2017, Let's Go...at your own pace.

Well here we are ladies and gents. It's 2017 and we've all been waiting for it with baited breath. How do we feel... excited? Ready and raring to go? Or are you scared of whats to come and you're still glued to the sofa?

I've had a very slow start and I think it's due to the fact I'm 30 and can't party like I used to haha. A hangover really affects me now a days and seeing as I went for it on NYE; I've been struggling ever since. I'm half ready and raring to go and half scared to venture outside and face real life.

I keep reading all these positive, life affirming blog posts and I've bought the life planners and new stationary for all those lists I should be writing but I'm not quite ready yet. That's ok right? I've got another 350+ days ahead of me and I know once I get my ass into gear; it's on!

If you're feeling like me and you're not quite there yet; it's ok. Take your time and don't beat yourself up about the fact you haven't got your shit together, you're still in the same pants as you were wearing on NYE and that new 'To Do' pad is still empty. We all go through life at a different pace and even if it feels like everyone around you is speeding off and already achieving great things; just know there are others around you *like me* that need a little more time.

We'll get there and it'll be beautiful. Hey, it can't be any worse than 2016!

Here's a cute outfit I shot just before Christmas but true to form; I've only just gotten around to posting it! 

Photographs by JKGPhotography 

1. Skirt | 2. T-Shirt | 3. Puma Basket Heart Trainers

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Easing into 2016 & Coping with a Chronic Pain Condition

Image source thecornwall.com

It's been rather slow over here on the blog and it's been rather slow in my life in general. Last November and December I was trying to cope with my Fibromyalgia and my CFS as well as being in and out of hospital for an unknown illness (which is still sadly ongoing).

I was tired and I still am tired. Always so so tired, always in pain and always one second away from snapping at the person/people closest to me. I had all these festive plans in the diary and week by week I had to cancel them, flake out on friends and the sofa became my best friend.

When you suffer with something like an invisible illness you have to put every ounce of energy you have into sometimes simply getting up, putting your face on, making a cup of tea or leaving the house. Some days even the simplest of tasks seem like the biggest of hurdles.

I have a fashion blog and I am very appreciative of the large social media following I have accumulated over the years; with that comes quite a lot of pressure though. People turn to you to give them advice, inspiration, hope 24/7; but what happens when you lack all of those things and you're at home rotating the same 4 outfits as your lust for everything has totally disappeared?

The key is to take that time out, enjoy that time out (where possible), enjoy that period of self-care and reboot. It's easier said than done but it is so important that you don't beat yourself up for staying in, staying as comfortable as you can, cancelling on friends/family and looking after number one.
I always get FOMO (fear of missing out) and hate missing fun things BUT you'll be able to attend other things in the future, more events will happen and the most important thing to remember is that the ones who love you, truly care for you and the ones that matter won't disappear.

I took time out, ignored my inbox and carefully selected things/events I felt I could comfortably attend. I also gained a boyfriend and this actually made all of the staying in...that little bit nicer!

My love of fashion drifted towards the end of last year but I've slowly started to get excited about emerging trends, building my spring wardrobe and experimenting more with vintage fashion. I'm glad the racks of sale items are slowly beginning to fill with new and exciting clothes! I am still firmly attached to the sofa but I'm slowly adding in things to my diary and summoning up the courage to venture out a little more. I'm shooting a lovely little outfit on Friday (all going well) so I'm excited to write that post up and show that to you all.

I hope that if you're sat there reading this and you suffer with a chronic illness; that you remember that you don't need to impress anyone, you can stay home if you need to and hold on to the fact there'll be better, warmer days to come.

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Sharing is caring - A little insight into my life and why I've loved 2014

Four years ago I started to get really ill with a condition called Fibromyalgia/CFS and I had to quit my job as a Textile Designer in London and move home to my parents house. I felt like a total failure and I honestly didn't know what I would do with my life. I missed my life in London, my freedom, my health. I never really talk about my illness as I don't want it to be the first thing people think when they think of me BUT it is a major part of my life. You all see me when I am glammed up, dressed to the nines and sipping on Prosecco at press events... what you don't see is the days I'm too unwell to move or dress or put my make up on. I am in constant, chronic pain and I have become very good at hiding it. Some days I sit and cry at what I've become but then other days I smile from ear to ear; if I hadn't have moved home I don't think I would have started my blog and look at me now! This year I moved back to London and 2014 has treated me exceptionally well.

I feel so, so proud of this blog and of everything that it has helped me to achieve. This year I featured in Vogue Italia, was filmed by Evans, New Look and Simply Be, met some amazing people and wore some beautiful clothes. The blog keeps growing and so does my love for it and I just want to keep pushing myself to do more things with it. I can post when I feel like it or leave it for a few days when I'm too sick and I love the freedom it gives me. I some times have to cancel invites or turn down opportunities due to my illness but thankfully all the brands I work with are really understanding and so are my friends (both blogger pals and my group of wonderful friends)

The constant emails, tweets and comments that you all send to me are a huge part of why I keep posting. I have been bought to tears on a number of occasions after reading your kind words - I am so happy that I have been able to inspire you guys and show you that fashion is fun, accessible to all and that it's ok to experiment with it.

Thank you again for your support - I try to answer all your questions/reply to all your emails but sometimes it's hard but I want you to know I appreciate them all. Here is a little roundup of my fave outfits I have worn this year and here's to 2015 - I am already so excited about the things in store for me and my wee blog.

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Happy New Year....better late than never!

It's been a bit quiet here on the blog, sorry about that! I've been away for a week now, up in London and I was far too busy consuming prosecco and spending time with my mates and then nursing hangovers. I'm back now though.

I've been reading heaps of new years blog posts, super long posts about resolutions & posts that summarise 2013 and although I really enjoy them and like reading them I have chosen to keep mine short and sweet.

2013 was not a fantastic year for me. It wasn't awful but it wasn't incredible. I spent the year living at home with my parents for the first time since I was 13 and boy has it been difficult. My health got so bad in 2012 that I quit my job and moved home. I've been freelancing as a Textile Designer and Stylist ever since and now that I am ready to move back to London, I am ready to take on work again. It'll be part time and that'll leave me time to focus on my blogging, styling etc.

I feel SO excited to be moving back to London. My life is in that city. I've lived there since I was 19 and a year away from it has been really difficult.

I spent the day packing up some of my things, lovingly wrapping them all in newspaper and boxing them up. I can't wait to fill my new house with all my shit!

A very Happy New Year to you all, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I am excited to share this following year with you all; I hope you enjoy the ride!

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