Favourite Blog Posts | January

Hello and apologies for the lack of blog posts last week! I have been feeling a bit under the weather so having not prepared blog posts in advance (as per) and with snuggling up watching series and sleeping taking priority, there has been a bit of a radio silence - we are all allowed a week off sick though right?

Anyway, I am here to tell the tale and today I am kicking off a new monthly series where I'll be dolling out the blogger love by sharing with you some of my favourite blog posts from the past month and writing my thoughts/responses to the post in question. I think this will be a great way to communicate on a deeper level with some of my favourite bloggers and posts - rather than just leaving a comment - and bring to attention to rather special posts and perhaps new blogs I have discovered! So let's get cracking with January!

© SHOT FROM THE STREET

Lizzy Hadfield from Shot From The Street always writes bloody amazing blog posts. Many of them just talk about outfits but occasionally she writes these very meaningful posts that really get me thinking. There were actually two posts from Shot From The Street that I especially loved in January but this one about being uninspired just took the top spot.

With this outfit post, Lizzy takes us back to the street in Leeds she used to shoot on when she first started blogging, which at the time she felt held back her content and was not as inspiring as other bloggers' shoot locations in Paris or London. She shares links to some of her first outfit shoots and I love that she is able to not only laugh at herself but also recognise how far she has come. She also proves with this outfit shoot with interesting shots of her sitting on the pavement or shot from angles other than just straight on rather than just in the middle of the street, that it is how you use your location - and your resources in general - to your advantage.

This post really spoke to me because I am always blaming things outside my control for why I am struggling to produce content that I am truly happy with. I am currently very frustrated with the snow/ice/grit ridden pavements of Montreal that mean I am basically stuck in my Dr Martens boots (which are burgundy therefore restricting the colour palette) for the next few months and dreaming of a mild winter where I could where some statement ankle boots that I do not own. That's another thing - I am always worrying about my lack of income so I am unable to just impulse buy a cute shirt because it costs the same amount as my electricity bill. I know that is due to the travelling lifestyle I have chosen over the past few years, working minimum wage jobs and not staying in a place long enough to climb any career ladder. I know that if I had stayed in England it is likely that I would be earning a lot more money but then I would probably be frustrated about my lack of travel experience.

The moral of Lizzy's post and my response to it is that as humans we are always going to find things to be frustrated about but we need to try and make the best of our situation. I am going to try and find places to shoot indoors while the weather is terrible for the next few months and I am excited by this challenge and the new element it will bring to the blog. I am also going to fully utilise being able to borrow clothes from the vintage shop I work in - I know this will be frustrating for you readers not being able to just click on a link to a new product but that's the way things have got to go, this girl ain't got no money! So let's get creative and I am sure we can all produce content we are extremely proud of!

© THE GOODOWL

I discovered Charlotte Goodowl's blog just this month through someone I follow on Bloglovin' liking one of her posts that really caught my eye - Why It's Okay To Be Shit...Sometimes. Charlotte uses this post to tell herself off and explain to her readers why she has not blogged since August, which is basically due to a huge case of comparison to others - surprise surprise - and procrastination, both of which are things I can definitely relate to.

Initially it was the title that totally spoke to me because sometimes I consider myself to be a rather shit blogger. I am not saying that I think that the content I produce is shit - oh no - because similarly to Charlotte, I will never publish anything that I am not totally happy. No, I sometimes feel a bit shit that my content is inconsistent, especially on social media. I complain that my Instagram following is stagnant but is that such a surprise when I have a few days of posting consistently, perhaps twice a day, and then I can go into a few days of hibernation because either I don’t have content or the damned comparing myself to others mindset has made me believe that my content is just not good enough.

However, I decided at the beginning of the year that I was not going to let this blog - and social media - stress me out as much as it has done in the past because where is the fun in that? So for now I am taking things slowly for a reason as I want to be fully confident with everything that I publish. Of course, we are only human and it is so natural to compare ourselves to others but instead of it getting us down let's make it an inspiration! As Charlotte says "you do you" and I guarantee there will be people out there who will find you and I an inspiration next!

© PAGES BY MEGAN

Self confessed Mancunian weirdo Megan Ellaby's style blog Pages By Megan absolutely never fails to keep me inspired with her mix of effortless casual outfits and more eclectic sartorial choices. The post in question today is entitled There's No Such Thing As OTT where Megan shows just one way she would wear the maximalism trend with clashing leopard and stripe prints and a mix of textures of a PVC skirt and faux fur coat to mention just two of the things going on in this outfit.

As someone who has always experimented with fashion - from attempting to be a goth aged 11 to my phase of wearing skirt over jeans in my teens (which is actually pretty fash these days!), haha - I have certainly learnt to let people stare at my outfit if they want. Either they will be loving it and if they are not, well, as Megan says - it's not them wearing it so who cares! I guess my response to this post is a little less intense and personal as the previous two but I just wanted to give credit where it's due - this girl is always inspiring me to up my wardrobe game and is giving the confidence to all fashion-curious ladies out there that we should just wear what the hell we want when we want! 

I hope you have enjoyed this post! I am sure a lot of you will know these bloggers already and may have even read these posts but I have really enjoyed opening up and sharing my response to each one - hopefully you will feel like you know me a little better. I know it has been a hefty post so do let me know if you prefer that I choose just one post per month to respond to (although I imagine that would be bloody difficult!).


Izzie x

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27

Today is my 27th birthday. Man I feel old - how did this happen?! At least I have my wisdom, which today I am sharing with you as 27 things I have learnt in 27 years. Enjoy and take note, kids.

1. A long distance relationship is possible. 

2. Travel is the best medicine. 

3. Cats make things better.

4. Being native English speaker is both the biggest gift and the biggest hinderance. 

5. Freshly painted nails are one of life's simple pleasures. 

6. Dressing a bit weird is ok. 

7. You don't have to be friends with everyone. 

8. It is ok to say "no".

9. A glass of wine can solve any problem (but a few may make it worse).

10. Paris is the best city on Earth. 

11. I can often tell instantly when I meet someone if we're going to become good friends.

12. Getting off my face drunk is no longer worth the memory loss or hangover. 

13. Cigarettes are amazing but life is much better without them. 

14. I prefer staying in to going out out. 

15. You can never have enough shoes. Or coats.

16. There is a Friends reference for almost any situation. 

17. I would rather a year of seasons than a year of just sun.  

18. Despite having tried Vans, Adidas and Nike, I will always be a Converse girl. 

19. Cereal doused in double cream is really damn good. 

20. True friends are those you don't see for months and then when you meet up you natter like you saw them yesterday.

21. A lot of people are morons. 

22. You will work for some unpleasant people in your lifetime. Just suck it up and let's hope one day you'll be the boss.

23. Working in a clothes shop is the best way to get in shape. 

24. IKEA makes Lewis and I argue. And we basically never argue.

25. I cannot live without cheese (and I've tested this on numerous "vegan weeks").

26. My mum was right - views and museums are bloody awesome.

27. True love does exist.

Have a fabulous Friday - roll on dinner and drinks tonight!



Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Guide | The Craft Lover

PONY BAMBOO KNITTING NEEDLES, KNITTING TOTE BAG, SUPERCRAFT BOOK, JAPANESE PAPER

Hello and welcome back to the fifth and final instalment of my Christmas gift guide series! Make sure you check out the previous four posts for FASHION, BEAUTY, HOME and TRAVEL gift inspiration but today is all about crafts.

I have always been into crafts and creating, having been taught to sew and other skills at a young age. Last year I learnt to crochet thanks to the incredible catalog of YouTube videos and I have recently rediscovered the joys of knitting. I truly believe that it is never too late to take up a new hobby and the SUPERCRAFT book has some great projects - one for every weekend of the year in fact - to get your loved one inspired. It is also contains a handy sewing, crochet and knitting course so why not encourage them to learn a new skill with a gift of some stylish PONY bamboo knitting needles, a lovely ball of wool and a cute slogan tote to keep it in?

Alternatively, you could just allow their creativity flow with some beautiful patterned paper that can be used to make table place cards, in origami or even framed and put on the wall for a simple yet effective decoration! The possibilities are endless!

I hope you have enjoyed this Christmas gift guide series - I have loved creating it! It is a stressful time of year so I hope I have helped ease this by providing some gift ideas and inspiration! This may be the end of the gift guide posts but I have lots more festive posts planned throughout December and into the New Year so stay tuned.

Izzie x
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Youtube: A Trip To Boston Vlog

Izzie x
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YouTube: First Weekly Vlog In Montreal

Izzie x
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Taking Risks

Dress - CHEAP MONDAY via ASOS, Tights - SIMILAR, Boots - old ASOS, SIMILAR

Location: Redland Green, Bristol

Today's post is all about taking risks, not playing by your rules and giving something else a go. Take these photos as an example - this is the first grungy outfit that I have worn in a long time; my hair is swept dramatically to one side; and I am standing in a park experimenting with sunlight to create beautiful imagery rather than just standing on a street.

I would not say that I have one particular style. I love the retro sixties and seventies; I like minimal, basic looks and, like in this outfit, I am into a bit of grunge. I think that is what fashion - and indeed life - is all about. It is fun to mix up personal style, try new things and take risks. Although today's outfit does not seem super risky, it is different for me because I hardly ever wear figure hugging dresses and I am normally hiding behind my big floppy fringe. It is a funny story about the different hair here really - I was basically just so hot and flustered getting ready for this shoot that I shoved my hair to the side and actually really liked it (but don't worry, I won't be getting rid of the fringe just yet).

I guess I am thinking a lot about taking risks at the moment. Lewis and I are currently in Bristol, in limbo, trying to decide our next life move. Last March, we applied for Working Holiday Visas for Canada and after a long wait, we finally got them in October. I feel that it will be such a risk to move to Canada because we do not know what the job market is like over there and we do not know anyone. I also feel like I am getting on a bit - I know, 26 (and a half) is not old but as a woman, my body is a ticking bomb and I need to work out what I am doing with my life! On the other hand, what is life without risks and travel and experiences? If it doesn't work out, then we can just come back. Nothing is permanent, nothing is wrong and everything can be positive if you have the right attitude.

Am I talking about a super random mix of things in this post? I apologise if you are confused - fashion, life, what?! Sometimes, it is good to get things out, written down and perhaps someone will understand my ramblings.

Aujourd’hui, je vous parle de prendre des risques, de ne pas être réglo et d’essayer quelque chose de nouveau. Si on prend ces photos comme un exemple – ça fait longtemps que je n’ai pas porte un look « grunge » ; je suis sans frange et je porte mes cheveux sur une côté ; et on expérimente avec de la lumière pour créer des belles images au lieu d’être au milieu d’une rue.

Je vous avoue que je n’ai pas qu’un style. Je kiffe les années 60s et 70s ; j’aime bien porter des looks basics et minimalistes ; et comme dans ce look, j’adore un peu de grunge. Je pense que dans la mode – et dans la vie – c’est bien d’avoir plein de préférences. C’est marrant de changer son style personnel, d’essayer des nouvelles choses et de prendre des risques. Même si cette tenue du jour ne parait pas super « risque », pour moi elle est différente parce que je ne porte presque jamais des pièces serrées et normalement je me cache derrière ma frange. En fait, j’ai fait mes cheveux comme cela parce qu’en me préparant pour ce shoot, j’ai eu chaud. Du coup j’ai mis tous mes cheveux sur le côté et je les aime bien ! (Mais je ne vais pas pousser ma frange – vous ne vous inquiétez pas !)

Je pense beaucoup au sujet de prendre des risques en ce moment. Lewis et moi sommes à Bristol, dans le flou, et nous essayons de décider ce que nous faisons pour notre prochain chapitre de vie ! En mars 2015, nous avons applique pour les visas pour aller en Canada et après avoir attendu trop longtemps, nous avons reçu les visas en octobre. Je crois que nous prenons un risque d’aménager là-bas parce que nous ne connaissons pas son monde de travail et nous ne connaissons personne. Je me sens que je vieille – je sais que je n’ai que 26 ans (et demi) mais comme une femme, nos corps font tic-tac et il faut que je trouve ce que je veux faire dans la vie ! De l’autre côté, c’est quoi la vie sans prendre des risques, sans des voyages et sans des expériences ? Si notre aménagement a Canada ne marche pas, nous pouvons revenir ! Rien n’est permanent, rien n’est perdu et tous peut être positif si on a la bonne attitude.

Je ne sais pas si je vous parle d’un mélange bizarre de sujets dans ce poste ?! Je suis désolée si vous êtes confus – la mode, la vie, quoi ?! Des fois, c’est bien de dire ou écrire ce qu’on pense et j’espère que vous me comprenez ! 


Izzie x

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The Comfiest Bra I Have Ever Owned By Oysho

Bra - OYSHO, Briefs - OYSHO

Every girl reading this would agree, I'm sure, that boobs and what contains them - bras - are pretty damn important. Boobs can be the source stress, insecurity, pain but also freedom and pleasure depending on your attitude towards your own pair. A few years ago, I was obsessed with having larger boobs than I actually did - even though they were definitely bigger than they are now - and I would wear extremely padded push-up bras to boost my bust. However, since losing weight whilst living in Paris, I am finally happy with my moderately sized set and I have fully embraced being able to wear bras without under-wiring or padding.

Triangle bras and bralettes are already more comfy than most bras, although I find that they can rise up because they have less structure to them, but this recent purchase from Oysho took comfort to a whole new level. After years and years of tugging at bras and readjusting them, it is an absolute joy to find a bra that sits perfectly on my body and hardly even feels like it is there. Of course it is just a bonus that this wonderfully comfy bra is this pretty. I normally buy black bras (and yes they do this bra in black too, I've checked) but I was completely drawn to this lovely blush pink one with cream lace detailing.

How has your boob and bra journey been? Have you finally accepted your pair? Have you found your perfect bra? I would love to hear any tips!

Chaque femme qui lit ce poste sera d'accord que des seins et ce qui les contiennent - des soutiens-gorge - sont super importants. Des seins peuvent nous créer du stress, du manque d'assurance et de la douleur mais aussi de la liberté et du plaisir selon comment votre attitude envers votre poitrine. Il y a quelques années, j'étais obsédé par l'idée d'avoir des seins beaucoup plus larges que j'avais. Même si mes seins étaient plus larges qu'ils sont maintenant, je portais des soutiens-gorge rembourre pour donner l'impression d'une buste plus grande. Cependant, après avoir perdu des poids quand j'habitais a Paris, enfin je suis contente avec mes seins d'une taille modéré et j'adopte complètement de pouvoir porter des soutiens-gorges sans rembourrage.

Des soutiens-gorge triangle sont déjà beaucoup plus confortable que d'autres soutiens-gorges - même si je trouve qu'ils s'élèvent des fois parce qu'ils ont moins structure. Ce soutien-gorge que j'ai acheté récemment chez Oysho me donne du confort d'un autre niveau! Apres des années et des années de rajuster mes soutiens-gorges, ça me fait plaisir d'en trouver un qui va parfaitement sur mon corps. Bien sur que c'est un plus que ce soutien-gorge est vachement beau. Normalement, j'achète des soutiens-gorge noirs (et Oysho fait celui-ci en noir aussi, j'ai vérifié!) mais j'aime beaucoup sa couleur rose et les détails de dentelle de celui-ci

C'était comment votre histoire de seins? Vous acceptez votre poitrine? Vous avez trouve votre soutien-gorge parfait? Ce serait un plaisir de lire vos conseils!

Izzie x
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I Love Bristol | Bulrush Restaurant Review

Bristol is a city full of really really good places to eat and I am so excited to share with you some old favourites and new discoveries while I am back in my hometown for an extended stay. We are starting this culinary tour at BULRUSH, a relatively new restaurant located in Kingsdown, which serves deliciously exotic and experimental food.

We kicked off with some Kir Royals - always - followed by some complimentary white onion soup with stout vinegar reduction, chargrilled onion dusting served with some beautifully soft bread. Free food is always such a bonus and a real sign that a restaurant wants to treat their customers and show them a good time. I would not normally order onion soup from a menu but I would certainly order this again and pay for it! It was super silky and flavoursome whilst not being too "oniony".

When it came to ordering food, it was seriously hard to choose a starter as so many of them sounded right up my street. After much deliberation, I went for the scallop rose ceviche with watercress puree, black sesame and rock samphire. Sounds fancy doesn't it? Well it certainly was. For my first mouthful I was not so sure that I liked it because I could taste some vinegar which, as I do more and more of these food posts you'll get to know that I hate, but after a couple more tries, I was completely sold. The dish was fresh with lots of different textures and flavours and just look how beautifully it is presented! Anything with flower petals gets a thumbs up from me!

My main course was another taste explosive in the form of pan fried hake with sweetcorn, cavolo nero, mussels and pickled girolles (don't worry, I was assured that they were not too "vinegary"). The hake was beautifully cooked and being not too strong, was the perfect fish to sit on a bed of such contrasting flavours and textures. The sweetcorn and grains were crunchy, the mussels were soft, the girolles were rubbery (if that is the best way to describe mushrooms!) and the hake just melted in the mouth. 

Right so we all got the same dessert - chocolate delice with parsnip sponge, parsnip mousse, honeycomb pieces topped with yogurt sorbet. Hang on, did I say parsnip? Twice? That's right and although you could taste the parsnip, thanks to the vegetable's natural sweetness it was the perfect partner to a gooey chocolate dessert. The yogurt sorbet brought the tangy and less sweet element while the honeycomb pieces were a welcome crunch to this otherwise soft dessert.

We finished off the meal with coffees, mint tea for me and some complimentary homemade peanut fudge and blackcurrant fruit pastilles - another lovely touch!

I would highly recommend Bulrush restaurant for any special occasion, birthday or celebration you have coming up - any excuse eh? I would say that it is slightly pricey but it is always nice to treat yourself once in a while and the food is so worth it!

BULRUSH RESTAURANT | 21 Cotham Road, Bristol, BS6 5TZ

Izzie x
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YouTube: Glastonbury Festival 2016 Vlog

Happy Sunday! If you have been keeping up to date on this blog or on my INSTAGRAM, you will know that last weekend I was at Glastonbury Festival! It is such an incredible and inspiring place that I just had to vlog my five days in a field. Check out what I got up to and who I saw over a weekend filled with love, music and alotta mud.
Izzie x
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Glastonbury Festival 2016 Photo Diary

What a crazy week it has been. At least I was able to live through the initial pain of the referendum result in a little bubble in best place on earth, Glastonbury Festival. I had absolutely great time, despite the mud and tired feet because it is always worth it. I have a vlog coming on Sunday which goes into more detail about who I saw and what I did so without giving too much away, here is a little photo diary. 

Highlights included doing power ballad yoga; doing real yoga; the food and the cider; the fireworks at Stone Circle on Wednesday night; exploring the Greenpeace field and going on its drop slide; catching up with old friends; spending time with Lewis; and watching Ronnie Spector, Sigur Ros, The Last Shadow Puppets, Will Young and of course Adele and Coldplay. 

Izzie x
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