The rain in Spain falls mainly on my window. That’s the problem with having skylights, and also living in a loft. I have to go out later, but I don’t really want to…
I hope everyone’s festive season was merry and dandy, and although it may be too much to ask, not all about conspicuous consumerism. I did see many a traveller on the Tube after Boxing Day clutching their bags full of unwanted presents. Ah gift receipts. Nature’s way of separating what you want from what you need. I’m a firm believer that the best gifts are the ones you need. That’s why I always ask for money or sweaters.
When I was EMAing it up in Belfast back in October, I knew it would be cold but crisp – and having a checked bag meant I um, got a tad enthusiastic about my outfit options. You never know, what a weekend with MTV may bring.
I was kindly loaned some Madeleine Thompson pieces to keep me warm. Oh cashmere upon cashmere. No twinsets to be seen here (although I am fond of the old lady look) or cutesy jumpers here but modern twists on classics. I do a lot of running around, and although I love dresses, they don’t tend to go well with my standard footwear of choice – Madeleine Thompson also has some great grungy pieces including my favourite piece, the Cobain dress.
A terrible photo of me nonetheless, my hair and my hat is obscuring my face. I thought I had a picture of me in the dress and I’ve been vainly hounding the others for a photo of me in it, but alas to no avail.
My birthday is in two months I’d like to add. Just putting that out there if you’re wondering what to get me..
Thankfully I am not in this video as I was hiding from the cameras.
The competition was run on Facebook by IKEA through the Sweepstakes app to win the chance to have a sleepover in IKEA for you and a friend. When I mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook, EVERYONE was jealous. Even more jealous then when I went to the EMAs and was in the same room as Justin Bieber. It’s the little things isn’t it?
Being press, we were picked up and taken there and upon arrival got a goody bag of stuff, including an eye mask, wind up torch, biscuits for midnight snacky times, toothbrush and toothpaste, and towels that we would need for sleepy times and then told to get into our pyjamas (not provided) and slippers which were provided. I wanted to rebel, but Katie told me to behave myself. I was really hoping someone would be wearing a silky inappropriate negligee, but alas, I was disappointed.
Hey guys, you’re missing out waking up next to this in the morning! (I’m talking about myself Katie)
Heading up to the restaurant to be pumped full of bullar (Swedish buns), biscuits, and cocoa – we then picked bedlinen (to keep) to go make our beds.
Myself and Katie made a plan to leg it to get the best bed, but it turns out we didn’t have to. Being press, we got an actual room suite. Ok, the ‘rooms’ in IKEA only have three walls and people kept wandering in, but and we had a modicum of privacy and we didn’t have to make our beds which I flaunted a lot. To everyone. I’m a dick, I know. Ah schaudenfraude.
Haha plebs. I also picked this bedlinen to take home.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t use our own bathroom. But we had our own Christmas tree!
IKEA laid on some very nice treats, which are things you would usually do on a sleepover, such as nails, a film, massages, but also a sleep expert whom we unfortunately didn’t get to regale with our sleeping issues, and um, a “celebrity” reading a bedtime story as well as cheerful IKEA staff bringing around cocoa and non- alcoholic mulled wine (in case anyone got lairy). I started chatting to some other people who had won the competition, but I ran into a Twihard when I was getting my nails done, who was really offended when I started laughing really hard about when she found out she would be her friend’s +1 at the cinema during “Breaking Dawn”. Whoops.
We got our nails did, chilled in our boudoir, kept bringing random stuffed toys into our adobe, and hissed at people coming in (I didn’t hiss, but close enough). Lewis from IKEA told us that we had inadvertently picked the nicest bedroom suite (and most expensive). Score! We kept drinking tea, watching episodes of Community on my BlackBerry PlayBook, and eating biscuits. A bad idea, I found. Not really the best idea for a narcoleptic and someone who suffers from frequent insomnia.
Lights out was at 11, and I was completely exhausted so I fell asleep straightaway, and then woke up at 1.30am. Bit odd to wake up surrounded by price tags. I then stayed awake until 5.30am. No wonder I had issues sleeping, I was hopped up on sugar.
We had to be out of bed at 6.30am. So I went on a little wander, as much of a wander you can have, because there was security and IKEA people around, taking us to a la bathroom, while I asked strange questions to the night watchman, including if anyone had ever died in IKEA (they hadn’t), and if he ever caught anyone in flagrante which he admitted he did. I didn’t see anyone indulging in sexy times in IKEA beds that weren’t theirs, but there was a lot of cuddly sleeping going on.
After telling me quite firmly that we wouldn’t be spooning, Katie kept inching closer and closer to me in the night. She says it was because I was hogging the quilt. Lies and mistruths. Katie was much impressed by the memory foam mattress, since my mum has one, I’m used to the fact it moulds to your butt.
After a ‘gentle’ awakening at 6.30am (read: “soothing” sounds over the loudspeaker) we dressed, had brekkie and then was taken back to civilisation, and I gifted my parents with all my IKEA treats. My mum asked if I had fun and was careful, and I responded to her that I did.
Thanks to IKEA and The Cake Group for inviting me to IKEA’s The Big Sleepover.
It’s been busy times since I got back from Belfast, and a lot of people have been asking for photos and what I did apart from the EMAs. And it’s the last Scene@ video, checking out the up and coming musical talent in Belfast, a new generation of creative musical talents are currently lapping up the opportunities that now flow more freely in the peaceful wake of their country’s historical troubles.
The weekend was a pretty busy one, Saturday was our Swatch Day and Sunday before the EMAs we went on a tour to the Bushmills Distillery and lunched at the Bushmills Inn. I can’t say how much I enjoyed going to Belfast. I’ve never been to Ireland, but I truly enjoyed it. The city is beautiful, the people are incredibly lovely and welcoming, and whole atmosphere leading up to the MTV EMAs was supercharged. Belfast was a great city to host the EMAs as everyone, I mean, EVERYONE was so excited. It was pretty cool to be somewhere where there was a ton of appreciation for the event. I’m from London, so I’m pretty jaded, and if the awards took place in London, you know everyone would be complaining about roads being blocked off and hordes of screaming teenagers. But in Belfast, they just didn’t care about that. Enthusiasm abound it was, and it was brilliant.
I had the pleasure of meeting Faye Dinsmore when I went to Belfast for the MTV EMAs. Faye is Ireland’s most successful model, signed to IMG, and just an incredibly nice girl to boot. We all went to the Bushmills Distillery together (which I am still yet to post on) and I discovered that she really likes Sudoku. She’s also Swatch MTV Playground’s 4th guest editor, and discusses in her 2nd video about how she created a platform for Ireland’s most burgeoning designers and creatives.
Although I wouldn’t say Jessie J is my musical cup of tea (although I do think she has an amazing voice and is very talented) I do like how she champions and wears a lot of British designers, with a lot of them just starting out. It’s extremely difficult to be a designer at any time, let alone in this current economic climate. Having an musical artist wear your pieces, is a huge coup and gets you great exposure, especially when your star just keeps on rising, like Jessie J. She also managed to do 4 outfits in one night, and my favourite was definitely this one.
When she stepped out on the red (pink!) carpet after her performance, she was wearing a Falguni and Shane Peacock printed dress with white Dr Martens, as she can’t wear heels as her foot is still healing. This was definitely my favourite look from her and I love that print. Shows how you can keep an outfit simple, but also striking.
Everyone has a odd crush. Or in my case, I have several. Let me count the ways: Stephen Mangan, Greg Davies, that old kind of veiny forearmed guy from The Kooples ads – there are many more. When I was younger, all the girls I knew fancied Nick from Backstreet Boys or JC Chasez (no-one fancied Justin until he shaved his curly mop. I personally had a soft spot for Joey Fatone). I really fancied Anthony Kiedis (the first white guy to make white guy rapping acceptable, and no I don’t count Marky Mark). Even more so after I read his autobiography, Scar Tissue. What can I say, I like them complicated.
When I found out that MTV Playground would be taking me to the MTV EMA’s in Belfast I at first didn’t believe it and told them to stop pulling my leg – but it then sunk in, and I was over the moon when I heard RHCP would be performing (due to said crush on Anthony Kiedis and general fan of the band and always wanting to see them live).
However imagine the sadness when I found out (in the Odyssey Arena) that RHCP wouldn’t be performing in the arena but down the road at an intimate gig at Ulster City Hall for 1000 fans.
Part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers set was shown on the screen in the arena. Teasing me! I managed to go through Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief in a 3 minute chunk (a new personal best). I did find out afterwards that they spread the artists around at the Odyssey Arena (main show), Ulster City Hall (RHCP) and Belfast City Hall (Snow Patrol, Jason Derulo) but alas so close, but yet so far. Now it’s back to mournfully thumbing through my copy of Scar Tissue. Well, this time we were only about a kilometre apart, next time, perhaps half.
Instead of rolling out the red carpet for the slebs at the EMA’s, MTV chose pink. Why – I’m not sure, but it matched Katy Perry who was easily my favourite look of the night. Since my favourite part of any awards ceremony is the red carpet (or pink) and dissecting the looks because after the show starts is when I get emotional, and I don’t like to be emotional.
Onwards ho!
Best “My mum’s not here and I’ll do what I like”
I get that Rizzle Kicks were trying to be cute and portray that they’re young, fun and trendy but that is no excuse for sloppy presentation. Tuck your shirts in!
Best bling bling
Alrite I know this is his mayor necklace, but Niall Ó Donnghaile is Belfast’s youngest Lord Mayor at 25, and could have dressed like someone in his age group, but instead he chose to be boss and whip out his chain. Also Americans don’t know what a mayor necklace is and would have just thought he was a rich white rapper.
Best “hip” portrayal of blue collar workers
Coldplay aren’t really the suited and booted type, but I didn’t expect them to turn up in their painter’s overalls. And who’s the dark haired guy next to Chris Martin? He’s pretty hot.
**UPDATE** Found out it’s Guy Berryman and I checked Wikipedia and look what it said…
I AGREE.
Best Matchy Matchy
Katy Perry wears Jeremy Scott on the MTV EMA’s 2011 Pink Carpet.
Did someone tell her the carpet was gonna be pink – or did she just do a Pink Lady look? Either way, I really want pink hair.
Second Best Matchy Matchy and Man Style
Bruno Mars gets my vote for not only matching the pink carpet, but getting his Hooligans to all wear the same. And his stage ensemble was even better – I’m really digging his 50s Barbershop Quartet vibe.
Best Cutie Patootie
I’ll be honest, I had no idea who Selena Gomez was before the EMA’s, but she is hella adorable. And I loved all of her outfits (which I will also post on) but my favourite after her sparkly purple stage outfit is this cream Marchesa gown. It’s sexy without being OTT or giving her a jailbait look (are you listening Miley?)
I reblogged this photo off T Magazine’s blog on my Tumblr a while ago, because I’ve always wanted to try glittery eyebrows in a shoot. Or IRL. I think I have quite nice shaped eyebrows, and I own a shit ton of glitter (because I also like to make things). I haven’t seen anyone else try it, since glitter removal is kind of a bitch (once you glitter, you can never ever truly rid yourself of it) but it looks pretty cool.
So guess who glittered up recently..
Thought it was an glitter tattoo (like those lip tattoos) but looking up close, seems the make up artist did it with a stencil and then freehand. I got paintbrushes, glitter, and a lot of adhesives. Let’s go.
Lady Gaga on the red carpet after winning Best Female, Best Song and Best Video awards at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 at Odyssey Arena on November 6, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Images via Getty.
I have just returned (well last night) from Belfast from the most jam packed, incredible and absolutely epic weekend of my (almost) quarter century life (I’m 24). What an unbelievable experience. Where to start – I’m not even sure. The past 48 hours (and then some) went by in a magical, magnificent blur – and I savoured every moment of it. I will be posting up all what I got up to this weekend, and what myself and my fellow bloggers all did – but for now in this post, I want to say a huge thank you to MTV Playground and Swatch for choosing me to go to the MTV EMA’s 2011 in Belfast.
When I started this blog back in 2010, it was a place for me to post up what interested me and lot’s of silly stuff too – never once did I think I would have the readership I did today and be approached by MTV to be part of their network and then taken to the EMA’s. In the words of Bruno Mars:
“Kids, follow your dreams. I’m sorry, that was corny.”
I am Sabrina, someone who loved fashion and fell into it purely by accident. I'm an accidental stylist (truly an accident) and journalist. I also know a lot about the internet and social media. I have worked for MTV, Time Out, The Sunday Times Style and Cosmpolitan to name a few. My portfolio has nice photos. Once I had to dance up on Kevin Bacon dressed as a tiger.
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