Embracing Downtime

Paul Smith Linen Shirt (gifted) | Paul Smith Long Sleeve Tee | Whistles Trousers | Instrumnt Watch | Moscot Sunglasses

The title of this blog post may suggest that I've fully learnt how to embrace downtime, but I'm not quite there yet. In fact, this short entry will serve as the perfect reminder for me to not forget how important it is to down tools and recharge. 

The weekend can be a funny thing for anyone who is self-employed: sometimes I'll find myself away from home working on a projects in a different country, or in a early morning meeting, other Sundays I'll be roping Hollie in to point + shoot my camera while I rearrange a corner of our living room all ready for some up-coming Instagram content. I love my job, but the work/play balance is key.

Sometimes I just want to dedicate time things away from work. There's that fence panel that needs fixing, those prints that need framing, and those weeds don't get rid of themselves...maybe I should stop by to see my Mum more often...I think it's imperative to a healthy life that I don't take the slower moments for granted. 

Photography by Anthony Lee.

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Reflecting on Achievements | Paul Smith Life-proof Collection

Ripstop Field Jacket | Loopback Sweatshirt | Long Sleeve Stripe Tee | Cotton Linen Chinos | Levon Trainers by Paul Smith

Pocket Square by Paul Smith

Water Resistant Bomber Jacket | Cord Chore Jacket | Long Sleeve Zebra Tee | Navy Cord Trousers 

by Paul Smith

Artist Stripe Socks by Paul Smith

Photography by Jordan Bunker

There comes a point in our lives when it would serve us well to take a step back and reflect upon what we've achieved. It's very easy for us to become consumed by the projects we work on –  the hours we spend on social media and the miles of road we cover – without giving a second thought to just how much we have grown.

In a world where any acts of boast could easily come off as an "I'm better than you" remark, I've always been conscious of how I come across online. But there are some occasions that we need to give ourselves a break, and celebrate the achievements we're proud of. For me, this project that myself and Jordan Bunker collaborated on with Paul Smith is one of those occasions.

The Life-proof collection, PS by Paul Smith resonated with my love of colour, design detail and the notion that practical clothing doesn't need to be hung on the peg until that daytrip to the great outdoors comes around. Our aim was to show the collection off as it was intended; in rain, shine and everything else the unpredictable Leeds climate could chuck at us.

What makes this project really special for me is that the man himself + the brand he's built is one of  the main reasons why I became so fascinated with fashion + design when I was a young teenager. And to say that 15 years on I'm working alongside PS to create content is an huge achievement for me personally. It's also a testament to how much my working relationship with Jordan has grown – constantly pushing ourselves raise our work to the next level. I can now see why reflection is regarded so highly.

Is reflection a part of the way you work? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Paul Smith AW17 Collection is available here.

This post is brought to you in partnership with Paul Smith. Your support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.

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A Natural Progression

Chore Jacket by Paul Smith | Shirt c/o Natural Selection | Trousers by Topman | Sneakers by Harrys of London | Chronograph watch c/o Timex | Sunglasses c/o Monokel Eyewear

 Photography by Jordan Bunker

My working partnership with lifestyle blogger + writer, Jordan Bunker, has started to become a bit of a tagteam of late. The running order usual goes like this; plan to visit a specific area, do a little research, take in the neighbourhood's individual nuances, drink the coffee, and point our cameras in a aesthetically pleasing direction. 

That's been the general narrative for a good 10 months now, and it seems to be working well for us. For this meet-up I suggested the location (Mayfair + Soho, London), tagged Jordan in, he grabbed the camera and got to work on fine tuning the settings, then Jordan tagged me back in for the finishing move. Just call us the Hardy Boyz of menswear...

In all seriousness though, working collaboratively with Jordan has felt like a natural progression for my blog. There's no hang ups or hidden motives. We're there to help each other, share our personal experiences as freelancers – in this extremely competitive industry – and learn a few things on the way. And believe me, I've learnt a lot from this man.

Friendship can come from the least likely of places, and I take a certain solace that some of the most important people in my life are those that I have struck up conversations with through reads blogs and using social media. 

Some say social media is the death of real interaction – Personsally I don't think that statement could be further from the truth. If anything, this current digital age has brought our own communities closer together.

What's your take on real interaction via social media?

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Testing Out Panosonic Lumix GX7

For the past few weeks I've been testing out the Panasonic Lumix GX7 dslr. I've only got it on loan for a short time so I've been taking full advantage of its capabilities. It's not often you get a chance to test-drive a swanky camera like this so I decided to take it to London with us last week. Hollie used it for the Murdock + Hackett Shaving Review, so you can get a proper feel for how it copes with movement.

Some of you may have already seen the shot I took of Hollie above, but I've included it again as it's my favourite image out of the lot. I thought it was worth noting that none of the images have been edited in any way, they're straight from the camera. It's a blogger's dream!

The main reason why I've got the camera on loan is because I'm taking part in a competition with We Are Social, with the chance of actually winning the Lumix GX7! I'll be entering one of the images from above into the competition so wish me luck!

I'd be interested to hear about what cameras you shoot with, slr, dslr, compact?

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Meet The Guys Behind Topo Designs + Weekend Links

   

Denver's Topo Designs have feature on the blog several times now, I'm yet to own any of their products but someday soon I hope to be slinging one of their bags over my shoulder. I count myself as a big follower of the brand but I know very little its actual creators. My pal Matthew, over in Denver sent me a link to this interview with Topo's founders. The mystery is no longer, nice one!

This weekend I'll be playing catch up with blogs, emails and getting back to the gym. I'm also going to a fancy dress party (worst nightmare), looks like I'm going with an easy option...New York Tourist. Oh and I'm also starting a new job next week! What's up with you guys this weekend? 

Weekend Bucket List

Bloggers share tips and lighting inspiration.
COFFEE PANTS, pants with coffee on!
19 of the silliest items which can be found at Hooper's Store on Sesame Street.
Bike Shop/Coffee Shop, go here if you're visiting London.
A day at a British festival.
Beautiful photos taken in Montreal (and there's 4 more parts!).
Can you believe I missed going to the Paul Smith Exhibition by one day!

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A Lesson On Looking Awkward

Wearing - Gap polka dot shirt, Topman green shorts, New Balance 420s, Penfield backpack, 

Rayban sunglasses, Muji watch, Paul Smith ring

It's something you can't teach, it just comes natural. I don't knows what my hands are doing, I think they've got a mind of their own. I've got out of the habit of featuring myself on here so lets call this a bit of a refresh, just so you all know who you're speaking to. I've been messing around with the look of this place over the weekend, none of it is permanent as I'm planning on changing the whole thing. If you see anything weird going on just so just roll with it for now.

So it's an "alright" to old friends and a "howdy" to some new ones.

-

Don't forget to enter the URBANARA tartan picnic blanket giveaway here

Mirror Image

I took this photo last week while I took 5 minutes from my ever-increasing uni work, it's all kicking off next week, presentations, essays, project hand ins, portfolio workshops. I've had enough! Anyways, when I saw this I knew I had to grab for my camera. Hollie's bedroom is impeccable, she has mirrored wardrobes and whilst I was messing around swinging the doors about I noticed the mirrored image(reminds me of when you see the never ending TV screen, you know?).

I just thought it was really interesting that not all is what it seems, even in the most regular places. As Paul Smith said, "You can find inspiration in everything, and if you can't, look again".

Thanks for sticking with my blog even though posting has become more sporadic over the last few months, I am still here and I do still visit all your blogs, even if I may not leave a comment.

Really Busy This week

....I'm swamped with uni work. Currently doing a project where you have to launch a fashion item for a non-fashion based tv programme. So I chose to do a range of weekend bags for QI and my retailer is Paul Smith. The bag with have many compartments for your Quite Interesting things. He is my 60& complete window display that I've been designing. Basically, half of my life at the mo is spent on Illustrator.

So if there is a lack of posts, this is the reason. Thanks for everyones recent comments, they really do cheer my gloomy days up.

Barbershop Teaser

The team on location

First time on a Harley Davidson. Come on, I had to.

Technically this doesn't really give much of the Barbershop photo shoot I mentioned in my last post but these are some teasers on what was going on. We managed to blag a Harley Davidson for a couple of hours so we decided to start with some shots in an ally next to the barbers. We did then move on to more traditional shots in the actual barbershop.

I will post some proper photos soon but they need to be selected and handed in before I do that. But yeah, I felt pretty cool on the bike! Sadly I really don't look cool, I am much more suited to a push bike.

In other news it would be amazing of you all if you could all do me a favour. I have entered a Paul Smith competition, all you need to do to help me win is follow this link and "Like" Paul Smith's fan page on Facebook, then follow this link to my image and "Like" it once again. Please please please. I want to win!

Saturday Treats

Disney Quest watch from cira '99, found in my mum's junk drawer. All it needed was a fresh battery.

Mercades Benz key ring, found in a bag on my old collection of cars(this will now replace my Marc Jacobs airplane keyring).

(oops blurry) From left to right - Silver thumb ring, Topman skull ring, Silver Art Deco ring, Paul Smith "Love" ring.

So this weeks moto is, "Look in your own backyard".

On another note, I've just realised that THIS is my 300th blog post! How exciting is that, I've had this blog for about 2 years now and I've loved every minute of it. Thanks to everyone for your constant support, lovely comments and feedback. And a final thank you and "hello" to all the new followers of Buckets'.