FFG Eats: Bottomless Brunch at Hix Mayfair

"What do you mean by 'bottomless,' exactly?" asked my friend down from Scotland. How do I accurately describe this weekend tradition without sounding like a lush? The correct description of a Bottomless Brunch in my twenties would have been, "it's a challenge to see how much you can drink in a two hour seating." I like to think in my thirties I've matured into a person who believes this is less of a challenge and more of an opportunity to enjoy more than your average number of cocktails as you catch up with friends and family over a glorious meal. In Los Angeles and New York, I've sat for more bottomless brunches than I could possibly recall. And yes, I'm proud to say I can actually recall them all. I'm not sure I can say the same for all of my friends. But, in London the Bottomless Brunch...

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Reader Questions Answered: Blogging as a career? Time Management? Freebies?

So we thought we'd turn things a bit around for the latest segment of "Are we relevant yet?" and take a question or two from you guys. I mean it isn't so fun preaching all the time. Sometimes it's better to know that you're actually answering a question you might genuinely have, right? Queue the agony aunts of blogging. Mademoiselle Robot and I both took on the following questions and answered them in completely different ways.  1. How do your organize your time? The simple answer is an iPhone. Ok, that's more the technical answer. But it's really the only way in which I organize my time. I organize meetings, put them in the calendar and that's as organized as I get. Some people plan intensively - I just throw meetings in until I don't have any meeting times left. Sleep is for the...

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Five mid block heels to buy on the high street now

For tall ladies everywhere, this is the year that the footwear Gods have shined down on us. This is the summer of the midi-heel and it's all about a great block cut. They're sturdy, they still have the capability of making your bum and legs look amazing and they won't leave you with feet that wish they could detach from your body after a day of being out and about. In short, midi block heels are just about the best thing trend going this season. Rather then pointing you in the direction of Chloe, Tod's or Celine (who all offer great options to cover this trend), I thought I'd save you a pretty penny or two and point you in the direction of the deals and steals on the great British high street.  So, from online shopping with ASOS to the newbies at New Look, here are five styles that...

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Gone Girl

REISS swimsuit H&M hat SAINT LAURENT bangle Greetings from a journey I embarked on to find some inner piece, mindfulness and basically meaning to life. Nothing more, nothing less. Bare with me while I sort through a world of new exciting photos and excuse a throwback images from last year. Time fucking flies. Photos by Anoushka ...

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Outfit du Jour: Stripes for days

Shop the look: // JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. ...

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Best dining in Marbella: Bibo by Dani Garcia

Since starting FFG years ago, I cannot tell you the number of restaurants I have had the pleasure of dining in and, ultimately, reviewing. However, I can tell you that there are only a handful, at best, of restaurants where I have left thinking I wouldn't change a thing... ever. Well, last month that list got a little bigger with my introduction to Dani Garcia's Bibo at Puente Romano Resort in Marbella, Spain. Of course one would expect to be greeted by perfection from a two star Michelin chef, but this casual dining experience simply took my breath away. Sure, they do burgers (like nothing you've ever seen), but even I wasn't missing the carnivore's favorite meal when it came time to see the goodies Garcia had placed before us.  From whole marinated seabass to Iberico pork shoulder...

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Come Shopping with Me!

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Discussion: "Comparison is the thief of joy"

I wanted to talk a bit more this week about the idea of "comparison." I touched on it briefly in last week's "Are we relevant?" and Mademoiselle Robot explored this idea completely last week, while I focused more on talking about creative powers. And you guessed it - this week the lady Robot is talking more about those creative powers. It's a bit of a switcheroo if you will. Off we go, and let me kick off with this statement: the biggest challenge as a blogger is staying relevant in a unique way.  Inspiration can find itself anywhere and for most of us, these days, other blogs play a big part in that inspiration. But looking at other blogs can also be disheartening and sometimes drive us all to comparison insanity. So, let's explore...

When I first started FFG, I was pretty much one of the first fashion news sites in the UK that was putting out 10-20 pieces of content a day. But this wasn't an original thought. I was looking at people like Perez Hilton in the USA, digesting daily his massive amount of content and aiming to provide the same sort of service for those looking for fashion information. This was not an example of comparison and never could be as I was looking at a platform that would never be a competitor, simply a driving force for my own creativity. By default, I learned an important lesson early in my career. "Tis better to have inspiration than comparison." Since that point I have tried to digest blogs that compliment my creative side, not resemble it. In this day and age, that isn't easy to do. We now live in a world of blogging where being unique is downright difficult. Sometimes it feels like it's all been done, and ten times over. 

I blame a lot of this non-original thought on the pressures that come with comparison. We have become a team of men and women that are ruled by numbers: followers on the blog, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more. With the launch of every new social network, the masses scramble to be top dog with the most devotees following. How can one not be part of the comparison wheel? Well, first off I'll tell you it is possible. Don't believe me? Read my piece I wrote on turning off the numbers brain. If you are constantly looking sideways to see where your "competitors" are, you will completely lose sight of where you are. This is the truth. I have watched women fall because of these pressures and completely lose their way, and ultimately give up. If you measure success by comparison to others, you might as well hand in your keys to the kingdom now. 

But here's a healthy way to use "comparison" to your advantage. Constantly compare yourself to yourself. Ok, sounds ridiculous, but this works. Be your own harshest critic and use your past self to improve your future. Be kind in your judgement but set your own goals. Rather than saying you want to have more followers than a friend, say I want to have more engaged followers than I used to have and actively go out and try to change that. It's possible, and it doesn't require you having ill will towards anyone else. 

Now, I say all of this mostly because a lot of my friends are bloggers. And a lot of those bloggers have a hell of lot larger followings than me on a lot of social networks. Well, I could sit and stew about that and constantly look at their pages and try to mimic what they are doing to grow my audience in that way (and yes, I know dozens of people that do this regularly - they blatantly change their style to match the desaturated and white washed pictures that are successful on instagram at the moment), but surely it's better to keep these people as friends, support them creatively and find your own path to greatness? Maybe that's just my own naive mind speaking but I don't understand friendships that have an underlying tone of competition. And yes, I feel like any blog you read or follow these days should feel like someone that's your friend. Hell, even if you've never met the person in the flesh. This isn't Vogue. We're meant to be relatable - not untouchable. Anyone that's forgotten that along the way needs to check out not. 

Ultimately, if you stop looking sideways you will never lose, as all you can ever do is improve if you're in the game of moving forward. Creativity doesn't have a losing streak. Sure there are ruts, but as long as you're creating, you're winning. What everyone else is doing, what companies they may be working with or how "successful" the world perceives them to be has absolutely nothing to do with you. That's the God's honest truth. You report to one person in this world and that's yourself. Do you want to be measured by comparison to others? Doubtful! 

I'll leave you with few quotes I always like to remember when it comes to this topic. In fact, they've all been part of a bulletin board above my desk at one stage or another:

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My perfect beach dress

As I write this, I'm praying you have a holiday planned - not just so you'll have a place to wear this beautiful beach dress, but so that you'll actually get the break you most likely well deserve. Call me crazy but I have this box in me laundry room that's labeled "tropical escapes." Throughout the year I find gorgeous pieces, everywhere from thrift stores to sample sales and I squirrel away these finds in this "tropical escapes" box and hope that the year will provide a destination worthy of breaking out these fantasy items. About two months ago I added one such item... And yes, that item is staring back at you above. Monsoon and Accessorize have a good way of teasing us all by releasing a holiday shop VERY early in the year. I am pretty sure they think they're doing us all a favor, but...

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FFG Travels: Puente Romano, Marbella, Spain

When you live in London, weekend escapes become an essential part of life. You take them whenever and wherever you can get them (funds depending). Whether you're catching a bus to a Cotswolds weekend of coziness or hopping a plane to the continent for some sun before the two week London summer, weekends are all about escaping the city. Over the years I've tried to bring you as many quick and easy retreats as possible and my search continues with the discovery of an oasis of sorts in Marbella, Spain. Allow me to formerly introduce you to Puente Romano.  Earlier this week I showcased a video of some of the highlights of my trip. Let's just say there are certain places you visit where still imagery only tells a third of the story. Moving images were required. Needless to say, I was floored...

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Style Conundrum: The double-my-size red dress

There's a back story here, people. Thought I'd say that first as I can see you thinking, "why is Emily wearing a dress that makes her look twice as wide as she actually is?" Enter the H&M Red Dress Style conundrum. I fell in love with this dress as I walked past H&M on Regent Street. It leapt out at me from the window with the sort of buy-me gravitas that I seldom find these days on the high street. So in I went and out I walked, with a red dress tucked safely in my bag. I didn't even try it on. Big mistake.  As soon I returned home, I threw off my shopping gear and on went the dress that was love at first sight. Well, turns out the mirror has a good way of ruining romantic fashion moments. That same red dress, when I turned sideways, made me look like a whale. So what I do...

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New Vlog: A weekend at Puente Romano in Marbella, Spain

Full review on the Hotel Puente Romano stay up tomorrow, but I thought I'd go ahead and whet your appetite with this week's vlog, showcasing some of the more stunning moments captured on camera while in residence. This was truly an experience to remember in Marbella, Spain. Check it out and don't forget to subscribe to FFG's Youtube channel so you never miss a clip going forward: ...

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