Factory F 2015

                                        

                                       

So here we are, another year. One of the biggest New Years resolutions I made was to make more time for the things I love, something which really strayed from me over the past few months. Starting from now I plan on changing this. As I mentioned before (maybe 6 months ago, if you can remember that far back?) I made the big move to London, and that has been the biggest time factor in my life. Exploring & getting to know a new city has been the highlight of the last year for me, but unfortunately this took time away from my love for writing. Personally,2015 is about finding the perfect balance. I read recently in a certain bloggers post that she never apologises for taking a break from blogging, and i don't know if i 100% agree with this but I do believe that it's important to let my followers know where or what I've been doing. So I'm going to do just that! Below is a little insider into my life the past few months; what I've been doing, loving & looking forward to.        

                        

Real Style Inspiration 

For those who don't know, I 've been working for a company called KAO for the past year in a PR & Communications role for beauty brands KMS California & Goldwell. The blogger in me takes this role to another level; social scheduling, analytics, and my favourite, the blog aspect! Real Style inspiration (.com!) is a whole site dedicated to the brand of KMS California. Covering topics realated to hair, beauty, fashion, & our newer focus on lifestyle has been extremely challagening, but equally as rewarding. When you're speaking as the voice of a brand it's a completly different ball game than speaking in the voice of yourself. For anyone wishing to work as a blogger or social media exec for a professional brand be aware of this. At first I really struggled to aggree to specific angles on posts but after some time you learn to differentiate the two. 

Right now the RSI blog is undergoing a major facelift, the blog redesign. This is something I've tried to push through for quiet awhile now and to say that it's actually happening is such a personal achievement. Fingers crossed, it should be ready in th next two weeks so I'll be able to share more with you then. 

London Musings 

"Savage Beauty" Alexander McQueen Exhibiton 

                                          

                                               

Opening in March, the V&A will host an exclusive exhibition on the work and life of Alexander McQueen and creative director, Sarah Burton. I 've spoken previosuly about my love for Alexander McQueen because of the expressive vision of the designers collection, and ability to portray that so effortlessly  events and shows.  Having first heard about this event about a year ago, I slotted it in the back of my mind as a 'must remeber to go to that' thought. But the excitment is building up all over London for this event as "the one that can't be missed"! This is a topic that I can't wait to cover in a post when I attend. Will you be going? 

"Audrey Hepburn" The Exhibition 

                                 

        

I've not been the biggest Audrey Hepburn fan, but saying that I'm very intrigued by her life. This event covers the life of the icon, running from 2nd July to October at the National Portrait Gallery. Exhibtions are hot in London over the next few months and these are my favourite choices. Which one will you go to? 

Chloe    

                                 

There are certain presents that I get every year for Christmas; Chloe perfume being the best one.The rest  including  pj's, socks and vouchers.  Honestly, it  really doesn't feel like Christmas until I have a new bottle of this in my hand. I guess you could say that it's become a CiCi traditon. I can't even explain why I love it so much, the scent is really refreshing which makes it the perfect choice for moving into those highly anticpated spring days. This is just a classic! If you haven't found your signature scent yet perhaps give this a go. Although, if it turns out you hate it please don't tell me, i couldn't bare to hear negative comments on my favourite scent. ;) 

                                                 So  that's what I've up to recenly and looking 

           forward to over the next few months.

   Until next time

                                                  

         Love C X     

     

The Editorial Edit #1

Ive always been very honest about using this blog as an expressive platform to voice my personal opinions of certain styles, trends, fashion collections, beauty products etc, I sometimes feel I cover a bit too much! I tend to be more specific in other projects but Factory F covers a vast range of beauty and fashion. In more recent times, perhaps a year, I have focused a lot of my time looking at campaigns from various different brands; how they work, what's the message, what's different, who cares about this campaign, who does it resonate with, how does it make them feel? Basically, dissecting marketing methods from afar. I've never done much with this information but simply just thought about it, but recently I thought It might make a nice additional feature to Factory F. 

You may be wondering what is the point of this, and to tell you the truth it's exactly like every other aspect of this blog, it's about sharing my opinions, thoughts and passions with you. It may also bring to light some brands that you may not be aware of or a new collection that you haven't yet seen. Naturally, I will share some actual real lIfe campaigns that I'm working on with my job but I won't dive straight into that. For this post I decided to talk about why I think editorials are such an important addition to brands, and personally I think a large factor is to visual resonate with people much more because it gives the  story of that brand or product. It's completely fair to say at this point that a press release also does that, but (and I say as someone who works in PR) does the image featured above not tell you more about message of that editorial and clothing rather than a paragraphs explaining where the clothes come from and what they should represent? 

 A lot of the images that I will share with you in this additional feature will come from publications as it will be these title editorials and featured advertising that I will be taking about. As a side note to this story, I recently. Started to download my favourites monthlys instead of popping down to the shop to buy them. Why did I start this I can hear you ask? Well, one of my personal highlights to read every month is Company magazine which has now transformed to a completely digital magazine. At first I was a bit unsure if how I felt about that because I love reading a physical copy in front of me but I've been readjusting. Actually that's putting it mild, I've been completely transformed into digital editions; Vogue, Elle, Company, Red, Marie Claire.... The list goes on but they all now get the download on my ipad each month. One major reason for my change of heart is down to the technical features! A major role within my job in social media and when I saw how interactive and social friendly these apps are made me realise that I'm actually not really on top of this digital age after all. Inspiration has  been restored! 

                                         I can't wait to share the first in this new series very soon. 

                                                                               Love C X 

The Fresh Approach

This is an unusual post for me and for Factory F because it's very rare that I steer from the topic of fashion or beauty, but there is a first for everything. For those of you who know me well, "healthy-eater" would not be a phrase that springs to mind when describing my eating habits. Completely fair! During summer though I do really try to make an effort when it comes to eating more fruit (even though I'm still craving chocolate all the time) and it seems this summer has been my most successful to date... WooHoo :) 

By sticking to fruits that I have a taste for; strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and adding some natural yogurt, I've been turning them into smoothies. I'm also the type of person who will take the extra ten minutes in bed in the morning when possible, so making myself get up  extra early to make them takes a lot of commitment for me. It's all about routine I suppose. But the most exciting aspect fo this new fruit craze is the affect it has on my skin. I've always been someone who has suffered with bad skin as a teenager and thankfully, this phased did pass with no scaring at all but I do become self conscious at times when I do break out. Fresh, clear skin has been something I think everyone wishes for and who thought  it could begin with fresh fruit!!! I know, I should have started listening to my mother a long time ago. 

I've also stepped up my game big time in relation to skin care, investing heavily on moisturizers has been a god sent! It's an age old debate; does the results  of a product reflect the price we pay? My conclusion has somewhat shifted recently, I used to say no but I think ,in actual fact, it does. My mum has always bought the absolute best skin care for herself and I would often sneak some off  her. Why? Because I always thought my skin felt better for it! I was lucky enough to receive some Molton Brown Creole  Grass Anti-Ageing Hydra-Crémeskin care a few months ago and all I can say is, OH MY GOD! My skin has never felt or looked so fresh. No honestly, it hasn't. I exfoliate my skin once a week but this range just gave me that extra lease of life. 

Exercise isn't something I love to do, actually I never really do it! But I balance that through watching what I eat.... and dancing. I dance a lot in my room :) I'm really enjoying this extra burst of energy from a change in diet, but it has been as a result of improved skin cream. Recently I also tried Estee Lauder day wear moisturiser, and again just as amazing. I have to admit that I do prefer Molton Brown but I find it hard to give £65 for it, so I'm trying to find creams that will give me as similar result at a lower price. 

The weather has been so beautiful in London the past few weeks that it's been hard to wear clothes! I've been trying to hold back on/limit the amount of make up that I wear, which isn't so fun but the sweaty look isn't so hot either. Summer is a great time to strip back and go for a natural approach to styling and beauty. Personally, as a very pale Irish girl who doesn't tan and only ever burns, I would say I'm a winter girl at heart but I'm trying my best to embrace it because all my favorite clothes are summer based; kimonos and dresses, shorts!! I don't like tights :( 

But on  the bright side to skipping make up on the odd day is that it has also boosted the life in my skin #Result 

Love C X