2018… See ya!

My plans to blog more often clearly lasted long! It’s on my list of resolutions for 2019 to write more often so that may be on here or in my journal.

I know the date changing doesn’t really have any impact but I am so ready for 2018 to be over. It’s been emotionally draining.

There was a lot of heartache but it’s taught me more about who I am as a person and what I want in the future. I lost a lot of myself in that relationship and have spent the last few months getting myself back.

Work is a bit precarious right now but I’m not doing anything rash, I’m staying put for now and remaining hopeful that the higher ups will finally recognise my worth.

Now that I’m emotionally over my break up I’m focusing on me and it’s coincidental that’s it’s happening at this time of year.

Here’s my resolutions for the next 12 months:

• Go on more holidays
• Lose 2 stone- it should be 3 stone but I wanna keep the weight off and be happy
• Date
• Write/journal
• Spend more time with friends and family, especially those I haven’t seen much recently
• Sort out storage in my house- the makeup/skincare is taking over!!
• Make memories which last a lifetime

And the most important

• BE HAPPY!

I’ve had some lovely times throughout this year and a particular highlight was holidaying with my best friend for the first time. It wasn’t a wild holiday at all but we had a blast and the best part was just relaxing in the sun.

I saw 2 of the loveliest people I know get married in January

I went to New York for the 3rd time

I’m hopeful that I’ll make some positive changes this coming year but I won’t be beating myself up if I slip up or change some of these resolutions. There’s so many people who are quick to point out my flaws, I’m embracing all of my traits and working to better myself.

What do you think of resolutions? Let me know in the comments.

L x

Life is a flower

I really need to get a blogging schedule sorted out…

….and have some witty titles for blog posts in mind!

It’s currently lashing down with rain and I’m babysitting my sick niece so finally have time to post these photos that were taken at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens last week. I’ve already posted a few of the photos on my Instagram and wrote about the delight my youngest niece had at seeing pretty flowers but had waaaay more photos to post.

My style at the weekend tends to be much more relaxed than my usual weekday work wardrobe but I still like to look put together.

I’m pretty much going to live in this beret until Winter is over….

So pretty!

As I knew Zara would inevitably have me trailing round the gardens 13 times I swapped the red Miss KG heels for some black pumps. Also had to rope Zara into taking these photos of me and have to say for a 4 year old she ain’t half bad!

My favourite spot to take photos is in the Queen Mother’s memorial garden as this fab little hideaway has a shelled wall background.

Let me know in the comments what you think of my look x

Unicorns and Face Masks

If anyone seen my Instagram on Tuesday you’ll know I had a difficult day at work and rewarded myself for surviving it by drinking Patron for dinner! Tequila Tuesdays are awesome until you have to work on a Wednesday. To turn my frown upside down I put on my favourite unicorn PJs and ranted to the girls in the group chat while wearing a Olivia Buckland X Skin Republic face mask.

These super cute unicorn jammies were a Christmas present last year from my mum.

Exactly what a gym ball should be used for!

This AMAZING necklace is from Frank loves Doll. I’ve had it for a while and had to buy one for my sister too, the only downside is the chain is so thin and fragile that I’ve managed to snap it.

I know Tequila for tea isn’t healthy but it was well deserved that night!

Any tips for a healthier way of dealing with a bad day??

Embracing the Belly

I ordered this top from SHEIN because I like a slogan as well as making a statement with my clothing. Also it is highly appropriate…

Knew it was going to be cropped but didn’t realise how cropped. Previously I was never body confident enough to wear anything cropped but as I’ve gotten older I’ve developed more of a “fuck you” attitude!

I recently had the misfortune of being laughed at while in my gym stuff. I’m not asking everyone to like me but if you’re gonna come for me then at least slate my character, not my looks hun. I try to be a role model to my nieces and teach them to be accepting of people and I’m proud when I see them not batting an eyelid at those with a different aesthetic. When I see someone bigger in the gym, my first thought is always “well done you, making a positive change”. Negativity breeds negativity and I don’t want to be a part of that. While I’d been pissed off at first I pummelled that rage into the treadmill which led to burning off more calories so I turned a negative into a positive.

This was a super casual look for me, like I would never usually leave the house like this but zero fucks were given today! Went for carvery lunch with Megan and ended up having an impromptu photo shoot in the car park afterwards 😂

That’s right I also had spilt toothpaste down my top but didn’t have the time or inclination to change. My sister said of this look “OMG you look tiny and about 12 years old with your hair scraped back like that and no make up on” I’ll take a compliment from that! I’m not gonna be going around with my belly out all the time now but I felt empowered doing it this time. I don’t care that you can see stretch marks or that my stomach isn’t the flattest, folk should be able to wear what they want when they want.

How freakin stunning is my Kate Spade bag?? I adore the colour and got at a massive reduction at the outlet in NYC.

Outfit details

Hoodie: SHEIN

Joggers: DKNY

Trainers: Adidas Gazelles

Bag: Kate Spade NY

Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

How do you feel about exposing the midriff? Let me know in the comments.

I’ve been dreaming of your silhouette all night…

So a few weeks back I was kidding myself on that it was still summer and put together this little ensemble, nod to autumn with the boots though.

I do love me a dramatic sleeve!

Top is last year from SHEIN: their clothes are super affordable but sizing be crazy 🙄

Skirt is New Look from years ago

Belt from H&M, also years ago

Gold hoops were a present from the sis

Boots are Kurt Geiger

I wore this for a night of cocktails with the mother and friends, we had a blast but man was I rough the next again day. Prior to everyone arriving I asked Linda to take some photos of my outfit, she gave up after 3 shots- where was my niece when I needed her?! These photos ain’t the best so had to cheat and change one of them to black and white.

I felt quite 60s in my little mini, also it was a chance for me to flash the legs one last time before having to succumb to tights during Scotland’s eternal winter.

Makeup wise I went for my usual winged liner and MAC Russian Red.

The title of this post is taken from Grace Carter’s song Silence as I am OBSESSED, like listening to it on repeat obsessed. Cos I’m an idiot when it comes to technology if you wanna listen to the song then you gotta click the link below.

https://youtu.be/NvFkkmiZMuA

Anyone else mourning the loss of summer already?

Jail Bird Chic!

Due to weird body proportions I usually struggle with playsuits and/or jumpsuits but came across this beauty in H&M recently. Black and white stripes: of course I had to try it on and was pleasantly surprised to find that it not only fitted but fitted well.

I don’t usually wear the same outfit often but I’ve worn this 3 times in as many weeks. First up was to the Paloma Faith concert in Princes Street Gardens, I teamed it with flats, hoops and a topknot. Next was to a day out team building (getting drunk) with work folks. Then finally I wore it to work. My team are blunt and say it like it is. One comment I got was “you’re giving me prison yard realness, but in a good way”. This immediately prompted me to demand someone take a photo against the bars on the window…

It’s easy to wear and I got a lot of compliments. The only annoying thing is wearing it when drinking, breaking the pee seal and having to strip every time I go to the toilet 🙄. I will never get bored of these chunky Guess sandals, bought them last year in NYC and have worn them to death.

Outfit posts will be more regular if I can find a decent photographer: no offence Jen (she was bullied into taking this one)

Does anyone else struggle with jumpsuits??

“Promises, Promises” outfit I wore for a hen do recently

“Promises, Promises” outfit I wore for a hen do recently by bagmadlee featuring high heel pumps

Chi Chi sleeveless dress
£25 – modcloth.com

Miss KG high heel pumps
kurtgeiger.com

Miss KG imitation purse
johnlewis.com

Pandora sterling silver cz ring
£35 – bloomingdales.com

Benefit false eyelash
harveynichols.com

MAC Matte Lipstick Russian Red
amazon.co.uk

My Top 7 Favourite Movies

Following a discussion with Kirsty of Indigo Buttons the other night regarding her 7 favourite movies, why 7?! Why not 5 or 10 I had to ask, I have decided to list mine. I am fully expecting to be ridiculed for my somewhat camp taste in films but watching movies is a chance to escape reality for a few hours and what better to do that than in a world of song and dance and/or great fashion!

 

 

In at 1: Clueless. I can remember going to the cinema to see this and quoting the movie for months afterwards (actually I still quote from it now!) The outfits were a particular favourite of mine and I still love over the knee socks due to this movie.

 

2. A weepy one, this movie never fails to get me to tear up. My cousin Ashley and I watched it so often on video (yup that’s right, I’m old) that we memorised the words and used to act it out at the bottom of her stairs every week. I always had to be boring Hilary though.

 

3. This was my all time favourite childhood movie and I still watch it a worrying amount of times now – I’m putting it down to my niece loving musicals and her watching them all the time!

 

4. Another film that I’ve seen hundreds of times, I’d have to question my friendship with any pals who haven’t seen this/don’t like it

 

5. I watched this again a couple of weeks ago and still cried. I can’t explain why I like this so much.

 

6. Oh look another Doris Day movie in my list of favourites. 

 

7. “How funny? Like a clown? Do I amuse you?” Goodfellas is easily my favourite “boy” movie.

Looking at this list, I have to wonder if there’s a gay man trapped deep inside!

 

Any thoughts/teasing remarks?

 

L  x

One(sie) Love

Yup it’s that time of the year with the dark nights drawing in and the temperatures rapidly dropping that I reach for the onesie to keep me cosy warm at night. My sister bought me one 2 years ago for Christmas and it’s safe to say I love it. Not the most attractive but ever so comfy. The only downside to wearing a onesie is having to unzip to pee. Oh and looking like an overgrown toddler/tellytubby!

I bought the bestest a pink patterned onesie from TK Maxx as a Christmas gift last year and we have decided to buy each other ones this year.

Here’s a look at the best around the web that I’ve found:

BHS £25

Next £32

Matalan £14

George @ Asda £14

I’m particularly drawn to the Matalan one. I would just like to state that I would NEVER venture out of the house wearing one of these, strictly for lounging/sleeping in.

Are you a fan of the infamous onesie?

It’s One Of Those Days…

I’ve no inspiration at the moment so I’ve decided to post these pics in a bid to motivate me.

L      x