Take 5, Weekly Inspirations.

Five things that have inspired me this week:

//Photography by Lillie Cooper

Keeping a watchful eye

I love a good shop in all the usual chains, but have been spending more and more time keeping my eye out for interesting independent stores.  There’s something really special about feeling that you are seeing (and hopefully buying) a more unique product, rather than something mass produced, and hopefully from a business which is really focused on its customers and the products they’re putting out.  It’s nice to know that when you shop you are making a real difference to a small business in terms of its sustainability and future success.  The relationship feels more personal (and you get that special buzz from finding something that feels special and exclusive to you).

If you connect with any of this and find yourself in central London, you might be interested to make your way to Earlham Street, between Covent Garden and Shaftesbury avenue, which is filled with independents, and where I happily spent a few hours of retail therapy last weekend in three particular shops; Super Superficial, Magma and Bolongaro Trevor.

//Photography from google images 

Exploring the streets of Brighton

In Brighton for the first time, I took the opportunity to explore and, tucked among the lanes, cobbled streets, pretty little shops and striking graffiti, were some fab shoppers I just had to photograph  to capture they way they had composed their outfits or because their whole appearance just ‘worked’.  My absolute favourite was a pretty, petite, girl dressed in black and brown, with a striking hair style to accentuate her ‘worker girl chic’ look.  Might try that …

  

                                                     

//Photography by Lillie Cooper