tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85066618305445192532024-03-18T03:03:20.693+00:00By Daisy BradburyYour go-to source for beauty tips, how to style the latest trends and a glimpse into the life of student and aspiring journalist, Daisy Bradbury.Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-55568627652895332732021-06-15T10:00:00.001+01:002021-06-15T10:00:00.172+01:00Testing Popular Study Techniques To See if They Help My Productivity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEUP73qBb-w/YLwARXBRxrI/AAAAAAAAISE/qa9JPXytIc0-VppO2kdbCo6f95375184ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Testing Popular Study Techniques To See if They Help My Productivity" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEUP73qBb-w/YLwARXBRxrI/AAAAAAAAISE/qa9JPXytIc0-VppO2kdbCo6f95375184ACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Over the past few months, I've found that constantly working on university essays and assignments can become repetitive, especially when you're stuck in the middle of a lockdown where working alongside other people isn't possible. These last few months have felt like an endless slog of studying and essay writing for me - thankfully I've now completed my undergraduate degree but it certainly wasn't easy! In the process, I thought I'd add some variety to my monotonous study days by testing out some popular techniques that promise more productive study sessions. While finding new revision strategies and study tips online can be useful, I thought I'd put them to the test to see if they actually work or aren't worth using. Whether you're still studying before the summer holidays commence or you simply want to know what techniques are worth trying, keep reading for my verdict!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Technique #1 - Using Notion to organise revision</span></b></h2><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>How it works:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The best way that I can describe Notion is that it's a digital planner, allowing you to track everything needed for an organised life. There's no determined structure so it can be formatted in whatever way allows you to be productive, whether that's through to-do lists, calendars, databases or many more options. The theory behind this study technique is that you'll no longer have documents scattered across your laptop and notes scrawled in random spaces, as they're streamlined and merged into one easy-to-access platform. Obviously, this isn't exclusive to revision - many people use Notion for their job or even to keep track of hobbies - but I thought I'd put it to the test for study purposes to see if it helped my productivity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My verdict:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I created a Notion account in January while bored out of my mind with Covid, and I've used it religiously ever since. In fact, not a single day goes by where I don't check it, even if I'm not studying. I use it mainly for my daily to-do lists, but it's also handy for keeping track of readings, assignments, grades and many more things. Plus, I use it a lot for my journalism projects - if you'd like to see my Notion setup in-depth I can definitely do a blog post on it! I've always been a to-do list person so this is an ideal system for me, plus I've found that I'm a lot more productive when all of my readings and important documents are in one place, rather than spending ages scrolling through my laptop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While I absolutely love Notion, I'd recommend being careful not to rely on it too much! Remember that it's an online website that can experience technical difficulties or your Internet connection could unexpectedly fail, which would be extremely frustrating right before an exam or while taking notes during a lecture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4h2pfH3VLw/YLwCGrEW1RI/AAAAAAAAISY/aK1XtGvQNM4W2g7AJNVs6rEsmLvaSn_bQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Testing Popular Study Techniques To See if They Help My Productivity" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4h2pfH3VLw/YLwCGrEW1RI/AAAAAAAAISY/aK1XtGvQNM4W2g7AJNVs6rEsmLvaSn_bQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Technique #2 - Using apps to block phone usage</span></b></h2><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>How it works:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In an age of technology, it can be incredibly easy to get distracted by buzzing notifications on your phone or the burning desire to mindlessly scroll through social media. With online learning, this struggle has become even more prevalent as technology is essential for working and can't be avoided easily. Many apps exist to block the use of your phone for a chosen length of time, allowing you to focus and stay productive without impulsively staring at your screen. I personally tested the Flora app since I like the cute addition of growing your own forest with every period of time spent focusing, and you can even link it to your bank account for the added incentive of not breaking it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My verdict:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've never considered my phone to be a massive distraction when I'm working, yet I found this app incredibly helpful! I definitely don't use it every day, but instead rely on it when I'm feeling particularly unmotivated or find myself getting distracted. I honestly didn't realise how often I subconsciously checked my phone until I was unable to, but Flora definitely helped me to stay more focused by preventing this. The only thing I'd keep in mind is that sometimes your phone can be useful for work purposes, whether that's due to a to-do list in your notes app or a photo of some important information, so remember this before setting the focus timer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Technique #3 - Splitting time by Pomodoros </span></b></h2><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>How it works:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Pomodoro technique splits time into intervals that are typically 25 minutes long, with a shorter 5-minute break in between and a longer 15-minute break after four of these Pomodoros have passed. The theory is that you decide on the task that needs to be done and then allocate how many Pomodoros it'll take, making your workload more manageable and easier to undertake. It's supposed to target anxiety generated by the 'ticking clock' that causes procrastination, as this technique instead makes time a valuable ally. There are various apps to implement the Pomodoro technique; I personally used <a href="https://pomodoro-tracker.com/" target="_blank">this website</a> but there are many alternatives out there to try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My verdict:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I tried this technique a few times, but I realised that it isn't the one for me. If you have a short attention span or struggle to get started with a task and want to split it into more manageable chunks, then this is an ideal method to try. Personally, I've always found that I work better in much larger sections, perhaps 2 or 3 hours at a time before taking a more substantial break. With the Pomodoro technique, I found that as soon as I was in the flow of working, it was time to take a break and my thinking was interrupted. Plus, the larger number of breaks meant that there were countless more opportunities to procrastinate and I sometimes struggled to start working again. Since I was working on my final essays, I also found it harder to split these into tiny 25-minute chunks, but I can imagine this technique being more useful if you're working through a series of short questions or tasks. It definitely has its pros, but it's ultimately not the method for me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9qCo9-UBkI/YLwARZWgVcI/AAAAAAAAISI/A7BAgxNBWIMXFMA6vexE7x0A3H2bO3HhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Testing Popular Study Techniques To See if They Help My Productivity" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1775" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9qCo9-UBkI/YLwARZWgVcI/AAAAAAAAISI/A7BAgxNBWIMXFMA6vexE7x0A3H2bO3HhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Testing%2BProductive%2BStudy%2BTechniques%2B4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Technique #4 - Listen to ambient music</span></b></h2><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>How it works:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While a lot of people strongly advise against listening to music while studying, there's evidence that lo-fi sounds with no lyrics or distinguishable melodies can actually be helpful. Sometimes, the silence can become overwhelming or cause us to listen out for the tiniest noises, whereas having a subtle wash of music in the background drowns out these sounds and supposedly helps to maintain focus. Obviously, it isn't the same as listening to your karaoke playlist when singing along is inevitable; the idea is to use sounds that aren't catchy or distinguishable such as coffee shop chatter, crackling fires or waves on a shore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My verdict:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Some people always work while listening to music but I've never had that impulse; I'll often instinctively choose to work in silence and frequently find myself in the no-speaking areas of the library. However, I started listening to some ambient music while working just to create variety in my monotonous study days, and I actually really enjoyed it! I spent the entire month of May working on various assignments, which also coincided with the gloomy weather, so I immersed myself in some jungle rain sounds from <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/08OoufgDXbghIZdJsM5dtm" target="_blank">this Spotify playlist</a>. For me, it was the nice middle ground of having some background noise that wasn't distracting, and I'd definitely use this again for future assignments!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Technique #5 - Vary your environment while working</span></b></h2><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>How it works:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Many people believe that staying in one location can cause you to get bored or feel sluggish while working, so adding some variety to your revision locations can maintain your focus and productivity. This supposedly helps with gaining a renewed sense of motivation, as well as familiarising yourself with working in new environments that'll be useful when it comes to sitting in an exam hall. For many people, moving to a new location also acts as a break while revising, allowing them to start again with renewed engagement and a fresh head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My verdict:</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Believe it or not, I actually prefer working in the same space. Earlier in the semester, I travelled to university quite often to work in the library, but I soon stopped as I realised it was making me less productive. The stress of booking a library slot and finding a seat, plus the excessive time spent commuting and packing up my stuff, meant that it really didn't feel worth it. It started to feel like I was spending most of my day travelling and preparing to work, rather than actually delving into it, plus I'd always return home feeling drained. I've always been surprisingly productive whilst working at home, so unless I desperately needed a change of scenery or wanted a book from the library, I decided not to implement this technique. However, this is just my personal preference - I know a lot of people who really value a change in scenery while working!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As a whole, I found that a lot of these study techniques were incredibly useful, and while some weren't my personal favourites I could definitely appreciate how other people might find them helpful. I'd love to know what your favourite study methods are or whether you've tried any of the above tips, so make sure you leave a comment to let me know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCSaWJGV1WQ/YMeorPjLhCI/AAAAAAAAIV8/aSVOsNivBnwi7PrX7Sdd-TMPZWixoESVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LOVE%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCSaWJGV1WQ/YMeorPjLhCI/AAAAAAAAIV8/aSVOsNivBnwi7PrX7Sdd-TMPZWixoESVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/LOVE%2B7.jpg" /></a></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-49194609687787759192021-02-21T21:03:00.001+00:002021-02-21T21:03:08.530+00:00My Audible Obsession and Lockdown Reading Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xA-eA8OVFww/YDLKEPM8rAI/AAAAAAAAIKc/K7Li3G4x8XwADHIgnNe8OF1YpUw_Pd6KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Audible%2BBlog%2BPost%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xA-eA8OVFww/YDLKEPM8rAI/AAAAAAAAIKc/K7Li3G4x8XwADHIgnNe8OF1YpUw_Pd6KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Audible%2BBlog%2BPost%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">For years, I always swore that I'd never be converted to audiobooks. <i>"I love reading, it's just not the same. Listening just feels lazy and I know that I won't pay attention." </i>Well let me tell you, I was very wrong. While podcasts are a long-term love of mine, this current lockdown has converted me to audiobooks and there's seriously no looking back. </div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Although I still pick up physical books every single day (I'm in the final term of my English literature degree so reading takes up a large portion of my life), the effortless ability to immerse yourself in an audiobook is my new favourite method of relaxing. So my new evening ritual, after an intense day of university, is to pop on an audiobook and unwind. </div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Since the Audible account that I share with my mum recently amassed quite a few credits, I gained her permission to go crazy and stock up on audiobooks for my evening relaxation sessions. Was this haul almost entirely influenced by my friend and fellow blogger, Erin? <i>Yes. </i>Am I secretly pleased about that since she has a great taste in books? <i>Yes.</i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Since this seemingly never-ending lockdown period is the perfect time to delve into a new book (or five - I couldn't resist), I thought I'd share the ones that I downloaded and hopefully inspire you to give this relaxing method of reading a try.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ghosts by Dolly Alderton</span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white;">32-year-old Nina Dean is a successful food writer with a loyal online following, but a life that is falling apart. When she uses dating apps for the first time, she becomes a victim of ghosting, and by the most beguiling of men. Her beloved dad is vanishing in slow motion into dementia, and she's starting to think about ageing and the gendered double-standard of the biological clock. On top of this, she has to deal with her mother's desire for a mid-life makeover and the fact that all her friends seem to be slipping away from her...</i></h4><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I was obsessed with Dolly Alderton's debut, <i>Everything I Know About Love,</i> after it was published a few years ago. When I recently heard about <i>Ghosts</i>, this time fiction rather than memoirs, I was instantly sold. As an author, she is incredible at creating relatable storylines filled with emotion, whether they've got you reaching for tissues or laughing uncontrollably. I'm sure that this book will be just as eye-opening as her last, and I'm eager to start reading it soon.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Us Three by Ruth Jones</span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><i>Meet Lana, Judith and Catrin. Best friends since primary school when they swore an oath on a Curly Wurly wrapper that they would always be there for each other, come what may. After the trip of a lifetime, the three girls are closer than ever. But an unexpected turn of events shakes the foundation of their friendship to its core, leaving their future in doubt – there’s simply too much to forgive, let alone forget. An innocent childhood promise they once made now seems impossible to keep ...</i></h4><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Maybe it's the loneliness of lockdown talking but a novel about friendships is exactly what I need right now. Ruth Jones is another author whose work I've previously enjoyed, and the summary of her newest novel instantly drew me in. From what I've heard in reviews, you're bound to feel like you've known these characters for your whole life when reading this novel, so I'm definitely excited to get stuck into it.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4QhCfwB33Y/YDLKPaAHv_I/AAAAAAAAIKg/KDDbjy_orkgJawosLTtq6QrbRrtdpetDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Audible%2BBlog%2BPost%2B2%2BNew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4QhCfwB33Y/YDLKPaAHv_I/AAAAAAAAIKg/KDDbjy_orkgJawosLTtq6QrbRrtdpetDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Audible%2BBlog%2BPost%2B2%2BNew.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given</span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><i>Florence's debut book will explore all progressive corners of the feminist conversation; from insecurity projection and refusing to find comfort in other women's flaws, to deciding whether to date or dump them, all the way through to unpacking the male gaze and how it shapes our identity.</i></h4><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">While feminism is something that I'm definitely aware of and align myself with, I want to engage in these discussions more and develop my understanding of feminist thinking this year. When doing some research, this book seemed like the perfect place to start. Not only is it accessible for someone like me who identifies as a feminist yet admittedly doesn't have tons of knowledge about it, but it also seems to prompt some important and critical discussions that I'm eager to delve into.</div><div class="bodyfont"><b><br /></b></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><br /></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How to Fail by Elizabeth Day</span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><i>This is a book for anyone who has ever failed. Which means it's a book for everyone. If I have learned one thing from this shockingly beautiful venture called life, it is this: failure has taught me lessons I would never otherwise have understood. I have evolved more as a result of things going wrong than when everything seemed to be going right. Out of crisis has come clarity, and sometimes even catharsis.</i></h4><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I haven't read many self-help books, simply because I've never been able to find one that fits me perfectly. That was until I heard countless reviews of this book and instantly knew that I'd find it helpful. It's no secret that I'm a perfectionist and put immense amounts of pressure on myself to succeed in everything I do, so failure is something that honestly terrifies me. Hopefully, with the assistance of this book, I'll be able to realise that making mistakes isn't entirely a bad thing, and I'm looking forward to developing as a person and changing my sometimes toxic view of 'failure'.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Clothes... and Other Things That Matter by Alexandra Shulman</span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><i>In Clothes... and other things that matter, Alexandra Shulman delves into her own life to look at the emotions, ambitions, expectations and meanings behind the way we dress. From the bra to the bikini, the trench coat to trainers, the slip dress to the suit, she explores their meaning in women's lives and how our wardrobes intersect with the larger world - the career ladder, motherhood, romance, sexual identity, ambition, failure, body image and celebrity.</i></h4><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">As an aspiring journalist who currently writes a lot of fashion content, reading a novel like this feels like a rite of passage as well as important research. This memoir is from the ex-Editor of British Vogue and I'm confident that it'll provide some interesting insights into the fashion industry and how clothing determines our life. I'm definitely excited to start reading (or should I say listening) to this one, and I'm sure it'll help to increase my already existing passion for fashion.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Have you been converted to audiobooks yet? I'd love to hear your recommendations and any titles that you think I'd enjoy!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZZXeEAz8Fk/YDLFPkhZ8bI/AAAAAAAAIKU/XvFr1fXXYEI3OL19Y8SS6xuyFoX6kt6fACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LOVE%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZZXeEAz8Fk/YDLFPkhZ8bI/AAAAAAAAIKU/XvFr1fXXYEI3OL19Y8SS6xuyFoX6kt6fACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/LOVE%2B7.jpg" /></a></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-15731698851955811362021-02-04T15:37:00.000+00:002021-02-04T15:37:06.719+00:00A Little Lockdown Life Update - 21st Birthday and Testing Positive for Covid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeHQkQoF5w/YBwFc_kViiI/AAAAAAAAIHk/D0KztpVuJ6IzJ1hOMDR3QRjbN9-znOPsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/81F7C00E-7A5E-4E51-A056-61A68293F46C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeHQkQoF5w/YBwFc_kViiI/AAAAAAAAIHk/D0KztpVuJ6IzJ1hOMDR3QRjbN9-znOPsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/81F7C00E-7A5E-4E51-A056-61A68293F46C.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Hello everyone and happy belated new year! You may have noticed that I have been inactive on my blog lately - in all honesty, life just completely took over and I didn't have time to upload. But don't worry because I'm back and as excited as ever to create some content for you guys! Before I do so, I thought it was only right to give you a little life update of everything that has happened over the past couple of months, as well as my goals and vision for <i>By Daisy Bradbury </i>in 2021. Without further ado, let's get into it!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">I was incredibly fortunate that my home was in tier 2 during December, meaning I was able to have a bit more leniency in going out for a meal or visiting the shops. Although I only did this a couple of times, it made a massive difference to my mental health after the November lockdown and intense university term. To add to the lovely build-up to Christmas, my parents also got married on 22nd December, which was an incredibly special and memorable day. Despite having a pandemic wedding, we seriously made it the best day just as a family!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Fast forward to January, and a few days after moving back to Manchester for university, I tested positive for coronavirus! After being known as the cautious one in my friendship group and really trying hard to avoid it, this wasn't the result that I wanted. Although I'm incredibly grateful that it was a mild case and none of my family back home got it, it was still an exhausting and generally low period. This was also right before my university's exam season started, so you can imagine how stressed I was! Thankfully, I made a speedy recovery and I managed to meet all of my deadlines, although the two-week isolation and essay writing stress definitely weren't enjoyable.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FH-xrZjTqN4/YBwFdBoa3EI/AAAAAAAAIHo/P7R-rnXHcmcxe1IENWypu0RfqnaL0YbmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C8E9779A-7241-4077-81B0-A4873405159A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1594" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FH-xrZjTqN4/YBwFdBoa3EI/AAAAAAAAIHo/P7R-rnXHcmcxe1IENWypu0RfqnaL0YbmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/C8E9779A-7241-4077-81B0-A4873405159A.JPG" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont"></div></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">The other major thing that has happened since my last blog post is that I celebrated my 21st birthday! Due to my essay deadlines and my boyfriend's exams, I extended the celebrations throughout the week, which I'm really not complaining about! I honestly had the best time and felt incredibly special, even if a lockdown birthday wasn't how I envisioned my 21st. My housemates and I spent the weekend playing drinking games, battling it out on the Nintendo Switch and having a few too many takeaways, and I honestly enjoyed it so much!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Fast forward to now and I'm in a kind of strange, in-between state - my deadlines and birthday celebrations are over but I have another week until the university term begins. I was also supposed to be in Windemere with my family right now but that was obviously cancelled. If I'm completely honest, the lockdown blues have started to hit knowing that I don't really have anything upcoming to look forward to and that my time at university is coming to a close without fully being able to experience it. This term is my final one before graduation, yet it has been almost a year since online teaching started and I feel a bit robbed of my university experience. That aside, right now I'm just taking each day as it comes with lots of reading, Youtube and working my way through Super Mario Odyssey.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Despite these lockdown apprehensions, one major benefit is that I have a lot more time to create blog and Instagram content. I'm really excited to keep blogging this year (in fact, it'll be my 7th blog anniversary in a few weeks - how crazy!) and I have lots of ideas that I can't wait to create! As my love of journalism has blossomed, I'm definitely eager to create more article-style content for here as well as my personal, chatty blog posts, so make sure you stay tuned for that! I don't want to set an upload schedule as I know that my final term of university will be intense and I don't want to add extra pressures, but you can definitely expect to see a lot more from me on here!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">I hope you are all coping during this difficult winter lockdown and hopefully, my upcoming blog posts will be able to inject a bit of entertainment or enjoyment into your day!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6_UO0rGNUc/YBwH7ig9ZCI/AAAAAAAAIH0/TV-u3FjA6lguo2vxTkrBlDVIY_-6TfXkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LOVE%2B7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6_UO0rGNUc/YBwH7ig9ZCI/AAAAAAAAIH0/TV-u3FjA6lguo2vxTkrBlDVIY_-6TfXkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/LOVE%2B7.jpg" /></a></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-84850319698611710992020-11-22T21:38:00.007+00:002020-11-22T21:45:00.231+00:00My Five Favourite Ways To Style A Sweatshirt (That Aren't Just Loungewear)<div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdMOMAd3igk/X7rb0IzYCEI/AAAAAAAAIE8/gNeSivw5yvQIcBNOt8aZm5Ct2TniFQ7MQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1132/How%2Bto%2BStyle%2BSweatshirt%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdMOMAd3igk/X7rb0IzYCEI/AAAAAAAAIE8/gNeSivw5yvQIcBNOt8aZm5Ct2TniFQ7MQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/How%2Bto%2BStyle%2BSweatshirt%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">As a student who is trying to limit their clothes shopping habits, I love creating different looks and outfit combinations using the clothing that I already own. My wardrobe is far from small, so this is a great way to come up with some unique looks rather than styling an item in the same way every single time, or spending a fortune on new pieces that I don't need.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">In March, I wrote a blog post about <a href="http://www.bydaisybradbury.com/2020/03/how-to-style-slogan-t-shirt.html" target="_blank">how to style a slogan t-shirt for any occasion</a>, so I thought I'd do a follow-up and show you some of the different ways that I'd style a sweatshirt. Since 2020 has felt like a never-ending lockdown where we've been living in loungewear, I was eager to step out of this comfortable attire and style a sweatshirt in some different ways instead. Keep reading to see what looks I created!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avS_N7BoRKw/X7qEIZn8t6I/AAAAAAAAIEo/WnxUuWP11F4meFhzfnDu1KhU5RiX3bw7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/How%2Bto%2BStyle%2BSweatshirt%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avS_N7BoRKw/X7qEIZn8t6I/AAAAAAAAIEo/WnxUuWP11F4meFhzfnDu1KhU5RiX3bw7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/How%2Bto%2BStyle%2BSweatshirt%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Layered over a shirt dress</span></h2><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xm4nL1WAJcU/X6czdaXbrzI/AAAAAAAAIAs/eC2AwFiu1rYbeqPRyVey-WXzi8OsXiWfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1928/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1928" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xm4nL1WAJcU/X6czdaXbrzI/AAAAAAAAIAs/eC2AwFiu1rYbeqPRyVey-WXzi8OsXiWfACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">One way to easily style your sweatshirt and look like you've put more effort into your appearance is to layer a shirt underneath. You could totally do this with a crisp white blouse and pair it with jeans, but I thought a flannel shirt dress would be a nice change. This is incredibly comfortable and easy to throw on yet looks like you've put some more thought into your outfit. I also love the look of the collar peeking out from underneath. Although I styled this with bare legs, I think it'd look equally nice with a pair of tights and boots to add a layer of warmth during the winter.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Paired with a pleated maxi skirt</span></h2></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9K1Af33_SBE/X6czdZ3Iw7I/AAAAAAAAIAw/3IVfGbqzu6c5tAnvjuWzHewOItTDVuF_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1928/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1928" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9K1Af33_SBE/X6czdZ3Iw7I/AAAAAAAAIAw/3IVfGbqzu6c5tAnvjuWzHewOItTDVuF_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Not only are pleated midi and maxi skirts really on-trend this winter, but they're one of my favourite items of the season. If you're like me and prefer wearing skirts over trousers then this is ideal, especially if you don't want to have your legs on show. Pairing a sweatshirt with a skirt like this instantly makes your outfit feel dressier and completely different to the usual leggings or gym wear combos. I think this would look gorgeous with some biker boots or even a pair of trainers to complete the look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Mom jeans and roll neck</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7SaNL55YIo/X6czd7gMneI/AAAAAAAAIA4/E-WpjK01OpkQNkRfkFSsAnYhIVZf2auPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1928/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1928" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7SaNL55YIo/X6czd7gMneI/AAAAAAAAIA4/E-WpjK01OpkQNkRfkFSsAnYhIVZf2auPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I feel like this is the way that most of you would feel comfortable styling a sweatshirt, but surprisingly this was the furthest from my usual outfit choices! I don't wear jeans that frequently in the winter, but I have to admit that mom jeans are an incredibly comfortable yet stylish way of wearing them that is great for if you've been living in joggers for the past few months. Since the jumper was already quite baggy on me, as are the jeans, I decided to tuck it in to create a more 'thrown together' casual vibe, which I really like. I also added the roll neck underneath both for an extra layer of warmth and to add a bit of interest to the outfit, since I felt like something was missing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Swap the jeans for some smart trousers</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9f_KPHhHWws/X6czdT1t74I/AAAAAAAAIA0/UINmQuk0hzgiuLL3HlhE557H7AeeN2K8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1928/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1928" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9f_KPHhHWws/X6czdT1t74I/AAAAAAAAIA0/UINmQuk0hzgiuLL3HlhE557H7AeeN2K8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love wearing tailored trousers as I personally find them quite flattering and they look like you've put in more effort than just wearing jeans. Although this is the only difference from the last outfit, I feel like it has been completely transformed and creates a very different overall look. I tucked in the sweatshirt again so it didn't drown me and detract from the trousers, and honestly, I really like this overall outfit despite it being very simple. I know that this ended up being quite monochromatic, but I think a pop of colour here would also be amazing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Underneath a floral mini dress</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdtMgyaf2s/X6czeHTQVDI/AAAAAAAAIA8/814jZfpdZI8_w73n_AFM26BIMnGCG1VgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1928/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1928" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdtMgyaf2s/X6czeHTQVDI/AAAAAAAAIA8/814jZfpdZI8_w73n_AFM26BIMnGCG1VgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Sweatshirt%2BOutfit%2B5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Ditsy print dresses are really my jam, so an outfit like this one was a must for this blog post. Normally with a dainty dress like this, I'd wear a t-shirt underneath or perhaps a jumper over it so it looks like a skirt, but I instead decided to have my sweatshirt underneath. This is the perfect balance of girly and casual that'll keep you warm this winter, and I can guarantee if I was still going to university in person it'd be easy to wear outfits like this that I'd be throwing on. Yet again, tights and boots would be the perfect finish for this if you're not brave enough to embrace the bare legs this winter.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">So these are some of the ways that I'd style a sweatshirt! It was honestly so much fun creating this blog post and trying on a variety of existing items in my wardrobe to create these looks, and hopefully, they've proved that sweatshirts have much more potential than just as a loungewear or gym item. I'd love to know which outfit is your favourite or if I've inspired you to create any pairings, so make sure you leave a comment and let me know!</div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW7tVQQU7eY/X7mgIJFNodI/AAAAAAAAIB8/QjMKMgpTptc8UFx9hg_ccDaaa-00P7GcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LOVE%2B7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW7tVQQU7eY/X7mgIJFNodI/AAAAAAAAIB8/QjMKMgpTptc8UFx9hg_ccDaaa-00P7GcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/LOVE%2B7.jpg" /></a></div></div>
</div>Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-50236029649471435582020-11-15T20:25:00.000+00:002020-11-15T20:25:54.041+00:00Diaries of a Student Journalist - My October Articles Round-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTP-7xDy04U/X6cu3kRS_gI/AAAAAAAAIAY/d1gVddLum8kzOre1gjr-Vc6J7xYIw_VjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1063/October%2BArticles%2BFlatlay%2B2%2BNew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTP-7xDy04U/X6cu3kRS_gI/AAAAAAAAIAY/d1gVddLum8kzOre1gjr-Vc6J7xYIw_VjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/October%2BArticles%2BFlatlay%2B2%2BNew.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">October was a very busy month for writing articles - I think 12 in total is pretty impressive considering I balanced this with my university work and editing for my student newspaper. Since you guys are always really interested in hearing what pieces I've been working on and I enjoy sharing my passions, I thought I'd do another article round-up and give you a behind the scenes glimpse into all of my pieces published in October!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kA_81k7H5G4/X6cu3_f96GI/AAAAAAAAIAc/JolOguU01SYNEgeTYgcYCIaGHFOTVwBBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1067/October%2BArticles%2BFlatlay%2B1%2BNew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kA_81k7H5G4/X6cu3_f96GI/AAAAAAAAIAc/JolOguU01SYNEgeTYgcYCIaGHFOTVwBBACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/October%2BArticles%2BFlatlay%2B1%2BNew.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">The Mancunion</span></h2><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHaVdmHcAFc/X6cfVlpN2QI/AAAAAAAAH-E/j-r9Gobd9YIPI_plLdiena5lH0ksN5nQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/zodiac-coin-necklace_2000x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHaVdmHcAFc/X6cfVlpN2QI/AAAAAAAAH-E/j-r9Gobd9YIPI_plLdiena5lH0ksN5nQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/zodiac-coin-necklace_2000x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/23/your-winter-wardrobe-staple-based-on-your-zodiac-sign/" target="_blank">Your winter wardrobe staple based on your zodiac sign</a></span></b></h2><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">Our horoscopes have a lot to say about us, from personality traits to our compatibility in a relationship, but have you ever thought about letting your star sign dictate your wardrobe? </i><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/23/your-winter-wardrobe-staple-based-on-your-zodiac-sign/" target="_blank">Read more...</a></span></b></i></div></i><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many people religiously follow their horoscopes and strongly believe in their predictions and personality traits. I went through a phase a few years ago of reading my horoscope daily (purely out of interest, I never quite believed in it) and while there were times that it was scarily accurate, there were others that felt miles from the truth. I thought it'd be interesting to put horoscopes to the test and let them pick out a clothing item for each star sign that was their 'perfect' addition to their winter wardrobe. This was an enjoyable article to create, and it was interesting to see what clothing my horoscope dictates that I should be waring.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dkpah5z60Y/X6cf0Pj7IXI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/qEFmAO-FVJ471MBhF_k0z8aELvBMk5YFACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pexels-ekaterina-bolovtsova-4049206-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1569" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dkpah5z60Y/X6cf0Pj7IXI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/qEFmAO-FVJ471MBhF_k0z8aELvBMk5YFACLcBGAsYHQ/w490-h640/pexels-ekaterina-bolovtsova-4049206-6.jpg" width="490" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/16/appearance-in-the-age-of-zoom-how-to-dress-for-a-virtual-class/" target="_blank">Appearance in the age of Zoom: How to dress for a virtual class</a></span></b></h3><i style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Following The University of Manchester’s decision to suspend face-to-face teaching, students have become increasingly familiar with Zoom classes and virtual learning. Although we’ve quickly gathered the online etiquette of muting the mic when you’re not talking and not joining a lecture late (that bell sound can become very irritating), there’s one thing we haven’t quite cracked – what do you wear to a virtual class? <i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/16/appearance-in-the-age-of-zoom-how-to-dress-for-a-virtual-class/" target="_blank">Read more...</a></span></b></i></div></i><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">As my university made a decision to transition to online teaching, I thought it'd be interesting to look at our fashion choices and the new styles that the pandemic has enabled. With an increase of Zoom calls and virtual hangouts, I wanted to gain a consensus of whether students were putting in minimal effort and rolling out of bed in loungewear or dressing up to impress for their online classes. It was also very insightful chatting to some students about their approaches to fashion and beauty during the pandemic.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LDo9tENla0/X6cgPsgmUKI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/_mgJs1wXb3gPc0kq1lzliwLekBhcKo3lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/64978161_389883484978278_1234728784140542198_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LDo9tENla0/X6cgPsgmUKI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/_mgJs1wXb3gPc0kq1lzliwLekBhcKo3lwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/64978161_389883484978278_1234728784140542198_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/15/style-saviours-you-never-realised-originated-from-black-communities/" target="_blank">Style saviours you never realised originated from black communities</a></span></b></h3><i style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Diversity in fashion is an ongoing battle – many fashion houses still favour Caucasian models and social media is largely whitewashed, despite widespread campaigns for equal representation. Black people have made massive contributions to the fashion industry and are to thank for some of our favourite styles, yet many people are unaware of this. Don’t believe me? Well, how many of these iconic trends did you realise we owe to black communities?<i> <b><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/10/15/style-saviours-you-never-realised-originated-from-black-communities/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div></i><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">October was Black History Month, and I really wanted to pay homage to that, yet I'm very aware that as a white female, I don't have the experience or ability to speak on behalf of this community. I decided to go down a different route and instead explore some inventions and popular fashion trends that we owe to black people. I loved having the opportunity to highlight some iconic looks and fashion creations that black people are responsible for yet a lot of people might not be aware of, and I also learned a lot while writing this article. Spoiler alert - did you know that hoop earrings, the hairbrush and acrylic nails all made the list?</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">The Manc</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMSraqco08M/X6cbWSXcA4I/AAAAAAAAH9A/JozhxqoXpwAtJ99Vc0kOSBzP7JL6RzGdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s754/Screen-Shot-2020-10-30-at-09.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="754" height="588" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMSraqco08M/X6cbWSXcA4I/AAAAAAAAH9A/JozhxqoXpwAtJ99Vc0kOSBzP7JL6RzGdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h588/Screen-Shot-2020-10-30-at-09.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-manchester-skincare-brands-treating-maskne-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank">The Manchester skincare brands treating 'maskne' during the pandemic</a></span></b></h3><i><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone gets bad skin from time to time. Whether it’s due to hormones, stress or an unhealthy lifestyle, a sudden burst of blemishes can function as a reminder that we should be kinder to our skin. But the newest influx of breakouts is completely out of our control: ‘Maskne’. A hybrid of the words ‘mask’ and ‘acne’, this skin invasion is caused by the heat and friction produced by regularly wearing a face mask.<i> <b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-manchester-skincare-brands-treating-maskne-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank">Read more...</a></span></b></i></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Maskne has been the bane of everyone's lives since the beginning of the pandemic, and I've definitely struggled with my fair share of it. Rather than letting it take control, I thought I'd write an article about how to beat these blemishes with the help of some Manchester skincare brands. Not only was this a great opportunity to write about skincare (which I don't often do) and share some local makers, this post also received a lot of traction online, so hopefully it helped you guys out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDs3uOoBQ34/X6cb688bgbI/AAAAAAAAH9I/yR7EflGwWm09PHpwD4M1CXKVAsBaRXJxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/121672807_10164709592220422_5205286644809602592_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDs3uOoBQ34/X6cb688bgbI/AAAAAAAAH9I/yR7EflGwWm09PHpwD4M1CXKVAsBaRXJxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/121672807_10164709592220422_5205286644809602592_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/eats/gingers-comfort-emporium-launches-new-autumn-flavoured-ice-cream-menu/" target="_blank">Ginger's Comfort Emporium launches new autumn-flavoured ice cream menu</a></span></b></h3></div><div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The days of enjoying ice creams in sunshine soaked parks might be gone for now… but that doesn’t mean sweet treats are off the menu in Manchester.</i></span><i> <b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://themanc.com/eats/gingers-comfort-emporium-launches-new-autumn-flavoured-ice-cream-menu/" target="_blank">Read more...</a></span></b></i></div><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm a sucker for a sweet treat and ice cream is one of my (many) favourites, particularly in the warmer weather. However, I wrote this article to share some cool and creepy Halloween ice cream creations to prove that this doesn't have to be a summer dessert. Ginger's also sell some unreal ice cream flavours, including apple crumble and s'mores, that had my mouth watering the entire time I was writing this piece.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ-Y1JH_qM0/X6ccbqRiwYI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/CLHQKwjHKDYXLSQQPK8gMR9m3mHeCHNLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1079/119202519_2747338938875950_6637764470451775570_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1079" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ-Y1JH_qM0/X6ccbqRiwYI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/CLHQKwjHKDYXLSQQPK8gMR9m3mHeCHNLACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/119202519_2747338938875950_6637764470451775570_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/introducing-kay-lou-klub-the-awesome-brand-launching-manchesters-mental-health-movement-through-clothing/" target="_blank">Introducing Kay Lou Klub, the awesome brand launching Manchester's mental health movement through clothing</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>‘You are more than enough, and we are more than just clothing.' </i><i>Kay Lou Klub doesn’t create ordinary clothes – they are clothes with courage. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/introducing-kay-lou-klub-the-awesome-brand-launching-manchesters-mental-health-movement-through-clothing/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">One of my favourite things about writing for The Manc is having the opportunity to showcase some incredible local businesses that are really working hard to make a change. Kay Lou Klub is one of those, as they are actively using clothing and online workshops to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging people to speak out. It was incredibly eye-opening chatting to Kay and I'm a huge fan of what she does, so creating this article was potentially my favourite from the whole month.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7JE__EIrA4/X6cc1FGFQGI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/H3zc6tpuSz4L9-shG9GgZAs1e9WiFWRAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/120999310_1060895341038598_6358515719248638009_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7JE__EIrA4/X6cc1FGFQGI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/H3zc6tpuSz4L9-shG9GgZAs1e9WiFWRAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/120999310_1060895341038598_6358515719248638009_n-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-must-visit-manchester-boutiques-for-halloween-this-year/" target="_blank">The must-visit Manchester boutiques for Halloween this year</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Halloween may be very different this year, but that doesn’t mean our costumes have to be. </i><i>Whether you’re holding a COVID-compliant spooky garden party or going to Manchester’s immersive Halloween drive-in theatre, it’s important that you look the part. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-must-visit-manchester-boutiques-for-halloween-this-year/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Halloween was a bit of a bittersweet occasion this year as many of the usual events couldn't take place (not to mention it was the day that lockdown 2 was announced). However, for the people who still wanted to dress up at home or have a family party within their household bubble, I thought it'd be nice to share some of the best locations to find a last-minute costume. Manchester is home to some amazing fancy dress boutiques that deserve more recognition, and hopefully, this article was helpful for people still attempting to celebrate Halloween this year.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2trGo4NeBN8/X6cdVJmT64I/AAAAAAAAH9g/lg-Wd_y5OgE2PyXD5JUGQfP_PapCwiBRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/119185132_804879436995259_2644000269385721545_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2trGo4NeBN8/X6cdVJmT64I/AAAAAAAAH9g/lg-Wd_y5OgE2PyXD5JUGQfP_PapCwiBRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h456/119185132_804879436995259_2644000269385721545_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/this-manchester-based-menswear-start-up-is-offering-a-free-shirt-to-all-new-subscribers/" target="_blank">This Manchester-based menswear start-up is offering a free shirt to all new subscribers</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Look the part, be the part. </i><i>Even though many of us are back working from home, getting dressed in style can play a big role in productivity. </i><i>Whether you’re returning to the office, grabbing a bite to eat or trying to look professional via Zoom call, a fashionable shirt is essential. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/this-manchester-based-menswear-start-up-is-offering-a-free-shirt-to-all-new-subscribers/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">The pandemic has completely revolutionised how businesses are operating, and one local example of that is The Shirt Society who set up a menswear subscription during lockdown. While office life may feel like a distant memory, many people are still trying to look professional and feel productive whilst working from home, and this service can hopefully assist with that. The team at The Shirt Society contacted me to work on this article and I definitely enjoyed creating it, even if it was a little bit out of my comfort zone as it was my first time writing about menswear.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ndSjeP-ySo/X6cd1DUGLSI/AAAAAAAAH9o/HZSpXDwHJTM_3R-BxuFuGNOdvbmDQV_jwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/120453076_3783253528369553_3505166681506518815_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ndSjeP-ySo/X6cd1DUGLSI/AAAAAAAAH9o/HZSpXDwHJTM_3R-BxuFuGNOdvbmDQV_jwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/120453076_3783253528369553_3505166681506518815_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/sport/classic-football-shirts-the-manchester-brand-revolutionising-the-sports-fashion-industry/" target="_blank">Classic Football Shirts: The Manchester brand revolutionising the sports fashion industry</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>There’s a shop on Deansgate that’s a mecca for football memorabilia. </i><i>It’s called Classic Football Shirts – and it’s the proud owner of the most diverse, exciting and prestigious collection of sports clothing available anywhere in the city. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/sport/classic-football-shirts-the-manchester-brand-revolutionising-the-sports-fashion-industry/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">If any of you know me, you'll be aware that I'm really not a football fan. However, my exception to this rule was when writing about Classic Football Shirts, which are an amazing Manchester brand curating the country's largest selection of vintage and classic football jerseys. It was really interesting to learn about the journey of two students interested in football and how they managed to completely take over the football memorabilia market, and chatting to them about their ventures definitely opened my eyes to a side of sports I wasn't aware of.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUULc4KcYuw/X6ceVQNcUMI/AAAAAAAAH90/R9aP8t4GTWk-AcKMRICwROZKzMHArlErwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/82254303_602648860550675_6338878130104470902_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUULc4KcYuw/X6ceVQNcUMI/AAAAAAAAH90/R9aP8t4GTWk-AcKMRICwROZKzMHArlErwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/82254303_602648860550675_6338878130104470902_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-bucket-hat-a-mancunian-staple-is-returning-as-a-winter-fashion-trend/" target="_blank">The bucket hat, a Mancunian staple, is returning as a winter fashion trend</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><i>Bucket hats may be associated with boozy festivals and summer picnics, but little did we know that this accessory would be the hottest new trend for this winter. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-bucket-hat-a-mancunian-staple-is-returning-as-a-winter-fashion-trend/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont">I wrote an article a few months ago all about bucket hats and how they're a Mancunian style staple, so it was only right to follow up on this with a winter edition. This article was prompted after I bought a cosy bucket hat in Primark and realised that this festival essential is now one of the hottest trends for winter. It was another fun article to create, although I did have to resist the temptations of ordering all of the fluffy hats that I discovered!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf9zk59jL0s/X6ce278TL9I/AAAAAAAAH98/gRqxV6KqyicIiK8QNDUOyEAtFmhEDD_qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s878/120233159_10157967647062637_69073859643822902_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="878" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf9zk59jL0s/X6ce278TL9I/AAAAAAAAH98/gRqxV6KqyicIiK8QNDUOyEAtFmhEDD_qwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/120233159_10157967647062637_69073859643822902_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/meet-eighth-day-the-co-operative-making-sustainable-beauty-accessible-to-students/" target="_blank">Meet Eighth Day - the co-operative making sustainable beauty accessible to students</a></span></b></h3><div class="bodyfont"><i>In the heart of the bustling student quarter on Oxford Road, a very different kind of venue has taken root: An independently owned, eco-friendly food shop and cafe. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/meet-eighth-day-the-co-operative-making-sustainable-beauty-accessible-to-students/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont">Eighth Day is positioned in the middle of my university's campus and was directly on my bus route to and from work, meaning I frequently passed by this sustainable store with curiosity. After chatting to the team, I discovered that they've been Manchester's go-to source of vegan food and eco-friendly products for years now, and more recently they have delved into sustainable beauty options. They also have a vegan cafe that looks absolutely delicious, and I'll definitely be visiting for lunch once they reopen.</div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Your Coffee Break</span></h2><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg662L0UDyw/X6cg8FjUHII/AAAAAAAAH-g/ZgJJyPWFymMxmYdJPwtTGwayEGTXqyl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/Daisy-Bradbury-2-600x450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg662L0UDyw/X6cg8FjUHII/AAAAAAAAH-g/ZgJJyPWFymMxmYdJPwtTGwayEGTXqyl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Daisy-Bradbury-2-600x450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.yourcoffeebreak.co.uk/lifestyle/26338789893/the-realities-of-starting-a-blog-my-experience-after-6-years-as-a-blogger/" target="_blank">The realities of starting a blog - my experience after 6 years as a blogger</a></span></b></h3><i style="text-align: left;">For many people, being a blogger instantly sparks stereotypes of constantly jetting away on holidays and receiving gifts in the mail, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Daisy, who started her blog entitled By Daisy Bradbury in 2014, speaks about the reality of being a blogger and the common misconceptions that people may have. </i><i><b><a href="https://www.yourcoffeebreak.co.uk/lifestyle/26338789893/the-realities-of-starting-a-blog-my-experience-after-6-years-as-a-blogger/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not often that I get the opportunity to write for somewhere other than The Manc or The Mancunion, but October presented this opportunity that I couldn't turn down! I started my blog in 2014 and so by this point, I feel a bit like a seasoned pro, and so I'm well aware of the stereotypes that people may have and the impressions that simply aren't true. It was really interesting chatting to Your Coffee Break about the realities of being a blogger and delving into the behind-the-scenes facts that people may not know or realise, and I was also able to call upon some of my favourite bloggers (and friends) to assist with this one.</div></div></div></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I hope you enjoyed getting a sneak peek into all of my articles that were published this month - make sure to let me know which is your favourite!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s16000/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-2701543860269731712020-10-11T17:50:00.003+01:002020-10-11T17:50:38.123+01:00How I'm Coping and Staying Productive as a Virtual University Student<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lndiw8PfOz4/X4MT1klsKLI/AAAAAAAAH3w/_5_dGcNCDDMs9TWhM6lC40TLk142jAChwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1837/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="1378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lndiw8PfOz4/X4MT1klsKLI/AAAAAAAAH3w/_5_dGcNCDDMs9TWhM6lC40TLk142jAChwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">When I started my degree, I never expected that I'd spend my final year as a virtual student. The pandemic has caused my university to suspend all face-to-face teaching until the end of this year, meaning I probably won't be on campus until after Christmas. Pretty much everyone who I've spoken to has said that they're unhappy about this change and would much rather attend classes in person if the virus wasn't around, but I'm in the small minority of people who actually enjoy and somewhat prefer online teaching! If you're school or university is online this semester and you're struggling with this change, keep reading to hear my advice on making the most of it and staying productive in these strange circumstances.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWJ_qLE3YRM/X4MT1e7zAMI/AAAAAAAAH3o/mIQOBZlkC4Q3XDw0opi-zHlJRwvRRCNGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Header%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWJ_qLE3YRM/X4MT1e7zAMI/AAAAAAAAH3o/mIQOBZlkC4Q3XDw0opi-zHlJRwvRRCNGACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Header%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont"></div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Make a work schedule, then don't be afraid to break it</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">I know this sounds contradictory - why would you need to make a schedule if you're going to ignore it - but just hear me out on this one. When you're working from home, it can be easy to lounge around without getting any work done, so a schedule helps to stay on task and give your day some structure. I like to make mine based on an actual day of university, leaving breaks for meals and sticking to the average hours I'd work on a normal day so that it doesn't feel overwhelming. </div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Having said that, don't feel as though this timetable is set in stone. Working from home allows you to be flexible and do things at your own pace, so you're free to do a lecture at midnight or have a lie-in if that's what works best for you. Although a schedule is a good framework to get you started, don't be too hard on yourself if you need an afternoon off or want to shuffle a few tasks around, especially when working during the middle of a pandemic.</div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Have a few different workspaces to switch between</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">Since all of your work will be done at home, it's important to have a comfortable and clean workspace that you can use without getting distracted. There are no set rules for this - I'm probably my most productive when working from my bed, despite many people advising against this - just go with whatever works for you. It's also helpful to have everything you'll need nearby so you don't feel like you're getting up every 5 minutes.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Another thing I'd highly recommend is having a few different workspaces that you can alternate between. When you think of university or school life, you're constantly moving between different classrooms, lecture theatres, libraries and study spaces, so you don't want to feel confined when working at home. Also, a change of scenery definitely helps to clear your mind and gain a fresh perspective. If this isn't possible within your house, perhaps consider working from a coffee shop or local library if you feel safe doing so.</div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EqvXHaFpVU/X4MT1vGUCUI/AAAAAAAAH3s/9u6PmA0kHJkXNOpJvZpaBIZTGcF0IoXEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1837/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="1378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EqvXHaFpVU/X4MT1vGUCUI/AAAAAAAAH3s/9u6PmA0kHJkXNOpJvZpaBIZTGcF0IoXEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><div class="bodyfont"></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Try and incorporate some off-screen time into your routine</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">This is definitely something I still need to work on, as I practically live on my laptop, but staring at a screen for long hours every day really isn't good. It's difficult to avoid it when all classes and assignments are online, but I'd encourage you to take a bit of time out of your day to do something that doesn't require a screen. I've been catching up on university reading during this time so that I'm still being productive, but you can do anything from making hand-written notes, playing with a pet or practicing a hobby.</div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Make time for exercise and getting some fresh air</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">Sitting inside all day whilst working can quickly become claustrophobic, so it's important to go outside and get active if possible. Although I wouldn't usually exercise on a normal university day, I've really found myself missing little things like my morning walk to the bus stop where I could get some fresh air and listen to music. I've made a conscious effort over the past few weeks to walk to a local park for a bit of fresh hair, even if it's only a couple of times every week, and I've definitely felt the benefit of doing so.<span style="color: #edd0c8;"> </span></div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fc1A78Oubw/X4MT2KbULsI/AAAAAAAAH30/oYldNgAwc94GSSdvkUjyQf1ZxSD-EXbqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1837/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="1378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fc1A78Oubw/X4MT2KbULsI/AAAAAAAAH30/oYldNgAwc94GSSdvkUjyQf1ZxSD-EXbqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Virtual%2BUniversity%2BNew%2B3.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><div class="bodyfont"></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Block any social media on your phone</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">As ruthless as it sounds, sometimes desperate actions need to be taken. If you're the type of person who knows you'll end up scrolling through TikTok all day, don't let yourself be controlled by this. There are lots of apps available that will block you from using your phone for an allotted period of time, my favourite being Flora, and it definitely makes you feel successful when you complete each task.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Although I don't always use apps like this as I'm quite good at getting off my phone and eliminating any distractions, there have definitely been days when I needed to knuckle down and this was a great way to focus without receiving notifications every few minutes. There's also an option to attach your bank account so that you'll have to pay if you check your phone during the allotted time if you'd like to make it more interesting!</div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Know when it's time to stop</span></b></h2><div class="bodyfont">It can be really difficult to find a work-life divide when studying from home, as there's no longer the end-of-the-day feeling where you return home and relax. It's easy to get carried away with working long into the night, but remember to take breaks and give yourself some time for relaxation as well. </div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">This is definitely something I need to work on more, as I'll quite often work late into the evenings, and working from home has definitely made this harder. If you're like me and struggle to switch off at night, I'd recommend giving yourself a time that you're not allowed to work beyond, or doing something else in the evening that is productive but not study-related (for me this is often writing articles or doing things for my blog).</div><div class="bodyfont"><b><br /></b></div><div class="bodyfont">If your university or school has also continued with online classes this year, I'd love to know what your study tips are, so make sure you leave me a comment!</div><div class="bodyfont"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s16000/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-25337149613494363252020-10-04T21:39:00.006+01:002020-11-22T00:41:04.599+00:00Diaries of a Student Journalist - My September Articles Round-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EawHqnB9JvU/X3OVuf_H1hI/AAAAAAAAH1I/y8h1R49dMnYlcje3cxcOu_fJiHYd5utJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/September%2BArticles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EawHqnB9JvU/X3OVuf_H1hI/AAAAAAAAH1I/y8h1R49dMnYlcje3cxcOu_fJiHYd5utJACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/September%2BArticles.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Writing articles is something that is slowly taking over my life, but honestly, I absolutely love it! I really want to mention my writing and journalism on my blog more often, since this has become a huge part of my life over the past few months and I dedicate a lot of time towards it. So what better way to do so than by starting this new series? Every month, I will be uploading a round-up post of all of my articles so that you can see what I've been writing and give some of them a read if you're interested! Without further ado, let's dive right into it!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsirYFXqJts/X3OVuBlGfMI/AAAAAAAAH1E/Ll3FcPzu8FED2KSlbNg0yZpBGngfymShACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/September%2BArticles%2B2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsirYFXqJts/X3OVuBlGfMI/AAAAAAAAH1E/Ll3FcPzu8FED2KSlbNg0yZpBGngfymShACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/September%2BArticles%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">The Mancunion</span></h2><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/09/29/5-unexpected-fashion-trends-to-hit-the-streets-of-manchester-this-autumn/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5a_5fiI8zYc/X3DrNyBvGwI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/_hYYicl9Rycw1QXRjcZamEp9hdQ_EKw4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/Lilac-Autumn-Trend.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/09/29/5-unexpected-fashion-trends-to-hit-the-streets-of-manchester-this-autumn/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">5 unexpected fashion trends to hit the streets of Manchester this autumn</span></a></b></h3><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The ever-adapting nature of the fashion industry, from high street to high-end luxury has always had the potential to throw a curveball and strange cut into the fabric fancy and Manchester is no different, particularly in our new socially distanced scenarios. Perhaps its lockdown-induced boredom causing us to be more creative with our outfit choices, or could it be an eagerness to venture out of sweatpants? Either way, there’s no denying that this season is bizarre and filled with unexpected trends, and some of our favourite Manchester-based brands are embracing the wondrous and wild side of the ready-to-wear. <b><a href="https://mancunion.com/2020/09/29/5-unexpected-fashion-trends-to-hit-the-streets-of-manchester-this-autumn/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div></i><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">As most of you already know, I am this year's Fashion Editor of my student newspaper, The Mancunion. This is such an exciting opportunity that I'm honoured to have, and so I wanted to kick off the year with a bang with my first article in this position. I feel as though there are lots of autumn trends posts online and sometimes it can become quite generic and predictable (we get it, berry tones and plaid are in style this season!) I wanted to create something a bit more adventurous and daring, so I decided to look at styles that are unexpected and bizarre, yet have been frequently spotted on catwalks and the streets of Manchester this season. This was a really fun article to create and it also allowed me to feature some of my favourite Manchester boutiques whilst creating it.</div><div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">The Manc</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/manchesters-best-vintage-boutiques-and-thrift-stores-that-you-need-to-visit/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UG4UDm9x3w/X3DqutV2RVI/AAAAAAAAH0I/INfWZUnvrpwJzfmm_XqiUs3Wuk13Fka1QCLcBGAsYHQ/w637-h640/Blue-Rinse.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/manchesters-best-vintage-boutiques-and-thrift-stores-that-you-need-to-visit/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Manchester's best vintage boutiques and thrift stores that you need to visit</span></a></b></h3><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Northern Quarter may be a hub for vintage aficionados, but there’s actually much more to Manchester’s second-hand scene than meets the eye. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/manchesters-best-vintage-boutiques-and-thrift-stores-that-you-need-to-visit/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Although secondhand shopping has gained more popularity recently, a lot of people still struggle with vintage shopping and figuring out where to begin. Manchester has a diverse range of thrift stores, vintage boutiques and secondhand shops, so I decided to create this informative guide to help people discover which ones will be the best for them. It also allowed me to spotlight some amazing Manchester boutiques, which was an added bonus!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/meet-the-radical-manchester-boutique-fighting-for-change-through-fashion/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0107/1294/0580/products/IMG_20200824_174252_720x.jpg?v=1598456960" width="480" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/meet-the-radical-manchester-boutique-fighting-for-change-through-fashion/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet the radical Manchester boutique fighting for change through fashion</span></a></b></h3></div><div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Not all clothing lines are created just for style. Some have particularly ambitious aspirations. Take Hoyden, for example. This feminist boutique, whose name means 'boisterous girl', sells clothing that turns heads for two reasons. One, it's fashionable. And two, it's rebellious. <a href="https://themanc.com/style/meet-the-radical-manchester-boutique-fighting-for-change-through-fashion/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></b></a></i></div><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hoyden is an empowering, radical brand that isn't afraid to speak its mind, so I was eager to find out more about this boisterous boutique. It was very interesting chatting to Olivia about her store, which can be found in Afflecks in the Northern Quarter. I really admire what she's doing and the pro-active messages that she's spreading using her platform, so it was very rewarding being able to showcase her work and give it more attention!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/beloved-manchester-vintage-store-retro-rehab-is-closing-its-doors-with-a-big-sale/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1417" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P67khzqVEeA/X3I_LFko1NI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/hPQ1vuK-1UsIukq4pHy88s7knRSNZ0T4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w566-h640/69422734_3221435871214844_876241678493548544_o-1417x1600.jpg" width="566" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/beloved-manchester-vintage-store-retro-rehab-is-closing-its-doors-with-a-big-sale/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Beloved Manchester vintage store Retro Rehab is closing its doors with a big sale</span></a></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Retro Rehab, the beloved local vintage store, is ending its 15-year residence in Manchester's Northern Quarter as it begins its transition to online shopping. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/beloved-manchester-vintage-store-retro-rehab-is-closing-its-doors-with-a-big-sale/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Retro Rehab is one of Manchester's most popular and renowned vintage stores, so to hear that they were closing their doors was a huge shock. It definitely puts into perspective the effects that the pandemic is having on smaller businesses, although it's not all negative as they will still be continuing their vintage journey as an online store. I reported on this for The Manc as it felt like a shocking and momentous event within Manchester's vintage community, but I'm still excited to see their future online!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-best-independent-clothing-stores-in-manchester-that-match-style-with-sustainability/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-2X2I2zqcw/X3I_bsWGyWI/AAAAAAAAH0g/CbaxItOr6WsUk8mgbvwHKtxMlDc6ElLrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/117528852_3467184336664930_1417103915106667764_o-1279x1600.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-best-independent-clothing-stores-in-manchester-that-match-style-with-sustainability/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The best independent clothing stores in Manchester that match style with sustainability</span></a></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>You don't have to choose between being stylish or sustainable anymore. These Manchester-based clothing brands are both saving the planet and your wardrobe. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-best-independent-clothing-stores-in-manchester-that-match-style-with-sustainability/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">Sustainability was a topic that was hot on everyone's lips earlier this year, but it seems to have taken a backseat with the virus. I'm a firm believer that this isn't something that we should be ignoring and so I decided to write this article to bring more attention to eco-friendly fashion options. I wanted to prove that sustainable clothing doesn't have to be bland or stupidly expensive, and you can actually find some really stylish and trendy pieces that are also ethical. There are so many Manchester-based boutiques that create gorgeous pieces that are sustainable and I wanted to showcase these, and hopefully, it's something that more brands will get on board with in the future.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0EAGuumvBg/X5NzkMUsseI/AAAAAAAAH5I/Rh1pOTFfhUcK_tnb-cLg7QRJabX0NjymACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/30222158_934395050053842_2956998186301915136_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0EAGuumvBg/X5NzkMUsseI/AAAAAAAAH5I/Rh1pOTFfhUcK_tnb-cLg7QRJabX0NjymACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/30222158_934395050053842_2956998186301915136_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/this-stockport-clothing-boutique-is-offering-a-mystery-bag-of-clothes-for-20/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">This Stockport clothing boutique is offering a 'mystery bag' of clothes for £20</span></a></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Susie's Boutique is Stockport's source for the latest styles - but their newest launch offers customers a blind date with a brand-new wardrobe. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/this-stockport-clothing-boutique-is-offering-a-mystery-bag-of-clothes-for-20/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I love the concept of a mystery bag of clothing - I think it's so exciting yet equally nerve-wracking to see what items you can get without choosing them, and it's a great way to try pieces that you wouldn't otherwise pick. I wanted to bring attention to a local business who are offering this, and they're also a really trendy and well-priced shopping destination with new styles being added to their range every week.</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-manchester-fashion-brand-born-in-lockdown-is-launching-a-second-collection/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d65c0b35a624c93ad58f8/1598173133353-4BINR3HSJWXZ34WO837T/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kMXRibDYMhUiookWqwUxEZ97gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z4YTzHvnKhyp6Da-NYroOW3ZGjoBKy3azqku80C789l0luUmcNM2NMBIHLdYyXL-Jww_XBra4mrrAHD6FMA3bNKOBm5vyMDUBjVQdcIrt03OQ/IMG_0855.JPG?format=1000w" width="426" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-manchester-fashion-brand-born-in-lockdown-is-launching-a-second-collection/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The Manchester fashion brand born in lockdown is launching a second collection</span></a></b></h3><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Grey Milk, the Manchester-based independent clothing brand born in lockdown, has launched a second collection just in time for autumn. <b><a href="https://themanc.com/style/the-manchester-fashion-brand-born-in-lockdown-is-launching-a-second-collection/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read more...</span></a></b></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I became obsessed with Grey Milk since I first discovered their launch during lockdown and I greatly admire what Gwen has managed to achieve in such a short space of time. Her designing and creation of garments is incredible and deserves so much recognition, and it was really interesting delving behind the scenes of her new collection. This is autumn style reinvented and like you've never seen it before, but all of her pieces are absolutely stunning and I highly urge you to check them out!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;">I hope you enjoyed getting a sneak peek into all of my articles that were published this month - make sure to let me know which is your favourite!</div><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s16000/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div>
</div></div></div>Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-76553430926040582522020-09-27T19:26:00.004+01:002020-09-27T19:26:54.804+01:00The Mask-Proof Liquid Lipsticks You Need To Try From Flower Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cNveMix3FiKBfuiQSZ2FSvpg4Tdoe3dL1HiPidYIEeiRo0eFH3HOxntlI1HjCbgLaWWxy9lVdj40RwYqzceOy0EwrJg0QxnmD4Nrd64JBDHHHtIwwvDV2ro83O7NIHzUMlpAt0rIoE7j/s16000/A0BF1602-20AA-4F0B-8626-0AC48D705A8F.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Let's face it, masks have been an absolute pain for makeup wearers. Don't get me wrong, I think wearing a mask is incredibly important and I use mine all the time (probably more than I need to in all honestly), but they've completely changed how I apply my makeup. The biggest sacrifice in this has been my lip products - I have makeup bags full of gorgeous glosses that aren't getting the attention they deserve. And the real kicker is that, if I ever decide to wear one underneath my mask, the remnants are almost always printed on the fabric rather than on my lips. That was until I used the Flower Beauty Miracle Matte Liquid Lipsticks, however, and now I've finally found the lipstick and mask combo that I can trust. Intrigued? Well, make sure you keep reading to find out more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've had these Flower Beauty products in my collection for around a year now and I've adored them since the first try. Almost instantly, I realised that they're not drying like a majority of liquid lipsticks that I've tried, meaning my lips can have an effortless swipe of colour without looking dry and shrivelled (which is especially important as we approach winter).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Normally matte formulas are something that I steer clear from, so you can tell that these are good if I'm raving about them. But the thing is about these liquid lipsticks, opposed to other matte products that I've tried, is that they're <i>comfortable</i>; I don't think I've ever tried another matte lip product that has felt bearable on my lips, let alone luxurious like these do.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOxE4llIVNA/X3DOB6dzQUI/AAAAAAAAH0A/3k6Ym7EfwKAay2xBUCJck52eqFS7RIT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Flower%2BBeauty%2BLiquid%2BLipsticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOxE4llIVNA/X3DOB6dzQUI/AAAAAAAAH0A/3k6Ym7EfwKAay2xBUCJck52eqFS7RIT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Flower%2BBeauty%2BLiquid%2BLipsticks.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">They're also not too liquidy (ironic really, since I'm talking about <i>liquid </i>lipsticks), which sounds like a bad thing but is actually perfect. There's no smudging, transferring or getting on your teeth - they lock in place quickly and stay that way for hours. Trust me, there'll be no more lipstick marks on the inside of your mask if you're wearing one of these.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of wear-time, these liquid lipsticks are impressive. When I test out a lip product I don't shy away from eating and drinking, as I want to give them a thorough test that covers all bases. The Miracle Matte Liquid Lipsticks tick all the boxes: they don't flake away or fade, and I can't say I've noticed the annoying lipstick marks on a glass when wearing them. They're also perfect for us low-maintenance girls who can't be bothered to reapply their lip products every hour.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I own these Flower Beauty products in 4 different shades - the perfect collection that will leave you satisfied for any look:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hBtF3EzYzDBmGQF_M6bpElCx7Ht2gu9XmPI8lDEHaKT7xP9oFio0bH4I18xi5pRaA55cK3t05VexIbOOxaq70Lcz2IQSpEjF-8ZGQxXMD3NlqajZnUI-j4DPQIODfgPTRX15I-2jYihS/s4020/F5F31489-9FF1-4155-A246-CF861820A3D5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4020" data-original-width="3010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hBtF3EzYzDBmGQF_M6bpElCx7Ht2gu9XmPI8lDEHaKT7xP9oFio0bH4I18xi5pRaA55cK3t05VexIbOOxaq70Lcz2IQSpEjF-8ZGQxXMD3NlqajZnUI-j4DPQIODfgPTRX15I-2jYihS/s16000/F5F31489-9FF1-4155-A246-CF861820A3D5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Bare Honey</span></b> - a true nude done right, no foundation lips over here! It's a medium-toned shade that isn't too pink or brown like other 'nude' products I've tried and is the perfect everyday shade that I find myself constantly reaching for </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Nude Blush</span></b> - a wearable, pink-toned nude that is ideal for achieving a rosy lip look. If you're someone who fears pink lipsticks and doesn't want something neon or bright, this is the perfect choice that is natural whilst also adding a subtle pop of colour</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Scarlet Letter</span> </b>- every girl needs a trusty pillarbox red lipstick in her collection, and this is my one of choice. It's loud and in charge, so whether you're making a statement or celebrating this festive season you'll be drawing attention</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Rosewood</span></b> - this gorgeous shade is entirely dependent on your skin tone - on darker complexions this would act as a mauve-tinted nude, but on paler skin like my own this shade is a vampy purple tone that I'll be digging out this autumn</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, these long-lasting, luxurious lipsticks are an absolute essential in my makeup collection and are also completely mask-proof. I'd highly recommend checking them out as you (and your lips) won't be disappointed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s16000/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div>Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-13167392865118045022020-09-13T19:22:00.001+01:002020-09-13T19:22:40.141+01:00How I'm Staying Inspired and Productive As A Fashion Journalism Intern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JtjNVcaxpY/X14DHtYgkqI/AAAAAAAAHyg/ZTEiAGGSWm03UDrL9Zt6aZ-cogPxxUPwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/09F5511C-37F3-42B2-AD07-BBCE151D4166%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JtjNVcaxpY/X14DHtYgkqI/AAAAAAAAHyg/ZTEiAGGSWm03UDrL9Zt6aZ-cogPxxUPwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/09F5511C-37F3-42B2-AD07-BBCE151D4166%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="bodyfont">Many of you may know that journalism is something that I'm passionate about and would love to establish a career in, and so I have been interning as a contributing writer for <a href="https://themanc.com/style/" target="_blank">The Manc's style section</a> over the past few months. Not only has this been an incredible opportunity to gain more experience writing, but it has also given me a glimpse into the professional world of journalism while learning how to work effectively from home. I thought I'd share my top tips for staying productive and inspired during at-home internships for those of you who are also aspiring journalists looking to get started, so I hope that it's helpful!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Plan my week in advance</span></b></div><div class="bodyfont">My week will often be filled with various other things aside from writing for The Manc, so scheduling my time is necessary. Even though my internship is quite relaxed with submission deadlines, I always try to do them as soon as possible and then plan the rest of my week accordingly. Although it only takes 2 minutes to roughly plan out what days of the week I'll be busy and which ones I'm free to work on articles, it'll save me a lot of stress later down the line. It's easy to feel like I'm in work-mode constantly when spending time at home, so I must plan effectively to ensure that I can meet deadlines whilst still being able to relax.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Choose areas of genuine interest and that spark passion to write about</span></b></div>Figuring out what I enjoy and bringing that to my work has made a massive difference for me, and this passion shines through in writing. As I'm not given a brief of what to write about and subsequently allowed a lot of creative control, I can quite often tailor my articles to specific interests and passions of mine. This is a massive help when I'm writing lots of pieces, as it never feels like a chore or burden when I genuinely enjoy the topics that I'm investigating.<div><div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Have an ideas bank to fall back on</span></b></div>When I'm pitching article ideas, I always try to think of things that are trending and related to Manchester (as that is what The Manc focuses on). However, it can sometimes be hard to think of various pitches each week, especially if I'm having a mental block, which is why I've created a massive list of ideas and topics that I can fall back on. This could be anything from a random trend that has become popular, a tweet or Instagram post that has inspired me or any random thoughts that could become an article. Not only are these useful to have when I need an extra idea or two, but quite often I find that an idea I wrote down a few months ago will now be much more relevant or have a whole new angle that I can explore. It's also worth hanging onto these, as the ideas I haven't used or The Manc have rejected can always be pitched elsewhere.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBZkoPlzX6g/X14DHa46UWI/AAAAAAAAHyc/umcBrdpvuq0H9fKbOL6iI9971HVS-c4FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/7ACFFEF3-F474-4537-95C4-B145D5D2658C%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Lookout for new ideas and inspiration in my daily life</span></b></div>I'm always thinking about ideas for potential articles, regardless of what I'm doing. Whether I'm scrolling through social media, reading fashion magazines on my phone, going shopping or just observing what people are wearing when I'm out, my mind is creating possible pitches. A lot of my ideas have hit me when I've least expected it, so it's beneficial being alert and ready for any inspiration to come your way. Although I would be a bit cautious if you're reading a lot of magazine and newspaper articles for inspiration, as you don't want to end up copying their ideas by accident.</div><div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Divide my accounts</span></b></div>Following on from that, it's still important to know when to switch off. Whilst I'm always subconsciously making observations of trends, sometimes it feels good to step back and not have this at the forefront of my mind while I relax. I've found it helpful to make new social media accounts for journalism where I can follow many different brands, celebrities, magazines etc., that way I can easily flick onto this when I'm looking for ideas but I can also scroll through my personal accounts when I'm trying to relax and wind down. I also highly recommend making the most of Twitter lists, as they're a perfect way to categorise tweets and gain some separation between work and life.</div><div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Keep in regular contact with colleagues and team members</span></b></div><div class="bodyfont">If you're doing your internship virtually or working from home like I am, it's really important to stay in touch with people who you are working with. This will help you keep track of any important updates and feedback for your work, plus it also creates a community atmosphere where you can support each other and collaborate on ideas. There's nothing better than the feeling of achievement when you're congratulated for an article that performed well, and likewise, it's great to cheer on your teammates and support their pieces.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and if there's anything you'd like to know about my internship, feel free to let me know in the comments or on my social media!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s16000/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div>
</div></div></div>Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-13388416779245395182020-08-10T21:07:00.000+01:002020-08-10T21:07:30.304+01:00Makeup Tricks and Techniques That I'm Late To The Game With<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWvAtZ05x-M/XzFXR6zw0uI/AAAAAAAAHwM/Rtik86xVni4MlWahjwJo7r1mk8Q7XhGPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Late%2BTo%2BThe%2BGame%2BBeauty%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1807" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWvAtZ05x-M/XzFXR6zw0uI/AAAAAAAAHwM/Rtik86xVni4MlWahjwJo7r1mk8Q7XhGPQCLcBGAsYHQ/d/Late%2BTo%2BThe%2BGame%2BBeauty%2B3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">I've been a beauty blogger since 2014 and have therefore seen many new trends and products come and go. While there have been some that I've jumped on the bandwagon with and loved, there's equally been quite a few that I've never got on board with. Whether this was due to being quite young and not wearing a lot of makeup or down to the fact that I tend to purchase mostly drugstore items, I recently realised that there were quite a few iconic beauty trends, products and techniques that I had missed out on. Today, I thought I'd put them all to the test whilst also creating a makeup look for you all, so I hope you enjoy this post!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Using a beauty sponge to blend foundation</b></span></div>I have been a firm brush user since the day I started wearing makeup, for no reason other than it was what I was used to. I always used a buffing brush and there was nothing wrong with my foundation application, so why fix something that isn't broken, right? It has only been within the past few months that I've started using a beauty blender to apply my foundation and concealer, and honestly I have no idea why I didn't do this sooner! It definitely gives a more natural, sheer finish that is perfect for everyday use, plus it's incredibly quick and easy to blend in my base products. It's a 10 out of 10 from me on this one, I just wish I would've succumbed to the hype sooner!<div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Using a liquid illuminator</b></span></div>There's something about liquid illuminators that have always intimidated me a bit - I was afraid that I'd look like a disco ball if I applied it as a base under my foundation, but had also heard people struggle to use them over the top of base products. It was only when I was sent one from Flower Beauty that I gave it a go and realised how gorgeous these products are! If you apply it under your foundation, a gorgeous radiance shines through that is dewy without looking sparkly, but my favourite is to tap a little bit onto my cheekbones to create a glowing from within look. This is definitely more natural than a powder highlighter and is perfect for creating an effortless makeup look.<div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Blusher on the nose</b></span></div>This is a technique that has always baffled me, and I'm still not 100% sure on it if I'm honest! I've always struggled with makeup rubbing off my nose after a couple of hours and leaving it looking red, so why would I want to create this tragic look when I'm trying to avoid it? I decided to give this another go using the Milani Luminoso blusher, which is an iconic product that I've only recently become obsessed with (I bought a paler shade of this when I visited New York a couple of years ago, but this one is simply stunning). I definitely think that less is more with this technique for me, and whilst it can create a cute button nose appearance, I worry that it'll just make me look sunburnt. I applied the tiniest amount and thought that it looked nice, but I'm still not 100% sold on this method!<div><br /><div class="bodyfont" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdWGzTHFfq4/XzFK9qIxcdI/AAAAAAAAHug/3dGWwng6iYMSWDyAXckVFXJ-ci2kBrSggCLcBGAsYHQ/d/Late%2BTo%2BThe%2BGame%2BBeauty.jpg" /></div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><br /></span></div><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Highlighting my whole face (not just the cheekbones)</b></span></div>Maybe it's because I often wear more natural makeup rather than opting for full glam daily, or perhaps it's my ingrained fear of looking like I've been attacked by glitter, but I'm always quite minimal when it comes to highlighter. Most days I won't apply any, but when I actually make an effort I'll stick to my cheekbones and inner corners of the eyes. Today, I decided to apply highlighter in other areas as well, including my brow bone, nose and cupids bow, and I have to say that I really like the outcome. This definitely helps to make my nose look more snatched and gives me more confidence in this feature that I usually hate, and overall my face looks very radiant and illuminated without being too over-the-top.<div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Using Morphe eyeshadow palettes</b></span></div>This isn't exactly a tip or technique but more of a cult product that I've only just started using, but I had to include it in this post. Everyone and their mother is obsessed with Morphe palettes, but I was very late to jump on the bandwagon as I've only owned one since January. My boyfriend bought me the 35V palette for my birthday and I've been obsessed with it ever since - it's now the only eyeshadow palette that I use. Not only are all the eyeshadows incredibly pigmented but they also blend like a dream; I can see why everyone loves them! I decided to go for a more colourful look today rather than my usual neutral tones as I wanted to be a bit more experimental, and I'm really pleased with the outcome!<div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wearing false eyelashes</b></span></div>It's only been over the past year or so that I've really become a fan of wearing false eyelashes, and now I don't think there's any looking back! Although I'm not wearing them in these photos as mine are all quite old and crusty now (I desperately need to pick up some new ones), I couldn't live without them when doing a more glam makeup look. My fear was definitely in the application side of things, but after quite a few attempts I've definitely got the hang of them now!<div><br /><div class="bodyfont"><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lining my lips</b></span></div><div class="bodyfont">Lipliner is a step that I typically miss out, simply because I often just apply gloss and call it a day. However, more recently I've started lining my lips and I definitely think it's something I'll continue doing, both for the definition and the longevity of my lip products applied on top. Although I'm not one to overline my lips (I just can't seem to do it without it looking stupid or obviously fake), the little bit of added definition that this provides is definitely a win in my eyes.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIsl3qhelq8/XzFXRjW4xVI/AAAAAAAAHwI/ikeCeUSKHm0jY6EzIdTr5mb6H-ETHvAqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Late%2BTo%2BThe%2BGame%2BBeauty%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIsl3qhelq8/XzFXRjW4xVI/AAAAAAAAHwI/ikeCeUSKHm0jY6EzIdTr5mb6H-ETHvAqQCLcBGAsYHQ/d/Late%2BTo%2BThe%2BGame%2BBeauty%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What makeup steps or products are you late to the game with? 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</div></div></div></div></div></div>Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-61436799481418970752020-07-29T20:06:00.001+01:002020-07-29T20:06:31.738+01:00A Post-Lockdown Life Update As Normality Returns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDrTjaXAnwE/XyDFuH16QoI/AAAAAAAAHtA/lMpNjgl6zRwAbdy4MS9V8YUTNxav-_5iACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E0351386-46CE-44DA-80AC-5EBB65179579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDrTjaXAnwE/XyDFuH16QoI/AAAAAAAAHtA/lMpNjgl6zRwAbdy4MS9V8YUTNxav-_5iACLcBGAsYHQ/d/E0351386-46CE-44DA-80AC-5EBB65179579.jpg" /></a></div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">Hello everyone, long time no see! I have been incredibly busy since lockdown has started to ease and I honestly feel like the past month or so has been a whirlwind, but I've finally found a spare moment to write a blog post and catch up with you guys! I've been doing a lot of writing and career-related activities (<i>how exciting, I'm finally starting to feel like I've got my life together</i>) and also some forms of socialising whilst still being cautious in the pandemic, so make sure you keep reading to hear exactly what I've been up to!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><font color="#edd0c8" size="5">Internship at The Manc</font></b></div><div class="bodyfont">It's only been over the past few months that I really discovered my passion for journalism and recognised that it's a potential avenue to explore once I finish university, and so I was eager to get some professional experience in this field. As if by magic (<i>thank you to the law of attraction, I'm crediting you</i>) I was approached by The Manc to be a contributing writer for their fashion section! Let me just tell you, I have absolutely loved every second of this so far! Not only is it really insightful and beneficial gaining experience in pitching ideas and creating articles on a professional level, but the icing on the cake is being able to create content that I'm both passionate about and proud of. I've had a few of my articles published so far, so make sure you keep an eye out on <a href="https://themanc.com/style/" target="_blank">The Manc's style section</a> as I continue creating some exciting content for them!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><font color="#edd0c8" size="5">Fashion Editor of Student Newspaper</font></b></div><div class="bodyfont">Still along the journalism theme, I can officially say that I will be the fashion editor for The Mancunion (my university's student newspaper) for the upcoming academic year! This is honestly a dream come true, as it's something I put my mind to when I started writing articles for them but never envisioned that it would actually happen. I never thought I'd be eager for the summer holidays to end, but I really can't wait for the academic year to begin again so I can dive into this opportunity and work alongside all of the writers to create some amazing pieces for the fashion section!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX0LJuuXhDo/XyHIheQWl1I/AAAAAAAAHtg/0qdy-FvrfEoyFV49mn2GHBjiJxOAPb3UACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Life%2BUpdate%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX0LJuuXhDo/XyHIheQWl1I/AAAAAAAAHtg/0qdy-FvrfEoyFV49mn2GHBjiJxOAPb3UACLcBGAsYHQ/d/Life%2BUpdate%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><font color="#edd0c8" size="5">University Results for 2nd Year</font></b></div><div class="bodyfont">2nd year of university was definitely not the experience I expected - my final in-person class for the year was in mid-February due to a month-long strike followed by the campus closing due to the pandemic. I know people always say that university is all about the independent study but this was really intensified this year, except the lack of libraries and study spaces open made it even more difficult. However, I managed to pull through and came out with a first overall for the year, which I'm over the moon with! Although I really want to get a first in uni once I graduate, I didn't think it would actually be within reach and that I'd be able to get this in 2nd year, especially with the various other commitments that I have. I'm honestly so pleased, but now I just need to knuckle down ready for my final year.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><font color="#edd0c8" size="5">New Hobbies</font></b></div><div class="bodyfont">I'm quite lucky that my lockdown boredom was minimised due to being consumed with university work and essay submissions, but I still had my fair share of sitting in the house with no clue what to do. However, it's really helped me to discover some new hobbies and rekindle my enjoyment of spending time with myself. I've baked an unhealthy amount of cupcakes, continued teaching myself how to sew and also reignited my passion for reading since I can choose what to pick up rather than being restricted to academic texts. It's honestly been so refreshing to have this break and kind of pause from constantly being on-the-go, especially for my headspace and mental health.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont"><b><font color="#edd0c8" size="5">Life Returning To Normal</font></b></div><div class="bodyfont">Over the past few weeks especially, I've really enjoyed having some kinds of normality back in my life. Although it's still really difficult not being able to do things like give my grandparents a hug or properly spend time with my friends, it's been lovely reintroducing a few little pleasures back into my life. I've had trips to the pub, spent time in the park with friends, celebrated birthdays and graduations, went on shopping trips, spent time with my boyfriend and tried my hardest to have a little bit of enjoyment whilst still being extremely cautious and careful in the pandemic. I'm definitely still really wary and being precautious, but it's been lovely to feel like life is somewhat normal again.</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="bodyfont">I'd love to know what you've been up to lately and how the post-lockdown life is treating you, so make sure you let me know in the comments!</div><div class="bodyfont"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/s800/LOVE+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCUf4FHsaMmsvGubUmhUO8RgUkP25iQ5EVL5ySzrJvNSoBakSCOD-vcGguhqA-q8qjVRnBxHhlWRxCzE0rpA52KM7y4rj0gqVgsWDhCWm58iiMg9eRSHEl4dkNaz31kJFGs8OY-QbHkg6/d/LOVE+7.jpg" /></a></div>
Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-12483508824722498632020-06-15T12:01:00.001+01:002020-07-17T00:36:19.715+01:00No7 Hydraluminous Foundation Review - A Lightweight, Luminous Base For Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer is always the time when I begin to question my foundations - I want to wear something that is glowy and hardly feels like I have anything on my skin yet still has enough coverage to make me feel put-together, and it's difficult to find a product that fits these criteria perfectly. Upon my mum's recommendation, I decided to try the No7 Hydraluminous Foundation and I instantly fell in love with its flawless yet natural finish, and I can confidently say that I haven't used anything else on my skin in weeks. I knew straight away that I wanted to review it for you guys since I'm confident that you'll like it as much as I do, so make sure you keep reading to hear all about this amazing foundation.</div>
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The No7 Hydraluminous Foundation claims to create a fresh and radiant looking complexion, as well as gradually improving the appearance of your skin over time as it is jam-packed with vitamins and other beneficial ingredients that you'd more often find in a serum or moisturiser. It boasts a light to medium coverage, which is perfect for those summer days when you want a little bit of coverage without looking or feeling like you're wearing too much makeup, and it also contains SPF to ensure your skin stays protected throughout the day.</div>
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Although I usually apply foundations with a brush, I much prefer how this one looks when using a damp beauty blender, as it blends out effortlessly and prevents it from looking too heavy or cakey on the skin. One layer gives a natural amount of coverage, although I sometimes find myself reaching for a second layer just to lessen the redness in problematic areas like around my nose. The weightless formula makes it incredibly comfortable on the skin and is reminiscent of a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream, although I have to say that it is considerably more radiant than any of these that I have tried in the past.</div>
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I've found that this foundation lasts on my skin for an incredibly long time, and I've definitely put it to a rigorous test with hours spent in the intense sun. I quite often have the problem of makeup wearing off my nose and chin but I haven't really struggled with this, which has been a pleasant surprise for me. Although I haven't felt the need to powder down this foundation, I have used a primer beforehand and setting spray afterwards, which may have influenced its longevity.<br />
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Overall, I've really fallen in love with this foundation and it has definitely secured a space in my makeup bag. Although I don't know if I'd trust a makeup product to completely replace steps of my skincare routine, the benefits that this product provides are an added bonus to an otherwise gorgeous, radiant base.</div>
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If you've tried the No7 Hydraluminous Foundation then I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and if not make sure you let me know what your favourite base product is this summer!</div>
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-12353518250231364962020-05-26T20:29:00.000+01:002020-05-26T20:29:42.445+01:00My Pamper Evening Routine For Relaxing And Managing Anxiety<div class="bodyfont">
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The lockdown has proved to be quite an anxious time for many people, but one of the best ways I've found to combat this is by having a relaxing evening of pampering myself. Not only is it really important to invest some time into yourself every now and then, but it'll also help you to feel calm and collected during this current crisis. If a pamper evening sounds up your street but you don't know where to begin, keep reading to see my evening routine for relaxing and feeling less anxious.</div>
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<span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Set the scene</b></span></div>
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The first step to feeling calmer and more relaxed is to create a comfortable and cosy environment. At a time when I'm already prone to getting quite stressed, little things like an unmade bed can have a drastic impact on my mentality, so make sure you take care of things like this straight away. You may want to open a window to let in some fresh air, turn on a lamp to create a dimmer, cosier atmosphere, or light a candle to set the mood for your relaxing evening (which feels like quite a luxury for me now, since I couldn't light candles in my house at university).</div>
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<span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Take care of your skin</b></span></div>
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I find it very calming and restorative to put effort into myself and look after my body, but tasks like painting my nails can be quite time-consuming and applying fake tan leaves me feeling sticky and uncomfortable for hours. Instead, I decided to indulge in my skincare routine, starting by applying a face mask. This is my go-to pamper evening activity as it always leaves my skin feeling nourished and revitalised, and it's an easy way to feel better about yourself. Afterwards, I carried out my usual skincare routine with some of my favourite products from The Ordinary, <a href="https://www.bydaisybradbury.com/2020/03/the-ordinary-teenage-skin-routine.html" target="_blank">which I actually wrote a whole blog post about if you'd like to check it out.</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Have a relaxing bath</span></b></div>
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Hand in hand with skincare is looking after your body, and my favourite way of doing this is by getting in a warm bath. Whether you want to go all-out with the bubbles or treat yourself to a luxurious bath bomb, the priority is unwinding and feeling pampered. I decided to use my favourite body products from Sanctuary Spa since they always leave my skin feeling incredibly smooth and smelling gorgeous, and I also relaxed with a glass of Pepsi Max (my drink of choice) and a few Youtube videos to keep me entertained. </div>
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It's important to unwind and spend some time in the evening doing something you enjoy. For me, this was watching some Youtube videos and Netflix with a cup of tea and some chocolates by my side, which is my definition of the perfect evening. Especially since I'd spent most of my evenings doing university essays over the past few weeks, it felt incredibly good to enjoy watching something without the looming worry of deadlines.</div>
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<span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Meditate or do yoga</b></span></div>
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One thing which has massively helped my anxiety during the current pandemic has been meditating, which is why I've been making time for it in the evenings. If you feel like your mind is overrun with thoughts then I'd definitely recommend giving it a go, and there are tons of apps and online meditations to guide you and help with specific struggles or worries. I also find that this helps me to feel relaxed and unwind right before going to sleep, rather than staying awake all night with uncontrollable thoughts.</div>
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<span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Read before bed</b></span></div>
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If you're feeling anxious about the current situation then one of the best ways to minimise it is by escaping into a good book where you can put all of your worries and thoughts aside. I always find that reading before bed helps to send me to sleep and it's a much-needed break from scrolling through social media and seeing constant news updates. Now that I've finished university for the summer, I've definitely started making more time to delve into books that I'm eager to read and passionate about, rather than being restricted by a syllabus.</div>
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These are all of my pamper evening essentials for relaxing and managing anxiety, but if you have any other tips then I'd love to hear them down in the comments!</div>
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-9805449959421252082020-05-19T20:59:00.000+01:002020-05-19T20:59:23.365+01:00Academic Books Don't Have To Be Boring - Classics To Read While Stuck Inside<div class="bodyfont">
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There's a huge misconception that classic novels are incredibly difficult, hefty books that seem impossible to start. However, after reading my fair share whilst studying English literature at university, I want to assure you that this isn't the case. Don't get me wrong, there have been some books that have felt absolutely unbeatable and I've had to battle through them (although I won't name and shame), but there have been quite a lot that I've thoroughly enjoyed and that will appeal to people who don't study English. Since we all have a bit too much time on our hands lately, it's the perfect opportunity to delve into a book you might not otherwise commit to, so here are my recommendations for academic books (or books that I've studied in my degree) that are worth picking up. Just note that I've studied <i>a lot </i>of novels over the past 2 years of my degree, so there are definitely many others that I enjoyed, but I've managed to narrow it down to 6 that I think you'll like.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - Writing, Identity and Nation</span></b><br />
I've mentioned this book on my blog before, but it's too good to not include in this post as well! I really enjoy it when my university incorporates some more modern texts onto the syllabus, and this 2018 Women's Prize for Fiction winner definitely earned its place. If you're interested in hearing about the process of radicalisation on the vulnerable and isolated, as well as the conflicts of being a Muslim living in Britain, this book is one that you need to read.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - World Literatures</span></b><br />
This autobiographical graphic novel is completely unique in its moving, retrospective depiction of a child growing up in Iran. I'll be honest, graphic novels have never really appealed to me, but this one had me completely hooked and I couldn't put it down. It gives you a glance into Iranian culture and Marjane's adolescent experiences in a hilarious yet tear-inducing way, and it won't fail to make you question your own privileges and experiences.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - Literature and History</span></b><br />
This is an extremely clever and detailed dystopian novel that has strong connections to Fordism and the economic crisis of the 30s, making it an incredibly interesting vision of the future whilst also preserving a moment in our past. I found this novel fascinating from cover to cover, and you'll particularly enjoy it if you're interested in ideas of state control, technological advancements and genetic manipulation.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - Disappearance by David Dabydeen</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - Literature and History</span></b><br />
I absolutely adored reading this novel and the lyrical impulses of Dabydeen's work, despite it being one of the more lesser-known books on the course. It centres around a Guyanese engineer working on the coast of England whilst staying with an elderly woman, and offers some fantastic images of Englishness and the legacies of empire, as well as the disappearance of past experiences and memories. It isn't very plot-focused but if you're someone who can appreciate beautifully crafted writing like myself then you need to read this.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - English Literature Tutorials</span></b><br />
Although Virginia Woolf is incredibly famous for her novels, it was this non-fiction text that completely blew me away more than any other piece of her work. After spending a majority of my school life studying male authors and masculinised novels, it was very eye-opening to read Woolf's prose about the erasure of women in history and the social and material conditions required for women to write literature. If you're interested in gender politics then I'd definitely recommend reading this, but I also think it's beneficial for everyone to read as it completely changed my perspective on the intrinsic misogyny within and surrounding literature.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The book - Gifted by Nikita Lalwani</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">The course - Writing, Identity and Nation</span></b><br />
Gifted follows a young maths prodigy who struggles to manage this talent alongside the expectations and restrictions of her family, all whilst trying to grapple with her identity as a British-Indian. Out of all of the novels that I have studied, I have never felt so immersed and embedded in the story, and despite being from a completely different background than Rumi I felt as though I was living through her struggles. It's ultimately a story of endurance and how far someone can or is willing to go, and it's definitely a novel that is worth making time for.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed this post and that I've inspired you to pick up a book that you might not have otherwise considered. Like I said, I've studied many more novels in university and could easily compile another post like this one, if that's something you'd like to see!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-81107182428112986612020-05-12T20:14:00.000+01:002020-05-12T20:14:25.502+01:00Testing Viral Makeup Hacks From TikTok – 5 New Uses For Your Setting Spray<div class="bodyfont">
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I don't know about you but I'm absolutely obsessed with finding new makeup hacks. Quite often I'll be lying in bed scrolling through TikTok and I'll see tons of beauty tips and tricks that seem incredibly simple to do yet look gorgeous. I thought it would be a fun idea to try out a few of these and see if they're miracles waiting to be discovered or too good to be true. In particular, I decided to choose 5 hacks that all involve setting spray - it's such a versatile makeup product that can definitely be used beyond fixing your makeup into place. So if you'd like to see the setting spray makeup hacks that I attempted and whether they were fab or fails, keep on reading!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Makeup Hack #1 - Changing up the order of your base products</span></b></div>
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There seems to be an unwritten rule that you should apply your base products in a specific order, but what if I told you that this viral TikTok hack encouraged you to mix it up? Rather than following the usual routine of using moisturiser, then primer, followed by foundation and then powdering, you instead powder after using your moisturiser. Afterwards, you spray your face with setting spray, and once it dries you then prime and apply your foundation. When I first heard this, it seemed completely bizarre to me, but I saw countless people trying it online and saying that it revolutionised their skin, so I had to try and achieve the flawless look that everyone else was boasting.</div>
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I'm afraid that this one was a no from me! Although it seems to work for a lot of people, I didn't really get along well with this hack. There's something about applying primer after powdering my face that just doesn't sit right with me, and it felt really strange putting it on. I don't think that my base makeup looked that different from usual, except it was perhaps a bit cakier in some areas, which is definitely not what I was trying to achieve. However, this definitely made my makeup stay in place all day, so if that's usually a struggle for you then I'd perhaps give this hack a go.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Makeup Hack #2 - Making a powder blush into a cream</span></b></div>
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Blush has always been one of my favourite parts of my makeup routine and cream blushers in particular were my go-to for many years, but I don't have any in my collection currently. I found a hack online that made any powder blusher into a cream simply by adding some setting spray, and I knew instantly that this would be right up my street.</div>
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As I didn't want to ruin an entire blusher, I decided to get some of the product on my fingers and then squirt some setting spray over the top, before lightly dabbing it onto my cheeks. This hack actually worked really well, as it felt like applying a cream blusher but the setting spray made it stay firmly in place and I didn't have to worry about it budging. It isn't the easiest to blend if you follow this method, so I'd recommend starting with a small amount and building it up. However, I love the look that it created and I'll definitely be doing it again!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Makeup Hack #3 - Intensifying your highlighter</span></b></div>
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I seem to be a bit late to the game with this one, but a hack that I've seen floating around online for quite some time now is using your highlighter with setting spray to make it appear much more intense. I was definitely excited to try this out, as I have a few gorgeous highlighters that need quite a bit of building up, so this seemed like the answer to these problems.</div>
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As expected, this hack worked really well and made my highlighter appear much more intense and glowy. Although the photo doesn't really do it justice, my fairly subtle highlighter became almost blinding after trying this, so I'd highly recommend it if that's what you want. I probably won't be doing this daily as I prefer a more natural glow, but it's perfect for if I'm getting dressed up and going out (although that won't be happening for quite a while!)</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Makeup Hack #4 - Getting fluffy eyebrows using soap</span></b></div>
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I used to do soap brows around a year ago and found that they were very hit and miss - sometimes my eyebrows would look incredibly fluffy and be firmly secured upright, whereas other times they'd drop down almost instantly and look white from using too much soap. I've seen quite a few people do this hack but by using setting spray rather than water and it has been successful for them, so I thought I'd try it out and see how fluffy I could make my eyebrows look.</div>
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Honestly, I was quite disappointed by this one and found that it didn't really make a difference to my eyebrows. I know that soap brows can work for me as I've done them before, but for some reason, this hardly made a difference to my eyebrows and they didn't look any fluffier than beforehand. I'd definitely be willing to give this another try as I love the fuller brow look, but I'm disappointed that it didn't work for me. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Makeup Hack #5 - The fake freckle trick</span></b></div>
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Fake freckles have become a huge makeup trend and I've been dying to have a go at creating them for quite some time. I love the look of freckles yet I don't have any, so like many other people I have resorted to faking it! Although I've seen a lot of people drawing them on with eyeliner or an eyebrow pencil, this can look a bit fake and over the top if not done correctly. I found a hack on TikTok that is perfect for achieving more natural-looking freckles, where you mix some excess powder from a bronzer or eyeshadow with setting spray and then flick it onto your face using a brush. I knew that I had to give this one a go straight away, as I've been dying to achieve that sunkissed freckled look.</div>
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This hack definitely worked, although I'll admit that it probably takes quite a bit of practice and figuring out the proportions (the first time I attempted it I used way too much setting spray and couldn't get any freckles to show up on my face). It isn't the easiest to direct where you're flicking the product, and whilst this means that it can look more random and natural it can very quickly get messy. I found that some of the freckles ended up being tiny and looked more like flecks of dirt, so I'd definitely be wary of this. However, I quite like the look that it created and for a first attempt at creating freckles I don't think it was too bad!</div>
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And so that is the finished makeup look! Some of these were definitely successful (particularly the blush and highlighter hacks) whereas others I probably won't be trying again. If you have any makeup hacks that you swear by then make sure you let me know down in the comments!</div>
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-51023996973733373362020-05-04T18:49:00.002+01:002020-05-04T18:49:49.114+01:00My Lockdown Loves - Everything I've Been Watching, Reading and Listening To<div class="bodyfont">
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I don't know about you, but one of my biggest coping mechanisms during the current pandemic has been the various forms of media we have access to. Not only have I filled my spare time by binging TV shows and reading new books, but they've also distracted me and created a sense of escapism. Since I know a lot of people will be in the same position and are perhaps looking for recommendations, I thought I'd share all of the TV shows, books and podcasts that I've currently been obsessing over, and I hope that some of them will be perfect for you!<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;"><b>Currently Watching...</b></span><b><br /></b>
I've just finished watching <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">The Bold Type</span> </b>and I'm feeling a bit lost now that it's over. For those of you who don't know, the series is about three best friends who all work for a Cosmopolitan-esque magazine in New York, following their careers as well as all of the drama in their love life, friendship issues and much more. It's so addictive and I was hooked right from the first episode, and the series further ignited my dreams of working for a magazine one day. I also finished watching <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Next In Fashion</span></b>, which is Alexa Chung and Tan France's competition show on Netflix. They are searching for the best new designer through a series of weekly challenges and runway shows, which I found particularly inspiring as I'm currently learning how to sew. It's very interesting to see the behind-the-scenes process of creating each garment, and I guarantee that you'll be able to binge through this series in no time.<br />
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Although I much prefer watching a series than a film (my attention span just can't handle anything longer than an hour), I watched <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">The Hustle</span> </b>starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. This crime-meets-comedy film had me laughing the whole way through, and even my boyfriend liked it which is a good sign.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Up next... </span></b>I'm dying to watch the TV adaptation of <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Normal People</span></b> which came out a few days ago, as I fell in love with the book earlier this year and need to see if the series does it justice. I've actually heard a few people say that they prefer it over the Sally Rooney novel, so I definitely have high hopes!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Currently Listening To...</span></b><br />
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I haven't made many new discoveries on the music front lately, but I've been obsessed with various podcasts instead. A new favourite has been <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Reply All</span></b> (particularly the episodes <i>The Case of the Missing Hit </i>and <i>Long Distance</i>) as they are fascinating stories of human experience and technology that will leave you completely floored. I can't say much more without spoiling what happens, but each episode will have you completely engaged for the entire hour.<br />
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Another podcast that I've been listening to frequently is <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Fashion No Filter</span></b>, which was a recommendation by fellow fashion-obsessed Emilie. This follows two journalists who give a behind-the-scenes glance into the world of fashion, and it's an incredibly eye-opening view into an industry that previously felt quite secretive and exclusive. I've also been listening to <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">According 2 </span></b>by Megan and Ciera quite a lot since I also watch their Youtube channel, and I've found that their discussions on a variety of different events and aspects of teenage life are perfect to listen to in the background as I'm going about my daily business.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Up next... </span></b>I've heard nothing but good things about <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">The High Low</span></b>, which is hosted by Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton, so I think that'll be the next thing I listen to. Also, I really want to get into listening to audiobooks, as I've only used them for university texts but want to expand my horizons, so I'd love to know your recommendations!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Currently Reading...</span></b><br />
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As I'm still in the middle of my essay season, a lot of my reading has been university texts that I needed to re-read whilst planning my essays. This included <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Mrs Dalloway</span> </b>by Virginia Woolf and <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">A Day Off</span> </b>by Storm Jameson. I enjoyed both of these and found that they compared well with one another, so if you're interested in modernist day-novels set in London then these will be right up your street. I'm also currently reading <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Gifted</span> </b>by Nikita Lalwani, which was one of the novels I was supposed to study but didn't get the chance to due to the strike action. It follows a young girl who has to balance her strict Indian family with her natural talent as a maths prodigy, and so far it has been incredibly eye-opening.<br />
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I've also been reading a lot of magazines lately since I've discovered my passion for journalism and want to explore it as a potential career path. I've been using the Readly app as a place to collect all of these and keep track of my favourite articles, plus it's way less expensive than having physical magazine subscriptions. I'd love to do a blog post in the future sharing some of my favourite articles, so if that's something you'd like to see then make sure you let me know!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Up next... </span></b>I feel like my TBR list is huge since I've been restricted to reading university books, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get stuck into some of my own choices once my essays are finished. Although I could write a huge list of books that I want to read, at the top of this is <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Imaginary Friend</span> </b>by Stephen Chbosky, since I fell in love with The Perks of Being a Wallflower when I was a teenager, and <b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Call Me By Your Name</span> </b>by Andre Aciman (I can't believe I've not read this yet!)<br />
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I'd love to know what you've been watching, reading and listening to while stuck in lockdown, so make sure you let me know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-6525554710370533682020-04-25T16:20:00.000+01:002020-04-25T16:20:06.924+01:00Shop My Stash: Are My Past Makeup Favourites As Good As I Remember?<div class="bodyfont">
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It has reached the point of quarantine where I'm dying to go shopping - honestly, I really miss the girly days out that my mum and I would have while trying on matching Primark outfits (which she always looked 10 times better in) and filling tubs with foundation samples ready for us to test. Obviously, we haven't been able to do this in a while due to all the shops being closed, and although it's not the end of the world and there are much worse things happening right now, I am eager to test some new makeup. I was reluctant to order anything as I don't want to fuel the potentially unsafe factory and delivery conditions, and so I decided to delve into my makeup collection instead. Although I don't actually have a lot of my old makeup any more due to it being out of date or used up, I do still own a few of my old holy grail products, which long-time readers of my blog will definitely be familiar with. I decided to give them a go and see whether these products have stood the test of time or don't deserve the praise I used to give them, so keep reading to hear all of my thoughts!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Liquid Foundation</span></b></div>
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I used to love this foundation back when I was in college for its breathable, skin-like finish. I've never been the biggest fan of full coverage foundations for day-to-day wear, and so something like this which made my skin look healthy and natural was perfect. I particularly liked the water-like consistency as it made this foundation very easy to apply and blend, which was ideal when I was getting ready in a hurry before college.</div>
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The smell of this foundation honestly took me straight back to 2017 - I didn't realise how nostalgic it was! I'd say that this product is quite sheer but then it can also be built up to be almost full coverage, which I definitely appreciated on areas of redness that needed a bit more pigmentation. I did find that it required a little bit more blending in some areas, but this wasn't a problem and once it was fully blended out it looked lovely. It definitely made my skin look incredibly radiant and healthy without being too shiny, which is perfect for a flawless yet natural everyday look. I've actually put this product back in my makeup bag to use since it really surprised me and I love the look that it created.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer</span></b></div>
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This concealer was my holy grail for a <i>long </i>time and I honestly never thought that I'd find something even half as good. It is intensely pigmented, more so than any other concealer I've tried, and thus is perfect for covering blemishes and redness. I used to use this product every day without fail as it really did cover a multitude of sins.<br />
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After testing this product again, I've discovered that it's definitely more of a spot concealer. It's fairly thick and intensely pigmented, meaning it works wonders on camouflaging any blemishes and redness I may have. Although I did have a couple of rogue spots on the day I used this, my blemishes are nowhere near as bad as they used to be and my foundation is usually enough to cover them. These days, I prefer a more illuminating and lightweight concealer under my eyes to brighten them, whereas this product was a bit too heavy and clung to each and every fine line (I'm only 20 but I feel like it made my eyes look a lot more wrinkled than they are). Whilst I loved the magic that it worked on my spots (and it also makes a really nice eyeshadow base), it's definitely a no-go for under your eyes.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Tanya Burr Beautifully Defined Palette</span></b></div>
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Bronzer has always been my favourite makeup item and I'm constantly rotating the ones in my makeup bag, so I struggled to find one that I hadn't used in ages for this post. Although I've hit pan on this one and know that I loved it, I haven't reached for it in ages as the clunky packaging means it doesn't fit in my everyday makeup bag. I found that it was the perfect shade for adding some warmth to my face and giving a natural tan without being too excessive. Although I didn't use the highlighter as much as this wasn't a step in my makeup routine until more recently, I did think that it provided a gorgeous glow that wasn't too bold.<br />
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When testing these products again, I thought that the bronzer was really nice but probably a bit sheerer than what I normally go for these days (although that is just because I always go to town with my bronzer), but it could still be built up. Since it's not too warm-toned or shimmery, it'd also work nicely as a subtle contour shade. However, it wasn't the easiest to blend (as you can kind of see from my forehead) and required quite a lot of layering to achieve the look I wanted. The highlighter, however, really blew me away and I couldn't get over how blinding it was. I don't know how I used to think this product was more subtle (perhaps because I only applied the tiniest amount of it), but this was much more intense than I was expected and definitely one that I'll be revisiting again!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Too Faced Love Flush Blush </span></b></div>
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Despite only owning it in sample size, I used to be obsessed with this blush and almost used it all up since it was my go-to for a long time. Not only did I find that the bright colour was perfect for my skin tone, but this intense pigmentation was also very easy to blend out. I used to be a sucker for a matte blush and this one was potentially my favourite, although the sample is definitely easy to lose within your makeup bag!<br />
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Honestly, I forgot just how much I loved this blush! I thought I wasn't going to like it due to the matte finish, as I prefer something with a bit of shimmer in it these days, but I adored using this. It gave a gorgeous flush that was still natural whilst perking up my appearance and making me look healthy, and it can be built up as much as you'd like. I honestly forgot how pigmented this product was and accidentally applied way too much so I had to blend it quite a bit, but nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised and have placed this back in my everyday makeup bag. I'm actually very tempted to invest in the full-size product, so let me know if you think I should go for it!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette</span></b></div>
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Remember the days when the Naked palettes had cult status and everyone was obsessed with them? I swooned over the palettes for years until I received this one for Christmas and I loved it since. The shades are perfect for the springtime and I used to get quite a lot of wear out of them. This fell to the bottom of my collection as I actually stopped wearing eyeshadow for quite some time, instead only opting for a neutral, brown-toned shimmer if I wanted a little something on my eyes.<br />
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These eyeshadows were nice, but if I'm being completely honest they didn't blow me away. Whilst some of the shadows were absolutely gorgeous (especially the shimmers which can be blinding), some of the matte shades and darker tones in the palette weren't as pigmented as they appeared in the pan and required a few layers to build them up to the desired look. I also felt like it was really missing a darker matte colour, as I wanted to make this more of a smoky look with a darker colour in my outer corners yet there was no option to unless I used a shimmer. I really like the look that I ended up creating, however it did take quite a bit of work getting to that point. While it's a really nice palette, I definitely have others in my collection that I prefer and aren't as expensive.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara</span></b></div>
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Although I used this mascara quite a lot, I don't know if I ever actually featured it on my blog. I quite often layered it with another mascara to really create a bold, intense look, as I'm all for big, clumpy lashes. Surprisingly this product wasn't dried out when I dug it out of my collection, so I knew it was the perfect time to give it another chance.<br />
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I really love the voluminous, almost clumpy look that this mascara creates, although I was disappointed that it didn't do much for the length of my lashes and they still appeared quite short. I also found the huge wand was quite difficult to manipulate and I struggled to get to the root of my lashes without smudging it everywhere, although this is a struggle I have quite often with mascaras. I definitely like the look that I achieved after I applied a few coats, I just wish it could've been a bit more lengthening (but if you're naturally gifted with long eyeshadows this won't be a problem!)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Essence Liquid Lipstick</span></b></div>
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I've always been more of a lipgloss person, as I prefer something shiny and comfortable on my lips rather than a drying matte lipstick that I'll have to keep topping up throughout the day. Although this product was marketed as a liquid lipstick I definitely applied it more like a gloss and found that it created an incredibly pigmented and comfortable look.<br />
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I decided to only apply a small amount of this lipgloss to create a sheer wash of colour rather than a bold pink gloss on my lips, and not only did I think this was pretty but I actually preferred it this way. The pointed wand made it really easy to apply with precision and it was also comfortable to wear (unlike some cheaper glosses which can be quite sticky). This is another one that I'll definitely be putting back in my makeup bag to wear again!<br />
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Are any of these products in your list of forgotten favourites? I'd love to know what makeup items you're revisiting at the moment, so let me know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-31919718717875657692020-04-18T19:59:00.000+01:002020-04-18T19:59:19.188+01:00Books That All Girls Need To Read (Now You Finally Have Time To)<div class="bodyfont">
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Since everyone has a lot of spare time on their hands, it's the perfect opportunity to delve into a new book. However, I understand that it can be difficult knowing where to start, especially since bookshops are closed and you can't go in for a leisurely browse at the latest releases. I thought I'd put together a list of my favourite books that are written by women for women (although I'm sure that anyone could enjoy them) and are absolute must-read releases from the last few years. Note that there are some affiliate links used throughout which I will earn a small commission from if you make a purchase. Without further ado, it's time to see what books you're missing out on!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams</span></b></div>
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I'm sure that you've all had a point in your life where you've felt out of control and like everything is going wrong. Well this is exactly the struggle that Queenie is facing - she doesn't see eye-to-eye with her Jamaican-British family, she can't quite let go of a toxic relationship and her journalism job isn't all that she hoped for. We are whisked away into Queenie's coming-of-age story that is all about finding out who she truly is and her place in the world, and the turbulent journey that she has to go through to get there.<br />
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What I found most important about this book is its resilience to openly vocalise topics such as mental health, race, consent and female empowerment, yet it does so in fairly subtle ways. You will experience Queenie's pain as if you're right beside her yet you'll also be laughing whilst turning the pages - this novel really encompasses all of the uncertainties that we face in life. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=633116&clickref=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fqueenie%2Fcandice-carty-williams%2F9781409180050" target="_blank"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><b>Click here to order a copy of Queenie now.</b></span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Normal People by Sally Rooney</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwnThVW9JLw/XpijDSoKTCI/AAAAAAAAHTw/bgwfDNbBbj01gAPIr92gWxTqSd-oJMB0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Normal%2BPeople%2BUpdated.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwnThVW9JLw/XpijDSoKTCI/AAAAAAAAHTw/bgwfDNbBbj01gAPIr92gWxTqSd-oJMB0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Normal%2BPeople%2BUpdated.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a>What seems like a deceptively simple tale on the surface - two mismatched teenagers that share a kind of connection - blossoms into a heartfelt story of intimacy, yearning, mistakes and passion. We get to follow the shifting landscape of their relationship in moments of unspeakable closeness and undisclosed distance, charting their undeniable yet fluctuating connection throughout their youth. It ultimately depicts the impact a single person can have in shaping someone's life, as we see Marianne and Connell's personalities grow both intertwined and in opposition to one another.<br />
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What I loved most about this novel is Rooney's insistence on conveying 'normal people' - it's a raw depiction of the course of a connection and the influence that this has. It's refreshing to finally hear a voice that isn't afraid to adhere to the 'happily ever afters' or brutal heartbreaks that pervade literature; Normal People conveys a realistic relationship of our modern day. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=633116&clickref=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fnormal-people%2Fsally-rooney%2F9780571334650" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">If you'd like to order Normal People then click here.</span></b></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron</span></b></div>
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You may be familiar with Nora Ephron from When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, but her collection of memoirs is perhaps one of her best works that are a rite of passage for all women to read. This glaringly real book shares the truths of being a woman that you will undoubtedly relate to on some level, regardless of your age. Whether it's the shopaholic syndrome, navigating dubious relationships or the often poisonous view of our own bodies, Nora Ephron covers it all.<br />
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This book almost feels like a handbook for womanhood and will have you laughing along at how unbelievable accurate it is. Not only will you learn many lessons from Nora Ephron's undeniable wisdom, but it'll also be a comforting read proving that you're really not alone in any of your life experiences. Although this is probably best suited to someone older than myself, I'd highly recommend all women to read it, as there will definitely be lessons you can learn. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=633116&clickref=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fi-feel-bad-about-my-neck%2Fnora-ephron%2F9780857526939" target="_blank"><span style="color: #edd0c8;"><b>Order now by clicking here!</b></span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWoIrVjbMvw/Xpii_x_uCmI/AAAAAAAAHTg/9xOiIj4rmH8gGcqsJubLDLUaupWPcUSYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Everything%2BI%2BKnow%2BAbout%2BLove%2BUpdated.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWoIrVjbMvw/Xpii_x_uCmI/AAAAAAAAHTg/9xOiIj4rmH8gGcqsJubLDLUaupWPcUSYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Everything%2BI%2BKnow%2BAbout%2BLove%2BUpdated.jpg" /></a>The front cover of this book perfectly captures it, detailing the many disastrous dates, lifelong friendships and struggles of establishing yourself that all women may face in their lives. This is an eye-opening glance into Dolly Alderton's life and you get to watch her grow up as though you're living it alongside her, and I can guarantee that you'll be both laughing and crying along throughout this book. It really captures how messy yet beautiful life can be, and cherishes how every moment can shape a person.<br />
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Although this is ultimately an autobiographical text, it springs to life on the page and feels like fiction as you're transported to Dolly's adolescent world of disparate bars and unruly flings. There is honestly something so perfect in the way that she describes both pleasant and tragic life experiences in their true rawness, and I highly recommend you pick up this book and experience the journey of growing up alongside her. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=633116&clickref=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Feverything-i-know-about-love%2Fdolly-alderton%2F9780241982105" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">You can purchase Everything I Know About Love here.</span></b></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtJlSAqDCzI/XpijAOJZiTI/AAAAAAAAHTo/SwaNF3H46msh4cgb171-w93NYP8Pfn2rQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Home%2BFire%2BUpdated.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtJlSAqDCzI/XpijAOJZiTI/AAAAAAAAHTo/SwaNF3H46msh4cgb171-w93NYP8Pfn2rQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Home%2BFire%2BUpdated.jpg" width="300" /></a>This is perhaps a bit of a rogue one to include on this list, but I absolutely fell in love with this Women's Prize for Fiction winner. This novel examines the extent that you'd go to for passion, loyalty and in searching for an identity, all of which is bound together in a complex relationship of siblings. Radicalisation and love don't seem like two topics that go hand-in-hand, but Kamila Shamsie perfectly weaves together these two spheres in a way that you won't be able to put down.<br />
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Like the other books I've listed, Home Fire also deals with the struggles faced in everyday life, yet it instead depicts a teenage boy's terrorist involvement and the consequence this has on his entire family. Alongside this are ideas of Muslim-British identity and finding yourself in a constantly shifting world, and regardless of whether you relate to these issues or not this novel will have you hooked. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=633116&clickref=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhome-fire%2Fkamila-shamsie%2F9781408886793" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #edd0c8;">Click here to order a copy of Home Fire.</span></b></a><br />
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Hopefully there is something for everyone in this list, but there is no doubt that they are all essential reads for young girls and women alike, and I'd highly recommend them to anyone. If there are any books you feel as though are missing from this list, I'd love to know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-33381315021805442382020-04-12T20:47:00.000+01:002020-04-12T20:47:01.120+01:00My Quarantine Routine - Things To Do Whilst Isolating At Home<div class="bodyfont">
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If you're reading this blog post then I'm sure you'll agree with me - quarantine can be boring. Don't get me wrong the first week or so was great - finally having the time to relax, being able to lie in without consequence etc. But then it started to get old and repetitive: I felt like I'd watched all the good Netflix shows, my Youtube subscription box had nothing exciting in it, and I was incredibly bored of being stuck inside. As someone who likes to be busy and always doing something, I decided to come up with this loose structure for my days, which has massively helped me to think of a variety of ways to spend quarantine and be constantly entertained. So if you're like me and want some structure in your day, or you're simply looking for some things to do whilst stuck inside, then keep reading this post.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">My morning routine </span></b><br />
I've found that quarantine is much more manageable if I have an established morning routine and wake up around the same time every day, rather than messing up my sleep schedule and waking up in the middle of the day. Having said that, since I'm not in a rush to leave the house for university or work I'll let myself chill out and scroll on my phone for a bit, simply because I can and it feels good not having to jump straight out of bed. Once I do decide to get up, I make sure that I eat a proper breakfast, get dressed (although usually into comfy gym wear) and make the bed, and instantly my mindset is transformed into feeling productive and ready to kickstart the day. I may also give myself a moment of peace before the busy day starts, often sitting down with a cup of tea and reading a few pages of my book.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Getting some fresh air outside</span></b><br />
As we're still allowed to have one form of outside exercise per day, I've really been trying to make the most of this whenever possible. Although I live in the middle of a city, there are actually a few parks nearby that are lovely to walk or jog around, especially since the weather has been gorgeous lately. I'll admit that going for a run isn't really my thing, but getting some fresh air and walking whilst listening to music or a podcast always puts me in a better mood, and it feels nice to leave the house, even if it's just for a little while.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Do some form of exercise</span></b><br />
It's very easy to let all kinds of fitness slide when you're stuck in the house all day, especially when you're confined to a fairly small space and not walking around as much. My personal favourite way to combat this is doing an at-home workout on Youtube, as there are tons of different ones that are easy to follow and you can tailor it to your specific fitness goals. They're also quite short, which is great if exercise isn't your thing as a 10-minute video can seem a lot more manageable and easy to get through. I also really enjoy doing yoga and find that it's the perfect balance of fitness and mental restoration, so if you want something that is lower impact but will leave your body and mind feeling better then this may be great for you. If all else fails and you're really opposed to the idea of exercising, try and be a bit more active in your daily routine, whether that's by running up and down the stairs a couple of times or having a dance whilst you're washing the dishes.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Studying and engaging the brain</span></b><br />
I'm a university student and all of my classes have been moved online, and since I have deadlines throughout May I've been using a portion of each day to get some of this work done. Whether that's by planning essays, attending online lectures and seminars or completing my required reading, there's been tons to do and it has been nice to have a sense of normality in my studies. However, I've tried to be less harsh on myself and recognise that we're living in quite a stressful and unprecedented time. Whereas I'd probably be doing long days of studying if I was in university or the library, I've been more relaxed with my university work and only do what I can manage. Some days I've been super productive yet others I haven't even been able to pick up a book, but that's okay.<br />
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However, if you're no longer a student, it doesn't mean that you can't do something for your brain. Now is the perfect time to learn something new or develop an old skill, whether it's something that'll help in your career or an external passion that you've been wanting to follow. A great way of doing this is through Skillshare - I signed up for their free two-month trial and there are absolutely tons of online classes and workshops, so if you're looking to learn more about graphic design, social media management, interior design or even cocktail making amongst many others, there will be a course for you to try.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Do something productive</span></b><br />
You know all of those boring household tasks that you always put off due to being too busy? Well now is the perfect time to tackle them! Whether you have some home DIY projects to start or simply want to reorganise a room in your house, it's a great way to spend your time productively in quarantine. As well my usual tasks and keeping on top of housework, I've been doing things like reorganising my wardrobe, decluttering my drawers, washing my makeup brushes and even making myself a new CV. It's also a good time to be digitally productive and do things like clear out your camera roll, sort through your spam emails and organise the files on your laptop - the list is endless but you'll definitely feel the benefit of it!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Following my heart and doing my hobbies</span></b><br />
Although a lot of people are saying that you should be using the quarantine period productively with endless projects and new business ventures, it's completely okay if you don't want to do this or don't have the mental energy for it. Instead, one of the best ways to treat yourself is to revisit your hobbies (or find some new ones) that may have been pushed aside in your busy daily life. My biggest hobby is blogging and so I've been spending a lot of time planning posts and photographs ready to create some amazing content for you guys, so perhaps starting your own blog is something you could do during the quarantine? Another great idea is to get creative, whether that's through art, journaling, crafting, learning how to knit, crochet - the list goes on! I've decided to learn how to sew during this quarantine, and so I've been ordering fabric online and watching lots of Youtube videos ready to hopefully start making some cute little skirts!<br />
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I've also been using this time to do a lot more reading, which is a huge passion of mine but something that I don't have a lot of time for outside of university. It feels great to finally pick up some of my own books to read (rather than the classics that my degree entails) and I've been powering through my TBR list! If you're still stuck for ideas then here are some more: start a scrapbook, listen to or create a podcast, start gaming, learn a new recipe, work on a sport (that's possible to do from your house or garden), write a book, learn a new instrument - I could honestly keep going!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Keeping mental health in check</span></b><br />
It's important to not forget about your mental wellbeing during this difficult and uncertain time, and so I've been doing a few things to keep my mind in check. I've started meditating a few times a week, which is something that I've done over the past few years but never regularly, but a great place to start is the Calm app that'll provide soothing guided meditations that are easy to engage with. I've also been remembering to take my medication and drink a lot of water throughout the day, as little things like this make a huge difference. It can also be quite an isolating time so it's good to keep in contact with friends and family - whether that is through messaging them, talking on the phone or through Facetime, it's nice to hear a familiar voice and check in. Why not even write them a letter, I'm sure it'd be appreciated!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Relax and wind down of the evening</span></b><br />
Although it's easy to be swept into the mindset of being busy and productive during quarantine, you should also allow yourself some time to relax and wind down. My favourite way to do this is to have a cosy film evening or start watching a new Netflix series accompanied with some chocolates, or binging through my Youtube subscriptions. It's also the perfect time to allow yourself to mindlessly scroll through social media, and there's no guilt attached since you've been productive throughout the day.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">My nighttime routine</span></b><br />
Much like my morning routine, I find it really useful to have an established evening routine and I try to get to sleep at a reasonable hour (although this isn't set in stone, so if I want to stay up late one night and have a lie-in the next morning, nothing is stopping me). I kickstart my evening routine by having a relaxing shower and indulging in my skin and body care - normally I'd skip on body moisturisers and face masks if I was in a rush but now is the ideal time to use them. I also take the time to pray and give gratitude, which is really important to do in such a tough time. When winding down to sleep I tend to either watch something or read, and every night without fail I will fall asleep whilst listening to a podcast, but do whatever works best for you.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed hearing what I'm doing during this quarantine period, and if you have any other recommendations I'd love to hear them, so be sure to let me know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-88455814868027185222020-03-26T19:51:00.001+00:002020-03-26T19:51:40.619+00:00How To Style A Slogan T-Shirt For Every Occasion <div class="bodyfont">
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Slogan tees are quickly becoming a staple in my wardrobe - they're comfortable, easy to throw on and can be styled with just about everything. I know a lot of people share my obsession for these funky yet simple tees, however most of the time I only see them styled with jeans and trainers. I thought it'd be a fun idea to challenge myself to take a single t-shirt and style it in a few different ways to create some trendy yet easy to achieve looks. Hopefully this proves just how versatile a slogan t-shirt really is, whether it's for an evening out or a casual day in the house. So keep reading to see what I came up with!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHvCM3PbQIw/XnucQf0PQpI/AAAAAAAAHO8/mjzQKv2TX54NGxkBbDGN-DA2eW3WDEk5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9242.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHvCM3PbQIw/XnucQf0PQpI/AAAAAAAAHO8/mjzQKv2TX54NGxkBbDGN-DA2eW3WDEk5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9242.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Night out glam - mini skirt and heels</b></span><br />
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Although we probably won't be able to go clubbing for a while, it's still nice to have a few outfits in mind that you can wear (and perhaps a little clothing haul will keep you entertained whilst stuck in the house). I'm sure we all love feeling like a princess and getting dressed up to go out, but sometimes you don't want to be wearing a tight-fitting, uncomfortable dress. An outfit like this is the perfect middle-ground for these instances, as it is dressy yet still somewhat casual.<br />
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This snakeskin mini skirt is extremely short and tight-fitting, meaning it's probably only appropriate for a night, however pairing it with a slogan t-shirt dresses it down a little bit. Whether you choose to wear heels or trainers, this is a lovely way to create a relaxed yet cute look.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgeuWAnXnS8/XnucPwN8tKI/AAAAAAAAHO4/Z0sKQPZnUdIUhejH2l50xO3x5sYFxz1UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9241.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgeuWAnXnS8/XnucPwN8tKI/AAAAAAAAHO4/Z0sKQPZnUdIUhejH2l50xO3x5sYFxz1UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9241.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b><b>Spring boho style - maxi skirt</b></b></span><br />
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Spring is well and truly upon us now, and although it's time to transition into cooler clothes and brighter colours, the weather can still be a bit unpredictable. In this instance, a maxi skirt will be your best friend. They're comfortable to wear, loose and flowy to stop you from getting too hot, and the slit in the side of this Zara one still makes it very on-trend.<br />
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Although skirts like this look lovely paired with a jumper in winter, my favourite way to style them will always be with a slogan t-shirt. Especially with a skirt like this where the daisy print is the main focal point, it's nice to wear something a bit more understated on the top whilst still being trendy. All you need to complete the look is a pair of trainers and some bohemian-esque jewellery and you'll be good to go!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcAWcssf5P4/XnucO3N-HcI/AAAAAAAAHOs/avNnxU9n1eQLciUtUrrlM2YnOBilTuHDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9237.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcAWcssf5P4/XnucO3N-HcI/AAAAAAAAHOs/avNnxU9n1eQLciUtUrrlM2YnOBilTuHDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9237.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trendy and chic - the houndstooth co-ord</b></span><br />
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It seems like everyone is obsessed with co-ords at the moment, and I'm so glad as I honestly adore them. This monochromatic houndstooth one is from Stradivarius and I instantly fell in love with it, and prints like these are right on trend at the moment.<br />
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Since the pattern of this co-ord is bold and the centre of attention, pairing it with a white t-shirt ensures that there isn't too much going on. However, the slogan tee adds a funky edge to the outfit which could otherwise be styled in a more formal way, so it definitely brings out the trendy side. An outfit like this is the perfect option if you want to look put-together and fashionable whilst still seeming somewhat professional.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qq4hBiJfspc/XnucQhHaSoI/AAAAAAAAHPE/4TSnMevey2UnXJG2MEIF36UGaSGP4GV-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9244.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qq4hBiJfspc/XnucQhHaSoI/AAAAAAAAHPE/4TSnMevey2UnXJG2MEIF36UGaSGP4GV-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9244.jpg" width="298" /></a><b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Smart casual - dressy trousers</span></b><br />
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I love dressy trousers, but it can sometimes be difficult figuring out how to style them. When paired with a blouse, it feels way too formal and business-like to wear on a daily basis. However, a plain t-shirt seems boring since the trousers themselves are a block colour. In this case, this slogan t-shirt is the perfect combination for a trendy yet professional look.<br />
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These nude Topshop trousers are instantly dressed-down when pairing them with this t-shirt, plus I feel like this outfit really lets the t-shirt be the centre of attention unlike the others I have shown. If you have a pair of trousers that you feel are slightly too formal for you to wear or have been asked to wear a smart-casual attire, an outfit like this may just be the answer to your prayers.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Everyday style - jeans and a nice jacket</span></b><br />
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The go-to way for many people to style a slogan t-shirt is jeans, and so I had to include it in this post. Outfits like this are incredibly easy to throw on, and you can guarantee that pretty much any slogan top can be paired with jeans. Plus, there are so many different styles, fits and colours of jeans that the possibilities are endless! Whether you're in a rush to leave the house or simply want to look stylish yet seem like you haven't put too much effort in, then this is ideal for you.<br />
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Pairing it with the Chanel-style jacket transforms this outfit from a t-shirt and jeans thrown together to a curated and more stylish look, and it's crazy how such a simple addition can really transform your outfit. But don't let this be the only way - there are many options for you to experiment with, whether that's by pairing it with a statement belt, some flashy jewellery or even a pair of heels!<br />
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I hope you enjoyed seeing the various different ways that I styled a slogan t-shirt, and if you have any others that I've not included then make sure to let me know down in the comments! Stay safe and I will see you soon with another new post!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-39974411857169512392020-03-19T20:40:00.001+00:002020-03-19T20:40:35.828+00:00Testing The Ordinary - My Favourites For Treating Young, Teenage Skin<div class="bodyfont">
Before I properly begin this blog post, I just wanted to say that I hope you're all okay and safe. We're all living in a very uncertain time and I understand how difficult it can be, as I'm struggling to. I'm extremely aware of how saturated the media is with details surrounding this global pandemic, and social media and websites that used to be a safe haven are now inundated with mass panic and constant updates. For this reason, I have decided to continue my blog as normal - in such a claustrophobic and panicking time, I think it'd be much more beneficial to continue creating content as an outlet and form of distraction from everything that is going on. So please don't think that I am being inconsiderate or oblivious to the current situation by carrying on as normal- I'm currently social distancing and keeping updated as much as possible through the news, but I think a distraction and form of solace is necessary right now. Anyway, on with today's blog post!<br />
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For the last year or so, I felt like I was in a huge rut with my skincare routine. Although I was cleansing my face every day and applying moisturiser, I wasn't really sure what else I should be doing. I felt like I was in an awkward position where nothing really fit my skin - I'd grown out of my teenage blemishes but wasn't yet in the market for anti-ageing products. I knew that I wanted to sort out my routine and get a reliable set of products tailored to my skin but I honestly didn't know where to start, that was until my mum introduced me to The Ordinary. Although their clinical approach to skincare daunted me a little to begin with, my mum helped by consulting my skin and selecting products that perfectly address all of my concerns. Fast forward a few months and I've been using them non-stop, and I've really been seeing the benefits! Now that they're tried and tested, I thought it was time to report back with my The Ordinary skincare routine for treating youthful skin, so keep reading to know my thoughts!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Marine Hyaluronics</span></b></div>
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Before discovering The Ordinary, I'd hardly tried out any facial serums or similar products, so this was a completely new realm for me. This product claims to be intensely hydrating and help to nourish the skin, leaving you with a smooth, younger-looking complexion. Although I'm only 20 and so anti-ageing isn't my highest priority, my skin has been desperate for a moisture boost and this product has answered all my prayers. It sinks into the skin almost immediately, unlike some products which uncomfortably sit on top of the skin, and gives my face a necessary injection of hydration without making it greasy. Since we're likely all going to be stuck inside for the foreseeable future, which can really dry out your skin and make it appear lacklustre, a product like this is absolutely essential.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%</span></b></div>
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If you're looking to combat an uneven skin tone, target any premature lines or simply brighten your skin, there's no doubt that this product will become a holy grail. Although my skin doesn't have any major problems like acne or wrinkles, one thing I struggle with is it sometimes looking quite dull and lifeless, and this product works wonders. Honestly, I didn't even know how important vitamin C was for your skin but now it is feeling incredibly nourished and looking radiant.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%</span></b></div>
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Much like the previous product, this one promises to brighten your skin whilst also evening out your skin tone, and you can definitely see the difference it makes. If you're someone who struggles with acne then this will be great for you, as it reduces the appearance of blemishes and hyperpigmentation. Although my spots aren't too bad now that I'm older, I still suffer from the occasional hormonal breakout, but this product has been making massive improvements when these occur.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: x-large;">AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution</span></b></div>
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This exfoliating facial is a miracle in a bottle, successfully reducing any congestion, hyper-pigmentation and dead skin you may be struggling with. Although I'm a huge lover of facial scrubs and peel-off masks, these can often be quite harsh and aggravate your skin, whereas a product like this effectively treats it without being abrasive. You don't need to use this often, in fact on young skin once a week would be more than enough, but it makes a massive difference to how your skin looks, and is perhaps my favourite product from The Ordinary<br />
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I hope that these recommendations were useful, and I'd love to know what your favourite products from The Ordinary are! Hopefully I provided a momentary distraction from everything that is currently going on in the world, and since my university has been moved online for the foreseeable future I have a lot more time for blogging, so if there's anything you'd like to see to get away from the mass hysteria then let me know! Stay safe and I'll see you soon with a new post.</div>
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-16717482203896043912020-03-04T13:19:00.000+00:002020-03-04T13:19:48.833+00:00Bronzing on a Budget - Affordable Fake Tans You Need To Try<div class="bodyfont">
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One of the biggest myths that I hear in the beauty community is that the more you spend on fake tan, the nicer it'll look. There's this huge misconception that buying cheaper products means you'll be left looking disastrously orange rather than the sunkissed glow you were hoping for. Although this may be the case with some products, there are also some amazing and affordable fake tans out there for achieving that bronze on a budget. Don't believe me? Well I guess you'll have to keep reading to discover my secrets...<br />
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<i>'So what's your favourite budget fake tan</i>' you're all asking... well not only does it practically cost pennies, but it's actually a drugstore own-brand! It really sounds too good to be true, but Superdrug's 'Solait Bronzing' range is seriously underrated considering how cheap it is. They sell a variety of mousses, serums, lotions, tanning waters - you name it and they've got it! I've also got my eyes on their new Overnight Tan Mask, so if that's something you'd like to see me test then let me know. And the best part is, everything is under £5.99, and quite often they're discounted or in a 2 for 1 offer as well, meaning they really are a complete bargain.<br />
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My favourite product (and the one that you can see me using below) is the Solait Tinted Bronzing Lotion in Medium, which has yet to fail me. It applies evenly and isn't greasy at all, and unlike other fake tans it dries down quite quickly meaning you're not doing that awkward bent-limbs walk around your bedroom - you know the one. I often have a problem with fake tan clinging in awkward patches to my knees, armpits and chest, but this hasn't been an issue with this product, plus it fades naturally which I definitely wasn't expecting. The tan itself is a very similar shade to what I am when returning from a holiday, so although it may seem slightly on the orange side it's actually very true to a real tan.<br />
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As for my face, I adore the Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzing Face Mist, and I swear by this rather than using a regular fake tan on my face. All you need to do is lightly spray it over your face - it's effortless and only a small amount is required to leave you with a gorgeous glow (beware, I once applied three layers of this as it's easy to get carried away when you don't see an immediate result, but the end product was disastrous). This is perfect for applying the night before so that you wake up with a gorgeous glow, and it's also easy to keep topping up as your tan gradually fades. Although this is a bit more expensive at £8.49, it is again quite often reduced as Superdrug have offers on, plus I've found that one tube tends to last for a really long time.<br />
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And now it's the product you've all been waiting for - £1 tanning wipes, surely that can't be right? I didn't believe it either until testing out Jess Wright's collaboration with Poundland, but this product is no joke. This is perfect for all you lazy gals who want your skin to have a subtle tan without having to go through all the hassle of fake tanning, and they're also perfect for topping up your tan when it starts to fade throughout the week. These are super simple to use: all you have to do is wipe them over your face and body and wait 3-6 hours for them to develop, that's it! Although the tan is on the subtler side, they still give a gorgeous glow that you honestly can't resist for £1.<br />
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So they're my budget fake tan favourites! I honestly couldn't recommend these products enough, although I'm always on the lookout for new ones, so if you have any suggestions then make sure you let me know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-71572768517728205652020-02-24T19:26:00.001+00:002020-02-24T19:26:40.959+00:00Celebrating Six Years of Blogging<div class="bodyfont">
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The saying is true - 'time flies when you're having fun'. It feels as though I've barely blinked an eye and suddenly it has been 6 years since I first started my blog. This is definitely a momentous occasion considering I didn't think I'd continue this hobby for more than a couple of weeks, and I certainly didn't think I'd be sat here still pouring over my blog at 20 years old, still as passionate and enthusiastic as the day I first started. It felt only right to mark this occasion with a brief journey through my time blogging, so sit tight and enjoy the ride!<br />
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I remember starting my blog like it was only yesterday - I was 14 years old and obsessed with watching beauty YouTubers like Zoella and Tanya Burr. I admired them so much and knew that I wanted to do something similar, but never in a million years would I dream of being in front of a camera. Despite having the confidence to perform on stage in front of large audiences, there was something about filming myself that I was way too shy to do. And then I discovered blogging, where all of these passions and endeavours could instead be channeled into writing. This was right up my street as I'd always been an avid writer as a child, and so one Tuesday afternoon without really questioning it, I decided to start 'Daisies and Delights'.<br />
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I was so excited to start and quickly created my first blog post: 40 facts about me (which is still up to this day, although I don't recommend searching for it as it is quite possibly the most embarrassing thing of mine to exist on the Internet) and from that point on I was hooked. I used to rush home from school every day and excitedly plan what I was going to write about next, using my iPhone 4s to take photos of makeup on my floral bedding, including now-classics like the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and Maybelline Colour Tattoos. Although my photos were by no means the best, my posts were very writing-heavy (although not much has changed there) and I had a very limited knowledge of makeup, I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.<br />
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It wasn't until long that I decided to expand the horizons of 'Daisies and Delights' and blog about other things rather than solely beauty. Reading was a huge love of mine growing up (and nothing has changed there) and so writing book reviews seemed like a natural progression, as well as writing posts about my studies, hobbies and anything else that I found interesting. I would sit there for hours every weekend and constantly redesign my blog appearance, try to teach myself coding: I would pretty much do anything I could to work on my blog.<br />
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And before I knew it, my blog started to receive a little bit of traction. My heart honestly exploded the day that I hit 3 followers, which after a while became 5 and so on. It was never much, and still isn't, but each and every person put a smile on my face and motivated me to continue. I also was introduced into the world of blogger mail and received a few books and beauty products from various brands, which was the first time I thought <i>'perhaps I'm actually alright at this blogging thing, other people seem to like it'</i>.<br />
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I couldn't keep my blog under wraps forever, and after a year or so people started to discover it, which at the time was the worst thing imaginable for me. As a 15-year-old girl who was a) very self-conscious and b) in a high school environment, the last thing I wanted was for my blog to be broadcast to everyone ready for judgement or mocking. My closest friends obviously knew about it and would see my posts through Twitter, but it was never something I openly discussed. Looking back, I'm sure some people saw my blog and thought it was weird, but equally I had a lot of people in my high school and college tell me that they had read some posts and really enjoyed them (plus, as a major nerd in high school, I'm sure my posts about revision tips would've been welcomed by anyone needing advice!) I'm so glad that I didn't let the fear of judgement get to me and cause me to stop blogging, as it has evolved so much since then and is a huge part of my life.<br />
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One moment that really stood out and made me realise just how much my blog meant to me was being invited to my first ever blogger event down in London. It was the summer holidays of 2016 and a week before my GCSE results, and I travelled to London with my mum for our first time exploring the city. We had the best time sightseeing and shopping, and the obvious highlight of my trip was attending the Seventeen Cosmetics event for an afternoon of masterclasses, makeup tutorials and testing their latest launches. Although I'd always been blogging as a hobby, it was at that point that I knew I wanted to continue doing it, no matter what.<br />
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Speaking of my mum, she has always been the biggest supporter and assistant I could ever wish for (although I'm sure she'd prefer the term creative director). Whilst in high school and college, she would constantly help me to come up with ideas for posts, taking photographs of me and doing every little thing she could to help. It was like our little project together at times, having photoshoots of Primark clothing on a Sunday afternoon or justifying our joint purchase of an eyeshadow palette as it was for my blog. Although she doesn't help as much now as I've moved away for university, I genuinely couldn't have blogged without her and she deserves so much credit. My boyfriend also deserves a huge thank you, as he's always supporting my blog and helping me take photos (even though I'm sure it's the last thing on earth he wants to do in his spare time), and I couldn't thank him enough for the help that he gives me.<br />
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Fast forward to now, and 'Daisies and Delights' has become 'By Daisy Bradbury' - an updated space that is more in keeping with who I am now at 20 years old. Although my posts aren't as frequent due to juggling my blog with a degree, part-time job and various other commitments, one thing that'll never change is the passion and dedication that goes into it. What started out as a simple hobby that I expected to last for a couple of months at most has now encompassed a huge span of my life and many milestones along the way. But this is by no means the end: I adore my blog with all my heart and couldn't imagine no longer doing this, and I'm determined to not give up on it.<br />
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Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me - whether you've been here since day one or joined last week, you honestly don't know how much it means to me. The lovely comments and messages always make my day, and I've made some genuine friendships through blogging that I'll always cherish. So thank you very much, I seriously appreciate it!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-57779493961243626622020-02-06T22:29:00.000+00:002020-02-24T19:30:29.566+00:00It's My 20th Birthday, Come and Celebrate With Me!<div class="bodyfont">
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Wow, I honestly can't believe that I'm 20! Almost 2 weeks later and it still hasn't sunk in that I'm no longer a teenager, despite my birthday being well and truly over. That being said, I had such a lovely time celebrating and was utterly spoilt by everyone. Although I'm back to reality now, I didn't want my birthday to pass without documenting it on my blog, especially since I know that a lot of you are eager to hear what I got up to! So if you'd like to know everything that I did on my 20th birthday, make sure you keep reading!</div>
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I started off my birthday to see that my boyfriend and one of my housemates had decorated the living room of our student house with tons of balloons and banners, which was such a sweet surprise that I wasn't expecting at all! My boyfriend also gave me some lovely presents, including this absolutely stunning Morphe eyeshadow palette and Ophra highlighter which you'll definitely be seeing a lot of in my upcoming blog posts. He also bought me a pair of trainers that I can't wait to wear in the warmer weather, some bath bombs for the perfect pamper evening and lots of my favourite chocolates (which I'm still making my way through, two weeks later!) I think the thing that stood out to me the most was how perfect each item was suited to me and how everything had been carefully thought of, and I honestly love all of it!</div>
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My three housemates (who are some of my closest friends and I absolutely adore) also completely spoilt me and bought me a Givenchy gift set containing a perfume, mascara and lipstick. These are all absolutely gorgeous but my friends are way too generous for going out of their way and doing this! Again, this won't be the last you'll be seeing of them on my blog!</div>
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After a chilled morning of getting ready and Facetiming both my parents and my grandparents (they came to see me for my birthday at a later date, but I still wanted to chat to them on the day), it was time for me and Aiden to head out. One of my favourite things for us to do together is play mini-golf, so that's exactly what we decided to do at Roxy's Ballroom in Manchester. This was such a cool and urban location and is deceivingly massive inside, and we had a ball (no pun intended) in the photo booth and playing mini-golf. I'll definitely be heading back there at some point, and if you're over 18 in Manchester and looking for a chill place to play mini-golf, pool, table tennis or beer pong then this is perfect for you.</div>
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After mini-golf, we decided to go for cocktails in Slug and Lettuce, since this is one of my favourite places to go for drinks and the interior is honestly to-die-for. We also went for food, which was a Nandos since I'd been craving one for the past few months and was dying to have my favourite sunset burger, and I'll admit it definitely lived up to the expectations. </div>
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Of the evening, I decided that I'd prefer to have a cosy night in the house with drinks rather than going out, since we'd been out all day and also the previous evening to celebrate the end of exams. We spent the night with my housemates making cocktails, playing on the Wii and honestly just having a laugh, and it was such a lovely night together. Also, two of my boyfriend's friends decided to drive to Manchester to join us and they also brought me flowers, how sweet!</div>
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And that was my 20th birthday! I also had the chance to celebrate with and see my parents, grandparents and my boyfriend's parents within the following week, which was lovely and honestly I wasn't complaining about elongating the celebrations! Overall, my 20th was such a lovely occasion and I feel so blessed to have spent it with the best people who all made me feel incredibly special and loved! Also, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it such a special day, I genuinely don't know what I did to deserve the best people in my life. I hope you enjoyed reading this post, and I'll see you soon with a new one!</div>
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506661830544519253.post-65918245485981588592020-01-14T18:31:00.000+00:002020-01-14T18:31:13.939+00:00Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020.<div class="bodyfont">
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Wow, long time no see! The last month has honestly been hectic for me and I feel as though I haven't stopped! Although you haven't missed anything interesting - after the excitement of Christmas wore down and the holiday blues set in, I've been drowning in revision and essay deadlines. Amidst all of this chaos, I thought it'd be nice to discuss my goals for the new year and little changes that I'd like to make in 2020, so I hope you enjoy hearing what I want to focus on!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Read more books that I genuinely want to read</span></b><br />
Doing an English literature degree means that I naturally read a lot, and quite often I have an average of 3 texts each week that I study. Although I want to continue staying on top of this reading in 2020, I also want to make more time for the books that I want to read and that I'm passionate about, outside of my university curriculum. Working in a bookstore means I'm constantly seeing amazing new releases and intriguing books that I'm dying to read, and so I'm determined to make more time for these in the upcoming year. I'm also the sci-fi and fantasy section owner in my store, and so I want to ensure that I keep up-to-date with new releases and widen my horizons within this genre.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Establish a proper morning routine</span></b><br />
When I'm at university, it can be incredibly easy to roll out of bed an hour before my first lecture begins, rush to get ready and then speedwalk to the bus stop to ensure that I make it in on time. However, I'm determined to make the most of my mornings this year and get up earlier to be productive and have a proper routine. Although I'm not back at uni yet, I've started by making sure I have breakfast every morning (either porridge or Weetabix are my go-to) and I've also been doing a workout a couple times a week, which has definitely left me feeling motivated and energised for the day. I've still got to finalise my morning routine, but once it's finished I'm sure I can write a post about it if that's something you'd like to see.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Have a healthier lifestyle</span></b><br />
Following on from the last point, 2020 is the year that I really want to start living a much healthier lifestyle. Although I did this intermittently throughout 2019 and had phases of going to the gym and eating healthier, it's not something that I was consistent at. I've started getting back into working out again this year (although from home, since the gym is ridiculously expensive!) and I'm also eager for my dance classes to start again soon. I've also been making a conscious effort to eat more fruit and vegetables, as well as cutting out sugar and unhealthy foods where I can, and I've also been trying to cut down my meat intake where possible. It's actually been a lot easier than I expected - I'd become sick of takeaways by the end of December - but it's only been a few weeks so we'll have to see how it goes!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Up my blogging and social media game</span></b><br />
I absolutely adore blogging and it's such a huge passion of mine, however, when I have necessary requirements like university and my part-time job, my blog can get pushed to the bottom of the pile. I really want to get back into posting frequently, both on here and on my social media accounts, and increasing the quality of what you see. I also received a ring light for Christmas so there's really no excuse for my photos to not be amazing now! I'm honestly incredibly excited for this year of blogging ahead, and I've already got tons of ideas that you'll have to keep an eye out for!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Focus on myself more</span></b><br />
I love treating other people, but sometimes amongst my busy schedule and hectic life I can forget to treat myself. Whether that's by purchasing a new outfit, having a pamper evening or indulging in a slice of cake and a good book, I want to reward myself and dedicate more time to myself this year. Rather than seeing things like washing my hair as a chore, I want to try and indulge more in my hair and body care routine, taking the time to do little things that I enjoy like painting my nails and fake tanning. So not to be selfish or anything, but this year is going to be all about treating myself again.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #edd0c8; font-size: large;">Step outside of my comfort zone</span></b><br />
I'm very much the type of person who stays within their comfort zone and will only do things that they're comfortable with, but I'm determined to change this and broaden my horizons more this year. I reached a point a few years ago of really challenging myself to be outside of my comfort zone, but when my mental health took a sharp decline I receded back into the comforts of the familiar. I don't really have any particular plans of how I'm going to do this, although my boyfriend and I are taking skiing lessons in a few weeks that I'm absolutely terrified of, so maybe that's a good place to start!<br />
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What are your resolutions and plans for the new year? I'd love to know down in the comments!<br />
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Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640200667005942466noreply@blogger.com0