Last year we were lucky enough to attend the very first Britain's Next Top Model Live and had a fantastic time. This year it's back at BINTM Live and thanks to the lovely folk at Stuart Higgins PR you could be there too.

Based on the hugely successful show BINTM Live returns to the ExCel centre in London with a whole host of events, stands and experiences to make this a top fashion day out. All the girls from the series, including of course winner Jade Thompson, will be walking in the spectacular catwalk event as well as being in the press area for photo calls with Judges Charley Speed and Grace Woodward.

For the aspiring models out there be sure to check out the open catwalk, hosted by Charlotte from last year's show, plus that was where Jade herself was first spotted.

For a chance to win one of five pairs of tickets answer this questioin

Who won this year's BINTM?

send your answers to rachel@britishstylebloggers.org.uk by 7pm on Wednesday 19th October to be in with a chance.

For a second entry tweet "I want to win go to BINTM Live please @British_Style!"

Terms and Conditions

• This offer is open to UK residents only.
• One tweet and email per person please, it only clogs up my inbox and duplicate entries will not be counted.
• Tickets are valid for just one day of the three day event and are admission only.
• Tickets are non transferable.
• Complimentary tickets obtained through this offer may not be duplicated as all tickets will be scanned on entry to the show.

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Figuratively leafing through blogs and style guides the A/W trends are emerging already, and the one that keeps cropping up is Fetish. My first thought when I saw this was PVC, whips and weird sexual things and some of the images aren’t that far off. Step forward the woman that set it off as with many other trends Miss Moss.

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As with many other trends I just can’t see how this is going to be transferred to the high street in a way that won’t mean tacky PVC shorts and thigh high stockings with typical clothes. ASOS’ trend report paints a slightly better image but still not one very wearable by Miss Public. I suggested this to my friend ,who is also pursuing a career in fashion, last week and her answer was “no its not and isn’t supposed to be, it’s a fantasy” but is that the right way to go about it? Is all fashion meant to be acceptable or can we just put some fashion down to being “part of the show”?

Fashion has always been a bit of a stage show and creating mystique but I still think that is something is a major trend they should be wearable and affordable, breaking the industries illusion that you have to buy the most ex0pensive pieces to stay with the trends.

This month here on BSB is childhood month, because we think that you should never grow up and remember how much you loved life before you cared what others thought.

When I was thinking of writing this I knew clearly that I wanted to write about my career goals, alot of us have silly dreams of what we want to do (such as my sister, who may kill me for this, wanted to be a Jockey) but looking at my life now my original plans have kinda happened despite all the dips I've had. I still remember the assembly my year 2 or 3 class gave when I was seven or eight in which we all had to stand and say what we wanted to be when we grew up, though I can't remember all the details I know my answer was something along the lines of

"When I grow up I want to own a clothes and shoe shop so I can find lots of lovely things and sell them to rich ladies and my friends"

A silly childhood dream you might say and it was quickly forgotten when I realised my love of writing, and so I thought my desire to teach children. But I think in some way I have always gone back to my love of fashion. And as you all know a couple of years ago I realised that Fashion was where my heart lay and took the leap. And that's another thing that my childhood taught me- if you don't take a chance it will pass you by.  So yes while I realised that owning a clothes shop was not my lives dream, I knew that my heart lay in Fashion as it had since I was a child.

In a way I still feel the same about fashion as I did when I ws younger- my heart almost skipping a beat when I find the perfect piece, saving for a big item (even though that doesn't tend to be a clown necklace any more), seeing well made pieces and thinking how they could be recreated or perfected, planning outfits in advance and each time I get that girlish thrill like I did when I was young.

Of course I know that in some ways I will have to "grow up" eventually, and in some ways I already have. This time next year I will be living away from home in a different city to my family (it's only fourty five minutes away but still) and I am more than excited for this but I hope I never lose the imagination and dreams my childhood gave me.

I'm only at the beginning of my career but I've loved fashion since I was seven (thats fifteen years if anyone's counting), I hope that one day I can look back and say I've lived my childhood dream.

Hello everyone, hope 2011 is treating you well so far. Before I begin I’m going to explain what’s happening for one month only. At the end of the month myself and Amy our lovely editor are going to be launching something very special, so because of that we will be sharing each other’s columns.

Introducing 2o11 the year of “us”!

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RACHEL:

2010 was tough and amazing at the same time for me, I had some struggles still hanging over from the previous year but I fought through those and had some amazing opportunities. Most importantly I began to believe in myself again and this year I know that if I work hard ad stay focussed I can achieve near enough anything. By the end of this year I would like to be able to say that I  finished college, got into my top Uni choice, have gone to a top fashion event and most importantly had the most fun ever.

Ever since I realised my fashion dream I have known that I wanted to go to London College of Fashion so everything I have done so far has been building up to that. I finally took the leap in December and applied there, this year I will continue to build up my portfolio and stick in at college to achieve my ultimate dream.

In my life nothing has ever been handed to me on a plate so if you want to catch your dream you have to chase it.

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AMY:

I don’t know about you, but I really love reading blogs about other people’s lives. It’s fascinating in that it lets you live their dreams, and see their hopes, and it helps you to shape your own.

One of my biggest dreams in life has always been to travel. I’ve seen a lot of Western Europe, and a tiny bit of America, but it’s a really really big world - who wouldn’t want to see it?

As I write this, then, I’m crossing my fingers a lot. I’ve applied for a year abroad with my university, in either Australia or Canada, and in a few days time I should find out what’s happening. I would love more than anything to have a year in the sunshine, spending New Year at the harbour bridge in Sydney - or to go to Montreal, perfect my (Canadian French) and head down to New York for some time to live out a daydream.

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So, what are your dreams, hopes, and ambitions for the coming year? This year, we promise it can be the year of “us”.

Lots of love and hugs, Rach & Amy xxx

Hi everyone, well Christmas is well and truly in the air isn’t it? No matter what or how you celebrate it no doubt your family have traditions, that no matter how silly they seem to others, to you they mean the world.

I have quite a big family; nine grandchildren, four aunts, four uncles and of course my Nana and Granda (and that’s without the assorted great relatives and second and third cousins) and of course we all lead quite different lives so Christmas is really the only time we can all get together.

The main tradition involves my Granda. Although us grandchildren range from eight to twenty one every Christmas day my Granda wears a Santa suit to give us our presents. And although we all really *know* who it is, it never loses its magic. As you can see his Santa suit also incorporates his love which is just as great as the kind he has for his family, it’s in Sunderland stripes!

The Christmas which I remember the most for massive reasons is 2005. Two month earlier I had been rushed into hospital where I was eventually diagnosed with Lupus (SLE). I was in and out of hospital during that time leading up to Christmas, the last stay was 21st December. The main reason that 2005 meant so much to me and my family was because for a short time there was doubt that I would be there to celebrate it. But I was and that meant more to us than any present. The picture below is me and my Granda that Christmas day, I may look quite gaunt but in truth it was the happiest I’d ever felt.

My Cause This Christmas:

That is why my cause for Christmas is Lupus UK. They strive to educate, support and advise those who have Lupus, are undergoing diagnosis or may never have heard of Lupus. The chronic illness is more common than AIDS, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and Cystic Fibrosis combined yet there is still far less awareness. Lupus cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and the key to helping others is through education.

Head over to the Lupus UK site lupusuk.org.uk to find out more information on the illness, the charity and what you can do to help.

A fortnight ago some of us BSB girls were lucky enough to get press passes to BNTM Live and whilst we had an amazing time being treated like stars *teehee* we were also on the look-out for fantastically dressed people. There is an album on our Facebook page with all the photos in (and hopefully more this week!) but here are our favourites

Lots of bows mixed with denim and backcombed hair to create this girly yet edgy look

Possibly our favourite look of the day was this couple- Josie and Paddy- who we spotted just before the catwalk show.  They remind us of a gangster and his moll with an elegant twist and we love it!

This girl is geekily cool in pulled up socks, specs and brogues with clashing prints.

Friends Sally (Blonde) and Emily are stark contrasts; one dressed quite edgily in faux fur, chains and fitted trousers, the other more ladylike in a floaty shirt and tailored shorts.

Millie looks lovely and Autumnal in her high waisted red skirt teamed with black lace, the outift is complimented perfectly by her pale skin and hair.

At first we thought Athena was a model for the KISS open catwalk but it turns out she customised this velvet dress herself,  the flowers really set it off.

Lot's more images can be seen on the Facebook Album. Thank you to all the people we took photo's of and our photographers Becky, Sarah, Rachel and Sophie

Hi everyone and welcome to the month of inspiration at BSB. This month we aim to help inspire you, tell us what inspires us, delve deeper into what inspiration really is and more than anything give you ammunition to inspire others.

As much as it pains me to say this, I guess I have began inspiring others, I have had so much inspiration in my life and amazing friends who I felt that could really do with realising how beautiful both inside and out they are. I also wanted to inspire anyone who read my blog; it’s a great platform to get a message out after all so what better message is there than “you can do this”. Discussing it with a few friends I came up with Miss Polkadot’s Kick Arse Females. An initiative with just a few motives

• Freedom
• Inspiration
• Beauty
• Truth
• Happiness
• Confidence

By setting fortnightly questions I feel that I have really gotten into the souls of my readers and more than anything made them realise that true inspiration comes from within. We can have all the role models we want, but if we don’t have it inside of us what are we going to do.

One of my friends told me not so long ago “there’s a difference between knowing and believing” simply put you can go “I know, I can do this, you’re right I know” but to actual say “I am going to do this I believe in myself” is a phenomenal step. And believe me (hur hur see what I did there) it took a lot for me to say, “ I can do this, I believe in me even if you don’t” but one day you will. But before you can reach anything you need a goal to aim for; it can be anything that you wish for your future from getting into uni to feeling comfortable in jeans -both I am aiming towards- then work towards it, not everything comes to you.

Go out and get it girls

I believe in you.

Love as always, Rachel x

Happy Sunday one and all, as the title suggests we have a very exciting giveaway for you all, during the 22nd-24th October ExCel on London's Docklands will be hosting BNTM Live. An exciting weekend based on the hit show it is billed to be “London’s Biggest fashion and beauty fix, every girl’s essential event for this Season’s trends”. There will be a champagne bar, live catwalk shows featuring all the girls from the current series, an open catwalk for you to strut your stuff and a papparazzi zone brought to you by Company Magazine.

On top of that; visitors will also be given an amazing opportunity to audition for Series 7 of the show. The big names announced so far are Emma Willis and Diana Vickers. Annnd (not near as good as Vickers and Emma) I have been invited to the event as press!

So how do I enter I hear you ask?

BNTM Live are offering lucky British Style Bloggers members and readers the chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to one of the three days of the event. All you have to do is answer the following question

Which venue will host Britain’s Next Top Model Live 2010?

Email you answer to me ar rachel.britishstyle@gmail.com

*Terms and conditions

1. This offer is only open to UK residents who can travel to London that weekend
2. Competition winners tickets are valid for any one day of the show between the 22nd and the 24th October 2010, to Britain’s Next Top Model Live at ExCel London
3. Tickets are non transferable
4. Complimentary tickets obtained through this offer may not be duplicated.
   
5. All tickets will be scanned on entry to the show
   
6. The closing date for this competition is 7th October at 7pm GMT time

To find out more about the event click HERE, where you can also apply for press accreditation

Good luck everyone!

Rachel

xoxo

September is generally the month of change for alot of people, especially those starting a new college or university. For me September will be my first step towards achieving my dreams. I know from first hand experience how scary it can be starting something new; especially if its out of your comfort zone in one way or another. So to help you in some tiny way I thought I'd bring you a few little ways to calm you down.

Shop

This is definately no shock that I've included this really is it? But I do believe that shopping does relieve stress and its (probably) scientifically proven too cos it no doubt produces happy chemicals when you find a bargain. So to start college, uni or a new job you will of course need some lovely new stationary and a bag and maybe even that dress you saw in New Look so why not take some time from packing and stressing to go to town with your best friends, maybe even stop by a coffee shop (or bar) on your way home.

Have a big send off

Once again this can include afore mentioned best friend and family. So go see a movie, order takeaway, have a night out but whatev er you do leave the worries and sadness at home. Play a silly game, adopt a new accent etc and laugh until your sides ache! If you're moving away or going to a college or uni different to your friends this will also be a lovely little reminder that you will stay in touch.

Organise

Find out where you need to be, what times, the nearest shops, pack your bag and everything else before your first day and you wont be as stressed when the day arrives. Also if you are travelling try doing a practise run beforehand so you don't get lost or are late.

As I mentioned earlier September is the month I start chasing my dreams, I shall be starting back at college and yes I'm very nervous but I'm also very excited and feel very lucky to be able to work towards my dreams. I just hope others can too.

After christmas and my birthday summer is probably my favourite time of year. Those few weeks of sunshine we get a year have such a great affect on us Brits, we can wear a dress without tights and even better eat icecream in public and not feel freezing or silly!

My favourite place to spend a summers day is my grandparents back garden- ok so that's obviously not it above. Growing up I didn't play out in the street like other kids, we were down our grandparents most days but I'm one of nine grandchildren so there was always a new adventure to be had in the garden. Our granda's garden- first thing first, it was granda's garden- was almost magical. Through the eyes of an eight year old it went on forever. It had a patio area where we could have our tea and dinner outside all grown up like, a huge stratch of grass with a massive swing set, a leak trench- a trench for leaks, we used to like sneaking into this, no I still don't know why- a fish pond with super fast fish and silly ornaments, two sheds, one for plants another for junk and LOADS of flowers and plants.

This may seem pretty ordinary or mundane to you and in a tiny way it does to me too but I still love granda's garden- it's a bit more grown up now though with a decking area and no leak trench but my youngest cousin is 8 and she enjoys it just as much as I did even without the leak trench or swing set or rabbit- how could I forget him he used to burrow underneeth his cage and play in the garden with us. Anyway nostalgia fest over, my point is that summer is magical, we can act like children in summer and it's allowed! we can go to beaches and just the waves or build a sandcastle, we can ride merry-go-rounds- ok just me?

My favourite story as a kid was Alice in wonderland so I would always like to imagine that my granda's garden and new gardens or parks we visited had a magical secret behind them like the plants talked when we werent there or flys were really rocking horse flies or bread-and-butterflies. I was an imaginative child ok, which I wouldn't have changed for the world, who wants to live in a boring world anyway?

But now though being adults we can make summer magical with a grown up twist, we can wear the big sunnies but now they're chic! We can have afternoons in gardens with wine. everything's better in the summer, afternoon drinking doesnt even seem so bad! But we should never forget though hpw magic it was as children finding new things to play with, new adventures and the things we thought were cool at the time- the one thing that springs to mind here is the week meand my sister made my grandas junk shed into our "den" with a tiny black and white tv, deck chairs and car stickers in the window, again dont ask. The one thing I learnt in my teen years is don't grow up too soon, cos adult life is no where near as fun as being a kid!

So to complete this ramble I thought I'd list some things you can do for very little money to let our your inner flower child

• spend an afternoon in a field with your best friend giggling and making daisy chains
• buy some fairy wings and skip around a park
• buy some really really pretty accessories
• go to a playground and hog the swings
• have a slushie
• go to a beach or fairground
• bake cookies or cupcakes and lick the bowl out
• camp out in your back garden and stay up telling ghost stories
• go see a band you loved when you were younger, local outdoor festivals often feature has-beens or old singers and alot are FREE!

So there you have it, I think the sun really has gone to my head, I'm off for a lie down, but you lot go have fun and don't be afraid if looking silly!