We at Shopaholic are on a constant search for the web’s hidden treasures. Here is a list of the best blogs we’ve found in the month of March.

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1. MisiUK.blogspot.com

MISI is an incredible congregation of talented crafters who’s aptly coined slogan “Make It, Sell It” perfectly describes their quaint and quirky blog. Touted as the Home of buying and selling handmade goods in the UK, Misi does not disappoint– they offer an endless selection of amazing crafts that does not disappoint. As Mother’s Day approaches, handmade crafts serve as unique gift ideas and can really put a personal touch on your gift giving. The amazing crafters at Misi design everything from stuffed toys, to necklaces, bracelets, paintings, knitted crafts and much more. Misi is Shopaholic approved and recommended to anyone who crafts or is interested in unique, handmade gifts.

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2. Knotted Nest

The Knotted Nest is one of my favourite discoveries this week. Unique in it’s content and style, Knotted Nest has a truly abstract air and is written by Kristen Wulff who is an up and coming artist based in Toronto, Canada. A truly inspired artist, Kristen runs her own online craft store and shares her inspirations, musings and insights in the Knotted Nest. If you’re looking for a new perspective, something different and original, the Knotted Nest will keep you entertained for hours on end. Have a look at Kristen’s blog and her online craft store for more information.

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3. Topshop Princess

Stephanie of Topshop Princess has created a decadent feast for the eyes. Moreover, she manages to hold readers’ attention on the text as well. Posts read like letters from a close friend, punctuated with crisp photos of whimsical fashions and jewellery, friends, and her gorgeous woofers. We were lucky enough to snag her for a bit of Q&A.

Q: What inspired you to create Topshop Princess?

A: I just had it in my head that I wanted to start ‘a blog’, not really knowing what it was all about. My friend had told me she had recently started one, and it just went from there really. Topshop Princess didn’t start out as a fashion blog though, and although I just see it as rambles of me and my life, it now does have a fashion direction to it.

Q: In your opinion, which decade had the best fashions?

A: This is a hard question, my first thought is the 40′s. I love the dresses and the hats, I’d love to skip around in tea dresses and frilly socks all day. I do also love the 60′s, my mum grew up in this time and the photos of herself and her friends are so effortlessly cool.

Q: Which items of clothing or jewellery will you keep and cherish for years?

A: I’m really not sure I would, my charm bracelet if anything. I don’t have anything really sentimental in my collection, or buy expensive/designer items.

Q: Which items of clothing from your childhood or adolescent years did you really love?

A: I always remember my flared jeans, I think they were from Topshop and I loved them. I wore them literally until they were falling apart. I think I was about 13 and I just thought they were the best thing ever- they of course weren’t, now I look back and cringe at my younger self.

Q: What do you like most about blogging?

A: So many things, I’m not sure I could pick one. I love just being able to write away on my own piece of cyber space, and the friends I have made through blogging is just immense. The best thing about events is meeting other bloggers and getting to know other bloggers.

Thanks, Stephanie!

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4. FernLaura

FernLaura is a charming hybrid of fashion, beauty, and whatever else strikes Fern’s fancy. It’s got loads of lovely magazine-quality photos which trigger the imagination and, well, make us want to go shopping! We’re delighted to share a few of Fern’s thoughts and opinions on blogging, beauty, and style.

Q: What inspired you to create FernLaura?

A: I had been reading other blogs for a while and it seemed like such a fun thing to do, and nowhere near as revealing as the Youtube/video scene. Looking back, my blog has changed so much over the year or so I’ve been using it. As I’m young, I have many different ideas and so didn’t just want to keep my blog to one subject only. I like to switch up my blog content all the time to make it interesting for me and the readers!

Q: Which three beauty products would it be extremely difficult to live without?

A: Number one would definitely be mascara. I was thankfully born with long lashes and so mascara really helps to open my eyes and make me look more human! Number two would be cleansing wipes, I use them all the time as they’re easy and quickly remove makeup, which is great if you have lots of things to do in a day like me. Number three would be bronzer, I love The Body Shop bronzer (which I reviewed on my blog a while back). The reason I love bronzer is because it gives me a healthy glow and helps to contour and add definition to my features.

Q: How would you describe your personal style?

A: I couldn’t possibly describe my style in one word or put it into one category. I don’t as such follow trends or wear things just because they’re ‘in style’. I usually just pick clothes based on colour, shape and whether they look nice on me. I would never feel comfortable wearing something that’s in trend but makes me look hideous. I would say I like a lot of basic stuff, e.g black vest, black cardigan, black jeans (not all together!) and I always like to have those items in my wardrobe to mix with more statement pieces. I also love colourful things with attention to detail!

Q: What’s on your wish list?

A: 1. Topshop Neon Rose Cream Blush

2. MAC Ravishing Lipstick

3. A nice pair of brogues

4. A cream metal double bed (currently on the lookout!)

5. New Fleet Foxes album!

Q: What advice would you give to novice bloggers?

A: I would say just keep going, don’t do it for the followers. Everyone starts at zero and moves up so you have to just remember that. I know a lot of blogs that have a small amount of followers but always have a lot of attention and comments surrounding their posts, and vice versa. So you’ve got to remember that it’s quality over quantity! Make sure you have fun too. If you find blogging too tasking or time-wasting then maybe it’s not for you. Make sure you get a buzz out of writing posts and everything that comes with it!

Thanks, Fern!

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5. The Dandy Project

The Dandy Project is a refreshing men’s fashion blog that blurs the lines between menswear and womenswear a bit. Izzy, its creator, puts focus on up-and-coming designers and DIY projects with his fastidious attention to detail.

Q: What inspired you to create “The Dandy Project”?

A: It was nearly three years ago and the fashion blogging scene wasn’t as blown up as it is now.  My friend Michelle had just started a blog that was beginning to get recognition, locally, in Manila.  I just had so much to say about fashion, and thought it would be such a waste if it was just my friend Michelle who listened to me wax lyrical about menswear, so I thought I’d share it with the worldwide web.

Q: Where are your 3 favourite places to shop?

A: Omotesando in Tokyo – for Japanese designers and boutiques of European and American designers complete with all the crazier pieces that nobody else in the world would dare stock.

Vintage Shops in Boston – the advantage of living in a non-fashion-centred city is that people speed past the great fashion finds in thrift stores and they’re all yours for really good prices, as long as you look patiently

Sample Sales in New York – I’ve gotten into a lot of designers in New York through items I purchased at their sample sales: things I would never have even considered purchasing at full price.  If you live in New York and are on the pulse of the sample sale circuit, it’s very feasible to have a wardrobe made up solely of quality pieces from up-and-coming designers.

Q: Who or what inspires your style?

A: There are lots, but I could give you three things that inspire me right now:

The Mandarin – He’s one of the lesser-known characters in the X-Men series, the old, long-haired fellow with a ring on each finger, each ring holding a special power.  I haven’t dipped my toes into wearing my hair long, but I harbour a liking for multiple large rings and robes of the Oriental persuasion.

Women – Women inspire my style, not that I would want to dress like a woman.  But rather, I like the idea of using womenswear techniques and fabrics and making them into menswear.  I’m also fascinated by the irony of men wearing menswear-inspired womenswear; I own a couple of boxy women’s blazers and a pair of menswear-inspired Hugh Hefner slippers in beige python.

New York – My environment inspires me.  Now that I’m living in New York, I tend to be more urban, downtown, less luxe, wear lots of independent NY designers, wear lots of black.

Q: Which fashion items will you keep and cherish for years to come?

A: My asymmetrical Ivan Grundahl jacket-capes, because their eccentric beauty transcends trends, and they will fit me no matter what weight I am at.

Q: How has your personal style changed over the years?

A: From the inception of my blog, when my style was very classicist dandy with a hint of experimental craziness, I’ve since gotten darker, more relaxed, less traditionally “photogenic”.  (Sharp suits and bold colours, traditional slim-fitting menswear is the easiest to photograph for outfit posts.)  My clothes now are more comfortable, and they now more closely fit that fantastic ideal of what things I would like to wear, as opposed to what I think others will perceive as cool.  I now tend to favour loose, dark clothes for comfort and a hint of mystery, and sparkle on my fingers to keep me entertained.

Thanks, Izzy!

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6. Away with the Fairies

This chic beauty and fashion blog will keep you coming back again and again! And creator Hannah’s FOTDs will leave you wanting to go shopping for every product she uses. We were lucky to catch up with her.

Q: How did “Away with the Fairies” come about?

A: To be honest, I was bored one afternoon and decided to start a blog. I didn’t really know what I wanted to write about, but felt like I needed an  outlet to be creative. Then I discovered beauty and fashion blogs, and straight away knew what I wanted my blog to be about.

Q: Which 3 products would be extremely difficult to live without?

A: First up would definitely be foundation. As someone who has suffered with bad skin I know how important a good base of makeup is, it makes a huge difference and boosts my confidence so much. Another has got to be lipstick – I’m a huge fan of bright lips at the minute and absolutely hate leaving them bare! Finally I’d say eyeliner. I have really small eyes but I disguise this with my trusty liquid liner. I’ve been wearing it the same way since I was 14 and don’t think I’ll ever stop.

Q: Which are your favourite High Street stores?

A: Primark has to be top of the list. It’s just so cheap and I never fail to find something I love whenever I go there. Their jewellery is gorgeous as well. I also love H&M; I think their prices are really reasonable and really good quality at the same time. I love the fact H&M is a bit quirky – not just a clone of other high street stores. Finally I’d say New Look. I think it’s come a long way in the past couple of years; it’s a lot more fashion-forward now and has some really lovely pieces.

Q: “Away with the Fairies” recently celebrated its first birthday. What are your plans or hopes for it in the next year?

A: I’m definitely hoping to have as good of a year as the first - I’ve had such a fantastic first year blogging – so will be continuing with regular beauty reviews as well as outfit and fashion posts, as they’re the two things I love most. I also want to add some regular features to my blog, and hopefully incorporate more photography into my blog as it’s something I really enjoy.

Q: Who or what inspires your style?

A: I definitely get inspiration from other blogs, there are so many fantastic fashion blogs out there, it’s unreal – I find myself reading them for hours on end sometimes. I love anything girly and floral so my style is very much inspired by all things cute and feminine, but I also love things that are a bit different – so there’s that element of quirkiness to my style too. I also get inspiration from the street - if I ever see someone wearing a piece of clothing I like I’ll always ask where it’s from, otherwise I’ll spend all day wondering!

Thanks, Hannah!

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If you have a blog suggestion or feel like your blog would be a perfect fit in our list of Unforgettable Blogs, please feel free to contact us at blog [at] become [dot] co [dot] uk and we would be happy to review your blog and consider adding it to our Editor’s Picks.

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