Hi I'm back

I have internet! I am finally reunited with all my friends like gmail, facebook, flickr, google reader, and um, gchat. I guess I don't really use that many web pages but with a pay-as-you-go phone and no internet I was feeling really out of touch with everyone from back home, so hopefully that will now change.

So its been week 2 of fashion school and its been rather bizarre and weird to say the least. It feels very strange to be drawing in class and making collages of magazine cut outs when one is used to sitting in lectures and having in-depth conversations about health policy in the EU (which, to be fair, I was often spacing out on and probably making doodles in my notebook). It also is just strange to be a full time student again, especially starting from scratch in the way that I am and realizing that I don't really know all that much about fashion at all, at least compared with some of the tutors that I'm learning from.

Today we had a design process class where I was presented with the dreaded task of having to DRAW SOMETHING. Thankfully it turned out ok and I was actually pretty impressed by myself though I do recall I just mostly plagiarized a set of vintage shoes that I had seen in a shop in Berkeley. But hey, look ma, I can draw!



Apart from school, I am finally set up with a new cheapie bike (a 60's German bike that I purchased from a guy in London Fields), a new IKEA mattress so as to not break my back again, and now internet at last, I am starting to feel more at home. Now if only I could get a bank account!

I'm seeing Blur on Friday. I am also already causing mischief. I love London.

'Ello, gov'ner!

...long blogging pause...

Yes, a lot has changed in the past couple weeks. I subletted my apartment, packed up all my things, and hopped the pond with 4 suitcases in tow for what will likely be about 3 months, but may be longer if I find some kind of work.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back in London.

It feels quite natural to be living here again and sort of like I never left, although I'm still feeling a bit culture-shocked for the time being. I have had no internet and am here in the back of a sad-looking Wetherspoon's (a chain of pubs in the UK known for low prices but also for a rather trashy clientelle) off Stoke Newington High Street, near the room I have rented for the summer. Its with a bunch of randoms (a Swedish-Columbian couple and a British guy who I have yet to meet) but its fine so far. It smells a bit funny and there is no living room but we have a nice little garden and my rent has been halved from what it was in Brooklyn so it can't be all bad. The neighborhood I'm living in, according to the map, is known as "Shacklewell" but I believe it is lumped in as part of Dalston, what I figure it kind of the "Bushwick" of London, i.e. kind of underdeveloped but lots of people my age living here and lots of house parties and what not. Its taking some getting used to, especially because last time I lived in London I had a really central apartment in a posh neighborhood. But its ok because most of my friends live within walking distance, which is a nice change from how London used to be! I am looking into getting a bicycle once my bank account is out of the red so I think that should make my life complete.

Orientation for my program at London College of Fashion starts on Monday. It is very weird to think that I am a student again! Hoping not to be the oldest one there.

More once I get internets!

Jeremy Scott SS09

Mr. Scott, you have taken me by surprise. Normally your clothes are a little outrageous (and not in a good way), but lookee at the cool prints that you did for spring! Roses and airplanes? Gas pumps? I'm sold! Proof that there is some good fashion coming out of helLA.







Images courtesy of Revolve.

I don't know how many people actually read this (Google Analytics says like 20 a day? Sigh...) BUT... I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop of all in-stock items. Cleaning house before UK! Buy now! great deals on vintage!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade ladyjanedesigns.etsy.com

Top ten things I will miss about New York in Summer

1. The beach. Sorry, England, your beaches are kind of pathetic.

2. Roof parties. These have evaporated someone in Williamsburg but still happen in Bushwick to some degree. Nothing will compare to summer of '03 roof parties, from which the following is my favorite picture. Epic.

3. BBQ's. OK, they do this in the UK a little bit but I think it is more of an art over here. Not quite as much as in the South where they actually have the culinary tradition but there is nothing quite like cooking outside with all your close friends.

4. McCarren Park hangin'. Is Hoxton Square the equivalent? Please update me.

5. Free summer shows at McCarren Pool. OK, so this is getting moved this year to the waterfront, I have no idea if it will be as fun, but it was great to have your Sunday Afternoon sorted every weekend.

6. 4th of July. Every one has days off and the day usually consists of #2 and #3. Plus the sky explodes. Awesome.

7. Vespa and Bicycle riding.


8. Roof top pools. You have to be sneaky to get in, but once you are, I think the photo says it all.

9. Admiring the view.

10. Friends. I will miss you lots.