AWOL

So I've been a little AWOL from the blog recently and frankly, I blame student life. If I'm not running around university like a crazy, headless chicken, then I'm completing assignments, organising interviews and trying to find time for a social life and sleep in between!

As most of you probably know, I'm working towards a degree in Journalism and Broadcasting and I'm now in my third and final year *gulp* This is where things start to get a tad serious!

I've been lucky enough to score a 4 week placement at Key 103, Manchester's biggest radio station. 5:30am starts Monday - Friday are going to kill me but I'm excited to throw myself into work and have an exciting month!

And now I leave you with some shoe lust. These Topshop babies are kind of ugly, but in a good way..

Louise Gray For Topshop

Tomorrow marks a pivotal day in Topshop history. Another designer collaboration is due to hit stores with a bang and personally, this is one occassion I do not care to miss!

Of course I am talking about Topshop's latest work with Louise Gray; an eclectic and wacky fashion designer, born and bred in Scotland and who is now the mama of the fashion pack! Awhoooo (that was a wolf howl, if I didn't make it obvious). 

The release is primarily based on the designer's make-up range which boasts bright pops of colour, from cream blushes to dazzling lipsticks in neon pink. This is a fresh and exuberant introduction to the usual and somewhat ironic trends that we see recycled each season. Move over boring, plum shades because Gray's lipstick in 'Legend' is about to knock you off the shelves.

Of course, I love the introduction of A/W fashions and I can't wait to layer on lashings of wool and get my beanie hat out but there is something about this range that excites me. Although Louise Gray's designs aren't to my taste, I can appreciate her ability to design a range that has heads turning.

The clothing range boasts dresses and jackets that can almost be likened to circus attire and this is the epitome of what Louise Gray stands for. It's fun, and heck, it even looks like something you could wear at Halloween but it's this take on somewhat 'immature' dressing that reminds us not to take fashion so seriously sometimes. For me, there is definitely an appealing factor in just being able to throw on one cherished and classic garment in the morning, without having to worry about what accessory matches or what shoes compliment the colours in my attire and it is this same ideal that is alive in Louise Gray's designs.

If you want to be in with a chance of having these iconic pieces hanging in your wardrobe, get refreshing to the Topshop website shortly after midnight or just get your butt to one of the nearest flagship stores tomorrow AM, because if it's set to be like any other Topshop collaboration, Gray's stocks are about to sky rocket!

Love, Fi x

A Birthday Wish List

A girl can dream, right? Especially on her birthday so without further a do, this is my birthday wish list (you can see I'm liking red and orange).

JC Tardy Boots
Monki Pam Knitted Top
Motel Jet Plunge Neck Playsuit
Zara Messenger Bag
Zara Wedge
Zara Plaited Shopper in Bordeaux
Amazon Kindle.
Urban Outfitters Turn Up Bowler Hat
Chanel Bag (a girl most certainly can dream!)


 Fi x
 

Fresh Ink

Shirt - Topshop
Jeans - Topshop
Sunglasses - Jeepers Creepers for ASOS
Ring - YSL

Apologies for today's compilation of random photos. The weather has been so perfect here in Manchester that I couldn't resist taking some snaps on my walk into university. Media City came alive in the spring sunshine and everyone piled onto the grass to soak up the rays.

I contributed to this bout of good weather by throwing on some mint green, Jamie jeans from Topshop. They are just the perfect pop of colour that I need for spring and I can't wait to style them up in so many ways. I paired them with this old Topshop blouse, some oversized sunglasses and my YSL Arty ring.

Also some exciting news (as I'm sure you've seen from above) but.. I finally got my first tattoo and I absolutely love it! I've always grown up around birds as my dad kept them as pets so it's nice to link the two. I've also nearly been living in Manchester for three years independantly so I thought the design represented this and my freedom.

Now back to assignments!

Love, Fi x

Coat - Vintage
Top - Topshop
Skirt - Primark
Metallic Collar - ASOS
Boots - Topshop

I found this navy, vintage coat hanging up in my house. I think it belongs to one of my housemates but I decided to throw it on over this outfit anyway. It's very Alexa Chung esque and I instantly feel very lady like in it. These glitter boots (barely seen) are usually kept hiding away in my wardrobe but I call on them every now and then when I need a little outfit pick-me-up.

This week has been spent catching up on work, sending emails, writing articles and just generally being very busy.

I'm already mentally starting to build up what outfits I'm going to wear to MCR Fashion Week next month. It's going to be a very fashionable few days!

Love, Fi x

A Dedication to Mum.

Happy Mother's Day! My mum is currently over 100 miles away as we live in different countries, so what better way to say thank you than dedicating a blog post to her, right?!

This is my mum in all her early twenties glory! (ignore my dad's embarassing speedos) and I'm proud to say that she still looks as fabulous.


Mum might be terrible with technology and still can't fathom why I have four piercings in my ear but she was the person to introduce me to Chanel and help my love for fashion blossom. I'll always remember her purchasing a pearl, Chanel broach. Despite the bank breaking price tag, she simply exclaimed 'It's Chanel. It's timeless'.

I used to sit and watch her delve into her drawer of copious amounts of make-up; applying her Yves Saint Laurent foundation and making it look so flawless. She was the one to tell me always to apply my make-up in natural lighting and never to match a heavy eye with a heavy lipstick. To me, mum was inspiring and to this day, she still is.

Even on her daily walks around the park, her wellies have fur lining and she still rocks a pair of shades. She will continue to bake every Sunday afternoon whilst wearing her diamond engagement ring and Friday's will forever be known as the day she takes a trip to the hairdressers for a fresh set of highlights and a blow-dry.

Despite having a glamorous mum, she's always supported bedtime curfews, eating healthy greens and encouraging me to work to the best of my abilities. She is always a phonecall away, offering me advice and telling me how much food she's going to fill me with when I do eventually come home. She has always been my support system and I know I can rely on her no matter what.

This one's for you, mum.

Love, Fi x

The Little Things

Crop Top - Topshop
Blazer - Topshop
Maxi Skirt - Topshop
Bag - Primark
Necklace - Topshop
Sunglasses - Jeepers Creepers at ASOS

It's the little things that sometimes add the perfect finishing touches to a look. I didn't think much of this Primark bag when I first laid eyes on it but after debating about it, I decided it would be great for adding a pop of colour on those days where I'm shrouded in black - like today!

Things slowly but surely seem to be coming together in terms of university and general life at the minute. The longer days are back and the sunshine in general puts me in a really good mood so for now, I'm dreaming of summer.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm going to be a blogger for Manchester Fashion Week next month. If you'd like to read my winning article, you can find it here.

Love, Fi x

To blog or not to blog?

I may just be shooting myself in the foot by writing this post but I felt compelled to do so after a bit of a disappointing experience with another blogger. I'm not going to talk about what happened but the whole situation got me thinking what 'blogging' is really about and how it's changed from its past roots.

As an avid reader of blogs for atleast five years now, I remember finding unique and original bloggers whose writing and photographs transformed them into my 'treasure' finds. To this day, I still admire and read these bloggers who started from nothing but a camera and an insight into their lives and built up a strong and worthy fan-base. I looked to them for inspiration that I couldn't find in the small town I grew up in and the whole 'blogging' scene back then sparked my love and flair for writing and led me to the realisation that I wanted my career to be in writing and particularly in fashion.

Fast forward to 2012 and in my opinion, the whole blogging economic has transformed. Not only has it become a source of income for many (which I feel is a very admirable thing) but I also feel as though people only start their blogs to gain a step up on the fast ladder to the top. Of course, bloggers will always want to gain some recognition and support for their writing/photography platform but ultimately, is this what blogging should encapsulate? I find my Twitter swamped with bloggers tweeting about their blog on an around the clock basis and I almost feel an obligation to read what they have to say and show because of it. I miss the days in which I just stumbled upon a 'treasure' and trawled through previous posts because I was so smitten with what I was reading.

Of course, the success of social networking has greatly highlighted just how enormous the blogging world has become. Blogs have become a vital network in which PR companies now look to to promote products and gain coverage and perspective on new lines and releases. Blogs now look to advertising as a reputable source of income and to occassionally assist other bloggers in terms of exposure.

I think this new method of blogging is great in terms of launching careers and gaining publicity for those hidden 'gem' blogs that have yet to be noticed. Is blogging now the new route for those who want a career in writing/fashion/advertising/PR? For me, blogging is simply about sharing a little bit of my take on what fashion means to me and the fun and creativity I have in simply picking an outfit each morning and if I gain recognition and a fan base along the way then I will gladly sit back in amazement and accept it but for now, I'm happy to watch my little space grow and develop. How and where it will develop to is indefinitely in the 'To be continued' section.

Below are a few of the blogs that I still get excited about when I notice a new post. I'm sure you've heard of them all already but I'll partake in the blogasphere and put them on the radar for those who are yet to find them ;)

Karla's Closet
Where Did U Get That
Late Afternoon
Fashion Toast
Ring My Bell

Love, Fi x

Back to Black

Blazer - Topshop
T-shirt - Topshop
American Apparel Disco Pants
Studded pumps - Topshop

I've decided that March is a deceiving month! The sun pops out and I instantly feel like I don't need a coat outside of the house which leaves me shivering on the walk to uni.

I opted for a very simple outfit today. The only accessories I added were these ASOS tinted sunglasses and an ASOS collar which I haven't stopped wearing recently.

It's getting to that time of the year where everything is fast paced and coming at me at once but I'm gladly receiving it with open arms. I've just been offered the opportunity to be a fashion blogger/writer for Manchester Fashion week (check out their website here) and it looks set to be an amazing opportunity for the city to showcase what style it has. I've always loved Manchester and I'm so excited to become part of this amazing event.

Love, Fi x

Barbara

Dress - Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop

Blazer - Topshop
Shoes - eBay
Watch - Sekonda

I spent months trailing eBay for this Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop dress. I remember when it was first released and I never managed to get my hands on it for one reason or another so when I finally seen it at a reasonable price, I snapped it up. The one downside? It's ridiculously short which means a) having to wear a garment underneath it or b) strictly reserving it for nights out. Either way, I paired it with this Topshop oversized blazer I purchased yesterday. I love how this blazer gives you the option of tying it in the middle to create a waist or just keeping it loose and baggy if you're feeling more of a tailored look. I know this is a staple piece I'm going to keep for years to come.

Happy Leap Day!

Love, Fi x

A Month in Pictures

Kicking off the month by continuing with my healthy eating. This results in declicious chicken salads followed by brand new shoes. Visiting memorials. Pretending to be Dorothy in my glitter boots. Metallic collars. Snakeskin and studs.







The month began with an unanticipated snow visit that left me curled up with a hot water bottle for atleast 3 days. I began falling back in love with my SLR. Cooking scumptious (yet healthy!) food. Receiving my first bouquet of beautiful roses for Valentine's. Rediscovering my Barbara Hulanicki dress. Lounging in bed with this month's Elle magazine.








Breathtaking sunsets above the Salford Quay's skyline. Crisp, white snow invading my garden. Candlelit dinners for two. Indulging in my favourite Disney movies. Obligatory pancakes on pancake day. Obsessed with wearing yellow.



I hope this short month has been good to you all!

Love, Fi x

P.S Follow me on Instagram @fiface.

YELLOW

Jumper - Topshop

Maxi Skirt - Topshop
Shoes - Ebay
Ring - YSL

Yellow can be a very risky colour when it comes to dressing. I spotted this neon yellow jumper in Topshop and decided to be courageous and buy it (it went into the sale three days later, boo!). There hasn't been a day gone by (well, give or take a few), that I haven't worn this cropped jumper. It's ideal for brightening up a dull outfit and for clashing with other pieces in your wardrobe. I opted for my metallic maxi skirt today and a ridiculously high pair of shoes to go with this yellow jumper. I always feel very grown up in this maxi skirt, no idea why!

Love, Fi x

HIBISCUS

Dress - ASOS
Watch - Sekonda

Something snapped inside me as soon as I seen this dress on ASOS. I HAD to have it. I even set about finally getting round to selling items on eBay just so I could afford it and boy was it worth it.

The bright, hibiscus print is so eye catching and I love that it comes with a button up collar so I can still maintain my structured/boyish way of dressing. The material is so loose and baggy; perfect for curling up in on rainy days when I'm dreaming of summer. I plan to pair this with my ancient leather jacket and pink tipped brogues when it eventually becomes bearable to get the bare legs out!

I'm excited for a weekend filled with food, sleep and a good book. Wow, I sound old.

Love, Fi.