Blogging, for me, has changed. Last year, I really thought I knew where I was at. To be completely honest, looking back, a lot of stuff I put out on the internet makes me cringe to the nth degree. However I started “taking things a little more seriously” last January, with a little effort it was completely overwhelming how many brands were willing to send me stuff and invite me to events… the stuff I thought I wanted out of the whole experience was fairly easy to achieve and was no where near as good as I expected… Reflecting on all of that in 2017, I’m actually not that proud of much of the content I created over the previous 12 months.

Seriously, this article I wrote about Creating content for free was probably one of the only things I actually liked. I enjoyed writing it and the reaction that it got as well. Most of the other stuff was pretty dead if I’m completely honest, but thanks to those of you who actually took a look anyway.

I started publishing stuff on the internet many years ago, un-intentional content that usually had a pretty good message behind it (my old youtube channel still hosts plenty). Creations that came out of using my collection of cameras and documenting my actual life, not some fabricated, meaningless, outfit post… Although I’m not going stop covering my fits, when I do it’s got to hold some depth...

Having dug through old hard drives of pictures and videos, I now feel pretty inspired to work toward some better goals this year, rather than pushing to get out heaps of blog posts out every week. So stay irregularly tuned and keep on top of my instagram for a more honest representation of my life in twenty seventeen. For now enjoy some stills that I captured many moons ago on a selection of 35mm cameras.

I’m also moving into a new home imminently, when my solicitors pull their finger out, so expect a nice slow start too.

Twenty Seventeen.

1.18.2017 Margate, UK

It's now November... that means that two thousand and seventeen is rapidly approaching... this year has, naturally, flown by and as the end of it comes closer I'm on a mission to refresh my wardrobe. I'm currently displaying a ton of my wears on eBay in a bid to build up the finances to almost start a all over again.

Although I'm in a lucky position to have the money to go out and buy new clothes when I want to... I say lucky, my everyday job has a chocka work schedule that see's me doing 4am - 5pm days 80% of the week to earn that privilege... My purchases have been incredibly impulsive and un-thought out over the past year to be completely frank. I know there's plenty of people who are in the same boat as me and end up with a ton of nonsensical items kicking around their wardrobe. I always buy stuff I love, but on occasion those things just don't quite fit with my lifestyle and end up on the hanger or in their box gathering dust.

COS ROUND NECK WOOL TOP | YMC TROUSERS | NIKE SB X 917 BLAZER LOW GT

My aim with all this is to develop a more capsule and utilitarian wardrobe, one that will be ten times more cohesive and where each item makes sense with one another. Amongst the handful of things I'm actually taking with me into the future are some solid basics like this COS wool sweater that is spot on and these super simple navy trousers. I also want to keep these Nike SB X 917 Blazer low GT's... mouthful... so I can use them for skateboarding and wear them into the ground. That's the utilitarian box ticked, so it's a good start.

With all that said, I'm soon going to be on the hunt for basics. Feel free to send through your recommendations via the comments or social media! Thanks for Reading, James.
Instagram | Bloglovin | Twitter

32.// REFRESH.

11.02.2016 Margate, UK

Until a couple of years ago I was never someone to stray far away from jeans... I've always liked denim and still do... I could wax lyrical about how denim ages and becomes unique over time, but you already know that... However over the last couple of months I've been on the hunt for a decent sweatshirt and sweat pant co-ord to add to my arsenal. Something that would be suitable to wear out of the house on a lazy sunday and not just a set pulled of the shelf at my local JD.

CROWTHER/PLANT INDIGO ALL AT SEA SWEATSHIRT, ORGANIC TEE & INDIGO SWEATPANTS | AMI RUNNING SNEAKERS

That's where the guys over at CROWTHER/PLANT stepped in. Their design led approach to "sports-luxe" has hit the nail on the head. A tracksuit made in England with a more tailored approach and some incredible stitch details.. This particular one is actually indigo dyed too, that makes it extra sweet right?... It's also comfortable as hell, so you'll probably catch me jumping into this when I get home from work in the evenings.
I paired it with my AMI runners, which I've been wearing to death recently on a part of them being incredibly hard wearing. They also make this whole fit even more comfortable, so I'm fully championing that "c0zy Boi" aesthetic.

If you haven't already seen previous posts about CROWTHER/PLANT then definitely take a look back at when I first met them here and see how they use the indigo dying process here.

Thanks for Reading, James.
Instagram | Bloglovin | Twitter | Youtube

31.// Championing Cozy.

10.24.2016 Margate, UK

I recently recommended a friend some skin care products to use and a few weeks on he keeps telling me how f’ing good they are… It prompted me to thinking about putting a new products post together for the blog. I know everyones skin/hair types are really different and I’ve come across multiple items that work for one person and not for another, but I felt this little bunching of goods is pretty universal. Also having a lot of time to kill on my incredibly chilled holiday in Halkidiki allowed me to really use all these products a lot and also get to grips with working them into my daily routine.

Thanks to the major hair care plug at Solarium Point, I’ve been able to try out this Bumble and Bumble Hair Dressers Trio Travel set. My hair dries out a lot in the sun and ends up going pretty blonde, having just had a loose perm too I was undoubtably going to end up looking like Justin Timberlake circa ’98, so first and foremost I needed some products that would help nourish my locks. Victoria and I also wanted to only carry one set of hair care products between us so we could pack a bit lighter, this little collection covers a pretty wide range of hair types so makes for a safe option when travelling.

The real gold for me though is the Primer… I’d never even heard of primers before I went to Solarium point and was introduced to Bumble and Bumble… I seriously think these should be marketed at men way more than they are. Spray the solution on your hair before shoving any styling product in, it actually gives your product a way better base to go onto and has the added bonus of protection against UV damage. It also smells incredible, as do the shampoo and conditioner.

BUMBLE & BUMBLE HAIRDRESSERS TRIO FROM SOLARIUM POINT

Being a constant shaver, seeing as my facial hair just screams “struggle beard”, shaving products are pretty important to my skin care routine. I recently used a low end shaving soap that was terrible for my skin and lead to me breaking out a little… It was inevitable it would happen at some point I guess… However, having recently tried their charcoal rescue masque I knew their standards of skin care were pretty high, so I trusted Dermalogica to deliver when it came to this invigorating shave gel. I forgot how good a decent shaving product feels and I can highly recommend forking out for this. It's pretty suitable for most skin types too. Containing a mix of ingredients that soothes your face pre shave to fight razor burn and prevents your skin being aggravated post shave too, it's a real easy addition to morning ritual.

DERMALOGICA INVIGORATING SHAVE GEL

For my birthday I received this Grooming kit through Mr Porter, which is actually a great deal if you’re up for testing out a selection of products. Personally I think it’s pretty good value for money and is perfect if you need travel supplies stat. Some of them have become favourites of mine including the Erno Laszlo's Antioxidant Complex eye cream… which has a really forgettable name but works incredibly well… and this Lab Series Future rescue repair serum, both of which I’m going to re-up on when I’m back from holiday. However in this post I wanted to focus on the Clinique Mens broad spectrum moisturiser and Ren skincare’s anti pollution mist, both of which have been amazing throughout the last couple of months.

CLINIQUE FOR MEN BROAD SPECTRUM MOISTURISER | REN SKINCARE FLASH DEFENCE ANTI POLLUTION MIST

Obviously the SPF 21 in the Clinique has been it’s main attraction. However after using it for a couple of months, I can’t say a bad word about it. It’s normally inevitable that moisturisers with SPF in will make your skin more greasy and shiny, but compared to others I’ve tried this Clinique seems to be as matte as your going to get whilst protecting yourself from the sun. It also goes on pretty easy and doesn’t feel like you’re whacking emulsion on your face… Give it a try if you’re venturing to do outdoorsy business this autumn… As for the Anti Pollution mist from Ren, in all honestly its probably something I would have deemed useless if I hadn’t of got it in this gift box. You’re probably thinking the same thing if you’re still paying attention. However it’s been a handy tool to have in my bag whilst travelling and working long drawn out days. You literally spray it on throughout the day to rejuvenate and help detoxify your skin, keeping it looking healthier and generally on point for longer. Seriously this new skin care companion will be with me all year round now.

I’m always on the hunt for new skin care stuff that’ll post-pone the inevitability of one day drying up, so let me know if you’ve landed on any gold recently. Thanks for reading, James.

29.// Six Grooming items I like right now.

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