

Which is your favourite thing on my gift ideas?
Love Dani :)

x

My new pink Bobble water bottle!

Ever since my best friend bought me a Brita Filtered Water Jug for uni, I've been obsessed with filtered water and can really taste the difference. I'll still drink water from the tap but I do prefer the taste of filtered water, especially if it's been kept in the fridge so is nice and cold! So when I heard that you could get the same effect but in a hand-held bottle for on the go, I knew I had to try it out! 

 Pink Bobble water bottle - £12.99*

I've been using my Bobble bottle daily ever since I received it and I literally love it! I got a bit of a shock the first time I washed it out as lots of black specs came out of the filter, but after reading the info that is what's supposed to happen the first time. There was a strange taste the first few times also, but after the filter being used fully it soon went. I can definitely taste the difference from drinking normal tap water compared to tap water that has been filtered through this bottle.

I feel that the pricing is really reasonable, and even though the filter needs to be changed once in a while, I have had mine for around 2 months and I don't feel like mine needs to be changed yet! Saying that though, you would end up saving money from all the singular bottled waters you buy instead! The company itself are very green thinking and hope that people will invest in a bottle you can keep refilling safely rather than buying many bottled waters which end up strangling our sea life and littering our sidewalks.

I love that there are so many fun colours to choose from, and the pink is definitely my favourite! I think the the bottle itself has a lovely design too! In general, I am very happy with my bobble bottle and I will continue to use it everyday, and replace the filters when need-be! The only downside I have found is that you can't gulp the water as it comes through quite slowly, but I can't complain because obviously the water is being filtered so it can't fly through really quickly otherwise it wouldn't be filtered properly! You can buy these bottles on Amazon, but make sure you check which bottle size you click on as my housemate accidentally ordered a teeny bottle!

Had you heard of a Bobble bottle before?
Would you buy yourself one?

Which colour would you pick for yourself?

Love Dani :)

x

Valentines day outfit ideas :)

Valentine's Day is coming up next month so I thought I would write a little blog post in advance so you have an excuse to do some shopping beforehand! Whether you're in a relationship and going out for a nice meal, or whether you're single and going out with the girls or on a date, it's always nice to dress up and feel nice! This Valentine's Day will actually be mine and Joe's 5th anniversary, but with me being so busy at uni I don't think I'm going to be able to see him which is horrible :( but in less than 5 months I'll have finished uni forever and he won't be able to get rid of me haha! I'd literally love to own this whole outfit, I love all black everything, and pink is my favourite colour so these are all perfect for me!

New Look black floral embroidered fringe kimono - £27.99
How gorgeous is this kimono!? I'm still fully in love with the kimono trend and think it should be worn all year round. During the Winter months I've just been wearing my kimonos with a long sleeved black top underneath to keep warm! :) The embroidery and tassels on this one are so lovely, it looks so much more expensive than it actually is!

New Look pink oversized floral headcrown - £6.99
I know that floral headcrowns are so festival and so last Summer, but they're still my guilty pleasure! The dusky pink shade of this one is so nice and the price is really cheap too!

Topshop double heart ring - £5.00
I've kinda gone off gold jewellery recently but I think if you were wearing pink and black it would look better with gold jewellery and this ring is so cute and dainty!

Topshop red rose bralet - £22.00

Topshop red rose highwaisted knickers - £12.00
I am literally SO IN LOVE with this underwear set from Topshop. Everything from the colour and pattern, to the cut-out detailing and the cross over straps. I have a high waisted bikini but I don't actually own any high waisted underwear so this might be the perfect excuse to get some! :)

Coast at Asos metallic clutch bag - £65.00

I've recently become obsessed with clutch bags. I have a vast array of vintage and high street over the shoulder bags, but I only have one or two clutch bags. They're easier to carry around when you're dancing and as long as they're big enough to fit everything in, they're my new favourite things!

Oh My Love hot lace black bralet skater dress - £45.00

Okay now, how lovely is this dress also?! I did a nice big long Oh My Love wishlist post the other day, and I still stand by all of those - they're literally all so stunning! Does someone just wanna win the lottery and buy me them all!?

Asos Lewis slipper shoes - £35.00
 I love slipper shoes and I have a few nice pairs from Topshop, New Look and Urban Outfitters. I love this pair from Asos which have a gold tip detailing. They could be worn with almost everything and I think the little detail makes them much more interesting than a pair of plain black shoes!

Thanks for reading :)
Do you have any fun plans for Valentine's Day?
Which is your favourite item from my outfit?
Love Dani :)

x