Monday 27 May 2013

Are Entrepreneurs the new Bloggers?

Whilst indulging in my early morning ritual of Twitter feed perusing, I can't help but notice how my following interests have changed. Gone are the days of celebrity stalking and fashion blogger swooning, as my attention has taken a turn towards the world of entrepreneurs. 

Sure, the continued success of programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragon's Den will have bumped up the public's interest, but I think the alarming ratio of graduates to jobs has a lot to answer for. 

Students go through Uni with their dream career constantly within their sights. They think that if they stay within the comforts of the right degree, and ample experience then they are pretty much guaranteed a job the moment that certificate is placed into their hands after the tapping of the cap to a round of applause. The difference is that there are just not enough jobs to go around. Some students find themselves having to settle for the gloomy world of retail whilst others trot off to pastures new to unpaid internships funded by their parents (guilty). The reality is though, that at some point that bubble will also burst.



So what's a girl/boy to do with the skill, knowledge, and experience required for the non existent role? Well, here's a thought... why not create it for yourself? It is safe to say that we are in the era of the 'start up'. People are slowly coming to realise that in order to get their dream job, then they are going to have to create it for themselves. It's amazing what a bit of brainstorming can achieve. 

As a recent graduate myself, I'm trying to lay down the foundations of my future (still seeking planning permission). My graduation from a creative industries University meant that I studied alongside photographers, filmmakers, illustrators, fashion designers, marketers, graphic designers amongst other disciplines. I had already worked alongside many of these to create my magazine, Grandeur. It would be stupid for me not to take advantage of the group of talent that immediately surrounds me, and them the same. 



So in answer to my own question, I don't think entrepreneurs are the new bloggers as in all honesty, they really are quite different. Some have even started to blur the lines and used their new found blogger fame to generate income. I do, however, think that it's time for a shift in focus as we introduce another aspirational genre of people to our noisy graduate worlds. Let's take it up a notch. 

Check out your local council's websites for courses and business grants. I've been able to attend a 4 day business start-up course, and assigned a business advisor to help me along my way on my venture. 

If you are an entrepreneur working in any industry reading this, and would like to share your story on here, you're more than welcome to reach out to me at LucySmith_Fashion@Hotmail.com.  

Monday 13 May 2013

Snaps of the Week


Wondering around Teguise.



Unsuccessful water dodging.



Gormless bathroom snap.
Top // Givenchy (Past season, sold out)



From where I stood. 



Feeling like I was on the moon. Volcano spotting on Fire Mountain.



All giggles (and a little full of sangria). Outfit a mix of past season Topshop and H&M.



Surfer's paradise. Finding secret beaches and picking up knick knacks on our travels.











Saturday 4 May 2013


Jetting off for a week in the sun.. I will leave you with a snap of my holiday jewels.. Totally worth paying the extra luggage weight allowance for ;)

I'll see you in a week with some tropical outfit posts.

Sayonara!









Worldwide Wardrobe

The sun is out!... Oh, it's cloudy again. -The story of our lives right here in the UK. It's so hard to get dressed in the morning right now, don't you think?! I've created so many 'wish list' outfits, dreaming of Californian style rays and sun-kissed shoulders... Wouldn't it be so great if they became a reality?! 

Well, ladies, now they can be! Travelsupermarket.com have launched a fantastic competition to give away five holidays to five lucky fashion bloggers! The challenge is to create looks for the following destinations:



  • Sightseeing in Paris
  • Clubbing in Ibiza
  • Shopping in London
  • Cocktails in New York
  • Partying at a Full Moon party in Thailand

  • Each category winner will win a dream trip to the destination their outfit was inspired by, plus £200 to buy the outfit. You can enter all five categories, or just one or two, it's entirely up to you!

  • Here are my entries:



  • SIGHTSEEING IN PARIS






    Home to the classy and fabulous, I thought this jumper from Topshop would be perfect to roam the streets of Paris. It injects a bit of fun, whilst the shorts and gold accents add the 'fash' to the ensemble. 


    CLUBBING IN IBIZA








    Print on print and not much else.


    SHOPPING IN LONDON







    A neutral palette with a textured edge, this watered down ensemble would look just as great mooching around the cobbled streets of Soho as rifling for vintage gems in the East End. The embellished top could take the outfit from day to night, from table top dancing in Camden's cuban bar, to kicking back and slurping on cocktails whilst people watching in Covent Garden.  



  • NEW YORK

  • Top // £34 // Topshop

  • Skirt // £39.99 // Zara

  • Clutch Bag // £39.99 // Zara

  • Shoes // £58 // Asos

  • Nail Varnish // £5 // Topshop

  • Necklace // £8 // loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk

  • So my uniform of choice for cocktails in NYC would be a twirl worthy floral number, set off by whites and popping red accessories. The wishbone necklace serves as the perfect outfit topper as it's delicate enough not to compete with the skirt, and nods to the silver studs in the shoes. 


  • THAILAND

  • Bikini Top // £15 // River Island

  • Hair Chain // £28 // River Island

  • Shorts // £32 // Topshop

  • Sandals // £84.84 // Nasty Gal

  • Bracelets (x3) // £12 each // Debenhams

  • As soon as I clapped eyes on this hair chain I new I needed to find somewhere to wear it.. and where better than a party on a beach where inhibitions are scarce, and spirits are high? Nasty Gal have hit the jackpot with these tassel sandals.. Practical and cool (practi-cool, if you will), these flats will last me right through 'till the moon goes down and the sun goes up. 


  • So, that's me done. Five outfits for five holidays... Which one is your fave?? Now it's time for you to enter too. 

  • Here's how you do it :

  • 1. Publish a Worldwide Wardrobe post on your blog including an outfit and accessories for the five different destinations, explaining why you chose each look.

  • 2. Make sure you mention ther competition page within your post so your fellow bloggers will know how to enter - www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/worldwide-wardrobe/

  • 3. Nominate 5 fellow bloggers that you think will be up for the challenge and let them know via Facebook or Twitter (#worldwidewardrobe)

  • I have nominated:

  • Mia
  • Jillie
  • Eve
  • Katie
  • Shona

  • 4. The closing date for entries is 5th June 2013 and you can let them know you have entered by emailing worldwidewardrobe@ travelsupermarket.com with a link to your post OR Tweeting @travelsupermkt with the hashtag #worldwidewardrobe with a link to your post OR tagging the TravelSupermarket.com Facebook page in a post linking to the blog post that you are entering.

  • GOOD LUCK!