Hello 2016

I am starting this blog post much like my last few blog posts; feeling very guilty. Again, it has been over half a year since I last blogged and the shame is building up inside me. I hear you asking why. Well, blogging is something I am actually very passionate about and I spend most of my spare time reading blogs and watching bloggers and it has always been something I have wanted to get into. However it's one of those things that has always been pushed to the back of my list and I start to feel as if it's a job, another task on my list, rather than something I actually love to do.

With it now being a whole new year, it is *covers eyes in shame for saying this again* something I am going to aim to continue during 2016. I am not one who massively believes in new year resolutions, the reason being is that I believe if you want to do something badly enough, you'll do it at any point in the year not just because it's a new year. Yet I do think it's a great excuse to start something you've been wanting to do, so ignore me being a post Christmas scrooge!

So ... what's happened since April when I last posted? Well, I started an exciting new chapter in my life with my first full time career job which is as a Social Media Manager for a local company. I have now been there for over 7 months and have worked with some massive brands and gained so much experience and also met some friends I really believe will be for life! Due to being so busy at work, this blog and many of my hobbies have fallen into the background and this is something I want to change during 2016, along with a lot of other things.

It wouldn't be a 2016 new year post without me talking about my goals/plans for this year. As said previously, I am not big on the 'resolutions' thing so I am going to stick to things I want to focus on during this brand new year. Here we go ...

1. Continue this blog regularly and begin to once again find some comfort in it
2. Start yoga! During the second half of this year I really started to get into fitness - which has taken a whole 22 years to happen - and I loved it! However I began to get too busy and found it hard to find time (an excuse). With my personality, I need to have down time which is why this year I am going to get into yoga! I will fill you in on my journey!
3. Start excising more regularly alongside yoga.
4. Get into making clean meals
5. Learn how to switch off. I am someone who overthinks every single aspect of life and this year one of my main aims is to learn how to stop doing this. It's not healthy and it's something I want to stop during this year.

Since this blog post is my first in many months, I think it's important, before I start my 2016 goals, to discuss and celebrate what I achieved in 2015;
- I started my first full time job which heads me into the career direction I want to be in
- Exercise was introduced to me and for the first time, I loved it!
- I went on 3 amazing holidays - Majorca, Amsterdam and Disneyland Paris
- My IBS was finally sorted out by a fantastic Homeopath and I am now feeling better than I have done in years.
- I overcame a very down point in my life and things finally began to pick up.


I think this blog post is long enough now, you can tell I have missed blogging! What new years resolutions do you have this year and what do you have planned? I'd love to know!

PARIS IN PICTURES

It's been a while since I have visited my favourite city Paris, however after booking to go for NYE this year, I decided to have a trip down memory lane and re-visit some old pictures from the beautiful city.

Have you ever been to Paris? I would love to know what you loved most!

SUMMER FULL OF SANDALS

It's officially Spring! For me that means many things, taking off those bulky coats, longer evenings, walks, BBQ's and the most important factor; that summer wardrobe. Despite loving the Winter months, snuggled up with a blanket and the fire on, there is nothing better than feeling the sun on your face. Everyone needs some vitamin D in their life! In celebration of the new season, I wanted to write a post on some of my recent purchases which - by looking at the weather at the moment - will be coming in handy.

Sometimes I feel slightly sorry for men, not only do they not have hardly any fashion options as the ladies do, but their footwear choices only consist of trainers, smart shoes and flip flops for the summer. I mean, you don't see many lovely sandals for men do you? For me, with extremely sensitive weak feet, it's hard to find a comfy pair of sandals. Even if they are leather, they still manage to rub me continuously and leave me blisters for days. This year, I have been on the hunt early and have found some gems which will hopefully get me through this summer and next. 

First of all are these beauties. Can you guess where they're from? Bet you didn't think Primark! Yes, for all of £12 these tan leather sandals with a slight heel and honestly one of comfiest pairs of sandals I have ever owned. They can make an outfit go from day to night easily and go with anything and everything. 

Tan Sandals - Primark £12

My newest purchase of late, a pair of Birkenstocks. I have been in trepidation about these for years, always loving them and liking them on other people but didn't think they suited me at all. The other day I decided to bite the bullet and get them. From what I have heard they are the comfiest sandals you can get. Admittedly they are not everyone's cup of tea and some people I am sure will think they are hideous. I will admit it's going to take me some getting used to as they are fairly bulky but they look enviously stylish on others so we will have to see. 

Black Birkenstocks - Schuh £50

This pair isn't a new purchase, I actually picked these up last year from my local Aldo store. I absolutely love Aldo and always find that their quality is excellent and always looks very expensive. They took me all the way through last summer being the only pair I wore and are still in great condition.

Tan and Gold Sandals - Aldo (Can not remember the price - sorry!)

What style of sandals do you love and have you bought any gems recently? I would love to know! 

The Oscars - Best Dressed 2015

The Oscars. It's a time when film lovers sit in trepidation awaiting the news on who when best actor/actress and a time when fashionista's await for the dresses, make-up and hair choices to decide who they think is best dressed. 2015 was no different. As normal, there were the classic looks, trends such as a lot of Red and of course the slightly strange choices. Such as the never disappointing Lady Gaga, wearing a beautiful Azzedine Alaïa dress but accessorising with what looked like red washing up gloves? 

Lady Gaga never disappoints in the questionable fashion front

Here are my top picks of the ultimate 2015 Oscar's Best Dressed; 

Reese Witherspoon's classic choice of this Tom Ford Gown simply emphasises her elegance this year

Margot Robbie - a new face in fashion after her successful role in The Wolf of Wall Street looks
absolutely stunning in this Saint Laurent gown

My second to favourite outfit of the evening was Sienna Miller wearing one of my all time
favourite designers Oscar de la Renta. 

My best-dressed choice of the night was undoubtable the beautiful Emma Stone. This custom long-sleeved gold Elie Sabb gown simply enhanced Emma's natural pale skin tone and striking red hair. 

Who was your best dressed? Let me know in the comments below. 

'New Year New Me' ... yeah we'll see

Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! I can't believe another year has passed and I am leaving behind some wonderful memories from 2014. I thought I would start this blogpost off with a some of my favourite memories and highlights of last year, bringing me in to my aims and goals for 2015. I really hate the 'new year, new me' saying as to be honest that never happens. I do however believe that if you want to change something, a new year is a very good excuse to try. 

2014 was a pretty incredible year for me, I have to say probably my favourite and most successful year in my life so far. Here's a little some up of my highlights and accomplishments of last year;

• I came into 2014 with my amazing boyfriend and some lovely friends
• I finally got my dream little car Daisy - my cream Mini Cooper
• Spent months working on my dissertation which was an extremely hard point of 2014 - however the outcome made it all worth it
• In May I finally came to the end of my 3 year Journalism Degree 
• The dreaded results day. I spent many nights and days feeling physically sick worrying about this. After the worst morning of my life waiting for that email, I got the results I had been counting on. A 2:1 overall for my degree (an upper class honors) and a 1st for my dissertation!!! We spent the day jumping, crying and celebrating with a lovely meal in the evening.
• August saw my 21st Birthday and I had the most amazing day (well, week by the time I dragged it out) with all my family and friends
• Septemember I spent 10 days in Cape Verde with Mike, which was the most luxurious 10 days ever and was much needed after the Uni stress in previous months. Plus whilst there we spent our 3 year anniversary! 
• October meant GRADUATION! The one day I had been looking forward to most. I dressed up in my Harry Potter like gown - which was such a plus for me- and we graduated in Winchester Cathedral which was absolutely stunning. I spent the day celebrating with my closest Uni friends; Shona, Faith and Emma and in the evening I went for a meal with Mike and my family to celebrate. It was such a special day and one I will cherish for a long time
• The lead up to Christmas is my favourite time of year, wrapping up in Winter clothes, hot chocolates, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents and Michael Buble playing 24/7. 
• I then saw 2015 in with my boyfriend and close friends

What a year 2014 was. A lot of ups and downs, trials and tribulations but looking back it really was the best year of my life so far. Now, on to my aims, goals and plans for 2015. I'd love to look back this time next year and see whether all these things actually happen. We'll see!

Aims/Goals

• Get a lot fitter - start eating healthier and doing more exercise
• Start my dream job and love every (well nearly every) second of it
• Spend a lot more time with my family
• Travel more and make plans to look forward to
• Drink ALOT more water (yes, I am sure this is part of everyones list)
• Have a more positive outlook on life, there is always someone in a worse position than you. Be thankful for what you have. 
• Try to make myself happy before anyone else
• Look like Kendall Jenner? - I don't think I'll be ticking this one off anytime soon

Plans for 2015

• Go back to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour (my favourite place)
• Have a weekend trip to London and be a complete tourist
• Majorca 2015!
• Book Paris for 2015/2016 New Years with my boyfriend and friends
• Continue this blog as much as possible
• Take loads of photo's! - You can never have too many
• Start making photo albums and printing those photo's off
• ENJOY EVERY DAY

Well that's about it from me. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, New Years and 2014 in general. Bring on 2015 and enjoy every moment!

Cape Verde - A Taste Of Paradise

I have been back from my holiday in Cape Verde for around 2 weeks now and am still feeling extremely nostalgic and have major holiday blues. Does anyone else get this, you go away on holiday, theres the build up and anticipation, then once it's over and you've been back a day, it feels like you never went at all? Yep, I am still being struck with that feeling. For those who may be interested, I had my yearly holiday with my boyfriend Mike in Cape Verde, a small third world type country near Africa. It was one of the best holidays I have been on and we both had a much needed 10 day relax, eating way too much food and spending more hours in the sun than probably necessary.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from the best 10 days I have had in a long time, enjoy!

Have you ever visited Cape Verde? If so let me know what you thought!
If not, have any questions? Feel free to ask!