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.

Life is Golden | Slow living

The weather recently has been blooming gorgeous and it's about bloody time! I've been dreaming for weeks of skipping gaily through the fields with a straw bag and finally I got my opportunity.

As much as I admit city life looks very stylish and chic, for me, fields of bright yellow and countryside fill my heart with joy. The country life is where my heart lies- especially when the weather is so glorious. Picnics, cycling and dog walks are what it's all about and trying my best to perfect the art of slow living in this crazy paced digital world we now live in.

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When's the last time you looked and actually saw what's in front of you and took in your surroundings? The birds chirping, the breeze rustling through the trees and your hair, the smells of outdoors. These are all the things I feel a lot of us can easily missed now that we're glued to our phones. Ironically for me my phone is on its way out- the battery is fried but the upshot of that is I'm actually enjoying myself so much more! I'm less addicted to social media, I feel more content and I've actually found time to sit and enjoy simple pleasures like reading a book or taking a long bath with no electronic distractions. Again this weather is another great way to get away from digital life. For me its been way too warm to sit inside on a laptop and when my phone decides to work, looking at a screen in bright sunlight? It's just not the one.

What I'm trying to say is life is golden. It's precious and it's wonderful so lets embrace the right now and the reality. I'd never have even noticed the little guy above. Lets call him Fred. Fred the lady bug is loving his life and I wouldn't have even seen him if I were glued to my pissing phone. Lets appreciate the little things instead of worrying over trivial things.

Weirdly this is another post that has just flown out of brain, through my finger tips and onto the screen. I actually just wanted to write about a pretty outfit but feeling bunged down with online life has got to me a bit today and realising whats important and sharing it with you guys has taken priority.

Top- New Look

Trousers- New Look

Bag- Cath Kidston (old)

Shoes-Boohoo

Earrings- Boohoo

What do you find golden in your life? I'd love to know how you learn to enjoy the simple things and how you don't just look but also see. So much of the time we're not truly in the moment and I think it's something that needs to change! I'd also love to know your thoughts. Over and out peeps, I'm off to stride in a co-ord in a field!

I'm Over You, Get Under Me | Style

Coat- Boohoo

Fur Stole- eBay

Smock dress- New Look

Rose Gold Loafers- New Look

Bag- Matalan (similar here)

Necklace- Accessorize

Last week I went to visit my blogging vlogging pals Pippa from Clashing Time  and Cara from Polly Pocket Beauty who have recently moved in together in London. We'd arranged to take some outfit shots in their area and who knew that the location they had in mind would match perfectly with the outfift I had chosen!?

I know typical AW colours are burgundy, mustard, khakis etc but I am still feeling pink so much right now. It's become a bit of an unhealthy obsession; that and rose gold (every bloggers weakeness!) The fur stole adds to the cosy winter feel as well as the wool coat which is in the sale on Boohoo at the mo.

My bag is a little Matalan number and everyone always says how lovely it is. I love the colour but I have to say the quality is not there as after only a few months the faux leather straps are starting to break *sob*.

I'm also obsessed with smocks at the moment. I wore my gingham one all through summer and now I'm all about layering them with thick tights and leggings to see me through the winter. This pink number is in the sale on the New Look website and flatters a curvier figure like mine; skimming over the tummy area hurrah!

Pippa took these photos and I have to say she's done a fabulous job, even if we did get told to "get away!" by the old lady whose house it was. Whoops! 

And on that note I'm off. I hope you're enjoying the outfit posts of late. I've got some upcycling. DIY home projects coming veeeery very soon. I'm just waiting to finish them so stay tuned!

Are you back to the dark colours for AW17 or are you braving a bright colour?

Summer Look Book 2015

WARNING: This post is seriously photo heavy!

... But it's a look book- what did you expect?


Anyway welcome to my summer 2015 look book! These are outfits I'm loving for this summer and recently wore on my holibobs to Tunisia. There are four looks featured below:

Look 1

Culotte jumpsuit- New Look

Clutch- Ark

Heels- Irregular Choice

Necklace- gift

I am OBSESSED with this jumpsuit. Up until now I've never found a playsuit or jumpsuit that actually flatters my figure. They always seem to ride up in the wrong places #cameltoe or gather in the wrong places (making me look pregnant- nice), however this one is a dream with its boned upper half and flowing culottes. Very flattering for us curvy ladies. As for the shoes they're a really old pair but I adore them and think the pop touch of green from the clutch and the shoes really add to this otherwise black ensemble. 

Look 2

Swing Dress- ASOS

Heels- eBay

Clutch- Ark

Necklace- Primark

Bracelets- various

This swing dress is so versatile and so easy to wear. Dress it up with strappy heels or wear it casually with a leather jacket and boots- it's a dream. As I've mentioned in many a video and post these heels were an absolute steal at £14.99 from ebay!

Look 3

Dress- H&M

Kimono- New Look

Necklace- Prairie Charms

Shoes- Primark

Bracelets- Various

I love how well this necklace and kimono pair together. Kimonos are big again this summer and easy to chuck on over a dress or cami and jeans for those chillier nights. 

Look 4

Top- H&M

Skirt- H&M

Sandals- Vivienne Westwood

Necklace- Primark

Bracelets- various

You can't go wrong with a simple bandeau and skater skirt. I've had this outfit for a good while but it still looks nice so why not? The Viv sandals I've lived and died in for almost four years now and they're still going strong!

So that is my summer look book. What do you think and what are you wearing this summer?

Click below to watch the video:

 Roll on the hotter weather!