WHY YOU SHOULD START A BLOG

Photo credit: Sam Holden 

Outfit:

Dress - Topshop

Gilet - Oasis

Lipstick - Very Victoria - Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution

Bracelet - Not on the High Street.com

Starting a blog was something that I wanted to do for about 2 years before I actually set this blog up. It was definitely a lack of confidence, the fear of putting myself out into the public eye and sharing my thoughts openly. It has been such a great journey from starting it, and despite having a busy life whilst studying my Ph.D. I don't regret adding a blog post to my to-do list. The internet is fascinating to me and the fact that we have the ability to express our opinions, set up groups, events, start petitions and just discuss what we are passionate about, shows what a massive effect the 'social web' as it is known, has on our lives.

As part of the computer generation, using the internet for the above reasons is second nature to me, but I also feel there is a great place for blogging in the lives of those who aren't as adept. I have a lot of friends and family who I actively encourage to channel their passions online through an Etsy store, blog or Youtube channel. Indeed, blogging and vlogging (Youtube videos) is even becoming a big thing with the male generation which I think is a necessary extension of the proliferation of beauty and fashion blogs amongst women. 

So here stands the obvious question; why start a blog? Here's some of my reasons which are more specifically related to fashion, but I think anyone with a passion whether it's travel, baking, sewing, art, photography have ideal reasons to start a blog.

Exposure

I recall having a conversation with a representative from Arcadia, the company that houses Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins etc, and one of their first questions to me was do you have a blog? I think now more than ever, the fashion world is ferociously competitive, and one way you can express your individually, thought, experiences and knowledge through a blog. If you are looking for a career in the fashion industry, a blog can set you up with so much unique knowledge in itself. My blog has boosted my CV, giving me something I can show to demonstrate my style and creativity. Additionally, you show you have your finger on the pulse, a benefit which goes without saying in a competitive job market. Jobs in fashion and beauty now often require candidates to have a blog, so that's all the more reason to start one. 

Learning something new

You immediately learn the basics about a website. One of my favourite modules at University was Fashion e-Commerce, where I learnt these buzzwords such as SEO and Google Analytics, but it wasn't until I started my blog that I could really see the benefit of such things and their use in marketing. Okay, it doesn't have to be complicated, but even things like how your blog is laid out takes great commitment to learn something new, how to add a graphic, widget or edit your name are all invaluable to learning about the web. Blogger.com gives you a breakdown of your views on each post, you can also pinpoint which device people have used, where the majority of your viewers are from and when you reached the most hits. This is all really interesting to learning how to ace the art of blogging, to target your audience and create the most engagement. If you find you are really passionate about the engine behind your blog/website, you might want to consider learning how to code to understanding how basic HTML coding works. Believe me, it isn't as geeky as it sounds....you could then create your own bespoke blog design. 

Create your own 'brand'

A good starting point is to pin-point your favourite bloggers, consider why you like them, what is it about their page/style/colour scheme/use of social media/tone of voice/advice they give and then hone in on what you feel you could emulate or achieve through your blog. A great place to find inspiration is through BlogLovin' a site that any blogger can sign up to and use on their blog to gain exposure across their industry. Thinking of a blog as your own 'branding' can really inspire you to think about how you want to portray yourself across your blog. If you are familiar with blogging, you will know that blogs don't often exist in isolation, so you may want to open new twitter, Instagram and snapchat pages specifally for your blog. 

Once you know what you want your image to be, you can start looking for a template design to use as your basic background and logo. If you have photoshop or InDesign skills then even better. I subscribed to a student membership of Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop. Luckily I gained skills in how to use these programs at University, but there are plenty of Youtube tutorials, investing in design and editing software will never be a waste. 

Discover new apps 

There are some excellent non-professional apps out there if you don't want to pay for photoshop, including VSCO. One of my favourite apps I use for Instagram is UNUM, which allows you to see how your Instagram photos look together, to check the colour scheme. If you wondered how the professionals make their pages look so beautifully curated...this is how. Long gone are the days of unmatching sporadic images, unfortunately, consumers of aesthetic apps such as Pinterest and Instagram want to see the appealing side of everything. This can be quite draining, but it will ensure you gain a loyal following if you deliver content regularly and on time. 

Truly understand engagement

Followers are ever-more-fickle, and with social media channels changing their algorithms to the posts that are most popular, rather than time-based, means that the arena for blogging has become more competitive. The golden word is engagement, so not just scrolling through your feed but actually liking a post, commenting and sharing. All these things drive social media engagement, both for your channels and for others. Without commenting and sharing you won't stand a chance growing your own page.

After making my first few posts I've really learnt a lot, and I don't proclaim to have millions of hits or the best blog out there, I just hope my advice could help something, who like me a few years ago, was afraid to take the leap :)

LUXE WINTER STAPLES...on a budget

Photo credit: Samuel Holden

During what is dubbed the most depressing month of the year, when we all are feeling the pinch, experiencing the brunt of the seasonal blues and attempting to keep resolutions...never has watching the bank balance been more crucial.

I'm as much as any, an advocate of looking good for less, in fact I pride myself on shopping on a student budget, but I don't like to compromise on style.

This post outlines my favourite winter pieces which have carried me through this winter season.

1. Velvet Satchel with Ring Detail

This style of handbag has stormed the high street since Chloe unveiled their Faye Satchel (£1500) in 2015. Ring detailing is definitely here to stay remaining a firm favourite and having been a big style detail across accessories and shoes through AW16.

I grabbed mine in the New Years sale at M&S...Unfortuntely this one is now sold out but you can get similar here for under £30.

2. Faux Fur

I have always loved faux fur, it's incredibly classy, can be worn with almost anything, and immediately makes you feel incredibly glamourous. I love to wrap up in this gilet, whether I am walking the dog or out for drinks, it's a perfect piece for any occasion, £55 from Oasis. Available in powder pink (I am purchasing this) black or burgundy as pictured.

3. Berry Lips

Bold, berry coloured lips are such a key winter trend. Perfect for elevating more simple outfits, or transitioning from day to night. Wear it with confidence!

For fairer tones: opt for a more purple colour

For warmer toned skin: keep it warm with more cherry reds

I'm wearing Cherry Skies - NYX

Other favourites:

Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Cassis

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Glastonberry

3. Ruffles & Frills

Ruffles are a firm favourite for SS17, as seen on catwalks of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Loewe and Gucci and now in Zara, Primark and Topshop. Invest now in some key statement frills and ruffle pieces to ensure a great investment for the coming season. Big, bold, frilled knitwear is definitely the way I'm headed to stay on trend, warm and cosy! 

4. Knee high suede boots

 A blogger essential! If you can't afford the iconic Stuart Weitzman boots for £800, get yourself a high-street version. Don't forget to check the sales too, there are often some great finds on Office or ASOS.

What is your favourite staple?

AUTUMN CAPSULE PIECES

The key to a good capsule wardrobe is something of an art. You have to be very selective about what you buy. Searching for alternatives are essential, and be prepared to pay a little more for quality so it will see you through the winter. I've picked some of my current favourites that haven't broken the bank, and are interchangeable with last year's winter wardrobe. 

You can't go wrong with a pair of leather (or pleather in my case) for the winter. They are perfect paired with a crisp white shirt for the working week or dressed up with a black velvet body and a pair of heels for a night out. The thing I love about these is that they are at a flattering ankle-biter length, which means they can be paired with a flat loafer, mule or add a heel and they still look incredibly classy. Whether you can afford leather or not, they evoke city-chic and ooze sexiness whilst not being too OTT. 

I have a few bobble hats in my collection now, but since going blonder in the late summer, I spied this sandy coloured knit and fell in love. I adore the fluffy bobble and like the way it compliments a blonder hair tone. It has a more relaxed fit than the Burgundy and Charcoal hats I have from last year, so it's great dressed up or down for that matter. You can't go wrong with a bobble hat!

Trousers - ASOS £32

Blouse - Zara £25.99
Candle - John Lewis £9

Bobble Hat - Zara £9.99

NYX Liquid Suede - Cherry Skies - £6.50

Corduroy Pinafore - Topshop

This Zara blouse encapsulates two AW16 trends, dusty pink and ruffles. The smock across the front and ruffled neck gives a Victoriana feel, which some people may find ageing, but personally I like experimenting with different looks from different eras, and I like to style my hair and makeup accordingly. This blouse is incredibly classy, elegant and high fashion. I like to wear it paired with a head of soft, tousled curls and a natural lip. Dainty touches such as the burgundy ribbon juxtapose the sexier, leather-look trousers above. 

I love this corduroy dress, in fact I love wearing corduroy. I think the feel of it reminds me of something I owned as a child! This pinafore is perfect for an autumnal evening, worn with thick tights, stood by a bonfire sipping mulled wine, with a dark mysterious lip colour...It's figuring hugging silhouette is flattering when worn under a large trench or camel coat. I enjoy wearing it with a black or grey polo neck underneck for extra warmth. Sometimes I even throw on my wellies and Barbour after a long day and go for a dog walk in it!

Nyx lip products are becoming a cult nowadays, and I know I am relatively late to the bandwagon. However, they still deserve a mention. Stumbling across Nyx in Selfridges I knew they must be worth a swatch...I was on the hunt for a dark, berry toned lip product as it's that time of the year to update my lip colour collection. I came across this deep cherry colour, which completely caught my eye, even after swatching the majority of the reds in the collection. It applies beuatifully and has a long lasting finish, there are only a few downsides 1. being that it dries to abotu 80% and leaves some tackiness. 2. it fades to a bluey-pink tone, more hot pink than deep red, so just be wary if you don't reapply. Other than that, this is a fabulous low-end affordable product which is bound to see me through the winter. 

I adore it when I find a few pieces that are match really well, I know I will get lots of wear out of them whilst staying right on trend, so I hope this inspires your own autumnal purchases. 

SEPTEMBER IS THE NEW JANUARY

During this time of year, I find myself preparing for the new season. It's something about reliving that cathartic feeling of getting a pair of shiny new shoes for the new school term, a new uniform and the anticipation of making new friends and starting new lessons. 

Photo credit: Sam Holden

Now as an adult, I see September as the perfect opportunity for starting a-fresh. Instead of being gloomy and penniless like we all are in January, it's the tail end of summer...We still have warm, hazy days contrasted with aggressive thundery showers, whilst the fallen leaves line the kerbs and conkers are starting to grow. There are so many things I love about summer, but there's something refreshing about knowing the seasons are transitioning, that lingering hope for sunny days reduces and that autumn is coming and all the delights that it brings. 

One of these delights for me, is getting a few key pieces to update my wardrobe. This autumn I know I'm going to be living in blush pink. It's so elegant yet an understated version of the candy pinks we saw throughout the summer season . This duster coat is an absolute find from Primark, and it looks so expensive, that's the beauty of a great Primark bargain.

Another key piece is embroidered denim. These jeans were from Zara and I managed to snap up the last 8 in store, and I am so happy with them. They also encapsulate two key trends in one, embroidered and cropped denim. They are great for keeping an item bang on trend, and it's also completely easy to DIY. Whether it's jeans, a denim bag, or jacket, embroidered denim is definitely here to stay this season. Paired with a basic tee, or a smarter silky cami, this outfit is perfect for going from office to the bar. Pair with mules or loafers for an even more on trend, Gucci inspired look. 

Another great way to embrace the new season is to update your stationery. I love Paperchase! Grab a shiny new diary, matching notebook and pens and trust me you will be organised. There is nothing more motivating to me than beautiful stationery (sad, I know). Your diary should be your best friend, and more than just a place for scheduling meetings and classes, it should be a somewhere that you can record what you did, where you went and keep memories, even if it's making sure you leave time for 5 minutes of 'me time' and relaxation. 

So there's my thoughts on why I love September, and why we should embrace the new season. 

What I wore:

Coat - Primark Duster coat (available in-store size 8)

Top - River Island

Jeans - Zara

Shoes - Dune (similar)

Bag - Ted Baker (similar)

All photos shot on Canon SX280 HS

A SIMPLE SUMMER EVENING

I'm not usually a massive fan of the sales. In fact, I tend to purposely avoid any when shopping. I think it's something about products that people haven't bought which puts me off. However, if I find a nicely laid out display, which is organised and non-chaotic(!) I am prone to finding a few lovely things. You can find items that push you out of your comfort zone, being an unexpected find. This time, it was a pair of red suede/leather espadrilles. 

Photo credit: Sam Holden

I have longed for a pair of Chanel espadrilles, scrolling through eBay trying to locate a pair. A pair of good quality espadrilles are an essential summer item and Topshop have got an excellent range. I am looking forward to wearing these whilst on holiday exploring Croatian seaside towns. My camisole is also from Topshop, it's part of their loungewear/outerwear as underwear range which is stunning. 

Photo credit: Sam Holden

Taking photos with your very cheeky sausage dog is never easy!

My jacket is from Zara, it's a perfect transitional jacket which will take you through the rainier days of our British summer. And let's face it, we've been having quite a few! It's quilted and lined and very good quality for Zara. The floral print will also remain on trend throughout Autumn and into spring summer next year. The features on the jacket make it look and feel a lot more expensive than it is. It has snap fastenings on the collar and elastic lined seams which give it structure and a gorgeous figure-hugging silhouette. 

My full outfit is available here:

Top (Topshop)

Jacket (Zara) 

Jeans (Topshop)

Shoes (Topshop)

Toby's Harness (Puppia)

Toby's Lead (Red Dingo)

ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN

Photo credit: Sam Holden

Being a member of the National Trust makes for such a low cost, lovely day out. I pay as little as £2.50 a month for a student subscription which is really good value as you get free parking and free entry to most attractions. This weekend we visited Quarry Bank Mill in Styal. It's a big cotton mill which was run by Samuel Greg. He advocated safe and healthy working conditions in a time where this was not commonplace. If you visit Quarry Bank Mill it consists of gardens, the mill and a park. We packed a picnic, jumped in the car and took the dog with us. 

Lucky enough to have sunshine I wore an outfit I have been saving for the sun and my holiday. I love this pink top because it goes with almost anything, really feminine and floaty whilst still remaining classic. This season I've been loving pink! I also adore anything with Broderie Anglaise on it, so when I found these in Missguided for £20 they were a definite win. 

My espadrilles were snapped up in the Topshop sale. I have been eyeing a pair of espadrilles for a while, swooning over the Chanel monochrome classics, however I like the vibrant red in these and the fact they are leather and suede makes them super comfortable. What I wore: Top - Oasis, Shorts - Missguided, Sunglasses - ASOS, Watch - Olivia Burton, Espadrilles - Topshop

I'm a sucker for pink flowers!

QUINTESSENTIAL COLOGNES AND MY LESSON IN PERFUME

If you haven't discovered a Jo Malone London stand in your nearest department store, it is absolutely wonderful, in my opinion a bit of a revolution when it comes to fragrance. The whole experience of the brand is very holistic, with the classic bottles and simple yet elegant packaging, and the luxurious spa-like pampering facilities.

 The plethora of products available are beautiful, with scents ranging from citrus to woody notes. Each cologne have a unique combination of fresh ingredients, some which will completely surprise you, and produce the most light yet luxurious scents for both men and women. The signature scent of the Jo Malone franchise is Lime, Basil and Mandarin. This was a gift for my birthday, featured in the picture at 100ml. The scent speaks for itself, it has a citrus zing accompanied with a richer, powdery undertone. 

I once visited a parfumerie named Fragonard in a village named Grasse. Fragonard, is Situated on top of a mountain, the village smelt of french Lavender. We were taught about how different fragrances sink into the skin and may smell different on each individual person. The creators of the perfumes at Fragonard explained how perfume or colognes must also be worn on the main points of blood flow to the surface of the skin, which includes the underside of the wrists and neck. When I sampled Jo Malone, I likened it to that experience; the knowledge of staff was second to none, with each fragrance having a story. There is even fragrance named Lavender and Amber, using french Lavender. Needless to say, Jo Malone London really do know their eau de toilette to their ouds!

The colognes can be layered to create a different scent, I experienced this through having a complimentary hand and arm massage, I chose English pear and freesia layered with earl grey and cucumber. The perfect pick me up leaving my skin feeling wonderfully soft, moisturised and rejuvenated. They use a combination of their body washes, scrubs and cremes to create the desired scent. So, if you're next in John Lewis or Selfridges make sure to pop by and sample something from their range, they often feature limited edition products too! Prices for colognes are either £43 for 30ml or £85 for 100ml. 

Featured colognes: Left: Wood Sage and Sea Salt (30ml @ £43)
Right: Lime Basil and Mandarin (100ml @ £85)