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Every 1st of January, we all aspire to carry out a New Year's Resolution. Some are much more unrealistic to be than others; I'm pretty sure everyone makes the statement: 'I'm going on a diet' after all of the wonderful food they have consumed over Christmas. To be fair, many people probably succeeded in that diet, so congrats are in order to them! But as for realistic resolutions, I think most people would agree that the desire to have a literal 'happy new year' is at the top of their list. I know that this time last year, I was set on having a memorable year, though my main goal was to work hard and secure my place at University. Now that the year is almost over, I can say that my resolution to have a happy year was certainly fulfilled. I wanted to share my top ten highlights of 2015 before the final page of its book closed, and so here they are:

10) Following new fashion

Fashion month seems to come around so quickly each year, and this year I was yet again astounded by so many collections. Those which stood out in particular were Raf Simons's Dior RTW SS16 show in September (which afterwards became emotional due to Raf's departure from the house) and Prada's blend of the 70s and the future in its RTW AW15 show in February.

Prada RTW AW15

Dior RTW SS16

9) Celebrities

This year I had the luck of meeting many celebrities who I look up to, most notably Alexa Chung. I've admired her for years for her chic style, bubbly character and positive influence on the fashion industry. I'm so happy I got to meet her, what a memory!!

8) Fashion exhibitions

2015 gave me the opportunity to visit three contrasting fashion exhibitions based on three massively influential designers: Alexander McQueen (Savage Beauty), Louis Vuitton (Series 3) and Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel (Mademoiselle Privé). Each of these exhibitions perfectly placed visitors into the character of the designer, and were all extremely interesting and informative for me as a keen follower of fashion.

Savage Beauty

Series 3

Mademoiselle Privé

7) Musical achievements

This year was a huge success for me in relation to my piano playing, as I passed my Grade 8 examination which has been an aim of mine since I first began playing seven years ago. I'm so happy to now be qualified at this level, therefore making it a massive highlight of my year!

6) Travelling

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel this year, visiting incredible cities with both family and friends. I look forward to travelling even more in 2016!

Paris (Feb)

Sorrento, Pompeii, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri (June)

Barcelona (July)

London (July)

5) Having fun

A few photos which speak for themselves!!

4) Meeting new people

I love meeting new people, and have had so many opportunities to this year! This is a highlight which I hope will form part of my 2016 too!

3) Finishing school

Finishing school was a big event this year, and honestly didn't feel real. After being in education for so long, saying goodbye to a daily routine was hard to accept, yet at the same time, I was ready to leave school and move onto University. (I am in this photo, it just may be awhile before you find me!!)

2) Hard work paying off in A Levels and as a result, being accepted into the University of my choice

I was thrilled with my A Level results as they allowed me to be accepted into my chosen University: King's College London, to study English. 

1) Moving to London

Moving to London has by far been the highlight of my year. It's been a dream of mine for so long now, and now that I'm here, I'm so happy. Now that I'm settled into the wonderful capital, I can only look forward to what 2016 brings for me whilst here.

The Cape

Nothing says winter more than a classic cape coat. Whether it be short or long, I've always found that capes are timeless; they do not fade out of AW collections as they are continually perceived as stylish. It's now officially December, which means that winter is upon us. Only two days into the festive month and I've already worn a cape, as it suits almost any outfit and has such an elegant and fashionable fall. As monochrome colours are a personal preference of mine in outfit choices, I find that, more often than not, I wear a cape with all black, as it is such a classic colour which looks effortlessly chic. London is in full Christmas spirit right now, and there's nothing I love more than waltzing around the capital in a dressy yet apt cover up! Have you got your cape ready for Christmas? I'd love to know!

Faye .xx

Both capes: Zara

Jumper: Topshop

Skirt: Zara

States of Mind

Yesterday I visited Ann Veronica Janssens' States of Mind exhibition, which was utterly unique to any other exhibition I have visited before, as it left me feeling engrossed in my own consciousness. Situated in a singular room of the Welcome Collections museum in London, Janssens sets on drawing visitors into their own mind and consciousness, allowing them to find a form of meditation and reflection through the simplistic presentation of merging coloured mist.

Before entering, staff guide you to two doors which serve as a boundary between reality and Janssens' representation of mesmerism and consciousness. When stepping into the room, your vision is encircled by brightly coloured pink mist, which is so opaque that anything further than a metre surrounding you is simply not visible. Every aspect of the room is completely disorienting, and what baffled me was the uncertain size of the room; I was completely unaware of how big or small it was, as all bearings were lost as soon as I stepped through the door. In fact, I didn't become aware of where I was until I walked straight into the wall on the other side of the room, and even then I was lost at the boundary of the mist. As you walk through the blurring mist, colours merge into one another, and you find yourself transitioning from pink to yellow to green to blue. The flowing change of colours is somewhat therapeutic, as they add to the calm atmosphere encircling the room. This calm atmosphere is additionally achieved by the lack of sound. When stepping into the exhibition, the sheer silence is slightly alarming due to its juxtaposition with busy London outside; it is almost as though you have travelled to another planet, one which Janssens would argue is your mind. Though I was with my friends and we occasionally whispered to one another very quietly, the lack of sound certainly served to showcase Janssens' wish for visitors to be solely enveloped in they mind.

As someone who has never visited a light installation before, I would highly recommend States of Mind to anyone, as it is so unique to any other current exhibition in London and serves as a meditating and calming experience for all. Plus, for any lovers of photography, the photographs turn out pretty cool.

States of Mind is a free exhibition at Welcome Collections which is open to the public until 3rd January 2016.

Faye .x