The deep dark blogging pit 🙇🏼‍♀️

Oh hey, another gloomy post from little ol' em over here, just a big scrooge stomping out everyones festive spirit, stomp stomp stomp.

But seriously, I'm sorry for my lack of blogmas, it was something I really wanted to do after blogtober, but I just can't really get into that blogging mind zone thing. Everyone gets it from time to time, but I just fell into that weird dark blogger pit again of feeling uninspired and I think it just came down to feeling maybe a little disheartened.. After my internet rant post I think it was clear to see that my heart was just not in it on that week, all the stuff going on online just made me so mad and think what is the point.

Hours of taking blog and instagram photos, writing up posts, trying to fit somewhere in the community for algorithms to just fuck you over. And now I just feel like my blog is continuously becoming rants apon rants because I'm either uninspired or just generally frustrated and annoyed and just no sign that my blog is appreciated.

But that's not why I started this blog.

I think it's important to remember why I started.. and that's because I love it. I love creating content, writing things I love and conversing with people who like the same things that I do.

So today I'm going to create and stop putting pressures on myself to be perfect, because sometimes content sucks - but it's about not creating for the sake of it - which is what I feel blogmas made me personally do. I wasn't ready or prepared and that just made me feel crap about my content. I admire anybody who can make amazing content every single day, but I just think I'm not cut out for it. I want to make content I think is my best.

I guess this ended on a positive note and I'm not bashing people who do create everyday, I just feel like I can't. Props to you guys who can!
SO back to the drawing board for me.

Have you ever felt this way?

Thanks for reading my silly rants if you're still here,

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter

SaveSave

Stop killing the Internet

At the moment I'm not really sure how to feel about the internet, it's becoming this weird place of algorithms and advertising and it feels like its dying and becoming something else.

It's been everywhere, opinions and thoughts of people talking about it on so many social media channels.

The new Instagram algorithm, it's awful, you can't see who you follow and it's just become this sort of game to get the most likes so you can actually have your content seen. Even scrolling through hashtags I'm finding people with loads of followers and likes, even underneath the top 9 posts for that hashtag.

On blogging, the smaller guys seem to be going un-noticed as big bloggers just become more and more unrelate-able and just walking advertisers, girl I get that bloggers need to make money but to sell your soul to brands who just want to use you for your authenticity that brands can't ever have..  Just what the hell is happening.

It's all kicking off on youtube too, with so many creators complaining that people aren't seeing their videos and being replaced by clickbait and ads.

It all seems like it's just all going down this route for social media platforms, now people are following/unfollowing on instagram too so they can have a more successful following, but its just god damn annoying and disheartening when you're trying to build your brand and its now come to this, because instagram isn't playing fair.

So come on internet, sort your shit out.

Stop thinking about your wallets and appreciate your users. You wouldn't be where you are without us little guys.

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter

My Favourite things about December

December is 100% my favourite month. I mean, I love autumn and all, but its just abit too warm, December it just gets cold and all snuggly and how could you not love the festive season, it's the one time of year when people are just generally that little bit nicer than usual. But there's other things that I just love about December and I'm going to share them!

The Coldness

Okay, I know I've already mentioned this a little bit, but I think Winter might possibly be my favourite season. The dark nights, although annoying I kind of like and the cold.. means I can wear snuggly hats everyday with no judgement. It also means I can wear all the scarves and gloves that I like. I can drink warm drinks in the cold and it makes me so happy.

German Markets

Tis the season - for german markets! German markets seem to be everywhere in December, we have one here in Bournemouth but there's a HUGE one in Birmingham (my hometown) and it's impossible to resist a huge hot dog and maybe a cheeky mulled wine. It makes it just that little bit more social which is really nice.

Christmas Parties

Everyone loves a work-do and it's no exception for me! I love a good work do, it's always great to chill out and just have a laugh with your colleagues and your bosses. There's just something so cute and festive about it.

Going Home

For me, Christmas means going home to Birmingham. I don't go to my hometown very often, but when I do, usually it's Christmas. The german markets and the giant tree in the Bullring is so nice and i just love having mulled wine and being at home with my little doggy.

New Years Eve

I love New years! It's probably my favourite evening in the whole of the year. It's a time for making changes, reflection and inspirations. It's also a time to party and get drunk, but I just love how everyone comes together to celebrate.

Christmas Day

And finally, Christmas day! I love being able to finally spend Christmas day with my family - not being able to just pop to their house, it's really nice to just spend time with my parents and family but also my little doggy. We usually chill out in our PJs (super comfy) and then have a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea. It's tradition and I love it.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Is that you're favourite part of December too? Leave a comment and let me know!

Thanks for reading as always,

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter

UK Blog Awards 2017

UK Blog Awards 2017

It's finally here! The UK blog awards. Someone kindly nominated me (thanks anonymous person) but I thought hey why the hell not! I haven't entered anything like this in the whole 4 years of me blogging.. jeez.

There's some lovely blogs also up for nomination and I'm going to have a good browse at all these lovely bloggers.

Although winning an award seems abit outrageous as I'm not some influencer who has thousands of followers, but it's nice to enter anyway, any opportunity to get my blog noticed! I put so much effort into creating content not only for my blog, but for my instagram, promotion, my photography and I pour my heart into my personal and anxiety related posts.

Winning an award would just be amazing.. am I right? As a student studying fashion marketing & communications it would be so lovely to put on my shiny CV when I graduate this year.

But now it's the time to vote!

So if you really like reading my blog and enjoy my content and effort to make everything beautiful I would really appreciate your time to click the link and vote for me!

Click here to vote for me!

Thanks for your support!

My Favourite Festive Bloggers

In the spirit of Blogmas, it's time to share my favourite festive bloggers, these gals have been making some really beautiful and inspiring festive posts and I would love to share them with you!

Katy Belle

Katy is slaying the blogosphere right now and her festive posts are no exception! She's also taking part in blogmas so it's lovely to content from her everyday. Her photos are gorgeous and consistent with her aesthetic which I'm guilty of being a sucker for. For interesting content you have to click on check out katy's blog.

http://www.katybelle.co.uk

Kyia Belle

I recently discovered Kyia's blog a few weeks ago, but I always just seem to click on her twitter links whenever she posts on her blog. Her photography is so nice and big, I'm again a sucker for quality images, which compliment her posts so wonderfully. Her posts are great because although she posts 'winter beauty essentials' it's not in the boring same old blogger way.. if that makes sense.. *lol So check her out if you love wintery posts with a twist.

http://wanderlustgirl-kb.blogspot.co.uk

Sarah Lauren

Another girl blogger I recently stumbled upon, Sarah's posts are just really interesting to read. She has a much more personal vibe to her blog, which makes me go back to read it! It's ramblings of her thoughts and life, beauty and hair posts, we all know how much I love hair posts. So check her out, she's really cool.

http://www.seethestars.co.uk

Allie

I love love Allie's blog! Why I hadn't paid attention beforehand I don't know, but her blog just speaks to me haha. She's taking full advantage of the festive season, her blog even has snowflakes on it! She vlog's weekly and her posts are interesting and I just love reading them! 

http://www.rushandteal.co.uk


So they are my favourite festive bloggers this week! Are you taking part in blogmas? Let me know in the comments, I'm always looking for new bloggers to love and add to my list!

Thanks for reading as always,

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter

Gaining confidence in the new year

Hi I'm Emily, a small little lady who doesn't like talking to people and would rather be in her own home than the real world. I'm your usual introvert, nothing special here. But I care a lot about what people think about me, sometimes subconsciously without even realising.
I've struggled with Anxiety for at least 3 years now, it's mostly social but can become a lot bigger and more generalised if I don't stay on top of it.

One of the things I intend to deal with next year is to focus more on my confidence. It will be one of my resolutions to improve my wellbeing and make myself more confident, mainly because I will be leaving university and I want to improve my confidence in speaking for when I enter the very real and big world of work. I don't want to be scared of talking to people or asking for what I want out of life. I'm done with not being forward enough and getting what I want out of life.

It's important to know your triggers for this behaviour, maybe you're just shy or maybe you have anxious tendencies. For me it's mainly the anxious one, I often believe in my head that people won't like me, or will make fun of me, which is strange because I can't understand why my thought process works that way, it just does. I've been researching to see what it is I can do to change my thoughts and become a more confident person.

So here's what I'll be doing to combat those anxious feelings to boost my confidence in the new year.

Speak up

This is something I want to work on the most, being able to voice my opinions and thoughts surrounded by people I might not know, or people who aren't close friends. I'm often worried that people won't like what I have to say, even if they don't even know me!

People don't care as much as you think

People are so wrapped up in their own lives and thoughts, most of the time, they don't actually give a crap. That thing you just said that you thought you shouldn't or found embarrassing they're too busy thinking in their own heads to even realise. This is something I need to drill into my mind, to not worry so much about other people's thoughts.

Push for what I want

I've never really been an ambitious person, I just haven't. It takes a lot for me to pump myself up, but my boyfriend on the other hand is very much so. I find that his influence has really helped me decide what it is that I want. I often watch youtube videos and read inspiring blog posts, just to pump myself up and make my self think 'hey I can actually do this'

Make Goals

Making goals and then in turn, completing them can make you feel so accomplished but also feeling like you actually achieved something is worthwhile. If you don't set yourself goals then you won't realise how well you're actually doing. I'll be delving more into goals later this month.

Believe in myself

Sometimes I doubt just how good I can be at something. I'm capable of doing huge things I know, but it's having the belief and drive in myself to know that I can. Being more organised really contributes to having a routine and focusing more on myself and wellbeing. 

What is it that you want to focus on in the new year? Is it your confidence too?


Thanks for reading as always,

(Photo by Howard Budzynski)

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter.

8 Things I'm Thankful for

2016 has been a hell of a year for me and I got the inspiration for this post from the American holiday of thanksgiving! (thanks, America) I really wanted to think about this past year, but also just to take some time out to really reflect on what I'm thankful for. Now I'm not religious of any sort whatsoever, but I still think it's really important to be grateful for things and opportunities that have come around. This year has been full of so many things I never thought would've happened!

1. My beautiful home

Howard pretty much worked his butt off to live where we do, it's a beautiful newly built flat and it's just such a dream to be able to live here. We're close to town and it's just so wonderfully neutral (if you've lived in student accommodation you will understand) after living in student houses for the last 3 years, living somewhere beautiful, clean and mould free is the best thing in the world.

2. Going back to university

So last year I was stuck with the horrible decision of dropping out of my final year of university. I didn't want to leave but I had to, I was sad that all my friends would graduate without me and I really struggled. But now I've returned, I've just handed in my unit ready to tackle my final major project. I'm feeling so much more productive than I was last year and I can't wait to graduate. (I'm probably going to cry)

3.  Howard

I'm not normally a mushy person and I know he won't read this (gross) but my boyfriend really helps me out so much, from taking silly blog photographs for me to making sure I get off my butt and do stuff, he's so supportive and I'm really thankful and lucky to of ended up with someone so lovely.

4. My workplace

I've met so many wonderful new people at work, they make me laugh every time I see them and they're such a great bunch. I felt rather alone when all my friends went back home after graduating, but I made some amazing new friends and I'm so happy I have them.

5. My friend returning from Australia 

So sneaky Howard and my best friend Lucky (yes that's her name) had planned to surprise me after she decided to come back from travelling and I thought I was getting a puppy.. but I wasn't. It was Lucky instead. Best surprise, and it's nice to have my friend back.

6. Family

I never really get to see them as much as I would like to, but they support me so much and I'm grateful for the support and help they give whenever it's needed. My parent's came down to help us move into our new place and I miss them being around. I just wish they lived closer!

7. Blogging

Blogging has exploded for me this year, I'm really excited to see what new opportunities lay for me around the corner! I've also met some great bloggers who are just in the same boat as I am!

8. Spotify

A little shout out to my favourite thing in the world which is music. It has the ability to change my mood at any moment and I rely a lot on music to just get me up in the morning. Spotify is my favourite thing in the world and I have way too many playlists for my own good.

It's interesting to take a step back and really think about what things you couldn't live without.

These are my top things I'm most grateful for, I could go on but I wouldn't want to bore you, what are you most grateful for and why?

Thanks for reading as always,

(Photo by Howard Budzynski)

I'm over on twitter & Instagram
- if you fancy a natter

Follow

Hello December & BLOGMAS 🌲

Hello December!

Well haven't you come along quickly. This time last year, I was trying to sort my life out at university and decide what the hell I was actually doing and now, I've got my little apartment and all cosy and happy!

But October when I first started my blog up again was a huge thing for me and my blog, it seems to only be getting better with last month, I hit 3K on Instagram and it's still growing! My bloglovin' followers have grown so much too, which is really nice and thank you guys for making my efforts seem worth it. It's nice to know that people are actually interested into the hard work that goes into my blog and I'm really starting to take it seriously.

So what's happening this month..

It's BLOGMAS! After the success that my blog had throughout October, I thought it would be a missed opportunity to not take part in blogmas. I'm going to try my hardest, but posting everyday might be a little too crazy for me as December is so so busy! But I will give it my best shot again! 

If you hadn't noticed I'm also changing my vibe of my blog and Instagram to fit with my branding and the sort of aesthetic I want to have on my blog and social media. I really hate my blog name but I can't think of anything that I really would like to change it to, so I'm guessing that will stay the same but it's nice to think that I'm continuing to grow as a blogger and find my own aesthetic and niche.

I'm also popping home to Birmingham for Christmas.. come at me Christmas markets! But I'll get to see my puppy and my family and I'm really excited for this month.

SO hello December, I'm really excited to see what this month holds!

Happy Blogmas! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for a new post!

I'm over on twitter - if you fancy a natter

and my Instagram game is on fleek right now, so check it out!