House of Sunny Crush

East London is a place I covet to live. Not only because of it's patchwork of arty, creative types but because it seems that all the new, up-and-coming and emerging fashion talent has made East it's home. From House of Holland to House of Hackney, House of Sunny has more recently come to the forefront and it's safe to say, I'm more than just impressed. 



With simplicity and minimalism reigning in the style stakes, House of Sunny delivers tailored garments for women with clean lines and a contemporary aesthetic. From humble beginnings to the present day, HofS's mantra remains the same: to "Keep it clean; keep it sharp, discipline your decade and focus on your future dressing." I've heard and I'm keen to follow. My bags are packed and I'll get my coat. Fancy joining me? 

Made in Britain, House of Sunny is British through and through. (Hurrah!) Essentially, anything which supports design in the UK immediately gets a big thumbs up from me. With a colour palette full of monochrome goodness and additional bursts of colour injected, HofS gets the minimalist trend just right. Their lookbook for S/S14 got me drooling straight away at the sight of matching co-ords and Birkenstocks. Totally #Birkalicious. Luxury fabrics and an architectural influence, with a bit of the Oslen twins as inspiration thrown in for good measure, each piece contains the trademark HofS silk lining, promising a slice of indulgence each time the piece is worn. Smart tailoring is my clothes crush at the moment and I'm not ashamed to say that I'm probably WAY more into the trend than it is me but c'est la vie. What can I say? Cigarette pants are my weakness. 

 

Today, dressing with a masculine edge has never been more of the moment. I've lost count over the number of trousers I've recently bought but, of course, you can never have too much of a good thing. (I constantly tell that to myself when I see that the nutella jar is open.) With such an element evidently visible in the HofS designs, I just know that their creations will fit seamlessly into my boy-like, or for a more technical term, androgynous, wardrobe. 



Affordable, wearable and downright delightful, House of Sunny have made a serious, yet stylish, indent on my life... and lets not lie, probably on my purse sooner rather than later. 

All images from: http://www.houseofsunny.com/

London vs. Leeds.

If you were to take a look at my favourite train journeys, which always pop up when I go to book a new adventure, London and Leeds are always at the top of that list. Although different cities, they share one thing in common: The fact that I always seem to return to my home town of Lincoln. (...and sadly, not out of choice!)

Yes Lincoln may be pretty, it's historical and it's peaceful. If you like the quiet life, endless fields and quaint lifestyle, then great. But I like noise, to hear sirens, to see bright lights and to look up at tall buildings. Simplified, I am a city girl and I miss the hustle and bustle. 

Liberty London Flowers. 

Therefore, I've been thinking lately that I'm going to have to take the risk and move. Move for the sake of my dream career, my life and my general sanity - is boredom a plausible cause of death? This may not sound like the best idea to many, if not everyone, I talk to about said plan. Obviously, unemployment and no money are the big, red lights which are stopping me from moving forward. With internships being the route in to any sort of career in the creative industry, I've accepted I'm going to have to be poor for a while if I want to achieve something with my life. (However, I've noticed that more and more internships are being paid so hurrah! I'll be able to afford bread and milk and maybe a box to live in.)

Essentially, I am very much in the throes of a Quarter Life Crisis. Your twenties are supposed to be fun - well that's what people keep telling me. They also keep telling me to change jobs, move elsewhere, learn to drive and that I should be out every night. My brain hurts. 

Lately, my own personal debate comes down to this: Where do I escape and move to? London or Leeds. 

Tower Bridge, London.

The Shard, London.

With London, there really needs no explanation. More opportunities, more fun, more wonderful, however, more costly. As for Leeds, my University city, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Friendly, compact, yet, evolving and up-and-coming, I would move back to Leeds in an instance, no hesitation. But is that enough? London is famously more creative. All the big companies and start-ups are established there with jobs and internships all based in the big smoke. It all happens in London. I have massive FOMO when I see photos of London Fashion Week or when someone Instagrams the rooftop pool of Shoreditch House. Plus, the number of men walking the streets in suits is enough to make me move tomorrow. *swoon.*  

Neals Yard, London. 

Hyde Park, Leeds.

But with Leeds, the creative scene is getting better. It looks exciting and I know my way around the place. There are pros and cons to each and I'm not sure even a list will help me sort this one out. No matter how many "inspirational" life quotes I see on Instagram, they won't make up my mind for me. So, do I move back to Leeds before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon and moves up t'north? Or do I move down south, immerse myself in London life and get celeb-spotting? 

Trinity Kitchen, Leeds

This is something I will have to decide for myself. Maybe I'll secure a job that I've been waiting for and this will lead me to one of those places, or maybe, even to some place completely new. Maybe I'll #YOLO it up and move without a job and maybe the risk will pay off. Maybe it won't. I don't know right now. But I'm hoping that all this will all become clearer in the following months. I started the year by saying '2014 is THE year' - we're half way through and something needs to change. Til then, you'll find me here: 

You make your own life. 

And that's what I intend to do. (New life mantra right there.)

(All images are taken from my Instagram: @rebekahholroyd)