Turtleneck Hair: a love story

Turtleneck: Gap 

Bag: River Island 

Skirt: Topshop

Tights: Primark

Boots: Zara

Jacket: & other stories 

Ever since I saw a piece yonks ago on manrepeller.com about 'Turtleneck Hair', I've been totally obsessed. Then in December, Leandra rolled out another post on the hot hair topic which can be read here. Leandra herself was a big influence in why I chose to divide my hair length in two. She looks so effortlessly parisian in every insta pic, every blog post: she's just COOL, and her hair definitely contributes to this. So in my pursuit of coolness (or something..) I went and chopped off half the locks on my noggin and ended up with a short graduated bob. So getting back to turtlenecks: when I first had my hair cut short I was super self-conscious about it and kept asking everyone whether I looked like a little boy (their words said no but their eyes, I found, usually said yes). Tucking my hair into a turtleneck sort of became a little comfort- something to make me feel a bit more comfortable with my snippy situation. Soon I came to love my hair, and now still adore how it tucks into a turtleneck at the perfect length. It's no longer a way to hide my locks though, but one to show them off. In general I really love having short hair. Do I ever feel envy for my mermaid-lock'd co-workers and their billowing luscious waves? Course I do. BUT I have to think that short hair is best for ME. I have very thin flat hair, and wearing it long only emphasises these less-than-ideal features. Having it short gives it some volume and I feel I can wear it up, down, half up/half down, twirled around, straight..YOU NAME IT, and I'm always pretty happy. I also feel (and this may sound a little cheeky to my longer haired gal pals) that with a short, choppy style, sometimes clothes can look a little cooler? Amirite?? On the downside however, I do have to wash it FAR more often than I used to, unless I want a greasy ol' mop on my head for a day's work, and no-one wants that, do they?  

The Big February Wish List

(Starting bottom left going clockwise)
Shirt: Weekday at Asos 
Utility Trousers: Asos 
Blanket Cape: Asos 
Watch: Larsson & Jennings 
Wonder glow primer: Charlotte Tilbury 
Optical style glasses: Asos 
Faux Fur stole: Charlotte Simone 
Glastonberry lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury 
Gazelle Trainers: Adidas 
Green Dress: Asos 
Large Gleaming Isla Candle: Anthropologie 
Black Jeans: Asos
Rock n kohl black eyeliner: Charlotte Tilbury  
Rings: Monica Vinader 
Brush set: Zoeva 

Working at a fashion/shopping magazine can become damn bloody expensive. Not just because you're learning & writing about new brands, but also because you are surrounded by the most dangerous type of people for your bank balance: MSE's (that's 'Mass Shopping Enablers' in my mind). Some of the girls at work & I sort of egg each other on when it comes to online shopping and all that malarkey. Some of us even follow the 'if you will, I will' rule, which always ends up in several hefty purchases. It's also pretty easy when you get one of your first "real" jobs to go a bit mental when you see some money pour into your account. Especially when you're living at home and not yet paying rent for your own place. So what am I actually getting at? Well, this month my imagination has gone pretty wild while writing away at work. Many things have been pointed out to me by my co-workers, and the amount on my wish-list has officially gone off the charts...cheers guys. 
See what I am lusting over above! 

The Trip Down Memory Lane: A Perfume Post

In the two years I have been blogging, I've never written a post about all things whiff-related. So I thought it was about time to round up some of my all time favourite scents which make the boys swoon (or not...they are just super duper pretty). The one thing I both love and hate about perfumes is their ability to take you back to a time or place from the past. The correlation between smell and memory has been proven countless times, and I for one can associate nearly every perfume I own with something that has happened in my past. This means that one sniff can tell a story: be it one of rainbows and sparkles or loss and not such fun times. So as well as touching on what I love about these scents, I've also had a little trip down memory lane in the following run down: 
The Jo Malone Favourites: Everybody loves a bit o' Jo Malone, and no wonder. Her truly unique scents  are unlike anything else you can buy. My favourites include Vintage Gardenia (big bottle- discontinued), Blackberry & Bay and Pomegranate Noir (2 small bottles). The most 'memory-inducing' of the three is without a doubt Pomegranate Noir. Every time I wear it I think of my Mum, as it was her who introduced me to Jo Malone; PN being one of her favourites. Jo Malone scents are very potent and sophisticated, and Pomegranate Noir is the truest representation of this I think. 
The one that reminds me of an ex: On my 22nd birthday, I spent the day with my boyfriend of the time, as well as one of my best friends. I was given Diptyque Philosykos from my parents earlier that day, and was wearing it when I left the house. Because it's such an intense scent, it stayed right under my nose the entire day. Every time I smell this now, I think back to that day and what I was doing and how I felt. It reminds me of people that are maybe no longer around in my life and of a summertime spent with friends and surrounded by romance. Despite this (or maybe because of this), I really love this smell, and even more so because it is not a pretty, floral scent but an almost unisex, plant based scent: right up my street. 
The rollerball from my travels: When I was travelling last summer in America, myself and my tent buddy Helen took an entire free day to go shopping in San Francisco. People thought we were sort of mental seeing as we could have spent the day seeing the beautiful sights of the city, but instead tirelessly wandered round drug stores and tried on bras in Victoria's Secret. In truth, it was one of the best days I had on the trip. After a month of camping and being deprived of any pampering time, spending a day with one of my best makeup-loving girl pals doing something only girly-girls do was so special. To cut this (incresingly long) story short, we went into Sephora, and I bought a rollerball version of Elizabeth & James Nirvana. It's the white version of the duo scents by the Olsens, and is just super pretty and feminine. I wore it for the rest of the trip. 
The Uni perfume: When I was at uni, naturally I was crazy skint. I guess it's just a right of passage: every female undergrad (unless you are fortunate enough to have some well-off parents) goes through the agony of lusting after clothes, makeup and shoes that they just can't really afford. I remember one day I ran out of perfume, and was dreading forking out a hefty sum for another bottle. I was in Mac with a friend, and as she was buying something, I picked up their Turquatic perfume at the counter, and  after a single sniff (and after learning of the very modest price tag) practically threw a bottle at the cashier. Everyone's really surprised when I say one of my favourite scents is from Mac because most people don't even know they make them. It is so fresh and sort of tropical smelling, and really really affordable. 
The all-time fave: Oh Chanel. Is there anything you can't master? Clothing, accessories, makeup and perfumes: you rock the shit out of them all. That's why I am not surprised my all time favourite perfume is from the luxury brand, and why I am not ashamed to shout about it. Although the price tag is not so boast-worthy, the smell really really is. Chance eau Fraiche is citrusy, fruity and fresh, and sort of smells different throughout the day, which I really like. I like to think of this as my lucky perfume too, as I have worn it at some major events in recent years: my graduation, my job interview for SHOP, all throughout my work in Amsterdam, the list goes on...
The scent from my teenage years: What really attracted me to Marc Jacobs Daisy is the bottle. Like most beauty-obsessed teens, I liked anything big, bright and bold that stood out from the rest. With its large flowery lid and minimalistic font, Daisy had it going on. It's a fairly sweet scent which I would say is quite girly, and isn't one I wear much these days. When I was younger, however, it was all I would ever reach for. House parties, sixth form and nights out with fake ID's would all see (or sniff) Marc Jacobs Daisy, and not just the perfume either: I at various points owned the shower gel, body cream and shimmering body butter. Now that's dedication. 
The current choice: Reigning in a new year and a new start is Prada's Infusion D'Iris. This is another scent that, like the Diptyque and Jo Malone in my collection, reflects my love of perfumes that are just a little different. It's a smell which you can't quite put your finger on: floral but not girly, fresh but also a little 'spicy' and unique to its very core. It's also very grown up. Which is why I guess I am wearing it now. I am, after all, officially over the hill at the grand old age of 22 (kidding...kinda). I got it for Christmas last month, and so it's been my scent of choice for all the new experiences I am having now, and for working life. It will be interesting to see what it reminds me of in a few years time! 
What are your favourite perfumes and what do they remind you of? 

Ealing B

Blazer: Zara Sale (sold) Crop Tee: Topshop Jeans: Asos Shoes: Topshop Sale Watch: Kate Spade  Bag: Topshop
These images were shot in my beloved Ealing B by my office wife Tess. It was a super rainy day so I thought I would unleash some sunshine-esque brights onto the streets of EB. This blazer was a total barg at Zara; I nabbed it for £30 in the sale instead of £50 ish (I think!). I love how oversized and long it is -- I often have a problem finding blazers that fit how I want them to: too many on offer are very fitted and sit at the waist which I find super unflattering. I'm also wearing my Topshop sale shoes which make me feel like Carrie Bradshaw (an awesome or awful prospect I don't know...). They are completely ridiculous and I can't imagine where or when I will wear them. When taking these shots Tess asked me about the practicality of these shoes. It went something a little like this: T: So, when will you actually wear these B? B: Don't really know. Blog posts? Fancy dress? Days when it's not raining? T: So why did you buy them? B: THEY WERE IN THE SALE AND I HAD A VOUCHER OK. 
Moving on...
I am currently planning my upcoming year (as much as you can "plan" for what life will bring in the next year) and am looking to go travelling over the new year (just for a short period) in Indonesia with my mate Michelle, and move to Putney in April time. If anyone knows of anyone looking for roommates or of any rooms available, do let me know! I also got a call from The Debrief last week too, offering me the short internship I applied for, which I will complete in March. I am SO excited as if you know me, you will know I am a crazy fan of the humorous-fashion-writing bracket, which The Debrief definitely can be filed under. I am also back at The Times next month, but the big news is that I have been kept on at the magazine (SHOP) I have been interning at since the beginning of Dec. I am still doing intern duties but have also been writing as a freelancer and am surrounded by the nicest people! So it looks like a move to Putney is on the horizon...London life is officially underway! (woop woop). 

The Kate Spade Glittery Wrist Sensation

Kate Spade New York Metro Grand Pavé Stainless Steel & Interchangeable Glitter Leather Strap Watch

Sparkle is my favourite colour. Glitter is my bitch. Anything that shines is my best friend. I sorta-kinda morbidly hope that once I’m no longer in the land of the living my gravestone will say something like this: Here lies B Fearn: a lover of all things that sparkled in the moonlight.

With this background knowledge in mind, I doubt you will be surprised to know that when I saw a version of this RIDONCULOUS watch on a co-worker's wrist, I nearly prematurely dropped down dead and got my gravestone wish. I began a mad hunt to find the watch that was seemingly unavailable in the UK, but finally stumbled upon this slightly different version on the Saks website. Sadly, anyone with magpie-like tendencies will know that when you gotta have something, you gotta have it -- despite the £45 custom fees.

So here it is…an early christmas present to myself (at least that's what I claimed when it passed through my letterbox, wrapped exquisitely and untouched). I can now finally proclaim myself Queen of Glitter. ALL HAIL. 

Dust off your sh*tkickers- it's a New Year

NYE 2014!

It’s time for the ultimate New Year post my lovely readers. You may think these types of posts are utter BS, but I will try to spare you as much 'new year, new me' crap we're all bombarded with at this time of year. For a few years now I've stopped really making resolutions a priority, and used the transitional period as a chance to look back on the past year and see what I've learnt and how far I've come since the year before. 

This year I have graduated from University, worked at a fantastic company in Amsterdam over the summer, met some amazing new friends, seen some of my favourite bands live, gone travelling alone then with a bunch of people I’d never met before, got all my hair chopped off, had my work published in print and online, interned at some of my favourite newspapers and found a temp job at a small fashion publication with some lovely lovely people.

I don’t say this to humblebrag, but I feel I've achieved some good things this year, and gone through a lot in the process. As well as the ups, I’ve of course had a few downs (insomnia, dissertation purgatory, heartbreak, yada yada yada...) but I have tried to use these for good too. It’s been a challenging but exciting year, and I have come out the other side feeling pretty damn proud and ready for what's next! I feel I have much more of a sense of direction than I did six months ago, and know more about what I want out of life :) My year ended happily & with a super-duper bang, as I spent NYE partying with two fantastic human beans who I met when travelling: Lara & Amy- See photos above. I wore a Topshop playsuit, H&M shoes, River Island bag and vintage necklace, Kate Spade watch & AA scrunchie!

So anyway, here are some of my favourites things and lessons learned from the year:

My favourite….of 2014:

Film…Gone Girl (I saw it three times at the cinema, 'nuff said)

TV show…The Walking Dead (now I know how to survive a zombie apocalypse and what I want in my future hubz-Daryl, I'm lookin' at you)

Album…Alt J- This is all yours (Eargasm) 

Beauty product…Anastasia Brow Wiz OR Makeup forever HD foundation (annoyingly both not so easy to get your hands on in the UK!)

Band…Arcade Fire (Will my frankly bizarre crush on Win Butler ever subside?)

Fashion buy…My Zara leopard print boots (post here)

Book…Man Repeller: Chasing love, seeking overalls by Leandra Medine (no-brainer)

Experience of the year…Travelling in America (shoutout to the Trek crew!)

Place…Oregon/Chicago (or Amsterdam, but maybe I'm just biased)

Animal…Pug (Keeping my fingers crossed for '15)

Piece of writing...Marina Keegan- The Opposite of Loneliness (tragic but beautiful)

20 (ish) Things I have learnt in 2014:

The importance of travel- if you can do it, do it whilst you’re young, free and unattached (to jobs, people, you name it…)

Blogging is a fun, productive and unpredictable platform to develop your passions.

MIND OVER MATTER: Incredibly freeing realisation people. You have the power to change the way you feel about things if you are just brave enough to learn how.

Finding the right size cap at graduation is essential. Do you want your pea head flopping around in that oversized cap you thought you could fill out for the entire ceremony? No, you don't- take it from me future grads. 

If you can survive camping in grizzly bear-infested American national parks, you can survive absolutely anything.

Independence and solidarity make you a stronger person. Thank the person who said no to helping you out or walked away: it meant you had to stand on your own two feet & become a stronger, sassier human bean on this planet of ours. 

Sometimes you have to be willing to give up sleep to succeed.

A student loan will not stretch to buying you the entire ASOS site, as much as you will insist it can.

One from my good friend Kirstie: 'Don't cry over anyone who wouldn't cry over you'- in other words, he's not worth it. Don't settle & always trust your instincts. 

Work experience is invaluable, especially if you're in the fashion industry.

Having a dirty sense of humour makes life so much funnier. 

It's easy to make new friends; just say Hello! 

Nice boys aren't always nice. 

Working abroad teaches you things about the world and more importantly, about yourself.

There is such a thing as owning ‘too much makeup’. Yes, really.

Going bra-less on a night out can and will only result in an enormous amount of flashing. 

Writing a dissertation feels like the most soul-destroying activity known to man- but the struggle WILL end and if you put in the work you WILL reap the rewards ;)  

The first real, raw heartbreak is actually the most soul-destroying thing that can happen to a person- but this too shall pass, just be patient and dig deep to find your courage.

People at train stations are arseholes (since when was not stopping to help people with heavy bags a thing?!!!)

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Shit happens- it’s how you deal with it that counts. Don’t let it define or destroy you, let it strengthen you. Negative experiences are not always negative. As cheesy as it sounds, every seemingly bad and challenging experience has purpose. 

SO...Don’t give up. You have to be persistent as heck in this world.

Meeting as many people as you can, dressing exactly how you want to dress and doing things people think you are not capable of are some of life’s greatest pleasures.

And lastly, but (I think) most importantly: Be kind. You will always find people along the way that will take advantage of this or be shitty to you…but be kind anyway. 

What have you learnt this year?

ps. HNY!!