A VINTAGE CHRISTMAS: SHOP EDIT

I've been selecting the most festive and party worthy items to sell on my online vintage store ~ Saturday Sister Vintage ~ right now, in preperation for Christmas and New Years Eve. It's all very well buying a brand new Christmas jumper from a highstreet store, but in the 80s they really knew how to do kitsch and sequins, so why buy a reproduction when you could have the real deal!

I've also thrown in some tartan and colour, for good measure. Here is my edit of my favourite vintage Christmas items, save them for Christmas day, or wear them everyday! 

90s Vintage Tartan Pinafore Dress ~ BUY ME 

80s Red Leather Loafers ~ BUY ME

80s Super Sequin Mini Dress ~ BUY ME

80s Fluffy Roll Neck Christmas Jumper ~ BUY ME

80s Winter Floral Print Peter Pan Blouse ~ BUY ME

80s Velvet Baroque High Waist Trousers ~ BUY ME

80s Vintage Fluffy Sequin Jumper Dress ~ BUY ME
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Have a good one x

POST-TRAVEL BLUES

                                                         1 year ago ~ travelling through Goa

This time last year I was in Bombay, India. Having just set off on a six month trip, I was at the very beginning of a journey I'd been anticipating for years. Now a year on from the adventure and with some retrospect I realise I've been struggling with some severe post-travel blues.

I had good and bad days whilst travelling, as we all do in everyday life. But by month five I was desperate to be still for a while. So I booked an early flight home, having been on the road for five months and having seen and done so much during that time. Following a disastrous long haul flight in which I had a panic attack and puked several times in the loo, I was at the place I called home again. It's hard to put my finger on how I felt arriving back, it's a nauseous strange blur due to lack of sleep and some virus I carried with me from Thailand. I do know that I was happy to be back, with my boyfriend, family, friends and cat, but that everything was eerily similar to when I'd left (what was I expecting?!).

The days rolled on and I began to feel like I'd never been away. I'd missed Christmas and the worst of the winter but England was still chilly. At this point I was running on the self motivation I'd returned with, I was going to get rid of loads of junk I'd been storing needlessly, I was going to get a job I loved and move in with my boyfriend, (surely one of the first most obvious things you notice after returning from long term travel is how many possesions you own). 

But I felt empty. I felt like I'd achieved nothing, I knew there was something wrong. I felt lonely and sad a lot, unable to admit these feelings to myself because I wanted so much to enjoy being home. Things weren't working out as planned and even though I didn't see it at first, some of the most important people in my life had changed, and it felt as if there was very little room for me in their lives now.

I remember feeling completely numb and devastated at times. To say that being back home was an anti-climax would be an understatement. After getting used to an invigorating lifestyle where I was pushed and challenged; meeting inspiring people and seeing incredible sites every single day, to this life where I was struggling to get a job and isolated from all that I'd experienced, was very hard. To make matters worse I returned home completely broke having used every penny to my name to fund my trip. I had no savings and no current prospects for earning any money, so I made the decision to sign on. 

 ''I remember feeling completely numb and devastated at times. To say that being back home was an anti-climax would be an understatement.''

The contrast between the life I had lived only weeks earlier and my current life spent indoors, or at the job centre, or on a computer, was too much to bare sometimes. I was well and truly in a rut. I'd definitely say I was depressed, and I don't use that term lightly. I'd lost interest in everything, I was blank and empty. I was sleeping too much and having very negative thoughts about myself and my life. This went on for some time. I felt like I'd failed because I didn't feel more brave and accomplished for what I'd done.

Eventually it took getting a new job in another city and moving in with my boyfriend to start elevating myself out of the black hole I'd fallen in. The job and living situation didn't work out, but I needed that to be able to move on. Only now, seven months later do I finally feel ok. I still have moments where I desperately crave to be on the road again. But now I can look back at my travel photos in amazement at all the things I did and saw. I had an incredible time away and that experience has forged powerful shifts in my opinions and the direction I'd like my life to take. I'm now looking forward to another adventure, I'm not sure where or how yet, but I'm optimistic and excited about where it could lead.

I talked about post-travel blues with a few regular travellers when I was away. It's a very common thing but I struggled to find much online to help me out when I was in the middle of it. I feel like it's a very specific type of depression which is sometimes brushed off as just acclimatising to home. If you're dealing with post-travel blues, know that you're not alone, and you'll feel ok again. Here are some things that helped me out:

- Meeting up with friends, even if they're spread far and wide across the country. Do what you can to see them for a weekend or evening. Seeing old good friends really helps

-Go on mini adventures when you return to keep your mind fresh and invigorated, bike rides to unknown places, a bus to another city

-If you're in the position to go away again (you lucky thing!), start planning your next trip. I found even the planning of my trip really exciting, and if you're the same, planning your next adventure might help with those blues

-Having a routine will stop you from slipping further in to a rut. Maybe you can set you're alarm at an earlier hour, even if you have nothing to get up for, and then try to forge a daily routine for yourself. As soon as I got back I started jogging in the mornings. That helped me for a while

-Get back in to work or do some voluntary work. This will keep you busy and your mind active

CHLOE SEVIGNY x Tavi

A great interview from 2011. Tavi Gevinson interviews Chloe Sevigny. Two of my favourite gals in one place. . .

R E A D   M E

BONES LINGERIE

I found Bones Lingerie through Etsy. It's the kind of underwear you'd design in your dreams and then wear everyday, and it's so amazing that you'd want to show it to people, anyone. It's underwear that's so beautiful and cool that it should be outerwear. And you know, with the right styling, that's completely do-able. Find some opaque tights and a Peaches t-shirt, and you're away!

Bones Lingerie is made in Los Angeles by April Kristna Garcia. A one woman dream team, she sources all the fabrics, designs and manufactures each piece herself. April says ''I started up Bones Lingerie because I am obsessed with pin up girls and skulls and want to create beautiful lingerie''. What a babe! So go support this independent business and pick up some incredible and unique underwear while you're there...

GO TO S H O P

1

2

3

4

5

1 PIZZA LOVERS. BRALETTE
2 LIA. HIGH WAISTED PANTIES
3 METALLIC PINK. BRALETTE
4 INNER FAITH HIGH WAISTED PANTS
5 BATS AND STARS BLACK AND GREY BRALETTE/PANTS

MINIMALIST

I love the minimalist trend; and whilst I'm a huge sucker for busy prints and clashing colour, I know minimalism also has a lot to offer. Minimalism, known for using simple, large forms, in fashion relies on details, shapes, cuts and texture to give interest. There is a chic Japanese subtlety to it which appeals when in certain moods and can give you a clean canvas on which to apply ideas. Minimalism goes hand in hand with modern - but in the 50s and 60s, as trend makers looked to an imagined future for inspiration, art, architecture and fashion got a minimal makeover. It's a wearable trend that inspires a million BA fashion students experimenting with fabrics and tailoring to take their dreams to extremes.

Details:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 Bikramjit Bose, THE MINIMALIST Editorial for Grazia, India, www.behance.net
2 & OtherStories COLOUR BLOCK SHIRT DRESS, www.stories.com
3 Stella McCartney, SPRING 2014, www.thefashionspot.com
4 TOPSHOP Boutique Duster Coat, www.topshop.co.uk
5 60s Minimalism, Andre Courreges, via www.tonbogirl.blogspot.co.uk & www.emu-memu.net
6 Minimalist ARCHITECTURE House Design, www.minimalisti.com
7 & OtherStories PLATFORMS, www.stories.com
8 Haruki Murakami/ Kafka on the Shore, design by Danielle Corporon, wwwiainclaridge.co.uk
9 ASSEMBLY Spring 2013, www.thecoolhour.com
10 Kenzo, S/S 14, www.amazine.com

EBAY SELLING TIPS

 

Bright and breezy: 80s oversized shirt dress - Saturday Sister Vintage

Ever dabbled in selling on Ebay, but made a dissapointing amount of cash? Maybe I can help. I've been using Ebay as my fallback for about 7 years now. During periods of unemployment or when I've been saving up for something special, I've relied on it to supply me with a little extra money, or sometimes if I'm lucky a nice healthy pay cheque. I now use Ebay to sell vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, and it's going well.

I'd like to share with you some tips I've learnt whilst dealing with all kinds of people and selling all kinds of things (nothing too weird) on Ebay. From requests to wear an item of clothing for a few days before sending, to the girl who ripped me off really bad when she reported to Ebay something I'd sent her smelt like fish and demanded a refund (I launder all my garments before sending, and I'm a vegetarian thankyou = still bitter). I've experienced quite a chunk of the Ebay buying population by now, and I hope to be of help to you, the Ebay curious.

1) WOULD YOU BUY IT?

During each stage of selling an item I try to think like a buyer. Does this picture make the item look cool? Does this description sound appealing? And ultimately, would I buy this? I know you're getting rid of said item and so no, you probably wouldn't. But I always feel my job is done when, having listed the item, I've sold it so well I think 'why am I selling this? I want it!' If you don't look at the listing and want to buy it, then chances are other people won't either.

Floral on floral: Topshop Bag, Saturday Sister Vintage

2)PHOTOS

A classic. Ebay can bang on about how buyers love pictures until they go blue in the face, but I still see so many listings (yep, some of my winnings get spent on Ebay) featuring a dark dank living room, curtains drawn, with a sorry old M&S top hanging, or worse, laid out on a carpet. It's such an unappealing scene. You can't see the item, you don't want the item. Give me beautiful white backgrounds and well lit pictures any day

3) THE PRICE

''I wouldn't pay £20 for this shitty cardigan, but someone will! There's so many people using Ebay that I will no doubt get the attention of the one person who will think it's worthy of £20 and buy it from me!'' This is the thinking of an amateur. No such person exists. Look at the item realistically, how much would you pay for it? Don't rip yourself off, but don't have your standards set so high that it won't sell

4) BEWARE OF UNUSUAL REQUESTS

The girl who emails you saying she wants you to hold a buy it now item until next week when she gets paid? Or the guy who insists he'll be paying for the jeans soon so don't open a case against him yet PURLEASEEE! They speak only lies. I don't know why they bothered to bid on it, or send that email, but my theory is people get a thrill out of the bidding process, or from leading you on. They will most likely not pay so the best thing you can do is stay professional throughout, don't get emotionally involved and remember it's only money. You don't have to indulge them, just be polite and firm (a lesson for life too, perhaps?) What it comes down to is they're a loser who has missed out and you're a winner 

5) BUT IT PAYS TO BE KIND SOMETIMES

On the very odd occasion, I do give in to people. I have a heart after all! I can't remember the exact situation, but there was a girl who bought a dress from me and then couldn't pay. She told me some story about losing all her money and I felt sorry for her. I held that item for weeks, missing out on other potential sales, not reporting her to ebay, and eventually she paid. She was extremely grateful and sweet. You have to trust your instincts. Some people are nice. I also like to add a little extra thing in with a parcel now and again for really good customers, maybe a scarf or necklace, and that always gives you the good feelings

6) BE DESCRIPTIVE

Use a great title, always be honest, include the brand name if it's exciting and highlight all the best bits about the product. For example, a pair of neon 80s shorts (which admittedly already sounds pretty great), becomes 'VINTAGE 80s High Waist PASTEL Rainbow NEON Festival Summer Shorts'! Whoa, I want them now! Also, don't be afraid to use whole capital letter words in your title, some say it's the equivalent of shouting the word, but in a marketplace so saturated with things for sale, a little shout might not do any harm

I have other tips about start prices and postage, buy it now vs. auction, but that's all pretty boring, so for now I'll conclude

Go wild, I hope you make some cash 

Ebay & Instagram: saturday_sister_vintage

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL: Lusts

I subscribe to Elle magazine, so I get a regular window in to high fashion trends and highstreet substitutes. I like Elle because I feel it has a slightly alternative edge, despite being a mainstream fashion magazine. I would love to write for Elle one day, but now I'm really going off topic. 

Via Elle I have seen a few key pieces recently which I would buy if I had cash to burn (not just regular wages, I'm talking lottery win). These are items I'll probably never be able to afford, items which rich kids might even think twice about. But it's nice to look at them, think about them, and not buy them.

www.gettyimages.in

Miu Miu Yellow Faux Snakeskin Coat

This isn't even for sale yet, it's from A/W15 Paris Fashion Week. Whoa. I predict it will be in the £1000's when it's finally released to the masses via something nice like NET-A-PORTER or the Miu Miu website. I love the colour, the kitschy texture, the slightly short sleeves, the collar which nods to the 60s, the fact it looks like a 1970s kids coat which has been made a bit bigger for a woman. . .

www.selvedge.org

Celia Birtwell for Valentino Pre Fall 2015 Collection - Dress

I would wear this amazing see through nudey embroidered dress to get married in! Again, the price is very elusive (either it's not for sale yet, or I'm not wealthy enough to even know the price). The grey makes it a tad ugly, which I like. It's a striking choice when juxtapositioned with the bright sunny references that are splashed all over it. It's transparency stops it from being twee.

www.openingceremony.us

Jacquemus La Robe Manches Longues Shirtdress

I'm a big fan of the off-kilter tailoring of this piece, the subversive use of underwear as outerwear and the Star Trek costume gone wrong look. I'm not joking - I think it's cool. 430 (US Dollars). 

VINTAGE PRINTS & TEXTILES

I've just added a few pieces featuring beautiful prints to my vintage clothing shop on ebay! Prints are the ideal way to instantly freshen up and brighten your outfit, a printed shirt under dungarees is a great festival look, a statement printed dress for weddings or summer parties is always a winner, and an interesting print on a blouse tucked in to shorts is fantastic for summer. A great print adds a splash of colour and interest to your wardrobe, whether it's tropical, gingham, abstract, painterly, polka dot, there are so many brilliant ones out there!

Vintage prints are the most quirky, kitsch and fun of them all. Here are a few:

Tropical Palm Leaf and Parrot Print, circa 80s/90s on cotton festival sun dress, Size M, £18 & free postage

BUY ME

Safari Lion, Deer & Tree Print in a painterly watercolour style, circa 80s on a slouchy button up shirt, Size M, £12 & free postage

BUY ME

Jungle Palm Leaf Print, circa 80s on a slouchy loose fit tee, Freesize, £8 & free postage

BUY ME

Gingham Print, circa 70s on a cropped tie front blouse with cute collar tips, Size S/M, £9 & Free Postage

BUY ME

Floral & Circle Psychedelic Print, circa 70s on a button up blouse, Size UK 6/8, £12 & Free Postage

BUY ME

 50's Print, indulgy.com

 50s Novelty Fruit Print, LaConchaVintage

MY CURRENT OBSESSIONS ~ July 2015

1) Having a 'lob'
This is a long bob that ends bluntly just before it hits the collar bone. I cut mine myself two days ago using some large fabric shears. It's safe to say that it's not even near straight. But that's ok. Take a walk on the wild-side
~

2) Curling Tong & Brush (Ceramic Coated) by Boots

This amazing hair styling tool was only £10 from Boots and it really is the ticket. You know those days where your hair looks MEH, maybe you have roots coming through or you just can't find the inspiration to do much more than a top knot. Well, plug this in and within minutes you'll have a subtle wave to your hair with added volume, no more stupid hat hair. I've found taking large sections of hair and twisting it with my fingers, then clipping the end of that section on to the tong and curling it round, holding it for around 20 seconds and then ruffling it gently once released, acheives great subtely curly hair. Just don't forget heat protecion spray kids
~

3) Doing an MA

I've thought on and off about going in to further-further education having finished a uni degree a few years ago. Now seems like the right time. I'd love a career doing something I love and I think an MA is the way I will achieve this. Now I just need to raise some (a lot) of dollar. Learning is mighty expensive

~

4) Giving Stuff Away

I've given an awful lot of stuff away to charity shops, friends and strangers via Ebay recently, and this will continue. I almost breathe a sigh of relief each time I get rid of more stuff. Ofcourse, there are things I would never get rid of... favourite jeans, albums, the dress I wore on the first date with my boyfriend, (the word date used loosely). But increasingly I'm finding it more liberating to give things away then buy things

~

5) Pretty Little Liars

Super trashy. But smart enough to keep me interested for already 2 series (each series houses around 20 - 1 hour long episodes), and to spur me through another 3 series yet to come. I actually started watching this show when I was in India a few years ago. It was the only western show on TV and me and a friend became kind of obsessed with it, as a little thread to something more familiar. Now every episode is on Netflix, and I'm smitten

SATURDAY SISTER VINTAGE... My Faves

Here are a few of my favourite pieces taken from my brand new vintage clothing shop, Saturday Sister Vintage. All items are handpicked by me, because I love them and I'd wear them. Each item is on trend and priced fairly and affordably. I've sourced each piece from across the UK and across the world, some of them have come all the way from Asia! I'm passionate about vintage clothing, I believe it's better for the environment, better quality  and more special and unique than any mass produced garments could ever be, plus it's often much cheaper to buy vintage too - a no brainer.

Here are my favourite five newly arrived vintage pieces:

80s Yellow Abstract Print Button Up Blouse, S/M- £12 & Free Postage

Check out this incredible blouse, handmade, so it's completely unique! It can be worn tucked in to a high waist or tucked out, and cinched in with a belt. It's perfect for summer and adding a bold bright splash of sunny yellow to denim shorts, skirts, jeans... The abstract painterly/modern art print make it trend focused, and it can be dressed up easily with luxe fabrics and a statement necklace

BUY ME

60s/70s Leather Strappy Mary Jane Block Heel Sandals, UK 4.5- £15 & Free Postage

Sweet vintage sandals, perfect with a 70s maxi dress or 90s strappy dress for summer days out, festivals and nights out. Super cute

BUY ME

50's Style Vintage Cotton Handmade Sun Dress with Kitsch Illustrated Food Print! UK 8/10- £14 & Free Postage

Beautiful and unique dress cut in a 1950s style, with a cute food ingredients print. Absolutely perfect for summer!

BUY ME

80s/Early 90s High Waisted Denim Cut Off Shorts, UK 14 - £14 & Free Postage!

Fantastic vintage shorts in a muted burgundy/maroon pallette with a super flattering high waist. Perfect with a band tee and Dr Martens. I really love the colours and stripe design on these

BUY ME

Beautfil 70s Vintage Cameo Brooch, £6 & Free Postage

Gorgeous vintage classic, perfect pinned on to the collar of a blouse or attached to a chain as a pendant 

BUY ME

SATURDAY SISTER VINTAGE/ Selling Platforms

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So a bit of self promo never hurt right? On this note...I've started a vintage clothing/shoes/accessories online business via Ebay and Etsy called Saturday Sister Vintage...

Etsy ~ SaturdaySister

It's my first time selling on Etsy and the shop is still in it's beggining stages. I get the strong impression that people don't just find you on Etsy, you have to work hard to get traffic towards your shop using Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc. I also feel that people who craft their own products do very well as Etsy kind of has that boutique high class feel, people shopping on Etsy are willing to spend money, but only on something they feel is entirely unique and worth it. On one hand I like this about Etsy, it means that if you become a succesful seller you're able to command a fair price, but you just have to work doubley hard initially to do so

Have a peek at my new Etsy store here

Ebay ~ saturday_sister_vintage

I've been using Ebay as a buyer and seller for many years now, and whilst it has it's annoyances (some buyers, the fees), it's still proven to be a good source of income for me when I've needed a bit of extra cash. I've also found some great stuff on there for much less then I probably should have paid for it. I maintain that Ebay is great if you're a buyer in the market for a bargain, and if you do it right, it can be great for sellers too - albeit the high selling fees 

See my Ebay store here

Instagram ~ saturday_sister_vintage

I've found Instagram to be a fantastic tool in getting my business name and images out in to the world, bringing in a new audience and getting people who wouldn't even have known about my new business to take note. I love composing shots of my items for Instagram, you can be really creative. The likes and comments are encouraging, and I've found a handful of other vintage sellers via Instagram who take amazing photos. I also like to look at large brands for inspiration. Topshop's Tokyo Instagram page is great, American Apparel display their merch nicely and KoKopie Shop put Kawaii outfits together really well

Check out my Instagram here  

More about my shop soon...

MY STYLE PEEVES

Peevus, I have a few. I've been saving them up so I could produce this post, the greatest rant of all time. I guess I'm quite easily irritated which is a trait I don't emplore, yet I can't deny it's there. I try to see the best in all people, but sometimes seeing the best is just so hard when all you can smell is a guy's aftershave (see peeve no.1) or all you can see is a girl's bum cheeks (see peeve no.2). I'm hoping that writing this will allow me to let go of some of these peeves, a kind of therapy in writing if you will.

www.feelunique.com  Jean paul Gaultier, Le Male

Peeve 1) Too Much Aftershave

There's probably a fine line between wearing enough and too much scent. I don't have this problem as I find two light sprays of perfume does the job without knocking people out, but maybe some men think more is more. When you're on the tube, or walking down the street you may pass a man - and if  you can absolutely smell his aftershave for a minute or two before and after he's passed you, that's what I'm refering to. It's that heady alcohol smell that gets right up your nose and makes you want to spew in the guys mouth as an ode to how groase he is for doing this. I think these guys must believe some of the hilarious advertisements for the aftershaves, a promise that women will be jumping them in the street if they spray themselves with this expensive 'love juice'. It has the opposite effect, men, and it's never a nice scent either (though nice scents are frankly few and far between with men's fragrance).

www.mirror.co.uk

Peeve 2) Bum Shorts

Hey grrls, I can see your whole ass. Bum shorts, if you don't know, are shorts that are so tiny, they aren't shorts at all, they're more like a little denim knicker. Some of the girls that wear these are kids, and they really shouldn't be wearing these for all kinds of reasons, but I get they think it's a rad fashion thing. A message to you kids: please don't wear them again and when you look back at yourself growing up, have a big old laugh at this particular phase. For older girls aka teenagers and WOMEN who sport them...you should know better! I've never seen a girl wearing these who doesn't look self concious. It's actually pretty sad. And such a bad idea to reveal your ass flaps to anyone with eye holes. What happened to being sexy and mysterious? Also, what happened to comfort is king? These guys must feel like a permanent front and back wedgie with the added misery of denim.

lv31.wordpress.com

Peeve 3) Leggings as Trousers

On the subject of bootys...leggings are like tights without foot pockets. Maybe if you're extremely cool and hot like Edie Sedgewick, you could wear some tights on their own as a fashion statement and totally own that look. But I doubt the average gal is going for this rather specific, niche idea when dressing in leggings and then just throwing a shirt on. You know, you're basically naked as I can see your bum and your tiny pants. It's all there to see, plain as daylight, with only a very thin and feeble stretch of lycra/nylon covering it. This is a heavily discussed fashion faux pas, but I think it deserves a mention nevertheless.

www.everydayminimalist.com

Peeve 4) Skiing Sunglasses

There are so many cool sunglasses out there...round ones, tinted ones, heart shaped ones, there's really no excuse to be wearing sports 'ski' style glasses especially when you're no where near any kind of recreational ground and no where near snow. They. Look. Weird. So this is a personal taste thing, but come on guys, get with the progamme. No one looks good in these disgusting pseudo masculine glasses and I get the impression that guys wear them just because they don't know what other options they have, and they're scared of going for anything that looks too feminine. There friends will laugh at them. So they go for these. Because they look like they're about to do sports with them. And men like sports.

blog.bratz.com

Peeve 5) Ballet Pumps

This was a trend that resurfaced in a big way in the early 2000's. That was ok for a bit, then Winehouse championed a certain beige pair that were basically so lived in they looked like a second skin, that was fine because she was a hot mess and she didn't give a hoot what shoes she was wearing. However, I take issue with the fact the sorry trend still continues to thrive to this day in 'New Looks' and other highstreet giants everywhere. These are grown women wearing what is essentialy a babies' shoe. They may be your go-to because they're comfy and they remind you of being a kid/ballet dancer, or maybe they're so plain and inoffensive, giving off no real statement, that they're your favourite. But they do make a statement, which is ''I need to find a new shoe style to live in''. A Dr Marten's Mary Jane perhaps? Or a chunky brogue? An ankle boot? Anything else but a feeble and long overdue to be binned ballet pump.

MOVING IN WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND... is it that big of a deal?

 

I've just been offered a job in London. I'm moving there this Friday.

Whilst I'm really excited to be starting 'a new chapter' and I fully acknowledge that I need to get out of the rut-like position I've found myself in and take a step forward in my life, there are a few elements to the move that I've been pondering. I'm lucky in that my boyfriend already lives in London, at a commutable distance from where my new job will be, and so I have a place to live without the stress of finding cash for a deposit - great.

But money is a lot more simple than human relationships, if you have a money problem you more or less know what you need to do to fix it (make more money, spend less etc.) With human relationships, sometimes there seems to be no answer. Perhaps you're too close to the problem to see for yourself what your next move should be. My problem lies in the fact that I don't know if my boyfriend really wants me to move in, maybe he prefers and has become accustomed to living alone. Where will I fit? Both physically (it's a small flat - it's London) and also in to his life. Where will I fit in to his life?

I'm not a lone ranger. We've spoken about this. He's worried he won't have enough quiet time. I'm guessing he thinks I'll rampage drunk around the flat listening to L7 and stuff. It happens. But not every night. He needs plenty of downtime, he needs his own space, he needs an office where he can do his own work. That more or less mirrors what I need. I'm an introvert who, if around people for too long, gets lethargic and needs to take a nap. I can't concentrate and listen to music at the same time, so I'll be working in complete silence when I'm writing etc. Just like him.

Therefore there really shouldn't be a problem, but one thing he said struck me: ''I'm worried that if living together doesn't work out, it will mean the end of our relationship''. If we find ourselves in a position where we simply can't live together for one reason or another, I'll move out (it's technically his flat), we will be living apart, and we will know that, at least right now, we can't live together. A little background - we've been together for coming up to six years and the majority of that has been spent as a long distance relationship, visiting on weekends. Maybe that's why this feels like such a big step - we've never before been in close proximity for what will be such a long amount of time.

On the other hand couples successfully move in together all the time. And we will both be at work for at least five days a week. We certainly will have our own time. The conclusion I've come to is give it a go, how else will I know.

What do you think? Have you ever moved in with a boyfriend/girlfriend and wish you hadn't? How does it change a relationship?

Bunny Bissoux, I Love You

I've loved artist/writer/costume maker/general all round cool gal Bunny Bissoux for a good 8 or more years now. I imagine I found out about her via some strange coincidence - I think it involved discovering her details in a toy machine plastic dispender container, as part of an art show in Brighton.

She makes really amazing costumes, she illustrates stuff, she makes zines, she has a super bitchin' Big Cartel shop selling deadstock playing cards. She moved to Japan from the UK. All this scores large points on my 'you're so cool I love you' radar.

Fast Food Outfits, Hotdog Dress and Coat, Handmade From Mixed Fabrics, Bunny Bissoux, 2007

Purikura Hontou Vol.II Zine, includes mini colour poster, Bunny Bissoux

'Tokyo' Sticker Set, Bunny Bissoux x Lazy Oaf, www.bunnyboissoux.bigcartel..com

Powder Pink Magic 2 x Pin Badge Set, www.bunnybissoux.bigcartel.com

For more info on Bunny, including commissioned work, visit her website:
http://www.bunnybissouxart.com/

And check out her Big Cartel shoppe:
http://www.bunnybissoux.bigcartel.com/