I've been into social media for as long as I can remember. As soon as I heard about this thing called Myspace (aged 13/14) that was it. I was obsessed. I might have dabbled in Bebo initially but nothing could compare to my beloved Myspace and although it's no longer popular, I owe an awful lot to the the site. It gave me skills that I still use in my career today, a platform to express myself, best friends and even a boyfriend. Just be prepared for some very cringy photos... I feel embarrassed already.
Helping my career:
My family would be able to tell you that as soon as I got home from school and long into the night I would spend hours updating my page, making sure it looked perfect. Working with html code (something that has been extremely helpful throughout my career & blog), to make sure sections were different colours, embedding photos (shout out to photobucket), cleverly hiding info boxes and adding little hearts so they would fall down the page. I'd spend my weekend with friends setting up creative photo shoots to make sure we had an album full of photos to upload that weekend, and of course getting that perfect profile photo. Not too similar from blogging now. It taught me how to network, at a very basic level - PC 4 PC or L 4 L anyone? I also decided at some point that my photos needed to up their game, so I experimented with Photoshop to give them a different look, I'd make them black and white, badly Photoshop myself and add text. I was completely self taught but within a year I had a pretty good idea with how to use it. Over ten years later, I use photoshop every day, and I know that if it wasn't for Myspace I wouldn't be as good with it as I am now.
Friends:
I made friends on Myspace from all over the UK, some friendships lasted a few months, some stayed online and some friendships became so strong that they're now my best friends and I'm soon to become a bridesmaid to one of them. Although it seemed a little strange at the time, I'd meet up with people I'd spoken to for months online and chat to them about things my 'normal' friends didn't know about or understand. I'd visit Kent, Slough and Kingston to meet up with people completely on my own, it gave me a sense of independence. Although pretty normal now, ten or so years ago it was very unusual, I wouldn't even tell my parents where I was going. Writing this has made me realise how dangerous and crazy it was, but I was worried my friends and family would think it was weird or they wouldn't get it. However I was eventually caught out, and I think it's the angriest I've ever seen my dad, but in my eyes it was totally worth it. It was an amazing platform to get to know people.
Culture:
There was a certain 'scene' culture that came along with Myspace from everyone dressing like Audrey Kitching, Hana Beth, Kiki Kannibal and Jeffree Star (before he was a MUA and YouTube sensation). To discovering some of my favourite bands (at the time) on the site including Enter Shikari, Bring me the Horizon, Hadouken! and You Me At Six, it was the best feeling when you found a band that your friends hadn't. The New Rave music scene sort of exploded on the site too, thanks to the help of Klaxons, Crystal Castles and everyone being obsessed with Skins. I spent hours dreaming of having hair just like Kiki Kannibal, and shopping in H&M kids, to make sure I had the perfect jewellery to match with my skinny jeans, Spiderman back pack and American Apparel hoody. I think the scene kids on Myspace are the reason where my desire to have bleach blonde hair comes from, maybe one day I'll do it. As you may notice I don't dress like that anymore (thank goodness) but it certainly helped me to identify with something growing up and taught me to be accepting of all social 'scenes'. P.S Who had Uffie - Pop The Glock as their Myspace song?
Music Myspace shoutouts: Patrick Wolf, Uffie, Partyshank, Dev Hynes, The Ghost Frequency and New Young Pony Club, CSS, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Robots in Disguise.
So there it is, a little ode to Myspace, I deleted my page when I was 18-19 as I was so embarrassed of everything up there but now I wish I'd kept it. I did manage to find these photos scattered across the internet, so I guess that's something. Feeling a little nostalgic? Read this Buzzfeed article for the ultimate throwback.
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Biscuiteers: 194 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill
Now I may be biased as I do work for the company but I think Biscuiteers might be one of the most instagramed shops (and brands) ever. I constantly see the shop front on my feed and people are always tagging us (Biscuiteers) on Instagram. The beautiful hand painted illustrations do make for a lovely photo, plus there are loads of tasty biscuits and cakes inside which are also super fab to take a photo of. They also have an icing cafe on the Northcote Road if you're based in South London.
Sketch: 9 Conduit St, Mayfair
I was a little reluctant to include this in my list as I didn't have the best experience here but I can't deny that the place isn't beautiful. The pink interior of the parlour is bound to perk up anyone's feed and we can't forget about those toilets! Even social media queen Kylie Jenner is a fan!
Peggy Porschen: 116 Ebury St, Belgravia
The only place I feel rivals Biscuiteers as the most Instagrammed shop is Peggy Porschen! I happened to stumble across it one evening and managed to take snap whilst there was no one else in shot. I unfortunately was too late to try any of their delicious cakes but I really do hope to soon! I absolutely love the sugary pink colour of this shop and it's the perfect haven for a sweet toothed girl.
Chelsea in Bloom, Sloane Square (Runs during the Chelsea Flower Show)
I've wanted to visit Chelsea in Bloom for a few years now and this year I finally got the chance. Walking around the the area in the glorious sunshine, taking lots of floral snaps has to be one of my favourite things I've done so far this year. I can't wait to see what theme they have next year (as every year is different) and doing it all over again. It does get very busy so you'll have to be patient, you have been warned...
Liberty London: Regent St, W1B 5AH
One of the prettiest shops in London is located right off Oxford Street and leads you into the heart of Carnaby Street. A fantastic location to get shots of the iconic front as well as the gorgeous flowers by Wild At Heart by Nicki Tibbles. At Christmas they have the most wonderful window displays, last year it was themed around The Nutcracker ballet and it was just delightfully festive. Plus they have a cute tea room, treatment rooms and I have spotted a celeb or two in the loos!
Berners Tavern: 10 Berners St, Fitzrovia
Regent Street, Soho, W1B 5AZ
Regent Street is one of the best places to shop in London and is connected to so many locations which are perfect to Instagram! It's only a short walk to Sketch (mentioned above), so whilst your safely crossing the road to spend some more of your pay day cheque before having afternoon tea, why not try and get a snap of one of London's most iconic roads filled with taxis and red Routemaster buses.
Bronte: Grand Buildings, 5EJ, 1-3 Strand
Bronte is the perfect place to take a tourist or a friend visiting for the day. You're only a stones throw away from lots of the tourist hot spots including the National Gallery, a short walk to Buckingham Palace or Covent Garden. The interior design of this place is so luxe and that's what makes it so special, it was built under the creative direction of Tom Dixon, the man responsible for those copper candles. It really is an Instagram dream...
Westminster Bridge, London, SE1 7GL
This might be one of my favourite Instagram shots of all time. I snapped this whilst on the BB bakery afternoon tea bus, and I couldn't quite believe I'd got the shot. You could easily recreate this shot whilst popping to Regents Street to visit another one of my hotspots. I know if you take the 159 bus you go over the Westminster Bridge (and I'm sure many other buses do too).
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