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