The Friends I'll Be Leaving in 2017

2017 was the year of self love and happiness for me. I'd spent ages searching for it. Something that I thought only depended on myself. If I'm not happy then it's my fault, right?

I've had some pretty low moments this year. Whenever I feel low I blame myself, I pick at myself, my flaws bubble to the surface and I compare. We all do it.

But something that has only just clicked with me recently is that my happiness is determined by those people I surround myself with. Every self help book tells you it, but you brush past it. It's the ulcer you know is there, but you can't be bothered to treat it. So you let it lie. Until it comes back again.

When people cancel. I think it's my fault. I let it happen time and time again, yet I still let them back into my life. Only to happen again. When will I learn? When will I acknowledge that my good nature is abused and hung out to dry. That these people do not deserve me. 

This weekend made it all too apparent to me that I can't continue like this anymore. Being there and making myself available to people that don't give a shit if they've 'accidentally' double booked. Only to let you know an hour before. That's always nice. But it's never been the first time.

It may have taken me the whole year to reevaluate what makes me happy and what makes me not so happy. But I'm here now, and these are the friends I'll be leaving firmly in 2017...

The Canceller

We all cancel. Sometimes we have to, I'll only ever cancel if I'm ill and I totally understand when people are ill too, it can't be helped.

But I'm talking about the serial canceller. The one that asks YOU if you want to do something, you don't even bother making the first move anymore because you know what it leads to.

It doesn't just happen once. You get excuses, lies and sometimes you won't even get a response until the next day. Shame. You'd already turned up at the place at 10am the day before like you arranged.

How does that make you feel? 

It makes you feel pretty shit. Firstly, you've got no time to rearrange and make other plans, charming. You're questioning whether they've dumped you for better plans (always a contender) and are you actually a person people want to spend time with? Are you even likeable? Do people even like you?

It continues. The canceller has been the biggest thing in my life this year and it makes me feel worse EVERY single time. 

But this time I won't be going back. I've had enough. I've identified this as being the biggest thing that makes me feel sad, and I'm not letting it happen anymore. Those friends can stick their plans, because I'm not being that person that's cancelled on anymore.

I'm done with being second best all the time.

The Me Me Me

I like to think I'm a good listener, but also a good talker. I love to ask a lot of questions as I'm a very inquisitive person, I'd always rather talk about someone else than me. I'm really quite boring.

But what happens when it becomes completely one sided? The friend that only ever talks about themselves, the amazing things that have been happening, the places they've been, and you're happy for them. But have they once asked how you are? No.

There's also a fine line between being really happy for your friend that they're achieving all these great things, but when it's done in a way when everything is about them, you start evaluating in your life what you have achieved. You compare yourself, which instantly makes it become an unhealthy relationship, and it only spirals down from there.

I've met A LOT of people who fall into this camp over the years and they never stay around for long. If a friendship isn't a two way thing and brings you down rather than lifting you up it's time to let it go. 

The One Who Never Replies

I'm 100% holding my hands up here and saying that sometimes I completely forget to reply. In fact one of my good friends I met through blogging, we take at least 1 month to reply to each other because we actually send essays to each other. But we both get it, there isn't anything pressing.

If it's a question, or some form of message that needs a reply and you get nothing, it's the worst. When they eventually reply you message back straight away, only to then have nothing for 4 more working days.

Messages take 10 seconds to send. No one is too busy to not message you back, stat. You are and should be important enough to deserve a response back. The 'I've been so busy' excuse is frankly pathetic. Cos WE ARE ALL BUSY. We all have jobs, we all have commitments, we all have different friends, but we find time for it.

Finding time in a day to reply to a friend is part of the friend package. And if you don't have that, then it's frankly not worth it. 

It's time for me to stop being 'so nice' and take the bull by the horns. So to speak. I don't have time for people that don't have the time for me anymore. Everyone's time is deserving, when time really is so precious.

There's nothing I hate more than negativity, but sometimes these things just have to be aired. If anything, just for myself. With every cleanse though comes a fresh start, and I think by getting away from people that bring me down it will allow me to push my happiness into the spotlight next year.

Remember, you are always number 1.

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How My Style Has Evolved In The Last 5 Years

It was only last week that I realised it had been 7 years since I turned 18. 7 WHOLE years. It's a lifetime away from the bodycon dresses I used to wear every Saturday night, the untouched eyebrows and the dangly feathered earrings, because cute.

I'm *probably* not the only one who looks back and silently cringes at how we used to look. How we used to dress. But also how times were different then, and so were we.

Some people never look any different. From weight gain and hair dye gone wrong, it's fair to say I've evolved over the years, and HEY hopefully for the better. 

Whilst things have changed and people have come and gone, fashion has always been that one consistent and stable thing in my life. It's always been there and I've always loved it. It's just that it's evolved over the years with natural progression.  I like to think I know my style and what suits me more than ever now. Just call me Trinny & Susannah.

So how has it changed I hear ya ask.

Well, you only need to hit the left arrow on my Facebook profile picture to see. Or scroll back on my Instagram to the beginning of time. Its not pretty, but it's me. We all make bad style choices, I still do now. I still get called Pat Butcher and told I've forgotten to change out of my pjs, I guess I've just learnt to be happy in what I wear, and if that's not the most important thing about style and being comfortable in what you're wearing, I don't know what is.

I now dress for myself. Not for others, not to impress others, just for myself, by myself. I wear what makes me happy, what makes me feel good, and an outfit that I feel like I could take over the world in. 

The days of heading to Revolutions in a cut out dress that barely covers my stomach are over. I'm sad about it too. Never did I think I would be a confident, twenty something who wore MIDI skirts. Who the frick do I think I am? Midi skirts make me feel smart, sassy and confident. I love dressing them up as much as I do dressing them down with sneakers and a jumper.

I barely wear anything above my knee now or plunging necklines. Congratulations to me, I am now officially that old person. I cringe at the thought of someone catching me wearing a mini skirt and someone saying 'she's too old to wear that'. Let's face it, it's gonna happen. 

The way I accessorise has grown up a lot too. The feathery dangly earrings and £1 bangles from Primark have already made their way to the charity shop. I rarely swap my pearl earrings for anything else these days, and I spend more on investment pieces that are timeless and classic. No matter how old you get.

The 18 year old bangle wearer has now swapped it for classy, yet sassy bracelets from Thomas Sabo. My 2 current favourite huns are the Friendship Bracelets - Little Secrets Bracelets which I have dressed with their Charm Club Charms for bracelets. A little N in case I forget my name, and a 4 leaf clover, because a girl really gotta have a bit of luck every now and then. I pair it with my Love Bridge bracelet, also pink (OBV) which features the cutest little skull. 

I can really see myself adding to this bracelet with sentimental charms that mark milestones and special occasions. There is more than 500 charms in their whole collection, so you can be as creative as you want. 

I really want to mark the time that I lived in Finland as this was a really big part of my life. I've even found a Finnish flag charm, so I definitely know what I'm going to add next. I love the idea that this bracelet will stay with me, and I can add to it for the rest of my life.

Little jewellery pieces like this finish off my outfit better than your mum's red lipstick and glitter eyeliner from collection 2000 that you've had for 3 years. They're sleek, minimal and finish my outfit off to perfection.

With jewellery, and skirt/trouser length covered, I guess the major last change for me has been colour. I no longer shy away from colour. I mean, I like pink, if you hadn't noticed? You'll rarely catch me without wearing some form of pink these days. But do you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

I no longer see getting older each year as a burden. I'm more adventurous with what I wear, I know what I like/what suits me and I've got to that stage in my life that I really don't care what anyone else thinks.

I just style it my way.

T-shirt - ASOS

Trousers - Topshop

Jacket - Missguided

Boots - Miss Selfridge via ASOS

Charm Bracelet Little Secret* - Thomas Sabo

Love Bridge Bracelet Skull Pink Pave* - Thomas Sabo

How has your style changed as you've got older?

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Thomas Sabo. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

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Fakery Within The Influencer Network

November has been the month of the so called 'blogger scandals'. The tweets dug up from a decade ago, and witch hunts to bring influencers crashing to the ground. Perhaps they deserved it?
It's common knowledge that the blogging community has become cattier than ever. Quite frankly it's embarrassing. But something that is striking me now more than ever is the fakery. It's a bad smell you just can't get rid. It lingers.
This is WAY beyond the real life vs Instagram paradigm.
I was at a 'place' a couple of weeks ago. Bloggers and influencers flock to there on a regular basis. To snap pictures against what probably is the dreamiest backdrop a gal will ever find. It's a bloggers dream. No denying it.
But it's not all that meets the eye. Firstly, to say I felt out of place is an understatement. I even got the memo about wearing pink, but nope. We paid the £5 price tag for a tiny, all be it dry cupcake to soak up the atmosphere on a cold table outside. LOL life.
Before we knew it there was 'influencers' descending on us. Sitting on the tables next to us, posing. Only leaving 5 minutes later with the shots that they had and uploading to Insta. We actually found these pictures on the influencers account afterwards claiming that they had been there. 
Like lol, no hun. I don't know what stopped me from calling her out then and there. It made me think. What is real that we see?
It was embarrassing. Way beyond embarrassing. It was everything that I would never want to be. I actually said 'I really hope I'm not like that'. DONT CHEAT THE SYSTEM. You pay for this £5 cupcake like everyone else to get the shots.
I have encountered 'influencers' like this before at events who turn up for the free s***, are nice to your face (or not) and then unfollow you as soon as they get home. 
Everyone is out to make a quick buck in this materialistic and quite frankly fake industry. It appears that being fake sells. But for how long?
How long are we going to continue buying into influencers who wear an outfit once, its up on depop within the hour and what comes with it is often no personality. More 'girls grab 40% off this top now' and *insert cliche quote*.
I'm fed up of endless beach shots, in bikini bottoms wedged up between bum cheeks (JUST BUY A GOD DAMN THONG BIKINI) when I'm slaving away in a 9-5 job and feeling guilty for looking between my curtains for the dominos delivery guy to pull up.
As influencers, you are ultimately a role model. You have responsibilities for you what you post. So it begs the question, do you think they are healthy role models? Do you honestly want to be like that?
It is not an attainable or easy lifestyle for your average, everyday person. It never will be. A person who works a 9-5 day, comes home to work on their own goals, still finds time to comment and reply to peoples questions, and bags their clothes up for a charity shop, rather than making money on something that they got for free is a role model.
Followers need to understand that these are not everyday lifestyles to buy into. That perfect bikini shot? It has been taken 153748 times, probably before breakfast and after a gym session. That 'jacket' they're promoting? They probably don't even like it. They've just been paid x amount to promote it, they're laughing. It's fakery at its finest.
That's why I'm buying into real people. Real bloggers who share their personal life, the high bits, as well as the low. The ones that stay true to themselves no matter how high their follower count reaches. The ones that exist past their Instagram account.
I've dropped a 'few' influencers off my Instagram feed in the last week. It's unhealthy, not realistic and quite personally a fake and unattainable lifestyle that I'm just not interested in.  

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2 Years On - What My Current Job Has Taught Me

Ey up, how did this happen? It only feels like yesterday my mum made a packed lunch for my first day in my big girl job.

It was a lifetime away from answering phone calls from angry train users, and slipping into the same monotony every day that felt like it would last forever. I never thought I would get out. But I did.

My new job was the challenge and breath of fresh air that I needed. I never thought I would make it past the first month. I wasn't cut out for this, I wasn't smart enough and that person inside my head keept telling me I wasn't good enough. And sometimes it still does.

But here I am, over 2 years later. It's funny how things work out. It's not been an easy journey, but I value the lessons I've learnt since I've been there.

I've cried. I've brought work home with me to finish, and start. I've done extra work to show my worth, and enough presentations to shake a stick out. I've sold my soul to the devil a few times too. Ya know how it is.

It feels like I've constantly had to prove my worth, but maybe that's not so much of a bad thing.

I must admit in hindsight I never thought I would last. When I left uni I didn't think I could manage a full time job after recovering from pancreatitis. My confidence had seriously been knocked and I sort of didn't know how to be around people anymore. It was really damn hard.

I knew the only way I could ever progress was to push past it and get out of my comfort zone. Be pushed into the spotlight and left to cope. Survive drowning in the ocean when you see no glimmer of hope.

That 3 month mark was my milestone. A milestone that I tell anyone to apply to any new job that they start. It will get easier. After 3 months everything starts to slot into place. Those 24635 questions you have no longer need to be asked, and you know what? It's all gonna be okay.

Knowing your worth and value to a company is not a reflection of your skills. It's that person inside your head telling you you'll never be good enough. I've moved up the ranks in the short time that I've been in my job and quite frankly I need to cut myself some slack sometimes.

Having said that, it's not always easy being a girl in a male dominated office. I've been blanked in meetings, left on the shelf and excluded when I really should be there. It's a societal issue that I've met, that ultimately makes me question my worth and value. 

You hear about the gender gap on TV, but you don't think it's an actual thing until you experience it. I have no doubt that I will always feel like that little girl who doesn't know a thing, but it makes me strive to always DO better. 

Paper trail is everything. As soon as the s*** hits the fan, the fingers start pointing. Here we go again. 

Ticking those boxes and organisation along the way will never land you in deep water when you're trying to fight your corner. Paper trail is the easiest way to show your innocence. That get out clause to say, HEY I have done my job.

A final lesson for me is to show conviction in what you're saying. Even if you don't have a clue what you're saying. Be confident. If you're confident in what you're saying, you're one step closer to convincing that person on the other line. They're ranting? Stop speaking and let them. They'll soon stop when they realise you're not reacting.

Despite the hardships I've encountered along the way it's shaping those early, hard years of climbing the ladder to success. We all have to do it.

Ticking those boxes, hardening and strengthening me for whatever experience is next.

Stand your ground, be confident in what you say and work damn hard. No workplace is perfect (or so it seems), and the wall to wall bants in my office definitely helps when you've been laid a bombshell 20 minutes earlier. Just take everything in your stride.

If you're sat there wondering what it is that I actually do with my life, make sure you check out my what I do for my day job post!

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My Blogging Plans For 2018

2018. You beautiful thing you. I don't know why it does or should signify a clean slate, a reason to start again and work towards your goals. But it does, and I never feel like I have my s*** together as much as I do in the first week of January. Short lived, or not.

Before any new year, I stop, I brainstorm blog titles excessively and think about how I'm going to make my blog game better than ever.

My blogging pattern took somewhat of a bumpy journey at the start of the year. There was hectic life changes, and sometimes your blog really does need to take a back seat for a little while.

I now feel like I'm ending the year in a good place with my blog. My blogging game is back for good, or so it seems (ya gal did 9 posts last month, and what?), and this is what I'll be doing more of in 2018.

Revamping Old Blog Posts

In the 200 odd blog posts I've written, I've probably only revisited and updated 2 of them.

I have so much content out there already to look back on, and cringe at. I have probably 10 blog posts that attract a lot of regular traffic, both from Pinterest and organically from google. Great. Shame about the 90% odd bounce rate that they have. I think LOL, I wouldn't even read that.

I want people to be landing on my blog and staying. Like falling into the pages of your favourite magazine. The type you can still buy from your local corner shop. 

One biggie for me in 2018 will be revisiting those old posts, rewriting, editing and possibly retaking photos. In saying this I know that I've worked in my job for too long, but these old blogs may be getting a lot of traffic, but it's pointless traffic. What's my ROI, what is the conversion I'm looking for when people land on my blog?

I want people to be staying for longer than they currently are on my blog, so that's my main target for 2018. 

More Lifestyle Content

Fashion will always be at the forefront of my blog, but as life events have come and gone this year, I've been really enjoying ploughing out lifestyle content too. 

It's easier to write because it's me. What's happening to me and what someone else may relate to, or find interesting. I love reading lifestyle content too, so I guess that helps. We're all naturally nosy, right? We like to latch onto each others experiences and stories, and have comfort in that. 

As I navigate the hardships of adulting, expect a lot more of this to come next year. With personal posts that will make you think and list type posts that probably don't make any of you laugh. lol.

Wordpress Migration

I would like to. I've been thinking about making the move to Wordpress for a little while now. There are limitations to blogger, limitations in taking my blog to the next level. I also wonder if blogger will always exist, and if not, what's next?

I need to research this more thoroughly before I do so, and what impact, if any it could make.

I think Wordpress will allow me to up the stakes though, so its definitely something I want to do before 2018 is out.

Photography

Improving my blogging photography is the top of my list every year. Still trying.

I've switched up the way I post blogs and photos this year. Moving out also helped because HELLO white walls and copper everywhere. I share a lot of the pictures on Instagram that I use on my blog and it's definitely helped with getting my content repinned on Pinterest.

So 2018 is the year of brighter and whiter photos. More time spent on Pinterest and recreating photos. But also the year of sharing more photos of ME and bringing more personality across in them and my posts than ever before. 

I still use my DSLR on auto too, so if you fancy hooking a girl up with some tips, holla at me.

More Self Promotion

2017 has been the worst year for self promotion. The reason being that on a Sunday night I CBA to schedule 20 odd posts for the week ahead when I'd rather be slobbing on the sofa consuming a packet of biscuits and watching 13 going on 30 for the 178th time. Not gonna lie.

I've noticed the difference it makes to my social traffic though, so there is importance to it, even if x bloggers get fed up with the amount of posts you do.

The swipe up function on Insta would kinda help too. I've had a huge rise in traffic from Insta to my blog this year, and I think that this platform is quickly superseding twitter for me, despite the fact that no one even sees my posts anymore.

Scheduling posts, tweets, Instagrams or the captions the night before at least has to happen more. I'll hopefully set aside one lunchtime at work each week for this, it will save me from aimlessly scrolling through ASOS for at one day at least, eh?

Host A Blogging Workshop

Something I have wanted to do for the last couple of years is to host a blogging workshop in Plymouth.

I've been in the game for a while now, and the Plymouth blogging community has grown rapidly in the last year alone. I would absolutely love to organise a workshop with talks on SEO for blogging, flat lays, photography, the business side of blogging etc.

It is one more to add to my 12647 New Years resolutions, so we'll see shall we?

What are your blogging plans for 2018?

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John Lewis Blogger Secret Santa

The only Secret Santa I have been exposed to before is the work one where everyone buys each other boxes of cereal because we think it's cool, and fun, FACT: it's not. I pride myself on the fact that I think I'm pretty good at getting presents for people, and I'm not talking about a box of Rice Krispies from Lidl.

Regardless to say, when John Lewis invited me to be part of their blogger secret Santa this year, I said yes. If anyone can find someone faster on social media and get onto their brothers, girlfriends, dogs Instagram by the end of the night, it's me. CIA agent or not, I was up for the challenge of getting to know A Glass of Ice online well enough to pick out some gifts that she would love.

After scouring through her social accounts and blog, I almost went back to the beginning of time in search of hints and finding out what she likes. The first step was obviously the John Lewis Secret Santa section, packed full of cute and novelty gifts, well within my price range. It's perfect for work secret Santa's where your budget may be £5-£10. With something for everyone, I'd quickly stumbled upon a gorgeous Wild & Wolf Pen, flashback to the post I read on her bog about national stationery week, I was holding onto anything I could here.

Confident with my secret Santa gift, I then navigated to the gifts section where I selected a favourite box of her chocolates and a Charlotte Tilbury palette, UHH dreamy or what? 

The response when she unpackaged her gifts on her Insta stories was a huge relief! Phew. It's great to receive gifts, but thoughtfully choosing something which is then loved really is the best feeling for me at Christmas. Mission achieved. 

I was then so excited to see what she had chosen for me. Let's take a peek inside shall we?

Rathbornes Rosemary & Fougere Candle*

2018 Family Diary*

Copper Magazine Rack*

Strawberry Bonbon Jar*

 GIRL DID GOOD! As I tore back the wrapping paper and saw the first glint of copper, I knew. I mean, it's not like I own anything copper in my home, right? ;) 

As an absolute candle fiend, I was over the moon to receive the dreamiest 2 wick candle from Rathbornes, it's going to keep my home warm and cosy on so many winter evenings. Perfect for a gal that hits the sofa as soon as she gets home, eh?

To finish off my little loot, I also received a 2018 diary, perfect for all those New Years resolutions I'll never achieve and planning my year ahead. I'm such a diary, to do list person, and even if you don't achieve it all, so what? I intend on scoffing these bonbons whilst I'm at it, because a) I love pink and b) I like sweet stuff. 

Gabrielle did a stellar job for my Secret Santa goodies, so a huge thank you to her and John Lewis for making it happen!

Christmas for me is all about giving, and John Lewis make that easy. No matter what you're looking for, what gifting conundrum you think you're facing, and whatever budget or hobby, it's catered for on John Lewis. Do something special this Christmas and watch their face light up as they unwrap that gift, there's no better feeling like it.

I hope you're feeling a little bit festive after reading this post, as I certainly am after consuming 15437 marshmallows whilst writing this post. The countdown begins...

What do you think of my gifts? Do you like doing Secret Santa?

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

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5 Ways To Up Your Instagram Story Content

Pretty sure we all abandoned Snapchat and ran for the hills a few months back when Instagram unveiled their Insta Stories function. Like I don't actually have to be jumping back in and out of one app and another anymore. Not gonna lie, it was exhausting. 

Most people find that their Insta Stories (as a blogger/influencer) reach a LOT more people than snapchat. I'm talking 100's more people for me rather than my mere 30 followers on Snapchat who care more about what kebab they're picking off the floor on Saturday night than what bits you've been hauling at your local Boots store. 

The best bit about Insta stories is you can mute stories too, without that said person knowing. So if some of your followers don't appreciate them, that's fine. You have a more targeted audience for it.

I *think* I've really upped my Insta story game recently, like OMG I've actually spoken in them and no, YOU watch yourself back 100 times after posting it. Anyway, if you're wanting to make yourself known more on your Insta Stories and reach out to your followers on a different level, here's 5 ways to up your Insta story content.

1. Get Haulin'

There's no surprise that people love a haul, I've been in the game too long now on my blog to know that it's one of people's favourite type of post. However, even I prefer in it video format now, so taking it to your Insta stories is a smart move.

You don't have to talk if you don't want to, I try to take different pictures/boomerangs/videos of each of the items. I get a lot of engagement from it and messages afterwards asking me various questions about what I've shown so it's definitely helping build the relationship that I have with my followers.

Always tag the brands in your hauls, as everyone loves a shout out and it might even help them notice your Instagram/blog that could potentially lead to exciting opportunities. 

2. Polls

I love a good poll, I loved them even more when I found out you could actually see who had specifically voted Yes and No....Or maybe that's not such a good thing. Either way, I'm loving this interactive element to stories, they're so knocking Twitter out of the ball park with them.

I'm still seeing a low ratio of voters to viewers, whether this is because people don't want to answer them/it's too fast or they haven't quite got their head around the polls yet, I'm not sure. However, it's here to stay and I'm finding it so helpful for answering questions to help improve my content and appearance on Instagram. I really do value my followers thoughts and want to be providing really good content/stories I'm proud of, and that my followers will like too.

I've sussed out whether my followers want to see more talking/haul vidoes and whether they like Fashion or Lifestyle content more. It's such a quick way to get an insight into your followers thoughts and motives, it also switches your content up when you might not otherwise have much to share.

3. Text & Emojis

Still images just aren't enough for me on stories, I want to know what the meaning behind the picture is too. I always add text, layer the text for a bold effect and of course add in emojis. 

Change the text colour too, it took me 6 months to work out you could swipe for more colour options and also press down on a particular colour to colour pick your own unique colour. Magic.

Any image can benefit from an emoji, or even lots of them. The little love heart Instagram like is my go to boo. It's cute, simple and says that I'm just really loving something. I add in 10 for extra effect. 

I find it also works well adding various amounts of text, but getting the viewer to click through/wait until the next image to see further snippets of text. I love watching continuous stories like this as it keeps me engaged, and stops me from swiping away.

4. Switch It Up

I'm not even lying to you when I say I was almost sick with dizziness after once watching someone post 3 boomerangs in one go. It does not make for easy viewing, one bit. It's also a bit boring.

There's so many functions and different ways to show your content these days, that you don't need to keep it the same. Post still pictures, boomerangs, videos, talking videos, get drawing on your photos, add emojis in. Just make each one different.

I find the drop off rate of viewing stories is less when it's not 10 clips straight of just you talking. Like when I post any Instagram picture, I always think would I like watching this? If the answer is no, move on and post something different. 

5. Share Your Day (Even The Boring Bits)

But most of the time, we just like seeing what you're doing - on a day to day basis. I feel like I'm part of my favourite bloggers brunch run, and living my life through them at times, but I like it. You feel connected on a distant level and I love the interaction you get with bloggers that you think will never reply. Like OMG Hannah Gale actually replied to me once in response to her story. Highlight of my blogging career, and what?

I have started to do this a bit more, and I really do think it helps people relate with you on a personal level. Instagram photos may look perfect, but Insta stories allow you to reveal that personal element (if you want to) to show your viewers you're normal too. You have a normal life, and not every day is a good day. 

Whether you fancy jumping on on the walk to work, just fancy having a chat or you're taking your viewers on holiday with you. Share anything and everything, there's no rules with insta stories - but we're all nosy. We love seeing the bits we have never seen before, and I think it sets the precedence of what's to come in 2018. 

Jumper - Missguided

Bag* - Boohoo

Jeans - Topshop

Do you like Instagram stories? What are your favourite things to watch as a viewer?

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7 Ways To Get More Hygge Into Your Life

Remember Hygge? That 2016 buzz word that was forced into the spotlight last year, the word on everyones lips that was making us buy more candles, create more dens and sit in the window and watch the rain falling, because Hygge. 

Okay, so the Danish feeling has since been somewhat butchered by the Brits, we just love jumping onto a new fad more than anything, and so what if we have? It's meant making the most of being in the moment and enjoying the cosy times, rather than stressing over the fact that OMG it's November. The year has gone, and I've still got 2567 untouched New Years resolutions.  But alas, Hygge is always there to cocoon you and tell you everything is gonna be just quite alright.

As the dark nights are here to stay HELLO waking up and coming home in pitch black every day, there's no doubt about it that it's prime Hygge season. Here's 7 lil ways to incorporate it into your life this winter...

1. ALL The Cosy Throws/Blankets/Duvets/Cosy Stuff

I'm talking ALL the cosy, cosiness there is. Hygge is ALL about being warm, safe and comfortable, with whatever you can find. My current obsession and hygge pal is this Arm Knitted Merino Wool Throw* from The Moody Otter Etsy store. The obsession is real. It reminds me of winter in Finland, pulling on thick, hand knitted socks and snuggling beneath a cosy throw. 

It's honestly the thickest, warmest blanket come throw I've ever laid my hands on and it goes without saying that it looks the part in my bedroom, and for flat lays too. 

I love the Scandic feel to it, and I can already imagine snuggling down with it on my sofa, watching Home Alone and wrapping Christmas presents in the gentle glow of my fairy lights come December. If that's not Hygge, I don't know what is? So grab your blankets and cosy duvets and Hygge will arrive in no time.

2. Candles

Oh, these huns <3 That gentle flickering of a flame can bring so much calm into your life, without having to do very much. I'm such a fan of tea lights, lanterns and gently scented candles for filling a home with smells that bring back those comforting memories.

This Moody Otter Christmas Spice Winter Soy Candle* is basically Christmas. Gently spiced, it reminds me of childhood Christmas memories, mulled wine and everything magical. It's such a big candle that it has plenty of burning time. I'm planning on lighting it every day in the lead up to Christmas to help set the scene. The thought brings me so much happiness, and I just cannot wait. Did I mention I can't wait for Christmas?

3.Fairy Lights

If you don't have a wood burning fire, fairy lights are the closest alternative and I love nothing more than switching them on as the nights start to close in. Basically fill the whole house with them and spend your monthly electricity bill on batteries instead. Eco friendly and cosy.

I always buy mine from Primark as they last forever. I switch them on as soon as I get home from work and it instantly feels cosier. Hygge is all about light, and the darkness we experience in winter should be embraced!

4.A Good Book

There's nothing better than snuggling down with a good book and getting absorbed into the story. This is why I love summer holidays so much as I find it's the only time I give to read a book, and it's always the time that I feel the most relaxed.

It doesn't have to be a 16748 page literature book either. I'm currently on such a hype of buying self help, feel good books for the coffee table that are not only great for Insta, but also for picking at and reading a few pages for a bit of down time. Nothing can help transport you to that cosy, safe feeling more than opening the pages of a good book.

5.Plan With The Weather

Weather and nature is central to Hygge, and those rainy winter days are something I absolutely long for. HELLO getting to stay in all weekend and not having to justify your reasons for it! 

Rain means getting to make dens, sit watching Netflix all day, having hot chocolates and watching the rain gently fall against the windows. Heaven. Either by yourself or with others is an absolute dream. 

But if it's a cold winters morning with the most perfect sun, it's all about those cold crisp walks soaking up the sun. Nothing feels as refreshing and as good for the soul as making the most of those tiny cracks os sunlight during the darkest weeks of the year. 

6.Social Media Free Evenings

What are these I hear you say? I must admit they're super rare in my house, but something I need to actively start doing. It really is as simple as putting your phone in a drawer for the evening and just enjoying being in the moment. Actually being able to pay attention to a TV programme, and eat your dinner without checking your Insta likes.

I don't need to tell you how much happier life can be without social media in your life, and my week without it taught me all that and more. I guess 2018 should be the year of doing this at least once a month at least. How hard can it be?

7.Creating A Cosy Home

When I leave the office on a weekday, that's it. When I close the doors of my home behind me, I've escaped and my thoughts and worries of that day are left behind that closed door. That is so important to me. But it's not possible without creating a cosy little haven that you love stumbling into after a long day.

There's nothing better than getting in, dropping your bag and sinking into the sofa. You're home then. The day is done. Creating that cosy place you like to call home is the quickest way to get hyggelig times every day.

No way you style your home is right or wrong, or what you see on Pinterest. It's what you like, what you find homely. Where minimalism might be someones dream, a cluttered home is someone elses. But candles, blankets and fairy lights really will help with that!

Fancy turning your home into a Hygge haven? Don't forget to check out The Moody Otter Easy store for their luxurious throws, beautiful prints, candles and more! You can also get 10% off your first purchase from their store with the code NICOLE10 - thank me later!

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own.

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