Blogger Of The Month: Stephanie JW

I was a top rubbish blogger during January, I find it hard to motivate myself when the weather is rubbish, as i'm sure a lot of people do, but this month is already feeling so much more positive. As always the beginning of the month means picking one of my favourite bloggers to feature as blogger of the month, and this month i've decided to go for Stephanie JW. I can't remember how I found Stephanie's blog, but I really like her grungy, bohemian style and her enviable shoe collection. Working for Dr Martens means she usually teams her dresses and skirts with chunky footwear, a look I really like, it works well in both Summer and Winter. Favouring brands such as MinkPink and Evil Twin, Stephanie often layers jumpers and mesh tops underneath printed dresses adding a boyish element to an otherwise girlie outfit. 

Rather than always taking outfit photos of herself, I really like the way Stephanie lays hers out on the floor documenting both ideas for looks and her actual outfits on her blog. It reminds me of a feature 'Self Service' magazine had a few years back in which all the outfits for photo shoots were laid flat and photographed after each spread. It's a great spin on how to present your 'looks' especially relevant to me as recently i've been struggling with my confidence in posting outfit shots of myself and have been thinking of different ways to use photography on my blog.

If you haven't read StephanieJW before then think denim mixed with oversized jumpers and kimonos, printed dresses with mesh tops and chunky Jeffrey Campbells. Accessories are always featured and i've spotted everything from 90s style chokers, to long crosses and pendants, oversized circle sunglasses and black fedora hats.

Are you a regular reader of Stephanie's blog or is this your first introduction to her? Let me know in the comments :)

#MotelXmas Blogger Party!

Monday night was the Motel Christmas blogger party and as a Motel intern I was lucky enough to be able to go along! I headed down at lunch time on the coach armed with Company Magazine and my favourite sensation thai chilli crisps and made my way towards the venue! It was at a really nice bar in Shoreditch called Floripa, which we decorated with balloons, presents and rails of gorgeous Motel clothes! I spent a lot of time blowing up balloons with a helium canister which ended up being hilarious because me and Hannah the other intern kept accidentally letting them go, so there ended up being 5 or 6 balloons on the ceiling, which I was hoping no one would notice! The doors opened at 6.30 and we only finished decorating at 5.45 so with limited time to get ready I bundled myself into the toilet back-brushed my hair, quickly put on some eyeliner and of course got changed into the gorgeous 'Wild One'. 

The first 50 bloggers through the door were lucky enough to receive a free item and me and Taz were in charge of talking everyone through the new collection and taking their top three choices. It was great to meet bloggers who I have followed personally as well people I have spoken to through Motel and ended up meeting some really great people! Quite a few people gave me their card which has made me realise that having a business card is essential to promoting your blog, lots of people asked me for my blog address and it would have saved a lot of time if I could have given them a card!

As well as the first 50 bloggers receiving an item from the new collection, there was also a whole host of other treats in store. Eylure were giving out free eyelashes, Lee Stafford (yes the actual Lee Stafford) was there curling hair and everyone was given a present when they left! 

I had a good look through the new collection and instantly fell in love with these new Galaxy pants! There like thinner, matte disco pants which is a lot more flattering if your a pear shape like me and I just love the colour! I'm hoping they're going to look nice on because I think the black and wine could be a new Winter staple! 

As for the rest of the night myself, Taz and Lora dominated the photo booth (which was such a good idea!) I could not stop laughing at the pictures and at the end of the night we managed to get all the Motel employees into the booth for one massive picture!