A city lacking in... vava voom??

I've got to tell it like it is: I love Newcastle. For the duration of my degree it welcomed me with open arms, becoming the city that I call home after a mere year of being there, and the location of so many fond memories. Nostalgia aside, Newcastle is a city that is full of charm. The buildings are archaic and beautiful, the coast boasts fabulous flea markets for picking up bits of tat (I love tat), and some of the best fish and chip shops I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. Newcastle also has that oh-so working class charm which is ruggedly delightful, and the Geordie accent appears to have non-Geordie's all in a flutter. It also has beautiful parks and is renowned for its amazing nightlife (supposedly Newcastle is the binge drinking capital of the UK...). It has its cobbled streets and its charming nooks and crannies, and the traditional Newcastle houses are full of character and period features. It has some great venues for gigs and it has Evolution, the music festival, on the Quayside every year. Just over the water in Gateshead is one of the biggest shopping centre's ever, and Eldon Square has just undergone a major overhaul.

On paper then, it would seem that Newcastle was a city that was thriving. However, in reality this is not the case; instead it is a little lacklustre, a little, to put it simply, flat. The reality is that the credit crunch seems to have had more of an obvious effect upon the city than anywhere else. The city is lacking in individual, quirky little shops, cafes and bars: shops which are the most likely to suffer in a city in economic turmoil. Newcastle is a city that survives only on the high street, but even then the choice is pretty limited to say the least. There are so many cutesy venues that would be ideal for vintage boutiques and antique shops, but they just don't seem to appear too frequently, and when they do they don't survive for long. It seems a shame that lunch out usually means visiting Pret or another coffee chain. There are no quirky cafes to eat in and no fab vintage shops to shop in. There is no Newcastle equivalent of Manchester's Northern Quarter: an area rich in indie bliss and vintage heaven. Don't get me wrong, there are little antique shops. Attica is positively amazing, and Chillingham collectables is full of so many amazing trinkets that I would sell my soul to own them. Nevertheless, the former is a vintage shop stocked with such amazing stuff that Newcastle would be in mourning if it closed, and the latter isn't even in the city centre... And whereas the Hummingbird Bakery thrives in London's Notting Hill, with queues snaking its way around the antique stalls of Portabello Market, Cake, Newcastle's equivalent with an oh-so original name, stands empty for most of the day. Best Vintage definitely does not stock the best vintage, with the majority of stock being old items that have not sold for a reason. This has resulted in several downsizes since I first arrived in Newcastle back in 2007, and probably the reason the venue also smells of mothballs and Eau de old man.

Newcastle is in need of a shake up. The venues on the cobbled streets are going to waste, and as a result, the indie scene is somewhat dead, as is everything remotely quirky. Visiting any other city; York, Manchester, Leeds, London, Cambridge, Edinburgh (I could go on), tea rooms and vintage shops are in abundance, and so it is somewhat shocking that they all seem to be failing in Newcastle. And as a result, there is nowhere to browse and nothing interesting to look at. The vintage shops source their stock on such a irregular basis that you are pretty much guaranteed to see the same items every time you go in, even if your visits are three months apart... Which inevitably means a lack of profits which therefore increases the chances of the vintage doors closing forever.

I could go on, as this is something I feel quite passionate about. I feel like Newcastle needs a fresh set of eyes; one that will breathe youth and passion and reinvigorate the city. I feel like it needs a shake-up, however until someone stands up and acknowledges this (someone who can do something about it at that), that the city will remain flat, lifeless and very much mainstream.

The city has the potential to house beautiful shops, cafes and bars as shown below, which would help to give the city its mojo back. Now all it needs is someone able to make the change...

Ruby Blue, Carlisle

Another Ruby Blue shot.

Vintage in York

Scarlet Ribbons, Durham.

When it is good, it is very very good, but when it is bad it is wicked...

Carrie & Co are reknowned worldwide for inspiring haute couture and high fashion looks on an everyday basis. Carrie was proposed to with a pair of diamond encrusted Manolo Blahnik's and attempted to marry Big in a wedding dress donated by Vivienne Westwood from a Vogue shoot. She actually married Big in a classic vintage two piece and said Monolo's. Nevertheless, the style budget for the first SATC movie was huge, what with Dior shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and Christian Lacriox dresses, to name a few.

So, how did a show which put Manolo's on the map have such bad wardrobe disasters throughout the series? Of course, with the shows success the budget grew, but even with a small budget, there is, in my opinion, no excuse for purple bandanna's and denim dungarees.

So, I decided to compile a list of some of the worst, and some of the best, outfits.

As standards go, I will give you the bad news (/looks) first, in the hope that they will eventually be redeemed by the good...

Wrong on so many levels.

Fancy dress? Unfortunately not.

Bare midriff and matching waistbelt?

Carrie the Bavarian maid; Miranda the French and Samantha the drab.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The Dior shoes even fail to save this disaster.

Super Mario?? You'd think so. The horrific Adidas shell toes are the only escape from this blue mess.

Blue leather trousers. Enough said.

I actually struggled to find one of Charlotte's wardrobe disasters. Maybe she, rather than Carrie, is actually the best dressed? It seems somewhat surprising that Carrie has had the most wardrobe disasters of them all. Although, even with her tie-dye leggings, nothing can be as bad as Miranda's lesbian not-so-chic builder look. Even her masculine business suits in season one weren't bad enough to completely offend me.

However, luckily, where Carrie occasionally fails, she also triumphs twice over. There were too many of my favourite looks to include, so I'll give you a snippet of my favourites.

Loving the 70's earthy colour palatte. The pleated skirt and leather jacket combo is a winner.

Heart this jacket so much. American Apparel did a copy.

Said Manolo's.

NY Fashion week, and their fashion triumphs. LOVE Samantha's coat and Charlotte's bag.

Charlotte York is the epitome of two-piece classic chic, even if she is matchy matchy. Carrie doesn't look too shabby either!

Christian Lacriox dream.

Textured and beautiful.

The jacket somewhat spoils the dress, but regardless, Carrie looks amazing.

I guess the SATC wardrobe is a lot like us mere mortals after all. Sometimes, they get it wrong. And when it is wrong, it is so very very wrong. But mostly, they get it right. And when it is right, it is, as children of the 90's would say, wicked...

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...

Dear Santa...

So, the snow has arrived in Newcastle! Yesterday afternoon I looked out of my window to see the pretty snowflakes falling from the sky. It looked so beaut, as the snow remained untouched by human footprints and the sky was bright blue. This pre-December weather has however gotten me all excited about Christmas, and so I've been putting together my Christmas list to send off to Santa. I really hope he takes pity on me and grants me my wishes, as I do think I've been a good girl this year so I can't imagine my name would be on the naughty list. I just wish I had applied to be an Elf in Lapland, where the snow would be plentiful and Christmas cheer would be everywhere! Next year, perhaps I will get my wish of meeting Santa and his reindeer...

Until I get to Lapland though, I shall just have to make do with the snow here. How pretty does it look?

Back to my Christmas wish list.

Well, I've already purchased my Christmas present to myself, in the form of a Vogue subscription. How ideal! As much as I'll miss buying the new issue on the shelves, it does seem wiser to pay half the price for it... And I got a free Benefit gift! I am eagerly awaiting the heavy thud on my leopard print doormat, signalling its arrival.

Other than that, there are lots of other things I'd like to find in my stocking on Christmas morning (George Lamb mainly, but I somehow don't think that's going to happen).

I heart this tapestry bag from Urban Outfitters. I've coveted another one since mine broke in sixth form. I've never quite gotten over it, so I feel this would be lovely to store all my essentials.

                                             I also really heart these lace-up boots.

I also really want this. I feel it will go well with the above boots: Topshop velvet detail tweed blazer

Recently I have been feeling that I need to branch out from my staple fur coats as I'm starting to think I'm predictable. The only problem is, they're just so warm it's impossible to get them off my back in the chilly Newcastle winds! This sexy coat would however enable me to do so, and with the leopard-print trim, I would still be able to be faithful to my true Bette Lynch self: Leopard detail swing coat.

I really heart this coat. Sheepskin is everywhere at the minute and I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. I doubt it will arrive in my stocking this year, but one can only wish! It's just a shame my own sheepskin coat I bought at a flea market for a mere fiver last year doesn't fit me as it's too big... It fits my boy perfectly, but I have yet to convince him to wear it, even though he does look like an absolute babe in it. I would quite happily donate it to him if I could have this one in return: Sheepskin pea coat.

I also heart this knitted basic. It's available in so many colours and they're so wearable. My favourite is the cranberry colour, but I'm a bit fan of the peach and dark blush ones too: Scallop edge basic vest.

I'm massively into stoles lately. This one is amazing: Mongolian fur cape.

I also love these chandeliers. Edie Sedgewick would be jealous: Facet drop chandelier.

I'm in dire need of a laptop case, as mine is suffering badly due to my lack of one. This one is fab: Leopard print laptop case. However, in order to avoid a leopard clash with the majority of my wardrobe, I feel this one would be more suitable: Quilted laptop case. I'm enjoying the Chanel-esque quilting.

I also want this fur stole a LOT: Fox fur stole. It will go perfectly over my Bettie Page dress, and with these seamed back tights I'm hoping to get as a stocking filler:

I also heart this fox fur coat. Even though I said I was trying to branch away from the animals, I love the fur of this so much that I feel I might just be able to make an exception: Vintage fur coat.

This stole is also amazing. Gawd, I am so predictable: Vintage fur stole.

And not to be forgetting those Vivienne Westwood wellingtons I so crave...

I'd also love a Polaroid camera. You can get them for next to nothing on eBay; the only problem is the fact that the films are non-existent, and subsequently cost about 20 sheets for 10 shots. So until Polaroid decide to start producing them again, I feel my wish will be put on the back burner.

These Urban Outfitters slippers are so adorable:

I do not however expect Santa to bring me all of these wonderful delights this Christmas, this is merely my wish list. There are other things I could add to this list, but I do not want to bore you with all my wishes as the list is endless... And so from now until the first of December, when I can start opening the doors on my advent calendar that I've yet to purchase, I will be hoping that Santa has Internet access and can see my blog, as I'd love for some of these to be under my tree this year...

Beg, borrow or steal...

Having watched the Sex and the City movie for what must be the millionth time last night, I was reminded of a website that I had been meaning to blog about since the beginning of time. Or thereabouts, anyway...

The concept behind Beg, Borrow or Steal, the online rental website for designer goods, is genius. It allows us mere mortals to sport that quilted Chanel, or that Hermes Birkin, without the full designer price tag. This means that designer beauty is not just reserved for the Carrie Bradshaw's or the Victoria Beckham's of the world. For a snippet of the price, that vintage Chanel (pictured above) can be yours, albeit temporarily.

Since birth, I have wanted a black quilted Chanel. But nearing two thousand sheets in price, it has thus far been a distant dream, just like the Mulberry Bayswater I've had my eye on ever since I spotted it in Harrods, and thus fell head over bag in love. As a young woman with somewhat expensive taste for staple items, Beg, Borrow or Steal has given me the opportunity to experience the joy of having the Chanel number on my arm, without having to sell myself for my bag fund.

This Hermes Birkin Gold Vachette is available to rent from Beg, Borrow or Steal for £1,190 per week, or £3,500 per month. One of the more expensive bags, but nevertheless, still a snippet of the RRP price tag.
This amazing Carlos Falchi Magazine tote is the perfect accessory to any outfit. Rent it from Beg, Borrow or Steal for a snippet at £43 per week, or £125 per month.

I have wanted this quilted Chanel ever since I saw it draped over Agyness Deyn's arm. It is pretty much me in bag form, combining two of my great loves: Chanel and British patriotism. The union jack, along with leopard print, is one of my all time favourite prints, and my love for the Queen is endless. I'm VERY tempted to rent this for Christmas time, at a snip of £66 per week or £195 for the month. I have a Topshop version of this bag, which I loved but it broke, and so I feel it would be the perfect excuse! And what with the royal wedding announcement (I am planning my London trip to wave my union jack as we speak), I feel it's very contextual. Any excuse Grace....

However, it seems that us mere mortals can have the Cinderella treatment too, with www.cinderella-me.co.uk bringing us Louboutins and Jimmy Choo's to give our tootsies the star treatment. With Louboutins costing over 400 sheets for a basic pair, cinderella-me is a wonderful concept. Let's face it, we all crave those ruby red soles that give a glimpse of femme fetale on a grey day.

These gorgeous Louboutins are the perfect leg lengthener, and that peep-toe is oh-so sexy. And for £85 per week from cinderella-me, what's not to love!? They're the first heels on my wish list.
Bang on trend with that milky nude shade, these Alexander McQueen shoes are perfectly understated. The inner platform adds a bit of height (which is a winner with me, standing tall at just 5'3...) and I love the colour. For £55 per week, they're positively bargainous. You couldn't even buy a pair of Topshop heels for that! Love them. Long live McQueen.
I HEART these Gucci shoe-boots. The peep toes stop them being prim, and then navy and cream contrast detail give them a very Chanel feel to them. Audrey Tautou eat your heart out!

My conclusion?? Whereas I originally anticipated waiting a lifetime to get a vintage quilted Chanel on my arm and a pair of Louboutins on my feet, it seems these rental websites will allow me to do that a bit sooner than I thought. Which can only be a good thing, surely?! When funds allow, I will make my desired purchase and get some of these babies for myself, but until then, I plan on renting my pocket money away to bring a little luxury to my early twenties. Hello Christmas list.

Reunion.

I'm back. I'm kind of hoping my blog is going to welcome my return with open arms, but I've neglected it so much that I'm not entirely sure that's going to happen...

Still, I blame Virgin - I've only just gotten the internet in my new pad, and so haven't been able to access any important aspects of my life, like my blog and ebay... And trust me, the lack of ebay browsing has been HARD. Still, I've had a browse and already have my roving eye on a few cheeky items... Well it's pay day next week, so it's only right. The first on my hit list is an amazing tapestry weekend bag. I've been on the hunt for another one for what seems like a decade - I had a babe of a tapestry about 6 years ago, but the zip broke and I never got round to trying to get it fixed, and as much as it pained me, I had to part with it. So this addition to my granny-chic collection is greatly anticipated. I have not bought any new clothes in what seems like forever, given the fact I've had to live on a weeks wage for a month. Since the arrival of online civilisation however, I have trawled my favourite sites and know exactly what a small (but significant) sum of my wage is going on. First off, there's the leather mini from Urban Outfitters. October is a busy month for me, what with the boys birthday and a scheduled Leeds weekender trip planned to see the mighty Crystal Castles, so obviously I need some new clothes to wear... So the leather skirt will be an investment. Somewhere in the dark hole of my wardrobe at home, I have a vintage leather pencil skirt courtesy of my auntie from her rebellious youth, but as of yet my mother hasn't managed to find it, so I'll just have to buy the leather mini... Next on the list is the previously mentioned tapestry bag. Then there's the American Apparel sheer blouses - I have my eye on the mesh black one and a cream one, which will total around 100 dollar for the two but given the fact that there's a possibility they might be going out of business what with their mental director, I feel it's acceptable.

More importantly, this months wages will be going on my deposit for Glasto 2011. Already, I am so excited about it; especially seen as I had to cancel my ticket for this year due to severe lack of fundage... So to ensure my attendance next year, I am purchasing both my ticket and a ticket for the boy's birthday. How very crafty of me...

So that's the breakdown of Thursday's anticipated pay when I will finally be reunited with dollar, ommitting of course the boring details like rent for example. They are not worthy of words on my blog...

However, the blog and dollar isn't the most important reunion happening right now. I'm railing it down to Watford tonight to see my dearest Rach (the ginner babe in the photo), who fucked off to Columbia for 16 months and met the love of her life (which is obviously delightful), however I am greatly excited about her return to NCL for her last year of student loans and overdrafts. It also means I'll have someone to regularly drag out with me when I just want to dance. This reunion obviously calls for some hardcore drinking and dancing, and so as soon as I've stepped foot off the train we're getting our glad rags on and going out. But hold on. What does a girl like me wear to go out somewhere that is reknowned for being particularly chavvy?? I had this wardrobe crisis last night, and immediately discarded the prospect of wearing vintage sequins as I want to survive the night. I finally opted for a vintage black and silver top, which hopefully won't induce too many death threats... The slight wardrobe concern is more than worth it, given the fact that Rachie is my ultimate girls girl. For the whole of first year she was pretty much my boyfriend, always on hand with the Ben & Jerrys whenever it was necessary (and whenever it was not). And given the fact that I am now living with the boy and he doesn't quite understand my obsession with Ugly Betty and ANTM, inviting Rach round therefore enables me to assume full control of the telly, as it will be 2 vs 1 in the name of the brace-wearing babe.

Rach is also the friend that took me to Sheffield for my birthday last year to see Airborne Toxic Event, and when the gig was cancelled and the band was outside, she boldly declared to them that it was my birthday and that we'd travelled for 4 hours on a shitty Megabus (the girl has no shame), which resulted in my private serenading session in the doorway of Leadmill. It was glorious. AND they appreciated my sequins. And Noah Harmon is the second fittest bassist ever (after Jared), and I managed to cop a feel of him (unfortunately not his package) for a kodak moment, and simultaneously fell in love, even if he is a bit short.

So naturally I am massively excited at what sort of carnage will ensue. Expect many photos to follow...

Peace out x

Daytime TV.

So I have returned to Newcastle.



Having had to endure the whole journey home on the train (3 hours on a two-carriage train that is practically a tin can on a track), I finally arrived in NCL to be greeted by my lovely boy, and got home to a Marilyn black and white portrait waiting for me (I was sorely missed). Marilyn is like my idol, so it was a much-loved gift.



However, once again I am back to daytime-tv watching, and I have to admit I'm wondering whether I even bothered to return to Newcastle early (both houses I came back to view were SICK), as I'm now lacking Living TV, and subsequently America's (and British) Next Top Model. Admittedly Elle is no Tyra, but nevertheless I heart watching the runways and the shoots. And as much as I prefer the American version as it's so much more exciting as it's so much more OTT, it consoles me massively that when it comes to elimination the British girls fly the fashion flag and always seem to have amazing wardrobes and sense of style, unlike the American love for lycra. That's probably the reason why the Topshop in NY is so expensive as they're paying for the privilege of our high street in order to get some style. It's literally twice the price over there - it made me feel much better about paying more for AA clobber over here knowing that some American beauty was paying $50 for a Topshop tee... And even though I'm lamenting the loss of Living now, I did at least get to watch the re-runs of Cycle 10 until the finale, and I was bitterly disappointed (again, having already watched the series) when Whitney won. Yes, she is beautiful and a good model, but Anya's ethereal beauty capitvated me, and I backed her until the end. But oh well.



Back to Britain's, I was mighty jealous of the chocolate shoot. Take away the nakedness, and I'd do anything to have melted chocolate poured all over me and have some fit photographer take my photo. Joy is my favourite, although Kirsty pulls the pictures out of the bag every time and looks like quite the babe. Even if she did interrupt Elle...



So now I'm watching Friends twice-over, as Virgin TV has nothing else on offer at this time of night. In fact, the only good thing about Virgin is the on-demand Come Dine With Me, which is one of my favourite programmes ever, but even still, there's only so much CDWM I can take in one day...



One thing that does excite me is the fashion shoot I'm helping shoot tomorrow, and the vintage jumpsuit ending on Ebay tonight. It's like me in jumpsuit form, and so I feel it's destined to be mine. Fingers crossed!