Fashion and Lifestyle Blog
On the 8th of September four years ago, I started the biggest and scariest journey of my life - I moved 172 miles from home to study journalism at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Now I'm beginning a new, even bigger journey- adult life.
This month is a great time of year for the zero waste community as it's #SecondhandSeptember. This is a social media trend that challenges us all to only buy thrifted clothing and accessories for a whole month. As many of you know, I already do this. At the beginning of the year, I decided I would only buy pre-loved clothes in 2021, and it's going well so far. I'm lucky to enjoy thrifting and love having a good rummage about for hidden gems. So, after a few months of no shopping at all recently, I was embarrassingly desperate to have a browse in the local charity shops again. So, in the space of a few days, I managed to build up an impressive haul of pre-loved items, and I'd like to share them with you all...
For many of us, the new academic year is approaching faster and faster, and it's about time we get everything organised for going to university. Whether this is your first or final year, sometimes we all need a little help preparing. I always forget what I need and end up rushing down Union Street in search of all my supplies. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out what supplies work for you. Here are my student essentials for studying and attending lectures...
Have you ever gotten a random burst of motivation but end up burning yourself out? Or have you found yourself in a slump with no inspiration whatsoever? So have I. I experience "writer's block" often and have learned to live with that and make the most of the times that I am feeling productive. Having productivity slumps is natural, and nobody should feel ashamed for having one. But when I am feeling productive, I like to ensure I make the most of it and make it last as long as possible. Here are my top tips for staying productive and maintaining motivation...
Turning 21 is surreal enough at the best of times. I'm now officially an adult- even though everyone insists I'm still young and can get away with doing stupid stuff. Your 21st birthday is your last "big" birthday. There's not much you can't do after you're 21. So, many people go all out on their 21st, throwing huge parties to celebrate their crossover to adulthood. But over the past year and a half, most of us couldn't do that. I was fortunate enough to celebrate my 21st with my friends, but feel bad for those who were stuck inside for their birthday...
Podcasts have grown in popularity in recent years, especially during lockdown. Podcasts are often informal and conversational audio shows that usually concentrate on a niche audience. They have risen in popularity due to their casual and authentic nature. As well as that, they're easy to slip into any busy life and routine. They're perfect for listening to while going about your day; I listen to them while cleaning and doing laundry. But many people listen to podcasts while exercising or working since they provide good background noise while also informing and entertaining. On that note, here are some of my favourite podcasts that I've been enjoying recently...
The blog-writing process can be super fun but also a bit exhausting. I find myself having bursts of motivation that last a couple of weeks, followed by an extended period of the dreaded writer's block. I know how intimidating starting a blog can be, so I decided to write a post about writing posts. I started my blog almost two years ago but, I posted inconsistently when I first started. This was due to a lack of motivation and direction. Now that I've been blogging consistently for a year now, I know my way around a bit more. So, for my 50th blog post, I thought a look behind the scenes could be a great insight into the work that goes behind my blog and a celebration of everything I've learned while writing for the blog...
Who doesn't love a good book? I love lighting a scented candle, making a cup of tea and curling up to immerse myself in a page-turner. As much as I like my Kindle- which is better for the environment- I can't help but prefer physical books. I cherish the texture and smell of the pages and adore having cute bookmarks to keep track of my progress. But if you're anything like me, you struggle to find the time to read. I read plenty of articles and magazines but, books have been gathering dust on my bookshelf in recent years. However, I made a New Years Resolution that I'd read 20 novels in 2021 (not exactly a huge number but, it'll still be a challenge). So, I thought I'd try writing more posts about books to share what I have read with you all and encourage myself to read more. These are some of my favourite books, and please let me know what your favourites are in the comments or on social media...
With the end of lockdown in sight, I'm preparing for "normal life" again. Since lunch-dates and nights out have been non-existent for the past year, my face has been mainly makeup-free. Obviously, with my placement at BeautyBooker- I do wear make-up to work sometimes (usually if I am going to be in Zoom meetings), but I tend to focus on skin-care. Since I'm a student, my go-to make-up is mostly affordable middle-of-the-road options- no Chanel or Dior here. With "normal" life on the horizon, I thought I'd get back into the habit of looking presentable. Here are the make-up products I find myself reaching for the most and that you should try for post-lockdown life...
Three years ago, I was preparing to move 169 miles from home for university. I was already social awkward enough in school; how was I going to cope in the adult world? How was I going to adjust to living with strangers?… Alright, actually. But I didn't know that. Every scenario went through my head, each getting worse and worse. I would worry about what my flatmates would think of me or that I would fail all my modules. Now, in the third year of my course- about to start my final one in September- I am happier than ever and a lot less anxious. However, back then I could've been doing with someone to give me some much-needed advice. Here are some things I wish I knew before starting university:
Thrifty Mango 