I just wrote a rather rushed and crazy blog post, which I'm about to delete, which essentially told you how I'm no longer sceptical about Young Blogger of the Year, as I made the shortlist... You can support me HERE, if you're eligible.

Big cheery thanks to everyone who supports and reads this blog, but most especially Florrie, who has been reading all the entries and making her point, and should probably have been made a judge already. But whatever.

Unfortunately, I won't win, as I won't be able to be at the prize-giving, due to Uni interviews, but any support is still gladly welcomed.

So, before my mind self-combusted with this news, I was about to post a blog about what I'm reading and watching and stuff this weekend, and as a Young Blogger of the Year nominee, I'd better keep my blog's quality up, ha ha ;)

So, back to the plan, then...

Firstly, this is the weekend from hell because... it's St Nicholas' Fair in York, which means that on top of the resident Chritmas shoppers, there are also tourist Christmas shoppers, and so I am going to be busier than a very busy bee at work this weekend. So, I think I need to relax with some film, telly, and a magazine...

What to watch... (Films)

Two things to say on this one...

So, this weekend, I will actually be watching "Ratatouille", a cute pixar flick about a rat who likes to cook, because I'm spending my Saturday night babysitting, but that doesn't matter one jot, because of "New Moon", a film which I grudgingly enjoyed, when I went to see it last week.

IMAGE SOURCE: HERE

The thing is, I used to be one of those crazy fan-girls. If you click "Articles" at the top of this blog. you'll even find one I wrote defending the "Twilight" series as not being misogynistic. All I can say is that I was naive and (um, a year) young(er) when I wrote it... or, that I wasn't such a loud feminist as I am now.

Or something.

This isn't to say that I hate the books, or the films, because I don't. I adore the first book. It's cute, it's romantic, and there's nothing too misogynistic about it. From then on, they go down hill, however. The films, conversely, seem to get better as they go on - or, at least, this one is better than the last. On the other hand, it couldn't have been much worse.

So, now we come to the reason I tell you this; it's a round-about way of saying "I think you should read this article, because it is so, so right". And, this is the article, right here.

On balance, then, I don't have a film to recommend. I just wanted y'all to read that article. But whatever.

And now, What to watch, on TV...

As a South Welsh lass at heart, and one who has been to both Barry Island and Billericay, I have to have to have to recommend "Gavin and Stacey"'s new series to anyone! I watched it last night, and I have to say that this is the first time I've ever truly understood why it's called a comedy. Before, I found it sweet, as a drama, but it never made me giggle all that much.

Yesterday, though, I laughed a lot. :) Yay new series of "Gavin and Stacey" - you are awesomely heart-warming and sweet...

Although, I've yet to work out how exactly Nessa and Stacey ever became friends; Ness is crass, loud, and kind of gothy, where Stacey is cute and sweet and cuddle-able. Ho hum.

Go iPlayer it. Pretty please.

And finally... What to read...

I have to say, for this one, that you should all head down to your local H&M and pick up their free magazine; the photography is stunning, the articles aren't so bad at all, and the 25 things to do for a Happy New Year piece inside the back cover is insightful and inspiring... it's on the wall above my desk, to keep me smiling, and keep me going.

Go get one. Now. It's free, after all.

Happy weekend, and maaaaan, it's good to be back!

LoveLoveLove

- A -

"So much has changed,
But it feels like yesterday you went away"

- McFly

I love that quote, dammit. So, so very much.

So, I've been away for almost 24 days, and alot alot alot has changed...

• New Moon was released. I was forced, kicking and screaming, to go. I actually kind of enjoyed it. Don't tell Sarah.
  
• Rachel and I beat Paul at NaNoWriMo.
  
• I got a confirmed interview with Megan and Liz, who are amazing teenage singers from Michigan who've risen to fame online. Their song, Never Go Away, is actually the story of my life. And they've met Taylor Swift. If you have a question you'd like me to ask them, you can log it HERE.
  
• It was TWLOHA day. I wrote love on my arm, and it meant a helluva lot to me to know that all those people out there cared about this - I discovered the day before that my brother had tried to commit suicide... and it took me a lot to say that, so I'd appreciate it if people didn't comment.
  
• We got a Christmas Competition confirmed at BSB!
  
• We got a new logo at BSB!
  
  

  

• My interview with What Katie Wore came through - publishing that very very soon!

• Taylor Swift won four CMAs. Brad Paisley won two CMAs. Radio Two boradcast the CMAs. I LOVED THE CMAs!

• And... I think that's about it! :) If I forgot anything, let-a me know!

So what happened to you this month?

LoveLoveLove

- A -

SCREENCAP OF CSL WEBSITE
(c) them

I'm a student in Year 13 at school in Britain, which basically means that my life revolves around UCAS, the university application potal for UK students, at the moment. So, when they emailed me about a Young Blogger of the Year competition in association with Clothes Show Live just now, I read it filled with excitement.

Now, though? I'm not so convinced.

There isn't any criteria there stipulating that you actually have to be a blogger to win...

And, to me, that seems a little bit wrong. They're asking for a blog post about anything you like - so long as it's to do with fashion, which, for most people, isn't "anything you like", and they're asking for you to ype it directly into their website, which means that it is technically jut a really short piece of pros, and not actually a blog.

Which isn't to say that I won't be entering... because I will. I'd love that title to put on my blog, but... but... but I remain unconvinced by the title. I think it's a bit much, not to award the prize to an actual blogger.

Do excuse the rant; I shall post my award-winning (yeah, right) blog up as soon as I have it.

LoveLoveLove

- A -

As most of you know, I'm taking part in NaNoWriMo 2009 this year, which means I have to write a 50 000 word novel in the month of November - on top of school work, and my work for the magazine, and my weekend job...

...and so I have decided that it's probably for the best if I leave Confessions of a Fashion Editor for the month, in order to complete my novel. I'm so excited about it. (:

Check back in December for more posts :)

And - you can keep up to date with my progress HERE.

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Wow. This is a really, really odd feeling. I appear to have developed a social life. I've been out three nights this week; Monday, to see Up, the excrutiatingly awesome Pixar film about the grumpy old man who's really, genuinly hurting inside and is actually very lovely, and then on for tapas at La Tasca; Wednesday, to my friend Kim's house, where I attempted to watch a film while Tim kept muttering cynical comments to stop me concentrating (and yes, they were mostly right, but that's not the point), and where I was beaten several thousand times at every Wii game in existance; and last night, to Hannah's house to watch Anna Wintour in The September Issue with Sarah and Han.

I was also beaten several times at Mario Kart Wii, last night, too. And, this morning, for that matter.

Considering I was at a sleep-over (Ed: <fake feminine American accent> "SLUMBER PARTY! LIKE, AWESOME!" </fake feminine American accent>), the biggest oxymoron in the history of time, I actually got a suprising amount of sleep, but I'm still absolutely zonked from all the homework, and coursework, and revision, and NaNoWriMo prep which I've been doing at the same time as having a life, for the first time in my life.

I think I'll just have to become a recluse for the next month, and write a novel, or something which will equally well ensure that I make no tiring human contact for a while, y'know?

Anyway, there was a point to this post, I swear, and I'm getting to it - 27 Dresses.

As every girl knows, there is nothing quite like vegging out on the sofa with a cuppa and a romcom when you're absolutely shattered, and my romcom of choice today was 27 Dresses.

If you haven't seen it, the trailer is in that there YouTube box, there. :)

The thing is, despite the fact that I love it because it's so cute and sweet and happy ending-y and all, I kind of hate it, too. For starters, the feminist in me is wondering why the hell this woman is so obsessed with weddings, and the fashion editor in me is largely appaulled with the costume choices, and the actual human being in me is melting at the cuteness and... 

And this is my mental conversation at the moment. I thought I'd share the insanity, for a change (warning - includes hints of multiple personality disorder, and spoilers...):

Feminist in me (FIM): What? Why the hell is she so OTT about weddings?

Fashion Editor in me (FEIM): Because they're so pretty and all.

FIM: But women don't need men to exist. We can get along quite well without them thanks.

Actual human being in me (AHBIM): And she is. She just enjoys looking at the pretty dresses...

FEIM: *Nods approvingly*

AHBIM: And helping out her friends, and everything.

FIM: But still. Collecting wedding columns? That's pretty much conforming with every stereotype of a desperate single woman that there is!

AHBIM: But she's not a desperate single woman. Alright, yes, she is single, but she's not desperate...

FEIM: (Under breath) She must be, if she's wearing some of those dresses...

AHBIM: Besides, this is a relatively non-misogynistic romcom! Jane and Kevin -

FEIM: Lol. He's called Kevin.

FIM: Did you just "Lol"?!?

AHBIM: Ahem. Speaking here. Jane and Kevin are pretty much equal, anyway. He just helps her realise who she truly is and what she truly needs. It's sweet.

FIM: But she shouldn't need him to do that! She should do that herself!

AHBIM: But... But... But...

FEIM: At least she makes all those bitches -

FIM: You did not just call your sisters "bitches"!!!

FEIM: At least she makes all those bitches wear there disgusting dresses at the end...

So. That's my mind. I know, I know - I have issues. Please. Help me - tell me what you think, and stop my mental argument.

Mental, that is, in both senses of the word.

LoveLoveLove

- A -

No A to Z this week, because I haven't done anything to warrant one - I've been really ill, which explains the lack of posts!

I'll get back on it soon though! Promise!

LoveLoveLove

- A -

I've made a radical decision. Hence the "shocked face" image below. Oooh.

©2006-2009 ~theprodiqy

So, I've just realises something - something that I guess I've kind of known for a while, but haven't ever quite wanted to admit... and it's this:

I don't want to be a fashion blogger.

There. I've said it.

The thing is, there's so much more to life than fashion, and to my life especially. I might have started this blog because of something in Vogue, and I might have carried it on because of Lipstick Royalty, but, let's face it, as a fashion blog, it's pretty damned rubbish.

I mean, really... I include a hell of a lot of politics, art, literature, movies, and stuff.

So, I've decided to reform my blog - it's still going to be called Confessions of a Fashion Editor, because I am a fashion editor, and because, well, I just like the name, really, but I'm going to change it from a "fashion and arts blog" to a "young women's life and style blog" - which is essentially what it is - with a dose of chocolate thrown in for giggles.

So, there you go. Secret's out. Feels good.

So, in the spirirt of my new-found "life and style blogger" status, and the open-ness and happiness of the confession, I'm going to tell you a bit more about me - because my current "About" tab basically just tells you about me as a fashion journalist.

And I'm going to do this by using a really geeky quiz from a book I bought about five years ago (but still secretly kind of like) called "A Guided Tour of Ally's World", by Karen McKombie.

The quiz is called "The very nosy questionnaire".

Here goes!

Amy's Very Nosy Questionnaire

Sarah and I, image (c) ScarlettLady Photography

Name: Amy Claire Thompson, aka Alice, aka Saffiya Scarlett

Age: 17

Job: Fashion editor, life and style blogger, waitress, stalker of historians (don't ask)

My best feature is: ridiculous levels of organisation (good for school!)

My worst feature is: BIG HAIR, and so much more... ;)

My favourite colour is: different every day! Today, it's purple. A nice lilac-y purple

My favourite smell is: teddy. No, really. My old teddy bear smells all musty and nice!

My favourite food is: chocolate mousse!!

If I were only allowed to eat three things for the rest of my life, they'd be... chocolate mousse, vegetarian paella and stuffed peppers

My favourite thing to touch is: my duvet - zZzZzZz...

My favourite sound is: oooh. These are weird questions. The kettle boiling, I guess - it means tea!

My best friend is: Sarah!

My favourite place is: my bed. Or Naples, FL. Or Sameons, France.

My favourite school subject is: Russian history. Hell yes! ;)

I have a talent for: getting way too excited about Russian history. (OH MY GOD - CUBAN MISSILA CRISIS HOMEWORK NEXT!!! YAY!!!!!)

The talent I'd most like to have is: the ability to tame my hair.

If aliens abducted me and said I could only take three things from my room to make me feel at home, they'd be: whichever book was closest to hand, funny bunny (a very dishevelled toy rabbit I was given when I was born) and the picture frame with photos of all my family and friends in. Yes, the one that I don't actually own. Whatever.

Describe yourself in five words: manic insomniac history geek writer :)

I'd cringe if anyone knew I...: Yeah. Not answering that. Principally because way too many embarassing things happen to me on a near-daily basis!

If I was invisible for a day, I would: Sneak into TopShop and pull faces at all the skinny, pretty girls... (ha ha, did I just say that?! I'd cringe if anyone knew I thought that... Oops!)

If I were a crisp, I'd be...: a plain pringle. Nice, but nothing special :)

My motto is: "The future belongs to those who believe in the power of dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt 

So there you go - a million and one things about me that you never wanted to know ;)

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Dressing up day at school on Friday for charity...

Queen of the Fairies, aka Sarah, and Wicked Witch, aka me ;)

That's a terrible one of me, but Hannah looks nice ;)
The Wicked Witch of the Wild West, ha ha...

Bad jokes are the best!

It flies, it flies!

Grr, hat thieves!

First try...

Second try!

Nice one, JC...

*Tuts*

IMAGES (c) ScarlettLady Photography

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Wow.

Today, I'm having an unusually good day, considering that I am CHRONICALLY SLEEP-DEPRIVED (I think I've developed some form of insomnia)!

Lots and lots of reasons to smile, today, though! (Yay!)

Number One...

The new issue of Lipstick Royalty Magazine fully rocks. Rachel worked so, so hard for it, and it's become a truly amazing issue, despite all the set-backs. It's made me proud to be a part of the team!

Please, please, please, click HERE to buy a downloadable copy for just £1.50, all of which goes to the truly wonderful Laura Crane Trust cancer charity.

*Prouds*

Number Two...

Today was a dressing-up day at school. Yay! :)

I had a fabulous time as the not-so-Wicked witch of the west, in my purple dress (yes, the one that you guys persuaded me to buy) with a witch's hat... I'm pretty sure that Lady Scarlett, photographer-in-chief and best friend, will b providing some photos soon enough, so I'll show you all what prats we looked pretty soon!

Number Three...

I finally wrote the new British Style Bloggers weekly update. Just this once, you can read it HERE. Normally, you'd have to subscribe...

Number Four...

I'm featured in this week's IFB Links á la Mode! I worked really hard on my featured post, so I'm really pleased it made the cut!

Number Five...

The lovely Intrinsically Florrie has given me another award!

Honest Scrap Award

Here are the rules I must follow:
1. Say Thank You and give a link to the presenter of the award - tick!
2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself - below!
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me. - oh no... only seven?!
4. Tell those 7 people that they have been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines. - will do!

Ten honest things about me...

1. I'm Welsh by birth, and fiercly proud
2. I'm not actually sure why I'm a fashion writer. When I signed up for Lipstick Royalty, I asked to be anything but - and now look at me!
3. I'm currently applying for English Lit & History at uni
4. My friends are my inspirations - Sarah & Rachel especially!
5. I have a habit of giggling insanely at anything
6. Said giggle is the most annoying laugh on the planet
7. I want to be a journalist. Preferably at the Guardian. Dream on...
8. I'm too scared to apply for a provisional driving lisence!
9. I never check my facebook. This annoys Sarah alot.
10.  I have twitter. I don't know why, and I wish I could stop. I can't.

Presenting this award!

Obviously, I wish I could give this to everyone I read, but that's not going to happen (it would take forever). I especially wish I could give it back to lovely Florrie, but I don't have enough awards to... sorry, honey! :(

Ok, here goes...

1. Sarah, my best friend, of Always Dangerous, Fully Fabulous.
   She's just starting out as a blogger, but she's a fabulous friend, and I think she deserves some recognition. Love you, hon!
2. Rachel, of Cause I'd Rather Waste My Life Pretending
   A true inpiration, a true friend, a true star
3. Sherin and Leia of HiFashion
   For writing me such fab guest blogs for BSB! Thank you thank you thank you!
4. Jo Anne Yadda of Crafting for Cheapskates
   Thank you for being a cntributor! Your blog rocks!
5. Claire of Illustrator Claire
   Because she's faaaaabulous, darling
6. Laura of Kisses and Curls.
   Because her redesign flipping rocks!
7. And finally, the whole team of Lipstick Royalty Magazine - the unsung heroes of the mag, who are so incrdible! Love you all!
   Rachel (of course!), Catherine, Lauren, Loriel, Rhian, Beth, Ashley, Eileen and Callie, this is for you

So, now I just have to tell them all... That'll be no mean feat!

And finally Number Six...

We're having Chinese food for dinner!

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Image: www.lipstickroyalty.com

We're sooooooo excited to be able to bring this to you - and we really hope that you'll all go out and buy it to support the Laura Crane Trust (and because we have some truly faaaaabulous give-aways!)

LoveLoveLove

- A -