Simple tips

I love my job, it's in the career I want and it's fun. But not being allowed to have my nails painted is such a pain. But a few loopholes, what you can't see doesn't count, and viola! I thought I used to have a white polish for French Manicure tips, but not being able to find it led to using the pale pink, Fiji dupe, Easy Going shade by Sinful Colours. And I actually much prefer this. Although it's a bit messy, not bad for 11pm while on the phone may I add, it'll do for work. Naked nails are just ugly.

song of the post - Bombay Bicycle Club - Luna

When feminism meets fashion

Fourth wave feminism is well and truly in swing. Social media and How to Be a Woman brought the f word to the masses, which can only be a good thing, but it has to have its limitations.When it comes to the fashion industry, fashion magazines in particular, feminism just doesn't fit. Vogue teaches us impossible consumerism aspirations, Glamour teaches us impossible beauty standards, Reveal teaches us to weight shame other women, teaching us the main purpose of a women is her looks and her possessions. So, how does feminism fit into the fashion industry? It doesn't, and Stylist proves it. Issue 207, the self proclaimed ‘feminism’ issue, appears false and contradictory. This isn't just a criticism, the issue makes a few good points, accessible to those who may otherwise not be interested, but for every step forward there's two steps back. For every mention of Germaine Greer, there's two pictures of photoshopped models scantily clad, pouting. For every criticism of the pay gap, there's an advert saying you need this lipstick to be attractive.Lucy Fosters article is elegant, to the point, and pretty much accurate, yet is this the right place to publish it? Girls will never rule the world when feminism is put next to a sexualized perfume advertisement. That's not what feminism is, what it never will be, and what it should never be.

song of the post - Beyonce - Run The World

Adventure Time

As I mentioned in my 'I'm ready for you, 2014' post, I'm going interrailing in June and I couldn't be more excited if I tried. I've never really understood the point of the 'buy a holiday wardrobe' thing, surely you can just wear what you have already and spend your money actually on the holiday? But I guess interrailing is a completely different thing, so I'll need some essentials. As much as I'd love to take every outfit I own with me, I turn into the crankiest person alive when I carry too much. Achy shoulders are not my friend. Luckily, I'm borrowing my aunties travel backpack, so I should be able to carry quite a lot without the weight, but I still want to take the bare minimum I can get away with. To do this, I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of denim shorts, that I can wear constantly and that will go with anything. A day of Northern Quarter Levis hunting is on the cards. In terms of products, I'm planning on, again, taking as little as I can. Muji decanter pots will be my savior, only taking as much as I need, rather than huge tubs of shampoo will save valuable space and weight. I'm only really planning on taking loads of SPF, toner to keep oil at bay, and maybe an eyeliner for nights out. With that said, not wearing much make up poses the massively first world problems of not looking great on the photos. Cue sunglasses. I'm definitely getting some Clubmasters, not real ones of course (although I'd love some for my 21st, we'll see!) and I think i'll get a few other pairs. I lose everything! The one down side to travelling, is the actual travelling part. My kindle, maybe a few real books, bought as I go along, and a little Moleskine travel journal/book to doodle in might keep me sane on the 7 hour train journeys. I can't wait for more spring/summer collections to come in so I can start doing some real outfit planning/bikini hunting!

song of the post - The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

It's the colours you have

As I said in my last blog post, I have a lot of nail varnishes, an amount most would call extreme, an amount most bloggers would call average. To prove my point, I have 9 different shades of blue and green (one being purple makes me a bit sad.) So, here's a photo. Boring post. Sorry not sorry.

song of the post - Grouplove - Colours

This accent, you just put it on

University gets so hectic in third year. If I could go back to my 18 year old self, I'd say enjoy first and second year while it lasts, it gets very busy very quickly. I remember when I used to spend so much time painting polka dots, flowers and paisley on my nails, but I've got so lazy now deadlines take priority. For lazy nails, there's one thing I love, accents. It's such an easy way to make your nails look done, without actually having to do that much! The past few birthdays and Christmas', I've asked for nail polishes. As much as I love 'out there' shades like this Models Own silver, they can be a bit much on all ten fingers and thumbs, but I don't want to leave them unloved on the shelf. Since I've started using accent nails more, I've been able to give my unloved shades a wear, toning them down with my usual colours. With that said, maybe I should put down the Fiji every day and start using the bright greens more? Can anyone tell my nail varnishes are my babies? They should be, most my first and second year loans went to buying them. Oops!

song of the post - The Yipes - Accents 

Just a band

My 'new years resolution' (but not really, just a promise I happened to make in January) was to live more and be scared less, and this is the first time I really tried it out. One of my favourite places to be is in the crowd of a gig, something about seeing a song you listen to all the time actually being sung in front of you is pretty special. Maybe I'm just a fully fledged fangirl. There's been so many gigs I've been dying to go to, but not found anyone to go with and just been to scared to go alone. Bat for Lashes at Manchester Cathedral and Haim at Deaf Institute to name but a few. But, why was I too scared to go alone? I'm really happy in my own company, I work in coffee shops and go shopping alone and don't mind, so what's the difference? This gig confirmed, there is no difference at all. There was the odd awkward squirm where I obsessed over the thought what if the people here think I'm a loser on my own, but the real 'loser' thing to do would to be too afraid to do what I want to do, based on what others think. It was definitely worth getting over my fear for, the gig was amazing. As well as the sense of achievement, I also had a good night, danced, and met Scroobious Pip. I hate to quote a cliche saying, but do something each day that scares you, well and truly paid off. I'm now racking my brain to think of what else scares me, just so I can go and do it. Am I an adrenaline junkie now?

song of the post - Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill

Gallery of Costume

My two great loves: museums and fashion. If there were puppies there, it'd be my heaven. I visited the Gallery of Costume in Manchester to see the temporary Dior exhibition. It felt a big wrong to be wearing an outfit mostly comprised of charity shop buys, borrowed clothes and ebay finds in the presence of such brands. Vivienne, I love you, one day you will be mine! Seeing the sketches was so fascinating, I sometimes forget that clothes were once just an idea in a sketchbook. I really want to get back into photographing where I go again, it's so east just to put a photo on instagram without really thinking about it, but actually taking my camera out and using it made a nice change. I did get a D in AS photography after all, might as well use my (lack of) knowledge! I also really need to get back into visiting different places again. I'm going to go to the new Hiker Meat exhibition at the Cornerhouse soon, again, my two loves of museums and scary films, ideal.

song of the post - Beyonce - Flawless