What 2017 Taught Me

Happy 2018, everyone! After a mid-year resolution in 2017 to dedicate more time to my blog, I seem to have failed miserably at it. I think it's safe to say that this year is going to be all about time management and managing my expectations of myself. I always have the best intentions, but in reality forget that I can't commit to the 101 commitments I give myself! 

However, I didn't fail with all my goals in 2017. Last year saw a lot of change in my life and the beginning of a new chapter for me. I'm officially a working girl now! I graduated from my university degree with a 1st and started a new job. I joined a running club and went from barely being able to run a 1/2 mile to completing a 10k race. (I'm as shocked as you are, believe me.) 

Last year I learnt lots, mostly about myself (that sounds even cheesier than it did in my head...). In the famous words of Kylie Jenner, it was a year about realising things. The main thing I learned that was that a bit of hard work goes a long way and it's always worth it. I've proven to myself that I can achieve something if I really put my mind to it. I never went to university expecting to get a 1st, but going into my final year something in me clicked. I wanted to get a 1st, even though I didn't really think I could get one. A small part of myself clung onto the idea though, and with a lot of perseverance, I achieved it. 

It was exactly the same with my decision to start running. I was never remotely interested in taking it up, until one day I stumbled across a YouTube channel by a lady called Adrienne Ldn, and her video about running the London marathon. I thought that her achievement was so bloody cool, and at the end of the video I remember thinking wow, I wish I could do something like that. Then I got sucked into a spiral of watching marathon training videos on YouTube, and a few days later I decided that I wanted to try running, and maybe one day run a half marathon. That plan is still in the pipeline - it's a goal I've got for the next year or so! 

I think as well as self-belief (whether that's genuine belief, or a fake-it-until-you-make-it kind of belief), another common factor in my year has been a support network. For me, everything I did last year was undoubtedly a little easier to do because of the people around me. It's taught me that who you surround yourself really does matter. My friends and family spurred me on during revision, and the friends I've made at my running club have given me the motivation to keep on going that little bit longer. It's also made me realise that I need to make sure that I give that support back whenever I can. I think in the past it's something that I've done subconsciously - because it's just what you do for your friends - but this year I do want to make sure I more consciously support those around me. 

I haven't formally thought of any resolutions for this new year. I've never been one to come up with a list at the beginning of the year- my goals tend to come about quite randomly as I go along. I guess all the usual apply though - I want to be a bit more efficient with my time and focus on the important things rather than small, unimportant admin and boring things, keep improving my fitness, save a bit more money and have fun. Oh - and be better at keeping my room tidy! 

As always, I'll update my blog when I can and fill you in on what I'm doing and of course, what I'm wearing. I hope your first week of 2018 has had a good start! Speak soon x

What I'm wearing:

The "If All Else Fails" Outfit

Shirt - Topshop // Jeans - Zara High Waisted Mom Jeans // Heels - Public Desire (old) // Bag - Topshop (old)

One of the outfits I've historically struggled to put together is an "evening out" outfit. For those nights when you're not going on a night out to a club, but you're also not just going to Pizza Express down the road. You want something dressy, but comfortable, and need to strike the perfect balance between night out and night in. I just never had pieces in my wardrobe that catered to those kind of nights. Since I've made the transition from student to working girl, the demand for outfits like these has increased, because more often than not, a night out is a night going between bars, where you need something a little fancier than the jeans, crop top and trainers that a student night out allowed for. 

This combination is right up my street, and as I said in my last post, I really feel like I'm finally finding my own style. I feel like it's coming into my own and I'm more confident than ever in what I want to wear, and what suits me. I think this is the perfect definition of an "if all else fails" outfit - something you can throw on and feel comfortable in, whilst looking like you made an effort. I have been, and probably always will be a denim girl, so it's natural that this outfit includes a pair of jeans. The shirt balances out the casual-ness of the jeans, but the slouchy fit means the overall effect is still the more relaxed side of dressy. Incidentally, the shirt works really well dressed down, with blue jeans (which I think can be a little more casual), and a pair of Stan Smith's. 

I think outfits like this are an understated kind of sexy. There's nothing really that sexy in the outfit, but the shirt is a little baggy but still has the low cut, and the heels are a touch that elevates the outfit and of course, makes your legs look slimmer and longer. Admittedly, I would wear this with a jacket in the evening, but for the purpose of this post I wanted to draw attention to the most interesting parts of the outfit. The strappy heels can obviously be swapped for something warmer too, but I love these heels so much that I'll brave the cold if I'm just hopping between bars. 

I think everyone has an outfit like this - one that you'll always fall back on when you're lacking inspiration. This is mine - what's yours?

Shop the Look: 

New Rules

Why I Took A Break From Blogging

Hello, to anyone that might be reading this. It's been a long while since I dedicated any real time to this blog, so I'm not sure how many of you have stuck around. It's nice to be back! For a while I wasn't sure whether I'd ever really make it back on here, but at long last I've decided to give it another go. A lot has happened over the past year or so that has meant I've been pretty quiet on my blog and if I'm totally honest, up until the past month I haven't missed writing on here. 

Guess Who's Back? (Back Again)

Hitting Reset

Salt and Pepper

Glitter Ball

Nineteen!

Topshop's Chiffon

Hourglass

The Cool Toned Mani

Two More Sleeps!

Christmas is getting seriously close! I was sorting through my wardrobe and managed to put together the most cliched christmas outfit ever. Yes, it's got the christmas sweater, some velvet and a hat and I don't have an ounce of shame. I might make it through the morning but let's all be honest, by the afternoon I'll be back in my pyjamas! 

Merry Christmas every one, and have a christmas cocktail on me! (Cosmos are my favourite, if you were wondering...) Look out for a round up of 2014 this time next week! I'm still in complete denial that the year is nearly over.

New Uniform

Wearing: Coat - Topshop, Tee, Jeans and Slip Ons - Primark, 

You might have noticed that my last post was a whole twenty days ago, and I feel like every time I write a blog post it starts with the famous words "Sorry I've been away, but I'm back now!" All I can say is thank you for sticking with me on this one, people. I still love this blog more than ever, but it seems that there aren't enough hours in the day to work, eat, blog and watch countless episodes of Gossip Girl when I should be sleeping. 

University has meant two things have happened. 1) Primark is my most visited shop and 2) I feel like I constantly wear the same outfits, this being one of them. Does anyone else agree with me in thinking that wearing a uniform was so much easier? I guess this is my new uniform - black skinnies, pumps and a tee. Super boring, but super comfy. You gotta get your priorities right! 

Mid-Month Favourites

I'm just going to put my hands up and say that I haven't blogged in forever because university life has been hectic. Writing and shooting outfits is something that I love to do and it sucks that I haven't been able to. But, I've just handed in my first assignment and my the outfits should hopefully be back soon. For now here's what I've been loving recently.

1) Phone Case, Primark- This is the cutest thing I've ever seen. It was super cheap and cheerful and I was seriously needing to update my phone case situation!

2) Carmex- After my favourite chapstick went walkies I picked this one up at the Supermarket. It works like nothing else and I love the packaging.

3) Rainy Day Nail Polish, Topshop- blue toned greys are a new favourite nail polish shade. It goes with everything and the Topshop nail polish is so long lasting!

4) Vixen Nail Polish, Revlon- the brush on this baby ain't so great, but the colour is! This was doing the rounds on all the blogs last year but I held off because last winter was all about Essie's Luxedo for me.

5) Alarm Clock, M&S- I tried to bring as many little reminders of home when I moved into university. Being surrounded by familiar little trinkets has made my room feel so much more like my room, if that makes sense. 

How has October been for you so far? All I can think about right now is Halloween and playing dress-up. Did someone say Wednesday Addams? Watch this space! x

Stolen Dance

Heels and jeans are my favourite thing at the minute. Not that I have many places to wear them, but that's besides the point. We've gotta dress up every now and then, right? Even if we spend the day sat around the house doing nothing much but watching Gossip Girl... Yep, it was one of those days. 

Notable mention goes to the song I've got on repeat right now- Stolen Dance - Milky Chance. There's also a certain Ariana Grande song that I can't stop playing (I've listened to it at least four times whilst editing this post together...) Recently I've been trying to update my iPod, so let me know what your favourite songs have been lately and I'll have a listen.

Backpackin'

It used to be that I would much rather piece together an outfit for the colder months - even though I would probably go for jeans and ankle boots every time. I thought I would actually make a concerted effort to re-inject my summer wardrobe this year though, and so far I'm actually enjoying dressing for warmer days. You might have noticed that ripped jeans have been making an appearance and it's safe to say they're favourites in my re-vamped wardrobe. You'll be seeing more of these babies soon. 

My summer officially starts tomorrow, with prom. I'm going to do my best to get some photos for you and edit a post together super quick before I fly to Corfu on Friday, so check back on Sunday for that post! This past week has called for some serious organisation, and because I'm going to be away from the internet for two weeks (gasps) I hope all my blog scheduling goes smoothly. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, and have a lovely Wednesday! 

Distressed Up

Finally, I'm back from my blogging hiatus. There were two reasons- the first one being exams (which we'll come back to later) and the second one being- I had no idea what to write with this post. Most of the time there's something interesting to update you on but recently it wouldn't be an understatement to sat that there's been nothing interesting in my life. 

But hopefully that's going to change any minute now because I can finally say that my A Level exams are completely over. *Fist pumps*

I'm taking some time to celebrate this weekend, but then I'll be straight back into creating content for this blog. I feel like it's been pretty neglected over the past few months so I can't wait to start spending more time on it. Let me know if there are any posts you would be interested in seeing! I might even give my YouTube channel some attention too, so let me know what you would like to see anything on there. Did someone say "Room Tour"? It's just an idea I'm putting out there, so let me know if you're interested! 

May Favourites

Over the past few months I've fallen out of love with writing favourites posts. Some months there are just no inspiring finds to write about. May has brought me a few new loves though, so carry on reading for the details on things that I couldn't get enough of. 

Nike Free 3.0 Running Shoes- I could ramble on about these shoes till the cows come home because I don't think I've ever worn a trainer that looked so darn cool. Check back on Friday for a full blown ode to these, and a new vest top that make up my new gym kit. 

D-Frame Sunglasses, Warehouse- On the rare occasion that the Sun has been out this month I've been reaching towards these. They have a classic, universally flattering shape and I love tortoiseshell shades, they're a little less harsh than jet black sunnies. 

Exposed, Topshop-  My last post gave an in-depth analysis of this nail polish but the general consensus is, even if it's a pesky three coat polish, I love it. The colour is a muted, off-white grey and super pretty. 

Sarah Chapman Overnight Exfoliating Booster- I've nearly come to the end of this little sample and it breaks my heart just a little bit. I'm rubbish with the scientific stuff but all I know is it works- my skin never feels smoother and fresher than when I use this. It helps get rid of the dry patches around my forehead and I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do when it runs out. It's a great product to have in your evening routine, if it's not too pricey for your purse. 

Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss, Cashmere Rose- I held out on buying this for such a long time because lip gloss was always something I associated with my first forays into makeup, and hair getting stuck to my lips. Not a good look, but I think we've all been there. This lip gloss has filled the little void in my collection though, because now I actually own a lipgloss, and I've yet to relive the hair + mouth situ. Score.

Tan Leather Buckle Sandals, New Look- The holiday shopping has begun and I was in need of some new sandals. New Look always do the best shoes and these are a 10 on comfort factor. The white cleated sole makes them a little bit different, and they were a steal considering they're real leather. We know what I'll be wearing this month...

So there you have it. Another month done and dusted! Let me know what you've been loving this past month too, I would love to hear! Happy June, everyone. 

NOTD: Exposed, Topshop

After a few weeks of bare nails, it was time to try out a new polish. Queue Exposed by Topshop. Ever since I saw Master Plan by Essie I've been wanting a pale, off white grey so I picked this one up on my last trip to Topshop because I have no will power in that shop when it comes to their nail polish stand. The shade is everything I wanted, although slightly paler than Master Plan- you probably know that I'm not all that into bright shades on my tips and this is so muted and pretty. Now here comes the kinda bad news. I know I'm usually safe with the Topshop formula but this polish was so streaky that I needed three coats. That's something that I usually reserve for a shade as pale as Ballet Slippers, but if you're willing to put the effort in the final result will be super smooth and shiny. I'm willing to overlook this little hiccup because I'll get lots of wear out of this little babe all throughout the year. 

I hope you all enjoyed yet another long weekend? I spent my weekend at work from a ridiculously early time on Saturday, before spending some time with friends, and revising in between. I can't wait until these exams are all done so I can just enjoy summer, although I'll undoubtedly be worrying about my results until August 14th comes around.