Outfit Post #14

Hello Lovelies,

Hope you have all had a marvelous bank holiday weekend and aren't feeling too rough this morning!

I had a really good weekend but it's gone far too fast for my liking. On Friday I spent the evening with my lovely uni friends and went to the cinema to see Evil Dead - horrendously, gory film and one I wouldn't really recommend if you're squeamish. Then on Saturday, I had a busy day running errands before a BBQ for my friends 21st and a big night out with work. I can't tell you enough how in love I am with my new dress!

At the beginning of last week, I had gained a few more followers on Twitter, and when people follow me I always click on their page and read their bio to see whether they're the kind of people I wan to follow back. This lovely lady with the username, @RMWLondon, followed me and she was interested in fashion etc... so I followed her back. I then found myself on her website and came across this beauty.

Black midi dress - RMW - £28.99

How amazing is it? And how amazing does she look in it? It's not something I would usually go for as it's rather sexy - and I feel like I can't pull off sexy, BUT I am a huge fan of a midi dress and black so I thought I would give it a go! I ordered it on the Tuesday and it was here by the Thursday - amazing service and delivery. The lady behind the website is so lovely, if you have any questions about her website, products or just want a chat she is the perfect woman! I have fallen in love with her, her website and her products and will definitely be ordering from the website again!

So, here's me in the dress...

It fits like a dream! After my hard work and recent weight loss I thought I would give it a whirl and ordered a S/M! I'm usually a small to medium in most midi dresses but as I had never ordered from here before I was a bit nervous - but I had nothing to worry about. Not only did I feel amazing and felt confident in a tight dress for the first time in ages, I also got LOADS of complements throughout the night - which kept me smiling!

This is definitely my favourite dress atm, and I can't wait to find another excuse to wear it!

I kept the outfit really simple with dark, burgundy platform heels (Miss Selfridge), Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch, Crocodile skin clutch bag (Matalan) and bright yellow nail polish to match the sunshine we've been having (Maybelline).

This was my face for the evening too - excuse my rollers! (haha!)

I used a combination of products ranging from, MAC, Illamasqua, Maybelline, Rimmel, BeautyStore and Eyelure - These are my facourite eyelashes ever, they're 140 by Eyelure.

I did order a yellow clutch bag off ebay to go with my nails and this outfit but unfortunately it didn't arrive on time but I'm hoping what I teamed it with anyway was more than satisfactory!

Here are some more pictures from my night :)

Me and my gorgeous friend, Jo!

Me and the lovely, Sam!

My Girls - Harriet and Jo <3

Hope you all liked my bank holiday weekend outfit! What trends/outfits did you rock?

Hopeful

xxx

Outfit post #13

Good Evening Lovelies!

Hope you have all had a great day today. I officially finished all my lectures for third year which means I'm well on my way to graduating - how exciting! I seriously cannot wait to finish and just get stuck into the real world, pretty bored with education now.

There are a lot of trends floating around SS13 and one of those is the dungaree. At first, I was uncertain on my feelings on the come-back of the jean dungarees as they reminded me of something you wore when you were a child and always feel embarrassed about when you look back on pictures. However, I then came across the pant suit dungaree and, well, fell in love!

I first seen them on Lucy Meck from TOWIE at a fashion event and had to have a pair. The lovely lady's suit was from Zara but unfortunately, after weeks of searching online and in-store, they were sold out everywhere! I was absolutely gutted, but determined to get my hands on a pant suit dungaree, so searched high and low and eventually found an identical version on Missguided!

 

I am SO pleased with it. The only problem I had was that the sizing was a bit difficult so I would recommend ordering two sizes - your usual size and the size above because the suit can feel a little restricting depending on your height and has a bit of an awkward zip. However, other than the sizing issues it is extremely comfortable, flattering and goes with practically everything! This particular day I decided to team it with my floral over-sized River Island blouse and my Office heels. I felt really good and for once slim! Which is always a bonus. I have also wore it with a black and white polka dot crop top with converse and a dusty pink patterned shirt buttoned to the top with dusty pink loafers - the outfit options with this dungaree suit are endless! I seriously think everyone should get on... Although, I'm still not 100% keen on the jean dungarees but maybe I'll have to give them a try!

Enjoy the rest of your evening :)

Hopeful

xxx

Motivational Monday #12

Good afternoon Lovelies,

Hope you're all having a good day so far!

I am fully aware I haven't blogged in a while, especially when it comes to my motivational posts, which is awful and I am very sorry. 

I have had a lot of people come up to me and ask when my next one was going to be as with all the assignments and exams over the next few months, many of you are feeling bogged down, stressed and unmotivated. Well, I've listened to you all and I am here to help (as best I can anyway!).

I too am feeling the strain of last minute assignment/exam preparations and the excitement of nearly finishing uni forever is being masked by the panic and anxiety of moving on and no longer being a student. Fear not you lovely, lovely people because there's nothing to be scared of.

Although, the consensus seems to be that many students, near graduates, are feeling the pressure of finding a new job, especially one that is in the field they have studied, and unfortunately are finding it extremely difficult and time consuming. So, in the famous words of Dory;

"Just Keep Swimming!"

Life is too short to get stressed out about job applications and wondering when your career will start and you'll start living the lifestyle you have always wanted. I have heard many people say things like "I can't do it", "I'm unemployable" and "I haven't got time/I've got too much work to do". That's not positive now, is it? If you couldn't do it and were finding things THAT difficult then you wouldn't have got this far in the first place. In order to 'do it' and achieve it, you have to put the work in - and although it seems like a hard slog now, we all know how amazing it is going to feel once we've done it and we're free!

You're not unemployable. No one is really unemployable. You're just not what they're looking for right there and then. I know it is easy me saying this but it's the truth. Although, I believe we have to work hard for everything we do and achieve in order to reap any benefits, I also believe that it has to be the right time and place. I am fortunate enough to have a job in an amazing company with the role of 'Trainee PR and Social Media Account Executive" and I constantly sat there analysing and trying to understand 'Why me?' out of everybody who has been in and out of that department during work experience,  why was I the chosen one?But, one day I realised I shouldn't be questioning why because I am the why. Not only have I worked hard and managed to achieve many different skills over a number of different work experience placements, I am also willing to work hard, work as a team easily and jump as high as I need to in order to impress somebody. But, you know what the other thing is? You could be the hardest working person in the world and still not get a job - but it's not because you're unemployable, it's just that no one has given you the opportunity you need or deserve in order to stand out above the rest... Yet! It will happen, for some it happens sooner than others, you have to keep the faith and keep working hard because one day someone will notice that you don't give up and will want you to be part of their team in no time. Keep going! Don't give up because if you do and you stop trying how is anyone going to realise or notice just how good you truly are and how much of an asset you would be to said company/employer.

Another point I wanted to make during this post was about weight loss. I know a lot of my posts recently have been about me losing weight and achieving my perfect bikini body. However, this part of the post will look at YOU guys! I have had the most positive feedback from my last weight loss post and was overwhelmed with happiness. Another thing, many of you have been asking for my help on how to achieve YOUR summer body and what sorts of things I'm doing in order to lose the weight, tone up and keep it off. If anyone would have told me I would be helping people with their weight loss and keeping them motivated I would have laughed and said you were joking - but here I am and I couldn't be more happier to help. I know I'm not the skinniest girl in the world, nor do I want to be. I just want to be healthy and happy, so the purpose of this post is to help you lot feel the same :)

They say it is 80% what you eat and 20% how you exercise - When I first heard this I was so shocked and slightly disheartened as I love my food and thought exercise would have been the main route to take in order to lose the weight. But, the first thing I have to say before I say anything else, is that you MUST MUST MUST be in the correct frame of mind. There is absolutely no point trying to do this if you can't be bothered or are not too serious about it as it will completely backfire and not work - believe me I've been there. It took me a long, long time to get motivated and in the right frame of mind, but again it's about the right time and place, and things just start happening! I joined the gym and have been going 3 times a week as well as eating a lot healthier - living off jacket potatoes, salad and water! So, if I can do it, so can you! It's as simple as that. But it doesn't happen over night. 

I've heard this all too often, in my own head aswell, how we want results straight away and want to feel/look good as soon as we start. I'm afraid to say lovelies, it doesn't work like that. It would be amazing if it did don't get me wrong, plus, You'll have good days, and you'll have bad days BUT you can't beat the feeling of working hard for so long and finally seeing results, it's the biggest adrenaline rush ever! I have had many people tell me I look slimmer and congratulating me on doing so well so far, plus, I know I'll get there as I have set realistic expectations of how I will look/want to look by the time June comes along. The one thing I will stress to you guys is don't worry so much! Enjoy it, make it part of your routine and go and make yourself happy! If you have a bad day (and believe me, it will happen!) don't beat yourself up about it, use it as fuel to start your next day with a much more positive and go-getting attitude! Always remember;

A new day is a new start!

Every single day provides us with another opportunity to either make the wrong things we did right or better ourselves even more than yesterday. You can do this, the only person who needs to believe it is, you!

Hope you're feeling much more motivated today Lovelies!

Don't forget; you CAN do this!

Hopeful

xxx

Mission: Beach Body is a go!

Good Afternoon my Lovelies :)

I can't believe how much I have been neglecting my blog recently - so so sorry!
I have a dissertation, 2 assignments and 2 exams before I finish uni next month so it's all missions go and I'm trying to get as organised as possible. However, another mission that has been continuing for a couple of months now is my Beach Body mission - to lose weight and tone up before my holiday with the girls in June and I am VERY pleased to say that things seem to be paying off. I still have a long way to go before I'm at my ideal body shape/size but its a positive step in the right direction, plus, I joined the gym this week and have been hammering it ever since and will be for the next 62 days until my holiday! I am determined to look HOT in a bikini this summer!

One of the first differences is in the shape of my stomach - I can finally see things starting to take shape and tone up nicely :) I'm really pleased with the results so far considering I haven't been doing for too long. I have lost over half a stone now but I know my weight will change the more muscle I gain - I've never been one to obsess with my weight, only with what I look like. As long as I'm happy and healthy, that's all that matters :)

 

There isn't a huge difference between the two but there is a noticable difference which is good enough for me at the moment - its the positive results I need to keep motivated and keep on top of what I'm eating and how much I'm exercising!

From the front, I am very pleased! The pockets of fat that had formed at the tops of stomach and around my rib cage area have decreased in size by quite a bit which is AMAZING! This was the one area I was desperate to tone up and get rid of the stubborn fat - and I'm bloody doing it :D It just shows if you care enough and work hard enough things really do start to pay off! Like I said, I stil have a LONG way to go before I am at the size and shape I want to be but its a great start, even if I do say so myself :) Another bonus, most of my clothes are starting to become loose and rather big (a great excuse to go shopping!)

I've recently brought a couple of crop tops which I have always been a bit conscious about wearing and when I did I felt so uncomfortable and wanted to cover up my stomach with a jacket or bag/clutch but for the first time I actually feel pretty damn good! :) 

I hope this post doubles up as one out of interest but also a motivational one - if any of you are stuggling to motivate yourselves or just don't see the point! When get your ass up and do something because I'm telling you it certainly pays off and the results will leave you feeling incredible :D I'm really pleased to share this experience with you all!

Have a good, productive day<3

Hopeful

xxx

Mission: Beach Body is a go!

                                         

Hello Lovelies,

I realised the other day that I said I would blog about my progress with the dieting and exercise I have been doing over the past few months. So, I'm here to fill you in on what has happened throughout my journey.

If you have read my blog before you would have seen that I was on the Juice Plus diet - which consisted of drinking shakes to replace meals in order to speed up your metabolism as well as supply you with the healthy stuff, like vitamins etc, that are in the shakes. When I started I was feeling really positive about the whole thing and couldn't wait to start seeing results like what everyone else had or seemed to have.

I did the Juice Plus diet for a month and didn't see any progress whatsoever. Considering I had flipped my whole lifestyle on its head  by eating a fraction of the amount I used to eat because I was replacing my meals with shakes, only eating meat, vegetables and fruit, and exercising 3 times a week and more, I assumed the weight would fall off me pretty quickly - because I'd changed and because I was trying and working really hard. But nothing. I would constantly go onto the Facebook page and feel so disappointed with myself that I hadn't managed to lose as much weight as all the other woman had who are on the same thing. I felt a failure. It was awful. It wasn't as if I was trying to lose a lot of weight I just wanted to lose a stone to start off with just to see what I felt and looked liked after. I wanted to be and feel healthy, as well as, look really good and feel so much more confident. After talking to one of my close friends who was also on the diet the same time as me, she also felt the same way and together we decided to stop with the diet as it clearly wasn't working for us. Which was a huge shame as it seems to be 110% successful for everyone else, just not me.

After having a week off from dieting and exercising to try and figure out what I was to do next, my mum suggested that I try Slimming World. I have and had heard incredible things about this diet. My mum was on it and lost a stone just from eating healthily and being more careful. Numerous women from work had had dramatic weight loss from the diet and the best thing? They have kept it off the entire time since starting dieting till now which is exactly what I want and need. So, I thought I would give it a try.

It's possibly the best diet I have ever been on! The guides are so helpful and have step to step pages on what you're allowed to eat and what you're not (which isn't a lot which is great) I'm allowed 3 meals a day, which means I am never hungry and I am always left completely satisfied with what I have had and do not crave any bad foods - which is fab! I'm still early days yet as its only been my 2nd week on the diet but I feel great and I am positive this one will work this time.

Do you know how I know? Because I've already lost half a stone!!! How amazing is that? I reckon that is the two diets combined, as I can't imagine I have done that in just a week but its great to finally see and feel results. I still have a long way to go and I am heading towards losing at least another stone if not a stone and a half which will be a total of 2 stone! I am continuing exercising throughout, swimming, aerobics, boxfit and even the 30 day squat challenge! So, fingers crossed I will get there before my girls holiday in June! But so far so good :)

I will try and keep taking pictures of my progress to show you all that it really does work :)

Keep the faith!
Hopeful
xxx

Outfit Post #12

Hello Lovelies,

Long time no blog - I know! I've been so busy recently with Uni work and starting my new job, as well as, carrying on with my part time one - everything has been a bit manic! But I'm back and I'm here to stay and what better way to kick start than with a outfit post.

The polka dot, peplum top has been featured on my blog before, but in a 'going out' manner. This time I opted to style it differently so that I could wear it in the day too. I have seen everywhere recently that the boyfriend jean has made a come back and is high in the fashion stakes - a must have for the spring/summer. Well, I had been searching for a pair for a while and couldn't find any that fitted me right or suited my body shape anywhere, However, a miracle happened in the shade of blue. I was clearing out my wardrobe when I came across this pair that had been stored in the back for years!

They still fit me (sort of - they're massive on my waist but fit my leg!) and are perfect for SS13!

They were from Zara a few years ago but I know they do similar styles every year so it's still worth a look if you're on the hunt for a pair of boyfriend jeans. They are super comfy as they don't have that stuff, cardboard feeling you can get with some jeans. they go with pretty much everything I own and can be dressed with flats or heels, depending on the impression you want to make. I teamed this outfit with my trusty loafers from Office! A really cute outfit for the daytime but with a vintage twist and a bit of edge.

Also, this month I have changed something else.

MY HAIR!

Can you believe it? I just got so bored with my hair looking the same, day in, day out! It started to look too dark and was not co-operating when it came to styling it... So, I just thought it needed a good cut and a bit of a re-vamp to make me look fresh and more grown up...My verdict?

 I LOVE IT!

I feel like me again. Which I know probably sounds ridiculous but I do. This is exactly how I wanted it to look and more. It's been really easy to style and just brings a whole new look to my image/style of fashion.

I think it looks a little like Alexa Chung if I'm honest and the complements have just been rolling in, so , I couldn't be happier at the moment. New look. New me! How very Cliche of me?!

 

Hope you guys like my new look too!

Hopeful

xxx

Outfit Post #11

Hey Lovelies!

It's outfit post time :) If you have read my previous blogs you guys will know I'm currently on a diet and exercise fix, and for the first time in a month I actually feel like it's working!

The other day me and one of my best friends, Ross, decided to go into Manchester for a spot of shopping and lunch. We had such a lovely day! I ended up purchasing a new crop top from Topshop, which deep down I knew I shouldn't have, but I just couldn't resist! 

Anyway, my outfit. This particular day I woke up and automatically felt amazing. I love those kinds of days :)

So, I decided to get out one of my favourite midi dresses and give it a go for a day time look. I usually only wear these kinds of dresses on nights out with sky high heels but I've seen lots of girls out in them for the day and I thought I would give it a go! (Just realised my mirror is disgusting - shouldn't allow 7 year olds loose with my make-up) 

I felt so good. I felt womanly, feminine and rather grown up. Which for the first time I didn't mind feeling a little older. I teamed it with a simple gold necklace, leopard print heels and black blazer. A really simple outfit which was really easy to put together but made me feel great! I would recommend wearing something like this to anyone. It's perfect for lunching with friends or even a date!

Dress - Missguided

Necklace - Forever 21

Shoes - Office

Blazer - H&M

Phone case - Ebay

Face - Illamasqua and Mac make-up

Then we went to Trof in the NQ for some lunch and it was A M A ZING! I completely blew off my diet for the day and indulge in the loveliest food I have had in a long time. I had the pulled pork sandwich complete with salad, coleslaw and chips - I was in food heaven! We then decided to head over to Teacup for cake and tea. It really was one of the best days I have had in a while. We talked all afternoon about growing up and our future and I'm really excited!! :D

Have you had any lovely afternoon plans recently?

Hopeful

xxx