Scottish Winters Never End

Hiya guys! How are you all today? You are nearly there! You can almost touch the weekend... I'm quite excited about this weekend as I'm seeing my dad (haven't been down since October and haven't seen my dad since the week before Christmas...). Im hoping to put together a little post about it for next Monday. But Im not sure yet, I need to decide on where I want to take it? Not sure if I should just do a little travel/photo diary, or maybe do a post specifically on the city Carlisle? I guess I can just play it by ear! I'm also praying to the weather gods that it's slightly warmer there, we haven't really been blessed with temperature in a while. I just find it crazy that we are still wrapping up in hats, scarves & gloves, yet there are many people in the world able to wear shorts & sandals?

Before I go to my Dads, I have a lot I need to get done! I've been working all week (like most) so I haven't had the time or lighting to take photos of certain outfits. If I run out of time or lighting, I take photos on another day so I don't waste the look and I have content there If I need it. Plus, I'll be wanting actual outfit photos of what I'm wearing travelling so I need to give myself enough time before the train. If I don't have time, I'm not working next Wednesday so it can be done then. Also, we have an appointment at the vets for 2:30 as the fur babies need their injections! Plus I still actually need to pack! Which I will probably do after work tomorrow just so that's one thing ticked off the list! Oh the joys of being an adult...

If it is cold, I'll have plenty to keep me warm! I bought another scarf today from Topshop. I also got 2 for Christmas... One from Chris' aunt & another from secret Santa at work. I don't know why but I'm really loving scarfs! I have 1 pair of gloves to my name, as well just two hats. Again, one of them being a Christmas present. I just love wrapping something big and snuggly around my neck, then heading into the harsh Scottish air. Im sure you will see my newest addition on friday! I also spent the rest of my topshop card online. I picked up this gorgeous dress and can't wait to style it! It will look great during the day with some Dr Martens or the evening with a pair of heels. Dresses that can be worn during the day and night, are my favourite types of dress.

Jacket- Unif
T-Shirt- Hard Rock
Skirt- H&M
Bag- Skinny Dip
Shoes- Next

Outfit Details
I LOVE these shoes & the skirt. I picked both of them up in a sale. In fact, I got the shoes as a part of my uniform last year, they are so comfortable! And they are the most beautiful blue with a suede finish. Obviously going for the skirt first, I then opted for anything blue. Clearly. Although, my bag is mostly blue so I probably with for the bag more for the practicality rather than the little bit of blue on it... I was going for a smart but casual look the day I was wearing this,  I still wanted to look put together, but comfortable. So I opted for a classic black motif tee and some cool brogues. Overall, I look this look. I think it screams me. A preppy look with grungy vibes.

What are you looking forward to this weekend? What are you doing? Even if its nothing, let me know!

What To Choose For Work?

Hiya guys, sorry I've not posted in awhile! I had a week or so there where I was just crashing after work & napping... I'm sorry. I got stuck in a bit of a rut, so it's made me realise I need to look at my blog planning more and schedule as many posts where I can so I don't get stuck in a rut! Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that if I miss a target or goal I can loose a bit of motivation and become mad at myself. I'm trying to learn to let that go. So this week I'm going to keep to my aim for at least 2 posts a week and schedule posts for the upcoming weeks while I have the motivation to work on my blog! I feel it's really important, more so personally for myself, to keep to a routine though. Sticking to my blog schedule (find here).

I'm determined to not let it get me down if I do miss a post, as we are only human and it is ok! Or at least thats what im trying to get into my head... Plus, this time around, I really don't want to put up haphazard posts that I'm not entirely happy with. This year I really want to work on giving you the best quality I can. If I'm not 100% happy with something, I don't want to just post it because I "have" to keep to a schedule. As ill just be more upset with myself that I let the standard slip!

Anyways, now that I've explained all that onto my post! So on saturday at work, my manager pulled me over and said I had been selected for more uniform, but specifically more tailored looks. Of course I was honored and jumped at the chance! It's my life & enjoyment to put looks together, so to then have the opportunity to have that cross over into work is brilliant. Plus, anything to get the creative juices flowing! She said they were looking for more quirky looking outfits, to help customers feel my confident at wearing different styles or get more ideas from what we wearing.

I thought this would be a great post to do for lifestyle as it's to do with my work and working is pretty much a part of everyone's life! Hence why I'm not doing this post on thursday where the topic is fashion! Anyways, I hope you like my picks and maybe get some inspiration.

Satin Black Culottes

Navy Culottes

Black Waistcoat 

Cream Culottes

 

Orange Print Dress (Have this already!)

Ladybird Print Dress

Floral Print Dress

 

Navy Taper Trousers
Floral Wide Leg Trousers
Textured Floral Trousers
Berry Slouched Trousers
Grey Slouched Trousers
Navy Striped Slouched Trousers

Navy Stripe Skirt
Purple Floral Skirt
Berry Skirt

As you can see, I there's a lot I have my eye on and they are all favourites! This is just a small selection of what Next actually have to offer for their office wear. I also just want to point out this is NOT SPONSORED! I do actually work at Next and as I pointed out earlier, I really do feel this is a lifestyle post as it is my real life and I'm sure workwear is important for a lot of you! I was just so excited to be selected that I wanted to share that & my ideas with you. I love Next as a shop and I have done since I was about 14/15, so I love that I get a uniform allowance, plus I just walk around all day window shopping! As well as actually working of course...

What's your favourite?
What do you think I should go for?

I'd love to hear your thoughts so please let me know below!

Weird Kind Of Day

Hiya everyone, back with another post today! I've still not been able to film my "Updates" video yet but, I have that scheduled in my brain to do tomorrow... I haven't really had that much free time the past few days especially with putting together posts and uploading to Chictopia & Lookbook as well. So why was today a weird kind of day? Well, in all honesty its all to do with the weather really. When I first opened my eyes at an ungodly hour the sun was shining, then when I was finally able to manage to get brain signals to the rest of my body, telling it to move. I could still see some sun shining, however, when we finally got in the car and was about halfway to where we were going, the heavens decided to start spitting at us...Lovely. Also, with some added love in the shape of big grey heavy clouds. Oh the joys of living in a fairly miserable-weather kind of country. 

As I have been writing this heavy rain has been falling from the skies above, I nearly didn't go out to get my camera from the boot. But I told myself to quit being a wimp as it was only for 2 minutes and I did have my hat on. It wasn't as if it really mattered anyway, I was retiring for the evening. So who cares if my hair went all flat and wet?

Where were we going today? I hear you ask, well to put it bluntly, to hand some CVS out to try and get a job... I handed quite a few out but whether or not I hear back from anybody is another story. I shall keep you all updated though!

Hat- H&M buy here
Shirt- George at Asda (supermarket)
Skirt- H&M
Flatform Brogues- Office
Bag- Vintage (from the 60s!)
Lipstick- Clinique

OUTFIT DETAILS
So as I mentioned that I was handing out C.Vs, I wanted something smart yet casual. Something comfy enough to walk around in, but also said PLEASE HIRE ME. What do you think? Did I get that look? I really didn't mean to go for tartan again...It just sort of happened and I didn't want to wear any of the pastel colours that all my shirts seem to be in...As well as not re-wearing yesterdays outfit as I knew I was going to be posting today. I went for the all time favourite flatforms because as I said in yesterdays post, I want to get back into heels. Without crippling my feet today I opted for the flatform look, also these are flatform brogues and the last time I checked brogues are smart!

Didn't You Hear? Autumn Is Here.

Hiya guys, been a while, how are you all? Have you had a good summer, or lucky enough to still be enjoying sun & freedom? I'm not going to get into what i've been up too or explaining my disappearance as I am planning to do an "Updates Video" on Youtube which i will also be posting on here. So I'll just be doing a general chatty post today, hope you don't mind too much! So today we just popped along to Xscape (now Soar), for something to eat with Chris Gran. Then we popped along to the arcade games as Gran is an avid coin gambler, of course, just like most of that generation... And they say we, the younger generation, are frivolous with our money. Believe me, you don't understand the definition of frivolous with money until you've witnessed a grandparent at the arcades! In all honesty though, Chris Gran DOES NOT have a gambling problem. Or so we are lead to believe ;)

I think every person from each generation has some sort of memory of going to these sorts of places, or it may just be a UK thing. I remember being about 5-6 years old and going to a place called Hayling Island, an island (duh obviously with a name with the actual word island included...) with one of those british seaside towns, which had a small fair and rides. As well as a small arcade and play area inside. The place was called Funland. I can honestly say I loved going, I even had my 5th birthday party there. Im pretty sure I had some of my happiest moments and memories there. From my memory, as a child, it was totally awesome! I know now, that if I was to return (which im sure I will, as i'd love to show Chris!) I wouldn't understand the fascination I had, the delight it brought me. Even now, as Im thinking about the place i can taste their chips from the chippy and the sweet doughnuts. Mmm! I wonder if its changed much from my last visit? It didn't change much in the time I even visit as a child...

Warning: There are a TONNE of scratches ALL OVER my hands and legs from our kittens Mufasa & Valentino! I haven't had a fight with a thorn bush...

Dress- Fat Face (Gift from Mother in Law!)

Heels- Asos similar here

Clutch- Internacionale

Necklace- Primark

Lipstick- Mac in Craving

OUTFIT DETAILS

Originally, I had a completely different outfit in mind, except for the shoes I kept them. I wanted something pretty casual & not so out there for my first post coming back (more info coming in my updates video). I was also just going for relaxed lunch so I thought this would be comfy enough while giving me room to eat ;) I stuck to the red/white colours with this outfit and I thought the pop of yellow in my clutch added that extra something, without going over the top. Also, yellow matches pretty well with red. I went for heels even though they aren't casual because I really want to get back into wearing different shoes and heels again. Need to re-break my feet in!

Late Summer Evenings

Hiya guys! Sorry for the mild absence once again. I genuinely have had my hands quite full the past few weeks! Firstly, I had a short holiday to London, then the day after we arrived we were off to pick up the kittens! & since then, its been non-stop and I haven't really had the time or energy to do anything... Bad I know. I do have a tonne of stuff to show you from london but its been hard to find the time to sort any of it out. Plus, you know what I'm like, I need to post it all together otherwise it causes unnecessary anxiety...Weirdo. I have outfit posts, photography & a video. So at least a few hours of editing work! Not that I'm complaining, I really love it. But, of course it is time consuming and time is not what I have a lot of right now. Since I have become a cat mother (shhh I know its ridiculous...) I have literally been giving all of my energy & time to them.

Since this time is quite important for your kittens development, I'm doing as much as I can with them to shape them into the cats we would like. I've done a lot of researching online and theres three segments of time to get them used to what you will do with them throughout their adult life. Theres the first 6 weeks of their life, then 6-12 weeks and the final time of development is up to 6 months. Chris and I both think that they weren't really handled much up until we basically took them on, which was at 9 weeks old. So we're having to get them used to A LOT. Plus, since I would like them to be "lap cats" this means that, whenever they need/want to sleep I need to hope that they come find my lap or pick them up when they are tired enough. This will then teach them that when they are tired to seek out one of our laps, which I have to say, they've already caught onto quick! Occasionally, one will still hide behind the sofa as there is a comfy spot there, but the majority of the time they will nap on my lap/legs. 

So I'm then pretty much confined to the sofa in the weirdest, most uncomfortable (at times) of positions... But all of this hard work that is being put in will pay off in the end. As we will have the kitty cats that we want! Which, I guess is one of the positives of getting kittens. As you can shape them into the cat and routine that you would like. Both of them have already come on tremendously in the short time that we have had them, which is a week and a half. Also, the reason we actually went for kittens and didn't rescue any cats was because of the rabbits. As i was saying, that we want to shape them, then we can also get them to socialise with the rabbits and teach them NOT to attack them!  So I think the term "cat mother" really is appropriate! 

Heres a short post on the kittens with some photos.

Also, I just wanted to mention that these photos are old. I just haven't got round to posting them, I've no idea why, but I thought this was the perfect time to post them as all I have is my london stuff right now.

Jacket- Unif at Nasty Gal

Dress- Topshop (sale)

Heels- Asos

Bag- Vintage

Necklace c/o- Persunmall

Headband- Crown and Glory buy here

OUTFIT DETAILS

So a few months ago, we took a spontaneous trip to our favourite italian restaurant. I can't remember if it was a joint meal or if Chris decided to treat me? I think he decided to treat me... So i threw this together, started with the dress and heels as they matched with the green. I then decided to add that "dark edge" that I always crave in an outfit. Which was of course, the leather biker with some lovely black roses added to my head. I always need something to take a little from the "girlyness" of an outfit.

FAMILY DAYS

Hiya lovelies!  I've had such a fantastic day on Saturday. I met up with my dad (technically step-dad but i grew up with him being my dad) who i hadn't seen in 3 years! I was so excited, the whole drive up to Glasgow my chest was just buzzing. It was so nice to be able to sit down and have a chat face to face, as well as meeting his wife to be! She was so lovely and i really couldn't be happier for the both of them. Chris came with me as well, but first my dad and i had an hour or so together, before we met with Laura, her two boys (who were also very sweet and cute!) and her mum! We then went to one of mine and my dads favourite restaurant! The Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow that is still fairly new! My dad was/is a total hard rock geek and he got me into it a few years ago. I LOVE the franchise and really couldn't be happier that there is now one in Glasgow. The nearest one after that is Edinburgh and lets be honest, that really is a loooong way to go for a meal! So i was an extremely happy girl yesterday, seen my dad, got fed some Hard Rock food and now have a Glasgow Hard Rock Cafe top to join my other ones in my wardrobe...

Chris and i are also babysat my older cousins wee boys that night. I guess in a way they are my "nephews" they do both call me auntie... But i have no idea what they would be in "real family terms" :P I don't mind being an auntie, its kind of cool. Its the best of both worlds, you get act like an adult and look after kids but you dont have the full responsibility and stresses of being a real parent... I love kids and i can't wait to have them, even though i'm waiting at least 5-10 years before i have my first. Hence why i like to look after them once in a while and its nice to hear them excited about spending time with you. As you are the/a "cool auntie". Plus Chris and i really want to travel and just have time for ourselves before we really settle down... I mean we are still young. Not that i have a problem with young parents, i just don't want to be a young parent!

My Dad and i at Hard Rock Cafe! :D

Jacket- Unif at Nasty Gal

Dress- Goldie London at Topshop

Creepers- Underground at Viper London buy here

Hat- H&M

Sunglasses- H&M

Bag- Roxy

Socks- Asos similar here

OUTFIT DETAILS

As i was going to be walking around Glasgow all day, i wanted something that would be comfy, chic and had my style thrown in somewhere! We finally had some hot sun as well, hence why my legs are on show! I also thought the fish net socks were super cool and different to normal socks so i threw them on. I love this dress its very summery, light and makes me feel super feminine! Even though i am a girl i try to stay away from things that are super girly! So obviously i added my chunky creepers and my slightly oversized leather jacket. Just to make me feel a bit more comfortable and in my style! I really need to try and wear this dress more, especially in the summer.