Thursday, 4 July 2013

Outfit post #17


Good Afternoon Lovelies,
Hope your Thursday is going well! I have had, yet again, a boring day looking for jobs and cruising the internet. But, I've had enough of being boring. So, I decided to get up, get dressed and see what the day would bring and then I realised I haven't done an everyday outfit post for a while!

I am absolutely loving the midi length at the moment. As I am bigger/curvier on the bottom and I'm not a huge fan of my legs this length allows me to cover up my insecurities as well as still being able to wear skirts/dresses without tights/leggings. This little beauty is from the one and only ASOS! They are easily my favourite online retailer at the moment, and I find myself on the website every single day. I came across this skirt a while ago but didn't have the funds to purchase it. I loved the paisley print (being a MOD's daughter and all!) and the length and thought I would be able to dress it up and down, plus, team it with different key pieces like vest tops, tee-shirts and crop tops. The best part? I happened to come across it again the other day and it was in the sale - yipee! So, obviously, I HAD to purchase it? Right? Yeah I knew you guys would agree! It's been a great buy.


 

I am so into buying clothes at the moment that are versatile and can be worn with more than one thing, which in my head makes sense as, I save money by only by one key item rather than numerous ones and they can be worn in both summer and winter months, good times!

I decided today to team the skirt with just a simple vest top, black heels and a chunky chain - simple, comfortable but still rather fashionable :)

 

Close up of the paisley print - Grey, purple and pinks!
Hope you like my outfit choice for the day!
Hopeful
xxx

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Motivational Monday #13




Ok, so I haven’t actually done a motivational blog post in a while and it's not a Monday (which makes me a terrible blogger, bad Hope!) but I was talking to one of my lovely friends this morning who suggested I should do one, and basically, I couldn’t think of any reasons why not… So, here I am!
Over the past month or so my Facebook and Twitter feed has been bombarded with University students, first, second and third years, all expressing their joy at the results they have received and uploading pictures from graduation! So first of all I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to every single individual out there who is pleased/happy with their amazing results! You have bragging rights and deserve to show off the ear to ear smile you have plastered on your face – huge well done to you guys!



I don’t actually get my results until next week and I couldn’t be more scared. Every time I think about it the butterflies start stirring in my stomach, my heart starts thumping and a wave of sickness comes over me. I just desperately want to do well. Over the past three years I have worked so hard and given it my all… So, regardless of what happens, I know I will get the grade I deserve.

Speaking of working hard. Do you ever get the feeling that no matter what you do or how hard you work the universe just has a way of making it feel worthless? Yeah I do.







Sometimes, it doesn’t matter what you do or how hard you work.
Sometimes, it just isn’t the right time or place – how cliché does that sounds? But it’s the truth.
Ok, an example? I can give you an example. My own example!
I have finished University (still waiting for my results and to graduate) but during my time I have completed numerous work placements, as well as, studying and working part time. I have done this for two reasons 1) I actually wanted to, I like to be busy and feel like I’m using my time in the best way possible and 2) I am constantly thinking about my future and my career so thought gaining as much as experience as possible, as well as, a degree would be the best way to secure my future quickly after finishing University.  I thought everything was pretty much sorted. I felt secure and confident with my future after university. But, low and behold, things don’t always go to plan. I don’t have a job. I have been spending every day since I left university searching for jobs, and luckily, found some that sounds perfect and exactly what I am looking for, however, haven’t heard anything back. So, although I have a lot of experience, a degree and a pretty impressive CV, I’m still unemployed and finding things rather difficult – which I didn’t plan for, so I’m in a bit of a rut at the moment.


I bet you’re reading this thinking ‘gosh, this is depressing! Where’s the motivational part?’
Don’t worry I’m getting to that part right now.

After conversing with a few of my friends who are in the exact same position as me, jobless and feeling more and more bored and frustrated as the days go on, I just couldn’t understand why we were in this situation. All of us are talented in our own ways, have valuable experience and are pretty awesome people – so what is making us so unemployable? Well, nothing. It’s not that we’re not employable, in fact, we’re a damn catch! It’s literally just not the right time or place for me, or my friends, or any of you who are feeling the same.






Does that mean you give up? Hell no! Do you know what the best thing is about being unemployed? You’re not committed to anything so you can use your time do anything you have always wanted to do! 



What about that volunteering opportunity you have always wanted to do but never have the time? Now you do!

What about how you have always wanted to travel but never found the right time or place? Hello?! It’s here! Right now! I know you need money but just work in any job for a while to keep you occupied and get you to where you want to be!

And simply, you deserve a rest after 3 years of working your ass off to get where you are today? You have the rest of your life to work full time and build up your career – a month or two off won’t hurt! In fact, it’ll probably help you on your way to what you REALLY want and gives you time to think and do things for yourself, rather than things you’re ‘expected’ to do. 




So, as much as it is annoying and frustrating not having a job straight after University and it feels worthless to work hard for all that time, just remember, it isn’t worthless, you are exactly where you are supposed to be, no matter where or what that is. Use your time to do the things you want to do. It may not be the right time or place for your dream job but it is the right time and place to do the things you have always wanted to do as you have no commitments, no uni work and all the time in the world. When it’s supposed to happen, it will! I know it. Just keep on believing and it will happen. Just go and have fun, or do something you want – what harm will it do?






Although, this should be a happy, joyful time where we should celebrate the past three years and look forward to our future as everything we have worked towards is here. There are, again, days where you lost all hope. Lose motivation, determination and cannot find inspiration anywhere. Give over, inspiration is all around you, you just need to open your eyes. There are people you know who are doing things right now that can inspire and motivate you to keep going. Like;

An old friend from high school who was diagnosed with cancer years ago, beat it, and is using his experiences  to his advantage and studying Diagnostic Radiography at university – I mean how awesome is that?

Or a friend, who hasn’t always had the confidence to do what they wanted, but saw an opportunity to go to London to do a Film Critic course, and went. Simple as that.

Or family members who every single day show their compassion, patience and sheer incredibility with the things they do, like being a foster parent, working with elderly people who have Dementia and making their lives easier or working with mentally ill patients.

A friend, when nothing was going their way and could have easily given up, used this opportunity to do something she has always wanted to do and turned her hobby into a career and is becoming extremely successful – amazing!

Seriously guys, there are ordinary people doing ordinary things who surround you every single day who are doing things that are just simply, inspiring. Don’t forget to look closer to home for inspiration, motivation and determination because I pretty much guarantee you will find it.





I hope you feel a little more motivated after reading this, because, that’s the point J
And don’t be too harsh on yourselves. You, as an individual, can be your toughest critic, so just relax, take some time out and really think about all the things you want to do, because now is the time to do them!


Hopeful
xxx

Saturday, 29 June 2013

Outfit Post #16 - Holiday Special!



Hello Lovelies :)
Sorry I haven't blogged for a while but I have only just returned from my week away in sunny, sunny Turkey!  I'll let you in on a secret (definitely not a secret as it is all I tweet about atm!) I miss it so much! I would do absolutely anything to go back/still be there - a week definitely wasn't long enough but I am so grateful for the experiences I had and the memories I have made with some of the best people. I would actually go as far as to say it was my best and favourite holiday so far.

Anyway, I made it my mission this time to make sure I documented as many of my outfits as possible so I could do a holiday inspired blog when I got back and here it is :)


 Outfit 1: Black Jumpsuit - New Look


 


Outfit number one is something I have had hanging in my wardrobe for years - and I'm not even exaggerating! I was frantically packing (last minute may I add) and came across something very black and heavy - low and behold it was this secret beauty! I had completely forgotten I had this, so unfortunately, it won't be sold in New Look anymore but jumpsuits have made a huge comeback so I am sure there will be others very similar around. It fits like a dream and was perfect for a lovely meal and a few drinks in the hotel restaurant and bar! The only two things I would say is 1) it is VERY heavy material so when the weather is hot it can get very warm under the (non-existent) collar! 2) it is rather long on me as I have super short legs so I had to team it with a heel as flip-flops or sandals would have made it drag along the floor. It's still a perfect holiday outfit and I felt comfortable all night, even if I was a little hot!

 

Outfit 2: Polka Dot Crop Top & Cream Midi Skirt - SIX and New Look

 

 

Outfit 2 has to be one of my favourites over the holiday and when I came back I had a lot of compliments from friends who had seen my pictures on Instagram. The crop top was a random find in a local boutique near to where I live and was only £12 which was pretty cheap seen as it is excellent material and fits perfectly. I wear it with all sorts of things, such as, midi skirts, maxi skirts and pencil skirts! With it being black and white it goes with practically everything and every colour - love it! This skirt is also an old timer that has been hanging in my wardrobe for some time and was from New Look (same as previous outfit!). The best bit? This skirt is a size 8 - buzzing! :) I actually felt slim and felt good throughout the whole night which I think showed in my huge smile! 



Outfit 3: Black Maxi Dress - Primark

 

Outfit 3 was the ultimate holiday bargain! This little beauty is from Primark and cost £7! Can you believe it? The material is perfect, although a little heavy, it clings perfectly to my body shape giving a pretty decent hourglass shape - happy Hope! The top part of the dress is a crochet design so was a bit see through but was still extremely classy - I think so anyway. Also, the neon yellow necklace (also comes in neon pink, which is my next purchase!) was also from primark for £3 so the whole outfit (excluding shoes which were only £4 anyway!) was £10 - you really cannot go wrong! I wore this to a midnight cruise that we went on as I believe it looked rather sophisticated but still on trend for a girlie evening/holiday night.



Outfit 4: Floral Maxi Dress - ASOS


 

This dress has been featured on my blog before as I absolutely adore it and with a tan it looked even better on holiday :) I usually have to be very careful with patterned numbers as I'm bottom heavy sometimes they can make me look bigger than what I actually am - boo hoo! But this dress fits me perfectly, especially with the elasticated waist, and it is super comfy! Although, again, heavy material with long sleeves wasn't the smartest move I have ever made when in a hot country... But, it looked good so that's all that matters! I hope you will agree!





Outfit 5 & 6: Black Midi Sundress - ASOS
& Blue and White Aztec Midi Dress - River Island


Unfortunately I didn't get any full length pictures of me in the black ASOS dress as we woke up late from a nap and had to rush getting ready - but I am pleased with the end results. This is my all time favourite dress - it just goes with anything and for any occasion. It has a low scoop back so a stick on bra is a must! As you may already know if you have read my posts before I am 50's mad! I love everything about it - the clothes, attitude towards women's body shape and the way the clothes make you feel. This dress is perfect for my shape as it clings to my slimmer top half but skims over my huge bum and hides my thunder thighs - and that's to put it nicely :) I always feels amazing in this dress (I wore it out to Newcastle once too!). I teamed it with my old faithful Office black heels and a huge, bright yellow clutch bag and channeled a Audrey Hepburn styled look with outfit and hair by tying it up leaving my bangs down - my favourite look!



I do have a full length picture of me in this aztec midi dress but unfortunately it is on my friends camera so as soon as he sends it me I will upload it so you can see it in all its glory. But I'll give you a brief description; it is a kind of razer strap kind of dress, as it's not a typical vest top style as it scoops around my neck instead of resting on my shoulders, it is mid length and has an elasticated waist so helps perfect the hourglass figure I am always trying to create. It is extremely light and comfortable to wear and was a holiday outfit that dreams are made out of. I teamed this little number with my bright orange Topshop platform wedges (I love a bit of colour clash) and a statement necklace! Another winner in my eyes. 





Basically, I loved my holiday wardrobe! And lucky me is jetting off again in a couple of weeks and will be taking some new items/items I didn't get chance to wear this time so when I get back I'll have a whole new blog post for you - how exciting!

Hope you enjoyed my holiday special blog post and I hope you see an outfit you liked/want to channel yourself :)
Hope you're all having a fabulous summer so far no matter what you're doing

Hopeful
xxx


















Monday, 3 June 2013

Mission: Beach body is a go!


Hey Lovelies,

Hope you've all had a fab day! I have had the best day :) First, I went toiletrie shopping with my girls to get some last minute bits for our holiday - just over a week away, how exciting! Then we went for a spot of lunch before I headed on over to Media City to be part of the audience for Sarah Millican's TV Programme - she was absolutely hilarious and I had such a lovely evening!

Anyway, back to my beach body mission! I hope yours has gone as well as, if not better, than mine! I'm not going to lie I have fallen off the band wagon a little bit and had a few treats along the way, but I don't feel guilty at all! I have worked extremely hard and deserved to have a few treats/nights off since I finished uni forever last week :) But I thought I would share with you my progress so far...

First of all, please ignore the fact I have no top on whatsoever, I was in the middle of getting ready when I noticed/felt like I had lost more weight/inches and had to take pictures immediately.
Secondly, please ignore my Bambi PJs! You really wouldn't think I was turning 21 years old this summer.

Anyway, I admit compared to the last pictures I uploaded I haven't lost THAT much since, but small progress is better than no progress!

 

My fat at the bottom of my stomach seems smaller and more toned - I'm not kidding myself though! Although I have done well so far I know I still have a VERY, VERY long way to go to get my stomach completely flat and super toned! But, I don't care how long it takes I will get there. 
Also, I mentioned in my last blog it is all about making realistic expectations, so taking my own advice I change my goal. My initial goal was to have lost weight and toned up in order to have my perfect body by my holiday - well, seen as I go in 9 days it's pretty obvious that goal wasn't realistic for me. So, I have decided to keep going and once I am back off my holiday start again and work my way to have my perfect body by my 21st Birthday, which is in August, realistic? I think so! I will have my super flat and super toned stomach by the end of summer (fingers crossed!)

The only annoying thing is that the fat around my ribs seems to be the hardest part to get rid of! I keep saying to myself that I should ignore it and concentrate of the parts where I have lost weight - but I can't help it! I want my stomach to be perfect and my protruding ribs and stubborn fat are not welcome! I need to keep positive though otherwise it will be counter productive and I'll end up not losing any more weight, and scarily piling it all back on.


My stomach WILL WILL WILL look like this one day!

Although, I don't have MY perfect body in time for my holiday I am SO happy with the progress I have made over the past couple of months! :) I actually don't feel disgusted everytime I get dressed or look in the mirror now and I'm having less and less fat days, yipee! I can't wait to get to the stage where I can happily and confidently blog about how amazing  my body is and how hard I've worked to get there - a girl can dream! I'm just going to stay determined, motivated and positive and hopefully I'll get there :)


Hope any weight loss plans you guys are having are working!
Hopeful 
xxx