J'adore le 1960's.

With my impending trip to the capital city of romance becoming ever closer, I am recently finding myself more and more wishing I was Carey Mulligan in An Education. Not only is she one of my women of the moment (see last post), An Education is also one of my favourite films of recent years, combining traditional 1960's chic with Parisian culture and the vulnerability of a young girl swept off her feet by an older man. Although the dream-like bubble of Jenny's exciting lifestyle does eventually come crashing back down to reality, An Education gives both an escape from the monotony of one's everyday life with a much-needed reality check in the end, making it the perfect viewing for dreamers like myself, who regularly dream of escaping away from everyday regularity in order to experience and travel the world. No matter how you jazz it up, the reality is that a 30 year old man seducing a 16 year old girl is never right, however just as Jenny was seduced by the high life, I was too. As a result, I fell for Jenny, I fell for An Education, and I fell even more head over heels with the 1960's.

Part of An Education's appeal for me is the 1960's setting. A huge fan of all things vintage, the 1960's is one of my favourite decades; with style still maintaining the classic and traditional Hepburn-esque look of the 1950's with the emergence of the somewhat freer mini-skirts and shift dresses alike. I love the classic cars of the '60's and I love old bicycles, and I think, in reality, if there was ever a previous decade which I would like to have been alive in, it would definitely have been the 60's.

And although this wish is somewhat impossible to fulfil, all is not lost. With the vintage trend becoming ever more popular over the past couple of years, original 1960's pieces are now easier than ever to find, especially with the likes of Ebay, which delightfully gives you access to vintage from all over the world. The high street is taking note, and vintage replica's are found in everywhere from Topshop to New Look, the former producing beautiful Chanel-esque boucle jackets that would not have looked out of place in '60's Paris. Fashion is one never-ending cycle, and new trends are only ever developed, transformed versions of former trends from previous eras, meaning that 1960's style was in in the '60's, and is now, and probably will be in another fifty years time. So although I will never be able to live Jenny's lifestyle in the actual '60's, I can still pretend and dream, with original one-off vintage items and '60's-esque items being so readily available to me.

Satchels galore.

 Luckily, the Cambridge Satchel Company offers the classic 1960's schoolgirl staple.

Holly Golightly.

 These Dior cat-eye sunglasses are bang on '60's style:

Also available in tortoiseshell (my fave sunglass print).

Lomography provide original '60's looking camera's that produce gorgeous-looking photographs, on film of course.

Lomography Diana Dreamer. How divine.

If you want a classic mac to go with your classic car, then Burberry is your only answer.

Emma Watson, looking quite the babe in her Burberry with a 60's pixie crop.

And for accessories??

1. Vintage Patent Leather Handbag; 2. Dior Cat Eye Sunglasses; 3. Chanel No.5; 4. Vintage Cigarette Lighter; 5. Antique Camel-Back Settee; 6. Vintage Lamp; 7. English Coffee Pot; 8. Nordstrom Keyhole Gloves; 9. Armitron Black and Gold Watch.

In the end, of course, Jenny had to go back to her Penguin Classics and leave the Chanel behind. Luckily for me I can watch An Education again, and again, and again. And I, like Jenny, will be seduced by the high life and the 1960's again. And again. And again...

Better late than never...

Okay, I admit, if BeingGraceElisabeth was a child, she would have been taken into social care and I would be in jail for child neglect.

However, I am back. With a vengeance.

So until tomorrow, when I will post something worthy of reading, I thought I'd update you a little bit on what's been happening with me lately.

Firstly, I have black hair. I made the leap just before Christmas, and after spending the better part of 24 hours sobbing uncontrollably into my pillow, protesting how much I hated the new 'do, after a few days it stopped being such a shock every time I looked in the mirror, and now I love it. Admittedly, it's still taking some getting used to on photographs as the camera seems only to highlight my pale complexion against the ebony locks, but the Nice 'N' Easy was definitely a good move.

Also, I'm going to Paris! The Guardian was offering a deal that was just too good to pass up, and so on the 19th March I will be Eurostarring my way to the capital of romance, to eat baguettes and drink coffee and practice my GCSE French.

I'm taking my Mini Diana Lomo camera, and so hope to get many beauty snaps, like the above.

I was also saving to go to Benicassim, however that is now unfortunately not happening. Sad face. I was so looking forward to laying on a beach and soaking up some rays, and I'd already started planning my summer wardrobe. And my beach wardrobe. There's so many beaut retro swimsuits that I want BADLY. Here's a few examples:

This is the cutest swimsuit ever - I have a dress in the same fabric.

Embracing my love for the polkadot again! Classic Hepburn chic.

High waisted knickers are so flattering and so 50's. Accessorised with a pair of red Ray Bans, it would be the perfect beachwear attire. Hello sailor!

This Stop Staring swim dress makes me want to die it's so cute! It's like a little prom dress in swimwear form. I've found it for super cheap online too. Maybe the Easter bunny will bring me it instead of a chocolate egg...

Hello Bette Lynch! Leopard print is one of my favourite prints, and this is just amazing.

I also found a swim cap like this. I could never look as amazing in one as this babe, but one can only try.

However, I have decided, as a compromise, to buy my desired swimsuits over the course of the year, so that by the time Benicassim 2012 arrives, I will have all the necessary dollar and swim attire I could ever need to be a beach babe.

Sex and the City is also taking over my life. Having gotten the boxset with my Christmas dollar, I am currently on Season 5. Things I have realised since watching are the following:
1) I want to be Carrie Bradshaw.
2) I want to live in New York.
3) I hate Big.
4) I HATE Big.
5) A little bit of me died when I saw Carrie in her purple bandanna.
6) Where are all the Monolo's and Louboutins?? I had not realised that my obsessive viewing of the later episodes of SATC had seduced me into thinking that the whole series was like this. The boxset has reminded me of earlier episodes when this was clearly not the case.

I'm lucky to have quite a few journalism placements lined up for this year. I've got one with Accent magazine in April, one with a newspaper back home in May, one with Lifestyle in August and I was offered a month long placement with Living North magazine too! Not bad given that it's only February! I'd have a placement lined up for every week of every month if I could, but unfortunately my rent pennies still need to be paid, and thus my availability for continuous unpaid placements is somewhat limited as a result. Boo.

I'm still working at Office, where I drool everyday over the new season stock and lament the fact that I have no money to purchase any of the shoes. Even with my discount! However, I also recently discovered that I get a 45% uniform allowance, and so the Francis Cuban heeled brogues I've had my eye on since the beginning of time will be mine at almost half price!! SCORE!

I've also found a camper van hire company in Keswick, which is literally on my doorstep at home! The prices are really reasonable and I'm crossing my fingers to have the funds for a 3 night rental. An old VW camper van in the lakes with summer weather would be ultimate bliss. I'd take some retro deck chairs with me and transport myself mentally back to the 1950's...

I would sell all my possessions to own one of these.

The epitome of summer in photographic form.

And with that revelation, I will have to love you and leave you. That's about all that's happened up to date, to spare you the boring details.

Until tomorrow...