by Felicity Hall

FASH at felicityhall.blogspot.com is the fashion and lifestyle blog of Felicity Hall, a politics student and aspiring media, marketing & PR guru, from the cultural goldmine that is Manchester, UK.

Friday 27 July 2012

Lush Emotional Brilliance in Fantasy



Why? Even though this new range of make up at Lush is extortionate (!!!), this shade is really vibrant, fun and sparkly - once I'd tried Fantasy at the launch party, there was no way I was leaving empty handed.

Friday 20 July 2012

Topshop Oversized Floral Shirt


Why? I cannot communicate how much I love this shirt. It's so me! Floral but dark, so not to be too girly; a beautiful sheer fabric that is both ethereal and sexy and the dip hem for a gorge silhouette!  LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEE.

Topshop Knitted Necklace Jumper



Why? Because I'm like a magpie. The necklace collar is beautiful and this picture does not do it justice. It's just so... sparkly!

Topshop Open Shoulder Asymmetric Tunic


Why? I loved the cool shape of these tops when I first saw them a couple of weeks ago. Was highly tempted by the black but chose the green version instead, to brighten up my wardrobe - love how cute the shoulder cut out is!

Topshop Horse Tank Top


Why? Love this print!

Topshop MOTO Black Supersoft Skinny Leigh Jeans


Why? Because I've lost weight and my old black jeans are too big now! #Skinnybitch

Topshop Basic Neppy Tee



Why? I like the distressed fabric. Simple. As. That.

Topshop Burnout Low Armhole Vest



Why? Needed a black vest for layering purposes - also have many printed skirts that this will work with.

Tuesday 17 July 2012

ASOS APPLE Ankle Boots with Mid Heel and Buckle



Why? I am a big fan of a slight daytime heel, and as I have a lovely pair of brown wedge boots to match my brown handbag, I sought a black boot to go with my black bag. These are cute and quite comfy too - I especially like them with tights.

Monday 9 July 2012

Penelope Scotland Disick

Welcome to the world! The more Kardashians the better!

Saturday 7 July 2012

The Real McQueen?

After falling in love with this pair (see below) in Selfridges, at a far-too-high-price-tag for my student budget, I was pleasently suprised to come across these beauties, at a mere £20 on boohoo.com. Really not a bad knock off!

Hello, payday!

Tuesday 3 July 2012

The Nerdfighter Book Club

Esteemed internet bloke turned author John Green, who I talk about here quite often, is really big on critical reading and is incredibly talented at making doing so accessible. The latest assignment for the Nerdfighter Book Club (an online book club who read along with a classic novel and watch John's Youtube commentaries) is to read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

So that is what I am going to do.

Learn more about John Green and why Fahrenheit 451 here.

Watch, learn something and participate in his book challenge below:

The Magic Mike Conundrum

Today the Washington Post asks, in regards to strippers and new hit film Magic Mike starring ex-stripper Channing Tatum, that if women are allowed to ogle men, should men be given a free pass too? Here are my thoughts:

Once upon a time, before experiencing jealousy in relationships, I saw myself as one of those girls who claims to be okay with her man in a strip club... and then I fell in love. I was jealous and protective; the thought of someone who is supposed to love me ogling other women was one that repulsed me. However, all of these opinions were formed on a lack of trust in an unhappy relationship, not actual experience of strip clubs.

Like lots of women, I held strip clubs, strippers and the men who attended in a pretty bad light. Like lots of women, I held these opinions without having visited a strip club myself. And now that I have (and have seen performers of both genders) my views on strip clubs have changed dramatically, because I found the experience a wholly un-sexy one.

Sure, eroticism is present. Strippers dance in a provocative manner, play sex games with the audience (a lady tying a man to a stripper pole with the ribbon she was unravelling from her vagina is a particular highlight) and ultimately get naked, and these are all sexual events. Sexual, but not erotic - at least not in a way that I would deem as sexual betrayal. Rather, a stripper is a novelty. Sure, the chiselled, oiled and naked man in front of me is attractive and I enjoyed seeing him, but the distance between performer and audience (even if you get dragged up on stage by your belt buckle) is one without the intimacy of connection with another human being - by watching a stripper, he or she is providing a service. I would compare seeing strippers to seeing porn or other entertainment where people get naked - bodies are to be appreciated in an 'Oh I'd shag you' kind of way but providing that you look and enjoy but don't touch, strip clubs are merely an expression of harmless sexual curiosity and lust.

Moreover, the context in which strip clubs are visited is one that affects how I view them. Whilst, I still don't think very highly of seedy individuals with an addiction to the dominance they feel in watching a nude person perform, I totally understand the need to enjoy the camaraderie of a stag do/girl's night style trip to a strip club. Again, in this environment, strippers become a novelty. They are something to admire (and often marvel at the skill of) and this is best done with a group of close friends, to laugh, to appreciate a good body, to push limits and to bond over - not for the sole purpose of becoming aroused and being gratified.

Unless of course your partner has previously proved himself unfaithful or unable to control himself in such an environment (like breaking the performer/audience line and sleeping with a stripper) there should be no reason to chastise a man, or in fact a woman, who enjoys the occasional jaunt to a strip club. I suppose I was right all along - if you really are happy and secure in your relationship - there is no reason to see a strip club as a threat. Still not convinced? Go to a strip club and see for yourself - the experience totally changed my views.

Why not go together? Have him visit a Chippendales whilst you ogle a well-oiled six pack and then return the favour in a Spearmint Rhino.

To answer the Washington Post's Magic Mike Conundrum - it should be okay for everyone to enjoy the many talents of strippers, providing they do so respectfully.