Zines

I recently read this really good article by Jenna Wortham on how the internet hadn't killed Zines, when by rights it probably should had, and I got to thinking about all the incredible women I know who make them. So Today being international women day,  I wanted to share with you some incredible women and their Zines. What is a Zine you might ask me? A Zine is a self published, self made, self put together (I mean you are stapling all those pages till your hand cramps) pamphlet /booklet mini magazine on, well, just about anything you like! I have been involved in making Zines since I was 15 way back when I used to interview boys in super serious bands for local band Zines and ask them stupid questions about soaps and completely ignore anything to do with their guitar pedals or actual music. I guess that is why I never made it as a music journalist.

Bloody Hell

Soofiya describes herself on twitter as a 'Graphic Designer & Illustrator' but also as 'Anarcho-trash. and Hijabi punk scum' which is up there with some of the best twitter bio I have ever seen. In 2015 Soofiya created Bloody Hell, the period Zine. Bloody Hell is collaborative Zine about periods which includes written pieces about experiences , art work, drawings and information about menstruation. 

Soofiya wanted to create Bloody Hell because talking about periods is so often 'dominated by the experiences of cis white women' and also to break the taboo of what is all so often seen as a shameful subject. Soofiya crowdfunded Bloody Hell so that it could be made into something incredibly special printed on high quality paper, that came with little gifts and a launch party(!). Soof also designed this incredible ring that we then laser cut for her. 

This is my favourite Zine I own and as someone who has PCOs and Endometriosis and has been on contraceptives since she was 13, I wish so much this had been around when I was a teenager. 

Bloody Hell Zine is on its second edition and can be bought here.  Soofiya has also created a new Zine called Radical Softness 'a feminist poetry pocketbook. With poems about self-love, PTSD, DV, resistance, swimming and gardens' and can be bought here. Why not check out the rest of Soofiyas etsy shop too?

Dump Him/Don't Dump Him

I have known Kirby on Twitter for a while now, but I feel like our paths should have crossed at Harrow Skate Park or some post hardcore gig somewhere else in North London 15 years ago. She is incredible and has become, hands down, one of my favourite people in the world. 

Last year Kirby posted the iconic Britney Dump Him T-Shirt image and asked if anyone would like to make a Zine with her based around the idea. Kirby says that it was really just a laugh but she had such an overwhelming response of people submitting pieces, telling her 'how cathartic they found the process, getting out words they always wanted to about a situation they're no longer in' that Dump Him Zine was made. After some consideration, Kirby decided to make the Zine an equal Dump Him/Don't Dump him (hey we all need some hope and inspiration).

Kirby also designed not one, but two exclusive pins to accompany the Dump Him Zine and I have had the privilege to see one of them early and it is GOOD. Both myself and our Sister site Bimbo Movie Bash contributed to Dump Him Zine, but I am not revealing which is my submission! You should go buy this Zine right now, and you can do so with or without the pins here.

Portions of the sales of Dump Him Zine will go to Sisters Uncut who are an activist group who use direct action to help stop cuts to domestic violence services across the country, and also Off the Record, a mental health support and information service for young people in Bristol.

Waves

Most of you will know Vanessa by her alias Sarcastathon, a formidable force on the internet. Last night my Mum asked me how I knew her and I had to admit that she was the coolest internet indie it girl of the early 00s, a true Camden hero and that the fact that we whatsapp each other daily now is somewhat amazing to me. 

Vanessa has created Waves as what she calls a Chapbook (which I reckon is a Zine but who am I to tell an artist what their work is!). Waves is about 'love, loss, surgery, and trying to put yourself together in a time of trauma.' I am not here to tell Vanessa's story but I think if you want to know more about a single poor working class woman navigating through what most people would never dream of doing alone then this is the Zine for you. Vanessa's writing is so beautiful and moving, every time she sends me anything to read I am incredibly moved and I am so jealous she articulates how I feel and can never put down in words about things from food to sex. 

Waves also comes with an exclusive pin (these Zine people are REALLY spoiling you!) and can be bought here. 

Burnt Roti 

OK so this is not a Zine,  however, as I truly believe that making a Zine is all about DIY, hard work and slogging your guts out to produce a beautiful piece of work, often on your own, then Burnt Roti deserves to be in this post. Sharan  wanted to 'give South Asians a platform to talk about and showcase talent' and Burnt Roti is not only in print, but also an online magazine and has its own youtube platform as well. After crowdfunding and lots of self confessed panic and stressing Issue 1 has just been released. You can buy back issues, fridge magnets and badges here! 

Special mentions 

Siobhan: If/When Siobhan releases her swearing Granny Zine I will want to deconstruct it and frame every single page. Creating Zines about her work and Brighton she has so much talent it makes me sick to be honest. Check out her shop here. Kirsty: All her Zines on being poor/fat/queer/working class are sold out but honestly nothing else has ever spoken to me more, keep an eye out on her shop and at fairs. Gross Up Close: Robyn is working on a Hackers Zine currently and needs submissions go and check it out.

There are literally hundreds of women making Zines out there, and workshops on how to do them. If you aren't confident in doing your own then why not contribute to one to get going? 

Visiting Kiehl's at The Mall Cribbs Causeway

This post is in collaboration with Kiehl's 

I am one burned out business woman, let alone burned out blogger. Fear not this is not my '2016 has kicked my butt' round up post (that is coming though) but rather an out of the blue beauty blog post. I honestly thought these days were behind me, and I miss them as I felt like they had no place in my new business blogging world, but as many have pointed out to me recently, I am a very important part of what makes the BHC brand, so maybe some more in the future? Who can say.

Kiehl's, very kindly saw that I had been, lets say, 'not taking care of myself as well as I should have been' during the Christmas period and asked if I would like to come in to their new counter at The Mall Cribbs Causeway for a bit of a pamper session and consultation. To be honest I did wonder where I would fit in any time away from the workshop but if you don't stop to take care of yourself sometimes you will honestly burn yourself out into a dry husk and not be able to continue full stop. 

Jess the skincare consultant started by testing my face to see what kind of skin I had with these little pads. Turns out my forehead is a bit oily and the rest of my face is combination, which I sort of already knew. None of the other consultations I have ever had before with other brands have ever done this so I felt pretty reassured and was nice to have it confirmed. We then went through my current skincare routine, which consists of a cream cleanser, glycol acid toner, serum, and I currently use Kiehls avocado eye cream and face moisturisers, and morning just micellar water and a serum. 

Jess recommended that I start with Kiehl's Calendula deep cleansing foaming face wash, followed by the Calendula toner. The cleanser is a gel that you mix with water and it foams up, and if you watched my snapchat it worked, my hand was clean and it wasn't too harsh either, which you don't want with a cleanser. You follow this up with the toner which is very concentrated and has the Calendula flower petals in it. I found it really pleasant to use and it has no alcohol in which is very important, it is really hard to find an alcohol free toner (trust me I tried!)

We then moved on to Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate which I am all about, and a lightweight facial moisturiser called Rosa Artica which has a resurrection flower in, and is aimed at anti ageing. So these were two of my favourite products. I am looking for a pore refinisher/new serum as my cheek pores tend to be huge and probably not on the top of most peoples most troubling problems, they are one of my skin issues. I currently use a really heavy weight face moisturiser and it take a long time to skin in and sometimes I feel a bit greasy using it. Even with the pore concentrate on and then the Rose Artica my hand wasn't feel moist or weighed down. I am guessing that the pore tightening concentrate will take a while to see results, so will have to see it out. 

The Midnight recovery concentrate oil was 100% the best thing I was shown, and I hope will change my nighttime routine, because I am very lazy. Kiehl's claims that a cleanse, tone and a couple of drops of this is all you need at night and I am very sold on this. Jess did a tissue test to show me it leaves no greasy residue and I was sold you know. 

Jess then showed me some additional products like this Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque and Ultimate strength hand salve. Now I bought both of these products and used them that night. I am a huge clay mask person, nothing gives my face a proper cleanse like a good quality clay mask, and I know if it has done its job because I get a few very specific spots the day after, like you do a facial because all the crap in your skin has come out. I am very fussy about hand cream, and because I am constantly using my hands in the workshop making jewellery I need something akin to barrier cream to stop them being chapped, but cannot be too greasy and thick or take too long to sink in, and this seemed to do the trick. 

Overall my Kiehl's experience was great. They listened to what I had to say about my skin and what I liked and preferred and weren't overly pushy or overbearing with information. Their counters and staff are very welcoming but with this fun apothecary feel, but without it feeling like a quirk? The products I have used in the past of theirs have always been of a very high quality and I have never had any problems with them. I would highly recommend giving them a visit! 

Kiehl's very kindly gifted me three products and I chose Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate, Rosa Artica and the Midnight recovery concentrate oil. I purchased the clay mask and hand cream myself. 
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Working with: Gendered Intelligence Crowd Fund for Transgender Camping Trip

LGBTQ issues have, and will, continue to be incredibly important to me as a queer person and Black Heart Creatives. At times it feels like I have supplied the entire London Queer scene with jewellery at some point or another(!) and I have been so grateful to have the support from such a large community to grow my business in return. So when Gendered Intelligence contacted me about their Crowd Fund project to send 70 transgender and gender variant young people on a camping trip next month I was more than happy to get 
involved.

In 2010, Gendered Intelligence took a chance on arranging a short summer camping residential for a handful of young trans people. It was so successful that they have done it every year since. This year, GI is taking 70 young people camping over two weekends – the biggest number yet and a massive undertaking for the organisation. The camping trip attempts to solve some of the problems that young trans people face if they want to go away on conventional camping or activity holidays. As the majority of summer residentials are segregated by gender, they can prove anxiety-provoking for young trans people, especially those who identify as non-binary. 

Research Indicates That: 91% of trans boys and 66% of trans girls experience harassment or bullying at school (EHRC) 72% young trans people self-harm (Youth Chances, 2013) 31% of trans people attempt suicide and 73% experience harassment (Engendered Penalties, 2007) 81% say they avoid some situations in public spaces due to fear (Trans Mental Health Study 2012)


So you can see that attending the camping trip can make a massive difference to a young person's life. It's also a chance to learn new skills such as kayaking and raft-building, to go swimming – an activity which is generally unavailable to young trans people – and make new friends. The camping trip gives young people respite from the challenges that they face in their everyday lives. It can be a huge relief to be able to have fun in a safe environment. Many young trans people feel isolated and vulnerable, typically suffering inequality and discrimination across society.

The response to this year’s camping trip call out was phenomenal – GI received 134 applications, almost double to the number of places available. But to make this years trip happen, Gendered Intelligence require £12000, they have reached just over £7200 of their target.To help them get there, we have donated a one off exclusive giant glitter gold lip necklace.  We won't be making one of these again and the only way you can get your hands on it, is to pledge on the crowd funding site here! The necklace is a statement piece measuring up at approximately 13x9cm and comes with its own presentation and storage box. 

Here are some comments from previous camping trips from attendees, to me they really show the impact of how important they are to young trans people. 

"The best thing about GI camping trips is that everyone gets to relax and be themselves. We create our own community, respect and look after each other without having to worry about what the rest of the world thinks" – Jake, camp worker 

“A few years ago one of our young members described the camping trip as 'a little bit of paradise'. This has always stayed me - partly because it's wonderful to know that Gendered Intelligence is providing such valuable experiences, but also because it motivates me and the team who are working hard to make society more trans inclusive. Because at the end of the day, going camping should be fun no doubt, but 'paradise'? It points out to me that everyday life for young trans people is generally difficult. So in the meantime - until we make the world more intelligent about gender - let's go camping” – Jay Stewart, director of Gendered  Intelligence

"Perhaps the highlight of the year was the Camping Trip.  My son did things that he, and I, did not expect him to do, including swimming - something he used to love but had not felt able to do for some time. He spent quality time with his GI friends and made new friends and it was heart-warming to see them return, the bond between them was touching. My son came home tired, dirty, a little smelly, but most importantly, he came home very happy. “– Parent of a 15 year old trans boy

Gendered Intelligence are a a CIC, founded in 2008 who work with the trans community and all those who impact on trans lives; specialise in supporting young trans people 8-25. Their vision is of a world where people are no longer constrained by narrow perceptions and expectations of gender, and where diverse gender expressions are visible and valued.  They run regular group sessions in London, Bristol and Leeds for young trans people up to the age of 25, residentials, peer support for parents and carers and special projects. They also Work on one to one mentoring with young trans people from across England in their educational settings, workshops and assemblies for students across all educational sectors, staff training, consultation and policy development

Gendered Intelligence also offer Professional Services such as Trans Awareness and Inclusion training, consultancy work, policy development and a membership scheme, presentations, conferences, panel discussions, lectures and workshops.

Any pledge amount to the camping trip is appreciated and you can do so here! Thanks so much for reading <3 

Working With: Slink Magazine

Black Heart Creatives roots started out in affordable, attainable inclusive jewellery, with the plus size community at the heart of it all. Now whilst that mission statement hasn't changed, the BHC brand has expanded and grown so we found ourselves working and collaborating with a variety of different people.  So its always affirming when we get asked to work with a magazine like Slink, who cater exclusively for Plus Size people. 

Using a combination of our new pastel colours and contrasting neon mirrored, for a colour clash  the editorial piece titled 'desired' can be seen in full in this issue of Slink Magazine, which can be bought in print or digital here, and we recommend if you like plus size fashion that you do!

You can get your own heart collar clips in any of our 40+ colours here, our heart stud earrings in the same choice of colours here, and double stacked custom name earrings in even more colour choices here.

Thanks to Slink for letting me use the photos! Credit also to the following: 

Photographer Roberto Aguilar // Makeup & Art Direction Jenny Morrell // MUA Eoin Whelan Hair // Hair Kieron Webb // Nails Steph Mendiola // Models: Nina & Charlotte MiLK management 

Huge thank you again to Jenny Morrell for including us on this shoot.

NME NBD

Last week (or is it two now time has gone so quickly recently!) our bamboo style no scrubs earrings were featured in the 'things we like section of the NME. Now I won't lie to you but this was a really nice achievement for everyone involved at Black Heart Creatives not just me to just show that our hard work has all paid off!   

For me personally it was one of those things you dream about moments, appearing in a magazine (not for my musical talents) that I read religiously once a week, really felt good! So here I am tooting my own horn in a blog post about it! 

The 'No Scrubs' acrylic laser cut bamboo earrings are available to buy on the site and you can get them in matte or mirrored gold, and you can actually have them say whatever you like, just leave us a note when you buy them.  If you want TLCs message to live by then just leave it black! 

Working with: Old Tat Magazine

Last year I got to work with stylist Cherrelle Douglas on a shoot with the brief that was titled 'sweets and candy'.   She thought of me and my Live Fast Die Yum collection and also asked that I make a custom necklace from the cake charms I use for the Cake Queen necklace I also have on my site.  

Modelled on my lovely mannequin Nicki who I use when I need to measure a skinny neck

A few months went past and Cherrelle sent me the hi res pictures and a link to the magazine called Old Tat Magazine.  I couldn't believe it, here was my necklace in a beautiful magazine editorial, and not only that, the magazine was awesome too.  Filled with interesting articles about women, and fashion, being represented equally, and these mesmerising editorials.  I have read my fair few high fashion magazine but nothing really ever felt like it spoke to my sense of style like it did in Old Tat. 

Production: Loo Loo Rose // Photographer: Aleksandra Kingo // Styling: Cherrelle Douglas //  Hair: Rose Angus // MUA: Valentia Syed // Set Design: Elinor Christie // Model: Jen Space Model Management // Jewellery Black Heart Creatives 

So I sent my appreciation to Old Tat on instagram like a good little millennial and basked in its glory and that my work was in a magazine.  It was not long after I got an email from the team at Old Tat asking if I would like to work with them again on a cat related issue... obviously I accepted. 

Photographer: Maxim Burlakov // Model: Anna @ Milk New Faces Scout// Creative director: Loo Loo Rose// Set designer: Yan Skates// Stylist: Katherine McNeil// MUA: Valentina Syed // Hair: Rose Angus // Jewellery Cat Face Black Heart Creatives / Flower Necklace Lor

We sent off every cat piece we have (which is a lot we realised after packing it all up) and we were once again absolutely blown away with the shoot.  Particularly these ones of our cat ring, nails done by the genius Valentia Syed. 

We were kindly invited to the last issue launch party, however when we moved from London to Bristol missing parties and events was kind of in the deal.  So we sent so brooches along for the goodie bags along with BHC brand ambassador Bethany Rutter to go in our place.  We are told it was a really awesome evening. 

Photographer: Maxim Burlakov // Model: Anna @ Milk New Faces Scout// Creative director: Loo Loo Rose// Set designer: Yan Skates// Stylist: Katherine McNeil// MUA: Valentina Syed // Hair: Rose Angus

Old Tat Magazine have their new issue (4) out now for pre order and you can choose from E I G H T different covers including an Amanda Lepore(!) one. Buy them here. 

Galentines with Fan Club

Last October the guys from Notts Fan Club (a club night and now fully fledged zine) contacted me about their Halloween edition and asked if I would like to showcase my new halloween collection.  I do get *a lot* of people contact me asking to do this kind of thing, or asking for donations for things on a daily basis and its difficult to sift through the genuine and not so genuine.  However Kayla, Francesca and Rachel were incredibly friendly and explained about their awesome ideas and it was definitely something I wanted to be part of.  

I sent over some pictures and didn't really think anything of it until a few weeks later I received a copy of the zine in the post.  I was quite honestly overwhelmed.  The effort that they had gone to to make my jewellery look amazing literally bought a tear to my eye, and the zine was filled with awesome articles and interviews about inspiring women too. 

I immediately sent over a pair of thank you cat collar clips! So when Fan Club asked me if I would have something to contribute for their Galentines issue (my absolute favourite holiday of the year) I jumped at the chance.  My new collection was not quite fully formed, I had a few ideas running round my head, women celebrating women and being fierce and anarchic and having a femme punk vibe like the Fan Club zine.  It all came together really quickly and I sent the pictures off I think two days before they sent it off to print (so sorry guys!).  

Once again I am completely taken aback at the effort and quality of the zine, and how awesome everything looks, I cannot wait to get my copy. I strongly suggest you check out Fan Club, you can follow them on all the social media places you can imagine below and even have a read of the zine on issuu. 

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Issuu

I am spending Galentines with my best friend having dinner and getting drunk and exchanging gifts and presents like we have done for the past three years, minus the weird sex shop underneath the pylon in Cheltenham.  What are you guys up to? 

Apple Shaped Tips and Advice with Style Fruits

I was very kindly asked by Style Fruits to become their 'Apple Shaped' ambassador for the site for their new 'celebrate your style shape' campaign and write about some helpful advice, and offer tips and hints on how you can dress for your shape.

Being Apple Shaped is determined by your middle area is bigger than your shoulders and hips.  This is definitely the case with me and it does bring its own challenges.  Style Fruits have enlisted other bloggers to talk about other body shapes too.

Long time readers will know that I fully endorse wear and do what you want, however there are times and occasions that your body shape (especially as a fat person) can limit you, jeans anyone?! But on a more positive note things like peplum garments make you look AMAZING. So I rolled up my sleeves and gave the best advice I could.

You can read my full column here on the Style Fruits website. 

"Bloggers We Love" interview with Bon Prix

It has been a while! With overnight hospital visits and Christmas collections it has been a weird and incredibly busy month for me so things have been a bit quiet on the blogging front.  I shall have some interesting posts coming up for you in the next few weeks, but for now I wanted to share with you an interview I did with Bon Prix about bloggers they love.  I answered a few questions about blogging, my own personal styland my favourite picks from their AW/15 collection. 

1. Oversize Chevon Cardigan

2. Cord Pinafore Dress

3. Shimmering Wrap Dress

4. Smooth Knit Polo Neck

5. Fringed Poncho 

You can read the entire interview on the link below..... 

Read More Here.......

Bristol Fashion Week A/W15

Yesterday I attended the Autumn/Winter 2015 Bristol Fashion week run way at The Mall Cribbs Causeway.  Since moving here almost three years ago I have really discovered what an amazing City Bristol is, there are so many events and a really great sense of community, and I feel like that is well and truly represented at Bristol Fashion Week.  Not your typical Runway show, Bristol Fashion week has dancing from its models, a strong Hollywood cinema theme which was present throughout each collection, makeovers and  this year we had for the first time Denise Van Outen and returning Mark Heyes hosting the event.

If you are a long time reader you will know that I am a great lover of the high street, and BFW show cases all this seasons trends from the major players like Marks and Spencers, John Lewis, Topshop, New Look, River Island and other brands in The Mall like Crew, Oasis and Hobbs.  I have been slightly wary in the past that no Plus Size brands have been represented, but this years event had a good array of key pieces from places I know to cater up to at least a 24/26, and in New Looks case right up to a 32.

I was expecting a lot of seventies and I wasn't disappointed, but more exciting to me was all the faux  fur and the accessories.  The first collection was from John Lewis, entitled 'high shine'. Everything was incredibly opulent and rich and gold, and full of sequins, and I was living for crown from Accessorize.

This dress is something I would totally wear in the Christmas season again from John Lewis.

We bought the seventies with some interesting ponchos and fur gillets , all teamed with thick grey tights and block heels, which is a look I can get on board with, as I am not very into flared jeans, it makes me think of steps circa 1999.

This Devil wears Prada section was so well executed but I couldn't really keep my eyes off the iconic Vogue covers projected on the screen.

Mark talked about fringing appearing in lots of ways this season and not just on typical seventies items, and without a doubt my favourite piece was this purple fringed dress from Phase Eight, the way it moved down the runway.  It goes up to a size 20 too.

The hair in the entire show was also just amazing, sleek but stylised crimping on super shiny hair, which pleased me so much I am genuinely thinking about breaking out my ceramic crimpers.  I did take some photos of me in my new favourite Simply Be coat, but I shall keep that for next week!

Thanks to Gina and all the team at The Mall for inviting me!

Review: OPI from Nailpolish.co.uk

Nail Polish: Suzi Takes the Wheel

I was lucky enough to be asked to review two products by Nailpolish.co.uk a few weeks back, and as we are well in to Autumn now I thought I would choose some muted pinks and greens and teal varnishes to go with a few outfits I have planned for Bristol Fashion week and outfit posts.  

The Nail Polish site has a really vast amount of choice of big brands like China Glaze, OPI, Barry M and Seche Viche and lots of different colour options, even some of the rare colours like my absolute favourite colour of all time that I can't find anywhere 'You're Such a Budapest' by OPI.  The site is easy to navigate, and not only more competitively priced compared so some other stockists I have used in the past, but they a much bigger range and variety of quality products.  They offer same day dispatch if you are in a nail emergency, or like me, incredibly impatient! 

Nail Polish: Suzi Takes the Wheel // Lonely Bone Ring Bloody Mary Metal 

I decided to go for OPIs as they are the brand I probably use the most and I know I can get long wear out of without chipping, so I chose Suzi Takes the Wheel which is a olive green colour, and Don't Boss Nova Me Around which is a taupe pinky colour.  My package came super quick, and even had some sweets inside which I can assure you were eaten very quickly.

Nail Polish: Don't Bossa Nova Me Around 

I do have acrylic nails, and I keep them quite short because making jewellery with long nails is practically impossible, but I do often change my polish myself as I can't have the same colour for 3/4 weeks at a time! I wore each colour for a week, with Seche Vite Dry Fast as a top coat and both wore well with no chipping or fading which I so often find you get with acrylics. 

Nail Polish: Don't Bossa Nova Me Around // Lonely Bone Ring Bloody Mary Metal 

I think my favourite was Don't Bossa Nova Me Around as it was a colour I could wear for longer periods of time, whereas the Suzi Takes the Wheel I would probably only wear with a specific outfit, but both were great! I am thinking of what colours I will need do for Halloween now! 

*Disclaimer: The nail polishes I received from NailPolish.co.uk were a gifted item, but all words and opinions in the review are my own