Reflecting On 2019 So Far.

We're four months into 2019 and to say this year has been comfortable would be a monumental understatement. Right up until 2019, I've lived my life with a plan in my mind. I've always known what my next step was going to be. My life has been planned out ever since I left school at the age of sixteen . I knew once I left, I would go on to attend college... and then university. After graduating last summer, I planned to get myself a job - which is what I did. Fortunately for me, that job just didn't work out. As of January this year, I have been working part time, whilst blogging, creating content and working on my freelance hustle.

For a chronic over-thinker such as myself, not having structure in my life, sounded like my worst nightmare. However much to my own surprise -for the most part- I've enjoyed simply living in the moment. I'll be totally honest, after leaving a full-time job I had a mini breakdown over what I was going to do with my life. I felt as if I'd lost all direction and I just didn't know what I wanted anymore. To be honest I still don't know what I want to do, but I'm okay with that. I'm enjoying the journey of finding myself and discovering my passions.

This post is dedicated to the lessons I've learned so far in 2019...

Lesson One: Overthinking will not solve anything - but hard-work will.

I'm such a worrier and I always will be. However the most important lesson I've learned this year is to stop overthinking, and to start doing. It really does you no good to bury your head under the covers, conjure up imaginary scenarios and worry about how things which will / won't work out. Occasionally we all need a day in bed to escape our worries, but don't let this turn into a habit. Worrying does not solve problems, only working hard to change the situation will.

Lesson Two: Limit everything which does not bring you happiness.

I've always believed that the universe will not give you more than you can handle. Situations and people will test you - that's life. But I'm talking about limiting and putting a stop to things which really bring you down, simply limit your exposure to them, or cut them out completely. This year I'm being selfish. I spent six months of my life in a job I didn't enjoy, I'm not wasting any more time. I still feel pressure to find a 'proper job' but I'm beginning to realise, that in 2019, the career landscape has changed and so has the definition of a 'proper job'. I'm enjoying every minute of my journey and if I find a secure job which I enjoy - great. If I don't, that's fine too.

Lesson Three: Learning to enjoy my own company.

I've always been okay with spending time alone, but I've never enjoyed being alone - until this year. Simple things such as being alone in my flat or going out for coffee by myself, would fill me with dread as I love sharing my experiences with others. However one lesson I've learned throughout my journey in 2019, is to simply enjoy my own company.

My lifestyle certainly does not provide me with any sense of stability, but weirdly for the first time in my life, I'm enjoying just winging it.

A huge thank you to Bartek for these capturing these amazing portraits!

Check out his Instagram page and his website here.

S x

Florals For Spring? Groundbreaking...

Welcome back! Springtime has finally sprung, in today's post I'm featuring this amazing Zara dress, which I picked up a few weeks ago from Manchester's newly renovated Zara store. There's no better way to mark the beginning of Spring / Summertime than with a good ol' floral dress. As I sit here and write this, the temperature outside is twenty-three degrees, I can't quite believe it! I know the weather is beginning to pick up, when I finally succumb to wearing bare legs. I'm the type of girl who needs the temperature to be at least twenty degrees, before I even consider leaving the house with bare legs.

Floral prints are an absolute wardrobe essential of mine. More specifically - floral dresses. They're just timeless. Each year, as brands launch their S/S collections, we're inundated with a bouquet of florals. Blooms always play a vital part within springtime trends, and I'm sure they always will be. As Miranda Priestly once said, 'Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking..." I'm certainly not complaining about how this trend blossoms each and every year. It means I get the opportunity to grow my floral wardrobe collection...

This particular floral dress is from Zara. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I fell in love. Its green and pink floral motif looks beautiful against the cream shade background. I'm such a sucker for florals! I love the fit of this dress and how it lies on the body, the pleated relaxed waistline gives the dress a sense of body and movement. Its asymmetric shape means the front of the dress has a higher hemline, making it extremely flattering, allowing the dress not to look too oversized.

I've styled my dress down by wearing a pair of white Asos trainers and a pair of blush fishnet socks. I love these socks, I feel they add a grungey twist on even the most feminine of outfits. They're a nice delicate addition to my outfit, which helps to tie together my look and which picks up the blush tones within my dress and bag. I already know the oversized dress and trainer combo is going to be my go-to look this summer. I think the look is just so versatile and easy to wear, not to mention super comfortable.

I am so excited to create more beautiful summer content for my blog! Being able to shoot on an evening, during golden hour, really makes such a difference! I'm always on the look out for florals, I'd love to know your where you get your floral fix from!

Dress - Zara, linked here

Photography by Sam Sparks.

Take a look at his amazing work on Instagram, Facebook and over on his website.

S x