Fi Phillips

I consider myself to be a lucky person. I have a wonderful husband, two lively, loving children, my health, good friends, so many things to be thankful for. However, I don't generally win competitions, of any kind. It's not that I think 'oh, I'll never win'. It just doesn't generally happen. In fact, I can count the number of times I've won anything on one hand, until this month. October has been my extra lucky month. Firstly, I won this beautiful jewellery from Aspire Style . They've just opened a new store in Solihull, but you can also find their shops in Warwick, Oxford and Stratford on Avon. Or you can shop online through their delightful website . My second win was of a Hallowe'en competition run by Retro Chick  for a spider web shawl, umbrella , wallet and compact mirror also from Aspire. In addition to selling retro and vintage clothing and accessories, Retro Chick runs competitions on a regular basis with some lovely prizes. Both of t...

I recently read a blog article by a friend of mine, Retro Chick about how to create your own personal style. One of the tips it mentioned was looking back at old photos of the younger you to see what you used to wear and how your fashion style has evolved. Since moving house a few weeks' ago, I've unpacked an immense number of boxes and in the process of doing so, have come across files and books of my writing dating back over two decades. Not all of it is good. Some of it is delightful. Other pieces bring back memories of their context. What they all do, however, is provide an invaluable insight into how my writing style has evolved over that time. I'm not the best of poets - prose always comes to me more easily - but I found this poem about my late father. Father He is like a quiet corner shelf, his role not to step into the circle but to remain outside, observing in silence. He is the narrator who whispers our storyline, his kindly tone remaining as a cello's hum. H...