Favourite Instagrammers #8

Hello again; another month, another love for Instagram. Anyone who has bothered to read this blog before will know how much I love Instagram. It's such an amazing way to find other bloggers and also learn more about photography. I've been following so many more people this month and I've been loving non themed feeds as they're so much more realistic and relatable to real life. I've definitely become more interested in fine art style photography during this month which is a surprise compared to some of the feeds I'd been loving during the past few months.

 

poppydeyes

Poppy is like mix of the girl next door or best friend that you never had; one of the reasons that I love her instagram feed is that it feels so personal even though the photography is insanely polished. There's a theme but it doesn't feel rigid like they usually do; the photographs are based on the seasons mixed with some personal style. I adore the way that Poppy dresses, it's so laid back but super stylish, which literally translates through her photographs so well!

 

callmeamye

I haven't been following Amy for long at all, but her feed is literally amazing; full of blogger worthy posts, such as skincare routines and homeware/lifestyle flatlays and hauls. There's an overall theme, but I like that it's not rigid; it's more about the photography and connecting with her personal life. I like the down to earth feel to her posts, which often include jokes and titbits that reflect her personality. Photographs of her current favourites, such as lipstick are great for discovering new products without having to read through blog upon blog.

 

bambi_xoxoxo

I recently followed Jessica on Instagram and instantly loved her feed, I felt like we have really similar tastes for example in books and skincare. I love her laid back but girly feed which is full of some lovely items of homeware, beauty and the most amazing stationary. I feel like her posts are really personal, which is nice. Basically her feed is cutesy without being in your face and I liked it instantly because it's so full of everyday objects like plates or necklaces that she makes look beautiful that I usually wouldn't even notice!

 

aclotheshorse

I absolutely adore Rebecca's instagram feed, I love how each photograph is so carefully planned to every last detail. Her photographic style is gorgeous and there is a theme of personal style, books, handiwork and adventures but it's not rigid. I discovered her feed during the autumn months and since then I've been literally obsessed with following her outfits, how she styles her hair and her accessories. Her series of outfit posts in the woodland areas of Northern Ireland are my favourites and I wish to visit Ireland one day now!

 

alwaysalicex 

I started following Jayd Alice towards the end of last month, I love her flatlays and mix of beauty, lifestyle and architecture. Every photograph is super polished but it's not a rigid theme, they're a good mix of different themes and that's what I'm really loving at the moment; it feels like real life and as though you're getting to know the person behind the photograph, not just some unattainable beauty. Plus she posts some delicious looking photos of food, which never fail to make me feel instantly hungry. Bonus!

 

Happy Things #7

 

1. Finally after working six days in row, I have a day off where I plan to relax and literally sit and recharge my batteries, ready for a new week ahead with a positive frame of mind.

2. I'm currently in the midst of rebuilding a close relationship with my best friend from sixth form, which is lovely as it's nice to remember the old times and reflect on how much we've changed and grown as people since we were seventeen.

3. Seeing my best friend for dinner this weekend which will be great. Having some weekends off is amazing as it gives me the opportunity to keep in touch and catch up with her as often as I can as she's a fantastic friend. She always manages to pick me up when I'm down.

4. I've reached a point where I'm comfortable with liking wearing make up and not wearing make up. Which is great as when I'd just started my new job I was super self conscious and therefore make up became like a form of confidence mask. Now I've realised how stupid that is; instead I'm wearing it only for myself and for the right reasons.

5. Sometimes it's ok not to be ok; not everyday, or week will be fantastic and I'm learning (very) slowly that is fine. Sometimes you have to ride a rollercoaster, even if it terrifies you.

 

February Playlist!

 

1. I Don't Wanna Live Forever - Zayn & Taylor Swift)

2. Text from Your Ex - Tinie Tempah (feat. Tinashe)

3. Want To Want Me - Jason Derulo

4. Touch - Little Mix

5. Payphone - Maroon 5 (feat. Wiz Khalifa)

6. My Song - Alessia Cara

7. Work From Home - Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

8. Photograph - Ed Sheeran 

9. Don't Wanna Know - Maroon 5 (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

10. Helium - Sia

 

Real Techniques Limited Edition Berlin

When I was younger I would always apply all kinds of make up using either my hands or the brushes that came included with products but as I got older I started using proper brushes and slowly began to work out the different uses of the brushes. About a year ago I discovered the Real Techniques brushes after seeing a range of YouTubers and bloggers recommending them. It started off with just the 'core collection' and then it grew from thereon. Most recently I've expanded my make up brush collected to include the new and limited edition version of brushes that the Chapman sisters have released.

 

This limited edition set of brushes comes with five brushes in an absolutely gorgeous pattern; black and white brush strokes with pink trims and matching black bristles with white ends. The brushes look stunning and also provide some usually lesser available options including a buffing brush, contour brush, stippling brush, deluxe crease brush and a base shadow brush. My favourite is definitely the deluxe crease brush as it creates the most insane highlight across the face. In all honesty all of these brushes have multiple uses and would work well with all skin types. My skin is very dry and sensitive and I don't find them harsh against the skin at all, the bristles feel very soft and fluffy. 

 

Below is a closer look as the brushes as a set outside of the original packaging; against the light backdrop you can really see how the brushes design really pops. These are definitely my new favourite set from the Real Techniques collection. The price point of £24.99 is actually incredible when you consider that for the price you receive five brushes when some of them cost roughly £10 individually; I've always found the Real Techniques brush sets are the best value as you get a lot for your money and they're great quality for the price point, too.

 

As a result of buying another set of brushes it was definitely time to invest in a make up bag just for brushes to use as both storage and also primarily for travelling as it's impossible to fit make up and brushes together in a bag as I have more brushes then I've shown in these pictures. I've had other sets of brushes for months now and I can definitely say that the quality is fantastic, they've lasted so well and look as good as new. I can't say for certain about the Berlin set just yet but I'm sure they'll be just as amazing. I've honestly never had any of the bristles fall out or become damaged either, which is great as these brushes are an investment piece for anyone.

 

It was seriously difficult to choose a make up bag that would work well for holding brushes and I finally settled on one from a brand that I truly love; the latest Cath Kidston collection is spectacularly gorgeous and I eventually settled on a beautiful pink and grey floral pattern in the new style cosmetic pouch which set me back £12. In my opinion it's worth every penny and it's a great statement piece with its rose gold detailing on the zip and edging. The new style also works really well for holding brushes and it is much, roomier than it looks which was a pleasant surprise as I ordered it from online so hadn't seen it beforehand. I'm really excited to use these brushes and the make up bag frequently in the coming months.

 

Happy Things #6

 

1. I've got back in touch with my closest friend I had in sixth form and I'm so glad that I've been making an effort to reform relationships and friendships that I had when I was younger. I'm not the same person and nor is she but that's fine, it's really nice to catch up and basically see where each of us in our lives.

2. My boyfriend made me the most amazing breakfast simply because I was having one of those days where you just feel like absolute shit, mentally and physically and I didn't appreciate it enough at the time, so here I am appreciating it now.

3. Feeling as though the new job is slowly beginning to make more sense and that I'm on the right track at last; it's hard to settle and get on board with new targets, new work mates and ultimately new responsibilities but it's finally feeling like everything is possible in time.

4. It feels like blogging is going well right now, I'm actually enjoying putting effort into posts and planning what kinds of posts I want to create, as well as being more consistent with posting regularly and making more decisions about whether a post is quality or not. At the moment I'm really proud of how my blog is coming along and can definitely see the improvements in my writing and photography since starting out.

5. I'm definitely eating more healthily and have far more energy than I've had for a while, due to sleeping much better. I'm now thinking about next steps and feeling more body positive than I've felt for years.

 

New month, new start

 

This year I'm feeling really focussed, which I'm achieving through seeing each month as an opportunity to achieve something and not simply looking at the overall year. I've come to the conclusion that this is the most effective way to achieve anything throughout the year, you have to remain focussed on a variety of things. During February there are several things that I'd like to concentrate on; February is a short month, so I've kept my plans fairly short and fairly realistic.

1. I'm planning to focus on my new job and really give it my full 100% as I want to improve as much as possible. It's a fantastic opportunity and one that I really, really don't want to waste. I'm definitely one of those people who learns something quickly but I struggle to be good at it and therefore I feel as though I have to constantly practice. 

2. I want to start planning out a new hobby, which is going to be scrapbooking. I have so many ideas and also so many photographs and memories to place inside it. Now that I'm working less I want to force myself to enjoy something and basically get out of bed and be more productive. As I already have 90% of the materials that I'll need I have no excuse not to start!

3. My boyfriend is a huge priority in my life and I feel like I don't appreciate the time we spend together enough; I work in the days now and he works in the night so I want to appreciate the time we spend together much more and hopefully get out of the house and enjoy the world more. Even if that means going to a park or a coffee shop, it'll be nice just to do something a bit special a couple of times a month.

4. I need to force myself to text some friends from university, from school... Even from my old workplace! I want to rekindle old relationships and really make an effort to keep my friendships as they were obviously formed for a reason so it's a shame not to keep them up. I really miss some people and that's something that I can make an effort to change.

 

Happy Things #4

 

1. Journeys to work with my iPod on and listening to music that will put me in a good mood for the start of the day. It's a small thing but it really helps me to simply breathe, relax and control my anxiety.

2. I've recently got back into reading more regularly, I'm enjoying the feeling of escaping from this world and into another, so to speak. I've rediscovered how much I like owning a kindle and have been using it much more than I had been previously.

3. Spending time with my boyfriend always makes me feel less anxious, he has a way of calming me down and keeping my mind on the more positive side of life. Having the glass half full is definitely better than having it half empty.

4. Seeing friends always puts a smile on face, especially when it reminds you about all of the important and good things that are going on in your life. My best friend always knows how to cheer me up and keep my mind on a good plane.

5. Having more free time, more time to spend with friends, family and my boyfriend and definitely much more time to focus on keeping up a positive frame of mind.

 

A Mini Haul #4

I always find that January is a bit of a depressing month, as in the days are slowly getting longer but it's still super chilly and I seem to be constantly with a cold or cough throughout the whole of it. On a positive note, January sales are usually fairly amazing but when you're not made of money and in the middle of changing jobs there limited spare money available to spend. I hadn't really been spending much money on make up for a while as I've actually been wearing a lot less as I've somehow reached a point where I'm reasonably ok with how I look, but this month after watching a lot of YouTube videos and reading various blog posts, I decided to invest in some pieces I'd been lusting after for a few months.

 

I bought two highlighter palettes from Sleek after a lot of consideration as I've got really, really fair skin so I was concerned that highlighters and contouring would look ridiculous on me. After watching some videos from sophdoesnails I was feeling a little more confident that it could work for me if I purchased the right shades. The two palettes that I bought were Midas Touch and Solstice costing only £9.99 each, which I felt was a bargain considering you get four different shades in each palette. I was pleasantly surprised by how pigmented and light the shades are in both of the palettes which is a massive bonus if your skin is as light as mine. Another nice feature is that the palettes have a magnetic closure which limits the risk of the palettes braking. I love these and am definitely going to be using these regularly but I'm struggling with applying them to suit my face at the moment, I guess practice makes perfect.

 

I'd been looking at eyeshadow palettes for several months and there are so many that I would absolutely love to own from Too Faced or Urban Decay but ultimately they're way out of my current budget and so I've been looking at similar palettes that would suit my budget far more, which is how I then settled on the L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Eyeshadow La Palette Nude Rose eyeshadow palette. Priced at £14.99, not only was it affordable but also very similar to shades available in the palettes I'd been lusting after previously. It's not as pigmented as I had hoped it would be, but the shades are very buildable and the range of warm pinks is lovely for any skin tone. The palette itself has a lovely big mirror too, which is great to use on the go or to top up make up throughout the day.

 

Ever since I bought London from the NYX soft matte lip cream collection I really loved the formula and how it felt on my lips, it wasn't drying at all and felt soft against the skin. I then bought three new shades that are each completely different but equally complementing to my skin tone. The three shades are Istanbul, Amsterdam and San Paulo. I'm literally in love with these liquid lipsticks and there are several more shades that I'd love to have in the coming months if my budget allows. For the moment I decided to invest in a nude shade, a pale pink shade, a vibrant red and a darker pink shade so that I have a shade to suit all looks and occasions. London is definitely still my favourite, but San Paulo is coming in a close second. 

 

I swatched each of the lipsticks on the back of my hand in the order (from the top) Amsterdam, San Paulo, Istanbul and London. With hindsight I wish that I'd made the swatches a little thicker as they're quite small so it's hard to see the shades. Unfortunately I have the kind of skin that is so pale that it goes pink when it's cold which is why my hand looks darker than what I've been describing my skin tone as. I really like the creaminess of these lipsticks and would recommend anyone to try these aas for £5 they're definitely priced very competitively and suit more or less all budgets. So this haul, however small has been great as a pick me up during a pretty rubbish month and I've definitely invested in a range of staple make up pieces for the next few months.

 

Anxiety Struggles

 

Having started a new job literally last week, I've once again found that my anxiety has gone sky high again. Nothing can prepare you for the insane feelings of loneliness that you will inevitably feel. What I've struggled with the most is not only the dreaded feelings of loneliness, but also with feeling useless and therefore like I have no clue what I'm doing. However, what I've found the hardest is letting go; not knowing what I actually am supposed to be doing, or having any kind of control over anything. This probably sounds a bit pathetic, but after being in my last job for five years, I knew more or less everything that was expected of me and how to do it. Whereas now I feel as though I need more help, more direction; I'm not used to feeling like I need to be told what to do constantly, I'm used to simply knowing what to do.

The worst thing about changing jobs is the lack of confidence that I'm currently experiencing; I feel like I need everyone to like me, everyone to constantly give me advice or tell me that I'm doing ok. Pathetic as it is, I'm deeply insecure right now. I'm literally scrutinising myself so much right now, my weight, my height, my physical looks and my mental capacity. I hate admitting this, but I'm struggling right now, which is really stressful as just a few weeks ago I had been taking great steps to realise that I was doing better, I felt a huge amount of positivity headed my way. However, I guess with huge bouts of positivity, it makes sense that negativity follows that as not every day can be a good day, just as not every day can be a bad day.

I guess I'm learning that the good days and the bad days are all valuable lessons; realistically life isn't as simple as always being up or always being down, you have to work for your luck. Yes life is difficult right now, but in a few weeks time I'm sure I'll be much better again. At the moment I'm adjusting to having a new job, a new schedule and potentially a new life. I really miss my friends, my old job (something that I would never have dreamed would be true) as I was in a comfortable state. Although what's keeping me going and pushing through with my new job is that I can't stay the same forever, I need to change, I need to encourage myself to reshape, relearn and reassess myself. I want to push myself to better myself, as difficult as it feels. Living with anxiety is so incredibly hard, but whenever you manage to pull through, you feel so good for it. So yes, it's hard right now but in a month or so, I'll be proud of myself for surviving this rough patch. Because I am a survivor.

 

Happy Things #3

 

1. My boyfriend bought me a bouquet of flowers and I have no idea why, but it cheered me up when I realised I hadn't missed any kind of special event; plus they look beautiful. Unexpected treats are always a good thing.

2. I'll be seeing my best friend at the weekend for some kind of catch up and/or late birthday celebration which will definitely involve some kind of eating out and enjoying each other's company.

3. Second week my new job, time to keep up the positive thoughts and try and keep learning as much as I can, as soon as I can. I'm very aware that I'm the new person and I don't enjoy feeling like I need to understand everything more. Time is the teacher and the healer, I can do this. First week was good, second will be better.

4. This weekend I'm off on both days, for the first time in what feels like forever; I'm not used to having so much time to think! This weekend I'm planning to actually get out of the house and I'm looking forward to going a local jewellery market with my mama, fingers crossed I'll find some unexpected items for great prices.

5. I'm thinking about getting a new piercing, I'm enjoying looking at the different choices and am excited to make a decision. Piercings always remind me of rebellious university days and I love it.

 

Favourite Blogs! #6

One of the things that I genuinely enjoy about each month is discovering more of the blogging world and learning more about what kind of content I like to read and hope to write myself one day. It feels like every month is a learning curve in terms of blogging (I'm still a relatively new blogger) and so finding new blogs to read is a fantastic way to find inspiration and also gives me a bit of a focus, a want to keep going. This month I've been loving the five blogs listed below and I'm looking forward to reading more of their posts in the next few months.

 

http://www.icecreamandclara.co.uk/

This is one of the blogs that I found incredibly recently and I really love its pink, pastel romantic feel. It's definitely a girly blog with a massive love of pink, to the point that even the suggested buys or hauls are all pink items. I like the mix of hauls, baking, fashion and beauty items. The majority of the posts are beauty reviews of new or recently discovered products, mostly in pink. One of the most interesting things about her posts is that they're very simple with stunning photography that includes little snippets of her personal life, such as her son or her must have beauty items of the moment. You start to feel a closeness through the internet with people, which is strange but nice.

 

http://www.mojichlo.uk/

Mostly a lifestyle blogger, you can see Chloe's creative and media influences throughout her blog. As she is a media graduate, you can see the more creative side of her through her photography. It's also nice to see how she embraces where she lives and make a guide to things to see in Bristol for readers who have been asking where the best places are to visit. However what I liked the most was the more honest posts, on fairly unusual topics like the contraceptive pill or why she doesn't like growing up and getting older. It's nice to read real life experiences and not just sponsored posts, you feel a kind of relationship with the writer.

 

http://www.copper-garden.co.uk/

Jessica's blog is definitely very established and has a wide range of posts to suit a variety of different audiences; one of the best things about her blog is that she posts regularly so there's always something new to see or read. More recently she's started posting a lot about fitness, which I'm liking as I'm hoping to force myself into fitness a little more this year. However, on the whole her posts are very fashion based, with references to styling, current trends and how to tailor clothing to specific shapes. All of these are interesting, but my favourite posts are the most lifestyle related posts, I just seem to like seeing how other people enjoy their lives.

 

http://www.bethanlikes.com/

I found Bethan's blog fairly recently and liked it almost instantly, it's nice to see someone who likes a lot of things be passionate about all her different interests. I enjoy reading her posts about books she's read  and what kinds of books she plans to read. Her photography is very simple and subtle but works well against the layout of her blog which is also fairly simple but effective. I particularly liked her blogmas posts of Christmas markets and decorations as well as a theme of 'Sunday posts' which I really like the idea of rounding up a good or bad week in one post; each month she writes a post about what she's looking forward to that month which seems like a great way to stay both positive and focussed.

 

http://www.hollylovesthesimplethings.co.uk/

Holly is a perfect example of a young fashionista whose blog has formed a career; working as a model she's got a very lovely ethereal beauty that matches well with her simplistic yet sophisticated blog. She often posts about fashion or what shoots she's done recently, which is interesting to see and the quality of the photographs are obviously fantastic. She's naturally loved by the camera, but equally seems totally passionate about what she posts on her blog and what she wears and how she styles herself. However, what's also great is that she talks about serious issues too, such as mental health issues which raises awareness to younger teens and or those her age too.

 

A Mini Haul #2 // POSITIVITY

So, after having a rough year and generally feeling like both my mental health and confidence had hit rock bottom, I surprised myself by somehow getting a push to apply for another job. After saying for months that I want to overhaul my life, I suppose you could say that I was finally taking the steps to do so. In all honesty, it was a shock to even get an interview date as I'd applied for similar posts at the same place on and off for the past seven years. I don't know why I expected this time to be any different. I don't think I've been so nervous in my life, the amount that I wanted to get this job was so fierce that I found confidence from somewhere and I did my absolute best.

I'm completely ecstatic to say that the push that I received from those around me, my family, my boyfriend and friends paid off; I GOT THE JOB. Over the course of the past few months I have finally started to realise that you need to make your own path in life and you can be the master of your own luck. I would never have gotten it a few months ago, finding a more positive vibe has made such a difference to every aspect of my life. No I'm not recovered and I doubt I ever fully will be, but I'm in recovery and I've learnt to accept that there is nothing wrong with that. I just need to adapt to my own needs.

 

As a result of having a good start to the end of this year, I decided that no matter how poor I am, it was high time for a little treat. You'll know from one of my previous posts how much I love perfumes, so I only went and purchased Mademoiselle Ricci L'eau by Nina Ricci; yes, it was the 30ml bottle but for the price it was worth every penny and I love it. Costing £14.50, it was the perfect treat for finally starting to get properly better and get a new job. Smelling of rose, jasmine, peony, litchi, cedar and musk it's a light but very pretty scent and for the price I paid, so worth it. It doesn't last massively long, but the bottle is very pretty with a pale pink base bottle closed off by a pink ribbon around the spritzer.

 

I've also had my eyes on the limited edition Marc Jacobs Daisy Blush and I don't know what better time could be the excuse to have a splurge! I'd been lusting after this perfume ever since I saw the advertisements in the newspapers, magazines and on billboards. It was fairly expensive at £45 for the 50ml bottle but I really do like how the bottle looks with the pink glass topped by three differing shades of pink rubber flowers that lies on top of the spritzer. The gold accents are very cute as well. Smelling of water lily, pear, lily of the valley, mimosa, honeysuckle, musk and wood it's a very floral scent, and quite light on the skin. I love the smell, but I wish the smell would hold for longer. I have to reapply its prettiness if I want it to last more than an hour or so, which I think is a bit disappointing for the price. Regardless of that, it was exciting to treat myself and now I'm looking forward to hai. A good few months. At moment, life is on the up. I'm hoping that it stays there :)

A/W16 Must Haves!

 

Autumn and Winter is definitely a time for blanket scarves, parkas and boots for me. At the moment it's incredibly cold and almost constantly raining in the UK, to the point that it feels so difficult to make an effort to go out and look like you feel nice. During the winter months, I personally prefer to stay comfortable and as warm as possible, as opposed to looking amazingly stylish. That said, I'm never the most stylish person you'll ever see or meet out and about. I also tend to to stick to more neutral toned clothing when it's cold and overcast, wearing creams, greys, blacks and khaki greens.

This winter I've definitely found a range of places that fit into the comfortable and warm ideal of clothing. H&M have got lovely and toasty fleece leggings in a variety of colours; I bought black and grey, obviously haha. They're such a staple item, they go with literally everything and were so cheap at £7.99! (Buy here) However, I also love jeans from H&M; I'm very short, at just about 5ft tall so it's great that I can buy wider and shorter jeans as I'm a good size 12-14 by find that their jeans in size 12 are really comfy for me. I like the distressed black of these, and they're a bargain at £14.99, too. (Buy here). Alongside jeans and leggings, I also love a good chunky knits to layer underneath a coat to really keep me warm. I love cream or white jumpers to constrast with black or grey that have cable knits. (Buy here)

Moving on to outerwear, when it starts to get really cold I always forget about looking after my feet. I have naturally really dry skin that needs so much TLC it's a joke... the majority of my creams are for my feet. However, until recently I never really connected the cold weather with why the skin in my feet is so much more painful in the winter months (I'm so clever, obviously). As a result of this realisation, I decided to invest in some ugg boots. (Buy here) no exaggeration, they are so incredibly comfortable and I honestly have noticed such a difference not only in my skin, but also in the fact that I feel so much more warm in general now. I would recommend buying these to anyone, I love them!

 

That said, if I want more of a shoe that fits all outfits then I'll always go for a classic Chelsea boot. ASOS have some amazing options at the moment in different styles, shapes and colours. (Buy here) I have so many pairs in different colours, to the extent that even my boyfriend was saying I basically wear the same shoe all the time! But they're so comfortable and perfect for the autumn and winter months when you need a bit more protection on your feet. I like to wear them with chunky socks to make sure my feet keep warm as well as dry; at the moment I'm loving the Zoella lifestyle gift set (buy here) because I like the softness of the socks as well as the fact they're grey so with everything. Plus you get a nice candle which smells so nice and freshens up any room, too. I also have a bad habit of always buying a new scarf every year, to the point that I have literally such a collection now. My favourite one is actually from Hollister (buy here) and it's so soft and so warm and thick, it's perfect for the cold weather. I love blanket scarves because you can use the, in multiple ways; as a scarf or as a blanket and you just feel so wrapped up and ready for the cold.

Finally, I like to pair all of the above with a nice warm coat, and my preferred coat of choice is a parka (buy here) because a Sherpa lining and a thick hood are the perfect combinations to protect yourself against the cold weather. I also love how many pockets parkas have, because I'm the kind of person to put so many things in pockets, like an iPod, headphones or Oyster card. I do feel the cold a lot, so I find that a parka keeps the warmth in my body, especially paired with a blanket scarf. Everyone needs a good handbag, and I have literally had the same bag for four years, a Longchamp bag. (Buy here) although it was fairly pricey at £70, it's definitely worth every penny. I use it all the time and it's never failed me, it holds so much stuff and is completely waterproof. Plus I feel like it looks minimal and nice; I always use the navy one as the colour goes with any outfit and is appropriate for any occasion. What are your must haves for this time of year?

Bonfire Night // Life Update

 

 

Hello again! November has been a fairly positive month for me, thus far; I had a weekend off for the first time in absolutely ages and took the opportunity to see the bonfire night (or 05/11?) fireworks next to the local funfair with my boyfriend. It's been so so bitterly cold recently, it's as though November arrived and so winter has suddenly appeared from nowhere... Not sure how I feel about this, I always feel really rough and under the weather when it's super cold. I suffer with stiff joints and the cold weather really doesn't help my bones.

The fireworks themselves were super pretty and worth the effort of walking through a million hills due to road closures. Plus, it was nice to do something other than work at the weekend, haha. For the first time in a long time I felt like making an effort and putting some make up on and looking more like the confident person I used to be; hopefully this is a sign I'm slowly getting a little better, taking each day as it comes. I'm starting to feel lucky to be alive again, as opposed to being constantly down and having daily panic attacks. Although they're still present, they're slowly getting less frequent and I feel more in control of them, which can only be a positive thing.

I've found that I actually enjoy cooking, even if I'm not even good at it. It's enjoyable watching other people enjoy something you've made just for them, and those fruity, syrup-y, creamy pancakes were definitely a good idea... So so delicious and filling on a lazy Sunday morning. I've enjoyed spending time with my boyfriend and generally being in his company. November is looking like it's going to be a good month, as we're going to Poland this month... Ever so slightly terrified, for various reasons, especially the cold. Eek. Let's hope the rest of this year will be as good as this month is going :)

Favourite Blogs! - November

 

nospaceformilk.com

I followed Rachel on Instagram not too long ago; the first blogpost that I read was 'A-Z of Mental Health', which really resonated with me on a personal level. As a result of that blogpost, I began trawling through her older posts and really, really enjoyed her blog. She feels so real and relatable, with a honest outlook on life. Her posts are mostly lifestyle, and I love how down to earth she comes across. When I read her posts, it's as though I'm listening to a friend and that's why she's become one of my favourite blogs.

 

coffeewithkays.co.uk

I love Kayliegh-Anne's blog for a number of reasons; she's an avid foodie, beauty lover, regularly updates on her personal life, her health, university studies and her hopes and dreams. Although I'm not a vegan, her cooking recipes are not only easy to follow but also taste good and are cheap to produce. Plus they're healthy, which is a bonus for someone like me, so tends to eat fatty foods. I like how she spoke about her insecurities in a post, that made me feel like I'm not alone, even if it was text on an iPad to me. Her quotes of the week are always really uplifting too.

 

notsomousybrown.com

I found Amy on Instagram, I have no recollection of how, but I've been reading her blog ever since. I admire her creativity and enjoy seeing her range of interests. I'm loving her autumn fashion stylings at the moment, as well as her lifestyle posts that contain simple but effective advice. She's quite a new blogger, but very polished and her posts are always interesting; you can tell that she's passionate about her writing and she takes some really lovely photos to help demonstrate this.

 

emilyrosevass.com

Emily is another new blogger, but one that I see really growing an audience really quickly. She writes most about food, fashion and lifestyle. Her blogposts are informative and interesting, and I definitely related to her skincare related series of posts as she has a similarly rosy skintone to me so the products she mentioned turned out to be really useful. Probably my favourite post of hers was a blogging tips post, suggesting ways to take blogger friendly photographs whilst on a budget. So useful and so revelant for many people.

November Playlist!

 

1. Hot 'N Cold - Katy Perry

2. Dancing On My Own - Calum Scott

3. I Follow Rivers - Lykke Li

4. Closer (feat. Halsey) - The Chainsmokers

5. Locked Away (feat. Adam Levine) - R. City

6. The One That Got Away - Katy Perry

7. Give Me Novacaine - Green Day

8. Sorry - Justin Bieber

9. With Ur Love - Cher Lloyd

10. Franklin - Paramore

A month in Instagram - October

 

 

 

I've spent a lot of time during October going on walks and exploring the local area; going to places such as Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory and the Queens House. I've experimented a lot with photography, particularly with landscape photography to crate little snippets of life during the autumn months. I've spent a lot of time with my boyfriend, showing him things and getting to know more about him and his likes and dislikes. I've realised through this post that I've become a little in awe of beautiful sunsets this month.

Overall October has been a good month for me, in comparison with most of this year. A lot of problems have been resolved and I feel like my life is moving in a more positive direction. I've enjoyed spending time with my boyfriend, getting to know him more and relaxing in general. I love autumn but I hate winter, and I can feel the change in the weather already... ugh. It's gone from being incredibly mild to suddenly pretty cold, extremely quickly. I bought a new coat, a faux fur lined parka, so fingers crossed I'll be fine throughout the winter months. My boyfriends mama sent us some thick gloves as well, so I'm all set. October was a good month, November should be good too.

I'm sorry that this post is more photographs than words, but I think that sometimes it's nice just to visually present things and not overfill with information. I like how they've turned into nice little ordered sets of photographs. On that note, lets see how November fares from tomorrow :)