THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN, TO WOMEN

Asos Farleigh Jeans  | Asos Sunglasses (similar) | Topshop Layered Sleeve Gingham Top | H&M Basket Bag (similar) | Mango Chain Leather Sandals  | Topshop Faux Leather Jacket  | Gucci Belt 

I've always been a girls girl, a Mummy's girl and looked up to other girls. This week I lost two of the most important girls in my life. My beloved dog of nearly 15 years Manya and my dear Nanny.

Both had a massive impact on my life growing up.

 

 My dog was born at our house when I was 11 and has seen me through the toughest teenage and young adult times. Being able to cuddle and talk to a dog, who will just listen, is the most therapeutic thing. Obviously she was physically unable to say anything (I'm not a complete duh brain) but she never needed to. I know she knew me so well and was there to lend an ear to me, which I would often use to mop tears on my face caused by a school drama or a boy. I was with her when she came into the world and when she left, I know everything in between was pure love. That's what the relationship between a dog and an owner is, just the purest kind of unconditional love. She was a Mum, and Grandmother and never just a dog. She was another woman to me and I will always respect her as that.

 

My Nanny was, and is, one of the biggest role models I will ever have. We were SO close. I'd often write at the bottom of her birthday cards "p.s, you're my best friend"... this still went on even into adulthood. It was true, she was one of my best friends. I cant ever sum up what she meant to me in a paragraph, it's a relationship that words cant do justice. Her house was my happy place. The smells, her voice, the little trinkets and ornaments, the flowers in her garden and she familiar feel of all the fabrics and carpets. They're all things that will never leave me. Even though she was 92 and hadn't been well, I still feel in absolute shock. I cant imagine going through the rest of my life without the incredible bond we had, but I know everything she taught me and her values will live on in me. I will make sure.

 

My point really in writing this post, is that even though I already know I'm a girls girl and need the company of other girls, this week I have been completely overwhelmed by the love of the women in my life. I have had so many beautifully written, thoughtful cards and my house looks like a florist. The afternoon after we had to say goodbye to my beautiful Manya and before my Nan had passed, I was sitting at home in my duvet covered in tears, watching made in Chelsea and looking like Barry Manilow (no offence Barry) when there was a knock at my door. My best friend has turned up with all of my favourite things; strawberries & Galaxy, magazines, yellow flowers and a cactus. How bloody nice is that? My Godsons Mum sent a parcel through with a gorgeous wooden quote inside to. I love getting a parcel at the best of times, but receiving that one was extra special and meant more than anything that could have been inside. My oldest friend, who my Nan loved, came over on Saturday and we drank 2 bottles of wine, cried and laughed. My colleagues as well have been amazing. I work with about 14 other ladies in a shop and their kindness has been unreal. Every single hug, text, hand on my shoulder and knowing smile has made it easier for me to deal with the general public, who frankly couldn't care if I myself was dying. They just want their god damn refund. I just have been so, completely overwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of important men in my life to, but the love of my gals has warmed my cockles beyond belief. It really has made me realise that these are the relationships to be cherished and held so tight. I've lost two of my most important women this week, but with the love of the others around me I think I will have the strength to make it through this and any other nasty's the future may send my way.

 

In the words of Geri, Emma, Mel B, Mel C and Victoria...

 

"GIRL POWER"

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

SheIn Gingham

 

Black Gingham Billow Sleeve Top - c/o SheIn | Farleigh Jeans - Asos | GG Belt - Gucci | Lace Up Heeled Sandals - Sandals  | Round Gold Rim Sunglasses  - H&M

 

 

SheIn is a brand I've followed on Instagram for quite a while & I've often found myself browsing on their website being tempted to place a few orders. I'm not going to lie though, because everything on there is so super cheap and its from abroad I've always been a bit dubious of whether it would look as good in real life. This was until I was catching up on one of my favourite blogs by the absolute babe Chelcie Nicole and I saw her JW Anderson dupe bag. I was instantly in love. I panic scrolled right down to see where it was from hoping it wouldn't be like £600 from Selfridges and low and behold it was from SheIn. She had taken quite a few close up photos and the quality looked amazing. So I took the plunge.

 

This time of year I always love a bit of gingham, it makes me feel all Little House on the Prairie-esque and super Eastery. I love getting into the spirit of any occasion and have been known to force my colleagues at work to wear seasonal/festive head gear. I also went through a phase of making my favourite celebrities out of hard boiled eggs at Easter when I was younger. I think my David Beckham actually wont a competition at school. I reckon it was the fact I used hair from my own hairbrush that sealed the deal for me and David. Anyway, this is all off topic and my point is that this year, I love gingham more than ever. Teamed with a bit of denim its just the perfect combo. So when I was scrolling through the Shein website I had to pick up this little bad boy. It ticks all the boxes for me with the light cotton feel gingham and statement billowed sleeves. They also do a really similar one in a high neck version, which I think I can just about justify investing in as well. They are only $19 which works out at about £15 for us over in (not to) sunny old England, I think they might also have a discount code running at the moment to. Even better. 

I have to say as well, when the package arrived I tore it open quite nervously. Like I was saying, I'm always a bit tentative about ordering from super affordable overseas websites and wonder what the quality will be like... but I really was not disappointed. The fabric is so lovely and the fit is spot on. It's completely dispelled all my doubts. Below I've put together a few of my favourite gingham pieces on the high street at the moment, but to browse the rest of the gingham collection at Shein (which trust me, you need to)... just click right here ...(Baby blue top on the 3rd row down is going to be mine!)

 

 

 

 

Warehouse One Shoulder Top  | Topshop Gingham Frill Trousers | Topshop Gingham Jumpsuit  | Boohoo Off The Shoulder Top | Boohoo Gingham Bikini | Topshop Gingham Blouse

 

x

 



Does being a blogger make you confident?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asos Farleigh Jeans | H&M Sunglasses | H&M Powder Pink Tshirt | H&M Necklace | Muru Gold Coin Necklace c/o Tienne Jewellery | H&M Straw Bag (similar) | Gucci Belt |

 

 

I cant help but notice on twitter and what not recently, quite a lot of bloggers and reality TV celebs getting negative and nasty comments that they have to defend themselves against. Whether its what they're wearing, their make up or their body. Why is this ok? Is it because they post photos of themselves all the time & "need taking down a peg or two"? I think that might be the mentality behind it.

 Obviously I don't have tens of thousands of followers, so this doesn't affect me day to day directly, but as females whoever we are, we are very similar. We will all have days where our hair wont go right and the possibility of wanting to buzz cut yourself a number 1 hair cut will become real. We will all look forward to a night out, then half an hour before we have to meet our friends we have tried on 8 outfits and don't like any of them. Then, inevitably, they will lay strewn across the floor while we will sit with our head in our hands on our bed after a major tantrum. We will look at photos in magazines, then look in the mirror prodding our faces about and wondering if a cheeky bit of Botox or fillers would be ok. Just a little bit, like 0.5ml. We will have fat days, days where all our nails have broken off and we feel like little boys and days where we lay in the bath wondering if these big white blobs are our thighs or in fact a pair of beluga whales. My point is, it happens to all of us. Even the girl on Instagram who posts a photo in her Calvin Klein's holding a protein shake. So just be kind. She is bloody well getting out there and taking an opportunity, who is anyone to knock her for that?

 

 Then I started thinking about what people think of me, the people that don't know me well or at all. Yes, I get my boyfriend to take photos of me nearly everywhere we go, but its not because I love how I look. If I am completely honest, there are two things I like about my appearance; My hands and the colour of my skin. That's it. I don't do this because I think I look great, quite often I wont look at the photos back after I post them, otherwise I will pick myself to pieces. I have never been a confident person and I don't think I ever will. It's probably a good job for me that I'm not rich, I'd probably be one of those ladies from botched bodies who ends up looking like Pete Burns (RIP). I do this because it is such an amazing community to be part of and I have been lucky enough to work with some of my favourite brands since I started blogging. These are opportunities I have created for myself and whatever people think of me for posting all these photos of myself, I will not be sorry for that.

 

Being a blogger, a model or a celebrity does not mean they are any more confident in their own skin. They have just decided to put themselves out there and do their best, who on Earth is anybody to judge them for that?

 

x

 

 

 

 

HELEN HIRD ILLUSTRATIONS BLOGGER PROMO

If any of you read my blog regularly or follow me on Instagram, you will know that as well as blogging, I'm also a fashion illustrator. Now, no one can deny that the fashion world, probably fashion bloggers, have a reputation for being bitchy and some what stuck up. My experience could not be more different from the stereotype. Since starting my illustration business a year ago in January, I have had nothing but love and support from my fellow bloggers. I really have been overwhelmed by it, and it has completely dismissed the dated myth of bitchy "fashionistas"... (that word makes me want to be a little bit sick, but there, I've said it). Supporting each other is so important to me as a female & a general human, in whatever it may be. I really am a one women band, trying to chase a dream all by myself. So the fact I've been shown the same kind of love that I believe in really warms my cockles. Whatever they are.

 

As a big thank you to all the bloggers that have encouraged me, had my back  and shown me love over the past year and a bit, I wanted to run a little promotion exclusively for this wonderful community. For the whole of April, you can book a personalised illustration with a big fat 25% off, just for you guys. Whether you want to use your bespoke illustration for your business cards, headers or just frame it to pop up in your offices, I'm your gal. All you need to do is email me at info@helenhird.co.uk with your link & we can have a chat about all the options. Viola. That's it, its as simple as that.

 I'll leave you with a few of my recent blogger pieces for you to have a sneaky peak at. If you wanted to check out more of my work you can visit my website at www.helenhird.co.uk or my Instagram @Helen_Hird_Illustrations

 

 

 

Chloe Plumstead from The Little Plum

 

 

Olivia Blankson from Liv in Fashion

 

 

Sinead Crowe from Love Style Mindfullness

 

 

 

Debora Rosa from Fashion Gone Rouge