My dissertation is going to be one hell of a tasty project

I'm about to enter my third year at university. And I'm scared. Not of the work load or the pressure or the late night InDesign and Photoshop sessions; but of getting fat.

I'm not self-conscious of my body, I'm proud of my curves. I eat healthily, and enjoy desserts and cakes as much as the next person, but I'd never starve myself to live up to the scrawny standard of the industry I will graduate into (the fashion industry that is). Raw celery is far too dull!

This is why one of the reasons I have decided to do a non-fashion based dissertation. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion. I love the excitement, the clothes, the new collections, the bitchiness of the behind the scenes fitting rooms, but food will always trump it.

James Martin's double raspberry bakewell tart is on my list of things to try this year

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2365637/james-martins-double-raspberry-bakewell-tart

I believe love of food can begin anywhere. I fell in love with baking and cookery as a tiny child, being fed interesting and exciting dishes whilst my friends gorged themselves on Happy Meals and tinned spaghetti. I had my own restaurant in the kitchen, where menus were written in an illegible hand, but adored by my hungry guests. My cookery skills are purely the work of my parents; who discovered a world of exciting flavours and new dishes as teenagers, and passed their skills and natural flair down to me. Also, to my Nanna, a wonderful woman who loves baking, and would put up with silly requests for currantless scones (after they had been baked) just to keep a smile on a child's face.

My love of food is also deeply nestled in the literature I read as a child. Food takes you to another place, where houses are built of gingerbread and rivers run wild with comforting currents of melted milk chocolate. Roald Dahl is my inspiration behind encouraging new and exciting dishes. His words, passion and wonder made each element of his tales come alive. I too travelled on the giant peach with James, and tasted its sweet nectar as it balanced precariously atop the Empire State Building. I also learnt an important lesson from a friendly giant; “The human bean is not a vegetable.”

My project will explore the importance of eating local produce when possible. After the rise of the horsemeat scandal, and the creation of a lab grown burger, knowing what goes into our food is becoming increasingly more important.

I firmly believe that we should support our local butcher, invest in local vegetables, try local cheeses and of course, buy British. Food festivals are a great way of exploring all of the great produce we as a country. They offer tasters, great information about how best to cook your steaks and how to prepare fish, and most of all are fun to go to.

Over the next year I will be posting my usual fashion pieces, along with foodie adventures, new recipes and, as I mentioned earlier, progress of my ever widening waist line....

...a gym membership will be opened when term starts.


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Head Over Heels

* or rather, head over flats.

As you know, I cannot walk in high heels. This has nothing to do with my fashion views or inability to pull off a beautiful pair of killer heels, I simply have back issues. And back issues mean a lifetime in flats.

Now, as much as I love the footwear I have been given for the rest of my days, sometimes finding new and exciting flat shoes can be a nightmare. I have tried the simple chelsea boot (love love love), and have worn the humble black pump with various additions to death in the past few years. So today, when checking my instagram feed, I fell in love. And fell hard.

These little beauties are The Hobes. Launched in early 2010, Hobes founder Georgia Hobart filled a gap in the Australian shoe market that needed filling badly. Her wonderful creations are very simple, very classic, but are an instant hit. And, being crafted by hand shows that little but of extra love for your feet. They aren't just for aussies though; international shipping is offered. (Please come soon student loan)

With the recent craze taking over celebrities and fashion followers wallets alike for a pair of shoes in every colour, you can certainly do that here. My current favourites are the silver sparkler hobe and the original hobe in a stunning royal navy.

Original Hobe in Royal: $159

Sparkler Hobe in Silver:$169

This could well be the start of my very own 'shoe in every colour' collection. I wouldn't regret a single pair.

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Oasis Wish List

Wish lists are not good for me. Whenever I see a new collection and dream of what pieces would be perfect in my wardrobe, my purse tells me no. This week however, I've fallen in love with Oasis all over again, and I just can't say no. Their key trends this season consist of bold animal prints and busy florals, perfect to clash with each other or to go head to toe in print. Here is my favourite outfit from their animal collection, and of course, accessories to complete the look! 

1. The printed trouser

As I'm sure many of you are aware, I love a good printed trouser. I've never really worn anything as bold as these however, but teamed with the blazer and top below, this outfit is to die for, and will certainly turn a few heads. These are not just a wish list item, but a 'next time I'm in town you will be mine' item. £42

2. The bold red top

Being a blonde, red is a colour that I cannot get enough of. When teamed with the leopard print trousers above, this top adds a pop of colour and excitement to the outfit whilst not upstaging the print. And being silk, it feels incredible too. £48

3. The outfit completing boyfriend blazer

Now, I love a blazer as much as the next person, but sometimes they are a little too formal or a little too bold. Not this little beauty. Throw this over the shirt and trousers above, and let your outfit o the talking. Camel is such a classic and understated colour, and truly goes with everything. This jacket not only competes my wish list outfit, but is super versatile in my wardrobe, and will even look cute with tea dresses. At £70, this is a key piece to invest in this season.

4. The flat

Every girl needs a good pair of heels, and ones that cannot walk in them, need a good pair of flats. And boy can these be hard to come by. Oasis have created my dream shoe. A classic colour (also available in red), combined with a classic shape, and just a hint of metal tipped cheekiness, these top off my outfit perfectly. £38

5. A 'to die for' handbag

The Hudson handbag has done wonderful things to fashion this season. With its incredible price, amazing variety, and bang on trend trapeze shape. if you don't get one of these for winter you will be missing out. As the tech savvie store knows a thing or two about getting its customers excited, Oasis have recently closed their Hudson handbag competition where a customisable bag was the prize. Sadly, I missed this chance at an amazing prize, but with so many styles and colours available, I don't really mind. £40 (I'll take three please)

Oasis, you've made a girl very very happy. And at the end of the month, this outfit will be mine.

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3 hours to go

With less than three hours till #IDGAF Magazine launches online (for free), I have some serious butterflies in my tummy. I am more than excited to share the link at 7pm with you all, and to see what my first official articles as a fashion writer are looking like!! 

To keep you excited for now, here is our cover, and incredible cover star, Vince Kidd.

I know this is going to be one hell of an exciting adventure, and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing for it!

Keep checking my twitter feed and @IDGAFmagazine for that all important link!

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Vince Kidd goes Tribal for IDGAF Magazine

I can finally reveal my very exciting news…We’re only two days away from launching!

I am lucky enough to be a part of a team creating a new online magazine called #IDGAF, or I Don't Give a Funk, which is due to launch online this Sunday at 7pm!

The magazine will showcase everything outrageous, bold and creative about fashion, music and culture, and will be packed full of incredible articles, trend predictions, street style, photography and more! We represent a rebellion against stereotypes in fashion and aim to showcase the unusual, the unexpected and of course; the craziest fashion.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, I have been sent some cheeky sneak peeks at behind the scenes of our cover image shoot, starring the wonderful Vince Kidd.

Vince is an incredible guy with an incredible talent, and an even more incredible sense of style.  Since reaching the final of the voice, with vocal chords that give you chills, Vince has gone onto great things. Having written songs for a variety of artists, and with style influences Lady Gaga and Prince, it’s no wonder we selected him for our launch issue. Vince’s tribal inspired shoot, featuring some incredible designs and shot by one of our lovely photographers, is a key menswear trend for this year. From garment to accessory, your IDGAF look will not be complete without it.

We're keeping the final cover image under wraps for now, but will be launching this just before the website goes live. If you want to be amongst the first to see what the wonderful talent behind the magazine have created, what trends to be wearing this summer, and who our hot new designers are for this season, follow @IDGAFmagazine on twitter, and keep checking my blog for the all important link.

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Ted To Toe

Working for a designer brand is not easy. There is temptation at every corner, and on a part time wage, and as a student, completing my Ted-drobe is very tricky. At Ted, we aim to get our lovely customers in Ted to Toe, a full outfit with the seal of approval from the big man himself. From my Autumn Winter 13 wish list from Ted Baker, these are my five must haves.

1. The Dress

This is the gorgeous IZZIE dress. My favourite print of this season, Oil Painting, makes this dress beautifully unique. Fitted like a body con, but ideal for big hips like mine due to the clever little ruche on the left hip hides a multitude of sins. Get this little beauty for £139 (I'm lucky enough to be wearing this at work this season)

2. The Bag

CANTICO is a bag with tricks up its sleeve. It's made from the highest grade leather and is currently available in this warm caramel and black. With two thin leather wrapped metal handles, and a removable leather shoulder strap, CANTICO is large enough for all the daily rubbish we fill our bags with, and still looks stylish on a night out. At £199 she is a definite investment piece, but one that will last a long long time. 

3. The Shoes

These little beauties are a Ted favourite. The slipper style shoe has been reinvented several times over the past few years, but never like this.  SEARY comes in two colours, this lovely light leopard print, and in a darker grey, both with the lovely gold metal capped toe. Ideal as a print clash with our lovely florals, or with skinny rolled up jeans and a comfy knit, these will brighten the darkest winter night. £110

4. The Knit

If this hot pink isn't your thing, this stunning OHAVIA peplum knit dress comes in a soft baby pink too. Again, this shape is a firm Ted favourite, and looks great thrown over a pair of skinny jeans and boots, or dressed up on a night out with heels. £99

5.  The Trousers

My final must have this autumn are SAFFIRE, the ankle grazing, super comfy trousers. Available in forest green as shown and black, they are a modern take on suit trousers if worn at work, or a comfier, more fashionable change to your skinny jeans. Ideal with chiffon tops, bold printed shirts and of course, my must have shoes! £109 

These little beauties are available in House of Fraser concessions (like my lovely one, pop in and say hi if you're in Nottingham!), selected John Lewis stores and of course, at the gorgeous Ted Baker Stores. You can also get them online here.

This post isn't just a marketing ploy by the way. I am genuinely in love with these designs and think they are a great asset to any winter wardrobe!

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Exciting times

As you may or may not know, I don't have much of a social life, and because of this the small things in my day make a huge impact.

Today I opened a new shampoo. Raspberry to be exact. (And yes, my hair smells amazing) 

Another thing that made my day was the new bits my neighbouring concession at work received in this week. Not great when you,re on a student budget, but a quiet afternoon allows for maximum 'wishing I had you in my wardrobe' time. 

Today's favourites are:

£80 for the dress!!!! And, lucky students get 15% discount with their cards! My loan can't come quickly enough! 

Incase you can't quite see the stunning bag in the above photo, here's a closer look:

Proper bag porn. £275. Slightly out of budget, but with its stunning metal corners, exquisite finishing and a removable shoulder strap, this is all I need in my AW13 wardrobe to be happy!

Finally, every winter wardrobe needs a cost knit, and by god this is cosy:

£72. But trust me; it's worth it. Layered over some skinny jeans, leather look leggings or even shorts and chunky tights and boots, this screams fashion but also keeps you super toasty :)

While you all go running to the French Connection website to drool over their new bits, I'm going to sell my life on eBay so I too can gorge on their creative beauty.

If you have time, check out their incredible new campaign for the winter, created by Rankin's new agency. I have a post on this in the running with online magazine #idgaf (due to launch online mid august) but if you can't wait that long, have a look at this:

http://youtu.be/Vvtv8T8lQ9c

Tonight consists of chocolate pancakes, cuddles and a long long sleep. Looking at clothes all day makes a girl sleepy!

X

Sudden Epiphany

As I was washing the dishes this afternoon I realised something. Something huge. Something which, if overcome, could mean all of the crazy little day dreams I have far too many times in a day to be normal would become true. I wouldn't say what I am having is a quater-life crisis, or that these thoughts are the more sensible ponderings my drugged up on pain killers drowsy mind is producing; its more a realisation.

I'M SCARED OF EVERYTHING

Yes I understand that everyone has phobias (clowns and spiders and creepy children), but this is different. It's all to do with my personality. I'm too nice. I don't like to let people down or make them feel bad due to what I really think, so I keep everything inside, or go to a lot of effort to ensure that I do everything possible for them. Take for example a recent group project. Crappy group, lack of dedication to the project or the grade = one stressed blonde who thinks everything will be fine because she will pull the extra weight and try and fix the cracks. Sadly my human polyfiller approach once again went tits up. No bad comments on my behalf, but as a group, we sucked. And boy was I annoyed. But again, the only people who heard this was my lovely welsh friend, my boyf and the parents.

I think this is one of the reasons I have become a fair-weather blogger. I make the decision that I am going to write something that, even if it influences or touches the mind of one person then my work here is done. I am committed for a week then get distracted by something shiny or biscuit shaped. I'm scared that my opinion will once again be lost within the crowd of incredible talent within the world, and indeed, within my course. There must be at least one blog per person on my course in my year (around 80 people?) and numerous before and after me, so why read mine?

This is where the epiphany came from.

I want to be a writer, and so far, thanks to an amazing project I am currently working on, this is soon to be a weekly reality. But I want more. It's all well and good being given things to write about on a weekly basis, but I want to express myself too. Welcome to my online diary.

I will stick to this I promise! I will be posting regularly, once a week if not more, and will open my heart and share my fears and dreams with the internet, and hopefully a few interested readers. Internet, you will be my psychiatrist. I will tell you everything about the dreaded third year at university, share with you the ups and downs (more ups I hope), with a few lovely fashion finds, foodie favourites and fingers crossed, news of a career with my dream magazine thrown in too.

This is a diary of a romantic cliche with back problems, who cannot walk in high heels.

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