Melonz

Roll up, roll up come and get a copy of Melonz!!! Plus, check out all the other 3rd year media talent at Birmingham City University’s School of Media and Communications.

Where did you say? Fazeley Studios in Digbeth Birmingham!

Date and time? Today 11th June and tomorrow 12th June 6.00pm-8.00pm!

Who’s invited? YOU! 

See you there!

After my near emotional melt down in the last blog post about how awesome Nat and Kat have been throughout the Melonz production process, I went and bought them (and myself) a Melonz related treat- a melon slice necklace to be precise- to say thank you. Arr yes yes I know how very nice of me… stop, I’m blushing.

I got these rather fitting beauties from a delightful website called Temporary Secretary for only £7 a pop-bargain! The content of Temporary Secretary has an abundance of sweet treats such as cake rings, ice cream and cupcake necklaces and love heart and pencil studs- I had to physically restrain myself from buying the whole (online) shop.

PLUS I’ve developed a HUGE crush on one certain little fella-Little Gingy- who, in the product description is described as a more friendly and cute Phil Mitchell, I enjoyed this.

“Erm Gingy… will you be my boyfriend please? I think this could be love.”

I must also thank Temporary Secretary for not only the yum melon slices but also for the great customer service. My Paypal account wasn’t being my mate on the day I ordered them but Temporary Secretary came straight to my rescue and all was resolved quickly and efficiently and my slices arrived bang on time. In all- excellent business!

I will take pics of the Melonz team with their new Melonz medals at our final year exhibition ‘Blood, Sweat and Media’ at Fazeley studios in Birmingham on the 11^th and 12^th June between 6-8pm. I will do another post about the exhibition very soon!!!  

Apologies for our absence, we promise we’ve not been bunking off, in-fact quite the opposite- we’ve been working like super troopers both day and night on the first issue.. which my friends will be printed next Wednesday! Eeek!

The Melonz team have been having regular meetings throughout each week to keep up to date with one-another’s progress and with each meeting my celebratory dance has become more complex, it’s looking goood!!! Kat, the Indesign wizard has been working her magic on the design with her new toy- wacom tab- honestly, I’ve never seen her looking so content. Nat has been scoring some great interviews as well as attending gigs a-plenty (very showbiz) to fill you in on all the latest info on the West Mids talent. I’ve been typing lots too spurred by copious amounts of Nescafe (hmm they should sponsor me?) and hopefully you’ll enjoy reading the treats I’ve bagged. We’ve also been doing a lot of the behind the scenes ’serious’ business too- research, applying for funding, arranging printing, advertising and distribution, which I can honestly say hasn’t been as thrilling as producing the content, but hey.

At the beginning of the production of Melonz we were told that we wouldn’t be speaking at the final stages of the first issue- how very wrong! We’re as strong as ever, with guns of steel! POW POW! Both Nat and Kat have been awesome help throughout, any quibble or query I’ve had I’ve pressed speed dial and voila they’ve been there with a answer… goodness me I sound like I doing an acceptance speech but it has been truly emotional (I’m listening to Massive Attack, this is the effect it has on me).

I must admit though the production process hasn’t always been plain sailing, but this is due to technology blips and boy they’ve had us in a tizz. For instance my Mac, I have learnt that you should never eat granary toast whilst at your computer, it leads to huge amounts of stress and dodgy keys. I ran into the Apple shop craddling my prized possession like a child wearing my ‘comfy clothes’ with a coat thrown over the top. It was like a scene from casualty, dodging people to get to the ‘Genius Bar’ with a face that said “HELP, HELP, SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!”. Granary seed removed and hey presto I was back in business and Melonz work has since continued smoothly, phew.

Okay dokey, ramble over. Melonz are meeting up tomorrow so I’ll keep you posted on the progress on my celebratory moves and of course the Melonz mag very final on-goings before print. Cheerio.  

If you follow Melonz on Twitter your life will be better, your life will be better: click on me and follow now!

Ebay is my guilty pleasure, well I say guilty but I am quite open and proud about it. I love to bid, sell and watch and perhaps spend far too many hours browsing for a bargain. 

My favorite things to browse are vintage clothes (surprise surprise, as if I haven’t banged on about it enough). Having accepted the fact that my height restricts trouser and jean purchases I have become some what of a dress and jumper pervert. One of my all time favorite Ebay shops that combines my love of vintage, dresses and jumpers is Yellow Jelly.

They sell mens and women’s vintage clothing and accessories ranging from 1930’s to the 1980’s. Hand picking the best quality and cuts they list one of a kind pieces on quirky-beautiful models throughout the week and throughout the year, which as a result has got me hooked. 

Their prices are pretty reasonable too, accessories starting at £4.99 to dresses, skirts, cardies and jackets starting at £9.99. Some items are more popular than others and you may find yourself in a bidding battle but if you win the feeling is immense! Ebay is the only competitive sport I play. 

After proving to be a huge hit with other vintage lovers alike they have now opened their first shop in Newcastle Upon Tyne (19A Ridley Place). Envious that it isn’t closer to home I will continue to support Yellow Jelly by perverting and purchasing in the hope that one day in the near future I will be able to swan around one of their shops in Birmingham, I’m sincerely keeping my fingers crossed.

Also check out their Myspace to keep up to date with all their latest news.

Confession time- I’ve recently been neglecting the Melonz blog which is frankly terrible. After being bombarded with other work the Melonz blog has literally been taking a back seat, a little holiday you could say. 

However I have been working like a (super) trooper putting together content for the first issue, let me divulge in bullet points:

• The man of the month has been photographed. Jules couldn’t make it at last minute but Melonz handled this well, securing another equally as HOT model the night before the shoot. The pictures, well lets put it this way they will have you weak at your knees.

• I went to a burlesque dance taster session to write a review. Now this was an experience and a half as my ‘moves’ are not the least bit sexy or seductive but I had fun and hope that  the review will be some what entertaining.

• From the feedback we have received from our blog it is apparent that our audience want to read food/restaurant reviews and hey that is fine with us. Were now looking for the best places for you to dine and we cant wait to start testing them out. Melonz are BIG foodies!

• The fact that our audience like to enjoy a lovely alcoholic beverage also stuck out like a sore thumb in our research which we kindly second. Therefore info on cocktails you will have! Working with the pro’s of cocktails at The Island Bar in Birmingham to get the very best advice on the best concoctions. 

• I have already covered the beautiful Bow and Crossbones jewelry on here but whilst I’ve been in contact with them I have found more exciting news about their plans for this year which I feel I should share with you in the first issue. They have also let me use their recent photo-shoot which will look great!

• There is a possibility that Pat Sharp will be contributing to the ‘Mullet Corner’ feature. This excites me greatly! Who better than the King of- business at the front, party at the back- to get involved.

Okay, this is brief and I’m keeping the rest under wraps for the time being. Oh what a difference a blog makes, I feel a little more clear about what I have done. 

Image from Flickr by Pollovf

Today I visited the Top Banana Vintage Clothes Fair at the Hare and Hound pub in Kings Heath, holding small stalls of jewelry and clothing from the 40’s to the 80’s. Being able to browse with a pint in your hand made this a perfect saturday afternoon outing.

It was a relaxed, intimate event with dim lighting, 60’s music and really friendly staff who were happy to talk about their products. Sometimes I find these kind of events intimidating, full of young fashionistas but this wasn’t. It was comfortable and enjoyable, packed with people who have a passion for vintage of all ages and different tastes.

There wasn’t a mass of clothing on each stall and I liked this fact. The clothing and jewelry available had obviously been carefully found and picked to provide their customers with quality not quantity.

It was like a walk in, dream dressing up box with tea dresses, jackets, brooches, hats and hair fascinations. The whole thing was put together nicely to match the style of the garments, the jewelry was laid out upon dressing tables and the clothes hung from satin padded hangers, all nice touches I felt.

Not far from the venue was the Top Banana shop, small but fantastic if you like to dress head to toe in vintage or prefer to combine old with new, I’m sure that you will find something that you like.

Yes, its all very nice me telling you something that you may have missed out on but there is another very soon on the 4th of April. Same venue: Hare and Hound in Kings Heath, same time: 11am-4.30pm, I will be there. If your interested then join the facebook group to get reminders so you don’t forget and miss out. 

Ooh La La Misery Girl Necklace at Beadesaurus

Not quite the girl next door type?   

Well ooh la-la we have just the place for you to spend your shiny pounds, its the Daddy dinosaur of the accessory world, a wonderful place they call Beadesaurus. 

Beadesaurus is based right in the middle of Brum within the electric atmosphere of the Oasis Market, also home to many more exclusive goods.  

They pride a large selection of alternative, tattoo and retro inspired accessories and clothing, from beads, badges, buckles, bows and bags to T’s, hoodies and totes. Incorporating old-school rock prints with bold colors into their designs they produce something quite unique, pieces that clash and compliment.  

Melonz favors:      

All the above are available from www.beadesaurus.co.uk

Beadesaurus is ideal for those who prefer to be experimental with their style, this is exactly why we love it. Its for the girl who opts for wearing dresses with Converse (preferably with printed laces), who couldn’t care less if the bag don’t match the fascinations in her hair- this is the kind of girl we (Melonz) salute.   

Find their Birmingham store is located at:

Unit 214 The Oasis
110-114 Corporation Street
Birmingham
B4 6SX

If you cant make it to the store (which would be a shame because the Oasis is a heaven of  great) don’t fear you can always order online at www.beadesaurus.co.uk. Their website is also in the process of having a re-vamp so keep checking it out.