Lets take a walk and have a talk

Looking through these photos now I look over dressed for this freakish weather we're having! As lovely as it is to feel the sun on my bones I can't help but fret a little about the state of global warming. Is it just me? Alas the cooler weather will come again I'm sure...

The one thing I am extremely pleased about though is the lighter evenings- a phenomenon not linked to global warming but to the fact it's almost spring. Soon I'll be able to walk the doggo of an evening in the light rather than in the pitch black with a head torch on through fields- something that to be honest I'm too chicken to do so I leave it for Chris to endure! That and with working shifts he can walk Harry in the day but I do feel guilty that I haven't been doing my bit so much over winter.

With all this in mind I have been thinking about exercise recently... It's something I literally avoid like the plague because I despise it but I know it would benefit me massively with posture, flexability and general aches and pains that have been creeping in as the years tick on. Does anyone have any recommendations for fun exercise that doesn't make you feel like you're in hell whilst doing it? I tried running a while back but I didn't really enjoy it and I'm a shy exerciser/ I'm talking myself out of it just thinking about it! Either way I need to get my arse in gear and I think I'll try a spot of cycling to ease me into it. 

Coat- Boohoo

Shirt- M&S

Treggings- H&M

Boots- Topshop

Beret- eBay

Handbag- Kate Spade

So what's new with you? I've been trying really hard to be less busy this year and so far so good- I'm taking things in my stride and really enjoying spending lots of time at  home. Last year was so insanely manic that I've pretty much gone the opposite way this year and made no plans. I don't even know where or when I'm taking a holiday this year because I literally can't decide/ I feel really unmotivated to make plans! It's quite nice to enjoy the simple life and I've found time to do more of my hobbies and what I love so that's the main thing.

Anyway I'm waffling again about anything and everything so we'll leave it there for this week. I might don this outfit a bit more once the weather has calmed down and realised it's still winter! What are you wearing at the moment?

Writers block but I love this frock | OOTD

Dress- Topshop (Gifted by Queensagte Shopping Centre)

Polo neck body- Boohoo

Boots- Topshop

Necklaces- Clover Soul Handmade and Joma Jewellery

I've literally gone to write a post to accompany this outfit about three or four times now but I just don't have any words! I'd usually write about a topic and feature an outfit but I have nothing of great importance or anything I really want to discuss topic wise...

So lets just waffle a bit, talk about the weather and the clothes! This sudden burst of spring weather is making me SO HAPPY right now. Literally the feeling of sunshine on my face is doing wonders for my well being and sparks so much joy, making me excited for the year ahead. I'd felt a bit glum for the past couple of months but I feel like now I'm back on track and I've found my mojo again.

Speaking of my mojo, this outfit makes me feel terribly snazzy and cool. Now that I've hit 30  I was starting to worry that I would turn into a fuddy duddy middle aged person that favours comfort over style all the time. I mean don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a pair of leggings and a baggy tee around the house but if that begins to transpire into my out and about life please shoot me!

 I mean don't get me wrong, I know clothes don't define you as a person but I do feel like clothes are a great way to express ourselves and our individuality and if you can't have fun with fashion well...what's the point? Wear what makes you happy and for me that's a zebra patterned pinafore in leopard colours. Yup!

Anyway I've gabbled on for long enough about everything and nothing in this post but let me know what you think to this outfit and also what your favourite sassy pants outfit is at the moment!

Oh Hello Yellow | An Outfit for Hot Summer Days

With the weather being exceptionally sticky for the most part this summer, I needed a dress that would just flow and fit whilst being comfy AF and I think I've found the one!

This mellow yellow mustard beauty spoke to me on the Matalan website and I just had to have it. It's shirred bardot top is perfect for securing lady lumps without the need for a clinging bra- I mean, who wants to wear a bra when its 30+ degrees outside?!

It's honestly the comfiest thing, being 100% cotton and easy just to chuck on for hot summer days. My yellow obsession is real so I paired it with my mustard yellow bag from Accessorize but it would equally look lush with a straw bag, straw hat or even some tan wedges for more of an evening look!

Dress- Matalan

Bag- Accessorize (similar here)

Earrings- Boohoo

Sandals (old)- Vivienne Westwood

Can you believe these photos were taken in the UK? I honestly don't know what is happenin with the weather lately but I can't complain and discovering this beaut of a place know as Tapeley Park with its beautiful gardens was such a treat. There's also a lake, cattle grazing in the hectares of land and a sustainable organic vegetable garden!

The house itself is also stunning and you're even able to take your own picnic! There is of course the option to have a cream tea in the cafe which is what we went for and sat on the quaint iron chairs overlooking the gardens. It was pure bliss and I'd highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a gorgeous day out and/or stunning scenery for photographs!

What is your must have piece of clothing for this hot and sticky weather? And where are you loving go for days out this summer?

Drink Too Much Coffee and Think of You Often

I can’t even deal with how glorious the weather has been this summer. It feels almost daft posting these pictures now with my pasty skin as now I feel like a golden goddess but sod it- I love the outfit!

 

It’s also pretty mega for those days when you just want to cover up a bit because maybe you’re sunburnt or you’re just sick of having to worry about whether your ass is on show (or is that just me?)

 
This maxi is actually from the tall section of Boohoo- something I didn’t realise until it turned up in the post. I toyed with sending it back but after looking up alternatives, I realised this was an absolute steal for the price and went about taking it up. Some wonderweb and a few stitches later, I have a floaty white maxi of dreams for this English summer weather.

I’ve been reminiscing a lot recently and thinking of the decisions I’ve made over the past few years. I’m starting to question everything and wonder: did I make the right choice? Am I being too safe in life? I’m having cravings for excitement and exploring something new which is probably due to visiting some totally gorgeous places such as The Lake District and north Devon in the past few months. Have any of you ever relocated and was it a massive ballache? It’s something my husband has wanted to do for the longest time and although America is his goal, he’d settle for a different part of the UK. 

The problem with me is I’m a worrier. I worry about everything to the point that my worries disturb my sleep on a regular basis but I can’t help thinking of The Lake District and a life up here; romanticising about taking stunning photographs of the landscape, dog walks and hearty roast dinners on a Sunday. 

The reality is my life is currently here and unless the stars align and both Chris and I find our dream jobs up north we’re kinda stuck here. Maybe I’m just suffering with post-holibob blues or maybe this is a sign I need to be brave and take control of my destiny. What do you think? 

Do you ever feel like this? Does it pass like some kind of phase or is it a thing? 

Dress- Boohoo

Boots- New Look

Belt- Boohoo

Hat- eBay

These photos were taken by my very talented photographer friend who is also my festival fairy godmother Sian’s Photography- that girl can party!

Pressure to Produce | Is Social Media Making Me Ill?

Social Media, blogging, recording, streaming, content content content...!

 I don't know if I'm the only person who puts themself under immense pressure to be in the game and on the ball with their social media outputs but after a beautiful relaxing weeks holiday, I cried...

Sunday night- the cusp of a new week. I felt happy, relaxed and rested after a weeks holiday. Everything in the house was up to date- a full fridge, an empty washing basket and the ironing all done. I felt GOOD! My next thought was I've got some time, lets create content!

I love producing content and being creative and I thought I'd try something new but after two hours of faffing on one task, getting nowhere and feeling like a downright failure, I burst into tears.

This isn't the first time I've cried over social media this year and it seems to be a reoccurring trend. Every few months I get this wave of overwhelming pressure wash over me and everything gets a bit much. To make things worse I then focus on all the things I haven't done like not putting out a blog post in over a week, my scheduled tweets running out and my whatsapp messages through the roof... I end up melting into a sorry mess and feeling like a failure. 

Luckily for me I have a husband and fellow blogger friends who are always there to listen and pick me back up. (Yes that's you Laura, Pippa and Chris.) The hubster likes to point out that nothing will happen if I don't post. It's not work, I don't get paid (generally) to post so why do I put so much pressure on myself? It's a bloody good question and one that I don't have an answer for in truth. My friends will tell me to take a stop back, chill and come back to it when I'm ready and in a better place. But what do I get myself in such a state in the first place?

 Is social media to blame? And is it contributing to our stress levels and pressure to produce, consume and be switched on 24/7? I honestly don't know but its how it can make me eel when it all gets too much. I's like a to do list that is never ending and I find I can never fully switch off from it.

If I'm totally honest with myself I have fallen out of love a  bit with blogging compared to how I used to feel. I have lost the drive, motivation and energy for it and I think its my own fault because of the pressure I put on myself. When and why did I start putting such ridiculous pressure upon myself when this is just a hobby after all?

I then sometime toy with the idea of jacking it in altogether but then I wonder what I'd do with my tie. Would I have fomo? Blogging has brought me so many wonderful opportunities over the years as well as amazing friendships which wouldn't be if it weren't for this hobby.

Denim Jacket- Primark (old)

Cropped Trousers- New Look

Slogan Tee- Joanie

Trainers- Converse

Photography by Sians Photography

My biggest fear of all (which I'm aware is going to sound insane) is if I don't blog... what defies me as a person? And even worse- I worry that my friends and family will find me boring!

Blogging has been "my thing" for such a long time. I feel I'd be lost without it. maye quitting isn't the ticket but learning to somehow release myself from my own grips of pressure? Anyway these are all just my ramblings, thoughts and feelings on the situation but I'd love to know if anyone else ever feels like this and what you do/have done to overcome it.

My Summer Wedding Style

Oh hey there blog. I remember you from somewhere...

As you may or may not have noticed I had a little break through the month of June and if I'm honest, I  needed it.  I'd burnt myself out massively and got a tummy bug too so the enthusiasm to post just wasn't there!

In the meantime if you've been following me over on Instagram, you'll know I've been posting this outfit to death.

Chris and I have seven weddings to attend this year...SEVEN! And that's after having to turn down two (!!) but because of said wonderful weddings, it's the perfect occasion to treat yourself to a new get up.

Dress- Very

Bag- Accessorize 

Heels- Silk Fred

I've worn this ensemble on two separate occasions and every time I get compliments on my dress. I'd love to say I came across this beauty all by myself but alas, I did not. Instead, the fabulous Charlotte Jacklin from Betty Magazine alerted me to it through Instagram stories and I fell in love.  

I can't say I'd shopped at Very vefore and setting up an accout means you get a credit limit (something I'm not keen on as I like to pay for everything up front but their delivery times were spot on and the dress' quality was even better than I'd anticipated. The great thing about this dress is the fact that its flowy and you feel elegant and sophisticated without having to wear something tight fitting. It also means you can have a generous serving of wedding cake and have no worry about your food baby showing. Its equally not too loose so you aren't under threat of drowning in fabric either. The top half is beautifully fitted; particularly around the bosoms with quit a deep v. if you're not a cleavage fan, this dress may not be for you as those puppies are OUT!  

As the dress does all the talking, I decided to keep accessories to a minimum and pair it with some burgundy heels and a mustard bag- picking up on the accent colours within the embroidery. Another thing to note is that heels are a must with this dress because of the length. Originally I planned to wear it with flats until I tried it on but admittedly heels do a fab job of elongating you as does the embroidery going down the length of the dress. 

Suit- ASOS

Shirt- H&M

Tie- Next

Shoes- River Island

So onto Chris... A good wedding outit is never complete unless you have a dapper looking date am I right? His suit came from ASOS- a place I'd highly recommend all men get their suits from They're well made and a fraction the price compared with designer brands.

I've taken to calling it his custard cream suit and the fabric is fabulously soft and light- perfect for a summer wedding. If you lie the tailored trousers, that was an alteration job as Chris prefers his suit trouser tapperd and slightly cropped for a tanned summer ankle on show. A good tailor can do this for between £20-£30 and will ensure your suit is slick and on point all season long.

So that's our summer wedding style sussed! We have three weddings on the trot in August so this combo will definitely get another wear or two or three before the summer is out.