5 Ways To Get Excited About The Future*

16th March 2020

From time to time, the future can freak you out. When you’re a planner, you may be someone that has all of these great ideas for what the future looks like. Maybe you have always known what you wanted to achieve and you’re very much on track to do that. Or maybe you feel a little lost and you have no idea where you’re headed? Or maybe you’re doubting yourself and the future is starting to scare you a little? That’s only natural. The future can be really scary – especially when you have no idea what’s in store for you. So let’s take a look at some of the ways you can start to get excited about the future.

Plan A Trip

To start with, maybe you should plan a trip? Maybe you can’t go right away and that’s fine – but it could be that you really want to think about putting something in place. That way, you have something to look forward to – no matter how far in the future it may be.

Change Your Career

If you know that you’re tired at work, maybe it’s time to do something about that? We all go through slumps at work – that’s for sure. But if yours has lasted for some time now, it’s time to look into new job opportunities. You’ll want to think about what you really love to do and what kind of career will be most suited to you. Then, start working for it.

https://unsplash.com/photos/PGnqT0rXWLs

Invest In Something New

Something that could be super fun for you is the idea of saving up for something that you really want. When you don’t really have anything in the future to look forward to or work on, it can seem really soul destroying. But when you know that you’re saving up for a car, with or without Direct Car Credit, or what you’re investing in new clothes, it can help. Just treating yourself to something new can really help to lift your spirits.

Work On Your Body

The next thing that you’ll want to think about here, is working on how you feel in yourself. If you know that you’ve been feeling lethargic lately, then it’s always a good idea to aim for health. Trying to build a better body or exercise more and eat right is always going to be a good idea for you. So make this a priority and give yourself something to work for.

Take Care Of Your Mind

Finally, something that you’re going to find really helps you, is for you to work on your mind. It’s not always that easy for you to do when there’s uncertainty in the air. However, when you know that you are working on your mind and you are proactively taking a look at your wellness, it helps. No matter what you’re looking forward to in the future, having a clearer mind and feeling good about yourself can help you to get there.

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Degustabox February 2020*

09th March 2020

Box gifted by Degustabox
This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.

The February edition of Degustabox had the theme of “Easter is Coming”, and whilst it wasn’t packed full of Easter treats, there was a great balance of products that landed this box firmly within my top five boxes to date. I’m a bit later in the month writing my post this time, which means I’ve had more chance to give everything a good tasting, so read on for my thoughts.

The one product I didn’t love was this Lost Coast Fruit Spritzer with Apple Cider Vinegar. I tried it, I didn’t hate it, but this kind of drink just isn’t for me. Subscribers will get one of three flavours in their box.

Mug shots are a hot favourite in my office when it comes to quick and convenient lunches. I really rate this high protein roast chicken pasta, both for it’s flavour and nutritional benefits as well as for it’s self contained packaging. Come lunch time you can never find a mug in the communal kitchen so having something like this is ideal. £1.29 from Tesco and Asda.

Bob and I love our slow cooker and these little pots packed with flavour are perfect for creating something tasty. Each pack has one meat and one veggie recipe with them and require very little prep. We haven’t tried these yet, we can’t decide which to do, but we’re excited to create something delicious. Subscribers will get one of the two flavours in their box and these sell for £1.99 at Tesco.

Inside this month’s box was a voucher to pick up a Shaken Udder milkshake. Every subscriber will find one of these fully redeemable vouchers in their box (as chilled products can’t be safely sent) and let me tell you, you’re in for a treat. With six flavours to choose from it’ll be tough to pick…Bob and I went vanilla which was anything but boring. Highly recommend. Widely available for £1.40 at supermarkets.

Jacked is a new brand to me and one that certainly made an impression. The Ndizi banana chunks were amazing…as for the Jackfruit, well I had NO idea what to expect from dried Jackfruit and I still don’t fully understand it. It’s reminiscent of mango and oddly addictive to eat. Subscribers will get Jackfruit only, and if you’re curious to try it you can find it for £1.89 from Whole Foods and John Lewis.

I’m a child at heart and spaghetti shapes on toast is one of my favourite weekend lunches. These little tins from Heinz have no added sugar but don’t compromise on taste. Subscribers will get two cans in their box and they are available for around 55p a tin from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado.

I’m not sure what mustard has to do with anything but hey, I like mustard and I really like this punch Dijon from Grey Poupon. Perfect for a sandwich, or wherever you want to add it, you’ll find this at Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado, M&S and Boots for around £1.50.

Easter chocolate, yay! I love these new KitKat Easter Bunnies. I love KitKats so much and these are a great addition to the seasonal lineup. Chunky chocolate with wafer pieces- these almost remind me of winning the KitKat lottery and finding a solid chocolate finger. 65p each from all major supermarkets.

There are so many amazing sounding vegan treats on the market these days, and these Livia’s Million Squares have been catching my eye for a while. Whilst you can tell these aren’t a traditional Millionaires Slice they are delicious, thick, gooey and indulgent whilst being fully vegan, gluten and dairy free! £1.50 per pack from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Ocado, Waitrose, Holland and Barrett to name but a few.

Another vegan and gluten free treat in this month’s box were these cocoa oat flapjacks from Trek. This brand has been a mainstay in my life for years now and I genuinely love everything they do. This is their top selling flavour in the protein flapjack range (although not my personal favourite). Well worth checking out for a substantial but healthier snack. £2.50 for three bars at major supermarket chains.

Dark chocolate roasted chickpeas with coconut? I don’t know how or why this works, but it does! These truly have to be tasted to be believed and you’ll find them in Asda or on Amazon for around £1.25 a bag- seriously, oddly great.

Last but by no means least comes the new vegan chocolate range from Galaxy. Subscribers will get one of the three flavours in their box. I really liked this, although be under no illusions that this tastes like ordinary galaxy. It’s still smooth and creamy in it’s own way, and a great addition to the vegan snack market. My favourite was the caramelised hazelnut- my only complaint is the price at £3 per bar. Available at Tesco, Ocado and Amazon.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments.

If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £5.00 off of your first box (making it just £7.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

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SS20 Swimwear from Protest*

03rd March 2020

I’m not an avid swimmer (actually, I’m just flat out not much of a swimmer at all), and I have no beach holidays booked in and yet every year as soon as the swimwear campaigns start finding their way on to the high street I am inexplicably compelled to browse them all, compiling massive wish lists of bikinis and swimsuits that I’d never get the wear from; either through lack of confidence or lack of plans.

Most recently I’ve come across the brand Protest and their SS20 collection of swim and sportswear. A brand founded in Holland, they design functional yet stylish pieces that balance practicality with innovation. I’m smitten with so much of the collection, and unlike many of the high street brands, I can actually envisage myself wearing a lot of their bikinis as they seem to be cut more for activity than simply laying horizontal on a sun lounger (i.e. they look to cover a bit more than the absolute bare essentials!)

My favourite bikini style is the triangle bikini as I find it the most flattering on my small chest. I do find them a little on the skimpy side but balanced out with some higher waisted briefs it’s my holiday go-to.
Protest all have a huge variety of push up bikinis too, for those wanting a bit more boost or support. Again, they look super flattering with higher rise bottoms and the prints and colours are gorgeous.

Of course men haven’t been neglected, the swim shorts selection is vast, with more prints than you can shake a stick at. I showed Bob the collection to see what he thought, and at last count there were at least five pairs he rather fancied for himself.

Protest is a new brand on my radar, but one that is most certainly staying put. I’ve heard rumour that my Mum and I might be booking a girly break to Spain later in the year, and having outgrown my current scant collection of swimwear I think investing in something good quality and confidence inspiring would be worthwhile.

If you’re tempted for yourself you can get 10% off purchases with the code daisychain10
This code is valid until June 30 2020.

Let me know if anything has caught your eye, and if you decide to treat yourself. I’ll make sure to share any purchases I make on the blog or on my social media.

*collaborative post*

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Gone but Never Forgotten

26th February 2020

Dress: The WhitePepper | Boots: ASOS (a couple of years ago)

There are some pieces in my wardrobe that 100% don’t get enough love; this outfit represents that. I was actually looking for something else entirely when I re-found these boots and remembered how little I wear them, and this dress is one of my favourite ever purchases from one of my favourite ever brands. I’m still not over the loss of The WhitePepper from the virtual high-street, never have I coveted so many pieces from one shop, and it’s loss has scarred me to the same level as the loss of Tammy Girl from my adolescent life.

This outfit, and the rediscovery of these boots also made me realise how much I neglect my clothing choices a lot of the time these days, and how I especially neglect my footwear choices.
I used to have a vast (under-statement) collection of shoes and I wore and loved them all. Then I broke my foot and injured my back, and whilst I can now stand in heels (walking in them is another matter) without causing extreme discomfort I have fallen in to the habit of flat ankle boots for work, and the same boots or trainers out of work.

Clothing choice wise I used to not be afraid to stand out. My work wear and out of work wear represented my personality far more than my current rotation of outfits does. I put a lot of this down to being older now, now I’m in to my thirties I have an idea that perhaps I should blend in a bit more, dress less like I’m in my early twenties. That an a chronic loss of confidence mean my work wardrobe revolves around five key pieces, and despite owning many outfits for all manner of occasions, out of work I mostly end up in the same baggy dresses or, when feeling especially brave, a pair of jeans.

Am I too old to dress as I used to? I probably am for some of the crazy shit I used to put together, but I would like to get back to not caring so much, for allowing myself to stand out a little more and to actually feel confident in what I’m wearing, rather than drab and like I’ve given in.

Which high-street brands do you miss the most?

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De-stressing with Scentered*

18th February 2020

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you that I’m prone to getting a little bit stressed out and worked up. Despite years of therapy I’m still not amazing at calming myself back down under pressure, so the offer of this de-stress aromatherapy balm from Scentered turned out to be a bit of a god-send.

Scentered is a new brand on my radar and one I wish I had discovered sooner. Based on using scent as a mental trigger to get to your desired mindset, using three basic principles:

Stop – Apply a balm directly to your wrist, neck and temples or light a Scentered candle to purposefully fill the room with mindful meaning.

Inhale – Raise your wrists or candle to your nose and deeply inhale, visualising the mind state you wish to achieve in this moment.

Reset – Exhale deeply as you step into the next moment of your daily journey

There are a range of fragrances available to help you with many aspects of life (there’s one for love, one to focus, one for sleep and so many more).
The de-stress balm is definitely the most appropriate for me right now- although sleep wouldn’t go amiss either!

The main question here is did it help? At first I wasn’t sure, but the more I used it the more I realised that the simple act of breathing in and out was making me relax, and as soon as I applied the balm to my wrist I could feel my stress start to dissolve.

I did worry the fragrance might be over-powering, but I needn’t have worried. This particular balm contains camomile, neroli and mandarin and I’ve come to crave it’s calming aroma.

These balms are ideal to keep in your handbag for when stressful situations strike. Scentered also offer candles, gift sets and bundles (get ahead for mother’s day and give the gift of calm!) making it super easy to create your own little ritual and inject a bit of self care and mindfulness in to your day.

The balm sticks cost £14.50 each (far cheaper than stress led impulse purchasing) and last for ages. This balm was gifted to me by the brand but all thoughts are my own.