Boxpark, Shoreditch.

Having had my last day with Ink today and therefore the last day I will be going to Shoreditch on a regular basis, I thought I would post a blog about a site that has intrigued me for almost my entire work experience period, Boxpark.

Before starting at Ink I had read about Boxpark on a careers fair website, but, as careers fairs suck, I didn't think much of it, but then I confronted it every day for the next month.

Boxpark is a concept developed by the creator of Boxfresh, in association with real estate developers Hammerson & Ballymore. The basic idea is to strip and refit shipping containers to create affordable and unique retail space - I was quite surprised to see that there was still a unit available, I mean you'd have to get on it even if it was purely for location, surely.

Situated at the entrance to Shoreditch High Street Overground station, this ambitious shopping experiment effectively sets itself to be Shoreditch's first 'shopping mall', playing host to a number of well-loved, great brands and it looks bloody good too. On Monday evening a bit of the building work came down and the outside of Boxpark was revealed to the public and I couldn't believe how impressive the units looked. Each unit fitting into the iconography of the building but also demonstrating a great utilisation of space when reflecting each brand's varying image and statement.

I think visually my favourites so far are the Oakley and Urbanears units. I'm a big fan of their use of colour and simplicity, particularly with Urbanears, they're space looks massive.

It looked so different when put in the evening light and all the shops were so shiny and new. I'm sad I don't have enough time/money to get a proper glimpse when Boxpark officially opens at the weekend. The opening will see 20% discounts as well as special celebrity guests and DJ sets. However, from the sounds of things it looks like Boxpark will be sticking around for a bit so hopefully I'll get the chance to grab my own slice of the Shoreditch shopping centre experience when I get the time.

Boxpark officially opens on Saturday 3rd December at 1pm.
Visit boxpark.co.uk/ or email info@boxpark.co.uk for further details.
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POW! Leopard!

Here is what my nails look like today:


Sophie's Pink, Models Own
Peach Puff, Models Own
Tangerine Queen, Models Own
Models Own/WAH Nail Art Pen, Black
Models Own/WAH Nail Art Pen, White
Can we please take a moment to appreciate the ambidexterity demonstrated on my right thumb, I was pretty chuffed. Obviously basically all I do is follow what WAH Nails do as my nail inspiration (I really like their word trend at the moment), but it's not as difficult as it looks and doesn't even take much practise. I'd stay away from stripes until you're really concentrating though, I think that it's the most frustrating design to do if you get it wrong because it's difficult to hide.

Speaking of nail art!
Models Own released an image today of their new line of polishes, the Beetlejuice collection. Beautiful holographic polishes that will be great for Autumn. I'm pleased because Models Own is easily my favourite brand and with these they're now able to keep up with Nail's Inc and 17, who have brought out 3D and magnetised polish respectively. I'm not sure which one I'll get yet but Pinky Brown is seeming mighty tempting as is Aqua Violet, which ever one I choose I am placing high hopes on any being better than the incredible let-down that was GOSH's Purple Heart.

The Beetlejuice Collection:
L-R: Golden Green, Pinky Brown, Purple Blue, Aqua Blue and Emerald Black
These colour changing nail varnishes will be available exclusively from the Models Own website from early November.

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Models Own website