October was a very busy month for writing articles - I think 12 in total is pretty impressive considering I balanced this with my university work and editing for my student newspaper. Since you guys are always really interested in hearing what pieces I've been working on and I enjoy sharing my passions, I thought I'd do another article round-up and give you a behind the scenes glimpse into all of my pieces published in October!
The Mancunion
Your winter wardrobe staple based on your zodiac sign
Our horoscopes have a lot to say about us, from personality traits to our compatibility in a relationship, but have you ever thought about letting your star sign dictate your wardrobe? Read more...
Many people religiously follow their horoscopes and strongly believe in their predictions and personality traits. I went through a phase a few years ago of reading my horoscope daily (purely out of interest, I never quite believed in it) and while there were times that it was scarily accurate, there were others that felt miles from the truth. I thought it'd be interesting to put horoscopes to the test and let them pick out a clothing item for each star sign that was their 'perfect' addition to their winter wardrobe. This was an enjoyable article to create, and it was interesting to see what clothing my horoscope dictates that I should be waring.
Appearance in the age of Zoom: How to dress for a virtual class
Following The University of Manchester’s decision to suspend face-to-face teaching, students have become increasingly familiar with Zoom classes and virtual learning. Although we’ve quickly gathered the online etiquette of muting the mic when you’re not talking and not joining a lecture late (that bell sound can become very irritating), there’s one thing we haven’t quite cracked – what do you wear to a virtual class? Read more...
As my university made a decision to transition to online teaching, I thought it'd be interesting to look at our fashion choices and the new styles that the pandemic has enabled. With an increase of Zoom calls and virtual hangouts, I wanted to gain a consensus of whether students were putting in minimal effort and rolling out of bed in loungewear or dressing up to impress for their online classes. It was also very insightful chatting to some students about their approaches to fashion and beauty during the pandemic.
Style saviours you never realised originated from black communities
Diversity in fashion is an ongoing battle – many fashion houses still favour Caucasian models and social media is largely whitewashed, despite widespread campaigns for equal representation. Black people have made massive contributions to the fashion industry and are to thank for some of our favourite styles, yet many people are unaware of this. Don’t believe me? Well, how many of these iconic trends did you realise we owe to black communities? Read more...
October was Black History Month, and I really wanted to pay homage to that, yet I'm very aware that as a white female, I don't have the experience or ability to speak on behalf of this community. I decided to go down a different route and instead explore some inventions and popular fashion trends that we owe to black people. I loved having the opportunity to highlight some iconic looks and fashion creations that black people are responsible for yet a lot of people might not be aware of, and I also learned a lot while writing this article. Spoiler alert - did you know that hoop earrings, the hairbrush and acrylic nails all made the list?
The Manc
The Manchester skincare brands treating 'maskne' during the pandemic
Everyone gets bad skin from time to time. Whether it’s due to hormones, stress or an unhealthy lifestyle, a sudden burst of blemishes can function as a reminder that we should be kinder to our skin. But the newest influx of breakouts is completely out of our control: ‘Maskne’. A hybrid of the words ‘mask’ and ‘acne’, this skin invasion is caused by the heat and friction produced by regularly wearing a face mask. Read more...
Maskne has been the bane of everyone's lives since the beginning of the pandemic, and I've definitely struggled with my fair share of it. Rather than letting it take control, I thought I'd write an article about how to beat these blemishes with the help of some Manchester skincare brands. Not only was this a great opportunity to write about skincare (which I don't often do) and share some local makers, this post also received a lot of traction online, so hopefully it helped you guys out!
Ginger's Comfort Emporium launches new autumn-flavoured ice cream menu
The days of enjoying ice creams in sunshine soaked parks might be gone for now… but that doesn’t mean sweet treats are off the menu in Manchester. Read more...
I'm a sucker for a sweet treat and ice cream is one of my (many) favourites, particularly in the warmer weather. However, I wrote this article to share some cool and creepy Halloween ice cream creations to prove that this doesn't have to be a summer dessert. Ginger's also sell some unreal ice cream flavours, including apple crumble and s'mores, that had my mouth watering the entire time I was writing this piece.
Introducing Kay Lou Klub, the awesome brand launching Manchester's mental health movement through clothing
‘You are more than enough, and we are more than just clothing.' Kay Lou Klub doesn’t create ordinary clothes – they are clothes with courage. Read more...
One of my favourite things about writing for The Manc is having the opportunity to showcase some incredible local businesses that are really working hard to make a change. Kay Lou Klub is one of those, as they are actively using clothing and online workshops to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging people to speak out. It was incredibly eye-opening chatting to Kay and I'm a huge fan of what she does, so creating this article was potentially my favourite from the whole month.
The must-visit Manchester boutiques for Halloween this year
Halloween may be very different this year, but that doesn’t mean our costumes have to be. Whether you’re holding a COVID-compliant spooky garden party or going to Manchester’s immersive Halloween drive-in theatre, it’s important that you look the part. Read more...
Halloween was a bit of a bittersweet occasion this year as many of the usual events couldn't take place (not to mention it was the day that lockdown 2 was announced). However, for the people who still wanted to dress up at home or have a family party within their household bubble, I thought it'd be nice to share some of the best locations to find a last-minute costume. Manchester is home to some amazing fancy dress boutiques that deserve more recognition, and hopefully, this article was helpful for people still attempting to celebrate Halloween this year.
This Manchester-based menswear start-up is offering a free shirt to all new subscribers
Look the part, be the part. Even though many of us are back working from home, getting dressed in style can play a big role in productivity. Whether you’re returning to the office, grabbing a bite to eat or trying to look professional via Zoom call, a fashionable shirt is essential. Read more...
The pandemic has completely revolutionised how businesses are operating, and one local example of that is The Shirt Society who set up a menswear subscription during lockdown. While office life may feel like a distant memory, many people are still trying to look professional and feel productive whilst working from home, and this service can hopefully assist with that. The team at The Shirt Society contacted me to work on this article and I definitely enjoyed creating it, even if it was a little bit out of my comfort zone as it was my first time writing about menswear.
Classic Football Shirts: The Manchester brand revolutionising the sports fashion industry
There’s a shop on Deansgate that’s a mecca for football memorabilia. It’s called Classic Football Shirts – and it’s the proud owner of the most diverse, exciting and prestigious collection of sports clothing available anywhere in the city. Read more...
If any of you know me, you'll be aware that I'm really not a football fan. However, my exception to this rule was when writing about Classic Football Shirts, which are an amazing Manchester brand curating the country's largest selection of vintage and classic football jerseys. It was really interesting to learn about the journey of two students interested in football and how they managed to completely take over the football memorabilia market, and chatting to them about their ventures definitely opened my eyes to a side of sports I wasn't aware of.
The bucket hat, a Mancunian staple, is returning as a winter fashion trend
Bucket hats may be associated with boozy festivals and summer picnics, but little did we know that this accessory would be the hottest new trend for this winter. Read more...
I wrote an article a few months ago all about bucket hats and how they're a Mancunian style staple, so it was only right to follow up on this with a winter edition. This article was prompted after I bought a cosy bucket hat in Primark and realised that this festival essential is now one of the hottest trends for winter. It was another fun article to create, although I did have to resist the temptations of ordering all of the fluffy hats that I discovered!
Meet Eighth Day - the co-operative making sustainable beauty accessible to students
In the heart of the bustling student quarter on Oxford Road, a very different kind of venue has taken root: An independently owned, eco-friendly food shop and cafe. Read more...
Eighth Day is positioned in the middle of my university's campus and was directly on my bus route to and from work, meaning I frequently passed by this sustainable store with curiosity. After chatting to the team, I discovered that they've been Manchester's go-to source of vegan food and eco-friendly products for years now, and more recently they have delved into sustainable beauty options. They also have a vegan cafe that looks absolutely delicious, and I'll definitely be visiting for lunch once they reopen.
Your Coffee Break
The realities of starting a blog - my experience after 6 years as a blogger
For many people, being a blogger instantly sparks stereotypes of constantly jetting away on holidays and receiving gifts in the mail, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Daisy, who started her blog entitled By Daisy Bradbury in 2014, speaks about the reality of being a blogger and the common misconceptions that people may have. Read more...It's not often that I get the opportunity to write for somewhere other than The Manc or The Mancunion, but October presented this opportunity that I couldn't turn down! I started my blog in 2014 and so by this point, I feel a bit like a seasoned pro, and so I'm well aware of the stereotypes that people may have and the impressions that simply aren't true. It was really interesting chatting to Your Coffee Break about the realities of being a blogger and delving into the behind-the-scenes facts that people may not know or realise, and I was also able to call upon some of my favourite bloggers (and friends) to assist with this one.
I hope you enjoyed getting a sneak peek into all of my articles that were published this month - make sure to let me know which is your favourite!
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