My Christmas To Do List

In my mind, Christmas is here. I know, it's a little early...but can you ever really be too ready for Christmas? It's absolutely my favourite time of year and I get so excited when it comes around, so I've made a little list of things to do before the big day comes along...

1. Watch my favourite Christmas films. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf, Home Alone, The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street, LOVE ACTUALLY(!!!) - Just thinking of these films gets me in the Christmas spirit. 

2. Go to a Christmas Market. I've never been to one and I'd absolutely love to go, so if anyone's got any recommendations feel free to comment them and I'll check them out!

3. Start Christmas shopping on time! I'm normally good at this anyway, in fact I've bought about half of the presents already haha, it's always good to be prepared!

4. Spend as much time as I can with my family. I feel like that's one of the things that makes Christmas so special. 

5. Decorate the house!! I'd be lying if I told you I hadn't already put a few lights up here and there...

6. Bake A LOT. I don't know what it is about Christmas but it makes me want to bake aaaaaaaall the time! Cookies, Cakes, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

7. Find the perfect Christmas walk. I love walking, so finding new places for Christmas walks is SO exciting for me!

8. Convert to the winter wardrobe. Out with the summer dresses, crop tops and skirts - in with the baggy knitted jumpers, leggings, jeans and big warm jackets. My absolute favourites. You can buy the jeans I'm wearing here - unfortunately the jumper was in the New Look sale last year (a girls got to save her money...) but you can buy a different autumnal floral print jumper here!

9. Collect wood for the fire! I'm lucky enough to have an open fire in my house, and it's one of the things I look forward to most - there's nothing like coming home on a cold day, building your own fire and hearing the crackle of the wood whilst you're snuggled up on the sofa. 

10. See a show in London. There's nothing I love more than the buzz of Christmas in London - walking through Covent Garden and seeing the huge tree, all of the lights above the streets. Nothing feels like Christmas more! I love dressing up, doing my make up and going to see a show during the height of the Christmas season.

Those are just a few of the things I'll be doing during the count down to Christmas - What's on your Christmas To-Do list? 

All photography by Nicole Shola.

Why A Hoodie Doesn't Have To Be Boring

I absolutely LOVE a good statement piece in an outfit. Something that just stands out and takes the stage. I makes me feel powerful, strong and independent - like I've really got something to show off...something unique. I never used to be one to show off an outfit because I never really felt good in the clothes I wore; mostly because I was dressing for other people rather than for myself. Now, I take so much pleasure in wearing pieces that stand out and make me feel confident. They don't even need to be flattering! As long as I feel comfortable I'm happy.

Over the past few years my style has consistently changed, moving with the times and maturing the older I got. Stepping out of your style comfort zone can be a tricky process for anyone. Taking the reins and 'just doing you' is MUCH easier said than done, but it's a must if you're ever going to feel comfortable in the style you wear. I think that I've finally come to a point in my life where I know what 'my' style is, and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

Now, I'm the kind of person who will happily walk around in a hoodie and a pair of jeans/leggings forever. I find the combination so easy and comfy and it's just an timeless pairing, one that I'll probably stick to forever because you can't really go wrong with a casual outfit like that. It's convenient, it's simple and you really don't have to think too much about it - but lets be honest, the usual combo can get a little bit old sometimes. Why not switch it up with a completely different style of hoodie?

I found this little number on ASOS in the mens section (spoiler, all the best hoodies are in the mens section) and I have been wearing it ever since. In fact, I am sat wearing this exact hoodie as I type this in front of the fire and the telly watching Nigella Lawson. It's the perfect lazy day hoodie, the perfect statement piece and it's one of the comfiest hoodie's I've ever worn! You can buy this jumper here. Go on, treat yourself, it's nearly Christmas...

All photography by Nicole Shola.

Dressing For Herself

I feel like a lot of emphasis is put on what a woman wears. Whether that be in the media or the every day life of a woman of the public, what a woman wears seems to have a huge effect on what society thinks of her. Why? I have no idea. Growing up I've felt a lot of pressure to look a certain way, behave a certain way and to dress a certain way. Recently my reaction to all of this has been...fuck it.

 

Whoever you are, whatever size you are, whatever skin colour you have, whatever gender you identify as - don't allow society to tell you what you can and can't wear. Wear what makes YOU feel comfortable and what makes you happy. Don't restrict yourself for the sake of other people feeling more 'comfortable'. I've spent years of my life conforming to things that are supposedly more 'flattering' for my figure. Not any more.

It's such a liberating thing to wear clothes you love with confidence; without thinking about what other people might feel about the way your body looks in them, because really...what has it got to do with them?

A year or so ago, my first thought when I put on an outfit would be "what will other people think of me in this?" or "how can I change this so it will look more flattering when people see me?" - I was 100% dressing for other people rather than myself because I was so preoccupied with wanting to create a look that would be accepted by both strangers and my friendship group. I would even wear things I didn't like or felt extremely uncomfortable in because I thought it meant that I would fit in more.

What I've learnt from this is that stepping out of your comfort zone and dressing for yourself can actually make you feel more comfortable in who you are.

It takes bravery and confidence, but if I can learn to dress for myself, so can you. 

All photography by Nicole-Shola.

So...What Happens Next?

Today, I thought I'd do a little life-update for you guys. Where I'm at, where I'm planning to go, and what I hope the future holds for me. 

I'll start by saying that this year is absolutely not ending the way I thought it would be, but that's okay. I'm a very organised person, so I like to think that I can plan my life step by step and that everything will automatically go to plan. Oh no, no, no...That has definitely not been the case for me in recent years. Saying that, you would've thought that I'd learnt that I can't control everything in my life by now. 

Apparently not. 

I began my year working part-time in a cafe (I job I adored) that I'd been working in for the past 3 years through school. It was a lovely little job and I enjoyed it until the very end, but in September of this year I decided that I needed a change. I was seeing the same faces every day and I was falling out of love with the work I was doing. It was becoming repetitive and I knew that if I stayed, I might never leave. I quit and decided to move onto something else. At this point I was also beginning my degree at The Open University, studying English Literature and Creative Writing (which I am LOVING). 

I then began another job, but I was beginning to feel extremely sad. I felt like I was just hopping from one part time job to another, and it just wasn't feeding my creativity or benefitting my future. I tried to see if I could face it if I adjusted my hours, but that didn't help at all. I felt down all the time and I was so upset that I couldn't even focus on my studies or the things that I loved, because I was so preoccupied with the things I didn't want to do. Needless to say, I quit that job quite recently. There was nothing wrong with the place itself whatsoever, the people were lovely and the environment was nice. It just wasn't right for me. 

Now, here we are. I decided after quitting that job that I wouldn't apply for anything that didn't feed me creatively or benefit my future. At the moment, my main focus is university (part time) and finding a full time job that really benefits me. One that makes me happy. Life is way to short to spend it doing something that doesn't benefit you or make you happy.

Alongside my studies, I'm contributing to my mum's furniture business which is where my income is coming from currently. I'm writing and shooting for this blog which is where the rest of my effort goes. I'm also planning to start making YouTube videos again because it's something I used to love doing - the only reason I stopped was because I felt embarrassed about what other people thought, but now that I'm in the mindset of 'fuck it', I'mma get back to it. You can subscribe to my Channel here - I'll be uploading twice a week! My first video back will be up on Sunday at 6pm.

The truth is, I'm not where I thought I would be at the beginning of the year. I'm in an even better place because none of it was planned. I am the happiest I've been in years because I'm working for myself (and my mum..), I'm studying a subject I love, I'm investing more time into the people I love and the things I love doing, and I'm really starting to feel like myself again. 

I guess the moral of the story is that things don't have to go to plan for them to be amazing, and life doesn't have to be perfect for it to be wonderful x

All photography by Nicole-Shola.

By God, I Think I've Done It || Ultimate Curly Hair Routine

I used to hate my curly hair when I was in secondary school. I was called things like ‘Hagrid’, in reference to the well-known and beloved Harry Potter character whenever I chose to brave it at school, and I once heard a boy say “It looks like she’s been electrocuted…”. This had a huge knock on my self-confidence because I thought that something that was naturally my own, was something that made me undesirable. Since I've left school I've realised that this wasn’t the case at all. I had spent the last 3 years straightening the life out of my hair every single day, due to the opinions of small-minded individuals. Now, I celebrate my curls, and these are some of the products I use to help me achieve the looks I love.

1. Aussie ‘Miracle Moist’ Shampoo and Conditioner:

I love washing my hair using these products because they help me create a really silky texture, which is sometimes a task to achieve with curly hair like mine. I wash my hair hanging my head upside down because I find it drags the curls out more and gives me the loose-curl look that I LOVE. I always try to leave the normal conditioner in for as long as I can (sometimes for the whole day if I know I’m not going out anywhere), and then brush my hair with it still in, letting it settle in for anywhere between 30 minutes to an entire day will make a huge difference. Wash it out after you feel it's done enough!

2.  Mixed Chicks Leave In Conditioner:

This is my absolute go-to hair product for my kind of hair. It’s a complete lifesaver for me and I use it every single time I was my hair. It’s a leave-in conditioner so you don’t wash it out, and the moisturiser within it just settles into your hair creating a really lovely, smooth look and texture. It reduces frizz completely for me and I love it. Used once after every hair wash, my bottle lasts for about 2 months. Depending on the amount of hair you have of course. For example, my hair requires about a 50p sized coin amount per wash which is a tiny amount in comparison to the bucket of normal conditioner I use prior to this stage...   

3. Hair Therapy with Argan Oil:

After putting leave in conditioner in my hair, I always use Superdrugs own ‘Hair Therapy with Argan Oil’. This comes in quite a small container, and because I use so much of it (about 15-20 squirts after washing my hair), it does become slightly pricy. For this reason, I also always have a pot of coconut oil to use in case I run out – you can buy a small pot of coconut oil which should last about a month if you use it sparingly for as little as 95p, so it’s definitely worth a try if you want to create a slightly shiny look.

4. Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14-in-1:

You know those products you stumble across one day and never look back? This is one of them for me. I would honestly go as far as saying it's my favourite product I have ever used on my curls, plus it's cheap as hell for the size of the bottle. As well as a moisturiser, it's a leave in conditioner, a styler and a hair protecter so it's also brilliant for anyone thinking about going natural! I use this during my full-wash routine at the very end, as well as during the week when all I have time for is to wet my curls and then use this because it honestly still looks like I've freshly washed my hair. When using this product I recommend air drying for best results (that said, I ALWAYS air dry my hair because I find that even when I use a diffuser my hair goes frizzier than I'd like it to). 

Shop The Products

Buy Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo & Conditioner HERE

Buy Mixed Chicks Leave In Conditioner HERE

Buy Hair Therapy with Argan Oil HERE

Buy Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker HERE

These are just a few products I love to use on my hair throughout the week – if you’re interested in any of the other products I use or just want to know more about my beauty routines such as skincare, just let me know! I'll be starting my YouTube channel up again towards the middle of the month so I'll be posting a lot of information there too!

All photography by Nicole-Shola. 

Body Confidence || What's Not To Love?

Throughout my life, I've struggled a lot with body confidence. I've always felt like I'm 'not thin enough' or 'not toned enough'. 'Not small enough' or 'not slim enough'. Plainly put I've pretty much felt like I'm just 'not quite there'. Always somewhere in the middle. Nothing amazing, nothing spectacular, just sort of...there. 

Something's changed recently, and I can honestly say that I've never felt more confident or comfortable in my own body and my own style than I do now.

Being able to feel confident in your own body is something I feel extremely passionate about, because it's something that I haven't felt in myself for so long. Feeling happy and confident in the way you look, no matter what size, colour or height you are. No matter what disability you have, no matter what mental health issues you struggle with, is SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT! If you're looking for a reason to feel good about yourself today (and every day), then this is it. You are beautiful. No matter what you tell yourself, no matter what another person tells you - you are beautiful.

Shop The Look

The Most Incredible Coat HERE

'Just Peachy' Cropped Sweatshirt HERE

Leggings HERE

Nowadays, I can say completely truthfully that the days I feel confident outweigh the days that I don't and that's such a good feeling. Of course, there are still days I don't like the way I look, but I know deep down that I am perfect the way I am. Sometimes it just takes a bit of digging. I did a video a while ago about dealing with bad body image days which I'll link here if you'd like to check it out!

Finally, always be kind to yourself. You are worth so much more than you think. Becoming confident in yourself is a difficult journey but it's entirely possible. I'm rooting for you x 

A Few Things I've Done To Improve My Every Day Life

I couldn't count the amount of times I've heard someone say that they "don't have enough time" for self care.

When it comes to self care, a lot of people automatically think that they need to take the whole day for themselves; that self care is an activity that takes a large amount of time and can ONLY be seen as self care if you have a spa treatment done, then get your nails done, make yourself your favourite meal or order some of your favourite foods and ultimately make the whole day about yourself. Now, don't get me wrong, that IS self care and sometimes you do need to take a day to treat yourself and focus completely on you, but that doesn't mean you can't look after yourself every single day in small ways that will make a difference to your quality of life as a whole. Personal growth can be a long, difficult, sometimes ugly process, so here's a few ways I like to take a bit of time out of every day to always make sure I'm looking after myself. I hope some of these work for you too!

1. Make Your Bed Every Morning

This is a tiny thing I've started doing every single morning. I'm definitely the kind of person who needs to be living in a clean environment for my brain to function properly (A.K.A. If my room is a mess, my head is a mess). My bed is the centrepiece of my room, so if my bed looks messy throughout the day, my whole room looks messy throughout the day and that honestly just stresses me out. Making my bed the moment I get out of it means two things. One: I won't get back into it, which is a definite way of securing the fact that I'll actually do some Uni work that day. Two: It means that my head already feels a lot more clear and I love knowing that I'll be getting back into a freshly made bed that night. 

2. Check In With Friends To See How They Are

I find that when life gets busy, I often forget to check in with how the people in my life are. I get very wrapped up in my commitments and that can be stressful, so just taking a few minutes out of your day or out of your workload for a phone call to your best friend, or sending a quick text to tell them how much they mean to you can make a huge difference to both your mood and their's. Good friends are important and I think that sometimes the value of friendship can get forgotten in the midst of 'adult-ing'. I'm new to this too...

3. Eat Something You Love

Diet culture is bullshit, to say the least. The idea that you shouldn't eat a doughnut/pizza/burger/ice cream without feeling at least a slight sense of guilt afterwards is just an absolute shit-storm and I refuse to buy into it. I've suffered from an eating disorder for years now (shall touch on this a bit more in posts to come), but I'm finally getting to a point I'm happy with. I live a very healthy lifestyle. I go to the gym on a regular basis and I eat wholesome foods, but that's not to say that I don't eat whatever I want. If I want a McDonalds I'll eat a bloody Mcdonalds, and you should do the same! Whether someone eats junk food every day or hardly touches the stuff, nobody should be allowed to comment on another's way of life just because it doesn't fit the standards of their own. You do you and let others do them! It's as simple as that. 

4. Go On More Walks

As I've mentioned before, and as I will probably mention again, the colder months are my FAVOURITES and I love being outside for them. As well as Uni, I've got a part time job. This means that I spend a fair amount of time throughout my every day life inside. I still live at home and do the majority of my University work from there, so if I need a break I find the perfect thing to do is to go on a walk. I've got dogs, so sometimes I'll take them out, but even things like walking around on my lunch break at work helps me to clear my head. You don't need to be surrounded by wonderful scenery to have a nice walk. Of course, it helps, but some of my favourite walks I've been on have been through the streets of my town on my own in complete silence. 

5. Listen To Good Music

Sometimes there's just nothing better than putting your headphones in and blocking out the rest of the world for a few minutes (or hours). Whether you're at the gym, on a walk, laying in bed or listening with friends, music is a remedy and I'll stand by that forever. 

6. Learn Something New About Yourself

I'm almost 20 years old and there are so many things I don't know about myself. Life is a continuous journey of learning new things, and that includes getting to know yourself better! I'm learning what I like, and what I don't. I'm learning my worth and I'm feeling so much better about myself than I ever have, and I genuinely feel like it's so important for you to take some time out of every day to notice new things about yourself.

Shop The Look

Jumper HERE

Jeans (similar) HERE

Trainers HERE

So there we have it! 6 things I've done to improve my every day life. They've worked for me so hopefully they'll work for you, let me know if you try adding any of these little things into your days x

HELLO AUTUMN || 5 Reasons Why This Is The Best Time of Year

Finally...IT'S HERE! My absolute favourite time of the year is approaching and I couldn't be happier about it. Now, don't get me wrong, I love summer. I love BBQs, ice creams, holidays abroad and hot weather. But there's just something about the autumn/winter period that makes me happier than at any other time, so I thought I'd share a few reasons why autumn seems to just work for me!

1. My Style:

As much as I love wearing little dresses and finding the perfect summer skirt, it just doesn't do it for me like a good old jumper does. I've never really been one for summer style, it's just not something I've ever felt invested in. What I do love are layers and feeling like I'm still wrapped up in bed whilst I'm going about my daily duties. I've always felt SO much more comfortable dressing for the colder months and I feel like it allows me to do way more with my outfit than I could have during the summer. This mustard yellow jumper is my first autumnal clothing obsession of 2017 and you can buy it here if you love the style as much as I do!

2. Cosy Nights:

There is nothing I love more than a night in with a big mug of hot chocolate, a good book or TV programme and a warm fire crackling in the background. That, to me, is pure bliss. During summer I long for cold nights on which I can build a fire and have it burning throughout the evening. 

3. The Colours:

Automatically, orange and yellow come to mind. Pumpkins, jumpers, fallen leaves, coffee and tea - a wonderful mix of shades and textures that I'm SO ready for. I feel like there's a running theme of 'autumn just makes me feel cosy' in this post and honestly, that's the main thing I enjoy about it! 

4. The FOOD:

Yep, food is DEFINITELY up there in my top 5. I love coming home from a day in the cold to a wonderful hot meal - whether I'm cooking it or it's been cooked for me, I'm a sucker for good food. Not to mention the fact that Halloween is rearing it's head (which, ultimately, means a tonne of sweets and chocolate).

5. Autumnal Adventures

Long dog walks through orange and yellow woods on crisp mornings, layered in your favourite jumper and coat, spending time with the people you love. I adore being outside in autumn and I am so lucky to live so close to a huge amount of fields and woods and parks. Whilst I do get cold ridiculously easily, if I'm wearing a warm enough outfit (trust me, I always am), I could think of nothing better. 

Shop The Look

Jumper

Jeans

Trainers

Saying goodbye to summer and "HELLO!" to cosy nights, log fires, twinkling lights and a wardrobe full of new jumpers, autumnal colours. Not forgetting always having a HUGE hot chocolate to hand. What's not to love?