The Fe-line Frock Swap is back!

Hi lovely Fe-liners!

Well we’re already in September (I know, how did that happen?!) but fear not! September is a great month to set yourself new goals and resolutions that may have gone astray over the summer. It’s a perfect time to refocus and plan for the season ahead.

There is something really thrilling about the changing seasons, the golden hues in the trees and the sense of anticipation of new beginnings. We like to think of the year as having two ‘New Years’, January and September. It’s always hard to stick to resolutions in January as the weather is grim and the days are short and all you want to do is hibernate; so September is a great chance to reboot and set a resolution or two, while the sun is (hopefully) shining and the eventfulness of summer ebbs away.

Resolutions can be really simple things: like taking the time to read. We have just launched a Fe-line Book Club which is a great way of exploring new titles that you may have not picked up previously. If you think this would be a great September resolution for you then why not sign up to our Book Club mailing list to get all the latest info. What’s more, we will be chatting and reviewing books online so you don’t have to be Oxford-based to join in. It’s a great way to get back into reading or to motivate you to finish a book, and Team Fe-line definitely need that, so what better motivation than the chance to chat with lots of lovely like minded women! If you didn’t catch Debs’ blog all about the book club you can find it here.

Another great way of feeling renewed and refreshed for the season ahead is to have a wardrobe over haul. There are some great trends out there this season, and even if you incorporate just one look you can freshen up your winter wardrobe. The best way to do this is to have a clothes sort out, which is always very therapeutic in itself. Work out if your winter staples are still good to go and if not, add them to a list of items you want to replace or purchase. It’s always good to have a pair of boots for day and another for evening wear, and lots of layers, so jumpers, cardigans, scarves, as well as a winter coat and a parka or rainproof jacket. Once you’ve worked out what you need make a priority list and add any extra items that would be great for adding a new twist to your look, like scarves, hair accessories, a new dress or a winter coat. By prioritising which are the most important things you need to buy you won’t go shopping aimlessly and you can budget based on what you need the most.

The other good reason for having a sort out and making a list, dear Fe-liners, (and this is the good bit!) is that you can work out which items are perfect Frock Swap material! We will be holding our first Fe-line Frock Swap of 2014 on 20th September at the Old Museum in Oxford. It’s a great way to part with those pieces that you may have only worn once or twice, but haven’t come out of the wardrobe in a while, and swap them for some exciting new pieces that might be on your list of Autumn must haves, or be perfect for freshening up your look for this season. The Frock Swap is only £2 so it’s a perfect way to try something new, a great September resolution!

 

As well as the Swap, there will be a whole host of exciting things going on. Entrance to the event is completely free and there will be a great selection of stalls including Kinship of Oxford, Ladies Who Lunch Jewellery, , and One for Sorrow, plus workshops from Katie Dyer on Autumn/Winter style and making the most of those Frock Swap finds, and Debs will be holding the first Fe-line Book Club meeting at 2pm, for our book After I Left You by Alison Mercer, with Alison also making an appearance at 3pm. On top of all that there will also be a pop-up bar and café! It’s going to be a corker, so get your swapping pile ready and join us for lots fun and frolics.

Love & frock swapping,

 

 

 

Music in Oxford

As festival season comes to an end and the days draw shorter, you might wonder how you can keep up with new music without the opportunity to stomp about a field at a festival every weekend. Worry not, as I have written this handy little guide to discovering new music in Oxford all year round – not just during festival season.

Nightshift Magazine

This magazine is nearly as old as I am, having been in constant circulation since March 1991. You’ll find it in most of the good pubs, shops or cafés in Oxford but if you don’t manage to pick up a printed copy then there is an online archive of every edition since 2005 on their website! Nightshift has really fantastic music writing: the reviews are detailed, with personality and opinions but are essentially still really useful to help you get the gist of what a musician or band is like. The magazine also organises the annual cross-city Punt festival presenting loads of new acts across several venues all in one evening. Nightshift know all there is to know about the emerging and established music scene in Oxford and all the contributors write with confidence and conviction, so you know you can trust this passionate bunch of musos.

BBC Introducing in Oxford

If you tune in to BBC Radio Oxford between 8-9pm every Saturday, or subscribe to the podcast via their website or iTunes then you will be able to discover and learn about lots of great local music made in Oxfordshire every week. As well as a section on music news, a recommendation from BBC Radio 1’s Hew Stevens, or Nightshift magazine editor Ronan Munro, there’s also loads of new music of different styles, interviews, chats and good humour. The music on the show is so new lots of bands get their first play on the radio thanks to presenter Dave Gilyeat and producer Liz Green – if you are a musician yourself, you can upload your music through their website and you could be the next up in their regular ‘first play on the radio’ segment! The BBC Introducing podcast really exemplifies just how many creative musical people are out there of all ages and backgrounds making great stuff in Oxfordshire. If you’re from a bit further afield then the BBC Introducing shows exist in different areas all over the UK, so if you want to know about the music scene in Jersey or Lancashire then you have the opportunity to do so!

Oxford Contemporary Music

OCM are a local music organisation that works with artists and produces great events that are not just gigs but also often even sound/noise experiences that combine music, art and media all in one. They are involved in Oxford’s annual experimental music festival Audiograft, and organise an annual Open weekend showcasing the best new music in Oxford – even if you don’t make it to their events you should look up the artists they promote and work with as they promote interesting and unique artists across the board (and not solely Oxford based artists).

Gigs

You can listen to live music every day of the week in Oxford, whether it’s busking or an open mic night, a jam or session, or even a proper full on gig with plenty of branded merchandise and fancy flashing lights. You don’t need to go to a dedicated music venue as lots of Oxford’s pubs and cafés, museums, galleries and even bookshops host gigs and concerts. Daily Info lists most gigs in Oxford, as does the Music in Oxford website, which also has a news feed and record and gig reviews too.

My current favourite musicians who I have discovered thanks to all the above include: Orcinus/Jack Casstles-Jones (listen to The Anthem), Be Good and Limbo Kids (who share the same frontman as other lovely band Alphabet Backwards). Check out the bands I’m listening to at the moment and find more through all the above resources!

From Oxford with love,