Category Archives: life stuff

The Basics

14th January 2015
Normally I love getting dressed up and a few years ago I wouldn’t have been seen in jeans, let alone leggings! These days though I find myself looking for any excuse to pop on something 100% comfortable, and what better excuse than the weekend? I’m not sure if this outfit toes the line of how short it’s socially acceptable for a top to be when worn with leggings, but it’s too late now!

Top: New Look | Leggings: New Look (similar) | Boots c/o Duo (Somerset style)

My Duo boots have been an absolute saviour this Winter. Given that I walk the majority of places and it’s really quite cold and wet out most of the time they have done an excellent job at keeping my feet both warm AND dry which is quite something. This outfit was worn for brief trip in to Broadmead to browse the sales with Mum- I’ve been really restrained this year picking up only a couple of things in Primark and a cheeky beauty purchase from Harvey Nichols where I was far too excited to find the Choupette for Shu Uemura range in the sale!
To be honest I’ve otherwise ignored the sales this year, I can’t really afford to splurge and there wasn’t anything I had seen full price that I was hoping would get reduced- with the exception of a couple of shops that is…and for those I’ll continue to live vicariously through others!
Have you picked up any sales bargains this year?

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On Setting Goals

09th January 2015
So here we are, somehow 9 days in to 2015 already and I’m yet to post my resolutions for the year; something I had intended to do days ago. It’s taken me up until now to realise that for me, I’m actually better off not setting resolutions- things that seem like a good idea as the year ends but soon transpire in to a list of resentment that does more harm that good. Anyone who knows me will say I am my own worst enemy and I set standards for myself high- time after time I’ve set a goal or made a resolution and inevitably failed. Some people might be able to shrug their shoulders and move on, but I can’t and having spent 2014 learning to appreciate myself a bit more, I want to start 2015 in the most positive way possible, with no targets to reach.
That’s not to say there aren’t things I’d like to achieve over the course of the year, or I’m giving myself free reign to indulge in bad habits, not at all! I’m just giving myself a blank canvas, to see what happens day upon day and deal with it in a way that I see fit.

Some people thrive with a list of goals set out in front of them and this gives them the drive to achieve those goals, I’m not one of those people. I get stressed at the sight of a list that says “eat better, stop smoking and save money” and whilst pressuring myself to do these things all at once, to the extreme I end up getting myself ill, irritable and burning out too soon. Up until last year I didn’t really accept that I wasn’t a goals person, but the second I let go of that “I must or I’ve failed” mentality I started to achieve more.

I know I’m not alone in this, and neither are those that do set themselves a resolution or six to stick to,
I’d love to know your stance on this and how you plan to deal with the year ahead.

I spent 2014 learning how to finally live my life how I want to live it and I’m excited to see where 2015 takes me…no pressure.

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With a Smile on your Face

07th January 2015
Oh January, a month where inevitably my spirits drop just a little and I basically just want to hibernate until the month passes. I’m getting better at finding ways to counteract this though- seeking out a good book, wearing clothes that make me feel good and making plans for the months ahead. This outfit was what I wore on one of the days where I was feeling slightly blue- it might even have been Boxing Day…my solution? A vintage kilt and a good old dose of Frozen, curled up on the sofa with Mum!

Jumper: Primark | Skirt: ebay | Shoes: Topshop | Hair Bow: Crown and Glory | Necklace c/o Henryka

I never seem to get very lucky on ebay, I think I lack the patience to find the real bargains and always forget to bid on watched items at the last minute. I did manage to strike gold with this skirt a couple of years ago though, having gone through an intense craving for a proper kilt I stalked and stalked one evening until I secured this one at £11.99 including postage. It’s a dream, proper thick, quality wool and the perfect fit- I don’t wear it nearly often enough.
Tell me your secrets to staying cheerful in what must be the most depressing month of the year- as someone who is prone to bouts of low mood it can be a struggle from time to time, but making plans and taking time out for myself always helps.

Also share your ebay secrets, I’m sure I’m missing out on so many good things!

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Farewell to the Festive Season

05th January 2015
The decorations are down, the chocolates have long ago been eaten and today is the day where most of us will return to normal after the crazy, hazy couple of weeks that Christmas brings. I’m a little sad to see it all go to be honest, despite an up and down love of the season…there’s something so magical about the anticipation building throughout December, and the New Year is a bit of an anti-climax. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2015 and I do have a final set of Christmas jumper photos to share so it’s not all bad!

Jumper: Topshop (at least three years ago) | Skirt: Primark | Boots c/o Ikrush

I remember feeling a huge amount of guilt over spending £42 on this jumper from Topshop a few winters ago. That guilt has long since diminished as out of my Christmas jumper collection this is hands down the most worn and most loved and it’s the kind of jumper that actually gets better with age. Plus it’s a penguin, in a santa hat…I needed it! I wore this outfit for work on Christmas Eve which now feels like a lifetime ago. The skirt was £3 in Primark last January and it’s been hanging up waiting to be worn ever since I bought it home. I was clearly swayed by the sequins and bargain price tag- it was originally £14…now I’ve taken the plunge and worn it I fully intend to wear it as often as possible, it’s never the wrong time of day/month/year for sequins!
I hope everyone had a truly wonderful Festive season. Mine really was lovely, spent with family and friends, with my trust buddy Mae to keep me entertained- there’s never a dull moment when she’s around even if it does sometimes involve live mice being chucked in to the house!
I’m still finalising my goals for the year ago- goals, not resolutions. I have a head swimming with thoughts but have yet been able to translate them on to a written page. Watch this space- and do share yours below, inspiration welcome!

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and so it goes

31st December 2014
I’m not sure what I can say about 2014 to be quite honest, it hasn’t been the most eventful of years for me, which after a somewhat chaotic run of things since 2009 was quite a welcome relief. It’s been one of those years where I feel like I’ve developed as a person, without drama forcing me to be someone who I’m really not. I started the year in January (as we all do) feeling a little bit apprehensive about what lay ahead and I’ve ended it, tonight, feeling like I’ve got to know myself a whole lot better- and more importantly I like myself and the person I was always meant to be.
I suppose the most major milestone for the year was reaching a healthy weight voluntarily for the first time in my adult life. Now, I don’t profess to be fully recovered from the anorexia that has haunted me for the last 12 years but I have a handle on it and I’m the one in control. I eat well, I enjoy food and no longer fear every mouthful, my weight does go up and down like a yo-yo but that’s just life and I’m aware now of when it’s becoming a problem and seek to address it rather than bury my head in the sand. I’m living my life how I want to, not how mental illness wants me to.

Another big thing for me is finally getting back behind the wheel. For those who don’t know, I began learning to drive when I was 17 (and what a mistake that was!) After five failed tests I admitted defeat and took an extended break, one that lasted ten whole years, oops! I’m now nearing taking my test again- and I don’t think it’d be cheating to write off my previous experience, right?

It was a good year for family things- spending quality time with those who mean the most to me and taking time out of life to see them. Spending a weekend up in Birmingham just a few weeks ago was a highlight, quality time with my Aunt and Cousins and getting to know my Aunt’s three foster girls- as well as watching in amazement at little Noah, my elder cousins boy as he transforms from a baby to a walking, talking and really very cheeky toddler.
The year has had it’s challenges- back surgery and being so busy that sometimes I just want to run away from it all just about touches the surface of that, but work wise I feel like I’ve developed hugely and now work two jobs in very different roles and wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m pleased to report my back issues seem to have resolved too and all I have left to show for them is a neat little scar. Ben landed himself an awesome full time job too, I couldn’t be a prouder girlfriend!
It wouldn’t be a recap without mentioning the blogging highlights of the year for me- compared to some they may be small but I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing brands and make new friends within the Bristol blogging community thanks to the birth of #BlogClub- social anxieties now mostly squashed I look forward to a lot more of that in 2015!
For someone who thought they didn’t have a lot to say about the year, I seem to have written a lot. Link me up to your posts about the year gone by as I love to read how everyone feels about what the last twelve months means to them.
Finally, thank you- to everyone who reads this blog and/or supports me in everything I do. Mum, Dad, Grandad, Benjamin and Trudi I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done and continue to do…and to all my blogging friends, I’m sorry I’ve been a little absent of late, I plan to catch up with each and every one of you soon.

Have fun if you’re out celebrating tonight, enjoy it and don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on 2014 and how it’s shaped you to deal with whatever 2015 throws your way!

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