OOTD | I'm Back!

Jumper - New Look

Skirt - Primark
Bag* - Boohoo

Boots - H&M

Rings - Primark

I'm back!! Well it's no biggie, but I've just survived one whole week without social media, pretty amazing huh? They'll be more about that on the blog on Wednesday! I chose to take a week off my blog too because firstly 1) it's not my job and I can have time out to focus on my life whenever I want and 2) I really wanted as much of a break off the internet as possible so I could come back fully refreshed.

Let me tell you, it's the best thing that I've done so far in 2017. Yes, there's only been one week in January so far BUT it's the clearest my head has felt in a long time, and I've taken a step back to realise what I want for my blog this year as well as plan loads of new content for 2017, so who's the real winner here? It's been a week of doing things as I've also had 4 inches chopped off my hair which I should have done ages ago! It looks so much healthier and a lot darker, this is the shortest it has been in so long, but on the grand scale of things is still really, really long!

I'm going to start or at least try to up my posting to 3 times a week, this is definitely doable after discovering how much time social media eats into my life. You'd be surprised! I love writing and love producing content for myself as well as my readers, so I hope you'll stick around this year for plenty of new stuff coming your way!

I'm seeing in the first outfit post of the year with the most beautiful and understated getup. I spied this metallic skirt on a few bloggers last year and did a double take when I was told it was from Primark. Like how?? I was lucky enough to get it from Santa for Christmas, I guess my hinting really did pay off. 

I want to wear this metallic midi skirt EVERY day, it's not just for formal wear. I feel good when I wear things like this and it looks good. So every stare on dress down Friday will be 100% worth it!! I teamed it with such a simple yet beautiful jumper from New Look, the ruffles on the shoulder just set it apart and make it look so chic. Just FYI they also did this number in a baby pink colour which is just divine. I'm all for pairing simple things with something beautiful for a gorgeous look like this!

What do you think of this outfit? Have you set yourself any blogging posting goals for 2017?

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5 of The Best Moments From 2016 & 5 Things for 2017

There were times throughout 2016 that I didn't think the world would make it, but look, here we are about to enter a shiny, sparkling new year and I think 2017 is going to be pretty amazing. I'll be glad to be leaving behind the 'brexit means brexit' statements and the office politics, we've also lost some true legends, I'm still in shock that George Michael has gone. Despite the bad times, I've also had a pretty amazing year where I've learnt a lot and feel like I'm just on the precipice of learning how to properly adult, I said almost.. 

I love nothing more than looking at snippets from last year and remembering the amazing times I've had among the not so good bits as it makes it all worthwhile. To keep it short and sweet here are 5 of my most memorable moments of 2016.

#1. I completed the 2.2 mile open water Breakwater swim in Plymouth. I well and truly overcame my fear of swimming in the sea, and it goes up there as being one of the best days of my life!
#2. I got a promotion! Hard work really does pay off, I'd only been in my job just over a year and have now been promoted to an ecommerce manager, I'm really excited for 2017 and learning even more in the field.
#3. Despite the 'gain 10 followers, lose 17 followers' situ on Instagram, my blog has grown in ways I didn't expect this year. I had my blog published in my local newspaper and worked with some mega brands such as Asos and Boohoo, it really has been a wonderful and exciting year for my blog and I can't wait to develop more content for 2017.
#4. I've travelled to some amazing places this year (currently in Stockholm lol), I've managed to squeeze 3 holidays in this year which have all been amazing. I hope 2017 will be filled with more adventures and impromptu getaways, whether in the UK or further afield.
#5. Something very exciting got underway in 2016 which I will 100% be posting about once it's a bit more 'concrete'. Let's just say my months of pinning will come to use very soon...

Now that I've reflected on 2016, I'm determined to make 2017 'the year' of looking after myself and making myself happy. I'm one of 'those people' that has about 50 resolutions, you know, new me, new year and all that. So I've whittled it down to 5 of the things I really want to achieve in 2017.

#1. Learn to love myself more, make more time for myself and learn not to give a f*** as advertised by Sarah Knight in the above book!
#2. Do at least one good thing to a stranger/person I know once a week. Being kind doesn't cost anything, and I want to make more time for it this year and share some kindness to those less fortunate. Whether that be giving clothes to charity, buying a homeless person a drink or holding a door open for someone.
#3. Learn something new - I love learning new things and I'm putting my 2016 resolution out there again that I want to learn more Finnish. As well as actually learn how to use my Canon 1200d without the manual setting, that would be fine thing, eh?
#4. Join Masters Swimming. I'd love to go back to competing one day and I loved training for the Breakwater swim this year, I'd like to bite the bullet of the £50 monthly fee and join up at some point this year!
#5. Go viral with something - whether it's a post, something in my job or a social media status. I love the idea that something can just go viral if you tap into the right thing.

Whatever you've been up to this year, and however your year has panned out, I hope you all have the happiest and healthiest 2017 filled with lots of love and memories to make it the best year yet!

How has 2016 been for you? What's your favourite memory from 2016? What are you looking forward to in 2017?

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5 Ways To Embrace Hygge This Christmas

I didn't think it would be right to end 2016 without mentioning Hygge just one more time. I wouldn't do that to you guyyss! I'm sick to death of the grey cloud that is circling hygge at the moment and the people that try to bring any decent fad down at the drop of a hat. For once I think we should just all appreciate a good thing when we see it, if we need Hygge to have cosier nights in and spend more time with our loved ones then so be it, and at Christmas time that's all you really need. 

With only 2 days to go until the big day I thought I'd write 5 lovely, little things that will help you embrace Hygge this Christmas however much you're against the fad or this way of living. Just FYI I'm going to Copenhagen for NYE and I cannot wait to experience hygge in its highest form, and seek out these cafes that are solely based around the concept of hygge! Christmas is central to hygge so let's all do it properly this year and enjoy it better than ever before...

#1. Cosy lighting
You've heard me harping on about cosy lighting being central to Hygge about 14658 times now, but it really is. There's nothing cosier than switching on some fairy lights and having your room lit up by its warm glow, especially during Christmas.

It doesn't matter whether it's a crackling wood burning stove, fairy lights or a beautiful lamp like this Ceramic House Styled Table Lamp* from Litecraft. Not only does it have the perfect, white Scandinavian design, once illuminated it gives off the brightest glow that lights up even the darkest spaces. I much prefer lamps, fairy lights and candles to harsh lighting in a room, there's something just so cosy about it! 

#2. Indulgent Food
Christmas and good food are inextricably linked, and I am totally okay with that. Christmas is the one time that people (hopefully) stop calorie counting and just enjoy the food around them without guilt. Food is one of life's greatest pleasures, and that feeling of being surrounded by good people and indulging in some of life's delicacies is what happiness really is all about.

Whether that's chocolate, pigs in blankets or copious amounts of cheese and crackers, it's all the good stuff that makes Christmas, well Christmas. There is few holidays that you can be as gluttonous as you want without consequences so for that reason alone, Christmas really is the best.

#3. Cosy Clothing & Plenty of Blankets
Hygge is all about being cosy, feeling warm and being safe, and being wrapped around a duvet or a dozen blankets like a baked burrito is the one during the festive period. I usually dress up for Christmas day and have already stripped down to the comfy clothing to accommodate that food baby by 12pm. Not only does comfy clothing allow you to eat all the food without restriction, it's soft, cosy and just generally hygge.

Team the two above with some cosy tea lights, a classic Christmas film and you're heading for hyggeligt times.

#4. Classic Christmas Films
I'm not so sure this is one of the things that is central to Danish 'Hygge', but a typical British persons cosy Hygge night in, especially over Christmas will involve a classic Christmas film. Whether you're looking for a film to accompany the wrapping or to drown out the sound of your Dad's snoring on Christmas Day, Home Alone, The Holiday, Elf and The Grinch are all those feel good classics that can't help to raise a smile on your face and create that warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy <3

#5. Good Company
Let's not forget that Christmas is all about spending time with your loved ones. Everyone's lives are constantly on the go, and Christmas Day is the one time of the year that you can take some time out from reality and drink up the company of your family. 

Surrounding yourself with a lot of good people spreads a little bit of happiness, positivity and warmth that will keep us going through 2017. It's small memories like this with your loved ones that can never be taken away from you. 

So gather around the wood burning fire, candles or fairy lights this Christmas, with a plate full of food, a classic heart warming film and the people that are closest to you in your life. Now that really is the true essence of Christmas!

I hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and have many hyggeligt times! How will you be spending Christmas? Do you like Hygge or do you just think it's a fad? What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

*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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OOTD | Reclaimed Vintage

Coat* - Boohoo

Top - Primark

Skirt - Zara

Scarf - Reclaimed Vintage via Asos

Shoes - Converse via Office

So I'm over 5 weeks into my spending ban now and boy have I outdone myself. I'ts been an eye opener for so many reasons, I never realised how much money I was frittering away on clothes that a) I've still never worn b) only worn once or c) just bought something in a different variation. I miss the newness of clothes and the excitement of getting to the till in Topshop and handing over £14950 for one item of clothing, but I've managed to save so much over the last month and it's really made me realise how much nice clothing I already have, and that I should definitely wear more than once.

Take this gorgeous crushed velevt top from Primark, this is the first time I've worn it and I've had it for 3 months (insert upside down face emoji). I paired it with this netted Zara skirt that I've actually worn a handful of times with my timeless converse, and this new reclaimed vintage scarf from asos. I had my heart set on a personalised burberry scarf at the start of the year, so this is the compromise! For £14 though, I really can't complain.

This spending ban has been an incredible learning curve for me and it's made me see things in a different light, but oh how I cannot wait for an asos haul and a Topshop splurge once I can get back to my spendy ways! Money can't buy happiness, but new clothes 100% do so I'm counting down the days until then...

What do you think of this outfit? How do you cope when you're on a spending ban?

*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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