'Something rather magical is happening in fashion: there is a gentle but significant new mood sweeping through design houses...I sense a remarkable era ahead, one that defines a new fashion voice where the brave and remarkable shine.' The editor's letter in the ELLE January issue perfectly summarises my current feelings toward fashion. For the first time in a very long time I feel inspired again, excited to wear the SS16 trends but ready to abandon them at the same time in pursuit of my own personal style. Either one will do, as luckily for me the industry's new mood is the individualist, or as Amelia Diamond puts it - street style has become personal again.

My most recent purchases are an affirmation of that: red co-ords, silky pink bomber jackets, patchwork jeans and strappy orange heels. Granted, they won't look good together but if I wanted to try it then why the hell not? Where fashion was once used to express yourself, a minimal and monochromatic palette bought monotony to the masses, eschewing any glimpse of the wearer's personality and extinguishing any love that I had for it. Until recently I believed that my lack of interest in fashion was down to me. Nothing was inspiring me and I thought I had outgrown it. It only occurred to me the other day when analysing my new purchases that perhaps it wasn't me - it was fashion.

When shopping online or searching Instagram for some inspo, everything looked the same - mainly variations of the Kardashian-clan prototype which consists of black, white and camel layers. I'm not saying it's a bad style but I think it's a safe one, an easy way out when you're not sure what your own style is. Bloggers on Instagram were sharing pictures in jeans and t-shirts and getting thousands of likes and comments on how well they dressed. Normcore was the current trend. Vogue defined it as 'a bland anti-style...The notion of dressing in an utterly conventional, nondescript way.' There's just two problems with that statement. Bland and conventional.

It is worth noting that average isn't inspiring. We are inspired by the extra-ordinary, something remarkable that motivates us to act a certain way. I couldn't be inspired by normcore as it was the antithesis of what fashion is about and what I love about it. The SS16 shows saw designers being the most experimental that they have been for a while and the repercussions show. Street style has character again. I remembered that fashion is meant to be fun and am relishing in the idea of dressing up and going all out Carrie Bradshaw style. My current obsession? Leandra Medine aka The Man Repeller. In terms of fashion she is fearless and she most definitely motivates me to act in a certain way - being confident enough to try new styles and slowly but surely introducing colour back into my wardrobe.

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Until now, I believed orange was strictly for prison jumpsuits and monks. It is a colour that has never lay in my wardrobe nor have I ever wished it to. It is halloween pumpkin costumes, high-vis traffic cones and ‘you’ve been tangoed’ jokes. It is not fashion-friendly. Or so I believed.

Fashion’s current individualist attitude is rubbing off on me. Maximalism is in, though it’s not something I could pull off. But keeping the style and cut simple and injecting a burst of colour? That’s something I can work with. And it so happens to be that orange is the colour I want to work.

Red may be the colour of the season, but it’s (currently) not a shade that I enjoy. Yes it’s love and lust and passion, but it’s also brash, flamboyant and brazen. It needs suitable colouring to pull it off, and a bold personality to match. It’s not something to be done half-heartedly. If red is danger and piping hot, orange is friendly fire. It’s warm and illuminating; if worn correctly it can make the wearer glow. You just have to find the right shade for you.

IMAGE CREDIT: ANNI PENG

So what is the answer to my ‘what goes with orange?’ question. The top of my tangerine wishlist is a pair of Missguided high-waisted trousers, and blogger Anni Peng (seen above) styles them perfectly, with a simple white cami top and some black platformed plimsols to keep it casual. I wouldn't add the sleeveless blazer myself as though I said above it's friendly fire, it's still fire. Approach with caution.

Forgive me Father for I have sinned. I made a lie on a previous post. It wasn't intentional and at the time it was true. I really did believe that the Shoreditch Grind made the best iced mocha's in the land. But now I have seen the light. The heavens opened and showed me the way. Like the shining star that led the 3 King's to Jesus. Except it was in London, so it was a tiny glimmer of sunshine (at a push). And it led me to Brooklyn Coffee.



See! The signs were literally right in front of me, urging me to my coffee enlightenment. I stepped in, unaware of the coffee blend I was about to taste. They didn't even have iced mocha written on the menu, but when divine intervention is taking place nothing gets in the way. I asked the lovely workers if they do make them, and they briskly whipped me one up using their b-eautiful coffee beans.





Now, I first heard about Brooklyn Coffee as I heard they were best for size. Seriously, when I see this next picture I can't help but imagine that music they play on X Factor as the judges step out on stage. I even hear the X Factor voice man shout ICEEDD MOCHAAAA. Oh perhaps this is part of the Holy Spirit talking to me.


Just me? Who knows. All I know for certain is that this coffee was amazing. It was slightly thicker than other iced coffee's that I've had, and now all others will seem watery and lack substance in comparison.  So forgive me Father for my previous sin, but now you have shown me the way, and I shall follow in your footsteps and show others the way too. It's straight opposite the Urban Outfitters in Shoreditch.

Amen.

This weekends destination was Route, a cafe situated round the corner from Dalston Junction. I first found it on a Saturday morning hunt for a hangover-breakfast. You know the kind. Something that requires minimal effort/moving and arrives quickly. So I was relieved not only when we found Route within a short walking distance from where I was staying, but even more so when I saw 'The Hangover Breakfast' printed upon the menu. If you look to the right side of the menu and go down, you'll also find 'Hair of the Dog' printed on there, but I prefer a different hangover cure thankyou very much. Food. And lots of it.



The cafe describes itself as a deli/bistro that's inspired by the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The theme is more apparent on the lunch and dinner menu, where seasonal salads and sandwiches adorn the counter. On the breakfast menu you can go for the Mediterranean breakfast or the Shakshuka (a Middle Eastern egg dish), however there is nothing I love more than a traditional English breakfast, especially if it's done well. Other tempting offers that almost made the cut were the buttermilk pancakes with clotted cream and pistachios and the scrambled eggs and cheese in a tortilla wrap with chorizo and tomato. Though who was I kidding by even considering any other options? I came here for one thing and one thing only.



The thing I enjoy most about the breakfast at Route is that it's a fry-up that's not greasy. Actually that's a lie - what I enjoyed most was the sauteed potatoes and onions. But knowing I was eating good quality meat (I'm usually funny about sausages) and eggs made my food-conscience feel that little bit better. Plus, they got the fundamental breakfast principles just right. The bacon was done enough that the fat was crispy and the egg yolk was perfect. Joined with artisan bread, grilled Portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, sausage and my beloved potatoes and onions, and you have yourself an excellent start to the day. The breakfast carries on the til 3pm on weekends for the hungover masses.

Tips: A pot of tea between two works out cheaper; we got two mugs each out of it.The service is quick, however I recommend going early if you want to grab a table of your own. It gets quite busy later on and you'll likely be sharing your table with others. Oh and they do have vegetarian options.