tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24111910349903270762024-03-14T06:33:43.947+00:00emiloueEmily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-21062297606668041172018-10-09T08:00:00.000+01:002018-10-09T08:00:05.767+01:00Am I A Bad Blogger?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love browsing a new-in section, or swiping up on the newest blogger purchase, but I've got to say, that isn't something I find myself putting out into the world. I always tag my outfits or leave links when I can, but in reality I wear the same clothes all the time, and some of those items have been long sold out. I just had a clear out and narrowed down my selection even more! Getting the cost-per-wear of an item down to pennies makes me feel like I've made a sound purchase. However, I also question whether this makes me a Bad Blogger. If I keep talking about the same products over and over, is it boring for my readers? It's something I debate a lot, and so I thought it was time to bring the debate to the blog and hey, maybe you'll give me some feedback...<br />
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The thing is, I'm not first-and-foremost a blogger. I'm just a girl (standing in front of a boy... kidding) who goes to university and has a part-time job and really loves clothes and blogging. I'm also not made of money. I'd rather shop in <b>Topshop</b> or <b>Zara</b> over <b>Primark</b>, yes, but I just can't drop hundreds of pounds on regular hauls, for new content. I'm also the kind of person who can't place an order immediately. I find myself mulling over an online basket for at least a few days before clicking checkout. I get really annoyed at myself when I buy something that I don't use or wear, and so I just don't buy things all the time, instead pondering over clothes or makeup for a while. The general rule is that if I keep thinking about something for days, then I'll buy it. I don't buy clothes to blog about them, I buy them because I want to wear them. There have been times where I've thought, 'ooh, I'd love to photograph this,' sure, but it's never the first thought.<br />
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Look, I get it. It can be boring to see the same outfit over social media again and again. It can be annoying if you like a top and you can't buy it because it's been sold out for two years. But that's real life. As I'm writing this I'm wearing the jeans I bought three years ago, and I'm not going to throw them away because they're old. They're in perfect condition and comfier than ever, and isn't it a good thing as a reader to hear that there are high street jeans that will last that long?<br />
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Take this outfit photographed for example. The jumpsuit was bought a few months ago, and it isn't available online anymore. The bag is currently sold out in this colour. The shoes are sold out. I'm wearing the jewellery that I wear every single day. Also it being October now means that the outfit isn't really seasonally appropriate anymore. But it's real. No, I don't prance around in humongous greenhouses every day, but was on holiday, in a comfortable outfit, and took a few minutes of my time there to take some photos. I love this outfit! The jumpsuit is one of my absolute favourite items of clothing in my wardrobe, as it fits me really well and is so versatile. The bag is my only designer purchase, and one I treasure every time I wear it. Even though they aren't available right now, the jumpsuit and bag are items I get Instagram comments and messages about whenever I post them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/Tkml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MISS SELFRIDGE JUMPSUIT</a> (similar)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.topshop.com/" target="_blank">TOPSHOP SHOES</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://popandsuki.com/products/bigger-camera-bag?variant=54671858965" target="_blank">POP & SUKI BAG</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.shopstyle.co.uk/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=513913920&pid=uid8564-30492258-62" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/product/white-zircon-pendant-necklace-in-sterling-silver-042cts/nbse10/" target="_blank">GEMPORIA NECKLACE</a>*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://jomajewellery.com/13-a-littles" target="_blank">JOMA JEWELLERY BRACELET</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/Tkmx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GOLDSMITHS RING</a></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">There isn't anything wrong with buying new clothes, but it isn't sustainable doing it all the time. We all fall into the trap of fast fashion from time to time, but it is important to remember that not every purchase is necessary. Trends come and go, and it's so fun to embrace them if they're your style, but endlessly consuming throwaway items is ultimately a waste of money, and it's something I try hard not to do. I'm know I spend more money on clothes and makeup than some people I know, but I'm also a good saver and I know what I like to spend my money on, and so I budget for that. Sometimes that means splurging a little on a winter coat, and sometimes that means not buying anything new for a month, or waiting until there's a bigger student discount going. Waiting for discounted events like sales means I'm not always first to post an item online, but to be honest, that's not a concern of mine. I just want to own clothes that I love.</span></div>
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We all have purchased a new dress for a night out despite owning a bunch already, because we don't want to be seen in the same outfit over and over. And I get that, I do. But I've been trying to teach myself out of this. When I bought the jumpsuit pictured, I knew I was going to wear it to a media event at uni. I had the outfit in mind for the night, all dressed up with heels and my ~fancy~ bag. But because it's black and white, a simple shape, and super comfortable, I knew it could become a go-to outfit. No one cares if you wear the same item, or even the entirely same outfit, again. If you love it, there is no reason for not wearing it whenever you get the chance. The other thing is, I could also picture it as a casual piece. I could imagine wearing it with trainers, or with a tee underneath, or with a denim jacket. It's something I try and do with every item I buy, questioning whether I can wear it for more than one occasion, rather than buying it for one night and tossing it away. Obviously there are exceptions, like super fancy items that you'll only wear once in a blue moon, but it does apply for the majority of my wardrobe.<br />
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To be honest, and this is the biggest factor for me when it comes to recycling outfits, I really like when bloggers re-wear clothes. I believe it's the biggest sign of someone being authentic online. It's also fun to see how they can style up the same item in multiple ways, like for different events or seasons. It is just so unrealistic to wear something brand new every day. It applies to makeup too. Most of my makeup collection is actually formed of products which I had seen people talking about repeatedly, like <b><a href="https://www.theannaedit.com/" target="_blank">Anna</a></b> with the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/TkmB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream</a></b>. Some of my favourite makeup isn't available anymore because it was limited edition. I'm not very adventurous with it either - I basically use the same base/brow/mascara combination and change my eyes and lips depending on my mood. Does that make me a bad blogger? I just see a person who has found the 'holy grails' which we are all searching for. It doesn't mean I won't try new things, but when it comes to sharing products online, I want to write about the ones that I would genuinely share with my friends.
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I titled this piece Am I a Bad Blogger? because this is such a consumer-based industry. But I believe there is more to blogging than money. I love reading about a new purchase, of course I do, but the reason I keep returning to a blog or Instagram feed is because I trust that person's sense of style and love to see them wearing the clothes they love. Blogging began as a method of sharing the things you love just because. One thing that I think is often forgotten is that (at least in my mind) a blogger isn't simply a mannequin wearing an outfit ready for you to buy. They can be inspiration. An Instagram photo can spark an idea for me, whether it's a new colour combination to try, or something as simple as remembering that actually, I've already got a pair of trousers that I could wear like that. Blogging doesn't always have to be about spending money, but instead about shopping your wardrobe and inspiring you to wear your existing clothes in new and exciting ways.<br />
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This isn't a call for bloggers to stop shopping - we all know it's going to keep happening, because it's fun to share. But I think it's something worth talking about. Outfit repeating isn't some embarrassing faux-pas, it's a sign that you love your personal style.Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-10836097410853565282018-09-03T08:00:00.000+01:002018-09-03T08:00:01.217+01:00New Beginnings: A Little Life Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm writing this post while sitting on my new couch (old couch with new throw over-top) in my new flat (as of July) with a week to go until I start my postgrad degree. The weather is gloomy-but-warm, much like when I took these photos, I've watched three episodes of Parenthood with my flatmate and best friend, I've finished my responsibilities for the day, and so as said friend leaves for work I've decided to pick up my laptop and type away. I feel like my life has changed dramatically this summer, but not in an overwhelming, panicky way. As someone who has never existed without academia, I always feel like September is the start of a new year, not January. Yes, I reflect around New Year's Eve, but the time when my life <i>actually</i> changes the most is right now.<br />
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So what's the big thing? I graduated from university. I've written a post on <b><a href="https://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/08/lessons-learned-at-university.html" target="_blank">the lessons I learned at uni</a></b>, and another on <b><a href="https://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/08/my-experience-studying-creative-writing.html" target="_blank">what it's like studying a Creative Writing degree</a></b>, but I don't feel as if I've noted down how it feels to be a graduate. In a way, it doesn't feel like I'll accept it until I finish the year-long postgrad I'm about to start, but what it has done is make me realise that I'm not alone in feeling lost, and that everyone moves at their own pace. I know people who have secured 'proper' jobs straight away, those who are biding their time in the part-time jobs they already had, and those who really have no clue what they are doing. I helped out at my uni's open day last week and it made me so excited to go back. I just love learning about books, guys. I've fended off quite a few 'So WHY are you doing a Masters?' questions since leaving university, and the simplest answer is that I just wanted to, and I'm beginning to accept that that's the only reason I need.<br />
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I did get a job, though. It's nothing fancy, a part-time retail role, but it's in a store I already like, and with the loveliest people. I've gone into jobs before where I felt like I was thrown in and expected to learn everything within the first hour of being there, but here I feel like I can ask the 'stupid' questions and not be laughed at, and I'm hoping it's the sign of a great experience. Well, as great as retail can be. <b><a href="https://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/01/on-feeling-like-im-going-nowhere.html" target="_blank">I've mentioned before how I struggle with jobs</a></b> - not that I'm a disastrous employee, I'm a more capable person than I let on (sometimes) but that internally I'm panicking the whole time about doing things wrong, even when I'm doing well. But right now I'm feeling very positive, and I'm actually quite keen to push through the training period, despite some beginner's nerves.<br />
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Like I said up-top, I moved again this year. I hate moving with a passion, but I love how settled I feel in this place. I've never lived with someone who I was friends with before the fact, and it's so refreshing having someone always around to chat to, and be comfortable enough that sitting in silence or even in separate rooms doesn't feel like a big deal. We've done quite a bit of decorating in our living room, turning it into this really cosy area that also has really cool personal touches. I think it's key to have the communal areas of a flat feel like an amalgamation of shared personalities, and this one definitely does. The flat itself isn't in my favourite area of the city, but I'm beginning to see its merits and it's close to that new job I got, so really I can't complain too much. Home is what you make of it, and I'm giving it a good go. (Note to mum if you're reading: it's still my second home.)<br />
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I had to let go of a lot of things this summer. Let go of an undergraduate me, let go of a flat literally two minutes from uni, let go of friends who are moving away (not forever, of course), let go of an abundance of free time. Some people, though, they might have been forever goodbyes. It's always sad letting go of people who mean so much to you, but sometimes the signs are there, whether it's a disappointing message reply or the fact they didn't tell you they were in town. Things don't last forever, and that's something I'm constantly trying to remind myself. I don't like change! Or I do, but only when it benefits me. I think I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that all these new beginnings I'm experiencing are positive, and that holding onto the past isn't always helpful.<br />
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It's a bit of a jumble, this post, but I think it reflects my state of mind right now. I'm a strange combination of comfortable and uncomfortable. I've set all these things up, and I'm preparing to leap into tackling them all. It's like I'm on one of those vertical roller coasters, teetering on the ledge, about to race downwards towards all of these <i>things</i>. Let's see where this year goes.Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-20120744220046564822018-08-29T08:00:00.000+01:002018-09-02T15:55:22.009+01:00The Media Club: August '18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Think of this as a kind of book club, but for all media. Inspired by the opening section of <b>The High Low</b> podcast (more on that later), where Dolly and Pandora share what they've been reading, watching, listening, or generally consuming that week, I want to share the media bits which I've been thinking about recently. Although I plan on doing this once a month, this isn't so much of a monthly favourites post - it's more of a way for me to share different forms of media which I find interesting! Sometimes it'll be things I enjoyed, sometimes it'll be something that made me think, or sometimes something that I'd like more people to pay attention to. From books to blog posts, films to articles, this will be a place to share anything that is on my mind. Here's the first one...<br />
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It seems remiss to not mention the podcast which prompted this whole idea! <a href="https://www.acast.com/thehighlowshow/" target="_blank"><b>The High Low</b></a> is probably my new favourite podcast, and I binged 60 episodes in a month to now be up to date. Each episode features a mixture of current affairs, pop culture, a chat about what media Dolly and Pandora have consumed that week, and then a focus on a particular topic. I find myself hearing about writers I would never have heard about otherwise, and my mind opened to new perspectives. What's more, Dolly and Pandora are incredibly intelligent, lovely, and hilarious hosts. I love a podcast that has a bit of structure, but ultimately has a chatty nature, and it's one of those ones that I don't tire of listening to.<br />
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I managed to get a few books read so far this summer, but the stand-out is definitely <b><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-psychopath-test/jon-ronson/9780330492270" target="_blank">The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson</a></b>. It's one I've been meaning to read for a while, along with Jon's other books, and I'm so glad I finally did it. It's an incredibly in-depth look at how society views "in-between" mental health issues, and discusses why we are so intent on labelling people. Jon's writing is filled with humour but at no point does it feel like he is making fun of psychopathy, instead his humour makes the topic really accessible. I found myself intermittently stopping and saying, "I need to tell you this!" to my family, as some of the stories and facts are so mind-blowing. I highly recommend this read, and I'll even give a shout-out to another of his texts - <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/jon-ronson/9780330492294" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">So You've Been Publicly Shamed</a> was equally as captivating, and actually relates closely to a <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/07/the-internet-doesnt-understand-nuance.html" target="_blank">blog post I wrote recently on call-out culture online</a></b>. I must add more Jon Ronson books to my list!<br />
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My Netflix recommendation this month is <b>Dark Tourist</b>. It's a documentary series that takes journalist David Farrier around the world as he explores the shocking or dark locations and experiences that tourists may seek out. From nuclear radiation tours in Japan, to Jeffrey Dahmer tours in Milwalkee, to meeting vampires in New Orleans, it really is such an interesting watch. The tourist spots can be quite macabre, and there are a few instances of animal slaughtering, so be warned if that's not your thing. Despite a few <i>oh my god</i> moments on my part, I found it so fascinating seeing the things that people will pay to do, and how far they will let their morbid interests take them. I really hope they make a second season, because I flew through the 8 episodes!<br />
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Lastly, I'd like to share <b><a href="http://thelittleplum.co.uk/2018/07/my-weird-relationship-with-fake-tan-will-i-ever-stop-wearing-it.html" target="_blank">Chloe Plumstead's article on fake tan</a></b>. I recently had a big catch up read of Chloe's blog as it's one of my absolute favourites, and this article really resonated with me. It's a bit of a cop-out to just tell you to read it because it sums up my thoughts exactly, but you should read it because it sums up my thoughts exactly. I'd say roughly 80% of the time I have a layer of fake tan on but not many people actually know, because I really do just apply the bare minimum to look like I have a bit of a ~healthy glow~ going on. But as Chloe points out - is that sinister? Does a tan really make me look healthier? Is it great that I've found a way to feel confident? Or is it masking my insecurities and making me rely on a bottle? It's a really interesting read, and one I'm going to keep thinking about!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-17403659177062261222018-08-19T08:00:00.000+01:002018-08-19T08:00:09.280+01:00My Experience Studying Creative Writing at Uni<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently wrote a post, along with the help of my uni friends, about <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/08/lessons-learned-at-university.html" target="_blank">the lessons I learned while at university</a></b>. These lessons were quite general, more about the personal rather than study. However today, because I clearly have uni on the mind, I wanted to talk about something more specific: studying Creative Writing. It's one of those subjects that gets a lot of debate. When I would tell people what I was studying, I would get the same questions. What's that like? What are you going to do with that? Isn't it too subjective? And it's true, I think there is an element of risk when you pick creative subjects in academia. However, if it's what you love, it's worth it. I had an overall positive experience with Creative Writing, but I will admit that towards the end of my degree I was questioning whether it was really for me or not.<br />
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I thought I'd start this post off, before looking at some pros and cons of the subject, by sharing the structure of the creative writing course at my uni, as I believe it differs from others. At my uni, you can only study Creative Writing along with English Lit, so through a Joint-Honours MA degree. Essentially, I could take English modules (which included Film Studies modules), and Creative Writing modules. Each Creative Writing module was a little different, but very simply put there would be a mixture of 2 hour seminars where we would be taught about a particular writing style through close-reading, chatting, and sometimes trying out the style ourselves, and 4 hour workshops, where we would be given prompts and have to write something on the spot. Everything was graded through coursework, either from essays or a big folio of creative work. In our workshops, after responding to our prompts, we would have to read out pieces aloud for immediate feedback from the tutor and other students. It sounds terrifying - and it definitely was at first, but within a few weeks we all got so used to it that we could enjoy it!<br />
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It's difficult to state whether a degree is right for someone or not, because obviously everyone is different. I know people who have totally thrived on Creative Writing, it being the highlight of uni (academically) for them, and some people who really struggled and wondered whether they had made the right choice. I feel like I fell somewhere in the middle. I loved Creative Writing for the first couple years, but in my final year I felt like my interests were shifting more towards English Lit - a subject which I have always had such an interest in and which I've decided to study in a postgrad starting September.<br />
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<i>I'm sure it goes without saying, but this post is all based on my personal experience.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">CONS</span><br />
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<b>It's subjective.</b> This is the argument that a lot of people have when it comes to studying creative subjects, or even when it comes to English exams in school. One tutor's opinion or preference will differ from another's. I've been to see a tutor who told me I was bound to get an A, and walked out with a C because someone else marked it. It's disappointing, but I honestly think you just have to grin and bear it, and if you are absolutely adamant that you should be getting higher grades, then universities will allow appeals with sufficient evidence. For example, I probably could have appealed my C because I've never achieved anything lower than a B for my entire university career. I chose not to, because it didn't affect me getting a First (because of the As and Bs I had in everything else), but if it had threatened my degree classification then I definitely would have gone down that route. I can completely understand why this would be disheartening for someone, I even wrote <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/02/will-i-ever-be-confident-in-my.html" target="_blank">a post about this topic</a></b> a few months ago, but it's important to remember that one person's opinion does not mean that you are not a good writer.<br />
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<b>You have to write things that you're not interested in</b>. One thing I loved about my first year of Creative Writing was that we got to try out a variety of writing styles. We learned about styles I had never even heard of before, such as prose poetry - a style I really love writing in now! Sure, there were times I really didn't get on with a style, but by the next week we were on to something different. I actually think this is a really useful way of teaching Creative Writing, as it gives those who are unsure what their style is to find something that works for them, and gives those who are set in their ways the chance to being introduced to something new. However, by my 4th year of uni, there were still classes where I had to write in a style that I had learned I didn't like. I was being asked to write reviews, which I hate (book reviews are so different to beauty reviews, who knew), or poetry which even though I like, I just know isn't really my thing. At this point, I knew what I wanted to write, but I was being forced into styles or formats which didn't appeal to me. At that stage in the game, I feel you should be allowed to focus on exactly what you want to refine.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">PROS</span><br />
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<b>Confidence</b>. I mentioned previously how we would read out the work we had just written in class, and how it was terrifying at first. But what I didn't say was how thankful I am that we were made to do it. I've never really enjoyed reading out loud at school, but after doing it week after week it doesn't phase me too much anymore. I also noticed that I became so much more confident in my other classes. Instead of staying silent during English or Film classes, I found myself sharing my opinions more, so it definitely helped improve my uni career. I also sat on the English, Film and Creative Writing stall for uni open days, teaching potential applicants about the options at uni. It's something I never would have picked to do without becoming comfortable talking in front of people. Finally, it has also given me more confidence in my writing. Yeah sure, there are times when I don't like things I've written. But I can see such a steep improvement from my writing before uni, and my writing now, and it's down to feeling like I can actually do it.<br />
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<b>Support.</b> I know I've talked about how subjective Creative Writing can be in terms of grading, but I do have to give props to the staff for the amount of support they would give. They were happy to have one-on-one meetings outside of class to read work, to give criticism or guidance, and sometimes to even help facilitate work experience. I was also able to go to one of my tutors for general chats about life, and really appreciated a sounding board in times of need. To put it delicately, I felt that there were some tutors who liked the tough-love approach to teaching, but others were so kind and so willing to help. This is one of the amazing things about uni in general actually - tutors always have office hours where their doors are open to chat. Whether it's help with coursework or something you're working on out of class, they are such a good resource available to you.<br />
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<b>Friendship.</b> Never in my life have I found a more supportive group of people than in my Creative Writing class. We would always clap for each other after reading out, tell each other how much we loved each other's pieces, give constructive and friendly criticism, and that was just in the classroom. My closest friends from uni were Creative Writing students, and I think it's because we all learned straight away how to be supportive to one another. We also all knew the struggle of being nervous about work, sharing our personal histories through writing, and commiserating over negative feedback together. I'm sure we were the exception to the rule at times, considering how well we got on, but I will say that if you pick a creative degree then you will be surrounded by creative people. And, by nature, creative people understand creative people. They understand the stress and the pressure, and they also know how important it is to feel good about what you create. Hence, you'll find people who have got your back!<br />
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It goes without saying that university isn't for everyone, and that you don't need to study Creative Writing to be a writer. But if it's something you are considering then I say, keep considering. There are cons, of course there are, but I really do feel like I grew as a person <i>and</i> as a writer. It will be such a learning curve, and you can really get so much out of it if you're willing to go the distance. Studying writing also gives you the chance to learn from other writers (tutors, guest speakers, and your fellow students) which you may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise.<br />
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If you'd like to hear anything else about studying Creative Writing which I might not have mentioned, leave a comment below! And if you've studied it too, what are your thoughts?Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-43540969214573159062018-08-14T08:00:00.000+01:002018-08-14T08:00:05.990+01:00Lessons Learned at University <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look at me, a big smile on my face because minutes before I had graduated from University of Dundee, with a First Class Honours degree in MA English and Creative Writing. I walked across the stage (I was the tenth person I believe) and got bopped on the head, and screamed and clapped the rest of the way through. I'm not normally one to blow my own trumpet (I took piano and flute for a start) but I am so damn proud of myself for achieving the grades I did, getting an A for my dissertation which I <i>actually really enjoyed</i> writing, and for all the other personal gains I made along the way.<br />
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There are so many lessons to be learned at university. And not just in your classes. I feel like I completely grew as a person when I went to uni. I had a year of college where I do feel like I stepped away from the girl I was in school, but I know that during the past four years of uni I really learned more about myself, and what I want and need. I may eventually write a post about more practical tips for going to uni, but this post is a list of the things I <i>personally</i> learned, from friendships to missing your mum. I've also roped some of my friends into sharing their most important lessons too!<br />
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<i>A tiny disclaimer: Please bear in mind that I loved uni. I'm even going back for a postgraduate degree (an MLitt in English Studies) because I love learning, literature and l... Dundee. I know it's not the same for everyone, but I feel like I graduated as a better person, and even though I don't completely know what the hell I want to do in my life, I know I'm more sure of myself than I ever have been. Onto the post...</i><br />
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<b>Your confidence and sense of self will make leaps and bounds</b>. Uni can be quite a stressful, anxiety-inducing time, it's true. But it is also the biggest contributor to my growing confidence in myself. I'm not the most confident person, but through uni I am comfortable speaking out in class, giving my own opinions, talking in front of groups of people, talking to strangers, and can see how my writing and analysis skills have grown immensely. I'm a quiet person by nature, but I learned I am not quiet-minded. I found myself doing things which I never thought I would before. It doesn't make things less terrifying, but now I know I can handle it.<br />
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<b>You're not boring if you don't drink</b>. Knowing your limits doesn't make you a dull person who can't enjoy themselves. Neither does just wanting to take a night off or just plainly not liking the taste of alcohol, or whatever other reason you may not want to drink. Over the past year I'd say 90% of the time I've had a few drinks I've had headaches on the night, so it's just not worth it to me to drink lots. I've learned that I enjoy a social drink, and I've recently got into gin and I am enjoying trying new ones, but the fact of the matter is that I absolutely hate the feeling of being drunk, and I don't really want to cause myself physical pain via those headaches, and that's totally cool. Additionally, people just don't care. I know drinking culture is huge at uni, but in my four years there was only a handful of times I felt I had to explain what's written in this paragraph to anyone.<br />
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<b>Don't feel ashamed for enjoying uni</b>. Lots of my time at uni was spent listening to people complain about classes or assignments. I 100% understand that university or academia in general is not for everyone, but it really does annoy me when I hear people complaining. I don't think some people understand how much of a privilege it is to be at university - in Scotland we don't have to pay for tuition, and it's something I think too many people take for granted. I like going into a class and hearing an interesting lecture from a person who is so excited about their research. I like giving and hearing opinions about texts, and reading all of these books and articles which I might have not known about otherwise. I like forming my own opinions and talking about them with other people. There's a strange air around uni that it's cool to not care, but actually, I think it's great to be excited about learning. Uni is just a waste of time otherwise.<br />
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<b>Don't feel ashamed for doing well</b>. More often than not, at uni you will hear people talking about how badly they've been graded in an essay, or how they haven't studied for an exam, or how they can't be bothered doing their resits. And you know what, studying isn't my favourite thing - <i>shock horror</i>. But when I put lots of effort in, and get a good grade, I should feel proud of that. Especially because I quite often enjoy the process of researching a topic I've picked myself. Yes, it can be gruelling, but I get satisfaction from seeing a project through to the end. Because there's such a big focus on how badly we're all doing, it does sometimes feel awkward to say that actually, <i>I did get an A for that essay</i>. I think it's the fear of coming off as a massive geek, the classic high school cliche. Grades aren't everything, of course, but they are still something to celebrate. Instead of being ashamed for doing well, be proud of yourself.<br />
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<b>Opportunities are there when you look for them</b>. University can be quite overwhelming at first, so I don't blame anyone for not immediately searching out new things to do - I will hold my hands up and admit that I didn't really participate in extra-curricular things in my first two years of uni. I felt like there wasn't really anything there for me because all I heard about was sports. However, when I got to the end of my second year and had made a few close friends, I realised how much there was for me to do. Throughout my years at uni I have had an internship, two jobs, become the fashion editor of the uni magazine, won an award, sat on the English, Film and Creative Writing stall at multiple open days for the uni, and attended a whole host of different events. Not to mention all the people I've met through all these things. I've made such a supportive group of friends, was in a relationship for two years, and found mentor figures in tutors.<br />
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<b>You can't make people like you</b>. I was really lucky with my coursemates throughout uni, in that I feel like we all got on so well, and even if you weren't ~proper~ friends with someone, they'd still be up for a friendly chat while waiting in the hallway. However, I had a nightmare situation with flatmates in which I admittedly had no backbone. I let them walk all over me, and it took an annoyingly long time for me to finally accept that I couldn't make them like me, no matter how nice I was to them. Some people just aren't worth your time! No matter how many lovely people you meet, there is always bound to be someone who doesn't vibe with you. Think of the phrase <i>you can be the juiciest peach in the world and there will always be someone who doesn't like peaches</i>. Your energy is best spent on yourself and the people who do get you.<br />
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<b>You're an adult, so you will be treated like one</b>. You are expected to organise yourself, to be a self-starter and to look after yourself. You can't just expect someone else to tell you exactly where you need to be, to go, or what to do. Email alerts sent straight to your phone are your best friend, as is an academic diary (whether paper or digital) and if all else fails, a group chat with course-mates to double check <i>how do I reference a quote from a website again?</i> Your tutors will treat you as if you've got your shit together. So if you don't? Go ask for help and they will happily lend you a hand. Being an adult doesn't mean knowing everything all the time. If anything, being an adult is knowing that asking for help is ok. You can't rely on other people to help you out without voicing that first.<br />
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<b>It's ok to go home and be cared for</b>. Yes, your independence is great, but sometimes you just need home. It's not good to run away from your problems, but it can be beneficial to just go home for a few days and have your family around you. If I'm having a stressful time, it's nice to be around my home comforts, having family movie nights, and having someone else cook my meals for a couple days. And even if I'm not stressed it's fun to go and visit anyway for a break from the uni routine. It puts your uni life in perspective, and gives you the time to properly switch off for a little while. There's nothing wrong with wanting your mum's advice, your dad's pizza, and your sister's hugs.<br />
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<b>It's ok to not know what you're doing when you graduate</b>. It's a small group of people who come to uni knowing exactly what they're doing afterwards, and an even smaller group who actually get a job straight after. Some people go into a career which doesn't have anything to do with the degree they studied, but the years of study and personal growth still prepared them for it. It is not a waste of time to study something which you thoroughly enjoy, because eventually you will find a way to mesh it into a future career. Yes, life is short. But there's also no reason to rush. <i>You will find your way</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now, a few lessons from my friends. Keep in mind they are all talented creative writers, which is how they've all shown me up on my own blog...</span><br />
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For me, the best thing I learned at uni was the importance of doing something you want and love. To spend around 4 years of your life on something you love makes the experience all the more memorable. The emphasis should not be on doing a degree that will get you the best paying job but a degree that you will find interesting and enjoy studying.</div>
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<b>Hamzah</b></div>
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University taught me a little about study and a lot about life. It was a period of instability that forced me to take control, whether or not I was ready for that kind of responsibility. It challenged my mental health, my bank account, and my liver. It may not have been the easiest ride, but I learned plenty of important lessons along the way: leaving things until the last minute never works out well, talking out problems is better than isolating yourself and pretending that everything is fine, living alone can in some ways be harder than living with people you dislike, and many things besides. University experiences taught me to take time for myself, and to listen to my heart but also to my friends and family. It taught me to ask for help whenever I need it, whatever I may need help with. I may not have left university with a concrete idea of who I am and what the future holds, but I left it as a more mature and ultimately better person.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.vitriolicbumblr.com/" target="_blank">Maddie</a></b></div>
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Sometimes, <i>always</i>, there are those who stand out in a crowd—not because they are the</div>
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one to step up front and kneel to rise again.</div>
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What makes them stand out is that they don’t seek out attention at all; they bow before</div>
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the world and remain there. They are cracking the stiff spine to find a language so lovely</div>
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one cannot but whisper its words aloud and watch the letters wrap themselves in all the</div>
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silent spaces between the lonely and the loved. These people are the combination of</div>
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many things—humility, kindness, sincerity, quiet resolve and endurance.</div>
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I have learned many things at university. How to embrace culture. How to listen. When to</div>
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speak. What to say. The time it takes to scribble down a list in the library. How many</div>
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skips on Spotify to save whilst studying. Where to find the best Chinese Crispy Rolls. The</div>
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most calming woodland walk to escape city centre bustle.</div>
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When to give-up and rest. The lyrics to subtitled songs. three lenses on an old camera.</div>
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How to save pennies. Public-speaking. Interview-questions. Sitting quietly—with other</div>
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people, all alone. To love <i>without</i> all the rest—without knowing what comes next.</div>
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I have learned many things at university, and still, I think the most valuable lesson I have</div>
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learned these past three years is how to find those who stand out in a crowd. The ones</div>
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whose gracious speech is as sweet and soothing as honey to the soul.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.shanleymcconnell.co.uk/blog" target="_blank">Shanley</a></b></div>
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The biggest lesson I learned at uni was that versions of yourself expire. Naturally. If you hold on to them, they’ll start rotting any new versions that you try to become. A lot of students are driven, obsessive, academic types – those types can spend so long pursuing a vision, at the expense of everything else, that by the time they manage to conjure it into reality, it’s already irrelevant. Dead weight. It took a long time for me to get that into my head, but eventually I stopped pursuing ideas of myself that looked or sounded nice – “friends forever”, “top of the class”, “his girlfriend”, “a scientist”, “a thin person”, “a boho gal”, “a novelist” – and learned to write something off quicker if it wasn’t making me happy. So I guess the biggest thing I learned at uni is that I don’t know very much about myself at all. But at least I read a shitload of books. And made some stellar friends – including you, Emily. Love you xoxo</div>
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(Also – make your bed as soon as you get out of it. It stops you crawling back in, and you will want to crawl back in some days. So trust me, make your bed. You’ll feel better.)<br />
<b>Rebecca</b></div>
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<br />Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-76380719732613861332018-08-06T08:00:00.000+01:002018-08-06T08:00:08.868+01:00A Letter to the Girl Who Doesn't Hate Her Ex-Boyfriend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dear,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The girl who still loves him, even though it is a different kind of love</i>.</span><br />
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I started writing this letter to an unknown girl. I imagined her as a twenty-something creative, a girl who had got over the all-consuming part of heartbreak, and was milling around in the part where it doesn't hurt so much, but it's not quite gone yet. And then, as every writer does I'm sure, I realised I was writing to myself. Part of me wants to hate the man who made me fall in love with him. He's the man who pursued me, who won me over and made me vulnerable and strong at the same time. He's the man who made me happier than I could have ever imagined, who had me dreaming of a future life I had never pictured before. And he is the man who ended it. The one who took it all away. This letter is to myself, but also to the other girls who don't hate their ex-boyfriends.<br />
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It's important to state the difference between loving someone and being in love with them. When we were together I was in love with him. Very in love. And I still was for a while after he broke up with me. The thing is, he had time to get over the relationship before it was over, whereas I was thrown into single life in an instant. And even though it did take a long time to accept it, I taught myself to love him without being in love with him, the man who once told me that he didn't want to be in a relationship anymore. I taught myself to look at him as a person, not as my boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend. I don't not hate him because I'm in love with him, the reason I don't hate him is because he's a good person and because, I like to think, so am I. He hurt me, but I am working to forgive him for that.<br />
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There are still times when I have to remind myself that I can't rely on him anymore. It could be something as trivial as realising that I've only been to the cinema once over the summer because that was Our Thing that we did together. Mammia Mia: Here We Go Again is a pretty good single film to see, but if we were still together we would have had at least one cinema day trip (that's two films including a trip to McDonalds) by now. Or it could be something more serious. Like picking up the phone to call him when something bad has happened, only to realise that he can't always be the shoulder to cry on, and putting the phone away.<br />
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While at first I felt pride when people would tell me that I am so mature for still being friends with him, a better person than they are, now I wonder if I am fooling myself. Because when he told me that he has met someone new, and it scares him how much he likes her, I cried. I remember when he said that about me, before he changed his mind. I couldn't help but think about the beginning of our relationship and how incredibly happy I was, and feel down that he is now enjoying that with someone else. I realised that when he said, "I don't want to be in a relationship," he really meant, "I don't want to be in a relationship with you."<br />
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The thing is that I didn't cry because he was with someone else. I knew it was going to happen one day. I've talked to other people myself, even. I cried because he told me how much he likes her, and I wasn't ready to think about that yet. </div>
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It's not easy. It's one of the toughest things I have ever done, keeping him in my life.</div>
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There are still so many unsaid things. Things that I let go of when we were together because a relationship is about compromise and in the big picture of my life, they didn't matter. But even now, I feel sad when I remember how he tarnished my 21st birthday, and I feel utter shame when I remember what he told me about my body in an argument one time, and I feel total hopelessness when I remember that he said he would never hurt me and that's exactly what he did. I tell myself these things because the pain is easier to handle when I can displace it into him. I don't tell<i> him</i> these things, because in reality I know that I let them go in the past because I wanted to let them go. It was a wonderful relationship. The perfect first love. It was just always meant to end because while I was happy to push through, he wanted to run from the struggle.<br />
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Even that sentence gives me chills. I can't hate him for not wanting to be in a relationship. I know this.<br />
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He's a good person. And the thing is, even though space between us is necessary, and he's moved to another city, I know that I couldn't say goodbye to him forever. For every negative feeling that I experience when I see him living his life outside the boundaries of mine, I know that this is the life he chose. It may not be the one I pictured for the two of us, but hopefully one day we will both be able to share our happy lives together. Not romantically, but as good friends. Friends who know each other so well, and can see that they are both content.<br />
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I don't hate him. I want him to be happy.<br />
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This letter, although it is for the unknown girl, and for myself, will inevitably find him. And I hope that when he sees it, he understands that this comes from a place of wanting to be strong. It comes from a place of accepting that things are forever changed and that even though it is hard, it is worth it. This letter is to say that it is ok to not hate your ex-boyfriend. It is ok to love him, because you know the difference now, and your heart can open for someone else. You will fall in love again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So here's to you, the one who is caught in a limbo. Knowing that you can't be with him, not even wanting to be with him, but loving him all the same.</i></span>Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-10075819574516098592018-08-01T08:00:00.000+01:002018-08-01T08:00:06.475+01:00My Grad Ball Outfit and Makeup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a very belated post, as my Grad Ball was in June, but I was looking through photos and you know what, I think it's worth sharing. I really loved my ball dress! It was definitely a struggle to find (more on that later) but I felt so <i>me</i>. I was also a fan of my makeup - you guys know me, I'm not super adventurous, but I felt really pretty and it lasted so well. So here's a look at my outfit, and my makeup. Apologies that I don't have many great photos, it was one of those nights...<br />
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Now, finding the dress took a while. I started looking months before the date, knowing that I'd not find one straight away. I'm not much of a dressy person. I love dressing up and feeling like a princess, but I also don't feel totally myself in some dresses as I'm a casual girl at heart. It's why I've been loving jumpsuits so much recently, because I feel like they provide that casual edge which always makes me feel 100% more comfortable. After many shopping trips and many, many <b>ASOS</b> parcels, I landed on <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PC91" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this blue number</a></b>. I knew the scuba fabric would be comfortable and hold its shape, and the bright blue just screams summer. Finding a strapless bra to fit me and actually give support was a whole other struggle in itself, but ma, I did it.<br />
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So once the dress/bra combo was sorted, it was time to find my accessories. I had the idea of wearing red shoes to match my <b><a href="https://popandsuki.com/products/bigger-camera-bag?variant=54671858965" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pop & Suki Red Bigger Camera Bag</a></b>, but I swear they did just not exist. I'm a fan of a platform heel, but they're lacking on the high street this year! However, again on <b>ASOS</b>, I finally managed to find this pair<b> </b>(which are now out of stock, sorry!)<b> </b>a week before the ball. I really love how the whole outfit looks actually, the colour clashing is very me and I felt like a cross between Cinderella and Dorothy. For jewellery I kept things very simple with a dainty necklace (don't know where from, it was a gift), a new <b><a href="https://jomajewellery.com/13-a-littles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joma Jewellery bracelet</a></b> which was a graduation gift, and my usual <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PC8O" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Goldsmiths ring</a> and earrings (also gifted).<br />
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When it comes to the makeup, I didn't stray too much from my usual look. I've linked all the usual suspects below so you can see what I used, but for the purposes of this post I'm going to stick to talking about the standout products. I needed it to last because the ball went from 6pm to 6am - and yes, I somehow managed to last the whole time. I made sure to use a glowing primer, the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PC94" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Becca First Light Priming Filter</a>, </b>and one that would hold product onto my skin, the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PC9D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer</a></b>. My foundation was the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PC9H" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation</a></b>, and bronzer, highlight, and blush came from the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PDak" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Beauty Glow</a></b>.<br />
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My eyeshadow was new to me, from the <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PDbu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Charlotte Tilbury Vintage Vamp Luxury Eyeshadow</b> <b>palette</b></a>. I used the pearly shade all over the lid and in the inner corner, with the gold glitter pressed over top. I used the matte brown shade from the previous <b>Charlotte Tilbury</b> palette in the crease and under the eye, and with a tiny bit of liquid liner on the lashline, the eyes were done! I also added false eyelashes (hence the liner), which is a step I don't often bother with, but I felt like the occasion called for it. The <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PDaw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fleur de Force x Eyelure Fleur Loves lashes</a></b> are such a dream to wear because they are 3/4 length and super lightweight, so I can never feel them on. For lipstick I went with the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PDaz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MAC Patisserie</a></b>, one of my favourite nudes. It's a pretty pinky-nude which is quite similar to my lip colour so fades nicely, and it's easy to reapply. Part of me thought of wearing a red lip to match my bag and shoes, but that's a bit too matchy-matchy for me! As always I sprayed the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/PDbF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray</a></b> to keep things in place - and it really did. I had to touch up my lipstick a couple times, but apart from looking a bit more glowy by the time the night ended, all was good.<br />
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I'm really pleased with how the whole look turned out. I did have my doubts about the strapless dress on the lead up to the night, wondering if I should have added straps, but I have no regrets now. I liked that I had a bit of a casual edge, and stuck to what I feel good in!<br />
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-31576084557496787162018-07-25T08:00:00.000+01:002018-07-25T08:00:09.683+01:00The Internet Doesn't Understand Nuance, and This Is Why It Should<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I want to talk about the toxic side of the internet. The social justice warrior, call-out culture side. It's the part of the internet that I detest the most, and the part that sometimes makes me want to shut my laptop and switch off my phone, and never look at social media again. A little dramatic, I know, but more and more it gets me down and makes me feel hopeless. I think the internet has taken a step from being woke to being vicious, and it's something I really want to discuss.<br />
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During my days on Tumblr when I was a teen, there was a sense that I was far more mature than some people in my real life. I can admit that. I felt like I had been given a peek at all of these different people, circumstances and stories. Although I have always been an open-minded person, my eyes were opened to new people. I met people who had mental health issues, who had been sexually assaulted, who were transgender or non-binary. And more importantly, I learned how all of these people viewed the world. I saw how all of these issues related to the greater world, to politics and society. I really do thank the internet, particularly Tumblr, for opening me up to so many other points of view. I could introduce my family or friends to alien concepts to them, stand up for small injustices, and generally just feel like a better and more woke human.<br />
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The thing is, I now realise that it is far more mature to be restrained with your opinions. Shout about the things that matter, but understand that not everything is a fight. Sometimes there really are more important things going on.<br />
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The internet is a double-edged sword. I love how it connects us, but I hate how we can't escape it. I love how we can gain so much knowledge, but hate how it gives many people a false sense of truly understanding a topic. I love how people can bear their souls and receive the response they need to hear, but I hate how we are all open to attack from anyone. Social media is not real life. What someone shares online does not match up to reality. No matter how honest someone is online, there will always be things unsaid. It's not up to those following them to try and fill in the gaps.<br />
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And yet, that's how it's going, isn't it? Someone could make a comment and in seconds it's blown up out of proportion. For some reason unbeknown to me, the internet doesn't like nuance. Every misguided comment is a reason to attack someone's entire being. You aren't allowed to make a mistake because that means you're a horrible person. Reacting by educating someone is a ridiculous notion because everyone should know the correct response to every situation already. And even comments which don't mean <i>anything</i> remotely sinister are ruthlessly picked apart. People have different lives, different opinions. It doesn't mean either person is wrong. But on the internet, if someone differs from you, it's something to shout about.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/Pb9W" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ASOS CARDIGAN</a> (similar)</span></div>
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I can look back and see moments where I let the internet hoards dictate who I should and shouldn't like. I remember people screaming about how trash X famous person was and why they're horrible, and I listened to them. I wouldn't watch certain films, certain YouTubers, or listen to certain bands. If someone in my life liked that person then I felt it my duty to list all the reasons of why they're problematic. However, I'm now very much a 'stay in your own lane' kind of person, only speaking up for issues which I feel actually hold a purpose. When I look at said people now I realise that they are humans who made a mistake and who, the majority of the time, have profusely apologised and are genuinely sorry for what they did. But the internet doesn't like people to have a life or career after a mistake.</div>
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<b>I hope it's clear that when I talk about mistakes, that I mean misguided, uninformed statements or actions. What I don't mean is inexcusable behaviour such as abuse or assault. Without nuance, the internet equates rape with accidentally calling someone by the wrong pronouns. </b></div>
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This is a topic I've been talking about ~irl~ for a while now, but recently there was an incident that really ground my gears, and made me want to try and verbalise how I'm feeling in the chance that it will make other think too. James Gunn (writer and director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vols. 1 and 2) was recently fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Why? Because he wrote some controversial tweets years ago, which he has since apologised for, and people found them and complained and campaigned to get him fired. Jack Howard's recent tweets sum up my feelings:</div>
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'<i>In a time of the internet, when we have an ease of contact to the creative people we admire, the thing it’s too often used for is attacking them. I hate it and I don’t understand it. [...]</i></div>
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<i>This James Gunn thing is insane and sets an awful precedent. No one is allowed to make mistakes because if you do, you’re accountable FOREVER and can never learn from them. WHAT!? Like, what? What’s happening?'</i> [<a href="https://twitter.com/JackHoward/status/1021684378009780224" target="_blank"><b>x</b></a>]</div>
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I'm not going to go into the minutia of every detail of the case, you can read about it yourselves if you're not familiar, but I will say that I firmly believe this is an instance where the internet has taken a step too far. If James Gunn was still making all these risque comments then yes, I would understand why people would argue against him being part of the largest franchise around right now. However, he wholeheartedly apologised for his past comments, and even explained why he made them - not to defend himself, because he knows he was wrong, but to make clear that he does not hold the same views now. The thing is, there is a large chunk of the internet that doesn't care. They don't care that he's admitted he made a mistake, because as Jack Howard states, when you do you're accountable forever. James Gunn has been fired because people can't fathom how someone could make a mistake and learn from it.</div>
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But it's not only celebrities who face all of this backlash. It feels like everyone is open to attack. Do you ever read the tweets below a tweet that has gone viral? Amongst all of the 'didn't happen' responses (which is another pet peeve of mine - <i>why do you give a shit</i>) there will always be someone being contrary. It's almost as if some people believe that they <i>have</i> to comment on everything they see, as if the world absolutely needs to see their opinion. But in reality, there is a lot more power in biting your tongue. The thing about the internet is that it gives a voice to anyone. And a lot of the time, that's a great thing. Like I talked about earlier, without the internet I wouldn't know about so many issues that affect people who aren't like me. But by giving a voice to everyone, a cacophony of opinions are being heard. And sadly, the people who shout the loudest are the people who hold negative opinions.</div>
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The way I see it, a lot of people need to take a long hard look at how they use the internet. Think about a stupid comment or action you made when you were younger: we've all done it. How would you feel if that mistake was held over your head forever? How would you feel if people wouldn't give you the chance to apologise? To learn and move on? I'm not saying that we should always let things go and never stand up for issues, but to take a step back and think about the situation before reacting. Sometimes people just make naive or ignorant comments, it happens. There is a polite way to inform someone of that. A simple, '<i>Hey, I don't think you meant anything bad by this but I just want to let you know that...</i>' is a lot more effective than setting an angry internet hoard onto a person. It shows that you're trying to educate, not attack. It also gives the person a chance to apologise, and more importantly, learn so they know not to do it again.<br />
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I'm not saying that no one ever does anything wrong. We're all human, we do. And that's exactly my point. We're all human, and we can all learn, if only we are given the correct tools.<br />
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I'm aware that I'm trying to tackle a problem that can't be fixed overnight. But I really hope that this post gives you a moment of pause. I'm not trying to silence people, as everyone is entitled to their opinions. However, I think it would be highly beneficial if everyone were to consider a situation before jumping down someone's throat. We live in a world where everything feels like a battle, and I think some people really do get offended over things which in the big picture don't matter. Ask yourself, is it really important? Does your opinion actually matter here? Consider the nuance, and consider how you can turn the situation into something positive, rather than a witch hunt.Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-10561285044041682762018-07-19T08:00:00.000+01:002018-07-19T08:00:06.545+01:00Cornwall Caught on Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been on holiday! I happily tagged along on my family's holiday to Cornwall, somewhere we've been many times before, although not for a good few years. It was nice to revisit as a twenty-something, as I felt I had more of an appreciation for the gorgeous landscapes and food, rather than simply begging to go to the beach every day. I thought, seeing as I'm quite well-versed in a good chunk of Cornwall, I'd put together a little guide complete with lots of photos. Cornwall is the perfect place to pick a spot and walk along the coast, or visit the various little towns and beaches, but here are some highlights that might be of interest...<br />
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<b>WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO</b></h3>
<b>Newlyn</b> is a fishing town which houses a few boutique and vintage stores, much like anywhere in Cornwall, but I particularly loved the shop <b>Oblivion</b>. It's one of those places that has everything, some things you'd question if people would even want to buy! Another great place for shops like this is <b>Truro</b>, which feels a bit more modern than the smaller villages. I loved looking through the shops in the winding streets. <b>Padstow</b> and <b>St. Ives</b> were also full of gift shops which were a lot of fun to look through, and also feature lots of galleries and artwork. If in Padstow, a visit to the <b><a href="https://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/" target="_blank">National Lobster Hatchery</a></b> is a lovely shout if you're a fan of an aquarium and learning about conservation. It's not very big, but is packed full of information about lobsters and how to sustainably source them and other seafood. The hatchery allows lobsters to have a home until they have a higher chance of survival in the wild, and the babies are strangely adorable!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.edenproject.com/" target="_blank">The Eden Project</a></b> is one of my favourite places in Cornwall - or anywhere, really. Housed in an old quarry, the project features huge biomes (essentially massive greenhouses) that hold more plants than you can imagine. Not only is it a botanical dream, but the charity focuses on education about a myriad of environmental and ethical issues. We didn't visit the <b><a href="https://www.jubileepool.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jubilee Pool</a></b> this holiday but it looked so lovely! Situated in Penzance, this pool has (cleaned) seawater for those who don't love actually swimming in the ocean, with plenty of surrounding seating and a restaurant to boot. The public lido is also fundraising right now to heat a section of the pool all year round.<br />
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A visit to <b>Land's End</b>, the most southern point of mainland England, has to be done. If you park at <b>Sennen Cove</b> (which is a great beach for surfing if that's your style) it's a mile walk to Land's End, where you can see the classic signpost, lighthouse, and the rugged Cornish coastline - featuring a shipwreck or two. <b>Porthcurno</b> is my absolute favourite beach on the Cornish coast. It looks like somewhere in Italy! Not only is the water a glorious blue, but I actually find it's a tad warmer to swim in compared to other beaches. You can also visit the <b><a href="https://telegraphmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Telegraph Museum</a></b> - Porthcurno played a large role in WW2 by keeping communication running, and the <b><a href="https://www.minack.com/" target="_blank">Minack Theatre</a></b> which is an open-air theatre on the cliff which overlooks the sea. It's such a picturesque place. Speaking of Porthcurno, you can see it from a boat! We went on a sea safari with <b><a href="http://cornwallboattrips.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mermaid Tours</a></b>, where we sadly didn't see any dolphins or basking sharks - but did spot multiple seals and porpoises! It's also a great way to see Cornwall from another perspective, and find out more about the history of the coast and what wildlife it homes.<br />
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<b>WHERE TO EAT</b></h3>
Cornwall is unsurprisingly known for its seafood, so really anywhere you go you're bound to find some freshly caught fish. <b><a href="https://tolcarneinn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Tolcarne Inn</a></b> in Newlyn is over 300 years old, and a lovely gastro pub that has that cosy pub feel with sophisticated food - mainly seafood. I actually ended up getting duck that night, which was lovely, but I was super jealous of my mum and sister's cod and lobster risotto, and my dad had a ray wing! I did have a really delicious lemon sole in <b><a href="http://www.boatshedpz.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Boatshed</a></b> in Penzance, a nice and relaxed place with, you guessed it, lots of seafood. If you're more into your Italian cuisine then I really recommend <b><a href="http://www.thebridgenewlyn.com/" target="_blank">The Bridge</a></b>, especially for their pizza. Stonebaked, the pizza is incredibly crisp and just so yum. We had Thai tapas in <b><a href="http://talaythai.kitchen/" target="_blank">Talay</a></b> while visiting St. Ives which was a nice change. <b><a href="https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/" target="_blank">Rick Stein</a></b> has a countless amount of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and fish and chip shops over Cornwall, though in particular Padstow, which are definitely worth a visit. And of course, Cornish ice cream. I'm not a big lover of ice cream but I loved <b>Jelberts</b> in Newlyn, which has been called the best ice cream in the world! It only comes in vanilla but don't let that put you off, as it really is delicious. Enjoy with a flake or some clotted cream on top.<br />
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You'll see a little more of the area when I roll out upcoming posts, as I couldn't help but take some outfit shots. There are lots of bits I haven't mentioned here, but the thing about Cornwall is that you have the chance to stop off in all these tiny towns and villages. There are countless mines dotted throughout - some shafts that are still open and you need to watch out for when walking! - and plenty of country or coastal walks to complete. I will say I've been in Autumn before and didn't quite love it as much, in my opinion Cornwall is best enjoyed in the sunshine. So there you go, a whistle-stop look at my Cornish holiday!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-3207298420427389402018-05-22T08:00:00.000+01:002018-05-22T08:00:05.472+01:00The Summer Beauty Wardrobe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thought it was about time for an 'everyday face' update, the products I'm reaching for all the time. We all know I'm a creature of habit so these products aren't new to me (except one) and one is actually an old favourite rediscovered but hey, at least you know I love them! Now that the weather is starting to heat up I'm trying to work out what my summer makeup wardrobe consists of. It's not totally different from my usual, but I'm keen to try and use as little products as I can. We're talking quick, glowy, bronzed skin, shimmery eyes, and a juicy sheer lip.<br />
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For base I'm back on the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhnY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation</a></b>. At first glance this may not scream 'summer appropriate' as it has a medium buildable coverage, and it is definitely a foundation rather than a CC cream like I normally reach for in warmer months. However, I've discovered how versatile this foundation can be. Yes, you can get quite a full coverage with it as it layers really well, but you can also sheer it out. For everyday I like to pull a Lisa Eldridge and properly buff a small amount into the skin. It provides enough coverage (I'll still add a dab of concealer over blemishes) while evening out the skin, and I love the glowy-but-not-shiny finish it has.<br />
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I've dedicated <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/02/the-palette-im-picking-up-every-day.html" target="_blank">a whole post</a></b> to this <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhnC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette in Beauty Glow</a></b> so I won't go into a huge amount of detail here, except to say I'm still in love with it! The bronzer is to die for, I'm dreading the day I run out and need to buy the full size <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhoK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Filmstar Bronze and Glow</a></b> or <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhoU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bronze and Blush Glow</a></b> palette! Well, my bank account is dreading it. I'm also a huge fan of the two blushers. This was the part of the palette I thought I'd feel very 'meh' about but I actually love the natural colour they give. The eyeshadows are lovely, and provide the perfect everyday eye which I can also amp up by adding more of the matte brown or even eyeliner. I have literally used it every time I've worn makeup since I bought it, I think the shades are spot on and it's the perfect portable palette. The formula of Charlotte's powders are somehow sheer and pigmented at the same time, letting your natural skin tone shine through but still giving you the oomph you want.<br />
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The old favourite is this <b>Chanel</b> lipstick, the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhmD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rouge Coco Shine in Monte-Carlo</a></b>. I got this four years ago for my 18th birthday (where has the time gone) and wore it loads but it eventually ended up getting pushed aside for new favourites. However, I've been loving a 'fresh' lip look recently. My usual pinky browny nudes are still a firm favourite, but there's something about throwing on a sheer juicy pink that feels so effortless and summery. I'm not a fan of opaque pink on myself but the glossier formula looks divine!<br />
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Ok, so maybe it's not a makeup favourite but I couldn't resist including this <b>Oliver Bonas</b> fragrance, <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/KhmN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peony Rose</a></b>. You don't spot many rollerball perfumes in the UK so when I saw this one I practically leapt for it, and luckily I love the scent! I'm at home for a while now and forgot to pack perfume so this was the perfect option, a fragrance that doesn't break the bank, and one that I can keep using as a 'travel' fragrance. It's floral, something that isn't always my style, but it's really fresh and I swear I smell a bit of citrus in there too. Also, that packaging! I die.<br />
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-24012649802746716632018-05-17T08:00:00.000+01:002018-05-17T08:00:04.303+01:00A Colourful Summer Wishlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>This is a sponsored post</i><br />
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It's summer! Sort of. Scotland keeps going through day-long heatwaves followed by rain and a drop in 10 degrees the next day. However, I've still been compiling a list of summery clothes that I've been lusting after. I like to think my picks are quite sensible - being relatively covered up with trousers and jumpsuits which work for drearier days, but using light materials that are still lovely and breezy when the temperature climbs.<br />
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My true love right now is jumpsuits, particularly those with a wide or loose leg. <b>Warehouse</b> are killing it in the <b><a href="http://www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/jumpsuits-and-playsuits/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">jumpsuit</a></b> department right now (just look at them all!) and I'm particularly obsessed with the <b>yellow</b>! (<i>It went out of stock before I linked everything but it looks equally gorgeous <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKw2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">in navy</a></b></i>) I can imagine wearing it for summer evening drinks, maybe even dressing it down with my favourite pink trainers for a cool colour clash. For a more casual look I love how the wavy pattern on the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKtG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">navy jumpsuit</a></b> is super funky while still being quite an understated print. And I think the other love here is pretty obvious - I'm lusting after so many striped trousers! I've had a pair from <b><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/" target="_blank">Zara</a></b> for about a year now and have worn them to death, so I'm really keen to add one (or a few) more pairs to my wardrobe. I'm a bit smitten with the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKxB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pink culottes</a></b>, I can really see them pairing with clothes I already have!<br />
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We all know I'm a sucker for a printed or slogan tee, so obviously I want to bring a few summery options into rotation. This <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKt1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">striped Warehouse number</a></b> reminds me of deckchairs - what screams summer more than that?! The same goes for the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKvM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rainbow stripe Topshop</a></b> tee, I love how the slogan is quite minimal, and ditto for the little hearts on the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKv3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pink tee</a></b>!<br />
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When it comes to summer shoes I'm a bit of a novice - I live in ankle boots and trainers 99% of the time. And while trainers can totally be a summer shoe, I really want to branch out into wearing more sandals! I love the look of these <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKtS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blue Topshop sandals</a></b>, the colour is to die for and I really like a chunky shoe that is still practical. Speaking of chunky, the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKvA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Topshop trainers</a></b> I've featured definitely fit that bill. I'm a little dubious that they won't look ridiculous on my size 3 feet, but the colourway is stunning and I'm keen to try them on! I think they'll pair so well with the wide leg clothes I want, elongating the leg a little while still keeping the look casual. I probably have enough coloured bags but... look how cute that <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JKvR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yellow bucket bag</a></b> is. I didn't love the bucket bag trend at first but even I can see myself swinging this one around - I love that it has a cross-body strap!<br />
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So there you go - hopefully I shall be donning a lot of colour and stripes this summer! I'm really getting into colour clashing (it's so simple when you use colourful accessories) so it's fair to say I'm going to be placing a couple orders soon. Look below for a full list and links to the items!<br />
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-85953148896341541342018-03-09T08:00:00.000+00:002018-03-09T08:00:19.795+00:0022 Things You May Not Know About Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is my birthday! I'm turning the grand old age of 22. I've said before that I'm not big on my birthday, it's something that I like to acknowledge, but I'm not one to throw a huge party. For example, today I'm working on my dissertation and watching <b>I, Tonya</b>, which is good enough for me! For my 19th birthday I wrote a post titled <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2015/03/19-things-i-leaned-before-turning-19.html" target="_blank">19 Things I Learned Before Turning 19</a></b>, and I wanted to do something similar. However, instead of telling you more things I've learned since - believe me, there is surprisingly a lot and that may fuel a blog post for another day - I thought I'd tell you more about me. We all know my tastes around here, but here are 22 things that you may not have been aware of before...<br />
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1. For the past few years I've secretly wished I could have been born a day earlier. As I'm sure so many of you know, the 8th of March is <b>International Women's Day</b> - a day I love because it's full of support and empowerment. It would be so cool to share my birthday with such a special day! But the 9th is fine too, I guess.<br />
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2. Whenever I'm asked my favourite film I say that <b>Ferris Bueller's Day Off</b> is my normal answer, and <b>Donnie Darko</b> is my weird answer. Actually, I have too many favourites to count because I'm one of those people who has lots of emotional ties to films.<br />
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3. The most consistent celebrity crush I've had has been Jake Gyllenhaal. Loved him since I was about 12, and I'm always so in awe of his acting and what films he chooses to be a part of.<br />
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4. Currently digging Timothee Chalamet though. That's an actor to watch, he's going to have a big career, I tell ya. Also he's pretty.<br />
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5. I want to live alone once I'm through with uni but I'm terrified I'm going to isolate myself.<br />
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6. Cornwall holds a special place in my heart. I used to be obsessed with the <b>Merrymaid of Zennor</b> tale, as well as fairies, pixies and the ghost stories written by <b>Michael Morpurgo</b>. My family used to go on our summer holidays there every second year but we haven't gone in so long and I miss it!<br />
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7. If I were ever to have plastic surgery, I'd get a breast reduction.</div>
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8. I was once measured as exactly 5ft but I think I'm actually 4'11. It's easier to say 5ft though isn't it.<br />
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9. I'm the kind of person who always gives out recommendations for films, TV shows, books, music. Mostly because I like having someone to talk to about those things, but also because I just love sharing the love.</div>
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10. I normally listen to podcasts to get to sleep.<br />
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11. My most popular post is one I made in my first few months of blogging, where I do a tutorial for a <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2014/02/tutorial-teen-wolfs-lydia-martin.html" target="_blank">hairstyle worn by Lydia in Teen Wolf</a></b>. </div>
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12. I actually like squats.<br />
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13. I'm not a very good cook, but I make a pretty great spaghetti carbonara.<br />
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14. I'm currently undertaking a dissertation all about the hard-boiled hero and femme fatale relationship throughout the literary years. Even though the word count is hefty, I'm actually really loving it.<br />
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15. One of my favourite books with one of my favourite quotes ever is <b>Great Expectations by Charles Dickens</b> - "You have been in every line I have ever read."<br />
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16. I pretty much wear the same three nail polishes on rotation.<br />
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17. By the time I finish my post-grad, I'll have moved six times in five years. I have learned that I hate packing, unpacking, and whole moving process with all my being.<br />
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18. I have a Winnie the Pooh bear that's been with me since I was a year old. He barely resembles Pooh, his arms have been stitched back on multiple times, and his fur is falling out. Can't get rid though, obviously. He's seen too much.<br />
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19. I really want a ragdoll kitten. So much. I genuinely think I'd be a much happier person with unconditional love and something to dote on! Having to wait until I'm in a more permanent (ish, at least) place is torturous.<br />
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20. It's a year away, but I'm already planning for next year's Oscars. I've always wanted to host a viewing party complete with predicting the winners and giving out my own awards, and I regretted so much not doing it this year after seeing <b>Demi Adejuyigbe</b>'s party. 2019, it's going to happen. Let's just hope there's good films out.<br />
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21. I never used to be a Shoe or Bag Person but they're all I lust after these days. All I want is brightly coloured shoes and bags. Thankfully I've shown a lot of restraint, but the want is very strong.<br />
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22. One of my favourite songs (again, there are too many to choose a favourite) is <b>Between the Bars by Elliott Smith</b>. </div>
Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-29467998043651375422018-02-25T08:00:00.000+00:002018-02-25T08:00:26.093+00:00Listen to Your Skin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the best lessons I learned last year was to listen to my skin. I, like so many others who read beauty blogs, became consumed with finding the best skincare that I could afford, and had a list the length of my arm of products I 'needed' to use. I would say I was a skincare obsessive, with a long routine for both morning and night. But when my skin kicked off last year, resulting in constant breakouts all over my face, I knew that all of my products weren't actually giving me the amazing skin I had previously praised them for. It made me question what I'd been told by so many others, and it's only when I took the time to care for myself my way that I began noticing a difference...<br />
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I stripped my routine right back, removing rich oils and creams and not faffing about with unnecessary steps. I'm still using this same routine months later, and my skin is just miles better. I still get breakouts, mostly hormonal, which do scar, but it has been reduced so much and the overall texture of my skin is miles better. What shocked me the most wasn't the fact that my skin was so improved, it was that I'd let myself get so carried away! I love to pamper my skin so it's no surprise that I was such a magpie for products, but clearly I was layering and layering products because that's what I thought I should do, and it took me far too long to come to my senses.<br />
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When it comes to skincare blogging, I think it's important to take everything with a pinch of salt. Obviously there are the skincare gods like <b><a href="https://www.carolinehirons.com/" target="_blank">Caroline Hirons</a></b>, but even she is aware that some products just won't work for some people. By all means, try a product if you believe it is the right match for you, but really pay attention to how your skin is responding. For example, when I started using oils I couldn't believe how glowing and healthy my skin looked. But after continued use, that's when the breakouts started taking over. Because 'everyone' used oils I felt it couldn't possibly be the oils that were the problem, and it's only when I stopped using them that the breakouts subsided.<br />
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This post isn't to tell you to strip down your routine - it is to tell you to listen to your skin and what it wants. Maybe your skin thrives on a lengthy layering process! Over winter I incorporated some oils to my routine - I had some Kiehls samples and some dryness around my forehead - and at first I really noticed my skin glowing, but after a few weeks of using oils every couple days or so, I noticed the breakouts happening again. I'm going to keep some oils on hand on the off-chance that I get that dryness again, but now I know it's time to go back to the simple routine. I'll also use a mask once or twice a week to treat certain issues, whether that's needing more hydration or a deeper cleanse. Instead of using products just because, I take a look at my skin and consider what it needs.<br />
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And, I still love reading about skincare. I fully plan on trying new things, but now I'm happy to pick much more carefully, and to only consider products I actually need. Plus, the nice thing about having a simple 'base' routine means I can switch out more luxury masks or treatments to reach for every now and then - which is what I believe my philosophy will be from now on. Because I'm not buying a million and one products all the time, I actually have the funds to treat myself every now and then. It really has been a lovely lifestyle change!<br />
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So there you go, a little message from me to you, but one I think is really important. While I'm definitely no skincare expert, I believe that if you take the time to consider your skincare and to really pay attention to your skin, you should hopefully be on your way to improving it. You can find my favourite skincare picks in the bar above, (<b><a href="http://bff.glossier.com/gHtWz" target="_blank">click here for 10% off your Glossier order</a></b>!) but let me know if you'd like to see a whole routine post!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-39008120346065821002018-02-13T08:00:00.000+00:002018-02-13T08:00:13.337+00:00Will I Ever Be Confident in My Creativity? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think people are lying when they say they are 100% confident with their creative work. I think creatives, in general, are self-critical and let's face it, perfectionists. Something happened over the past year for me, and so I wanted to talk about confidence when it comes to my creativity. The lack of, the learning curve, and a little pep talk...</span><br />
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From September to November I was working on my final Creative Writing folio in my undergrad career. Each year we compile pieces of work and submit them to be graded, and then we do it all again the next year hoping that we've learned. And every year I have felt as if I've learned more, and that I've improved as a writer. And every year, my grade has been lower than the one before it. Now, grades aren't the end-all-be-all, and Creative Writing as a subject is obviously one of the most subjective out there, but it has still been fairly damaging for my self-confidence. Here I am, feeling as if I've accomplished something, and I'm getting told I haven't hit the mark.<br />
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This time round, I poured my heart and soul into the folio. I wrote about a subject I've always shied away from, and one that was so raw at the time - love, and the heartbreak that comes with it. While the characters weren't me, they were still speaking the lines I feel, going through the emotions I had experienced not long before writing (and was still going through, to be quite honest). While my other folios had been what I thought was good writing, this folio was a little piece of my heart. And how did I do? I got the lowest grade of my entire university career.<br />
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I don't want to write a rant about the person who marked my folio. I'm well aware that Creative Writing is an incredibly subjective subject, and that one person's opinion on my work isn't legally binding. But it's still devastating, hearing that a professor doesn't think your work is noteworthy, especially when it was such a personal project for me. I can't lie, I had a bloody long cry after I saw my grade staring back at me, and spent weeks feeling like I'd failed. I picked up my marked folio and immediately filed it away, and I still haven't looked at all the comments. I suppose I still do feel a sense of failure (it doesn't matter as much to me now, but rejection and failure are tough for me to get over) but it also had me trying to change my thought process and think about what things I am good at.<br />
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I threw myself into writing for this blog. This is a space where I can write about literally anything I want, and no one except me is going to stop me. I can write in a chatty way, I can break rules with grammar (to an extent, I'm still an English Lit student. And not an animal), I can be the final say on what text hits the internet. And I still added to that folio I'd made. I'm so proud of it. It gets me down that it was graded so low, but in the larger scheme of things I think I achieved something. I understood what writing from the heart truly is, and I learned what style I love. My blogging style and my "creative" style is very different, but I'm becoming confident with that. I have different emotions connected with both kinds of writing, and that's ok. Maybe one day I'll share my non-bloggy writing on here, but for now I'm content with keeping them separate.<br />
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The grade has made me re-think the career path I want to take. I know that from the outside looking in, it might seem like I'm running away from Creative Writing because I got a bad grade. But actually, I think it made me wake up to the fact that I wasn't feeling completely fulfilled by that half of my course. I'm probably still going to apply to study a further year of Creative Writing, because I genuinely would like to learn more, but I've also decided to branch out and consider the English Lit part of my course. Those are the classes that I've actually enjoyed more over the years, so I'm now looking into whether that's the route I want to go down. It's nice feeling like I have more options. In a way, it's a good thing that I got this grade, or else I'd still be on the path which I imagined for myself months ago, a path which now I'm not sure is for me.<br />
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I don't think I can say I'm confident in my creativity. Sometimes I think I am, but more often than not I feel like a bit of a fraud. The thing is, when I feel good about what I can do, I damn well go for it. The key to being creative, I've found, is that when you have an idea you should run with it. And even if someone doesn't like it, it shouldn't disregard the effort you've put in and the love you have for the finished product. No one else should dictate how you feel about your own creativity, even those who are accomplished in that field. It's something I'm still trying to accept, but at least writing this out marks that I'm willing and ready for the change to happen.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some things for myself (and hopefully you) to take away from this:</span><br />
<b>1. If you're proud of something, that's it. You've achieved something, no matter what anyone else thinks.</b><br />
<b>2. Even though grades are important, they are not everything. They guide a lot of things when it comes to academia, but they should not affect your self-worth.</b><br />
<b>3. You should listen to the people who do support you, because something as simple as "I liked this!" means so much, and fills your heart with so much more joy than an A will.</b><br />
<b>4. Just go for it. You can do it.</b><br />
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-6440566874848616462018-02-08T08:00:00.000+00:002018-02-08T08:00:38.245+00:00The Palette I'm Picking Up Every Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1I0cQ069s/WneZp9k37hI/AAAAAAAADYY/ofDHBEYzAb4I29DnTirfJmkaYnwwgBGfwCLcBGAs/s1600/charlotte-tilbury-instant-face-palette-beauty-glow-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1I0cQ069s/WneZp9k37hI/AAAAAAAADYY/ofDHBEYzAb4I29DnTirfJmkaYnwwgBGfwCLcBGAs/s1600/charlotte-tilbury-instant-face-palette-beauty-glow-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/" target="_blank">Charlotte Tilbury</a></b> is one of those dreamy brands. I find myself browsing the website weekly, lusting after all the products. The only thing is, I find it really hard to make a decision. What lipstick shade do I want? What one of those eyeshadow quads is the most me? Are the face masks really worth the price? Then came along the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wW4t" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instant Look in a Palette</a></b>. After a while of deliberating over what colourway to go for (you never make it easy, Tilbury) I finally bought it, and I'm pretty besotted...<br />
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It's the ultimate product for those who are indecisive with what products to give a shot. I've only ever tried her lip liners and lipsticks, an eyeshadow stick, and a handful of samples of skincare/base products, so it's the perfect way for me to try out essentially four of her powder products. I went for the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wW4t" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beauty Glow</a></b> shade, which seems to lead the rosiest of the bunch - although is still very neutral. The eyeshadow colours are perfect for whacking over the lid, while the highlighter, bronzer and blushes are so lovely and natural.<br />
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To break things down a little, let's talk eyeshadows. I love 'em. You'll notice that <b>Charlotte Tilbury</b> has embossed each product with numbers - obviously you don't have to stick to that order but it's nice that she's given a little guide for those unsure on applying makeup. I'll be honest, I do kind of stick to the order, using the <b>Brighten</b> shade all over my lid, <b>Enhance </b>on the mobile lid, and then <b>Smoke</b> in the crease and on the lower lashline, and I'll use it as a liner too. Of course, sometimes I just go for the <b>Brighten</b> or <b>Enhance</b> shades on their own for a more natural look, or <b>Smoke</b> all over the eye for a simple warm brown look. As much as I adore larger eyeshadow palettes, I basically always use 1-3 shadows at a time so it's nice having the very essentials in one place! As well as them being buttery soft, I've found that they last so well. My eyeshadow often creases (even though I use a primer) because I have hooded lids, but these have genuinely never budged.<br />
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The face products are a total dream too, and something I wasn't actually sure I'd love. I've been using cream/liquid bronzers and highlighters for a good while now, but I had the urge to try powders again and these were definitely the best choice to begin with. The <b>Highlight</b> is so gorgeous - the glow is 100% there but in such a natural way, and doesn't lean either too warm or too cool. And, the <b>Bronze</b> is perfect for my skin. I'm somewhere between fair and light (depends if I've fake tanned or not) and it's a super natural sun-kissed look I get from this. The blushes I was sceptical about, as I normally gravitate towards a more natural mauve tone, but they really are gorgeous on. I follow the guide, swishing my brush (very lightly!) in the top <b>Swish</b> shade and doing so over my cheeks, and then popping the lower <b>Pop</b> one on the very apples of my cheeks.<br />
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I spoke to a woman at the <b>Charlotte Tilbury</b> stand in Glasgow and she was telling me that Charlotte's products, although pigmented, are formulated so that your own skin shows through a little, meaning the colours will adapt to you. It's why I think I've got on so well with the face products! I will say though, you can see that the embossing on the bronzer is already almost gone which I assume means I'll run out of it before the rest of the palette. It's a little bit annoying, but I believe the bronzer in the infamous <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wWY6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Filmstar Bronze & Glow</a></b> is very similar (if not the same?) so I'd be happy to purchase that if I need to in the future.<br />
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I know this was a bit of a rave, but every time I've done my makeup since mid January, when I purchased this, I've used it every time! The little tagline for the palette is 'a 5 minute face on the go' and I'd say that's accurate - it's great having most of your makeup products in one place, especially early in the morning. It's the perfect size for popping in a makeup bag too, complete with a huge mirror which is a lovely addition.<br />
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Let me know your favourite <b><a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/" target="_blank">Charlotte Tilbury</a></b> products! I'm still debating over about five lipsticks, so I'd love recommendations. Have you tried the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wW4t" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instant Look in a Palette</a></b>?<b> </b>Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-55839189429213799382018-02-02T08:00:00.000+00:002018-02-02T08:00:00.294+00:00Once a Week Hair Washing? Four Years On, & Some Hair Care Loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hair care is often a neglected topic on my blog. I've shared the odd product along the way, but nothing too substantial. Three years ago I wrote about something I'd been trying for a good few months, <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2014/06/once-week-hair-washing.html" target="_blank">once a week hair washing</a></b>. But at that point, I had completely untouched (not bleached or coloured) hair, and it was down to my waist, not the 'lob' style I've got now. I thought I'd combine these two ideas into one blog post - so here's a rundown of two hair care and styling loves, and a little chat about whether washing my hair once a week has stuck...<br />
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In short, yeah it kind of has. Nowadays, I'm more of a 'wash every 5 days' gal, but the premise is still the same, and the result is still the same. The old routine used to be to wash and condition my hair, let it dry naturally, add a few curls in if some bits of my hair had gone a bit straight, then start using dry shampoo for the 5-7 day mark. And repeat. And it did work - my hair grew so quickly, and always looked and felt healthy. The only thing is, this was the perfect routine when my hair was dark brown. But when I travelled over to the blonde side, I soon realised that not only did my blonde look greasier a lot faster, but it also felt very dry (on the ends) by the time I had to wash it. I tried to combat this with stronger conditioners, but the result was still the same.<br />
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So, I'd say a few months into having bleached blonde hair, I decided to start washing my hair a little more regularly. After a month or so I'd worked out the perfect timing which is around 5 days between washes. For me, this still gives my hair plenty of time to get coated in all the healthy oils, but cuts out that stage of looking greasy or drying out. I've also accepted that for my bleached hair, air drying it just isn't the best any more. I've gone back to blow drying it after literally years of not doing so, and it looks and feels so much healthier! It's no surprise that my hair has different needs now, so it's really my own fault for not realising it sooner. And of course, I always use a heat protector before using any heat on my hair.<br />
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Let's talk a little about two saviour products. With shampoos I'm a bit of a floozy, but I always use <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wwRZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bleach London's Silver Shampoo</a></b> (or the <b><a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/bleach-london-rose-shampoo.html" target="_blank">Rose Shampoo</a></b> if I feel like injecting a little pink) after washing my hair to keep it blonde and not brassy, before moving onto a conditioner - one of those salon strength conditioners from the <b><a href="http://www.garnier.co.uk/hair-colour/beauty/garnier/olia" target="_blank">Garnier Olia</a></b> box dye kits (my mum gives me her spares!). But the products I want to talk about come after the shower. First is the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wwRn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OUAI Smooth Spray</a></b>. I've been after a leave-in conditioner for a while, and when I noticed that this also can be used as a heat protector I thought I'd give it a shot. I spritz this all over my hair before drying it, and then I like to apply a bit extra to the very ends of my hair at that stage where my hair is almost dry, for an extra boost of hydration. I'll even sometimes use it on dry hair as a kind of smoothing product, against flyaways or generally unruly hair. I love the messy hair look, but sometimes it can go a bit far y'know? I love that this product leaves my hair feeling so silky smooth, and that it is also protecting it.<br />
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And of course, only washing your hair every 5 days means that the dry shampoo needs broken out at some point. I find I crack it out on the last couple days, just when my hair is starting to lag a little. I was always a <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wwSY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Batiste</a></b> girl purely because it was always the cheapest and most readily available dry shampoo. And you know what, it does get the job done. But a few months ago I tried the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wwUz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colab Dry Shampoo</a></b> for the first time, and it's just <i>so nice</i>. Not only does it soak up extra oil, but I find the formula works as a kind of texturising spray too. It gives a bit of volume and a bit of grit, which is great for that perfectly undone look. Also - look at that bottle. Divine. Oh, and shout-out to <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/wwU6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Wet Brush</a></b> for keeping my hair tangle free! This is hands down the best hairbrush you'll ever buy, don't sleep on it.<br />
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I do feel like I should end this post saying that it took me a long time to train my hair to work this way, but it was so worth it. Your hair really shouldn't be washed every day or even any other day - and if you have coloured hair then you know how much of a pain it can be having your colour fade or change from frequent hair washing. Your hair needs the natural oils in your scalp to grow and stay healthy, and washing it often strips your hair of those oils - which actually makes your hair more greasy because your body is trying to combat that! Long story short, the longer you leave your hair between washes, the less greasy it was actually be over time. My advice is to slowly push washing your hair back a day at a time. One month, leave it two days. Then the next month, three. Then four. And if it's Hair Wash Day on a day you don't have anything important on, just leave it til the next day! That's what hats are for.<br />
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In all seriousness, the key is to pay attention to your hair. I'm not precious about my hair (it's just hair, after all) but I try my hardest to care for it, and for me that means to pamper it when I wash it, then leave it alone for a few days at a time. What are your thoughts about washing your hair? Or your favourite products to keep it healthy? Let me know!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-8292327168012481112018-01-28T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-28T08:00:38.186+00:00Currently Listening To... #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's time for another Currently Listening To! A list of songs I've found myself playing over and over throughout the past couple months or so. As always I feel like a lot of these were influenced by films I watched. There's the <b>IT</b> soundtrack, songs from <b>Call Me By Your Name</b>, and a rediscovery of America's Sister Golden Hair which I heard for the first time in a while during a <b>Miss Stevens</b> watch. But there's also a running theme of some nice and chill songs which I had in the background while I was getting through dissertation reading - with some more upbeat bops to get me motivated. And of course, a song from my new Father John Misty vinyl (the prettiest thing ever!), a lovely Christmas gift. Enjoy!<br />
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<b>1. Sister Golden Hair >> America</b></div>
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<b>2. Six Different Ways >> The Cure</b></div>
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<b>3. Dear God >> XTC</b></div>
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<b>4. I Love You, Honeybear >> Father John Misty</b></div>
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<b>5. Junk >> Paul McCartney</b></div>
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<b>6. Mystery of Love >> Sufjan Stevens</b></div>
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<b>7. Visions of Gideon >> Sufjan Stevens</b></div>
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<b>8. Love My Way >> The Psychadelic Furs</b></div>
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<b>9. Run For Cover >> The Killers</b></div>
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<b>10. Should I Stay or Should I Go >> The Clash</b></div>
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<b>11. Romeo and Juliet >> The Killers</b></div>
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<b>12. Never Give Up On Me >> MisterWives</b></div>
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<b>13. Any Time At All >> The Beatles</b></div>
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<b>14. House of My Soul (You Light The Rooms) >> Langhorne Slim</b></div>
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<b>15. Whole Love >> Wilco</b></div>
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<b>16. City of Angels >> The Head and the Heart</b></div>
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<b>17. Simple Song >> The Shins</b></div>
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-21077573804855057122018-01-18T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-18T08:00:32.679+00:00From Me to Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know this is a self-indulgent post, but because this purchase is so exciting for me, I really wanted to share it with you all. Since <b><a href="https://www.popandsuki.com/" target="_blank">Pop & Suki</a></b> launched I've followed them on <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/popandsuki/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b>, liking every photo and lusting after every style and colour option they came out with. When, a few months ago, they came out with their <b><a href="https://www.popandsuki.com/products/bigger-camera-bag" target="_blank">Camera Bag</a></b> in red, I knew I had to set my mind on getting that bag. Say hello to my new baby...<br />
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I went for the <b><a href="https://www.popandsuki.com/products/bigger-camera-bag" target="_blank">Bigger Camera Bag</a></b> as I want to be able to use this most days, rather than keeping it this sacred or "just for special occasions" bag. It fits everything I need for a regular day out, without allowing me to overpack! I also chose to go for the red as I'm making a conscious effort to be more me. I spoke recently about how <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2018/01/on-dressing-bolder.html" target="_blank">I've been coming into my own and making bolder fashion choices</a></b>, and a red bag symbolises that for me. Gone are the days of choosing a black bag to be safe, it's time to embrace colour! Red is something I've been drawn to over the past year, and I can't see myself wanting to part from it now. And of course, I did choose to get it personalised. I love that <b>Pop & Suki</b> allow you to customise your bags, especially because the writing goes on the underside. It's something that isn't noticeable straight away. I chose to get the writing in their gorgeous blush shade because, well, obviously.<br />
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The bag aside, I did want to speak about why I made this purchase. The gorgeous <b><a href="http://thelittleplum.co.uk/2017/12/i-hope-the-gucci-dionysus-isnt-dead-because-i-just-fucking-bought-one.html" target="_blank">Chloe Plumstead wrote an amazing post about luxury purchases</a></b>, which I encourage you all to read. But to brutally strip down her thoughts, I wanted this bag because it is something I have dreamed of for over a year. And I dreamed of it because I never thought I would get it. I know that it isn't the most expensive bag out there - it's pretty low on the high-end scale - but it's still not something I could buy without serious consideration and saving up. I did choose to treat myself because you know what, this year wasn't so great for me. I've been feeling like only half of myself. But in the past few weeks I've been reflecting on my year and looking to 2018 as so many others are doing, and I want this year to be better. Step one of a good 2018 is to be kinder to myself, so this bag is a physical reminder of that.<br />
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I know a handbag isn't going to change my life, it isn't going to cure my sadness. But it does show that I can treat myself as I would a best friend. Yes, it's a pretty bag. But it's my pretty bag, and one I'm really happy I've got.Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-12361888085321547902018-01-14T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-14T08:00:07.115+00:00On Feeling Like I'm Going Nowhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry to be a Negative Nancy on you all, but I wanted to take the time to write about how I'm feeling. And how I'm feeling is a bit lost, and a bit hopeless, and a bit - longing. As some of you may know, I'm nearing the end of university and so the idea of what I'll be doing afterwards is always on my mind. I'm pretty sure I'll be staying on to study an MLitt, but an extra year of studying is going to go by so quickly, and then I'll be out in the cold, having to do something with my life...<br />
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For a long time I've been trying to shake the feeling that all I want is to work for myself. Every job I've had, I've been so full of anxiety on every shift that it seems so wrong for me. I don't think the stress affects how I work at all, I am still competent and determined to do things well, but I have a sinking feeling that in the long run it will end up being detrimental to my mental health. And yet, even saying this out loud (well, typing it out) makes me cringe a little. Will people think I'm lazy? That I think of myself as too good for a 'normal' job? And then it makes me question, how can I work for myself if my blog is nowhere near 'there' yet? Am I so big-headed to think it would actually work if I just put that extra effort in?<br />
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I've written on this blog for four years now, and I'm just so behind in the blogging world. I follow (and adore!) women who have been blogging for a year and who already are able to do it full time, to be their own boss. It's incredibly inspiring, especially considering that the blogging world is becoming so saturated, but it's also disheartening because it makes me think about all the things I've done wrong. I'm rubbish at posting outfits featuring clothes that are actually still in stock. I use the same makeup over and over. I don't really have a unique sense of style. And, for two years out of four, I really did slack on blogging. I let university take over, which is ultimately a valid choice, I know, but it really did set me back when it came to opportunities I could have had. Now, I'm blogging regularly but I'm just not seeing much improvement. Like I said, it's disheartening.<br />
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I know that numbers are not everything, but I feel like I'm caught between wanting to show people what I can do, and not having enough people to show. I know it's mostly my own fault - I'm very selective with who I follow on social media and I'm hopeless at commenting on posts rather than simply clicking like - but these are things I'm making an active effort to change from this point forward. It's just frustrating, when I know there are things I can be doing better, but having this lurking feeling that it will all be futile. The thing is, I still love it. I love blogging, and it saddens me that I'm thinking about it so negatively.<br />
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I don't want to end this post on a downer, because ultimately it's not. By sharing this, I hope it will give me a kick up the arse to turn things around. I want to give myself the best chance I have, and to search for more opportunities. If I have another year after this for my post-grad then I think I should be using it to work on my blog alongside my studies. In my eyes, it would be mindless not to. Blogging may never be my career, but right now it feels like my best option. But considering I'm doubtful about it, it's not really a great option, is it?<br />
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Can you tell I'm so lost? I feel like this post is a shambles! At least it gives you a look into how confused I'm feeling right now. Please, <i>please</i>, let me know if any of you have felt like this!<br />
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-30977672678049025322018-01-11T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-11T08:00:15.529+00:00My Top 5 Films of 2017I don't talk about films often around here, but I adore film. I've studied it every year of university even though it technically isn't my degree, because I just love learning about it. For me, 2017 was filled with excellent cinema, and (as of writing this) my list of films I've watched over the year is sitting at 52! The list does include films that are just new to me, but today I wanted to list my five favourites that were actually put out this year. In no particular order...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://moviemarker.co.uk/call-me-by-your-name-lff-2017/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Call Me By Your Name</b> >> I know I said no particular order, but this might be my favourite film of the year. I can't quite put my finger on what I loved so much, but I found myself captivated the whole way through. This is a love story without any stakes - you're just watching two people fall in love and witnessing how pure this teen's desire is. You can really feel the heat of the summer, and the sexual tension is so tantalising and weirdly had me on edge. It also explores the notion of knowing a love will end, which really resonated and stuck with me. Yet, it is so gentle and beautiful at the same time. There is an excellent parenting speech at the end, and I couldn't take my eyes off Timothee Chalamet. Mostly because of his gorgeous acting, but also because he's, well, gorgeous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pop.inquirer.net/2017/07/dunkirk-propulsive-ticking-clock-action-thriller-christopher-nolan/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<b>Dunkirk</b> >> In terms of storytelling, I do think Dunkirk wins for me. Three stories are closely knit together and told simultaneously even though the timelines differ, which adds to that chaotic feeling of war which all the characters are experiencing. It's also highly emotional, and every time I watched Mark Rylance on screen I had tears in my eyes because he's just so damn good. Even the characters who you disagree with, you don't hate - their fear, anger, or distrust is a product of their experience. And while it doesn't glorify war in the slightest, it still manages to make you feel patriotic. I have genuinely never been so tense while watching a film, it's so captivating in a horrendous way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/stephen-kings-it/48285/stephen-king-s-it-gets-a-15-certificate-from-the-bbfc" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<b>It</b> >> The struggle I faced before watching this film is that I LOVE Stephen King and I HATE clowns. But I went and watched it anyway, and I'm so glad I gave it the chance. I don't love horror films as I think they can be pretty boring (the same cliches over and over) but this is so much more than a horror film. It explores human fear, each child materialising what they are most afraid of - and we all know as an English Lit student I love a bit of symbolism. I also love that it doesn't spell things out for the audience. The adults in this film are horrible, and that is an effect of Pennywise, but that's never given to us in some weird exposition. It's just something that you notice if you pay attention, which is the kind of storytelling I love. What's more, it's heavily doused in 80s nostalgia and surprisingly a bunch of humour from the kids.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://nerdist.com/wonder-woman-epilogue-scene-teases-a-justice-league-connection/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<b>Wonder Woman</b> >> I'm a bit disenfranchised with the whole superhero genre these days, but I really did love Wonder Woman. Diana is such a fierce character and the No Man's Land scene gave me chills, brought tears to my eyes, and made me smile so wide, all at once. I also liked that the love story didn't feel forced into the plot, and Chris Pine's character was the perfect way for Diana to learn about humanity's strength which is of course, love. Patty Jenkins' direction portrayed all the Amazons as powerful women. Even though there is a focus on their bodies, it is not sexualised - it portrays their pure strength. I really really dislike <b>Batman vs Superman</b> and <b>Justice League</b>, and the villain here isn't the best it could be, but I do love <b>Wonder Woman</b>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/01/la-la-lands-double-edged-nostalgia/512351/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<b>La La Land</b> >> (It came out in 2017 for the UK don't @ me) It's hard for me to sum up my feelings for La La Land, because it truly did steal my heart. I love that it is soaked in nostalgia, with references to musicals I already love, and that the love story is so real. I was lucky enough to see it with a live orchestra a few months ago too, and it was even more moving then. People have criticised that Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone weren't the world's best singers or dancers, but that's what made me adore it even more - these are real characters who are expressing their emotions through musical numbers, they don't claim to be perfect! And I don't see any flaws in their performances anyway. This is definitely a musical I can watch again and again, if of course I'm prepared to cry.<br />
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Aaaand some final shout-outs because I can't help myself. <b>Baby Driver</b> is my No. 6, I adore the clever use of music (I listen to the soundtrack all the time too) and was so surprised how much I loved a film about car chases! <b>Get Out</b> was pretty groundbreaking and such a powerful watch, <b>Blade Runner 2049</b> wasn't my favourite in plot but was stunning, <b>Spider-Man: Homecoming</b> was all kinds of fun and actually made me love the character. Oh and of course I adored <b>Star Wars: The Last Jedi</b> and <b>The Greatest Showman</b> but it felt wrong to include them in my top five as they had only just been released at the end of the year!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-20786480668223153612018-01-08T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-08T08:00:00.247+00:00On Dressing Bolder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Being a blogger, I often compare myself to the people around me. There are so many amazing women whose style I adore, and when I look at my own wardrobe I feel like there isn't any point in my blogging it. However, I've been so excited to take outfit photos recently - and it's not because I've bought a whole new wardrobe, or bought things to specifically blog about. I haven't. It's because I feel like I'm finally coming into my own with my style. Everyone's style changes all the time so I'm sure a year from now I'll feel differently, but for now let's talk about why I think this is...<br />
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When I started this blog I was always an advocate of wearing whatever you want to wear, and I still am. But back then, I dressed pretty monochrome and pretty casual. While I'll always choose comfort, it's clear to me now that my true self can't always be expressed in black and white. Recently I was chatting with a friend about our fashion choices and I wanted to write a little on it - about my evolution, but also just on fashion choices in general. We all evolve and fashion is one of the ways that we show this to people. I think back on my style and I love the steps I've taken to now. I wear tons more glitter and sequins, I embrace colour - especially pink - in a way I never would have thought, and I push the boundaries of what I think suits me. There are things I will never be comfortable wearing, but even shimmying into a mini skirt for the first time in years is a pretty big step forward for me.</div>
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I remember days when I would state, "Oh I can't wear red, I only look good in cool colours," and chuckle a little. Who knew red would be one of my favourite colours to wear? Even a year ago I would probably never have the guts to wear a hot pink crushed velvet skirt. Part of it is because yes, my tastes have simply changed, but what I think is more important is that I'm finally brave enough to wear something like this. There were times where I would cringe if I was wearing "too many" colours at once, and now I feel a bit strange if I don't have any brights going on in my outfit. I used to wear heeled boots every day at college because I felt so short without them, and now I pretty much live in trainers and flat boots because I just don't care. I'll always have a soft spot for a heeled boot but it's nice that I feel I don't have to rely on them anymore. I think the same has happened with lipstick too, strangely enough. I was never seen without a red or berry lipstick for a good couple years and now I feel so strange in anything other than a pinky nude lip! I think I always worried that I would look too pale or washed out in a nude, but now it's so comfortable to swipe on a colour that doesn't need checked on.<br />
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Perhaps a nude lip isn't a bold choice, but you see my point. Every time I buy something now, I ask myself if it's <i>me</i>. We all spend so much time asking ourselves how other people will view us in something we wear, but I'm happy to say I'm reaching that point where I don't really care. I do want to be seen in my clothes - but I want people to look at me and think of my outfit as something wholly me, not something that they love because it's completely trend-led or "normal." As long as I can remember I have looked at clothes and thought I couldn't pull them off, but guys, it's so fun to try. And sometimes you're right and you don't suit those things, but that's fine! You just send them back and look for something else. </div>
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Winter always gives me a ton of fashion inspiration. I love coats, and I love anything glitter-adorned. I think that the happy atmosphere surrounding style at this time of year makes me excited to try more. I always plan my Christmas Day and Hogmanay outfits weeks ahead, and love to think of outfits for all the shopping trips and cocktail nights. It's when I'm the happiest, style wise, and coupled with the New Year I'm feeling a new lease of life. It's mad how a sparkly top or red beret can completely change your opinion on yourself!</div>
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While this post was mostly a self-indulgent look myself and my style, I hope it has made you think about your own. We are so lucky to have fashion blogging (among other things) to inspire us to dress boldly - even if your bold is just trying a different shape of jeans. I suggest you think about what makes you happy to be dressed in, because I'm striving to do it now and the effect is so lovely.<br />
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<b>(I'm an awful blogger so none of these clothes are available now)</b><br />
<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/sVkG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MANGO JUMPER</a> (similar)</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/sVhf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TOPSHOP SKIRT</a> (similar)</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/sVg3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H&M SHOES</a> (similar)</b></div>
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Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-57250939674999844652018-01-05T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-05T08:00:06.279+00:00My Top Beauty Discoveries of 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the end of the year so it's time to talk about the products I discovered in 2017 that I loved! I've become a real creature of habit with beauty so these are the skincare and makeup bits I've genuinely used just about every day. I really tried to narrow it down to 10 but I just couldn't cut anything, so here's my top 11 of the year...<br />
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Let's kick off with a couple <b>Pixi </b>bits, because we all know I'm a fangirl. My favourite mask of the year has hands down been the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q15q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glow Mud Mask</a></b>, which is the perfect deep cleansing mask that also exfoliates and doesn't strip your skin of the stuff it needs. On the tube it says it's a '15 minute facial' and I have to agree, my skin always looks gorgeous after using it so it's become my quick fix when my skin is lacklustre. The other <b>Pixi</b> love of the year is the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1ZG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glow Mud Cleanser</a></b>. As you may know, around the first half of the year my skin was constantly breaking out and nothing seemed to help it. I stripped back my skincare routine and brought this in as my morning cleanser. Just like the mask, it draws out any impurities and chemically exfoliates, and so it's a perfect way to start the way. I really like it has changed my skin which is miles clearer than it was a few months ago! I can't imagine not using it.<br />
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Ok, we've got two foundation picks because I couldn't make up my mind - they're both so different! The <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q14f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream</a></b> came to me first, and is the perfect glowing base. It's got a medium coverage I'd say, and does an amazing job at covering any imperfections while yes, still looking like your skin. The <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1ZB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation</a></b> was discovered at the <b><a href="http://www.emiloue.co.uk/2017/05/a-ysl-masterclass-with-hello-october.html" target="_blank">Hello October event</a></b> I went to in April. The coverage is pretty close to the <b>It Cosmetics,</b> but it definitely feels more like a foundation. It's also lovely and glowy, and is the foundation that when I use it, I think "ooh, my skin looks nice today!" Right now I'm actually loving mixing the two!<br />
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For concealer, I've got to shout out the <b><a href="https://www.glossier.com/products/stretch-concealer" target="_blank">Glossier Stretch Concealer</a>.</b> I've never loved pot concealers but this one is a dream. A lot of people say it isn't great for blemishes but I actually love it to cover redness or spots, as because it isn't matte it just looks like skin when applied. Sometimes it does move around a little around my nose, where I have a bit more oil, but for the most part the staying power it great. Another base love is the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q13U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSL Touche Eclat Glow Shot in Shade 3</a></b>. This was another find at the event with Suzie, and probably my favourite discovery from the brand! I love the rose gold shade that is pale enough for my skintone, and the gorgeous glow it gives. I love highlighter but I prefer a subtle approach and that's what you get with this - a pretty sheen rather than glitter.<br />
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It's lipstick time! I'll first talk about the <b><a href="https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1701755587"></span>Fleur de Force x MAC Lipstick<span id="goog_1701755588"></span></a></b> because I'm aware it was limited edition and it's a little mean to mention! This lipstick is super comfortable to wear and probably my most worn of the year - the browny pink is a gorgeous colour that suits me so well, and I don't know what I'm going to do if I ever use it all up! My other favourite of the year is the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q14Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick</a></b>. It may look pretty similar to the <b>MAC</b>, but it's different I promise! This is the only <b>Charlottle Tilbury</b> lipstick I own (so far) and I'm such a fan of the matte formula. It sticks around without drying my lips out, something which happens whenever I wear matte lipsticks. What's more, the pink shade is gorgeous and matches my hair perfectly when I have it tinted pink!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.glossier.com/products/boy-brow" rel="" target="_blank">Glossier Boy Brow</a></b> had to be on this list. For years I've used <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q14o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Benefit Gimme Brow</a> </b>but I think <b>Boy Brow</b> has pipped it to the top. I adore the colour (I use shade Dark Brown) and love how it gives me such feathery and thick brows. I'll use it on its own when I'm not wearing much makeup, or over a brow pencil like the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q157" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soap & Glory Brow Archery Pencil</a></b> to add more volume and to keep the hairs in shape. For eyes, here's a shocker, I'm not going to mention an eyeshadow palette. I've flitted between a few this year, but one product I've fallen for is the <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/rn9d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rimmel Magnif'eyes Shadow and Liner in Queens of the Bronzed Age</a></b>. I've always been a bronze eye gal, but this copper shade has won me over. Most of the time I'll apply it all over the lid and lower lashes, smudge it out with a brush and apply the gold shade to the inner corner, but sometimes I'll have both on the lid, and sometimes I'll use the gold as a soft wash for subtler makeup days! It doesn't budge and the colour is to die for.<br />
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Lastly, comes a nail polish! My most worn this year has definitely been <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q13D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smith and Cult's Doe My Dear</a></b>. It's a greigey colour, but such a pretty one, and is the colour I reach for when I don't want a full-blown colour on my nails, or when I can't decide what I want. The formula of <b>Smith and Cult</b> polishes is so gorgeous - they are super shiny and always last ages on me. This colour is also perfect to layer under glitters, and I particularly love using <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q15c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Essie's Sparkle on Top</a></b> over it!Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-8292556363725179332018-01-02T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-04T01:22:05.305+00:004 Years of emiloue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four years. It feels unreal. I can still remember sitting in college and telling my friend Gemma that I'd started a fashion and beauty blog. I would spend my days there then head back home and take photos in my bedroom, using a tripod and awful lighting. I would just take a photo of my outfit from that day, write about why I chose it, then post. I like to think that now I'm much more refined and informational, but let's be real, I'm still the same girl who just likes talking about clothes and makeup...<br />
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I'd like to skip past my tumultuous personal life this year and talk about blogging. I like the content I've written, I do, but I feel like it just doesn't measure up to what the blogosphere has become these days. I'm the "fashion" person in my real life, but online my outfits look relatively plain and something perhaps seen before. I once had soaring pageviews that then dropped significantly and it's a very, <i>very</i> gradual climb back up. I joined blogging when it was <i>just</i> becoming known as a job rather than simply a hobby - although it's always only been a hobby for me - and I feel like my irregular posting during uni term times has really set me back in many ways. I know I could put more effort in, but then what's the point? Will I really succeed in a place that is so saturated? These are the questions I ask myself, and then you know what? I just make content anyway.<br />
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There is something so special about creating a blog. I'm the full creative force behind this. I research, write, photograph, edit, promote. I don't want to say I'll never try and pursue blogging as a career, but right now it's actually nice having this be my hobby. I'm reaching the stage of my university career where I'm expected to start publishing my writing. And that's bloody terrifying. So it's nice to have this, where I can write about lipstick and denim jackets - not just how pretty they are, but how they shape me as a person. This blog is me, my interests. It's followed me from midway college through (almost) all four years of university. I've evolved so much, and it's all documented here.<br />
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I've loved stepping up my photography with a new lens recently (oh my, it's made a world of a difference) and I'm learning that for this blog to thrive I need to write about things that matter to me. Lipstick and handbags are all well and good, but I want to discuss things of more importance. Things that make me think, things that I want to share with you all, maybe even things that I've never shown the internet like my creative writing. These ideas excite me, and yet I'm still precarious that it may all be futile if no one will read them.<br />
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So what's my point? I don't feel like I can succeed in this field but I'm doing anyway because it's fun? I guess so. I'm full of ideas about what I want this website to be (I'm also thinking a redesign and a move to Wordpress), and I hope I manage to meet some of those standards now set in my head. Thank you so, so much for reading this little blog. I know I'm rubbish at posting sometimes but I hope you have all noticed that I respond to every single comment aimed in my direction - it honestly means the world to me that someone has something to say about a thing I've written. It's time to move onto my fifth (FIFTH!) year of emiloue. Thanks for sticking with the journey!<br />
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Em xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.forever21.com/uk/" target="_blank"><b>FOREVER 21 JUMPER</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/shda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>ASOS JEANS</b></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/product/white-zircon-pendant-necklace-in-sterling-silver-042cts/nbse10/" target="_blank">GEMPORIA NECKLACE</a>*</b><br />
<a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/shcc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>GOLDSMITHS RING</b></a></div>
Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-77619183499807249672017-12-29T10:00:00.000+00:002017-12-29T17:08:59.736+00:00A Christmas Day Candy Cane Outfit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuXvtLeLJPo/WkOx5ZhdksI/AAAAAAAADT0/SE8buyaakWcxZD7lNrEX04iJpBsAHQ9VQCEwYBhgL/s1600/christmas-day-candy-cane-outfit-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuXvtLeLJPo/WkOx5ZhdksI/AAAAAAAADT0/SE8buyaakWcxZD7lNrEX04iJpBsAHQ9VQCEwYBhgL/s1600/christmas-day-candy-cane-outfit-3.jpg" /></a></div>
Merry (belated) Christmas! I don't know about you, but I always spend weeks planning what I'm going to wear on Christmas Day. I think it's because I would always be so excited for the day as a child - wearing a pretty dress and slipping around the floor in white tights. Not much has changed, let's be real...<br />
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I like to call this outfit Candy Cane Chic. I won't lie, <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1M8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the beret</a> </b>and <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1Ma" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heels</a></b> were kicked off after the photos were taken, BUT I do love the ensemble. I bought <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1LK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the skirt</a> </b>months ago and never got the chance to wear it (the party I'd bought it for was rescheduled to January) but I knew I wanted to break it out again for Christmas. Forest green is one of those festive colours which I often overlook, but I couldn't resist the jewel tones - and I'm dying to get it in this <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1MI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gorgeous red/plum colour</a></b> too. Even though it's a petite style it's still a teeny bit longer than I'd like, but the slit makes up for it by still showing off a bit of skin.<br />
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I spent months, and no I am not exaggerating, searching for a <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1NK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">white fluffy jumper</a></b> like this. Whenever I thought I'd found one it wasn't fluffy enough, or was cropped, or was massively oversized. But this is a nice Goldilocks piece, a slim fit but still just baggy enough to hide a food baby, and looks lovely with any skirt or trouser I pair it with. Even better was the fact that I took it to the till expecting to be charged £17.99 and it was only £10!<br />
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I could dedicate a whole post to <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1Ma" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these sequin shoes</a></b> and who knows, maybe I will, but can. we. just. appreciate. them. I'm such a magpie but always resist buying gaudy shoes as I rarely wear heels. However, I saw these and fell in love and thought, hey, if I buy these at least I'll have ridiculous shoes and won't have to buy any more. We'll all just pretend that's the truth, ok? Ok. (P.S. they're on sale now!)<br />
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There you go, my Christmas Day outfit! I know lots of families don't dress up for Christmas but our family have always gone for that 'dressy-but-casual' vibe. Something pretty, but that is still comfortable. And there's no better feeling than celebrating the most wonderful day of the year while dressed as a candy cane! I hope you all had a lovely day!<br />
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1NK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H&M JUMPER</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1LK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ASOS SKIRT</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1Ma" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TOPSHOP SHOES</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1M8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TOPSHOP BERET</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1N1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TOPSHOP EARRINGS</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/product/white-zircon-pendant-necklace-in-sterling-silver-042cts/nbse10/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GEMPORIA NECKLACE</a>*</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/q1OX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GOLDSMITHS RING</a><br /><a href="http://www.thomassabo.com/GB/en_GB/pd/bracelet/A1328-001-12-L19%2C5v.html?" target="_blank">THOMAS SABO BRACELET</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://jomajewellery.com/13-a-littles" target="_blank">JOMA JEWELLERY BRACELETS</a></b></div>
Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411191034990327076.post-67169466574106804502017-12-26T08:00:00.000+00:002017-12-26T08:00:02.870+00:00Accessories to Amp Up an Outfit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whether it's this festive season, or any old night out, I do sometimes struggle with turning an outfit into something special. I'm a jeans and jumper girl at heart, and although I love a bit of glitz, it's something I often drop into my casual daily outfits - meaning I don't have many "dressy" clothes. When it comes to dressing up, sometimes it isn't all about going for a killer dress. For me, the key to amping up an outfit is the accessories worn with it, so here are my favourites...<br />
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This <b><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/split-suede-maxi-crossbody-bag-p18339204.html?v1=4666063&v2=734144" target="_blank">Zara bag</a></b> (<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/split-suede-oversized-crossbody-bag-p18466204.html?v1=5072017" target="_blank"><b>here's the same version in black</b></a>) is my newest bag purchase and one I'm totally in love with. The teal colour is so gorgeous (and on trend) and the silver hardware is perfect for me. I almost exclusively wear silver jewellery so although I don't mind having the more common gold hardware on bags, it's lovely that I know have the option to match a bit more. I used to think coloured bags were hard to work, but this gem colour is so rich that I find it just makes an outfit look more luxe immediately, no matter what colour palette I've got going on.<br />
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Another bag option is this little red velvet bag from <b>Topshop</b> (<b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/rqTw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">similar</a></b>). In the same way as the <b>Zara</b> bag, this one adds a little luxe to a look, and the cushioned effect with the tiny gold embellishments makes it look like a sweet vintage number. Again, the deep gem colour goes with so much, and it looks way more expensive than it actually is.<br />
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To move on from bags, I'm obsessed with <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/rqSn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this pair of tassel earrings</a></b> right now. I haven't worn dangly earrings in years, but after seeing these all over Instagram I headed to my local <b>Topshop</b> and picked out this rose gold pair. The colour is actually quite close to my hair colour, so I love that there is a subtlety when I wear it - but the shimmering thread still adds glitz and the shape is pretty statement. I like that with a big pair of earrings you don't need to wear much other jewellery, and just let them do the talking.<br />
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And finally, we've got to talk shoes. I'm a little obsessed with these <b><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/rqQW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Topshop sequined heels</a></b>, and so happy I took the plunge and bought them. As much as I love sparkle, I really do avoid buying fancy shoes because I just don't get lots of wear out of them - but I couldn't resist these, and my shoe wardrobe was calling out for some colour. The great thing about these multi-coloured shoes is that they will go with any outfit as there's bound to be a complimentary colour in there! I can't lie, they're not the most comfortable heels I own, but they don't kill my feet and they've scratched my itch for jazzy shoes.<br />
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Accessories like these, even though they are pretty simple, are excellent ways to step up any outfit, even taking some from daytime to night. Think how much a jeans and tee combo would change with those heels, earrings and a killer bag! I've been in such a casual rut recently that I'm enjoying experimenting with more glamour in my life, even if it's just throwing on a cute pair of earrings when I head out to town. What accessories do you love to amp up your outfits?Emily Fletcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040773776329453345noreply@blogger.com